"It seems as though Gage does care about you," Taylor said gently brushing Tommy's sweat and blood matted hair from his face. It had taken more time than Gage, but he had managed to break the boy's spirit. He had enjoyed that beyond anything he had ever done before. "He came for you."

No response. Tommy merely lay still on the bed in the master bedroom. The peach coloured sheets stained red and yellow from their last encounter. Worry began to fill the large man. He had not wanted to kill the boy, merely break his spirit.

"Hey," he said giving the boy a small shake. Slowly the boy's body responded to Biggins' touch.

"Hmmmmmmm," he moaned rolling from his side to his back.

"Good," he murmured tracing a thin line of blood from the corner of the Tommy's mouth to his jaw.

"Trent," Tommy whimpered realizing that he was not alone.

"No," came the response.

"Go away," he said rolling away from Biggins.

"I'll bring you one of your friends."

***********************************************************************

The door to Carlos' room burst open under the force of Taylor's weight.

"You're needed." He came toward Carlos.

"Gage?" he asked confused.

"The boy." He undid the lock on the cuffs and unhooked it from the younger man's wrist.

Not saying anything else, Biggins seized Carlos by the hair on his head. He quickly pulled him up the hall toward the stairs. He pushed open the door to the room at the top of the stairs and pulled Carlos inside.

The coppery salt smell of blood mingled with the almost sweet smell of sweat, and assaulted Carlos' senses as he was forced into the room. He could just make out the lines of a form lying in the bed. "Get him cleaned up and ready to go."He stumbled slightly when he was given a hard shove from his captor. Carefully Carlos moved toward the bed and the figure lying in it.

"Tom," he said softly. He moved closer to the form on the bed. His eyes caught sight of large bruises on Tommy's back, anger instantly swelled in him. He snapped his head up to look at Biggins, eyes wide with shock and fear. "What did you do to him?"

Gently he placed a hand on Tommy's shoulder. "Tom," he whispered. "It's Carlos."

"Carlos." His voice was hardly a whisper, and so coarse it was almost beyond recognition.

"That's right," he said removing his jacket. Nimbly his fingers undid the buttons of his top shirt. He removed the shirt and then aided Tommy in sitting up. Careful not to hurt him further, Carlos helped Tommy put the shirt on, and then he put his jacket back on.

"Can I go home now?" he asked trying to curl up against Carlos' shoulder.

"Not quiet yet, kiddo." He stood up, keeping one arm firmly around Tommy's shoulders. "Where're his clothes?" he asked Biggins. The large man pointed to a corner under the window on the other side of the room.

Scared and angry Carlos crossed the room and retrieved Tommy's clothes. The shirt was torn beyond saving, but his pants were wearable for a while. He helped Tommy put the pants on, and then he helped him to the door of the bedroom. It was unlocked and opened easily when Carlos pushed it.

The door just across the hall was open. Sounds of a beating resinated from the room. Carlos entered the room, stowing Tommy around the corner.

Gage was on the floor in a bloody heap. He was not even trying to defend himself against the man.

"Hey!" Carlos shouted instantly wishing that he had not.

"Where's the boy?" Biggins turned to face Carlos.

"Safe."

************************************************************************

Carefully Trent made his way up the path to the front door. Blessedly it was left open after Gage had gone in. Careful not make too much noise, Trent made his way to the back door where Travette and Walker were waiting with a handful of P.D. His heart broke with every step that he took. He could hear the beating going on upstairs. He wanted so much to help his friends, but he knew that there was no way he could do it alone.

The lawmen carefully made their way into the house. The P.D. covered all the exits on the first floor, while Walker, Travette and Trent made their way up the stairs.

"Carlos," Tommy said walking into Gage's room. Carlos lay unmoving in a heap on the floor. Gage sat at Carlos' side, blood running down the side of his face and dripping onto the collar of his shirt. Gage gingerly pressed his fingers into Carlos' neck just below his jaw while Biggins hovered over them.

"Tommy," Gage said as quietly as he could. Careful as he could Tommy moved to Carlos' side. Kneeling down he placed his fingers on the side of his friend's neck, he had to feel the blood rushing through the vein for himself, and pressed in. A weak smiled played across the youth's face when the pulse he found was steady and strong. Satisfied Tommy turned his attention to Gage.

"You all right?" he asked softly. Gage nodded.

"Awe, isn't this just cute," Biggins said from behind Tommy. Closing his eyes Tommy wished that he were somewhere else. He could feel that Biggins had moved closer to him. "Get up," he said to Gage, snaking his arm around Tommy's mid section.

"Give it up, Taylor," he said, carefully rising to his feet. "They have to be here by now. Carlos may be many things, but dumb isn't one of them. People knew where he was, and they'll come for him."

"Well, they can have him." He backed toward the door. "Let's go."

"All right." He started out the door. He was in mid stride when he saw Trent and Walker coming up the last couple of steps. He quickly shook his head no in an attempt to warn them to go back. At first neither understood his meaning until Biggins stepped out of the room holding a hostage close to his chest.

Realization struck Trent like a hot iron. "Tommy!" he shouted attempting to jump over the rail.

Walker immediately shot his arm out to stop him. "No," he said sharply. His grip was sure and tight.

"Walker," Biggins said producing a gun from behind his back, and aiming it at the men in front of him. "Nice to see you again." He smiled broadly at them. "Surprise, Trent."

"It's over," Walker said aiming his weapon at the large. "Let them go."

"I don't think so." He gave Gage a small shove. "We're leaving. I'll let the boy go once I know that we've not been followed."

Gage locked eyes with Walker. He was begging him for trust, and the allowance to finish things with Biggins once and for all; even if it meant allowing them to leave a potentially controllable situation. Though Walker despised the idea of permitting the three of them to leave the premises, he knew that there was no other choice. Gage would finish it whether or not the three of them walked out the front door.

He slowly ushered Trent and Travette back down the stairs. Gage followed behind them. Biggins brought up the rear with Tommy in tow. Trent watched helplessly as Gage, Tommy and Biggins walked out the front door. He moved quickly to follow them. As he ran, his legs almost would not carry him down the front walk to his car. His normally nimble fingers shook, and fumbled with his keys. Finally able to get his body under control, he followed the car that was being driven by Gage.