Notes: I was going to wait until I finished this story to post the new chapters but there's been a few requests for a new chapter.

Also thanks to Ira for pointing out the spelling error on Tony's last name. I thought I had copied it down right from Fox's website obviously I didn't. It will be corrected in this and future chapters.

By the time Jack caught up with Tony, Almeida was already yelling at the lead LAPD officer.

"You're telling me that CTU ordered that shot?"Tony asked using all his will power not to ring somebody's neck.

"Yes,Sir. Otherwise my officer wouldn't have taken the shot."

"Do we know if anybody was hit?"Jack asked trying to calm the situation.

The LAPD detective nodded. "My officer is certain he hit the suspect."

Jack caught something in the detective's voice. "But he's not sure."

"No, the view was partially obstructed."

Tony was livid. "But he took the shot anyway?! What the hell type of training do your people get?"

"Who gave the order from CTU?"Jack asked as he placed a calming hand on Tony's left shoulder.

"It came from Divison, that's all I know."The detective replied watching Almeida warily.

Tony was about to reply when his cell phone rang. Jack took the phone from his pocket and handed it to Tony.

Tony hit the talk button forcing himself to calm down. "Almeida."

"You broke your word."Yusuf's tight, pain filled voice replied back.

"No, I didn't."Tony stated as he turned away from the group. "I didn't order anyone to shoot. People took matters into their own hands. Yusuf, is anyone hurt?"

"I am."

"How bad?"Tony asked as he motioned the paramedics over. He was worried about Auda's state of mind.

"Not important."Yusuf replied as Michelle placed a clean piece of guaze on his shoulder. "Your people broke their promise. Our deal is off."

"Let me send the paramedics in."Tony stated looking for any way to earn Auda's trust back. "Then we can get President Palmer back on the line and we can find a way to end this."

"It is already over."Yusuf replied in a defeated tone. "You have shown that your people will do what they want no matter who's in charge. I have nothing left."

"That's not true."Tony assured the younger man, desperate for any reason to stall for time. "Talk to me, Yusuf. Give me something to work with...."

Auda shook his head, he was so tired. "There's going to be a war no matter what I do, Mr. Almeida. Thank you for what you tried to achieve."

"Yusuf....."Tony began but he found himself listening to the dial tone.

Still holding the phone Tony whirled to face the LAPD detective. "If she dies, it's on your head."

"What do you want us to do, Tony?"Jack asked not liking the determined expression on his friend's face.

"I promised her I'd get her out, Jack."Tony replied his gaze turning to the house.

"You will."Jack said as he moved them away from the LAPD officers. "What's the next move? Tear gas?"

Tony's gaze didn't waiver from the house. He wasn't going to loose Michelle....not after everything they'd been through.

"Too risky with his state of mind."Tony replied quietly. "I don't want him to paniac and shoot her."

"Do you want me to try to find a way in?"Jack asked.

"If this turns bad tell Chappelle this was all my idea."Tony ordered as he took out his gun. Turning he handed both the gun and cell phone to Jack.

"Tony...."Jack protested knowing exactly what his friend was planning. "There's another way."

"No there isn't, Jack."Tony replied. "We've lost dialog and his trust. I think he's loosing his grip on reality. I made her a promise, Jack. I'm going to keep it."

"Tony,"Jack began as Almeida started walking. "We'll think of something. We'll send the paramedics in.....we'll send food. He'll come around."

"You didn't hear him, Jack."Tony replied as he was halfway up the sidewalk. "Keep everybody back until you hear from me."

"Watch your back."Jack stated as he stopped at the foot of the sidewalk.

Tony didn't reply as he walked up the short steps to the front door of the beach house and knocked.

Jack could only watch and pray that he didn't loose two friends to this mess.

Remembering a promise Jack took out his cell phone and called Palmer back to give him an update.

**********

Michelle watched as Yusuf placed the cell phone on the floor and struggled not to show how terrified she was.

"So you're just giving up?"Dessler asked hoping the catch in her voice didn't sound as loud to him as it did to her.

Yusuf didn't look at Michelle as they sat next to each other on the floor oppisite the patio doors.

"Being realistic is not giving up."Auda replied as he held the gun loosely with his good arm. "The powerful people always win. Your country is powerful, mine is not."

Michelle felt her fear intensify. "You're just going to kill me and let the people who framed Ali win?"

Yusuf finally met her gaze. "We're the first casulties of this war. There is nothing more to be done about it. Fate is fate."