AN: Well finally I'm back. It's been a very long road with a lot of
twists and turns. My muse deserted me for a while. Well she didn't
exactly leave she just took a hiatus. I have this and one or two more
chapters before I finish this saga. I promise it won't be seven months.
Thanks: As always I owe a huge debt to my betas, Kyre and Alaidh. I can tell the story; they make it readable.
Wyldegod, Thank you for letting me borrow Suede and keeping on me to finish this.
Star24 for always being a sounding board and a good friend as well thanks. I may not have ever finished without your support.
And last but not least thanks to those fans who've stuck with this story asking me when I'd finish. This is actually for you, thanks.
Dancing In The Moonlight Chapter 10
"Max, are you ready for this?" Zack questioned. "You heard what they've been doing to Logan. He isn't going to be the same. You may not even recognize him."
"I'll know him... I've always known him," she replied dully. "It doesn't matter what he looks like. I will know him. I love him." Her voice trailed off and she bit her lip, fighting back tears. Gone was the ferocious woman ready to take back what was hers. She was replaced by a still very young woman beset with fear, for her love and for herself.
"Max, I know how much you love him. Believe me, I know." Zack was uncharacteristically gentle. "Sometimes love isn't enough," he said wistfully.
Max turned to Zack and spat out, "Love is enough! It has to be, and I will do whatever it takes to get him back. Whatever it takes! Do you understand? I will get Logan back."
Zack returned to soldier mode instantly. "I'm trying to prepare you for what you might see. I can't have you breaking on me in the middle of a fight. Everything depends on us working together. Got it?"
"Got it!" Max snarled, her anger on the rise again.
Molly listened quietly to the conversation and turned to Bling, who was settled comfortably beside her in the van. "He knows how to push Max's buttons, doesn't he?" she asked rhetorically. She flushed bright red when Max and Zack turned to look at her.
Bling grinned at her, "They have enhanced hearing."
"You could have told me," Molly retorted indignantly.
That broke the tension and everyone laughed. Suede, who was driving, laughed the loudest. "It is good, brothers and sisters, to laugh in the face of danger. It makes us stronger."
The people in the van sobered. Zack looked at the others. "Okay, one more time. Bling, you and Molly are going in the front door. They won't be expecting you; it will create the diversion we need. Zane, you're with Max; your job will be to locate Logan and get him out. You'll go in the staff entrance. Tam and I will cover the laundry and kitchen entrances. Suede, your responsibility is to secure the front of the building and to look out for Molly and Bling. They won't be any match for White's people. Jondy will back you up."
Bling protested, "I can take care of myself and Molly."
Zack quelled him with a look. "White's people are stronger than us. If you can't follow orders, you don't go in. Your primary concern is to protect Molly. Suede's responsibility is the front of the building; you fall into his sphere. Understood?"
"Understood," Bling said.
A phone rang and Suede answered, "Status?"
Krit answered tersely. "They're planning a party. Several have drifted in and are hiding in the trees. Brin and Syl have taken out three very quietly. The others don't know we're here. Dan and Mick are at the perimeter. So far we've counted six besides the three we've already taken out. I don't know how many are inside."
"Understood. Protect the perimeter. Anything you can do to slow down White will buy us time to get Logan out. Silence from now, We'll be there in five. Be prepared. Out."
Molly looked around and saw quiet preparations. It hit her suddenly that people might die...may have already died. Fear gripped her, she had never thought of that possibility. She looked at Bling for reassurance. The look on his face confirmed her fears. He looked grim and determined to see this through to the end.
"Bling?" she asked tentatively.
He looked down at her. "Molly this is going to be very dangerous. I would feel better if you stayed in the van," he said quietly.
"Bling, what about the patients? They're innocent! I can't let anything happen to my patients! I don't want anyone to get hurt. Isn't there another way?" Molly said, beginning to panic.
"Molly!" Zack snapped. She whirled to look at him. Her eyes were big and her pupils were dilated. There was a slight tremor in her hands.
"We need you to help us. You can identify the patients. You can protect them. We don't want to hurt anyone innocent. It's up to you and Bling to protect the patients, " Zack said with quiet intensity.
"Molly," Max said flatly, startling everyone. "You chose to help us. You cared for Logan; and you care for your patients. Their lives are in your hands. It's on you what you do. Help us or not. I know one thing; I'm not leaving without Logan." Max retreated into a state of waiting. She was totally focused on one thing and nothing short of death would stop her from getting to her objective.
Molly looked at Max and then at Bling. "Okay... I'm just worried, that's all. I just didn't realize what I was getting myself into."
Bling looked at her. "None of us ever do. If it makes you feel any better you're with the best."
That got a bitter snort from Zane. "Yeah, the best, I let them take Logan."
"Brother, it was not your fault. Logan chose his own path. Tonight you are going to get him back. It is your karma," Suede intoned, looking back at Zane. "It is time to play." The van slowed to a halt. Suede stood, a feral-like grin on his face. "Take care, my family. He slid the door open and disappeared into the night, leaving behind a void where he had been.
A moment later, a mockingbird sang.
Zack held up his hand and motioned. Tam slipped out of the van and over the fence, looking like nothing more than a fleeting shadow, followed closely by Zack. Jondy motioned for Bling and Molly to go. They stepped out of the van and were startled by the crunch of gravel under their feet. Molly started to whisper something, but was stopped by Bling. They began walking toward the gate.
Molly thought she heard a noise. She turned and looked, but there was nothing but the shadow of the trees in the pale moonlight. She was startled by another birdcall, followed a moment later by a long, low whistle. Molly settled her hand into Bling's, glad he was at her side. She heard another long whistle and suddenly she was flung to the ground.
Bling saw him coming out of the corner of his eye. He pushed Molly to the ground and turned to engage the man coming at him. Before he could react, the Familiar was on him. Bling ducked, hoping the man would lose his balance, but it didn't happen. Bling turned and blocked a blow coming toward his head. He knocked the familiar back, who seemed surprised at Bling's strength. The Familiar smiled and launched an attack, totally without sound. He punched and kicked at Bling with blinding speed. Bling parried as well as he could. He was able to land a few blows, but he was no match for the man's superhuman strength.
Molly watched as the battle took place. The only noise was the landing of blows as Bling and the familiar fought in the shadows. She wasn't even sure whether she was seeing them or the shadows from the trees. Molly wanted to scream. Suddenly a third shadow appeared. She saw Suede yank the Familiar off Bling, and looked on in horror as she saw Suede snap the Familiar's neck. Suede helped Bling up. He turned and grinned at Molly, touched his finger to his lips, motioned toward the hospital and disappeared into the shadows.
Max was a blur in the darkness. She moved through the trees toward the staff entrance, the only trace of her passage a few broken blades of grass. Zane was quick on her heels. He'd screwed up once. It was his fault that White and his people had gotten Logan. He was determined to pay for that sin, even with his life.
As they got closer to the building, they slowed, becoming more wary. Max raised her hand, bringing Zane to a halt. She turned her head toward the sound of a long, low whistle. Brin stepped out of the shadows and gave a signal, holding up four fingers and pointing to her left. She melted back into the shadows.
Max gave a hand signal to Zane, and then she slowly crept toward her quarry. Zane moved to flank. The guards were unaware they were being stalked until it was too late. One guard turned toward a slight sound and was met with a vicious blow to the trachea. As he doubled over, he felt strong fingers grab his hair and slam his face into an unforgiving knee with stunning force. His last conscious thought was ' Who...?' as a small, trim figure vaulted over him.
Zane watched Max as she attacked the next guard with wild fury. He quickly made a decision and pulled out his gun. Max whirled as she heard the soft snick of a silenced gun being fired. The four guards were no longer a problem.
Inside Timberview it was deceptively quiet. The only sound was an occasional cry from the patients and staff locked in the safe room.
Kyle Gentry sat quietly with a cup of coffee, contemplating his fate. He looked around and smiled sardonically. This was his life, or what was left of it. He snorted as he got up, leaving his coffee untouched. Walking to a window in the door of a small room he looked at the figure inside, crumpled on the floor like a broken doll. What is it about you? You're a man...a human...a nothing. Why would people die for you? Why would people kill for you? He was met by silence.
Daniel walked up and touched Gentry on the shoulder. "The scum are here. They've breached the perimeter and are heading for the building. We have guards and are prepared. They will fail."
Gentry replied sotto voce, "I certainly hope so." He turned from the window as the emergency door alarms began to sound.
Ames White drove through the gate, looking around as he approached. He saw three people running for the buildings front door. He recognized the blonde woman as Cale's case therapist. The first black man he didn't know, but the tall man with the dredlocks was well known to him. Suede, he thought with derision. Not this time.
"All teams, report!" White demanded into his cell phone.
"Sir, we have encountered stiff resistan... Oops, sorry, this line has just been disconnected. You really ought to pay your bills." The line went dead. White stared at the offending phone and threw it furiously to the floor of the car. He floored the accelerator, heading for the hospital entrance.
Krit stared at Syl. "That wasn't smart," he said.
"Yeah, probably not, but it was fun." Syl grinned as she dropped the phone next to the familiar's body. The Rogue X-5s headed toward the side entrance. They knew White was on his way in.
Outside the staff entrance, Zane watched from the line of trees. He signaled Max that two guards were standing outside. The guards were on full alert. She signaled Zane and he slipped into the shadow of a tree, where the glare of lights outside of the building would make it harder for the guards to see him. Max crept, soft as fog, to a corner of the building and waited.
The guards looked at each other restlessly. Something wasn't right. They moved away from the door to see if they could see the danger they felt.
Alarms began to sound and the guards whirled to rush back into the building. They never knew what hit them.
Max slammed into the first guard, taking him to the ground. She spun into a kick that landed on the guard's head and felt bones crack as the guard went down for good. She glanced around to see how Zane was doing. He was putting another clip into his gun; the other guard lay at his feet.
"You cheated," Max hissed.
"So sue me, I'm lazy. Ready? Go in low, I'll cover your back. The party's inside. now that they've been warned." Zane signaled her forward. He followed closely behind.
Zack stood by the loading dock door, surveying the guards lying at his feet. Time was running out and he didn't have time to play games. Tam came trotting up lightly, changing the clip in her gun as she moved.
Zack nodded and opened the door. He went in low with Tam following. The alarms began to sound. They looked at each other and kept going.
Molly and Bling reached front door of Timberview. Molly fumbled for the keys as she ran. When she reached the door, she put the key in the lock and turned it. She was dismayed when alarms began to sound and glanced at Bling. He put his hand reassuringly on her shoulder and pushed the door open.
Bling went in first, his gun raised. The wide reception hall provided little cover, but it also allowed him to see anyone coming. It was deceptively quiet as he and Molly inched down the hall. As they came near the common room, they heard sobbing. Molly looked over and saw Terri Mathews curled up in a chair, her hands tightly clasped around her and her face streaked with tears.
Terri looked up and saw Molly. She got up from the chair and held her hands out in supplication, then cringed as she heard gunshots. "What's happening Molly? They took everybody away and put them in the safe room. I'm so scared."
Before Bling could react, Molly was past him and holding Terri. "It will be okay, Terri."
Terri smiled broadly and grabbed Molly in a vise-like grip, turning her arm behind her back. Molly cried out in pain.
"Put the gun down, Mr. Bling, or I'll snap her neck like a toothpick." Put the gun down NOW!" Kick it toward me and don't do anything foolish." To emphasize her order, Terri twisted Molly's arm even further, causing Molly to cry out again.
Bling quickly put the gun on the floor and kicked it toward Terri. He then put his hands on his head for safety. She bent down to reach for the gun, taking Molly with her never taking her eyes from Bling as she reached for the gun.
Shattering glass behind her caused Terri to loosen her grasp as she turned to the new danger. Bling, sensing a chance grabbed Molly and jerked her away. Suede came through the window, rolling on his shoulder and coming to his feet with the grace of a dancer. He grabbed Terri and hurled her against the wall. Sliding down, she hit the floor unconscious, a trickle of blood coming from her mouth and staining the pristine floor.
Suede began to move quickly down the hall, signaling for Bling and Molly to follow. Molly became aware of the soft retorts of silenced guns and the sounds of fighting. She saw Max dart into down a hall followed by Zane.
"Bobby...I mean Logan should be in that hall." She didn't have time for anything else. A bullet landed uncomfortably close to her. The scene became surreal. She saw people fighting viciously, hand-to-hand landing blows that would kill normal people. Suede waded into the fray, laughing as he went.
Molly gasped as she saw Zack bloodied, but fighting with all he had against two guards. Bling pulled her behind the nurse's station. "Stay here!" he hissed.
Max recklessly searched from room to room, all thought of anything but Logan gone from her mind. Zane scanned everything, alert to any sign, his mission now to protect Max. They crossed one hall and darted down another. This area was quiet as most of the rooms were empty. They looked in the window of each room. They were only vaguely aware of the battle going on around them.
Max cried out as she looked in one window. Frantically she ripped at the door, breaking the lock in a show of strength beyond normal even for an X- 5. In a millisecond she was at the occupants side, turning him over. "Logan! Logan! Oh, God, Logan." She cradled him in her arms, rocking back and forth. Logan never moved, never responded.
Zane looked on, horrified at Logan's condition. "Max, is he breathing?" he hissed the question. "Max, get it together!"
Max looked up at Zane, tears streaming down her face. She quickly checked Logan's pulse and watched his chest barely rise and fall. "He's alive. We've got to get him out of here."
"Here, take the gun. I'll carry Logan." Zane knelt beside Max and gave her the gun. He scooped Logan into is arms startled how little he weighed. It was almost as if Logan were a ghost. He nodded to Max. She went to the door and looked out, then crept into the hall, signaling for Zane to follow.
They were close to the main hallway when a door opened and Ames White stepped into the hall, followed closely by Kyle Gentry and Daniel. Behind Max and Zane, another door opened and three more guards stepped out, effectively sandwiching them.
"Put down the gun, 452, it's not your style." Max put the gun down, seeing she and Zane were out-numbered and out-gunned. She looked at Zane who continued to cradle Logan in his arms. "Put him down!" commanded White. Zane looked around and gently put Logan on the floor, standing over him protectively.
"Well, well 452 I've been waiting for this for a while." White's eyes glittered madly and his mouth stretched in a caricature of a grin. "Where do you think you're taking my toy? He's been a lot of fun over the last year," he taunted.
Enraged, Max launched herself at White. He fell backward, Max landing on top of him. He flipped Max over his head and was instantly on his feet. Pointing at Logan he commanded, "Get him out of here!" and turned back to Max. He attacked coolly countering every attack and driving Max back farther from Logan.
Zane yelled at the top of his lungs for reinforcement. The guards, afraid to use their guns for fear of hitting Logan, attacked. Zane kept himself in front of Logan, but he was hampered by the fear of stepping on the unconscious man. He glanced up to see Zack, Jondy and Tam moving to engage the guards in the narrow hallway.
"Zane, take Logan and move," Zack ordered as he and the others swarmed the guards. Zane quickly picked Logan up into a fireman's carry and moved him out of the fray. He placed Logan on a gurney and stood guard.
Max was getting the worst of the fight. She was fighting with emotion instead of logic. She was bleeding from cuts above her eye and lip. White countered her every move easily. He continued to taunt her through gritted teeth. "You'll never get him back...I'll kill him first, then you." He landed a kick to Max's chest, slamming her into the wall. Before she could get up White was on her. Her jerked her up by her hair. "Bitch!" he said as he flung her to the ground, pulling out a gun and pointing it at her.
Logan, who had been silent and unmoving, stirred "No!"
Logan somehow managed to get to his feet and staggered past a stunned Zane toward White. "Don't hurt her," he begged in a voice hoarse with disuse. He fell on his knees in front of White. "Please, I'll forget, I promise. I promise."
"Logan! No!" Max cried, starting toward him. She stopped when White turned the gun on Logan. No one else moved as they watched this twisted tableau play out.
White, an insane grin on his face, asked Logan gently, "You'll really forget her this time? You really are nobody?"
"Yes," came the hoarse whisper.
"Then I won't kill her. I'll let her live." He put his hand on Logan's head in an obscene benediction. He looked at Max in triumph. White looked at Kyle Gentry and barked, "Put him in my car."
Gentry glanced around at the remnants of Timberview. "It stops here," he said. He looked at White and, before White could react, he raised a gun and shot White in the chest.
White, a surprised look on his face, staggered back and fell to the ground. A red stain began to cover his chest. Gentry walked over to him and said, "You've destroyed enough lives." With that, he put a bullet into White's head. He glanced over at Max and Logan, and without another word put the gun in his own mouth and pulled the trigger. His body fell over White's
The only sound was that of Max crying as she held her unseeing husband and rocked back and forth.
Thanks: As always I owe a huge debt to my betas, Kyre and Alaidh. I can tell the story; they make it readable.
Wyldegod, Thank you for letting me borrow Suede and keeping on me to finish this.
Star24 for always being a sounding board and a good friend as well thanks. I may not have ever finished without your support.
And last but not least thanks to those fans who've stuck with this story asking me when I'd finish. This is actually for you, thanks.
Dancing In The Moonlight Chapter 10
"Max, are you ready for this?" Zack questioned. "You heard what they've been doing to Logan. He isn't going to be the same. You may not even recognize him."
"I'll know him... I've always known him," she replied dully. "It doesn't matter what he looks like. I will know him. I love him." Her voice trailed off and she bit her lip, fighting back tears. Gone was the ferocious woman ready to take back what was hers. She was replaced by a still very young woman beset with fear, for her love and for herself.
"Max, I know how much you love him. Believe me, I know." Zack was uncharacteristically gentle. "Sometimes love isn't enough," he said wistfully.
Max turned to Zack and spat out, "Love is enough! It has to be, and I will do whatever it takes to get him back. Whatever it takes! Do you understand? I will get Logan back."
Zack returned to soldier mode instantly. "I'm trying to prepare you for what you might see. I can't have you breaking on me in the middle of a fight. Everything depends on us working together. Got it?"
"Got it!" Max snarled, her anger on the rise again.
Molly listened quietly to the conversation and turned to Bling, who was settled comfortably beside her in the van. "He knows how to push Max's buttons, doesn't he?" she asked rhetorically. She flushed bright red when Max and Zack turned to look at her.
Bling grinned at her, "They have enhanced hearing."
"You could have told me," Molly retorted indignantly.
That broke the tension and everyone laughed. Suede, who was driving, laughed the loudest. "It is good, brothers and sisters, to laugh in the face of danger. It makes us stronger."
The people in the van sobered. Zack looked at the others. "Okay, one more time. Bling, you and Molly are going in the front door. They won't be expecting you; it will create the diversion we need. Zane, you're with Max; your job will be to locate Logan and get him out. You'll go in the staff entrance. Tam and I will cover the laundry and kitchen entrances. Suede, your responsibility is to secure the front of the building and to look out for Molly and Bling. They won't be any match for White's people. Jondy will back you up."
Bling protested, "I can take care of myself and Molly."
Zack quelled him with a look. "White's people are stronger than us. If you can't follow orders, you don't go in. Your primary concern is to protect Molly. Suede's responsibility is the front of the building; you fall into his sphere. Understood?"
"Understood," Bling said.
A phone rang and Suede answered, "Status?"
Krit answered tersely. "They're planning a party. Several have drifted in and are hiding in the trees. Brin and Syl have taken out three very quietly. The others don't know we're here. Dan and Mick are at the perimeter. So far we've counted six besides the three we've already taken out. I don't know how many are inside."
"Understood. Protect the perimeter. Anything you can do to slow down White will buy us time to get Logan out. Silence from now, We'll be there in five. Be prepared. Out."
Molly looked around and saw quiet preparations. It hit her suddenly that people might die...may have already died. Fear gripped her, she had never thought of that possibility. She looked at Bling for reassurance. The look on his face confirmed her fears. He looked grim and determined to see this through to the end.
"Bling?" she asked tentatively.
He looked down at her. "Molly this is going to be very dangerous. I would feel better if you stayed in the van," he said quietly.
"Bling, what about the patients? They're innocent! I can't let anything happen to my patients! I don't want anyone to get hurt. Isn't there another way?" Molly said, beginning to panic.
"Molly!" Zack snapped. She whirled to look at him. Her eyes were big and her pupils were dilated. There was a slight tremor in her hands.
"We need you to help us. You can identify the patients. You can protect them. We don't want to hurt anyone innocent. It's up to you and Bling to protect the patients, " Zack said with quiet intensity.
"Molly," Max said flatly, startling everyone. "You chose to help us. You cared for Logan; and you care for your patients. Their lives are in your hands. It's on you what you do. Help us or not. I know one thing; I'm not leaving without Logan." Max retreated into a state of waiting. She was totally focused on one thing and nothing short of death would stop her from getting to her objective.
Molly looked at Max and then at Bling. "Okay... I'm just worried, that's all. I just didn't realize what I was getting myself into."
Bling looked at her. "None of us ever do. If it makes you feel any better you're with the best."
That got a bitter snort from Zane. "Yeah, the best, I let them take Logan."
"Brother, it was not your fault. Logan chose his own path. Tonight you are going to get him back. It is your karma," Suede intoned, looking back at Zane. "It is time to play." The van slowed to a halt. Suede stood, a feral-like grin on his face. "Take care, my family. He slid the door open and disappeared into the night, leaving behind a void where he had been.
A moment later, a mockingbird sang.
Zack held up his hand and motioned. Tam slipped out of the van and over the fence, looking like nothing more than a fleeting shadow, followed closely by Zack. Jondy motioned for Bling and Molly to go. They stepped out of the van and were startled by the crunch of gravel under their feet. Molly started to whisper something, but was stopped by Bling. They began walking toward the gate.
Molly thought she heard a noise. She turned and looked, but there was nothing but the shadow of the trees in the pale moonlight. She was startled by another birdcall, followed a moment later by a long, low whistle. Molly settled her hand into Bling's, glad he was at her side. She heard another long whistle and suddenly she was flung to the ground.
Bling saw him coming out of the corner of his eye. He pushed Molly to the ground and turned to engage the man coming at him. Before he could react, the Familiar was on him. Bling ducked, hoping the man would lose his balance, but it didn't happen. Bling turned and blocked a blow coming toward his head. He knocked the familiar back, who seemed surprised at Bling's strength. The Familiar smiled and launched an attack, totally without sound. He punched and kicked at Bling with blinding speed. Bling parried as well as he could. He was able to land a few blows, but he was no match for the man's superhuman strength.
Molly watched as the battle took place. The only noise was the landing of blows as Bling and the familiar fought in the shadows. She wasn't even sure whether she was seeing them or the shadows from the trees. Molly wanted to scream. Suddenly a third shadow appeared. She saw Suede yank the Familiar off Bling, and looked on in horror as she saw Suede snap the Familiar's neck. Suede helped Bling up. He turned and grinned at Molly, touched his finger to his lips, motioned toward the hospital and disappeared into the shadows.
Max was a blur in the darkness. She moved through the trees toward the staff entrance, the only trace of her passage a few broken blades of grass. Zane was quick on her heels. He'd screwed up once. It was his fault that White and his people had gotten Logan. He was determined to pay for that sin, even with his life.
As they got closer to the building, they slowed, becoming more wary. Max raised her hand, bringing Zane to a halt. She turned her head toward the sound of a long, low whistle. Brin stepped out of the shadows and gave a signal, holding up four fingers and pointing to her left. She melted back into the shadows.
Max gave a hand signal to Zane, and then she slowly crept toward her quarry. Zane moved to flank. The guards were unaware they were being stalked until it was too late. One guard turned toward a slight sound and was met with a vicious blow to the trachea. As he doubled over, he felt strong fingers grab his hair and slam his face into an unforgiving knee with stunning force. His last conscious thought was ' Who...?' as a small, trim figure vaulted over him.
Zane watched Max as she attacked the next guard with wild fury. He quickly made a decision and pulled out his gun. Max whirled as she heard the soft snick of a silenced gun being fired. The four guards were no longer a problem.
Inside Timberview it was deceptively quiet. The only sound was an occasional cry from the patients and staff locked in the safe room.
Kyle Gentry sat quietly with a cup of coffee, contemplating his fate. He looked around and smiled sardonically. This was his life, or what was left of it. He snorted as he got up, leaving his coffee untouched. Walking to a window in the door of a small room he looked at the figure inside, crumpled on the floor like a broken doll. What is it about you? You're a man...a human...a nothing. Why would people die for you? Why would people kill for you? He was met by silence.
Daniel walked up and touched Gentry on the shoulder. "The scum are here. They've breached the perimeter and are heading for the building. We have guards and are prepared. They will fail."
Gentry replied sotto voce, "I certainly hope so." He turned from the window as the emergency door alarms began to sound.
Ames White drove through the gate, looking around as he approached. He saw three people running for the buildings front door. He recognized the blonde woman as Cale's case therapist. The first black man he didn't know, but the tall man with the dredlocks was well known to him. Suede, he thought with derision. Not this time.
"All teams, report!" White demanded into his cell phone.
"Sir, we have encountered stiff resistan... Oops, sorry, this line has just been disconnected. You really ought to pay your bills." The line went dead. White stared at the offending phone and threw it furiously to the floor of the car. He floored the accelerator, heading for the hospital entrance.
Krit stared at Syl. "That wasn't smart," he said.
"Yeah, probably not, but it was fun." Syl grinned as she dropped the phone next to the familiar's body. The Rogue X-5s headed toward the side entrance. They knew White was on his way in.
Outside the staff entrance, Zane watched from the line of trees. He signaled Max that two guards were standing outside. The guards were on full alert. She signaled Zane and he slipped into the shadow of a tree, where the glare of lights outside of the building would make it harder for the guards to see him. Max crept, soft as fog, to a corner of the building and waited.
The guards looked at each other restlessly. Something wasn't right. They moved away from the door to see if they could see the danger they felt.
Alarms began to sound and the guards whirled to rush back into the building. They never knew what hit them.
Max slammed into the first guard, taking him to the ground. She spun into a kick that landed on the guard's head and felt bones crack as the guard went down for good. She glanced around to see how Zane was doing. He was putting another clip into his gun; the other guard lay at his feet.
"You cheated," Max hissed.
"So sue me, I'm lazy. Ready? Go in low, I'll cover your back. The party's inside. now that they've been warned." Zane signaled her forward. He followed closely behind.
Zack stood by the loading dock door, surveying the guards lying at his feet. Time was running out and he didn't have time to play games. Tam came trotting up lightly, changing the clip in her gun as she moved.
Zack nodded and opened the door. He went in low with Tam following. The alarms began to sound. They looked at each other and kept going.
Molly and Bling reached front door of Timberview. Molly fumbled for the keys as she ran. When she reached the door, she put the key in the lock and turned it. She was dismayed when alarms began to sound and glanced at Bling. He put his hand reassuringly on her shoulder and pushed the door open.
Bling went in first, his gun raised. The wide reception hall provided little cover, but it also allowed him to see anyone coming. It was deceptively quiet as he and Molly inched down the hall. As they came near the common room, they heard sobbing. Molly looked over and saw Terri Mathews curled up in a chair, her hands tightly clasped around her and her face streaked with tears.
Terri looked up and saw Molly. She got up from the chair and held her hands out in supplication, then cringed as she heard gunshots. "What's happening Molly? They took everybody away and put them in the safe room. I'm so scared."
Before Bling could react, Molly was past him and holding Terri. "It will be okay, Terri."
Terri smiled broadly and grabbed Molly in a vise-like grip, turning her arm behind her back. Molly cried out in pain.
"Put the gun down, Mr. Bling, or I'll snap her neck like a toothpick." Put the gun down NOW!" Kick it toward me and don't do anything foolish." To emphasize her order, Terri twisted Molly's arm even further, causing Molly to cry out again.
Bling quickly put the gun on the floor and kicked it toward Terri. He then put his hands on his head for safety. She bent down to reach for the gun, taking Molly with her never taking her eyes from Bling as she reached for the gun.
Shattering glass behind her caused Terri to loosen her grasp as she turned to the new danger. Bling, sensing a chance grabbed Molly and jerked her away. Suede came through the window, rolling on his shoulder and coming to his feet with the grace of a dancer. He grabbed Terri and hurled her against the wall. Sliding down, she hit the floor unconscious, a trickle of blood coming from her mouth and staining the pristine floor.
Suede began to move quickly down the hall, signaling for Bling and Molly to follow. Molly became aware of the soft retorts of silenced guns and the sounds of fighting. She saw Max dart into down a hall followed by Zane.
"Bobby...I mean Logan should be in that hall." She didn't have time for anything else. A bullet landed uncomfortably close to her. The scene became surreal. She saw people fighting viciously, hand-to-hand landing blows that would kill normal people. Suede waded into the fray, laughing as he went.
Molly gasped as she saw Zack bloodied, but fighting with all he had against two guards. Bling pulled her behind the nurse's station. "Stay here!" he hissed.
Max recklessly searched from room to room, all thought of anything but Logan gone from her mind. Zane scanned everything, alert to any sign, his mission now to protect Max. They crossed one hall and darted down another. This area was quiet as most of the rooms were empty. They looked in the window of each room. They were only vaguely aware of the battle going on around them.
Max cried out as she looked in one window. Frantically she ripped at the door, breaking the lock in a show of strength beyond normal even for an X- 5. In a millisecond she was at the occupants side, turning him over. "Logan! Logan! Oh, God, Logan." She cradled him in her arms, rocking back and forth. Logan never moved, never responded.
Zane looked on, horrified at Logan's condition. "Max, is he breathing?" he hissed the question. "Max, get it together!"
Max looked up at Zane, tears streaming down her face. She quickly checked Logan's pulse and watched his chest barely rise and fall. "He's alive. We've got to get him out of here."
"Here, take the gun. I'll carry Logan." Zane knelt beside Max and gave her the gun. He scooped Logan into is arms startled how little he weighed. It was almost as if Logan were a ghost. He nodded to Max. She went to the door and looked out, then crept into the hall, signaling for Zane to follow.
They were close to the main hallway when a door opened and Ames White stepped into the hall, followed closely by Kyle Gentry and Daniel. Behind Max and Zane, another door opened and three more guards stepped out, effectively sandwiching them.
"Put down the gun, 452, it's not your style." Max put the gun down, seeing she and Zane were out-numbered and out-gunned. She looked at Zane who continued to cradle Logan in his arms. "Put him down!" commanded White. Zane looked around and gently put Logan on the floor, standing over him protectively.
"Well, well 452 I've been waiting for this for a while." White's eyes glittered madly and his mouth stretched in a caricature of a grin. "Where do you think you're taking my toy? He's been a lot of fun over the last year," he taunted.
Enraged, Max launched herself at White. He fell backward, Max landing on top of him. He flipped Max over his head and was instantly on his feet. Pointing at Logan he commanded, "Get him out of here!" and turned back to Max. He attacked coolly countering every attack and driving Max back farther from Logan.
Zane yelled at the top of his lungs for reinforcement. The guards, afraid to use their guns for fear of hitting Logan, attacked. Zane kept himself in front of Logan, but he was hampered by the fear of stepping on the unconscious man. He glanced up to see Zack, Jondy and Tam moving to engage the guards in the narrow hallway.
"Zane, take Logan and move," Zack ordered as he and the others swarmed the guards. Zane quickly picked Logan up into a fireman's carry and moved him out of the fray. He placed Logan on a gurney and stood guard.
Max was getting the worst of the fight. She was fighting with emotion instead of logic. She was bleeding from cuts above her eye and lip. White countered her every move easily. He continued to taunt her through gritted teeth. "You'll never get him back...I'll kill him first, then you." He landed a kick to Max's chest, slamming her into the wall. Before she could get up White was on her. Her jerked her up by her hair. "Bitch!" he said as he flung her to the ground, pulling out a gun and pointing it at her.
Logan, who had been silent and unmoving, stirred "No!"
Logan somehow managed to get to his feet and staggered past a stunned Zane toward White. "Don't hurt her," he begged in a voice hoarse with disuse. He fell on his knees in front of White. "Please, I'll forget, I promise. I promise."
"Logan! No!" Max cried, starting toward him. She stopped when White turned the gun on Logan. No one else moved as they watched this twisted tableau play out.
White, an insane grin on his face, asked Logan gently, "You'll really forget her this time? You really are nobody?"
"Yes," came the hoarse whisper.
"Then I won't kill her. I'll let her live." He put his hand on Logan's head in an obscene benediction. He looked at Max in triumph. White looked at Kyle Gentry and barked, "Put him in my car."
Gentry glanced around at the remnants of Timberview. "It stops here," he said. He looked at White and, before White could react, he raised a gun and shot White in the chest.
White, a surprised look on his face, staggered back and fell to the ground. A red stain began to cover his chest. Gentry walked over to him and said, "You've destroyed enough lives." With that, he put a bullet into White's head. He glanced over at Max and Logan, and without another word put the gun in his own mouth and pulled the trigger. His body fell over White's
The only sound was that of Max crying as she held her unseeing husband and rocked back and forth.