Rome, WI - 12 Hours to Deadline

"Nik? It's eight. We over slept," Max groaned, as she sat up in her seat, "Ow, my back."

"Shit," he muttered, "That's less than 12 hours."

"Eleven. The FBI at seven."

"That's a welcoming thought," he said, pushing his hair back and scratching his beard, "You ready to go dig in the mud?"

Max looked out at the rainy day, "At least there shouldn't be a crowd."

He brushed her hair back, "This is it, Sweetheart."

She caught his hand in hers, and they just looked at each other for a long moment before Max nodded, "It's been a wild ride."

"It's not over yet," Kenny promised, and kissed her forehead, "Love you."

Sheriff's Station - Inside

"How are your feet?" Skeeter asked, as he tousled Matthew's hair, "You're going to be our bargaining chip when we walk out of here."

"Go to hell."

"Probably, but that is going to be after we kill everyone in that cell, plus Kenny and Max when they bring us what we want."

Rome, WI - Xavier Park

"I thought the trees might provide some cover!" Max yelled, as the rain poured down around them.

"I think we need to wait for the leaves to grow back," Kenny yelled back, as he heaved a pile of mud behind him, "Where exactly around this rock did you meet him?"

"I don't know! It was almost three ago!"

"Yeah? I remember when I first met you, like it was yesterday!"

"Really? Give me details," she challenged him, as she worked on her hole.

"At the station. My first day, in Jimmy's office. He told me I would be working with Max Stewart, and I figured it was some burly man. Then in walked this gorgeous red head, who didn't even look old enough to graduate from college. I swear to God, Sweetheart, I got hard just looking at you in that first minute, and in the second one I knew you were the person I was going to spend the rest of my life with. I loved you then, and I love you now."

Max stood dumbfounded, shovel in hand, as the rain fell around them. Forgetting about diamonds, she processed what Kenny just told her.

"Bella?" he asked, as he looked up at her, "You okay?"

She dropped her shovel, and kissed him hard on the lips, "You never told me that before."

He brushed her damp hair back from her face, "It never came up."

She smiled at him, and felt his beard tickle her face, "I thought you were staring at my breasts that day."

He traced his hands over them, "Well they're nice, but I couldn't look at your face then. It would have been too much. Now, I sometimes forget how gorgeous you are, and then it hits me like a truck, and I can't function."

Max kissed him again, "All those women you used to date drove me insane. Just once I wanted you to look at me like a woman."

"I did. Just when you weren't looking."

Max laughed, as he held her in the pouring rain, "I love you."

"Always," Kenny said, as he reluctantly released her and looked at the trench they were digging, "But for now?"

Max snatched up her shovel, "We have something to finish first."

Sheriff's Station - Outside

"You talked to Max?" Littleton asked, "Are you sure?"

"She didn't deny it," Baker said, "Whoever it was will be here seven."

"Max agreed to that?"

"I offered her and her friend immunity."

"Are you going to stick to it?" Littleton asked, "This is a little dicey."

Baker nodded, "If these people are Maxine Stewart and Kenneth Lacos, they are the last pieces of the puzzle to put the mob away, or at least a good chunk of it. I will not let them in that building though, no matter what those nut jobs want."

"You're not going to let all those people die."

"We'll deal with the deadline when it gets here. If they want these diamonds, they'll have to release the hostages first. Seven P.M."

Xavier Park

"I hit something," Max said, "It didn't feel like a rock either."

She crouched down on her knees, and stuck her arms in the muddy hole. Gritting her teeth at her breaking fingernails and mud streaked shirt, she felt Kenny come up behind her.

"Is that metal?" he asked, as he watched her pull the lock box up, "Way to go, Isabella."

She passed him the box, as she wiped her hands off on her jeans, "Well?"

"It's locked. Tom didn't bury a key around here?"

"There are ways around locks," Max countered, as she picked up her shovel, "Lets smash that thing open."

"You want to do it?" Kenny asked, "You look pissed."

"Just feeling destructive, Honey," Max said, as she raised it, "Give me a few wacks."

Kenny stepped back, and couldn't help grin as Max smashed the shovel into the metal box. My five foot five inch, 110 lb, 28 year old wife, he thought, wielding a shovel in the woods. God, I love this woman.

"Dammit!" Max yelled, as she tossed the shovel away, "This sucks!"

Kenny picked up the severely dented box, "Let me have shot at it."

He reached back for the backpack and pulled out a gun, "Get behind the rock."

Max walked back silently, as Kenny leveled the gun, "Go ahead."

She closed her eyes at the shot, and opened them again to see Kenny holding half a box. He turned back to her, "Good thing we have Mikkos' diamonds."

"What?" Max whispered, as she peered in, "What the hell is that?"

"He was sending you on a chase," Kenny said, as he studied the map, "And a note. He really thought this through. X marks the spot. Clever Tom."

"A map of an island? How many islands did he have?" Max mumbled, as she unfolded the note.

Dear Maxine,

If you've followed me this far, maybe you'll be willing to go a little bit farther. Do you remember the name of the town? I could use a good friend to get my project off the ground. I'll keep an eye out, just in case.

X marks the spot. There you'll find the treasure that you're looking for. Good luck.

Love

Tom

"What town?" Kenny asked.

Max shook her head, "I don't know. Project? What project? He's dead, how can he keep an eye out?"

"We don't have time for this now," Kenny said, as he looked at his watch, "Bella, it's 2:00 P.M. We have to get going. Shower at least. Somehow I think that we would scare the crap out of the FBI right now."

She took in their mud streaked clothing, drenched hair, "Yeah. A warm shower wouldn't hurt either."

Sheriff's Station - Inside

"They're running out of time," Skeeter said, "The chopper will be here at 8:15. I'm ready to start shooting at 8:01."

"Calm down," Giorgio said, "They'll be here."

"They better be."

Sheriff's Station - Outside

Littleton paced around the parking lot, where the FBI sat, in wait. Come on guys, he prodded, Kenny, Max, if you're really here, show yourselves. No one is going to hurt you. It's almost four. You really don't expect to blow in here at the last minute and save the day?

"Don't be that dumb," he said aloud.

Camp Grounds

Max dried her hair, and rubbed the fog off of the mirror. Studying her reflection thoughtfully for a moment, she sighed. I don't think I would know me, he's right, I do look Greek. And I've spoken pretty much nothing but Greek for awhile.

"Hell," she said aloud, in English.

"Hey, you ready?" Kenny asked, coming up behind wearing nothing but his jeans, "Bella?"

She wrapped her towel more tightly around her naked body, "Um, not quite, Nik."

She looked up at her bearded, shaggy haired husband thoughtfully, and replayed the last two years over in her mind. In all that time, she thought, what he said to me today was the sweetest thing he ever told me. Don't let it be the last, God, if you're really up there, keep him safe. He's too good for this mess. I love him.

"Bella?" he asked again, placing his hands on her shoulders, "Sweetheart? Say something."

"Just nerves," Max said, as she hugged him close to her, "What happens after today?"

"One day at a time, right? It's worked so far."

She shook her head, "I don't want to lose you after today! What if . . . it could all go wrong, quickly!"

He bent his head, so that their foreheads touched, "You and me are in this for the long haul. We're not going to die."

She wiped her tears away, "I'm sorry . . . I'm scared."

"Me too," he agreed softly, as he tilted her head up, and kissed her, "When this is all over, you and me are taking a vacation. I said I wanted to spend my honeymoon on a cruise."

"And drink those tropical daiquiris with the little umbrellas?"

"Look at you in a bikini."

Max smiled, "We didn't enjoy that enough last time."

He released her, and tossed over her clothes, "We will. Ten minutes?"

"I'll be there."

Sheriff's Station - Outside

"Where are they?" Baker asked, as he looked at his watch.

"It's only 5:30," Littleton interjected.

"What type of people show up with only an hour to spare in a hostage negotiation?"

"Scared ones?"

Rome, WI - Back roads

Max fiddled with the bag of diamonds Mikkos gave her, and tried to control her racing heart. I will do this, she promised, as she thought of Tom's letter. Why couldn't he have made this simple for us?

"You think too loud."

"Oh? What am I thinking?"

"I don't know! I just know you are."

"Tom's note. X marks the spot. I know it's way too soon to look into that, but it's taking my mind off of what comes next."

"I've been trying to figure out what we say to our old friends for the first time. At least the ones that aren't being held hostage. Somehow, hi and how have you been probably doesn't cut it. Plus last time I saw Jimmy, I knocked him out."

Max shook her head, "Two years ago. It'll be okay."

"Yeah," Kenny said, as he pulled over a block from the station, "Before we do this."

"What?"

He pulled her close to him, and kissed her. Wrapping his arms around her, he held her close for what he felt like might be the last time. Inhaling her scent, stroking her hair, he tried to ingrain that memory in his mind.

Max swallowed at his passion, "That wasn't good-bye."

Kenny held her gaze, "Of course not. Tonight, you and me. A big bed."

Max smiled, "I'm going to hold you to that."

He pushed the door open, "You want to walk? Scope it out a bit?"

"Sounds like a plan," Max said, as she slid the diamonds into her pocket and Kenny tucked the gun under his shirt. Locking everything else in the trunk, he took her hand in his as they made their way toward the yellow tape in the distance.

Rome, WI Sheriff's Station - Outside

"Where are they? It's 6:30?" Baker asked.

"They'll be here," Littleton promised, "I know them, and they won't let these people die. I don't what they have planned, but . . . they'll be here. Skeeter wants them here. Whatever has happened in the last few years, they'll be here. I know them."

"I hope you do."

"Baker? We pulled the men back from the entrance," Agent Cooper said, "And there hasn't been any movement yet. The street is clear."

"Come on guys," Littleton said under his breath, "Don't blow this."

"Wow," Max said, as they crouched behind the bush across the street, "Do we just walk in there?"

"Do we have a choice?" Kenny countered, "Is that Littleton?"

Max squinted, "What do you say we go find out?"

"It's 7:00," Littleton sighed, as he watched his watch turn over, "Not here yet."

"Then we stall for time."

"I can't believe that they didn't show," Littleton countered, "Dammit all to hell!"

"Who didn't show?" a soft voice asked from behind him.

Rome, WI Sheriff's Station - Inside

"It's almost show time," Skeeter said, as he greeted his cell guests, "I hope you're all ready."

"Where is Matthew?" Jimmy demanded, "What did you do to my son?"

"Oh, you'll find out."

Outside

Littleton stared at the two people behind him flabbergasted. He took in the dark haired woman, with her hair falling down her back, bright blue eyes, looking like some exotic priestess. He turned to the bearded, long haired man, who had his arm wrapped around the priestess. He leaned in for a closer look at them both, before taking a shocked step backward.

"Holy shit," he gasped, "Kenny? Max? Shit. It is you? What the hell did you do to yourselves?"

"I guess we did it well then," Max said, "Hi, Jon."

"It's been a long time," Kenny added lamely, "Did we make it on time?"

"Barely," Baker said, cutting in on their reunion, "Kenneth Lacos and Maxine Stewart. We've been looking for you for a long time."

"You aren't the only ones," Kenny said dryly, not releasing his grip on his wife, "We said that we'd be here."

"I don't always take the words of suspects. Tell me what you know about this. Your D.A. friend is our witness for immunity."

"About this?" Max repeated, "Just what we saw on the news, and from talking to Skeeter?"

"Yeah, we taped that call. Neither of you are going near that building. Diamonds or no diamonds. If they want them, they have to release the hostages."

"He's crazy," Kenny argued, "He won't go for it. He'll just start shooting."

"Listen to him," Littleton interjected, as Baker picked up the phone, "Please."

"Good to talk to you Skeeter," Baker was saying, "We have what you asked for, so why don't you let someone go as sign of good faith."

"Go to hell," Skeeter spat, "Here is what I want. I want my diamonds brought in by Kenny and Max, and then I'll let someone go. In the next two minutes, or bodies start piling up."

"How do I know that they won't be hurt?"

"You don't," Skeeter said, "What you do know is that I'll start killing in oh 90 seconds. Decisions time Baker. Tick tock!"

"Shit," Baker said, as he was disconnected, "He won't let anyone out."

"He wants us," Max said quietly, as she looked up at her husband, "We knew that coming in."

"You're not going in," Littleton said, "We'll find another way."

Baker picked up the ringing phone, "Hello?"

"Time is up," Skeeter said, as a gun shot exploded into the night air, and a few seconds later a body was tossed out, "You still want to play, Baker?"

Kenny looked down at Max , and at the corpse in the moonlight, "I'm sorry, Sweetheart."

She looked up, as he snatched the satchel out of her pocket, and shoved her away. Stumbling back onto the ground, Max stared in horror, as her husband ran into the building.

"No!" she screamed, jumping to her feet, "No!"

"Max! Don't!" Littleton yelled, as he held her back, "Stay back!"

"No!" Max yelled again, "Let go of me! I have to go with him!"

"He'll just have to worry about you too. Stay here. Kenny would want you safe!"

"No! You don't understand! Let me go!"

Inside

"Look who it is," Skeeter commented, as Kenny came through the door, "And where is Max?"

"Leave her alone," Kenny said, knowing she had to be having a fit outside, "I'll do whatever you want, just leave her."

Skeeter twirled the gun in his hands, "Where are my diamonds?"

"Let them go first. I'll give them then, and then do whatever you want with me."

"Unlock them," Skeeter demanded, "The helicopter will be here soon anyway. We're going for a ride."

Outside

"Max!" Littleton tried again, "Look at me!"

She felt her entire being screaming in fear and agony, "Oh God! Please!"

Littleton felt her shake in his arms, "It'll be okay."

She shook her head, and fell silent.

Inside

"Kenny?" Jimmy asked, "Kenny?"

"Just go," he said through gritted teeth, as he and Skeeter glared at each other.

"I'd listen to him," Skeeter said, "I'm feeling trigger happy?"

"Where is Matthew?"

"Check the stoop."

"You son of a bitch!" Jimmy yelled, as Giorgio pulled him back.

"Last chance."

"Get out of here," Kenny said, knowing that he wasn't going to, "Take care of Max for me."

Outside

"Here they come," Baker said, "Stand down!"

Max held her breath, and prayed that Kenny came out too. I can't do this without him, her mind screamed, please God. She watched Jimmy kneel down next to the body on the step, and Jill collapse down next to him.

"He's still breathing!" Jimmy yelled, "Get me an ambulance!"

"Max?" Carter asked, as he looked at the very different woman in front of him.

"Are you okay?" she managed to get out.

"Fine," he said, looking at his old friend, "Uh, welcome home."

Inside

"Diamonds?" Skeeter asked, "Now? My chopper is here. We're all going for a ride, and then you are taking a fall, old friend."

Kenny just glared at him, as he reached for the diamonds that he grabbed off Max. Sorry, Sweetheart, he thought, I love you. Hold onto that.

"We're waiting," Skeeter said, as Giorgio and Robert joined him, "Now."

If I'm dying, he thought, I'm taking you three with me, he thought, as he pulled the gun from beneath his shirt, and fired at them again and again.

Outside

"Move in!" Baker yelled at the gunshots, "Now, all teams!"

"Not you," Littleton hissed, as he held Max back again. The horror and hurt on her face shook him, "Let them do their job."

She felt her legs give out, as she sank to the ground.

Inside

Kenny dove behind a desk as he fired, and felt his world turn upside down as something ripped through him. Max, he thought, Bella, as he heard the FBI storm the building.