The silence in the stateroom was broken only by Ellie's soft sobs and Steve's rattled breathing. Jesse sat beside Steve, one hand lightly patting his arm. To the casual observer it would appear that he was comforting his patient, when in reality it was the reverse. Jesse was taking quiet reassurance from the contact with his best friend. Though heat from the fever radiated from his body, he also felt the strength it represented. It grounded him and allowed him to clear his mind and formulate a plan. His entire life he had been misjudged, and because he was small in stature and had a boyish appearance this often caused people to think he was soft or weak. Neither was the case, you didn't suffer through the trials and tribulations of medical school and residency without developing a certain innate toughness. He rarely allowed it to show on the surface, but it was always there. He had relied on it when he and Steve had been trapped in the rubble of Community General, and once again he needed to tap into it.

OOO

Mark sat staring into space, he knew who and had some guesses as to why, but he was still no closer to the where, and without that he was no closer to finding his son either. The knot that had taken up residence in his stomach the moment Steve had put on the Kevlar vest and moved into the warehouse had grown to the size of a basketball. He felt like he was on the verge of figuring out everything. The puzzle was almost complete, but there were a couple of important pieces that were missing. He became aware of a change in the sounds of the voices behind him, they had been muted and somber, but now they took on a sense of excitement and urgency, as he turned to try and determine the cause for the change a hand came to rest on his shoulder. He turned and looked up into Cheryl's eyes trying, with a father's desperation, to read their message.

OOO

Nicolayev had watched the expressions play across the face of the young doctor, the somewhat chaotic emotions of earlier had been replaced by a steely resolve. His admiration rose another notch. This young man, this Jesse Travis, was a force to be reckoned with. His determination to get them all out of their current situation with no further damage, against significant odds was hard to believe, but in spite of himself the Russian felt a spark of hope. This deal was dead for him, he had been played like everyone else, the only thing he could hope for now was get out of the entire mess alive.

"Doctor, have you come up with a plan?"

Jesse jerked slightly; the sound of the voice had seemed overly loud. He stopped the patting motion on Steve's arm and gestured towards the fire extinguisher that sat on the floor in front of him.

"We can use this," he continued to speak as reached into his pants pocket and retrieved Steve's knife that he had used earlier in the impromptu surgery, "and I have this."

Nicolayev smiled slightly. "And what would you suggest we do with them?" he asked as he gazed skeptically at the young man's chosen arsenal.

Irritation caused Jesse's brows to draw together. "Look, at least I am trying to come up with something, instead of sitting around waiting for them to come back!"

Nicolayev held up his hands in silent surrender. "You are right, Doctor, forgive me, I do not mean to seem as if I am giving up, but as a gambler I tend to play the odds and this situation does not offer good odds."

Jesse nodded his understanding. "I know about playing the odds myself, I have to do it on a regular basis when dealing with patients, education and medicine only takes you so far, sometimes you have to gamble, you have to take chances."

"Again, you are right, so what do we do?" Nicolayev asked.

For a moment the enormity of the responsibility for everyone almost overwhelmed Jesse. As he gazed around the room he focused briefly on Ellie, she had stopped crying, her eyes were red and swollen, he then shifted to Steve, his breathing had become shallower, and he was so pale he almost appeared transparent. He drew a deep breath and said a silent prayer before quietly calling Ellie over to join them. They had one chance to get this right and everyone had to be clear on what each of them needed to do.

OOO

"Cheryl?" Mark's voice broke as he spoke.

"Doctor Sloan, there was a call made to the precinct, the man said he was calling from a yacht located just off the coast, close to Malibu, he says Michael Fortesque has been killed, and that Steve, Jesse, Ellie and Cheslav Nicolayev are on board. The coast guard is already on its way with a helicopter and a cutter, they are holding one for us, the Captain thought you might want to go." Cheryl found herself speaking to his back as the 'elderly' doctor rapidly increased the distance between them. Smiling and shaking her head she followed him towards the squad car that was waiting to take herself, the captain, Lucinda Fortesque and of course Mark Sloan to the boat that awaited them.

As Mark reached the car he slid gracefully into the backseat beside Lucinda, he felt her hand grasp his and squeeze lightly. He looked up to find her gazing at him with sad tear filled eyes. He knew that look well, he had seen it on his own face, a child hurt or in danger was the only thing that could cause it. He smiled and squeezed back reassuringly.

"They will be fine," his voice relayed more confidence than he actually felt; his real feelings were much different.

OOO

Marcus Gault moved away from the door and looked around him. He gave a silent thanks for Michael Fortesque's obsession with privacy. The room had been heavily soundproofed and had he not been standing pressed to the door and expecting the noise of the gunshot even he wouldn't have known what it was. Taking another drag on his cigarette he moved down the hall towards the door that would lead him to the deck and the powerboat that was tied to the back of the yacht.

Viktor Bordonov sat cradling the gun in his hands and staring at the now lifeless body of his partner. He knew he needed to get rid of the gun, if the blame was to be placed at the feet of the North Koreans the gun could not be found. He was sure that Marcus Gault was long gone; he had lived up to his end of the bargain. What would now happen with Hugo and Ellie? Would he be able to look Lucinda and the girl in the face knowing he had killed Michael? His private musings were interrupted by a knock on the door. "Mr. Fortesque?" a muffled voice called. "It's me, Price, are you still in there?"

Viktor hesistated briefly. He should not have waited, now things could easily become more complicated. Slipping the gun into his jacket pocket he moved across the room and opened the door. "I'm afraid something horrible has happened." As Viktor spoke the man had shouldered him out of the way and entered the room. As he scanned the room, Viktor saw his shoulders stiffen as his gaze encountered his dead boss. Price swung around his gun in hand and fired a shot. Victor's last thought as the darkness claimed him was how graceful the move had been.

OOO

Steve sat bolt upright on the bed, even in his condition he recognized the sound for what it was. A gun had just been discharged. He turned his head to find the other occupants of the room staring transfixed at the door; he heard a muffled curse from outside and the sound of heavy footsteps running down the hallway. "JESSE!" His voice rang out strong and clear and broke the spell the others had been under.

"Steve, no, lay back down," Jesse spoke as he hurried across the room. As he reached his side Jesse dropped to the bed and placed a knowing hand against Steve's face, the heat was almost unbearable to touch. He felt long fingers grasp his thigh and looked to find Steve eyeing him intently. His eyes were clear even though he was ravaged with fever.

"Go…now," he panted. He motioned for Jesse to lean closer. "I don't trust Nicolayev, you have to get Ellie out of here, something has happened…," his voice had gotten progressively weaker as he had spoken and before he could finish he lost the battle to stay conscious.

For a moment Jesse nearly panicked. The movement of Steve's chest had become so slight that he feared he had lost him. In that moment the brutal truth was driven home, he would have to leave him. There was no other way to get Ellie out. The decision he was being forced to make tore at his soul. He was going to have to leave one friend, his best friend, to an uncertain fate to save another.