Title: Love, Death, and Justice

Author: CATH.fan4

Rating: T (PG-13)

Summary: Alternate ending to the Strip Strangler. Warning - Character death! NS & GCR

Disclaimer: See first chapter

Spoilers: Strip Strangler, Lady Heather's Box

Thanks to my AWESOME reviewers: Addicted1, CSI Kennedy, Jacinda, Mini Teija, Space-Case7029, LuvsDelkoSpeed. Ya'll are great!

Las Vegas Police Department

Nick slammed shut the door to his Tahoe and marched into the building. He entered the main area and headed back toward the interrogation rooms. A guard stopped him at the entrance to the corridor, but Nick flashed his CSI badge and kept walking.

As he headed down the hallway, he stopped a young cop. "Hey. I'm supposed to be viewing the interrogation for the 'Strip Strangler' murders and my boss told me which room it was in, but I forgot. Do you, by any chance, know?"

"Yeah." the rookie squeaked and then cleared his voice. "They were right down there, second door on the left. I think they may already be done, though."

Shit. Nick thought to himself. He turned to leave, but then saw several cops running in the other direction, pulling out their guns.

Nick followed them, curious. He stepped out into the open area and looked around. Police swarmed the room, silent. Nick stood on one of the hard benches lining the wall so he could see what was happening.

Google whispered in Catherine's ear, holding her as a shield against the policemen. Catherine shook her head furiously, tears rolling down her face. "Say it!" Google hissed, shaking her roughly.

Catherine looked up at the police Hostage Negotiator, who had arrived on the scene moments before. "He says-" she swallowed hard. "He says that he has bombs wired in the bathroom, and that if you let him go, they won't detonate." The policemen started to lower their guns, backing away from the alcove which contained the alleged bomb.

Google twisted his face into a smirk and shoved Catherine forward to leave. Catherine purposefully stumbled fell hard to the ground, trying to make it appear accidental. "There's no bomb!" she yelled as she hit the floor on her knees. Gunfire erupted overhead. Google ducked back into the restrooms, seizing Catherine by the arm and dragging her with him.

He threw her against the wall, her lithe frame crashing against the hard ceramic. Catherine moaned in pain and struggled to her feet, bracing herself on the wall. Google watched dispassionately as Catherine stood and leaned on the sink counter for support, her chest heaving as she sought to draw air through her bruised ribcage.

Finally, Catherine turned around to face him. Google stood to one side of the only doorway, ready to catch her if she tried to leave. "So," he stared at her, slowly approaching. "You wanna play rough?"

He paced warily in front of her, unconsciously rubbing himself where she had kicked him earlier. Catherine watched, equally wary. Google kicked her knees out in one fluid motion, and Catherine dropped to the ground. She caught herself on her hands and kicked upwards.

Google grabbed her leg and twisted, attempting to throw her off balance. Catherine struck again, high and fast. Her foot connected with his face and he stumbled backwards as she jumped to her feet. "You stupid bitch." he muttered, rushing at her.

Catherine held her footing until the last second, than ducked out of the way. Google slid into the wall, catching himself against it and spinning around. He pulled the gun out of his belt and aimed at her, the barrel quivering with his rage.

Catherine froze, staring straight into the chamber of his pistol. "You can't do this." She whispered softly.

Google cocked it, a click echoed in the otherwise-silent room. "Watch me."

"No, if you kill me, they'll never let you go." Catherine threw her last cards on the table, knowing that it was a desperate move.

Google paused. "But they won't let me go, even now." His voice gained strength. "Not with you trying to screw things up!"

Catherine closed her eyes. Now she was truly making a deal with the devil. "I won't." Google eyed her in disbelief. "Please- I have a little girl. I don't want to die." Catherine knew she sounded pathetic, but maybe that would help - if he liked women who fought back, then he would have no interest in a woman who didn't fight.

Google approached, his eyes searching hers. Catherine widened her eyes, keeping them tear-filled and innocent looking. Google ran his hand down her face, feeling her soft skin.

Catherine instinctively stiffened to draw away, but then stopped, biting the inside of her cheek. He'll only like it more if I fight, so I can't fight. Catherine closed her eyes in fear as his hand roamed downward. I won't fight, I won't fight, I won't fight...

Nick watched in horror as Google pulled Catherine back into the restrooms. The police milled outside the door, uncertain of what to do. One tried to walk in, but the negotiator stopped him. "We can't go in there - not until we know that Ms. Willows will be safe."

Nick pushed forward through the crowd until he was face-to-face with the lead cop. "Let me go in." He said, more of a statement than a question. The man started to shake his head, but then stopped.

"Fine. Just wait a few minutes. I have to establish contact with the perp before we can send someone inside." Nick nodded in agreement, all too aware that they could be wasting precious minutes, yet fearing that taking action would get Catherine hurt.

The man came back with a loudspeaker in hand. "Mr. Google!" He called out. "Don't worry; we are going to send someone in to be with you. I assure you that he is unarmed. We don't want to hurt you, Mr. Google, we just want to keep everybody safe."

Google drew back from Catherine, a look of disgust on his face. He grabbed her again, pulling her roughly to him and thrusting his tongue between her lips. Catherine turned her head without protest, staying totally silent. He siezed her shoulders, "Why don't you fight me, whore? Come on, let's see it."

Catherine kept her eyes lowered, careful to appear submissive. She was too scared to say anything. This may work, she thought, my not fighting him... if it doesn't kill me not to. Google gazed lustfully at her, and Catherine averted her eyes, staring at the floor, boiling with rage and terror.

"No." Google called out to the police. "I don't want anyone else in here." He turned to Catherine. "All right, honey. It's time to get us out of here."

Catherine held herself limp as he pulled her forward. "You're a cop. Figure out someway to get me out of here."

Catherine steeled herself and shook her head. "No," she whispered.

"Alright!" Google emitted a quiet cry of glee as he slammed his fist into the side of her face. "That's what I want to see!"

Catherine spun around, gasping at the sting. "Alright," she choked. Her eyes flitted around the room. "There," she pointed at a ventilation shaft. "It has to have an outer vent on the roof."

Google eyed her carefully. I don't trust this bitch. He thought to himself. One minute she's like "Oh, please don't hurt me!" and the next she's all "Fuck you, asshole."

"OK," He decided. "You go in first." Catherine moved toward the wall and reached up to move the cover. "But, remember..." He tapped the barrel of his gun threateningly.

Catherine pulled herself into the narrow shaft. The only light was what little floated around her. Catherine squirmed forward, traveling down the dark tunnel. Behind her, she could hear Google climb up into the escape. Catherine reached a fork in the tunnel and paused. Fresh air was blowing on her face from one direction and voices were coming from the other. Catherine turned toward the voices - if she got above some cops, she may be able to attract attention.

Google grabbed her ankle, halting her progress. "Hey, bitch! I'm not stupid." He hissed. Catherine scooted back awkwardly and turned into the other side tunnel. A few minutes later, she was diligently working on pushing down the outer gate of the shaft.

The sun was setting over the gigantic hotels of Las Vegas as they emerged from the ventilation shaft. Catherine looked around, peering over one edge of the building. New crews swarmed the steps, each anchorperson trying to "get the scoop." Catherine opened her mouth to call for help, but Google covered her mouth. He pushed her to the ground so she was lying on her back in the light roof-dust. Google squatted over her, one hand keeping her silent as the other held a gun. "I've gotten this far, I am not going to be caught now."

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