The bell rang, startling them. They both rushed to the door, opening it, illogical hope in their hearts. 'Good evening,' Koskinen greeted them soberly. Rain dripped from his clothes as they stood aside for him.

'I won't stay, ma'am,' he said hurriedly, eyeing Tony's father with interest. 'I'm Eino Koskinen, I served under your son,' he introduced himself rapidly. 'I made a call to a friend,' he continued, more hesitantly. 'Look, you wanna come outside a bit?'

Amazed, they followed him into the rainstorm, huddling under a tree. 'This friend won't have his name identified, but he works as a doctor in a federal prison.' He fell silent, hating what he was about to tell them.

'Oh God, no,' Tony's mother cried. 'They didn't put him inside? Please don't tell me they did.'

'No ma'am, they didn't,' he said softly, wiping rain from his face. 'They sent his medical records over though; they expect to transfer him tomorrow afternoon. He was too weak to go tonight. It will be LA Federal. I'm real sorry.'

'You said he was too weak to go now,' Tony's father said, catching him as he turned to go. 'What's wrong with my son? Where is he now? Please tell us.'

'Mr. Almeida, I have no idea where he is now,' Koskinen said with a sigh. 'You sure you wanna hear what's wrong with him?'

'Of course I'm sure. He's my son, dammit!' He glared at the sergeant, longing to shake the information from him.

'He looks like you,' Koskinen said slowly. 'They're trying to stabilize him after his interrogation. They used electrodes. They expect he'll be able to be transported by tomorrow, straight over to the medical department. Look, I'll call again soon. If there is anything I can do to help him, just let me know.'

He left without further comment, leaving Tony's parents huddled together. His father pulled himself together first, stroking his wife's hair. 'Shush honey, it'll be ok. I'll try Jack again, he'll probably answer now.'

She nodded, her heart aching. 'That sergeant seemed pretty nervous about speaking inside.'

He nodded. 'I don't think anyone was here, but I'll call from the shed, if you like.' He returned fifteen minutes later, grim, beckoning her out. 'Honey, I spoke to Jack. He'll find out where they're holding Tony and go see him. He helped us before, it'll be okay,' he murmured, while she wept in his arms. 'He'll call us once he spoke to him.'

Tony stirred, turning his head feebly against the pillow. He examined his new surroundings in silence, moving only his eyes, unwilling to attract attention. Any movement on his part would bring people who would inform others he was awake, and Morris would be summoned. Shivering, he pressed his eyes shut. The respirator breathed for him, he felt oxygen pumped into his lungs. Bright light shone onto his face from the window directly opposite his bed. So it's daytime. Wonder how long you've been here?

Leave now, Almeida, they're not watching you. Tony attempted to move his feet, bitterly disappointed to feel them secured to the bed. He tried his arms next, confirming that they too were fastened securely under the blankets. Taking care not to allow any movements to show he pushed his upper arm against his chest, feeling the inevitable restraint holding him secure. Dammit, they're not taking any chances. He longed to pound the bed in frustration, aware the timeframe for escaping was slipping away.

A glass door was opened and footsteps headed towards his bed. Tony opened an eye a crack and watched three people approaching. Two remained silent near the door while a doctor listened to his heart and lungs. 'He appears conscious, you may speak to him, but I cannot permit further torture.'

'No one will hurt him,' Edwards assured her, turning to the third person. 'We'll go now, Mr. Bauer. Talk to him, you knew him well. Maybe you'll succeed where we've all failed.' He closed the door behind him, leaving Jack alone in the room.

Tony remained immobile, left eye fractionally open, watching his friend approach. Just before Jack reached his bed he shut it, hearing him sitting in a chair. He heard a familiar frustrated sigh, before Jack spoke. 'They said you're conscious, Tony. I don't have a great deal of time.'

Tony allowed his eyes to open a crack, hoping to gauge his friend's mood. He read compassion and worry from them. 'Hi, Jack,' he muttered, unsurprised to feel his tongue stuck to the top of his mouth.

'What did they do to you?' Jack asked, pulling back the blanket and examining his arm. 'Electric shocks? My God, Tony, what did you get mixed up in?'

Tony shifted restlessly; longing to sit up, certain he would be strong enough to do so. 'It's better if you don't know, trust me!'

Jack threw him an exasperated look. 'Tell me now, Tony! Why'd you hack into District?' He threw Tony a look that indicated he doubted his friend's sanity.

Tony felt himself relax a little, aware he would not be hurt while his friend was beside him. 'And if I don't tell. You gonna call some guy with a black box, get them to strap me down?'

Jack glared at him. 'Quit wasting time, Tony. I need to know what you were doing now! How else can I help you?'

Tony snorted and turned his head away, blinking hard. Jack gave him a moment before he turned back. 'You remember the port that was blown up last year? You brought my notes to Division and they got the guys. They didn't get them all; there had to have been someone here passing intel.' Jack threw him a doubtful look and Tony sighed, explaining his questioning the timing. For the first time Jack looked interested.

'You might be onto something. And so you hacked in to check out District's leaders. You're nuts, Tony!'

'One of them's your mole,' Tony told him, watching his friend. 'Jack, you helped catch those 20 guys, you listened to me once before. I did wrong, I just went ahead and searched private files, but I got something. Maybe you could check it out.' Silence stretched between them. 'Come on Jack, a mole that high up would have disastrous consequences for us in everything we do. Our spies will be compromised, our defense policies, our foreign relations, everything. Just say I'm right for a minute. That person should be found.'

'Yeah,' Jack sighed. He looked pityingly at Tony.

'Don't look at me like that,' Tony told him, held in place by his restraints as he once again attempted to rise. 'Tell me what they're gonna do to me? They gonna ask me more questions? They're not gonna let me walk out of here, are they?'

Jack sighed and shook his head, fiddling with Tony's blanket. 'They're aware of the leak of intel, and right now they're convinced you're the source. Nobody believes your allegations; all those District guys have been vetted so often. Right now, Tony, they're planning on transferring you over to Federal to await a trial, which looks real bad. I'm sorry,' he added, his tone showing Tony his deep sympathy.

'It's ok,' Tony assured him, meeting his eyes, while his heart screamed at him. 'I guessed as much. Jack, would you do something for me?'

Jack nodded, almost eager to be of service. 'Go tell my parents where I am and that I'm ok. I don't want them looking for me.' Jack nodded firmly and opened his mouth. 'Wait, I'm not done yet. You've got your gun, shoot me.'

'What!' Jack exclaimed, horrified. 'Why? Tony, gimme a chance to prove you're innocent. I haven't even started looking yet.'

'Jack! You said you're my friend, right? I believed you.' Tony turned away bitterly.

'Tony, what's the matter with you? We're friends.'

'Then why won't you do this for me? You shot Chappelle! I can't go back to prison. I just can't do it Jack, ok.' He gazed at Jack, meeting and holding his gaze. 'Please,' he begged, knowing as he spoke that his friend already refused.

'Tony, you gotta gimme a coupla days to look at this thing,' Jack told him, getting up. 'I promise you I'll come see you, and if doesn't work out…'

Tony turned his face into the pillow, attempting to shut out his friend's voice. 'Go away, Jack. Don't come see me; don't do anything for me, right? Just leave me the hell alone.' He left his face in the pillow, unable to watch his friend exit the room and leave him alone, longing to weep.

'I'll see you in a coupla days Tony, in Federal,' Jack said clearly, leaning forward to turn his head forcibly. 'It won't be so bad, it's pre-trial, you know. Good luck!' A hand reached under the blanket, moving rapidly near his wrist. 'Bye, Tony.'

Tony turned his face back into the pillow, hardly daring to breathe, aware of the need to play along and act depressed. Under the blanket he moved his left wrist, delighted to feel the restrains give. Moving as slowly as he could he pulled his wrist free, pulling his arm across him to undo his right wrist. Swallowing, he lay lower in the bed, undoing his chest restrain and ankles, expecting someone to enter his room any minute. Thanks Jack, I owe you one!

Footsteps led towards his room and Tony froze, moving slowly up the bed. The glass door was pushed open and Hammond entered, looking him over scornfully. 'Well, Almeida, you're hiding at medical. Don't worry; our analysts are piecing all your dealings together right now. We know you sold the list of our agents in North Korea last week and…'

Tony shook his head, horrified; unaware the list had been compromised.

'You aware how many we lost, Almeida? Doesn't it mean anything to you, human life? Well, you'll pay for it, alright. You're off to Federal Prison this afternoon, and you'll stay there till the day you die. I'm going to make sure its somewhere real far away, so no one will visit you. Don't worry though; I'm sure they'll push your execution through fast enough. Goodnight.'

He turned, his back to the man in bed. 'I'll come watch, by the way.'

I'll never get out without at least 50 cameras filming me. The moment one picks me up they'll lock down the whole building, I wouldn't have a hope, unless… Tony sat up in one fluid movement and grabbed the startled Hammond's gun from his holster. 'Freeze, Brad!' He glanced at the camera directly opposite. 'We're gonna walk outa here, and I'll release him. If anyone approaches us, I'll kill him and a coupla others. I want the doors unlocked and the floor cleared.' A quick glance showed him his clothes on the back of a chair. 'Move, Brad,' he ordered, pushing the gun further against Hammond's head. 'Over to that chair. Face the wall, hands on your head.' Gee, Almeida, you almost sound like a prison guard. Keep it up, you can seek employment there! He dressed rapidly, pulling the faded jeans and t-shirt on, sliding his favorite sweater over his head and grabbed his shoes. 'Ok, we're leaving. Walk real slow and don't try anything, coz I remember yesterday pretty well.'

'Open the door,' he ordered, and Hammond opened the glass door, stepping onto the deserted corridor. Tony followed, gun pressed into Hammond's temple, along a blue carpeted corridor and onto the main floor of Division. Dozens of agents watched a couple of feet back as they walked out, staring at his hostage for directions.

'Stand back,' Hammond ordered, glaring at a few. 'Move back, now. You won't get away with this Almeida, you should know that. We're gonna track you…'

'Shut up,' Tony ordered, his eyes searching the floor for the slightest hint of movement. 'Keep going.' Hammond crossed the floor and walked along the corridor, over to the admission desk, where they were observed silently by two security guards. The glass door buzzed and opened when pushed and they emerged into an early afternoon of pouring rain. 'Good,' Tony said, breathing easier. 'Now I know you're gonna track me, and I have no intention of that happening, so you're coming along for a little while. Where's your car?'

'Almeida, damn you to hell,' Hammond hissed, leading the way across the car park. Tony allowed the remark to pass as he focused on the entire area, making certain all was clear. They approached the latest model SUV and Hammond unlocked the door.

'Get in,' Tony ordered, climbing into the passenger seat. 'Alright Brad, let's go. Remember, try anything at all, I'll shoot you.' Hammond shuddered slightly at the cold, expressionless man beside him. He started the car and they pulled out of the car park, being waved through by the security guard at the gate. 'We're going downtown,' Tony instructed as Hammond glanced at him. He leaned back into his seat, his adrenalin rush over, trembling from exhaustion. Pull yourself together, Almeida. In a minute Hammond will notice your weakness and attempt to snatch his gun. He forced himself upright, frowning at the road ahead of them.

Tony relaxed slightly as they pulled into an undercover car park. 'Alright Brad, get out. We're gonna change cars.' Hammond scowled at him wordless as he climbed out, followed by Tony. 'You see that old van? We'll take it. Open the door.' He watched without blinking as Hammond opened the old van's door and climbed inside. 'Start it up,' Tony ordered, impressed despite himself with how fast Hammond hotwired it. The sooner they left the dark car park where visibility was limited the happier he would feel, he decided.

'Where to?' he asked in a surly tone, glaring at Tony.

Tony rubbed his face, aware of the need to leave LA, but determined to give himself at least 24 hours before Hammond could return to tell his whereabouts. 'You don't look like you been to the beach too often, Brad,' he said, mildly. 'We'll go there now. Just head to the coast.' He settled back against the seat, relaxing fractionally. They were in a different vehicle, they had pulled out after two others, and the windows were dim. It would be hard to track them.

Hammond drove along the coast, a sullen look on his face, stopping in irritation as a group of surfers walked across the road at a leisurely pace. 'Damn welfare scum! They wouldn't know what the word 'work' meant if you explained it to them.' Tony chewed his lip, fighting down his amusement. Slowly they passed the popular beaches, reaching more deserted ones as LA was left behind. A van paused in front of them, pale blue with an orange bonnet. Hammond swore as it reversed, parking along the road. A dog leaned out of an open window, barking furiously. 'Hooligans,' he muttered.

'This is the dog beach,' Tony remarked, gazing at the distant people with dogs. 'Keep going, Brad, we got a long way to go.'

'You know, you'll fry for this,' Hammond stuttered, driving further south. 'You won't get away with it, Almeida. They'll catch you, and …'

'And I'll fry,' Tony agreed, 'just like I would've if I'd have stayed. Keep going, Brad. I got nothing to lose, don't piss me off, while you still do.'

Hammond let out an irritated breath, driving along the increasingly narrow road. 'Where the hell does this go?'

'All the way,' Tony told him, steeling himself against the potholes. Several hours later he sat up, worn out from watching his hostage. 'Ok Brad, we're gonna part company. Pull over and switch off the car.' He watched as Hammond parked and they climbed out. An icy wind met them, and he pulled his sweater tighter round himself. 'Now I take it you're not into hiking?'

Hammond threw him a furious look.

'I thought not. Never mind Brad, it's never too late to try.' He nodded his head towards a narrow track that led sharply down a cliff. 'Let's go.'

'Where?' Hammond demanded. 'You're nuts, Almeida, that ends up in the ocean.' A nervous look crept across his face. 'You're not thinking of tossing me over the cliff, are you? I'm a federal agent, you're aware…'

'That I'll hang for it, sure I am,' Tony interrupted. 'Quit wasting time, Brad. Let's go.'

They set off along the track, following its winding course ever lower. Hammond breathed easier as they reached the bottom of the rocks. 'Keep moving to your left,' Tony ordered, waving his gun at his hostage. 'Don't worry, Brad, you'll get your chance to admire the scenery.' He poked Hammond firmly in the ribs and Hammond set off along the lower rocks, climbing with difficulty over some slippery ones.

'Hell,' he swore as he slipped in a rock pool, wetting his shoes and trousers. 'Almeida, I'll hang you personally, I'll place the noose round your neck.'

Tony let out a frustrated breath. 'Look, Brad, right now I got the gun, ok? I'm getting a little tired of hearing your threats. You're presuming you're gonna live to do any of it. At this stage, I'm not real sure anymore what I plan to do with you.'

Hammond fell silent, climbing a large rock. 'Ok, Brad, see that dark hole just inside the cliff? Walk that way, we're going inside. I take it you're not into exploring caves?'

Hammond gave a frustrated yell as they approached a small opening. 'Now Brad, this is your lucky day,' Tony told him, pushing him down. 'You took everything I had from me, my job, my family, my home. You turned me into a fugitive without giving me the benefit of a doubt. You had me tortured, hell, you nearly killed me. And I'm still gonna let you live.' They stared at each other in silence in the shadows. 'Gimme your handcuffs,' Tony ordered, taking them and unlocking them. 'Hands behind your back.'

'Dammit Almeida, you can't leave me here cuffed! I'll never get up that cliff,' Hammond exclaimed, outraged.

'Oh, I think you will, Brad,' Tony told him, gazing upwards. 'It'll take you a day or two, though, getting over all those rocks. You'll move, when you're hungry enough.' He handed his irritated hostage a bottle of water. 'I'll leave this for you; you gave me a drink too. Now a word of advice, Brad. When you get up that cliff, you're gonna need a lift back to LA. The people round here are surfers or fishermen, they're not used to being ordered around. You're gonna need to be real polite unless you wanna walk home.'

'Almeida,' Hammond howled as he set off, watching the setting sun. 'Come back this instant.'

'I'd wait till tomorrow before you start heading up,' Tony told him, turning round. 'It'll be dark soon, and that cave is quite secure. Oh, and Brad,' he lowered his voice. 'I never sold any intel to anyone.' He turned, climbing over the sharp rocks, determined to reach the path before darkness set in.