A/N For Casey – as promised ;o)

Not Always Out Of Reach - Chapter 3

Charlie felt as though she must have been in the room for hours, cowering at the side of a table as she watched Jackson pace, shouting insults at the officers outside. She swallowed and listened, picking up on Smithy's distinctive accent, followed by Jo's slightly louder as she spoke calmly to Jackson.

"Smithy…" Charlie's lips moved but she remained silent, hugging herself desperately as she watched.

"We can't just stay here!" Smithy urged, his pacing matching Jackson's.

"With respect, Sarge." Jo looked up. "We can't rile him-"

"Rile him!" Smithy scoffed before he could stop himself. "I'd-"

"Smithy!" Gina placed a hand on his arm to stop him. "Let Jo continue."

"What's up with Super Sarge?" Amber murmured, watching Smithy.

"He's worried about Charlotte, isn't he?" Reg the diplomat answered.

"Makes a change from bawling her out." Amber said with a mischievous smirk, looking at Dan as he raised an eyebrow at her. "What?" She shrugged. "She was telling us about it today…"

"I need to know that Charlotte's alright…"

"She's fine." Jackson snapped.

"I need to hear it from Charlie." Jo glanced from the door to Gina who nodded. "…Charlie?"

Charlie shrank back as Jackson approached her, blinking up at him as he stopped. "Tell them!" He snapped.

"…Jo." Charlie eventually stammered.

Smithy balled one hand, rubbing his fist with the other hand. "Charlie!" he called, ignoring Gina's glare.

"Smithy!" Charlie's tone was urgent and pleading, "…I'm ok. Really…"

"Smith." Jackson smirked, pulling Charlie to her feet as she whimpered, trying to pull his arm from her neck. "Nice of you to join us."

"Peter?" Jo strained to hear. "What's going on."

"I want to talk to Smith."

"Peter, what's happening?"

"You don't remember me, do you Smith?" Jackson continued, ignoring Jo.

Smithy glanced at Gina who glared more, before nodding at the door.

"….No." Smithy admitted, moving to take Jo's place by the door.

"Not surprising." Jackson trailed off, "Not many people do."

"This ain't they way to get you noticed, this just gets you in more trouble, Peter."

"Go check on Tony." Gina hissed desperately at Amber, "Go find out what he's found on Peter Jackson."

Amber nodded, turning and running off along the corridor.

The group outside blinked and moved closer as a stifled scream came from inside, followed by pleading.

"CHARLIE!"

"Peter…" Jo reasoned, "What's happening? What're you doing?"

"She's fine." Peter snarled, his hand closing over one of Charlie's breasts as she attempting to free herself, before tensing and freezing as the gun was pointed at her. She swallowed and closed her eyes, almost resigning herself to the inevitable. "Send Smith in." Peter smirked nastily. "And I won't hurt the girl…"

"Peter, you can't apply conditions like this…"

"NO!" Charlie grabbed at his wrist as his hand travelled down her stomach and over her hips. "Please don't, no!"

"I'm going in!" Smithy looked desperately at Gina.

"No." Gina swallowed and shook her head, "I'm not having-" She started to say, before looking at Jo as a thud from inside was heard, followed by a series of pleads and cries.

Charlie fell awkwardly back against the table as Jackson pushed her back against it, "Please don't do this…" She whimpered, powerless to fight back as he pinned her in place with the hand holding the gun, his free hand working over her trousers. "You don't-"

"JACKSON!" Smithy surged forward, opening the door before he could be stopped.

"Smith!" Jackson's macabre smirk slipped and he turned to look behind him. "Just in time to join us…" He said, gesturing to where Charlie was spread beneath him, trembling and whimpering.

Smithy held his hands up, taking several steps forward as slowly as he could. "You've got me, just let her go…"

"Smithy…" Charlie whimpered, shaking her head.

"Just stay where you are." Peter raised the gun, as Smithy continued moving forward. "STAY!" He turned to point the gun at Smithy, giving Charlie chance to get up, grabbing at the waistband of her trousers as she wriggled away, looking for something blunt and heavy as she fastened them, before freezing as Jackson pointed the gun at her again.

Smithy kept his hands in front of him as he stopped. "Just let her go, you've got me."

"Where would the fun be in that?" Peter smirked, looking at Charlie. "You two, over there."

Charlie looked at Smithy, walking slowly towards him as she was told, keeping eye contact, before immersing herself completely in his arms as they sank to the floor.

Smithy wrapped his arms tightly around her, resting his head on Charlie's as he rocked her gently. "I'll get us out of here…" He whispered, "I promise…"

Charlie's eyes closed, her hands gripping his shirt tightly as she trembled.