A/N: Vacation for over a week now and only now I update… So sorry. I hope you like this chapter and I promise while I have vacation, I won't keep you waiting that long!
Several months pass and nothing happens. I've taken Greg to a shooting stand a few times, now he's pretty good. He starts working again and the police protection is withdrawn, although I have no good feeling about that. His wounds have healed completely and he's back to his normal self. He turned to me when he needed to talk about it allowing me to help him dealing with it once more. I'm still afraid Crane waits, lurking out there, waiting that we make a mistake, so he can strike… I can fee it. But he'll get no chance, I'll take care of that! The police has suggested a trap with – of course – G caught in the middle of it…
Flashback
Police officer: "Mr. Stokes, Mr. Sanders, as you know we've been so far unable to catch Mr. Crane."
Indeed, nothing new to us. When he continues though, he sends shudders down my spine: "All of us officers think that it would be best if we set up a trap for him. Because he wants you, Mr. Sanders" He says turning to G "We thought of using you for it… Of course only if you agree…" Greg remains silent as though he really considers it. I on the other hand snap: "Use! You picked the right word! He's been used enough! This is out of question!" While speaking I've risen pacing the room in agitation. "I understand you, Sir, but I can assure you, he'll be perfectly safe." Now Greg intervenes sending me one of his "Chill" looks. "Nick I appreciate your concern, but I have to do it." He says quietly. Every nerve in my body screams "NO!" as he continues: "Think, it's a high chance to catch him and I won't be in real danger! If I don't do it, we'll have to watch out the rest of our lives! I don't want that and you don't either, do you?" No, I don't, but I don't want my G in danger, either. I've seen far too much traps backfiring… I have nothing to say anymore, because I know I can't talk him out of it. When he's made up his mind, it's made up.
Flashback End
Today is the day now, the trap is set. I've tried talking him out of it over and over, though I already knew it was pointless. We both don't have to work tonight and we're supposed to go to the movies and when we get out pretending to quarrel and head in different directions. On Greg's way police officers will be hiding to prevent Crane from harming him. Well, the plan seems fool proofed, but I can't make friends with it…
We choose a romantic comedy, Hitch – The Date Doctor. Normally we prefer thrillers, but our nerves are strained enough yet. As soon as we sit down, we reach for each other's hand and for the whole film we don't let it go. Neither he nor I pay much attention to the film, our minds playing over and over what will happen as soon as it ends.
Before we step out of the building I give him one last reassuring smile. I know he's scared, but he does it because he thinks it's our only way out. Then we do as we were told: argue and separate. My single reason to comply is that G wants me to. The stars shine brightly tonight and under other circumstances I would have enjoyed the walk. Every step I take echoes loudly, there's no other sound. The farer the distance between me and Greg grows the more my anxiety mounts. If something goes wrong there'll be nothing I could do… I hate relying on other people when it comes to someone who's so valuable to me. At least G has his gun with him, that's the only thing that comforts me.
Suddenly I hear a scream in the distance. It's so low I almost missed it, but I immediately know it's from Greggo. Cursing I spin around and run back, drawing my gun. I immediately turn to the officer next to me once I arrive at the scene. "What happened?" I demand sharply. He doesn't dare look at me. "A black SUV passed by… It headed towards Mr. Sanders, stopped beside him, then Mr. Sanders was yanked in the car and it drove off before we even realised what was going on. We fired a few shots, but only one hit. It broke off the left mirror… I'm so sorry, Sir." Neither of us spoke for a moment, I because I would have just yelled and he because he is ashamed. Right under their nose he has been kidnapped…
Trying to regain my composure I call Sara to come out with our kits to process the scene. She arrives as quickly as humanly possibly. Setting down the kits she embraces me. "We'll get Greg back, Nick!" I don't doubt that, the only thing I doubt is if we'll be fast enough. Crane will want to show me what he did to him… My hands bale into fists at this thought. We collect the said mirror and a tire track, that's it. None of the officers has been able to see the plate, because it has been full of dirt.