Just want to say thanks to my beta's. Thanks Susan for giving my such great imput. Lee Ann thanks for all your help. Chris you like everything I write even if its bad ;-)

Chapter 6

Sergie smiled as he watched Charlie work. The professor was moving at a much faster rate then Mikey ever had. Pretty soon they'd be able to leave. He wondered where Calvin was. The third member of the crew had been sent to accomplish his task but wasn't back yet. The atmosphere in the bank was becoming strained. Once the air conditioner had been turned off the building had started to heat up. Even though the sun had gone down, LA in August was still hot. Fritz was becoming more irritated and harassing the hostages. One of the men had gotten brave when Fritz started picking on one of the woman, and that gentleman now sported a black eye. Sergie turned when he heard someone come up behind him.

"Well?"

"It's done," Calvin said. "We're all set."

"Good," Sergie said, turning back to the computer. When he did he noticed something wrong. The screen had gone blank.

Charlie had to concentrate. The smell of blood was distracting and he knew if he dwelled on it he'd never be able to finish what Sergie wanted. The program was so simple he didn't understand why Mikey had such a hard time finishing it. Charlie had completely blocked everything out when reality came crashing down. Sergie jerked him out of the chair and started shaking him.

"What the hell do you think you're doing!" Sergie yelled.

"Leave him alone!" Don exclaimed, trying to come to his brother aid. Calvin grabbed his arm to hold him back.

"What did you do, Professor?" Sergie asked, in a deadly voice.

"I don't understand," Charlie said, confused.

"Sergie, listen to me," Don demanded. "Charlie didn't do anything. It's the computer."

"What are you talking about?" Sergie asked.

"Charlie's used to a computer with a much faster key stroke," Don explained, struggling in Calvin's grip. "The computer just needs to catch up."

Sergie looked back at the computer and could see the cursor blinking. After a few seconds the data started streaming across the screen again. He savagely dropped Charlie back in the chair. Don watched in concern as Charlie slumped over one of the arm rests.

"Let me talk to him," Don said. "He just needs to go slower. If he doesn't the computer will crash."

"Fine," Sergie agreed. "Just remember, I'll have a gun on your lady friend."

Don looked at Terry, who nodded for him to go. He moved to his brother's side and helped him sit up. Charlie sat blinking and trying to orient himself.

"Charlie, you with me?" Don asked, seeing the dry blood matting his brother's hair.

"Yeah I'm with you," Charlie said. "But I sure do have a headache."

"I know, Buddy. Do you think you can finish the program?"

"But it is finished," Charlie said confused.

"What did you say, Professor?" Sergie asked.

"I finished it," Charlie said, looking at Sergie.

"He did it?" Calvin asked as he watched Sergie check the computer.

"I knew you could do it, Professor," Sergie said, smiling.

"Now you can hold up your end of the bargain," Charlie demanded. "You can let us go."

"Making demands again," Sergie laughed. "What ever made you think I'd hold up my end of the bargain. Fritz! Get the hostages on their feet and moving towards the vault."

Calvin went to help Fritz as Sergie motioned for Terry to join the brothers. Terry helped Don get Charlie to his feet and they were herded to the vault with the rest of the hostages. They were all pushed inside and the doors were closed behind them. Sergie smiled as he turned the handle locking the hostages inside.

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Alan was starting to get worried. Captain Harris hadn't been able to make contact with the bank robbers in hours. The Mayor had come down and demanded Harris get the job done or he'd find someone else to do it for him. Alan had been impressed with the way Captain Harris had handled the mayor, but they seemed to be at an impasse concerning the robbers. There were still no visuals inside the bank and no way of knowing where the hostages were. Sending in an assault team in this situation could get messy. Captain Harris was prepared to wait them out.

Alan wasn't as patient. Those were his sons in there and he wanted them out alive. David was also impatient for something to happen. Alan knew David felt guilty about not being inside with the others. With nothing else to do Alan wandered over to get another cup of coffee. While he was there he noticed a commotion over by the SWAT van. The coffee was forgotten as Alan went to talk to David.

"What's going on?"

"Sergie called and said he was finished and that we could enter the bank."

"And you believe him?"

"Not exactly, but Harris is going to check it out."

"Hopefully this will be over soon," Alan said.

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The temperature inside the vault was stifling. Not only was the AC off but the fans to circulate the air were also not working. At least they had lights. Don wasn't sure if the hostages would have been as calm sitting in total darkness. The vault was pretty big, so at least they weren't cramped. The bank manager had told Don there was no way to open the vault once it was closed for the night. As at most banks, the vaults automatically locked at night and couldn't be opened again until morning, unless an override was arranged from the security company. So now all they had to do was wait. Eventually the police would make the decision to storm the bank.

"We have to get out!"

Don turned to see one of the woman hostages starting to panic. Terry walked over to her and took her hands.

"We're safe in here," Terry assured her.

"But there's no air," she cried. "We'll suffocate!"

"No we won't," the bank manager said. "The vaults aren't air tight. Just because the fans aren't going doesn't mean there isn't any air."

"Are you sure?" one of the men asked. "I mean you can't even open this thing and let us out."

"I told you why I can't," the bank manager said.

"Yeah I know what you told us, I just think your lying," the man said pushing the manager.

"Enough!" Don yelled as he stepped between the two men. "There's no telling how long we might be in here. We're just going to have to stay calm."

Everyone seemed to calm down after Don took charge. The hostages were more then willing to let someone tell them everything would be okay. Don went back over to the vault door and slid down the cool metal to the floor. Terry stayed with the woman who seemed to be a bit claustrophobic. Don turned to his brother and saw he'd wedged himself in the corner, with his knees drawn up and his head leaning against them.

"How you holding up, Charlie?"

"I'm fine," Charlie mumbled. "But I can't stay here."

"Well you don't have a choice," Don chuckled.

"You don't understand!" Charlie exclaimed as stood up and swayed. "I have to get out."

"Charlie, what's going on?" Don asked, getting to his feet and grabbing his brother.

"I put a trace in the program," Charlie said. "But if I'm not there I'll lose it."

"I don't understand," Don said confused.

"In the program," Charlie said, rubbing at his left temple. "It can track them."

Don grabbed his brother's hands, knowing Charlie was having a hard time explaining what he meant.

"Charlie, are you saying you put something in the program, that Sergie gave you to trace the money?" Terry asked.

"Yes!" Charlie exclaimed. "As soon as he starts transferring the money from the accounts my trace will go live and I can track where he deposits the money. Then whenever he goes to take it out you can get him."

"That's great, Charlie," Don said.

"But it's not! Not if I can't get out of here before he starts the transfers."

Don was about to tell his brother everything would be fine when the door to the vault started to open. All the hostages got to their feet and moved back along the wall. Don moved in front of Charlie, who was more then happy to let his brother protect him. An LAPD assault officer stepped into the cell and looked around.

"Special Agent Don Eppes," Don called as he put up his hands. "We're just hostages."

"Clear," the officer said into his mic

That was all Charlie needed to try to bolt out the door. Don grabbed him and held him close as they all moved out together. Once outside the vault Don could smell the tear gas used during the assault. The bank was crawling with cops and that was why Don hadn't let Charlie bolt out of the vault. They were all ushered outside.

"Don," Charlie pleaded.

"I know, Charlie, hold on," Don said.

"Don!"

Don turned when he heard a familiar voice. "Guess we're a little late for lunch," Don teased as he saw David.

"A little," David smiled.

"Who's in charge?" Don asked.

"Over this way," David said as he led them over to the SWAT van.

As they got closer Don saw a familiar figure standing by the van.

"Dad?"

"Donnie," Alan said when he saw his oldest. He looked at his youngest and gasped. "Charlie!"

"It's not as bad as it looks," Don said as he kept his arm around Charlie and led him over.

"Don, this is Captain Harris," David said.

"Captain, I know this is going to be a bit irregular," Don said. "We have to get my brother back to the federal building. He can track these robbers."

"I guess you know they weren't inside when we entered."

"Figured as much," Don said. "They had to have an escape plan."

"You said your brother can track them," Harris said skeptically.

"I'll stay and explain everything," Don promised. "Let my partners take him back so he can get started."

"Agreed," Harris said.

"Charlie, go with Terry and David," Don said. Charlie nodded and stepped away from his brother. "Dad, you go with them."

His father nodded and Don watched as the four of them moved away. Turning back to Captain Harris he started to explain what happened inside the bank.