A/N: thanku all for the reviews! and because u reviewed so faithfully, here's the next chap! i hopt u enjoy this one as well, please reviw once again when ur done:)

Chapter 38

The FBI agents, along with the SWAT team, ran to their vehicles. One by one they sped off, all into the same direction. Jack once again saw Sue grip the armrest. Jack swallowed, not exactly sure of what to say to make the situation at least a little less tense. Jack figured that that was because there probably wasn't anything good to say when your best friends lives are in danger.

If Don was already there…Jack forced himself to send that train of thought on a crash course to nowhere. He glanced at Sue, "You don't car sick, do you?"

"Not that I'm aware of, but trust me when I say you'll be the first to know if that changes."

"I'm not sure if I'm supposed to say thanks or simply smile and nod."

"Either one works fine." Sue smiled.

Silence filled the car once again; the only sound was that of the rain droplets hitting the car at nearly every angle.

Sue decided now as good a time as any other, "Jack?"

"Yeah, Sue?"

"Are you okay?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, Bobby's your best friend, has been for years. And now his life is in serious danger. How are you dealing with all of this?"

You can always count on Sue to be straight with you. "Uhh, I guess jogging helps me, and then there's talking to you." Jack confessed.

Sue felt heat rising to her cheeks, she was thankful that there wasn't enough light in the car to allow Jack to see it. "Then talk. I'm listening…well, reading."

Jack smirked as he chuckled, "In this line of work, it's obvious that your life is going to be in jeopardy, it comes with the job description, but when a case gets so serious that you have to go undercover to save your life…and then when he finds you for, what, the second time? It feels like everything is spiralling out of control and there's nothing you can do to get it on the right track again."

"Sort of like everything you do feels like it's useless, or too late, or not good enough?"

"Yeah." Jack sighed. "I guess you'd know a lot about that."

Sue nodded lightly, "There were some times with some people that I felt I had to prove myself to them over and over again, and each time was never quite right, there was always something that I could've done better, or should have done differently." She paused. "I guess the only thing that'll get you through is trusting in yourself and in God that just because you're not perfect, doesn't mean that you don't deserve a life with happiness and security."

Jack gave himself time to let her words sink in, touching his heart. "You're as smart as you are beautiful-" The words came out of his mouth before he could stop them. He winced.

"What was that? Your mouth was in the shadow." Sue lied.

Jack let out a breath of relief. "I said has anyone told you how smart you are."

"Oh. Well, sometimes. But it never hurts to be reminded." Sue forced cheerfulness into her voice. You're as smart as you are beautiful. The words rang in her head.

Bobby neared the office; gun in hand, heart in throat. His pulse sped up with every breath he took. Before long he could hear a snarling voice, he figured it was Dons. He was suddenly up to the offices threshold, pressed up against the wall. Bobby held the gun tight to his chest, pointing it towards the sky.

Bobbyforced himself to take a deep breath before he swung his body around towards the threshold. Pointing his gun forward at the back of the mans head he yelled, "Drop the gun, Taylor!"

Don was only partially startled and reacted quickly; he grabbed Tara's hair and yanked her in front of himself, using her as a shield. Cocking the gun to her temples he smiled wickedly at Bobby.

Chloe froze; tears began to form in her pale blue eyes as she watched the only person who has been a true mother to her fall victim to Don Taylor.

Bobby's grip tightened on the gun, fear crept inside of him from all around, threatening to swallow him up.

Tara caught her breath as Don pulled her hair firm in his fist. She tried to calm her gasps of air but found they could not be tamed. She locked eyes with Bobby, she tried to mask how terrified she was with a fake bravery; she failed.

With a tight voice Bobby said, "Put. Down. The. Gun."

Don laughed, "Whacha gonna do, Manning? Shoot me with little Tara so close? Ha." He let out a short breath.

Bobby took a step forward, gun raised. Don jerked Tara closer, "Ah ah ah. Wouldn't want her to end up hurt…or dead."

Bobby looked into Tara's eyes, trying to speak without moving making a sound. Tara frowned at first then made an effort to nod. Her head barley moved at all, but it was enough for Bobby. He took in a deep breath, "Tara…now!"

Tara shoved her elbow back, jamming it into Dons stomach, folding him enough. Tara felt his grip loosen around her and she began to run away from him and towards Bobby, grabbing Chloe on her way, but she didn't get far; Don grabbed Tara's ankle and she fell to the ground. She made an effort not to pin Chloe beneath her body but failed slightly.

Don's grip around her tightened once again as he began to slowly pull Tara closer. Bobby picked up Chloe from under Tara as quickly as he could and set her to the side. Bobby aimed his gun at Don's head but no sooner than he had done so, Don also produced his gun, pointing it towards Bobby.

Determination boiled inside as Tara noticed as she clawed at the floor and shoved her free foot back. It hit hard against Dons nose and broke it most definitely. The gun slid from his hand and Tara and Don lunged for it at the same time.

Bobby watched helplessly; if he fired, he would risk loosing Tara.

Don and Tara wrestled for the gun, when finally, Don's hand clasped over it, his finger on the trigger. Tara noticed where it was directed and with all her might shoved his outstretched arm to the ground…it wasn't soon enough.

A painful scream tore from Chloe's lungs as she collapsed to the floor.