A/N: Hey all. Here's chapter six, I hope you enjoy it. I know it isn't August yet, but my older brother is gone and won't be back until tomorrow so I'm using his computer, although this will have to be a short chap. My friends threw me an awesome going away party the other day and I had major second thoughts about moving, but I'm definitely going. Anyway here's the chapter you wanted and I hope you enjoy it!

A quick thanks to Emerald124 for giving me a couple ideas for this story! And thanks to everyone else who reviewed!

Nicole

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A Million Chapter Six: Impatience Can Kill

Ring ring ring... The sharp sound attacked Don's eardrums as he snatched the cell phone and pressed it to his ear. "Eppes."

"Agent Eppes?" A slightly raspy voice asked quietly. It seemed as though part of the voice was strangely muffled as well.

"The one and only," Don answered cautiously, aware that it could be one of his brother's kidnappers.

"The girl – Gargoyle's going to kill her. You have to get to her first," the voice told him urgently and the agent could hear sounds in the background as if the man was rummaging through an untidy bag.

"Who is this?" His voice was on edge as he waved an arm at Megan to signal her over.

"Names are unimportant, the girl is. No one was supposed to die and too many deaths are on my conscience already. I think he's taking her to an abandoned house on Huntington Street. It's 456 I think. Please hurry." Don could tell the man was being honest – even though the voice was disguised, the tone wasn't. The man seemed close to tears and trying to make things right.

"What about Charlie?" He had to ask. Maybe the man's guilt would save his brother, too.

"They'll kill my baby. I'm pushing it as it is." A dial tone met his ears.

"Don? Who was it?" Megan questioned, her voice filled with worry.

"One of the kidnappers – we're going to Huntington Street," Don told her briskly without further explanation. Turning to David and Colby he said, "Stay here. Go through these documents and check with my dad on how he's doing with the money."

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Bound in the dark trunk of Gargoyle's car, Amita contemplated her situation. She was most likely going to die, but still she clung to the tiniest hope that somehow she would survive and that Charlie would, too.

As the vehicle drove on the road seemed to get rougher and rougher – numerous times she'd ended up banging her head and almost knocking herself out. The car slowed down and she prayed that it wasn't stopping. The ride wasn't all that much fun, but the sooner the vehicle stopped, the sooner Gargoyle would finish her off. The car continued to slow and then suddenly sped up again. They'd probably just hit a turn. She wanted to cry in relief. Every time the car slowed down, Amita would tremble in fear.

Soon the car slowed down again and then came to a complete stop. Fear stole her breath away as she heard the car door open then close and footsteps as Gargoyle rounded the car. Shouts suddenly invaded her senses, familiar ones. She heard a muffled, "Hand over your weapon!" A quick succession of gunshots followed soon after from an angry Gargoyle.

Quick, shallow breaths were her only source of air in the stuffy trunk. Gargoyle had just killed somebody, probably an officer or even an agent by the sounds of it. The footsteps towards her resumed and she squeezed her eyes shut tightly at the trunk lid was ripped open.

Bracing herself for the gunshot, she stiffened and tears shamelessly fell down her face. "Amita, it's okay now – we've got you." She opened her eyes, unable to believe it. Don quickly cut through the ropes and helped her out of the trunk, only to have her fall against him.

"Don? Is-is...do you have Charlie?" she asked as Don steadied her and led her over to where an ambulance was waiting.

"Not yet, but we will. Don't worry Amita." Her eyes found Gargoyle's body and she forced herself not to throw up. She found herself clinging to her friend's brother tightly, afraid to let go of the safety Don provided, but what she wanted the most was to be able to be with Charlie. No matter how much protection Don seemed to be able to offer, she needed more than that – she needed Charlie.

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"What are you going to do?" Charlie asked in a small voice as Dark Shadow helped Mask set up the camera.

"What's have we been doing the past two days?" Dark Shadow asked, giving him an answer he didn't really want to hear.

Charlie shuddered involuntarily before asking in the same weak voice, "How do you expect me to last nine more days of this?"

"I don't," was the short answer and Dark Shadow looked at him venomously. "Better hope Daddy pays the ransom before we 'accidentally' beat you to death."

Charlie swallowed thickly and prepared himself for whatever the man was planning. He wished they'd get it over with. It was too much – the constant pain they were inflicting on him. And then there was Amita. She was gone, Gargoyle had killed her for sure by now and there was nothing he could do about it. If only he had protected her better.

The two men left the camera and Mask hauled him into a sitting position as his boss fitted a set of brass knuckles over his hand. Mask knelt behind Charlie in such a way that the mathematician couldn't fall backward and Dark Shadow leaned over his victim for a moment before announcing, "Showtime!"

Dark Shadow faced the camera, "Mr. Eppes, I'm afraid I'm not as patient as my father and I want my money very soon. Oh and your son seems to have some very bad manners. I thought I'd teach him some and give you the privilege of watching."

Dark Shadow released a savage punch into Charlie's face and watched the blood spill from his nose. Changing targets, he aimed for the mathematician's torso.

Charlie couldn't dodge the barrage of punches being thrown his way. The pain was so forceful he didn't know how much longer he could stay conscious. He was fighting a losing battle and he struggled to defend himself from the onslaught. His breath was forced from his lungs over and over again until black spots invaded his vision. Mercifully, the beating finally ended. The last words his conscious mind heard was, "You have until he bleeds to death to pay me," and then a blast that shattered the air... and his shoulder.

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Well I surprised even myself with that chapter, I'm too cruel to poor Charlie. Anyway I'm starting a new fanfic that title will be something close to "Lies and Black Eyes" or "Bruise and Lies" I'm not exactly sure yet. Anyway it's more Charlie angst, but this time it's a bit different from what I usually do.

Here's its summary: Charlie finds himself in a position he never dreamed he'd ever be in, an abusive relationship. Two things stop him from getting out, his love for his abuser and knowing that the only way out, is to admit to the world he's being beaten by a girl. A world that includes his older brother.

Please check it out when I post it, I have a major twist in mind for the ending.

Love
Q of C