Unknown location –

Earl strolled into the old building more confident than usual; Cody noticed. He also noticed that the man was late and empty handed. It made him mad, but he had more to worry about than a harmless computer geek.

"You're late!"

"Oh, uh, sorry boss."

"Where's my breakfast?"

"I was a little short but if you can spare a few bucks, I can go make a breakfast run."

"Never mind I have more important things for you to do."

"Really?" Earl asked hopefully.

"Yeah, find out if anybody is looking for our friend and his wife."

"They're FBI, of course they're looking for them."

"I said, check to see! I want to know how close they are to finding them!"

"Okay, will do boss."

Cody watched as Earl strolled past him and into his lair without a care in the world.

"Are you humming?" Cody asked.

"Humming, no not me." Then changing the subject. "So, how's our guest?"

"He's having a rough morning." He chuckled arrogantly.

Earl shook his head and began powering up his computers. He so wanted to boast about his own house guest, but he knew that Cody would take her away before he had a chance with her, and he wasn't going to let that happen. So, as the computers came to life, he began humming again.

Cody had never heard him hum before; he was an odd fellow he thought. Shrugging his shoulders, he turned and headed down the hallway, to begin again with his guest.

Derek knew that it was a good chance that he would die today; that his life would end on this filthy cold floor. If this was the last day of his life he wouldn't go without a fight and Cody Madden, the son of the man who'd killed his father, would not have it easy; not easy at all.

Earl watched from the monitors as Cody stepped in the room. There was an edge to him, confidence, no more than confidence, after all Derek was chained to a wall, that would make any adversary confident. No, it was an arrogant disregard for the man he was determined to make suffer before taking his life. Earl saw something different in Derek as well. Even though he was at an obvious disadvantage, there was a focus and rage brewing just beneath the surface as he gripped the chains, gathering the slack in his palms while keeping his eyes on Cody.

Cody released the blade of the large knife in his hand; it signaled the beginning of the last battle between the two men.

"It's your last day, Derek." Cody began stepping closer. "It's been fun but I'm afraid I have to bring this little party to an end.

"You won't get away with this, man!" Derek renewed his grip on the chains. "You're going to end up just like your father...I know he would be proud."

That was it, Cody snapped and carelessly swung the knife at Derek, missing. Earl watched and sat up in his chair with his mouth opened in surprise. Cody swung again, missing, and nearly losing his footing which gave Derek the angle he needed to sling the chain around the man's neck. He yanked hard before Cody could regain his footing and advantage.

Earl watched; he was stunned that Derek had enough strength to fight back. He'd taken a beating that would have killed most men already, but now he was fighting, still weak but fighting. Cody's arrogance had betrayed him and now Earl realized what he had seen in their prisoner's eyes earlier. It was patience, patience was the weapon that always defeated evil and now, Cody was on his knees struggling. His first notion was to go and help, but he held still waiting to see the outcome.

Derek felt the knife break his skin as Cody pushed the blade into his side. The pain was excruciating but Derek knew that if he released his hold on the chain it would be the end. Instead, he pulled tightening the vice-like grip around Cody's neck. The man gasped and garbled and with his eyes bugged out he struggled to breathe. Derek felt another stab of pain to his side; now he gasped, closing his eyes as he renewed his grip on the chain, pulling with the last of his waning strength.

"I'll be damned!" Earl muttered.

The younger man never thought anyone would beat his friend. Ever since they'd met in prison, he'd talked about his plans to kill the man who'd sent his father to jail. When Cody learned that Earl was good with computers, he asked him to join him in his plans. He owed Cody his life and there was nothing he wouldn't do for him.

This wasn't how things were supposed to go; not like this. He'd promised on his father's grave, that Derek Morgan would pay for what he had done. He couldn't breathe, he couldn't break free and now not even Derek's blood pooling beneath them gave him the satisfaction he needed. He'd lost the most important battle of his life.

Derek couldn't hold on any longer; he spent his last ounce of strength holding his captor under him. Cody's struggle began to slow but so was his. Then suddenly, his opponent stiffened and fell limply next to him. The man's wide-eyed cold stare gave Derek permission to release him. It was all he could do to allow his arms to fall like a thud against the floor. Killing Cody still had not bought him freedom, still chained to the wall, the darkness quickly covered him pulling him to a quiet still place.

Home of Obie White – Afternoon

Penelope had succeeded in convincing Obie that she was strong enough to get up. She'd taken a shower with him standing outside the door. Her eyes fell on a small window just above the shower head; too small for her to wiggle out of especially with her shoulder still injured. At least she felt as if she were making some headway with the elderly man and so she felt encouraged.

Obie had given her another one of his late wife's gowns and he smiled when she stepped out of the bathroom. Her hair was wet and fell into her face just like Emma's used to whenever she got it wet. He felt hopeful when the young woman took his hand and led them both out of the bedroom for the first time since she'd arrived.

"I'm starved, how about I fix us something to eat." She offered.

"Nonsense, my dear you're still nursing that shoulder. I'll scramble us some eggs and make some toast." He insisted.

The thought of eggs made her stomach churn and if she got sick it would surely send her back to bed bound and imprisoned again.

"How about just toast." She suggested.

"Toast it is."

Cheerfully chatting nonstop, Obie began his work in the kitchen. He decided to slice some fresh melon and berries to add to serve with their toast. He glanced at the woman as she walked around the front room, scanning the framed pictures as if seeing them for the first time.

"We used to have so much fun." He began.

She hadn't heard him approach; he was close enough to feel his breath on her neck.

"Earl loved fishing and you loved seeing the sparkle in his eye whenever he caught something." He chuckled.

"Earl?"

"Our son, don't you remember?"

"Yes, yes of course; Earl."

"He was here last night but you were already asleep. He even came into your room to say good morning earlier."

"I'm sorry I missed him."

"Don't worry, he'll be back, you both have a lot of catching up to do."