Nathan tapped his pen absently against his desk, eying the clock. 5:30. Still an hour and a half before they went to capture Wyatt. The plan was laid out and everyone knew their part. They were ready.

The waiting was the hardest part.

Wyatt's threat toward Elizabeth had chilled Nathan to the bone. He hated the thought that Wyatt had been watching his wife, getting close enough to photograph her as she went about her daily activities. His message was clear: he was going after her. It was just a matter of when.

Nathan fervently hoped that they got him before he tried to get Elizabeth. Each minute that ticked by felt like the longest minute of his life.

"Uh, Nathan?" Lee said.

Nathan looked up. "Huh?"

Lee pointed to the pen. "Sorry, but that's getting really obnoxious."

Nathan glanced at the pen and sighed. "Sorry, Lee. I didn't realize I was tapping."

His friend looked at him compassionately. "I know you're worried, Nathan. But we'll get him. After tonight, he won't be able to hurt anyone again."

"I know," Nathan said, breathing out a slow breath. "But this waiting is killing me."

Lee put a hand on his arm. "I know, buddy. Just keep breathing."

Nathan tried. He glanced at the clock again and groaned. Exactly two minutes had passed since he last checked. He needed to focus. He wasn't going to be doing anyone any good by moping.

The phone rang, and he reached for it gladly, needing something to do. "Detective Grant."

"Hello, Detective," a female voice said. "You don't know me, but I work with Elizabeth at the hospital. My name is Molly."

"Hi, Molly," he said. "How can I help you?"

"I'm not sure," she said, sounding hesitant. Nathan was immediately on high alert. Something was wrong.

"Molly, what happened?" he asked.

She sniffed, sounding like she was holding back tears. "Dr. Shepherd was attacked in the parking lot, Detective. Someone hit him in the head with a baseball bat."

"What?" Nathan gasped. "Is he…?"

"He's alive," Molly said. "But he definitely has a concussion and he hasn't woken up. We just found him." She paused before reluctantly continuing. "He was on the ground next to Elizabeth's car. There's no sign of her anywhere."

Wyatt.

"Thanks, Molly," Nathan said, hanging up the phone. He hated to be rude, but he had to act. He jumped up, slamming into Bill's office unannounced for the second time that day. "Wyatt has Elizabeth," he said without preamble. "I'm going after her."

Bill got to his feet. "That's what he wants, Nathan. You could be walking into a trap. We need to stick with the plan.'

Nathan planted his hands on Bill's desk, leaning forward and looking his chief directly in the eyes. "She's my wife, Bill. Do you have any idea what he could do to her in the hour and a half he'd have her?" Horror curled through him as various images danced through his mind, each one worse than the last. "I am not leaving her in his hands a second longer than necessary. I'm going, with or without your blessing." He stormed out of the office, only stopping long enough to grab his keys. As he ran out the door, he heard Bill call out. "Coulter! Hickam! Go with him!"

Thankful for the backup, Nathan waited until Lee and Mike got in the car too, and then he turned on his lights and sped to the place Wyatt was holding his wife, praying they would get there in time to protect her from any harm.


Elizabeth came to consciousness to find her arms and legs bound with rope. Another rope was wrapped around her chest, securing her to a chair. She struggled against her bonds, hoping something would give way.

"Struggle is useless," a smooth voice said from somewhere behind her. Elizabeth froze as the man who had kidnapped her came into view. He had the coldest eyes she'd ever seen and an evil smile to match. "Hello, Mrs. Grant. How long until you think your husband realizes you're missing?"

She glared at him, refusing to answer. She wasn't going to play his game.

Wyatt's smile turned smirky. "No answer? That's just fine. I don't mind doing the talking." He came closer, running a finger down Elizabeth's cheek and neck, resting his hand at her throat. "My, my, aren't you a pretty little thing? I think I'm going to enjoy getting to know you better." His tone and his smile left no doubt as to his intentions, and Elizabeth felt a fear unlike any she'd known pierce her.

Wyatt laughed at the look in her eyes. "Oh yes, my dear, you know what's coming. But the question is, do we have a little fun now, or wait for your dear husband to show up so he can watch? If I have a knife to that pretty throat, there won't be much he can do, now will there?"

Revulsion and loathing filled Elizabeth, and her glare told him exactly what she thought of him. She'd never understood how someone could become so evil. This man in front of her had once been an innocent baby. What had happened in the years between then and now to turn him into a monster?

The thought quickly left her head as Wyatt walked behind her, his fingers tangling in her hair. He jerked her head backwards and pressed a hard kiss to her lips. Elizabeth cried out and struggled. She couldn't breathe with her head forced back and his lips cutting off her source of oxygen. When he finally let go, she gasped for air, feeling sick to her stomach. She tried her best not to cry, knowing that tears would make him think he had won. She wasn't about to give him the satisfaction.

"Maybe I'll have my way with you twice," Wyatt said coldly. Elizabeth's heart chilled as he loosened the rope holding her to the chair. She panicked inside, then suddenly realized that her legs were tied together but they were not tied to the chair. She could still kick. As Wyatt came around the chair, she kicked at him with all her might, knocking him to the ground. Desperately, she tied to get up and hop away, but his hand caught her ankle, and she fell to the floor.

Getting to his feet, Wyatt gripped Elizabeth's arm. "That was a mistake," he said, his eyes deadly. "You're about to regret that decision."

Wyatt hauled Elizabeth to her feet, crushing her against him in a vice grip and kissing her roughly. Elizabeth recoiled, struggling to get away. He gave a cold laugh, tightening his hold on her with one arm while his other hand slid up her shirt. Elizabeth felt a mix of revulsion and terror at his touch, and she redoubled her struggle, knowing it was useless but fighting anyway.

"Struggle all you want," Wyatt sneered. "I will have my way with you, and the fight will just make it all the more sweet."

Hot tears slid down Elizabeth's cheeks as his lips claimed hers again with the sole intention of causing pain. Through her fear, she heard the unmistakable click of a gun being cocked, and the iciest voice she had ever heard spoke low and clear.

"Get your filthy hands off of my wife, or I swear I'll shoot you where you stand and not think twice."

Nathan stood there, his eyes fierce, gun pressed against Wyatt's neck. Elizabeth knew he meant every word, and apparently Wyatt did too. He let go of Elizabeth so fast she fell backwards, but she was caught from behind in strong arms. Looking back, she saw Lee. Hope flooded her. Her husband and her friend were here. They had the situation under control. Her tears turned to tears of relief. She had gone from utter terror to salvation. Her knees turned to jelly and her body started shaking.

Lee looked at her in concern. "Elizabeth, are you alright?"

She nodded with a little sniff. "I am now."

"Untie her, Lee, and then cuff Wyatt," Nathan said, the steely ice still in his voice.

Elizabeth shivered. She's only ever heard Nathan speak to her gently and lovingly. She suddenly understood why he was such a good detective, and she was glad that steel and ice were on her side.

Lee untied her arms and legs, rubbing them briefly to get her blood flowing normally again. Then he turned to Wyatt, his eyes suddenly as icy as Nathan's. He slapped handcuffs on his wrists, then hauled him out of the cabin.

Nathan's eyes swept over Elizabeth, his hands running down her arms. "Are you alright?" The ice had vanished, and in its place shone love and concern. "Did he…?"

Elizabeth shook her head, falling into Nathan's arms. "No, he didn't." She shivered again. "But he was about to."

Nathan shuddered, and he held her close. His voice caught. "When I saw him handling you the way he was, I saw red. I have never been that angry or that scared in my life."

Elizabeth looked up at her husband, framing his face in her hands. 'Please wipe away the memory of his kiss," she said, her eyes pleading with him. She needed his touch, his strength, his love.

Nathan bent his head to hers, and his lips caressed hers, kissing her with the gentle passion she loved so much. His warmth and his loving touch erased the horror she'd felt in Wyatt's assault. In Nathan's arms, she felt safe again. An overwhelming love for Nathan swept over her, and their kiss deepened, all the terror and emotions of the last hour channeled into a kiss full of intense passion.

Nathan pulled away first, resting his forehead against hers as their breathing slowly returned to normal. Nathan kissed her cheek, then tucked her arm into his. "Let's go home."

As they headed for the door, gunfire rang out. Elizabeth heard a commotion outside, and before she could register what was happening, Wyatt came running into the cabin, handcuffs broken, deadly intent in his eyes. He pointed a gun straight at Elizabeth, giving Nathan a triumphant look before firing. Nathan threw himself in front of Elizabeth, shielding her with his body. She felt him jerk from the impact of the bullet, then jerked again as two more hit him.

As Nathan sagged against her, a fourth shot rang out. Wyatt's eyes glazed over before he fell to the ground in a heap. Bill Avery stood behind him, face set, gun still raised.

Elizabeth cried in fear and anguish as Nathan sank to the ground. "Nathan! Stay with me!" she cried, watching in terror as the light faded from his eyes.

He looked at her, unable to fully focus. "Lizbeth," he whispered, unable to get all the syllables out. "I'm...sorry."

"No! Don't leave me, Nathan." Sobs choked her as she placed a hand on his cheek. "Don't leave me!"

His eyes drooped, no longer able to stay open. "I...love...you," he rasped, before going completely still. Elizabeth sobbed, trying to wake him up. "Nathan! NATHAN!"

Bill came over, pressing two fingers to Nathan's neck. He looked at Elizabeth with compassion in his eyes. "He's alive," he said gently. His eyes hardened briefly. "Which is more than I can say for that scumbag over there." He jerked his finger toward Wyatt. "He won't be terrorizing anyone ever again." Putting a hand on Elizabeth's shoulder, Bill called for Lee.

Coming into the cabin, Lee's eyes widened at the sight of Nathan on the floor, and he and Bill immediately worked together to get him to the squad car. Elizabeth followed, vaguely aware that Hickam had a man she hadn't seen before in cuffs. Dismissing him from her mind, she climbed into the backseat of the squad car, cradling Nathan's head in her lap. Lee got into the driver's seat and turned on the sirens, speeding his way to the hospital.

Elizabeth cried and prayed the whole way, begging God to let Nathan stay with her. She couldn't lose the man she loved. She and Nathan were so connected, she knew his death would break her. He had to live.

Please, God. Please let him live.