"See what happens when you don't do anything stupid?"

Beckett didn't bother reacting to the contemptuous comment.

Instead, her eyes travelled to the plastic bag containing bottled water and two packaged sandwiches, a strange offering from what she considered to be a group of violence-loving thugs covering up for a crooked, murderous politician.

The leader from the earlier encounter sat the bag down next to her, then pulled the key to her handcuffs out of his pocket.

"Now, I am willing to let you feed yourself so that I don't have to stuff that sandwich down your throat, but if you try anything stupid, one wrong move, Kate, you're gonna find yourself as tied up as your friend down there. The choice is entire yours."

Beckett nodded faintly, trying to figure out a way to take down the man in front of her, then get Esposito and herself to safety.

Two things were against her right now.

Timing. Not knowing where the rest of his guys were at the moment made it hard to predict how much time they'd have to overpower the leader and get out of here before being detected.

Then there was Esposito. The detective wasn't even close to his usual self, the beating he took earlier still affecting him greatly. Would he be able to keep up with her, running for god-knows how long until they would find a safe spot to hide at and call reinforcements?

Would it be worthwhile to play this game a little longer, giving the team more time to get them out of here without endangering them getting hurt even more?

Judging by Esposito's eyes travelling back and forth between her and the tall kidnapper, the detective was pondering about the exact same thing.

Beckett waited until her handcuffs were released, duly noting the leader leaving one hand curled around the grip of his Glock the entire time, eying her with the utmost suspicion, as she rubbed her raw wrists.

"What about my partner?", she challenged, just to see the man shake his head fervently as he handed her the plastic bag full of goodies.

"You're gonna have to feed him, sweetheart, because he ain't getting out of those ropes."

She was about to scoff at the remark, but Esposito was faster this time.

"It's ok Beckett, I'm not hungry.", the detective said and slowly got on his knees again, the ropes around his wrist keeping his upper body close to the floor, "Just the thought that this dude here is scared of me is enough to keep me going."

The man stepped forward to serve a violent kick to his defenseless victim's side, then shook his head.

"Not scared. Just tired of you, that's all. You're costing me too much money. And I don't like your face, I don't like your attitude, I don't like anything about you, man. Remember what I said. My contract doesn't require me to keep you guys alive. Right now, you still ain't worth the ammo it would take for me to put you down but don't push it. Any more stupid remarks and you'll be the first to go."

Esposito gasped in pain, the thrust of the kick so hard it shoved him off to the side, where he remained breathing hard, his stern dark eyes never leaving the dangerous man in front of him.

Beckett had seen that look a few times before, never in a good situation. Clearly, it was something he'd picked up in the Special Forces, behavior adapted after seeing the vile things human beings could do to one another during the war. The frightening expression on Esposito's face was devoid of all human emotion, except for one; raw, unbridled hatred.

"I'll take care of him and make sure he gets some water too. Can you please untie my ankles so that I can bend down to reach him?", Beckett offered diplomatically, hoping to diffuse the situation before Esposito's cockiness would earn him more abuse.

The leader grunted, his eyes travelling back and forth between both detectives, before finally walking over to her.

"No games. You do something stupid, he pays. And then you will."

Beckett stayed perfectly still while the man released the chains tying her legs against the chair, then stepped back, pointing his chin at the bag.

"Get moving. I haven't got all day for this."

Beckett nodded again, trying to keep her movements slow and predictable, as she rose from the chair, her legs trembling from the prolonged time of staying in one spot.

With the plastic bag in one hand, she moved over to Esposito and knelt down, digging out a bottle of water and some napkins.

The detective watched her intently, his gears grinding at the slim chance of escape at their hands.

"Hold on a second here, don't move…", she said and poured some of the water onto the napkin, before placing it against Esposito's temple, hoping to wipe off some of the dried blood.

The detective winced through flared nostrils but stayed quiet otherwise, waiting until she finished cleaning the side of his face, careful to avoid his split lip.

"There. Now you're starting to look presentable again.", Beckett continued with a warm smile, not mentioning the angry cut on Esposito's temple as she sat the bottle back down, "Do you want to drink any water? Grab a bite of the sandwich? Looks like Subway."

Esposito followed her intrigued, his forehead wrinkled in confusion when she pulled one of the sandwiches out of the bag and took a hearty bite.

With a faint headshake, he pointed his eyes over her left shoulder, where the leader stood, tapping his foot in obvious nervousness.

Beckett nodded in between chews, her eyes widening to silently ask "What do you want to do about him?"

Esposito licked his dry lips anxiously, then let his glance drift over to his legs, then back up at the guy, then back at his legs.

Struggling to follow along, Beckett took another bite to disguise their conversation, then carefully nudged her head toward the leader, before ending up at Esposito's legs.

"Get him over here?", she mouthed, only to see the other detective nod.

It was a trap, something that Esposito thought he could do to tackle the man despite his current state.

"What about you? The others will be here in no time.", Beckett cautioned silently, having an easier time doing so with her back toward the man holding them captive.

Esposito's firm headshake tore on her self-control and Beckett clenched her jaws, not willing to accept that sacrifice.

"No.", she mouthed, her intense stare meeting Esposito's for many long seconds, the detective not budging one bit.

Instead, he once again nudged his chin at the leader, then back toward his legs.

"Espo, I won't leave you behind.", she tried, just to receive the same answer in the form of a stoic glare that left no room for interpretation.

After a few moments of wordless arguing, exchanging heated emotions about a plan that would put both of them in grave danger, Beckett succumbed to the pressure, knowing that they had a better chance if she managed to escape alone, then draw help their way.

And she would hate every single moment of it.