Notes: Haaaay! Would you lookit that, we finished a chapter on time! Now I know what you're all thinking, "I guess this story is okay, but you know what it really needs? More action, suspense, and angst." Well today is your lucky day my friends! Enjoy!

Newt POV

Alexios drops us off next to a huge warehouse. The moment we arrive Kai stumbles away, holding her stomach and looking pale. I start to move towards her, but she waves me off and forces herself to straighten up.

"I'm fine." She insists quietly.

"Where are we Alexios?" I ask, holding on to Kai's arm to steady her.

"A warehouse a couple miles out of the city. I've been observing this place for several weeks, they always leave around this time, so the warehouse should be empty for a little while. Enough time to rescue the animals, anyway." He replies, glancing around the corner to make sure no one's coming. I really hope he correct with that, because I'm not sure Kai can handle being on land much longer.

"We need to get in and out as fast as possible." Kai says, standing on her own again.

"Exactly," Alexios says. He beckons us forward, and we sneak into the warehouse from a side entrance.

What I see as we step into the building makes my blood boil. Creatures of all sizes and forms, trapped together in cages and close confinements that I know are not healthy for them. Beside me Kai gasps and covers her mouth horrified. Part me wishes I hadn't taken her with me to see this. I never wanted her to witness such horrors.

I wrap my arm protectively over her shoulders, but I know it won't do any good. I can't protect her from everything, no matter how desperately I want to.

"Kai?" I whisper, tilting her head to look at me. "You don't have to do this. Alexios and I can manage on our own. You can go back to the suitcase." I say, gently stroking her face.

All at once the fear bleeds out of her expression, replaced with a determination that makes her gray eyes glow like lightning through thunderclouds.

"No." She says firmly, her gaze flickering to a pair of hippogriffs locked in a cage much too small for them. "I will help them."

"Okay." I sigh, and turn to Alexios. "Where's the Thunderbird?"

"Farthest end of the warehouse." He replies, tensely.

"Right." I nod sharply and hand Kai my suitcase. "You help Alexios get the other creatures in here. I'll go find the Thunderbird and see if I can convince it to come with us. Come and find me once you finish." I say. Kai nods in understanding. I give her a quick peck on the cheek and go in search of the Thunderbird.

I walk to the very back of the warehouse, and there I see it. Tied down by heavy chains is a bleeding and extremely wounded Thunderbird. He catches sight of me and starts squawking angrily. I pause and slowly kneel to the floor, holding my hands out slowly in a placating gesture.

"Shhh, I'm not here to hurt you. I want to save you, and all the other creatures here." I tell him calmly, even though on the inside I am a ball of nerves, wondering how I can possibly earn the creature's trust and get him to safety before the smugglers come back. The Thunderbird looks at me with distrust and fluffs his wings in defense, then whines in pain from the action. I clench my teeth and resist the urge to reach out and reassure the creature. No animal should ever be harmed in such a way.

"Please let me help you. Once you are fully healed, I will take you back home I promise." I say, and he looks at me and I can see in his eyes he wants to believe me. I have to prove to him that I can be trusted. "Alright friend, I'm going to get you out of here. I won't hurt you."

The Thunderbird doesn't move, so I take that as a cue to slowly pull out my wand.

"I'm going to use a spell to break your chains." I explain, so he doesn't freak out when I point my wand at him.

I make short work of the cage's locks, but the chains are a bit trickier, mostly because the Thunderbird starts thrashing around anytime I get close to him.

"Hey, hey! Okay, relax friend! I'm not here to hurt!" I promise, dropping my wand to hopefully promote trust. After I kick my wand away, he stops moving so much, instead fixing me with a suspicious stare. "My name is Newt. I'm a friend, I promise. I will take you home. To America. Yes? Arizona, I believe is where most Thunderbirds live. Would that be okay?" I ask, calmly.

The Thunderbird just continues to stare at me for several tense seconds. Then, slowly, almost reluctantly, he bows his head in a sign of acceptance. I let out a sigh of relief and step forward to gently stroke his beak.

"There we are. I will get you home. I promise. But first, we need to get these chains off." I say, and step away to pick up my wand again.

Just then, an inhuman screech echoes through the warehouse, followed by a shout of warning from Alexios. Adrenaline rushes through my veins in anticipation of a fight. It appears the smugglers are back early.

Kai POV

Everything had been going do well. Alexios and I almost had all of the creatures free and within Newt's suitcase when we heard some movement by the door. Next thing I know, someone is grabbing me from behind, and my first instinct is to let out a warning screech.

"Looks like I caught myself a little bird! Man, is she a beaut too!" The person holding me laughs. I growl and slam my head back, cracking it against my captor's chin.

"Fuck!" The man swears and his hold loosens enough for me to escape. I turn around ready to slam my fist into his ugly face, but something grabs my ankle, dragging me down. My legs are pulled out from under me by an unseen attacker, and I go crashing to the ground, knocking the wind out of me. I manage to keep my head from breaking against the hard ground, but the rest of my body is going to have bruises for a while.

To my right, I hear Alexios shouting and grappling with someone. I spare only a second to worry about my friend, before the person that attacked me crawls on top of me and pins me to the ground.

I grit my teeth and jerk my head back again. There's sickening crack that I seriously hope is their nose and not my skull. Judging by the way my attacker shrieks and releases my arms, I'm guessing it's the former.

With my arm, free I manage to elbow them in the chest and wriggle away, hiding behind a nearby crate. I glance over at Alexios who seems to be holding his own, casting spells like a mad man. As far as I can tell there are only three smugglers; one is unconscious on the floor, one is fighting Alexios, and the other one is sitting on the floor holding his bleeding nose.

A twisted kind of pride rises in my chest. I allow myself a small smile. When I was captured the first time, I didn't have much opportunity to fight back. I will not be such an easy target this time.

I scan the surrounding area for Newt, but either he's been captured (please no), or he's still freeing the Thunderbird. My eye catches on Newt's suitcase, now slightly over-stocked with magical creatures, and lying on the opposite side of the warehouse. I curse myself for being so careless. I must get it back, before one of the smugglers gets their hands on it.

I quickly check my surroundings to make sure no one is paying attention to me. This is my chance! I rush towards the suitcase sliding to my knees and quickly sealing it shut, making sure the creatures are all safe within. Just as I'm about to stand up, I hear someone shout my name. Then suddenly, I'm hit with freezing spell that works its way through my body until I'm completely paralyzed. Damn those wizards and their magic!

"Ha! Thought you could get away, didn't you? Oh? What's that you got there in your hand little missy?" An ugly looking wizard with a ragged scar on his right cheek comes into my view, and all I can do is glare at him.

"Aw, now don't be like that. You know what, I like you so much I think I'm gonna keep you. Once my friends and I take care of your little trouble making friends, that is." He says, grinning me showing of his nasty yellow teeth. How dare he! I am nobody's pet!

I glare harder, wishing I could move so I could rip this disgusting man limb from limb. Instead, I remain petrified as the wizard takes Newt's case, a cruel smile taking over his face as he realizes what it is.

"So, this is where you're hiding the beasties, is it? Very clever." The man says, and I watch in horror as he unlatches the case. Before he can lift the lid however, Newt is behind him, his wand pressed against the man's neck.

"I suggest you leave that suitcase closed, no telling what might come crawling out." Newt says mildly, though his eyes are burning with righteous fury.

The smuggler, wisely, snaps the case shut again.

"That's better." Newt says, and paralyzes the man. A second later, the spell holding me captive falls away and I can move again.

I stand up as fast as I can, flinging myself into his arms.

"Newt!" I whimper, holding on to him like I'll never let go. "I'm so glad you're okay. Where's the Thunderbird? Where's Alexios?"

"Alexios is unconscious, I think he was hit with a stunning spell. The Thunderbird is still chained up, as soon as I heard you guys shouting I ran to help. I got intercepted a few times though. Sorry." He explained. I shake my head and bury my face against his chest.

"Don't be." I murmur.

"Alright! Enough with the lovey-dovey shit! Step away, and drop your wand!" A harsh voice behind us calls out.

I feel Newt tense and immediately drop his wand. I step away from him and look over to see yet another smuggler holding a now-conscious Alexios, hostage. Our newest enemy is a woman; tall, powerfully built, and armed to the teeth, judging by all the knives strapped to her belt.

She's holding a long, serrated knife to Alexios' throat and glaring at us as though we are nothing more than a mere annoyance to her. Surrounding her is a whole entourage of smugglers, all watching the scene with smug enjoyment.

"What's the big idea, huh? Trying to sabotage my operation here? Well next time, maybe bring more people." The woman sneers.

"Newt, what do we do?" I whisper, desperately hoping my wizard has a plan, but when I glance over at him he's pale, and his gentle blue eyes are full of an emotion I've never seen in him before. Fear.