Here's another chapter. I'm almost done I swear. Though I'm not sure this is exactly up to the standards I wanted to end it at it was driving me nuts not be able to finish it. But I'm getting there so bear with me. Again thanks for the reviews. Enjoy!

I own nothing dealing with CSI NY or Walker Texas Ranger

Chapter Twenty-Three

Groaning Danny tried to roll over; to get to his feet. And instantly regretted it.

Never in all his years on the force. All those years of chasing down the bad guys and going undercover had he ever had his body beaten up like he had in the last hour. It felt like every single cell was bruised; right down to his marrow. But for the sake of his life as well as Arianna's he had to get back up; had to get over to her pack and get her gun. To end this once and for all before she got killed.

As his world had gone dark after the last hit to the face Mandala had given him he feared that by the time he came to; if he ever did it would be too late. That the woman he loved more then life itself would be dead or wish she was.

Looking over in the direction Mandala had gone after dumping him in a heap on the floor he realized that last prayers he'd sent heavenward had been ignored. At that moment Arianna was nothing more then a limp rag doll in the drug lords hands; head lolling back as her eyes slowly started to close.

Helplessness filled like nothing he'd ever felt before; making him feel hallow. Every bruise; every injury they'd both suffered was going to thrown away because of a man who refused to play by anyone's rules but his own. The injustice of it all made him want to weep; to burst into a fit of tears right there on the floor of that destroyed ballroom. The fact that everything they'd been through. Everything they'd worked so hard for was being torn to pieces. So much so in fact that he let them run unchecked down his face; leaving trails in the dirt that caked it.

Then as if fate was giving them another chance; as if it was trying to tell them that it wasn't over. That they still had so much living left to do the last month flashed through his mind. Every look that passed between them; every touch. The way she'd looked playing with his nephew; the thought flashing through his head that she'd make a great mother some day. And the promise that he made to her that no matter what he'd keep her safe or die trying.

Though he knew his next move was going to risk everything he didn't see any other way around it. At this point; with the drug lord pointing a gun at her head; it was all or nothing.

"Arianna wake up!" Danny yelled across the room at her limp body; knowing his gut that she was still alive; that she could still win this.

At the edges of her consciousness she could hear Danny screaming at her; telling her to get up.

That's not possible; he's dead, Arianna wouldn't believe it.

But then there it was again; his deep voice thick with a Staten Island accent; yelling at her that this wasn't over. That she could still beat Mandala; could still end this. There was no way as she heard him call the man in question names that would make even the most hardened sailor blush that she was hallucinating. Now that she knew he was alive it was like she had renewed hope. Like she was no longer fighting a losing battle.

With what seemed to be both renewed and super human strength she roused herself; slowly moving her arms and legs. Opening her eyes to slits she saw Mandala's attention; as well as his gun; pointed at Danny and was seriously getting sick of this fucked up version of cat and mouse.

Springing to her feet with an agility she didn't feel Arianna used the most pedestrian form of self defense known to man; she rammed into Mandala like a line backer. Not knowing what was happening to him other then it felt like a freight train had collided with him Mandala went staggering back. Hands pin wheeling to try to stop him from falling the gun fell from his hands to land a few feet away.

"Why would I leave so soon when I'm the guest of honor?" Her voice was shakier then she would've liked.

Making his way over as quickly as he could Danny grabbed the gun before the other man could get to it. Once that was done he came to a stop in front of Arianna; so far beyond relieved that she had heard him. That she was still alive.

"I think you might need this." He held the gun out to her.

Gaze swinging back and forth between the weapon and Mandala the young woman was conflicted about what to do. Part of her knew that she could pick the Sig Sauer up and blast the drug dealer away before he could take another step towards her. But as she made eye contact with the man; saw the gleam of anger; of hatred in his eyes Arianna knew it couldn't happen that way. Knew that she had to give him the beating he deserved. Even if he was going to like it. Taking it from him she gave Danny's hands a squeeze before letting go. In one swift movement she had the gun torn apart; tossing the pieces to scatter on the wooden dance floor.

"He doesn't deserve to have it that easy." She told him. "Now go get Don so he can round up these guys. I told him and the rest of them to leave but I have a feeling he didn't."

Opening his mouth to argue he saw the look in her eyes and immediately shut it. This wasn't the time, place, or subject to be arguing about. Instead he pulled her close; ever weary of Mandala; and placed a kiss on her lips.

"I love you. Be careful." He whispered when they parted.

"I will. I love you too." Arianna responded.

With that he left; both their bodies tense as they waited to see if any of Mandala's men would rouse and try to stop him. They been given a pretty good beating so she highly doubted it but stranger things have happened. Once she was assured he was safe the young woman turned to the man in question. Could feel the anger, resentment, and hatred that rolled off him in waves so hot she was surprised the hair on her arms wasn't singed.

"I'm glad you decided not to take the easy way out." Mandala spoke. "It would've been such a disappointment."

"I've never been one to back away from a challenge." Arianna reminded.

And then there they stood; two predators waiting to pounce; bodies coiled tighter then a rattlesnake. Ready to fight for their lives as well as everything they stood for. Neither one wanting to make the first move; to give away their plan of attack. If they even had one.

"I always use to think that as well." Mandala started to pace; a smile gracing his lips as he watched the young ranger do the same.

"Not that I really give a damn but my curiosity has always gotten the best of me so I'll bite." Arianna stated. "What made you change your mind?"

"The fact that you've gone along with the entire dog and pony show I set up for you." Mandala reminded.

A response was lost on her lips. It hadn't been her intentions to let him know that; for him to even be able to figure it out. Though she hadn't completely played by his rules she's been unable to stop the bomb from going off. To stop all those people from dying. So in the end despite the denial she may try to hide behind he was right. However that didn't mean he had to know that.

"Did it ever occur to you that the only reason I did was so that you'd think you had the upper hand?" Arianna pointed out. "After all I'd be right in my assumption that you were watching my every move from the cameras placed through out the hotel."

Having gotten closer to each other there was now only about a foot separating the two enemies and still neither one made a move towards the other. This was the ultimate battle of the wills; to see who would go first. Tensions were so high it was surprising that she could still breath. Beaten and bruised; dizzy from loss of blood it was hard for her to focus on the man who'd orchestrated all this.

Who had wanted her dead for years. Especially when she was also wondering if his men had woken up and were trying to free themselves of the bonds currently holding them back. Then out of no where Mandala started to laugh. Low at first but becoming more high pitched it had a maniacal edge to it that made the hair on the back of her neck stand up.

"Yes I have." His laughter finally subsiding. "And believe me it's been the best television I've watched in a long time. All though seeing the action up close and personal will be ten times better."

With those words he brought what looked like a small remote from his pocket. So keyed up from wondering when and if he was going to attack Arianna hadn't even noticed his hand slipping into the pocket of his dress pants. The knowledge of what was barely crossed her mind before the second explosion of the night rocked the already destroyed ballroom.