Damn that guy is huge! Had to have played football when he was younger.
Joe thought as he hid in the stairwell and waited until the brute carried a now unconscious Nancy past him. He was too close to the parlor to jump the guy. That would only bring more bodyguards. Without a sound, Joe followed the man to the deck.
"Frank – we're on the deck." Joe whispered. He didn't wait for a reply. He waited until the big guy was out of sight and he moved to hide behind a life boat next to the rail. The man walked across the deck towards the rail. Joe was about to step around the life boat when, to his horror, the man tossed Nancy over the side.
~*~*~*~*~
"Frank – we're on the deck."
Frank ignored him – hoping the "we're" of that statement meant Joe and Nancy. Frank pushed the large crate full of weapons he'd finally discovered towards the cargo door. The receipt inside was to a well-known terrorist group out of Russia.
Russia of all places. Frank thought and he shoved the crate into the water. It landed on the support system of buoys and made little sound hitting the water. He looked out and up to see if anyone had heard the splash and when there was no movement, he ducked back inside.
Holding a rope attached to the crate and buoy, Frank slipped into the water without a sound.
"Joe, I'm on my way out." Frank said as he grabbed the rope attached to the crate he was going to drag behind him. Joe didn't reply.
"Joe, I repeat, I'm on my way out."
Still nothing. Frank curved his instinct to turn back and find his brother but he knew he had to get the crate back to Max. He dove down to retrieve one of the scooters, resurfaced and tied the rope to one of the handles. He sped away towards the rendezvous point, hoping Joe was on his way out also.
~*~*~*~*~
Joe watched in horror as Nancy hit the water, arms and ankles still tied. Without a second thought, he ran a few steps back and took a running leap over the edge, pushing the detonation trigger as he sailed over the side.
The yacht exploded into the night.
~*~*~*~*~
Frank was just getting to the dingy when the yacht behind them exploded. Max fell against the side in surprise and Frank whirled around staring into the blaze.
No! Joe!
"Joe!" Frank yelled. As he was about to dive back into the water, a strong hand grasped his arm and yanked him back.
"We'll take the dingy. It'll be faster." Max said, heading to the wheel.
Frank just nodded, his eyes never leaving the burning yacht.
~*~*~*~*~
Joe felt himself thrown haphazardly into the water, head over heels as the concussion from the explosion hit him in midair.
Not exactly a swan dive, Joe. He thought as the water came up fast.
He managed to take a breath before hitting the water and immediately began swimming deeper towards the area Nancy had hit the water.
The water was clear and with the light from the fires above, Joe could make out Nancy's sinking form. As he got near, he reached out and grabbed on to her outstretched arms.
He swam as fast as he could to the surface. With a final kick, he broke the surface of the water with Nancy in tow.
"Nancy!" Joe gasped and he sucked air into his lungs. Nancy was still unresponsive. Careful to keep her head above the water, Joe started swimming towards the rendezvous point.
~*~*~*~*~
"Joe!"
Frank searched the waters frantically. Debris covered the surface and the fire still glowed but there hadn't been any sign of Joe or Nancy. Frank didn't let himself dwell on the fact that he hadn't heard from either.
Frank swept the beam of his flashlight back and forth, calling out his brother and Nancy's name.
"Frank! Over here Frank!"
Frank froze at the tiny sound of his brother's voice. Relief flooded through him as he looked off the bow of the dingy.
There treading water was Joe, holding Nancy's unconscious form above the water.
Joe could hear the boat getting closer and waved one arm above his head, the other holding Nancy's head above the water. In the glow of the fire, he could make out Frank's form at the bow of the dingy with Max at the wheel.
The dingy came up beside Joe and he made a grab for one of the ropes on the side. Frank reached over the side and pulled Nancy's still form onboard. After gently setting her on the bench, he leaned back over and grabbed the back of Joe's vest, helping to lift him over the side as well.
"Don't you ever do that to me again," Frank said, pulling his brother into a big hug. Joe patted Frank's back weakly, trying to catch his breath.
"I told you I'd swan dive with style. I even did a cartwheel in midair," Joe replied, a smirk on his face. Frank just shook his head.
"She was under a long time," Joe wheezed, turning towards Nancy. "Get us the hell out of here!"
Max nodded and gunned the engine, heading towards port.
Frank turned back to Nancy quickly. He leaned over Nancy and put his ear to her mouth while feeling for a pulse. Panic coursed through him when he didn't feel a beat or breath, and he quickly tilted her head back and opened her mouth.
"Joe, I don't feel a pulse!"
Joe placed his hands on her chest and nodded to Frank. Frank leaned down and placed his lips on hers and blew.
"One…two…three…four" Joe counted with each push. As soon as he stopped at 30, Frank breathed into Nancy again. Joe counted again.
Come on Nancy, come on! Frank though frantically.
After the third round of CPR, Nancy suddenly jerked and coughed up water. Frank held her up so she could get all the water out. After a few deep breaths she looked up at Frank. He was surprised at the amount of emotion that hit him when his eyes met hers.
Her blue eyes were bloodshot and her hair was stuck to her face but she was still beautiful. He sighed in relief when she smiled at him. He smiled back.
"Hi Drew. Welcome to the party."
With a small laugh, Nancy fainted.