Hope you all like this one. Thank you soooooooo much for all the reviews! Wow, it was amazing, I've never gotten such a response. Hope this chapter lives up to expectations. Let me know what you think. x x x

A/N All characters are represented in such a way purely for the purpose of the story.

Shane grabbed Lauren's arm roughly and started to drag her with him towards the door. She dug her heals into the ground and tried to pull him back but he was too strong for her,

"JOE, RUN…" she screamed, almost choking as Shane's hand came over her mouth, muffling her warning cries. Suddenly Shane stopped about a metre from the door and smirked. He raised his arm, aiming the gun straight ahead before pulling the trigger. A deafening blow sounded as the bullet ripped through the wood. Lauren felt her knees buckling under her, but Shane's iron grip kept her from falling to the floor as her fingers clawed at his hand. After a moment he released her and she collapsed onto the ground sobbing uncontrollably. He pointed the gun at her head but she had no emotions left in her to feel afraid,

"Go out and look," he ordered smugly.

She lowered her head before shakily clambering to her feet. She inched forwards, shivering as hand closed around the cold metal handle. She pulled it open slowly and stared at the empty corridor in front of her. She stepped out into the hall gingerly. Where was Joe? Was Shane simply testing her? Without warning she felt a hand around her waist pull her sideways and she crashed into a firm chest. A pair of strong yet gentle hands held her, pulling her away from the door. A fraction of a second later she found herself facing Joe's toned back as he stood in front of her, a gun pointed straight ahead where Shane now stood, glaring at Joe through narrow slits,

"Shoot me," Shane spat, "I dare you."

Lauren could see Joe's fingers stiffen around the gun. He wasn't a killer. Shane smirked and held up his own gun. However he pointed it past Joe, aiming straight at Lauren,

"Shall I show you how it's done?"

A loud bang sounded as the gun went off and Lauren looked down shakily but no bullet had reached her. Her heart stuttered as she looked to Joe but was relieved to see he too appeared unharmed. Joe was looking at his gun in shock. He turned to face her and for a second their eyes met before they both turned to see Shane lying on the ground clutching his shoulder, his gun now lying idly next to him on the floor.

Joe lowered his gun shakily and started backing away. He grabbed Lauren's hand and pulled her back,

"We need to leave NOW," Joe insisted, his eyes widening as Shane began to sit up.

They ran down the hallway, heading for the emergency exit at the end. As Joe pulled it open another ear-splitting gunshot sounded as the glass in the large window at the end of the corridor shattered. Shane's aim had obviously not recovered to it's full accuracy.

They sprinted down the metal stairs, their feet clanging against the iron noisily. Joe lead the way until they eventually emerged out into the back of the motel. The wind whipped Lauren's hair around her face as she watched Joe slam the door shut behind them. Her wet clothes clung to her like a second skin. Joe came over and wiped a tear from her face and looked anxiously into her eyes,

"Are you hurt?"

She shook her head, still unable to speak as her teeth chattered uncontrollably,

"Go hide," he instructed, pushing her away gently. She stopped and stared at him in disbelief, "Joe…"

"Lauren please just go hide," he insisted, "I'll be ok."

She stumbled away, going against her conscience which creamed at her to stay with him. She knew however, that she would only slow him down if she insisted in staying. She crouched down behind a dumpster, peering out nervously. She could see Joe waiting expectantly for Shane to come barging out the door. Lauren's nerves were reaching breaking point as time passed and there was still no appearance of Shane. She heard a leaf rustle behind her and twisted around, convinced she had sensed a presence nearby, but there was no one there. Turning back to face the door, she could see Joe too was getting anxious as the lack of activity persisted.

Suddenly a large hand was on her throat, slamming her down against the ground. She tried to scream but the lack of oxygen was making her dizzy as she gasped for breath. Shane's fuming face glared down at her and droplets of blood from a wound in his shoulder dripped down onto her forehead and cheek. He must have used the front entrance. She kicked out defiantly and felt his grip loosen as her foot made contact with his groin. He yelled out in pain but didn't let go.

Joe appeared around the side of the dumpster having heard Shane yell. He threw his weight into Shane, knocking him sideways off Lauren. She rolled over onto her side retching and coughing as the cold damp air suddenly flowed back into her lungs. Her head was pounding as she pushed herself up. She heard a sickening crack as Shane's fist made contact with Joe's nose. They were beating the life out of each other. Looking around desperately, her eyes fell on Shane's gun lying about a meter away. She crawled towards it and picked it up.

While Joe and Shane were much the same in physical strength, Shane had far more experience and already had Joe pinned to ground at his mercy. Blood flowed freely from Joe's nose. Lauren screamed as Shane served a powerful blow right into the side of Joe's head, knocking his head sideways. She raised the gun while Shane simultaneously raised his head, grinning manically. The grin faded as he spotted the gun in her hands, but it was too late. Lauren pulled the trigger.

Shane inhaled sharply as the bullet lodged in the centre of his chest and slumped to the side. His body hit the ground a moment later and Lauren saw the blood beginning to spread out from the small hole.

She stood unsteadily and slowly made her way towards Shane's dying body. Lightening it up the black sky, highlightly Shane's ghostly pallor. His eyes were closed and his breath was coming quick and shallow. He opened his eyes and stared at her,

"I did love you, you know. It's ironic that you literally broke my heart... well ripped a bullet through it anyway," he whispered, "Don't kid yourself into thinking you're free. They'll come after you."

His eyes closed and with a final breath his chest fell still. Lauren stepped away, remembering Joe and rushed over to his side, relieved to see him pushing himself up into a sitting position. She threw herself down on the ground, ignoring the pain that shot up through her knees as they slammed into the concrete. Joe's arms caught her as she buried her head in his shoulder and sobbed. He held her tightly to his chest, never wanting to let her go again,

"It's ok, you're safe now," he hushed.

They stayed like that until they heard the sound of police sirens approaching. A few minutes later, a swarm of uniformed police officers appeared,

"Three individuals identified. One presumed dead an two bearing minor injuries," one of the officers reported into a black radio.

Lauren felt Joes arms loosen around her as more pairs of gentle but unfamiliar hands tried to prise her away from him,

"Lo they're just going to check if you're ok," Joe assured her, I'm not going anywhere, promise."

She released her grip and allowed herself be pulled back from him; however her eyes remained focused on his,

"Sweetie, can you just look at me for a moment?" the female paramedic asked softly.

Lauren felt tears well up in her eyes as she forced her eyes away from Joe. The medic's concerned eyes stared at her as she shone a light into her pupils,

"Ok…" she muttered, before taking Lauren's thin wrist and taking a pulse. Lauren gazed at it in horror as she saw how thin and fragile it looked. A thick black thermo blanket was draped around her shoulders. Lauren looked back over at Joe, but found her vision blocked by a crowd of police officers and medics,

"Will he be ok?" she asked, pulling the blanket around her.

"He has a minor concussion and few cuts and bruises but otpart from that he's doing just fine," the medic replied, "Ok Lauren, we're going to move you now."

Lauren saw a wheel chair waiting for her and shook her head defiantly, "I can walk."

The medic was about to protest, but Lauren shut her up by standing slowly. She could see Joe sitting up. He winced as his nose was examined and he'd a few nasty gashes on his face, but the medic hadn't been lying. He seemed ok. He saw Lauren watching him and smiled slightly, before shifting his gaze to someone behind her,

"Lolo…" a familiar voice stuttered.

She turned and found herself suddenly engulfed in her Dad's arms. A police officer ran up behind him, looking annoyed,

"Sir, access is restricted…"

"She's my daughter," he roared, "don't you fucking dare tell me what I can or can't do."

Lauren quivered in his embrace and buried her head in his chest, overwhelmed by everything that was happening. She suddenly felt very light-headed and the noised around her began to dull. He Dad's hold tightened around her as she swayed unsteadily,

"Lolo?" he called worriedly, as she collapsed in his arms.

"She's fainting," a medic affirmed, rushing over and lifting her gently onto a stretcher, "don't worry Sir, she's just in shock."

Mr Lopez nodded and took Lauren's limp hand. It had been a long day and it was far from over, but surely the end was near?

Oooooo, it would be way to easy if it all ended here...