A/N: FINAL WARNING: THERE IS A MAIN CHARACTER DEATH IN THIS CHAPTER. The remaining ones (which will definitely be one and maybe two) will have a little big of angst but I'll make it light seeing as how this is happening. I know I said I would explain my choice, so if you want to know just send me a message.

In the span of a few minutes, the intensity of the situation rose dramatically. Officers hid behind boxes and pillars, trying to get a good shot on Sonny's crew, who were seemingly large in number. Mac darted from place to place like a swift wind. He knew he had to get to Sonny, and fast, before the whole thing escalated beyond control.

---

Sonny was worried. Again he had underestimated the power of the NYPD. Nevertheless, he urged his crew onward, spewing out orders as he slinked behind them. The sound of bullets reverberated off the ceiling as both sides exchanged fire.

He grabbed a passing gang member, pulling him in close by the shirt collar and showering his face with spittle. "This ends now! Get down there an' kill them!"

The man squirmed in Sonny's grasp. "They've got a bigger force! We'll never stop 'em!"

Whipping out his knife, Sonny plunged the blade into the man's heart and let him crumble to the ground. He whirled on the small group who were watching despite being in the heat of battle, eyes blazing like wildfire.

"Anyone who shares his opinion can join him. Now get movin', all of you!"

---

Despite his own words, Sonny's nerve quickly failed him. Thoughts of finding Mac and Danny vanished as he fled the scene. His eyes darted madly from side to side, cursing as he struggled to see in the rising dust.

There.

A metal door provided his only means of escape. He could see sunlight shafting through the slight opening. Keeping to the shadows, he slid along the wall, edging closer to freedom.

Pain shot through his body, and it took him a second to realize that someone had struck him. He found himself staring down the barrel of a gun, held by a young and uniformed female. She had seen him slither off and followed closely behind. Without taking her fiery eyes off him, she stood her ground and called out in a loud voice,

"Mac, over here!"

Sonny acted swiftly. The woman was smaller and an easy target. Snarling viciously, he rammed her into the wall opposite them, taking her by surprise. Lindsay's head struck the wall heavily, and she slid down without a single word.

---

Roaring like some wounded animal, Danny arrived on the scene. The impact of his punch was so hard that Sonny stumbled back several feet, wiping a hand across his lips at the taste of blood. He smirked and picked up Lindsay's fallen gun, matching Danny's hateful glare.

Sonny's bravado had hastily returned now that he and Danny were alone. "What are you goin' to do, Messer? Shoot me? You don't have the guts!"

Danny's chest heaved as he fought to contain his anger. "Your killin' days are over, Sonny. Drop the gun now!"

"Whatever you say." He shrugged carelessly and made as if to toss the weapon, but Danny's sharp eyes caught him tugging at the trigger, and he instinctively did the same. Both bullets struck their targets. Sonny's snarl turned to a look of shock as he gazed down at the seeping hole in his chest. He raised his clouding eyes to Danny before toppling over, the mask of surprise permanently frozen on his lips.

---

Falling into a kneeling position, Danny winced at the bullet lodged in his vest. Then, completely ignoring his injury, he peered over at where Lindsay lay close to him by the wall.

Tears of helplessness and sorrow flowed down his cheeks as he cradled her in his arms, burying his face into her hair. He did not even notice that the gunfire had ceased.

As darkness engulfed his senses, he murmured to her, "Montana…forgive me…"