In MANY MANY ways, I find this version more emotionally satisfying – but I still like the other version 0.5% better because the more I thought about this story (through to the end) - it had to be Jonny.

This is pretty long because I did not just include the 'different' parts. I included the whole thing as if this was the 'original' chapter all along. I initially intended this chapter to be a 100% insert into the original story. For the most part it still is, but there are some loose ends in here that won't thread through to chapter 24 and beyond. It would be a slightly different story if I had gone with this version.

I've taken liberties with the medical stuff and other stuff (as always).

I was recently reminded of the word 'hogtie' and that is 100% why it shows up here.

I think this version is almost 5 pages longer than the first. Got carried away. If you're here, I'm sure you'll forgive me.

XXX

"Can you stop pacing?" Mark complained. "It's distracting."

Jade stopped and glared at him. "Well…I'm not sitting on anything in this dump you call an apartment. I pay you more than you deserve. Maybe you should upgrade?"

Mark waved his hand in front of himself. "You're looking at sixty grand in equipment, darling."

"Call me darling again and I'll slap the shit out of you," she threatened. "You insisted we come back here so you could focus. Work faster," she ordered. She was pissed they had come to Jacksonville in the first place, but it was her best option. With no lead, she was at best useless on the island and at worst a liability.

"Do I get paid overtime for this?" he asked.

"You get the joy of helping to save a human life," Jade told him.

"I'd prefer the money," he muttered.

Jade rolled her eyes. "Jonny should've broken your jaw. This would be easier if your fucking mouth was wired shut."

XXX

Benton was having a hard time focusing on his computer screen so he closed it and ran a hand over his face.

'Maybe a power nap will help,' he thought. He had been awake for well over twenty-four hours now. He stood from the desk and moved to the couch a few feet away. He did not lay down, but he did lean his head back and close his eyes. The only sound in the room was coming from the vents. A constant hum that ensured the room stayed warm. Between his lack of sleep and the relative quiet, he should have passed out immediately. His brain was not having it though. His eyes kept shifting to Hadji, who had finally fallen asleep on the couch across the room. Unconsciously making sure that his son was still safe.

'At least I know one of them is safe,' he thought dully.

"Hey Pop," Jonny cleared his throat. "Am I interrupting?"

Benton looked up from his microscope and straight at his obviously nervous son. 'Oh know,' he thought. He could not help it. Jonny was a good kid, but he tended to find trouble easily. Benton removed his protective glasses and gloves. "Come sit down," he gestured to the chairs in the corner.

Jonny sat down heavily, wringing his hands together. Benton braced himself and then joined his son.

"What're you working on?" Jonny asked.

Benton smiled. "I always love sharing my work with you kids…when you're actually interested. That's not why you're here."

"You got me there," Jonny cleared his throat again. "Is it dusty up here or is that just me?"

"Now you're really making me nervous," Benton chimed in. "What did you do?"

"Nothing," Jonny exclaimed. "I swear," he added when Benton looked at him skeptically. "I just…sorry. This was dumb," he jumped up. "I'm gonna let you get back to work."

"Wait. Wait, son." Benton stood and followed him. "I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. Tell me what's on your mind."

Jonny visibly relaxed. "I need some advice about girls…a girl."

"Oh?"

"Will you help me?"

A noise to his right startled Benton out of the memory. It was Estella coming out of the bedroom. He offered a sad smile as she sat next to him on the couch.

"I guess that means no news?" she asked quietly and her eyes started to water.

"Phil is leading the investigation now," Benton offered. "He's out there with all those agents, scouring the island instead of wasting their time here."

"That's something," she acknowledged. "Makes me feel a little better."

"Race will bring her home," Benton added confidently. "He will, Estella. I know it."

Estella closed her eyes and let those words fall over her like a security blanket. "I know," she whispered and grabbed Benton's hand. "He'll bring them both home…I just wish he'd hurry the hell up."

"Me too," Benton let out a small laugh. "I was hoping you'd sleep a few more hours."

"No offense, but you look like you need it more than me," she joked.

"I've tried," Benton shrugged. "No luck." Estella looked at Hadji next and Benton noticed. "He's been running around checking on everyone. Making sure their eating. He finally closed his eyes about an hour ago."

Estella smiled. "You raised two fine young men, Benton." A wave of guilt hit her when she thought of Jonny and how dismissive she had been towards him.

"I had a lot of help."

"You were smiling when I walked in," Estella changed the subject. "Mind if I ask why? I could use the distraction."

Benton's face lit up. "I was thinking about the first time Jonny asked me for advice about a girl. I was shocked."

"Why?"

"Mostly because he was thirteen," Benton grinned. "…but also that he asked ME. Don't get me wrong, I have a great relationship with both my sons, but there were always certain things they came to me about and certain things they went to Race about growing up. When it came to girls…" he paused, realizing who he was talking to and suddenly feeling like an inconsiderate jerk.

"I get it," Estella nodded. "Go on."

"Clearly, I was not expecting to be the recipient of that conversation," Benton stopped and looked out the window wistfully for a moment. "You know, Jonny never came right out and said who the girl was. It took me about an hour into the conversation to realize that he was talking about Jessie. And you should have heard the way he was talking about her. Like she was…an unobtainable princess in the tower. I probably should've seen it coming a mile away, but I didn't."

"What did you do?" Estella asked.

"Completely freaked out on the inside, but didn't let him see it. When it's your kid…he was SO young, Estella. So young, but telling me that he thought he might love her. I can still see his face when he said it. He had such a serious look on his face. I actually almost laughed out loud when he said it. I remember having to stop myself."

"I had a…similar reaction," Estella hedged.

"Jonny's always been more mature than most young men his age," Benton continued. "He grew up quicker. He had to with my work and his mother…well," Benton trailed off. Estella sat there silent, letting him organize his thoughts. "More mature or not though…it still seemed ridiculous to me, but my son came to me for counsel and I wanted to help him."

"Of course," Estella nodded.

"Anyway, once it became obvious why he didn't go to Race, I started to help him strategize how best to approach Race about it. That seemed to be his biggest concern at the time."

"Probably a smart move," Estella commented.

"Yeah. It was difficult not saying anything to Race about it, but Jonny was adamant that he wanted to do it on his own. It took him another six months before he worked up the courage to ask her out on a date AND talk to Race about it. I swear, by the time we got there I think I was more anxious than Jonny. I'll be honest with you…part of me was hoping he'd lose interest before he got up the courage. Not because Jessie…"

"I understand," Estella whispered. "Believe me."

They were both lost in thought for a while before Benton started to speak again.

"Once they began dating, I didn't think it'd last more than a month. They fought constantly as children and I was quite concerned about the potential fallout. About teenagers dating and living together," he sighed. "But now here we are five years later…and Jonny still talks about her like he can't believe she gave him a second look," Benton marveled. "They certainly proved me wrong. Hard to believe." A strange looked crossed Estella's face. "What is it?"

"I just realized they've been together longer than Race and I ever were." She squeezed Benton's hand. "I'm shocked Jessie hasn't pointed that out yet."

"Why would she do that?"

"I haven't been very supportive of their relationship," Estella admitted. "I haven't been fair to your son."

"Nonsense," Benton consoled.

Estella wished she could believe him. Now she just hoped she would get the chance to make it right.

XXX

Jade scrunched up her face in disgust as she watched Mark work. He would type like a maniac for five minutes straight and then stop to shovel candy or orange soda down his throat. She was to the point where she found the sound of his breathing to be an annoyance.

"Have you ever had a girl in here?" she asked snidely.

"Has anyone ever told you that you're a real bitch," Mark shot back.

"At least twice a day," she smiled. "Anything less and I'd think I was losing my touch."

"You're also a…whoa…got something," he announced, focusing back on his computer.

"What?" she demanded, coming to stand right in front of him.

"Temple just turned on his personal cell," Mark offered. "My job just got easier."

"Really?" Jade asked in surprise.

Mark shrugged. "Locating now."

"Gonna need to borrow your car," she informed him.

"No fucking way," he scoffed.

"You wanna come with me?" Jade growled.

Mark sank into his chair and then threw his keys at her in resignation.

XXX

Temple was beyond pissed. At himself and the situation. He sat stone cold still in the holding cell, berating himself. He had closed his eyes a while ago. He was tired, but mostly was sick of rolling them every five seconds as he watched the members of the local sheriff's office run around like chickens with no heads. It was a fucking shit show in his opinion, making it even more embarrassing that they had detained him.

"Mr. Temple?"

Temple opened his eyes and pursed his lips at the sheriff like he was bored. The man was older and quite out of shape, but Temple could tell with one look that he was the man in charge.

"You are?" Temple demanded.

"Sherriff Craigson," he cleared his throat. "Your story checks out."

"That's because it's not a story," Temple shot back, standing.

"Or you just have friends in positions of power" Craigson challenged. Temple stayed silent, staring him down. "It's not every day I get to speak with someone from the NSWC."

"Congratulations," Temple smiled condescendingly. "I'm happy for you."

Craigson scoffed. "They have no authority here, but made a very compelling case on your behalf. Seems it would inconvenience me greatly to keep you here much longer."

"Sounds about right," Temple agreed.

"Yeah," Craigson nodded. "I still find it hard to believe you were in that building scouting potential safe houses for covert training operations when my men came upon you…"

"How is it that your men came upon me?" Temple tried to sound accusing. He wanted to throw the sheriff off guard, hoping to learn how or where he had fucked up. The sheriff's eyes grew wider at Temple's tone. "We can't use that location now. I'll need to file a report, of course."

"We've had several girls go missing in the last few days," Craigson started.

"I saw the news," Temple confirmed. "And the FBI agents over there are hard to miss."

"Anyway," the sheriff spoke over Temple. "We received a tip about that building. Neighbor across the street called it in early afternoon. Saw a man going in there that they did not recognize. It's a relatively small island and people are spooked so we're getting a lot of calls. Couldn't get over there for a few hours. Unless you were there earlier today too, it obviously wasn't you they saw."

'Fuck,' Temple thought. 'Brought down by dumb luck and poor timing.' He would have preferred making a mistake. At least that could be learned from.

"Any tips panning out?" Temple asked curiously and the sheriff narrowed his eyes.

"Do you know Race Bannon?" the sheriff asked.

Temple did not give anything away on his face. "No. Should I?"

"His daughter is one of the missing girls and he was in here earlier," Craigson explained. "I ran a background check on him. He spent a good stint in the Navy…."

"Along with four hundred thousand other fine men and women," Temple nodded and then pointed to the lock on the cell. He was not going to get anything useful out of the sheriff. "Now how about you let me out of this cage and give me my things back. All of them or I'll have my friends give you another call."

Five minutes later, Temple was walking away from the police station with his sidearm and the small knapsack of things he always carried with him. He started in the direction of the dealership, which was about two miles away. Once he was at a safe distance, he grabbed his burner.

"Fucking hell," he immediately cursed. He did not recognize the last incoming call, but knew two things at once. It had to have been Race and he was not the one that answered it, which meant that someone in the station did. Temple knew that Race's next move would have been tossing that phone, but he tried to call back anyway.

"Shit," he cursed again and picked up the pace.

XXX

Race was within throwing distance of Houston's in under five minutes. It was the fastest he had run the mile in years. He counted several potential entry points from his position, but quickly decided he was going right in the front door. He checked his phone and Temple's one more time before moving. There was a small unoccupied security booth attached to the lobby with its own entrance. Race made the determination as he was walking toward the building that the lock on the security booth door would be easier to pick than the one on the main entrance.

He pulled the tools he needed from his back pocket and fluidly crouched down to pick the lock. The whole thing took less than a minute. Once inside the booth, he sat in the security guard's chair and looked around. There was a set of keys on a hook underneath the desk that he grabbed just in case. He also grabbed a map of the facility. To his left were four old school security monitors. They were shut down, but he decided to power them back on. If there was a chance to get a look at what was going on inside before he entered, he was not going to pass it up.

XXX

Jonny parked three blocks away. Just like Race had instructed. He leaned back against the headrest and stared out the front windshield. If the sun had not gone down, he would be able to see the house from this position because the blocks were not long. But it was December so all he saw was darkness and a ton of Christmas lights that all blurred together. Before turning off the car, he glanced at the clock again.

"Twenty three minutes," he whispered.

That was how long it took him to drive here and park, following the traffic laws. That was how long it would take him to get back and help Race. The whole ride over, he was praying to get a call from Race. News that he had gotten in and out quickly. Jonny's heart rate spiked just imagining Race hand the phone to her so they could talk for a minute. He tried to rationalize why that had not yet happened. Because Race was being smart and careful. Because Race would not rush or make a rash decision. So no matter how much Jonny wanted to be rash and then rush back to Race, he could not. He forced himself to ignore every instinct and listen to Race's voice instead.

'Be aware of your surroundings, kid.'

Jonny got out of the car and looked around. He was on a residential street. It looked like every other suburb Jonny had ever seen. Every house was glowing with Christmas lights and activity. He had to assume people could be watching him and did not want to draw attention. He walked as naturally as he could without looking like he was about to break into an all-out run. He was acutely aware of the picking tools and the penguin keychain in his front pockets and the two phones in his back pockets. Hers and the burner Race had given him. Not to mention the gun pressed against his lower back.

'The essential toolkit for saving the love of your life,' he thought lamely. All things considered, he wished he had a rocket launcher or at least a second gun. 'It's just one man,' he told himself. 'One gun is plenty. Besides, she's not here.' That thought did not help with keeping him focused on Race's voice. It made him want to rush in and out.

When he stepped foot onto the block that the house was on, the pressure of the gun at his back shot to the forefront of his thoughts again. His next breath caught in his throat and his heart dropped. Heavy and burning. That sensation he got whenever he was about to do something that made him really nervous. And he was undeniably nervous. He had gotten in and out of many difficult situations over the years, but some combination of luck or a family member by his side had always been present. Now he was alone and luck would not cut it. The stakes were too high. In a way, his nervousness felt like a betrayal. He wanted to be brave for her. Like he knew she would be for him. He had no doubts about that.

'Keep focused, Quest. She needs you.'

Jonny started toward the house again. Determined. Everything Race had taught him came flooding back.

"Wake up."

Jonny heard the words like they were far away. Like they were being spoken to him from across a parking garage.

"Wake up, Jonny." This time, a very bright flash accompanied the words.

Jonny's eyes shot open and he instinctively threw a hand up to block them from the assault of light.

"What the hell are you doing?" he asked Race, who had a flashlight pointed directly at his face. Jonny rolled to his side to look at the clock on his bedside table. "It's four in the fucking morning. Go away," he grumbled, throwing one pillow at Race and the other over his head.

Race slapped Jonny's ankle hard, causing him to sit up in surprise.

"WHAT?" Jonny yelled.

Race shrugged and gave him an evil grin. "I thought you wanted to learn, kid. Or do you just plan on sulking for the next three months?"

A smile lit up Jonny's face when realization dawned. "A hundred and seven days actually."

"I think I can teach you a lot more than I already have with that time," Race considered. "If you stay focused and are willing to do the work. No sulking allowed."

"I'll meet you downstairs in five," Jonny grinned.

XXX

"Holy shit. My legs feel like jelly," Jonny admitted, collapsing onto the gym mat. "I'm gonna be sore tomorrow. Do you wake up and do this every morning before we go for run?"

"Hell no," Race laughed. "…but it's like riding a bike. If you're serious about this, lesson number one is it'll always get harder before it gets easier. So…should I wake you up early tomorrow?"

Jonny smiled big. "I can set an alarm."

XXX

"Are you teaching me how to use an M40?" Jonny asked excitedly when Race pulled into the shooting range.

"No."

"Please, Race."

"No," Race parked and then turned to Jonny. "I'm not gonna teach you something that I'm not proficient at myself," he admitted. "I was never a master marksman. Not patient enough."

"I doubt that," Jonny scoffed. "You're great at everything."

"No I'm not," Race laughed. "Maybe that should be the lesson today. Knowing you're weaknesses is more important than knowing your strengths."

"So you can turn your weaknesses into your strengths?" Jonny asked.

Race pursed his lips. "Maybe you can target one or two and make that a reality, but no that's not my point. You need to understand your weak links so you can work around them."

"How do you work around not being a great marksman?" Jonny wanted to know.

"Shooting from long distances is not a required skill in my day-to-day. Up close and personal works just fine, but when I was in the field I made sure to surround myself with the best.

"Phil?"

"No…someone else," Race smirked and opened his door. "Let's go, kid. Allies you can trust with your life are rare. Amassing one or two means you tend to live longer. I'm lucky on that front. Phil and a few others have saved my life more times than I care to recall."

Jonny followed dutifully. "So what are we doing here?"

"Signing you up for a membership," Race announced. "I want you here at least twice a week for an hour."

"But I'm a pretty good shot," Jonny stated. "You already taught me."

"I did and you're not half bad," Race admitted. "…but that's not good enough. I want to see perfection because you often don't get a second chance when you have to shoot a gun for real. And you've never had to do that. Your aim could improve, Jonny. Also, I want you to learn how different handguns feel. Their weight. Their grips. They should all feel like an extension of your own hand by the time we're done. As soon as you pick them up, you should be able to tell me how many bullets are left. You can also improve your breathing. You don't control it well. It always speeds up after your first shot. Then your second shot is never as good. That's natural. The adrenaline kicking in…but you can learn to control it and focus better."

"Alright," Jonny nodded, taking it all in. "Where do we start?"

XXX

"You're improving," Race stated proudly as they ran along the beach. The sun was not yet up. "Takes more to wind you each day."

"Thanks," Jonny smiled. "…but stop deflecting. What's the dumbest thing you've ever done while on a mission? I'm trying to learn here, man."

"Oh," Race huffed. "That's why you want to know?"

"Only reason," Jonny shot back sarcastically. "I swear."

"Hmm," Race considered. "It's not hard to think of one, honestly. Ask any commanding officer I've ever had and I'm sure they could name at least two per operation. When I think back…"

"What?" Jonny pushed curiously.

"There's a reason I don't want this life for you or Jess," Race sighed. "At least forty seven."

Jonny sobered. "Forty seven? Is that how many people you've had to kill?"

"Only those I looked in the eye before pulling the trigger," Race answered honestly. "I've lost count of the rest."

Jonny was quiet for a while. "How do you live with that?"

"If they went home to their families, that meant I wasn't," Race said simply.

"I haven't changed my mind," Jonny started. "I don't want that life."

"Good."

"I do want to build a life with Jess though. Whatever that looks like. I haven't thought much beyond the next five years. Getting through school and being separated from her more often than not. But I know that's my end game and…I hope I never need any of this, Race. I hope that if a situation arises again where it's needed, because let's get real we all have a knack for finding trouble, that you're right there to stop it. But I NEED to be able to protect my family in case you're not. The way you've always protected us."

"Jade," Race offered after a long moment.

"Huh?"

"The dumbest thing I've ever done while in the field was get distracted by her," Race smiled. "I almost blew a three-month operation."

"Holy…what did Phil say?" Jonny asked curiously.

Race laughed. "It'd be faster to tell you what he didn't say. He almost sent me back to Navy."

"Wow," Jonny shook his head. Amused. "Do you think I could meet your old Navy buddies someday? Or would they just give me a bunch of shit for not being of them?"

"Yes…and definitely yes, kiddo."

XXX

"Good," Race praised. "Stay low. Left. Right. Be more aggressive on the left. You can't always favor your right. Too predictable. Good…take a break."

Jonny spit out his mouth guard and smiled when Race patted him on the back. With each day, he felt more confident. Race helped him remove his boxing gloves and then Jonny sat down on the mat to stretch. "So what's today's lesson, Obi Wan?"

Race wiped away some sweat before responding. "We've spent most of our time in the gym working through how to defend yourself against someone with an advantage…bigger than you, faster than you, more weapons. But if your back is really against the wall, you need to gain the psychological advantage."

"How?"

"Rule number one, keep them talking. Don't ask yes or no questions. Ask open-ended questions and do it calmly. Don't provoke. People like to talk about themselves. It gives them pleasure. Neuroscience has proven it with MRIs. Understand that and you can wield it. All you have to do is ask and pay attention."

"To what end?"

"Depends. Get them to reveal something you can use for your benefit later, distract them while you figure out what to do next or even get them to change the subject or do something you want, but think it was their idea. Sometimes…it's the only way to get the upper hand," Race finished and Jonny got really quiet. "What's wrong, kid?"

"Have you had this conversation with Jess?" he asked quietly.

"Yes," Race said slowly.

"I gotta go," Jonny stood and started to walk out of the gym.

"Where the hell are you going?" Race asked.

"To start a long overdue argument," Jonny admitted.

"Stop. We're not done here," Race ordered. Jonny froze. "Kid…"

"She is one hundred percent using this reverse psychology bullshit on me, Race. What the fuck? I'm questioning every conversation we've had in the last year. She's manipulating me."

"That seems overdramatic," Race pointed out. "She loves you. She's not manipulating you. What's really wrong?"

Jonny stewed for a minute and then the floodgates opened. "I'm on edge I guess. She's studying for finals. We've barely talked the last few days. It's getting to me how much I miss her, Race."

"What's gonna make you feel better?" Race asked. "Starting a fight?"

"No," Jonny grumbled. "Suppose this is a nice distraction. Fine, what next…wait are you fucking doing it to me right now?"

Race grinned. "I'm pretty good, right?

Jonny started to laugh. "Have you been doing this to me my whole life? If I end up in therapy one day questioning my entire childhood, I'm blaming you." Jonny shook his head, laughing again and thinking back. "She has definitely used this tactic to win arguments."

"That's my girl," Race said proudly. "Can I make a suggestion?"

"I'm afraid to ask."

"Don't start an argument. Turn the tables on her," Race winked.

XXX

Phil hated grid searches. Always had. Too slow and even slower in the dark. Over an hour had already gone by. If he kept doing this by the book, it would take another three. Minimum. As the team leader, Phil was dead center with ten agents flanking either side of him.

Phil thought about Race and Bartlett as he traipsed through the woods. Very different men, but both desperate fathers. Then he thought of his own young daughter and the world she was growing up in. He was overcome with an urge to go get her. Scoop her up in a big hug, build a cabin in the woods and forget about everything else. Except protecting her for the rest of his life.

He would not do that though. He was dedicated to making the world she lived in a better place. And he would start by bringing his goddaughter home.

"Shit. Shit. Fuck me."

Agent Clarin's outburst shook Phil from his thoughts. She was directly to his left. He turned, pointing his flashlight in her face. Her eyes were wide with fear. She motioned to the ground so he crouched down with his light.

'Fuck me is right,' he thought.

"Is that what I think it is?" she asked. Phil could tell she was trying hard to fight the nervousness that made her voice shake.

Phil stood and gripped both her shoulders to keep her steady. "Everybody freeze," he yelled.

"Oh shit," Agent Clarin blew out a breath.

"Look at me," Phil ordered and he waited until she did. "Do you see the way I'm breathing? I need you to mimic me and stay calm. It'll be fine. Trust me." Then he let go of her cautiously and addressed the other agents. "You all need to turn around. Follow your own footprints out of here. Agent Clarin has stepped on an IED, but she's going to be fine. I'll stay with her until the bomb squad gets here. Someone call them please. Go right now," he ordered. He heard a few 'sirs' objecting. "GO."

Phil watched the agents fade away and then scanned the area with his flashlight. First the ground around himself and Agent Clarin, looking for more devices. He did not see any. Next, the forest in front of him. After a few minutes, a glint of white from one of the trees caught his attention. About thirty feet off the ground. He squinted and moved closer to confirm. Double checking the ground in front of him as he went. He narrowed his eyes when he was right under the tree. It was an outdoor camera. He had seen them before. They were usually used by hunters or animal lovers to enjoy a live stream of the wilderness from the comfort of their own homes.

Phil glared into the camera. "Motherfucker," he growled. He would not put on a show for anyone. "Agent Clarin…don't flinch," he directed and then shot the camera right out of the tree.

XXX

Two pings from his computer interrupted him. He stared at it in annoyance and then walked over to the desk. He ran his hand over the desk and smiled nostalgically. He had built it with his own two hands. He put his camera down and reached for the mouse to wake the three sleeping computer monitors. He shivered. The corner was drafty, but it was the only spot he got a signal so he accepted it. The first monitor showed the same image as the last two days. An empty factory floor. 'Good,' he thought. The second showed a lit up side yard with a dog running in circles chasing its tail. 'Annoying mutt.' The third showed several agents out in the woods about to find a surprise he had left for them. He smiled and then walked back over to Jessie. He was not immediately concerned, but having agents sniffing around out in the woods was not ideal.

He would have to accelerate his timeline to be safe.

His eyes roamed Jessie's body as he injected the drug into her vein. He wanted it to take effect faster and knew that it would this way. He pressed his hand into her stomach firmly. He could not resist the urge to touch her. Then he leaned down to whisper in her ear.

"Stop struggling. You're tearing up your wrists. Don't hurt yourself. I want to do that. I had to give you an extra dose, beautiful girl. You're dangerous. I can tell. It turns me on."

XXX

Race closed his eyes and listened hard as he stepped foot onto the factory floor. He had to pick a few more locks to get to this point. The only thing he heard was tree branches hitting the windows. All appeared to be quiet. He had sat and watched the security monitors for a while, flipping back and forth between all the cameras in the building to see if they would clue him in on the safest way to approach. The monitors had also seemed to indicate that all was quiet.

When he glanced up, he saw an Arlo security camera on the wall to his right. A higher tech version of what they had left back at the dealership. He recognized the brand because he had the same one in his home office. It was motion activated and dependable. He got an alert to his phone and computer any time someone walked into his office.

Shooting it down would be too loud and shutting off the power in the building was not an option. It was battery operated. All he could do was stay out of its path. According to his map, there were seven floors. He decided to find the stairs and start from the ground up.

XXX

Temple was back at the dealership and on the brink of getting really frustrated when he saw a car slam on its brakes in the middle of the street.

Jade stuck her head out the window. "Need a lift?"

He rolled his eyes, but got in the car anyway.

"Where's Race?" she asked immediately.

"I don't know," Temple sighed and pointed up ahead. "He was parked over there last time I saw him and the kid. That was a few hours ago. Trying to figure out where they went. How did you find me?"

Jade slumped back against the driver's seat. Back at square one. "Tracked the GPS in your phone."

Temple grinned. "Racer has my phone."

Jade smiled too. "Tell me you have a phone on you?"

"Of course."

"Give it to me and I'll find him," she ordered.

XXX

Jonny stopped when he hit the property edge of the last house on the block with lights. He glanced around and then crouched down, trying to make himself invisible. He was staring into a dark cul-de-sac. It took a minute for his eyes to adjust. In the interim, the quiet unsettled him. To him, every breath he took sounded like a sixty mile per hour wind whipping by. Every time he shifted his body, the subsequent rustle of clothing was an alarm bell. He was frozen to the sidewalk, trying to figure out what to do next.

'Establish a perimeter, Jonny. Find two ways out before you go in. Preferably three.'

There were three houses making up the perimeter of the cul-de-sac. By all appearances, they were empty. No lights on and no cars in the driveways, but they all had garages. The one he wanted was dead center. Fifty yards in front of him. Three stories. A wrap around porch. In the dark, he could not tell if the house was blue or gray. He was too far away to see if there were any cameras and not confident enough he could approach without being picked up by one if they were there. He could try to go around and approach from the back, but that would provide him with no cover. All of these homes were oceanfront. Approaching that way would make him a sitting duck. He was not afraid of the danger. He was not afraid of getting hurt. He was afraid of screwing up and getting his girl killed.

"Fuck. What would Race do?" he whispered to himself.

"Why are we in the middle of nowhere?" Jonny asked. "Is this where you kill me and hide the body for dating your daughter?" he added dryly. "Were you just lulling me into a false sense of security the last few years?"

Race rolled his eyes. "What do you hear?"

Jonny looked around, trying to figure out what the test was. He shrugged. "Nothing. We're in the middle of fucking nowhere."

"Listen harder?" Race suggested. "Control your breathing, focus on something that calms you."

"My happy place?" Jonny joked.

"Whatever you want to call it," Race said a little annoyed. Jonny noticed and decided to get serious. "Open your ears, kid. What do you hear?"

Jonny closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He saw big green eyes and smiled. He had to force himself to push that aside. Listen beyond his own beating heart and the obvious quiet. "I can hear the stream. To my left."

"How could you use that to your advantage?" Race challenged.

"Well…I know that stream leads to Lake Cumberland. If I got lost out here, I could follow it to the lake and find my way home from there."

"What else?" Race pushed.

Jonny concentrated again before answering. "I can smell wood burning," he offered and then opened his eyes to try and locate smoke. He shrugged when he did not see any and eventually looked at Race. "Just because I can't see it doesn't mean I couldn't find it. It's relatively close. If I was lost and knew nothing about this area, I would head toward the smoke. Hopefully, find someone to help or at least follow back to the real world."

"Good," Race nodded. "Being hyperaware of your surroundings will not only keep you safer, it could provide you the tools or knowledge to move forward if you feel stuck. Control your breathing. Forget about everything else, including why you're doing it…especially when it's personal…and just do it."

Jonny closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He saw big green eyes and smiled.

She leaned over his shoulder and whispered in his ear. "You're purring like a kitten."

"You're hands are magic," he sighed, dropping his head and closing his eyes. "A little to the left?" He was sitting on the edge of his bed and she was sitting cross-legged behind him. The movie they had been watching was long forgotten once she started to massage his neck and shoulders.

"Why are you so tense?" she asked.

"Not enough blow jobs?" he teased.

"Bullshit," she stopped massaging him and slapped the side of his head lightly.

He turned around quickly, wrapping an arm around her waist and then pinning her down on the center of his bed. She was smiling up at him softly once he settled on top of her. She lifted her head to kiss him, but he leaned out of her reach.

She raised an eyebrow. "Are you playing hard to get?" she laughed, running her foot along his calf.

"Never," he admitted, giving in and pressing his lips to hers firmly. "And you probably give me more blow jobs than any man deserves."

She laughed against his lips. "That's definitely true."

"I'm tense because I have an important question to ask…and I'm kinda nervous," he said it playfully.

"Oh, I can't wait to hear this," she said dryly. "What do you want?"

"Will you go to your prom with me?" he asked. "I know this isn't one of those fancy promposal things…"

"Sooo not your style, Hotshot. Neither is going to prom at all. What's up?" she chuckled.

He shrugged. "I don't know, but I really…really want to take you, Jess. Maybe it's those big green eyes," he said wistfully. "They make me do things I never planned on. Feel things I didn't even know were possible."

"Okay," she grinned and then looked away. "Let's go to prom."

"Are you blushing?" he teased.

She turned back and met his gaze, shrugging. "You still make me. What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You're my happy place, beautiful."

"You know what would make ME really happy," she flirted, running her foot up his calf again.

"My dick," he responded confidently, kissing her neck.

She leaned into his lips and threaded her fingers through his hair. He felt the laugh bubble up in her throat as he kissed her.

"Your smart-ass mouth…Oh" she panted when he pushed his hips into hers roughly. Then he lifted her leg up and did it again. She moaned and it made him instantly hard.

He kissed and licked his way up to her ear, sucking on the soft skin. "What was that about my mouth?" he teased. He faltered for a second when she locked her knees around waist and met his next thrust eagerly. "I love you," he whispered.

She threw her head back against his mattress and trailed her hands from his hair, over his back and then gripped his triceps for leverage. He kissed under her chin and up the other side of her neck.

"Your smart-ass mouth is gonna get you in trouble," she said out-of-breath. Now completely focused on the movement of their hips.

He laughed. "Baby, if this is what trouble feels like I'm never changing."

Jonny pushed up on his arms and hovered over her face when she did not respond. Her eyes shot open at the loss of contact and she did not look happy. He went with it when she rolled him over and climbed on top of him. Her enthusiasm was such a turn on. She started to move her hips in a circular motion and he closed his eyes, placing his hands on her waist and moving with her.

"Jessie," he eventually called out. "You need to stop, babe."

"Why?" She did not stop. Neither did he.

"Fuck," he grunted. "You're gonna make me come."

She planted her hands on his chest and increased the speed of her hips. "That's the intended outcome of this amorous encounter," she over pronounced every word. "Oh," she called out. You feel so good."

His hand hurriedly started to undo his belt, but she stopped him. "Take off my pants," he begged. "Please," he added as an afterthought.

"No," she mumbled incoherently.

He quickly slipped out from under her and off the bed unsteadily.

"Jonny," she growled in frustration, staring up at him from her back.

"Take off your clothes," he ordered and started to undress clumsily. He almost tripped twice, trying to focus on taking his clothes off and watching hers disappear at the same time. Once she was naked, he stared at her for a glorious moment before reaching down to grip both her ankles. He pulled her to him, guided her legs around his waist and ran his hands up her smooth skin to her waist. Her eyes were already closed in anticipation and she was still breathing heavily. He had zero intention of being gentle and every intention of making her scream his name, looking around the room to decide where he wanted to take her because he did not plan on staying in the bed.

"Wait!" she called out as he was about to sink inside her.

"What?" he asked desperately. "Are you okay?"

"Yes," she sighed happily. "I just want you to go slow, baby. Will you do that for me?"

Jonny took a deep breath and finally met her eyes, which cleared the lust cloud…a little. He smiled softly. He could not help it. "Get under the covers," he whispered.

She scrambled under them with a happy giggle. He quickly lifted them and followed, laying on his side. He pulled her close and kissed her deeply. Passionately. Holding on to the base of her neck so their foreheads were still pressed together when they came up for air. "I love you," he breathed against her lips.

"This exact moment is my happy place," she smiled and he kissed her again.

Jonny eventually slid his hand from her neck to her breast. She arched into his touch as he circled his thumb around her nipple. "I can't stop touching you. You're so soft, Jess. Feels amazing." Then he ducked his head down and replaced his thumb with his mouth. She shifted to her back and he climbed on top of her. Never letting up with his tongue.

She moaned again. "This moment too, babe."

Next, he trailed kisses across her stomach and reached down to spread her legs. He could feel the wetness between her thighs and knew that she was more than ready, but still could not resist slipping a finger inside her quickly followed by a second. He groaned against her skin at the feeling. "I want you, Jess."

"Please," her back arched off the bed. "I need you."

Jonny removed his fingers, licking them and then kneeling between her legs. It required every ounce of his concentration, but he put a hand on her hip and took his time. Half pushing inside her and half lifting her off the bed to pull her towards him. Enjoying every look that crossed her face. Once he was fully inside her, she opened her eyes and placed her hands over his to still him. He froze and memorized how she felt. How she looked. He had the sudden urge to say something profound, but his mind was a total blank. Except for the thought that he wanted to move. He wanted to hear her soft noises. For him.

She reached for him, kissing him again before he could do anything else. He pressed her into the bed and then gave in to instinct, moving over her tenderly. A relieved sigh escaped his lips and hit hers mid-kiss. It sounded almost painful. Like he had not had her in years. "Jessie?"

When he opened his eyes, she was already staring at him. Intensely. She was staring at him like she was trying to read his mind.

"Stop," she said it quietly. He did. She bent her knees and then wrapped her legs tightly around him. She threaded her fingers into his hair again and started rocking against him. It did not take them long to find the perfect rhythm.

He smiled and increased his pace when she began making those soft noises. He watched her get lost in her pleasure and he marveled at the warm feeling that was cresting through him. And it was not due to an impending orgasm or because he was under a think comforter. It was all her.

Twenty minutes ago, he was completely engrossed in the movie they were watching. Five minutes ago, he thought they were going to have a not so gentle quickie and then rewind the movie. Now, all he could think about was how much he loved her. How desperate he was to keep her forever. It was overwhelming and he had to turn away from her eyes. The feelings snuck up on him.

"Baby?" she asked. "You okay?"

He turned back, leaning his forehead against hers and closing his eyes. He could not look at her. It was too much. "So in love with you," he said gently.

"Yes," she called out. "Don't stop."

She tossed her head to the side and he buried his head in her neck. Groaning. They raced each other over the precipice. His next memory was one of euphoria and then breathing heavily into her damp skin, soaking her in. "How do you always smell so amazing?" he praised. "Seriously…I think I could find you in a room full of women with just my nose. Do you think that'll ever be a useful tool?"

She laughed while running her hands over him lovingly. "So romantic, my love. And so random. Do you ever run things through your head before saying them out loud?"

He nuzzled her neck before answering. "On occasion. Want me to filter more?"

"Not even a little," she said quietly. "I was only curious."

After a few minutes, he rolled off her and onto his back. He stared at the ceiling and smiled to himself. He was happy. Undeniably and sickeningly happy. Eventually, he propped himself up on an elbow and watched her. She was on her back. Eyes closed and a peaceful look on her face.

"You look like Sleeping Beauty," he said and the corners of her mouth turned up.

"You've seen Sleeping Beauty?" she challenged.

"Not exactly," he laughed. "But I know enough."

"Hmm," she sighed. "You're so cheesy, but I'm ridiculously in love with you anyway. I think THIS moment is the winner for sure. My happy place."

He caressed the side of her face and then leaned down to kiss her forehead. "Open your eyes, love. We have all night."

"Can't," she smiled. "Too tired. You make love like a champ, baby. I'm down for the count."

"Can you PLEASE make sure that's on my tombstone?" he asked and grinned when she started to laugh again.

Then he went under the covers and climbed back on top of her. He kissed her stomach, right above her belly button, and leisurely made his way up her body. He stopped when he reached her lips and hovered over them. She had a big smile on her face now, but still refused to open her eyes. "No," she started. "You're not allowed to die on me, Quest. I need you too much."

"I'm not going anywhere, babe."

She finally opened her eyes and kissed him firmly. "Good. So…are you still tense?"

"No, but I do have another question for you," he answered.

"Oh jeez…I can't handle any more big asks," she teased. "Isn't prom enough?"

He kissed her nose. "It's a softball. Promise."

She looked at him skeptically. "Fine. Shoot."

"Spend forever with me?"

Her eyes got wide and her breath hitched. "Jonny..."

"This is a surprise?" he asked a little uncomfortably when she went quiet. "It's not like this is the first time I've said something like this. I was only messing around anyway. Don't let it…"

"Jonny," she cut him off, wrapping her arms and legs around him to keep him from rolling away.

Jonny closed his eyes and shook his head. 'Stupid. Stupid,' he thought. "Jess…you don't spend a lot of time worrying about other girls. It's still too much in my opinion though. I don't understand when you react like this. You worry about other girls, but when I tell you that I want to spend…" he stopped himself from saying it again. "…you freak out. You confuse the shit out of me sometimes. Truly."

"Woman's prerogative?" she shrugged.

"Try again." He rolled his eyes in frustration.

She held his gaze and stroked the side of his face for a meaningful moment. "Do I look freaked out, baby? Because I'm not. It just takes me by surprise when you say things like that and sound SO sure."

"I am sure, Jess."

"It makes me think about how amazing our life would be…and then I worry about fucking it all up and losing you," she rambled.

"Well," he interrupted with his trademark grin. "Don't fuck it up. Word around town is I'm a catch."

She laughed again. "Good advice. I'll try not to. I'd be a fool to mess it up with a guy that makes me laugh so much while we're in bed."

Jonny's eyes got wide and then he started to tickle her with no mercy. "Don't put that on my fucking tombstone," he yelled.

They fell off the side of his bed and landed with a thud in front of his nightstand. Laughing hard and breathing heavily. A tangled mess of limbs and bedding. He was hovering over her again.

"You were only messing around?" she eventually prompted.

"No," he admitted. "But you already know that. What do I have to do to convince you?"

"Spend forever with me," she whispered, emphasizing the word 'spend.' Then she pulled him into a deep kiss.

When the kiss came to its natural end, Jonny nudged her nose with his and then started in on her neck again. "My sexy little scientist," he said against her skin. "Won't believe anything until she sees it for herself."

"I love you, Jonny."

It came out as a half moan. She kneaded the muscles of his back, while he trailed his lips down her neck and along her collarbone. His hand was moving between their bodies on a mission. He pushed her knees apart and then pushed inside her with one enthusiastic thrust.

"Jess," he called out. It was guttural.

She reached back blindly and braced a hand against his nightstand so her head would not bang into it. He pulled out slowly and then pushed inside her again wildly. Harder this time. So hard that her head knocked against the nightstand before she could stop it. She shot him a surprised look and then bit her lip.

He just smiled back. "Hold on tighter, baby."

She did and then tossed her head back in surrender. He set a demanding pace and she met it. Like always. His partner in everything. He could not take his eyes off her. The way she stopped thinking and gave herself over to him completely. She was his. He knew it even if she could not always say it.

"Lamp…lamp," she called out suddenly, but did not stop moving beneath him. "Jonny!"

"Huh?" he asked confused and then followed her gaze up to the lamp that was about to fall off his nightstand and smack her in the face. "Shit," he laughed, leaning down to absorb the hit. He did not want to stop.

"Why did you let it hit you?" she laughed. "You could've just…Oh."

"Seemed like a good idea at the time," he panted.

She was getting louder by the second so Jonny knew she was close. "Right there," she screamed and scratched her nails down his back. Then she screamed his name and he felt her tightening around him. It was his complete undoing. He was blinded by his need for release and only heard bits and pieces of what she said next.

"…so good…love…give in…"

He collapsed on top of her a minute later and closed his eyes. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me," he worshipped.

"You still awake?" she asked. He felt her tugging at the roots of his hair.

"Of course," he scoffed.

"Just checking," she giggled. "You haven't moved a muscle in ten minutes."

He shifted to his side and pulled her with him. "I was taking advantage of the quiet to formulate my response to the hypothesis you and my dad were talking about at breakfast," he yawned.

"Really?" she raised an eyebrow.

"No," he huffed. "I dozed off on account of the amazing sex I just had."

"It was pretty great," she grinned. "You broke your nightstand, stud."

"Technically you broke it," he shot back and then reached up to grab two pillows from his bed.

"What are those for?" she asked.

He propped them up against the broken nightstand, laid down and then pulled her tight against his chest. "I'm not moving," he announced.

She curled into him and ran her hands lazily over his chest. "I like falling asleep to your heartbeat."

"Now who's cheesy?" he teased as she shifted up and kissed him. He grabbed her chin and kissed her again. "Goodnight," he add quietly. "I love you."

"Ask me again?" she whispered.

He paused for a beat, staring at her and trying to figure out for the millionth time what she was thinking.

"Wanna spend forever with me?"

"Yes," she said simply and then smiled. "I want that so much."

"Some things you just have to take on faith, baby."

"I have faith in you, Jonny Quest."

Jonny was concentrating hard on his surroundings. He heard the wind making its way through the trees and a dog barking behind him. He pivoted and saw a black lab puppy yapping at him from behind the chain linked fence.

"Hey buddy," he greeted quietly, sticking his hand through the fence, trying to make friends and to get the small dog to quiet down. He held his breath, while the dog licked his fingers and he watched to see if the owners were alerted. After two long minutes, Jonny zeroed his focus in on the dog. "You wanna help me?" It was a risk, but he had to work with what he had. Jonny stood, leaning over the fence and grabbing the dog. Then he crouched back down, holding the animal in front of him. "Go crazy," he encouraged, tossing him lightly toward the cul-de-sac. He squinted to keep his eyes on the dog, who immediately went to the house on the right and ran around the front yard like crazy. Jonny was holding his breath again. Nothing happened. He grabbed the closest stick he could find and popped back up. He approached the house on the right. He did not breathe again until he was in the shadows cast off the side of the house and comfortable that no one was alerted.

He whistled and the dog came running. He leaned down with a genuine smile to pick him up. "Good boy." Jonny walked along the side of the house in the direction of the ocean. The house was to his left and trees were to his right. Enough to block his view of the dog owner's house and, more importantly, their view of him. When he ran out of house, he closed his eyes and listened again. All he could hear was crashing waves. It reminded him of arriving at the first safe house and meeting Temple. That felt like a lifetime ago. The back of the house was lit by the moon. Jonny's eyes roamed every inch meticulously. There were no cameras and no motion lights. He swallowed and then darted across the back of the house until his back was leaning against the other side. Now he was only twenty yards away.

"Alright boy. I hope you know how to play fetch," Jonny sighed, releasing the dog and throwing the stick as far as he could. The animal took off like a shot toward the house. Ten yards out and motion activated lights lit up the side yard. Jonny sprinted to the edge of the light and scanned the side of the house. It was blue. Atop the motion activated light, Jonny saw one camera with a straight line of sight. He ran along the edge of the light and then toward the house, avoiding the camera. He pressed his back into the siding and sidestepped until he was crouching under the light and camera. Waiting. If he did it right, the camera only picked up the dog. He reached back and grabbed his gun. Ready for anything. After five minutes, the yard went dark again and Jonny crawled ten feet to the right. There was an egress window that led to the basement. He dropped down into the opening and studied the window. It was a dual pane that slid to the right and would leave enough room for him to fit through. He pulled the phone from his back pocket and pointed the lit up screen against the window pane, trying to see if there were any sensors on the window. The visibility was not great, but he did not see anything attached to or beyond the window. He wished he had a flashlight.

'Fuck,' he thought. 'It's a chance I'll have to take.'

Next, he pulled the picking tools from his pocket. Jonny pressed the sharp edge of the hook pick against the edge of the glass. As close as he could get to the latch on the inside of the window. Then he used the torsion wrench as a hammer, weakening the glass as quietly as he could. When he felt like he had caused enough damage, he took off his shirt, wrapped it around the gun and punched the glass lightly. A short thrust. Suddenly, the light came on again and it scared the shit out of him. He crouched down as low as he could and unwrapped the gun.

'Please,' he prayed.

He sighed in relief when he realized it was just the dog again.

"Fuck," he huffed. "Just breathe."

He waited again, putting his shirt back on. Another five minutes for the light to turn off. It felt like an eternity. When it did, he reached through the broken glass, undid the latch and slid the window open. He slipped inside easily and hit the ground. Then he closed the window behind him and leaned back against the wall, allowing himself a few seconds to slow his heart rate and adjust to the dark again.

'One challenge down,' he thought. He kept his grip firm on the gun and reached for the phone again. The shitty light it emitted would have to do. He scanned the area directly in front of him and did not see anything useful. He ran it along the walls and ceilings, paying closer attention to the corners. When there were no sensors immediately noticeable, he felt confident enough to move. He stuck close to the wall and made his way to the nearest door. He pressed his ear against it and heard nothing. He knelt down and looked through the keyhole. The room was dark, but enough moonlight shone in that he could tell it was the garage. He tried the knob and it was unlocked. His heart leapt into his throat. A blue sedan. He debated calling Race right there, but decided it was not enough.

He exited the garage and went over to the stairs that led to the main level. He ascended them slowly, grateful that they were stone so he did not have to worry about creaking. At least that was one thing he could remove from his list of worries.

When he reached the top of the stairs, he followed the same routine of pressing his ear against the door and looking through the keyhole. He did not hear or see anything. Opening the door, he quickly found himself standing in an empty hallway. His eyes immediately darted to the front door. There was no number pad, which caused a sigh relief to rush through his lips. There was no alarm. He looked around. To his left was the living room. To his right was the kitchen. Both were unfurnished.

He walked toward the kitchen first. He had almost convinced himself to turn around and head back to Race. Confident that if she was not in the basement than she was not here at all. However, the device sitting dead center on the kitchen counter gave him pause and sent a chill down his spine. A cell jammer. He looked at his phone to confirm. No signal.

'Fuck.'

The only other item in the kitchen was a sleeping bag close to the back door. He pushed forward, intent on checking every inch of the house.

XXX

"Clarin, what do your friends call you?" Phil asked. He was leaning against a tree a safe distance away, trying to decide his next move. Whatever it was, he knew he needed to act fast and keep her calm in the process. For all he knew, that psycho was watching and could remote detonate the device. He could not assume otherwise.

"Max," she whispered. "My name's Maxie, but everyone calls me Max. My dad thought it'd be cute to give me a boy's name for some reason. I hated it growing up. Thought it sounded more like a dog's name, but it grew on me. Why hasn't this thing gone off yet?" she rambled.

Phil swallowed and answered honestly. "Mostly luck. Partly because you're a quick thinker and recognized what was happening fast enough to freeze. Who's waiting for you at home, Max?"

"My son and my grandmother," she whispered. "It's just the three of us now."

"What's your son's name?"

"Max," she smiled. "We call him MJ."

"I was kinda hoping you'd say that," he admitted.

She laughed, but it was forced. "Not too vain?"

"No. Totally badass actually."

"What about you?" she asked.

Phil grinned. It was an involuntary reaction no matter what situation he found himself in. "A little girl. Avery. She's almost five now. She lives with her mother so I don't get to see her as much as I'd like, but she's the best thing that's ever happened to me."

"They usually are," she smiled.

"How old is MJ?"

"Only ten," a tear fell, but she kept it together.

"I find it hard to believe you have a ten-year-old," he teased.

"Had him young," she pointed out the obvious. "What's the plan?" she then pushed.

"Can't wait for the bomb squad. Too risky," Phil sighed.

"Do you know how to disarm it?" she asked hopefully.

"Nope," he said bluntly.

"Awesome. This day keeps getting better," she said sarcastically. "You should go," she added.

"I'm not leaving you," he promised, pushing off the tree and rolling his shoulders.

"What're you doing?" she gave him a confused look.

"Getting you home to MJ," he shrugged. "Close your eyes and don't move."

She did and then he charged, picking up speed as he ran toward her. 'What the hell are you doing?' he thought. 'This is dumb. You've been hanging around Bannon too long.' Avery's face filled his thoughts as he crashed into Max and they both went flying as the device exploded.

XXX

'Fight it. Fight it,' she repeated to herself. 'You're not giving up. Bannons don't quit. Someone will come. Someone will come.'

She knew he had injected her with something else. She was fighting hard to stay conscious and hold on to reality. She had signaled her brain several times to pull against her restraints and open her eyes. Her eyes were not cooperating, but she was positive he had told her to stop struggling. Did that mean she was moving? She could not tell, but her wrists did hurt badly.

'What can I do? I need to do something.' She felt frustrated tears rolling down her face. 'What can I do if I can't fucking move?' All she could think of was to scream. When someone came, that would help. And if they did not make it in time, she was not going quietly.

She told her brain to scream and she did hear screaming, but was not sure if it came from her. It sounded far away.

XXX

Race wanted to throw up again. The feeling started as soon as he entered the stairwell and heard Jessie screaming. It was not a scream of warning or a scream for help. She was afraid. It sent a chill down his spine and made him want to murder the first thing that dared to cross his fucking path.

He took the stairs slowly. The sound of her screams and the hum of generators masking any noise he made. He caught his first glimpse of what he was about to walk in to when he was halfway down the stairs. He froze and sat down on the closest step. If he could see them…

The room they were in appeared to be a quality assurance lab. From where Race sat and watched, there was one entrance and four large windows looking in. Two windows on either side of the door, which was open. His eyes immediately landed on Jessie, screaming, naked and strapped down with rope. She was to the right of the door.

Race's target was standing over her, washing her with a yellow towel. A knife gripped firmly in his left hand. Race could only see him from the waist down, but his size and strength were clear. He was naked too and aroused. Race had to force a deep breath, convincing himself that this monster had not raped her yet.

'He's still cleaning her,' Race thought desperately. To him, that meant he had not done it yet. And he would not get the chance. 'I'm here, Ponchita.'

To the left of the door was Brenda. Also naked and strapped down. She was not screaming, but she was crying hysterically. He did not see Keri. He could not do anything until this psycho stepped away from his daughter and he knew exactly where all three girls were in the room.

So he sat there and watched. It was the most painful thirteen minutes of inaction he had ever experienced and the greatest feat of patience, including the time he was stuck between a wall and a piping hot furnace waiting for Phil to create a distraction. He had received third degree burns on his leg as a result. He watched this man obsessively touch and wash his vulnerable daughter. To make matters worse, Jessie had gone quiet.

'Maybe that's for the best,' he thought. Then he balanced on the balls of his feet, ready to move, when he saw the man drop the towel into a bucket on the floor and walk away from Jessie. Race descended the rest of the stairs while he could.

With his back pressed against the wall, Race inched closer to the window. He looked inside to the furthest corner and saw three things. Another door, Keri locked in a cage that was meant for quarantined product and his target, distracted by three large computer monitors. He did not know what had the fucker so engaged, but he was grateful. It would be the last mistake this guy ever made.

XXX

Jonny descended the stairs from the second floor of the house two at a time. There was no one in the house. His thoughts were singular as he ran. 'Please have her, Race. Please be okay, baby.' He was in a rush to get back outside so he would have cell service again. 'Please have her, Race.'

He burst right out the front door and ran across the front lawn as fast as his feet would carry him. His path was lit and his shadow looked huge. He had activated another motion light. No longer worried about being quiet or unseen.

He anxiously looked at his phone every two seconds, hoping to see something different. A missed call from Race. He tried to tell himself to stay calm. That this was exactly what he had expected when he agreed to come here. She would not be here because she was there. And Race would save her. Race would make everything alright. Like always. But getting exactly what he expected did not comfort Jonny in the slightest. He knew then, more certainly than ever before, that there would be no comfort for him until she was in his arms again.

'Twenty three minutes,' he thought desperately as he barreled into the car and jammed the key into the ignition.

Jonny was in the living room of the Compound alone. He was sitting on the couch with a book. Comfortable with his feet up on an ottoman. The book rested in his lap. He had put it down a while ago. Lost in thought. Daydreaming about her. He was staring into the fire with a big smile on his face. He caught himself doing it before anyone walked in. A little embarrassed, he shook his head as if to clear the cobwebs.

He closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the couch.

'Get a fucking grip,' he scolded.

He only opened his eyes when he felt the couch cushion dip.

'Jessie.'

She curled into him, wrapping both her arms around his midsection and resting her head on his chest. She was almost in his lap. He smiled, leaning down to kiss her hair and bury his nose in it for a moment. He wrapped one arm tightly around her waist, while his other hand pushed some hair behind her ear and caressed the side of her face.

"You feeling sick?" he asked, moving his hand to her head. "You don't feel warm."

She sighed, turning her shoulder toward him and snuggling even closer. He liked it. "Why? Do I look sick?"

"You look beautiful," he shot back predictably, but he meant it. She did. She had her eyes closed and he watched the flames dance across her cheeks and eyelids. "You usually only get all cuddly like this when you don't feel good. Well…that's not totally true. You only initiate it when you're feeling sick."

He watched her brow furrow. "Is that really true?" she asked.

"Yes," he said simply.

"I honestly didn't realize that. Does it bother you?"

He was quiet for a while, thinking about it. She lifted her head to look at him. "Yes and no," he eventually shrugged.

She laid her head back down and sighed. "Well that clears it up," she grumbled.

He tightened his embrace to keep her close and chuckled. "I wouldn't mind more of this," he admitted. "I'd be lying if I said otherwise. I like it…but I'm also not looking to change the beautiful stubborn girl that completely owns my ass."

"Smart man," she whispered, tilting her head back to look up at him. "And I don't feel sick," she clarified. "Ever think it might have something to do with last night?"

He leaned down, working his bottom lip between hers and wrapping his hand around her face again. Creating their own little word. He pushed his tongue against hers, kissing her lazily. He stopped when she started to moan softly against him. Just barely pulling back from her lips. He had to be careful. His ability to resist her was non-existent and Race was home. A dangerous combination. "I was hoping that had something to do with it," he smiled and then kissed her again. Lightly and quickly.

She bit her lip and rubbed his chest. "When can we do it again?"

His eyes got wide and he had to clear his throat. Dream come true was an understatement. "Where's your dad?" he almost panted. He was ready to pounce. 'Please say he left to run errands. Please.'

"His office," she whispered.

'FUCK. Don't kiss her again.'

She kissed him instead and he got lost in it immediately. The softness of her lips and the feel of her tongue. The way she sometimes bit his lip teasingly as she pulled back to take a breath. The small puff of air he would feel against his lips when she did. The almost imperceptible sound of protest she would make when he was the one to pull back. He would bet money she did not even realize she did it, but he noticed. He was drowning in all of it. The finale to a fireworks show would not have caught his attention.

She ended the kiss, bringing her lips to his ear and a hand to his thigh. "When can we do it again?" she whispered.

"Jess. Baby, you need to stop saying that right now." He shifted the book over his growing erection.

She looked down. "Jonny!"

"Why are you upset?" he whispered yelled. "It's your fault."

"I'm not upset and I'm not complaining," she corrected. "Just a little surprised. I can recall doing much more and getting less of a reaction," she pointed out.

Jonny huffed. She had no clue. "Baby, that was only with enormous effort and concentration on my part. Plus, some breathing techniques that Hadji taught me." Then Jonny gestured down. "…but now he knows exactly what he's missing out on so what do you expect? I can't trick him any longer."

"Are you seriously talking about your dick as if it's a third party in our relationship?" she raised an eyebrow.

Jonny shrugged. "I think it's fair. He's got a mind of his own."

Jessie pursed her lips, playing along. "…and he's been very patient."

"He has," Jonny agreed. "Good point."

"Okay…I'm done with this game," she announced.

"Fair enough," he laughed, pulling her as close as possible again.

"Can you handle this?" she teased, wrapping her arms around him tightly. "I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

"Ya know, two can play THIS game," he stated confidently, running his teeth along the shell of her ear. "I bet I'd be pretty good at it too. I've been studying my opponent for years. I know all your stats."

"Truce," she giggled. "I like it better when we're on the same team."

He kissed her forehead in response and relaxed further into the couch. "Agreed."

"So when can we do it again?" No hesitation. It made his heart race.

"Whenever you…," his voice cracked. "Anytime you want, baby. Why the fuck am I nervous right now?"

"I don't know," she giggled again. "But it's super adorable."

"Did you just call me adorable?" he challenged. "Well…I won't need the book much longer."

"What's wrong with being adorable?" She kissed his neck.

"A puppy is adorable. A baby is adorable," he listed. "I don't want you putting me in that category. Ever. That I don't like. I'm…stoic."

"You're going with stoic?"

"I was under pressure," he defended. "But I'm comfortable with where I landed."

He felt her smile against his skin. "I hate to break it to you, but you're both. You're the most wonderful combination of contradictions, Quest. The longer I'm with you, the more clearly I see that and love it."

"I'm not sure what that means," he whispered. "But as long as it makes you happy I won't question it."

"Easy. You're hands down the most impulsive and reckless person I know," she started. "You jump into action without thinking."

"I'm…

"You're also…somehow…the most patient person I know," she interrupted. "With the possible exception of Hadji," she qualified. "But that's not really a fair comparison because Hadj hasn't had to be patient with me the way you have."

Jonny cut her off. Almost angrily. "How many times do I have to tell you that I didn't mind waiting, Jess. I fucking love you. It wasn't some huge burden. It was my choice."

She shook her head against him. "I'm not talking about sex, Jonny. I'm talking about everything else. If you were a less patient person, we would've fallen apart years ago. We wouldn't have this moment or last night."

Jonny hugged her closer in response. "I don't even want to think about that, babe. It's pointless. You're also being way too hard on yourself as usual. If we didn't BOTH want this…fight for this…we wouldn't be here. It's that simple at the end of the day."

Jessie smiled, but did not respond to that directly. "You're also the most sensitive person I've ever met."

He sighed. "I don't think I like that one either."

"It's one of my favorite things about you," she countered. "That you know how you feel and you tell me. That you don't play mind games. That you pay attention to the way I feel because you want to take care of me. That you sometimes know me better than I know myself," she scoffed. "Right down to the exact way I hug when I don't feel good." She paused. "I know for a fact that it's possible to be incredibly sensitive and incredibly strong at the same time because you are. You're one of the two strongest men I've ever known and loved."

Jonny closed his eyes and smiled. Absorbing that. "I'll accept that one and masterfully phrased, Ace."

They were quiet for a long time, enjoying the fire and their embrace, before she spoke again.

"I love you," she whispered. "Sometimes I think you saved me."

"From?"

"Myself."

Jonny sighed. "That's ridiculous. You don't NEED me or any man. I know that as true as I love you, but I wake up every single morning thankful as fuck that you WANT me."

"I feel the same way, Hotshot."

XXX

"Sweet Jessie," he whispered. "I need to clean you again. You've been bad." He could feel himself getting hard as he brushed the towel across her smooth skin repeatedly, causing it to react with goosebumps because of his touch. He eventually focused on her nipples. They were peaked and bright red. He leaned down to kiss one. "You taste as good as you look," he praised. He flashed back to watching her on the beach a few nights ago, but fantasied that she was riding him instead. That look of total abandon on her face. He was ready.

Another ping from his computer interrupted. "Fuck," he grunted, grabbing the bucket and dumping the water in the closest sink. Then he moved to his desk and woke up the monitors again. "Shit," he whispered, staring at the center screen. He watched the video twice to be sure and then slammed his fist down on the desk. He saw a tall blonde man running away from his house. If someone had found that property, than…

"Turn around. Let me see your hands."

The voice made him straighten. He turned slowly and tightened his grip on the knife.

"I'm Clay," he smiled. "Are you a police officer? Detective? I hope you're with the FBI actually. They've been after me for a long time."

Race stood in between Jessie and Brenda, but he was completely focused on Clay. Nothing else, including the frantic calls from the other two girls. "Move in front of me. Slowly. And then drop the knife and kick it to me," Race ordered. "If you so much as shrug, I will take that to mean you plan to use that knife and I will put you down. MOVE."

Clay complied, assessing his opponent closely as he moved. He stood there, unashamed of his naked form. He decided quickly this man was dangerous, but knew everyone had a price.

"Drop it," Race barked.

"Name your price," Clay offered.

"Excuse me?"

"How much?" Clay clarified. "I'm a very wealthy man who does not intend to go to jail today. So tell me what you want."

Race laughed and nodded at Jessie.

"Have a go," Clay rushed. "I can wait. That's Jessie."

"I'm aware. I named her," Race said through his teeth and saw the look in Clay's eye change.

"Oh…this is embarrassing," Clay said. "She must take after her mother. I bet I'd like a go at that too," he taunted and then looked at Race's hands, holding the gun steady. "No ring? Divorced? It's the job, man. You put it first and you lose your wife…your kid goes wild," he insinuated.

"I'm not a cop or an agent," Race informed him. "But I know EXACTLY what you're doing and you won't beat me. You only survive to see the next five minutes if you drop the FUCKING knife."

Clay smiled. Overconfident. "Do you have any idea what your little girl has been up to?"

"Yes."

"Do you know where she was three nights ago?"

Race took a breath through his nose. He was fuming. "On top of her boyfriend. On the beach. Jonny and I have already discussed it. What else you got, asshole?"

XXX

"Do you have another gun?" Jade whispered as they moved through Houston's. She suddenly felt like she needed one.

"Nope," he whispered back and then grinned at her. "Don't worry. I'll protect you, gorgeous."

Jade gave him the finger and then stuck it down her throat in a gagging motion.

"That's not very lady-like," he scolded.

"If you were a gentleman a day in your life, I might be offended," she shot back coldly.

Temple eventually came to a stop in front of the door leading to the stairs. Just as quickly as they were sniping at each other, they turned it off and were all business. He opened the door slowly, and they immediately knew they had the right place.

Inside the stairwell there was background noise. Temple surmised it was coming from more than one generator powering the floor below. But over that background noise was Race. Temple heard him shouting orders clearly.

He moved swiftly down the stairs and felt Jade behind him. When he was in position by the open door, he looked inside the room. He saw the standoff Race was in and all three girls. Two of the girls were asking him for help loudly. Temple did not have to hear much of the conversation to know he needed to act. He turned to Jade.

"I need you to go in there and diffuse him," he told her. "I'll keep the target in my sights in case Race gets distracted."

She raised an eyebrow. "I know him, Greg. He needs to kill that bastard."

"I realize that," Temple agreed. "But not like this. I won't let him execute a man in front of witnesses."

Temple sauntered into the room quietly with his gun raised, followed by Jade.

"I can't believe you got picked up by the fucking locals," Race scoffed, before Temple or Jade could say a word.

"There were extenuating circumstances," Temple defended. "But glad to see you haven't lost your touch."

"I could hear you breathing. Besides, your fucking phone is on in my back pocket," Race growled, taking his rage out on his friend instead of where he wanted. "Only an actual trail of breadcrumbs would be more obvious."

"Race," Jade called out. She could not tell by his reaction if he was surprised that she was there. "What do you want us to do?"

Clay cleared his throat. It made Race curl his lip back in disgust. "Who's this beautiful creature?" he directed at Race. "She's…inspiring."

"Inspire you to put that knife down yet?" Race sneered. "No?" he huffed when Clay gave him a challenging look. "Okay…I'll do it myself." Race shot his right knee cap and Clay went down hard, dropping the knife.

"I got him," Temple announced, pushing by Race.

Race motioned for Jade to stay behind him and kept his gun trained on Clay until Temple had him face down and had used the fucker's own rope to tie his hands behind his back. "Gag him," Race ordered. "I don't want to hear another word."

Once confident that Clay was detained, Race dropped his gun heavily and took two deep breaths to clear his head. Then he put his gun away, grabbed the knife and looked back at Jade. "I got Jess. Help the others."

With Temple and Jade there, Race was finally able to focus his attention where he wanted. He removed his shirt and rushed to cover her up. He ran his hands over her, checking for injuries. Disturbed by her stillness and the bruises he saw. He cut away all of her restraints.

"Ponchita?" he shook her gently. "Open your eyes for me. Come on, sweetheart."

He was about to shake her again when Clay's garbled laughter through the gag incited him. Race was on top of Clay squeezing his windpipe before Temple could stop it.

"RACER!"

"What did you give her?" Race demanded. "WHAT DID YOU GIVE HER?" he slammed Clay's head against the floor.

Temple tentatively put a hand on Race's shoulder. "He can't answer if you choke him? And he'll only lie."

Race did not release his grip, until Clay passed out. He wanted him quiet. Then he jumped up and paced around like a caged animal. He only stopped when his eyes landed on Keri, holding on to Jade frantically. Eyes wide in fear, but she was not looking at Clay. She was looking at him. It was the reality check he needed to refocus. He put his hands up in front of him.

"I'm sorry that I scared you," Race apologized in his softest voice. "I didn't intend to do that. Do you know what he was using to sedate you? Was it more Pavulon?"

Keri looked at the ground while talking and did not loosen her grip on Jade. "I'm not sure," she answered, barely above a whisper. "I heard Brenda say something. She's a nurse. It began with a K…"

"Ketamine," Race sighed and looked at Temple, who shrugged. Temple had been going through everything in the room and held up a few syringes.

"Could be," Temple acknowledged. "They're not labelled."

Race turned back to the girls, retrieving the knife and handing it to Jade. "Help Brenda," he told them. "Greg?"

"Yeah."

"Can you?" Race motioned around the room, indicating that he would like Temple to take care of everything else so he could focus on his daughter.

Race went back to Jessie. He stood over her, reassuring himself that she was really there. Then he lifted her up at the waist and put his shirt on her properly, making sure to block Clay's view just in case. He laid her back gently, sitting on the gurney with her, picking up her hand and bringing it to his lips. "I'm so sorry, Jess."

"Racer?"

"Yeah?" he asked heavily.

"Here," Temple held out his hand. He had found smelling sauce amongst Clay's things.

Race took it from Temple and tried not to imagine why or how Clay planned to use these. He looked down at Jessie and debated. Part of him thought it would be best to let her wake up on her own.

"It should be fine," he heard Temple justify. "It doesn't look like she has a head injury."

"This is my daughter," Race told him. "Should be is not good enough."

"You can control her reaction," Temple continued. "Wake her up and she can tell us if anything hurts before we move her."

Race gave in, breaking one of the packets and waving it under her nose.

She popped up suddenly and immediately started to fight against him.

'That's my girl,' Race thought proudly, putting pressure on her upper arms. Not enough to hurt her, but enough to immobilize them. "It's me, Jess. Can you hear me? It's dad. You're okay, sweetheart."

When she stopped struggling against him, he wrapped his hands around her face. She was fighting the drugs. Her head lulled to the side and she could not keep her eyes open for more than two seconds at a time. Even then, they were not focusing well.

"I'm not sure if you can hear me," he continued. "But I'm getting you out of here soon."

"Daddy?" she said it sleepily.

It always melted his heart when she called him that. "I love you. I'm here, Ponchita. You're safe."

She swallowed thickly and then took a big gulp of air. "I knew you'd come for me," she said. More alert. "I knew it. I told him you'd come."

Her declaration made tears spring to the corners of his eyes. All the fear that he had felt. Specifically that he would never see her alive again. Never hear her call him that again. All that fear bubbled to the surface. He had been pushing it down with great effort. He knew, first hand, how horrible the world could be. He knew exactly how close he had come to losing her forever. But now he was staring at her. Alive. Rosy cheeks and stubbornly trying to get off the gurney. Pushing at him.

"Don't overexert yourself," he ordered, standing up so she would stop fighting against him. He wanted her to lay back down, but he could not find it in him to force her to do anything. "Please don't stand?" he asked.

He half smiled when she did not listen. She rolled off the gurney and he caught her before she fell, helping her stand. He pulled her in close, but leaned back with a frown when she did not wrap her arms around him. She was resting against his chest. Breathing heavily. Arms limp at her sides. "Sweetheart? Are you hurt?"

"No," she responded on reflex. "I'm okay. I need to move." She stood up straighter, holding on to his forearms for support.

"You can't even open your eyes," he said patiently, running his hand over her hair.

"I can," she defended. Her words were steadily getting more firm and less groggy. "Just waiting for this dizzy spell to end."

"Wow…I can see the family resemblance now," Temple scoffed.

"Who's that?" Jessie asked.

"An old friend," Race kissed her forehead. "Came to help. Take your time, Jess."

XXX

It felt more like twenty three hours than minutes by the time Jonny parked the car. He had actually gotten there in ten minutes, recklessly ignoring every traffic law. He did not care, but he did get lucky. He should have been pulled over. He parked a block from Houston's and then got out and ran. When the building was within his eye line, he froze and leaned back against the first thing his body found. A mailbox. He sank down to the ground and stared up at the building, trying to slow his breathing and figure out his next move. Once again asking himself what Race would do. Searching for his patient nature over his impulsive one. He was scared and having more trouble shaking it than an hour ago.

'I can't lose you,' he thought with determination. 'Who could save me if I lost you?'

Jonny rose and walked towards the front entrance with confidence. Like he belonged. There were no cameras that he saw. He decided that Race would have likely entered the same way and hoped that he left the door open. This would be much faster if he could just retrace Race's steps. His eyes caught sight of the security booth as he approached. He tried the door as he walked by and actually smiled when he found it to be open. The monitors were on, but nothing on them caught his attention and he did not want to wait until something did.

In the quiet of the small booth, he closed his eyes and counted to three.

'Don't hesitate. Do whatever is necessary to get her back. Anything.'

He grabbed his gun and then pushed forward through the next door. He was in the lobby. He scanned the room wildly until his eyes landed on a laminated map of the facility up on the wall. He studied it closely and decided he would start from the ground up, remembering that there was a reason they could not pick up the signal from her earrings earlier. Now he needed to find the stairs.

He walked straight through the next set of doors too, which led to an office space. It was lined with cubicles as far as his eye could see. Besides that, what caught Jonny's attention the most was the quiet. It was eerily quiet and he found it unnerving. He reached into his pocket and stared at the phone. Convinced that even on vibrate it would sound like a fire truck. He debated. If it rang, that should mean he had her. It should be safe to leave it on, but Jonny was too afraid to take the chance.

XXX

"How did you find me?" she wanted to know. She had not opened her eyes yet, but Race thought her coloring looked better the longer she stood.

'Jonny,' Race thought. 'I need to call him.' He pulled one of his arms away from her slowly and waited to make sure she would be okay with only the other for support. She was.

"Jonny," Race answered her. She opened her eyes. Determined. He had seen that look many times. "The boy was relentless to say the least, Jess. I think he might like you. Do we need to have a talk?"

Jessie smiled and Race reached for his phone.

"You're not funny," she said dryly.

"I'm funny on occasion," he brought the phone to his ear.

'The person you are calling is not…'

Race played it cool and hit redial. He did not want to worry her, but could feel her studying him.

'The person you are calling is not…' he hung up and clenched his jaw. He smiled at her. "He was working on another lead with Benton when I left. He's probably too focused to hear his phone."

"You're lying to me," she accused. That really woke her up.

"Jess…"

"Give me the phone," she grabbed for it, but he held it out of her reach. "Dad, you're scaring me. Just let me call him."

Race handed her the phone. He did not want to fight her. "He won't answer, Jess. He's helping…"

"Bullshit," she whispered. "That makes no sense. I'm not on enough drugs to fall for that. He wouldn't stay behind. He wouldn't. He would be here if he could. I know he'd be here. So why isn't he? What's wrong?" she panicked.

"Jade?" Race called her over. Jessie looked from her father to Jade. Confused. She hit redial twice and then threw the phone at Clay in frustration when Jonny did not answer.

Race spoke to Jade in hushed tones. "I need you to go get Jonny?"

"No," Jessie demanded. "I don't trust her. I want you to go. Where is he?"

"Jess?" Race sighed.

"What?" She was pissed.

Race ran a hand over his face. "If it isn't one it's the other." He turned his full attention back to Jade. "146 Everwood Drive. Clay owns that property too. Can you go get him? Meet us at the hospital?"

"Of course," Jade agreed. She looked over at Brenda and Keri. Race followed her gaze. They appeared to be fine for the moment. Comforting each other. "I'm gonna let them know and then I'll head out."

"You let him go alone?" Jessie asked in disbelief. "You have two people with you…"

"Jade and I were late to the party," Temple jumped in. Uninvited. He felt the need to defend Race. "And 'let him go alone' isn't fair. That kid was on a goddamn self-sanctioned mission. No one was stopping him. He's growing on me, but I think your boyfriend is an unreasonable fucking lunatic."

Jessie leaned into Race again and closed her eyes. He held her tight and rubbed her back. "I'm sorry," she mumbled into his chest. "I know how he is."

"He's fine," Race promised. "So are you."

Race was just starting to enjoy the embrace when Clay grunted and Jessie jumped at the sound.

Race looked at Temple. "I need you to get him out of my sight before I kill him with my bare hands," Race admitted.

Temple approached and Race did not like how that caused Jessie to burrow closer into him. "Let's talk in private."

"You can speak freely," Race assured.

Temple hesitated, looking at Jessie. "I'm sorry brother…I can't move him alone. I dressed his wound, but he's still bleeding badly. If I drag him outta here, it'll look just like that. We need it to look like he left on his own…assuming we are on the same page with where he's going?"

"We are," Race acknowledged.

Jessie stepped back before Race could say anything else. She looked at him. "Do what you have to. I'm gonna help them."

"I'd feel better if you sat down, Jess."

"I can't," she pushed by him unsteadily, but did not fall.

"She's just like you," Temple commented.

"You don't know the half of it," Race huffed. "Let's get this over with."

Temple threw his bag over his shoulder and then grabbed Clay by the arms. Race retrieved his phone and then took the legs.

XXX

Jade was in a full sprint for the front door as soon as she hit the ground floor.

"Jade," she suddenly heard and pivoted. A whispered voice at her back. Jonny came out of the shadows and she smiled in relief.

"Jonny…I was on my way to get you. Race tried calling…"

"Where is she?" he interrupted.

"She's asking for you." Jade pointed ahead. "One flight down."

"Thanks," Jonny called back absentmindedly as he ran.

Jade took off after him.

XXX

Jessie watched them leave with Clay. She was curious what they would do with him, but did not care enough to ask. She knew her dad would handle it. She felt…unsettled. Like she wanted to cry or scream or both, but could not.

Brenda and Keri were hugging and crying when she approached. "Are you guys alright?" They did not say anything, but they did pull her into their embrace.

"What's going on?" Keri asked after a moment. "Shouldn't we call the police? Get to a hospital now? That Jade woman just kept telling me to be patient."

Jessie looked at Keri and Brenda in turn. Keri looked totally lucid, but Brenda was out of it. "My dad will handle it," Jessie promised. "I'm sure he's already called I-One and the FBI to bypass local red tape. That way we won't have to talk to as many people. Get home sooner. They're moving Clay so we don't have to look at him while we wait for an ambulance."

"Did they call for any ambulance?" Keri challenged.

"I'm sure they did," Jessie soothed. "Or they'll take us when they get back. I guarantee my dad has done the math. He'll do whatever gets us there fastest."

"Your dad almost killed him," Keri whispered in a far off voice. "I saw it."

"Only because that animal almost killed us," Jessie defended.

XXX

Jonny rushed into the room and then froze. Like he suddenly hit a wall. It did not feel real. He was staring at the back of her head as she held an embrace with Brenda and Keri. He tried to find his voice a few times before anything came out. He could not quell the silent tears that streamed down his face.

"Jessie? Baby?"

She spun around quickly and they stared at each other in disbelief. It felt like slow motion, but she rushed him. It reminded him of that moment, a few days ago, at the hotel. When she dropped her bag and ran toward him with a big smile on her face. That had felt like slow motion too. He remembered how good that felt after not seeing her for over three months.

This was better.

He took two big steps forward and then she was in his arms again. Finally. His entire body sagged in relief and he sank to the ground, taking her with him. Saying, "I love you. I love you. I love you," as they went. She wrapped her arms and legs around him. She had him in a vice grip. Like she was afraid he was not real or planning to let go. He was not planning to let go ever again.

XXX

Phil opened his eyes with a start and lifted his head. Bad idea. His head was pounding and his ears were ringing. He put his head back down with a grunt. With his eyes closed, he started to mentally assess if anything hurt. Besides his head, he was having trouble taking a deep breath. He cracked an eye and saw that about a hundred and ten pounds of dead weight was the cause. Other than that, he felt fine.

"Max," he croaked. "Max?" He lifted his hand, pushing the hair from her face and checking for a pulse. "Thank God," he muttered, closing his eyes again and trying to get his bearings. He did not open them again until he felt her stirring against him. He forced himself to, knowing that he should not fall asleep.

She lifted her head from his chest and looked at him. Confused and sleepy. 'She's beautiful,' he suddenly found himself thinking. He thought she looked like Kate Hudson, but with dark hair. She had the bluest eyes he had ever seen. There was something about blue eyes and dark hair that always caught his attention.

"Am I dead?" she moaned.

"No," he sighed. "Being dead doesn't hurt this much."

"Ha," she rolled off him and he groaned in pain. "Sorry sir."

"It's fine. That's the most action I've gotten in a while," he blurted out and then cringed. "Ignore me. I think I have a concussion."

"Yes sir," she smirked.

XXX

Temple and Race carried Clay to the loading dock at the back of the building. There were several empty pallets scattered about and three large metal gates that led outside. When opened, they were big enough for semi-trucks to back into for loading. There was a blue painter's tarp in front of the center gate.

"Perfect," Temple grunted, dropping him on the tarp. "Heavy fucker."

Temple moved off the tarp, but Race stayed. He stood over Clay with a look of distain and anger.

"Racer?"

"It would be so easy to just slit his throat right now?" Race said fiercely.

"So do it."

"No," Race looked at him. "It's not enough. Make the call. I'll be back."

Temple jumped up and sat on a pile of pallets. He readied his gun and then looked down at Clay. He almost felt bad for the unconscious psycho, but quickly changed his mind. "You ruined my vacation, asshole. I've never seen Race like this…man are you in for it. You picked the wrong cub, limp dick. That bear is going to tear you apart real slow. Fuck…I'm hungry."

XXX

Race looked at his phone anxiously when it rang.

"Phil…I'll call you back later." Race answered and hung up just as fast. Next, he tried Jonny again.

'Come on,' he thought as he brought the phone to his ear and headed back towards his daughter.

"Damnit Jonny." He thought about calling Jade, but knew it was too soon. She would not be at the house yet. He stopped short of entering the room when he caught sight of Jade smiling. Then he rushed in and smiled briefly too at the reunion.

'Everyone's safe,' he thought. 'Finally,' rolling his shoulders to alleviate his tight muscles.

He walked slowly until he was standing in front of Jade. She reached up, rubbing his neck and shoulders. He closed his eyes and let her. It felt good. "My hero," she flirted and he just grunted. "I'll come by later and take your mind off everything." He opened his eyes, smiled at her and then touched her face so quickly she almost missed it.

"Thank you," he whispered. It was heartfelt and it made her heart jump.

She smiled back. "If we're keeping score, I don't think you owe me anything. Not even a thank you."

"Isn't that why you don't let me keep score?" he laughed.

"Right…so you can thank me later," she winked, keeping it light. Then she looked at Jonny and Jessie again. "God, were you ever young and in love like that?"

Race glanced at them and then he saw Estella's face. He had to push it from his thoughts. "No," Race cleared his throat. "I think I'd remember that. You?"

"No," Jade scoffed, staring at them wistfully. "Not like that anyway."

"It's time to go," Race announced, turning to catch Jonny's eye.

XXX

Once Jonny got over the initial shock of seeing her, he became hyperaware of her. She was breathing heavily into his neck, but was not crying. She was shaking. Almost violently. She was cold, but this was not that. He held her tighter, hoping it gave her some comfort. There was so much he wanted to say. So much he wanted to ask. He did not know where to start, but he knew this was not the right place.

He moved his hands tentatively over her back. He did not want to startle her. When she barely reacted, he shifted them to her shoulders. He pushed her back gently so he could wrap his hands around her face and lean his forehead against hers. He wanted to see her eyes.

"Tell me what you need?" he begged.

Then she did start to cry and he would never forget the defeated sound she made. He felt it inside his ribcage ripping him apart. It took every last bit a willpower he had not to lose it. "Baby?" he whispered so that only she would hear.

"I knew you'd never give up on me," she rushed. "I wasn't scared," she stumbled. "Because I knew."

"No," he told her. "It's because you're brave."

Then she pulled her left arm over his shoulder and dropped it between them. "My wrist hurts," she deflected lamely. Jonny examined her arm carefully. It was not broken, but she already knew that. He used his thumb and index finger to lightly apply pressure. No reaction. Her wrist was red and irritated. Anger flashed through him when he realized it was rope burn.

"Does that hurt?" he checked. He was trying to catch her eyes, but she kept them downcast.

"Not really," she shrugged.

"I don't think it's sprained," he added softly.

"Okay," she whispered and then her face crumbled. He felt at a loss for words and the right action so he just pulled her close again and relaxed a little when she buried her head in his neck and resumed her vice grip.

It was only then that he looked around the room. They were all staring. Brenda and Keri to his left. Keri was supporting Brenda a little. Race and Jade were to his right. Race stood with his arms crossed tightly over his chest. Jonny looked around the rest of the room, wondering where he was, before turning back to Race. Jonny held Race's gaze for a long moment. More was said between them in that look than either could put into words, including that it was time to leave. Jonny stood, making sure Jessie stayed covered by the t-shirt. The movement did not seem to faze her. She was still glued to him.

"Race, where is he…whoa," he was caught off guard when Jessie suddenly became dead weight. Her head fell to the side and her limbs dropped from around him. He reacted quickly, adjusting until he was carrying her bridal style. "Jess?" he called out anxiously.

Race rushed forward and took her before Jonny knew it. He carried her over to a gurney and laid her down gently. Jonny watched as Race put his thumb on the pulse point at her wrist, closed his eyes and counted. Then he lifted her eyelids in turn.

Jonny came to stand right next to him, grabbing her hand. "Race?"

"She just passed out," Race assured and then looked at Jade. "Can you see if Temple needs help? I'll be right there."

Jade nodded and Race waited until she was out of earshot before speaking again.

"You need to get them to the hospital," Race started. "I'll meet you there. How long will it take you to get there?" Race needed to know how much time he had.

"Ten minutes," Jonny answered after thinking about it.

"Alright," Race nodded and then held out his hand. He also lowered his voice to make sure only Jonny heard what he had to say next. "Give me the burner and the gun." Jonny did. "Anything I need to know about the house?"

"The blue sedan is there. I broke a window to get in. I may have been caught on camera leaving. Just my back though," he admitted. A little ashamed. "I was rushing."

"It's fine," Race promised and then continued spitting orders. "Here's Greg's phone. Call Estella and your father on the way to the hospital. I'll let the authorities know about this place. The police will be called as soon as you arrive. Hopefully, I'll beat them there. Don't say anything until you and I speak again."

"I got it," Jonny confirmed, looking at Jessie. "Is he dead?"

"Not yet," Race said coldly.

"Where is he, Race? I want to see him. I need to be there when…"

"No."

"Race…"

"I said no," Race growled forcefully and then looked down at Jessie. "Your job is to take care of her. Do that."

"I need to be there," Jonny repeated. "Please."

Race sighed. "I promise you don't need that. I know for a fact it won't make you feel better, kid."

"Race…"

"Look at me," Race demanded. "I said no, Jonny." Then Race looked down at Jessie one more time, lovingly touching her face. "What you need to do is take care of her for me. I'll meet you at the hospital. Now go."

Jonny watched Race leave. He felt a pull to follow, but the pull to her was stronger.

He bent down and lifted her into his arms reverently, focusing on the rise and fall of her chest for the span of a few heartbeats. He would say she was sleeping peacefully if he did not know better. Tears gathered in his eyes. Despite it all, he felt momentarily relieved. He did not let them fall. She would be okay again. He would make sure of it. "I missed you," he whispered. "It's confirmed by the way. I'm a fucking mess without you, baby. So you can't ever go away again. You promised me forever, remember?" He waited a moment, hoping for a reaction. "It's okay," he smiled. "I'll wait. Let's go home."

XXX

Race stalked toward Temple, Jade and Clay. A man on a mission. Temple had opened the center gate and the wind blowing in felt good.

"All clear out there?" Race asked and Temple confirmed with a nod.

Clay was alert. Up on one knee and making a lot of noise beneath his gag like he was trying to communicate something. Race walked over to him as if he was going to release the gag and then curled his hand into a fist and hit Clay hard instead. "Shut the fuck up you piece of shit."

"What do you need us to do?" Jade interrupted before Race hit him again.

Race took a moment to collect himself. "Thank you both…for everything," he then started. They only nodded. He knew they did not need thanks, but he had to say it. Race looked at Jade. "Temple and I will take care of him," he said vaguely. "Can you head over to the house Jonny was at? He broke a window and thinks he may have been caught on camera leaving. Make sure that he wasn't? I'm fine if it seems like he was snooping around, but I don't want there to be any evidence that he was in the house."

"I'd need a professional cleaning crew to ensure that," she qualified. She did not want to fail him.

"I know," Race's head dropped between his shoulders. "Focus on the obvious. Doors, railings…he's impulsive, but not stupid. I doubt he was touching much. Besides, he should have had both hands on the gun most of the time. That's what I taught him to do."

"I'll take care of it," she promised and then tossed Race her keys. "No one is looking for this car. Safer," she pointed out. "I can find my own way over there. I'll catch up with you later."

Race waited until she was gone and looked at Temple. "Are we on?"

"Yes," Temple smiled. "Give me the keys. I'll pull the car around." He left through the open gate and started to run.

Finally, Race turned to Clay who was just making his way back up onto his uninjured knee.

"Alone at last," Race grinned. "Here, let me get that for you," he pulled the gag away.

"I'm not afraid of you," Clay announced.

"Yet," Race threatened.

"I won't scream or yell," Clay shrugged. "Do what you will."

Race shrugged noncommittally. "No one would hear you if you did. Isn't that why you chose this place?"

"Fuck you," Clay spat. "I already fucked your daughter," he laughed.

Race joined in the laughter. Then he lifted his leg and smashed his boot into Clay's nose. Clay's head snapped back and he fell to the ground with a painful thud. Race watched as he struggled to get back upright. He waited and watched. Seeing Clay struggle with something so basic was satisfying. Seeing the blood stream down his face was satisfying. Watching him breath heavily in pain was satisfying. Race rested his hands on his knees and leaned down until he was eye level with Clay.

"I think it's funny too, Clay. I honestly do. I used to laugh at guys like you all the time," he hissed. "Can't get a pretty girl to give you the time of day. Why should she? You're pathetic and inadequate."

"I think I left an impression on sweet Jessie," Clay shot back.

Race slugged him in the mouth. "Don't say her name," he growled.

Clay spit blood. "She smells like strawberries."

"It's interesting that you think antagonizing me is the way to go," Race fumed. Race wanted to hit him again, but he could not risk tearing up his hands. Bartlett would look for any excuse to haul him in.

"She tastes like strawberries too," Clay taunted. "I bet Jonny enjoys that. From what I saw, he enjoys her a lot."

Race slammed his foot into Clay's face again. "Yeah…I saw the pictures you sick fuck. Remind me again how you're NOT pathetic?"

This time, Clay stayed down longer.

Race waited, but Temple showed up again by the time he was upright.

"Having fun without me," Temple quipped, looking Clay up and down.

"Your ride's here," Race told him. A little disappointed.

"I look forward to continuing our conversation," Clay told him.

"You won't want to do much talking the next time we see each other," Race warned.

"I doubt that highly," Clay laughed. "I'll enjoy telling my story to the world. People will want to know. Want to understand me because I scare them. I think I'll especially enjoy discussing my time with Jessie. Maybe I'll even try to write to her."

Race grabbed Temple's knapsack and then wrenched Clay to his feet roughly, guiding him outside. Clay limped out willingly for which Race was grateful. The fucker was heavy.

Temple ran up ahead and popped the trunk open. "Your chariot awaits, asshole."

Clay started to fight when he realized what was happening. "You can't do this. I know my rights."

With help from Temple, Race forced him to the ground and then replaced the gag. Race reached into Temple's bag and cut more rope to hogtie Clay like the animal that he was. They stuffed him into the trunk, face up, and he barely fit.

Race reached into the bag again and pulled out a syringe. He held it up and waited until Clay looked at him. "I don't know what's in here, but it'll make it so you can't even fight, right?" Race found a vein in his neck and injected. "I'll tell you a story while you drift off, Clay. You're not going to prison. You're actually going somewhere that can't be found on a map. Very few people know it exists. I've met a lot of interesting people while serving my country. Seen a lot of awful shit. That does something to a man. Most of us only stay operational for a few years before it becomes too much to handle day in and day out. Those of us that are really lucky…have something to come back to that gives us purpose. A little kid that needs you more than you need to feel sorry for yourself is a strong fucking motivator I found. I'm one of the lucky ones," he sneered. "Then there's the rest. Skilled and dangerous men, who are angry at the world and have nothing to lose. The ones the government calls when they need complete deniability. Men who owe me favors. You don't have rights any longer, Clay. Your life was over the moment you touched my little girl. The only question now is when it ends. My friends will call me when it's time," Race pushed off the trunk and reached into the knapsack for another syringe. Clay's eyes were clouded, but still open. He injected that one too. Just in case and then handed the bag to Temple.

Hand on the trunk, Race took one more look at Clay. Satisfied that he would suffer much worse before it was all over. "The next time we see each other you're gonna beg me to kill you." Then he slammed it shut.