*I must give a special thanks to a few people: firstly, my husband for being my sounding board, and ever patient kick in the pants when I throw my hands up in disgust. Secondly, I must also credit .com for the pictures on her site, which inspired the place where Larry kept Cassidy.

Chapter Nine:

Karma

Michael hung up the phone, feeling uncertain. He didn't like involving others in his problems, but to save his daughter he was willing to pull out all the stops.

"Mike, are you certain you want to do this? This is big stuff we're talking about." Sam asked his friend. The three sat in Fiona's sparse living room, drinking beers and planning their move for tomorrow.

"I know Sam, but what choice do I have. The only thing Larry fears is getting caught, and I can't call in the police; he'd spot them coming and we'd all be screwed." Mike took a sip of his beer and closed his eyes, leaning his head against the back of Fiona's couch.

"Michael, are you sure this will work?" Fiona asked him.

Michael opened his eyes and looked at the worried look on Fiona's face. "No, but it's the best option we've got. I checked the spot where Cassidy's GPS showed her when I checked; there's one access road that hasn't been paved in years, and where they are is an abandoned building with way too many vantage points. There's no way to sneak up on them without Larry seeing us and killing Cassidy."

"Larry really did his homework on this one." Sam added, finishing his beer.

"So what do we do tomorrow?" Fiona asked.

"The people I called will get me a suitable fake of the information, and once Larry takes possession of it and checks it, they'll have him. There will be no escaping for Larry this time."

"Do you think he'll bring Cassidy unharmed?" Sam asked hesitantly.

Michael nodded. "She's too valuable. He knows that if he kills her he'll have nothing to bargain with."

Fiona shook her head. "I hate this. We'll have to make sure the meeting is in a public enough place where he can't double cross you and kill her just for sport."

"But it can't be too public, or he'll never go for it." Michael replied. "I was thinking The Carlito at 10 am. It's not crowded in the morning, but it's public enough that he'll have to think before firing."

Sam got up with a grunt and got another beer. "Mike, I really hope this brilliant plan of yours works. But if it doesn't, I fully intend on letting Fi load his car with C4 while he's distracted and blowing it sky-high."

Fiona smiled at Sam. "I like that idea."

Michael stood and stretched. "I just want to get Cassie safe. If our reinforcements let us down, then I'll have no problems letting either of you take him out."

Sam took a deep swing of his beer. "Where are we meeting before the handoff?"

"Here." Said Michael. "I don't want my mom involved in this- she's worried enough as it is."

"I'll get my guns ready." Said Fiona.

"Fi… with the people that are coming, I don't think it's the best idea to have you toting around weapons. I need you in a car ready to get Cassidy out of there in case things get hairy."

"Why me, Michael? Why not Sam?"

"Because Sam is an ex-Navy SEAL and they won't really care that he's armed with a registered handgun. But you- you're an ex IRA activist who used to blow up banks!" Michael's face softened and he squatted down in front of Fiona's chair. "Fi, please do this for me. I can't keep Cassidy there if it gets dangerous."

Fiona sighed. "Fine… I'm a better get away driver than Sam anyways."

Michael smiled. "Thanks, Fi."

"But you owe me dinner for this, Michael!"

Michael sobered. "Fi, get my kid out of danger, and I'll owe you more than dinner."

After Michael had set the meet time with Larry, Sam left Fiona's apartment, claiming that he had a date with his most current "lady-friend" around six o'clock, leaving Michael and Fiona alone. They ran through the plan several times, and the only thing left was to set up early the next morning and pray that it all went as planned. Michael made dinner for the two of them, and they ate quietly, Michael picking at his food more than eating it.

After the dishes were done and the dishwasher loaded with their dirty plates and silverware, there was an awkward silence. Being alone with Fiona was complicated for Michael; he didn't want the feelings he had for her mingled with the stress and anxiety he felt over Cassidy's abduction to create a scenario they would both regret later. "I should get going…I need to get some sleep for tomorrow." He said finally.

"Yes, I should too." Fiona agreed.

"I'll see you tomorrow then." Michael reached for his jacket as Fiona went to hand it to him, and they both jumped when their hands met. Cautiously, Fiona reached out and began to trail her fingers over the back of Michael's hand. Michael held his breath, unwilling to make her stop. Quickly he grabbed her hand and pulled her close, crushing her to him and wrapping his arms around her. He ducked his head to kiss her neck, savoring the gasp of pleasure that escaped her lips. Pulling back, he whispered, "I don't want to go."

Fiona kissed him sweetly before responding: "Then don't." Taking his hand she pulled him into her bedroom.

When they lay exhausted in each other's arms later, sweating and stated, Michael chuckled softly.

"What is it?" asked Fiona, picking up her head to look at him.

"I was just thinking about the last time we were in this position. Cassidy heard us."

Fiona giggled and curled back into his embrace. "We'll have to make sure she doesn't have to go through that again."

"I made an offer on a house Saturday, before Cassidy got taken." Michael said suddenly.

Fiona propped herself up. "You know this means that you're settling down, right?"

Michael sighed. "Yeah, I know. I want Cassidy to feel stable. I want to spend what time I have left with her before she's too grown up." Michael looked at Fiona. "I was going to give her the master bedroom; it has it's own bathroom."

"That's sweet Michael."

"Fi, there are three bedrooms in the house. I know it sounds crazy, but I want you to come."

"Live with you? Michael you can't be serious. It's a lovely thought, but-"

"Please, Fi. Cassidy loves you, and you know there's no way I can raise a teenage girl on my own. You'd have your own room- I'll make the closet bigger if you need it!"

"And what else?" Fiona asked intently.

"What do you mean?"

"Michael, it's sweet that you want me to come, but you needing help raising a girl isn't exactly the most flattering of reasons. I don't want to be just your nanny or babysitter."

"Fi, you know that's not the only reason."

"Do I?" Fiona sat up and looked at Michael seriously. "Michael, when a woman moves in with someone she's dated or slept with, it usually means something. Say I move in- what then? What happens when Cassidy moves away to college and we're all alone? Or we can't stand living together and I leave- what would that do to Cassie?"

Michael sat up and ruffled his hair. "I hadn't thought of that, Fi. I'm sorry."

Fiona sighed and rubbed her face. "Why don't we try dating first Michael, at least for a few months? If it works well, then we can think about my moving in."

He smiled. "Deal." Reaching over and grabbing her hand, he pulled her to him once more.

Smiling wickedly, Fiona let him.

When Sam arrived, Michael and Fiona sat eating breakfast at her table. "You're early there buddy. Did you get any sleep?"

Michael smiled. "Some. I was up for a while though." Michael's phone rang and he opened it. "Hello?"

"Mr. Westen?" a female voice asked over the line.

"Speaking."

"This is Mary Williams, the real estate agent for Bill Anderson."

"Good morning Ms. Williams, what can I do for you?"

"I was just calling to let you know that your credit check came back and that you were approved. If your offer still stands on the house, Mr. Anderson is willing to accept."

Michael smiled. "That's great. My offer is still definitely on the table."

"If you could come to my office within the next few days, we can get the paperwork done. Congratulations Mr. Westen."

Michael thanked her and took down her address. "I'll be there tomorrow."

"See you soon, Mr. Westen."

Michael hung up the phone and Sam looked at him curiously. "What was that all about, Mike?"

"I got the house."

"Congrats, buddy!" Sam said heartily.

"Cassidy will be very excited." Said Fiona.

Michael nodded. "Let's go get her. I don't want to be late."

Michael parked in front of The Carlito at 9:39 am and stood by the hood of his car, waiting. Parked behind him, Fiona's shiny new car was still running, ready to go if she needed to get Cassidy and run. Sam was already at a table out of the way, a gun at the small of his back. A waiter came up to Michael, smiling. He handed Michael a menu and said, "Good morning, sir. The specials for today are inside. If you have any questions, I'll be tending bar."

"Thanks." Michael took the menu and felt the small bulge inside of it. Opening it, he took the flash drive and palmed it before snapping the menu closed. "I think I'm all set for right now, but I'll let you know if I need anything."

"Very good, sir." The waiter walked away calmly.

Michael stood in the sun for 15 minutes before a white sedan pulled in front of the restaurant and Larry got out, pulling Cassidy out from the rear.

"Good morning, Michael. As you can see, you're little girl is safe and sound like I promised. Where's my thumb drive?"

Michael held up the drive. "Right here. Send Cassidy over and I'll give it to you."

Larry shook his head. "No I don't think so, Michael. You are not tricking me again. Give me the drive first."

Michael frowned. "I'm going to put the flash drive on the ground. Send Cassidy over and we'll drive away. Then it's all yours."

Larry smiled. "Nice try, Michael. You really think I'll let you just drive away and not know it's the real thing? No. Cassidy is staying right here until I test it." Larry pulled a small laptop from the back seat and opened it on the trunk. "The drive, Michael."

Michael put the drive in his outstretched hand. Cassidy shifted nervously as Larry plugged the thumb drive in and waited for it to load. Michael caught her eye and casually rolled his eyes back, directing her gaze to Fiona's waiting car. When he was sure she understood, he nodded once. Cassidy took off running. Larry wheeled and reached for his gun, Michael stopping him by pointing at the screen. "Look, Larry."

The correct looking information popped up on the screen, and Larry smiled. "Good boy, Michael." He closed the laptop and tossed it into the backseat of his car, closing it securely. "Tell Cassidy I said goodbye."

Michael smiled. "Bye, Larry."

A group of men got up from a table inside the restaurant and headed out. Talking amongst themselves. When they were almost to the car, the group opened and James Teagan stepped out, holding a gun. The rest of the men quickly drew their own side arms and pointed them at Larry. From across the street, men who had been pretending to wait for a bus or running a hot dog cart ran over, their weapons drawn. James smiled at the stunned Larry. "Larry Sizemore. I heard a rumor you had come back from the dead- I'm glad to see it's true."

Larry looked at Michael, confused. "Who the hell is this, Michael?"

"Larry, I'd like to introduce you to Inspector General James Teagan of the CIA."

The blood drained from Larry's face. "How did you-"

Michael smiled. "Larry, you really need to keep up on the news: I'm not burned anymore. Actually, I'm a case officer now, which means that you kidnapped the daughter of a federal agent, among various other charges."

Teagan's men slammed Larry face first into the trunk of his car, patting him down before cuffing him. James stopped smiling and stared hard at Larry. "Agent Sizemore, we have a lot to talk about." Looking at his men, he jerked his head. "Throw him in the car."

Then men dragged Larry away. "You'll regret this Michael! You think this can stop me?"

"10 armed federal agents? Yeah I think so. Have a nice trip, Larry!"

James Teagan smiled at Michael. "Larry Sizemore, a.k.a. Larry Garber, will never see the outside of a prison, I can promise you that."

"Thank you, sir."

Teagan smiled. "Call me James." Turning to go, he paused. "Don't forget to sign that paperwork, Michael."

Michael nodded. "You got it."

The armed caravan drove away, Michael watching intently. When they were out of sight, Cassidy got out of Fiona's car and ran to her father. "Dad!" she yelled.

Michael caught her up and hugged her tight. "Hey chickadee. You okay?"

Cassidy shook her head yes. "I smell. And I'm hungry. But otherwise I'm okay. What's going to happen to that guy?"

"He's going to end up in a very deep, very dark hole." Michael replied.

"Good. He deserves it." Cassidy replied. "Can we go home now?"

Michael smiled at his daughter. "Yes. But after that, we're getting something for you to eat. Anything you want."

Cassidy smiled at him. "I want Chinese food. And ice cream."

Michael laughed. "You got it, Cassie."

"Is Fi coming too?" She asked.

"Well, I do owe her dinner…" he said.

"Good! I can shower at her place. She has this killer dress I want to borrow!"

Michael threw his head back and laughed. "Nothing phases you much, does it?"

"I'm a Westen, aren't I?" she replied.

'It's amazing how resilient she is.' Thought Michael as he watched his daughter pile her plate high at the buffet. Fiona stood next to her, laughing at something Cassidy had said.

When they sat and ate, Michael watched Cassidy eat mechanically, shoving food in her mouth. "You sure you're okay?"

Cassidy looked up at her father. "I guess so. That guy was nuts, but he wasn't mean to me. He actually seemed to like me, for all that I kicked him in the face and threw a rock at his head."

Fiona snorted. "You what?"

Cassidy looked at her innocently. "What? I was trying to get away!"

Michael shook his head. "You're lucky he didn't shoot you."

"He was tempted I'll bet. I wasn't going to go with him all docile you know!"

Michael chuckled. 'That's my girl.' He thought to himself proudly.

Cassidy finished her food and got up for seconds, leaving the adults at the table. "She bounces back so fast." Michael said, watching her.

Fiona smiled. "Like father, like daughter."

Madeline nearly squeezed Cassidy to death hugging her when they cam back, weeping with relief so much that neither father nor daughter had the heart to mention Cassidy's discomfort. When she finally let go, Madeline glared at her son. "I cannot believe you didn't come here first! I was worried sick about her!"

"I called you to let you know she was fine!" Michael exclaimed.

"It's not the same, Michael."

Cassidy hugged her grandmother, extinguishing her rage. "I'm fine Grandma Maddie."

Madeline smiled at her. "Oh honey, you look exhausted. You should go get some sleep after the ordeal you've had."

Cassidy nodded. "Yeah, sleeping in that chair killed my neck! A nap in my own bed sound perfect."

Michael shifted. "Mom, I think I'm going to head out for a little bit; I have a few errands to run. I'll be back for dinner."

Madeline frowned at her son. "All right, Michael. I'll see you soon. What does Cassidy want for dinner?"

"I'll pick it up on my way back. Don't worry about it. Gotta run."