Title: Boundaries
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: see part one
Chris and Merri had almost made it to the edge of the woods when an engine roared to life. They both recognized the distinct sound of a dirt bike and Chris cursed. Klain was playing smart. Their assassin was well paid and knew his or her job.
"What now?"Merri asked as they stopped by a large tree.
"Stay behind me."Chris ordered grimly as he raised his weapon and eased back the safety.
Merri shook her head and took up position by a neighboring tree raising her own weapon. Chris began to protest but Merri cut him off.
"Partners, remember?"Merri asked with a grim smile.
Chris nodded tightly and they waited for the dirt bike to come into view.
To an outsider it looked like an army had descended on the outskirts of a neighborhood that bordered the west edge of New Orleans. Helicopters, NOPD SWAT vehicles, police cars, and military police cars all converged on one spot. Neighbors who came out to watch were quickly escorted back to safety by NOPD.
Dwayne had already briefed the NCIS agents from Baton Rouge and Biloxi and they were now gathered behind him as they reached the safe house. Sebastian and Patton were back at the office. They fanned out half going in the front and half going around back. Dwayne nodded to one of the Biloxi agents and the younger man kicked in the door.
Sebastian and Patton watched the scene unfold at Chris and Merri's safe house via live video feed from one of the visiting agents shirt cams. Sebastian found himself gripping the edge of Chris's desk as he stood behind it watching the flat screen monitor that was suspended from the ceiling.
"Got our guy."Patton exclaimed triumphantly as his fingers flew across his keyboard. "Pride was right one of Mokus's gun running associates was in touch with Klain. Klain thought he was being sneaky but nothing gets by Double P."
"Who is it?"Sebastian asked.
Patton hit a few keys and split the screen of the monitor. On one side he kept the live feed on the other appeared a mug shot of a white man in his mid thirties with blond hair and a beard. There was also an ugly scar near the bottom of the man's neck.
"Damon Wise age thirty two served time for long list of robberies, assaults, money laundering etc."Patton explained. "Did a couple jobs with Mokus back in the day. There was also a Ben Melton who was tight with Wise and Mokus sending the info to Pride."
Sebastian nodded his gaze still fixed on the live feed. Everyone was in the house now and Sebastian saw no sign of Merri and Chris.
"They're not there."Sebastian said moving around the desk. "Chris and Merri they're not there."
"Not necessarily a bad thing."Patton replied re-assuredly. "Both are smart and kick ass agents."
Sebastian didn't reply but glanced from the image of the hit man to the live feed and back again. The man Klain hired looked like he was built like a tank and would be just as hard to stop. Sebastian began a mental list. A list of things he would need to buy for the celebration the team would have when this was over. It was the only thing keeping him sane so Sebastian concentrated on the positive and his list.
Dwayne listened to the reports come in over the radio as he stood in the living room of the safe house. The place was empty and from what they could tell from the supplies taken Chris and Merri had left voluntarily. That eased the knot in Dwayne's stomach a little. Still the fact that they were on the run with no way to communicate didn't help the burden.
"Sir."One of the Baton Rouge agents said as she came in. "One of the neighbors said they saw an unfamiliar dirt bike in the area."
As if on cue Dwayne's radio chirped and the helicopter pilot reported movement in the woods in back of the house and a person on a dirt bike entering the woods.
"That's our guy. Let's move."Pride ordered as everyone exited the house.
The first bullets bit bark off the trees. Merri ducked and then fired back. She heard Chris do the same. It was then she heard another dirt bike and she moved in that direction.
"Merri?"Chris shouted.
"Another bike."Merri replied.
When gunfire came from the direction of the second bike. Chris joined Merri and fired at the biker.
"Trying to pin us."Merri surmised as she reloaded.
"Not gonna work."Chris replied with a smile. "You hear that?"
For a moment Merri couldn't hear anything but the gunfire and dirt bike engines. Then she heard it a chopper.
"Cavalry's comin'."Chris stated.
Merri smiled as relief washed over her. She returned fire as the dirt bikes continued to circle. They were good dodging and picking up speed enough so she and Chris wouldn't have a decent shot at their tires. But Merri knew Chris was right things were about to turn in their favor.