So funny story is that this chapter is actually still being written. I just couldn't find a good breaking point so I made myself do it. What you're looking at it thirteen pages of something that is currently twenty five pages long and still growing thought that'll be done soon. So this is a stand alone chapter that will be followed very quickly, hopefully, by a second stand alone chapter even though they are technically one. Complicated? Yes I know but what can I say I'm a crazy girl!

Enjoy it and please forgive the crappy editing….my heart just wasn't in it. I've got a feeling its pretty bad and if it is I'll edit it again, more thoroughly and then repost it. So yeah, let me know what you think. Lots of love, I'm falling asleep cause its one am where I am and I wanted to go to bed hours ago.

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Kimiko had no idea how long they were in the van. She was lost in her thoughts and the feel of being pressed against Raimundo. She did know that is was a fairly long time, at least an hour, maybe more before the van finally came to a stop. Glancing up at Rai she saw his face set with hard and grim lines. There was more that Kimiko couldn't put into words, an expression she hadn't seen on Raimundo's face before.

"Get behind me," Raimundo said and though both weren't really sure what it could accomplish Kimiko quickly and silently complied. The van doors were pulled open suddenly and Kimiko blinked into a harsh light. Night had completely fallen making the unnatural light all the worse. Kimiko could make out some sort of motion and suddenly Raimundo made an 'umph' noise and was pulled away from her.

"Rai!" Kimiko called after and was also grabbed from the van. "Let me go!" Kimiko screamed and slammed the heel of her sneaker, thinking stilettos would have been more effective, down hard on the heel of the foot of the man who'd grabbed her. She then brought her other foot up and connected with the man's groin, completely breaking his hold and immediately swung out and landed a kick on another man coming at her in response to her escape, no matter how small it was. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Raimundo fighting as well and fought a premature smile, thinking that they could still get out of this yet. Raimundo, meanwhile, was fuming at Kimiko's disregard for her own safety, and frankly, her stupidity. But he decided he couldn't risk not helping and so he fought back as well, he'd just elbowed some guy in the face when the first gun shot went off. Spinning fast Rai located Kimiko a few feet away instinctively ducking but she didn't seem to have been hit. Rai was so preoccupied with finding Kimiko that he wasn't aware of the attack from behind until the butt of a gun slammed into his temple.

"Raimundo!" Kimiko screamed as she watched Rai fall to his knees and obviously struggle with consciousness. In what seemed to be slow motion Kimiko tried to get to where Rai was kneeling prone and watched as one of the two men from earlier, Vlad she thought, kicked a booted foot between Rai's shoulder blades and sent him sprawling on the ground. Kimiko too suddenly went flying skidding to a stop near Raimundo but unlike Raimundo who was still trying to right himself Kimiko was able to immediately sit up and found herself staring straight at the point of a sword. That was one of the last things she'd been expecting and was too shocked to react for what felt like a long time. By the time she regained a fully functioning mind everyone had recovered and Rai was sitting next to her, obviously in pain but glaring all the same.

"You should learn to keep your bitch in check Raimundo," Tubbimura, the owner of the sword still pointed at Kimiko, mocked. Before Rai had a chance to react Kimiko stood suddenly, literally shaking with anger.

"Excuse me!" Kimiko shouted not caring that a sword was still pointed at her heart. "What did you just say? Where do you get off calling me a bitch? And his bitch? How derogatory and full of chauvinist crap can you be? First of all I am not 'his' in anyway shape or form; I don't know what is it with stupid guys thinking that's an ok concept. Secondly even if I was with him there is no way in hell that anyone in their right mind would ever think it was a good idea to call me, or any woman for that matter, a bitch!" As soon as Kimiko's rant was over there was silence. She was the only woman in the group and every male eye was trained on her in a mix of awe, shock, and in many cases some sort of desire. If he'd been able to Raimundo would have punched in the face of every man there for looking at her like that and then he would have shaken Kimiko for being so stupid and unaware.

"If you're just going to stand there like the idiot I know you are can you please untie me and let me go on my way?" Kimiko went on when no one responded quickly enough for her liking. Tubbimura let out a laugh at that and soon everyone else was as well and Kimiko was glaring daggers. She opened her mouth to snap again but two men moved quickly to her side and shoved her back down to the ground. Raimundo

"Make sure those two are secure," Tubbimura finally spoke as he slid his sword back into it scabbard and Kimiko wonder how she'd never noticed it before, "we will return shortly." He nodded at Vlad who nodded back and the two climbed into a new car, both with a little difficulty due to their size and drove off leaving Kimiko and Raimundo with the pack of unfamiliar thugs. Instinctively Kimiko pressed closer to Raimundo as the group moved in on them and she suddenly became aware of their surroundings. They must have been taken out of Manhattan, if Kimiko had to guess she'd probably have to say maybe the Bronx since they weren't as in such an urban setting. The empty lot they'd been dumped in was protected on three sides by what appeared to be abandoned warehouses and the fourth faced toward docks further down the way. In other words they were isolated and well hidden.

A man stepped forward, grabbed her upper arm and hauled Kimiko to feet and for a sickening and painful moment she thought her shoulder was about to disconnect. She must have cried out because she heard Raimundo yell at the man. Kimiko go her senses back and planted her feet firmly on the ground.

"Let me go right now or I'm going to start screaming so loud I'll wake the dead," Kimiko warned.

"Go ahead," the man who held her smiled at her, showing off a snaggle tooth as the smell of alcohol rolled off his breath into Kimiko's face. "There are a couple beneath you right now. I'm sure they'd love to hear pretty voice like yours." Kimiko blanched from the smell, the suggestiveness of his tone, and the fact that he probably wasn't lying.

"Let us go right now," Kimiko tried again trying to remain confident and unshaken, "and I won't report any of this."

"The hell you won't," the man said giving her a little shake, "you're in our hands now. And at our mercy."

"I swear to God," Raimundo started to say, his voice was hard, harsh, and bitter, but was cut off.

"You've got no leeway here Agent Pedrosa," the man holding Kimiko who appeared to be the leader to Raimundo. "Oh yes, we know exactly who you two are. Now both of you need to shut up. Lets go," he said to the men and Kimiko and Raimundo started to struggle. "Both of you better knock it off," the head man warned, "or something might have to happen to that little sister of yours Pedrosa." The threat froze Kimiko and Raimundo. Glancing at him Kimiko saw that Raimundo looked murderous but allowed himself to be pulled inside to one of the warehouses and Kimiko followed suit. When they were inside someone hit the lights and weak bulbs illuminated the room with shadows.

"What have you done with Amelia?" Raimundo asked once they were inside.

"She's fine," the leader trailed off, "for now." Raimundo practically growled, his eyes boring through the man who still held Kimiko and Kimiko knew that no matter how strong a resolve any man had that look would send shivers through anyone. The man holding her was no exception it seemed as his grip tightened painfully on hers. "Keep that up Pedrosa and she won't be." Raimundo still glared, but didn't act as his hands were freed and he was dragged further back away from Kimiko and Kimiko tried to follow but was tugged back. "Why don't you and I have some fun?" the man holding her asked and Kimiko felt her stomach fall to her feet.

"Let go of me you son of bitch!" Kimiko screamed, rational thought leaving her as she struggled to wrench herself from his grip.

"Everything ok boss?" one of the two free men asked.

"All's good," the boss replied, "I'm just going to take our guest and have a little fun." Kimiko and Raimundo's eyes locked and she knew there was fear showing in hers. Raimundo's face hardened even more.

"Don't you dare touch her you piece of crap," Raimundo yelled looking murderous as he fought the two men holding him.

"I don't think you're in the position to do anything Pedrosa," the boss hissed and Kimiko took his slight moment of distraction to rip her arm from his hold and leaped forward. She wasn't sure what she was doing but felt the need to get to Raimundo, and then maybe they could fix this all and get away. Raimundo managed to rip his right arm from one of the goons and knocked him away and then managed to get the shocked second man off of his left side. He didn't take more than two running steps towards Kimiko when they were back on him, a third man adding to the mix, but he still managed to move forward as Kimiko nearly reached him. She lunged for him, as another man caught her, and Raimundo freed an arm and reached for her. His fingertips barely brushed her face as Kimiko suddenly went limp and the sizzle of a taser filled the air. For the second time that day Raimundo watched Kimiko collapse and a burning rage filled him as his eyes settled on the man who'd tasered grinned down at her limp form.

"That's better," the boss said scooping Kimiko up from the man who'd held her and caught her when she collapsed. Rai tried to lunge at him but was pulled back as the fourth man who'd grabbed Kimiko help to tie him to a chair.

"You sure about this boss?" one of the four asked as Raimundo was secured down, a gag tied across his mouth. The boss had been turning towards the office with Kimiko in his arms. "We were told that she wasn't to be harmed," he went on explaining. Kimiko stirred slightly giving a little pain of moan at precisely the wrong moment.

"Don't worry," the boss said moving again towards the walled office set in the back of the building. "We'll all take turns. And she won't talk," he grinned at Kimiko's still unconscious form, "Now will she?" Raimundo screamed against his gag and struggled against the bonds, he was held down to keep the chair from lifting from the floor. "Secure him," the boss ordered and then moved to the office again, "and don't disturb me for anything."

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"Can't this thing go any faster?" Clay asked uncomfortably from his front passenger seat.

"Sorry," Jermained said sarcastically.

"You're barely going the speed limit," Clay argued.

"I told you I technically don't have a license," Jermained growled, "if we get pulled over I'll be in a shit loud of trouble."

"And I have a license," Clay argued, "so you should let me drive."

"And you know that the only reason my Dad let me take the car was on the condition was that I'm driving."

"You always do what you're parents say?" Clay taunted and Jermaine was about to snap back but Omi interrupted.

"Will you two please desist," Omi said loudly. "We should be concentrating on finding our friends."

"How far out are we?" Jermaine asked as he slowed due to a stretch of traffic.

"Nearly," Clay nodded, "we'd be there faster if you'd drive faster."

"Note the traffic," Jermaine said pointing through the windshield. "What do you propose I do about that?" When Clay didn't respond Jermaine shook his head. "This is why I never went for my license after getting my permit. I hate driving in the city."

"Agreed," Omi nodded.

"You think DC is any better?" Clay asked looking up from the blip on the screen that showed Kimiko's position.

"Are we honestly going to argue about this?" Jermaine asked as the device in Clay's hands gave off a beep. "What's that?"
"Kimiko, or at least her cell phone," Clay explained as his eyes locked on the screen, "is moving."

"Where?" Omi asked leaning over from the back seat.

"Towards us," Clay's eyes narrowed. "And it's moving pretty fast. They must be in a car."

"Where to?" Jermaine asked as they came to an intersection.

"Straight for now," Clay explained. "We should run into them soon." He glanced over at Jermaine. "Do you know how to take care of yourself?"

"Meaning?" Jermaine asked cutting around someone that was double parked.

"I mean can you take care of yourself if things get," Clay paused, "rough."

"I was born in raised in New York," Jermaine answered.

"That means nothing to me," Clay said seriously.

"Well then I was the youngest of three brothers and one sister who I thought I needed to defend but she was always the one who beat on me the hardest," Jermaine went on with a small smile. "In short, I can take care of myself."

"Ok that's good," Clay said looking straight ahead not wanting to admit he liked Jermaine. The way he described his sister made Clay thing of his own and how she often tried to physically remind them when they were younger that she could take care of herself.

"So we should all be keeping an eye out for this white van," Jermaine suggested.

"Yeah," Clay agreed. "Hopefully there won't be too many others where we're going."

"You know where we're going?" Jermaine asked. Earlier the map had only been able to get a general read on the area that Kimiko and Raimundo supposedly were.

"Yeah, the docks down in the Bronx," Clay answered and swore when Jermaine made a very sudden turn.

"Why didn't you say so?" Jermaine asked grinning. "I know a shortcut."

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His head was killing from where he'd been struck earlier by the handle of a gun but Raimundo was barely aware of it. Nor was he aware of how the ropes dug into him and the gag stuffed in his mouth was nearly chocking him. All of his focus was on the office that Kimiko's unconscious body had been taken by that bastard. He was praying hard to God and anyone else that might be listening that Kimiko wasn't actually being harmed in the tiny room. He couldn't hear anything, being tied down to the chair that was then chained to a hook on the wall when it became clear that he wasn't going to sit still and none of the hired goons were going to hold him down. Kimiko had only disappeared about five minutes before but he knew that creeps like the one with Kimiko didn't require half of that time. Raimundo felt terror for Kimiko who was probably still passed out and unaware. Feeling sick to his stomach Raimundo continued to fight against his bonds, apparently amusing the men eating fast food together a few feet away.

The boss had promised them turns and Raimundo felt ill again. He'd promised Kimiko he wouldn't let anything happen to her, he'd die trying and here he was helpless. An undistinguishable shout came from the office and Raimundo wasn't sure if he wanted to shut it out somehow. True to their words the men didn't interfere and felt his heart pound. He had to do something- but what? How?

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"They're coming this way," Clay said quickly. "Opposite way." All three in the car looked at the opposite lane and noticed only one car coming that way, a grey SUV.

"You sure?" Jermaine asked slowing down.

"Positive," Clay replied.

"That's not the van from before," Jermaine observed as the SUV drove past.

"Well according to this they just drove past us," Clay said. "Can you turn around?" Jermaine found a spot to u-turn as discreetly as possible and followed at a distance.

"Now what?" Jermanie asked.

"We follow and hope they pull over somewhere and we can get to Raimundo and Kimiko," Clay told him. Silence followed as they watched the SUV pull into a rundown but still functioning gas station but not pulling up to the pumps.

"That was fast," Omi comment. Jermaine drove past the station, per Clay's instruction and pulled into an alley way a bit down the street but still in sight of the station.

"What now?" Jermaine asked.

"If we're lucky," Clay said checking his gun, "one will go in and we can surprise the other one."

"Well we got lucky," Jermaine said as a tall, thick blond haired man climbed out of the car. "Wow, he's big," Jermaine commented.

"Yes he is," Omi agreed, "but size is not all that matters." Jermaine bit back a laugh and saw Clay grin slightly as well. In the short time that Jermaine had known Omi he'd already gotten the impression that the tiny martial arts instructor wasn't exactly in touch with the modern world, preferring the values of the past instead.

"Let's go," Jermaine said moving to open his door but was stopped by Clay.

"Only one of us should go and that one is me."

"No," Omi interrupted. "I am very unsuspecting and with your leg Clay you should be careful." Before either argued Omi got out and walked to the grey SUV.

"So," Jermaine said keeping his eyes on Omi, "what happened to your leg?"

"Shot," Clay answered bluntly and gauged Jermaine's reaction. He flinched slightly and gave a sympathetic 'oh'. It was the right sort of reaction, if there was such a thing. It didn't fall on either end of the spectrum. It showed that his humanity was still intact but it didn't scare him enough to worry Clay about his ability to help in their odd situation. Meanwhile, in the blink of an eye Omi had some how subdued the other man in the car and waved them over. The two got out of Jermaine's car and snuck over to where Omi waited, a passed out Tubbimura in the passenger seat.

"They are not here," Omi said when they approached.

"But how?" Jermaine started to ask and Omi answered by pointing in the back seat where a phone and other items lay scattered out of Kimiko's bag.

"That's Kimiko's bag," Jermaine said grimly.

"Some of that's Rai's," Clay commented with an eye on the convenience store. "At least we're on the right track."

"Is that a ninja?" Jermaine asked unable to hide his surprise. "I didn't think those things still existed."

"That don't really," Clay shrugged, "but you can still find ones like Tubbimaura who use it as their 'identity' so to speak."

"You know who this guy is?" Jermaine asked surprised.

"He's a thug for the Heylin and that's a bad sign."

"What's the Heylin?" Jermaine asked.

"I'll explain later," Clay promised as he pulled Jermaine into hiding in the back seat as Vlad came back from the convenience store, loaded with bags of junk food. Clay held is breath and hoped the man would bring the food in the front seat and luckily he did. Climbing into the front seat he seemed unaware that Tubbi was passed out and didn't pause until he felt the press of Clay's gun to the back of his head. "Hey Vlad," Clay said smugly as their eyes met in the rearview mirror, "long time no see."

"Agent Bailey," Vlad said with his thick accent. "I had hoped you were dead. Rumor was your comrade tried to kill you."

"Rumor was wrong wasn't it," Clay said indifferently. "Now why don't to be a good little communist and take me to Raimundo."

"I am not a communist," Vlad argued to keep the subject off of Clay's suggestion. "Like all other citizens of the beautiful Russia we believe in democracy. Unlike in this county."

"Yeah right," Jermaine scoffed. "If Putin's government is a democracy than I'm just really tan. Putin's a KGB thug and you look like you're running along the same lines now where the hell is Kimiko."

"Ah, a friend of the bitch," Vlad said and Jermaine growled. "She is none of your concern."

"Obviously she and Raimundo are our only concern," Omi added "and I would advise you, it is in your best interest to give up their location."

"Ha," Vlad laughed, "little man made a joke."

"Little man here whooped your friend's ass without breaking a sweat," Jermaine told him. "I'd listen if I were you."

"You've got two options here Vlad," Clay said, "I go FBI on your ass and you tell me what I want or you simply tell me what I want."

"I know you will not touch me," Vlad laughed again. "Your precious FBI would not allow that."

"You'd be surprised how much they let slip by after 9/11," Clay shrugged. "And technically, I'm not on duty."

"Now Clay," Jermaine suddenly said almost somberly, "you should not compromise yourself for this. We don't want you or the FBI getting tarnished now do we? However, Omi and I are nice free citizens, no harm in us taking a few cracks at him. And I could call some guys from my old gang. Despite often toeing the lines of the law they are surprisingly die hard patriots and would love to kick the ass of some who is a terrorist." Clay looked at Jermaine, guessing he was lying about the gang thing but didn't argue against it.

"I am not a terrorist," Vlad said with a slight waver in his voice.

"Yeah right, they've all watched 24. Anyone with a Russian accent is right up there with Osama," Jermaine answered impressing Clay. He had Vlad sweating.

"So what's your choice Vlad?" Clay asked. "I go out for a drink while Omi, Jermaine, and his friends have a therapy session on you or you talk." Vlad swore in Russian and started up the car. Jermaine smiled.

"I think that's a yes."

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Kimiko could run off a long list of reasons why this man, she'd nicknamed Snaggle Tooth in her mind, would feel the need to rape a girl. None of them validated the act and she wasn't about to let it happen to her. She'd woken relatively quickly after being tasered for the second time that day and quickly decided it would be to her best advantage to continue acting like she was unconscious. She hated being held, let alone touched by the repulsive man who didn't bat an eye at the idea of raping an unconscious woman. As Raimundo was roughly restrained Kimiko was brought into the gutted office where a cot to stuffed against the wall and a desk against a shorter wall near the door. Kimiko was dropped onto the cot without any consideration and she had to bite back a moan when the side of her head connected with the wall.

Cracking an eye open Kimiko watched Snaggle Tooth turn his back to her, bringing already chewed nails up to his mouth and began muttering to himself. She couldn't understand his words as he paced the tiny expanse of the office, not noticing that she'd woken up. Kimiko decided to play is nervousness to her advantage and tried to formulate some sort of a plan. Letting out an audible moan Kimiko pretended to just be waking up and immediately caught Snaggle Tooth's attention.

"What happened?" Kimiko asked groggily.

"I had to taser you," the man said trying to get back the confident voice he'd had before. Kimiko didn't know much about psychology, only taking one course of it at NYU but she'd seen enough crime drama to know that most rapists were usually nervous wrecks, half the time too impotent to go through with the actual act. This man was clearly extremely nervous around her and Kimiko tried to figure out a way to use that against him.

"Why?" Kimiko asked rubbing the back of her head.

"You were getting out of control," Snaggle Tooth said after biting at his thumb nail. "Can't not have control now can we?"

"I guess you're right about that," Kimiko agreed trying to make it obvious she was trying to placate him.

"Don't try sucking up to me now," Snaggle Tooth said now picking at a spot on his face. "It isn't going to help you or your friend out there."

"I know," Kimiko said hanging her head and her words seemed to gain his attention. "I've got to do as you say," Kimiko explained and began to wring her hands together to add to her act. "Or else you'll hurt my father and Raimundo's sister." She looked up at him, hoping she'd somehow made her eyes water somewhat. "You weren't lying before were you? You have them both. Are they here? Are they safe?"

"No they aren't here," Snaggle Tooth replied.

"Then where? Are they safe? Are they ok?" Kimiko pressed more.

"There in the Lawson Paper Factory in Long Island, safe and sound, as long as you do what you're told," the man replied, some of his authority returning to him.

"Yes of course," Kimiko nodded adamantly. "But can I ask why? Why did you plan this all?"

"Me plan this?" he asked surprised, slipping up slightly. "No, that's the higher ups doing, I'm just reaping a little extra reward early," he said looking her up and down and Kimiko guessed her was trying to be intimidating or something close to it so she gave a tiny, fake shudder. That seemed to make the man happy as he moved closer to her.

"Who else is above you?" Kimiko wanted to know as she looked at the cot beneath her.

"Why does it matter?" Snaggle Tooth asked. "I'm the one I have to deal with now."

"I just want to protect my father," Kimiko said looking up. "I'd do anything to keep him safe through all of this. Can you do that?" Suddenly Snaggle Tooth caught Kimiko's chin in his clammy hand and Kimiko had to fight hard not to wrench herself away from his touch. She guessed he was trying to be cool or seductive somehow but was failing miserably. Instead she tried to act as if she were fearful, which she was slightly, and mesmerized.

"I can," he told her, "if you're a good girl and do as you're told." Kimiko gave a tiny nod trying to decide the most efficient way to take this sorry excuse for a man out. He'd already given away the location of her father and Amelia, which was more than she'd hoped for. She thought maybe she could get more information but decided that he probably didn't know much else, and besides she already had more than she needed. Very suddenly he was leaning in to kiss her and if her arms had been free Kimiko would have hit him. As it was she was still tied up and with some difficult she discreetly freed a leg from beneath her and landed a hard kick directly to the joint of Snaggle Tooth's knee, knowing from experience it hurt like hell. With a shout, that Kimiko guessed and worried they could hear outside, he partially went down and Kimiko slammed her foot into his chest, now level with the cot. Jumping up Kimiko moved to kick the man again but he recovered faster than she anticipated and she went down when he knocked her feet from underneath her. Unable to break her fall in anyway Kimiko landed hard on her side and felt the air leave her lungs. As she rolled to her back and struggled for breath Snaggle Tooth was on top of her.

"You're lucky I don't hit women," he hissed.

"But tasers and rape are ok?" Kimiko asked in a raspy voice.

"You know you want it," Snaggle Tooth answered venomously, "all women do." Despite the situation Kimiko had to fight the urge to roll her eyes at the absurdity of the statement. "I could have been nice about this," he said yanking her up and pushing her jacket off as much as her bound arms would allow. "But you had to go and act like that."

"Like I'm trying to save myself from a disgusting pig like you? Like any normal woman would?" Kimiko asked as her eyes narrowed and she suddenly brought her knee to the man's groin. He went down with a moan and Kimiko glanced down at him with a cool smirk. "You would have thought guys would have come to expect that by now." Then without any remorse Kimiko kicked the would be rapist in the groin again, followed by his stomach and it was enough to knock him out. Quickly, Kimiko moved to the desk and with some difficult opened the drawers. She didn't find any scissors but she found a letter opener that she managed to position with some difficulty to saw away at the plastic that still bound her, keeping an eye on the man who was still unconscious on the floor, all the while formulating a plan. She had to free her hands to unlock the door, otherwise she would have bolted the moment she could and taken her chances. But now that she had time she need to think logically and had to figure out someway to help Raimundo…she just hadn't thought of it yet.

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They went past the building that Vlad claimed Raimundo and Kimiko were in twice before finally parking a few buildings away.

"So what?" Jermaine asked. "We go in guns blazing or what?"

"I am going to go confirm Vlad here is telling us the truth and then we'll plan based off the information I've gathered," Clay answered calmly.

"That seems like it will take a lot of time," Jermaine said slowly.

"Look," Clay said back, "I don't want anyone getting hurt so we've got to take our time on with this. Got it?"

"Fine," Jermaine conceded with a sigh and Clay climbed out of the car, moving towards the warehouse slowly but deliberately. "Your friend is an interesting one," Jermaine commented as Omi moved to the front seat. Despite the fact that they'd driven in Tubbi and Vlad's SUV it was still a bit cramped for Omi's liking. They'd dragged Tubbimura out of the front seat, with some difficulty due to his bulk, and tied him up as well as gagged him. They'd done the same to Vlad, only difference being that Vlad was still awake and visibly pissed but was ignored.

"Clay is more of an acquaintance than a friend," Omi admitted. "We are friends but mostly only through Raimundo. I know I could call on him in times of need and it is the same for him but this is actually the first bit of significant time we've spent together since we'd met."

"So Raimundo is your connection?"

"Yes."
"Tell me about Raimundo," Jermaine asked drumming his fingers lightly on the steering wheel.

"There isn't much to tell," Omi lied. The events of Raimundo's short life were enough to fill the pages of a book, a very long book.

"Hmm," was all Jermaine said knowing that Omi was lying. There was no way that there wasn't anything to this Raimundo guy. And by the way he looked at Kimiko and the way Kimiko acted around him Jermaine knew there was something growing between them. Jermaine felt he knew Kimiko very well and had never seen her act that way around a guy. There was a chemistry almost and Jermaine just wanted to make sure Kimiko didn't get hurt. After his last thought he had to grin at the irony. Here he was worried that Kimiko's heart might be broken as she faced actual physical danger. Both looked up when Clay returned.

"Rai's inside tied up tighter than a calf at a rodeo, four guys are in with him but they're not really with it," Clay told them.

"What about Kimiko?" Jermaine immediately asked.

"No sign of her," Clay shook his head and Jermaine grimaced. "But that doesn't mean she's not there."

"So what's the plan rodeo man?" Jermaine asked sliding out of the car.

"First we knock Vlad up and make sure those two are tied up tight," Clay answered.

"Done!" Omi volunteered and Vlad was unconscious in a matter of seconds. Jermaine blinked in surprise when Omi reappeared. "Pressure points," Omi answered the unasked question.

"What now?" Jermaine asked. He didn't mind Clay taking control as he felt a surge of adrenaline and slight nervousness.

"I'm going to show you guys where to go and what to do," Clay said as they walked toward the warehouse. "There are four of them but we should be able to take them pretty easily. They don't look that skilled, at anything." Jermaine nodded and listened as Clay gave instructions, pointing out positions as they looked through a broken window. "You guys ready?" Clay asked after repeating the plan for a second time. Jermaine and Omi nodded and Jermaine slipped off to do his part of distraction in the beginning so Clay and Omi could jump them and hopefully take out the four men holding Raimundo by surprise. Scooping a rock from the ground Jermaine took a breath and hurled the rock through one of the few windows left untouched. The sound of the scattering glass echoed through the night and no one could miss it, not that anyone cared outside of those inside the supposedly empty warehouse. Picking up a second rock for good measure Jermaine broke a second window and heard voices from inside coming closer. Omi and Clay waited in the shadows, watching as two men came out and approached Jermaine who simply picked up a third rock and prepared to throw it.

"What the hell do you think you're doing kid?" one of the men asked and Jermaine glared at him.

"I'm not a kid," Jermaine responded and pitched the third rock.

"Hey!" the second man protested and made a move for Jermaine but Clay was there in a heartbeat.

"Now let's all be gentleman about this," Clay advised keeping his gun trained on the two men both of which looked more angry then scared. "Are you two going to behave?" Clay asked and the two men reluctantly nodded. Clay opened his mouth to give more instructions when his knee suddenly gave a random sharp pain, as it unfortunately was prone to do, and his leg buckled. That's all either of the two thugs needed as they took off back to the warehouse, shouting a warning. Jermaine lunged forward, managing to take one down but the other made it inside.

"Clay are you alright?" Omi asked moving over to Clay. Clay grunted in response and made it to his feet.

"So what now?" Jermaine asked as he practically sat on the thug he'd managed to grab in an attempt to keep him down.

"Good question," was Clay's only reply.

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Raimundo wasn't sure what to think when the first rock shattered the glass a few feet away. By the second he started to plot ways to use to his advantage as two off the goons ran out to see what the disturbance was. They were careless enough to leave the door and Raimundo heard a familiar vice answer their question.

'What the hell is Jermaine doing here?' Rai wondered. He was almost completely positive that it was Kimiko's friend and roommate but he couldn't be completely sure since they'd only met once before. A third rock shattered glass and Raimundo began to struggle with renewed efforts against his bonds, the back of the chair creaking against the chains and the force Raimundo put against him. The remaining two men noticed his renew struggle and one yelled at the other to secure Raimundo better. There wasn't much more that could be done to Raimundo short of completely wrapping him in robes but there was one thing that Raimundo hoped they wouldn't figure out. Unfortunately they did and a rope was secured around his neck and to the same hook the chair was tied to. In theory it should've kept Raimundo from struggling or else he'd have his air supply cut off.

That wasn't the case.

It kept Raimundo from doing anything, the rope dug so tightly into him that Raimundo was finding just breathing hard to do. The gag had been difficult enough to deal with, completely cutting off his mouth and part of his nose, but this was too much. Trying not to panic due to the realization he was slowly suffocating Raimundo searched his mind for options, each one more ridiculous than the next. Slowly Raimundo tried to somehow work at one of the knots in his grasp even as he began to feel slightly woozy from the lack of oxygen and hoped that whoever was outside would hurry the hell up.

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"I vote for going in guns blazing," Jermaine opted.

"I'm the only one who has a gun and you can sure as hell they do so the answer to that is a resounding no," Clay answered.

"You are no fun," Jermaine said.

"This isn't about fun," Clay said bitterly.

"Dude, lighten up," Jermaine said looking down at the passed out goon he'd caught and Omi had incapacitated. Clay opened his mouth to respond but Omi cut the two off.

"We should be formulating a plan," Omi said looking back over at the warehouse.

"How about a human shield?" Jermaine suggested nodding towards the unconscious man and received a glare from Clay. "Again, a joke." There was a long pause. "What would you do if you were doing this by the FBI rule book?" Jermaine asked hoping to get some wheels turning.

"Kinda depends," Clay shrugged. "Some guys would wanna go Waco on their asses, others would just use a negotiator."

"Waco? As in Waco, Texas?" Jermaine clarified.

"Yeah," Clay nodded solemnly.

"What happened in Waco, Texas?" Omi asked.

"A few years back, actually it was longer than that," Jermaine mused, "a big ATF/FBI sting on this one cult went really wrong. The cult members got tipped off and basically barricaded themselves in their compound after a shoot out that killed a bunch of agents and Davidians, the members of the cult. It went on for almost two months, there was a mix of negotiations that never went well and they had a stock pile of supplies and guns so they could hold out for a long time. Plus there were kids inside and that made it all the worse. On the final day of the stand off the cult members set fire to the compound and a lot of people were killed. Some people blamed the government for it but it was later proven that the Davidians caused the whole thing."

"Changed the way the Bureau did a lot of things," Clay added. "You always have to think and weight your actions now. No shooting first, asking questions later."

"I understand I believe," Omi said thoughtfully. "You wish you could act in such a way?"

"A part of me does," Clay admitted. "We can't know for certain everything that's going on in there and we might hit Raimundo or Kimiko if we get into a shooting match."

"What about a happy medium?" Jermaine suggested.

"I'm listening," Clay told him.

"Ok, here's what I'm thinking…."

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Rai was beginning to see serious spots now. He was doing his best to lean back away from the robe but that was difficult. If he leaned back too much the chair would fall over and he'd risk hanging himself. He was coherent enough to notice that only one of the two men that had ventured out had returned and he thought that might be a good sign. Who ever was out there was taking their sweet time however. Who knew what could be happening to Kimiko? His heart sank at the thought of that and despite the human want for self preservation he began to struggle again, feeling the robe burn into his neck.

'No good,' he thought. 'Killing myself won't help Kimiko any. Relax, think, what can you do. You aren't helpless. You've never been helpless, not once in your whole life, just think.' The only thing he could come up with was to keep working at the one knot he could reach. He was just beginning to work one end of the complicated knot loose when the door opened again and to his surprise Omi strolled in as if he owned the place and the shock of his entry was the only thing that kept him from being shot on the spot.

"Greetings!" he called out diplomatically and if it hadn't been a life or death situation, and if he had the oxygen to do it, Raimundo would have laughed. "I have come to negotiate a deal."

"Who the hell do you think you are?" one of the three remaining men asked. Behind him one of the other two asked if they should get their sorry excuse for a boss. "He said not to disturb him, and besides, this midget won't take long to get rid of."

"I would not advise that," Omi went on. "I would not like to hurt you." All three of the goons laughed and Rai was beginning to get pissed at how long it was taking Omi. Rai knew, guns or no guns, Omi could take these guys out in the blink of an eye.

"Last chance gnome," one of the goons warned as they advanced on Omi.

"Are you not interested in the fate of your comrade?" Omi asked not looking worried in the least. All three paused at this but the unannounced new leader shrugged.

"Charlie can take care of himself," he decided.

"Then you have no desire to bargain for your friend?" Omi asked as the three continued to advance on him. Rai watched with interest until something caught his attention out of the corner of his eye. The only response he got was laughter. "I had hoped we could resolve this peacefully," Omi sighed.

"Yeah well, you can't." Omi gave a consenting sort of nod and turned to walk out, again surprising the men who jumped after him after Omi had walked a few feet away. All three men went flying after Omi repelled their attacks.

"Perhaps you would like to reconsider my offer to resolve this peacefully?" Omi asked. The three men didn't answer but tried to attack again when suddenly Clay and Jermaine were there, attacking from behind. Between the three it should have been resolved easily but when the gun went off in the mix Clay shoved both Omi and Jermaine back, all three quickly looking the others over for holes caused by a bullet. As he watched all of this Rai continued to try to work the knots loose and kept looking at the office door for some sign of Kimiko or the other man. Despite the fact that only six men were involved a sort of chaos had erupted as more gun shots went off and out of no where someone managed to deploy a smoke bomb and muiltple people swore as the stumbled around. Rai shut his burning eyes tight and managed to free one hand just as someone slammed into his chair and knock him over. If is hand hadn't been free to slightly brace himself Raimundo would have been dead, crudely hung in a matter of seconds. He was still struggling to breathe as it was as two more gun shots went off and his heart stopped as a woman screamed.

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Please review!! They keep me going and will encourage me to get a new chapter out in oh, lets say 48-72 hours. Let me know what you think!