A/N: Thanks again for sticking with me and for the great feedback! I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to review.
Thanks to starfishyeti for betaing my story!
The stalker
by elessar73
*** 32. chapter : And so it ends ***
Mary heard a door being opened, but the sound seemed to come from far away. The young woman sighed in relief. 'I still have time!',she muttered to herself an evil grin on her face. Mary was caught up in her insane world, lost in the feeling of success when she heard somebody yel "FBI" in her direction and the order to drop the knife. But still her dazed mind didn't make the obvious connection between herself pressing the knife against Charlie's temple and the order. 'No way that the person is talking to me. I have to finish my assignment, can´t he see that?' The young woman shook her head vigorously and despite the harsh order she pressed the knife deeper into Charlie's soft skin. She was ready for the final stroke. Mary registered kindly that Charlie's blood ran more freely out of the cuts, leaving larger tracks and covering his face in red. Mary would keep that image precious forever. She would always remember the way Charlie had looked before he died. A nervous shudder ran through her tensed body. 'I'm so close!'
"Drop the knife or I´ll shoot you!" There was that voice again, more determined this time, more forceful. Reluctantly Mary lifted her head. She dragged her view away from Charlie and stared directly into the barrel of a gun pointed her way. She looked into that black tunnel; her head started to spin and her vision became blurry. ' Mary, Mary, Mary.' Her mother's voice drifted through her mind. 'You screwed up again. But, like always, it was expected. Why couldn't you be just like your brother? Nice and sweet and good? Mickey was so much better than you. You should be dead, not he. Loser!' Tears rolled down Mary's cheek when her mother's voice echoed in her brain. She blinked heavily to get rid of them, but suddenly her vision became black, when her whole world threatened to crash down on her. 'No, not this time. I'm no failure!' Mary tried to convince herself. She shook her head to clear her vision and to banish her mother's voice. In a final attempt to break free from her Mary lifted the knife again and replaced her firm grip around the hilt. In a wild motion she brought the knife down to Charlie's chest. For a moment, the blade dangled over the young man´s heart. Mary breathed in deeply, preparing herself to finish what she had started- kill the man she loved!
'Bang!'
Mary felt the impact of the first bullet in her right shoulder. A sudden pain radiated through her arm and made her loosen her grip on the knife. A wave of heat started in her stomach and rolled through her body determined to burn every part of her. But Mary wasn't ready to give in. Adrenaline rushed through her and she felt renewed strength and energy inside her. She tightened her grip on the knife again ignoring the pain. Mary raised her hand ready to strike. She hovered closely over Charlie and looked him in the face once again. His soft curls nearly touched her skin. She could smell the faint scent of his shampoo and almost feel the tenderness of his hair, those beautiful curls. A smile formed on her face. "I'll always love you!" She whispered against his cheeks.
'Bang!'
The second bullet hit her in the stomach sending her backwards to the ground. In a rush all of the strength left her. Mary dropped the knife and curled in on herself. She closed her eyes in defeat. Her tears ran down her face in the knowledge that she had failed. "No, no, no," she sobbed silently.
She heard footsteps quickly approach her. A warm hand touched her throat searching for a pulse. "She's still alive." Mary heard somebody scream before she drifted into the darkness.
...
The second firing of the gun worked like a starting-signal for Don. The numbness left him at once; it was like he was waking out of a dream. 'That's the way Sleeping Beauty must have felt, when the prince finally kissed her awake.' Don thought bewilderedly when his eyes focused back on his little brother. When he dashed forward all he had eyes for was Charlie. He didn't care if Mary Clark was dead or alive all that mattered right now was the mathematician. Don fell on his knees beside his brother. Immediately Charlie's blood soaked through his jeans making them sticky but he didn't give a damn. For nothing in the world he would change his position. He wouldn't leave his brother, not again. Don took a closer look at him and the image made his heart skip a beat. His brother lay motionless in an increasing puddle of blood. His small face was partly covered with the crimson liquid while the rest of his face was almost white and covered with a sheen of sweat.
"Charlie, Charlie," he whispered in the young man´s ear dragging him into a sitting position. "I'm so sorry." Don held his brother close to his chest. He pressed his hand tight on the shoulder wound to stop the bleeding. Soothingly he rocked him back and forth like when they had been children and Charlie had just woken out of a nightmare. Tears ran freely down Don's cheek wetting Charlie's curly hair. "Everything will be alright, just hold tight," he told his brother and, even more, himself.
Don's eyes searched the room for help but he just saw Colby who hovered over Mary. The woman lay unconscious on the ground. Rage started to boil inside him. He hated to see Colby taking care of the woman who had tried to kill his little brother. Colby should be by his side not hers. Don shook his head, he couldn't think that way. He was an FBI-agent bound by the book, but sometimes it was so damned hard. His view drifted further on towards the door where he recognized Nash leaning breathing heavily against the doorframe. The agent was white as a sheet and swayed on his feet. Don squeezed his eyes and swallowed down the desire to jump up and beat the man up. This bastard was supposed to be watching over his brother. "Go and get help, Nash!" Don hissed harshly instead and observed as the agent stalked away on wobbly legs. "We're not finished here," he called to him.
Suddenly, he felt a feather light touch on his arm. The soft gesture made him nearly jump. Don changed his position a little and was rewarded with the welcome sight of Charlie's big brown eyes. "Hey Buddy, good to see your eyes again."
Charlie nodded. "What happened?" He asked in a weak and hoarse voice.
Don tightened his grip reliving the whole scene. "Doesn't matter, you're safe now Bro. Don't worry."
Charlie nodded lightly not even realizing that his brother hadn't answered his question. He just mumbled a slight "Mmmmhhhh" and sank back into the shelter of his brother's protective hug.
"Come on Charlie you have to stay awake. Talk to me, please." Don hoped to see his brown eyes again but Charlie ignored him. The thin body slackened in Don's embrace and panicky, the agent yelled, "Where´s help! We need help!" As on command the room suddenly whirled with life; doctors, nurses and orderlies rushed in, pushing equipment in and taking over.
Don was dragged away from his brother and soon medical staff kneeled down beside Charlie starting their work. Don would have done everything to stay at his brother´s side, but his last hope of doing so died when Charlie was carefully placed onto a gurney and moved out into an examination room.
Don watched stunned when his brother was taken away from him. He started to tremble all over, when the adrenaline finally drained out of his body. Slowly he slid down the wall he had been leaning on till he was sitting on the hard floor. He buried his face in his hands and cried.
"Don." Suddenly Colby was by his side and put an arm around him. "Charlie´s going to be alright. He's strong." Colby rubbed along his SAC's arm to soothe him. And for the moment Don found comfort in his confidence and trust. He nodded slightly and let himself fall into this weak feeling, safe with his friend.
TBC