A/N: Finished editing all of the chapters in my novel, so you can pretty much make out when the story is going to end. :( Sad. Gonna go get some Starbucks after this. :) It's the 22nd of December, which means, "Half-Price-for-Tumbler-Day!"

DISCLAIMER: I don't own the United States of America, or even the world. So why would I own the three most awesome Character/Lyrics? (CSI:Miami/YUMGirlMoltMan/Coldplay)

Chapter 18:

Eric's POV:

With Anne still in our minds, we worked hard, hand in hand, trying to ever locate her. The werewolves sent the best trackers that they could find and each of them were given something in Anastasia's possession, something they could smell into and hopefully recover her tracks, just like the dogs in the police force, except for the fact that they can talk as well as the sending and receiving of thoughts.

Frank and Alexx, along with our close human companions, all chipped in to help with the kidnapping case. By day, we were doing the tasks apprehended to us, finding out the culprits for each of the cases, but by night, we were busy investigating the kidnapping case, still following the clues Grey left for us. Neither of us actually complained or backed down. We didn't even bother to, for Anne's and the club members' sake.

The elder of the vampire council, Aaron, the alpha of the wolf pack, which we now know by the name of Joseph, and Horatio have met together and discussed tactics. Aaron and Joseph both agreed that when Grey is caught, he should be prosecuted by the humans, that way the treaty would not be broken.

I was busy processing the broken test-tube from the lab where Anne has previously been to before she disappeared, finding some kind of substance that could be sent to trace or even anything, when Calleigh walked into the lab, "Hey, Eric. You've got anything for the test-tube?"

"Not at the moment, I'm afraid," I sighed placing both of my hands at the edge of the table and slouching forward, listening to the computers searching for the chemical components inside the test tube, "I just want to Anne to come back to us, to be able to hug her again. I don't know what Grey might be doing to her and the others, but I just don't want them to get hurt."

I felt Calleigh's hands soothing my aching back, releasing me of the packed energy and power within my body. The heat from her hands calmed me down greatly, and her scent does make my mouth water, but I brushed that thought away. Wouldn't want the council or the wolf pack to find out, or this is over, "I know how you feel, Eric. But we'll find them, and hopefully get rid of Grey for good this time."

"I hope we would," her high hopes certainly puts a smile on my face, as I let out a sniffle of laughter, "By the way, how's your processing?"

"Well, since there aren't any guns used in the kidnapping, I guess I'm not really usable," she did her famous Duquesne smile, "but I did find a piece of paper left on the floor. It is the clue that led Anne there in the first place. So I set the paper for testing, to see its handwriting and the quality of the paper."

"We already know that Maxwell Akrisons is the reason behind all this," I swerved myself around and kissed her forehead gently, "So why do you still need to process the paper before?"

I heard a note of sarcasm in her sigh, as she pouted and pulled me out of trace, probably leading to graphology, "Lazy Eric. I knew you were going to say that."

I stuck out my tongue at her, being the playful Delko as always, "Just stating the facts, my dear Calleigh."

Entering through the doors, Walter Simmons was already standing there with a notebook in his hand, busy taking down notes. He was one of the junior CSIs and he was one of those who volunteered to help, even though he knew about the dire consequences, "Hey there, CSI Delko and CSI Duquesne."

"Please, just call me Eric and call her Calleigh," I rose my hand up and smiled at him to get rid of the tension. It did work, because he made his way to the projector, placing the note onto the screen, while the both of us stood by the table, one on each side, "So, you know that this is the paper that Anne used to get there, right?"

The both of us nodded, "So, I compared the handwriting on the paper to that of Maxwell's schoolwork, and," the slide changes to a comparison one, "it's not a match."

"Well, it could be one of his parent's, or even his sister. The chances could be infinity," I shook my head, "It's highly impossible that we wouldn't be able to find her through this paper."

"Not quite. I haven't gone on to the paper yet. You see," he clicked the button on the mouse and the slide changes onto the paper, but up close in a microscope view; "The quality of the paper is not common, as it is not made in factories. See the watermark?" changing to a slide pertaining the paper in UV light, "it says 'Mark Brothers, Pte. Ltd.'"

"I think we may have a lead here. I'll call H. This is definitely good news," I took out my phone and punched the speed dial, while heading out of the room, "Thanks Walter," before stopping beside my bride and kissing her gently on her cheeks, "Thank you too, my lovely."

"You're welcome, Eric," she gave me a tight hug before I left the room. Closing the glass doors behind me, I heard Horatio picking up the phone, "This is Horatio Caine."

"H, it seems we may have the lead. 'Mark Brothers, Pte. Ltd.'"

"All right, I'm on my way. The werewolves have apparently found their hideout and are waiting for the signal and the game plan to commence."

Whoa. Note to self: Never underestimate any kind of animals, "How do they get to find it so fast?"

I heard a chuckle at the end of the line, "What can I say, Delko? They got themselves the best trackers in the country. Now we need to find the right amount of evidence so that Grey could be found guilty. So, Mark Brothers isn't it?"

"Yeah."

"All right then, I'll see you there," and with that, the connection was lost.

Ryan's POV:

My legs felt like they are in chains, dragging me away from the lab and back home. I didn't say I'm tired or anything and I did want to help and find out whatever is going on in case something new pops up. However, everyone kept saying that I needed some of the rest, saving the energy for the battle later on. After a few persuasions, I finally gave in to their demands and went home straight to take the nap.

After opening the main doors and placing the keys to its original place, I went straight into the kitchen, with Rojo, my favorite pit-bull friend, close behind my legs, wagging its tail anxiously and whining uncontrollably. Poor thing, food must have been the only thing on his head all day, "Sorry there, buddy. I shouldn't hurt you, but it's just that I've kept on thinking about Anastasia a lot more than before."

The dog cocked its head, letting out a high-pitched whine, before barking in a curious tone. I smiled as I patted him gently on the head, pouring some of the dog food unto his bowl, "Anastasia is the sweetest girl you could have met in the whole world. She's someone whom you are not afraid to show who you really are, and she does have the same humor as me, so…"

I must have been daydreaming about her again, because Rojo began nibbling my hand gently, bringing me out of it. Looking down at the bowl, I was astonished, and angry at myself, for giving him little too much, "Whoops, my bad. Besides, you may need the extra amount. You must be really hungry."

I watched Rojo for awhile, making sure he is able to take in all of the food laid out to him and hopefully finish it, before walking towards my bedroom. It was my usual place of heaven, but now it seems like a place without any feelings at all. I shrugged to myself, heaving out a long sigh, as I threw the bags onto the sofa allocated beside the bed and stripped off my clothes, stepping into the bathroom, tossing it into the hamper along the way.

I turned on the shower, feeling it for the right temperature before stepping in to it. Somehow, the water washes over me, cleansing me not only the physical demands this life could ever offer, but also spiritually as well. It washes away the horrors I've seen from my job, from what the killers actually do to their victims, right until their final breaths. And it definitely relives me of the thoughts that came back and forth about Anne, without it going away all together.

I closed my eyes, enjoying the feel of the heat and the soothing spray of the water as it ran over my head and bare shoulders. Deep down inside, Anne was the only thing I could only think of. I imagined her wrapping her white, thin but strong arms around my body, the first time that happened when we were in the lab. I smiled to myself, imagine feeling her warmth near me, but opened my eyes and realized it was only a dream. It's been only three days, but it felt like three agonizing years has gone by.

After the refreshing shower, I went towards my bed, wearing nothing but a pair of sweat pants and a singlet. Pulling the blankets over me, I decided to get this done and over with, to be ready for when the time comes. I didn't feel like I was in a dream, but everything I am seeing or feeling felt so real:

I felt like I was in a cave, with nothing but torches lit with fires to provide light and warmth into the scene. This isn't the kind of place that I would usually go, and for once, I am actually terrified of it. My ears twitched as I noticed the sounds of some moans, and I decided to follow it, coming from around the corner.

My eyes widened and jaw dropped as I realized where the sound came from. It came from the club members, they were locked inside due to the gates and there was blood everywhere. As I focused my eye at the far end, I growled as I recognized two figures standing around Anne. Grey and Casey Akrisons.

"You're never getting away with this, Grey!" never backing down, Anne yelled at him, before I heard a sound of her spitting upwards. This would only make him angry, "Did you not see what I have done to your fellow schoolmates? I could have done that to you myself."

"You think you can scare me with your actions? Coward!" Anne snarled at him, before an ear piercing scream sprang out from all corners of the cave. I ran towards the three of them in lightening speed, trying to push Grey as far as possible from Anastasia when I saw the pool of blood accumulating around them. Instead, my hand only passed through his body, as if I was a ghost within their presence, unable to do nothing but watch as the scene unfolds.

I looked at my hands, looking at them palm side up and palm side down, furious at myself for not being able to help my precious other half of my life. Without any warning, Grey went through me and smirked at Anne, "Happy now?"

Anne grunted, but she balked at him, "I'm not backing off because of you. Come on, do it again!"

Her sentence made me turn around immediately in her direction, and I kneeled against her, appalled at the injury that Anne has sustained on her right knee, with blood streaming out slowly. I can't imagine the intense pain that is causing her, "Anne, listen to me. Now's not a good time to fight back. You're hurt, and he may kill you."

The girl's eyes widened as a hand went through me and stabbed her in the abdomen. Anne's eyes clouded for a moment right in front of my eyes, before she slung back against the floor, lifeless, "No, this can be happening! Anne, don't leave me!"

"It's all over, Horatio. All over," and with that a gust of wind and a hand pulled me away from the cave, into a never ending oblivion.

Marisol's POV:

My shoulders raised up a little bit, feeling very tense, before slouching down again, heaving out a little sigh as I did so. On my hands, a cup of warmed blood was very much tempting, but as of this moment, I thought I didn't have the stomach to. Jesse has been eyeing me for twenty-four-seven now, and she always flinched or would ask me immediately if I felt "out of this world." The truth is, all I wanted right now is to know that my daughter is safe, nothing else, and to be able to have her in my arms.

I would even sell my soul for it, if it's the last thing I have to do.

Don't think like that Mari, Jesse's hands were strangely friendly and calming against my shoulders, getting rid of my frustrations, being sympathetic like a best friend should be. She sure does help me get through my emotional pain, and I'm grateful for her. My eyes leaked out a tear as I rubbed it away, causing a red smudge on my cheek, "Thanks, Jesse, but I'm fine."

"Look, whatever the case might be," she smiled, hoping that it would get rid most of my problems, "We've got everything we need and now we just need to get in there and bring Anne out, safe and sound. You can count on them to do it."

"I believe them, Jesse," I raised my hands and took a sip from the mug, before replacing it towards it's natural position, "but…"

"No buts, Mari. Remember: positivity," she bent her index finger sideways, something that she loves doing, "She will get through all of this and it is going to work out. That's what Caines are built for, aren't they?"

Our calm and peaceful silence was broken when a screeching yelp rang through our ears; Ryan Wolfe was in serious danger. Placing the mug down, the two of us sprang out of our seats and ran towards the door, head on. Neither of us was oblivious to the danger that might jump at us, as an element of surprise.

Instead, Ryan was sitting up straight, hands wrapped around his knees, head and body full of sweat, and he was definitely crying. This is the first time I've actually seen another man cry, well, other than my younger brother when he thought I was dead. Jesse sat next to him, cupping his chin gently in her hands, and bringing his face closer to hers, "What's wrong, Ryan? Tell me."

He was shivering, as if he had suffered a great deal of trauma, "I… dre—aamt… of… Anne… las…t…night…", Jesse moved in closer so that Ryan could curl himself nearer to her, like what a young kitten would always do, "I was in a cave… and… Grey killed Anne… there… Oh, please don't let it happen. Please."

Jesse wrapped her skinny arms around his massively animalistic figure, gently hushing him in a motherly tone, "It won't happen, sweetheart. Anastasia is strong, she'll be fine."

Ryan pushed his mother's hand away, before using his to cover his long, sharp, oval shaped face, "That's the problem! You guys kept on telling me that she's fine, but everything seemed to look the other way around. What if she doesn't, mother? How am I going to face the rest of my life knowing that my future wife is in a fifty-fifty chance of survival?"

I leaned back against the door, not sure of what to say. The only thing that ran through my mind was what Ryan has told us, fearing if it actually came true.

Hang in there, my beloved Annie. Everyone you love is coming for you.