Note: I don't really have anything to say because I'm brain-dead and sleep-deprived... Why must I be so fond of my story and its characters?!

Sandd: Thank you for deciding to check out this fic, I'm happy you're enjoying it(:

Roxanne's Diary: Haha, yes, that was the translation that came with the phrase but it also said that it could be loosely translated into "You too, Brutus?" Thanks for letting me know though!

Thanks so much to everyone else who reviewed.

xx

Chapter Fifteen – Aut Viam Inveniam Aut Faciam (I Will Either Find a Way or Make One)

-Alex-

Only a few minutes had passed and I already looked and felt like a bruised banana. Not only did my jaw hurt, but so did my entire torso and head, having taken blows from the smug and impatient torture expert. Apparently (and to no one's surprise) he had a thing for taking any opportunity to beat someone and I usually granted him one by back talking David and, once, spitting on the ground. The taste of blood was evident in my mouth but that was the least of my stomach's worry; David was the one who disgusted me.

At first he'd protested against Mather's insatiable urge to sock me, earning him a sarcastic comment about his sudden pacifist views by yours truly. Once another blow had been delivered, David had stopped snapping at him and continued his storytelling in between Mather's strikes. I'd eventually decided to shut up since my stomach couldn't keep up with my mouth.

Things were becoming clearer though. With the understanding came more frustration and loathing because I was having difficulty feeling sorry for the CIA agent. It turned out that David had really been behind every step of Addie's assassination. Mather wasn't even in charge. He'd been hired as a scapegoat to lure everyone's prying eyes away. The man was a torture expert for sure, but he virtually knew nothing else about kidnapping or anything of that sort. He relied on his sole skill to get him places, working for people like Castillo.

The failed gas station assignment had been part of the first stage, naming Addie as a target. Bringing me in was supposedly one of the better additions because even though it looked like an act of pure desperation in keeping her safe, it was only adding a bigger prize to the equation. The broken window sensors had only been evidence that supported the seizure-inducing Twix candy; David himself had stored it into Addie's chocolate stash, even when he'd known it was probably going to fail.

And the house fire… That was the only part that hadn't gone as scheduled. The text message Addie had received was meant to get her kidnapped while David's text to me was going to get me out of the house too. Margot and Joseph were supposed to have perished in the fire. When Addie hadn't gone after "Derek," the plan changed drastically, leaving her parents missing instead and David scrambling for a backup strategy.

"I knew I was playing the overprotective card too well," he'd revealed, "but eventually I was going to allow both of you on the team for extraction. And then you told us this brilliant plan involving fake blood and a sniper…" He'd shaken his head but I wasn't sure if it was out of amazed disbelief or disapproval. "How did you ever come up with it?"

"Saw it in a movie," I'd responded, trying to control my voice.

Played the overprotective card, did he? I couldn't and didn't want to believe it. He'd really had me fooled into thinking he cared about Addie. Everything about him had screamed scared and determined, creating the perfect illusion for someone who didn't want to see anyone close to them go… and that's what made it horribly ironic. He was frightened for himself and his family but here he was, betraying Addie so easily.

I asked about Samuel Webb and Mather laughed. "He was nothing. We intended him to pose as a criminal doing recon so it looked like we didn't have enough information. Of course, with David on the inside, we had everything we needed. Webb didn't even know it himself." Then he shrugged. "It gave me an excuse to try and kill him."

"But you didn't," I stated dully.

His eyes narrowed. "No, I didn't. Why? Were you chasing each other out there?"

"He was pretty proud of himself for escaping the authorities."

He grunted. "Yeah, well I'm not the authorities."

"Enough," David snapped, glaring at us. "We don't have much time. Is the truck ready?" he asked Mather.

"It should be."

He nodded and then trained his dark eyes on me. "I hope you're enjoying the last few minutes of your life, Alex." The words sounded strange coming out of his mouth. They didn't seem like something he would say.

"I'm not sure I'd say that I'm enjoying my time with you, Agent."

He raised an eyebrow. "Here's the plan from now on. I'm still the David Reyes that works for the CIA. Mather is still a bloodthirsty criminal who wants you and Addie. One of our men—and by that, I mean Mather's—should have her by now. They'll be taking her away from here and away from you. It's nothing to worry about; you'll join her soon." He smirked and I knew that he wasn't just "David Reyes that works for the CIA." He was the David Reyes that was utterly hopeless.

"Meanwhile, I'll have just barely escaped but fortunately, Mather will be dead."

Mather, for once looking confused rather than arrogant, stuttered, "Dead?"

"Dead," David affirmed and, in the blink of an eye, had his handgun out. The shot made me jump, startling me when I hadn't even recovered from the incredulity gathering from his words. The torture expert collapsed but the agent barely spared him a glance, only allowing a slight grimace as if he actually felt bad.

I was about to protest when I heard a sort of popping noise. It sounded odd as it echoed through the underground tunnels and bounced off the room's walls but it didn't take long to register what it was. It was a scatter of gunshots accompanied by shouting, almost a perfect carbon copy of the noise being made earlier in the operation.

He glanced at me quickly, an expression close to panic lining his face. He started towards the door and then stopped to look at me. "Don't move an inch, Rider." Then he went and leaned out into the hallway, shouting for someone. I could tell he wasn't going to leave the room at all, not when the backup team of SEALs was on its way. I could only hope that they got here fast enough.

The gunshots were getting closer. Though I had been in it all along, I could feel the danger looming like a monster out of a nightmare. My growing panic was nearly tangible, making me sweat. Despite the number of times I had escaped death, I doubted I had much of a chance of survival, even if help was coming. Was I even right to say that there were more soldiers for us out there? Or were we still outnumbered? I could hardly think straight, not with my impending demise—and possibly Addie's—hanging over me.

Sooner or later David stepped back in, checking his gun. "Now…" he said, approaching me. He was all business now, a funny change from the frightened look that had crossed his face just a minute ago. Perhaps he'd taken a hit when I wasn't looking, a good dose of "confidence." He held up the gun. "If you make any move to escape, I will put a bullet in you," he threatened. The plastic tie around my wrists was gone, releasing me from the chair. Another one, pink this time, appeared in his hand and I deliberately brought both of mine in front of me, pretending to cooperate. I let him bind me once more and pull me to my feet.

"What are you going to do?" I asked.

Tugging on me again, he began towards the rocky, misshapen tunnel. "You are valuable; no one wants you killed. And frankly, that's in my favor." I could hear the fighting now, shouts and more gunshots ringing from somewhere ahead of us. I knew I shouldn't fool myself: these walls were amplifying sounds. They could've still been far away. "You're going to run," he instructed me in a calm tone. "Pretend you've escaped. One of Mather's men will stop and hold you at gunpoint, threatening your life. That should hold the SEALs, allowing a few of them to be killed, the others injured."

"Why?" I tried to distract him while desperately searching for a way out. The barrel of his gun was poking painfully into my side.

"Stop asking questions," David snapped and then took a deep breath. "We have to make it look like they were overpowered. That way I can—"

The tip of my boot caught on the dusty dirt floor, sending me sprawling. I managed to catch myself though and I heard him bark angrily again at me. "Get up!" Obediently, I straightened up, feeling his gaze burn into me. But before he could take another step, I made my move.

Lashing out quickly, I made contact with the hand holding the gun, causing David to cry out and drop it. The knife I'd pulled from my boot clattered to the floor but I no longer needed it. I was going to have to thank Ben later. Taking advantage of his momentary incapacitation, I spun around on one foot, using the other to connect with his head in a classic roundhouse kick. He buckled as I dove for the gun.

"Damn you, Rider," he groaned weakly as I stood over him, the barrel pointed at his head. "I guess I should've seen that coming." He laughed softly. "Can't blame Mrs. Jones for her protectiveness over you."

I said nothing, my eyes fixed on his. Black hatred coursed through me, making my hands shake involuntarily. I struggled to get a grip and keep a clear head. I didn't want to make any rash decisions but it seemed impossible, staring into a traitor's eyes.

David finally seemed to understand where he was. I saw the desperation in his face, the pleading look that tried to break through the determination I felt. "Please, Alex," he rasped, trying to sit up. "You wouldn't kill a man in cold blood, would you?"

Shaking my head, I stepped closer and steeled myself. "You're not a man… You're a coward."

There was a single gunshot, and then silence.

I froze, completely stunned. David's blood began seeping to the tunnel floor, staining the already dark rock. His eyes were still open, the last emotions he'd felt drifting and leaving a blank mist in their wake. I groped for a sense of understanding, my finger still posed and ready on the trigger.

"Alex!"

Looking up, I saw someone down the tunnel frantically waving me over. It was one of the Mexican Special Forces soldiers. My gaze flickered between the gun in his hand and David, and then landed on the gun in my own hands… the one that had yet to be shot. Shaking the disbelief from my head, I left the body behind, suddenly relieved that the man was here. It was just another sure sign that I would make it alive.

The Mexican soldier stood in between two of the hanging bulbs, his face slightly shadowed. I read his name on the jacket: CHAVEZ. I wanted to ask him why'd he'd shot David but I figured there was time for that later. I could still hear some fighting going on at the opposite end of the tunnel. "Here, take this," I said, handing him the gun. "Cut this tie, will you?"

He didn't answer. Instead, he removed the helmet, revealing a wicked grin that very closely resembled the Cheshire Cat's from Alice in Wonderland.

I groaned lightly. Oh no.

It was Samuel Webb.

-Addie-

I was lost.

After leaving Scott like he'd ordered, I'd gone back upstairs and started searching. I held his Glock in my hands, which gave me a sense of safety, but that didn't really compensate for the dead ends I was reaching. The compound that I'd originally thought was quite small had turned out to be a labyrinth. Every abandoned office looked the same and I couldn't seem to find a way underground. I'd sought for trapdoors and even elevators, yet it only got more frustrating… and then repulsive when I crossed three dead bodies, all Mather's men. I hadn't even come across anyone alive, ally or enemy. It made me feel sadly pathetic.

As I kicked down a door in the hallway of a building, I wondered to myself how much time had passed. Things had taken a turn so quickly and though it had felt like a few short minutes ago, I knew it was longer. My body was aware that it was in the middle of the night; aside from the aches and pains from the fighting, there was the familiar heavy fatigue I knew all too well from Arianna's sleepovers. Virginia was two hours ahead of Mexico and if I was correct, it was nearly five in the morning there.

I turned to leave the empty room that looked horrifyingly similar to the last several I'd been in, and my heart jumped. A figure was standing in the doorway, their stance offensive. It took a split second to decide to bring my gun up and shoot but another to recognize the red laser pointing at my chest. Heart thudding and fear lingering, I drew my hands up, trying to find out who the soldier was.

"Addie?"

I exhaled in relief. "Ben!"

He lowered his rifle and straightened up as I walked towards him. "Are you okay? What are you doing here?"

"I'm fine, just a few bruises. One of Mather's men took me." He opened his mouth but I waved him off. "Scott managed to help me out but he took a hit to his shoulder and thigh."

He sucked in a breath. "Is he…?"

"No, he's alright. He ordered me to leave him and get out of here." I realized as I said the words that it was obvious I hadn't done that. Ben knew that too and was eyeing me with a scolding look. "I was looking for you," I added defensively.

"Just me?" He raised a brow.

Sighing, I admitted, "Alex and David, too. I'm not leaving here until everyone is safe. We lost Chavez but if we can prevent our fatalities from going any higher—"

"I'm sure they're fine, Addie," Ben interrupted, "but you still shouldn't be here."

I controlled the urge to roll my eyes. "You're not the first to say that."

"And I won't be the last." He stepped back into the hall, indicating me to follow him. "Come on. You and I are going to get the lieutenant and get out of here."

"He said that they were coming, the backup team," I said, lowering my voice as we hurried quietly but swiftly down the hall.

He glanced at his watch. "If your parents made it, then yes, they should be here by now."

We snuck through the darkness in silence for another few minutes. By the time we were downstairs, about to exit the building, I could no longer ignore the overwhelming anxiety and tension I was feeling. Ben seemed to take notice and he was able to ask the question before I could bring it up myself.

"You're worried about him, aren't you?"

"Of course I am," I answered, trying to keep the edge out of my tone. "Aren't you?"

"Of course I am." His grin was visible even in the night, but then he turned serious again. "And I'm positive that he's worried about you as well. He would probably side with me, saying that you need to keep yourself safe."

I only sighed, earning a chuckle from the MI6 operative. I started forward again through the compound but stopped when I realized that he was no longer beside me. He stood frozen in his crouch, one hand pressed to his ear. Anxiety seared through me as I hurried back to him. "What? What is it?"

He held up a finger, obviously concentrating on something. Impatience wracked my every nerve until he finally turned to me and whispered, "They've arrived, the rest of the SEAL team. They got the radio comms fixed. We'll rendezvous at the edge of the compound." A surge of relief enveloped me though it didn't eliminate all my fears. I wasn't going to be able to breathe evenly until I saw Alex's face alive.

It didn't take long to find our way back to where the pandemonium all started. My sense of direction may have been obliterated earlier when I could barely find my way around but now everything had sharpened, giving me new purpose if not strength. The feeling close to claustrophobia disappeared once we stepped out from between two of the buildings. There were five of them and a Humvee stood a little ways away near the dump truck. As we neared, I noticed that none were Jenkins or O'Brien, our spotter and sniper. They were probably, and hopefully, still with my parents getting them safely home.

Ben quickly filled them in as I stood by, practically bouncing on my toes despite the pain. One of the SEALs frowned at me and I instantly stopped, opting for chewing on my lip instead.

"We haven't heard anything from Scott yet," the SEAL named Kessler said. "Boyd thinks he's found a way into the underground tunnels. He was going to go in himself but we suggested he come here first."

I perked up at that. He'd found a way down there? This was exactly what I'd been looking for. I leaned forward intently.

"Scott's down," Ben explained, giving them the details of what I'd told him. "We haven't seen the other two Mexican soldiers either."

"All right, we're going in." Kessler made gestures towards the other SEALs.

"Wait, what's going on?" I asked Ben. He wasn't following after them and one of the soldiers was staying behind too.

He glanced at me with his lips pressed tightly together, looking like he was debating whether or not to tell me. "They're going to look for any of ours that are alive. He and I are escorting you back to the boat like it was supposed to be done earlier." He nodded towards the SEAL.

"What? No, you can't do that!" I attempted to keep my voice down. "I have to go with the team; I need to help them!" And I want to be there when they find Alex… no matter if he's dead or alive.

"No, you don't," he insisted calmly. "Do you really want them worrying about your safety while they try to rescue David and Alex?"

I just glared at him and crossed my arms, too angry for words. A piece of me knew he was right but I was too stubborn and set on my goal to budge. My heart ached to run back there and use myself as bait, but my mind whispered that it was tired and that my resolve was useless. I hated to think of the possibility, but if I didn't distance myself right away, more lives would be taken. I didn't want to be responsible for that.

"Your parents are waiting for you, Addie." Ben spoke softly, gazing at me. I looked away with my chin set, but the defeat was heavy in the air.

He took me gently by the elbow, spinning me to face the town of Costa Amenas as the SEAL soldier flanked me on the other side. I'd almost forgotten this place; I'd been so caught up in the smothering compound, unaware of the life going on a quarter of a mile away. Now that I thought about it, were the citizens as oblivious to us too? Or had the gunfire startled them from their sleep? I would never know, not when the town appeared to be dead asleep. If anyone knew what was going on, they didn't show it. And for the moment, I envied them… I envied their ability to hide behind closed curtains and locked doors.

Willing myself not to cry, I let the two men take me away from the compound and the town, towards safety, towards home.