Ooh, another update! I must admit, I am proud that I wrote such a long chapter in less than a week. Plus this one is pretty monumental. Can you guys handle it?

(If you can't, review! If you can, review as well.)

Marissa stepped into the kitchen, and looked urgently at Seth. "So? You finally got a lead on Booth?"

The lanky boy nodded, looking excited. "I gave my dad the cell number, and he talked to some of his friends. Apparently it's been accessing a tower in Jackson's Square."

"Jackson's Square?" said Alex thoughtfully, as she sat down at the table next to Summer and Seth. "I know where that is, it's actually quite close to where I used to live."

"Typical," chimed in Summer, shaking her head. "He could go anywhere, but instead he's hiding out a block away from his mummy. Some tough guy."

"This isn't exactly a joke, Sum," Marissa snapped, without thinking. "This guy is capable of murder."

The tiny brunette jumped a little, and then spoke slowly, looking cautious and a little flustered. "Sorry, I know... I didn't mean anything by it, okay? I know we have to take this seriously."

Marissa took a deep breath. "It's okay, I'm sorry too. I guess I'm just a little nervous about this whole thing." She glanced sideways at Alex. If anything happened to her, it would be completely devastating. She thought back to what Alex had asked her earlier on the porch. With every second they spent together, Marissa knew she was falling harder and harder for the rebellious blonde. But then there was Ryan... four days ago, she was trying so hard to avoid breaking up with him for her. Now, she wasn't so sure. She sighed inwardly. She just couldn't make a decision. Who can't I live without?

Seth stood, breaking Marissa out of her reverie. "I think we're all a little freaked out," he said, looking around the room. "I mean, this is superhero stuff we're doing here, I think. Spiderman calibre at least, if not X-men."

Summer sighed. "Cohen, does everything you do require a metaphor to something from a comic book?"

Seth grinned. "Yep. But seriously," he looked at Marissa. "We have a plan. We've thought stuff out. And we're not gonna let anyone get hurt." His gaze turned to Alex. "'Specially you. We didn't pull you out of that trunk for nothing, you know."

Alex smiled. "You're a really good guy, Seth. I may even consider promoting your maturity level to age twelve."

"Awesome," said Seth, giving a fist pump while Summer laughed. Then he turned for the door. "Okay, well everything's ready. Let's go, we'll go over the plan again in the car." He and Summer grabbed backpacks and headed out of the kitchen, with Alex and Marissa following them.

"Hey," said Marissa quietly as they stepped outside. She stopped on the front steps. "You've been quiet, you okay?"

Alex smiled weakly. "I'm okay. I'm just... I want this to be over."

Marissa looked her in the eyes, searchingly. "I want you to know something. Seth told you already we're not going to let anyone hurt you. And I'm going to take that one step further." She grasped Alex's hand. "I'm going to do anything I can to protect you."

The blonde's smile grew. "You know, I never thought I'd see the day where you would be protecting me."

Marissa smiled too. "Hey, I can be badass too."

"Oh, so very badass," Alex laughed. "C'mon, the car's waiting. Let's do this."

The car ride was silent for the most part, except for the sound of Seth going over the plan one more time, handing everyone various items from the two backpacks, and detailing bits anyone was unsure about. Summer, who was driving, kept her eyes on the road, her tight grip on the steering wheel the only indication of nerves. Marissa spent the ride nodding at Seth whenever there was a pause in his recitation. Mostly though, she spent it sneaking sideways glances at Alex.

The blonde gazed out her window, cool blue eyes unfocused. Her right hand kept a steady 'tap tap tap' on the door's arm rest. Her jaw was set, and Marissa could see she was psyching herself up. She also couldn't help thinking again and again how beautiful she was. How could anyone resist kissing those lips? Running fingers through that hair? Marissa shook herself mentally. 'Focus,' she thought fervently. 'You're about to dive head first into dealings with a would-be murderer. This is no time to be drooling over Alex.'

"Marissa?"

She jerked her head toward the front seat. "Oh, sorry, I zoned out. What did you say, Seth?"

"It's about Phase Two," the dark haired boy repeated, "Now, as everyone knows, Phase One will give us a good chance of apprehending Booth, but without a clean connection to Adam..." He shrugged sadly.

Summer chimed in from the driver's seat. "Cohen's right. Phase Two's freaking vital, and we can't afford for it to go wrong because we didn't cover our asses."

Alex's head turned, her eyes clear and focused again. "Don't worry about it, okay?" she said, her voice firm. "I'm good for it. I'm the only one who can do this, and I can pull it off." Her eyes flickered toward Marissa. "I don't need more help."

Marissa felt a jolt of warmth, followed by a chill. 'She's trying to protect me,' she realized. 'But she's putting herself in even more danger to do it...'

Summer sighed. "We knew you'd take it this way." Marissa could see her friend's dark brown eyes flash towards Alex in the rear view mirror. "But come on, you have to understand. Marissa can help you with this, and it'll be at pretty much no risk."

Alex made a small noise of dissent. "Pretty much?" she repeated, glaring.

But Marissa had had enough. "Alex," she said firmly, taking her hand. She could feel the blonde jump a little from the contact. Their eyes locked, and Marissa marveled at how simple everything suddenly was. She knew exactly how Alex felt, but also knew exactly what to say to get her to see reason. She spoke again, her voice softened. "I thought you were going to let me help protect you for a change?"

Alex gave a small grin. "Oops. I guess these things are kind of unnatural for me." Her face shifted to a more serious expression. "Okay. You can help. But please, please, be careful."

Marissa spoke quietly. "I promise." Alex smiled weakly.

"Good," said Seth. He tossed something back to Marissa. "You know what to do?"

Marissa looked at the object she'd been given, and then back at Seth, her jaw set. "I've got a pretty good idea."

"Well that's good," remarked Summer. The car slowed, and pulled over to the side of the road. They were on a secluded street, and were parked in front of a house with dark windows. "Because we're here."

Seth looked wildly out the window. "Geez, already?" He pulled at his collar, and turned back to Summer. "You're sure this is it?"

Summer rolled her eyes. "I double and triple checked with your dad. He and his connections looked into every residence in the area. This one checks out. There's been hydro and gas usage, but it's on an old payment, there's been no recorded owner for two months. Someone's squatting here."

Seth made a face. "The government freaks me out sometimes."

"Well in this case, they came in handy, so you can stop complaining." Summer grabbed her backpack, and turned around to face Alex. "Phase One?"

Alex unbuckled her seatbelt, eyes blazing. "You know it."

Both girls opened their doors, and then both had their wrists grabbed. "Be careful," said Seth and Marissa in unison.

Summer smiled and kissed Seth on the cheek, whispering something in his ear. Alex winked at Marissa. "I promise," she said softly. And then they were gone, running off into the shadows behind a hedge next to the house.

Marissa's stomach twisted into a knot as she watched Alex disappear. "I guess Summer needs to change?"

She saw Seth nod from the front seat, his gaze fixed on the hedge as well. "Disguises are key," he said quietly. His voice was steady, but Marissa could hear the uneasiness.

There was silence for a few minutes, as Marissa stared out the window and Seth opened his backpack and removed a laptop, microphone, speaker and a walkie talkie. He booted up the laptop and opened a few programs. Watching over his shoulder, Marissa spoke up. "Sure you know what you're doing with all of that? If we mess up with the techno stuff we're screwed."

Seth snorted. "I wasn't referred to as 'Super Dork' for eight years for nothing. Trust me, I know what I'm doing."

Finally, two figures emerged from behind the hedge. One was wearing a backpack and had a high definition digital camera around her neck. She quickly disappeared into some smaller bushes up against the edge of the house. The other held a clipboard, and started walking up the driveway to the door. Marissa couldn't help but laugh a bit at what she was wearing. Summer was dressed in a tiny black tube top and black pumps, with her dark hair pulled up in an elabourate bun at the top of her head. She had huge hoop earrings and was wearing a very, very short red leather skirt. "Your girlfriend looks like a hooker."

"Well, it's very important to the plan."

Marissa was a bit skeptical. "And this look is really going to get Booth to come out?"

Seth exhaled. He looked very nervous, and his gaze was locked on Summer, who had just knocked on the door. "According to Alex, 'this look' is his type. I just hope she's right. Speaking of which..." He flicked on his walkie talkie. "Barracuda, come in."

Alex's voice, distorted by static, answered. "Seth, we're not using the code names."

"Okay, okay," the lanky boy conceded. "Everything set up?"

"Ready to go. All we need now is our boy."

Marissa bit her lip. She felt so helpless sitting in the back of the car. Alex was out there, exposed. Wasn't she supposed to be protecting her? She took a deep breath. 'Relax,'she told herself. 'Wait for Phase Two. You can help then.'

Seth's voice broke her stupor. "Heeeeere's Jonny," he breathed.

Marissa jerked her gaze back to the doorway. Sure enough, Summer was no longer alone on the stoop. She could see her friend gesture with the clipboard, and hold out a pen. Marissa bit her lip again. If Booth didn't buy the whole 'petition' thing...

But she had nothing to worry about. Not only did he buy it, he stepped out onto the porch with Summer, smiling at her. He held his hand out for the pen.

"Yessss," hissed Seth. He fumbled for the walkie talkie. "Did you get the shot? He's out in the light, take the shot!"

There was silence for a moment, but it seemed like an eternity. And then Alex's voice crackled through the speaker. "I got it. Full face, high detail. I'm sending it to you now."

"Yessss," repeated Seth. A quiet 'ding' sounded from his computer. "I've got mail," he remarked. He bent over the keyboard and typed furiously. Then he lifted his fingers from the keys and sat back, looking satisfied. "And now, so does the Los Angeles Police Department." He twisted in his seat to look at Marissa, and pressed his thumb down on the walkie talkie again so Alex could hear too. "Okay, I'd say we have about fifteen minutes before they can ID the picture to Booth, and get over here. Before they do, weneed to get that confession out of him, and recorded."

"Hidden mic is set up and ready to go," Alex's static filled voice said.

"Good," continued Seth. "Unfortunately, if Booth sees that mic, or realizes our plan-"

"I know," Marissa said impatiently. Her heart was pounding in her chest. "I know what I'm doing. Just give me my talkie already."

Seth stared at her for a moment, and then tossed her a third walkie talkie. They both jumped as the driver's door opened, and Summer re-entered the car. She looked at Seth. "Did you send the picture?"

When her boyfriend nodded, the tiny brunette looked into the back seat at Marissa. "Phase One complete. Time for Phase Two." She smiled encouragingly. "Good luck Coop. You can do it."

Marissa left the car, closing the door carefully behind her. Booth had long re-entered the house, and she was fairly confident he wasn't looking out the windows. She quickly made her way over to the bushes where she knew Alex was. Kneeling down, she saw blonde hair. She smiled as blue eyes met hers. "Good job on the picture."

Alex smiled back. She had put the camera in the backpack, and stashed it in the bushes. They wouldn't need it now. "Thanks." The blonde held a hand out, and squeezed Marissa's. Her eyes shifted to a look of determination. "I'm going to go now."

Marissa nodded, the knot in her stomach tightening. She struggled to speak; the combination of nerves and Alex's hand in hers seemed to be blocking her throat. "I'm right behind you," she managed finally.

Blue eyes blazed. "I know." Suddenly there were warm lips on hers, and for a very brief moment it felt like Marissa's brain had just shut down out of pure happiness. Then Alex pulled back, stared her right in the eye. "I love you." And she was gone, running up the front steps to the door. She knocked three times.

Marissa felt like her entire world had just combusted in some grand and wonderful explosion, but with some effort, she pushed it all aside. She had a job to do. She knelt in the bushes, rigid with expectation as she waited for the door to open. And then it did.

It all happened so fast. As soon as she was face to face with Booth, Alex put up both her hands. Marissa saw her mouth move."I'm here to talk."

There was the tiniest pause. Marissa imagined all of their hearts; hers, Seth's, Summer's and Alex's, stopped and suspended, waiting to see what Booth would do. If he flipped out and killed her now... Marissa was too far away from the door to do anything. Seth and Summer were helpless, sitting in the car.

But Booth did exactly what they had predicted. He moved backward, ushering Alex inside, his eyes visibly frightened even from a distance. He was freaking out, and so he was careless. As he went with Alex into his house, he left the door ajar by about an inch.

It was all Marissa needed. She waited a split second, then rushed up the steps, staying low and doing her best to be quiet. Praying that Booth wasn't facing the door, she sneaked inside. It was very dark in the hallway, and her eyes took a moment to adjust. Then she heard a male voice, coming from the first room to her left. "I don't understand," it said, shakingly. "You're supposed to- I thought-"

"You thought I was dead." This voice was Alex's. Marissa's heart skipped a beat, and very quietly, she moved to the room in question. The door was open only a sliver, but it was enough to see. She crouched by the doorframe, and looked into the room. Booth was sitting in a chair with his back to her. Alex was standing with her arms crossed, staring at him. She was wearing an icy expression, and her voice was just as cold. "And for good reason, I suppose. You did leave me in the trunk of a car to die."

Marissa could see Booth's grip on the seat of his chair tighten. "I don't know what you're talking about." His voice had a distinct tremor.

"Don't give me that shit," Alex retorted bitingly. "I can put two and two together, Jonny. My idiot ex-boyfriend thinks I got him busted. He needs someone to steal a car and deal with me. Right in the middle of all this, you flake out on your parole and disappear. How stupid do you think I am?"

Booth's voice gained a little strength. "Geez Kelly, you really have gone off the deep end. Why would I try and kill you?"

Marissa felt her heart sink. Booth wasn't admitting anything... Could Alex get the truth out of him in time? What would happen if she couldn't? She checked her watch. It had been ten minutes since Seth had sent the email to the LAPD. Come on, Alex!

There was silence in the room. Alex's eyes were still blazing, but Marissa could see a sliver of panic etched in the lines of her face. Obviously, Booth could see it too. He spoke up, with a new confident undertone to his voice. "Seriously, Kelly," he drawled. "I know you and your boy had some trouble, but I'm your buddy. And there's no way I would leave you at the side of the road in goddamn Orange County."

Click. There was an almost audible change, a switching of power. Marissa could feel the room's atmosphere crackle with the electricity of it. And at first she didn't even know what was going on. But all she needed to know she found in Alex's sudden triumphant smile. The blonde shifted her weight to her left foot, and cocked her head at the young man seated in the chair in front of her. "Oh really?" she said, her voice a near whisper. "Because I also think that any 'buddy' of mine would cover his ass better." She shot him a look that made a shiver run done Marissa's spine. "I don't think I mentioned Orange County, Jonny."

Booth's shoulders slumped like air being let out of a balloon. "I- I-"

"Save it," spat Alex. "You're done. You tried to kill me, on the orders of that tweaked out asshole. Since when do you jump at Adam's every word?"

"You don't get it, he said you ratted him out-"

That was all they needed. Marissa felt as if a huge weight lifted off her shoulders. She knew Alex's mic would record everything Booth said, and he had just admitted his own involvement in the kidnapping as well as Adam's. The mic was transferring live to Seth, so he could save and send all audio as soon as it was spoken. She checked her watch. Thirteen minutes. Almost perfect timing. They were going to pull this off!

But then their luck ran out. In some catastrophic twist of fate, Alex's microphone wire snagged on her jacket sleeve as she lifted her arm. The cord dragged the mic out of her front pocket, and although she tried her best to hide it quickly, she wasn't quick enough. Booth stopped explaining himself immediately and stood up.

"You fucking bitch."

Alex stared him down, her voice still steady. "You asked for this, Jonny. You deserve this as much as Adam does."

These words seemed to make no impact at all, and Booth took a step forward. He moved his hand backwards, and he gripped the back of his wooden chair.

And all of a sudden Marissa was moving. She knew what Booth was doing. She could see the scene playing out; Booth violently swinging the heavy chair, while Alex was unarmed. 'But I'm not,'she thought fiercely, pulling what Seth had given her earlier from the waistband of her jeans. "Freeze!" she screamed, bursting through the door.

"What the hell!" yelled Booth, dropping the chair and jumping back. "Who are you- is that a fucking gun?"

"It's a BB gun, actually," said Marissa, her voice calm and cold, its eerie cadence surprising even herself. "But don't relax too much; if I shoot enough of these bullets at you, you'll still need a good amount of medical attention. Now get down on the floor."

It might have worked. If Marissa had given the order one minute sooner, Booth never would have seen the blue and red flashing lights coming in his open front door and bathing his hallway in light. He never would have heard the sirens. And he never would have become so angry and scared that he bolted forward, shocking Marissa so badly she dropped the gun. And he never would have picked it up.

The last thing Marissa saw was the barrel pointed straight at her. The last thing she heard was Alex's scream. And then it all went black.