Disclaimer- I do not own Bones or its characters. Alexandria and Edward are mine )

Author's Note- If I am lucky there will only be (tops) 5 chapters left to this story! R&R, be kind.

Chapter 28- I Turn To You

#Last Time#

Zack was about to speak when he heard the hatch open "How are my little rodents doing?" Howard asked, dropping down the rope ladder.

Brennan screamed in agony, Zack ducked into the darkness.

"Well it looks like our daughter is coming sooner then planned." Howard said jumping off the ladder in front of Brennan. Brennan breathed hard through gritted teeth. Zack watched Howard lift up the sheet to look at how the birth was progressing, Brennan snapped her legs shut.

"It's a little too late to be doing that now, isn't it. Not keeping them shut is what got you in this predicament." Howard said forcing Brennan's legs apart.

Zack lept forward and wrapped one of the chains around Howard's neck. Howard struggled but was able to over power Zack, sending him flying.

"Nice try. Just stay out of the way." Howard said, turning back to Brennan. Staying out of the way was the last thing Zack was going to do. He would get himself and Brennan out of here alive if it killed him.

Howard made his way back to Brennan. Zack jumped up, "Epps!" Howard turned around "I'm not finished with you yet."

Through all the pain, all the fear, Brennan couldn't help but notice that Zack was acting very un-Zack like. Frankly, she was frightened for him. She was frightened that Howard's physical strength could surpass Zack's by a lot.

"Look who's trying to be a hero." Howard taunted.

"I'm not trying to be anything." Zack said, wrapping the chain he was wielding around one of his fists.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed?" Howard asked looking not at all interested in fighting Zack.

"If I let you take Brennan's baby, I'll die anyway. I might as well die trying to protect that little girl." Zack said.

Howard took a step forward, as did Zack. "I'm telling you right now, you do not want to fight me." Howard said.

"And I'm telling you to go to hell." Zack said whipping the chain against Howard's bare arm. Brennan saw blood drip from Howard arm, she stifled a scream.

Howard lunged froward, Zack ducked. Howard fell to the ground, quickly regaining his footing. This time when Howard stood, he was armed with a scalpel.

"That's it. That's all you could find?" Zack asked trying his hand at taunting. Howard threw the scalpel at Zack. It hit him in the arm "Argh! Shit!" Zack shouted.

"Is the baby finished?" Howard asked.

Zack pulled the scalpel out of his arm "Not by a long shot." Just as Zack was about to charge at Howard, Brennan screamed. Howard and Zack both stopped and looked at her. Fluid was starting to soak into the cot. Zack watched as Howard ran to Brennan's aid. Zack had a plan.

"ETA 45 minutes. Do you know how to shoot a gun?" Booth asked, handing Alexandria a 42 caliber hand gun.

"Aim and fire." Alexandria said taking the gun into her shaking hands.

"Aim and fire at Edward. Not me, not Bones and not Zack. Ok?" Booth asked.

"Howard. Not you, Brennan or Zack. Got it." Alexandria said.

'Hold on Bones' Booth thought 'I'm coming'

As Howard pulled Brennan's legs apart to look at her progress Zack wrapped the chains around his hands.

"Well, well. It looks like a C-Section might be needed. I must get my supplies." Howard said.

"You are not cutting me open." Brennan said trying to distract Howard from Zack, who was creeping up behind him.

Howard got in Brennan's face "I don't care about your life, remember? I only care about that baby's. Now if you..."Howard's talking was cut off by the sound of frantic choking and gasping. Brennan watched as Zack pulled on the chain tighter and tighter. Howard struggled against Zack but Zack remained stronger.

Soon the gasping and choking was starting to slow, Howard began dropping to his knees. Zack slowly lowered to the ground as Howard collapsed. Howard's eyes were closed, Zack checked for a pulse "He's still alive, but barely."

Zack rushed to Brennan "Can you stand?"

"Do...I...have...a...choice?" Brennan asked.

"Not really. The only way to save you and your baby is to get you up and out." Zack said motioning to the rope ladder.

"You want me to climb that thing! Now?" Brennan cried as Zack lifted her to her feet.

"You cannot have this baby in a pit. Come on. Do it for her. We can do this." Zack coached.

Brennan got to her feet and walked as slowly, yet quickly as she could. Zack motioned for her to go up the ladder first. 'We're almost there. You can do this' Brennan thought.

Author's Note- Almost there! Almost safe! Or are they? Hmmm...R&R and be kind. Thanks to Miscreant for being my beta!

xoxox

Seraphina