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"I want to know where we're going," I demanded.

"Just trust me," he insisted again.

I did trust him. I was trusting him with Leo's life. I knew he wouldn't let something bad happen to Leo, but what I didn't know is how he was going to find Leo.

Finally he stopped. We were parked outside a dark house. The onlt shown from a small shed in the back. My heart jumped. Leo! He could be right beyond those walls! But then, I felt like I'd been punched in the stomach. What if he were just beyond those walls, but he wasn't...okay?

"Stay here," ordered James.

"But," I protested.

"Stay," he repeated, firmer this time.

He held his gun tightly in one hand. He got out of the car and shut the door soundlessly. He walked quickly, but cautiously, to the shed. My heart pounded as he got close. Horrible thoughts entered my mind, picturing all the things that could occur in the next few moments. I hoped with all my heart that this would be like the rescues on TV. The hero goes in, saves the victim, and everybody goes home. Safe and happy.

But I knew it wasn't that simple. I watched, terrified, as James got to the door.

"Oh, god," I whispered. My stomach clenched up.

In the blink of an eye, James stormed the place. He kicked down the rusty old door, yelling and threatening with his gun. As many as six men ran from the building and into the darkness.

A gunshot, a scream, another man running from the scene.

"NOOO!" the scream echoed.

I immediately fled from the car, running frantically to the shed, fearing the worst.

As I got closer, I saw James leaning over Leo, lying on the ground.

"Leo!" I screamed desperately, running faster, stumbling over the uneven ground.

James stood up and looked up at me. I got closer and the dim light revealed all.

A fraction of a moment's confusion was replaced by realization and understanding, and relief. The darkness has fooled me. It was Leo, not James, who sood over the other. Leo was okay.

"Leo," I tried to say. It came out in a low whisper. My breath was gone. In the same moment, I looked down.

Surprised again, it wasn't one of the bad guys. It wasn't the hero standing over the villian in triumph. It was a friend, standing over his defeated partner. It was James lying on the ground.

"Start the car," Leo ordered as he gently picked James up.

I ran back to the car and jammed the keys forward in the ignition. I got back out and opened the back door as Leo arrived with James. He laid James in the back and quickly hopped in the passenger's seat as I returned to the driver's.

"Hospital," he said, out of breath.

In a blur, we raced to the nearest hospital, Leo carried James in and he was immediately taken away on a gurney.

Immediately, Leo lunged for me. Before I could catch my breath, he had me wrapped in his arms. He was crying softly. I sunk into his chest, and realized I was crying, too.

The cops arrived shortly after Leo called them to tell his cheif what had happened. After a few questions, it seemed we would be able to go home.

"Alright," said the deputy. "I'll have you escorted home and we'll have two people there for tonight."

"People?" I questioned.

"Police protection," Leo said to me. "He's still out there," he added grimly.

I nodded.

"Glad to see you're alright, son. After you get checked out, you'll be escorted home."

"Sir, I'd like to stay with James tonight, and I'd like Piper to stay with me," Leo said.

"You need your rest. You are to go home and get some sleep. That is an order."

"With all due respect, James saved my life. I want to stay here, with him," Leo tried again.

"Wyatt, I gave you a direct order," the cheif said, looking angry.

Leo smiled. He reached in his pocket, and flung his badge and ID card into his cheif's hand.

"My gun's already at the station. I quit."

"Wyatt," his cheif tried to persuade him otherwise.

"Sorry, sir. The time I spent in there, being told I was going to die at midnight, made me think. If James was the only one willing to break rules to save my life, I don't want to be a part of what you do. I'd rather be with him."

The cheif stormed off.

Leo held me closer. We sunk back into the waiting room. The cops eventually all left, and we were here, alone. I cried until I fell asleep.

I fell asleep right where I belonged. His arms.