Chapter 30

Parker froze.

Her chest burned from holding her breath and her mind was racing trying to think of what to do.

At least until she felt herself being tugged toward the slowly spinning blades of the turbine.

Alec was holding her firmly and was propelling her forward.

Parker didn't fight him, neither did she help. She simply let herself be guided.

It was the first time that she could remember not actively taking part in her own survival or the task she was supposed to be performing.

Alec's hands felt reassuring and strong as they held her sides. His power alone was pushing them both toward the blades. Parker couldn't find strength or will. The tunnel around her was getting blacker.

Something felt strange. Then she realized that the desperately hot yearning in her chest for air had cooled considerably. It was turning into a cold, black, stillness, and it was spreading.

Alec saw the blade begin its rotation just as the light on his air gauge begin signaling that he too was out of air. They had to get out of the tunnel as soon as possible…but Parker wasn't moving.

He couldn't see her face but he could see that her hands and feet had stopped moving.

He didn't give her hesitation another moment's thought.

He swam up behind her and grabbed her quickly at her waist and pushed them forward. As he moved with her though her head lobbed limply and a moment's panic flashed into his mind.

His feet paddled furiously and he threw himself and Parker through the blades condensing the effort into one fluid stretch that he felt in every muscle in his body.

They cleared the blades and a most welcome sight welcomed him as he shifted his gaze upward- the giant metal door to the compression chamber. The door that, according to Sonia's map, lead them into the facility.

Parker hung from Alec's grip like a ragdoll. He didn't have time to think about the 'what if' though. His own chest was beginning to burn in earnest and the frothy bubbles from the turbine were increasing. His visibility would be compromised if he didn't hurry.

He shifted Parker's weight to one arm, holding her tightly as he ran the other hand along his belt searching for the wedge he needed to open the door.

He was beginning to see small gray dots bursting and floating wherever his eyes tracked and he knew he was running out of time. He too would lose consciousness soon if he didn't get some air.

He ran his fingers along the opening of the door and tries to gauge its middle before he wiggled the wedge into place, hit the button on its top, and waited until he felt the release of the wedge's extended nuzzle inching its way between the length of the sealed door. Then he swam against the wall of the tunnel and waited.

The tiny wedge forced the doors to open grudgingly but only enough for Alec to ease his arm through. The relentless flow of the ocean water took care of the rest. It filled the compression room quickly and overrode the failsafe allowing Alec to find the release at the top of one of the doors so that they would open the rest of the way. Then he swam in and found the compression control against the wall, as Sonia's instructions indicated. He hit the button and kicked furiously to stay at the surface as the water as it drained from the room, all the while slowly pressing and releasing Parker's stomach to force her to expel any water she may have taken into her lungs.

The first fresh breath of air he took was intoxicating. His vision blurred and his strength waned for just a moment before the second inhalation infused his body with oxygen once again.

As the last of the water drained from the chamber, their bodies floated to the grated floor and Alec immediately began working on Parker. He had to get her to breath. It had been too long since she'd had air.

"Come on," he coaxed softly as he mentally counted the compressions he was doing on her chest. "Come on," he called again a little louder as he lowered his mouth to hers to gently force some air into her lungs.

"Parker," he nearly shouted as he pressed down hard once again.

A sputtering, gag as she expelled the water that had filled her throat, was her response.

Alec leaned back on his heels and watched vigilantly as Parker's eyes opened and she regained her sense of where she was.

"How do you feel?" he asked her softly when her eyes slowly found his and held.

She tried to talk but stopped and grimaced before holding her throat and attempting to sit up. He quickly moved to help her and stayed close cradling her against him.

"A little dazed," she answered slowly, hoarsely, "My head is not happy right now."

Alec smiled. Parker was going to be fine.

"Can you move?" he asked reluctantly. He didn't want to rush her but knew that every moment was of the essence.

Parker nodded lightly and made to stand with Alec's help.

Once erect she slowly inhaled a deep breath and rolled her head around to ease the dizziness and pain she was feeling. Alec studied her for a moment but felt helpless and decided that instead of hovering he'd find the door which lead to the facility.

Sonia may have been a scheming sociopath but he had to admit her instructions were spot on. Alec found the latch just where she indicated. A strong-armed pull and the heavy metal door opened to reveal another tunnel. Parker was close on his heels as he made his way into the tunnel.

"The door to the power room is just ahead. I think that's our best bet. There shouldn't be anyone in there," Alec instructed softly. Parker nodded her reply wordlessly but Alec felt her with him, committed and focused.

He thought about what that meant; about how Parker was always committed, how she was always focused, how she was always with him, even when they were separated. He thought about how much of his life was about her; about how much of what he did was for her, because of her. And he realized that he was there for one reason and one reason only and it was to save Parker.

"Ready?" he called quietly to her and turned to see her nod her agreement.

Alec retrieved his pen device and pointed it at the center of the door where- according to Sonia's instructions, the key pad was located on the other side. He knew the pen was reading the code and uploading the override but when nothing happened after a minute he began to worry.

"What's happening?" Parker asked uneasily. She could sense Alec's concern that the door hadn't opened.

"I don't know," he answered her and looked at the pen.

But as the pen reached level to his line of sight, the door opened with a pop and they could both instantly feel the change in the air pressure.

Alec and Parker looked quickly at each other but neither moved.

Alec was certain that the pen hadn't done it. The reaction was too delayed.

But…if it wasn't the pen…

Alec didn't get a chance to finish ask himself the question.

The door opened the rest of the way with a smooth slide and on the other side waiting to greet them were seven very large guns pointed squarely into the tunnel, directly at them.

Alec and Parker froze, their eyes tracking from the tip of one menacing looking gun to the next until a deep voice from behind the gun squad spoke out.

"Did Sonia send you?" the unseen man inquired and a chill ran up Alec's spine.