A/N: Hey guys. Well, so far so good, I'm on holiday and have a chapter done. Yay. I hope you enjoy it :D Evil hat is very much enjoying his holiday, mwahahaha. Lovin it! Hope this isn't too evil for you.

Thank you very, very much for all your brilliant reviews. Please, please, please, keep them coming. BTW to those who have a reply blocker on your account, I can't respond to you, so please remove it if you would like a reply to your review.

I hope to get another chapter up this week, and for those of you reading The Calling, I will also be updating this week. Thank you so very much for your patience on that story, it's just becoming very much a challenge with everything in the fic now needing to come together.

Anyhoo, I will stop blabbing on and let you get to the story :) ENJOY!

Chapter 14

Brass paced back and forth at the store scene. After finding out from Archie that Grissom's GPS wasn't responding the mood had turned from bad to worse.

An APB had been put out on Grissom's Denali, but given the head start the fugitives had, they could have been over fifty miles away by now and quite possibly untraceable. They may not have even been in Grissom's vehicle now.

No one knew and that added to the tension.

"So what now?" Greg asked as Nick put his cell away after talking to Catherine.

Brass bit down on his lip and shrugged his shoulders. "Unless we get a sighting on the car…I don't know."

"Catherine's still looking into the brother's backgrounds," Nick said. "She might get a location for us but she thinks like I do. They probably won't be going anywhere where we would be looking for them."

The three men looked towards the store as the body of the victim was wheeled out. McKeen waited for the cart and was offered a look at the face of the dead man. He had his verification and he did not look happy about it.

"McKeen looks pissed," Nick mumbled.

"Yeah…I don't think he's going to make our job any easier at this point in time…" Brass's eyes suddenly flickered, remembering something. He pulled out his cell. "I'm going to try Grissom again. His phone could still be on. Maybe he's just not answering it because he can't get the opportunity. At least now, I know why he wasn't answering before but it's possible he could now. If he does, we can track him…"

CSICSICSICSICSICSICSI

The Denali struck the tree that was blocking the road and Grissom struggled with the wheel, his fingers clenching tightly around it, his teeth gritting to a point it actually hurt.

The car jolted and spun out of control, veering to the right. The wet road offered him no favors and he held no power over what happened.

The occupants of the vehicle didn't have any time to react apart from shocked expressions, the impact just seemed to happen so quickly and within seconds, the Denali had veered off the road and slumped in a ditch.

Silence enveloped the road apart from a tick…tick…tick…of an indicator which had shorted and was stuck on, illuminating the area with alternate orange and a hiss coming from the bonnet of the car.

Everyone inside the car slumped forward in their seats as smoke poured from the engine. It was a quiet road anyway and with the storm, chances of help or a passing car were very few and far between.

Simultaneously Grissom and Sara raised their heads; being the only two people inside secured by their safety belts their injuries were minimal.

Grissom groaned, shaking his head as he attempted to assess the situation and gain some bearings. He saw Sara through the mirror, dazed but conscious.

"Honey? Honey..." he gasped, attempting to turn in his seat, quickly trying to snap open the buckle on his belt, "...Are you okay?"

She blinked hard and exhaled a breath. "I think so," Sara responded tilting her head to look to Ryan who was crumbled in a heap beside her, a large gash on his head and blood oozing from the wound. He must have crashed into the back of her husband's seat. "Can't say he's looking so great though…"

Grissom looked to his right to see Jay in a similar predicament. He'd struck the dashboard upon impact and taken the airbag full force in the face. He wasn't cut but he sure looked bruised and he was certainly out of it. The CSI found a little temptation to try and remove the bag from around his shoulder but thought otherwise when he heard Sara groan. Stolen jewels weren't really his top priority at that moment.

"We have to get out of here," he spoke quickly as he managed to unbuckle himself and kick open his door, sliding from the wreckage. Rushing to Sara's side he forced open her door, probably with sheer adrenaline and unclipped her belt. His hands cupped her face as she struggled to focus on him. "Sara...look at me."

Slowly, she raised her head and gazed at him. "Are you hurt?"

Her hands fell to her stomach, where upon instinct she checked herself. She felt no pain, well, at least no more than she felt before the crash. "Um...feel a little dizzy but...nothing else."

"You're sure?" His hands covered hers now as his eyes checked her over. An impact like that could have easily started an early labor.

She nodded. "I'm…ok," she said a little breathlessly. "What happened?"

"We hit a tree. I didn't see it," he admitted.

Sara looked through the window. "Well, looks like the car isn't going anywhere…"

"I think I saw a house about a quarter of a mile back; we can try to get help there. I don't see what other option we have."

Sara nodded as her husband slipped his arms around her and helped her from the car. "Are you sure you're not hurt?" he asked once she was free of the wreckage, sliding his hands over her body to check for any signs of injury.

"No, I'm okay."

"Alright, come on; let's go, before they come to..." He took her hand.

"Wait..." Sara pulled away and leaned back into the car. She grabbed the gun Ryan had dropped during the impact. She turned and held it out to her husband. "Might need it..." she mumbled.

He agreed with a nod, took the weapon from her and slipped it into the back of his belt. Taking her hand again, he tugged and as fast as Sara was capable, they headed through the rain and up the road in search of help.

A few minutes later, back inside the car, something vibrated...Grissom's cell in Jay's pocket.

The young thug groaned and his eyes popped open...

CSICSICSICSICSICSICSI

The rain beat down upon Grissom and Sara as they reached the driveway to the house. Luckily it wasn't far from the crash site, which Sara was thankful for because she was so exhausted now, her legs cramped and she struggled with the last few paces up the driveway.

"I see a light on," Grissom said as they reached the house, noticing a pickup truck at the very top of the drive.

Sara just nodded, wiping the wet hair from her face. She didn't have the energy to do anything else.

They approached the door and Grissom banged hard upon it. They waited.

"Come on...come on..." Grissom mumbled, checking behind them and trying to see down the driveway through the darkness. He tried the door, jiggling the handle but it was locked. He banged again.

Within a few seconds the light behind the door came on and the couple looked at each other as they heard clicks of locks being released.

Slowly, the door opened and an older man in a denim shirt and jeans, holding a shotgun stared at them. He looked the couple over, an inkling of uncertainty on his face to be receiving strange people at his door, especially at that hour, in the middle of a storm and in the middle of nowhere. "Can I help you?" he asked, his Irish accent unmistakable.

Grissom immediately noted the gun and proceeded with caution. "Please..." Grissom began, "...do you have a phone we can use? It's an emergency. We are Crime Scene Investigators and we had an accident back on the road and well..."

Again, the man looked them over, noting Sara's condition as well as the cuts on her wrists. "Not good to be travelling in these conditions," he advised. He pointed to Sara hands, seeming a little cautious. "Odd injuries for a car accident."

"It's a long story," Sara said. "We just really need a phone right now."

The man thought for a moment. "Being investigators, you not have a radio or something?"

"Damn it," Grissom grumbled. They were in such a hurry to get away from the car he'd forgotten about the police radio.

"Although..." the man continued. "...you be lucky if such things work in this weather. I know the local law around here have problems during storms." He laughed to himself. "We're good friends. Fact is, they spend a while here when the rain is really bad. Seems I make good coffee and I always have lots of doughnuts."

Grissom swiped a hand through his hair. "That's...nice, however we...really need a phone."

"Ok, you look like you could use a little help. You can use my phone. If it's still working that is. Storm tends to knock it out sometimes." He kinked his head. "Follow me."

The two CSI's followed the man into the house. Grissom checked behind them one last time before he closed the door. Sara just hoped the phone was working.

They entered the living room almost immediately, the house was pretty small and very open plan. To the right was a door, possibly the kitchen and to the left, a staircase leading to the upstairs.

"It's over there," the man said pointing to a table next to one of two sofas.

Grissom nodded and rushed to the phone. Sara stepped up to the sofa and leaned against it, trying to take some of the weight from her legs. She could have sat but she just felt too edgy.

"You need some help?" the man asked. "Want some water or something? Maybe you should sit..."

Sara smiled but shook her head. "I'm alright, for now," she replied.

Picking up the phone Grissom held it to his ear and sighed with relief when he got a dial tone. "It's working," he said with half a smile.

He punched in two numbers but then his smile faded when the line cut off. "Shit..."

"What?" Sara's eyes questioned his.

"It's gone dead...Sounds like it was cut..."

A sudden breeze blew through the room and everyone jumped when a gunshot crippled the silence of the house.

The old man shot forwards then fell to the floor with a dull thud, his gun skidding across the carpet.

Sara's head sprang around in shock as he landed not far from her feet.

The phone slipped from Grissom's fingers and hit the floor as they both looked on, mouths agape.

Ryan stood, eyes fierce, gun still smoking.

The door hadn't been locked after they'd entered.

Big mistake.

The younger man winced and placed a hand over the cut on his head.

Grissom was quick and whipped out the gun he had. Sara swiftly rounded the sofa to get herself out of the immediate line of fire; her finger nails digging into the soft cushion. She didn't expect them to be so fast in catching up.

Ryan's stature tensed and a growl fell from his lips, his arm rigid as his gun pointed right at the CSI. Grissom's weapon pointed right back at him.

Swallowing hard, Grissom took several steps backwards as Ryan advanced on him with a furious look in his eye. "Put the fucking gun down!" he shouted.

Grissom's whole body stiffened and his heart pumped so fast it felt like it could have been in a blender. He wasn't a gun fan and the last thing he really wanted was to be in a standoff with a nut job. However, he knew he was a good shot when he had to be. And this seemed like that kind of time.

"I think my reaction time is probably a little better than yours right now," the CSI replied, trying to remain calm. He attempted to edge closer to his wife, just small steps but stopped when he spotted Ryan's eye's flick to her. "So I don't think so..." He attempted to bring the gun mans attention back to him and it worked. Or, so he thought.

Ryan smirked. "You really are a pain in the ass." His eyes moved back to Sara and fixed on her now. Slowly, he moved, his arm shifting to the right and now, his gun fell upon her instead. "How about now?" he asked smugly.

Sara's eyes widened and Grissom's heart plundered to his feet, his fingers tensing upon his weapon.

"You shoot me," Ryan said calmly, his eyes now floating between the couple, "I shoot her and you damn well know I'd get a shot off. Now...drop the gun or I drop your sweet wife."

Swallowing hard, Grissom's eyes worked in circles. What did he do? If he fired Ryan could also get a shot off. He knew that was possible.

This wasn't good.

However any decision was made for him when the door off the living room burst open and Jay flew into the room right next to where Grissom was standing. All of the CSI's attention was suddenly placed upon the younger brother as Jay lunged for him.

Grissom was taken totally by surprise, not expecting such an entrance. His gun went flying and he tripped backwards.

Quickly catching his balance he was swift to straighten out but he now stood unarmed, Jay's gun pointing right at his head.

The youngster looked pissed and tightened his finger on the trigger. But, Sara acted quickly, attempting to put him off and come to her husband's aid.

"No!" she screamed causing the younger man to avert his gaze and Grissom saw an opportunity to take the advantage. Leaping forwards he tried to grab the thug's gun as Jay looked at his wife but it seemed the gunman anticipated the move and was quick to act.

He swiped firm and fast with his weapon catching the CSI hard on the side of the head. Grissom fell to the floor with an agonising crunch and lay motionless.

"Son of a bitch!" Jay hollered as he lunged forwards and kicked Grissom full force in the ribs.

Ryan leapt ahead also and grabbed Sara but she fought him, watching as Jay continued to kick her husband.

"Stop it!" she shouted, struggling to break free. "You're going to kill him!"

Grissom was out cold and could do nothing about defending himself from the relentless attack.

Ryan leaned into Sara. "Stop fighting me," he snarled, "Or I swear, I will let my brother beat him to death."

Sucking in a sob, Sara shuddered and tried to calm herself. She stopped fighting him and became still in his arms.

"Enough!" Ryan shouted as Sara conceded. "We might need him so try and leave him in one piece, huh?"

Jay added one more kick for good measure and stepped back from Grissom's lifeless form. He wiped his now sweating forehead on his shirt sleeve and attempted catch his breath.

"Please let me go," Sara pleaded as she squirmed in her captors hold.

Ryan held on firmly, refusing to release her.

All Sara could see was her husband out cold on the floor and her protective instincts kicked in. With all the strength she could muster she stamped down, landing her right foot directly in the centre of Ryan's. His pain echoed through the house and he released her, falling backwards, pain cursing up his leg.

Sara instantly ran to her husband, kneeling on the floor as quickly as she could get.

"Fuck!" Ryan shouted, just about managing to catch his balance. His eyes shot to Sara's and through his anger and pain, shreds of spit shot from his mouth. However, he didn't make an attempt to approach her. He just lifted his foot while holding onto the back of sofa and rubbed his injury through his shoe.

Sara blew out a very nervous breath as she stared at her captor but turned her attention to her husband while Ryan was occupied with his injury.

"Gil...Gil?" She cupped his face in her hands but he was still unconscious. He had a cut over his temple where the gun had struck him. "Come on, baby..."

She checked his pulse, thankfully it was still beating.

Slowly she looked over her shoulder and swallowed hard as the two men now glared at her.

Jay removed the bag which was wrapped over his shoulder and dropped it onto the sofa closest to him. "Just let me kill him," he spat. "We don't really need him and he is seriously pissing me off."

Sara placed a protective arm over her husband at his threat.

"Chill Brother," Ryan said landing a hand on his brother's shoulder. He winced again as more blood trickled from the gash in his head.

With a purpose but a slight limp, Ryan stepped towards Sara. "Get up," he demanded.

Swallowing heavily, Sara shook her head.

Ryan sucked in a deep breath, his eyes evidently darkening. He lunged downwards, his bandaged hand shooting out to grab around Sara's throat and she squealed as he literally pulled her to her feet by her throat.

She gasped, both her hands instantly clawing at his in attempt to pull him away from her airway. Considering his injuries, he was still surprisingly strong and he wasn't letting up at all.

He dragged her up, her feet almost totally leaving the floor until only the very tips of her toes remained on the carpet. Now, they were completely eye to eye.

Sara tried to breathe but as panic more than sense overcame her body, she struggled, trying so hard to break free from him but it did her no good.

"Stop fighting," he whispered calmly.

As she watched another trickle of blood slip down his cheek Sara found her eyes glued onto his, questioning him, appealing...

She slackened her grip upon his and refrained from trying to pull away, doing as he'd asked. She'd come to realise that following his orders was definitely the best way to go.

He let up a little and his fingers loosened just enough to allow her to take a breath.

"Now..." he breathed into her, "...where do we go from here, hmmm...? What, oh what, do I do with you?"

A/N: Naughty hat, naughty! Lol. I love writing this and I have a feeling now I'm in the mood I may write and write :) I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Please leave a review and let me know what you thought. Have a great day everyone!