Chp. 11

After explaining what lead to his actions earlier that day, Jack steered clear of Alexx. The part of him that cared about her and Sam knew he'd gone further than he should have, at least in front of them. But the part of him that had been trained to kill people with guns, knives, explosive and even his hands and feet, knew he had further to go still. Jack was on watch in the guestroom he'd turned into a sort of command and control center. He heard footsteps behind him and turned. He was surprised to see his father standing in the doorway. "Was that really necessary?" Horatio asked in lieu of greeting.

Jack turned back to window and looked at the spotting scope before answering. He shrugged. "What do you care? You told me do whatever it takes."

Horatio glared at his son. "Within reason, Jack. You're no good to anyone if you're arrested."

"It's your job to make sure that doesn't happen."

"Jackson, if you're going to be insubordinate, I'd appreciate it if you at least look me in the eye when you do."

Jack turned away from the window and looked at his father. "Did they even tell you why they followed us?" Horatio shook his head.

"They wanted to take Sam, and they would have. Clavo sent them."

Horatio sighed. Finally, he asked a question that had been nagging him for three months. "Why'd you come back, Jack?"

Jack shrugged again. "You know why. I need a job and…"

Horatio cut him off. "You didn't need a job. You could have applied with any private contracting service and been paid three times as much to the same thing you were doing in the army. You came for them, didn't you?"

Jack looked away and sighed. "If you mean the noche's, then yes I did."

Horatio turned to leave. "Just be careful what you wish for, Jack."

000

As he drove home, Horatio thought about what Jack had said. Of course he would do everything to ensure that Jack wasn't arrested. But he knew that would be easier said than done. He smiled when he pulled up in front of his house and saw Meagan's car in the driveway. They had been dating for a year and half and he planned to marry her, once everything settled down. Whenever that was.

Horatio parked the car in the driveway, shut off the engine, and just sat there. He would've sat there all night, but he didn't want to worry Madison and Meagan. He knew in his heart that this case was going to be a long one, and he feared what it would bring. After five minutes, he got out of the car and went inside. He was barely inside when he heard an excited, "Uncle H!" and little feet running toward him. Horatio quickly knelt down and opened his arms just before Madison threw herself into them. "Hi, sweetheart. How was your day?" he asked, grinning at her.

"Good, I made you a picture at school. And me and auntie Meagan had ice cream."

"You did?" Horatio asked, acting surprised. "Did you save me any?"

"Of course we did, handsome." A new voice said, and Horatio turned, with Madison still in his arms. Meagan Reynolds was 5'8" with beautiful long brown hair and an olive complexion.

"Thank you, ma'am." Horatio said. She walked over and he kissed her.

"Maddie wanted you to tuck her in." Meagan said, smiling at the little girl.

Horatio smiled at Madison. "I think I could do that." And the trio went to Madison's room.

000

An hour after Horatio put Jack on notice, Natalia and Valera showed up. They said they were there to help. And while they brought extra supplies and dinner, Jack suspected they were there to see their significant others. But that was ok, because unit morale was important. Jack stayed on watch until Alexx came looking for him. "Hey, you want something to eat?"

He smiled. "Thanks, I'll eat later. Let the guys eat, then see if they'll take over."

"Ok," Alexx said, turning to leave. She stopped and turned. "Hey, Jack?"

"Yeah, Alexx?" He asked, not turning from the window.

"You're allowed to have a life. It took me a longtime to learn that, but I did."

This time he turned and smiled. "Who told you that?"

"Your father."

Jack looked at her. "Thanks, Alexx. But I think it's a little late for me." Jack said.

Alexx smiled sadly. "It's only too late if you believe it is."

000

Three hours had past since the little group had eaten dinner. Natalia, Max, and Alexx were keeping Sam entertained and the child was very much taken with CSI and DNA analyst. Ken was on watch, giving Jack some down time, when he saw a car pull up a few houses down the street from the house. He watched it for several seconds, then decided to alert Jack and Mike. He pressed the transmit button on his radio and said, "Guys, we got company."

"What kind of company?" Jack asked.

"Car and driver, 5 o'clock."

"Anyone else?"

"Unknown."

"Cover me, I'm gonna check it out."

"Roger." Ken said, and went to the corner of the room where his personal gear was and retrieved a hard plastic case. He threw it on the bed and flipped open the two clasps, revealing his personal M24 bolt action sniper rifle. A long, circular suppressor and ten power leupold day/night scope were attached. The weapon was loaded with five .308 caliber bullets. Ken positioned himself behind the rifle and checked his field of fire. He knew he'd have to be careful because a house was behind his target and he didn't want to cause civilian casualties. When he was set up, he radioed Jack. "In position."

Several seconds passed before he heard. "Roger." Now all that was left to do was wait.

000

While Ken was preparing to provide him cover, Jack and Mike were making sure the women and Sam would be safe. "Where's Ken?" Maxine asked.

"He's covering me." Jack said.

"What'd you mean, 'covering'?" She asked, and Jack mentally groaned. He pondered how best to explain sniping and finally said,

"He'll take out anyone I don't see."

"You mean kill." Alexx said, joining the conversation.

Jack nodded. "Yes."

Mike returned a minute later, with his MP5-SD submachine gun slung across his chest.

"Jack?" a small frightened voice asked, as Jack preparing to leave. Jack turned back and noticed Sam was on the verge of tears. He crossed the room and knelt beside the boy. "Are you gonna weave?"

Jack nodded. "I have to go make sure the bad men didn't find you, but I'll come back, ok?" Jack said, forcing a smile.

Sam buried his head in Jack's stomach, and hugged him. "Be careful, Jack."

"I will, buddy." Jack promised, hugging him back.

Jack finally let go of Sam and pained him to do. A few minutes later they all heard the back door shut and waited to see what happened next. As Alexx held Sam close and comforted him, she prayed that Jack was worrying about nothing. But somehow, she knew she was wrong.

000

In addition to his 1911, Jack's Mossberg 590 was slung over his back. He carried a five pound sledge hammer he'd found in Alexx's garage. He hid in the bushes next to the back yard fence. "Clear?" Jack asked.

Ken checked his field of fire before responding. "Clear."

Jack stood up, and ran to where the car. Keeping low, he could see a man in the front seat, but no one else. Five seconds before he reached the car, Jack straightened up, raised the sledge hammer and smashed the driver's side window and the driver's shoulder. The man screamed, first from shock and then from pain. Jack dropped the sledge hammer and was bringing his shotgun to bear when he heard Ken's voice over his radio ear piece. "Sniper, 4 o'clock."

Jack ducked behind the car and turned, firing his shotgun blindly. He was rewarded with a scream. He heard another man drop behind him. "Anyone else?" He asked, and waited for Ken's response.

A moment passed before Ken responded. "Negative."

Jack noticed the driver was still alive. He reached in and grabbed the keys, pulling them out of the ignition. Then he pointed his shotgun at the driver's head. "Out of the car, amigo."

The man flipped him off. "Screw you, man! Do you have any idea what Clavo's goin' do to you?!" the man asked.

Jack responded by pulling the man through the broken window, not an easy feat. The man screamed when Jack pulled on his right shoulder and the broken glass cut into his skin. "Get up." Jack said, kicking the man in the rib's when he fell. "Move!" Jack said, jerking the man to his feet.

000

A/N: Ok, from this point forward, the entire team will get screen time. Just thought I'd let everyone know. Thanks for reading.