Taylor's pov

I feel my body sag in relief. The lucky fucker is still alive and so is his mother. I check with Levi on how long it will take to free them. The answer isn't what I want to hear. Levi has explained he has eyes on the kidnapper and is awaiting confirmation that it is indeed, Jack Hyde. He has been followed to a fancy estate that eventually traces back to Schneiderman. To get Schneiderman, Shelley has to be able to physically touch Hyde. I feel like throwing up. He's counting on me to show up and rescue them. He will never understand.

"Levi, your plan won't work ." Shelley announces.

Levi looks back at her through the rear-view mirror, his displeasure apparent."What?" He asks annoyed.

"Taylor needs to be the medic who goes in and I have to go with him. "

"Impossible!" growled Levi.

"Levi, you know I never ask the impossible."

"Shelley! Please think! I am responsible for you."

"I understand this is difficult but honestly, there is no other way. Grey needs to see Taylor or he will shut down and I could lose the link. Taylor will keep me safe, won't you Taylor?"

Levi grunted then muttered "Okay. I will have Yosef bring the truck."

"Levi, no. It will be noticed, especially the tire tracks. It has to be the motor bike."

"Shelley! Do you have a death wish?"

"No, Levi and I will wear a helmet. Please, don't make me pull rank."

Levi shook his head sadly. "If God does not strike me dead, than surely Ari will."

"It will be alright, Levi. You worry too much."

Levi looked in the rear-view mirror again. "Eleven years old and she already outranks me in the field. What am I supposed to do?"

An hour later, Shelley was scrambling off the motor bike to unlock the gate for Taylor. As they approached the boulder, Shelley silently requested Taylor stop. He stopped and cut the engine while Shelley jumped off.

"There is no one except Christian and his mother. There are no electronics, no battery run cameras either, but I still sense danger. Stay on the trucks path and head straight to the door. No exploring. I think there are booby traps set to the side and the rear. "

Taylor nodded at the voice in his head and Shelley climbed back on.

His gun out, and backpack with medical supplied slung over one shoulder, Taylor waited impatiently for Shelley to open the lock, then he gently shoved her to the side and entered the cabin. He shone his pencil flashlight all around, ignoring Shelley's assurance all was well.

Meanwhile Shelley made straight for the trap door and using her flashlight pulled the ring and lifted it up. She shone her light and saw two prone figures. Taylor and Shelley quickly scrambled down the rickety steps to what was once a root cellar.

Shelley headed for Christian's mother and Taylor headed for Christian. Half an hour later, everyone was upstairs in front of a roaring fire. Dr Grace was conscious but weak and Christian was furious that a helicopter couldn't be brought in to med evac his mother due to swirling winds and dense fog.

So it was a happy surprise when the unmistakable thunk-thunk sound of a chopper hovering nearby caught everyone's attention.

Christian picked up his mom and headed outside, complaining all the while how long he had to wait, completely ignoring Taylor's command to wait.

Taylor looked at Shelley. "Run, hide!" He ordered.

She touched his arm gently. "Some things can't be avoided. This has to happen. Don't resist. You will need your strength later. "

With that a voice called out for Taylor move away from the girl and to drop his weapon. Curious that they wanted him away from Shelley more than they wanted him disarmed. He looked over at her and smirked as he stepped away and laid his gun down on the ground. In moments his arms were cuffed behind his back and he was jerked from behind with a strangle hold and a large K-Bar knifewas held to his throat. Shelley was offered a bottle of water and told to drink it.

Silently, she assured Taylor it wasn't poison, probably a strong sedative. Before she could finish drinking the water, she fell to the ground unconscious. Immediately, Taylor felt the key unlock his handcuffs. The man holding him released him, sheathing his knife. Taylor flexed his hands then knelt by Shelley's side. Her breathing appeared normal and her pulse was sure and steady. Gently, he pushed a strand of hair off of her face.

"Pick her up and carry her aboard the chopper" a voice directs me. I comply. Amazingly, the chopper is hovering just a few feet off the ground. I climb on the skid and arms stretch out help pull me in. Once aboard I am directed to a seat next to Christian who is still holding his mother. Actually, he's clutching her and rocking back and forth frantically. Dr Grace is unconcious again, that explains Grey shutting down. Knowing him he's locked his mind on some horrible memory and blaming himself for every little thing that has gone wrong in this enormous cluster fuck. I am tempted to join him until I hear Shelley in my head reminding me now is no time for a pity party. As the chopper gains altitude, I notice a caravan of lights snaking down the highway. Damn! So close and yet so far away.

We continue travel at a very fast clip and a very low clip, certainly treetop level and below radar. I figure we are done. No way you can fly at this speed, this low and not end up hitting a power line, but somehow it doesn't happen. Time goes by. Everything is dark. I see no sign of civilization. Then I recognize we are hovering, preparing to land. No sooner do the skids hit the ground than the door is jerked open and i am ordered out. I carry Shelley in my arms and duck my head as I am lead away by four armed men. Behind me the remaining men are trying to get Grey to exit the chopper with his mother. They have no clue the state he is in. I doubt he can even hear them. I look down at Shelley and think of Sophie. I wish I could help the boss but this is one time he will have to manage by himself. I doubt I will be allowed to see him at all. Divide and conquer. If I was in their position, i would have done the same thing.

I hear the chopper take off and keep walking down the stairs to the next deck. Did I mention we are on some type of ship? I am thinking its a over-sized luxury yacht which makes me think Schneiderman when I hear a strange sound in the water and turn just in time to see the chopper disappear into the sea.

The guards that took over when we landed are armed with Tasors. I wonder why no guns? One of the guards opens a door or should I say hatch? My guard points to another staircase and beckons me forward. Its narrow. Too narrow. I'm a big guy. I re-position Shelley over my shoulder in a fireman's carry and duck my head as I head down the stairs. I am led to another door which is opened and I am told to enter. I enter and look around as I hear the door lock behind me. It is a luxury stateroom with two twin beds and a bath! Fuck, if I wasn't sure before that Schneiderman is behind everything, I am certain of it now. I am also sure that Schneiderman is more than a little interested in Shelley. Shit. I hope he isn't some kind of pervert. I'll fucking kill him if he even looks like he's going to be inappropriate.

I hear a little giggle. I smile. I look down at Shelley where I have laid her on a bunk. She is still out. I must be losing it. I hear the giggle again and understand. I smile. I hear her voice ask me to kiss her forehead and make it look good as everything is being filmed. I brush the damn hair off her forehead again and swear out loud to keep her safe then bend down and gently kiss her forehead.

When my lips touch her skin I am enveloped in a feeling of happiness and love that is overwhelming. Never in my life have I experienced anything close. Its like being wrapped in a smile and having your body just absorb all the happiness inside the smile. Way weird but fucking awesome. Then she tells me to hit the head and my rack double time. I quickly visit the john and relieve myself and then jump up into the top bunk. Its surprisingly comfortable, if a bit short. I try not to think of everything that has happened. I hope Grey and his mother are okay, but right now they will have to manage on their own. I have one job now, to take care of Shelley. Grey and I agreed at the last minute. He made me promise to protect her even if he was in danger. I was surprised, but I remember now he did spend some time with her. It wouldn't take long to fall under her spell. She's the kind of kid everyone falls in love with. Except for Schneiderman, I hope. Now, if I can just stop thinking and fall asleep.