It was like a pipe bursting as pandemonium broke wide open in the arena.

Noise engulfed Jack as people cheered for the young woman lying on the floor, her back heaving and glistening with sweat as she breathed hard, her head resting on its side. The cameras along the sidelines went off in bursts like fireworks. People's reactions in the stands ranged from admiration and applause to concern at what they'd just witnessed - especially members of the school board and city officials, including the mayor.

The guys' voices were erupting in Jack's ear, their expletives mirroring the reactions of the crowd.

"Holy moth'ah God-"

"What tha fuck –"

"You knew about this?!"

"Holy shit – I mean holy fuckin' shit –"

"Jack, Cage's men are leaving their seats -"

Jack's eyes left Tiffany's body, scanning the seats –

"Keep eyes on her, Jack –"

"You knew about this?!" Spot repeated, his shout directed at Denton.

"Stay with me, fellas," Denton answered calmly.

The dancers backstage behind Jack were talking fast too, amazed and in awe of what just happened -

"That wasn't what she did in rehearsals -"

"That was amazing."

"Think she'll get in trouble-?"

"Who cares, she's about to get offers from musicians and music video directors from all over-"

"Her transitions were flawless -"

"Her firebird leaps…"

"But did you see those photos -? The women–"

"They looked real."

"She just called out her date - that guy that was back here? That was Phillip Wilks."

"And his brother –"

"Oh my god –"

Jack felt hollow, unable to get his bearings. Everything moved slowly and strangely as if he were underwater.

He knew she was going to make a splash, a disruption, but she just unleashed something much bigger.

The young woman lying on the floor lifted her head. He held his breath, brows furrowed, as her eyes searched across the space, finding him standing in front of the curtains, exposed. He couldn't tell if it was sweat or tears that streaked down her cheeks. Maybe both.

She didn't just make a splash. She opened a floodgate. And she was the one lying in front of it, arms wide.

He felt the same awe the onlookers felt, but for a moment, he felt warmth through the numbing chill in his bones as he looked at her.

Her lips lifted slightly, sadly, as the lights went out.

People shouted in surprise as darkness covered them, and Jack strained his eyes to find Tiffany, his feet carrying him forward.

The MC came over the speakers: "Ladies and gentlemen, please remain in your seats –"

"Jack, I can't see Cage's goons –"

"Stay with me fellas," Denton repeated, his voice strained. "Wilks Party is on the move."

"Jack, ya gotta get to her now," Racetrack said tightly.

"No one moves 'til I say so."

"Same go for the Wilks, Director?" Spot asked hotly. "Jack, get her outta there."

"Stay put, that's an order."

"You knew about this?" Spot asked again, directing the question to someone next to him.

Jack heard Kiki's deadpan voice through the comm, "Why do you think the door is locked and an agent is stationed with me?"

"We've got company heading this way, sir."

Jack strained his eyes until they burned, the only lights in the arena coming from the glowing Exit signs and running lights along the aisles. His chest tightened. "Spot, Race, get Kiki outta there."

"Do not leave the booth. My men and I are heading -"

Another agent spoke over him. "Tiger is apprehended, Sparrow is heading backstage."

Jack stopped halfway to where Tiffany had been, anticipating her walking right into him –

"Jack, ya see her?" Boots asked quickly. "We can't see shit up here."

Mush's voice on the comm was muffled by the people around him and Boots in the stands. "Anybody got eyes on her? Where is she?"

Denton's voice hardened, "Guys, tiger has been taken, get out of there. Jack, where are you?"

Jack stood still, breathing hard. "I don't give a damn about Jazzi, where is -"

He was suddenly yanked backward, a hand fisted around his jacket as someone dragged him back to the curtains. He wheeled around, ready to punch –

Jade's frantic face was inches from his. She was panting, struggling to catch her breath as she mouthed, 'stay hidden', pulling the curtains around them.

He watched her for a moment, seeing the sheer fright in her eyes, and turned to look backstage.

"Cage and Sparrow entering backstage."

"Kiki, lights."

Jack's blood ran cold as he watched Cage walk through like a shadow with Jazzi trailing behind him with her dress in her fists, her face pale and stern. Cage surveyed the area before his bodyguards followed him and Jazzi through the backdoor. Jack looked back to the arena floor as the lights came up.

Tiffany was nowhere in sight.

He looked back to Jade's shocked face, her eye makeup smeared. Her breath was shaky as she spoke on the comm through her earpiece. "What the hell is going on, Martin?"

Jack tried to steady his breathing as his heart ran rampant inside him. "You let us believe Tiffany was 'Sparrow' the whole time."

"I had to," Denton responded.

The blood rushed from Jade's face.

"Where is she?" he asked quickly.

Jade looked around anxiously, her hand on Jack's chest to keep him in place.

"We couldn't have anyone interfering, Jack. Tiffany made sure of it."

Jack's voice matched the look in his eye as he stared at Jade. His hands began to sweat. "What do you mean."

Everyone was silent across the channels.

"They had to take her."

"Where is she," Jade choked out.

"Jade -"

Jack pushed the curtains out of the way, not caring when the dancers jumped and squealed in surprise. "Dammit Denton, where is she?!"

Jade stayed at his elbow as Tyler came running to her side. Her brows knitted together as she stared at Jack. "'Denton'…?"

Jack eyed her carefully as he listened to the voices on the comm. How much did she know…?

"One of my men on the inside has her. She's safe, and we have men in place when they arrive."

"Fuck," Mush cursed.

"Where," Jack growled.

Tyler stared at Jade as her eyes began to water.

"Jack, I can't risk it. She knew from the beginning what would have to happen tonight. I told you: we need proof –"

"Denton?"

Jack felt a new shock at hearing Medda's voice - she had Mush's earpiece.

Jade's brows furrowed as she watched Jack's face. Tyler held his ear to hers to listen.

Denton was as shocked as the rest of them on the channel. "...Medda?"

"You have to follow them right now, they've left the arena -"

"Medda, we have to let this play out, I've got men stationed where they're heading –"

"That's not good enough," Medda's voice shook. "She needs your protection now."

"Are they heading to the club?" Spot demanded.

Jack stared at the back door, the chill of the night outside still lingering from when Cage and Jazzi left through it.

"Do not go there," Denton said, irritated. There was movement on his end, his men talking in the background. "Listen guys, you have to trust me. This is her only chance. You have to give it to her. Please don't make me arrest you to keep you out of the way. We've got the club covered."

"What?" Jade said suddenly, her voice rising. "They're not going to the club," she said quickly in the comm, her voice shaking.

Jack leveled his eyes on her, seeing dark emotions cross her face. Anger.

"What?" Denton barked.

Jade's face twisted as her voice rose on the comm, "I heard them earlier, at the Gala. They're going to one of their penthouses in the city. Your men are at the wrong place." Shame crossed her face, regret. "I-I thought you knew, Martin. I thought Jazzi told you."

"She should have," Denton growled. He cursed and began shouting new orders to his men. "Alpha and Charlie teams, rendezvous outside the east entrance –"

Jack's body hummed. "Which penthouse?"

Jade read his eyes for a long moment.

"Jade," Denton warned. "Switch to the private channel –"

She swallowed as she debated with herself; on one hand, she knew Jack had more chance of reaching Tiffany before the agents, and by the look on his face, he'd tear the city apart to do so. But on the other hand…he'd be killed.

His dark eyes bore into hers. "Let me help her."

Jade's lip trembled, as if she were offering him a death sentence. "On the border of Central Park on 5th. Ellington Place."

Jack and Jade stared at each other for a long moment, listening to the voices in their ears.

"Bravo, sweep the club. Delta, get your asses at 5th Avenue right fucking now –"

"Tell your man on the inside, Denton," Spot said darkly. "Your Sparrow gave you the slip."

"I can't risk his cover, there's no time –"

Jack took out his earpiece.

"Be careful," Jade said to him as he handed his earpiece and comm device to Tyler.

"Jade? Jack? Do you copy?"

Jack took out his phone. Boots answered before the first ring completed. "We've got Medda an' Kat. Snoddy, Specs an' Bum are on standby at the south entrance."

"Get backstage an' get everybody to Medda's. Call me when ya do. Don't talk on the comm." He hung up and looked at Jade, "Where's Honey?"

Her face fell for a moment, remembering she hadn't seen Honey since early that morning. "I'll find out," Jade said as she took out her own phone.

Jack nodded as he hit a different speed dial. "Spot, get down here."

Spot's voice was cold on the phone. "We have a bit of a situation up here."


Racetrack glanced at the door again as he held Kiki's backpack. Deep voices talked on the other side, one fist demanding entrance. "Seems university security wants a word with the sound and lighting director."

Seth took the gun from his holster. "That's not school security."

"Shit," Spot hissed as Kiki stuffed her laptop, equipment, and personal effects into the backpack.

Denton's voice was strained, "Jack? Jack? Damn it. Team, continue to the next phase. Spot, do you copy?"

Kiki narrowed her eyes at Racetrack, "think you can keep up?"

Racetrack's eyebrows shot up. "Like we gotta choice?"

"Good." She turned a dial and hit one last button on the soundboard.

"Kiki, do you copy?"

No Shelter by Rage Against the Machine began over the arena speakers as Kiki reached over the counter and slid the wide window open.

"Damn it," Denton cursed before signing off.

Spot and Race watched her, stunned, as she put her pink Converse high-top on the countertop and hoisted herself to the window. She looked back at Seth, who was facing the door, his gun poised in his hands. "Take care of yourself, Seth."

"Go," Seth said evenly as the door moved from the banging on the other side.

Kiki went over the edge and dropped down to the seats below.

For a moment, Racetrack stared after her, his mouth gaping.

Spot rolled his eyes and tapped Race's chin as he took Kiki's backpack from him. "Yeah yeah yeah, come on, lover boy." He dropped the bag into her arms below.

Racetrack and Spot followed her over the edge, landing on their feet in the row beneath the sound booth.

Spot looked up to the adjacent room, seeing Denton's resigned face in the window. "Sorry, sir."

Students and guests still in their seats waiting to leave with the throng of people danced to No Shelter, blissfully unaware of the dark reality that chased Spot, Race, and Kiki down the arena corridors.


Boots and Kat followed Medda and Mush through the crowds in the passages, anxious to get backstage. They cut through an opening and ran along the sidelines of the stage floor, dodging the Mayor giving an interview.

"...no one can deny the sheer force and power of Ms. Wingham's performance this evening, nor the bravery of bringing humanitarian issues to light. However, this raises some very concerning questions as to the legitimacy and the acquiring of this information, and whether or not this is an on-going investigation or hearsay slander. The city and my office will be following up with Ms Wingham as soon as she is located –"

Medda almost tripped as she dodged the interviewer, ignoring the Mayor's statement. But her heart raced even faster.

"Specs an' the others are waiting at the car," Boots said as he helped Kat, carrying her purse and shoes as they jogged behind Medda. Rage Against the Machine still blared over the speakers and it heightened their urgency.

"Tyler!" Mush shouted as they entered through the stage curtains.

Tyler looked up from where he stood with Jade, holding her by the arms. He stared wide-eyed at Medda for a moment before looking at Mush. "Where's Honey?"

Mush paled. "I thought she'd be here with you -"

"David," Boots said, putting it all together. He pulled out his phone and held it to his ear.

Most of the dancers were on the floor, taking pictures with each other and their families and friends, talking with interviewers who kept asking for Tiffany. The student dancers looked confused, wondering why Tyler and Jade looked so worried, and why they looked so terrified.

"Where's Jack?" Kat asked, glancing around.

Kiki came running from the other side of backstage, Spot and Racetrack on her heels. Spot went straight for Jade as she rushed to him.

"He left," Jade said in a rush. "The agents won't make it in time –"

"Whoa whoa whoa, slow down," Spot held his hands up.

"He went after them," Jade said, shaking her head. "I fucked up, you have to go after him –"

"Fuck," Spot's face steeled as he looked at Tyler. "Take care of her. Mush, get everyone ta Medda's."

"Our limo is outside the south entrance," Medda said as she turned to lead everyone back across the arena floor.

But Mush didn't move. "No way."

"Mush, there's no time," Spot said between clenched teeth.

"I'm going with you –"

"So am I," Racetrack said as he stepped away from Kiki.

Spot glared at them, "'s not up for discussion –"

Kiki went to Jade and squeezed her shoulder.

"Who the hell is 'Denton'?" Jade asked her absently. She looked at Medda. "Wait, aren't you a... Broadway producer…?"

Medda and Kat exchanged a nervous glance as Tyler slowly backed away from Jade's side.

Kiki glanced wide-eyed at Race. "Um, I need to fill you in a little bit…"

Jade's eyes widened. "Wait - I'm in the dark?"

"It's complicated. Honey made me promise –"

Jade batted her hand away. "Seriously?! That's why she hasn't told me a goddamn thing?!"

"Look, it's even weirder than any of this combined –"

"Weird my ass, tell me what the fuck is–"

"Girls," Tyler chided as he collected Tiffany and Jade's things. "Let's stay focused, huh?"

Jade moved her livid green gaze Tyler, noticing how he avoided her eyes. "You too? And you didn't tell me?!"

Tyler sighed loudly, irritated. "Look, I was with Honey when this whole crazy circus started, and I accidently spilled to Kiki and Honey had to tell her –"

"I'll tell you everything," Kat volunteered as she stepped towards them, enduring Jade and Kiki's sweeping scrutiny. "Please, just come with us."

Jade's green eyes narrowed. "Who are–"

"You're Kat," Kiki said tenderly, her eyes knowing.

Jade whirled on Kiki again.

Kiki rolled her eyes and began pushing Jade after Medda. "There's no time to explain, just please, move your ass."

"You're not going alone," Mush still argued, his dark eyes hard and unwavering on Spot.

Spot went toe to toe with him, keeping his voice low as his bright eyes darted between Mush and Racetrack. "I need you guys with Medda an' the girls. Keep them safe, and find Davey and Honey."

Mush stared at him for a long moment, but Spot didn't wait for him to agree.

"Spot!" Kat followed him to the backdoor, the winter wind blowing through them. "Be careful -"

Spot was halfway across the quad before the door closed behind him.


Honey's throat was raw, her breath ragged as she darted between tourists and night-goers. Her feet throbbed and her face and eyes stung from the wind.

The Showcase must be over by now. She took out her phone, slowing down to dial Jade's number - but saw Jade was already calling her. Between her, Mush, Kiki and David, Honey had almost forty missed calls.

"Honey?! Oh my God, are you alright? Where are you?"

She tried to calm her breathless voice. "Where is Tiffany?"

"Honey?"

Honey's chest constricted at the sound of his voice. "Mush, did they take her?"

His voice was a pained growl. "Yes."

She closed her eyes. Damn it, Tiff –

His voice was on the edge of panic. "Where are you? We'll come pick you up –"

"There's no time," Honey half sobbed. "I need to find her right now."

"Are you with David? Where is he?"

"No - he's stuck in traffic near Kips Bay." She braced her hand on her knees, wincing through a cramp and ignoring the stares of people stepping around her. She was stopped in front of a loud bar.

Mush said something to someone with him - Racetrack.

"Tha fuck is he doin' over there –?"

"Where is Jazzi?" Honey asked darkly as she began moving again, crossing a street with a group of bar hoppers in ugly Christmas sweaters.

Jade spoke, "She's with the Wilks - they took Tiffany to the Penthouse on 5th."

Honey stopped dead in her tracks. She'd been going in the wrong direction for over an hour. She gasped a sob.

"Jade, we have to get to her -"

"The feds are heading there now, Martin knows. Honey, where are you? Please, I need to know you're alright –"

Honey shook her head. "I can't wait for them to be too late. I have to find her."

"Honey, don't –"

Honey hung up and began running back towards the way she came. She cursed her fear, the ice cold terror that rushed through her veins every time she saw Ira's face in her mind, the fear that made her make mistake after mistake.

She prayed that by some miracle, she'd find David again.