Hi, everyone. It's been a long time since I've updated my story. Definitely too long. My writing really slowed down and it was difficult to even start writing. When I began "Hold On" I thought that the process of writing would happen the same way as my Lucifer story - that I would be able to write it wherever I be and whenever I can. However, it's not happening like this. Maybe I have more other things to do or maybe I'm getting tired of writing more easily. I don't know. Anyway, sorry for sharing my boring and not very optimistic thoughts with you. I just want you to know that I'll try to keep on writing. Now I quit talking and let you read the newest chapter.

Chapter 29

The second Juliet heard this well-known voice, she froze, and it instantly made her blood run cold. Magnum noticed that she became as white as a sheet. There was a moment's silence and he got really worried about his partner.

"Higgy, are you okay?"

However, she seemed like she hadn't heard him at all.

"Peter Burns." She whispered. "Is that you?"

"Yes, the one and only." The man replied with a broad smile. "I see you remember me."

"But… how is it possible?" She asked, still visibly shaken at the sight in front of her. "You were…"

"Dead?" He finished for her. "Well, it was thanks to you, wasn't it? But let's not dwell on the past, what's done is done. Maybe you won't believe it but I don't blame you anymore. You were just doing your job for MI6 and I was doing my business. Unfortunately, they gave you an order to reveal it."

"And I succeeded." Juliet stated firmly.

"Well, you thought you succeeded." Peter corrected her.

"I found all the evidence and we could finally prove all your felonies, from money laundering to drug and human trafficking. I followed your trial – you were found guilty of all charges and put in prison where you were to serve your sentence."

"And you're right. I was there for a short time until the riots started and a big fire broke out."

"I heard that a couple of prisoners had died then and one of them was you." Juliet said.

Peter's face lit up with a mocking smile. "Yeah, I don't want to sound boastful but those riots… it was my idea."

He felt a wave of great satisfaction when he noticed Juliet's reaction to his words.

"In prison I had a lot of time on my hands so I decided to use it productively." He continued. "I came up with a perfect plan how to get out of there. I had some cash stashed securely at my old friend's house so I pulled some strings and used it for paying the right people to create this whole show. They started the fire and even made sure someone similar to me was killed in it. They didn't predict one thing though – that the fire would spread so quickly and unfortunately other men died too." Peter stated, not taking his eyes off Juliet and then he quickly added.

"But don't worry, I can assure you that they weren't innocent victims. No one is innocent in there as you probably know."

Juliet was just shaking her head. After the initial shock, she decided to ask about the thing that bothered her greatly.

"How is it possible that no one found out the truth? I know the coroner checked everything, I saw the autopsy results."

"Obviously the coroner was paid off." It was Magnum who spoke quietly, surprising both of them. He was rewarded with Burns clapping his hands.

"As were some of the prison guards. Very good, Mr Magnum. I guess it's true what they say about you that you're the best PI around here." The man said, nodding his head in appreciation and then turned to Juliet. "You know, that was the hardest thing at the time. At first, the coroner didn't want to take the money. He said he wouldn't do it no matter what but I had my way of persuasion and soon he changed his mind. When it comes to your loved ones, you'll do everything to protect them." He said and sent the woman a meaningful look.

Juliet swallowed hard, with all her past experience in MI6, she knew that the situation wasn't good. Peter Burns was the last person she expected to see in this place. Since it was her who brought him to prison those years ago, it was not that hard to guess what he came for. That's why she decided that no matter what, she wouldn't let the man see any sign of her nervousness or fear. At the time, it was the best thing she could do.

"But let's stop talking about me." The man interrupted Juliet's thoughts and came very close to her.

"You look as charming as ever, Juliet, or rather Anna Smith as you introduced yourself to me those years ago." He murmured, giving her intense look. Then surprisingly he took her hand, brought it to his lips and kissed it.

"And I see that you're trying to be a gentleman but you fail as always." Higgins replied sharply at once and tried to take her hand back but Peter was holding it quite strong, his grip getting even stronger.

"Careful there, my dear and don't worry, I did my lesson." He said through gritted teeth.

For a long moment, both of them faced each other, tension growing with each passing second. Thomas knew that the situation was becoming quite serious now so he decided to do the only thing he thought could help them which was to completely change the subject and make the man focus on something other than Juliet.

"Excuse me." Magnum spoke. "I really don't want to interrupt your tearful reunion here but we haven't properly eaten for a couple of days now and since we're here and we were told we're invited to a dinner… I hope it wouldn't be a faux pas if we ate something."

As soon as he had said that, he observed Burns and waited anxiously for his reaction. At first the man seemed surprised but then his face suddenly changed and a polite smile appeared on it.

"Well, of course, Mr Magnum. Where are my manners? Yes, the food is waiting. Please, take a seat." Burns told them. He finally dropped Higgins' hand and motioned for them to move to the table.

The woman sighed with relief and quickly glanced at her partner, giving him a grateful smile while massaging her aching hand. She tried to hide this action from him but Thomas noticed it anyway. He felt anger rising in him at the thought that this man had hurt Juliet but he knew that he couldn't let himself be driven by this feeling because it wouldn't help them at all.

Finally, they sat down. Their host chose the place at the head of the table while Thomas and Juliet sat to his left, side by side. After being seated, Burns picked a golden bell and used it for the servers to arrive. Soon two men came in with plates full of freshly prepared meals, there was everything one would want to eat – from roast chicken to grilled salmon or even vegetarian dishes.

There was also some fine red wine. Magnum knew it was extremely expensive because the same bottle was at Robin's Nest in the wine cellar on the shelf Higgins told him he couldn't even touch it, let alone taste it. At first, he agreed when Burns had offered it to them but when he took the glass and his lips almost touched it, he hesitated.

Burns saw it and said. "Don't worry. It's just a wine, nothing more. No one added any sleeping pills or something like that in it. You're safe here."

Yeah, right. I feel really safe. Thomas chuckled inwardly and still didn't drink the wine.

Seeing that the PI didn't actually believe him, Burns nodded at the server to pour some wine into his glass, then raised it with 'Cheers' and took a sip of the red liquid, showing both his guests that it was okay to drink it.

Very slowly, Thomas and Juliet took small sips and swallowed, glancing at each other to see if the other one was okay. When nothing happened, they started eating, checking from time to time whether Burns was actually eating any of the dishes.

Magnum had to admit that despite their awful situation, he really enjoyed the meal. If it wasn't for the fact that they were being held there against their will, all the food was very tasty and with those servers around, there were some moments when he felt like he was in a restaurant, assuming that he forgot about those armed men still being in the room.

They ate in silence, savoring all those tastes. After so little food they had been given in that bunker, even the simplest Greek salad seemed to be like the greatest delicacy. Magnum tried to act casually in order not to show their opponent how much he was worried and so did Higgins, however sitting by his partner, somehow he felt the tension in her body and knowing her very well, he knew it was only a matter of time when it would find the way out. And he didn't have to wait for long because as soon as she finished her meal, she suddenly spoke.

"Now, Peter, do you mind telling us what are we doing here?"

Burns looked up from his plate with completely innocent face.

"Why? Isn't it obvious? You're my guests here."

He was well aware of the fact that this kind of reply would easily make the woman angry. To make things worse, he went back to his plate and continued eating.

Juliet sighed with frustration. "You know what I mean. Care to elaborate more on why we are your guests here?" She said.

"Is she that impatient in your daily PI work?" This time Burns addressed Thomas.

"I haven't really noticed." Came out Magnum's instant reply.

Burns laughed at that. "Wow. What a great diplomatic answer. I bet Mr Magnum here must be a hell of a partner." He told Juliet.

"Yes, one-of-a-kind." She stated and then continued. "Don't change the subject, Peter."

"All right." He finally said. He put his knife and fork away and nodded at the servers to take away his plate. "Now, we can talk. As I told you, I really don't hold a grudge against you, Juliet."

"That's rubbish. I don't believe you." She replied.

"Well, it is true so you'd better believe it."

"If you really didn't care about that, you wouldn't hire those men to kidnap us, hold us in the WWII bunker and you definitely wouldn't hurt Magnum."

With each word, her voice was becoming louder and she was getting more emotional.

"Juliet…" Thomas spoke quietly, trying to calm her down but it didn't work.

"No, Thomas, they killed you. You were dead." She told him, her face extremely serious and her voice cracking with emotion.

Magnum didn't say anything, just swallowed hard at the memory of that dramatic moment when he opened his eyes and saw her terrified face. If it wasn't for his partner, he definitely wouldn't be sitting here right now.

Juliet's words made impression not only on the PI but also on Burns. One could say that he was quite shocked which didn't happen very often. The Juliet Higgins he knew those years ago was distant, detached, even cold and very professional. She wouldn't let herself show that she cared about something or someone and she wouldn't let the feelings guide her actions. It could be easily seen that she had changed a lot. He wondered what the reason was – living in Hawaii or working with Magnum. He didn't know, maybe both. The only thing he was sure about was that this woman wasn't the same anymore.

Juliet realized that she had probably made a huge mistake. As a former MI6 agent, she should have known that while talking to the person who captured you, you should keep it together and not let your feelings get the best of you. But when he started teasing her and she thought about everything they've been through in the last couple of days, including the CPR she had to perform on Thomas, she just couldn't take it. She didn't care anymore. Peter has probably already been told that she and her partner really cared about each other and she just hoped that her outburst didn't make their situation worse.

Suddenly, Burns spoke. "Okay, Juliet, if you insist, there is a reason why I wanted you to be here. You surely remember that I led a happy family life, with a beautiful wife, Michelle and a sweet little boy, Dominic."

Higgins snorted at his words. "I wouldn't call your family happy. You were an abusive husband and father, your wife and son were constantly scared of you cause you beat them."

As soon as those words had left her mouth, she realized that they hit a nerve. His face turned red and his eyes became suddenly cold.

"I loved them!" He exclaimed. "How dare you say something like that since you don't even have your own family?!"

Magnum noticed how much those words affected her – she paled visibly and clenched her hands. She must have thought about Richard with whom she planned to start a family but unfortunately fate wouldn't let that happen.

"I may not have a family of my own but I can assure you that I would never hurt them like you did with yours." Juliet stated, bravely facing the man.

"Careful, my dear, you don't want to go there." Burns warned her.

He obviously needed a minute or two to cool off and then he continued. "Anyway, back to the business. I know that you talked to my wife and made her leave me with our son. When I escaped from prison, I went to great lengths and hired lots of PIs to find my loved ones but each of them failed."

"So you want us to find them?" Magnum finally asked.

"Well, not exactly, you know? You don't have to find them because I'm more than sure that Juliet already knows the place where they're hiding." Burns replied and then turned to the woman. "That's why I've brought you here."

Higgins remained silent. She was afraid something like that would happen.

"As for you, Mr Magnum, kidnapping you wasn't a part of the plan. However, the boys told me that after they had observed the both of you for some time, they came to an interesting conclusion and now I'm really glad that they decided to take you too." Peter sent them a wicked smile and went on. "I know that Juliet is really tough and she wouldn't reveal the information just like that so I thought that it would be a good idea to have leverage that would help her change her mind."

Burns paused for a few seconds. "That leverage is you, Mr Magnum."

"Why do you say so?" Thomas asked him, trying to sound indifferent, although he already knew the answer to that.

"Because I can recognize what a woman in love acts like and Juliet here fits the picture perfectly."

Both men looked at her and noticed how pale her face suddenly turned. She just stood there, not saying anything, her eyes on Thomas. He saw pure dread in them. She was truly terrified and he was aware that when it came to Higgins, it happened very rarely.

It wasn't difficult for Burns to see what was happening to her. He spoke, "Don't worry, my dear. I know it's no use hurting you but… Mr Magnum is a whole different story. I can assure you that if I have to, I won't have any objections to hurting him."

Juliet knew that his threat was serious and he would surely do what he had promised.

"Just think about it, okay? We'll come back to this conversation tomorrow. Since it's Christmas tomorrow, we can have a Christmas dinner together unless you won't cooperate then it won't be that pleasant. And now, if you excuse me, I have something I have to take care of. I'll have Nick escort you to your room. Have a good night." Burns told them and nodded his head at the two men who were in the room the whole time.

They instantly came closer and stopped behind Magnum and Higgins' chairs, making sure the PIs would get up from the table at once and then they walked them to the door.

Now we finally know who the boss is. Did you expect something like that? I'd be very grateful if you wrote a few words to show me you're still there cause I realize that you, my dear readers, are the best motivation for me:)

P.S. When it comes to the last episode, to me it seemed like it was just another season's ending and not the whole series' ending. It was very rushed. I guess they knew they were doing the final season and they could have come up with something better, it's a shame they decided to finish it like this because Magnum P.I. deserved much more than that.