Jack and Sara : A New Beginning (Read 9,456 times)

[fluffysmom]

This is getting sooo good! I really hope all of the good guys and gals make it out of this mess alive. I am on the edge of my seat.

[blueyed358]

Chapter 139

Unfortunately after spending 4 hrs on this chapter it got deleted I rewrote half of it...



" You think Hank will be able to keep Robbie there until this is over?" Dean asked as they secured the doors upstairs. " I'm counting on it." Ben said as he slid the last chair under one of the bedroom doors. "He may never forgive us you know." Dean said as Ben walked past him. " But he will be alive and that's all that matters. You wearing the vest?" Dean nodded, "Yeah...you?" Ben headed down the steps, " Yeah, but it doesn't really matter. They'll want to make sure I'm dead..they'll go for the head shot." Dean followed him down, "Using a silver bullets..right?"



Jack stood rubbing his knee while the gunman watched him,"I broke my knee a few months back, hurts when I stand on it for a long period of time. Might I just lean back against the wall?" The gunman looked at the wall made of glass. The only thing there was the door to the terrace..no where for him to go. "Go ahead" the man said. Sara sat on the sofa and Jack could tell she was ready to jump out of her skin. "So how exactly do you think this is going to go down? You really think he is just going to give up?" The second gunman near Sara smirked, " Yes..we do. Once he knows we have you, he won't give us any trouble." Sara looked down at her hands,she knew they were right of course. He loved her and now that love was going to literally be the death of him. Jack could see the look on her face and he knew what she was thinking. He had to do something, but what? Maybe Steve was already on his way, but then again why would he be? Jack knew he had to think of something. Sara cleared her throat and she looked at Jack, " Then what? You kill us anyway?" The man tilted his head, " It hasn't been decided yet..last I heard." Jack and Sara again exchanged glances. " Well if you do kill us, you'd better make sure Ben is dead before you do. If he isn't he will hunt you down." Jack saw where she was going, " And you will wish you were dead..especially if you're the one who pulls the trigger." The men exchanged glances, they both heard the stories about Ben. "Just shut up..no more talking." Jack and Sara looked at each other again. Sara opened her mouth to speak and the gunman pointed the gun at her head making Jack lunge slightly. " I said shut up..and you..don't move again or I will shoot you." Jack leaned back against the wall slowly. He knew he did not have a key role in this situation. He could feel something in the small of his back..the doorknob. He looked over his shoulder, Max was sitting there...waiting.



Hank and Miranda sat at their kitchen table, hands wrapped around their coffee mugs. For two hours Robbie had been relentless with his banging and shouting. There was a brief respite when he went down into the cellar and tore it apart trying to find either a way out or something to use to get his freedom. Now he was back at the top of the steps banging and shouting again, his voice horse. " Hank! Let me out! He's going to get himself killed.." his voice trailing off, " Please..I can help him..I can't lose him..not now..please let me help him." Miranda looked at her husband. " Hank..please can't we just.." Hank stood up, "NO! I can't go against Ben's wishes..I can't. He called in the marker Miranda." Now Miranda stood, "He called in a marker? So you would let him die? Do you really think that's what James would want?" Between Robbie's constant pounding and Miranda's comments Hank could take no more. He took his coat off the hook and opened the back door, " I'm going to check the horses." With the close of the door Miranda hung her head. She turned her eyes to the cellar door, vibrating with each strike of Robbie's fists. She took a deep breath and went to the door. Gathering every bit of strength she could muster, she slid the heavy desk back as far as she could from the door. She reached up and slid the bolt back and Robbie burst through the door. " Hank is in the barn, this is his debt..not mine. You go out there and help your father." Robbie leaned down and kissed her cheek. He raced towards the front door and stopped short at the entrance to the living room. There over the mantle was Hank's sniper rifle. " Miranda..do you know where the ammo is for this?"



Dean peeked through the curtain out the window. He could hear the click of the clips snapping into place on Ben's hand gun. Dean was holding a 9mm and his hand was getting sweaty so he switched hands and wiped his right hand on his shirt. He glanced back over his shoulder and saw Ben taping a gun to the bottom of the coffee table. " It won't be long now. Listen Dean..I want you to promise me something. If things start to go down bad..I want you to get out of here." Dean shook his head slowly, " Ben.." " Listen to me..I need you to be around to take care of them...promise me you will do that for me." Dean turned and looked out the window, " I see head lights.." He turned his head back and Ben was there..on top of him. "Change of plans.." Ben struck Dean in the head with the butt of his gun knocking him out. " Sorry my friend..I can't let you risk your life." Ben watched as the headlights turned and began coming up his long driveway. " Time to rock and roll" he whispered.

[gapeach]

Ben you are an idiot!! Thank goodness Robby is out and can help him!!

[fluffysmom]

So sorry you had to rewrite the chapter Blueyed.

I hope Robbie can help Ben. I'm worried about Sara and Jack too.

[blueyed358]

Chapter 139 part 2



Robbie was making his way back through the woods to Ben's cabin. He was getting worried he would not make it in time, he wasn't even sure if he was headed in the right direction. The sniper rifle was held in his hands, ready to be used. Robbie realized he wasn't even wearing a jacket but the adrenaline pumping through him was keeping him from feeling it. The fact that he was running hard and fast probably helped as well. What if he was too late? What if he was dead already..what if they were both dead? No..if Ben had found a way to secure him, Robbie knew he would have done something to Dean as well. "Stupid...so stupid.." Robbie mumbled to himself. "I may just kill him myself.." he thought. Then he stopped dead in his tracks..he heard something behind him. As he turned around he was hit in the face and knocked to the ground. The rifle fell from his hands and as he reached for it the man placed his foot over it, pistol pointed at Robbie. " I hear you are almost as good as your old man..let's see." Robbie smirked and grabbed the man by the ankles and flipped him off his feet. " Hand to hand has always been my favorite." The man stood up and he and Robbie walked around in circle, Robbie had to get moving, Ben was already in trouble..he could feel it. " Enough dancing.." Robbie said as he lunged at the man.





The door opened slowly and Whithouse's two men came in first..guns drawn. Ben had moved Dean and laid him in front of the coffee table on his side. "That's far enough" Ben said holding both his glocks. Whithouse came in after them and closed the door behind him. " Hello Rick..I was hoping we could do this alone..but I guess not." Whitehouse sat down in the chair across from Ben. He smiled at the sight of Dean on the floor. " What happened to him?" Ben took a deep breath, "It was an accident. He hit his head on the butt of my gun." They stared at each other for a moment, " A lucky accident..for him. The kid?" Ben shook his head, "Neutralized..it's just us." Whitehouse nodded, " It's for the best. You going to have to come with me Ben..I need to know how much you know...before I kill you." Ben laughed, "I think you mean try and kill me..again. First.. I want you to tell me something..I want to know who killed Angela Michaels." Whitehouse sighed, " That was unfortunate..what can I say..the guy panicked." Ben leaned forward slightly, " Was it you?" Now Whitehouse laughed, " Come on Ben, I am too old to be scaling buildings" he flicked his thumb towards the man to his left, " That's why we call him Spider." Without moving his head Ben's eyes shifted to the younger man. He was scared but trying not to show it, " Hey..sorry.. She took me by surprise and I.." before he could finish Ben flicked his wrist and shot the man in the leg, dropping him. Whitehouse raised his hand to the other man, stopping him from shooting Ben. " A leg shot? You slipping? " Ben sat back in his chair, "Not at all..I am saving him for later. Now tell me who else is involved because you know I am not going to tell you anything and I am not going down without a fight..now that I think about it..you probably should have brought more men." Whitehouse shook his head, " You are going to leave here with me..no muss..no fuss." Ben smirked, " Oh..you think so?" Whitehouse lifted his cell phone, " I know so. Personally..I would like to see you going out with a bang not a whimper but I guess we will see who is right." He saw the puzzled look on Ben's face. " My boss..he feels you will do whatever I say but I don't believe it." He began dialing, talking to the standing gunman, " You know what they call Agent Todd at the FBI? They call him the 'Man Of Steel'. Not just because he never seems to die when he should but because he's cold and hard..like steel. That's the Ben I am expecting." Ben's eyes narrowed, " I will do my best not to disappoint you."



Jack pressed his back against the terrace door. He could hear Max's low growling. He had to do something, his mind was racing, then he jumped at the sound of the cell phone. "Yeah..we're set" the gunman said. He grabbed Sara by the arm, pulling her to her feet.He had the phone on speaker and he said, " Say hello.." Sara crossed her arms in front of her and said nothing. Whitehouse's voice came through the speaker, " You know who's on the line Ben..don't you?" With his heart pounding he stood up. " Sara?..Sara are you alright?" She sighed, "I'm fine..I'm so sorry Ben, they got into the penthouse." Ben's eyes closed tightly as he tightened his grip on his weapons. " It's okay Ace..everything is going to be alright. Robbie is safe..so is Dean." Sara covered her mouth with her hand. He protected them, as she knew he would, now he will give up everything to save her. " Ben..don't do it..they'll kill us either way, fight Ben...take them down." Whitehouse looked at the phone." Bad advice..I give you my word I'll let her go." Ben held the guns higher, " Let her go now! " Whitehouse shook his head, " No..if I don't call back in ten minutes and say the right words..put a bullet her head" he then disconnected the call. " Now you are going to drop your weapons and give your life for hers..or you'll go out 'guns blazing' as they say..knowing she's dead." Ben began breathing heavy, "What guarantee do I have? " Whitehouse stepped forward, "None.."



Robbie and the gunman began fighting. Each punching and blocking. Robbie was hit hard and he went down. The attacker leaned over him grabbing his shirt. Robbie brought his legs up into the man's stomach, grabbed his shirt and flipped him over landing on top of him. He began punching the man, who then broke his hold on him and threw Robbie off of him. He jumped up and kicked Robbie in the stomach and stepped back. Robbie, on all fours, caught his breath. " I don't have time for this.." he said as he got up and raced at the man, grabbing him around the waist and knocking him back to the ground.





Jack knew there was not much time, he had to do something. He glanced down and he got an idea. "This should all be over soon. If I were you..I'd start praying he's still in love with you." the gunman said. Sara squinted her eyes, " And if I were you..I'd make sure he is really dead, because if you hurt me..he will hunt you down and kill you." Jack locked eyes with Sara and moved his eyes downward. She followed his gesture and blinked once. It was now or never, Jack gave his head a slight nod and she blinked again, planting her feet and lowering her arms. Jack swallowed hard and took a deep breath. He slowly turned the doorknob then in one quick move pulled the door open slightly and Max came bounding into the room, baring his teeth and lunging for the closest gunman. The men were caught off guard momentarily, and one fired his gun just as Max leaped up and tackled him to the floor. Sara kicked the gunman holding her in the groin,sending him to his knees. Using the palm of her hand she struck him in the nose, breaking it. Jack was struggling to get the man's gun from him as Max was biting his arm. " Sara run!" She ran towards the door as the bleeding man grabbed her leg. She kicked him in the face, freeing herself and she bolted through the dining room and headed for her bedroom, the bleeding gunman on her heels. Jack looked up and saw the other man heading after Sara. " Max..go! Get Sara! " Max released the man's arm and ran down the hallway. Jack struck his opponent hard and grabbed his wrist banging it on the floor several times. The gun slipped out his hands and Jack picked it up. He struck the man in the side of the head with it knocking him out. The front door kicked in and Jack raised the gun and pointed it at the doorway.



Sara got into the bedroom just ahead of the gunman. She tried closing the door but the man was too strong for her and he pushed the door open sending Sara backwards into the dresser. The man turned to see Max racing down the hallway towards him and he slammed the door into the dogs face. Max was barking and scratching at the door. The man turned and stared at Sara, blood streaming down his face, " You broke my nose! " Sara shrugged, " Little trick I learned from some Marines..you know that door won't keep him out..the dog I mean." The man smirked, " Oh yeah..he gonna chew his way through it? " Now Sara smirked, "No..he's going to open it." Both turned and looked at the door. Max was jumping on it and barking, clawing at the door. The man turned back to Sara, " Guess not.." he said smugly as he started to walk towards. Sara frowned then closed her eyes remembering that she told Jack to teach him NOT to open the doors unless.."Max open !" Sara shouted. The man looked back at the door as the door handle moved and the door flew open.



Robbie stood up, picking up his rifle. He pushed the man with his foot, checking to make sure he was unconscious. Robbie dragged the man to a tree and took out his cuffs. He wrapped the man's arms around the tree trunk and cuffed his hands together. As he began standing he heard the crack of a shot gun. He dove to the ground and saw a man drop to the ground ten feet from him. He heard the sound of someone approaching, He swung the rifle around in time to see Hank. "Well don't just stand there.. let's go find your old man."



Ben knew he had no choice, he had to do what he could to keep Sara alive. " You know.. I had a better idea. I was going to kill her and her husband, then kill you. It was going to be a murder suicide. You see..you got drunk one night and went over to her place. You beg her to come back. She tells you no, Jack tries to throw you out and you lose it. You pull out your gun..killing them. After seeing her dead you kill yourself A few well worded emails from your computer to hers and back..icing on the cake. But no..you had to take off. Now drop the guns and get on your knees..put your hands behind your head." Ben looked at the man bleeding on the floor then the other one standing just to his right. He could take them all out..of that he was sure, but what would that mean to Sara. "I see the wheels turning in your head Ben. Don't do it..you could take us down..force me to call my guys..but I just won't use the right words..you have no way of knowing that and then you can hear her die." Ben tossed his guns on the ground, " It never would have worked..nobody would ever believe I would hurt Sara...Jack maybe..but not Sara." Whitehouse smiled, as Ben got down on his knees. " That's what the boss said too. You know you really disappoint me Ben..I never would have believed a woman would take you down. You just cost me a hundred bucks." Ben clasped his hands behind his head, " Well she's no ordinary woman..wanna make that call now..please" he said as he looked down to the floor. He wasn't afraid to die..he just wanted her safe, that's all that mattered now. Whitehouse pulled out his phone and gun. " She must not be..she really is your Achilles heel." Ben's eyes shot up and he stared at Whitehouse. " What did you say?" Whitehouse dialed the phone number, " I said she was your Achilles heel." Ben's heart sank. That phrase..it had played in his head the night of their first date. After kissing her, alone in the elevator, he had said that to himself. He had only heard one other person say it to him. How could he have been so blind. Ben knew now who the head of the dirty agents was, but there was nothing he could do about it.

[gapeach]

Love the chapter and love Max.

[fluffysmom]

AHH!! How can you leave us hanging there?!?! I am literally on the edge of my seat waiting for more.

[blueyed358]

Chapter 140


Jack's heart was racing, he held the gun steady praying he would be able to get to his wife. He could hear them coming into the penthouse, he placed his finger over the trigger..the figure came in quickly, crouched down, brandishing his own weapon. A second larger man came in high, weapon in hand. "Jackson! You okay? " Jack exhaled, " Yes..but Sara...hurry Steve, she ran to the bedroom" he yelled over his shoulder as he ran to help his wife.





Max burst through the door and the gunman swiveled his arm getting off a shot. The dog jumped and clamped on to the man's arm and he began to shout. Sara ran over and began peeling the man's fingers from around the gun and it went off a second time. She could hear Jack calling her name as he came up the hallway. She felt a burning sensation as she removed the gum and stepped back pointing it at the man. " Max..stop! " The dog released the man's arm put held his position across the man's chest, pinning the man on the floor. Jack came into the room gun in hand with Steve on his heels. Sara turned and looked at Jack, " I love that dog! He can open any door in this house..anytime he wants." Jack smiled, "I will remind you of that when he comes into the bathroom again..Sara...you're bleeding! " Sara looked down and saw blood on her shirt. She placed her hand on her side and looked down at her fingers, wet with blood. Sara smirked, "it's okay..it's just a flesh wound." Jack sighed after looking at it himself. "Hell of pooch you got there Jackson.." Jack smiled, "Indeed he is" he said as they heard the cell phone ring.





Ben sat on his knees, hands behind his head. If they hurt her..he was going to kill them all..or die trying. The only solace he had was that he was able to keep Robert out of this. Ben's heart pounded with every ring of the phone. "Don't worry Ben..she'll be fine...promise." Finally the phone was answered, "It's me.." Whitehouse said but the voice on the other end cut him off. " I'm sorry but the party you are looking for is a bit...tied up." Ben smirked and Whitehouse looked at the phone, "Who the hell is this? " he asked. " This is Jack Deveraux speaking..Do what you must Agent Todd all is well."



Ben glared up at Whitehouse who threw the phone to the floor and turned his gun on Ben. He hopped up on to his feet and threw himself backwards into the arm chair. He flipped backwards just as the shots began coming his way. Ben pulled a gun from inside his boot and shot out the lights. The room now was lit by the light of the fire only. " You are not getting out of here alive Ben! " Whitehouse shouted. Ben leaned back against the chair and glanced around the room, " That makes two of us ! " he shouted back as he hunkered down against the hail of bullets.



Jack hugged and kissed his wife as the gunman shouted, "Get this dog off of me ! " Jack smiled at Sara and turned to Max, "Come Max..good boy! " But Max was slow to move, his breathing labored. Jack placed his hand on Max's side and the dog whimpered. Jack brought his hand up and stared at it. Then in a panic filled voice he said " No..oh no..Sara..Max is hurt..he's been shot."



Ben got off a few shots and then he rolled to his right pulling the end table over. It was a big table made of solid wood and might shield him for a few minutes. He had to get to the coffee table he needed that other gun, maybe he could get to his other guns...if they haven't picked them up yet. " You know seeing you on your knees just wasn't right. This is the only way for a guy like you to go out." Whitehouse shouted. " Ben knew he was trying to get him to speak so he could try and isolate Ben's exact position. The man Ben had shot earlier slid silently across the floor. He had seen where Ben dove and was now hiding. The man came around the side of the sofa. Whitehouse was behind a bookshelf and the third man behind a large cabinet. Whitehouse motioned and the downed man nodded. He could just see Ben peeking behind the table. The third man opened fire and the table began splintering. Ben saw a spot just past the sofa, he could duck behind another large bookcase and get a better view of the room. " I wouldn't hold your breath..I plan on taking you out..all of you. " Whitehouse laughed, " With one gun? Your not THAT good." Ben started for the bookcase and the injured man sat up raising his gun. Dean who had been awake from the time Ben dropped his weapons reached under the coffee table and pulled the gun free shooting the man in the chest. Whitehouse turned his gun on Dean and shot him in the shoulder. Both Ben and Dean began shooting and Ben raced to Dean, grabbing him by the collar and dragging him behind the bookcase. "How bad is it? " Ben asked. Dean winced, " It went straight through..hurts like hell though. Managed to grab one of your glocks while you dragged me back. " Ben smiled, " Excellent...how's your head? " Dean frowned, " We'll be discussing that later." Ben took off his sweatshirt and stuffed it into Dean's shirt, " Put pressure on it" he said taking the glock and the 45 Dean had. "What are you doing?" Dean asked. "Ending this..stay down" he said as he jumped out from behind the bookcase shooting.



Steve and Sara had to stay behind to talk with the police as Jack rushed Max to the Animal Hospital. Sara called Katie and she was waiting downstairs for Jack. Steve promised to take Sara to the hospital after they were done to have her wounds looked at. " I will meet you at the animal hospital when I'm done. Don't worry Jackie..he'll be fine.. I know it" Sara kissed Jack then she leaned down and kissed Max, "Thank you for protecting us." she whispered. Jack climbed into the back seat of Katie's car holding Max close. Steve closed the door and leaned in, " Follow that cop car Katie..he's going to escort you there..don't worry Jack..Maximilian is gonna make it." With sirens blaring in front of them they sped through the streets of the city. Katie kept glancing into the rear view mirror looking at Jack. She prayed silently for the dog...and Jack. She knew how much he meant to him. Jack pet Max's head and talked softly to him. " You are a hero..you know that. I am very proud of you." Max whimpered softly and Jack cradled the dog's head in his arms. " I know..I know it hurts..but you have to hold on..please..for me. Against my better judgement I kept you..now I have become extremely attached to you.Your companionship has meant so much to me. " Jack sniffed and wiped his nose as Max looked up at him. Jack cleared his throat, " I have many more lesson's planned for you." Jack leaned down and kissed the dog's head. Max's eyes closed softly. Jack swallowed hard and placed his hand on Max's belly sighing softly. " Okay..your still breathing..you rest..how close are we Katie?" Katie looked back at Jack, the worry on his face, " A few more blocks..how's he doing?" Jack looked down and stroked his companion's head softly, "Hanging on..he's hanging on."



" No word from Ben? " Sara asked as the paramedic placed a bandage over her wound. " No..not yet." He asked Sara to tell him everything that had happened. " He said Robert and Dean were safe..that means he was alone. What if he couldn't get out of it? What if he had dropped his weapon and he was defenseless? " Steve smirked, " Benjamin? Defenseless? Come on Shortstuff you know him better than anyone." Sara nodded slowly, "Can you take me to get stitched up? I don't want to go in this thing." Steve took her hand and helped her out of the ambulance and into his car. Sara stared at her brother in-law as he drove. " Your going to Montana aren't you?" He glanced over at her, saying nothing. Sara sighed and looked out the window, " Yeah..that's what I thought."



Ben came out shooting, hitting the one man in the head and Whitehouse in the shoulder. Unbelievably Ben was not hit once. Whitehouse came around the other side of the bookcase but Ben was there. Both men stood guns pointed at each other. " You aren't going to kill me Ben..we both know you want answers from me. You want to know who my boss is and you need me breathing for that. " Ben tightened his grip on his gun, " That's where you're wrong. You already told me who it is. Now you can drop your gun and stay alive or roll the dice and take your chances if you really believe you can out shoot me." Ben could see the wheels turning, he was weighing his options. " What's going to be Rick ? " He glared at Ben, " I think you already know " he said making Ben smile. " I was hoping you'd say that. " Before either could squeeze their triggers a shot rang out dropping Whitehouse. Ben dove to the floor and made his way over to Dean. " Who the hell is that? " Dean asked. "Probably one of his men trying to cut their losses." Dean winced at the pain in his shoulder, "You think he's coming in?" Ben shrugged, then held up his finger. He could hear the boots on the wooden steps out front. "Benny ! It's me Hank..I'm coming in! " Ben smiled and stood up. " Come in..it's all clear." Hank opened the door and stepped inside, looking around. " You alright? " Ben smiled, "Yeah,,Dean has been hit..not bad though. That was a hell of shot Hank." Hank stepped aside and looked outside, " With this double barrel? Wasn't me.." Robbie came out of the trees, rifle in hand. Ben turned to Hank, " Miranda let him out..I followed after him. " Robbie came up the steps, " Saved my butt too." Ben took a deep breath, he could see the relief and anger on Robbie's face. " Hell of shot Kid. " Robbie's face softened, " Thanks...you alright? " Ben nodded, "Yeah.Dean needs to see a doctor..for a few things..thanks kid." Robbie grabbed Ben by his shirt, " Maybe next time you'll listen to me and let me help you."



A police car and ambulance were on the way and Ben stood over Whitehouse. Robbie hit him in the chest and his lungs were filling with blood..just as Ben's had. Ben crouched down, "Horrible feeling isn't it? I wonder Rick..do you have someone? Do you have a woman you love whose face your seeing now like I saw Sara's. For your sake I hope you do." Robbie helped Dean over to the sofa, " That's him..that one..he's the one who killed Angie." Robbie used his foot to turn the man onto his back. " Did you? " Dean nodded, "Yes..I had to..he was going to shoot Ben.. I'm not sorry." Robbie lowered him onto the sofa, " Relax now..we'll get you fixed up." Dean frowned, "Be glad he only locked you in that cellar..look at what he did to me" he said showing Robbie the bump on his head. Robbie stepped out on the porch and stood next to Ben. "I can't believe you knocked Uncle Dean out." Ben shrugged, " What can I say..it was the best I could come up with on short notice." Robbie took a deep cleansing breath, " It wouldn't have mattered how many kids I have..I still wouldn't have forgiven you if you got yourself killed." Ben turned his head and looked at him, " Sure you would have." Robbie took another breath and looked at Ben, " Maybe..." Ben pulled Robbie into a hug, " I'm just glad I don't have to find out."

[gapeach]

So glad that Jack,Sara, Robbie, Ben & Hank are okay. Now we just have to hear that Max is okay!!

[gapeach]

Oops forgot Dean! Glad he is okay as well!!

[Minako98]

You'd better not kill Max. I have tears streaming down my face for him...

[fluffysmom]

Glad they are all safe. I really hope the heroic Max is okay.

[blueyed358]

Chapter 141


" He's loss quite a bit of blood..and I don't see an exit wound, I'm afraid we'll have to operate." Jack was staring at the blood on the doctor's gown and gloves and he nodded slowly. "Do whatever you have to do." After the doctor left Katie went to get them some coffee and Jack sat alone in the waiting room. This was why he had never wanted a pet. He would give it all his love and then one day it would be gone..like the fish his nanny had bought him...like everyone he had ever loved in his life. Jack took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly. He closed his eyes and rested his head against the wall. All his life it had seemed he had only wanted to love and to be loved. But it had always eluded him and he had lost everyone, always ending up hurt. He wanted it desperately but when he had it, he hid from it. He would act like he didn't care..always protecting his heart. Now after all these years he knew...there was no hiding from love or the pain of loss. That was what life was...love and loss...happiness and sorrow. "Here's your coffee" Katie said softly. " I know how much Max means to you..I am sure he is going to be just fine." Jack sipped his coffee slowly, enjoying the soothing feel of the hot liquid gliding down his aching throat. He asked her if she had heard anything from Robert. " No not yet..I'm sure he will call as soon as he can, but I am confidant he is safe." Jack sighed and before he could stop himself the words came tumbling out. "Something is wrong..between Robbie and myself. Something has changed..I can feel it. " Katie looked down at her cup. She thought about how Robbie had referred to his father as "Jack" and knew he was right. "Robbie....he has been under a lot of stress these past few months. I am sure when this is all over things will go back to normal." Jack shook his head, "No..this is serious. I have not mentioned it to Sara yet..as you said there has been a great deal of stress on them both lately. He seems to be distancing himself from me. I believe I know why.." He and Katie looked at one another, "Agent Todd."





" A FLESH WOUND !! What kind of flesh wound? A normal one or..." Ben shouted into the phone. " Or one of your flesh wounds?" Sara chuckled. " A normal one.." Ben flopped into the chair of the waiting room. "Stitches? " Sara told him she got seven. "If this keeps up we can start comparing scars" she added. " Bite your tongue..or better yet..you can let me do it." Sara snorted then asked how Dean was doing. " He has you beat Ace. He got twelve stitches, he's all doped up and talking crazy.. Robbie has been cracking up at him. " Ben told Sara how Dean had killed Angie's attacker and that Robbie shot Whitehouse. Sara asked if he was still alive....he was not. "Died about fifteen minutes ago." Sara asked when they would be coming home. " A few days, Dean needs to rest up a bit." Sara laughed, " Yeah from the bump on his head right?" Ben sighed, "Who told you about that? Anyway..I need a few days to decide how I am going to proceed from here." Sara paused then asked, " You don't think he will come after you again do you?" Ben swallowed his coffee. "No..he doesn't have an army and I doubt he has that many more people he can trust, besides he can't be sure what I know or what I've said." He smirked, thinking he could almost hear the frown she was making. " I can't believe you won't tell me who it is" she snapped out, she knew he had that dumb smirk on his face. "Best if you don't right now" she started to speak and he cut her off. " Relax Ace, you'll get your exclusive..in fact I want you to be there when I arrest him." He could see the eyebrow raise and the slow smile spread across her face, " Excellent" she said excitedly. " Okay...the Kid is giving me the evil eye. I will talk to you soon. Hey Ace? " Sara closed her eyes tightly, "Yeah I know..me too." Ben handed Robbie the phone and Sara was again telling her story. She told him that Katie was with Jack and Max. " I hope he makes it, he is one extraordinary animal. Mom..when I get home you and I have a date, just the two of us..ice skating at Rockefeller Center..okay? " Sara smiled brightly, " I can't wait. We just pulled up to the animal hospital...call me later?" Robbie promised he would and asked her to tell Katie he will call her tonight as well. Steve waited for Sara to exit the car and then he called Ben back. " So you don't want me out there?" he asked his partner. " No..it's not necessary really. We are going to take a few days to wind down and then I'll come back and end this. You remember what I told you? " Steve put the car in gear and pulled away, " Yeah I got it..man I still can't believe it. " Ben rubbed his forehead, " Tell me about it. You get things in place there and I will see you in a couple of days. Steve..I can't thank you enough, you are a good friend...a good partner." Steve smirked, " You too..watch your back though this ain't over yet."



Sara found Jack and Katie in the waiting room. " They got the bullet out..but they don't know if he is going to pull through. The next twenty four hours will tell. How are you feeling? " Sara kissed him softly, " Fine..just a few stitches. I spoke to them" then she told them everything she had learned. " And Dean will be all right then? " Jack asked. " Yes he will be just fine. Though I don't know how he is feeling about shooting the man that killed Angie." Jack nodded, " And Robert? How is he? " Sara gave him a small smile, " He sounds good...relieved. He said he hopes Max is all right."



After about thirty minutes they were allowed to visit with Max. He was laying in a large cage and had bandages wrapped around his mid section and an intravenous line and transfusion line into his paws. His breathing was rapid but the vet assured Jack that was normal due to the sedation. "You should go home and get some sleep. We will call you if there is any change in his condition" the doctor told them. Jack put his fingers into the cage and touched him. " This isn't right Sara. He should not be in this cage, I don't want to leave him here..all alone." Sara gestured to the doctor and spoke with the him outside. " There has to be some sort of room or office where he could stay in. My husband and I will be with him, we'll pay any price..please. Max means the world to my husband and..well that dog is a hero, he saved our lives tonight." The doctor agreed and they set them up in an empty office with a couch and some blankets and pillows. Jack put Sara on the couch and covered her with a blanket, " You should really go home Sara" But she was asleep before Jack covered her. He brushed the hair from her face,kissed her cheek and he sighed. It had been a hell of a day he thought, "I love you" he whispered. Jack took two more blankets and a pillow. He cover Max and laid down on the floor next to him. He placed his hand on the dog's head. " I'm right here with you, your not alone."



Ben sat alone by the fire a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other. "What a day" he thought. "She could have been killed", played over and over in his mind. Then he smiled, relief sweeping over him. How many times had he said that to himself, almost as many times as she had said that about him. But she was okay..they all were. He could feel him...standing behind him. " You coming in here or are you just going to skulk around." Robbie flopped into the adjoining arm chair. " I am not skulking and what the hell is that?" Ben flicked his cigarette into the fireplace, " What's what?" Robbie frowned, "You are not going to start smoking again." Ben drew back on his beer and smirked. " Mom sounded good." Robbie said as he put his feet up on the remains of the shot up end table. "Yes she did. Dean asleep? " Robbie chuckled, " Yeah..after babbling something about fried chicken." Ben gave a slight laugh, "I promised I would get him chicken tomorrow. What about you? How are you doing?" Robbie thought about it for a while. " Well..I am still pissed at being locked in that cellar. As for shooting Whitehouse..I am good." Ben nodded and took another sip. " I heard the police officer refer to you as Agent Jamison..wanna talk about that?" Again Robbie thought for a moment, " What's to talk about. I AM Robert Jamison and I changed my name back awhile ago." Ben glanced at him from the corner of his eye, " You want to elaborate on that." Robbie put his head back and closed his eyes, " Not particularly....not yet.." Ben put his head back and closed his eyes as well, " Okay..just asking." After a few minutes Robbie said, " It's just.." Ben tried to hide a smile. He knew that Robbie would say more, just like he would do when he was a kid. "I need to be myself again..you know what I mean?" Ben nodded, " As a matter of fact..I do. You tell Jack yet?" Robbie shook his head softly, " Not yet..I will when I get back. Man I'm beat." Ben yawned, " Me too, we should probably get up and go to bed." Ben turned and found Robbie fast asleep. He looked like a little boy, Ben thought. He looked like the little boy that Ben would pick up and carry into bed. " Forget it Kid..you're way too big for that." Ben closed his eyes and thought about what Robbie had said. He knew what it was to feel lost, not sure who you were. Ben knew that this name change was going to have major repercussions. He could feel the storm brewing, but he would have to deal with that later. First he had to go back and arrest a friend.

[Minako98]

C'mon Max... stay alive!

[gapeach]

Wonder how Sara and Hack are going to react to Robbie's name change?