A/N: Wow, and just when I thought I was getting good at updating :p Haha, sorry guys for the delay but unfortunately with a busy summer and the start of Senior year, yeah, this story got kind of got forgotten. But hey, better late than never and it's sad to say, but this story is close to concluding but I'll be happy to consider writing. So, I actually wrote this out on paper first because I find I do better and actually get motivated to continue the plot of the story and within two days, I give you this chapter which is my favorite so far. Since this story is almost closing to an end, I do have a sequel idea if you guys are up for it. I promise this time for sure that I will be better at updating since I have finally found my mojo. Any who, hope you guys enjoy it enough to leave a little review and I would like to give the following people a big thank you (plus response) for always being patient enough to stick with this story the whole way:D

The Last Poison Apple: Haha, Natara IS amazing and hopefully you'll like what you're about to read!:)

mozzi-girl: Yeah, I think I spoke a little bit too soon:p Go Maltara!

mynamesrach: Wow, thanks for that, it really means a lot. And, yeah, I kind of didn't really get Esmeralda's vibe but hopefully, since you thankfully pointed it out, I re-modified her character to explain her previous reactions, but thanks for that!:)

San Francisco lies under a stormy night, with the dark rainclouds making the city a lit candle under pitch dark nothing. The wind is a bone chilling breeze, sending the scent of the storm throughout the city. A hard drizzle of rain comes down, warning people of what's to come, something that has been brewing for a very long time. Soon, San Francisco will see the beginning of something new, or the end.

Esmeralda Salazar slowly crawls to a stop in front of the Flores Estate. As she lingers in the seat, listening to the patters of rain on her windshield, her thoughts loiter on the events that are about to unfold later tonight. She has been playing Genevieve's game for far too long. The only reason she decided to team up with Collins was to get Natara Williams away from her life. There was no else she couldn't stand more, besides Mal Fallon, than that nosy agent.

Williams had been able to get into Esmeralda's mind and play right into her little mental traps. It wasn't like her to lose control. Usually, she was calm and kept a steady poker-face, even in the most unique situations. But, she lost it. That's what scared her the most. The fact that she could handle a psychotic lady who molds serial killers but totally go off on the FBI Agent was unacceptable.

That's why it needed to happen. Earlier today, Esme had convinced Genevieve to finally put her little prodigy to the ultimate test. Both of them knew at the very beginning that it wouldn't take long for Mal to find Natara. Unfortunately, it was shorter than expected since one of her sources called Esme to say that Mal was close to figuring out their location. Therefore, Esmeralda told Genevieve that in order to get Natara's loyalty at 100%, she would have to kill Fallon. If she didn't, then either way, they would both die. The twist is that Natara would watch Mal slowly and painfully die right in front of her eyes before meeting her fate as well.

It will all happen with Esmeralda safely hidden away in her fiancés luxurious home where she will then take Natara's place and truly be the one to rule the city without having to hear the names of Mal Fallon and Natara Williams.

You are now Special Agent Natara Williams

It's over. You know it's over. All that time hoping that some way you were going to make it out of here alive, has been wasted. You thought you could play it big by just being a step, no, more like a half a step in front of them. Making instant decisions and thinking on your tip toes. It's what you're trained to do. It's what you're expected to do. But your mind can't reel around the fact that Genevieve Collins wants you to kill Mal Fallon, your partner and your best friend. She was apparently tipped off from one of Esmeralda's sources that Mal finally figured out where you were being held and that at this very moment, he was on his way. The minute Genevieve spilled your task, you knew right away that there was no way in hell that you were going to come out of this alive because you are not going to kill Mal.

Mal. How you so wish you could change what you said to him. You should've listened to him and not have gone with Oscar because what Mal said was true. The best profiler in the country and you just figured out that you're in love with, and always have been, Mal. You loved him the moment you met, with his witty remarks and rugged handsome looks. You loved how he was always at your side, protecting your back while you had his. Only now, you seemed to have failed in that department.

Tears threaten to escape down your cheeks as you regret not telling Mal the truth earlier, about how you truly feel. You're not going to be able to because you'll probably be dead before you even get to see him. Mal could be walking into a world of hurt for nothing and it's all going to be your fault. What's almost as upsetting is the fact that you've managed to get yourself to this point. Battered, bruised, and broken. All the things you so desperately tried not to be. Even though you fought so hard not to show any weakness, any emotions, it was all pointless.

You breathe a sigh of frustration for giving up on yourself, causing your torso to flare up in pain from who knows what's been broken or bruised. On instinct, you cringe and grit your teeth, your hands going to your side, hoping to subdue some of the pain when all of a sudden you feel something in your inside pocket. Careful not to cause any more agony, you slowly reach into the pocket and pull out something thin and long with a needle point. A syringe. Your eyes nearly bug out of their sockets as you realize you still have the damn syringe. You couldn't believe you had forgotten about. It was the dosage that you had taken out from the previous one you were suppose to inject into Cristal Knight.

Suddenly, your heart once again gets that sliver of hope. It seems like your half a step ahead of them again. What you now hold in your hand is hopefully going to be the key to give Mal time to escape and finally bring down both Genevieve and Esmeralda. It'll also with a bit of luck give you an opening to say good-bye to Mal because that hope you have isn't for you anymore. It's for him, to save the one you love.

You cautiously reposition yourself on the flimsy mattress so your back is resting against the wall with your head under the small window, listening to the storm that has consumed the city. Laying the syringe on your lap, you pinch the needle in the middle, bringing it to a 90 degree angle. Since there are always two meathead guards that come up to get you, you want to make sure you get both of them without too much of a commotion. With the bent angle of the needle, you'll manage to inject one guard and break it off in half with the needle still in his throat along with the lethal fluid, then quickly subdue the other one with the rest of your "weapon". It's a major long shot, but if it works, your plan will be set in motion.

Without a moment to spare, you hear the screeching of tires as a car comes to a halt in front of the house, skidding in the now heavy rainfall. You quickly, yet thoroughly, put the crafted syringe in your right jacket pocket, letting the bent part of the needle protrude from its hiding place. As if on cue, the two guards barge into the room, guns drawn and ready to be used. You let your body relax, which is hard, knowing that there are two guns being pointed right at you to let the guards assume you're too weak to put up a fight. It works and they hurriedly re-holster their weapons and move to be at your side, one on each of your flank. Before they even reach out to take you, a rush of adrenaline surges through your body, allowing you to elbow the guy on your right and kick the other in the groin, taking the syringe and plunging it straight in the jugular of the guard you elbowed. You bend the syringe out of its 90 degree angle, releasing the other half freely in your hand, causing a gushing stream of blood to be released from the guard's now lifeless body. Too soon before the other guard can recover, you reel back your foot and kick the meathead's bent over body, causing him to lie back on his back from the force. You rush up on top of him and with both hands, sink the syringe straight into his heart, instantly causing blood to gush from his mouth as he twitches his final movements before staring blankly at the ceiling.

Not even catching your breath, you hear the cracking and breaking of a door being ripped off its hinges. Instantly, you know its Mal, with his gut instincts taking over. You hear some commotion of a fight breaking out and that when your FBI instincts take over. Completely ignoring your pain, you get up and take both guards weapons, a 45 caliber pistol. Putting the extra in the back of your waistband, you take the other and hold it out in front of you. Without looking back, you quickly and carefully make your way for the exit.

Right away as you round the corner of the door, to your right you are greeted by a shocked guard who starts reaching for his gun, but before he can even pull the trigger, you shoot off a round smack dab in the middle of his forehead, sending a barrage of brains out the exit wound. As the guard slumps to the ground, you hear Mal yell your name and then the sounds of guns being fired. Your heart sinks to your stomach as your mind reels with the thoughts of Mal being shot. Not hesitating one bit, you sprint, or try to, to the end of the hallway where two guards stagger up the staircase, both wounded. Immediately, you aim your gun and finish the guards, sending them tumbling back down the stairs. You never noticed how heavily guarded this place really was.

As you slowly come to a stop at the staircase, you hear the familiar sound of a voice swearing and as you edge closer into the light, you see Mal, alive and well. A sight you never thought you'd ever see again. You feel your eyes once again well up with tears as he stares right back, his eyes twinkling with relief. Not breaking eye contact, you whisper, "Mal." And take a slow step down the stairs as he says, "Nat, I'm-"

But he's cut off as you feel a cold arm slip around your neck, keeping you in a chokehold and grab the firearm in your back waistband.

"Natara!" you hear Mal yell.

"I wouldn't if I were you, Detective." Genevieve says in a cold tone.

You look over to Mal who has his gun pointed up in your direction.

"Now, I know you know I'm not capable of killing, but fortunately, if you shoot me, my finger, which is held ready at the trigger will sadly kill Ms. Williams here. So I suggest you drop it now. That goes to you too, dear."

You hesitate as you watch Mal, instantly dropping his gun and kicking it down the stairs. Not wanting any harm done to Mal, you do the same.

The instant your gun hits the ground, however, you see and hear the flood of police sirens, causing Genevieve to tense ever so slightly as she knows that this isn't going to end well for her.

"Give it up Genevieve. Soon this place is going to be surrounded. It's over. Just let Natara go."

Genevieve gives a cold, menacing laugh as she says, "Oh darling, as if that's ever stopped me before. Now," Motioning down with the gun, she continues saying, "Slowly step down and go out the door. Tell your friends that if they don't want me to all of a sudden change my profile and kill Ms. Williams, they'll all back down."

Glaring at Genevieve, Mal slowly heads down backwards the remainder of the stairs, Genevieve following in his suit, holding you surprisingly firm for someone her age.

Once Mal's back reaches the door, Genevieve motions for him to turn around and says, "well, go on lovely, we're right behind you."

Mal doesn't instantly turn around. He looks at you with a heart wrenching stare in which you can feel everything he wants to tell you, but most of all, that he's sorry. Even though Genevieve holds the gun tighter to your temple, signaling Mal to move, you nod your head and give him the same stare. It's okay. It's not your fault. I'm sorry.

Mal takes a deep breath, turns, and opens the door. He is instantaneously greeted by a dozen red lights aimed right at his chest with many voices yelling at once to get out. Mal raises his hands at shoulder level and yells out, "Captain! Tell your men to back down. NOW! We have a code green!"

Through the haze of the pounding rain, you can make out the blurry figure of Captain Young as she waves her hands in the air, calling out, "All officers, retreat to your posts. Code green! I repeat, code green!"

Mal looks back to Genevieve, slowly lowering his hands as he says, "I've done what you've asked, now let her go. You can leave now."

Again, that cold menacing laugh echo's into the stormy night. With the adrenaline now almost depleting, you can literally fell you body slowly shutting down from all that you've been through.

"My dear Detective, I am not quite through. First we need to talk."

You can see Mal trying so hard to keep his anger in check and not just go after Genevieve himself.

Keeping her grip rock solid with the gun still trained on your temple, Genevieve slowly makes her way out of the house and into the soaking wet front yard, instantly getting drenched to the bone, feeling all the dirt and crusted blood make its escape down your body.

"What do you need to talk about?" Mal yells from both his anger and the fact that the rain was coming down so hard that it was hard to hear.

"I want to know, Mr. Fallon, how you were able to find Ms. Williams here? I knew eventually you would find her, but how?"

Genevieve stops circling half way, leaving your left side exposed to the swarm of officers, painstakingly waiting for the outcome of this situation.

Mal turns to face both of you, revealing a smirk as he answers, "Well, isn't it obvious? It starts with you always kidnapping the best FBI Agent there is."

You try hard not to laugh as Genevieve, bewildered at Mal's response, says, "Well, I do need the best to replace me when I'm gone." She pauses and you can almost feel the smile forming on her lips, "Luckily I've found someone almost as qualified to replace Ms. Williams… Esmeralda Salazar."

Both you and Mal yell in unison, "What?" because you got to admit, you did not see that coming.

"Then what do you want with Natara?" Mal angrily asks, fists clenched tightly at his sides.

"Isn't it obvious? To finally finish her off." You close your eyes in frustration as she continues, "It's like that saying goes, if I can't have her, no one can!"

"You can't just kill her!" Mal screams.

"Oh I don't plan on killing her just yet. First, it'll be anyone she's ever loved, like her dear old family." Your eyes fling open at Genevieve's last words. No, you think to yourself. You can't let this happen.

"Every day, she will watch somebody die until there is no one left and every day she'll regret living any longer, knowing she was the cause of this." You grit your teeth, almost ready to explode. No. She can't be serious.

"And we'll start with you, Detective Fallon." No!

A shot rings out and suddenly see Mal clutch his left arm. NO!

"MAL!" It's time to make your move.

Before Genevieve can shoot again, you scream out loud as you take both hands and grab the gun, still in Genevieve's hand, and bend over to press it into your lower abdomen and…

BANG!

"NATARA!"

Everything is happening in what seems to be in slow motion. You feel your body fall onto the flooded lawn, landing on your right arm, like a pillow, with your left one outstretched in front of you, feeling your blood pour out freely from the gaping hole in your middle, pain brimming your body like a fiery inferno, nothing you've ever felt before. You can actually feel your life fade away into the unknown.

Then you hear it. Heavy footsteps coming towards you at full speed and before you know it, you're being turned onto your back and are left face to face with Mal. You can't help but smile and reach your hand up to wipe away the tears that are coming down Mal's chiseled features, mixing in with the pouring rain.

He takes your hand and presses it to his cheek, with his other trying desperately to stop the bleeding and starts saying, "I'm so sorry Nat, I never meant anything of what I said to you last. Please, just hold on."

Even though it is starting to get extremely difficult to breath, you force yourself to say, "Mal… I'm… sorry."

Mal shakes his head, his hair splashing out the rain, "No, Nat. You have nothing to be sorry about."

You can hear the approaching sirens of an ambulance, but you can feel yourself hanging on by the mere threads of life you have left, your hand starting to go slack in Mal's hand.

"Take… care of…my family." Your eyes start to weigh down, feeling extremely heavy and making it hard to keep them even half way open.

"No, Nat. Don't say that! You're to be fine. Help is on the way. You just gotta hold on a bit longer." Mal pleads with you as he yells off in the distance, "Where's that medic1"

But its too late. With your final remaining ounce of strength, you say to Mal, "I… I…love… you." Then, all the pain, all the aches, all your worries turn into nothing with those final words as you are succumbed into darkness.