Part 4

The beat up grungy van blended in with it's surroundings exactly the way the ATF agents inside it had planned. The interior was virtually silent as each man pushed aside his discomfort from the cramped stuffy space and watched intently for their target.

JD fiddled with the electronic equipment. His head bent low over the controls, dark hair hanging to cover the worry in his eyes. He checked over everything one last time just to insure himself that everything was working as it should be.

Buck leaned lightly against the back doors of the vehicle peering out the dirt smudged windows. His body was tense and ready to spring into action at Chris' command.

Nathan sat quietly having already double check his expanded version of a first aid kit. He ran his supplies over in his head hoping he had everything he might need if anyone ended up injured.

Josiah sat slouched in the drivers seat, a wool hat pulled low over his eyes. His face matched the windows of the van, smudged with dirt and grime. He wore layers of rags and appeared to be the sole inhabitant of what any passerby would assume was his home.

Chris rested his head against the back of Josiah's seat and tried to regulate the beat of his heart, willing it to slow down. 'Stop, think, breath,' he thought forcing himself to remain calm. He needed to think clearly. He ran the blue prints of the old house through his mind again. He wanted to kick himself for not realizing that Kara would have chosen the abandoned building from the list of targets but at the same time he knew it was useless to second guess his actions. Kara was unpredictable and to assume anything without fully checking it out beforehand would have been dangerous. His plan was dangerous enough as it was.

"You find Ezra and Vin yet?" He asked Buck, his voice hushed.

Buck grinned. "It took a minute but I see 'em." He kept his gaze focused outside. "Ezra looks like he's freezing his tail off."

"I can assure you I am, Mr. Wilmington." Ezra responded from his position at the news kiosk. JD adjusted the volume of the radio slightly. Buck and Nathan chuckled. " I don't see a cause for amusement here gentlemen." The southerner sighed rubbing his numb fingers together for warmth. He knew as they all did that for all his complaining he was grateful Chris had stationed him outside the crowded van. He was getting better at controlling his reactions to enclosed spaces but the others were careful not to put him into situations that might cause problems if they could help it.

Vin smiled from behind his high collar. He agreed with Ezra. The cold was not amusing. Adjusting his position on the cement sidewalk he leaned heavily against the brick building as if the wall was the only thing holding him up. He gripped the the brown bag in his cold hands and brought it to his lips for a sip wishing the root beer was something stronger. He focused again on the boarded up house that fit the description in his mind of a crack house. On his initial surveillance the placed seemed deserted. There was only one way in and out that he could find so now they were just waiting and watching for Kara to show up.

Back in the van Josiah shifted his position lightly jarring Chris when the seat moved. Chris looked at his watch and frowned. There wasn't a lot of daylight left. The journal entry hadn't given any indication of what time Kara planned the last fire, just it's location. Chris could see the delicate swirls of Kara's writing as if he was still reading from the notebook.

'I sent the flowers today. I hope they like them. I know Chris will be thinking of me since it's Valentine's day. That's how I knew today was the day to tell him, show him I'm alive. He's my one true Valentine. My only valentine. My last valentine. '

He didn't realize he'd shuddered until he heard Nathan. "You okay Chris?"

He opened his eyes and nodded. "I'll be better when this is over."

"Be careful what you wish for Brother." Josiah didn't move as he spoke. "Our target is just moving this way."

"Where?" Chris turned and dared to glance over Josiah's shoulder. He needed to see her to convince himself this was real.

"Coming from the east. Just about to cross in front of you, Ez."

"That's affirmative." Vin ducked his face further down into his collar. "Just passed by."

Ezra didn't say anything as he busied himself with stocking magazines but he recognized Kara immediately as she ambled by. From his view he caught only a glimpse of her scarred face. A shiver ran down his spine. This was it.

Kara's limp was like a beacon for the rest of the agents to easily spot her.

"We'll hold up and follow her into the building." Chris reviewed the plan.

"I still don't understand why we can't just grab her now." JD said softly.

Chris' answer was even harder to hear then the question had been. "I don't want her to have any where to run ."

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Kara could feel the staring eyes on her back following her as she crossed the street. She wanted to turn and scream at people to stop, to yell and cause a scene just to embarrassed them but she already had called too much attention to herself just by walking. She adjusted the duffel bag she carried to a more comfortable position on her shoulder and continued on her path.

"Forget them Kara," she told herself. She had more important things to focus on. As she neared her next and last target she couldn't help but smile. It has taken over two weeks to get this place set up, coming in at night and working in almost total darkness. But she was ready. She wondered where Chris was and her smile grew. Knowing him he was probably one of the people watching her now. God she loved him. 'Bet they're all out there.' she thought. She knew they would have figured it all out by now. That was the whole reason for sending the last valentine with the seal.

Carefully crawling through small opening of the side door Kara moved quickly. She didn't know exactly how much time she would have before they moved in but she would be ready. She'd been anticipating this moment for months. It'd kept her alive. She would be ready for them.

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The seven agents watched Kara move into the building each feeling the pounding rush of adrenaline that came with every sting operation. The difference this time was it was personal.

"Let's go." Chris' order was almost a whisper.

Buck pushed open the back doors and stepped into the cold evening. Nathan, JD and Chris followed while Josiah got out using the drivers side door. Vin discarded his brown bag and knit hat along with two extra layers of rags revealing his athletic frame as he moved quickly toward the house. Ezra gracefully jumped over the kiosk's counter and left a small group of stunned customers in his wake. Together, almost synchronized, the seven moved in.
There was only one opening so they met and and waited for Chris' next command.

"I'll go first. I want Josiah by the door. As far as we can tell this is the only exit. Watch your backs, you know what she is capable of and she's crossed over into killing so I doubt there'll be much hesitation on her part."

Carefully he drew his gun and entered the building, checking first to make sure the coast was clear. "Keep in constant contact." he whispered into his radio and stepped into the stench laden air. The door opened into a long narrow hallway. Cracks in the slats of wood and boards covering the few windows at the end of the hall let in just enough gray light to mix with the darkness and cause a confusing mosaic of light and shadows. His feet kicked at litter as he moved cautiously down the hall. He could hear Vin and the others entering behind him.

Chris came to the first room off the hallway and pressed himself against the wall. He spun in, ready to shoot but found the dilapidated kitchen deserted. "Damn." he cursed bumping into an overturned chair. He could use some night vision goggles about now but the budget committee had vetoed his request saying they were an unnecessary expense… "Unnecessary my ass," he grumbled not daring to turn on his flash light.

Chris felt Vin pass by him in the hall, ready to back him up and took another step into the kitchen. He waved his hand for the others to move on. "All clear." he said simply and took a step backwards.

Suddenly there was a loud crashing metallic roar that caused all seven men to freeze in place. Before anyone could react they saw dark shadows descend in front of Vin and behind Josiah.

"Chris! No!" Vin shouted, realizing the full impact of what was happening. He reached forward at the shadow and felt his knees grow weak as he touched steel. "Oh God. Chris can you hear me?" Static crackled over the radio.

"I can hear you. What the hell happened?" Chris ran his hand along the steel door hoping to find a release of some kind but knowing he was trapped.

"Are you okay?" JD asked.

"I'm fine. Someone get out to the van now and call the fire department. See if we have anything to get me out of here. This door is all steel."

"We can't " Josiah's voice interrupted.

"What do you mean you can't?" Chris could feel his fear growing.

"There's another steel door blocking the exit."

"Shit." Buck leaned back against the hall wall trying to think.

"What do we do now?" JD looked from Buck to Nathan and Ezra.

"Find a way out. Keep going through the house." Chris pressed his forehead against the cold steel."We know she's here and she 's as trapped as we are. Find her and we find the controls for these doors."

"Gotcha." Vin turned toward the others.

"Keep in radio contact," Chris reminded.

"We will. Josiah is staying on guard here," Vin told him. "We'll get you out of there."

"Just get her," Chris growled.

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Kara watched the monitor and smiled as she listened to the agents figure out what to do next. It surprised her that Chris was the first to get trapped. He was such a leader going first. She watched his dark shadow move about the kitchen. He'd turned his flash light on now making it easier to check out the small room and for her to watch him.

She wanted to talk to him and assure him everything would be okay now that they were together but not yet. There were a few more doors to trigger first. The contractor she'd hired to put in the doors had actually believed the story she had made up about filming a horror movie here. He'd even lent her his electrician to help with all the wiring for the camera's and sound system. She looked at the two other monitors. One was focused on the empty area that was once considered a living room. The other followed five men slowly making their way down the hall.

Kara leaned back in her chair and rubbed her aching leg. This cold air was killing her. In a few minutes though she would be able to get up and move around a little. Once everyone was contained she could get out of the cramped storage closet she was using to hide in. All she has to do was wait a little longer.

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Creeping past the room opposite the now blocked kitchen Nathan and Vin quickly moved in and out.

"Clear." Vin said quietly and motioned for the others to follow through into the larger open room.

A dark mound in the corner resembled the remains of an over used couch. It was the only piece of furniture in the room. The stench of garbage and urine mixed and deepened the further into the room they went.

Buck easily slid into the bathroom on the right. "Clear," he said stepping back into the living room.

"The stairs." Vin nodded to the stairway in the corner. There were four or five steps to a small landing where the steps turned at a right angle and continued to the second floor.

"She must be hiding out upstairs." Nathan looked at the ceiling.

"All the fires were started on the ground floor." JD pointed out.

"I'm thinking the lady wants a confrontation this time." Buck adjusted his vest.

"Let's go then." Vin moved forward followed closely by JD, Buck and Nathan. Ezra lagged behind a few moments to make sure they weren't leaving themselves open for a surprise attack from behind. He listened to the steps creak as the others ascended them. Satisfied the room was definitely empty, he turned and headed up the steps. He'd only reached the landing when the house shuddered and metal doors roared again. Recognizing the sound immediately his eyes widened in horror. Above him the top of the stairway was blocked as a metal barrier slammed into place. Snapping into action Ezra spun around to rush back into the living room only to see a second barrier trap him on the steps.

"Good Lord." He took a deep breath and fumbled anxiously for his flash light. He could hear Chris yelling through the headphones.

"What the hell's going on? Somebody talk to me!"

"More doors Chris." Vin answered staring at the steel door behind him. "Ezra got separated from us."

"Ezra can you get back to Josiah?" Chris didn't like the idea of any of them being on their own.

"Not exactly." The southerner's voice sounded strained but controlled. "There's another door at the bottom of the steps. I'm trapped." He took another deep breath.

"You can handle this Brother." Josiah's voice was calm and reassuring.

"I certainly hope so." Ezra leaned against the wall and slid to the floor thankful the landing was somehow free of the volume of trash that had littered the floor everywhere else. He directed the beam of his flash light up the stairwell and then back down to the steps to the ground floor. He closed his eyes and tried to picture himself anywhere else. Somewhere pleasant and open.

"Hang in there Ez." Buck reassured. "We'll get us out of here."

"Expediency would be appreciated."

"What?"

Ezra smiled. "Just hurry Buck."

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Kara couldn't wait any longer. Though she was slightly disappointed the she hadn't trapped all five men like she intended she was still enjoying their momentary confusion. On the monitors she could see Chris and Ezra. She flipped a switch and the third monitor's picture changed from the living room to the upstairs hall. She could see them all except Josiah now.

She took a sip of bottled water and cleared her throat. Flipping another switch she activated microphone on the sound system. It squealed for a moment until she found and adjusted the right dial. Her only regret was that she couldn't see the looks on the agents faces at this moment.

"Hello everyone. It's so good to see you all again."

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Chris listened to the soft voice disbelieving it was real. He thought he'd convinced himself that this was all possible. Kara had survived and they were going to catch her, but he was unprepared for the sound of her voice. The memories poured through him yet again, the rage almost knocking him down. He stumbled a step and leaned against the steel door that trapped him in the smaller room.

"Kara."

"Yes Beloved, it's me." Kara watched with glee as she startled Chris again. He jumped at her response to him and stared at the dark ceiling shining his flashlight into each corner.

"You can hear me."

"I can hear all of you. How are you doing there Ezra?" Kara smiled as Ezra jerked his head up. "Don't appreciate small spaces very much anymore do you?"

"No thanks to you Ms. Billings." Ezra's voice was soaked with bitterness.

Kara laughed. "The darkness has a life of it's own doesn't Standish?" She lowered her voice enjoying the deep gravely sound that had remained with the asthma. "It kind of grows and moves in on you. Does it bring all those memories with it Ez? Can you still hear the sound of that freezer door slamming and sealing you inside? Cutting off your air supply? Trapping you in that tight suffocating space?" She could hear Ezra's breathing quicken. The single flash light beam emphasized the fear and anger contorting his handsome face.

"Shut up woman." Josiah shouted into the dark.

"My such loyalty Mr. Sanchez. Where's a crow bar when you need one?"

JD gasped.

"Easy Kid." Buck reached out and grabbed his roommates shoulder. He didn't want Kara directing her sharp words at him next. He blinked away the memory of Kara's sudden attack on him and Josiah.

"Ezra?" Josiah searched for any sign that the southerner was okay.

"I'm fine Josiah."

"Kara you're sick!" Chris shouted into the dark.

"I'm not sick Chris. I've missed you."

Chris' shoulders sagged. Was there no way to convince this woman?

"Don't look so sad Beloved. We're together again now."

Chris looked up at the ceiling again. She could see them. "Look for cameras. " He ordered the others.

Kara frowned as Ezra's flashlight beam lit the one monitor's screen a second before it went blank.

"Dammit Chris why do you always fight me?" Carefully she stood and adjusted the cordless headphone mic. They'd be coming this way soon.

Chris' image turned to static on the screen as he found the camera in the kitchen. "Come on Kara. It's over"

"It's not over." Kara controlled her anger. "Don't you get it? It'll never be over." She took a calming breath as Vin found and smashed the third camera.

"You can't go on like this." Chris told her. "Do you think you can just keep me a prisoner forever?"

"I've thought about it." She admitted slipping out of the closet and into a dark bedroom. She had memorized the layout and could get anywhere in the house with out using a flashlight.

"We won't let you keep him." Vin told her.

"Why do you think I want you all?" Kara shook her head. How stupid did they think she was?

"What are you going to do Kara? Take us out one by one? You tried that once and it didn't work or are you going to convince us to trust you and then kill us like you did Jeff?" Chris' voice was harsh and accusing.

"You leave Jeff out of this." Kara hissed. "You don't understand."

Chris got an idea. He hoped Vin would keep searching while he distracted Kara. "What I understand is you're full of shit. Telling me a load about being my true love while you're shacking up with another man."

"It wasn't like that!"

"Yeah right. You know there's a word for what you are Kara. " He spit her name.

"Don't you say it!" Kara could barely breath let alone hold back the tears springing into her eyes. What was Chris saying?

"Why not? The truth hurt?"

Kara closed her eyes as he went on.

"How am I suppose to believe all your claims of love and missing me? Come on. You didn't even let me know you were still alive, you were to busy going at it with nature boy. Hell, how am I suppose to believe you're really Kara Billings? It's not like I've seen you. Last I knew Kara died falling off a cliff. "

Kara was trembling. He didn't believe her. What had she done? How could he doubt her this way? She fingered the remote in her hand. One button would free him. She had to see him. If she took the back stairs she could get down to the kitchen by way of the dining room. The stairs were hidden behind a door in that room and she knew it'd been to dark for them to see it when they had checked the room. She inched her way silently to the back steps. She had to convince Chris it was her and her that her love was true.

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Vin listened to the exchange between Chris and Kara. Chris actually sounded jealous. He motioned for the others to remain silent as they continued their search for Kara. He moved stealthily to the first door he could see. Taking the risk he flicked on his flash light. With a nod to Nathan he pointed to the bedroom then directed JD and Buck to the closed door across the hall.

The bed room was clear other than more trash and rotting furniture. The low whistle from Buck brought Vin and Nathan quickly out of the room and into the hall. Buck stood in the doorway of a lit room no bigger then a storage closet. JD was inside inspecting an array of electronic equipment.

"She was here." JD looked at Vin.

"Can you find the controls for the doors?"

"Give me a minute or two."

Vin nodded. "Buck stay here. Nathan and I are going to search the rest of the rooms. She's got to be up here somewhere."

Kara heard the exchange through her earpiece and knew it was time to distract them . As she reached the door leading from the steps to the dining room she found the two buttons on the remote that she needed. If she released Ezra she knew Josiah would check on him leaving the path to Chris open. She pressed the buttons and listened to the noise. She smiled at Ezra's "Thank God." and Josiah's "You okay Brother?" Quickly she limped to the metal door separating her from Chris.

JD looked at Buck when the noise started. "What'd you do?" the older agent asked.

"Nothing. I haven't figured out what's what yet." JD shook his head.

"Thanks for the emancipation." Ezra said as he and Josiah joined them.

"It wasn't me. " JD explained again. "Chris are you free?"

"No."

Worry pierced Vin, who had come back to the closet at the sound of the doors moving. Chris was alone downstairs. "Let's go."

Before the words were out of his mouth they heard the doors slam back into place. They were cut off from their leader.

"JD can you?"

"I'm trying Vin, She must have a remote." he flipped a lever randomly. "She can override anything I try to do here."

"Let's find her then."

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"You don't really think I could love another do you Chris?" Kara pulled her headphones off and tossed them to the floor. She wanted to talk only to Chris.

Chris felt a chill pass through him. He could feel her presence just behind the metal barrier. "I don't know what to think Kara. Why don't you open this damn door and explain it to me."

Kara reached forward and touched the cold metal. She knew he was armed. Could he really shoot her? She felt her own gun weigh heavy in the waist band of her jeans. He wouldn't harm her if she was unarmed but she couldn't let go of that security.

"I didn't love Jeff."

"That didn't keep you from sleeping with him did it?"

Kara cringed at the anger in his voice. "It wasn't like that Chris. I need him so I could come back to you. It's you I love."

"You have a damn funny way of showing it!" Chris raised his voice.

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"She's down stairs." Nathan said hearing only Chris' side of the conversation.

"How?" JD asked.

"There's got to be another way down." Vin said as Josiah moved toward one of the bedrooms followed by Nathan. "JD keep working on those controls see if you can get Chris out of that room. Buck stay with him. Ezra come with me." They were going to find her before she could get to Chris.

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"Don't lecture me about love." Kara rested her forehead on the door willing him to understand. "I survived because of you. Laying there in the darkness, freezing. You were the reason I lived. Our love is as strong as death, just like I told you. It was a promise Chris. " She pictured him leaning against the door opposite her. She wanted to touch him. She wanted to look into those blue- green eyes and lose herself. She wanted to run her fingers through his hair, down the strong curve of his chin and across his muscular chest. She wanted to touch the seal that connected them for eternity. " I want you."

"I don't want you Kara. "

"You don't mean that. "

"I mean that more than you could ever know." Chris waited straining to hear her movements.

She ignored his statement, not believing he could mean it. "I chose today to tell you I was still alive because it's Valentine's day. A day for lovers. "

"You are not my lover."

"I'll always be your lover Chris. Now and forever we're one."

Chris needed to try again. " How can I believe that if you won't even trust me enough to talk to me face to face?"

Kara looked at the remote in her hand. "I don't look the same. "

"That doesn't matter in true love."

"Really?" Chris had said it was true love? Did he mean it? Kara tried to clear the confusion in her head. She needed to see him.

"Really." Chris listened for any sign that she might open the door. He didn't know where the others were but knew he could trust they were there ready to move in when needed.

"Ok."

He wasn't sure if he'd actually heard her or not until he heard the door start to rise.

The divider rose quickly revealing the two standing facing each other. Each with their weapon drawn and pointed inches away from the other.

"You're showing lots of trust there Kara." Chris said, his eyes sweeping over the gun leveled at his heart. She looked almost the same as the first time he'd seen her. He could see the scars on her face and neck and the way she leaned most of her weight on one leg to support herself.

"You tried to trick me once before by pretending to go along with what I wanted." Kara explained. "Just making sure you're sincere. Guess not huh?" She nodded towards his gun. It was hard to find her voice standing this close to him. She'd waited for this for so long.

"Are you going to drop that?" He asked.

She shook her head, tears springing into her eyes. "No."

"Then I think we have a problem." He moved to step forward.

"Don't." She cocked the gun and stepped back. "If I can't come back from the grave and have you then I'll take you back to the grave with me."

"I don't think so." Vin whispered moving into the hallway cautiously. They'd found the stairs and had come into the dining room just as Kara had opened the door. Behind him Vin heard Ezra, Josiah and Nathan step out to back him up.

"Drop the gun Kara." Chris voice was calm. "It's over."

Kara smiled at him through her tears. "It'll never be over Chris. This is forever." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Happy Valentine's Day." She could feel her heart breaking as she looked into his eyes and pulled the trigger.

The shot from Vin's gun sounded simultaneously with Kara's and Chris'. Time seemed to slow as both Kara and Chris fell to the floor.

"Chris?" Vin rushed forward. Nathan was right behind him. Kneeling beside their leader they found him staring up into the dark, trying to catch his breath. Kara's bullet had hit his shoulder, it's progress stopped by the bullet proof vest he was wearing.

Chris allowed himself to be helped up. Shrugging off Nathan's concern.

He looked at Ezra kneeling over Kara's body. "Is she?"

Ezra looked at him and nodded. "It's over."

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Chris stood in the bright sunshine. He smiled bitterly. He remembered when he was a young boy how he'd thought that when there was a funeral or burial the weather had to be dark and gray and rainy. That's always how it had been on television. Then he'd buried Sarah and Adam and there hadn't been a cloud in the sky .

He looked down at this new grave, paid for by Jeff Wilson's estate. A tiny metal marker barely visible in the fresh dirt. Kara Billings. 1977-2013. He wasn't sure why he had come. Maybe it was his need to see it completely finished. To know she was buried not just dead. He could still hear her whisper. This is forever. It was for her.

He heard the movement behind him and knew without turning around that six men were watching him. Six men he trusted with his life. They needed the closure as much as he did. Staring at the mound of dirt he realized he didn't really hate her anymore. Part of him wondered what had caused the mind of a woman to turn so drastically, part of him didn't care. He looked up across the small well kept cemetery, the sun reflecting off a few of the gravestones. For such a sad place it was beautiful. A gust of wind caught his long black coat and flipped it about his legs as he turned from the grave to join his friends.

"Good bye, Kara," he whispered.

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Yes, this is the last story in the series, the end! Hope you enjoyed it all!