Carlos: Now you’re going to watch us, beat the crap out of her.

He pulled the blindfold off her eyes. Carmen’s lip was bleeding and had a cut on her temple.

Carlos: Release her.

The hands let go of Shane who instantly tried to reach for Carmen, but was met halfway with a pipe to her stomach. She stood there refusing to fall to her knees. Carlos took another swing. And another. Shane coughed up blood and stumbled trying to make her way to Carmen. Carlos kicked her in the face sending her flying and hitting the ground. Shane laid there for a moment and ever so slowly got up struggling to get her balance.

Carlos squatted next to Shane.

Carlos: You should’ve ran when you had the chance. Now you’re going to die here.

The garage door opened another time and Jenny stood there gun ready with Cezar’s men following her. The skinny guy got nervous and picked up his gun and ran behind Carmen, releasing her from her bounds and hoisting her up while pointing the gun at her head.

Carlos: What the fuck are you doing Tom!?

He yelled at the guy.

Tom: I’m not dying this way. I’m getting outta here.

Jenny: Let her go. Or I’ll shoot.

Carlos raised his gun at Jenny, but didn’t even have time before he found a bullet through his chest.

Jenny: I said drop it.

All the other guys dropped their things and were detained. Tom’s hand were shaky.

Shane: Jenny, don’t shoot.

Carlos’ chest was heaving up and down trying to breath. Two guys helped him up and got him into a car. They were going to take him to the doctors and then take care of him later.

Shane got up to her feet.

Shane: Tom, was it? Buddy, you gotta let her go.

Tom: Don’t come any closer or I’ll shoot!

Carmen looked into Shane’s eyes. Shane’s heart broke looking at the tear-streaked face.

Shane: What if I have all of them leave? Will you let her go?

Tom nodded.

Shane: Jenny, take the guys and get out of here.

Jenny: But-

Shane: Do it Jenny.

Jenny: Fine, let’s go.

The garage door closed.

Shane: Tom, so do you want to put the gun down now?

Tom: I need to get away from here. I need to get away!

Shane: I’ll get you a car right now. Jenny! I need a car in here!

The garage door opened, one of the guys drove a car in and dropped off the keys with Shane. They could hear the sirens getting closer.

Tom: Fuck, the police. The police!

Tom was getting desperate.

Shane: Tom, just get in the car and go. Give me Carmen. No one will get you.

Tom: I have nothing. I’m taking her with me.

Shane: You can’t do that Tom. You have to give me her or else you don’t get the car.

Bette’s voice permeated the walls.

Bette: This is Bette Porter. You have been surrounded by the LAPD. Come out with your hands raised. Do not hurt the hostages.

Tom: They’re all around here. Give me the keys!

Tom pushed Carmen into Shane’s arm who tossed the key to Tom. Carmen buried her face into the welcoming arms.

Carmen: Shane!

Shane winced feeling the weight of Carmen against her.

Shane: Carm.

She felt so relieved to have her once again in her arms. She couldn’t explain the feeling of having Carmen back where she belonged. It was like heaven, but maybe better. They heard a crash and turned to see Tom’s car totaled by him driving through the garage door. The police were trying to get to him, who was trapped under the steel door. Carmen’s eyes and Tom’s connected. He raised his gun at Shane.

Tom: You said I could go away.

Shane wasn’t paying any attention to him until she heard it. The shot wasn’t that loud, but the silence after it was deafening. Carmen was hugging Shane tightly.

Shane: Carmen…

Carmen: Shane…