Friday had finally arrived and Caleb walked into the office with an even greater feeling of gloom than he did in the past week. The sight of Sheldon last night confronting him while crying still broke his heart into a thousand tiny pieces. He scanned the office for any sight of her but finally resigned himself to the fact that he probably wouldn't see her until the auction. "Yeah just great," Caleb moaned as he stared at a picture of her on the desk. "Where are you?"

********

"Are you sure Garth?" Sheldon asked as she sipped her coffee at the table of the coffee shop.

"Yes all these men were contestants in various bachelor auctions around the State. It says they were won, had a drink and then about an hour later said they felt sick, slipped out the back door and vanished. Do you honestly think they'd try to take one of the Agent's tonight?" Garth asked in surprise. "Glad I'm married."

"It just seems so strange but then again not really. I mean these slave owners like men who are strong and powerful in whatever field they are in. They feel that to break a strong man is much more rewarding then a weak one," Sheldon mused. "Didn't the organizers know?"

"They talked to the police but were virtually clueless."

"Tell me something I don’t know," Sheldon said regarding Tracy and Margo.

"Should we warn someone?" Garth asked.

"Yeah I'll tell security. Does it say who won them?" Sheldon asked. "I mean was it the same woman? Or different each time?"

"That might take some time," Garth sighed. "But I'll get on it and keep you posted. So um…are you going tonight?"

"Not sure yet," Sheldon said with a glance at her watch. "Gotta go," she said quickly. "Talk to you later."

"Right," Garth sighed as he hung up. "They so have to get back together."

Sheldon spent the rest of the day looking over various suspects they had in the slave trade ring. Sadly all were either out of the country with no recent activities or they were dead. "Must be someone new," Sheldon said softly as she stared at her laptop. "But from where? And who would he use at an auction? Surely someone must know what's going on!" Sheldon let her thoughts wander to the nights events that were now just a few hours away. Is Caleb really going to show up? If I do and don’t bid on him…oh to hell with this already, she said inside as she quickly put everything away and left. "Time to take back what is rightfully mine."

Caleb too spent a less than happy day finishing off his case and then heading home to get ready for the nights events. Will Sheldon show up? And if she does and doesn’t bid on me…"Am I really going to do this?" He asked himself out loud? He numbly donned his tuxedo and then got the rest of himself ready. He leaned on the doorframe into the bedroom and smiled as he pictured Sheldon's perfect naked body lying in front of him. "I need her back," he said inside. "Badly."

Caleb reached the ballroom to find it already teaming with dozens of Agent's all dressed in tuxedos and women dressed to the nines. "Sir," Caleb said as Nickel and Chloe approached him.

"I don’t envy you Caleb," Nickel said with a frown.

"Is Sheldon here?" Caleb asked weakly.

"She'll be here shortly," Chloe told him. "You look really handsome Caleb."

"Thanks," he said with a soft smile. He chatted with them a bit longer before he decided she wasn't going to show and headed for the stage area. He was about to push his way into the back when he heard someone call her name and then turned to see her walk into the large ballroom. He felt himself stifle a small gasp as he fixed his eyes on her beautiful form. "Wow," he whispered as his smile widened even further. Sheldon wore a long black velvet gown, very fitted and very sexy. Her long dark hair was swept up on top of her head and tiny ringlets danced around her neck. Fancy rhinestone earrings dangled from her ears and her stilettos' were shown off on one side by a modest side slit that also showed off one of her gorgeous legs.

Sheldon turned and saw Caleb by the back and felt herself blush slightly. She loved the way he looked all dressed up in his black tuxedo. Even the white shirt did little to hide his muscular chest and his hair was wavy and his eyes sparkled. "Wow," she whispered as she offered him a shy smile and then turned back to lightly laugh at the joke that was told. When she turned back however he was gone. She felt sadness start to cover her at the thought of what lay ahead. She knew everyone would be expecting her to bid on him but hated the fact that she was forced into something she in fact didn't think was justified. She saw them flicker the lights and knew it was time to take her spot. She sat down and waited for the show to start.

"I'll be glad when this is over and they are gone," she sighed as she watched Tracy and Margo make their way onto the stage, one at each end to start the show off. She noticed the row of bachelors as they filed onto the stage and immediately took notice of the uncomfortable way Caleb looked. He was right, it was kinda sad in a way. Just to be sold like an amusement toy for the night and then discarded. She wanted more than anything to rush up to the stage, take him in her arms and tell her she had forgiven him. Sadly she knew she had to endure this just as much as he did. Sheldon could hardly contain herself as each of the men was sold off at modest prices, all the proceeds going to charity. Finally it was Caleb's turn. "Saved the best for last," Sheldon said dryly as she readied herself for her competition. She noticed a lot of other ladies start to reach for their purses with large smiles as handsome Caleb Kwan stood forward for his turn.

Caleb stared nervously into the crowed and silently prayed Sheldon would deliver him from this hell.

"Sadly Agent Kwan is just here as a little bit of eye candy. You see the handsome Agent Kwan happens to be taken," Margo smiled.

"What?" Sheldon asked in surprise.

"By us that is," Tracy added. "You see Agent Kwan is already involved as some of you know and agreed to a lovely dinner with the two of us. But any other proceeds are more than welcomed to the needy families."

What? Sheldon asked in surprise as she looked around her and noticed some of the females giving her killer looks.

Caleb looked at them gratefully and then quickly searched the room for Sheldon's gaze. He finally found it and locked on to it like a drowning man hanging onto a raft as if his life depended on it. Finally the other women saw that Caleb wasn't really interested in being sold to one of them and decided against even trying to get Sheldon mad at them. When it was over Sheldon made her way to the bathroom while Caleb talked to those around him.

"Thanks," Caleb said weakly as both Tracy and Margo walked up to him. "When is this dinner?"

"Oh right here," Margo said taking one arm.

"And right now," Tracy said taking the other. "You don’t mind do you? But we have to leave tonight and since our schedule is so busy we thought we'd make the most of this event."

"Sounds good," Caleb said as they headed for a table of their choosing, right near the back door exit.

Sheldon came out of the bathroom and watched as the waiter served the three of them their food and drinks. Well at least it's here, she said inside. Yeah and I'm stuck watching it, she said in misery. She went and sat herself down at her table and started into her food. It was a few hours later when she looked up and finally noticed Tracy and Margo get up and head to the bathroom. Caleb was served one more drink and as he looked up they locked eyes once more.

"I can't take this anymore," Caleb said finishing his drink and then looking back at Sheldon. She had turned away but the looks they shared told him that now was the time to get this all worked out. But as he sat there longer he started to feel his stomach tighten and the room lightly spin. He blinked away several small dark circles and knew it was time for some fresh air. "Thankfully I'm near the exit," Caleb mused as he stood up. He grabbed the back of the chair for support to steady himself, took a few deep breaths and then found himself able to stand up still on his own.

Sheldon looked up and watched Caleb stand up and head for the back door. That's odd, she said inside. But as he turned and locked eyes with here she sensed something was wrong. The look on his face told her he wasn't feeling well and needed air. She watched his form slowly head for the back door and wanted more than anything to follow. He probably has to go to the bathroom, she told herself. I'm not chasing after him, I'll wait for him to come back and then I'll go and talk to him. Sheldon then noticed Margo rush after Caleb and felt herself groan. Poor Caleb. Oh well I know he can handle them, she said inside. She started to scan the room for anything that seemed strange. Sadly it failed her that it was her partner that was now in grave danger for his life.

Caleb reached out back as his vision started to get more blurry. He gripped a side rail to steady himself and found his hands frantically reaching for the keys to his car.

"Caleb honey are you okay?" Margo asked in a sickly sweet voice as she walked up behind him.

"Yeah I'm…sorry Margo…but I think…I'll have to cancel on our…" Caleb said trying to keep himself upright.

"Well why don’t we help you," Tracy said taking an arm and pulling him towards a waiting van.

"No…it's okay," Caleb said quickly as he tried to move away from them. But both women kept a tight grip on his arms and just kept walking.

"Wh-what are you doing?" Caleb asked in a panic. He tried to pull himself free but with the drugs rapidly racing through his system it was a losing battle. They neared the dark van and Caleb felt himself being pushed inside.

"Taking you home."

"Home…no I want…" Caleb protested as he was pushed inside. "Hey…help…" he said weakly.

"Tie him tight," Tracy told Margo as she pushed Caleb to his stomach and then grabbed his arms and pulled them behind his back.

Caleb tried to fight them but as the dark circles before his eyes grew larger he knew he was soon going to be unconscious and at their mercy. "Why are you doing this?" Caleb managed.

"Hush now handsome," Margo said as she wrapped several coils of rope tightly around his wrists.

Caleb felt the rope tightening and knew he was in trouble. "Sheldon…" he tried as he felt his ankles being bound tightly together.

"Sheldon will never know," Margo smiled as she played with the edge of Caleb's tuxedo jacket. "Course when she does it'll be too late."

"But just before she dies we'll make sure she knows she lost you forever," Tracy laughed evilly. "But I doubt at this rate she'd care. Shut him up."

"No ple…" Caleb started only to have a soft thick cloth forced between his lips to silence him. His head started to fall as the cloth was secured tightly behind his head. And as images of Sheldon's death started to haunt him he slipped into darkness in the arms of his two female captors.

"Man he's cute even like this," Margo cooed. "Can’t we keep him?" Margo asked playing with a stray lock of dark hair that fell over his now closed eyes.

"No and we better get back before they know we are gone," Tracy said checking Caleb's bond's once again. "He'll be out for a bit longer. Let's go and stay for a bit longer and then leave. And just in case he tries to get free," she said wrapping a coil around his neck and securing it to the side rail of the van so he couldn’t try to free himself.

"Won't that kill him?" Margo asked quickly.

"Not if he doesn't pull," Tracy smiled as she toyed with the gag in his mouth. "mmmm man he's handsome."

"Won't they have noticed he's gone?" Margo asked softly.

"We'll say he wasn't feeling well and had to leave. Who's going to question us? Sheldon? By the time she figures it out he'll be safely in a crate on his way to the Middle East. Now let's go."

Sheldon watched the clock and kept her continual frown at the fact that Caleb was still gone. But her eyes narrowed as she watched both Tracy and Margo enter the back door with smug looks on their faces. I just don’t trust them, she said inside as she slowly made her way towards the table Caleb was sitting at. She glanced down at his seat and felt sadness coming upon her as she gazed at her name with tiny hearts around it on the napkin he was drawing on. "Caleb," Sheldon said softly as she turned and headed for the outside exit doors. She was stopped several times along the way and finally half an hour later had a free and clear path, or so she thought.

"She's heading outside," Margo hissed. "Do something."

"Uh Sheldon," Tracy called out to her.

Sheldon stopped in her tracks and tried to put on a smile for them. "I have to check on something."

"Can you just tell Caleb when you see him tomorrow that it's okay he went home sick and we'll arrange for another night."

"Caleb went home sick?" Sheldon asked weakly.

"Yeah didn't he tell you?" Margo snided.

"I'm not his keeper," Sheldon retorted. "Now if you'll excuse me."

"Sure thing," Tracy said stepping aside.

Sheldon pushed her way outside and stood staring at an empty space before her not noticing the dark van hidden in the shadows that housed her captive partner and lover. "Caleb I'm sorry," she whispered into the dark night air. With a few more sweeping glances she turned and headed back inside, her heart sinking further and further into depression and sorrow. Why didn't I just listen to him? She grabbed her cell and dialled his home number and his cell and silently cursed when she got nothing but empty rings in return. She glanced at Margo and Tracy who simply stared back at her with smug expressions. I wonder, Sheldon said inside. Caleb where are you?

Caleb's body slowly started to jerk itself out of the drugged state he was forced in. He tried to move anything but found his whole body sore and bound tightly. His wrists ached as the rough rope cut into them and even his ankles were lashed together tightly with no room to spare. He tried to pull himself forward but as he did he tugged on the rope around his neck and immediately felt himself gasping for air. The drugs started to drag him back into a slow stupor so all he could do was lay on the van floor in a helpless condition. Sheldon…his mind tried to call out. Sheldon please help me. He tried to call out but the thick gag made only soft whimpers escape past his lips. He was truly trapped. Sheldon!

Sheldon stopped walking just as she reached her car and looked around. Caleb, she said inside her mind. She looked around for any signs of her partner but frowned when she found none. She was about to pull her driver door open when one of the field Agent's rushed up to her.

********

"Can't we leave now? Sheldon's gone and I think we've been here long enough," Margo moaned wanting to get back to Caleb trapped in the van.

"You just want to see him,," Tracy said softly. "Oh very well. I wouldn't mind tasting some of the goods myself," she smiled. "Get your coat."

Caleb heard footsteps hurrying his way and immediately felt his heart rate start to race at the hopes that it was Sheldon finally coming to his aid. Much to his horror however, Margo jumped in the back with him while Tracy got into the front and started up the van.

"Miss me handsome?" Margo cooed as she cut the ropes around his neck.

Caleb narrowed his eyes as he looked up at her in anger.

"Time for some fun," Margo said flipping the record button on a small camera in the van. She turned on the light and let it record all that was before it. "A little souvenir for me later," she said looking down at Caleb with hungry eyes. "Now if you promise to behave I'll take the gag out. Do you promise?"

Caleb had no choice but to slowly nod his head yes in agreement.

"Good boy," she snided making him even more angry.

Caleb felt the gag starting to loosen and was thankful he was finally able to lick his lips and swallow normally. "Why have you kidnapped me?" Caleb asked angrily.

********

"Garth!" Sheldon said quickly. "Find out anything about our missing men?"

"Sheldon…finally," Garth said out of breath. "All the evidence I found point to our two female kidnappers who I think are Tracy and Margo Shaw."

"What? Are you sure?" Sheldon half yelled. "They are the ones responsible for…" she stopped in sudden realization. "Makes sense…put on the auctions…around handsome single men…perfect target's and…unaware and…did they happen to have dinner with all the men who disappeared?"

"Yes as a matter of fact," Garth said giving her a piece of paper. "Why?"

"Caleb!" Sheldon said in horror as she rushed back inside.

"What?" Garth said racing after her. "Oh man this is bad," he said dialling up his cell phone. "Jake I need the names of every ship in the harbour bound for any Middle Eastern or Asian Country and I need it now!"

Sheldon frantically searched the room and upon not seeing either Tracy or Margo ran for the back door in hopes of finding some trace of her missing partner. She raced outside just as black van tore from it's spot and sped away from her. "NO!" Sheldon yelled into the night air. She raced around to her truck and got in, her heart rising to dangerous levels. "Garth," she said into her cell phone. "Garth I need your help desperately."

"What is it?" Garth asked quickly.

"Caleb's been kidnapped."

"Again?" Garth replied dryly.

"This time we may lose him for good," Sheldon said in desperation. "We need shipping information and..."

"I already called Jake and he's calling the harbour master. We'll get him Sheldon," Garth told her.

Hang on Caleb, she said inside. I will find you in time. As she relayed to Garth what she needed her mind started to show her images of Caleb at the mercy of two women. I'll kill them, she said inside. If they touch him I will kill them.

********

"Look I'm sure there is something we can work out," Caleb said as he lightly struggled in vain against the ropes that bound him, still in his black tuxedo.

"I think you talk to much," Margo said bending down. "Maybe I'll remedy that right now." And before Caleb could react Margo bent down and started to kiss him roughly on his lips, even biting them in places.

Caleb tried to pull his head away but instead was held fast by Margo's hands grabbing his hair and holding him in place. Finally as she pulled away and Caleb spit in her face. Sadly he just received a firm backhand to the face that stung and made him pull back from her.

"I said to behave," she said angrily.

"Why are you doing this? Where are you taking me?" Caleb demanded as he tried to pull himself away from her ugly touches.

"To your final resting place here in New York before you are shipped to the Middle East to begin your new life."

"Middle…East?" Caleb asked in horror. "Those men…the ones that…disappeared…it was you?"

"Surprise," she said with a smile. "But you were the most fun. Besides watching Sheldon's torment was the best part."

"Sheldon," Caleb said softly as he closed his eyes.

"What's the matter? She doesn't love you anyways," Margo spat.

"I'll always love her," Caleb said firmly as he opened his eyes and stared at her meanly. "Always!"

"Well too bad for her I'll be the last woman you'll ever be with," she said reaching for the buttons on his shirt. "Yell out and I'll just gag you," she said opening a few. "Time to partake of the goods."

"Please don’t do this," Caleb begged sadly. However true to her words Margo just stuffed the cloth back into his mouth after roughly kissing it once more and then fully unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it free of his pants.

Sheldon help me, Caleb's mind called out in terror.

Caleb! Sheldon's mind linked with his, could hear his small terrified voice reaching out to her. Sadly she had no idea where he was and what he was enduring. But with the looks he had been receiving from his two kidnappers all week she knew it wasn't good. He's probably tied up and unable to defend himself, she said inside. And in his tux no less. Shesh he should be me, she said selfishly. Oh Caleb, I'm so sorry I pushed you away. Please let me get there in time for me to save him. Please!

********

Caleb tried to focus his mind on anything but Margo's hands as they groped and touched every part of his exposed chest and face, slowly moving lower.

"Man he has an awesome body," Margo gushed as she played with the perfect flesh before her.

"I want a try," Tracy said with a pout.

"You can when we get there," Margo insisted. "Right now he's mine," she said reaching for his belt. "And I want to have some real fun."

Caleb yelled angrily into the gag and managed to push it out finally with his tongue just as Margo got his zipper undone. "Please don’t do this," Caleb begged weakly. But his pleas were not heard as Margo gagged him tightly this time.

"Men should be seen and not heard," she laughed in his face. Thankfully to Caleb's short-lived relief he felt the van start to slow, making Margo stop her light assault. "Are we there already?" Margo moaned as she zipped his pants back up.

"Sorry my dear but we are," Tracy smiled.

Caleb felt the van come to a slow and prayed fervently for a miracle of any kind that might lead to his salvation. However when the van stopped, instead of having his feet cut free to walk he watched as Margo zoomed a wheelchair to the side and she and Tracy dragged him into it. Caleb lightly struggled as he sat in the wheelchair watching himself being wheeled to a large room with several crates already in it. This can't be happening, Caleb said inside his terrified mind. He looked at the strange crates before him and frowned. What on earth?

"Wondering what is in them?" Tracy asked firmly. "Well just look to your right."

Caleb turned his head and gasped in horror as he watched a bound unconscious man with an oxygen tank fixed over his mouth, being lifted by a forklift into the crate and then the special air holes being made for him to breath out of just in case. This can't be happening, his mind screamed inside. Sheldon!

"You're next handsome," Tracy said looking down at him with a smile. "But you see you don’t get your new home until your partner sees what she can't have any more. You see you're going to be our display," she said taking his chin in her hand and making him look up at her. "And right before she dies you'll see that there won't ever be anyone who will know where you are."

"Are you sure she'll find us in time?" Margo asked sheepishly.

"I'm counting on it," Tracy smiled down at Caleb. "What's that expression? Oh yeah hell hath no fury…well Agent Kwan…welcome to hell."

********

"Anything?" Sheldon asked frantically.

"I think so," Garth said into the radio. "Jake has come up with two possibles. One on either side of the auction ballroom. Pier 57 and Pier 98."

"I'll take 57," Sheldon said firmly. "Call me if you find them."

"Likewise," Garth said hanging up.

"Please let me get there in time," Sheldon said frantically. "Hang on Caleb," she said hearing his mind calling out to her once more. "Please just hang on…if you can."

********

Caleb was left in the wheelchair as both Tracy and Margo busied themselves with getting the other trapped men onto the ship and making some last minute details with Mr. Kadir. He tried to pull against the tight bonds but found the rough rope only bit into his skin making them finally start to bleed and so he had to resign himself to the fact that he was still helpless. Will Sheldon actually show up like they think? I mean after the way I…was I really so wrong, he wondered inside? I mean look at me now…damn it! He cursed again as he tried once more to pull himself free. Sheldon I need you to save me right now.

"You're not going anyplace," Margo smiled as she walked up to him and played with his hair. Caleb jerked her head away but she just laughed and pulled it back. "Once we are on board you and I are going to spend some real quality time together."

Yeah can't wait, Caleb snided inside.

"Okay where the hell is she!" Tracy snapped as she rushed into the room. She glared down at Caleb with an angry stare. "Fine we'll just send her a picture of you in hell. Bring him," she ordered Margo as she turned and left the room.

Margo started to push a still protesting Caleb towards the last remaining cage and together they got him into it and closed the door behind, locking him inside the small prison. Caleb struggled to keep himself seated upright as the forklift lifted his cage up and started to move it towards the waiting cargo ship. He felt his heart starting to race faster and tiny beads of sweat staring to form as he pondered the fact that he might actually face the fate they told him he was destined for. Sheldon! His mind yelled once more as the crated was then picked up by a large hook and lifted into the air. It was mid-way over the water when he heard the sound of screeching tires and looked up in time to see Sheldon's customized F-150 come to a sudden halt and her get out and rush towards them, ball gown and all.

"Caleb!" Sheldon shouted in horror as she looked past the dark van to the dark warehouse the men were kept in. Her head snapped to the left as the sound of a squeaky hinge finally caught her attention. She watched in horror as a bound and gagged Caleb was lifted into the air in a cage and held dangling over the water. "Caleb!" Sheldon shouted as she raced towards him.

"How good of you to join us Agent Alexander," Tracy's mocking voice called out to her over a small mega phone. "Now stop were you are or I'll kill him right now and be done with it."

"Let him go. The cops are on their way!" Sheldon shouted back as she kept her readied weapon at her side, not showing fear and not backing down.

"We don’t care. Now drop your gun or…"

"You'll have to kill me first," Sheldon yelled as she aimed her weapon at Tracy and prepared to fire.

"Okay," Tracy smiled.

Caleb watched Sheldon's brave stance and prayed she would succeed. However he watched in horrible slow motion as Margo fired from beside Tracy and caught Sheldon in the mid-section, taking her down instantly. NO! Caleb's mind yelled as he tried in vain to pull himself free of his bonds.

Sheldon's body crumpled to the ground and lay still for a few seconds, knowing the wound she sustained wasn't as bad as she hoped they thought it was. Sheldon's eyes slowly opened and she gazed upwards as the ship started to pull away. "Caleb…" she whispered in torment.

"You're too late Agent Alexander! This time you really do lose and we win!" An evil female voice laughed madly as it cut the rope that started to carry away something valuable to Sheldon.

"Caleb!" Sheldon yelled in horror as she tried to pick herself up, her eyes never leaving the cage he was trapped in. "NO!" She yelled in agony as her bloody hands reached for her gun. "Caleb no!" Sheldon fell back to her knees as the pain forcefully reminded her to stay put. But as she looked at the terrified look on Caleb's face she knew she had to do something. She watched in agony as his cage was finally lifted all the way onto the ship and taken from her view. She managed to get herself up, tore off her shoes and ran for the ship. She dove into the water, wincing as the salt-water bit into the wound she sustained at Margo's hands. Thankfully it wasn't that life threatening but she knew if she didn't get it tended to soon it could become that. She swam frantically for the anchor as it was being pulled up, latched herself on and prepared for a fight as she entered the large ship. "I'm coming Caleb," she said inside.

Caleb felt his eyes watering as he pictured Sheldon's dying body lying alone on the pier as she tried in vain to save his life. Despite what we argued about she still wanted to try, he told himself inside his tormented mind. She still cared that much that…she died for me. He closed his eyes and rested his head against the cold steel bars that held him captive, vowing revenge on the two women that took the only thing that ever mattered to him.

"Well looks like it was a sweet victory after all," Tracy said walking into the room where Caleb was being kept. She bent down to him and smiled evilly at him. "You know when you are being broken I hope you remember this night. Because in reality this is the last night you'll ever be free," she laughed. "Yes freedom in a cage…how ironic."

Caleb showed his disgust by trying to pull himself as far away from her as possible. Sadly in the small confined area it didn't do much. He felt Tracy tugging the tight gag free from his mouth but as soon as it was out he simply received a slap to the face.

"Spit on either of us again and you'll be sorry," she laughed. "Aww there there don’t look so sad," she mocked as she watched a tear run down his face.

"How could you?" Caleb asked angrily. "Why!" He yelled.

"Because I felt like it!" Tracy snapped. "All my life I have had to live with women like her. Women who thought they were better or stronger or smarter or prettier than everyone else. Well I showed them. I showed them all."

"Yeah by committing murder and kidnapping. Wow what an accomplishment," Caleb snided.

"You can say what you want, but she's dead and your trapped. No one will ever find you and if by some rare chance they do figure out who the buyer is when they get to you all they'll find is a used corpse. Now just sit back and enjoy the ride," Tracy smiled. "Because in a little bit I'm going to enjoy you."

Caleb looked at her in disgust but thought against spitting at her or lashing out knowing it wouldn't do him any good anyways.

"Be back later handsome. Don’t go anyplace," Tracy laughed. "Watch him," she told the male guard posted at the door.

Caleb struggled and tugged on his bonds but sadly as he could do was let out a frustrated yell and slump back in defeat. He looked at the man's back that was guarding him and frowned. "How much are they paying you? You know they'll kill you after this is over right?"

"Shut up or I'll gag you myself!" The man spat, not turning around.

"Sheldon," Caleb moaned as he closed his eyes in sorrow. "Oh…god…" he moaned as his eyes watered once more. He pictured her smiling face from the party and then instantly saw the blood on her hands from when she was shot trying to save his life. "I can't believe she's gone."

********

By the time the anchor had finally been pulled all the way up, Sheldon was already inside waiting for the few men to clear the room she was hiding in. She pressed her hand against the wound and stifled a yelp as the left over salt from the water continued to bit into the open flesh. She gently tore off a strip of the bottom of her dress and tightly wrapped it around her side, cinching the wound closed. It'll have to do, she told herself as she prepared to move. Finally there was only one left and she knew it was now or never. Sheldon stealthily crept behind some barrels until she was a few feet from her first victim.

"Looking for something?" She asked softly. The man turned around in surprise only to be met in the face with the butt end of her gun. He let out a small cry before his body crumpled to the ground and he was out. "One down…a million to go," she sighed as she pushed some dark wet hair from her forehead and headed for the exit door. Once inside the hallway she spied a series of hallways and doors. Knowing she didn't have time to check them all she started for the engine room of the ship. If I can shut it down it'll give us more time, she said inside. But she heard Margo's voice bouncing off the hallways and quickly hid herself away in a darkened alcove.

"Oh Caleb," Margo's sickly sweet voice sang out making Sheldon want to attack her right then and there. Sadly she had to wait for Margo to lead her to her captive partner. Hang on Caleb, she said inside. I'm coming.

Caleb rested his weary body against the small cage trying to get some semblance of peace of mind until he heard Margo's voice echoing down the metal corridors. He immediately felt himself tense up and knew if something didn't happen fast he'd be in real trouble. He watched as she pushed the door open and then slowly walked over to him, the key to his cage dangling in her hand.

"Hey handsome," she said bending down to him. "Miss me?"

"You'll never get away with this," Caleb said firmly.

Sheldon heard his voice and quietly made her way towards it, drawn like a moth to a beacon. As she neared she could hear the tension and fear in it, something she wasn't sure she'd heard before.

"But we already have Caleb. We have you, Sheldon is dead and no one knows where you are or where you are going."

"Why did you kill her?" Caleb asked weakly.

"Because she didn't appreciate you," Margo said softly.

"And you do? How? By keeping me here like some caged animal? By selling me to some slaver that will just kill me?" Caleb snapped.

Sheldon winced at the tone in his voice and prayed she'd make it him without being seen.

"Well I don’t think you're an animal," Margo smiled. "But I am going to show my appreciation for you by enjoying whatever you can offer me before you are gone."

"I'll never give myself to you," Caleb insisted. "You'll never get away with this."

"Yes you will," Margo smiled. "You see you really can't do anything about it. Besides who is going to stop me?"

"I will," Sheldon said from behind.

"What?" Margo asked in shock.

"Sheldon!" Caleb said in relief. His watery eyes locked with hers for a few seconds and immediately he knew he still had a chance. Sadly with her being shot he wasn't sure how much she could take in the way of a heavy rescue.

"Now step away from the cage and give me the key," Sheldon demanded in a low angry tone.

"Sheldon behind you!" Caleb called out as Sheldon was hit from behind by one of the male guards.

"No!" Caleb yelled as he struggled to get himself free. Unfortunately all he could do was sit and helplessly watch.

Sheldon fell to her knees crying out in pain as her wound ripped open once more. She kicked one of her legs behind and brought down the man behind her. No sooner was he on his knees did she whirl around and kick him in the face, taking him down and out of the fight. She looked up at Margo with an evil glare and Margo dashed for a nearby exit. Sheldon was about to tackle her when she was grabbed from behind by another male guard, allowing Margo to escape. Sheldon brought her elbow down and jabbed it hard in the guys side making his grip on her loosen. She fell to her feet and whirled around and punched him hard in the mouth. The man staggered back only to be kicked mid-section that sent him flying backwards into the wall. He slammed into and he too was down.

"Damn you're good," Caleb praised her to which he just received a smile.

"Caleb!" Sheldon said with a gasp as she turned and rushed to him. "Are you okay? What have they done to you?" She asked spying his open shirt with the small nail marks on them.

"I'm okay," he said softly. He spied her watery eyes and bloody hand and immediately felt guilty for turning her away. "Sheldon I'm so sorry," he begged in sadness. "This is all my fault."

"Caleb I have to get you out of here," Sheldon said pulling on the metal lock. "I need the key," she said looking up. "Don’t go anywhere," she said dryly.

"Sheldon no," Caleb insisted. "You can't go after them alone."

"Caleb I'll be okay," she smiled. "Just trust me."

"I do…I…" Caleb started and then stopped. "The engine room is two floors below. Stop the ship and then you'll find the key."

"Be right back," Sheldon said firmly.

"Sheldon…" Caleb said frantically. "Just be careful."

"Always my love," she said with a wink. "You know you are kinda cute all tied up."

"Funny," Caleb grimaced.

"Be right back," she said with a serious face as she poked her head outside and listened. She heard loud angry footsteps rushing her way and knew her time was limited. Before they emerged upon her Sheldon raced for the stairwell, knocking into one thug and taking him down. She rushed down the first flight, firing off a shot at another thug and was down the second flight. Once at the bottom she listened to the frenzied activity going on upstairs. She knew that when she got back Tracy and Margo would probably be with Caleb, but she also knew they wouldn't kill him until she got there. With that thought in mind she raced for the engine room, determined to stop the ship at any cost.

She reached the area only to find it guarded by two large men. But with two quick shots both men were down and she was inside the engine room. "Which one do I pull?" She asked in a panic looking at the heavy cables before her. But as she reached for the first one she was grabbed from behind and propelled forwards into the panel.

"Damn I love this dress!" Sheldon barked as she heard the velvet fabric tear as she was yanked away from the console. The thug laughed as he hit her in the side. Sheldon cried out but managed to duck the second blow and counter one of her own. Sadly it just bounced off the thugs flabby mid-section making him laugh as he grabbed her by the neck and threw her backwards.

"You are so going to pay for that," Sheldon said angrily as she grabbed onto a piece of heavy metal beside her and charged the thug. The piece caught the man in the temple and she punched him once more as his body was sliding to the ground in unconscious pain.

Meantime Caleb still struggled to get his arms free. He could feel some of the knots loosening but at the cost of his wrists being cut more and more.

"Struggle all you want handsome," Tracy said smugly as she toyed with the gun in her hand. "But sooner or later she'll have to come back for you. And when she does…" her voice trailed off as she cocked the gun.

"Where is she?" Margo asked as she rushed into the room.

"Probably down stairs. Go and find her," Tracy demanded.

"Me? Against…uh…"

Caleb watched with a smile of pride on his face. Sheldon certainly was a force to be reckoned with. "You'll never beat her," he said firmly.

"And you…" Tracy said walking up behind the cage and bending down behind Caleb. "You will watch me kill her and then after I have had all I want from you you'll die a slow painful death…thankfully at the hands of your new master." Before Caleb could utter a reply she pulled the gag back into his mouth to keep him quiet. "I wouldn't want you to warn her now would I?" Tracy laughed as Caleb struggled in vain once more.

"Are you deaf? Go and find her!"

"But she's…" Margo started.

"She's not faster than a speeding bullet," Tracy said handing her a gun. "Just shoot her."

Caleb offered up muffled protests but it fell on deaf ears as Margo turned and tepidly made her way out of the room. But suddenly they all felt the boat starting to slow down. She did it! Caleb said inside his mind. Yes!

"Well well…so your little bimbo figured it out," Tracy snided. "So what! That just means she'll be up here faster. Good because I want her dead!"

Sheldon, Caleb said inside. Be careful……

********

"There," Sheldon said in relief as the boat started to slow down. She held onto something as it finally lurched to a halt and listened as more feet started to stomp in her direction. But with the wires cut it would be a long time before the boat got moving again. "Time to claim what's mine," she said with a smile as she turned and rushed for the exit doors. She made it to the second landing when Margo's body slammed into her's knocking the gun from her hand and sending her crashing into the railing.

"Now…hold it…right there," Margo said in a shaky voice. "I don’t want to kill you but…"

"But that's what she told you to do right? Your sister?" Sheldon questioned.

"H-how did you…"

"Figure it out? Easy your both stupid so you had to be related," Sheldon said dryly as she slowly inched her way forwards.

"That's not…hey!" Margo said loudly as she raised the falling gun once more. But Sheldon's quick reflexes shot out and grabbed the arm that held the gun it, firing off a shot.

Caleb's head snapped up at the shot followed closely by a scream he thought was Sheldon's. NO! His mind yelled inside as he started to thrash about in the small space he was confined in.

"Well I never thought she'd do it," Tracy said proudly. She turned her back to the door and bent down to Caleb. "Well handsome looks like you're all mine now."

"Not so fast sister," Sheldon's voice boomed from the doorway. "I think you have something that belongs to me. Drop the gun and give me the key," Sheldon demanded.

Caleb saw the pain in her eyes but couple with determination he knew she'd never give in until both were taken care of.

"Fine," Tracy said with an air of indifference as she left the gun beside the cage and slowly stood up, her back still to Sheldon.

"Slowly withdraw the key and place it on the ground," Sheldon directed.

"Come and get it," Tracy said smugly as she looked down at Caleb and winked.

"With pleasure," Sheldon said firmly as she relaxed her hand with the gun and started for Tracy, despite Caleb's muffled cries warning her it was a trap.

Sheldon took another step and was met in the stomach with a swing blow from Tracy's fist. Sheldon stumbled backwards, losing her gun in the process. But she quickly countered and brought her leg up and caught Tracy in the mid-section sending her flying backwards. Tracy however quickly countered and lunged at Sheldon who was slow to pick herself up. She punched Sheldon in her wound causing her to cry. The second punch sent more pain and the third one had her gasping for air. Tracy wrapped her hands around Sheldon's neck and started to squeeze. "See you really do lose."

Sheldon however had only angry adrenaline rushing through her veins as she mustered her last bit of energy and brought her legs up around Tracy's legs and started to pull with all her might. Tracy finally loosened her grip allowing Sheldon to bring her arms up and punch her in the sides. Two more expert chops and Tracy's arms were at her sides. Sheldon rolled away but kicked her leg back and caught Tracy in the mouth, snapping her head back, her body closely following. Sheldon crawled for her gun as Tracy went for hers.

Caleb watched in horrible slow motion as both women turned and fired point blank at the other. Sheldon however dropped her body to the floor as she fired, making her bullet slam right into the chest of Tracy while Tracy's bullet whizzed by her nicking her shoulder on the way down. Sheldon slammed into the ground on her chest and lay breathing hard as Tracy's dead body crumpled to the floor before her.

Caleb leaned against the bars and breathed a sigh of relief as Sheldon rolled over and looked up at him.

"Be right there," Sheldon said out of breath as she lay on the floor for a few seconds. Finally she picked herself up and upon retrieving the key crawled over to Caleb and undid the lock. She pulled him forwards, tugging the gag from his mouth and dragged him free of the cage. Upon finding a knife she cut the ropes that bound his feet and helped him stand up.

"Sheldon I'm so sorry that," Caleb started only to be silenced with a warm kiss.

"Is this how I have to get you to listen," Sheldon teased as she looked at him warmly.

"Sheldon I'm so sorry," Caleb said softly. "I never meant…well see you saved me again and…"

"And sometimes you just need to prove that you can still rescue me?" She asked.

"Yes," he told her directly.

"Sorry for being so stubborn," she said turning him around to cut his wrists free.

"That's what I love about you," he smiled.

"You know you are kinda cute all tied up in your tux like this," she said lingering to set him free.

"Sheldon," Caleb moaned. "Please my hands are really sore."

She quickly cut the ropes free and then helped him gently massage some life back into his tender wrists.

"Are you okay?" He asked looking at her side.

"I will be now," she said as her eyes watered. "Caleb what I said yesterday…I mean about you being kidnapped and me not caring and not wanting to save you…I lied…I was…who was that woman anyways?"

"Ruth," he said softly. "Her and Roger, her husband have been close family friends for years. The sister I never had. She gave me great advice on getting you back."

"Oh," Sheldon said weakly. "She said to get kidnapped?"

"That's exactly what she told me," Caleb teased.

"Sorry for overreacting," Sheldon sighed.

"Sorry for being over reactive," Caleb told her.

"Are we okay then?" She asked softly.

"Sheldon I love you and value you as an equal…nothing less Sheldon. Nothing. And no I am not threatened by your strength and ability, just the opposite, it turns me on even more," he smiled warmly at her. "No more unjust concern. But I will always worry and care."

"I love you Caleb and I love that you are concerned. I guess I just sometimes need to stop and remember this is a partnership…in everything and that you have just as much input as me. Quite the pair huh," Sheldon sighed.

"The best," Caleb smiled. "Now let's get this boat back to the harbour and free those men."

"Deal," she smiled. But as she turned to leave he pulled her close and started to kiss her passionately. "I love you Sheldon Alexander."

"I love you too Caleb Kwan," she smiled as she started to kiss him more, forgetting about her wound and the still slowly swaying ship.

"Claim what's yours?" Caleb teased in her ear.

"Oh yeah you so belong to me. Come on let's go finish this some place more private."

"Oh yeah."

**Dear readers don’t worry another chapter of 'Serpent's Kiss is coming very soon…but hope you all liked this one. And stay tuned for my own personal Sheldon/Caleb website coming soon that will house all their adventures posted here and some exclusively for the site. Review if you want more like this story**