The Magpie's Death

Stalemate (3)

Red grinned that wicked, twisted grin. "And I'm supposed to trust you? You're not the most loyal dog."

"If you shoot that man in your arms, one of us dies. I'll make sure of that and you know it. And your video gets released."

Another step forward, close enough now for both to clearly see each other and for him to clearly see Jack. Their eyes met for a second and Jack shook more in his captor's hands, but he still made no sound.

"If I leave with you and you kill him anyway," the Magpie continued, trying to ignore the tearing pain in his chest, "your video gets released."

He lowered his hands. He was tired of this kind of life and ready for this drama to end.

"But more than any of that, you know me. Both as Nate and the Magpie. I don't give a shit about the Suns or Horizon. I never did." He looked at Jack and his eyes softened, trying to give him some comfort. To make him believe he would be safe and to convince Red that his safety was all that mattered. "The only thing I care about is protecting him. We both win. Your secret stays secret and he lives."

Red eyed him, still unsure, but there was hesitation in his body. His arms went a little slack and his expression grew less anxious. "You were Horizon long enough to know what'll happen once they take you."

The Magpie nodded, his calm smirk not changing. He wasn't afraid of what awaited him when he left.

"And you're just going along with that?"

"I told you," he said with a firm confidence, knowing he had won. "The only thing I care about is him. And once you have me, he's of no use to you. What you do after that is up to the Boss."

Letting out a hearty laugh, Red's gun was looser now as he began to feel more in control. If he wanted to, there was a good chance the Magpie could take him down. But then nothing would end. The entire purpose was to stop this ridiculous game and keep Jack and Ellie safe.

"Look how soft you are!" Red cackled, a smug grin spreading across his face. "What happened to you?"

"I know." It was true, but not in the way Red meant. He almost smiled, taking his insult as a compliment. "I'm not sure myself. I guess I had feelings beneath all that expressionless indifference."

"Weakness." Red let out another short laugh, looking a bit disappointed. "Pathetic."

The Magpie only nodded. "I lost my advantage. So let's end this. Give me a minute to talk to him, let him go, and I'm yours."

"Yeah, whatever."

With a huff, Red shoved the hostage forward into his waiting arms, making him wince at the pain in his shoulder. The rusty smell was beginning to drown out his other senses and he could feel the warmth dripping down his arm.

The gun remained aimed at Jack's head. "No funny business or I shoot."

He had stopped listening and instantly returned to Sam, focused on the quivering person in his grasp. Crouching down, he pulled Jack with him, giving his wobbly legs a rest.

"You said... not to worry, but... you never... thought you would win..."

Jack could hardly choke out the words and Sam wrapped him up, bringing him tight to his chest and kissing him gently on the forehead. Instinctively rubbing his back, he tried not to dirty him with blood.

"This is the best I can do. You have to trust me."

More new emotions tried to push their way to the surface. Guilt, remorse, and misery ate away at him, making him sick in a way he couldn't describe. But there was nothing he could do about it now. None of those things would help Jack make it through this.

"But if you leave..."

"Yeah, maybe. But if I don't, it's much worse. So you need to let me go, and don't do anything to try and stop it."

He kissed him again and strengthened his grip, leaning his head on his shoulder. The scent of Jack's nervous sweat mixed with the lingering aroma of shampoo and aftershave, blocking the stench of death for a moment. Everything in him desperately wanted to stay, but he couldn't. Only the Magpie could stop this and the Magpie didn't belong here.

After a quick breath to collect himself, he whispered, "I love you. Do whatever Squirrel tells you."

Jack flinched and Sam raised his head again, giving him a warm smile.

"Time to go," he told him. Jack grabbed his hand, squeezing hard, and he stood.

"Enough," Red cut in with a groan. "Break it up or I might shoot you for annoying me."

Red motioned for the Magpie to back up. He obeyed, slipping his hand away and raising his arms. With a flick of the wrist, a bullet flew through the side of his calf, then the gun immediately pointed back at Jack. He jumped, but the Magpie shook his head, only shifting his weight as if the shot didn't hurt at all.

Slipping out of his sweatshirt, he pulled the string from the hood and tied it above the bullet hole until he could feel the skin begin to numb. Then his t-shirt was off, torn in half and wrapped as tight as possible around the wound. It was quick, something he had practice with, and he was back up in moments.

Red gestured for them to start walking.

"You too, lover boy," he directed, giving Jack a hard push. "I want to be able to see you."

Jack rushed to help steady the Magpie as their captor followed them out.

"Nice tat," Red taunted, having a clear view of the large bird on his bare back. "Went all out on the alias, I see."

The Magpie barely heard the comment. He was too focused on the labored breathing in his ear, the man at his side doing everything he could not to cry. Reaching the street, Jack was placed at the fence. Quiet tears streamed down his face now and Red instructed the Magpie to drive.

"You shot me in the leg." He pointed to his calf to remind him. "You'll be lucky if I don't bleed out. How am I supposed to drive?"

Red flashed him a sly grin, urging him to the driver's seat. "You're the effing Magpie. You'll figure it out."

With a low growl, he slid into the car. With another, he positioned himself to use the pedals with his good leg. Red took the passenger seat, keeping the gun close, and the Magpie looked out the windshield at Jack. He had never experienced real heartbreak, but the sharp, wrenching agony he felt at the sight couldn't be anything else. It was worse than the throbbing in his shoulder and the searing pain in his leg. He couldn't imagine what Jack was feeling in return, standing there helpless. He gave him the most reassuring smile possible.

I told you I was dangerous, but at least I was able to protect you.

Red tapped his temple with the barrel of the gun. After a resigned sigh, he turned the key and the engine rumbled. Moving his eyes to the road, he shifted into drive and started down the street. In the rear-view mirror, he could see Jack racing after them. Then he suddenly halted and reach into his pocket.

It's all on you now, Squirrel. Take good care of my family.

He smirked, then chuckled, turning his attention to the road.

"What was that for?" Red asked, a hint of concern back in his voice.

"Nothing. Just thinking how much better it is to die for someone you love instead of a meaningless job."

Red nodded and chuckled with him. "You really have gone soft."