Fighting For My Soul

Rules to this Game

They all sat in the conference room why Art and Tim gave a rundown on the sting operation they were pulling that night. Liz studied at the wanted poster Tim handed out then up at Raylan. 

"This is Fletcher Nix?" Raylan asked. 

"Did you look at his file?" asked Tim.

"No," Raylan replied, "not closely." 

"When do you ever," Liz teased. 

He glared at her then looked back at the poster.

"There a problem?" asked Tim. 

Raylan didn't say anything. Art walked into the room to being the briefing. 

"Racheal, you all FPD and make sure they know our plan," He started, "Tim you call the swat team leader and do the same. Now were gonna need a photograph of Emmett Arnett. Something better then a driver's license would be a big plus." 

Liz's eyes were trained on Raylan. She could see the wheels spinning in his head as he processed something in his mind. He had that look on his face.  

"Hopefully we can get Flectcher Nix and Emmett Arnett in one place and It will be one stop shopping!" Art said, "Alright." 

Everyone got up to leave but Raylan and Liz. She was waiting for him to make the first move. 

"You aint gonna let me do anything are ya?" he looked at Art. 

"You can't run and you cant shoot," Art explained, "what good are you?" 

"I could be the guy on the radio telling people what to do," Raylan said. 

Liz and Art both gave him a confused look. Raylan laying back and sitting in the car? Unheard of. 

"You sure Raylan?" she asked, "I know you like being in the center of the action but I didn't take you for a command center guy." 

"That's my job asshole," Art snipped then walked out. 

Raylan chased after him. Liz went back to his desk to get ready for the sting. Raylan came back looking frustrated. She knew how he felt. He had been shot and the medical restrictions were taking the toll on him. She watched as he stood in the doorway to Art's office and she knew he was trying to get Art to let him do something. Liz wished she could have a say but it was no use. Art had made up his mind. Raylan walked back with an irriated look on his face. 

"What did Art say?" she asked. 

"He told me to go home," he grabbed his hat and jacket and walked toward the exit. 

Liz followed him wanting to talk more. 

"Raylan," she said, "this is only temporary." 

"I was in the same elevator as Fletcher Nix today," Raylan snapped, "but because I didn't look at his picture this morning when Tim handed his file to me, I didn't know." 

"That's not your fault..."

"Yes it is Liz!" 

Every muscle tightened in her body. She felt herself begin to shake. Raylan's face immediately showed remorse. He moved to touch her arm but she snapped away from him. 

"Liz," he said. 

"Leave me alone Raylan Givens," she pushed passed him and disappeared down the hall.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Raylan walked into the hotel room wonering why the lights were off.

"Raven?" he called, "you home?" 

He turned them on to see her sitting at the table across from Fletcher Nix. Fletcher had a gun pointed at Raven. She had a bruise forming under her eye and a split lip which told him she had tried to defend herself. He gritted his teeth feeling anger well up. Raven's eyes pleaded with him. 

"Come in and close the door," he said. 

Raylan closed the door. 

"Go sit on the bed sweetheart," Fletcher waved his gun. 

Raven got up and moved to the bed. Raylan watched her to make sure she was not harmed.

"Take out your gun," Fletcher ordered at Raylan, "I think you will given the company." 

She reached into her pant line where she had stashed her cell phone, keeping her eyes forward and motions slow. Fletcher's attention was focused on Raylan. She hit the redial button knowing Liz was the last one she had called. She watched the scene unfold in front of her hoping Liz would get here in time. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Liz's phone buzzed in her pocket as she was finishing up with the debriefing Art had hosted at the sting sight. She looked down to see Raven's number and thought about just letting it go to voice mail. But something told her she needed to answer it. She hit the button and walked away from the group.

"Raven I'm a little busy right now," she said. 

There was no answer. No voice. Just some faint chatter in the background. She could hear Raylan and another voice talking. 

"Raven if you can hear me Im on my way!" She ran to her car. 

"Where are you going Hardstead!" Art called after her.

"Ill explain later!" she yelled back and tore off to the hotel.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Raylan sat across from Fletcher who had a gun on him. Raven found herself praying for Liz to show up soon. She knew she had to have been on the job but she knew Liz would drop everything if it mean't helping either of them. 

"Let's play a game," Fletcher said. 

Raylan looked at him interested in what Fletcher was thinking. Fletcher looked over at Raven.

"Count down from ten," he said. 

Raylan looked over at Raven with a look as if realization had kicked in, "Go ahead Raven." 

His eyes moved straight forward with a stern determined glare. 

"Ten..." Raven started feeling the breath leave her body, "nine..." 

Her mind raced as she counted. Where was Liz? What was going on? 

The two men stared each other down. Fletcher kept the gun on Raylan, Raylan glared at him. When Raven hit seven, Fletcher set the gun down on the table between them.

"When she gets to one," he explained, "we go for it." 

"Six.....Five.....Four....," movement outside the window caught her eyes. She saw Liz standing in a  tactical position ready to break in. 

Their eyes met and Liz silently talked to Raven. Each other's body language said all that needed to be said. Liz moved to the door ready to bust inside. 

"Three....," Raven nodded and Liz made her move,

 "Raylan duck!" Raven yelled. 

The marshal hit the floor as Liz busted through the door and shot Fletcher square in the chest. He fell back in his chair clutching his side. Raylan looked up to see his fellow marshal standing there with her gun still on the subject. He looked over at Raven was also laying on the floor next to him. 

"You two alright?" Liz asked. 

"Ya were fine," said Raylan, "how did you..." 

He didn't even need to finish. He looked over at Raven who was holding her cell phone in her hand. 

"How did you?" he redirected the question. 

"Stuffed it in my pant line," she grinned. 

"I love you," he grinned then leaned over kissing her. 

"Enough love birds!" Liz teased, "time to take care of Ice-pick here."