So I know it's been like forever, but this story I want to dedicate to all of you who read Jealous Much and asked for that story to continue. Although I left that as a oneshot I started trying to think of another story I could post instead. This is an old idea that I've been writing for ages, but your comments on Jealous Much helped me work really hard on getting this story completed. I hope you enjoy it. It's a different tone than Jealous Much, but it's Careese.

Just some FYI before you start. This story gave me another rare chance to blend my love for Phantom of the Opera with my love for Careese. The story's title was inspired by the song 'Think of Me' from the Andrew Lloyd Weber musical/movie and some of the chapters will incorporate pieces of the song. (Feel free to listen on youtube, I'd recommend Emmy Rossum or Sierra Boggess's version)

Again I hope you all enjoy the story and thanks to every reader and reviewer in advanced. You guys are the biggest motivation to keep writing.

Prologue

Mouth dry, eyes heavy, so very heavy. Breathing labored and a piercing pain that spread throughout her body down to her bones made movement impossible. How long had she been like this? Weeks? Or worse, months?

She couldn't imagine how worried everyone was about her.

Taylor! What was her boy going through seeing her like this- clinging to life after taking that painful shot to the chest? And what about John? Sweet John. He had witnessed the whole thing. Held her as the blood poured from her chest.

She needed to wake. Even if it was for a moment. She had to let her boys know she was still holding on.

But the exhaustion that oppressed her was impossible to ignore. Sleep. She needed just a little more sleep before she spent her precious energy trying to wake up.

Don't get weak! Her inner soldier demanded. Do you know who you are? What you've done? You've fought tougher battles than this. Remember the war? Remember raising Taylor on the wicked streets of New York. By yourself! Don't get weak now. Open your eyes! Open. Your. EYES!

Moaning she focused all her energy and every thought into prying her eyes open. A pain shot through her body from her head to her feet as light touched her sensitive pupils. Nevertheless she refused to undo her progress and kept her eyes cracked open.

"Well, well," said an unfamiliar voice. "It's good to see you Detective. We have been waiting eagerly for this day."

Curiosity to see the voice's owner gave her a new determination to remain awake as she moved her eyes slowly. Two figures came into focus. A brunette wearing a doctor's uniform. And a man, perhaps in his mid-fifties. Dark hair slicked back. Fit and tall.

"I knew eventually you would wake. Your doctor, Andrea here, had her doubts. But I refuted them. I've had my eye on you for months Detective, so I know you have fight in you. Lots of it. Enough to combat anything." He leaned to her as if whispering a great secret. "Even enough to survive a bullet that would kill most." She saw, more than felt him place a hand to her arm. "Now, try and stay calm. We mean you no harm. And you've put your body through a work out today just to come awake."

His words weren't making sense to her. Where was John? Taylor? Finch? She thought for certain she would see one of their faces first. Who were these strangers with her now?

Something was wrong. They would be here. Nothing would keep them from being with her now. Something most definitely was wrong! Her vision blurred as tears of panic spilled from her dry lashes.

"Please Jocelyn do not cry. I didn't mean to upset you. You are safe here. Trust me." He paused his eyes lighting suddenly. "Oh you must be worried for your son. Or your boyfriend maybe? The tall man that follows you around… in a suit?"

Joss swallowed. How did this man know about John?

Her fear must have shown on her face. "Again Detective Carter, do not worry. The man is of no interest to us. And as far as we are aware he is safe and so is your son. Listen if you promise not to excite yourself I will explain who I am and why you are here. If I upset you, Dr. Andrea will not be happy with me. Especially after all the work she has put into helping you get well."

Dr. Andrea gave the man, who still had no name, a firm look. Joss couldn't nod her head, so she simply took a breath hoping it would be sign enough that she was trying to relax.

"Very good."

For some reason his tone annoyed her. Although it was meant to be soothing, something about it was arrogant. As if he had the upper hand and knew it.

"You will call me Vince. Now as I mentioned your son and friend are safe. Grieving but well."

She frowned at the mention of them grieving. What reason would they have to grieve when she was alive?

"Detective as I mentioned I have been watching you. You are strong and skilled. I knew you could serve our purpose here well. I knew it for certain when you took down HR. You see I operate my own sort of war against crime. One separate from the government and law enforcers like yourself. Unfortunately volunteers to work for my cause are hard to come by, so I must get help where I can find it. You are my newest recruit. You now work for me and the reason your son and friend are grieving is because you are now dead to the world and dead to them. This is your new life and we are your new family."

Joss's head spun. This couldn't be. Oh God please don't let it be. John and Taylor not knowing she was alive. They had to know she was alive! But this man- Vince- just said they thought she was dead.

How could they put her son through this? And John… Oh she couldn't bear to think what he was going through.

Please God, please this has to be a dream. A nightmare. A remaining horror after her fight with HR and encounter with Simmons in the alley. Surely she did not fight that war only to end up here. Dead to the world and forgotten by those she loved. Surely Finch's machine knew she was here. Someone had to know!

Standing in that alley she had been so close to happiness. Life was just getting back into place. She was about to bring Taylor back home, she was returning to her position as a detective, and she and John were working things out between them.

Her happiness couldn't be cut short due to this man. This coward calling himself Vince who was now forcing her to help him.

"Now Detective you promised you would remain calm." Vince glanced at the doctor and Joss knew from the look that he was signaling her. The woman moved grabbing a needle. Joss wanted to protest but her strength wouldn't allow her to speak much less move.

"You've upset yourself and now we must help you relax again. You need not worry."

Joss felt herself getting loopy and it became harder to stay awake.

"I only want you to concentrate on getting better. That is all you have to do. Now rest."

Tears fell, but she was powerless against the sleep that pulled her into darkness. Her last coherent thought was a desperate prayer that never made it past her lips.

God please, don't let John forget me. Oh God please don't let my son forget me. Somehow let them know I'm still alive. Please let them think of me.