**Brenda Hampton own Secret Life and all its characters. I own nothing but the plot. Thanks you guys so much for the reviews and GH I like to think I put a little bit of each of them in every person lol. This is mostly 1st person POV until the end.*

Road to Redemption

Amy

I slipped out of my bed quietly and put on my robe. I noticed Ben asleep on the love seat near my bay window so I tip toed out of the room. I inched my way slowly towards the familiar stairs that lead to the third floor in search of any clue that would lead me to my sons whereabouts.

"Where are you going?" a voice chimed in as I was midway up.

I sighed deeply and turned to face Ben. "I was just going up...there." I pointed.

"For what?" he questioned.

"Nothing I just felt like scanning my house is it a crime?" I snapped at him.

"Amy you know you're not supposed to go up there Ricky-" he began.

"Ricky doesn't live here anymore!" I hissed "And he owns you not me, I can do what I please." I continued up the stairs.

Ben followed me up to Ricky's office and closed the door, grabbing my arm. "Amy I know you're hurt and spiteful right now with all of us, but I don't know if I can handle you degrading me as some flunky anymore!" Ben snapped to my surprise.

I glared at him not only because what he said was true, but because he saw through my façade. That meant the strong face I tried so hard to keep on all these months wasn't working. I felt myself getting angry as my eyes burned with unshed tears. If he saw through my mask that meant Ricky did too, and that made me even more pissed.

"You don't know what you're talking about Ben." I huffed out snatching my arm away.

"I know that you feel betrayed and grudges are something you don't mind holding." he countered as he watched me sifting thru Ricky's papers.

"If you're not going to help me look for clues than you can leave." I spat still not looking at him.

"You're not going to find anything Amy. Ricky moved all the important things to his penthouse." he smirked folding his arms.

I threw the papers down and slammed my hands on the hard oak desk with the dark finish. How could I be so dense to think that Ricky would just leave his papers here. A plan formulated in my mind and I headed for the door to get dressed.

"Whatever you're planning forget it." Ben said grabbing my arm.

"I am not going to sit around, like a duck doing nothing while my son is out there." I told him.

"So, you're going to go out there in the line of fire against Ricky's orders; to cause more damage than there already is. What happens if the Russians get a hold of you too Amy than what? What about John and Abby they need their mother here comforting them. Ricky and Adrian can handle this." he reasoned.

"Yea." I screamed pursing my lips. "That's what I'm afraid of."

I brushed past him as a tear fell. "Amy wait." he called after me, but I already descended down the stairs.

I locked my bedroom door as Ben knocked trying to make ameds and went to the bathroom. Ricky still thought of me as some naïve little girl that needed protecting. I'm not the shy 16 year old I was almost 8 years ago. I'm a grown woman perfectly capable of handling myself as I proved that day in the cabin. It should have been me out there with Ricky right now. James is my son not hers no matter how much she wished differently.

I turned on the hot water and let the steam from the shower steam up the room. I was going to do this I didn't care what Ben or Ricky had to say about it. I was going to prove to them that I was nowhere near as fragile as they thought.

Ricky

I brushed my teeth while I waited for Adrian to get out of the shower. The night hadn't been as nearly as awkward as I imagined. We did wake up a little close to comfort, but it didn't cause any weird tension.

"Switch." Adrian exclaimed leaving the bathroom fully clothed holding her toothbrush. She was dressed in a tight white shirt, dark jeans with combat boots. Her leather jacket dawning her shoulders.

I smirked and spit out the mouthwash I was gargling as I glanced at her ensemble. I grabbed my pile of clothes and headed for the shower eyeing her "war gear" one more time before closing the door.

About 20 mins later we were out the door ready for another wild goose chase. The car ride was pleasantly quiet for the most part, and it gave me a chance to think about things.

"What's the plan" Adrian asked nonchalantly.

"I don't know." I answered honestly.

"Are you really going to give them back the treasure?" she inquired.

"Do you really have to ask me that Dre? I mean my son's life depends on it." I stated in a "duh" tone.

"I mean I know that, but can't we trick them or something. Giving the shares back is really bad for business." she reasoned.

"I know that and I know that its basically your business now since I stepped down, but James is the only thing I'm worried about. He will not be collateral damage because I'm on a power trip." I voiced sternly.

I had decided to give Adrian control of the business in hopes of getting Amy back, but also because I knew Adrian would still include me. I knew it was still wrong, but being a silent partner would mean that I wouldn't be involved in the grungy side of things. I figured that would be enough to suffice Amy, but sitting here having this conversation with Adrian made me realize that I didn't want anything to do with it anymore. Having power didn't mean anything to me if it meant I would lose my family.

We pulled up at a truck stop and I turned off the ignition.

"You can go in and grab something to eat, I'm gonna fuel up." I offered.

She nodded and walked towards the shaggy building. I leaned against the car watching the numbers get higher as the gas poured into my truck. My phone started vibrating and I seen Amy's picture come across the screen. I slid the phone back into my pocket not yet ready to face her disappointment.

"So you're going to avoid her this whole trip." Adrian said handing me a coffee.

She must have seen me put my phone back in my pocket. I took a gulp of the dark coffee and let the heat calm my throat.

"I'll talk to her soon. I just can't stand hearing hurt in her voice. If we're gonna find James I need my killer instinct in tact, and talking to Amy would make me feel." I took another swig and handed it back to her.

"You know she's probably going crazy." Adrian laughed heading towards the drivers seat. "Especially since I'm here with you."

I put the gas gun back on the pump and went to the passengers seat.

"I really doubt she's jealous that you're here. She made it perfectly clear she wanted nothing to do with me." I sighed.

Adrian laughed as we pulled back onto the highway. "You seriously believe that Ricky."

"Why wouldn't I? She hasn't said more than 3 words to me since James was born."

"She still loves you Ricky that's why she's short with you. When you're around she's afraid she's going to let you back in, so being mean and snappy is easier than letting her guard down." she stated simply.

I rolled my eyes and took another swig of my coffee. "And how would you know this. Amy would never confide in you."

"Because I've been there." she said softly as we pulled up to a red light. "I know how it feels to be heartbroken by you, betrayed. I know how it feels to want to hate you, but when you come around the hate fades and you're left mad at yourself. I know how it feels to want to let you go so desperately, but the love you have for the person won't let you move. The only difference is her love is returned." she exhaled blinking back a tear.

I sat there speechless not able to respond as we continued down the road. The coffee I had just gulped sat stuck in my throat and part of my heart sunk. I never knew how deeply I hurt Adrian all those years ago, and how deeply I was still hurting her now. How could I think that she was okay with me and Amy; after her and I spent so many years in some weird love limbo. Before Amy and I were exclusive I still ran back to Adrian, because I was confused about my feelings. What I felt for Amy shook my body to the core and I needed her, wanted her so badly that a simple kiss would send me into overdrive. Amy was very adamant from the beginning that she was not having sex in high school and I thought I could handle it. After waiting months I soon found out I couldn't and we'd argue and break up. Then there'd be Adrian to pick up the pieces. With her I felt a fire in the pit of my stomach, and I knew with her I could have it all. We were really comfortable with each other and had equally high sex drives. But the kisses weren't the same; they didn't have that certain finesse my kisses with Amy had. That's when I knew I'd wait for her and that's how I knew I loved her. I made up with Amy after my last go with Adrian, and my feelings were conclusive. I ended up waiting till after her graduation and as luck would have it she got pregnant with John.

"Adrian I'm sorry." I mumbled as she cut in front of a slow car. My heart hurt knowing I caused her so much pain.

She chuckled sadly. "Its not your fault. You can't help who you love, don't apologize for being happy. Besides this isn't the right time to bring up the past."

I stared at her once more before looking back out the window. We were getting closer to our destination, so this conversation would have to wait.

Amy

I dropped John and Abby off at my mother's and headed back to my side of town. I put my aviators on and sped down the road towards Ricky's penthouse.

"Ms. Underwood fancy seeing you here." Bernard the door keeper said.

"Hello Bernard." I smiled lowering my shades. "I just forgot something in my husbands' abode, and was wondering if you could pass me the spare key."

He eyed me longingly thinking of whether or not he should let me up. If Ben hadn't taken my key I wouldn't have to resort in flirting with the aged door keeper.

"Well, I have strict orders not to let anyone up while Mr. Underwood is away." he started.

I rolled my eyes. Ricky really did own everybody around here, and he knew me too well to know that I wouldn't just sit at home like a good little girl.

"I'm sure he'd make an exception for me." I grinned seductively bending over the counter, flaunting my cleavage.

He stared at my young breasts then slowly raised his eyes back to mine. "I suppose he would." he whispered grabbing the key to PH34.

"I thought you'd see things my way." I said rubbing my hands down his arm grabbing the key.

I pulled my shades back on and headed for the elevator. One obstacle over now to the next.

Ben

"Amy?" I called out to the empty house.

Damn it I thought as I surveyed my surroundings she was gone. I knew her sending me on the grocery errand was suspicious, but I really thought I got through to her.

I dropped the bags and headed back to my car. I knew exactly where she was going, hopefully I wasn't too late to stop her.

Amy sat her jacket on the leather chair and observed the "bachelor pad." Everything was exactly the same nothing had changed since before they moved in together. The dark hues on the wall always gave a since of mystery and the expensive furniture was hardly sat on.

She went over to the little room which was Ricky's office and did what she did best; sift through his papers. She tore through the drawers and file cabinets looking for anything that could lead her to her son.

"Ugh!" she cried as frustrated tears burned behind her eyes.

Just then the phone rang. Amy raised an eyebrow and debated answering it. It could be a trick, Ben could be calling making sure that she was there. She shrugged and answered on the final ring curiosity getting the best of her.

"Hello?" she mumbled slowly and heard nothing.

"Hello?" she stated again a little more strongly.

Then she heard it. It was faint at first but grew on. Her heart dropped deep in her chest as she heard the coos of her baby.

"James?" she croaked. Her voice caught in her throat.

She continued to hear him laugh in the background. Then he began crying and she heard a gunshot.

"James!" she screamed.

"Tell Ricky time is running down." a voice said before the line went dead.

Amy slammed the phone on the hook, and ran out of the room. She tripped over the rug and laid crying huddled on the floor. She prayed that James was okay and the gun shot was just to scare her. She knew they couldn't kill him, because he was their leverage. She laid on the floor for what seemed like forever until she heard the door rumbling. She lifted herself up and began walking toward figuring it was Ben. She yanked it open and to her surprise it wasn't Ben. Her mouth dropped at the sight of the strange visitor on the other side.

This chapter was kind of a filler since we're at the mid-point of the story. Next chapter is when its about to get real lol so it'll be much better. Hope you enjoyed;)