I know that Jordan is a lot more evil on Days, but I wish she was more apologetic so this is my version of the kidnapping being resolved.


Ciara yanked on the rope, "Ow." Ciara swallowed hard, "I-I don't understand. How could you do this to your own brother?" Jordan turned around, "I had to protect you and every other woman from him."

"But he-he's not that man anymore. He is a good, honest man just trying to make a life for himself." Jordan shook her head, "No… I love my brother, but he-he…" Jordan took a deep breath, "There's no way he's just 'better'. He HAD to of fooled the doctors. After everything he did, there's NO way. He will always be crazy. When I found you guys at the cabin together, I-I just knew."

Ciara closed her eyes for a second, "No, Jordan. Ben wasn't hurting me or holding me against my will." Ciara thought to herself, 'Unlike some people.' Ciara shook that thought out of her head, "He was HELPING me recover after I crashed my motorcycle. He never harmed me, not even when he went off his meds."

Jordan's eyes widened, "He went off his meds?! I KNEW it! He fooled everyone including Marlena Evans." Ciara shook her head violently, "No, he ran out of his meds and when he went to refill, the store was crawling with cops because my mom had put out an APB for him thinking he had me against my will. But Jordan… even with him seeing Clyde and 'Clyde' telling Ben to hurt me, he couldn't do it. Ben has NEVER once hurt me." 'Not physically at least' Ciara thought to herself.

Jordan started pacing, panic filling her, "No, no. If Ben wasn't a danger… that-that means I… I committed arson for no reason." Ciara's eyes turned wide, "Wait… YOU started that fire? Wh-why would you do that?" Jordan ran a hand through her hair, "I-I thought you were in danger. I-I thought that if Ben was caught starting another fire, he'd go back to the mental hospital."

Ciara took a deep breath, "You followed Ben to the cabin?" "I-I was just trying to protect everyone…" "Ben almost went to prison TWICE because of what you did!" Jordan collapsed into a chair, "I-I didn't want my brother in prison, I-I just wanted him to get the help that he still obviously needed." Ciara's face softened slightly, "Why didn't you talk to Ben? Or come into the cabin and talk to ME? Why did you think it was necessary to frame your own brother, you own flesh and blood?! I know that you guys lost touch, but Ben always spoke so highly of you. He's never once spoken badly about you." Before Jordan could answer, she was interrupted by a male voice. "Ciara?! CIARA are you in there?!"

Ciara turned to Jordan, "Look who decided to join the party." Jordan let out a nervous chuckle and sighed. Ben kicked the door a few times but was not prepared for what he saw: his girlfriend(or rather ex) tied to a bed and his sister standing there. Ben's body fell slightly limp, "Wha-what's going on here?" Jordan walked up to Ben, trying to blocked his view of Ciara.

Jordan grasped Ben's wrists, "I-I, uh, can explain." Ben wiggled out of Jordan's grasp, "Then explain to me why you have my girlfriend tied up." Jordan looked back at Ciara before turning back to face Ben, "I-it's not what it looks like." Ben crossed his arms, "Oh really? Because from my standpoint, it looks like you're holding Ciara against her will."

Ciara spoke up, "That's not all, Ben." Ciara sighed deeply, "Jordan started the fire at the cabin, to frame you." Ben looked at Ciara for a moment before looking back at his sister, "N-no that can't be. Why would you want to hurt Ciara?" Tears began to well in Jordan's eyes, "I-Ciara was never supposed to get hurt. You were just supposed to go back to the mental hospital." Ben looked at Jordan bewildered, "Ho-how could you?" Jordan sniffed, "You're my brother and I love you, but I-I needed to protect people… from you an-and what you are capable of. I couldn't let one more person get hurt because of you."

Ciara pursed her lips, "Really? Because from where I'm standing, or rather sitting, the only person I or anyone else needs protecting from is YOU." Jordan glared at Ciara for a moment. Jordan turned to face Ben but was met with cold eyes. "Jordan, how could you? You knew how worried I was about Ciara. I talked to you ENDLESS times about how scared I was about her being in the arms of a crazy person. Ho-how all of Salem was convinced that I had taken her and Charlotte, because of how we left things and that I was obsessed with her. And you… you comforted me. Told me how it would all be okay because Ciara sounded like she was a strong person. But in reality… YOU had the power to stop everyone's fear and pain. And now… you also tried to kill Ciara MONTHS ago?! Wha-what the hell is wrong with you?!"

Jordan closed her eyes and a few tears fell down her cheeks, "I am so sorry Ben. I never wanted it to get here. I-I just felt like I need to protect women against you. After everything you've done." Ben shook his head not recognizing the person standing in front of him, "I-If you thought that I really wasn't better, why couldn't you come to me? Talk to me Jordan? We've been through so much." Quietly Jordan said, "I'm sorry. I-I never wanted it to come to this." Jordan ran out the door without another word.

Ben gave Ciara a longing look before running after Jordan.


Ben ran and ran but he couldn't find Jordan. Ben finally made his way back to Ciara, but was shocked by what he found, the cabin in flames. Ben felt like he was having a MAJOR case of déjà vu. "Ciara! Ciara!" Ciara let out a cough, "Ben!"

Ben let out a slight breath of relief, "Ciara! I'm coming!" Ben took off his jacket and tried the fan the flames. "Ciara, babe, talk to me." Ciara let out a shaky sigh, "I'm stuck. I'm still tied up. Thes-these knots are too tight." "I'm gonna get you baby." Ben's jacket got some of the flames down enough where he could see Ciara.

Ben carefully walked over to Ciara and caressed her cheek. Breathlessly he said, "I'm here, I'm here baby." Ben went to one of Ciara's arm restraints. Ben tried and tried but they didn't budge. Ben, slightly panicked began to look around of a knife or something that he could cut the ropes with. Ciara let out a tearful breath followed by a cough, "Ben, there's nothing you can do, I'm trapped. Yo-you have to go." Ben looked at Ciara bewildered, "I-I'm not going to leave you, Ciara. Not now, not ever."

Ciara shook her head and pulled on the ropes. "Ben, I'm stuck. She's really good at rope tying. Was she a girl scout or something?" Ciara let out a nervous laugh. Before Ciara could speak any further, the structure started the make sounds. Ben looked up and the roof in the far corner started to come down. Ciara braced for impact, "Ben, you have to go, NOW..." Ciara looked at the part of the roof that was now on the floor. Ciara let out a shaky sigh, "…before it's too late."

Ben crouched down and laced one of Ciara's tied up hands in his, "I am not leaving you." Ciara sighed, "If you don't go, we're BOTH gonna die. I'm going to, I can see that…" Ciara coughed, "…but you don't need to." Tears began to well in Ciara's eyes, "Ben… I love you. I am so sorry about everything, but you need to go. Run and get as far away from this place as possible. You can still have a life, just… just because mine is ending doesn't mean yours is. You have SO much life to live, Ozark." Ben reached up and wiped one of Ciara's tears. Ben let out a cough, "Ciara Alice Brady, you ARE my life; my anchor, my compass, my true north. I don't want a life that doesn't have you in it." Ben gave Ciara's rope another yank but it just wouldn't budge.

Ciara sniffed as she looked around, "Ben, the fire is getting bigger, you HAVE to get out NOW!" Ben looked at Ciara stonefaced, "I'm not leaving you, Bobcat. Not now, not ever." Ben kissed Ciara's forehead and coughed as he gingerly made his way around the room looking for anything that could cut the rope. Ben was just about to give up when he saw something shining. Ben gently picked up the item that he realized was a pistol. Ben was brought back in his mind the last time there was a fire and he had a gun in his hand: the cabin fire with Chad and Abigail. Ben shook that thought out of his head and looked at the gun for a moment before he had a lightbulb moment.

Ben started back toward Ciara. Ciara's eyes widened slightly when she was the gun in Ben's hand, "Wha-what are you gonna do with that?" Ben lowered the gun to his side, "Do you trust me?" Ciara looked Ben dead in his eyes and nodded, "I trust you." Ben sighed heavily, "Okay. Pull your arm away from you as it will go." Ciara just looked at Ben for a moment before doing what he said. Ben fired one shot after another right at the center of the rope. Finally, it broke in half and the momentum sent Ciara flying toward the other side of the bed. Ciara let out a shaky sigh.

Ben and Ciara did the same thing with the other side. Unfortunately, the gun didn't have enough bullets. Ben threw the empty gun across the room, "Dammit!" Ben leaned forward and coughed as he rested his hands on his knees.

Ciara put her free hand on Ben's arm, "It's okay, you tried." Ben looked up at Ciara, "But it wasn't enough." Tears threatened to fall down Ben's face, "It wasn't enough." Ciara yanked on the rope a few times but it wasn't weak enough to break.

Ben looked down at Ciara's pants for a moment, "Do you still have your keys?" Ciara maneuvered slightly, "I think so. It's in my left pocket." Ben reached in and pulled out a key ring that had to of had at least half a dozen keys on it. Ben went through them until he found the sharpest one. Ben rubbed the key back and forth on the weakest spot of the rope. "C'mon, c'mon." Just when Ben was starting to lose hope, the rope snapped. Ciara let out a shocked laugh and wrapped her hands around Ben's face, "You did it!" Ben returned Ciara's shocked look, "I did."

Ciara pulled Ben into a quick kiss. Ben looked around and saw the fire had only grown, "We gotta get out of here." Ben picked Ciara up and carried her until they were outside.


Ben put Ciara down once they were a safe distance from the fire. Ben wrapped his arms tightly around Ciara resting his chin on top of Ciara's head. Ciara tightly wrapped her arms around Ben's waist. Ben finally let out the breath he'd been holding since he stormed out of the loft. Ciara was safe, in his arms, everything was okay. Except… it wasn't. Ben's own sister was the source of so much pain and drama for them and that was a bitter pill to swallow.

Ben pulled back and moved his hands to each side of Ciara's cheeks. Ben leaned in and gave Ciara a deep kiss expressing every emotion: the relief that she was okay, the absolute and total fear that he had worrying about her. Ciara returned the kiss with equal passion. Ciara wrapped her arms around Ben's neck as she deepened the kiss. After a moment, Ben pulled away, "I love you Ciara. I love you so damn much it hurts. I was so terrified of what had happened to you, I-I couldn't stand it. I hated every second of our fight, if that was the last…" Ben cut himself off trying to stop his tears from falling. Ciara caressed Ben's cheeks, "I don't want to talk about that right now. I just want to hold you." A slight smile came to Ben's face, "That I can do." Ben wrapped his arms tightly around Ciara. After a moment, Ciara pulled out of the hug, got on her tippy toes and leaned Ben's forehead into hers.

Ciara let out a breath of relief, "I love you, Ben. I just knew, I knew in my heart that you would find me. When Jordan had me I just kept picturing you bursting through to save me. Even though you had no idea where I was and how we left things, I just KNEW that you would find me and rescue me." Ben leaned back slightly, "I am so sorry Ciara, all of this is my fault. I can't believe this was my SISTER of all people." Ben sighed and Ciara caressed his cheeks, "Shh, this is NOT your fault Ben. This is on Jordan and Jordan alone. SHE made the decision to take me, just like SHE made the decision to set the fire." Ben let out a heavy sigh and closed his eyes for a moment. Ben put his hand to his forehead, "I-I just can't wrap my head around it. She comforted me when I was so absolutely terrified that I would never see you again, never kiss you again, never hold you again." Ben ran his hands up and down Ciara's sides. Ciara smiled slightly at Ben, "Well… it's over now." Ben pulled Ciara in for a kiss. "And I am never letting you go again Ciara." Ciara smile got bigger, "Good, because I love you, more than I've ever loved anyone. And I don't ever want to be away from you ever again. And that's what I was coming home to-to tell you… when Jordan grabbed me." Ciara closed the distance between them and gave Ben a passionate kiss.


Ciara and Ben walked towards Ben's rental car together. Ciara rested her head on Ben's shoulder as they walked with her arm wrapped around his waist. Ben stood up straight and looked around, "Whe-where's the car? I-I left it RIGHT here." Ciara looked around, "Yo-you don't think that Jordan…?" Ben thinned his lips to a line and ran a hand through his hair, "I-I don't know what to think about Jordan at this point."

Ben reached into his pocket and then put his hand to his forehead, hard. "I-I must of left my keys in the car. I was so worried about getting to you, locking the car was kinda my last thought." Ciara nodded, "It's okay. We'll figure it out. Just like we'll figure everything out. Because as long as we're together, there's nothing we can't overcome."

Ben pulled on Ciara's hair lightly, "God, I love you." Ben wrapped Ciara in a tight hug.


Ben and Ciara wanted some one-on-one time before facing everyone in Salem so they went back to Ben's motel room. It wasn't exactly the Four Seasons, but it would give them the time alone that they so anxiously craved and needed.


Ben opened the door and Ciara walked inside. "I-I know it's not much, but I just thought-" Ciara cut Ben off by kissing him, "It's perfect. Just you and me, no interruptions." Ben took Ciara's hand in his own and they sat down on the edge of the bed. Ben sighed nervously, "There-there's some things we have to talk about." Ciara swallowed hard, "Yeah." At the same time Ciara and Ben both said "I'm sorry". Both of them let out a nervous chuckle.

Ciara wrapped her hand in Ben's, "What are you sorry for?" Ben sighed, "For storming out the way I did. I-I went back to the loft the next day multiple times and no one answered. I started to get worried." Ben looked at Ciara in confusion, "Wha-what do you have to be sorry for?"

Ciara looked at Ben incredulously, "Are you serious? That whole fight, I barely let you get a word in. It's no wonder you stormed out. The…" Ciara looked down at her hands for a moment, "…the whole time Jordan had me, I-I kept going over that day over and over again. Wanting to go back to that moment and slap some sense into myself. Like 'Ciara, shut up for 2 seconds'. But… you were right Ben. I WAS looking for an excuse to end things." Ben face fell and Ciara caressed his cheek, "But not because I didn't WANT to be with you. I mean GOD, I practically was ripping your clothes off earlier that day." Ciara thinned her lips to a line and a slight blush came to both of their cheeks over that memory.

"I was scared." Ben looked at Ciara in confusion and a little bit of sadness, "Of me?" Ciara shook her head, "No. No, baby. Of how deeply I felt and how quickly fell for you. You-you've made me feel things that no one else has ever made me feel. And yeah, that kinda scares me. I-I tried to keep things casual and keep you at arm's length to protect myself and my heart, but…"

Ciara stood up and Ben followed her so they were face-to-face. Ciara let out a shaky sigh and wrapped her arms around herself, "I couldn't do it. I-I just- I want to be with you. When Jordan had me ALL I wanted was for you to be there." Ciara sighed as fresh tears threatened to fall, "To-to wrap your arms around me, kissing my forehead telling me that we would figure it out."

Ben sighed knowing exactly what Ciara was talking about. He leaned toward Ciara, put each of his hands on the sides of Ciara's head and gave her a long kiss on the forehead. Ciara put her hands on top of Ben's and relaxed under his touch. Ben sighed as he rested his forehead on hers. Ciara brought her hands up to Ben's chest and a sob choked out. Ben took Ciara's shaking hands in his own and laced his fingers through them, "It's okay, baby. You're safe. No one is going to hurt you."

Ben pulled away after a moment and walked over to the bed and sat on the edge of it with his head down. Ciara looked at Ben in confusion and walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Where'd you go just now?" Ben sighed heavily as he looked up ever so slightly at Ciara.

"It's just-I can't believe that my own sister did this. If she doesn't believe that I can really be better, how can I hope that anyone else in Salem will believe it? See me any different?" Ciara got down in her knees and forced Ben to look at her. Tears began to pool in Ciara's eyes, "Ben, I believe-no I KNOW that you are better and different now. Everyone else will figure it out too in due time."

Ben sighed heavily as he stood up. Ciara followed him and Ben smiled a sad smile at Ciara. "As long as I've got you in my corner Ciara, I think I'll be okay." Ciara sighed, "Wha-what are we going to do?" Ben looked at Ciara in confusion, "I want us to be able to go back to being 'us', but…" Ciara shook her head, "No, I mean, yeah, I want that too, but I was talking about with Jordan. I-I mean we are going to have to explain SOMETHING." Ben sighed heavily, "I know. I've been thinking a lot about that too. I-I'm going to go to Hope and tell her I started the fire at the cabin and that I kidnapped you." Ciara looked at Ben in shock, "What? No! Ben, you have spent MONTHS trying to convince EVERYONE that you didn't start that fire." Ciara furrowed her eyebrows, "Wh-why would you do that?" Ben sighed heavily, "To protect Jordan. I know that she made a lot, a LOT of mistakes but she's my sister and she doesn't deserve to be in prison." Ciara shook her head slightly at Ben, "But YOU do?!"

Ciara wrapped her arms tightly around Ben's waist, "Babe, I JUST got you back and now you're going to go to prison for crimes that you didn't commit? PLEASE Ben, don't do this." Ben caressed both sides of Ciara's face with his hands, "I know, and I don't want to be away from you. I-I-I've wanted you for so long and now… the thought of being away from you kills me, but I can't let Jordan go to prison."

Ciara sighed, "What if… I mean I am Jordan's 'victim' in both crimes, what if I tell the DA that I won't cooperate, that I don't want to press charges against her?" Ben shook his head, "No, that's sweet baby, but I can't take the risk. If Jordan spends even 1 day in prison, I-I'll never forgive myself." Ciara moved a hand to Ben's cheek, "Ben, I told you before, you are not responsible for Jordan and her decisions. You said… you said that she comforted you when you were worried about me. If she cared about you half as much as you do her, she would have told you. But she didn't. She let you go through HELL thinking I was god knows where with god knows who while the rest of Salem assumed you did it, right?" Ben nodded slowly. Ciara moved Ben's face to face her, "Then why would you go to prison for Jordan?"

Ben sighed heavily, "She's my sister and I have to do WHATEVER it takes to protect her." Ciara swallows hard, "Ben, I love you, but…" Ben wiggled out of Ciara's grasp, "'But' what?" Ciara pinched the bridge of her nose, "Jordan, she might be let off easy. But you…" Ciara sighed, "I know you're not your past, but you've got priors, the DA wouldn't hesitate to throw the book at you, no matter what I say or do."

Ben nodded contemplating everything Ciara said. "I know. And I know I could go away for a long time, and I could never ask you to wait for me-" Ciara shook her head and wrapped her arms tightly around Ben's neck, "I would." Ciara sighed, "Ben, I would wait a lifetime to be with you." Ciara looked right into Ben's eyes, "I love you Ben and I choose you. Yesterday, today, tomorrow, and every day for the rest of our lives." Ben swallowed and closed his eyes, "I need to do this. I-I just wouldn't feel right if… if you and I were living our best life together and Jordan was locked away when I didn't do everything in my power to stop it." Ciara sighed, "I can see you've made up your mind." A single tear ran down Ciara's cheek.

Ben brushed his thumb against Ciara's cheek, "Bobcat, I-I don't want it to be this way, I just don't see another choice." Ciara nodded slightly, "I have an idea." Before Ben could respond, Ciara was down on one knee, "Ben… will you marry me?" Ben looked at Ciara in confusion, "Wha-what are you doing?"

Ciara stood up, chuckling slightly, "Ben, if you are hell-bent on confessing, then we need to do whatever we can to protect you. If we're married, I can't testify against you. And there's no evidence that you kidnapped me or started the fire." Ben took a deep breath, "Ciara, I love you, and yes one day… I want to be your husband, but-but not like this. I want us to get married because we love each other and can't live without each other." Ciara pulled Ben to her so his lips were right in front of hers, "We do and we can't."

Ben pulled back slightly, mostly because he couldn't form a coherent thought with Ciara so close. "I don't want you to marry me because we're trying to play the system." Ciara played with the top of Ben's shirt and smiled wickedly, "Even if we could have conjugal visits?" Ben put his hands on top of Ciara's and pulled them off of his shirt, "Even then. Besides I'm pretty sure I'll be sent to a facility that doesn't have conjugal visits." Ciara smirked slightly, "Well… then I guess we'll just have to make the most of tonight."

Ciara's smirk got wider as she pushed Ben back toward the bed. Ben stopped when his legs hit the bed, "Ciara, are you sure? I mean do you really want our first time together to be in this ratty, seedy motel?" Ciara looked around, "The Blue Swallow, the Four Seasons, all I see is YOU, Ben. And GOD Ben, I love you and I want you." Ciara captured Ben's lips into a kiss. Ben smiled as Ciara pushed him down on the bed. Ciara sat on Ben's stomach with her knees on each side of his hips as she kissed him and worked her way down his shirt.


Ciara and Ben collapsed back onto the bed. Ciara sighed breathlessly, "Wow, that was…" "…yeah it was" Ben finished. Ciara turned to face Ben, "I love you and I have never felt closer to you than I do right now." Ben couldn't help the smile that came to his lips, "I love you too Bobcat, so damn much. I know this wasn't exactly how you probably pictured it…" Ciara shook her head, "I am here with the man that I love more than anything. That's all I see. I don't need anything else."

Ciara kissed Ben's shoulder and moved until she was on top of him. "Round 2?" Ciara giggled and nodded as she sucked in a breath and Ben sat up slightly and pulled Ciara in for a passionate kiss.


Ben looked around and saw he was in his motel room. He turned and saw Ciara cuddled into him. Memories from the night before came flooding back. The good like him and Ciara admitting they love each other and their first(and second) time together. But the not so good flooded back as well. Jordan being responsible for pain that Ciara and Ben went through.

Ciara turned and looked up at Ben. "How is it that you look even sexier first thing in the morning?" Ben smiled at Ciara, "I don't look half as good as you do baby." Ciara couldn't help but smile at Ben. Ciara looked over at Ben's nightstand, "Is that…?" Ben turned his head, "Your Christmas gift? Yeah. I looked at it every night that we were apart. After your mom told me that you were missing, I held it and… I even spoke to it like it was you." Ciara smiled at Ben. "I-I asked 'where are you'? ALL I wanted was to find you."

Ciara leaned in close, "And you did." Ben wrapped an arm around Ciara, "That has the be the best night's sleep I've gotten in… I don't even know how long." Ciara kissed Ben's shoulder, "Well… it could be like this every morning." Ben sat up, "I haven't changed my mind, Ciara. I'm going to your mom today and confessing everything." Ciara sighed heavily, "I know… I still don't like it, but I love you and will stand by you no matter what." Ben smiled a small smile.

Ben stood up, "Well… it doesn't have to be over. I mean we probably SHOULD shower before heading to the station. And who knows how much hot water this motel has." Ciara smiled wickedly getting what Ben was implying. Ciara nodded her head and Ben picked Ciara up who squealed as he carried them into the shower.


Ciara and Ben walked into the Salem PD hand in hand. Ben turned to Ciara, "You ready?" Ciara sighed shakily, "As ready as I'll ever be, I guess." Ciara placed each of her hands on Ben's face, "Last night was amazing, I love you." Ben leaned in to kiss Ciara. "Last night, this morning…" Ciara chuckled and slapped Ben's shoulder's playfully, "Oh hush." Ben smirked, "I didn't hear you complaining last night… or this morning" Ciara nodded, "Yeah, last night and this morning was everything I'd been picturing and more. I love you." Ben smiled a slight smile, "I love you too." Ben wrapped Ciara in a tight hug. "Yesterday, today, tomorrow. Right Bobcat?" Ciara laughed slightly, "That's right Ozark."

Ciara took a deep breath as they started toward Hope. Ciara let out a shaky sigh, "Mom?" Hope turned around and practically turned white upon hearing her daughter's voice. "Ciara!" Hope wrapped her daughter in a bone-crushing hug. "Mama, can't breathe." Hope pulled out of the hug and held Ciara's shoulders tight, "Oh my god, I am so glad you are okay! And no dirt on you." Ciara looked at Ben and blushed thinking about their shower together and how they REALLY got clean. Hope glared at Ben, "YOU!" Ciara looked around and saw that most of the PD had stopped what they were doing and were staring at them.

Ciara lowered her voice, "Can we talk somewhere private?" Hope nodded, "By all means." Ciara and Ben walked into the interrogation room followed by Hope and Rafe. Ciara and Ben stood on one side of the table while Rafe and Hope were on the other. Hope crossed her arms, "What did you want to discuss?"

Ciara looked at Ben for a moment praying that he had changed his mind. Ben sighed deeply, "I started the fire at the cabin." Hope's eyes turned wide as she turned to Rafe. "I knew it! I knew from the very beginning that you tried to kill my daughter." Hope looked at Ciara, "But did you believe me? NOO, you were SO sure that he had 'changed'." Hope had a satisfied look on her face.

Ben sat down and Ciara put a hand on Ben's shoulder, "That's not all. I-I also kidnapped Ciara." Ciara swallowed hard as tears began to form. It was killing her to hear the man she loved tell such lies about her but wanted to stand by his side. Ciara wanted nothing more than to jump up and down and say that Ben was lying, but knew this was what Ben wanted, so no matter how much it killed Ciara, she kept quiet.

Hope had a satisfactory look on her face, "I knew you started the fire. But let's get back to the kidnapping." Hope leaned across the table, "Why did you take my daughter?" Ben looked up and Ciara for a moment and sighed deeply, "I-I… I was the one…" Ben took a heavy breath repeating what he had rehearsed in his head, "I needed to talk to Ciara and she wouldn't see me or return my calls. She wouldn't take my calls so, I, uh, I had to get creative." Hope shook her head, "Reformed my ass. I knew it. I KNEW you weren't changed but did my daughter listen to me? Noo. You manipulated her and took advantage and preyed on her kindness." Hope stood up and looked at Ciara, "Why-why are you standing by him? Didn't you hear him? Not only did he kidnap you but he tried to set you aflame!" Ciara swallowed hard, "I-"

Before Ciara could respond, they were interrupted. "I need to see Hope Brady." Ciara and Ben were stunned to see Jordan standing in front of them. Rafe looked at Jordan surprised, "Jordan? What are you doing here?" Jordan sighed, "I need to confess to something. I started the fire at the cabin that almost killed Ciara. And I'm the one who kidnapped her." Hope and Rafe looked at Jordan in shock and then to Ciara and Ben and back to Jordan.

Hope put her index finger to her chin. "Interesting because your brother just confessed to those exact crimes." Jordan walked onto Hope and Rafe's side of the table. Jordan leaned toward Ben, "Ben? Why?" In a low voice Ben said, "You're my sister. I-I wanted to protect you. Just-just like you were trying to protect Ciara from me." Hope looked at the brother/sister duo in confusion, "Wha-what is happening? Someone is lying." Hope looked at Ciara, "Ciara?"

Ciara looked down at Ben and then at Jordan. Ciara knew that Ben would want her to lie, but she just couldn't utter to words knowing that Jordan was standing right there ready to own what she did and face the consequences. Ciara looked down at Ben. Ben nodded, "It's okay. You can tell the truth." Ciara sighed and thinned her lips to a line, "I-I don't know about the cabin fire or the kidnapping. I was blindfolded the entire time. I heard Ben come bursting in arguing with some woman and then he took the blindfold off. The woman was gone. Ben didn't kidnap me, but I don't know if Jordan did either. I-it didn't sound like her voice." Hope looked at Ciara incredulously, "Ciara Alice, you better not be lying." Ciara looked down at Ben, "I'm not. A woman kidnapped me and Ben saved me. That's the truth.." Ciara thought to herself 'Well that sentence WAS true'.

Hope sighed, "We will be investigating this fully. No one leaves Salem. Is that understood?" Ciara, Ben, and Jordan all nodded. Hope and Rafe left without another word. Ciara looked at Ben, "I'm sorry. I know I said I would stand by you during this, but I just couldn't." Ben stood up and hugged Ciara, "Thank you for not outing Jordan." Ciara wrapped her arm around Ben and looked at Jordan and gave her a small smile, "She's your sister."

Jordan looked at Ben with confused eyes, "You were willing to take the rap for me after all I did to your girlfriend?" Ben sighed deeply, "We've always taken care of each other. But Jordan… we're done. You and I, we're done. What you did to Ciara, to her and I, is unforgivable. Ciara is my life and nothing is more important than her. You risked her life now TWICE." Jordan tried to fight the tears that threatened to fall. "I-I get it, I do. I hope that one day you will forgive me but know this, I am TRULY sorry Ben. For all the pain I caused you and Ciara." Jordan turned to Ciara, "I am truly, genuinely, from the bottom of my heart sorry. I never meant to harm you. Thank you. Not only for not letting my brother be an IDIOT and take the fall but for not outing me to the police." Ciara looked at Jordan with no emotion, "Family takes care of family, right?" Jordan nodded, "Yeah. I hope you guys have a long and happy life together." Ciara wrapped an arm around Ben and rested her head on his shoulder, "We will." Jordan nodded sadly and walked out of the interrogation room.

Ciara picked her head up and faced Ben, "I-I couldn't lie. I couldn't say the words; tha-that you had kidnapped me. I know you wanted to protect Jordan, but-" Ben cut Ciara off with a kiss. Ben rested his forehead on Ciara's. "Thank you, Bobcat. I know it wasn't easy but it means everything to me and MORE that you helped me keep Jordan out of prison." Ciara smiled slightly, "I love you and I know how much your sister means to you." Ben sighed, "Can we just go home?" Ciara nodded, "Yeah."

After a second, Ciara furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, "Wait, your home or my home 'cause…?" Ben sighed, "Stefan was released after it was found out that he didn't commit treason." Ciara stiffened slightly, "So you're back working for him?" Ben shook his head, "No, I-I was working on trying to convince to just to LEGAL protection, but when I knew something had happened to you, conversations with Stefan kinda went to the wayside." "So where have you've been staying at the motel?" Ben sighed and nodded, "But I'm not sure how much longer I can afford to stay there without a job."

Ciara swallowed, "Well, how would you like to move in with me, OFFICIALLY, as my boyfriend?" Ciara smiled, "No more couch for you." Ben smiled and bit his lip, "Yeah, but only if you're sure." Ciara wrapped her arms around Ben, "Oh, I'm sure. I never want to be away from you again. I want to wake up with you every morning, Ben. I want to go to sleep every night with you in my arms. I want to spend every night with you, Ozark." Ben couldn't fight his smile, "I can get behind that." Ciara smiled as she captured Ben's lips in a kiss.