Author's note: As always, thanks for waiting!

By the way from this point on, this is where I start modifying certain pieces of the plot, so you might notice something different. Anyways, on with the show!

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The Quiet Man: Revised and Reanswered

When morning arose, I stirred a bit when I felt a kiss on my lips. It happened to be a good morning kiss from Shirley, before she had got out of bed to get dressed.

I was still fast asleep, even as she wrote me a note, and placed it on her desk, until she finally left the bedroom. As I slowly opened my eyes, I noticed I was alone, but I was quick enough to find the note.

Putting on my boxers, I went towards the note, and began to read it.

Dane,
Words just can't describe how wonderful last night really was. I am very glad we were able to share that moment together.
Unfortunately, all good things always have to come to an end. But I know you can rescue Lala; believe me, you have my full support, and Alex's, too.
Please be careful, and don't give up. I love you.
Sincerely, Shirley
P.S. If you want, we can have breakfast here, or maybe at a diner.

I smiled, before I went to put my clothes back on. When I emerged from her bedroom, I gestured to her, asking if we could eat breakfast together; she agreed.

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Night 5

Later on, that night, I had decided to see Mr. Swank in his office. He noticed, and asked, "Yes?"

'Mr. Swank, I want to take time off so that I can look for Lala. Will you grant me permission?'

He paid attention to my sign language, before he replied, "Very well, then. But just be forewarned: the journey's gonna be pretty dangerous, and you might risk your life. So I'd be cautious if I were you, kid."

He also left his desk, taking what appeared to be some sort of note, and handing it over to me. As I read it, I realized it was a ransom note, with Isaac demanding me, Taye, or anyone else affiliated with Liberty to pay a large sum of cash, or else something bad would happen to Lala.

"And that's not all," Swank added, before he opened a drawer to his desk, and pulled out something. Last night, Moonrise must have not only gotten the ransom note, but also this strange...white...cloth, as well.

He brought it over to me, and I froze as I inspected what appeared to be a white dress, with a circle-shaped blood wound. And then, it hit me.

This dress...the bullet wound...oh god...

Is this...is this the same dress my mother worn when she was shot by Isaac?!

How did...?!

Overwhelmed by anger and sadness, I felt as though I was recreating the incident from years ago, when I tried to get Taye and Isaac to calm down and stop arguing, but it all led to my mother trying to break things up.

And then Isaac was going to shoot me, but Taye was trying not to let him do it, and then...then Isaac accidentally pulled the trigger.

This memory...this traumatic memory...it's all coming back to me...!

I let out a bloodcurdling scream, dropping down to my knees as Swank looked on in sheer shock. As he slowly walked over to me, I was crying like crazy.

"Dane...I didn't know this brought back something horrible in the past, hasn't it?" he asked.

I look up to him, tears running down my face as I nodded, before I stood up. 'Lala looks like my mother. Why would they try to exploit a past memory that I just want to forget?'

"Are you saying that your mother and Lala look alike?! Jesus..." Swank muttered, gritting his teeth, before I quickly left his office, and headed out on my own.

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I had to control my rage as I ventured through the city, searching high and low for Lala's whereabouts, until I was able to locate a large building. It had a penthous that belonged to Isaac, but before I could actually get to him, I had to deal with his men within the building.

It wasn't easy dealing with at least five of those bastards, but I was able to perservere and start laying them all out. It all began when one of them attempted to punch me in the nose, but I gave him a low blow to the groin.

I was then attacked by the second from behind, before putting me in a chokehold. I would find the strength to elbow him in the stomach several times, before he lost his grip. I slammed my fists into his face, and even uppercutted him, nearly making his jaw break.

The next two found themselves against me, and one of them also took out a switchblade from his pocket, wanting to cut my throat open. I quickly dodged the attack, and then gave him a flurry of quick kicks to the torso and lower area.

The other one taunted me, prompting me to start wailing on him with my fists. It was a combo so great, it made him fly out the window and down to his death. Finally, the last one was a beefy man of very tall height, and had begun cracking his knuckles before charging towards me.

He punched me in the face a few times, until I blocked his next attack, elbowing him in the chest. I also picked up the switchblade from one of the fallen thugs, and swiftly stabbed him in one of his hands, before sinking the blade into his face.

He collapsed in a pool of his blood, and to my surprise, I was still standing, even after all the damage I've taken. Finding the nearest elevator, I decided to head inside and travelled to the penthouse floor.

Making sure my knuckles were fairly clean after wiping them on my jeans, I stepped inside the penthouse, and was greeted by Isaac, who taunted me before challenging me to a fight. He attacked me first with a headbutt, stunning me for a bit, before I broke out of the stupor to roundhouse kick him a few times.

He fought back by slugging me in the face with his fists, and once he was about to finish his combo, I countered by blocking the punch, and then punching him in the upper area, as well as his head. I also gave him a right hook to the jaw, making his mouth bleed a bit from the inside.

I followed it up by punching him in the stomach, making Isaac cough up a bit of blood. I was ready to pummel him some more when he dropped a bombshell on me.

"You can hurt me as much as you want: I'll admit, I felt pretty bad about shooting your mom all those years ago. Not to mention, I was floored when I learned that the chick here looked like her, too. So...are we cool, now?" he asked me.

I just grit my teeth, my rage overcoming me as I before threw him out the window, hearing him let out a scream as he fell to his death. Now that he's out of the picture, it looks like SOL33 is bound to implode.

I looked for Lala, until I found her in Isaac's bedroom, staring out the window with a rather neutral expression on her face.

I waved 'hello' for her to notice me, and when she looked towards me, I used my sign language to tell her, 'Lala, you're safe! C'mon, I'll take you back to Taye.'

Lala just shrugged, before replying, "Sure, I guess."

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It seemed as though she sounded like she didn't really care about getting kidnapped, but nevertheless, we left the penthouse. However, I would be greeted by a very unexpected surprise.

"Dane...you did all this?!" he asked me, sporting a very angry expression. "All of these years of friendship...and this is how you repay me?! You even trick me into starting a gang war, all because you're so jealous of seeing Lala with me?!"

I instantly fired back with my sign language, 'You don't understand, Taye. Isaac and SOL33 had hired someone to kidnap Lala, and I had to rescue her.'

"Are you saying someone else stalked her?" he asked. He grit his teeth for a moment, before he let out a long, drawn-out sigh, before he added, "Allright, you win. I believe you. But next time, don't be doing anything stupid!"

"Actually, I tricked all of you." Lala told us. "I told Dane as to how my life was meaningless, and that I just want it to end prematurely. So, I faked my own kidnapping by having this man...I think his name was Robert...kidnap me."

Taye froze in shock, unable to speak until he finally regained his composure. "Lala, you...you traitorous bitch!"

As he pulled out his gun, he aimed it right at Lala's head, and my eyes widened in horror. I was about to step in and take the bullet, when an older man in a trenchcoat drove in and quickly took me into his car.

He also did the same with Lala, and as the car drove off, Taye stood there, befuddled as to why someone saved her life instead of having himself do the job.

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The car would then reach what appeared to be the police department, and as the man ushered me and Lala inside, he was intent on interrogating both of us.

"Why did you rescue us both?" Lala asked him.

"I didn't want either one of you shot down by this criminal. He's been doing a lot of shady things while taking the reins with Liberty."

I blinked, before standing up and with my gestures, replied, 'I know him; he's been my best friend since we were younger.'

The man squinted at me, and asked, "You don't speak?"

I shake my head no, before I followed it up with, 'I'm deaf. I've been that way since birth.'

Lala was able to take a good look at him, and asked, "Aren't you Robert? You helped me out, remember?"

"Oh, yeah, I recognize you, Lala." he replied. He then turned to face me and ask, "Just what are these gestures you do?"

'It's sign language.' I said. At the same time, I couldn't help but notice as to how awfully familiar he looked.

In fact, could he be my...?

No, I shouldn't think about it...

"Sign language, huh?" Robert asked. "Very unique style of dialogue you have there, I'm impressed."

I smiled, before he asked Lala, "Speaking of the criminal, do you know him?"

"Yes, Taye's my boyfriend...well, my soon to be ex-boyfriend." she replied.

He then asked me, "And you happen to be affiliated with Liberty, as well?"

I nodded, 'I work as a bouncer for Club Moonrise.'

"Hmmm...an enforcer, huh?" he said, cupping his chin in deep thought. "This is obviously the first time I've ever met someone like you, but..."

I looked a bit concerned as he left out a deep breath, before he finally said, "Actually, let's just pick up where we left off in this conversation. Lala, you're free to go."

Lala smiled, before she got up. Just as she headed towards the front doors, Robert walked over to her, and gave her a small kiss on the lips. I didn't see it, nor I couldn't hear it.

Once she was out the door, Robert came back and sat next to me. "Listen, kid. I could use your help in apprehending Taye and putting an end to Liberty and SOL33 once and for all." he told me.

My calmness gave way to hesitancy, as I bite my lower lip. 'I'm not sure. I don't want to betray my friend's trust, like I nearly did.'

"As much as it can risk your friendship with Taye, you need to assist me. Do you understand?" he asked.

I took a deep breath, before I nodded in agreement.

"Allright then; we'll meet tomorrow night, okay?" Robert replied, sporting a small smile. I smiled back, nodding again.

"You can now leave the station." he added.

Getting up, I left the police department, but when I was gone, Robert couldn't help but feel his smile change into a very noticeable frown.

Perhaps...he could have something to do with me?

Who knows...

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So far, we're nearing the final half of the story. Stay tuned!

With love for my fans,

Chrissy