Chapter 4

/Newark, New Jersey/

Nicole was woken up by the ringing of her cell. "Yeah," she asked half asleep.

"Nic, get dressed and meet me outside, now." Tony ordered.

Nicole sat up, "Yeah sure on my way, Ton." She said and than hung up her cell phone.

She walked over to her bedroom and dug through a box that was not fully packed yet. She pulled out a pair of jeans, and a tank top. She quickly got dressed, grabbed her leather jacket and made her way out the door.

She got down to the main doors when Tony showed up with the truck. She jumped in and looked at him. "What's going on?" Nicole asked, with a frown on her face.

He pulled the truck away from the curb and headed to the Bing. "Sam Braun."

Nicole pulled her hair up into a pony tail. "What the fuck does that fucker want?"

"I don't know. He fucking sent Peter."

Nicole took a deep breath. "T. What are we going to do?"

"Go to Vegas, get Paulie back and cap those fuckers."

Nicole smiled. "Best thing I've heard all day."

/Highway - Between New Jersey & Las Vegas, Nevada/

"Mphfgmph!" Paulie yelled, trying to get the ropes undone.

Peter pulled the vehicle over. "C'mon now, Paulie. You honestly thing I'm going to untie you? Or that you'll ever see Nicole again? Use that little head of your's instead of using it just to keep your ears apart."

"Mumph, fmgph!"

"Oh just shut the fuck up, if you want to make it to Vegas." Peter said and turned back on to the highway. To drowned out Paulie he turned the radio up.

Paulie tried again to get out the of the ropes. He wondered how Nicole was taking it. He thought back to when he saw her last. Tony, Sil and himself were running to her, as she got out of Christopher's truck. He heard her yell, and than there was a big explosion. He wasn't even sure if they were even alive. Not knowing was killing him. But however, he heard Peter say that she was. But than how could he believe him?

/Las Vegas, Nevada/

Sam Braun sat down at his desk. He was trying to get over the fact that his daughter was going to be marrying the one guy in this world that he did not like. The one that tried to bring him down multiple times. The one that could just ruin his daughters life, with just a couple simple mistakes in Sam's eyes. Sam would do anything to help his daughter, even though they just do not see eye to eye.

Sam stood up, he had to get ready for this dinner that he was not looking forward to. He had too much to say and too much to hide. He wished that he could get his daughter to understand where he was coming from when it came to the ordeal in New Jersey. But she just would not listen to him. Maybe this time, after the dinner he could explain it all to her.

/Newark, New Jersey/

Nicole looked over at Tony, since they were just pulling up to the Bing. "T. It's just going to be you and me, right? I mean with Chrissy in the fucking hospital, and Paulie..." She paused, it bugged the hell out of her that Paulie was kidnapped. Did he know she was alive, or dead? She didn't even know if he was still alive or dead.

"You and me. Sil has to stay here and look after the work. Nicky, we're going to find Paulie. He will be okay." Tony said, he stopped the truck and parked it. He turned to her and placed a hand on the non-wounded shoulder. He hardly ever called her 'Nicky'. The last time was so far back neither of them could remember. However, he used to call her that, when she got picked on in school and could not take care of it herself, normally because they were one too many grades ahead of her.

She smiled. "Let's go kick some ass. I want Peter for myself."

Tony looked at her and raised an eyebrow. "Kick? Nic, think of your fucked up leg."

She frowned at him. "It's good. I want him for myself T."

"Fine." Tony said and got out of the truck and headed to the Bing.

Nicole jumped out and followed him. She was raring to go and kick Peter's ass. They walked into the Bing and the first person they ran into was Adriana. "Nicole, have you seen Chrissy?" she asked walking up to her.

Tony headed off the the back room leaving her with Adriana. "He's in the hospital Ade."

That statement stalled her. "What? What the fuck happened?"

"Long story. Don't worry, he'll be fine."

"Fuck," Adriana, sighed and walked away.

Nicole raised an eyebrow and headed off to the back room.

Tony just got off the phone when Nicole walked in. "Ticket's are booked. We leave in two hours." He said looking at Nicole.

"Two hours? Fuck can't we leave sooner?" Nicole asked sitting down.

Tony shook his head. "It's the fastest we can fucking leave."

"Okay, I'll go get a few things packed."

/Highway - Between New Jersey and Las Vegas, Nevada/

Paulie stopped struggling with the bindings. He just needed to figure out how to get himself out of this and get a hold of Tony. But it seemed that the more he struggled with the bindings, the tighter they got.

Peter just kept on driving, he was happy that he figured out how to fix his mistake. This was actually going to work out better than he had thought. This way he can kill two birds with one stone for his boss. Before he knew it, smoke started to pour out of the front of the truck. "Fuck!" Peter yelled hitting the steering wheel.

He pulled the truck over and cursed. The next thing he knew flames started to engulf the engine and smoke started to fill the cab. He decided screw Paulie and jumped out.

Paulie could smell smoke and started to panic. Now he had to get out and he could not do a thing to do it. He was bounded and gagged. "Mph! Mmmmmmmmph!" was all he could get out.

/Newark, New Jersey/

Tony picked Nicole up and they started towards the airport. Once they got there, Nicole threw her duffel bag over her shoulder and lit a smoke. Tony looked at her. "I thought you quit those." He commented.

"No, stress." She answered as she took a puff and started to walk with him.

"Sure, that's what you fucking said last time."

"T. you smoke cigars. Leave my smoking the fuck out of it."

/Las Vegas, Nevada/

Catherine was getting Alex ready to go out. The one thing that she had a hard time getting used to was dressing a baby again. It was a challenge in its self. Alex started to cry and fuss as she got his head through the onesy. And now she had to get his tiny little arms through the sleeves. "Alex, c'mon honey, it's okay. You're fine." Catherine said calmly. Jim started laughing. "Oh fine, be that way. If you're that great than you dress him." Catherine smiled.

Jim walked over and smirked. Once he took over, Alex stopped fussing. "Daddy's touch."

Catherine frowned. "Don't rub it in too much, Jimmy."

Just than there was a voice echoing from the front door. "Knock, knock! You guys ready?" Nick asked.

Catherine decided to leave Jim alone with the baby. She walked towards the front entrance. "Well, once Jimmy gets Alex ready, we will be." She said picking up the diaper bag.

"Great, where's your mom?" Andrea asked.

"With Sam of course." Catherine answered, and looked down the hall to see if Jim was coming.

Jim picked up the car seat and started down the hall. "Ready?" He asked his son as he smiled.

"Whaaaa." Alex answered.

Catherine started to laugh as she heard Alex. "Daddy's touch my ass."

"Daddy's touch?" Nick asked.

Jim just made it to the door. "Don't ask." Jim said as he passed Alex over to Catherine. Who than promptly stopped crying.

Catherine smirked, "Mommy's touch."

Catherine, Jim, Nick and Andrea sat down. Alex took his spot between his parents. "Why such a nice dinner, Sam?" Catherine asked.

Sam looked at Catherine, "Can I speak to you alone?" He asked, more ordered.

Catherine sighed and stood up. She followed Sam's lead and headed outside the restaurant. "What is it Sam? You asked us to come to dinner, well we're here."

"I want you to promise me that you will never go to Jersey again." Sam said.

Catherine threw her hands up in the air. "Fuck, Sam! Give it up. Stop with the New Jersey bullshit."

"Muggs, please. I can only do so much to protect you."

"Protect me? Protect me, Sam? Where were you when the Soprano's tried to kill us? You're so full of shit, Sam, your eyes are brown." She said than tried to storm away.

Sam grabbed her arm. "Muggs, I did the best I could. It is being taken care of and you don't have to worry about them."

Catherine pulled her arm out of his grip. "Being taken care of?" She asked frowning. "What is that supposed to me?"

Sam shook his head. "Don't worry about it. Just know that myself and others will keep you safe. Now let's go back in." Sam answered and held his arm out for her to grab and escort her back to the table.

/Highway - Between New Jersey and Las Vegas, Nevada/

The front of the SUV was now fully engulfed in flames. A passerby in another truck saw the flames and pulled over to the side of the road.

Peter was watching from the wooded area near by and cursed under his breath. "Fuck! What the fuck did that truck stop for?"

A woman, about twenty-eight, jumped out of the truck and grabbed the fire extinguisher that she kept in the back. She started to spray the fire, when she heard banging coming from inside the truck.

"What the fuck?" she cursed and tried to get a good look inside. She couldn't see because of all the smoke.

She opened the back door and heard a muffled cry. "Mmhpgphpphmh!"

"Holy shit!" she yelled as some of the smoke cleared and she caught sight of Paulie tied up in the back seat.

She was about to pull him out when she heard a voice. "Hey, get the fuck away from there." he said.

The woman spun around at the sound of the voice. "Who's there?"

"Get away from the truck." Peter said again but still kept himself in the shadows.

"Are you insane? I'm getting this man out of there." the woman said, and looked at Paulie again.

"I didn't expect anyone to stop." Peter said, walking out further this time but still keeping himself somewhat hidden.

The woman shook her head. "There's a truck on fire on the side of the road and you didn't expect anyone to stop?"

"Mphgmghpgm!" Paulie cried out again.

The woman glanced back at Peter and then grabbed Paulie and pulled him out of the truck. When she dropped him on the ground she looked into one of the faces she never thought she'd see again.

"What the fuck! Paulie Walnuts?" she yelled.

Paulie's eyes went wide when he heard her say his name. How the hell did this woman know him? On the other hand, maybe she was his ticket out of this mess.

As this thought passed through Paulie's mind, the woman slapped him across the face. "You lousy, son of a bitch!"

Peter smirked at the woman. He liked her already. He made his way over to the pair, when he got a good look at her for the first time and almost had a heart attack at the sight. "L-L-L-Lucy?" he stuttered.

Lucy turned around at the sound of her name and looked right into Peter's eyes. She never thought she'd ever see him again. As a matter of fact, she actually thought he was dead. "Oh my God! Peter!" she cried out and threw her arms around his neck. "I thought you were dead!"

Peter wrapped his arms around her. It felt good to hold her again. But old feelings of the anger he felt when she disappeared were still there. "I thought you ran off with someone else."

Lucy pulled back and looked at Peter questioningly. "Why would think that?"

"Lucy, you disappeared five years ago, without a word and I never heard from you again."

Tears came to Lucy's eyes and she looked at Paulie laying on the ground. She walked over to him and kicked him in the stomach. "You stupid fuck! You and Tony ruined my life!" she screamed and kicked Paulie again.

Peter grabbed her and pulled her away from Paulie. "Hey, hey, take it easy. What the hell are you talking about?" Lucy was crying now and sunk down onto the ground. Peter knelt down beside her. "Lucy, what happened? What did they do to you?"

Lucy wiped some of the tears from her eyes and looked up at Peter. "Tony... Tony... he, he..."

Peter sat next to Lucy and put his arms around her. "What did he do, baby?"

When she heard Peter call her baby, she started to cry again. She never thought she'd ever hear him say that to her again and now here he was holding her.

Peter was getting furious with the thought that Tony might have hurt her. "Did he hurt you?"

Lucy nodded and turned her head away from Peter. "It was when I was working at the Bing. I was working in the back room at one of their parties, when Tony pulled me into the closet they have there. He wanted me... wanted me to..." Lucy couldn't finished the sentence.

"It's okay, honey. You don't have to say it." Peter replied. He knew what Tony wanted her do.

"I didn't want to and when I refused he started hitting me. I told him that once you found out what he did, he'd be sorry. Tony just laughed and said that he didn't didn't have to worry about you because they had already taken care of you. I couldn't believe what he was saying. I left Jersey the next day. I couldn't stay there. Not if you were gone."

Peter couldn't believe what he was hearing. He had been furious with her all these years because he thought she had run off with some other guy. At least that was the story that Tony and Paulie had fed him. And he believed it.

"They told me you ran off with some guy who was a regular at the club and I never questioned it. I just thought you got tired of me and wanted someone new. Someone younger."

Lucy looked at Peter like he was crazy. "I never wanted anyone else, Peter. I thought you were dead. At least that's the way Tony made it seem. And now, I just can't believe you're actually here."

"Ditto." Peter said and pulled Lucy in for a kiss.

Just before their lips touched they heard a car pull up. Peter jumped up and intercepted the man as he got out of his car. "You folks okay?"

"We're fine." Peter said, trying to obscure the man's view so he wouldn't see Paulie tied up on the ground. "Just a little car trouble."

"Maybe I can help."

"No, that's okay. We can handle it. But thank you."

"Sure thing." the man said, got back in his car and drove off.

Peter turned back to Lucy. Then he remembered Paulie on the ground and walked over to him. He grabbed him and pulled up. Leaning him against the smoldering car. "You and Tony are fucking dead! You hear me!"

Lucy placed her hand on Peter's shoulder. "Where were you taking him?"

"Vegas. I got someone there waiting for him."

"Well, you'll never make it there in your truck. Put him in mine and let's hit the road."

"You wanna come to Vegas with me?" Peter asked and smirked.

"Don't get all cocky there, Mr. Brass. I was heading out there anyway."

Peter chuckled and put Paulie in the back of the truck. "Alright, then Lucy. Let's get this show on the road."

Lucy jumped behind the wheel of her truck, as Peter hopped into the passenger's seat. She started the engine and tore off down the highway, leaving Peter's smoldering truck, abandoned on the side of the road.

/Newark, New Jersey/

The plane had just taken off to Las Vegas, Nevada. Nicole leaned back in the chair next to Tony who had a window seat. She gave a big sigh. She still couldn't believe it. She had no clue whether Paulie was alive, what Sam Braun was up to and why he sent Peter. "T. any reason you can tell me why Sam sent Peter?" She asked quietly.

"I don't know. Maybe something to do with the girl who came over eight months ago. The one you brought to us."

"Fuck... don't tell me his daughter."

"Yeah, his daughter. Get some sleep, Nic. You need it."

Nicole shook her head. Tony covered her up with his blanket he had with him and made sure that she was as comfortable as she could be on the plane. Tony never understood why Nicole wanted to be part of the crew, but he knew that she was the one that he could count on no matter what. She always had been. She was willing to do what ever it took to be part of the crew and to always be close to were more like brother and sister than cousins.

Tony never understood either why she went out with Ralphie, and never approved of it. But one thing he did approve of with her relationships was the one with Paulie. He knew that Paulie would take care of her, and was good for her. He had always been protective of Nicole, even when he knew he pushed it a little too much and got her temper directed at him. Which was a good thing, but not when it was at him.

He looked over at Nicole and smiled, she was a true Soprano. Her eyes were finally closed and she had fallen asleep.

Tony sat there looking out the window trying to decide where they should look first for Paulie. He knew that Nicole wanted to go after Peter and Tony sure as hell was going to go after Sam. And if they ran into Catherine, Jim, Andrea and Nick. They too would go six feet under. Tony was pissed off.

/Las Vegas, Nevada/

After Catherine and Sam came back to the table, Jim noticed a grim look on Catherine's face. When she sat down beside him he leaned over and whispered into her ear. "You okay?"

Catherine shook her head. "No, but we'll talk later, okay? Now is not the time. Let's just get through this dinner."

Sam looked around the table and noticed someone was missing. "Where's Lindsey?" he asked.

"She's away on a school trip to the Grand Canyon this week." Lily replied. "She'll be back next week, in time for the wedding."

Sam still did not like the idea of Catherine marrying Jim but he knew there was nothing he could do to stop it. He nodded and picked up his menu. "Shall we order?"

/Highway – Between New Jersey and Las Vegas, Nevada/

Lucy was speeding down the highway at well over 80 mph. Peter looked over at her and couldn't believe she was actually there with him. And what he, well they, had missed out on because of Tony, Paulie and all their bullshit.

Then he pulled out his cell phone and hit number 1 on his speed dial. It took five or six rings before the person answered. "This better be important." the voice said.

"I had a little car trouble." Peter replied.

"What do you mean? You better still be getting your ass to Vegas."

"Don't worry. I ran into an old friend." Peter said and smiled at Lucy. "She's driving us the rest of the way."

"You idiot! I told you not to involve any outsiders." the voice snapped angrily.

"Take it easy. It's okay, really. She's got some scores to settle with The Soprano crew herself. Trust me, we're good."

"We better be. I don't want this fucked up."

"It won't be. I'll call you when we get into Vegas."

"I'll be waiting." the voice said and hung up.

Peter shut his phone and put it back in his pocket. Lucy looked over at Peter curiously. "So, who's this guy you're meeting in Vegas?"

"Just someone with his own score to settle."

"Well, it seems the Soprano's have a lot of enemies. But with they treat people it doesn't shock me."

Peter looked at Lucy and reached out for her hand. "Hey, I'll make Tony pay for what he did to you. I promise."

Lucy smiled at Peter. She had always felt safe with him. "We'll make him pay. I want a piece of that fucker for myself."

TBC...