Ch 8: Love and hate?

Ray and Rebecca had been in her kitchen, making out as he set her up on the counter. She was moaning loving the taste of Ray's lips on hers. Just as he was going further they heard shouting just outside her door.

"Ray and Rebecca let me in! Open up, I need to talk to you!" Carrick shouted.

They broke their kiss to see what he wanted. Ray opened the door to Carrick who looked at them both.

XXXXXXX

On the yacht, Christian and Ana were getting pretty tossed around from the storm. He looked on the compass and saw that they were staying on course so far. However the wind was really picking up.

"How are we doing so far?" Ana asked.

"Um...we're okay. Its getting a lot rougher than I thought it would be. But we're okay." Christian told her. Though he himself, wasn't expecting it to get this bad.

If I had known it was going to be this bad, I would have gone another direction. But there is nothing I can do about it now. I just want to keep my wife safe.

"I'm going to make a call to the coast guard to let them know we're out here," he told her.

"Is it that bad?"

"I just wanted to be on the safe side. Don't worry," he told her as he got on the radio and tried to get their attention. "Myrtle Beach coast guard, this is The Grace, please come in?" he asked. No one answered the call as he tried it again, only the two of them got knocked down to the floor when the wind rocked the boat hard and lightening stuck.

"Ana, are you okay?" he asked checking her."

"Yeah, I'm okay. Wow, that was hard!" Ana told her husband. He helped her up as he went to check on the engines to make sure they were still going. "Are we still on course?" she asked.

Christian looked at her saying, "I'm afraid not, honey. But don't worry, I will radio them one more time." He tried calling them again, but, it was no use. The radio stopped working. "They won't be answering us, the radio stopped working."

"What are we going to do now?" she asked, now getting really worried. "We don't have a gps, a radio. No one will know where we are."

He grabbed her hand as he looked in her eyes. "I know you're scared baby. I promise you, I will get us out of this. Our engines are still going, we're okay."

Ana looked back at her husband. "Promise me we will make it out of this."

"We have a lifetime together, Ana. But, I'm going to activate the emergency locator beams, so that they can pick up our signal."

"What will that do?"

"It will send out a signal to the coast guard, it's like gps, only on a boat." he told her. He also explained as long as they stay on the course now, help would be on the way. He got them both life jackets so that way in case if the boat tipped over, they wouldn't drown.

XXXXXXXX

Grace and Ethan were sitting in the living room. He wanted to know what happened between Christian and Carrick that made them bond the way they did. Carrick had enlisted for Christian to come back to the company.

He wanted to take some time off, and he knew Christian wanted it more than anything in the world. So Carrick "retired" and gave the reins over to Christian. Yes, they still had their disagreements and such, but the two finally came to an understanding.

"As you can see, Ethan, your father grew closer to Christian."

"It looks like it."

"But at what price? It's always been a tug of war between those two. Christian knew in his heart that you were the first and Christian always felt second best to you, because Carrick chose you over him."

He looked back at his Aunt. "Is that the reason, Christian wasn't happy to see me at the reception? Because he felt like he was second choice with dad? Because, I never asked for that title."

"I know you didn't. You know how your father was. He always had to have the power to dominate over others, and that includes his children. But as far as Christian's attitude towards you, I'm not sure. You'd have to ask him."

"Well, it certainly worked out for he and Christian," Ethan told her.

"Yes it did. Carrick even shelled out ten million dollars to save his life."

"Ten million?" Ethan asked, whistling. "Wow! That's a lot of money."

"Yes. That's all about he had personally. But he gave it all up for his son." Grace told him.

"When did this happen?"

"When Christian got imprisoned by Jose Rodriguez. He had kidnapped Ana and Christian went after him to save her. But your dad and Ray teamed up together to save both of them. That's why it's important that this feud between Ray and Carrick needs to stop. They both could have lost both of their children to that sociopath."

"I heard about that. Junior explained it. But what I don't understand is how it got so messed up. I know that Ana had dated Jose and he had raped her. But what I don't understand is how dad got so involved with it." Ethan replied, trying to understand.

Grace looked back at her nephew. "You didn't know that Carrick was the one who helped Jose in the beginning?"

"What?" Ethan asked shocked. "No way!"

"Yes, it caused a terrible rift between them. They didn't talk for months. In fact it wasn't until the wedding that they really started to bond again."

"But how?"

"I don't know exactly, but from what I know, is that Jose went to your dad telling him that Christian was running the company into the ground, which he wasn't. Jose was very jealous of him. Carrick hired Jose to make the numbers look bad when Christian went up against the board. It was quite an ordeal."

"So what you're saying, dad set up Christian to make him look bad? But why? If those two were getting along so well…"

"Its that love and hate relationship. You know your father hates giving up the reigns for very long time. He told me it was because he wanted Christian to need him again. Carrick claimed that Christian shut him out when he became president."

"Now that does sound like father. Wow! So all of this is to basically make up to Christian for all the wrong he did."

"Exactly. Only I don't know how Christian is going to forgive him him this time, especially Ray being his father-in-law."

XXXXXXXX

Carrick was at Rebecca's place, he interrupted their romantic time together. They both looked at him wondering why he was there.

"Have you two heard from Christian or Ana?" Carrick asked.

"No. Those two should be enjoying each other on their honeymoon." Ray answered.

"Are you scared that he will find out what you've been up to?" Rebecca asked back angrily. "I bet you're afraid what will happen when they get back and find out what a lying creep you are!"

"Fine. I admit it okay. But, that's not the reason I'm here."

"What's going on?" Ray asked.

"I have reason to believe that Ana and Christian have been caught up in some bad weather."

"Why are you saying reason to believe. Are they in trouble or not?" Rebecca asked.

"I don't know for certain. Look, they were cruising the Carolinas and there is a bad storm brewing and unless they changed their course they were heading right for it."

"Have you called?" Ray asked.

"I've called the coast guard and they haven't heard anything," Carrick told them.

"They should be fine then," Ray said to him.

"I hope so, I really do."

"But isn't Christian familiar with what to do in this situation?"

"Yes he does. I'm just worried. Look, I won't take anymore of your time. But if you do hear from them…"

"We will call you," Ray said.

Carrick left and Ray turned to his wife. "I haven't seen him like this since the whole Jose situation. He's really worried."

"What should we do?"

"I think we need to go there until we hear something," He explained. They both went to change clothes so they could head to the Greys.

XXXXXXX

Carrick arrived back at the house, joining Grace and Ethan as they awaited word on Christian and Ana. The phone rang as Carrick raced to answer it. He talked for a moment and thanked them for calling. He turned facing his sister and son. They saw the look of worry on his face.

"What's going on?" Grace asked.

"The coast guard picked up a signal, a distress call. But they can't tell who it is. As soon as they find out they will let us know. Other than that they couldn't tell me anything else."

"Dad, I'm sure they are fine. The radio could have just went out and they did that as a precaution."

"I hope you're right son," Carrick said, his voice cracking.

The doorbell rang alerting they had a guest. The maid told them it was the Steeles. Carrick allowed them to be shown in. They all looked back at each other.

"Have you heard anything yet?" Ray asked, holding his wife's hand.

"I got a call a little while ago. The coast guard got a distress signal, but they don't know if its Ana and Christian. We just have to wait it out."

Another hour went by as the Greys and the Steeles were waiting on word about their kids. Carrick's phone beeped at him. He looked at his message and the look on his face was not good.

Ray stood there looking at Carrick. "What's wrong, Carrick? What is it?" Ray asked. Carrick just stared back at him. "Damn it tell me what's going on!" he yelled.

"They lost the signal," He explained.

"Who? The coast guard?"

"Yes. They were getting a signal from a boat and now they aren't."

"So then they're okay, right?"

"I wish I could tell you for certain but I can't. They're in trouble." Carrick told them all.

XXXXXXX

Back on the yacht, the engines stopped working. Christian knew at that point things were getting serious as he knew water was getting on the boat. He needed to get down below and see what he could so about getting the engines working again. He told Ana to keep stirring as he goes to check.

"No, Christian. You can't go out there, it's too dangerous!" Ana yelled to him.

"I have to sweetie. I need to get down below and see what's going on. I need you to keep us on the path as much as possible."

"But…"

He grabbed the back of her head as he looked in her eyes. "If we work together on this, we can and will survive this. You have to trust me on this. I'll be fine."

He gave her a long kiss, it was desperate, Ana knew he was very worried at this point. He pulled away telling her, "Now please stay here and steer the boat. I'll be back."

"I need another kiss," she told him as she brought his lips to hers. "I love you, Christian."

"I love you too," he told her as he left the cabin and went down below.

XXXXXXXX

Back at the Grey mansion, they were waiting on word about the newlyweds. Mandy offered to get her father some food as she sure he was hungry. But he told her he couldn't eat anything until he knew for sure they'd be okay. She offered Ray something as he let her know he didn't take their handouts.

Ethan went to his dad and asked, "Are you sure that Christian can handle the boat himself?"

"I told you son, he knows that boat like the back of his hand. He didn't want to be dependant on crew so he got his certificate."

"Dad, you and I both know a certificate doesn't mean squat here on land. If he hadn't taken the boat out to sea before, it could be dangerous, even for him."

"What are you trying to say?" Carrick asked, not liking where this line of questioning was going.

"I'm saying there is a difference between calm seas in the harbour and being out in the middle of the ocean."

"You know what Ethan, you have no idea what your brother is capable of," he gritted out.

"I'm not trying to say anything bad about him. Just being realistic."

"I will have you to know Christian isn't anything like he wasn't over five years ago. He's changed. When he wants something, he fights harder for it, I should know."

XXXXXXX

While Ana was doing her best to keep the yacht steady, the wind and the waves of water were gushing up against the yacht. She had no idea what was taking Christian so long. Even though it had only been a few minutes, it seemed longer.

He was trying to get the water removed from the scuffer system. However, the pump had stopped working. He was trying to fix it but the boat was rocking way too much. He dropped a tool in the basin of the water and bent down trying to retrieve it. Only a big metal looking pump came loose from the wall, falling causing Christian to fall into the water!

Ana was in the cabin getting worried about Christian. She tied something to the wheel to keep it on course. She went down below to go check on him in the engine room. When she got to the door, she opened it calling for him.

She went inside and didn't see him. She was about to leave when she looked down and saw him under the water inside the basin.

"Christian!" she yelled as she bent down to pull him up. He choked out some water as she lifted him. ""Oh thank god you're alright!" she cried out.

XXXXXX

The Steeles and the Greys were all waiting on word to hear from the couple. Rebecca had slipped off to use the bathroom only she went into Carrick's study to see if she could find anything on him. She came across some plans, and it looked like it was about the neighborhood. She looked at them carefully as she whispered, "That lying snake!"

"What are you doing in here?" Mandy questioned Rebecca. "Get out of here now!" she shouted as Rebecca.

"I know, Mandy. I already know about your sick plans!"

The two women left the study as they continued to argue. The rest of them were waiting in the living room when they heard the commotion. Rebecca told Ray she saw the plans and everything that Carrick told them about "saving" the neighborhood was a lie.

"So it's true then. You do plan to do away with everything we all know and love in our neighborhood," Ray accused Carrick.

"For god's sakes, can't you two thinking about anything else but that project right now?"

"Carrick," Rebecca said to him. "Please don't do this. There is still time to pull out. You don't have to go through with this. I know you. We spent time in that religious community and I know your heart can't be that cold. Please...you have got to pull out of this before you destroy what is left of your family," she pleaded with him.

Carrick looked back at Rebecca. "It's too late. It's a done deal."

"No! It can't be. Please...I know you did this because I hurt you. But think about this. All those people will lose their homes, their livelihoods. You can't do this to them."

"Don't tell me what I can or cannot do!" He shouted back at her. "You did this Rebecca. You!" Carrick growled out to her.

Grace stood up in between them and shouted, "Stop this all of you! Stop this madness now. Both your children are out there fighting for their lives! Is that what they have to look forward to? All this fighting," she told them.

XXXXXXX

Ana found Christian in the basin water down below. She noticed the pump came loose and fell on top of him trapping his body under it where he couldn't move. Ana tried to move it but it was no use.

He told her to try and pump the water out manually as there was a handle on the wall she could move up and down. She went to it gripping it with her hand as she moved up as fast as she could.

At first she was doing good, but she was getting tired. She fell backwards and Christian also fell back into the water. She got up, and pulled him back up.

"It's no use, Ana. I'm stuck. You have to go back up and leave me here," he shouted to her.

"No! I'm not leaving you down here to drown. Do you hear me?"

He told her that she needed to go back into the wheelhouse to see if they could get a signal. Ana didn't want to leave him alone. But he insisted she go back and see if they could get a signal. She promised she would be back as she left him.

Christian was left alone. "Please God, please just keep my wife safe. I love her more than anything in this world. She's been through too much to die now. Please...just keep her safe." His hands were getting tired and they were wet. They slipped from the sides as he fell back into the water. "I love you, Ana!" he shouted just as his head went under water.

XXXXXXX

Back at the Greys, Rebecca was begging Carrick to end this war between their families. She was tired of this fighting and wanted to end it for their children's sake.

"Carrick, please...I'm sorry for breaking your heart. But I know now marrying Ray was the right choice for me. We belong together. But we need to stop this fighting for your children and their children. Let go of the hurt and let something meaningful to take its place," Rebecca begged crying, allowing the tears to slip on her cheeks.

Grace, Ethan and Mandy watched as Carrick just stared down at Rebecca. He looked back down at her, his face contorted. He had enough of this drama fest. He left the room, leaving everyone stunned.

XXXXXXXX

Ana had went back to the wheelhouse but it was impossible to get a signal. So she went back to the engine room and saw that the door had closed. She tried opening it but it was stuck. Ana had this overwhelming feeling that she had to get to Christian. She prayed to god quickly, and tried the door again and it finally opened.

She went to her husband who had been in the water for sometime now. When she pulled him up he choked out more water just as he gasped for air.

"Thank God you're okay!" She held onto her husband as she began to beg God and Nadine to help her again. "Nadine, please help us! We're running out of time here. We really need help!"

And tried again to pry Christian from out underneath the pump that had fallen on him, but it wasn't budging. It caused her to fall backward into the water as Christian's head fell back into the water as well.

She was able to get her balance finally and got her husband backup. However; with all the water he had taken in, he passed out.

"Oh please god no! Christian, you have to wake up!" Ana yelled to him as his lifeless body lay in her arms.

A/N: Okay so tell me what you are thinking? There are pics posted in my group.