I do not own Spy Kids.

WARNING: VIOLENCE WITH SEXUAL INTENT LATER IN THE CHAPTER. BE WARNED.

Chapter Ten:

Rescue!

Carlos knew someone had sent a message for help. He believed Carmen had no part in it (for how could she when she's very clearly madly in love with him) but it didn't stop him from being angry. He was so close to the throne! The only thing keeping him from executing his plans directly was the fact that Parliament had yet to be called. His father was so dastardly slow! You would imagine that the government of a wealthy, beautiful nation would not cease working even though the king's eldest son was missing and presumed kidnapped. He couldn't wait much longer. Parliament had to be in session or else nothing would happen and his step mother would win. He couldn't bear it if that witch won!

So, Carlos was angry. He knew Carmen could sense something was wrong though she had no idea what it was. He'd like to keep it that way, but it was becoming increasingly harder to keep it from her. So he withdrew a little bit and kept to himself more often, only seeing her at dinner where they spoke of the most trivial and mundane of subjects.

Carlos was constantly at war with himself, which did not help his temper at all. He couldn't throw Gary and his sister into prison, for then Carmen would become suspicious and would begin to ask questions. To be honest, she was already inquiring if his health was okay and if he was feeling well. He fended her questions off but he saw the look in her eyes; that look of disbelief and concern. How good Carmen was to worry for him. A dutiful wife she would surely make, and a beautiful queen.

But on the other hand, if he waited too long, the OSS could arrive and potentially ruin everything. They'd let the witch win, and Gary would kiss Carmen and they would sail off to their own little happy ending. He couldn't allow that! Carmen was his, and the throne of Monaco was his by rights as well! Nothing would get in the way of that, he would make sure of it.

He just needed to give Parliament a little push that would ensure they started soon. But how to make such a subtle push without endangering his plans….

It had been less than a month since they encountered Carlos and learned of his deranged plan to take over the Kingdom of Monaco. But to Carmen, it felt like months. She had been playing the part of a young woman madly in love for the first time and it was getting more wearisome each day. Her nerves were fraying, and if anyone watched her closely enough, they could see how close she was to snapping. Her only solace was in what snatched conversations she had with Juni and Gerti. And neither could whisper more than a "we know the message was received, don't worry, it won't be much longer!" But Carmen did worry. She could only claim illness so much before Carlos suspected something, and she sensed that he knew something, though she wasn't sure what.

His responses had become slightly cool and off kilter, and he no longer sent her little notes throughout the day. Something was wrong. But she didn't know what. And it worried her even more to be left in the dark. What would he do if he found out she was acting? Her brief glimpse of his temper showed how unstable and erratic his mental state really was. She had no wish to learn more.

Carmen was frightened. And she feared she had just cause to feel so. Carlos was unstable and though she played the loving fiancé well enough, she could not keep it up much longer.

She was lying on her bed reading when someone knocked on her door. With Carlos' keeping to himself, her days were filled with little else but books. Soon she would be out of books to read, for the small library on board featured less than twenty books. But the pastime occupied her mind and kept her from thinking of what could happen.

"Come in!" she called as she straightened up and adjusted the pillows behind her.

A familiar, but unexpected figure entered the room.

"Gary!" the shock was unfeigned, as she was not expecting to interact with him until they were rescued.

"Carmen," he said softly. "I just had to see how you were doing." There was deep anguish in his voice and Carmen could feel it vibrating in her chest.

"I am well," she said stiffly, aware that they had to keep up the pretense. "And you?"

"I am as well as can be expected. Bored out of my mind, but that's nothing new. There's not much to do on a runaway ship, is there? Except get in the way and avoid any suspicion."

Carmen's mouth twitched. "There's a small library that you are welcome to look at. It's not much, but it's been keeping me busy," she said as she gestured to the small pile of books at the foot of her bed.

"I think I'm good. I've had enough reading in school to last me a lifetime," he added wryly.

"Indeed. Well, I am glad to see you are okay. Now if you don't mind, I'll get back to my book, please." She couldn't bear to be in the same room with him. She was on the verge of letting everything out; all she wanted to do was sob in his arms. But that would ruin the cover and Carlos would know everything had been an act. She needed him gone before he ruined everything.

"Carmen, look, I'm worried for you. This guy, Carlos, whatever he's done to you….it's not healthy. You can't fall in love with someone that quickly. It's not possible!" Gary burst out. He wanted to stay. And he knew Carmen had the right idea about keeping up appearances, but he had to be near her. Just standing this close to her was enough to make him break, but he wouldn't. He couldn't.

She shot him a look of pure hatred, so intense that he wondered if there was some truth to it. "Get. Out."

Gary hesitated just for a moment before he fled. Things must be so bad for her that she could summon such energy and emotion in one look. He had to get her out. Even if that meant acting without the OSS.

Carlos knocked on Carmen's door. He didn't see the interaction between Carmen and Gary while it was live, but security had rewound the footage so he could watch it. He had laughed gleefully, for he saw the look of absolute hatred in Carmen's face before Gary ran. It was priceless. He had them freeze that moment and print it for him.

He reminded himself what his plan was for the evening. Tonight, he would ensure there would be no mistakes. And by tomorrow night, he would be in his home palace with Carmen and the Giggles would be gone.

The door opened and he smiled. "You look beautiful, my dear."

"Thank you," she said softly, her eyes looking straight into his. Such trust, he thought. Carmen made to move and close the door behind her but he stopped her. "Wait a moment. May I come in?" She hesitated, he saw. He hadn't been into her room since that day, when he had alternated between jealous boyfriend and adoring lover. She nodded, a little wary. She obviously remembered the last time he had entered her bedroom.

"Is something the matter?"

"No, I just….Carmen. You love me, right?"

She looked confused, but answered willingly. "Of course, Carlos. You know I do. Are you sure nothing's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong. I love you. Carmen – I…..I have something I want to ask you."

"Oh?"

What could he mean? Carmen remembered the scene from a couple days ago and she didn't want this to be a repeat.

"Carmen. I love you. So much. I would die for you. And, well, I know you feel the same way. We're almost to Monaco. We'll be there by dawn. Parliament has been summoned. My general has already set things in motion. We'll be in the palace by tomorrow." The words came out fast and hurried. He tried to calm himself, but it was true, he was nervous.

"Oh, how wonderful!" No one could know that her hopes had just been crushed with the way she smiled and fluttered her eyelashes. She leaned forward and kissed him and he responded with his usual ardor before he pulled back and looked at her seriously.

"What is it?" They were supposed to have more time, she thought desperately. Mom, dad, where are you? Her soul cried out to her parents, hoping that they would burst in and rescue her like they had done in the past.

Carlos reached into his pocket and pulled a small velvet box from his pocket. And then he knelt and held it out towards her. Carmen stepped back, in part because he was so close and in part because she wasn't sure she believed what she was seeing.

"Carmen. My love. Will you marry me?" He opened the box and inside was a simple diamond ring. Elegant in its setting, small but not enough to disappear on the hand that wore it, and beautifully polished.

Her mouth opened and closed. She was unable to speak. She couldn't believe his was happening.

"I know it's soon, Carmen. But tomorrow, well. Tomorrow there might be some disagreements. I will have a guard about me and no one would dare harm me as Crown Prince, but bullets can stray and even the best laid plans can go awry. That being said, I wish to go into this battle, whether it be words or legitimate fighting, knowing that when I arrive at the palace, my beautiful wife will be waiting to welcome me."

Carmen knew she should say something. Anything to stall, but her mind was still in shock. "I…." She tried to gather her thoughts. "Carlos…I….I love you. You know I do. And I would give you my life, as you've already said. But….Carlos, I'm only seventeen. I haven't thought of marriage yet. I'm still working on figuring out where I want to go for college. This….I'm honored that you think I would make a worthy princess but – " she suddenly found a way out. "But I couldn't allow you to marry me when I'm not worthy." Her voice grew in strength as she looked into his eyes but faltered when she saw them harden just a fraction.

"Let me….let me explain. These past few weeks have been so wonderful. I've learned so much of the world and you gave me an opportunity to experience something I thought I never would. The sunset dinners and the beautiful things you've given me….I've felt like a princess. But….I'm still a young. And….not only that, but I want my parents to be with me when I marry. I want what every girl wants: a beautiful white dress and the arm of her father walking her down the aisle in a white church. And while I'm sure you mean the best but I….I need my daddy with me when I wed. And my mother and my grandparents." She paused to take a breath. "Surely you can understand that?"

Carlos stared at her. Carmen had hoped this was a way out without damaging her or her family but now she wasn't sure. He closed the box and shut his eyes. His expression worried her. He stood up and turned away from her.

"Carlos?" she asked tentatively.

"I see." His shoulders straightened back and he looked straight at the wall, talking a couple steps away from her. Then he abruptly turned around again. He was angry.

And Carmen was truly frightened.

"I see it all now." His shoulders were tense and he advanced slowly towards her, his eyes narrowing in anger. "You've led me on." Carmen shook her head as she backed away slowly. "No, of-of course not, Carlos. I wouldn't say these things if I didn't love you. I….Carlos, truly, I haven't. I – " He interrupted her.

"You led me on. You lied to me. You still love him, don't you? That's what this is about! Gary Giggles! This has nothing to do with wanting your parents with you on your wedding day! This is all about him."

Carmen kept backing away until she hit the wall behind her. She tried to duck under his arm and get past him but he was too quick and he threw her against the wall. She groaned in pain but he took no notice.

"I see everything. You slut! You were probably meeting with him in secret where I couldn't watch you! I bet you had found a closet somewhere and you two were probably getting it on while I worked towards providing you a future! A beautiful future full of wealth and love! How can you choose HIM over that?" He was yelling now, his face only inches from hers.

Carlos had always had a jealousy problem. It was the reason why most women stayed away from him. Carmen was his hope, his salvation from being shunned by the women of the court. That potion was the answer to everything! But that witch had lied to him about it. They all had probably lied to him!

Carmen was frightened. His hands gripped her shoulders painfully and she was aware that his breathing was coming out faster. Whether it was from anger or lust, she didn't know but she didn't want to find out either.

"Carlos, you're hurting me. Please. Let go." She tried to wiggle out of his grasp but he was too strong. "Please. Carlos, ow, you can't – "

"I CAN'T WHAT?" He was in a rage and nothing would have stopped him from what he wanted to do. He grabbed a fistful of her hair and jerked her head to look at him before smashing his mouth against hers.

Carmen was in shock. She had heard of rape before and several OSS cases had involved a couple victims of such a violent act but she had never thought it would happen to her. She couldn't fight him. All her skills had fled and she was left weakened in her fright. He pulled back suddenly and with his hand still entangled in her hair dragged her to the bed and threw her towards it. Her arm hit the bedside table, the shock and her fear rendering it useless. Her other hand grappled for a book to throw at him but she had piled them on the desk across the room earlier.

Carlos struggled with his pants but was finally able to free himself as stared down at her. Her hair was a mess, her dress wrinkled and there were bruises forming on her shoulders. He was vaguely aware that those were his fault but it was her eyes that spoke to him the most. They were wide and he saw pure terror in them.

She saw him hesitate, unsure of what he was thinking. He still looked angry but suddenly he made up his mind and he launched himself on top of her. Carmen screamed.

. . .

No one wanted to disturb the prince but the matter was too urgent. A ship had been spotted on the radar and it was gaining on them. They were preparing to shoot back at them before they received a call from the ship itself. The captain agreed to stop and to allow a party to board, if only to stall for time but when he paged Carlos over the intercom, there was no response. By the time he thought to check the cameras, it was too late.

. . .

Gary saw the ship approach from the parlor window. He had been staring at the ceiling when he saw something grey out of the corner of his eye. He watched with wide eyes as he saw a large ship pull up beside the yacht. The name on the side said "OSS – The Lady Rose." He gave a loud whoop before jumping up to go search for his sister and Juni.

. . .

Gerti was in the study, leafing through a book when Gary burst in. One look at his face told her everything. "Juni!" She called. They heard a flush and Juni came out of the restroom. He saw their grins and titled his head before understanding dawned on him. And he grinned too.

. . .

Gregorio and Ingrid had agonized over the disappearance of their children. They had contacted the Monacan government, but they had no new of their children or of the crown prince. Now things were getting more confusing, especially as they learned more of the prince's nature. Gregorio had puzzled over the possibility of foul play from the Giggles, but he doubted it. He was only sure when a visit to their father in his current quarters told them he had had no contact with them since he began his sentence.

Ingrid, of course, was a vision of strength. But as the days turned into weeks and no word had been received, even her nerves began to fray. Her daughter was missing (and of course being an attractive young lady, Ingrid worried even more) and there was no news of her baby Juni either (he might be 14 but he was still her baby).

Finally they received a coded message from a yacht floating somewhere in the Atlantic. It was distressingly vague but it was enough to tell them their children needed them.

"We. Help. Need. Help. You. Help. J.C.&G.G. Help."

. . .

Juni may have been going on 15 years old, but he was not ashamed to let the tears fall. He had never been happier to see his mother and father step off the plank and run towards him.

"We have worried so! What happened?! We lost your ship and there was no distress signal sent out!" His mother was crying and hugging him repeatedly. Even his father had tears in his eyes as he hugged them close. But Gregorio was looking around, noting the lack of security and the guilty-looking seamen. But, though that didn't register right, something else was wrong.

"Juni. Where's your sister?"

Juni stepped out of his mother's embrace and looked at his father seriously. "She's in trouble."

. . .

They heard the screams before they had even reached the door. They all broke into a run and when they tried to open it, they found it was locked. Gary particularly struggled with the doorknob before Gregorio gently pushed him aside. He took out a handgun and let loose a couple rounds before the door burst open.

. . .

Carlos was in a fury. He heard the pounding on the door but it didn't register. He just knew he needed to show Carmen his love for her but she wouldn't listen. She kicked at him and screamed while tears rolled down her face. He had everything planned. The chapel was all ready, he even had a wedding gown set aside for her to wear. They would marry tonight and spend the night together and tomorrow he could show her to the his country as the woman he had chosen for their queen. So what went wrong? WHAT IN THE WORLD WENT WRONG?

He struck her face once and was raising his arm to strike again when he heard other voices shouting and finally hands pulled him roughly away.

Everything was hazy. He saw an older woman wrap her arms around Carmen and hold her close. He watched men in uniform enter the room while someone cuffed his hands behind his back. Then he saw Gary Giggles with a handgun pointed at his face head and a look of pure hatred in his eyes as he looked into Carlos' eyes.

And somewhere, deep down, Carlos realized this was the end.

A/N: Okay. This isn't the end, obviously. There will be an epilogue. I apologize for the long wait but I do want to thank everyone who has kept with me for so long and to those who still pester and poke at me and tell me to update. You know who you are. I won't make promises when the last chapter will be up, but hopefully soon. I'm sure I've lost readers, and while I'm sad that I did, all I can say is, when looking back at the first chapter and then re-reading this chapter, what experiences that kept me from updating regularly are the experiences that made me a better writer. Thank you all again, and until next time!