OoO (Riker) OoO

"I can't believe you just left her there," I said glaring at the side of Declan's face as we drove away from Mikhail's mansion.

"Look Lynch. Josalynn is more than capable of handling herself," Declan explained quickly looking at me before focusing on the road, "besides Milo is with her."

"How can you be so sure they're not walking into their own deaths right now," I tried reasoning.

"They'll be fine. Now sit back and you'll be with your family soon enough," Declan answered annoyed.

I glared daggers at the side of Declan's face, folding my arms across my chest and flopping against my seat with a huff. I was fully aware that I was acting like a petulant child but I didn't care. I waited two years to see Josie and I had been carted off minutes after we were reacquainted. All I wanted to do was hold her but she pushed me away. 'Why is she being so guarded?'

I caught Declan's gaze in the rearview mirror and rolled my eyes. Declan sighed heavily before turning to converse with Murphy in Irish, most likely talking about me. 'Fuck them I don't care.'

I glanced out the window and noticed we were going down Sheridan Street towards the band house.

"What are you doing? I don't live here," I informed Declan.

*sigh* "I know but Josie asked me to bring you here and besides isn't that your car in the driveway," Declan replied parking and pointing out beyond the windshield to the taillights of my blue corvette illuminated by his headlights.

"Oh. Yeah," I answered defeated.

I glanced at the clock display on the dash of the Tahoe while I listened to the hum of the engine die from the keys being removed from the ignition. 1:30 had flashed across the display before it faded out. 'Huh no wonder I couldn't sleep earlier.'

The three of us piled out of the vehicle and trudged up to the front door. I was wedged between my two Irish escorts feeling like a kid that had been caught sneaking out by the cops. Murphy rung the doorbell before I had a chance to try the lock. The glass and wood door flung open to reveal anxious faces of my family. Declan and Murphy were shoved out of the way as everyone swarmed around me smothering me in hugs and praises of my safe return. Several minutes passed before the hugging began to disperse and I was left with a pair arms wrapped tightly around my waist. I glanced down at the mop of frizzy red hair and shudder in an unpleasant manner.

"What are you doing here," I asked Nicole prying her arms off of me and taking a few lengthy strides away from her.

"What do you mean? I wasn't about to miss the homecoming of my fiancé. I wasn't sure if that Annika girl could actually be reliable but here you are," Nicole gushed beaming up at me.

"Wait what?! Who's Annika and what the fuck do you mean fiancé," I questioned dumbfounded.

"Don't act so surprised sweetie. I found the ring in your dresser but I had to go exchange it. You know I like stones that are pinks and reds. Not that dull blue," Nicole replied showing the ruby ring clinging to her finger.

"Ring," I asked before the dots finally connected.

This crazy bitch had gone into my apartment and claimed the ring I had carefully designed and bought for Josie. Nicole had taken the classic twisted white gold band with the 1/2 carat princess cut indian sapphire I had droned over for months making sure every detail complimented Josie perfectly and traded it for a tacky wide rose band with a poorly cut marquee ruby that looked like gollum's asshole.

"Are you fucking kidding," I bellowed.

Nicole looked completely confused and mortified.

"Why the hell would I ever propose to you?! We're not even together you fucking loon. What did you do break into my apartment see the ring and in your own psycho reality formulated this crazy ass story that we were together?! You're nothing more than a thirsty psycho bitch from hell that can't take a blatantly obvious hint to kick rocks. If it wasn't for the fucking paparazzi I would've of had an order of protection against you the second I saw you outside my apartment," I was shaking with rage from my rant.

I tore my gaze from the now crying Nicole to my siblings, "and the fuck is Annika?!"

OoO (Josie) OoO

Eventually Mikhail caved and stepped out of his panic room to try respectfully groveling for his life. It was less than futile on his part. Connor showed no pity with the Russian and when everything was said and done the father and son duo was shipped off to an awaiting plane. Mikhail agreed to handing over all his business to Connor and his partners in exchange for his life permanently exiled back to Russia. I'm sure if he wasn't so desperate to hold onto some shred of dignity Mikhail would've found it faster to drop his $800 dress pants grab his ankles and make real the metaphorical ass fucking he was bearing from Connor. Left with only the clothes on their backs and the money in their overpriced wallets Mikhail and Stepan had to agree to flee to Russia promising never to be caught stepping foot on American or Ireland soil. Connor drained their bank accounts, seized their properties and obtained Mikhail's clientele lists for all his business conjunctions. Milo and I were offered any royalties we fancied and I made sure Declan and Murphy were given the same offer.

Then came the dreaded part of requesting help from someone like Connor.

"So McGrath," began Connor as he sat down behind the desk that was once a Russian's.

I swore under my breath before meeting his gaze.

*sigh* "Yes Whelan," I answered void of any emotion.

"I must say the way you've condoned this whole situation with minimal blowback is quite commendable."

"And," I prodded sitting in a chair opposite Connor's mischievous grin ready for this conversation to be over.

"Well Josalynn," his grin grew mimicking the cashire cat's, "what would you say of becoming my 2nd in command of this newly established empire you helped obtain?"

I snorted a unpleasant breath of disbelief, "kick rocks Connor. You can't be serious."

Connor laughed amused, "oh but love I am. You were next in line before you resigned, you're destined for power. Ever since Declan brought you to me all those years ago I could tell you had a fire in you. A ornery tenacious streak and a desire for order. You can't tell me you don't like being one of power."

I rolled my eyes slouching against my arm propped on the armrest listening to Connor drone on with his little sales pitch.

OoO (Riker) OoO

It took about half an hour to 45 minutes to get rid of Nicole and much against my will I gave her a half-ass apology to shut up the hysterics she had worked herself into. Guess I couldn't blame her too much, I did flip my fucking top on her. So I claimed momentary insanity for being kidnapped almost a month, pried the ring off her finger and left her on the front porch in a daze.

"Now please someone explain to me who is Annika and why didn't anyone set Nicole straight," I asked walking into the living room where everyone including Declan and Murphy sat.

"Well Rike you can't really blame us for the whole Nicole thing. How were we supposed to know she really wasn't your girlfriend," defended Ross.

"Yeah dude. She was around all the time for the last year and you never made an attempt to say she was or otherwise. We honestly thought you'd send her on her way but you never did."

"Yeah I know," I sighed scratching the back of my neck, "but you should've known I wouldn't propose without tell y'all first."

My siblings nodded back in a mixture of hurt and guilt. We all stayed silent for moment until I remembered the first part of my question.

*ahem* "So...Annika?"

"Oh that's umm...Josie's alias," explained Rydel.

"Oh," I replied slumping into a empty chair.

"She showed up here with Declan to assure us you'd be brought home and well...*sigh* Nicole was here blabbing about how she wanted her Riker home," informed Ratliff.

"Oh...oh shit! Nicole said she was my fiancée didn't she," I asked groaning.

Everyone nodded. 'Well that explains Josie's behavior.'

"Did...did you see her," Ross asked carefully.

"Yeah," I answered smiling slightly.

Declan walked away when his phone rang and I started to tell the rest of what had happened since my capture. We could faintly hear Declan talking a bunch of Irish gibberish in the next room before he hung up and announced they were leaving.

"What was that all about? Is Josie ok," I asked frantic.

Declan ignored me simply saying they must leave.

"Are you kidding?! That's all you're going to say? Where is she," I kept battering following them to the door.

My questions stayed unanswered as the two walked out the door without a second glance. "What the hell?!"

OoO (Josie) OoO

I must be a fucking moron or maybe the hair dye seeped into my brain. I have actually accepted Connor's offer but only if I didn't have to be in California. After our conversation I collected Riker's belongings while Milo grabbed his. Connor's men set about collecting the bodies we made and piling them around the house. A box truck had backed up to the front doors of the mansion with a ramp across the steps and a handful more of Connor's men were busy loading up the pallets of drugs from Mikhail's office. I couldn't help but eyeball the bricks of coke which caused Milo to place himself between me and my haunting weakness. Milo watched me closely as we waited for Declan to return.

"You ever going to tell me what your hitch with the nose candy is," Milo asked.

*sigh* "My young and dumb mistake," I answered fumbling with the buckle around my thigh.

"Oh."

"I was eighteen and struggling to keep shit together for my sister and I and I let a low profile moron of a drug dealer talk me into 'easing my mood.' Before I knew it and reluctant yo admit it I was hooked. Not an every day user but enough to be more than recreational. It went on for a year slowly progressing in severity until the night I met Declan..."

OoO (Flashback) OoO

"Josalynn can you hear me?" Declan's voice was fading in and out sounding more like he was speaking through a blown speaker than yelling across the cab of his car.

My heart felt like it would burst at any moment all the while my whole body was numb and cold. 'I'm going to fucking slit Patrick's throat if I live.' The car lurched to a stop and I barely made out a red sign to the emergency room before I was ripped out of the passanger seat and hauled inside. Frantic voices buzzed around me but all I could focus on were the florescent colors swirling around. Faces that came into veiw were distorted as if I was looking through a bubble of a lava lamp.

At first everything was mellow and highly amusing until I was placed on a bed. The goofy cartoon images morphed into creatures from the underbelly of hell. Sadistic laughs overpowered the murmurs of medical talk. Faces melted into primordial ooze around shoulders leaving muscles and skulls exposed beneath. I began to fight anything and anyone to touch me and I was convinced me skin was trying to eat me. I wasn't just having a 'bad trip,' I was losing my fucking mind. I spiraled into the deep recesses of my mind clouded with a haze of evil laughter and mortified cries.

Three days later the fog lifted, the voices fell mute and my body screamed out in pain. A constant beeping bounced off my eardrums and I struggled to open my eyes against the harsh light beaming down on me. I groaned out and reached for my head only to have the stop inches from the bed. Looking down past the dull hospital gown I was greeted with thick black nylon cuffs buckled around my wrists. I sighed frustrated and confused. 'What the hell happened.' Movement to my right caught my attention. My eyes fell upon the sleeping form of a broad shouldered man. I searched my jumbled memory for any clue to who this man might be when a nurse holding a saline bag entered the room.

"Oh," she jumped, "you're awake how wonderful."

"What happened," I croaked out.

My throat felt like sandpaper.

"You gave us quite a start sweetie," she chirped changing out bags on my IV, "just sit tight hon and I'll fetch the doctor."

She turned to leave.

"Wait! W-who's that," I asked pointing towards to unconscious blonde.

The nurse gave me a puzzled look, "is he not your boyfriend?"

"My what?!"

I glanced back at the body next to me. The nurse chuckled quietly and left.

'The fuck is this man claiming to be my boyfriend.

Just then he stirred awake with a stretch and sleepy groan. He rubbed his eyes fir a moment before looking at me. Bright gray eyes bored into mine. A spark flickered.

"Asshole," I whispered out.

He grinned at me, "nice to see you too Josalynn."

"H-how do you know my name?"

"Good Ms. McGrath you're awake," greeted a doctor walking into the room.

He was no more than thirty years old with dark brown hair and bright blue eyes looking more like a model than I 4 year resident.

"I'm Dr. Scott. How are you feeling," he smiled sympathetically.

"Tired and sore," I answered.

*sigh* "Yes that's to be expected. You were quite violent when you arrived."

My cheeks tinged pink at the newfound information.

"Your boyfriend here brought you in claiming you may have been doped when the two of you were out together."

I cut a glance at the blonde asshole proudly wearing his title of "my boyfriend" and rolled my eyes.

"We found a lethal dose of cocaine laced with a unique blend of bath salts."

'Yep Patrick is fucking dead.'

"Caused bouts of hallucinations, rapid pulse, rage and even cardiac arrest."

"Cardiac arrest?"

"Yes ma'am. If it wasn't for Mr. Butler bringing you in when he did then I'm afraid we wouldn't be having this conversation now."

'Damn! Good thing I didn't take anymore of that shit.'

"All vitals are stable you no longer seem to be experiencing any extreme reactions. I'd like to a blood analysis just to be safe of your toxicity levels then you're free to go," Dr. Scott concluded signing the clipboard and handing it to the nurse from earlier.

Asshole or Mr. Butler stood extending his hand to the doctor.

"Thank you so much Dr. Scott," he spoke shaking the doctor's hand.

"Yes thank you doctor," I agreed with lips stretched into a tight smile.

Dr. Scott answered with a curt nod and smile before leaving. The saline nurse from before left and returned with the lab tech. While my blood was drawn the nurse removed my IV and disconnected the ekg. Blessed with the silence of no longer hearing the incessant beep I sighed in content.

Once the nurse and tech left I reluctantly turned to my blonde saviour. Breathing deeply I prepared for the awkward conversation.

"So *ahem* umm what's your name," I asked feeling dumber with every word.

He smiled amused. 'Gah arrogant prick.'

"Declan Butler," he introduced softly shaking my hand.

"Oh."

"You don't remember much do you," he asked sitting on the edge of my bed.

*sigh* "No not really. I remember dealing with an arrogant ass at work," I said glaring at Declan playfully, "then stepping outside after getting the vail from Pa-...a friend. Then nothing."

Declan shook his head and low whistled.

Silence stretched taut between us. Only our steady breaths and the quiet tick of the clock on the far wall gave any broke the otherwise dead quiet.

Declan then gently patted my blanket covered knee, "well beautiful you're stuck with me now whether you like it or not."

He smiled genuinely and I found myself smiling too.

OoO (Present) OoO

"After my near death Declan clung to my side obnoxiously at times and was my own personal rehabilitation counselor. He was more of the uptight type. For 9 months I wasn't allowed around anything that could resemble snow. I called him a nazi he claimed it was tough love. But I guess in the end it worked out," I laughed ending my monologue.

Milo was quiet when I finally looked over. He stared at me blankly deep in thought perhaps. He blinked once before wrapping me in a tight hug.

"What's this for," I gasped out.

"I underestimated you. You've been through hell. And well frankly I thought you more then needed a hug," Milo stated matter-of-factly smiling.

I smiled back and hugged him again.

"Thank you," I mumbled into his shoulder.

Milo kissed my hair in reply and tightened his hold.

Declan and Milo arrived some time after finding us still embraced on the front steps. We loaded up and drove away, we followed between Connor his box truck. Connor stopped when we had reached the bottom of the secluded hill that hid Mikhail's mansion and rolled down his window smiling at us.

"What is he up to," Milo asked.

He was answered with a massive explosion that rattled the earth.

"Damn gas leak," Connor spoke with a full toothy smile, "damn Russians aren't even good contractors."

We laughed and drove off. We dropped Milo home before continuing to the hotel.

"You going to see Lynch," Declan asked breaking the tension.

"No," I answered flatly.

"Why not," asked Murphy peering back at me, "Blondie sure is fond of you."

I scoffed, "he has Nicole. They'll get married with the whole white picket fence two kids and a happy dog. I'm not getting involved in that. This is the perfect opportunity to slip away."

Both men looked at one another from the front seat.

"What," I asked leaning forward.

"You should really talk to him Josalynn," Declan finally said.

'What do they know?'

OoO OoO OoO

A/N: There's the other half of the flashback. Riker told off Nicole and Josie has accepted a business proposition. Now if Riker can get the chance to explain the 'ruby ring' situation.