1Chapter 21: Something to Live For

The grip on her shoulders tightened as she stared back at Billy. Did he know that she had something to do with Joni taking off? Was she giving it away just by the look on her face? Of course she was, she was scared out of her mind, and it didn't help any that her eye would not stop twitching.

"What are you talking about?" Celes finally choked the words out. Billy stared sternly at her, his piercing blue eyes locked with hers. Twitch. Twitch. Twitch. If she could poke her own eye out right now, she would. "I haven't seen her since the other day," she said her voice more calm. His grip loosened on her as he took a step back. He rubbed his forehead and closed his eyes inhaling as much air as he could. Nothing could calm him down right now. His heart rate was rapid feeling Celes slowly reach up and touch the side of his face. "Billy," she said softly. "What did Joe say to you?" She didn't want to break her promise to Joni, but she needed to know what was going on. Billy pushed her hand away from his face, not even wanting to look at her. He had almost lost his cool on her when she hadn't done anything at all.

"Joni took some shit that didn't belong to her," he said with a low voice. His jaw tightened, nostrils flared hearing Joe's exact words echoing in his head. Four grand Billy, she stole four fuckin' grand. Four grand that didn't belong to Joe. Four grand that didn't even belong to Billy. It belonged to Bones, and if he didn't have a reason to kill Billy yet, he did now. Billy's anger flooded him as he turned around smashing his fist into the wall. The dry wall crumpled around his hand as Celes yelped and jumped back. Billy slowly pulled his hand out of the hole he had just created and stared down at his hand.

"Fuck!" he spat wiping his mouth. The skin on his knuckles were busted, the blood already coming to the surface. There was a tiny knock at the door as Celes turned around seeing Savannah poke her head in.

"Mommy?" she asked her eyebrows scrunched together. "What was that noise?"

"Nothing sweetie," Celes said rushing to the door. "Mommy just dropped something. Let me get dressed then I'll take you to school. Have Uncle Brayden get you something to eat."

"He won't get off the couch," Savannah whined. "And he ate all the Fruity Pebbles!"

"Well go nag him until he does get you something," she said. Savannah thought about it for a moment. A mischievous look quickly spread on her face as she pulled her head back and darted into the living room. Celes slammed the door shut and spun around staring at Billy. He was sitting down on the corner of her bed now, his elbows leaning on his knees, his face shoved into his hands. She could see the redness creeping along his neck as she slowly walked towards him.

"I'm sorry," he breathed out feeling her getting closer to him. He looked up, eyeing her out of the corner of his eye as she sat down next to him on the bed. He sniffed and let out a deep raspy breath as she lightly placed her hand down on his leg. She was cursing Joni out in her head now. For making her lie to Billy and now for the new hole in her bedroom wall.

"Will you tell me what's going on?" she asked lightly.

"Joni stole four grand," Billy said without hesitation. "She stole four fucking grand right after she left Joe. Now, Joe can't find her anywhere." Celes swallowed hard, her eyes bulging out as she stared at him.

"Four..four..grand?" she stuttered taking in a deep breath.

"I'm going to kill that fuckin' bitch," Billy said not even realizing the words were spoken out loud. Celes leaned over grabbing the side of his face and making him look at her.

"Listen to me," she said sternly. "I have some money saved back and I-" Billy pushed her hands away and stood up. "Billy!" She jumped off the bed and stared at him. "We will find Joni, and we will get the money back. Just let me-"

"Stop!" he said grabbing her as her eyes widened. "This is not your problem. I'll get this shit figured out, okay?" She nodded her head slowly as he leaned forward pressing his lips against hers. The kiss surprised her, usually when he was this anger, it was a quick peck or nothing at all. This kiss was long and passionate and when he pulled back a small moan escaped from her throat. "I love you," his voice was low as he leaned in giving her a long fulfilling kiss.

"I love you too," she said almost in shock.. His hands dropped from his face as he mumbled that he would be back later. He didn't give her time to say anything as he walked out of her bedroom. There was no telling what Bones was going to do to him now. The four grand was something that he was waiting for. It was suppose to be delivered today at exactly seven o'clock. He walked into the living room seeing Savannah tugging as hard as she could on Brayden's shirt.

"Brayden mommy said so!" Savannah yelled. She let out a huff dropping her arms and looked over at Billy. "Billy will you make Brayden get me something to eat? Please?" Billy waved his hand motioning her to follow him into the kitchen. He reached up grabbing the box of chocolate doughnuts off the top of the refridgerator and handed them to her. Her eyes lit up as she licked her lips staring down at them.

"Woah," she said looking up and giving Billy a wide smile. "Thanks Billy!" She wrapped her arms around his leg embracing them in a hug as he smoothed her hand over her mop of curls.

"No problem kid," he said. She released her hands and darted into the living room shaking the box of doughnuts in Brayden's face. He let out a grumble shoving the box away as she started singing "Na-na-a-boo-boo! Look-what-I-got!" She shook the box in his face singing the same line over and over again while shaking her hips. A small smile spread on Billy's face as he took one last look at Savannah. He opened the door and stepped out taking quick steps to his car. He had until seven o'clock to find out where Joni was or come up with four grand. He didn't care if he had to send his boys on a crime spree the city had never seen before. He was getting that money.

Celes slowly sat on her bed inhaling deep breaths. She was beyond furious at Joni for leaving her in this situation. The only thing that was stopping her from telling Billy where Joni was at was the fact that she knew he would kill her. She reached over grabbing her phone and dialed Joni's cell phone number. The phone rang and rang until her cheerful voice came through telling to leave a message.

"Joni," she hissed her hands clenching the phone. "You need to call me back as soon as you get this. I know what you did, and Billy knows now too. You need to get your ass back here with that money before something really bad happens." She slammed her thumb down on the off button and tossed the phone to the side.

"Uh, what money? And what did Joni do?" Evie asked standing in her doorway, her hands on her hips as she stared at Celes. She had just opened the door to ask her if she could use her eyeliner when she had overheard the voice mail Celes was leaving. "What is going on?"

"Shut the door," Celes said as Evie shut it behind her and sat down next to her on the bed. Celes took a deep breath before spilling out what had happened that night. Evie sat next to her, her breathing quickening as Celes pointed out the hole in the wall. "And now I don't know what to do."

"Well you can't tell him," Evie said quickly.

"I know," Celes said.

"Because he'll kill her if he finds her."

"I know."

"Bodie has told me some crazy shit, and I mean he'll literally kill her!"

"I know." .

"Shit," Evie murmured with wide eyes. "What are you going to do?"

"I don't know," Celes said shaking her head. "I know he'll go after her, and if he finds out that I was the one that took her to the bus-"

"What a bitch!" Evie yelled startling Celes. "Typical Joni to just pack up and leave and make everyone clean up her mess. Jesus! What was she thinking?" Celes shook her head wishing she knew what exactly went through Joni's mind when she took that money. Evie was right, how could she have left this mess for them? She knew the consequences of what would happen if she took that money. "Still doesn't mean I'm not going to beat the hell out of that little hobbit next time I see him."

"No," Celes said quickly as Evie stared at her puzzled. "Don't get me wrong, I wanna knock him out just as bad. But if we do that, then they'll know that we know something." Evie nodded her head taking another deep breath. "And now I can't get rid of this horrible feeling in my stomach about lying to him. Every damn time things finally get back to normal between us. something has to come along and ruin it." Evie reached over rubbing her hand up and down Celes's back.

"It's not like he hasn't hidden things from you before," Evie said. "I mean, he's done some fucked up shit."

"Yeah but we're past that Evie, and now, here I am being a complete hypocrite."

"What is that little voice of reason telling you to do?"

"Not tell him."

"Then listen to it," Evie said as Celes nodded her head. She was right, there was no way in hell she could tell him.

—

The drumming of Billy's fingers against the wooden table at the Office was the only sound that could be heard. The clock was ticking, he had thirty more minutes before he had to go face Bones. Joe sat across the table not daring to even look in Billy's direction. When Billy first showed up at his apartment, he was greeted with a fist wailing into his jaw. He didn't blame his brother, he had fucked up. He had let Joni know about the money, and take it. Bodie sat next to Joe counting out the money that they had gathered from the night before.

"There's only eight hundred here dog," Bodie said his voice quiet as Billy's glazed over eyes slowly looked at him. "Maybe Heco and them made out." Billy didn't say a word as he placed the cigarette in his mouth inhaling the smoke. He breathed it out, his eyes lingering on Joe who still kept his head down. He looked like a beaten puppy, but Billy felt no guilt right now. Because the beating he gave Joe was nothing compared to what he was going to endure. The sounds of voices and footsteps ripped through the air as Billy looked up to see Heco, Spink, and Tommy walk in. They were all out of breath as Heco tossed the tan colored bag onto the table.

"Where's Baggy?" Bodie asked.

"Probably still running," Heco said with a laugh. "A rent a cop showed up at the liquor store we busted into."

"They get him?"

"Nah, Baggy is a fast mother fucker." Billy snatched the bag and dumped the contents out onto the table. He stared down at it, his jaw clenching.

"How much?" he asked through his teeth.

"There's got to be at least seven hundred there," Billy slammed his hands down onto the table letting out a growl as Joe looked up at him. "What?" Heco asked placing a cigarette in his mouth. "You want us to go hit up another store?"

"There's no more fucking time!" Billy screamed making everyone take a step back from him. He grabbed the sack tossing all the money into it and zipped it up. Joe murmured something under his breath as Billy snapped his head towards him.

"What did you fucking say?" Billy demanded.

"What are we going to do?" Joe repeated as Billy placed his hands down on the edge of the table. His anger took control as he gripped the edges of the table and flipped it over. Joe flew back in his chair, the table only missing his legs by inches.

"What are we going to fuckin' do? I dunno Joe, but I know what I gotta go fuckin' do," Billy screamed jabbing his finger in his face. "I gotta take care of the fuckin' mess you left me to clean up!" Joe didn't breathe a word as Billy shoved past Heco and Tommy storming out of the office.

"Now what?" Joe asked looking over at Bodie. Bodie stood up, his own anger slowly starting to take over.

"Now you pray your brother doesn't come back in a fucking body bag," he spat. His footsteps were hard against the floor as he broke out into a jog to catch up with Billy. Billy was already opening the car door when he looked up to see Bodie jogging down the steps. He didn't say anything, his jaw tight as he watched Bodie walk up to the passenger side door.

"We as good as brothers dog," Bodie said opening the door. "And you ain't going in there alone." Billy nodded his head as they both slipped into the car making their way to Bones's shop.

—

Billy's posture was perfect, his shoulders spread far apart, as he strided his way through the door of the Bone's shop. The look on his face was stern, intense, and most of all confident. If he was to say that he had no fear walking into the shop, he would be lying. Bones sat behind his desk, sweat dripping off his forehead as he wiped the barrel of his gun. He slowly rose his head up, his eyes squinted as he watched Billy and Bodie enter the room. He glanced over at the clock, it was five minutes until seven. Billy never showed up one time. Something was up, he could feel it.

"I see you brought your fuckin' girlfriend along," Bones quipped glaring at Bodie. "How fuckin' sweet." Bodie didn't say anything, he didn't even flinch. If Bones called him every name in the book and then some, he still wouldn't open his mouth or move. Bones eyes darted at Billy and the tan colored bag he was holding. "That my money?"

"Yea," Billy said walking over and dropping the bag on to the table. Bones stared hard at him before he slowly reached over and opened the bag. He didn't have to count it, just by the looks of it he could tell that there was no four grand in there. His knuckles curled up in fists as he slammed them down on the desk and quickly shot up out of his chair.

"What the fuck is this!" he yelled spit flying out of his mouth as Billy's heart started beating rapidly.

"That's all I got," Billy said his breathing quickening. Bones reached down grabbing the gun that he just finished cleaning off the table. Bodie took one step closer towards Billy, his eyes set on Bones. He wasn't for sure what he was going to do, but he wasn't going to let Billy get killed. Bone's fingers curled around the grip pointing the gun right at Billy's head. Bodie nervously glanced back and forth between the both of them waiting.

"Where's the fuckin' money?" Bones asked cocking the barrel of the gun. Billy remained silent. There was no way he was going to tell Bones that Joe had let the money slip away. "I'm going to ask you one more fuckin' time Nazi, where's my fuckin' money?"

"I need a few more days," Billy said hastily. Bones let out a sickening laugh not giving either Billy or Bodie time to react, as his finger slammed down on the trigger. The bullet shot through the air in seconds grazing the side of Billy's ear. Billy cursed under his breath jerking his head to the side as he quickly covered his ear with his hand.

"You've got two fuckin' days to bring me my money!" Bones bellowed still pointing the gun in Billy's direction. "And if you don't have my fuckin' money in two days, the next bullet will be three inches to the fuckin' left!" Billy's nostrils flared as he placed his eyes back on Bones. "Lord knows I've been patient with you fuckin' half wits." He slammed his large body into his chair making the chair dip down some. "Now get the fuck out of my sight." Billy quickly turned around, Bodie right behind him, as they both walked out of the shop. Billy's face was twisted as he removed his hand from his ear and looked down at it. It was covered in blood.

"You all right?" Bodie asked as Billy slowly nodded his head. Neither of them said anything as they stepped inside the car. Bodie rubbed his chin letting out a deep breath. Neither Bones or Billy had seen him reach for his own gun when Bones fired the shot. When he quickly realized that the bullet had merely grazed Billy, he quickly shoved his hands in his pockets. If Bones would have seen him grabbing his gun, he would have been dead. No questions asked. He glanced over at Billy who was placing a cigarette in his lips. "We'll get that fuckin' money dog, no question about it."

Billy didn't respond as he light the cigarette taking a deep drag. The car was silent again as they drove towards the Office. He should have been dead, but for some reason, Bones felt like showing some mercy.

—

Celes glanced out of the kitchen hearing Savannah let out a squeal as she dashed out of the living room. Brayden had been trying to take another cat nap when Savannah jumped on him and started tickling him. She cracked a smile then looked over at the clock. She hadn't heard from Billy all day and was starting to get worried. Joni also hadn't called her back yet even after she had left twenty messages by now. Evie kept reassuring her that everything was going to be all right, Billy would figure something out. She inhaled a deep breath and rubbed her temples. The front door suddenly flung open as she turned around in her seat. Her eyes instantly lit up to see Billy walking through the door. She was halfway out of her seat when she stopped, her eyes widening at the white bandage on his ear.

"What happened?" she asked quickly.

"Nothing," he replied with a sniff. He shrugged off his coat and placed it over the couch seeing her eyeing his shirt. Blood had dripped down on his shoulder, leaving a dark red stain. He hadn't even thought about going back to his own apartment to change. It wouldn't really matter though, most of his clothes had accumulated at her house now.

"That's blood," she said pointing at his shoulder. Her heart started to race as she bit back her lower lip. "Who did this?" she asked. Silence. "It was Bones, wasn't it?" His eyes darted away from her for a split second giving her the answer. She felt tears already building up. This was her fault now. She should have just told him the truth. "What happens now?" Her voice was low as she heard him let out a sigh. "Billy, he shot you!"

"I know," Billy snapped. "I've got-" He stopped seeing Brayden racing into the room yelling for Savannah to leave him alone. He stopped shortly, glancing between the two of them when Savannah smacked into his leg.

"I caught you Uncle Brayden!" she yelled with a giggle. She looked up seeing Billy standing next to her as she her face lit up. "Hi Billy!" she yelled.

"Hey kid," Billy said looking down at her. She let out another giggle before pinching Brayden's leg and darting out of the room.

"What's up?" Brayden asked glancing between Celes and Billy. Celes narrowed her eyes at him, and he took the hint that it wasn't any of his buisness. He started to walk out of the room when Billy reached out and planted his hand on Brayden's shoulder.

"You need to talk to Joe," he said ignoring the curious look Celes was now giving him. She didn't want Brayden to even be around Joe right now, but she knew she couldn't voice her opinion. "He's been trying to call you." Brayden nodded his head knowing that this meant Billy wanted him to do a job.

"Cool," Brayden mumbled glancing over at Celes. "I'm gonna split for a while." She nodded her head with her eyebrows raised watching Brayden walk out of the door. Savannah came rushing back into the room before she could ask Billy what that was about.

"Mommy I'm hungry," Savannah said. "When are we going to eat?" The front door flew open as Evie walked in. She looked pissed as she chucked her bag across the room.

"That's it!" she exclaimed throwing her hands up in the air. "I am dropping out of school! I cannot handle this shit anymore!"

"Evie," Celes said darting her eyes towards Billy. Evie glanced over seeing the bandage on his ear as her eyes widened. "Do you think you could take Savannah somewhere to get something to eat?"

"Yea," Evie said walking over and grabbing her purse. "Come on super hero." Savannah jumped up and down yelling goodbye behind her as she ran towards the door. "We'll be back...in a while."

"Thank you," Celes said as Evie shut the door behind her. She turned her attention back to Billy seeing him light up a cigarette. He seemed to be acting laid back about the situation, but she knew better. "Well?"

"I told you not to worry about this shit. I've got it under control," he said. His boys were already out working corners, and those that weren't were finding ways to get a hold of cash. Sending Brayden out with Joe was a last resort, but he was desperate now. She didn't need to know that. She didn't need to know anything about the situation.

"Fine," she said not wanting to push the issue. Her own guilt was killing her enough right now. She walked over reaching down for his hand and intertwined her fingers with his. "Let me put a new bandage on it, that thing is about to fall off." She tugged on his hand as he followed her into the bathroom. He sat down on the edge of the tub, as she took out the first aid kit. This scene was familiar to the both of him. She wondered how many times she would have to keep doctoring him up. For a slight graze, there was still a lot of blood. She lightly dabbed his ear with an alcohol swab cleaning around the wound. He didn't say a word, his hand lightly grazing her side as she placed a bandage over his ear.

"You tell Evie?" he asked.

"I told her that Joni took some money," she said placing the first aid kit back into the cabinet. "She hasn't heard anything from her." Which was the truth, she knew that Evie had also been trying to call Joni as well. Just like Celes, she only got her voice mail.

"I'm gotta change my shirt," Billy said walking out of the bathroom. Celes shut her eyes trying to convince herself that she was doing the right thing by not telling him. She wasn't though, she had to tell him. For all she knew his life could be on the line with Bones. Inhaling a deep breath she quickly walked into the bedroom seeing Billy pulling his shirt off. He tossed it to the side and looked up at her. She quickly walked across the room and stood in front of him. This was it.

"Billy, I have to tell you-" Her sentence was cut short as Billy wrapped around her neck pulling her closer to him.

"Don't talk," he said brushing his lips up against hers. He didn't know what she was going to say, but he didn't care. She didn't object giving into his kiss while he pulled them both down on the bed. Billy knew the only thing he should be doing was running the streets collecting any money he could find. Whether it be from gun point or a sale, but he didn't want to be out there right now. From the moment he left Bones's, the only place he wanted to be was with her. Celes let out a moan trying to catch her breath feeling him insider her. It had only taken a matter of seconds for both of them to shed their clothes off. Billy wrapped his arms under her back feeling her lips pressing against his neck. He had to have her close to him, had to feel her heart beating against his own. Celes opened her eyes feeling his staring into her's. She didn't know what had taken over him, but something was different about him. The sex was rough, but at the same time so passionate, and there way no way she could be quiet about it either.

After they had finished Celes laid her head down on his chest feeling it move up and down as he took long drags from his cigarette. Bones firing off shots towards him wasn't unusual in a sense. That was his way of showing how serious he was, but this time, the affect it had on Billy was different. A feeling that was more greater than he ever felt before. As he stared down at Celes, lightly stroking his hand against her arm, he realized for the first time in his life he had something to live for.

—

Brayden's heart was rapidly beating as he pulled the black ski mask over his face. Joe had vaguely briefed him on what was going on. They needed money and money fast to make sure that Billy and everyone one of them would stay alive. Bones taking a minor shot towards Billy was enough proof to each and everyone one of them that he was not fucking around anymore. Joe knew that his father was capable of shooting them all one by one if he felt his point wasn't getting across.

"You ready for this man?" Joe asked a lop sided smile on his face before he pulled his own black ski mask over his face. Brayden nodded his head, glad that he was hiding behind the mask not able to show his fear. When he was a kid, he would steal things, little things, like candy or casette tapes that he couldn't afford. Minor stupid shit that all kids did. This was different now. "C'mon, let's do this shit," Joe punched his shoulder breaking out into a jog with Brayden right behind him. The parking lot was abandoned at the Quick Stop, the only vehicle in the lot belonged to the clerk standing behind the register. A pretty girl with short blonde hair and brown eyes leaned her elbows on the counter staring up at the TV in the corner of the place. The sound of chimes went off as she pushed herself back and glanced over towards the door.

"Put your fuckin' hands up!" Joe screamed pointing the sawed off shotgun towards her. Her face instantly turned while, letting out a cry as Joe screamed the words at her again. Brayden stood frozen watching the girl quickly becoming hysterical. "Quit cryin' bitch!" Joe yelled now standing in front of her with the gun only inches away from her forehead. He glanced over at Brayden and narrowed his eyes. "Come on man! Get the fuckin' cash!" Brayden quickly nodded his head and raced around the counter next to the girl.

"Please don't kill me," she begged tears streaming down her eyes. She glanced over at Bradyen as he started hitting buttons on the register.

"What's the fuckin' deal?" Joe asked.

"I can't get the damn thing opened," Brayden said glancing over at the girl. The girl let out another sob making Joe feel more frustrated than he already was.

"Open it!" he screamed at her as she stood still. His hand did a quick motion on the barrel making her wince as he pressed the tip of the gun to her forehead. "Open the fuckin' register or I will blow off your fuckin' head!" The girl nodded her head in response as Brayden reached over gently grabbing her arm.

"Open it and you'll be fine," he whispered pulling her towards the register. Her hands were shaking as Joe continued to scream at her. The cash register door opened with a bing. Brayden ripped a plastic bag off a hook and started stuffing the money into it.

"Hurry it up man!" Joe yelled while Brayden lifted the drawer up grabbing the bigger bills that were stuff below it. Headlights flew across the store making Joe's neck snap. "Let's go! Let's go!" Brayden slammed the register shut giving once last glance to the girl who was sobbing before jumping over the counter and running right behind Joe. The door flew open in front of them, Joe knocking the older gentlemen that was oblivious to what had just gone on. He flew back against the pavement letting out a yelp while Brayden jumped over him. Brayden tossed the bag into the backseat and jumped into the car. Joe was already in, hitting the gas pedal making Brayden's door shut on it's own. Joe let out a loud whooping holler as they flew over the curb and onto the street. He ripped off his mask slapping Brayden on the shoulder.

"Did you see that bitch's face?" he yelled with laughter. Brayden slowly peeled his mask off, giving Joe a light smile. He had seen her face all right and the absolute fear that had consumed it. There was no rush like there had been the first time he had went with Joe. He started questioning why he wanted to work for Billy in the first place.

—

The clock next to the bed read 1:45 in bright red letters. Celes glanced over at Billy hearing a light snore coming from him. She gently pushed his arm off her waist and lowered her feet onto the carpet. Easing herself off the bed she took one more glance at him before tip toeing out of the room. Her footsteps were light as she walked through the darkness moving her hand against the wall. Her hand crept around the corner of the kitchen feeling the cordless phone as she read out and slowly pulled it off the charger. Evie had gotten Joni's sister's number from her mother, but hadn't had luck on an answer. The door clicked as Celes pulled it back and stepped out onto the stoop. She gently shut the door behind her and sat down rubbing her hand on her arm. Dressed in only a pair of shorts and a tank top, the breeze sent goose bumps to appear all over her. She dialed the number Evie had given her and cradle the phone to her ear. It rang and rang and rang until an answer machine finally picked up. Celes hit the off button and then dialed the number again. She did this fifteen times before someone's voice finally came onto the other line.

"What?" a girl yelled.

"Is Joni there?" Celes asked ignoring the anger in the person's voice.

"What?"

"I need to speak to Joni."

"Do you realize what time it is?"

"Yes, but this is important." The girl let out a groan.

"Who is this?"

"This is Celes, and I need to speak to Join right now."

"Hold on a second," the girl snapped as Celes heard a few scuffles and murmured voices. Finally after three minutes Joni's voice came onto the line.

"Celes?"

"Joni what the fuck were you thinking taking off with that much money?" Celes snapped not even caring to say a hello to her.

"I..." Joni stammered with her words. "I just wanted to get back at Joe."

"Well it wasn't Joe that paid for your mistake, it was Billy."

"What?"

"Bones shot Billy today because you stole the money! I almost lost him because of you!"

"I'm sorry," Joni said.

"Sorry doesn't cut it," Celes snapped feeling her face grow red. "You better get your ass back to Boston with that money right now!" Joni rambled on her excuses as Celes drew in a deep breath.

"I don't give a shit," Celes snapped feeling her anger grow. "I want that money back. If you do not give it back to me by tomorrow, I will tell Billy exactly where you went."

"You're supposed to be my friend!" Joni yelled.

"Friend?" Celes let out a stiff laugh. "Explain to me what a friend is Joni. You knew who that money belonged too, and you did it any ways! Then you got me involved with it! Are you really that stupid enough to think that everything was going to be fine?" She inhaled a deep breath feeling her hands start to shake.

"Okay, okay. Just stop!" Joni said. "You'll get the money back."

"You better," Celes said. "Because if you don't and something happens to Billy, I will come to Chicago myself, and you do not want that Joni." She slammed the off button down before Joni could say another word.

Celes eased the door shut behind her and slowly crept across the room. Billy was still laying still as she pushed herself under the covers letting out a sigh. She jumped feeling Billy's hand touch her arm and quickly looked over at him.

"Why are you so damn cold?" he mumbled stretching out his arm and pulling her closer to him.

"I just needed some air to clear my head," she said placing her head under his chin.

"Stop worrying about it," he grumbled. She didn't respond feeling his breathing start to steady again. Never in her life had she ever came close to threatening another person. The relationship that her and Billy had built was something she was not willing to let go of. She had risked everything, her life, her morals, and her safety to be with him. That wasn't about to be ruined from an irrational mistake made by a 'friend'. One thing Celes knew for certain was if Joni did not return that money, and Billy was taken away from her, she would follow through on her threat.