An.- Two chapter in three days? Man. I would love to thank everyone who has reviewed and made me feel all warm inside. This story has taken a life of it's own. I would never dream of this getting this much love. This story is coming to an end soon, but then the next adventure starts.

The night provided a perfect cover for sneaking, but as they neared the jail, Riley's stomach tied in knots. All of them had put so much on the line for this, and she would hate to see anyone more get hurt.
The plan was simple, Zay would lead a distraction team to get most of the guards out of the jail and then Maya would lead a second team and overtake the remaining guards, grab the keys, and everyone would be free. She didn't have much of a plan after they were free but she knew she would figure it out.
They came upon the opening that was allowing light into Lucas and Farkle's cell.
"Lucas,"- she whispered. There was no response so she tried again, this time greeted by the groggy voice of her love.
"Riley?" Was he seeing things?
"Hi." Their eyes connected as he realized she was really there his body snapped awake.
"What are you doing here?" A small smirk played her lips.
"I'm breaking you out." His eyes widened.
"Riley, you can't. It's too dangerous." The moonlight shown the outlines of the latest bruises on his face.
"Don't worry, I have help. Just wake Farkle and get ready." Before he could ask any more questions she had disappeared. He woke Farkle and prepared for anything that came their way.

Riley's stomach felt sick the second she left Lucas's sight. Those bruises, Charlie had beat them on multiple occasions, all because what? She didn't feel the same way for him? It started to make her blood boil; Charlie would get away free of any crime if he was brought to court. A need of vengeance coursed through her veins. This all had to end tonight, otherwise it never would.

She pulled her best friend to the side.

"Maya you have to do this without me." A surge of confusion washed over her face.

"Riley I can't"-

"Yes you can. Do it for Farkle, for Lucas, and especially for Zay. I'm going to go end this once and for all. Otherwise we will never be free."

"You're going after Charlie," Her breath was short as her mind started racing, but before she could stop her, Riley was gone into the night. Maya turned to the twenty people who were now looking for a new leader. Maya knew if she didn't step up she would lose focus and then Farkle and Lucas would be as good as dead.

"This doesn't change the plan." Her voice commanding and they listened.

"Zay you lead the distraction team, and then my team will take care of the rest." Zay nodded understanding the mission. Maya grabbed his arm before he could go off with the others. She planted a quick kiss on his lips.

"Hey, be careful out there," concern laced in her voice.

"I always am. You be careful too." If they had been paying more attention they would have noticed someone break off of the group and followed in the direction of Riley.

Riley's eyes gazed at the lightning streaking across the sky dancing among the clouds followed by the roll of thunder that followed. A storm was headed in their direction. Her eyes narrowed as the Gardner mansion was coming into view. Her mind flashed to points in her life where she was coming to realize most of her unhappiness lately was due to Mr. Gardner. She had come to the realization that he would never stop. She didn't exactly have a plan, but she believed that everything would fall into place.
The house was dark, which she suspected given the hour. But as she approached the door she noted that it was open. She pushed down the thoughts and any fears and stepped inside. She was greeted by a large painting of Master Charlie hung upon the wall with a somber face. Riley supposed it was after his parent's deaths.

She climbed up the stairs as stealthy as possible that brought her to the upper workings of the house. She pushed open to a door to reveal a study of some kind. Her curiosity got the better of her and she snuck in. Her eyes darted from book to book in the study. She didn't know what she was looking for, she just knew she would find it when she did. She noted the sword that loomed on the table along with polish of some kind. It wasn't until she heard the door creek open that she saw Charlie standing there.
"I was on my way to destroy your little plan at the jail, but I guess I have to deal with you first."

After Zay managed to draw out most of the guards, Maya found her job relatively easy. Her group managed to overpower the two guards remaining and Maya swiped the keys from his belt. She quickly ran towards Lucas and Farkle's cell. Their eyes were wide of the sight of the blonde.
"Maya, what are you doing here?"
"Do you want to ask a ton of questions or do you want your freedom?" She whispered harshly. She knew that she didn't have lots of time before the other guards came back. The door swung open and they were free. Lucas grabbed Maya's arm gently.
"Maya, where's Riley?" Her eyes fell to the ground.
"Come on Huckleberry, before they come back." His grip tightened just a bit.
"I'm not going anywhere till you tell me. Where is she?" Maya let out a sigh before her piercing blue eyes met his meadow ones.
"She went after Charlie." Maya watched all the blood drain from his face.

Riley saw a bolt of lightning light up the sky as she whipped around to Charlie closing the door further blocking her exit from the room.

"Riley, I didn't imagine you would grace me with your presence." His voice caused goosebumps to form over her skin. She noticed his hand on the grip of his sword. as he began to walk towards her.

Riley took a breath of courage as she grabbed the nearest weapon she could put her hands on. She extended the sword towards Charlie who merely laughed at the supposed threat.

"You don't know what you're dealing with Riley," Riley narrowed her eyes his words making a shiver shoot down his spine. He advanced with the sword, but she quickly blocked his attacks. The iron struck iron across their faces. Charlie's jaw dropped slightly in shock, while Riley's lips grew into a smirk. They pushed off each other as Riley advanced her sword snagging the edge of his coat shredding it.

"No Charlie, I don't think you do." The two exchanged steps defending against each other's attack. Her ability surprised Charlie, for what he didn't know was that Josh had used her as a practice partner in-between his lessons so she had years of practice.

Riley managed to take a swipe at Charlie cheek drawing blood at the very tip. Charlie's other hand flew to his cheek, his fingers wiped what little blood there was and his anger started to get the best of him. He started making wider swings limiting his ability to defend himself. Riley's sword managed to cut his one hand and swing the sword across the room leaving Charlie defenseless. He lowered himself the floor in surrender as Riley's sword was pointed to his throat.

Fear overtook Charlie's features as the sword tip was pressed to his throat. His breaths became ragged trying to desperately catch his breath.

"Go ahead, kill me." It was almost a dare to her, it would be so easy to slit his throat.

"No," she said in a hardened voice. "That would make me just like you." There was a clap of thunder. Something caught Riley's eye and for a spilt second Charlie took advantage of it. He managed to kick her sword away catching her completely by surprise. When she started to reach for the sword and looked up to see that Charlie had pulled his gun. Riley lost focus and sent herself to the floor. She scurried back trying to put some distance between Charlie and herself since he had some advantage. Her eyes desperately looked for the sword that he had thrown, but with the gun pointed at her it was next to impossible.

"You've grown to be a thorn in my side for the last couple weeks." He cocked the gun and pointed it at the brunette. Riley was starting to regret her decision to come here alone, it probably wasn't one of her smartest decisions.

"Goodbye Riley." Her heart started to beat super-fast as the sound of gun shots rang out echoing in the room. Riley's shoulder was in pain than she could imagine. Her hand pressed to it to try and stop the bleeding. Charlie's body had fallen towards her' she could see the bullet lodged in his brain. She would scream if her throat hadn't been so dry. Her eyes looked up to the figure who dropped the gun, they started to walk away as her voice cried out.

"What have you done!" She cried out. Martin whipped around to face Riley.
"I came here to seek vengeance same as you Miss Riley." All of his features were stone cold as he watched her bleed out onto the floor.
"That's not what I wanted," she yelled her eyes fell to the corpse then back up to the slave.
"I was only giving him what he deserves. I know you feel as I do Miss Riley." The light from the storm lit up his face.
"He killed my mother for dropping a dish set Miss Riley. We are nothing to him." Riley could see he was getting more upset the longer he talked, but it was hard to concentrate with the numbing and pain in her body.
"He deserved this." Martin repeated the feeling of not being satisfied starting to seep in from his crime.
"Help me Martin." She cried out, knowing that if she didn't put pressure on the wound she would lose too much blood. She watched as he shook his head and ran out the door leaving Riley to her fate. Riley's eyes were beginning to flutter close from the shock and loss of blood. She reached weakly up as the figure disappeared leaving her there on the floor. Maybe this was what Lucas felt like; this helpless feeling.
"Lucas," she whispered lowly trying to save strength. The blonde man came and started to cradle her. The blood from her body started to transfer to his. All she heard was Lucas yelling for someone to get Farkle and everything started to blur as the darkness started to take her.

The sun streamed through the window highlighting Riley's bed. Josh was sitting next to Riley's bed as guilt and fear plagued him. He felt somewhat responsible for her to running away. His mind pondered over all the horrible things that he said or thought about his sister because he believed everyone in town and the rumors over his own sister. Here she was now lying in the bed in front of him and he was at a loss of words. Lucas had filled him in on all the horrible things that Charlie had done and inflicted on the family without him even knowing it. He should have believed her. Riley moaned as she stirred in the bed and Josh sat up quickly. Farkle had said that it would take time to recover and it had been a couple days. He looked up to the door sure that the family would have sensed Riley waking up and bolted through the door. But there was silence in the house as Riley's eyes flutter opened.

"Josh?" She asked her mind still foggy from waking up.

"Hey," he couldn't figure out what to say.

"Riley- I'm sorry," spilled out of his mouth. He figured that was one of the best places to start.

"Josh you don't have"-

"Yes I do Riley." he urged as he fumbled with his hands.

"I haven't been the best brother lately, and I intend on mending that." Riley flashed him a small smile.

" I would like that," she paused. "You'll do a great job running the manor." Josh's heart swelled knowing that Riley who believed in things believed that he would run it fairly.

"Thanks Riley"- Before he could finish his thought a group of voices interrupted.

"Riley!" She was soon overwhelmed by the friends and family that raced into the room. Josh smiled as he watched her interact with them. Something told him that Riley would be just fine.

Riley's eyes fluttered open at the touch of a thumb caressing the back of her hand. Piercing green eyes comforted her body and soul.
"Hi." He spoke softly trying not to alert to the house.
"Hey," she found her voice
"Hi." He finished with a smile. "You gave us a scare there." He used her words that she had used. Riley caught on despite her foggy state.
"It's going to take a lot more than that to separate us." She started laughing then whined in pain.

"Did they catch Martin?" She asked placing her arm on her sore shoulder.

"They last we heard he was trying to run up North. Don't worry Riley. If he hadn't shot Charlie…you might have died Riley," He squeezed her hand trying to not let that thought take over his mind.

"I know it was reckless of me," she sheepishly confessed. Lucas used his free hand to tuck a piece of hair behind her ear.

"I don't know what I would have done if I lost you." Riley offered a small smile.

"So it's over?" She asked.

"Yes Riley, it is."
Lucas leaned forward and kisses the top of her forehead.
"Riley, I can't live without you, and if you'll have"
"Yes." She interrupted.
"If you will have me I"-
"Absolutely," her grin could not be wiped from her face.
"I would like to make an offer for your hand in marriage."
"Don't you understand the meeting of the word yes?" She teased as his lips gently captured hers in a kiss.

"Riles!" Maya ran into the room to and grabbed her open hand.

"Peaches," she smiled at the blonde. Lucas looked up at Riley's parents who entered the room, and stood up.

"Mr. Matthews, may I have a word with you?" Cory looked to his wife and then back to Lucas a ghost of smile on his features.

"It will be my honor Lucas."

The pain is still excruciating but I have found the strength to lift my pen again. It has been two weeks since Simon was killed and I find my body feeling numb and empty. It is almost like I am just a corpse living through life day after day. My parents made an offer to Robert on my behalf for marriage even though I still do not love him. They claimed it was the only way that my legacy would be passed on. Robert outright rejected their offer making a mockery of it dragging my family name through the mud. He said he would rather die than be with a woman who would choose filth over what he could offer. My heart was lightened by the thought of not spending the rest of my days with a man of the likes of him. Even though my family doesn't know what to do, my heart has found the tiniest bit of feeling that everything will eventually be fine and the pain that I feel will dull away.

A.n.- Told you it was an intense chapter. Hopefully it was well worth the wait for those who hated Charlie. ( And let's face it, who didn't). Two more actual chapters and then two alternate endings to go. Please be kind and review and let me know how you liked it. Till next time.

-RGT-