I'm back. Sorry this took long to get up. I was sick and then I went to the Spice Girls concert (not a good idea when you have a fever!). Hope you like the chapter. We're getting close to the end - maybe one or two more chapter's to go. I have a question to ask: How many of you would like to see Mack's story? Maybe with a new love interest...maybe learn more about Mack...let me know folks :-D
Again, your reviews are very much appreciated.
I don't own anything in Dick Wolfe world.
Chapter 21
She's my what?! Holy sweet mother of pearl…
"Uh…Mack? Are you all right?"
"Oh boy…oh boy…"
Blinking away the shock, Mackenzie stared at Liv. This is nuts…it's insane…she does have my eyes thought…
"Mack? Are you going to say anything? Other than 'oh boy'"
"Are you sure? I mean, are you absolutely 100 percent sure?" Nodding, Olivia looked away and stared at the people walking by.
"Wow…that's…this is…oh wow…" Mackenzie still couldn't believe what she heard. Sister…I have a sister…
"Yeah. It's is." Liv said sadly.
"Well you don't have to sound so excited about it." Mack said with a hint of a smile.
Inhaling Olivia turned and faced Mack. With sad eyes, she explained how she found out about her and how their DNA matched up. As well as how she got a hold of her case file. She even told Mackenzie how she ended up at the centre and why. Olivia left out Mack's mother and her killing spree.
Mack sat quietly and listened intently. She even listens the way I do…that's so eerie, Olivia thought. When she was finished Mack took a moment to gather her thoughts.
"Well…that was interesting. Although, I do swear that I saw this on an episode of that cop show..."
"This isn't funny Mack. Do you know what this means?"
"Don't you think I do? Don't you dare assume that I'm not taking this seriously. I just found out that I have a sister. Who just so happens to be a cop…"
"Ex – cop…"
Rolling her eyes, Mack repeated, "ex-cop. And you assume that I'm going to be a happy little turnip? The question is, are you ready for all this? The responsibility of a new family member?"
Looking slightly chastised, Olivia apologized.
"Forget about it."
Both women fell silent lost in there own thoughts. It hit Mack why Olivia came running out of the condo.
"I'm assuming you already told Brady?" Mack saw Liv cringe. She had her answer.
"What happened?" she asked softly.
Shrugging Olivia struggled with the tears that wanted to fall. Swallowing, Liv took a breath.
"It's over." It was so final the way Olivia said it. She had to close her eyes from the pain. Just saying it out loud ripped the detective apart. Knowing that the last memory she had of Brady was her tear stained face as she turned to leave broke the tough detective. I'm never going to be the same again, she sadly thought.
"Give her time, Liv. You've just dropped this bomb. She's gonna need time to sort it all out. Come on now Liv... she love's you…" Shaking her head, Olivia stopped her from continuing.
"It's done. The damage that I've done…there's no way I can fix it."
"You really can't believe that?
"She's made it pretty clear that she didn't want anything to do with me." With tears in her eyes Olivia covered her face in her hands and quietly let the tears fall. Mack put a hand on her sister's shoulder and squeezed.
"It'll work out. I promise. Look…maybe we should get going. I'll talk some sense into Brady and…"
"There's more…"
"More?"
Wiping away her tears with the back of her hand, Olivia took hold of her sister's hands.
"It's about your mother…"
"Tell me she's dead…please…tell me she's dead…"
"She's been let out of prison…"
"WHAT!" Olivia saw the young woman begin to panic. Liv did her best to calm her sister down.
"It's alright. We have everyone keeping a close eye on her" Not exactly the truth…but close enough…
Looking unconvinced, Mack just nodded. Sighing, Olivia got up and knelt down in front of her sister. Taking a hold of her face, she looked deep into her sister's eyes.
"There is no way in hell she will ever get anywhere near you or Brady or Alex. She won't get a chance. She'll have to get through me first. Got it?"
Still with the fear was washing over her, Mack nodded. Clinging to Olivia's hands Mack gave a small smile.
"Good girl." Giving her sister a hug she smiled and prayed to God that they'd find Sarah soon.
"Let's go. By the way…how did you get by Fin and Lake?"
Giving her older sister a smirk, she began to tell her….
I shouldn't have let her walk out of here like that…we should have talked this through. Damn it! Why did I just push her away like that?
Because you love her, said the voice inside of her Sighing, Brady walked over to the window and stared out hoping to see the detective standing out there. She's gone…wiping the tears from her eyes; she wandered over to Alex's room. He had fallen asleep while he comforted her. He had such an old soul. It made Brady wonder how he would be like when he got older. She smiled at the thought.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
Olivia! Brady hurried to the door. She came back!
"Olivia I'm sor…" she said as she opened the door. Brady stood in shock. The color drained from her face. She didn't expect to see her face ever again.
In an evil voice the doctor could never forget, the stranger simply gave a twisted smile and pushed her way in.
"Hello doctor. Remember me?"
Oh dear God…
"So you've really thought this through?"
"Yeah. I've actually wanted to do it since I was a kid. But I ended up taking child psychology instead." Mack said with a shrug. The two women had found they had so many things in common.
"But what will Brady think of this? I don't want you quitting and joining the force because of me…"
"Shallow much?" Mack arched a brow and Olivia laughed.
"What about Alex?"
"That's part of the reason I want to change careers. I can adopt him once I'm not his caseworker. I can't see my life with out him." Olivia nodded in understanding. She had wanted children once. She thought she'd get the chance to with Brady. But seeing as Brady didn't want her anymore, there was really no point in trying.
"Besides, I've already studied up for the entrance exam for the academy. So it's just a matter of telling Brady…"
"So I take it you two are cool?" said Fin as Mack and Liv stopped in front of them. Nodding, both women just smiled.
"Yikes. They even nod the same way." Lake said in way of greeting.
"On second thought, maybe you should have hit him" Liv said to her sister with a smile on her face.
"Why don't you go on up and I'll meet you up there. I just have to talk to these knuckled heads." Olivia gave Mack a hug and then a little shove in the direction of the condo.
"Is she always that bossy?" Mack asked the two detectives.
"Always…" they said in unison.
"Thanks guys. Ok…you, upstairs."
"I'm going, I'm going." Olivia watched carefully as her sister sulked all the way to the condo. Smiling, she turned her attention to the two detectives.
"What the hell is the matter with you!? You let her run off like that!?" Olivia was pissed.
"Told you we're in deep shit…" mumbled Lake.
"She's not here Sarah" Brady said as she watched Sarah play with her knife. The crazed woman just smiled.
"I know…I've been watching." Sarah sat in front of Brady, blocking her exit through the front door.
Christ…I can't go through the front. If I go into my room, she'll have me cornered…please, God…keep Alex asleep.
"There's no point in trying to get away from me. You're still going to die. Slowly. But I can wait…I want my dear daughter here to witness your death."
Brady sat, helpless. Just stay calm. Everything will all right…
As the minutes ticked by, Brady felt every last bit of hope diminish. And just when it couldn't get any worse…
"Brady? I'm hungry…" Alex padded out of the room with his teddy under his arm. He didn't see Sarah until he was five feet away from her.
Eyes widening, Brady stood up quickly and attempted to shield him away from Sarah. It was too late. Sarah had the boy by the scruff of his neck. Her demented smile got wider as she studied Alex from head to toe.
Alex stood in fear. Frantically, looking at Brady he dropped his bear and reached out to Brady. Sarah just yanked him away and he let out a little yelp. Brady moved forward but was stopped by the knife that was pointed at her.
"LET HIM GO!" Brady screamed. She was terrified for Alex. God only knew what Sarah would do to him.
"Stay there. Move again and you'll be picking up his insides!" To emphasize her point, she shoved Alex directly in front of her and held her knife to his small throat. He gave a little whimper. Brady could do nothing but stay where she was. She knew with out a doubt that no matter what she did they weren't going to leave the condo alive.
Sarah held tightly onto Alex's shaking form. He had shut his eyes and tucked his arms into his chest. Mack…where's Mack? …I want Mack…he thought franticly. Sarah stroked the boy's head which made Alex cringe even more. Brady felt sick as she watched Sarah. Damn it, damn it, damn it…I have to do something…
Just then, there was a knock at the door. All three heads snapped in the direction of the front door.
"Hey Brady! Open up. It's Mack. Why'd you lock the door?" Eyes widening, Brady stood frozen in the spot. Shit!
Pointing the knife at Brady, Sarah quietly gave her orders.
"Answer it. And don't even think of trying anything. Or else…" moving the knife and placing it on Alex's neck, Sarah yanked his head so she could keep it in place in full view for Brady.
Eyes wide as saucers, Alex's breathing began to speed up and a tear fell from his eyes. Swallowing hard, Brady did as she was told. Sarah dragged Alex back to his room and hid there waiting for her chance.
"Brady? You in there? I spoke to Liv…" Brady quickly unlocked and opened the door.
"Sorry…I was a bit busy," Brady said as she stepped aside and let Mack in. Mackenzie gave her a suspicious look as she went in. Something's not right…hmmm….
"What's wrong?"
Closing the door but making sure to leave it unlocked, Brady led the way to the living room. Grasping Mack's arm tight and looking into her eyes, Brady silently pleaded for help she's got Alex!
"What?" Mack asked softly. Seeing Brady's eyes widen, Mackenzie looked over her shoulder. Oh dear God!! No!
Sarah had a dirty knife pressed extremely close to Alex's little neck making it hard for the little boy to move with out getting sliced by it. There were already visible marks on his neck. Mack's eyes wandered up to stare into Alex's eyes. They were filled with tears and fear. Hold on buddy…just hold on! Mack's moved on up and they landed on her mother. A hate so uncontrollable had seeped into the very core of Mackenzie.
"Let. Him. Go" With every word, Mack had to suppress the urge to lunge for her mother. A snarl appeared on Sarah's thin lips. Hiking up the knife just a bit more, Sarah held on tighter to the boy. Alex shut his eyes tight. He felt a warm liquid run down his throat. He reached up with a small hand and wiped it away. When he opened his eyes and raised his hand, he saw blood.
"LET HIM GO! NOW!" Mackenzie saw the blood and could not control the rage that was now boiling over.
"SHUT UP YOU STUPID CHILD!" Brady and Mack had both taken a step forward but were stopped when the knife on Alex's neck drew more blood. Alex whimpered.
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT!"
"You already know my dear daughter" Sarah spoke calmly. Mack was tired of her mind games. She had to put up with it all through out her childhood.
Spreading her arms out Mack was past the point of really giving a shit, "obviously I don't. Just tell me what the hell you want."
"You were always useless…"
"And your point is?"
Gripping Alex tighter and making sure that Mack saw the pain in the boy's eyes, "Don't push it! Move over there! I SAID MOVE IT!!!!" Mack held her hands up and moved to where Sarah had pointed to. Mack was now separated from Brady and Alex. If her mother went for one, Mack would be too far to get to the other. Shit. Think Mack! Think!
"We can still leave. They have nothing to do with this…" Mackenzie said as she desperately tried to distract her mother.
"WHY THE HELL WOULD WE DO THAT!" Sarah spat. "THEY HAVE EVERYTHING TO DO WITH IT! ESPECIALLY HER!" Sarah jabbed her knife at Brady who lunged back. She cried out as the knife barely missed her cheek. Mackenzie screamed and lunged for Sarah's arm. Sarah had no other choice but to let go of Alex.
"MACK!!! NO!!" Brady yelled. She held Alex as they watched the two woman fall to the ground in a heap. Mack some how knocked the knife out of Sarah's hand only to be elbowed in the face by her mother.
Both women managed to get to their feet only to go crashing down again. Sarah now had the upper hand and sent Mackenzie to her knees with a punch to the stomach. Doubled over in pain, Mackenzie didn't see the knee that connected with her jaw which sent her flying head first into a near by wall.
"MACKENZIE!!" Brady set Alex down and was about to go after Sarah when she saw that the other woman had gotten hold of the knife again and was standing over Mack.
"I SAID DON'T MOVE!" Breathing heavy, Sarah kicked Mack in the stomach hard. "Prison teaches you a lot of things sweetheart. I wouldn't pull a stunt again like that. Now move it!" She ordered as she shoved Mack with her foot. Crawling her way back to where Brady was the bloodied and bruised Mack remained on her knees breathing hard.
"Bitch…" Mack mumbled under her breath. Sarah heard this and backhanded Mack snapping her head to one side.
"STOP IT! YOU'VE MADE YOU POINT!" Kneeling down and keeping Alex close, Brady wrapped her arms around Mack.
"She's down stairs…" Mackenzie whispered. Brady looked confused. "Liv…downstairs…" Eyes slightly widened and she nodded. Mack motioned towards Alex and Brady finally understood. Like hell you will…Brady hugged Mack and whispered, "No…I won't leave you here…"
"Do it…please…get Liv…" Not liking the plan but seeing no other way to get them all out alive, she gave a small nod.
"That's enough! You're making me gag." Shoving the two women apart, Sarah stood over them and waived the knife over them.
"20 years in that shit hole. Because of you! You took my LIFE WAY! Now I'm going to take yours. Just like I took that Morgan girl and the others…I'll start off with the little one first…" Sarah had moved to grab Alex but this time Mack got to Sarah first. From her position Mack tackled Sarah to the ground.
"RUN!" Mackenzie screamed as she tried to hold off her mother with her good arm. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Brady snatch a screaming Alex and bolted for the door. Mack concentrated on surviving long enough until help arrived. Please hurry…I don't think I'll make it out alive this time…Mackenzie frantically thought as she felt the knife slice her palm. Wincing in pain and momentarily distracted, Sarah seized the opportunity and kneed Mack in the stomach again. Mack went down hard and she felt the pain of a vicious kick to her ribs. Sarah raised the knife above her head…oh God…my nightmare is coming true…
In her nightmare she didn't make a sound. This time it was going to be different...this time she screamed.
Running down the hall screaming with a terrified little boy wasn't easy. Dear lord…where is everyone.
"HELP! ANYONE!" Brady headed for the elevator and frantically pressed the button. "Come on! Come on! Damn it!"
Just then the elevator's opened up. Stepping out were Fin and…
"OLIVIA!"
"Whoa! What's wrong?" Just then a loud crash followed by a gut wrenching scream echoed through the hall.
"Shit!" They all ran for Brady's apartment. Olivia kicked opened the door. What she saw made her sick.
"STAY WITH HER! AND CALL IT IN!" Liv screamed at Fin. He immediately grabbed Brady and Alex and made his way back to the elevators while reaching for his radio.
Olivia, out of habit, reached for her hip only to realize she didn't have a gun with her. Shit! So she did the only thing she could do. She ran head first into Sarah.
With much protest, Fin, Brady and Alex made it to the lobby.
"LAKE!" Chester was rushing in.
"4th FLOOR! LIV NEEDS YOU!" Chester took off for the stairs at light speed.
"I need to get back to her! Detective, please let me go!" Struggling out of Fin's hold only made him hold on tighter.
Shaking his head Fin gently spoke to the frantic woman. "I'm sorry I can't. Olivia wouldn't survive if something happened to you."
The last sentence hit Brady hard. She stopped fighting and let Fin lead her out of the condo.
Lake made it to the 4th floor in record time…shit! What was the number? Hearing a crash he ran in that direction. Never mind…
Olivia jumped out of the way avoiding Sarah's blade. Liv took a step to one side and elbowed Sarah in the groin. Hearing a grunt from Sarah made Liv smile. Serves you right bitch! She then landed a sucker punch which connected with Sarah's jaw. Stumbling back Sarah dropped her knife. Liv quickly glanced at her sister crawling for the door. Good girl…keep going sweetie…
The quick distraction was all Sarah needed. She grabbed her knife and charged towards the detective.
Catching movement in the corner of her eye, Olivia took a step to the side but it was too late. Sarah knocked them to the ground her knife still in her hand. Rolling over to get the advantage, Liv was now on top desperately trying to get a hold of the knife.
All of a sudden both women's eyes widened and all movement seemed to stop.
Mack turned to see why it had gone quiet. Her eyes were fixed on Liv. Mackenzie struggled to her knees…
"No, No, No, No….NOOOOO!!" Mackenzie screamed.
Sarah shoved Olivia off of her. She looked down to see blood, but it wasn't hers.
Mackenzie let out an anguished cry. No, no, no, no…
Lake ran into the apartment gun drawn. Shit!
"FREEZE! POLICE! I SAID FREEZE!" Sarah stood over Liv who had the knife lodged into her side. She bent over her and pulled it out with out caring. Olivia let out a gurgled sound and coughed up blood.
"DROP IT! DROP THE KNIFE!" Lake yelled. Having no other choice, he pulled the trigger. The first shot hit Sarah in the shoulder. Lake fired a second shot. This time it hit Sarah in the chest. She looked stunned then she fell to the ground with a loud thud.
Reaching for his radio with shaking hands he radioed for an ambulance.
"We need a bus…officer down. Suspect neutralized…" dropping the radio, he knelt over Olivia and pressed his hand over her wound. Mack was on the opposite side of him. She had a hand pressed gently to her cheek.
"Don't leave me…please don't leave me…" Mack wept. She had said that prayer many times years ago begging her angel not to leave her. Now she was doing it all over again. This time she was begging for the life of her sister.
Olivia was now coughing up more blood and struggling to breath.
"Stay with me…come now…don't leave me, don't leave me, don't leave me…" Mack quietly begged through her tears.
Chester rarely got emotional, but this time he didn't care. He bent his head and prayed to whatever god he could remember and begged for the life of his friend. He didn't notice the tears that fell from his eyes.
Outside Brady couldn't keep still. Alex had finally fallen asleep in Liv's car.
"Damn it! What the hell is taking so long?" She turned to Fin who was making phone calls to various people. Sighing when she didn't get an answer she began to pace a few steps left then a few steps to the right. Suddenly, she felt a cold wind up her spine. Nausea hit her full force and she was brought to her knees. Fin was by her side in an instant.
"Are you alright? What happened?"
No, no, no, no…Brady covered her face and let out a tormented sound.
Just then they heard Chester's voice over Fin's radio.
"We need a bus…officer down. Suspect neutralized…" Fin grabbed the radio but it was too late. Brady heard the request. She let out tortured cry and began to rock back and forth as she hugged herself. Fin held on to Brady and felt a tear slide down his cheek.
He wasn't known to be a religious man but this time, he would be...anything to save his friend. He closed his eyes and prayed for his friend's life.
In the distance, sirens could be heard. Everyone involved hoped it wasn't too late.