Sorry I didn't update Wednesday! I haven't been feeling well this week and basically slept the past few days away. So I've been trying to update since around 10am yesterday, but FF wouldn't even let me onto my account, whoops, so two chapters today (Wednesday's and yesterdays) if the connection holds up. Anyone else see that the latest winter storm named by the Weather Channel is being called Marcus? 2 days until Ruby Circle! Disclaimer: I did not write Bloodlines or the affiliated characters.

"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough."–Mae West

MPOV

Carly is clearly not used to stakeouts. Her attention span lasted all of five minutes despite the fact this was her idea. Sighing, I take another sip of coffee and turn my iPod on. Music filters through an ear bud as I scan the crowd again. No one remotely resembling Deborah or Zoe has come out of the complex. No back exit and unless the technology for invisible helicopters has been invented, they didn't leave off the roof. Carly sighs and turns to me. "There has to be something interesting to do."

"Watch the complex, let me remind you that you're the one who chased them. Recon missions aren't always interesting and fun the whole time."

Carly grimaces. "Fine. I'll play tic-tac-toe with the old guy over there."

I grin. "Go ahead."–She doesn't move and my grin widens.–"Didn't think so."

"Come on! I don't speak Russian!"

"That has never stopped anyone before." My words effectively shut her up. Glancing back at the complex, I do a double take. A furtive brown haired woman steps onto the street and glances around. I rub my hands together and nudge Carly. "Show time in thirty."

"Where?"

"Over there." I point. We wait thirty seconds after Deborah disappears before moving across the street.

"We don't know which apartment she's holding Zoe in."

"Yes we do." I can feel Carly look at me startled, but I continue on to the elevators. Counting floors in my head, I take a chance and press the button for 4. The ride up is silent, but we hurry off when we reach our floor. Carly follows me to room 425 and stands behind me while I use Alchemist acid to eat away at the lock.

"She's been planning this for a long time, hasn't she." It isn't a question.

"Yes," I test the door and watch as it swings open. Carly slips in behind me and we separate to take different sides of the apartment.

"Found her! She's out cold though!" Carly calls to me from one of the bedrooms. I rush to join her and take a long look at Zoe. Making a decision, I haul her up and onto my shoulder. "Marcus!"

"Hush. You wanted to get her, we got her. We have to hurry."

"I…I want to write a note for mom, so she knows Zoe is okay."

I feel my face soften. "Okay. Make it short though."

Carly nods and dashes to the kitchen to scribble out her note. By the time I reach her, she's done. We leave the apartment and shut the door before moving onto the street. We rented a car and parked it around the corner for an incognito getaway, what we didn't plan for was the coffee cart that would be next to it or the fact that Deborah was in line for it.

"Crap."–I look to Carly.–"Make her go to sleep."

"It doesn't work like that. I don't have anything left, I'd barely be able to start a bright red fire now."

It doesn't matter, because Deborah turns and looks straight at us. Her face contorts and she stalks over to us. "Give her to me." Her words are all but a hiss.

"We can't."

CPOV

Mom looks affronted at the fact we won't give Zoe to her. "Mom, if dad finds out he'll arrest you for kidnapping. You'd never have a chance to even see her. Please, let us do the right thing."

"She's my child."

"So am I. So is Sydney."

"Sydney can't leave the goddamn Court!"

"But she loves you! I love you! Isn't that enough? Aren't we enough?"

"What about Zoe's magic?"

"Maybe she'll never be in a position to develop it. If she is, I doubt she'd tell anyone anyway."

"She's my baby."

"You have to let her go."

"Guys, we're screaming in the middle of the street in English, someone is going to notice us if they haven't already." Marcus intervenes.

"Let's go." I turn away from mom and slip Zoe into the car before getting in myself. I don't look back as Marcus drives away. I do, however, wipe my face to clear it from the ever-accumulating tears that I can't seem to make stop.

"She'll come around. She has to."

"No. She doesn't. I'm her only free child, she's right. I…I have college anyway."

Marcus just sighs and takes my hand. "It'll work out…maybe."

Again, super sorry for the delay! Anywho, in case people were wondering, no the story will not end when they return Zoe. There's more to come *insert evil laugh*.

R&R

Ciao