A/N: The title of the chapters are my song suggestions. So Mattresses Underwater by Colour Revolt is this one.

Chapter Nineteen- Mattresses Underwater

"I haven't seen you in a couple of days." Spot said studying Shaun carefully.

"I know, I've been busy." He fiddled with the key around his neck.

"Busy?"

"Yes Spot." Shaun tried to keep her voice calm but she knew he detected the edge.

"Shaun, what did I do?" Spot's voice was suddenly quiet and trembling with vulnerability. "Viola told me you got drunk at Al's the other night." Traitor Shaun thought. They were both standing on the docks looking at the Hudson. The water was turbulent much like Shaun's emotions.

She clenched her fists at the gentle touch of Spot's hand against her cheek. She hadn't cheated on him, but why did it feel like she had? One date with Joel wasn't that bad and Spot was unaware she had spent time with him. Yet as she turned towards the intense blue eyes she felt incredible guilt.

Deep down Shaun knew it wasn't the date that had changed her demeanor. It was the plan she had devised, the future she had decided to make for herself. Taking Spot's hand she kissed it and forced a smile. She had to be normal, at least with him, because time was diminishing.

"You didn't do anything Spot. You're amazing," she paused to rest another kiss on his palm. "I saw my Dad, that's all, and it just upset me. But I promise everything's okay now." His eyes were narrowed but eventually he accepted her excuse.

"Shaun I'd rather you talk to me than get drunk."

"I know."

"Luckily Al found Viola to keep you safe. I mean stumbling around New York City isn't my idea of fun."

"Spot," she stressed. "Next time I get drunk I'll bring you along." He wrapped his arm around her shoulders pulling her into him.

"Let's hope you don't have to be drunk for awhile." She inhaled his scent feeling the love and passion radiating from him.

"I have you." She whispered. "You're all I need to check out of reality." He tilted her chin and pressed his lips against hers. How would Spot ever forgive her? She wondered as he led her to the warehouse.

Shaun taped her fingers impatiently on the front desk. Logan had neglected to come to work today. There was no one she could find in order to discover his whereabouts, and while she knew his home was behind her he had forbade her entrance. Clenching her teeth she swept through the inventory book once more hoping to direct her thoughts.

At least he trusts you she assured herself attempting to find the good in the situation. Yet she couldn't help imagining him hurt somewhere, lost, or alone. Logan Whitefield may act like he was a man, but he was still very much a boy. As the six o'clock hour neared and she began closing up she heard the most terrifying sound; the floor above her shuddered with the abrupt weight of something. Shaun dropped the books she had been carrying and swung open the door that led into Logan's house.

No one could be found as she slid into the kitchen and searched for the source of noise. Her mind was threatening her with pictures of Logan bleeding, or dead. Gasping she tumbled up a set of stairs she had come across. After a few empty rooms she stumbled upon a person. It was a man, elderly and sickly, lying in a tangle of sheets on the ground. The bed had somehow been tipped on its side and currently the man was knocking over glasses and books trying to stand.

"Sir!" Shaun breathed falling onto her knees beside him. "What's wrong?" he was shaking uncontrollably in her arms his eyes rolling back in his head. "Oh god, what do you need?" she shrieked her eyes watering in panic.

Gently resting him on the sheets she began opening drawers and doors looking for medication. "Sir, talk to me, stay with me!" she kept screaming glancing over her shoulder at him, now foaming at the mouth. "No, no, please!" she returned to him holding him against her chest. "I won't leave you." She whispered. "I'll stay here." His knobby fingers wrapped around her shoulder squeezing with more strength then she thought he was capable of.

"Logan…" he gasped choking on spit. His teeth chattered and eventually pierced his tongue. Blood dripped from the side of his mouth and finally the movement stopped. Shaun held him her eyes widened in surprise. His hand slid slowly down her arm and thumped against the floor. The sound resonated inside her as she stared at his white eyeballs.

"Shaun?" she jumped recognizing the sharp tone. "Shaun what are you doing?" Slowly she allowed the man to crumple onto the floor before straightening. Logan entered the room his lips in a firm line. His gaze found hers and never left as if he refused to look at the person next to the bed. "What are you doing up here?" he asked quietly.

"Logan, I'm sorry, I,"

"I told you not to come up here."

"I heard something fall, you didn't come in today I was worried."

"Didn't I tell you not to come up here?"

"Logan, I didn't know what to do! Should we call a doctor?"

"Didn't I tell you?" he repeated his voice never rose nor fell.

"Logan." She moved toward him watching his muscles tense his teeth grind against each other. "Who is this?" His mouth opened and all he released was a shriek.

"My father!" he exclaimed. "My father!" He shoved her aside rushing to the motionless man. "What did you do?" he cradled his head in the crook of his neck. "What did you do?"

"Nothing! He started shaking, I couldn't do anything! I couldn't find any medications!"

"Get out, Get out, Don't ever come back, ever You're fired!" His eyes were enough to convince Shaun to leave. Carefully she traveled down the steps holding every wall, and every rail she came by. It took her thirty minutes longer to reach the lodging house, and when she did she said nothing to anyone. Instead she locked her door and fell onto her bed.

"Shaun?" Racetrack called through the door. When there was no response he glanced back at the others and shrugged.

"Shaun, you need to eat!" Jack said rattling the door knob. "You can't keep yourself locked up for two days." The boys waited for a sign she was alive and heard nothing.

"I guess we have no choice." Blink stated turning to Snipeshooter and making a gesture. "We have to get him."

"And who will he be pissed at?" Race growled. "Us!" Blink held his hands up in defeat.

"We have no other choice! He's pissed anyway! He hasn't seen her for two days, and no one's telling him anything."

"Race, unfortunately, he's right." They all exchanged looks before tugging themselves away from Shaun. "And we have no idea what happened."

"Something awful." Mush commented wringing his hands. "What if someone did something to her?"

"Shut up!" Race yelled. "And if someone did we'll beat their ass!" There were murmurs of agreement as they situated themselves around the lodging house. Slowly silence stretched throughout the room as they waited grimly for Spot Conlon.

Spot had lost Snipeshooter at the docks. The minute he had heard Shaun wasn't eating, speaking, and refusing to see others his stomach flipped. It had been a few days and he hadn't seen her, and of course he had been distraught but he was afraid.

Afraid to approach her incase suddenly she had decided to leave him. Spot knew as the Manhattan home came into view that if he lost her he would lose himself. Inside her hands she held every piece of his heart, and soul, and he wasn't sure if she knew. The others stood as he entered barely stopping to catch his breath. He began pounding his fists on her door.

"Shaun Kenneth!" his tone was on the edge of becoming deadly. "If you don't open this door and talk to me, I swear!" he stopped banging long enough for an answer but received none. "Don't you ignore me!" he screamed.

He wanted to tell her that he was worried and fearful but he couldn't show anymore weakness in front of the others. "In the count of five I'm coming in." he continued switching from his fists to his feet.

His strength intensified with the determination to see her and make sure she was fine. To find who ever had hurt her and kill them. "Five!" Racetrack and Jack helped him kick down the door and when they entered their mouths fell. The window was opening, the curtains fluttering, and Shaun was gone.

Shaun stood outside the bookstore with her arms wrapped around herself. She had to speak with Logan, apologize, do anything to help him. Finally she understood exactly why he was the way he was. His father had been dying and he most likely was taking care of his family. The poor fifteen year old had to have grown up fast, too fast. For the first time since working there the sign on the door said 'closed.' Shaun felt tears as she pushed it open anyway and prepared herself for the argument to come.

"Logan!" she cried moving down all the book shelves and noticing large chunks missing. "Logan it's Shaun." She tried again swallowing hard as she headed into his kitchen. "I really would like to speak with you!" gripping the railing she traveled up the stairs checking each room. In the same room Logan's father had died she found him. Lying on the ground with an empty bottle of whiskey. "Oh my gosh!" she slid across the wood floor grabbing the bottle and lifting his head. "Logan."

"Get off me." He slurred attempting to shove her away.

"No!"

"You murderer!" he rolled off of her and emptied his stomach. "You murderer." He repeated using his shirt to wipe the vomit.

"Logan," the tears Shaun had felt earlier slipped down her cheeks. "You're destroying yourself."

"Yeah? So what?"

"Why? Stop it!" she grabbed his arms and forced him to look at her. "Why?"

"Get off!" his eyes snapped shut and he aimlessly tried to hit her.

"No, I won't leave until you tell me why you're doing this!"

"My dad's dead." He answered leaning his back against the night stand. "He's dead."

"Where's your mother?"

"On her honeymoon. She hasn't come back since my dad got sick."

"What?"

"When my father became nothing she left him."

"Logan we need to sober you up. Please come with me." He said nothing when she helped him off the floor. Instead he leaned against her heavily allowing her to run her hand up and down his back. Shaun led him out of the shop, locking the door behind them, and down the busy sidewalks.

They received a few curious glances which Logan barely noticed. He was sobbing beside her murmuring various things she couldn't understand. Shaun tightened her grip. The maternal instincts she normally felt for Mattie extended to the teenager next to her.

Logan's world had been turned upside down and Shaun played a part in it. Since she had returned to the lodging house she hadn't slept. The entire evening she was overwhelmed by guilt and eventually at three a.m. she had snuck out.

Al's place was empty as she pushed Logan onto a stool. He slumped over the counter most likely asleep.

"Viola!" Shaun yelled up the steps. "Viola it's Shaun!"

"Dammit, it's morning." The Russian woman growled wrapping a silk robe around her. "What are you doing here?" she stomped down the stairs wiping sleep from her eyes.

"I have someone who's really drunk, and I don't know what to do." Rolling her eyes she sauntered to the boy and shook him.

"You awake?" her voice echoed about the bar.

"Yes, jeez." He said rubbing his face.

"Good, we're gonna get you some bread alright? Now stay awake or I'll punch you where the sun don't shine." Logan nearly straightened completely. At least he still has a brain Shaun thought watching as Viola raided the cupboards.

"Al never keeps food in here." She mumbled throwing random things about before producing a loaf of bread. "Lesson number one," she began, "Starch soaks up the alcohol." Logan hesitantly accepted the brown bread and eventually ate it when Viola made a move to stuff it in his mouth.

"I'll remember that." Shaun answered.

"In fact eating in general is important dear, which is why I stressed it to you." She watched him like a hawk before pouring a glass of water. "Sip on this." She commanded before lifting herself to sit on the counter.

"I appreciate this Viola, I really do."

"Why not ask Spot? He could help you." She shoved her hand down her corset and produced a pack of cigarettes.

"I haven't talked to Spot for a couple of days." Viola narrowed her eyes as she took a drag.

"Interesting."

"Viola, I don't want to talk about that, I'd rather talk about him."

"Okay." She shrugged turning her green eyes back to Logan.

"Logan, do you feel better."

"Bathroom." He said and Viola stood.

"I'll help him throw up. You can stay here." She grabbed him and led him to the back. Sighing Shaun fell onto the chair Logan had been occupying.

Massaging her temples she assessed the situation. The least she could do was run the business while Logan sobered up. Shaun trusted Viola enough to watch him despite her ties to gangs and nonchalant demeanor. A few minutes later she returned helping Logan to sit down. "He needs to sleep now and he'll be fine." She said getting him another glass of water.

"Viola I'm going to work, could you watch him for me?" she sighed audibly slamming the tumbler next to Logan before placing her hands on her hips.

"I have clients Shaun. I can't play babysitter."

"Please? This is important."

"So is my work."

"Viola, please?" Groaning she stormed up the steps. Shaun could hear shuffling and banging, and yelling before a man stumbled down the stairs half dressed and out the bar.

"Al, I'm goin' to babysit today. No customer's. Don't ask." She screeched emerging in a scantily clad dress and dragging Logan from the chair. "Fine, but don't expect favors all the time." She snapped pulling the boy behind her. "I'm just doing this 'cause Spot likes you sweetheart." Shaun smiled knowing much better than that. For some reason she wouldn't admit it, but Viola liked her.

The store was quiet for most of the morning and early afternoon. Shaun spent her time cleaning the shop and Logan's house. As she checked his food supply she decided she might find Sarah and make a few meals. Logan needed help, and he would never ask sober or not. As six o'clock neared she heard the door bell. Turning from a stack of books to greet the customer her face paled.

"Good evening." Beth Kenneth smirked clasping her hands in front of her. Shaun slowly straightened lifting her chin.

"Beth."

"I'm your mother."

"You're a monster." She raised her hand to slap her but Shaun had hers in the air first. Beth screamed.

"What happened!" she shrieked her perfect composure diminishing.

"What do you mean Beth?"

"Stop calling me Beth! Stop being so calm!" she moved closer. "I am your mother."

"You were never my mother." Shaun breathed.

"You are going to quit this peasant job and marry someone wealthy."

"What, like you did? Like you abandoned Shaun? Like you used my father and decided to marry the factory owner's son?"

"What? How?"

"I met him Beth, I met Shaun." Her eyes were as large as saucers and her hands began to shake. "He told me everything. How selfish you are, how he hates you. And guess what? I hate you too. I hate you, and James."

"Don't you talk to me like that! You will listen to me!"

"No, I won't. I don't need you anymore, don't you see? You have no control over me, now get out."

"I don't know where this attitude came from, but it will stop!" her voice was trembling and the power Beth had over her child was gone.

"You think I would listen to you after I found out you sold me to William Manchester?"

"What?" Shaun smiled as her mother realized she knew much more than she thought.

"You came in here prepared for battle and dominance. Welcome to reality Beth. I saw his records; in fact he almost murdered me in a maze after starving me for months. And if you think you're going to walk out of here and not be punished for what you've done to me, to my father, and to Mattie you're wrong."

"Are you threatening me?"

"Take it as you want, now get out." Her mother searched her face for any sign of faltering. Gritting her teeth she flew from the store and was in the carriage before Shaun could blink.

Releasing a large breath she leaned against the counter. She digested the second encounter. Beth hadn't denied selling her, she hadn't done anything to make Shaun second guess her future plan. Once the shop was closed up and she was outside she had come to the final step, the final conclusion. It was time to begin.

Shaun hadn't wanted to return to the lodging house. Instead she headed in aimless directions. By the time the sky was black she had traveled down half of Manhattan's streets. Her stomach growled and looking up she decided to eat at the first restaurant she saw.

Arlen's drew her attention and glancing both ways she dashed across the road. The restaurant was extremely busy for such a small place. The tables were close together, the walls a warm color, and the wait staff seemed pleasant. All together it was a cozy atmosphere and she smiled to the host before being seated.

Shaun perused the menu hoping she could pick something from all the tasty dishes. It was then she heard someone speak. They weren't someone she knew, but it was the person they were speaking too that she recognized. Her heart stopped as her head snapped upwards. Sitting at the table across from her was a young man with a sullen face. His eyes were cold and lifeless, his ribs were visible through his flannel shirt, and he could barely smile at his visitor.

"Daniel," he said situating himself in a seat across from him. "You need to come home. We haven't seen you in months." The man shook his head. "I know you're upset, but it's time."

"Time for what?" Daniel croaked picking at his potatoes. "Time for what Dad?"

"Time to let her go." He dropped the fork and clenched his fists. "Daniel please." His father pleaded. "I know you loved her."

"You don't understand." His voice almost faded into the chatter about her. "She is my life, dad, my life."

"Daniel." Shaun watched as the man wiped tears from his eyes. Daniel's expression remained stern and his body tense.

"Good night dad." His father stood resting a few bills on the table before exiting. Her hands were shaking and her mind reeling. Shaun didn't have to ask, she knew exactly who was sitting less than a foot away. Daniel Prescott, the man who was engaged to Abigail, was in front of her suffering. Excusing herself as the waiter approached her she crossed the distance and plopped down in the chair his father had occupied. "Um," his brows furrowed.

"You don't know me." Shaun said trying to keep her sentences from running together. "My name is Shaun Kenneth, and I'm a friend of Abigail's." his eyes widened and his dirty hands grabbed hers.

"Abigail," he gasped.

"Daniel I need to tell you something."

"You know where she is?" he screamed causing the noise in the restaurant to dissipate. "Where?" She clasped his fingers and squeezed urging herself to continue.

"I met Abigail in a basement. She had been kidnapped by a man named William Manchester."

"Where is she?" he demanded shaking just as bad as she was. "Please tell me! I don't have much but I'll give you all my money, all my belongings if you can just tell me where she is." Shaun couldn't stop the tears and they created patches on his hands. "No," he whispered half out of his chair. "No, please,"

"Her body is in an underground maze,"

"Stop!" he screeched.

"Daniel, listen to me." She stood and gripped his shoulders. "She wanted me to tell you something." His sobs were his answer as he slumped into the chair. Shaun ignored the manager's pleas for them to leave as she moved around the table and kneeled in front of him.

"Daniel look at me." Slowly the broken man's eyes met hers. "Abigail loved you more than anything on this earth," she paused to conjure the words. They were the words she would tell Spot, the feelings that overwhelmed her when he held her, when she touched him. "You were every breath she took, every thought she had, every smile she gave, you were everything Daniel. Absolutely everything so don't do this to yourself. Don't destroy the person Abigail loved."

He stared at her, his sobs becoming quiet sniffles. Shakily he pushed her hands from him and moved to the door. Shaun followed apologizing to the staff before catching up to him on the sidewalk.

"You're right." He murmured lifting his face to the sky. "But it's so hard."

"I don't think I need I need to confirm anything for you, you know she's not coming back right?" Shaun hated how harsh her words sounded.

"Yes, I knew a long time ago." His voice broke. "But I hoped." He gestured at the restaurant. "This was the last place we were." He stared at the building, half standing in the warm glow of lights and half in the shadows.

"I wish with every fiber of my being Abigail had made it, and not me." He turned to her and smiled. A bright, beautiful smile.

"Don't say that. Thank you." Daniel stepped forward and took her hands. "At least I have closure." Tears formed once more. "I can barely live without her, but," he paused to swallow back his pain. "You're right. She would hate to see me this way. So I'll try." He tightened his grip. "I will do my best to…let go." He choked and released her.

"Daniel." He nodded. "Promise me you will, please? I told Abigail I'd give you this message." Shaun wiped the tears from her face as he began to walk away. She didn't need him to answer but watching what a wreck he was it nearly broke her heart. Shaun leaned against a brick wall and sighed. She needed time to think, time alone.

"Shaun?" she didn't open her eyes.

"Joel."

"It's late what are you doing out alone?"

"What are you doing over here?" she questioned wrapping her arms around herself. She heard shuffling of paper.

"Shopping. I know weird, but I needed a few things."

"Am I really so close to the business district?" she wondered aloud finally allowing herself to look at him. He smiled, his gaze drinking her in.

"You are. But I'm glad I can see you." He waited a few moments before continuing. "Have you thought about what we discussed?" she let the silence descend upon them as she pushed herself off the wall. Once inches from his face she reached for his hand. Joel quickly set a few packages down and entwined their fingers.

"Yes Joel." She said quietly.

"Yes what?"

"I will marry you." He beamed dropping all his items and taking her in his arms. While Joel spun her around screaming with happiness Shaun silently cried into his shoulder.

A/N: Thanks to all who have reviewed! I know this chapter might seem like it was moving pretty fast, but, I don't know. I hope you all enjoy it!