Disclaimer: I do not own DEBS or any of the characters used from the movie. They belong to Angela Robinson. This disclaimer applies to all chapters in this story.

A/N: All chapters after this were written in 2014, so some parts might not make sense.

Chapter 25 - edited 12/25/2018

One week has passed. No one else came besides the young blonde, not Kristin, the one who said nothing every time she came to deliver her meals. Her requests for newspapers, magazines, steak and French fries have all been denied. So there's nothing else she can do except to try again.

"Hi." Lucy said as the young blonde bent down to slid the tray under the steel bars. "Where's your boss?" Like the last 5 days, this time didn't work either. "Hey!" She didn't want to be rude but having no one to talk to for an entire week is driving her nuts. "Kat! Where is your boss?" Again, there is no response. Maybe there's nobody in the surveillance room? So there's nothing she can do besides take her lunch back to the table and eat. She'll be back. She's certain of it until another blonde in her 30's came in half hour later and introduced herself as Miss Devereaux's assistant. "Is she sick?"

"She's busy."

That could be true but having heard about the budget cuts and seeing how Helene wasn't feeling well the last time they spoke, it's very possible that she became ill from stress. "If you're here to ask me to confess, Save it."

"I'll come back tomorrow then."

Crap. All they wanted is a confession? "Wait…" They can wait but I can't. "Tell her to come see me and I'll solve all her problems." Need clarification? She didn't intend to but looks like she has to because the assistant looks confused. "Tell her to come here before the world knows, because after that, I won't be able to help her. Can you tell her that for me?" Asking politely is necessary but she realized it did nothing because after that day, the assistant came for the same purpose which made her wonder if Helene is sick to the point where she can't get up. After 4 more days of having no one to talk to other than the assistant who came to ask the same question and left after getting no answer, she can't take it anymore. "Let's talk about it." As expected, the assistant looks surprised. "So tell me, Diane, what are the five crimes they want me to confess to?"

"She didn't tell you?...Oh, let me find out."

"Wait, you don't know what they are?"

"It's confidential."

"I see." Not really. "So did you tell her what I said last time?" If she did, then that could only mean she's right. Getting a nod confirms it.

"Diane!"

"I'll go find out."

There's nothing Diane said that's confidential so she's not sure why Kat stopped her from talking.

"Kat! why did you do that? I just want someone to talk to. I'm going insane in here. And when that happens, they're going to put me in a mental institution and your boss is going to blame you because I won't be able to confess to anything…you get that!" Not getting a response from Kat got her even more angry. "Kat!"

"...so...what do you want to talk about?"

"I want to know how Kristin's doing?" If Kat continues to ignore her, she plans on breaking the furniture to get attention.

"She's fine. She's getting much better. That's all I can tell you."

That's good to hear, but not knowing when she can see her again, she decided to have Kat relay the message. "Kat, tell her I love her. Tell her I love her because she's smart, funny, beautiful, caring and kind. Can you tell her that for me?"

"Is that really why you love her?"

Surprised with Kat's question, Lucy looked up at the camera.

"I know about…her."

"Does she…know?"

"No."

A breath of relief escaped but no doesn't mean she won't. If Kat found out, then it's just a matter of time before Kristin does. "It's not like that, Kat. It's not what you think. Please…don't let her know."

"I won't. But she has access to the files. I can't stop her from accessing those files."

Oh God. It may not be now, but it could be soon. Time is running out faster than she thought. Feeling as though her heart just plummeted to the floor, she can no longer wait. Being in here, she won't be able to do anything except to have Kat prevent Kristin from looking into those files.

"I can't."

Kat can't but Helen can. "Kat, tell your boss I want to see her…right now. Tell her it's important."

"You're going to confess?"

If that's what it takes it for her to come, then yes but she realized either Kat misunderstood the definition of right now or Helene didn't get the message until four hours later.

"Jesus, you don't look so good."

"Thank you for noticing and thank you for taking me away from my much-needed sleep." Helene said as she took a seat.

"Well, what I'm about to tell you will take care of your sleepless nights but I need you to turn that off."

"Everything has to be recorded."

"Kat, are you the only one up there?" It's a simple question. She's not sure why Kat didn't answer until Helene asked.

"Yes, ma'am."

"I need you to promise me that no one is allowed to see this and no one is allowed to access the files on me and…Amy."

Struggling to keep her eyes opened and her mind straight, Helene heard enough. "What is this about? Do you realize where you are? Her finding out should be the least of your concern right now."

"I don't want her to find out this way, I will tell her myself." It's not a difficult request so she knew Helene would agree, not immediately but eventually after taking a moment to think about it. "I also want to see her one more time. Have a romantic dinner set up for us…with candles and roses."

"Miss Holmes, you must have something very important to say to have all these demands."

"I do. But before I tell you, I need a deal. I want you to let me go, let me and my friend go. I want you to set us free." Getting Helene's attention, she paused for a moment, allowing her to take her time to come closer. "I need your word. I need something to tell me that you won't go back on your word after I tell you what I know." Lucy paused again to make sure she understand. "…I need you to let me go after I tell you. Do I have your word?"

"Kat, stop the recording." Helene said while keeping her eyes at the brunette.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Now what is this about?"

There's no other way. After motioning Helene to come closer, she whispered into her ear. Shocked? She was too when she heard from Lionel. Doubts? There was no doubt in her mind because she can't think of a reason for Lionel to lie to her. But Helene has a reason not to believe her. "Look, I am dead serious about this. That's why I'm taking a chance on telling you."

"Kat! Stop the recording!"

"It's not on…"

"good…good…"

Needing time to think is understandable but is there a need to panic? She might not be acting hysterically but the way she is pacing back and forth, looking down the floor, made her look like a mental patient.

"Kat, delete the recording."

"Ma'am?"

"Delete it!"

It's good to see that she finally understood why no one else can know.

"You have my word, but my boss…I have to think about how to tell him. This has to be handled very carefully."

…Obviously…

"Oh my god…the US already knows you're here, they might not agree to let you go."

"Then don't tell them."

"No, no I can't, I can't tell them. I can't tell my boss."

"I think you need to sit down and take a deep breath." Last thing she needs is for her to have nervous breakdown, a heart attack or any kind of serious illness because that would alter her plan.

"He's not going to agree with this. He'd want the credit himself. That's how they knew about you. That's why I'm not feeling well because of that dickhead. Give me so much to do."

Calling the boss names…most people do, she's not surprised, just not expecting her to say that in front of her.

"I know! We'll wait. We'll wait until they decide to expose him. Then he might agree to your requests."

"When will that be? Are you willing to wait again? What if something happens again?"

"Right, you're right. We can't wait again. We can't let that happen again."

Hopefully, Anthony already found him. "Isn't there anyone else you can trust?"

"I know. I'll let his boss know. He's more understanding. Yes. That's what I'll do."

"Wait!" It's good to see that she understands that time is critical. "Can I get my steak dinner now?"

"Kat, get her whatever she wants."

"Yes..ma'am."

Bingo…step 1 complete.

Dinner came one hour later, exactly what she requested. Got a bit cold, though which she expected it would be.

"So…what did you tell her?" Kat asked from the surveillance room.

"You'll see…" …But she wasn't expecting this soon. The familiar squeak caught her attention. She's surprised that Helene could get her boss's boss to come this soon. Now this guy looks like an agent, tall with broad shoulders, tough looking yet at the same time his business suit showed that he is well-mannered.

"Can you get someone to take care of this?"

How many times have she complained about it? Will it be taken care of this time? Let's see.

An introduction is necessary, an offered hand is unexpected.

"Are you finished with your dinner? We can come back later."

"Have you eaten yet? If you want to come back later, that's fine." Standing behind the steel bars, Lucy responded in the same polite manner and noticed his look of confusion as he turned to look at Helene.

"This...is not what I was expecting ."

"Oh? What were you expecting?" He may look like a guy in his 50's but he talks like a 80 year old, his voice, deep and slow.

"Well, I have to be honest. I haven't had a chance to read your file. What I was expecting?…well…a criminal." He turned to Helene. "Are you sure you have the right person?"

That's funny. Would he believed me if I told him he got the wrong person?

"Helene has filled me in but here's what I don't understand. Why would we want to let you go…now that we know that he's still alive?"

"…I…gave her my word..." Helene said.

"I see. But…you do realize it's not up to her. Just because she gave you your word, it doesn't mean that….."

"I know." It's rude to cut him off but he's talking way too slow. "A week from now, if you don't let me go, he will be killed and your team will be in the same situation you are in right now. So the question is, do you…want him…alive?" For them to be confused is expected especially Helene who now seems to be upset.

"What kind of game are you playing here?"

"Let me make it more clearer for you. I know he's alive. I know there are a lot of people after him. And if those people don't see me 7 days from now, they will take care of him."

"So…let me get this straight. Do you know where he is now?"

"No I don't." Lucy said to the man in charge.

"But you do know someone who knows where he is."

"That's right."

"and if that person doesn't see you 7 days from now, he or she will have him killed."

"Correct."

"…and how do we know they haven't already killed him?" Helene asked.

"Because Helene…that's what I told them."

"What you're saying doesn't make sense unless you can tell the future."

She has every right to be pissed. That's probably why she still doesn't get it, anger obstructs the mind, could also be because she's still sick.

"Kat! Were there any visitors I don't know about? Who has been in here?"

"No, ma'am, just Diane, Megan, and Kristin…and that girl who…we thought…they were having ...only her…ma'am…" Kat said in an embarrassed tone.

"…and you didn't hear what they were saying?!"

"No ma'am, they didn't say anything unusual…" Kat said clearly in an obvious tone, making sure everyone know that it's not her fault.

"you have this planned from Day 1?"

"Of course not. Don't forget, I have no idea she was going to be here."

"But I'm sure you would have found other ways. You could have told Kristin." Kristin was the one she's thinking of until Kat mentioned Alexis.

"Wrong again. I would never put her in that position. She's still on your team." Lucy said, glaring at Helene, letting her know that she still hasn't forgiven her for putting Kristin in the helpless situation.

"Miss Holmes, you do realize we could look for him ourselves."

"you can try…but do you think you can find him in 7 days? Do you think he faked his own death and still be in this country so you guys can find him?" 7 days won't be enough time. She can't read minds but that's probably what they're both thinking. So obvious.

"Let's say we can fulfill all of your requests, how do we know that once you leave here, you will keep the end of your bargain?"

"…you'll just have to trust me." Lucy said.

"Trust you? Maybe we should put a tracker on you. Then we'll trust you." Helene said.

"You can, but I'm just going to take it out." She doesn't expect them to agree on the fly and they didn't. Time to regroup to talk about risks and consequences is necessary, but she didn't expect Helene to ask a question about Alexis before leaving.

"How do you think she would feel if she finds out that you used her to capture her grandfather?"

"hm…let me think…either she would thank me for getting the person who put her whole family in danger…or …she probably won't speak to me again."

"That's her grandfather. I don't think she would want to see her own grandfather in prison,"

"I don't think so either, that's why I'm hoping for the latter." Sorry, Alexis.

According to Kat, it's 10 pm, 4 hours since Helene and her boss left the room. It's a difficult decision to make so she doesn't expect them to be coming back any time soon, at least not tonight. She's not worried about the 7 days limit because it's just a number she made up. If Anthony has him, he will wait and if Helene and her boss don't agree, there's Plan D.

The opening of the door caught her attention.

"Oh good… they fixed it."

Lucy isn't surprised because someone came in earlier to fix it but she is surprised that they came at this time of the night.

"Sorry to interrupt you at this hour, Miss Holmes. You do understand you surprised us with the new information."

"I understand. I don't like surprises either." That's to let Helene know that she doesn't appreciate being captured especially in the middle of the night, asleep on the same bed with her agent. If she cares for Kristin, she should tell them that Kristin was in on it so she doesn't have to go thru what Amy once did. Does her agents know the truth or did she tell them Kristin was part of the plan?

"…here's…what…we've...decided."

Can you hurry it up a bit?

"If you are able to bring him…alive…back to us, we can fulfill all of your requests except for the part about setting you free."

"What! Are you telling me that getting me behind bars is more important than that son of a bitch who stole billions from investors and…."

"Waaaaait…" He said calmly as he extended his hand out. "2 years."

"No way."

"How long have you lived here?"

"over 2 years."

"Well then…consider that served."

Why can't they just get to the point? "and my friend?" Fours hours gone, she expected him to know who she's referring to.

"and your friend too."

There's more. She could see it in his face before he even starts speaking.

"Here is the problem. When the accused...gets arrested, the accused can get bailed out so that…we know he or she…will show up…later."

This is going to take forever. Lucy controlled her urge to roll her eyes.

"We simply…do not have…the assurance that you…will not…leave us if we…let you go."

"Do you want money? Is that it?"

"Yes, lots of it but we cannot allow you to use any kind of communication device, no computer, no phone." Helene felt the need to cut in because her boss is taking too much time in explaining.

"Then how do you expect me to give you the assurance that you need?!" They're not making any sense.

"a Bail bondsman."

"what?" Lucy knows what that is but needs clarification.

"Not only money, we will need someone with status, someone who is willing to guarantee that you will come back to us."

What the hell? Anthony always said don't show your emotion, don't let them know what you're thinking. How can I not?

"If you're thinking of Michel, he's not qualified." Helene said.

"Why?" She's not thinking of anyone because she's still shocked by their request.

"because you saved his family, I wouldn't be surprised if he's willing to risk his life to save yours. Besides, he doesn't have enough money…" Helene said.

"So you're telling me if he dies, you guys are okay with that?"

"No, we want him alive. Put yourself in our shoes. We have no way of knowing if you are telling us the truth." Helene reasoned.

"I promise…I'll come back. I will…I'll come back for Kristin."

"That's not good enough. She's one of us…remember. You said it yourself. Don't ever put her into a helpless situation. If you don't come back, she will be on the hook and I am not willing to put her life in your hands."

Another obstacle, but this is one she's not prepared for because she was expecting them to take a chance. Damn it.

Next day

Sleep is difficult when a plan doesn't go as expected. Even though she has a plan D, after what happened last night, she's not sure if they would be willing to let her go after the whole world knows about him.

"Good morning…"

Lucy is not in the mood to talk and only did so to get information. "Looks like you're feeling better."

"I am and I have you to thank for. All of my other duties have been taken away so I can concentrate on your case. I finally got some sleep last night."

"Good for you." Lucy continued eating her lunch and tried not to show that she's desperate. It's only day 2. She hoped that by day 7, they will change their mind.

"Well, have you thought of anyone?"

"I do have someone, actually." The philanthropist would be able to help. But if he knows who I am, would he still agree? Heck no... "On one condition, you cannot tell him who I am."

"I don't think you understand how this works. We cannot lie to them. They have to be willing to do this without getting any returns from you. We don't want just any regular bail bond agent that can come up with the money."

"Then I want to talk to Michel."

"Not possible. He has contacts with your friends outside. You said it yourself. That is why I cannot allow Kristin to be here."

"Then what do you expect me to do?" Lucy said as she crossed her arms and leaned against the chair, letting her know how ridiculous her request is, whoever thought of it, most likely not her.

"I am sorry I couldn't convince them. I do believe you. But, like I said, we are unlike your organization. I…we…have rules to follow. I hope you understand my situation."

"So what if you still can't find him after the whole world knows he is still alive, what do you think your boss would do?"

"He's not going to let you out. He's not going to take that risk."

She's surprised how quickly Helene responded. That could only mean they've talked about it.

There goes Plan D.

As each day passed without any change, each time the steel door opened, she hoped it could be Helene but the only one who came was the young blonde Megan. Should've said 3 days so she doesn't have to wait as long and now being day 4, it has become clear that they won't change their minds because an hour ago she was given a deadline to come up with a name or else. They didn't say what they're going to do but that doesn't matter because she too can no longer wait. The time has come.

"So all I have to do is come back and he won't lose any of his assets? His involvement with me will remain confidential?"

"That's correct. As long as you come back, whether you find him or not, your friend will not lose anything. Everything will be confidential. All records will be destroyed afterwards."

"…and Kat?"

"Kat!" Helene shouted.

"Yes, ma'am." Kat spoke on the speaker.

"If any word about this gets out, not only will you be dishonorably discharged, you will be sentenced to at least 10 years in prison. Do you understand?"

"YES, MA'AM!" Kat's loud voice caused the speaker to emit a high-pitched sound, causing Helene to cover her ears. "sorry…"

"…just you and Kat…no one else, please…" There is no other way. She hope by asking nicely, Helene would agree. The less people know, the better.

"I can't make that decision without knowing who it is first."

That's not what she wants to hear but there's nothing she can do about it except showed them how much she hated herself for the decision she's about to make by taking a long moment of silence, walking back and forth a few times before sitting down, then covering her face into the palms of her hands.

"I need magazines...from the States…entertainment magazines."