Chibiyu: So…you all surprised that I am ending this story so soon?

Nick: I'm surprised about the ending actually.

Chibiyu: Yeah, you would be.

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"Will that urge ever be gone?" Joe dared ask and Macy looked at him, studying him up and down before pursing her lips.

"We'll see."

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Kevin's PoV

How did it come to this?

I glanced over to see Frankie shifting in his seat, his eyes downcast and shining with tears he didn't want to cry. All he had wanted was to go back to a normal life – a happier one – and Joe shot that dream down in a matter of seconds. He was shamed by his own wants. Even my youngest brother knew that things would never be the same; that it was hopeless to pray for a regular future.

I looked back in the rear view mirror, unable to not sigh sadly at how older Nick has become. He was 17 when he was taken and 21 now but he looked twice his age. A frown would always be accompanying the wrinkles of worry. I guess being a young father in such an environment did that to someone.

Carter was playing quietly with her fingers, lifting her gaze every few seconds to observe everyone in the car. Her eyes raised mine and I smiled lightly before turning back to the front. No three year old should have seen, heard and experienced what she did. Nick did his best to protect her, but it wasn't nearly enough.

Macy, who was out cold, her head on top of Nick's, was scowling in her sleep. She used to be so happy and go lucky but now it was rare for her to do anything but scowl and glare. Everything was life or death to her now – there was no trophy at the end or records to break, only lives to save. And because of that, she lost her love of playing the game.

Stella was watching the young girl on Macy's lap, playing with her unruly hair gently. Carter reached up and smacked her hand away, glaring at Stella slightly. The blonde looked stunned before stifling a laugh and explaining to the girl that her father did the same thing. Carter smiled a little when Stella told her that she was truly her father's daughter. Stella ducked her head and blushed when Carter asked if she could call her 'Aunt Stella.' At least one person was happy.

I've never seen Joe stare so intensely: this look was one that was more often seen on Nick's face than his own. I wanted to know what he was thinking; whatever plot he was trying to perfect. I know I should speak up and confront him and I plan to when I get a moment alone with him. Joe will never open up when there are people pressuring him like they were before. I can't change Joe's mind anymore than Stella can, but maybe I can get to the bottom of his anger. It can't all revolve around jealously of Nick and his daughter. There has to be something more.

And how could such a simple thing as a broken heart lead a man to ruining the lives of my brothers? So what if mom dumped him? He didn't have to turn into the boss of this corporation thing. He could have been the normal man and moved on. Why did mom always date the weird ones? Dad included.

"Aunt Stella?" Stella's face lit up at Carter's hushed call.

"Yeah hun?" Stella cooed, lifting the girl out of Macy's arms and holding her close when Carter lifted her arms to her.

"Why are some people so mean?" Again, I was stunned by how she could go from the daughter of a genius to a young girl in a matter of moments. It was just too easy to forget how innocent she actually was.

"Well," Stella looked over to me, as though asking for her next move. But I couldn't help her – Carter would have asked me if she wanted my answer. "Honestly, I don't know sweetie. I guess it depends on the person. Some people don't mean to mean, it's just who they are."

"Do you think the man behind this is just naturally mean?" I nodded, having no thought that the man behind this had even a shred of nice in him. "But then why did Grandma date him?"

"Time changes people." Stella threw a glare in Joe's direction before tugging a knot from her 'nieces' hair. Joe didn't even spare her a glace – he was completely unaware that he had even been on the receiving end of Stella's anger. Carter nodded, accepting this answer before climbing out of Stella's lap and back over the seats, plopping down into her father's. Stella smiled when the girl snuggled into Nick's chest and when he instinctively wrapped his arms around her. "Is it wrong that I want a kid?" She whispered and Carter looked over to her.

"No. We're awesome." Stella laughed lightly and Carter looked away, a question on her face but it was obvious she was embarrassed by it. But being the kid she was, she had to ask it anyway. "If Daddy and Macy get married, would that mean that I could get a brother or sister?"

Everyone looked towards the youngest, eyes wide with shock at her words. Even Joe was looking rapidly between our brother and the brunette. It was so obvious that I was astounded that we didn't see it before. But then again, this was the only sign we had – them close together in a cuddly manner and comfortable enough to sleep. That and Carter wasn't the type to lie.

"Let's hope that's not for a very long time sweetheart."

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Joe's PoV

They're all idiots. If Kevin thought a simple text to the police would get us to safety, he was wrong. No one knew this corporation like I did – the police won't stop them. All the men in blue will do is slow them down for a few hours, at most. Everyone will be doomed if they put their trust behind a few morons with guns. I don't understand it. They've seen what these people are capable of – who they are capable of changing and how long they hesitate before they kill – so why are they turning their backs and closing their eyes in blind faith that the bullets will miss?

Blind faith didn't save all of those people who burned on the race track or who spilled blood on that wooden table with me hovering over them. Closing my eyes and tightening that rope around a neck didn't save my daughter. Closing her eyes won't save Carter from watching her father fall. They just don't get it. Nothing will stop these people fro killing them and taking them back. They always get what they want. They desire money so they will take Nick back. They yearn for me to be out of the picture as I am the biggest threat of to them so they will kill me. They may get Nick back but they aren't going to get me.

I'm not going to let them get me.

And that little so-called angel was wrong – being a child wasn't awesome. Not in this day and age – not in her life. They wouldn't stop to take her age in consideration; they already hit her damn cars. I would bet whatever I had left to my name that the next car to hit her would be the final one. She may believe that her father and her innocence have the power to stop the inevitable but she was wrong. They all were wrong.

And it was my turn to be right.

Inconspicuously, I glanced over to my not-so-young brother and his old/new girlfriend. I knew I should be happy for them – for Macy's dream that she never let go of, for Carter getting a motherly figure in her life and for my brother finding the courage to love an old love again. I know I should be happy for them but I can't be. My stomach is twisted in knots that will never stop burning and my heart is constricting at the mere sight of the two. I could almost feel my blood boiling at the sight. It almost…it almost sickened me. Sickened me to the point of jealously. They were obtaining what they had in the past, plus a little person. That was something I could never obtain.

I've messed up that chance the first time I made the mistake to step out of that cell. I've messed it up when I let Stella who I really am now. I've messed everything up for me. I can't go back to being normal. I can't go back to being me.

But maybe I don't want to. Maybe now I just want to win and be right. If Nick and Macy want to pretend like everything is ok enough to be in mind clouding love, then they can die with their lies. I don't need to go back to the normal future – I don't need Stella or my baby to be happy.

I just need to win.

"Kevin? I saw a rest stop sign, can we please stop?" Frankie asked, crossing his legs and looking uncomfortable. Kevin glanced over to the cars occupants before nodding and taking the barren highway exit.

"It's best if we stop anyway." My older brother muttered as he stopped the car and walked with Frankie into the dingy brown brick building.

"I should go too." Stella said, looking to me with accusing eyes. "Can I trust you to stay here alone?" I put my hands in the air and gave her the most innocent look I could muster up. "If you do anything, I will kill you."

"I won't touch them." I vowed and she nodded, her glare never leaving my face. She crawled over and me out of the car, walking backwards, her eyes never leaving mine. She stumbled over the curb and went red in the face before walking the right way and disappearing inside.

I won't let them get me. I have to be right.

I stepped out of the car, closing the car door silently and watching Macy, Nick and the little devil. They didn't even stir. I glanced towards the building before bolting in the surrounding trees, away from the road. I won't let them get me like they did my daughter. I will avenge her. I will be right. This is my time to win, not for another flashback into the past.

This was my time. And I'm sorry for anyone who thinks it's theirs.

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Chibiyu: And so starts the climax. I know it's not terribly long but I wanted to get back into the writing groove before my cousins came for the Harry Potter premiere. Until Next Update!