Hiding From the Past

Disclaimer: I don't own Shake it Up, but I also don't own "Malevolence"

A/N:

Chapter 25 (Questions Answered)

"So why don't you tell me what's up?" Maury turned to Cece. She brushed her hair back and took a deep breath, avoiding eye contact with the camera. Never had she been so nervous to be on television, especially considering she was on Shake it Up and had absolutely no issues with it. "You say your mom will not talk to you?"

"If it were so simple, I'd understand it, Maury. I can't help but feel there's something huge that I'm missing, and I want to know what. I know I've asked her a million times for the truth, and as I said, each time she dances around the question." She looked to the screen, frowning at her mom who was standing on the widescreen looking into the camera that was backstage. Georgia looked ashamed of herself, there was a glimpse of guilt in her eyes. "I'm amazed she even agreed to this…" Maury looked to the screen and motioned his hand towards it.

"I mean, this is your mother. You should trust her, she should be honest, correct?"

"I know! I can't even explain just how badly this is messing with me…Maury, I shouldn't even be here, but I am here because she won't tell the truth. I've said a million times that I wouldn't care if she cheated on James, if I was born through an affair." She heard Georgia state that she never cheated. Cece rolled her eyes and glared at her mom on the screen, struggling to keep her calm. "She pulls that shit all the time. That's her golden answer. 'I didn't cheat' and 'he is your father'. I don't believe either answer…and to be honest…I don't know what to believe anymore that comes out of her mouth." She rubbed her knees and closed her eyes. "As far as a maternity test, I don't know why that's being done." She looked to the audience and met Marcie's gaze, the woman raised her hand up and Maury acknowledged her with a nod.

"I requested it done, sweetie," Marcie replied. "Things have been sketchy since day one when your mother brought you home…I'd never seen you before the age of two, but I've known your mother before then…" She felt her heart stop and glanced over to her mother, unable to form a single thought of what Marcie could be suggesting. Maury looked disapprovingly at the woman on the screen.

"Well Cece. Let's see what your mother had to say…"

On the screen appeared Georgia in her interview. The woman spoke in a calm voice, averting her guilty eyes from the camera as often as possible. "I'm here because I know when I've screwed up. I went too far, let a lie carry on into this enormous thing that I could no longer contain." Tears fell from the woman's eyes. Cece clutched her chest, gazing mournfully at her mother. "I need to tell her the truth, but it's so hard. I can't look her in the eyes and tell her, so Maury, I need you to help me. I'm scared, I don't know what's going to happen her, but if you can wait until the end of the show…I'd appreciate it…"

"Let's meet her." Cece watched her mother come down the stairs. She heard the audience start to boo, but Maury put his hand up and silenced them before they could get into it. Cece felt a heavy pressure upon her, pinning her to her seat. She dared not move. When she met her mother's eyes, Georgia averted them. The woman sat down on a chair a few feet from Rocky. Maury leaned forward, smiling slightly. "So, Ms. Jones. This is your daughter. Why is it so hard for you to tell her the truth? The truth will set you free, don't you know?"

"Maybe…but it won't set me free…it might set her free though." What was that supposed to mean? Cece leaned back. Her lips pulled into a frown and her hands absently pat the sides of her legs. "I've done some bad things. I've lied, I've been delusional, Maury. The worst thing is…for the longest time…I've felt no remorse whatsoever for what I've done. I took advantage of a what I thought was a poor hopeless sap and left him for dead, practically. I was selfish, greedy…"

Cece continued trying to make eye contact with her, but each time, Georgia looked away from her. The woman could only look Maury in the eyes, as if he were the almighty god of her world that she were confessing her sins to. She extended a hand, waving it in front of Georgia. "Mom please, just talk to me. I need answers, you know I do. I'm sorry that I've had to make you come to this, but at the very least…"

"Cece deserves the truth. Whether she hates me for it or not." This again? She rolled her eyes and slapped her forehead. Had they not moved beyond this? Maybe her mother just wasn't getting it! "But I still stand by my word when I say I never cheated on James. I'm ready to face the music, Maury. I'll tell it all to the judge, but right now, I guess that's you…all I can say is…" Georgia looked to Cece, closed her eyes and bowed her head. Her hands closed on her pants. Cece raised an eyebrow at her mom, holding her breath as the woman spoke. "I'm sorry Cece. Thirteen years of lies is a long time to get away with something…"

"What? Mom…you do know I'm fifteen, right?" In the corner of her eyes, she spotted one of the producers handing Maury the manila folder. Her breath hitched and a lump started to form in her throat. "Maury's got the results now, Momma…If you have anything to tell me before he reads everything off…Believe me, I'd rather hear it from your mouth…" She frowned at her mother and leaned forward. "Why can't you tell me the truth to my face? Why is this required?"

"Cece. No matter what happens…I want you to know…I did love you and I do. I just…I have a lot of problems…"

"I believe it's time to go over the results," Maury began with a sad tone. He pulled the papers from the folder and looked up to Georgia. "I'm going to give you a chance…before reading the results here…for you to tell your daughter the truth. First Georgia, I'd like to know, why has it taken you this long?"

"I didn't want to believe what I knew was true…I enjoyed living my life as a lie. I have reasons for the things I've done, but I guess, nothing really justifies."

"Jesus Mom," Cece's eyes flew skyward and a loud groan left her lips. "Will you quit being so damn vague and tell me what's going on?! What the hell is so hard about telling me you had an affair?! What's so hard about telling me who my real dad is?!"

"Because telling you who your dad is could put both of you in danger…"She froze and Rocky did a double take. Maury's lips parted, but no words came out. "National television…I can't tell you who he is. There are other things too, details I can't give here…"

"W-Why? I mean, what's he involved in? Mafia?" She chuckled nervously and Georgia rolled her eyes. It didn't take her long to figure out her mom seriously wasn't going to say anything about her father. She threw her hands up into the air and looked over to Maury. She was growing angrier over this, which was opposite of what she wanted. "Fine. Just read them, Maury…"

Maury stared at the result papers and slowly lifted his eyes up, he looked beyond surprised. The host stammered and quickly shot Georgia a look. The woman closed her eyes and Cece quickly looked between the two of them, unsure what to make of this. "I don't believe this." She raised an eyebrow and Georgia circled her hand in the air. "Who-" Cece leaned forward and Rocky started to grow concerned. Maury held up the DNA results and put his hand to his forehead. "Georgia Jones. When it comes to fifteen year old Cece…you are…not the mother!"

In an instant Cece's entire world crashed. She could see the audience gasping for shock, she could hear Maury struggling to recover from his statement, but at the same time, no further sound reached her. Her body grew numb and her eyes froze on the camera in front of her.

Had she heard correct? Georgia wasn't her mother? "N-No that's impossible." She shook her head, smacking herself. "Read that again Maury, you-you're not losing your vision at all are you?" She didn't want to believe this, she couldn't believe this! Her heart was beginning to crack and shatter like a priceless vase. Tears shot out from her eyes and she quickly looked to her mother for answers. Georgia had a stoic expression and shrugged her shoulders. Cece pointed a finger to Maury and started to raise her voice at her mother. "What is he saying, Mom?! What the hell does that mean? Am I adopted? Am I adopted and you couldn't tell me? You told Flynn!"

Her rage only increased as her mom shook her head. The woman still wasn't giving her answers! Maury looked as though he'd seen something he'd never before seen. Of course, that was probable, though it was thought that he'd seen it all. Cece was hurting, beyond anything she'd ever imagined.

"Tell me that's wrong, mother! Tell-" The phone beside Maury started to go off and she glared at it, angry that she was being interrupted. Maury moved a shaky finger over the speaker button and answered.

"Y-You're on the Maury Show. Who is this?"

"This is James Jones…" Cece's face dropped, but her rage flourished even further. She started to shout at him, but held back. Rocky put her hand to her wrist. She bit her lip, trying to quell the venom growing inside of her. When she looked to Georgia, she saw the woman staring with intense fear at the phone. "I am calling to admit something…something that woman can never admit, the reason I left her. Cece. The DNA results are correct. Georgia is not your mother, she never was. She led you on, lied to you all these years." Georgia tensed up and Cece let out a shuddering whimper. She started to hug herself. Confusion descended upon her and she started shaking her head. "She's not even your legal guardian."

"N-No! That's impossible! It can't be, it can't be right. This doesn't happen. It doesn't happen to me. It doesn't happen to people like me…This is all a trick, I know it is!"

"No trick, Cece. That woman took you away when you were two years old. You're not even legally adopted. I failed to report it, so I'm in trouble myself..."

"Shut up! Just shut up!" She screamed into the phone's speaker, her voice was full of hatred and anger. She turned an angry glare onto her mother, or at least, the woman she thought to be her mother. She pointed an accusing finger at her and raised her voice higher. "What the hell is going on?! What are you hiding from me! If you're not my mother, who the hell is?!"

Cece could see the shock come over Marcie's face, the woman didn't like being deceived by what it looked like, she seemed ready to pounce. Georgia rubbed the back of her neck and closed her eyes. "Yes," Maury began, "Please explain…" Police officers in the crowd started to stand up and Maury held his hand up, causing them to sit down. Cece let out a startled gasp, cupping her hand over her mouth as tears began pouring faster. Her heart no longer beat, she was scared thinking her mother could be going to prison! "What's going on, Ms. Jones?"

"It's true, Maury." She closed her eyes and shook her head. "I am not her mother. Cece's real mother is…is deceased, and not even a part of my family. Neither is the father." Cece began to sway, feeling lightheaded and dizzy. She rose to her feet and stumbled forward, moaning as she reached for a nearby trash bin. Gunther hurried up and helped her to remain standing, Rocky did the same. She put her arms around their shoulders and looked up to her mom, her body was trembling and her knees were beginning to go out beneath her.

"Who the hell are you, Momma? Y-You're lying to me? My r-real mom is dead?" How was she supposed to react? This was betrayal! She tried to swallow her hatred, attempting to keep her rage down. "You abducted me? You're a child abductor?!" Georgia averted her gaze and Cece shot over, grabbing ahold of her mom's hand. "Answer me damn it! Please! Tell me the truth! Are you my mother or did you take me away from my parents without their consent?!"

"Georgia, do you realize how much trouble you are in?" Georgia nodded to Maury and shrugged her shoulders. "Is this what you could not tell her?"

"That is correct Maury. I am a child abductor…I confess that on national television. My husband knew, but said nothing. He tried to tell me to be truthful and therefore divorced me when I succumbed to my delusions. Maury. Please read the lie detector questions…please…"

Cece glared at the woman and slowly moved her hands away. She could feel a surge of disgust rushing through her. Why was it she wanted to pummel Georgia? "Is anything you ever told me true, or is it all a lie? Is everything a lie?! You could be honest with Flynn, but you-I can't even look at you now! What the hell?!"

This was worse than having an affair, by far. She didn't know how to react, she needed time to figure things out. However, she was interested in the questions. She started to take her seat and crossed her arms, scowling at her feet. Maury shook his head and moved over to the test questions.

"Okay…Georgia. When asked if you ever cheated on your ex husband, James, you said no…" Cece rolled her eyes and looked away, scoffing under her breath. "It was determined…you were telling the truth." Cece's breath escaped her in a whimper as the answer hit her like a punch to the gut. She moved her arms over her stomach and curled up, burying her face into her knees. This was too much, too much! "You were asked if you were hiding something from anyone besides Cece…" He looked to Georgia, expecting her to answer as per their deal, but Georgia said nothing. "You admitted to our test that you had something to hide from everyone in your life, including your best friend Marcie and her husband, your doctor…" Cece pulled her legs closer to her chest and listened as Marcie let out an angry proclamation. "When asked if you adopted Cece legally, you said yes…the test determined…that was a lie." Cece screamed out, biting her jeans to stifle her tears.

The questions continued, she couldn't tune them out. She could only weep, feeling both Rocky and Gunther hugging her. She was receiving all the answers, but none of them were what she wanted and they only filled her with more questions.

Who was her father? Who was her mother? "When asked if her birth parents still wanted her, you admitted…the father never wanted to let her go." A wrecking ball may as well have struck her, for the emotions she was feeling were beating down upon her with enough force to rival one. She lifted her head, screaming out angrily at Georgia. Her vision was clouded from the tears in her eyes, her cheeks were red and swollen, and her body was trembling with greater force than the highest earthquake possible.

"Did you even love me?!"

Georgia reached out to caress her face, tears fled the woman's eyes. "Of course I did." Cece pulled back, smacking Georgia's hand away from her.

"Don't touch me! How can I believe you?! You took me from my parents! I never knew them, I've lived my life a lie! I don't even know what I could have had!"

"I know…I screwed up…"

"Damn right you screwed up!" Marcie exclaimed from the audience, beginning to storm the stage. "I knew something was up. That poor girl deserves to know who her family is!"

"I know! I just…I…" She lowered her arms and bowed her head. "I have nothing to say…"

Maury whistled and tugged at his collar. Even the audience was at a loss for words. Where they normally would react to the results of each test question, Cece had to take note that they'd not made a single noise since their initial collective gasp.

"Well, we've never had something like this happen on the show…"

"Maury," Georgia rubbed her forehead and let out an exhausted sigh. "To make matters worse, I am a police officer. I know what I did, I know I'm going to be…to be arrested after this."

"Oh believe me Georgia, I know. I see some police officers in the audience right now ready to jump up." He narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms. "I question if I should even wait for the end of the show to let them make that arrest. How do you explain kidnapping a child for so long?"

"I don't…there's nothing I can say that can make it right…I've lied to everyone. I know there's not much hope for forgiveness…"

Cece got up from the chairs and started to turn away, "It's going to take a long time…I don't even know if I can forgive you!" She stormed off, ignoring Georgia calling out to her. She'd had enough of this stage and wanted this to be over.

Making it backstage, she fell onto the couch and curled up, weeping bitterly. "I can't believe…I trusted…" Rocky and Gunther were the first to come back and try to console her. Maury came back stage and sat beside them. Georgia stood several feet away, her head was bowed. Cece lifted her head, her throat burned from all the screaming. "I hate you! I hate you!"

"I deserve that…"

"How can you live with yourself?!"

"I told you…I was delusional…I have problems, severe problems…"

"It's no excuse! I could have known my real dad, and maybe even my mother! Oh wait, did you kill her too? Is that why she's dead? You wanted to kill her so you could have a baby?!"

"No! That's not it at all!" Georgia started to reach out to her, but Cece screamed at her, causing her to withdraw backwards. "Cece…"

"Leave me alone! Just go! I need…I need to think…I need to be…alone…"

"I understand, sweetie…"

"Don't call me that!" Georgia nodded. Cece glared at her, watching as the woman walked back out to the stage. She sniffled and grabbed a Kleenex offered by one of the producers. When she saw a group of officers and guards surrounding Georgia, she felt her already broken heart shatter some more. Georgia looked over her shoulder, frowning as handcuffs were thrown onto her wrists. Cece had no reaction, she was far too upset and confused to truly react.

She needed time to figure things out. Maybe Marcie could help her find her father, but first, she needed to think things through. "I…can't believe this is happening…this can't be real…"

So it was a long and emotional chapter, tell me what you think. I felt Cece would definitely react accordingly to the news. I did some asking around and found that if someone confessed to a crime as kidnapping on national television, such as The Maury Show, it was likely they would be arrested soon after.