A/N: There's no excuse good enough for my delay except I was in Cali. I mean come on now. Do you know how many distractions there are in California? 'Cause if you haven't been I can tell you now. Between the beaches and the girls and the parties it's very distracting. *Sigh* Nevada sucks, it's so dry and boring here. Then when I got back my computer kept crashing on me so I had to fix that.

On another note. Love the NCIS fans. Don't see many of those any more. I asked my mom what the N meant and she said narcotics. Ha! Then flipped around to her usual self and said she'd rather me watch a show about a bunch of coke heads then two girls together. Oh well I guess some things will never change.

On with the story. Sorry it's so short. We're so close to the end. R&R Enjoy!

26. Truths Revealed

I feel the cold steel of a knife drawing light patterns against my skin. A shiver runs down my spine from the touch.

"What's your name beautiful?" I use all my will power not to shrink away from the repulsive man.

"Spencer." I answer shortly.

"Has anyone ever told you, what you're doing is wrong Spencer?" His voice is thick with an accent.

"Many people but I don't care what they think." I feel the knife come to a stop and slowly leave my skin.

"Is that so? Anybody close to you ever say it's wrong?" I remain quiet and keep my eyes on Ashley. I hear a throaty chuckle then the knife tracing along my neck again. "A parent maybe?"

"Carmen, Spencer didn't do anything." Ashley tries to reason.

"She needs help Ashley. Both of you do." Her voice is hollow, empty even.

"Is that what happened to you, you got help?"

"Yeah, and I'm much better now."

"Carm, why are you doing this? This isn't you. Don't you remember back before all of this happened, you said you would never turn out the way your father did." That snapped her out of her trance. She ground her teeth and stared hard at Ashley.

"Shut up." She seethed.

"Well I got a newsflash for you. You're turning out just like him, maybe even worse." The knife leaves my neck again but I don't bother check to see why.

"I am nothing like him!" She raises her gun and points it at Ashley again.

"See. Back then you stayed as far away from guns as possible. All they do is bring trouble you said."

"The past is the past Ashley. I learned the real world. I couldn't stay a weak little girl all my life." I see Ashley frown and wish I could comfort her.

"You were never weak Carmen. You had so many dreams. You always said you were gonna get out of New York. You can still do that before it's too late."

"Maybe I don't want to, maybe I'm happy now."

"No one's happy living a lie. You couldn't stay a weak little girl? At least that weak little girl wasn't hiding behind guns and violence." It's quiet as both girls stare at each other.

"We're complete opposites, you don't understand." Carmen's voice comes out in a whisper and she actually looks like a lost little girl. I think we're both surprised when we hear a sharp laugh.

"I don't understand. Me? Fuck off Carmen. You changed since your dad died. He treated you like shit! Are you saying you didn't feel the least bit happy he wasn't coming back? That asshole beat you and your mother. But he didn't stop there did he?" Carmen doesn't move and just keeps glaring at the wall. "Did he!"

"No he didn't." Her voice is hard and cold.

"I remember when he found out about us. I could never forget the look on his face, disgust, hatred, disappointment."

"He was still my father. And that stupid fucking cop took him away."

"I can't believe you're sticking up for that bastard. I lost my uncle that day too. He was the closest thing I had since I lost my dad. And he wasn't a stupid fucking cop! He was ten times the man your dad ever was or could be." And the surprises keep coming. I was so focused on the fight in front of me I forgot all about the man behind me, until I felt the sharp, cold blade against my throat.

"One more word out of you and I slit you pretty little blond girlfriend's throat."