Disclaimer: I don't own the Revenge plot, but the new characters at the moment belongs to me

A/N: Oh I bet you didn't think Carley Morano would be the unfaithful one, did you?

Note for all chapters: I watched the finale multiple times, pausing it to get some form of a transcript of the article that Nolan was shown in the last few minutes, trust me; it wasn't easy so perhaps a cheeky little review for the effort I put in there?

Chapter 30

"Michelle!" Carley broke away from the masseuse and bundled into me, forcing us out onto the corridor. "I'm sorry you had to see that..."

I shook my head, darting away and back again, unsure what to even say to her. "You- you're supposed to be getting married to my dad. And now..." I paused as the masseuse left his room and flashed a beaming smile at me. "Urgh, keep walking. Carley, why would you betray my dad like that?"

Carley folded her arms tightly. "And your long lost love for Brody Carmichael is genuine, right? I can see straight through you. You're just trying to keep Brody alive, but I know you Michelle. Or should I refer to you as Riley now?" She had me, caught between a rock and a hard place, but she wasn't even finished. "Let's be real for a moment – you returning home in a valiant effort to bond with Daddy has nothing to do with your puppy boyfriend. A.K.A Scott Patterson."

I felt sick in my throat.

"I thought so. Now, in return for my silence, I want you to do me a favour. I want you to skip on over to Uncle Ross and get this bug installed on his tech." Carley forced a memory stick into my hands. "And I'll keep quiet about your disloyalty."

"You wouldn't tell..."

She pursed her plump lips at me. "Perhaps a night with Brody might seal the deal for me."

"You're sick, Carley Morano," I spat angrily, turning away from her.

"Careful Michelle. Anyone would think that you still harbour feelings for him."

-o-

After Carley's threat, I knew that I had to do it. Having to sneak back to the Beach Club without Nolan's knowledge was horrific. A few weeks passed since I installed the bug on the security technology. Things had definitely changed so much that I wasn't sure if I was ever going to be able to return home to Nolan and Scott.

One evening, back at my father's house, I found Brody supporting himself on the island in the middle of my bedroom. His knuckles were white as he gripped the edge of the marble surface. A grimace was on his face from straining to support himself on his feet.

"Be careful!" I squeaked, rushing to his side and wrapping an arm around him. "You're still not fully repaired and if Dad were to see you, who knows what he'd do." I paused, finding myself staring deep into his eyes.

And Brody was looking back even deeper, into my soul. "Michelle, I need to build my strength. There's only so much I can hide it. The sensation is completely there now. I just need to get back to the old ways."

"Well I've got something to tell you."

"Bra strap." His hand grazed the sleeve of my dress, covering my exposed strap. "Sorry, that was crossing the line. I- should not have-"

"It's fine, but shush... I found a lot of stuff out that I need to share." I lowered him back in the wheelchair, pushing it towards the bed. "Carley is unfaithful. She also wants to see how you are beneath the sheets."

"Well you'd know..."

"Enough jokes, this isn't funny. Carley isn't committed to my father and it provides the perfect motive to get him and Blue Lagoon out of the picture. She wants to take Blue Lagoon for herself by double crossing him over the RossCo technical fault in the security."

Brody nodded. "I'll do it."

"Excuse me?" I whispered. "There's nothing for you to do."

"Yes there is. If Carley has expressed an interest, then she is testing me too. If I offer up my services, she would bite the bait in an instance. You know she would, and you don't blame her either. I've felt you stroke my hair whilst I sleep. There's a temptation there, but you have made it abundantly clear that you chose someone else and I plan to keep you as a loyal, loving girlfriend."

"So what do you have in mind?" I asked, feeling that Brody had planned ahead of me.

"Let's get dinner out of the way first, right?" Brody held his arm up. "Care to escort the cripple to the table."

"My arms are going to be unbelievably thick by the time I'm finished with you. I'll just go and change first." I left him alone in the room whilst I went into the closet. I braced my arms against the locked doors, feeling a hot surge through my head. "You're fine, you got this."

My hands were shaking as I rifled through the many dresses, pausing briefly over the bag containing my peacock style dress. Scott was my first thought so I couldn't wear that. Instead, I opted for a blood red jumpsuit with bat wing sleeves and a laced up open back. I piled my hair up on the back of my head with a thick clamp, readying myself for battle.

As I turned to the door, I heard voices. Brody was talking to someone. Closing my eyes, I placed the voice easily. Carley Morano, the sneaky cow was sowing the seeds with Brody already.

Pressing my ear to the door, I listened to the words and refrained from bursting into the room. It was times like this that I wished I had better hearing – all I could pick out were a few words.

Proposal. Loyal. Jordan. Takeover.

The words were not enough to piece together what was being asked or suggested because there were too many possibilities. Taking a deep breath, I strode back into the room as if I hadn't just been listening, appearing surprised by Carley's presence.

"Carley- what a lovely surprise! What are you doing up here? I hope you're not here to creep on my guy now…" I laughed that raucous cackle that I had perfected on the compound. "Because I think he's spoken for."

Brody wheeled his chair towards me, spinning elegantly around to my side. "It's fine Mich- you have nothing to worry about."

"I know," I replied confidently, narrowing my eyes at Carley. "Is dinner ready?"

Carley frowned back at me. There was something about her that wasn't adding up. She wanted to take over Blue Lagoon whilst she was legally representing Hydra Corporation and Leonard Myers. She had one more card in her hand that I needed to see before it was too late.

Downstairs, the table had been taken out onto the large patio and decorated with vibrant plants and fruit down the middle on a cream runner. Candles flickered in the evening breeze, giving the attendants' faces a warm amber glow.

Jordan welcomed me to the table with outstretched arms. "Darling Michelle, I hear you and my fiancé have been enjoying some mother daughter bonding time at the beach club."

Mother daughter? Me and Carley? The words curled my toes and knotted my stomach.

"Yes…" I replied, forcing myself to hug him. "It was rather eye opening. I learnt a lot about her."

"All good things I hope."

"Mostly."

Brody encouraged me to sit down beside him by pushing a chair awkwardly away from the table and applying the brakes to the wheelchair. "Let's just enjoy dinner, okay?"

Trying to enjoy dinner was difficult. Especially when I'm pretty sure Carley was trying to play footsie with Brody under the table. There was a tenseness in the air that I didn't think was going to pass. It lingered nearby like a stale stench that I couldn't ignore.

"Michelle, darling, what's wrong with you? You seem miserable today. What troubles your little head?" Jordan asked, gulping down his red wine like it was water. "Because there's something that I need to know." He stood up and walked around the table towards me. "I've given you so much these last few weeks and I have been feeling rather underappreciated. Not only have I welcomed you back into my house, I've allowed you to have a pet too."

"I mean, you put a bullet in his leg Daddy," I replied sharply, knowing I was about to receive a harsh tongue lashing. "But I do really appreciate everything you've done for me. You have to believe me when I say I've never been happier. Coming home has given me the confidence to move forwards in my life."

"Good, good," he said, standing behind me and squeezing my shoulders. "You're very stiff for someone who's had a massage today. Perhaps you need some work from the business in order to let off some steam?"

"Yeah. Maybe."

Carley rolled her eyes. "Jordy- I want to go and get some of those cronuts and beignets I know you and I love. I'll take Brody and we can be back in twenty. Marshmallows at the firepit too?"

'Jordy' smiled and tilted his head to one side. "What the future Mrs Campbell wants, the future Mrs gets. You remember that Brody- it'll serve you well." He relaxed his hands. "Walk with me, Michelle."

I froze, standing up slowly. "What did you want to talk about?" I asked once we were out of earshot and turned to face the water. "Can I help with something?"

"You're a Campbell, aren't you?" Jordan asked, with his back to me. "Because I need to know that I can completely trust you."

"Of course you can, Daddy."

"Then I think that means I can't trust my fiancé."

"What? Why?" I exclaimed with wide eyes and feigned shock. "Daddy, what has she done?"

Jordan held out a phone to me and I squinted at the grainy image on the screen. There were two people moving in the footage and when I realised what was going on, I squealed, nearly dropping the phone.

"Who?"

"If I knew that, they would be dead. Or at least about to be dead. It was a surprise to me when I thought about who it might have been, but the perfect opportunity has arisen and I didn't even need to do anything about it."

I fell silent, unable to comprehend what my father was really saying. Underneath all the pragmatics, I felt like there was a threat.

"Follow me. We're going on a field trip."

-o-

Clad in the Campbell's traditional black outfit, Jordan drove to a construction unit that was at least six stories high – not far from the accountancy firm that Michael Hansen, my brother, worked at. At first, I wondered if that was where Jordan was taking us, but he went into the construction unit.

"All will be revealed, Michelle."

On the fifth floor, the wind poured through the building and rustled the maze of plastic sheets that were hanging all around. Jordan held out a gun to me and smiled.

"I know I can trust your shoot. Percy Demetriou warned me about your accuracy with a gun."

"Well… I had a good teacher." I took the gun, opening the chamber and checking it was full of bullets. "What are you expecting to find here?"

"Someone who has betrayed me." He ushered me over to one corner of the building that looked out into the town of businesses and the lone skyscraper. "A magnificent view, don't you think?"

I wondered whether it was all a bluff and if Jordan Campbell really knew that I was the one who was betraying him. My heart was filling my body with adrenaline as I tried to maintain a calm front. "Daddy? You aren't going to shoot me, are you?"

"And make sure you had a gun beforehand. No. It's alright Michelle. I'm going to take care of things once and for all. By my calculations, our traitor will be here any moment."

Waiting in anticipation, I held my breath, wondering who was actually going to come up the staircase that hugged the proposed lift shaft. There was a relaxing sensation that it would be Carley Morano coming up the stairs, but something told me there was more to it than that. In the silence of the night, there was nothing but a distant car horn to be heard. It was chilling to wait, but I found myself walking away from the window gap and leaning against a nearby wall. Out of sight of the stairwell.

"Someone's coming," Jordan whispered, concealing his own gun in the back of his dark trousers. "Brace yourself for this Michelle. I may need you to take the shot if it gets messy."

"Okay Dad," I replied, dropping my California girl act for a moment. "I'm ready." I clasped the gun in my hands and prepared for whoever was about to come up those stairs, occasionally glancing over at my father standing tall and strong like an army cadet.

The footsteps were uneven up the stairs and I wondered who it was. At first, I thought it was bound to be Carley – I knew she had betrayed Jordan, but it wasn't her who came up the stairs.

"Costello?" Jordan questioned uncertainly. "Marcus Costello, I knew you would betray me!"

"Sir- hang on a second. I've been tracing those queries like you asked. Looks like I found the leak."

Jordan's mouth moved as he tried to find the right answer, unable to work out how his plan hadn't worked. "Why are you here?"

Costello held up his phone. "You asked me to track you – and the family at all times. Carley, Michelle – even Aaron. There's something you should know about the girls. Miche-"

Bang.

I flinched quickly, watching the blood stain the back of Costello's jacket. When I saw the gunman emerging, I lurched forwards. Using my weight, I slammed into them and forced their wrist into the concrete floor. Their hand released the gun and that's when I saw their face.

Brody.

Before I had a moment to react, he threw me back, slamming me into a wall. My back cracked against the wall and I dropped like a ragdoll. Anger and sadness flooded my vessels as I tried to force myself up. All I could do is watch helplessly, urging my body to get up.

Brody gestured to me to stay put with a simple hand movement.

Jordan pulled out his gun, ready to take aim, but another voice called out to him.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Jordy baby..." Carley Morano stepped forwards. "What? You thought that it was Brody who was about to betray you? Or more, you thought Michelle would encourage him to do so. Come on, she was never going to be strong enough to take over from you, but you couldn't see that." Carley waved her own gun in the air. "No! Your beloved daughter returns and you couldn't wait to groom her for position of head honcho. Toss me aside like a used cloth!" She turned towards Jordan and smiled slyly. "I have done everything for you, and you could not even consider me to help with the hotels!" Carley watched Jordan for some form of confirmation or for him to say something. "Are you seriously not going to say anything?" she snapped viciously.

Jordan shrugged his shoulders dismissively. "Carley- however you choose to paint it – you betrayed me. You partook in deals and operations under the Blue Lagoon name without my consent."

My father seemed so calm it was unnerving to me. There was something that I didn't like about it. He had a weapon on him and he wasn't using it. At all.

Brody was still keeping to Carley's side, trying to remain impartial until he cracked. "Carley- killing Costello wasn't a part of the deal."

I could see it in her eyes. Carley was about to dislodge another bullet from her gun. In either Brody or my father and I was not going to let her be the one to do it. Pushing off the wall, I flew through the air and tackled Carley, just as her gun went off.

"Oh of course baby girl would be here!" Carley cackled as we rolled over the floor. "Perhaps there's something you'd like to tell Daddy-O?"

I wondered why Brody hadn't intervened. He would have been dragging me away by my hair by this point. Carley swung the gun through the air and it cracked against my temple. The ringing in my ears gave her the upper hand to get on top and strike me in the head numerous times.

My head whipped round so my cheek was touching the cold concrete floor. Through the blurred vision, I could see Brody collapsed nearby. I screamed out in agitation. My fingers clawed at Carley's face, scratching her hard. Spasms caused my body to fight out.

Until the final gunshot.

Carley's body stiffened.

Her body fell forwards and I pushed it aside to see Jordan standing there with his gun poised. "I thought you could have handled her better than this," Jordan said sharply, pocketing his weapon.

My eyes drifted towards Brody who left out a feeble cough. I scraped my knees, tearing the leggings I was wearing, reaching Brody's side with tears and dry blood on my face.

"Brody..." I whispered hoarsely, "Talk to me." I put my hands over the bullet wound on his chest, knowing that the piece had pierced a lung and the blood couldn't stop. "Brody- don't leave me. Don't leave me along with this."

His eyes lingered wearily on my face. "Michelle- I'm sorry..." Brody wiped a lone tear weakly from my cheek. "Don't cry, you beautiful creature."

"Stop talking. We'll get you help. Daddy, call an ambulance!" My voice was cracking and small – almost like a child.

Jordan hooked a hand under my arm, trying to pull me away from Brody. "He's lost, Michelle. We need to leave before someone comes to investigate. Three bodies..."

I attempted to stop him, but he was marginally stronger and wasn't phased by my caterwaul screams to let me get help for Brody as he bled out. Screams of 'I'll never forgive him' and 'you can't do this,' left my lips.

-o-

I curled myself up in one of the elegant armchairs in the conservatory that looked out onto the beach. I hadn't even considered showering to remove the blood from my face. A fleecy blanket was draped around me, tucked under my toes. Trying to process everything, there was something I had to do.

"I have to go home..." I whispered almost inaudibly.

Without giving the idea any more thought, I went straight upstairs and grabbed my sports bag from the dressing room. Rifling through the dresses, I immediately plucked the peacock dress from its place – along with multiple other garments until I opened the drawers. The bottom one was one I gifted to Brody and the jumpers were neatly folded. I pulled out one, letting it unfold in my hands as a sob escaped my mouth. The soft scent filled my nose and whilst it was something I should have left, I bundled it into the case and went back to close the drawer.

"What..." There was a big envelope in the base with my name scrawled across it.

I took it with me and left, leaving my keys on the table and letting the door close on its own. Walking along the country lane that lead away from Jordan Campbell's house, I felt a sense of relief and sadness. By the time I got to the main road, I wished home was closer and that I hadn't gotten so much packed into the small bag. There would have to be a formal apology made to Louise for leaving some of the beautiful dresses she had bought for me.

Not far to go now.

I was right. Nearly a month away from home and now I was finally going home. The blue door of my house was so welcoming and inviting that I wondered what Scott would say when I saw him. It had been weeks since I last saw him for that split second. My finger prodded the doorbell, listening to the shrill ring on the other side of the door.

The door cautiously opened and when I saw Scott, I broke down in tears.

"Scott, can I come home?" I whimpered quietly. "I need to come home."

He awkwardly pulled me into a soft embrace, and while I didn't want to accept it, I sensed that there was something else I should know.

"Scott?" I pushed away from him, wondering what wrong. "What's wrong?"

Another voice called out. "Scott- I'm setting Abigail down now in our room, is that o-" Bella appeared in the hallway carrying her baby. "Oh... Riley."

"I see. Sorry. I get it." I sniffed before turning away. "I'm taking my car now."

Without giving an opportunity to hear any form of explanation, I sped away, nearly catapulting into a passing car. Blurred, tear filled eyes and high pitched sobs slipped through my mouth up until I pulled up at Nolan's in tear. The door was opened before I had even a chance to buzz in.

"Uno- can I move in and come home?" I cried, throwing my arms around my uncle who pulled me in so tightly that I couldn't breathe, but I didn't care. "Nolan?"

"You know my door is always open to you." Nolan grabbed my bag and ushered me inside. "Beckett's away on a business trip- overnight in Philadelphia."

"How long have you known? About Bella and Scott getting back together to play happy families?" I wiped my eyes and cheeks, trying to look more presentable despite my face still bloodied and messy. "I need to know."

"And there's no way I can answer that now – not with your face the way it is. Go and shower. Then we will talk."

"There's something I need to tell you." I paused, taking his hand. "Brody... He's dead. Shot through the chest. I'm so sorry. I tried to help him, but my father made sure that we were clear of the building. I know how much you cared for him and I'm so sorry that I didn't do anything-"

"Shut up and go shower," Nolan replied quietly, walking away from me. "I said go." His voice rippled with misery and sadness.

"I'm so sorry..."

After my shower, I sat on the end of the bed in my old room in one of the Hampton Beach Club dressing gowns. Nolan knocked on my door and entered when I gave permission. When I saw him, I could see he had a soft redness under his eyes. It snapped my heart in two to see him upset, but I had to be selfish.

"Scott and Bella- how long?"

"Riley- I don't know if I should get involved." Nolan looked back at the door. "Perhaps a further explanation needs to come from Scott. He got here when you got in the shower and refuses to leave until he speaks to you."

"Well tell him I don't want to speak about it!"

"Don't be like that, Ry."

"No!" I screamed.

Scott appeared behind Nolan, tapping him gently. "I got this, Nolan." He waited for my uncle to go. "Let me explain."

"No. Don't come any closer. I don't even want to hear it. Please. I can't take it today." I held my hand up to keep him at a distance. "Please."

"But I'm not going to walk away from you-"

"Scott! Brody's dead." I looked away, pivoting away from him. "So I can't hear you tell me how you got lonely and fell into her loving arms because I wasn't there. And before you even attempt to say that you thought seeing me and Brody together at Jordan Campbell's house was a signal that I had moved on. I mean, weeks ago, we were in Nolan's office and you were dropping down onto one knee." A lump in my throat stopped my argument. "She said 'our' room. Not your room. Don't tell me it's nothing because it's clearly something." I didn't want to talk anymore and instead let him do the talking.

"Riley. I love you. I only want to be with you."

"Somehow, I just can't believe you."

Thoughts from AspiringWriterGirl = Another chapter done and dusted – this one has really caused a lot of writer's block problems :L