Hiya, folks! Here I am with the newest chapter of JAS. We're arriving at the home stretch here. I plan to write and work on the last few chapters of this story and post them over the course of the next few days, depending on my time management. I'm just ready to finally finish this tale.

In this chapter, we'll catch up with everyone else. Rudy and Danielle talk about things, and we'll see Theo team up with someone unexpected. Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my OC's.

Chapter 30: Alliances, Love, and More Chaos

Theo covered part of his face with his shirt as he ran. It was a last-ditch effort to keep blood from leaking everywhere. Now he had to figure out where exactly he was going. He had to get out of this building before Reagan caught up to him...

Speaking of...

Looking behind, the boy could see that the villain was no longer chasing him. He wasn't there.

... Why did he stop chasing him?

Did he get tired of it?

Did he decide to give up?

Those possibilities were very unlikely in Theo's mind. He's known Reagan long enough to know that the man doesn't just give up like that. He was planning something else. Something else... sinister. Whatever it was, Theo didn't know. And he didn't want to find out.

So he kept running.

As he ran, he began to think of his family and friends. Did the police get to them? Were they safe? Were the bad guys detained? He wouldn't know until he got outside to see them?

A few minutes later, Theo entered what looked like another room. It was small... and there was a window on the other side. Curious, he walked over to look outside it. It appeared to be the front yard of the building. Looking down, he could see police cars and ambulances everywhere. He could even make out what had to be the rest of the gang.

Theo sighed in relief... they were okay.

Before he could tap on the window to let them know where he was, he suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder. The preteen jumped in fright before turning around. He expected it to be Reagan, but instead, it was... Arnie?

"You okay, kid?" The man asked.

"Um, yeah. Sort of..." Was Theo's response, as he lightly rubbed his still sore nose, "What are you doing here?"

"Looking for you. I slipped away from the crowd. Since Reagan's not gonna rest until he kills you or worse, I wanted to save you."

Theo frowned at the former pool shark, "You? Save me? After everything you've done? I know you turned against Reagan earlier to try and help us, but how do I know I can still trust you?"

Arnie shrugged, "Once we get outta here, I plan to turn myself into the cops. I know I've done some messed up shit, so it makes sense that I pay for it, right?"

Side eyeing him a bit, Theo nodded.

"Right. So, I know a quick way to get outta here that won't cross paths with Reagan. Just follow my lead, and we'll be home free..."

"Okay. Please let it be as quick as possible. I miss my mom and dad. And my sister..."

With that, the two walked out of the room, as Theo silently prayed that finally, everything would be okay...

Meanwhile, outside...

The adults had reunited with their respective children outside.

Harold held on to his son's hand as paramedics were tending to him in an ambulance. Harry had passed out from blood loss due to the stab wound on his shoulder and was currently getting a blood transfusion. It was a last-ditch effort to save his life.

But to Harold... the memories of him finding Belinda on the bathroom floor in a pool of blood started to come back at full force. Seeing the red liquid on his son triggered visions and flashbacks. It seemed that no matter what he did, he couldn't get those thoughts out of his mind. Belinda's death was already too traumatizing. If Harry died, it would be mind-breaking...

I already lost Belinda... I can't handle losing Harry... Harold thought sorrowfully as tears started to form. All he could do for now was continue to hold his son's hand.

"Okay, with this transfusion, it should keep him stable until we get to the ER, Mr. Simmons." One of the paramedics told him, "We're doing everything we can to help him."

"Thank you, M'am." Was the tall man's response, before he looked down at Harry again, "You hear that, buddy? You're gonna be okay... I love you..."

As that was going on, the rest of the guys were getting treated for their injuries. Albert had awakened from being drugged as he rested in a chair looking at his surroundings. Trina was busy hugging and kissing Sondra and Jamal after she had asked a few officers to go inside the building to find Theo. Bill and Cami cuddled the twins. Donald and Leia embraced April and Fuchsia. Bucky bounced a happy Jan up and down with Sasha while Mush watched. Rudy and Danielle... were talking...

The two had sent Alya to spend time with her friends so that they could discuss some things.

Rudy looked down at the engagement ring he had given Danielle in his palm... before looking up at the woman, "So..."

"Rudy... now that we're not being interrupted... I wanted to tell you... that the engagement is off." Danielle sighed, "I realized that... all this time... the love between us... if you can even call it that... is nonexistent. I mean, all we've done is fight ever since we got together. We fought so much, we had to hide it from our daughter. And then she found out in the worst way possible... made her think we hated her..."

She was starting to sob, as Rudy pulled her in for a hug, "I know... but I think she knows that we do love her... I had a talk with her earlier... she helped me have a new outlook on my life. And I agree... the only thing keeping us two close is Alya... and this baby..."

The rich man placed a hand on Danielle's swollen belly, chuckling a little when he felt the slightest hint of movement, "And... you're right. We're not made for each other. Marriage isn't gonna fix our issues. And it's not gonna help our kids either."

"So, what do you suggest we do now?" The woman asked.

Rudy looked away in thought, "Well... since we both have some crappy problems... I think it's important that we talk to a professional about them..." He then looked over at Albert, who was observing their conversation. The large man smiled at him, and he smiled back.

Danielle smiled as well, "Yeah. That sounds like a good idea. But what about our kids? If we're not together, how are we gonna raise them?"

"Who says we have to be apart? We can still raise the kids and not be married. I know it sounds complicated, but I think we can make it work."

"I sure hope so..."

The two then looked over at their daughter, who was sitting with April, Fuchsia, and Sondra. Another question was, how were they going to explain to her that there would be no wedding? They both knew that she was very much looking forward to them being together. How could they break it to her in a way that she would understand? The last thing they needed was to break her heart again.

They then looked down at Danielle's stomach again. She felt some more movement from the unborn child, Rudy too as he kept his hand on top of the swollen spot. The adults didn't know how things were gonna be from now on... but they would make sure they would be there for their children, no matter what...

"How are you doin', Al?" Trina asked, rocking Jamal to sleep in her arms.

Albert sat up a little to straighten himself in his stair, "Yeah. I'm doing okay. Hey, hey, hey."

"I love how despite you getting a needle in your neck, you're still optimistic as ever."

"Nothing can keep Fat Albert down long."

Trina chuckled, before sighing as she looked towards the building, "I wonder what's taking them so long to find our baby. The building ain't that big..."

"Don't worry. I'm sure he'll be okay. Let's just pray..."

Bill and Russell watched with smiles as Cami was giving Elvin and Nelson all the love and kisses she could give at the moment. The mother was happy to be reunited with her babies, and she didn't want to let them go.

"Did you miss us a lot, Momma?" Nelson asked.

"Oh yes, baby. I missed you both so much..." Cami whispered, kissing the boys a few more times. Suddenly, she stopped, feeling a little lightheaded, as she set the twins down and held her forehead.

Bill was quick to notice as he came to her side, "You okay, Cam? You look kinda pale."

"I... I don't know. One moment, I feel fine, and then the next..."

She then held her stomach, as Bill began to rub her shoulders. He turned to Russell, "Rus. Go get a paramedic, quick. There might be something wrong with Cami."

The younger Cosby brother nodded as he walked away to find help. As for the older brother, he stayed with his wife, "Don't worry... we'll get help for you."

As for the criminals, they were already handcuffed and placed in a police van. But the van had yet to leave the scene, "There's still two more we need to catch." One of the officers said, "Luckily, we have a swat team on the way."

A female officer looked inside the van and noticed something very peculiar, "Funny. I was sure the victims said there were six main perpetrators. I only see three of them here, but you said there's two left."

The other officer looked inside, and realized, "Yeah, you're right. If there's three in the van, yet there's two still in the building... where is the third...?"

The girls were standing close by and happened to hear what the officers had said. One of the criminals... was missing? April looked around the area. They didn't see anybody who could be missing.

"Who do you think it could be?" Fuchsia asked out of curiosity.

"I don't know." April shrugged, "I can't really remember the other man's names... what do you think, Alya? Alya?"

The rich girl wasn't really paying much attention to what was going on. She was looking at the entrance of the building, thinking about Theo. Oh, how she wanted to rush in there to find him. But she knew doing that would be suicide. Reagan was a lot more dangerous than before. Plus, she didn't want to risk worrying her parents, especially her father.

But still... she wished that there was something she could do...

As she sat on her knees and stared, little did she realize that someone was walking slowly behind her...

Before anyone could do anything else, a shrill scream was heard. It startled everyone around them as they turned to wherever the direction of the scream came from. Just then, a wicked-sounding laugh rang out, and it was coming from one part of the building.

"Halt!" One of the officers called out.

The person he was speaking to... was Gabe, who was holding Alya in a tight grasp, as the poor girl struggled to escape.

Danielle and Rudy (especially Rudy), felt their blood run cold at the sight of their daughter being held hostage. They wanted to move, but couldn't. Nobody could. As for Gabe himself, he smirked, "You cops ain't gonna take me down again! If one of you even dares to try, I'll cut this little cutie's heart out."

The criminal was also holding a knife as he held it up against Alya's chest. This made her struggle harder, "No! Leave me alone! Please!"

"My baby!" Danielle cried out.

"Get your fucking hands off my daughter, you rapist asshole!" Rudy snarled as he stood up.

"Not a chance, Rudolph!" Gabe laughed as he started to climb up the side of the building, "I still have a score to settle with you. And I think your precious little girl is the perfect solution to settle that score. We'll see if she's as big of a slut as you are."

With that, he jumped through an open window on the third floor with his captive.

...

...

Something inside Rudy snapped, "Oh... HELL NO!" Seething, he rushed to the door of the building. He knew what Gabe was going to do. And he couldn't let that happen. A few officers tried to restrain him, but he pushed through them with ease, "Sir! We advise that you stay put." One of them advised gently.

"NO!" The rich man roared, whipping around to face the authorities, "I got violated by that bastard years ago. And I'll be damned if I let him do the same to my daughter. So, I would like to personally beat the shit outta him if you don't mind!"

Turning on his heels, he continued into the building.

"Rudy, come back!" Danielle called, "You're gonna get yourself killed!"

Albert frowned in concern. She was right. Rudy was definitely gonna get himself killed by rushing in. Typical of him. The large man looked over at Bill and could tell he was thinking the same thing. In fact, each of the guys was exchanging knowing looks. With one plan in mind, each of them stood and headed for the door, confusing their wives.

"Um, Albert. Where are you going?" Trina asked.

"Rudy's gonna need our help." Was his response, "I think it's high time we finish this mess with Reagan..."

The rest of the men echoed in agreement. They continued into the building. Two of the officers followed behind to serve as backup. The women watched their men go, as April was thinking of her own little plan.

Because now, everyone was through messing around.

It was time to bring an end to the misery... once and for all...

Now it looks like the guys are ready to face the evil for one last time. Theo and Arnie are trying to escape, Reagan is still in there somewhere, and now Gabe has Alya hostage, and Rudy won't stop until he rips the villain limb from limb. Next chapter, we'll see the start of the confrontations that occur from here on out. And let me tell ya, it's gonna get wild.

I hope you enjoyed this little chapter. I know it's kinda short, but the next chapter should be longer with more to happen. That being said, I'll see you guys later. And as always, don't forget to review, please. Thank you.