Holy Shite, I cannot believe it's been so long since I've updated. I was hoping to have this finished weeks ago but I got caught up in details and it wasn't until tonight that I was actually able to form the ending for this chapter. I was hoping to end it slightly different but I'm not mad at the cliff hanging. *spoilers* I'm not sure when I'll update next but rest assured this story will be completed.

No Mercy

Jace Sherwood

"Was she worth it?" Felix asked quietly as he slouched in the seat next to me. I didn't need to look at my friend to know what he was thinking- I was thinking the same thing. I just threw away my career for a murderer.

"You didn't see her."

I'd never admitted it out loud in fear that it would be repeated but Rose had starred in quite a few of my fantasies before she'd disappeared- therefor it came as a shock when I saw Rose and had to do a double take because I hadn't recognized her.

"Rose Hathaway IS a murderer!" Felix retorted his tone harsh. "You've crossed lines before but this is different- you let a murderer get away! On purpose! No amount of charm is going to get you out of this- your career is over."

Your career is over.

"Just tell me why?" Felix pleaded his voice lowering to a whisper.

"It was the right thing to do, Felix. Yes, Rose Hathaway is a murderer but none of the people she killed were innocents. You and I both read the reports found in Dr. Augustine's office… You saw the footage of what that monster did to those girls… What HE did to HER. Rose is a victim- If you'd known her before you'd know how hard that is to say."

Felix stared at me in disbelief. "You believe Rose Hathaway is the victim?"

"I do."

"How can you be so blind?" Felix snapped his voice carrying down the quiet waiting area of the director's office. Felix and I sat quietly for several minutes before he calmly asked. "Do you have feelings for her?"

"Who?"

Felix looked irritated as he stared at me. "Rose."

Did I have feelings for Rose? Absolutely. However- "I'm not in love with her if that's what you're asking."

"Than explain to me why you went to all this trouble?"

I couldn't answer the question because I didn't know the answer. I'd always taken risks and bent the rules to suit myself but when it came to this case it felt like all I did was break the rules- not that I regretted it.

2 federal agents and a lawyer from the states attorney office walked into the waiting area. The director's assistant Penny hadn't seemed surprised to see them and her eyes briefly flickered across to mine pity reflecting back in her dull blue eyes before shifting to the phone on her desk.

The silence in the waiting area was broken by the sound of Felix's phone. Felix stood without a word and walked down the hall towards the elevator with the phone pressed to his ear and speaking quietly to whoever was on the line.

I returned my attention to the director's assistant escorting the men into the director's office. The office door closed firmly behind the men and Penny remained inside probably fetching the men refreshments or to take notes for the lazy ass behind the big oak table.

I had a sinking feeling that my career was the last of my concerns.

I sighed burying my head in my hands as anxiety began to crawl up my spine. Is it hot in here? "What did you expect?" I whispered quietly to myself. "Idiot."

"It isn't looking to good for you, is it?" I stiffened lifting my head to meet the grey eyes of a man in his mid-forties dressed in an all black suit. "Your superiors aren't too pleased about you helping a murderer escape. Imagine what they'd think if they knew just how much information you withheld- though I can't imagine it'd change much if you walked in there and came clean. You'd have grounds to make a deal- easily shave a few decades off your sentence- perhaps you'd be out in time for your 70th birthday. I'm Matthew by the way."

"What the hell do you want, Matthew?"

Without missing a beat he answered. "I want to be on a beach surrounded by naked men- and women- getting a massage that comes with a very happy ending topped off with a group orgy." Matthew sighed and leaned towards me. "I'm a friend. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Sherwood. Mr. Belikov sent me."

"Why?"

"If you walk through that door you'll be walking out in handcuffs with a list of charges as long as my arm. Mr. Belikov sent me to give you an out- if you leave with me right now you'll be a wanted criminal but at least you'll be free-"

"-and on the run for the rest of my life." Definitely wasn't my idea of freedom.

"It beats being locked inside a cell for the rest of your life- and considering how charming you're it'll likely be a short life."

Life on the run wasn't at all that appealing but neither was life in prison- and as much as I hated to admit it- life in prison for a disgraced federal agent would likely be short. I stood from my seat staring at the director's door- any minute his assistant would walk through that door and tell me the director was ready for me.

"And how exactly do you intend to get me out of here? It's not like we can just walk out the front door."

A troubling smile lit up Matthew's face as he stared at me. "That's exactly what we're going to do."

"You can't be serious?"

"You aren't the only hacker here, Agent Sherwood." And with that Ash and I moved towards the elevator at the end of the hall. The elevator doors opened and a filing clerk stepped out.

"What happens if we're caught?"

Matthew snickered as if the thought was amusing. "Just follow my league."

"Why should I trust you?"

"You shouldn't." The conviction in his voice wasn't at all assuring. "You and I aren't friends, Joseph." I tensed at the use of my true name. I hadn't used it since middle school- I'd legally had it changed to Jace Sherwood before I erasing Joseph King from my life and any trace of his existence. "But Mr. Belikov hopes that you and I will co-exist for the time being to ensure the safety of his family. Perhaps we'll become friends over time."

"You work for Dimitri?"

"I do."

"As a hacker?"

"Hacker. Lawyer. Advisor. Friend."

"Friend? Dimitri doesn't have friends."

"Is that what his file said?" Matthew chuckled slapping me on the back as the elevator doors opened. "You should know that Mr. Belikov is aware of your original assignment- I suggested letting you rot in prison but Mr. Belikov likes you."

Matthew and I had just reached the door when I heard Felix's voice. "Jace! Don't do it." Matthew stiffened next to me but kept walking as I hesitated at the door seeing Felix's reflection in the glass as he held his gun aimed at my back. "It's not too late."

Felix should've known better than to stand so close- I closed my eyes knowing how this would end. I had roughly 30' seconds to disarm my friend/partner and escape before being killed by my own men who'd see me as the enemy.

"Jace-" Felix choked on my name as I spun around and grabbed his wrist punching him in the throat before snapping his wrist. The sound of his wrist breaking was muted by the sound of his screams.

I didn't wait to see what'd happen next as I exited the building and jumped into the awaiting black car. Mathew didn't even wait for my door to close before he revved the engine and took off down the street- I looked in the side view mirror and saw agents chasing after the car on foot shooting and missing the car.

I'm sorry.

I squeezed my eyes closed trying to push away the guilt. A few minutes passed before I felt a folder being thrown into my lap before a girl's voice spoke from the backseat. "For what it's worth you made the right decision."

My eyes snapped open and I turned in my seat to see a tiny African woman sitting in the back seat with a weary smile. "I'm a huge fan of your work, Joseph. I'm Adeline- My friends call me Addie."

"That isn't my name." The tone of my voice must've been a lot harsher then I'd intended because Addie shrank back into the backseat.

"Neither is Jace Sherwood," Mathew commented tossing the 2nd envelope into my lap. I opened it pulling out new passports, drivers license, and birth certificates. "Those are just temporary."

"Joseph Michelson."

"Yep."

"You did that on purpose didn't you?"

"Yep."

"You're a dick."

"You've got no idea." Addie giggled from the backseat.

"That's enough out of you, Midget."

"Asshole."

"Bite me."

"You wish!"

"Maybe I do." Mathew winked in the rearview mirror.

"Do you 2 need a moment?" I rolled my eyes the bickering as I returned the ID's to the envelope before opening the file. "What is all of this?"

"It's everything you need to know."

Addie leaned forward between the seats. "In your investigation, you had a theory that there was an unknown 3rd party? You'd been correct. The 3rd party was a hired team of assassins sent to kidnap Vasilisa Dragomir- only they'd found Rose Mazur bleeding to death instead. The man who'd paid the men to kidnap Ms. Dragomir instructed the men to take Ms. Mazur instead. 1 of the men was a surgeon- Dr. Xavier Matheson. He'd been able to save her life until they'd reached a hospital where Dr. Augustine worked as a cardiothoracic surgeon. It didn't look like Ms. Mazur was going to wake up so Dr. Augustine suggested that Mr. Dashkov have her transferred to Briarcliff where he could personally monitor her condition."

"From Augustine's reports, Rose remained in a coma for 8 weeks." I related the information I'd found upon searching his office. "The sick fuck began his treatments almost immediately after she'd woken up and continued up until his death."

"It is a shame," Mathew remarked casually. "Mr. Belikov would have enjoyed taking his time with a man like that."

"When it comes to Ms. Mazur- Mr. Belikov doesn't have a lot of self-control. Augustine would've been dead within 5 minutes." I turned in my seat staring at the woman leaning between the front seats. "What? It's true."

"The midget isn't wrong."

I flipped through the document before I came across a fairly old picture of a man wearing an all-black military looking uniform. "Who is this?"

"Alistair Hathaway," Addie answered. "There is a file in there. You might want to read it before we get to wherever it that we're going."

Leigh Bates

I watched my girl from the balcony as she danced with her friends in the center of the dance floor- the volume of the music rattled the old warehouse windows and sent vibrations through every flat surface. I could barely hear myself think over the crappy techno music that invaded every single 1 of my senses.

Ronnie jumped up and down running her fingers through her sweaty brown hair and swaying her hips hypnotizing every man and woman within a 5 mile radius. A smile lit up her face as she threw her head back laughing. The disco lights above reflected off her sweaty skin making her appear like 1 of those fantasy characters in the books she obsessed over.

Ronnie was my very own fantasy Princess.

It was rare to see her this carefree- and happy. It reminded me of when I 1st met her. Ronnie was a good girl from a decent family- I wasn't such a good girl but I was lucky that Ronnie's family accepted me into their lives with open arms.

Ronnie was- my everything. I'd fallen in love with her the moment I saw her- it was my 1st day at a new school and I was starting my senior year. Ronnie was so bright and bubbly- and HAPPY. I'd never met anybody as happy as Ronnie or as girly but I'd instantly fallen in love with her.

"Lee!" Ronnie threw her arms around my neck. "Where did you go?"

"I had a little business to take care of." I smiled sliding my arms around her waist and slipping my hands into the pockets of her denim skirt. "You having fun."

"A little too much." Ronnie grinned pressing a kiss to my lips. "Do you want to dance?"

I leaned in and kissed her before moving my lips to her ear. "Let's get out of here and I'll do a little dance just for you back at the apartment," I suggested nipping at her earlobe as she pressed herself further into my embrace as I squeezed her ass through her shorts. "Yes?"

"Yes." Ronnie leaned back to look at me. "I'll meet you outside- I just want to say goodbye to my friends."

I reluctantly let her go and stood off the stool. "I'll meet you outside, Princess." I headed towards the closest exit and reached into my jacket to retrieve my cigarettes.

"That's so nasty," Ronnie said scrunching up her nose when she found me outside with a half-finished cigarette. "Those things will kill you."

I flicked the half-finished cigarette into the gutter earning a scowl before I walked up and slid my arms around her waist. "Only the good die young, Princess."

"If you were as bad as you think you are- I wouldn't love you as much as I do," Ronnie said before tilting her head towards the gutter. "You're not just going to leave that there are you?"

I reluctantly picked up the dirty cigarette and walked into the ally by the warehouse dumping it into the bin. "Happy?"

"I'd be happier if you quit the nasty habit." I smiled sliding my arm around her shoulders pulling her into my side as we began the walk home. "I love you."

I stared at the cute girl next to me and smiled. "I love you too, Princess…" I trailed off coming to a stop as 3 men stood in front of us. "We don't want any trouble fellas."

Ronnie screams as we're attacked from behind- I struggle to get free and punch 1 of the guys in the face but before I can do anything else I'm throwing up against a brick wall the back of my head slamming against it so hard that I'm seeing doubles.

"Leigh!" Ronnie screams struggling against the men. "Let her go!"

The last thing I saw before everything went black was a man dragging Ronnie into an alley between two brick buildings. A few hours later I came too completely naked with my clothes scattered through the alley.

It only took a minute for me to find Ronnie unconscious among the bags of rubbish- I crawled to her and pulled her into my lap trying to wake her. "Ronnie? Ron? Wake up, Princess. Baby?" I sobbed reaching for her clutch relieved to find her phone still inside. I called 911 and held Ronnie until the ambulance came. "It's going to be okay, Pep. You're going to be fine. I promise."

"Leigh- It's just a nightmare. Wake. Up." Rose's voice was panicked and urgent as she shook my shoulders. My eyes snapped open and locked with her deep brown eyes as she cradled my face in her hands. "Breathe. You have to breathe. I won't let anything happen to you- you're safe."

I lifted my knees to my chest and dropped my head trying to breathe. Rose wrapped her arms protectively around me and whispered words of comfort until I was able to calm down and excuse myself to use the bathroom.

It's hard to believe it's been 6 months since Ronnie and I were attacked. Those 5 weeks afterward were the worst 5 weeks of my life- Ronnie had been in a coma and her surgeons didn't think she'd ever recover but somehow she defied the odds and came back to me.

The weeks following weren't any easier but it'd somehow gotten worse after the police failed to arrest our attackers due to 'lack of evidence' it was total bullshit. The police couldn't do shit because 1 of the attackers was the mayor's nephew or some bullshit relation with connections.

I'll never forget the sight of Ronnie throwing the vase at the detective's head. I'd been closest and managed to grab her before she could reach for a 2nd vase- I'll never forget the sound Ronnie made as she struggled in my arms. It'll haunt me for the rest of my life and if there is an afterlife it'll haunt me there too.

"Leigh?"

I didn't look at Rose as I rolled the little white pill between my fingers. "I just want it to stop."

"I know," Rose whispered her voice breaking a little with the pain behind her words. "Those pills won't help, Leigh."

"A little relief is better than none." I tossed the pill into my mouth and swallowed it. I stood reaching into my pocket pulling out the little baggy of pills- dangling it in front of Rose's face. "Are you sure you don't want any?"

Janine Hathaway

I wasn't the maternal type. My daughter can attest to that but when I saw Dimitri Belikov carrying her unconscious body into the safe house all I wanted was to take her into my arms and hold her like my own mother held my siblings and I when we were children and ill from the fever.

It wasn't until that moment that it occurred to me that I'd never actually held her- comforted her- apart from breastfeeding her as a babe. I'd always felt disconnected: separate from myself while breastfeeding. The other mothers Ibrahim had introduced me too would gush over babies and talk in awe about the bond they'd developed through breastfeeding.

I always left those lunches feeling empty and guilty for not feeling 'The Bond' as the other mothers had called it. I'd shrugged it off and told myself that I simply wasn't meant to be a mother. I hadn't even felt guilty for leaving her- I'd felt relieved that I wouldn't have to pretend anymore.

When Rosemarie was 5- I was injured while working abroad and I was forced to see a therapist. After weeks of discussing my work life and avoiding anything remotely personal Dr. Shamus asked about my personal life: my family. That was when I told him about my daughter- it was the 1st time I'd spoken openly about Rose to anybody outside of Ibrahim.

My own family didn't know of her existence.

It was during these sessions that I opened up about my feelings of failure: Shame. Anxiety. Guilt. I cared for Rose- I just couldn't look at her and feel those feelings that I was 'told' I was supposed to feel.

Dr. Shamus diagnosed with me postpartum depression.

It felt odd to feel this way after 20 years. I suppose it could be my hormones or perhaps those maternal instincts were finally kicking in. I'm not ashamed to admit that I was afraid: I failed at being a mother to Rose- I didn't want to fail this baby too.

I watched from the doorway as Dimitri gently laid Rose on the bed. I felt Ibrahim come up behind me- his hands sliding around my waist and his lips pressed to the back of my shoulder. "The monster that did this-"

"Is dead." Ibrahim murmured softly.

"Did you?"

"No." There was pride in his voice. "Our daughter killed him- and almost everybody responsible for what happened to her."

"Almost?" I turned from my daughter facing her father. The similarities between father and daughter always struck me- I briefly wondered if the baby growing inside my belly would look like his or her father too. "Whose left?" I asked watching as the colour drained from Ibrahim's face, as his eyes looked everywhere but at me. "Ibrahim? What aren't you telling me?" I knew Ibrahim better then anybody else so I knew there was something that he'd kept from me and the emotions that were usually hidden behind a mask were now on full display telling me that whatever it was- was bad. "What did you do?"

"Let's talk somewhere private." Ibrahim insisted gesturing for me to lead the way. I immediately felt on edge- what could possibly frighten 'Zmey'. Ibrahim and I walked in silence for several moments until he blurted out the words… "Your brother is alive." I stumbled mid-step and if it weren't for Ibrahim's hand catching my arm I'd have fallen flat on my face. "Alistair Hathaway- He's alive."

"I don't understand-" Nobody had seen or spoken to Alistair since his family was murdered while on vacation with Iggy's parents. "-What does Alistair have to do with any of this?"

"Alistair has everything to do with this." Ibrahim insisted. "Everything that's happened in the last 20 years is a direct reaction from my own reckless vengeful actions… Doyle O'Malley sent a man to kill Tatiana and that man shot you instead… After I found out that you were pregnant I tracked down Doyle- I could've waited until he was alone but I was angry, irrational, I wasn't thinking straight. Doyle's family was in the car- his wife, his daughter Iggy Hathaway and her 3 daughters Natalie, Quinn, and Reign Hathaway. I killed them all and watched them burn from the side of the road. I didn't know, Janine. I swear- if I'd known-"

I raised my hand silencing him- 'I killed them all and watched them burn'- I felt as if my heart had just been ripped out and my stomach twisted as a cold chill ran down my spine as I stared at the man I loved- I'd always known that Ibrahim wasn't a 'good' man but I never thought he'd be capable of killing children.

"They were innocent." I barely recognized my own voice as I spoke

Ibrahim kept repeating over and over that he was 'sorry' tears prickled at the corners of his eyes as he begged me to understand. "If I could undo it-"

"But you can't." I snapped ripping my arm from his grip. I was afraid of what I'd do if he continued to touch me- I'd looked the other way for so long that I'd fooled myself into believing that Ibrahim wasn't all that bad. "Zmey. Jesus- I'm such an idiot." Ibrahim reached out to take my hand but I slapped him across the face. "If you ever touch me again- I'll kill you, Zmey. I swear it."

Ibrahim dropped his hand and stared at me. "You really mean that don't you?"

"Yes." I answered and turned back towards the house. "I can't stay here."

"You can't leave." Ibrahim called from behind me. "Alistair will kill you the moment you do." I stopped mid-step ready to argue but Ibrahim continued. "Alistair isn't going to stop until everybody I love is dead."

I lifted my eyes to the sky watching the stormy clouds in the distance. "Alistair blackmailed Ivan to kill Rose didn't he?" Yes. Ibrahim responded quietly not moving any closer. I fought to hold back the tears as I lowered my gaze to Ibrahim's. "We're all going to die because of what you've done."

"Janine-"

I held my hand up to stop him. "You don't know my brother like I do…

"I will die before I let him hurt you or rose ever again-" I laughed and the tears fell as I stared the man I regretfully loved. Ibrahim closed the distance between us but didn't touch me. "-Janine- I promise."

"You shouldn't make promises you can't keep." I reminded him as I lifted my hands to his face. "Alistair will save you for last." I whispered taking in every little detail of his face. "I doubt it'll be quick."

Rose Hathaway

"Did you really think you could escape?" Dr. Augustine's laughter echoed throughout the darkness as it closed in around me. I could feel the restraint of the jacket around me, and my brow began to sweat as I started to struggle.

"I killed you!"

"Did you? Than why am I still here, Rose?" Augustine taunted his laughter coming closer. I flinched beneath his touch- Augustine's touch was unusually soft and warm- it was unlike his usual cruel and cold touches that left me broken and bruised.

"Please. No."

More laughter but there was a new voice trying to break through the darkness. Augustine's face appeared out of the darkness blood running down the side of his face as he smiled sinisterly at me. "Let's play a game."

"Roza-!" My eyes snapped open and immediately locked with Dimitri's brown eyes. "-It's just a nightmare, Roza. It's over."

I couldn't stop my body from trembling as I stared at Dimitri. "It wasn't a nightmare." I sobbed burying my hands in my hair as I pulled my knees to my chest.

"What can I do?" Dimitri questioned softly. "I'll go get-"

"Please." I reached out grabbing his hand. "Don't leave me." I lifted my head and met his gaze seeing the pain and guilt reflected back at me. "Please." I need you is what I wanted to say but I couldn't get the words out. The guilt in his eyes, the pain, it was all too much. "Please."

"I'm here." Dimitri reached out taking hold of my hands. "I'm not going anywhere, Roza." Dimitri promised squeezing my fingers. "What did you take earlier?"

"It was just something to help with the pain."

"It did a little more than that." Dimitri challenged. "You can't self medicate."

"What are you my sponsor?" I snapped trying to withdraw from his grip.

"No. I'm the man who loves you and I just got you back, Roza. I'm not about to let you kill yourself on a cocktail of drugs." There was an edge to Dimitri's voice that made me flinch. "I love you."

I chuckled dryly in response to his words. "You love a memory of a woman who no longer exists." I ripped my hands from his grip as I stared into his sad brown eyes. "The woman you love is DEAD."

"I refuse to believe that."

"I'm feeling better- you can go."

"Roza."

"Get. Out." I screamed fighting back the tears as I watched Dimitri climb off the bed. "Get. Out. Get. Out." I repeated over and over until my throat felt raw. I buried my head against my knees as I rocked myself back and forth.

Please don't leave me. That weak little voice inside me whimpered as the door closed behind him. Please, come back.

When I woke up sometime later there was a woman sitting in the corner of the room curled up in a chair reading something in her lap. There was something oddly familiar about her and I felt somewhat happy about seeing her despite not being able to recognize the woman.

The stranger sniffled wiping tears from her cheeks with 1 hand while the other cradled a glass of golden liquid to her chest. She shouldn't be drinking that. A concerned voice echoed inside my head as I managed to sit up. "When did you start drinking?"

The woman jumped in her seat and our eyes locked. "The situation called for it." She- Amelia smiled- I returned her smile as I recalled her name. "It's not everyday your rehab-roomie comes back from the dead."

I chuckled humorlessly. "What are you doing here?"

"Your fiancé called." Amelia answered. "I'm here to help."

"I don't need help."

Amelia stood and walked towards me. "Unfortunately for you- I have a habit of not listening to you." Amelia sat on the edge of the bed and held out her hand- I stared at it for a moment before I reached out and intertwined our fingers. Amelia raised her other hand to my face brushing my hair back- I flinched as her fingers brushed the sensitive burns at my temples. "What happened to you, Sweetheart?"

My eyes shifted to Dr. Augustine's files by her chair. "Dr. Augustine documented everything- it's all in there."

"I want to hear it from you." Amelia pressed. "I know it's hard, Rosie, but the 1st step to healing is telling. You survived- you have nothing to be ashamed of… Augustine is dead- He can't hurt you anymore."

"In order to survive I spent a lot of time inside my head." I confessed staring at the far wall trying to block out those memories. I was briefly aware that Dimitri and Leigh were standing in the doorway. "I wasn't here. I was there. I wasn't here. I was there. You get the idea… If I was there instead of here I was free of pain- free from him- and when I was there wherever there was I was with Dimitri. It wasn't long before I forgot his name though- I often forgot my own name until Augustine called me his Rose- The 1st time I forgot it and remembered it again I scratched it into the stone wall of my cell- I am Rose, I am Rose, I am Rose- I used the same broken spoon my 1st cell-mate used to slit her wrists. Her name was Calliope- Calliope was 16. Dr. Augustine would torture her while I watched- he'd rape her too- she'd cry for her parents and sob for me to help her- to say yes so her pain would stop- I never said yes though- I let him hurt her and all the girls that came after- Leigh thinks I saved her but the truth is I'd have let her die too." A bitter smile tugged at my lips as I looked at Amelia. "Do you know how many girls came after Calliope? 67. Augustine kept a record and liked to celebrate my achievement with a new girl."

"That'll do for the time being." Amelia cleared her throat as she straightened her posture. "Rose- this is the last thing you'll want to do but I need to examine your wounds."

"Amelia." I said warningly as I held up my hand. "I love you, I do, but if you touch me I will kill you."

"I'm concerned about infection." Amelia insisted. "And If I listened to you every time you threatened to kill me- neither of us would be sitting here- I've seen a lot of bad things. The bottom line is this; if you don't let me treat you, you will likely die from blood poisoning due to infection within the next week."

Dr. Amelia Evans

I hadn't lied when I said that I'd seen a lot of bad things but this was by far the worst. The stench from her infected wounds were almost enough to make me hurl- there were layers of scars, burns, open and infected wounds from lashes caused from a belt, bruises at multiple stages of healing combined with the scars from her restraints including track marks in her arms, legs, and toes.

2 hours later I barely held back my tears as I removed my gloves. "That'll do for now. The bandages will need changing in a few hours… I'm going to speak to a colleague about getting you something to help with the scars. You won't be able to use anything until they have healed a little more- most of them will disappear overtime but there are a few that will remain."

Rose didn't respond as she tied her robe and crawled back into bed lifting the covers to her chin as she laid on her side staring at the wall behind me.

"Are you hungry?" I questioned quietly as I rested my hand on her forehead. I wasn't sure she'd heard me until I stood from the bed and I heard her say in a timid voice.

"I'm a little hungry."

"I'll have somebody bring in a plate." I retrieved the bag of waste and left the room. Rose didn't say anything else as I left- I closed the door firmly behind me and leaned against it's frame as my knees buckled beneath me. The tears I'd fought to keep at bay rushed down my cheeks as silent sobs rocked my body.

"Amy." Dimitri knelt beside me. "Is Roza okay?"

I nodded wiping away my tears as I met his gaze. "She's okay, Dimitri."

Leigh knelt in front of me placing her hand on my knee. "Are you okay?"

I opened my mouth to answer but no words came out- I closed my eyes and lifted my face to the ceiling. "I need another drink."

"Leigh will show you to the bar." Dimitri took my arm and lifted me to my feet. "I'm going to sit with Roza if she'll let me."

"Before you do-" I caught his arm and held out the rubbish bag. "-Can you get rid of this and take her some food when you go in." Dimitri took the bag and nodded disappearing down the hall.

"Do you think they'll make it?" Leigh asked as we descended the stars to the 1st floor.

"It's hard to say." I confessed. "I'd like to think they would."

Rose Hathaway

...Time Jump: 8 Weeks…

Over the last 8 weeks fragments of my memories had returned though it wasn't always reliable depending on the day. What I remembered today wouldn't necessarily be there tomorrow. It was a constant struggle of 3 steps forward 5 steps back. It was frustrating- But that was recovery.

The withdrawal from medication was a little better everyday… Amelia finally cleared me for light exercise. Thomas and Sean worked with me regularly- Sean had even started teaching me meditation and yoga. Sometimes Dimitri and I would run together. Janine brought in a therapist to work with Leigh and I- Dimitri and I had even had joint sessions with Dr. Shamus.

My relationship with Dimitri- my fiancé- was exhausting. I was a lot of work- 3 steps forward 5 steps back. It might've been easier if he wasn't lying to me. I'm not a fool- I could read the shame and guilt within his eyes. Dimitri hadn't admitted it but like I said- I wasn't a fool- I knew he'd slept around while I was 'dead' that wasn't what pissed me off it was the fact that he was lying about it.

"I'm worried about Leigh." Dimitri commented during our afternoon run through the forest behind the newest safe house. "She's struggling, Roza."

I'd noticed it too. Leigh had relapsed a few times during the last 2 months- Dimitri and I had found her OD'd in the hallway outside our bedroom just a few days ago. "Leigh just needs a little more time."

"We don't have time, Roza." Dimitri said slowing as we approached the bridge overlooking the creek. "Amelia is returning to Paris in a few days: I think Leigh should go with her."

I sighed in frustration as I turned to look at Dimitri. "Seriously? This wouldn't be because you're jealous of Leigh and I?"

Dimitri stared back at me with a look of irritation. "I'm not jealous, Roza. I'm concerned. Does it bother me that Leigh has feelings for you? Yes. I'm only human but this is about more then just Leigh's feelings for you. In time Leigh will overcome her addiction but time isn't on our side these days." Dimitri closed the distance between us and lifted my chin forcing me to meet his gaze. "It's only a matter of time before your crazy Uncle catches up to us. Leigh is a liability that'll get somebody killed- get you killed. Call it what you want, Roza, but if it came down to you or her I'll kill her myself."

"I'll talk to her." I didn't want to admit it but Dimitri had a good point. It was only a matter of time before Alistair caught up to us- and there was no guarantee that we'd make it out alive and often the weakest were the 1st to die and good people often died trying to prevent it.

"I know you love her." Dimitri whispered looking out over the bridge.

"If you're implying that I am in-love with her-" I started to say before Dimitri's quiet chuckle cut me off.

"I'm not." Dimitri smiled leaning his elbows on the railing. "I simply meant that you care for her like you care for Amy or Lissa." We remained silent just listening to the rushing water below and the rustling leaves and chirping birds before Dimitri spoke. "Do you still love me?"

"I'm not sure." I confessed focusing on the rocks below us. "I remember what it was like to love you… I'd like to think that I could someday feel that way with you again."

Dimitri held out his hand his palm faced up- I stared at it for a moment before I reached out and slid my fingers between his. "However long it takes, Roza. I'm never leaving your side again."

Tears stung my eyes as I fought to keep them contained. It hadn't been a lie when I told him that I wasn't sure- I remembered vividly what it felt like to love him. It'd consumed me and often felt unhealthy the way we'd craved each others touch but our connection went beyond our physical desire for each other.

This would've been the perfect time to say the words. I love you. I just wasn't at a place where I could process those types of feelings- I wasn't sure if I'd ever be able too and that's what frightened me. Dimitri was happy to wait for now but what if it wasn't enough? I needed more time and unfortunately- time wasn't on our side.

It'd been a few days since Dimitri and I discussed Leigh and I'd finally worked up the courage to do what I needed to do. I'd give her the choice to stay or go but in order to stay she'd have to prove that she could defend herself- I'd spoken to Thomas, Sean, Ibrahim, and Janine about Leigh and they'd all agreed that if she remained she'd need to prove herself capable of defending herself or she'd be a liability to the rest of us.

It was barely 6am when I entered the home-gym. Leigh stumbled in behind me with her cup of coffee- there were several of my father's men in the gym including Sean, Thomas, Dimitri and Amelia. I'd hoped to have the gym to ourselves this morning knowing they'd disapprove of what I had planned.

Leigh yawned covering her mouth. "Don't you people have anything better to do at this hour? Like, I don't know- sleep?" Leigh said in a way of greeting the others as another yawn escaped her. "The sun isn't even up." Before the others had a chance to respond I removed the coffee cup from Leigh's hand. "Hey-!"

"Get in the ring." I ordered handing the coffee to Thomas. "Now."

"Roza- what are you up too?"

"I'm testing her." I admitted unzipping my jacket.

"Ohhhh no- no- no- no." Amelia quickly shot up from the floor. "You're still healing, Rose."

"I'm fine." I assured her sidestepping her easily pointing a finger to Leigh. "Do you have a hearing problem? I said- get in the ring." Leigh picked her jaw up off the floor but climbed the steps into the ring. I pulled myself up and stepped between the ropes- I started stretching knowing Amelia would bitch from the sidelines.

"Is this a joke?"

I wished it was. "I want you to fight me."

"Are you insane?" Leigh screamed moving to get out of the ring- Dimitri and Sean blocked her exit. "Dimitri! Talk sense to your fiancée?"

"Leigh." I pleaded her to look at me. "This is for your own good… Do you have any idea whose coming for us?"

"Yeah. Your crazy uncle! Clearly, the crazy gene runs in the family!"

"This isn't a joke." I snapped spinning her around to face me. Leigh froze and stared at me with fearful eyes- I felt bad for frightening her but she wasn't prepared. "You're weak, Leigh. If you can't beat me in here- you don't stand a chance out there."

"You're still hurt-" Leigh's voice trembled. "I don't want to hurt you-" Leigh screamed as I punched her in the stomach knocking her back against the ropes. "You crazy bitch!"

I took several steps back holding up my hands. "Hit. Me."

"No-" Leigh screamed again as my foot connected with her knee. "-Stop!"

Don't. Stop. That sinister voice echoed inside my head. Harder.

"Fight. Back." I snapped pulling her to her feet. "Fight. BACK." Leigh looked up at me her eyes going black as she attacked me- it was sloppy and years of training allowed me to easily dodge her attacks though I was still healing and Leigh was able to land a few punches.

We fought until Leigh fell to her knees- I should've stopped but I was proving a point. I needed her to be angry- I needed her to hate me. It'd be easier. That's what I told myself- the truth is- I didn't want to stop.

"Enough!" Amelia shouted crawling into the ring as Leigh collapsed onto the ring. Blood dripping from her lip from where my knee connected with her mouth- I didn't need to do that but a sick part of me enjoyed it. "Have you lost your fucking mind!"

I refused to let myself feel bad- I shut myself down and turned my back to the pair as I grabbed the offered water from 1 of my father's men. "She needs to learn." I rinsed my mouth out spitting it onto the mat as I turned to face Amelia. "We're at war."

I'd never seen Amelia look so angry. "Do you hear yourself? Leigh isn't a soldier, Rose. She's a civilian caught up in your bullshit family quarrel!"

"You're right this is no place for civilians." I agreed shifting my gaze to the bloody and broken little girl. Leigh struggled to her feet and stumbled over to me- I could've stopped her- I could've snapped her neck and called it a day but instead I let her pull her arm back and punch me. My head snapped back and I fell into the ropes- I didn't cry out or make a single sound- I'd endured worse but what frightened me was the smile I felt tug at my lips as blood filled my mouth.

"You're a monster." Leigh spat at my feet. "I can't believe I thought we were friends."

I licked the blood from my lips as I stared at her. "Our 'friendship' is the only reason I let you live." The tone of my voice sent chills down my spine. "You'll return to Paris with Amelia and she'll get you the help you need at the rehab." I smirked as she pulled her arm back. "You only get 1 free hit, Sweetie."

Dimitri stepped into the ring placing his hand on Leigh's shoulder. "You should go clean yourself up." Leigh climbed out of the ring and Amelia shot me a look of disgust and disappointment before exiting the ring and following her. It was only after the doors closed that I finally looked at Dimitri. Dimitri stood in front of me his arms crossed over his chest with a raised eyebrow: "You don't think you took that a little far?"

Definitely. "It's for the best." I reasoned as I exited the ring. "You wanted her gone. It's done. You're welcome."

"None of this was done for me." No. It wasn't. I didn't look back as I exited the gym and made my way back to our bedroom. I stripped out of my workout gear and climbed into the shower- I barely felt the hot water as it hit my skin. I tilted my head back and opened my mouth trying to drown out the sound of my screams.

I felt disgusted in my own actions… It wasn't because of what I did that disgusted me… It was that I enjoyed it. The blood. The pain inflicted. The sound of Leigh's ribs breaking on impact were like music to my ears.

It'd be easy to blame my time at Briarcliff but the truth is: I'd enjoyed inflicting pain on others long before Briarcliff. Mason Ashford was the perfect example of that. I could've just killed him and gotten it over with- instead I'd castrated him and sold him to a modern day pimp to spend the rest of his life taking it in the ass and serving whoever paid for his services.

The difference between then and now is that I felt as if I was no longer in control of it and that frightened me.

"Roza! Stop." Dimitri's panicked voice filled the bathroom- the shower door was ripped open and the water was turned off. "Shhh. It's okay, Roza."

I screamed louder as Dimitri's hands covered my bleeding hands and pulled them to his chest as his arm wrapped around my back and held me to him. I hadn't realized that I'd started punching the tiled wall of the shower- broken tiles covered the floor and my knuckles stung from the cuts on the flesh.

"I know." Dimitri whispered kissing my temple. "I know."

"I lost control." I sobbed into his chest. "I didn't mean too."

"I know." Dimitri repeated. "It's going to be okay."

"If I can't control it I'm a liability."

"Don't say that." Dimitri insisted leaning back to look at me. "People like you and me- we work differently to others- you lost control and hurt somebody because you needed too. I understand-" Dimitri loosened his grip and reached down to grab the blade from his belt. "-You need to hurt somebody."

My eyes widened as I stared at him. "No."

"Roza." Dimitri smiled brushing away my tears. "It's okay."

"You're insane."

The corner of Dimitri's mouth lifted. "I've been told."

My gaze shifted to the blade in his hand. "What if I can't stop?"

"I'll stop you before you go too far."

It was my turn to smile as I looked up at him. "You think you could?"

"I do." There wasn't an ounce of doubt in his voice as he removed his shirt and dropped it on the floor of the shower. "I trust you not to kill me."

For a moment I considered his words: I trust you not to kill me. Did I trust myself not to kill him? Yes. No. It was a grey area. My grip tightened around the blade as I stared at Dimitri's naked upper body. There was the odd scar covering his stomach and chest- the tip of his blade traced the scar from the bullet he'd taken in Vegas for my father and I trailed the tip to the center of his chest and across to his left breast.

Dimitri's hands tightened around my waist as I made the 1st cut. Blood dripped from the open wound until it slid over his nipple. "Deeper." Dimitri ordered as I made the 2nd cut along his rib cage. I lifted my eyes to Dimitri's face and saw his head tilted back and his lips parted- the sick fuck was enjoying it.

I chuckled digging the knife in deeper. "You really are a twisted fuck aren't you?" I whispered as I nipped at his jaw with the tip of the blade- It was just enough pressure to draw blood as I leaned in and licked it as the blade travelled south.

20 minutes later Dimitri removed the blade from my grip and kissed my forehead as I kissed and traced every bloody cut with my fingers smearing the blood. There were 30 shallow cuts across his chest and stomach and 12 deep wounds that'd require stitches.

Dimitri reached around me and turned the shower on- I stepped beneath the water and watched as he stripped himself of his sweats- the edge soaked in blood. "Do you feel better?" Dimitri questioned stepping beneath the water with me.

If it was anybody else I'd feel ashamed to admit it. "I do."

Dimitri smiled cupping my face in his hands. "Good." I closed my eyes as he kissed my jaw and worked his lips along the length of my neck before coming back to my lips though he didn't kiss me like I expected him too. "Me too."

I circled the metal slab the tips of my fingers tracing the cold surface. "I haven't visited in a while- I'm been a little busy." I confessed tilting my head back to stare at the white ceiling. "It's very bright and clinical in here isn't it?"

"Just a bit." Ivan murmured his voice raspy from lack of liquids. "What do you want, Rosemarie?"

"I want a lot of things." I confessed lifting myself onto the metal slab. "I'd settle for my old life back but unless you suddenly sprout fairy wings and declare yourself my fairy god mother- I doubt that'll happen."

"I'm sor—"

"If I hear you apologies once more- I'll cut out your tongue- Perhaps if you can't talk my father would finally let me kill you." I snarled staring into his ice blue eyes. "I hurt my friend and I disappointed another- I'm avoiding and this is the last place anybody would look for me- Now that I think about it, Ivan, you and I have a lot in common except for the fact that I didn't kill my best friends fiancé."

"Technically: I didn't kill you." Ivan remarked dryly.

"Technically: You did." I lifted myself off the metal slab and began toying with the scalpels and other interesting surgical tools. "I've found a new appreciation for these." I winked as I twirled a scalpel between my fingers. "I've been wanting to try out a few of the new techniques that I picked up while at Briarcliff… You wouldn't want to volunteer would you?"

Ivan lifted his chin and stared defiantly into my eyes. "I'm not afraid of you."

I chuckled pressing the sharp blade into my open palm. "You should be." I whispered watching the blood gather in the palm of my hand. "It's just you and I down here."

"Your father-"

"Isn't here." I knelt in front of Ivan twirling the scalpel. "Even if father was here to stop me do you really think he could? Do you think anybody could stop me if I wanted to slit your throat?"

"Dimka-"

I took a moment to think about that seriously. "Perhaps… I'm not quite sure I'd be able to kill him." I thought out loud lifting my gaze to Ivan's. "However- what makes you so sure Dimka would attempt to stop me?"

"We're brothers."

"That was before you tried to kill me." I reminded him as I slid the scalpel beneath the fingernail of his index finger. Ivan screamed and thrashed about in his seat trying to escape though the shackles held him in place. "Stop wiggling or you'll lose a finger."

"STOP!" Ivan shouted spit flying from his mouth. "Please."

"Oh for heavens sake: stop your bloody screaming." I picked up the bloody nail from the concrete floor and inspected it. "It's not like I cut off your cock though it wouldn't be the 1st or 2nd time I've done that to a man."

"You're insane!" Ivan snarled and spat in my face- I chuckled wiping away the spit as I stood up and used the scalpel to cut off his t-shirt revealing the pale chest beneath. Ivan was an attractive man with a nice figure. "I wished that I'd killed you!"

I leaned in toward him and smiled. "Sometimes, I wish that you had." I confessed honestly as I traced his navel with the scalpel. "You and I are going to have sooo much fun."

I sank onto the floor next to Ivan's seat and rested my head on his knee. His breathing was shallow and his body had a slight tremor to it from the pain he'd endured. I had to suppress a smile as I tapped a finger to Ivan's knee. "Are you still with me?" Ivan struggled to lift his head but when he finally did and he opened his eyes- he paled even further upon seeing the finger in my hand was his own. "I told you to stop moving or you'd lose a finger."

"Can I ask you a question?" I'm assuming that's what Ivan asked it was a little hard to tell what with not having any front teeth left. "Have you always been a sadist?"

"I'm not sure sadist is the right word." I admitted casually. "But to answer your question: No, I don't believe I was always like this. Years of training to be a solider takes its toll and eventually the fighting, the killing, it changes you into somebody you don't recognize. I tried to fight it but eventually I embraced it- perhaps a little too well. The darkness that once frightened me is the same that I find comfort in it now."

I was startled by the sound of Ivan's laughter. "She's perfect for you, Dimka." Ivan was still laughing and rambling like a mad man in Russian. I stood up quickly and turned to find Dimitri standing at the bottom of the stairs taking in the scene. "You're both as messed up and twisted as each other. You're both fucked up and will no doubt be the death of each other."

Dimitri stared at Ivan with little interest. "You should've taken his tongue."

"It crossed my mind but father still has questions for him." I admitted regretfully. "But if you'd like to do the honors I wouldn't stop you."

The corner of Dimitri's mouth lifted into a smile. "Perhaps when I get back."

"Where are you going?"

"Just into town, Roza." Dimitri raised his hand to my cheek. "I'll be back in a few hours. We're in need of a few supplies and Thomas asked if I'd go with him."

"When?"

"We're leaving in an hour." Dimitri pressed a kiss to my forehead. "You can come with us if you go clean yourself up."

"The old man isn't going to like me leaving-"

"I won't tell him if you don't."

Thomas Campbell

"Her father is going to be furious," I warned Dimitri as we loaded the final boxes into the back of the range rover.

Dimitri closed the boot leaning a shoulder against it. "He can't keep her cooped up, Thomas. It's not healthy besides that smile is worth whatever tantrum Zmey throws when we get back to the estate."

I followed his gaze to my niece currently sitting in the front seat bobbing her head to whatever music played on the radio flicking through the latest gossip magazine. I rolled my eyes and reached into my pocket for my phone to text Sean.

We've picked up the supplies.

We're on our way back.

T.C.

The driver's door was open and Rose was slouched in the seat with her feet perched through the window opening. "Are you quite comfortable?"

"Quite." A smile tugged at her lips as she lifted her brown eyes to mine. "Can I drive? Please?"

I scratched the back of my neck as I looked between my niece, the keys, and Dimitri. It was at least a 5hr drive and I could count on 1 hand the number of cars we'd passed on the drive into town- It was an open stretch of road that would be ideal for Rose to get her bearings on.

"I'll ride shotgun," Dimitri said already climbing into the seat.

"Fine." I relented before I pointed a finger at her. "But you've got to switch places with me before we get to the estate."

"You aren't afraid of my father are you?"

"The serpent doesn't scare me, Lass." I smirked closing the driver's door as I looked at my niece. "Your mother is a different story."

The sound of tires screeching- metal twisting- glass shattering followed by a thousand tiny cuts across my face and exposed arms. My world was spinning out of control and I reached out trying to stop the motion but was instead swallowed by the darkness and awaken upside down to the smell of smoke and petrol.

"Dim- Dim- Comrade- wake up." My nieces voice was the 1st thing I heard. "Thomas?"

"What happened?" I groaned reaching for my seatbelt. I groaned as I fell harshly onto the roof of the car- I attempted to crawl to the front and reached out for Dimitri's dangling arm- I felt for a pulse and released a sigh of relief when I felt it.

"Is he alive?"

"Yes." I rolled onto my back closing my eyes. "Are you okay?"

"Yes."

"What happened?"

"There was another car." Rose answered quietly. "It came out of nowhere."

"We need to move quickly- can you undo your seatbelt?" Rose struggled with the buckle and it refused to give- I reached for the blade on my belt and handed it to her. "Cut yourself free." I instructed moving further into the front- I kicked out the windscreen and turned back to Dimitri managing to unbuckle his seatbelt unfortunately I was directly beneath him when he fell and had the wind knocked from my lungs. "Your Russian is a heavy son of a bitch."

I reached out of the windscreen and gripped onto the edge to pull myself free of the unconscious Russian's weight as well as the car. I groaned covering my eyes from the offending sun but as quickly as it appeared it disappeared as the frame of a man blocked it's rays.

"Hello Little Brother."

...To Be Continued...

Thank you for sticking around through this long hiatus.

This story will be completed, in the past, I've said it'll be wrapped up in 3 chapters, I've since extended that. It'll be finished once it's finished. The ending is definitely near and the bodies are going to start dropping so prepare yourselves because hell is about to be raised and the darkness is closing in.

Xoxo. Thanks for reading and drop us a review.