Part 5

[Hello, again, it's me. LOL. Well, my family seems to be taking over my computer this week, so Ive been thinking about part 5 for a while. I even wrote another fic on paper, so I'll have to type that soon. Okay, well here goes. BTW, thanks for the feedback :)]

Officer Zaun and Officer Lisa had found out about Richard's accident. But as Richard relayed it, it didn't sound as if it was an accident. G-Funk, the cabbie, could probably never be found because, most likely, that was not his real name. They couldn't even locate him.

Lisa kept recalling Gregg's hatred toward Richard, and decided it couldn't hurt to check him out, too, since there were no other leads. However, it was a very small hunch, if even that.

Lisa came back from her lunch break one day to find Zaun saying he had found something interesting.

Hey, Lisa, check it out, he told her. Gregory Williams was arrested for driving under influence on March 14, 1985.

You finally found something, eh? Anything else, or is that all?

Only one charge for disturbing the peace while throwing a party in

Lisa sighed. Those charges could happen to anyone. Nothing huge here.

Yeah, I know, Zaun said We're getting nowhere.

Tell me about it. They shared a worried look.

* * * * * *

Abby had cried and cried all night for the past two nights. Tonight was no exception. The shrill wailing was different from her usual upset cry. She was only one, but it seemed she had picked up on something being wrong, and her older sister missing.

What are we gonna do with her? Chandler asked Monica as he walked around the room, bouncing Abby up and down.

I don't know, Monica said. Oh, God, we're all gonna need therapy to deal with this.

Chandler shook his head. We're gonna be okay, Monica. One way or another, we are.

If Hannah's gone forever, I don't think I could ever be okay! Monica said, trying to be heard over Abby's cries. She turned and left the room. Chandler sighed and turned his attention to Abby. There was nothing he could do for Monica when she was like that, and Abby couldn't be left alone crying like this.

C'mon, Abby. What's wrong, sweetie? he asked her. If it's that you miss your sister, you're not alone, he assured her.

It took another hour to calm her down. By the time she was back to sleep, Chandler wondered what had happened to Monica. He went back to their bedroom, and she was sitting on the bed. He didn't know if he could do anything to make her feel better, but it was worth a shot.

Hey there, he said

she replied. Look, I'm sorry I left you alone to deal with Abby, but I just couldn't-

It's okay. She is my daughter, he told her, and smiled.

she paused, as if she were trying to decide whether or not to tell him what she was thinking. He hoped she would, because it'd been a while since they'd talked about anything they needed to talk about.

It's been so long, she said

Since what?

Since everything! she said. She wasn't mad, but upset at the situation. Since Hannah's been gone. It was a month ago, yesterday. A month, Chandler. That's a long time. We have a daughter that could be anywhere in the world, but we don't know where! Or that could be dead, but we don't know if she is! And after a month, it can only be HARDER to get her back, she sighed. And that is the worst. But that's not all it's been long since! When was the last time we've seen Jamie? Or even did anything but get sympathy from the others? Or had sex? Or spent any time with Abby doing something fun? Maybe that's her problem, lack of attention, Monica sighed, ending her rant, then turning to look at Chandler.

I know, he said. Believe me, Mon, I know. He hugged her, and they stayed like that for a while. He knew exactly what she meant. After a minute, she pulled away, and started again.

And all the things we've had to give up, she said. Painting Abby's room, having another baby, going on vacation, having a birthday party for Joey. Because it feels wrong to do any of those things when a child is missing. So instead, we sit around and think about it more.

That's true, he said. But whatever happens, I hope we never give up each other. I've heard that happens quite a lot in situations like this.

I know, Monica agreed. She couldn't get it out of the back of her mind. I know.

* * * * * * * * *

Zaun and Lisa hadn't had much luck with suspects. Lisa's suspicion that it was the parents soon passed, finding that there were other, more suspicious people to worry about. They had three suspects, at the time, that they agreed on. Richard Burke, Gregg Williams, and . Richard had the biggest motive. Gregg was pretty suspicious, and had a motive, too. And G- Funk needed to be checked out. He was the most suspicious. But finding him proved to be hard. Zaun had been checking up on him for a week now, and found nothing.

Lisa had been checking up on Gregg, and uncovered some people he had been associated with, whom were in jail now, or had been arrested. She figured that by checking what they were arrested for, she might find out more about things Gregg had done in his past. And she could also go straight to who should know him best.


****

How did you meet Gregg? Lisa asked Michelle. She had decided to talk to Michelle about her husband and see what she knew.

Well, I was at a party for one of my co-workers, Michelle began. He came up to me, and asked me to dance. I said okay. But he was a terrible dancer. So, I figured he was some drunken idiot. But not THAT drunk, because he still acted pretty normal. Anyway, after the dance, we went our separate ways. Then, about an hour later, he invited me out for drinks. I went, and, well, we ended up married.

I see. So, has he told you about his past? Y'know, before you two got together?

Well, he said he was in they Navy. But that's all that I know, really.

Lisa thought that over, and knew, that he was never in the Navy. Records would've shown that. Plus, he hadn't been in the Navy when the two police reports were filed. And they would never let someone with police reports filed against him into the Navy.

I see, Lisa told Michelle. So, he has a dislike for your father?

Michelle sighed Yeah. I dunno why, though. Personality conflict, I guess. Henry is named after his father. So I wanted to name Troy Richard, after my dad, but no way was he gonna allow that.

The Navy, huh? Lisa though to herself. We'll see about that.

* * * * * * * * *

Michelle wasn't sure that she liked a police officer coming to talk about her husband. Did they suspect him of something? Of kidnapping that kid? She wasn't sure, and decided not to think about it. Just then, Gregg, along with his friend Rocko, and Henry came in. Troy was already home. Henry went up to his room, and Gregg and Rocko went to the kitchen to get beers.

Hi to you, too, sweetie, Michelle said sarcastically. She followed them into the kitchen. She felt something funny in her stomach, as soon as she heard what they were talking about.

I dunno. Richard probably chased that poor kid to runaway, Gregg joked.

Rocko rolled his eyes, obviously tired of hearing about how much Gregg hated Richard.

Yeah, yeah. You know, now that their kid is gone, Richard can move back in with them, he said, jokingly. You know, into Abby's room.

Gregg laughed. You know, that's not too bad of an idea.

But Michelle knew he wasn't joking.

And why were they just casually chatting about this? Was that police officer right?

Gregory, can I talk to you? Michelle said, pulling him out of the kitchen, and into the dining room. First of all, enough with this hatred of my father! One day he'll be dead, then you'll be happy. For now, leave it alone! Second of all, and worst of all, how could you say that? Send Dad back to Monica and Chandler's? Gregg, we have the extra bedroom, not them. They had to make so many sacrifices for him, you should be glad you didn't have him for the past four months! And we are his family! Not them! They had no obligation to do this, the only reason we didn't do it was because we lived in Utah then! So back off, he's staying here, let it go! And why are you talking about Hannah Bing?

She's in the news. She's a current event. Anyway, he brought it up, not me. Now, excuse me, I have company, he disappeared into the kitchen.

* * * * * * * * *

Abby's breakdowns were becoming a routine. The kind of crying she had introduced to the night time was a kind of terribly upset, something's wrong crying. It took Monica and Chandler an hour, at the least, to get her back to sleep. She'd go to bed on time, then wake up around midnight or so screaming her lungs out. The crying was only getting worse, and something had to be done about it.

Maybe it's a nightmare kind of thing or something, Monica said.

Might be, Chandler agreed. Since she does wake up crying.

I can't believe I'm gonna say this, but I think we need to take her to a doctor or something. I mean, listen to this crying! She sounds like she's being murdered! What do the neighbors think?

You're right. I mean, somethings wrong with her, and we can't fix it.

Monica sighed. One kid is kidnapped, and the other's in therapy. Yeah, I'm a good mom, she said sarcastically.

Chandler wanted to argue that, but Abby was finally calming down, and talking would distract her. Monica bounced her up and down, and her crying turned into hiccups. Ten minutes later, she was back asleep.

Monica, you know, that even despite all this, you're a good mom.

How could you say that? Look at my daughters! Well, actually, you can only look at my daughter, because I let the other one be kidnapped!

It wasn't your fault!

Yes it is!



Well, you know, I should have protected her! I'm her mother.

Just as much as I should've protected her!



Monica, look, what happened to her happened when we were asleep. How could we have stopped it? If anyone is responsible, it's me. Y'know, I went downstairs that night. But I didn't find her or get her back! I didn't even know where she was! But I was down there, with the people who kidnapped her. I let them get away.



No, Mon, I never wanted to face it, but it's true. I let them take her.

You didn't! I mean, had you done anything, they would've shot you! Chandler, as much as I love Hannah, I love you, too, just as much, but in a different way! If this was you I still would've blamed myself! I would've been mad I let you go down there. And chances are, if that happened, it still wouldn't have prevented Hannah's being kidnapped! I would've been out a daughter, and a husband! Besides, you didn't even see them take her! Whoever took her may have already been gone!

Chandler sighed. That's probably true, but you never know. She may have still been in the house when I was down there. I can't help but think there's a chance I let her be kidnapped. And, as for Abby, we don't know what's wrong with her, so we can't blame ourselves. Yet, he added.

I'm sorry, she said.

For what?

I'm sorry that you have to put up with me.

Well, then, I'm sorry you have to put up with me. Monica smiled at his attempt to make her feel better.

That's actually, contrary to popular belief, not so bad.

I love you, he said.

I love you, too, she smiled. She hadn't realized how little they'd said that since the whole Hannah thing, and how much more they should've said it. She was pretty sure things were gonna be okay with them. Who ever said they had to follow what some expert says. As Rachel put it once, they're Chandler and Monica. That, alone, says something. But she wondered if their lives would ever be the same if Hannah never came back. If they would ever have birthday parties, or spend normal time with the others, or have more kids, or do anything normal again. It sure didn't feel like it now. She wondered how they would even decide when it was time to give up on Hannah, or keep on hoping she'd be back. And if Hannah did come back, if she'd need therapy, too. There were a lot of things that only time could answer.

* * * * * *

Meanwhile, Lisa and Zaun had uncovered something very interesting about Gregg Williams.

[Well, Part 5 is in the books! And, 20 days until the finale! WOO HOO! Just had to say that. I know that this part took a while, but for the past week, my dad has been glued to my computer. Why mine, and not his? Mine has the CD-R on it. Oh well. K, my Peeps, talk to ya soon :)]