Disclaimer: I don't own Tenchi Muyo or surrounding characters. Any character not associated with the Tenchi Muyo series is my own creation. I do not own any of the quotations, they are property of their rightful owners. So please don't sue me….
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Living On The Edge- Chapter Six
* Revealing The Enemy *
~ If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. Romans 12:20
I'm always ready to learn;
but I do not always like being taught. Winston Churchill
The turning point in the process of growing up is when you discover the core strength within you that survives all hurt. Max Lerner
* * *
Lex leaned against the wall with her arms crossed and her eyes closed. Someone was pacing the hallway in front of her and it was quickly wearing her patience thin with each step. She sighed, and without opening her eyes asked, "Do you think she knows?"
The person stopped pacing. "Truthfully. I have no idea. She may, she's a smart woman."
Lex opened her eyes. "Jett...I'm worried. What if....what if she won't listen to us?"
Jett walked over and hugged her. "Then we'll keep trying to talk to her until she does listen. We won't give up....she's our friend and we'll do whatever it takes, right?"
Lex smiled. "Right."
Jett kissed her forehead. Lex wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest. Neither knew how long they stood like that, but it seemed it was like an eternity. Lex closed her eyes and let her mind wander, and Jett, for some reason starting humming the tune to 'A Summer Place.'
They never heard the footsteps or someone calling their names. It wasn't until someone tapped Jett's shoulder that he glanced up.
Elisa stood there, a smile on her face. "Jess wants to see you two outside."
Jett nodded and thanked her for the message. He looked at Lex who shrugged but had started to walk down the hallway. When they reached the outside pavilion, they saw Jess holding her laptop. On the screen, the words 'Incoming Message' blinked quickly.
Jess smiled when she saw Lex's face light up and moved over so that she could sit beside her. Jett stood to the side and watched with intent as Jess hit the enter key.
* * *
Jason walked the stark white corridor thinking about the news he had received from Elisa. It was disturbing and Jason felt like he was going insane. He had only known Angela a week. They had only been partners for a week, but in that week, Jason had felt something for her.
Now he walked the hallways alone. As much as he tried, his thoughts kept going back to when Elisa had broke the news to him.
~ * ~
"Jason. Can we talk?" Elisa asked.
Jason reluctantly left Riley's side and allowed Elisa to lead him into the hall.
"What did you want to talk about?" Jason asked as soon as he had closed the door to Riley's room.
Elisa kept silent as she pondered on how to tell him without making it seem to harsh or unsympathetic. "Jason, last night someone....murdered Angela. Someone broke into her apartment and shot her twice. They also stole the disk that she had decoded from the treaty the other night."
Jason's face had turned white. "Do they know who did it?"
Elisa rubbed her arms. "I'm afraid not. They left no clues. I'm sorry....but, if we solve this case, I think that we'll find the person who did. Whoever has the disk, has to be the person who did that to Angela. I promise you that we'll find the killer, Jason."
Jason felt emotionally drained. All he could manage to do was deftly nod and sink to his knees. Elisa knelt beside him and held his hands. "Perhaps you should go home and get some rest." Elisa suggested.
Jason refused. "No. I told Riley I'd stay with her. I'm not going home until she can go home."
Elisa smiled. "You're a good friend, Jason. She's lucky to have someone like you to turn to. She's going to need you now more than ever. I'm sure Jess told you about the explosion?"
Jason nodded once.
"Things got harder for Riley. Not only has she just found out that Clayton is still alive and wants Zack, but, I still have to tell her that Pierce was in the truck went it blew." Elisa mumbled sadly.
"Pierce....is dead?" Jason repeated numbly.
"As much as I wish it weren't true, but, yes." Elisa stammered softly.
Jason sighed heavily. "Poor Riley. I know one thing. I won't let Clayton get Zack. Riley needs him."
"And she needs her friends, Jason. I know that she can trust you to be there for her. And I'm glad that you'll be strong for her when she needs that strength." Elisa answered sweetly.
Jason closed his eyes. "I'm grateful that I'm able to be there for her, too." Jason took a deep breath to keep from crying. "I think I'm going to go for a walk. I need some time to think."
Elisa helped him to his feet. "Alright. I'll stay with Riley. Go on."
Jason thanked her and started down the hallway.
~ * ~
Jason looked up to see the fountain he had passed three times already. Glancing at his watch, he saw that he had been walking for two hours. He turned around and headed back to Riley's room, his heart heavy and sad. He quietly opened the door to Riley's room and peered inside.
Elisa sat in a chair beside the bed, her hand holding Riley's firmly. The door creaked causing Elisa to look up and smile. "She was asking for you."
Jason tilted his head. "Sorry."
"Don't apologize. I told her that you needed some time to think, and she understood. She just fell asleep about 45 minutes ago, so she may be out for a while. She may also be depressed when she wakes. I told her about Pierce." Elisa whispered so she wouldn't wake the sleeping woman.
Jason sat on the edge of the bed and caressed Riley's hand. "Has the doctor come by yet?"
Elisa stood up. "Yeah. Right after you left. The x-rays are clean. They got it all before it spread any further, but they're afraid they may have to go in and remove her spleen. It took a lot of damage from the bullet, but amazingly it still works. But, it could fail at any time."
Jason adverted his gaze to his feet. "Any other problems?"
Elisa grinned. "Not that they can see. Other than the hole in her back and her nearly shredded spleen, she's fine. She'll live, at least until she starts getting up and moving around."
Jason chuckled. "Serves her right. Maybe next time she'll stay put instead of trying to be the heroine and chasing after an armed man like a madwoman."
Elisa stifled her laughter. "We both know that her lesson hasn't been learned. She'd do it again in a heartbeat. I think the only way she'll ever learn, is if she were to be killed. Death could be her lesson, but I don't even think that Riley would let death stop her from stopping a criminal."
Jason agreed. "Guess we'll have to keep a close eye on her from now on."
"You got that right!" Elisa chimed cheerfully.
Jason gave her a warm smile. "Have you seen Jess or the others since we got here?"
Elisa frowned. "Actually, yeah I did. Jess had me send Lex and Jett outside to talk to her. Somehow, I don't think that they quite understand the extent of our problems. We've lost two good agents and our best agent is here in the hospital. Any evidence we had is gone. We're screwed."
"Not entirely."
Elisa and Jason jumped. Jett stepped into the room. "The one thing about us, that you do not know, is that we have a way around this. We can track down anything, anyone, anywhere. At anytime. Riley will recover, she's a fighter. But, as Riley is your secret weapon, Jess is ours."
Elisa quirked an eyebrow. "Secret weapon, huh?"
Jett smirked. "Definitely. Jess is a scientist. She only does this stuff on the side with Lex. Jess and I have other careers, but when Lex needs our help, we help. But, like I said, Jess is our bloodhound in disguise. We aren't through yet, and we aren't giving up until this case is solved."
Elisa gave him a lopsided grin. "You foreigners amaze me. You refuse to give up even when you have lost, and it's evident that you all live different lives than what you portray. I'm personally grateful that you were sent to help us. Thank you."
"Don't thank me. Thank Jess. You would have lost a lot more agents, and maybe yourself, if Jess hadn't of been here. With her along, our cases are always exciting, and one thing is for sure. And that's that she can turn our suspects life upside down with her smile." Jett joked lightly.
"I resent that....!" Jess scolded from the doorway.
Jett turned red with embarrassment. He cupped a hand to his mouth and whispered to Elisa and Jason, "But it's the truth."
"I heard that!" Jess chided as she stepped into the room. "We have a surprise for Riley."
Elisa wrinkled her nose. "She's asleep."
Jess shrugged. "That's okay. He can wait with her until she wakes up."
Elisa gave her a confused expression that made the woman chuckle. She stuck her head out the door and said, "Okay, you can come in. But, she's asleep, so keep the noise down."
Elisa couldn't help but smile when she saw Zack enter the room with a vase of roses. He set the vase down on the table and sat in the seat beside the bed. Smiling sadly, he stared at Elisa. "Will she be okay?"
Elisa placed her hands on his shoulders. "She's going to be just fine, sweetie. She just needs her rest now."
Zack nodded happily as he squeezed his mother's hand. "Jess...?"
Jess faced him. "....Hmm, yeah?"
Zack gave her the happiest smile Jess had ever seen. "Thank you, for bringing my mother back. I know that she appreciates your help, and so do I."
Jess smirked. "I'm glad that you appreciate my help and my being here. But, I'm afraid your mother despises me in every possible way right about now. Sorry, kid. But, your mother and I aren't on the best of terms."
Zack frowned. "I'm sorry to hear that. Maybe, if I talk to her..."
"No, Zack. Your mother has a right to not talk to me, or care about my help or wellbeing. Let's just say, that I deserve this. And I'm not denying that this is wrong, but it's not exactly right either. Maybe...maybe one day she'll tell you about why we are like this. Until then, just love her." Jess insisted.
She gave a him a smile that assured him everything would be all right and then left quietly. Jett and Lex followed her leaving a surprised and silent trio behind.
* * *
Riley rubbed her eyes groggily as she focused her vision. Her lips furled into a loving smile when she saw Zack sitting beside her.
Riley ran a hand through his hair. "Hey there, handsome."
"Mom." Zack peeped happily.
Riley winked. "That's my name, don't wear it out."
Zack embraced her carefully. "I'm glad you're okay."
Riley hugged him back. "Me too, sweetie. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Same goes for me." Zack said in an agreeing tone. "Do you want me to go get the others? They're all in the hallway."
Riley shook her head no. "Not yet. Can't an injured mother spend a few quiet moments with her son?"
Zack laughed with contentment. "Sure. If that's what you want."
"It is." Riley answered tiredly.
Zack nodded and squeezed her hand. They gazed at each other in silence for a few minutes before Zack finally broke the silence. "Mom...? Can we talk?"
"We are." Riley teased.
Zack frowned. "I mean, seriously. I was wondering if I could ask you something."
Riley noted the serious tone in her son's voice and sat up. "Sure, honey. You know that you can ask me anything. What's on your mind?"
Zack gave a single nod. "Why don't you and Jess get along? What happened between you two?"
Riley cocked her head. "I don't understand, Zack. I thought Jess and I got along very well, despite the fact that she was trying to find out about my entire life. Jess is a very nice woman, and I haven't a problem with her, why?"
Zack raised an eyebrow. "Earlier, she mentioned that you two weren't on good terms with each other. She also made mention that you had a reason for not wanting anything to do with her and that she deserved this treatment. I want to know what happened."
Riley gingerly touched his cheek. "Zack, Jess kids around a lot. I don't know what kind of story she told you, but I had never even met Jess until last week. I had never even heard of her before....I think she's just pulling your leg. But, she could be talking about the argument we had."
"What argument?" Zack asked cautiously.
Riley wrinkled her nose. "We had a small argument that day she came to the house because I felt like she was asking questions she had no right asking. Questions about personal matters. So you see, there's nothing to worry about."
Zack sighed. "I guess you're right."
Riley scoffed at him. "Of course. I'm always right, I'm your mother." Riley quickly clapped a hand over her mouth and sniffed.
Zack was staring at her with surprise.
Riley slowly pulled her hand away from her face. "Did I just say that?"
Zack nodded, his expression dazed and confused.
Riley groaned. 'I'm even starting to talk like her....this can't be happening.' She thought bitterly.
"Mom, are you alright?"
Riley peered at Zack. "Naturally. Say, Zack....you haven't seen Jess lately have you?"
Zack shook his head. "Not since she brought me up here, which was about three hours ago. Why? Do you want me to go find her?"
Riley shifted her gaze to the floor. "No, but thanks for the offer. It was sweet of you."
"You sure....?" Zack asked as he started getting up.
Riley pulled him onto the bed. "Positive." She whispered as he hugged him. "I missed you so much....I was starting to wonder if I'd ever see you again."
Zack wrapped an arm around her. "Me too, mom. Me too. When Jess told me that the sting failed and that you were missing, I thought that you'd never come home. But, Jess, she promised that she'd bring you home and I had faith in her. I'm glad I did, because she kept her promise."
Riley nodded. "She always keeps her promises. Always. " She muttered under her breath where Zack couldn't hear her.
* * *
Lex sat tossing a tennis ball against the side of the building, her sighs echoing to the others occasionally.
Jett and Jess sat on a low wall discussing something on the screen of the laptop.
"Hey, Lex! Come look at this." Jett called.
Lex sighed and shuffled over to them. "What is it?" She asked as she stared at the screen.
A million tiny lines wrapped around the blackness of the screen turning and twisting in random directions. On top of various lines, about twenty yellow dots blinked in a synchronized pattern with each other. With each blink, the yellow dots got closer to a large white dot in the center of the screen.
"This is a map of the area surrounding Manhattan Island, and this..." Jess pointed to the large white dot. "Is the hospital. All of these tiny yellow dots represent a person, people who are gradually getting closer to the hospital. They should all arrive here at the same time, which is about 15 minutes."
Lex leaned against Jett's shoulder to take a better look at the screen. "Okay, so...." She trailed off hoping Jess would fill it in.
"So, when they get here, there's going to be some major trouble. Each of these yellow dots represents a single member of Clayton's gang. They're coming for Riley and Zack...no questions asked." Jess explained.
Lex paled. "What are we going to do? Riley's too weak to be moved."
"I know. That's why we'll have to do our best to keep the fight outside the hospital. We can't run because Riley's in no condition to go far from medical assistance, at least not until she's given an okay." Jess stated.
"And that could take days." Jett finished.
Jess nodded. "Exactly. We have to fight, there's no other way. We'll have Riley moved to a floor that we can have guarded heavily. That way, no one can get in unless they're a member of the TSF or a doctor or nurse. It's the best chance we have, we have to take it."
"I agree." Jett said. "We can place Zack and Riley on the maternity ward."
Lex cocked her head. "Why the maternity ward?"
Jett smiled. "Because, that way we can protect Riley and Zack, while at the same time, protect all infants and their mothers. Children are the key to the future, Lex. I think we should go all out and protect each and every one of those kids."
Jess grinned. "That's a wonderful idea. We'll have all the children moved to the maternity ward along with Riley and Zack. We should run this bit of news by Elisa so that we can get started on moving everyone."
Lex and Jett nodded. Jess closed her laptop and headed inside to explain the situation to Elisa. Hopefully, the hospital would be willing to move all the children to the maternity ward. They had less than 15 minutes to get it done if they wanted to ensure those children their futures.
Jess spotted Elisa and Jason sitting in the waiting room.
"Elisa!"
Elisa gazed up. "Jess?"
"Elisa, look at this." Jess instructed as she opened the laptop.
Elisa examined the screen and the blinking dots. "What do those blinking dots mean?"
Jess smirked. "It means we're in deep shit if we don't do something fast. Each dot is the location of one of Clayton's men. They are set on 'hospital.' Clayton and his gang will be here in about 10 minutes. We have to move Riley and Zack."
"But, we can't move her. Not yet, the doctors said that she had to stay here for another two days." Jason protested.
"I know. That's why we've come up with this. We move Riley and Zack to the maternity ward along with all the ill children in the hospital. We post guards on every entrance and perimeter of that floor to keep everyone but us, or hospital staff from getting through the barrier." Jess explained.
Elisa was nodding. "It would work. If we can get the hospital to agree to it, then we'll be in business. They can't really tell us no because we're a government based agency."
"Good. Then let's get started. We don't have much time left." Jess said as she directed Elisa down the hall to the main desk.
Elisa showed the RN her badge and requested to speak with the director of the hospital. Within seconds, a middle aged woman stepped off the elevator and greeted Elisa and the others. Elisa cleared her throat when she saw that the director was a childhood friend of hers.
With Elisa knowing the director, the request was okayed and the plan was put into motion. Jess, Elisa and some orderlies rushed to Riley's room to get her moved to the maternity ward.
Zack and Riley were in the middle of a heated card game when Jess burst through the door.
"Jess!" Zack greeted her but got no reply.
The orderlies assigned to move Riley quickly set to work unhooking the IV and machines.
Riley and Zack watched with confusion. "What's going on?" Riley asked with anger and surprise as her bed was pushed out into the hallway.
Jess grabbed Zack and carried him in her arms as she ran behind the orderlies. And close behind her was Elisa. Zack struggled in Jess's grip, but she refused to let him go. He kept asking her what was going on and what she was doing, but she never answered him.
They finally reached the floor the maternity ward was on, and Riley's bed was relocated into an empty room at the end of the hallway.
"Would someone tell me what the hell is going on?" Riley shouted as she was re-hooked up to the IV and machines. About that time, she saw about twenty nurses and orderlies carrying children pass her room. Riley felt faint.
Jess set Zack down on the bed and watched in awe as the staff hurriedly moved all the children onto the floor. She turned back to Riley and Zack who were both staring at her with questioning death glares.
"He's coming." Was all Jess said, her voice flat and unwavering.
Riley gasped. "Are you sure? We have to get Zack out of here."
"It's to late, Riley. We never had a chance to get even you out of here. You can't leave the hospital, not for another two days. This was the only option we had....to move you and Zack to the maternity ward and post guards everywhere on this floor so that no one but us gets in." Jess told her.
Riley shook her head. "That's no good enough, dammit! I want Zack out of here, now!"
Jess spun around. "Just SHUT-UP! I don't have time for your shit, Riley. Zack's not going anywhere....neither are you." Her expression softened as she smiled at Riley sadly. "And neither am I."
Riley closed her eyes. "You....promise?"
Jess held back tears. "Promise. I'm not going to leave you..."
"Jess...mom....what's going on?" Zack asked, his voice quivering.
Riley glanced at the woman with a look of helplessness etched in her features. Jess nodded and knelt beside the boy. She wrapped her arms around him, and stroked his hair.
"There's nothing to worry about, Zack. I'm here and I won't let anything happen to you or your mother. I stake my life on it. I promise to protect you and your mom, okay?" Jess coaxed softly.
Zack looked at his mother who nodded. "Trust her, Zack."
"I do. I trust you, Jess. I really do, and I know that you'll keep us safe." Zack whispered.
"That's good to know." Jess teased. She stood up and led Zack to Riley's bed. "Now, I want you to sit here and keep your mother company, alright?"
"Where are you going?" Zack asked quickly.
Jess sighed. "I have to go help move all the children. I'll be right down the hall. Don't worry, no one can get up here Zack, without him or her passing through the guarded perimeter. If you need me, just call."
She turned her green eyes to Riley. She sighed. Riley looked confused, and it bothered Jess to think about what was going on through Riley's mind at the time. Riley gave a concerned smile and nodded. Jess mouthed 'thank you' and vanished from the room. Leaving Riley was the last thing she wanted.
Jess started carrying children down the hall to the rooms that had been reserved for them. A lot of children were crying and asking what was going on, and Jess wished that she could make all their fears go away, but she knew it was impossible to do so.
The number of trips started dwindling, and the rooms gradually filled up. Lex and Jett had also started helping to move the patients and Elisa and Jason were trying their best to calm them all down. Jess took a look around her. TSF agents stood guard, children were crying, and time was running out.
Finally, the last child was moved and the TSF agents locked down all the elevators and outside doors on the floor. The only way in or out of the floor was by the worker's elevator at the end of the hall, but, even it had its guards. Jess released her breath, the lock in had been completed.
Now, all they had to do was wait...
* * *
They didn't have to wait long. Clayton was right on time with his men, and they were quickly storming the floors. When Clayton reached the fourth floor, he was stopped by the TSF agents. Clayton remained calm and left the floor without any problems.
The guard who had turned Clayton away radioed Elisa and said that everything had gone well. Elisa and Jess were skeptic that Clayton would actually give up so easily, so Elisa moved some agents to the floor below for caution.
Jess silently thanked God that the floor below had been the Children's floor and that all the children had been moved to the maternity ward. If Clayton were to start trouble on the third floor, Jess had the knowledge that no one would get hurt because there wasn't any one on that floor.
The peace and quiet didn't last long. Clayton had started trouble. An agent contacted Elisa to report that Clayton had tried getting around the barrier, and had become somewhat violent when he found he couldn't get in. Elisa asked the guard if Clayton was armed.
The guard was answering when the sound of multiple gunshots came across the radio. The agent on the other end was shouting something and then there was the sound of gurgling. Clayton was heavily armed and starting a war inside the hospital.
Jett and Lex looked at Jess with worried eyes. They all knew what they had to do....
"Elisa. Tell the guards that three people are coming down." Jess told her hastily.
"What?! You can't go down there, are you crazy?" Elisa asked wildly.
Jess grabbed the gun on her waist. "You better believe it. I promised I would protect Riley and Zack. I'm not backing out of that promise without a fight."
Jett and Lex pulled their guns out and Lex whistled to Subira. The tiger came immediately and sat next to them awaiting her orders. Jess turned to her two partners. "Give me a minute, guys. Okay."
They nodded and Jess slowly walked down the hall. She stopped in front of an open door and knocked on the doorjamb. "Knock, knock."
Riley and Zack gazed upward. Zack smiled and Riley just sat dazed. Jess was frowning.
Taking a deep breath, she entered the room, the air deathly quiet and still.
"Jess....what's going on? What was that noise?" Zack questioned worriedly.
"Don't you worry about the noise, Zack. Everything will be okay. If you two just stay put and try to be brave, things will turn out alright." Jess soothed.
There was a deep sigh from Riley. "You're going, aren't you?"
"Yes. It seems our friend has opened fire on the guards on the third floor. The others and myself are going down to help, I have to. Please understand. I promised to keep you safe. I'm not doing much good if I'm just sitting around and not fighting." Jess commented.
Zack narrowed his eyes. "You can't. You said you wouldn't leave us!"
Jess hung her head. "I'm not. I'll still be here, just on the floor below you. Zack, please trust me on this. I need you to be strong for your mother, just as she needs to be strong for you."
Zack fought back his tears of anger as Jess gave him one last smile and left the room to join her partners. Giving them a look that said not to ask any questions, the three of them left the fourth floor to participate in the bloodbath on the floor below.
Jess closed her eyes when the elevator opened on the third floor. The bodies of the agents and bodies of Clayton's men lay scattered on the floor, some in pools of blood. The carnage was worse than she had expected and she forced herself to keep her lunch down.
An agent ran up to her, his outfit covered in his partner's blood. "Agent Bartow, I presume?"
Jess nodded.
"Come with me please." The man ordered.
Jess and the others followed him closely until they reached a small room. Inside were injured agents and Jason.
"Jason?! What are you doing here?" Jess asked with bafflement.
He shrugged. "Helping, what else. I'm not going to let ya'll have all the glory, ya know." He smiled and moved over.
Jess accepted the spot and quickly began going over the strategy she had been planning in case they had to fight. She soon had briefed all the agents and dismissed them out onto the floor.
Lex and Subira went their way, Jason and Jett went another while Jess took the last path. Walking around the floor quietly, she searched every room for her enemy. From down the hall she heard a shout and then gunfire. Jess recognized the voice as Lex and immediately ran in Lex's direction.
When she got there, she found Lex sitting against the wall with her eyes closed. Subira sat nearby, her fur covered in blood.
"LEX?!" Jess called out to her.
Lex slowly lifted her head and smiled weakly. "Jess....Subira? Is she okay?"
Jess dropped to her knees beside the young woman. "Are you hit? Can you stand? What happened?"
Lex held her hand up. "No, I'm fine. Just had the wind knocked out of me is all. But, Subira...."
"Subira's fine. See." Jess pointed to the tiger in question.
Lex sighed her relief. "The man came out of nowhere. He jumped me and Subira jumped him. I hit the wall and then I heard a gun go off. I was afraid he had shot her."
"Well, she's perfectly clean. Come on." Jess helped the young woman up. Lex staggered a bit before catching her balance.
Jett and Jason came darting around the corner, their eyes wide. "RUN!"
Jess and Lex stared at them funny. They shifted their gazes behind the two men to see about nine men from Clayton's gang on their heels.
"SHIT! LEX, RUN!" Jess hollered as she took off down the hallway.
Lex and Subira took up pace beside Jess. "This is not what I had in mind, when I agreed to this case, Lex. I said I'd help you in the raid as an undercover agent, not as a running partner." Jess chastised.
Lex glared at her. "Just shut-up and run!"
Jess grinned. "There's going to be some serious ass kicking when we get home."
Lex rolled her eyes and sped up. Jess shouted, "Wait for me!" and sped up as well. She turned a corner and stopped suddenly. An open door rested to her left. Lex had just disappeared when she ran around the corner leaving Jess alone in the hallway.
Taking a leap of faith, Jess ducked inside the room. The men rushed past the room and Jess sighed. She was standing up when she heard the familiar 'pops' of guns and quickly ducked back down. There was the return fire and many shouts as another fight ensued between the agents and outlaws.
Jess poked her head out of the room just in time to see someone striding down the hallway she had just run from. She squinted as her green eyes followed the person. She saw him glance around and then vanish. Jess ran down the hall to investigate, but when she got there, the guy was gone.
'Strange.' Jess thought as she turned around to come face to face with a burly man. 'Mac!' Jess told herself as she stared at the man.
The man smiled. He pulled something from his pocket and held it out to her. She cut her eyes to his hands. A gold chain was wrapped around his fingers. Jess spotted a tiny band of gold with a green gem hanging from the chain and gasped. Her left hand absently fluttered to her neck.
'My necklace!' Jess shouted to herself.
Mac had her necklace and she hadn't even noticed it was missing. Jess realized that Mac must have taken her necklace that day at the warehouse when she was knocked out. She had to get it back...that necklace held sentimental value and a memory of her past.
Mac dangled it before her. "You want it?" He asked teasingly.
Jess narrowed her eyes. She gripped her gun tightly and stepped back. "What's your game, Mac?" She asked menacingly.
Mac jumped in surprise when she called him by name. "You seem like the smart type, you tell me."
"I see it two ways...One, you can give me my necklace and surrender quietly. Or two...I kick your ass and then take my necklace back. The choice is yours. Which is it going to be?" Jess bit out.
Mac grinned. "How about choice three....I take you out and keep your necklace."
"That wasn't one of the choices, dumbass!" Jess retorted.
Mac licked his lips. "It was one of mine. So, it's qualified."
Jess rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Are you going to fight, or just stand around trying to make yourself look smart?"
Mac sneered at her and pulled a gun from his belt, his finger squeezing the trigger at the same time. Jess barely dodged the bullet and fired a shot of her own. Mac also dodged her shot and quickly rushed her. Jess tried getting out of his way, but, tripped over a body and fell.
She landed with a hollow 'thud' and swiftly rolled to the side with Mac's hand barely missing her neck. Jess stared up at Mac. Mac made another attempt to grab her and as he flung himself forth, Jess clenched her hand into a fist, her finger pulling the trigger of her gun.
The gunshot echoed through the empty hallway, the loudness of it leaving a low ringing in Jess's ears. She felt something fall on top of her and she quickly scooted from under the weight of Mac's body. Rolling him over, she stared at his face. He cracked his eyes and rasped, "You still lost...."
Jess closed her eyes. Reopening them, she reached down and pried her necklace from his hand. Rebuilding her courage, she stood up and wandered down the hallway to where she had heard the fighting taking place before her mishap with Mac.
* * *
Elisa ran down the corridor. In one hand, she held her gun. In the other, she held a two-way radio.
"Jess? Come in, can you hear me? Jess?"
There was no answer.
Elisa became worried when the call button sounded on her two-way with the channel showing that the call was coming from Jess. When Elisa answered the call, she was answered with silence. Thinking that it had been done on accident, Elisa forgot about it.
But then she heard the threats of a man and the returned retorts of Jess followed by the sounds of a struggle and finally the echo of a gunshot. Then the radio went silent. Elisa frantically tried calling Jess, but all she got was static. Now, she ran down the hall with a few agents in her wake.
She was going down onto the battlegrounds, hoping that what she had just heard, had not really happened. She boarded the elevator with a few men and pressed the level three button. When the doors opened, Elisa stumbled back. The floor was covered in blood and bodies.
Elisa shook her head. The aftermath of Clayton's greed weighed heavily on her mind. How many agents had lost their lives this time? How many of Clayton's men had died for him? And where were Jess and the others? Something drew her attention and pulled her from her thoughts.
A limping Lex and a tired Subira made their down the corridor. Lex saw Elisa and ran to her. "Elisa!"
Lex collapsed in Elisa's arms and began crying. "It's so...terrible. In the five years that I have been an agent of the TSS, never have I been on a case such as this one."
"It's okay. Some people get used to it....others don't. Don't worry." Elisa soothed.
Lex calmed down a bit but still wept. Elisa pushed her back to get a good look at her. "Lex, have you seen Jess?"
"No. Not since we were chased into the trap at the end of the hallway. Jett's still back there. I think he's got a broken leg and...JESS!" Lex shouted. She looked around Elisa and then slipped from her grasp. Lex limped to Jess and hugged her.
"I was so worried about you. Where did you go? One minute you were running beside me and the next you were gone? Jess....are you listening to me?" Lex asked angrily.
Jess frowned. Her green eyes roamed the hallway and then settled back on Lex. "I'm fine....."
Elisa approached Jess and glared at her. "Why didn't you answer my call on the two-way? I mean, you paged me but never answered. Then I heard you arguing with some man, then I heard you struggling with him and that was followed by gunfire. What the hell happened?"
Jess came out of her daze long enough to answer. "Sorry. I must have hit the call button on accident. I tripped and the pressure probably triggered the call. And as for the struggle, I'm fine. It was just a matter of personal property and possession."
Elisa sighed with frustration. "Jess, why didn't answer my call though? I paged at least fifty times. Surely, you would have heard at least one call."
Jess looked down. "Not if I don't have the radio on me. It must have come off when I tripped. I'll go back and get it."
Elisa nodded and started talking again, but Jess wasn't paying attention. Her eyes had begun searching the room again, and had fallen upon a person stepping off the elevator. Jess gasped and stared in horror at the person.
Pushing past Elisa, she ran to the elevator. Grabbing the person by the shoulders, she shook them and screamed, "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING DOWN HERE?!?"
Elisa rushed over and pried Jess's hands from the frail body of Riley. Jess made another lunge at Riley, but Elisa intercepted her. Jess's eyes filled with tears as she stared Riley down.
"I thought I told you to stay put! What in sam hill do you think you're doing down here?" Jess repeated.
Riley took a deep breath. "I was worried. Elisa and I were talking when you broadcasted the fight between you and that guy across the radio. When you didn't answer Elisa's calls, I thought....I thought..." Riley couldn't finish. Her head swam with concern as her eyes watered up.
Elisa pulled Riley close. "Riley...you shouldn't be down here. You don't belong on the battle field..."
Riley jerked back. "Maybe you're right. I don't belong on the field at all!"
Riley spun around and raced back into the elevator, the doors closing behind her. Jess had tried going after her, but the doors closed on her face. She punched the elevator doors hard making the sound reverberate off the walls. When Jess stepped back, Elisa spotted a dent in the metal door.
'Impossible! How could one woman have so much strength?' She asked herself as she ran a finger over the indention. Jess started walking down the hall in the direction Lex had come from. Her head shaking back and forth and her muttered words floating on deaf ears.
* * *
Riley wiped the tears from her face and stepped into the hallway of the maternity ward. Taking dilatory steps, she made her way back to her room where Zack was waiting. Riley was lost in her confusion that she hadn't noticed all the empty posts where the guards once stood.
She reached her room and tilted her head. 'I thought I left the door open.' She pondered it for a moment and then pushed her thoughts aside. "Maybe Zack closed it hoping it would make him feel safer by himself." Riley mumbled to herself.
She opened the door and stepped inside. And froze. There on the floor sat Zack, and behind him in the chair was....Clayton!
Clayton looked up and smiled. Zack lifted his eyes to expose tears streaming down his face.
"I told you that you hadn't seen the last of me, Riley." Clayton spoke softly. He ran a hand through Zack's hair causing the boy to shudder.
Riley balled her hands up. "Don't do this, Clayton. I'm begging you, leave my son alone."
"Don't you mean, 'our' son?" Clayton questioned deftly.
Riley didn't answer. Her vision blurred as she felt fresh tears forming in her blue eyes. "Reconsider, please! Take me in Zack's place."
Zack tried jumping up as he shouted, "NO!"
Clayton pulled him back into his chest. Riley forced herself to stay still and not run forward and squeeze the life out of Clayton. Zack's whimpers tugged at her heart, and her anger was building as she watched Clayton hold onto her son tightly.
Clayton whispered something in Zack's ear. The boy squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head no.
Clayton frowned. "Is this how you raised my son, Riley? To hate his father? To want nothing to do with me?"
"No. Those are my own feelings! She had nothing to do with how I feel about you....you, you creep!" Zack shouted firmly.
Clayton clapped a hand over Zack's mouth and glared at Riley. "Well?"
Riley hung her head. "Yes. I told him how you were such a bastard and a terrible father. You have no right to father any children because you don't know what the meaning of a father is!"
Clayton grinned evilly. "Is that so?"
Zack had managed to free his face from Clayton's grip and screamed at the top of his lungs, "She did nothing of the sort! I have those feelings because you mistreated us. I hate you...and I wish you really were dead!"
Clayton frowned again and this time he applied painful pressure to Zack as he replaced his hand over his son's mouth. "See what happens, Riley, when you teach a child to hate."
Riley snapped her head up. Clayton had a sneer on his face as he stared at her. Riley looked at Zack and gasped softly. Zack was turning blue from the lack of oxygen caused by Clayton's hand.
"Clayton, you're killing him! Let him go!" Riley shouted as she rushed towards the two of them. Riley mustered enough strength to knock Clayton back and snatch her son from his clutches. Zack wrapped his arms around his mother's waist and wept into her shirt.
Riley returned the embrace eagerly. As she stooped down to pick him up, Clayton grabbed her hair and yanked her back up. Riley yelped in pain as she felt herself being drug backwards. Her head ached and her side was flaring with fire as Clayton tightened his grip in her.
"Zack, run!" Riley shouted as she elbowed Clayton in the gut. Clayton grunted and released Riley allowing her to escape. Riley ran from the room and saw Zack leap into the elevator. Riley breathed a sigh of relief. Just when she thought she'd make it to safety, she hit the ground.
Clayton tackled her from behind, and Riley struck the floor with a sickening 'thud.' Clayton drug Riley to her feet and slapped her with enough force that could knock someone out. Riley seethed in pain from the force of the slap that mixed with her busted lip from her kissing the floor.
"You bitch. You let him get away! No matter, I have you." Clayton's voice dripped with malice.
He shoved Riley towards the emergency exit on the far side of the ward. Riley saw the large metal doors of the emergency elevator slide open and Clayton pulled her inside. Riley started struggling in hopes to escape right before the doors closed.
Clayton had a hard time holding onto her and he could feel his grip slipping. Riley twisted but Clayton firmed his grasp. Riley made one last attempt to escape and twisted to the other side with more momentum. With his anger rising and his grasp on Riley weakening, Clayton did the only thing he could.
He sank his teeth into Riley's shoulder. Riley screamed but it fell on silence as the elevator doors slammed shut.
* * *
Zack bolted out of the elevator, his face a pale as snow. A TSF agent spotted him and called out to him, "Hey-kid? What are you doing down here?"
He reached for Zack, but the boy dodged him and ran down the hallway where he heard the voices of people echoing off the walls. Zack rounded the corner and spotted Elisa.
He frantically searched around the room until his green eyes fell on the person he was looking for.
"JESS!" Zack shouted as he ran to her.
Jess stood up and peered down the hallway to see Zack. "ZACK?"
"JESS!"
Jess picked up on the distress in his voice and went to him. "Zack, what's wrong? Why are you down here?"
Zack tackled Jess and buried his face in her waist.
Lex and Elisa had come over to see what was going on, as the boy had run to Jess screaming her name.
"Zack! Look at me...what's wrong!" Jess asked firmly.
"He took her Jess....he took mom!" Zack stated.
She looked at him. "Who? Who took your mother, Zack?"
Zack frowned. "Dad."
Jess's face dropped. "WHAT?!"
"When mom came downstairs, he showed up. He told me that he was going to take me away from mom because she was a bad influence on me. When mom showed up, she tried to save me, but he hit her. I managed to escape, but, he's still got mom." Zack explained breathlessly.
He latched onto the woman and she picked him up. "Elisa....take Zack somewhere safe and keep him there. Lex, you stay here and hold down the fort. I have some business to take care of." Jess instructed curtly.
"But, Jess. You can't go alone...it's too dangerous." Lex protested.
Jess held her hand up. "I'll be fine. I can manage on my own. I need you to stay here, Lex. You are the only one who can be trusted to be left in charge. I need Elisa to guard Zack and Jett has a broken ankle. Trust me on this."
Lex hung her head. "I trust you with all my heart, you know that! But, you're my friend, my family...I don't want to lose you too. At least take Subira with you."
Jess hesitated. The white tiger gently took Jess's hand in her mouth and stared up at her with gentle yellow eyes. "Alright. You can go, but, you bring up the rear."
The tiger gave a low growl and let Jess's hand go. She reached over and ran a hand through Zack's blonde tresses. Leaning over, she kissed his forehead and whispered, "Be strong, Zack. Have faith, pray, and be strong."
Zack nodded slowly and watched Jess disappear around the corner of the corridor with Subira on her heels.
Jess raced back to the emergency elevator she had spotted earlier and slammed her fist on the up button. To her suspicions, the doors opened, confirming that the person she had seen here, had indeed used the elevator. To be precise, Clayton used it to get to Riley and Zack.
Jess and Subira stepped into the elevator and Jess pressed the up button. Where else would Clayton go, but up? Then something occurred to her and she quickly pressed the basement button. She silently counted down the floors and the minutes that she'd come face to face with that bastard.
* * *
Clayton drug Riley through the twisting maze of heaters, air conditioners and machines of the hospital's basement. Numerous jets of steam hung in the air with an inflating hiss, tiny drips of water bounced off the floors and there was a distant buzz or beep from the machines hidden in the shadows.
Riley tried to remember how to get back to the entrance for when she had a chance to run. She didn't want to get lost, but by the third turn that Clayton took, all her hopes of being able to escape faded. Every turn was unexpected and Clayton had made many of them.
She finally found herself being led down some stairs to what appeared to be a steam room of sorts. When Riley took a closer look, she realized that they were in the makeshift laundry room far beneath the hospital floors. Riley rubbed her side, her hand coming across something in her pocket.
She edged her way into the pocket of her jeans and grinned. Her fingers rubbed across a smooth box the size of a golfball. 'The magnetic force field Jess gave us. I could use this against Clayton and then escape. But, I have to get him close enough.' Riley thought.
Clayton set her down in a chair and crouched down to look in her eyes.
"You're quiet and you haven't said a word the entire time...what are you thinking?" Clayton asked, his mind jumping to conclusions.
Riley raised an eyebrow. "Haven't you ever heard that silence is golden."
Clayton smiled. "Unless of course, you're screaming for help. You're planning something, what is it?"
Sighing, she stared straight at him. "....I'm not planning anything. I'm trying to figure out why you're doing this."
"Insurance. Future. Fun. Take your pick, Riley. I have a whole bag of excuses. It's mainly because....I was tired of the 'Ordinary Life-Loop.' I wanted a change...and I want Zack to be a member of my new, oh let's say, chance at life. To be his father." Clayton responded.
Riley snorted. "You should have been a father to him when you had him. You neglected, mistreated and left him. And me. Our trust for you has expired, Clayton....and there's no chance to get it back. I thought you were dead and as much as you had mistreated me, I missed you. I cried, Clayton!"
"Did you now? And what of our son...what was his reaction?" Asked Clayton.
She wrinkled her nose. "....He seemed to be happier, as if a heavy burden was lifted from his shoulders. I won't deny that I was happy upon hearing about your death. I was less from being ecstatic. I wouldn't have to go through another day of taking your torture and neither would Zack."
Clayton rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I didn't know that you had that much compassion in you..." Clayton dropped his hand. "I'd be lying if I said I never once thought about you or Zack. And it'd be a crime to also remain quiet about how my mind always thought of you...."
"And you're telling me this because...." Riley asked nimbly.
Clayton rose to his feet. "I'd even consider taking you back, Riley. Part of me still needs you. And, you'd be able to stay with Zack."
Riley turned her nose up at him. "That thought never occurred to me. Why would I want to place my son's life in danger again? You couldn't even commit time to him before...and we weren't even married. The second time around isn't always better. In my opinion, I think it will be even worse."
"But, you hide how you really feel about the offer, admit it. You know that your heart never forgot about me, the times we were together...the fun we had." Clayton pointed out.
"We were together three times, Clayton. Three times in eleven years! What kind of love is that? Huh, what kind of relationship? And further more, what moron would want to continue to be involved in a relationship like that?" Riley screamed with questioning.
Clayton tilted his head and 'hmmmed.' "So, then what is your answer, Riley?"
".....No." She stated firmly. "I find that question to be degrading and insulting to my intelligence. Do you even know who I am? Of course not...you don't really know who I am or what I'm capable of doing. Frankly, you're not worth my time, Clayton. I have better things to do."
Clayton sneered at her. "Fine. Be that way, but remember that I gave you a chance. A chance to leave all this behind, a chance to be a family."
Riley 'hmphed' and closed her eyes. "You're not my family. Don't even think about putting that demented little delusion inside your mind either, because it will never happen. If you actually believe that fairy tale in your head, then you've been seriously, misled."
"Is that your final answer?" Clayton asked teasingly.
Riley ignored him with all the dignity, strength and courage she could muster up.
Clayton scratched his chin collectively. Leaving Riley's sights for just a few seconds, he soon returned with a small bag that was tied closed at the top. Riley let her curiosity get to her, and she cut her glare down at him to watch with intensity in his task.
She saw him untie the bag and open it up completely. Clayton reached into the fabric confines and withdrew stacks upon stacks of money. Riley gasped.
"Where'd you get that from?" She asked sternly.
Clayton chuckled. "Wouldn't you like to know."
"No way in hell." Riley retorted and crossed her arms. Observing the many machines, pipes and noises, she allowed her mind to drift to her past. To days when she had been happier. A phrase from a song came floating back to her. 'How did it go again?' Riley thought silently.
She furrowed her brow until it came to her.
'Memory. All alone in the moonlight.
I can smile at the old days, I was beautiful then.
I remember a time, when I knew what happiness was...
Let the memory...live again.
Daylight. I must wait for the sunrise.
I must think of a new life, and I mustn't give in.
When the dawn comes, tonight will be a memory too...
And a new day...will begin.'
Riley sighed. Those words rung true to her very heart and soul. And her memories...would soon pass. As in the song, she must think of a new life. She could sometimes smile about the old days, when she laughed, watched the soaps with her friends, or even argued with the others in her life.
But, now, it was over. She had given it all up a long time ago in hopes of escaping the nightmares of her past. To be able to start a new life on a new road. However, Clayton wasn't making it any easier on her.
Riley swore under her breath. 'Some fine mess I've gotten myself into...yet again.'
She hung her head and bit back the tears that threatened her. 'Why does fate always see things differently than I do?' She wondered sadly.
"What are you thinking about?" Clayton asked tenderly.
Riley shifted her weight in the chair and turned her back on him. She was thankful that he hadn't tied her up or gagged her...not that he would have had to worry to begin with. But, she'd be damned if she was going to share her thoughts. And with him of all people...
"Must be something very important. Or nothing at all..." Clayton commented at the silence.
Riley chewed on her bottom lip. "What do you care...nothing ever mattered to you anyhow."
Clayton sniffed at her insinuation. "Not entirely true. We never did talk, when we were together. You're right, I don't know who you are. And you don't know who I am...so we're even. So, enlighten me, Riley.....who are you?"
Riley snorted. She squinted her eyes and frowned. "....I don't really know anymore. Who I used to be.....is dead."
"Sounds like you're having an identity crisis. You should see someone about that." Clayton implied.
"...I have." Riley snubbed. "My inner self...she's no help though. Even though I consult her everyday, I find bits and pieces of myself dying with every tear I shed. My life is so screwed up...Clayton, I'm so tired of hurting."
There was the shuffling of the fabric bag and footsteps as Clayton made his way to Riley. Surprising her, he suddenly hugged her. Riley winced and moved back. Clayton frowned.
"Sorry." He mumbled.
Riley shook her head. "Mmm-hmmn. It's okay."
Clayton kept his frown as he embraced her again anyway. "How can you not know yourself...and expect someone else to know everything about you?"
Riley shrugged under his added weight. "I wish I knew...or knew someone who could tell me." Riley sniffled. "I'm so messed up, aren't I?"
"I wouldn't say that, exactly. True, it sounds like you have some issues to take care of, but, with a helping hand and a loving smile...I think you'll pull through." Clayton said with reassurance.
Riley smiled at him. "Let me guess, that helping hand and loving smile can only be provided by you, right?"
"That's up to you." Clayton answered calmly.
Riley shook her head. "Uhn-uhn...it's up to you. Could you change enough to let someone in your life? Would you be willing to change? My answers lie inside myself, but, Clayton...you have to figure out who you are on your own. I know what my answer would be....what would yours be?"
Clayton sat back on his heels. "Depending on whether it was worth it or not, I'd probably change. You never know what's possible these days..."
Riley rolled her eyes. "And you spoil the moment..."
Clayton laughed lightly at her joke and stood up. "There's something you should know, Riley. It's very important...."
Clayton never had a chance to finish his sentence as a gunshot ricocheted off a nearby water pipe. Clayton pulled Riley down into a crouch and placed a finger to his lips and hissed, "Shhh."
Riley mouthed, "No duh!" and turned in the direction the shot had come from. She saw a shadow dart through the labyrinth of pipes and steam, it's every move hidden.
"Run..." Clayton whispered harshly.
Riley glared at him. "Yeah, right!" She whispered back.
Clayton groaned. He made his way across the concrete floor with his hand tugging Riley behind. There was a flash as the figure darted to Riley's side and then vanished. Riley jumped when she heard the sound of another bullet bouncing off of metal.
Clayton jumped up and drug Riley to her feet as well. "Run, Riley. Come on."
Clayton wove his way between the obstructions with Riley following blindly behind him. A few more shots echoed through the silence as Riley and Clayton ran from the intruder. Riley tried to duck every time she heard a shot clank against something in the bullets way.
Riley felt herself being pulled up the small flight of stairs into the basement. From there, Clayton drug her mercilessly through the many machines and pipes and steam. Riley felt a building pain rising in her side and back, her lungs felt like they were on fire and her calves were cramping up.
"Clayton! Stop, please." Riley shouted breathlessly.
Clayton looked at her. From behind her he saw the figure dodging the shadows of the room and sped up.
Riley hung on for dear life as she felt her legs turn to rubber and her lungs constricting. She began to slow up as she was pulled along the corridor, and Clayton finally turned around and picked her up.
"Leave me..." Riley rasped.
Clayton was quiet. He gave her a concerned look and then smiled. "Never."
Riley allowed herself to be carried long enough for her to catch her breath and then wriggled free from Clayton's arms. He stared at her with bewilderment.
"It'll be easier if I run. This way, I'm not slowing you down." Riley explained as they continued running.
Clayton nodded and opened his mouth to say something when he jerked sideways. Riley glanced at him and gasped. Clayton grunted and fell to his knees, a dark crimson spot forming on the back of his right shoulder. Riley knelt beside him and pulled him to his feet in one swift motion.
Clayton stopped her. "No...Riley...just...go."
"I can't just leave you here...you weren't going to leave me, and although I don't love you anymore, I won't leave you behind to die so that I can get away." Riley reprimanded flatly.
Clayton refused to move. Riley was quickly becoming frustrated with his pigheadedness, and tightened her grip on him. "Come on, get up!"
Clayton just gazed at her. "I can't run...I think a piece of shrapnel injured my leg. You'll have to go without me...just save yourself Riley, please."
Riley narrowed her eyes. From the corner of her vision, she saw the figure circling her like a vulture. She cast a sorrowful look at Clayton and nodded. "I'm...sorry."
"Don't be...I want you to leave me...and go." Clayton said in a hushed tone. "Riley, earlier, I was telling the truth about still having feelings for you. I just wanted you to know, that you're always on my mind..."
Riley frowned. "I'm....sorry...."
Clayton nodded his understanding and pointed in the direction the entrance was in. "Go now...while you still can."
Riley gave a quick nod and turned around.
"Riley...." Clayton called her. Riley stopped and gazed at him from over her shoulder. "Be careful....and...."
"I know Clayton. I know." Riley answered. She smiled sadly at him and ran off into the dim lit shadows of the basement.
* * *
Riley wiped tears from her face as she made her way to the exit. No sooner had she left did she hear the fatal 'pop' of gunfire behind her.
Riley froze and turned around. "Clayton." She whispered sullenly. Pushing her screaming thoughts away, she dashed off in her search for the door that would lead her to safety.
Her breath was becoming ragged, and her lungs felt like they would burst if she took another step. Riley yelped in pain as she hit her knees. A knotting feeling grew in her calf and Riley quickly stretched her leg out with her toes pointed up. "Damn Charlie horse." She muttered as she stretched.
Riley massaged the muscle gently trying to rid her calf of the knot. She slowly stood up when she felt sure that the cramp had passed. She heard the distant falls of footsteps from her assailant and spun around. Her cramp handicapped her run with a limp as she tried to escape.
When Riley felt like she was going to pass out, she heard a familiar voice call out to her through the steam and darkness.
"RILEY?!"
Riley stopped dead in her tracks and turned to face the unknown behind her.
"RILEY?!"
Riley hobbled back to the voice. She knew that voice, but how was it possible. Riley started crying as she thought of the person calling her. Looking into the hazy darkness, she returned the shout.
"PIERCE?! IS THAT YOU?" Riley hollered eagerly.
There was a flash in the steam and then, "RILEY?! WHERE ARE YOU?"
Riley searched her surroundings. "I DON'T KNOW."
When she was answered with silence, Riley began to shake with the fear of being all alone again. Just as she was about to break down, a figure emerged from the shadows.
"RILEY?!"
Riley looked up and gasped. "PIERCE!" Riley ran to him and Pierce wrapped her in a hug. When he set her back down, Riley had tears of joy streaming down her face.
"Pierce...I thought you were dead. Elisa said that you were in that truck when it exploded. How did you survive?" Riley questioned all at once.
Pierce held a hand up. "Down, girl. I wasn't in the truck....right before I climbed into the cab, I noticed someone sneaking out of the club. I followed him. He led me to some abandoned building that they were using to make the counterfeit money in."
Riley tilted her head. 'But, I thought that Elisa said that they were busted in the warehouse. Was it possible that Clayton had two factories?' Riley asked herself. 'Yes, it's possible. If I know Clayton, it was most likely possible.'
She shook her head. "I'm glad you're okay. I really thought you had been killed. Where have you been? The raid on the club was two days ago."
Pierce sighed. "Researching. I'm sorry I didn't contact anyone, please don't be mad at me Riley. It's just, I nabbed that guy, but he got away with the help of a buddy of his. I was out cold for at least a day. When I made my way back to the club, I found it burned to the ground."
Riley nodded. "Yeah. Someone obviously did that after the raid to keep some deep secrets hidden." Riley's face paled suddenly as Clayton resurfaced in her mind. "Pierce...Clayton?"
Pierce ran a hand through her hair. "He won't bother you anymore. I don't know how he lived the first time, but, this time I made sure that he won't be pulling a 'Jesus' move on us, again. You're safe now, Riley."
"You...you shot...him?!" Riley croaked hoarsely.
Pierce stared at her. "Riley...he was going to kill you. Not to mention, he did kidnap you, did he not? He's a wanted criminal for the stunt he's pulled over on the TSF. Besides, he's the one who murdered Angela and Ambassador Wui."
Riley remained silent. "He...was the one...who killed those people?"
Pierce nodded. "Yes, unfortunate but true. He was insane Riley. Mad and confused. That's why he plotted against you, his own boss, and us. He worked for HuLi. He murdered him as well. He's nothing but a rat. A dead rat."
"Unknown to her, the wrong rat is dead." A low voice growled from the shadows.
Riley was pushed sideways as Pierce positioned himself between the figure and Riley. "Who are you? Show yourself..."
The person emerged from the steam filled darkness, a gun in their hand, and their eyes narrowed slits of hatred. Riley blinked when she saw who it was.
The person aimed their gun on Pierce. "Back away from her, right now or I'll blow your head off."
Pierce smirked. "What are you doing? I'm on your side....I saved her."
"Wrong. What you have done has planted a seed of misguided trust in her head along with the foul contamination of your lies." The person spit out harshly.
Pierce backed Riley up slowly. "You're crazy...! I would never hurt Riley, I love her."
The person cackled. Riley froze. 'I know that cackle from anywhere. My suspicions were right....it's really her.' Riley noted mentally.
"You back-stabbing, lying son of a bitch! How dare you lie to her...." The person seethed. "You refuse to tell her the truth because you know that you've lost. Tell me, Pierce....what are your motives?"
Pierce was baffled. "....I have no motives except to serve loyal time under the TSF and to protect Riley. What are your motives, detective?"
The person swallowed hard. "To protect my past....and my future."
The person moved closer to Pierce and Riley. "Let her go. She doesn't deserve to hear your twisted fantasies of how you saved the day as a disguised and fallen hero. She's been subjected to enough lies and betrayal, she doesn't need you to add to the list."
Pierce chuckled nervously. "Riley, what's she talking about?"
Riley studied the other person closely. "I don't know, exactly."
The figure sighed. "Riley...don't listen to him. He's setting you up and then he's going to let you fall. He's the one who killed Angela and Wui! And Clayton! He's the one behind all this, not Clayton. But, him and HuLi. They are partners in crime, Riley. Please believe me..."
Riley shifted her gaze uncomfortably between the two people. She shook her head slowly. "I can't believe that you would lie to me....."
Pierce had a smug smile on his face as she spoke, her words directed towards the person before her. Riley moved closer to the figure, her voice dripping with accusation and anger. The person backed up and Riley kept moving closer. "I trusted you...and you lied to me...."
Riley suddenly spun around. ".....Pierce! How could YOU?!"
Pierce's face paled. He glared at Riley and then at the other figure. Without warning, Pierce pulled the trigger on his gun.
Riley screamed, "NO!" From somewhere, she heard a yelp of pain and the shuffling of feet.
She wasn't sure how or why, but she found herself shielding the other person. Looking up, Riley saw a blue light surrounding them. Sometime during her dive, she had activated the force field allowing the bullet to bounce back. Riley squinted and saw Pierce limping off into the darkness.
The bullet had ricocheted off the field and struck Pierce in the leg. Riley smiled smugly to herself. Something under her shifted and she heard a low pain filled moan.
Riley quickly moved and stared in emerald green eyes. Her eyes watered up as she sat back and searched the person over for any injuries.
"Are you hit anywhere?" Riley asked cautiously.
The other person slowly pushed themselves up into a sitting position. "I'm fine. You?"
Riley ran her hands over her body. "No more added holes...that's a good sign." She answered with a chuckle. Her laugh faded when she noticed the placid look on the other person's face.
"Why?"
Riley cocked her head. "Why, what?"
The person frowned. "Why did you...jump in front of me?"
"Because...." Riley trailed off. Why had she shielded the other? "Because... as you were there for me when I needed you to be, I was here for you...when I had to be. Why else would I risk my neck for you?"
The person shrugged. "....I'm asking you...."
Riley stood up and offered her hand to the other figure who gratefully took it and straightened herself out.
Riley stared at her. "I answered your question. Now, you answer mine...." She turned around. "Why are you here?"
The woman blinked with puzzlement. "I thought you knew." She answered, but sighed. "Because, I'm a member of the TSS, that's why."
Riley regarded this information before closing your eyes. "That's not the answer I want....in fact, I want the whole story. But, there's something I have to do first. Maybe you should go after Pierce."
"No. I'm not leaving you." The woman responded idly.
Riley shrugged and started to run off into the steam filled abyss. The woman followed closely so she wouldn't get lost. Riley finally slowed down and came to a stop. The other figure stopped too and frowned.
Riley gasped and covered her mouth as she spun around to find herself in the woman's arms. The woman drug a hand through Riley's hair.
"Shhh, it's alright. It wasn't your fault....Riley. It was no one's fault but Pierce's and I promise you that he'll pay dearly for this. And for hurting you." The woman soothed.
Riley sobbed softly as she allowed the woman to try and calm her down. She finally backed away and wiped her tears away. "I'm sorry....I know I should be stronger...but, you get the point."
The woman nodded. "It's okay to cry. Sometimes, crying is the best healer. If you ever need a shoulder to cry on...just know that you always have mine."
Riley forced a smile to her lips. "Thanks....Jess. For everything."
Jess sighed. "I'm really sorry, Riley. I should have been here sooner, but..."
"It's alright. What matters is that you came....I often thought you wouldn't, but you have proved me wrong. Something I should have had done a long time ago. Thank you." Riley admitted as she knelt beside Clayton.
Riley took Clayton's hand in a firm grip and squeezed it. Tears dripped from her bloodshot blue eyes as she leaned over him. Riley jumped in surprise when something gripped her hand. Looking down, she stared in shock.
"Clayton....you're not dead!" Riley chimed.
Clayton coughed. "Not yet, anyway." Clayton closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I should have told you this sooner...but, about the past four years. I'm sorry I wasn't there. I wish I could make it up to you and Zack."
"Don't worry over something so trivial." Riley told him soothingly. "Thank you...Clayton."
Clayton turned dull gray eyes to her. "For?"
"For saving me...tonight." Riley answered wearily.
"I had to. Riley...I have a confession. Four years ago I hired a young man to help me in a certain matter. I was running from lone sharks, and I was afraid that they'd eventually get around to you. Even though I was a total S.O.B, to you, I didn't want you to get hurt." Clayton started.
"So, I asked the assistance of a young man. I planned on making a scene where I was holding up a bank, and hostages, etc. I had a cap gun that night and when I fired, my hired hand, fired back on me. The coroner they had examine me was also involved in the operation."
Riley took a deep breath. "You hired Pierce to pretend to kill you?"
"Yes. His payment was, I would be out of your life and he'd have a clear shot with you. It made me mad knowing that, that prick felt like that towards you, but I feared for your safety, so I agreed. But, I never thought Pierce would have turned on me like he did." Clayton explained.
"The day of the raid, he blew up the truck and burned my club down. He was getting back at me for rescuing you that day in the garage. I kept you from dying, and it made Pierce angry to see you with me. I'm really sorry, Riley. I didn't mean for any of this to happen." Clayton apologized.
Riley brushed her arm across her face. "Why...didn't you tell me this before you pulled a stunt like that?"
Clayton did his best to shrug. "Afraid, I guess. Afraid of rejection, hatred, denial of my parenthood and rights to my son. But, I lost all of those things anyway."
"Wrong. I may have rejected you in the beginning, but now...I don't know. I don't hate you, hate you. But, I'm pissed at you. And as much I as had recently wanted to strip you of any rights with Zack, I can't because no matter what I do, you will always be his father." Riley insisted.
Clayton smiled. "Thank you. Tell him, that I love him, please and that I'm sorry for being such a jackass to him for the first six years of his life. Maybe one day, I can make it up to him....but not right now."
"Don't talk like that...Clayton. You'll be okay." Riley persisted warmly.
Clayton nodded. "Oh, yeah. Build me up and then let me down. That's fire and vinegar for ya. Riley, what I was going to tell you before we were so rudely interrupted was, that....I....still love....you. I never stopped loving you, and I never.....will. I can't possibly stop...or forget you."
Riley kissed his cheek. "You're kind of unforgettable for a big lug, too. I wish, that you could have been there for him....that's my only dream. Or was. For Zack to know you...I'm sorry that dream can't come true. But, I'll make sure that he never forgets you, promise."
Clayton ran a finger across her jaw bone. "I know. Take care of him...and yourself." He looked up at Jess. "And you....watch over her and Zack for me. I know that you have done so in the past..."
Jess nodded. "I will....you should rest now....Clayton." Jess crouched beside him. "I'm sorry we didn't get the chance to know each other better....like I would have wanted. But, from what I can see....you have changed into a good man. You've done well....son."
Clayton nodded and closed his eyes. "....Love....you......"
Then with a final rise of his chest...he was gone.
Jess wrapped her arms around Riley and held her tightly, her voice whispering soothing words.
Jess bit her lower lip as she felt her own tears surfacing. She rocked Riley gently and stroked her hair. Within minutes, Riley had cried herself to sleep. Afraid of waking Riley from her well earned rest, Jess remained on the floor with Riley's head in her lap, and her heart in her throat.