AN: Hey guys sorry it took so long for the next part, but my disk crashed
along with my computer so I had to re write the chapter all over again.
Well anywho please review.
Peter sat at his desk reading over Tom's file. In fact it was the twelfth time he'd read over the file. Something was wrong; he could feel it. There was something about Tom. Something Peter wasn't going to find in his file, yet he still searched for. He didn't want Aurora to go back with him. He didn't want her to get hurt anymore.
Peter slammed the file shut, frustrated from not finding anything. He sat back in his chair, folding his hands behind his head. He closed his eyes, taking a few deep breaths to calm himself. He opened his eyes, and re-opened the file. He was determined to find what he was looking for.
"You're not going to find anything that you haven't already found," Kermit told him walking up to him. He had a grim look on his face, and a manila folder in his hand.
"Maybe not, but something's missing."
Kermit threw the file in front of him sitting on the edge of the desk. "This may interest you."
"What is it?"
"Aurora's juvenile file."
"Her what?" Peter asked, opening the file.
"Juvenile file. It was easy to get. Perhaps a little too easy. The question is why?"
"Assault, theft, batter..attempted murder?! This doesn't sound like Aurora."
Kermit shrugged. "I didn't think so either, but people do strange things when they're loved ones die."
"Yeah I know, but I never tried to commit suicide."
"You didn't try to kill anyone either. People deal with things in different ways kid."
"Did you find anything on Dominic?" Peter asked changing the subject.
"He's clean; too clean for my taste. Not even so much as a parking ticket. Never jay walked, nothing."
"Are they still holding him?"
Kermit nodded. "He has some fancy lawyer coming down to bale him out."
Peter raised an eyebrow. "He used his one phone call to call a lawyer. I'm impressed."
"Actually no," A voice said from behind them. "He used it to call me."
Peter and Kermit looked to the owner of the voice. Peter recognized the owner right away, although the only way he had heard it until now was screaming in a violent rage. Calm he sounded like a completely different person.
He stood there, looking smug and proud. He was wearing a gray suite with a white shirt, and blue tie. Hanging off his right arm was a petite woman with long, blonde hair that fell like a curtain around her face. Her eyes were the same amber as Aurora's. She was dressed in a black business outfit. She was wearing black hoes underneath the skirt that came just above her knees.
Standing to his left was a man in black slacks, a green button down shirt and penny loafers. He had broad shoulders that went with his square jaw. His green eyes stood out fiercely against the black of his short spiked hair. He had his hands crossed in front of him like a well-trained bodyguard.
"Who are you?" Simms asked, walking up to the growing group.
"Tom West," Peter answered for him.
"As in Aurora's stepfather?" Simms asked.
"Than it's true?" The petite woman asked, letting go of Tom. "You know where my daughter is?"
"Sheila West I presume?" The captain asked her.
"Yes, yes I'm Aurora's mother. Have you found my daughter?"
"Mrs. West, I'm Police Captain Karen Simms. I have some concerns about Aurora's well being."
"Don't tell me she's going with that abuse kick again," Tom interjected.
"How do you know it was abuse?" Peter asked, accusingly.
"It wouldn't be the first time," Tom replied.
Peter stood up and leaned over his desk. "Unless she's telling the truth."
"Cool it Caine!" Simms told him.
"Mr. and Mrs. West I'm sorry about Detective Caine. He's grown very protective of your daughter in the last few days."
"I assure you Detective Caine that I have never raised a hand to Aurora."
"Just a belt right?"
"Caine!"
Peter stared at Tom with eyes of ice, but he didn't say anything else.
"Mr. West the thought of abuse had crossed our minds," Karen continued. "We're not accusing you of anything, but Aurora is quite scared of you."
"Aurora has a mental problem," West told her. "She had a mental break down when her father died. Something inside her just snapped. We even had to send her to Miami Mental Institute for a few months."
"We didn't want to," Sheila interjected, taking a step toward Simms. "But after she attacked Tom, we had no choice. If Michael, Toms brother, hadn't been there she may have killed him." She pointed to the raven-haired man standing next to Tom to show that he was Michael.
"That may all be true, but I still think we should talk in my office."
"I don't think that will be necessary, Captain," Tom said. "The way I see it is that Aurora's been in your custody for almost forty eight hours and you took no measures to notify us. Now I am grateful that you took her in and Detective Caine was only concerned for her well being, but I must insist that you give us our daughter and let us leave or I will be forced to involve my attorney."
Peter hadn't said anything as he saw Jody and Aurora approaching them. Jody had her arm around Aurora's shoulders. There was a look of complete terror on Aurora's face as they walked toward them. Peter knew she had heard atleast most of the conversation.
"Aurora," Peter said, causing everyone to turn.
"I will NEVER go back with you!" Aurora spat at Tom. She ripped herself from Jody's grip and ran out of the precinct.
"AURORA!" Peter called, as he took off after her, followed by Kermit, Tom, Michael, and Jody.
Peter was the first one out of the door. He saw Aurora round a corner down an alley. He took off in her direction, not realizing or caring that half a dozen other people were right behind him.
Peter turned down the alley. It was a dead end, but there was no sign of Aurora. He slowed his pace, and started walking, what seemed to be a deserted alley.
"Aurora, it's Peter. Come out and talk to me."
Kermit had been the second one behind Peter. He stayed at the end of the alley so Peter could get Aurora to come out. Tom and Michael walked up a second later. Kermit put a hand in front of them to keep them from going down the alley.
"I think it's best if you wait here."
"Excuse me Detective," Tom said, "But I don't care what you think."
He started to walk, but Kermit grabbed his arm.
"I don't think so."
Tom calmly looked at Kermit, then at his brother. "Michael, a little helps please."
Michael took a step towards Kermit, when out of nowhere, Caine stepped in front of him.
"Who's this old man?" Michael asked.
"I am Caine."
"I thought Detective Caine was going after Aurora," Michael said.
"I am Peter's father."
"Whatever old man. I suggest you get out of my way before I hurt you."
"It would be wise not to follow Peter. He will be able to have Aurora come to you, but if you go after her she will run again."
Michael smiled, and threw a punch at Caine. Caine easily thwarted the punch.
"I do not wish to fight you."
"Then you shouldn't have stuck your nose in this."
Michael sent a roundhouse at Caine, who grabbed his leg, sweeping the other, sending the man to the ground. Michael looked up at the Priest in disbelief.
"Please let Peter help her. He will bring her back to you."
Michael got up and stepped back in a fighting stance. "You're going to pay for that old man."
"Calm yourself Michael," Tom broke in. He pulled his arm free from Kermit. "Let's see what happens with Detective Caine."
Michael broke his stance, but kept his icy stare on Caine. "This isn't over!"
Caine did not reply.
Peter was oblivious to what was happening at the end of the alley. His thoughts and eyes were for Aurora only. If the men had been snipers, he probably would have been shot.
"Aurora, please talk to me!"
He looked behind a large dumpster and sure enough, there was Aurora, sitting against the wall with her legs drawn to her chest and her arms wrapped around her legs. Her chin was resting on her knees and she was shaking like a leaf. Her eyes were wide with fear staring at the ground. She wouldn't even glance at Peter.
Peter sat down Indian style in front of her. He went to stroke her hair, but she jerked back. He sighed heavily and put his hand on his leg. He saw the fear in her eyes, felt it permeating from her skin, and he was going to hand her over to the cause of it. He had no choice but to let her leave with Tom.
"Aurora, I.."
"You lied to me, Peter," she cut him off. "You told me you wouldn't let him hurt me anymore. Now you're going to send me back with him."
Aurora still wouldn't meet his gaze.
Peter solemnly said, "I have no choice. I don't have anything on him."
She nodded. "I understand." He reached out to her, but she jerked back again.
"Don't touch me, Peter."
"If there was anything I could do to keep you from him I would. Believe me I would."
Aurora lifted pain filled eyes to meet Peter's. "I believed you once before, Peter. Remember? You promised you would NEVER let Tom hurt me again, but you're sending me back to him. You're sending me right into the arms of the one person I fear more than anyone in this world."
"Aurora."
"No it's ok. I understand. You're a cop. You live by a strict code, and you will never break it. Not for anyone."
Peter looked down.
"Hey, it's ok Peter. It's what makes you a good cop, and I wouldn't want it any other way."
"You won't be with him long. I WILL get you out of there. I promise."
A tear slid down Aurora's cheek. She didn't reply. She stared into Peter's deep brown eyes for a moment more. Then she nodded, wiped the tear away and stood up.
"I'll see you around, Detective Caine."
She didn't wait for Peter's reply. She slowly started her walk back to the end of the alley, where her worst nightmare awaited her, and all Peter could do was watch. He stood up and watched, as Tom put an arm around her, as a good father should do. Only Peter knew he wasn't a good father. Peter knew that as soon as they were out of police view, Tom would hurt her.
Peter watched as until they turned the corner and were out of site. Kermit, Caine, and Jody all stayed at the end of the alley. Peter sighed and put his hands in his pockets. He looked down and for the first time, noticed Aurora's backpack lying behind the dumpster. He solemnly walked over and picked it up. Kermit, Jody, and Caine walked up to him.
"What's that?" Kermit asked.
"It's Aurora's backpack," Jody answered for him. "She never leaves this anywhere. She was attached to it all day."
"I know," Peter said. "The question is why did she leave it now?"
Kermit replied, "Maybe there's something in there she doesn't want Tom to see."
"Or perhaps, there is something she wishes for you to see, my son," Caine said.
Peter looked at his father, and then at the backpack. He unzipped the small compartment, and only found some pens. He unzipped the large part and saw Aurora's jacket. He pulled it out, causing the journal that was wrapped in it to hit the ground. He picked up the journal and turned it to the last entry.
"What does it say?" Jody asked.
Peter read allowed from the journal.
"Peter thinks I'm sleeping right now, but I hate to sleep. The nightmares are so bad I wake up in a cold sweat almost every night. Peter said he'll keep me safe and I believe him. I don't think he'll let anything happen to me, but all the same I took the tape and hid it under his bed. Tom knows I have it, and if he catches me he'll want it. The tape is my only chance of freedom from him. I can't just show the tape to Peter though. If only Tom goes to jail, that will still leave me with my mother, and she's changed since she's been with Tom. I'm scared she'll hurt me too. Why couldn't my father have stayed with me? Why couldn't he have lived?"
Peter finished reading and looked at the three faces around him.
"If you get that tape, maybe whatevers on it will help us get Aurora away from her father," Kermit told him.
"And if it shows Tom abusing her, than we can get the mother on suspicion of knowing about it, but doing nothing," Jody said.
"And that should be enough for her to lose custody of Aurora," Peter finished.
"Then perhaps we should go to your apartment and retrieve this tape," Caine said.
The four quickly left the alley and headed back for the station. Simms was waiting for them when they got back.
"I'm sorry Peter," she told him.
"Don't be sorry yet, Captain," he said, grabbing his keys from his desk and leaving the station.
"Kermit," Caine said.
"Yeah?"
"I was wondering if you could do me a favor." He put an arm around Kermit's shoulders and the two walked into his office.
Simms looked at Jody. "What is going on?"
"I'll tell you about it over a cup of coffee."
Peter raced to his apartment, throwing the door open in his haste. He ran into the bedroom and dove under the bed. He didn't see anything underneath it. Then he noticed that the fabric on the base of the bed was torn. He stuck his hand inside it, and found what he was looking for. He pulled out the tape and there was no label on it.
He had an aching desire to watch it right then and there in his apartment, but figured that the faster he got it to the station, the faster he could get Aurora back. So he decided to just leave his apartment and return to the precinct.
Peter's blue stealth came to a screeching halt in front of the 101st precinct. He slammed his door shut and raced inside. Jody and Simms were sitting at his desk having a cup of coffee in silence when Peter came in.
"Did you get the tape? Simms questioned.
"Yeah do we have a tv set up?"
"Over by your desk," Jody replied.
Kermit and Caine had heard Peter's return and came out of Kermit's office. They all crowded around the tv, and Peter put the tape in the vcr. He took a deep breath and pressed play.
~~~Let me know what you think!!!
TFFN
Ty
Peter sat at his desk reading over Tom's file. In fact it was the twelfth time he'd read over the file. Something was wrong; he could feel it. There was something about Tom. Something Peter wasn't going to find in his file, yet he still searched for. He didn't want Aurora to go back with him. He didn't want her to get hurt anymore.
Peter slammed the file shut, frustrated from not finding anything. He sat back in his chair, folding his hands behind his head. He closed his eyes, taking a few deep breaths to calm himself. He opened his eyes, and re-opened the file. He was determined to find what he was looking for.
"You're not going to find anything that you haven't already found," Kermit told him walking up to him. He had a grim look on his face, and a manila folder in his hand.
"Maybe not, but something's missing."
Kermit threw the file in front of him sitting on the edge of the desk. "This may interest you."
"What is it?"
"Aurora's juvenile file."
"Her what?" Peter asked, opening the file.
"Juvenile file. It was easy to get. Perhaps a little too easy. The question is why?"
"Assault, theft, batter..attempted murder?! This doesn't sound like Aurora."
Kermit shrugged. "I didn't think so either, but people do strange things when they're loved ones die."
"Yeah I know, but I never tried to commit suicide."
"You didn't try to kill anyone either. People deal with things in different ways kid."
"Did you find anything on Dominic?" Peter asked changing the subject.
"He's clean; too clean for my taste. Not even so much as a parking ticket. Never jay walked, nothing."
"Are they still holding him?"
Kermit nodded. "He has some fancy lawyer coming down to bale him out."
Peter raised an eyebrow. "He used his one phone call to call a lawyer. I'm impressed."
"Actually no," A voice said from behind them. "He used it to call me."
Peter and Kermit looked to the owner of the voice. Peter recognized the owner right away, although the only way he had heard it until now was screaming in a violent rage. Calm he sounded like a completely different person.
He stood there, looking smug and proud. He was wearing a gray suite with a white shirt, and blue tie. Hanging off his right arm was a petite woman with long, blonde hair that fell like a curtain around her face. Her eyes were the same amber as Aurora's. She was dressed in a black business outfit. She was wearing black hoes underneath the skirt that came just above her knees.
Standing to his left was a man in black slacks, a green button down shirt and penny loafers. He had broad shoulders that went with his square jaw. His green eyes stood out fiercely against the black of his short spiked hair. He had his hands crossed in front of him like a well-trained bodyguard.
"Who are you?" Simms asked, walking up to the growing group.
"Tom West," Peter answered for him.
"As in Aurora's stepfather?" Simms asked.
"Than it's true?" The petite woman asked, letting go of Tom. "You know where my daughter is?"
"Sheila West I presume?" The captain asked her.
"Yes, yes I'm Aurora's mother. Have you found my daughter?"
"Mrs. West, I'm Police Captain Karen Simms. I have some concerns about Aurora's well being."
"Don't tell me she's going with that abuse kick again," Tom interjected.
"How do you know it was abuse?" Peter asked, accusingly.
"It wouldn't be the first time," Tom replied.
Peter stood up and leaned over his desk. "Unless she's telling the truth."
"Cool it Caine!" Simms told him.
"Mr. and Mrs. West I'm sorry about Detective Caine. He's grown very protective of your daughter in the last few days."
"I assure you Detective Caine that I have never raised a hand to Aurora."
"Just a belt right?"
"Caine!"
Peter stared at Tom with eyes of ice, but he didn't say anything else.
"Mr. West the thought of abuse had crossed our minds," Karen continued. "We're not accusing you of anything, but Aurora is quite scared of you."
"Aurora has a mental problem," West told her. "She had a mental break down when her father died. Something inside her just snapped. We even had to send her to Miami Mental Institute for a few months."
"We didn't want to," Sheila interjected, taking a step toward Simms. "But after she attacked Tom, we had no choice. If Michael, Toms brother, hadn't been there she may have killed him." She pointed to the raven-haired man standing next to Tom to show that he was Michael.
"That may all be true, but I still think we should talk in my office."
"I don't think that will be necessary, Captain," Tom said. "The way I see it is that Aurora's been in your custody for almost forty eight hours and you took no measures to notify us. Now I am grateful that you took her in and Detective Caine was only concerned for her well being, but I must insist that you give us our daughter and let us leave or I will be forced to involve my attorney."
Peter hadn't said anything as he saw Jody and Aurora approaching them. Jody had her arm around Aurora's shoulders. There was a look of complete terror on Aurora's face as they walked toward them. Peter knew she had heard atleast most of the conversation.
"Aurora," Peter said, causing everyone to turn.
"I will NEVER go back with you!" Aurora spat at Tom. She ripped herself from Jody's grip and ran out of the precinct.
"AURORA!" Peter called, as he took off after her, followed by Kermit, Tom, Michael, and Jody.
Peter was the first one out of the door. He saw Aurora round a corner down an alley. He took off in her direction, not realizing or caring that half a dozen other people were right behind him.
Peter turned down the alley. It was a dead end, but there was no sign of Aurora. He slowed his pace, and started walking, what seemed to be a deserted alley.
"Aurora, it's Peter. Come out and talk to me."
Kermit had been the second one behind Peter. He stayed at the end of the alley so Peter could get Aurora to come out. Tom and Michael walked up a second later. Kermit put a hand in front of them to keep them from going down the alley.
"I think it's best if you wait here."
"Excuse me Detective," Tom said, "But I don't care what you think."
He started to walk, but Kermit grabbed his arm.
"I don't think so."
Tom calmly looked at Kermit, then at his brother. "Michael, a little helps please."
Michael took a step towards Kermit, when out of nowhere, Caine stepped in front of him.
"Who's this old man?" Michael asked.
"I am Caine."
"I thought Detective Caine was going after Aurora," Michael said.
"I am Peter's father."
"Whatever old man. I suggest you get out of my way before I hurt you."
"It would be wise not to follow Peter. He will be able to have Aurora come to you, but if you go after her she will run again."
Michael smiled, and threw a punch at Caine. Caine easily thwarted the punch.
"I do not wish to fight you."
"Then you shouldn't have stuck your nose in this."
Michael sent a roundhouse at Caine, who grabbed his leg, sweeping the other, sending the man to the ground. Michael looked up at the Priest in disbelief.
"Please let Peter help her. He will bring her back to you."
Michael got up and stepped back in a fighting stance. "You're going to pay for that old man."
"Calm yourself Michael," Tom broke in. He pulled his arm free from Kermit. "Let's see what happens with Detective Caine."
Michael broke his stance, but kept his icy stare on Caine. "This isn't over!"
Caine did not reply.
Peter was oblivious to what was happening at the end of the alley. His thoughts and eyes were for Aurora only. If the men had been snipers, he probably would have been shot.
"Aurora, please talk to me!"
He looked behind a large dumpster and sure enough, there was Aurora, sitting against the wall with her legs drawn to her chest and her arms wrapped around her legs. Her chin was resting on her knees and she was shaking like a leaf. Her eyes were wide with fear staring at the ground. She wouldn't even glance at Peter.
Peter sat down Indian style in front of her. He went to stroke her hair, but she jerked back. He sighed heavily and put his hand on his leg. He saw the fear in her eyes, felt it permeating from her skin, and he was going to hand her over to the cause of it. He had no choice but to let her leave with Tom.
"Aurora, I.."
"You lied to me, Peter," she cut him off. "You told me you wouldn't let him hurt me anymore. Now you're going to send me back with him."
Aurora still wouldn't meet his gaze.
Peter solemnly said, "I have no choice. I don't have anything on him."
She nodded. "I understand." He reached out to her, but she jerked back again.
"Don't touch me, Peter."
"If there was anything I could do to keep you from him I would. Believe me I would."
Aurora lifted pain filled eyes to meet Peter's. "I believed you once before, Peter. Remember? You promised you would NEVER let Tom hurt me again, but you're sending me back to him. You're sending me right into the arms of the one person I fear more than anyone in this world."
"Aurora."
"No it's ok. I understand. You're a cop. You live by a strict code, and you will never break it. Not for anyone."
Peter looked down.
"Hey, it's ok Peter. It's what makes you a good cop, and I wouldn't want it any other way."
"You won't be with him long. I WILL get you out of there. I promise."
A tear slid down Aurora's cheek. She didn't reply. She stared into Peter's deep brown eyes for a moment more. Then she nodded, wiped the tear away and stood up.
"I'll see you around, Detective Caine."
She didn't wait for Peter's reply. She slowly started her walk back to the end of the alley, where her worst nightmare awaited her, and all Peter could do was watch. He stood up and watched, as Tom put an arm around her, as a good father should do. Only Peter knew he wasn't a good father. Peter knew that as soon as they were out of police view, Tom would hurt her.
Peter watched as until they turned the corner and were out of site. Kermit, Caine, and Jody all stayed at the end of the alley. Peter sighed and put his hands in his pockets. He looked down and for the first time, noticed Aurora's backpack lying behind the dumpster. He solemnly walked over and picked it up. Kermit, Jody, and Caine walked up to him.
"What's that?" Kermit asked.
"It's Aurora's backpack," Jody answered for him. "She never leaves this anywhere. She was attached to it all day."
"I know," Peter said. "The question is why did she leave it now?"
Kermit replied, "Maybe there's something in there she doesn't want Tom to see."
"Or perhaps, there is something she wishes for you to see, my son," Caine said.
Peter looked at his father, and then at the backpack. He unzipped the small compartment, and only found some pens. He unzipped the large part and saw Aurora's jacket. He pulled it out, causing the journal that was wrapped in it to hit the ground. He picked up the journal and turned it to the last entry.
"What does it say?" Jody asked.
Peter read allowed from the journal.
"Peter thinks I'm sleeping right now, but I hate to sleep. The nightmares are so bad I wake up in a cold sweat almost every night. Peter said he'll keep me safe and I believe him. I don't think he'll let anything happen to me, but all the same I took the tape and hid it under his bed. Tom knows I have it, and if he catches me he'll want it. The tape is my only chance of freedom from him. I can't just show the tape to Peter though. If only Tom goes to jail, that will still leave me with my mother, and she's changed since she's been with Tom. I'm scared she'll hurt me too. Why couldn't my father have stayed with me? Why couldn't he have lived?"
Peter finished reading and looked at the three faces around him.
"If you get that tape, maybe whatevers on it will help us get Aurora away from her father," Kermit told him.
"And if it shows Tom abusing her, than we can get the mother on suspicion of knowing about it, but doing nothing," Jody said.
"And that should be enough for her to lose custody of Aurora," Peter finished.
"Then perhaps we should go to your apartment and retrieve this tape," Caine said.
The four quickly left the alley and headed back for the station. Simms was waiting for them when they got back.
"I'm sorry Peter," she told him.
"Don't be sorry yet, Captain," he said, grabbing his keys from his desk and leaving the station.
"Kermit," Caine said.
"Yeah?"
"I was wondering if you could do me a favor." He put an arm around Kermit's shoulders and the two walked into his office.
Simms looked at Jody. "What is going on?"
"I'll tell you about it over a cup of coffee."
Peter raced to his apartment, throwing the door open in his haste. He ran into the bedroom and dove under the bed. He didn't see anything underneath it. Then he noticed that the fabric on the base of the bed was torn. He stuck his hand inside it, and found what he was looking for. He pulled out the tape and there was no label on it.
He had an aching desire to watch it right then and there in his apartment, but figured that the faster he got it to the station, the faster he could get Aurora back. So he decided to just leave his apartment and return to the precinct.
Peter's blue stealth came to a screeching halt in front of the 101st precinct. He slammed his door shut and raced inside. Jody and Simms were sitting at his desk having a cup of coffee in silence when Peter came in.
"Did you get the tape? Simms questioned.
"Yeah do we have a tv set up?"
"Over by your desk," Jody replied.
Kermit and Caine had heard Peter's return and came out of Kermit's office. They all crowded around the tv, and Peter put the tape in the vcr. He took a deep breath and pressed play.
~~~Let me know what you think!!!
TFFN
Ty