AUTHOR'S NOTE: I know it's been weeks, not kill me, at least not yet we've still got a little bit to go. I'm really sorry for the long wait in between chapters, but at the moment GH really sucks butt and I've had no inspiration whatsoever. Now I'm not too sure about the quality of this chapter because of my lack of inspiration, but I figured I'd better get the next chapter out before I lost my readers forever. Two or three more chapters left depending on my inspiration level and I hope to get them out much faster than I have been. Well anyway, PLEASE REVIEW! On with the chapter.....

Dawne paused for a small break from running and leaned on a tree, thankful for its support. She wasn't sure how long she'd been running, but knew she couldn't keep it up much longer. Her side ached terribly and her mouth was as dry as cotton, at that moment she'd have done anything for a glass of water.

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, listening carefully for sounds of pursuit, but heard nothing. Thankfully, she sat down at the base of the tree and drew her knees up to her chest. She was so tired and weak, she'd never felt anything like this before in her short life.

As she sat she thought about the predicament she was in. She knew she'd been kidnapped, but why? What would someone want with Dawne Quartermaine, a seven-year-old little girl? It left her baffled and she sighed tiredly. She threw those thoughts aside and decided to focus on something different.

She wasn't completely sure how long she'd been gone, but there was no doubt in her mind that she would be home soon. Collin and her mommy were coming for her, they'd be here soon.

She yawned and looked around for something to rest her head on, but found nothing on the dense forest floor that looked even remotely comfortable. She let her head drop onto her knees and she closed her eyes. She'd just rest her eyes a minute or two.

* * * * *

Jax walked down the stairs of the Ferry to the lower parking level and looked around deck trying to decide on the best way to go. He'd been searching for Skye the last five minutes and had found her no where on the upper level where all passengers were supposed to be. Knowing she wasn't exactly a stickler for the rules he'd slipped past the security guard to further his search.

As he wondered around the parking deck he spotted a lone brunette with a bad dye job leaning against the stern railing of the Ferry. He stopped and looked closer, not completely sure it was her. In New York he'd had no problem picking his beautiful redheaded lover out of a crowd, but it was a different story now that her hair was the drab, everyday color of brown.

He stood to the side and watched her for a moment coming to the conclusion that it was in fact Skye. Still he stood, unnoticed by her, taking in her hunched shoulders and lowered head. "Skye?" he called softly so as not to startle her.

Her shoulders immediately straightened and she wiped her eyes quickly before turning to him as he approached. "Jax," she said and gave him her brightest fake smile.

He smiled softly at her and wiped a tear she'd missed away with his thumb. "You missed one."

She looked away, embarrassed and cleared her throat. "Did you need me for something?"

Jax shook his head. "No, but I'd wondered where you'd gotten to."

"I didn't go up with the rest of the people," she answered. "I just wanted to be alone for a few minutes."

"Would you like me to leave?" he asked hoping she'd say no.

She smiled again, "No, stay." He smiled and pulled her into his arms, hugging her tightly against him. She sighed softly, "I always feel so safe in your arms," she told him absently.

"And you always feel so right in mine," he answered, resting his chin softly on top of her head.

Together they were silent for a moment before she leaned back and looked at him curiously. "Do you believe- never mind," she shook her head quickly.

"What?" he prompted.

"Nothing, it's silly," she shrugged.

"Silly? I haven't heard you use that word in a while," he observed with a smile. When she looked away he continued, "No, come one tell me. What were you thinking?"

She bit her lip sheepishly. "Do you believe in soul mates?"

"I don't know," he replied honestly. "What's your definition of soul mates."

She looked up at the sky a moment thinking critically before replying. "Two people -not necessarily a man and a woman- that fit together perfectly. Like God made them for each other. It's like people are puzzle pieces, and everyone goes around trying to find the person completes them. And they try lots of other pieces, but none of them quite fit." Skye smiled softly with a far away look in her eyes. "Some people will never find their perfect match... But, others will and they'll know when they do.... They'll just know."

Jax stared down at her a moment and decided he liked her explanation. "Skye, I have something really important I need to tell you," he said seriously after a moment.

His tone brought her back to reality and she frowned at him slightly. "I don't like the sound of that," she replied. "What is it?"

Jax took a step back, causing Skye's arms to come undone from around his neck. He took her hands in his and studied them a moment. "I've met someone, and I think she's my perfect match," he explained.

Skye felt as if her heart had just lept out of her chest and sunk to the bottom of the Irish Sea they were cruising over. She swallowed hard, "I-I hope you two will be very.... happy together," she managed to choke out.

"There's no doubt in my mind that we will," he answered sincerely.

Skye nodded slowly, and opened her mouth to reply, but fell into an awkward silence not knowing what more to say. She gently pulled her hands out of his. "I have to go..." she trailed off pointing over her shoulder to the stairs leading to the top deck of the Ferry.

"Skye," he grabbed her hand and pulled her back, smiling broadly. "My perfect match... she's you." She looked as if she hadn't quite understood him at first and he smiled brighter at the sudden dawning in her eyes. "You're my puzzle piece Skye."

Skye smiled. "You really shouldn't tease people, you're too good at it."

"Did you really think I'd tell a woman I loved her and then a few hours later take it back?" Jax questioned.

"I'm not gonna' answer that question," she replied.

"I never stopped loving you Skye," Jax said, knowing she was thinking of Brenda. "I.... Temporarily forgot, but I never stopped and I never will." Skye looked down, thinking his words over.

"Can I hold you to that promise?" she asked slowly.

"Absolutely," he replied wholehearted.

She smiled and leaned up on her tiptoes, placing a soft kiss on his lips. She would believe his vow, she would trust him completely and she would give him her whole heart once again. ::Hurt me once, shame on you, hurt me twice, shame on me:: she thought and silently wished that she would never have to experience hurt by Jax's hands ever again.

"You look as if you're deep in thought," he observed. "I'll leave you alone for a few minutes, I'm gonna' go see how Jason and our unwanted guest are doing up top. Are you gonna be okay?"

"I'll be fine," she nodded and held his hand as he walked away, until she had to let go. Perfectly content in the moment she turned back to the sea and watched as the propeller created choppy waves and white foam.

Lost in fascination, she was unaware of the presence beside until he spoke. "Gorgeous isn't it?" Collin asked.

Skye's head snapped around at the sound of the voice and she relaxed slightly when she realized who it was. She nodded slowly and turned back to the sea suddenly at a loss for words.

He noticed her silence and closed his eyes briefly. "Skye, please.... Talk to me."

She bit her lip uncertainty, but didn't face him, and still she said nothing.

"All right fine, I'll talk, you listen," he shook his head. "I realize I probably shouldn't have said what I said to you earlier. It wasn't the time nor place for a proclamation of everlasting love.... But I know where your relationship with Jax is headed. I felt I had to let you know how I feel about you, before it's too late for us."

Skye turned to him after a moment and shook her head sadly. "There was never a time for us Collin. I never loved you like that."

Collin nodded slowly. "When we were engaged-"

"I wanted her to grow up with a mother and father who loved her, I thought that was what you wanted too so you asked me to marry you," she replied cutting him off.

"But you didn't love me?" he asked.

He sounded as if he was an innocent little child, and she hated to break his heart. She shook her head slowly, "No, I didn't love you. Not like that." Collin hung his head low as if he'd been defeated. She suddenly wanted to cry for their relationship, which would never again be the same. "I wish.... that we could just go back to the way we used to be, that this didn't change a thing."

"We can still be friends," Collin suggested after a long moment.

Skye nodded slowly. "I'd like that, I'd like that a lot." Hesitantly she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.

Carefully he wrapped his arms around her waist so that he wasn't hugging her as tightly, and tried not to think of how much he loved her. They stood like that for several moments, both of them mourning the friendship that would never be the same.

Abruptly Collin felt a hand grab hold of his collar and yank him away from Skye. Before he could wonder what was happening he felt an angry fist connect with his jaw, sending him staggering backwards. He lost his footing and fell to the ground with a loud thump, but he didn't stay seated for long before he was hauled to his feet and punched again, this time in the left eye.

"Jax no!" Skye screamed and stepped in between the two before Jax could pummel Collin further. "We were just hugging it was nothing!"

Collin groaned as he rubbed his jaw. He'd hoped to avoid this situation, but had known it would happen sooner or later. "No, no Skye," he shook his head and pulled himself to his feet with the help of the stern railing. "It's all right, I probably deserve it."

"What! Collin you don't deserve this," Skye protested and helped to steady him. "Jax how could you?" she turned an accusing glare to Jax.

"Yes Skye, actually I do deserve it," Collin replied. "Going after another man's woman is a definite don't, deserves at least three punches." He stretched his neck and turned to Jax, "Come on, one more time and it'll be fair."

"Maybe some other time," Jax replied a bit confused. He continued to look down his nose angrily at Collin as he reached out for Skye. "Come on Skye, let's go."

"I'm not going anywhere with you right now," Skye replied and turned back to Collin. "Are you okay?"

Collin gave her a tight smile due to the pain in his jaw. "Nothing a cold steak couldn't fix." He sighed and looked at Jax. "Look, you don't have to worry about me anymore. Skye's made it perfectly clear who she loves and wants to be with..... You win, I sincerely congratulate you." He held out his hand, offering it to Jax like a peace treaty.

Jax hesitantly reached for Collin's hand and shook it firmly. "Thanks."

"Well, if you two are done negotiating me like I'm a piece of damn land, the captain says five minutes until we reach port," Skye told the two bitterly with her hands crossed over her chest in defiance. The two men nodded silently and followed her upstairs to find Jason and their uninvited guest.

* * * * *

"Tell me again why we're coming straight here after docking?" Skye asked the others as she stared out the window at Trystan's large estate. The huge stone mansion shone in the morning sun like a castle straight out of a fairy tale. The old stone statues and gargoyles surrounding the home looked as if they were guarding it from an unspeakable danger and would leap to life at any moment.

But as Skye studied the mansion she couldn't help but think the stone statues and gargoyles were warning her away from a danger within rather than guarding it from an outside one.

"Inviting, isn't it," Collin commented sarcastically as the taxi driver pulled to a halt in front of the two massive oak doors. The four of them climbed out of the car and made their way slowly up the front steps and stood in a semi-circle around the door, waiting for someone to knock. "Oh all right," Collin shrugged and tapped the knocker hanging from another gargoyle's mouth three times.

They all waited patiently for what seemed like an eternity but in reality was merely a few seconds for the door to open. When it did they met an extremely stern and uninviting looking woman. "May I help you?" she asked looking each one in turn.

"Well I suppose you could," Collin answered for the group. "We're looking to speak with Mr. Trystan Bryant."

"Do you have an appointment?" she asked him.

"Well actually Mr. Bryant called us about twenty minutes ago and asked us to come straight over," he explained. "We're with Mitchell's Private Investigations, he requested our best, so here we are."

She looked them each over again with a more disapproving glare as she went down the line. "Very well," she answered after a critical moment, then moved aside and let the group enter. "If you'll wait right here I'll inform Mr. Bryant you've arrived." With that she walked stiffly up the stairs.

"Collin," Skye hissed as soon as the woman was far enough away. "When she tells him who we are he's going to send us away!"

"Relax," he answered and began up the stairs. "Just follow me."

Skye turned to Jax and frowned but followed Collin up the stairs anyhow. They followed the woman quietly down the hall at a close distance, but far enough away so that she didn't suspect she was being followed.

When she stopped at a set of double doors and knocked, the group stopped and waited as well. She disappeared inside after a sharp 'come in' and Collin sauntered up to the door and entered.

"Send them away Mrs. Hamilton," Trystan was saying as Collin entered his office.

"Now is that anyway to treat your dear, sweet little brother?" Collin asked as he slipped out of his jacket and tossed it over the back of a sofa.

Trystan rubbed his forehead as if he had a headache. "Can I do something for you Collin?" he asked irritated.

"You can tell me where the hell you're keeping my daughter," Skye demanded as she entered the room with Jax and Jason following closely at her heels.

Trystan didn't look surprised to see her or the others, but merely raised an eyebrow at her statement. "Keeping ::our:: daughter? I have no idea what you're talking about," he claimed.

"I'll bet," she grumbled.

"Mrs. Hamilton, you may leave now," he instructed the woman.

She nodded and turned to them, "Would you like some tea?"

"No they would not like some tea," Trystan answered for them. "Leave now."

"He'd probably poison it anyway," Skye grumbled again.

"I'm sorry, what was it you were saying dear?" he asked, his voice dripping with a poisoned sweetness.

Skye curled her lip in anger and opened her mouth to reply but was cut off by Jax. "What have you done to Dawne Bryant," he demanded.

"I've done nothing to my daughter Mr. Jacks, I would never hurt her," he claimed smoothly.

"Cut the bullshit Trystan," Skye intervened, stepping forward. "My daughter was kidnapped on Sunday night on her way back to school, and mysteriously on Monday you disappear as well. Did you think we were stupid and couldn't put two and two together? We know you did it, now where is she?"

Trystan was silent for a moment, then sat forward in his chair. "I was informed Monday afternoon by one of my men in France that Dawne had been taken. I came home immediately and contacted the police."

"Do you expect us to by that lie?" Jason asked.

"It's not a lie, in fact it is the complete truth," Bryant replied as the phone rang. He leaned forward casually and picked up the phone. "Bryant.... Ah, Bonjour Capitaine. Comment la recherche va?" he drawled into the phone in a perfect imitation of a true Frenchman.

Skye immediately straightened and marched over to his desk. "Search, what search?" she demanded.

"Tient sur un moment.... Merci," Trystan said into the phone then turned his attention to Skye. "The search for our daughter is being conducted in France, the captain is updating me," Trystan explained.

Skye frowned and leaned over the desk and snatched the phone out of his hand. She pressed the button labeled 'speaker' and hung up the hand held. "Please continue Captain," she said in French.

"With whom am I speaking to?" the man on the other end of the line asked.

"I'm the child's mother," Skye replied.

"I see," the man answered. "In that case: I've expanded the search once again by a 100 mile radius although the odds show the kidnapper has probably left France. If that is the situation, the case will be passed on to the next jurisdiction."

"Is there no new evidence?" Bryant questioned.

"No sir, it seems the kidnapper was a professional, there was nothing left behind," the man explained in his native language. "We are still waiting for a ransom note as well."

Trystan sighed. "Thank you captain, please continue to keep me informed."

"With pleasure sir, ma'am," the man hung up the phone seconds later.

Trystan ended the call and looked up at Skye. "As I was saying, I immediately contacted the police."

Skye curled her lip and turned away from him marching back over to Jax who looked just as confused as Jason. "I'll tell you later," she waved a hand dismissing their confusion.

"If there is nothing else, you may leave," Trystan suggested as he rifled through his papers, searching for nothing in particular.

"Come one Skye, let's go," Jax placed his hands on her shoulders and nodded in the direction of the door. "We're not going to learn anything more here today."

Skye threw Trystan a look of dislike and nodded. "Jason, Collin," she waved for them to follow.

Collin followed the couple and threw Jason a glance over his shoulder as he walked out, but Jason nodded for him to continue. Jason waited until Collin shut the door before turning back to the man sitting in the large desk across the room.

"Yes?" Trystan asked after several long seconds of complete silence from the man staring down at him.

"I told you not to touch either of them. I warned you of what would happen if you did, but you didn't listen," Jason said slowly so every word was precise.

"As I told the others, I did not kidnap my child," Trystan repeated.

Jason lept at Bryant so fast he didn't have time to react and had the man in a headlock before he could protest. "Dawne is ::not:: your child. She is Skye's daughter, you are in no way apart of that little girl's life and if I have anything to say about it you never will be. Do you understand me?"

Trystan laughed. "Do you ever get tired of being a mobster's hitman? Now you're your sister's protector, and she's not even your real sister."

"DNA doesn't matter to me or my father, she's my sister no matter what you or anyone else says," Jason replied. He released Trystan forcefully and was immensely satisfied when the bastard started coughing from lack of air. "When this is all over, I will kill you Bryant. You can count on it." He promised and walked out of the room, not bothering to shut the door behind him.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Yeah, okay so this was chapter 16. I see Skye's supposed to be on tomorrow, maybe seeing her on the screen for the next few weeks (which is a rumor btw) will get these last few chapters out much faster. There is a definite possibility of a sequel to this, revolving more around Collin, but it will have other characters in it of course, especially SAX. JOURNEY, S/C, Zem/Nem (undecided) and more will also be featured. I'll bring more couples into it than there were in this one and do more with it (meaning other people will have bigger parts, it won't be all Skye). I'll let you know for sure on the last chapter if I decide to go through with a sequel, so be sure to specify if you're interested in a sequel or not. Thanks, don't forget to REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!