** Author's note that is actually a NOTE! - I am SOOOO sorry you guys… all my loyal readers… it's been a while (kicks self in rear – & just so you know, it's hard to do…) and I apologize. A mixture of life taking over (damn it…), brain drought, frustration, and other stories are my excuses (I know, I know… there are no excuses… I've heard that quite a bit…) for being a serious slacker. Anyways, all I can do is say I'm sorry and beg for your forgiveness… and beg for your reviews! I want to know what you thought of the last action part! So, take a gander and give me a piece of your mind (good or bad). Ta for now! (And did I mention that this part is fairly long?? I'm sure there are some of you out there dancing a little jig… so, enjoy!)
** Author's gratitude (one of the last before the end… sniff):
Jerilee … you never fail to inspire me with your reviews. sings unabashedly 'You are my shining star…' Thank you… and this is almost finished. I am sad too, trust me sniff, sniff All my hard work, trials and tribulations, callused fingers from hours on the computer, empty Excedrin bottles from the countless headaches of plot induced misery... Soon to be in the past – well, with this story anyways. I must be glutton for punishment to continue on in other stories… Oh well… I hope you like the rest. I've dragged you along this far, I don't want to disappoint! Let me know what you think!
Luvcarlo … Thank you!! I can't wait for the next part either! Oh… wait… here it is!! J
Nattie … I'm glad you thought it was exciting! I hope you think the end is as well…
Rach6 … I'm glad you like the way I went with it. I was worried that people were going to go "Huh? What?" and look at me like I'm crazy… but as long as at least one person is enjoying it, I don't give a rat's heiny… Anyways, I agree, Stefan should have gone out with a bang… not the crappy way he did. Oh well. I hope this meets your approval. Thanks for the review!
Tory … Many thanks for your review… and I'm glad you mentioned the regret stuff – I threw that in, just for you! As for the kidnapping there is a higher purpose, a method to my madness, if you will. And you'd think that L & J wouldn't let her out of their sight… but again… methods and purposes… J
Cassandra Mulder … I've hoped that you will enjoy the rest from Chp 12 on… Let me know what you think of those parts too! I adore Carly/Lorenzo as well…a sucker for a good romance is what I am… And they've certainly got the potential to be that and more!
Alkyluver … Love your name! And thank you for your review. And don't race through it! Savor it! It's almost over! sniff Well, hopefully, you will enjoy the last bits. Please let me know what you think!!!
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"She's in Port Charles?" Lorenzo asked into the phone.
"Yes… We've located Ms. Germaine. She landed over an hour ago," one of the guards said.
"And I'm just learning about this now, why?" a perturbed Lorenzo asked.
"Well, sir, between Ms. Spencer and Ms. Germaine, plus the surveillance on Cassidine, our resources are a little thin. We're checking everything, but it takes a little time," the guard said, thankful he was only on the phone with his upset employer. Lorenzo took a breath.
"Fine. I want to know where she goes. If you can, I want to know who she talks to and who else she's working with," Lorenzo instructed. The man on the other end gave an affirmative and hung up. As soon as he set down the phone, the object rang again.
"What?" he answered after snatching it back up.
"I heard Sophie's on the ground," Jason's voice greeted. Lorenzo ran a quick hand over his face.
"Yes. And she has been for over an hour… What have you and Luke come up with?" he asked.
"Luke's been finding all of Stefan's properties, but it's taken a little time. I've had a guard stationed at Wyndemere… our best bet is that he's holding her there. There has been an unusual amount of activity reported from our guard there. And it would make sense. If he proposes a meeting with Sophie there or draws her there in another way, she won't have a way out but to deal. No room for fancy escapes, plus it's his turf," Jason explained. Lorenzo was pleased at Jason's news and reasoning. He knew that the other man was equally devoted to Carly's safety as he, Lorenzo, was.
"It makes sense," he said. Jason muttered an agreement.
"But I don't want to move just yet. We need some firm evidence. I don't want us to go crashing in there and us be wrong. It could be fatal for Carly," Jason said. Lorenzo sighed.
"This whole situation is fatal for Carly," he said. There was silence on Jason's end for a second or two. "Where's Luke?"
"He's taking his own scope of Wyndemere. If anyone knows the Cassidines, it would be Luke. He'll know if something's up there," Jason said.
"Fine. Call me when you get anything," Lorenzo said before he hung up. With a sigh, he turned to look out the apartment window. The waiting was hard. Knowing he couldn't do anything at this point was a lot harder. With a sigh, he knew that he needed to find something to do. Otherwise, he was going to drive himself crazy.
An hour and a half later, he found himself outside Jason Morgan's penthouse. He'd been over with Bobbie, telling her what was going on, when an idea hit him. An idea that involved Jason Morgan. Lorenzo knocked quickly on the door as he stood next to Johnny. Jason opened the door quickly and walked back into the apartment, expecting Lorenzo to follow. Johnny closed the door behind him as he followed Morgan.
"Have you heard anything?" Jason asked, silently wondering what brought the other man to his place. Lorenzo shook his head.
"No, I haven't," he said. "I just wish Sonny would have left Carly out of this. He dragged her into a situation that she didn't need to be in. He should have left her alone…" The man's words caused Jason to see red. His barely concealed anger and dislike towards the man finally came out in words.
"Well, if you'd left her alone in the first place, then none of this would have ever happened!" Jason yelled. "She would have been safe, with Sonny, and never have gone through anything that has happened." Lorenzo turned to look at Jason.
"Safe? With Corinthos? Stop deluding yourself Morgan. He's the one that set all of this in motion… his participation has been paramount to all of Carly's stress. And even if I hadn't been here, it would have all come out to a similar ending… if not a worse one. Take off your blinders and realize that Corinthos is nothing but a self-destructive egomaniac. He breaks… and when he does, he takes everything and everyone he loves down with him. You're his best friend… you should know this. You've cleaned up his messes," Lorenzo pointed out. The anger in Jason's eyes cooled to a thoughtful gaze as he watched the man in front of him.
"Sonny is a good man… he loves his family and is a good businessman," Jason said evenly. Lorenzo smiled as he downed the rest of his drink.
"I can't refute your words, Morgan. Corinthos is a better man than most. But that does not mean he is without his faults… explosive, destructive faults. And yes, he does love his family. Yet that doesn't mean they won't suffer because of it. You should know better. You love his family, too…" Lorenzo pointed out with satisfaction, as the usually unflappable Jason Morgan looked uncomfortable. After a second of silence, Jason crossed his arms.
"Yes, I do love them. And that means I need to look out for them. And from what I've seen, you're no better for her than Sonny was," he said. Lorenzo smiled again as the pronouns switched from 'them' to 'her'.
"Or you?" he prodded. Jason's eyes narrowed slightly.
"What are you trying to get at, Alcazar? This conversation is becoming pointless…" he said.
"Ah, finally… the meat of the conversation. You see, I am better for her than Corinthos ever dreamed he could be. The reason? To put it simply, I am both willing and able to do whatever it takes to keep her and her children safe and make her happy," Lorenzo said as he crossed the room and sat down on the sofa. Jason watched with wary eyes.
"Willing and able? Those are just words," he said. Lorenzo crossed his legs almost lazily as amused blue eyes met guarded ones.
"Sit down, Morgan. You and I have quite a bit to discuss…"
***************************************
Luke watched carefully from behind a set of bushes at the dock. Six guards boarded the boat that was destined for Wyndemere. It only confirmed that Stefan was holding Caroline at the Cassidine equivalent of Transylvania.
"What an idiot…" Luke muttered to himself. "He had to have known that we'd figure it out… And to trap himself in his damn fortress with Sophie Germaine. But then again… once a psycho, always a psycho…" The movement in his pocket told him that someone was trying to reach him. Taking his cell phone out, his eyes watched the ferry depart.
"What?" he asked into the phone.
"Luke! It's Dillon!" a young voice said. Luke smirked to himself at the barely contained excitement in the teenager's voice.
"What do you want, kid?" he asked.
"It's Ms. Germaine! She just left the hotel with five guards in tow!" young Quartermaine imparted. Luke purse his lips as he racked his brain.
"Shit… it's going down tonight. If she just left, we don't have much time. Get a hold of Alcazar and I'll rope Jason. We need to get to Wyndemere and fast. Count Vlad has called in some reinforcements…" Luke informed the boy.
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"Why are you doing this?" Carly rasped as Stefan removed her gag and held a straw up to her dry lips. She drank quickly as he watched her. When she finished the water he set the glass on the tray next to him. As he reached up to replace the gag, she held her head back, making him pause.
"I want to know," she said with more strength. "Why…" Stefan chuckled.
"There really is no why, Mrs. Corinthos. At least, not one that you really aren't aware of," he said. Carly frowned.
"Sophie Germaine. Why does everything come back to her?" she said. Stefan chuckled again as he stood.
"She thinks you are dead, Mrs. Corinthos. All you need to know is that this is a simple game of leverage. She has leverage over me… I owe her money. And I'm going to pay her back by rectifying her mistake," he said. Carly shook her head with a chuckle.
"If she thinks I'm dead, what's going to make her believe I'm here with you? And if she does come, what's to stop her from rectifying her own mistake… and taking you out with me?" Carly asked. Stefan's face became hard.
"I am no fool, Mrs. Corinthos. She'll come… and when she does, she won't pose a threat," he said. This time Carly laughed outright.
"She's not that stupid," she said. The man in front of her smirked only slightly.
"No… but she is that naïve. Sophie Germaine is only dangerous because she is motivated by revenge. A revenge that will live as long as Lorenzo Alcazar remains alive. Ms. Germaine is merely a puppet that has danced to my tune…" he said. Carly frowned.
"It sounded the other way around to me," Carly said as she thought back to what Lorenzo had told her about Cassidine and Sophie.
"Don't be a fool," he said. "Ms. Germaine is only of a use to me because of her family's money and connections. I've followed her family for years. And now, my well-laid plans in the past are coming to fruition at a time the Cassidine family needs them the most. Her quest for revenge will take out both Lorenzo Alcazar and Sonny Corinthos, if they don't take each other out… this town will then be mine…" Carly's eyes widened as the information he had given her finally started to make sense.
"This isn't about you owing her money… You're using her… You want a piece of the town…" she said. "This is all business…" Stefan smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.
"Did you think this was personal? As much as the Spencer-Cassidine epic intrigues me, it doesn't intrigue me nearly enough. It is only coincidence that you, my lovely captive, are a Spencer. And as for your insight… who needs a piece of the town when I can have the whole thing?" he asked as he reached out and tugged the gag back in place, obviously done talking for the moment. He looked to the legion of guards that stood by the door.
"Notify me immediately when Ms. Germaine arrives. Make sure she is unarmed. And if anyone else accompanies her arrival… kill them." Carly's eyes watered as she bit down on the musty gag. If anyone tried to find her, they'd be sitting ducks. There was nothing she could do.
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Lorenzo met up with Luke on the docks with Jason following him.
"What have you got?" Jason asked. Luke shrugged.
"What I've got is that the Dark Prince's play at tying the game is going down tonight… and he's got his goons on the lookout at Wyndemere. We've got to get there… and from the rumblings… soon," he said. "I've secured us a way there…"
"Then lead the way," Lorenzo gestured, keeping his gun in his hand. Luke smiled as he began walking to the other end of the dock. Both Jason and Lorenzo looked in astonishment as the man pulled a dirty tarp off of the pride and joy of the Port Charles Police Department's water patrol team.
"You're going to sail us up to Stefan Cassidine's back door in that?" Jason asked. Lorenzo was just speechless.
"Leave it to Luke to find an unconventional, if not irrational, way to accomplish things," a voice said from behind them. The three men turned, two guns drawn, at the new addition. Jason lowered his gun and let out a breath.
"Sonny… when did you get back?" he asked. Sonny approached where the men stood, hands in his pockets.
"A little while ago… Johnny informed me of what was going on. I'm with you in this," he said, looking around at the men before locking eyes with Lorenzo.
"What makes you think I'm going to trust you, Corinthos? You were in league with Cassidine before," Lorenzo pointed out. Sonny shook his head.
"I don't care what you think. Carly is still my wife… and for however long that fact remains, I will keep her safe. Regardless of what you all think, I love her… and I will help you see her home," he said. "Besides, I've received some insider information that Cassidine has his sights set on a higher prize. One that I am not willing to let him achieve…" Jason watched his boss closely. Whatever information Sonny had, he wasn't going to share.
"Fine. We could use the help. But I'm not going anywhere in that," Lorenzo said, turning to point to Luke's 'acquired' transportation. Luke held up his hands.
"Hey… it was ironically easy to steal, okay? You want to take a stab at another, be my guest. But we're rapidly running out of time here. My niece is with a psycho, and soon to be in the presence of another psycho. No time to dawdle girls," he said as he climbed into the speedboat. Jason closed his eyes in frustration as he climbed in behind the man. Lorenzo nodded for Sonny to go in first.
"Johnny, Max, Ryan… you're with us," Jason announced to the three guards. Luke started the boat and everyone situated themselves. It took only a matter of minutes before Luke was slowing the boat down for their approach. Every occupant of the small craft tensed as Luke cut the motor and let the boat coast into the shore soundlessly. Jason was the first out of the boat as it skidded to a halt, Lorenzo following closely behind him. Luke, leaving the boat to the guards, stepped in front of the two men.
"I know the way in… there are secret passages in here that the Underground Railroad would have been proud of… Once we get inside, we'll have to split up…" Luke said as he let the way towards an un-pruned shrub that was beginning to climb its way up the musty brick and stone of the ages old fortress. He reached back and pulled some of the branches away, revealing a small rusted gate.
"May I ask how it is you knew that was there?" Lorenzo asked as the white haired man pulled the gate open with practiced ease.
"Of course you may ask…. Let's just say that you don't have a decades old feud without learning to hold some aces up the sleeve…" Luke said as he ducked under the low stone archway and entered into the dark passageway. The six other men followed him without further question. As they emerged into the wings of Wyndemere's underground rooms Luke took in his surroundings. He pointed to their right as he turned to the three guards.
"The stairs are that way… The four of us will go that way and make sure Caroline isn't being held anywhere down here. Keep a watch and if anyone sees you, get rid of 'em," Luke said. Lorenzo had to smirk to himself as he watched Luke march down the hall like he owned the place. Not finding any place of consequence to search, he turned around and started walking back.
"Nothing worth seeing down there, kiddies… My guess is he's probably got her somewhere on the second floor… probably his office or in one of the hidden back rooms," he said, walking between Jason and Lorenzo. If one didn't know better, they'd think Luke Spencer had done this at least once before…
"Hands up, or I'll shoot," a voice said from behind them. They all turned, the three guns aimed at the new presence. Luke put his hands up and stepped forward with a frown.
"Where were you hiding, Casper?" he asked, looking around the hallway for the place from whence the gunman came.
"I have orders to kill whoever trespasses…" the guard said, pointing his gun at Luke.
"Well, genius… it's three guns against one. And don't forget an angry fist… Who do you think's going to walk away?" Luke asked as he waved a fist threateningly in front of him. "Don't you brainless thugs have any sense of self-preservation?" The guard was smart enough, after a moment of hesitation, to drop the gun and put his hands up. Luke smirked as he bent down to pick up the discarded firearm. He stood up and took a healthy swing at the man in front of him. The guard fell like a ton of bricks. Jason and Lorenzo, guns still held up, shared a look. Amusement, irritation… it was all the same when it came to Luke Spencer.
"Could you possibly be a little less conspicuous?" Jason asked, his eyes sparing a glance at the guard's prone form.
"Naaaaaah. It wouldn't be fun without a little conspicuousness…" he said as he motioned for the three men to follow him.
"Do you have any idea where we are going?" Sonny hissed as they made their way around the building. Luke glared at him over his shoulder.
"Well, if you'd just shut up and follow me, then you'll get your answer, won't you?" he asked as he made his way back to where Johnny, Max and Ryan were waiting.
"Let's go… we have a Spencer to save…"
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Carly's eyes carefully observed as four armed guards entered the room. Stefan sat comfortably in his chair, swirling a brandy next to the fire. It was as if he hadn't a care in the world. Her eyes narrowed hatefully as she observed the man nonchalantly looking over a handful of paperwork. As one of his guards closed the door, he looked up, over the rim of his glasses.
"Yes?" he asked.
"Your guest has arrived… and as you commanded, she is unarmed and unescorted," one of the guards said. Stefan smiled, giving him only a slight look of approachability.
"Excellent, Martin. Please have her accompanied here," he said. The guard nodded and he exited the door. Stefan looked over to Carly. Her eyes iced over as she mumbled something into the gag.
"Well… our party is about to begin, Mrs. Corinthos," he said. He reached over and pulled the gag away. "I'm not quite so rude enough to forgo your parting words…" Carly worked her jaw for a second or two before she looked up at him.
"When did you become so black hearted?" she asked, causing him to chuckle.
"I've always been, as you put it, black hearted. Haven't you heard your uncle's stories?" he asked. Carly shook her head.
"But not like this… why are you doing this?" she asked, begging to understand this man. Stefan's blue eyes were unreadable… almost if they were stone. His face was serious when he turned back to her.
"My family has suffered much from this town… and when this is finished, I will be the one to make it suffer," he said. Carly let out a strangled laugh.
"Your family suffered? When? When Helena was at the reigns and ruining people's lives? Like my cousin's? Or when she brought Stavros back so that they could be the happy, murdering, torturing mother/son team that Port Charles could be proud of?" she asked sarcastically. Her eyes softened only slightly when she looked back at him. "Stefan, you don't have to be like them. You can end this now, let me go. Leave Port Charles behind, start somewhere else. You have the resources, the connections…" Stefan looked amused at her pleading as he reached out and gripped her chin.
"Mrs. Corinthos, you're enchanting when you attempt to champion a lost cause… but no matter. Your words mean nothing. And soon, you will be nothing. My duty to my family calls for this. I will step up where my mother… and brother… failed. I will rule this town with an iron fist, as was meant for the Cassidine legacy," he said, dropping his hand. His stony demeanor and dictatorial words only enraged Carly.
"Fine! Kill me Stefan… what can I do about it? But you won't get away with it, believe me! You'll have the most powerful men in Port Chuck gunning for you. So, I really hope that while you're rotting away in prison, your mommy issues and your iron fist can keep you warm at night, because they will be all that's left of the Cassidine legacy… that and the eternal shame of yet another failure," she spat out. A fist met the side of her face before she could blink. The stars danced in front of her eyes and the world had actually gone black for a second. She could feel herself leaning to a side, unable to gather her wits. When finally, the world righted itself, she lifted her head with a glare at the man standing in front of her. He watched her, mouth tight and rubbing his fist.
"It is not in my nature to strike a woman," he said, the anger he must have felt in order to strike her not registering on his face. "Nikolas has told me that your mouth has often driven steadier men to such measures, if not more." When she opened her mouth for another angry retort, his hand quickly replaced the band of cloth in her mouth. Just as he straightened, a knock came at the door and the guard, Martin, stepped in.
"Ms. Germaine to see you, sir," he said. Stefan held up a hand, telling the guard to wait for a second. He went to his desk, pulled out a gun and checked the clip. Casually, he clasped his arms in the back, concealing the weapon as he walked calmly next to Carly and then stepped in front of her, blocking her view of the door.
"Please, see her in." Carly watched as best she could from around Stefan as a frowning, yet stunning Sophie Germaine was escorted into the room.
"What is the meaning of all this Cassidine? What have you done with my guards?" she demanded. Carly couldn't see the emotionless smile that crossed his face, but she could imagine it. He stepped only slightly to the side, so that Sophie now had full view of Carly. The other woman's eyes widened as she spotted the 'dead' woman.
"What is she doing alive, Cassidine?" she growled. Stefan shrugged.
"That really is supposed to be my question for you," he said. Sophie's eyes snapped to his.
"Is this why you called me?" she demanded again.
"Of course," he answered cheerfully. He moved his hands in front of him, calling Sophie's attention to the gun.
"Well, are you going to shoot her? Finish your job?" she asked, indicating Carly.
"Patience, my dear. Patience. We have yet to discuss my fee," Stefan said, casually waving the gun around in the air. Sophie's eyes narrowed.
"Fee? There is no fee. You will simply finish the job you were hired to do," she said regally. Stefan merely smiled again.
"Carly Corinthos wasn't my job, if you recall. My duties were simply to orchestrate the kidnapping of one Lorenzo Alcazar," he said. "Paid in full." Sophie crossed her arms.
"You haven't paid anything. You still owe me… so finish it," she said. This time, Stefan raised the gun and pointed it at her.
"I don't think you understand the gravity of your situation, Ms. Germaine," he said. "Your guards are now dead… you are unarmed. I will be the one raising demands." Sophie smartly shut up. Stefan walked behind Carly and placed the gun to her temple, causing her to jerk back. She didn't want to die. Terror gripped Carly as she felt the metal sit coolly against her skin. It's not there. She tried to pretend, but it was hard to do when she could almost taste the metal of the gun in her mouth. Or was that her fear?
"I could pull this trigger," he said, causing Carly to close her eyes. "But I will do it for a price… a cancellation of what you say I 'owe'." Sophie watched Stefan with shrewd eyes. After a second, the woman shook her head.
"What you owe and what she is worth do not begin to equal each other. Your debt stands. Kill her or don't kill her, it makes no difference to me at this moment," she said. Stefan's eyes iced over and he pointed the gun back at Sophie.
"Cancel the debt. I don't want to kill you, but I will if I must," he said. This time Sophie smirked.
"You've gone quite mad, haven't you?" she asked in a provoking sort of way. Carly rolled her eyes. Duh you stupid bitch!
"Do you care to test me?" Stefan asked back. Sophie held out her arms.
"Kill me if you have to. But where will you be when you do? You won't have the Germaine assistance anymore. You won't have anything. All that you have now is because of me. I wouldn't forget that if I were you," she said. Stefan squeezed the trigger. The bullet slammed into the wall directly behind the other woman. A mere six inches to the right and it would have been her head.
"I don't want to bandy words with you anymore, Ms. Germaine. You have two options. One, you cancel the debt and walk free… Mrs. Corinthos' death a show of my goodwill. Or two, you can die where you stand," he said. Sophie was about to give her answer when the door burst open. Carly's eyes widened and she let out a muffled scream as Lorenzo stood there, gun aimed at Stefan's heart. He was alone, and Carly knew that he didn't know Sophie was there. She tried to call out a warning but it was useless against the gag. Sophie had jumped onto Lorenzo's back and was clawing for the gun. Struggling with the ties on her wrists Carly tried to free herself as she saw Stefan aim the gun at the struggling pair. He fired one shot and Carly's insides twisted until she saw Sophie drop to the ground, clutching her side. Then, he fired another shot as Luke and Jason burst into the room each ducking behind a piece of furniture and firing shots of their own at the guards that had accompanied them into the mayhem. Two more shots rang out. From who, Carly couldn't tell as she watched in horror as Lorenzo fell to the ground… it was almost in slow motion as she waited for his body to limply hit the floor. A strangled scream caught in her throat again. Carly pulled valiantly at the rope that held her to the chair. The skin rubbed raw and she could feel the blood begin to run slowly over her hands. Silence suddenly rang through her head as she watched the man that had become her whole world lay still on the cold floor. The gag in her mouth no longer tasted of anything… the pain in her wrists and face was non-existent… the fear she had felt earlier was now replaced with a numbness. Her head turned slowly as she watched the other events unfold. Everything occurred quickly – so quickly it was like watching a movie on fast-forward… but she was still stuck in slow motion. Carly's head tilted back in the chair as she watched Johnny run in and take out two guards. Sonny had also burst through the door – when had that happened? – and two shots from his gun had found purchase in Stefan Cassidine. She blinked once as she watched the man who had taken her captive fall to the floor, only to blink again, unconcerned, as Luke scrambled madly over the fallen man. Her gaze moved again, away from the scene at her feet. Out of the corner of her eyes she saw a movement – a flash of metal. Carly's eyes shot to Jason as she saw the spark from his discharged firearm in the dimly lit room. She didn't flinch as another body fell at her feet, a hand lying lifelessly against her leg. Carly closed her eyes… willing herself to wake up. Telling herself that this was a dream… a horrible, awful dream and that when she opened her eyes everything would be okay. No one would be hurt, she would be back in Lorenzo's penthouse, in his arms… When she did open her eyes, she jumped slightly when she saw Jason kneeling with a concerned look on his face in front of her. When had all the action stopped? His hands came up and removed the gag from her mouth, his hands running over her cheeks. The sound slowly came back to her…
"… ly? Carly? Are you alright?" Jason's voice faded in through the clouds. She wanted to tell him to be quiet. That his voice was too loud… Her arms were now on her lap and she looked at them curiously. When had they been untied? Her eyes searched the room one more time… Sonny was being helped up by Johnny, holding an injured arm. Luke and another guard were standing next to the motionless body of Stefan… who had finally found the better end of a bullet, apparently. Not wanting to look to her left, but needing to anyway, she caught her breath. There he was. The man she loved.
"Carly?" Jason asked drawing her attention to him, only to quiet when she put a hand on his shoulder and stood up. Her legs were still a little shaky and Jason, still kneeling, put a hand on her waist to steady her. Finally, Carly looked down at her best friend. She took his hand in hers and squeezed it. Her other hand ran over his cheek before she let him go and turned to her left once again. Sophie Germaine sat on the floor, a bloody wound in her side and a look of pure malice on her face.
"This isn't over," she seethed. The gun pointed at her head never wavered.
"Oh, I think it is," Lorenzo's voice said menacingly, punctuated by the nearing sirens of Port Charles' finest. He handed the gun he held to one of Jason's guards who had his gun trained on the woman as well. Dismissing any thought of the woman on the floor, he turned, his eyes meeting Carly's. She stood there, hair limp and straggly, shoulders slumped tiredly, body resigned to the terror that had surrounded her, and grotesque circles under her beautiful brown eyes that finally betrayed the deeply buried stress, anxiety and fear that had gripped her over the long months in which everything had elapsed. Lorenzo made to step forward towards her when a clamoring of feet accompanied an official shout.
"PCPD, every stay where you are and put your hands up!!" an officer shouted as he entered.
"Well, well… What I wouldn't give to go shooting in this fish barrel!" Scott Baldwin called as he walked into the room. His eyes lingered on each man for a second or two. Luke Spencer, Sonny Corinthos, Jason Morgan and Lorenzo Alcazar. All men on the DA's most wanted list. Pity that wasn't why he was here… His eyes fell to a pale Sophie Germaine.
"So… the troublemaker of the evening… or one of them, anyways," he said, his gaze lingering on the still form of Stefan Cassidine. Lorenzo turned to the man.
"You've got your mastermind, Baldwin. She had me and Ms. Spencer kidnapped, financially backed a plot on both or our lives – along with Stefan Cassidine - and even has her fingers into the business enough to keep even you happy," he said. Scott nodded to two uniforms to go pick up the injured woman. Jason's guard stepped forward and handed one of the guns he held to an officer.
"You'll find slugs from this gun in various places around here… it Alcazar's gun, but you'll find she was the one that fired it," Jason piped up. And then he pointed to Lorenzo. "And you'll find a couple lodged in the vest Alcazar was wearing… You'll have your evidence to put her away… if you do it by the book…" Carly watched as the DA gave Jason an assessing look. Scott then turned to Luke.
"Surprised to see you here, Spencer… Always thought you were the lone dog… the solo operator… the unaccompanied miscreant…" he said. Luke smirked with a shrug.
"A member of my family was in trouble… and you know what they say about me Baldwin… I'm always where the trouble is…" he said. Scott rolled his eyes.
"Your loyalty to your bloodline is going to end up getting you killed…" he said. "And I'll be the one to throw the ticker tape parade when it does…" The DA finally turned to look at a silent Carly. "So, I take it you're the reason behind this gathering of the gangsters…" Carly nodded slowly as she wrapped her arms around herself. Scott, finally realizing how small Carly looked and how unusually silent she was, stepped forward and gripped her upper arms.
"We're going to get you your statement, and then get you home to your mother, alright Carly?" he asked before letting his grip drop. Carly nodded. Before she let the man lead her out of the room, she let her gaze travel over the four men that meant everything to her. They each saw the relief and reassurance in her eyes. But they also saw the uncertainty and uneasiness seep back into them as she turned to walk out with Scott Baldwin. What that meant, not one of them had a clue.
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Any questions?? :)
* A/N : Okay, folks… this is it! The epilogue's coming up… how's it going to end, you ask? Well, you'll just have to wait and see. It's written and waiting to be posted, but I'm going to be a little devious and see what everyone says about this part! So… review, review, review! It's my shameless, shameless scheme to get the hoards of reviews that I love… so review… order your friends to review…tell your grandparents, parents, significant other, bus driver, invisible friend Gerald to review… heck, get your pet hamster to review! The more reviews, the quicker I post! Muahahahahahahahaha! I'm evil, I know. I've been told on many occasions... :P Love ya'll anyways, despite my evilness… (and please don't get me wrong, I love Stefan and I will miss his deliciously evil character SO much… he just made a really good villain for this… and it's my way of explaining his appalling, substandardly botched death that the Powers That Be graced us with…)