MASK: Legacy Saga 2: Death Becomes Her

Chapter 6

Author's Notes: In an attempt to make up for my wicked and evil ways the last few chapters, I've posted what's hopefully a long enough chapter soon enough that you, our loyal fans, will be satisfied. Well, at least temporarily satisfied…satisfied enough not to leave implied threats in our reviews… grin In all seriousness though, we're really glad you've all enjoyed the story so far and continue to stick with us, even through the rotten 'leave the reader wondering' stages. Thanks again for all the input…

We now return to our originally scheduled story, already in progress… smile

"Sir, I'm afraid I'm going to have to search your bag."

Buddy made no movements to comply with the police officer's request. Instead, he flashed his PNA ID, folded his arms across his chest defiantly and said tersely, "I've already been through this with your friends downstairs. These are Annie Turner's personal belongings. She's a High Mountain Ranger from the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and I can guarantee that the contents of this bag are completely legal. The girl's been through enough tonight, let's not add to it by invading her personal privacy."

"Police procedure…"

"I'll take personal responsibility for Miss Turner's belongings."

Matt rescued Buddy quickly, having overheard a portion of the conversation. Buddy left Matt arguing with the police officer, smiling in admiration as the multi-millionaire used his power and influence to smooth things over. The smile drifted away from his face and he again became serious when he saw Brad and Annie sitting together in the waiting room. Father and daughter both looked exhausted, and although both their eyes were closed, he doubted either one of them had gotten much sleep. He approached quietly, and set the bag down gently in front of the couch they were sitting on.

"Brad?"

But it was Annie who opened her eyes to look up at him, even though he hadn't wanted to disturb her. He could already see the guilt and fear behind her eyes, so he tried to give her a supportive smile. "Morning, Red."

Brad's eyes snapped open at the sound of Annie's almost inaudible reply.

"Hi Buddy."

"I came as soon as I could," Buddy said to Brad, before he turned his eyes back to Annie. "Your father asked me to bring some of your things. He thought you'd appreciate a change of clothes. That's the extra bag you always keep stored in your locker."

"Is everything in there?" Annie asked as she sat up and looked over at the bag on the floor, then glanced pointedly at Buddy.

He nodded, knowing exactly what she meant by 'everything'. "Whatever you put in there is still there."

Annie nearly took Brad's eye out with her elbow as she maniacally searched one of the hidden zippered compartments. She felt a wave of calm, cold relief wash over her as she pulled out the twin long knives she'd placed inside. The fear and guilt were still uppermost and present in her mind, but she could at least lose the sense of vulnerability she had since the accident occurred.

"I certainly hope you have permits for those," Buddy broke in, "because if you don't, the police are going to chop mine and Matt's heads from the necks we stuck out for you."

"I do." Annie slipped the knives back into her duffel and stood, giving Buddy a tight hug that he gladly returned. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

He expected her to pull away and rush off to change, but instead she leaned closer and whispered softly in his ear, "I should have listened to you."

"Hindsight's always 20/20, Red," Buddy whispered back to her, unsure what else to say. "We'll just take it as it comes now."

Annie nodded and let go of him to turn around and find her father looking ominously at the knives in her bag. He had finally gotten used to the idea of her carrying weapons, he just wasn't sure that now was the right place or time for it.

"Are you sure you need those right now?"

"I've never needed them more, Dad," Annie replied tonelessly as she picked up her duffel and headed towards the ladies room.

Buddy exchanged a worried glance with Brad as they both watched Annie walk away. As soon as she was out of hearing range, he started to make a confession as to what was really going on, but Brad beat him by making a statement of his own.

"She has a hit contract out on her life." When Buddy paused and didn't reply right away, Brad glared at him accusingly and his hidden anger exploded. "You KNEW already, didn't you! Damn you, you KNEW? When the hell did you plan on telling me?"

I knew this would come back on me. "Annie didn't want you to know, Brad. She was afraid it would ruin her vacation…"

"Oh, so you'd rather someone ruined her life, possibly permanently! What the hell's the matter with you, Buddy!"

Buddy closed his eyes and tried to come up with something to say that wouldn't take Brad's ire up another notch. He found himself saved by Matt's timely arrival and his soft, calm statement of reply.

"WE were waiting for the right time to tell you."

"WE!" Brad tried to keep his voice from rising above an angry hiss. "Is this some kind of conspiracy?"

"I blackmailed Annie into letting me tell Matt," Buddy finally spoke up.

"By not telling me?"

"By not telling you OR Scott," Matt interjected pointedly.

Brad turned and let out a deep sigh, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans. He saw the guilt clearly on his daughter's face, and now he knew exactly how deep it ran. When he turned back to his two friends, his voice was much calmer, but no less angry.

"You have NO IDEA how it makes me feel to have to hear this from Vanessa." Buddy and Matt didn't reply, but their eyes showed complete surprise. "That's right, Vanessa…my TERRORIST ex. It's bad enough that I couldn't hear it from my own daughter, now I find out that two of my closest friends are holding out on me. I can't believe that the only one who gave a damn about telling me that Annie's life was in danger is the one who's had the least to do with it!"

"Brad…" Both Matt and Buddy tried to soothe.

"I know that there were some people, including myself," Brad went on, "that didn't think I was cut out to be a father, but let me tell you something… The minute I held that little girl in my arms, she became my whole world, and I would do just about ANYTHING to keep her safe. But I can't DO that if nobody tells me anything…"

He let his anger deflate somewhat when he saw Annie returning. She had changed into a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt, covered by her High Mountain Rangers jacket. She had also taken her hair down and put it in its typical braid. She looked a little better, but Brad could still see the various emotions in her eyes as she approached the trio. She locked glances with her father before she turned back to Matt and Buddy.

"He knows…"

"We know." Buddy couldn't help a half smile, before he turned sober again. "But don't worry, Red, I'm going to get to the bottom of this for you, I promise."

The subject changed as the doctor entered the waiting room, "Mr. Trakker?"

"Yes?" Matt turned his entire attention to the doctor.

"He manage to make it through surgery, and we were able to stabilize him. He fractured a few ribs, but luckily no internal bleeding was found. We believe he stuffed a concussion, but we won't be able to determine that until he wakes up. The thing is Mr. Trakker, he took a massive blow to the head. At the moment, he's resting in a deep coma."

"When do you think he'll wake up?"

"It's hard to say maybe tonight, a few days, maybe weeks, months, maybe never." The doctor said with utmost importance, "If he has serious brain damage, his body won't be able to live on it's own, but only time will tell. I'm sure you'll want to see him."

Matt nodded with understanding that the doctor didn't want to get their hopes up. Scott was still in critical condition and nothing would be back to normal until he woke up.

Brad, Matt, Buddy, and Annie walked over to Scott's room. As they peered through the glass, they noticed Scott was hooked up to every type of monitor possible. Annie bit her lip as she starred in horror. Her father put a comforting hand on his daughter's shoulders insisting she should go first. Annie slowly stepped into the room already focused on the heart monitor beeping. Her eyes then drift to Scott's pale face noticing the scratches and bruises all over it. She grabbed his hand and held it, "Look at what I did to you."

Instead of Brad being there to comfort her, Matt put an arm around her starring down at his son face, "You didn't do this to him, and Scott already knows that. I don't blame you and nobody else does either.

"But Roxanne will blame me." She covered her face trying to prevent herself from crying any further.

"I didn't tell her, because now isn't the time to bring up old grudges. Right now we need to be here for Scott and help him pull through," Matt pulled up a chair for her. "Always remember Annie. He loves you…loves you so much that he's willing to risk everything for you. There are something in life you just can't change."

"But if I would of..."

He stopped her before she could utter any more excuses, "Either way Scott would of stood in the line of fire for you no matter what. Clearly he's not going to give up on you either, else he wouldn't be holding on for his life."

Annie softly smiled at Matt's kind words, then sat down rubbing Scotts hand, "And I'll be here when he wakes up, to show I haven't given up on him either."

Out in the hallway, Brad grabbed Buddy by the arm before he could take off, "I want another word with you."

"I already know your debating if were still friends, but I need to get going if I'm gonna catch that bastard," Buddy insisted.

"Your going to report back to me who did this and let me wring that son of a bitch's neck."

"And you'll what murder the guy?"

"That's exactly what he attempted to do to my little girl!" Brad temper started to flare, but his voice toned down once he remembered where he was, "Now Scotts the one lying in a coma."

"Think about Annie? How she going to react when she finds out her father committed murder. You think spending the rest of your life in prison is going to make her any happier. If she loses Scott, then you…how is she going to be able to move on with her life?"

Brad was speechless and instead hit the nearby wall with his fist to vent his rage.

Buddy continued on, "You want to protect Annie? The only way you can do that is by being with her. She's not out of danger yet Brad. As soon as they realize they got the wrong person, they'll most likely try again."

"Your right. I just feel kind of helpless right now."

Buddy put a reassuring arm on his friend's shoulder, "Trust me Brad. I know how the underground works. I'll see to it the culprit pays dearly for messing with the wrong family."

Brad looked into his friend's eyes and saw his determination, "Just be sure to add a few more punches in for me." Buddy nodded with a smile, then left Brad to join Matt and Annie.