Everything Burns
Chapter: 9
Pairing: Robert & Holly
Rating: PG
"Holly." Barry said softly. "I'm sorry. Benjamin doesn't want to talk to you."
Her tears started to fall all over again. "Dammit!" she swore. "I should have never lied to him about his Father!"
"You did what you had to do." he replied. "You protected your sons, Holly. They're alive and well because of everything you've done to ensure their safety. Benjamin will eventually come around."
"No he won't." she cried. "He refuses to see me, he won't even speak to me. In trying to protect him the only thing I've manage to do is push him farther and farther way from me. Benjamin will never forgive me for what I've done."
"He just needs some time."
"I've lost him, Barry." she sobbed. "It's all my fault. All I ever wanted to do is protect my sons from Cesar and I thought that I had succeeded, but now in retrospect I realize that everything I did was wrong."
"Holly." he said softly. "You're being far too hard on yourself. Benjamin will come around."
She wiped away her tears. "Perhaps it's for the best." she admitted. "Now that his Father's back maybe they can connect over their disdain for me. At least Alexander hasn't turned his back on me. Not yet anyway. Not that I wouldn't deserve it if he did."
"I know how hard things have been the past few months, Holly." Barry told her. "But I also know what a wonderful Mother and WSB agent you are. I have faith in you that everything will work out in the end."
"Just tell Benjamin that I love him." she said softly. "Even if he hates me I want him to know that."
"I'll tell him." he replied. "Hang in there, Holly, everything's going to work out."
"I'm not so sure."
"You have to believe in hope." Barry told her. "And in redemption."
"At the moment the only thing I have time to believe in is fate." she replied. "Look, Barry, I'm on a very important assignment right now, one that will more than likely be fatal in the end. I need you to promise me something."
"Anything, Holly." he said softly. "You know that."
"I need to know that you'll take care of Benjamin and Alexander."
"You know I will." he assured her. "But if this mission is too dangerous then maybe you shouldn't go through with it."
"I have to." she told him. "It's my only chance at redemption and I have to take it. I don't want to spend the rest of my life asking what if. One more thing before I go, promise me that you won't let the boys get mixed up in the family business."
"I promise." he said softly. "Goodbye, Holly."
"Goodbye, Barry." she said as she ended the call.
Now she was determined more than ever stop Cesar anyway she could. She owed it to her sons. In her heart of hearts she knew that Cesar would eventually track both Alexander and Benjamin down, separate countries be damned. It was only a matter of time.
Holly had laid awake most of the night. Her mind was spinning. Robert. Alexander. Benjamin. Cesar. Anna. Australia. France. England. Italy. Right. Wrong. Good. Bad. Evil. Cesar's hell started on March 17th 1989 and it didn't end until he banished her in early November of 1991. She wanted to erase two and a half years of utter torture from her mind, but she couldn't because erasing the past would erase the memories of her sons as well.
It felt like an eternity for the morning to arrive. Holly was anticipating, as well as fearing, meeting with Robert. Sitting down over breakfast and actually having a conversation about happier times would be a welcomed relief. It would take her mind off of Cesar and Alexander and Benjamin even if it was only temporary.
As Holly headed for the door, Cesar entered through the balcony. "You really should learn to lock these." he told her as he let himself in. "Someone could break in and try to harm you."
"Someone already has." she replied. "Besides we both know that a lock won't keep you out, Cesar. You always find a way to slither in."
He ignored her comments. "Where are we off to this morning?" he asked as he admired her sun dress. "Are we meeting someone special? Someone important? Robert, perhaps?"
"I don't answer to you." Holly replied. "At least not anymore." she stepped closer to the door and turned the knob. "I really must be going."
Cesar came up behind her and slammed the door and then locked it. "You're not going anywhere." he hissed into her ear. "Not until we finish our conversation from last night."
Holly elbowed him in the ribs. "Get off me!"
He moved away from her, holding tightly to his side. "That was uncalled for!"
"Anything that involves you is uncalled for!" she yelled as she turned around to face him. "I already told you I have no idea where Benjamin and Alexander are. So unless you know something I don't there's nothing left for you and I to discuss."
Cesar grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her tightly against him. "You will do exactly as I say!" he yelled. "And I say that you and I are going to finish what was started last night."
Holly cringed as he slid his hands over her. "No!" she protested.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door. "Holly?" Robert called out. "Are you ready?" he asked. "I thought we could go down together."
Cesar looked at Holly and then slowly released her from his grasp. "Let Scorpio in." he told her. "Let him in and the three of us will take a walk down memory lane together."
Holly could feel herself beginning to tremble. The moment she had always feared was about to become a reality. "No."
"Let him in!" Cesar shouted.
Robert could hear talking from inside the room. It seemed to be some sort of argument. He giggled the doorknob only to find it locked. Without having to think he busted the door in. "Holly?"
Cesar stepped out of the way and slowly turned around. "Scorpio." he smiled. "It's been a long time."
Robert looked back and forth between Holly and Cesar, the look of confusion crossed his face. "What the hell is going on here?" he asked. "Holly are you alright?"
"Why wouldn't she be?" Cesar asked. "Why would I want to harm her? After all we were husband and wife, isn't that right Holly? Invalid or not we did take vows."
Robert's head was spinning. "Please tell me that he's lying." he begged. "Please Holly." The confusion on Robert's face turned to pain, like someone had soccer punched in the stomach. "Holly, please, please tell me he's lying. Tell me that you've never had anything to do with this man."
Holly tried to hold back her tears. "I'm sorry." she whispered softly. "I'm so sorry."
tbc...