Tone of Deceit

Disclaimer: I own nothing

A/N:

Chapter 21 (Clinging to Hope)

At Tori's request, Jade visited Beck's father. Kyle wasn't doing well, but the man seemed to be hanging in there. Jade noticed a difference when she was there, and that was the lack of a beer in his hand. The man could pass for a rock, however, hunched over on the couch with his arms folded neatly across his stomach.

Even when she entered the house, the man didn't bat an eye. The house was dark, seemingly darker than her own home, with the only light coming from the lamp beside the man's couch. It was a standing lamp of nearly six feet and cast an amber glow onto the man.

In front of him the television was turned on though the only picture was of a solid blue screen. "You know you did a good thing," Jade whispered while sitting beside the man, "I'm sure Beck will be okay." Her voice wavered and she turned her head away, closing her eyes. "We can't give up hope."

Kyle continued to stare blankly at the ground. His bushy goatee sunk as the frown on his face deepened. Surprisingly the man was growing a full beard, though it was as unkempt as his messy brown hair that was caressing his shoulders.

She glanced to a photograph positioned on the mantle above the fireplace to their right, it showed a once happy family. Six year old Beck was standing in the center, his arms reaching skyward and his eyes closed in joyous laughter. His mother stood on his left, her arms folded across her chest and ruby lips curved into a gentle smile. She had long auburn hair running down the left side of her body, which covered her face. Kyle was on the right, gazing with pride at his son, his shaggy brown hair was neatly groomed and he had a light brown goatee on his face.

Even in the picture was their family pet, a small chocolate Labrador, it was seated at Kyle's feet and looking up with ears perked and head tilted.

Jade pulled her gaze from the photo, slowly shaking her head. A metallic gleam caught her eye and she looked to the tv stand. On the left hand corner sat a handgun. Her heart dropped to her stomach and she leaned forward, bringing her hand slowly towards her chest.

She knew the family had a gun, but she'd never seen it out. Mr. Oliver kept it stored away in a safety box on a shelf in his bedroom. "Your gun, it's out?" She wanted to hope that it was for protection that he had it out; but her gut said otherwise. "Interesting, I thought the Vegas had you under protective custody."

Kyle continued not to speak, turning his eyes slowly towards her. She leaned back, sighing heavily. "Of course, they have police watching your house, so there's that. They don't want anything to happen to you." The man looked back to where he'd been so focused before and Jade let out a chuckle. "Tori wanted me to come check on you."

She was at a loss as to getting this man to talk, but perhaps silence was better. If anything, Mr. Oliver didn't need the silence filled by words.

The darkness was bothering her to the point she wanted to start turning on lights. Typically she didn't care and usually favored dark rooms, but this was too much.

Patting her knees, Jade pushed herself up and started for the light switch at the living room entrance. She flipped it on and bright amber light lit up the room. Kyle raised his head slightly, his eyes squinting at the chandelier above him. "Sorry Mr. Oliver, but it was just too dark." Jade frowned at the man and slowly made her way back to the couch.

Before she could take her seat, the doorbell chimed out. Jade's lips parted and her brow furrowed. "I'll grab that." She started forward, stopping to take one last look at the man. Finally able to see his outfit, she started to grimace.

He was wearing an olive t-shirt stained with beer and coffee, and knee length blue boxers. A red robe lay crumpled at his feet and the far end of the couch had a dirty brown blanket hanging over the armrest.

She doubled back and picked the robe up off the floor. "Here, Mr. Oliver, put this on." He rolled his eyes towards her and tilted his head to the side. His lips pressed flat against each other and she dropped the robe with a sigh. "Okay, but I'm putting this blanket on you." She grabbed the blanket and her nose crinkled as a sour scent assaulted her. "Jesus! Is that urine?" He rolled his eyes and stood from the couch, quickly swiping the blanket out of her hands.

"No," he muttered with a strained, raspy voice. Jade's lips twisted in amusement and she watched as he sauntered off down a nearby hallway.

"Well at least that got him reacting…" The doorbell rang once more and she snapped her head towards the door. "Coming, I'm coming." She hurried for the door, peering into the peephole.

To her surprise she saw Tori and Ian standing on the porch. Behind Ian were two small children, a boy and girl. With them stood a man and woman somewhere in their mid-to-late forties. Jade opened the door, her eyebrows rising slowly as she studied the group.

"Sorry for the lack of a warning," Tori said while clearing her throat, "I wasn't sure if this was going to even happen. Ian and I had to convince his mom and dad it was for the best." Jade looked to the older couple, studying them for a minute.

Ian's father was a tall monstrosity of a figure, his shoulders were broad and he had a somewhat commanding look in his deep blue eyes. He sported a sandy brown walrus moustache that covered his whole upper lip and mouth. He had sandy brown hair parted on the left and neatly groomed.

Ian's mom rose up to her husband's shoulders, her blonde hair kissed her shoulders and hugged her neck, she had emerald eyes that seemed to outshine Jade's. Her face was round and her expression soft, with her lips pulled into a reassuring smile.

The boy and girl shyly hugged their brother's legs. The boy looked to be around ten years of age, his blonde hair was combed towards the front with his bangs spiking upwards. His sister was at least eight, she had a blonde bob hair style and sparkling green eyes like her mother.

Ian cleared his throat and took a step forward, motioning to his siblings. "Here's John and Sarah, then of course my parents up here…" He motioned to the older couple. "George and Dee." Ian smiled and raised his shoulders. "We felt like it was important to come over, I know the timing isn't the best…"

"Kyle shouldn't be alone during this," Sarah replied softly, "And it is our nephew that is missing as well. I don't know how he feels about us visiting, but Tori let us know what his mental state was like. We wanted to talk to him."

Ian bowed his head gently and sighed. "I didn't realize my cousin had been so close to us in the last few years. I was just a boy the last time we saw one another. I can't believe I didn't even recognize him, seeing him recently."

"He has changed a lot," Jade acknowledged. Even in ten years, she could understand not recognizing a cousin that she'd not seen. "You're okay with the whole issue between his mom and-"

"She made her decision," George replied almost coldly. Jade shut her eyes and slowly nodded her head. "Beck and Kyle should not have to suffer because of her." Sarah wrapped her arm around George's arm and looked up towards her husband. He let out a heavy sigh and slowly shook her head. "But we were wrong to let them be so cut off because of my sister."

Sarah's expression fell and her voice grew quiet. "I'm ashamed that we never realized how close Beck and Kyle were. It has been too long, and I know it seems bad to come out of the woodwork now…"

"You had your reasons. I mean, I can't say I wouldn't have done the same. My mom wasn't so great either. I mean, not necessarily a criminal, but definitely a user. So, yeah, you got to cut the cord somewhere."

Sarah sighed and looked towards her eldest child. "I remember watching the two boys race around the yard, playing hide and seek, among other things. I've often wondered if separating from my sister was worth keeping our kids apart. Moving certainly didn't help much."

Ian cleared his throat and started inside. "Whatever," he remarked, "what's past is past. I haven't seen Uncle Kyle in forever either, so I'd like to see him." Jade turned her head and raised a finger up.

"Um, you might not like what you're about to see."

Ian stopped, his shoulders sinking. "I remember a chipper man with a deep laugh, I remember how he used to dress up as Santa Claus on Christmas and take us caroling every night." He looked over his shoulder, his expression weary. "I understand he's depressive, alcoholic, and broken; so I'm fully prepared to see a stark difference." He paused and a grievous look came over him. "Or well, maybe I'm not totally prepared. Still…I want to see my uncle."

Ian's siblings ran after him. Jade smiled at them and stepped to the side so the rest of the group could enter. "The place is a mess," she admitted, "I guess without Beck to make sure he's taking care of himself…"

They made their way into the living room and George sniffed the air. "What am I smelling?" His eyebrow rose and Jade walked past him, speaking low.

"Probably a mix of puke, various alcohol and depression."

"Wonderful."

They gathered around the living room and Jade turned just in time to see Kyle making his way out of the hallway. He was now wearing a beige polo loosely tucked into long khaki pants. He froze upon entering the place, his eyes fixating on the family.

Kyle pulled his gaze away for a moment and walked without word towards the couch. He plopped down with a heavy sigh and picked up his television remote from the end table. The others watched as if expecting something.

The man flipped the television onto a news channel and his body grew rigid when the reporter's words filled the air. Jade jerked her head back, almost shocked to hear someone speaking finally.

The reporter was talking about the school and how the police had discovered a trafficking ring that the staff was a part of. She spoke on how the school would be forced to close its doors and have its students relocated.

Jade saw the tears in Kyle's eyes and walked over, taking a seat beside him. "Hey." She spoke softly and waited until the man turned his head to look at her. "Mr. Oliver, I know you see them."

"Erika's family," he replied. "Her brother and his family. Why are they here? Why wait until my son goes missing to show up?"

George spoke up first, drawing Kyle's gaze to him. "We were never made aware that Beck was here. When we learned that he was, we wanted to visit."

"I'm not looking for pity."

"We're not here for that, we are here because you are a part of our family."

"Not that you guys acted like it."

George's gaze dropped momentarily. "You're right, and it's time to change that…" Kyle shut his eyes and shook his head. "I'm sorry we let all this mess with Erica get in the way."

"It wasn't like I agreed with the way she was, but she's gone now. My son's gone too."

"I am sorry. We wanted you to know we are here for you now, and when the police find Beck, we will still be here." Kyle leaned back slowly, he drew in a breath of air and closed his eyes.

It was a start, not much of one, Jade hoped they would be able to work together and build on this.

Excusing herself, she got up from the couch and made her way to the kitchen to work on the dishes she'd noticed piling in the sink. The family could talk on their own terms, her part was essentially done.

Halfway through the dishes, her chest bore a painful ache as she continued to think of Beck. She feared whether she'd ever see him again, but somehow she still clung to a form of hope. Tori walked up behind her, startling her. "How're you holding up, Jade?" She turned to her friend and mustered a sorrowful smile.

"I'm hanging in there as much as I can, thanks." Jade dried her hands on a nearby hand towel and quickly swept her fingers across her cheeks, wiping away any evidence of tears. "Scared. I don't want to lose him either, but-"

"We're going to find him Jade." Tori's smile was reassuring and the girl's presence did calm her somewhat. Tori placed a hand onto her shoulder and she lifted her eyes up to meet hers. "Dad and Trina aren't going to rest until they do. I know it's no small comfort to hear or even to know that Beck's the last of Hollywood Arts's victims…"

"It isn't going to matter much if he isn't here with us."

"I know." Tori gave her a hug, catching her off guard. A gasp echoed from her lips, followed by sob that shook her entire body. "Trina told me once long ago: 'It's okay to cry, it's okay to fall; but it's never okay to give up. If there's a chance, then get up and move forward with that hope in sight'." Jade exhaled as Tori pulled back and pat her arms gently with her hands. "She's right, don't give up on him."

"I'll try not to, I just…I can't imagine being without him." She sniffled and turned her eyes towards the sink. "I have to finish these dishes."

"Want any help?"

"Well…" Her eyelids fell halfway and she looked around the kitchen, her lips pursing slightly. "I was going to clean up the kitchen a bit." Tori nodded and took one last look towards the living room.

"They'll be fine in there on their own. I'll help out. Know where the Olivers keep their cleaning stuff?" Jade pointed to her right, towards a small room with the washer and dryer. Tori quickly moved for the room.

Well it looks like Mr. Oliver's got some moral support and so does Jade, it can be difficult to keep holding on and sometimes you need someone there to help you. What are your thoughts here? I'm sure Trina and Mr. Vega surely won't rest until they've brought Beck home. It's time to crush the Knights.