Tone of Deceit

Disclaimer: I own nothing

A/N:

Chapter 23 (Miracles Do Exist)

At Cat's place, Jade was happy to hang out. The girl recently moved there with someone, at the permission of her mother of course. Her mom hadn't been thrilled about it by any means, but was glad to give Cat some privacy and help her out with rent. She'd been happy that her daughter found a roommate close in age, albeit three years older.

Jade didn't know much about Cat's roommate, as the girl didn't talk very much to them. She recognized her of course, having been a part of some famous webshow up in Seattle.

Tori and her sister were present with them, deciding to check out Cat's new apartment for themselves. "So you're getting involved in babysitting?" Trina asked. Cat nodded at her.

"Mom's helping with rent but she wanted me to help contribute somehow." Cat sank into her recliner and cleared her throat. "So Sam and I came up with babysitting…it's a fun little side job." Cat looked over her shoulder at Sam, who was busy preparing a tray of lasagna.

The blonde's curls were raised up and pulled into a ponytail, her sharp blue eyes were focused heavily on the food. Tori smiled at the girl and walked over. "How long do you think you'll be in LA for, Sam? I know getting an apartment and everything seems like you'll stick around for a while." Sam looked up and nodded.

"Well I don't know," she replied, "Kind of a drifter. Haven't really thought about settling until I got here. Carly's off in Italy now, Freddie's still up in Seattle taking care of his mother, so I'm just going where the wind takes me." Jade felt like there was more to it than that, as there was a weariness in Sam's eyes.

When she first met the girl, she thought she'd come to L.A. to find something, or at least that was how she phrased it. She said she was looking for something, what that something was though, she wouldn't say. "Have you found what you were looking for yet?" Jade asked. Sam raised an eyebrow at her and moved the tray to the oven.

"Say again?"

"When you first arrived, you said you were looking for something. Seems like you found it." She shrugged and Sam let out a chuckle. Cat raised her eyes upwards.

"She doesn't like to say, but I think she misses her sister." Sam's eyes opened wide and she stared flabbergasted at Cat. It was as though the redhead said something she shouldn't; but Sam wasn't on normal friendly terms with them yet and likely wouldn't want to talk about anything too personal. "She told me her sister's in LA somewhere, but I haven't met the girl yet."

Sam cleared her throat and walked over, crossing her arms across her chest. "Thank you Cat, I wanted to air my laundry in front of everyone." Cat hung her head and Jade let out a nervous chuckle. She looked over to the Vega sisters and watched as Trina removed her phone from her purse. "But yes, my sister's around here."

"You don't know where she is?" Jade furrowed her brow at the girl, watching as Sam's eyes fell towards the ground. Her expression shifted and she dropped her arms to her sides.

"I wish I did." Sam scoffed and looked away, her eyes narrowing. "Freddie understood why I came down here. Because I had to, I needed to find my sister." Jade raised her head up and pursed her lips.

"I don't have a sibling, so I wouldn't really know how it feels to-"

"She's my twin. My opposite." Sam closed her eyes. "We've had a lot of disagreements and well, yeah…Mom and Dad divorced when we were kids, so I went to my mother and she went to Dad." Sam raised her hand and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I guess I've always been jealous of her, she got the better parent."

"Ouch"

"But you know, still my sister." Sam frowned and turned away. "Been a little over a year since I talked to her…had this huge argument about our dad and things were said." Her heart sank and she watched Sam move slowly towards the kitchen. "I came here because I felt like something wasn't right, like she's hurt. You know, when you're a twin you almost have this feeling about your sibling-there is some truth to that."

Jade nodded, still not understanding but sympathizing. She looked back to the Vega sisters and saw tension spreading across Trina's brow. She was curious, yet didn't want to disturb the girl. Trina inhaled slowly and pushed the phone back into her purse.

Cat was watching her as well, and unlike Jade, seemed willing to broach the subject. "Is everything okay, Trina?" Trina lifted her head suddenly, quickly clearing her throat.

"It's Andre. I don't know why I allow him this investigation." Jade perked up and Cat's eyebrows rose. "I guess it helps to bring down a prostitution ring." She nodded, fully understanding that Andre involved himself in a crime organization completely separate to the one they were currently investigating.

"I know he's looking for Sherri, but that he's so adamant about that group, putting himself in that amount of danger…"

"More to it than that." Trina sighed. "I was looking into it, turns out Andre's mother was one of those women." Jade dropped her jaw and the others turned their attention to her. "Seems after she tried to get out, she was murdered…Roger was a suspect but apparently had an alibi ready."

"You don't think-"

"It's certainly possible that Roger is Andre's father." Trina stood from the couch and let out a heavy sigh. "He just let me know about a bartender that's been in captivity. Her name's Mel."

Sam froze in front of the counter, her head rose sharply. Jade looked at her with a furrowed brow and debated whether or not to ask about the sudden reaction. Sam looked over her shoulder, her lips slightly parted and her eyes open wide.

Sam turned around and walked forward, moving almost robotically. "Mel?" Sam blinked twice and Trina's gaze rose towards the girl. "M-Melanie?" Trina sighed heavily and pulled her purse strap over her shoulder.

"Yeah, I hate to cut this visit short but I need to do some quick thinking. This bartender will help provide some evidence against Roger's little crime ring."

Sam's eyes quivered and she quickly grabbed Trina's wrist, causing the woman to stop and stare down at her hand. "Please, is it her?" Sam's voice trembled with worry. Jade and Cat shared a wide eyed expression with one another while Tori hurried over. "My sister?" Trina's eyes slid into Sam's and her lips separated as though pondering her next move.

Carefully she withdrew her hand from Sam's grasp and cleared her throat. "You might want to take a trip to the station, Sam." Jade cupped her hand over her mouth, her heart slammed against her chest as she watched Sam slowly drop to her knees. "I don't know for sure, so please don't expect anything until I know. Andre mentioned her name, she does share your last name; but please wait until I know what's going on."

Clutching her chest, Sam gave a tearful nod. Cat knelt beside her roommate and threw her arms around her. "I-I don't want to think-what did you say this was?" Sam whimpered as a new fear flashed in her eyes. "What is he doing undercover?" Trina's lips pressed firmly together.

"Prostitution." Sam fell forward with a cry, her hands falling flat on the ground. Jade hurried over to her side as well, joining Cat as they tried to console the girl. "Jade, Cat, I don't think I need to tell you two to stay with her." They nodded and Trina glanced over at Tori. "Go ahead and take her down to the station."

"For someone that doesn't know, you seem like you do," Tori remarked. Trina nodded slowly.

"It's my job to be cautious. I suspect it may be your friend's sister; but I cannot expect to be one hundred percent certain. If that information is wrong, it would be very unfortunate to give the wrong information over."

"I understand." They watched as Trina left the house and slowly helped Sam to her feet. Tori looked over her shoulder, her hands flexing as she looked over the girl. "Let's um…let's go ahead and head to the station. Like Trina said, just in case."

Sam whimpered. "I need a moment."

"Take all the time you need, Sam…"

On Copper Blvd, Melanie's nervous hand trembled over her doorknob. Her tired eyes peered through the smoggy windows of her front door and a dull ache coursed through her body. "Every day," she whispered, "every goddamn day."

She opened the front door slowly and took a step in. The stank scent of smoke filled her nostrils and strangled her lungs. Her eyes travelled to a man seated on the couch overlooking the front door. He had a red buzz cut and patchy beard, his broad shoulders reflected the living room lights and his head was tilted slightly.

"Welcome home," the man said, "Make any money?" Melanie exhaled and removed the wallet from her purse.

"Here." She tossed the wallet into his lap and turned her head away from him in disgust. She knew why he was there, why he was always there. Someone had to keep watch and make sure she didn't run. "I wasn't followed home either, in case you're wondering."

"Good." The man rose to his feet, his eyes travelling up and down her body. "Let's see how much we made today." She scoffed as the man went through the wallet, counting all the cash.

"An even three hundred. I already counted." It wasn't much, but business was slow today. "Do you mind if I go to bed? I'm fucking exhausted." The man wiped his nose and shrugged.

"Be my guest, I'm gonna roll some of this green up."

She rolled her eyes and made her way to her bedroom where she shut and locked the door. Melanie leaned sideways against it, staring blankly at the wall in front of her. Her raw eyes were painted with dark eye shadow and eyeliner so as to hide the aged appearance of her face, but she didn't think it did much.

Remembering the boy from before, she hoped he found the girl he was looking for. Even if it meant only Sherri might potentially see the light of day again.

Closing her eyes, she hugged her waist and dropped to the floor. For so long she tried to cry, but tears never came anymore. Nothing would come. Even memories she held dear to her heart seemed so distant that they couldn't make those tears come again.

She remembered them all: Sam, her best friend Carly, and then there was Freddie. Her first kiss, her first crush-same as Sam. The girls had a laugh over that once, realizing just how true the whole twin thing seemed to be. She still pined for him, even now, devoid of all hope of ever seeing the boy again.

"Maybe tonight will be the night I die." She pulled herself to her feet and slowly removed her shirt, revealing the various tattoos on her chest, arms, and back. "Freddie wouldn't even recognize me now. Neither would Sam." Scars littered her body as well, whether burn marks from that man's cigarettes or attempts on her own life.

She threw her shirt to the ground and walked towards her closet to grab a nightgown. As she changed into her sleepwear, she thought she heard a strange thumping coming from outside her room.

"Leave me alone Jack," she called out, "I'm too tired for your shit tonight."

Looking out her bedroom window, she saw a police car across the street. Its lights lit up her window and reflected on the surface of the rainwater pooled on the street.

In her mind she fantasized screaming out her window, pleading for help; but she knew it to be fruitless. "Whatever." She closed her curtains and sauntered over to her bed. "Useless."

After several minutes of trying unsuccessfully to sleep, she heard three loud bangs on her door. The pounding vibrated and threw her out of the bed. "What the hell?" She walked towards the door, growling low. "Damn it Jack, I said let me sleep!"

She threw open the door and was astonished to see two police officers standing on the other side. One was a man about middle aged and the other was a young woman, not much older than she was. Behind them, Jack was being led away by another officer.

Jack looked at her with a weak, defeated look. "The neighbors called the cops on us," Jack said with a wince, "Said I was doing drugs." The young officer turned her head and smirked.

"Found ya knee deep in crack, buddy."

"Fucking bitch…"

Jack was carted off out of the room and the female officer shrugged. "Tell it to the judge." A single sigh fell from Melanie's lips and the female officer casually smiled at her. "Melanie Puckett?" Melanie nodded. "Your sister's been looking for you. For your protection, and the protection of our operatives, we gotta make this look like an arrest, so…you'll have to come with us."

Her jaw fell open and tears sprang forth for the first time in what felt like an eternity. Her mind drifted to Andre and she had to wonder, was this his doing?

Meanwhile, at the station, Jade watched the anxious sister pacing the floor. Sam wrung her hands together and her eyes seemed to dart back and forth. "What will I say to her? What if she blames me?" Sam scratched at her hair and looked towards the girls. "I'm not usually so…"

"We get it," Cat replied, "Sometimes you have to just let go." Jade nodded, knowing full well how quickly the tough façade can break. "Did you call your family? Did you send Carly a message?" Sam stopped her pacing and took a deep breath.

"I sent Carly and Freddie a text. I called mom and dad in the restroom." Fortunately they received notice from Trina that they found Melanie. So it was safe to let the family know she was okay. "I don't want to overwhelm her."

"Just take it easy. Where are your mom and dad at now, anyway?"

"Mom's in Seattle still and Dad moved to California about a year ago, around the time Melanie was…" Sam fell quiet, her breath catching fast in her throat. Tears fell from the girl's eyes and she moved her hand to her forehead. "I can't picture, I can't even think of Mel being-fuck, I can't imagine what she's been through."

Jade looked out the station window and watched as a police car pulled up. She looked back over her shoulder, watching as Cat tried to reassure Sam with a hug. Looking back out the window, she watched with a happy gasp as David exited the vehicle first.

Sam covered her face with her hands, sliding them down and then biting at her knuckles. "Hey, I think they're here." Sam's eyes widened and her body grew stiff. Jade watched as Trina exited the car and walked around to the passenger side. "Tori, it's them."

Tori, who had been reading a book, closed the novel and stood up with a sigh. "I'll go and meet them, in case they need help with anything. Stay here, okay?" Jade nodded as Tori left the room.

A girl stepped out of the back of the patrol car, her legs trembling as though she were taking her first steps. Jade furrowed her brow as she observed the cropped black hairstyle and aged expression of the young girl. Melanie was dressed in a dark olive sweater and long black pants.

Tori met them outside and began talking to Melanie. Melanie looked slowly at the building, her eyes growing wide. She appeared to steel herself, closed her hands and nodded firmly before being guided over.

Sam ran her hands through her hair and began to pace again. She smacked the bottom of a fist into the palm of her hand and cleared her throat. "Come on Sam," muttered the blonde, "Get it together."

Finally the door opened and Melanie walked in with the Vegas. Sam stopped and turned her eyes towards her sister, her voice cracked and she took a stumbling step forward. "Mel?" She let out a slow breath of air, her hands moving up to her heart. Melanie smiled warily and spread her hands outwards.

"It's me."

Sam walked forward, her eyes travelling up and down her sister. "It really is. I-" Tears poured down Sam's face and she threw her arms around her sister, sobbing gently. "I am so sorry." Melanie let out a startled gasp, bringing her hands up and hesitating for a moment before sharing in the hug.

Jade felt the moisture in her own eyes and quickly grabbed a tissue to wipe them. Sure, this was a happy ending, and a well deserved one. She watched the twins' embrace deepen and curled her lips in a bright smile.

"Good job Andre," she whispered to no one in particular. "Good call." She walked over to Trina. "How did you manage it?"

"Got lucky," Trina said with a smirk, "There was a known wanted criminal inside the house and he was snorting crack. So we entered." She crossed her arms and closed her eyes. "Seems Melanie had been under watch by that man, explains why she couldn't escape."

"Thank god you found her though."

"Yep."

Melanie leaned back, looking tearfully into Sam's eyes. "Where is everyone? Mom? Dad?" Sam sniffled and grabbed her phone out of her pocket.

"They know. They'll be on their way soon." Sam started pressing buttons on her phone and Melanie watched in silence. Jade looked over the girl's shoulder and smiled when she saw four video screens pop up. "Hey guys…" Sam wiped her face and shivered.

On the top right corner was a girl with long brown hair and chocolate brown eyes. Carly. A boy with a light tan and short hair was on the bottom left corner. Freddie. Beside Carly's picture was an older woman with short cut blonde hair and a wrinkled face, she had dim eyes and thin lips. Beside Freddie was a man in his forties, he had short blonde hair and a stubbly beard with a thick moustache.

Melanie's eyes grew and excitement flashed in them as Sam stepped beside her and showed her off to the video chat. The woman cried out, her hands folding over her mouth and her eyes closing. The man cupped a hand over his face as tears filled his eyes.

"My god," the man said. He began to shake while the woman moved off the screen and wept. Melanie smiled at them and nervously waved. The girl had tears in her eyes and looked ready to fall to the ground as well.

"My baby," cried their mother, "She's really alive." Melanie took Sam's phone with trembling fingers and studied the four squares. She raised a hand over her mouth and leaned back against a wall, then slid down to the ground. Her knees bent into her chest and she began to weep. Sam sat beside her, silent and watchful.

Trina leaned against a wall and started to sigh. "I could get used to this plan of Andre's," she remarked, "Moments like these make the job worthwhile." Jade agreed. She wondered what it was like to be on this end of things, to see the reunion of a victim and their loved ones. Granted she'd seen that with Ryder, but this time it felt more personal.

I kinda wanted to show the police effort side of things and the moment when a survivor is reunited with family. Andre did a good thing, Trina and Mr. Vega did well to jump to action fast. Because of that, someone else will have a life and a family will be whole again. What are your thoughts on this chapter and the events within it?