A Family Stolen

Disclaimer: I own nothing

A/N:

Chapter 17 (Jesse's Plot)

"I can't believe Sikowitz is condoning this." Jade stood beside Beck on a hill overlooking the landfill Jesse mentioned. "I'm also impressed Jesse set this up." One of Jesse's followers was in a college environment club and at the urging of Jesse, agreed to host a field trip to the landfill and search the area told where Tara's remains would likely be found.

"Mr. Sikowitz is condoning it to legitimize the whole person stumbles across remains." Beck uncrossed his arms and leaned his shoulder against a tree. "Jesse got his people to organize it so no one will say they were put up to it by the police." He moved his head to the side. "Of course the poor sap that finds the remains will probably be scarred for a while, but that's the price we have to pay."

"It seems like a lot." Hell, Sinjin and Jesse were even being given immunity for helping; but neither man asked for it. "I get that Mr. Sikowitz wants to make everything seem legitimate, but Jesse told us where to find the remains." It wasn't that she was nervous or uncomfortable, she just didn't want to give someone the horror of stumbling upon a dead body.

Still Jesse had his plan down to a system. He didn't want to give Jerome any reason to suspect he was to blame for the loss of some of his top people. "What happens once the remains are found, Beck?"

"Mom moves her people in to arrest Hayley once the lab results come in." She nodded and watched the college students examining every item of the landfill. Steadying herself with a deep breath, she tried to prepare herself for a discovery of bones.

It was unsettling too. In the past she was all about the creepy and the macabre, but it had mostly been for show; there had never been a time she truly wanted to see genuine human remains. Even worse, it weighed heavily on her mind that these human remains would belong to someone she once personally knew-if only for a short while.

"I hope we can give Tara some justice at least." Beck smiled at her and draped an arm around her waist. She relaxed her muscles and leaned against him, pressing her head onto his shoulder. "I wonder what Jesse's going to do once Hayley and…what's that guy's name?"

"Rocky?"

"Oh yeah, him." Evidently the gang called the guy Rocky because he was 'dumb as rocks'. She didn't understand the purpose of insulting nickname in such a situation, but she wasn't one to criticize. "I wonder what he'll do once the two are out of the way. How is he going to unseat Jerome and why do those two have to be removed first?"

"The way I understand it as he explained, he's also one of Jerome's top. Simply because he's Jerome's brother and the guy wants to keep him close, but Hayley and Rocky are above him. Hayley, because she's the girlfriend and Rocky because he's essentially Jerome's muscle. With the two out of the picture, Jesse's in place to take over once Jerome is dealt with."

Pursing her lips, she glanced upwards to the clouds in the sky. A cold chill made her tug the flaps of her jacket around her body. "I wonder how he's going to deal with Jerome."

"I wouldn't look too much into that one." Beck furrowed his brow and looked off to the left, studying a couple people arguing over an aluminum can. "It isn't important to us how Jesse takes over, but that he takes over the Knights and gets them away from the people of interest."

"Yeah, I hope whatever his plan is that he can do it." She worried what would happen when he started the process of pulling the Knights away. Surely the Chief wouldn't be happy. "If the Chief orders Jesse arrested once he starts pulling the gang away…"

"FBI is above Chief Ross at this point. Jesse's a protected witness right now, and so is Sinjin. Not to mention Robbie's dad has been buttering up the Governor, and is poised to talk the man into granting a governor's pardon to Jesse in the event that the Chief actually does order his arrest." It felt good knowing their allies had plans and backup plans ready, but she felt they needed to prepare for any event.

"Given what we know of the Chief, he may not actually move to arrest Jesse." Beck raised an eyebrow an Jade turned towards him. "He might just kill him."

"Well, he'd have to go through the Knights loyal to Jesse, I suppose. There are more loyal to him than there are Jerome, so I suspect the Chief would come upon some difficulty trying to get the man murdered when he becomes as guarded as his brother."

"I guess so." Jesse sounded determined as hell when he informed them he had a plan and was ready to take action. His action was deemed to be swift, or so it would appear.

Jade took a step forward, breathing shakily as Beck's arm slid away from her. Her eyes focused on someone that was poking what looked to be a rock underneath a large pile of dirt and trash. They grabbed a spade and began tearing away at the dirt.

She grabbed the collar of her coat and held her breath as the dirt and trash fell away like an avalanche. A scream soon followed, ear piercing and echoing into the air. Staring back at them, like something out of a horror novel, was the skeletal remains of Tara Ganz; grinning as though waiting for the world to discover her.

Beck's exhale could be felt on the back of her neck, making her hair stand on end. "So it begins," he said with a hushed whisper.

Jesse rolled his eyes as Sinjin followed after him, speaking with a swift and quiet voice. "I'm your best friend, why won't you tell me what you're planning?" He stopped in the middle of the corridor and turned to face his friend. Sinjin was worried, and he had a right to be.

"The less you know, the less you're involved, which means the more protected you are if something goes wrong." Jerome may have been the type to shoot first and ask questions later, but he was no idiot. If he got wind of Jesse's plan, he'd immediately assume Sinjin knew about it because of their friendship.

Sinjin, brave as he was for going to find help, was not good under pressure. The last thing Jesse wanted was Jerome pressing Sinjin to spill everything. "Trust me. Just focus on preparing meals and continue to follow along. Things are going to move quickly if everything goes as planned."

The man took a breath and dropped his gaze for a moment before glancing back. "Okay Jess. Tell me where you want me and what you want me to do, and I'll do it."

"Great. I need you to lay low for a bit. Hang tight in the kitchens. I'll tell you when I need you." Sinjin nodded and hurried off to his post. Jesse watched with a smile and looked up to the ceiling. "Sasha, watch over us. I lost you, don't let me lose my best friend too." He clenched his fists and shut his eyes, his breath trembled as the image of a beautiful auburn haired woman came to his mind.

Flashes of her laying in a pool of blood came to his mind, and his holding her in his arms with his wails erupting into the sky. A shadow fell across him in his memory, and he could see his father's sadistic and mocking grin. His eyelids opened partially, white-hot rage burning within them. He recalled the memory of standing over his father's lifeless body and his muscles tensed.

"I won't lose myself this time." He grabbed a recording device and walked towards a room Rocky was patrolling. "Not this time. This isn't about revenge, it's about a cause, about doing what's right." His greatest fear was doing something that Sasha would frown upon, but this seemed to be that grey area where he couldn't be sure if she'd approve or disapprove.

It had to be done. To save the Vega girls. He could still remember when he was younger, seeing Jerome bringing Trina home one day, only to take another girl on a date the next. It wasn't long before he realized the two were sisters.

What Jerome didn't realize was he was the reason they found out. He sent an anonymous letter at Sasha's request, and it ended with the two girls cutting it off harshly.

Jesse took a deep breath to prepare himself, then knocked firmly on the door. It opened within minutes, and Rocky stood before him with eyebrow raised and lips parted. "Jesse? What brings you here?"

"Oh nothing, I just thought perhaps we could talk, seeing as how there's nothing else to do." He pushed his foot into the room and looked directly into Rocky's eyes. "You don't mind, do you?"

"No, come on in. I wasn't doing anything." He caught a whiff of alcohol coming from Rocky's breath and glanced to see a half drank bottle of vodka. It was amusing, but not surprising.

"Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic…and a drunk is easily swayed." This was when he praised the gods above for the manipulation that came from his father's blood. "So Rocky, tell me." He grinned and placed a hand on Rocky's shoulder. "What are your thoughts on Mr. Vega?" Rocky frowned, his cheery demeanor quickly turning sour. "I know you can't be happy they won't let you tear into the guy." The hand in his pocket was wrapped around the recording device, and upon asking the question, he struck the record button.

"I hate him." Rocky crossed his arms and growled, venom dripped from his voice. "I would love nothing more to string the fucking bastard up, beat the shit out of him like a piñata until he bleeds." Jesse's eyebrows rose and he ran a hand over the back of his neck, whistling softly.

"Wow, that's some deep seated resentment."

"Well it isn't like the asshole doesn't have it coming." Rocky grabbed the vodka and took a quick swig. He coughed twice and beat his chest until he gasped. "I just wish I could kick his ass, and if I could, I'd kill him the first chance I get."

"My god!" He feigned surprise, moving his hand to his chest. Rocky pointed a finger and narrowed his eyes.

"Now, don't you go telling no one…"

He flipped off the recording and cleared his throat. "Well now." His lips twisted into a smirk. "I know how you can deal with him. Right now." Rocky's eyes went wide and he spoke with a gasp.

"What? What are you saying?"

"I'm saying…" Jesse pointed to the gun on the end table nearby. "Take the gun, shoot out the video camera and you can do whatever you like to Mr. Vega and his family." He pat Rocky on the arm, his smirk widening. "Ross allows it."

"Truly?"

"Of course!"

"Thanks!" Rocky finished his vodka and rushed from the room, leaving Jesse to revel in the success for moment. Phase one was complete.

"Jerome can't stand betrayal, even from the closest officer." He walked out of the room casually, waiting just a few minutes before making a call to his brother. "Jerome, we have an issue."

"What?" Jerome sounded annoyed at being bothered, which made the call all the better.

"You know your trusted lieutenant, Rocky?"

"Yeah?"

"You'll want to hear this. He's drunk and just informed me that he's on his way to where the Vegas are being held." Jerome grunted in surprise, a sign that Jesse had grabbed his attention. "He's planning to shoot out the camera and beat up Mr. Vega. He said Ross allowed it."

"He allowed no such thing."

"You'll also want to hear this. I recorded him saying this about you…" He played back the recording he took, smirking as he pictured his brother trembling with rage.

"What?" His brother's voice rose, filling with the rage Jesse imagined there t0 be. "He's done!"

"I'm sorry it's come to this, brother."

"Thank you for looking out." Jerome growled. "I'll deal with this traitor now." The phone clicked off and Jesse exhaled, grateful it seemed all was going according to plan.

If Rocky could shoot out camera, it would be some time before it could be fixed, and hopefully enough time could pass that he could continue with the rest of his plans.

When he arrived at the location, he was just in time to see Rocky shoot out the camera in drunken rage. The Vegas watched with shock as he turned to them and pointed to David. "Now, no one has to witness what I am going to do to you."

Jerome hurried past Jesse, filling him with a sense of pride and accomplishment. "Hold it right there, Rock!" Rocky froze, his skin turning a lighter shade of pale. Jerome had a pistol in his hand and a scowl on his face. "My brother told me everything, asshole."

"What?" Rocky turned towards him and raised his hands up. "What are you talking about?"

"You want to string me up? Beat me until I bleed? Well fuck you!" Rocky's eyes went wide and Jerome aimed the pistol directly to him. "Also, Ross did not agree to you beating on anyone, you useless sack of nuts. I'll teach you to betray me, traitor."

As Jesse anticipated, Rocky barely had any time to defend himself or question Jerome. In an instant, Jerome fired off three gunshots, each striking Rocky in the chest.

Jerome left without any further word, grumbling under his breath. Jesse glanced at the busted camera with a smirk and stepped into the room, his eyes focusing on the horrified sisters. "I'm sorry you had to see that." Rocky was slumped against the wall, blood pooling beneath him. "I'll have someone take Rocky out of here soon."

"What is going on?" Trina asked with a bitter and protective tone.

"Just a part of my plan." He winked. "Don't worry." He glanced at the camera and flared his nostrils. "I'm going to have to move Gary, but don't worry, it's all a part of the plan…"

Gary would be moved to the basement. It would keep people from trying to drug him as he'd be away, and once everything was situated, he could get his brother to go down there.

"Jerome thinks he's a badass, but he's never faced a Navy Seal before, especially one with a vengeance." If he could get Gary in line with his plan, he would have the man wait for a bit. Gary could be useful, especially once the raid began. It would start in the basement, after all. If everything went according to plan, Jerome would be taken out by Gary Malone's hand.

His heart slowed with his breathing as he looked once more at Rocky's body. It didn't feel right, and while he kept telling him these action were a part of the greater good, he couldn't settle the guilt within. "Killed my father in cold blood, manipulated Rock and now I'm going to have to trick my brother…but killing him is the only way."

There was no other choice. Unless the leader of the Knights stepped down, they could rule until they died. Jesse crouched beside Rock's body and looked into his lifeless eyes, wide open as though judging. "Sorry Rocky, it had to be done…" He put his hand over Rocky's eyes and moved it down, sliding his eyes shut.

Miles away, Jade watched Beck's mother guide her people to Hayley's home. DNA matching Hayley had been found in Tara's teeth, suggesting the girl bit Hayley during a struggle. For a moment, she couldn't help but to feel like a pawn; but at least it was for a good cause.

Hayley answered the door when Camille knocked, her eyes large and jaw agape. "Hayley Ferguson?" Mrs. Oliver grabbed her handcuffs and grabbed Hayley's wrists. "You're under arrest for the murder of Tara Ganz and the attempted murder of Jade West." Camille proceeded to read Hayley her rights, informing her that she was also going to be charged with the murder of her father.

"You're shitting me?" Hayley growled, her eyes narrowing. "You found the fucking body?" Jade held back a triumphant laugh. If Hayley could have sealed her fate any more, she didn't know how. "Fuck it. I won't resist. You got me…"'

So Jesse's plan begins to take form, and we may soon see Jerome's downfall. Once the head of security is removed, the good guys may just have an easier time. What are your thoughts here? Jesse seems to understand he's teetering that very thin line between where he wants to be and his greatest fear of becoming like that of Jerome and their father.