Hello, readers.

In case you're wondering, yes, there is an end to this story. ;)

I know that some of you are impatient when it comes to how long it takes for me to post chapters, but some things in life away from fanfiction have to come first. For this reason, many choose to read stories that are complete, which I can fully understand. I don't have any control over certain things like emergencies (illnesses, family business, my job, etc.) that arise and must be tended to, and they may keep me from writing and posting as much as I'd love to. I've been ill with a severe ear infection in both ears for over six weeks, so that slowed me down, but it was not my intent to get the infections. Things like this just happen.

I truly appreciate those of you who ask nicely for new updates and offer support as you know that I have more things to do than write at times. Thank you so much! You guys are so sweet! :D

(Chapter Twenty-six)

"I told you that he doesn't care about me, mom. You see that for yourself, but you wanted me to be with him." Dee Dee wiped the newly formed tears from her eyes. "I can't believe that I ever loved him."

"Dee Dee, I told you that you needed a reality check, and that's what you're getting." Rick grabbed her hands and pulled her closer as she struggled to get away.

"Let me go!" She ordered.

"No." He pulled her into his arms with her back against his chest, pinning her arms at her side holding her tightly in his grasp. "Talk to me. I'm not letting go until you talk to me the way you need to."

Mark looked on; making sure Dee Dee wasn't waiting for him to pull Rick away. He knew to let her handle her own battles when she could.

"Talk to me, Dee Dee." Rick demanded. "Tell me why you're so angry Why do you hate me? I don't want any bullshit about how I killed your family, either. I want the truth. You know I'm not to blame, so stop making excuses for what you really feel. Tell me."

"I…I…it's…I can't! Please leave me…alone!"

"No, I won't! You need me!" Rick raised his voice in hopes of making her angry enough to speak. "Why, Dee Dee?! Why are you so angry with me?!"

"You stopped caring! You didn't visit or call enough!" Dee Dee began to answer furiously. "AJ could have…known you better! We'd come home to visit my mom, but you rarely stopped by to see us! You didn't answer my calls when I…needed you! I was unhappy with Alex, and I needed you!"

"Why else do you hate me?"

"I told you! You sent me away!"

"Keep going. What else did I do wrong?"

"You were afraid of Alex!" Dee closed her eyes as her voice lowered with increasing tears. "You let him dictate our…friendship. He was jealous…of you…and me. He didn't want us to be friends. Didn't want you around AJ. He knew I was still in love…with you…knew I wanted...to stay with you."

"You think I neglected you and that I was afraid of Alex? What about Alex? How do you really feel about him?"

"He wanted…to take my baby because I loved you." Her sobbing intensified. "He did! He did take him! He…he killed…him! He punished me…for loving you! You both killed him! We wouldn't have…been there that day, if…if you hadn't sent…me back! If he hadn't…taken my baby…in that truck!"

"You think I'm at fault. You think Alex is at fault."

"Yes!"

"Who else? Who else do you blame?"

"Don't do this, Rick! Please just let me go!"

"No. I can't."

"Please. Please, just stop!"

Anna and Mark watched as the scene continued to unfold, both knowing that Dee Dee may be reaching a new level within her suffering. Each could only hope that it would work in her favor.

"Did I send you away, Dee Dee? Did I really send you back to Alex, or did you go back on your own? Tell me who else is it that you blame."

"Help me, Mark!" Dee Dee called as she began to fight harder to free herself from Rick.

He rushed to her. "I'm here, baby. Let her go, Rick."

"I'm not finished."

"I said let her go." Mark ordered sternly.

Rick was hesitant, but released his hold on Dee Dee.

Mark led her to the sofa and wiped her tears away and then held her tightly. "It's okay." He applied a gentle kiss to her red and tear-stained cheek. "Take your time to gather yourself. I'm not leaving you."

Anna got up to try to help console her daughter, but Dee Dee quickly recoiled and pulled herself closer to Mark. She hadn't seen Dee Dee in such a state since the night she first accused Rick of being responsible for AJ and Alex's deaths. She noted that this moment may actually be a bit more intense and she worried that Dee Dee may be hurting more than ever.

When she felt her breathing slowing, Dee Dee began to speak to Mark without raising her head from his chest. "You already know. I don't have to tell anyone else, do I?"

"Yes, I know. I've known for a long time. It's up to you to tell or not, but you also have to be sure if you're ready."

Rick sat beside Anna who had just returned from the kitchen with glasses of water for each of them. The two both looked on, trying to decipher the conversation that took place across from them.

Dee Dee exhaled a ragged sigh. "I don't think…I can stand it anymore."

"Then do what you feel is right. If you think now is the time, then do it. I'll be with you the entire time. I promise and I'll keep that promise."

"I was doing so much better. Now, they come here and I…oh, God I'm just so tired. I'm tired of it all."

"I know. I'll make sure that you're taken care of. You'll make it through this and you'll begin to heal."

She looked up at him and winced. "My head."

"It's hurting again?"

"Yes. It hurts so bad."

"Remember meditating? Just breathe the way I taught you." Mark had been concerned about the headaches since she complained weeks ago, and she finally convinced him that they were stress-related, and he noted that she was having symptoms of migraines. With the events of the moment, it was truly evident that stress was the culprit. "Slow your breathing. Take deep breaths. Try to relax."

Anna and Rick watched anxiously as Dee Dee closed her eyes and fought through the headache with Mark's supporting words. Rick had known her to get minor tension headaches in the past, but they were never this intense. It worried him. "Is she going to be okay?" He asked.

"Yes." Mark replied quietly. "Give her a few minutes. When she gets overly stressed and upset, they come on strong. They're usually headaches, but she's also had a couple of migraines."

Rick averted his eyes from Mark and Anna as the guilt rose within him. He knew that his actions since they'd been in the suite are what brought on the headaches. He still wasn't ready to give up on getting her to open up about her feelings. He looked at her as she began speaking to Mark.

"If I say it…" Dee Dee clinched a portion of Mark's t-shirt in her fist. "You swear you'll get me through this?"

"I swear it with all my heart."

"It'll make the headaches stop?"

"Yes."

"Will I start to move ahead?"

"Yes."

"I need you to help me, Mark. Please help me."

"I love you and I'll do what I can to help you."

Dee Dee nodded. "I love you, too."

Knots formed in Rick's stomach at hearing their confessions of love, though it wasn't news to him that they supposedly felt this way. He just still felt that Dee Dee had been hasty with the relationship and still couldn't believe they were so much in love in such a short time. She'd rushed into marrying Alex and he could only hope that she wouldn't do the same with Mark.

"I'm scared, and it's so hard for me to say it." Dee Dee added as she opened her eyes. "But…I just want it over with."

"You don't have to be scared because they'll understand. I know they will. I'm with you whenever you're ready."

Dee Dee inhaled a sharp gasp of air and quickly forced it out. She squeezed Mark's hand and then stood in the center of the room with him at her side. She looked at her mother and Rick. "It was my fault."

Rick and Anna looked at her in confusion.

"What was?" Anna asked.

"Everything. My baby's death. My husband's death. It was my fault."

(Continued...)