Chapter 3: Life Changing

Dana suddenly felt very sick when she woke up to finding one of the kidnappers sitting across from her. "Morning sleeping beauty," he greeted. She glared at him and wished she could move her hands.

"Untie me," she demanded.

"Sorry, can't do that. Might escape on us," he answered.

She sighed and got herself to sit up. "Why are you doing this?" She asked. Ben shrugged his shoulders.

"We want money," he replied.

Dana rolled her eyes. "Actually, I think I can have some payback on you kicking me," he commented. Dana's head jerked to one sighed and she winced in pain when he punched her face. "And we're just getting started," he commented.

(Outside of the Room)

Mark was looking over a map when Dan came in. "Where's Ben?" Dan asked.

"GET AWAY FROM ME!" They heard Dana scream.

Dan pulled out his gun and he walked over to the door. He opened it and shot a warning shot. "Get off her," he ordered. Ben glared at him and got off Dana.

"Was just having some fun. We've been down here for days. Sheesh," Ben muttered.

"Hey, I gave Grayson and Mitchell my word that no harm would come to her. I keep my promises," Dan snapped.

Ben glared at him and left the room. Dan walked over and pulled a knife from his pocket. "Turn around," he told Dana.

"Why should I trust you?" She asked.

"Do you want those ropes off?"

Dana was silent. "Then turn around," he ordered. Dana sighed and turned around. Dan cut the ropes from her wrists and Dana sat back against the wall, rubbing her wrists. He stared at her for a second before leaving the room and locking it behind him. Dana sighed as she sat in the lightly dimmed room. A lump formed in her throat as she played with her old wedding ring. She leaned back and closed her eyes.

(Flashback)

Dana was sitting in her living room looking over a few things, ignoring the storm outside. It had started pouring when her shift ended. When she came home the lightning and thunder came. She let out a sigh and looked up when there was a knock on the door. "Who'd be crazy to be out at this hour?" She pondered. She opened there and saw a soaking wet Carter standing there. "Carter! What are you doing here?" She asked. Carter shrugged.

"Thought you could use the company," he replied.

"Come inside."

Carter came in and removed his jacket. "Are you crazy?" She asked. Carter shrugged.

"A little storm won't harm me," he replied.

Dana smiled and shook her head. "You are one of a kind, Carter Grayson," she commented.

"I've been told," he answered.

They looked up when the lights suddenly went out. "Well, good thing I didn't come a minute later," he commented. Dana laughed slightly.

"Well, one things for sure, you have to get out of these wet clothes before you get sick," she commented.

She yelped when he pulled her to him. "Yeah? Not such a bad idea," he answered. She laughed before he kissed her deeply.

(End Flashback)

Dana opened her eyes and felt the tears on her face. She wiped her tears away, but they just kept coming. She laid down on her side and curled up with the sobs wracking her body.

(Ryan and Kelsey's House)

"We should tell him, Ryan," Kelsey informed. Ryan looked up from what he was doing and looked at her.

"What?" He asked.

"We should tell Carter."

"Are you crazy?"

"Crazy is my middle name."

"Very funny."

Ryan stood up when crying could be heard. He walked over to Megan and picked her up. "Ryan, he deserves to know," she answered.

"Kelsey, we promised Dana," he answered, imitating her.

Kelsey sighed. "Ryan, we can't keep the secret from him forever," she answered. Ryan sighed as he got Megan to calm down.

"We can and we will. Until Dana says something first," he told her.

Kelsey sighed and took Megan from him. "Ryan! Dana's not here to tell Carter!" She snapped. She sighed as she grabbed the diaper bag.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

"I'm going to tell Carter. Something Dana should've done a long time ago," she replied.

Ryan watched her go and he rubbed the back of his neck. "When Dana comes home, she's gonna kill me," he muttered.

(Carter's House)

Carter was trying to figure out how to get the money for the kidnappers when there was a knock on the door. "It's open," he called out. Kelsey came in.

"Carter," she called.

"Living room," he answered.

Kelsey came in with Megan in her arms. "Oh hey, Kels," he greeted. He got up.

"Hey, how's the search going?" She asked.

"Long," he replied.

Carter smiled at the infant in her arms. "Well, who's this?" He asked.

"Carter, this is Megan Lisa Mitchell-Grayson," she replied.

Carter stared at Kelsey. "That…That's impossible," he told her. Kelsey shook her head.

"No, Carter, this is your daughter," she answered.