Hello everyone. I thought I'd get this chapter out faster since it was a two-parter and not wait until next Thursday. I hope you enjoy.

xemtlenc: From Jade's point-of-view, her reaction was justifiable towards Sam. She blames Sam's reckless yet again for getting them in the situation, however unfair it would be for simply going to the bathroom. She never forgot Sam's past and in a way, never forgave her for what she did to Freddie for all those years.

I am rewriting SuperPsycho in a significant way.

TenorSax93: Thanks and I hope you like this one.

Fanfic-Reader-88: Nora is quite evil, but I doubt she's going to get away with it this time. Jade is not going to give Sam a 'fair' shake with their history and will assume the worst in her. She believes the only thing that keeps Sam in line right now is not because she genuinely remorseful for what she's done in the past, but because of a threat of force.

We have these pesky little things call laws that get in the way of putting down a rabid animal like Nora. Remember, she has rights, though they are curtailed for being an escaped felon. We're going to see how that is handled.

Twilight Warrior 627: Escalating yes. You won't have to imagine how they are going to resolve this. Hope you enjoy.

Also, I hope to get my next update for my Supernatural story 'Old Toothie Faces' up later tonight or first thing in the morning, so check that out when you can.

Okay, on with the story.

Rating: T Language, Violence

Chapter 24: Superpsycho Part 2

Ian West's Room
Mister West Residence
Los Angeles, CA
Friday, October 25, 2013

True to his estimate, half an hour later, a black and white Border Collie was the first to enter Ian's room with Dusty and Sam cautiously following him. The dog started sniffing all around, taking in the child's scent that permeated the room. He slowly went about the perimeter of the room, sniffing toys and a few clothes that hadn't been hung up.

The dirty blonde looked dubious at the taller teenager, not confident at all that this would work and decided to voice her opinion on the matter once again, "You think this dog's really going to be able to track Ian down? We're in the city with a lot of smells and not a clue where to start."

"Yes, but we don't need to know where to start. He'll find him because he's not really a dog."

The dirty blonde knotted her brow and questioned, "What do you mean he's not a dog? What is he?"

Dusty stopped in front of a bookcase and looked at the row of children books with a few decorative toys. He casually answered as he pulled a book from the shelf and opened it, "He's a church grim."

"A 'church what'?"

Dusty looked over his shoulder after flipping through a few pages of the child's version of some Bible stories, "It's an attending spirit for churches. They primarily were used to protect churches, but I figured if Hell has its hellhounds to track down people who want to renege on their soul selling deals, why not use one of Heaven's hounds? Ian's an innocent soul that would naturally go…" He paused, letting his next words sink into his mind. "…would naturally go to Heaven if something happened, so Ira here shouldn't have any problem tracking him down."

Sam looked to the Southern teenager with a dumbfounded expression. "It's a ghost dog?"

Dusty closed the book and slipped it between two other books on the shelf then turned to answer, "In a manner of speaking, yes. This fellow wasn't buried alive to guard a church like they normally are created to guard the church from malevolent spirits, but an English military dog from the Second World War. My understanding was that he was very brave during the war and killed in action. The unit he was assigned to loved him so much, they gave him a proper burial as if he was one of their own, which he was. Animals don't have souls, but he certainly had some spirit to remain. Think of him like Rex: a spark of something, but not truly a soul as a ghost would be."

The once troublemaking teenager swallowed nervously while she glanced at the 'dog' that had now turned to the child's bed and busily sniffed the covers and sheets. She quietly muttered, "I guess we can use all the help we can get. Nora is crazy and she's not afraid to hurt anyone."

The onetime webmaster walked to the opposite side of the bed to the dog and glanced down at the lamp next to the bed. He picked up the helicopter Transformer toy then slightly bowed his head and glanced over his left shoulder to look at her from the corner of his eye. "I don't know if she's crazy. Evil, yes, crazy… I'll find out when I meet her. She's motivated by revenge… and that can be just as deadly as any kind of 'crazy'…"

His mind drifted back to a few weeks ago and a certain pale brunette that was believed to be crazy…

Sam called out and started snapping her fingers to get his attention, "Earth to birdboy, Earth to birdboy."

Dusty took a deep breath and jerked his head to the side to see the blonde giving him a questioning expression while Ira was looking up to him and softly patting the toe of his sneaker. He looked to Sam that had walked up to his left and answered, "Yes?"

"You zoned out for a minute."

He cleared his throat and replied while setting the Transformer down back on the nightstand, "I was just reminded of something." He looked down at the white and black dog and softly patted him on the head. "You done boy?"

The 'dog' barked several times in acknowledgement and he patted the dog's head again before turning to head out of the room.

Sam quickly walked to catch up and asked, "What were you reminded of?"

"About the times where vengeance just might be justifiable."

The blonde directed a troubled look to him, curious about such a story, but refrained from speaking as Dusty walked past her to head out the door.

The pair and dog headed out of the room and down the stairs. They reached the first floor and headed out of the back door to avoid anyone from seeing them illegally entering and leaving the premises.

Parked several spots away from the home on the side of the road was a black sixty-seven Chevrolet Impala. He opened the passenger side door for Sam and Ira then walked around to take his seat behind the steering wheel.

Sam complained as Ira took a seat on her lap and stuck his head out of the window, "I don't want him in my lap."

"Too bad. He needs to ride shotgun to let us know the direction we need to go." He looked to the dog and asked, "So where too boy?"

The dog backed and motioned his nose towards to their left.

Dusty started the vehicle and pulled onto the road. He drove for another dozen or so feet before he found the first street to turn left.

Sam muttered while trying to balance the large dog on her lap, "Too bad he can't use the PearPad."

"He's following his nose, you use the pad to make sure I actually have roads to follow."

"I don't have one."

The Southern teenager rolled his eyes and commented, "Then use your phone."

Sam groaned in annoyance then reached into her pocket to pull her phone out and pull up PearMaps. She brought up a local map and muttered, "What did you mean by sometimes vengeance could be justified?"

Dusty glanced over to his blonde passenger and answered, "There are some things that are so bad that you can't wait for some kind of divine justice. The world can't survive that way. It doesn't apply to Nora's case since none of you ever did anything to her."

"Except not becoming her bestest friend that wanted to spend the rest of our lives with her."

He commented with a dark tone, "Well, she's not going to have to worry about not having friends after we find her."

The blonde glanced over to the driver, clearly concerned what would happen after they found the wayward psychopath.

Cat Valentine/Sam Puckett Residence
Apartment 22
Venice, CA
Friday, October 25, 2013

Freddie typed away at his laptop with the occasional glanced over his shoulder to keep an eye on the detective and the FBI agents with their setup 'command center' in the middle of the living room after moving all the furniture to the two back bedrooms and waited for Nora to call Freddie's phone again.

The FBI agents had declined Colonel Shay's offer of assistance, some with the naïve view that he didn't know what he was talking about—at least publicly, though there was one agent that recognized him from his testimony from House Select Committee hearings and knew they couldn't BS him about what he was saying as they could do the others. Since they declined his offer, it was up to Freddie to use those contacts to try to find Ian.

Jade was sitting in one of the chairs at the dining room table at the corner of the kitchen, seemingly lost in thought while Cat sat cattycorner to her in the cushioned quarter-circle booth seating around the other side of the table. The former redhead looked just as lost as she was dealing with her own worry about Ian and feeling helpless in knowing how to comfort Jade, setting aside the anger she felt for Jade accusing Sam without any proof and violent outburst towards her.

Shay took a seat next to his future stepdaughter and interrupted Jade's swirling thoughts, "It's the waiting that one has to endure."

Jade passed the quickest looks to him then went back to ignoring the rest of the world.

The Colonel glanced to Cat and asked the reestablished brunette, "Catarina, why don't you see if Freddie needs anything?"

"'Kay, 'kay."

Cat scooted out of her seat and walked around the L-counter to take a place next to Freddie.

Jade took a breath, knowing that she wasn't going to be able to get her future father-in-law to simply leave, and stated, "That was crazy stunt you've pulled, repeatedly hanging up on her and saying that you didn't care."

"Perhaps," he answered, letting his statement hanging.

The dark haired young woman turned an accusing glare to him and replied, "You said you didn't care about him or what she would do to him… you can be damn heartless."

"Yes… because you have to be detached at times and this is one of those times. You can't let emotion dictate action."

Jade cocked her pierced eyebrow. "So I'm the hysterical woman? You're the cool and calm one?"

Shay cracked a smile and licked his lips. "You tried to end Sam's life and promised you'd do it later in a room full of cops. How is that not an emotional reaction to the point detachment from reason? It has nothing to do with your sex. Passion has never been a problem for Lynns. Get your granddad to tell you old war stories. Talk about passion."

Jade curtly countered, "You told her that you would kill her for what she did to Carly and Spencer."

"But my desire for her death isn't my motivation; it didn't dictate my tactics, because that is what it was. It's a tactic, though I'm not going to pretend that I have any real emotional connection to him. The point is that he's an innocent child and he's important to you… I've seen enough dead children in my life."

Jade held her gaze, though it started to waiver as she contemplated the things he had seen in his career. She quietly pointed out, "She could kill him… she could leave him that well and he could…"

He nodded along, finding no pleasure in agreeing with her. "She could. That's just the possibility that we're going to have to face, but I promise you that we'll get him back."

"You can't promise me that. Freddie made the same promise and thinks he can deliver it too."

"I've brought every one of my boys home… they may have been under flag draped coffins, but I brought them home."

She threw a disgusted glare at him. "That's not comforting."

"I'm not going to bullshit you Jadelyn. You're an adult. You don't need that. You need me to tell you what needs to be said, not what you want to hear."

Jade looked away from her future father-in-law and towards the floor.

A lull fell between the pair, one that Jade didn't find comfortable. She had too many things on her mind and one just sprung from her mouth, "Would you have killed him?"

"Who?"

"My… father? Spencer admitted one time that he knows you interfered with the custody case, that you got my father to drop it. Spencer left it vague on how you did it, but it wasn't hard to guess what you could have said to him. It's something hearing him say it."

Shay took a deep breath, thinking back to the time that Ruby was heartbroken from the loss of her marriage and facing the possibility that she would lose her child to the man that she had deeply loved. He recalled the choices he had made at the time to ensure that she wouldn't have to endure such a thing. Hindsight is said to be 20/20, but in this case, years later didn't give him any new perspective.

He answered without shame, "I would have done what was necessary to make sure you stayed with your mother instead of you becoming something he could have molded… just as you'll do what's necessary to get Ian back and make sure Roy doesn't do the same to him. Your messed up alternative future-self even understood that."

Jade should have been upset with rehashing such news, but she couldn't. She had been slowly watching what Shay had feared would have happened to her with her situation involving Ian and his mother. She couldn't imagine how much more emotionally challenging it would be if it was her actual child. She nodded along then glanced away.

Shay reached over and rested his hand on top of her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

Jade curled her fingers to gently grip his fingers between her forefinger and thumb.

The gesture didn't go unnoticed by Mister West patiently waiting in the living room.

Robbie took a seat on the opposite side of Freddie where Cat was sitting after she brought him something to drink and watched him hastily type away at code. The ventriloquist asked, "Is there anything I can do to help?"

Freddie kept his focus on the screen and answered, "I wish there was."

Robbie sighed, feeling more useless than he did most of the time. "I just feel like I should be doing something."

Cat looked sympathetically to her boyfriend, feeling that she was in the same boat.

Freddie glanced away from the screen and replied, "I'll tell you a little secret; I'm feeling pretty useless myself."

Robbie countered with a point to the computer screen, "But you're actually doing something."

Freddie glanced away from the screen and raised an eyebrow. "Shouldn't that tell you something?"

The curly haired comedian thought on his words then cracked a smile, feeling better that he feeling helpless didn't make him less to the rest of them; they felt just as useless.

The potential pity party was interrupted with Jonathan's voice unexpectedly called out from the front door, "Hey!"

Freddie looked away from his computer and over his shoulder while Jade lifted her chin to pull her gaze from the floor. She got up from her seat and motioned for them to let him inside. "It's okay. Let him in." She met him halfway after he walked around the officers and agents. "What are you doing here?"

The younger Benson took several bated breaths and quickly explained, "Tori's been trying to get a hold of you since she heard about Ian. She asked me to come over to see what's going on and to let you know she and Beck are flying back."

Detective Vega strode over to them, hearing his daughter's name and asked, "Tori's flying back? Who are you?"

Jonathan looked over to the detective and turned a questioning gaze on him.

Freddie made introductions, "This is Tori's dad, Detective Vega. Mister Vega, this is Jonathan… my brother."

Vega blinked and lips slightly parted, caught off by the unexpected news. "Your what? I thought you were an only child."

"I did too until I found out my father remarried and had a son and daughter."

Colonel Shay pointed out, "You should see the sister."

Cat giggled as if on cue.

The detective looked to the petite singer and gave her an odd look.

Jade palmed her forehead and sighed, "I better call her."

Jonathan pointed out, "She said the plane they were taking had wi-fi, so she could video chat for an update, but I don't think she expects you to call her. She knew you'd be too busy."

Jade thankfully smiled. "I need to do more than just sit here. I can call her. Anyone have a laptop I can use?"

Cat answered, "I'll get mine." She dashed to her room to retrieve her laptop. She returned in nearly an instant and took a seat in the round cushion seating at the small dining room table. Jade took a seat next to her while Cat brought up her PearChat.

Jonathan took Cat's former spot next to Freddie and asked, "Is there anything I can do to help?"

Robbie sullenly commented, "I asked him the same thing."

Freddie half grinned while he answered, "Letting her know that Tori and Beck are on their way is helpful."

Jonathan took the opportunity to ask, shifting his eyes back and forth hoping someone would enlighten him as to what was going on, "So is there any news? Any leads?"

"We know who took him. We're just trying to track her down now."

"Who?"

Freddie answered while he started typing again, "Nora Dershlit, a crazy fan—emphasis on crazy—of the webshow. She kidnapped us once and Carly, Sam, and Spencer a second time. I stopped her the second time and thought I made her realize that it was a mistake to come after me. Obviously, I'm wrong. She broke out of prison and is the one that kidnapped Ian. She'll give him back if Jade publicly breaks up and humiliates me—say how horrible I am and that she never loved me."

The college freshman mouthed 'wow' then remained stunned for several seconds then asked, "Is Jade going to go through with it? I mean, at least faking it; this is her stepbrother and I've seen how close they are."

"If she could guarantee that Nora would actually let him go, in a heartbeat, but Nora could murder him just for the Hell of it. Right now, we're just waiting to get her to call again when she doesn't see Jade blasting me all over the news."

"This Nora girl capable of that? Of killing him."

"Yes."

The younger Benson sibling blew out a breath, still stunned at the situation they found themselves in. He recovered and saw Freddie's intense focus on the computer, having stopped and apparently waiting for something. "What are you working on?"

"I'm waiting to hear if Colonel Shay's contacts successfully backtrack her last phone call to see if we can figure out where she's held up."

Shay walked up beside Freddie, slightly nudging Robbie aside and asking, "You got anything?"

Freddie looked over his shoulder to make sure the FBI wasn't overhearing then answered, "Your 'friends' came through. They traced it through a burner phone like you thought, but they're still trying to narrow down exactly what tower she used."

Shay motioned back with his head to the police and muttered under his breath, "And that would give us at least a radius. We just have to hope there is some kind of building permit for digging a well inside a home. If not…"

The former tech-producer sighed, "We have to wait on her calling again when she doesn't see anything on the news and hope we can keep her on the line long enough to triangulate her position."

Jonathan asked the uncomfortable question, "How long much longer do you think you can stall? She might not have too much patience from the way you talk about her."

"We'll stall until we can't anymore then Jade will do what she has to do."

"You're willing for Jade to put you through that?"

The former tech-producer grimaced and pointed out, "She wouldn't be in this situation if it wasn't for me."

Shay leaned in a little closer so they couldn't be overheard and replied in a hushed tone, "You wouldn't be in this situation if I had put her down in the meantime. Condemning yourself right now is not helpful."

Freddie returned with an expression that showed he wasn't too sure about that, but didn't argue.

Over at the kitchen table, the connection went through with the PearChat and Tori's face immediately appeared on the screen. She hastily shouted, "Jade, what's going on? Have you found Ian?"

Beck and Amanda's faces appeared on either side of the pop artist, surprising Jade, but she didn't bother acknowledging the others. She shook her head and answered, "Nora has Ian."

Tori blinked and tried to place the name then a new flood of emotions were expressed on her face when she realized the person. "That crazy chick that kidnapped Carly and Sam on New Years a last year?"

"Yeah, that's her."

Beck pointed out, "How? She's in prison."

"She broke out and got down here."

Detective walked over and demanded, fearing that she could risk tipping off Nora with giving up information about the situation. "Who are you talking to?"

Jade snapped, not caring for his interruption, "I'm talking to your daughter."

Vega took a place to Jade's left shoulder and paused at seeing his younger daughter on the screen. "Where are you? Are you on a plane?"

Tori spotted her father. "Hey dad. Yeah, we're on our way back."

He nodded in acknowledgment then noticed Cat was beside her while at the same time sitting beside Jade. He did a double take, seeing only a difference in hair color.

Cat explained, "That's Amanda. That's Freddie's sister."

He closed his eyes and sighed. Tori having a double with Shelby Marx was headache enough for him.

Freddie and Jonathan looked up from the screen at the mention of Amanda's name. The younger Benson asked while walking towards them, "What about Amanda?"

His question was answered when he spotted her. "Amanda? What are you doing?"

"I'm flying back with them."

"Why? Does mom and dad know?"

Amanda knotted her brow and answered, "Because I thought I'd be there for Freddie and Jade? Freddie is our brother and Jade and Ian will be our future sister and brother-in-laws."

Jonathan blinked as he didn't think about viewing the situation in that manner, still coming to terms that Freddie was his brother. "Oh, ah… right. What about mom and dad?"

"They know. Dad wasn't necessarily happy, but… I need to be there."

Jonathan looked apprehensive, still coming to terms with Freddie being their brother and all the implications of an extended family through him.

Jade spoke up, "We appreciate it. We'll be happy when you get here."

"We're still a few hours out though, but what about Ian. Have you been able to find him? How do you know it's her?"

"She called and demanded a ransom."

Tori incredulously asked, "What does she want this time? Freddie again?"

"Not exactly. She wants me to publicly break up with him in the most humiliating manner possible. She wants me to hurt him."

Beck worriedly asked, "And if you don't?"

Jade's face may have been pale, but she wore a dark expression as she answered, "Do I have to spell it out?"

The question hung in the air and though Amanda wasn't entirely familiar with the backstory involving Nora, she could easily guess that the outlook was not good for Ian if they didn't find him soon.

Freddie's cellphone rang the generic ringtone on the desk that the police had setup. Everyone froze, ironically surprised by the expected call. The agent sitting at the desk called out, "Blocked number."

Vega called out, "Freddie, it's probably her. Keep her on the line as long as you can."

Jade looked to the screen and hastily spoke, "That's her. I need to mute you." She tapped the speaker button on the PearBook, instantly muting Tori before she could verbally knowledge her.

Freddie walked over to answer the call and brought the phone to his ear.

Nora acknowledged herself with the same sickening sweet voice as she did her previous call, but there was ever so a hint of impatience lacing it, "Hello Freddie."

The former Seattleite answered in a far calmer voice than his true emotions could betray, "Hello Nora."

"I want to talk to Jade."

Freddie glanced over to his girlfriend, pausing for several unnecessary seconds, then answered, "Fine, she's right here."

Jade got up from her seat and walked over to take the phone from him. They exchanged poignant glances, lending her support for the potential bile she would probably have to swallow to keep Nora talking. She brought it to her ear and answered with some venom dripping off of her voice, "Hello?"

"Hello Jade, it's nice to finally talk to you. You know, we've never been properly introduced."

Jade wanted to snap off a harsh reply, but she needed the girl to just rattle on as long as possible. She unnecessarily paused for the conversation then answered, "No, we haven't. Why don't you come back over here so we can have a proper introduction? We can have a coffee. I know all the great places."

Nora laughed, "You're funny."

Jade played along, "I've done my share of comedy."

"You're going to have to get serious now though. I haven't seen anything on the news."

The dark brunette played dumb for a few extra seconds, "So, you want me to publicly dump Freddie?"

"Yes, I want you to let the world that you're dumping him and that he's the worst man you've ever known. I want you to tell them that you wouldn't marry him if he was the last man on Earth."

Jade bit her tongue hard just to prevent herself from shouting all the things she really wanted to truly say. She was going to kill her when she saw her and it was going to be a slow, painful death. She took several calming breaths to rein in her rage then calmly answered, "Okay, but it's going to take me a little time. I have to call for a press conference and—"

Nora cut her off, her tone filled with irritation at not liking the answer she was getting, "Don't stall on me. You've done that enough. I haven't seen anything. I know you don't want anything bad to happen to your precious little Ian here."

Jade growled in return, "Hey, you want me humiliate Freddie and make sure all my friends and the rest of the world knows I'm doing it. You think I'm going to accomplish that with a random tweet on a Friday afternoon on the West Coast? My fans will talk—those that aren't out for the night—but they'll think someone has hacked my account. I got to make it big to satisfy you. If I do a press conference, it'll dominate the news for the entire weekend. They'll talk over and over about him and dissect his life and tear him apart."

There was only soft breathing, letting the second tick by for the police to trace her call, until she finally answered, "I see your point, but don't take too long."

"I want to talk to Ian."

"You already talked to him once."

"I want to make sure that he's alright."

Nora overdramatically sighed, "Fine…"

Jade could overhear Nora shouting something then some rattling until the instantly recognizable voice, "Jadey?"

"I'm right here—"

Nora cut her off by saying, "Okay, you talked to him, so you better hurry up with that press conference. I'm not sure when the last time he's eaten. How often does he have to eat?"

Jade squeezed the phone so hard she was threatening to break case. Her cheeks flushed nearly as red as Cat's former hair color and she blew out a loud breath. She barely kept her anger in check as she whispered, "Keep your eyes on the news and be ready to give him back the second later."

"Bye…" Nora answered in a sing-along voice.

The call ended, leaving Jade near the breaking point of her rage with no apparent outlet.

Fortunately for Ian and her emotional wellbeing, the FBI technician and Freddie announced at the same time from their respective computers, "We got her."

Detective Vega looked back and forth between the two sources, surprised they both could find her location. He looked to the agents, trusting their trace and began giving orders, "Okay, I want the nearest units routed there to secure a perimeter until SWAT gets there…"

Somewhere in Venice California…

In the basement of a long forgotten and dilapidated home, Nora was quite happy with the situation. Her surroundings weren't the lap of luxury with a half cleaned out basement with odds and ends that including yard tools with a dirt floor. The most striking part about the basement was that in the center of it was a giant cinderblock lined hole nearly ten feet deep.

She was going to make Freddie pay and it was all thanks to that lousy singer. She initially didn't have anything against Jade. She could have cared less about the girl as her vengeance was focused on the three people that she hated the most and took away her chance to have real friends. Heck, she didn't hold any animosity to Gibby that rescued the three the first time and actually had a pleasant conversation with Gibby before leaving Seattle.

The thoughts and feelings she was relishing were interrupted when Ian shouted as he looked out of the well, "You better let me go!"

Nora wore a sickly sweetening smile as she looked down the well at the child. "Well I'm not! Not until Jade and Freddie breakup!"

"That's not going to happen! They love each other! They're going to get married!"

"Will see about tha—"

The lights went out and Ian screamed more out of surprise than fear.

"What the chizz?" Nora frantically looked around, trying to figure out what happened then stumbled around to try to find the light switch.

The lights came back on and Nora nearly spun around to get her bearings then stopped when she saw Sam, a handsome young man she didn't recognize standing beside her on the right and a Border Collie to his right.

The handsome teenager patted the dog on the head and whispered, "Good boy."

Sam shouted in worry, "Ian?!"

"Sammy?!"

The blonde breathed out a sigh of relief as she dashed to the edge of the dry well and shouted down it, "I'm right here kiddo."

Dusty picked up while keeping her gaze on Nora, "You alright Ian?"

"Yeah, but I'm hungry."

"We're going to get you home and you're going to be fine."

Nora shouted in outrage, "HEY! How did you find me?!"

The Southern teenager smirk answered in a chilly tone, "We just had a good old Heavenly bloodhound."

Sam took a seat on the edge of the well then dropped down. She easily landed with bent knees and was surprised when Ian threw his arms around her neck and held her tight before she could stand up. She patted him on the back and reassured him, "Okay kid, it's nice to see you too, but we got to get you back to your sister."

Nora attempted to walk around the well and approached them, but Ira bared his teeth and growled with a hungry look in his eyes. She took a step back as she could see that he was ready to turn her into a chew-toy in an instant.

Sam stood up and lifted Ian up for Dusty to take him by the arm and lift him out of the well. He placed him on his feet then reached down and took Sam's hand to help her out. He easily pulled the blond out the well then the pair looked to the irate girl.

Ian stared at the large dog for the split second the Border Collie hesitated in recognizing the child then happily turned and licked his face. The child laughed at the affection, something he wasn't really used to with his mother's annoying little dog, and wrapped his arms around the dog's neck.

Dusty knelt down to Ian and took off his jacket to wrap over his shoulders. "So you okay?"

"I'm just hungry… and cranky. I didn't get my nap." Ian made a face towards Nora and stuck his tongue out at her. "She's mean and nasty."

The Southern teenager turned an assuring smiled to him. "Well, you don't have to worry about her now. Sam's going to take you to see Jade. You know she's very very worried about you."

Ian nodded his head.

He stood up and instructed Sam, "Head on back to your place. I'll… I'll catch up." He turned back to stare Nora down.

The blonde confusingly questioned, "Dusty?"

Dusty glanced over his left shoulder while reaching into his left front jean pocket. He pulled out his keys and tossed them to her before whispering with a finality to his voice, "Ian doesn't need to see this… you don't need to see this."

Nora spat out, "Oh no, you're not going anywhere with him. I'm going to have my vengeance on Freddie." She started to walk around the well, but Dusty slowly walked around the right of the well and blocked her path.

Nora darted her eyes back and forth between the pair and shouted, "Hey, it's just between me and Sam."

Dusty snorted out, "This isn't some exhibition fight. You kidnapped a child and you're willing to murder him in cold blood in your quest for vengeance. This is simply the euthanasia of a rapid animal."

Nora blinked in mild shock at the harshness of his words and the cold look in his eyes. The blonde looked on in worry as she thought the same thing, but she had more a pressing concern. Nora thought about rushing to former Carolinian, but she recognized the look in his eyes and saw that it was the same cold look that she recognized in the mirror.

Sam picked up Ian and they started on their way up the stairs.

Dusty called out as they were half-way up the stairs, "And Ian?"

The blonde stopped and turned so Ian could see Dusty. "Yeah?"

"The dog's yours. His name's Ira and he's a very good dog."

The dog barked in understanding and brought a smile to Ian's face. The babysitter and child began again to leave the poor deathtrap.

Nora attempted to start after Sam and Ian, but Dusty sidestepped in front of her again. She furiously glared at the young man and wanted to tear him apart and in her mind, was going to in the next few moments, but she passed a quick glare to Sam and shouted, "This isn't over Sam! I will find you and Freddie and Carly and I will make you pay! I'm a character that never dies!"

Dusty retorted in a solemn tone, "You die today."

The disturbed girl turned her attention back to Dusty and swallowed nervously at seeing that the unknown teenager wasn't joking.

Sam attempted to talk him out of what she suspected he was about to do, "Dusty?"

"Go," he answered in a curt tone.

The blonde debated what was more important, arguing with someone as stubborn as she or get Ian to safety. It was an easy choice and sighed then finished climbing the stairs with her precious cargo along with the dog.

Nora spat out, "So we're going to fight?"

Once Dusty was sure that Sam and Ian were out of earshot, he answered, "No… as I just said: you're simply going to die because there is no other option."

The straight haired brunette wiggled her fingers at him and mocked with a manic smile, "Those are big words. Do you know who I am?"

"Every iCarly fan knows the batshit crazy fan that kidnapped them—twice—and tried to murder Spencer the second time. Then there is the fact that I was here during the second time and watched as your stunt nearly tore Jade and Freddie apart."

Nora confidently smiled. "Then you should know what I'm capable of. I've the spent nearly the last two years training, readying myself for this moment and I'm going to make you pay for getting in my way."

Dusty shook his head in mild amusement and cracked a smile, but not the one that indicated any happiness. It was one that a person would wear for sick pleasure. "You really think that is how this was going to play out?" He shook his head in disgust and continued, "Do you really think that Jade would actually breakup with Freddie? That either would humiliate the other in public? Sam would be remembered as the girl that was so irresponsible it finally got someone innocently killed? You think you would have actually gotten to Carly after that?"

"I could hear her voice. She's desperate to get him back. She'd do anything. She cares about the kid that much."

Dusty cocked his head to the side and gave her a blank stare. He took a slow, deliberate breath then answered, "Only if she knew she would have gotten him back, but she knew that wouldn't happen with you. You have a history and she wasn't going to ignore it."

"Then I guess I have hurt her too then and I know exactly how to do that now."

The Nephil licked his lips as he started to walk around the bricked up ring. "You won't get the chance. The only way this story was going to play out was with you six feet under… it only depended on by whose hands. Freddie was either going to kill you or the Colonel because they have very good reasons to end your life. You try to ruin his relationship with his girl and kidnap practically her child and the Colonel? You kidnap his children and nearly murdered Spencer… you're a dead woman walking in their eyes then there is Jade… there's Jade."

He chuckled and shook his head. He whistled then continued, "What she's planning to do to you. She would make you suffer before she ended your life, but… I can't let any of those ways play out. Freddie shouldn't have to carry that or worry about all the legal ramifications and the Colonel… we can't have anything sabotage his path to the White House."

Dusty was cracking such a grin. "Jade? She doesn't need that blood on her hands and be haunted with how far she had to go to unleash her depravity in her soul to make you pay, so… it falls on me."

Nora walked around the other side of the well to face Dusty with nothing standing between them. She mockingly laughed, "Falls on you? You really think you're going to kill me?"

Dusty slightly tilted his head to the right and answered in a detached voice, "It's not as if you were my first."

The demented girl's smug look disappeared and replaced with one of outraged. Her patience with him was done. "We'll see which one of us ends up in their grave!" She charged at him with her right fist back, ready to clobber him.

Dusty carelessly raised his right hand and made a flicking motion with his pointer and middle finger.

Nora lifted off her feet from no apparent means and was flung backwards with considerable speed, only stopping when she crashed against the row of shelves against the opposite wall. She dropped to the floor in a heap and groaned while trying to pull herself into a protective ball. She felt as if her back was broken from the shelves.

As the crazy brunette crawled back onto her feet, Dusty slowly walked to her.

His voice was detached as he spoke, "It's sad that they actually think you're crazy. All that psycho mumbo-jumbo when you're just evil. True, your mother was evil and you probably never had a real chance, but… you understood how society worked and you could have made a different choice. If you were just crazy, I could fix that, but…"

Nora pulled herself up to her knees to meet his eyes.

He finished with a regretful expression. "…I can't cure the evil in your heart and you won't stop until either they're dead or you're dead, so…"

The enraged brunette ignored the pain shooting up and down her spine. She threw a right jab hard at Dusty's nose.

Dusty's head barely snapped back from her colliding fist and Nora screamed and frantically shook her hand. She felt like she had broken her knuckles hitting a brick wall. Nora gave him a perplexed look while Dusty looked back in a detached manner.

The rage bubbling up inside explode that pushed down the pain in hand and back. She screamed again to charge him, "RRAAAGHH!" She threw a quick series of jabs at his chest, stomach then jaw.

Dusty looked unfazed and Nora took a few steps back and looked back stunned at him, her fingers freezing up in pain.

In a blink, Dusty closed within arm's reach of her. "Give my regards to my Aunt Meg." He spread his right hand out then placed his palm on her forehead.

Outside of the rundown house, Sam was just reaching the passenger side of the Impala when she froze at hearing a terrifying and agonizing scream that would haunt her for the rest of her existence. Ian clamped his small hands and sleeves of the jacket over his ears and Ira started fiercely barking at the house. She turned and looked on awestricken just in time to see rays of yellowish white light blazing out of every nook and cranny of the boarded up house then the wooden planks shattered out along with the door being flung out into the yard to allow the blinding light shine out of the broken windows and doorless front entrance, lighting up the twilight

The light ceased shining moments later, leaving with it an eerie silence hanging over the house then various car alarms several blocks around the house started sounding. The people that had arrived home started spilling out their doors to see what had happened.

Ian muttered, clearly troubled by what he had heard and saw, "What was that?"

The blonde gapped several times before she was able to mutter, "I ah… it's not important." She turned back to the back passenger seat and opened. "Let's just get you home."

She slipped the child into the passenger seat and buckled him into the seat. She shut the door and was about to walk around the front of the car, but Ira barked, reminding the blonde of his presence. She opened the back passenger door to allow the Collie to jump into the backseat. She scrambled to the driver's seat and cranked the engine. She gave a passing look over her shoulder then peeled away from the curb just as several LAPD patrol vehicles and SWAT van were coming up from behind several blocks back.

Cat Valentine/Sam Puckett Residence
Apartment 22
Venice, CA
Friday, October 25, 2013

Detective Vega was on the phone and pacing near the door being filled-in on the happenings with the SWAT team and other officers at the location they traced the call.

The others were expectedly anxious to hear any news as they were of course all worried about Ian's safety. Since Nora's phone call, the current Mrs. West had arrived. The young blonde was being comforted by her husband while Ruby stayed close to Jade so her presence would calm her, though it wasn't doing much good as Jade remained on edge.

Shay was particularly concerned that it could easily turn into a hostage situation if they didn't breach quickly enough and surprise her. If they were in a basement, it could be a death trap for them and Ian. A flash-bang in an enclosed area with a child… not the first choice to disorient a hostage taker in that situation.

Jade's patience had long ended and demanded, "What's going on?"

Mister West didn't want to be a pest, but was just as eager as his daughter, "Detective?"

Vega glanced in their direction and attempted to divide his attention to answer, "They found the house and the cellphone, but it and the house look like it's been trashed. They door is in the middle of the front yard with all the windows are busted out. People are saying there was something like an explosion before we got there."

"Explosion?"

The detective quickly reassured them, "There was not explosion, no fire, just a blinding flashing white-yellowish light."

The description immediately caused Freddie to think what happened with all the news reports around the world during Dusty's walkabout.

Jade pushed, "What about Ian? They didn't find him?"

"No. There's no sign of him or Nora."

Jade felt her stomach drop out from her and felt the last of her emotional control crumbling. Freddie wrapped an arm around Jade's shoulders, assuring her that he was there for her. "It's okay. It's okay. We'll find them."

"Already have," Sam called out while holding Ian close to her. "Look who I found?"

Everyone in the room turned to see Sam standing at the door holding Ian in her arms and the unexpected dog by her legs.

Jade eyes opened and whispered out in disbelief, "Ian?"

Sam let the child slip to his feet and he ran to Jade. The songstress dropped to her knees without a moment of thought. She opened her arms and swept him into her arms, letting the stepsiblings hold on to each other.

She kissed his cheek and buried her face on his small shoulder, trying to stifling the cry of happiness of seeing him. She brushed a hand over his back, comforting him, herself and making sure that he was really there. After several seconds, she pulled back enough to meet his eyes and desperately whispered, "Are you okay?"

"I still need to go to the potty and I'm hungry."

She lifted him and stood up, having every intention of taking him to the bathroom, but his mother shouted in outrage, "Give me him!"

Jade turned to her stepmother and held the child tighter, trying to stop his mother from taking him out of her arms.

The newest Mrs. West was about to grab her child when the black and white dog stepped between them and bared his teeth then harshly barked at the woman, driving her back.

Detective Vega drew his firearm along with the other officers in the room and pointed them at the dog.

The Border Collie turned his attention to the police officer and softly growled at him, ready to kill at a moment's notice.

He shouted to Sam, "Call the dog off before I have to shoot him."

Sam looked slightly stunned as she admitted, "I don't know if he'll listen to me."

Dusty called out from behind the blonde at the open door, "You'll be wasting your bullets."

Their attention was once again caught by someone at the door. Dusty was standing at the threshold with a somber expression. He continued with a detached voice, "It'll just piss him off and he might tear your throat out despite you being a practicing Catholic."

Vega wouldn't be intimidated and demanded, "Call him off."

The Southern teenager grinned and happily remarked, "The dog doesn't belong to me, so he doesn't have to listen to me. He belongs to Ian now. You have to ask him to call him off."

Ian looked confused, thinking he could actually command the threatening dog to do anything.

"I will shoot the dog," Vega warned, letting his finger slip between the trigger guard and the trigger.

Dusty answered in a near taunting manner, "Try."

Ian looked to Ira and timidly commanded, "Sit boy."

The dog immediately obeyed and took a seat and calmly looked up at the police detective.

Detective Vega and the officers and agents exchanged corner of the eyes looks with one another, seeing if any of them thought it was some trick. After several tense seconds, each slowly holstered his respective weapon, but keeping a cautious eye on the dog.

In the lull, Freddie cautiously asked his friend, "Where's Nora?"

Dusty nodded his head to the side and casually remarked, "Nora… if the Reapers are actually doing their jobs then she should be in Hell right now."

Everyone immediately came to the same conclusion about how she got there and who sent her on her way.

Jade felt two conflicting emotions surged through her: a sense of peace coming over her knowing that Nora had what was coming to her and she would never bother them again, but the other was anger that it wasn't by her hands.

Detective Vega was quick to ask, "What did you do son?"

The former webmaster just smiled and answered, "I invoke my right to remain silent."

The Vega patriarch glared at the young man, but a quick assessment told him that he didn't have time to intimidate him for an answer. He turned to Sam and softly demanded, "Where's Nora? You must have beaten us to her. What happened? They found all the windows shattered and the front door in the middle of the yard."

In some odd sense of loyalty, she looked to Dusty to see how she should answer such a question if at all.

Dusty answered with a soft and careless voice, "Tell him whatever you want to tell him."

The former delinquent looked to the detective and answered, "We found her in an abandoned house about ten blocks from here. We found Ian then I left with him… and Dusty stayed behind."

David Vega turned his attention back to Dusty and asked, "What happened to Nora?"

"Again, I'm invoking my right to not speak with you and remain silent." He looked to the others in the room. "You're all witnesses that I invoked it and he's still trying to question me."

Vega quickly walked to the young man and hissed, "This isn't a game young man. Where is she? If you did anything to her…" He took a moment to shift tone into a fatherly concerned one then continued, "I'm sure the D.A. will understand under the circumstances, that you were acting in defense of Ian. On the other hand, it could look like you were helping her escape and be charged with aiding and abetting her."

Dusty raised the corner of his mouth and repeated, "Again, I'm invoking my right to remain silent."

The pair stared at each, seeing which one would flinch. The detective reached for his handcuffs on his belt near his left hip. "Put your hands on top of your head. I'm placing you under arrest for aiding and abetting an escaped fugitive."

"You can't arrest him!" Jade shouted in outrage.

He eyed the rock star and asked in an exacerbated tone, "What choice do I have? He either just admitted to killing her or just let her go—the woman that just kidnapped Ian."

Freddie quickly pointed out with an angry laced voice, "I didn't hear any confession."

The detective looked to Freddie in such a way to question if he was seriously trying to peddle the idea.

Cat followed up just as eager, "I didn't hear it either."

Dusty turned his back to the detective and put his hands behind his back. He smirked while Vega handcuffed him. He took a moment to pat him down, but didn't find any weapons or perceived any.

The detective motioned to one of the uniformed officers. "Take him to the station. I'll question him there."

The teenagers looked on stunned with the sudden turn in events while the first Mrs. West and Colonel Shay looked on in concern.

As Dusty was led out of the apartment, Freddie quickly shouted, "I'll call your dad."

Once Dusty was out of sight, the second Mrs. West demanded in a near high pitched voice to Jade, "Give me my son."

Jade look to the young blonde, debated whether he should let him go. She had a sinking feeling if she let him go, she might not ever see him again. She looked to Ian and he reassuringly smiled to her, comforting her instead. She took a gentle breath and just thought for a moment how he had made such an impact on her life when the first time she had even heard about him it was in the context of a threat for her father's love.

The blonde mother demanded, "Jade, you give me my son or I swear—"

Ruby West stepped in and cut her off, "Don't do something foolish… or something you'll regret."

The younger Mrs. West looked to her husband's first wife, fearful for a moment and giving Jade a few seconds more of peace.

Jade kissed him on his cheek then whispered into his ear for only him to hear, "I love you. You're the best little brother anyone could have."

Ian laughed and gave her a little peck on the cheek.

The toughest girl that had ever attended Hollywood Arts reluctantly relinquished the child over to the blonde, who nearly snatched him out of the musician's arms.

The blonde examined her child, seeing if there were any marks on him. She finally noticed the oversized jacket on her child and the slash into the right shoulder with the dried blood stain. "Oh my God, are you bleeding?

She pulled the black jacket off one arm then the other, carelessly discarding it on the floor. She looked over him for any place he could be bleeding, but all she noticed was that his jeans were dirty. However, she wasn't satisfied and stated, "I'm going to take you right to the hospital to make sure he's alright."

She started for the door, not even giving her husband the chance to reunite with Ian.

Detective Vega quickly pointed out, "Mrs. West, we need to talk to him."

"Not now," the blonde was quick to snap, intending to continue on her way, but her husband gently grabbed her by the elbow. She paused and threw an impatient look to him, but he gently rebuked her with a look.

Mister West calmly answered, "We're going to take him to the hospital to make sure he's alright, but of course, I would appreciate one of your detectives and any other officers you could spare to come with us since Nora still on the loose and to help you anyway we can."

Vega smiled, grateful on how reasonable Mister West was in the situation. "Of course and thank you. I'll have Detective Jones met you and I'll have some officers escort you."

"Thank you detective for all your help. I'll be sure to tell the chief all your hard work and I'll speak to later."

The officer nodded and smiled his appreciation then Mister West led his wife out of the apartment.

Ian confusingly called out as his mother took him out of the apartment, yet Jade looked like she was staying behind, "Jadey?"

She waved at him and assured him with a forced smile, "I'll see you later."

The blonde stopped in her tracks and looked over her shoulder. She snapped with a hateful expression, "Don't you ever come near my child again you gothic freak or the rest of you. Stay away from him."

Jade's heart nearly seized up in her chest and a shocked expression froze on her face.

The mother turned and continued on her way out.

"Jadey?" Ian called out as he disappeared around the corner.

Jade took a deep breath to help push down the swell of feeling trying to swell up and out. She couldn't breakdown in front of the others.

Mister West passed a surprisingly sympathetic glance to his daughter, but continued on his way.

Freddie focused a troubled expression towards Jade and spoke to her in a hushed tone, "Jade?"

The blue streaked hair teenager ignored him and reached down and picked up the battered jacket and held it close to her chest, still able to feel Ian warmth and smell his faint scent.

After making a quick call back to Jones to tell him to meet the Wests at the hospital and to check with the unit escorting them exactly which one they were heading, Detective Vega turned his attention to Sam. "Sam, I have a few more questions for you."

Sam looked to the detective and answered with a flat voice, "I've said all I'm going to say. So if you're going to arrest me, go head." She offered her wrists to him to be handcuffed.

The detective sighed in frustration, "Sam, I need to know what hap—"

Colonel Shay walked up next to Sam and placed a protective arm around her shoulders. "You heard her answer. You either arrest her or leave her alone. She says she's not talking to you. If you want to talk to her, you'll do it through her attorney."

Vega and the former flyer stared off, seeing which one would stand down first.

It wasn't much of a contest, so the LAPD officer looked to the other law enforcement officers and reluctantly informed them, "Come on, it looks like we'll have to get our answers someplace else."

The other officers exchanged glances then the FBI agents started packing their things, taking a few minutes. They had their sympathies to the dark haired teenager as they had observed how concern she was about her stepbrother.

After the last agent finished packing up, they left an eerily silence apartment.

Freddie gave Jade the few minutes to settle herself, but worried as she remained quiet and continued to stare out the door. He quietly started, "Jade…"

The pale teenager ignored him and walked out of the apartment.

Freddie sighed then turned to the others, Cat and Robbie giving lost expressions in return, Jonathan dumbfounded, Mrs. West a heartbreaking one, Colonel Shay a stoic expression and Sam simply stunned.

Ira barked then trotted out to follow Jade.

Author's Note: I left you with another cliffhanger, sorry. I do hope you found that quite enjoyable. Thanks for reading, OneHorseShay.