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Misconceptions pt. 35

Tom turned the knob to his front door and entered. He walked down the hallway and found Eve in the recliner. She was staring out the window with a photo album open on her lap, and she looked angry. "Hey."

She took a breath, but didn't respond. She was afraid to respond.

"I saw John." He settled on the couch.

She scanned him slowly. "Judging by the look on your face, it didn't go well."

"No." He closed his eyes and rested his head on the back of the sofa. "Not too well, babe."

Her gaze dropped to her lap, staring at the images of long ago. Of a happy family, who were together and complete. "I thought it would get easier when they got older."

He laughed, sitting up and staring at his beautiful wife. "I think we were fooling ourselves." They continued to stare in silence. "I could use a drink. You want one?" She nodded, and he went to the kitchen for some glasses and Irish Whiskey.

Eve joined him, taking the shot and downing it. "Our son is in jail. Any thoughts on how to help him out?"

"Well, obviously he needs a good lawyer, but..."

"What he needs," Eve began, interupting, "is to get away from that damn girl!"

He poured some more liquor and watched her take another shot. "He's not going to do that, hon. He'll let us go before he will her." The thought squeezed his heart, tearing at it. "I think I finally did what you said I would?"

She blinked, not understanding.

"I think I finally pushed him too far, and now he's gone."

Eve walked around the counter and hugged her husband tightly. He was different now, broken, and it was almost too much to bare. "I think that you are a wonderful man who has been put in an impossible situation. How do you sit back and let your child ruin himself?" She got lost in his diamond eyes, trying to convey the truth of her words. "Maybe we didn't do the right things Tom, but we did the best we could, and John is not blameless in this because he refuses to listen to reason."

Tom sighed, grabbing the bottle in a firm grip and drinking down a large gulp of fiery liquid. He wiped his mouth. "Damn it, we are a stubborn bunch, aren't we?"

She laughed, petting his arm softly. "Yes, we are, and it's not over yet. Not until he's free." She paused, growing serious again. "Of that cell, and the redhead."

He frowned. "Babe, you need to listen to me now." She didn't speak. "I know why you want them apart," he licked his lips and could taste the alcohol on them, "but you don't know how it will turn out, not really? He loves her. I saw it in his eyes when he was basically telling me to go to hell! He loves her deeply."

She smiled, touching his rough cheek with her fingers. "You think that they can have their happy ending?" She dropped her hand. "That's sweet Tom, but it won't happen."

He took a breath and bent to her mouth, kissing her softly. She tasted like whiskey, and he smiled and then deepened the kiss until they were both short of breath. When he found her dazed eyes again, he spoke. "It can happen. You know it's possible. Maybe..?"

"Maybe, my ass!" She grabbed the bottle and stalked to the livingroom, flopping into the recliner in a huff. "She's no good, and John is. How can it possibly work?"

He went to his wife and grabbed her wrists, hauling her to her feet. She was pissed and glaring up at him, and he felt his pulse quicken from the heat that was smothering them. "Maybe it'll work, and maybe it won't, but I'm through interfering with John's life!" She obviously disagreed, but he held tight. "And so are you, Eve!"

"Is that an order?"

"YES!" he boomed, bending and lifting her from the floor. He swept her up in his arms and walked to the stairs, climbing with determination. When they were inside the bedroom that they shared together, he let her go. "You know, John said something to me today that was possibly the worst thing I've ever had shoved in my face? He told me that we were making the same mistake over and over again, by pretending that we were a family." He saw her eyes bug out, surprised and wounded by the comment, and he sighed. He knew exactly how she felt. He had felt it too. "He wasn't wrong, babe. We haven't been a family.." he paused, "..a healthy family, for a very long time. And I'm tired of it. So no more ripping each other apart for our own good, and no more anger and disapproval." His heart was racing, but he walked up to his motionless wife and stopped in front of her. His voice lowered. "No more living our boy's lives for them."

She watched him wrap a strong arm around her waist, and instinctively placed her palms over his chest. His heart was pumping beneath her hands, and she felt a familiar desire. It's been awhile since he's been this...passionate about anything, but she remembered, and her heart ached a little. "Don't ask me to accept that woman, Thomas. I won't." She looked into his eyes as they pierced her soul.

He shook his head. "I won't, and I don't want to talk about John anymore. Not him, or Mike or Natalie Buchanan." He felt her accept the current situation for what it was, a seduction. He smiled, placing his lips on her smooth neck. "No more talking, Evie."

She took a deep breath and clutched his hair. "No more talking." Then she let her husband love her, and it was better than it has been in quite awhile.

Mike stood in front of the door, stopping to focus on the young man behind him. "Are you sure this is what you want?"

Rex nodded, ignoring the butterflies in his stomach. He didn't want this, he needed this. It was the only way to move on from the nightmare that has become his life. He watched the detective open the door and lead him into the tiny interrogation room. It was the same one he had spent lovely time in, before going home. Before telling her everything that she wanted to know about Natalie. His gut twisted with his anger, made worse by her pleading gaze. He tore away long enough to look at Michael McBain. "Thanks." Then he sighed and took a smooth breath, mustering some courage as he was left alone with the woman who betrayed him.

Adrianna couldn't believe it! He came to see her. It was obvious that he was hurt and angry, and probably even hated her right now, but he still came. Her heart pounded with nerves and excitement. "Rex?" she whispered, wanting to stand and go to him.

"You ruined everything," he said, finally moving to the table. He sat across from her, his spine stiff with tension. "Tell me why?"

She didn't even know where to start? "I love you." He frowned. "I do," she insisted, placing her handcuffed wrists on the table. She saw him take in the sight, and she also saw his concern. "I know you love me too."

"You tried..." he had to stop himself. This was harder than he expected. His eyes found hers, unwavering. "You tried to kill my sister. Why? Over some ridiculous jealousy?"

She straightened. "I never wanted to hurt anybody."

He was frowning again. He feared that would be a permanent expression. "A cop is dead because of you. His wife is a widow. His two twin baby girls are fatherless. For what? Money?"

She blinked, surprised that he would say that to her, or even think it! "This was never about money Rex, and I don't need it anyway. And I'm not the one to start all this. That would be your precious Natalie."

He felt his chest tighten, making it hard to breathe. What was happening? How could he have never seen this, seen her? "Natalie's the victim here!"

She laughed, sitting back in her chair and crossing her legs. "Oh, that's rich! Your bitch sister is nobody's victim, but naturally, she'll get off scott-free like always, as though she was never in the wrong!"

He leaned forward. "She didn't make you do anything!"

Adrianna laughed again. He was so trusting, so believing, but where was all that belief when it came to her? "She came to me at my lowest point, and you know that! It was right after my mother hired someone to kidnap and stalk me for my own good! She convinced me to get back at Dorian by stealing Craze from her, and then she told me how we'd run it together. That it would be a success, and each new dollar would be a knife twisting in my mother's gut! So how in the hell does that make her innocent, Rex?" She was angry, furious that after everything she gave up for him, to be with him, he was simply quitting on her now. "My mother hasn't spoken to me since, and she never will. I stole from her and turned her out time and time again so that we could finally be together, and now look where that has gotten me?"

He stood suddenly. "I think the attempted murder is what's gotten you where you are right now?" She was twisting everything, it was unbelievable!

Adrianna slowly stood from her chair, and moved closer to the man who has always had her back until this moment. She got very close, staring up into his beautiful eyes. "I never wanted to hurt you," she licked her lips and reacted when he watched her carefully, "but how could I just turn my back when Natalie destroyed my life? She turned my mother against me, and I never would have believed that was even possible? She berated me every chance she got, telling anyone who would listen that I was a stupid waste of space!" She felt a pain in her chest. "You never really stopped her either Rex, because she always came first." She laughed again, but it was a cold sound. "Hell, she still comes first! I mean, look at us!"

He saw her lift her bound hands and touch his face, gently caressing his cheek. "She screwed you over big time, I know that, but..."

"But what? She gets a free pass because she's a Buchanan? Well not from me!" She moved away, retaking her seat and waiting for his next move.

Rex followed her around the table and knelt on the floor. He turned her chair so that they were face to face for their conversation. "She was hurt, Adrianna. That Max guy hurt her, and someone tried to kill her at the train station!"

She nodded, letting her tears fall. "I never wanted that, but everything just kept getting worse." She felt so afraid as she stared into his eyes. There was a familiar warmth there. Maybe he did still care? "None of this was supposed to happen." She needed him to believe her.

He swallowed, gripping her slender hips with his fingers. "Then tell me what was supposed to happen? Help me to understand?" He wanted to get it.

Her arms rose, sliding over his head and holding him closer, while she continued to look on with hope in her eyes. "I just wanted her to pay for what she did to me?" He didn't move, and she took the opportunity to lean forward and kiss him heatedly.

Rex stiffened for a second, but he couldn't help but feel that kiss through every part of him. His heart was swelling in his shrunken chest. "Tell me," he whispered over her ear, as she continued to touch him with her soft lips.

She pulled away, still crying as she spoke. "I set her up, the way she set me up, but I never wanted to hurt her." He didn't look convinced. "I hate her Rex, but she's your sister. Please believe me?" She kissed him again, begging him to believe her. "Please baby?" she breathed, moaning when his tongue slipped into her mouth.

He was having a hard time thinking clearly. She seemed so sincere, and he never really bought the idea of her able to hurt anyone. "How does Max fit in? Why beat her up? It doesn't make sense."

She hugged him, squeezing him with all her strength. "I needed her to look guilty. She went to the police and they didn't believe her, and that had to happen." Her large, brown eyes found his again, worried about his reaction.

He shook his head. "But McBain?"

"Exactly!" she snapped, angry again. "He just kept helping her, so I had to do something? Then you disappeared with her and that damn computer!" She kissed him deeply, melting under his touch. He wasn't pulling away from her, and that meant they had a chance. A real chance. She just had to make him understand. "I love you, Rex."

He frowned, lifting her arms from his neck and standing. "No! You used me!"

She was on her feet in an instant, refusing to let him go. "You don't believe that, I know you don't! You know how much I love you, because you feel it when I kiss you...touch you!" She got closer, pulling him into a passionate embrace, desperate for him to remember the truth. "Don't you see? None of this would be happening between us if it weren't for Natalie. Please, just let her go. For once, can't you love me as much as I love you? Can't I come first?"

He sighed, feeling more exhausted than he ever remembered being. He touched her hair and pulled her body against his, enjoying the curves that moulded to him with perfection. "I'm trying here, Adrianna, but you need to tell me everything. No more secrets. There can't be anymore secrecy between us, please?" He leaned, kissing one eye and then the other. "Who did you tell about the trainyard?"

She was in heaven. He was going to give her another chance to make things right, and he was kissing her. His hands were flat on her lower back, forcing her to stay as close to him as humanly possible, and she was so happy. His wonderful lips were placing soft, feather kisses on her face, letting her feel his love. No matter how angry he was, she could still feel it, it was there.

...who did you tell about the trainyard?...

In one instant, Adrianna snapped to attention, finding the probing gaze of her lover. He looked tired and sad, and very interested in the answer to his question. She stepped away from him. "You're lying," she finally realized, feeling an icy cold chill spread through her body. "You're using me?"

He blinked and straightened, placing his hands on his hips. "Well, one good turn deserves another, right?"

She watched Detective McBain step through the door and join them. Her anger roared to the surface. "You bastard!"

Rex stopped paying her anymore attention. He looked at the cop. "That'll help, right?"

"Oh yeah." Mike looked at his prisoner. "That'll definitely help." He waved an officer into the room, who immediately dragged her away. Her screams were lingering in the air.

Rex rolled his shoulders and closed his eyes for a moment, blocking out her sounds until he no longer had too. "It wasn't enough. She didn't give us anything on the shooter."

Michael placed a hand on his shoulder. "She will." He went to the door and waited for Balsom to follow, and he eventually did. "You did good."

Rex walked toward the squadroom, wondering when he would start to feel anything other than pain? "It wasn't enough," he repeated softly.

They reached the hallway that lead to the main room, and Mike stepped aside, letting the boy go first. "It's enough," he finally replied, moving right behind him. They didn't need to say anymore to one another.

Natalie spotted Rex, the moment he rounded the corner of the hallway. She ran to him and gave him a firm hug, relieved to see him in tact. She found his eyes, and they looked a little annoyed. "What is it? Where were you?"

He pulled from her slowly, but held her gaze. "Just wrapping up some loose ends."

"What does that mean?"

He frowned. "It means," he began, running a hand over his face, "that I'm tired and am going home."

She let him go, but she continued to stare with concern all over her face. Maybe being alone was a bad idea right now? "I'll go with you." He quickly shook his head. "We could get some take out and watch an old movie or something?"

Rex knew she meant well, but that didn't stop him from wanting to freak out at her. It was misplaced anger, but it was powerful. "Stop babying me, Natty! I can take care of myself!"

"I know that!"

He huffed, touching her arm for a second. "Look, I really need to be on my own right now. Clear my head. Think about...everything. You can't help me with that."

She didn't want to let him leave. "I know that she..."

He held up his hand sharply. "Stop! I'm going to get very pissy if you keep this up!" He sighed, glancing at McBain, who was leaning casually against his doorframe. "Natalie, my heart is broken, but I'm a big boy. Please, please, just leave me alone for awhile? I promise to call you tomorrow." She crossed her arms over her chest, and he sighed again. "I promise." Then he kissed her forehead and nodded to the cop, before walking out of the police station and out into the world.

It'll take awhile, but he'll get over this. Getting over things is what he did. He left for home, anxious to toss any and all reminders of Adrianna from the loft.

Natalie stared at the empty doorway for a minute, before setting her sights on Michael. "Do you think he'll be okay?" She genuinely wanted his opinion.

He nodded with confidence. "He's going to be fine, trust me." Her quizical stare made him laugh. "What?"

"What have you two been up too?"

He stood straight. "Like the guy said, wrapping up loose ends."

Jason hustled down the hallway, forcing his way into the conversation between his friend and the redhead. "Mike, I need you." He went into the office, knowing that he would be followed.

Natalie glared. "Ass!" she mumbled, watching Mike leave her behind and close his door tightly. She rolled her eyes and rubbed her sore neck, and then searched for Andrew Clayton. He was here somewhere, and she was going to make sure that he was being a good boy and freeing John.

Michael went to his desk, but his focus was on his partner. "You look like you're about to pop, what gives?"

"I just had a very interesting conversation with Maxwell Carpenter."

He blinked. "You did?" He was surprised, but more than that he was curious. "Why exactly?"

Cam frowned. "Look, I don't like your brother, and as far as I'm concerned a cell is the least of what he deserves!"

Michael clenched his fists, itching for a repeat performance of when he struck him in the jaw. "I don't need this crap today, Jase!"

"Shut up and listen!" He placed his hands on his hips as they glared at one another. "I don't like him, but I..."

"What?"

He blew out an irritated breath. "He's your brother, Mike."

He sat on the edge of his desk and waited.

"I found out who the shooter is."

Michael stood staight. "What? Who? How?"

Jason actually chuckled. It was a rare occasion when his friend was flustered and hard-pressed for words. "It turns out that our friend Max is a liar. He not only knows our Miss. Cramer, but helped her to find someone to kill Natalie." The tension in the room was thick as his boss took in all the information. "We got her man, red-handed. Cramer is as guilty as they get, and she's going away for a long time."

Mike felt a little overwhelmed. He hadn't expected this to finally be over so quickly, and he really hadn't expected help from Cameron. Not when it meant helping John.

Jason walked up to the man who has been by his side since the academy. "I love you, man. We're family. So like it or not, that means that John gets an assist." He shrugged, slowly matching the grin that was forming on the face across from him. "But don't get used to it, because I'd just as soon lose the key, if you know what I mean?"

Mike chuckled, shaking his hand slowly. "You're something else?"

"You just realizing that? I thought you were a good detective?" There was another pause, but this one was far less awkward. Cameron lost his smile. "He's not out of trouble, you know that? This'll clear him of any murder charges, but it won't free him."

Mike nodded. He knew that. "No it won't, but with any luck, something else will."

Cameron thought about asking more, but quickly changed his mind. He didn't care, not really? His interest was in this case, not McBain and his redhead. "I'm going to go and get our guy so that we can all get some sleep." He found a pair of blue eyes. "You wanna come?"

He shook his head. "No, I've got a ton of paperwork to wade through. You get the villian, and I'll type it up." He sighed. This has been one hell of a tumultuous day. Cameron left to make the last arrest to this puzzle, and he sighed again, rubbing his eyes. He went to his desk and stared at the pile of folders that were waiting for them. His fingers wrapped around the phone and picked up the receiver. He dialed and held his breath, listening to the rings in his ear. When a voice spoke he smiled. It was the sweetest sound. "Hey."

Marcie smiled, happy to hear from him. This book tour was getting more difficult. "Hey yourself."

Mike felt his muscles relax as he talked to the woman that he loved. Things were coming to an end, and he just had to talk with her. She calmed him. He smiled wider, listening and recapping, and feeling whole for the first time in forever.

Gina bit her lip and held in the laugh that wanted out. She watched John devour the last of his burger, and it was a damn entertaining sight. "So?" she teased. "Enjoying that, are you?"

He ignored her and finished up, grateful to have decent food in his rumbling stomach. He couldn't even remember the last time that he ate. "You still here?"

She leaned through the bars and sucked in a small breath when he rose and came her way. "Thanks for the burger." He slipped his arms through the bars and stared down at her.

She wanted to hit him. "You thanked me already."

"Did I?"

"Alright, knock it off!" She stood straight, ignoring the amused, arrogant expression on his face. "So are you going to get yourself out of this mess?"

He looked to the door when the familiar screech echoed between the walls. A second later, Clayton strolled up to them.

"Rowlands, get lost. I need a word with our boy, here."

She frowned, taking one last look at John. He was as casual and unphased as usual. "Don't do anything stupid, John?" she instructed. "Anything else, stupid." Then she left with an uneasy feeling in her stomach.

Andrew was pissed off! He didn't like being backed into a corner, and he really didn't like it coming from some spoiled heiress. "You're free to go."

He blinked, certain that he heard wrong? "I'm sorry, what?"

Clayton wanted to break something, preferably something red. "You heard me."

"Yes I did." He continued to watch his boss through the bars. It was obvious that this wasn't his idea. "I can't help but notice that the door to my cell is still locked."

He hated this entire day. Sending McBain to Llanview had turned out to be the single worst decision of his career so far. "Your girlfriend seems to be calling the shots. She's using her family to tighten the screws to the brass. So...you're free to go."

John swallowed. "You don't seem very happy about that, Andrew."

He sighed, staring at his friend of many years. "I never wanted to arrest you John, but you gave me little choice. I really don't want to prosecute you, and it looks like I won't have to, but..."

"...but you don't want to open this door, do you?"

"I have a problem with blackmail. Even when it allows me to do something that I'd like to see happen. Even though you broke the law." He stared hard. "You're an Agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigations, and you broke the law. You should have to pay for that."

The silence in the room was heavy.

Andrew reached out and unlocked the door. He watched his man step from the space and stare right back, waiting for what was next? He was using those eyes of his, and could tell that there was more. "We have our suspect and we have our proof, and so we don't really need you anymore. And I have to let you go because it's best for the FBI."

John knew what was coming.

"But I don't have to employ you." He crossed his arms over his chest. "Effective immediately, you are terminated." He felt sad. John had such promise and he threw it all away for a girl. "You're not even sorry, are you?"

He took a long breath, meeting the eyes that were waiting for something from him. "I'm sorry about a lot of things this week Andrew, but helping Natalie isn't one of them." He reached out a hand and shook with his former boss, and then he walked toward the exit. He was anxious to get the hell out of here.