“Remind me next to time to make sure that you lock the door so we get no one coming here,” Cori begged, shaking her head slowly after Sarah left. Every time they were together--someone always interrupted them.

“I know, this seems to be happening all the time,” Diego frowned, remembering the first time that Shannon had come to talk about Don. “You see, when Shannon came here the other day it wasn’t the first.”

“I figured that much,” Cori nodded slowly, thinking back to how much of a talker Shannon was, “She has a lot of problems with that guy doesn’t she?”

“It’s not him,” he informed her with a small sigh. Every time Shannon had come to talk to him about Don, he always could tell that Don was a good guy and he loved her. It was just that Shannon seemed to be afraid to be with the guy. “I hate to say it, but it's more her than anything.”

“I must admit Diego,” Cori began, with a small groan, “You really do have some weird friends. First that Shannon girl and now this Sarah girl. What do they think you are…someone could magically fix their relationships?”

“Actually, I would like to see it as being more of a really good friend,” he replied with a small frown thinking of Sarah and Susan, “I guess they see me as a really great person they could talk to. I kind of feel proud of that actually.”

“It’s good to feel good about yourself,” Cori laughed seeing the expression on his face change. He was obviously thinking about something that made him worry. “What is up? What are you thinking about?”

“I was just thinking about Sarah,” he explained, rubbing his chin lightly, “I guess you could just say that I am worried about her. Her boyfriend really has never had her worried. He is really a good person.”

“Well, I’m sure once she gets home…her boyfriend will be there and…” she thought of something to say, shrugging her shoulders lightly, “It will be like a Donna Nevik book.”

“What is that?” Diego questioned, folding his arms out in front of his chest, arching an eyebrow at her.

“She is like…only one of the best romance novelists around,” Cori sighed in disgust, “I have not met one male…okay scratch that. I’ve only met one man who knows Donna Nevik. She writes romance novels. Which means when Sarah gets home, the boyfriend is probably going to…yeah.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” he wondered seeing her frown and shake her head slowly.

“You never just take the time to read a book by a wonderful novelist?” Cori questioned throwing her hands up in the air after hearing him laugh.

“I don’t really have time to sit down and read a book,” Diego declared, with a small smirk, “If it would make you feel better though--I guess I could read one of her books.”

“You should, it will inspire you,” she insisted seeing him shrug, “Her books just open your heart.”

“Well, I guess I am going to have to read one of her books then,” Diego pointed out before laughing and changing the subject, “For some reason, I can’t remember why you came here? Why are you here?”

“For this,” she answered, jumping up into his arms making him lean back against his desk as he held onto her.

“I think I like this reason,” Diego winked, pushing some of the things on his desk off to the ground. He slowly leaned her back onto the desktop before looking towards the door…hopefully no one was going to be coming in this time.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Maybe Diego was right,” Sarah sighed, walking out the doors of the hospital, leading her to the outside. Diego had said a lot of things that had her thinking. “I should let Kyle take care of himself, but I need to set some things straight with him.”

She pulled out her cell phone and dialed Kyle’s cell number, but as she dialed it, she realized that he wouldn’t have his cell phone because of the night he threw it out the window.

“He should be home by now,” she decided, dialing her home phone number, “He said that he was just going to be seeing Grady and then coming home.”

She listened to the long ringing over the receiver before realizing that he wasn’t back yet when her answer machine picked up.

“Maybe I should just call Grady to talk to Kyle,” she pondered, dialing Grady’s number, “I just need to see if he left yet or not.”

“Hello,” Grady answered his cell phone, not at first noticing the number on his ID.

“Hey, Grady,” Sarah smiled looking down at her watch to see how long Kyle had been gone. “It’s Sarah.”

“Oh, hey Sarah,” Grady sighed, rubbing his chin slowly, “What can I do for you?”

“I was wondering if Kyle was still there with you,” Sarah replied as Grady’s eyes got wide after hearing her say that.

“Uh, no he isn’t,” Grady stated before looking back at the clock on the wall, “He has been gone for quite a while now.”

“Do you know where he is?” Sarah questioned with a small frown, hearing the silence coming from Grady. “Grady?”

“I don’t really know if I should be telling you,” he pondered on telling her where Kyle was, but he didn’t want to get Kyle in trouble. I guess you could just say it was a friend thing.

“Grady, just tell me. Please,” Sarah begged as Grady bit down on his bottom lip, knowing he shouldn’t be telling her. “Please.”

“Okay, he was talking about going to Susan’s place to talk to her,” Grady confessed, knowing how Sarah would act, “We told him that he shouldn’t, but he wasn’t going to listen to us. You know how Kyle is.”

“Yeah, I know how Kyle is,” Sarah sighed, rubbing her tense forehead, taking in slow, deep breaths, “I should have known he was going to be there.”

“Hey, don’t get mad at Kyle,” Grady begged with a small frown, “He really isn’t trying to do anything bad, he is just trying to help me out. That’s all.”

“I know Kyle’s intentions,” Sarah blurted out, shaking her head in anger before going on, “I’m not even mad at him. All my anger is going towards something else right now. I’ll talk to you later Grady.”

“Alright,” Grady nodded to himself thinking for a second, “Hey Sarah?”

“Yeah?” she questioned, just about to hang up before she heard him call out her name.

“If you need anything, just call me,” Grady offered up with a small sigh, “I mean…anything.”

“I appreciate that,” Sarah replied with a small smile, “I’ll talk to you later Grady.”

“Okay,” Grady nodded before shrugging his shoulders, “I guess I will talk to you later.”

“Alright,” Sarah said her goodbyes with Grady before hanging up her phone.

There was quite a bit of anger behind Sarah’s body as she thought of what Grady told her. Kyle was most likely at Susan’s place and there wasn’t a thing she liked about that.

“That’s it,” Sarah frowned, looking around outside, “I’m going to go to Susan’s place and give her a little piece of my mind.”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The guard stepped aside alerting Cameron that his company had arrived and Avery inhaled slowly. She wasn’t quite sure how she was going to pull this off, but she knew that she had to try. If they were ever going to find Jade again, everything was riding on this moment--riding on her being convincing about the situation. Sure, she wasn’t armed with much more knowledge than the fact that Cameron had taken an interest in someone who obviously looked like her, but it was all she had to go on right now. This had to work.

“You’ve got ten minutes Stone,” the guard remarked gruffly stepping aside to give Cameron the first glimpse of Avery.

“Thank you,” she nodded at the guard before walking over to the table in a slow, sultry stride. She flashed Cameron a small smile before taking the time to sit across from him. She noticed that the guard had taken an interest in the way she moved. She crossed her legs with extra emphasis causing his Adam’s apple to leap up in his throat before she offered up a dismissive wave, “Leave us alone.”

The guard nodded nearly bumping into the door on the way out before closing it behind him leaving her alone with Cameron. Avery knew it was now or never. She turned to look at Cameron seeing him sizing her up by the moment. His face was a blank canvas as he sat before her expressionless. Finally a curious expression crept in over his otherwise somber features.

“What are you doing here?” he questioned in a neutral tone, “I’d assumed that right about now the last thing I’d be receiving is a visit from you.”

“Well, I guess miracles never cease to happen,” Avery replied in a low tone praying that she could be convincing. She reached across the table to touch his hand tentatively, “I was worried when I saw you were in here. I heard the story on the news and…”

For a moment Cameron’s face shifted with something Avery couldn’t quite read and then it was obvious confusion pressed in over him. He sat up straighter before placing his hand over hers.

“You were, were you?” he asked again in a tentative voice, “And why was that?”

“Because I care about you. Because the idea of having you locked up in here like this is the last thing I could want or need in my life,” she answered softening her features a bit, “Cam, I knew that I had to come here and see you even if you’d be upset with me.”

“It’s not you I’m upset with. It’s those who I paid to make sure you wouldn’t be here,” he clenched his jaw, his voice growing a bit more agitated with the passing moment, “I told you not to try to come to this place.”

“Cameron, I couldn’t leave you abandoned. I couldn’t just pretend that I didn’t need to be here with you considering…” she started watching something happening behind his eyes.

“Considering this is a misunderstanding. Damn it I told him not to let you come here,” Cameron slammed his handcuffed wrists on the table before getting up. He moved around the room in slow, restricted movements, his mind reeling with obvious thoughts.

Avery thought to ask him about who he was referring to, but she knew better. She spoke up again, “It’s not his fault. He tried to stop me, but I wouldn’t listen. I had to be with you Cam. You needed me and you know that when you’re in trouble with you is where I belong.”

“Where you belong is far away from this,” Cameron argued with her. He turned around to face her, but with what Avery saw, it left her speechless. He wasn’t that same ruthless, manipulative bastard that she’d grown to despise, but more so there was almost a vulnerability behind his eyes. There was something not so dark, not so wound up and yet…

“You shouldn’t be here. I don’t want you involved in any of this,” Cameron began moving back over to the table, “I told you when I left that I wasn’t going to let you get wrapped up in the things I had going on. I’ve tried to protect you--to spare you all of this…”

“But with you in jail, I don’t see how that can be done,” Avery replied feeding into whatever it was happening with him.

“Can’t you see how dangerous it is for you to be here? If they hurt you like they hurt him…” Cameron started a pained expression on his face.

“Who? Cameron, hurt who?” she prompted wanting him to open up to her.

“Angel, I told you I would take care of this on my own--that I would see to it that no one ever caused you pain again. For you to see me like this,” Cameron shook his head adamantly, “I don’t want you here. This is only temporary and I’m going to get out.”

“But the things that they’ve said you did to that girl. That you’ve taken her away and locked her up somewhere,” Avery shifted the subject as she could almost feel Grady’s eyes on the back of her head prompting her to get to the point.

“I didn’t do it. I swear to you that this is all a misunderstanding. I would never, ever do what they’re accusing me of. You know me better than that,” Cameron reached out to her taking her hand in his, “You have to trust me.”

“Of course I trust you,” Avery replied feigning sympathy, “I trust you more than anyone, but…”

“But you can’t stay here. You can’t be in Coral Valley especially not now--not when…” Cameron shook his head, “You need to go back. You need to go where it’s safe and I’ll call you when this blows over.”

“Cameron, how is it going to blow over when they have evidence that ties you to her disappearance?” she threw back at him fighting to keep her voice in the feel of the moment, “How can I believe anything when I’m worried sick about you?”

“If you stay here, then it will only make things worse. It will…” he stopped himself as his finger touched over hers. Then as if something snapped inside of him, he stared at her again with dark eyes. “Tell me something. Why is it you’re really here?”

“I told you I’m worried about you because…” Avery started immediately knowing what had caused him to stop speaking to her in a sympathetic, vulnerable tone. It was nothing more than her wedding ring. Damn her. She’d forgotten to take it off.

“And why is that Mrs. Ashford?” he questioned squeezing her wrist tighter as he held up the ring to the light. He forced her arm in closer to him, “What’s the real reason you’re here trying to play a game that is way out of your league with me?”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“What are you doing?” Grady frowned watching the exchange between Cameron and Avery. It seemed to be playing out so well until the moment Grady watched Cameron reach for her. He waited for Avery to signal that she wanted out, yet she seemed to remain unaffected. However, once Grady saw Cameron grab her, that did it. The rouse was about to end. Turning towards the door, Grady moved to the door ready to put an end to the questioning that was going on. He pulled the door open only to come face to face with Brant.

“Somehow I knew I’d find you here you son of a bitch,” Brant sneered reaching out to grab Grady by the collar.

“Brant, you don’t understand. Avery is…” Grady began only to feel Brant’s fist fly into his face. He fell backward onto the floor sliding across the slick surface into the wall.

“I know full well what you’re trying to do to my wife and I’m not about to let you put her in harm’s way,” Brant informed him with a snarl taking a step forward, “She’s not going to take part in your sick games Grady. She’s not putting herself in danger…”

“But she…” Grady tried to get up again only to feel Brant bend down to pull him up by his collar. Brant slammed him into a wall once again, anger surging over his movements.

“You leave her the hell out of your search Grady,” Brant ordered with a low roar throwing Grady into the other wall. This time a plaque fell off of the wall as Grady bounced back onto the floor.

Looking up from where he sat Grady’s face twisted with his own temper that had now broken beyond the surface, “That’s it Ashford. You’ve just pushed me too far and now, well now you’re going to pay for it.”

“Take your best shot,” Brant taunted him ready to take on whatever it was that Grady was ready to dish out to him. Grady rushed forward slamming into Brant’s abdomen as the battle began in full force between the two men.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“You know if you need anything in the search for Jade, just say the word and I’ll gladly get my friends to help out,” Trisha announced as she, Kevin, Blake and Seth sat together at Seth’s apartment, “I know it’s not much, but I’m willing to do what I can.”

“I really appreciate that,” Seth replied with a small smile.

“We all do,” Blake added rising up from the chair she’d been seated in, “Can I get anyone something to drink or something?”

“I’d like some water if you don’t mind,” Trisha admitted with a small smile, “though I know my way around the kitchen if you want me to get it.”

“No that’s okay,” Blake smiled down at her, “I asked, so I’ll get it.”

“I’ll come with you,” Seth decided rubbing his neck, “I think I need some Advil or something.”

“Okay, we’ll be right back,” Blake promised holding up a finger.

After they left, Kevin looked around the living room. He walked over to the bookshelf to see a photo of Seth and Jade on one of the shelves. He reached for it thinking about all the things he’d missed out on with his family over the last few years now that he’d been taking care of Angie full time. Sure, he had moments when he broke away from that lifestyle, but it didn’t happen too often. Even now he wished that he’d been around when Jade had been nabbed instead of being away.

“You look about a million miles away right now,” Trisha noted as Kevin looked up to see her standing beside him. “She’s really pretty.”

“Yes, she is,” Kevin nodded with a thoughtful expression, “She looks a lot like her mother did you know?”

“I never saw her mother around,” Trisha admitted thinking to the times that Seth and Ria played together growing up.

“That’s because she died long before her time,” Kevin sighed setting the photo down on the shelf once again, “I just pray that this isn’t the case with Jade. That monster that has her had better bring her back soon. I can’t bear the thought of her hurting.”

“The police are going to find her,” Trisha added supportively before taking a long pause, “You know Kevin I realize that this isn’t the time, but I kind of sort of was looking for you earlier. I kind of have this favor I wanted to ask…”

“Did I hear the word favor?” Seth quipped walking out of the kitchen with a glass of water in hand, “That spells trouble.”

“Bite me Seth,” Trisha rolled her eyes at his remark, “I was just about to tell Kevin that while the search for Jade should be top priority, there’s nothing more that any of us can really do tonight.”

“I wish that there was,” Seth sighed handing her the water he’d brought out for her.

“It’s in God’s hands now, but if we get a sign, I promise you cuz that I’ll be the first one on it,” Kevin added solemnly.

“I know you will,” Seth nodded, “but for now, well I guess it’s time we do a lot of regrouping and praying.”

“I’ll be praying for her,” Trisha added thoughtfully before biting on her lower lip, “Now I feel like a real jerk for coming over here.”

“Why? What is it?” Kevin questioned turning to face her.

“Well you see there’s this party tonight,” she began nervously shifting on her feet in front of him, “It’s for my best friend and well, I kind of sort of don’t have a date.”

“Oh brother,” Seth rolled his eyes before dropping his head back on the top of his chair.

“What’s wrong?” Blake questioned returning to the living room area.

“Trisha’s about to put her foot in her mouth. This should be good,” Seth sat upright once again.

“Be nice,” Kevin warned his younger cousin before turning to Trisha, “So what’s the problem?”

“Well I was kind of sort of hoping that maybe you’d go with me tonight since well you’re new in town and you’ve been dealing with all this heavy stuff,” Trisha began with a sheepish expression, “well I just kind of thought it couldn’t hurt for you to have a little time to push it aside for a little bit.”

“Trisha I…” Kevin began a bit surprised by her request.

“I know. It’s completely horrible of me to be thinking of something so selfish when you’ve got so much on your mind with Jade and everything. It’s just that Katie is my best friend in the whole, wide world and this party means so very much to her. She’s been planning it for months and I promised that I would be there, but I’m like the only one who is going to be dateless and…” Trisha started with an exaggerated pout.

“You’re so full of shi…” Seth started only to feel Blake jab him in the ribs.

“I think that might not be such a bad idea,” Blake piped in surprising just about everyone in the room, “I mean Kevin really hasn’t been able to enjoy anything since he’s been back in town. Yes, we’ve got a major search in front of us, but until we’re able to regroup, we’re not going to get anything accomplished. My brother has some of his people out there trying to dig up leads and I think if Kevin wants to go out and try to relax for a while, it could only be a good thing.”

“Oh it could,” Trisha nodded eagerly, “I mean the party isn’t really going to be anything super wild and I just know if you go with me I’ll have a great time. Katie will be so happy that I didn’t just stand her up because right about now I feel like such a loser now that I have no date. I’ll be like the only one there without anyone and it just isn’t my scene and…”

“And you’re going to try anything you can to get him to say yes, aren’t you?” Seth arched a curious brow. “I’m sure that Katie wouldn’t mind you being alone there.”

“But I would. Seth you so don’t understand. Don’t you remember what it was like to be young and do things for the people you are close to? She’s my best friend and…” Trisha started to plead her case once again.

“I’ll go,” Kevin finally decided breaking his long silence.

“You will?” Trisha’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped, “Are you serious?”

“Yeah, sure,” he nodded offering up a small smile, “I mean it is for your best friend and all and unlike my cousin over there, I remember full well what it’s like to be young.”

“Oh Kevin thank you. I knew you’d say yes and I promise you anything you need--anything at all, it’s yours,” Trisha hugged him excitedly knowing that tonight was going to be a night she’d never forget now that she was going to arrive with Kevin Adonis on her arm.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Valerie what a surprise,” Ben smiled at his long time friend. He turned to look at Diane and nodded towards Valerie, “Diane, you remember Valerie Madison, don’t you?”

“I do now,” Diane wrinkled her nose with obvious disapproval making no attempt to welcome her to join them.

“Hmm, oh that’s right,” Valerie waved her hand dismissively, “You’re that little friend of Jade’s. I think I sort of remember you…well maybe not…still Ben, I was hoping you and I could have a talk.”

“Well Diane and I are kind of busy right now. We were shopping and,” Ben started to blow her off politely when Valerie stepped forward reaching for his arm.

“I swear to you it will only take a minute and will be well worth your time,” Valerie glanced over at Diane before offering up a smug smile, “I’m sure you won’t mind if I borrow him. It won’t take long.”

“Well actually I…” Diane started watching Valerie pull a reluctant Ben away from her much to her dismay. Diane began to chase off after them when she felt someone step in behind her.

“Boo!” JT mouthed in the back of her ear catching her off guard. She jumped and spun around to slap him. He flinched attempting to fend off her attack as he ducked, “Hey, what do you think you’re doing?”

“Getting you to just go away!” Diane hissed at him, “I don’t want to talk to you. I don’t even want to look at you.”

“Well too bad princess,” JT replied catching her arm mid-movement as he took a step forward, “because right now you’re exactly the person I want to speak with and I’m not going anywhere until I do just that.”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Douglas walked over to his mini-bar thinking about the year he’d had. First he’d failed in reaching out to Jenna like he’d hoped and with Kipp, oh how was he ever going to get through to that impossible boy? The moment that Kipp had announced that he was going to marry Heather, Doug had felt like he’d died on the spot. Sure, Doug hadn’t tried to reach out to Kipp since that day, but right at this point in time, he wasn’t quite sure what to say. He knew that his wisdom would pale in comparison to Heather’s feminine persuasions.

“But I will find a way to stop that boy from ruining his life completely,” Douglas vowed reaching for the bottle before him. He wasn’t quite sure what it was, but at this point any alcohol would do in his quest to numb himself from the mess that surrounded his life.

Looking around the hotel Douglas decided that maybe it was time to find somewhere else to stay. Sure, the hotel had it’s certain perks, but for the kind of damage control he was going to have to do with his children, he would probably need a more suitable starting ground. That being said, he walked across the phone ready to call one of his people in Los Angeles to find him something that would accommodate his needs. Reaching for the phone, he started to dial out when he heard a knock on the door.

“Wonderful,” Douglas grumbled setting the phone down. He walked over to the door wondering which one of the annoyances would be waiting for him on the other side. He highly suspected it would be Thea after the way he’d blown her off. Of course if his suspicions were correct, then she’d be greatly dissatisfied since he’d intended to do the very same thing on this particular instance as well. Taking in a small breath, he pulled the door open and prepared to be pleasant.

“Yes, how may I help you,” he questioned feeling the door swing open only to discover a uniformed officer standing before him. His face twisted with confusion, “Officer, is something wrong?”

“Mr. Mahoney,” the man nodded respectfully at him, “I’m Lieutenant Kurts and I’d like to have a word with you.”

“Take a number,” Douglas groaned before stepping aside to allow him access to his hotel room, “I trust you’d like to come in and speak with me.”

“Why yes actually I would,” Julian nodded watching Douglas move across the room towards the mini-bar once again.

“Okay, so lay it on me. What has JT done now?” Douglas sighed emphatically, “How much is it going to cost me?”

“Sir, I don’t understand,” Julian replied politely, “I came here to see you…”

“About my son,” Doug nodded, “Yes I know how this goes. You tell me what the damage is and then you can name your price. I’m sure that I can be more than accommodating.”

“Sir, are you trying to bribe me?” Julian questioned with a scowl.

“Isn’t that why you’re here?” Doug perked up seeing how unimpressed Julian appeared to be with the notion. Suddenly he realized that maybe he’d acted perhaps too hastily, “I mean of course I’m not trying to bribe you. Just tell me what my son has done this time…”

“I’m not sure what your son has done, but I’m not here to speak with you about your son. I’m here to talk to you about a woman named Rochelle Winters,” Julian cut right to the point.

“Rochelle,” Doug nodded remembering his talk with Jenna, “Ah yes, how is that investigation going?”

“Not as well as we’d like, but we believe we may have a lead, which is why I was hoping to escort you to the police station so that we could talk,” Julian replied keeping his arms at his sides.

“At the police station?” Douglas raised a curious brow, “Really and why might I be wanting to do that when we’re perfectly capable of discussing this situation here?”

“Because sir, I think it would be best if we did this under the proper circumstances in the right environment,” Julian answered flatly, “It’s just procedure.”

“Procedure,” Doug repeated with a doubtful expression, “Now is this request for me to go downtown something you’re asking me to do on my own or is this your way of trying to tell me that I’m under arrest for something?”

“You’re not under arrest, but if you’d like to make a confession, it would make things easier on you,” Julian replied point blank, “that is if there is a confession to make.”

“Of course there is no confession to make,” Douglas argued with him, “Why would there be? I’ve done nothing wrong.”

“Then please come with me downtown and we can work out all the details of that,” Julian suggested.

“And if I refuse?” Doug threw back at him.

“Then I may have to insist a bit more firmly,” Julian folded his arms in front of his chest, “The choice is yours Mr. Mahoney.”

“Fine, then seeing as I really have no choice in the matter, I will go with you in complete cooperation, but before we go I’m going to call my lawyer. I trust that you don’t have a problem with that,” Douglas threw out an icy glare in the police lieutenant’s general direction.

“No, not at all. By all means do what you must, but try not to take too long,” Julian replied watching Douglas as Douglas wondered just why he was being taken down for questioning. He thought back to Jenna’s concerns over the matter of Rochelle’s murder, but he hadn’t really given them much thought--until now that was.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“I’m so glad you made it here,” Kipp smiled, opening his front door to let Jenna in, “The baby and Kellen are in the backroom with each other.”

“Kellen’s here too?” Jenna questioned seeing Kipp nod. “Oh, that’s cool. He’s fun to be around.”

“That he is,” Kipp agreed leading her into the room that Charles was in, “I’m sorry if I called at a bad time. I just thought that you may want to meet him.”

“Believe me,” Jenna lightly laughed, squeezing his shoulder gently, “I wanted to come see him bro.”

“Cool,” Kipp grinned walking into the room, seeing Kellen leaning over and watching the baby sleep before him, “Hey Kellen, she’s here.”

“Oh hey,” Kellen smiled, lifting his head up to see Jenna entering the room, “How are you doing today?”

“I’m doing okay,” she answered, nodding her head slowly seeing Kellen nod, “What about you? How are you doing today?”

“I’m all good,” Kellen assured her before snapping his fingers, “I must say your hair looks gorgeous today. I really like it…a lot.”

“Thanks,” Jenna ran her fingers through her hair slowly, “I really didn’t do anything special, but it’s nice to hear compliments every now and then.”

“With Kellen,” Kipp began, looking over at his friend, “He will always give you a compliment. Like me for instance, I look really bad sometimes, but still I get a compliment saying that I look great. He’s just too nice.”

“No,” Kellen shook his head quickly, declining what Kipp just told Jenna, “You both look great. I am just telling the truth. I never tell lies.”

“He’s too sweet,” Jenna pointed out with a small laugh, “Where did you find this guy?”

“Other than being my trainer,” Kipp thought for a second before snapping his fingers, “We also met at his brother’s wedding too. I didn’t remember at first, but Mr. Memory remembered.”

“That’s cool,” Jenna nodded, frowning at the sound of Charles crying after waking up, “Poor little guy.”

“It’s okay,” Kipp hushed as he picked up his son, rocking him soothingly in his arms, “It’s alright. Daddy is here.”

“You’re good at that,” Jenna confirmed hearing the baby stop crying, “I’ve never seen that happen so quickly before. They usually cry for a longer period of time.”

“I guess he just likes me,” Kipp shrugged before smiling at his thought, “Would you like to hold your nephew? I’m sure he would like you to.”

“Are you sure?” Jenna questioned as Kipp slowly placed Charles in her arms. “He is so precious.”

“I know,” Kipp agreed before hearing the television turn on making them both look towards Kellen.

“You see Jenna,” Kellen began to explain something, switching the channels, “He’s only been home a few hours and he already has a favorite show. There is a marathon of Hercules and he already loves it.”

“More like you love it Kellen,” Kipp pointed out with a small laugh seeing Kellen think for a second.

“Yeah,” Kellen answered, feeling a slight bit awkward at the moment, “So.”

“It’s alright Kellen, I love that show too,” Jenna convinced him before noticing something coming up on the television, “Go back to that channel a second.”

“What did you see?” Kipp wondered turning around, seeing the channel that Kellen had turned back to. “You have to be kidding me.”

It was the news, but it wasn’t anything normal like the weather. Of course this is what they are having while Kipp is trying to take it easy and be happy. Some newscaster was explaining how Douglas was a suspect in the murder of a woman. They said that Doug was already down at the jail being questioned.

“I can’t believe this,” Kipp scowled pointing towards the screen, “How could he do something like this? I guess I should just go down there and try to help him out.”

“I should go with you,” Jenna explained, handing Charles slowly over to Kellen who held Charles in his arms gently, “I can help you out.”

“But who would watch Charles?” Kipp questioned hearing Kellen cough out, making Kipp turn around.

“I could handle it,” Kellen offered him with a small shrug, “I like the baby, the baby likes me. I’ve babysat a lot in my life. It’s good for the future. I really don’t mind doing it.”

“Well,” Kipp thought on what Kellen had just offered to do, “I mean if you really think you could do it. I don’t want to pressure you do something you don’t want to do.”

“No, just go,” Kellen demanded, pointing towards the door, “You should be there for him. I’ll wait. It’s not like Charles isn’t going to like me because we already know he does like me. So just go and everything will be okay. I promise you that.”

“You’re a god Kellen,” Kipp sighed, hugging Kellen quickly and then kissing Charles on the forehead gently.

“I know,” Kellen laughed before seeing Jenna and Kipp start to walk out the door, “I will catch you two later.”

“Okay, we will be back,” Jenna waved goodbye seeing Kellen smile, “Take care of that little guy.”

“With my whole soul,” Kellen assured her with a wide smile before seeing them exit the house as he looked down at Charles who was smiling at him. “I guess it’s just me and you little guy.”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Do you really think this is safe?” Diego questioned after feeling Cori’s fingers pull up apart each button on his white shirt. “Someone might be coming in.”

“I doubt it,” she replied with a devilish smile, running her slender fingers over his chest slowly, “I’ve wanted to spend time with you for a while…so today, I’m getting it.”

“Well, come up here and get what you want,” Diego pulled her up to him, holding her tightly to his chest before kissing her lips heatedly.

“I am getting what I want,” she informed him looking down, running her fingers across his belt buckle, unhooking it quickly before kissing him once more.

“Hernandez, I need to talk to you for a moment,” the chief of staff walked in to see the event that was happening before him.

“Oh my gosh,” Cori squealed, jumped off the desk, hiding under the desk so the man couldn’t see her.

“Um, what can I do for you?” Diego questioned with a small sigh, quickly rebuckling his belt. “Is there something I can do for you?”

“I was just going to talk to you for a second,” the chief of staff replied noticing Cori’s hand reaching for her shirt, “But it can wait. Just make sure you clean up after everything is done with.”

“Okay sure,” Diego nodded, running his fingers through his dark hair gently seeing his door close, “I can’t believe that just happened. That’s so embarrassing.”

“You thought that was embarrassing?” Cori questioned with a small laugh, standing up and quickly pulling her shirt back on. “That was more than embarrassing Diego. Why didn’t you lock the door?”

“I told you it was unlocked, you just didn’t seem to care,” Diego reminded her seeing a frown spread over her features, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for that to happen.”

“It’s alright, it’s like you knew he was going to come in here,” she sighed looking down at her watch, “I guess it was a good thing he came in here anyways because I have a job interview that I need to get to in a couple of hours.”

“Okay, well I guess you should get going then,” he suggested seeing her nod slowly, “How about we go to dinner later or something, to make up for what just happened.”

“It sounds great,” she agreed, kissing him quickly, feeling his fingers enclose with hers.

“Just, while we are at dinner lets make sure that we don’t start going at it on the table,” Diego suggested with a small laugh, “because if you thought this was embarrassing, just imagine how embarrassing that would be.”

“You’re too funny because that would never happen anytime soon,” Cori laughed, touching his chest gently, “I should probably get going really soon.”

“Oh yeah,” he nodded slowly, letting her go, “Good luck with the teacher interview thing.”

“Oh, thanks,” Cori smiled kissing him goodbye quickly, “I will see you later tonight.”

“Okay,” he agreed seeing her leave his office as he turned around seeing all the papers spread out on the floor, “This is going to be just great cleaning this up.”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“What was it that you wanted to talk about?” Ben questioned as Valerie led him to another section of the store. “What was so important?”

“I was just wondering if you heard what happened between me and Seth?” Valerie asked seeing Ben shake his head, seeming slightly interested. “In that case, there is no need in telling you.”

“Wait, tell me what you did,” Ben demanded pulling her back to him as she was about to walk away. “What happened? Tell me Valerie.”

“Okay,” Valerie pouted, folding her arms out in front of her, “You see, Seth was going to be getting married to Blake in Atlantic city and well…he is still married to me.”

“Don’t tell me you went all the way over there to tell him that,” Ben begged seeing the look on her face, showing that she did. “Valerie.”

“I just didn’t want Seth breaking the law, it wasn’t to hurt his relationship with Blake,” Valerie lied, holding her hands up in the air, “Yeah, I mean part of me wants to still be with Seth, but I know it was wrong.”

“You’re right it was wrong,” he shook his head disappointed after what Valerie just told him, “That wasn’t right Valerie.”

“I know it wasn’t,” Valerie sighed, shrugging her shoulders, “But what is it I am supposed to do now? I mean, I already screwed up with him enough.”

“You want my advice?” Ben questioned seeing her nod slowly. “Will you listen to what I have to say and try and work on it?”

“Of course I will,” she assured him, letting another lie come past her lips, “What do you think I should do? I am just so confused right now Ben.”

“It’s okay,” he hushed, grabbing her hand gently, “My best suggestion is to just go to Seth and apologize. That’s always the best thing to do in one of these situations. Apologies mean everything to people.”

“Okay, I got it,” Valerie noted, nodding her head slowly, “Go apologize…then what?”

“I hate to say something like this to you,” Ben frowned before resting his hand on her shoulder gently, “You just need to let him go Valerie. I know it’s going to be hard, but if his heart belongs to someone else…it’s just not going to work out between you two. If you truly care for him, then let him be happy.”

“Okay,” she sighed, looking down towards the ground, “It’s just going to be so hard. There are so many people out there who get to be with the person they love.”

“I know,” Ben agreed with a small smile, “Like me. I am with the love of my life, Diane. So, you probably haven’t met your soul mate yet. Some day you can be just like me and love someone as much as I love Diane.”

“I doubt I will have the type of relationship that you two have,” Valerie laughed thinking to the things that JT had told her, “I doubt I could have a relationship…quite like yours.”

“Don’t say that,” Ben frowned, pulling her into his arms to hug her tightly, “You are going to find someone you love. Trust me…it’s going to happen.”

“I hope so,” Valerie gritted her teeth together, she knew that Seth was the one true love in her life and she was going to prove that, no matter what people say.

“Come on, lets get back there,” Ben motioned her to follow him, “I still have some shopping to finish.”

“Okay,” Valerie nodded following him towards where he first was. Okay, sure she didn’t talk to Ben about Diane, but how does JT know. If he wanted to get through this thing, he was going to have to do it without her.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Let me go JT,” Diane struggled to get out of his grip seeing him smile as she struggled, “Get your hands off me.”

“Okay,” JT held his hands up in the air, shaking his head at her, “What’s with all this hostility towards me Diane? Haven’t you missed me?

“Like that’s ever going to happen,” Diane scowled folding her arms out in front of her, glaring at the devil before her, “What do you want JT?”

“You of course,” he flirted, seeing her roll her eyes, “If you mean what did I want to talk to you about…I wanted to ask you why you were avoiding me so much.”

“I’ve always avoided you JT,” she pointed out with a scowl, “I want nothing to do with you, so why don’t you take a clue and screw off.”

“That’s harsh Diane,” JT frowned, putting his hand over his chest, “It tore at my heart…I meant it. That wasn’t nice at all.”

“Like you even have a heart,” she shot back seeing him nod slowly, “It never shows.”

“You’re right, it never shows towards people because my heart only belongs to you,” he replied, hearing her sigh in disgust. “There’s no fighting it. You feel it for me too.”

“I don’t feel anything for you,” she stood up, hating having him by her. She felt even more awkward having him by her because it was possible that she was pregnant with…his child.

“Hey,” Ben smiled, wrapping his arms around Diane’s slender waist before looking up and noticing who she was talking to. “What are you doing here?”

“Nothing,” Valerie answered for JT, wrapping her arm around his, “He’s just here with me. He was probably just asking her where I was. Right JT?”

“Right,” JT nodded quickly seeing Diane pull at Ben’s arm eagerly wanting to get away.

“Come on,” Diane sighed pulling him towards a different section, “I think I found something that I really want and I want you to see it too.”

“It must be something big if you are this eager,” Ben laughed looking back at Valerie and waving goodbye.

“What did you say to him?” JT questioned, whispering in her ear as she waved goodbye to Ben.

“I’m not telling you anything,” she protested, looking up at him with a scowl, “This whole time I have been helping you out, you’ve never given me something fun. Something to remember.”

“Your kidding right?” JT questioned seeing her shake her head slowly. “What am I supposed to do before you tell me what happened between you two?”

“I don’t know,” she shrugged trying to think of something, “Take me to dinner and have some fun. Yeah, fun…I haven’t had some of that in a long time.”

“I’m really getting sick of this Val,” JT declared, putting his hands on his hips angrily.

“Too bad,” she shrugged with a small grin, “Suck it up and take me out. That’s the only way.”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Kipp followed Jenna into the police station wondering how in the world Douglas was going to pull himself out of this particular mess. After hearing Douglas portrayed as a greedy, overbearing monster on the news brief, Kipp was certain that he was going to be royally screwed so to speak in this particular situation. Shaking his head, Kipp thought back to his father’s relationship with Rochelle and remembered only too well how obsession had almost been his downfall once before.

“I can’t believe this is happening. I mean I sort of already had an idea of what could happen, but then to see it onscreen,” Jenna began remembering her talk with their father.

“Trust me. If Douglas can find a way to charm anyone then he’s going to try like you wouldn’t believe in this scenario. He’s not going to be taken down for this,” Kipp promised reaching out to touch her arm gently.

“Kipp, I was there when they found the girl. Given what Douglas told me about the situation, I know there’s reason to worry,” she replied turning around to face her brother, “He told me all about Rochelle and JT and the mess they made.”

“Then you know what trash she was,” Kipp wrinkled his nose with obvious disgust. “One thing our father has a vice for is beautiful women who do nothing but bring him down. In that sense he’s a moron.”

“He’s said the same thing about you,” she replied with a pointed expression thinking to Kipp’s problems with Heather. She noticed the wounded expression on his face and apologized right away, “I’m sorry that was a low blow.”

“No it was honesty. It was brutal and it hurt, but it’s the truth,” Kipp added with a small shrug of his shoulders, “I’m a bit of an idiot when it comes to women, but now that I’m a father I’m working on it. You have to cut me a little slack though. Look at who was my role model if you can even call it that.”

“It’s a wonder that you made it as far as you did,” Jenna sighed heavily knowing that they were in for a long night where their father was concerned.

“Yeah, well I thank God every day for the second chance I’ve been given and I’m not about to blow it. Here’s hoping it’s not too late for our father,” Kipp replied thinking about all the hell that their family had been put through especially lately, “I’ll just find someone to talk to and figure out what’s going on. The news said that he was just brought in for questioning, so that could mean that he’s not under arrest.”

“And if by some chance it turns out that he is arrested,” Jenna arched a curious brow.

“Well, then he’s very lucky that his son is a lawyer because I’ll do what I have to in order to get him out of this place. If you just let me go work my magic then…” Kipp started, but his words were cut off by the bustling sounds of people up ahead.

He and Jenna both looked up to see Douglas emerging from one of the rooms. He quickly draped his coat over his arm as people from the media who had been waiting around the lobby began to strike. They rushed past Kipp and Jenna eager to get a statement from Douglas, who now looked tired and agitated.

“Mr. Mahoney is it true that you were involved with Ms. Winters?” one asked.

“Were you the one who broke things off?” another questioned followed by many of the same questions over and over again.

“I’d better step in and do my job,” Kipp whispered in Jenna’s ear ready to take a stand beside his father when a surprising voice rose above the media crowd.

“Mr. Mahoney has no comment for the time being, so if you’d please just leave us alone right now,” Hart spoke in his firm, authoritative tone, “My client would like to be left alone.”

“Hart,” Jenna’s jaw practically dropped as her live-in boyfriend brushed through the crowd with her father at his side. Immediately Hart spotted Jenna and made a beeline towards her. He reached for her arm and started to pull her along with him.

“I’ll explain later,” Hart promised before motioning to Kipp, “You park close by?”

Kipp nodded, “Yeah I’ll go get my car,” Kipp promised rushing off to do what he could to get them out of the chaos of the police station as soon as possible with the least amount of damage.

“This is ridiculous,” Douglas grumbled as reporter after reporter got up in his face. He held his jacket up as he turned away. “Please tell me you have some kind of plan. This wasn’t at all what I expected when they dragged me down here.”

“Don’t worry it’s almost over. I know the side way out of this place,” Hart promised before reaching to Jenna again, “Come on let’s go. Here’s hoping your brother is skilled at avoiding the press.”

“He’s grown up with the press around him. Of course he’s skilled,” Douglas quipped in response before looking to Jenna with an apologetic expression, “Sorry about this darling.”

“We’ll talk about this later,” Jenna replied with a heavy sigh feeling reporters swarming all around her, “Right now we need to focus on getting you out of here.”

“You won’t get any arguments from me,” Douglas nodded leaving himself to Hart’s guidance as they weaved their way out of the police station ready to put the night behind them forever.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Avery felt her face grow flushed. Her heart began pounding out of control in her chest. In that moment as she and Cameron sat across from one another eye to eye, she knew that she’d found a way to enrage him beyond anything she’d thought possible. She tugged at her arm again only to feel his grasp on her tighten.

“Well? I’m waiting for an answer Avery,” Cameron’s words were laced with venom, “What kind of game were you hoping to play with me today?”

“Let go of me Cameron,” Avery spoke in smooth, firm words.

“Why? Didn’t you want me to be doing this? Isn’t that why you came here today,” he arched a curious brow, “To get closer to me? To manipulate me into spilling my secrets to you?”

“I said, ‘Let go of me!’” she repeated herself once again, the first prickles of fear moving in over her spine.

“I heard what you said, but to be blunt,” he leaned in towards her, “I don’t want to--at least not yet. You’ve been probing me for answers, but now it’s my turn. I want to know what you’re doing here.”

“Fine,” she answered sharply, “What have you done to Jade?”

“Ah, so we’re back to this again,” he rolled his eyes at her, “How tedious.”

“You took her and I want to know where you stashed her. You’re not helping your case by lying about what you’ve done,” she spat back at him in a harsh, accusatory tone, “We all know what you’ve done and it’s only a matter of time before you’re caught in your lies.”

“Caught?” he chuckled at her words, “You don’t know the meaning of what it’s like to be caught in a lie? Oh wait, I take that back. Of course you do now that I’m here calling all the shots.”

“You’re not calling anything,” Avery glanced over to her wrist before trying to cover, “I never said that I was trying to be someone other than who I am. You’re the one who had me mistaken with someone else. The question is who is she?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” Cameron released her with a sinister laugh, “Oh Avery, you have no idea just how out of your league you are right now. Let me guess you had a partner in crime in all of this though, right? Could it be…oh I don’t know…say Grady?”

“Where is Jade?” Avery repeated her words growing sharper by the second, “What have you done with her?”

“Let me ask you something,” Cameron leaned in closer to her, “How much is that answer worth to you? What are you willing to give me for my admissions?”

“Why don’t you just save yourself and tell the truth for once in your life,” she suggested icily, “They say confession is good for the soul.”

“So I hear,” he nodded, “but if you really believe that, then I anticipate that you and I should be on the same playing field. If you want me to confess my sins, then I’d like you to confess yours.”

“This isn’t about me. This is about Jade,” she replied sharply.

“It became about you the moment you came in here with the sole purpose of deceiving me,” Cameron reminded her bluntly, his dark eyes reaching right through her, “If you want cooperation out of me, you give it back Avery or else you get nothing.”

“Why should I even bother playing these games with you Cameron?” she tossed out at him not wanting to give him the feel of having the upper hand.

“Because you want the truth Avery and deep down you know I have the truth you seek,” he leaned back in his chair before waving his handcuffed hands out in front of himself, “I’ll give you full permission to search each and every one of my houses if you’d like.”

“And what’s that going to cost me?” she questioned stiffly.

“A bit of that soul searching you’re spouting off to me about,” he shrugged dropping his hands to the table top, “It’s innocent enough especially considering that I don’t have Jade.”

“I don’t believe you. If anything, your saying what you’re saying to me now proves that you’ve hidden her in a place where you feel no one will find her. You’re that confident about your nefarious actions that this is nothing more than another game of yours,” Avery remarked sourly, “that’s where you’re headed.”

“No, this isn’t a game, but if you’re all for games, how about we play one of our own?” he suggested with a small laugh, “You seem to have an unhealthy obsession with them, so why don’t I start?”

“Tell me where Jade is,” Avery threw out at him once again, “Let’s stop this all and you tell me the truth.”

“The truth according to whom? To you?” he arched a curious brow, “because the way I see it, your truth is far different from mine.”

Avery looked at him for a long moment before glaring at him, “This was obviously a mistake.”

“Obviously,” Cameron mocked her movements before watching her get up and out of her chair, “April fifteenth.”

She stopped moving as she looked over at him, “What did you just say?”

“I said April fifteenth,” Cameron leaned back in his chair a bit catching the look on her face, “You were probably always referred to as daddy’s little tax break there since you came into the world on such an uninviting day. Year after year I’m sure it was a little inside joke in your family about your birthday being on the day most folks dread, right?”

“How did you know my…” Avery stared at him for a long moment before covering, “This has nothing to do with Jade.”

“And everything to do with you and that’s what’s making you uncomfortable,” Cameron stood up as well, “You were born on April fifteenth, and I’m willing to bet there is a lot more that I know about you.”

“Don’t flatter yourself,” she rolled her eyes at him, “You don’t know the first thing about someone like me because people like you are more concerned about themselves.”

“You’re allergic to shellfish,” Cameron added taking another bold step towards her, “though you try to pretend you aren’t. Time and time again you’ve found yourself in a situation where forgetting to mention that to a potential date had brought the night to a painful end. You have a small birthmark on your thigh--one that looks a little like a heart, but it only shows in the summer time when you’re in a bathing suit or in the private eyes of your bedroom with one of your lovers. I’m sure that Brant’s seen the birthmark, hasn’t he Avery?”

She stood still for a moment, watching him make a step towards her, yet she remained motionless. She just eyed him with a look that lead Cameron to believe that he was onto something. He took another step towards her.

“See I know more than you think Avery and right now you’re probably wondering how it is that I know so much about you, aren’t you?” he asked with an icy grin, “You’d love to know where this is headed, wouldn’t you? I can even tell you your blood type if that’s something of interest to you, but given that we both know the answer to that…”

“Get away from me,” Avery mouthed under her breath despite the unsettling feeling building in the pit of her stomach.

“That’s not what you really want, is it Avery? You came here seeking out the truth about Jade, but what I can give you--what I’d like to show you is the truth about you,” Cameron grinned widely, his words driven by a newfound sense of power. “I can give you something that you’ve never known about yourself--something that will show you just how alike we really are.”

“I said, ‘Get away from me’,” Avery hissed turning towards the door ready to call for the guard. She began to knock, but before the guard could hear her, Cameron reached out to her spinning her around to face him once again. He moved forward pinning her between him and the door.

“Oh no Avery, you’re not going anywhere,” he shook his head at her before letting out a small laugh, “Not when the fun is just beginning for us. I‘ve still got a lot to tell you and trust me, the party is only getting started.”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Sarah stepped off the elevators, fully ready to go into Susan’s place and give her a piece of her mind. Susan was trying to wrap Kyle around her finger, using him with making him think she knew where Jade was.

“This is it,” Sarah sighed, raising her hand and knocking on the door, only to have it open when she knocked. “Okay, that’s a little creepy.”

Sarah stepped inside the place and shut the door behind her, looking around the place cautiously. Was there anyone home?

“What has been going on in here?” Sarah asked herself, seeing papers thrown around on the floor. She arched her eyebrow in curiosity noticing that a glass vase was broken on the ground.

Sarah quickly turned around hearing the voices of people obviously doing something. She listened to the sound and followed it to the back of Susan’s apartment.

“What the?” Sarah questioned after stepping on something noticing it was clothes that she had almost tripped over. Some were obviously Susan’s, but the others belonged to someone else. She knew that because…Susan wasn’t that big.

Her heart began to beat out of her chest as she heard another voice. She knew that voice. She quickly stood up straight and looked through the slightly opened doors. Susan and a man were covered in sheets, in quite a position that Sarah didn’t need to see. Susan placed her hands on the guy’s muscular chest before moving her head, revealing the man she was with.

“What the hell is going on here?” Sarah questioned pushing the door open rapidly, hearing Susan gasp.

“Oh my god,” Susan gasped covering herself even more, putting her hands on Kyle’s arm tightly…seeming surprised to see Sarah, “It’s your girlfriend.”

“Sarah?” Kyle questioned looking towards her, blinking a few times seeing the anger behind her face. He gulped down seeing the way she was looking at him.

“What the hell is happening here?” Sarah questioned angrily seeing Kyle rub his forehead slowly. “Answer me.”

What was happening here? Maybe Grady was right…Kyle would do anything to help Jade. She wanted nothing more to have this be a dream, but as Kyle stared straight at her, she knew it wasn’t. The pain she felt right…you couldn’t feel that type of pain in a dream. This was real and she was going to get the bottom of this no matter what.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

...to be continued...