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Chapter 3

The police had arrived at Kevin and Kelly's not long after Ashlee had left. They had a lead or two, mostly more details about what everyone already knew. Commissioner Buchanan and Detective Vega were taking notes and gathering as much information as possible. They'd sent Detective McBain and a partner to find Ashlee. Aidan was right in middle of everything; he had only actual files from the agency so he was the most help.

David wanted to get Erica out of there as soon as he could, and had managed to get her out before the police came. She hadn't spoken in almost and hour, and she a blank extremely sad look in her eyes.

David had taken her back to their suite; he'd helpped her sit down before calling everyone back in Pine Valley. Bianca and Babe were absolutely terrified and had dropped everything and left immediately. Jack was working on the case with the PVPD and had agreed to let David take care of Erica while he did his part in Pine Valley.

David kneeled down in front of her, trying to get her to look at him. She just stared straight ahead, completely in shock. " Erica...you have to trust me, we'll find him."

She didn't respond. " I know how much pain you're in, but if you let me, I can help you through it." He said softly, flashing her a comforting smile.

" It's like...it's like reliving the day they told me he was dead." She whispered a few seconds later, her eyes still focused straight ahead. " Ashlee has her memories of him, and her pictures, David. But I...I don't remember holding my baby." She confessed tearfully. " I wouldn't remember what he looked like if it wasn't for Ashlee's pictures."

David nodded moving to sit next to her, " You'd lost a lot of blood, Erica. You had a concussion after the accident."

" I can't do this again. I can't wake up another morning without him." She sobbed.

" It's ok...it's ok." He reassured her taking her into his arms. He just held her, letting her get it all out. He couldn't bare to see her in this kind of pain. He'd kept his distance after Nicholas's "death" because the pain Erica was in, was almost more unbearable then the pain of losing Nicholas. He would find their son, and then he would find the sons of bitches who did this and would kill them himself if need be.
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Tico pushed her again, slamming her as hard as he could against the car door. He had her arms stretched out to her sides, and he knocked the gun out of her hands, kicking it away from them.

She was doing everything she could to get away. She was kicking, hitting, and every time he would get close enough she would try to bite him. But nothing was working he was an expert at this, and wouldn't give her one opportunity to defend herself.

He had the knife resting against her stomach; one wrong move and it would go straight into her.

" I'm not afraid to die. And I'm sure as hell not afraid of you." She told him looking him straight in the eyes.

Tico nodded, he saw it in her eyes. " You're brave. Braver then most I've killed."

" You haven't killed me yet. Why is that Tico?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.

" Shut up." He demanded crushing her against the car.

" You father would have done it already. I know all about Manuel Santi...he was a bad ass, Tico. If you were anything like him you would have already slit my throat." She taunted. She knew she was enraging him, but that was her plan. If Tico lost control she could make her move. She knew he was going to get physical with her, and she was ready.

" Shut up." He commanded slapping her across the face.

She could taste the blood coming from her mouth, and could hardly breathe, but she wouldn't give in. " Come on Tico, I know you can do better. This must be why your father wanted Antonio to head the Santi Organi..."

She didn't even get to finish as he slapped her again. He hit her harder this time, and she could feel the knife against her stomach. " You're going to get exactly what you deserve." He growled. He drug the knife against her stomach, blood spilling from it immediately. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of screaming or crying. She just closed her eyes and waited...

He pulled his arm back and was about to plunge the knife into her abdomen, when he was pulled off of her. She watched stunned as John McBain turned Tico around fighting him instantly. She couldn't move, she just stood there watching as McBain and his partner took Tico into custody.

A few seconds later, as his partner loaded Tico into the patrol car, John McBain walked back over to her. " Ashlee?" He said softly. He wasn't looking at her, but at the bloodstain on her shirt that was growing by the second. " You're bleeding." He said, moving towards her.

She shook her head, moving away from him. " I'm fine." She said firmly despite the fact that she had a swollen and bloody lip.

" I'm gonna call you ambulance. You need stitches."

" No, I need to find my brother." She told him starting to walk away.

He grabbed her arm to stop her, " We're going to question Tico as soon as we get him to the station. You need to take care of yourself."

" Paul Cramer has Ben. He's heading towards Pine Valley. I need to get there before them." She said pulling her arm free.

" I'm not going to let you leave here, unless it's in an ambulance." He said firmly.

" I have to find him." She said back to him. She was in shock and she knew it. She was just seconds from bursting into tears, and was starting to get dizzy from blood loss, but she was doing her best to hide it from him.

" You need a doctor."

" I need...I need, to find my brother." She said tearfully.

" I know and I promise you, we will. But right now you need to take care of yourself. You're no good to him if you're hurt." He told her softly.

She nodded, silent tears cascading down her cheeks. She just wanted to find her brother. Ben needed her and she wouldn't let him down, not this time. She would go to the hospital and get stitches, and then she would go find Ben. And if they tried to stop her, they would be sorry.

To be continued...

Chapter 5

David and Erica arrived at the police station not long after Ashlee left. David didn't like that fact that John McBain had let Ashlee leave. He reassured them that he sent a patrol car ahead of her and that there was two behind her. He told them that there was no way that Ashlee could get into anymore trouble. David and Erica knew Ashlee better then that...she loved trouble and could find it when she wasn't even looking for it.

He'd also told them that Tico was talking, and they were learning more and more about who was behind Nicholas's kidnapping's. No one was happy that Tico had been offered a deal, in return for helping the police, but if what he knew would bring Nicholas home safely, it would have to do.

Commissioner Buchanan had given them an update on everything that Tico had told them. It wasn't much, but they were making progress.

Tico still claimed that he was nothing more then a middle man. His father like many other promiante people had been a finanial contributor to the agency. Tico had become involved when the agency needed people to help plan the baby nappings. He said that he was contacted by the head of the agency, he claimed not to know the man's idenity, but the cops believed he was witholding it in hopes of getting an even better deal. He told them that he had been a part of the kidnapping, which had been planned out months in advance. He'd been present at the kidnapping, and knew the idenity of the other two who were with him, but he wasn't about to spill.

All the police had been able to get out of him in regruads to the recent kidnapping was what they already knew, Paul Cramer had Nicholas and was headed to Pine Valley.

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The PVPD was doing everything in their power to find Paul Cramer and Ben. They'd given Babe and Bianca flyers with Paul and Ben's pictures and what was going on. More then half the force was on patrol and they'd set up roadblocks and car checks at the many enterances to Pine Valley. For everyone involved it was more then just a kidnapping, it was personal. They had all witnessed Erica's heartbreak, and the pain that the family was still in. They would find Ben and make sure that he got home safely, once and for all.
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Ashlee was just a few minutes from Pine Valley, and knew from her constant calls to Babe and Bianca that no one had anything new. She hated John McBain for tricking her, and sending cops to follow her, but she understood. She had taunted Tico and could have been killed. Ben needed her alive, and for that reason, and that reason alone she would control herself. She was going to make a quick stop at the police station, get some flyers, and then she was going to cover every inch of Pine Valley. She had a feeling that somehow this all tied back to Pine Valley...it had too. And she was going to find everyone connected and bring them to justice. Ben was going to live the rest of life without fear and she was going to make sure of it!

To be continued...

Chapter 7

David was busy reading through the files. Ashlee had called him convinced that Zach Slater had some sort of connection to both of Nicholas's kidnappings. He couldn't find a shred of evidence to tie Zach to Nicholas, but he would keep looking. Ashlee's instincts had been right on target about everything else so far, so he had to trust her this time. Besides, he had a reason to believe that Zach would want revenge against him. He'd never told anyone about his connection to Zach before Zach came to Pine Valley, but it seemed that if Ashlee was right he might finally have to admit what had really happened between him, Zach and Maria all those years ago.

" Find anything good in there?" Erica asked smiling at David as he looked up at her.

David shook his head, " No. But Ash says I'll know it when I see it."

Erica nodded sitting down next to him, " You might find whatever it is faster, with a little help." She said picking up a file.

" Erica, you need some sleep. I've got this, and Ash will be here soon. Go get some rest."

She shook her head, closing her eyes to hold back her tears. " I can't sleep."

" Nightmares?" David said back to her. He'd a few nightmares of his own, but wouldn't tell her that.

She nodded back to him, " At least this way I'm doing my part to find him."

David nodded reaching over to cover her hand with his, " We're going to find him. I promise."

" I know. So what was this cryptic clue that Ashlee told you?" She asked curiously.

" Well, she said that she had a strange talk with Zach Slater and their conversation lead her to believe that Zach is some how involved in all of this." He told her.

" Zach Slater? The police believe that this was planned by someone who wanted revenge against one or both of us. I didn't know Zach until he came to Pine Valley. You didn't either, so what could he have to do with this?" She asked turning her eyes on him.

David didn't say anything, he just stared at the file in his hands. " David?" Erica said. She knew the look on his face, he was hiding something from her. " What is it? You knew Zach didn't you?" She asked him point blank.

He nodded, still refusing to look at her. " I didn't just know Maria, I knew Zach too."

Erica gasped, completely shocked. " How did you know Zach?"

David set the file down on the coffee table in front of them, and finally turned to look at her. " You know the story of what happened with Maria. We'll Zach...Zach was so in love with her, and he didn't want to lose her. And of course I didn't want her to get her memory back..."

" So that she wouldn't tell that she saw you bury the cadaver on the beach." Erica said back to him. She knew all of this, and didn't understand how Zach fit it all of this.

" Zach knew that I'd given Maria X-17 to save her, and that the side effect of it affected her memory. He didn't want her to remember, and knew that X-17 would keep her from remembering."

" And so he blackmailed you to keep giving her the drug?" Erica asked. She knew David so well, and she knew that he wouldn't do anything unless it was for his own gain, or to protect himself or someone he loves.

David nodded, smiling at her. He wasn't surprised that she'd figured it out. Erica had always had an uncanny understanding of him. " I made sure that Zach always had X-17. We had no problems for years until..." He stopped. He didn't want to say the next part. He would always treasure his memories of his relationship with Erica and he was grateful to have them, but they were still painful and he hated having to relive them. But he knew he had no choice, so he did the only thing he could, he turned away from her. " I ummm...after I realized that I was ready to marry you, I decided that I didn't want there to be any secrets that come back to ruin us. So I told Zach that I wouldn't have anymore to do with him."

" I see." Erica said. She wasn't surprised by any of this.

" He was angry, and vowed revenge. He said that if Maria got her memory back and if I ended up costing him the woman he loved, that he would take someone I loved from me."

" Nicholas." Erica breathed. It all made sense. Maria hadn't gotten her memory back right away, but according to her she started remembering things not long after the drugging's had stopped. " Zach must have believed that he was going to lose her."

David nodded, thankful that she understood. " Zach is a lot of things Erica, but I'm not convinced that he's that evil. Maria never remembered anything of substance about her previous life. For Zach to plot this and then risk losing her anyway, it just doesn't make any sense."

" I don't know what to think anymore, David. If Ashlee thinks he knows something, and he did vow revenge on you...he has to have some kind of involvement."

" If so, how can we prove it?" He asked looking at her again. They were so lost in their conversation that neither of them heard Ashlee come in.

" I know how." She said from the doorway. She was already headed toward them, David and Erica watching her stunned. " This whole time we were looking for a Zach Slater connection." She started, picking up a file. She opened, reading through it very fast. " But we have to remember, Zach Slater is just a alias. His real name is..." She stopped her eyes locked on one of the initials in the files. " Alexander Cambias Jr." She breathed turning the file towards them.

David and Erica looked at the file, then at each other and finally back at Ashlee. She looked back at them, instantly reading their expressions. She'd just found proof...Zach Slater not only knew about Nicholas's kidnapping, he was...or at least appeared to be the mastermind behind the entire plot!

To be continued...

Chapter 9

" Do you think she's alright?" Erica asked as they walked back into their suite.

David nodded closing the door behind. It was almost 2am and Ashlee was out driving alone. She had been so upset by the fact that the Llanview PD said there wasn't enough evidence to go after Zach. They said that initials weren't enough to get a warrant, and that without more evidence there was nothing they could do. Paul hadn't been spotted in Pine Valley, and the PVPD had called off the search for him.

" McBain has cars trailing her, she's fine." David reassured her.

" How did this happen, David? How did we end up here?" She asked sitting down on the couch.

David didn't say anything, as he sat down next to her. He didn't know what to say. If it was true and Zach was behind this then this was all his fault. " I don't know. But you have to know how sorry I am."

" For what?" She asked looking at him.

" Zach vowed revenge, I should have taken him seriously." He told her sadly.

" David, you're not responsible for this in anyway. There is absolutely nothing that can justify taking a child. Especially one who is as loved as Ben." She told him with a sad smile.

" No one should ever have to go through what you have Erica. I know how much losing him hurt you, and I wish that I could make the last three years disappear." He told her with a smile.

Erica smiled at him, tears in her eyes. She knew that losing Nicholas had hurt David more then he would ever admit, and yet here he was hurting for her.

" You need to get some sleep."

She just shook her head, turning away from him. " If I sleep...I have nightmares. I just want my baby back."

" I know." He said comfortingly, reaching over to take her hand. " We can't do anymore for him tonight. He's going to need us at our best tomorrow."

Erica nodded, as much as she hated to admit it he was right. She couldn't help but smile at him. " OK. Will you...will you stay with me, until I fall asleep?" She asked softly.

David nodded, " Of course. I'll stay as long as you need me." Erica just smiled at him, immediately picking up on the double meaning.
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Ashlee had only gotten a few streets from the police station, when she'd had an idea. Time was running out and they needed more information to find him. She hated the police for not trusting her on her Zach tip, and for calling off the search for Paul in Pine Valley. She was angry, but she had an idea that might just things better.

She was now back at the Llanview police station, and had just convinced Bo and John to make Tico another deal in hopes that he would talk.

John and Bo finished up the deal, putting it in writing so that neither side could go back on their word. John looked up at Ashlee, " You know that I don't want this."

" Look, if he'll talk, just one name...it's worth it." She told them.

Bo nodded to John, who handed her the paper. " We'll be right out here."

She didn't even acknowledge them as she walked into the room where Tico was being questioned.

Tico just looked at her, smiling methodically. She didn't say anything, or even look at him, she just dropped the paper in front of him. " The deal is good for two minutes, after that this is the last time you'll be offered it."

Tico didn't say anything, he just looked down at the paper reading quickly. " Drop the attempted murder charge?" He asked curiously looking up at her.

" Look, Tico I want you to be in jail as long as possible, but I need to find my brother, and if reducing your attempted murder charge against me, to assault with a deadly weapon will help me find him, then I'm all for it." She told him firmly.

" So what do you want from me?"

" One name Tico. And if and when it proves to be a real lead, we'll hold up our end of the deal."

" All I have to do is sign this?"

She nodded, handing him a pen.

He only hesitated a few seconds before signing the agreement. He knew that Ashlee wasn't expecting him to reveal the mastermind, and he had no intention of doing so. But he would give her a name that would at least set them in the right direction.

" Alright, tell me Tico...one name."

" Michael Cambias." He whispered.

" What?" She asked looking right at him.

" Michael Cambias." He said again.

To be continued...

Chapter 11

She had both David and Erica's cell phone numbers programed on her phone, and could usually find it instantly. But she was having trouble finding either number. Maybe it was the late or hour, or maybe it was a sign, she wasn't sure. She was exhausted and knew that had to have something to do with it. She sighed looking through the cellphones phonebook one more time. She finally found Erica's number, and was just about to hit the dial button when the phone rang in her hands.

She recognized the number, and answered immediately. It was Aidan. He was talking so fast she almost could hardly hear him. When he finally took a breath, and slowed down she gasped at what he was telling her. He just watched Paul Cramer go into Michael Cambias's condo. Ben, he told her wasn't with Paul. He said that he called Anna and Derek and that they were on their way to investigate. They hadn't left the condo, and he was dying to find out what was going on inside.

She reminded him that he a brand new baby girl at home, he couldn't risk his life. She knew Aidan and she knew that he wouldn't just sit and wait, so she begged him not to do anything to let Michael or Paul see him. He needed to follow them, watch their every move. She told him that she was going to go get her Dad and Erica and then they would head to PV. He promised her, he swore to her...that he wouldn't let them out of his sight. He would follow them to the ends of the Earth if that's where he had to go to find Ben.

She hung up and immediately informed John and Bo...not giving them a chance to say anything before she ran out of the station. This was the best lead that they'd had in hours, and she was going to make sure that Micheal and Paul left that condo in handcuffs.

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He hadn't been this content in years. He knew he should be feeling guilty, should regret what they'd just done...but the truth was, he had Erica Kane in his arms. He'd realized years ago that she would always have his heart. Who was he kidding, she was his heart. He'd loved after her, Anna of course, and to an extent Dixie, but she was the only one he could ever imagine spending everyday with.

His arms were wrapped as tightly around her as they could be. He wasn't going to let her go again, at least not tonight. His own eyes were fighting to stay open but he wouldn't sleep...not tonight, he just wanted to watch her.

She would never know how much this meant to him. If he had his way he would marry her tomorrow. But he knew that this would be it, he was sure after they left this bed...this would never be mentioned again. They would find Ben, and take him back to Pine Valley, going back to the lives they had before this.

It was better that way, even if it broke his heart. She was married, and he was supposed to be trying to work things out with Anna. This getting out would just complicate things, and Ben didn't need that.

He looked down at her, she hadn't moved, and he wouldn't have it any other way. She hadn't slept much in weeks. She spent most nights watching Ben sleep. She was always afraid that he would disappear again, and she wanted to be able to to protect him.

He gently moved a strand of hair off her face, and placed a tender kiss on her cheek. He was going to find Ben, he was going to put him back in her arms himself. It was the least he could do for her. But for the rest of the night, all he could for her was hold her.
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Ashlee closed Erica's door quietly. She leaned against it, her eyes wide with shock. She couldn't believe what she just saw. She'd never been shy about the fact that she believed that David and Erica belonged together, but she'd never pushed the issue either. She shook her head, knowing instantly that this was a secret she would keep. If not for David and Erica, then for Ben. She didn't want to wake them, they needed this, hell she needed this. She walked to the kitchen counter as quietly as she could. She wrote them a note, telling them to call her as soon as they woke up.

She smiled at Erica's closed door one more time before she left. She was going to go to see Michael Cambias's. She was going to make him talk, make him tell everything he knew. She didn't have a choice. Time was running out and the longer Ben was the gone the less chance they had of finding him.

To be continued...

Chapter 13

Erica hadn't said two words to him since they'd woken up. The morning was spent in complete silence as they got ready to head to Pine Valley.

He wanted to talk, he needed her to understand, but he wouldn't push her. They hadn't heard from Ashlee since the night before, but knew by the note that she'd come back. He couldn't help but wonder if she'd seen them. She had a way of seeing things that no one was meant to, but he knew if she did, she would keep their secret.

Erica walked over to him, and handed him his jacket. She still wouldn't look at him, her eyes were on ground as she walked away.

" Erica." He said softly. She didn't respond at first, she just stopped a few feet from him. He walked to her slowly, stopping behind her. He listened to her sob, and put a hand on her shoulder.

He heard her sob his name a few seconds later, and turned her to face him. " It's OK." He told her softly. He could see the confusion in her eyes, but he didn't want to make her talk until she was ready. She just shook her head, and stepped into his arms. " I'm so sorry, for all of this Erica." He told her holding her close. " But I am not sorry for what happened last night."

He heard her gasp, and he knew he'd hit a nerve. " I don't regret it, not for a minute. And just so you know...it doesn't change a thing." He told her, as she took a step back. He placed a hand on her cheek and her eyes finally met his.

" We'll leave here and never mention this again. We'll find Ben, you'll go home to Jack and finally have the family you deserve."

She still didn't say anything, as she stared into his eyes. "You know that I would do anything for you. This is no different. You deserve all the happiness in the world, and I'm going to make sure that you get it." He vowed to her. " Let's go find our son." He smiled at her, kissing her forehead.

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Aidan had kept watch, noting everything that happened. He was thankful that for once the PVPD had gotten it right, and had gotten to Michael's condo in time to arrest them. They'd been at the station for almost and hour and still wouldn't say anything. They were waiting for the police to make them deals, but Derek and Anna were less cooperative then the police in Llanview had been.

Bianca, Babe and Aidan were having a hard time holding Ashlee back. She'd already tried to attack Michael once, and they knew if they let her alone she would again. Michael wouldn't talk, and if she had her way, she would beat the answers out of him.

" So we're just going to stand here and wait? Meanwhile the bastard who has Ben takes him further away?" She said looking at Aidan, and then Bianca at her other side.

" He's going to talk. And we're going to find Ben." Bianca tried to reassure. It was doing no good. Ashlee was exhausted, hungry, and in obvious pain, but she was determined to find Ben, everything else be damned.

" I can't let whoever has Ben get away, not again." She told them, her voice filled with fear.

" We're going to find him, Ash." Aidan said all of their eyes on Anna as she came out of the interrogation room.

" Anna, what did he say?" Ashlee asked as soon as Anna closed the interrogation room door.

" He says that he won't talk unless...oh, Ashlee you're bleeding." Anna said softly.

Everyone's attention went to the growing blood stain on Ashlee's shirt, " Oh my god, are you OK?" Bianca asked all concern.

" I just popped a few stitches, no big deal. I'll go to the hospital after I talk to Michael." She said, trying to push past them.

" No, no. Your dad would kill me if something happens to you." Anna told her softly, " You need to go to the hospital."

" OK...but I get a one on one with Michael when I get back." She said with a smile. She was in more pain then she would ever admit. She felt the stitches come out an hour ago, but had things to do so she didn't pay any attention.

" Deal. Babe, will you go with her? I don't trust her to go by herself." Anna said with a smile.

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Babe hated the sight of blood, and she was getting worried about Ashlee. She looked pale, and seemed to be bleeding heavily.

" Oh thank god, Maria." Babe said, as she helped Ashlee towards her.

" What happened?" She asked, looking at Ashlee's blood stained shirt.

" Got in a fight with Augustico Santi." She said, wincing as Maria examined the wound.

" I count seven, how many were there?" She asked already applying pressure.

" Oh, ten." She winced again as Maria helped her to an exam room.

She was not a good patient, doctors or future doctors never were. She wanted Maria to do this faster, she was losing time. " I'm going to put in a few extra stitches, so this doesn't happen again. You don't look good, you did lose quite a bit of blood. When was the last time you slept, ate?"

She looked at Maria, shaking her head. " I'm not sure, what day is it? They seem to run together."

" You have to take care of yourself. Ben needs you healthy when he comes home." Maria told her.

" I know and thank you for the concern, but unless you can put Ben in my arms right now...I'm leaving as soon as you finish that stitch."

Maria shook her head, refusing to look at her. " It's so frustrating. There's three suspects in custody and none of them will tell us anything." She told Maria, lowering her shirt as Maria finished.

" You'll find him, Ashlee."

" Damn right. I just wish...oh, hey you're...close with Zach."

Maria looked at her, her face going pale. " He's the prime suspect in this. You haven't heard from him have you?" She asked innocently.

Maria gasped quietly, she'd known that a question like this was coming but she still wasn't prepared for it. She could tell that Ben was loved, and that losing him again was taring them apart. She knew what it was like, and wanted more then anything to tell Ashlee that's she'd seen Zach and that Ben was with him. But she couldn't. It was selfish and she knew it. " I'm sorry, I haven't seen Zach in a few days."

She nodded, standing up. " Well, if you do see him, please convince him to call the police. Tell him that all we really want is Ben. Even if he doesn't have Ben, he must know something that can help us."

Maria just nodded. She was afraid that is she spoke the truth would spill out. " Thanks for stitching me back up." Ashlee told her with a smile as she headed towards the door.

Maria followed her out. " Hey, Babe you take care of her."

Babe smiled at Maria, Ashlee already had her cell phone out and was headed out the door. " I'll try, but I'm not sure the good Lord himself could stop her, not until we find Ben. I better go...she'll leave without me." Babe told her with a smile.

Maria smiled, nodding as Babe followed Ashlee out. Her smile faded as they disappeared out of sight. She was so scared and confused, and desperately want to do the right thing. Ben was so little, and he didn't deserve any of this. If only there was a way that she could tell the truth without exposing herself. And then it hit her...maybe there was. She walked over to the nurses station and picked up the phone.

To be continued...

Chapter 15

Aidan knew a back way into the airport. They pulled up to the gate and Babe was able to charm their way in. She'd even managed to get the guard to tell them which plane was Zach's. They'd called the PVPD and had finally managed to to talk them into believing them. The squad cars in route, but no one was sure how long it would take before they could get to them.

They knew that this would be the easiest part of the whole night. Once they got near the planes they were going to have to create a distraction, something that could get at least two of them, preferably Ashlee and Aidan into the plane. It was Babe and Bianca's job to come up with, and pull off the distraction while Aidan and Ashlee found a way onto the plane.

They parked behind a hanger, and slowly got out of the car. Babe gave Ashlee a hug, and then Bianca did the same thing. Aidan nodded reassuringly to her before Babe and Bianca walked away. Aidan and Ashlee stayed behind, discussing the last details of their plan. They could see Zach's plane from where they were standing, and knew that Zach still wasn't near the plane. Aidan asked her a few times if she was afraid, or if she wanted to turn back. She'd just looked at him, loading her gun.

They watched hidden from behind a stack of tires, as Babe faked stomach pains. Bianca atteneded to her first, but soon called the guards, all of them. Babe and Bianca were working the gaurds perfectly, they commanded their full attention. Aidan and Ashlee flashed each other a quick nod before slowly heading toward the plane.
_____________________

Zach and Maria got out of the car. Ben was clinging to Maria's hand as they walked towards the plane. Zach scared the life out of him, he didn't really like Maria, but she seemed to care about him so he was going to cling to her for as long as he could.

Zach's only focus was on his plane. He would glance at Maria and Ben every few minutes, but he hated doing it. The look on Ben's face truly broke his heart. He didn't want to do this, and would be sorry for the rest of his life. But he had no other choice...maybe it was selfish, but in the end it was all he could do to protect himself from the full wrath of the law.
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Aidan knew what kind of plane Zach's was. He told Ashlee that it was a converted old miliatry cargo plane. He knew that the plane would be locked and that they had to find another way on. He told her that if she was willing to get a little dirty he knew a way on. He remembered from his days in the military that all cargo planes had a passage from the cargo hold, that lead up into cabins.

It was a long difficult task, but Aidan said it was very duable. Ashlee didn't hesitate as they neared the plane. They glanced over their shoulders, noting that Bianca and Babe still had the gaurds througouhly distracted. Aidan turned back to the plane, hitting the cargo hatch until it popped open. He helped Ashlee into the hold, and waited tell she started climbing before he hosited himself into the space.

He closed the door quickly, and started his climb up through the hold. They moved fast and effienctly. They knew Zach and Maria were getting close and they had to hurry. They would make it into the cabin and hide, they would confront Zach and save Ben...there was no other way about it!

To be continued...

Chapter 17

The only place she could find to hide was a storage closet. Which didn't seem to be a bad spot afterall, since it was right across from the doorway. She left it open just slightly, as she waited for Zach. She couldn't see anything, but figured it didn't matter since she could hear perfectly. Her gun was locked and loaded, and she was ready...now it was a matter of waiting.

Aidan was waiting just outside the cockpit. He was crouched on the side of a shelf that held Zach's alcohol. He'd picked that spot because the pilots couldn't see him if they exited the cockpit, and a there was a big chair that hide from site when Zach finally did enter. He was ready for whatever was going to happen. He hoped that this could end without violence, but wouldn't hestitate to fire if he needed to. He hated the thought of something happening to him, he loved Kendall and Nicole more then anything. But he also knew how much this meant to Kendall, and to the rest of her family. If he failed to bring Ben home, he might as well be dead, because the hole it would leave in the family would never be filled.

He took a deep breath, and prayed for Ashlee's safety as he heard Zach heading towards him. He could hear Maria chastizing Zach as they headed for the main cabin where he was. He looked at the gun in his hands and got ready to spring into action.
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A few of the guards had left Bianca and Babe's side, but they still commanded the attention of the guards who were with them. They'd seen Aidan and Ashlee go into the plane and were worried about what was happening inside. Zach and Maria had just bordered with Ben and they were sure that their was sure to be a confrontation soon. All they could do was hope and pray that no one got hurt.
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" We can be out of the country in a half and hour." Zach told Maria.

Maria didn't respond, her eyes focused on Ben as she buckled him in.

" Maria?" Zach said again, trying to get her attention.

She just stood up, and turned to face him. " Don't talk to me Zach. I have nothing to say to you. I'm here to watch out for Ben, and nothing else." She was trying to keep her eyes on Zach, but was having trouble keeping her eyes from Ashlee.

" Maria please..." Zach started, but stopped as he noticed

Maria's attention focused elsewhere. He studied her face for a minute, before turning around.

" Long time no see, Zach" Ashlee told him with a smile. She already had her gun pointed at him, and was ready for any move that he made.

To be continued...

Chapter 19

Aidan and Ashlee kept Zach at gunpoint, his hands where they could see them. Zach was truly impressed by the lengths that Ashlee had gone to for Ben. Perhaps if he had half the love that Ben did he wouldn't have turned out the way he did.

“ Ben is a very lucky young man. You and your family obviously love him very much." Zach told her honestly.

" More then you could ever know." Ashlee told him her eyes on Ben.

Maria was looking out the window, her face blank. Her world was about to come crashing down, and there was nothing she could do about it. All she could hope was that David and Erica would show her mercy...not that she would blame them if they allowed her to be punished to full extent to the law.

The first sirens were heard a few minutes later, and both Aidan and Ashlee breathed a sigh of relief...this was finally over. Zach didn't say anything as he listened to the sirens get closer, he just stood there his face blank.

Ben kept his eyes on his sister. He knew that as long as she was with him he was going to be ok. She smiled at him and nodded, reassuing him that he would be safe and in her arms very soon.

The sirens stopped as the squad cars pulled up next to the plane. Maria was watching the cops every move, and reporting how close they were back to everyone else.

" It's almost over Ben." Aidan reassured him. They could hear the police as they came up the ramp. It was going to be over in a matter of minutes.

The next few minutes flew by. The next thing that Ashlee could consiously say she remembered was Anna and Derek storming through the cabin. They had Zach in custody in a matter of seconds and were reading him his rights.

She looked at Aidan handing him her gun before walking over to Ben. She knelt down, and unbuckled him as fast as she could. Falling to her knees as he wrapped his arms around her neck. The room fell silent and the world seemed to stop as she she held him. He was crying softly, and so was she, but they were happy tears, tears of joy.

Ben refused to let go of her. He wasn't going to lose his family, not this time.

" Hey, buddy...you ok?" Ashlee sobbed to him, her hands cuppinng his sweet little face.

Ben nodded, smiling at her. " Where's mommy and daddy?" He asked happily.

" Waiting for you at the police station. What do you say we go home." She told him smiling radiantly.

Ben nodded pulling her closer. She wrapped her arms around him and stood up. Aidan smiled at them, thrilled to have been a part such an amazing miracle. " Thank you, Aidan. For everything. I owe you." She told him happily.

Aidan nodded, smiling, as he fought back a few tears of his own, " You're welcome." He said softly, rubbing a had over the top of Ben's head, " I'd do it again in a heartbeat."

Anna and Derek wanted to have Ben checked out at the hospital, but Ashlee would have none of it. Ben was fine, a little hungry and tired, but fine. The best thing for him was his mommy and daddy. Ashlee made a special plee to Anna to go easy on Maria. She knew in the end the decision was David and Erica's, but she wanted to make sure that everyone knew what Maria did for Ben.

She said a few more rounds of "thanks yous" before she could finally get off the plane. Ben was still clinging to her. Babe and Bianca ran as fast as they could as soon as they saw her. It was just a few seconds before both girls enveloped her and Ben in their arms. They sobbed softly holding each other like their lives depended on it.
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David had his arms wrapped around Erica, her head resting on his chest. They hadn't spoken in minutes. He was just holding her. She was terrified of losing Ben again. He wasn't sure she how much more take she could take. This was killing him too, but he wouldn't let her know that. Someone had to hold the family together, and he was going to be damned if he would let them fall apart again.

Jack just watched them. He wasn't blind, he knew what he was seeing. He knew that Erica loved him, but her heart wasn't his and it hadn't been for years. No one else could get her through this, no one else could make her calm in the midst of all this chaos. He knew he was going to have to fight for her...but he wasn't sure it was a battle he was willing to fight.

David heard the steps to the boathouse creak, and instantly turned around. Erica unhappy with his sudden movement regretfully pulled out of his warm embrace. They both turned around at the same time, their eyes landing on Jack.

" Jack...Jack what is it?" Erica said practically begging him to answer her.

He looked at them for a few seconds, his blank expression changing into a smile. " I just got off the phone with Anna. Ben is safe in his sisters' arms. They're on they're way to the station. They should be here in twenty minutes."

The last thing that Erica heard was that Ben was alright. She threw her arms around David and hugged him tearfully. But she pulled out of his arms almost instantly. Jack and David just watched as she flew past them. They weren't going to follow her because they knew their attempts would be futile.

She was going to be at the police station when Ben got there, and she was going to take him in her arms and never let him go.
To be continued...