| Heartbreak Hotel Episode 22 |
| ** Part 1 "I assume you've made up your mind." Vincent walked into Andrew's office, unannounced. "I have, and I've considered both sides of the offer." This wasn't an easy decision for Andrew, but things haven't been going well for he and Rachel lately. "So? What's it going to be? You know, no matter what, I'll continue to see your wife and make love to her nightly. You just don't matter to her anymore." Vincent wanted to tease and taunt Andrew, the ball was in Vincent's court. "That's why I've decided to take your offer, on one condition." Andrew had his limits, and nothing meant more to him than his sons. "What's that?" Vincent knew Andrew would take the offer, men like that were easily bought and sold. "I keep my boys till the divorce is final." He cared for Rachel, but it was apparent Vincent had won her over. "Done, because afterwords not only will I have your wife, but your children as well. It's been a pleasure doing business with you... we'll be in touch." Vincent walked out of his office, pleased with Andrew's acceptance. Rachel would be his, free and clear but there was no way Andrew would keep Rachel's children from her. ** Vincent sat at the bar, waiting for Rachel. He was upset she was running late. Once they were married, there'd be no more of this. She'd have the children and him to care for, no time for herself. Hopefully, they'd have another child on the way soon enough. That was the thought that kept him interested. His cell phone rang, he pulled it from his pocket. "Vincent, good to see you're still around.'' Nash wanted to spark some reaction, get the ball rolling. They were so close. "What the hell do you want, Bridges?" Vincent didn't want to talk to Nash, and wondered why he called. "I had a nice chat today with someone, I think you know her pretty well. Rachel Ballanco?" Nash knew the mention of meeting with Rachel would infuriate Vincent beyond belief, it was just what he needed. "WHAT?" Vincent wasn't pleased, Rachel shouldn't have been out alone. Why hadn't Paul seen this? "She's an attractive woman, successful just like her husband. She's got great kids and a hell of a body. You've done well." Nash was out agitate Vincent, he had been too calm. "WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT HER BODY?" Vincent didn't want to imagine Rachel with anyone else, her husband was bad enough. There was no way she could be with Nash Bridges. "Enough.'' Nash didn't have to call too far back into his memory to relate from personal experience. "You're not gonna get her, Nash. She's mine, just like Tamara was." Vincent was now getting defensive. Bridges wasn't going to win this battle. ''I never said I wanted her, just that I spoke with her." Nash laughed into the phone, he had done his job. He hung up, leaving Vincent seething. ** Vincent set his drink down on the table and got up as he heard her key sliding through the scanner. She opened the door and he walked towards her. He forcefully pulled her towards him as she walked into the room. She could tell he wasn't going to wait and he certainly wasn't drunk enough to tease. "I need you, Rachel. I need to know you're mine." There was no way out for her now, he wanted her too badly. But, she could try. "Vincent, please. Not now." There was no excuse good enough for her to give. "Are you refusing me? After everything I've done for you?" His temper was beginning to flare. She was not going to turn him down, not now. He backed her against the wall and held her there. "I don't think so." Rachel knew nothing she could argue would get her out of this. The old I forgot my birth control pills line wouldn't cut it, he wanted kids and she knew it. Time wouldn't matter to him. "Vincent, I can't." ''Sounds more like you won't. I know that you can." Vincent wasn't in the mood for rejection, Bridges had set him off on a warpath. "Vincent please, don't do this." The pressure of his hands wrapped so tightly around her arms was intensifying. They would definately be bruised. She could feel the tips of his nails digging into her skin as he pinned her against the wall with the weight of his body. "Why not? You've had no problem any other time." Vincent was screaming in her face as Antwon watched the surveillance tape in horror. "If I remember correctly, you liked it. I make you quite happy." "That was then." Rachel had to admit, she didn't have a good excuse. She'd have to make something up as they went along. "I can't Vincent, not right now." "You know what I heard today?" Vincent was once again screaming in her face, his breath so intense with alcohol it hovered around her. "What did you hear, Vincent?" She had no idea what he would come up with. Her arms were throbbing but she didn't have it in her to fight back. "That Nash Bridges came to talk to you." Vincent was infuriated by the thought alone. Nash had no right to talk to Rachel. ' "So?" What had Nash told him? Rachel hadn't spoken to Nash himself for days. If Nash was trying to spark a reaction, she'd certainly have to pay for it now. "Tell me you didn't say anything to him," Vincent mercilessly threw her against the wall, with her face in his hands, "tell me you didn't speak to him." There was nothing he could do for her without ruining the case. Antwon stopped the tape, unable to watch anymore and called Nash, hoping he'd do something to stop what was going on. "Nash, it's me. Things are getting ugly over here. He heard you saw her today." Antwon didn't want to get specific over the phone, out of fear somehow Cardell had bugged the room. "I'll take care of it." Nash knew something was going wrong, and he didn't want Cardell to take out his aggressions on Rachel for the comment he made earlier. "You're not pregnant with his kid, are you?" It was the only logical reason Vincent could think of why she might refuse him. It didn't make sense, she wouldn't have complied all those other nights if that were the case. He kept her pinned, she wasn't going to get away. "No, but...I don't want to get pregnant tonight either.'' Big Mistake. She could see her argument was getting her nowhere. Rachel didn't want to give in, not now. She had come this far and Harvey meant that much to her. "Now you're saying you don't want to get pregnant? What the hell is going on with you, woman?" Vincent was enraged by the sudden change in her, he wondered what had been said between her and Nash Bridges that warped her mind. ''I'm still married, Vincent. I can't do that right now..." Rachel was willing to make up any excuse, not that he'd find one plausible enought to believe. "That didn't stop you any other night when you came to my bed. Are you sleeping with Bridges? Is that what it is?'' It was the second logical conclusion he had come to that evening. So he thought. ''Cause if you're sleeping with Bridges, I swear to God... I'll..." Rachel wanted to rip his hands off her and run, she knew she couldn't. ''How could you ask me that? I don't even sleep with my husband." Rachel had to admit that was true, she hadn't slept with Andrew or even Harvey for that matter. Nash, on the other hand, was a different story. "I want to be with you, but..." "But nothing, Rachel. No woman refuses Vincent Cardell, especially one who could very well be sleeping with his worst enemy." He kissed her hard, pushing himself against her and tearing at her shirt when the buttons wouldn't come apart quickly enough. When she tried to move, that was it. Vincent's anger mounted, everything was falling a part around him. The woman he wanted so badly was refusing him and it looked like Bridges might have the upper hand. He lost control. His swung his hand, it stung upon impact with Rachel's cheek. She didn't move for a minute, probably to shocked to realize what hit her. She moved away from the wall, as Vincent stood there in silence. It wasn't enough. There was still more rage. He grabbed her shoulders and threw her back against the wall, not once, not twice, but three times. She was going to listen, no matter what. Rachel was his now, he had to make her see that. "Vincent, please no...don't do..." The blows to the chest from the wall didn't help her any, she wasn't sure her ribs were fully healed from the showdown with Richard Daniels. Rachel didn't have it in her to fight him off. He couldn't take the rejection, hearing it from her. He wrapped his hands tightly around her neck and squeezed. She tightened every muscle in her body, there was no way to stop him. Rachel was shaking and began to lose her coloring, she felt like a rag doll in his hands as she began to slide down the wall. She didn't respond, there was no longer any fight or resistence to her. Vincent realized what he was doing and released his hands, leaving her slumped against the wall. "Rachel, Rachel... please. Please look at me." Rachel still didn't say a word, she could barely breathe. Vincent's face was shadowy as he loomed over her, her vision was completely blurred. He didn't know how it happened or what came over him. Vincent wanted to get help, but it was too big of a risk. The others had endured this, Rachel could too. She had to be alright. He picked her up and moved her to the bed, limp and seemingly lifeless in his arms. He kissed her lightly on the forehead and went for ice. But more importantly for him, he had to make a call. Rachel waited until he was gone to move. She struggled to pick up the phone, wondering what Antwon had seen and heard. She dialed the extension, disregarding the fact that Vincent could return any minute. She nervously waited for him to pick up, watching the door. "Babcock.'' He waited for a reply, all he heard was heavy, uneven breaths. "Antwon..." She hadn't regained enough strength to talk, or really even to breathe. "Rache? Talk to me baby..." Antwon wanted to run down the hall and make sure she was okay, the phone wasn't cutting it for him. "I'm... okay...he's close, he'll talk." Rachel heard Vincent slidding his key into the door and set the phone back on the receiver. She shut her eyes, wondering how long she could keep him away. He walked into the room and towards the bed, he kissed her again. "I'll be right back.'' He turned off the lights and shut the door behind him, he had some business to take care of. ** Vincent looked at Paul at motioned him to come towards him, pointing to the open bar stool next to him. "I talked to Bridges today, I leave tomarrow." "You're going back to Philly?" Paul had assumed that was what's next. "Yes, I have every intention of bringing Rachel with me. Nash said she talked, but she didn't." Vincent was assured she hadn't told Nash anything. ''How can you be sure?" Paul didn't think Rachel could be trusted. ''I tested her, she didn't talk.'' What he had done to Rachel was wrong, and he knew it. In his mind, the other women were different, Rachel didn't deserve the beating as much as they did. ''I'm gonna tell her the truth, she's too afraid to talk and there's no one she'd tell. She'll come home with me to Philly tomarrow." Vincent knew Rachel had no time to talk to anyone, he'd make sure of it. "You trust her that much?" Paul didn't know why Vincent trusted her as he did. He normally didn't have this type of confidence in his women. "I gave her the money, didn't I?" For Vincent, that meant a lot. "I want him dead, tomarrow." "But he took your offer, Rachel is free to be with you." Paul couldn't understand why Vincent would risk taking another person's life. "I want him gone, he'll get in the way." And that was that. Vincent left a fifty-dollar bill on the bar and walked away. Paul pulled out his phone. "Mario, it's Paul." He had his own ideas about what tomarrow would bring. "What's up?" Mario had been waiting all night for his call. "He wants Andrew dead tomarrow, before he leaves. But we have our own agenda." ** Vincent waited as Rachel walked out of the bathroom, dressed in a robe and fresh from the shower. He walked over to her slowly, not sure how she'd react after what had just happened hours before. "I'm so sorry, baby." He pulled her in towards him, a little surprised she didn't pull back away. "I don't know what came over me." He ran his hands through her hair, her spine tingled at his touch. She was paralyzed in fear but Rachel couldn't run from him, she was so close. "It will never happen again." He walked towards the balcony, leaving her to wonder what had gone through his head. She was hesitant to follow him, but she knew she had to. Rachel felt the wire, reminding her it was on and ready. Vincent sat in the chaise longue and looked out over the water. He felt miserable about what happened and Rachel deserved some explanation. He shouldn't have hit her. Not wanting to make love wasn't a reason to hit her. If Nash hadn't called and gotten him started, it never would've happened. He had to get away, they had to get away. "Who was that, who called earlier?" Rachel questionned as she stepped out onto the balcony. She had assumed it was Nash, but she wanted to hear him for herself. "The police captain, Rachel, it was Bridges.'' He signed heavily, he had to tell her. His conscience was weighing too heavily not to. "He said he talked to you.'' "Is something wrong?" Rachel had to ask all the right questions to get the answers she needed. "Is that why you have to leave tomarrow?" "Rachel, I did something that I'm not too proud of." He didn't like the fact she was questionning him, but after what he did, she had a right to know. Rachel sat down next to him, chills went up and down her spine as she ran her fingers through his hair. "She hurt me Rachel, she hurt me and my son.'' "Who hurt you?" Rachel hadn't heard this version of the story. "She betrayed me, she was going to marry this cop guy and take the money. She owed me that money." He was hurt when he found out about Nash and Tamara. She had to pay. "What money?" Rachel assumed this is where he had gotten all the money from. "Her husband's money, he found out we were together after he killed my son." Vincent had started seeing Tamara while she was still married, and the old man wasn't to happy. He wanted her to himself. By chance, or so he claimed, Vincent's son was called out to the ranch during a storm that summer and killed in a terrible accident. "So you killed him?" Rachel knew there was something shady about the old man's death, she just didn't know it was this. "He killed my son, Rachel, and he didn't even care." Vincent was completely distraught by Marco's death, the world became his enemy. "And you were with Tamara?" She had to help him reach these conclusions in order to assure they were on the right track. "She got his money and we were going to leave, take off together. Then, the old man's son got in the way and Bridges was in the picture. She was going to turn me in." He couldn't handle the deceit, so he did what he had to do. "I didn't mean to kill her." "You killed her?" Rachel tried to act surprise, but she knew all to well what this man was capable of. "She hasn't been back since, I've assumed she's dead. I took the boat and the money." Vincent wasn't assured she was dead after he stabbed her and left her in the water. She had more lives than a cat. ''So that's the inheritance?" Rachel now had the explanation she needed for the money. ''Yes. That's why I have to get back, Bridges is after me." Vincent desperately wanted Rachel to come home with him. "Please say you'll come back to Philadelphia, I can't lose you now. I need you.'' Vincent was practically pleading with her, his arms were wrapped securely around her waist. "Okay. I'll come with you.'' Vincent's head was resting in her lap and he was crying, ashamed of what he had done to her but not remorseful about his actions against Tamara and her husband. Antwon took off the headphones and called Nash immediately. ''Bridges." "Nash, we got it.'' Antwon was smiling from ear to ear, he finally confessed. "Got what?" Nash was a little groggy, then it hit him. "He confessed?" "He told her everything. I'll send the tapes over with Ronnie." ** Rachel waited a while to make sure Vincent was asleep before she attempted to move. She slid a pillow underneath his head and slowly got up. Her chest was throbbing, but she didn't have time to worry about that now. Rachel slid her robe on and walked towards the door, stopping at the desk to take an book from her purse. She walked into the darkened hallway of the hotel, and lightly tapped on Antwon's door. Rachel hated to wake him, but she wanted Harvey to get the letter before tomarrow. Antwon, practically sleep walking, answered the door. "Rache, what are you doing here?" "I need you to give this to Harvey." Rachel slid the envelope out of the book and handed it to him. "What's this?" Antwon smiled, knowing very well he was going to transport some variety of love letter. "Read it and you're a dead man." Rachel forced herself to smile, her mouth ached. "You don't look so good, maybe I should take you into the ER." Antwon got a better look at her once she stepped in his room. Her jaw was bruised and her lips a little swollen. "Forget it. I didn't come this far to screw up by getting medical attention tonight that could wait till tomarrow." Rachel knew there was really nothing any doctor could do besides give her pain killers. "Are you sure you're okay?" Antwon was worried she was in a lot more pain than she let on. "I'll be fine, if memory serves, I have a nice supply of pain killers left at home." Rachel still had more than enough medication left after her bought with Daniels. "Take care of yourself, girl. I'll see you tomarrow." She walked back into the hall and he shut the door. He was relieved it was him instead of Harvey, Cardell would've met his demise. Rachel walked back towards Vincent's room, stopping at the ice dispenser along the way. That would be her excuse, she had to get more ice. He couldn't deny her ice, not after nearly cracking her cheek or re-aligning her rib cage. She used the key and opened the door. Rachel could see the light on in the bedroom. Vincent was awake. She walked slowly towards the room, with ice in hand. Vincent smiled warmly towards her, it was almost freightening. "You okay, baby?" It sickened Rachel to hear him call her that. "I'm fine, I needed more ice." Rachel laid down on the far side of the bed with her pseudo ice pack, wanting to keep her distance. "I'm so sorry, baby, I promise this won't happen again." Vincent came closer to kiss her and then retreated to his own side. Now wasn't a good time for what he wanted, he didn't want to pressure her anymore, maybe tomarrow morning his chances would be better. ** "What's this?" Harvey took the envelope from Antwon, noting the elegant script on the front and recognizing it as Rachel's. "From your woman.'' Antwon smiled, knowing even mentioning her name these days was a tease. "She gave this to you, for me?" Harvey was surprised Rachel would risk doing something like that, but he had to consider the source. "Must have been desperate for a messenger." "Desperate for something, I don't know. That woman's personal life is straight out of Danielle Steel and I don't want nothing to do with it. She's crazy." Antwon had to put on an act, he couldn't let him know what had happened the night before. Cardell confessed, but he also could've killed her if he wanted to. "How is she, I mean, really?" Harvey was worried about her, Cardell had a way of getting under people's skin. ''She'll be okay. She's tough." Antwon didn't want to tell him how bad she looked the night before, or what Cardell had done to her. He'd see for himself soon enough. Luckily for Cardell, he'd already be imprisoned and Harvey couldn't get his hands on him. "Thanks.'' Harvey walked into the master bedroom and opened the envelope, pulling out the letter inside. He sat down on the bed and began to read. Harvey, I admit, this won't be easy. We've got a long road in front of us and circumstances have already proven to be difficult and untimely. I've vehemently denied my feelings for you quite a while, now it's time to realize the truth. This isn't something that could be easily ignored...I've tried. This feeling, of being so completely entranced with someone, is new for me. I have no other way t o explain it., just how I feel when I am with you. I really can't place a date or a time when it began, but the feeling hasn't gone away. I guess the attraction between us has always been there, but the opportunity has never been right for us to act upon. It seems unrequited love has worked both ways, but after today, we'll finally be able to do something about it. I know you've questionned how far things have gone between Vincent and I, and I cannot blame you, for I would do the same. It would be a completely senseless act for me to waste the possibility of a true romance on a few nights of meaningless sex with a man I have little or no interest in beyond my professional duties. Like I said, it hasn't been easy, but worth it in the long run. I can assure you with a smile, you mean too much to me to do anything else. I'd have preferred to give you this letter myself, but time doesn't allow for another visit between Andrew and Rachel. If I am making a fool of myself for stating how I feel, so be it. I just wanted you to know. ~Je t'aime ~ Rachel "Wow." That was all Harvey could say. He never would've expected something like this from her, he didn't know she had felt like this. The last bit, the "je t'aime," he wasn't quite sure of, but he sensed it meant something good. He'd have to ask Rachel later, even though he wanted to be with her now. Harvey wanted to call her, confront her and tell her how long he has felt the same, but it would have to wait. He was awe-struck. ** "We'll leave this evening, after you say goodbye to Andrew. We can fly your boys out soon." Vincent had everything set up, little did she know tonight would be the last time anyone would see Andrew alive. He sat at the breakfast table on the patio, waiting for Rachel to come outside. "Okay, I'm meeting Andrew at 6:30, at the cafe. Just like we planned." Vincent had given Rachel specific instructions for how he wanted her to say goodbye to Andrew. There wouldn't be any last minute mind changes. Rachel stepped onto the patio, wearing the robe from the night before, minus the wire. It was too risky now and the lingerie Vincent picked out was far too skimpy. "Perfect." Vincent wrapped his arms around her waist as she stood before him and pulled her in closer to him. He stood up to kiss her and the robe fell to the floor as they walked back into the room, locked in a passionate embrace. He led her over to the bed and laid her down, careful not to inflict pain with the fresh bruises from the day before. This time, Rachel had an out. "Enough of that for now,'' Rachel smiled as she pulled herself from underneath him, "I've got to get home and pick up a few things so I'll be ready for tonight." "It can wait.'' Vincent had been very patient with her, but he didn't want to wait any longer. ''I want to get home before Andrew does." That was the perfect excuse, of course he wouldn't want her to be around him. "We'll continue this later." Like hell they would, but it was the thought that count. "I'll be waiting." Rachel got up from the bed and headed straight for the shower. ** "What are you doing here?" Andrew walked through the library towards the front door as Rachel came in. His car hadn't been in the driveway, he must have put it in the garage. "I've got to get ready. I left the dress here." Just the way she said it made him wonder, was the dress for him later or Cardell now? "Oh. The boys are already at school, the butler had some errands to run." Andrew smiled, hoping Rachel would know who he was referring to. "Vinny's boys are down the street, just to let you know." Rachel wanted to warn him now, should anything come up. She wondered if Antwon had given him the letter, surely he would've brought it up by now. "How do you feel?" Harvey got a better look at the bruises as he came closer towards her. Vincent Cardell was a dead man if Harvey ever got his hands on him. "I'll survive." Rachel didn't want to tell him she felt like death warmed over, he didn't need the extra worry. "Okay. I'm just home for some papers and to get my mail, the butler brought it in." He had to tell her he received her letter, to put her mind at ease. "Anything good?" Rachel thought that may have been his clue, but she wanted more reassurance. "Personal stuff.'' Harvey smiled and Rachel went upstairs. Okay, so he had gotten the letter. But how did he really feel? ** The big day with Cardell, he was going down. Rachel wanted everything to be perfect. She had waited her entire career for a case like this, and this was her big chance to prove herself. Nothing was going to ruin this for her. She had to put whatever feelings she had aside and hold off until this was over --- this was all that mattered for the time being. Harvey knew how she felt and all she had to do was wait. Harvey was seated at the desk in their room, playing with the radio transmitter for Rachel's wire. He wanted to be sure everything was ready. Since her admission of feelings earlier that morning, Harvey hadn't been able to stop thinking of Rachel. Rachel walked into the room with her dress half-zipped and the wire clearly visible. Harvey smiled as she approached him. "Am I supposed to let you leave looking this good?" Harvey stepped back in amazement, he wasn't used to her in this attire. This wasn't the typical leather pants and silk blouse he was used to seeing her in. She paraded out infront of him, a complete tease. She was wearing a tea-length one shoulder black dress with her hair and make-up perfectly fixed. The make-up cleverly disguised the bruises Vincent left the night before. In pain or not, Rachel looked gorgeous. "I have to let you down easy." She smiled, knowing she'd get no greater pleasure than watching Cardell being cuffed and taken away after what he had done and returning home to her husband. "Can you zip this for me?" Harvey looked up at her, wondering how long he had felt this way about her. He wanted the chance to tell her how he felt, the feelings she had were mutual. Now wasn't the time, it wasn't right. Wait till after the gig is over, he had to remind himself. He got up and stood behind her, getting ready to zip the dress. Harvey found himself frozen, unable to do anything for a moment. Rachel turned around for a second and smiled at him, "it will all be over tonight." Harvey was immediately seduced, and he couldn't resist much longer. Was the moment they had been waiting for? This was certainly a strange situation they had been in, but once it all ended, they could finally be together. He didn't want this to be about Rachel and Andrew, but about them. "Yes it will, won't it?" He moved in closer to her and kissed her lips, unable to pass up the opportunity at hand. Rachel was surprised at first, but didn't pull back. She wanted to stop, afraid someone might see them. But, maybe not. Things had quickly advanced from him merely kissing her lips to her neck. Both of them had lost all restraint. After a few moments, they found themselves walking together towards the bed, totally distracted and caught up in the moment. "Harv...I mean, Andrew?" "Yes?" He didn't know what she could've possibly thought of at this point. ''Maybe we shouldn't be doing this, I mean, here, now...'' Rachel really didn't care, but she thought someone else might. They were alone in the house, for now but Vinny's men were right down the street. "But we are." Harvey smiled mischeviously and she gave in. Harvey led her over to the bed, sure that's the direction they were headed. How soon things were changing for them came as a suprise, he didn't expect things to get this far while they were still on the case, or really any time soon. Harvey wanted to be with her and she with him, that was that. Rachel and Harvey both had momentarily forgotten where she was supposed to be, and work certainly didn't seem to matter for them at the moment. Being together was all that mattered. Harvey struggled with the buttons on his shirt, thinking that it would've been a good day to have worn a t-shirt. Just as he laid down beside her on the bed and pulled her in closer, she let out a piercing scream. "OUCH!" "Are you okay?" Harvey didn't know what had happened or what went wrong, her scream was certainly alarming. "What's wrong?" "The ribs...'' she paused a moment, trying to catch her breath ''they sting." She had momentarily forgotten about the incident from the night before, nearly losing her life because she wouldn't sleep with Vincent. Harvey's eyes reassured her everything would be alright, "but I'm okay." She smiled and kissed him again as she ran her fingers through his hair. "Are you sure? I mean, we can wait..." Harvey really didn't want to, but he could sympathize with the pain. He moved over, to give Rachel some room to breathe. Rachel turned from him a moment, catching the time on the clock. She sat up, trying to pull herself away as Harvey gently tried to tug her back towards him."As much as I would like to do this, and I swear to you I would, I've got to get going." Rachel quickly tried to straighten out her dress after getting up off the bed. She went towards the bathroom and fixed her make-up, which was a little smeared. Rachel ran a comb through her hair and picked up her purse from the closet, hoping she wouldn't be late to meet Cardell. While she finished getting ready, Harvey laid there on the bed thinking about what just happened. This was the closest they had come thus far. Rachel walked towards the door and waited a moment, "Harvey..." Harvey looked up from the bed, "I'm leaving. Let Nash and the back up know --- showtime is at 6:30." Harvey chuckled for a moment as Rachel headed towards the bedroom door, "What?" She had to get going and didn't have time for his antics now. "If you go out like that, Cardell's not the only one who will be wanting you. You'll have the greater male population of San Francisco." He laughed at the irony of the entire situation. "You're still unzipped." Rachel struggled to pull the zipper up herself, but before she could get it any farther than mid-back, Harvey was behind her to help. Harvey zipped her dress and she turned around for a moment, "Thanks." She headed out the bedroom door and down the staircase. "Go get'em gorgeous." Harvey followed her down and leaned in for another kiss before she walked out the front door. She was determined, he had to give her that. He was sure all their work would pay off sooner or later. ** -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PART 2 ** Vincent was sitting at the table waiting when Rachel walked in, he smiled across the room as the maitre'd led her over. She sat down, and Vincent was unable to take his eyes off the dress she had presented herself in. "I trust that you're ready to leave?" Vincent had been worried, she was a little late. He hoped Andrew hadn't showed up unexpectedly. "I'll say my good-byes to the boys this afternoon and Andrew at 6:30, as planned." Rachel tried not to be distracted by Vincent's hand on her thigh, she had to keep her mind on what awaited her and it certainly wasn't him she was after. "Very well, I can't wait to show you the city I love." He was happy to bring her back to Philadelphia, where they could be free without Nash around. "You'll meet my children this evening." "Really?" Rachel tried to sound interested, though she knew the meeting would never occur. "They're very excited, it's not often I bring someone home.'' Vincent hadn't brought anyone home since Tamara, and she was a mistake. Rachel could feel Vincent's hand working its way under her skirt. This man evidently had several addictions. "I guess I'm just lucky.'' Rachel forced herself to smile, between the pain and her disgust, it wasn't easy. "I have another matter to discuss with you, before we go." Vincent was ready to ask her, he was sure. "What? I have all your financial work in order, and I'll have constant access to my files." She tried not to show how uncomfortable she felt, but it seemed as if everyone around them knew she was putting on an act. "Nothing like that, it's not money I'm interested in but other assets. Like you, I'm going through a divorce, very painful and messy. Marco's death put things on hold." She wouldn't wait forever, by any means, but it would be a while. "Okay..." Rachel wasn't sure what the mafia man had in store for her now. "I'm still married to her, legally, as you are to Andrew. From here on out, it's you I'll be referring to as my wife." Vincent pulled out a small ring box from Tiffany's, opening it up to reveal quite the extravagent diamond. The ring was partly to compensate for the night before and partly a sign of their engagement. "I'm hoping we can marry as soon as our respective divorces are final." "Wow... this is definitely whirlwind romance." Rachel looked at the ring again, it certainly cost a small fortune. Vincent was now kneeling before her. "All the same, will you marry me?" She shook her head, not daring to embarass herself further and say yes out loud. He pulled her towards him for a kiss. She was his. ** "Paul, it's Vincent. Is everything ready?" Vincent was at the hotel, finishing his packing. "It's all ready to go, boss. Andrew Martin will be out of your way before you know it." Paul motioned to Mario to get the gear ready to go, it was nearly time for them to leave. "Good. Make sure Rachel doesn't see it, I need her calm." He didn't want her to see them kill Andrew, but, he wanted him dead. "As you wish." Vincent hung up the phone. "Mario, tell the boys to get ready and we're keeping our plan." ** Vincent had to be there to watch as they put Andrew out of his misery and brought Rachel to his open arms. He waited as the driver pulled around the block, not wanting to miss a minute of the action. It was strategically planned, Rachel would be coming to tell Andrew good-bye but he would never come. His men would have clipped Andrew off at the corner instead. It was a beautiful plan. He watched as Rachel crossed the street towards the cafe where the two were supposed to meet. Andrew walked slowly down the busy street, trying to put off the inevitable. He knew she was going to leave him, and nothing he could say or do would make her stay. There was no use in pleading with Rachel, her mind was already made up. He knew that by taking the deal, his marriage had met its demise. Paul watched as Rachel walked towards the cafe. Now was their chance. If they didn't kill her, they could lose their jobs. Something wasn't right about her. When Bridges acknowledged her the other day on the street, he had to have known her. She could cost them their jobs and their boss his life. She had to be taken care of. Michael positioned the scope on her. The boss was away, waiting for her to join him as far as they knew. If she was dead and never came, they'd have no time to waste before leaving where he could look for her. He'd think she stood him up and he killed Andrew for nothing. It would work out wonderfully. Andrew turned his head and saw some movement in the bushes. As he got closer to the cafe and moved up the street, the movement seemed a lot more strategic. He knew Nash and the guys were waiting for Cardell. Rachel stood there, fifty feet away and was coming closer towards him. Then, he saw it. He saw the scope out of the corner of his eye. Rachel was a couple feet away, within arms reach, as the shot rang out. "GET DOWN!" "Noooooooooooooooooo!" Rachel watched in terror as his body collapsed to the ground on top of her own. She struggled to move out from underneath, and crouched down on the ground next to him, unsure of where exactly the bullet had hit. Rachel leaned down over him, checking his pulse. "Harvey, come on. Please. Harvey..." He didn't move a muscle, he had been hit just above his shoulder on the left side. "Harvey, breathe... come on..." Vincent got out of the car, having seen Rachel and Andrew both hit the ground. "Rachel, NO!" He didn't give a damn who saw him, he had to get to her. Before Vincent could even cross the street, Nash ran and stopped him. Detaining him by grabbing his arms, he called Ronnie over. "You're not getting away this time, Vincent.'' Nash let go of Cardell's arms and Ronnie handcuffed him. Nash ran over to Harvey's other side while Rachel continued the chest compressions. Antwon had already called for the ambulence, they just weren't getting there fast enough. Nash watched out of the corner of his eye as Cardell was hauled off in the squad car. Apparently, Antwon had spotted the shooter and gone after him. Right now, Nash's main concern was Harvey. Harvey just lied there, not making a sound or moving. Rachel looked completely traumatized. Nash was relieved when the ambulence showed up and the EMT's took control of Harvey. It was going to be a long night. ** Rachel had been running on empty for hours, and the wait at the hospital wasn't doing her any good. Everyone else had gone home for a little while in shifts, but she was unable to leave. They had been there waiting for over four hours. Something had to be wrong. "Rache, why don't you go home and get a shower, and maybe some sleep?" Nash was only trying to help. She looked exhausted. Rachel had cleaned up somewhat after the shooting, when Nash insisted she see a doctor herself, to check for broken bones after Cardell used her as a punching bag. ''I'm fine, Nash." She wasn't going to leave now, not when she knew the doctor could come in at any minute with some news. Rachel had to admit, she was an unsightly mess. The bruises were painful, but the blood stained shirt had to make people wonder. "How is he?" Cassidy walked into the waiting room, having just gotten home from a visit with Nick when she got the news. Rachel had called, leaving a message on her machine. "We still don't know anything yet, he's still in surgery.'' There wasn't much more Nash could say to assure everyone (himself included) that Harvey was going to be okay. "Oh," Cassidy walked towards Rachel and handed her a bag. "I stopped by your house and picked up some clothes, I figured you wouldn't want to leave." Rachel accepted the bag and reluctantly got up to change. Every bone and muscle ached in her body. She wanted to go home and lie down, but she knew that wasn't an option. "'I'll be right back." ** "He's going to be okay. The surgery went pretty well, considering the location of the bullet. We won't know anything concrete until tomarrow." The doctor waited a moment, ''I know you'd probably all like to see him, but for now we have to limit visitation." Rachel assumed Nash would want to go in, not just because they were close, but for protocol as well so he could fill out reports for the SIU. Nash sulked towards her from the seat he had taken across the waiting room, "aren't you going to go?" "Me?" Rachel hadn't known she was able to, otherwise she would've jumped at the opportunity. Antwon was seated comfortably next to her in the stiff waiting room chairs, as much as he wanted to see Harvey, he knew this was a good decision on Nash's part. "Rachel," Antwon smiled, unable to resist the chance to bring some humor to the evening. "Remember, you're in a hospital with a very sick man...though he might want you badly...do not attack." Rachel shot Antwon a look before she got up to follow the doctor towards Harvey's room. She was honestly afraid of what she would find once they reached his door. After her years in med school, Rachel knew all too well how terrible and grisly these incidents could be. She walked in, to find Harvey motionless and unaware lying in the bed before her. There wasn't a thing Rachel wouldn't do in order to trade places with him. She pulled up the chair next to his bed and sat down, reaching for his hand. ** Bill Chamberlain looked at the articles situated around his desk. Bill had come in early this morning to finish some work, but this was quite a distraction. He picked one up, the article from The Bay Tribune. He studied the picture carefully, her face was so familiar to him. Bill couldn't place how he knew her. He looked at the other pictures with the articles. He hadn't thought about her in awhile, but the article in the morning's paper about capturing Cardell had caught his eye. Surely she could break policy just this once, all he wanted was a chance to talk and ask how he might have known her. Bill picked up the phone and called his secretary, "Maggie, can you come in here a minute?" He waited for the secretary to come into his office, but replaced all the articles to a folder before she entered. ''What do you need, Bill?" She was expecting him to give some office supply, or lunch order. She wasn't quite prepared for his request. "I need you to call all the local florists and see who has wild orchids in season. Have two large bouquets sent to the following addresses." He handed her a sheet of paper where he scrawled her home address and her office. "Bill, this sounds serious." She didn't even know he was dating. He had taken Mary's death hard, Maggie was surprised he was so head-over-heels for someone else. "Maybe it will be." Bill smiled. Maggie left the room, leaving Bill to hope she'd call him back after getting the flowers. "Bill, don't forget your doctor's appointment this evening." She smiled at him, somebody had to keep his life straight. ** Harvey woke up in a great deal of pain, not quite sure of what happened. His eyes immediately fell upon Rachel, who was still asleep in the chair next to his bed. He tried not to make a sound, not wanting to wake her. Harvey was sure it had been a long night for both of them, judging by the bandage on his chest. He laid their quietly, she stirred a moment and opened her eyes. Rachel was surprised to see Harvey awake so soon. ''How are you?" Rachel reached for the charts at the end of his bed and looked to see if there had been any notable changes since the night before. She had gotten up earlier, but dozed off again after updating everyone at the SIU. ''Happy that you're here.'' The last thing Harvey remembered was pushing Rachel to the ground when he saw the gunmen. He was afraid she would've been shot as well. "What I mean is how do you feel?" Rachel could see Harvey's view of romance hadn't changed, but she was more concerned for his health at the moment. "Could be worse.'' Harvey didn't want to talk about his pain, he wanted to talk about what was next for them. They had been put on hold long enough. "I'll go get your doctor." Rachel wanted to get the doctor right away, she knew all too well that the first twenty-four hours were the most crucial. "No, no, no...'' Harvey wanted to talk to her about what happened. He didn't want the doctors and nurses bugging him, she was the only one he wanted around for the time being. He would've liked to have seen Jerry, but he knew that was impossible. "Harvey," she could see that Harvey was more interested in her than his health, but this was serious. "Not just yet, I'm enjoying my time alone with you for a while." Harvey wanted to take a few minutes to be alone with her, before the guys came or the doctors interrupted. Rachel ran her hand against his face and through his hair and leaned into kiss him softly on the lips. "We've got plenty of time for that later on, but right now I'm more concerned with getting you well." ** Bill Chamberlain set his briefcase down and walked through the hall. He could hear Cecilia running through the kitchen. He knew Mrs. Thomas was busy making lunch, he'd check his messages with her later on. "Cecilia, come here for minute." Bill waited for his daughter to make her appearance, as the smell of Mrs. Thomas' chicken permeated the air. He knew she'd come after he called her by her formal name, instead of the nickname he and her mother gave her years ago. ''It's Lili, Dad, not Cecilia," she told him in a very matter of fact way for someone who wasn't even six years old yet. He longed to know the root of her persistence and attitude. Cecilia threw her arms around him and sat on his lap. She always was daddy's little girl. "I've got a question for you." Bill really didn't know how to approach the topic. She knew a lot for her age, but this was different. "Would you mind if I went out on a date?" "With who?" As far as she could remember, there were no other significant women in her father's life. "Just a friend." He didn't want to make any promises before this was a sure thing. Bill wasn't sure she'd even call him back. "I guess not." She waited for a minute, ''what about mommy?" "Mommy?" Bill wasn't expecting her to bring up Mary now. ''You know Mommy has been gone a while." "Not Mommy, you said we'd find her." She remembered the conversation all to well when Bill and Mary told her she was adopted. "Find who?" Bill couldn't understand where his daughter was going with this, if this is what dating again would bring on --- he wasn't sure he was ready. "My real mommy." Bill and Mary always promised her that one day she'd be able to meet her real mother. She had requested the meeting earlier than Bill hoped she would after Mary died. "Oh." Bill had thought about it time and time again, Lili was more ready for this than he ever could be. He didn't know where to begin. He was looking for companionship and Lili was looking for her mother ... he hoped it wouldn't be impossible to find someone for himself who could be a good mother to her, doubting her birth mother would come thru. ** "Well, it's over." Nash looked up from his desk to find Rachel pacing across the floor. "I guess it is." Rachel didn't know how to react. She was happy that the case was finally over and Cardell was caught, but devastated by the cost. "You did well." Nash could tell Rachel was uneasy about the final outcome of the case. Cardell was finished but Harvey ended up in the hospital. "Yeah, really well. I was marked to die but Harvey was the one who got shot." Nash shouldn't have called when he did. If he hadn't called, things might have ended differently. At least for Harvey. "Rachel, that wasn't your fault and you know it. If anyone needs to take responsibility, it's me. I made that call, not you." Nash hated to see Rachel like this, she had no reason to torture herself. Harvey was going to be fine, at least he thought Harvey would be fine. ''Nash, what am I going to do?" Rachel needed time to think, get things straight. It had been a while since she lived her own life and not somebody else's. "I'll tell you what you're going to do. You're going to go home and get some sleep, then you're going to visit Harvey and take the next couple days off." Nash knew Rachel needed a break from the madness, there wasn't anything urgent he needed her at the SIU for. "Really?" Rachel couldn't believe she had gotten the time off. "Go home, Rachel. I don't expect to see you back here before Tuesday." Nash motioned her off and returned to his desk, immersed in all the work that had piled up while dealing with Cardell. ** Joe opened the door, more than a little surprised to see Bill Chamberlain there. Their kids were friends, but they were merely cordial. "Hey, Bill. Come on in.'' Joe opened the door a little wider and Bill stepped in, Joe wondered if something was wrong. "Joe, I have a favor to ask of you." Bill had thought about this long and hard, now was the time. He couldn't wait any longer. ''Come into my office, we'll talk.'' Joe led Bill into the living room. "Have a seat. Can I get you something to drink?" "No thanks. You do some side work right, outside of the SIU?" Bill didn't want this to be a big production. He wanted to hire a private investigator, he wanted Joe. "Yeah, Bridges and Dominguez. Private investigators at your service." Joe chuckled, but he could tell by Bill's serious tone this wasn't a laughing matter. "Do you take jobs alone?" Bill didn't know how she'd react to being found, he wanted to make this as simple as possible. "I could. Did you have one in mind?" Joe was curious as to what Bill Chamberlain would be hiring him for. The man had enough money to pay the entire SIU to do side jobs for him. He could actually recruit the FBI if he wanted to. "Actually, I do. I'd prefer if we keep this between us, okay?" He didn't want Cecilia to know what he was doing just yet, not until they found her. Bill would prefer if he didn't tell Inger, Lucia or his partners as well. "Yeah, sure. What is it?" Joe wondered if he had gotten into some trouble for the incident with Richard Daniels or if another wayward criminal was trailing his back. "I need you to find someone for me." Bill couldn't believe he was doing this, but he had to keep his promise to Mary and Cecilia. "I'm going to need a little more information than that." Joe was unsure if he wanted a job dealing with his friend's personal life. "I know. I need you to find Cecilia's birth mother." He didn't have much to go on, what little information they had been given was buried away with their legal papers. "Can I ask why?" Joe was surprised that Bill would want to find her, he couldn't imagine why he'd want to do it now. "Let's leave it at this, I need to find her." Bill really didn't want to get into specifics with Joe. He had to find Cecilia's mother and that was that. ** Jerry loosely held her hand as they walked down the long corridor towards Harvey's room. "Is daddy going to be okay?" ''He's going to be fine." Rachel had to assure herself while she was trying to convince him. Any closer to his heart and Harvey would've been gone. Rachel knocked on the door and looked in before entering his room, she didn't want to interrupt any doctors or other visitors. Before she could restrain him, Jerry ran into the room and came to a screeching hault at Harvey's bedside. "Hi, Daddy!" Jerry found himself challenged by not being able to reach Harvey's arms due to the height of the bed. Rachel propped Jerry up before Harvey could even ask for help, too weak to do it himself. "Hey there, little guy." Harvey hugged Jerry as best he could, he could feel each muscle pulling in his chest with every movement. He tried not to wince in pain. Harvey looked towards Rachel and smiled, "I thought I told you to go home and get some sleep?'' "This was more important, Jerry wanted to come by and see his dad. I can sleep later." Rachel had picked Jerry up from Inger and Joe's after she stopped by the SIU. He hadn't seen his father in days and she could see he was worried about him, she hoped a visit would help. ''I'll be right back." Rachel left the room a minute, wanting to give Harvey some time with his son. ''When are you coming home, Dad?" Jerry looked at Harvey inquisitively, puzzled by all the wires and tubes surrounding him. "As soon as they let me out of here, once I'm better.'' Harvey wasn't quite sure when that would be. As long as he didn't get an infection, he was hoping he'd be able to leave the next day. "When can we go camping?" Jerry remembered that his father had promised a camping trip for them while Jerry was home. "I don't know if we can do that this trip." Harvey hated to break a promise to his son, but he didn't know how much his health would allow him to do. "Oh.'' Harvey could see the disappointment in his son's eyes, he didn't know if their trip would be feasible at this point. "Are you off work now?" Jerry was curious as to if his father would be spending days at home with him. "For a little while." Harvey knew he'd be off for some time, but wasn't sure as to how long. "What about me? Do I gotta go to Joe's again?" Jerry didn't look overly enthused about going back to Joe and Inger's, where he had been staying for the past couple weeks after Harvey's nanny bailed. "You don't like staying with Joe?" Harvey didn't really have a back-up plan, Joe had been his last resort. He didn't intend on getting shot and prolonging his stay. "Didn't you have fun with Lucia?" "Yeah, but..." Jerry was searching for reasons not to go back, he wanted to be at home with his dad. "Then what's the problem?" Harvey didn't know where else he could send Jerry until he was back on his feet. "Ulla's scary, Daddy." Harvey raised his eyebrows and Rachel smiled as she walked into the room, Ulla could scare anybody. "How about Rachel?" "Come on, Jerry." Harvey didn't want to impose upon Rachel, she needed sometime to herself. As much as he loved his son, he knew the last thing she needed as a rambunctious four-year old running around her house. "What about Rachel?" Rachel wondered what they had been talking about, if it was meant for her ears or not. "Come on, Daddy. Ask her." Jerry much rather stay at Rachel's then with Inger and Joe. "Ask me what?" Rachel had no clue what Jerry was talking about, she could see Harvey was frazzled by something. "Harvey?" "It's nothing, really.'' Jerry looked towards Harvey with pitiful eyes, there was no way Harvey could refuse his son's request. A nurse came into the room and walked towards Jerry, she wanted to get him out of the room before the doctor came in. "How about we go to the cafeteria for some ice cream?" "Ice cream?" Jerry looked towards Harvey and Harvey shook his head. Jerry scooted off the end of the bed and left the room with the nurse. Rachel sat down near the end of the bed, "now tell me, what did he want you to ask me?" "Don't worry..." he paused a minute to catch his breath, "about it." "Okay." Rachel smiled at him and reached for his hand, ''I told Inger I'll keep Jerry until you're better, but I thought it might be easier for him if we stayed at your house." She paused a minute, watching the look on his face, "if you don't mind?" "That would be great." Rachel had practically read his mind, she was getting good at that these days. "You're wonderful, do you know that?" "I've heard it once or twice." Rachel flashed a shameless grin before leaning in to kiss him. The doctor walked into the room and she moved back away from him. The doctor pulled the curtain to divide the room. "Do you want me to go?'' Rachel really didn't want to leave the room, but she wanted to give Harvey the option. The doctor's face wasn't reassuring. "No, stay here." Harvey reached for her hand again, something wasn't right and he knew it. He could feel it. "Well, there's some good news and some bad news... I really don't know where to begin..." ** |
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