Episode 90

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Episode 90

Scene 1:

Hallie signed the donation request and waved Liza off. She wanted to stew in private and Liza's eternally happy face made her ill right now. All Hallie had ever wanted was what she was entitled to and that was a piece of Mason Enterprises. She had never cared how she got it. When Jude had turned over his proxy to her, it was the opening she had been looking for all her life. Of course she had grabbed it and ran! What other option did she have? Play nice and fair and get along with every one? Not likely.

She had to survive in the world that Gwen and Jamie had created and that meant doing away with their lackeys. It was simple, but Luke was making a mountain out of a mole hill. She could understand being upset by losing a few junior executives, but siding with Phoebe Cameron when it was obvious the woman was attacking her was simply too much. Something had happened to Luke. Perhaps he was jealous of her now that she was in control, she thought, idly staring out the window at the waning daylight. He had always wanted a measure of power along with her. But this...this attitude of his was new. It was almost as if once she had gained control, he had changed his mind. That could be jealousy.

If she thought about it, and she really didn't want to but forced herself anyway, his attitude towards her had shifted at the wedding and Stephen's announcement that they had been together. She had thought he was acting like a hurt lover then...was it still bothering him? True, it had probably hurt him. Luke Conlan was a different animal than Stephen Roth. He had a close family and tried at times to have scruples. She tapped her fingers lightly on the arm of the chair. They hadn't spoken about it since that night either. Perhaps it was time to continue that conversation at last. If she wanted less opposition from her own husband, she would have to assure him that her relationship with Stephen was over.

And it truly was just that. Voting against him had assured that. In fact, the only contact she'd had with Stephen was that day in the parking garage. And he had been less than friendly there. Hallie sighed, thinking about the bridges she had burned. Her family, with the exception of Dane, had written her off. Even, Ellen with her generous nature had scolded Hallie harshly before cutting Hallie off. Ellen, though, would come back around. She always did. Hallie could do without the superior attitude of Jamie and Jude. What did she care if those two never spoke to her again? And then there was Gwen. Darling Aunt Gwen. She refused to feel bad about what had happened. She wasn't the one who had announced Gwen's secret or kept such a huge secret from everyone else. The blame for all of this sat squarely on Gwen's shoulders. It was just desserts for keeping Hallie out of ME for so long.

She did feel badly about Stephen though. All he had done was help Hallie. And she had repaid his loyalty by voting against him. Well, some of his loyalty, she thought remembering his tryst with Maggie. Even now, two years later, the betrayal still burned inside her. It was the sole reason they were apart now. All right, she added mentally, that and her own stubbornness. And a deal she had made with Luke Conlan... Deals were made to broken, she thought sadly. And it seemed as if Luke was slowly breaking it.

She picked up the phone and dialed a number she knew by heart even after all this time. He answered with his usual gruffness and she thought she heard a party in the background.

"Stephen.....don't hang up," she said quickly, almost as much to herself as to him. She might lose her nerve if she didn't hurry.

"Now why would I do that, Mrs. Conlan?" He replied. He wasn't going to make this easier. "It is so seldom and rare that you call."

"Don't be mean," she said tersely, her spine stiffening at his tone. "And don't call me Mrs. Conlan."

"Why not? Isn't that your name?"

"Just don't...where are you? Is that a party I hear?"

"Connie's...leftover St. Patrick's Day celebration from what Maura tells me. I was just leaving actually," he said and almost instantly, the noise disappeared. "What do you want, Hallie?"

"I was hoping...well, would you come to ME?" She asked, knowing as she said it, that he would likely laugh at her.

"Why would I do that? Feeling like offering me a job?"

"Don't be difficult," she returned. "Nevermind. Forget I called."

"No, wait...why do you want me to come to ME? Give me a good reason, Hal."

"I..." She wasn't sure if she could get it out or not. If it wasn't now, though, it would never happen. "I think we need to talk about us." His silence crashed into her ears and her heart stopped waiting for him to respond.

"Us?" He said at last. There was only a note of curiosity in his voice, thankfully. "All right...I have some business downtown to finish, but I'll be there as soon as I can." He hung up before she could say another word. At least he had said yes.

Scene 2:

"Liza, wait!" She turned at the sound of his voice, feeling absurdly nervous at the sight of Luke Conlan walking towards her. She shifted uncomfortably before the elevator, while he caught up with her. "Can I talk to you?" He asked, coming to a stop inches from her. What was the matter with her? Her knees felt as if they would give out any moment and she couldn't seem to raise her eyes to his. She believed Jory when he had said that Luke's feelings for her were sincere and the idea of it had thrilled her, thought she didn't want to admit it. Her head bowed slightly in a nod. "Look, I'm sorry if you we made you uncomfortable up there."

"Oh, no! I shouldn't have barged in on you two...have to learn to knock," she replied, staring down at the file in her hand, pretending to be studying it carefully.

"Liza...Could we go somewhere to talk?" He asked, tilting his head lower to catch her gaze. She felt her face flush with embarrassment at the intent way he was watching her.

"I don't think that's such a good idea," she managed, raising her face and praying he couldn't see the panic in her eyes. She knew without a doubt that she would fall for Luke Conlan if she let herself and she had too many problems as it was without falling in love with a married man. Most of all, she had Matty to think about. He reached a hand out, grazing her arm.

"Why not? I won't bite," he smiled. "Please?"

"Even if I wanted to, I can't," she announced almost happily as an excuse popped into her head. "I have to go pick up Matty from the babysitter's. Sorry." She punched the elevator button watching the doors slide open instantly, relieved that she would be spared of falling in love with him today.

"I'll drive you there," he offered quickly, stepping into the elevator beside her before she could protest. The doors slid closed, making a pleasant snick noise. "My marriage to Hallie is over," he said quietly.

"What?" Liza blinked rapidly, unsure of how to process the new information.

He nodded. "It is. Hallie...she's not who I thought she was."

"And just who did you think she was? Princess Di? Come on, Luke...you've only been married for...God, not even three months! You can't have tried very hard to make your marriage successful!"

"I may not have, but she's doing nothing to save it either!" He retorted. "Look at the way she's behaving! Firing perfectly good employees just because they were a part of her cousin's staff. She won't listen to reason and she won't listen to me."

"So what? Wives don't always listen to their husbands." Luke frowned and folded his arms over his chest. "Fine...so you're marriage is over. Why tell me? I'm the last person who needs to know."

"No...you're the first person who needs to know, Liza...and I think you know why," he said, dropping his guard for a brief moment. She could see the naked sincerity and emotion as they held each other's eyes. He moved closer to her, just a small step, reaching a hand out to caress her cheek. She shouldn't be letting him do this, she thought wildly. He was still married and this shouldn't be happening! But it was. He cupped her chin and drew her closer. Her own body betrayed her, inching closer to him as well, head inclining upwards as if inviting him to further action.

"Luke," she managed before his head bent to hers, lips pressing against hers dangerously. Don't kiss him back, she warned herself. Don't. But it was no use. She kissed him back, enjoying the feel of his body pressed against hers, the feel of his lips on hers and his fingers in her hair. She lifted her arms encircling his neck just as the elevator gave a shudder. He broke the kiss, holding her tighter as the elevator picked up speed. They were falling!

"Oh my god!" She moaned, certain they were going to die. But they didn't. The elevator crashed to a stop, throwing them both to the ground, her head hitting the metal railing as she fell.

"Are you all right?" Luke asked, peering at her closely. She nodded, feeling tears well in the corner of her eyes. "Okay, sit tight." He crawled to the emergency panel and pried it loose, picking up the phone that was hidden there. The receiver was at his ear for only a second before he replaced it and looked back at her over his shoulder. "It's dead. Don't worry, I've got a cell phone." He dug into his pocket for that one and turned it on, studying the display. "Fuck," he muttered. "No signal."

He crawled back to her and put his arm around her, pulling a Kleenex from his pocket. "You're bleeding," he said with a soft smile, dabbing at her forehead.

"What's going on?" She asked, her head starting to throb violently.

"I don't know, Liza...I don't know."

Scene 3:

Hallie lost herself in a business proposal submitted by a company in Florida during Jamie's tenure. Probably some old friend of his, she thought, finishing the monstrosity and tossing it aside. She checked her watch. She had called Stephen almost a half hour ago and he still hadn't arrived. She tapped her nails against the desktop impatiently. She had intended to try and make amends with him but if he was going to take his time getting to her, she would just take her time telling him.

She picked up the phone to call him again but there was no dial tone. "That's odd," she muttered. Walking to the door, she pulled it open, catching the strong smell of something burning. Worried now, she hurried down the hall to reception. She hit the switchboard there, but still no dial tone. Smoke drifted from another set of offices on the opposite end of the floor. Luke's offices! Running now, Hallie made it to his office, calling his name. She stopped at his door touching it lightly.

What was it they taught you in kindergarten? If the door was hot don't touch it, she remembered. But Luke could be in there. It only took a moment to make her decision. She shrugged out of her blazer and wrapped it around her hand, giving her a bit of protection if the doorknob was hot to the touch. Pushing the door open, she peered into the darkened room. The heat from whatever fire was burning met her full in the face, but she could see no blaze. Covering her mouth, she ventured inside praying that Luke had the sense to leave ME altogether.

She tripped then. Over something...no, she corrected mentally, someone. "Luke?!" She reached for the person, pulling at him. It felt like Luke. The same strong shoulders and hands. Her heart beating wildly, she didn't even notice as fire alarms began screaming through the building. She pulled at Luke, using all her strength to drag him into the hallway. The smoke had intensified in the hall, making her eyes burn and blurring her vision. She could see the flames licking at the walls now. How had this happened?

"Hallie," someone said through the blaze and smoke. She turned, and met a pair of wild eyes. Her mouth formed a small o as she tried to scream. No sound came though as the owner of the eyes rushed her, knocking her to the ground, the scream dying on her lips. Her head was in his hands. Open your eyes and fight back, she told herself. Fight back! But she did nothing, only lay there, limp as a rag doll, while her assailant shook her into unconsciousness.

Scene 4:

Joanie handed Maura the phone. "It's your dad," she told her. Wonderful, Maura thought, just what I need. She rolled her eyes and gave Joanie a tiny smile before saying hello.

"Maura," Kevin said, his voice filled with urgency. "Have you talked to Luke in the last hour?"

"No...not since this morning when he stopped in for his coffee..."

"Has Jory?" Kevin cut in. Maura frowned.

"I don't know Dad," she replied. "He was going over to ME after work to see Luke. Why don't you call him on his cell phone and ask."

"He's not answering," Kevin answered tightly. "Maura Rose. Turn the television in the bar on to Channel 8." Swallowing hard, Maura did as she was told, a knot of fear strangling her throat. There was a brief picture of a building ablaze before it cut back to the reporter.

"Hey Maura! Turn that off!" Danny McKeown bellowed across the room. She scowled at him and turned it up, hoping someone would give him a beer to shut him up.

"Once again," the reporter said, "it is not known how the fire started but it is believed that most of the employees have already left for the day."

"What is it Dad?" Maura asked, knowing the answer already.

"ME is burning to the ground and I can't find your brothers," he said, a tremor in his voice. "Jillie is on her way there and...Maura have you seen Piper?"

"No, Dad. Don't worry though. I'm sure everything will be okay. I'll come get you and we'll go to Luke's house okay?"

"No. You come get me and we'll go to ME. They're there, Maura. I know it."

"Dad...Jory is probably still at the office and Luke is likely at home, but if it makes you feel better we'll go to ME. I'll be there in fifteen minutes." She hung up the phone and set it down, her heart beating wildly in her chest. She lay her hands on the counter staring down at the finished wood trying to think. They couldn't be there. Couldn't be.

"Maura." She looked up, meeting Jude's eyes. He had seen the television too. Gwen Mason stood like a statue behind him, frightened out of her mind. "Are you all right?"

She shook her head slowly. "Can't find Luke or Jory. Dad thinks they're at ME."

"I'm sure they are fine, but why don't I take you there anyway? You'll get more help finding them if you're with me." She nodded again, grateful for his offer and his calm demeanor. "Good. Would you mind if I asked Joanie to call a car for Gwen? She's in shock I think." Maura nodded again, feeling numb to the world. Please, she prayed, let the boys be all right. Let them be having a beer at Ernie's. Let them be hanging out at Luke's house. Let them be anywhere but there.

"Maura?" Jude touched her hand. His touch jerked her out of her prayer and she tried to smile.

"I'm sorry... I'm just a little worried now," she replied turning to Joanie. "I have to go. Call Noah and ask him if he's seen Piper. Let him know what's going on."

She headed to the door, pausing as Jude added, "And if you hear from either Luke or Jory, call me at this number." He dropped a card on the counter and followed Maura outside, placing a reassuring hand on the small of her back. "Don't worry, Maura. It's all going to be fine," he said. Though she was sure, he was saying for himself as much as he was for her.

Scene 5:

"Piper, I know you don't want to...but you have to go to the hospital and to the police," Noah urged.

"I will later!" She was sick of being told what to do.

"Piper! He can't get away with what he did! Especially if he..." He cut himself off abruptly, not wanting say what was on the tip of his tongue.

"I will later, he won't get away with it!" she snapped, not catching what he was implying. She ran her hands through her hair with an exasperated sigh. All this was making her head hurt.

"But Piper," Noah pressed, "you have to go to the police now while there's...while you..." He broke off, not wanting to say it out loud. If Chase had raped Piper, she had to go to the hospital immediately. If Chase had raped her, Noah thought. God, how that hurt to think.

Piper's eyes made contact with Noah's through the rearview mirror. "What are you talking about?" Her tone was edgy and bordering on annoyance. "He slapped me once, didn't break any bones in my face or anything like that, so why do I need to go to the hospital? I just want to get into a warm place before I die of hypothermia!"

He hadn't touched her that way then, he realized. Or had he when she was unconscious? It wouldn't be the first time a man had done that... "Piper, did Chase touch you in any other way?" He asked, knowing it was a pretty vague question. If he was going to be a doctor, might as well be blunt about it. "Did he rape you?"

Piper's eyes grew into wide, frightened circles. "No!" Of course, she was unconscious for awhile. "He threatened, too...but he didn't."

"Are you sure?" He pressed. "I mean, I sure as hell hope he didn't but we both know he is crazy...could he have done anything while you were....?"

"No!" Piper snapped, beginning to rip at the petticoats again. "Chase is weird...that would be impolite...unmannerly."

He nodded but remained silent, leaving his own thoughts to himself. He wouldn't be certain he hadn't touched her until she'd seen a doctor though. Maybe Dinah's mother or father, he thought catching a glimpse of her in the back seat. She was tearing up the skirt of the dress she wore, looking half crazed. Whatever happened now, he couldn't let her destroy any more evidence before she'd spoken to the police or seen a doctor.

"Piper, stop that," he told her as he parked the car outside his building. "You can take it off when we're inside, but you have to leave it relatively whole for the police when we talk to them...later, okay?"

"I just want out of that damn thing!" Piper snapped, "gimme your coat, I don't want anyone seeing me in this."

Noah shrugged out of his coat and handed it to her, watching as she wrapped it around her shoulders. "Can you walk?" He asked, helping her out.

"Yes." She was taking her anger out on Noah, unaware of it though.

He led her up the stairs to his door, pushing the door open and locking it firmly behind them after they were inside. "Dusty is at work still," he said taking the coat off her and dropping it on a couch. He began unbuttoning the dress in the back, trying to hurry though the buttons were small and the small eyehooks even smaller. How did women stand this in the 1800's? The last button undone, he let her go and took a step back.

"I'll go see if Dusty has some clothes you can borrow...do you want to call you dad?"

"Noah...I...," she stammered. "I don't want everyone to know about this...can I borrow some clothes of yours? Some drawstring sweats and a shirt?" She could already see the smirk of delight Noah's sister would give her.

"Sure...," he replied hesitating for a moment. "But Piper, they'll know something happened when they see you."

"I know, but just...humor me."

"Okay. I'll be right back. Get out of that dress but don't rip it up anymore," he told her, taking a step and kissing her bruised hand. Was every part of her bruised, he wondered, ducking into his room to find something for her.

Piper slipped into the bathroom, embarrassed to change in front of Noah. She stopped. Her wrists were bruised, as well as the rest of her arm, the arm she had used to break the window was covered in dried blood, one side of her face was swollen, her legs and feet were cut from running, and her ribs sore from the constriction of the corset. Chase had seen her undressed, but Piper was almost sure he hadn't acted on anything. She was sure he had intentions later, but that would be impolite to Chase. Yes, he was crazy, but he had personal restrictions.

Noah looked her over with a critical eye before disappearing into the bathroom and returning with a first aid kit. "Sit," he demanded and pointed to his lumpy couch. If she wouldn't see a doctor, she would at least have her cuts and bruises cleaned up. He swabbed at her wrist with a cotton ball soaked in alcohol.

"Tell me more, Piper," he said in a soothing voice.

Piper groaned. If she went to the police, she was going to have to tell this five million times and more. "In the parking lot, Chase gave me some chemical, I passed out, then I woke up in that wretched outfit, lucid, and confused. Chase came in there, made me dance with him, then he left real quick. I hid, he came back, I pushed him over the balcony, then I made my way to his car, broke the window, took his cell phone, headed to the woods, called you, and ran." She stopped in a huff and pulled her knee to her chest.

"What kind of chemical? Do you know?"

"I don't know anything about that stuff. I failed chemistry."

Any other day and he would have laughed. "Okay...give me you other arm...did he follow you at all after you pushed him over the balcony...or is he...?" He couldn't quite bring himself to say the word 'dead.'

"It was only one story, I doubt he's dead and I don't think he followed me."

"Good...let me get some ice for your cheek, do you feel like you might have broken anything Piper?" He asked as he went to the freezer for some ice. Wrapping it in a dish towel, he brought it back to her and touched it to her face gently.

"No, I'm fine. I remember when I broke my wrist a couple years ago, I don't feel anything like that," she answered, flinching in the opposite direction as the cold towel touched her face.

"Good," he replied. "Hold that there and we'll see if we can't get the swelling to go down a little bit. It's gonna be pretty ugly when it does though."

"Thanks," Piper replied, laying back down on the couch. She kept her knees tucked to her chest, inhaling the aroma of Noah's clothes. She bit her lip to keep from crying in front of Noah, she could do that later, she didn't want him growing even more worried.

He should call Maura, he thought watching her. He should call the police too and tell them to go find that creep. He should...

The phone rang shrilly, startling both of them. He looked at Piper, giving her a questioning look. Should he answer it or not.

Piper shrugged from her position on the couch. She might as well face the fact that she was an idiot and she would have to confess soon.

Noah reached for the phone, saying hello as casually as he could muster.

"Noah, it's Joanie. You'll never guess what is going on right now!?" Noah sighed and shook his head at Piper.

"What's going on Joanie?"

"The Mason Enterprises building is burning down. Turn your TV on, geez!" The pit of Noah's stomach fell out and he grabbed for the remote, hitting the power button and changing it to the local NBC affiliate. He stared numbly at the screen watching the building engulfed in flames.
Piper rose up slightly from her position. "Wha...," she stammered. "Is that ME?"

Noah nodded, his tongue suddenly numb at the sight. Dusty was there! He hung the phone up and stared at the screen, waiting for a reporter to say something about the fire. After a second of panning the building, a blonde reporter with a microphone stepped into view.

"At this time, there is no word on how the fire started but police here have mentioned that it appears to be arson. The fire started on the Executive floor and has now spread to the top four floors. All elevators are also locked and unusable. there is also no word on whether there are any people still inside."

Arson. The word reverberated in her head and suddenly Piper lifted herself up and hurried towards the bathroom. Piper slammed the door and locked it. If only the world would go away and leave her alone. Chase. She knew it was Chase, felt it in the pit of her stomach. And she was partially to blame for this. Piper splashed her face with water, grimacing at the picture in the mirror. She looked awful, half her face was swollen, and on the same side of her body was her cut-up arm. Piper groaned, Noah called her, but she ignored him for the time being.

"What?" she finally asked as he continued to try and get her to speak.

"Dusty is there," he said in a choked voice through the door. "She's there inside that building."

Guilt struck Piper in the chest and she gasped for air. She opened the door, pushing past Noah. "Let's go to the police," she said, trying to find a sweater in his room.