Title: Touch of Vision

Touch of Vision

Chapter Five

Lance, Joey and Chris all sat together on the plane quietly discussing the events of the last few months. As they discussed the events that had happened on the dock when they’d discovered the last body something struck Chris as a bit strange and he decided to see if any of the others had noticed.

“Hey guys,” Chris started.

Lance responded with a “hmmm” and Joey just grunted a “What?” in his direction.

“Do you remember when we standing on the dock after they found that last guy?”

Both Joey and Lance nod.

“Well…didn’t JC make it seem like the guys that he thought were holding this little girl were still in Seattle? If that’s the case, then why are we on a plane flying to Orlando to meet Eminem? I don’t get it. How’s JC know that we need to be in Orlando now?”

“I’ve no idea,” Lance states. “But so far, Jayce has been right on the money more times than I can count and I’m not gonna question him.”

“Me either.” Joey sighs, “I make no claims to understand how this shit is working but you know how Jayce is. These visions are leading him and he’s not gonna stop til he finds this girl…something must be telling him that’s where she is.”

“I get all that and I agree that he hasn’t lead us astray yet but…what if this is…well what if he’s wrong and the girl really is still in Seattle? I mean…we all felt that creepy, eerily feeling at that dock…like someone was watching us. Didn’t you?” Chris whispered, slightly twisting his head to the two other members of the group sitting quietly a row behind and to the right of where they were sitting.

“We just have to trust Jayce man. I know it’s hard…everytime I think I’ve about got all this figured out, something else happens.” Lance gestures to JC who has been whispering since they took off, “Like that. I just don’t get it at all.”

“Me either. Must be something to do with the fact that she’s a little girl or something man…maybe they just connect on some level.” Joey suggests then shrugs, “Who knows.”

*~*~*~*

The plane lands and the five young men are ushered through the airport and into an awaiting limo, where they are met by the two agents.

“So you made it,” Lance states.

“Yep,” they state together. “So what’s the agenda for this?”

“We’ll check into the hotel and the staff there is supposed to let him know that we’re there. He’ll contact us.” Lance replies.

*~*~*~*

Justin jumps up and opens the door as the loud knocking continues. As he pulls the door open, revealing an irate Eminem, Dr. Dre and several other large men, he looks them over places a finger over his lips, “Shhh…you’ll disturb them.” He looks at Marshall, “Come with me…just don’t say anything until I give you the signal. Ok?”

Marshall glares at the younger man, “Why should I do anything you tell me to? Where the fuck is my daughter? I was told you freaks had information about where she is and I want answers right now.”

“If you’d have done what Justin had asked you to we could have attempted to speak with her together. Now I’ve had to tell her I’d be back, leaving her alone with her captives to talk with you and explain what is going on.” JC states from his spot on the bed. “now if you’ll come and sit over here I’ll gladly attempt to explain what is going on but I can’t leave her alone for long.”

Marshall stares at the prone form on the bed, then slowly makes his way to the bed, “What the fuck is going on around here? This better not be some fucked up way for you all to get to me cuz if it is I’ll….”

“You’ll what Mr. Mathers?” Agent Sanchez asks as he comes in from the adjoining room followed by the others. “I can assure you Mr. Mathers that what you will hear is true. It may seem a bit far-fetched but it is true and if you pay attention and listen to what Mr. Chasez has to say we may just be able to save your daughter. That is what you want, isn’t it?”

Eminem growls but takes a seat in the chair next to JC, “Ok, I’m listening. At this point, if it’ll help get Hailey back then I’m willing to give it a try.”

As Eminem sits in the chair his knee brushes against JC’s outstretched hand.

He’s sitting in a chair in a hospital, wringing his hands. “Man, when are we going to hear something? Does it always take this long?” He looks across the hallway to where a couple of nurses were passing by. Jumping up he walks over, “I’m Marshall Mathers, is there any word on…”

“We know who you are sir and no, there is no word yet. When it’s over one of the nurses will come and get you so you can see the baby.”

As he turns to sit back in his self-appointed chair a man approaches, “Are you Marshall Mathers?”

“Yes.”

“I’m Doctor Martin, I just thought you’d like to know that you have a healthy baby girl. One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes to take you to see her, if you’d like?”

“Hell yes I’d like. How long will I have to wait?”

“Should just be a few more minutes.” The doctor smiles and then continues walking down the hall.

“I’ve got a little girl. It’s a girl,” he rushes over to the nurses station. “Did you hear that? It’s a girl.”

“Yes sir, congratulations.” The three nurses all smile at him then continue their work.

Eminem looks around for someone else to tell but the hall is completely empty so he mutters to himself over and over, “It’s a girl. I’m a father…holy shit…I’m a father.”

“Mr. Mathers?” A quiet voice invades his thoughts.

He looks up to see an elderly woman in a nurses uniform, “Yes, I’m Marshall Mathers.”

“Will you come with me please? I have someone who’d like to meet you.”

Marshall quietly follows the nurse down the hall to a room surrounded by windows and people staring at the babies lying in their little beds. Nervously he wipes his hands on his pants as he enters the room. The nurse leads him to one of the tiny beds with an even tinier baby wrapped up in a pink blanket and a pink knit cap on her little head.

“Mr. Mathers I’d like you to meet your daughter,” the nurse smiles as she lifts the bundle from the bed and holds it out. “Would you like to hold her?”

Marshall tentatively reaches out, taking the pink bundle, bringing her to his chest and staring at her in wonder. “You’re beautiful.”

JC opens bright blue eyes, “You really love her don’t you?”

“Hell yes, now you got news for me or have I just wasted a great deal of time coming down here?”

“Shhh…” JC closes his eyes and lies completely still for a few minutes. Suddenly he begins to whisper as if talking to himself, “Hailey, are you there?”

A frown crosses over Eminem’s face and he begins to get up when a light hand lands on his knee.

“He’s here sweetie. Daddy’s here. What do you want me to tell him? No sweetheart. I wish you could too. I’ll tell him sweetie.” The blue eyes open again, “She misses you and wants to know when you’re gonna come get her. She’s scarred. Do you have anything you want me to tell her?”

“Tell her I’ll be there as soon as I can and that I love her.”

Blue eyes close once again, followed by “He wants you to know he loves you sweetie. He’s doing everything he can. We’ve got help sweetie…”

“Mr. JC, I’m scarred. He did it again.” She lifts her shirt to expose another cut along her ribcage, however, this one was larger and deeper than the last. “It hurts so much, please hurry.”

Suddenly the door to the small room flies open. “Who the fuck are you talking to?”

The little girl curls into a ball and remains quiet.

The man grabs her by the hair and pulls her to her feet, “I asked you a fucking question you little bitch. Who the fuck are you talking to?” He looks around the room and spots the small black bear. “Where the fuck did that fucking thing come from?” He drops the girl, stomps to the bear, picks it up and tears it apart. “I hear you talking again and I’ll kill you. You understand?”

A small nod is all she replies with.

JC waits til the man leaves the room, “It’ll be ok sweetie. We’ll be there soon. I just have to figure out which wharf you’re on. It shouldn’t be too long now. I have to go now so we can start searching for you. Be strong sweetie.”

JC sits up, unshed tears glistening in his eyes. He looks at the men in the room, “We don’t have much time. We’ve gotta find her and soon. He’s cut her again.”

“What do you mean, cut her? Again?” Eminem growls from his chair. “Someone better start talking and fast.”

“Look,” JC states firmly. “We can sit here trying to explain to you how this works or we can start looking for your daughter. You can ride with Justin and I while we search, that way I can attempt to explain what I’ve seen. I’m not wasting anymore time, she’s not gonna last much longer and I refuse to let him hurt her again.”

“Who? Who has her?”

JC sighs, “Sanchez can you drive us down to the docks? We really need to start this search. I’ll know the building if I see it. We got lucky and they let the blindfold slip enough that she got a glimpse of a couple of the buildings outside while I was with her on the plane. We’ll have to do like we did in Seattle though…I didn’t get a building number or anything.” He turns his attention back to Eminem, “You wanna know, then you might want to come along with us.”

The boys all pile into the two rental cars, Eminem climbing in with Sanchez, Justin and JC. Dr. Dre and the rest of their posse pile into a dark blue van that looks suspiciously like a police vehicle. JC and Justin sit in the backseat, leaving Eminem to sit in the front seat with Agent Sanchez.

JC looks at Justin, “Let me know when we get the wharfs?”

“Of course Jayce.” He smiles and watches his friend close his eyes, “You keep her company.”

Eminem glances from one young man to the other, “What…How…”

“Don’t ask man. I’ve no idea how it works so I couldn’t explain it anyway. When this is all over you can ask Jayce. He’s the only one that knows. I can tell you that he’s not trying to pull anything on you. He’s been right on the money every time so far. You just gotta give him a chance.” Justin whispers at the baffled man.

Agent Sanchez’s cell phone interrupts the awkward silence in the car, “Hello?”

JC’s head pops up and he reaches up touching Agent Sanchez’s shoulder.

He’s driving down the street, phone to his ear.

“We’ve found the van. It’s parked at 14001 Peer 12. There are two other vehicles parked outside as well…one of them is registered to a Mr. Sean Combs, the other to a Mr. Sean Carter.”

JC gasps as he withdraws his hand. “Oh my God.”

“What? What is it Jayce?”

Looking from Eminem to Justin and back again he decides it’s time to fill Eminem in a bit. “I saw one of them,” he looks at Justin. “Remember?” (Justin nods) “Well, I didn’t wanna believe it was who I thought it was but now…”

“Who? Who’d you see Chasez?” Eminem growls.

“It was…it was Sean Carter.”

“Sean Carter? Who the fuck…Where are they? You know don’t you?”

“I’ve got a general idea. With what I just heard through Agent Sanchez, we’re probably heading to the building now.” JC sighs, “But he’s not in this alone. He’s got help. I just don’t understand, not at all. What have you done to them? You’ve only put one album out.”

Eminem gives up on trying to get anything intelligible from JC and turns his attention to the youngest man in the car, “What the fuck is he babbling about?”

“I’ve no clue but I have a feeling we’re about to find out.” Justin states as the car they’re in pulls up in front of a building and stops, both cars trailing behind pulling up behind them.

JC puts a hand on Justin’s thigh to brace him self to get out and gets a flash:

The two of them are standing on a dock, looking out over the water, when they hear the first shot. JC looks over at Justin just as his body is pitched forward. JC quickly reaches out somehow managing to catch his heavier friend and slowly lowers him to the ground. He looks around for a minute before he realizes that they seem to be the target for this unknown assailant. He’s shocked at first by this revelation then his instinct kicks in. He jumps up, pulls Justin, as quickly as he possibly can, behind the nearest corner then looks around again.

“Maybe we should move the cars further down the dock,” JC states. “So they don’t see us before you can get backup here.”

“Why? What’d you see Jayce?” Justin questions.

“I saw,” JC’s faces pales as he recalls the vision. “I saw you get shot J. You were standing right there.” He points to a spot about three steps from the car. Then realization hits him, “They’ve got someone on the roof, over there,” he points to the top of a building across the wharf. “He’s got a perfect shot at this car right now. They’re probably already packing up to move her again…God I hope they don’t do anything…We have to get to her right now.” He jumps from the car and runs into the building.

“What the fuck?” Eminem growls.

Justin jumps from the car and runs into the building after his friend, Eminem hot on his heels.

Once inside the building JC closes his eyes and walks the length of the building with his hand against the wall, visions coming in bits and pieces to him. Just as Justin and Eminem make into the building JC gets the vision he’d been hoping for and turns his attention to a door directly in front of the three of them. He reaches up and puts his finger against his lips, “Shh, they’re in there.”

Agent Sanchez quietly joins the three men, “You really need to stop pulling that shit Chasez.” A glare from all three of them quiets him quickly, “So…now what?”

Eminem cocks an eyebrow, “You’re the cop, shouldn’t you be telling us?”

“Not when he’s running the show. He’s got more info than I do.” He looks at JC who had closed his eyes, knelt down and was in the process of crawling towards the door.

“Ok..what the fu…” Eminem starts.

“I’ve got Sean, Sean, the mean one and a new guy. Haven’t seen him before. There’s also at least four security guards…big…like Lonnie, maybe a bit bigger. She’s here, thank God. We’ve found you sweetie, please just hang on a bit longer.” He continues to crawl across the floor, “Wait, shit…” He scurries across the remaining space, waves his hands to the others to hide just as the door opens.

“I knew I should have hired someone else. You’re a fucking idiot.” Sean Carter yells at the smaller man. “You lay one more fucking hand on that little girl and I’ll make sure she’s the last thing you touch…you got me?”

“Yes sir.” The man grumbles under his breath.

“I didn’t hear you asshole.”

“Yes sir.” He states clearly, glaring at the man.

“Good,” the thinner well dressed man stated. “I’d hate for you to have an accident once this is all over. We may need you again.”

Eminem looks at the two men, anger radiating from his every pour. “I’ll…”

Justin places a hand across Eminem’s chest, “Shhh…they don’t know we’re here yet.”

“I don’t give a fuck…those two fuckers have my…”

Justin slowly turns to face him, “You see that man sitting on the floor over there? (Eminem nods) You get him hurt and you’ll have four very pissed off boyband members AND their security guards beating you to within an inch of your life. Now…shut your fucking mouth and wait like the rest of us.”

Eminem visibly fought with himself for several seconds before he grumbled, “Fine, but if anything…”

“Nothing is going to happen to her, watch.”

Just as Justin finished JC began to creep into the room the men had emerged from. He’d quietly bided his time til the three men and the bodyguards had all left the room before making any moves.

Several minutes later a quiet voice whispered through Agent Sanchez’s headpiece, “Backup’s here boss.”

“Are they in position?”

“Yes sir and they’ve already taken out the shooters on the rooftops.”

“Move in!” He states in a voice that immediately grabs the attention of the seven men talking in the middle of the deserted warehouse.

“Shit. How’d they get in here?” Sean Carter states.

“Where are those two idiots? We didn’t even get a warning from either of them.” Sean Combs states.

“Bastards are probably asleep,” Carter grumbles.

“Sorry to break this up gentlemen but you’re all under arrest.” Agent Sanchez states as he steps from his hiding place. Several other officers, that neither Justin nor Eminem had noticed, emerged from various positions around the building as well. “As you can see, you’re surrounded so be smart and put your weapons down and your hands up.”

Several guns hit the floor as the seven men put their arms in the air.

“What exactly do you think you’re arresting us for officer?” Sean Combs sneered. “We haven’t done anything illegal.”

“So you’re telling me that kidnapping a child, taking her across, not one but all 48 of the lower states state lines and abusing her isn’t illegal. Oh and lets not forget the extortion of her father.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Carter states.

Justin steps out from the darkness holding the tape recorder that he’d made a habit of carrying around him everywhere, just in case he got struck with inspiration, and pressed the play button.

“I knew I should have hired someone else. You’re a fucking idiot.” Sean Carter yells at the smaller man. “You lay one more fucking hand on that little girl and I’ll make sure she’s the last thing you touch…you got me?”

“And if that isn’t enough, we’ve got enough witnesses here to put you all away for a long fucking time.” Sanchez remarks.

“You still don’t have shit on us.” Combs retorts.

“No?” JC states as he emerges from the doorway where he’d been waiting with the small girl in his arms until the seven men had been handcuffed. “I think they’ve got plenty to put you all away for a very long time. If he doesn’t take care of you first.” JC indicates to Eminem who had emerged from the darkness at the sight of his daughter in JC’s arms.

“I’ll deal with them later,” Eminem whispers as he reaches JC and his daughter. “I’ve got more important things to take care of right now.”

JC looks down at the small bundle in his arms, “Sweetie? Daddy’s here.”

Small blue eyes look up, “He is?”

“Mmm hmmm, he’s right here. All you gotta do is turn your head a little bit.”

The small body twists and squeals, “Daddy!”

Marshall smiles, “Hailey, baby.” He reaches out strong arms to his little angel.

“Daddy,” she whispers as she crawls into the protective arms. “Mr. JC said you’d come for me.”

Steel blue eyes meet another steel blue set of eyes and mouths, “Thank you.”

JC walks past the two, smiling, and whispers, “You’re welcome.”

*~*~*~*

Justin walks into the room adjoining his and watches the man on the bed.

JC is sound asleep, curled into a ball, hands tucked under his chin.

“Well, guess we’re back to normal,” Lance states as he peeks around Justin’s shoulder.

“Whatever that is,” Chris states as he bounds into the room.

Joey jumps on the bed, “Hey Jayce, you’ve been asleep for like nine hours man…time to wake up.”

JC rolls over, stretching and a hand lands on Joey’s thigh.

Joey’s sitting in the hospital in a hard plastic chair, Chris, Lance, Justin and JC all sitting with him, when the doctor comes down the hall.

“Mr. Fatone?”

Joey raises his head, “I’m Joey Fatone.”

“Mr. Fatone,” the doctor smiles. “If you’ll come with me I have a little girl who’d love to meet her daddy.”

JC finishes stretching and opens his eyes to four amused friends. “What?”