Chapter Three-Hundred-Twenty-Three
When Nick managed to calm Ashley down some and was sure he could handle facing his kids without turning into an emotional wreck himself he got up and gently helped her to her feet.
“Come on sweetie lets get out of Munch and Fin’s way.”
“Kay,” Ashley replied softly and she allowed him and AJ to lead her out of the bathroom where they found Marcus sitting with all four children underneath the tree. Dakota, Sarah, and Laila are all clinging to him and Sarah is cradling Bella.
“J!” Laila wailed upon seeing him and she jumped up from Marcus’s lap and bounded toward the tattooed man whom she loves dearly. AJ gathered her into his arms when she reached him and he hugged her close to him.
“Hi baby…it’s okay, it’s all right” he told her before kissing the top of her head and whispering reassuring words in her ear. Nick brought Ashley over to Marcus and the two of them knelt down and accepted hugs from both Dakota and Sarah.
“Are you okay baby? Did they hurt you?” Ashley asked Dakota while checking her over.
“No I’m fine. The mean ol’ man’s hands were rough though…he puts me down in the woods an’ ran off leaving me alone an’ then Uncle Alex an’ Marcus came an’ saved me.” Ashley hugged Dakota close to her tightly while looking over her shoulder at Bella and she reached out and gently took her tiny hand into hers.
“Is Bella okay?”
“Yeah she was fine as soon as Sarah got her.”
“I’m sorry honey I had to put her down I couldn’t risk taking her into that bathroom” Nick spoke up when he saw the anguish in her eyes. He knows this is eating her up inside and she is somehow going to find a reason to blame herself.
“You did what you had to do,” Marcus replied. “They didn’t want Bella, Dakota, Sarah, or Laila, they wanted Ashley. Dakota was just a diversion.”
“A diversion gone wrong,” Nick replied. “They obviously thought we were going to leave Ashley completely alone.”
“Hence why I made you stay” Marcus replied. “They thought you were going to leave her alone. They grabbed Dakota for a reason – they think you are in their way the most.”
“That doesn’t make any sense. You would think they would view you as the bigger threat.”
“Doesn’t it?” Marcus asked, giving him a look. “How did you free Ashley just now Nick?” Nick didn’t answer Marcus’s question, but Marcus didn’t miss the look of understanding flicker across his face. Marcus gave him a we’ll talk about it more later look.
“We should take the kids back to the Orphanage” Nick announced suddenly.
“Brian is coming to pick us up. I don’t want to risk walking home they might try again.” Suddenly Detective Munch came out of the women’s bathroom and Marcus and Nick looked at him.
“How are you guys getting home?”
“Brian is coming to get us.”
“Okay well Detective Stabler will be there shortly after you to ask questions – we just left them in the middle of an arrest so they just have to take care of that and then they will be by.”
“Okay” Nick replied while looking at Ashley again as she was now sitting on the blanket with Dakota cradled in her lap on one side and Bella in the other. He can just see by the look in her eyes that she is busy beating herself up at the moment. He reached out and cupped her cheek in his hand before leaning forward and resting his forehead against hers while gazing into her eyes.
“Stop it” he told her firmly but she can still hear that soft tone in his voice that he uses to let her know he loves her with his whole heart. Ashley gave him an innocent look but he ignored it. “I mean it. You and I will talk later.”
“What if I don’t want to?” Ashley asked stubbornly.
“Don’t underestimate me I’m a father of a stubborn four year old, woman.” Ashley scowled at him and he leaned forward and planted a kiss on her lips before pulling away and looking down at Sarah who is still wrapped in his arms. He made a mental note to tell her how brave she was and how proud he is of her for taking care of Bella and Laila. Here she is six years old and she was probably the only calm one through out the whole situation.
~*~*~*~*~*~
“Ellie do you not realize the risk you put yourself in out there?” Kevin lectured as soon as they were in the safety of the station.
“He was getting away, Kevy.”
“We would’ve handled it sweetheart,” Detective Stabler insisted. “We’re trained to handle unexpected things. You on the other hand are five years old and could’ve been grabbed by anybody – he could’ve turned around and shot you.”
“Or grabbed you and ran,” Detective Benson added.
“My daddy would kills him if he did that,” Elenore insisted as she clung somewhat to Kevin. “Anybody who works for my daddy knows better then to hurts me.”
“Yeah well sweetheart there are a lot of people, who are angry with him right now,” Detective Stabler informed her. “From what I’ve learned, most of them have turned against him and will do anything to pis-to make him angry. Grabbing you would make him angry the most and they are not afraid to do it. You need to be careful Ellie, you need to stay close to Kevin at all times.”
“I was just trying to help,” Elenore insisted and Detective Stabler noticed her eyes glisten with tears.
“We understand that honey and we appreciate it greatly but we want you to be safe,” Detective Stabler told her gently and he knelt down in front of her and gently grabbed hold of her arms and he turned her to face him. “I can’t take you to work with me anymore if you aren’t going to stick with the plan.”
“But you haves to Elliot, You just haves to. I will never gets to be a detective someday if you don’ts!”
“Then follow the rules that I give you Ellie do you hear me? It’s very important. If anything happened to you I would never be able to forgive myself.”
“Why nots?” Elenore sniffled. “Nots your fault I’m dumb an’ impulsive.”
“Because I love you, you silly goose” He told her somewhat playfully and he gently poked her nose with his finger causing the slightest bit of a smile. “And you aren’t dumb. Impulsive yes…but not dumb. You are one of the smartest little girls I know and something tells me there’s a lot more to you than meets the eye. I don’t know what it is yet, but I’ll figure it out. I always do.”
“Nah,” Elenore insisted while shaking her head. “Sarah is the smart one of the bunch. I mostly learn from her. She teaches me things.”
“All three of you girls are smart in your own special way,” Detective Stabler insisted.
“Buts Sarah is the smartest. She’s to us what Master Splinter is to the turtles.” Detective Stabler chuckled.
“Only you would make a turtle analogy” he teased light heartedly and Elenore beamed up at him innocently. He smirked and wiped away her tear with his finger and he leaned forward and kissed her cheek before standing up with her and handing her to Kevin.
“Come on – now you get to watch me give the baddie an ear full,” he told her with a grin and he and Detective Benson led Elenore and Kevin to the interrogation room that they have the bad guy in.
~*~*~*~*~
“Great plan Sean, really great plan! Now we’ve lost Sid! One of the very last few people on our side!” Max snapped when the three of them made it back to the Lake House and were inside.
“You’re just pissed because you were attracted to the woman and didn’t get to have your way with her,” Sean informed in a bored tone. Max’s eyes blazed with so much anger that it made Trevor shudder even. Where in the world did he get the balls? Normally Max treats Sean with the utmost respect in fear that one false move and he’s going to be shot in the head during his sleep or something. To Trevor’s surprise, Max stepped forward so he was toe to toe with Sean.
“No, What I am pissed off about is the fact that I warned you nothing good would come out of you trying something today, but you still did it ANYWAY! How many more people do you think are going to be pissed off because of this stunt huh? Just because ONE more person died for YOU.” Trevor noticed danger flicker in Sean’s eyes then.
“And there is one other person in this very room who is about to die because of me if you don’t back the fuck away right now,” he informed him calmly but in that tone he gets that would paralyze anybody.
“Sean…”
“Shut up Trevor.”
“Go ahead! Do it,” Max challenged, never removing his gaze from Sean’s, neither of them blinking. “You want to kill me Sean? Do it and you will have no one left is that what you want? I’m the one keeping your ass safe here and everything but hey, if you want to kill me get it over with – please.” Sean started to move closer to Max when suddenly Trevor jumped between them.
“Knock it off the both of you!” he snapped.
“Move out of the way, Trevor” Sean ordered.
“Max you can go now,” Trevor replied, ignoring Sean’s order and he gently placed a hand on Sean’s chest. Max however, didn’t move he only continued to glare at Sean as if he hadn’t heard him.
“If you know what’s best for you, you will leave now before you get yourself in over your head. You know Sean is not the person you go around pissing off.”
“There are more dangerous people out there then Sean,” Max informed.
“Oh really is that a threat?” Trevor asked, suddenly turning so his back is to Sean and he is facing Max and Sean stared at Max over Trevor’s shoulder with a smug look on his face. He may not be the one you go around pissing off, but you don’t go around threatening Trevor’s mate either.
“And what if it is?”
“Leave now before I unleash him.”
“Would you like to go for a little swim Max?” Sean taunted over Trevor’s shoulder, the excitement clear in his eyes. It’s been a very long time since he’s drowned someone. Not since Cole.
“If you aren’t gone in five seconds I’m moving out of Sean’s way and letting him do whatever his heart desires and you know what he is capable of so I suggest you go home now and we’ll deal with you tomorrow.”
“I will not be dealt with Trevor. If I am going to do your dirty work you are going treat me like we’re on the same team. Not this thing that you get to use got it?” Max snapped and with that he whirled around and stormed out of the house slamming the door shut behind him. Trevor glared at the door for a few moments imagining that it’s Max and all of the beatings he wishes he could give it.
“Unleash me Trev? You keep saying that. What am I some kind of beast to you?” Sean murmured in his ear, instantly calming him down some.
“You know you are my sexy beast,” Trevor answered while turning around and smirking at his lover. He slid his arms around Sean’s waist and rested his forehead against his so their lips are just inches apart. Sean raised his eyebrow and considered this for a moment.
“So long as I’m a dangerous sexy beast then I can deal with that title.”
“Oh vicious,” Trevor reassured before claiming Sean’s lips for his own and backing him toward the stairs. “Ashley doesn’t know what’s coming,” he added between kisses, before gently pushing Sean back so he is lying against the steps, too eager to take him all the way up to their bedroom.
~*~*~*~*~*~
When Nick, AJ, Ashley, and the kids arrived back at the Orphanage with Brian as their driver they all went inside only to be greeted by everybody. The first person to reach Ashley and hug her is Kori.
“Are you okay?” She asked with such sincerity that it awoke another emotion inside Ashley that she doesn’t want. It always feels good when she is reassured about just how much her sister still loves her.
“Yeah I’m fine, I’m not hurt or anything.” Kori pulled back some and looked at Marcus.
“She’s right she wasn’t,” he promised. “Thanks to our secret weapon.”
“She used her pepper spray?” Howie questioned.
“No, not that secret weapon. Nick and Ashley.” Wiley raised his eyebrow.
“I’m confused.”
“No one is allowed to underestimate the bond we share after what happened today. I ran in the bathroom when she screamed only to find her in the arms of some woman with a gun being held to her head. She threatened to shoot her if I took another step, but, she didn’t know that Ashley and I could communicate with our eyes.”
“So what happened?” Howie spoke up.
“I’m wondering the same thing myself,” AJ added.
“Ashley kicked the woman on my command and then ducked just as the woman accidentally set the bullet off from the pain. And as I knew would happen, she shot the door to a bathroom stall and the bullet bounced off of it and went back to her hitting her in the forehead instantly killing her.”
“Whoa…cool…” Josh muttered from his position right beside Brian’s right leg. Brian shook his head and gently squeezed Josh’s shoulder.
“What if they decide to charge me for murder? Technically I made her set the gun off…” Ashley asked softly as she slid her arms around Nick’s waist and rested her head against his chest suddenly scared.
“It was self-defense baby,” Nick reassured while hugging her close to him protectively. “And an accident. And if you think about it, she shot herself. The gun was in her hands.”
“Yeah and Elliot knows you Ash. He knows you aren’t capable of murder,” AJ added.
“Of course I know that,” Detective Stabler’s voice came from behind them and Ashley, AJ, and Nick all whirled around to see him, Detective Benson, and Kevin approaching. Kevin is cradling Elenore, who has her brand new badge in one hand, her water gun, and a big grin.
“You are okay honey I’m not arresting you,” Detective Stabler promised when he saw that Nick’s words didn’t reassure her much. “I do however, need to know what this woman looked like – and Nick, if it’s okay with you I would like Dakota to tell me what this man who grabbed her looks like.”
“Why do you need a description of this woman? Detective Munch and Detective Tutuola are at the park with all of the forensic people now” AJ’s questioned.
“Because I want to know if anyone knows her,” Detective Stabler answered while flashing Kori and Conner looks, and then nodding toward the direction of the Hospital Wing where he knows Scott is.
“She had really dark black hair…green eyes…and she was about 5’5” Ashley answered softly, still clinging to Nick with a death grip.
“Sidney,” Kori and Conner answered in unison. They glanced at each other and then Kori continued. “Sidney White.”
“Except everybody who knew her and was close to her just called her Sid. Max had this huge thing for her” Conner added.
“Sid…like the mean ol’ kid in toy story” Dakota whispered as she grabbed onto Josh’s hand out of habit. Elenore quietly rested her head against Kevin’s shoulder not saying a word. Detective Stabler kneeled down in front of Dakota.
“And the man who grabbed you?”
“He had a Tom Cruise kind of hairstyle…cept’ not as cute. He was scary.”
“What kind of Tom Cruise hairstyle?” Detective Benson questioned while hiding her amusement at the fact that a four-year-old has a crush on Tom Cruise. Dakota thought a moment, squeezing Josh’s hand a little in hope that it would bring her some courage.
“Brown hair with blonde highlights…chin length. He has brown eyes. Very similar to Tom Cruise. Cept like I said before…he’s not my Tom Cruise.” Detective Benson couldn’t hold back her laugh this time.
“Your Tom Cruise huh?”
“Yes, mine. He says his heart is mine forevers and no other girl can have it” She bragged, a sort of dreamy look in her eyes. Detective Benson looked at Nick curiously who was standing there with a small grin on his face.
“She’s met him a couple of times at movie premieres I’ve taken her to.”
“Does this Tom Cruise look alike sound familiar at all?” Detective Stabler questioned suddenly looking at Kori and Conner again.
“Max,” Conner answered quietly while shoving his hands inside his pockets and Angel slid her arms around him and rested her chin on his shoulder.
“Okay, thanks” Detective Stabler replied. “Now I have news for all of you.”
“What’s up?” Nick asked curiously as he gently combed his fingers through Ashley’s hair.
“We just arrested Eden Schultz and interrogated him and I have news on this place Ashley told us about on Thanksgiving Morning, where she was tortured in water. It’s not really much, but he made it sound like it’s in a warehouse.”
“Is that right baby?” Nick asked after cupping Ashley’s chin in his hand and gently lifting it up so she is looking at him.
“I don’t know…” Ashley answered quietly, suddenly sounding so fragile at the reminder of the torture she went through. “He always had me blindfolded…”
“Didn’t you guys investigate that old warehouse near the beach you found me on?” Kori spoke up.
“Yeah we did, and as far as we know there wasn’t any water – we searched everywhere. Unless of course you know something we don’t.”
“I would tell you if there was,” Kori reassured, managing to keep the annoyance out of her voice at how accusing Detective Stabler’s words were. “Especially since it concerns my sister.”
“Could the warehouse be out of town?”
“No, we never drove for very long…” Ashley spoke up again.
“For how long?”
“Ten minutes…maybe.”
“From where we found you in the pool?” Ashley nodded quietly.
“Okay…we’ll check it out then.” Ashley turned around to face Nick as her arms are still wrapped tightly around his waist and she buried her face in his neck. Nick kissed the top of her head.
“Are you done asking questions Ell? I want to take Ash upstairs to rest.”
“Yes, for now” Detective Stabler promised and Nick looked at Marcus who is holding Bella.
“Do you mind baby-sitting Bella for awhile? I would really like for Ash to take a nap.”
“Not at all,” Marcus insisted.
“And I assume one of you will keep an eye on Kota and Sarah?” he asked Brian, AJ, Howie, and Kevin.
“We’ll take them outside to play.”
“Cool thanks,” Nick replied before gently placing his hands to Ashley’s bottom and lifting her up so she is straddling his hips and he carried her upstairs where they could have some alone time and he could make all of her troubles disappear for a short while.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the next chapter.
Enjoy =)
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