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Author's Chapter Notes:

Hehe. Sorry for such a long chapter title - but, it amused me. :) Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Usual mumbo jumbo. Enjoy!

 

Meanwhile at Banner Health, when the paramedics arrived with Kevin they helped the doctors get him settled into a hospital room right next door to Angel, and then Bill the paramedic that Detective Stabler had given special instructions to went next door and knocked lightly on the opened door. Detective Munch who remained sitting in his chair beside the bed, Angel, Aaron, Conner, and all of the adults among the Backstreet Gang that had been released looked up at him curiously. All of the little ones however were all snuggling with Aaron, Angel, Conner, BJ, and Leslie and were all mostly half asleep. Detective Munch arched his eyebrow curiously, and then got up and went to the door to see what's up.



"What's going on Bill?"



"Kevin was just released from the building," Bill revealed quietly and Detective Munch's face lit up at the first good news that he's heard all night.



"And you brought him here?"




"Yes he's next door. However, there's something you need to know. He's been shot in the gut but the doctors that were being held hostage in the building took very good care of him. He's been through surgery, had the bullet removed, and now he is just resting. He's been medicated and all he can do right now is sleep - he wakes up occasionally though asking for Ellie so Elliot has asked me to make sure the next time that he does he has loved one's all around."



"Will you see if they can roll him in here? Everybody kind of just wants to stick together right now...you can understand that right?"



"Of course...I will see what I can do," Bill said and then turned and walked out of one room only to disappear in the room to the right. Detective Munch turned around then and went back to join a group of very curious people.



"Well I have some very good news for all of you," he began, and he focused his gaze on Jackie, Harry, and Ann which only made them even more anxious. "Kevin was just released from the building." Ann now with eyes full of emotion started to get up but Detective Munch quickly went on. "But before you get up Ann, I've asked Bill to see if they would roll him in here. He really needs loved ones near right now and I know all of you want to stay together."



"Is Uncle Kevy going to be okay?" Dakota asked softly and Aaron hugged her closer to him when he noticed her tears.



"Yes he is, the doctors at the orphanage took very good care of him before they released him. the only thing is that you need to be quiet and gentle with him all right? He's on strong medication and needs his rest," Detective Munch explained gently.



"Kay," Dakota replied softly and Aaron hugged her closer and kissed her cheek affectionately as she snuggled with him under his blankets.



"She'll be fine, she's a good girl" he insisted.



"I know she is, I was only reminding her that's all." A second later Bill and another doctor came in pushing Kevin's hospital bed and the doctor looked around.



"Where do you want him?"



"Right over here next to me," Ann insisted tearfully. "i'm his mother." The doctor nodded and with Bill's help the two of them pushed Kevin over to where Ann's bed was at. They placed it right next to hers so that both beds were touching.



"Bill from now on if any of our friends or family are brought here please bring them straight in here okay?" Detective Munch requested.



"Of course," Bill agreed readily and he looked around the room. "Good thing Angel was placed in a big room..."



"Yeah, tell me about it" Detective Munch agreed as he watched Ann quietly fuss over her son and Jackie, Harry, Riley, and Riley's mother Audrey do everything they can to comfort her.



"Well i've gotta go, they need all of the paramedics down there that they can get," Bill announced and walked out of the room.



"Let me know if any of you need anything," the doctor added and he was soon leaving too. As he was walking out Howie, Denise, Brandon, Jamie, and Peyton walked in and Dakota's eyes widened in surprise.



"Uncle Howie!" she cheered somewhat, though remembered to stay quiet for Kevin and she squirmed out of Aaron's bed and made a run for it toward another one of her favorite uncles who was just as glad to see her. He and everybody who came in with him recieved hugs and love from everybody, and then Howie turned and looked at Lindsey who was lying on another bed that was brought in with Ryan and Laila. Ryan is lying comfortably across her feet because she was saying that her feet were cold and Laila was half asleep but not quite. He went over and cupped Lindsey's chin in his hand before leaning down and brushing his lips lightly over hers and when he pulled back he glanced at Ryan to see that he was clutching his Treasure Island book close to him as if it were a cross warding off vampires. He sat down and pulled him into a gentle hug. Ryan hugged him back and completely blowing off his tough guy act he let a few tears fall.



"I thought we were never going to see you again," he confessed into the crook of Howie's neck. "That you were going to leave us just like dad had..."



"I'm not going anywhere buddy," Howie reassured gently. "I made a promise to your father that I would take care of you and that's one promise that I am going to keep." Ryan hugged him tighter and after a long moment when Howie was sure he was reassured he pulled back.


"Why don't you try to get some sleep? It's late and we've all had a very stressful night."



"I can't sleep...AJ and Ashley are still in that building,' Ryan insisted tearfully.



"Jay..." Laila's little voice whimpered upon mention of her favorite person. Howie squeezed Ryan's hand gently.



"Then read your book...it will calm your nerves," Howie urged. If he won't go to sleep then he wants him to find some way to escape the realities of this nightmare...he has already been through so much he hates to think what this is all going to do to him. Ryan glanced down at his book then, considering that advice and while he was doing that Howie turned his attention on Laila who was lying against Lindsey's chest all snug and warm with her thumb in her mouth. Howie ran his fingers through her curls gently before leaning over and kissing the tip of her nose and he rested his forehead against hers as he gazed into her watery eyes.


"Hi pumpkin..."



"Hi 'owie...wants Jay," she told him, cutting right to the chase.



"If I could get Jay to you right now baby girl you know I would in a heartbeat...I miss him too," Howie told her gently and she stuck her lower lip out in a pout. "Why dont you close your pretty little eyes and then maybe the next thing you know it, he will be right here telling you good morning," he told her, hoping that it would be the truth. He really wants him to be there to tell Laila good morning tomorrow.



"Laila no seepy, Laila wants Jay. Jay sings Laila night night."



"How about Howie tries his best to sing you night night tonight huh? Can I sing to you instead? What would Jay normally sing?"



"Hush baby."



"I know that song," Howie told her and he couldn't help but smile slightly as not only does he know the song, but he knows AJ's version that was custom made specifically to help Laila sleep at night. "Can I sing it for you just for tonight honey? Would that be okay?" Laila nodded tearfully and she gazed up at Howie as he began to sing.



"Where is my brother at?" Brandon asked Annabelle quietly as he'd been standing there quietly holding her in his arms in the middle of the room hugging her as they listened to Howie interact with Laila, their hearts breaking upon seeing her tears.



"He took Julie and went to go hunt for some food...he's been gone a long time ago, i'm starting to worry he might've found a doctor to pester or something." Brandon chuckled softly.



"That would be so like him. He can't be in his hospital working, so he'll try and find something here to do no doubt. I'll go look for him and bring him back. I need to see him anyway and make sure he's in one piece."



"He'll be happy to see you, he's been stressing about you all night" Annabelle replied and Brandon kissed her cheek in a brotherly way, pulled back and gently grabbed Peyton's hand and despite the fact that she was talking to Jaime he began to pull her toward the door. Peyton yelped, twisted around and followed him, and she scowled as he grinned back at her amusedly.



"Brandon, I don’t really want to leave Jaime."



"We won't go far love, I promise" Brandon insisted while gently pulling her close to him and he brought her hand up and kissed it. "Jaim, want some coffee?" he asked just as they were reaching the door.



"Sure...Pey knows how I like it," Jaime answered and Brandon and Peyton walked out the door.




~*~*~*~*~*~




Meanwhile, Sean sat and watched as everybody else took care of Damien’s gang rather than help out as Marcus had used up his last bit of patience and therefore he was being downright stubborn. He has to drive someone crazy after all, since Trevor is no longer around to deal with him. He is trying very hard not to dwell on that though, as thinking of Trevor only brings up unwanted emotions. He just hopes that he is able to move on and recreate happiness, because he definitely deserves it. The only person he wants to see happy in this world is Trevor.



“I want to be the one to kill Damien – you have to at least give me that,” he told Marcus quietly as he noticed there weren’t very many baddies left.



“I don’t have to give you anything,” Marcus snapped somewhat. “I’m preventing the son of a bitch from killing you that should be enough.” Sean narrowed his eyes but otherwise didn’t respond. He will be the one to kill Damien whether anyone likes it or not. Sean scowled, none too happy at the moment. He will get his revenge on the man who killed one of his best friends! He will! "Now I know where Ellie gets her pouting from," Marcus commented, casting a brief glance in Sean's direction. "She's got you down to a tee, and you can't even seem to see it."
"She'll be nothing like me if I have anything to say about it!" Sean snapped. "Now, shut-up and keep shooting!"




"Well, there's one thing we can all actually agree on," Marcus stated dryly. "And don't you dare go giving me orders, Sean! I'm the one who's in charge of whether you live or die right now, so just shut it!" Sean said nothing, as he gave the bossy security guard the finger.
Marcus rolled his eyes, and returned his focus to the shoot-out that was still currently going on in front of them. Eventually, it was down to only one man left - that man being Damien. "Hey, asshole! Why don't you just give up while you're ahead?"




"I don't fucking think so!" Damien growled, glaring coldly in the direction he knows Marcus is in. "You're all fucking traitors! I fucking kill traitors!!!! Just ask Sean, about what happened to his friend, Thomas!" Sean gave a low growl deep in his throat then, as he clutched his gun tightly in his one hand.




"Don't you even think about it!" Marcus ordered, giving Sean a Look. "Or I'll sit on your sorry ass, until the other Bastard's good and dead!"




"Don't you be giving me looks that should only be reserved for the kids!" Sean retorted, glaring at him once more. "I'm not your fucking child - good riddance!"




"No, but you sure as fuck act like one enough to make people think you are," Marcus shot-back, as he looked away to eye Damien once more. Soon as Marcus looked away, Sean quickly rolled away from him, and jumped up to shoot Damien. Damien, somehow managing to predict this exact moment, turned and shot his gun at Sean, before Sean even had a chance to raise his and shoot first.




"FUCK!" Marcus roared, angry to have not seen that coming. Sean shot his gun off, as he was rammed into from the side, falling to the floor in a heap with someone atop him. "Fuck!" He exclaimed, thinking it to be Marcus. "You asshole! I was going to kill him!"




"He....was going to....kill you....Dickwad!" A voice managed to exclaim, though not as loud as it usually would. Sean's eyes went huge in surprise.

"Trevor....?" He managed to choke out, as he quickly moved out from under his lover. He heard more gunshots go off, and knew Damien was down for the count, but Damien didn't matter. Not anymore. His eyes scanned Trevor's body, his face frowning instantly upon seeing that the other man had indeed been shot.




"Fuck Trevor! I thought you fucking left!" Sean exclaimed, immediately becoming angry once more.




"You know me....better than that........" Trevor replied. "I'm not....about to let....some....some fucktard.....shoot you......"




"We need a fucking doctor over here!" Sean shouted out to whoever may be listening. "Fuck people! Get a fucking doctor!" When nobody was moving fast enough for Sean’s liking he whirled around and suddenly caught sight of Detective’s Stabler, Tutuola, Benson, and Ben running with Nick and Ashley from one object to the other trying to help them escape. They were practically dragging Nick by now as Ashley had him on piggy back and he had his head rested against her shoulder weak and pale. Before any of them had the time to react, he raised his gun and aimed at Detective Stabler getting him right in the ass. Detective Stabler’s eyes went wide and he dropped to his knees on the floor causing everybody to pause abruptly in horror.




“No…go…get them out of here damnit!” he ordered weakly but before the others could even take a step Ashley shrieked hysterically as another gun shot went off and Nick crumbled to the floor. She dropped to her knees at his side sobbing and Detective Benson instantly took action in trying to put pressure on yet another bullet wound.



“We need to get them out of here and to the hospital – now!” AJ insisted, momentarily forgetting about Sean – everybody did, as AJ, Brooke, security and undercover cops rushed to Nick and Detective Stabler’s aid. Sean stared at them with utmost hatred in his eyes not believing that he’d shot them and STILL they were NOT listening to him! He raised his gun to Ashley’s back then and a lone cry was suddenly heard from above the scene.




“NO!!!!!!” Ellie shrieked and the air vent above flew open causing everybody to look up at her in utter surprise. “DADDY NO!!!!” she pleaded and then jumped down from the vent and landed right into Ashley’s lap as she had caught her and everybody looked from Ellie to Sean to see him standing there frozen in brief surprise holding his gun pointed at Ashley, though he was now staring at his daughter.


“ELLIE?!? ELLIE?!?!” Jerald’s frantic voice was suddenly heard up in the vents then sounding very much like he’d been chasing her. When his face suddenly appeared in the vent his eyes immediately fell on Sean and absolute horror formed in them.



“Put that gun down Sean for god’s sake it’s ELLIE!” He pleaded looking like he was prepared to squeeze his way through the very small vent and pounce on Ellie and Ashley to act as a shield.




“Ellie, move!” Sean demanded when he managed to regain his composure.





“NO! I won’ts let you hurt her daddy, I won’ts!” She insisted stubbornly.


“Damnit Ellie…YOU DON’T HAVE A SAY IN THE MATTER!”


“Oh no?” Ellie challenged while raising one eyebrow while he narrowed his.


“No. So I suggest you move out of the way before I come over there and spank that butt of yours.” Ellie scoffed and to everyone’s surprise she pulled the handcuffs from the playroom out of her pocket. Before Sean even had the time to react, she handcuffed her wrists to Ashley’s and she narrowed her eyes right back.


“Come an’ spank my butt, but your still not gonna hurts Ashee unless you wanna hurt me too” she informed.


“YOU UN-HANDCUFF YOURSELF FROM HER THIS INSTANT ELENORE!”


“I can’t daddy,” Ellie stated simply.


“You can and you will!”


“No you don’t get’s it daddy,” Ellie began coolly. “Angel has the key.” Sean turned to Trevor then, about to order him to call Captain Craigen and tell him to retrieve the key from Angel when Trevor who foresaw his order before he even said it shook his head slightly amused despite the condition he is in. “Can’t love… remember? You buried her.”


“FUCK!!!” Sean shouted angrily as the realization hit him and Brian, AJ, Brooke, Kori, Scott, and Wiley all exchanged looks as they had not known about this information and they also don’t know that she’s been rescued. Detective Benson and Tutuola bit their tongues deciding to let Sean believe this as they can see the five year old has a very promising strategy here. Tears flooded Ashley’s eyes as she glanced at Nick and she shook her head.


“You had better pray to god Angel has been rescued Sean,” she spoke quietly though the threat was very clear in her voice. “And most of all, you had better hope Nick makes it through this.”


“I could care less if either one of them make it through this blasted situation! All I care about is the fact that I am somehow going to pull my daughter from you and then you are going to die - ONE way or another.” Ashley stared at him in hateful silence as tears flooded her eyes and it was Ellie who spoke up.


“The only way to gets me away from Ashee is the key daddy an’ since that’s unavailable you haves no choice but to hears me.”


“Seanie…it hurts…” Trevor moaned suddenly, instantly drawing Sean’s attention back to his bleeding lover behind him. The sight of Trevor who is normally the strong one taking care of him tugged on his heart strings and it was a struggle in itself just to keep from falling apart. All he wants to do is break down and cry the way Ashley was now and he has never felt the need to do so before…except once his whole life and it terrifies him. No one has ever had such a strong hold over his heart before. His mother did once…and Ellie does now as much as he tries to deny it but it’s something completely different with Trevor. He could probably move an entire mountain right now if it meant saving his life…and suddenly that seemed to be the only thing that mattered to him. Pushing his desire for revenge aside for the first time in his life, he looked at Ashley.


“DAMNIT, JUST GET A DOCTOR IN HERE PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!” He begged somewhat. He was slowly beginning to lose control.

“Why should I?” Ashley demanded to know. “You actually have the nerve to ask me to take mercy on him when all you’ve done is destroy my life? You took my parents away from me and then the one person that I had left why shouldn’t your love be taken from you too huh?”


“Because HE DIDN’T LAY A HAND ON YOU TONIGHT!” Sean shouted while pointing an angry finger at her and then he proceeded to somehow try and stop the bleeding somewhat the way Trevor had once taught him.


“Well that would DEFINITELY be a first, now WOULDN’T it?” Ashley sobbed.


“He’s NOT the same man that he was a few months ago he’s changed a lot! He deserves a second chance more than anything!”


“He deserves nothing from me,” Ashley insisted.


“Marcus told me you had compassion! So where is it?”


“Gone out the fucking window when you shot Nick!” When Sean didn’t say anything Trevor did.


“Sitting here arguing with him isn’t going to help Nick any.”


“Well then you know what?” Ashley asked darkly. “YOU get a doctor in here for him in the next five minutes Sean and maybe I will think about sharing him!” Sean opened his mouth to respond and Ashley cut in. “And you will request him for Nick not Trevor.” Sean’s eyes flared.


“NOW YOU LISTEN HERE BITCH I AM NOT—“


“—DADDY STOP!” Ellie pleaded tearfully.


“YOU REMOVE YOURSELF FROM THAT WOMAN RIGHT NOW ELENORE! I WOULD LIKE NOTHING MORE THAN TO STRANGLE HER!”


NO!”


“Damnit Ellie, you will do as your told or –“


“—No daddy, for once you are going to listen to me! If you love Trevor as much as you says you do earlier you will call a doctor in here for Nicky, no matter what!”


“It doesn’t matter either way, because I’ve already called one in here” Detective Tutuola spoke up grumpily. “And they’ll be here shortly.”


“And if you want him to take Trevor out with us you had better start kissing up to Ashley because it’s completely up to her,” Detective Stabler choked out.


“So…there…it is Sean…” Trevor struggled to say amidst all of the pain that he was in. “Me or revenge? What’s more important?” Sean purposely ignoring Trevor’s gaze watched quietly as Ashley leaned forward with Ellie still handcuffed to her wrists and sitting in her lap and she placed soft kisses on Nick’s pale face and leaned forward to rest her head against his chest. He watched as relief formed on her face when felt his heart beating.


“Daddy please,” Ellie pleaded softly “If you loves me at all you will let Ashee be…”



“It’s not that simple Elenore.”


“Why nots?” Ellie wanted to know tearfully. “Why can’t you let’s me be happy just this once daddy is it really that hard to loves me?”


“I let you live with those blasted Backstreet Boys Elenore, I gave you a family who could love you the way I never could so don’t try and tell me that I never did anything for you out of love!”


“An’ I’m asking you to loves me one more time an’ let’s my Ashee be…is that too much to ask for?” Just then, paramedics came rushing into the lobby and while some went straight to work on concentrating on Detective Stabler and Nick the rest started toward Trevor.


“Take Nick out of here right now please,” Ashley pleaded tearfully. “He’s been running around this building bleeding for far too long.”


“We’ll take very good care of him sweetie I promise,” one paramedic insisted and she watched as they instantly lifted him onto a stretcher and got him situated and while two of them were rushing him out of the bulding another one looked at Ashley pointedly and then at Detective Tutuola.


“I’m afraid taking her out of here might prove to be a problem right now…” Detective Tutuola said while eyeing Ellie warily. “Don’t worry I’ve got her.” The paramedic nodded and then as soon as they had Detective Stabler ready they began taking him out too. Meanwhile the remaining paramedics were prepared to lift Trevor to another stretcher when he smacked their hands away with what little strength he has left.



“No…not yet…”


“But sir…if your chest wound doesn’t get treated right now you could—“


“—I know, I know I’m a doctor myself,” Trevor interrupted and then he made eye contact with a frantic Sean. “But I’m not leaving until Sean answers my question.”


“Goddamnit Trevor! Don’t be so fucking stubborn!” Sean shouted.


“Why not Sean?” Trevor wanted to know. “You are stubborn all the time why can’t I be too every once in awhile?”


“Cause you aren’t going to fucking die on me, you hear me?”


“Why not? I’m just going to later anyway and it’s not like I’m important to you or anything…not really.”


“You don’t fucking know what you are talking about!”


“Then prove me wrong baby. Walk out of here with me.” Sean turned his gaze on Ashley then, feeling downright torn now. He has waited years to bring revenge down on Kori. He’s wanted it more than anything. But at the same time, Trevor has been everything that is good in his life, the only thing that is good…besides his daughter and he can’t believe that it took Trevor getting shot for him to really fully understand that. Could he really turn his back on him for good? That answer should be a years without a doubt. How could he let someone have so much power over him after he worked so hard to push it all away? He swore he would never let another human being have his heart after his mother die d but Trevor was different. Trevor was special. He had a way of getting through to him that no one else ever did not even Ellie…his bond with her is powerful too, but that is a completely different story.


Meanwhile as Sean was fighting his inner demons and Trevor was waiting to hear the one answer he’s wanted to know but at the same time afraid to know throughout their entire relationship, Ben’s gang of undercover cops were growing impatient as they’ve waited years for this opportunity to put Sean in his place. One of them caught Ben’s eye and was more than willing to take care of this and Ben shook his head and made a pointed look at Ellie hoping that would explain it all. Attacking Sean right now would be traumatic to the five year old and he like detectives Tutuola and Benson are hoping she can somehow talk him out of this without things getting anymore messier than it already is – she and Trevor together. The undercover cop ground his teeth together, but otherwise obeyed the silent order.


“Gramma Lindy is very upset withs you right now daddy,” Ellie told him softly and Sean let out a low growl.


“I told you not to talk nonsense, Elenore. I don’t have time for your games.”


“I’m not playing games daddy, she’s here whether you want to believes it or not.”


“Stop it right now!’ Sean ordered, slowly becoming angry with her.


“No I won’ts daddy because I’m telling the truth!” Ellie insisted just as firmly. “She’s here an’ she wants you to remember the order she gaves you before she died!”


“Goddamnit Ellie! You’re very close to getting that spanking!”


“SHE WANTS YOU TO REMEMBER THE ORDER THAT SHE GAVES YOU BEFORE SHE DIED!” Ellie shouted over him. “SHE TOLDS YOU TO GO GETS HELP, TO NOT LISTEN, AND TO NOT WATCH BUT TO RUN FAR AWAYS FROM THERE AN’ GETS HELP! BUT YOU DIDN’T LISTEN TO HER!”


“I WAS FIVE YEARS OLD, WHAT DID YOU EXPECT?” Sean shouted, suddenly breaking down into sobs and letting all denial that he was holding onto go when he felt the vibes he’d felt but ignored for so long. “HUH MOM? DAD WAS HURTING YOU AND I WAS SCARED STIFF WHERE I WAS HIDING, I COULDN’T MOVE, I COULDN’T BREATHE, I COULDN’T DO A GODDAMN THING EXCEPT WATCH AS YOU LEFT ME!”


“She didn’t leave you on purpose daddy,” Ellie insisted. “Gramma Lindy says she loved you more than anything else in the world, you were her pride an’ joy. She loves you so much she stuck by you all this time because you still needs her.” Sean crossed his arms over his chest and turned his back on everybody, not wanting them to see his tears, to see him weak like this. AJ who had refused to leave slid his arms around Ashley and Ellie from behind and hugged them both close to him protectively, giving them both kisses and Ashley snuggled into him tearfully. “She loves you so much daddy, an’ she wants you to stop this, she wants better for you.”


“What good will it do if I stop now?” Sean asked. “I’m already in too deep, what’s the use?” he asked but did not elaborate on the mess he’s gotten himself into for Ellie’s sake but Lindy understands nonetheless.

“At least you can say you did one thing right no matter what happens…an’ that’s all she wants. She wants you to turn your back on your daddy once an’ for all, an she wants you t love an’ treasure Trevor cause he loves you an’ always will.” With his back still turned Sean rubbed at his eyes and Trevor spoke up.


“She’s right baby…I do…can’t you see that?”


“Even when I didn’t run away to Canada with you?” Sean asked softly.


“What do…you…think Sean? I’m still here aren’t I? You could never answer my question tonight and I would proudly die right here still loving you.”


“But you’re not going to die Goddamnit, do you hear me?” Sean asked tearfully and he whirled around and threw himself on top of Trevor so that he was lying on him protectively as if that were going to stop him from dying and he held onto him tightly. “I won’t let you – I can’t live without you.”


“Then walk out of here with me…do the right thing Seanie…do what’s best for you, me, and your daughter. Do one more good thing for her.”


“Please daddy,” Ellie pleaded once more. “Ashee is a good mommy. She loves Kota, Sarah, an’ Bella very much an’ will never lets them down – I promise.”


“Never on purpose,” Ashley added softly. “There is nothing I won’t do for those girls…they’re the most important thing in my life apart from Nick. But I make mistakes like any other human…it doesn’t mean I will ever stop doing my best and loving them. If you will just let me have that chance…”


“An’ Kori is a human being too daddy,” Ellie added. “She makes mistakes too but she’s still a really nice person.”


“There is never a day that I won’t regret what I did to Ashley and my parents Sean,” Kori spoke up after smiling at Ellie somewhat and squeezing her shoulder gently. She couldn’t help but smile at her sweet words. “I loved them all very much but like any other teenager I did stupid things…I can’t take it back though I would if given the chance in a heartbeat. There is never a day that I won’t be punishing myself…believe me so you don’t have to do it for me.”


“But you still don’t appreciate your sister!” Sean insisted angrily.


“I do so,” Kori argued evenly and she too wrapped her arms around Ashley and Ellie. “I love her more than words can say and despite our problems I will always be keeping her very close. I can’t take back my mistakes…I can only move forward and I hope to someday finally redeem myself so please…I’m begging you Sean. Don’t take her away from me too.”


“Remember how much you told me you loves Trevor daddy? Well Nicky feels the same way ‘bouts Ashee. She is his everything.”


“Not everybody is like your father, love” Trevor told him softly in his ear as he held him close. “The world is not made up of abusive parents. There are good people too…and this group here is a huge example. And it’s not up to you to punish those who aren’t.”


“That’s our job,” Detective Tutuola put in. “Leave it up to us to catch the bad guys – we’re good at it.”


“I love you Sean,” Trevor went on. “Very much…for once in all of the years we’ve been friends and then lovers…can’t you let that be strong enough to conquer all else?”


“It’s not like we’re going to live happily ever after and get to ride off in the sunset together,” Sean whispered in Trevor’s ear quietly so that Ellie wouldn’t overhear.


“That doesn’t matter now...as long as I have you I will be happy. Am I enough Sean?” Trevor watched as Sean fought through his inner emotions. He watched as he struggled with the torn feelings between his love for him and his long awaited revenge toward Kori. After a long moment he gently cradled Trevor’s face in his hands and kissed his forehead lovingly.


“Of course you are you crazy bastard…you always have been and it took you getting shot to really understand that. You’ve known it all along though.”


“Sometimes you just need to hear it and I’ve needed to for so long…” Sean turned and looked at the paramedic sitting anxiously next to them then.


“Get my lover out of here now Goddamnit will you?” He snapped somewhat. “He is not dying on me tonight!” the paramedic looked at Trevor then, and Trevor nodded his permission.


“Just don’t leave me Sean…please.”

“I’m not letting you go anywhere without me, love” Sean promised as he watched the paramedics get right to work on lifting him onto the stretcher and strapping him safely on it.


“If you’re going to be going anywhere you’ll need me to escort you,” Detective Tutuola who was suddenly at his side insisted and Sean looked at his daughter warily. Detective Tutuola saw this and looked at Jerald questioningly. Jerald gently smoothed his fingers through Ellie’s hair.


“Go for it Fin…everybody needs a time out when they’re bad right?”


“That’s right,” Detective Tutuola answered and he grabbed Sean’s arm.


“Please don’t handcuff me in front of her,” he whispered quietly so that Ellie wouldn’t overhear. Detective Tutuola nodded but kept his handcuffs hidden under his jacket and ready to be used.


“All boys and girls are punished when bad, otherwise it would be a pretty crazy world out there,” he added looking at Ellie who was watching with mixed emotions. Relief, happiness, and worry. “Sean and I will be making a trip down to the station where he will be put in a great big grownup time out – right Sean?”


“That’s right,” Sean nodded, looking at his daughter with what he hoped was a reassuring look. “I was bad Ellie…I’m turning myself in because it’s the right thing to do okay?” he asked and she nodded though she gave him an unsure look all the same.


“It’ll be okay,” he added and Ellie nodded again unable to form words to speak. Sean allowed Detective’s Tutuola and Benson to casually lead him out of the building with paramedics whom carried Trevor’s stretcher with only one thought on his mind. This is what’s best for Ellie and he will grant her one more act of love. She deserves that much from him. Ellie watched until he disappeared from sight. She looked up at Jerald then, who instantly wrapped her in his arms and showered her with hugs and kisses and she hugged back not sure which emotions to feel first. All she knows is, she desperately wants to crawl into Kevin’s safe loving arms and just cry.