3.18 The Rescue Part 1

"Sweetie what do you mean?" Don asked kneeling in front of the little girl.

"I feel daddy. Daddy's not gone," she said her eyes large. Blinking wide eyed as if she was trying to tune into something. "Daddy doesn't like it there. The bad lady is lying..." her voice faded as she looked at Don "you'll bring daddy home like you brought me home?"

Pulling her close he said "I will sweetheart." He kissed the top of her head. How did she know so much? Could she read minds? Was it something else? Was it a connection to the person? She once told them she knew who they ere because they were related. Did that mean .... it must be. Heath was with Dana and Windy. Kimberly would be able to sense their connection to her.

"Daddy," Kimberly's voice came muffled from his shoulder where he was practically smothering her. "I don't like the bad ladies who have daddy. Please bring daddy home."

"Don't worry honey I will," he told her and he knew that he had to try. He couldn't sit back and wait for help. He had to go and face his sister. First he had to find someone to look after his daughter.

***

The citizens of Moonlight Falls and Midnight Hollow gathered around Adam shouting their approval for their chosen leader. Most, if not all were in favor of overthrowing Alessandro giving the rule to the rightful heir. Adam stared at the assembled faces drawing from their energy to keep focused on the task at hand. "Alessandro goes down now," he shouted.  As the people cheered he turned to Alanon "where is he?"

Nodding towards the castle "inside his estate along with his faithful watch dogs."

"So we don't have the support of the werewolves?" Adam stated more than asked.

"Not all of them," Alanon replied "their elder is a loyal supporter of Alessandro. Many are afraid if you fail in your bid for power they will be ostracized and turned out of the pack."

Nodding his understanding Adam's thoughts turned towards his adopted son Quinten. It had been difficult on the boy to be without his pack to hunt with, to play with, to mate with. "Let it be known that no pack member will be disowned. All those who side with me will form a their own pack with their own elder."

Nodding his approval Alanon could not disguise this satisfaction he felt in hearing Adam take control, making decisions. "Very well your lordship," he turned to Ambrogio "send out the proclamation to the werewolves." Ambrogio nodded hasitating a moment eyes filled with worry before he went to do as he was told.

Adam watched him go frowning he asked "is something the matter with Ambrogio?"

Shaking his head "no" Alanon said bluntly handing Adam a plasma juice pack "you need to keep your strength up."

"I really don't feel up to drinking more," Adam protested.

"It's for the baby," Alanon insisted

Sighing "alright," he took the pack forcing himself to drain it. Do we have any up to date floor plans of the castle?" he asked staring up at the foreboding building.

"I can have the archives checked," Alanon told him "is it necessary?"

"If we knew the lay out of the building we might be able to find where Alessandro's weakest point is. He'll expect us to attack the entrance. It appears to be the only way in. I wonder though if he'll consider other more subtle areas. We can exploit those weaknesses."

"I'll send someone to the archives," Alanon said snapping his fingers to get the attention of one of the runners.

***

Pacing the small cramped room he was locked in Heath tried to break through the haze in his mind. He knew he had been here before he was positive of it. Sliding down the wall he held his throbbing head. Why couldn't he remember? Where was he? Who was he? Who was the mysterious person of his dreams with the light blue eyes? He wanted to pound his head against the wall behind hi. What would that accomplish other than give him an even worse headache? 

One thing that was clear to him was whoever the young woman was she wasn't his wife. If they were married he wouldn't be locked down here. She obviously wants him to believe that they are married why else would she even tell him they were? Maybe he could use that to his advantage. Maybe if she believed he had fallen under her spell would her trust him enough to take him out of this cage. Then he could escape. Escape where? He had no idea but anywhere was better than here. He was positive he had a family waiting for him to come home. He had to find them.

Closing his eyes he saw the little girl again pleading for someone to find her daddy. A click disturbed his thoughts as the lock was turned to his cage. Blinking from the glare as the overhead light was turned on above him. He watched as the young woman approached him "why are you on the floor?" she asked looking down at him hands on hips.

Eyeing her he shrugged "it felt like the thing to do" he mumbled.

"It's raining out so we can't go for a walk," she told him sitting cross legged in front of him. "We can do..." her eyes slid to the bed "other things," she insinuated.

Panic knifed through him as he thought he couldn't do that. There was no way he could do that with her. Surely she didn't expect him....He was jolted from his panic by the sensation of someones lips pressed hard against his. Bringing his hands up he pushed her away from him. "I don't know you," he shouted at her.

Blinking in surprise she gathered her feet beneath her eyes dancing with anger. "There's nothing wrong with a wife kissing her husband." She took several steps toward him "you're just confused from working so hard." She attempted to put her arms around him again.

Side stepping advances Heath felt revulsion spread through him. There was something not quite right about this woman and her claims. There was something dark and cold beneath those eyes "I don't know you," he repeated unable to keep the revulsion he felt from his voice.

"I'm your wife," she repeated "all I want to do is hold and comfort you. Why are you rejecting me?" She wrapped her arms around herself as tears slid down her cheeks.

For a moment, for a split second Heath found himself wanting to comfort her. To pull her close until the tears stopped. He must have communicated that thought to her somehow as he caught the cold calculated smile that tugged on her lips and quickly faded away. He froze in place unable to move.

She frowned at him. Tears ceasing their cascade down her face. "You horrible beast," she screamed at him "what does he have that I don't?"

Confusion flooded his mind as a face almost took shape and the identity of the mysterious light blue eyed individual of his dreams almost came to him. He? Did that mean that he was gay? That would explain his utter lack of attraction to the otherwise pretty girl. There was more to her statement Heath was sure of that. Her hatred for whoever it was ran deep "I...I don't understand," he muttered.

"Of course you don't you simpleton," she shouted outraged her plan wasn't working. He was supposed to fawn all over her but he wasn't. Her no good worthless brother was still in the way. She ran to the door "I'll make you love me one way or another," she cried "I tried to be nice but I see something more drastic is required."

Heath rushed her hoping he could over power the girl and escape. He plowed into her knocking her down. Her head hit the wall with a dull thud. She wend down in a crumpled heap at his feet. Ignoring urge to check to see if she was alright he ran towards the stairs. He thought he was going to make. he might have if something didn't come out of nowhere and collide with his head. He fell backwards into nothingness

Windy watched her son land at the bottom of the stairs in an unnatural heap. She knew she should care but that part of her was devoid of any and all feelings. Heath was all Adam the single most hated person of her existence. The child she bore him wasn't hers. Just a colossal mistake. A burden. A tool to use to get to the father. If the boy was hurt Adam would come sooner and her revenge would be complete. If Heath was dead she was no worse off then before. Adam already believed his son was dead.

***

"Kyle I appreciate you and Elliot watching Kimberly for me," Don said.

"Glad to help," Kyle told him easily "I hope everything is ok with Robbie."

"I'm sure it will be but I really need to get on the road if I want to get to Riverview before nightfall," Don told him regretting the lie he had to tell. What choice did he have? If he had them that he was going to rescue his dead boyfriend fro his evil twin sister they'd think he was crazy.

Kyle put a hand on his shoulder "how are you holding up?" he asked.

"As well as can be expected I guess" Don looked away rubbing his expanding midsection.

"If you need anything. Anything at all don't hesitate to call," Kyle pulled the younger man closer 

"Elliot and I will do anything we can to help you through this."

Don almost told him where he was going. Was on the verge of asking him for help but held his tongue. If they did believe him they wouldn't let him go. Not in his current condition. "Thank you," he mumbled pulling away dabbing at his eyes "I appreciate the offer."

"Daddy," Kimberly tugged on his pants leg wanting his attention.

He knelt in front of her pulling her close "I love you baby girl," Don told his little girl "I'll be home soon."

She nodded looking at Kyle who was standing nearby watching. She smiled as she kissed his cheek 

"love you daddy."

"I love you too baby," Don felt his throat tighten threatening to choke him. He had to get Heath away safe he's been through too much for him to fail.

***

The battle was going better then Adam expected. Turning to Alanon "this is too easy."

"What do you mean?" he asked "it's going well. We're winning."

Shaking his head "it's a trap. Call a retreat," Adam demanded scowling at the older man. Nodding the mage complied sending a runner to sound the retreat.

"Care to enlighten me?" Alanon asked where they were alone.

"There's an old saying if it smells like a trap, feels like a trap it is a trap. Alessandro is too intelligent for him to let us take the castle this easily. We need to regroup and figure out what he's up to."

"Why didn't I think of that?" Alanon moaned.

"Are you a strategist?" Adam asked. The other man shook his head "well my dad taught me to play chess from a very early age and sometimes you have to sacrifice a piece to gain an advantage. Lure your opponent into a trap. I think Alessandro is luring us into a trap. Making us think he is weakening," Adam scanned the castle floor plans. Pointing at a spot on the plans he commanded "there. We attack there." As soon as he said it he ran towards the door. 

"Adam" Alanon shouted at him following him "Adam we need you here directing the battle" he said pulling on his arm. 

"No the people need to see their leader. They need to know they don't fight alone. Now get out of my way and do as I say." Adam turned and stalked from the room determined to see this through. In the memory of his son he was going to lead these people to victory. Alessandro was going down or he was going to die trying.

***

Looking down at Heath's bloody and bruised body Dana turned to the older woman "why did you do this?"

"I couldn't have him getting away, now could I?" Windy laughed at the girl. "You really are a fool," she spat the insult out as if it was the only way to rid her mouth of a bad taste.

"You evil hateful bitch," Dana screamed at the woman.

"Isn't that a little like the kettle calling the pot black?" Wendy snickered "If you're really that concerned about him I can arrange for you to stay down here with him."

Dana had the first misgivings about the woman she had trusted. Seeing Heath in this state knowing that this woman had not a shred of human decency in her had her wondering what was wrong with herself. She should never have let her jealousy grow into such an obsession. She couldn't make someone love her. She stared at the older woman wondering if this was going to be her in thirty years. No it didn't have to be that way. She could make things right but she couldn't do it if she was locked up down here. "No he's made his choice let him live with it."

"Good girl," Wendy smirked "you're more a daughter to me then any of my own kids. They're all much too soft."

Hearing those words was like a slap in the face and Dana almost gasped from the sting of them. Well no more. No more wanting what she couldn't have. Trying to force Heath to want her has only caused more misery. Taking a deep breath she turned resolutely towards the cell door "let's get out of here."

***

Once Kyle had left with Kimberly. Don threw a few items into an overnight bag and locked the door. 

Turning he was startled to find Quentin standing behind him. His silent stare was unnerving "Quentin what are you doing here?"

"Coming with you," he stated bluntly.

"I'm going to visit my brother," Don protested.

Rolling his eyes Quentin laughed harshly "you and I both know that's a lie."

Lifting his chin up "what makes you say that?"

"I can smell it," Quentin told him "I'm a werewolf remember?"

"How could I forget? We were roomies for two years. Speaking of which why aren't you at school?" Don asked.

Shrugging "it doesn't seem to be that important when so much is going on here. Let me help you," he pleaded.

Hesitantly Don finally nodded "alright I could use the help."

"So where are we going?" Quentin asked when they had been on the road for a couple of hours.

"Midnight Hollow."

"Stop the car," Quentin demanded.

"What? Why?" Don asked looking over at him ready to fight if he had to.

"Do as I say," he demanded through clenched teeth.

Pulling to the side of the road Don stared at his companion "ok we've stopped. Now what?"

"We can't just drive into Midnight Hollow," Quentin side "we need a plan and I need to know what you know."

Breathing through his nose Don tried to repress his anger. He disliked being told what to do. He was an adult fully capable of making rational decisions. "Kimberly has an ability to sense people and she sensed Heath...."

"You've got to be kidding me," Quentin spluttered "you're going to Midnight Hollow because your little girl has a feeling." He couldn't believe that Don was that gullible he would let a four year old dictate his actions.

"You don't believe me," Don said trying to disguise the hurt he felt "you of all people should know that people can have special abilities." Quentin nodded. He was well aware of supernatural abilities but still..."I couldn't just ignore her. She was too specific. Kimberly can connect, sense people she's related to. The women she described bear an uncanny resemblance to Wendy and Dana. If they have Heath it's not going to be good. He needs help."

"But he's dead..."

"What if they were wrong? What if it was a spell or something?" Don asked. 

Nodding "you're right we have to check it out."