• Author: Willow75 (willowrose_98@yahoo.com)
• Title: Fault Lines
• Part/Chapter:
• Standard Disclaimer: The television show F/X and its characters (Rollie Tyler, Angie Ramirez, Mira Sanchez, et all) are not mine and never were. I’m just borrowing them for fun, no profit whatsoever. Of course, if they were mine, the show would still be on…=) However, any other characters included in this story (Cat, AJ, Philips, etc.) are the creation of the author. Please ask permission if you wish to use/abuse/or borrow them.
• Rated: R, I guess. For violence and some language. This story takes place about six months after Red Storm.
• Permission to Archive: 256 Brewery Lane only, please. All others ask first. And keep my name attached.
• Author’s note: This is my very first attempt at finishing a fan fiction. I hope you enjoy it. I like to include my own characters in stories that I write, so if you don’t like who I’ve added, oh well. I’m thinking about making this a series of interconnected stories, but I don’t know. If you don’t like the story, maybe I won’t continue with it. But then again, maybe I will just to be annoying. <eg> This story ended up a lot longer than I intended. I apologize for the long read. And thanks to my sister for doing my Beta read and her support!!!
• Feedback: Please, Please, Please, let me know what you think. Questions, comments, suggestions are welcome but I won’t respond to flames. My ego is small enough as it is. I don’t handle rejection well. <g>
• On With the show…

The dark limousine pulled into the warehouse behind the other cars. Groups of men stood anxiously outside their cars, waiting to see the man who had called this meeting. Slowly, the tinted window of the limousine rolled down and revealed a young Hispanic man, somewhere in his twenties.

"Gentlemen," he smiled brightly. "I’m glad to see you all answered my summons." The men gathered closer to the car.

"Who do you think you are to call us here like this?" One man yelled. Several of the men with him started to voice their agreement. They had been summoned under the assumption that if they didn’t, certain police agencies would be given proof of some of their recent activities. Whoever the man in the car was, he has a lot of privileged information about all of them and wasn’t afraid to use it.

"I am the man who could destroy anyone of you if it served my purpose." He still remained in the car, leaning only slightly out the window. As another rumble passed through the crowd, he absently lifted a piece of lint off of his tailored white suit. "Gentleman, I did not ask for a discussion. I am here to tell you that from now on, all of the narcotics business in this city must go through me first."

"Like HELL it does! I’ve been doing business here for years. I am not just going to start taking orders from some snot nosed little kid!" An older man exclaimed. The man in the limousine just sighed.

"Very well, Mr. Andropolous, have it your way." He reached out a hand from inside the car and aimed a pistol at Giovanni Andropolous, the man who had just spoken. "It’s too bad, a business arrangement between us would have benefited us both. Oh Well."

BANG!

Andropolous dropped to the ground, dead of a gunshot wound to the chest. The man in the car put his gun away. "Anyone else have anything to add?" Silence greeted him. "I thought not. You will be hearing from me, gentlemen." He rolled the window back up and the limousine pulled away. One man in the group turned and shook his head.

"I wonder who that was," he muttered to no one in particular. The rest of the men stepped over the body of their business associate and returned to their cars.

"We’ll find out soon enough." A man within earshot answered. They all knew it wouldn’t be long before they heard from the mystery man again.

The sound of soft laughter floated up the staircase and stirred Rollie from his slumber. He rolled over and stared at the clock. Almost 9 AM, he thought to himself, that’s late for me. Angie must have decided to let me sleep in. He thought about how sweet that was of her and listened for her voice. This time it sounded more like Angie was angry with someone. This woke Rollie further. Odd, he thought, that doesn’t sound like Mira downstairs with her. Rollie got up and headed downstairs only to be absolutely shocked by who he saw.

"Good mornin’ Rollie. Long time no see." The young woman sitting with Angie laughed.

"Catherine?" Rollie asked, not quite believing his eyes.

"The one and only." Cat looked at Rollie’s stunned face. "Gee, Rol, no one ever tell you to always expect the bad penny to turn up when least expected?"

"Cat!" Rollie ran over and gave her a giant bear hug.

"Gee Rol, if I knew I’d get a greeting like this, I’d have come home sooner."

"Humph." Angie snorted.

"When did you get here? What are you doing here? Are you in trouble?" Cat laughed again.

"Do you guys rehearse these things or what? Angie asked me the same thing. This morning. Visiting. And no." Angie got up and poured Rollie a cup of coffee.

"Actually, Rol, she showed up at my apartment this morning as I was leaving. Trust me I was just as surprised as you are. Not exactly how I had expected to start my work week." There was a moment of awkward silence between the three. Suddenly the air was thick with tension. Cat sighed. Oh, this is going to be fun, I can tell. She looked at her friends. They obviously wanted answers.

"Look, I don’t know what you guys are expecting me to say. I am not, for once, in trouble." She brushed a stray lock of red hair out of her eyes. She tried again to explain herself and again the words failed her. She contented herself, instead, to sip her coffee and stare at her worn sneakers.

Rollie watched as Cat fumbled for words. The tension in the room had risen several degrees. He watched as Cat’s green eyes clouded with uncertainty and looked away. Rollie remembered a time when those eyes shone with the fighting spirit of a tough-nosed, street smart, hard-shelled kid. A person who would never back down. Ever. Cat had a hot temper and a short fuse. She was always picking fights. But now, Rollie noticed how tired Cat looked, and how thin she’d become. He saw the pale skin and dark circles under her eyes, as if she hadn’t slept in weeks. He didn’t like how unhealthy she looked. He didn’t like the fear he saw in her eyes either. Rollie glanced at Angie who returned his look. She sees it too, he thought, She sees the look in Cat’s eyes. Something bad must’ve happened. Very bad. Rollie thought back to when he and Angie first met the young girl who became Angie’s sister.

Rollie and Manny had been working on a movie when some of their equipment started to mysteriously disappear. Angie, somewhere around 13, thought to install some video cameras to catch the thief and that was how they found the scrappy, thin and obviously mistreated Kitty. Well, her name was Catherine Grace Ashton. Manny had taken an instant liking to the sharp-tongued 12-year-old and took her in, much to Angie’s chagrin. Angie and Cat, as she insisted on being called, never got along great no matter how hard Manny had tried to bridge the space between them.

"They’re flip sides of the same coin, Rollie." Manny had told him. "Angel’s afraid of me not loving her as much anymore and Catherine is afraid I’ll never love her enough." Despite this, Manny tried as hard as he could to include them both. He and Rollie were pleasantly surprised by Cat’s natural mechanical abilities and let her help with their work same as Angie did. Manny went as far as to take her in as a foster child after he found out about her disturbing home life. He never told Rollie much about where Cat had come from or the horrible things that were done to her but Rollie knew they had been pretty bad. Cat had enough physical scars to tell him that. Manny had finally been able to adopt Cat and it became final less than two months before Manny died. Rollie always thought that was unfair. For all of them. Angie lost her father, Rollie lost his friend, and Cat found and lost the only loving family she’d ever really known. After Manny died it was nearly impossible for Rollie to keep Angie and Cat from killing each other. Finally, Angie got tired of having to bail Cat out of trouble and the two had a knock down, drag out fight. Cat got tired of everything, including Rollie’s peacekeeping attempts and one morning, she was simply gone. She had left just a short note that said "Good-bye". That was a little over five years ago. Now, here she was obviously a little worse for wear.

"So, where exactly have you been?" Rollie was shaken from his reverie by the ill hidden contempt behind Angie’s words. Cat visibly flinched at the harsh tone of her sister’s voice. Finally after a few moments, Cat looked up and gave a sheepish grin.

"Um…would you believe in jail?" And she left it like that, watching as shock and in Angie’s case, anger flashed across her friends faces.

"Excuse you, jail? Yes, I believe it. What did you do this time, Kitty?" Angie and Rollie were the only one’s who could call Cat that and not wind up with a bloody nose. Cat said it made her sound too much like a pet cat or hamster.

"Well, Angela," Cat stressed the name sarcastically, "nothing important. The whole, wrong place, wrong time thing I seem to be good at. Y’know, the usual." Rollie could see she didn’t want to talk about it. He wasn’t going to press the point but it was obvious Angie was. She was just beginning to yell at her sister when the phone rang.

"I’ll get it!" Rollie announced, grateful to get away from the two of them. He was happy to see Cat but hated the way the two of them fought. It would break Manny’s heart if he were here. Rollie thought.

"Tyler F/X, Rollie Tyler speaking." He could still hear Angie scolding Cat behind him.

"Hey, Rollie, it’s Mira."

"Hey, Mira, what’s up?"

"I’ve got a problem I could use your help with but it sounds like you might be busy. Who’s Angie yelling at in the background? A new girlfriend of yours?" She chided him. Despite himself, Rollie grinned. Mira’s sense of humor was warped at best but there was almost always a basis in truth. Mira knew the two of them pretty well.

"Nope, long story. What kind of help?"

"You’re special brand but nothing I want to say over the phone. Can I come over or is it a bad time?"

"Come over, please." Rollie mock pleaded. "Maybe you can stop Angie from killing our guest." He finished only half-jokingly.

"What? Oh, now you’ve got my curiosity piqued. I’m on my way." Mira hung up.

"Hurry." Rollie whispered into the dead phone. Maybe if he tried to sneak away…

Mira hung up the phone and frowned. Whatever was going on over at Rollie’s, Angie sure sounded angry. And if there was one thing in this world that Detective Palmira Sanchez was afraid of, it was an angry Angela Ramirez. Mira chuckled to herself at the thought and picked up the file she needed Rollie’s special brand of help with. I just hope he’s willing to help.

Rollie’s Loft

At the brewery, Rollie had left Angie and Cat bickering downstairs while he took a shower and got dressed. The voices downstairs had faded to a dull roar, both combatants having run out of ammunition. When Rollie returned downstairs he found Angie fuming, hunched over her workstation and Cat sitting at the kitchen table deep in thought. He was debating which one to approach when Mira walked in the door.

"Hey, Rollie, Angie. Do I dare say good-morning?" Mira came in, not noticing the figure sitting in the kitchen watching her closely. She walked over to Rollie and handed him the thick file she had brought with her. "So, what was all the fuss about earlier?" Rollie grinned and pointed to the kitchen. It was then that Mira noticed the young woman sitting quietly. From this distance she could see the woman’s short hair and sheepish grin. Slowly, realization dawned on the detective. "Catherine Ashton, what the hell are you doing here?"

"Mira, you know Cat?" Rollie asked, shocked. Angie walked over to where Rollie and Mira stood, suddenly very interested.

"Yeah, she ‘helped’ me with a very tough case a few years ago." Mira turned to face Rollie. "Her ‘co-operation’ almost cost me my badge." The sarcasm in Mira’s voice was thick.

"Aw, come on, Sanchez, it wasn’t that bad." Cat protested from the kitchen. She was more than a little afraid to leave the sanctuary of her post. Angie looked a little too interested in this story for Cat’s taste and Mira looked a little too angry.

"Oh, yes it was, Ashe. You nearly got us both killed."

"Mira, what is going on here?" Angie asked, getting annoyed. Mira turned to Cat and shot her a venomous look.

"Do you want to tell them or shall I?" Mira asked sarcastically. Cat shrugged.

"Can I pick neither?" At the withering looks the three shot at her Cat relented. "Go ahead, Sanchez, you’ll enjoy it more."

Mira took a deep breath. "Hmm…where to start." Sarcasm dripped from each word. "A few years ago, I was working a case in Chicago with the DEA. They had a lead that could possibly bring down one of the biggest drug courier’s in the US. Apparently, his girlfriend," Mira shot a look at Cat who was still in the kitchen trying to pretend she didn’t exist, "one Catherine Ashton, wanted to turn him in."

"I had a moment of clarity." Cat shot from behind her coffee cup. Mira sent her a look that screamed Shut up and let me finish or I’ll break both your legs. Cat quickly found the hair in her cup very interesting.

"As I was saying, Ashe here wanted to help the DEA take this guy, Arnesto DeSoto Jr., down. I was assigned as a liaison to her. I was her contact."

"So what happened. You said she almost got you killed." Angie asked.

"Well, we had a plan to bring DeSoto out and get him and his ring at the same time. It would have worked too, if Sparky over here," again she indicated Cat, "didn’t decide to improvise."

"What happened?" The suspense was killing Rollie.

"Well, the short of it is, I got shot and Sparky disappeared."

"Disappeared?" Angie raised her eyebrow. "She seems to be very good at that."

"Yes, disappeared. We found her 4 days later, more dead than alive, along the side of the highway. DeSoto had beaten her pretty bad and then pushed her out of a speeding car." In the kitchen, Cat winced inwardly at the memory. Not one of my better moves, she thought to herself. She looked up to see all eyes on her. She attempted a lopsided grin. "Glad to see you’ve recovered, Sparky." Mira said without sincerity.

"You too Sanchez," she shot back.

"So, why did you end up in jail, Cat?" Rollie asked, walking over to her in the kitchen.

"Sanchez and the DEA thought it would be a good thing for me because I knew about the courier service and a lot of AJ’s business contacts. Plus they thought I helped him get away. Unfortunately for me, the jury agreed. 2 years released after 7 months for good behavior. Parole board took pity on me. That was almost two years ago. Over and done with," she added more to herself than anyone else in the room. Cat got up and put her cup in the sink. She let out a sigh and let her shoulders sag. She was tired. More tired than anyone would ever know. She didn’t like reliving the worst, (and she knew, stupidest), decision of her life. She placed her hands on the sink behind her and just stared at her friends. And waited for the onslaught she knew was going to follow.

Now Rollie understood. The look of wounded defeat in Cat’s eyes, it came from the betrayal of someone she had loved. The betrayal and pain DeSoto had inflicted on the young woman. Rollie felt anger at DeSoto begin to build up inside of him. DeSoto had hurt Rollie’s friend and some how, some way, Rollie vowed to make him pay.

"So, did you ever catch DeSoto?" Rollie tried to deflect Angie and Mira’s attention from Cat, who looked utterly lost.

"Funny, you should ask that, Tyler." Mira picked up the file that had been laid on the table. She held it up for all to see. "That’s what I need your help with."

Rollie’s Loft

"So let me get this straight, Mira, you want us to help you arrest AJ DeSoto?" Angie asked, obviously upset. She hated it when Mira asked for Rollie’s help. She didn’t mind that Mira asked so much as the fact that Rollie could never seem to say no. But then, he hadn’t been able to say no to Leo either. It was just, one of them always got hurt helping out the police and they never seemed to get any appreciation for their help. If anything, they just got more trouble. Angie sat at her computer and glared at Cat.

"And you’re telling me, Cat, that it’s just a coincidence that you show up here in NY at the same time he does? I don’t believe it."

"I swear, Angie, it’s just a coincidence. I’ve actually been in town for some time trying to muster the courage to come and see you and Rollie. The last I heard, though, AJ had fled to the Caribbean. I didn’t know he was here. Honest." Cat was hurt. She knew that coming home was going to be hard and now AJ had gone and screwed things up for her again. She was hurt, and quickly getting mad. She came here to fix the past, not relive it. It was bad enough that Rollie and Angie were friends with Sanchez. Why can I never seem to catch a break?

Rollie watched Cat slump further down into her seat. She’s telling the truth, he thought to himself, no one can fake looking that hurt. Not even Lucinda. He smirked at the thought of his actress friend, now filming a movie in California. He cleared his throat and stood up.

"I believe her, Ange." He stared back at the incredulous look Angie shot him. "Angie, why would she come back here if she knew DeSoto was here?" Rollie glanced at Cat. "He hurt her Ange, I doubt she would want to go through that again." Cat smiled to herself. It felt good to at least have Rollie on her side. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes. It wasn’t until several minutes later when Angie yelled at her that she realized that she had dozed off.

"This isn’t the time or place to be taking a nap, Cat!" Angie hissed. Cat snapped back awake and shrugged.

"Sorry," she mumbled. She tried to swallow a sigh. Why is Angie being so mean? God, you’d think I’d killed Chiops or something. The sigh was unavoidable.

"Are we boring you, Sparky?" Mira asked. Cat shook her head and tried to look away.

"Look, if you guys want me to leave, I will. I just came here to try to fix things between us but with AJ and all, I’ll understand if you want me to make myself scarce."

Angie eyed her sister carefully. It was unlike Cat to be so passive. The Cat she knew never backed down from a fight, she was usually too stubborn. It was unlike Cat to be so thoughtful of others. It was then that Angie noticed that her sister had indeed changed. Cat had obviously grown out of her self-absorbed, selfish phase and learned from her experiences. Still, though, a part of her resented Cat for coming back. Why did Dad take her in in the first place, she wondered not for the first time. Because he had a good heart, you selfish moron, she yelled at herself. I just always hated sharing him and Rollie with her. Wasn’t her fault her family was the pits, I suppose.

While Angie was having her conversation with herself, Cat had managed to fall asleep again. Mira and Rollie had walked away to discuss the DeSoto case in further detail, including the dead body belonging to one of the Mob’s main men found floating in the river and the reports that a new drug lord, possibly DeSoto had moved into town and killed then man for refusing to cooperate. That left the two young women in the living room to their own devices. Cat’s head jerked up as she realized she’d fallen asleep again. She reached up and rubbed her eyes. A bad headache was starting to form just behind her eyes. I need some aspirin, she thought dimly. She ran a hand threw her short red hair and yawned. Rollie noticed the yawn and smiled.

"Need to take a cat nap, Cat?" Cat managed a half smile and nodded.

"Apparently so." She yawned again. Mira shot her a glare and then turned away.

"Fine time to need a nap, Sparky." Before Cat could respond, Rollie took her hand.

"Come on, Cat," the tall Aussie helped her off the couch. "You can take a nap upstairs while the rest of us go over this case. There’s no need to get you involved unless it’s really necessary, right Mira?" Rollie really didn’t mean the last part as a question. It was more of a statement of fact for Mira’s benefit, just to make sure she knew that he wasn’t going to put Cat through anything unnecessary unless it was a last resort. Mira frowned for a minute but then nodded.

"All right Rollie, but if we need her…" Rollie cut her off.

"If we need her, we’ll ask. Now, up to bed with you, girl." Rollie led Cat upstairs, leaving her two worst enemies together to complain about her out of earshot.

"I swear, Mira, this is the last thing I needed right now." Angie plopped down on the now vacant couch. Mira eyed her young friend.

"I didn’t even know you had a sister, although I can understand why you don’t talk about her. Family black sheep?"

"She’s adopted, Mira. Dad took her in when I was 13. He always did have a soft spot for strays."

"Yeah, so does the Humane Society. At least they put them to sleep," Mira mumbled to herself. Angie arched an eyebrow and just stared. "I’m sorry, Angie but that girl caused me a lot of trouble. I nearly lost my life and my badge because I trusted her. That’s not something you forget very easily."

"I know, Mira, but you can’t just blame her outright. From what Dad told me, she doesn’t come from a good place." Angie could hardly believe her own words. She was defending Cat! What is wrong with me? She wondered. Usually Angie was the first one to blame Cat for something but she wasn’t too happy when someone else did it.

"Maybe, Ange, but her choices in life are hers. I’m tired of people blaming all their problems on a sad childhood. Plenty of people have tough childhood’s and they turn into perfectly good people with strong senses of right and wrong."

"She has never said she did what she did because of her childhood."

"Maybe not but she seems like the type who would. Look, Angie, maybe we’re both wrong. Maybe Sparky is a changed person but I’m not going to believe that until I see some proof" Angie nodded.

"Me neither."

Upstairs, Rollie was tucking Cat into the bed.

"Try to get some rest, Cat. It’s been a hectic morning and you look like you could use the rest." Cat nodded sleepily.

"They’re talking about me Rol," Cat joked quietly.

"Don’t worry about that right now, just go to sleep. You look real tired."

"I haven’t been sleeping much, Rol," she yawned. "Oh, sorry. I haven’t slept much and I wasn’t prepared for Sanchez. I just need to catch my breath and get my bearings is all." Her voice had faded to a soft whisper. Rollie smiled and bent down to kiss her forehead.

"It’s good to have you home. I’m glad you came here. So is Angie, she just can’t admit it."

"Um-hum," Cat drifted off. Rollie waited until her breathing was steady and he was sure she was in a deep sleep before he headed back downstairs.

"Welcome home, Catherine," he whispered.

"She asleep, Rol?" Angie asked.

"Yeah, she needed it too."

"Maybe but we’re going to need her help with this Rollie. If it is a coincidence that she showed up here the same time that DeSoto is moving in then we can use what she knows to stop him." Rollie shot Mira an angry look.

"Damn it Mira, give the girl a chance, will you? For God’s sake, you’re both being mean and petty." The force behind his words surprised both women. Rollie saw their reactions and softened. "I’m sorry but you both have been real unfair to her this morning. I know that it’s hard to forgive her for some of the things she’s done in the past but you have to be willing to give her a chance. What if she has changed and you drive her away?"

"Rol, what if she hasn’t changed and she’s just playing you?" Angie asked quietly.

"If that’s the case, then I’ll shut up and let you lead the march to drive her out of town." His words were a little harsher then he’d intended but Rollie was upset. If he was willing to give Cat a chance, why couldn’t they? "Look, your Dad, Manny, saw something in Cat worth caring for. I still do. I just want you to try and see things from her point of view. So, Mira, want to explain this case to us again?" Rollie asked deftly changing the subject. Mira caught on and picked up the file.

"What we think is that DeSoto has moved into the drug trade here. The body of the Capristi mob family’s right hand man, Giovanni Andropolous washed up on the banks of the river. There wasn’t much left but it was obvious that he died of a single gunshot wound. Rumor has it that he got in DeSoto’s way of moving in to this city so DeSoto killed him. It’s just a rumor but it is DeSoto’s style. He was trying to make an example out of Andropolous. And it worked pretty well too; most of my informants have suddenly clamed up. No one knows where DeSoto’s hiding his illegal business. He’s running an antique business downtown that we know is a front but can’t prove it. But it is known that he plans on making NY his new headquarters." Rollie and Angie listened quietly as Mira explained the story. "So, I wanted your help in tricking DeSoto into showing himself so we could catch him. I’d understand if you decided against it now the Sparky’s here." Rollie let out a low whistle as Mira finished.

"The Capristi Mob? They’re a tough bunch of characters. DeSoto made himself one heck of an enemy when he killed Andropolous."

"Sure did. Who do you think the informants who’ll still speak to me work for? Instead of backing down and joining with DeSoto, Mario Capristi, the head of the family, gave all his people strict instructions to be as helpful to the police as they could to stop DeSoto from getting a foothold. I’ll be honest and tell you that we’re actually grateful to them. Without them, we’d have no info to go on." The room was silent for a few minutes as Rollie and Angie digested the information. It was a lot to take in. Finally, Angie broke the silence.

"So, Cat was involved with this creep? You’d think she’d have better taste."

"Look, I don’t pretend to understand what kind of relationship the two of you have with Sparky but it’s going to have to wait if we’re going to try and stop DeSoto." Rollie and Angie nodded. The three spent the next hour trying to come up with a plan to trick DeSoto that didn’t involve using Cat as bait. Finally, they decided on the old ‘Rollie goes undercover as a drug dealer’ scam. As much as Angie hated the idea of putting Rollie in danger, she admitted to herself that he was getting real good at these sort of things. They had worked well in the past and he seemed to enjoy it.

"OK, there’s some stuff I need to go over with the Captain before we do this. You want to come with me down to the station to present this idea to him?"

"Oh, he’ll love the thought of us helping." Rollie quipped. Captain Van Duran made his dislike of using civilians to solve police cases well known. He really had a thing against Rollie.

"Yeah, and he’s also going to love the fact that DeSoto’s ex-girlfriend is in town, and related to you two." Mira shot back.

"I’ll go with you, Mira," Rollie offered. Angie opened her mouth to protest but Rollie cut her off. "Angie, you stay here with Cat." He looked her straight in the eyes. "Angela, please, when she wakes up, try and make an effort to talk to her. This thing between you two is childish and has gone on too long." Angie rolled her eyes. "Angie, Angela, if you can’t do this for me, or for yourself, do it for Manny. He loved you both and would want you to try and patch things up. It’s obviously that’s why Cat came here. Can’t you at least hear her out?" He pleaded with her using the most sad and yet sincere look he could muster. Finally, Angie relented.

"Fine!" she threw her hands up. "I’ll give it a try. But don’t expect miracles, all right?" Rollie smiled.

"All right, Ange. Just try, that’s all I ask." He gave her a hug. Mira headed for the door. "Wait, Mira! I left my wallet upstairs. I’ll join you outside in a sec," he called as he bounded up the stairs, hoping not to wake Cat.

"I’ll walk you out, Mira." Angie joined Mira at the door.

"You really going to try and fix things with Sparky?" Mira asked. Angie nodded slowly.

"Mira, as much as I hate to admit it, Rollie’s right. Dad would want us to try to get along, get to know one another. It’s the least I can do. Besides, if something goes wrong with this whole DeSoto thing I might miss my one chance to bury the past."

"All right, Ange, but be careful. She’s a handful." Angie smiled.

"I know."

Rollie had grabbed his wallet and was heading downstairs when he heard a soft cry come from the bedroom. He walked over and looked at Cat’s sleeping form. She was tossing and turning and appeared to be having a really bad dream. Rollie watched for a few moments before deciding it was better to wake her. She was obviously not having a good nap.

"Cat," he whispered as he gently shook her. "Catherine, time to wake up."

"Get Away!" she yelled before bolting straight up. It was a few seconds before she woke up enough to remember where she was. "Oh, Rollie, hi." She said sheepishly. "It’s only me, Cat. You were having one heck of dream."

"Yeah, more like a nightmare. It’s not important though. What’s going on?"

"Mira and I are going to the Precinct to work on the case. I’m leaving you and Angie here to talk. You two have a lot you need to talk about, Cat. And it needs to be done. Just give it a chance, OK? For me?" Cat smiled and yawned.

"For you Rollie, anything."

"Thanks, kiddo. I gotta go, Angie’ll be waiting downstairs whenever you’re ready." He got up and headed downstairs.

"Hey Rollie?" He stopped and turned around.

"Yeah, Kitty?"

"Thanks." Rollie nodded. He understood. He started back down the stairs. "And Rollie? Don’t call me Kitty." She joked. This time Rollie laughed. It was good to have her home. He just hoped that in time, Angie would agree.

Arnesto DeSoto Jr. was very pleased with himself. He felt very confident that everything was going perfectly. He had been in NY less than a month and already the other crime lords were beginning to fall into line behind him. This is almost too easy, he thought arrogantly. I was hoping for more of a challenge. Maybe a higher body count too. Oh well, at least I got to kill Mario’s right hand man. Now that was satisfying. He returned to the paperwork in front of him as his phone rang. He waited for one of his workers to answer it. Soon, a young man poked his head in the door.

"Mr. DeSoto?" AJ looked up. He smiled at the anxious young man in front of him.

"Yes? What can I do for you…" AJ was notoriously bad at remembering people’s names.

"Hector."

"Ah, yes, what can I do for you Hector?"

"Sir, the person on the phone wishes to speak with you. I tried to take a message for you, so not to bother you but they insisted on speaking only to you." Hector hung his head. "I am sorry, Sir." AJ waved his hand in the air.

"There is nothing to apologize for, er…Hector. Some people simply won’t listen. Thank you, you may go." Hector turned quickly on his heel and left. AJ picked up the phone. "Hello?" He said in his most pleasant voice.

"Are you AJ DeSoto?" The person on the other end asked.

"Yes, can I help you with a fine antique?" Still, AJ continued to be polite.

"Cut the act, DeSoto, I know what you really do." AJ raised and eyebrow and frowned.

"And what would that be?" AJ questioned.

"Oh, just that you’re really a drug dealer with an inflated sense of ego and you killed one of the Mobs’ best men." The voice on the line sounded pleased. AJ was not.

"OK, so if that were true, tell me, how do you know that?"

"You’re not the only one with connections everywhere, DeSoto." AJ shrugged.

"I suppose you are correct. Now, since you called me you must want something."

"In a manner of speaking. I wish to help you, Mr. DeSoto."

"Help me? How can you help me?" AJ sounded slightly annoyed.

"Let’s just say, Mr. DeSoto, that I have information that you don’t. Information which could be very helpful to you." AJ was now intrigued.

"Really? What kind of information?"

"The kind you can only get from one place. Reliable information. But it’s going to cost you." If the person on the other end could have seen the predatory smile that flashed across AJ’s face, they would have taken their business elsewhere.

"Indeed? Well, then, we are going to have to meet and talk this out."

"Agreed. Where would be a good place to meet for you, Mr. DeSoto."

"Please, if we are going to do business, please call me AJ. And I believe I know a good place." As AJ gave the address to his new ‘friend’ on the phone, the confident feeling he had earlier returned. Yes, things are going very well indeed. If this person has nothing of value for me, I’ll simply kill them. He hung up the phone, sat back in his chair and smiled.

Cat had been sitting upstairs for half an hour trying to collect herself and her thoughts. The dream that Rollie had interrupted was the same dream Cat had been having for awhile now. It disturbed her. It was what was keeping her from getting a good night sleep. In the dream, she could see and hear AJ telling her all the horrible things he was going to do to her and how he was going to make her suffer by hurting the ones she loved. Although she had never told AJ about Rollie and Angie, they were with him in the dream. They were tied to wooden posts wearing blindfolds. AJ walked over and started to hit them. First Rollie and then Angie. In her dream, Cat could hear Angie’s cries to stop and Rollie trying to protect them both. Then, AJ walked back over to Cat and took out a gun.

"Chose, one Catherine. Who will live and who will die? It’s all up to you, Beloved." In her dream, she cried. Choose between Rollie and Angie? She couldn’t.

"Please, AJ," she begged. "Don’t hurt them. Just kill me and be done with it."

AJ turned and laughed at her.

"Can’t chose? I’ll make it easy for you, they both die!" And with that, he shot them. In the dream, she walked over and took off their blindfolds. They stared back at her with dead eyes and Cat could hear their voices wailing.

"Why didn’t you try to help us? Because of you, we’re dead." She screamed in her dream. Then AJ turned the gun on her.

"Time to join your family, my love." He pulled the trigger. That was when Rollie had woken her up. She shook herself to get rid of the last remainder of the dream and headed downstairs to pour a cup of much needed coffee. God, I could really use a drink right now. She then scolded herself for the thought. Oh yeah, that would help so much, she thought sarcastically. Her thoughts were interrupted by Angie’s voice.

"So, are you going to drink that entire pot of coffee alone, or do you want some help?" There was no anger or malice behind the words. Angie just sounded tired, resigned. Cat smiled briefly at her sister and handed Angie a cup.

Angie noticed Cat’s smiles didn’t seem reach her eyes anymore. It’s like she’s just going through the motions, Angie observed silently. Angie, in spite of herself, was worried about Cat. Her manner now was so unlike what she used to be.

"So, Angie, Rollie says we need to talk." Cat noticed her sister studying her and quickly tried to shift attention away from herself. Angie sighed and nodded. She motioned for Cat to follow her to the couch in Rollie’s living room. Rollie and Mira were at the police station going over DeSoto’s records and such so Angie knew that she and Cat had plenty of time to talk.

"Yeah, I think it’s long past due that we did." She took a minute to collect her thoughts. Cat waited patiently, not wanting to talk first. "I think if we’re really going to try and straighten things out, we need to start at the beginning. Not just what happened when you left, I mean why we never got along in the first place." Angie looked into her sister’s surprised green eyes. Ha! Gotcha for once, Cat, she laughed to herself. It wasn’t often that Angie truly caught Cat by surprise about anything. Cat nodded her agreement.

"You first, Angie." Angie sighed again.

"OK, chicken," Angie smiled, "I guess…God, how do I say this? I’ve been thinking for awhile about what my problem with you was. I think,…Well, I guess I was jealous." There, she had finally said it. She finally voiced why it was that she never liked Cat. Well, she always had liked Cat, but she had never given Cat a chance to get close.

"You? You were jealous?" Cat sounded very surprised. "Good God! Of what?"

"Ah, duh, you brainiac." Angie joked.

"ME? God, Angie, I had nothing to be jealous of! I was nothing! I had nothing. I was always jealous of you! I was jealous of the love Manny had for you that shined in his eyes. My dad never looked at me like that. And I was jealous of you and Rollie." Now it was Angie’s turn to be surprised.

"Me and Rollie? What about me and Rollie?" Cat watched a slight blush creep into Angie’s cheeks. God, she hasn’t even realized that she loves him. Or maybe she just won’t admit it to herself but I’ve seen the way she looks at Rollie. I’ve seen it since we were teens. And I saw this morning how he looks at her. They’re a pair of clueless, lovestruck fools. Cat smiled to herself.

"Hello? Cat, I asked you a question." Cat shook her head and rejoined reality.

"Yes, you and Rollie. You guys had, and still have, this wonderful, deep connection that I’ve never felt with anyone before. I was…envious of that." Now it was Cat’s turn to sigh. She knew this was going to be tough but honesty sure did take a lot out of a person. She was tired again. But then, she almost always felt tired lately.

"Oh," was Angie’s only answer.

"So, is that the only reason you were so mean to me?" Cat’s tone was mocking. She hoped Angie knew she was only kidding.

"Oh, sure. What goes around comes around, Sparky, as I remember it, I was just getting even for some pranks pulled on me." Angie laughed. "Why does Mira call you that anyway?"

"Sparky? It’s a stupid story, Ange."

"So, tell me anyway."

"OK, fine." A genuine smile lit up Cat’s face. Angie realized that her sister was in there somewhere, just really well hidden. "Well, when I decided to turn on AJ, I wanted to protect my butt too, you know? So I played the part of ditzy girlfriend. I hoped they’d figure I was too stupid to know much and I wouldn’t get into too much trouble." Angie erupted into laughter at the mere thought of Cat playing an airhead. It was the last thing anyone would ever think of Cat. Cat raised an eyebrow and tilted her head. "What’s so funny?" She asked, although she knew why her sister was laughing so hard.

"You, an airhead? You hate those ditzy girls who hang onto their boyfriends like life rafts! And you pretended to be one?? I would’ve loved to have seen it!" Another fit of giggles consumed Angie as Cat looked on.

"Oh, yeah, yuck it up, fuzzball." Cat muttered humorously. She was glad to see Angie laugh in her presence. Too often, Angie was usually angry when Cat was in the room, even as children. Finally, Angie regained her composure.

"Oh, I’m sorry." She wiped a tear from her face. "It just painted a really funny picture, Cat."

"Yeah, I know. That’s just it, though. Sanchez didn’t know me and yet she didn’t buy it either. I did my best. Ditzy, vacuous facial expression, high-pitched voice and the right outfit. I tried to trick Sanchez but she was too good. She took one good look at me and said ‘I don’t think so, Sparky. You’re not going to trick me by playing stupid. If you were stupid, you wouldn’t be here.’ The name just kind of stuck." Angie giggled again. Cat glared playfully.

"I’m sorry, I just keep seeing Mira catching you in an act and the look on your face must have been priceless!"

"Yeah, well, Sanchez is bright, I’ll give her that."

"Oh, that was fun." Angie sat up. "We really should have talked this out years ago. Maybe you wouldn’t have left and never would have met AJ."

"True, but here we are now. Better late than never."

"Cat, Dad always said you lived by that rule. Now I see that he was right." Angie was still laughing.

"You’re proud of yourself, aren’t you Ange?"

"Uh-huh. But then, I’m the older sister. I’m supposed to find enjoyment in your embarrassment. It’s my job." Angie declared.

"Uh-huh. Sure. So you mean to tell me that 11 some odd years of animosity was originally based on simple green-eyed jealousy?" Angie nodded and turned serious again.

"Yeah, well, most of it. I guess I thought that maybe I hadn’t loved Dad enough to make up for losing Mom so he needed another daughter to fill in the void, I don’t know. That was pretty much why I treated you the way that I did. I wondered why my love hadn’t been enough. Then, after Dad died, I was angry that I had had to share him with you in the first place. I was mad that I lost time with him because you were there. But, I thought that I was finally getting by that and then you left." The words hung there for a few minutes before Cat found the words to explain

"I figured…you and Rollie would be better off without me. I caused a lot of trouble, especially after Manny…" Cat’s small voice trailed off. Angie moved closer and put her hand on Cat’s shoulder.

"Better off? Are you kidding? We were worried about you! If you had a problem, Cat, you could have talked…"

"To who? To Rollie? Yes, he’d listen but he wouldn’t understand and I sure as hell couldn’t talk to you."

"OK, granted, but you shouldn’t have run off like that. For a while we thought you were dead." Cat arched an eyebrow.

"What changed your mind?"

"I hacked into some police files and found your name. You’d been arrested for larceny." Cat winced. She was hoping to leave the minor parts of the time she was gone to herself. Leave it to Angie.

"Uh, yeah. I had a real good attorney. First offense and all. Got off with community service." Cat gave Angie a lopsided smile and a shrug. Angie shook her head and let out a snicker. "I always knew what you guys were up to too, y’know."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I read the F/X trade magazines and kept track of your gigs. Saw most of your movies too."

"Cool." Angie tried to think of a gentle way of asking the next question but couldn’t. So she opted for the blunt approach. "How’d you get involved with a sleaze like DeSoto?"

Captain Van Duran’s Office

Rollie had ridden in silence all the way to the police station while Mira yelled in Spanish at some of the crazy drivers. Oddly enough, she hadn’t spoken another word about Cat or the case since they had left the loft. There was something else she wasn’t telling him. Something that was bothering her a great deal. Rollie decided to wait and let her tell him when she was ready.

They arrived at Midtown South and headed to Van Duran’s office. He sighed when he saw Tyler standing in the doorway. The Captain waved them in and hung up the phone.

"What’s the story this time, Detective?" His patience was all ready worn thin and he was not in the mood for one of Tyler’s games. "I just got off the phone from getting my butt chewed off by city hall from the last stunt Tyler helped you pull, Sanchez, this had better be good." Mira swallowed and shot a glance at Rollie who was trying not to grin. The last stunt he and Angie had pulled to help Mira out had left poor Francis Gatti bright green for two weeks. But it had also stopped a group of terrorists from taking the UN hostage.

"Well, sir, I’ve asked Rollie and Angie to help me with the DeSoto case."

"Jesus, Sanchez, can’t you ever do things through the proper channels?"

"Well, Captain, I came to you because there is a small glitch in the plan." The Captain rolled his eyes heavenward.

"What is it, Detective?"

"Well, sir, it seems the ex-girlfriend of DeSoto, the one who botched the last attempt to get him…" Mira waited for a response.

"I remember reading the report in your file when you transferred here. A Cathleen Ashley or something like that. What does she have to do with this investigation?"

"Her name is Catherine Ashton, Captain." Rollie finally spoke up. Captain Van Duran shot him withering look.

"How do you know, Tyler?" He was almost afraid of the answer.

"It seems, sir, that Ms. Ashton is Angie Ramirez’ sister."

"I wasn’t aware she had a sister. So? What does that have to do with anything?"

"She’s adopted."

"Thanks for clarifying that Tyler. I’m only going to ask this once more, Palmira. What does she have to do with this investigation?"

"She’s here, sir, in town."

"WHAT? Oh, that’s just terrific. It’s not bad enough that DeSoto is adding to the murder rate in this town but now his girlfriend has surfaced here? Terrific."

"Ex-girlfriend." Rollie stated simply.

"Tyler, I’m really getting sick of your…"

"Captain, we’d like to continue with our plan but we’d like to try and keep Ashton out of it, if at all possible." The captain just shook his head.

"Whatever, Detective. Just try to not get anybody killed, all right? Or turned bright green!"

"Yes sir."

"Dismissed." Rollie and Mira got up and walked out. Captain Van Duran watched them go. Then he noticed the crowd his yelling had attracted. Faces stared at him from the bullpen. "Don’t you people have jobs to do?" Some of the people looked away. "Well, go do them then!" He ordered. The crowd quickly dispersed. He put his head in his hands. The minor headache he had gotten from talking to city hall had grown into a full-blown migraine. He reached for the aspirin he kept in one of his drawers and took two. I need a vacation, he thought. A vacation far away from Rollie Tyler.

"How’d you get involved with DeSoto?"

Before answering that question, Cat decided that she needed some food. She hadn’t eaten yet that day and it was starting to get to her. Her stomach growled and she felt lightheaded. Angie heard the growl and laughed.

"All right, this conversation is kind of heavy and I think it’s about to get heavier so why don’t we get some grub before we continue?" Cat smiled and nodded. She was grateful for the break. "So, what do you want, Cat? Pizza, Chinese, anything you want, it’s my treat."

"You Ange? Well then, where can I get a lobster delivered?" They both laughed and finally decided on a pepperoni pizza. As they ate they talked about things that they had done while they were apart and about Manny and Rollie. The conversation was light and easy. The way it should have been, Angie concluded. She was happy, very happy that the two of them were getting along so well. She felt like her family was whole again, somehow. It would never be whole again without Manny but it felt more real now that Cat had come back. Maybe miracles do happen, she pondered.

"I’m glad you came home, Cat." She finally said between mouthfuls of pizza. Cat looked relieved and gave Angie a genuine smile.

"Yeah, Ange, me too."

Downtown: A dark alleyway behind a pool hall

AJ waited impatiently. He did not like to be kept waiting. The meeting had been set and this person was fifteen minutes late. Just as he got ready to go, a car pulled in alongside his.

The driver’s side window of the other car rolled down and a middle-aged man poked his head out.

"You DeSoto?" AJ eyed the man carefully. The car was an unmarked police car. AJ prayed that this man hadn’t been stupid enough to set him up. That would be very unhealthy of the man.

"Yes. What is this information you have that you think interests me so much?"

"Well, it must interest you or we wouldn’t be here, now would we?" AJ shot him a dirty look. The man got the hint and down to business. "My name is Sgt. Winston Philips. As you can tell, Mr. DeSoto, I’m a cop. And a damn good one. But, my glory days are past me and I have nothing to show for it except two failed marriages, three children who hate me and a shitty ass pension plan."

"And this concerns me how, Mr. Philips?"

"Well, I thought that for the right amount of money, I could help you avoid the police investigation that’s on you right now." AJ arched an eyebrow.

"Investigating me, are they? That didn’t take them long."

"No, it didn’t. And the detective they’ve got on your case has it in for you. Real bad. Seems you got away from her a couple years ago. She wants to fix that error." AJ thought back to the last cop who tried to arrest him and still lived. A woman named…Oh he was so bad at names. Sandburg? No, she was Latina…Santiago?…No, it was shorter than that. Sanchez? Yes, that was it!

"Detective Sanchez?"

"Yup. She’s after you, man."

"What does she know?"

"Uh-uh. I ain’t telling you anymore until I see some dead president’s. Sorry."

"Mr…uhm…"

"Philips."

"Thank you. Mr. Philips, I think you will find that I can be very generous. If the information is good enough, how does 1 million sound to you? Payable to an off shore account, of course." A greedy smile spread across Philips’ face.

"Make it 1.5 and you’ve got yourself a deal." AJ sighed. He hated greedy people. Especially greedy people who were stupid. But he nodded anyway.

"Deal, Mr. Philips." AJ picked up his cell phone and made the necessary arrangements while Philips listened, salivating. "Now tell me what she knows."

"She knows you’re in town and responsible for the death of Andropolous. She’s got informants from the Capristi family helping her to catch you. She knows that you’ve set up deals with most of the major crime lords in town as well. Now she’s got that Tyler freak helping her."

"Tyler freak? Who is Tyler?"

"He’s a local special effects expert who works on movies. He helps out the police from time to time. Usually catches who they’re after too. He’s got an assistant, a real sweet looking piece of meat too. Ramirez I think her name is." AJ frowned. He hated when men spoke of women as ‘pieces of meat’. He thought it was rude and base. It was obvious that this man was both and that he lacked the cultured upbringing AJ himself had had. Knowing he would not remember these names later, AJ jotted them down on a piece of paper. Despite Philips lack of refinement, the information he was provided might be very useful.

"Is that it?" AJ asked, wanting to get as far from this disgusting man as he could before he decided just to kill him and get his money back. A lecherous grin formed on the other man’s face. AJ found that it made him even uglier than he already was, which in AJ’s opinion, was a feat in itself.

"Nope. I saved the best for last." He leaned out his window and closer to AJ. "I heard it a little while before I left the precinct. Seems one of your old flames is in town and she’s related to the Ramirez chick. I think Sanchez said her name was Ashe or something like that." AJ was shocked. Catherine Ashton was one person he remembered well. He had assumed that she had died of her injuries. He didn’t know anyone who survived being thrown from a car like she had been. Or the beating she’d received. AJ hid his shock and turned back to Philips.

"That is most helpful, Mr…Philips. If you hear anything more, call me at this number. It’s my cell phone and you will get me directly." He handed the slip of paper to the bad cop. "Let’s just say, if you continue to work for me, I will make it very beneficial for you."

"You’ve got it, Mr. DeSoto." With that, AJ returned to his car and sat there as Philips pulled away. Catherine, you’re alive, he thought. It seems you have more lives than a cat. I’ll just have to fix that. He had some plans for his Beloved. She had betrayed him and lived and AJ just couldn’t let that continue. He started his car and drove off, an evil smile lighting up his face.

They had finished lunch, or what was probably going to be supper for them and were cleaning up the kitchen when Cat shivered.

"You OK, Cat?" Angie asked, concerned.

"Yeah, just felt like someone walked over my grave or something." Cat shrugged it off and they returned to the living room. Angie sat down on the couch a few feet away from Cat.

"So where were we? Oh, yeah. Cat, how did you get involved with DeSoto in the first place?" As Angie’s question hung in the air, Cat’s eyes got a far away look, like she was remembering something unpleasant. She didn’t want to revisit these memories, but looking into Angie’s waiting eyes, Cat realized she was too tired to lie and hide it anymore.

"Not going to beat around the bush are you?" Cat asked, half jokingly. Angie just shook her head. "All right. It’s pretty simple actually. A mutual friend hooked us up. At first I didn’t know what kind of stuff he was into. He was this sweet, gallant gentleman who treated me like a queen. Manners, money, and looks al in one package. He seemed so perfect. I thought he was an antique appraiser or something like that and I knew his family came from money so I never questioned anything. By the time I figured it out, I’d seen too much and AJ wasn’t going to let me go. Besides, I thought I was in love." She looked at Angie, pleading for her to understand. "You have to believe me, Angie, if I had known he was into the drug trade I never would have hooked up with him. I never helped him get or sell the drugs and I sure as hell never took any of them." Angie smiled and nodded.

"I didn’t think you had. You’re way smarter than that. At least I’d hoped you were. But what happened with the plan you and Mira had?"

"It was so simple. All I had to do was take some pictures of what was going on and get one of AJ’s business deals on tape. Me, being me, I wanted more. I tried to set up video surveillance but got caught trying to retrieve the tape. Mira heard the whole thing over my wire and she and the cops tried to come in to get me and all hell broke loose." Cat paused and took a deep, but shaky breath. Angie noticed Cat’s hands were trembling and placed hers over them. Cat gave her a weak smile and reached up to wipe away the tear that had fallen. "God, Ange, I really screwed things up. AJ’s guys started shooting and it was just nuts. I saw Sanchez take one in the leg. I tried to get over to her but AJ hit me over the head. I found out later that three cops had died that day. I still feel incredibly guilty that they died trying to save my sorry ass."

"Cat, it wasn’t your fault."

"Keep telling yourself that, Angie. Anyway the next thing I know, we’re in our apartment and he’s packing his stuff up. He told me that he was going to make me suffer. He wanted me to beg for my life. I refused." Cat looked up into Angie’s blue eyes. She then hung her head down and finished her story. "He and his ‘friends’ beat me pretty badly and they had their…‘fun’." The last word was barely above a whisper. Angie’s heart dropped as its true meaning set in. She tried to swallow the lump that had formed in her throat. "Finally, I guess they got bored. They were driving out to the airport and just threw me out the door." Cat smirked. "I fell into a soft shoulder beside the road. It was the only thing that kept me from getting killed. Talk about major road rash, though," she joked weakly. Angie reached out and hugged her sister. Cat was surprised and at first flinched because she thought Angie was going to hit her. The flinch did not go unnoticed by Angie.

"I’m so sorry, Cat. I didn’t mean to scare you." Angie sat back down on her side of the couch. Cat tried her best to give what she hoped was a reassuring smile, but her heart just wasn’t in it.

"S’okay, Ange. I’m just a little people-shy is all."

"You know that Rollie and I would never hurt you, right?" Angie was almost afraid of what Cat’s answer would be.

"I know." Cat’s voice was small and almost inaudible. She let out a long deep sigh. Cat felt like a weight had been lifted off her chest. Tears began to fall freely down her face and she looked away, embarrassed.

"Hey," Angie hugged her again. "Don’t be ashamed to cry, Cat. Even big tough street punks like you can be hurt." She had meant it as a joke but it hadn’t come out as one. Thankfully, she felt Cat nod. Angie chewed her lip as she debated whether or not to tell her about what happened with Victor Loubar. Maybe if she told Cat, they would both feel better. Maybe they could both move on with their lives. The room was silent for a couple of minutes as Angie debated with herself. Finally, with a sigh, Angie decided Cat had the right to know. Cat had been honest with her and Angie felt she owed the same to Cat.

"Cat?" Cat looked up to meet Angie’s eyes. "There’s something that…happened. I want to…tell you about it." Cat’s eyebrows knit in confusion.

"Angie, what is it, what’s wrong?" Alarm had crept into Cat’s voice. She didn’t like seeing the tears brimming in Angie’s eyes. They had both cried as she told her story but that was over. They’d been sitting quietly now, letting everything sink in. Cat couldn’t understand what was upsetting Angie now. She was worried Angie thought less of her now and she knew that her heart wouldn’t take that.

"It’s OK, Cat. It’s just, the memories are still a little hurtful." Cat straightened up and stared at her sister.

"Tell me," she said softly. Angie nodded and started.

"About six months ago, Rollie and I had been working on a movie. It ended and we had the wrap party. Everything seemed fine. We were happy with the finished product and enjoyed the party. Afterwards…" Angie’s voice trailed off for a moment before continuing. "Afterwards, Rollie and I came back here. We…kissed. And then…" There were a few moments of awkward silence between them before Cat broke it.

"OK, I know what came next, Angie, why is this a bad thing?" Despair and fear had created a large knot in Cat’s stomach. If Angie loves Rollie and if what I think happened, happened, then why is she so upset? Unless…

"It wasn’t Rollie." Angie said simply answering the unvoiced part of Cat’s question. Cat felt the knot turn into severe nausea. She could barely find her voice.

"W…who?" It was all she could choke out.

"A guy, an enemy of Rollie’s. Victor Loubar. A master of disguise." Angie’s eyes had a distant look to them and her voice had taken on a detached tone. "Rollie and I had helped the police stop him from getting a biological weapon a few months before that and he hated Rollie for it. He kidnapped Rollie and posed in his place. Then he used me to hurt Rollie the worst way he knew how." Angie had begun to cry and now it was Cat’s turn to hug her.

"Did you get him?" Cat asked after a few minutes. Angie shook her head.

"No, we never found his body. You know what the worst part is, Cat?" Cat shrugged and shook her head. "I couldn’t tell Rollie from Loubar. I…I shot Rollie." Angie was sobbing openly now. She figured after six months and weekly therapy appointments she’d be beyond this point. I guess not.

"It’s OK, Ange, I’m sure Rollie forgives you." Inside, Cat swore if she ever found this Victor Loubar, she was going to make him pay, dearly.

"Yeah, he said he understood and we’re past all that. I guess finally getting to tell you just kind of brought it all to the surface."

"Yeah. At least I deserved what I got. Loubar used you to hurt Rollie and that’s even worse." Cat’s voice was flat, monotone. Angie’s head snapped up at her sister’s words. She couldn’t believe what Cat had just said. Deserved?

"Deserved? What do you mean you ‘deserved what you got’?" The anger behind Angie’s voice caused Cat to recoil away. She was afraid that Angie was going to slap her. Angie, noticing the scared look took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down before she started again. "Cat, how could you deserve what you got?" This time her tone was soft, almost pleading. The color had drained from Cat’s face and she stood up to pace.

"Angie, I knew what I was getting involved with and what would happen if AJ found out I went to the police. I should have just stuck with the plan and everything would have been all right. AJ’s goons, they knew what kind of person I am. They just used it to their advantage."

"What kind of person do you think you are to have deserved what happened to you?" Angie was confused. The thought of anyone thinking they deserved to be attacked, to be raped was beyond her grasp.

"Geez, Angie, you used to call me ‘Queen of the Trailer Trash’ all the time," Cat said, trying to joke. "I’m nothing but trash, Angie. I bring trouble on myself and those around me; I cause trouble; I hurt the people I care about. Trash, Angie. Pure, unwanted trash." Angie was taken aback by her sisters’ low opinion of herself.

"If you were trash, Catherine, than Dad never would have cared about you." Cat spun around and looked at Angie. Angie saw the tears streaming down. "Dad was a pretty good judge of character. He liked you, grew to love you. There must have been something good there for him to see." Angie walked closer. "Even if you don’t. I see it. So does Rollie." Angie heard Rollie’s words from earlier ring through her head. She sat herself and Cat back down. "Cat, no one, no matter who they are, deserves to have what happened to you, to the both of us, happen. Not even you." Cat nodded and they both settled into a comfortable silence. It was probably the most peaceful moment either of them had had around the other. There was no animosity, no jealousy, just understanding and acceptance. After a while, Angie turned on the TV and they watched an episode of The Crow: Stairway to Heaven.

"Boy, Albrict’s partner sure had some nerve turning on him like that." Cat observed.

"She had no choice in the matter though. IAB made her." Angie argued.

"Yeah, I guess. Y’know, Ange, that actress sort of looked like you."

"Really? I didn’t notice that much of a resemblance. She looked a little taller and my hair is lighter." Angie responded.

"Oh. Maybe it’s just me then." They soon started talking about all sorts of things like their childhood and fights they had. But now, those little squabbles seemed so petty and childish.

Mira was going over their plan when her phone rang.

"Detective Sanchez." She said into the phone.

"Buenos Noches, Senora Sanchez. Did you miss me?" The voice on the phone laughed. Mira felt her face turn red with anger. Rollie noticed it as well and became alarmed.

"DeSoto, how did you…"

"I have my ways, Detective. I know you’re coming after me. And I know that you’ve enlisted the help of a certain F/X wizard."

"How do you…" she growled into the phone.

"Tsk, tsk, Palmira, you should know better than to think I’d tell you my sources."

"I’m going to nail your sorry butt to the wall, DeSoto! You’re going to be sorry you ever came to NY, or that you were ever born!"

"Really Detective? You tried once and got a slug in the leg. By the way, how is the knee?"

"Fine you son of a bit…"

"Language, Detective. It’s unbecoming for a woman to use such course language."

"When I get my hands on you DeSoto…"

"I await that moment, Detective. In the meantime, say ‘hello’ to your friends for me, a Mr. Tyler and a Ms. Ramirez, I believe. I know all about your plan to use Tyler as a decoy."

"I don’t know what you’re talking about," Mira lied.

"Come now, Detective, we both know you’re lying. Well, I have to go but be sure to say a special ‘hello’ to Catherine for me." Mira was shocked into silence. "Detective? Be sure and tell her I look forward to finishing what we started. I do hate to leave a job unfinished. Good-bye." AJ hung up. Mira hung up her phone in mute silence. All their plans to catch DeSoto would have to be redone. The whole thing had just fallen apart in a matter of minutes.

"Mira, was that DeSoto? What did he have to say?" Rollie was getting worried. He had watched Mira’s face go from normal to red and finally to alarmingly pale as she hung up the phone. "Mira?"

"He knows, Rollie. He knows all about you and Angie and our plans."

"So we’ll move Angie somewhere safe and change our plans then."

"No Rollie, it gets worse. Rollie, he knows about Cat. He knows she’s here. Someone told him." Rollie’s jaw fell open at the implication that brought.

"Mira, are you telling me that DeSoto knows that Cat’s here in NY?" Rollie was upset. He was even more worried. They had been trying so hard to keep Cat’s name out of this and somehow that sleaze had found out she was here. A million horrible possibilities filled Rollie’s mind. What if he goes after her? What if he tries to finish what he started and kill her for sure? What if he tried to hurt Angie to get at Cat? The thought of Victor Loubar doing that exact thing to get at Rollie himself sent a new wave of barely controlled panic through his body. No, never again. No one is ever going to hurt Angie again. Or Cat. Not if I can help it.

"What I’m saying Rollie, is that we apparently have a mole here in police headquarters. DeSoto knows way too much to just have a simple informant. To know about Cat, he’d have to have a cop on his side. The only person we told is the Captain. It’s like DeSoto knows what we’re going to do before we do it." Mira’s eyes narrowed. "Hell, it might not be a cop it could be Cat herself making it look like a cop to keep us off her trail. Either that or AJ has developed some sort of psychic ESP because someone is telling him our plans."

"You think Cat is behind it?" He barely managed to keep from screaming at her. Mira sighed and looked away.

"I didn’t exactly say that, Rollie." She turned around to face him again. "But don’t you find it a little suspicious that she turns up here now, the same time DeSoto does? Doesn’t that set off any alarms for you?"

"No." Rollie glared at his friend. While he could understand her point, he didn’t understand why she couldn’t just give Cat a chance. Mira seemed to be holding an unnaturally strong grudge against Cat. "Look, Mira, maybe you’re letting your anger at Cat color your judgment here." Mira rolled her eyes. "OK, and maybe I’m letting my loyalty to her color mine but don’t you think we should meet somewhere in the middle on this? What if the leak isn’t Cat? What if it’s someone here at police headquarters who’s seen us and heard us talk to the Captain? He did attract quite a crowd, you know." Rollie lowered his voice and spoke softly. "Mira, you have to at least entertain the possibility."

"You’re right Tyler, I do. But you have to entertain the possibility that it is Cat. That girl is more trouble than she is worth. Three good men died trying to clean up the mess she created. You’ll have to excuse me if I’m not her biggest fan." Rollie nodded.

"You’re right, Mira. I know Cat has made some mistakes but let’s poke around here first before we jump to any conclusions." He flashed his best smile at Mira, hoping to make the last of the tension in the room fade. Mira gave him a tired smile in return.

"Don’t flash me that pretty boy smile, Tyler, it doesn’t work on me, remember? OK, I hate the idea that one of my own could be in league with DeSoto, but let’s make sure, first." She pulled out the case file. "OK, let me get a list of everyone who might have heard us talking, either to one another or to the Captain. Then we’ll see if there’s anything interesting about those people." Rollie nodded. They set about their work and within a few hours had dwindled the list down to about a dozen people. The people on the list either had a reason to help a drug lord like DeSoto, whether it was financial trouble or something or they might be holding a grudge against Mira, Rollie or the precinct itself. Sometime after 1 AM, Mira decided to call it a night.

"Rollie, we’d better stop now. We’ll start again in the morning. We’re so tired now that we might miss something."

"OK, Mira." Rollie yawned.

"Need a lift home, Rollie?" Mira asked as she pulled on her coat.

"Nah, I’ll take a cab. I need time to think."

"Rollie, you called home to check on them, they were fine. We’re going to work this out and keep everyone safe."

"I know Mira. I know. See you in the morning."

"Night."

Rollie took a cab back to the loft, the whole time trying to think of a way to keep Angie and Cat safe and catch DeSoto. He came up empty though. There were a few lights on in the loft. Rollie knew neither of the girls had left. Rollie found them asleep at opposite ends of the couch when he got inside. They look like a pair of bookends like that, he laughed to himself. Well, since they’re both still breathing and the place is still standing, I guess they finally straightened things out. I just wish Manny were still alive to see it. Rollie let the thought fall away as he locked the door and placed blankets over the both of them. He hated to wake them to tell them such bad news so he decided it could wait until morning. He walked as quietly as he could up the stairs.

"Good night Rollie," Cat giggled.

"Good night Rollie," Angie joined her sister in a fit of giggles. Neither one had moved from under the covers.

"Good night Frick and Frack." Rollie smiled. That was more like it. He headed up to bed. Maybe when this whole mess was over, they could start to be a family. Rollie went to bed in his clothes, too tired and stressed to care. Downstairs, Cat shifted to a more comfortable position.

"Hey Ange?" she called quietly.

"Yeah?" Angie yawned.

"I thought we were Pixie and Dixie." Cat’s answer was a pillow smacking her in the head.

"Go to sleep, smart-ass."

"OK." Cat settled further down into the couch and pulled the blanket Rollie had thrown over her up around her chin. When she finally fell asleep, there were no nightmares. She slept soundly and peacefully for the first time in a long time.

Angie woke with a start. Something had hit her in the leg. She looked around and needed a few minutes to realize where she was. I’m at Rollie’s loft. She looked over at the offending kicker. Cat. It really was real. I was afraid I dreamed the whole conversation. Cat kicked out her leg in her sleep again.

"Ow! Caaattttt, cut it out!" Angie called playfully. It hadn’t really hurt; she just wanted to wake Cat up. Cat mumbled something unintelligible and raised her head. She looked around confused.

"Huh?" She looked at Angie. "Oh, sorry, Ange. Did I kick you?"

"Yeah, blanket hog, twice." Angie pulled the covers over to her side, leaving Cat with none.

"Hey! It’s cold in here! Gimme that back!" Cat lunged for the blankets laughing. Unfortunately for both of them, they were still slightly sleepy and as they fought for the blankets, they both fell off the couch to the floor. "Whoa!"

"Ouch. OK, now that hurt." Angie rubbed her hip where she landed. Cat started laughing harder at the look on Angie’s face. "Oh, you think this is funny, do you?" Angie swung the couch pillow into Cat’s face. A fight ensued. Soon the maniacal giggles woke Rollie. It took a moment for him to remember who was laughing. He glanced at the clock, which read nearly 10AM. I’ve got to figure out how to set that damn thing, he told himself before he got up out of bed, still in his clothes from the day before and went downstairs. He saw the two girls sitting on the floor in front of the couch surrounded by a swirl of feathers. They both stopped when they saw him come down the stairs. Rollie tried to give them the best ‘stern, disappointed father’ look he could. The face sent them into a new fit of giggles.

"Now, remind me of something, would you?" Rollie laughed. "How old are you two?" The girls seemed to ponder this thought for a few moments.

"Old enough to take on you," Angie threatened with a wide smile. Cat nodded her agreement.

"Oh, really?" Rollie raised an eyebrow. "Prove it then!" Both girls launched themselves at the tall Aussie. After a few minutes of struggling against them, Rollie finally gave up. The three friends laughed until they were out of breath.

"So, who wants brunch?" Rollie got up and headed to the kitchen.

"I do!" Angie and Cat called out in unison.

"Me too." Mira appeared in the doorway. "If it’s all the same to you three, I’d rather go out to eat. We’ve got a big day ahead of us." Mira looked at the surprised looks on their faces. She managed a weak smile. "My treat. Even you, Sparky." Cat smiled. "But first, I think the three of you need to take showers and change your clothes. Did you all sleep in your clothes?" They nodded. To Mira, they looked like three repentant children. She smiled. "Well, get cleaned up and then we’ll head out."

They ate lunch in a reserved silence. Mira spent the meal watching Cat across the table and trying to figure out if Cat was the mole. For her part, Cat just weathered Mira’s scrutiny and tried to enjoy breakfast. She knew that there was something else going on that was bothering Mira. She had the feeling that Rollie knew what was going on too because he watched the door like a hawk as if he were waiting for something to happen. Finally, Cat couldn’t stand it any longer.

"All right. Something is wrong, here. Rollie, Mira, what did you two find out last night?" Mira and Rollie exchanged worried glances. Angie picked up on the look and joined in.

"Yeah, you two, spit it out." Mira quickly revealed what she and Rollie had figured out last night and the phone call from DeSoto. She watched as the color drained from Cat’s face. For a moment, Mira thought the young woman was going to lose her lunch all together.

"He knows I’m here? Oh, God, I gotta get out of town. He’ll come after me for sure." Cat’s voice betrayed the panic she was fighting to control.

"Sparky, are you sure he’ll come after you? Maybe he’ll just figure you’re not important." Mira, surprising everyone at the table, attempted to calm the quickly panicking girl. She knew, though, that her argument held no water. AJ would go after Cat as soon as he saw an opportunity. Cat shook her head.

"He said it himself, Sanchez. He said he ‘looks forward to finishing what we started’. Sanchez, he started to kill me. Very nearly did! You were there, you saw what he did to me." Tears were flowing freely down Cat’s face. She reached up and quickly wiped them away. Her eyes were wide with fear. Angie reached over and tried comforting her. Rollie listened to the exchange in mute silence, alternating from fear for Cat and Angie’s safety to pure rage at the fear DeSoto had obviously instilled in Cat.

"Look, Sparky, we’re not going to let him near you. We’ll put you in protective custody and…"

"Protective custody? That’s a joke! You’ve just said that you have a mole in this investigation feeding info to AJ and while I know you think it’s me, it’s not! One of your ‘cops’ is the mole, Mira! How would you know whether or not you assigned the creep to my protection team?" For all of Cat’s fear, she had a point and Mira knew it. The last thing that they could do was trust anyone in the department outside of the four of them. Yeah, I believe her now, Mira decided. Sparky isn’t the mole. Her fear is genuine.

Rollie recognized the look on Mira’s face and breathed an internal sigh of relief. Keeping Angie and Cat safe would be a lot easier now that Mira believed that Cat was an innocent in this scenario.

"Look, I’m going to make this easy for us. I’ll go to my motel room, get my stuff and leave until you get this straightened out. I hate to sound like a coward but AJ nearly killed me once but I got lucky. I lived. I really don’t think my luck is going to hold out much longer." Cat pleaded her case.

"I hate to say it but it is the smartest idea I’ve heard all day." Angie admitted. She was worried about Cat’s safety. "This whole thing has grown a whole lot bigger than a simple plan to stop DeSoto. Now we have to factor in Cat being in town and AJ’s need for revenge on her. It’s simply easier to put Cat somewhere safe than have to worry about her getting caught in some sort of crossfire."

"Yes, Angie, but now we need to worry about you and Rollie getting caught in that same crossfire. Look, Rol, I’ve decided that all of you need to leave town for the town being. We’ll just have to bring DeSoto down without using any of your F/X tricks." Mira declared. Rollie stared at her in disbelief.

"And how do you plan on doing that? The police lost him once, why wouldn’t that happen again?"

"Because, Rollie," Cat started. "This time, they won’t have me to screw things up."

"Hate to say it, Sparky…"

"I know Sanchez, no offense taken. <sigh>Why don’t we get out of here and make some arrangements?"

"I’m not letting DeSoto scare me out of my home, Cat." Angie said quietly.

"Are you nuts, Angie?"

"No, Cat, I’m not but I didn’t let Loubar scare me from ever going back to Rollie’s either. I just won’t"

"Me neither. Call me stupid but I agree with Angie." Rollie broke in.

"OK, you’re stupid. You both are." Cat said flatly, without humor. Rollie shot Cat a small glare.

"Although, Ange, I think you’d be safer at my loft."

"Rollie…" Angie started to protest.

"Angie, he’s right. If you two are going to be foolish and not go into hiding, at least stick together." Mira interrupted. "As for you, Sparky, we’ll move you to a different motel and put some undercover guards there for you. Cops that we know for sure are not on AJ’s payroll." Cat wrinkled her nose but nodded her agreement. The four got up and began to leave. As Mira paid the check, Rollie, Angie, and Cat walked out into the sunshine and started walking to Mira’s car. The hair on the back of Rollie’s neck stood up and he knew something was wrong. Very wrong. He glanced up both sides of the street and then back at the two women who hadn’t picked up on Rollie’s distress. As Mira exited the restaurant, Rollie noticed a black Lincoln pull out down the road and start towards them.

"Get down!" He yelled as the car slowed almost to a stop and the windows rolled down. Gunfire erupted out of the car as the four dove for cover. The cars and windows of the shops around them exploded, raining glass down upon them. Mira returned fire and noticed that the men in the car were not alone. Other men had exited their cars and were approaching where they hid, guns firing. Mira sent up a silent prayer that someone had called for help and continued to return fire.

"We need to get out of here!" She yelled over the noise. The three terrified faces looked back and nodded. Mira scanned the area and saw the alleyway a few meters away. She knew that it led to the main road that ran parallel to this one. As she reloaded, she motioned for Rollie’s attention. "Rollie, when I give you the signal, get them down that alley and to the main road. I’ll cover you."

"But Mira, you…" Mira cut him off with an impatient wave of her hand.

"I’m a big girl, Rollie. I can take care of myself." She looked up to see the men getting closer and showing no signs of stopping anytime soon. She gave Rollie one more determined look and yelled. "Go!" To her relief, Rollie did as he was told. He pushed Angie and Cat in the direction of the alley and they took off. Cat stole one last look at Mira before rounding the corner. Mira met her eyes and smiled. Talk about deva vu, Mira thought sardonically. She stood up and opened fire again, hitting several of the men. A few others tried to follow Rollie and the others but had apparently forgotten about the armed cop that was with them. Mira brought them down as well. She was just about to give up any hope of living through the experience herself when sirens burst over the noise of the gunfire. Oh, thank God. Abruptly the shooting stopped and the perpetrating cars sped off. She came up from behind the now destroyed car she had used for cover and surveyed the damage.

"Well, I hope someone has insurance," she muttered to herself.

Rollie, Angie, and Cat didn’t stop running until they were out of the alley and far down the street, away from the sound of gunfire. Rollie took a quick glance at himself for injuries and turned his attention to the others.

"Everyone OK?" Angie nodded. She had a few light scratches on her arms and hands where falling glass had hit her.

"I’m OK, Rol, more scared than anything else."

"Great, Ange. Cat?" Cat looked slightly worse than Angie did. Rollie was closer to Angie when the shooting had started and had tried to shield her from the worst of the falling glass but Cat had been further down the sidewalk. Her cuts were deeper and there were more of them but none looked like they needed stitches. She was rubbing her left shoulder and wincing.

"Cat, you OK?" Angie walked closer.

"Yeah, I hit my shoulder on the car door when I ducked, I guess. Not serious, just hurts like hell." She turned to face her ‘family’. She loved these two and they had just nearly been killed because of her. Regardless of whether this was true or not, it was how Cat saw it. Anger flushed her cheeks, replacing the pale, scared look that had been there a moment before. She turned and started walking away. Her body had started to tremble but Cat wasn’t sure if it was from fear or anger.

"Cat! Cat, where are you going?" Angie ran to catch up with her. Cat continued to walk away. "Cat! What’s wrong?" Cat spun to face Angie, anger coloring her features.

"I’m getting as far away from you two as I can!" She nearly screamed. Angie backed away. "Oh, hey Ange, it’s not you. Or Rollie. I want to get away so that you two don’t get hurt because of me." Cat hugged Angie tightly. "Angie, I’d die if anything bad ever happened to you or Rollie. I can’t stay here and know that I’m putting you in danger. I’d never forgive myself if something happened."

"You’re being selfish." Angie commented.

"What do you mean?" Cat asked, surprised. Rollie decided now would be a good time to go check on Mira since the gunfire had ceased and he wanted to get out of Angie and Cat’s line of fire.

"You think that we wouldn’t be upset if something happened to you? You think this whole thing revolves around you but it doesn’t. Yes, you play a very large part in this insanity but Rollie and I are targets now too, just like you. AJ knows we’re helping the police and wants to stop us. That whole thing back there," Angie motioned the way they had come from, "They were after us as much as you. You’re selfish and self-centered if you think this is all you. I thought you had grown-up beyond being so self-centered but maybe I was wrong." Angie’s words stung Cat.

"Angie…"

"No. I’m not finished. Cat, you’ve always overlooked other people’s lives and feelings. You never think about what is going on around you. All you care about is your own private world." Both had stopped walking.

"Look, Ange, I don’t expect you to understand but, where I grew up, there was no one else to think about but myself. No one else looked after me so I had to put my survival above everything else. And yes, I know it sounds selfish but it was a fact of life for me before Manny took me in. I guess…well, I guess old habits die hard."

" Yeah, well, we’re here for you now. Maybe it’s time you realized you’re not alone anymore," Angie mumbled. They stared at one another in silence for a few minutes until Rollie and Mira appeared.

"Hey, guys, look who I found." Rollie announced. Angie, having said what she needed to, walked over to Mira.

"You OK, Mira?"

"Of course. It’ll take more than a dozen gun-totting maniacs to stop me." Mira noticed the iciness that had developed between the two sisters. "Did I miss something?"

"No, Sanchez, you didn’t." Cat offered before Angie had a chance to explain. She gave Angie a meaningful look and then smiled. "Angie just said some hard truths, but she was right, that’s all. So, any survivors?" The chill melted way almost instantly. Mira decided whatever had passed between the two was their business and Angie seemed relieved that Cat was letting it go.

"Yeah, one but he’s on his way to surgery so I doubt he’s going to be any help. Sparky, I was kind of hoping you’d take a look at some of the others and see if you know them. If your OK with that, of course."

"Well, there’s a definite ‘ew’ factor but I’ll deal. Sure, any help I can give you, Sanchez."

"Great. Rollie, Angie, you don’t have to come with us. Why don’t you two go home and get cleaned up, we’ll meet you later."

"No, Mira, I’ll stay with Cat."

"And I stay with Angie. You know, the buddy system." To emphasize his point, Rollie bear hugged Angie with one arm.

"That’s OK, guys. I’ll be fine. I’m sure Sanchez’ll take good care of me. Right, Sanchez?" Mira nodded.

"She’s right, you two. This really isn’t a group activity." Rollie and Angie reluctantly gave in and agreed to return to the loft to wait. First they filled out their statements to the police about what had happened. Angie tried one more time to get Cat to let her go to the morgue with her but Cat flatly refused. After watching Rollie and Angie drive off in a squad car, and having the paramedics on scene check Cat over, Mira drove herself and Cat to the morgue. The ride was silent, neither one wanting to speak about what had happened between them a few years ago. They were both obviously uncomfortable with each other still. After they arrived, Mira finally focused her attention on Cat.

"So, Sparky, you ready?"

"Yeah, I guess." Another officer led them to the bodies. After a little less than an hour, Cat had identified three out of seven. She only got sick once. One man was AJ’s second in command, the two others were miscellaneous workers. Cat noticed, with a good measure of satisfaction, that one of the other two had been one of her tormentors that day a few years ago. At least he got what was coming to him. Mira saw the mischievous smile and called her on it.

"Someone you knew well?" Cat’s smile grew wider and the predatory gleam in her eyes sent a small chill down Mira’s spine.

"Sort of. It seems I owe you a very big ‘thank-you’, Detective."

"And why is that?"

"This jerk," Cat pointed to the dead man on the right, "is one of the ones who made my last days with AJ so memorable." Sarcasm blanketed the last word. Mira remembered the police report and hospital papers from when they found Cat along the highway and immediately understood. A small sense of satisfaction filled Mira as well. She hated when she had to use her gun and hated it more when the person on the other end died but if what Cat was saying was true, then this guy deserved it.

"Anything else that you can remember that might help us?" Cat thought for a moment but shook her head.

"Nope. ‘Fraid not." She started to leave but bumped into one of the gurneys. Something fell off the table and clanked to the floor. "Oops, sorry," she apologized to the dead man.

"What’s this?" Mira picked up the object and turned it over in her hand. "Looks like some sort of key."

"Maybe bullet-boy over there has a secret stash somewhere." Cat suggested.

"Secret stash of what?"

"I don’t know. I’m just the person who comes up with the wise cracks, don’t expect me to explain them too." Together they examined the key. It was small and looked like one of the ones you’d find either in a subway or bus station locker.

"Number 176. Mean anything to you, Sparky?"

"Nada, chief."

"Well, I’ll have it put into evidence and we’ll check it out later."

"Oh, ‘we’ will?" Cat asked in a childish tone. She was trying to brighten things up. Mira gave Cat a tired look.

"Keep it up, Sparky, and we’ll see whether or not I put up with you much longer." Cat put her arms up in mock surrender. Mira just sighed and left the morgue. "Come on, Sparky, let’s go back to Rollie’s and check on the others."

Rollie and Angie had spent their time trying to work on a few gags for their next job. It didn’t start for another week but they usually liked to get a head start on things. Besides, Rollie thought it’d be a good way to get Angie’s mind off that morning’s events.

"Hey, Ange? Do you think we’ll have enough flash powder for the opening scene or should we order more?" He knew they had more than enough but he wanted to engage his friend in idle conversation to make sure she was all right. When she didn’t answer him, Rollie climbed out from under the rig he was working on and looked around for her. "Ange? Angie answer me."

"I’m over here, Rollie." Angie said absently. She was hunched over her computer typing furiously.

"Whatcha doing?" Rollie looked over her shoulder but couldn’t understand much of what he saw. But he did see that these were classified files. "Um, Ange, are you sure you should be doing that?" Angie turned and flashed one of her bright smiles. Rollie observed, for what seemed like the millionth time to him, that one of Angie’s smiles could lift his heart to new heights no matter how low he was feeling. He pushed away such feelings for his partner and friend and waited for her answer.

"Technically, no, I shouldn’t be doing this. I’m just trying to see exactly who we’re dealing with. Look, Rollie, AJ’s got accounts in the Caribbean, overseas, you name it and yet no one can touch him. His arrest record is phenomenal but he always manages to find away around the law. I can’t wait until he’s staring out at the world from behind bars."

"Ange, I thought you didn’t want to help…"

"That was before I had that talk with Cat. And before this morning. I’m scared Rollie, but more than that, I’m mad. Someone could’ve gotten killed. You, me, Mira, Cat. And with him out there, none of us are going to be safe." Rollie knew that there was more to it than that. He sat down next to her and waited.

"Rollie, we never did catch Loubar." She said softly. Rollie put his arm around her protectively. "Having him out there is bad enough. I don’t want to add AJ DeSoto to the group of enemies hanging over our heads." Rollie was about to say something when Mira and Cat entered the loft.

"Hey all! It’s getting late, who’s hungry?" Cat and Mira were both holding bags of food.

"Sparky insisted in getting Chinese, hope you two don’t mind." Rollie checked the clock. It was nearly 6 and they hadn’t eaten since that morning. He and Angie joined Cat and Mira in the kitchen and enjoyed the hearty meal provided for them. Mira and Cat told them about the three identified men in the morgue and the strange key. They listened and offered suggestions. Soon after they finished, Rollie started to clean up.

"Want any help, Rol?"

"No thanks, Cat. You bought dinner, the least I can do is clean my own kitchen."

"OK. So, you all set here Angie?"

"Yup, so what do you two figure that key is all about?"

"Not a clue," Cat commented. She rubbed her shoulder again.

"Hit yourself pretty hard, did you, Sparky?" Mira asked having seen Cat’s discomfort.

"Yeah, it’s OK, though. Just a little sore is all. I wonder if that key’s important to AJ or just where Franco kept his gym socks."

"I think we need to find out," Rollie said as he handed an ice pack to Cat. "Put this on your shoulder, it’ll keep any swelling down."

"Thanks Rol. I agree with him, Sanchez." Mira sighed.

"That’s nice, but I thought you three were going to try and keep a low profile."

"Us, keep a low profile?" Angie asked sarcastically. "When do we ever manage to keep a low profile?"

"Angie…" Mira started.

"Mira, you know we’re right. Besides, the four of us can keep an eye on one another. Keep one another out of trouble." Rollie offered. Mira shot him an annoyed glare.

"Oh, like this morning?"

"Mira, technically, that wasn’t any of our faults." Angie explained. Out of the corner of her eye, Angie saw Cat raise an eyebrow in confusion.

"If it wasn’t our fault, or rather, mine, whose was it?" Cat questioned.

"Cat," Angie’s tone held a slight threat behind it. Cat gave her an innocent smile.

"All right. If only to keep you from arguing. Grab your coats, we’ll go see what this key goes to." Mira relented. Rollie got up and grabbed the coats hanging nearby as Angie and Cat quietly continued bantering over whose fault it was. Mira looked at Rollie and rolled her eyes. "Are they always like this?"

"Yup," Rollie answered with a big smile. "At least now they aren’t trying to kill one another. Or throwing pieces of heavy furniture."

"Can’t have that now can we? Besides, the line forms in the back," Mira laughed. "Come on you two, let’s go."

It was about 2 hours later when they finally tried the bus stop. They had tried the subway, local gyms and the train stations to no avail. Mira thought it was a long shot that it was a bus locker. Who takes the bus anymore?

"Here’s a 176. Whose turn is it?" Cat asked.

"Mine," Angie took the key out and slipped it in the lock. It slid all the way in. "Hey, this might be it!" She turned the key and the locker opened. Inside was a black leather briefcase. Angie pulled it out and set it on a nearby bench.

"Careful, Ange," Rollie warned. Angie nodded and popped open the briefcase. Inside the case were a few papers and a computer disc. Mira took out the papers and glanced through them.

"Nothing here but dates and a bunch of names." Mira read through some of the names. "Hey, I recognize some of these names." Rollie looked over her shoulder to see the papers.

"Who, Mira?" he asked.

"Robert Martin, Senator Robert Martin for one. And there’s Abigail Friedman…"

"The philanthropist?"

"Yes, Angie, I think so. Timothy Davis, Shelton Perry, Frederick Cooper…"

"A CEO, another senator, and an author. Why would AJ have a list with them on them? What’s the connection?"

"Well, Sparky, we figure that out and I think we’ll have all the answers." The other three nodded in agreement.

"Let’s get back to the loft and see what’s on this disc," Angie suggested. They left never noticing the figure watching them. He pulled out his cell-phone and dialed.

"Hey, DeSoto? Yeah, it’s Philips. They had the key…Calm down, DeSoto. I just watched them get the briefcase out of the locker…Stop screaming at me, DeSoto…Yeah, there was a disc and papers in it…No, I couldn’t stop them without tipping them off…Don’t worry though, even if they see what’s on the disc, they’ll be dead before they can do anything about it, am I right?…Yeah, I thought so."

"Any luck Angie?" They had been trying to decipher the disc for the past few hours with no luck. Even Cat couldn’t figure out what code AJ had used.

"None," Angie sighed. She rubbed her eyes.

"Tired, Ange?"

"Yeah, Cat, getting there."

"Why don’t we call it a night and try again in the morning?" Mira suggested. The others nodded.

"I’m going to head to my motel room and try to catch some zzz’s"

"You can stay here, Cat."

"Thanks Rol, but I need some time to myself. No offense."

"None taken, Cat, I understand." Rollie answered. Cat looked over and saw the skeptical look on Angie’s face.

"I promise not to disappear again Angie. I’m not running away from this."

"All right. Just checking."

"No problem," Cat yawned. "I’m going to get going."

"You sure I can’t give you a ride Sparky?"

"I appreciate it, Sanchez, but I think I’d like to be alone."

"OK, but let me call and make sure the undercover team is ready and I’ll call for a taxi while I’m at it."

"Thanks Sanchez." A few minutes later, Mira returned.

"All set, Sparky. The team is waiting for you and your taxi is on the way. Pick you up for breakfast around 8, Sparky?"

"Sounds great. See you then. Good night, Rollie, Angie."

"Good night, Cat. Be careful."

"Always am, Rol."

"He’s being serious, Cat."

"I know, Angie. So am I. Night, sis." Angie smiled.

"Good night, Cat." Cat walked to the door and turned back.

"In case I didn’t say it, guys, I really appreciate that you three believe that I have nothing to do with what’s going on. I know it’s not easy to trust me, or even like me sometimes, but thanks for making the effort." She left before Angie, Rollie, or Mira had a chance to respond. They watched the door shut behind her.

"That was strange," Angie commented. Rollie frowned.

"How so?"

"Well, Cat being so open. It’s unlike her, really. Think about it Rollie. Something’s not right. And it’s more than just this situation."

"I think your right, Angie but there’s nothing we can do about it until she’s ready to talk. I’m going to head home too, I’ll see you two in the morning."

"Good night, Mira." Angie and Rollie watched her go.

"I think it’d be smart if we hit the hay too, Ange."

"I will soon, Rol. I just want to try to figure this disc out a little longer. You go ahead. Take the bed, the couch is fine."

"I think not, Angie," and with that, Rollie plopped down on the couch and drifted off. Angie smiled to herself and went back to her computer. Occasionally, she found herself watching her boss sleep. Eventually, her eyes began to droop and she reluctantly went upstairs. I’d rather sit and watch Rollie all night. Hey! Where’d that thought come from? Before she could answer her own question, Angie fell asleep.

Cat got out of the taxi and sighed. All she wanted to do was go to sleep and forget this entire day. Last night had been great. She’d finally had a heart to heart with Angie and they were getting along the way Manny had always hoped and intended. Like sisters were supposed to. Cat had had a brother when she was growing up but their home life wasn’t the sort that allowed for close bonds. Besides, she barely remembered much about her brother, Peter, other than that he tried to help her whenever their dad had gotten drunk and mean. He had been taken away from the family when she was nearly 10. Peter had been 13. Cat never saw him again. But she was fine with that, she had Angie and Rollie now and they were all the family she needed. And after last night, Cat thought that once they got rid of AJ, they could start to be a family. But now she worried that that had changed.

This morning she discovered that AJ knew she was in town, and he was gunning for her now. Literally. Rollie, Angie, Mira and she had barely managed to avoid the hail of gunfire that awaited them outside the restaurant where they had had lunch. Cat rubbed her shoulder absently. She had hit it hard against the car when she leapt for cover. Anger filled her replacing her fear. One of those bullets could have hit Rollie or Angie. I don’t care if I get hit, or even killed but I’ll be damned if I’m going to let anyone else get hurt because I was an idiot in my youth. She reached into her pocket to get her room key. Despite the repeated offers for her to stay with them Cat hated the idea of putting them in anymore danger then they were already in. Besides, she had a police guard and was registered under a fake name at a different motel. Cat knew that AJ, even with the mole in the investigation, would really have to work to find her. She figured he wouldn’t bother yet. He’d wait until he could make her suffer the most and he’d make sure that her death sent a very clear message to everyone. No one escapes AJ DeSoto. Not even former lovers.

Cat sighed and pulled out her key. She thought back the key and the locker. All that was in the locker was some papers full of names and a computer disc that Angie was having trouble decoding. Cat couldn’t help but think that figuring out what was going on lately hinged on finding out what was on that disc before AJ realized it was gone.

Cat opened her door and walked in. Instantly, all her internal warning systems alerted at her. Getoutgetoutgetoutgetout! It screamed at her. There was someone in her room. She hadn’t turned on the light yet but she could feel them. One was close, on her left. The other was on the other side of the room, silhouetted by the moonlight coming through the window. She gracefully ducked the blow coming from her left and countered with a sweep kick, knocking the man to the floor. She hammered him hard in the face with her fist. He was instantly unconscious. Guess those martial art classes are going to pay off after all, she thought idly. She turned her attention to the man by the window who had begun to approach.

"Come and get some, sleaze." She taunted. Even in the dark, she could tell he was smiling.

"No, I don’t think so. I don’t feel like fighting you so I’ll do this the easy way. He just said you had to be alive when I delivered you, he didn’t say you were to be unharmed." He reached into his jacket and Cat saw a glint of light hit the barrel of a silencer. Oh, crap. She knew there was nothing she could do. The unconscious man was blocking the door from opening and the only other way out of the room was through the man with the gun.

"I don’t suppose we could talk this out?" That’s it Cat. These are your last words and you’re going to die sounding like an idiot.

"No." He raised the gun.

"You tell AJ that what goes around comes around. He’ll get his." Cat set her teeth and growled her last words at the man. He just shrugged. She braced herself for the coming shot. She heard the phut of the silencer firing and felt white-hot pain shoot through her chest. She never made a sound. She refused to give the man that satisfaction. She fell to her knees, oblivion creeping into her mind. I’m sorry Angie, she cried in her mind. Then the darkness claimed her.

Angie, Mira, and Rollie got out of the F/X truck into the morning sunlight. They had told Cat that they would pick her up at 8 and they were forty-five minutes late.

"Damn traffic. Think she got any sleep?" Angie asked as they walked across the parking lot.

"Hopefully but probably not. She seemed pretty tired last night but she was upset. I just hope she’s hungry, because I’m starved." Rollie rubbed his growling stomach for effect. Angie knocked on the door.

"Cat? Hey Cat, you awake?" No answer. Angie shrugged. "Maybe she overslept." She tried to keep the fear that was rising from showing in her voice. She had a bad feeling about this. Something had felt off all morning but Angie couldn’t put her finger on what it was. "Cat?" Angie called again. "Cat, you in there?"

"I don’t like this." Mira commented as she pulled out her side arm.

"Here Ange, let me kick it in." Rollie whispered as he moved Angie out of the way. He waited until Mira nodded that she was ready before he gave the door a generous kick. WHAM! The door flew open revealing an empty room. The three entered carefully, scanning the room for any sign of Cat.

"Oh, God." Angie breathed. All the color had drained from her face. Rollie and Mira looked over to see what had upset her. That was when they saw the large bloodstain on the floor near the bathroom door. Mira bent down and gently touched it as Rollie wrapped his arms around Angie’s trembling body.

"Almost completely dry. This must have happened last night when she got back." Mira took out her cell-phone and called it in. Rollie and Angie walked back into the parking lot. Rollie was talking to Angie, trying to soothe her. She was crying heavily.

"Shhh, Angie, we’ll find her."

"Rollie! She’s hurt! She could be dead! What are we going to do? I don’t want to lose her like we lost Dad and Leo and Rick…" She buried her head in Rollie’s chest. He kissed the top of her head and let her cry onto him. He wished he could cry right now too but he had to be strong for her. Please God let Cat be alive, he begged silently If not for my sake than for Angie’s. Mira came out of the room and walked up to join the two friends.

"Forensics team is on the way." She placed a hand on Angie’s shoulder. "If there’s anything in there that can lead us to Cat, Angie, they’ll find it." She looked at Rollie. "In the meantime, I’m going to talk to the guy who runs this place. See who was working last night and if anyone saw or heard anything, although I doubt it. And I’m going to see why the team that was supposed to be watching her let this happen." She eyed the two carefully. "Why don’t you both go back to the brewery and wait there. If I hear anything or the team comes up with anything, I’ll call you." Mira looked into Rollie’s sad brown eyes. "If she’s all right and if she’s able, she’ll probably call you there. Rollie, Angie, we will find her. I promise. She’s a tough girl, remember? Just go home and wait. I’ll call." Rollie nodded and Angie sniffed. They both headed to the van. Mira watched it drive away and turned her attention back to the crime scene. I swear, when I get my hands on DeSoto, he’s going to be sorry he ever messed with my friends. As much as Mira had distrusted Cat when this thing started, she knew that there had to be something special about Cat for Rollie and Angie to care so much. They trusted her and Mira trusted them. It was all she needed. DeSoto, you’d better pray Sparky lives through this. I’d hate to see what Angie’ll do to you if Sparky dies. Despite the severity of the situation, this thought brought a smile to Mira’s face. AJ, if I don’t get you first, Angie’ll make sure you pay. So will Rollie. There’s no way out of this, this time.

It was late afternoon before Mira had anything to call and tell Rollie and Angie. She opted to go to the brewery instead of calling. She was angry and upset and wanted to see her friends. Rollie met her at the door.

"Any news?" He asked anxiously. Mira shook her head.

"Nothing good, I’m afraid. Where’s Angie?"

"I let her go to her apartment to get Chiops. She was so upset, Mira, I had to. She wanted her cat." Mira sighed.

"All right. When will she be back?"

"Soon. What’s up?"

"Rollie, no one at the motel heard anything. And what’s worse is the reason the undercover cops didn’t stop Cat from being hurt because they were dead." Rollie’s mouth fell open.

"Dead? How?"

"Shot in the head. Their relief wasn’t due in this morning until 9. That’s why no one knew."

"Unbelievable. DeSoto really wanted Cat bad."

"Yes, he did. I should have seen this coming, Rollie. I shouldn’t have let her leave here last night."

"Mira, it’s not anymore your fault than it is mine or Angie’s. We all let her leave last night."

"I know, but I’m supposed to be the cop here, Rollie. I should have been more careful. DeSoto found her and God knows what he’s going to do with her."

"Mira, don’t think that way. We have to think positive, for Angie at least. She isn’t going to take this well."

"No she’s not. Rollie, how long has she been gone?" Rollie looked at the clock.

"Too long. I’ll give her a call, see if she’s still there." He dialed the phone and waited. After a few minutes, he hung up the phone. "Answering machine."

"She’s probably on her way back, Rollie."

"Maybe but, Mira, I’ve got a bad feeling about this."

"So do I. Come on, leave her a note in case she comes back while we go to her apartment just to be sure." Rollie nodded.

"OK, let’s go." Rollie sent up a silent prayer that Angie was all right. I can’t lose them both, he thought. Especially Angie.

When she came to, Angie decided she never wanted her head to hurt this bad ever again. Feels like someone used my head for a bowling ball, she thought. She winced. Even thinking hurt. She wondered what she’d been hit with. She reached up to the source of the pain, at the back of her head right above the hairline. She was satisfied when she felt the large lump that had developed there. She looked around at the small room she was in. It was less than 8’ by 8’,dirty, and it smelled like Rollie’s gym socks. Angie wrinkled her nose at the thought. Then she noticed she wasn’t alone. There was another body lying a few feet away unmoving. It was too small to be Rollie.

"Cat?" Angie called out. Despite the bleakness of her current situation, hope that she had found her sister filled her. Cat had disappeared that morning, at least Angie hoped it was the same day. They had finally talked things out, accepted each other, and then Cat was gone. No note, nothing. Nothing but a bloodstain on the carpet of her motel room. Angie crawled over and gently touched Cat’s shoulder. Her heart sank when she saw the condition of her sister’s face. Cat’s lips were swollen, split and bloody and her face was a patchwork of cuts and other bruises. Someone had obviously beaten the younger woman pretty badly. Her nose was broken and one eye was nearly swollen shut. Angie gasped when she saw what wound had left the bloodstain on the carpet. Someone had shot Cat in the right shoulder. Whoever it was had done a cursory job in patching the wound enough to keep her from bleeding to death. Anger filled Angie now. She swore that when she got a hold of whoever did this…Angie didn’t get to finish the thought as a soft moan came from Cat.

"Cat?" Angie asked again. This time Cat turned her head to the source of the voice.

"Angie?" Cat croaked out. Her voice was weak and gravely. She tried to open her eyes to look at Angie but couldn’t. She let out a small whimper and laid her head back down.

"Shhh, Cat, don’t worry. Everything is going to be fine now." Angie hoped she sounded more encouraging than she felt. Things do not look good, even she knew that. No one knew where they were. No one knew where to even start looking. Angie sighed and directed her attention back to her sister. "Cat, can you tell me what happened?"

"Uhrf, uhm," Cat tried to sit up but Angie gently laid her back down.

"Cat, start with when you disappeared, and your shoulder." Angie looked at the shoulder again. With what light she had, Angie could see that it had been stitched up. Gee, how considerate of someone. First shoot her and then sew her up. Yup, we’re dealing with a real prize here. Again anger built up inside of her. Cat drew in a pained breath that got Angie’s attention.

"I went home, to my room…I don’t…There were two guys waiting there but I didn’t see who. I fought one but then I heard the sound of a silencer. Not so silent when you’re up that close. Then I woke up here."

"OK, good. It’s a start. Where is here Cat? Who kidnapped you? And now me." She added under her breath. She already knew the answer.

"AJ. He thought it’d be…funny to make me pay for betraying him again. He was mad at me for not dying the first time." Having something to focus her mind on besides the pain gave Cat renewed strength. That and she wasn’t about to let AJ or any of his cronies hurt her sister. Cat was more than willing to die here; she had already resigned herself to that fate. She was too tired to keep fighting. But she was not going to let AJ hurt anyone else. Especially not Angie. Cat would die before she’d let that happen. Or AJ would. Cat smiled slightly at the thought of making that SOB suffer. Her face then reminded her not to move it so much. "When I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of begging for my life, he decided to hurt me another way. Through you."

Angie saw the tears begin to flow out of her sister’s swollen eyes. She reached out and brushed Cat’s hair away from her forehead. She’s warm. Too warm. The shoulder must all ready be getting infected. This is not good.

"I’m so sorry I got you involved in this Ange. I couldn’t warn you. I…" Cat’s voice trailed off as sobs began to overtake her. Angie hugged her as tightly as she could without hurting her. Soon, Cat fell asleep again. Angie was worried. Rollie and Mira are good but can even they find the two of us here? She herself dozed on and off for the next few hours, periodically checking Cat’s vitals and praying that Rollie would find them. And soon.

Meanwhile Rollie was becoming very anxious. First Cat goes missing and now Angie. He and Mira had gone to Angie’s apartment earlier and found it trashed with no sign of Angie. They had waited for her to return to the loft but she never did. Plus, the loft had been tossed around too. Every computer disc was gone. Angie had told Rollie before she went to check on Chiops where she had hidden the disc if anything happened. He turned the disc around in his hands. Dread and despair was beginning to settle in Rollie’s stomach. I should have been watching Angie more closely. I should have known AJ would go after her if he found out that she was Cat’s sister. I should have…His private mental beating of himself was interrupted by Mira slamming down the phone.

"Damn it!" She started to swear in Spanish and Rollie’s heart sank at the realization of why she might be upset.

"No one knows where they are, do they?" Rollie was afraid of the answer. Mira stopped her swearing and looked at Rollie with sad eyes.

"No," she said softly. "The officers we had watching Angie said that they lost the car that took her somewhere in the warehouse district, but that’s it."

"Well, that gives us a place to start looking." Rollie was looking for any shred of hope that he could find. Mira shook her head solemnly.

"Maybe, but that’s only if that’s where they stopped." She sat down and faced Rollie. "Rollie, I want to find them just as much as you do but first we need to figure out who the leak here at headquarters is. If we find him or her, maybe we can get them to tell us where DeSoto’s hideout is."

"Yeah, maybe." If I don’t kill the bugger first, Rollie thought. "So, where do we start?"

"YOU. WILL. TELL. ME. WHAT. I WANT. TO. KNOW. OR. I WILL. KILL. YOU. BOTH!" AJ punctuated every word that he screamed at Cat with a vicious slap across her face. AJ had been trying to beat the location of the disc out of her for the past two hours. Even if she knew where it was, she doubted that she had enough brains cells to remember.

"Get…bent, AJ." Cat spat out at him. AJ raised his head and laughed.

"Tell me Catherine, or I will make you suffer like never before."

"Whatever." AJ restarted his beating. Her head continued to bob up and down as

consciousness threatened to slip away. Out of the corner of her good eye she could see Angie struggling against her bonds to try and help. Please God let her be smart enough to keep her mouth shut, Cat silently prayed. If I can keep AJ’s attention away from Angie…

"Leave her alone you creep!" Oh, not listening today, huh God?

"Oh, hello Miss Ramirez." AJ’s light tone belied the evil glint in his chocolate brown eyes. He turned his attention to Angie. "Maybe the little chica here will be more cooperative, eh?" His accent was pleasant but Angie could hear the malevolence behind the words. "I bet you know what happened to my disc. It wasn’t in Tyler’s loft. Where is it, Ms. Ramirez?"

"Drop dead you spineless coward!" This got Angie a harsh slap across the face. The sharp sound brought Cat back around to awareness.

"Leave her alone, AJ." Cat’s voice was soft and tired, but it held the threat of violence behind it. AJ walked a few steps away, laughing at her bravado. Out of the corner of her eyes she saw a pretty Latino woman standing nearby looking very frightened. AJ’s latest conquest no doubt. Then an idea sprang into Cat’s addled mind.

"You see this? Do you see what he’s doing?" She directed the question at the woman who nodded weakly. "Memorize the way I look, honey, because this is the way AJ treats the one’s he says loves. You’ll end up like this before too long, trust me." AJ walked back up and lifted his hand to strike Cat again but instead hit Angie. Hard.

"AJ, I said ‘leave her alone’." This time the threat behind the words was clear. A cruel smile lit up on AJ’s face. It sent a chill down Angie’s spine. She wondered, not for the first time, what Cat had ever seen in him in the first place, sure he was cute but his eyes were dead. Just cold, empty and dead.

"Or what, Catherine? You will kill me? HA! You tried that once, remember? And you were supposed to die for it! No one betrays me and lives, Catherine. No one. Not even my beloved." He gripped her chin in his hand and forced her to look him in the eyes. "Look at you, Catherine, bruised and hurt. More than that, you’re broken. I can see it in your eyes. I crushed your spirit. I’m sure even your ‘sister’ can see that." He inched his face closer to Cat’s, his lips mere millimeters away from hers. "And now, I will crush your body to match," he whispered. Before he could turn away, Cat spat in his face. AJ pulled away in disgust. He pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the spit and blood off his face. He saw the smile that tugged at the corners of Cat’s mouth. Rage filled him. She dared to laugh at him? She dared to make a fool of him in front of his men? No, he had let her get away with that once, never again. He walked over and began to beat her again, this time with closed fists. He ignored the frantic and angry screams to stop that came from Angie. He would deal with Angie soon enough but first…First he had to deal with this woman who had cost him so much. She was not going to escape his wrath a second time.

Finally, Rollie and Mira had dwindled the list of possible moles down to only three. Harriet Johnson, a widowed dispatcher with four kids who was laid off during the last budget overhaul. Her last day had been two days ago and she was present when Mira and Rollie had had the argument with the captain. Next was Winston Philips, an aging Sgt. without much of a pension coming to him or any real life outside of his work. He had been working that day and had the office two doors down from Mira. Finally there was Gabriel Marks a rookie cop who lost his job after Mira caught him padding his time card. He had stopped in to get his last paycheck that night. They tried Harriet Johnson first. They got Vanduran to allow them to go through her work record and her finances. She was on state assistance and definitely not living outside her means. And, from what Mira remembered of the woman, Harriet was just not the type. They looked into Marks next. He was the son of a rich CEO and not hurting for money. He had also apologized for padding his time sheet and admitted that it was his own fault, not Mira’s. He held no real grudge against her. That left Philips. A quick look at his finances and it was obvious he was in trouble. Apparently, according to his former partner, Philips had a raging gambling problem and needed to pay off his bookie fast. That made him the most likely suspect in Mira’s eyes.

"Want to go confront him, Mira?"

"I’ll go, Rollie, you stay here. He may not take it well." Rollie nodded. Mira left and went to the captain and told him her suspicions. Together they went to Philips’ office. Rollie waited patiently in Mira’s office, glancing through the papers on her desk when suddenly there were shouts and a gunshot rang out. He bolted from the room and ran directly into a very pale Mira.

"Mira, what happened?"

"We…the Captain and I went in to talk to him and he knew we found him out. He grabbed his gun and started to yell that we weren’t going to find Angie or Cat alive and he’d never tell us where they were. Then he rambled on about how unbearable his life was and then…he just put the gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger."

"Oh, my God, Mira." Rollie breathed.

"I know. I guess we found our mole. Now we just need to find Angie and Sparky."

By the time they were thrown back into their ‘cell’, Angie’s throat was raw from screaming. Nothing she yelled seemed to get AJ’s attention. She had called him every name she could think of in both English and Spanish. Some of what she had said would have made a sailor blush. She was slightly glad that Rollie wasn’t there to hear her. She never would have lived it down. Then she wished he were there. At least she would have to live it down. She didn’t think their chances were very good at the moment. She had tried to talk to the woman again. Angie understood what Cat had been trying to do. That woman might be the only chance they had. Her only reward for her efforts was another slap from AJ and a thinly veiled threat from him to remember her place. Angie gently touched Cat’s face. Her fever had climbed and the beating she had taken from AJ hadn’t helped. Angie was surprised when Cat opened her good eye and tried to smile. Angie was amazed at her sister’s hearty constitution.

"Hey, Cat. How are you feeling?"

"Like I was…hit by a train…but AJ hits…like a sissy…" Angie rubbed her cheek where AJ had repeatedly hit her. AJ definitely did not hit like a sissy. Uhm, Ange…?"

"Yeah?"

"Ange…you need to go…to confession. I heard some of what…you said to AJ. Rollie…and Manny would be…proud." Angie couldn’t help but smile at Cat’s attempt at humor. But, Cat was right. She had learned most of what she’d said to AJ from Rollie and her father.

"So, is this how you usually spend your weekends, Cat?" Angie tried to keep her voice light.

"Nah, usually I just like…to create havoc for other people. I try to stay away from it."

"I’m not surprised. Seriously Cat, how are you feeling?"

"That’s a pretty...stupid question given the…beating I’ve taken. Seriously though? It hurts, but I have a high pain threshold…After all…I survived my childhood before Manny found me…and I survived being thrown…out of a car speeding down the highway. I’m either a survivor…or really lucky."

"Both probably. Um, Cat? I know this isn’t the best place to have a heart to heart but, why don’t you ever call Manny ‘Dad’?" The question came from nowhere and surprised them both. Cat was surprised Angie asked and Angie was surprised she finally voiced the long held question. Cat coughed and swallowed hard.

"I did. For the short time he was my Dad. It was…a really nice seven weeks." Cat thought for a moment. "I guess I stopped because…after he died…I didn’t feel worthy of his love." Her eyes started to droop.

"Catherine, Dad would never think you unworthy of his love. He loved you dearly and wanted nothing but for us both to be happy. You have to remember that, if nothing else."

"Uh-huh…" Cat’s voice drifted off. Just then, Angie’s attention was directed at a sound coming from the door. Please don’t be coming back in for us yet, she pleaded silently. She knew that Cat might not survive another beating this soon, if at all. Slowly the door opened and the woman from before entered carrying a bowl of water, some towels and a bit of food. She looked nervously from Angie to Cat and then handed the items to Angie.

"Here…water for your friend and some food." Her English was broken but her intent was clear.

"My name is Angie and this is my sister, Cat." Angie poured some water on a small towel and placed it on Cat’s forehead.

"Lydia." The woman reached into her pocket and took out two small white pills. Angie eyed them suspiciously. "No…it will help with fever. Aspirin" Angie took the pills and took a closer look. They were indeed simple aspirin. She smiled a thank you and fought with a semi-conscious Cat for a few moments to take them. Cat refused water until Angie broke a pill and put it in Cat’s mouth. Cat’s face convulsed at the horrible taste and she then eagerly accepted the water. Angie turned back Lydia.

"Thank you." Lydia nodded and got up to leave. "Wait! Please, you have to help us."

"No. AJ will hurt me if I do more than this. You said so."

"Please, if you help us we’ll talk to the police and get them to protect you." Lydia’s face filled with even more fear.

"Police? No!" Angie remembered the stories that Manny had told her about the police in Cuba and immediately understood.

"Wait! The police are different here. They help people, not hurt them." Angie tried desperately to explain.

"Not all. One helps AJ. He betrays you. He helps AJ and helped bring you here."

"Yes, but he is only one police man. Not all are like that. Our friends will help you. I swear. Please, just make one phone call to our friends and we’ll all get out of this safely." Angie pleaded with the frightened woman. Slowly the woman weighed her options. She nodded.

"I will make this phone call. That is all I can do for you." Angie nodded quickly and wrote Rollie’s cell phone number on the slip of paper Lydia had provided.

"This is my friend Rollie Tyler. Just tell him that you’re calling for Angie and tell him where we are. He’ll understand and take care of the rest." Lydia nodded and rose to leave. "Thank you Lydia."

"Do not thank me yet. If AJ catches me, we will all die." And with that, Lydia left. Angie felt her hopes rise. At least now they might have a chance. She turned back to Cat who had fallen unconscious again.

"Hang on Cat. The cavalry is on the way." I hope.

Rollie jumped at the sound of his cell phone ringing. Damn, I fell asleep. He fumbled around the couch in his loft for a few minutes looking for where he had put the damned thing. He had returned to the loft awhile ago to wait for Mira to finish her report on what happened with Philips. Rollie couldn’t believe that turn of events. He blew air out between his teeth in frustration. Come on, keep ringing. Please don’t hang up, it could be important. Finally he found it on Angie’s work bench, next to where Bluey was barking.

"Thanks, Blue," he muttered. "Tyler here."

"Hello? Are you Rollie Tyler?" The voice was small and female but the accent told him it wasn’t Angie or Cat.

"Yes, I’m him. Who’s this?"

"No time. Angie gave me this number." Rollie’s heart leapt to his throat.

"Angie, where is she?"

"Quiet!" The voice snapped. Rollie clamped his mouth shut. "She said to call you and tell you where she and her sister are. They are in a back room in a warehouse at 691 Gederson Lane outside town. AJ has them, be careful. OK?"

"Yes! Thank you." The woman on the other end hung up. Rollie was filled with hope. They were alive! And he knew where they were! He quickly dialed Mira’s number to tell her the news.

"Sanchez."

"Mira? It’s Rollie. Someone just called and told me where Angie and Cat are!" He quickly relayed the phone call he had just gotten to Mira.

"That’s great Rollie! I’ll get a team together and go check it out."

"I’m coming with you, Mira." Mira was silent for a minute. But she knew that Rollie wouldn’t take no for and answer.

"All right. I’ll swing by and pick you up."

"Great. Any luck with the disc?"

"Actually yes. It seems that it was coded in some sort of mathematical algorithm that I can’t even try to comprehend but someone else did. We’ve got the whole thing. It seems the disc was a record of money transfers between AJ and the names on the papers. It looks like our senators and a bunch of high society types have been doing business with DeSoto. Whether or not it was voluntary remains to be seen. We’ve got people with warrants on the way to arrest them."

"That’s great Mira. I can see why DeSoto would want those names back. If he’s been blackmailing them and you have the proof, he loses a source of income and anyone of those people could turn on him."

"Exactly. Look Rollie, I’m on my way. Be ready in 10, OK?"

"I’ll be ready, Mira." He hung up the phone. "Maybe with a few tricks too."

Cat came around about three hours after Lydia had left them. Angie was surprised that Cat was conscious to say the least. The aspirin did little to help with the fever and now Cat sat propped against the wall, hugging herself as she shook. Angie, who was pacing like a nervous cat noticed the shaking, sat down next to Cat and put her arm around her.

"How you doing, Cat?" Angie asked quietly. Cats eyes opened and looked around for a minute before settling on Angie.

"Cold," she chattered between clenched teeth. Angie put her hand on Cat’s forehead. It, along with the rest of her, was coated with sweat. Angie knew that Cat desperately needed medical attention. Please, Rollie, find us soon. She felt Cat start to shake more violently.

"Cat?" Cat opened her eyes again and looked at Angie. It was actually more like she looked through Angie. Cat’s eyes were glossy and dull. I have to keep her awake until Rollie gets here, Angie thought frantically. She wondered how long that would be and what she could talk about that would keep the younger girl awake.

"Leave me alone, Angela." Her voice was weak and sounded very far away. Angie looked at Cat, surprised.

"What do you mean leave you alone? I haven’t got anywhere to go, Cat." Angie tried to joke. Cat met her eyes with a look of sadness.

"Angie, I’m barely keeping it together here. I’m hurt, tired and sick. I’m not going to be any help to you if the police get here. I want you to find a way out and go." She sighed heavily. "It’s me AJ wants to hurt. He doesn’t really care about the disc. Just me. He won’t even notice you’re gone." Her words faded and Angie had to strain to hear them clearly.

"You want me to just leave you here? NOT LIKELY!" Angie’s yell temporarily woke Cat out of the semi-conscious state she had slipped into.

"Ange," she was so tired. "Angie, please. I’m not going to be coherent much longer so please do as I say and save yourself." Realization hit Angie like a physical blow. She finally understood the tired look, the defeat in Cat’s eyes back at Rollie’s loft, and the overwhelming fear that was behind Cat’s eyes all the time now.

"Cat, are you willing to die here? Do you want to die here?" Cat’s head dropped but she answered.

"Not here, specifically, but it’ll do." The words were soft but cut Angie deep into her heart.

"You don’t care if you get out of here alive, do you?" It was more of a statement than a question. Cat shook her head.

"No, I don’t," she responded flatly.

"Why?" Cat lifted her head and looked at the room. She had to close her eyes again because the room spun like a top. I am too tired for this! She yelled in her mind.

"Cat? Cat, wake up!" Angie shook Cat’s good shoulder.

"Sorry, Ange, room’s spinning." She took a breath before continuing. "Look, Angie…we both know I might not make it out of here…and I’m OK with that."

"OK WITH THAT? How can you be OK with that?" Angie was dumbfounded. Cat wanted to die. The whole concept of giving up like that was alien to Angie.

"Look, Angie, I’m not you!" Cat’s strength returned enough to let her yell those words out. "I’m not strong enough to keep fighting all the time!" She sunk back down as the strength faded. "I don’t care, Angie. As long as you get out of here safely, I don’t care what happens to me."

"Suicidal? You, Cat? I refuse to believe it!"

"Believe it Angela. Why do you think I came back to you and Rollie? I wanted to make peace with you so that when I died you two wouldn’t have any regrets. Of course, I wanted to do it myself but if AJ wants to do it for me, what the hell."

"You selfish little…" Words failed Angie. She was so mad at Cat for giving up and yet she could understand it. Loubar had made her feel the same way. But she had had Rollie to lean on. Cat had had no one and had gone to jail because of AJ. Angie realized why Cat seemed so lonely. She was. Cat felt utterly alone and helpless with no one to help her through. Tears brimmed in Angie’s eyes as she thought how horrible that must be. "Cat? Cat, you’re not alone. I’ll never leave you." Angie realized that Cat was unconscious again. She tried to wake her but couldn’t. Angie hugged her sister’s limp body and started to cry. "Hang on, Cat. Help is coming, I can feel it." Angie whispered. "I’m not going to leave you. Ever. You’re never going to be alone again. I promise."

Mira and Rollie arrived at the address he had been given with a whole group of cops. They knew nothing of AJ’s security systems or how many men he had but they were going to go in anyway. Rollie set up the smoke canisters that he had brought along with him and the flash powder. Now he and Angie would need to order more.

"You set, Rollie?" Mira asked. Rollie nodded.

"Set, Mira. Just give the word." Rollie perched his hand over the PDA, ready to set off the charges when Mira gave the word. She motioned for two teams to take each side of the building. Mira didn’t want AJ getting away if he was in there. She looked at Rollie, drew her gun and nodded. Rollie pushed the blinking button. And all hell broke loose.

Inside the warehouse quickly filled with smoke and the flash bombs blinded most of the men inside. AJ knew his time was up.

"Damn, I need that disc!" He made his way to the room where Cat and Angie were. He flung the door open and grabbed Angie roughly. "Where is my disc?" He demanded.

"Go to hell, you creep!" Angie shouted back. The sounds of gunfire started outside the room. She looked at AJ and smiled. "Looks like the cavalry is here. Time’s up, AJ."

"Not before you and my ‘Beloved’ Die!" He hit Angie hard and flung her across the room where she impacted into the wall with a sickening thud. He made his way to Cat’s unconscious form. "I’m going to make sure you die this time, Catherine." He began to kick her viciously. Angie tried shake away the fog that was building in her head. She struggled to her feet and lunged at AJ.

"Leave her alone!" AJ threw her off of him and turned back to Cat. He wrapped his hands around her neck.

"I wish you were awake so I could see the fear on your face, Catherine. You’ve just lived your last life, my dear Cat." He began to squeeze as Angie leapt onto his back.

"Let her go you creep!!" She dug her nails into his neck. He let go of Cat and tried to shake Angie off. She fell to the floor and watched as he approached her. His face was contorted into a mask of pure rage.

"You want to die so badly? Fine." Just as he reached her, Mira’s voice cut across the noise.

"Give up, DeSoto! We’ve got your men! You can’t get away this time!"

"Sanchez." AJ growled. He glanced one more time at Angie and Cat and spat at them. "I will finish this, believe me my dear. Just not now." He ran from the room. Angie crawled over to Cat and checked for a pulse.

"Still alive? Good girl. Just hold out a little longer, Cat. Help’s here." Angie then heard Rollie’s voice calling for her. "I’ll be right back Cat, I promise." She got up and ran into the warehouse. There were a few bodies on the ground but most of the smoke had cleared. She looked around and finally found him.

Rollie’s heart felt like it was going to burst when he saw Angie standing there. Even dirty and bruised, she was breathtaking to him. His eyes scanned her face, examining the bruises. Her left cheek was an angry purple and her lip was split. Anger at her injuries filled Rollie but was overshadowed by pure happiness when she spoke his name.

"Rollie?" Angie ran to him as Rollie took off towards her. They met in the middle and hugged tightly.

"Oh, Angie, I was so worried. Are you all right?" Angie disengaged herself from his arms and pulled at his sleeve.

"I’m fine, Rollie. But Cat’s hurt real bad, come on we have to get her to a hospital." He followed Angie to the small cell where she had been kept. If he thought that his heart would burst with joy when he saw Angie, he knew his heart was breaking when he saw Cat. She was lying on the floor so still Rollie thought she was already dead.

"Oh, Cat…" He turned to Angie who stood there with tears in her eyes. Rollie bent down and felt for a pulse. He was relieved to find one, even one as weak as it was. Cat was a mess of bloody cuts and bruises. If Angie hadn’t told him it was Cat, he wouldn’t have been able to tell. He gently put one arm under her knees and the other behind her back and lifted her, trying not to jostle her too much. He winced at the soft cry that escaped Cat’s lips. Angie led the way back into the main warehouse. Rollie followed whispering reassurances to the unconscious form in his arms. Mira spotted them and rushed to meet them.

"My God, Rollie! Is she alive?"

"Barely," Angie answered.

"Come on, I called an ambulance just to be on the safe side before we rushed in. It should be here soon." Mira explained. "Angie, what happened?"

Angie began to explain the events that had taken place since she was kidnapped and brought here. She had to stop a few times when her emotions got the better of her.

Rollie was listening to Angie talk as he held on to Cat. Suddenly, something didn’t feel right.

"Shit! Angie, Mira, Cat’s stopped breathing!" He gently laid Cat out on the ground. Mira pressed her fingers to Cat’s neck.

"No pulse. Damn it, we’re losing her. Rollie, start CPR!" Rollie pushed air into Cat’s lungs while Mira pumped on her chest to get Cat’s heart beating again. All Angie could do was stand and watch as her sister lay there dying.

"1,2,3,4,5, breathe! Damn it, don’t you die on me Sparky! Where the Hell is that ambulance?" Mira demanded. As if in response, the wail of its sirens cut into the warehouse. Mira and Rollie continued CPR until two paramedics took over for them.

"No pulse, nothing." One said to the other.

"We need to get her back. Charge up the paddles." The other one ordered. Rollie hugged Angie protectively as they watched the medics try and shock Cat back to life. After the third shock, the portable monitor beeped.

"We have sinus rhythm. She’s breathing. Let’s get her up and to the hospital!" the paramedics packed Cat up and pushed the gurney to the waiting ambulance. With a nod, they let Angie and Rollie into the back.

"I’ll meet you there, Rollie." Mira said. Rollie nodded and hugged Angie even tighter as the door closed. He swore to himself that he would never let her out of his sight ever again.

Rollie sat motionless in Angie’s room in the hospital. She was more bruised than broken. A nurse had treated Angie’s injuries when they arrived and the doctor had insisted that she stay at least a few days for observation for a bad concussion. A bunch of other doctor’s had taken Cat to surgery immediately on arrival and hadn’t come back out yet. She had crashed again in the ambulance and the paramedics had a harder time getting her back. Rollie sat holding Angie’s hand. She had finally fallen into a fitful sleep. He looked down at her and thanked God for what must have been the thousandth time that hour that she was alive and going to be all right. He was beginning to get even more concerned about Cat though. He felt someone should have come out to at least tell him what was going on. The nurse outside Angie’s room had repeatedly assured them that as soon as she heard anything, she’d let them know. Rollie looked up as Mira entered the room.

"How is she?" Mira whispered, motioning towards Angie. She took the offered seat next to Rollie.

"She’ll be all right with some rest, just got some bumps and bruises."

"That’s good. Any news on Sparky?" Rollie shook his head. Just then, a doctor entered the room.

"Excuse me, are you the family of Catherine Ashton?"

"Yes, I’m her sister." Angie said softly. She had woken up at the sound of the doctor’s voice. The doctor nodded and came closer. He looked very tired.

"I’m Dr. Jordan. I treated your sister. As you are aware of, Ms. Ashton suffered from a myriad of injuries. Many of them very serious."

"Dr.? Is she going to be all right?" Angie prodded. Dr. Jordan sighed.

"It’s hard to say right now. She received a gunshot wound apparently day or so ago that became very badly infected from lack of medical treatment. That alone would be serious cause for alarm. But her other injuries have made her condition precarious at best."

"Dr., just spit it out, please," Mira directed. She hated getting the run-around from doctors.

"Very well. Catherine sustained a serious head injury, presumably from the repeated beatings I understand she received as well as numerous internal injuries. There was considerable internal bleeding that took a while to bring under control. She has numerous broken ribs, a cracked jaw, a ruptured eardrum, and a hairline fracture of the skull. And those are the less serious of her injuries."

"Less serious? You’ve got to be kidding," Rollie shot out.

"I’m very serious here, sir. In surgery we had to remove her spleen, repair a laceration of her right kidney and re-inflate one of her lungs. She crashed once on the table due to blood loss from internal hemorrhaging."

"What…what are her chances, Dr.," Angie croaked out, her voice cracking and tears running down her face.

"Well, I don’t like to give false hope to my patients’ families so I’ll give it to you straight. She’s unconscious right now, and I don’t know how long that’s going to last or if it will deteriorate into a coma. She could wake up today or she may never wake up. Her chances are tenuous at best. I’m sorry but we’ve done all that we can."

"Thank you Dr. You’ll let us know when we can see her, correct?" Mira said it as an order. Dr. Jordan nodded.

"Of course. She’ll be moved to a room in the ICU soon. I’ll see that you’re notified." He turned and walked out. Rollie hugged Angie who was crying uncontrollably. Eventually, after a few minutes, her sobs subsided into a case of the hiccups.

"Rollie, <hiccup>I can’t lose her now. We’re finally a <hiccup>family. It’s not fair."

"I know it’s not, Ange, but you have to think positive."

"Positive? <hiccup> Rollie, you heard what Dr. Jordan said. Her <hiccup> chances are tenuous at best."

"But she still has a chance, Angie. Sparky’s a fighter. She’s survived worse."

"Mira, you don’t <hiccup>understand. In the warehouse, Cat told me she didn’t want to live. That she didn’t <hiccup> care if she died."

"Angie, what are you talking about." Angie stared deep into Rollie’s brown eyes. Her hiccups subsided.

"She’s suicidal, Rollie. She came here to patch things up with us so we wouldn’t have regrets when she died. Her words, not mine." Rollie and Mira were taken aback. Finally, Rollie spoke.

"That explains her behavior. She gave up. That’s so unlike her," he said softly.

"I guess AJ and going to jail really defeated her," Mira added. She felt a little guilty.

"Exactly. She is so broken and scared she wanted to die! She wanted me to leave her there. She feels so lost and alone she can’t stand it. Rollie, she has to live. She has to see that she’s not alone anymore, that we’re a family and we love her." Rollie hugged Angie tighter.

"I know Angie, but it’s up to her now. Whether we like it or not."

"Rollie, I feel so helpless."

"We all do, Ange, but we have to be strong for Cat. Maybe somehow, she’ll pull through this."

"I hope so."

"We all do," Mira whispered.

It was three days before Cat woke up. She was disoriented at first, thinking that she and Angie were still at AJ’s mercy. She had repeatedly called out for Angie and eventually, the nurses had to wheel Angie into her room to calm her down. Angie heard Cat cry out that Angie had promised not to leave her.

"Cat? Shhh, Cat, I’m right here. I didn’t leave you," she picked up Cat’s hand and held it in her own. "See, I’m right here." Cat turned her head and opened her eyes. Angie saw her try to smile. With her jaw wired shut, it was a painful chore.

"Angie? Are we safe?" Cat’s voice was small and raspy.

"Yes, Cat, we’re in the hospital." Cat’s eyes grew wide.

"Are you hurt? Did he hurt you?" Cat’s voice was slightly distorted being pushed through clenched teeth.

"I got a little banged up, that’s all. I’m fine and you’re going to be fine too." Cat weakly raised her eyebrow.

"Doesn’t feel that way. I feel awful."

"You should feel lucky to feel anything at all for someone who died at least two times in one day." Cat’s eyes grew even bigger.

"Really?" She asked in horror and awe.

"Really. You had us all really scared Cat. I thought I was going to lose you. I thought that you wouldn’t fight…"

"Angie, what I said before, I was wrong."

"What?"

"I don’t want to die. Angie, I saw Manny. When I passed out. I thought it was a delusion, brought on by the fever but it must have been one of the times I ‘died’. I saw him Angie and he told me he was proud of how I’d changed my life and how we were finally getting along. He told me I wasn’t supposed to die there and to fight. So I did." Angie felt the tears running down her face but ignored them.

"That’s great Cat. It really is. I don’t want to lose you again and neither does Rollie." Cat yawned. "Cat, I’m going to go back to my room and let you sleep."

"Please stay. I’m afraid to be alone."

"OK, I’ll stay. Now, go to sleep." Angie watched as Cat drifted off. She didn’t have the heart to tell Cat that AJ had somehow managed to slip out of the warehouse and he was out there somewhere. Angie decided it could wait until Cat was stronger. Soon, Angie fell asleep in her chair, resting her head on her sister’s bed.

Mira knocked on the door and entered Cat’s room after Cat called out that it was open. Cat had been moved into a normal room a few days earlier and was itching to get out of the hospital. Cat felt that three and a half weeks was way too long to stay in bed and eat that terrible food. Mira had to agree but the doctors still refused to release Cat until her temperature had returned to normal. They were still having problems with a slight recurring fever. The infection had been an especially vicious one. In her hands, Mira carried a big brown teddy bear. Cat gave her a lopsided smile. It was easier to due now that the wires on her jaw had been removed the day earlier.

"For me Sanchez? I didn’t know you cared." Mira set the bear down on the bed and sat down in the chair next to the bed.

"I don’t," Mira shot back. "Where did Rollie and Angie get to?"

"They went to get me some normal clothes and real food. I swear if I have to eat one more tapioca pudding thingie, someone’s gonna pay. What brings you here, Sanchez?"

"You, Sparky."

"Really? Why? Come to arrest me again?" Cat joked. Mira smiled and shook her head.

"No, I thought we needed to talk."

"Talk talk talk. That’s all anyone wants to do anymore. Am I really that interesting?"

"Not really, Sparky."

"Tell that to my doctor’s. So, what do you want to talk about. The weather, the Yankee’s…although they seem to suck this year…"

"Us."

"Us? I didn’t realize that there was an ‘us’. Really Sanchez, you’re not my type."

"Sparky, I’m trying to be serious here." Cat studied Mira for a minute, then nodded.

"I can see that. So spill it."

"I’m sorry I was so harsh to you when this started."

"Eh, don’t worry about it. I don’t blame you, given the history we already shared. I wouldn’t have trusted me either, if I had been you."

"I know but part of me feels responsible for everything you’ve been through. Angie told us about how you felt back in the warehouse and I know that I wasn’t much help in making things better," Mira confessed. Cat gave her a sympathetic look

"No, you weren’t but I never expected you to be. Look, Sanchez, whatever happened, happened. Regretting it now or holding a grudge isn’t going to change anything or fix the past. You simply have to accept what has happened in your life and find a way to move past it. I forgot that for a while."

"What made you remember?"

"You and Angie and Rollie. You all came to trust me and care for me despite the things I’ve done. You all moved past my faults and mistakes. I can only do the same in return." Cat smiled as she finished. Mira returned the smile.

"Thanks for the understanding, Sparky. I see why Angie and Rollie care about you so much."

"They’re the best people I’ve ever known, Sanchez. And my family."

"I know. They’re the best I know too. And the best friends I’ve ever had."

"See, Sanchez, we can get along and have a conversation without someone winding up in the hospital. This doesn’t count because I’m already here."

"I’m sorry you ended up in here in the first place. I should have been more careful with your protection."

"Hey, Sanchez, don’t you dare blame yourself for this. Two good cops died trying to protect me. There was nothing more you could have done. Leave the guilt trips to me, Sanchez. I’m the expert, remember?" Mira smiled again.

"My friends call me Mira."

"Friends, huh? I didn’t think I qualified."

"I’m willing to give it a try if you are. Besides, if Rollie and Angie can put up with you, you can’t be that bad."

"You’d be surprised. OK, Mira, I’ll give it a try too."

"Great Sparky, I mean, Cat."

"Mira, you can call me Sparky. I kind of like it."

"OK."

"Well, there’s nothing good on TV so why don’t you tell me about some of the capers you and Angie and Rollie have had." Mira laughed and started to tell Cat all about the adventures and criminals the three had brought down. Mira kept talking until Cat fell asleep.

TWO WEEKS LATER

Angie rounded the corner into Cat’s hospital room and stopped. The bed was made and there was no sign of her sister. She turned around and looked for a nurse.

"Excuse me? Where is my sister? She was in room 312 and was supposed to stay here for a couple more days." The nurse at the station smiled sadly.

"Room 312? Oh, Ms. Ramirez, your sister signed herself out AMA about 45 minutes ago. We tried to reach you but there was no answer. She did leave this for you though." She handed Angie a small slip of yellow paper with Angie’s name on it. Angie let out a low groan.

"Oh, not again." Angie opened the letter.

Angie smiled. She thought Cat’s new name looked great. And she hadn’t missed the part where Cat referred to Manny as Dad, either. I’ve got to stop her from leaving, though. Angie tried to think of where Cat might have headed. First she tried Cat’s motel room but she had signed out half an hour before. Cat wasn’t at Rollie’s saying good-bye either. Angie called Mira but Mira hadn’t seen her since the afternoon before. Angie searched her mind. Then, with a sudden sense of peace, Angie knew where Cat was.

"Thanks Dad," she whispered.

Angie found Cat standing over Manny’s grave saying good-bye. Cat stood rather unsteadily on one crutch and her right arm was still in a sling. Angie watched silently for a few minutes before she approached Cat. Cat had placed something shiny on the top of the stone. As Angie got closer, she saw that it was the 1973 silver dollar Manny had given Cat the day the adoption was finalized.

"This coin is to remind you that there are two sides to every situation, Kitty." Angie could hear Manny’s words as if it happened yesterday. "Things were bad for you Kit, but now…" Manny flipped the coin and caught it. "Now, things are looking brighter. Never forget that there is always a way out of any bad situation. And, you and Angie are the flip sides to this coin. Opposite ends creating one whole. You need one another. Remember that and everything else will fall into place." Angie and Cat had both thought that he was crazy but Cat had happily taken the coin. Angie figured it was lost long ago.

"You gonna stand there and stare or are you going to say something, Angela?"

"I just thought I’d let you finish what you were doing."

"Oh."

"Cat, you belong in the hospital. You almost died less than a month ago."

"I know, but I hate hospitals. Too many sick people."

"That would include you."

"I know, but I heal fast."

"Cat, what’s going on?"

"Angie, do you really think we need one another? Maybe Dad just had one bump to the head too many, y’know?" Cat turned around to face Angie.

"Nah, I think he was right on the money, Cat." Angie stepped closer. "Cat, why are you leaving?"

"Angie, I told you in the note. This is your life, not mine. You and Rollie have your lives and I need to go find one of my own. Preferably without jail time."

"Why can’t you find a life here?" Cat scowled and pondered the question. Then she shrugged. She winced slightly at the pain that motion sent up her arm.

"I guess I could try, but it’s better that I don’t" She turned and started to limp away. "I’m sorry, Ange. I’ll call you though."

"Stay." The word was simple but it spoke volumes. Cat turned back with tears in her eyes.

"Do you really mean it? Angie, I don’t want to get in the way."

"You’re my sister, you’re supposed to get in the way. Seriously though, I’ll never forgive you if you walk away after I asked you to stay. It’d be rude of you to go now."

"And I do hate rude people. All right, but if I stay, I stay for my own reasons. I need to find my own life and I don’t want to get in the way of yours. If I stay, no sticking your nose in my business any more than usual," Cat joked. "And I’ll try not to butt into yours. Deal?" Cat put her good hand out for a handshake. Angie grabbed it happily.

"Deal. But I think you’re forgetting something." Cat looked around confused.

"What?" Angie walked over and picked up the coin from the headstone.

"I think Dad would want you to keep this." She turned the coin over in her hand a few times before she handed it to Cat. A smile spread across Cat’s face. A smile, that for the first time in a long time reached her eyes. Angie returned the smile and put her arm around Cat’s good shoulder. "Come on, Cat, let’s go home."

"Yeah, let’s go home and harass Rollie and Mira."

"Sounds like a plan, sis." The sound of their laughter floated up out of the cemetery as they walked to Angie’s car. And somewhere above, Manny smiled.

Elsewhere

AJ DeSoto sat on a lounge chair in Rio drumming his fingers along the table in front of him. He was angry at how things had turned out in New York. If he hadn’t had the foresight to have a special ‘backdoor’ to the warehouse built, he’d be cooling his heels in jail rather than the beach. His thoughts returned to New York and to Catherine Ashton and Palmira Sanchez. You will both pay. I swear it by all that I hold holy. He was going to make Tyler and Angie pay too. He had no trouble remembering their names now. They had ruined everything for him and he couldn’t allow them to get away with that. He was imagining all the torture that he wanted to do to the four of them when a shadow fell over him.

"Get away from me, whoever you are." AJ growled without looking up. The man beside him crouched down to be eye level with AJ.

"I think you’ll like what I have to say."

"I doubt it so, vamoose."

"I understand you had some trouble in New York with a certain special effects artist and his ‘family’." AJ looked at the man with interest now.

"How do you know?"

"I’ve had my problems with Tyler myself. I think that we should compare notes. I know that you want revenge, so do I. I think we should work together."

"Really? Sounds interesting. I have nothing left to lose, so I may as well. I’ll do anything to make them pay."

"I feel the same way. I hope that we can do business, Mr. DeSoto."

"I think we can. And call me AJ. Who are you?" The man smiled.

"Loubar. Victor Loubar and I look forward to working with you to destroy Tyler and all his pathetic little friends." The two shook hands and a few thousand miles away, Rollie, Angie, Cat and Mira all felt a sudden chill crawl up their spines.