The Takeover

[andrea]

Chapter 6

“Must be great to have everything at your fingertips, Ravyn -- free designer gown, compliments of Sheraton’s owner? You're everyone's favorite mother-to-be” Vanessa said moving the dresses and set them on the chair.

“Look, I don't want to fight with you. I'll just skip the party” Rav said and started to walk away.

“Ah, see, now you're just looking for an excuse. You really don't want to go with Rob because you don't love him. I can see it in your eyes” Vanessa said turning around to face Rav crossing her arms.

Rav turned to look at her, “Good luck with your new job” Rav said sarcastically and turned around to face the door again.

“It's obvious you're just dragging Rob along until Mr. Right shows up.”

Rav crunch her jaw tightly and turned around walking up to Vanessa, “Don't you dare say anything about Rob. You have no say in what I should do with him. Why would I after you lied to him about being pregnant and having a miscarriage?” she said.

“I was fighting for him.”

“No, you were just feeding him drugs” Rav responded. About three months into Rav and Rob’s marriage, Rob went out to go surfing and was thrown off his surf board when the waves started to get stronger. He hit his back on a coral reef. Luckily there were lifeguards on scene and pulled the drummer out of the water. He was taken to the hospital and immediately was taken into surgery for his back as he hit it really hard on the reef. After the surgery he was given pain medicine, Vicodin, and when Rob started asking for more he was cut off on the medication but by then it was too late and he was addicted. When he started looking for ways to get more Vicodin, Vanessa became his supplier, as she had worked as a volunteer at the hospital, but the only way to get the medication from her was to sleep with her, and he did just so he could get high. Then when the band found out about his addiction, Rob was kicked out until he got clean. Desperate to hold on to Rob for herself, Vanessa faked a pregnancy and then a miscarriage when she realized that Rob wanted to be back with Rav after he got clean. Rav knew something was wrong with the whole ‘Vanessa was pregnant’ thing after she had a ‘miscarriage’ she looked into it, seeing as she was a nurse, and found out that Vanessa stole someone elses records to use as hers.

“And now you're feeding him lies.”

“You have no idea what you're talking about” Rav said.

“I know Rob doesn't love you. You're not a real person to him, Ravyn, you're a symbol. If Rob's with you, then maybe he feels like he measures up. He thinks he has to love you for the rest of time. You think he took those pills because he broke his back? No, he took them because it hurt too much. He wasn't good enough for anyone, and he certainly wasn't good enough for perfect Ravyn” Vanessa explained.

“Is there a problem?” The woman who managed the boutique asked walking towards them.

“I don't know. Is there?” Vanessa asked Rav.

******

​

“I had a really bad day, and I should not have taken it out on Greg” Jen said trying to explain what happen to Patrick.

“What did you say to Jen?” Patrick asked Greg.

“It was nothing” Jen said to Patrick.

“I -- I made a careless and -- and rude remark, knowing that Jen -- Ms. Cooley is sensitive on the subject of motherhood. Look, I would never, ever deliberately imply that her -- her profound beauty and natural hotness would make her a bad mother, but I -- I obviously did that, and I'm truly and genuinely sorry” Greg said.

“Calling me Jen is just fine, Greg. And, um, I apologize for yelling at you. I do.”

“Oh, no, it's fine -- everybody yells at me. It -- it just rolls -- rolls right off. So just -- if it makes you feel better, just keep --” he said but was cut off by Patrick.

“I need to talk to Jen. Alone” Patrick said.

“Yeah, no, I was on my way out” Greg said grabbing his computer and practically ran out of the apartment grabbing his jacket on a desk chair near the door and closed the door behind him.

“He didn't do anything wrong. Don't blame him” Jen said.

“I actually blame myself. I know how much you want to be a mother. And I've been uncertain.”

“Maybe that's telling us something. Would you just be happier if we never had kids?” she asked.

******

​

In Joanna’s room, Peter wiped his face, “Just admit that you loved Las Vegas? That it was great to relive the glory days?” Joanna asked.

“You know what? You're right. It was great” Peter said back to her.

“You *******!” she said throwing her cup at the couch.

“Oh and I lost count of all the clubs, not to mention all the strippers. I mean, lucky Jacob and I have a little scoring system.”

“Yeah?” she asked and grabbed some tulips from a vase that were on the desk with the drinks and threw them at Peter.

“It was really hard to keep count” he added.

“Ugh!” Joanna threw even more flowers at him.

“You know what? You won, Joanna. Like I told you, right? That's what you want to hear, isn't it? Peter Colman groupies, just like the good old days?”

“You know what? Just get -- get out!” she yelled as she went up to him and shoved him to the door.

“You don't want me to tell you that I love you, that I want to spend every day with you in the same apartment, on the same couch!” he said turning around walking up to her.

“You're lying!” she yelled back grabbing a pillow off the couch that was in the room and shoved it at his chest.

Peter grabbed it and dropped it, “You only believe the bad stuff. That's all you do. It doesn't matter that I made a mistake that I said I was sorry and that I might’ve grown up a little bit --”he said as Joanna picked up another pillow and threw it at him again, “You’re going to have to let down your guard, eventually. You're going to have to believe me --” Joanna again picked up another pillow and threw it at him, “No, it's easier to criticize me” she picked up another pillow and threw it at him and then picked up another one, “To lock me out of a hotel room, to run away --”

“Ugh!” she let out throwing the pillow at him.

“To throw pillows at me!” he said getting fed up that she was doing it and grabbed the pillow throwing it onto the floor.

“Yes, it is!” she yelled.

“You're terrified. I am not your parents. I'm not Patrick. I'm not Matt. The only one that's going to keep us from being together is you” he said and then turned around and walked out of her room slamming the door behind him hard. Joanna just looked at the door and sat down on the couch looking at the door again.

 

[andrea]

Continuing Chapter 6

Downstairs, Rav picked up the dresses off the chair, “Vanessa and I have a personal situation. She isn't the best person to wait on me” Rav said and handed the dresses back to Vanessa.

“All right, I was kidding about these dresses -- I was hoping to break the ice. But if I offended you, I'll just go get the one I really picked out” Vanessa said and turned around walking back to the boutique.

“So far, Vanessa has been an excellent sales associate. If there are problems, I'd like to know” the manager said.

“Well, nothing that should affect her work” Rav responded.

“Have you known her for very long?” the manager asked.

“Most of my life. I'm not going to bore you with the details. She was with my ex-husband for a while, that's all.”

“Then no wonder Vanessa has trouble dealing with you. It make sense now.”

“I'm sorry?” Rav asked.

“She's probably jealous because you and your ex are expecting a baby” the manager stated.

******

​

At Jen and Patrick’s apartment they were sitting down on the couch, “You know? My life is surrounded by violence and uncertainty. And I worry that it's not fair to create a child that will have to deal with these circumstances. But I realize that if the parents love each other and believe in each other, that’s what matters the most. And I -- I've always known that you're going to be a wonderful mother” Patrick said to Jen holding her hand as he talked.

Jen took a deep breath and spoke, “For the longest time I never wanted to be bothered with the ideal. When it did happen, it was an accident” she said.

“I know, but -- but your first baby -- it brought us together. And I cannot wait until you are pregnant. I can't wait to watch that baby grow inside you. I can't wait to feel that baby kick. Because when our child is born, I'm going to be right there with you.” Jen closed her eyes and turned her head away from Patrick and was about to cry. She couldn’t bring herself to tell Patrick that she couldn’t have any children.

******

​

Joanna made her way downstairs to the lobby and saw her sister, Rav, sitting down on a chair. She was about to walk over to her but saw Peter in the lobby looking down at his phone, so she walked up to him, “Calling the furniture store to send everything back already? I'm surprised it took you this long” she said. Peter sighed and turned towards her, “What is it?” she asked seeing the look on his face.

“It was the hospital” he said.

“Did something happen? Is -- is Tom alright?” Joanna asked fearing something happen to his father.

Peter just sighed again, “They have the results of my six-month H.I.V. test. Something went wrong” he said.

Mr. James was still in the lobby. He was talking on his cell phone with someone, “The merchandise is in the hotel vault. I guarantee we'll get it, but there may be considerable collateral damage” he said looking around the lobby and then closed the phone.

Rav was sitting back down in the chair looking at her phone waiting for the dress Vanessa picked out for her, “Here you go” Vanessa said holding a dress bag.

Rav got up, “Thank you” she said taking the bag.

“No, thank you for not getting me in trouble with my boss” Vanessa said. Rav’s phone then started to ring.

“I just want all of us to just move on” Rav responded to Vanessa grabbing a hold of her phone better.

“I appreciate that. Enjoy your party.” Vanessa then walked away stopping near the elevators.

“Thanks” Rav looked down at her phone and opened it, “Rob” she said.

“Did you find a dress?” he asked.

“Yeah. I have it in my hands.”

“So, are we on?” he asked.

“I guess so and I'm looking forward to it. Ok, bye” she said and closed her phone and then walked to the door. Vanessa just watched her.

******

​

“You're not still thinking about going to that party, are you? Please don't” Brad said to Elisa as they were lying down on the carpet in front of the fire Brad had built after everyone left.

Elisa laughed slightly, “Rob could use the moral support.”

“Oh. I'm not sure we should encourage it” Brad said.

“I know, but they've loved each other for so long, Brad” Elisa said turning slightly.

“Yeah” Brad said agreeing.

“Maybe Rav just needs a little more time.”

“Huh. Karen sure doesn't.”

“Yeah. She would marry them tonight if she could” Elisa said sitting up and turned her head to look at Brad.

“I know. I don't know -- I don't know, Elisa. Rob did a lot of damage when he was taking those pills. Rav would have every right to turn to someone else.”

“Wait, wait, wait. Do you think that's what she's doing?” Elisa asked.

“No, I'm just -- I'm just saying that I wouldn't blame her if she did” Brad said and then took a deep breath, “It’s sad. Getting back with Rav and his baby might be the only way that he stays clean.”

******

​

“If I've pressured you into the decision to have a baby --” Jen started to say but Patrick cut her off.

“No, I believe our child will have a great life. I want a baby just as much as you do” he said.

“Patrick, what if there are problems -- and not just with your work, but --” Jen started to say but the door open.

“Patrick?” A woman's voice asked. Patrick and Jen look towards the door seeing Talinda, Patrick’s sister. “I’m sorry was I interrupting?”

 

[andrea]

Chapter 7

Los Angeles


14 hours earlier


3pm

A police officer off duty walked into the Sheraton hotel. He started walking towards the front desk, “Excuse me. Is there a problem, officer?” Mr. James asked stopping him.

“Not that I know of. Why?” the officer turned to face him, asked.

“Oh, well, I suppose it's a sign of the times, but whenever I see a police officer in the hotel where I'm staying, it concerns me. How good is Sheraton's security -- in case of emergency?” he asked.

******

​

At Rav’s mother's apartment were she was staying since the divorce happen, Rav opened the door and closed it behind her, “Hi” someone said behind her. Rav turned around and saw Elisa standing in the living room. Elisa laughed slightly.

“Hey” Rav said closing the door all the way.

“Your mother was just leaving when I got here. She said I could wait.”

“Yeah. Of course” Rav said setting her bag down on a chair, “What's going on?” she asked.

“I wanted to make sure that you're ok about going to the release party with Rob tonight.”

“Oh. Well, does it really matter? I mean, everybody else seems so determined to push me back to Rob” Rav stated.

******

​

Patrick got up off the couch to face Talinda as she walked in further, “Jen and I are in the middle of something very important. What --”

“Oh no. It’s nothing important. I didn’t mean to interrupt you two. I’ll just go and call you later, okay?” Talinda said and was about to walked out of the door.

“Wait!” Jen said standing up.

******

​

Peter and Joanna walked over to the couch that was next to the fireplace in the lobby and sat down, “How's that for irony -- my H.I.V. test came back with no result” Peter said.

“But you're not H.I.V. Positive” Joanna said.

“Well, I'm not negative, either.”

“You need to be tested again.”

“I got a better idea. Let's go upstairs and get a drink” Peter responded.

“Peter, you've been worried about your six-month test for weeks. Ignoring an ‘no result’ test isn’t going to make this go away” Joanna said.

“Well, it's worth a try.”

“No, we need to know right away, one way or the other. I'm sure your next test will end up negative” she said.

“Why are you being so pushy about this? Remember, I just went to Vegas with my buddy -- casinos, strip clubs.”

Joanna sighed, “You really are trying to avoid this, aren't you?” she asked.

“Is it working?”

“No. I'll be mad at you later, but right now we're going to the hospital” she grabbed his hand but didn't get up just yet.

“And what if I refuse to go?” he asked.

“Well, then I will talk to Jeffery Boren myself about your test results, you'll be mad at me for butting into your life” she said pulling him up as she got up, “And then we'll be even. Your choice” she said and they walked out of the hotel.

Over to Mr. James and the police they were still talking, “Well, I'm not on duty right now. I’m here because I’m checking the hotel out. I’m suppose to be a part of the security for a party that’s taking place. Uh, from what I hear, the hotel has a state-of-the-art security” the police officer said. Behind them Rob walked into the hotel.

“Oh. That's very reassuring, thank you” Mr. James said.

“Mm-hmm.”

“Thanks. Bye” Mr. James said and waked away. The police officer then walked away, going over to the elevator to take him up to the restaurant.

Seeing Rob in the lobby as he was just looking at his phone, Vanessa walked over to him, “If you're looking for Ravyn, she left already with the fabulous dress I picked out for her” she said.

Rob looked up, “Listen, you stay away from Rav.”

Vanessa held her hands up and set them back down, “Hey, I just work at the boutique. It's just my job to pick out clothes for the customers. But it's too bad Ravyn isn't more excited about going to the party with you tonight” she said.

“Why would I ever believe you about anything again?” Rob asked her.

“Don't take my word for it, just look at what's right in front of you. If you can't see that Ravyn isn't into you anymore, well, that's your problem” she said and then walked away going back to the store leaving Rob in the lobby.

******

​

“I can't keep doing this. Everybody is selling Rob like he's the last man on earth and it's driving me crazy” Rav said walking towards the couch in the living room as she unbuttoned the buttons on her coat.

“Oh, Rav, I was afraid of this. You're dreading tonight, aren't you?” Elisa asked.

“Dreading? No. It's an evening out. It's not like an announcement that we're back together” Rav said taking off her coat.

“Well, I -- I didn't mean to pressure you. I just thought that you and Rob were making progress.”

“We are. But everybody is pushing me straight from A to Z. Karen, the rest of the girls and even the guys -- they're all saying how Rob's turned this corner and I should give him another chance and what a great little family we'll be.”

“Enough, already.”

“More than enough. I don't want to punish him, but I'm not ready to get back together with him. I don't know if I ever will be. And what if I just want to be by myself?”

“Do you?” Elisa asked.

 

[andrea]

Continuing Chapter 7

“I'm going to leave you two alone” Jen said.

“No, no, Jen, I want to --” Patrick started to say stopping her.

“It's ok.”

“I want to finish this --”

“It's ok, Patrick, I'm fine. I got to get back to work anyways. I'll talk to you later” she said and then walked over to the chair that was next to a desk and picked up her jacket as that’s where she moved it when she and Patrick sat down and walked out softly closing the door behind her.

“I’m sorry Patrick. I didn’t mean to but in like that. I should have called” Talinda said.

“No, no, no. What do you want anyways?”

******

​

“Have your feelings for Rob right?” Elisa asked.

Rav just sighed, “It's complicated”

“Ok, I'm not judging you, Rav. But I --” she started to say

“You think Rob and I should be back together too.”

“You were so in love.”

“Like you and Brad?” she asked.

“Ok, ok, maybe my motivation here is selfish” Elisa said and walked over to the couch and sat down as Rav did, “But the four of us used to have some pretty great times. You remember that picnic in the park where we had Jake's hamburgers and -- and your cookies, and Rob made guacamole?”

“Oh, my ***, it tasted so bad” Rav said slightly laughing and Elisa laughed too.

“I know. Who knew that you could ruin guacamole, huh? And Brad started making fun of him, and Rob defended his -- what did he say? -- His authentic --”

“Recipe” both Elisa and Rav said together.

“Or something” Elisa said as Rav and her laughed.

“And we laughed so hard we cried. I used to love those dinners.”

“Because you were happy -- not just with us but with Rob” Elisa said.

“It just feels like a different lifetime” Rav responded.

“Maybe you and Rob can't go back to where you were. He cares about you so much. He would do anything in the world for you.”

******

​

At the hotel Vanessa walked out of the hallway from behind the fireplace and walked up to the front desk Jen was behind as she typed something on the computer, “I still owe you for giving me your shoes the day I got my job” Vanessa said.

“Hi, Vanessa. You've already paid me back” she said and wrote something down in a binder filled with paper work.

“I know, but if there's anything you ever want from the boutique, you're more than welcome to use my discount.”

“Thank you” Jen said and went back to type something on the computer.

“Um, do you think you could do me a favor?” Vanessa asked.

“What's that?”

“Maybe sneak me onto the guest list for the party tonight?”

“I'll try” she said and went to write something else down in the book.

“Is everything ok?” Vanessa asked sensing that something was off.

Jen set her pen down, “I've -- um -- had a bad day.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?” Vanessa asked.

“There's nothing anyone can do” she said and went back to work.

******

​

“Chester’s band is throwing a released party at my hotel” Talinda said.

“Mm-hmm.”

“Well I was wondering if you and Jen would like to attend it. I mean Jen's invited anyways because she works for me.”

“Sorry sis, but I’m going to have to decline. What me and Jen were talking about was serious and I would like to finish talking about it with her” Patrick said.

“Okay. Sorry again for interrupting” Talinda said and then walked towards the door and walked out.

******

​

Joanna walked toward the nurse station were Peter was standing watching a woman and child in the waiting room, “Jeffery’s with a patient” she said.

“Ah, back to the Sheraton it is.”

“No, you're not getting out of this. He wants us to wait” she said.

“I remember being that age” Peter said pointing to the child and mother. He then turned around, “Math was my worst subject. This one year I had a terrible semester, and my parents told me that if I didn't pass my test they would ground me. So I took the test on Friday, had to wait till Monday, and it was this beautiful weekend but I was so nervous that I locked myself in my room. I didn't hang out with my friends at all.”

“What did you get on the test?” Joanna asked.

“I failed it. This could be the grounding of a lifetime -- the results of this test. I just want one last long weekend before I do this again” Peter said.

“Whatever happens, I'm with you all the way.”

“You don't have to feel sorry for me.”

“What if I just love you?” Joanna asked.

******

Review's are appreciated!

 

[Ravynlee]

Rashell I have read it and been meaning to review. I dont want you thinking its being ignored, far from it. Havent been on much again lately - but once I have given it a thorough read through I will reply with a more in depth rant.

Having said that - two thumbs up on the Rav and Rob thing. That's makin' me happy haha

Thankies!

Back soon,

~Rav

 

[andrea]

Chapter 8

Rav, I wasn't directing that review comment to you. I really thank you for sticking with me through my stories and being the only one to stick around to review. I put that there in hope to get more then one review for each update I do. But anyways enough of that here the next installment, enjoy.

******

Rob and Brad were at Mike’s as he had called them to work on something he had been working on. The two of them sat down on the couch that was in Mike’s studio room as Mike was mixing something. Rob and Brad then started to talk about Rav and him, “I know you just want to snap your fingers and be back in a happy marriage with Rav, but you have to be patient” Brad said softly not wanting to be to loud.

“Yeah, well, do I have to be?” Rob asked in the same tone.

“Yes. You're doing great, Rob. You're clean. You're back in the band. Just let things settle in. Show Rav that you're capable of handling anything that life throws at you, including a little resistance from her”

“Well, I don't know if I can handle that.”

“Why is that? Are you thinking about taking pills again?” Brad asked afraid of the answer.

“There isn't a single day that doesn't go by that I'm not tempted, you know? I mean, when I'm disappointed, tired or bored -- you name it.”

“Well, the important thing is that you're not, right?” Brad asked.

Rob sighed and looked down at his lap, “I found a bottle of Vicodin. Even though I knew it was risky, I swiped it.”

Brad sighed and shook his head, “Oh, Rob, why?”

“Just to prove that I could resist them. I carried that bottle of pills in my pocket for a week and then I threw it away. I never took a single pill” he said looking at Brad.

“Wow. Talk about cutting it close there.”

“Brad, you're the only person I've told.”

“Good, because I may be the only person who believes that you didn't take a pill.”

“Brad, I swear.”

“I know. I know. I know you don’t want to let Rav down.”

“I did it for our baby, too. I just -- I wouldn't risk a future with Rav and our baby as a family”

“I know, but there’s no guarantee in life, Rob. You know that.”

“Rav is good for me. She completes me.”

Brad looked down and sighed, “Look, you have a lot of people on your side -- me, Karen, Elisa, the rest of the girls and the band. But if Rav decides to go off on her own, you're still the father of her child.”

“I just want us to be a family.”

“I know.”

“I don't want to be a single dad.”

“I know. I'm just telling you that you'll be ok either way.”

“Rav and my baby are the reason for everything I do” Rob said.

******

​

Mr. James was at the front desk writing something down, “I also have some valuables I prefer not to leave in my room.”

“Well, that won't be a problem. At the Sheraton we have a vault to store your valuables” Jen said as she was helping him.

“Oh. Forgive my hesitation, but I had something stolen last year from a supposedly secure hotel vault.”

“Oh, I'm -- I'm sorry to hear that” Jen said.

“And I can't risk another lost. Would it be possible for me to visit the vault before surrendering my valuables?” he asked.

Jen just smiled, “I am so sorry, Mr. James, but we don't allow tours of the vault. The only people who have access to it are a select group of Sheraton employees.”

“So you can assure me that it's safe with my valuables?” Mr. James asked.

“Oh, yes, absolutely. The vault is state-of-the-art. It would be virtually impossible for anyone to break into it.”

“I'm glad to hear that” Mr. James said and then grabbed the paper and walked away.

******

​

“If it turns out that you're H.I.V. Positive, I will empathize you. You’re not going to be any different to me. I will still be bossy and insecure, and I will judge your professional behavior. Our relationship will still be as wonderful -- and as rocky -- as it always is” Joanna said and walked out of the nurse's station to stand in front of Peter who had walked out of the station, “But I can't promise you that I will not yell at you if your stupid friend, Jacob, decides to take you to Vegas and winds another pole dancer around your leg again.”

Peter turned around to face Joanna, “I'll be ok -- and you're living proof of that. I thank you for giving me that gift, that lesson every day.”

“You're welcome” Joanna said.

“Hey, guys, I'm sorry to keep you waiting” Dr. Jeffery Boren, the Chief of Staff, said walking up to them.

“Did you have time to look at Peter's H.I.V. test results?” Joanna asked Jeffery.

“Yes, I stopped by the lab. We've got a serious problem. Your H.I.V. test came back inconclusive. Now, that's pretty unusual, but it does happen occasionally.”

“How does that happen?” Peter asked.

“We couldn't get a reading one way or another on the antibodies that indicate whether there is a virus present.”

“In other words, the numbers could be so low that they're just not registering. Could someone have made a mistake in the lab?” Joanna asked.

“It's possible. Listen, Peter, I want to run the western blot confirmatory once again, and then I'll check with the people at the lab. Just let me see what my schedule is like, ok?” Jeffery said and looked through his P.D.A

“How soon could we have those results?” Joanna asked.

“You know what, Jeffery? There's no rush” Peter said. Joanna raised her eyebrows.

 

[andrea]

Continuing Chapter 8

When Brad got up from the couch since Mike had called him over, Rob dug his hand into his jacket pulling out a black velvet box. He opened it up and saw the ring he wanted to give Rav when he had proposed to her. Smiling to himself he closed the ring box and put it back into his jacket and got up as Brad called him over.

******

​

Michelle Kim, one of Joanna's friends and former roommate, walked up to the front desk, “Hi, Jen” she said.

“Hey” Jen said looking down.

“This is for Joanna Harrison” Michelle said and set a large envelope on the desk, “I heard that she checked in earlier.”

“Ok. I will -- um -- sorry. I'll leave her a message to tell her it's down here.”

“I'm sorry I couldn't make your appointment. I hope Dr. Reese was ok” Michelle said.

“Yeah, listen, about Dr. Reese -- she -- she told me that I couldn't get pregnant, and I know that you know how much Patrick and I really want to have a baby. I was wondering if I could set up another appointment with you to get a second opinion” Jen said.

“If you'd like to come in, you certainly can, but --” Michelle started to say.

“What?” Jen asked.

“I'm afraid what Dr. Reese told you is true, Jen. It's doubtful you can carry a child.”

******

​

“Peter, you need to find out if you're H.I.V. Positive as soon as possible” Joanna said.

“Look, I've waited six months already. Waiting a little bit longer is not going to matter. I'm still going to practice medicine. I'm still going to be with you” he answered.

“The sooner you know your status, the sooner you can make an informed decision” Jeffery said.

“Jeffery's right, because if you are H.I.V. Positive, you'll have to get on the protocol right away.”

“I'm already on the antiviral medication” Peter said and walked into the nurse's station.

“Your protocol will change. You can't waste time.”

“I'm not ready, all right? I'm as informed as I want to be right now. We'll schedule it for next month.”

“Next month?” Joanna asked.

“It's my choice” Peter said.

“You let me know when you're ready” Jeffery said.

“Thank you” Peter said as Jeffery walked away.

“I don't want to wait another month to find out if you're H.I.V. Positive or not” Joanna said.

“Joanna, this isn't like buying a couch, ok? You don't get to tell me that I need another test”

“Oh, I know this is not like buying a couch. This is your life” she said.

“You're right. This is my life. Look, I appreciate that you love me. I love you. But with all due respect, if I am H.I.V. Positive, I don't have to follow your rule book on how to deal with it. I'll do it my way. And right now, I'm not ready to know.”

******

​

At the Sheraton, Anna Shinoda walked into the hotel carrying a couple bags with her. She walked up to the front desk, “Hi. I have a reservation here. It’s under the name Hillinger” she said setting some of her bags down.

A different girl was working behind the desk taking Jen’s place as she was talking with Michelle. The girl nodded and typed something on the computer, “Yes. Mrs. Hillinger. It’s says here that Talinda Bennington bummed you and Mr. Hillinger to the presidential suite” the worker said and started getting the paper work ready.

Anna was lost for words, “Uh -- uh, Talinda didn’t have to do that” she said. The worker just smiled and handed Anna a pen to sign the paper. After that the worker swiped two card keys activating them so that they could be used.

“Here you go, Mrs. Hillinger. You’ll be staying on the 12th floor. Is there anything you like to have store in the vault?” the worker asked handing Anna her cards.

“No. That’s all” Anna said and smiled. She then picked up her bags and walked over to the elevators.

Michelle and Jen walked out of the hallway they went through and sat down on the couch, “If I couldn't get pregnant, why didn't you tell me?” Jen asked.

“We talked about this last year when you were shot, Jen. Your uterus was seriously damaged. We had to wait to see if it would heal. Now, Dr. Reese performed a high-definition ultrasound on you. It reveals a significant amount of scarring. You can't carry a child to term, and you probably won't be able to get pregnant naturally. But you may have certain fertility options that --” Michelle said but Jen cut her off.

“No, I -- I seriously doubt Patrick or I would agree to that” she said.

******

Note: This chapter is a page short in words. I'll try and make it a page longer in the next chapter.

Review's are appreciated!

 

[Ravynlee]

I love the fact that despite the situation you really capture each character's moments of agony and pain right there on the moment and then interweave it with everyone else so that it's not a burgeoning pain. It's actually quite clever, a skill I wish I had. But ****, I do not. You can actually tell that you are inspired by soaps in this way, the way it reads is still very visual despite the lack of any real physical detail, leaving the reader to make that imaginative leap between character and place setting. Now even though I still have no idea who Jen and her crew are I still empathise and pity her - and its surprisingly on par with the rest of the cast that I do know at least on some level.

I will admit that the storyline with Rob's addiction spun me for a loop, I so didnt expect that, but then again it just helps me to understand his plight more - and to see how everyone else reacts around him now as a result of his addiction (previous addiction) - that's way cool to read.

Poor everyone. And ****, poor Jen. I know I keep coming back to her, but in truth I feel for her despite the fact she's little more than a blank canvas to me. You certainly have hit the nail right on the head with writing so many nuances of babies and motherhood and families in the balance in this. It reminds me of the real life life I could have had had things turned out differently all those years ago. But wow, who can't relate to such themes even on a basic level? And me as a character - you have me pegged pretty well in this too. I'm a defensive ***** when my nerves are tapped, but just as insecure as Rave the character is with her indecisiveness. For that you need to be commended. Dunno if it was coincidence or deliberately scripted for me but well done anyway. Oh and I have to add a small kudos for not making my confrontation there with Vanessa an unlawful Jerry Springer cat-fight, which could have been relatively easy to do. In truth I actually dont hate her. How can you hate someone you don't even know? Intimidated? Yes. Envious? **** **** yes! But hate her, no. So thanks for that. I personally dont like the partner-bashing thing that goes on in poor taste in other tales sometimes, but each to their own. Having also said that I'm not referring to poor Anna's future plight in this either as eluded to in the prologue. That's for dramatical purposes. Poor Anna anyway. But man, I can say poor everyone in this and find a reason to empathise or whatever but the point is I know the worst hasn't even started yet! Haha! That's like - wow! So can't wait to see what comes of all this!

Anyway enough of this rambling rant, I just wanted to add that I don't mind at all about offering reviews. I didn't think you meant exclusively me before with hints to review but still I feel bad that I cant get around and reply in detail to everyone's threads as often as I'd like to - time just doesnt allow it, and I personally dont like the small impersonal "ooh good job" replies and that's it. Kinda lacks constructive anything let alone heart. Meh, like I said, each to his own I suppose.

But never mind, I too sincerely appreciated your continuous support throughout AATM and this isn't even me so much returning the favor as genuinely liking the story. Honestly I tried getting into Secrets but for the life of me couldn't. Sorry - but I did try. This however has more immediate appeal to me - as the title suggests - the takeover. Oooh. Waiting eagerly for more as always when you can manage it

~Rav

 

[andrea]

Chapter 9

Sorry about not updating sooner been busy with school and work. Spring break is coming up soon so I may get more updates out during that time.

Rav, I understand about Secrets. I'm okay with that, since I'm not to happy about the story either. Secrets was/is the first LP story I wrote. My writing was bad back when I started it. Eventually I took a break from it and came up with TLATC.

Beginning scene again and last time I will repeat it. This time focused more on Jen.

******

Jen climbed out of a small door and stood up. She looked down and saw everyone down on the ground looking at the building. She then walked across the Sheraton sign. Down on the ground Detective Lopez saw her, “Anthony!” he yelled out.

“Captain?” he said walking up to Lopez.

“Someone's climbed out. Behind the sign” Lopez said.

Harrison looked through the binoculars, “One of the hostages?”

“There all in black wearing a mask” one of the police officers said walking up to them and looked through his own binoculars.

Jen slowly started to climb the ledge of the building. “Hold your fire.” The commanding officer of the SWAT team yelled out.

“Be ready to shoot if he pulls a gun or makes a threatening move” Harrison said. Jen turned the corner gripping a window ledge. She looked down and took a jump landing on the hood of a security car. She got up and took off the mask.

“It's Jen! Hold your fire! Hold your fire!” Harrison yelled.

“The lobby's wired to explode. Get everyone out!” she yelled running up to the detective, “Get everyone out now” she said when she reached them.

“Let's go!” The officer said and took off running.

“No, wait, wait! They're going to kill everyone in there if we storm the place” the detective said to Harrison.

“I’m fine” Jen said as paramedics came over to her.

“Hold it. Are you -- what's going on here?” Harrison asked Jen.

“They're going to detonate. Get everyone out now, Anthony. Go! Come on”

“All right, calm down” he said. He then looked at the hotel. “Hit them with the tear gas. Go on my command” he said. The SWAT team fired the tear gas at the doors of the lobby.

Detective Lopez and a police officer were getting ready to go into the building. “They're going to know we're coming” the officer said putting his gas mask on. From the building an alarm went off.

“At least they won't be able to see us” the detective said. Suddenly screaming came from inside the hotel followed by gunfire.

“Do something!” Peter said.

“Harrison, we got to get them out!” the officer yelled.

Jen looked at the building. Anthony waited a few seconds and then yelled, “Go, go, go!”

The SWAT team fired another tear gas next to the door. Jen watched the SWAT team walked towards the building.

The group paused at the door for a second. “Go” the officer said and they swarmed into the building.

As the SWAT team swarmed into the building Jen started praying for Patrick to make it out alive.

Suddenly a couple people came running out of the building. Another person then came running out carrying someone, “I need help here!” It was Brad and he was carrying Anna. Jen ran out a little but stopped.

“Brad, here” Peter said running up to him taking off his coat laying it on the ground, “I got her, I got her, I got her” Peter said.

Jen saw one of her co-workers run out and over to the paramedics.

“Patrick! Has anyone seen Patrick?” she was about to run towards the building but a paramedic stopped her, “No!”

“Elisa?” Brad called out. Realizing she was still inside he quickly got up and ran toward the building.

“Patrick!” Jen yelled out.

An explosion went off inside and through Brad onto his back. Jen covered her face with the mask that she had worn.

******

​

Los Angeles


13 hours earlier


4pm

Jen slowly came out from behind the hallway that led to the hotel vault. She wiped her nose and eyes from the crying that she just did. She then took a deep breath and straightened her work outfit and walked back out to where Michelle was waiting at, “Hi. I'm sorry I bolted. I guess I just needed to catch my breath”

“Yeah, I -- I understand. I mean, you're absorbing terrible shock and disappointment. But it's important to remember not being able to carry a child doesn't mean you can't be a mother.”

******

​

Jeffery walked in the Boren’s family house and went into the living room where his family was waiting at, “Oh, well, finally, Jeffery. Do you think that no one has anything to do around here except to just stand around and wait for you?” His father, Zack said turning around from the liquor table. Jeffery didn’t say anything and walked over to a small table and sat down looking at his P.D.A

“Oh, daddy is in his usual mood” Jeffery’s sister, Kristen said. She stood next to the table her brother sat at standing in front of the double doors that led out to the terries.

“I know you don't like to acknowledge or remember the fact that I'm a doctor, but patients take priority”

“Oh, please. Spare me the hearts-and-flowers ‘higher calling’ speech. I've heard it too many times over the years” Zack said.

“Is it too much to ask to start this endless evening without being at each other's throats?” Jeffery’s wife, Suzanne asked from the couch she was sitting on.

“Suzanne, don't you know the answer to that?” Kristen asked.

“Now, listen -- listen to me. Whatever bickering we do in private is one thing --” Zack said.

“Well, some things are never changed.” A man said walking into the living room.

“Could you all give me a moment's privacy with my husband?” Kristen asked her family. Her family got up and walked out of the room as her father mumbled under his breath about having to do what his daughter told him to do.

The Boren’s family maid walked up to the man, “Welcome back, Mr. Mark. You have been sorely missed” she said and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“Thanks” he said and the maid walked out of the room. He then walked up to the liquor table and poured himself a drink, “What about you? No ‘welcome back’?”

Kristen just stared the older man down.

******

​

Jen walked back to the desk wiping her eyes and turned around again to face Michelle, “Oh, I'm so sorry. I have to get myself under control. I got myself this job on my own and I'd like to keep it that way. I really don't want to mess it up.”

“Make an appointment soon to discuss your options. You know, it's possible you and Patrick could have a child with the assistance of a surrogate, or a gestation --” Michelle started to say but Jen cut her off.

“Right, I'm sorry -- I'm -- I'm sorry. No offense, but as I told you earlier, I seriously doubt that Patrick and I are ready for another woman to carry our baby.”

 

[andrea]

Continuing Chapter 9

Joanna walked into the nurses’ station and faced Peter as he took off his jacket, “This is not another one of those risks that you like to take in the O.R., and this is not some relationship problem that you can charm your way out of. This is your life. You have to take another test as soon as we can run it.”

“Joanna, what's the difference if I find out now, in three weeks, or three months from now? If I am H.I.V. Positive, my viral load is so low that it's undetectable. And if I'm not, even better” he said grabbing his jacket and walked over to the other side of the nurses station.

“Obviously you've already decided that you’re H.I.V. Positive and that scares you to death. Why not just find out the facts, and find out if you have a reason to be?” Joanna asked as Peter faced her.

“Do you ever listen to me when I talk to you?” Peter asked.

“I'm hearing you loud and clear. You're wrong.”

“Ok, you just said it -- it's my life. That means you don't get to decide. If I am H.I.V. Positive, I don't want to find out -- at least not right now. I want to leave a little room for uncertainty, maybe a little bit of hope, instead of crashing into bad news right away. Is it really that difficult to understand?” he asked.

“Yes. Everyday that you put off not knowing is another day that you are not getting proper medical care. And you're promoting the attitude that caused this pandemic to begin with -- the ‘I'd rather not know’ attitude.”

“Oh, so now you're blaming me for everything H.I.V. and AIDS-related?” he asked.

“No, I just don't want to enable this kind of denial. Until you get tested again, we're done” she said.

“Let me make sure I understand this correctly. Unless I deal with my own medical status in a way that you approve of, you're bailing on me?” he asked.

“See it however you want. I just don't want to stand by while you spit in the face of every person that died before the protocol was available” she said and turned around.

“I see. So this is about Matt again?” he asked.

Joanna turned around quickly, “No, this is not about Matt. This is about you. I love you and I am willing to stand by you through anything -- except this type of ignorance” she said and then walked out of the nurses’ station and walked away from Peter. Peter sighed and walked the other direction.

******

​

At the Boren’s house, Mark took a sip of his drink as his wife walked up closer to him, “I'm curious -- we didn't actually part on very loving terms -- did you divorce me in absent yet?” he asked.

“I would have, but I didn’t” she said.

“Good” he said and walked over to the small table Adam had recently sat at.

“You want to know why I didn’t?”

“I’ll listen if it’s a good one” Mark said turning to face Kristen.

Kristen walked up closer to Mark, “You jumped through hoops to stay married to me when your kid found out about it. So why are you still hanging onto me when I know you want to be with your first wife?” she asked.

“Because as much as I love my first wife, I can't be with her” he said setting his drink down.

“So you’re staying with me just because of that?”

“I wouldn't put it like that” he said and then looked to his left seeing his daughter Maddie walking in, “Hello, offspring.”

“Huh. You really are here” she said walking slowly up to him.

“How are you?” he asked opening his arms up.

“I'm -- I'm good” she said and gave her father a hug.

“You doing ok?” he asked wrapping his arms around her and then let go of her.

“Um, things have been about as normal as they get around here. There's been no change in mom's condition” Maddie said.

“I don't expect there to be.”

******

​

At the hotel, Anna who was dressed in a brown thinned strapped dress that in length stopped at her knees, walked off the elevator with Talinda who was looking at a notepad, “All the arrangements have been made for the party and the staff is all set.”

“Tal, why aren't you dressed? You're not going?” Anna asked.

“I don't feel like celebrating right now” she said continuing walking almost to the front desk but stopped.

“Why not? What's wrong?” Anna asked as she stopped walking too.

“Chester and I aren’t on best terms right now” she said turning to face Anna.

“Ok. I'm lost.”

“I’m mad at him right now because he didn’t give me enough time to plan this party. I just fill like it's not going to be great. So that's why I’m not, in case it goes down the drain.”

“It’s okay. Come on Tal, were talking about the guys here and endless amount of liquor, too”

Talinda just laughed, “Okay. Fine. I’ll be here” she said and then walked away to take care of last minute details. Anna then walked away heading to the elevator.

Rav walked into the hotel stopping by the door and took off her jacket. The dress that Vanessa picked out for Rav was a revealing thin strapped black dress that loosely fell to her knees so that it wasn’t tight around her producing stomach. It was opened in the back so it showed off a couple of her back tattoos especially the one on her arm. Jen who was near the doors was holding a note book and walked up to Rav, “Ravyn. Hi. Uh -- Rob left you a message. He said that he's going to be late and he'll meet you here in the lobby.”

“Ok. Thanks” she said and put her jacket over her arm. She lightly touched her stomach and sighed. Jen looked down to Rav’s stomach and then back up. Rav, filling eyes on her, turned her head, “Are you ok?” she asked.

“You know, it just -- it just hit me that you have what I want most in this world and you don't seem to appreciate it” Jen said. Rav just looked at her questionably.

Adam walked towards Mr. James when he saw him when he got off the elevator, “Is there a reason why you're still hanging around?” he asked.

Mr. James was on the phone and closed it, “I have a lot of money, not to mention my life, riding on the successful conclusion to this transaction. And since you're clearly not well, I've decided to take over.”

******

​

Joanna walked into the hotel and over to the elevator seeing Jeffery standing there, “Hi” she said to him.

“Hi” Jeffery said and pointed to a bench that surrounded a flower plant. They sat down.

“If you wanted to talk to me about Peter getting another H.I.V. test I already tried. He said that if he's positive, he doesn't want to know. I told him that that is clearly the wrong choice, but he refuses to listen to me” she said.

“I'm sorry to hear that” Jeffery said.

“Maybe he needs to be suspended until he gets another test” she said.

“Well, clearly, you disapprove of his decision.”

“It's clearly irresponsible.”

“He's human. I'm surprised that you don't understand that. You did exactly the same thing. When Matt was dying, you refused to take your H.I.V. test. Peter is doing what you did.” Joanna’s first boyfriend, Matt, had AIDS and ended up dieing from it. When Joanna found out that she could be affected by the virus she didn’t want to know, just like Peter is doing. When she did finally take the test it came back that she was H.I.V. Negative. Since then she has been seriously involved in finding a cure for the deadly virus.

******

Note: As promised this chapter is a page longer.

Review's are appreciated!

 

[andrea]

Chapter 10

Note: Take a look at this opening scene that GH did on 2/1 for their storyline version. Link:

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/iMKUJf6J3c8?feature=oembed

Rav had moved near the front desk after her talk with Jen. Brad and Elisa came into the hotel and saw her. They then walked up to her. Elisa had chosen a tan strap dress that in length went passed her knees about a couple inches. What Brad had gone with was dark slacks, a nice dress shirt and a matching suit jacket to go with the slacks, “Hey” Rav said when they came up to her.

“We're sorry we kept you waiting” Elisa said.

“We tried getting here as fast as we could” Brad said.

“That's ok. Rob's not even here yet.”

The hotel door open and a Priest walked in. The head of security saw him, “Father -- excuse me. You know, I checked. It doesn't seem you're registered at this hotel. Any reason why you’re here?

“May I speak to you for a moment?” the Priest asked.

“Yeah” and they walked over to the corner.

The elevator door open and Joanna walked out wearing a dress that’s strappes cover her shoulder. The material look like it was made out of denim and it stopped just at her knees. She saw her sister but then saw Jeffery walking into the hotel.

Jen finished putting the phone down as Vanessa came up next to her, “So, I couldn't help but notice the tension between you and Ravyn. What's that about?” she asked. Jen ripped the paper off the note pad she just written on and looked at Vanessa.

The hotel door open again and Chester walked in wearing something similar as Brad except his had a coat on over his suit jacket. He turned his head to see the head of security and the Priest talking. The head of security man nodded his head to Chester since he was his bosses husband and went back to continue his conversation with the Priest.

Talinda walked up to him, “So you made it?” he asked her. What she had on was a full length black dress with ¼ inch straps.

Again the door open and this time Mike walked in dress similar to Brad but of course he had a different color shirt on. Chester turned around and saw him, “Hey man!” he said and gave him a half handshake/slap on back.

Outside of the hotel, Peter was walking on the sidewalk on his way to the hotel to talk to Joanna. Someone walking from the hotel almost walked straight into him since the person was looking down. “Whoa, whoa. Sorry, dude” the boy said when Peter grabbed his shoulders to stop him from almost falling down. He let go of him as his phone rang. “Hmm” the boy said and brushed off his jacket walking away.

Peter pulled out his cell phone and saw that it was the hospital, “Dr. Coleman. I'm on my way” he said and closed his phone putting it back in his pocket. He sighed and continued back to the hospital.

A man stood out on the sidewalk dressed in a dark jumpsuit wearing a ski mask on the top of his head. When the sidewalk cleared he whistled. About eight other people came out from behind the steps of the apartment buildings, which were across the street from the Sheraton, also wearing dark jumpsuits and ski masks carrying duffel bags.

 

[andrea]

Continuing Chapter 10

“All right, boys and girls, quick and clean. Anybody gets in the way, kill them” the man said and then lowered his mask to cover his face and walked toward the Sheraton. The others lowered there mask and followed him.

Back inside the hotel, Anna got off the elevator and walked towards Rav, Brad, and Elisa as they were the first people she saw.

“Hi Joanna” Jeffery said walking up to her.

“I didn’t know that you were attending the party” she said. She said this since Jeffery was Elisa's father and thought he was attending for fatherly support.

“I’m actually here to get something from my wife. Are anniversary is coming up soon” he said.

“Has Peter made an appointment yet?” she asked hoping he would say yes.

In the corner, the head of security was explaining to the Priest why he couldn’t be here, “Look, your twin brother terrorized a lot of people who work for this hotel. You're not welcome” he said.

Rav’s cell phone ran. She looked down and saw that it was Rob. Fearing that he was canceling on her she answered it anyways, “Hey. Look, I'm so sorry. I -- I must of lost track of time. I was trying some things out on the drums. But I’ll still make it. I'll meet you there.” Rav didn’t respond and closed her phone.

Vanessa looked at Rav and then back at Jen, “If you have something on Ravyn that's going to knock her off her nauseating pedestal, you should tell me because I'll run with it.”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Talinda asked Chester answering his question as she prayed to herself that nothing would go wrong at the party. Mike looked over Chester and Talinda to see Anna looking over her shoulder at him. She raised her hand up and waved at him. As Mike was about to walk over to her, the doors of the hotel slammed open. Chester and everyone else in the room looked over to see what was going on as gunshots were fired into the air as a group of people dressed in dark jumpsuits came into the hotel.

Everyone in the room screamed. Brad, with his back facing the group, stood in front of Rav and Elisa. Vanessa and Jen raised there hands up. Anna covered her ears with her hands as the gunshots continued into the air. Chester and Mike pushed Talinda in back of them as she lowered her head in Chester’s shoulders.

“Everybody stay where you are! This is a robbery. Cooperate and it will be over in five minutes” A man who everyone in the room assumed was the leader said. They all stood up straight shocked at what was taking place, “Now” the leader said to his team. His people swarmed into the building holding there guns up. Talinda was shocked that someone would do this to her workers, customers and friends. The doors behind the leader were closed as he looked around the room at the people.

Each gunman or women walked over to each of the groups in the lobby. When one of the gunman came up to the front desk, Vanessa turned her head towards Jen, “This is insane.” Jen had her hands down on the desk and slowly moved her finger under the desk to hit the silent alarm to close the vault.

Brad held out his arm turning around to face the gunman that was in front of them trying to push Rav in back of him, “Brad, no” Elisa said.

The leader just stood next to the door still looking around the lobby. Talinda looked over to the front desk. Jen kept slowly moving her finger under the desk close to touching the button.

The leader saw what she was doing and walked toward the desk, “Excuse me, excuse me. How badly do you want to be employee of the month?” He aimed his gun at her. Jen then rose up her hands over the desk, “Very prudent. I doubt you're being paid enough to risk your own life” he said walking even closer to the desk. He turned around to look at Talinda, “How do you inspire such loyalty and teamwork from your employees?” he asked her.

“Everyone on my staff, do as you're told. No heroics” Talinda said looking at the leader.

Chester, standing next to her side, turned his head to look at another gunman as he moved across the room behind him. “I appreciate the support” the leader said and then walked towards the doors.

“You can take anything you want” Talinda responded back.

“And I intend to, starting with cell phones, P.D.A’s, pagers and jewelry, please” the leader said. Two of the gunman pulled back the tables that where near the window of the doors and started covering them and doors up with black spray paint. Everyone in the room just watch them not making a sound. Rav opened her cell phone next to her side trying not to look down as she dialed a number. Other gunman got up on one of the chairs that was near the security camera next to the doors and sprayed painted the camera lens. Rav was still dialing the number on her phone and looked down to see the keys. The leader was looking at them as she did that. Another gunman walked over to them grabbing Brad’s shoulders pushing him out of the way, “No phone calls!” he said and then grabbed Rav.

“Ok, ok, all right” she said trying to get him off of her.

Elisa grabbed the gunman’s arms also trying to get him off of Rav, “Stop! She's pregnant.”

******

​

At the hospital Patricia turned around when the elevator doors open and saw Peter walking out of them, “That didn't take long” she said walking up to him.

“Where's Mr. Maxwell?” he asked.

“In the lounge. The patient experienced a sudden, debilitating headache.”

“And blurred vision” Adam’s girlfriend said standing up.

“I just need something for the pain. I have an important business meeting tomorrow” Adam said also standing up holding his head and then lowered his arm.

“You can forget the business meeting” Peter said.

“All right, that's not an option.”

Peter looked at Patricia and she turned around walking away, “Look, I picked out at least a dozen bullet fragments out of your brain and these symptoms --” he started explaining to Adam but Adam cut him off.

“You have your work to do and I have mine and I cannot delay this meeting” he said and went to hold his head again.

“If you don't let us run some tests and figure out what's going on, it's quite possible you will not see tomorrow morning.”

Adam just sighed.

******

Review's are appreciated!

 

[Ravynlee]

Just letting you know I've read it and will review soon. OMG though from what I have read *jaw drops* the tension now! Haha this is great! As always I do love your style jumping from scene to scene, it reads just like something on TV! When I get a bit more time I'll reply in greater detail, right now just letting you know I've read it, dont have any real critique right now (not expecting to mind you ) but yeah, I havent ignored it, just been busy at work as usual. Will respond more soon. Great as always and ****, VERY excited now we're getting into the real drama! So visual, so... I dont know, emotional, detailed, heightened! Haha - just great!

 

[X...Re-Arranged...X]

Love for Andrea and her wondeful talent of writing! ^_^

 

[andrea]

Chapter 11

Thanks Ravyn and X...Re-Arranged...X for the reviews.

******

Back at the hotel, the gunman still had his arms around Rav trying to get her phone. Elisa still had her hands on the gunman’s arms trying to get him to let go of Rav. “Just take the phone. Take the phone” Rav said.

“Right” the gunman said under his breath, getting the phone. Brad couldn’t take it anymore, that this gunman was being ruff with his band mates’ wife, especially a pregnant woman, and walked up to him. The gunman that was near the desk turned around and hit the end of his gun in the side of Brad’s face making him fall back against the couch. Elisa let go of the gunman that was still holding Rav and went over to Brad.

Jeffery was holding Joanna back from going over to her sister, “Don't touch my sister!” she yelled walking over to them.

“No, don't!” Jeffery said as Joanna pulled her arm out of Jeffery’s hold. The gunman then let go of Rav. She and Joanna walked over to Elisa.

“What is wrong with you? Don't you understand you're putting all of us in danger, including Rob's baby?” Vanessa asked. Rav then turned her head to look at Vanessa before kneeling down next to Elisa.

“And you seemed so demure and quiet. You're a pleasant surprise, but you're going to be trouble” the leader answered back.

“Just rob us and get it over with” Vanessa said back. Jen need her elbow into Vanessa side.

“I apologize for the inconvenience, darling” he said and put his gun into his holster, “Excuse me” he said and took the gun that the head of security man had. The other gunman that was near the door then knocked him unconscious with the end of his gun. Everyone in the room gasped. “Oh, what have we here? Lovely” the leader said seeing the gun, “Excuse me. Thank you” he said and walked over the security guards body, “Dispose of this, please. Thank you” he said walking over to another gunman and handed him the gun and walked over to the desk, “And the phone girl --”

Chester looked at Talinda and saw the look on her face as she watched the leader walked over to the front desk, “You know that guy?” he asked her.

“His voice sounds so familiar” she responded back.

The sound of one of the gunman’s gun moving made Chester look over Mike’s shoulder to see the gunman turn the Priest around to search him. He then noticed a bag on the floor near another gunman’s foot. “You don't look like no priest I ever seen” the gunwoman said as the other gunman who knocked the security guard out searched the Priest seeing the tattoos on his neck and fingers.

Chester moved to Talinda’s other side and looked at the leader, “What are you thinking?” Talinda asked.

“This is not a robbery. These guys are after something” he said.

After the Priest was searched the gunwoman walked over to the front desk holding a bag out for collecting jewelry and cell phones. Joanna looked down at her fingers and saw the ring that was giving to her by Matt and moved her fingers up taking the ring off and put it in her bra. The gunwoman pointed to Jen's necklace, “What?” Jen asked looking down, “Come on, my boyfriend gave me this necklace” she said looking up. The gunwoman reached for the necklace and ripped it off of her and put it in the bag.

The Priest then walked up to Jen, “Please listen to me, Miss Cooley. They can take the necklace, but not its meaning. You have to calm down” he said.

“Look, if you don't get away from me, I'm going to ask if they can kill you” she responded.

“Violence begets violence.”

“That works for me.”

A gunman was also collecting jewelry and price possessions from people in the lobby too. He was over with Talinda, Chester and Mike. Talinda took off her necklace and put it in the bag as Chester and Mike put their wedding rings into the bag also. “And the rings” the gunman said to Talinda. She looked over at Chester and then took the mother’s birthstone ring she got when Tyler was born and put it in the bag and crossed her arms, “The other one, too” he said seeing that she had another ring on.

“No.”

“Do it, Talinda” Chester said. The leader started walking over to them.

“No. You gave me that ring when we got married!”

“Give him the ring.”

“No.”

“Give him the ring!” he yelled at her. He didn’t care if they took the ring because he could always get another one. He just didn’t want them to hurt her.

“No!”

The leader reached them, “Is there a problem?” he asked.

“Yes. You can have my credit cards, you can have my cash. You can have anything you want in this hotel, but you're not getting my ring” Talinda said to him.

“Well, you see, if I allow you to keep the ring, what about the other people? It would be unfair, wouldn't it?”

“This is my wedding ring. You have to understand.”

“I'm afraid I must insist.”

Talinda then uncrossed her arms and took the ring off, “Fine” she said and put it in the bag.

“Thank you.” The gunman and the leader then walked away.

“Did you recognize his voice?” Chester asked.

“I didn't have enough time. You got rid of him so fast” Talinda said lowering her voice.

“Ok. From now on, no more tricks.”

“What the **** is going on here?” she asked.

“This is -- this is got to be about the Adam Maxwell thing.”

“What?”

“You know? The guy that had gotten shot in the head and survived. It seems that he's working for the mob and is involved in a deal about a shipment.”

Talinda just looked at Chester surprised, “How do you know about that? And do you know of what shipment?”

“The news and no. But he was willing to kill to make sure it got through. Did you see him around the hotel?”

“He was asking about the security in the vault” she said.

At the desk, a gunman was searching Vanessa, “Seriously, you took everything I have. What else do you want?” she asked, “Stop feeling me up!” she said fighting him off of her.

“The hotel phones are all turned off” one of the gunman said to the leader getting off the phone.

“Did you get the lobby phones, just in case?” he asked.

“It's all set.”

“Good. Five?” he said and the gunman named number Five walked up to him, “You and Three clean out the vault. Take a hostage with you.” Five then walked over to the desk where Three was at.

Vanessa put her jacket back on and Three grabbed her, “No, wait. What are you doing? I'm sorry, ok? I'm sorry! Please don't kill me! No! Don't!” she yelled as Three and Five moved her to where the vault was at. Everyone in the room was shock.

 

[andrea]

Continuing Chapter 11

“You went to work against my advice. Now you're presenting symptoms of a brain bleed” Peter said to Adam.

“I'm sure I can hold out till tomorrow” Adam said.

“Right, because you're the expert. I'm just the brain surgeon that saved your life. Well, don't let me stand in your way, Mr. Maxwell. You're obviously a little too arrogant to listen to any doctor's advice.”

“You know what? I'm already feeling better. Pain's going away and my vision's clearing up” he said mostly to his girlfriend.

“I don't believe you” she said.

“Rebecca, you do understand how important my current situation is?” he asked her.

“No business deal is worth your life. Your family needs you. And so do I” she said.

******

​

Back at the hotel, Five opened the vault and Three shoved Vanessa in. Three and Five then walked into the vault and started to look around the boxes, stored in the shelve case that was in the wall, opening them up and threw them onto the floor when it wasn’t what they weren’t looking for.

“What -- what are you looking for?” Vanessa asked them.

In the lobby, Chester and Talinda sat down on the bench that went around a flower plant as they looked at the leader, “Did Adam put anything into the vault?” Chester asked Talinda.

Talinda turned her head to look at him, “I don't know.”

“Who would know?”

She looked over at the assistant manager, “The assistant manager would know.”

“The --” he started saying.

“He's over there” Talinda said moving her head to point where the assistant manager was at sitting near the doors of the hotel. Talinda then looked at the leader and got up.

Chester grabbed her arm to try and pull her back down, “What -- where are you going?” he asked. She pulled her arm out of his grab and walked up to the leader.

“Take what you want and get the **** out of my hotel, Mr. One or whoever the **** you are” she said and grabbed his mask but he grabbed her arm stopping her from taking off his mask and put his gun under her chin with his other hand.

******

​

At the hospital, Adam and his girlfriend Rebecca were sitting on a bed in a hospital room. Adam was in a hospital gown, “Oh, what is taking so long? I cannot sit here all night waiting for tests” Adam said getting fed up.

“You are not going anywhere until Peter says you're ok.”

“Well, what he doesn't understand is staying here could be fatal.”

“It won't be. We will get through this.”

“Rebecca, I don't like the way this is shaping up. Derek is getting too proprietary.” Derek was Mr. James' first name.

“Hey, hey, look at me” Rebecca said and put her finger under his chin to have him look up at her, “The transaction is almost complete. And when it is, nothing will matter except our little family, ok? No more violence. It'll just be about us, all right? We'll share a great life -- you and me and Emily.”

Adam just sighed, “You know, I'd given up thinking that this was possible.”

“I know the feeling.”

“I'd just lost so many people in my life and I had decided that love was not worth the risk. Oh. **** it -- suddenly -- I don’t know how you got through my walls and you leaped inside my heart.”

“It's only fair. You did the same thing with me.”

“Listen to me. No matter what happens tonight, I'm not leaving you, ok?” he asked.

“Ok.”

“I promise” he said and then kissed her.

******

​

At the nurses station Peter had picked up the phone and dialed Joanna’s number. He had gotten her voicemail. “Joanna, hey. It's -- it's me. I was on my way to the Sheraton to see you and now I'm stuck at the hospital. Mr. Maxwell ignored my advice and pushed himself into a brain bleed, but while I was yelling at him for being stubborn and arrogant, I realized I was being the same way. I'm going to schedule myself for another H.I.V. test tonight. I love you” he said and then hung up the phone.

******

​

Back at the hotel, the leader still had his gun under Talinda's chin and she still had her hand on his mask with him holding her arm.

“Talinda, don't” Rav said.

“Let go” Anna said walking a little closer to them.

Talinda let go of the mask and the leader lowered his gun, “I bet that impulsive streak of yours gets you into lots of trouble” the leader said rubbing his gun down her cheeks.

“I own this hotel and I'm responsible for everybody in it. I'm not going to let you hurt or bully anybody else” she said as Chester walked towards the assistant manager.

“What is she doing?” Rav asked Elisa.

“I'm not sure.”

“Talinda, are you out of your mind? What do you thinks going to happen if you were to pull his mask off?” Jeffery asked.

“She's counting on the fact that I won't kill any of you, which is a very dangerous assumption” the leader said. Talinda looked over his shoulder at Jen.

Chester kneeled down next to the assistant manager, “Did Adam Maxwell put anything into the vault?” he said.

“He’s going to shoot her” the assistant manager said.

“Answer the question.”

“A -- a briefcase.”

“What kind?” Chester asked.

“Um -- silver with a high-tech lock and a flashing security light.”

Jen slowly lowered her hands to go and try and push the button again that was under the desk. Chester stood up and saw what Jen was doing and moved his hand across his neck as to tell her no.

The leader saw that and turned around to face the desk as Jen hit the button, “What did you just do?” he asked.

In the vault Three found what they were looking for. “I got it” he said. Suddenly an alarm went off signaling that the vault was going to close down. Vanessa and the gunmen’s ran to the door as it started closing but only Five made it out leaving Three and Vanessa behind along with the brief case as the door close. Vanessa turned around to look at the gunman in the vault with her and found him looking coldly at her like she caused the vault to close.

******

As always your reviews are appreciated!

 

[X...Re-Arranged...X]

Woot for andrea!!!

 

[Ravynlee]

Is there.... more coming for this? I need closure on all these character's traumatised lives! XD

 

[andrea]

Yes. I'm still going to keep working on this. I got so busy with school but since it's over now I'll be working on again. But you might have to wait a little longer, because I'm switching everything to my new computer. It shouldn't be that longer of a wait and hopefully I'll be working on it by next week.

 

[andrea]

Chapter 12

Sorry about the long wait! School got to be to much for me and I had to stop writing until I was done with school. Well now that I am I've decided to update to let you all know that yes this story will continue on. Now that I'm on summer vacation, update for this story should be regularly. Anyways enjoy this update.

******

Patrick walked up to the hotel. He was going to see Jen but stopped when he noticed that the windows were black. He walked to the far right window since a little light was coming out and saw that it was uncovered. Looking in, he saw everyone in the lobby on there feet and a couple people dressed in jumpsuits wearing masks and holding guns.

******

​

“No, no, no” Jen said as one of the gunman started to push her back towards the hallway.

The Priest got onto his feet, “No! Please don't hurt her! She doesn't mean any --”

“Hey, get down!” another gunman said grabbing the Priest’s arm bending it backwards.

“Ah!” The Priest let out falling down onto his knees.

“Two, enough” the leader said to the gunman, “I'm curious. Why did you try to stop her from hitting the silent alarm?” he asked Chester.

“We don't need the police. Your guys got into the vault. You'll be fine if you get away now” Chester answered.

Five ran out into the lobby pushing some people back and went up to the leader, “Where's the briefcase?” he asked.

“It's in the vault. The door started closing. I thought Three was right behind me” Five said.

“You left the briefcase in the vault?” the leader asked.

“What about Vanessa?” Jen asked shakily now standing behind the desk again.

“She's in there with Three” Five said.

“And the briefcase, you idiot!” the leader said and turned around.

Talinda walked closer to him, “You won't be able to get into the vault for the next 12 hours” she said.

Chester walked up behind to Talinda, “Things are about to go seriously wrong. You still have time to cut your losses. But you're going to have to leave now.”

Outside the police drove up to the hotel parking across the street. They got out and were about to go up to the hotel when Patrick ran up to them, “Hold -- hold on. If they know you're here, somebody could get killed” he said and looked back at the hotel.

******

​

At the hospital, Rebecca had gotten off the bed and started pacing the room, “You're just as impatient as I am” Adam said.

“I’m trying not to panic. How long can it take to run a couple of tests?” Rebecca asked looking down at her watch. She then sighed.

“I love you.”

She made her way over to the bed and sat back down, “Feel free to tell me as often as you like.”

“Yeah?” he asked.

“The feeling's mutual” Rebecca said and Adam leaned in and gave her a kiss.

Peter came up to the door and knocked on it letting them know that he was in the room. Adam and Rebecca broke away from each other and looked at Peter, “You have an intracranial bleed. I need to operate immediately" Peter walked furthered into the room.

“How long will I be unconscious?” Adam asked.

“Anywhere from four to 24 hours” Peter answered.

“Oh, that's too long. I'll have to do this tomorrow afternoon.”

“Not an option” Rebecca looked at Adam.

“Blood is leaking into your brain. That headache you feel right now is nothing compared to what will happen next. You'll feel like your head is exploding, and it will be from the inside. You'll have a grand mal seizure and that'll be that. It won't matter if you're here or in the middle of some business deal. You'll be dead” Peter explained.

“Then you have no choice” Rebecca spoke out to Adam.

“Mr. Maxwell, if I don't operate immediately, you will not make it through the night” Peter said and then walked out of the room.

“I'm going to give you one last chance to walk away. Rebecca, you could take Emily. You could go to Greece. There's money waiting for you there. You will have a good life” Adam said looking at Rebecca.

“No. Not without you. We are in this together, do you hear me? All the way” she said.

“Well, you better make sure that you mean that. Because once I bring you into this deal, there's no turning back” he said.

******

​

Outside of the hotel Commissioner Harrison was explaining to Patrick why they were here, “Someone broke into the vault. It triggered a call to us” he said.

“Yeah, the windows are painted over, ok? The place is locked down. I saw men with ski masks carrying automatic weapons. I think they're holding hostages in the lobby” Patrick said.

Rob just made it to the hotel and saw the scene before him. He walked up to them hearing what Patrick just said, “My wife was supposed to meet me in the lobby. So were some of my band mates. There was to be a party for our band tonight” he said as the police officers and Patrick looked at him. Commissioner Harrison just looked straight at the hotel.

“My girlfriend Jen is in there” Patrick said to the Harrison. He shook his head knowing who Jen was since she was District Attorney Steve Cooley’s daughter.

“We could be dealing with hundreds of people” Det. Lopez said.

“Joanna also in there. She just booked a room” Harrison said.

“These people are professional, ok? They want what's in the vault. There's hostages. Just let them get it and get them out of there.”

“Don't worry. We have a strong protocol for a hostage takeover. We're not going to go rushing into anything. All right, listen up, you guys. Listen” Harrison said calling over his team.

Patrick took a step out into the street pulling out his cell phone and dialed a number, “Greg -- ok, look, I need you to meet me across the Sheraton hotel. No, right now, ok? Bring your laptop. I need information” he said and closed his phone.