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Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the next chapter.
It was co-written with Lenni.
Enjoy =)
Chapter Four-Hundred-Fifty


Meanwhile over in the Hospital Wing, by the time Doctor Johnson returned from getting Annabelle and Julie settled in over at the Orphanage the Hurricane was set in motion and people were being brought in nonstop for the past couple of hours causing him and other doctors to run back and forth from different situations in their rush to get things done. Doctor Johnson who finally got a chance to slow down and take a breather walked into the Hospital wing to talk to Cyndi when three men walked in. He paused short in the hall and watched them as they walked up to Cyndi’s desk.


“Hi there, what can I do for you?” Cyndi asked while finishing up on typing something into the computer and when she looked up she saw them – one man wore a red and black striped hoodie with the hood pulled over his head. He had black messy hair that was kind of just everywhere and his lower lip was pierced. The other two beside him – one with short shaggy brown hair with blonde highlights, and a black and white checkered hoodie, and another one with dark black hair that pretty much covered most of his face giving him the typical scene kid look. He wore a black hoodie and in Doctor Johnson’s opinion they look very much like someone Kori would know – and that scares him. The one in the red and black striped hoodie and the mysterious green eyes spoke up.


“It’s really bad out there ma’am and we don’t have a place to go…”


“You poor dears,” Cyndi being her typical sweet self replied sympathetically.


“We figured that since this is a hospital and everything you wouldn’t mind taking us in until the storm is over?”


“Not at all,” Cyndi insisted. “In fact I might be able to call the Orphanage wing to see if you can stay over there with them. You will be a lot more comfortable over there.” She turned and reached for the phone and before Doctor Johnson even had the time to comprehend what was going on, the red and black striped hoodie guy had his gun out, reached over the counter and slid his arm around her neck before pulling her back against him and placing the gun to her head and she yelped in surprise.


“What are you doing? Let me go!”


“No I think we would rather stay over here.” He jumped up onto the counter then while still holding onto her with the gun pressed firmly to her head and he jumped down onto the other side with her.


“Curtis, Darrell, signal for the other guys to get in here and then lock the doors” he ordered before shoving Cyndi who by now looked beyond terrified into a chair and he began tying her up. When he finished he turned and looked to see about five other men coming into the building and while his back was turned Cyndi made eye contact with Doctor Johnson and gave him a look that clearly said run.


“What about you” he mouthed quietly knowing she would understand. They’ve been working together for years, she knows him. Cyndi glanced at her attackers to see that Ben was barking orders at them and not paying attention to her in the least bit. She looked back at Doctor Johnson then but kept the corner of her eye on them.


”You can’t be a hero all the time sweetie” she mouthed back. “Go – you have a fiancée and little girl to think about. I am a strong independent woman who can take care of herself.”


“Yeah it looks like it,” Doctor Johnson mouthed back teasingly.


“They took advantage of my hospitality. I won’t let that happen again.”


“Please don’t piss them off and get yourself killed,” Doctor Johnson pleaded.


“I won’t – just go already. If there is trouble over here there is bound to be some over in the orphanage wing.”


“I’ll come back for you as soon as I can – as soon as I know who these guys are and how to work them,” He promised and Cyndi nodded and after a glance at the baddies she motioned impatiently for him to leave with her head. Finally listening to her, he turned and ran for the closest elevator and Cyndi’s mouthed words suddenly hit him. If there is trouble over here, there is bound to be trouble over at the orphanage – which means his Annabelle and Julie are in trouble and he put them right in the middle of it. Tears rolled down his face then as he became very frustrated with himself. Kayline…if you are still here…please watch over them, please he thought. Just as he got in the elevator and the doors were closing behind him he heard gun shots being made in the patient’s rooms and screaming and his heart went out for his fellow doctors and all of the patients as tears flooded his eyes and he resisted the urge to bring the elevator back down and go and help them. He knows he won’t be much help if he is caught and being held hostage right along with them. And for Annabelle and Julie’s sake, he can’t be caught. No, he is going to have to be the hero at a distance – what would Bruce Willis do in the movie Die Hard? Think Steve, think. You need a plan. He’ll go see what’s going on in the Orphanage wing, he decided after a moment. He knows he won’t be able to get in the auditorium, but if there is anything going on, surely he’ll hear it. All he knows is he needs to get an idea on what is happening on both sides.



Meanwhile in the Orphanage wing, as Kori and Scott still lay underneath the chair - Kori on her back on the floor with Scott laying on his side beside her with one arm around her waist while his head was rested in the palm of his hand with the other, they were quietly talking when they heard a familiar voice.


“Get a room will you? There are young and impressionable children around here,” Ashley teased and Kori and Scott both looked up at her to see her standing in the isle peering in at them and she has both Bella and Dakota in her arms.


“Says the girl who is constantly kissing Nick every five minutes,” Kori retorted and Ashley sat herself on the floor between the row of chairs leaning her back against one and Scott slid his hand out from under Kori’s shirt at the sight of Dakota as he had been lightly tickling her stomach. They could now also see Marcus sitting in a chair across the aisle pretending to be kicking back and enjoying a book but they all know that he is really eyeing Ashley protectively. “What brings you over here anyway sis? I would have thought that since it was Scott I am spending time with you wouldn’t pester me.”


“Believe it or not I might have actually just come over here to spend time with my sister and future brother n’ law,” Ashley told her indignantly and she lightly nudged Kori in the foot with her own. Kori rolled her eyes playfully.


“Just because we’ve been lovey dovey with each other it hardly means we’re getting married Ashley.”


“Yet,” Scott put in while hugging Kori closer and he rested is cheek against Kori’s as she currently lay on her side with her back now turned to him as she faces her sister and he winked at Ashley. Kori looked down at his hands at his words as they rest on her stomach and she idly traced her fingers over them as she thought about Scott’s comment. They just officially got back together. She is only just learning to trust him again and here they are talking about marriage already. The very thought of such a commitment, of trusting him with her mending heart that much terrifies her. Scott who instantly sensed her fear, nestled his face in the crook of her neck, placed tender kisses, and he hugged her tightly while bringing his lips up to her ear and whispering quietly in it though Ashley still heard him.


“Not yet but not anytime soon either baby,” he reassured her and Kori scooted back into him some more as she felt her stomach do flip flops at the mere fact that he knows her so well. She grabbed his hands into her own then and laced their fingers together. “I love you,” he added and she squeezed his hand gently and brought it up to her lips before kissing it softly as her only response.


“What is Spencer doing?” Kori asked Ashley after a long moment when Scott had her calm again. “I feel like I don’t see him enough anymore, I’ve been so caught up in my own emotional whirlwind…I feel like a bad mom dumping him on everyone else lately.”


“He’s playing red light green light with all of the kids. He’s just really thrilled to see his mom and dad together at last. It’s all he’s wanted since Scott entered his life.” Kori smiled some and turned Scott’s hand over before placing feathery light kisses on his palm. After a few moments she scooted out from under the chair, gently grabbed Dakota out of Ashley’s arms and she got up and walked off with her leaving Ashley staring after them feeling surprised that Dakota actually allowed this. Ever since she fully grasped what was going on outside she was reminded of her night terrors and instantly clung to Ashley with a death grip. She and Scott watched Kori as she snuck up behind Spencer, playfully snatched him up in her arms making him yelp in surprise, and she cradled them both before spinning with them, instantly making them shriek and giggle. She spun with them until she got dizzy and fell and then she instantly attacked them both with numerous kisses making Dakota giggle harder and Spencer, though clearly enjoying it, complain. Ashley smiled at the scene before them happily and then crawled under the chair as she still has Bella before lying back beside Scott and he reached his arm out and placed it carefully under her head as a cushion before leaning forward and kissing her forehead in an affectionate way that only a brother would.


“How does it feel to have your dream finally come true?” Ashley asked while looking down at Bella who instantly snuggled against her chest and stuck her two fingers in her mouth to suck on. After a few seconds of watching her daughter she looked up at Scott, brown eyes meeting with blue.


“I couldn’t be any happier. Thank-you for always being in my corner from the very beginning Ashley, I love you.”


“I love you too. You’ve been given a second chance…don’t you dare screw it up Scott Hayden or I will never forgive you. You see I kind of have my heart set on you marrying my sister.” Scott chuckled softly.


“I won’t sweetie I promise. Kori and my son mean everything to me. They’re my greatest treasure and I’m never going to take them for granted again.” Ashley turned onto her side slightly then, though remaining very conscious of Bella and she rested her head against his shoulder as his arm was still acting as a pillow.


“Just keep the marriage talk on the down low when she is around okay? I haven’t quite earned her full trust back yet and the whole idea of any form of commitment terrifies her. I need to work with her on that before we start talking about weddings.”


“Kay…just so long as it happens eventually.”



“Ellie, what are you looking at?” Josh demanded while walking over to his cousin and finding her staring up at the catwalk where she’d been looking earlier. Ellie blinked, snapped out of it, and looked at Josh then and she shrugged her shoulders.


“Nothing…was just day dreaming, I guess.”


“About what you ‘might’ have seen up there earlier?” Josh interrogate while eyeing her critically. He knows her well enough to know when she is lying and he’d been keeping an eye on her ever since.


“It was just my imagination Joshy, I was seeing things.”


“You are lying to me,” Josh accused. “I know when you are telling lies, and I definitely know what you look like when you are protecting people you aren’t supposed to.”


“There’s no one up there to protect, Joshy. See for yourself” Ellie told him evenly.


“That may be the case,” Josh began while looking her directly in the eyes. “But the fact that you thought you saw someone up there can’t be ignored and you know it Elenore. Ashley’s life depends on it and Dakota would be devastated if anything happened to her.”


“My father is not up there Joshy so just chills.”


“No I won’t chill. Whether he is up there or not you know you are supposed to say something – even if you aren’t sure!” Ellie crossed her arms over her chest and looked away from him almost tearfully.


“I know he’s your father an’ you want to protect him but you an’ security have a deal, remember? He has to be caught first before we can even begin to do what you want,” Josh reminded her gently trying to keep in mind how hard this is for her. Ellie continued to look away from him and Josh turned and looked across the room.


“Brian!” He called. “Brian come here please!” Brian paused amidst trying to kiss Riley and turned to look at his son while gently rubbing his hand over her pregnant belly and he eyed Josh and Ellie warily. What are they up to now? Sighing softly, he kissed Riley’s nose, told her that he would be right back, and then headed on over to an awaiting Josh and a distressed looking Ellie.


"What is it, Joshua?" Brian asked, a bit concerned, as he took in Ellie's demeanor. "What're you two up to now?"


"I'm not up to anything, other than making my cousin tell the truth!" Josh exclaimed, angrily. "She's keeping secrets again!"


"Watch your tone," Brian warned. "And what secrets are you keeping now, Ellie?"


"I don'ts got any secrets!" Ellie cried tearfully. "Joshy's just lyin' and bein' a mean old poopy-head again!"


"Elenore, the only time Josh has ever lied to me, was because he was trying to help you, and you both know the consequences of that."


"She thinks that - " Josh began to tell, only to suddenly be cut off by his little cousin.


"DADDY!!!!!!!" Ellie exclaimed excitedly, her whole face lighting up in excitement, though she knew somewhere deep down this had to mean trouble for everyone else. Brian was confused a moment, as he knew for a fact that Kevin was over in the other direction - and then suddenly, it dawned on him - Sean, was here. Sean was in the building! Dear God!


"Ellie!" He shouted, as he watched the five-year-old go running for her murderer of a father. Sean winced slightly, as he was tackled by his over exuberant five-year-old. He hadn't expected such a warm welcome at all - stupid little brat; she was always making him feel things he did not want to feel! Ellie clung to him happily, ignoring all the gasps that could be heard from throughout the entire auditorium. Her father was here, and she got to see him again - that was all that mattered to her at the moment, as selfish as it may seem. Sean kept his gun away from her, but pointed at everyone else. He stiffly patted her back, and then shoved her back towards Trevor, ripping her off of himself.


"Take her, damnit!" He ordered, trying not to let the adults in the room know he'd secretly, slightly enjoyed the welcome. Trevor grabbed Elenore, as she stumbled into him. She hadn't expected that, not in the least.


"Daddy, what's goin' on?"


"Shut-up, Elenore," Sean growled angrily. "Or else!" Ellie gulped then, cowering back into Trevor - she suddenly remembered she did not love her Daddy when he was angry, so she kept silent - for now. Marcus stood abruptly, his book hitting the floor in surprise. How in the world had Sean and Trevor managed to get inside!?!? After all his precautions, what good was he, when all his precautions had failed them - had failed Ashley?


"Don't move a damned muscle, security boy," Sean stated, aiming his gun directly at Marcus. "Or someone's going to lose their little brains." Nobody moved, as it was such a shock to see him inside of the Orphanage, where he was least expected.


"Daddy, no!" Ellie cried, her eyes watering up once more. "Please, don't!"


"I said, shut-up Elenore!" Sean snapped. "Do not make me angry with you, or you will regret it!"


"Don't you dare!" Kevin growled himself, standing and moving towards them a little, wanting to retrieve his little girl from the madman who'd help give life to her. "Or I'll...."


"You'll what?" Sean challenged. "Not so brave, now are you, pretty boy?" Kevin set his jaw, glaring angrily at the man who stood before them with a gun in his hand. "Just give her back to me, now!"


"You don't give the orders around here," Sean replied coolly. "I do."


"And right now, I want all the adults over here," he continued on, waving to his right. "And all the kids, over there." He waved to his left then. "And you better do it now!" The children all quickly scrambled to do as told, except for the Backstreet children, who clung to their respective parent or adoptive parent - and Ellie, whom Trevor still had a hold of.


"You heard me!" Sean yelled, waving his gun at them. "Get over there, you little Brats! Still, they didn't move - and Ashley and Scott hadn't moved from under the chair either. Sean glared dangerously at them all, and then turned his gun on the little one still behind him. "Now, or I'll fucking shoot her!"


"You would nots!" Dakota cried fearfully, a death grip upon Kori, whom had still had her and Spencer, upon Sean's arrival.


"Oh, wouldn't I? Ask Josh, he'll tell you," Sean said casually. "Won't you Josh? You remember that night, do you not?" Josh paled briefly, but then grew angry - mostly with his cousin, who'd once more refused to say a word to prepare them all for the worst. "This is all your fault, Elenore Richardson! Ellie looked at him betrayed, the gun currently aimed at her, not phasing her one bit - this had happened to her once before, and she knew he wouldn't do it. He'd made perfectly clear what his number one rule was concerning her. But Josh wouldn't be so sure, especially since the whole Disney fiasco.


"Joshua Littrell!" Brian snapped slightly, in surprise.


"She knew he was here!" Josh exclaimed in frustration, as he went over to Kori and yanked Kota and Spencer away from her. "C'mon Sarah, Chris. You too Ryan! And bring Laila!" He glared at Elenore once more. "You're just lucky I don't wanna see your brains get blown out! But once this is over, I swear I'm going to hit you, Ellie! I told you to tell someone, like you'd promised!" Ellie turned and buried her face into Trevor's pantleg, as hot tears began to stream down her face. Sean rolled his eyes in annoyance.


"ENOUGH!" He shouted. "The next one to speak is getting shot! I am sick of all this fucking bullshit drama!" Laila screeched, as she was taken away from A.J. She could feel the tension, and wanted her 'J.' Sean aimed the gun at Laila then, causing A.J. to speak.


"No! Leave her be! She's scared, and clingy, damnit! She's just a baby and doesn't understand!" Sean aimed his gun at Ryan then, causing Lindsey and Howie both to gasp audibly.


"Let her go back to him," he growled. "And she'd better keep it quiet!" Ryan gulped slightly, but let his little sister go, watching her run back to A.J. in tears. When she reached him, he gathered her into his arms, hugged her close, and began rocking her and after a few seconds he managed to get her to calm down somewhat. She buried her face in AJ’s shoulder and intended on not letting anyone else have her. While Sean worked on getting everybody where he wanted them Scott and Ashley remained hidden under the chair, Scott whispering orders for her to stay low and very quiet though he knows it’s probably no use. It’s only a matter of time before Sean realizes Ashley is missing and figure out where she’s at if he doesn’t know already.