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*once again sorry for the delay*

33

Kevin and Brian hesitated before stepping out into the crowded area. People were walking with heads down rushing from one end of the building to the other without even looking up. Their first inclination was to run but when Brian started to quicken his pace he was pulled back by his cousin, “Bri, let’s not attract attention to ourselves. Slow and steady” He didn’t look like he agreed but he listened anyway.

They both scanned the perimeters around where they were standing seeing if they recognized those guards from earlier or anyone else who could eventually cause them trouble. “Seems like they just disappeared” Kevin said looking back at his pale cousin.

The elevator doors once again closed and started it’s ascent back downstairs, “Kevin I have a feeling we should move because when that elevator comes back up most likely it will be carrying those guys again” Kevin nodded in agreement and they both slowly made their way into the busy lobby.

A few people looked their way and smiled at them as they tried their best to go unnoticed.

“Where should we go now?” Brian whispered into his cousin’s ear as they temporarily stepped into a small secluded hallway.

“Not really sure but…” Kevin stopped in his tracks and quickly pushed himself right next to the wall motioning for Brian to do the same. “What?” Brian tried to ask but was quickly hushed by Kevin who pointed to the elevators they had just gotten out of. Sure enough there was one of the guards that was searching for them earlier, talking into his shoulder. He wasn’t what really made Kevin wince, what really did it was the site of Johnnie walking behind him not looking pleased in the least. He was disheveled and rubbing at the small wounds that were inflicted on him earlier. His back must have hurt from being tackled and bounced on.

“He got out”

“Yeah and he doesn’t look happy at all” Just for a split second Johnnie seemed to look right in their direction and Kevin gasped.

“Oh my God I think he saw us” Brian panicked and started to back up further into the hallway.

But luckily Johnnie turned away from them and instead headed for the main elevators on the other side of the lobby but first stopping at the front desk and speaking to the secretary. One of the people who smiled at them earlier.

“I hope he doesn’t ask her if she saw us”

They waited until they saw Johnnie and the guard walk out of view before they stepped back out into the lobby. It was then that they saw Jessica enter the building.

“Come on” Kevin said now walking towards the main door this time being pushed back by Brian. “Hold on Kev…let’s just wait until the coast is clear”

“That’s impossible” He said as he stopped and just watched as Jessica walked over to the main desk.

“What’s impossible?” He pointed over to Jessica, “Her…she’s supposed to be dead” They both couldn’t believe their eyes when they saw her plain as day and as alive as can be, “This is great news Kevin! That means your name will be cleared”

Jessica laughed with the secretary and then turned once again heading for the exit, “We’re gonna lose her. We should follow her” Brian said as they both started walking behind Jessica, careful to stay a far enough distance away so as not to be detected by her.


~*~*~*~
Howie stood right outside the main entrance constantly looking at his watch. He really didn’t think this was such a good idea, them demanding to go up and talk to Fink. Chances are they would be walking into a trap. Couple that with the fact that he wasn’t entirely sure he even trusted these people. He kept glancing down the road hoping that at any minute he would see another cab carrying AJ. He really didn’t want to leave AJ behind with Matt. From now on after this was all over, IF this was ever going to be over, he would never leave his friends alone ever! Maybe he would just have to insist they all move in together. This way something like this would never happen again.

Jessica came walking out of the building a few moments later, “Seems like Fink isn’t here. At least that’s what Samantha said”

“Do you believe her?”

“Not really. She said it the same way I always did when I knew he was here but not to be interrupted. Anyway I told her to tell him the Phoenix was back from the dead. She looked at me like I was drunk but that will get him to let us up if he’s there”

“Shouldn’t AJ and Matt have been here by now?”

“Relax Howie you know there is such a thing as traffic” He tried to laugh but once again found nothing funny about this situation, “I just want this to be over” He said glancing back towards the huge double doors to Jive. He was just about to turn his head again to watch for AJ, when something made him look back into the building, “Am I seeing things?” He asked. Jessica looked at him and then looked inside. There they both saw Brian and Kevin staring at them.


~*~*~*~
Kevin and Brian stood looking at the two people right in front of the building trying to make triple sure one of them was indeed their friend. When they saw him peer back at them a sense of relief washed over both men as they headed out the doors to see their friend.

Howie smiled as they came out of the building squinting because the sun was so bright in the sky. “Christ Kevin I was so worried about you” Howie grabbed his friend in a big bear hug. But before the pleasantries got too out of hand Jessica ushered them off to the side, “Not a good idea to cause so much of a scene people” she said making sure that no one was watching them.

“You were killed. I was there when your house blew up!” Brian shouted at her ignoring Howie and Kevin was they watched.

“I know you were, but I’m alive”

“What were the two of you doing in there?”

“We were held captive in the basement. God knows how long I was there for and then Brian came a little bit afterwards. Guys there is a lot I have to tell you. Starting with Johnnie and Fink” “We know about it already” Howie said sounding very sad as he did.

“They’re all in on it everybody including Pearlman” Kevin said looking around making sure they weren’t followed out and around the building. “I’ll be right back just want to make sure Matt and AJ aren’t waiting for us out front” Jessica left in a hurry and darted around the corner towards the main entrance.

“I’m so glad you both are okay. I was totally worried about you guys. You have no idea”

Howie walked over and gave Brian a small hug, “Should I even ask how you managed to get out of jail?”

“No, I’ll tell you after this is all over” It looked like he just realized something was missing, “Where’s Nick?”

“Not sure, someone took him while I was at the Inquisitor”

Kevin and Brian exchanged concerned glances. “But we know where AJ is?”

“I’m right here” The guys turned at the sound of his voice and all three went over and hugged him. “Hey it’s almost a reunion, now I’m not terrified almost…almost”

“Where is Jessica and Matt?” Howie looked at his three friends so happy to know they were now back together again. “They went inside to see if Fink is ready to see us. Is it wrong of me to say I hope he isn’t here and doesn’t want to?”

“Not at all, I don’t know what happens next actually”

“I’m sorry guys, I kind of feel like this is all my fault” AJ said solemnly leaning his head against the wall.

“How is this your fault?” Kevin walked over and put a loving arm around his young friend. “Howie did you show them the picture yet?’ He shook his head at AJ.

“We found a ton of pictures of us as we were making our escape” Kevin pulled out the now crumpled up pictures of them, “It’s kind of creepy actually”

AJ and Howie looked at them in disbelief, “How did they get these?”

“No idea D” After a slight pause, Howie took the envelope housing the picture that AJ was talking about and the handed it over to the other guys to see, “This is what the guy from the inquisitor gave to me”

Kevin’s eyes grew wide when he saw what appeared to be a very affectionate Denise Mclean kissing Fink. The couple was wrapped in an embrace but there was no doubt in Kevin’s mind at least that they were right at Jive.

Brian looked over to AJ, “You didn’t know about this?” He sadly shook his head.

“This probably has something to do with their relationship”

Before they could ponder further Jessica and Matt came back around the corner, “Well it appears that Fink IS in after all but currently with someone else right now. He told us that he wanted to see us immediately and we should head right up. This is it boys. Are you ready?”

“What are we going to do exactly?” Kevin stood stock still as if he were bolted to the ground. There was no way he was going to trust anyone and do anything without a solid reason to do so.

“We are going to call him out on all this stuff and demand to know what is going on and why it’s going on. Then I don’t know about you guys but I intend on calling the police on his ass!” They all were a bit surprised about the hateful tone in Howie’s voice.

Kevin nodded, “Okay well let’s go then…”


~*~*~*~*~
Nick sat tense and worried as he heard them talking about his career like he wasn’t even there. All the big plans they had for the boys after this incident was over. He took a minute to carefully look at everyone in the eye, trying to take in anything he could. His Mom looked at the table the whole time until the talk went to business then she was alert and made eye contact with everyone in the room. Denise kept glancing over his way and smiling at him, that ‘don’t be scared it’s going to be okay honey’ type of smile that he wasn’t buying even for a second.

Fink was stern and had a disgusted look on his face the entire time anyone spoke. Especially his mom. Lou was there too and he was doing the same thing that Denise was doing but most of the time his eyes were down.

“I’m telling you Robert this will work”

“I know you would like to think so Jane but it’s too late”

“How is it too late? I mean Nick is here he will cooperate, won’t you baby?” His mother looked over at him with pleading eyes, just say yes, don’t even hesitate just say yes.

Nick didn’t say anything though only sat with head down, fidgeting in his seat.

“I know it seemed like a great idea at the time but the boys have not cooperated and too many things have gone wrong. It’s too late and now we have to just cut our losses”

“You can’t talk about them as losses they’re boys. Our boys” Denise said angrily standing up and pacing in front of Fink, “We have ruined these kids lives and now you want to let sleeping dogs lie?”

“You are behind all of the crap that happened?” Nick asked his mom as if no one else was in the room.

She didn’t answer him and instead continued her argument, “Please listen to us, Denise and I have really thought this through, it’s not to late, we can still claim that Kevin and Brian are missing. That’ll get the publicity…”

“Then we can link that to the other things that have been happening and say that someone was setting them up” Denise continued.

“That was before they escaped” Fink said very annoyed. That statement gave Nick hope, “Escaped? Who escaped?”

“They got out?” Denise asked surprised.

“Yes they got out and are roaming around the streets somewhere it’s only a matter of time before we are caught so we need to stop that from happening. I’m sorry but it’s over. We have to have them terminated”

“You mean you’re firing us?” Nick asked not really thinking through all that had been said.

Jane stood up now, “NO! You can’t!!” She insisted. This as Johnnie was walking into the room.

“I don’t see any other way out of it Jane”

“Mom don’t let them fire us”

Fink walked over to Nick with a smug expression on his face, “We’re not talking about firing you kid”

Jane stood distraught with Denise now next to her, “What does he mean mom? Mom?” Fink grabbed Nick up off of his chair suddenly which caused the boy to let out a groan as he struggled in the man’s grip. “There has to be another way” Johnnie said standing up appearing to come to Nick’s defense. Jane grabbing for him as well.

“I don’t see any other way”

“Let go of me!” Nick said kicking his captor repeatedly on the leg.

The phone on Fink’s desk rang which helped to break up the tension. Fink never letting go of Nick’s wrist walked over and answered it. He stood and listened while Nick struggled.

“Help…” He tried to get out but was slapped in the face which once again brought Jane running towards the two of them.

Nick remained silent as a small drip of blood made It’s way down his face. Fink finished his conversation and pushed Nick to the ground, his mom running to help him up.

“Get away from me” he hissed at her.

“Seems like we are very soon to get some company up here” Fink said smiling from ear to ear and turning towards Nick, “your friends are on their way up so I guess we won’t have to track them down after all” Jane, Denise and Johnnie all stood around Nick as Fink continued, “Kid…time to get you ready for the show. I hope you aren’t afraid of heights!”