Collateral Damage (Read 56,420 times)

[fluffysmom]

Wonder what the ISA is after now.

[jwsel]

Chapter 529

"Why are you keeping me here?"

Kim glared at the ISA agent seated across the table from her. The agent was an attractive woman in her mid-40s, who gazed back with a placid smile. When she spoke, she reminded Kim of how she might speak to Andrew when he asked for candy for the tenth time on a shopping trip.

"I'm sorry, but I have orders that you are to remain here until we have confirmed that conditions are secure." She gave that dopey smile again. "I assure you that this is for your own safety."

"My own safety?" Kim scoffed as she got out of the chair, wincing as the rose. Falling earlier had left her a little sore. Forcing away the slight pain, she walked to the glass wall of the interrogation room. She knew that the room was visible to whoever was on the other side. "I doubt this is for my own safety," she said, forcing herself to remain calm. "Ivan Marais is dead and you have the toxin. I already I gave you my statement, so what else do you need?"

The woman did not respond, but went back to looking through the file folder in front of her. That left Kim to stew. Annoyed, she called out to the wall, "You can't keep me in here." Then she turned back to the ISA agent at the table. "I want to call a lawyer. If you won't let me go, you have to let me call a lawyer."

"You're not under arrest, Mrs. Brady."

Instinctively, Kim started to say, "It's Ms., not--" But she stopped short. It felt wrong to say that. She closed her eyes, her heart yearning to be with Shane. Finally, she sighed and asked, "If you won't let me go, would you at least tell me where Shane and my family are?"

The agent shook her head. "I'm sorry, Mrs. -- I mean Ms. Brady, but I am not liberty to divulge any information at the moment."

"Of course not," Kim muttered under her breath. That was how it had been ever since she and Roman had been taken from the school. Tarrington had handed them off to some agents who had brought them to the ISA field office, where they had been separated. Kim had been put in this room for at least an hour and she had no idea where Roman was. She suspected he was in another room like this. Otherwise, he would have probably broken down the door to get her out.

Smiling slightly, she pictured her older brother's red-faced fury when the agents insisted on "escorting" them to the Salem P.D. Despite Roman's demands to contact his units, the agents had refused to let him touch the radio or make any calls. They also had refused to tell Roman anything about what was happening at the refinery.

Kim stared at the wall and, with no other choice, went back to the table and took her seat. She told herself everything was fine. If something had happened, they would have told her. At least she hoped they would have.

She also reminded herself that, if something had gone wrong with Shane, she would have felt it. But she didn't. Gone was the chill that had been with her since the day before and she no longer had that feeling of dread that she had first felt when she had last seen Shane.

The thought quelled her anxiety, but it did stop the aching need to see him. She just wanted to hold him, finally knowing that this nightmare was over. Kim glanced at the ISA agent, but the woman was focused on her files. For a moment, Kim debated rushing the door and pounding on it, but she suspected nothing would come of it.

A moment later, it became unncessary. "Damn it," came a muffled voice from the other side of the door. "I'm going to see my Sis." The voice got louder, the door bursting open as Roman finished the final words. He surged through the doorframe, a tweedy man behind him. It took Kim a moment to remember that he was the field office director; Shane had introduced her to the man once before.

"See, Commander Brady, your sister is fine," the man said.

Shut up, Benson." Roman glared at the man. "I'll let her speak for herself." He looked back at Kim. "You okay?"

She nodded. "I just want to go home," she said. "I want to see Shane."

"You got it." Roman looked at Benson. "They told me they had taken you already. I was dealing with some agents, and just found out they kept you here." He wrapped an arm around Kim and turned her to the door. Looking again at the ISA field director, Roman aid, "I don't know what kind of games you're playing here, but I don't like being lied to. Now I'm taking Kim with me to the hospital."

Kim looked up, suddenly worried. "The hospital?"

"It's okay," Roman said quickly. "They tell me Shane's okay. Steve was shot, but he's going to be fine. Everyone's okay."

The fear that had started to rise within her began to subside. Everyone is okay. We stopped them from hurting our family and friends. That thought was still in her head when Roman continued.

"Lawrence is dead."

That almost did not register. Dead. Kim felt a wave of emotions wash over her, but the dominant feeling was relief -- relief that Lawrence Alamain would never threaten anyone she loved ever again. And she also felt some pity. She had thought, for a time, that there was an innocent boy trapped inside Lawrence Alamain. She had learned the hard way that he was not innocent, but he was a boy, trapped behind a wall of arrogance and pride.

"You okay?" Roman asked.

Kim looked back up at him and nodded. "Let's go. I want to see Shane."

Field Director Benson tried to block their path. "Roman, I'm sorry, but you and Mrs. Brady are supposed to stay here until Chief Tarrington authorizes that you can leave."

Roman sneered. "'Mrs. Brady' is my wife, and she's not here to stick around. My sister, on the other hand, has people that she needs to see, and I'm going to take her there. And you tell Tarrington that if he has an issue with that, he can come discuss it with me at University Hospital." He stepped forward, forcing the ISA man out of the way and Roman led her toward the exit. "Let's go see our family, Sis."

[Minako98]

Ah, there's the Roman we know & love!!

[MrsM]

Go Roman!!!

[fluffysmom]

I'm glad Roman and Kim will be reunited with their loved ones very soon.

[jwsel]

Chapter 530

Shane had hesitated as he reached the door of the staff lounge, but he had followed the others inside. Once through the door, he leaned back against a wall and watched as Kayla helped Steve settle into a chair. He smiled up at her as she fawned over him. John and Isabella talked quietly in a corner. John smiled and placed his good hand on her abdomen. Bo had taken a spot on the far side of the lounge, but was pacing back and forth.

It all just reinforced that Kim was not there, which made Shane even more agitated. Even though they were the only ones in the lounge at the moment, it felt too crowded, too claustrophobic. He needed to get out of there.

Making his way through the door, Shane looked around the hospital floor, but he didn't really see any other place to go. There was a crowd of workers in the waiting area who were watching the latest news. Tom Horton was among them and Shane debated walking over, but he did not want to make small talk. So he just walked over to the nurse's station, leaned against it, and stared at the hospital doors, willing Kim to come bursting through.

Alice Horton had a couple of volunteers serving coffee. One of the women in a striped apron began to carry a cup over to Shane, but she stopped short when she saw his face. She scowled, turned back and walked over to Alice. They had a whispered exchanged for a moment, before Alice rolled her eyes, took the cup from the other woman, and carried it over to Shane herself.

"I'm sorry about that, Shane," she said. "Not everyone in Salem knows you like we do."

So the woman saw the notorious traitor and had refused to serve him. "It's okay," he said. "I understand." Silently, to himself, he added, That will change soon enough.

Alice gave him a sympathetic smile and patted his arm, before heading back to the group in front of the television. Alone again, Shane sipped at his coffee and stared at the door some more. Finally deciding that was fruitless, he decided to join the group at the television, though he gave a wide berth to the volunteer who continued to give him nervous glances.

On the screen, a reporter was reporting from in front of Salem Elementary, but she mainly said that authorities were tight-lipped about what had happened there. All they would confirm is that it was related to the attack at the Spectator and that the situation was under control. Behind her, Shane spotted several men in HazMat suits.

The camera switched to the news studio where Jennifer Devereaux and her co-anchor were seated. Jennifer announced that the planned press conference between the ISA and Salem P.D. had been cancelled without explanation.

"What do you think that's all about?" John asked, his voice coming from so close behind Shane that he nearly jumped. He had been so focused on the news that he had not heard John come close. He had not even realized John had left the staff lounge.

Shane shook his head. "I don't know." He tried to stop his mind from spinning out possible scenarios. More toxin. Did Lawrence have a back-up plan in case his plans at the refinery were thwarted? Was there something wrong with the removal of the toxin at the school?

He decided neither of those were likely. If there was concern about more toxin, the ISA and Salem P.D. would have had the hospital on high alert. Right now, the only people in the vicinity of the emergency room were the members of the Brady family and members of the hospital staff who were unable to leave because of the lockdown order. At the moment, Neil was at the nurse's desk, arguing with an agent that Shane recognized as one of Tarrington's assistants.

"These people have families to get home to!" Neil yelled, slamming a stack of charts onto the counter. "You can't keep--"

Shane moved quickly to intervene. He took Neil's arm and pulled him to the side. John followed closely.

"There's no point getting yourself arrested," Shane said in a low voice. He motioned to the staff lounge. "There's nothing you'll accomplish by arguing."

Neil began to protest, but he finally just grimaced and nodded. They walked to the lounge and went back inside. Steve and Kayla looked up from their seats.

"Any word?" Kayla asked.

"Nope," John said. He looked at Shane, who gave a quick summary of the news report.

Steve scowled. "You don't think Roman ran into trouble, do you?"

"Just the ISA kind," came Roman's voice as the lounge door opened. Everyone spun around to see Roman just outside the room. He stepped aside and Kim entered.

She seemed to freeze for a moment when she saw Shane. Their eyes met and he felt a stab of guilt as he saw hers fill with grateful tears. She rushed forward, but stopped as she got a close look at his bruised faced. She reached up and brushed his cheek as if testing to see if it hurt. He managed not to wince and gave her a small smile back.

Kim let out a loud sob, threw her arms around him, and buried her head against his chest.

Shane held her nearly as tight. He tried to speak, but his words caught in his throat and he just held her. He felt the fear and tension leave her body as she sagged against him.

Finding his voice, he breathed, "It's okay, Kim. I'm okay. We're all okay."

"I was so scared," she said. "When I heard Lawrence--"

"Shhhh. . . ." Shane pulled back and lifted his index finger to her lips. "Don't. It's over and I'm okay. . . ." He took a deep breath and looked into her eyes, which were shining through the wetness of her tears. "And I'm never going to do that to you again, Kim. Do you understand me? I was a fool for going after Lawrence like that and . . . and I could have lost everything that mattered. I was a fool."

Kim shook her head. "No, you weren't. It worked," she said. "Your plan worked. You stopped Lawrence, Shane. Like you planned. Now we just have to tell the world that it was all because of you."

"Hardly 'all,'" Shane said. He started to turn and was about to point out that the others in the room had probably done more than him, but then he realized everyone in the room was watching them.

Shane thought the temperature in the room suddenly shot up as Steve grinned broadly and said, "Hey, you kids, don't mind us."

Taking it in good stride, Shane waited for everyone to finish snickering. Then he grew somber. "I do mean it. When I planned this, it was just going to be me on the line. I never expected to get you all involved. . . ."

Steve snorted. "Yeah, well, you must not have noticed what family you married into."

"Well, I still thank you," Shane said. He glanced around, looking at Steve, Kayla, and John. As he looked at Roman, he nodded. "All of you."

Roman shrugged. "I don't know what for. I didn't do anything." He turned to John. "Did you do anything?"

"Nope," John replied, then looked at Shane. "I don't know what you're talking about, partner. Steve?" John called out, though he didn't look away from Shane.

Shane felt Kim squeeze his arm and he began to nod his head slowly and appreciatively.

"Not a stinkin' clue," Steve called out. "I think that gas Shane got hit with maybe took out a few more brain cells than we thought."

Kim's fingers dug into his arms. He turned and saw the fear again in her eyes.

"I'm okay," Shane said. "We've got the antidote. Everything at the school worked out, right?" He looked at Roman, who nodded back.

"Marais is dead, and he never managed to release the gas." Roman smiled a little. "That's really Kimmie's doing. She pulled the plug on it -- quite gracefully, I might add."

Shane was a bit befuddled, and he glanced down at Kim, who was blushing. She looked sheepishly at Shane.

"Gracefully falling off a toilet bowl onto my behind," she explained.

"Don't let my sis sell herself short," Roman said. "She ripped apart the device Ivan Marais was going to use to pump the toxin into a vent." He must have caught wind of the glare that Kim suddenly gave him and quickly backpedaled. "I mean, nothing. She didn't do a thing."

Shane smiled at Kim. "I guess I owe you too."

"Not a thing," she said softly.

Sounding exasperated, Steve called out from where he was sitting. "Look, dude, stop arguing about it. You're taking credit, because you deserve it. You figured out what Lawrence was gonna do and you figured out how to stop it. And we're going to tell the world it was all part of the ISA's plan. So now that we've got the Salem Police Commissioner with us, why don't we head on out and start telling the story so we can keep your sorry English mug out of jail?"

"Steve!" Kayla said, half-laughing, half-scolding him for his tone.

Meanwhile, Kim tugged on Shane's arm. "Steve is right though. Shane, you have to take the credit. That was the whole point. Because they couldn't admit that one man could stop Lawrence when the ISA couldn't, they would have to admit you're still working for them and that would mean they would have to drop the charges." She looked at him, her eyes shining brightly. "It's going to work, Shane. I know it is. That's how it's going to work."

From behind him, before Shane could respond, another voice spoke. "No, I don't think that's quite how it's going to work."

[MrsM]

Ugh. It has to be Tarrington. Jerk.

[fluffysmom]

So glad Kim and Roman finally made it to the hospital.

What is the ISA up to now?

[jwsel]

Chapter 531

"No, I don't think that's quite how it's going to work."

From where he had been sitting, Steve had seen Tarrington enter the lounge before Shane and Kim realized the ISA Chief had entered. They spun around in surprise when he spoke.

"What are you doing here, Tarrington," Steve growled.

"Ahh, Mr. Johnson, as well-mannered as ever," Tarrington replied. A moment later, Carly entered. She crossed over to Bo, who wrapped a protective arm around her shoulder.

Neil asked, "What's going on? I thought Carly was in the lab."

"I asked her to join us," Tarrington said. "Though you are no longer needed, Dr. Curtis. Your cooperation with our security precautions are appreciated, but they have been lifted. My people are in the process of informing your staff that they may leave." When Neil just nodded, Tarrington gave the doctor a long, pointed look until he got the message and said that he probably should supervise the staff.

Once he had left, Tarrington looked around the room. "I suppose asking Mr. Black and the younger Mr. Brady to also leave is pointless, even if this is ISA business."

"We've got as much right to be here as anyone else," Bo snarled. "You dragged my fiancee into this mess."

Tarrington chuckled. "Actually, you can thank former Captain Donovan for doing that," he said. "And I assume Mr. Black will insist on staying due to his noble efforts in attempting to bring Lawrence Alamain to justice -- futile though they were."

"They were hardly futile," Shane shot back. "You can't deny what we did."

"Of course, we can, old chap," Tarrington said, sounding almost amused. "What do you think the point of the hospital lockdown was? While you and your associates were rather occupied here, our sources in the press were establishing the foundations for the media reports. In fact, the initial reports already are going out as we speak."

Steve could hear the self-satisfied tone in Tarrington's voice and, even before the man finished, Steve wanted to wipe that smug grin off his face.

"It's already established," Tarrington declared. "It's thanks to the work of the ISA, and especially the heroic efforts of Carly Manning, and Roman Brady, that Lawrence Alamain's plot was ended."

"That's bull--" Steve shouted, but he doubted Tarrington could hear him over the shouts and protests from the others in the room. Roman had to block Bo from charging the ISA Chief, and Steve felt Kayla press her hand down on his shoulder, most likely to keep him from rising and doing the same. But even as she did, she cried out that the ISA couldn't do that.

When the shouting died down, Steve glared at Tarrington. "So that was your plan? Have us do the dirty work and then lock us in here while you spread lies to the press? It won't work."

"It already has, Mr. Johnson." Tarrington sounded certain. "If you go to your brother with another story, it will just be viewed as another one of his attempts to drum up business. Nobody will believe it."

Steve had to admit there was probably some truth to that. Nobody had picked up Jack's earlier story about Cal Winters, and Steve suspected that the ISA would put pressure on the major newspapers and TV networks to do the same now.

"You're forgetting something," Roman said.

Tarrington raised an eyebrow. "Am I?"

"Yeah. . . . You need Carly and me to go along with your sham." Roman said, in a tone that made it clear that was not going to happen.

Steve felt Kayla's hand loosen on his shoulder and he heard her say, appreciatively, "That's right."

Across the room, next to Tarrington, Kim was looking at Roman with a soft smile. An arm wrapped tightly around her, Shane watched stoically. He did not say anything and his expression was unreadable.

Roman continued. "You've been feeding me lies ever since I returned to Salem and I'm done being played for a fool. It's going to be hard enough making it up to my family for being such a bastard for these past few months, but if you think for one damn minute that I'm going to stand up in front of the press and take credit for what Shane did, you've got another thing coming to you."

Carly nodded. "Same goes for me."

Tarrington did not seem concerned. "Oh, I would seriously reconsider that, Dr. Manning. Not only could I shut down your precious Immunology Lab with the stroke of a pen, but I'm sure you probably wouldn't want the state licensing board inquiring into how Katerina Von Leuschner managed to obtain a medical license under a false name." Tarrington turned to face Roman. "And Commander Brady, these delusions of yours are quite a new concern. Perhaps you require more observation than we previously believed. Your captivity could be having a delayed reaction."

"You bastard," Roman snarled. His face was growing scarlet, and Steve could tell his fury was growing as heated as Steve's was.

"Shall I continue?" Tarrington asked. "You seem so concerned about your extended family, but how would your sister feel if Mr. Johnson were quarantined for further examination? After all, he was heavily exposed to Lawrence Alamain's deadly toxin. And I hardly need to address Mr. Black's situation. We could--"

Roman lost it. He rushed toward Tarrington, his fist raised. But just before he reached his target, Shane stepped forward and blocked Roman's path.

"Don't," Shane said in a tone that Steve knew all too well.

Don't you start this again, Donovan, Steve thought. He started to rise to his feet to protest, but Shane glanced at him and their eyes met. Shane was giving Steve a warning and unmistakably telling him to back off. Don't do this, Steve thought, then realized that Shane could tell what he was thinking when Shane gave a tiny shake of his head along with a look that said, I have to.

Shane turned to Tarrington. "That's enough. You don't have to make any more threats." He looked down at Kim and said, in a resigned voice, "We tried, Kim, but it's over." Raising his head back up to face Tarrington, Shane said, "Congratulations, Tarrington, you win."

[MrsM]

Ugh. I hate Tarrington.

[jwsel]

Chapter 532

Kim could tell what Shane was going to say well before he stepped into Roman's path. She realized it when Shane said nothing while Tarrington was threatening Carly and Roman. She had glanced up at Shane and seen that he had retreated behind his expressionless mask. But then he had looked down at her and she had seen the resigned look in his eye. And as she heard Tarrington continue to outline how he would hurt the family, she understood.

She understood, but that did not make it any easier to accept.

Before Kim could protest, Roman charged forward and Shane blocked his path. Kim wanted to pull Shane back, but he turned back to her and their eyes met again. "We tried, Kim, but it's over."

She felt the tears sting her eyes, but she refused to cry. Instead, she let anger fill her and she glared at Tarrington. He was smirking as Shane gave him a defeated congratulations.

"Congratulations, Tarrington, you win."

Tarrington maintained his smug look. "Of course, I do, Shane. You should have known you could never paint the ISA into a corner. . . . Though I do have to commend you for devising an ingenious plan and, of course, what you have done. . . . Well, you have done the world a great service in stopping Lawrence Alamain, but we both know that the details must be kept from the public."

Kim's mouth fell open. The way Tarrington was speaking was like he was talking to any colleague about day-to-day business.

"How can you say that?" she cried, stepping forward. She stepped past Shane. "How can you just stand there and act like it's nothing that you're going to tell lies when the truth could save Shane from going to jail?"

Tarrington started to give her an indulgent smile, but she was not going to listen to his condescending garbage.

"Don't you even try to give me some excuse?" Kim said. "After everything Shane has done for you, don't tell me the ISA couldn't stand with him."

She fixed her gaze on Tarrington and did not even blink. After a moment of staring back at her, Tarrington pulled his head away and looked down. Then, appearing uncomfortable, he quickly looked past her, raising his eyes so that they focused just above her head. An instant later, Kim felt Shane's hands on her shoulders and realized he was standing directly behind her.

"Please, Kim. This isn't helping," he said.

Kim did not tear her eyes away from Tarrington. The ISA Chief looked back at her, but could not meet her eyes.

"I will do what I can with the State Department. . . ." Tarrington looked at Shane. "I will see if we can arrange for your release to occur after two years, not three. That would seem to be justified by your actions. However, that is the very best that I could possibly do. Even that will be tremendously difficult without setting off explosions in diplomatic channels. It is probably not the most prudent course."

"The 'most prudent' course?" That came from Steve, who sounded completely disbelieving. "What is this? Some Lady's Aid Society event? If not for Shane, hundreds of kids would be dead and you'd be trying to explain to the press why the ISA couldn't figure out a damn thing about it. And you make it sound like he should be grateful that Shane's not out there trying to bring you down."

Tarrington's smugness even extended to the way he chuckled. "You obviously fail to appreciate the intricacies of international diplomacy, Mr. Johnson, but that is hardly a surprise." He turned back to Shane. "So, now, Shane, I believe my actions demonstrate my utmost good faith. Three years shall become two."

Kim's stomach roiled. Between her anger and the revulsion that swept through her as she watched Tarrington, she feared she might get sick. She wondered if there was an ounce of humanity to be found in Tarrington's body; he made a year of Shane's life seem like nothing.

"Kim," Shane whispered in her ear, before she could say anything. She looked at the rest of her family, who mainly were watching, their faces showing equal shock, disgust and fury at Tarrington's manner.

"Are you serious?" Bo growled. "Shane, you can't--" But he fell silent when John waved a hand and shook his head.

"Very well," Tarrington said, sounding even more puffed-up and self-satisfied than ever. "I will take my leave now." He looked at Roman and then Carly. "Commander Brady, Dr. Manning, I do expect your full cooperation now that Shane and I have come to an . . . understanding."

Kim felt Shane's hands tense, so she looked up over her shoulder at him. He nodded and told Roman and Carly, "It's the best thing for everyone."

Roman grumbled, but nodded. Carly scowled, then said, "Fine."

"Good. There will be a press conference at 10 a.m. at the Salem Police Department Headquarters. I expect you to be there by 8 a.m., so we can discuss precisely what you will say." Tarrington turned back toward them. "I will speak with my State Department contacts immediately and will then place a call to the prosecutor." Without waiting for any response, Tarrington wheeled around and walked out of the lounge.

Once the door had closed behind him, Kim spun in Shane's arms to face him. She could see the pained resignation in his eyes, but she could also tell that he did not have any doubts about his decision.

In her mind, she heard his words again.

"It's over."

"You don't have to do this?" she said.

From across the room, she heard Kayla. "That's right, Shane. After everything you did, if we all came forward, they would have to believe us."

Shane looked away and gave Kayla a small smile. "You would think that, Kay, but it didn't happen when you tried to tell the world what happened with Cal Winters." Kim kept watching him as he turned his head back to her. He squeezed her shoulders again and looked into her eyes. "I meant what I said before. I won't take any more risks with my life or the lives of the people we love. You were right about my trying to stop Lawrence. It was suicidal and I'm lucky to even be here right now. I should have faced the reality that losing some time with you and the children is better than losing every remaining moment I could have."

Kim could hear the growing emotion in his voice and she choked a bit on her words as she said, "There was nothing wrong with wanting to be with your family. There still isn't."

"There is when you might never be with them again -- and when you nearly make it so your closest friends might never be with their families either. John and Steve could have both been killed. I know now that there was nothing I could have done to keep them from trying to help me too, so I was putting their lives at risk as well." Shane shook his head. "I'm not going to put anybody else at risk for me." Shane looked down and swallowed. In a low voice, he said, "You heard Tarrington. Everything he said he could do -- everything. . . . He means it. The ISA could do that to you. They can destroy all of our families and, since I don't have any proof about stopping Lawrence, at this point, I have to accept reality. It's better to go away for two years and make sure nobody else gets hurt."

"Maybe you should let us be the judge of what's best for us, Donovan," Steve said. "Right, John?"

Kim looked at John who nodded. "None of us will blame you for fighting back -- no matter what Tarrington and the ISA try to do to us."

"You have more important priorities," Shane replied. Then, he then turned to Steve and Kayla and said, "So does Steve."

Kayla blushed slightly, probably wondering if the rest of the family had guessed what Shane meant, but Kim did not have a chance to dwell on her sister.

"So do I," Shane said. Their eyes met again and Kim could see the pained certainty in Shane's eyes. "Kim, let's go home so we can be with our children."

She knew the answer, but she had to ask the question once more. "Are you absolutely sure?"

"I am," Shane said. "When we go home, I'll call Mickey and work out the details of the guilty plea. Then we'll tell Eve and Andrew."

Kim knew there was no point in arguing further. Shane's mind was made up. She looked around the room at her family and could see the same bitter frustration in their faces that she knew was on her own. John had an arm around Isabella and he gave Kim a sad smile.

Bo looked like he wanted to break something; he was muttering in a low voice to Carly, who was whispering furiously back at him. Kim suspected Carly was trying to stop him from chasing Tarrington down.

Steve and Kayla held each other. Kayla had an arm around Steve's waist and his good arm rested on her shoulder. There was a grim expression in Steve's eye and he was looking at Shane. Kim glanced up and saw Shane staring back and then give a curt shake of his head. Steve reacted with a frustrated grimace before he looked away.

Meanwhile, Kayla looked on, stricken, with a look on her face that Kim had seen so often before.

You can't fix this, Kay, Kim thought. None of us can. But her heart swelled to see the sadness and the love in her sister's eyes. Kim knew she would have to rely on Kayla a lot in the next few years.

"Shane. . . ." Roman's hesitant voice broke into Kim's thoughts, and she looked to her right. Roman had stepped forward and he held his hand out. "I know this is far too little too late. . . ."

Shane shook his head. "Roman, you don't have--"

"Yes, I do," Roman insisted. "Look, I've been a complete horse's ass ever since I've come back. To you, to Steve, and. . . yes, to John, too." He glanced at Steve and John as he said that before looking back at Shane. "Everyone was telling me what I should've seen for myself, but I was too bitter and angry. And . . . I'm sorry. If I hadn't been so damn selfish, maybe we could have found another way."

"There's nothing you could've done, Roman," Shane said. Before Roman could protest, he added quickly, "But I appreciate it." He clasped Roman's hand and shook it. "Thank you."

Kim felt her eye sting again, but this time she could not stop the tears from flowing.

Roman looked Shane in the eyes. "You understand something. Don't you worry about Kimmie or the kids. We're going to take good care of them."

Kim felt Shane shudder slightly and his arm tightened around her, but she doubted anyone else in the room could detect how deeply those words cut into him. He merely nodded at Roman, then looked down at Kim, and softly said, "It's time, darling. Let's go home."

[fluffysmom]

Tarrington is scum. Shane almost dies stopping Lawrence and he still gets thrown under the bus. Poor Kim and Shane. Glad Roman apologized.

[MrsM]

Wah!!! My heart is broken for them!!!!

[jwsel]

Chapter 533

Kayla was seething. A few minutes ago, she had been so happy for Kim and Shane. It had seemed like everything Shane had planned had worked, and soon the charges would be dropped. In that moment, Kayla had seen the same look in Shane's eyes that she had seen that day in the hospital when he had first held Jeannie after learning she was his daughter.

Then Tarrington had walked in. At first, Kayla had been most concerned about making sure Steve did not do anything crazy. There were a few moments when she had feared he would try to attack Tarrington and, honestly, she would have liked to join him. But she also knew that they couldn't risk trouble with the ISA right now. And then despite everyone's protests, Shane had made it clear that his mind was made up. And as Kayla had stood there, she had been forced to watch Kim's heart break.

It was so wrong, Kayla thought. Kim and Shane had been through so much. They did not deserve this.

"You have more important priorities," Shane was saying to John. Then he turned to Kayla and Steve and his eyes met hers. Kayla could see the pain in them, but she also could see that he was determined. In his mind, this was the right decision. "So does Steve," he said.

Kayla had to look away as her face flushed. Only Shane, Kim, and Steve actually knew about her pregnancy, but at this point, that was the least of her worries. If anything, it angered her a little bit that Shane was using her family as an excuse to give up his. In any case, nobody seemed to pay any attention; everyone was too focused on Shane.

Studying him, it hit her how much had changed in the past few months. Less than six months earlier, she and Shane had been -- how had Steve put it -- "practically engaged." They had both been willing to settle for just a small amount of happiness amidst the enormous pain that had engulfed their lives.

Now, Kayla had her life back and could only envision her happiness continuing. She and Steve were about to become parents again. Six months ago, that thought was unimaginable.

It was all because of what Shane had done. He had put everything on the line so she and Steve could have their lives back, and it was wrong that Shane and Kim were going to suffer because of it.

Her heart aching for her sister and her family, Kayla had looked at Kim. The pain was visible in her face, but, behind her tears, her eyes reflected a grim resignation. Kim had accepted Shane's decision. Kayla could read her sister well, and could tell that Kim was determined to hold it together.

Roman and Shane had shaken hands, but Kayla kept watching Kim as she looked up at Shane. He whispered something to her, and Kim nodded back.

Kim turned to the rest of them and said, "We're going to go."

Kayla could feel the tears filling her own eyes. Her sister was ever the survivor. Unable to stop herself, Kayla rushed forward. Kim stepped away from Shane and her arms enveloped Kayla in a tight embrace.

"You'll get through this, Kimmie," Kayla said, the tears now running down her cheeks. "We'll be right here for you."

Kim held fast. "I know, Kay," she answered. "I'll get through this, and I know I can count on you." Kim pulled away and sniffed back some tears. Sounding almost apologetic, she said, "Now. . . . We need to go see the children."

Kayla gave her sister and then Shane a sad, regretful smile. She knew how hard it was going to be for them to tell Andrew about the decision and, even more, how hard it was to say goodbye to your child for several years. She thought of the day she had given up Stephanie while in prison for Marina's murder. It had nearly killed her to give that baby to Steve, knowing it could be years before she could hold her again. She put that thought behind her and tried to come up with something to say. Unable to think of anything else, Kayla said the only comforting thing she could, the one thought that she had held onto in that prison cell.

"Your children love you, and they will keep loving you, no matter what."

Shane responded by giving her a small nod, but he didn't say anything. He just wrapped his arm back around Kim and led her out of the staff lounge.

When the door closed behind them, Bo cursed and slammed his fist down on the counter holding the coffee set-up. Styrofoam cups went flying all over the floor. Carly, John, and Isabella tried to calm him.

"It's not right," Bo growled. "This is bull--"

Roman kicked at a few of the cups. He was scowling. "This may be the first time we agree on anything since I got back, little brother."

"Don't encourage him," Kayla snapped at Roman. She spun around toward her younger brother. "Bo. . . you blowing your top isn't helping any." Her own anger had returned and she probably wanted to break something just as much as Bo, but they had to remain calm. Bo's eyes met hers and he shook his head angrily, but seemed to regain control.

"It's just not right."

"Since when has anything about the ISA been right," Steve muttered. Kayla turned quickly toward him. He had been silent for a long time and she suddenly worried that he might react as angrily as Bo. But Steve seemed surprisingly calm. "But Kayla's right," Steve said. "We're not going to do Shane one lick of good if we're sitting here losing our cool."

There was something in Steve's tone that made Kayla pause. The others must have heard it too. Everyone fell silent.

John spoke first. With a raised eyebrow, he asked, "And how exactly do you plan on doing Shane any good?"

"Let's just say I think I have an idea." As Steve spoke, Kayla could see a gleam in Steve's eye.

Feeling a nervous flutter in her stomach, Kayla asked, "What are you thinking?"

Steve's lips started to form a sly grin that Kayla knew well. "Just a little way to throw a monkeywrench into that bastard Tarrington's plans," he said. Steve looked at Roman.
"But it's going to need your help, Commander. . . and your's," he said, switching his attention to Carly. When they both nodded, making it clear that they were willing to take part, Steve paused for a moment. He seemed to fall deep into thought, before he continued. "And Jack. We're going to need Jack."

Kayla looked at Steve. He seemed so confident and certain. He will do anything to make this right. Kayla's own desire to help her sister and Shane stopped any thoughts that might have made another person hesitate. But she had to wonder at involving Jack after everything he had done to cause this mess. "Jack?" she asked. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, baby," he said. "We're all in this together. Shane's not going down until we've done everything we can to help him."

John stepped forward. "So what can I do?"

"You can go find Jack," Steve said. Then he stopped, thought for a second, and broke into a wide, laughing grin. "And, while you're at it, I have one more little thing I want you to do."

[MrsM]

I hope whatever Steve has in mind works!!