Last Christmas 15/16
Last Christmas 15/16
By Marea67
About: Walkers and their satellites. Original Characters Alex Grodin and Max Carter are back!
Rate: from G to NC-17
Disclaimer: The Brothers & Sisters and satellites may not belong to me, but Alex Grodin and Max Carter definitely are figments of MY own sick fantasy.
Summary: Just before Christmas, a prisoner escapes with unfinished business on his mind.
Extra: To completely understand the full impact of this story you should (have)(re)-read "Happy Now?" chapter 1 to 12
Extra EXTRA!!! I've situated this story in season 4, until 4.09, so it will contain ***spoilers*** for those who have not seen season 4.
Writer’s note: I hope that there isn’t really a village called Clean Water Springs, I invented the name, just to give it a name
*****
Emily waves away the 548th apology she gets from Nora.
“Honey, if it were my kid, I’d be worried too.” She replies when they arrive at Nora’s house.
“Emily, can you stay here tonight? I’m not sure I want to be alone in this house tonight.” Nora asks.
“Of course , I’ll stay. There’s no way I’m leaving you alone.” Emily smiles. She picks Kevin’s old room and puts her suitcase there. Then she returns to Nora’s kitchen and makes some tea. Nora joins her there, to sit down at the table.
“Em, what am I going to do?” She asks, rubbing her face.
“Nothing, there’s nothing you can do, except wait. Max and Robert will be with Kevin soon and then Kevin and Scotty will be safe. I’m sure of it.”
“I hope so. I can’t even begin to imagine how worried they must be.” Nora sighs.
“Very worried, I’m afraid.” Emily replies.
*****
“Sherriff Styles? I’m Max Carter… This is Senator Robert McCallister. And… my partner Joanna Pellew. Have you spoken to Kevin and Scotty yet?”
“No, sir, when we came here, we noticed that car….” He points. “That is an unknown car, which may indicate, Mr Grodin is already in the house.
We decided to await your arrival, before we did something…. They seem to be in the kitchen. It’s the only place with the lights on, sir.”
“Are you sure it’s the kitchen? It’s impossible to see from here.”
“I know Chad. Family through marriage. I’ve been inside that house many times.”
“Thank you. This must be hard for you.” Max says with sympathy.
“How dangerous is this Alex Grodin anyway?” the young deputy asks.
“He escaped by killing a guard. He kidnapped Jason McCallister in broad daylight. And he killed one of my men to get to Chad, who is now missing as well.”
“If that bastard did anything to Chad…” the young deputy threatens.
“Pick a number and wait in line. It’s my little brother he kidnapped.” Robert replies.
“Alright, listen, I respect your concerns about Chad and Jason, but Alex may be in there with Kevin and Scotty and talking about getting revenge is not helping! We need a plan.” Max calmly says.
*****
Scotty wants to put an arm around Kevin, but freezes when Alex points his gun at him.
“Don’t touch him!” Alex growls, tearing another bite of his sandwich. Kevin tries to control himself. Whatever happened to Chad and Jason, there’s nothing he can do to change it now.
His only concern is to get Scotty out of here, safe and sound. He calms down.
“Okay. I get that you’re angry with me.” Kevin starts.
“What makes you think that?” Alex replies taking a sip of his coffee and then another bite. His eyes are on Kevin.
“You wrongfully think I betrayed you.”
“You? Betray me? Why would I think that?” Alex asks, raising an eyebrow.
“I made you talk… You confessed to the murder of your dad and Ben. And that was because I made you do it.”
“No. No. You got it wrong, Kev. I don’t hate you. I did what I had to do. I knew you would not be happy with me, when I realized what I had done to Scotty… oh, by the way, Scotty, I’m so sorry. I must have been out of my mind to want to hurt you. I should have known …”
“Known what?” Scotty asks.
“I was gone for so long and I hurt Kevin so bad…. No wonder he went looking for someone else. And you’re so nice. And forgiving… And I’m sorry that you will get hurt. I really am.” Alex apologizes.
“Who’s going to hurt me?” Scotty becomes very cautious.
“Kevin of course.”
“I will?” Kevin is stunned. He would never hurt Scotty, but he does get a bad feeling from the way that Alex nods.
“It took me a while to get it. I’m not as smart as you are Kevin… And they kept giving me these pills to calm me down and they made me so sluggish… But that is all over now. I’m back. And you can count on me from now on. It will all be great between us. I swear, I’m never going to leave you again.”
“What are you talking about?” Kevin asks astounded.
“Kev, you no longer have to test me or test our love. I got it. I was bad, very bad for doing all those awful things. Hurting people is wrong. And I am truly sorry about John,… my guard and that police officer, Forrester. If I had seen that picture of his kids sooner, I might not have killed him.
But I had to kill him to get to Chad. I had to. You can see that, can’t you? You know me. I wouldn’t hurt a fly…. And I would never have hurt Chad either, if hadn’t made me so mad.”
“Chad? What did you do to Chad?” Kevin begs and a sweet, melancholy smile appears on Alex’s face as he remembers the rush of hitting Chad.
“He got me mad. And you know what I’m like, if I’m angry…. So, I picked up a steel bar from the ground and just…” He makes a movement with his hand that leaves nothing to the imagination. “Oh, but I didn’t hurt his face… No, that would be too bad, to hurt such a pretty face… He was so handsome…” Alex ends dreamily.
Scotty starts to feel weak in the knees as the room starts to spin and just when he thinks he ‘s going to faint, Alex’s monotonous voice comes back: “It was good that Jason started to scream, or otherwise, I would have maybe broken too many of Chad’s bones…”
“Jason?” The horror is now clear on Scotty’s face. “What did you do to Jason?”
“Nothing! Honest! I swear! I never touched him. He’s a priest.. You can’t kill a priest. It will make God very angry if you do…. No, I just left him there. The stable is a bit chilly in the winter, but that doesn’t matter.
He’s been there long enough. He’ll die of dehydration soon enough…. And if he doesn’t, starvation will do the rest… But I didn’t hurt him, never touched him...” he once again points out and both Kevin and Scotty feel sick for what happened to their friends. Kevin feels as if he can’t breathe from the shock of losing two of his ex-lovers.
What is even more sickening is the glorious smile on Alex’s face as he looks at Kevin.
“.. And it doesn’t really matter. I found you and we’ll finally be happy. I know I screwed up in the past, but it won’t happen again. I swear.”
“I can’t let you kill Scotty.” Kevin doesn’t even realize that he spoke out loud until Alex starts to laugh.
“I’m not going to kill Scotty, silly. Why should I? Scotty is a reasonable person… I’m sure that with the proper financial arrangement, Scotty won’t mind putting an end to this fake marriage of yours…. See, I have more than enough money.” Alex smiles and from the inner-pocket of his coat he takes a stack of money-bills on the table.
*****
It’s quiet. Very quiet. Chad opens his eyes. He must have blacked out again. He shivers from the cold and controls his nausea, glad that there isn’t anything left in his stomach to get rid of.
“Jason?” He feels his voice is too soft to carry all the way to Jason.
So he calls Jason again, louder this time and this time there’s a little noise further away from him.
“Chad? I thought… I thought…” but Jason can’t finish his sentence.
“I’m here and I’m awake. And something else…. I have the phone.”
“Please, tell me it’s working. Please, tell me that we don’t have that much misfortune, that the batteries are dead now.” Jason begs and Chad suddenly feels sick. He hadn’t thought of that. He had been so focused on getting it, that he hadn’t considered the possibility that it would no longer work.
He shakes his head. No. This cannot be happening. Not to them. Not after all they’ve been through… He says a silent prayer as he pushes the buttons. It seems like an eternity but then the lights switch on. He starts to cry…
“Jason….. It’s working! The fucking thing works!!!”
*****
“Hey.” Kitty says when she sees Sarah sitting at her kitchen-table. “Couldn’t sleep either, huh?”
“No. I had this nightmare….” Sarah replies. “I feel I won’t sleep until that bastard is caught.”
“Me neither.” Kitty pours some of the coffee Sarah made. “And this isn’t helping.”
“No.” Sarah agrees. “But this is better than staring at the ceiling, thinking of what Alex could do to Kevin and Scotty, or might have done with Jason and Chad.”
“Do you think that they’re still alive?” Kitty asks quietly. Sarah doesn’t answer immediately.
“I have to believe that. I just have to. For Kevin’s sake.”
“Our brothers sure give us headaches. Justin and Iraq. Tommy and Mexico. And now Kevin.” Kitty replies reflectively.
“Yeah… Though I have to admit that I’ve always been more worried about Justin and Kevin. Tommy always seemed so … in control… Have you called him?”
“Yes. He said that he might join us for Christmas, depending on Julia’s decision if he could Elizabeth with him or not... Julia needed to think it over.”
“I get that. I, too, am wondering if it wouldn’t be safer to bring the kids to Joe.” Sarah acknowledges. “But it’s my turn to have them and I don’t….”
She chews on her lip, before she continues: “… if I do, I’d be letting that man run my life for me and I don’t want that. On the other hand, I want my kids to be safe…”
“I know. Uncle Jack has offered Evan and me a place to stay, for the time being… But I’d rather be here, close to mom… just in case….”
Kitty doesn’t want to finish her sentence, she cannot put words to her fear of possibly losing Kevin and she doesn’t want to consider what it could do to Robert to lose his brother. Sarah, however, doesn’t need to hear the words. She fears the same things Kitty does. So, she does the only thing she can do. She takes her sister’s hand and quietly they sit together… waiting.
*****
Kevin stares at the money on the table. It is like he entered into some alternate world. It’s almost a joke to hear Alex talk so calmly, so certain, about how Kevin belongs with him and not Scotty. Kevin feels as if he is the one, who’s gone crazy and not Alex. The money on the table gives him an idea however.
“I like your thinking.” Kevin says with appreciation. Alex’s smile becomes even bigger, if that is at all possible. Kevin turns to Scotty. “Scotty, we both know that this is the best solution…” He takes two, three packages of money from the table. “Here, take these and leave. We both know our so-called marriage didn’t mean that much….”
Scotty can see the pain in Kevin’s eyes for having to say those words and he’s too shocked to protest. “We both know that the only real thing that keeps us together is my money, your cooking and good sex. When was the last time you told me you loved me anyway. Now that Alex is willing to give me a second chance…. I want to take that chance.”
Kevin has to swallow hard to hold down the contents of his stomach. Scotty only looks at him. He knows that Kevin is playing a game and he knows he has to play along, if he wants to get out of here alive. But he’s scared. Scared of what Alex could do to Kevin. At the same time he realizes that he must have faith in Kevin’s ability to talk Alex around.
“I had sort of hoped that, eventually, you’d chose me over Alex.” He replies. “That you’d prefer my company over Alex’s.”
“I can’t do that… I … I want to be with Alex.” Kevin says, turning his back on Alex, so he word to Scotty to 'get out and get help'. Scotty nods.
“I see. Well, in that case…. I wish you luck.” He replies stiffly, holding back a sob of pain. He takes his coat and walks to the door. Kevin doesn’t move an inch. No last hug, not one last word. They both know they can’t handle it and that they will fall apart if they do. So, the last thing Scotty sees, when he looks over his shoulder, is a grinning Alex and a devastated Kevin.
*****
The phone wakes up a dozing Wally. Who would call him this late? As he asks himself that question, he already knows the answer.
“Did I wake you?” A voice says softly on the other side.
“No, Bertha, not really. I was just staring at the tv-screen.….”
“I can’t sleep. I can’t stop thinking about what the police officer told me.”
“I know. Neither can I…. Are you afraid? Is everything alright?” Wally now asks.
“Yes, I’m fine. And I’m not really afraid for myself. It’s .. It’s Scott I’m worried about.”
“Scotty will be just fine. I’m sure Kevin will do everything he can to protect Scotty.”
“Scott wouldn’t be in this mess, if it wasn’t for this Kevin.” She replies coldly. Wally takes a deep breath, feeling again like getting stuck into a straight-jacket, like he’s not allowed to move…. He fights the desire to throw the phone down.
“You seem to conveniently forget that this happens at a high price for Kevin as well.”
“What do you mean?” Bertha asks icily.
“In case you’ve forgotten… Two of Kevin’s friends have gone missing.”
“Two ex-boyfriends.” Bertha emphasizes.
“Two young men, who’ve become friends of our son as well and who are out there somewhere, fighting for their lives… Or may already be dead.”
Bertha isn’t used to be so reprimanded by Wally. Wally would usually be much softer in his protest.
“I’m sorry. You’re right, of course.” She replies and Wally nearly falls of the couch. He hasn’t had an apology from her in years. Feeling victorious he moves it even a step further.
“Bertha, I know you wouldn’t care less if anything happened to Kevin, but, please, remember that however you feel about him, our son loves him. If anything would happen to Kevin, Scotty would be devastated.
And I think that if Scotty got hurt again, then Kevin wouldn’t be able to deal with it either. So, please, pray for both of them, regardless of how you feel about their relationship.” It remains quiet for a few moments, then he hears Bertha again.
“I will pray for of them, naturally…. Goodnight…” And the line is dead.
*****
Robert stomps his feet to the blood flowing again. The night is cold and Max and Styles are arguing about the best solution. Robert quietly agrees with Max that barging in there and shooting ‘everything that moves’ would not be a good idea, although at the same time he wouldn’t mind putting a bullet in Alex’s head.
He looks at the house again. So close, so far away. What is happening in there? He worries about Kevin and Scotty, but also about Jason. Just when he’s about to turn away, he sees movement outside the house.
“You, guys…” He warns, tapping Max on the shoulder.
Robert points in the direction of the house and now Max also sees a person walk away from the house. It’s slippery on the road and the person obviously has problems with keeping his balance.
For a moment they all stay frozen to the ground, then they move forward, slowly and cautiously. It could still be Alex, who’s leaving the house, after all. Max is the first the recognize the man.
“Scotty! Oh, my God, Scotty are you alright?”
Scotty is startled at first, but when he recognizes who’s meeting him halfway, he runs towards them. He’s blinded with tears by the time he reaches them.
“Alex… he has Kevin… he’s insane… And yet, he’s not, he seems to be very aware of he’s doing.”
Max can see that Scotty is in shock and he pushes Scotty to the car.
“Come on, easy, Scotty, it will be alright. We’re here. We know what he did. We know he’s dangerous. You don’t have to convince us. Just tell us what happened. Why did he let you go?”
“He …” Scotty looks up, a bit embarrassed. “He found us in the Jacuzzi. He had a gun…. He told us to get dressed… He kept looking at Kevin all the time and then we went to the kitchen. He was hungry and wanted coffee….” Scotty covers his mouth with his hand as he realizes how close to death he just came.
When he looks up, he looks straight at Robert. “He casually informed us that he killed Chad and that …. that Jason…” Scotty has to close his eyes to not the see the fear in Robert’s eyes. “He said that Jason, was still alive, but barely. Said he didn’t hurt him, but the dehydration and starvation would.”
Robert shakes his head, unable to handle the fact that someone wants to do this to his brother, but the horror on Scotty’s face tells him that Scotty is not exaggerating.
“Did he say where Jason was?” he asks, but Scotty shakes his head.
“No. It wasn’t important enough for him to mention.. He just didn’t care.”
Max listens to Scotty and Robert with pity in his heart. These two have been flung into such a bad situation. Scotty gathers his thoughts, before he continues:
“Alex seems completely sane. He seems to know exactly what he’s doing and why… It’s all for Kevin.
He believes that this is what Kevin wanted from him all along, like some ‘proof of true love’. He completely rationalized away killing Chad and Jason and then he informed Kevin, that he was ready for a relationship with Kevin and that Kevin no longer needed me… That our marriage was meaningless….. And Kevin went along with it….”
Again Scotty has trouble to hold down his feelings. Max places his hand on Scotty’s arm.
“I’m sure that…” he starts, but Scotty roughly cuts him off.
“I know, he was lying. He just wanted to get me out of the house. But you didn’t have to look at Alex’s smug face, when Kevin send me away….”
Robert puts his hand on Scotty’s shoulder.
“I’m sorry, that must be hard. But, Kevin is still in there, staring at that same smug face.”
“I know…. I’m so sorry about Jason. I should have asked. I …”
“It’s not your fault. You were, .. you are in shock… I do however believe it’s important to catch this Alex alive. He’s the only one who knows where Jason is…” His eyes beg a confirmation from Max and Max believes it to be best as well. But before he can say something his phone rings and he distances himself.
“Robert,” Scotty whispers. “If those guys are going to barge in there, weapons in hand, someone is going to get killed and I'm afraid it won’t be Alex. You have to talk them out of this. You’re a senator, is there nothing you can do?”
“No, this is police-business.” Robert replies.
“Robert! I think you’ll want to hear this…” Max says and he hands Robert his phone.
“Hello?” Robert asks.
“Bobby?” he hears very faintly from the other side. Robert nearly drops the phone.
“Jason??? Oh, my god, it’s Jason…” he says to Scotty, who seems just as surprised as Robert is.
“It is? They found him?” He asks, but Robert raises his hand for silence. He listens very closely to his brother and then Scotty can hear him ask: “What about Chad?” Again a long pause as Robert listens. “Alright. I get it. Take care of yourself now.”
He hands over the phone to Max and turns to Scotty.
“I just spoke with Jason. He’s alive and doing well, all things considered. He’s hungry and thirsty and believes he’ll never get warm again, but he.. He’s alive.” Robert says, clearly emotional over this news.
“I’m very happy for you, Robert.” Scotty replies, not entirely convincing. “Did they also find Chad?” He asks, obviously upset. “From what Alex said, I understood that Jason was there when Alex killed Chad…” Robert looks at sheriff Styles and his deputy, both related to Chad… And he smiles.
“Jason was found because of Chad. Chad crawled around in the dark, with an broken arm and a head-injury, they don’t know yet what is wrong with his leg…. Until he found Jason’s phone and dialed 911.” Robert explains and from all this Scotty only gets one thing.
“Is Chad still alive too?”
“Don’t ask how or why, but they both made it, though they are in bad shape.”
“Yes!” Scotty cheers softly. “Alex didn’t win this time.”
“This means we go in and go hunt Alex, the only one now in trouble, is Kevin.” Max says.
At that moment a shot sounds from the house. Followed by a second shot.
“Kevin!!!!” Scotty scream and he jumps up to run to the house, but Robert catches him and stops him.
“Stay here! Both of you!” Max orders and he follows the other men to Chad’s house.
“Let me go!” Scotty tries to free himself from Robert’s hold.
“No! No, Scotty, don’t!” Robert stops him once again.
“Kevin is there! Alex has a gun! My husband is in there…!”
“I know… Which is why maybe… you should not go in..” Robert replies, holding Scotty’s look, until Scotty gets his meaning…
END OF PART 15