Part 32:

Patrick’s Place:

Mason pushes Patrick’s door closed keeping his gun on Chelsea. He says, “Good… now keep quiet and you may live a little longer.” Chelsea is still in stunned silence. Mason walks over towards Patrick and kneels down next to him. He is about to check to make sure he is dead when there is a knock at the door. He jumps up and looking out the peephole he looks back at Chelsea and with an evil grin says, “You’re just gonna love this.” He stands to the side of the door and unlocks it and opens it a crack.

Billie seeing the door crack open but not open all the way is confused. She pushes the door open a hair saying questioningly, “Patrick? You home?” Once the door is open enough she instantly sees Patrick lying on the floor blood near his head. She exclaims, “Patrick!!!” and runs into the room only to be stopped dead in her tracks by the feel of a gun barrel to the back of her head. Mason says, “Don’t move.” Billie freezes and glancing around the room sees Chelsea standing there wide eyed in shock.

Mason shuts the door with his free hand and Billie without hesitation takes the opportunity to attack. She ducks swing a hand around to grab Mason’s arm that is holding the gun. A ‘pop’ is heard as the gun fires a shot and hits the wall. Billie kicks Mason in the gut while trying to wrench the gun from his hand. Mason struggles and punches Billie in the face. She falls back onto the floor. She instantly jumps up to attack him again but in the split second they were dislodged Mason grabbed Chelsea. He holds the gun to her head and looks at Billie. She stops and says, “Please… just take what you want and go.”

Mason laughs and taping the gun on Chelsea’s temple says, “She IS what I want.” He straightens up and points the gun back at Billie, “Now… take a couple steps back and keep those hands where I can see them.” Billie obeys looking desperately at Chelsea who is now surprisingly calmer. Mason says with a smile, “Better. But unfortunately for you Ms. Reed my orders are to kill anyone who stands in my way… I’d say you now qualify.” He glances out of the corner of his eye to Chelsea and says, “Tell me Chelsea… now that you know what your dear ole mommy did to you… will you mourn her when she’s gone?” Chelsea raises and eyebrow and gives him an odd look. Billie swallows knowing that there is no way she can get to the gun before he can shoot.

The Loft:

Mimi and Shawn are at the Loft it is sort of awkward since Shawn is not currently staying there. He is about to leave but Mimi asks him to stay and talk awhile. He asks if she is okay and Mimi says, “I just feel… strange. Nothing changed and yet everything did.” Shawn says sadly, “Yeah.” Mimi notes his expression and tone and says gently, “You’re… disappointed aren’t you? That Claire isn’t yours?”

Shawn looks up at her and says, “No. … Well… yes and no… I don’t know.” He forces a small laugh and says, “I’m not sure how I feel. This is the way it should be. Its for the best… for everyone. Claire may only be a baby but she knows Philip as her father and he is wonderful to her. It would be very messy and very complicated if she were my daughter.” Mimi nods and prompts him, “But…?”

Shawn says, “But… I can’t deny part of me had day dreamed what it would be like. I feel so close to her. Partly because she’s Belle’s daughter, partly because of Zack... I don’t know… all I know is that I felt a bond to her and when the possibility of her being mine came out… I thought maybe that was the reason for it. And…” he sighs, “it would have been great to know that my brother saved my daughter. I think my mom would have liked that too.” He looks at Mimi and can tell she’s sad. He says, “But those are all selfish reasons. What’s best for Claire is what matters. She has two loving parents and two loving god parents. That’s how it should be.” He smiles at Mimi and she slowly smiles back and nods.

Mimi asks Shawn, “But messiness and complications aside… part of you wanted to have a child… with Belle.” Shawn sighs and says, “Mimi… stop. Nothing good can come of us starting that conversation. You and I both know that if our lives had gone who we first envisioned them then yeah… I’d be with Belle… and YOU would be with Rex.” Mimi blinks, a bit taken aback and we can tell that thought hadn’t really crossed her mind, but she sighs and nods realizing he is right.

She says after a moment, “So… where do we go from here?” He shrugs and says, “Well our counseling starts on the 5^th… just take it one day at a time. I think we both need to take a step back and start figuring out what it is we want from life.” She says with a smile, “Actually I’ve been giving that some thought.” Shawn… obviously happy to change the subject for a moment says, “Yeah!?” Mimi nods and says, “I tell you what… I think what we need tonight is bad take out. I know you want to get back to your mom but… would you stay for dinner? Just a few hours of diversion?” Shawn smiles and we can see some of the weight lift from him.

Mimi beams back and says, “Great! My treat! I’ll even go pick it up.” Shawn smiles and says, “Sounds wonderful. I’ll call and check on my mom while you are gone.” Mimi says ‘ok’ and grabbing her purse leaves the loft.

Elsewhere:

Mason is walking behind Chelsea, his hand on her shoulder and it is apparent he has his gun under his jacket pointed at her. Chelsea is pale with an odd look on her face that isn’t fear. Mason says quietly as they walk towards his car, “You’re doing just fine, Chelsea… just keep walking. I tell ya, I’m really impressed… you keep behaving this good and I might just ask L to change her mind about killing you.” They reach his car and he looks around making sure no one is watching them. He then says, “Okay, we have just one more stop to make before we leave town… unfortunately that means you have to ride in back.” With that he pops open the trunk.

The Loft:

Shawn is alone in the loft now, he takes out his cell phone and dials but hearing a beep looks at it and says, “Great… dead battery.” He closes it and grabs the land line and calls his mom.

Salem Place:

Hope and Bo are having a drink together at the café. Hope’s cell phone rings she doesn’t hear it at first but finally Bo points it out. She looks and sees it is Shawn calling. She answers, “Hey, Sweetie….Hello? Shawn? Hello?!” Hope’s face suddenly grows concerned and she says, “Bo listen to this.” Bo takes the phone and we hear too the sounds of struggle and a fight on the other end. Bo looks up at Hope with deep concern in his eyes. Bo yells into the phone, “SHAWN!?!” There is a click and Bo pulls the phone away and hangs it up telling Hope, “The line went dead.” Hope takes her phone back and immediately calls the loft. It rings with no answer. She hangs up and tries Shawn’s cell… it goes straight to his voicemail. She looks at Bo and shakes her head. They jump to their feet and leave.

As they walk Hope says desperately, “We could be wrong… he could be fine.” Bo says, “We aren’t taking any chances.” He takes out his phone and he says, “I’m calling Mimi.” Hope nods agreeing that’s a good idea.

Patrick’s Place:

Patrick groans and rolls onto his side, slowly opening his eyes. He is obviously dizzy and disorientated. He struggles to his hands and knees trying to shake off the cloud around his head. He blinks and sees his own blood on the floor. He touches his head and we see a huge gouge where the bullet grazed him. It is deep but not fatal. He looks around the room blinking repeatedly. We see through his perspective and tell that his vision is double and he is definitely barely conscious. As he looks around his eyes suddenly stop on a body lying in the middle of the room.

“Billie?!!” He tries to stand but collapses down to the floor again. He groans, “No no no no…” He crawls over to Billie and collapses for a moment on her chest. He finds her wrist as he lays there limp and barely able to focus. He feels for a pulse and says, “Don’t you dye on me, Billie. Hang on…”

He forces himself up to his hands and knees again and pats his pocket looking for something. He curses under his breath. Blood still pouring from his head his eyes role back. He looks around and seeing Billie’s jacket open he sees her cell phone. He struggles to grasp it. He gets it and again flops down on the floor and tries to dial but can hardly see the buttons. He says to himself, “Come on Patrick… stay… awake. He finally hits ‘#1’ and the phone does a speed dial sound and starts to ring.

Patrick lays there as it rings, coming in and out of consciousness. We hear a recording on the other end say, “Hey this is Bo; leave a message.” It is Bo’s voicemail as we know Bo is currently calling Mimi. Patrick exhales in frustration and after the beep manages to get out, “… Bo… Mason… he’s here… *groans*… Chelsea… she’s… gone… Billie is… you have to get to Hope… he’s got to be here for Hope!... I…” Patrick drops the phone and we hear another beep signaling the end of the message space. Patrick passes out again for a moment. He comes too again and grasps again for the phone. Blinking deeply he focuses with all his might and manages to hit ‘911’. We hear the operator come on as he gasps, “I need an ambulance…”

Meanwhile:

Chelsea is tied up in the trunk of Mason’s car. She is struggling to free herself but as she hears the pop of the automatic opening of the trunk she stops. Mason tosses an unconscious Shawn in the trunk with her. Mason has a fat lip and a spot of blood from his mouth, Shawn obviously got some hits in. Mason says, “You kids behave now… I’d prefer live bait but dead will work just as well… its up to you.” He laughs and slams the lid shut.

Chelsea manages to wiggle the gag from her mouth and says quietly but persistently, “Shawn! Shawn!” She nudges him best she can a couple times and he finally blinks and comes too. He tries to speak but is gagged. Chelsea says, “Hold still.” She moves over to him and with her teeth pulls the gag from his mouth. He gasps for air and winces in pain, “My head! Chelsea?! Wha… What happened? What’s going on?!” Chelsea says quickly, “Shhh! Quiet… We are in a lot of trouble.” Shawn looks at her and then around at their surroundings and says, “I think that’s an understatement.”

Salem Place:

Bo and Hope are walking to the car as Bo is calling Mimi. Mimi answers and Bo says without even a ‘hello’, “Mimi… is Shawn with you? Is he okay?” Mimi is surprised by his call and question and says, “Yeah he’s fine. I just left him at the loft to go get dinner. Why what’s wrong?” Bo tells her about the weird phone call and Mimi is stumped. Bo tells her they are on their way to the loft now. Mimi says she will meet them. Bo tells her, “No! It could be dangerous.” She agrees to stay where she is. She hangs up and looking concerned says to herself, “Screw that. I’m almost home.” She quickens her pace. She reaches the outside of the loft building and we see Mason’s car driving off into the distance.

Mimi goes upstairs and sees right away the door is ajar. She says under her breath, “Oh my god. No…” She pushes open the door and drops the bag of food she is carrying and covers her mouth in terror. The loft is a mess, Shawn obviously put up a good fight.

Mason’s Trunk:

Shawn asks Chelsea, “Who is he?” Chelsea says, “He works for the woman who’s trying to get to your mom. His name is Mason.” Shawn looks surprised and says, “You know him.” Chelsea says, “You forget who raised me?” Shawn says, “Oh… right.” Chelsea is struggling trying to get out of her restraints but has no luck. Shawn asks, “Are you hurt?” Chelsea says, “No. You okay?” Shawn nods and says, “Just feel like someone busted my head with a bat. But I’ll live.” Chelsea raises and eyebrow and Shawn realizing that ‘living’ may or may not be in their future sighs and says, “Yeah...well.. you know what I mean.” He sighs and says, “What’s this guy’s plan? Where is he taking us?”

Chelsea says, “I don’t know. I thought he’d just kill me… he’s using you for bait to get to your mom… I… I guess he’s wanting my dad too.” Shawn asks, “What about you mom?” Chelsea diverts her eyes from Shawn and says, “She’s dead… and so is Patrick.” Shawn exclaims, “What?! He killed them?! Oh my god!” Chelsea just says, “We’ll be next if we don’t figure out a plan.” Shawn realizing the weight of what’s happening wiggles around so his back is facing Chelsea, he says, “See if you can’t untie me.” Chelsea scrunches down and tries to work off Shawn’s restraints with her teeth.

The Loft:

Bo and Hope arrive at the Loft to find Mimi pacing outside. Her face says it all. Bo and Hope run over too her and ask if she’s okay. She says, “I… I was only gone a few minutes! He’s gone! The place is a mess!” She is beside herself in fear. Bo and Hope run upstairs. Mimi gets up and follows them. They go inside. Hope exclaims, “Oh my god! SHAWN!!?” She and Bo search the loft but there is no trace of him. Hope sees his cell phone lying on the floor.

Mimi is in the doorway her arms crossed around her chest holding herself steady. Her face is ghostly white. Hope goes over too her and says, “Tell me what happened.” Mimi relays to them everything her and Shawn’s evening, and Bo and Hope sigh in frustration knowing they have not one clue who could have taken Shawn. Bo goes to call 911 but Mimi says, “I already did. They should be here any second.” Bo says, “Good.” Just then there is a beep from Bo’s pocket and he takes out is cell phone and sees he has a message.

He steps aside to listen too it as Hope and Mimi comfort each other. As Bo listens his face drains of color. He turns and looks at Mimi.

Bo hangs up and says to Hope, “We should go… we need to get to the station.” Hope nods and says, “Right.” Mimi says, “I’ll come too.” Bo says quickly, “No!... I mean, no the police will want to talk to you.” We hear sirens approach. Hope says, “Maybe we should stay with her.” Bo shakes his head and gives her a look that clues her in that she should just go with what he says. He says, “No we need to get to keep looking for clues.”

Mimi sniffs and says, “Its okay… go… find him. I’ll be okay.” Hope nods and her and Bo leave. Bo and Hope get back in the car and take off. Hope says, “I’m not losing another son.” Bo says, “No… you most certainly are not!” She looks at him as he drives and studies his face. We can tell she is thinking how much this man is like the husband she once knew.

Bo hands her his phone and says, “Play the last message.” Hope looks at him curiously and takes the phone. As she dials she says, “Wait… this isn’t the way to the station?” Bo says, “We aren’t going to the station… we’re going to Patrick’s.” Hope looks at him more confused. She puts the phone to her ear to listen to the message and suddenly realization hits her. She says, “Oh my god… that’s why you didn’t want Mimi coming with us.” Bo nods and says, “If her brother is dead… I thought it best for her not to see it.” Hope immediately dials 911 and after talking to the operator learns EMTs are already at the scene.

Hope hangs up and then says, “I’m calling Clancy.” Bo nods focused on driving to get them there as fast as possible. Hope calls Clancy and tells him to get to Patrick’s as fast as he can.

Patrick’s:

Hope and Bo arrive, the building is lit up by police and ambulance lights. Bo and Hope are not stopped as they work their way through the mayhem since all the police know them. They go inside and are stunned at what they find. The EMTs are hovering over Billie working on her. Patrick is sitting in a chair holding a compress to his now bandaged head and is pale from the loss of blood.

Bo and Hope rush over to Patrick. He says, “Bo? Hope? What are you doing here?” Bo says, “You called me… we got your message.” Patrick says through half closed eyes, obviously still not well, “Good… sorry… don’t remember.” Bo asks, “Are you okay?” Patrick winces as he nods and says, “I will be. Bullet just took a chunk out of forehead.”

Hope says, “Patrick… what happened?” Patrick tries to focus through his pain and says, “I… I don’t know. One minute I’m standing talking to Chelsea… the next… Mason just… appeared! I woke up… Chelsea was gone and Billie she…” He trails off again and then says, “I don’t know how Billie got here… or where Mason and Chelsea went.”

Hope says, “We think he took Shawn as well.” Patrick snaps too, “Shawn?! Was Mimi with him?!” Hope shakes her head and says, “No. Mimi is fine.” Patrick sighs in relief and says, “It’s a trap… has to be… to draw you out Hope.” Hope and Bo exchange looks having already figured this was the case.

Just then they hear behind them Clancy’s voice yell painfully, “NOOOO!!!!” He is at the doorway and dashes towards Billie. Bo runs to intercept him and holds him back saying, “She’s not dead, Clancy! They’re working on her! Let them do their job.” Clancy is fighting him to get to her just staring at Billie, his eyes filled with terror and tears; and it is instantly obvious to all that despite all his anger towards her… he still loves her. Bo shacks him and forces his eyes too him and says again, “CLANCY!! Look at me! She’s in good hands! Getting in their way won’t help her. We need to focus.” Clancy stops struggling and fighting back his emotions nods. He says after a moment and after looking around the room, “Where is Chelsea?”

Bo looks back to Hope and she stands slowly and says, “Mason has her…he has Chelsea and Shawn.” Clancy’s face turns to rage. He steps from Bo’s grip and paces for a moment thinking and says at last, “I think I know where Mason may take them. Long ago I know he had a hideout not far from here. It’s either that… or he’s heading to the airport.” Bo says, “I’ll tell Roman to contact Interpol to take care of that. And we’ll head to this hideout. Give the address to me and I’ll have Roman get us some back up.” Clancy nods and then looks again over at Billie. Patrick manages to stand and join the group. He puts a hand on Clancy’s shoulder and says, “Go… before it’s too late. I’ll go to the hospital with Billie.”

They start to leave but Patrick stops Bo and says, “My closet… in the case on the top shelf… you may need it.” Bo looks a little confused but retrieves the case. The three leave. In the car he opens the case and finds four guns. Clancy sees them and says, “Patrick was always one to be prepared.” Bo hands each a gun and tucks the fourth behind his back. He says, “Okay… lets go get our kids back.” They drive off.