You took your coat off and stood in the rain,
You were always crazy like that
I watched from my window,
Always felt I was outside looking in on you

Carly woke up slowly. Stretching her limbs, as her senses became more
aware. As her head became more aware so did yesterdays events. After
their confrontation, Carly had not seen Jason for the rest of the day. She had
showered, changed, played with Michael for several hours and thrown up
several times. Then she'd gone to work where Bobbie was waiting for her.
Bobbie hassled her with questions, getting more annoyed with each fuzzy
answer Carly gave her. Ruby noticed something was wrong, but thankfully
kept her questions to a mimimum. She had made several trips to the
bathroom. By the end of the day Carly had come up with the theory that
Morning sickness got worse with each pregancy.

This morning she was sure of it. Carly groaned and rolled over, curving into a
ball. She felt nauseous, despite the fact that she hadn't eaten at all yesterday.
She didn't remember every being this sick with Michael. Bobbie had
suggested that the added stress might be making her feel worse. Whatever it
was, Carly was just grateful that she had the day off. She had no plans for
getting dressed. She would just play with Michael and lay in bed.

Suddenly Carly's thoughts drited to Jason. She had waited up for him. Untill
a little after two in the morning, but he never showed. Now looking at the
clock, which read 10:00, she couldn't help but wondering if he had ever
come home. Carly slowly got out of bed. She put on her robe and walked to
Michael's room. She entered to see Latecia playing with Michael. "Momma."
He cried and ran into her arms.

Carly picked him up and gave him a big kiss. "Hey my big boy, how are you
doing?"

"I'm good mommy, me and Latecia are playing ball, do you want to play?"

"Aw, honey, I'd love to but I'm not feeling very good today."

Carly laughed as Michael pouted. She set him down and watched as he went
to pick up the ball and rolled it to Latecia. Latecia looked up at her with
concern. "Still not feeling well, Carly?"

"No, not really. Um, is Jason home?"

Latecia gave Carly a sympathetic look and said. "I'm sorry, Carly. He came
in earlier today, showered, changed and left."

"Oh." Carly said quietly. She tried to look disintrested as she asked. "Um,
did he leave a message for me, or say when he'd be back?"

"No, I'm sorry. Carly."

"It's fine, no big deal." Carly said with a small smile. "Listen, I'm just going to
go to bed,. I feel sort of dizzy, if my mother or anyone calls, just say I'm
busy, k?"

"Of course, no problem, Carly. Would you like Graciella to bring you some
breakfast?"

"No." Carly said quickly and then smiled. "I'm afraid my stomache's not up
to it. Latecia? Thank you, for everything." Latecia nodded and Carly turned
back to Michael. "See you later Mr. Man."

"Bye mommy."

Carly went back to her room. She looked around at the emptyness and
slowly curled into a ball on the bed.

u were always the mysterious one
With dark eyes and careless hair,
You were fashionably sensitive, but too cool to care
Then you stood in my doorway with nothing to say
Besides some comment on the weather

Johnny opened the door for Jason, who was greeted with a big smile from
Michael. Michael was sitting on the livingroom floor, with Latecia, coloring.
"Daddy"

Michael wobbled over to Jason, who promptly picked him up. Jason
laughed when Michael tightly wound his chubby arms around his neck. "Hi
Michael, what are you doing?"

"Coloring with Latecia." Michael said as Jason set him down next to Latecia.

"Hello, Mr. Morgan" Latecia said with a smile.

"Hi Latecia." Jason said with a nod.

Before any other words could be spoken, Michael interrupted. "Mommy
stayed home today, daddy. But, she didn't play because she's sick, just like
yesterday. She had to stay in bed. Do you want to play daddy?"

"Uh, yeah Michael. Just give me a few minutes." Jason waited for Michael's
nodd before turning to Latecia. He looked away and tried to make his voice
as disintrested as possible while he asked "Carly's not feeling well?"

Latecia gave him a curiose look as she responded. "No, she's not. She didn't
feel well yesterday either." Latecia paused as she pondered whether or not it
was her place to say something. One look at Jason, who was intently looking
at the stairs as trthough he was debating something as well, gave Latecia the
courage to say. "Mr. Morgan, I've been busy all day, so I never really got a
chance to check on Carly. Maybe you should?"

Jason slowly dragged his eyes from the staircase to Latecia. He wondered
what she was doing. He knew she wasn't being tottaly straight with him,
however logic told him that she probably sense that their was something up
with Carly and him. For God's sake, it wouldn't take a brain surgeon.
Besides, Latecia and Carly were friendly, Latecia probably wanted to help
out. Jason gave a slight nod and said. "I wanted to change my jacket
anyway."

Well in case you failed to notice,
In case you failed to see,
This is my heart bleeding before you,
This is me down on my knees

Jason slowly entered the bedroom. A slight frown played his lips at what he
saw. Carly was laying underneath the blankets, looking small and fragile, just
like when she had first returned from Ferncliff. Her face was pale and
sweaty. Her eyes opened when he came in and he could see they were
waxy. As he entered she sat up straight.

"Jason." Her voice was low yet strong.

"Yeah. Hi, I just needed my other jacket."

He watched as her her hopefull brown eyes darken as she looked down in
dissapointment. "Oh, alright."

He hesitated before walking around the bed towards the closet. He was
painfully aware of Carly's eyes, which were staring at him. He swapped
jackets and headed for the door. As his hand touched the doorknob, he
found himself unable to turn it. He slowly turned back to Carly, who was still
watching him. "Latecia told me you weren't feeling well."

Carly slightly smiled at the fact that they were speaking. However she was
still not ready to discuss the reason she was sick. "Oh, that. Yeah, it's
nothing. I'll be fine." She slighly laughed at his disbelieving look. "Really, I'm
fine. I'm... I'm just glad you're talking to me." she added hesitantly.

Jason imedietly went ridgid. His eyes and voice once again took on that icy
cold, distant feeling. "I'm talking to you. I just don't feel that we have anything
to say to each other. Ask Latecia or Renaldo for anything you might need. I
don't know when I'll be back." And once again he was gone.

And these foolish games are tearing me apart
And your thoughtless words are breaking my heart
Your're breaking my heart

Later that evening, Carly sat at the diningroom table, finishing dinner with
Michael. After Jason had left she had gotten dressed and played with
Michael. They had even begun to put the Christmas tree together. It was half
decorated. She didn't know what it was, maybe the absence of the fear of
not knowing where Jason was. Or maybe it was because the day's morning
sickness had passed, but Carly felt physically better. She was still sad and
nervouse about the baby sitiuation, but physically she was fine.

Just as they were finishing the phone rang. Latecia took over cleaning
Michael while Carly went to the phone. and quickly picked it up. "Hello?"

"Hi there sweetheart."

The soft, husky, sexy voice was easily placed as Carly's bodly went tense.

"Don't call me anymore." She said icily as she hung up the phone, only for it
to ring again.

Carly debated wether or not to answer, but one quick glance over her
shoulder at a curious Latecia had Carly reaching for the phone. "yes?"

"What's the matter dollbaby? Your husband get a little sore about our date?"

"Listen, Ken, we were friends. You were nice to me, things just got a drop
to complicated. I'm not going to school anymore, so just don't contact me
anymore."

"I've got to talk to you." Ken continued as though he hadn't heard her. "Meet
me by the Wharehouse at the Docks in 20 minutes."

"No, I can't." Carly's voice was firm, despite the fact that her body was
shaking.

"Fine, then I'll come to you. Is your husband home? We can all have coffee,
I'll bring cookies." His voice was mocking.

"Please...." She pleaded with him.

"20 minutes, have the guard keep a distance, Mrs. Morgan." Then the line
went dead as he hung up.

Carly drew in a shaky breath. She quickly turned towards Latecia. "Latecia,
i gotta go out......."

You were always brilliant in the morning
Smoking your cigarettes, and talking over coffee
Your philosophies on art, Baroque moved you
You loved Mozart and you'd speak of your loved ones
As I clumsily strummed my guitar
Well, excuse me, think I've mistaken you for somebody else
Somebody who gave a damn,
Somebody more like myself

Carly slowly walked down the Docks with Renaldo a few feet behind her.
As she neared the Warehouse she turned to him. "You can wait right here."
When she saw Renaldo's doubtful glance she smiled reasurringly at him. "I'll
be right over there, " She pointed to the warehouse. "I just need some alone
time."

Renaldo gave her a sympathetic look and nodded. Carly hurridly walked
over to the Warehouse. It was freezing, but her fear numbed her. What did
Ken want? How would he hide from Renaldo? What would he say? would
Jason find out? What would jason do if he found out?

Her thoughts were interrupted by Renaldo yelling. "CARLY!" And then a
gun shout.

Carly instinctivley ducked down and covered her head. After a few seconds
of silence she shakily stood up and whispered. "Renaldo?"

She looked around and felt faint when she saw Renaldo laying in a pool of
blood in the snow. She went to run to him & scream, but two strong arms
grabbed her. One covering her mouth, the other pinning her arms to her side,
holding her tightly. Carly struggled to get free, but the man was holding a
cloth to her face, forcing her to inhale toxins which were making her weak.
They were drugging her! Carly's last concious thought was of her baby. "Will
this drug hurt my baby?" And then, everything was black.

And these foolish games are tearing me apart
And your thoughtless words are breaking my heart
You're breaking my heart.

*"Foolish Games" by Jewel
 

Till Death Do Us Part - Chapter 25: Candle On The Water

I'll be your candle on the water
My love for you will always burn
I know your lost and drifting,
But the clouds are lifting
Don't give up you have somewhere to turn.

Jason angerly slammed the telephone down. The stupid interns wouldn't say
anything about Renaldo except for he was stabilized. Jason knew he was
unconscious, which was too no help to him. Jason took deep breaths trying
to control the fear in the pit of his stomache.

It had been there ever since Mac had called him several hours ago reporting
that Renaldo had been shot. It had worsened when Jason had contacted
Johnny and found out that Renaldo had been with Carly, and Carly was no
where to be found. Due to recent problems with the orginization, Jason
suspected this was Moreno's doings. Although he couldn't be sure.

He had to know why Carly left the house, especially after she hadn't been
feeling well earlier. He tried to look calm as he turned to a tearfull Latecia
who sat on the couch next to Graciella who was serving her tea, and offering
words of encouragement. ''Latecia.'' His voice was as low and steady as he
could manage. ''I need to know everything that happened before Carly left.''

Latecia waited while he sat down on the coffee table, directly in front of her.
He leaned foward, his elbows leaning on his knees. Latecia took a breath
before she said. ''Carly wasn't feeling, Yesterday or today. She stayed
mostly in bed until you returned. She got dressed and played with Michael.
She called the local greenery and had them deliver a Christmas tree. They
started to decorated, see?''

Latecia looked over to the corner of the Penthouse where a full Christam
tree, halfly decorated sat. Jason glanced over at. An image of Carly laughing
and decorating it formed in his head. He quickly brushed the thought out of
his mind and nodded for Latecia to continue. ''Nothing odd until later. They
were finishing dinner and the phone rang. Carly answered. She seemed upset
and then she hung up and said she had to go.''

Jason absorbed the information. This all must have been planed. It was a set
up, but what could the other person had said to make Carly go? ''Latecia,
Did Carly say anything? A name?''

Latecia looked thoughtful as she tried to remember the incident in detail.
''Ken! She said the name Ken.''

At that name, Jason's face went hard.

I'll be your candle on the water
Till every wave is warm and bright
My soul is there beside you,
Let this candle guide you
Soon you'll see a golden stream of light

Carly's sense slowly became aware as she regained conscious. She was tied
to a chair, Her arms and legs. She couldn't see, she was blindfolded. And
she couldn't speak, she was gagged and it was hard to breathe. Wherever
she was it was indoors, but cold. Very cold and damp. She tried to struggled
against her bonds, which greeted her with an amused laugh. ''I wouldn't do
that if I was you sugar. You'll only make them tighter.''

''MMMM??'' She tried to mumble his name but couldn't. He laughed again
and she heared footsteps coming towards her. She imedietly stiffened. She
felt a cold hand against her fae, then the tape was painfully ripped from her
face. ''OW!!!!!!!!'' she screamed, once again earning a laugh from Ken.
''KEN? Are you crazy? I demand you untie me right now.''

Then she felt him closer, his breath was on her face. His voice was low and
husky. ''I don't think you are in the position to demand anything cupcake.''

Tears of fear and frustration began to dampen the cloth that was over her
eyes. ''Ken, please. You're making a huge mistake, when Jason.....''

That earned her a hard slap across her face. Then he grabbed her by her
shoulders and in a low dangerouse hiss whispered. ''Morgan won't be doing
anything except what Moreno tells him to do. And stop calling me Ken, my
name's Tommy, Tommy Moreno.''

A cold and friendless tide has found you
Don't let the stormy darkness pull you down
I'll paint a ray of hope around you
Circling in the air, lighted by a praye

Bobbie rushed into the Penthouse. ''Jason? I just heared on the news that
Renaldo was shot, and they're saying something about Carly being
kidnapped.'' She paused trying to read his blank reaction. ''Jason? It's not
true, right? Carly's fine.''

''Bobbie, I'm so sorry.'' Jason said softly as he watched tears roll down
Bobbie's face.

''Is she OK?''

''I'm not sure.'' Jason responded slowly. ''I haven't been contacted by
anyone. I think this may have to do with Moreno, '' He paused before
adding. ''And that Ken guy I caught her with.''

''KEN?'' Bobbie let out an ironic laugh. ''I should've known. Carly never was
lucky when it came to men.'' Bobbie quickly looked at Jason. ''I mean,
before you, of course.''

Jason gave an impassive nod and said. ''I know what you meant Bobbie, and
unfortunatly you were right the first time. Carly is unlucky when it comes to
men.'' He let out a small sigh and walked over to the window. ''But, I'm
gonna find her. I promise. I'm gonna find her.''

Bobbie watched him stare intently out the window and debated over whether
or not to tell Jason about the baby. She knew Carly didn't tell him, she had
told her that she wouldn't tell Jason until he wasn't angry anymore. However,
Bobbie felt that he should know. Carefully she said. ''Jason, Moreno didn't
only get Carly. He got someon else.''

Jason turned to her confused. ''Who?''

''Your baby. Yours and Carly's baby.''

''No, Bobbie. Michael's upstsairs.'' Jason said easily.

''No,'' Bobbie said slowly. ''Not that baby, the baby you two created at
Jakes several weeks ago.''

I'll be your candle on the water
This flame inside of me will grow
Keep holding on, you'll make it
Here's my hand so take it
Look for me reaching out to show
As sure as rivers flow,

Carly's voice shook as she repeated. ''Moreno?''

Tommy laughed again. ''Yup, sweetheart. This was all a set up, how do you
feel now? Still special?''

''KEN! Tommy....whatever! You are making a huge mistake. Now, if you
just let me go, then maybe we can work something out.''

''Working something out?'' Tommy's voice was light. Suddenly he was
behind her. His arms on her shoulders, sliding slowly down her arms. ''You
mean, the way we working things out at my motel before we were so rudley
interrupted?''

Carly tried, to no avail, to wiggled out of his grasp as he slowly moved in
front of her again. Her voice was a low hiss. ''No, I mean you let me go now
and my husband will kill you quickly as opposed to the torture he'll use for
making him wait!''

He tightly grasped her chin, holding her painfully. ''I don't think Morgan's
gonna be killing anybody, uncle and I however.......'' he let his voice trail into
a nast laugh. ''Well, lets just say that it would be in your best intrest to
cooperate.''

''I'll cooperate when you get your filthy hands off of me you scum!'' Carly
spat.

Tommy's grip tightened on her chin. ''If I was you, I'd get use to my hands on
your precious little body.''

Then his mouth was on hers. Forcefully with no tenderness. Carly tried to
pull away but there was no where to go. Then his hands were on her hips, his
tongue trying to seperate her lips. She tasted salt from her tears. Suddenly a
voice interrupted them. ''Tommy, Tommy. I always said you weren't a
patient boy.''

He moved his lips from hers. ''Uncle, as you can see, I got her here.''

''Good boy, take off her blinfold.''

His hands fumbled with the tie and soon Carly's bloodshot, swollen eyes
were revealed. She focused in on two men standing in front of her. One Ken,
the next Moreno. They were both smirking, looking very proud. Carly
swallowed, trying to hide her fear. Moreno pulled out a chair from the corner
and placed it in front of Carly and sat in it. ''Hello, Mrs. Morgan.''

Carly remained silent. Recieving a raised eyebrow from Moreno. ''What?
The silent type? That's not what Tommy said.'' This caused a chuckle from
Tommy. Moreno reached out and stroked Carly's face, impressed at how
impassive she remained. ''I hope you like your room, I believe you'll be in it
for awhile.''

For the first time Carly looked around. A room? please, this place was more
like a cell. There were no windows, it was dark except for a dim light that
hooved up above. There was a wooden floor and the room ware bare
except for the two chairs they were using. It was very cold and damp. Carly
suspected underground. ''Jason's going to find me, and when he does he will
kick your ass.''

This caused both Moreno and Ken to laugh. ''Ahh, so the ice princess
speaks. I wondered how long you'd last. Ah yes, your beloved Morgan. If I
heared correctly he was pretty mad at you?''

''Well, he forgave me.'' Carly lied. ''He loves me, and he'll kill you for
kidnapping me.''

''Maybe.'' Moreno said with a serious nod. ''However, if I was you I'd worry
more about what we were going to do to you.'' He tuned to Tommy. ''She's
all yours.''

Carly watched as Moreno exited through the large wooden door. Tommy
began to advance on her with an evil grin. ''Now lets pick up where we left
off.''

I'll never let you go
I'll never let you go
I'll never let you go

Jason hung up the phone angerly. Still no word. Bobbie was upstairs with
Latecia and Michael. The word was out, still no one contacted him. He
rubbed his eyes and was startled by a knocking on the door. ''Yeah, come
in.''

Jason was shocked shocked to see Sonny there. ''Sonny? What are you
doing here?''

''Hey man, I heard you could use a little help. I came as soon as I found out.
Do you have any idea where she is?''

Jason sadly shook his head and in a tired voice said. '' I don't know
anything.'' He walked over to the window and looked out. ''I keep looking
out here. Searching. Thinking, maybe I'll see a sign. It's stupid, I know, but
It's the only thing I can think to do. I just feel so helpless.''

''No, no.'' Sonny said quickly, walking up behind him. ''You're doing plenty.
You've got all your guys looking for, you're doing everything possable.''

''She's pregnant.'' Jason blurted out, earning a surprised look from Sonny.
''Yeah, it's mine. She didn't tell me, Bobbie did. Bobbie told me a lot of
things. The last time I saw Carly, she was sick. Morning sickness, I guess.
But I was too stubborn to ask. I was cold, I was mean. I treated her badly. I
called her things and I did things that I never should've. I was a jerk, and
now I just can't help thinking that I'll never see her again and she'll never
know the truth.'' Jason walked over to the window and looked out again.
''She'll never know that I love her.''

I'll be your candle on the water
My love for you will always burn
I know your lost and drifting,
But the clouds are lifting
Don't give up you have somewhere to turn.

Carly squeezed her eyes shut under Tommy's weight. She tried to take her
mind to a differnt place and ignore what what he was doing to her. She tried
to keep her hand over her stomach to shield her baby. She bit her lip to keep
from crying out in pain and said a silent prayer for Jason, for him to rescue
her just once more.

I'll be your candle on the water
This flame inside of me will grow
Keep holding on, you'll make it
Here's my hand so take it
Look for me reaching out to show
As sure as rivers flow,

I'll never let you go
I'll never let you go
I'll never let you go

* ''Candle On The Water'' by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn

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