"How dare you lay your hands on my daughter," Rebecca hissed walking towards us as she entered the building with Charles close behind ready to step in if in need be.
"I can see you have wormed your way into these people's hearts the way you did my husband," she said with venom clearly ignoring Rebecca.
Lincoln signalled for two men to come over.
"Nancy calm down," Jerome said pulling his wife back.
"Don't tell me to calm down when she had my son locked away as she enjoyed herself. I can see you are already knocked up. Is that child even his?" She spat as Mel placed a protective hand over her stomach.

The floor had gone silent as they waited for a response from any member of the Sheilds. Only the sound of the printer running could be heard. Lincoln looked like he wanted to strangle the woman right there whilst Ethan looked like he was imagining some sick way to torture the woman. Nancy took hold of Mel's blouse clearly wanting to get her attention as she had clearly ignored the woman.
Lincoln stepped forward pushing Mel behind him, this clearly didn't sit well with Mel as she stepped up to his side looking beyond pissed off.

"Mr Watson it's good to see you," Mel said with a smile ignoring Nancy breaking the tense atmosphere.
"Very well my dear," he said throwing his arms around her much to his wife's approval. "How is Zach?"
"He is very well, always asking about his grandpa," she said with a chuckle. "Everyone, this is Zach's grandfather Jerome," she said introducing him to the Shields.
"You did fine for yourself kiddo," he said with a loving smile.

"Dad you always had a soft spot for her didn't you?" Chris said walking towards them surprising everyone as all hell broke loose.
Linc punched Chris the moment he reached them, making him stumble back and fall. Attacking him and showing no mercy Lincoln threw punch after punch as Mel and Rebecca yelled for him to stop afraid he would definitely commit murder. Ethan and Walter pulled him off Chris. He would definitely be sporting a black eye and a broken nose no doubt about it, Mel thought as she looked at him.

"Ethan, Walter release me this instant," Linc growled as Chris stood up with a smile on his face wiping away blood from his nose.
"I should have made sure you were really dead," Chris spat.
Lincoln struggled to break free from the men's hold only calming down when Mel stood in front of him.
"Linc look at me," she whispered placing her palm on his chest as he trembled with anger. "Breathe," she whispered as he locked eyes with her. Seeing the blood on her cheek he opened his mouth to say something but Mel cut him off. "Breathe baby," she said placing her hand on his cheek as he leaned into her touch. Slowly Walter and Ethan let go of him.

Placing her hand in Lincs' she led him up to the family meeting room rubbing soothing circles to calm him down.

It seemed everyone was paying close attention to Nancy and Chris expecting them to make another wrong move as they were told to move following Mel and Linc. Even Walter looked beyond angry as two bulky men followed behind them.

Leaving the room she went to the ladies shutting the door behind her. Looking in the mirror she could see the cut on her cheek caused by Nancy's ring.
"What was that back there," she spat as Linc locked the door behind him.
"Protecting what is mine. And I will gladly kill that scoundrel as long as you are safe at the end of the day."
"Lincoln I don't like to see you that angry. First the office and now in front of your workers," she said clearly afraid and worried.
"I wouldn't be this angry if you hadn't made the mistake of marrying him," he spat.
As soon as the words left his mouth he knew he had made a mistake. "Mel," he said as she stepped away from him.
"Well I wouldn't have been with him if you hadn't left me in that orphanage. Do you know how tough it was for me to stay there with no one? You knew you were my only friend, and as soon as you got a family you abandoned me. So, sorry for moving on with my life when we could have been together," she said storming out of the bathroom.

Walking back into the room they found everyone wearing a grim expression as they all looked at their guests. Currently Nancy was looking over her son.
"Good you are back. Done telling more lies to that fool?" she said with a smirk as Mel took a deep breath trying her best to control her anger tired of hearing her mouth run loose. "Did she tell you how she drove her father into killing her own mother? The girl knows how to destroy everything she comes into contact with. I don't even know how she managed to pin down my son, most likely with that illegitimate son of hers."

"Linc you better get hold of her before she breaks that woman's' neck," Ethan whispered seeing Mel's eyes blaze with anger as she slowly walked towards the woman.

"I have tolerated you belittling me. But don't you ever bad mouth my husband or my family for that matter," she spat as Nancy looked at her in surprise.
Scoffing she opening her mouth to say something before Mel continued.
"I suggest you choose your next words very carefully or you will regret setting foot into this building. I am no longer your daughter-in-law, never was and never will be. You are embarrassing yourself and your family in front of complete strangers. Do you have a vague idea of the way you look right now," she said as Nancy backed away from her, stopping as her back hit the wall.

Mel chuckle with a crazy look in her eyes as Nancy looked at her looking somewhat terrified of the woman before her. Gone was the timid girl who always came to her house yearning for her approval. Looking back at the people in the room she knew they would not stop Mel even if she decided to kill her as her husband wore a smirk clearly admiring his wife. Slowly looking at her from head to toe in disgust Mel laughed at what she saw.

"You slapped me back there, do you even know what I could have made any member of my staff do to you. Let's not even talk about the staff," she scoffed. "What they could have done. What that fool could have done if I had given the go ahead," she said pointing out Linc and his family. "Oh wait, that fool already made an example of your son. I suggest you knock that chip off your shoulder before you throw accusations randomly. Had you taken the time to ask you would know your son was part of the group of men who tried to kill my husband. The company you believe he built is actually my company, I just let you believe it was his so you could be proud of him. He can't even program to save his own life. He just took credit for my work. And also you will soon have two more grand-babies from two different women courtesy of your dear son," she said as Nancy's eyes widened in confusion.

Turning to Chris and slowly walking around him looking at him from head to toe as she had done his mother with complete disgust she released a small laugh.
"Forgive me Jerome, but whenever I come across the word fool, do you want to know what comes to mind first?" She said looking right into Chris's eyes.
"Your son first, because he had the effrontery to lay a hand on my son, dare touch the man I love, touch MY family," she said her eyes now dangerous slits as she looked at mother and son.

Walking towards the door she stopped in her tracks as Nancy visibly relaxed turning to look at her with a glare.

Walking towards Chris who was standing keeping to himself she said, "If you try anything at all no prison cell will be able to protect you from me," she said in an icy tone that had even Walter shivering as the room temperature dropped from every word she had said. "The next time you step into this building I will personally make sure no one holds my husband back until you are dead."
"It was lovely to see you again Jerome," she said leaning up to kiss his cheek before leaving.

"Impudent woman; insolent, uncultured man," she mumbled angrily leaving the room.

"Let us go Jerome," Nancy said straightening out her clothes walking past everyone as Chris led the way.
Jerome bid everyone farewell before walking out after his wife apologizing on his wife's behalf as Charles did the same since Lincoln had attached Chris first.

Linc left his family to see if Mel was alright. He found her in the office sitting on the sofa on the phone, clearly talking with Zach.
"Daddy and I will be home soon baby," she said. "Hmm did you finish your vegetables during lunch," she said. He knew Zach was most likely asking for a treat. 'I will see what we can get for you. I love you too baby, be a good boy."

"Hey," he said looking at her as she stood up.
"Hi," she said walking towards him.

Tears slowly fell from her eyes as she walked into his already open arms.
"Ssshh sweetheart. If she even touches an inch of your hair I promise you she will die by my hands."
"Unless your mother beats you to it," she chuckled making his laugh.
"How you ever survived her I don't want to find out. Jerome seems to be decent though. How did he fall for a woman like that?"
"Love is blind Linc, keep that in mind. Promise me no more outburst of anger," she said softly looking over his hands inspecting his bruises.

Pulling his towards the bathroom she took the medical aid kit and cleaned him up. Wincing in pain she chuckled saying, "Big baby," as he looked at her cheek. The blood had dried up a few drops staining her shirt.
Lifting her up he gently placed her on the bathroom counter before closing the door.
"You know Ethan will just walk in and I want some privacy with my wife," he said unbuttoning her shirt when she gave him a questioning look.

Grabbing a towel and running it under some warm water he slowly wiped away the dried blood. Flinching away from him as he cleaned the wound he chuckled saying, "If you don't cry I will give you a lollipop."
"Very funny Mr," she said as he applied some antibiotic ointment and a plaster.

"I know this isn't the right time to say this but what you did back there had me really, really turned on, I just wanted to pin you up against the wall and have my wicked way with you," he said into her ear.
"Hmmm, so what's stopping you," she said caressing his neck.

"Linc! Mel, come on guys were are you?" Ethan called out walking into the office.
"His timing is impeccable," Lincoln groaned leaning his forehead against hers.
"Another time darling," she purred trying to move as he remained where he stood clearly not ready to move. "Lincoln," she whispered not wanting Ethan to know where they were.

Leaning towards her he captured her lips on a tantalizing kiss that had her running her hands through his hair moaning as he nibbled on her soft spot. "Linc," she gasped as he gently bit down on her neck leaving his mark. Stepping back he pressed a button as a hidden door opened revealing a small closet. Dressing her in one of his shirts he laughed as she smiled at him flapping her arms as they were swallowed by the shirt before he rolled up the sleeves.

"See she is alright," Ethan said as they walked out of the bathroom. Throwing his arms around Mel he said, "Remind me to never piss you off, because what just happened back there had me praying for Linc never to mess up," he said earning a glare from Linc. "Oh that was nothing, I know how to deal with your brother perfectly well. And as for you, try me and you will find out," she said making everyone laugh as Ethan visibly paled.

Mel burst into a fit of giggles seeing him like this as a smile formed on his face as he realized she was just pulling his leg.
"Very funny sis," he said frowning as he looked at her cheek, then smile. "Is that a hickey?" He said as Charles cleared his throat clearly reprimanding his son from going further.
"Are you alright my dear," Rebecca said pulling her into her arms as they started making their way out of the office.
"Yes mom, I am perfectly well," she reassured her as she examined her cheek.
Leaving the office they headed home making sure to stop by a bakery to get a treat for Zach.

-------

The house was very silent as Lincoln and Mel were the only people around. Jerome had come to fetch his grandson for a day out which Ethan had agreed on going along after Zach had begged him to join them.

"You know I should be resting," Mel whispered.
"You are resting love, just let me do all the work," he said making her chuckle.
She let out a long sigh as he continued to work his magic relaxing her muscles.
"I could get used to this," she said as he massaged her ankles.
"You do know I expect some form of payment right?" He chortled.
"I'll have to check my account," she said with a mischievous look in her eyes.

The door was swung open as Ethan came in looking distressed.
"Zach is missing!" He said.
"Explain," Linc said as he grabbed a jacket throwing it over Mel's shoulders before getting one himself.
"We were walking around the zoo together. I left them to get some ice cream but when I got back I found Jerome unconscious on the ground. He is getting checked out as we speak. I tried calling but no one answered their phone," he said as Linc pulled out his phone switching it on.

"Walter I need the location for chip two," Linc growled getting into the car.
"Ethan go back to the hospital find out if Jerome saw who attacked him."
Mel switched on her phone and it began to ring.
"Hello Mel, if you are wondering where my son is. Don't worry daddy is taking care of him. If you want to see him in one piece come to his favourite playground. Remember that bench you used to sit on when Ethan was playing. Be there in the next fifteen minutes our boy wants his mommy," he said hanging up.
"Chris has him," she said as Linc pulled her into his arms.

"We are going to get him back," he said.
"Sir he is at the park," Walter said as they neared the location.
Stepping out of the car Walter stayed behind keeping a close eye on their surroundings. Sitting on the bench Mel looked troubled remembering the last time Zach was with Chris.
"Mommy, daddy!" Zach cried out running towards them, looking terrified.
"Everything is alright baby, mommy is here," she cooed as he cried in her arms.

"My my, what a cute little family you guys make."
Lincoln stood up ready to pounce on him.
"Ah ah, don't be stupid," he said revealing the gun under his jacket. "If you are wondering about you security team, they have been taken care of. Now start moving," he said pointing towards a van.

Lifting Zach into his arms Linc pulled Mel closer to him as they walked towards the car. They travelled to an unknown location and upon reaching the sight, they were not really surprised to see Nancy present as she wore I sick smile with several men waiting for their arrival.
"Take him away," Chris ordered one on his goons.
"No, where are you taking him," Mel said not letting go of her husband's hand as one of the men pried Zach out of his arms.

"Daddy!" Zach screamed out kicking his legs up as he tried to get out of the man's arms. He bit into the mans' forearms as he cried out in pain loosening his hold letting Zach run towards Linc. Lincoln scooped Zach into his arms holding him close. One of the men pulled Zach out of Linc's arms while another stuck a needle into him as he slowly closed his eyes.
"What are doing to my son!" Mel screamed as Linc struggled with the men holding him breaking his nose with his elbow as he moved towards Zach and Mel. He didn't manage to move much further as the butt of a gun was slammed at the back of his head knocking him out.

"Isn't this touching? Tsk tsk tsk, it's such a shame you won't ever see him again," Nancy said as they dragged Linc into another room.
Mother and child were thrown into a separate room.
"What did you do to my son!"
"Just helped him sleep through what's going to happen here," she said before attempting to slap Mel but failing to do so as Mel gripped her hand before it landed on her cheek.
Suddenly all colour drained from her face as she heard Linc cry out in pain cursing Chris.

She made a move to run out of the room towards her husband but was stopped when Nancy pulled her back. Taking out a belt she started lashing out at her, hitting her with the heavy buckle. Beating her until she was unconscious as all she heard was Linc crying out shouting at Chris that he would kill him as long as he had breath in his lungs.

She woke up to the sound of Zach calling her.
"Momma, wake up," he whimpered clearly worried and afraid.