CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Initially, when Beth woke up, she thought it had all been a bad dream. The first thing she saw was Randy's face as he held her hand and watched her with concern.

"Randy..." She mumbled.

"I'm here," he reassured her. "It's okay, honey."

"I'm here, too, Mom," AJ added quickly.

That was when Beth registered where she was. "This is the hospital ward of the Unit," she said aloud. "What happened?"

"You were hurt, Beth," Randy explained patiently. "Timmy got you to safety. They had to keep you in a safe room for a little bit, but you're out of empathic danger now."

"Empathic..." Beth repeated slowly. Her eyes widened in horror as her chest tightened in despair. "It wasn't a dream," she whispered.

"No, sweetie... I'm so sorry," Randy said gently.

"Jade... Where's Jade?" Beth demanded.

The grief in Randy's eyes gave it away. "No," Beth said, shaking her head. "No! She's not... Oh, Gods..." She began to cry, wanting to deny it but feeling the truth.

Randy wrapped her in his arms as she sobbed. Beth tried to take comfort in his embrace, but she was too broken.

"Where's Joey?" She finally asked.

"He brought Jade to Corey, then ran off to his world," Randy replied sadly. "There's nothing we can do for Joey until he chooses to come back."

"Is Timmy okay? Was he hurt?"

"He was a little banged up, but he's alright. They finally sedated him because he couldn't sleep."

Beth nodded slowly. She noticed the way that AJ and Randy wore identical stoic expressions as they tried to be strong for her. "Sweetie, how are you holding up?" She asked her son gently.

"I'm okay, Mom," AJ lied.

"It's pointless to lie to your empathic mother," she reminded him. "You can talk to me, honey. I know how much you love Jade." She couldn't use the past tense. Not yet. She wasn't ready.

"Aunt Jade helped raise me," AJ said softly. "Joey's basically my cousin, and he's broken, and I can't help him... And..." He hesitated.

"What is it, AJ?" Randy asked.

"I could have stopped this!" AJ blurted out. Tears formed in his eyes and he refused to look at either of his parents.

"Sweetheart, why would you think that?" Beth asked in surprise and concern.

"I saw him... He tried to warn me, but I didn't understand," AJ replied. "I'm an idiot! I should have realized-"

"AJ, slow down," Randy said. "What happened?"

"I saw Giles Corey hours before it happened. He looked upset, and he was pointing at the waterfront... He said, 'more weight,' and I figured it was just another cryptic warning, but I had a really bad feeling... If I'd listened to my gut and just patrolled the waterfront, I could have stopped this from happening! I'm sorry, Mom... I should have-"

Beth wrapped her arms tightly around him, immediately taking on his emotional turmoil. "It's not your fault, honey," she said as she started crying again. "Not even a little bit."

AJ couldn't stop himself from breaking down in his mother's arms. He curled up beside her in the hospital bed as she rocked him gently. They were both broken, but Beth forced herself to try to be strong for her son's sake.

Randy sat beside them, powerless to do more than be their rock. His grief was powerful, but it was nothing compared to Beth's or even AJ's. He could freak out later... Right now, they needed him.

~*~

Angelina awoke to the sound of her mother sobbing. She could hear Trent trying to soothe Courtney, and Clarissa was downstairs, too. Knowing something was seriously wrong, Angelina perched at the top of the stairs and listened to their hushed conversation.

"I don't understand... How did this happen?" Courtney asked.

"Sweetheart... I need to tell you something that will be difficult to hear," Clarissa replied gently.

"More difficult than hearing that another one of my friends is dead?" Courtney demanded.

"Baby... It..." Clarissa sighed. "It was him, Courtney. Luigi murdered her."

Angelina tensed in place, too terrified to move. He killed someone, she thought in horror. He killed someone who was important to Mom... Oh, Gods, what did I do?

Courtney's sobs grew more hysterical. "It's not your fault, Court," Trent said soothingly.

"If I'd just told Angelina the truth, this wouldn't have happened," Courtney replied. "This is my fault, Trent!"

"Courtney, you know that's not how it works," Clarissa protested. "Nothing could have prevented this. It was Jade's time."

Angelina felt like the entire world tilted on her. Her legs gave out. She nearly fell down the stairs, but strong arms wrapped around her and caught her.

"Easy, Princess," Jason said soothingly.

She felt safe in his arms, but Angelina didn't deserve to feel safe. She pushed him away and ran back to her bedroom. She opened her window and began to climb out.

Jason caught up to her almost immediately. "Angelina, stop!" He said urgently, pulling her back into her room. "What's wrong? What happened?"

"It's my fault!" Angelina sobbed.

"What is?" Jason asked in confusion.

"My father killed her, Jason! He killed Jade!" She tried to pull out of his arms again, but Jason's grip was stronger this time.

He was silent for a moment before he said, "This isn't your fault."

"Yes it is! I brought him back, and he murdered my best friend's mother! It's completely my fault! Let me go!"

"Not when you're this upset. You'll get yourself killed."

"Let me go, Jason!"

"Not a chance, Princess."

She started pounding her fists against his chest. "Let! Me! Go!" She shouted, hitting him with each word. Jason didn't even flinch. She kept hitting him until she lost the last of her strength and broke down in tears, burying her face in his chest.

Jason loosened his grip as he held her, gently rubbing her back with one hand as she sobbed.

"Jade was my family, Jason," she said softly.

"I know," he replied gently.

"Joey's going to hate me..."

"I don't think Joey knows how to hate anyone, least of all you."

"His mom was everything to him... You don't understand everything the two of them have been through. They were connected on a level that goes beyond most mothers and their kids. I've never seen a parent-child bond as strong as theirs."

"Joey won't blame you for this. You didn't know. He'll understand that."

"I don't know how he'll even be able to look at me without thinking about what my father did..." She shook her head.

Courtney, Trent, and Clarissa had run upstairs at the sound of Angelina shouting. Her younger siblings stood nearby. Hunter was clutching Phoebe. The infant had started screaming in protest of the chaos.

"Baby... This isn't your fault," Courtney said gently. "If I'd told you the truth, you wouldn't have gone to him."

"He killed Jade, Mom..." Angelina whimpered.

Courtney pulled Angelina out of Jason's arms and into her own.

"Mommy, what's wrong?" Chloe asked softly.

Trent scooped her up in his arms. "Let's go downstairs, kids," he said. "I'll put on some hot cocoa."

"Are you okay, Mom?" Hunter asked cautiously.

"I'll be alright, Hunter," Courtney replied. "Go with Trent."

"But we wanna stay with you," Chelsea protested. Brandon picked her up and slung her over his shoulder.

"It's cocoa or bed," he said firmly. "Pick one."

Chelsea frowned before reluctantly saying, "Cocoa."

"I thought so." Brandon carried her downstairs. Chloe obediently went with them. Hunter soothed Phoebe by gently bouncing her as he followed the younger kids downstairs.

"Let's give Courtney and Angelina some privacy," Clarissa suggested to Jason.

"Is that okay with you, Princess?" Jason asked.

"Actually... Can Jason stay?" Angelina asked. "I'm exhausted, but... I don't want to sleep alone right now."

She expected her mother and grandmother to protest her request to keep a boy in her room, but neither one did. "I'll send up some tea to help you sleep," her mother said. "Or hot cocoa if you prefer."

"Cocoa," Angelina replied. "I need chocolate."

"Jason, would you like some?"

"Sure. Thanks, Courtney," Jason replied.

Courtney kissed Angelina's head before going back downstairs. Clarissa went with her.

Angelina sat down on her bed, too exhausted to keep standing. Jason sat beside her. "So..." He said awkwardly.

"So," she echoed.

"Tonight sucks," Jason decided.

"Yeah," Angelina agreed. "It really does."

"Look... There's no way to make this okay, and I get that... But is there anything I can do to make you feel a little bit better?"

"Just stay with me," she replied. "I can't be alone right now."

"I'm not going anywhere," Jason promised. "I live here now, remember?"

Angelina snuggled against him and desperately tried to stop blaming herself for what had happened.

~*~

Bev Charleston was not an easy woman to capture. The warlock had always been exceedingly clever, and being one of the only warlocks Chad fully trusted meant that he watched her like a hawk. Since Chad was otherwise occupied grieving Tyson all over again, Judas took advantage of a small window of opportunity.

With one well-timed spell, Bev collapsed a few feet away from Addison and Reid's house. Judas gathered her up in his arms and vanished into the realm he'd named Purgatory.

The scent of blood filled his nostrils. Judas smiled, pleased by the power he'd gained from bleeding one of his toys nearly dry earlier in the evening. Reid Lyons ran his mouth entirely too much, so the savage attack against him had been especially satisfying for Judas. Reid only remained alive because Judas knew he was the perfect bait for Rikki. He fully intended to use the boy to lure his former mentee to her doom. After all, Rikki had outlived her usefulness long ago.

Bev tried to pretend that she was still unconscious, but Judas knew she'd woken up. He had her in shackles before she could react. He knelt in front of her and smiled at her sadistically.

"Be a good girl, Bev, and perhaps I will allow you to live," he taunted her.

"I very much doubt that," Bev replied stoically.

"Help me lure Chad here and you will survive," Judas promised.

Bev glared at him. "I guess I'm going to die, then," she said firmly. "No matter what you do to me, I won't help you hurt Chad."

"We shall see, my dear," he replied before standing back up. He took a knife and slashed Bev's face open from her right cheekbone to her chin, then leaned in close, wiping some of the blood away with his index finger. The wound was deep. If she survived, it would scar.

Bev stared at him bravely, not crying out or even reacting to the injury. "You're a tough one, Beverly Charleston," he said. "It will be fun to break you."

"Leave her alone, asshole," Donnie said sharply.

"I will, for now," Judas replied. "I must return where I am expected. After all, with Jade Collins dead, I'm needed in the Light."

Donnie paled significantly. "What did you just say?" He asked in shock.

"Jade's dead. Arnie's darling father murdered her. Such a shame..." He tsk-tsked before walking away.

Donnie let out a scream of rage, grief, and frustration that echoed throughout the realm as Judas chuckled to himself in amusement. It had certainly been a productive day.

~*~

Chris knew something was wrong, but he didn't know what it actually was until Shooter came home. He looked exhausted and defeated. Tammy was with him.

"Hey, Chris," she greeted him warmly.

"Hi, Tammy," Chris replied. "You look like hell, Shooter. What's going on?"

Shooter sighed and said, "We lost Jade."

Chris tensed. "What do you mean lost?" He asked.

"I mean I can't talk to her anymore, but Tammy can."

Chris stared at Shooter in horror. "What happened? Can anyone fix her?"

"It was her time," Tammy replied gently.

"Luigi Ossinini happened," Shooter replied sharply at the same time.

"Wait... Angelina's father did this?" Chris demanded.

"Yeah. Arnie had a vision, like he always does when a Silver Society member dies. He saw Luigi murder Jade. He couldn't get to her because he was stuck in the vision."

"Where's Joey?"

"I checked in with Corey right before we left the Unit to ask the same thing... And because I figured Corey might not be doing so hot and Jade would want someone to check on him. Anyway, Joey's locked himself in his world. We can't help him until he's good and ready to let us."

"He needs us," Chris said softly.

Shooter nodded. "He does, but he's not ready to accept our help. Trust me, I want to be there for him, too. Joey's a great kid, and I'm pretty attached to him."

So am I, Chris thought, but he didn't voice that aloud. Chris still wasn't completely sure what his feelings regarding Joey were, but they felt stronger than friendship.

"I need to get some air," he said before pausing. "Are you okay, Shooter?"

"Nope," Shooter replied. "Not at all... But Tammy's got me, and I suspect Danny will come by to check on me as soon as he hears the news. I'll get through this. Do what you need to do."

Chris nodded and left the house. He immediately walked toward the water, drawn there as usual. He sat on the edge of the water, his legs dangling just above it. Without even realizing what he was doing, Chris began to hum a strange melody.

Something moved toward him just beneath the surface of the sea. As she lifted her head above the water, Chris realized it was Cora.

"Your heart's song is full of sorrow this dawn," she said.

He was about to protest that it wasn't dawn yet when he realized that the sun was beginning to rise over Salem. "What do you mean?" He asked instead.

"Every siren has a song in his or her heart," Cora explained. "You haven't found yours yet, but this pain you feel has caused it to begin to stir. What troubles you, Christopher?"

"It's Joey," Chris admitted. "His mother died, and he's hiding in his world, where I can't reach him... I'm worried about him."

"Music can reach places we cannot reach physically," Cora said. "You may be able to reach him while others cannot."

"I don't have a siren song, Cora."

"Do not think, Christopher... Simply allow the melody to flow out of you like the sea. It will guide you to him."

Chris took a deep breath and focused. Without stopping to think, he dove into the water. His mind cleared beneath the water, and he focused solely on Joey.

He was startled when he began to sing, "When all feels dark, come to me. Find your light beneath the sea. Peace awaits thee in the waves. Hope remains the thing that saves..."

Cora smiled at Chris beneath the water. "You found it," she said. "People believe that sirens only cause harm, but we can choose to be good. Before I was cursed, I helped guide lost souls to safety at sea. Now, I have returned to that. My song was once as pure as yours. I believe you are meant to help many, my descendant... Start with your Joey."

"My Joey?" Christopher repeated.

"You have a strong connection to this young man," Cora explained. "If you didn't, he would not have inspired you to find your song."

"Cora... How do I find him? How can I reach him when he's locked himself away in a world only he has access to?"

"Sing, Christopher. Sing until you feel him. He'll hear you."

Chris nodded. He continued singing beneath the water, letting it strengthen him. When he felt his entire body vibrating with his siren powers, he climbed out of the water. He had moved through the water and ended up all the way in the Salem Willows. As he began pacing through the park, he continued to sing, focusing on Joey and begging the Universe to carry his words to him.

~*~

Joey had retreated to the only dark place in his realm. Stars lit up the sky. The moon was full. Waves of water crashed against the shore as he sat on the beach. Joey curled up in a ball and started crying, too broken to even know where to begin processing his grief.

He'd never felt so alone in his entire life. Even when he'd been kidnapped and his mother was told he was dead, Joey had known she was out there. He'd had hope because he knew they'd find each other again. Now, he had no hope.

"Mama..." He whimpered. Joey was pretty sure he didn't have the strength to leave his world ever again. He'd simply stay there, beneath the stars, alone and broken for the rest of his life.

"When all feels dark, come to me. Find your light beneath the sea. Peace awaits thee in the waves. Hope remains the thing that saves..." A voice seemed to sing directly to him. The song was strangely comforting. As it repeated, Joey recognized the energy attached to it.

"Chris?" He asked softly. The song began again.

He couldn't leave. Joey wasn't ready to even consider that... Instead, he opened a door in the water and waited to see what would happen. After several minutes, someone came through.

Chris swam toward him, still singing. When he reached the shore, he ran straight to Joey, who was still curled up in a fetal position crying. Chris wrapped his arms around Joey and rocked him gently as he sang. Slowly, his song touched Joey's heart and eased a small amount of his pain.

"She's gone, Chris," Joey finally said softly.

"I know," Chris replied.

"I'm not okay."

"I know that, too." Chris paused before asking, "What do you need?"

"I don't know," Joey replied softly. "Just... Don't leave me, Chris... Okay?"

"I'm not going anywhere," Chris promised. "Besides, I don't know how to get out of here. You're the gatekeeper." He smirked as he added, "I'm completely at your mercy."

Joey actually managed a sad smile as he shifted so he was looking up at Chris. "Oh really?" He asked.

"Yep. You're holding all of the cards here, Joey... So what do you want to do?"

"Can you sing that song again?" Joey asked softly.

"Of course," Chris replied. "When all feels dark, come to me. Find your light beneath the sea. Peace awaits thee in the waves. Hope remains the thing that saves..."

"One more time, please," Joey whispered as he sat up and faced Chris.

"When all feels dark, come to me. Find your light beneath the s-"

Chris's song was abruptly cut off as Joey kissed his lips. It was extremely chaste, yet nothing had ever thrilled Joey quite as much. Sparks flew out of Chris's hands as he reacted to the kiss. Joey could feel Chris's pulse quicken. After a few moments, Joey pulled away shyly.

"Peace awaits thee in the waves," Chris resumed singing softly. "Hope remains the thing that saves..."

Joey shifted again until he was curled up on Chris, resting his head on his shoulder. For a while, they both remained silent. Finally, Joey whispered, "If I open a door, will you leave?"

"Never," Chris replied. "Not without you."

Joey was relieved as he continued to rest on Chris's shoulder. "I'll go back eventually," he promised. "The Salem Shadows need me, and so does my dad, and Aunt Beth... I'll go back... Just... Not yet."

"Take your time, Joey," Chris replied gently. "I'll stay here with you for as long as you need."