Fighting for Love Ch. 05

: Chapter Five :

"Jess?" Jake asked as he walked into the small office off the mess hall.

Jessica looked up and wiped her eyes. "Hey Jake," she said softly.

"What's wrong?" Jake wanted to know.

Jessica shook her head. "Nothing, I'm just a little emotional today," Jessica lied. Jake studied Jessica's face and shook his head.

"There's something bothering you, what is it?" Jake asked.

"It's nothing Jake. Have you seen Danny?" Jessica said, putting a sack of brown sugar on one of the shelves.

"He's with Will at the pool," Jake answered. Jessica smiled and headed for the pool. Jake bent down to tie his shoe when a piece of paper caught his eye. Jake read the note and swore under his breath before running out of the office.

Jessica walked into the rec room and crouched over at the edge of the pool where Danny was letting Will splash around. "There's mommy," Danny the giggling baby. Will waved to Jessica and let a chubby hand splash down on the surface of the water.

"He seems to be having fun," Jessica observed with a smile. Danny nodded and wiped water off his face as his son splashed him. "Danny, what's going on with Clark?" Jessica asked softly. Danny's smile turned to a frown.

"What makes you ask about that ego-maniac?" Danny asked. Jessica shrugged.

"Just curious," she answered. Danny studied Jessica's face before answering.

"We're closing in on him. Don't worry, he won't be able to hurt you or Will, I promise," Danny said softly. Jessica smiled and stood back up. "It's my turn to help out with the grocery run. I'll see you guys later, okay?" Jessica murmured. Danny nodded and waved Will's hand at his mother. Jessica smiled before walking away.

-Hours later-

"Where's Jessica?" Danny asked, barging into Cal's office. Cal sighed.

"Danny, this is not the time," Cal said, motioning to the video phone conference. Danny growled.

"Where is Jessica?" Danny asked again. Cal sighed and put the phone call on hold.

"She's meeting with Clark," Cal answered reluctantly. Danny's jaw dropped open in surprise.

"What do you mean she's meeting with Clark? He tried to have her killed!" Danny shouted angrily. Cal sighed again. "What the hell were you thinking?"

Cal put a hand on his friend's arm.

"He contacted her; said he had a bio-weapon and he knew where the compound was. He told her that he'd use the weapon on the compound if she didn't agree to meet with him," Cal told Danny. He showed Danny the note Jake had found earlier that day. Danny read the note and crumpled it in his hand.

"She should be here, with our son," Danny said, his voice low and dangerous. Cal sighed and nodded.

"I agree with you; this was her choice. Jessica worried that if she didn't meet with him like he requested, that Clark really would launch the bio-weapon on the compound. She was trying to protect William," Cal said.

Danny turned and punched the wall; putting a hole in the drywall. Cal rolled his eyes as he saw the cuts on Danny's fist send blood dripping down his hand. Cal gave Danny a paper towel. "Go see Claire and have her stitch you up," Cal ordered. Danny gave Cal one last glare before turning and leaving the room.

Jake found Danny pulling on a black fitted long sleeved tee shirt and tossing supplies in his duffel bag. "You're going after her aren't you?" Jake asked.

"I love her Jake," Danny said simply. Jake nodded.

"I'll go with you," Jake told his friend, reaching into his locker and pulling out his own black clothing. Danny looked at his friend gratefully and finished packing his supplies.

"I'm here, now what do you want?" Jessica demanded, her arms folded over her chest as she stood face to face with her one time abductor. Mr. Clark laughed a deep rumbling laugh that sent shivers down Jessica's spine.

"I want your boyfriend," Mr. Clark told Jessica. Jessica shook her head.

"I told you months ago that I haven't seen Danny," Jessica said. Mr. Clark grinned.

"I know he's at the compound and I know that the two of you have reconciled. Your son is what, almost seven months old now?" Mr. Clark guessed. Jessica hoped her face didn't betray her surprise at the man's knowledge.

"You have someone on the inside," Jessica murmured. Mr. Clark just grinned again as a door behind him opened up. Jessica gasped when she saw Devon standing behind the evil man.

"You!" Jessica exclaimed. Devon gave her a sympathetic smile.

"Not by choice," Devon muttered. Mr. Clark laughed.

"You see my dear, like you, Devon is with me under duress. I'm holding his girlfriend hostage. Had he refused at any time to help me, I would have killed her," Mr. Clark said, picking up a television remote and pointing it at a monitor before pushing a button. A woman, filthy from top to bottom could be seen hanging from a wall, her hair matted and her clothing torn. "It's too bad that my men were as rough with her as she was; she had a miscarriage not long after I took her," Mr. Clark said. Jessica's eyes widened and pain filled Devon's eyes.

"I've done everything you've asked, just let Melly go," Devon said, his voice broken. Mr. Clark grinned again.

"Not just yet. My men want one more go with her," Mr. Clark told Devon. Devon was forced to watch as one of Clark's top men prepared to rape Melly one last time.

"Stop!" Jessica shouted. Mr. Clark looked at Jessica with interest. "Take me instead," Jessica said, hoping she was putting on a brave face. A look of shock fluttered onto Devon's face.

"You're offering yourself in her place?" Mr. Clark asked in surprise. Jessica glanced at Devon and nodded.

"But only after Devon and Melly are safely out of here," Jessica said. Mr. Clark rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"I could just tell you I've let them go," he reminded Jessica.

"I know, that's why you're going to let me and one of your men follow them to the bridge and then we'll watch them drive away. Mr. Clark pondered this and nodded.

"Agreed," he said, picking up a walkie talkie.

"What the hell are you doing?" Devon asked, his voice low. Jessica scribbled something on a piece of paper, folded it up and slipped it into Devon's pocket, his eyes following her every movement.

"I'm saving your life," Jessica said. Devon stared at her in surprise.

"Why?" he asked. Jessica gave him a pointed glance.

"Your girlfriend doesn't deserve this, and I know Danny would do the same for me," Jessica said softly. Mr. Clark opened the door as Melly was brought into the room. Devon held Melly close and held her as she cried. Jessica followed them to the waiting cars. "Devon!" Jessica called before Devon could get into the car. He turned and looked at her. "Tell Danny I'm sorry, that I love him and to take care of Will," Jessica said. Devon nodded and got into the car. Once Jessica had seen Devon and Melly safely over the hill, she was returned to Clark's compound. "I'm so sorry Danny, please forgive me," Jessica thought as she was taken to a bedroom.