Breaking the Lock

Two

It cost him to get her to the cabin. Time, money and contacts. He used up any goodwill he had left over with past associates. To a man, they thought he was insane. But he had a plan and nothing was going to deter him from it. He'd done his homework too; the cabin and the set up in the basement were just the start. He'd read an interesting story about a kidnapping back in the eighties. The man who had done it had been certifiable but a genius nonetheless. His whole setup in the cabin was based on that story.

                He watched her sleeping on the narrow cot he had set up for her. She had continued to fight him and he'd resorted to keeping her calm with drugs. The bruise on her temple from the initial abduction was healing turning into a mottled yellow and purple splotch of color. Since then though, he'd had to inflict other injuries on her pretty face to keep her in check. The drugs were helpful but not always as effective as he would like. She didn't like being trapped and held against her will. Not that he cared. He had no interest in her anyway except as bait. The real prize was still out there waiting. He would bide his time and when the moment was right, that was when he would strike.

                Until then, there were still pieces that needed to be put in motion. He pulled her phone out of his pocket and snapped a couple of photos of her. She looked half dead in them. That would definitely help. He shoved the phone back in his pocket, stepping away from her. He would use her phone to send those pictures. That should stymie them for a little bit. Her purse was by the stairs and he snagged it as he started to climb them. He dug through it pulling out her wallet. She had a little bit of cash and a couple of credit cards. Both would come in handy. It was time, he realized with a grin. It was time to go to Port Charles.

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                Maxie woke to the bright light of a cold winter sun streaming through her window and the sound of Nathan's soft breathing in her ear. He was laying on his stomach, his face turned towards hers, with his arm stretched out over her in a protective grasp. She watched him sleep, marveling at the sight of him in her bed and sending a small prayer of thanks that she had him in her life. Nathan had come to mean more to her in the last year than she could have ever imagined. She didn't want to think about what her life would be like without him.

                He stirred slightly opening his eyes briefly. His mouth curled into a light smile as he pulled her closer, nuzzling his chin into her bare shoulder. Maxie turned toward him, running a light hand over his cheek. He opened his eyes again, letting them settle on her in a sweet gaze.

                "What are you doing awake?" He turned to his side, propping himself up on his elbow.

                "Watching you sleep," she replied. "And thinking."

                "About what?"

                "Mostly you." He raised his eyebrows in question. "Like how sweet it was that you gave TJ and Molly our reservations for Valentine's Day."

                "That was nothing."

                "Don't say that. It was something. You're a hero to TJ. Me too," she added leaning closer. He kissed her, his lips grazing hers gently. She shifted closer to him and returned the kiss, letting hers linger until she felt the familiar flame begin to ignite. She broke the embrace and pulled away, hoping he wouldn't be disappointed in her. She wanted him, but there were things she needed to take care of today. Like seeing Lucy Coe again and doing everything in her power to get Crimson back.

                He took a deep breath and sighed as if reading her mind. "Big day planned?" He asked looking as if he already knew the answer. She nodded, throwing herself back on the pillows. He nudged her playfully. "It's okay. Me too. I have to figure out where I'm going to take you for Valentine's Day now that I don't have a fancy dinner reservation."

                "I really don't care where we go or what we do. You know that right?"

                "I know but I want it to be special. Because you're special, Maxie. So," he added with a grin. "You do what you need to do today and I will do what I need to. And we'll see each other tonight. And it'll be perfect."

                "Promise?"

                Nathan pressed a kiss on her forehead and murmured, "I promise."

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                He left the cabin before the sun came up, driving for nearly two hours before he made it to Port Charles. He parked the car outside their apartment building, waiting. The morning was bitter cold and bright as the rising sun glinted off the snow on the streets and sidewalks. They left the building together, sometime after eight, walking to her car. He watched as they stopped and said goodbye, locking together in an embrace. He could feel the heat of his hatred rise at the sight. Finally, she climbed into her car and drove away while her boyfriend watched until she was out of sight.

                He had the distinct urge to get out of his car now and release some of his hatred in the form of some much needed justice but he held back. He wanted revenge and he wanted to see the damage it would inflict on them both. Going after the cop now would do him no good. There was a time and a place for everything.

                The cop finally left. He waited another ten minutes to be sure neither of them were coming back before getting out of his car and making his way to the building. He loitered briefly in front of the building waiting for someone to leave so as not to have to buzz a random apartment. A harried man in a suit hurried out slamming the door wide and only giving him a cursory glance. He took his chance and slipped into the building climbing the back stairs to the sixth floor and apartment 68.

                Breaking in took less than two minutes. He stole into the apartment, closing the door quietly behind him. The simmering rage he had tried to tamp down at the sight of them boiled at the sight of their living space. Neither of them deserved to be here, together and alive. They should both be dead. He prowled the room, looking at their belongings. He stopped by the mantle and picked up a framed photograph, staring at it with seething anger. It was them, caught in an intimate moment, their arms looped casually together while they smiled happily ahead. He threw the frame across the room watching with satisfaction as the glass shattered and splintered into pieces against the wall. After what they had done to him they had no right to happiness.

                He took the phone out of his pocket and scrolled through the photos, settling on one that made his victim look the worst. The lighting in the picture was poor and she looked more dead than alive which was exactly what he wanted. He sent the picture to the first number in the contact list adding the words, "Missing something?" Once that message was received there would be no turning back. Not that he would want to at this point. He had come too far to turn back now. He would have his revenge no matter what.