Part Four

"You want a drink?"

Belinda was surprised with the question.

"Sure, thanks."

Taya went to the cupboard and pulled out a bottle and two glasses. She poured two tumblers full of Scotch. Taya took one glass, sat down, and placed the bottle on the floor next to her. Belinda then took the glass of Scotch that Taya had left for her on the table not knowing quite what to expect. Taya had said she wanted to work out some anger. That in her trade could mean anything. But, Black Angel was not known to hurt the women in her bed too badly; not like the Johns did. With the Johns, that meant a lot of pain and perhaps accidental death. Black Angel liked her sex rough but she had never hurt a woman so bad that she couldn't get over it in a few days. So why not? Why not please Black Angel? She had chosen her above the others and the others knew it. Belinda smiled to herself.

Taya emptied her glass, reached for the bottle, and filled it again and again with the amber color liquid. Belinda watched and waited. She had not known what to expect and now she guessed she was seeing a side of Black Angel that few got to see. Belinda clearly saw the frustration of indecision written on the woman's face. Taya's facial expression would go from pure anger to a sadness that could touch the soul. She stared at the mystery that was Black Angel; the woman in front of her now was not only beautiful but for awhile she had held her fascination. Taya was something unpredictable and that in the pens meant survival. And now Belinda was seeing yet another layer. It would seem that all she was expected to do was just to be there and that in itself pleased her. Taya had picked her; not one of the others but her. Surely, that meant something.

Belinda noticed Taya staring at her now as if she was somehow surprised to find her there.

"Is that your real hair color?"

"Yes," Belinda said and smiled. She waited for another question but it never came.

Taya filled her glass yet again. After awhile she lost count of how many times she had refilled the glass. Taya allowed her head to fall back and moaned. The pain was still there, she told herself. When would the alcohol just numb her senses so she would feel nothing inside? She kept drinking.

Finally, an hour later, Taya's head fell forward as the empty glass fell from her hand. It had gotten completely dark outside; the only light in the apartment filtered in from some streetlights that still worked out on the deserted street.

Belinda got up slowly and walked up to her. She picked up the glass and put it on the table, then walked back and stood in front of Taya, not exactly sure of what to do next. This was Black Angel in front of her, she told herself, and her hand went out and lightly caressed the dark head of hair that was in front of her. Black Angel's hair was thick and soft. How would it feel to caress her body? To touch her? To be wanted by her? There must be so much passion locked up behind such a sharp mind.

Taya then looked up unexpectedly. Her vision was blurry and her speech was slurred.

"Barbara?" Taya said as she reached out desperately for Belinda.

Taya then stood up on wobbly legs. Belinda took her into her arms, holding her up, then started walking her towards the bedroom.

"Come on. I'm putting you to bed."

Taya became very complacent as she leaned against her and she lay down on the bed with no objection. Belinda was about to walk away when a hand suddenly on her arm held her in place.

"Stay with me Barbara," Taya pleaded.

Belinda had thought that when Taya called her Barbara the first time it had been a mistake; like it didn't matter who she was. She now realized that Taya actually thought she was Barbara, whom ever Barbara was.

"Stay with me Barbara, please" Taya pleaded again. There was so much emotion in that plea that Belinda hesitated for a moment then lay down. Taya's arms immediately surrounded her and pulled her close, her hands caressed her body softly as she held her tightly to her.

"I love you, Barbara," Taya whispered softly as she buried her face in Belinda's hair. "I love you."

Belinda held her breath for a moment before her arms held Taya as well. After a few minutes she heard Taya's steady breathing. Taya was asleep. Who was Barbara? Belinda closed her eyes and gave herself to being Barbara. If only for a few hours she wanted to be held by Taya. Never had she felt so safe nor so firmly held in love's embrace. She wanted to be Black Angle's Barbara if only for a little while.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Taya woke up with a hell of a headache. "Oh God," she moaned as she tried opening her eyes. She opened one eye at a time, slowly and then tried getting up. As she did, Taya suddenly realized she was not alone. She stared at Belinda as she stirred. Taya was trying to remember just how she had gotten there.

"Good morning," Belinda said sleepily.

Taya said nothing, got up, and went straight to the bathroom.

Belinda followed Taya hungrily with her eyes. She quickly noted that the softness from the woman that had held her through the night was gone, but the memory lingered.

Taya walked into the kitchen half an hour later. She froze for a moment as she saw Belinda's back to her.

Belinda turned around in time to see disappointment covering those dark eyes before it was quickly hidden with Taya's usual look of sarcasm.

"You don't believe in food do you?" Belinda said quickly.

Taya walked past her and got a diet coke out of the refrigerator, opened it and took a long swig.

"Why are you still here? You don't expect payment do you?" Taya said with disgust.

Belinda just stared at her.

"What?"

"Hard to believe you are the same woman," Belinda said cryptically.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Taya sounded angry and her headache was getting worse by the second.

"You were so loving."

"What shit are you on lady? I can't remember what happened last night but I can tell you it wasn't love!"

"Yes, yes it was."

Taya had a smirk on her face as she drank the rest of her coke.

"Get out. I have a headache." She opened a drawer and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. She lit one and began to smoke.

"Who is Barbara?"

Taya's hand stopped midway to her mouth. She visibly paled and then slowly looked down as she put out the cigarette that she had only taken a few puffs from.

"Don't know any Barbara. Now go, I'm tired."

"You said, 'I love you Barbara'" Belinda saw Taya pale some more.

"If me saying, I love you Barbara, makes you feel better about last night, fine….now just get out…I have a fucking headache the size of Montana." Taya walked over to the refrigerator and took out another diet coke.

"We didn't do anything last night. You thought I was Barbara and begged me to stay with you." Belinda said as she looked towards Taya for any sort of reaction. "You held me close and caressed me and said you loved me."

Taya closed her eyes and held them shut for only a moment. She remained silent.

"I loved somebody once too, Taya. She wasn't strong enough. When the time came she just….well." Belinda's eyes suddenly filled with tears as the memory still hurt.

Taya looked towards her now and said nothing but for a brief moment she saw the pain and shared it. She then looked away again. She ran her fingers through her hair as she walked towards the window.

"I'm sorry Belinda, but there is no Barbara," Taya said softly but was unable to hide the sadness of the statement.

"My Barbara's name was Laura," Belinda said sadly and Taya looked at her for a moment then looked out the window again.

"My sister' name was Laura," Taya said softly reminiscing.

"Later, Black Angel, I didn't hear a thing," Belinda said as she left.

When Taya heard the door shut she allowed the tears to run down her face as her forehead leaned against the glass. Why now? Why now when there was nothing left of her. Why now?

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Okay, what is going on with you?"

Barbara dropped the cup in the sink and turned around quickly.

"Jesus Dale! You scared me to death. I want my key back if you insist on giving me a heart attack every other week." Barbara had her hand on her chest trying to catch her breath.

"I'm sorry I scared you. But, you have been processing long enough. Spill!"

"Do you want some coffee?" Barbara asked as she turned around to give herself some more time.

"Sure, why not. Now talk." Dale sat on the stool that she pulled out from under the island in the kitchen. She crossed her hands in front of her and waited for Barbara to speak. She was going to get some answers today if it killed both of them. Enough was enough.

Barbara prepared the coffee maker and turned it on. She then turned towards her sister who seemed determined to extract the answers to her questions.

"I don't know what you expect me to say, Dale."

There was a moment of uncomfortable silence between them.

"Okay, normal stuff. Rob is playing golf today. I don't know why he loves that game so much. I find it so boring. Then there is Brian, I just dropped him off at school. God! That boy is going to make me old before my time. Mom wants me to get the recipe to those little ourdervers you made last Christmas. You know the ones with the dates. Then there is Ruffus; I need to take him to the veterinarian for his rabies shot."

Barbara stared at her as if she had lost her mind. Dale looked back at her sister and took a deep breath before speaking again.

"You know Barb, when you were six dad had some very important clients over for dinner." Dale saw as Barbara smiled. "Somehow a frog jumped on the dinner table and on top of the main course; the guy's wife just about passed out and the sauce splattered on dad's client's shirt. Dad was furious and mom was livid."

Dale smiled slightly. "I knew you did it Barb. You can fool everyone on this planet but not me little sister."

"You knew it was me?" Barbara laughed a little. "It was an accident really. It got away." They both laughed now.

"I thought that guy was going to bust a gut," Dale said as she laughed heartily.

"His wife fell off the chair." Barbara was bent over with laughter.

"Oh Jesus, that was funny."

"I thought dad was going to kill somebody," Barbara said as she began to breathe steadily trying to control the laughter.

"Yeah."

Both women laughed some more and had coffee together. It was good to act like they used to. Dale had always been more than her sister. Dale had been her coconspirator and her friend as they had grown up.

Barbara was smiling to herself when she was taken off guard by Dale's question.

"Why the sadness, Barbara?" Dale asked her with so much concern that she could not ignore it.

Barbara looked at her sister and then down at her cup of coffee.

"I want something I can't have." There, she said it. If she didn't talk about it at least a little she thought she would die.

Dale put her hand over her sister's.

"Is it Jeff?" Barbara asked sympathetically.

"No," Barbara answered as she looked up at her sister again. Her eyes filled with tears and she looked down again.

"We have always been able to talk to each other. I'm here kid."

"Dale, I…I love someone that I can't…" Barbara became silent as the tears ran down her face.

"You love?"

"Oh Dale, I never planned it. It just happened. Before I knew it…no, from the very first moment." Barbara covered her face.

Dale was silent. She wasn't exactly sure what to say. She had thought it had to do with Jeff then as the time passed she wasn't exactly sure and now…she wasn't sure of anything.

"Well sweetheart, being in love doesn't have to be a bad thing. Not everyone is Jeff you know. There are some really nice guys out there, Barb."

Barbara looked at her sister again and at that moment realized Dale would not understand. Some guy she had said…. that's how people would always figure it was…some guy.

Barbara wiped her face. "No, it's over."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry Barbara." Dale said sadly. She tried changing the topic thinking it might help. "How is your therapy going?"

Barbara stared at her for a moment then it clicked. "Oh, I um…I stopped going."

"Why? I thought you…"

"No, it really wasn't helping you know." Barbara got up and started putting the breakfast dishes away.

"How is your friend Taya?"

"Taya?"

"Yeah, your biker pal." Dale smiled.

"Oh, Taya…. I haven't seen her for awhile."

"Barbara?"

"Yeah?" Barbara looked up at her sister now.

"This is the one who you stayed that night with, isn't it?"

"Yes." Barbara was tired of the lies. She might not clear up everything but at least allowing herself to share some of her pain about Taya with Dale helped.

"This man you love. Are you sure it's over?"

Barbara looked down. "It's over. It never had a chance. We come from two totally different worlds. I just didn't want to see it."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Jerry, have you seen Eric?" Barbara asked one of Eric's friends.

"No."

"If you see him will you tell him I'm here."

"Sure."

Barbara had gotten to the school about five minutes later than usual and Eric was not where she usually picked him up. She had gotten out of her car and waited for a few more minutes. As usual Sean came trudging along a few minutes late with his buddies.

"Sean, have you seen Eric?"

"Nope."

"Mrs. Williams!"

Barbara looked towards Mrs. Bradford, the school principle.

"Yes?"

"Mrs. Williams, please come with me."

"What's wrong?"

"I called the police right away."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Barbara sat in the principle's office in shock. Sean sat next to her. The boy kept looking at his mother with tear filled eyes. He sought a reassurance that she was unable to give him. So he sat patiently with her and held onto her hand tightly.

Mrs. Bradford walked back into the office.

"Can I get you something, Mrs. Williams?" The woman asked softly.

Barbara did not answer, she just kept staring straight ahead. Sean looked at his mother and began to sob.

Barbara looked towards her son and took him into her arms as the tears ran down her own face.

"It's going to be all right Sean. It's going to be all right."

Mrs. Bradford tried to keep from crying as her own eyes filled with tears. These things happened in other schools; never in her imagination did she ever think it would happen in hers.

A student had run into her office and told her that he had seen a green van pull up, take a boy and then quickly take off. The boy that had been taken was Eric Williams. She had called the police and then went out to see if she could find the mother. She knew Eric Williams. He was a gentle boy, well liked by his teachers. How could something like this happen? The hardest thing she had ever done in her life was having to tell this woman in front of her that her child had been taken.

Karen Bradford sat down next to Barbara and put her arms around her. How could this happen? She asked herself yet again.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The police arrived and asked many questions. They told Barbara to go home that they would start looking for the van and would get in touch with her.

Barbara stared at them in disbelief. "You will get in touch with me? When? Is that all? I want my son back!" Barbara was becoming hysterical.

"Mrs. Williams, we will do our best," the officer said, trying to be as understanding as it was possible.

"I will drive you home." Mrs. Bradford volunteered.

"Thank you, but no, I will drive myself." Barbara blurted out. She was angry. Karen Bradford understood the frustration and remained silent. How could this poor woman not be upset?

"Mom?" Sean's hand filled hers.

"It's going to be okay, Sean," Barbara said before she knelt down in front of her son and began to sob as she held him tightly to her.

In the end Mrs. Bradford called Barbara's sister, Dale. She and her husband had come by and taken both Barbara and Sean home. The police put out an All-Points-Bulletin for the green van and started making inquiries. There wasn't much else they could do. They had asked for a recent photo of Eric, which they picked up a few hours later from the house.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The phone rang and Barbara ran to grab it.

"Hello?"

"Barbara?"

Barbara closed her eyes as tears ran down her face. "Taya, someone took Eric. Someone took my baby, Taya." Barbara began to sob as she held the phone tightly to her ear.

"Who took him?" Taya asked quickly.

"They don't know. They took my baby, Taya. They took him." Barbara couldn't speak anymore as the sobs became uncontrollable.

"I'll be right there baby, we'll get him back. You'll see, we'll get him back." Taya thought that her chest was being squeezed so hard she could hardly breathe. She hung up and ran down the stairs. All that people saw was a Black Angel flying out of the pens.

Taya flew through the streets as a million horrible scenarios went through her mind. She shook her head. She refused to think that anything of what she had thought of would apply to Eric. Not him. Not that boy. Not that special, beautiful boy.

Taya pulled up the driveway and jumped off her bike. She ran up the stairs and just walked in. Dale was sitting next to Barbara on the couch holding her. A man she didn't know stood sadly by the wall looking at them. As soon as Barbara saw her she got up and ran straight into Taya's arms. Taya held her tightly to her.

"They took my baby. Oh God, they took my baby" Barbara sobbed.

"Barbara, we'll get him back." Taya held her as tears ran down her own face. She kissed Barbara's face and her lips. She looked into her eyes. "We will get him back," Taya stated with no doubt in her statement.

Barbara buried her face in Taya's neck and continued to weep. Dale stood up slowly and her husband walked over to her and held her in place. Dale looked at him as things suddenly had begun to get clearer.

"Do you have a recent picture of Eric you can give me?" Taya said as she pulled out of Barbara's arms.

"I already gave it to the police," Barbara said pitifully. All she wanted was for Taya to hold her. She felt that something inside her was dying and she couldn't bare thinking too hard about anything.

"Do you have another?" Taya insisted.

"I can get you one," Dale said as she ran out of the room.

Barbara went back into Taya's arms. Taya stroked her hair and kissed her head and face again and again. "We will get him back baby, we will get him back."

Dale came back into the room and Taya pushed Barbara away again as she took the photo and looked at it and smiled sadly.

"I'll be back," Taya said as she rushed out the door.

Barbara stared after her. "Taya…"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Taya came back within the hour but had not been any help at all according to Dale. It seemed that Taya was on the phone most of the time outside in the verandah instead of where Barbara wanted her to be. There was something obviously going on between them, Dale thought. As to the extent Dale was not sure yet.

Joan Barret had been notified and had not taken the news well. She was a mess. Sean was upstairs with his cousin. The boys were playing a game and that was good.

Taya walked in.

"Where is Sean, Dale?"

"He's upstairs with Brian."

Taya walked up the stairs. Dale noted that she seemed to know where she was going. It would seem Taya knew the house quite well.

Taya stood by the door and watched Sean go through the motions of playing the video game. She knew too much how people detached themselves from feeling not to recognize the signs.

"Hi, Squirt," Taya said softly.

Sean looked up and just stared at her for a moment. She gave him a smile and he ran into her arms.

He tried to stifle a sob but did not quite succeed. He held on tightly to Taya's waist. She then knelt down in front of him and pulled him tightly against her.

"It's going to be okay, squirt. It's going to be okay." She wiped the tears away from his face and smiled. She caressed his head and again took him into her arms.

Barbara had been only a few feet away and not walked up to them. Sean looked up and smiled bravely at his mother. Barbara could not control the tears as they ran down her face again. Taya stood up and carried the boy up with her in her arms as she pulled Barbara into the embrace as well.

A few minutes later Taya walked Barbara downstairs again. They sat down together and Barbara was half lying on the couch and half on Taya who held her tightly and kept comforting her with caresses. Dale could not hear what she was saying but could only imagine. All that mattered right now, she kept telling herself, is that Barbara is holding up better with Taya there.

At that moment Taya's phone started ringing again and again she left the room and went to speak on it outside. Barbara seemed to shrivel up into a little ball on the couch and began to cry again.

Almost an hour later Taya was still on the phone outside. Dale was getting madder and madder. Barbara kept asking for her, so Dale went out to the deck to get her.

Dale stopped as soon as she heard Taya almost yelling into the cell phone.

"Rico, I need this favor," Dale heard Taya say and she waited in the shadows. It had gotten dark and Eric had been missing for over eight hours.

"I'm looking for a boy…. He was taken from a schoolyard…Rico, I am willing to pay whatever you want…No! Not tomorrow Rico, now! …. You know that time is of the essence…He's my boy, Rico. He's my boy." Taya began to cry.

Dale just listened and tried to understand what was going on.

"Yes…Rico, I will give you wh….yes, did you get the photo?….he was taken this afternoon from his school….yes, it was a green van…..I know you have people that cover that area. Did Stanley give you all the details?"

Dale listened and waited.

"I have everyone looking for him Rico, but I want a bigger area covered. You know that people like this don't go far." Taya ran her fingers through her hair.

Dale went back inside the house. Barbara looked towards Dale with tear filled eyes. She looked awful

"Taya is getting some people to look for Eric too," was all that Dale said as she sat next to her sister.

"I tried calling Jeff but he's out of town and left no forwarding number. Dale, I'm scared. I'm so scared they are going to hurt him."

"That is not going to happen, Barbara. We're going to get him back safe and sound," Dale said as she cried silently holding on to her sister.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Taya paced outside like a wild animal in captivity. She knew that the more time that passed the harder it would be to find him, if they were ever able to find him at all. The type of people that did this were at the bottom of the cess pool. She closed her eyes trying to remind herself that they would find him. They had too. She sat down and covered her face and wept. Why? Why? Taya heard a lamentous cry and she realized it was her making it.

The world that these animals had crawled out of was the world she lived in. She prospered from the trade of the white and all the violence and degeneracy that it promoted. Her world had touched this boy, her boy. How could she live with that? How could she live with the thought that who and what she was had taken him? The darkness that she lived in had spread its mantle and touched that part that she had tried so hard not to allow into her heart. Barbara was dying inside by the minute. Sean played upstairs for the sake of not thinking and suddenly….she knew. She wanted a life with Barbara. She would die to give her that happiness that she had once seen in those beautiful blue eyes. She would get Eric back. She had to. She had to or she would die trying. If anything happened to that boy…she could not bare what would come after.

"Do you think we will get him back?"

Taya got up and turned away, she wiped her face as she faced Dale. "We have to"

Dale heard the doorbell and ran inside followed by Taya. Barbara led a policeman into the room. Taya went over to her and held onto her.

"We put out an APB, Mrs Williams earlier today. We know that your son's picture is everywhere. You have a good network set up."

Barbara looked puzzled.

"We know that everyone is looking for your boy. My sources tell me that every element of this city is looking for him, Ma'am. This is a good thing, Mrs. Williams. It more than doubles our chances." The officer tried to reassure her kindly.

"What do you mean by every element?"

"Your son's photograph is on every pole and there is a person in almost every street corner asking about him," the officer said incredulously.

Barbara leaned into Taya. "Thank you officer."

"You're quite welcome, Ma'am. I will be in touch soon. We will be in touch if we hear anything at all."

Barbara turned around and buried herself in Taya's arms. At that moment Taya's cell phone rang and Taya let go of Barbara and walked outside again. Barbara stared at Taya as she walked away from her and covered her body with her arms in a gesture of pain and need. Angry, Dale went out to Taya. She knew that Taya was trying to help but she had to be a little bit more sensitive in how she treated Barbara.

Again Dale waited and listened before talking to Taya.

"Stanley, don't do anything, you hear me! Send somebody in to make sure no harm comes to him and wait for me and Rico, do you hear me, Stanley?" Taya was growling.

Dale stood behind her waiting.

"I know where that is, I'll be there in 15 minutes. Keep it under control, Stanley."

Taya turned to face Dale.

"Did you find him?" Dale could not believe or dared not hope that she had heard what she thought she had heard.

"I hope so. Don't say anything to Barbara." Taya tried to walk passed Dale.

"Where? Tell me something damn it!"

Taya grabbed Dale roughly by the arms. "I don't have time. Time is not on our side. Trust me. I want to get him back too."

"Go," Dale, said and Taya flew out of the house.

Barbara saw her leave and leaned into her brother-in-law who sat with her on the sofa. Dale looked at her husband and smiled full of hope.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Are you sure they have him, Stanley?"

"The new boy fits the description. And I looked in the garage. There's a green van inside. Rico's people found it an hour ago. Christopher is in there with one his girls."

"I said one person, Stanley," Taya hissed.

"Yeah, you did. But we thought if things got out of hand in there Christopher can take care of things and someone can take care of the boy. So one of his girls said she would do it. You know the one," Stanley saw understanding register in Taya's face.

At that moment a black sedan pulled up and Rico got out. Within seconds, two unmarked patrol cards appeared as well.

"Ready to go in?" Rico asked Taya point blank.

"Yeah."

"Here." One of the police officers handed them police issued revolvers. Taya looked down and nodded in understanding. It was a trade off. She didn't care what it took, she wanted the boy back at any cost.

They stormed the house and shots rang out. Taya felt a slight discomfort to her side as she ran in. She looked around and immediately saw Christopher holding a man against the wall.

"Is he the one?" She growled.

Christopher nodded. "This is the man of the hour."

"Where is my boy?" She asked him controlling her desire to just pound him through the wall. The man against the wall spit into her face. She shot him in the kneecap and the guy cried out in pain.

"Where is my boy?" She growled as she put the gun to his head.

"The house is surrounded, Taya. No one is getting out of here." Rico was right behind her.

"Belinda is here somewhere. She was supposed to find him while I kept this piece of shit busy." Christopher pushed the guy harder against the wall.

"Where is he?" She cocked the gun against his head.

"In one of the rooms downstairs," he cried. He tried leaning to grab his leg and she kicked where she had shot him.

"Ahh…"

"If you lied to me I'm going to kill you. If you hurt him you will pray for death." Taya got really close to his face.

Taya ran down the stairs with Rico right behind her; she opened several doors before opening the last one.

Taya's eyes searched the last room and saw two shadows huddling on the corner. She flipped the light switch and saw Belinda holding a blonde haired child.

"Eric?" Taya said softly.

The boy looked up and ran into Taya's arms as she fell to her knees.

"Eric. Oh God, Eric." Taya held him tightly as tears ran down her face. Rico took a few steps back and looked around to make sure that there were no other surprises.

"Taya, I wanna go home," Eric said as he clung to her.

"I'm here to take you home, Eric. I'm going to take you back to your mama, my sweet sweet boy." Taya wept as she kissed the blonde head over and over and caressed him.

Belinda still sat on the corner just watching and she smiled. Taya looked towards her still holding tight to Eric and nodded her thanks.

"Barbara's boy?"

Taya nodded and got up still holding the boy tightly to her. "Let's go home, Eric."

He pulled away for a moment. "I remembered what you said."

"What was that?"

"You said if I was ever in trouble you would be there," he hid his tear stained face in her neck again.

"Always and forever." Taya kissed the boy again and held him tightly to her. She walked out of the room with Eric in her arms and Rico guarding her back.

Belinda was glad she had been there to see it and she smiled.

Taya walked out keeping Eric well covered with her coat. He had seen enough…too much. She looked towards Christopher who acknowledged her thanks.

Stanley opened the door to one of the black sedans and she went into the back seat with Eric in her arms.

Stanley got behind the wheel and Rico got in next to him. They pulled out escorted then by the other two sedans and two marked police cars.

Eric began to cry and Taya held him tighter to her. "Shhh…. It's okay, Eric. It's okay we're going home." She kept consoling him as he wept. Taya silently cried as she caressed him and kissed him again and again.

Rico looked towards Stanley. "Do your people know what must be done?"

"Perfectly," Stanley answered without any hesitation.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Dale saw as two police cars and three black sedans pull into the driveway. She held her breath in fear.

She went to stand next to Barbara as she looked towards her husband. Rob went towards the front door and opened it as Taya was almost there.

Taya walked in with Eric in her arms. Barbara looked towards the door and could not believe what she was seeing. She ran and took her son into her arms and sobbed. "Thank god, Eric. Oh thank God!"

Eric cried again as he clung to her. Taya knew no matter what happened after this moment or what it would cost her it would all be worth it.

Two policemen then walked in with several other men and explained that the house had been raided and that the men that had taken Eric had been apprehended.

"We are just glad that this had a happy ending, Mrs. Williams," one of the officers said as he was leaving.

Dale than noticed Taya walking outside with the plain clothed men; she knew that Taya had something to do with had had happened. For Barbara's sake she had to find out what.

When she saw Taya talking to one of the men she listened. She had to keep her sister safe. She just knew that something about this whole thing did not add up.

"Stanley…" She extended her hand and he took it. "Thank you." He nodded and smiled as he walked off with four other men. She then turned towards the man next to her.

"Thank you, Rico," Taya said as she shook the man's hand.

"Hey, the cops looked good and we got the boy back." Rico laughed. "Gotta feed the cops occasionally."

"I will keep my word. Whatever you want, name it. I will always be in your debt," Taya said with feeling.

"There is no debt, Taya. I have two of my own, a boy and a girl." Rico smiled.

Taya nodded in understanding.

"

Tu mujer?" Rico nodded towards the house asking but already knowing the answer to the question he asked. "Si," Taya confirmed that Barbara was her woman then once again took his hand. "I'm in your debt for life Rico, for life."

"This wasn't business Taya, this was family. No debt incurred. Hey

consorte, take care of that scratch. She's very lovely." Rico smiled boyishly.

Taya nodded her thanks and with that Rico walked away and left her staring after him as he did.

Taya watched as the cars pulled away. She then turned to go inside the house and saw Dale standing there in the shadows.

Neither woman said a thing as both walked inside together.

Barbara had taken Eric into the family room when they came in. Sean had gone with her. Both boys had fallen asleep in her arms. Taya smiled and leaned against the wall as she just beheld the three on the couch. After awhile Barbara went upstairs to put Eric and Sean to bed. Dale and her husband were about to leave when Taya made an unusual request.

"Dale, can you stay for a bit longer?"

Dale seemed surprised. "Sure,' she turned to her husband. "Sweetheart why don't you go home with Brian, mom is there and she will feel better if you are in the house. I'll stay here tonight."

"Sure, I understand. I'll come by to pick you up tomorrow okay?"

"Perfect."

After Dale had said her good-byes to her husband and her son she went looking for Taya. She had seen Taya walk into one of the bathrooms downstairs and waited outside the door.

"Is that you Dale?"

"Yes."

"Come in."

Dale blinked once or twice with surprise then walked into the bathroom.

"Close the door," Taya said.

Dale inhaled in surprise as she saw the blood on the sink then quickly looked towards Taya.

"I need you to help me. I can't take off this damn coat," Taya said in exasperation. Suddenly Dale saw the blood on Taya's clothing.

"We have to take you to the hospital." Dale said immediately.

"No hospital. Will you help?" Taya waited for her response.

Dale looked at Taya for a moment then nodded her head.

"This happened when you went to get Eric?"

Taya nodded. Dale helped her take off the coat gently and then saw the inside lining of the coat was covered in blood as well.

Taya sat on the toilet and leaned back her head for a moment trying to catch her breath. She took a deep breath and sat up straight. "Okay, help me to take off my T-shirt."

Dale could see the pain that it might cause to lift the T-shirt over her head so she had Taya wait a moment while she looked under the sink-cabinet for scissors to cut the T-shirt off. Taya now sat in front of her topless and covered in blood.

"Jesus Taya, looks like you've lost a lot of blood." Then Dale saw the wound. It was on her side and it was bleeding profusely. "We have to get you to a doctor, Taya."

"Not a good idea," Taya said as she leaned her head against the wall to the side.

Dale looked at her then started digging around the medicine cabinet. She found the antiseptic and some bandages. She saw that there were actually two wounds as she began to clean away the blood.

The door suddenly opened and Barbara stood frozen to the spot. She then seemed to stand straighter as she looked deeply into Taya's eyes who were staring back at her.

"I'll take care of this, Dale." Barbara took the cloth that Dale was holding. "Can you please check on the boys?"

"Sure," was all Dale said and left.

Barbara got some other things out of the bottom drawers under the sink and began to clean out Taya's wound. A bullet had apparently had gone through her side and had clearly gone out the other end. She was bleeding but it had slowed down some after Barbara had applied some pressure.

"You brought Eric back." Barbara stated she did not ask. Then she looked up to meet Taya's eyes. "Thank you for bring my baby back to me."

Taya said nothing as she continued to look at Barbara.

Barbara continued to clean the wound and spread the antibacterial ointment before she taped the bandages. "You're going to need to see someone. I have some antibiotics upstairs. You will start to take those. But, you are going to have to see a doctor to make sure there is no infection."

"Barbara, I can't…"

"Not right now…but if necessary, you must." Barbara did not look like she was going to accept any argument.

Taya nodded and bent her head. She was tired and was beginning to feel dizzy.

Barbara then raised her face up. Taya looked pale. She looked deeply, with concern, into the dark eyes that held her heart. "Taya…."

"You don't owe me anything, Barbara," Taya said suddenly.

"I will always be grateful for my son Taya" Barbara said immediately.

"I don't want your gratitude," Taya replied angrily. She tried getting up and sat back down quickly again. The pain had seared through her, showing in her face.

"Sit down! Before you make it worse," Barbara scolded. Taya sat but looked away.

"If you don't want my gratitude what do you want?" Barbara was surprised when those dark eyes turned to her then looked away quickly.

"Do you want me, Taya?" Barbara asked softly.

Taya closed her eyes for a moment in pain then opened them again. "As I said, you don't owe me anything."

"There is nothing I can give you?" Barbara asked softly. Barbara longed to hold her and never let her go.

"No, I don't want anything." Taya bent her head down again. She squeezed her eyes shut. She didn't want gratitude. She had to go. She had to run and never look back.

"Not even my love, Taya?"

Taya looked up suddenly, and stood up quickly. The pain didn't matter. Her muscles were soar, the adrenaline rush had passed…but who cared.

"Don't play with me, Barbara." Taya growled as she grabbed Barbara by both arms. "Not about this."

"How could I not love you? From the very first moment you became my knight in shining armor. I love you, Taya," Barbara said. She tried to kiss Taya but she pulled away from her.

"I am no knight in shining armor! Don't lie to yourself about me. I am … Barbara, I am the kind of person someone like you crosses the street to avoid." Taya tried to keep Barbara at arms length.

It was better this way, Taya told herself. To hold her now and then to have to let her go later would be more painful than she thought she could bear.

"I don't care what you've done or who you have been. I don't care. You saved Eric. You saved me." Barbara insisted. "I know who you are…. I see it in your eyes when I look at you."

"I ….I got him back because I thought I owed you." Taya tried anything to push Barbara away at this point. It would be so easy to just take Barbara in her arms and say the words. But, it wouldn't be fair to Barbara. Taya tried walking past her.

"Owed me?" Barbara held her in place.

"For….." Taya could not bring herself to say it.

"For ….?"

"Oh Jesus Barbara. I fucked you okay. I liked it. I did this to…." Taya blurted out desperately.

"Liar," Barbara said softly.

"Barbara, I am not…"

Barbara then kissed her tenderly and all that Taya could do was cling to her for dear life. All of her resolve disappeared in the power of that one kiss.

"Liar," Barbara said again as she caressed the face of the woman in front of her.

"I'm no good Barbara." Taya avoided her eyes, fighting the desire to kiss those lips again.

"Look at me and tell me you feel nothing for me."

Taya looked up and looked into the clearest blue eyes she had ever seen. "How could I not love you. Damn it!" Taya took her into her arms and held her tightly. "I'm not good for you Barbara." Taya wept.

"It's going to be all right. We will make it all right." Barbara held her; Taya seemed so frail at that moment to her.

"I love you, Barbara. I didn't want to…. But, God forgive me, I do. I love you so much it hurts. I can't stand being away from you anymore. When you told me about Eric, I knew. I couldn't deny it to myself anymore. It became so clear. I couldn't breathe. He is so much like you. He and Sean. I look at them and my heartaches. I…"

"It's going to be okay my love. We are going to make it okay, I believe that." Barbara held Taya and for once Taya allowed someone to console her.

"Oh God Barbara, I love you. All I know is that I love you." Taya said in desperation. She knew it could never last. She knew it would end, but for one moment she needed to believe it would last forever. Taya gave herself to the mirage.

Dale leaned on the wall outside the bathroom in silence. She had heard most of the conversation. Finally, all the pieces fit. When had the world turned upside down?

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Dale walked away leaving Barbara and Taya to their conversation in private.

My sister? Dale walked in a daze. Why is it such a shock? I knew what that guy Rico had asked Taya. I know enough Spanish that he was asking Taya if Barbara was her…Jesus!

Dale sat down on the couch in the family room.

Barbara and Taya are….Jesus! So many things made sense now. Was Taya the impossible relationship? Of course she was. It all added up suddenly. No wonder Barbara felt so isolated and confused. Then again, who would have suspected.

Finally Dale shook her head. So many questions and no answers, not really. The one thing that was a fact was that Taya had been instrumental in getting Eric back. She knew for a fact that without Taya they might not have ever gotten him back and for that, if nothing else, she owed Taya the benefit of the doubt. Taya had saved Eric from….she didn't even want to think what might have happened to him. And Taya had saved Barbara…Yes, Taya had saved Barbara from one thing but, had it only been to get her into something even more frightening?

The truth was that Taya came from a place that even she didn't want Barbara to be a part of. Dale could tell that Taya's words of love seemed to be honest but…..

Dale got up and walked back towards the two women. The questions would have to answer themselves in time. The choices in the end were not hers to make. She would wait and see.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Here, let's put this around you until we get you upstairs," Barbara said as she gently wrapped a towel around Taya's naked torso.

"Barbara, I shouldn't stay."

"Don't even say another word! Do you hear me?"

Taya was about to say something when she saw Dale appear at the door.

"Barbara…" Dale said softly. "Maybe, you should let her go."

Barbara stared at her sister with disbelief. "She is going nowhere but upstairs to bed. She's hurt and she's stubborn and SHE," Barbara turned towards Taya, "will do as I SAY." Barbara's words left no room for argument.

Barbara helped Taya up the stairs as Dale followed behind closely. Barbara took her into her bedroom. She was beyond caring what Dale thought at this point. In the last twenty-four hours she thought she had lost her son, and Taya had brought him back to her. Taya was hurt and nothing anyone said or thought mattered. She had Eric back and she had Taya. Her boys were both safe, all she loved she wanted close to her for one night. If only for one night, she needed that.

Taya sat down on the bed looking very pale and exhausted. Barbara pulled the covers back and helped her lay down. Taya closed her eyes for a moment as exhaustion was overtaking her. Barbara started pulling her pants off when she realized that Dale was next to her, helping her undress Taya. Barbara covered Taya and went into the bathroom.

Taya closed her eyes as she let out her breath slowly. She had not realized just how tightly wound up she had been until that moment.

"Mommy!"

Taya sat up quickly and grabbed her side in pain. The sound of glass breaking came from the bathroom and Barbara ran out soon after.

"Dale…."

"Go, I'll stay with her."

Barbara ran out of the room as Dale stopped Taya from getting out of bed. She pushed her back on the bed softly but firmly.

"Listen you just relax, superwoman," Dale said with a touch of humor.

"I want to go and see…" Taya fell back on the bed. She began to visibly perspire as she felt the nausea overtaking her.

"Hey Taya, you look as white as a ghost." Dale looked down and saw a red stain growing on the white sheet that was covering Taya. "Shit, you are bleeding through the sheet. You need a doctor." Dale got up but Taya grabbed her arm and held her in place.

"No, I'll go," Taya said as she got up. She was holding onto Dale's arm still. "I don't want to pull Barbara into this. I'll go, okay. It will be better this way anyway. You agree with me, don't you?" Taya knew the answer without having to hear it.

Dale stood motionless as Taya started grabbing for her clothes while holding her side.

Taya was in pain and if she was honest with herself she wasn't sure how far she would get. She knew at this point that she needed to see somebody but going to the hospital would mean questions. Questions that she couldn't answer and questions that might bring her more trouble later. She knew somebody but she couldn't have him come here to Barbara's home. No matter what she refused to allow her world to come here. She was willing to die if necessary.

"What do you think you're doing?" Barbara asked from the door. "Dale, why did you let her get up?"

Taya stood naked in front of her clutching her clothes to her. "Barbara, it's better this way," was all she said as Barbara walked over to her.

"For who?"

"For you. It's better for you," said Taya as a tear ran down her cheek. Taya was tired of fighting the world, tired of fighting her feelings for Barbara and fighting herself.

Barbara placed her hand behind Taya's head and pulled her mouth to hers. She kissed her sound with all the love that she felt for her. Dale stood in the same place not wanting to look, yet unable to look away.

"And now that that is taken care of; get back in that bed," Barbara said as she caressed Taya's face. "I am not ashamed of my love for you. I am not hiding."

Taya turned her head to look at Dale who suddenly found something interesting on the floor to look at.

"I'll call Jean. Ted, her husband, is a doctor."

"No.."

"Yes, you are bleeding again and we need to have someone who knows what they are doing look at you."

"Barbara…"

"No hospital right?"

"No," Taya answered softly.

"Those policemen…" Barbara trailed off. "You know them…" again Barbara got her answer from the silence.

Taya searched her eyes. Barbara has an idea of what she was but that was miles away from the reality. And yet, she was still there, still holding on, still loving her.

"Is there someone that we can call?" Barbara tried again.

"I don't want to bring anyone here, Barbara," Taya said as she grabbed for Barbara.

Barbara immediately helped to keep her from falling. "Back to bed. I'll call Jean."

Taya was barely conscious as she finished helping her back into bed.

"Stay with her, Dale. And this time don't let her get up."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Well, she really should go to the hospital, Barbara," Ted said as he was writing on a prescription pad.

"I know Ted but she won't go."

Ted looked up for a moment then continued writing.

"She's in good health and fortunately the bullet went through mostly the fatty tissue; it didn't come close to any vital organ. The stitches will help with the bleeding." He then handed Barbara several prescriptions. "Make sure she takes the antibiotics faithfully and the dressing should be changed often. She shouldn't get it wet. Follow the instructions I have written down. I'll come by tomorrow to check on her."

"Thank you Ted," Barbara said appreciatively.

"You're welcome. I'm glad about your boy Barbara. We all feel safer now that they're apprehended those people. I'm glad to help."

Barbara smiled as she walked both Ted and Jean to the door.

"I'll take over the car pool till you have things under control, Barb. Don't worry about it okay?" Jean said as she hugged her friend.

They were all grateful that Eric was home and was safe.

"Thank you, Jean. I'll call you tomorrow."

After closing the door Barbara came face to face with Dale.

"I just checked on the boys again….they are both fast asleep." Dale ran her fingers through her hair. "Mom called."

"Did she?" Barbara felt the emotional drain of the ordeal hit her. "I'm going to the 24 hour pharmacy on Elm Street. I'll be right back."

"No, I'll do it. You stay here. I think here is where you want to be….and I can do this for you," Dale said with a smile.

"Okay, thanks," Barbara handed Dale the prescriptions and kissed her sister on the cheek. "Thank you," Barbara then hugged her sister tightly.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Taya lay upstairs in Barbara's bed. That was the thing going through her mind. How she had gotten here no longer mattered. Perhaps, fate had brought her this far so that she could give her back Eric. One thing was certain….for right now she was happy. She was grateful for the mercy that she had received from a god she no longer believed in or prayed to.

Taya closed her eyes and remembered another time and another life. When praying was as expected as breathing. She recalled all the details that had taken her to were she was now…how had it happened? She always thought she had been the strong one. She had not only survived she ran the pens….she …..Taya suddenly realized she was the one that had failed. She was the failure.

Her mother had tried to stop her. Her sister and her brother had tried too. All she heard was her own desire…her anger. Her anger had blinded her and taken her to this. She could blame her father….she realized that the only person to blame was herself.

How long would it be till Barbara saw what her mother had seen and threw her away? One day Barbara would know the truth and it would end. Taya looked around the room with such longing. This is what she was not allowed to have. She was living on borrowed time. She had forfeited the right to this life long ago. In the end she realized there were no choices….she could no more leave what she was than Barbara could become a part of her life….no, she could not bring Barbara into her life. Her life was ugly and ….Barbara deserved better. Barbara and her boys deserved much better.

Taya closed her eyes as tears escaped them. At least she had been there to save Eric…that was her only solace. She should leave, Taya told herself over and over again but, how could she. How could she walk away from air to breathe or water to drink. Barbara had become the necessity to living. And yet she knew that it could not last. She would exist for a little while. The moment that it would end so would Taya end.

"A life with you querida, what I wouldn't I give for a life with you." Taya wept. "Just a little while, just a little longer, querida. Long enough to last me a lifetime." Taya whispered the secret to the empty room.

Taya saw the justice of it and smiled upward. "Thank you. Even a little while is more than I deserve."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Barbara checked on the boys and leaned down and kissed each one. She thanked God yet again for her miracles. She slowly walked to her bedroom. When she walked in she closed the door behind her and her eyes immediately sought Taya. Barbara walked up to the bed and smiled tenderly at the sleeping woman. Barbara slid under the blanket and held the woman she loved and quietly wept. Taya had pulled her out of her impending death to the abyss. Taya had gotten her child back. Barbara cried herself to sleep.

An hour later Dale poked her head in to make sure that they were alright. Before she closed the door Taya began to mumble in her sleep and Barbara caressed the face she dearly loved whispering reassurances in her ear. "No more nightmares my darling, you're safely home. I love you Taya. I love you. Tonight, I watch over you. Sleep well my darling. Sleep well."

Dale just watched them for a moment before she closed the closed the door.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Continued in Part Five