Second Chances Part 4 - The Holly and the Ivy

Second Chances Part 4 – The Holly and the Ivy by Bethhawke.


In Archangel's office everyone was waiting for Hawke and he took the only vacant chair. If he had been feeling well he would have stayed standing just to be awkward but he didn't think his legs would hold him up for very long.
Archangel got straight to the point, “From what Le tells me Holly must have left sometime in the night or early morning. One neighbour recalls hearing a car but didn't note the time. Holly has taken her suitcase and Symphony's bag containing all her baby... stuff,” Archangel had no knowledge of what babies might need and could think of no better word for what the bag contained.
“What about milk?” Hawke asked, knowing that Symphony had only ever had one type of milk that had been recommended by the doctors. They thought there was a good chance that Beth's dairy intolerance would be passed onto her baby and wanted to take no chances until she was older and a good weight. Like her mother, Symphony was tiny and constantly underweight, despite having a healthy appetite.
“I was just getting to that. She only took one bottle, that Le had made up before bed,” Archangel paused as Hawke jumped out of his seat to face him.
“She'll get sick! Holly won't know what to get,” he was agitated and his pale complexion had the others worried.
Archangel tried to pacify him, “I know that Hawke, that's why the first place we started looking was in stores that opened early. A woman and baby were spotted by a shop assistant who thought the young woman was acting a little strange. She spent a long time looking at milk and diapers as though she didn't know what to get. Then when the assistant commented on the baby's black hair, asking if she got it from her father, she immediately denied it before hurrying out.”
Medusa, who had been listening with interest, interrupted, “Did you check the other stores in the area?” she asked.
“No, we were sure that it was Holly so started searching motels and other places where she could stay, as well as bus depots, airports....”
“I thought you said she had Dominic's car. Has it been found?”
“Yes, in a car park near to the store, which is why we tried public transport. Why the third degree Adriana?”
“Well, I assume from what you have said that Holly doesn't have black hair like Symphony, great name by the way Hawke,” Hawke had sat back down and just nodded wearily, “Anyway, as I was saying if the shop assistant noticed the hair colour then so will other people. If I was Holly I would die my hair black and invest in some new make-up to complement my new hair colour. So you need to be checking if she bought these items and if she did you need to give out a new description.”
Archangel cursed, “Dammit, you're right. Why didn't I think of that?” he asked rhetorically, “Marella could you arrange for a new description to be circulated just in case. We don't want to lose any time.”
Marella sat staring at him, her arms folded, a bemused expression on her face, “Shall I call Lauren in, Michael?” she asked him, reminding him that she no longer worked for him and had no idea who was dealing with the search.
He looked back at her, “Sorry Marella, habit I guess,” he moved over to the intercom and called Lauren in.


With the new description circulated and a fresh search under way Adriana stood up and held out her hand to Hawke.
“We are going to the clinic,” she stated leaving no room for argument, “and once we've both been checked out we can help with the search.”As she expected Hawke started to protest but Adriana just pulled him out of his seat, a no-nonsense look on her face which reminded him of Marella, “The sooner we get there the sooner we can leave. Marella, you want to drive us?”
Marella glanced at Archangel who nodded, “Take the limo, I don't need it today.”
“I should be helping to search, she's my daughter!” Hawke protested.
“And that's why I have my best agents on it,” Archangel gently told him, “you have helped me countless times and now it's time for me to repay you. But you need to trust me.”
Hawke let out a deep breath through his nose as he looked around the room. The state he was in they could manhandle him to the clinic and he wasn't going to let them have the satisfaction.
“For now. But as soon as I get back I am helping.”
“I would expect no less,” Archangel said with respect as the cousins led Hawke out of the office.


Hawke's arm was still oozing blood, a fact of which he was aware but hadn't bothered to tell anyone. The doctor took one look at it and at his pale face and immediately recommended surgery. Too weak to protest Hawke let himself be anaesthetised so the damaged blood vessels could be repaired.
Being a Firm's clinic Marella was able to avoid giving them information about the weapon used on Hawke, promising that she would be available to give them any information if it was essential.

Adriana had fared better and after a shower had cleaned off all the dust from the explosion the doctors found no serious injuries. Skinned knees and hands needed antiseptic and light bandages and her eyes were washed out and had finally stopped stinging. Her eardrums did not appear to be damaged and her hearing would just need time to return to normal.
Marella stayed with Adriana as she was cleaned up and then they both waited in a private family room for news of Hawke and discussed Hawke's missing child.
“What do you know about this Holly?” Adriana asked her cousin.
“Not a lot really. She's Dominic's niece, his sister's daughter, but he hasn't seen a lot of her. She was living with her grandmother in Buenos Aires. Being a relative of Dominic's we have some official files on her but nothing that is useful, except from the report that Archangel bullied out of her doctor at the clinic she was sent to after she tried to kill Caitlin....”
“Whoa, I'm confused already. You want to start at the beginning?”
So Marella told Adriana everything she knew about Holly, how she became obsessed with Hawke about a year and a half ago after he rescued her from a man named Ed Aarons who she said was holding her prisoner. She became convinced that Caitlin was Hawke's girlfriend even though Cait had denied it and Holly was jealous. The episode had ended with Holly pulling a gun on Caitlin while she was flying her to Hawke's cabin, threatening to kill both of them, leaving Hawke with neither of them. Holly had ended up in a private clinic close to her grandmother in Buenos Ares and had only been released a couple of month's ago, the doctor's foolishly believing that she was fully recovered.
When Marella had finished telling Adriana everything she knew about Holly, they sat in silence trying to get inside Holly's head. If they could figure her out they may have some insight into where she would go.
“Do you think Archangel will let me help?” Adriana asked.
“He'll take any help he can get. Officially I can't work with him but if you are involved you can keep me up to date and I can help without being seen to,” Marella answered with a heavy sigh, “I really want to see Beth, she's a good friend and must be devastated. Andrea's with her, you remember Andrea?” Adriana nodded, “but I........shit!” Marella's eyes filled with tears as she recalled the last time she had seen Beth and Symphony. Adriana put an arm around her shoulder and gave her a comforting squeeze.
“As soon as Hawke is out of surgery we can go over there. I know it's hard but you have to be strong.”
Marella took a deep breath, composing herself, “I know. I'm okay, just over tired. Will you wait here while I go take a shower?”
Adriana nodded, “I'll come get you if there's any news. Take your time, I'll contact Archangel and get him to send over the rest of the files. I can be of more help if I have photos and descriptions of everyone involved.”

While Marella was showering the doctor informed Adriana that Hawke was out of surgery and would be coming round soon. As they couldn't do anything until Hawke was awake Adriana didn't disturb Marella and took the opportunity to take a quick nap. She was awakened soon after by one of Archangel's assistants who had the other files that she had requested, along with a message that she was on the case.

Coming around after surgery Hawke felt like crap. He tried to sit up, pulling out tubes that were attached to various parts of his body and setting off alarms. He heard running footsteps in the corridor outside his room and the door burst open to reveal a doctor and 2 nurses.
“Keep still Mr. Hawke. You will do yourself some damage,” the doctor told him as one nurse switched off the alarm while the other checked his bandage.
“I'm okay, need to find Symphony,” Hawke slurred, still feeling some effect from the anaesthetic.
“Lie down Mr. Hawke or I will sedate you. Archangel is taking care of the search and said to tell you that he had some new leads that he is following up. You will be no use to him until the anaesthetic has completely worn off. I will send Marella in.” The doctor abruptly left the room, leaving the two nurses to settle Hawke.
He lay back down in defeat. He felt a lot worse than he thought he would and the only reason he could control his rolling stomach was because it was empty.
He needed Beth, to see how she was coping. To offer her comfort and take some for himself. He couldn't understand why she wasn't with him now. If the situation had been reversed he would be at her side in a flash.
He closed his eyes, just intending to rest them for a moment, but found himself falling asleep.
He awoke as the door opened and Marella and Adriana entered carrying several files.
“Right,” said Marella in a firm voice, “until you are able to get up we will go through these files with you, see if we can get any useful information.”
Using his uninjured arm, Hawke pulled himself into a sitting position and Marella adjusted his pillows, “I should be out there looking, not sitting here.”
“All in good time,” Marella handed him Holly's file, “read this while Adriana reviews the other files. She needs to know what everyone looks like.”
Marella perched on the edge of the bed while Adriana took the only chair and picked up the top file.
“Elizabeth Trafford,” she read out loud, “so this is Beth, the baby's mother?”
Hawke nodded and Adriana opened the file. The top sheet was a photograph taken just over a year ago when she first went to work for Archangel. “God, she's beautiful!” she exclaimed.
Hawke gave her a look, “She's taken,” he growled.
“Hey, I know,” Adriana put her hands up in defence and turned to Marella, “do you have to tell everyone about my sexuality?” she asked her cousin.
“Only if it's relevant and I knew what Hawke's reaction would be if you tried your flirting routine on him.”
“So now he thinks I'm after his woman!” Adriana said in exasperation, ignoring the fact that Hawke was sitting right next to her.
“It wouldn't be the first time,” Marella gave a wry grin.
“That was an accident. Archangel forgave me, why can't you?”
“Forgave you for what?” they all looked up as Dominic walked through the open door, “Hey kid how are you doing?” He crossed the room to Hawke's side and Marella moved off the bed to make room for him.
“I'll be out of here soon. Any news? How's Beth? Is Le okay?” he asked quickly, anxious for any news.
“Hey, slow down. They're fine. Andrea has given Beth a mild sedative which is why she isn't here and Le is holding up. He's a great kid, String.”
“Yeah. Why did Andrea have to sedate Beth?”
“She's upset, that's all,” Dom sighed deeply and shrugged his shoulders, his actions belying his words.
“What aren't you telling me Dom?” Hawke asked.
Dom sighed again, “Well, she seems to blame herself. I mean, there was nothing she could have done but she keeps saying it's her punishment because she rejected her. I don't understand, and Andrea just wanted me out of the way.”
Hawke swung his legs off the side of the bed and stood up, pulling his hospital own around himself.
“That's it! I'm leaving now....”
“String! You're in no fit state to.....
“I'm leaving now with or without you.” He opened the bedside cabinet and took out his clothes, “Well, are you all going to stand around while I get dressed?”
Marella and Adriana grabbed the files and left Hawke and Dom to argue it out.


A couple of hours later they pulled up outside Dom's house. As they opened the door Le rushed to his uncle almost knocking him off his feet which were still unsteady.
“Hey Half-Pint. You okay?” Hawke asked.
The boy didn't answer, just clung to him, arms tight around his waist. Hawke realised Le was crying and gently lifted his chin so he could look at him, “It's going to be okay, we'll find her, I promise.”
Le seemed reassured by his uncle's promise and loosened his grip so they could walk inside.
“Beth's upstairs with Andrea,” Le volunteered. “she just keeps crying. I tried to cheer her up but she got worse and Andrea sent me away.”
The tears were starting again and Dom came forward to comfort the boy. “It's nothing personal, she sent me away too. I don't think we can really understand what Beth is feeling and Andrea has experience of this sort of thing. Let's concentrate on finding Symphony then Beth will feel better.”
“Cait's on her way over, she wants to help and has offered to fly if you need her to,” Le sank onto the sofa pulling Hawke down beside him.
“We'll take any help we can get,” Hawke said wrapping his arm around Le and sighing deeply, “Marella when is Michael getting here?”
“He's on his way, but don't get your hopes up Hawke, I don't think he has any news.”


As Marella had said, Archangel had no news for them, other than to inform them that all leads had been followed up on.
“It's like she has just disappeared,” Archangel concluded.
“You do realize that I intend to revisit all the people you spoke to?”
“I would expect no less of you, Hawke,” Archangel replied, “and if Beth is up to it she could be a big help. Symphony looks like her mother and she may jog some memories. Also, and I know this may sound callous, but if anyone is holding something back through fear or loyalty, they may be sympathetic and divulge more if they see how upset Beth is.”
Hawk stood up and loomed over the spy's chair, “Yes Michael, that is callous and I don't think Beth is up to it. Thanks to you and your Firm her life has been hell the past year and this may well be the final straw for her,” Hawke's anger was obvious but nobody came to Michael's defence, not even Marella, who knew that Hawke was right, Beth may not be able to cope if Symphony didn't return. This was between the two men and if it ended in a punch up then so be it.
Michael tried to stay calm, “She came to work for me willingly, Hawke, and Symphony's disappearance had nothing to do with me,” Archangel had risen from his chair ready to defend himself if necessary.
“So where was I when Holly took her?” Hawke asked rhetorically, “I should have been here, sleeping in the same room as her. But no, I was on another mission for you!”
Adriana stood up and faced Hawke, “And I thank you for that Hawke. I would be dead now if you hadn't got me out and now I owe you my life and will do whatever I can to help you find your daughter.”
All the energy drained out of Hawke and he sat back down next to a worried looking Le, “I'll take you up on that. Now, who's making coffee. One quick cup then we're out of here. Michael, I want names and addresses of everyone your agents have spoken to.”


When Caitlin arrived they split up and visited all the places where Holly and Symphony had been sighted, as well as any places where they might be laying low. Although many had seen them the sightings had gradually lessened until they completely stopped.
That night everyone returned to their respective homes with the exception of Hawke, Beth and Le who stayed at Dom's not wanting to leave in case Holly got in touch.


A week passed with no positive sightings. They had plenty of false leads and everyone was getting tired and more irritable as the days went by. Not a day went by without Hawke and Dom going out looking, sometimes just driving or flying to random places, at other times following possible leads.

Beth completely withdrew into herself, not seeing anyone except Andrea, who called every day to see her.
Adriana had moved in with Marella and Michael and was working on the laser case as well as helping to search for Symphony.
Dom and Cait were looking after Le as well as helping Hawke to search.
Hawke was the most irritable of them all. He wasn't sleeping and spent all day searching. After the surgery he really needed to rest but he pushed himself to his limit. He was still feeling nauseous but soon discovered that if he didn't eat he could control it. Consequently he was surviving mainly on coffee and adrenaline.
He wanted to be with Beth but she wouldn't let him near, her guilt at losing their daughter stopping her from seeing him. She was the only person he would have talked to, confessed his feelings, and as she wasn't talking he bottled it all up inside.