Chapter 26...The Steak-Out

(Danielle's P.O.V.)

I walked up the creaky pier, and I felt like someone was watching me. I felt like a mouse, hiding from the big, fat, cat.

What am I doing here this is so stupid I could get killed!!!

You're doing it for Hudson!!!

After remembering I was here for Hudson, it was like a inner strength just took over giving me the courage to move forward.

"Hello? I'm here!" I shouted and just like that two figures glided from the shadows. They were dressed in all black with masks. They were those creepy cartoon masks and it made me even sicker. What kind of sick person kidnaps a child.? Only a coward hides behind a mask.

"Hello beautiful," one figure stated. Something felt familiar about the voice, but I couldn't place it. Not yet. "My God you look gorgeous. Did you do as you were told?"

I sighed my heart crippled on the inside. Did I do as I was told? Did I divorce my husband? Did I manipulate him to the point that he may never forgive me again?

"Yes, you asshole, I divorced him, now give me my son," I shouted on the verge of tears. "Where is my son? Hudson!?!"

"Shut your damn mouth!" the figure commanded.

The other figure came back from the shadows, and they were holding Hudson.

"Mama!" Hudson cried. I wanted to run to him. I wanted to tare him from their arms and run the hell out of here.

"The papers?" The man asked. No, it was an order. I threw him the envelope. He took his sweet time to open it, and he read them over, and laughed. "Dump the kid in the water!"

"Wait no don't! I'll do anything just don't hurt my child," I shouted. I knew my strong woman facade was broken. I was on my knees begging at this point. I didn't know what he wanted, but I wasn't going to let him hurt my child. Hudson was innocent and completely helpless.

"Anything?" The figure stated. I looked up to face him, and I met the eyes of someone I truly hated. The figure had removed his mask.

"Andrew?" I asked confused. He features had changed to a softer expression. For a slight moment I thought I saw a glimpse of the old Andrew. The Andrew that I had once considered marrying.

"Danielle do you mean it when you say you'll really do anything?" He asked. His looked as if they were pleading. For once I realized that his actions were a cry for help. It was the hurt that he had feelings that he had for me that had festered inside. That had ate away at him. He was in a sense as tortured as I was.

I looked him in the eyes. I really didn't want to agree to anything this sick monster had to say, but I had to save Hudson.

"Yes Andrew, I mean anything," I sighed defeated. All the pain I had experienced in my short life came flooding back to me. This felt worse.

"Danielle will you marry me?" He asked in a serious tone. I knew that I had to agree. There was no other option that would save my son.

"Will you let my son go?" I asked.

"Cross my heart hope to die," he smirked.

"Alright Andrew I agree to marry you," I replied. He just took me in his embrace and kissed me. He kissed me long and hard. I wanted to cry. This man repulsed me. His kiss made me want to puke.

"I love you Danielle," Andrew stated. I looked in his eyes and then there was mischief. "Let him go, drop him." And before I knew what was happening I saw Hudson fall into the water.

"NO!!!" I shouted and ran after him, but Andrew grabbed me. "Let go of me you sick Bastard!!!" I kicked him in the groin and then I heard a gun shot. I felt something wet, fall from my shoulder. Then I was out.

(Dawson's P.O.V.)

Matt, and Owen showed up right in time. They saw the bastard just when I did.

"Dad look it's Andrew!" Matt hissed.

"It can't be," Owen stated shocked. I knew he didn't want to admit that the boy he had adopted like a son was behind all of this.

"Open your eyes, you idiot!" Matt stated. "Come on we have to go down there and surround them."

We slowly but steadily made our way around the pier. Matt went behind the boat house while Owen and I each took a side. I could barely make out their conversation. Andrew was asking about papers, and then threatened to drop Hudson in the water.

"Wait, no don't! I'll do anything just don't hurt my child," Danielle shouted.

"Anything?" Andrew asked. I loaded my gun. Ready for anything. I looked, and before my eyes I saw Andrew kissing Danielle. It made me want to shoot him right there where he stood.

"Let him go, drop him," Andrew stated. I saw my son drop from the figures hands.

"NO!!!" Danielle screamed.

Matthew jumped in after Hudson and I began to shoot, and so did Owen. Andrew selfishly used Danielle as a shield and it was too late. She fell to the ground.

"Danielle!!" I shouted running to her. Andrew put the gun to my head.

"Let go of my fiancé!" He growled. And then he too hit the pier with a thud. He was clutching his calf.

"Boy I told you if you made anymore trouble between Dawson and Danielle, that you and I were gonna have trouble," Owen yelled. "Well now we have trouble!"

Matthew emerged from the water with a coughing and soaking wet Hudson. Once on the pier himself he grabbed Hudson up in his arms trying to keep him from crying.

"Owen, Danielle's out, I have to get her to the hospital. She's losing a lot of blood," I stated.

"Go, me and Matthew have got it handled from here," Owen stated and then we saw a figure try to run. Which Owen shot down as well. "Go!"

I laid Danielle in the car and took off.

Danielle hang on baby, you can do it!

(Danielle's P.O.V.)

I woke up, and all I saw white. For once in my life I was tired of being in a hospital. I tried to get up, but my shoulder was killing me.

"Hey, hey, hey, stay down," Dawson stated. I immensly happy to see his face. I was so happy tears started falling from my face.

"Dawson I thought I'd lost you forever!" I cried. He just pulled me into his arms. I sobbed, and sobbed. I knew it was the after shock of the whole ordeal. Dawson didn't care, in fact he just held me closer.

"Babe, you can't get rid of me!" He laughed. I could hear that he was a little choked up himself.

"But what about the divorce papers?" I asked confused.

"I never filed them," he stated and I cried all over again. Then I thought about the last thing I wanted to ever think about. What about my baby?

"What about Hudson?" I asked meekly waiting for the worst news of my life.

"He's outside waiting to see you," Dawson replied.

"What? How?" I cried.

"Matthew jumped in after him," he replied.

"How did you know where I was?" I asked.

"I followed you," he stated as if there was nothing to it. I kissed my husband with all the strength I could. It was long, passionate, and full of love.

"I love you Dawson Conn!" I whispered.

"I love you Danielle Conn," he replied. "Now get me home, to our family! I'm tired of hospitals!"

"Yes, Ma'am," he stated and he kissed me again. That's when I realized that is was all over, and never again would Dawson and I have to worry about anything.