Author's Notes: College, that's my only excuse.

Police swarmed the crime scene and exited their cruisers to deal with the dire situation. Pistols raised they approached the bullet riddled car with utter caution. "Driver's dead!" the other officers scanned the area as the veteran of the group peeked at the backseats. "Hey rookie you forgot about this one." Opening the jammed door the officer checked his pulse, "He's still breathing, but out of it!" Carefully turning the injured man around the senior officer's eyes split wide open. "Gomez! Hayes! Call in an ambulance and radio in the chief immediately!" the others hurried of to their respective cruisers as the officer continued to check for more bullet wounds, "We got you Joey, you'll make it."

Present Day

Turning around Freddie's heart jumped close to death as the face of his mother stood in front of him. Marissa herself yelped in synchronization with her son as both were spooked by each other's presence. Regaining her composure she looked intensively at her son, "Freddie what are you doing?" Freddie's mind raced for a proper answer and finally spoke up, "No. What I want to know is what you are doing with all of these?" he lifted up the letters in one and the gun in the other. "Don't shake it like that!" Marissa snatched the revolver from his hand and checked the barrel before placing it back in the box.

Marissa grabbed both of Freddie's shoulders and lightly shook him, "Do you want to blow your head up Freddie! Grabbing other's items is not okay." Freddie shoved her hands away with frustration, "Well since my own mother is being beyond her regular self and acting suspicious all of a sudden plus keeping hidden objects then curiosity wouldn't have gotten the better of me!"

Marissa was amazed at her son's first live outburst and directed towards her none the less that she lost her tongue for a few seconds before giving her response. "We all have secrets Freddie and most must stay like that," Freddie walked away to the kitchen table, "I can tell," he told her with a displeased tone as he sat down on one of the chairs. She felt her heart sink at the emotional symptoms his son was going through at the moment, but she remained strong with the clear reminder of what was at stake if all fell apart. So placing all the letters back in the box and locking it up again she reckoned it was time to tell Freddie the truth, but only half the truth anyway.

"Freddie most of the things I do which includes this recent one were for our own protection, but mostly for your protection," Marissa told him.

Freddie remained seated and tapped the table's surface with his fingers, "It's always been about my super over protection mom, but what do those letters and the wooden puzzle has to do with us"

"Long before you came to be I had a life. A very smooth and cheerful life to add into it," Marissa said and continued, "I was young and naive. I just wanted to help out anyone in any way...I…I didn't think that my decision would cause any effect.

Freddie stood up and examined her mother with a puzzled expression. She realized that her words weren't making any sense and subconsciously she really didn't want to explain herself. Choosing her next words carefully Marissa spoke softly to her son, "I'm sorry Freddie I'm just so sorry for everything," She began to tear up as her son continued to stare at her, but this time with a hint of worry. "Mom it doesn't have to be like this just tell..." he got interrupted once more, "I'm sorry for all the horrible things that will come your way," with those words she ran to her room locking it. Her bawling could be heard from the kitchen and Freddie stood there in deep shock over her mother's last words.

The following morning Carly woke up extremely groggy as her alarm clock sounded off. Shutting it down and replanting her face into the pillow she silently cursed herself for staying up very late and continuing working on bits for next week's show. On top of that she had also spent the night carefully choosing the best clothes and accessories for her first day of school. After at least ten minutes perhaps she gained the strength to remove her still inactive body from bed and walk out her room and into her own bathroom with sluggish movement. As she brushed her teeth Carly went on to thinking about yesterday at the studio. How Sam and Freddie had acted towards each other was super abnormal to their mutual friendship, but due to the circumstances surrounding them she smirked otherwise.

"Spencer I'm up!" Carly yelled as she walked down the stairs already fully dressed and groomed.

Spencer's head poked out of the kitchen where he was preparing breakfast, "Alrighty then take a seat and ready up that little stomach,"

Carly rolled her eyes with a smile seeing that her brother still treated her as an infant child. As Spencer finished in the oven she texted Sam about meeting up at the local mall this afternoon.

"Mall at 5pm?"

"Iz nubby coming 2?"

"Girlz day only"

"Deal"

Closing her cellphone Spencer happily jogged towards the table with both their plates, "Two banana, strawberry pancakes ready to be eaten," he spoke in an Italian accent as Carly laughed at his childish ways and ability to create unique plates as well. As she ate breakfast, her cheerfulness became clouded by the memory of last night's argument between Freddie and her. "Something wrong kiddo?" Looking up at Spencer and clearing her thoughts she responded back.

"Oh its nothing," as they continued eating she played all the current events hoping for any kind of connection or mere coincidence with Mrs. Benson.

Elsewhere Freddie had woken up late than his usual hour and stumbled out of his bed. As he pulled fresh clothes from the drawers his mind retreated back to the events of last night. His mom had left early with no note this time adding up to her new strange attitude and her last night's breakdown made things even more complicating for him. Freddie didn't bother to reopen the box and simply left it there for another day. Today he just kept rewinding her words in his head, each time slower and slower to better understand her hidden message. What probably freaked him out the most was the dire warning she had told him, 'I'm sorry for all the horrible things that will come your way'

"What the hell is happening here?"

Fast forwarding into the afternoon Carly arrived at the Seattle Mall via bus. Pulling out her cellphone and dialing Sam's number she heard the ringtone and after several seconds the blonde finally answered back. "Yeah what's up?" her voice sounded quiet distracted, most likely chewing on a hotdog or steak rib. "Sam where are you, are you even here?" Chewing sounds came from the other side of the line annoying Carly with her rude attitude.

"...yeah I'm here by the food court,"

"Of course where else?"

"We'll I'll be waiting Shay,"

Hanging up the call she made her way into the shopping center in search of her best friend. It kind of sucked for her as she got dropped off in the far opposite of the large building. While making way her eyes wondered off into the display window of a clothing store. Taking a quick liking to the mannequin's latest fashion she neared it for a better look. 'So beautiful, but the price is out of my reach though, " she silently complimented the royal purple dress with small fabricated diamonds covering various spots. Lost in her thoughts she failed to sense the a presence close to her.

"That would look sexy fine on you indeed," removed from her thoughts she turned her head around to see Jonah leaning against the window pane with a smug look all over him. Rolling her eyes she began to walk away, but her path got blocked, "Hey, hey, hey it's just a sweet compliment. Nothing more than that," You're far from ever being sweet...you nub!" she harshly spoke back at him. Jonah simply chuckled to himself as he continued to block her path. "Come on Carly let's play nice around here. Speaking of which you hooking up with somebody?" her annoyance increased every second that he kept on hovering around her.

"Yeah. With the girl you decided to cheat on moron, who else!" she told him.

"Ouch! You're really exaggerating the actual incident a bit, but while she waits for your arrival why don't I invite you to a couple of drinks. Sounds great right?" Jonah asked her.

"Your smooth talking isn't working at all, glad to disappoint," giving him her back she felt a sudden strong grip on her left wrist and looked back at Jonah with a burst of outrage and fright in her eyes. "Please Shay, just please. Everybody knows you can't control yourself when it comes to charmers like myself," She continued to pry his hand off her wrist while cursing him out, "Let go you shit stain! Now!" Carly deeply contemplated slapping him across the face and removing that worthless smug along the way, but the effect of a repercussion on his behalf frightened her. Her only option was to stir enough commotion for a good Samaritan to stop his/her activity and come to her aid.

"You're getting real sassy now and it's quiet frankly turning me on," He spoke with cocky tone.

"In that case you should still love me," With a strong grip on his shoulder Jonah let go of Carly's wrist in pain and was then harshly pulled backwards into the floor. Startled he looked up to see his former ex giving him the most hateful glare possible with Carly right behind sticking her tongue out at him. Jonah scrambled to his feet and backed off a little knowing well what Sam was capable of. "Carly sure as hell isn't into your pathetic type. So scram," the protective blonde ordered him. He attempted to speak once more, but was silenced by Sam defiant "I said to scram!" He bolted out of the area and once he was long gone she looked back at her best friend with a strong smug of self assurance.

"This is why I wanted you to carry my taser with you anywhere you went," Sam told her.

"But I would've shocked myself and probably Spencer too." Carly said.

"All the noobs do. Come on lets go I'm hungry!" The blonde dragged her best friend towards the food court.

As the two friends sat on their table to eat, (mostly Sam was doing all the eating though.) Carly kept fidgeting with her fingers and phone. Sam happened to notice this and once gulping her drink she proceeded to ask her about it. "What's up Carls?"

"Oh it's nothing serious Sam."

"Sure?"

"Yeah,"

"Okay then," the blonde proceeded to devour her spicy wings as Carly looked on. Freddie already had a lot in his hands, so maybe right now shouldn't be the best exact time to involve Sam into his mess. 'Next time,' she thought, ' I still have to hook them up somehow though,' Across from the girls a pair of security guards were conversing with one another.

"So it's that serious then?"

"Yeah my cousin told me that three of his fellow officers we're caught in a crossfire down by one of the old bridges while patrolling,"

"Shit! Why hasn't the Governor declared it a state of emergency yet?"

"That old hag probably wants it to continue to gain more support or something, but hear me out that this is only the beginning,"

A Few Hours Later

A lone cargo truck drove down the lone interstate as the Chicago skyline shrank behind it. A CPD helicopter flew past them not bothering any attention at all as the driver and passenger also ignored it. Once getting close to their destination the driver picked up the comm radio to get further instructions.

"I'm avvicinarsi ora," (I'm getting close now.)

Una volta li aspettare gli altri per essere pronti por fare la vostra parte Di Salvo. (Once there wait for the others to get ready then do your part Di Salvo.)

Michael took a quick turn into the place's entrance, "Bene you cheap loner," (Alright)

Looking ahead he saw the entrance to the old foundry. The place had been abandoned around twenty-six years ago, but now stood as a stronghold for a regional gun trafficker that has being gleefully profiting from the on going war for Chicago. Now as luck should have it Alonzo needed to have the man put out and Michael had decided to lend his hand in order to get any information out of the old man. The gate the complex was guarded by at least a squad of four men more likely bored and irritated from the summer heat, but still armed and ready to push away any wandering eyes.

"We need to get a just a bit closer," Donnie added as Michael slowly added weight to the gas pedal. The rest of Alonzo's men have to be in position, so the duo wouldn't be riddled with bullets once exiting the truck.

As the truck neared the gates the guards were quickly to radio in their awareness to the man in charge located deep inside the building. Some of them began to preach for their guns. Michael as he slowly pressed forward radioed the Alonzo's men, "Guys are you in position?"

"..."

"Hey siete pronti?" (are you ready)

"..." still no response from the Team B. The guards had finally pulled out their weapons and shouted out to the two to turn back. Donnie had pulled out his Uzi as the situation was getting tensed. "Just punch it already!" Donnie anxiously remarked.

Michael grabbed the walkie talkie again, " You dumbfuck answer me you fottuto idiota che andremo a ottenere girato il cazzo raccogliere!" (fucking idiot we're going to get shot the fuck up, pick up)

The guards aimed for the truck and Donnie loaded his gun, but before either opened fire a voice through the radio's static began to speak, "Bust down those those gates you crying bitch!"

Just on cue Michael stomped on the pedal as hard as possible and Donnie ducked to avoid the incoming bullets. Seeing it not stop the guards jumped out of the way as the truck crashed straight through the gates with ease. Not having a clear vision ahead of him due to the constant firing and ducking to avoid it Michael ended up running over one guy and crashing into some old stacked up steel framework. As Donnie poked his head out he quickly retreaded back inside as multiple bullets shot the passenger door. There was no way out of there without getting shot dead, but thankfully it wasn't one of those days. As the thugs kept approaching a loud shot rang out and one of them hit the floor dead.

"The fuck?" one of them yelled as a two more shots were heard and two more men fell motionless to the ground.

"Sniper!" another responded.

The remaining men ran for cover or fled into the old building as the sniper fire continued without losing a pace. Up on the nearby hill Alonzo's B team consisting of multiple snipers were having a field day as more bodies hit the floor. The team leader pulled out his talkie and radioed in Michael, "Tempo per la macellazione delle pecore," (Time to slaughter the sheep) Back on the crashed vehicle Michael nodded to Donnie who ponded on the back of the truck as the two exited. As Donnie opened fire, Michael ran to the back of the truck and unlocked the door. Suddenly an entire group of heavily armed men jumped out simultaneously to assist in the firefight.

"Learn to drive dumbass!" the last one told Michael as he opened fire.

While the firefight continued the capo and his best bud entered the foundry to finish their assignment. Once inside the two split up to cover more ground, Michael headed up the stairs and noticing two guys running down he aimed and fired at the two. As he kept going up he heard a couple of shots down below most likely Donnie cleaning house. Once reaching the main office a hail of gunfire pinned him against a pillar.

"You want me dead? Well so do I! Come and get me if you can you shit!" The voice of the man that Alonzo wanted dead yelled out from inside the office.

Michael fired back and once the trafficker had ducked for cover he quickly advanced to the next pillar. Both gangsters shot each other back and forth until Micheal was close enough to take him out. Firing just a few rounds he waited and stood still as his target returned fire. When the shotgun shells stopped piercing into his protection barrier he knew that it had emptied out and immediately rushed for the office. Seeing the man frantically reloading his weapon Di Salvo whistled at him and as he looked up, a bullet punctured his forehead.

Back outside the rest of the team were securing the perimeter and weapons cache to take back to another location. Donnie was busy starring at the dirt as Michael walked out the old foundry. "So, back to the main objective?" Michael was asked.

Pulling out his cellphone, "Yeah back to that," Michael replied back.

"Alonzo we got the fucker and his toyguns. Now start talking,"

" Naturalmente tornare e mal dire tutto quello che so su buona Joey," (Of course come back and I'll tell you everything I know about good ol Joey)