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Ace Memorial Hospital

4:30 AM

The Van Pelts, Browns, and the Emmons families were up all night wondering what was happening with Janice. According to Janet, her older sister, Janice would not wake up after falling out of her bed. Her guard rails were down and she took a spill, but she was already unconscious before she hit the floor. Because her bones were brittle due to the chemo and medicine, the fall shattered her pelvis and broke some legs, but that was the least of her issues. Because the leukemia had spread throughout her body by this point, she was comatose. All families waited to hear what would happen to her.

Silas Brown, Jr., Charlie Brown, Sally, and Wyatt's father, walked up to Janice's father, Jorge, and placed his hand on his shoulder.

"How are you holding up, Jorge?" he asked.

"As good as I can, Silas," Jorge answered. "I know she is near the end. You never prepare yourself for your kid's death, even with the knowledge of it being inevitable." Jorge was visibly shaken by the turn of events, and even near tears.

"I cannot even pretend to understand what you and Joanna are going through. But if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask us or the Van Pelts."

"Thank you, Silas." Both men shook hands. Larry Van Pelt, the father of Lucy, Linus, and Rerun, came up to the men with three cups of coffee for them.

"Thanks, Lare," said Silas.

"No problem, Si," Larry replied. "Still no word?"

"None as of yet," said Jorge.

Where all the kids were, they were all waiting for word on what was going on with Janice, as well. They were soon joined by a just-arriving Frieda, Eudora, Schroeder, and Michael.

"Oh, Charlie Brown!" said a worried Frieda, who immediately leaped into her boyfriend's arms. "Any word on Janice, yet?"

"None, so far, Frieda," Charlie Brown replied. "We're all waiting to see what the doctor has to say."

"How are you holding up, babe?" asked Eudora to Linus.

"Not good, Dory," said an emotionally-spent Linus. "I knew this would come, but I wasn't prepared for it!"

"It's okay, Linus," Eudora replied, comforting her boyfriend. "I'm here for you."

"How are you doing, Lucy?" asked Schroeder.

"I'm okay, babe," said Lucy. "I wasn't as close to Janice as Linus was, but it still is sad what's she's going through right now."

"We're just waiting on the doctor right now," Sally said to Michael.

"Pretty much."

At that moment, the doctor walked in. Everyone surrounded him to see what he had to say. They knew Janice didn't have much time left, but if she had any time, how much would she have? The doctor took a deep breath.

"Well, you probably already know Janice doesn't have much time left?' he began. "In addition to the fractured bones, she's also sustained a concussion from the fall. But we suspect that she was already comatose before the fall. But that's the least of her problems now. The cancer has ravaged her entire body. All of her bodily function have either already or is in the process of shutting down."

"She hasn't been eating at all," said Joanna, her mother.

"All she's been drinking was water," added Janet.

"And even that's been coming back up as of late," Jaime chimed in.

"Well, as I said, her bodily functions have been shutting, or is in the process of shutting down," the doctor continued. "As of right now, her brain functions are pretty much non-existent."

"Good grief!" gasped Charlie Brown.

"We have her hooked up to a machine," said the doctor. "That's pretty much the only thing keeping her alive now."

"You mean…" Joanna gasped beginning to tear up, as was most of the girls and women.

"Oh, Jorge!" sobbed Joanna. "Our little girl!"

"I know, Jo," cried Jorge. "I know." He comforted his wife, who just cried into his shoulder. Maureen and Lacey also started crying, with Silas and Larry comforting them. The teens also comforted each other. Janet and Jaime hugged one another, as they cried. Linus, who was quiet during the doctor's diagnosis, suddenly wailed out loud in agony.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!"

"Linus?!" said a shocked Lucy.

"Good grief, Linus!" said Charlie Brown, also shocked.

"WHY HER, GOD?!" wailed Linus. "WHY?!"

"It's okay, baby," wept Eudora, comforting Linus. "It's okay!"

"Linus, honey, we're here!" said a still-crying Lacey. Snoopy walked in, confused to the scene that was transpiring.

"Sure, Charlie Brown," said Rerun.

Turning to Wyatt, he said, "Wyatt, I'll need you to go with Rerun for a bit. We'll come pick you up later, okay?"

"Okay, Charlie," said Wyatt, a bit concerned over why their mother was crying.

"Snoopy, I need you to take Rerun and Wyatt back to the Van Pelt's house," Charlie Brown said to his dog. "You can come back afterwards." Snoopy gave his owner a salute and took Rerun and Wyatt out of the hospital and back to the Van Pelt's house. Charlie Brown went back to the wreck that was his best friend.

"Linus, listen to me," he began. "All of us are sad about Janice. You need to control yourself."

"But she was t-t-too young, Charlie Brown!" Linus said through wracking sobs. "I know how Peppermint Patty felt when Penelope Hawkins died now!" Charlie Brown wrapped his arms around Linus and hugged his best friend tightly. Frieda, Lucy, Sally, Michael, and Schroeder did the same. The adults were also comforting each other. No matter what happened next, Janice didn't have much time left.

NEXT CHAPTER: HANKS'S FOLLY

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Agent Bob Hanks always wanted to be in law enforcement since he could remember. As a child, his father was a police officer on the beat in his home town of Peekskill, New York. Young Bob idolized his father, who went by Big Bob. Young Bob would follow in his old man's footsteps after graduating from high school, when in college he would major in Criminal Justice. From there it was the Peekskill Police Academy where he learned about law enforcement. He would be a top rookie cop, always following things by the book, never would get in trouble by taking any bribes or getting kickbacks. It was while still a beat cop where Bob would meet his future wife, a beautiful woman named Josephine.

Josephine, or Jojo as her friends and family called her, was a successful businesswoman herself. She owned a dress store in downtown Peekskill, which made a lot of money for her. But he wasn't interested in her money; he was in love with her, and she had fallen for the young cop. Soon, Bob and Jojo were married and had a son on the way. Their son, Robert Hanks III, or Bobo, was born soon after. Bob was happy with his new family. Soon after, he helped bust a major crime that had happened in Peekskill involving a known drug kingpin and a rival crew. The FBI took notice to the young cop and made him an offer to join up with them for even more pay and benefits. He talked it over with his loving wife and she supported him, no matter what decision he made. He called the bureau and told them he was on board.

After more training and learning the ins-and-outs of the FBI, Bob was made an agent. He was assigned to a woman named Mara Hendrix, and was partnered with a senior agent, Percy Boyd. Bob was a top agent in the bureau, and many saw that he was passionate about his job. All things had changed when a girl from Sparkyville witnessed a body being dumped by men from the crew working for a mysterious underworld figure known only as the Scorpion. Ironically enough, the FBI was already investigating the Scorpion and his gang. The Scorpion's men dumped this body inside a local auto salvage yard owned by one Sam Mancini. The feds had learned that the Scorpion had been dumping bodies into the yard for quite some time. The girl, identified as Margaux Holt, started getting threatening phone calls from the Scorpion's men and even possibly seen some SUVs driving by her house slowly. She knew her life was in danger, and the feds found out from an anonymous witness that the Scorpion's men were talking about killing a grade-school girl. This witness called the FBI, anonymously. The person told Mara Hendrix about the men mentioning "offing this schoolgirl who saw them pitch the stiff at Sam's". Hendrix asked the witness if they mentioned the name of the girl, and they said some girl named "Holt". That's was when the FBI got to looking for this Holt girl. By accident, Margaux and the feds found each other. Thinking they were with the hoods who had been threatening her, they assure her that they are the good guys and will help her get away safely. Margaux got her friend, Amanda involved so she could disappear. It would be their secret. For both she and Amanda belonged to a girl gang known simply as the Serpent Sisters. Margaux's handle was Python as she was the tallest, and Amanda, being the largest of the girls, was Anaconda. They would come up with a plan that Amanda would defect to a rising gang known as the Lizard Ladies, and she would "accidentally shoot her" during a melee. They presented this plan to the feds, and they went along with it.

After the Serpent Sisters and once rival gang the Spiders fought off the Lizard Ladies and the police arrived to arrest the assaulting gang members, including Hilary Wilson, once Second-In-Command to the Spiders, which, ironically, took place at Sam's Auto Salvage Yard, Margaux and Amanda put their plan into action. Faking like she was about to shoot Serpent member Lucy Van Pelt, aka Mamba, Amanda aimed her gun, which was filled with blanks. Margaux was wearing a exploding blood pack, like the ones they use in the movies and TV shows. When Amanda fired her blank, Margaux activated the pack, making it explode as if she was shot. The plan worked. It looked like Margaux was shot.

After she disappeared for some years in witness protection, Bob and Percy kept watch over her and her mother Wendy, who would later join her after finding out she was still alive. But the feds had two people who were working for the Scorpion behind their backs. One man named Bill Carlson, and the other, Jerome Riley, were on the Scorpion's payroll and was tasked to find out where they hid the Holt girl. Bill told the Scorpion about Bob's wife and kid. Blackmailing him with leverage could get him to reveal the girl's whereabouts. Soon the Scorpion's men kidnapped Bob's wife and killed his son in cold blood. The Scorpion himself then called Bob and told him that while his boy was no more, he could still save his wife, as she was still alive, but it was up to him if she stayed alive. He told Bob to reveal the Holt's hideout, which he reluctantly did, setting the course for Bob to be an unwilling double-agent.

Present Day

Boyd was walking towards where Hanks was held up while becoming state's evidence. They were preparing for him to go to the Scorpion's mansion to see if he could make him confess to the kidnapping and everything else. Boyd knocked on his apartment door, but no answer came.

"Hanks?" he said from behind the door. "It's Boyd. Open up!"

"Hanks, are you okay?" he whispered. Walking through the apartment, he saw food that hadn't been touched, but was starting to spoil. He looked in the kitchen, but no one was there. He made his way to the bedroom and saw clothes that were laid out like he was about to get dressed. It wouldn't be until he reached the bathroom where he saw a grizzly sight. Hanks, laying in the bathtub in a pool of his own blood, dead. Half of his face was gone from a gun blast, and some things he had seen are better left unmentioned. Boyd immediately called Hendrix.

"Hendrix?! It's Boyd! We have a serious problem!"

NEXT CHAPTER: THE WAITING CONTINUES

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Linus, Eudora, Charlie Brown, Frieda, Lucy, Schroeder, Sally, and Michael, along with Janice's sisters Janet and Jaime, all continued to wait to see what would happen next in regards to Janice. She was very much in a vegetative state, and was never waking back up, but many wondered if her parents would pull the plug or keep her on life support. The parents Jorge and Joanna were wrestling with that decision at the moment. While they knew there was no hope for their daughter, they wondered if they could end her life. They even considered letting the doctor do it, but he told them it would be up to them if they wanted the medical staff to do it. Silas had to go back to the barber shop and open up, and Larry was due at his job, but Maureen and Lacey stayed behind. They also called Sparkyville Middle School and Birchwood Elementary School to let the staff at both schools know their kids would be absent for that day. They knew that they wanted to be there for Janice. The parents of Frieda, Schroeder, and Michael did the same for them.

Janet was in the cafeteria getting something to eat. She was followed in by Eudora. They sat down at a table. They ate their food quietly for a moment. Then Janet spoke.

"I remember when Linus brought a present over for Janice for Christmas," she began. "Janice had went back to the hospital for more treatment. Jaime had answered the door for him, but then when I saw that someone else had brought a present for her, I just lost it. I complained to Linus about how everyone had paid more attention to her needs than ours and how we had to be careful around her so she wouldn't get sicker than she was already. Then I said… she had become a nuisance." Janet was tearing up remembering that day. "He said I didn't really mean that. I did tell him that I didn't, we just felt left out as of late. I feel really horrible for my words. I never told Janice I said that, neither has Jaime. But I still feel terrible for it."

"Janet," Eudora began, "have you taken any kind of time to yourself? I see you've been trying to make up for it by helping Janice as much as you could. Maybe you should do something for yourself. Treat yourself to a day out, find someone to date, or even relax at home and do nothing. I can tell you're feeling guilty for what you said, and you've been trying to atone for that ever since. But you never told Janice that, and as far as she knows, you're still her caring big sister. When she does pass on, she'll have that as her memory; not what you said in a moment of frustration."

Janet looked at Eudora with tear-soaked eyes. She hugged her and Eudora returned the hug in kind. After some soft sobbing, Janet said to her, "Thank you, Eudora."

"No problem, Janet. If you ever need to talk, don't hesitate to call me, or Linus. We'll both be there for you."

"You really are a good friend. I see how Linus was drawn to you."

"I know he had feelings for Janice before we started dating. He always liked the girls who were easy-going and had good personalities."

"I'm surprised you didn't get jealous when she moved back."

"I've dealt with worse than an ex coming back into the picture. I should tell you about the love triangle that we, along with my own best friend Sally out there, got in a few years back when Linus and I started dating exclusively. But that will be for another day."

"I can't wait to hear that." And both girls finished their meals, but hung around to talk some more before rejoining the other kids.

Over at Sparkyville Middle School, word was getting around about Janice's situation and what was going on. Charlie Brown had called Peppermint Patty and let her know because, if anyone could spread the word about things, it was her. She told everyone what was happening.

"So what's going on with Janice now?' asked Matt.

"According to Chuck, she's on life support right now," Peppermint Patty answered.

"How's Linus taking it, seeing how he once had a thing for her?" asked Franklin.

"Anything else to report, sir?" asked Marcie.

"Not at the moment, Marcie," said Patty. "Chuck told me he'd call when he had more news to tell."

"I feel bad for the Emmons family," sighed Violet.

"Me too," added Wayne. "I just met her and she seemed like a nice girl."

"She had dealt with leukemia for years, Wayne," said Matt. "Even when we were younger, she was in and out of the hospital. When she went into remission, we all knew there was a chance it would return. We just never thought it be this bad."

"Well I hope Charlie Brown will have more news for us soon," said Patty (Swanson).

"He should, Patty," said Ox. "He said he'd let everyone know." And the kids continued with their business. They waited to hear about more news from Charlie Brown about Janice. They knew she was on borrowed time and would never wake up, but still wanted to know what the next move would be.

"Is it about the 'situation'?" he asked. Lucy just nodded. "Okay, I'll wait here."

Lucy went to an empty waiting room to answer the call. She said, "Hendrix? What's up?"

"I heard about your friend Janice, Lucy," Hendrix began. "I'm so sorry about what happened to her."

"Thanks, Hendrix. I know that's not just what your calling about, though. Any news on the Scorpion?"

"Unfortunately, it's not good. Hanks was killed last night."

"WHAT?!"

"I'm sure the Scorpion's men had gotten to him. Boyd is putting the pressure on Carlson right now to reveal any information he may have, but he's a tough egg to break."

"I'd like to break his skull!"

"You and me both, but we have to do this by the book. This means, while we know the Scorpion knows about your friend Margaux being alive, he also knows we have her and the Mancini girl."

"Good grief! You have to protect Python. Let Black Widow know that the Scorpion may know where they're hiding them!"

At the hideout, Black Widow, Orbweaver, Wolf Spider, and Komodo Dragon were watching TV, Python and Gertie were with them. They heard a knock at the door."

"Who could that be?" wondered Widow. She went to the door. "Who is it?"

"Agent Riley with the FBI! Hendrix sent me. You girls are in danger, as the Scorpion knows your whereabouts!"

"Dammit!" said Widow. "Okay, hold on!" Widow unlocked the door and opened it to Agent Riley and two other muscular men, one of whom was wearing some expensive sunglasses. Gertie got a good look, as did Python, and recognized the other two men with Riley."

"HOLY CRAP, DATS BRODY AN' BUTCH, TH' SCOIPION'S TOP HOODS!" yelled Gertie.

"AND THEY'RE THE ONE'S WHO KILLED MY MOTHER!" cried Python.

"OKAY NONE OF YOU BRATS MOVE!" ordered Brody, drawing his gun out, as did Butch and Riley, who was the one working with Carlson. Black Widow wasn't having any of it, though.

"SPIDERS, ATTACK!" she yelled. And before the three men knew what had hit them, hordes of teenaged girls descended on them before one shot was fired. In the melee, Gertie ran out the backway, only to be caught by the Scorpion himself!

"We meet again, my dear," he said, calmly. Gertie saw he had his mask on, hiding his face. "Come now, we have a plane to catch."

"Where yous takin' me?" asked a worried Gertie.

"It's a surprise," said the Scorpion. "Oh, if you scream, you'll be joining your old man." Wolf managed to get to the back in time to see Gertie being taken off by the Scorpion. She went back to the front where the girls had tied up Riley, Brody, and Butch.

"Widow," she began, "Gertie, he's got her!"

"The Scorpion?!" Wolf nodded. "Damn!" Turning to his hoods, she yelled, "OKAY, YOU SONS OF BITCHES BETTER TELL ME WHERE YOUR BOSS IS TAKING HER NOW!"

"We ain't saying #$ %!" cursed Brody. Python was on top of Brody, yanked off his sunglasses and started gouging at his eyes.

"YOU BASTARDS KILLED MY MOTHER!" she screamed. "YOU AND YOUR DAMN BOSS RUINED MY LIFE, AND FOR WHAT?! BECAUSE I SAW YOU DUMPING A DEAD CORPSE AT SAM'S?! NOW TELL US WHERE HE'S TAKING GERTIE, OR ME RUINING YOUR PRECIOUS SUNGLASSES WILL BE THE LEAST OF YOUR PROBLEMS, YOU BLOCKHEAD!"

"GET HER OFF ME!" cried Brody.

"NOT UNTIL YOU GIVE US WHAT WE WANT!" yelled Weaver.

"Where. Are. They. GOING?!" hissed Widow. Python continued to thrash at Brody, even bashing his head into the granite floor until his nose was broken and bloodied.

"I'LL TELL YOU!" Butch finally chimed in.

"BUTCH, KEEP YOUR DAMN MOUTH SHUT!" warned Riley. Wolf pulled out a switchblade and placed it at Riley's neck.

"You are in no position to make threats, Riley, is it?" sneered Wolf. "You do us and yourself a favor and shut your cake hole, and let your partner tell us what we want to hear."

"Where are they headed?!" demanded Widow.

"Australia," Butch said, meekly.

"Goddammit, Butch!" growled Riley. Python finally got up off of Brody, whose face was now a bloody mess.

"What's in Australia?" asked Komodo.

"The Scorpion has a compound out there," said Butch. "His father owned it before, and he inherited it when he passed away."

"Weaver, call Hendrix and tell her what happened," said Widow. Python, still glaring at Brody, suddenly kicked him in the groin and then in his face, knocking him out.

NEXT CHAPTER: DECISION TIME

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At the hospital, Charlie Brown, Schroeder, and Michael were keeping Linus company and walking with him, as he was still a wreck over Janice's impending passing. He knew it was coming, but still was distraught over her passing away so young. He felt powerless to stop it, and wondered why God was taking her away. As his friends comforted him, they were briefly interrupted by a new scene unfolding. A gurney carrying a big burly muscular man whose face looked like it took a rough beating was being brought into the hospital. It was Brody after Python had attacked him when the Spiders tied him and the other men working for the Scorpion. The boys had no idea who it was, though.

"Good grief, what happened to him?!" said a bewildered Schroeder. Charlie Brown spied that the man was handcuffed to the gurney.

"Whatever happened to him, it must've been bad," he said. "He's surrounded by police and is handcuffed to his gurney."

"Looks like he's still wondering where he's at," observed Michael.

"That dude must've been up to no good," said Schroeder.

"Probably," mumbled Linus, worn out from bawling and crying all day. They went back to the waiting room where the girls and their parents were at.

When they got back, they saw the doctor had come back to talk to them. The boys went to see what he had to say. The doctor said to Jorge and Joanna, "As you know, your daughter is already brain dead. There's nothing else we can do for her. It is up to you. Do you want to keep her on life support, or do you want to end her suffering? The cancer has ravaged her body already, there's no way she could survive any longer."

"Can we have her friends say their goodbyes first?" said a tearful Joanna.

"Absolutely," said the doctor. And the doctor led the Emmons and the teens to where Janice was being kept. Eudora held Linus's hand tightly, as he was emotionally shaken by everything that had happened all day. Charlie Brown was hugging Frieda, as was Schroeder with Lucy and Michael with Sally. Silas had gone to pick up Wyatt from the Van Pelt's home where Rerun and Piper were watching him, and would meet the family back home when they returned. Larry had rejoined Lacey at the hospital. Frieda's parents James and Sara had also arrived and waited with the other parents.

As they all entered the room, they were shocked to see Janice with an air tube in her mouth and hooked up to a machine that was keeping her alive. She had I.V.'s hooked up to her and a monitor was keeping watch of her heartrate. Linus nearly collapsed from the scene.

"This is one of the times I wished I still had my blanket," he said, tearfully.

"I'm here for you, babe," said Eudora, softly.

"I am too, little brother," added Lucy, herself near tears.

"You can go in two at a time," said the doctor. "After that, only the immediate family can be in the room for the final moments." First to go in was Charlie Brown and Frieda.

"Thanks for being a good friend, Janice," Charlie Brown said, quietly. "I know you'll be in a better place soon."

"Goodbye, Janice," said a tearful Frieda. "I'll see you on the other side, hun."

After Charlie Brown and Frieda went back to the waiting room, it was Sally and Michael's turn. Sally cleared her throat.

"I'm glad we made peace with each other, Janice," Lucy said, misty-eyed. "My brother cared about you so much. I want you to know that everyone will remember you." And Lucy kissed her lightly on the cheek. Schroeder then said a few words.

"So long, Janice," he said. "I know we really didn't interact too much, but the times we did talk to one another, you were a good friend. And I was particularly surprised by your knowledge of some of the classic composers. I will play something good in your memory for you." And he and Lucy left. Linus and Eudora were the last ones to say something. Eudora went first.

"Thank you for being a good friend to my baby Linus," she said, wiping tears away. "He always thought highly of you. If it hadn't been me he started dating, it definitely would've been you. That's how much he cared about you." Linus walked up slowly and looked at his friend, who was just a shell of herself. He tried to hold his composure.

"Janice," he said, fighting back tears, "I just wanted you to… to… know… that…" Before he could finish his train of thought, he broke down crying, with Eudora hugging him. Janet and Jaime came in and followed suit.

"Janice knows how much you cared about her," assured a tearful Janet. "She knows that you will miss her, and that she'll always be in your heart." Gathering himself, Linus got up, and he and Eudora went back to the waiting room. The doctor walked up to the Emmons family.

"All of you can go in and say goodbye to your daughter," he said. "The nurse and I will join you." And the family walked in and surrounded Janice, as she was still on the life support machine. The nurse went by the machine ready to turn it off. She waited for the family's response before doing so. They all looked at the girl, who was completely unconscious.

"Goodbye, my baby girl!" cried Jorge.

"We love you, sis," wept Janet and Jaime. Jorge looked up at the doctor.

"Go ahead, doc," he said, with tears in his eyes. The doctor nodded to the nurse, who turned off the machine. Everyone heard the heart monitor continue to beep until it started slowing down before flat-lining. The nurse then turned the monitor off.

"Call it, nurse," said the doctor.

"5:45 PM," the nurse replied.

Turning back to the family, the doctor said, "I am sorry for your loss, everyone. We will leave you here." And the doctor and nurse left the family to weep over their now departed daughter and sister. Janice Emmons had passed away peacefully surrounded by family.

The rest of the folks waited in the waiting room. The Emmons family rejoined them. Maureen walked up to them.

"She's gone, Maureen," said Joanna, sorrowfully. "Our baby is gone."

"I'm so sorry, Jo," said a tearful Maureen, who hugged her. Larry walked up to Jorge.

"If there's anything you need, don't hesitate to let us know," he said.

"Thanks, Lare," said Jorge. Charlie Brown, Frieda, Lucy, Schroeder, Sally, Michael, Eudora, and a still distraught Linus walked up to the two sisters.

"That goes for us, as well," said Charlie Brown. "If you girls need anything, the gang will be happy to help."

"Thank you, Charlie Brown," said Janet. "You all have been great to our sister. Especially you, Linus." Linus, who was inconsolable at that point, looked up at the girls, still crying. "You are like the brother we never had. I just wanted you to know, you have friends in both me and Jaime."

"Definitely," agreed Jaime, while crying, managed to crack a smile.

"Th-thanks, girls," sobbed Linus. "I'm probably going to be a wreck for a while over this, but I do appreciate that."

"We'll leave you with your parents," said Frieda. "We need to let the rest of the gang know about Janice." After exchanging hugs, the kids left with Snoopy in his limo for Joe's Café, where the rest of the gang were to give them the news.

NEXT CHAPTER: THE DEAL OF A LIFETIME

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Back at FBI headquarters, Hendrix, Boyd, and some of the other agents who weren't paid off by the Scorpion, were interrogating Riley, Butch, and Carlson. Brody was still unconscious in the hospital under police surveillance, so he couldn't talk. The Serpent Sisters, including a still-amped up Python, watched the interrogation process, along with Black Widow, Orbweaver, and Komodo Dragon. Hendrix was talking to Butch, as he was the only one, thus far, willing to make a deal for his life.

"Brody was the trigger man in all the killings," he confessed. "All of the people in Sam's lot who owed money to the Scorpion, the Holt girl's mother, and Sam Mancini himself. While I did help in disposing of the bodies, I didn't participate in any of the murders. However, in the case of the Holt girl's mother, that was an accidental killing, as she wasn't the intended target."

"We already figured that," said Hendrix. "So, you're telling me, while you do confess to being present at these killings, you yourself never killed anyone? I find that hard to believe."

"Don't get me wrong, I have pointed my gun at people when we were bringing them to see the Scorpion, but if I did fire a shot, it was at the firing range."

"So, if Brody was the one doing all the killings for the Scorpion, why were you there?"

"As backup, I guess."

"Anything else you want to tell me?"

"Now that you mention it, I told those crazy girls who tied us up that the Scorpion was bringing Gertie to Australia. He has a compound there he inherited from his father."

"Who is the Scorpion, Butch?"

"His real name is Brandon Reeves."

"Where have I heard that name before?"

"His whole family is wealthy, or was wealthy. His older brother got in trouble in some real estate scheme that involved attempted arson a couple of years back. Brandon also has a younger brother named Brian, but he's always stayed out of trouble, and pretty much distanced himself from his two older brothers. He's done well for himself over the years according to Brandon."

"How did Brandon get involved with organized crime?"

"It had to do with his accident."

"What accident?"

"Some years ago, when he was still legit, he went to a tropical resort in the Bahamas. He was entertaining some potential clients for a business merger he was helming, but while he and his girlfriend were doing some jet skiing, his jet ski hit the side of a yacht when it lost control. His face smashed into the side of the yacht. While there were broken bones, as it were, his face had the more severe damage. The doctors tried to fix it as much as possible, but it left him with a huge scar on his right cheek, that actually looked like a scorpion."

"Now I see how he got the moniker."

"Yeah, while he was ashamed of how he looked now, he adopted the nickname of 'The Scorpion' and his personality changed overtime, as well. While his business dealings continued, he started living a double life. One as Brandon Reeves, the other as the Scorpion, and pretty soon, Brandon disappeared almost completely, and the Scorpion took over full time. He became a recluse, only going out wearing masks during the rare times he did go out. He retired from his business, leaving it to the vice president. He became a loan shark to people, and when they couldn't repay the debts, you already know the outcome of that. But to keep cash flowing, he also started investing in the stock markets. He's made a killing in different stocks and bonds."

"So, he's stayed somewhat legit while doing underworld activities, as well?"

"That's right."

"Getting back to this compound in Australia, does he have staff there? Guards, the whole nine?"

"He does."

"Okay. I am willing to talk to my bosses in getting you into witness protection, on one condition. You turn state's evidence, tell the court everything you told me, testify and implicate the other suspects, and you will avoid any jail time because you will be under the witness protection program. Do I have your cooperation, Butch?"

Butch thought about his options. He knew if his co-conspirators find out that he confessed, his life would be in danger. He looked at Hendrix and said, "You got a deal."

"Carlson and Riley still refuse to speak," he said.

"It's okay, Boyd," assured Hendrix. "We now have a star witness. All that's left is to catch the Scorpion, or should I say, Brandon Reeves?"

"The business tycoon?!" asked a bewildered Boyd. "HE'S the Scorpion?!"

NEXT CHAPTER: REQUIEM FOR JANICE EMMONS

Chapter Text

The funeral of Janice Emmons had commenced a few days later. Janice had asked to be cremated and her ashes spread over Schulz Meadow. Many of her friends, old and new, were there. Her father held the urn containing Janice's cremains. Linus and Eudora were standing with the Emmons family. Linus was an emotional wreck the entire day. If it weren't for Eudora being there with him, he'd probably be worse off than he was at the moment. Before the spreading of the ashes would commence, Frieda would sing a traditional hymn that was told was Janice's favorite.

Tempted and tried we're oft made to wonder why it should be thus all the day long

While there are others living about us, never molested, though in the wrong

When death has come and taken our loved ones, it leaves our home so lonely and dreary

Then do we wonder why others prosper living so wicked year after year

Farther along we'll know all about it; farther along we'll understand why

Cheer up, my brother; live in the sunshine, we'll understand it all by and by

Faithful till death said our loving master; a few more days to labor and wait

Toils of the road will then seem as nothing as we sweep through the beautiful gates

Farther along we'll know all about it...

Yes, we'll understand it all by and by

The pastor leading the memorial walked up and said a few words. He began, "From all accounts, Janice Emmons was loved by all, her family, her friends, and even those who she met along the way. She was a child of God and she now has her mansion in Heaven. She may not be here physically anymore, but she has not ceased to exist. She has reached her new home, and she awaits for the rest of her family to join her. There is no pain or sorrow, no suffering or agony, just peace. And she can talk to the Father anytime she wants. So, I know you all hurt now, but rest assured, our heavenly Father is watching over her now. And she will always be at peace with the Lord. Amen."

At that moment, Jorge spread her ashes along the meadow. Linus wiped tears from his eyes. Sally walked over to her former crush and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"She's no longer suffering, Linus," she said to him. "She's now at peace."

"Sally's right, babe," added Eudora. "You can take heed that Janice is in a better place."

"Thanks, girls," said Linus, sniffling a bit. "That does make me feel better. I know she's no longer in pain, having to deal with the cancer. I just wished she had more time than what was given to her." And the people began to leave for the repass. Linus decided he needed some time to himself. After kissing Eudora goodbye, Linus went for a walk.

Eventually, Linus ended up at the wall where he, Charlie Brown, Lucy, and many others had talked about life and many other events and stuff going on in their lives. That was where Charlie Brown had found him. He joined his best friend at the wall and sat, as they were now taller and didn't have to lean on it anymore. After some silence, Charlie Brown began to speak.

"Figured I'd find you here," he said.

"Yeah, was doing some thinking," Linus replied.

"What about?"

"When we were kids, remember how much Janice enjoyed being pushed on the swings?"

"Yeah, I do. It was all you two could talk about."

"I was thinking about something. You remember when you received that trust fund from Joe Shlabotnik before his own passing from cancer, and the rest of his estate went towards charities?"

"Uh huh."

"What if we got in contact with the estate of Joe and see if they would look into dedicating a wing of Ace Memorial Hospital for Children suffering from cancer, being Hodgkin's Lymphoma, leukemia, or any other kind of cancer or terminal illness? If not them, maybe bring it to everyone's attention and even have a fundraising event in Janice's honor?"

"That would be a great idea, Linus. I'd be on board."

NEXT CHAPTER: PLANNING A RESCUE

Chapter Text

A few days after Janice's funeral, the Serpent Sisters, Spiders, Komodo Dragon, and even the Serpent Sisters Prime were at the FBI headquarters with Hendrix, Agent Boyd, and some other police and FBI agents. It was a meeting about the rescue of Gertie from the Scorpion, whose identity has been confirmed to be Brandon Reeves. When Lucy heard the name, She asked Schroeder to get in contact with Winston, his old acquaintance from Amadeus Academy of Music in Hawaii to see if there was any relation to Brandon. Winston confirmed that Brandon was, in fact, his uncle. He couldn't believe that both his father, Burton, and now his uncle, were criminals. All he had left for a father figure was his other uncle Brian, who stayed out of trouble with the law. Lucy just couldn't believe what had happened in Hawaii, what had happened when she and Schroeder visited his cousins, and now what had happened with the confrontation with the Lizards was all connected to the Scorpion.

"Girls, we got most of the Scorpion's gang, including our rogue agents," Hendrix began. "Now all we need is to catch the Scorpion himself. Which brings me to my plan. As you know, the Scorpion is headed for Australia. Now, I just wanted to let you girls know I could use your help with this. You are not, in any way, obligated to help out. The choice is all up to you."

"I have just one question," Lucy said. "If we go with you, how are we going to convince our parents to let us go to Australia?"

"I have a plan," Hendrix stated. "Boyd?" Boyd brought over some sheets of paper which read on top "Camp Whisper Lake". "They will think you girls are going to camp for the summer."

"Now not all my Spiders will be able to go," said Black Widow. "I think myself and Weaver will go."

"I'll go, as well," added Komodo Dragon.

"We'll stay here," said Sidewinder, referring to the Serpents Prime. "If anything else turns up in the case, you would want people back home keeping on top of it."

"I'm going," said Cobra. "This man made our dear friend here go into hiding, killed her mother, and made her fear for her life."

"I heard you did a real number on one of the Scorpion's guys, Py," said Rattler to Python.

"Not proud of that, Rattler," said a somber Python, "but he killed my mother, and I was caught in the moment. I don't regret it, though."

"I'm in, as well," said Lucy. Anaconda gave a thumbs up.

"You know I'm going," said a determined Rattler.

"I want to see that bastard in his ugly face!" sneered a vengeful Python. "Threat of getting killed by him be damned, I'm going, too!"

"Okay, then," Hendrix finished. "You are all now special agents of Federal Bureau of Investigation. Here are your official badges." She handed the girls some badges.

"Should we be sworn in or something?" asked Lucy.

"No time for that, Lucy," said Boyd. "We need to rescue your friend Gertie." And Hendrix went over the plans of rescue and finding the Scorpion's hideout in Australia. Butch, the henchman who turned state's evidence, agreed to help with the investigation as part of his deal to go into Witness Protection. This was going to be the most dangerous trip of the Serpent Sister's lives.

END OF SEASON 5
BUT  NOT  THE END OF THE STORY ARC!