Gomez gripped the steering wheel of his town car as he weaved in and out of the late-night traffic. His heart was racing in his chest, for the first time in his life he was truly fearful. More than once, the faithful disembodied hand sitting upon the dashboard had to jump in and redirect the car in order to avoid a crash. It had been a full fifteen minutes since Thing had witnessed the horror of seeing his mistress tortured by Tully, Dr. Pinderschloss and whoever this Fester-like imposter was. He had rushed back to the motel as fast as his fingers – and a brief ride on the bumper of a passing car – could take him, and woken Gomez, stumbling through various attempts to convey his message. The second Gomez had fathomed the situation, he had bade Thing to write a quick note of explanation for the remainder of the slumbering family, as he searched for the car keys. Rushing through the door with Thing at his feet, Gomez had jumped into the car and sped off to seek out his beloved wife, abject terror gnawing at his soul as he tried not to think of what awful scene might greet him once he arrived.

The chains that had prevented Gate from opening to his owner the day before had been removed, and the great iron barrier swung open in welcome as the car rolled up the drive. Gomez parked haphazardly against the house and glanced at Thing as he jumped from the car. Thing pointed towards the ground floor library, and Gomez followed his faithful pet. He peered through the window, and felt a red-hot rage grow in his chest as he beheld his worst nightmare come to life; his dark love, bound and stretched on their very own marital wheel of pain. He noted with alarm that Pinderschloss held a glowing poker in her hands as she began to cross the room, addressing 'Fester'. Gomez had seen enough. Spurred on by equal parts fear and anger, he jumped through the ornate window, followed quickly by Thing. His entrance thankfully stalled the villains briefly, as he called out his greeting to Morticia.

"Cara mia!"

Morticia's eyes flew to meet his, and her feeling of relief at his presence was almost immediately replaced by her worry for his welfare as she noticed Tully approaching him, brandishing one of Gomez's rapiers.

"Mon cher! Darling, take care!"

As he always did, Thing came to the rescue at that very moment, throwing his master a weapon, just in time. Gomez met Tully's first attempt on his life with ease.

"Dirty pool old man. Never again!" The light, joking tone with which Gomez had so often sparred with Tully during their business meetings was gone. Gomez was no longer joshing. He was fighting for his wife's life, and the seriousness of his task was not lost upon him. He knew Tully's moves well, and for the most part, matched him easily. A sight slip of concentration as he cast a worried glance at Morticia, keen to ensure that Pinderschloss was keeping her distance, and Gomez's lapse was rewarded with a sharp slash across the back of his hand.

Morticia gasped in horror as she saw the damage, wriggling with futility against her restraints. She longed to fight alongside her husband, and she felt an uncharacteristic anger upon seeing anyone but herself mark his skin. Gomez himself smiled drily as he glanced at his wound.

"One for you, Tully," he acknowledged, before retaliating with renewed vigour.

"And now..."

A little fancy footwork and not-so-little skill bought Gomez his victory. He stole the offending weapon from Tully's grasp, sending the rascal to his knees as Gomez held a sword at either side of Tully's worthless neck.

"One for me," Gomez concluded. Before he could consider his next move, however he heard the unwelcome sound of Pinderschloss's now accent-less voice from behind him.

"Let him up," she commanded, aiming a gun square at Gomez. A whimper from his wife's lips caused Gomez to turn in concern, that old feeling of helplessness flooding over his once again as he slowly released Tully from his prison.

"Now get moving Addams, take him to the vault," Pinderschloss continued, her pistol trained on Gomez as he began to walk across the floor, his mind already racing ten tot he dozen as he desperately searched for a way to cut Morticia loose and make their escape.

As Gomez passed his long-lost brother, he shot him a dark look, one rarely seen from the usually jovial Castilian. How could this loathsome creature – brother or not – stand by while Morticia was in such dire straits? Fester himself stood stock still, frozen to the spot. He hadn't reckoned upon the threat of injury or death as part of their great scheme. He was greedy and underhand, it is true, but he was no killer. Unfortunately for the Addams', he was also terribly afraid of his mother, his reluctance to act compounded by her next cruel statement.

"And if you're not back in one hour, I displace her."

Pinderschloss smirked darkly as she trained her weapon upon the powerless enchantress on the wheel. Gomez felt a shock of abject horror running through his veins as this wicked ultimatum registered. He could feel Morticia's eyes upon him, and glancing over at her, his heart melted at the helplessness etched upon her usually stoic face. He could not resist a swift change of direction as he neared the bookcase, sidestepping to stand by his wife's side.

"Oh Tish, seeing you like this, my blood boils," he murmured, gazing into those jet black eyes he so adored.

"As does mine," came her breathless reply. Gomez was aware of the gun still clutched in Pinderschloss' hands, although she had briefly lowered her aim in surprise at the unexpected interaction between two devoted souls about to be parted.

"This wheel of pain..."

"Our wheel," Morticia's voice was little more than a whisper now, the reminder of what pleasure had passed between husband and wife so many times upon that very wheel overriding everything else at that moment.

"To live without you, only that would be torture," Gomez professed, his eyes moving to his wife's red lips, all others present in the room forgotten as he fell under the spell, for the millionth time.

"A day alone; only that would be death," Morticia whispered, closing her eyes in anticipation of a farewell kiss from her beloved. Gomez fought to keep his hands from shaking as he leaned in, desperate to feel her lips against his once more.

"Knock it off!"

The most unwelcome interruption from Pinderschloss earned her grievous looks from the enamoured pair, Gomez's scowl deepening as Pinderschloss once more raised her gun. Gomez brushed his hand against Morticia's hip as he reluctantly made his way back towards the family vault. The anger inside his chest threatened to burst forth and he briefly considered snatching up the poker that Fester still held, attacking all three intruders and hang the consequences that he bought upon himself. But with Morticia in such peril, he couldn't allow himself to entertain such an idea. He would play fast and loose with his own safety it is true, but he would do anything in the world he was commanded if it would mean his darling one would be returned to him. His family wealth meant nothing in comparison to the threat of losing her. He turned to share one final look with his Tish, and the sorrow he saw in her eyes strengthened his resolve. He quickly crossed to the hidden lever, and pulled, casting a hateful glance at the man professing to be his brother who now joined him as they both stepped through the secret doorway together, leaving the most precious part of Gomez's life at the mercy of a crazed woman with a gun and a cowardly cad.