A.N.: Thank you for the review 3ninjasfan and I know what you mean, life is busy and its annoying because I wanna read! hahaha. I wanna put some ninja into it, so I'll have to think about a fight scene, but this is the second to last tie in story. The last one, who knows when that will be but this one isn't going to be very long, maybe ten chapters. This is like Child of Darkness and Light for the Colt saga. Its a wonder and a wrap up to the bigger picture of the end of the stories. I've still got some thinking to do about Tum Tum's remaining two stories. After those, I'll be stumped for 3 ninjas and might just do some one shot scenes branched from the others.

I hope and everyone else reading continue to read, and I hope I don't upset anyone hahaha, you never know. Enjoy the chapter and thanking you for reading.

...

Paula's message was short and and simple: Keep Colt away from me.

This is one of the things that Rocky had taken into consideration before having the two of them so much as speak. The heat in their blood would either boil for anger or worse... romantic feeling. He wasn't sure who would give in first, Paula or Colt. Her heart has been destroyed; the word 'hurt' just could not cover the pain she's endured over the years because of Colt's immaturity. Its not likely that she'll be the one falling in love with Colt again, especially when his brother is already, so very much, still in love with her. If there is such a thing as 'toxic love' she and Colt, for sure, possess it. Flipping his phone closed, he pushed away from the counter and walked into the living room. A smile appeared seeing his son and brother seated at the piano; Colt teaching the boy the keys and playing for him a easy tune. Watching this picture, Rocky had to reconsider the things he let run around in his head about Colt. He loves his brother, no matter how wrong and damning he can behave some of the time. Their bond has changed in the past two years, but his love remains there; unyielding toward any issue or conflict that may come between them.

"Hey Dad, come listen to this." Arc called over when seeing him watching from across the room.

A single nod to the request and he walked over. Maybe he's purposefully overthinking of the wrong outcome, maybe he can see this situation in a new light. From now on he'll let the two of them lead their own lives, and make those mistakes that he knows they're bound to make. As much as he is Paula's sworn protecter, he can't deny that he hurt her by doing so.

The next day was filled with greetings and introductions between the Douglas family and the McRae's. Paige said she could not miss out on it and stood by in the background, seated on the couch, watching as the distant family entered the home.

"I'm Jon. Nice to meet you." He shakes Tum Tum's hand firmly.

"Hey, I'm Tum." He grins kindly.

This guy was definitely a, Rocky. Tum Tum wondered, for a second, how the two got along. Rocky had met him a few years back when he'd been investigating the situation of Colt being related to the McRae family. Rocky came home victorious, of course, having proved that Colt is infact related to them on Sabrina's side, but that his true father was Ben McRae. A man who'd cheated on his wife and got his mistress pregnant at the same time he'd gotten his wife pregnant. He went no further than that, though, saying the rest was really terrible and none of anyone elses business. Tum understood, and honestly, he didn't really care about the sordid secrets of another family. Just as he would hope that no one spoke of his own families dirty laundry.

The last person he shook hands with was Jeremy McRae. The two boys seemed to be sizing each other up with little reason as to why. Then came the stream of questions.

"What game?" Asked Jeremy.

"Devil May Cry. You?"

"Call of Duty."

The two nod appovals of their given choice.

"Food?" Tum asked.

"Always." Jeremy replied.

Again they nod.

"Hobbies?"

Tum Tum eyed the boy then answered. "Cooking, skating, basket ball, but I love baseball."

"You can cook?" The teen seemed in awe of that, rather than backed off.

"Yeah, I'm taking classes."

With a huff of amazement, the boy shakes his head. "Cool. Maybe you can show me how to make something that would impress my girlfriend back home."

"Sure. Are you comfortable with fire, because I make a really good lemon crepe."

"Yeah." He nods.

Colt smiled watching the two bonding. Annalisse still seemed taken with Rocky, following him about the room as he pointed out bathrooms to people, or offered the snacks prepared by their mother. Ben and Jamie McRae admired the little statuettes and the placement of the things in the home. You'd swear Jessica were trying to sell the home to them, her state of mind switching to profressional contracter as she talked about their home. Mori spoke with Jon when Rocky was done showing the male around, he seemed to be talking about Japan with him. Arc serveyed the room with a wondering eye; his shirt collar between his teeth as he watches all the strangers talk and move about the house.

He started across the room toward the boy but stopped when Annalisse stepped infront of his path. "Hey." He greeted her with a warm smile.

Which earned him a cocked brow and a smug smirk. "You're feeling pretty good about all this aren't you, Jeffrey?"

"Actually, yeah." He looks over her shoulder to the child who joined Paige on the couch, while she speaks with Tum Tum and Jeremy. At least he's feeling less intimidated.

"Who's the kid?" She asked when following his gaze.

"Rocky's son, Arc."

Eyes wide; she looked like a model for a fish scuplture. "Ro- Rocky has-a, has a son?" She paled. "With who?"

Colt smiled. "Trust me, its better not to know. He doesn't like to talk about it anyway, so you've still got a chance- babysister." He added with a teasing grin.

That seemed to snap her out of her panic. "I'm older than you moron, by a whole ten minutes." She smiled.

It amazed her how close she feels to Jeffrey; even though they aren't really twins, they were born around the same time and look nearly identical because of their father. So to her, and she supposed to him, they really are each others evil twin. She being the good one, of course.

"You want something to eat before we barbecue? Mom put out a lot of junk." He asked her while heading to the kitchen.

"Sure. As long as none of it is fish. I'm off fish now."

"Euw. Why?"

She shrugged. "Doesn't do it for me anymore."

"Tch. Weirdo. You know, its hard to believe we're related."

"I couldn't agree more." She followed him.

Over by the couch, Paige is swelling with glee over the compliments she's receiving from Jeremy. Her sharp teeth and hard smile making her look more like a rat than Tum tum could recall in his days of dating her. He's always said that if his girlfriend had an animal spirit its a rat for sure. Paige doesn't care, because she told him he's not that far off from looking like a beaver. And their romance ensues.

"Now is anyone alergic to anything? I wanna be sure that everyone can eat the food." Jessica says when ushering them from the house to the large backyard.

The day would be filled with chatter, games, music and dancing, eating. Just like a real family reunion; watching them, you'd believe that they all knew each other ages ago, but their face to face has been a while. All bad blood with them washed under the bridge. Even Jamie was having a good time, tapping her foot and snapping her fingers to the music playing. Colt chose rock. Rocky chose classical but lively pieces, Tum Tum argued playing rap and they listened to three or four songs. Grandpa liked the idea of playing some enka songs, which he didn't mind translating the words for anyone who asked. The food was delicious and they took breaks between eating by playing a scavanger hunt around the area with disposable cameras. Jon and Colt were on a team, Tum Tum and Jeremy with Paige, Annalisse and Rocky with Arc made up the third team, and Jessica went with Jamie, and Sam with Ben and Mori.

Rocky was sure that his team would take the victory; they've already found half of their list. "What's next?" He asked, stopping beside a large tree.

"Umm..." Looking over the list Anna skims for the easier puzzles to solve. "I make many of the same decisions every day, the same three over and over. Every one obeys."

"What could that be?" Arc looks at the paper as if to try to understand it by reading over it himself. "Every one obeys... Hmmm?" His skinny fingers tap against the camera in his hands. "I think I know! Come on." He dashes away.

Chuckling at the boys enthusiasm, Rocky takes a step in the direction the child had gone.

"Rocky," Anna says in a low voice.

It had such a hard trail, Rocky knew the girl had something to say and he was sure that he knew what that something would be about.

"I know you don't owe me anything; you barely even know me," She couldn't bring herself to look at him directly and lowered her eyes to the ground. "but is Arc really your son? Did you adopt him?" Without even getting an answer the girl went on. "I'm not judging, I actually think that's its very noble; men don't normally adopt children- unless they're weidos" Hearing what she'd said, she panicked and back pedaled. "Not that I think you're a weido, no, you're wonderful and..." Her words cut off. "How long are you gonna let me make a fool of myself?"

Blinking, Rocky smiled. "For a while." He laughed in good humor. "I didn't adopt Arc, he really is my son. I had him under... unique circumstances, so I don't like to talk about it. But, I don't love him any less because of that."

That seemed to ease her questions, while raising so many more. She had to wonder what these 'unique circumstances' were. She couldn't ask though, as she herself had explained Rocky owes her nothing. So any explanation given she would just have to accept. Following after the male, she can hear the boy shouting for his father and her.

"Did you find it?" Rocky called to Arc.

"Yeah, I think!" The boy called back.

"Does he do ninja as well?" She decided to brush the flecks of uncomfortable from the subject.

Nodding, Rocky replied. "Yeah. He's a natural. His ninja name is Mantis."

"Mantis. That's cool."

"I named him that because he looks like a praying mantis whenever he's analyzing someone or something, like how I used to, he chews on the collar of his shirt."

Smiling, she comments politely. "He also looks a lot like you."

"Yeah, but he has his mothers eyes."

"They're very bright blue, I noticed that." She nodded.

The two reached the boy; thankfully on Annalisse's end; she couldn't believe how uncomfortable it had gotten. This Rocky isn't like the Rocky she'd met in Arizona. He had an air of mystery about him, but it wasn't like this. He seemed to be holding back then, keeping it to himself. Annalisse had to wonder what had changed from then to now. 4 years is a long time, but whatever it was must have hurt Rocky deeply for this to be his now.

In the end it was Sam, Ben and Mori who'd won the scavanger hunt. Tum Tum said his team got lost on the very question that Arc figured out. The 'traffic light' was the answer to the thing that must be obeyed, and for the life of them the three could not figure that out. It was later in the day, dinner was being prepared and while the stove tops simmered and boiled the meal, the two families and visiting friend sat around talking about each other- mostly the parents told embarrassing stories about their children. Jamie was the worst one of all. She'd talked about how when Jon had started potty training he'd wanted everyone to know when he was going, so he'd sit on the pot and kick his feet backwards so that it moved down the hall while he was using it. Colt was so glad that he didn't grow up in that house. Jamie remembered all it seemed. Jessica recalled a time when Colt entered his girl phase and she'd caught him practicing on a poster beside his bed. Colt did not remember this humiliating accusation, yet the blush on his face could be seen clear across the street.

Mori decided that the poor kids had enough jabs taken out on them and so he shared a few stories of his own about Jessica. It would seem that their mother was a bit of a brat when she was younger, and when he had fallen asleep one afternoon, Jessica took it upon herself to cut up anything in the house that wasn't nailed down: the curtains in the living room, the tablecloth, the blanket on her bed, and let's not forget Mori's hair.

"It never did grow back in quite right."

The other laughed when the man tipped his balding head forward to show them the evidence of his misbehaved child. The kids were glad when the adults began to point out their own youthful follies. Sam Douglas ate two live frogs on a dare because he wanted to fit in with the cooler kids. Ben picked a fight with his friends everyday just to impress a girl who liked bad boys, in the end she took pity on the two guys and wound up dating and later marrying one of his best friends. Jamie said she used to pretend she was an artist, as a teenager, and so any blank space in life was a canvas to her. Only she couldn't draw, and she spent 3 hours in holding for defacing public property. She'd told them that if it were for the public she was drawing on her share.

Dinner was baked fish with lemon dressing, a small salad with mini orange pieces, and beets. For Dessert, a slice of chocolate cake baked by Tum Tum earlier that day before the others had arrived. The rooms, living room and kitchen, were filled with light conversation, and friendly manner. It again seemed as though they were all old friends that have gotten back together to spend a weekend. Honestly, it was hard to tell the young from the old as the discussions were well balanced for both generations. When the McRae's left, and Mori had gone off to bed, followed by Arc who just had to have a story told to him by his dad, and the remaining guest cleaned up a bit before spreading out about the home.

Colt had taken out his phone, when the cleaning was finished, and walking outside he took a seat on the bench swing they bought when he was about ten years old. Later in his life he'd done a lot of making-out with girls on this seat, or break their heart. But he couldn't let himself think about that last part, not when he's about to call a girl which he'd done just that to. Rocky didn't give him the number, but he looked it up on his phone when his brother had gone to the bathroom. Waiting out the rings, he looks up at the night sky and let the calm serene wash over him. He can do this. It shouldn't be hard. And yet everytime he'd spoken with the girl, even before the problems between them, he'd always felt like a stranger to her. As if he'd never fully be close to her, and she'd preferred it that way. Colt wondered if Rocky ever felt that with Paula? Definitely not. His brain reminded him that those two had an understanding that was absolute. No one and nothing could touch it. And yet he'd tried. He'd wanted so badly to be a part of that calming girl. But look how it had turned out.

"Hello?" She answered with a voice of confusion. Probably due to not being able to recognize the number.

"Its me, Colt."

"Hi." She answered to that.

Chuckling, Colt replied "Hi." back.

"This again?" She laughed.

It was so nice to hear her laugh comfortably. "Yeah. I can never figure out what to say to you." He shrugged. Colt put it in his mind that if he's going to be uncomfortable he may as well just go with it.

"That's okay. I don't know what to say either." She's quiet a moment, then says. "I went to the library the other day."

"Yeah? Anything good."

"No." She laughed again.

"I don't see how people can sit still long enough to read anyway."

"Mm mm, Colt," His name came from her mouth so easily. "be still, and you shall find peace."

"I think I'll find an activity." He chuckled and she laughed with him.

Silence lay between them a moment then Colt spoke again.

"We had the big reunion today. It went well."

"That's good."

"I'm not sure if you know, or if Rocky told you or anything but... I'm sort of Sabrina's- my aunt- I'm her son."

Paula was heavily silent. She must be shocked. "I can't believe it. When did you find out?"

"A while back, a few years I think."

"How's your family? Are they alright?"

"Yeah, I mean at first it was horrible. I mean, I felt betrayed and angry... and the McRae's wanted me to live with them."

Confused she asked. "Who are the McRae's?"

"My- or at the time, I'd thought, that they were my real family. But I'm only half involved with them."

"You lost me," She says. "you said that your mother is actually Sabrina Shintaro?" She's familiar with the Douglas family having practically been raised by them in her youth due to her mother being at work all the time. "So what does this other family have to do with it? Didn't Mr. Douglas-..."

"No!" He cut her off. "Ha, my dad? Puleeze, he's as square as they come. He'd never cheat on my mom, especially not with his sister-in-law." He runs his hand through his hair. "Um, my aunt had an affair with another man, Ben McRae and there's a whole mess involved there with his stealing me to give to his wife who'd just lost her real son from the twins that she was having on the same day that Sabrina was giving birth."

"Wow... that's incredible. But everything is alright now?"

"Yeah. Everything is good, and the bad blood between families seems like its come to an end." He had a lightness in his tone. "We all just got done spending the day together, and no fights have broken out, no names were called. It was a good day."

"I'm glad to hear that."

"Paula," He hadn't meant to go serious with the conversation, but in light of how well the day went for them all, he had to bite the bullet. "what went on today. I want that with us. I wanna pick things up and act as though the ad never happened." He sighed. "I can't put it any simpler than I want you back with us. I want you around, I wanna laugh with you, and share things. Like before..."

"Do you wanna know what I want?"

"Please tell me."

"I want to be able to see people from the past and know that I'm not being judged. I want to hold my head up with every reason I have now to do so, and know that it won't be mocked like I'm putting up a front. I want to live my life as I was, not as who I've become. People say that no one can make you anything, but they're wrong. I've given the people around me all the power and I feel as if I still do so today. I've got a good life but... when I want things and people from my old life I feel broken inside and it angers me."

Colt felt a sickness bubbling inside of him.

"I want you back too, but I can't have you. I'll hurt any progress you've made without me because I'll burder you with my state of being, and you will do the same to me. I don't doubt that for a second."

"Paula... aren't you even willing to take the chance?" He could feel a sterness growning in his voice that he did not want there. But he can't help it. "I'm not that person anymore."

"And have you asked yourself why that is?"

That stopped his words.

"If I come back... if I show you who I am... what will remain? Will you still be this man whose learned? Or will you go back to the one that prefers things his way, and cast aside anything that doesn't fit right?"

"I won't."

"You don't know that."

"But I'm willing to try. We're stronger Paula... you and me... we should let ourselves meet as we are now. I won't burden you, or change you- or myself." His tone lowered, he whispered almost. "I promise."

"Colt you're asking too much of me." Her voice sounded beaten and tired as if they'd been on the phone for hours rather than minutes. "I... I'm stronger, but my strength can be broken- too easily. I don't know which direction it will go either; will I be angry or cry? Will I hit you or turn away?"

"I'll let you." He replied. "You can do anything you want. You've earned it, and I owe you that much power." He nods slowly. "Look at all I've done to your life. You were gonna be so important somewhere and I ruined it."

She quieted. He was sure she'd hang up again. "I don't wanna meet. I'm not ready. If you've changed..." She sounds almost mechanical. "then accept that. For now, please... hold off."

He's quiet. Very quiet, then sadly he says. "Okay."

And the conversation ended there.

Taking a deep breath, Colt was finally able to stand up and head back inside.

"Hey Colt, there you are," Tum said when seeing his brother walk in through the back door. "Come on, we're going for a walk."

"A walk? Now?"

"What did we just meet?" Tum shrugged. "Its been put off long enough, we need some us time."

Colt smiled. Tum Tum is growing into a really great person. He was always somewhat of a little follower in the past. He would either cling to whatever decision mom or dad made, then it became Grandpa, then Rocky. He didn't think Tum Tum ever wanted anything to with his choices in life, having never once seen the boy follow in any of his examples. But now, Tum Tum is a leader and honestly, he'd gladly follow the happy-go-lucky kid around. With the tension in the air on some days, he'd hope that his brother would come along and clear the air of it. Keep their heads clear... like Rocky used to. Like with Paula, Colt honestly feared the day when his older brother would turn away from him and not look back. Watching Rocky's back now the male seemed rigid, almost unknowingly tense. Had he caused that? Maybe everyone was right about him. He's a darkness, an ick. Paula is right in not wanting to see him, he would only hurt any healing she's embedded, any joy she's found without him. And it hurts him deeply that its his own fault.

...

The walk was a pleasent one. The air is warm and the sky... well, once you hit the city the sky is nothing but a big void of black and the once well seen stars are now invisible to the naked eye. But still...

"So how's living with Paige going? Are you two driving each other nuts, or close to wedded bliss?" Rocky asked with no intention, or hidden mock in his voice. He honestly wanted to know. He likes the two together and as odd and portuguese-ghetto as the girl is, he adores her to the very last foul word.

Funny thing about Paige is that she isn't from any hard times or a low life. She's just a typical girl, but in her mind she's been there and done that and is a full fledged gangsta.

"Wedded bliss." Tum replied with a knowing smile. "I really think she's the one."

"Oooh 'the one' our little brother is finally," His voice drops to show off Tum Tum's prowess. "a man."

The three laugh.

"Yeah I am, and this maaan wants to let his brothers in on a little in-your-face celebratory espresso."

Which is the only cafine drink the boy will take that isn't soda.

"I've got a perminent place to live away from home before either of you." He practically dripped 'nyah-nyah' between his every word.

Rocky and Colt gave each other a knowing look and hoisted the boy up under his arms, which was not an easy feet considering that Tum Tum had gotten a little taller than Rocky and is catching up to Colt- but not yet. The two dragged the boy off to where a trash bin waited like a mugger by a tree and they threatened to dump the boy over into it.

"No!" He chuckled and flailed to get free. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"

Satisfied with the pleads, the two straightened the male upright.

"Bastards." Tum Tum said in mock anger. "I can't help it if I've got a brighter head on my shoulders than the two of you." He continued his boast of accomplishment, still teasing his way through it. "Yup, you'll be begging to live with me when you're out of school. And I'll say: "Well, we'll see what income you have, I don't want any freeloaders" at which point-... hey wait up!" He chased after the two who were half way up the street by the time he'd noticed they'd moved.

Tum informed them that if he had to eat microwaved food one more time he was going to scream. He and Paige made enough to pay the rent and whatever was left still didn't amount to a buffet of items to eat. He had dreams of making a grand spread before his girlfriend, she would swoon, and they would eat every bite claiming that something so good should not have to be reduced to leftovers.

"How are things going with you guys? I can't wait to see you on campus."

"Its going good." Colt answered semi-honestly. Because in truth, things were good, but personally... personally needed some work done. "I'm single and bored because of it... on a lighter note, I have heavy pockets due to lack of dates."

"Always a plus." Said Rocky. He sounded lost in thought, though his gaze lay tentively on his brothers. "I'm doing alright; thinking about taking a trip to Connecticut for a while to be with Arc. He can't be comfortable all the time around here."

"He seems comfortable to me." Colt commented. "But I know what you mean."

"You do?" Rocky wondered that.

"Sure. A guy can't fully relax around strangers... he's gotta have more than a few people, and things, to be himself. He probably misses his own bed."

"Mmm." Was all Rocky could say.

They turn a corner to where a little cafe that's open late sits. Tum Tum should have suggested food. He can already feel dinner leaving his stomach. Maybe they'll have something to swallow inside the cafe.

"I'm gonna visit Robbie tomorrow, tell him how the reunion went."

"Tell him, 'hey' for me." Tum Tum says out of respects. He really did like Robbie. But he didn't like the lasting effect his absence left on Rocky. He can't even bring himself to admit that he's gone sometimes. Its a very sad thing.

"I will."

Taking the conversation in a different direction, Colt says. "What about dad saying that he used to pretend to drop things under the table in the school cafeteria?"

Laughing Rocky shakes his head. "I'll have nightmares, I swear. Last thing I want to hear about is my father peeking for panties."

"Oh God, Rocky, don't say it!" Tum Tum covered his ears. "I'm just glad my girlfriend wears female boxers; last thing I'd wanna do is have those words ringing in my ears when we go to undress."

Colt looked as though he were going to vomit right there. "And now I've got another reason to stay single longer."

Rocky chuckled quietly. This feels nice. To be able to laugh with them. As strongly as his feelings are about being upset, or mourning too long, it always comes over him and he finds himself right back where he had been trying to leave from. But here, right now, listening and talking... it brings him forward those lost steps. Only problem with feeling good, is that it makes you want to apologize for anything bad or wrong that's gone on between you and because of that, because of that sometimes you end up arguing all over again. If only because you either hear "no, forget it" or "why do you have to bring it up?" No one ever understands that when you're feeling good, its better to bring it up. Mutual honesty, breeds honest forgiveness. Apologies in heat are nothing but an emotional settlement of silence of the subject. A way of saying, "we'll be fine as long as you never bring up the fact that you've wronged me again".

Rocky hates dishonest feelings above all else. No matter how cruel they may be, or wrong. Its better than having people boiling underneath, creating unforgiveable explosions when they can't take the lie any longer. Better to be rude and better to be raw, then hide it; look at what he'd gone through back then, keeping his feelings to himself about his happiness, about how he felt about Robbie, and Arc, his past... all of that was covered up but it leaked through cracks until the dam broke. And it broke hard. He never wants to be in a place where he doesn't look back.

So, biting the bullet, Rocky says quietly. "Colt," When his smiling brother turned to look at him he said a little louder. "I'm sorry."

Colt seemed confused a moment, but smiled with a nod. "Thanks. I'm sorry too."

Watching, Tum Tum nodded his approval. "This is magic guys... now let's get a donut or something." He placed a hand on both their shoulders.

"Always happier with food." Colt says. "How do you please a Tum Tum? Just add snacks." He poked his brother in the gut. "Oooh, abs." Grabbing the boys shirt he lifts it. "Oh my God; Rocky look..."

Cocking his head to the side, his drops his mouth in exagerated impressed. "Tum's lost his root beer barrel gut."

"Ha ha!" Tugging his shirt down, he glares. "You creeps, I was gonna pay for your snack but you can do it on your own." Sticking his tongue out, he heads across the street.

"Darn." Rocky teases following him.

Feeling his phone vibrate, Colt pulls it from his pocket. "Paula?" He says quietly. "Guys, go ahead, I'll catch up."

Rocky waved a hand to him, showing that he got the message.

Flipping his phone open, Colt says in a hurried tone. "Hello?" Maybe she'd changed her mind about meeting? He had to know, and he had to allow himself to be desparate because he was.

"I've been thinking, and... I'm sorry that I blew you off so quickly." She says in a lowered tone. "I... I wasn't very clear about it, I might have come off as a jerk. Colt, it isn't your fault that you and I can't see each other. Its mine."

Colt wasn't sure how to take that. His gaze across the street into the tiny shop.

"We had no fall out... no, harsh words to separate us further than what happened at school and... I feel so full."

He could understand that. He hurt her and then she went away. There really wasn't an honest fall out, just fall away. They'd lost themselves. Colt threw her away and she'd taken it, not accepted. So she alone struggled with that; anger building, words growing, it all caved in on her. She must have years of accumulated anger boiling inside, and no matter how well she feels about being around it, the dam will burst eventually. It always does with emotions that have gone unused. People say that being happy is easy, they're wrong. Being sad is easy, you don't have to work at that. You're hurt and you stay there. But when it comes to being happy, fighting and making up... you're stuck wondering about the after. Once all the apologies are said and done where you'll be. Will it stick? Will it not? Will it be honest for just you or both of you? Too many questions and doubts lead to a distant relationship, and you eventually fall apart. Distance will save you, is the natural response to uncertainty. But this isn't true either. You've got nothing but a wonder of how long, and in that inbetween you'll only continue to believe in the easiness of being sad.

"Paula... I owe you a lot. You've been the push behind all my changes- the good ones... I deserve whatever necessary anger you've got to throw my way. I need to be hurt, I need to take it and let it go. And you need to release it. I... really just want you back. Tonight, me and Rocky and Tum Tum are having a walk, and we're talking and it feels so good. It would feel really great if you could be with us one time."

The silence between them allowed Colt to hear the background noise to where the girl is at. Oddly enough, he heard his brother. Tum Tum said something about having a croissant with honey butter. Looking across the street back into the shop, he scans the tables each one with this pair or that single person. Then he saw her, or at least the side of her. A girl with a ponytail, in a stripped tank top; her profile shown to him; phone up and covering the most of her face. But even at that distance he could tell that its her.

"Where are you right now?" Colt asked.

"Having coffee. I've got work to do, so I need a pick me up. Where are you?"

It was like two different people. One minute her voice was heavy with memories, sweet or bitter, and other times you'd think that she'd never left them.

"I'm umm, just taking a walk."

"Right, you mentioned that." She chuckled.

"Yeah."

"I should go." Colt says quickly, when he noticed that his brothers spotted the girl. "Bye."

"Bye? Umm, okay. Bye."

He hangs up. Attention full, he stared at the scene playing out.

Rocky and Tum Tum walked over to Paula like it was an everyday occurance, hugging her and chatting quickly due to their animated movements. It seemed that she just asked them to join her, but Rocky shook his head and pointed to the door. She turned her head as if to see the reason why they couldn't stay, and Colt's heart stopped. There's just no way... it couldn't be true... Paula... She's older, her face has changed so much while not at all. Her posture doesn't come off as timid, but confident and sure. Her face though... She looks exactly like...

"Lissa." He heard his voice saying.