She leaned back against his chest and closed her eyes. His arms encircled her and his chin came to rest on top of her head. It felt so comfortable to be held that way. It melted the pain away, and made her believe she could cope with this new trauma in her life. But then everything crashed down, the comfort was too comfortable; he was married…at least for now. Then comfort became uncomfortable, and she tensed. She knew Eddie sensed the change, because he released his grip on her and took a step back, his hand lingering on her shoulder.

She took a moment to compose herself, closing her eyes and sealing off as much emotion as she could. When she was sure she could hold it in and look him in the eye, she opened them, using the mirror to stare at him. She sucked in a shaky breath and licked her lips, wiping quickly at the tear stains on her cheeks.

"Who was the interviewer?" Devin asked in as steady a voice as she could. The anger, pain, and sorrow were all building inside, but she pushed it all down and locked it away. Now was not the time she told herself, now was the time to find the bastard that killed them. She let the anger brew, knew it would fuel her drive to get the man. Eddie studied her in the mirror for a long moment before he answered.

"I don't remember him mentioning his name," Eddie replied.

"Let's listen to the tape again and see what we can learn from the interviewer," Devin continued as the anger made her resolve stronger.

"Whoa, you sure you want to do that?"

"You don't think I can handle this?" Devin shot back at him, the anger evident in her eyes. He swallowed and she could see the hurt in his eyes. She new she should apologize but she couldn't bring herself to step down.

"I didn't say that, kid," he said blowing out a breath and ducking his head. "Just that the first time you heard that tape it really did a number on you. I just want to make sure…"

"I'm fucking tough enough, Eddie," she spat out and instantly regretted it. He was only trying to help, truly concerned about her and she was taking her anger out on him. This time she did step back. "I'm sorry, that was…uncalled for."

"It's ok, kid, I understand," he replied in a voice so soft and caring that she felt the tears coming to her eyes again. He gave her a moment then he continued. "Talk to me about this, tell me what it brought back."

"I don't know if I can," she breathed out in a gasp. "I saw them die, Eddie, I saw my family die. I couldn't remember that, for so long I couldn't remember that."

"Just start…let it out. This anger and hurt is going to consume you. Talking might help you cope with what happened."

She was quiet for a long moment and he simply stood back, his arms crossed over his chest. She closed her eyes for a few seconds trying to erase the memories of her dead family, wishing she could go back to twenty minutes ago, but she knew it was never possible. The memory had been unlocked and now she had to face it. She finally began to speak.

"It was warm that day. I remember it being warm, we lived in Los Angeles. It was late I think, late at night. Dexter…my brother," she said having to pause as the words caught in her throat. She forced back the knot and continued. "Dexter was my older brother, just thirteen months older than me, but protective as hell. We were inseparable, Eddie, always together. Mom sent us up to get ready for bed, after we watched a movie…Fievel. Funny how clear it is now. Why so clear now?"

"The block is gone. The memory was always there, you mind just couldn't handle recalling it before now."

"I heard a knock at the door and thought it was kind of late for someone to be visiting, but sometimes Dad got late visitors. He was a cop, homicide detective in Hollywood Division," she stated before pausing briefly as a memory of her dad floated through her mind. She let a small smile slip over her lips before the brutal memory swept up again. She continued. "I brushed my teeth and Dex was already in the hallway when we heard shouting.

"Dexter said to get to my room, and I grabbed his shirt and asked him to come with me. I was really scared for some reason, but I don't remember what was said. I followed Dexter down the stairs, and when we were in the front hallway we heard the first shot.

"It was deafening, Eddie, like a bomb to my ears. Dexter shoved me back into the closet and he slipped the door shut behind us. I was trembling and Dex held my hand. Mom was screaming now, and Dad was yelling at someone. That voice…from the tape…he was there…I remember him asking my dad where it was, over and over, threatening and asking. But Dad wouldn't tell him, or couldn't, I don't know which.

"Then there were more shots and more yelling and screaming…and…and…I was so scared, and Dexter covered my mouth and whispered that I couldn't scream so the bad man wouldn't know where we were. I closed my eyes and cried and Dexter kept his hand over my mouth, but then more shots and Dexter left. He just left the closet and ran. I stayed where I was…for a moment, but then I heard more booms, more shots, and my father was screaming now…and I ran from the closet unable to contain my fear," Devin heaved out, the pain and fear overwhelming her.

Eddie stepped into her and tucked her into his chest, enclosing her in his arms. She cried against his shoulder and he stroked her hair and back. He had tears on his cheeks as well and Devin couldn't find her voice to continue, but she figured she didn't need to at the moment. She fought with the rampage in her mind and focused herself so she could finish. She pulled back from him so she could look him in the eye and continued.

"I saw my mom, holes in her, blood everywhere, my dad, half his head was gone, brain and skull and blood on the wall, carpet, couch, everywhere. Dexter…face down on the carpet, holes in his back and neck….all dead. And that's when I felt the bullets slam into me. They tore at me and spun me around, and I've never felt such pain and nothing at the same time. I never saw his face…but I knew his voice."

"I had no idea, Devin," Eddie replied as they stood toe to toe. She looked up at him, sniffling as the tears ran down her face.

"No one knows what I saw, or went through, they never did. You're the first person to know what happened in that house. No leads, no suspects, nothing."

"And you never heard the voice again until now?"

"No one's voice triggered my memory like that," Devin said with a shrug as she began to recover herself. "I've never been to their graves."

"What?"

"I've never been to their graves…my family…I could never…before…go."

"Do you want to go now?" Eddie asked, taking her hand in his. She looked at the connection and stared. She didn't know the answer to that but she felt like she needed to find an edge, or at least talk to Nick "Where were they buried, LA?"

"No," Devin replied while shaking her head at the same time. "Stillwater."

"Where is Stillwater?"

"Pennsylvania."

"How far from here?"

"About 4 hours, maybe less."

"And you've never been?"

"Couldn't face them," she said softly her eyes downcast. "But I think now…I think I need to go get my father's things, check the storage to see if he had case files…"

"Devin, you aren't going to work their murder…its twenty years old."

"I don't need your help. I got vacation time on the books I can take. I'll…"

"You'll need help."

"You need to save your marriage."

"It's already ruined."

"But you said…"

"She served me with papers yesterday," Eddie replied with a shrug. "She's done with me."

"I'm sorry, old timer."

"It's not your fault," he replied with a broad smile.

"But I feel…"

"No," he said softly as he stepped forward and dropped his hands on her shoulders. He waited until she looked up at him before he continued. "You did nothing. We were unhappy before I was teamed with you, and things happen. Don't you even dare feel a little responsible for this. I know it's hard on you, and with this memory and all it's been a bit of an overwhelming day, but I don't expect anything in return, ok?"

"But, Eddie, its not that I don't…"

"Shhh," he said stopping her words with a finger over her lips. She felt frustrated because she didn't know how she felt about him, but this changed everything. She didn't want it to change, or did she? Maybe she did want things to change, to grow. Maybe she had just pushed the feelings down because he wasn't available, he was taken, but not now…he was being freed. Maybe it was just what she'd always wanted, and in that she thought maybe she had subconsciously tempted him. Guilt wrapped around her and Eddie must have seen it spread across her face because he hugged her tightly. "It's not and never will be your fault, kid."

"I'm going back to Pennsylvania," she mumbled against his shoulder. Eddie let her go and she stepped back from him. "I'm going to go and see their graves, and I'm going to talk to someone who is holding some of their things. I couldn't take everything with me when I went to live with Beck, so a friend of the family held onto some things. I hope he still has them because I think what I'm looking for was left with him."

"What are you looking for?"

"My dad kept notebooks for his investigations. I want to look at what he was working on at the time of his murder. I want to know who he was working with."

"You'll need help."

"You're free to tag along, just don't try to stop me."

"I'm just as curious as you are," Eddie replied with a grin. Devin nodded and took a deep breath steadying herself. She glanced at her face in the mirror and sighed, turning to the sink, she splashed water on her face. It took away some of the redness and she dried off the drips before turning towards Eddie.

"Guess we need to let the Caption know we're taking some leave," Devin stated with a nod. Eddie nodded in return.

"I'll get our case handed off and clear our names from the roster. You go home and get packed, it's already after six, shift is over anyway. I'll meet you at your place in an hour."