Jeff groaned and reaching down helped his son up but kept him from going after her, "Wait son give her a little bit, she probably won't…."

The rest of his sentence was lost on his son, as John tore away from him and out the door. Thankfully the hall was empty and he made it to her room unchallenged

but found her door locked. He knocked and quietly called out to her several times. After several moments of receiving no response he pressed his ear to the door

and his heart nearly broke when heard the sound of sobbing.

He was about to begin pounding on the door when Onaha appeared quietly beside him and placed a hand gently on his shoulder, "Mr. John please allow me to try

first. Women can be very fragile at times like this and she may feel more comfortable talking to another woman. Go and get yourself cleaned up and eat

something. I'm sure by that time things will be better, alright?"

John at first looked as though he were going to argue but then his shoulders sagged and slowly turning he left quietly, glancing back at Victoria's door only once.

Onaha sighed at the sad expression she saw on his face before knocking gently on Victoria's door, "Miss Victoria, it is me Onaha, may I come in?"



After a few moments of silence the door slowly opened and Victoria peeked out with red rimmed eyes. After looking to see if anyone else was there she stepped

back and allowed Onaha into the room. She closed the door then turned and leaned against it staring at Onaha with a broken expression, "Mr. Tracy is angry with

me isn't he?"

Onaha's eyes widened in shock and she vigorously shook her head, "Of course not Miss Victoria, he told me what happened, and he is worried about you. He

said that there is a misunderstanding between you and he doesn't want you upset because of it. He asked me to come because of the delicacy of the

situation. He knows nothing happened. And if you'll excuse me for being so forward, Mr. John was very upset when I sent him away. He loves you, Miss

Victoria."

Victoria covered her face and slid to the floor in tears, "I know and I love him but it terrifies me! I can't stand the thought of not being with him but I'm not

sure I can do this. Last night when I thought he was gone I felt like the world was spinning out of control and I wanted to die with him. Is this how it's

supposed to be? I've always been in control, even with Jack, emotionally at least. He never held this part of me that John does, no one has, ever. I

don't know what to do anymore?"

Onaha smiled down at the young woman. She had had a feeling that all of this ran much deeper than embarrassment. She remembered all too well the feelings of

scary exhilaration Kyrano brought when he had come into her life.

Sighing she crouched down and gently cupping Victoria's chin lifted her face, "I'm afraid this is exactly what it is supposed to be like. Your mother died when

you were young, yes? Well I'm sure, had she lived, she would have told you the same thing I'm going to tell you now. When the right person comes

along, that other part of you, life can become a sometimes scary, sometimes exhilarating ride. He will go through the same fears and joys you are

experiencing. It sometimes takes a while to learn how to live as two halves of the same soul. Just hang on tight and take nothing for granted and when

those joyous times do come there will be nothing that can rival them. And at the same time when the bad times do come you will face it together. When

the time is right you'll know, there will be no question in your mind or heart. Just give it some time, don't shut the door yet, okay."

Victoria was staring up at her with a look akin to a child's hopeful gaze at Christmas, "I will try Onaha. I want this to work; really I do even though I'm terrified.

He so wonderful, I hope I am what he needs."

Onaha stood smiling and helped Victoria to her feet, "I have a feeling your both what the other needs and in time things will prove that to both of you. Now I

think it's time you got ready for the day and then you can come to the kitchen, I will have something for you to eat, okay"

Victoria smiled, feeling like a weight had been lifted from her heart, and hugged her, "Thank you so much, I feel so much better now!"



Onaha was surprised for a moment, but then hugged her back, "You're most welcome, Miss Victoria." With that she turned and left and Victoria went about

getting ready.