Although I like Branch's story line during the third season, I wanted this conversation to go in a different direction, so I've chosen to ignore it (at least for now).

Vic was seated on Walt's front steps, leaning back, her lower arms resting on the step two above the one she was sitting on, her head slightly back, eyes closed, taking in the last of the day's sun. Although she heard a vehicle approaching, she stayed in her position, as if trying to hold on to the moment a bit longer.

She heard a car door close, shaking her from her thoughts, and opened her eyes to see Cady approaching.

"Vic," Cady said, looking up at the cabin and then back at Vic. "Is my Dad home?"

"No. I'm waiting for him," Vic said, sitting up.

"Do you have a case?"

"No…no case. Just stopped over because I wanted to talk to him, outside the office. You know how hard it is to track Walt down, with him and his annoying refusal to carry a cell phone." A pause. "Oh I'm sorry, I didn't realize you had plans with him tonight," Vic added, finally noticing the pizza box and paper bag in Cady's arms.

"Oh, no, we don't. He isn't expecting me. I was just over at the Red Pony with Henry, and he suggested I bring some dinner to Dad, guessing that his refrigerator is likely pretty empty."

Vic let out a laugh, remembering the sight of Walt's empty fridge that morning. Upon waking up on Walt's couch, parched and hungover, she had made her way to his kitchen looking for something to drink. Other than some cans of Rainier and a few other items, his refrigerator had been pretty bare. When Cady raised her eyebrow, Vic realized she had laughed out loud.

"How's Henry doing?" Vic asked, changing the topic. She didn't get to talk to him much on either night she'd hung out at the Red Pony the past weekend.

"He's beyond frustrated. Feels the ankle monitor keeps him on a tight leash."

"I've been a little pre-occupied by things of late, but I'll make sure I stop by this week to say hello," Vic said.

"Oh I am so sorry Vic. My Dad told me what happened to you on the compound with those survivalists. I'm glad to know that you're alright, and seem to be almost healed. How are you doing, dealing with what you went through?"

Vic looked down at her feet and clasped hands.

"I'm sorry. That's likely too personal. You're probably sick of being asked how you're doing anyway," Cady apologized. She looked over at Vic, who continued to look down at her hands.

"I don't want to intrude…but I hope you have someone to talk to about what you've gone through. My Dad seems so strong all the time, but sometimes he's putting on a front to mask the hurt or pain he is dealing with on the inside. He doesn't share what he is going through with others very easily…he thinks it's a burden we can't handle...or shouldn't have to handle. And it ends up eating him up. I hope you are turning to those around you for support."

Vic looked up at Cady. "I am," she said. "Thanks." She looked Cady up and down and noticed how tired she looked. "How are YOU doing? I know you have a lot on your plate. How is the case going?"

"We've hit a dead-end. Despite Henry's suspicions of Malachi and Darius we have no proof, and we're struggling to find a new lead. Some days I feel so helpless. Henry's fate is in my hands, and I could fail him…and my father. I've never done this type of work before, and if Henry could afford it, I would be recommending someone with a whole lot more experience to represent him. But he doesn't have that option, and I saw no other choice but to take on the case myself."

"I think it is an amazing and brave thing you are doing, Cady. I don't know all the details, since Walt has been so frickin' tight-lipped about everything, but I can't imagine stepping up the way you have."

"You would do the same, Vic, from what I know about you. Dad says you are an incredibly loyal, determined and protective person when it comes to those you care about."

"Walt said that?" she asked, taking in Cady's words.

"As you know, he's a pretty private person, but he actually talks about you, and Henry, and others he respects. Probably, partly, to avoid talking about himself, put also because if you are in Dad's circle of trust, you're in," Cady said with a smile. The corners of Vic's lips turned upwards in response.

A sobering look crossed Cady's eyes, and her smile faltered for a moment.

"No matter how it turns out, Henry and Walt are going to be extremely grateful for everything you've done, Cady. You're in Walt's circle of trust too. Plus, Walt is a pretty tenacious man when it comes to investigating an injustice, and he's pretty damn fired up about Henry's situation. As Walt's doggedness is likely genetic, between the two of you, you'll get another lead soon and the proof you need to prove Henry's innocence. So don't give up."

Cady looked over at Vic and smiled. "Thanks."

They sat in silence for a moment, both looking at the land that stretched out before them. "Speaking of my Dad being a very private person, is he seeing anyone right now?" Cady asked.

"Not that I know of," Vic stuttered, flustered by both the change of topic and the particular topic at hand.

"It's just that my Dad doesn't talk to me much about things like that, and it seems like I'm the last to know," Cady said, looking over at Vic. "With Lizzie, I ended up finding out from her that they were dating. I just didn't know if there was someone new. I think if it was someone really important to him he would tell me about her, or at least I hope he would, but otherwise..."

They both heard the sound of a vehicle at the same time, and looked up to see Walt's truck coming down the road. He slowed as he approached the cabin, his head turned towards the two women, a questioning look upon his face. He came to a stop, cut the ignition and stepped out of the truck hesitantly.

"Hey Walt," Vic said, happy to put a halt to Cady's current line of questioning. He nodded in greeting.

"Hi Dad," Cady said smiling. "I come bearing food."

"Hey Punk," he greeted Cady.

"I should head out," Vic said, making a move to stand.

"No, don't," Cady said, turning back to Vic. "Dad and I didn't have plans, and there is more than enough pizza for the three of us."

Vic hesitated as she looked over at Walt, who seemed a bit uncomfortable. "I can't stay," she said. "The two of you should get in some father-daughter bonding time, anyway.

"Well I know that you came here to talk to Dad about something, so I'm going to take this inside, re-heat it and get us some plates, to give the two of you a chance to chat." Cady bounded up the steps, leaving Walt and Vic to themselves.

"It was nothing important….the reason I stopped by, I mean," Vic said after looking over her shoulder and confirming that Cady was out of earshot. "I just wanted to thank you for putting up with me last night, and letting me sleep it off on your couch. Sorry I snuck off this morning before you woke up. I was in serious need of a shower, a change of clothes and some food. Borrowed your truck to get to my place…well you already know that, since Ferg came and picked you up this morning. You were out on a case when I finally made it in to the office, so I haven't been able to thank you in person."

Walt just nodded in return.

"And I didn't mean to intrude upon you and Cady this evening. Hope you are not uncomfortable with me being here. With me hanging out with Cady while we waited for you."

Walt stood silently for a moment, and then opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by Cady yelling out.

"No way! Henry is never going to believe this. I'm going to have to send him a picture."

"What are you talking about Cady?" Walt asked, loud enough for Cady to hear.

"Your fridge actually has food in it. A decent amount. I'm impressed," Cady responded.

Walt looked quizzically towards the kitchen, and then turned his gaze on Vic.

"Your fridge was pretty damn pitiful when I saw its contents this morning," she said. "I just picked up a few items before I came over. You had to deal with my drunk ass last night. I thought it was the least I could do to thank you."

"You didn't need to do that."

"It was no big deal. I was picking up things for myself anyway," Vic said, shrugging it off.

With that, she stood up and made her way down the steps towards her truck. Walt hesitated a moment and then followed her. After she opened the driver side door, he held it and then closed it once she was in.

She looked up at him as she started the vehicle.

"Thanks again, for everything. I hope I didn't embarrasses myself too bad or offend you in any way last night," she said through the open window. "Some of it is a bit of a blur."

"You were fine," Walt said, his eyes softening, a slight smile appearing. "And thank you for the groceries," he added. "Very thoughtful."

Walt's smile was contagious, and a similar one broke out on Vic's face. After a moment, she broke eye contact as she looked down to put the car in reverse.

Vic looked back up at Walt, and then called out to Cady. "'Bye Cady." She then turned her head to back her truck out. After pulling out, she looked back towards Walt, gave a slight wave, and drove off.

XX

Walt walked back to the stairs, and sat down next to Cady, who had just emerged with their dinner.

"I think you should find someone like Vic."

Walt blinked, and felt the heat rising in his face.

"What?"

"I don't mean Vic herself, she's obviously married, but someone you get along with as well as you do with her. You seemed like yourself with her just now, and at ease while you two talked. I've seen you interact similarly with her before, while you seem more uncomfortable or indifferent around most other women in social situations. Vic lets you be yourself, and doesn't expect you to be anything else. But she'll also call you on your crap, when it needs to be called out. You need someone like that."

Walt didn't say a word, looking off in the direction Vic's truck had gone.

"Punk, why are you trying to get me to find someone new? How can you be working on Henry's case, which involves your Mom's murder, at the same time you are trying to match me up with another woman? You loved your mother. Why do you want me to move on, and let go of her?"

"Moving towards someone else doesn't mean you have to let completely go of Mom. I just want you to be happy. Mom would want you to be happy. As you said, Mom's death was like a cancer, and it ate you up inside. You need someone who can help you let go. Not let go of Mom, but let go of the darkness that has built up inside you since Mom's death. Find joy again."

He looked over at Cady.

"Thanks for looking out for me, Punk. I'll try to keep that in mind."

"And if you're open to other advice, let's talk about the shape that this cabin is in. The no-cabinet-doors look in the kitchen has been going on a little too long, don't you think?" she began.

Walt smiled as Cady rattled on about his lack of progress on the cabin, despite his earlier promise to her to complete the work. Between Cady and Vic, and the way they made him take stock of his life, the two women were going to be his undoing.