I don't know if I can keep my promise to finish it today but I'll try my best otherwise you'll have to wait another year cuz I think it would be cool to conclude it on that day….bahahahahah just kidding!


`````````````Earlier````````````

The ride home is tense. Claudia is out cold. They've called ahead to Leena asking her to get a hold of Vanessa. As far as either of the partners can tell none of the blood is Claudia's which makes this whole situation better and yet worse.

Vanessa meets them outside the B&B and immediately gives over to her medical instincts. Myka and Pete are reluctant to leave Claudia's side but they have work to do and they'd only be in Vanessa's way.

Vanessa closes Claudia's door behind her and approaches the two hovering agents who have returned to hear the news.

"She's got a couple cracked ribs and a mild concussion. She's also suffering from temporary memory loss."

"It had enough force to throw her into the shelving." Muttered Myka adding that to the short list of things they knew.

Vanessa didn't bother to ask what it meant. This was obviously another artifact hunt gone awry. "Someone needs to keep an eye on her for the next 24 hrs. And she needs to ice her head injury every 2 to 4 hrs for 20 mins. I'd like to give Artie a once over as well."

The partners looked at one another.

"He's not here." Pete replied.

"Oh I just assumed Claudia had been with him."

"She was." Myka said quietly

"What are you not telling me? Whose blood was Claudia covered in?"

Pete looks at Myka he doesn't want to be the one to tell the woman that Artie is…missing.

Myka reaches out and takes Vanessa's shoulder, "Artie is missing. And we think it's his blood but we can't be sure."

Vanessa's eyes widen as she processes the information. Then she straightens her shoulders and pats Myka's hand. "I'll test the blood for a match. Keep an eye on Claudia and if you hear anything…" her voice gives just a bit.

"We'll let you know as soon as we know anything." Myka reassures the woman. They walk her out to her car and once again promise to call her.

They trudge back into the B&B to find Claudia sitting at the kitchen table with Leena bustling about.

"Claudia, you're supposed to be resting." Myka reprimands.

"Can't. Have to remember." Claudia says staring straight ahead.

Myka brushes back a stray clump of wildly dyed hair. Claudia begins to sob. Myka gathers Claudia in her arms, rocks her, and whispers soothing words. Never had the team thought they would see a broken Claudia. Claudia lets loose a keening cry that wrenches every soul standing in the kitchen.


And look at that we've made a loop. I can't say circle cuz ….its not one…what we've got here is a knot!

Give me reviews or give me death! I think I've regained my right to make demands of you ….ok ok geez put down the scalpels I did give you four chapters in one day!