Jacob opened the handwritten note left on his desk. He knew immediately it was from Brian. They had not met for some weeks. The last time he was less cautious but thanked his cousin for continued efforts to assist women in trouble by providing blankets, sheets and mattresses to shelters. He wanted to believe that Brian and Edgar Raeburn had truly reformed. It was possible however for bad people to do good things but not change their core patterning.

Jacob sighed wishful that his involvement with the Raeburns was kept to a minimum but the other big issue which confronted both families went deeper. Jacob and Cathy were both related to Brian. Mea's illness held one key to their relationship and what it would mean. Of the three, Brian was the most compatible for the liver tissue transplant. Jacob was not at all close and he worried about letting his new wife jeopardize her health to be a donor. There was also the question of how his parents would feel about it. The time for a decision was fast approaching.

Jacob lay down the note on his desk and turned his mind to the delight of the Christmas holiday just past. It had been everything he could have wanted. Having his parents together and contented with their lives was enough of a blessing. His wife of a few weeks shed many happy tears for the joy of a first Christmas in a truly loving family.

Sue and Catherine had spent many Christmases together in California but in those days Catherine was Gina without past, present or future. Their history together made this holiday one of rebirth. Mea and Cilla were children enjoying their first Christmas in the warmth and safety of a caring home. Catherine who had known this holiday in many happy times declared that it was the best ever!

Christmas Eve was spent below with Father and Mary and the entire tunnel community. The following day the family experienced the traditional activities which characterized most homes, turkey, gift exchange, singing and best of all stories from all lands. During the day, there were visits from a few friends, including Joe and Diana who seemed happier than ever. In the early morning, before the activity in the Brownstone reached fever pitch, Jacob and Cathy had gone to Lena's Place with Rob to deliver a turkey to the women waiting for some resolution to their miserable lives.

Erin, a born organizer, created a setting to gladden even the most hardened heart. The women looked willing to accept the charity of the season and worked together to support each other. The few children below were given small tokens from a Santa who was, they declared, too fat to make it down below but left the gifts at the door instead.

For the first time Jacob understood the joy his peers had talked about during his college days. Everyone seemed enchanted by the holiday. By the time Winterfest rolled around, no one was interested and no one else celebrated. It only increased Jacob's isolation. Now he could enjoy both.

He set aside his memories and returned his attention to the work ahead. Oats had been very clear that he was not to be involved in any cases related to the recent crime scene at the restaurant. That was fine with Jacob. He appeared to have so much on his plate already. Burying his head in research text left a part of his mind to consider a plan for the future.

There would be a confrontation brewing with Edgar Sr. His parents would have to come to terms with Brian as a donor. Most of all, he would have to consider his own future. Working with Cathy in the chambers fed a part of his psyche which he felt had been abandoned. Last year he struggled with the idea of studying some facet of medicine, not to work above as a physician but to develop the best aspects of Pater's work. The formula he made for the women below seemed to work effectively to assist in their recuperations. Iron tonics, cold remedies, and herbal sedatives all helped to settle frayed nerves. It was a work he enjoyed.

He had already spent considerable time working on some courses but the practical side of herbal knowledge still came from his sources in the community and the texts left by John Pater. He wished, someday, to be able to grow and identify those things which were most useful to the needs of the community below. Regretfully, he pushed all that aside and turned his attention to the large book at the corner of his desk. He glanced at the clock. He would meet Brian in two hours. There was a lot to be done.

Cathy walked purposefully towards her destination. She just left the chambers feeling content knowing the system to be working well. Erin had definitely turned a corner. There were no complaints from the women below. Both the living and eating areas were neat and clean. The large group which had been around over the holidays had mostly dispersed.

Cathy was delighted with the idea of transition and renewal, words that Erin had introduced into the processing of women coming into and leaving Lena's Place. She felt they were an appropriate application for the short term respite from abusive partners as well as those heading out to new pastures. Not many got a chance for a new life. A few would not make it. It was always easier to gravitate back to the familiar. Cathy prayed that a glimpse of something better was enough to change habits of a lifetime.

Her classes were still closed for the season. It gave Cathy an opportunity to check out other services available for rehabilitation. She chose to follow her usual route. An appointment had been made to meet with the director of a program for woman located more locally than most. Cathy wanted to work with community agencies to help set women on a better path but sometimes the assistance or alternative lodging was too far away for them to feel comfortable.

She often remembered how hard it was for her own mother to adjust to living in Florida. For months Lena complained that it felt almost like living in another country. When Frederick followed her a year later, he was so ill already that his care occupied much of her time. Finding resources to meet his needs helped her to move out of her 'New York culture' shell. By the time Cathy left to return to New York, Lena was settled. She was able to allow her daughter to leave and find her own happiness.

The word happiness brought a smile to her lips. Jacob! For her, he was the personification of the word.

'Cathy?'

She was so caught up in the moment of thought she failed to hear her name being called.

'Cathy?'

The tap on her shoulder startled her. A natural instinct to swing her arm was stifled as she turned around. Hunched shoulders and a partially hidden face almost covered the young woman who had been below just before the holidays. She still had no name.

'What on earth are you doing here?'

'I…you…told me …I had to leave. I had nowhere to go.'

At a glance, it was obvious that she wasn't just cold. She was deliberately trying to hide her face. She had on the same clothes she was wearing before Christmas. Her condition had deteriorated. It was equally obvious that she had not eaten.

'I need to have some name I can call you.'

The eyes searched around before settling on 'Holly'.

'How appropriate!'

Despite the seriousness of the situation they both saw the humour in it.

'I won't ask if it is real or not. Doesn't matter. What matters is how you feel.'

'Cathy, I am scared. I don't know what to do.'

Cathy noted that Holly drew back into the corner of the building. She kept her face away from the street where she could be seen. A fissure of fear slid down Cathy's back. She too looked around to see if there was any obvious or immediate danger. In particular, she looked for a man who could be a pimp or any strange looking cars. It mattered little. There was no longer a stereotype of what anyone should look like pimp, prostitute, or prince.

'Holly, can you walk with me. I have an appointment I can't miss.'

'No. You go and I will wait here. Come back. I can't go any further.'

'Are you hungry?'

At the nod, Cathy immediately formulated a plan. She pulled out her cell phone and sent a text message to the van. Rob was available. Cathy responded quickly with a set of instructions.

'Holly, do you remember Rob?'

The girl nodded. Tears fell from her eyes. The lip trembled.

'Wait here. He's coming to pick you up. He'll meet me at the end of my appointment. We'll talk and see what we can do. I have asked him to bring something to eat. Stay out of sight until you see the van. I am sorry, I have to go but we will talk later Ok?'

Holly nodded her understanding and agreement. Cathy tried not to look worried. She was concerned but knew that Holly could just as quickly run away as stay. There was something about her which expressed deep vulnerability, even while she seemed capable of surviving the streets alone. Many times, the women who came below reminded Cathy of her own mother but this girl was different. She was clearly a runaway who didn't fit the profile of an abused woman. There was a limit to what could be done but Cathy was determined to help. When she was below, Holly spurned any offers of real help. Trust was a big issue. Cathy had earned her trust by not prying too deeply into motives. There was however real practical problems that trust alone would not solve.

'What for you Sir?'

Jacob glanced at Brian's full plate of food.

'I couldn't wait.'

'Looks good. I'll have the same.' he said handing the menu back to the waiter.

Brian glanced at his cousin. 'Marriage agrees with you'.

'Cathy agrees with me. She is a wonderful wife.'

'Is she willing to talk with me yet?'

'No.'

The waiter brought a small plate of Singapore noodles for Jacob. It was a dish he enjoyed. Many members of the tunnel community had been Chinese. MuXie's had a pretty good version of the tasty spicy noodles, pork and shrimp. Brian and Jacob agreed to continue to meet at the local restaurant. It was dark and there were corner booths where privacy could be maintained. In view of his recent mishap, Jacob wanted to stay away from window tables as much as possible.

'I want to thank you again for your support of the women's charities.'

Brian looked up, surprised.

Jacob chose to ignore the look. Last time they met he had still been rude and unforgiving, feeling hurt by Brian's past aggressiveness.

'I can appreciate what you are doing. It helps a lot.'

'Good. So the little girl, Mea, is holding on?'

'I suppose you're keeping up on Cathy's blog?' At the affirmative nod, Jacob continued. 'Strictly speaking, she has hit a plateau and is beginning to go downhill again. It will be time soon. Officially, we are keeping it upbeat.'

'Would you have called me?'

'Yes. I would have. It wasn't time yet.'

'The hospital called to check on my status.'

'That was the Doctor's decision. I didn't go with my mother to the last appointment.'

'I won't renege on my word. I mean to do this Jacob.'

'You realize that my parents will have to know it's you.'

'They don't have to know the donor unless we all agree.'

Jacob wondered if he was making things more difficult than need be. Mea needed a liver transplant. Brian was not only compatible, he was willing. Selfishly Jacob still did not want Cathy to jeopardize her own health. Brian had been true to his word. His charity, set up quickly and efficiently had already helped more than he could have hoped. Jacob needed to let go of past issues. They left the subject knowing that it was a discussion which would have to come later anyway. A small measure of time spent together was to try and bridge the gap which existed between the two families.

'How are things with you?'

'We are keeping up. Business is not good generally but our products and services will survive.'

'Brian, can you really tell me how much of your business is legitimate?'

'All of it. My grandfather wanted no part of Gabriel's crime ring. We do business with criminals who appear legitimate but they are customers like anyone else.'

Relaxing a little, Jacob observed 'well my business is done with criminals too.'

They both chuckled, trying to decrease the awkwardness of making small talk.

'Brian, have you noticed any change? It seems there is more activity going on.'

Brian stared at Jacob for a long moment, assessing his words carefully.

'Yes, the head of the crime syndicate has become more aggressive in recent weeks. The drug trade is increasingly, very competitive. Everyone is looking to sell their product and eliminate the competition.'

'Locally or internationally?'

'Growth, transportation and sales are all international. Distribution is local. I can tell you that the local syndicate is in turmoil but there are other issues with them. A recent family matter has turned them against themselves. It's a struggle for leadership.' A narrowing of the eyes was followed by the observation, 'this is more than just curiosity on your part, isn't it Jacob?'

'I won't ask how you know what you just said, but I accept that you trust me because you have shared information which is not common knowledge. I will tell you, in turn, that I was witness to the uptown shooting before Christmas. There was a lot of similarity between the two groups of men. I thought it might be family more than territory which precipitated the event but I didn't share this with the police.'

'I see. Well I am still a lawyer. People ask me for advice. I get information. We have been close to these people in the past. Don't want to go there again but some ties remain, especially with Grandfather. They still expect me to help.'

'Ok so we have local escalation unrelated to product and international escalation due to competition. Where will it end?'

'A return to the 70's and 80's when the drug culture was rampant. I can tell you, I am worried and you should be too. If you stay with the PD's office, there are going to be a lot of guys stuck in the system. Do you know our people Jacob?'

'Yes.'

Jacob hoped that his time with Brian would be productive. It was. The fear which lay at the pit of his stomach did not go away but in fact intensified. What Jacob suspected and feared was true. It would impact him in his work. His mind ran to Jason knowing that the detective would also be overwhelmed.

The mounting confidence that Brian was truly redeeming himself was gratifying.

Since he would not be meeting Cathy, Jacob made his way home. He took the opportunity to think carefully about his future. The year, passing into history in a few days, bestowed on him love and untold happiness. What would the coming year bring?