As Aidan's parents talked, Pam and the young woman were in the kitchen finishing cleaning up the platter's glass shards and doing the dishes.

Placing the last of the shards into the trash can Aidan leaned against the counter watching as her aunt pulled out some glasses for the ice coffee. She wanted to know what happened to her uncle, but was hesitant to ask or even mention Ralph's name again for fear of hurting Pam even more.

Even if she did ask Aidan was pretty sure she wouldn't get the answer she wanted, and based on how she assumed Ralph died, instead it would probably be some made up story to satisfy those who didn't or were not supposed to know about the suit like her. No she couldn't come straight out and ask she didn't want to hurt Pam or her family anymore.

She looked around the kitchen sadly remembering the times she spent growing up here, the successful and not so successful Thanksgiving dinners. But in this world they didn't happen, there were no happy dinners here she figured most of them were actually spent with her parents at the family estate.

Aidan wondered how she was going to get used to this world it was so different from hers … yet at the same time it was the same and starting to become comfortable… That frightened her some. She didn't want to forget Ralph and her time with him in that other place.

With a sigh, Aidan went to the fridge for some of the ingredients to make the iced coffee. She was just opening the door still thinking of how to approach the subject when something caught her eye. Closing the door she took a closer look. It was a picture of Bill Maxwell. Bill was standing in a river holding a huge fish aloft and the biggest grin she had ever seen on the agent. He looked happy but she could tell by his eyes he was far from it. She took the picture down and flipped it over hoping it was a recent one, and smiled at the inscription:

"Finally caught the big one."

Next to the script was a date glancing at the calendar next to her on the wall confirmed to Aidan the picture was only taken a few months ago. With that confirmation she had an idea. She knew there were only a handful of people that would know what happened to Ralph, her parents, Pam and Bill. Pam and her parents were not going to talk but Bill might.

"Oh this is a good picture of Bill," she said turning around and holding the picture up for Pam to see. "It looks fairly recent."

Pam took the picture and smiled as if at some memory. "It is, that was taken not far from his house in Big Bear, I hadn't seen him that happy in a long time. You would have thought he caught the number one man on the FBI's most wanted list." She chuckled, placing the picture back on the fridge. "I remember when Bill first told us about the cabin he told Ralph and me 'Well kids this is it when the agency finally kicks me out, cause that is the only way I will go, this is where I will land. A little piece of Americana'," Pam said in her best Bill Maxwell imitation making Aidan giggle.

"That was right before…" she finished softly then in order to hide her emotions she quickly opened the refrigerator picking out the items her niece forgot to get.

Aidan wasn't fooled; she knew what Pam was going to say. She remembered Bill in the other time line talking about a cabin when she was in high school, though she couldn't remember exactly where it was in Big Bear having only been there once but she hoped it was the same place and she had to find out. She recognized now that Ralph's death was definitely a sensitive subject and she would have to tread lightly.

"Pam," Aidan asked helping to collect the items and set them on the counter "Do you think I could go …"

"Oh Aidan I don't think that would be wise," Pam sighed setting her items down. She had an idea of what Aidan was doing and didn't want to go there. Aidan's parents had banned Bill from their lives - especially Aidan's - which she knew hurt the agent who saw and treated Aidan as his own niece.

Aidan going to see him would only cause trouble, especially if the strong-willed girl was going to ask about Ralph. So much like Ralph, she thought shaking her head. "Your parents wouldn't like that Aidan…you know they don't want Bill around at all, but only tolerate him helping me some because of Ralph's and my friendship with Bill."

"Pam, I'm adult very well capable of making my own choices. I really want to see Bill… maybe it will help with my memory problem, who knows but I want to go… Please?" Aidan pleaded using her best puppy dog look that in the other world always worked like a charm on her aunt. And, she knew it should - seeing how she learned the trick from her uncle.

Pam crossed her arms in thought. Aidan thought for a moment it wasn't going to work before Pam looked over her shoulder towards the door. She then turned to the notepad next to the phone after a few seconds she tore the top sheet off and handed it to Aidan. Pam wasn't sure if it was a good idea, but she also knew how much Bill liked the younger women and maybe it would cheer her old friend up. He might even take her mind off everything going on in her life, she thought.

"Here is where the cabin is," She pointed to the small map she drew. "It isn't too hard to find, there is my number and his if you get lost." She continued then covered Aidan's hand gently squeezing it to get her attention. Aidan looked up to see more tears in her eyes "Don't tell your parents I gave this to you OK?…"

"Don't tell us what?"

Austin's question startled both of them as they didn't hear him enter the kitchen. Aidan quickly recovered and folding the paper and placing it in her pocket "Nothing, Pam was just giving me her mom's recipe for jalapeño raspberry jam." Then she leaned close to her dad and whispered into his ear. "It's a secret so I can't tell you," she giggled stepping back hoping she didn't sound too nervous. Next to her Pam nodded backing up her story.

Looking between the two suspiciously Austin knew he wasn't getting the full story. The tears in Pam's eyes and the nervous bounce his daughter was doing confirmed this suspicion.

'Do not bring up the subject of Ralph or the circumstances of his death, around Pam. And any conversation about Bill Maxwell was off limits period.' It was a simple request yet she continues to go against it. Why? He thought suppressing the irritation at his daughters continued disobedience. After a moment, he decided it was better for all present to cut the visit short rather than press the issue in front of his sister-in-law. With one last look at his daughter that clearly showed his disapproval at her behavior Austin turned slightly to the side, waving his hand to direct his daughter to the front door.

"I think we had better call it a night," he stated gruffly then held up a hand when saw Aidan start to protest "Not another word Aidan, it's time to go, and don't forget you are still recovering from the accident." He finished in a tone reserved for a parent speaking to a five year old rather than a grown adult. When she didn't say another word he nodded then turned to leave.

With a scowl at her father's retreating back Aidan huffed under her breath, "I'm not five," as she followed him out to the front foyer, Pam close behind. The tension was thick in the foyer as the three collected their things in silence. Pulling her jacket on Aidan tucked the piece of paper further into her pocket, making sure it was secure as It was her only clue to help her get some answers for the questions she had.

What had happened? Why all the cloak and dagger and evasive answers every time she asked about her how had her uncle died? Why did even mentioning the name of Bill Maxwell - or Tony for that matter - bring out such anger and grief? She was desperate to find the answers even if it meant going against her father's wishes. She felt knowing them would help put everything back on an even keel in a world she felt was off keel, confusing and had become a little frightening.

Her father clearing his throat to gain her attention broke through her thoughts and she blushed slightly realizing everyone was watching her. Quickly finishing pulling her jacket on Aidan said her goodbyes to Pam then followed her parents to the car. With one final wave they all got in and Austin pulled the car out of the driveway then steered it towards Aidan's apartment.