Chapter 13

Fallen

Jack's P.O.V.

It's the middle of August, and I still don't have her back in my arms. The village for the most part has moved on. The only time Karen's name is brought up is when people think I can't hear it, same goes for Karen's family. She's now the poor victim of the village's rumor machine. It didn't matter to me though; I had my memories of her and thought about them daily.

The farm was holding its own, but I hadn't really been able to spend too much time on it so it hadn't expanded past the ten or so fields we had going now. It wasn't that hard to take care of, just throw the water and the food in the irrigation system in the morning, set the timer, flip it on, and my job was done. Cliff took care of our single Chicken, and helped me look over the plants once a week or so.

The valley had really taken off. The inn opened up and we'd always have at least one or two families staying there looking to see what old farming town life was like. Of course the inn was outfitted with very modern equipment so they could retire to a setting they were used to instead of living in this near Amish community 24/7. I liked it though, but I'd like it more if Karen were here.

"Hey boss, how's it hanging?" Cliff was staying with Ann in my place starting right after the fourth of July. I had made Ann one of the managers of the inn and figured Cliff and her would move into a room there, but I guess they were worried about me.

"Good as it can be, how's Nugget?"

"Are you sure you wouldn't enjoy a nice chicken dinner boss? I mean she only lays one egg, it's almost not worth it."

I smiled. Cliff and Ann had both developed a talent of raising my spirits. I thanked God I had friends like them.

"If Karen ever found out…" I cut myself off. I had a bad habit of bringing her up like she was going to be back the very next day. It embarrassed me, and made me look desperate.

"Look boss, I'm sure she's fine. Just give that investigator guy of yours some more time."

"Yea, you're right Cliff, thanks."

"No problem. I'll leave the chicken alone but if one day the door magically gets left open and a fox gets to her don't go pointing fingers at me."

I laughed. "Well if that's the case I'd rather Nugget magically pop up on my kitchen table baked and ready to eat."

"I'll be sure to tell the genie."

We both laughed and Cliff walked off towards the inn to help Ann out. I started the irrigation system up and took a look around the fields to make sure the crops were growing alright. It was the end of summer and I'd be getting my last harvest out of my corn later on in the week. I made enough money off the farm to live nicely, and with the stock investments and trust fund I had back in the city I could easily get more money if I needed it for like a family or something.

"Damnit" No matter how hard I tried it only took a dash of day dreaming to bring Karen back to the front of my mind.

I walked around the farm a little more inspecting the barns and crops to make sure everything was the way it needed to be. I was about to step into my house and grab a quick nap when someone walked up on me.

"Jack?"

I turned around and smiled when I saw Karen's father Gotz. "Hey Mr. Miller, that time already?"

He laughed. "You must be slowing down on your chores Jack. Usually you've finished long before I show up."

"Yea…just had a lot on my mind today."

The smile on Gotz's face disappeared. "I know what you mean. Come on, I hear the fishing is really good up at Mother's Hill this week."

You might think it was strange that I was getting along so well with a guy I had nearly killed a few months ago. The truth is we both had something each other wanted. Gotz had memories about Karen I never knew of, the things she did after I left, how she grew up, everything. I had my memories I shared with Karen, the plans we had talked about, and of course the updates from the city on her search. We had set aside our differences a few days after the accident. He still blamed himself for it even after everyone had told him Kai and Orlando had drugged him. I remember how horrified he looked when he woke up and Mrs. Miller had told him what happened. He started going back to church, laughing and smiling more, and even gave up drinking.

Even better news I had gotten Alex to look at the vineyards plants since the grapes they were producing weren't making the best wine. After a little adjustment in the fertilizer and watering schedule the grapes were tasting much better and things were looking up for the harvest at the end of summer. Mr. Miller and I were working desperately to get tons of stores in and near North County to carry the wine when it shipped. We hoped it would get Karen back, but that was months down the road.

"So Jack what was on your mind today?"

"I dunno, today makes it two months you know. I'm starting to get a little frustrated."

He got quiet for a few seconds and then cast his line in. "You know my dad always told me the life is a lot like fishing."

"I don't follow."

Gotz smiled. "Think about it, when you fish, you want to catch a fish right? But you can't just always throw your line in and get a fish can you?"

"No."

"Think of the ocean as your life, and the fish as your desires. If you only cast out once or twice you might not even get that fish, but if you sit out here day after day and cast after cast and keep going for it you'll eventually catch that fish you want. It's when you give up there's no hope, as long as you keep trying there's always hope."

"Thanks Mr. Miller."

"Oh come on Jack we've been doing this every day since Karen left. Call me Gotz." He paused for a second and smiled. "When she comes back you'll have to start calling me dad."

I blushed and threw my line in. "You always do know how to push my buttons."

He slapped me on the back. "It's part of being a father in law Jack."

I smiled. For some reason talking with Gotz about Karen made it seem like she was only on vacation for awhile, and we both knew she was coming back. I missed her dearly, but I knew Gotz missed his daughter just that much more. He'd love nothing more than to talk about her as we fished, and he'd always stop in his story every now and then and point out the things he regretted doing to her.

"You know her first high school dance she almost didn't go."

"Why?"

"Pappy had talked about going to see you the weekend of the dance for your 16th birthday. I had given Karen some money to buy a dress, but when she heard about Pappy's plans she was pretty set about using it to get to the city to see you."

I was surprised; I had thought Karen had forgotten about me a few years after I left. "Really?"

"Yep, Pappy never went though. Said he came down with a cold, but I knew he just didn't want to break Karen's heart."

"Huh?"

Gotz's smile could have ripped his face off. "Karen kept casting her line in over and over hoping her hook would make it all the way to North County and reel you back in. Pappy knew though your dad wouldn't let you leave, and her seeing you again would only make matters worse. He took care of her as if she were his own granddaughter."

"My grandfather always has a special place in his heart for her. My mom too."

"Oh? I knew about Pappy, but where does your mother come in Jack?"

"Well you see there's this song that's passed down through my family. My great grandmother wrote it, its kind of a weird tradition. She sang it to my great grandfather, and when she had Pappy she gave the song to the girl she wanted Pappy to marry. Then she sang it to Pappy and then when my mom was born Pappy gave her the song to sing to my dad. Then just before my mom died she gave the song to Karen to sing at the Christmas pageant tryouts, but my ma knew I'd be at the tryouts so she was really giving it to Karen to sing to me."

"So you're saying your mother knew you and my daughter were meant for each other when you were that young."

"Yea…I guess."

Gotz laughed. "That Amanda she always was a matchmaker. She's the one that set me up with Sasha. I swear she could spot a couple years before they ever admitted anything for each other."

"Really?"

"Oh yea, and she was a looker too. She got good at matchmaking because she'd always set the guys that went for her up with someone else."

"Are you saying you hit on my mom?"

"No, no, like I said she was a looker though. Your mom went with Jake to the mainland one weekend to find a college. Your grandfather wanted her to get some higher education, even if it was just a two year degree. I remember Jake came back all flustered because some young tour guide had swept Amanda off her feet and now she was dead set on attending that university. Your dad sure worked his charm on her fast. Heck the guys on the island were thinking no one would ever get to Amanda."

"Yea I'm glad it turned out alright for them."

Gotz slapped my back with his free arm keeping his pole steady in the other. "Don't worry Jack she's coming back. You just keep that farm going; you gotta have some way to support my daughter and your family when the time comes right?"

I smiled. I knew Gotz was hurting inside, but he never let anyone see it. He had done a complete 180 a few weeks after Karen left. He joked, talked, and laughed tons more than he used to. I wished Karen was back, she'd be so happy to see him like this. Maybe that was his secret. Every time I mentioned Karen, Gotz always acted like she was going to be back any time. Optimism was an important thing to have in times like these; I just couldn't bring myself to look at it that way though.

"I guess I should be thinking about that."

"Damn right you should my boy; I can't have my daughter marry off into poverty."

I felt the line jerk and I quickly pulled up to set the hook.

"Would you look at that? Reel that thing in Jack, we've got supper tonight!"

The rod looked like it was going to break in half; the fish must have been huge. I fought and fought pulling up and reeling down. Suddenly it became easy to reel and I thought the fish had gotten off. I kept reeling the line in and was happily surprised to see a large fish still on the hook. Gotz grabbed it with the net and put it in the cooler we had brought along.

"My gosh, I haven't see a flounder that big in ages. Come on let's take it to Duke to cook up. I'll grab the wife and you bring Cliff and Ann by, we'll have a feast tonight!"

For once in a long while I was happy. Having close friends like this always made bad situations easier to handle. The only downside of this place I could think of is that it was so small I could always find something that reminded me of Karen.

"I need to stop moping, no matter where I was if I keep in self pity I'm always going to be thinking of her."

I grabbed the cooler and went with Gotz to drop off the fish with Duke. The old bartender was amazed at the size of the fish and agreed to clean and cook it up for us if we let him in on the meal. We had already planned for that and happily asked him to join us. Afterwards Gotz went to get Sasha and I went to get Cliff and Ann.

Stopping by the house I saw Cliff was already there, but I was surprised Ann wasn't around. I looked at Cliff and he had a nervous look on his face. When he spotted me he quickly walked up to me.

"Boss, I wanted to run something by you and see what you thought."

"Sure, what's up?"

Cliff looked around to make sure no one was nearby. It was weird how paranoid he was acting. He reached into his pocket and brought out a small grey velvet box, a jewelry box. I quickly put one and one together, but I let Cliff tell his story.

"Ann and I have been living together for a season now, and I met with her dad last week to get the green light." He looked so nervous his head could pop off. "I wanted to ask, do you think I'd make a good husband for her?"

I had to keep myself from laughing. Cliff looked like a little kid standing there waiting for my answer. I didn't know why he was so unsure of himself, but I wasn't about to let him down. "Cliff if you're not good enough to be Ann's husband then there's no man on this Earth that is. You'll be a great husband, and I'm sure Ann's father saw that too otherwise he wouldn't have given you the ok."

Cliff looked relieved. "Thanks man, I really appreciate it. I'm just so nervous about asking her. When and where should I do it?"

The dinner that night quickly came to mind. It would be a perfect setting with everyone relaxing and telling stories. I'd have to invite Ann's father over of course, but I was sure there was enough fish to go around as long as I brought over some veggies to go with it. Looking at the corn I was sure I could nab a few ears without too much trouble and use them as a side dish.

"Well Cliff, tonight we're having a big meal over at Duke's. Me and Mr. Miller nabbed a pretty big fish this afternoon and Duke's cooking it up for us. I was just going to invite you and Ann, but I'm sure there's enough for Mr. Green as well. Why not ask her tonight? She always did see Sasha as a mother figure to her. You can't lose."

"That soon boss?"

"There's no point in putting it off. Sides it's just going to get harder the longer you put it off, and it's not like she's going to say no."

"She could."

"Cliff, she's not going to say no."

"But what…"

"Cliff she won't."

"But if…"

"Cliff, just go grab some corn off the stalks. I'll handle the rest."

A few hours later we were all gathered around the table at the bar. It had been closed off for the dinner as I had clued Duke and Gotz in on what was happening between Cliff and Ann.

"Cliff are you alright, you look like you're going to sweat to death." Duke teased him even though he knew what Cliff was so nervous about."

"No…no sir I'm fine."

"Oh come on Cliff its Duke, not sir."

"Sorry, Duke."

Everyone laughed except for Ann. I could tell she was worried about Cliff. She had no idea of course why he was acting so strangely.

The supper went off wonderfully and the fish and corn tasted great. Gotz told some old stories about him and Sasha dating and even a few about my mother. He made sure not to mention Karen, not just for my sake, but he didn't want to spoil the mood for what was going to be such a special night for Ann. Sasha and Ann stood up and grabbed our plates taking them to the sink. Cliff looked at me and I nodded signaling him this would be the perfect time.

When Ann came round to grab his plate he gently grabbed her wrist. She looked confused, but I saw tears come to her eyes when Cliff got down on one knee and brought out the ring box.

"Ann, you know I love you."

She was speechless, all that came out was "Uh, huh."

"And you know I want you to be happy."

Again the red head was at a loss for words. "Uh, huh."

"Would you give me the chance to make you happy for the rest of your life and become my wife?"

Tears fell from her eyes and her face was red. Cliff opened the ring box displaying a simple single diamond engagement ring. Ann couldn't hold back the tears as the poured down. "Yes! I will!" She grabbed onto him in a tight hug and we all clapped for them.

Even though I missed Karen, it was moments like this that reminded me I still belonged here.

Karen's POV

I hated the chalky taste of the pills when I put them in my mouth. I had gotten so used to taking them I didn't really need water to swallow them down, but those few times I messed up left my mouth tasting like I had swallowed a box of chalk.

Vicodin was my addiction now. My doctor had given it to me for my broken arm, but of course cut me off, saying the substance was too addictive. Luckily Orlando's nightlife business allowed him to dip into the drug market and he always had some for me. He was nice about it too he didn't make me do anything for the pills, he just kept them to make sure I didn't take too many. Truth be told, they were starting to lose their effect.

No I didn't take them for pain, not the physical kind anyway. The pills kept me happy, and that in itself was a miracle. After reading about Jack's death I had this huge hole in my heart. I had felt complete when we had finally admitted our feelings for each other. Now that was gone. My family was gone, my father having driven me away, and I couldn't stop blaming myself for Jack's death. If I had just taken my beating and not gotten him involved Jack would be alive.

"Karen, we're almost there, you ready?"

I nodded. Orlando had driven me out to the hospital for my check up. It was going to be the highlight of my day since my cast was supposed to be taken off. I had told Orlando and Kai I could just get Orlando's driver to take me to the hospital but Orlando insisted on taking me himself. I had noticed Kai didn't seem pleased when Orlando announced he was taking me alone, and I even heard them shouting for awhile in Spanish after I left the room.

But whatever the problem was it had been settled and currently I was sitting in a car parked outside North County's main hospital.

"What's wrong? You look nervous."

I'll admit I was. The doctor back in Morehead City didn't seem too gung hoe about this doctor, and with my mood as delicate as it was. "The doctor back in Morehead, he didn't really seem to think a lot of this doctor."

"Nonsense, this guy is known all over the world. He's the best Diagnostician in the country."

"But Orlando, I already know what's wrong with me. I don't want someone poking around my body looking for stuff."

"No, no he's just going to look at your arm. Don't worry about it. I'll be there the whole time."

Now I was uncomfortable. Lately Orlando had been acting a little more protective of me than I thought he should. He had also been getting into some pretty heated arguments with Kai, and I could always tell I was the main subject. "I hope he's not planning on hitting on me…I better keep my distance."

"Actually Orlando, would it be alright if I just stayed in the examination room?"

"Of course, I just meant I'd be in the waiting room if you needed me."

He tried to play it off cool but I could tell he was a little miffed. We sat down in the waiting room and Orlando went to the front desk to check me in. They directed me towards the emergency room so I could get some x-rays and possibly have the cast removed.

Sitting in the waiting room my mind started to wander as I felt the Vicodin start to kick in. Fond memories of the short month Jack and I had together flooded my mind and brought a smile to my face. My favorite memory was actually the night it had all started. I fished out the iPod Orlando had bought me the other week and scrolled through the music till I got to the song 'Heaven (Candle Light Remix)' it filled my ears and I closed my eyes letting the scene play over in my mind.

I was just to the part when Jack was about to kiss me when I felt a nudge shaking me from my day dream. "Megan they just called you back." Orlando pointed to a nurse looking at me, clipboard in hand.

I stood and walked over towards her and sat in a side room. They quickly took my blood pressure, asked if I was on any medications, and asked a few other questions about allergies. Of course the entire time I was referred to as Ms. Megan Yates, my false name. I was growing to hate it and I just wanted to scream out 'I'm Karen Miller!' to everyone. It was kind of weird though, I remembered Pappy's wife's name was Megan, coincidence I guess I'm going by the same name as Jack's grandmother.

They moved me to an examination room and I just sat there and my mind drifted off again. I was still feeling pretty good off the painkillers, but for some reason my mind decided it wanted to think on more recent events.

I remembered getting to Orlando's house for the first time and being shocked. It was huge, gated, and very lavish. He had a pool, a huge living room with a big TV and home theater system, computers, gadgets, ornately decorated bedrooms, a huge kitchen, and even servants. When Kai and Orlando left to take care of their business I got to know a lot of the hired help. They knew my real name, but I was careful not to tell them how I had gotten here, not wanting to set off any of the alarms. Jeeves, yes like the website, was the old butler. He'd always take me out places I wanted to visit, and knew the city very well. Vince was the hired body guard, he was huge, and he always would mainly stick with Orlando. However many times when I'd want to go out Orlando would send him with me. It was kind of a nuisance, but I quickly learned how dangerous Durham became at night and learned to be thankful for the guy's services. Luigi was our cook, and he could cook literally anything. If he didn't have what he needed I'd always go out with him to get the ingredients at the local grocery store. He was impressed with my wine selection skills and I always tried to watch what he did when he cooked. He had promised me once I got my cast off he'd teach me how to cook. Lydia the old maid was perhaps the closest thing I had to true girlfriend in that house. I'd talk to her hinting at my past, trouble with my parents, and other things. She'd always tell me stories about when she was younger some of them were pretty scary from when she had been in France during WWII. How she had escaped from the Nazi's and lost her father.

"Sure is taking this doctor awhile…"

I kicked my feet back and forth against the table I was sitting on. The room was pretty cold, but I was determined to get this cast off. Kai had been getting a little more daring in his advances with me lately. He had bought my roses last night trying to say it was a celebration getting my cast off, but I knew he was trying to test the waters on how I felt for him. I was nice to him, but I wasn't ready to get into a relationship with anyone else yet. In fact a large part of me just never wanted to get involved with anyone. Orlando was throwing his weight around more with Kai too. I could tell he'd get frustrated with him after Kai would try stuff to woo me. I wasn't sure if he got angry at him thinking his ideas were stupid, or if he wanted me for himself. They always argued in Spanish so I couldn't understand.

"My, my, so since Ms. Yates has money I'm stuck as your doctor."

I looked up and a tall man with a cane stood in front of me. He looked like he was in his forties. Button down shit with the two top buttons left undone, coat and pants, and a scruffy face with uncombed hair. When I didn't answer him he scrutinized me with his eyes, getting a little closer to me then I'd like.

"You're eyes are going in and out of focus. Are you taking any drugs?"

"No."

"Humm, defensive." He took a pill bottle out of his jacket pocket and popped the top. He pulled out two pills and held them up to me. "Sure you're not taking something that looks like this." I was amazed it was Vicodin. He popped both pills into his mouth and swallowed them. "It's not like I care or anything, I was going to prescribe you some to deal with the muscle soreness you'll have after you get your cast off, but it looks like you've already got some."

I didn't answer. It didn't seem like I needed to.

He looked over my file and his eyes seemed to catch something interesting. "Ah this explains it you're living with Orlando Escobar, Durham's biggest drug lord."

He must have seen my eyes go wide in surprise. I knew Orlando dipped into the drug market, but I didn't know he was a drug lord.

"Looks like you didn't know, oppsie. Let's keep that between us ok? I'd rather not end up dead in some ally. I won't mark your Vicodin addiction down in return."

I nodded and I saw him smile. "I knew it, you are popping Vicodin."

He had caught me, but I had him caught too. "Yes, but you aren't going to mark it down if I keep my mouth shut right?"

"Yea, yea. There was another thing that sparked my curiosity. You said you took a nasty fall off your roof when you were drunk. But the x-rays don't tell that story, see?" He took the x-rays out and put them on a light board. "You see the break comes from the inside out. If you fell on your arm it'd be the other way around. This looks more like a defensive injury of some kind."

"Please don't."

"Don't worry, all you have to tell me is that they guys you're living with didn't have anything to do with it and you're safe. Not that it's a big concern of mine, but it's kind of a legal thing."

"I'm not in any danger."

"Good, keeps my insurance rates down. Let's see Dr. Case would be the best choice to help you get your cast off."

"Thanks doctor."

"But I think I'll have Dr. Cameron give it a try, only fair to give her some practice right?"

Asshole didn't begin to describe this guy, but I had to go along with it. "What exactly happens?"

He ignored me and grabbed the phone. "Dr. Cameron please report to the emergency room ward stall number six, I'm giving you another shot at cast removal." He looked at me and smiled. "Let's try not to nick the patient with the saw this time ok?"

He hung up and grabbed his cane. "Don't worry the whole process is pretty painless. But on the upside if she does slip with that saw you're already on painkillers."

He left and I was alone in the exam room again. The Vicodin used to keep my mind on happy thoughts, and let me block out anything I wanted, but it wasn't doing that anymore. Tears started to come to my eyes as I went back to the scene of that faithful night, when Jack confessed his love for me. The feeling of him close to me while that song played; the air gently blowing around us; even with the tears slowly falling down my cheeks I smiled when I remembered his face when I silenced him with my finger. He had looked so scared that I was going to reject him, and then he had looked so happy when I told him how I felt.

"Are you alright Ms. Yates?"

I was startled. I hadn't noticed the young woman walk into the room. She was holding a clipboard with what I guessed was my file. "Are you Dr. Cameron?"

"Yes, I'm sorry about Dr. House. His personality is pretty infamous around here. Don't worry I've never messed up a procedure as simple as this."

I felt a little better. "That's good to hear."

"I hope you don't mind me asking, but were you crying? You aren't in any pain are you?"

I shook my head. "No I'm fine."

"Alright then we'll get this cast off your arm then." She propped my arm up on a table and grabbed when looked like a small circular saw. She must have seen how nervous I was because she pulled the saw back.

"I promise I'm not going to hurt you, it's really easy to do. All I use the saw for is to cut through the plaster, you've still got a lot of cotton fiber underneath I won't even be touching."

I still didn't relax any. It was hard I mean that saw was still going to be close to my arm. "It helps to talk while it's going on." She put the saw near my arm and held on to me with her spare hand to make sure I didn't flinch. "Having guy problems?"

"Huh?"

She smiled and started to slowly cut off the cast. "Problems with a guy, I know you were crying when I came in."

My head hung a clear sign to her she had hit the bull's eye. "Yea."

"Tell me about it, if you want?"

I shook my head. "There isn't much to tell, he isn't around anymore."

She continued to cut. "Ran off on you? That's horrible."

She stopped when she felt a tear touch her arm. I was embarrassed but I couldn't hold it in. "No…he's dead."

She looked up at me and I don't know why, but she just hugged me. I hugged her back and just stood there for about a minute. I hadn't been able to reach out to anyone since I had gotten here and it was horrible. Even if she was just a doctor, it felt great to have someone to lean on.

"Ok I'm ready."

Orlando jumped out of his chair. He had fallen asleep since it had taken me over an hour to get the whole procedure finished with. Dr. Cameron stood behind me with my discharge information.

"You should be fine, but if you experience any discomfort or anything my number's in there to get a hold of me."

I looked in the file and smiled when I saw she had written her cell phone number onto the discharge papers. "Thanks."

"Anytime."

When we got to the car Orlando looked at me suspiciously. "Have you been crying Karen?"

I thought about covering it up. Telling him I had gotten nicked or something when they took the cast off. But he'd see through it, and it would only make it worse covering it up.

"The Vicodin isn't doing it anymore. I can't stop thinking about Jack." I looked out the window not wanting to make eye contact with Orlando. "It's been making me pretty depressed lately."

"Don't worry about that Karen; I've got something a little stronger we can fix you up with. You don't mind smoking do you?"

"Weed isn't going to help Orlando, I've done it before."

"No, no chica. This stuff is like high grade powder Vicodin that you smoke. It's not really legal though so we're going to have to make a stop in a shady place."

The thought of going on something stronger was a little unnerving to me, but the thought of living in depression was even worse. "Let's just do it, I really need something."

"Sure thing chica." He took a quick look at his watch. "You know its getting pretty late, how about we grab a bite after our errand."

It wasn't as if he had asked me for a flat out date, and I was hungry. "Sure."

About half an hour later we were sitting in an empty parking lot. Orlando had made a stop at a pretty shady looking house and driven to a private place nearby. Pulling out a baggie he placed some light brownish looking powder into a cigarette wrapper, rolled it up, and handed it to me.

"Just smoke this like you did weed, and take it slow."

I nodded and took the lighter from his hand. The stuff had a pretty bad taste, but around my third puff my entire body felt wonderful, and warm. It was the same feeling I got from taking the Vicodin, but it was like it got to that point, and then pushed it twenty times further. I couldn't keep the smile off my face.

"Hehe, this is great."

Orlando was smiling, and I knew I was too. "Thank you soo much! Let's go eat!"

He laughed. "Easy chica, we can't have you acting all loopy in the restaurant."

"Oh hush, they just don't know how to have fun. After dinner let's stop by your club for some drinks huh?"

"Sounds great chica, let's roll."

I hadn't known it then, but that substance he had given me, the magical powder that had lifted my spirts higher than they ever had been in the past month or so…it was heroin.

End Chapter 13

Well this chapter took a little longer since it was a little longer than normal. Sorry I meant to get it out before Christmas, but a few bumps in the road delayed release. Hope you all have a great New Years! Check the message boards for the latest update on this story's writing progress.

Thanks so much to my reviewers! Also thanks to Libra1 for her continued editing work on this story.