Author: Ren Kayashima

Rating: T

Disclaimer: It is sad to say that my attempt to get the rights to the Stephanie Plum characters was unsuccessful. They still belong to Janet Evanovich, who is one lucky person for having a mind like that.

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Chapter Twenty-Five:

Allegra snapped up in her bed. Her eyes were wide in terror and she had broken out in a cold sweat. She grabbed her glasses and a light sweater from a dresser and left the bedroom. She pulled her cell phone from its charger in the kitchen and plugged in her headphones. She quietly opened the front door and headed to the beach.

The nightmares had become too frequent for Allegra to ignore, but she didn't want to bother her mom and dad. They were both trying to get over their traumas.

AS she sat on the soft sand, she stared at the ocean as the moon's beams hit the water. She smiled as she slid her headphones into her ears.

She stared out at the cold waters and let her mind wander. She closed her eyes and rested her head on her knees. She opened her eyes when she felt the sand shift beside her.

Leo pulled her headphones out. "Do you want to tell me why you're here on the beach and not snuggled up in your bed next to Captain Kuma-chan."

Allegra looked at the water. "He won't leave me alone," she said.

"Who?" Leo asked, but he knew the answer. There was only one man that could keep Allegra awake.

"My real dad," She whispered. She rubbed her eyes. "He said that I'm just like him."

"Allegra, you don't honestly think that do you?" Leo asked.

"I'm an albino like him," Allie said. "Who's to say that there isn't this part of me capable of hurting someone?"

"I know you Allie," Leo stated. "You are incapable of being a bitch to anyone but Joyce Barnhardt, even then you only resort to name calling."

"I told mom that personality traits have been linked to genetics," Allie said casually as she avoided her uncle's gaze.

"There are also studies that show that factors such as belief systems, family support, and social background can help determine a person's likelihood to commit violent acts," Leo answered. "Do you think that because you share one genetic condition with Magnusson that you might end up hurting someone?"

"I don't know what to think," Allie said. "I mean, I kind of understand him. I know what it's like to be the freak show, to hear the hushed toned to wonder and fear. It's not easy to go through it alone, and I wonder if that's why he raped mom and the others."

"I looked at the psych evaluation that was done on Magnusson when I joined the FBI," Leo said. "Back when I wasn't doing white collar crime."

Allie looked at her uncle in surprise. He had been pulled into the White Collar Crime Division immediately. He had an eye for detail, so spotting a forgery was kind of his thing. He knew what was real and what wasn't.

"You forget, I got a Master's degree in Psychology from Cal. I can get my hands on any psych report performed by the police and FBI. So land as I say it's 'research'," Leo smiled.

"Is that illegal?"

"If I keep writing papers on it then there isn't a problem."

"That's evil."

"That's life," Leo stated. "My point is, Daniel Magnusson has been troubled his entire life. Even before the bullying started. His parents were abusive. You'll never end up like him because you have a family that loves and cares about you. You've never had to worry about disapproval and neglect like he did."

"Why am I the only one you have a nickname for?" Allegra asked. She lifted her pale feet out of the sand and wiggled her toes.

"The twins are the little devils," Leo smiled. He looked at the ocean. "The night you were born, I was supposed to die."

"What?" Allie asked as her eyes grew.

"I was supposed to go out with some friends to a school event, but Cayden called the house and asked me to bring Stephanie's ready bag because her water broke while they were at a restaurant. I left a note on the front door of my house and ran four blocks to catch a bus to the hospital. That night on their way home three of my friends were killed when a drunk driver hit them into the path of an oncoming train.

"Like you one of my friends was this amazingly brilliant individual, and her name was Faye. You took your first breath when she took her last one."

Leo was silent as Allegra processed his story. "So that's how I got my middle name," she said quietly.

"Yep, your little fairy because Faye would have wanted me to find something good that came out of that day."

"Is that why you've never touched alcohol?" Allie asked.

"I can't bring myself to," Leo said. He stood up. "Come on, let's get you back inside. You need to sleep."

Allie held a hand out and Leo pulled her up.

"The Wonderland Brigade reminds me of Faye and the others. Stay close okay."

"Kay," Allie smiled. "Race you to the house?"

Leo grinned. "All right."

Allegra stumbled into a heavy sprint as she pushed past Leo. He caught up quickly and grabbed her around the waist and spun her around quickly.

"Hey, you can't do that," Allie giggled.

"Leo let her go. "Go right back to bed. No stalling."

Allie nodded. She jogged up the stairs and entered the house quietly. Leo watched the house for a moment and he knew that he was making Faye proud.

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Stephanie woke up the next morning and walked downstairs to find Leo sitting at the bar with a contemplative stare. He held an untouched mug of coffee in one hand.

"What's up Leo?" she asked.

"I told Allegra about Faye last night," Leo said. "She was worried about being like her dad, and it was giving her nightmares."

Stephanie poured herself a cup of the fresh coffee. "What did you tell her?"

"I told her the truth," Leo stated. "I told her that she would never be like Magnusson because she and Magnusson aren't the same person."

Stephanie sat next to Leo. She had spent several hours at the McAllister's house watching Leo and his high school friends hang out and talk about school and the future. "James and Allie remind me of you and Faye. Do you think that you'll ever find someone like her again?"

Leo smiled. "Maybe, but sometimes I feel like I for the best I was ever going to get. For now, I'll focus on trying to be the best that I can be."

Stephanie smiled. "Don't give up. It took me thirty years to find the best."

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Author's Note: Hey it took me a week, but I got it done. I know it's centered on the Original Characters, but I wanted to put in some character development. I'm going to get back to the development of a strange family.

Anyway, I'm working on a lot of stuff right now, but I'm going to try and get a chapter out once a week. It's very busy right now with school and work, but I'm still writing a lot.

Drop a review by and I'll try to respond as soon as I can. I love hearing from you guy, and this story is a lot of fun to write.

Shane