AN: Thank you all for the continued reviews, I cannot tell you how much that keeps me going in writing. Keep it up, pretty pretty please :)
You'll notice my writing has slowed considerably. Major upheaval for good and bad in my home lately, but the biggest good is that I'm now back in school and I'm sure everyone understands that comes first. I'm going to be a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner when I'm all done with it, and I'm very excited.
Oh, to BlueHour, I said it was Conrad's bio-father's name.
This chapter is clearly written from a Shana POV. This is essentially the start of Part Three of this story and is just to show how she's adjusting and living her life now.
With all that out of the way, on with the show.
O o o o o o o o o o o O
"I could live without so much
I can die without a clue
Sun keeps risin' in the west
I keep on wakin' fully confused" -The Replacements "Within Your Reach"
O o o o o o o o o o o O
It had been over eight months since Shana had left the Pitt. She was overseeing a group of seven and eight year olds practicing their Tae Kwan Do. She was wearing her white gi, hair pulled into a tight ponytail and the small computer that had been a gift from Conrad once upon a time held tightly in her grasp.
She walked around, giving comments to students, while simultaneously making note of it onto her computer. All of the students wore clear nametags so she could tell who was who easily. The tight discipline involved with running the dojo gave her peace of mind, and kept her busy and feeling useful. She liked working with the kids, they were great. The parents she could do without at times, but usually she could stop their backbiting with the skill learned from the military.
She heard a bell jingle merrily as the front door opened. Her eyes immediately went to the newcomers, frowning. There was a child, not dressed in a uniform and a woman accompanying her. She looked at her watch and then called to the class, "Take a water break, then we'll do a little sparring." She grinned as the kids dashed to their water bottles at the side of the floor and walked over to the newcomers.
"Hello?" She was non-committal as she spoke, not sure whether this was a student or not. "May I help you with something?"
The woman smiled a little nervously, "Hello, my name is Helen Fulton and this is Andrea," she said, nudging the girl forward. Shana immediately made a note of the information on her computer.
Shana thought she heard a muttered hello and smiled, "You interested in taking some classes?" The girl hid her face and her mother sighed. Shana waved a hand dismissively, "It's ok to be shy. I need to finish this class and then maybe we can speak some more, if you have the time." The woman nodded and the girl continued to pretend that Shana didn't exist. "Great, then feel free to observe this class and then we can talk." She gave a bright smile to both of them, returning to her class.
O o o o o o o o o o o o O
As the class ended with a small beep from her computer, Shana was momentarily barraged with questions from the parents, asking about practice times and things their child needed to work on. She answered what she could, referring to her notes often and making additional notes of anything she needed to know. Another beep from her computer drew her attention and she looked around.
She saw a woman and a shy child without a uniform standing off to the side. "Mrs. Fulton?" she called hesitantly, hoping that was the right person. She smiled when the woman responded and walked over to her. "Let's sit down over here." In a small alcove, she had a desk and two chairs, a place where she could meet with students and their families and she could deal with some of the business aspects of the dojo.
"Please, call me Helen," the woman said with a gentle smile.
"Well then Helen, and," she consulted her computer quickly, "Andrea, you'd like to have lessons?"
Helen looked a little oddly at the reference to the computer, but didn't comment, "Well, I would like her to have some. She has been having some trouble in school with bullies…"
Shana frowned a little, "Martial Arts are largely about self-discipline and defense, and I strictly forbid students to use their skills outside of formal practice to avoid injury to themselves and others." She glanced down at a sheet of paper every so often while speaking, again piquing the curiosity of the other woman.
"I understand that fully, we just would like her to gain more confidence and know that in an emergency situation, she could defend herself." Shana nodded, placated by that answer.
"How did you hear of my dojo?" she inquired curiously.
Helen put a hand on Andrea's head affectionately, "Her guidance counselor at her school recommended it and said your dojo was very disciplined and safe."
Shana nodded, taking a large breath, coming to the part of the conversation that had lost her several students. "Yes, it is. Everything here must be strictly disciplined. No students are allowed without their uniforms, and all uniforms must be clearly labeled with their name." She gave an apologetic smile, "I was a martial arts expert in the military, but I was injured." Helen nodded, not fully understanding the import of the words.
Shifting uncomfortably in her seat, Shana continued, "I received a brain injury and have great difficulty in retaining new information. I have to write everything down, I have strict lesson plans and next time we meet, I'll likely not remember it happened."
There was silence as Helen took it in, but Andrea piped up, her voice soft, "Cool. What happened?"
Helen gave an admonishing look to her daughter for being rude, but Shana grinned, "It's ok. I was shot. Guns are very dangerous things, if you ever see one, don't touch it, but tell your mom or another adult, ok?" She smiled at the girl, always trying to tie in a gun lesson when she explained it to kids. She looked back to Helen, "I understand if you would like to visit other dojos, or if my condition makes you uncomfortable."
"No, actually it doesn't, I think it sets a good example for the children that nothing can hold them back." Helen smiled encouragingly at Shana, who returned the sentiment.
"Well then, I look forward to seeing Andrea in class." Shana stood up and shook Helen's hand and gave a high five to Andrea and escorted them to the door, giving them the 'new student' packet of information that she had.
O o o o o o o o o o o o O
Above the dojo, Shana had a comfortable studio apartment, where she now puttered about, fixing her dinner. She was always exceptionally careful when cooking, not allowing herself to leave the kitchen area without setting an alarm of some sort. She sat down with a bowl of spaghetti, wearing a comfortable pair of sweats and a black tank top.
As she finished her food and was putting it in the dishwasher, she heard a knock on the door. Just as that happened, an alarm went off on her computer and she looked at it, smiling a little.
She went to the door, smiling at Snake Eyes, "Hey. Come on in."
'How were classes today?' he signed as he entered.
"I don't remember anything bad," she grinned at him and he shook his head, silently laughing.
"You ready?" He watched her carefully, gauging if she really knew why he was there or not.
She bowed to him with a playful smirk, "Yes, sensei. Up here or downstairs?"
He merely took her hand and led her to a door she hadn't paid much attention to in her studio apartment, assuming it was a bathroom. It wasn't; it was a dimly lit room with several tables with eastern plants - bamboo, bonsai and orchids. There were cushions on the floor and he motioned for her to sit, which she did dutifully.
Before he sat, he tended to the plants, clearly being the one responsible for their upkeep. A wise choice, since Shana tended towards a black thumb. When he was finished, he sat on the cushion opposite her.
'Do you remember what you are supposed to do?' She hesitated, but nodded. He handed her an envelope, which she took, reading silently a slip of paper from within, closing her eyes. She knew he was watching her, but she tried to put it out of her head and just concentrate on what she had read.
O o o o o o o o O
A couple of hours later, she reopened her eyes, feeling calm and relaxed. She saw Snake Eyes still watching her and she couldn't help but blush, thankful for the darkness of the meditation room.
They both stood gracefully and she broke the silence of the room, "Do you want anything to eat?" He shook his head in response and she had the vague feeling that this was a oft repeated ritual.
'I'll be back in a couple of days and see how it is coming along.'
He gave her a hug as she whispered, "Thank you for doing this for me." She leaned back and kissed his cheek, "Tell everyone I said hello."
Snake Eyes sighed and signed, 'He's coming out this weekend, isn't he?' He watched as she consulted her computer and nodded. 'I'll make sure to come early on Friday then.'
"Thank you," she whispered, knowing it wasn't easy for Snake Eyes to handle all of this.
She could almost see him smile under his mask and he touched her cheek gently before signing, 'You know I'd do anything for you.' She opened her mouth to protest and he shook his head, 'You're a good friend, and true friends are too rare to let anything get in the way.' She smiled at him, giving him another hug before bidding him farewell.
Shana stretched and looked at the clock with a yawn, going to her bed and soon falling asleep, trying not to think about all she had lost.