Disclaimer: This story is based on Characters copyrighted by Warner Brothers and Shoot the Moon Productions. This story is meant for enjoyment purposes only and cannot be redistributed without permission from the author. I retain the rights to the plot, not the characters. No infringement is intended

A/N - As a person who has been a preschool teacher for 40 years my degree is in Early Childhood Development. A recurring theme when I was in college was the idea of Nature vs. Nurture. Do genetics or our environment determine our personality? In my opinion, it is both. 50/50 There have been studies in addition to my own experiences in knowing people who were adopted, that when finding their birth parent(s) that many of their interests or mannerisms were the same as the parent. I wanted to lightly explore that in this story because of Lee's experience of losing his parents at a young age, how that may have changed his emotional development, and see what he may have been like by having his son raised to adulthood with two loving parents and a host of family members to nurture him.

February 1983 London (Pre Series)

The man stood in the window overlooking the Thames River as the blanket of early morning fog hovered over the city masking the sun from appearing. His mood matched the scene he gazed out on. Turning from the window he looked at the woman lying asleep in bed, face down covered by a sheet except for her bare back. It was time to leave and he already regretted his decision to leave without saying goodbye. He felt guilty. Another time, another life, maybe things ..maybe he would have been different.

They were two wounded people. He knew he wasn't capable of trusting his heart to anyone again. It wasn't worth the heartache. There was a curse on anyone he cared about. He was just afraid. The sexual comfort that they had been able to give each other, two strangers pulled together by loss bearable for at least those two days. Lee Stetson stooped down by the bed and softly caressed the woman's face so as not to disturb her and walked out the door. The only thing left behind was a note saying: Thank you Claire-Take Care, Lee

Three days earlier:

The International security symposium had come to a close and Lee Stetson was relieved that he could spend some time alone. He had felt so trapped and caged like a wild animal. It had been damned irritating to interact with so many agents who wanted to catch up with him. When they asked what's new he felt like responding "Nothing much..just my partner was killed because of me." Instead, he ignored their attempts at camaraderie. He even had avoided Emily Farnsworth. The six-month anniversary of his partner Eric's death was tomorrow. He had big plans for the day. To get stinking drunk. Breathing space was all he wanted. He was relieved when Billy had approved for the two days respite in London before he had to head for home.

As he was walking along the edge of the Thames River at dusk he noticed a woman standing alone at one of the bridges. She was climbing around the scaffolding trying to overcome the safety barrier. Lee knew enough to know what her intentions were. He looked around to see if there was a policeman nearby and saw no one who could help as the area was deserted. Lee ran to try and distract the woman from what he was sure was an attempt to end her life. He called to the lone figure to stop. She looked dazed and incoherent but continued with her pursuit. Her petite frame reached her goal of scaling the obstacle. She stood poised. The wind blowing her hair in her face.

Lee called trying to distract her. "Hey there-can you help me…I'm lost..could you come over here and give me directions"

Lee started to climb over the railing to try and reach the distraught woman He called to her again. "Why don't you come over to me."

Finally, the woman yelled, "Don't come any nearer."

Lee hesitated and called out, "Hey you don't want to hurt yourself."

There was no answer from the stranger. She just shook her head.

Lee held out his hand and tried to coax her toward him. "I'd like to know your name."

"Claire…Sod Off Yank" she yelled at him.

"I can't do that Claire. Why don't you go with me and get something to eat..take your mind off things. "

"I said Sod Off!"

"Claire you don't want to do this, I…er talk to me" Lee saw she was beginning to shift her weight and he wasn't sure if she was changing her mind or she was getting ready to jump.

The troubled woman had been staring down at the water and Lee called her name again. This time she looked at him and he saw in her eyes the reflection of his own tormented soul. He held his hand out and by some miracle, Claire began to slide her feet towards him.

"That's it, Claire, come closer" Lee beckoned.

"I-I don't know if I have the strength to get over the barrier now," she whispered.

"It's ok I can help you over..that's it a little more." Lee was now within inches of her and he grabbed Claire and pulled her petite frame over the railing to him.

When she was safely in his arms he pulled her to his chest as she started to cry uncontrollably. Surprised that she would allow him, a strange man to hold her like that. Lee continued to embrace her. He walked them over to a nearby bench and they sat together with only the sounds of Claire's sobs.

When she finally stopped after several minutes Lee began to speak.

"Claire, my name is Lee, why were you trying to jump?"

"Because there is no one left".

"What do you mean?" he inquired.

"All dead" her body shook from her sobs.

"Who?"

"My family-parents-brother-fiance" she buried her face in her hands.

"When? How?"

"A month ago… a terrible accident...I wish I was dead!"

"I understand..." his voice trailed off.

"No, how could you!" she accused.

"My parents died when I was five in a car accident..and I lost a good friend who died because of me."

Claire looked at him intensely as he shared such a personal revelation. Lee was shocked at himself for even confessing such intimate thoughts to a stranger.

"Let me take you to get something to eat." he quickly said, hoping Claire wouldn't ask him any details.

Claire nodded her head as she beckoned him to follow her.

TBC

A/N: Sod off Definition: It is an example of the traditional British-English way of forming 'oaths'. Take any profanity and add 'off' to make an impolite way of saying 'go away. (definition taken from the internet)