A/N: Disclaimer: I own none of the recognized characters. I simply am borrowing them to satisfy my muse.

Chapter 35

CJ raised her head slowly, her eyes just barely clearing the crest of the snow bank she was currently hunkered in. The buildings in front of her were dark in the dawn light. Fresh snow had fallen, covering any footprints that might have been there. She scowled as a puff of wind spurred a small white-out. Winter came early to the Frostback mountains. CJ scanned the buildings carefully, doing her best to push back the memories of the last time she'd been here. It had been spring then. Flowers were budding. The children had been eagerly awaiting the warm summer months. Telling CJ of a small lake that they loved to visit.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Focus CJ.

No signs of movements from any of the buildings. Had she chosen wrong after all?

Moving cautiously, CJ crept forward. The snow muffled her footsteps, but there was no way to hide her tracks. It wasn't long before CJ was pressed up against the wall of the house. She paused to listen. No sounds. CJ slowly worked her way around the house, peering into any window she came across. Nothing. From what she could see, the thick dust inside was undisturbed.

CJ shoved back the rising memories. The sight of Billy laying on the floor, painstakingly copying his name in shaky letters. Aaron taking his first halting steps towards CJ, who had been crouching down, holding her arms out to the little boy. Sophie, in the kitchen, teaching CJ how to bake bread. All of CJ's attempts had turned into rocks, and Sophie had laughed.

The sound of cloth against wood brought CJ back to the present forcefully. Her daggers were in her hands in an instant, and she crouched down low. Someone was just around the corner. As they turned, CJ lunged forward, tackling the figure. Too small to be Blatt, too large to be either of the children. They went down into the snow, gasping. CJ had them pinned before she even realized who it was.

"Cole?!" She whispered, staring down into the young man's face. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Helping." He answered, in just as soft a voice. "Your pain is bright. Being here hurts. The memories you tried to forget have come back."

"Is it just you?" She let him up and brushed the snow from her clothes.

"Dalish and Rocky are waiting back with the horses. I came because I am quiet. Least noticed."

"Have you seen anyone here? Either of the children?"

Before Cole could answer, they heard a thump from inside the house. It was followed by another thump.

CJ adjusted her grip on the daggers while moving towards the door. Cole fell into step beside her.

"Can you sense who's in there?" She asked.

"Too many memories. Too many voices. Loud. Calling out." Cole shook his head.

She nodded in understanding.

Another thump, followed by a heavier sound. Something falling? CJ looked at Cole, signaling to be quiet and that she was going to open the door. Cole nodded.

Rather than bursting in through the door, CJ opened it slowly, wanting to remain undetected for as long as she could. It swung open silently, loose snow swirling in to settle on the dust.

Together, she and Cole entered the house. They were in an open room, what had been used as the family's dining and gathering area. It smelled stale. Abandoned. Cold. There was still blood on the walls. CJ could see the dark stains, seven years old. In her mind, she could see where each of the bodies had fallen that day. Rick had been the first to fall, right inside the door. He'd taken an arrow through the neck. Max, only seven, had been next, as he had been standing beside his father. A heavy axe had cut off his screams. Roan. Josh. Evan. Miley. Russ. Lucas. Aaron. All cut down in these rooms. Sam and Jack had been killed in the kitchen, over-taken as the men scrambled for weapons. The other children had been out in the garden with the women and Jonas. CJ had heard the screams from the barn. She'd come too late. Too slow. Couldn't save them. Couldn't save any of them. Billy and Mikey and Jonas, lying prone among the freshly plowed garden. Sophie and Lia, screaming. Jess, limp, thrown carelessly over the shoulder of one man. Trina, silent and pale, staring at the bodies of her son and husband, horror etched on her face. Mazy, a cut across her cheek, fighting against the hold of a large man clad in heavy armor. Eight men with weapons raised. Surrounding her.

CJ didn't have her weapons. Only had the axe she'd been using to chop wood. Not good enough. Can't save them. Too late. Too weak. Pathetic. Hands around her throat, squeezing. Can't breathe! Can't get away! Can't breathe!

"CJ!"

CJ blinked. She was back in the house. Those who had lived here were long dead. Gone. But Lia and Tommy were not. Cole was in front of her, a hand on her shoulder.

"So much pain. So much hurt. How can I help?" He was looking at her anxiously. "It's so bright and hot and sharp. Tell me, CJ,"

"We don't have time for this." CJ said, shaking her head. "We need to find the children."

Cole frowned at her, but CJ ignored it.

"We need to find the children." She said again.

Another thump sounded out and both fighters turned towards it. It came from a room off the main area. The nursery, her mind corrected instantly.

Moving cautiously, they approached the door. Now, CJ could hear muffled crying. The kids! She made a gesture to Cole, indication that she would go first. He nodded.

CJ opened the door quickly and with force, to surprise anyone who was right on the other side, but kept the knob gripped so it didn't slam against the wall. At first, it looked like the room was empty, beds overturned, frames broken. Toys, in pieces, lay where they'd been discarded when their owners had been slaughtered.

A stuffed bear, its' fur long since matted and dried with blood.

CJ stared at that bear, but then a sound caught her attention.

There. Coming from the closet was another thump.

CJ crossed the room in four strides and threw the door open.

Hands bound, mouth gagged, Lia lay frozen in fear. The girl had been kicking at one of the walls. Light and wisps of snow had begun to filter through the crack she'd made.

As recognition began to cut through the panic in her mind, tears began to leak down Lia's already tear-streaked cheeks.

"You're safe now," CJ whispered, freeing the girl from her bonds with quick knife movements. "You're safe, Lia."

As soon as the girl was free, she latched onto CJ, crying silently. Shaking.

CJ hugged her back, careful of any wounds the girl might have.

"Where's Tommy" She asked as Lia continued to cry. "Lia, where's Tommy?"

"Barn. Monster took him to barn." She whispered, barely audible. "Scary monster."

"Take her to Dalish." CJ instructed, gently peeling the girl from her neck and handing her to Cole. The young man blinked when Lia wrapped herself around him, but held her securely. "Make sure she gets warm."

"Will you wait for me to return?"

"I can't, Cole." CJ shook her head. "He's got Tommy."

An emotion crossed Cole's face. Sadness.

"Don't destroy yourself for revenge."

She met his gaze. "For Tommy, I'd do anything. Take care of Lia."