Twelve o'clock on the dot brought Curtis and Betsy through the door. They knew Wolf already, so they were okay when he introduced them to his friends and explained that Drew had an unexpected family emergency pop up and had to leave for the day.

Wolf thought it would look weird if they hung around all day knowing Drew might not return, so they ordered foot – long subs, got in the Winnebago and headed off to do some sightseeing. Wolf told the staff they would be back around six as they had told Drew he could leave messages for them at the restaurant.

They went to Church Rock and took pictures before heading to Lloyd's Lake. They walked the two and a half miles of the lake's perimeter before returning to the RV to eat their lunch. The day was so pleasant they decided to set up the table and chairs under the Winnebago's awning.

While Napoleon and Illya got the seating area set up, Wolf went inside, got the heroes out of the refrigerator, unwrapped them, cut them into quarters and placed them on a platter with pickles and potato and corn chips. He opened a quart - -sized tub of Cole slaw and put it and the platter on the table along with glasses of water and a pitcher – full more.

Napoleon downed his water quickly. "I really needed that," he said as he wiped his mouth. He checked his watch. "It's been a few hours since Angel left with Drew. I hope everything is okay."

The three men were sitting outside the Winnebago facing the lake. The sun reflected off the lake as it lowered in the western sky. Illya picked up a stone and expertly skipped it across the water. "I do, too. Wolf, I know this was only supposed to be a day trip, but I would not feel right going back to Ouray tonight not knowing what is going on with Drew and Angel."

Wolf smiled. "Great minds do think alike; I was thinking the exact same thing. I keep bedding and other supplies in the RV so we have what we need to stay the night. Napoleon, would you have a problem if we stayed until tomorrow?"

"No, not at all. Angeli…Angel and I used to be…close."

"That is one way to put it," Illya said.

"Be that as it may," Napoleon continued in a dry voice, "there has always been a part of me that cares about her and her wellbeing, so no, I don't mind staying overnight. Illya and I are on vacation, after all, so our schedule is wide open." He poured himself another glassful of water and stared down into it as if he were searching for the Meaning of Life at the bottom

Something about Napoleon seems off, Illya thought. I have to speak to him about it. Just then, Illya's communicator chirped the special tone he had developed for Wolf. Quickly assembling his device, he said, "Angel, are you alright?"

"Oui, Illya. I'm outside smoking a cigarette. Drew and I have been having a very…intense conversation. He's given me a lot of information; a lot of insight. I'm glad I sought him out. Are Wolf and Napoleon near you?"

"Yes. They can hear you. We had just discussed staying in Monticello tonight so we would be close by in case one of you needed us."

"He is inside calling the bar to leave a message that he wants you all to come here so we can all visit and talk. He's going to invite you to park your RV in his yard and stay here, so it seems we will all be together tonight."

Wolf spoke up. "Okay, we'll start heading back to the restaurant now. We should be there in about a half – hour, we'll get our message from Drew and head your way."

"Tres bien. I will see you all soon."

When they arrived back at the Suds and Subs, they got the message that Drew left and took the ten-minute drive to his house in Vendure. Wolf pulled the Winnebago into the yard, shut it off and the three men walked to the front door which Drew opened just as they stepped onto the porch.

"C'mon in, guys," he said and moved away from the door to sit in a chocolate brown recliner that looked both comfortable and like it had seen better days. There was an equally worn navy-blue recliner opposite it and Napoleon chose to sit there. Angel was seated in the center of the navy – blue and brown striped couch. Illya and Wolf sat on either side of her.

Drew cleared his throat. "I'd like to say something. You all know me as Andrew AKA Drew Layton, but the name I was born with is Andre LeDeux. I'm originally from Cajun country down South. This woman here is my daughter, Angel. I was telling her earlier that it really is a small world. I made friends with you, Wolf, and come to find out that your friends are good friends with her! What are the odds?!"

You do not know the half of it, Illya thought, but aloud he said, "We were shocked when she entered your business and said she thought you were her father."

"I was shocked to see you there," Angel said. "He and I have much to discuss, but it can't all be done at once. I think we are both a little shell – shocked. He told me that he needs some time to process what's happened and frankly, so do I. He wants to spend some time with his best friend. In the meantime, I would like to visit with you and Navarre in the RV, if you don't mind."

Wolf looked at Drew. "Who's your best friend?"

Drew laughed out loud. "You are, you knucklehead! Truth be told, you're my only friend, so you didn't have to fight hard for the crown." He sobered quickly. "I completely understand if you're not interested in listening…"

"Now who's being a knucklehead?" He looked from Illya and Angel to Napoleon. "Get out. My friend Drew and I have much to discuss." He smiled to let them know he was half – joking.

"As do Angel, Navarre and I. Do not be surprised if we just stay out there all night."

Wolf had stocked the pantry and fridge quite well and Illya was able to put together a decent charcuterie platter of meats, cheeses and crackers while Napoleon set out ice, glasses, vodka, scotch and wine along with glasses.

Angel had kicked her ankle boots off and had settled on the couch while Illya took up residence in the passenger seat and swiveled it around to face the RV's interior. Napoleon sat on the bed.

Napoleon took a sip of the drink he had poured for himself and then asked, "How was your conversation with your father?"

"I had many questions. At first, all of his answers were just making me angrier and angrier. I asked if I had any half – siblings and he said no. It infuriated me to know I'm the only child he has in this world and he ignored me. I yelled at him for making my mother struggle, for not being there when I needed him and making me and my mother people to be pitied because he was gone, but not dead."

"It sounds like you got a lot off your chest," Illya said.

"I did. I also got to hear his side of the story. That made me realize that in many ways, I wasn't angry with him. At least, not this me."

"I am not sure I understand what you mean," Illya said.

"Me, too," added Napoleon.

She poured herself a glass of Pinot Grigio and plucked a piece of Brie from the platter. After she ate it and had some wine she continued, "Hearing what Drew had to say made me realize that I was looking at our situation like I was still seven years old. That little girl is still outraged and enraged at her Daddy for leaving. Adult Angel heard what he was saying and understands."

"Tell me to mind my own business," Illya said, "but I am curious. What is it you understand?"

"When I was a little girl, before he left, Mama made sure we went to church every Sunday and every Wednesday we went to Bible study. That's what I knew. What I didn't know at the time was the extent to which her religious fervor permeated and poisoned their marriage. He told me that she rebuffed him whenever he wanted to make love, saying that sex as recreation was a sin; it was only for procreation. He had wanted another child, but she refused to have sex with him anymore because she felt that one child was enough."

Illya's eyes widened in surprise. "The woman I met and spent time around for weeks did not come across as a religious fanatic. You believe your father?"

"I do because when I entered puberty, her beliefs began to be oppressive. She was obsessed with my virginity. I didn't know what sex was because no one told me anything about it. I barely understood what was happening to me because she had never told me about how my body would change. Thank God my aunt was around when I began to get my monthly or I probably would have thought God was trying to kill me. Talking to him reminded me of why I left. It was too much for me as a young woman trying to figure out her way in the world. It must have been horribly confusing to a young man whose wife claimed to love him but wouldn't touch him or allow him to touch her."

"That must have been tough," Napoleon said.

"It was. I was always a straight A student and I began applying to colleges far away from Houma. I got accepted to a good school with a full scholarship and left, knowing I would not return. When the school year would end, I would stay and work rather than go home. I stayed in touch with her, but even that was difficult because she would accuse me of falling into a pit of sin during every phone call. Eventually, she came to realize that her unrelenting, fanatical beliefs had torn her family apart and she began to change, but by then, it was too late. Her husband was gone and I was gone. I stayed gone until about six months before you showed up for your mission, Illya. The rest you know."

"I still wish I could have given you my condolences personally, Angel," Napoleon said. "I felt terrible that I couldn't be there for you."

She smiled sweetly at him. "I know and I understand why you couldn't be there. It's fine."

"So," Illya said, "How did you leave things with your father? Will you stay in touch, you think?"

"Yes, definitely. I didn't want to like him, but I do. I told him that we will never have a true father daughter relationship, but we can absolutely work on becoming friends. I also told him that we can go from this day forward because to go into the past will only make me angry. I'm sure I'm angry with him about things I don't even realize yet, so it's best to look to the future rather than the past."

Just then, there was a soft knock on the door. "It's me," Wolf said before opening the door and entering. "I came to get my communicator; I'm going to stay in the house tonight."

Angel handed him the device. "Thanks again for the loan. What's Drew doing?"

"Apparently, there was a lot more drinking going on in the house than out here because Drew is passed out in the easy chair. I'll wake him up shortly to go to bed and I'm staying in the guest room unless you want to stay in it."

Angel shook her head. "No, I want to stay with Napoleon and Illya if that is alright with you."

"Yes, about that. We've been so busy dealing with your family drama that we as a quartet have not really discussed how we are all connected. To that end, I want you to think about coming to stay with Illya, Napoleon and me at my place in Colorado." In response to her shocked expression he said, "I don't expect an answer now. Think about it and we will talk in the morning. Good night, all."

After he left, Illya locked the door and said, "I was not expecting that, but since he made the invitation, I would like it if you joined us. Napoleon, what do you think?"

Napoleon shrugged his shoulders and said, "Whatever Angel wants is fine with me."

"Fine," Angel said, "I will take Wolf's advice and think about it." She stood and pulled Illya out of the passenger seat. "I'm going to sleep in the cot over the driver's and passenger's seats. I assume you two are used to sharing a bed?"

"We are," Illya answered as he began to undress. "I assume you are comfortable with nudity?" He stripped down to his skivvies as did his partner. "Goodnight, Angel," he said before turning out the lights. He settled into bed and waited until his partner had done the same. Soto voce, he asked, "Are you okay, Napoleon?"

"Of course, I am!" came the gruff replay. "Go to sleep!"

No, you are not, Illya thought before drifting away.