This part of the California coastline was beautiful, able to match the views on Greenworld, Sara Lance thought. She and Laurel were sitting on a blanket on the beach, watching the small group of surfers, in companionable silence. Adrian - who'd first revealed a unexpected side to his rather staid nature on Greenworld - was giving his teenage daughter and son an advanced surfing lesson. He was really rather good at that, Sara admitted. And he made Laurel happy - Sara liked him better than she once had.
The two sisters had talked far into the night, about their children and about the turns their lives had taken.
''I think we rather wanted something of what you have'' Laurel had admitted when Sara had quizzed her about why the Chases had chosen to settle so far from their original home.
''And your five?'' Laurel prompted. Sara knew what she was being subtly asked.
''Still the same - they communicate with each other telepathically but they can't hear or send to anyone else. '' The bottom line was 'no mind control abilities'. ''Martin Stein had thought that when Caspar and Dronon changed the Timeline, one of the side-effects was a change in Leonard's genetic code, as well the changes to what he was able to do.''
Sara had given her sister a sudden, rather rueful, grin. ''It didn't make bringing them up any easier - there was always someone to warn them if they were about to be caught doing something they shouldn't.''
On the other hand, it did make the twins and Laura into a very successful hunting team, communicating with each other when out of e h other's sight, driving the prey - or the predator - into a trap. The younger two were chomping at the bit to be allowed to join them.
Seeing her sister again was great, talking, visiting the places that Laurel liked, talking, just lazing about.
She'd been enjoying herself so much that she'd extended her visit - postponing the visit to Oliver and Felicity - until the eighth day, which was also the day when Nate rang her.
''I'd rather not talk about this over the phone'' referring to the test results on the leaf sample - he sounded more than cagey - he sounded scared.
''Can you give me a hint?'' she asked.
Nate preferred to give her the news face-to-face.
So she'd packed and the Chases had come with her to the station. Cue for much huggees and kisses and promises that, yes, the young Chase could visit their cousins - and maybe vice versa.
With Sara on board and the train pulling out of the station, Laurel and Adrian linked arms and strolled back to the car, preparing to settle back into the routine of everyday life.
X
Adrian had gone to get the wine for their evening meal when the phone rang.
''I'll get it'' Antony was already half on his feet, no doubt expecting a call from his current boyfriend.
He strode into the hall, from where his muffled voice could be heard. But he came back within moments.
''It's some guy called Heywood'' he to;d his mother. ''Wants to speak to you or Dad.''
Nate Heywood. Laurel felt a sudden twinge of alarm. She got up hurried and dashed to the phone.
When Adrian got back to the table and found his wife missing, he followed his son's gesture towards the hall. Laurel was standing, still holding the now silent receiver in her hand.
''Sara wasn't at the station when Nate went to meet her'' she told him.''She's missing.''
X
It was a question of priorities. Nate hated that. He knew it but he hated it. As soon as he'd confirmed that Sara wasn't still in California. he knew what he had to do. He had to get the results of the tests on the leaf sample to those in charge om Greenworld.
X
Where am I, was the first question the still-groggy Sara asked herself. Quickly followed by 'how could I have been so stupid? '
She had been on the train, looking out of the window, wondering exactly what it was that Nate had found out about the leaf sample, when the quarrel broke out - a man and woman suddenly shouting at each other. Like everyone else, she'd turned to look in that direction. A second later,she felt a sharp pain in the back of her neck.
A trank-dart. She could imagine what Nyssa would have said to her about getting caught like that in the old days.
And now she was in a cell. A small room, narrow bed, small window, bars between her and the corridor. It was all so familiar. It was A.R.G.U.S.