That infamous band named Oingo Boingo once sang, "Why should I care? Nothing bad ever happens to me." Now, my life used to be like that, but, now, it seemed I had the market on bad cornered. I guess I had a lot to care about.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Darien was more confused than angry. What was going on? How could this have happened? Then, the anger began to creep in on him. He stopped dead in his tracks. Hobbes and Claire stopped next to him. They had been headed to the Keep. They both faced Darien whose brow was furrowed.

"What's wrong?" Claire said concerned.

"How is it, that everyone but me knew about Lillianne?" Darien spat out.

Hobbes scratched his head a bit and shrugged his shoulders. "It was a complete accident, my friend."

"Ya, right," Darien said snidely.

"Bobby Hobbes doesn't lie to his partner. Remember how I told you about the rats?"

"Ya, so?"

"Well, Darien," Claire chimed in. "We found the last rat when we found Lillianne."

"What? You mean that story's true?" Darien said in disbelief.

"Of course, it is. Why wouldn't it be?" Hobbes asked.

"Well, no offense, Hobbesy, but I thought you might have…. imagined it." Darien shrugged. "Anyway, why didn't you tell me?"

Hobbes, offended, just raised his eyebrow and continued on. "Well, Lil explained the situation to us, and we promised not to say a word. That is until EBERTS opened his big mouth."

Darien just shook his head. Claire, seeing that he was bothered, quickly intervened. She grabbed his right wrist gently and looked at his tattoo. It was two-thirds red.

"Come, Darien. I'll give you a shot."

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The four of them were sitting in Golda headed to the North. They had been sitting silently for the past hour. Lillianne sat in the back with Darien, while Bobby and Claire took the front. Bobby decided to start up a conversation.

"So, Lil, where are we headed?"

"To my sister's house," she answered. "That's where my…daughter is staying."

Darien couldn't take anymore. He turned to Lillianne with a look of disdain on his face.

"Daughter?" he said angrily. "How? There's no way…I didn't see any pictures of a daughter in your house."

"That was you?" Lillianne sat up. "I knew someone came to my house…why didn't you tell me?"

"I…wait, don't change the subject! Answer my question."

Claire and Bobby squirmed uncomfortably in the front seat. Neither of them knew exactly what to do.

Lillianne wrung her hands together. "I never keep pictures of my daughter in public…Especially if Arnaud is around."

"Wait…Arnaud…is she Arnaud's daughter?"

Lillianne hesitated. "Yes," she said guiltily.

"Does he know about her?"

"No, I've tried hard to keep her safe."

The car grew silent again. This time was even more awkward than the conversation.

"So," Bobby said, finally breaking the silence. "How is he?"

"What?" Lillianne said.

"Arnaud…how IS he?"

"Bobby!" Claire exclaimed smacking him on the shoulder.

"What?! What?! It was just a question. She doesn't have to answer." Bobby said rubbing his shoulder.

"No," Darien said darkly. "I think she does."

"What?!" Lillianne said shocked.

"You've slept with him, how is Arnaud?"

"I refuse to answer that. And besides…I wouldn't really know."

"What?" Darien asked, suddenly very confused. "I thought you said…"

"I did…but in order to grade his…abilities, I have to have something to compare him to."

Darien furrowed his brow.

Lillianne grimaced. She could tell he was confused by his lack of response. "Look, let's just say, there isn't much of a market out there for a blind, single mother who is constantly being visited by a terrorist and Interpol!" she spat.

Lillianne was angry. Darien shifted in his seat. He'd never seen her angry. It was really kind of scary. She clenched her fists, as every muscle in her body grew tense. The group fell silent for the rest of the trip.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

They arrived at a quaint little house in the middle of suburbia. It was almost identical to Lillianne's house except that it was blue. The four slowly walked up the walkway; they were all still uncomfortable from the ride over. Lillianne pushed through the group and walked her way up to the door and knocked. The door opened a few seconds later. There stood a woman of average height, not nearly as thin as Lillianne, but just as beautiful. She looked over the group with shock and amazement.

"Lili!!" she exclaimed with a heavy French accent.

"Veri!" Lillianne exclaimed back.

The two embraced. They both seemed so happy. Suddenly, the sound of running came from within the house. A little girl came right up to the door. She was a relatively tiny girl with shoulder length black curls. She peered through her hair at the group with big, deep, blue eyes. Her pudgy face brightened immediately.

"Maman!! I knew you'd come!" the little girl said. She reached for her mother's hand and pulled her inside.

Lillianne's sister smiled kindly. "Oh my. She iz quite enzusiastique, non? Come in, s'il vous plaît." She gestured inside. Once they were all inside, she took their coats. "My name is Veronique Stanley. I assume that you 'ave come 'ere wit my sister?"

Bobby stepped forward. "Yes, ma'am. Let me introduce us. I am special agent Bobby Hobbes. This here is my partner, special agent Darien Fawkes." Darien nodded. "And," Bobby gestured toward Claire, "this is our specialist, Dr. Keeply."

"It's nice to meet you," Claire said politely.

Lillianne reappeared with her daughter in one arm and her walking cane in her free hand. The little girl clapped her hands contentedly.

"Little one," Lillianne said cheerfully; all signs of the past conversation were gone. "I would like you to meet some of my friends…Everyone, this is my daughter, Violette."

Lillianne set her down on the ground. Violette smiled and curtsied. "Hello!"

She was absolutely adorable. Claire walked up to her and took her little hand. "Hello there. My name is Claire. It's very nice to meet you, Violette."

Violette smiled and shook Claire's hand. She turned her gaze to Bobby and Darien. She walked up to Bobby and curtsied again. "Who are you?" she said, pointing her pudgy little finger at Bobby.

"The name's Bobby Hobbes. Agent Bobby Hobbes," he said, "But you can call me…Uncle Bobby."

Violette clapped her hands together. "Wow! Are you really a secret agent?" Bobby nodded. "You must be the biggest and strongest man there ever was!" Bobby smiled and rubbed the top of her head.

Violette approached Darien, finally. She opened her mouth in amazement. She looked down at Darien's toes and slowly turned her head upward. By the time she reached his head, she fell onto her bottom. "Wow! You must be a giant!!" she said enthusiastically.

Darien couldn't help but smile. "Hi, there. My name's Darien."

"Darien," Violette said affirmatively.

He leaned down and picked her up. "Well, aren't you beautiful?"

Violette squealed with joy. She had never been that high up before. Darien brushed the hair out of her eyes and kissed her on the forehead. She was so lovable. How could she be related to Arnaud?

"Little one?" Lillianne said. "These people are here to make sure that your birthday is wonderful. If you ever feel afraid, you can come to any one of them. Do you understand?"

Violette nodded, then remembered that her mother couldn't see. "Yes, Maman…Darien?" she asked. "Would you play with me? You can be the prince!"

"Um, you know what? I got to talk to your mommy, but I'm sure Claire or…Uncle Bobby would love to play with you."

"Well, sure," Bobby agreed. "Uncle Bobby was made for being a prince."

"Oh boy!" Violette exclaimed. Darien set her down and she immediately bolted for Hobbes. She grabbed his hand and led him to her play area. "We're gonna have so much fun!"

Claire smiled. She'd never seen Bobby act so…fatherly. It was...cute. She looked at Darien. He nodded at her, signaling that he wanted to be alone with Lillianne. Claire nodded.

"Veronique, was it?" she said turning to Lillianne's sister. "Um, would you mind showing me around the premises?"

"O, not at all. Follow me. And pleaze, call me Veri," Veronique answered, gesturing to the kitchen. "Per'aps, I could interest you in a drink?"

"Oh, yes, that would be lovely." The two headed towards the kitchen.

Darien walked up to Lillianne and took her hands. "Can I talk to you?"

"Certainly," she said hesitantly.

Darien walked her out to the front porch and set her down on the steps. He sat down beside her. They both sat in silence for several minutes.

"I…" they said simultaneously. They both laughed nervously. Darien looked Lillianne in the eyes. They seemed to gaze out at something that only she could see.

"Listen," Darien sighed. "I just want to apologize for how I acted…it's just that…"

"I missed you too," Lillianne said smiling.

Darien leaned over and took her face in his hands. He gave her a kiss and hugged her.