Life After High School - Ten Years Later.

By Risty and Silver.

Disclaimer: We don't own them, only our characters.

Summary: Just read the damn thing.

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(Galia's POV)

I regretted going to Lorien almost as soon as we had arrived there. I knew that dad and the others would find out where we were and come after us and then I would really be in for it. I just hoped that he would not make a big scene.

About an hour after Ria and I arrived, about six in the morning, there was a knock at the door. Ria's aunt opened it and my dad marched in, followed by Blaze. Both looked seriously annoyed. My dad walked over to where we were sitting and hit me hard on the side of the head. I was shocked, my dad had never hit me before and it suddenly dawned on me how worried he must have been.

"You stupid bitch" he hissed through clenched teeth. "What were you thinking of? You two could have been killed."

"Hey" Ria's aunt began to say something, but Blaze looked at her and shook his head.

"Don't say a word," he warned. "I am assuming that Jaime has not told you exactly what is going on, but these two have put themselves in a lot of danger. Not only that, but they have endangered you and Jaime's other children too."

"He's right" dad said, talking to us this time. "Do you realise the trouble you have caused? When we first noticed that you were missing, we thought that you had just gone out for a walk or something. But then Kane and Vince told us that you were talking about running away and coming here. They have both had the belt applied to their backsides for not telling us sooner and cried themselves to sleep because they thought they would never see you again. Kane blames himself, he knows he should have come to us immediately, but he didn't believe that you would really do it. Emma's hysterical about you, Galia, and the last thing she needs is to get herself upset again. Damon and Lucas are really worried too, you do realise that Lucas was sent a hit list with both of your names on it?"

We shook our heads. I could feel the tears begin to leak from my eyes and I could see that Ria was crying too.

"I'm shocked at you, Galia" Dad continued after a moment. "We always thought that we could trust you, but it appears that we can't. Damon and Emma have done a lot for us and you repay them by doing something like this just when things are really bad. You will have to be punished for this and I will think up a suitable punishment, but in the meantime you are coming home now. Blaze, take her outside and make sure her horse is ready. I want to talk to Ria."

I nodded and wiped my eyes. I knew that when I got home, I was going to get another lecture from Damon and probably Lucas too, but I knew that I deserved it. I should have said no to Ria's stupid idea, not gone along with it. And I felt very guilty that Kane and Vince had got in trouble because of us.

"Come on kid" Blaze said kindly, putting one hand on my shoulder and guiding me outside. "You made a mistake, we all do. Just as long as you realise that and are ready to face the consequences, then it all right. The problem comes when people don't learn from their mistakes. Trust me."

I stood and watched him saddle my mare, wondering what dad was saying to Ria…

(Benny's POV)

Jaime's aunt went into the kitchen after Galia and Blaze had gone outside, leaving Ria and me alone. I was still very angry, although I had calmed down just a little. I wasn't really angry with Ria, not much anyway, but I felt that they both should have known better.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, her eyes fixed on the ground. "I didn't mean to cause so much trouble, I just…"

"I know, I know," I said gently. "I wish I could say that Emma didn't mean what she said earlier, but unfortunately I can't. You have to understand that this is very difficult for her; it is very difficult for all of us. Me, Damon, Emma, we all remember you when you were a baby and it brings back memories of the old days. But we are trying and you have to try too. None of us are interested in being friends with your mum again, Ria, but that doesn't mean that we hate you. Emma was surprised and confused when she saw you today and that is why she said what she did. Damon has explained to her why you are staying with us and she knows that there is no other way. Come on, we should go. We don't want to put your aunt or your brothers and sister in danger, do we?"

She shook her head and got up of the sofa. I took her bag for her, while she went to say goodbye to her aunt. Lotti seemed a bit suspicious and asked Ria loudly if everything was all right. Ria nodded and said that she was coming back with us. Her aunt didn't seem too happy about the idea, but there was little she could say. We went out and I saddled my horse. Ria went to the stables to get hers, but I called her back.

"No, Ria" I said carefully. "I think it would be a good idea for your horse to stay here. You are not a prisoner, should you wish to go home despite the dangers all you have to do is tell us and we will arrange it, but we cannot have you doing another disappearing act. If you had been murdered, you would have gotten Damon and I into a lot of trouble. Now get on Galia's horse, she's strong enough to take the two of you."

We rode home in near silence. The two girls were crying and Blaze was busy keeping watch for anything strange.

Finally we arrived at Silverwood in the early afternoon. Blaze was left to put the three horses away and I took the two girls upstairs. The family was in the kitchen, Kane and Vince were eating lunch, Emma was feeding Crystal and attempting to eat a sandwich at the same time and Damon was sitting opposite the boys, staring moodily out of the window. All of them looked round when we came in.

"I found them," I said with a sigh. "They were in Lorien. I've given them a good talking to, they understand that they have been very stupid and irresponsible and have placed themselves and others in danger. I believe I have said all that needs to be said, but if you want to say it anyway, then go ahead."

"No, I trust you" Damon said slowly. "Punishment?"

"Well Ria hasn't got her horse here any longer so she can't do any more fast disappearing acts," I told him. "As for Galia, well this is not so much a punishment, since I was actually thinking about this before yesterday, but in a moment I will be calling to inform Elrond that she will be having her lessons at home with the boys in future and will no longer require a place at his school. I think it is for the best, at least why all this trouble is going on. I don't think Elrond would be too pleased if his students started getting murdered."

"You can't do that" Galia looked at me in horror. "Dad, please."

"The matter is closed," I said firmly. Galia looked at me for a moment, burst into tears and ran from the room.

"Sit down Ria" Emma said. "I'll make you a sandwich." She seemed more like her old self, which was a good thing, and I was pleased that she was being civil to Ria, even if her voice was rather cold and mechanical. There were still things to deal with, I had not yet spoken to Damon about the drugs I had found in his pocket and I knew that both Emma and Galia would have to be watched for the next couple of days, but hopefully things would blow over in time…