Disclaimer: Please refer to disclaimers in earlier chapters.

Title: Redemption's Tears

Author: RedRaven

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Liam whirled around; he hadn't seen or heard anyone coming, which in itself wasn't good. He shouldn't have let himself get that lost in thought. He was supposed to be a well-trained military man, letting people sneak up on you was not very professional. Then it registered in his startled mind, this voice was familiar. It was his Grandmother.

"Are y'all right lad? I didn't mean to startle yah."

"Oh, It's okay, I just didn't know you were there until you said something." Liam offered her his hand. "Major Liam Kincaid." She smiled as she shook his hand.

"Mira Beckett. So, Liam Kincaid, you work for the Companions don't ya? You knew my Siobhan?"

You could say that. Liam thought.

"Yeah, I worked with Lieutenant Beckett a few times in the States. She was one of the best Companion Protectors we had." Mrs. Beckett gave him a sad smile.

"Siobhan never did take a duty lightly, once ya earned it, she'd go to the ends of the earth for a person."

"Or beyond as the case may be." Liam added with a wry smile.

"Aye." For a few moments both stood in silence. "You're stayin at the Inn aren't ye lad?" At Liam's nod she continued, "Ah well, it's much too cool for an old woman like me to be standin out. It looks to rain as it is. Would ya be willing to walk a woman to her room?"

"Of course."

On the way back Mira told Liam stories about Siobhan. Both as an adult and as a young girl. It wasn't far and almost before they knew it they were standing in front of the inn. It was a small cozy place, and had been booked mostly by funeral attendees. Mira thanked Liam for his courtesy then went inside. Liam found he was too restless to go inside, he'd just pace and attract attention, so he decided to wander a bit to clear his head. He had just met his Grandmother for the first time, sure he 'remembered' her, but that was through his mother's mind. Liam thought on that for a few seconds. Funny how the stories his Grandmother had told him didn't seem to quite match the memories he had. He had a feeling some parts had been more than a little exaggerated. He let out a soft sigh and sat down on a conveniently placed rock. That was something that he was truly confused about. Why had she been so open to him anyway? As far as she knew he was just one of his mother's coworkers, and to her he was more or less a stranger. You don't just start telling people you've just met all about your family. She had also been watching him too closely, he had the unnerving feeling that she had looked through him. Not that he hadn't probably warranted some attention, he had been unable to stop himself from staring at her. He hadn't been able to help himself at all. It was just…

That was one of the strangest parts of the way his mind worked. He had never been to Ireland really. At least not for anything that wasn't work related, but he knew people, places, and other things only someone born and raised in the area would know. He'd seen people that he'd never actually met himself, but he found he knew all sorts of things about them. When he saw this older mourning Mira Beckett he also could see a much younger woman who had a daughter that she set life around. He knew what she had been like before anything had changed in her family, when Siobhan had still been little, and had still had her free spirit. He wished he could tell her about him, show here the family line wasn't quite dead, but that would be dangerous. He wasn't sure how'd she'd react to a hybrid grandson, and he did look like any full grown adult human. To prove himself he'd have to show her some kind of proof, and to think if the Taelons found out about him…

Liam made a decision. He was going to have to leave. The temptation to say something would be too great. Besides the longer he stayed in Ireland the more of a chance he might give himself away by saying something he shouldn't know, talking to someone he hadn't really met yet, or just doing something that might get someone's curiosity aroused.

His decision made Liam stood up to go. He'd be packed and long gone before anyone knew, and if he needed an excuse there was always work to be done for the companions. As he walked into the Inn a man motioned to him. It was the innkeeper, he was an older man who looked rather grouchy but at the same time he was one of the most generous people Liam knew. Not that that was a lot people. There was the resistance and other Taelon employees, plus a few personal friends he had picked up here and there. Liam paused, talking wasn't what he should be doing right now. The longer he put off going the more likely that he wasn't going to want to leave at all. But he couldn't ignore the old man, he walked over to say hi. The old man gave him a large grin, and said in Irish, "You made quite an impression on Mira boy, I think she likes you."

Liam shrugged a bit self-consciously "I'm a link to her daughter, I don't want any special treatment because of that."

The old man laughed a bit, and dropped back into speaking English. "Nah that's not it, she doesn't open up to many, there's just something about you lad." Liam shrugged again. He was starting to wish that he had just gone to his room. He was pretty sure that he was going to start feeling guilty about lying to everyone here, especially his grandmother. Alright was most certainly not true, he was feeling guilty already. Liam let out a big yawn. It had the desired effect. The innkeeper saw the yawn and immediately told Liam to go on already and get some sleep. It didn't matter how old he was, even adults needed to sleep. Liam had to hide a smile at that one, and then before the old man could lecture him some more, Liam agreed to go to his room. Then remembering to look tired on the way, he went.

***

Mira Beckett sat in front of the fireplace that was in her room. She found that her mind kept wandering back to that young companion protector she'd met. Liam Kincaid. He reminded her of Siobhan. The way he moved and spoke, as well as that look in his eyes… It was so like her daughter. And from what she had heard about him, he most definitely ad the same fire. He was grieving so much, but he hid it very well. Siobhan's death had been personal, she was sure of it, but his sadness wasn't from any kind of romantic entanglements. No, it was something else. Try as she might Mira just couldn't figure it out………..

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