Cruising south along Highway One, Mike was currently on the phone with a prospective client. He was just finishing the call and hanging up, when Gabby thought quietly out loud, "Can't remember if it broke in two pieces or three."

Mike was breaking for a slower car that had just pulled out in front of him. He swore under his breath at the driver and then absentmindedly asked, "What's that, Gabby?"

"Oh, yesterday when that branch fell down and almost clobbered me. I was trying to remember if I broke it in two pieces or three." and she seemed very serious.

"Two pieces...." Mike replied casually and then he realized what he had just said. He was silent for a while, grinding his teeth in frustration and fully aware of the smile on Gabby's face. Finally, he replied evenly, "You did well yesterday. I was impressed with your use of the chuks."

"So, you and Leo were out there!" Gabby asked, feeling a might smug in her victory.

"It was just me and if you breathe a word to Leo, I'll make this week so tough on you, you'll think what Leo's put you through was like a walk in the park!" Mike warned as he pointed his right index finger at her. His face was dead serious.

"It's a deal!" Gabby replied, still euphoric.

Mike then barked out a laugh and shook his head. They both chuckled and it seemed to take the edge off of the day's tenser moments.

Gabby was perplexed, though, "Leo had this big talk with me about being honest and yet he wouldn't admit to anyone being out in the forest with me. Why?"

Mike replied, "If you knew that someone was out there with you, would you have experienced the emotions you did?"

"Of course not. As it is, I thought there was someone following me and it kept me from panicking too much." Gabby replied. "But, why didn't he just tell me when I came back to the house?"

"Ah, well, Leo wants you to think about what you experienced, that's all. He's not being deceptive as much as he's trying to get you to discover things about yourself. Sometimes allowing you to 'marinate' a bit in your experiences will enhance it! Trust me, Leo will own up to it soon enough." Mike paused as he traversed the Saleen along the serpentine road of Highway One.

Then, he commented, "But, I have to say, I was not prepared for that widow maker to fall!" Mike explained. "I was caught off guard by it. But the way you wielded those chuks? I was impressed!" Mike looked at his niece briefly, and then back to the road, saying, "BUT, do not let it go to your head, young lady. You were lucky! If that branch had been any bigger around, the chuks wouldn't have done much good."

"Why do you call it a 'widow maker'?" Gabby asked.

Mike replied as he began to slow the Saleen, "'Cause when they were clear cutting the redwoods years ago, men would get killed by them! That's when they started calling any branch falling like that a widow maker."

"Eww.... that must have been awful to see!" Gabby exclaimed.

"Never saw one happen, so I don't know." Mike commented.

Soon they came to the road leading to the house.



Gabby thought she was going to have the remaining part of Saturday to herself since working at Mike's was the only thing Don had planned for her on Saturdays. However, upon arriving home, Mike told her to meet him down in the gym.

"Should I get dressed I a doji, first?" Gabby asked.

"Nope, not going to do much more than talk." he grinned. His eyes, however, did not match the toothy smile he gave her. Gabby had a distinct feeling it was going to be more than just casual chitchat.

Sure enough, no sooner had Mike hit the floor of the gym than he ordered Gabby to sit cross-legged in front of him. He continued to stand, with his arms folded across his plastron and with the most serious look she had ever seen on his face! Gabby cringed inside, wondering what it was she had done wrong. He stood very close to her, forcing her to crane her head back in order to make contact with him. It was very intimidating.

Mike began speaking; his voice flat and even, "Gabby, I have tried very hard to make sure that those who work for me are treated with respect. I have given them every consideration possible and go out of my way to ensure that their work place is comfortable and conducive to productivity! I do not tolerate ANYONE in my employment to be rude, abusive, or NOSEY. You eavesdropped on my conversation today and I do not appreciate it!"

Gabby started to apologize and explain, but Mike cut her off, "I did not give you permission to speak. So can it!" and he glared at her, continuing, " Also, how you treated Jason today was deplorable and I do not care a fig whether you like him or not! He works for me and as far as you are concerned, so do you. Your payment is this - you treat Jas and everyone else there with the kind of respect that you want for yourself, and we will dispense with the kind of talk I am giving you now. Continue with this attitude of yours, and we'll add a 'lesson' in getting along with people each Saturday afternoon plus another hour of training each day next week to your regime! And it won't count towards what you owe for being late the first day, either! I'm taking the week off anyway, so it' no problem for me. In fact, if you really persist in how you've been treating Jas, I just might add Devon to our little daily 'get-together'! I'm sure he wouldn't mind!"

Gabby was tongue-tied and just as well. There was no room for discussion the way Mike was posturing himself. She had figured her jovial uncle to be easy going. Though she wouldn't have tried to take advantage of him, he just seemed more forgiving than either Don or Leo. But, as she had learned not too long ago, these turtles worked as a team and more than likely, their attitude towards her training was no exception!

Mike then told her, "You will remain down here until called to dinner. You will continue to sit as you are while you think carefully about today." He paused and scrutinized the chastised expression on his niece's face. Mike then added, " And I think that rather than give you verbal pointers on surfing, tomorrow I'll just take you out as soon as we get there so you can learn as you go!" and then he left her sitting there by herself.

Gabby's heart sank. She had liked Mike but realized he was going to be just as hard on her as Leo was. The coming week had not looked that intimidating at first, knowing that Mike was going to be her sensei. However, Gabby was now dreading it.

But, what he said about surfing had her anxiety levels going full throttle!

She sat there on the floor as instructed, feeling depressed and not at all in the mood for anything. Gabby still did not like Jason, but she felt bad that she had disappointed probably one of the nicest members of her new family - outside of Seth and Rahab. Then again, Seth had yelled at her in Carmel and he loved her! Maybe this discipline thing had nothing to do with trying to make her miserable, but had everything to do with love. That was a new concept for her. The professor always caved in when she was disobedient. There was the usual go-round of arguments, but in the end, Gabby would get her way. Not here, though, not in Big Sur at Mike's house.

Finally, after some time, Rahab came down to tell Gabby that dinner was ready. "Can I eat it down here?" she asked, not wanting to face the crew upstairs. She was certain Mike had kept his brothers updated on today.

"No, you have to eat with the family." Rahab instructed softly.

Gabby stood up and slowly walked over to where her aunt was. Rahab stroked Gabby's head and told her, "I understand about how you feel regarding Jason, but....

"You know?" Gabby asked her eyes wide.

"Yes, everyone does. Your training is involving everyone - even me! If Mike kept from his brothers what happened today, he would be doing them and you a disservice. They work as a team and as a team they need to know what each member encounters with you. "Rahab looked hard at Gabby, saying, "You're going to have to treat people better than you did Jason today, Gabby. If only because of whom we are! I'm not crazy about Jason, either, but I work extra hard to get along with him simply because it's best for our household. People can be influenced quite easily. Have a bad day and treat them terrible, and they'll remember it long after all the good days are put together. Humans can be quite unforgiving when it concerns those that are different than themselves."

"But, there's just something about him, Rahab, that doesn't make sense." Gabby protested.

"I know, but Mike works with him the most so I'm giving him the call on Jason. You should, too." and then Rahab gently took Gabby's hand and led her up the steps.

The conversations around the dinner table went as they had been on previous evenings. Gabby thought for sure she would get looks and expressions of admonition from Leo, but he acted as if nothing had happened. She was quite relieved, although quieter than previous nights.

Mike had already said his peace and had moved on. He was laughing uproariously over something that Leo had shared with him and seemed to be back to his old self.

Raph was more talkative than normal as he commented about the next day's trip to the beach.

Devon, too, expressed excitement and at one point during his conversation, he looked over at Gabby and grinned mischievously. "Hey, Gabs, I heard the waves are going to be monstrous tomorrow; bigger than they've been since mid summer!" He laughed but then went silent when he noticed Raphael giving him one of his looks. Devon went back to eating his dinner and said very little after that.

After dinner, Leo told her she didn't have to be in the gym until seven as it would only take a couple of hours to review. She hadn't a clue what kind of review it would be, but it didn't matter. She could recall just about everything he talked about regarding Clan rules and history. As far as handling the equipment, it was a done deal with her. Once she learned something, Gabby retained that knowledge just about perfectly.

The evening was given to her to do as she wanted. If she wasn't already prohibited, Gabby would have gone outside or up to her room to sing. Singing helped calm her and it gave her a peace and tranquility after a stressful experience. However, she couldn't and would not violate her restriction on music, as difficult as it was for her.

Instead, Gabby took the professor back to the guest house and spent the evening with him. She talked at length about Jason and her distaste for him. The professor encouraged her to reevaluate how she felt and try to get to the bottom of why she disliked him so much.

"I just don't like all the tattoos and hardware he has on his body. He looks strange!" she complained.

"My dear Gabriella, to Jason, YOU look strange! Did you ever think about that?"

"But, he's seen humanoid reptiles before! He works for Mike; he's friends with Seth and Devon. I'm just one more in the mix of things. Besides, why would anyone abuse their body and put so much metal on them the way Jason does?" Gabby explained. "He'd set off the metal detectors at airports before he'd even arrive, for Pete's sake!"

"Some people can't find self expression any other way than by doing what they can to themselves. Jason's young and this is just the way he tries to be different." her father said. He paused as he gazed at his daughter. She had changed so much in just a couple of weeks. Perry was greatly impressed with the effective training that Don and his brothers had implemented on Gabby's behalf. He was quite pleased.

Then, the professor asked Gabby, "Tell me about the first time you met Jason. Maybe that will help you discover why you have this problem with him."

"Well," Gabby thought, "I was riding in the back of Devon's car when we all went to Carmel last week. Devon saw him and parked the car and got out. They talked for a few minutes and...."

"And how did you feel about that?" the professor asked,

"I was scared! I wasn't used to being out in public like that. I was impressed that Devon could just jump out of the car and run up to someone and start chatting, right out in the open!" Gabby replied.

"That's understandable. What else happened?" he said.

Gabby went on with her story, "The next thing I know, Jason's at the car. Then, he puts almost his entire body through the opened window to do some strange handshake with Seth. Jason sees me, calls me a 'looker' - whatever that means - and makes this comment about wishing he could be a reptile so he could have a chance with me! He seemed to give me this visual once over, too, which I didn't like at all. I mean, Devon mentioned that Jason had a girlfriend and everything and found out then that she was engaged to him. Why would he even express an interest in me if he was already committed?" Gabby felt agitated with just the retelling of the event.

The professor was quiet for a moment, thinking about all of what his daughter shared with him. With a glint in his eye, he took her hand and explained, "First, my dear, a 'looker' means someone who is very attractive. He paid you a compliment. Second, he's male, so even though he is committed, he recognized your value as a female and his willingness to consider you a viable option on the dating scene - if it were possible. He had no intention of violating his commitment to his fiancé', but he was - in his own way - letting you know how special you are!"

"He doesn't even know me." Gabby complained. She just didn't buy it; there was something else about him. Maybe it was in Jason's expression or the look in his eyes. She was very adept at reading people and it bothered her that the professor had momentarily forgotten that. He looked tired and worn out, though, so maybe he was too run down to notice.

He only said, "Some people are at a loss for words and they end up just making a general compliment. Take it as that and try not to read any more into it. You'll sleep better that way."

They spent the rest of the evening together, taking in a movie that was on cable. Gabby called it a night at nine and went back to the house.

She didn't bother to go into the family room, but headed for the stairs right away. She was tired, though she couldn't figure out why; she'd hardly done anything physical that day. As she climbed the stairs, she saw Rahab coming out of her room. "Hi" Gabby said as she reached the landing.

"Oh, Gabby, good - you're back from the visiting the professor. I have a wetsuit in your bedroom for you. You may want to try it on."

"I have to wear a wetsuit?" Gabby asked, "Why?"

Well, the ocean water is pretty cold right now and you'll need a wet-suit to do any surfing tomorrow." Rahab explained.

Gabby swallowed and clasped her hands together tightly to keep them from shaking. She took measured breaths to take hold of her control. She could feel the panic building but she was now able to keep it from overtaking her. In some small way, all the terrors that Leo forced her to face had helped strengthen her. Gabby felt older.

The look on Gabby's face said that despite her nonchalant attitude about it, she was not looking forward to going tomorrow. Rahab caught the expression and then suggested, "Maybe you and I need to have a talk!" and led Gabby into her room. Sitting her down on the bed and then joining her, she asked, "Okay, what's going on?"

Gabby wasn't so sure she should tell her aunt. After all, she was Mike's wife and he was the one making all the plans to go surfing. "I can't ask you to not tell Mike. But, I'm more afraid of the ocean than I am.... of the dark! "Gabby's eyes didn't well up but she had the look of fear, again, as plain as day.

"Oh, Gabby, Mike knows you are!" Rahab said softly, "Devon is not prone to lying and after Mike had a second talk with him, he was convinced you were just trying to call his bluff. He was actually quite amused at how well you did that, too."

Gabby recognized the compliment, but it did little good for her anxiety, " I don't like not knowing how deep water is or what's swimming in it. I know that sharks patrol these waters and stingrays and barracuda and all sorts of things that are predatory. Then, there are the riptides and jelly fish and...." Gabby's throat constricted as she thought of the other 'monsters' lurking just below the surface. "I'm just afraid I'll make a scene again like I did....last week!" she squeaked out the last few words before crying.

Rahab patted her hand, but then told her, "Well, we're going to the beach tomorrow, so you might as well accept it. The sooner you do this, the easier it will be. Crying certainly will not help you. In the meantime, I would try the wetsuit on to make sure it fits. Use the talcum powder I put in the bathroom for you on your body, first; the suit will slip on better. Now, make sure you get some sleep." And with that, Rahab left Gabby alone to sort out her feelings.

Gabby did not like the wet-suit. It was too tight. She thought of maybe not wearing her bathing suit on underneath but then realized she'd be stuck in the wetsuit all day if she did that. Even when she stood in the bathtub and drenched herself with the powder, she had a hard time getting the suit on. After thirty minutes of struggling, she finally had it zipped, but she felt like she was in the clutches of a giant octopus! Though she was not 'well endowed' like many young ladies, she was ample enough. However, the suit 'flattened' her out so much she was sure Rahab had given her a man's version. She was not very comfortable.

"There just isn't any way that I can wear this!" she complained. Yet, she realized it might be a blessing in disguise. "If I have to wear a wetsuit to surf, then I just won't! I can't anyway...." and that realization put her in a much better mood. After folding the suit up and putting it off to one side, Gabby decided to shower off the talcum powder and then hit the sack.

Gabby awoke before the alarm went off. She quickly adjusted the clock, slipped off her nightgown and donned her bathing suit. Whether if she was going to the beach or not, she was going to get her laps in.

It was five in the morning, still dark out, and considerably chillier than the day before. Maybe it would prove to be too cold for surfing, even with the wet-suits. Then Mike would call it off until the weather warmed up a bit - which probably wouldn't happen until next year! That would please Gabby like none other.

She slipped into the icy water, gasped, and then dove. Her laps were getting easier to do and she was finishing quicker, so Gabby added another ten to her regime. After about twenty minutes, she was done. As she languished in the water for a moment, she felt eyes upon her. Turning around, she tried to see who was watching her. From where she was in the pool, Gabby couldn't see much of the guest house where Leo stayed with the professor. The fire pit obscured her view. She looked up at the house, but there didn't seem to be anyone there either. Shrugging it off, she decided to try something different in getting out of the pool.

Gabby kicked and made her way to the bottom. Mike had the deepest part of the pool set at fifteen feet, a good six feet deeper than normal. The additional depth compensated for the water antics his kids enjoyed when they were younger. Gabby looked up at the tiled side and determined the distance and the amount of kick she would need. Finally, like a quarter horse from the starting gate, Gabby kicked off as hard as she could. As she came to the top of the water, she quickly reached up with her hands and grabbed the side of the pool. In one seamlessly smooth motion, she pulled herself out of the water, exploding up onto the concrete to a complete stand. It was something she had always wanted to do, but it was something Mike was not expecting!

He had just walked up, wondering where she had gone. He had seen her just a moment before from the house and then she disappeared. Mike was afraid she had another leg cramp and was getting ready to dive in after her. Her sudden explosion out of the pool just about gave him a heart attack!

"HEY! Wow, where'd you come from! Gabby, you just about gave me heart failure!!" he exclaimed loudly, stepping back into the bushes clutching the front of his plastron with both of his hands.

Standing there dripping like a waterfall, Gabby was equally as surprised and stepped back herself, almost falling into the pool again. She caught her balance and steadied herself. Then she grabbed her towel and pool robe off the chair that was nearby as she felt the shock of the cool morning air. "Sorry. Always wanted to do that." she apologized weakly, smiling a little. She turned to go back into the house.

Mike collected himself and asked her cheerfully, "Good job of it, too! Hey, did you try on the wet suit last night?"

Turning around to face him, Gabby replied as she quickly donned her pool robe, "'Try' is the right word. The suit doesn't fit." She started towards the house. Mike followed alongside her.

"Did you use the talcum powder?" he asked. He noticed the less than eager inflections in Gabby's voice and it was getting pretty clear his niece was not fine about going to the beach.

"Yeah, lots of it. Still, took me thirty minutes to get it zipped up. Felt like I was in a vice grip. It was very uncomfortable!" Gabby exclaimed.

"Yeah, it will be until it stretches out. It's supposed to trap your body heat. That's the way it works." Mike explained.

"Well, it was too tight. Couldn't get it off fast enough." she remarked, wanting to end the conversation. Gabby truly didn't like the thing, it made her feel confined and the way it hugged her form, very conspicuous.

"Hey, don't sweat it okay?" Mike said.

Gabby was starting to brighten, hoping to be excused from surfing.

However, Mike finished his statement, "Considering you just went into a pool with a temperature a whole lot cooler than the ocean, you won't need a wet- suit!" and he held up the pool thermometer, showing the water at fifty-two degrees. "The surface temperature at the cove is around sixty-five degrees, give or take a couple. You should feel quite comfy." and he headed back into the house, chuckling. Gabby just stood there, realizing she would never be able to out-wit any of them!

Gabby had dried off, ate her breakfast, had her quiet time in the gym and was done by six. She was restless and somewhat anxious about going to the beach. Since no one seemed to be up yet, she decided to go out the front door and stretch her legs. It was about a mile from there to the main gate.

It felt good to run and not have to dodge rocks, jump over fallen logs, or adjust to the lay of the land - unlike in the forest the other day. Gabby laughed to herself over yesterday when Mike slipped and confirmed to her that he was in the forest the whole time. How he had managed to get back to the house and have his meal nearly gone amazed her. Whatever it was he knew, he did it well, that was certain. She was looking forward to when Leo would own up to his keeping that fact from her. Gabby wanted very much to challenge him the way he had done with her regarding Seth's Bible.

Reaching the gate, Gabby slowed down just enough to turn and go back. However, at that point, she felt like someone was watching her. Keeping her pace going, she casually glanced around, wondering if maybe it was Leo, also out for a morning jog, or maybe Mike, wondering why she had gone out the front. It was the first time she had ever ventured into this part of his property. The feeling of eyes upon her kept getting stronger, though, until finally Gabby felt it necessary to go full throttle!

She sped up quickly, leveling out as her legs fully extended over the ground. She had never run like this before outside of a forest or a meadow. The pavement provided even, firm footing which allowed Gabby to go faster than she ever had. It was exhilarating, but the motivation was less so. She sensed that someone was keeping pace with her and it only made her try to run faster. Finally, she saw the house looming in the distance, slowly coming ever closer as she pushed herself faster.

The feeling of someone pacing her stayed constant until Gabby made the circular driveway and then the feeling almost seemed to have veered right and around the back of the garage. Gabby coasted around the driveway and jogged the rest of the way up to the front door. She stopped and looked back, breathing deeply and bending over as she tried to calm down. Whatever it was that had shadowed her was gone. She did not like that feeling at all and wondered if maybe it had been Leo! The ninja members of the family had a unique way of just 'vanishing' in the blink of an eye. Could they also apply this talent to dogging someone without being seen? It was a question that Gabby would have to ask when the opportunity presented itself.

Walking into the house, she made for the kitchen to get some water. She noticed the time was around six-fifteen. She was not tired from her run nor did she have much perspiration to worry about. But, the stress levels had not diminished like she had hoped.

So, grabbing a tall glass of water, she headed up to her bedroom. As she was half-way up, she looked back down and outside where the patio was. Raph was just sitting down on one of the chairs! She had thought he was still asleep in the den, since the door was closed when she had gone out for her jog. Gabby couldn't believe that it was him who had silently run with her; it had been only two weeks since his assault. He had been getting better, but his arm was still in a cast. However, was he well enough to run that fast with her and keep him self hidden? Again, there were things her father and uncle - and cousins - knew that amazed her.

Pausing on the step, she decided to go on out and 'talk' with him. Maybe get him to admit being out there. As she descended the stairs, Leo came into view and she stopped. He sat down in a chair next to her father and seemed to be smiling, as if something amusing had just happened. He said something and then Raph looked up and nodded, then chuckled himself. "Okay, so it was Leo!" Gabby said to herself. "What is it with this family? Were they testing me, again? "She complained. She would like one day where it was just a normal, regular day. No training, not testing, no one following her - and certainly no Jason! She turned around in a huff and went back up the stairs to her room.

The alarm went off at six-fifty. Gabby woke up and realized that she had fallen asleep. Good that she set her alarm, though. She didn't want to drift off and then end up late for her review! Setting the alarm insured she would not miss the appointed time. She stretched and hopped off her bed. Gabby refreshed herself in the bathroom and then, making sure her hair didn't look a fright, headed downstairs.

Rahab was up and getting something ready for Riahna, who sat on one of the breakfast barstools. The youngest Angelo daughter caught Gabby in a hug as she came walking by and was hugged back equally as hard. "Going to the beach!" the girl exclaimed excitedly. Gabby nodded less enthusiastically, "Yep, sure are!" and then excused herself for the gym. Rahab called after her, "Gabby, did you try on the wet suit?"

"Yeah....it was too tight. I don't think I can wear it. Sorry." she replied.

"Well, you might want to once you get into the water. Bring it along, just in case."

"Mike seems to feel that I could handle it. The pool water's colder and I did fine with it this morning." Gabby stated, finally resigned to her fate.

"But, it's a different kind of cold in the ocean. Please bring the suit, okay?" Rahab insisted. Gabby nodded and headed for the stairs.

Gabby didn't have any idea what kind of review Leo would have for her. Maybe he would have her work the Sais or the Bo. Definitely he would go over Clan rules. Either way, there were going to be topics she was eager to bring up with him. The lights were on so it was a given that he was there already.