Leo was sitting in the center of the gymnasium floor in the typical meditative posture that Gabby was now familiar with. She remained off to the side out of respect for the quiet that enveloped the room. Finally, he opened his eyes and then rose to a stand in one seamless fluid motion. "Good, you're here." he said. "Thank you for waiting. You may come onto the floor, now."

Gabby walked quietly over to where Leo was, bowed towards him, and then waited. There was a long, uncomfortable silence as he studied her, looking full into her face. Finally, he spoke, "This has been an important week for you. Much has been accomplished, but there is still much for you to learn." He smiled warmly, and then continued, "You have conquered a fear that was determined to control you. Instead, you are controlling it! I commend you for that! You have many other fears to overcome, though! With perseverance and courage, you will succeed!" Leo paused, reflecting for a moment. He then said, "I do not feel it necessary to review what you learned as far as Clan rules are concerned as I trust your memory."

Gabby could have left at that moment with just knowing he had trusted her. Well, it was a given as far as her memory was concerned, but the word 'trust' went far with her.

Leo spoke again, "I will be leaving tomorrow morning but will remain in contact with the family to monitor your progress. What Mike will be teaching you - aside from getting along with people...." and his expression became serious again, causing Gabby to cringe inside a little, "....will augment what I have taught you this week. Be mindful that, despite his exuberate personality; Mike will not tolerate insolence anymore than I will! There is a side to him that you have yet to see - I would suggest you not venture there."

"What was it about putting the fear of death in you that these guys enjoyed doing?" Gabby thought. She remembered too well her 'chat' with Mike yesterday in the very room she now occupied. It wasn't lost on her at that he had a definite serious side to him.

Leo continued, "You proved your prowess with the nunchuks on Friday and your ability to learn quickly. Although I was not present in the woods with you, Mike was that afternoon. But, I am confident that were aware of him at the time, just as you aware of me this morning when I followed you."

Gabby brightened a bit, pleased that Leo would confirm what she already knew, but she still needed to ask him about it. "Why didn't you tell me once I returned to the house that Mike had been out there?"

Leo sighed and then answered her, "I wanted to see how you handled it, for one. Mike told me he was pretty sure you knew that one of us were out there. He thought you did very well, all things considered. For another, you need to learn to rely on what you know personally and then to trust in that, rather than having to be told all the time what's actually happening. You need to learn to trust your own instincts. I have observed that you do possess a natural sense about such matters. "

Then, Leo saw her brow furrow and gave her permission to speak.

"Sensei, why did you follow me this morning?" she asked.

Leo took his time in answering, watching Gabby's face as she waited. Finally, he replied, "I always take a run down the driveway and back each morning; somewhat of a ritual that is similar to the laps you take in the pool. I wasn't expecting you, so not knowing what you were planning on, I kept out of sight to observe."

Gabby was confused, "What did you think I was going to do?"

"I thought you were going to try to leave." Leo said calmly. "All of us are aware that you do not like the ocean."

"Yeah, like I can climb that gate! Sensei, its twelve feet high, with spikes no less." his niece replied.

"It's possible. Anyway, you didn't and I decided not to startle you, so..." Leo explained.

"So....you shadowed me which - did about the same thing." Gabby said, somewhat frustrated.

Leo smiled, " Yes, but I think you enjoyed the run!"

She nodded but then added, "It would be nice, though, to do something where I wasn't being watched all the time. It's become a little overwhelming to be constantly chaperoned."

Leo understood, "Yes, I can understand that. However, you're in training and it just comes with the territory."

The rest of the review was mostly going over the equipment she had learned how to use during the week. He had her work the Bo, Sais, and nunchuks. Leo hadn't shown Gabby how to work the swords, yet, telling her she will be shown later as she becomes proficient with the other instruments. Along the way, he gave her a few words of encouragement about the trip to the beach.

"I hope your success in overcoming the dark will help you overcome the ocean as well. I agree with you that there are things in the waters that we should very well leave alone. The only time they come close to shore, though, is when the waters are warmer. It is too cool right now. Plus, their food source such as seals and otters, are farther north. That is why Mike chose the cove in the first place." Leo said. Then, he told her the review was done and she could go and get ready for the beach.

"Are you coming?" she asked.

"No, I'm going to keep the professor company. He would come along but it's a bit too cool for him. He needs to be kept warm. I will probably saturate him with my tea while you and the rest are gone!" Leo said, and then laughed at his own expense.

Gabby found her feelings about the end of her first week conflicting. As she jogged up the gymnasium stairs, she realized that come tomorrow, Leo would be gone. As difficult as it had been being his student, she was going to miss him.

Rahab was preparing lunches for the beach trip when Gabby came walking through the family room. "Done already?" she asked her niece.

"Guess so - I mean, yes." Gabby replied. "Is there anything I can do to help?" she asked as she stopped to watch Rahab make some sandwiches.

"No, not really. I'm just getting ahead start on things. Mike plans on being out there till dinner time - if it doesn't get too cool." Rahab answered.

Gabby remarked half-heartedly, "Hmm, guess he likes the beach then."

Rahab smiled, "Actually, we all do. When the weather's warm and we have the time, it's one of our favorite family outings. I think you'll like it, Gabby."

"Hope so." was all Gabriella could say in response. Then she excused herself and headed for the stairs.

Just as she walked into her bedroom, Gabby stopped and took in a sharp breath. She immediately saw Seth's Bible on her bed. Leo had returned it to her. But, how did he? She had been in her room just before her review was to start. He was already in the gym by the time she had arrived. Maybe he had Mike do the honors. Either way, she stood there, not knowing whether to give it back to him since she still felt badly about trying to deceive him, or to pick it up and hold it close to her. She decided on the latter, wanting to read the words, now, rather than just remember them. She checked the book and found that Seth's letter was also there. Taking it out, Gabby unfolded it and re-read the encouraging words he had written to her just ten days before.

Gabby sat on her bed, the Bible in her lap, contemplating the coming trip to the beach. Seth's words affected her deeply, more now that when she read them the last time. She discovered things about herself this week that she hadn't counted on. Overcoming the dark was obviously one of them and being able to find her way back through the forest was certainly another. But, her willingness to deceive her sensei and then eavesdropping on Mike at the studio had humbled her. She still wasn't convinced about Jason, but the disappointment Mike showed towards Gabby affected her deeply. She liked him, almost from the beginning on her first day in Big Sur. He had tried very hard to make her transition to her new life easy. To disappoint him of all people grieved Gabby She decided right there that despite how she felt, she would try her best to treat the Jason respectfully, regardless of what she sensed about him.

Seth's words about doing everything asked of her with excellence hit home with Gabby. As she admitted to Rahab about how she always attempted to do her best at whatever she was doing, Gabby realized that she and Seth were of like mind! It was just her personal fears that always seemed to be in the way. The fact that Seth seemed to have the inside track on how his father and uncles felt about her helped immeasurably, too. Raph visiting her here in her room after she swept Leo and telling her how proud he felt towards her was proof of that. Did the others feel the same way? Thinking back to the dinner that night, there was a connection she felt between herself and the others - except for Devon. He never responded to her one way or the other if she had moved up a notch on the respect scale. His confrontation towards her that same night seemed to indicate as much. Maybe he hadn't heard. It didn't matter anymore what Devon thought, though. Gabby decided that she would be as cooperative as she could be today - and as honest, as far as her fears were concerned.

Soon, the call came for everyone to pile into the SUV. Gabby opened her bedroom door and had to step back as Riahna raced passed her and down the stairs, taking three steps at a time! Mike and Rahab's youngest daughter evidently loved going to the beach!

Gabby had the wet suit wrapped up in her towel. She was wearing her bathing suit under a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. She brought along a pair of sweats and a sweat top just in case it proved to be too cool for what she was wearing. She made her way down the stairs in good fashion, actually excited to be doing something other than training or going to Mike's studio, surfing notwithstanding. Mike was ushering everyone out the door and smiled at Gabby as he saw her rather upbeat expression.

"Hey, there Gabby girl, got yer bathing suit?" He asked.

"Yep, I have it already on. "she replied. Gabby then showed him the wet suit wrapped in her towel, "and the wet suit, just in case it's too cold!" Then, out the door she went.

Mike looked after her and wondered if Devon was telling the truth or not. This niece of his kept throwing him curves and he just couldn't figure her out! Either way, he was looking forward to teaching a few things about surfing to her!

As Gabby climbed into the Suburban, she noticed that Leo was in the car. "I thought you were going to stay behind with the professor?" she asked him.

"He was quite happy with the nurse that came today and told me to 'git'! "he replied, smiling.

Raph asked, "That cute, eh?" and laughed.

Gabby was appalled, "Oh for Pete' sake, he's nearly eighty years old!"

"Hey, eighteen or eighty, Gabs - the fire never stops burning!" Raph chuckled. Leo had to laugh as well, which put Devon in the snickers.

Rahab told everyone to knock it off, "Hey, give it a rest! All of you!" which only caused more guffaws and that was when Mike finally hopped in behind the driver's seat. "Hey, what's everyone laughing about?" he asked.

"Not everyone is laughing!!" Gabby complained, which put everyone but the girls back to sniggering again.

Raph explained, "Just talking about age and fire, Bro!"

Mike had a quizzical look on his face, not getting it. Rahab told him, "I'll tell you later, but we need to be going!"

Mike just shrugged, and then said, "Jas just called. Said he'd meet us at the cover!" and then, Mike started up the SUV and they were off!

Gabby was a little apprehensive. She wasn't sure if she could get over her dislike for Jason. However, at least she could use this time at the beach to start off fresh.



There were "No Trespassing" signs along the top part of the cove where Mike parked the Suburban. A "Private Property" sign was posted at both ends, making it perfectly clear that interlopers were not welcomed.

The day was sunny and surprisingly temperate for the first Sunday in October! There was very little breeze so the sand was expected to be pleasingly warm. Gabby didn't think she'd be using her sweatpants and top, so she left them in the car, taking the wetsuit, though, just in case. She had fortunately grabbed the talcom powder, remembering how difficult it was to get the suit on the first time. Without it, she would have never succeeded.

Mike and Devon grabbed their boards and the volleyball net while Rahab, Riahna, and Leo took up the volley ball, the blankets and the cooler that had the food. Raph grabbed the other cooler that held the drinks. Just before the family started to trudge down the path to the beach below, a familiar 4Runner roared up and parked just behind the SUV. It was Jason and his fiancé', Melissa.

"Hey, Mr. and Mrs. A., looks like we arrived just in time. Cool!" he exclaimed loudly as he and Melissa jumped out of their car. They then went about grabbing their equipment out of the back of the 4Runner and the untying the two boards on top of the vehicle.

Soon, they all filed down the path, with Jason and Melissa following from behind with their cooler. Gabby had positioned herself between Riahna and Raph, not wanting to get an early start on socializing with 'metal man' quite yet. She was dreading enough the prospect of surfing!

Rahab insisted that lunch happen before anything else. Devon was anxious to hit the waves, so he woofed his food down and then took off with his board. Gabby took her time eating, not wanting to risk getting sick, though the knot in her stomach was doing enough of that job all on its own. She remained outwardly calm, watching her brother take a wave and riding it back to shore. As she munched on her sandwich, she thought it didn't look all that hard to do. Still, it meant going out beyond the surf and waiting for the next 'ride' in. How deep the water was at that point was very important to her!

"Say, Gabby," Jason asked," you ever surf before?"

She looked across the way at Metal Man and shook her head, sipping her soda.

"Hey, I could take you out!" he suggested.

Gabby's insides just about did a somersault, but she calmly replied, "Thanks, but Mike's going to take me out. Besides, I think you should take Melissa!" and then she smiled over at the girl.

Melissa was a typical California girl, blonde, tall, tanned, and obviously crazy about this fiancé of hers. She was hanging all over him! Gabby was disgusted the way the girl hugged Jason's arm, practically sitting in his lap! Melissa smiled back and snuggled closer to Jason all the more! Gabby wanted to puke. "Of course," she thought," Melissa might just be a bit insecure being one of only two humans on this beach."

Riahna was done with her lunch and pulled at Rahab to go down to the water's edge. Gabby asked Mike, "Does Riahna surf?"

Mike replied, " No, but I usually take her out. Devon will, too, on occasion. She doesn't handle the surfboard too well. We don't let her swim out there either. We tried one time and she kept on going like she was trying to make Hawaii." Mike chuckled, but Gabby easily noted the laugh was strikingly not a jovial one.

Leo and Raph had left the group and were walking along the beach, talking. Gabby watched them and wondered what it was they were discussing. However, she decided that her eavesdropping days were over. Whatever it was they were chatting about, she decided to just let them be. She was more concerned about when Mike was going to force the issue about her surfing. It didn't take long!

"Well, Gabby Girl, I think now's the time!" and Mike got up and went to get his board that was shoved into the sand nearby.

Gabby, in that instant, wanted to bolt back up the hill to the car, get in, lock it, and take off! If she had the keys, that is. However, that wasn't the case. Running wasn't an option since the sand was deep and she found in Carmel that it was pretty hard to run in deep sand. Seth didn't have any problems with it, though. She remembered too well how quickly he caught up with her after she had sprayed him with a handful of sand! So, it was a good guess that Mike wouldn't have any difficulty, either! Resigned to her fate and determined to get it over with as quickly as possible, Gabby stood up. She took her shorts and top off, revealing her blue one-piece bathing suit underneath. She kicked the clothes off to one side and then turned around to walk with Mike. She happened to glance over to Melissa, but Jason caught her attention. He was staring at her - and not the kind of stare that made her feel comfortable. It was as if he was undressing her.

Scowling, Gabby hurried after Mike, leaving plums of sand in her wake. She then heard Melissa say something to Jason about putting his eyes back in his socket and then she heard Jason exclaim, "Ow, what was that for?" Their talk softened as his fiancé' gave him a few words of advice, and Gabby smirked to herself, "Serves him right. Hope she slugged him a good one!"

Raph and Leo were now watching the surf line. "She's actually going out!" Leo exclaimed as she saw Gabby get on the board with Mike behind her.

"Well, I guess Devon was wrong." Raph commented wryly.

Leo watched and then corrected him, smiling faintly, "Nope, he was right - I think she's having a panic attack!"

Gabby was hyperventilating. She was near the front end and had her legs up on the board, holding the sides of it with both hands. She shook uncontrollably, partly from fear and partly from the cold ocean water. Mike was in the water while he took the board out, kicking for momentum passed the surf-line. When he was at a point where there weren't any waves, he turned the board and hopped on. The board's movement startled Gabby and she had all she could do to stifle her scream. "Okay, ah....I really don't like this at all!!" she wailed. "I'll admit it - I'm terrified!!"

"Hey, tell me something I don't know kiddo!" Mike sniggered, "It'll be fun! Just hold on."

Mike used his hands and paddled towards shore. Gabby had no clue what was to come. She felt the back of the board rise up and take off quicker than she had expected! She looked back, only to see Mike standing up just behind her, guiding the board through the surf as he leaned this way and that. Gabby turned quickly around and closed her eyes, hoping for a swift end to it. She clutched the board tighter and hunkered down. Cracking one eye open, Gabby saw the shore and then it seemed as if she was looking down at it. Although the surf was only about six feet high, it seemed like six stories to her!

Mike guided the board over to the steepest part of the wave, rocketing in at an angle towards the shoreline. He noticed Gabby trying to be one with the board and laughed, but in the same moment admired her courage. She had definitely come a long way in such a short amount of time!

Just before they would have reached shore, the wave gave out and they coasted in. Gabby felt the sand grab the board, forcing it to a stop. She just sat there, frozen to her spot and staring straight ahead.

"Hey, Gabs need to stand up now!" Mike said.

"I don't think my legs will!" she moaned. "They're stuck!"

Mike helped her up and once she found that she could indeed walk, she did - right back to the picnic area as quickly as she could. She made better time over the sand than she thought she would.

Mike called after her, "Wait; there's more waves to catch!"

Gabby hollered back, "Fine - go catch some!"

As soon as she could, she slipped back into her shorts and t-shirt, planting herself down on the blanket as if to say, "Dare to pick me up!" She noticed that Jason and Melissa had followed Mike's lead and were now out beyond the surf on their boards.

Rahab had just returned with Riahna, who was dripping wet. She was giggling and was in one of her better moods. She saw Gabby all dressed and decided that she needed a hug! Before Gabby could dissuade her, though, Riahna was in her lap, hugging her, and getting her all wet in the process.

"Oh, Riahna – you're all wet!" Gabby exclaimed loudly. Her cousin just giggled.

Mike busted up laughing as he came back to where Gabby was, "See, if you hadn't put your shorts and top back on, they'd be dry!" He waited until Riahna was done. Then, he spoke more seriously to Gabby, "Need to go back out, Gabs!"

She looked at him and said, "I did what was expected and went out there! Once is enough!"

Mike had that look which said there wouldn't be any arguments. Gabby was trying to decide if he could handle her and the board, then realized that he'd probably chuck the board just to grab her and throw her in the ocean! Raph and Leo were also on their way back to the group and it was then Gabby figured they'd be more than willing to help their brother. So, she took off her shorts and her top and stormed across the sand, angrily shouting. "Fine - drown me then!"

Mike just laughed, "Maybe later, but right now you're going to surf!" and followed her to the waters edge, chuckling to himself.

This time, Mike told Gabby to stand up. She couldn't! The board wobbled when she moved and she was desperately afraid of falling in the water. Despite her stubborn resolve to cooperate earlier, she was still terrified. "Don't make me stand. I can't do that!" she moaned.

"Gonna stand!" he said, pulling her up onto her feet. Her knees buckled, but he quickly took a firm grip around her waste, placing her in front of himself. The wave was bigger than the first one and Gabby thought for sure she was going to die! She closed her eyes tightly as Mike steered the board towards shore. Just before the wave ended, the surf tumbled roughly without warning and threw the board to the side, upending Gabby and Mike into the water. At that point, it was a good ten feet deep, but she didn't know it. Gabby had just enough time to gulp some air before going under.

The surf swirled her around and she didn't know which way was up. Her heart beat wildly, not knowing where she was in the water. With her eyes tightly shut, she felt her head hit something hard and for a moment she saw lights going off behind her eyelids. Then, as she came to the surface, another wave came over her, tumbling her even more.

Gabby didn't know which way to swim. She thought she was heading for shore, but in fact she was swimming out to sea. When she finally was able to get her head above the water and gasped for air, she was looking out at the ocean. Gabby tried to swim back to shore, but the harder she swam, the more she was pulled further out. Unknown to her, she was in the middle of a riptide. Its pull startled Gabby. She didn't expect it to be so strong. She tried harder to swim back to shore, but it was like she was trying to swim uphill. She saw Mike watching her and he soon realized that his niece was in trouble. He called out to Jason and Devon who were already trying to catch another wave. She didn't understand a word he was saying, but the next thing she knew, she saw them coming at her. The last thing she wanted was for either of them to rescue her. Treading water as it pulled her further out to sea, Gabby noticed that Mike was just standing along the shoreline watching her. Raph and Leo walked up next to him, observing the scene.

Gabby saw Jason and Devon getting closer, with Jason in the lead. "Great, I get rescued by my two least favorite people!" she grumbled to herself. But, there was nothing she could do but try to keep from going under again, which was what the riptide was trying to do. It terrified her and at that point she didn't care who it was who reached her.

Jason was the first to arrive. If Gabby could have chosen her rescuer, she would have picked the 'least of the two evils' and had it be Devon. Jason had given her the creeps the way he looked at her earlier. But, she didn't have a choice. She was just glad that someone was there to rescue her.

Jason grabbed Gabby's arms and hauled her onto his board. She was grateful only because she was out of the water and onto something that could support her weight. She sat up on her knees and grabbed the side of the board with her hands, resting near the front end. Jason then stood and maneuvered the board towards the next wave, riding it to shore safely. As they were going in, Jason told her, "The next time you get stuck in a riptide, don't try to swim in, but swim along horizontal to the shore until you can't feel the pull anymore. Otherwise, you will tire and drown!" Gabby just nodded, completely terrified over her experience.

Gabby weakly thanked Jason for the 'lift' and then she walked back onto the sand. Knowing that her training was not common knowledge to Jason and Melissa, she took advantage of the situation. She glared at Mike as she passed him and his brothers, telling him under no uncertain terms was she ever going out again. Gabby then whispered angrily, "I don't care if you keep me in the gym in the dark for the entire week!" Then she walked back in a huff to where Rahab and Riahna was, putting her shorts and top back on.

"Guess that's her limit, eh?" Raph commented as he watched his daughter storm off, smirking.

Leo smiled, "Well, can't blame her for that one. But, you do know, Mike, you're going to have to take her out again before we leave today."

Mike sighed, "Yep, but I'll let her rest for a while. Jason and Melissa can't stay too long, so I'll wait until they leave. I'm expecting a few fireworks from her and we don't need an audience." Then he called for Riahna to join him. She ran excitedly over to her father and the two of them went back out to catch some surf.