With the riptide event an hour behind her, Gabby was soaking up the sun when the call came to set up the volley ball net. She had never played the game before and was quite intrigued. She opted to sit out the first game to watch, sitting next to Riahna. Riahna seldom played since her autism made it difficult for her to participate. She would often take the ball and run off with it, which only made Devon mad.

As they started to play, she noticed how competitive her brother was. One side was Jason and Devon, then Mike and Raph. Melissa, Leo, and Rahab made up the other side. Raph still had one good arm and it seemed to be enough as he made the first serve. It rocketed over the net, but was deftly set up by Leo. Rahab then leaped up, spiking the ball back over where it was received by Devon, who set it up for Jason, who then spiked it back. But, Melissa caught it this time, preparing the ball for Leo, who slammed the ball in between Devon and Mike, making a score.

Gabby watched the first game, studying the way each server would put the ball over the net. It was interesting how some of the receivers would set up the ball rather than try to slam it back over the net and try to score. It was more of a strategy game of out-witting the opponent as well as out playing them.

Finally, when Mike's team won handily, Gabby was invited to join them for the second go-round. She joined Leo's team to balance it out with Mike's. She was given the opportunity to serve first. Remembering everyone else's form and technique, Gabby studied the net and then threw the ball high in front of her. As it came back down, she leaped up and slammed the ball over the top of the net. It shot passed Mike's hand and landed inside the opposite corner of the boundary to score.

Mike scrunched up his face in surprise and then asked, " Gabs, are you sure you've never played before?"

"Who would I have played with, Mike?" she came back saying.

"Good point! Okay, lucky serve!" he replied.

Gabby threw the ball up again, but this time when she leaped up to serve it, she aimed for the opposite corner. It shot like a meteorite between Devon's legs, scoring yet another point. Leo looked back at her and laughed, shaking his head. He turned to the net as Devon threw the ball back to Gabby. Leo could tell that his nephew's mood getting considerably darker!

Gabby made four more points that way before Raph finally intercepted one of her 'missiles'. The set up was to Devon, who slammed it over the net, only to have Rahab receive it. She set it for Leo, who then did something out of character to the way he had been playing. He tapped it up for Gabby. After watching an entire game, she knew what she had to do. Racing in to receive it as it came down, Gabby spiked it over the net, creasing across the top of Devon's head, scoring yet another point as it landed hard inside the boundaries.

Mike's team made some points along the way, but in the end, Leo's team won by several. Gabby's beach experience was starting to take a turn for the better!

They were all in the middle of their third go-round when Gabby sensed something. Where was Riahna? Everyone else seemed to be totally engrossed in the game, but at one point Gabby looked back to where Riahna had been. She was gone! Gabby looked around and before she could say anything to anyone about her missing cousin, she saw her! Riahna was swimming out towards the ocean! Her strokes were deliberate and hard like she was completely focused on what she was doing. Before Gabby could think, she took off towards the surf. Everyone stopped the game. They looked out in the direction where Gabby was going and then saw the reason for her leaving.

Rahab screamed, "NO! RIAHNA, GET BACK HERE!!!" Mike and Leo took off towards the surf, but Gabby was already diving into the ocean.

There was no time to grab a surfboard since they were resting opposite from the direction she needed to go. She forgot about her fear of the deep and focused on getting to Riahna as quickly as she could. As Gabby came to the first wave, she dove under it to escape its clutches. Popping up again she saw that Riahna had stopped. Despite her change in motion, she was being pulled along. Another riptide! Gabby stroked harder and faster to reach her cousin. She felt the tide, too, but used to help her to get to Riahna faster.

Finally, Gabby reached her. She told Riahna to grab onto her. At first, Riahna put a choke hold on her cousin, which pulled them both down under the water! Then, Gabby kicked up and yelled at Riahna to just hold on. Her grip lessened and then her rescuer started swimming towards shore. However, the rip was still there, so she followed the shoreline per Jason's advice. She had to follow it for quite a while before she could feel the strength of the tide lessen. Finally, after testing the tide, she allowed the surf to bring her most of the way in. Riahna, totally unaware of her predicament, squealed in delight as they body-surfed back to shore.

Once on the sand, Gabby collapsed and just held onto Riahna as she caught her breath. All she cared about was that her cousin was safe! However, Riahna wanted loose! Gabby told her loudly, "No more going in the water, Riahna! Please rest!"

Riahna had never heard her cousin raise her voice before, so she gave her a sullen look and said, "NO!"

Gabby gave her an equally stern look back and repeated herself, but softer, "Rest, please!!" and then she hugged her.

Riahna squirmed away and before she could run back to the water, Mike had caught her up. Riahna was mad and screamed at him, trying to pull from Mike, but her father held her fast. Rahab then took Riahna and, with Leo's help, walked her back up the beach to where their blanket was.

"That was just terrific, Gabby!" Mike exclaimed, openly appreciative.

Raph arrived by that time and helped his daughter stand up. "Glad you saw what was happening. That could have been disastrous!"

Gabby wanted to sit back down and she did. "Just let me catch myself for a moment, okay. I just want to sit here a bit!"

Raph stayed with her while Mike went back to help Rahab pack up. "They're packing up already?" Gabby asked.

"Yep. Once Riahna gets that far out, she won't rest until she can do it again. They're going to have to leave her home the next time. They almost lost her once. If it weren't for your noticing that she was gone, they would have for sure today!"

Gabby and her father sat there. No words were spoken, but there was a peace and an understanding that didn't seem to need any vocalization. Raph was as shaken by the experience as Mike and Rahab were, but he was also filled with pride the way his daughter just up and dove in, forgetting about her fear.

Just before Mike called everyone back to the car, Raphael spoke to his daughter, "We were all surprised to see you dive right into it, Gabs. None of us would have expected that from you; not after your experience with the riptide!" He hugged her with his one good arm and said, "I'm very proud of you, as is everyone else."

On the way back to the house, not much was said. The day had been fun and exciting, but the last event sobered them silly. All Gabby wanted to do was to get up to her room, wash the beach and seawater out of her hair, then go to bed. She was exhausted.



Gabby was showered, her hair washed, and she had just put a fresh set of clothes on when there was a knock at the door. She walked over and opened it. It was Rahab. "May I come in?" she asked. Gabby nodded and let her aunt come in.

Rahab had a subdued expression on her face as she spoke, her voice wavering, "I am very grateful for what you did this afternoon! I don't know how I could have forgiven myself if anything would have happened to Riahna or you!"

Gabby said, "It's okay. I sort of went on instinct when I saw her out there. I had my own experience with the riptide earlier and Jason advised me then on what to do about it. Maybe that experience helped in the long run. I would have tried to swim against the tide otherwise!"

Rahab then hugged her hard and started to cry a little. Gabby didn't know what to do other than hold her aunt, comforting her in that way. After a few minutes, they parted. Rahab wiped her eyes, smiled and told her, "Leo will be leaving tomorrow morning while you're down in the gym with Mike. Maybe you could hold off going to bed until later? He'd like to talk with you about Seth! Also, dinner is almost ready."

Gabby couldn't imagine what Leo would say to her about Seth! Rahab saw her excitement and told her, "You've earned some consideration today. I don't know what it's all about, but Leo will tell you!" Then, she thanked her niece again and left the room.

Gabby went over to the window to look out in thoughtful silence. Seth! How she missed him, but looking over the past week, she realized that had he been here, she may not have achieved as much as she had. He would have been too distracting. Then she saw that Leo was bringing the professor up to the house for dinner, talking to him in a way more animated than usual. Her surrogate father seemed quite interested in what her uncle was saying. "Must be talking about the beach trip"she thought.

Thinking about the day, Gabby couldn't quite grasp how she could be so terrified to go out with Mike on the board and then, in the next instant, take it upon her own self to dive head-first into the ocean to rescue Riahna. If she were so afraid of going out there, why didn't she let Mike or Leo know about her cousin's situation? They were more skilled than she was in these matters. But, Gabby knew she cared for Riahna and understood her vulnerability. When Leo had asked her earlier in the week who it was she would feel more protective of, Gabby had chosen Riahna! Today, she proved that!

She descended the stairs slowly, tempered by the day's experiences. She reflected on Mike taking her out on the surfboard and realized that if it weren't for her fear of the ocean, she might have enjoyed it more. But, her swimming out and saving Riahna started working on Gabby's terror of the sea. Next time, she told herself, she would go out on the board by herself!

Dinner was a simple fare - salad and fruit with bread. Leo kept looking over at Gabby and smiling. Mike did, too, and it was starting to make Gabby feel a little uncomfortable. Raph was just being himself where he had already expressed his appreciation for what she did for Riahna. He seemed a bit more chipper and less caustic, though, which seemed to go over better with Rahab. In meals past, Rahab avoided most conversations with him. They had developed an understanding after years of bickering. The less said to each other the better they got along.

Most of the conversation was as it had been in previous nights, loud. The professor talked with Gabby about the beach, mentioning her surfing experience and her heroic act in saving Riahna.

"I never knew you were afraid of the ocean, Gabriella. But, I am quite proud of you for the way you handled it, today, though." he said to her.

Gabby was a little embarrassed to talk about it, shrugging it off, "It wasn't as bad as I had feared it would be. I'm just glad I noticed Riahna's situation when I did." and then she moved on to other topics.

Devon's attitude was more subdued than normal, his occasional glances at Gabby were flat and unreadable. She thought it strange since all last week he had either been curt with his comments to her or surly in how he treated her. Tonight, though, he seemed unable to know what to express to her.

"Good," Gabby thought to herself, "'bout time he gets off his high-horse!"

Once dinner was over, Leo beckoned Gabby outside. Taking her over to the fires pit, he sat her down. "I'm quite proud of you, Gabby, for what you did today!" he started, "I know it was hard for you to oblige Mike and go out on the surfboard. But, then to overcome your recent experience with the riptide and rescue Riahna when it would have been easier to alert one of us showed considerable courage! There is a passage in the Bible about a man who loses his life for another has expressed the greatest of love! You have shown that today! You may still be in a quandary about becoming ninja, but quite honestly, though Bushida philosophy is different in many ways, risking your life for an innocent is the way of ninja! You have taken a closer step to reaching that goal and a most important one at that!" He looked up at the guest house and then said as he looked back at her, "I want you to go to the guest house now. Wait there. When the phone rings, I want you to answer it! There is no limit to the phone call, you may talk as long as you like!" And then Leo did something completely unexpected - he hugged Gabby and kissed her on the forehead like her surrogate father would have. He cupped her face with one hand in an affectionate gesture, then left her feeling a bit overwhelmed. Gabby wondered what kind of phone call she would get. Seth?! She sprang up in an instant and ran to the house, her heart racing in anticipation!

Gabby had to wait for only a few minutes before the phone rang. She hesitated, not sure if she could keep her composure. It rang a second time, she took a deep breath and picked the phone up, "Hello?" she managed to squeak out.

"Hi." it was Seth.

Gabby fought back the tears, trying to find her voice again, but her throat constricted mercilessly.

"Ah, Gabby, are you there?" he asked.

"Y- Yes!" she managed to choke out.

"Are you alright?" he asked her, concern in his voice.

"Y-yeah, I'm fine. Just having.......a hard time....talking is all!" she said softly.

Seth laughed a little and then asked her how things were going. Once Gabby found her voice again, she was able to fill him in on everything. They shared back and forth about their week of training. He told her that he had been dropped off on Monday in a remote mountain area far from the Ryu where he was training. He had to live off the land with nothing more than a knife for protection. Seth had to find his own food and water, as well. He told her of the cold nights and of an earthquake that nearly brought a mountain side down on top of him.

Gabby just listened, awestruck that he had survived and said a silent prayer of thanks for his behalf. Seth told her that it took him three days to get back to the Ryu. Then, he had to endure an intense strength test that he thought would nearly break him. But, he kept thinking of her and it kept him on track.

"I miss you so much, Seth!" Gabby said gustily.

"I miss you, too, Gabriella, very much so!" Seth replied, his voice full of emotion." I am hoping to be back by Christmas - maybe sooner if my father lets me. From what he said earlier about how you rescued Riahna, he seems to feel that you are starting to understand things better." He paused for a moment, allowing his words to envelope Gabby. She wanted very much to have him right then and there, but if she could work harder at training, Gabby would settle to having Seth back with her before Christmas. That wasn't too far away!

" Have you been reading my Bible?" he then asked her.

"Yes, well, sort of. I went to get it like you said, but Leo knew. He felt I should have asked him about it rather than sneak into your room. He ended up taking the book away along with your letter. So, I've been using my memory, going over the verses individually. But, your dad returned the book and the letter this morning! I've been praying for you, too, at the same time every day! I have a lot of questions, but I don't know if this is a good time to go over them." she answered.

"Father didn't give me a limit on how long we can talk. So, fire away!" he said.

The next hour was spent going over the finer details of Romans through the fifth chapter. Seth patiently explained grace and mercy and her need for salvation. Gabby had always felt somewhat out of step with herself and wondered if maybe it was a spiritual need. Seth assured her that it probably was, but the mix of human and reptilian DNA could be another reason why she struggled so much with her emotions.

"I'm so tired of being afraid and then angry, Seth! I know what I need to do, but then I get pushed into a corner and either come out fighting or want to find a hole to crawl into!" Gabby complained.

"It's sometimes like that! Two steps forward and one step back. You'll get the hang of it, don't worry! "Seth encouraged her.

They talked about other things, especially what it was like in Japan. Gabby was quite curious about it and Seth was more than happy to oblige her. At one point, she asked if he spoke the language and was delighted when he said he did! From that point on, she insisted that he speak to her only in Japanese. She was elated to actually be putting into practice what she had learned years ago. But, it was quite frustrating, too, since Seth had a working knowledge of it, while Gabby only spoke it in the context of a language class. He had to correct her in a few areas regarding phrasing and in what order to put certain words. Gabby was offended, at first, but Seth - sensing her frustration - gently told her that the real world of language was not in the classroom but in the country of its origin. He promised that after their training was finished, he would take her to Japan for a personal tour!

Finally, Seth insisted that they end their call, "It's lunch time and I can't be late. They're keeping me to a strict schedule here. I really enjoyed talking with you, Gabs!" he gushed, "Hopefully, we can do this next Sunday, too!"

Gabby didn't want to hang up; she wanted to keep talking the whole night with Seth. But when she looked over at the kitchen clock, she saw that it was nearly nine in the evening. They had been talking for nearly three hours. Reluctantly, they said their goodbyes and hung up. Gabby clutched the phone well after Seth had ended the call. She cried softly, missing him all the more.

Finally, once she had herself under control, Gabby made her way back to the house. Gabby didn't know if this would become a regular event with having Seth call, but in case it might be she made a promise to herself to not mess it up with insubordination or bad behavior. Her biggest obstacle, she thought, was going to be the next Saturday working with Jason.

Leo met her as she came into the house. "Thank you so much!" she said appreciatively.

"I've been impressed with your progress and felt you needed a little incentive to keep it up! If you maintain your development, Seth may return by Thanksgiving. But ..." and he gave her look of warning," you cannot falter from here on out! Mike will be monitoring you this week. Again, do not think that he will go easy with you. If anything, he will work you harder than I did! "

Gabby nodded and smiled. Then, she surprised Leo this time and said, hugging him, "I'm going to miss you!"