"...Now it's been years

Since I've been in that place

And the winds of my life

Have all weathered my face

But its only with distance

And the coming of grace

That I see in you beauty

I could never replace..."

Words from "The Rock," sung on "So Weird." Anything else familiar isn't mine either.

She fought back tears as she remembered her strongest connection with her father.

"That's not what I mean."

"Well what did you mean?" She spat out the words, more anger in her voice than she meant for there to be.

Carey sighed and pulled the car onto the shoulder of the road. "Fi, you're not you anymore. You're not happy."

"How do you know that I'm not happy?" She felt his hand slip around hers and she stared down at their connection.

"Because, Fiona, I know you. Or, at least, I thought I did. I thought I knew what each of your breaths meant, each sigh, each movement of your eyes. Like now," He ran the back of his other hand down her cheek, "your eyes are screaming that you don't understand. Maybe, one day, you will."

She couldn't fight the tears anymore. The delicate façade she had built around herself for years had been torn down in one quick pull- or rather one soft touch of his hand. He rested his fingers on her jaw line and wiped away a tear with his thumb.

The warmth of his hand electrified her but something was off. The thin, silver band was sending chills through her body. Ripping away from his touch, she turned to look out the window. "Take me home, Carey." How could he do this to her? He must have figured out she was in love with him and he was toying with her. He was married! He wasn't allowed to touch her like he loved her. He wasn't allowed to know her so well.

They finally pulled up the driveway and climbed out of the car. The house hadn't changed since the last time she had been there which soothed her nerves a bit. Her tears had long since dried but her emotions were still raw and she felt like the only things that would help would be a long sleep in her old bed. But her feet wouldn't move. A sudden fear gripped her. She hadn't been in the house for years and the sudden flood of memories that she knew would come was crippling her. She felt a gentle nudge from Carey as he placed his hand on the small of her back giving her the courage she needed. If times were different...

It was good to have her home. Whatever she was now. Maybe she had been possessed by one of the aliens she loved so much. If that was true, he desperately wished the real Fiona would be back soon. Maybe in a few minutes, after the shock of seeing her house and family had worn down, she'd be up to talking to him and not treat his touch as if it scalded her. She had been through a lot and he needed to let her digest it all. He couldn't very well come out and say, "Fi, I'm hopelessly in love with you. Do you want to go get a soda, catch a movie, marry me, or something? You know, whatever." How well could that go off? Images of planes crashing on the runway clouded his mind as they climbed the few steps up to the front door.

She stopped again. "Carey, I don't think I can do this." He took her violin case from her and sat her on the swing.

"Do you know your mom's song 'The Rock?' Of course you do. Near the end of the song she talks about how long it's been since she was home and how much she's changed."

"Oh, so you're saying I'm all haggard looking?"

He chuckled, "no. I'm saying that your mom and her dad never got along. The memories were painful when she thought of home. But she realized that she became the person she is because of all the hardships she faced. And she realizes how wonderful her life was and is. Fi, I don't think you would be so awesome if you hadn't dealt with everything you dealt with. If anything, going through that door will make you so much stronger."

"But, Carey, he'll be there. Be there over all the memories of Daddy."

Carey understood that she was talking about her step-father and didn't exact know how to respond to her statement. Taking a deep breath, he calmly stated, "Fi, he won't be there over the old memories. You'll just be able to make new ones. You've changed, too, you know. That doesn't mean that the old you is bad or forgotten. Just changed."

She reached over and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Thank you, Carey. Thank you so much."

He watched her walk to the door and take a deep breath. He joined her, offered a big smile, and opened the door for her.