Katie sat watching the stars glow in sharp contrast to the dark ebony sky. It was only 0200, but her mind wouldn't quit replaying the days events. She tried everything she knew to get to sleep. She even contemplated taking the Nyquil or benadryl in the medicine cabinet. The main problem with that was the fact that she would just be draggy and easily irratated the next day. She sighed silently as the tears formed in her eyes. Why did they have to hurt Lucas?! He was just a kid.

Lucas' confession had shocked them all. They had all felt outraged, but tried to show support and love to Lucas. He had cried, but was far more relaxed with what happened than they were. The rest of the day had been eerily quiet and somber.

Miguel and Jonathan had run almost 10 miles before Kristen made them stop. Nathan, Kristen, Lucas, Tim, and Massie walked the trail as Migs and Jon ran. Katie and Ben walked with them for a couple of laps before returning to their cabin.

They talked some, mainly just holding each other. Finally, Katie got up to get a drink.

"Want something to drink?"

"Sure, something 200 proof would be nice."

"How about some tea?"

"Sounds great."

She returned with the drinks, only to have her ex-husbands pull her into his arms, resting his head on her stomach. She sat the glasses down, then wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pulling him closer. It was the simple act of comfort they could share, forgetting all pretense or formality.

She laid down on the futon, running her hands through his thick hair. Both had tears running down their faces, grieving both together and separately. Ben looked up at her, eyes large as a child's.

"Why? Why are people so stupid and mean?"

She'd only shaken her head. No one knew the reasons behind abuse or violence. She could only think it was a power trip, but why you needed to torture another living thing to get it was beyond her.

They had laid like that about an hour, finally Ben had fallen asleep, holding her close.

Ben had been asleep about 20 minutes, when Katie heard a soft knock. She was about to answer when a blond head popped in. She motioned for him to enter. He blushed, but entered.

"Hey. I don't want to disturb anything."

She smiled.

"You're not. He fell asleep a short time ago. How are you holding up?"

Lucas shrugged.

"I've lived with it, so now it's just getting over it. I will not let those people bother me."

She nodded, knowing acceptance was the last stage of grief.

"It's not easy to accept. I just can't see why they had to treat you that way."

Lucas shrugged and smiled.

"I'm not really sure myself. I do know I've had you guys to teach me the right way to live. The correct things to expect out of others."

"We no longer validate you mistrust of strangers?"

"Ehhh, some strangers. At first everyone treated me like an oddity, a freak; then they learned I was up to the standards they held themselves to. I was more accepted after that revelation."

She nodded. That had been the first impression of the teen she had had. He had won her respect with his knowledge, but also with his work ethic.

"It was weird having a person half your age telling you about theorems way above his level of should be understanding."

"Hey, I have have looks to back the talent."

She smiled, pulling him close. She kissed his forehead, letting his attitude bring her some peace.

"We love you kid. The Wolenczak's better hope they never show their faces around here."

Lucas blushed, but hugged her back.

"They won't. I've set up some nice finds for the government. They're all legal and legit. I did not dream them up. I just unlocked a few guarded doors."

She smiled, knowing Lucas was getting simple enjoyment out of the deal.

"I'd better go and let you sleep. I just wanted to stop by and make sure you guys were ok."

"We'll figure it out, somehow. Just remember you are loved. They can't take that away from you."

Lucas blushed, but smiled.

"Love you guys too. You guys let me see what a normal family life is like."

He slowly got up, pausing to rub Ben's head.

"He looks so cute sleeping."

"Yeah, but he's heavy. I haven't been able to feel my foot for the last 10 minutes."

Lucas laughed as he walked out the door.

She had followed Ben into REM sleep less than 5 minutes after Lucas left.

That all had been earlier, now she couldn't sleep unless she was knocked out. She didn't hear Ben walk up behind her, concern radiating from his eyes. He slept when he was worried, Katie paced. He watched her for several minutes, then made his presence known. She turned around quickly, almost falling from her seat.

"God, Ben, you scared me."

He shrugged.

"Sorry, I know you were thinking."

"You know me, my brain won't shut up. It keeps telling me there was something I should have noticed or seen."

"Me too. He's been my best companion for adventures since he came on board. He never mentioned it. I noticed he jumped when people snuck up on him, but I figured it was normal."

"Yeah, he did spook really easy, but he was just a kid. I make officers jump when they see me, I thought his reaction was normal."

Ben nodded.

"You still make me jump."

Katie smiled, knowing Ben was trying to make her feel better.

"Hush, or I"ll make you jump."

"Make me fold Tim's undies?"

She laughed. It felt odd to laugh and feel this crummy.

"He is very attentive on exact folding and days."

"Yeah, the man's a little anal retentive."

Ben held out his hand, Katie took it, letting him lead her into his room.

"Stay with me?"

Katie smiled, nodding. Ben wanted nothing with sex, only the knowledge that another person cared enough to hold you in your time of need. Did he find her attractive? Yeah, the man had married her once. She also knew it went both ways. She needed the comfort as much as he did.

Ben climbed in, holding the covers up for her. She climbed in, letting Ben pull her to him. It was a nice feeling. Morphus claimed them, letting nice dreams filter into overtaxed minds.