A.N. The good stuff belongs to L.J. Smith. The trimmings belong to me.

Elyssa dashed inside, letting the kitchen door slam shut behind her. A few of Thierry's assistants looked up from their coffee and smiled as she flew by them.

she called over her shoulder as she tore around a corner.

Carefully cradling her prize in her hands, Elyssa burst into Thierry's study to find Thierry and Nilsson staring at the door. They had apparently been having a serious conversation. Thierry was leaning a hip against his desk with his arms folded across his chest while Nilsson stood next to him, looking impossibly proper for his teenage body.

Halted by their resignedly amused expressions, Nilsson's constant reminder to knock returned to Elyssa. Suddenly shy, she took a step back and bit her lip, waiting for the inevitable reprimand.

Then Thierry laughed. Good morning, Elyssa.

At ease again, Elyssa grinned at him and hurried to their sides. Sighing contentedly, she leaned against the table next to Thierry. Whatcha doin?

Top secret, Nilsson told her with a grave expression. I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.

Elyssa grinned at him with unflappable confidence and announced, You wouldn't kill me, Nilsson.

Chuckling, he ruffled her hair and turned back to his boss. Anything else, sir?

No, that's it for now, Nilsson. I'll see you at lunch.

With a wink at Elyssa and a nod at Thierry, Nilsson moved quietly out of the room, leaving the door open. Elyssa watched him go and turned to Thierry with a look of curiosity on her face. What were you talking about? she asked, tilting her head to one side.

Thierry smiled slightly and shook his head at her, signaling he couldn't tell her. After six months, she was used to this expression and recognized it easily. Shrugging philosophically, Elyssa refocused her attention on her prize and opened her fingers to make sure it was still intact.

Thierry bent over slightly from his usual six feet to peer into her cupped palm. Whatcha got there?

A lizard skull, she said, grinning at him.

he said blandly, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

You wanna see? she asked, picking it up carefully between her thumb and forefinger and offering it to him.

Holding out his own larger hand, he waited until Elyssa carefully placed it in his palm. He raised it a little to get a better look and studied it with a grave expression.

Elyssa snuck under his arm and leaned against his side, head resting on his stomach. She felt him tense nervously, but, used to such reactions from Thierry, resolutely stayed were she was. She heard him clear his throat and looked up at his face with an innocent expression.

Do you know what kind of lizard it's from? he asked, handing the skull back to her. When she pulled away from him to look at the skull, he sighed gratefully and straightened from the table he was leaning on.

she answered with another shrug. Then she grinned at him. But it's cool, huh?

He smiled back easily.

Setting the skull on Thierry's desk, she turned to his swivel chair and climbed into it without invitation. Accustomed to losing his chair now that Elyssa was living with them, Thierry merely sat on the opposite side of the desk in a far less comfortable chair and moved some of the files on the desk out of her way. Then he leaned back and watched as Elyssa swung the chair around and around and around until he felt dizzy.

Hey guys, a voice said from just inside the door.

Elyssa cried, rushing over to throw her arms around the redhead's middle.

Hey, kiddo. How you been?

Okay. You wanna see my skull? Elyssa's eyes shined at the idea of showing off her new found treasure.

Poppy's face had a look of shock and worry as she looked at Thierry.

Smirking, his eyes met hers. It's from a lizard.

Relief spread across her features as she turned back to the ten year old in front of her. Really? Where did you find it?

Out back. Then, with the lightning fast change of topic typical of ten year olds, Elyssa frowned and asked, Where's James?

Here's James, his own voice said from around the corner.

Elyssa pulled away from Poppy and threw herself at James, who caught her deftly and swung her around.

Where'd you guys go? Elyssa asked after James had set her back on her feet.

We went to Maine to visit a friend, James said, taking her hand. Suddenly, he glanced up at Poppy with a frown, then at Thierry. Nodding, he turned back to Elyssa. Hey, did I hear you say that you'd found a lizard skull?

Her eyes lit up at his interest. Yeah! Wanna see?

Better idea, he said. Why don't you show me where you found it?

When she tried to dash off, James grabbed her and flipped her upside down so her hair trailed on the floor as he held her ankles.

Swinging her lightly to make her giggle, James threw a grin over his shoulder. We'll be back in about twenty minutes or so.

Thierry and Poppy laughed, watching the two leave the room. Poppy glanced at Thierry and immediately noticed the tension he was trying to hide. So, how are things? she asked casually, sitting in his swivel chair.

Things are...fine.

Tell me another one. Leaning back, Poppy swiveled the seat back and forth slowly.

Running a hand through his hair, Thierry sighed and smiled ruefully. She's a great kid. Doesn't cause any trouble. Doesn't make demands. Forgets to knock, but that's about it.

Frowning, Poppy studied his expression. Is that a bad thing?

Well, shouldn't she be asking for something? I mean, her birthday is next week and she hasn't even mentioned it.

That is a little odd, Poppy agreed. But...maybe she's just not comfortable asking you for material things. I mean, she knows you're not related to her. You're not even her current foster parent. James and I are.

Thierry nodded moodily.

Looking thoughtful, Poppy tapped her fingers on the desk. Or maybe she's afraid that if she asks for too much, you'll disappear, too.

Thierry's head snapped up. he asked incredulously. What are you talking about?

Think about it. Every adult in her life that she's grown attached to has died.

You and James aren't dead, he pointed out logically.

Oh really? Poppy retorted smirking.

A reluctant smile appeared on his face. You know what I mean, Poppy.

Her smirk became even smugger. Maybe she's not as attached to us as she is to you.

Shock flared in his eyes. You think she's too attached? Maybe I really should leave, he said worriedly.

Now it was Poppy's turn to be shocked. Thierry, you can't leave. You could traumatize her. Again. If you leave now, you're setting a precedent for the rest of her life.

Eyebrows raised, Thierry regarded his friend with distant amusement at her tirade. Taking psych this semester?

Shut up.

Thierry laughed a bit as she leaned back in the chair and pouted. Do you think she's too attached? Poppy asked petulantly.

I don't know, he responded seriously. He rubbed the back of his neck absently. Every time she gets close, I tense up.

Poppy's laugh held no humor. I don't know if that's a good thing, or a bad thing.

Thierry stared at her in disbelief. Poppy, she's a kid. I'm not some sort of pedophile or something.

No! That's not what I meant. Of course, I don't think that. Sighing, she shook her head. Have you touched her skin to skin again?

No. I avoid it.

Is that why the long shirt? Surprise filtered through her voice.

Of course. It's not like I need the extra warmth, he said wryly.

She paused to stare at his hands. What if the soulmate thing doesn't take affect until puberty?

What? That doesn't make any sense, Poppy. Souls aren't connected to bodily functions. We're talking metaphysics, not biology.

How do you know they aren't connected? They leave as soon as the body dies, don't they? She stopped and sighed. Bear with me here, Thierry. Let's just say it does wait until puberty to kick in. For argument's sake, she added when he began to protest again.

he grumbled.

That means, you have, at most, three more years before touching her would make her remember.

At most?

Well, puberty happens at a different age for everyone, Poppy explained hesitantly, and trailing off at Thierry's thunderous look.

Poppy, what's the point in considering that? I'm not going to touch her anyway. At least, not skin to skin contact.

Poppy swallowed. Okay, you're right. That might be best.

Pushing himself out of his chair, Thierry stalked over to a window which looked out of the back of the house. He could see Elyssa and James, vague figures in the distance, wavering patterns in the heat of the desert.

What am I supposed to do here? he asked himself. Do I leave? No, he denied immediately. The Redferns came too close six months ago. What if she needs me?

He still wasn't sure he was doing the right thing.

Reviewers:

Terriah-I'm really glad you're still enjoying the story. The weird thing is, I'm not sure where it's going either...

thelotuspath-You know, I never even thought about how far in the future it would take place. I was seeing Hannah dying around 80 (nice, long life ) and she was supposed to be 17 in 1997. So, she would have died in 2060, and was reborn in 2068. So, you're right, this story is taking place in 2070s and will continue through the 2080s. Do you think I should try to make it futuristic?
Yeah, if Thierry plays his cards wrong, he could traumatize her for life...Poor Thierry. This is so complicated for him. As for the talk...I sure hope Poppy gives it to her...sigh Poor Thierry.

Jill-Thanks for reviewing! I'm glad you like it so far. I hope you keep reading!

A.N. Please review everyone!