Chapter 7 – The Visitor

About three weeks later, Lu finally felt she was safe enough to attempt to go back to the homestead. Tali had made a couple, Well distanced, visits in between, once the dreaded plague had been ruled out, to give her grandparents some private time and Lu herself some company while Jess had been called out on another case. Having heard from the horse's mouth about his concerns with Tal's make-up lessons from Marie, Lulu decided to counterpoint with some sport of her own….pulling out her own virtual suitcase of makeup for one visit, she started by encouraging Tali to go wild, and joined in herself…Soon the two of them were sporting looks that would have made Mimi Bobeck jealous…which she of course followed up by sending Jess and Clint pictures of them…and receiving back some considerably mixed reviews…She then followed up with her own life experience, which always grabbed Tali's full attention, as she talked about her family so rarely….

"My mother…well…she never went to quite the extreme we just did…but she always did lay it on more than a little heavy…She'd tell me that after how she had spent on what she used, she was making dang sure to get her money's worth…."

"I'd guess she didn't exactly…get…what she paid for…?" Tali chimed.

"Did you meet my mother when I wasn't watching?" Lu teased back. "I…well, being me…was bound and determined to Not follow in my mother's footsteps…I always felt that beauty was something that the makeup was supposed to enhance…not create…I mean, don't get me wrong…you should have seen what we did in the 80's…hair height…glitter…the Works! And I confess, I was right there with them…but on the day to day, I…"

"Kept it…chill…"

"You got that right, my little Popsicle!" she smiled back.

"Guess that makes me an ice-chip off the old block…."

Lu drew her hand to her face in feigned disgust at the awful joke, then turned the topic.

"Wait a sec…who you callin' OLD!" Tal tipped over on the couch and breaking down in giggles.

"We didn't have all this online business 'back in the day', so I'd grab every chick mag I could find. Mother would say I needed all the 'feminine education' I could get and wanted to send me to her friends in the city…I turned her down…Flat…each time…."

"You wanted to look like you…not her…?"

"Eeeeeeeeexactly! They had their way…I had mine…now let's work on finding yours…"

She went on to show her all the tricks she could think of….and a few new ones she had just recently found on the net. She lightly persuaded her to focus on one portion of her face, like her eyes or lips, and treat them like the lead in a movie or show, then let the rest of her face play strong, supporting roles. As an alternative, she inspired her to try the ensemble cast motif, with each part softly but solidly building off the other, till the full look was a smash hit.

"There's just one thing left…" Lu beamed at her niece, and slipped back to her bedroom, drawing out a much smaller, but well-organized box, from lowest drawer of her dresser.

"I only bring these out on the most special occasions…and this seems to be turning into one…" She sat back down and opened the box toward her companion…Tali's eyes went wide as her lips…

"Close that mouth…it's not like you've uncovered King Tut's tomb…" she chortled.

"They're beautiful…may I?"

"Carefully, but of course…that's why I brought them out…" Tali seemed to go through each piece, admiring them all, then setting them carefully back. Lu picked out a delicate chain with a gorgeous but still understated sapphire locket, then a set of matching earrings. "Try these on."

It didn't seem Tal's eyes could get any wider…but they did…Lu just smiled, and nodded confirmation. The young girl came across to the side her benefactor was on, took the earrings out of her hand and one by one, fastened them on. She then gently took the necklace, but the clasp just was not interested in cooperating. Lu tittered a little, then took back the chain, opened it, and motioned Tali to turn around, then put it around her neck, and locked it in place.

Tal grabbed her phone to have a look. She couldn't believe her eyes. She felt…and looked…so grown up…or at least she thought so.

"I told your mom they'd look striking on you…"

"You mean" Tali stammered, her eyes ever widening.

"They're yours…they always were…from the day you were born." Tears were starting to peek out of both sets of eyes… "You know what makes all these jewels the most special?"

Tali shook her head.

"Well, most of them, I bought myself…with my own money…and a few were given to me, on special occasions…by very special people…"

"So…which ones did my dad…" Tal started to pry mischievously.

"Don't you start on that Missy!" Lu laughed. "We haven't gotten to jewelry…and honestly, I've never been That big on it…So Don't Push Him For It!" She demanded, proceeding to tickle her guest-turned hostage.

"Alright Alright!" Tal begged her off. As she continued to look over the collection, her visage became growingly somber… "Are any of these…"

"Your mom's….?" She completed. "No…Your grandmom did try and give me a few of her things, and for some she refused to take no for an answer….so I've been keeping them safe, in another box, for when you're older…Do you want to see them?"

Tal sat quiet and pensive for a while, "No…not today…I do want to I just…."

"Just not right now…it's ok…I understand…they'll be there when the time is right…" she assured her, rubbing her back. "I'm going to put these away. But remember, you only wear those on…"

"…On Truly special occasions…I get it…how about my grandfather's wedding?" she chirped.

It was as though someone had just dropped her in a vat of ice cold water down. Lu tried to hide her reaction from the exuberant child, but she couldn't help feeling that was the Last place she wanted those gems to make their new debut.

"Absolutely!" She lied just as excitedly, carrying the box back to its regular location, not noticing the little girl busily clicking and tapping away on her phone, sending the pic she had just taken of her new style out to her friends...and unknown others….

Two days later, that same picture appeared in an email…on a laptop…on a mahogany desk…in a stately mansion….in Alpine, NJ….

He knew the jewels in an instant. After months of little to no information, the PI had finally come up with something. He couldn't believe his ears when he mentioned it coming from a 12 year old's Faceplace account…but there they were…plain as day…the same set he had given his sister on her Sweet 16…so many years ago…

He didn't recognize the girl…The name sounded vaguely familiar…but it could just be that soda company he had invested in last quarter.

Then he saw…in the back corner of the picture…just past the raven-haired beauty…she was out of focus…nearly turned completely away from the camera…hair was different…but he knew her….

Louise…

The homestead wasn't the only place Lu was glad to get back to…The Heartlight was still her second…well maybe, third…home. Jackie had had things running smoothly enough, at both 'Lu U' and bar, as always with the assistance of the family and the squad, but Lu didn't like to be hands off for that long. The infection, mixed with her other issues, had really kept her out of the game for far longer than she had planned. The team tried coddling her, giving her dribbs and drabs of things to handle, but it wasn't enough…She was the boss…this was Her bar…Her life.

Then he walked in….and she felt sick all over again…

"You are Not an easy person to find…you know that?!" Thomas tried to break the aged ice with unsteady humor, after having made a bee-line from the door to the proprietress with a speed that immediately put him on Kenny's radar.

Lulu made no motion of acknowledgement, continuing to clean the table before her, with the large X taped over it.

"I'm sure it's spotless…In fact I dare say I don't think anyone's used that table in…months…."

Her arm stopped sweeping, but she still didn't turn around.

"Nice to know…you at least kept them…" he continued, more in a whisper.

"Kept what…." She finally responded.

"The sapphires…though what they were doing on her, I have no idea…"

She spun fast, initially at a loss to what he was referring to…but she managed to piece it together sheer seconds before the screen-print of Tali's post was displayed for her on his phone.

"She's a lovely girl…yours?"

"No…" she retorted, more loudly than she had intentioned…if she had ever had a kid herself, she'd want her to be just like Tali…but as close as they were…as much as she loved her…she was not hers….

"Then why is she wearing your necklace…."

"Because I do as I want with what's mine…why, did you want it back?" she seethed.

"Easy there tiger…Gift them…Donate them…totally within your purview…I'm just trying to figure out…"

"Me…you're always trying to figure me out…"

"You've always been the family's ever-changing puzzle…"

"This is not a game…this is life…My Life…and I won't have you, Mother, or anyone else messing with it!"

"Is everything ok here, Lu?" Kenny stepped up, having had enough of standing on the sidelines.

"Whoa…Quite the bouncer you have there…"

"Kenny's not the bouncer…" she spat. Though she admitted to herself she would have happily offered him some freelance hours, had the opportunity ever presented himself…He was just the right combination of client-friendly and drunk-be-gone that would have been perfect there.

"It's ok, Kenny…I got this…" she reassured the 6 foot brick wall in front of her. He wasn't 100% buying it, but after a fiery glare at Tom that could have singed his eyebrow hair, he backed off. Having watched him return to his seat, as casually as she could, her attention returned to the unwelcomed invader.

"Follow me." She directed, unceremoniously, stepping away from him toward the door with a clipped motion to Jackie and not a single backward glance. Tom gave a two finger salute and followed obediently…not seeing much of another choice.

Jess was making his way in just in time to see a flame of red hair fly through the kitchen doorway, with a very well dressed man skittering close behind. His jaw dropped, just an inch, as he contemplated what that might mean…

As he approached the squad at the table, Hana was signaling Jason over. He shot to her like she had her favorite puppy's chew toy…which to him could be even three words from her.

"What's that about…?"

"Well, it's not like we've been introduced or anything…but if I don't miss my guess…that's her brother…"

As other eyes widened around the table, Jess' stayed focused on the glass in his hands…

….This was going to turn out to be a very….interesting…evening….

A few steps out the back door down the alleyway, Lu laid into Thomas… "WHAT DO YOU WANT NOW!?

He momentarily looked over his older sister, shook his head, and reinvented the conversation.

"I'm great…How are you…Business appears to be booming…well, circumstances considered at least…" He clapped and rubbed his hands together… "What's the latest dirt on the staff…Ya know, who's dating who…and who's being true…"

Lu just raised an eyebrow and folded her arms, "You haven't changed one bit, you know that?"

He shrugged, arms outstretched. "You haven't either…you expected any different…"

She crossed the short distance and wrapped him tight like parcel post… "Frak social distance…DAMN it's good to see you…"

He laughed, wrapping his arms about her as much as her Herculean hold would allow…Yup…same ol' puzzle… "It's good to see you too…"

"How is…everyone…" she asked reticently, freeing him from her grasp.

"Well, you have at least kept up enough covert correspondence to keep mom from calling the FBI out you." That statement made her laugh outright…No doubt he had no clue who he had just been right in front of him, or how quickly and easily they would have 'found' her… "She's doing ok…making a fuss over totally insignificant crap as always…"

"Well of course she is…there are no balls happening for her to be the belle of…." She shrugged noncommittally.

"Dad's holding together…I'm slowly ushering him into the 21st century…"

"I wasn't quite sure he made it into the 20th yet…."

"He has…he has…even has his own Faceplace account…hasn't quite gotten the concept of memes yet…but he's lecturing…getting some likes…he's gotten so excited over that, I've gotten him talking on things that are a bit…livelier than economics…He started reading Shakespearean sonnets…then moved on to full plays…not the entire three acts…Thank God! But highlights and soliloquies… male and female parts, with threw me at first! He insists men were the only ones to perform in Shakespeare's day…so there's shame in it…."

"He may be more into the 21st century than you think…He did seem to enjoy a number of 'gentlemen's clubs' over the years…and I don't think it was for the female company there…"

It was Tom's turn to raise a skeptical eyebrow.

"Hey, it's what they did in their day…'Coming out' was rarely if ever heard of…And it might not even be a sexual thing at all for him…just…company…"

"Ever the open minded one…" he smirked. "Always kept an open mind to all our family…"

"Only when compared to some…" she retorted.

"You mean, mom…"

"Not hard to be more open minded than that one…"

"Is that why you chose the name of your holding company? Appleton Industries…Our Maternal grandmother's Maiden name?"

"You know She'd never even glance at that name…" she softly hissed. "Gam Appi moved mountains in her life to better it for her children…and her daughter is so ungrateful I had to find out about it from ?"

"Maybe she just didn't know…."

Her eyes screamed disbelief. "You found me with a PI and Faceplace because of some lovely jewelry…I wasn't given the Presidential Medal of Freedom as a female helping to find Minorities work in the Depression!"

"So you admit, they were indeed lovely…."

Her eyeroll could have reached the lunar module.

"Gam Appi was indeed a wonder…and why mom distanced herself from her…who knows…?"

"You know you do…to put it in her words…their 'base make-up' never matched…" She peeled her arm from her sleeve and flipped her hand back and forth.

Tom nodded in resolution.

"For all her self-stealth…she hated a part of what she was…is…what you and I both still are…" As she drew her arm back in, it suddenly occurred to her….Could this be why her mother always wore so much makeup?

"You were never afraid of it…"

"Afraid? I missed out on meeting her by a few short years…Had I managed to start my hunt for our Real history earlier, instead of gobbling up Mother's bubble-covered fantasy land for so long…I mean, can you imagine…being face to face with history?"

"Do you still have it?"

"The impetus of my hunt…you better believe it…tucked away in the safest place I know…keep thinking I should donate it to a museum down south or something, but, I don't know…haven't found the right one yet I guess…"

"Or you just want to keep it with you…a small part of our family…"

"Not small," she corrected… "Just hidden…we've got cousins all over creation, apparently…I've thought of reaching out, but then the connection would be made to her, and you KNOW the crap storm that would cause!"

"Do you think dad knows….?"

"Don't know, but wouldn't surprise me…if what I think of his background is right, makes sense…he protects her secret, she protects his…and they keep," she pauses for a moment, to put on her best Austrian Aristocratic air, "All that lovely money in the family…"

"That just leaves one question…" he smiles conspiratorially… "How in the world did we get here?"

"The famous American royalty doing their husbandly and wifely 'duty' I suppose…Had to keep up appearances after all...especially with Grandmother Morrow's watchful eye…"

"You never did any research on that side, did you?" He snorted.

"Would you have? Besides, after the overly dramatic family history lessons we were force-fed year after year, I'd be terrified of the skeletons she might actually Be hiding!" they both had a good laugh at that one….

"May I cut in?" A friendly, yet mildly concerned voice was thrown down the corridor from the covered area just outside the doorway. It was then they both realized a mild sleeting had started as they were engrossed in conversation.

Lu pursed her lips, like a feline caught with a mouth full of feathers, "Tom…I think there are some people in my new life you need to meet…starting with this one…"

If he thought finding her running the Heartlight was a surprise, he wasn't going to believe this….

Even having just gotten her bearings back, Lu once again relinquished control of the bar to Jackie, but only for the night…another two chairs were squeezed into the squad's table, and Lu began making introductions…something she never did…for anyone…

"So…you're…Really…the FBI?" Tom's eyes went wide in disbelief. Lu just stifled her laugh in Jess' jacket. Apparently there was even more to find out about that one…he thought.

"Trust me! We're equally stunned to find out Lu's brother is a…." Sheryll put staunchly forward, announcing the words on the business card he had so proudly handed out to each of them. "Luxury mortgage broker and investment banker Extraordinaire….?"

He really wished at that point, they had been playing cards, so he could have pulled each one of those back as a tease….how could he have been so….He wanted to go through his books mentally, to make sure they were as squeaky clean as they would need to be, judging from this lot…but now was not the time.

"You're seriously following in dad's footsteps….?"

"Not the Shakespearian ones…just…professionally…" he confessed…They all looked at Lu.

"I'll…try…to explain that one, later…" she assured.

After a few moments of only semi-uncomfortable silence, Tom made a foray…

"So…you two are…" waving his fingers back and forth between his sister and the SAIC.

Before the discomfort could rise, Lu blurted…." Together….yes…" She and Jess had really never talked about exactly what their relationship was…They just were…boyfriend and girlfriend always sounded so high school to her…and 'significant other' made them sound like they were from outer space…so he'd just have to work with together….

"Is there…anyone special in your life?" Jess inquired invitingly.

Lu wanted to toss another playful barb about their father at him, but with respect to the table who might not find it so funny, she held her peace.

"There are a few women," he mildly emphasized, knowing his sister's mind even now. "I'm dating…but nothing serious at present."

"What? What happened to Jessica?" Lu gasped in feigned shock, still pawing the remaining canaries that seemed to surround her.

"Jessica Sanders….Sixth Grade? Will you get that out of your head…we were Never an Item!"

"But, you swore you would marry her!?"

"that was before…."

"Before what?"

"Jackson Burke."

Lu nearly spat her hard strawberry lemonade across the table

"Creambo? THAT little dork?"

"He wasn't so little Junior year…" he proclaimed, pulling up his own Faceplace account and showing her a picture from their wedding, which nearly caused Lu another spittake…

"He…ummm…definitely grew….up!" she admitted.

"Yup, came back from his family's year long….outing…in Buenos Aires…let's just say, he was a 'different man'…"

"I'm sure his mother was….different…" Lu added, remembering the woman being possibly even more vain than her own Mother…

"And not for the better, that I can tell you…She may not have eyes in the back of her head….but they're heading that way…." Lu nearly cackled with laughter, the rest of the table just looked confused…

"Of course…that was all…after you left…"

A silence suddenly hit the table…He was in high school…and she was…

"I was in college…what did you expect?" she rebuffed.

"Winter break…summers…to see my sister again…at least at some point?"

"I….I had to get out of there…you of all people knew what I was going through...I had my taste of freedom…of REAL LIFE…I couldn't go back to that!"

"To me?"

Lu held her head in her hands. "If there was all this Zuun and Visagemoments back then, you wouldn't have been able to keep me Off your phone…but we didn't have that…I called as much as I could….but…."

"Mom….kept…interrupting…"

"Threatening more like…pull my allowance…pull my tuition…I finally went to the dean…her 'old friend'…and she arranged a merit scholarship for me…My friends and I worked our way to paying the school back, creating a fund for kids…I want to say in similar circumstances…but mine was probably a very…singular…experience…"

"You mean the Lula…" Lu placed her fingers over his lips before he could complete the name.

"It was Angelyne's Sorority name….and mine…I couldn't do it alone…."

"I can barely think of a time either of you did Anything without the other…" he smiled.

"Hey, I tried to give you guys some private time…if not much…" She teased back.

It was Thomas' turn to be confused…

"I'll explain that one later too…" she reassured, seeing his quizzical expression.

After a short pause, and realizing how late the hour had become, and how bad the weather was getting outside, Thomas endeavored to get his social footing, and sister, back…

"So….will you allow me to continue getting us…reacquainted…..or am I still Banished for All Eternity…." He softly bellowed, proffering a weak smile.

"Banished…you were never banished…I just imposed a bit of…self-exile…crazy as it may have seemed to the family…"

"Then, in all sincerity…may I please join you on your…Insanity Island…"

Lu stifled a giggle, remembering their childhood paradise pretend that they created for when things were especially crazy at home.

"Of course." She nodded…"However…"

"Mom doesn't need to know…" he preempted, pressing his hands back. Her shoulders just dropped back in a sigh…and nodded.