We stood staring at each other for an eternity. He was definitely looking better; beard and hair neatly trimmed, the stress that had been around him a few days ago was gone. Compared to me; someone falling apart.

He waved his hand. "Well?"

I couldn't say anything. I was looking like an idiot.

He sighed. "Did I really come all this way for nothing? I think I did."

As he turned to leave, I finally found my voice. "Wait, David-"

"Oh really, Hank!? What could you possibly have to say to me!?"

"David, I just-"

"No! You know what you did! How many more families have you torn apart since then!? Wasn't ours enough for you?"

Now I was on the verge of tears. Fuck. Voice small, I said, "David, I'm sorry."

"Sorry? You're SORRY!? You killed our parents and you're sorry!?"

"Well, what else am I supposed to fucking say!? It was a horrible mistake! A tragedy! I wish it never happened! It's my fucking fault and I'm sorry!" I was pissed; at him and myself. I knew this would happen.

"You really expect me to believe that? You fucking expect me to believe you regret it!?"

I could feel the tears falling. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying in vain to do something, to think of something. All I got were memories, pain, and an incredible migraine. I opened my eyes; he was just staring at me, absolute fury written over his face.

"I can't do anything about the past, David. I want to, but I can't. No, shut up! I want to change! I want to change and I can't do it alone. I want to change and you're not doing anything to help. You're making it worse!"

"And how the fuck can I help?"

I had to take a deep breath to try to calm down. I was distraught, on the verge of hysteria; everything I had avoided for almost two decades had finally returned to drown me.

"You're the only one who knew me back then. You're the only family I have left. You're in danger because of me, and I don't want anything to happen to you, or your wife, or your daughter. I want to change and I need your help."

I met his gaze, the anger there all but gone. Please. You have to. David, I need you. No one else knows, no one else can-

"No."

What?

"I can't. I left that behind." He turned to leave. "And you with it."

And I watched him go. What else was I going to say? That was it. I got my answer. I just stood, frozen, long after he had left, dimly aware of the tears drying on my face. Fragments of splinters of thoughts tore my mind, concepts never really forming, except one. Death.

I would have stood there forever, but Grant eventually herded me back to the airport, back to the jet, back to D.C. I couldn't do anything. I was too emotionally destroyed. A few times, Grant must have said something; I couldn't hear him. Back in D.C., I was completely listless. Conversations were had and I never heard a word. People were fussing around me and I never saw who they were. The only thing vivid in my mind was Dimitri's ice blue stare. For once, there was no pain. Or, at least if there was, I couldn't feel it. I wish I did.

Eventually, someone herded me into another car, led me to a building, to a flat. I was gently pushed onto a couch, a blanket laid on me. I was left alone with my thoughts, in the dark.