A/N: This one still has a few more chapters left. It won't end abruptly...but due to deadlines I've got to focus on other things. This will be wrapping up and you will get your 8th fanfic when there are less constraints on my time. If you get lucky you may get some surprises during this next hiatus...

AER: Haha...so the ships have sailed.

Aubrey: I've heard of that show but never watched it. I'll be searching clips on YouTube later :) Go do your math, then read fanfiction. Fanfiction is meant to be more of a hobby. Wow I sound old...but old people get to do cool things too. The cool things just take a lot of work and force an abrupt hiatus...though the last hiatus had been planned to last much longer than it actually did...pesky plot bunny...

TheRanger'sDaughter: The 8th one is completely mapped out in terms of plot by chapter. It just needs to be written...and I don't plan on going beyond it. Of course, these were just meant to have 3...

Raider: Thanks :p Kane is awesome. Reese ESPECIALLY needs encouragement.

Disclaimer: I'm not John Flanagan.

Elizabet woke alone in the recovery room in the medical wing. She wiped the sleep from her eyes and swung her legs over the bed. She was just about to put on her boots when it hit her. Elizabet bit down on her lip while she worked on her boots. Neil was gone. She'd never get to wake up next to him again. Her last morning with him she'd rushed out of bed to escape her too eager lady-in-waiting. What she'd give to have stayed with him and simply told off Alicia instead.

When Elizabet walked out she found herself face-to-face with Tammy, who had been sitting outside.

"I thought you were with Noah," Elizabet said, determined to keep her composure as she continued walking towards her apartment. Judging by light from the windows it was mid-morning. Her mother must have slipped out hours ago to…there was a number of things she would have needed to do.

"He's with Lord Sean and Captain Warden," Tammy answered. "They collected him early this morning."

Good. Noah could use the time with men. She clearly had no idea what she was doing with him and Sean and Warden were both amazing fathers. They were better equipped to handle him than she was.

"You don't have to call them 'lord' and 'captain'," Elizabet told her aunt.

"Lizzie, how are you?" Tammy asked, catching Elizabet's arm and facing her with genuine concern.

"Don't ask me that," Elizabet ordered, continuing her steps and jerking her arm away. "How are you?"

"Better," Tammy whispered.

Elizabet came to her apartment. She put her hand on the doorknob. She even turned it. What she couldn't do was open it. She felt it coming back. The panic, the sadness…everything that made her flee and become sick yesterday. Elizabet squeezed her eyes shut, unable to fight the sobs swelling inside her. She felt Tammy's quick push. The door opened, Elizabet went inside, and Tammy quickly shut the door behind them and wrapped her arms around Elizabet before she could crumble to the ground.

"Lizzie," Tammy sighed as she stroked her hair. "I'm so sorry."

Elizabet cried until her eyes were raw and puffy. Tammy then helped her to her feet. She led her to what was usually a guest room, the one Gabby and her daughter had been allotted in fact. Elizabet wondered where the Araluen O'Carricks landed. Honestly, she didn't care. It was hard to care for much of anything.

"I moved some of your things in here," Tammy said, opening the wardrobe and taking out a clean dress. "I thought you may need some time before going back to the master bedroom."

"Thank you," Elizabet whispered. She felt numb as Tammy helped her change into the clean gown. It wasn't black, the color of mourning, but a dark gray. Elizabet didn't own much black. The gray dress seemed fitting though it wasn't the proper color. Black was striking and mysterious. Gray was bleak and void, fitting Elizabet's mood.

"My divorce was made final this morning," Tammy told her softly as she worked on the laces in the back. "I know that's not what you'd like to discuss, it's just…"

"Calvin came here?" Elizabet asked, looking over her shoulder. "I think…Warden hit him?"

Tammy nodded. "He saw you in the midst of your fit and…he blamed your family for it. He didn't know. He just…"

"He just lives in the depths of self-pity and doesn't consider that maybe, just maybe, the world does not revolve around him," Elizabet finished for her.

"You put it more eloquently than I would have."

Elizabet hugged herself once Tammy finished. "You deserved to have children," she whispered.

"I did have children," Tammy told her. "By my first husband. When I was arrested and everyone was just so sure I'd hang…I'm sorry Elizabet. This isn't what we should talk about."

"No," Elizabet insisted. "Please…where are your children?"

Tammy shook her head. "I don't know. His parents took them away from me and upped and moved. Calvin tried helping me find them a couple of times, but…we've just no way of knowing where they went or what became of them."

"What were their names?"

Tammy allowed herself the smallest of smiles. "My oldest was called Brendon. He's about your age. When I first saw you, you reminded me so much of him."

Elizabet couldn't find it in herself to smile, but she did manage a slight gleam of interest in her eyes.

"My second was Devlin. I…I was carrying a third, but…"

Elizabet didn't press for an answer. She didn't really need it. "What did my uncle want? Did you find out?"

"He was served the divorce. He thought your father was behind it as part of a plan to make his life miserable. He tried to put hands on you while you were upset, so…Captain Warden…Warden…had him arrested. He says he'll wait for you to decide if you want to go through with charges or not, but he's making Calvin's life as difficult as possible in the meantime."

Warden. He must have known Calvin would just make things worse, so he put him where he couldn't reach her until she was ready. Always the guardian.

"He…became upset when I visited his cell," Tammy whispered. "I…went with your father and the captain to finish out the divorce. He didn't want to sign at first, but then your father…he's a good man Elizabet. He pointed out how Calvin had forced me to travel alone and made it out as though I was injured because of that…which I suppose in a way is true. I'd never seen Calvin so remorseful."

Elizabet squeezed her eyes shut. She'd started this conversation. She'd even insisted on it…but now even the talk of a broken marriage was hurting. Luckily Tammy saw this and changed the subject.

"Would you see your cousins today? Queen Scout…"

"Just Scout."

"I'd rather not," Tammy admitted. "Queen Scout says she'd like to speak to you when you're ready."

Elizabet swallowed hard. She really didn't want to see anyone. Scout, however, wouldn't let her hide forever. If Elizabet didn't go to her, Scout would find her herself.

"How long until lunch?" she asked.

"Maybe an hour?" Tammy guessed.

"I'll see her then."

Tammy nodded. "Lizzie…I want to assure you I'll be here for you. No matter what."

Elizabet sighed. She felt her chest tighten and every muscle tremble with a fresh round of unshed sobs. "I don't know what to do," she whispered to Tammy. Tammy took her hands, giving them a tight squeeze.

"You eat," Tammy told her. "And spend time with the ones you love. You'll get through this, Lizzie. I'll help you."

Elizabet could only answer with a nod.