It was June, and I had successfully survived my share of political barbs, thinly veiled propositions, and plenty of evil glares. If one couldn't draw their own conclusions, the tabloids did that pretty effectively. My favorites were "Minuscule American Bags Business Bidanshi" and "From Common to a Come-on."

The press certainly made life difficult. On the rare days the press wasn't swarming me, I'd drive myself to work and do my shopping. In fact, I had the timing down perfectly. The press rotated Monday afternoons and early Friday mornings for the most part, and I would go buy the essentials during those times. However, on the days they were active I had to wait for my security detail and an Ohtori car.

Yes, that was official. Hotta and the few others previously assigned to me as covert protection were now my full-time guard. At least one was with me at all times. Most of the time, two followed me. Hotta was with me everyday. Every. Day. The other guards rotated shifts, but not Hotta. From morning to evening he stayed vigilant. I preferred it that way, preferred the sameness and familiarity, and I think Kyoya understood that and did the scheduling for that reason.

Today, I was meeting Haruhi after classes ended. With all the Ohtori and Sato hubbub, we hadn't gotten much girl time. I packed my valise with new music sheets and schedules and headed for the protection of the university garage, with it's gated entrance and exit.

Hotta turned in the front seat. "Where to, Miss?"

"La Luna, please. On the way, we need to get Haruhi."

"Yes, Miss." He turned back around, and I could here them quietly discussing the safest routes. Getting really tired of this. I wish that people didn't feel the need to whisper and keep secrets. Hotta and his men don't tell me about imminent danger, Kyoya keeps loads of secrets, Chris…

No. Don't think about him. Don't think about him. Too late.

"Judy?" Haruhi looked uncertain when she saw my face. "What's wrong?"

I plastered my happiest grin to my face. "Nothing at all."

"We haven't known each other long, but I flatter myself I know when people are worried," she said matter-of-factly. "What is it?"

"Not until we're back home."

As we ate lunch, I worked up my courage to ask something that had been bothering me. "How is the covert case coming along?"

Haruhi, looked at me with fork in her mouth.

"Sorry, bad question timing," I apologized with a smirk.

She swallowed. "You mean the one we shouldn't be discussing in public?"

"I thought there was more than one case that shouldn't be mentioned," I mused. I looked around and made sure no one was listening. "I'm talking about the family issue."

"That seems to be fine. Though I have hit a minor snag, we should have it worked out by the deadline."

"I see." I'm pretty sure the 'snag' is actually an enormous rip. How could Kyoya possibly think he can get around a solid inheritance contract that demands his marriage by simply being engaged?

"Any more questions of that sort should be directed at your boyfriend."

"Meh. I should do my own digging instead of believing everything he tells me."

"Don't you trust him, Judy?"

"Nope." I knew Haruhi was trying to discern my real relationship with Kyoya, but I figured she knew we weren't really dating. So, why not be honest?

Once the apartment was cleared, Hotta melted into my living room. Still don't know how he disappears so completely. I led Haruhi into my room because no matter his physical absence, Hotta's ears were ever present.

Once we were locked in the room, Haruhi took the bed and I sank onto my reading chair. I kept my eyes planted firmly on the floor, searching for the right words to say. When I thought I might have a grasp on them, I lifted my head.

Haruhi's big, brown eyes were sympathetic but insistent on an explanation of my earlier behavior.

"He's free." I couldn't bring myself to say much more than that.

"Jeez, Judy. You have a penchant for the dramatic. Who's free and from what?"

"My ex," I whispered. "He's been in prison for five years."

"For what?"

"Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon."

Haruhi's eyes nearly popped out of her head as she ran a hand through her hair. "You do not have good luck with men." I would have laughed at her statement, but she wasn't trying to be funny.

"I'm afraid not. First him, now Sato, and Kyoya's not exactly forthcoming either."

"Judy, you know that Kyoya…"

"Kyoya what?" I leaned forward in my chair. "Kyoya's using me? Kyoya's only thinking of his best interests? Kyoya will keep me safe to keep himself safe?" I wanted to rage against the man, but even as I worked myself up, I knew he was trying to keep me safe for my own sake, even though I was an asset.

Haruhi moved to the edge of the bed and stared at me for a moment, letting me calm down. "I've known Kyoya since high school. I've seen the very worst side of him and the very best. He's calculating, manipulative, and cold on the outside, as you know. I also know him to be caring, driven, and passionate, but he only shows his good qualities to those he trusts the most."

I know he's driven and passionate. His zeal for outwitting his father is evidence enough. But, is he really capable of caring? Sometimes I think he is.

"I know he loves his friends. I can see it in the way he looks after Tamaki and the rest of you, but…"

"If you can't see that Kyoya cares deeply for you, then you have to be blind, and that's saying a lot coming from me." Her voice wasn't soft or harsh: it was a strange in-between. "He only goes out of his way for people he holds dear, so the only conclusion to be drawn is that you are part of his very exclusive inner circle now."

"His inner circle." I mulled it over in my mind. "So, I suppose none of us will ever know what he's really planning."

"Never. Now back to your ex." I had hoped we were going to forget it. "Were you the reason he went to prison?"

"No. He went to prison because he made the wrong choice. He chose to lie, spy, beat, and mutilate his way into jail!" The heat of my anger surprised me. It's like it happened yesterday.

"That's not what I meant, Judy."

"I apologize, Haruhi. You were asking if I was the object of his crimes, and the answer is yes." I clenched my fists. "He beat me mercilessly and…"

"And, what?" She sounded sympathetic and slightly afraid.

Has she never met a real victim? Even though she's chosen to defend the defenseless? I couldn't tell her the rest. "I'd rather not discuss what happened, but I will tell you he was released last month. I just found out last night."

"I've been wondering why a woman with your talents would leave her career behind and start over in a new country. You didn't want to be anywhere near him, did you?"

Sigh. "That easy to figure out, is it? You're right. I didn't want to be in the same city, same state, or the same country as him. I was hoping to throw him off by moving to the furthest point on the map from home."

"You're so afraid of a man you legally beat in court and had imprisoned that you fled your country." I could hear the amazement in her voice and new that Haruhi would never have contemplated such a thing. But, Haruhi has powerful friends who would have seen Jackson imprisoned for life. She wouldn't have had to leave.

"I'm telling you this because he may find me. In fact, I know he will. And, when he does, he will come." I stood and began to look for a pair of sweats to change into. "I may look confident, prepared, and unafraid of the world, but actually I'm terrified. He stalked me for six months leading up to his trial, and in the courtroom he threatened me nonverbally. He kept his hand low, pointed at me with his finger, and then indicated himself with his thumb. I was the only one who saw it, but his meaning was abundantly clear. 'You belong to me.' I stayed in the States for four years afraid. When I saw an opening in Japan, I jumped on it and ran."

"Does Kyoya know?"

"I've only told you. I would never tell him."

"Nevertheless, Kyoya's no fool, and has been known to be quite the investigator. I can assure you, he'll find out."

"Haruhi, you know I only told you because you managed to see passed my facade."

"I shouldn't have been the one." She sounded pitying. "Kyoya needs to know."

"Don't tell him."