A/N: So I thought I would write my own version of Goren's life leading up to now. I don't think it will be what you're used to, at least its something I don't think I've seen yet so I decided to write it. I will write more little chapters like this where he basically just tells Alex a story from his childhood or just from his life. Lettme know if you think this is a good idea. My second story ever...weee!

note: the quote about men being oragami creatures is from a Ani Difranco song, and the whole setting of them sitting together like they are is in part inspired by a scene from the movie 'Happy Accidents'. If you've seen it then you'll know what I'm talking about, if you haven't seen it...whats wrong with you? jk.

Enjoy.

The Story of the Second Son chapter one

A man with a name, a job, a purpose, and a past isn't a complete man until he comes to terms with himself. One can never truly understand oneself but that doesn't stop each of us from trying does it? The past is just as important as anything and dwelling on it doesn't do anyone any good but remembering it and learning from it is the key. Telling someone else your story is a very therapeutic thing.

The key, a key, the key to it all, what that was she knew. It was trust, she had his, and he had hers. Slowly overtime he opened up and it never stopped flowing. One nigh at a night, one story at a time, the whole picture came together.

"Men are delicate origami creatures that need women to unfold them and hold them when they cry."

"Where do you want me to start?"

In the dim light they sat together facing each other on his bed. He was shirtless and she the same, the nights previous events weren't the discussion now. Not that there was much to say about that anyway, words couldn't describe, he had tried but failed.

"Start anywhere you want." She drew her finger up to his nose and slowly ran it down his profile then used the back of her hand to wipe some sweat from his brow.

It was a warm summer night; they were sweating this one out, candle flames high, the extra heat just made them focus more intently on each other.

"One of my earliest memories….I was probably 6 and a half. I had finally learned how to ride my bike successfully without falling off, that's probably why I remember not to mention this probably decided my career for me. It was the afternoon, it was warm, and I remember seeing kids playing in the cooling spray coming from the broken fire hydrant. Christopher and I were just riding around and we came across an abandoned lot. Chris wasn't one for doing things that might be wrong, it took me forever to convince him to come in with me. Sure it said 'NO TRESPASSING', but what did I care?

The chain link fence has a break in it so even though he didn't want to go in he held it up for me. Being six I thought all the old green bottles and tires were pretty cool. Chris and I picked up some old rusty pipes and played sword fight. I hated getting the rust on my hands though, mom hated that it got on my clothes. That was when she still noticed those kinds of things.

Anyway, so we wandered around a bit and made our way behind this old tool shed. We found something. Thinking back I think it's what made me become a cop, somehow, somewhere deep in my head it stuck. It was….a body…a kid I had seen around. I don't remember what was done to him, maybe that's because mom and dad didn't want us to know. But I do remember the way his body was just laying there, broken, unmoving, never the same. His eyes were wide open and just staring at me. All I could keep thinking was, "He'll never get to play baseball again, or ride his bike or even do the stupid stuff like brush his teeth."

I hated it so much. For the longest time Chris and I just stared at him. Finally Chris said we should go get help. I watched the police stretch the yellow crime scene tape, I watched them work, and I watched them take the body away.

On some level, as much as a six year old can, I thought about my own mortality and how life shouldn't just be taken away like that. Fairness was always important to me. At school I would always break up the fights trying to get everyone to get along.

But after that I never really complained about having to do the stupid stuff like brushing my teeth and I didn't even really care if I couldn't catch the baseball every time. I was just happy that I could still do those things. I've never forgotten those eyes…"

He laid on his back and felt her stretch out over him. He stroked her back and felt the sweat on her spine. He sighed a little and then closed his eyes.

"Thank you." She whispered in his ear and then she closed her eyes too.