Author's note: My apologies for not posting sooner, but Real Life is starting to get in the way again. LOL Anyway, I want to thank everyone for their patience. And as always, I owe all of you readers/writers thanks for reading and/or reviewing my stories. I greatly appreciate it. Here's the usual disclaimer: LO:CI and its characters belong to Dick Wolf and company; I'm just borrowing them for a little bit. Any and all mistakes belong to me. Read, review and enjoy. :o)

Friday, September 9, 1977
Home of Bill and Susannah Lewis
Bedtime

Bobby slipped quietly into the Lewises' home, closing and locking the front door noiselessly behind him. He climbed the stairs, taking them 2 at a time and went into Lewis' room. He entered as quickly and quietly as he could without waking up his sleeping friend. He took off his jacket, tossing it on the back of the desk chair. He was changing out of his jeans back into his pajama bottoms when Lewis asked sleepily, "Where you been, man?"

Bobby sighed softly. He stood there in the dark, internally debating whether or not he was going to answer the question. He knew Lewis was just being concerned about him, especially with this latest round of trouble he was in. "Bobby, where you been?" Lewis asked again. "I went to the park with CeCe," Bobby replied as he moved towards his bed, slipping under the covers. He laid down facing the wall. "She okay?" "Yeah, I guess. She's just worried." "Worried? Worried about what?" "Worried about what my dad is going to do to me."

Lewis sat up in the bed, turning on the bedside lamp. "She should be worried like the rest of us, " he said. Another sigh escaped from Bobby's lips as he sat up. He said, "You and everybody else are worrying for nothing." Lewis made a face as he placed his feet on the floor. "You're full of shit, Bobby! You're acting like it's no big deal that your dad is coming to the school in the morning. When in reality, it is a big deal because we all know he'll do something to hurt you."

"If he does something, fine! I'll deal with it. I'm not scared of my dad," Bobby hissed through clenched teeth. "Your dad is a crazy lunatic," Lewis hissed back. "He's gonna tear the school apart just to beat the hell outta you because you got into trouble! How can you sit there and NOT be just a little bit scared about that?" He and Bobby stared at each other. The fear that Bobby tried to hide was reflected in his best friend's eyes. "I-I-I gotta take a stand against my dad s-s-s-someday," Bobby said softly. "T-t-t-today might as well be that day."

Lewis pressed his lips together as he shook his head. He didn't like Bobby's decision, but he decided he'd respect it and go along with it."You're nuts. You know that?" he said. A small lopsided smile crossed Bobby's lips. "That's what everybody tells me," he replied. Lewis reached behind him and grabbed a small cushion, throwing at Bobby, who quickly caught it before it hit him in the face. "Turn out the light and go to bed, Jedidiah," he said as he tossed the cushion back. He laid down, arms folded underneath his head, staring at the ceiling.

Lewis turned off the bedside lamp before he got back under his covers. "Lewis?" Bobby asked. "Yeah?" "C-c-c-can CeCe still ride with us to school tomorrow? I mean today." Lewis chuckled lightly. "Sure, she can. Me, Mattie and Tricia have already worked out the plan for CeCe to ride with us." "What's the plan?" Bobby asked. "I've got it under control. Go to sleep, Robert," Lewis said. He drifted off to sleep within 5 minutes, while Bobby remained wide awake, staring at the ceiling. After tossing and turning a few times, his restless mind finally allowed sleep to overtake him.

Friday, September 9, 1977
Harpers' Apartment
Breakfast Time

CeCe let out a loud yawn before she opened her bedroom door. Between the headache and the late night visit with Bobby, she really didn't get a lot of sleep. She picked up her satchel, checking it to see if her school books, sketchpad and wallet were inside before slinging it over her head. She stood still for a few seconds and rubbed her forehead. The headache pain had gone from being a dull throbbing pain to a sharp and constant throbbing pain.

Without looking in the mirror, CeCe felt the vein in the middle of her forehead standing out. A sure sign to those who knew her well that she was in serious pain. "Please go away," she pleaded silently to herself. "If Mama sees this, she'll get upset." She furiously ran her hand back and forth over the offending vein several times before walking out of her bedroom.

When CeCe emerged from her bedroom, she heard the shower running from behind the closed bathroom door. Rosalie was standing at the kitchen counter. She was wearing a light mint green terry cloth bathrobe, cracking eggs into a bowl. "Good morning, Mama." "Good morning, sweetie," Rosalie said. She turned her head to look at her daughter, surprised to see her already dressed. "Oh. Why you dressed so early?" CeCe shrugged slightly. "I-I thought I'd eat breakfast at school, if that's okay with you," she replied.

Rosalie turned all the way around, folding her arms across her chest as she leaned against the counter. "That's fine," she said. "Did you sleep okay?" "Yes, ma'am," CeCe replied, nodding her head. She soon regretted that move as the headache pain intensified slightly. She bit her lip to keep herself from rubbing her forehead. "Can I have some aspirin, Mama? I have a little headache." At the mention of the word "headache," Rosalie's heart started to beat faster. She pushed herself away from the counter, pointing at one of the kitchen chairs. "Sit down, baby. Let me look at you."

CeCe hesitated before she sat down. She nervously chewed her lip as Rosalie walked towards her. The look of fear and concern on her mother's face scared her. "Oh, no! Mama's upset. Please, vein, be gone!" She held onto her satchel, fiddling with the strap as Rosalie put her hands on either side of CeCe's face, tilting her head back slightly. CeCe fought back her tears while Rosalie searched her face. "Oh, Lord. Please, no," she said in a low, ragged breath.

A single tear made its way down Rosalie's cheek as she rubbed her fingers back and forth across the vein that was sticking out like a sore thumb on CeCe's forehead. "Oh, Lord. Please, no," she repeated as she tried to rub away a vein that she hadn't seen in 5 years, 1 month and 3 days.

Sunday, August 6, 1972
Harpers' Home
After midnight

Rosalie Harper sighed heavily as she walked out of the kitchen, turning out the light behind her. She walked slowly down the hall towards the small study. She paused in front of the closed door, another heavy sigh escaping her lips. She just stood there staring at the closed door and shaking her head, her mind going back to that fateful day of June 24. The day that Isaac James Harper, her husband and father of Derek and Cecelia Harper, took his own life.

"It's hard to believe you've been dead for over a month now," Rosalie whispered under her breath before she reached for and turned the doorknob. She stepped inside of the empty room, looking around at the blank walls and the empty built-in bookcase. She stared at the spot where Isaac's favorite easy chair used to be, the spot he chose to place a shotgun under his chin and pull the trigger, effectively scattering his brains and blood on the wall and bookcase behind him. Even though the room had been thoroughly cleaned and repainted, Rosalie would swear that she could still see Isaac's blood staining the walls.

Isaac's brothers, Charlie Lee, Isaiah, Martin and Ezekiel, plus a couple of their male cousins from back home in North Carolina, came and took everything out of the room. They took it all someplace and burned it, including books and pictures. Rosalie and her mother took on the arduous task of cleaning up the blood and painting the room by themselves. Rosalie kept the door to this room closed, but not locked, just in case the kids wanted to come in. Neither one of them went down the hall towards that study anymore.

Rosalie looked around one more time, letting out another sigh. She turned around and walked out, closing the door quietly behind her. She went down the hall, then walked upstairs to check on Derek and CeCe before retiring to her bedroom. She came to Derek's door first. She knocked softly on the door before opening it. 12 year old Derek was laying in the bed on his stomach, reading a comic book.

Rosalie walked up to his bed, looking down at him with a soft smile. "You do realize that it's after midnight, right?" she asked. He looked up at her and nodded as he said, "Yes, ma'am." "And you do know that WE are going to church later on in the morning?" Derek nodded his head again. "Finish reading your comic, then go to bed. You hear me, Derek?" Rosalie said in a soft but firm and loving tone. "Okay, Mama," he replied. She kissed his forehead, then walked out of his room. She headed towards CeCe's room next.

CeCe's bedroom door was open slightly, so Rosalie just pushed it open wider. She expected to see CeCe sitting at her desk drawing something. Instead, she found an empty room. "Hmmm. That's strange," she thought. She went down the hall towards the bathroom, but the door was open and the lights were off. "CeCe must be in my bed," Rosalie said to herself as she walked to her bedroom. When she opened the door, she noticed that the lights were on, but her bed was empty.

"Where is that child?" Rosalie thought as she walked out and went back to Derek's room. She threw open the door and asked, "Where's your sister?" He shrugged and replied, "She's in her room, I guess." Rosalie grunted, walking away without saying a word. Derek jumped off the bed and followed his mother down the stairs. "Cecelia Rose," Rosalie called out repeatedly as she frantically searched for CeCe, with Derek right on her heels.

Rosalie went to the front door, noticing that the locks had been unbolted. "Stay here," she told Derek as she stepped outside onto the porch. He did as he was told, standing in the doorway and watching her. She looked to the left. No sign of CeCe anywhere. Then she looked to the right. What Rosalie saw made her blood run cold through her veins: 10 year old Cecelia Rose Harper, barefoot and wearing a nightgown, walking down the middle of street. Worse than that? An old beat up pickup truck that was going more than the posted 20 mile speed limit was barreling down the street towards CeCe.

"CeCe!" Rosalie yelled at the top of her lungs as she literally jumped off the porch and ran towards CeCe, who was oblivious to the danger she was in. "CeCe! Wake up, baby!" Rosalie's shouts woke up some of the neighbors, who turned on their lights and started grumbling. "Please, Lord. Don't take my child, too," Rosalie thoughtas she ran as quickly as possible to close the distance between her and her sleepwalking child.

CeCe had stopped walking. She stood in the middle of the street, staring at the headlights that were coming towards her. She held her arms up and said, "Daddy?" The truck's driver blew his horn. He was not about to stop. "Here I am, Daddy." Still unaware of the danger she was in, a big smile covered CeCe's face. "Cecelia! Please wake up!" Rosalie yelled breathlessly. With the truck less than 30 yards away from running her child down, she managed to put on an extra burst of speed.

Rosalie grabbed CeCe by the shoulders, pulling her out of harm's way just as the truck whizzed by. "Stay the hell outta the street, you dumb kid!" the driver said with a drunken slur. He kept on driving. Derek and some neighbors crowded around Rosalie, who had CeCe cradled in her arms. "Wake up, baby," she said, giving her a firm shake. CeCe frowned as she opened her eyes. "What's wrong, Mama?" she asked in a small voice. Rosalie shook her head, saying, "Nothing's wrong. I just need you to wake up now."

As she was looking at CeCe, Rosalie noticed a vein sticking out on her forehead. She had seen it before, right after Isaac's funeral, but didn't think much of it. "You got a headache?" she asked. CeCe nodded. "You been having nightmares?" "Yes, ma'am." Rosalie hugged CeCe tightly, rocking her body back and forth, tears flowing down her face. It finally dawned on her that CeCe processed pain and guilt differently than most people did. She looked down at CeCe as she continued rocking her body. "I'll get you some help to make the headache go away," she said softly. CeCe gave her a small trusting smile. "Okay, Mama."

Rosalie sniffed as she squeezed CeCe's shoulders. "You know you can tell Mama anything. I won't get mad or upset. Is-is there something you want to tell me?" she asked. CeCe's eyes widen a little with fear. How could she tell her mother that Tank was bothering her or that Bobby was about to get hurt? "Mama wouldn't understand," CeCe thought. "There's nothing wrong, Mama. Honest," she lied. "You sure you don't want to tell Mama something?" "Yes, Mama."

Rosalie knew CeCe was lying to her, but she didn't want to pressure her. Not yet, anyway. She ran her fingers over the vein one more time. She said, "When you get home, maybe we can call Mama. She told Charlie Lee that she hadn't heard from you since you got back." CeCe nodded her head. "Okay." "Do you still want the aspirin?" "No. My headache's gone." Another lie. Rosalie sighed, kissing CeCe's forehead before taking a step back. "Have a good day, sweetie. I'll see you later," she said. CeCe stood up, a small dimpled smile on her face. "Thanks, Mama. See ya later." She hurried out of the apartment as fast as she could. Rosalie went back to the kitchen counter. She stood over the sink, gripping it by the edges, softly crying uncontrollably. She looked towards the sky, thinking to herself, "Whatever is bothering CeCe, please let me know, let me see it before she gets hurt."

CeCe was crying as she leaned against the wall when she reached the first floor. She didn't like lying to Rosalie, but she just knew she wouldn't understand what was going on with her. "Mama's got to deal with Derek. She can't deal with my problems, too." She reached into her satchel, pulling out her handkerchief. She wiped her nose and her tears, then put it back. She rubbed her forehead a few times, trying to will the headache to go away. "I'll go to the nurse's office later," she thought as she pushed herself off the wall and headed outside.

"Hey, CeCe," Mattie said when CeCe came out of the door and down the steps. "Hi, Mattie. What are you doing here?" "We came to take you to the Lewises for breakfast." "We?" Mattie pointed across the street at a yellow cab. Standing next to it was Tricia, who was talking to an older man. "Um, who's that man?" CeCe asked. "Oh, that's our uncle Blake," Mattie answered. "He's off duty now. He'll drop us off on his way home."

"Oh," CeCe said. She shuffled her feet and played with her satchel strap as she looked at the ground. "Thanks for the offer, Mattie, but maybe that's not a good idea." "Why?" Mattie asked, a puzzled look on her face. "You think we're mad at you or something?" CeCe replied softly, "No. It-it's not that. It's just that, maybe I'm probably not welcomed to be around you all." Mattie waved a dismissive hand. "Pfft. Please. Just because Derek and Bobby got into a fight and are mad at each other, doesn't mean that we don't want to hang out with you. Trust me, Bobby needs a lot of bright, happy places in his life right now."

CeCe raised her head to look at Mattie, who had a big smile on her face. "Bobby's our friend. If he thinks of you as his friend, then that means you're our friend, right?" she said. CeCe nodded. "I-I guess so." Mattie said, "Look at it this way, CeCe. Whatever trouble is about to go down today, Bobby's gonna need us, ALL of us, to have his back. You included."

A small smile brushed CeCe's lips. "Thanks, Matt," she said softly. "You're welcome," Mattie said. She took CeCe by the arm and began guiding her across the street. "Now, let's go. I'm starving." CeCe laughed at the way Mattie was beginning to sound very much like Lewis.

Friday, September 9, 1977
Home of Bill and Susannah Lewis
Breakfast Time

"Thanks for the ride, Uncle Blake," Tricia said as she waved from the Lewises' front porch. Mattie knocked on the door, then turned around to wave before knocking on the door again. CeCe stood at the bottom of the steps. She waved at Uncle Blake, too as he drove away. Tricia let out an exasperated sigh as she walked back down the steps. "Why are you standing down here?" she asked CeCe. She lightly grabbed her by the wrist, pulling her up the steps behind her. "I was just standing there. No need for all of us to be crowded at the door," CeCe answered. She winced in pain as she rubbed her forehead. "You okay?" Mattie asked. "Yeah, I'm okay. I've got a little headache is all," CeCe said. In actuality, the headache pain had intensified more since she left home.

Mattie was about to knock on the door again when the door opened. There stood Lewis, dressed in jeans and a yellow t-shirt with double brown stripes on the sleeves and chest. "Dammit, Mattie, you can't hear anything, can ya?" he said. "I told you to wait a minute." "I can hear just fine. You need to talk louder," she said. Lewis rolled his eyes as he opened the door wider, stepping aside to let all 3 girls walk into the house. "Hey, CeCe," he said after closing the door. "Hey, Lewis." She removed her satchel from around her neck, placing it on the floor under the table where everyone was piling their books. "You okay?" he asked. "I'm okay," she replied.

Tricia inhaled deeply, smelling the air. "Blueberry?" she asked. Lewis nodded and said, "Yep. Dad's making blueberry waffles. Cara and Jennie got here about 20 minutes ago." Tricia and Mattie both clapped their hands. They absolutely loved blueberry waffles, especially when they were made by Bill Lewis. They headed towards the dining room without hesitation.

"Come on, CeCe," Lewis said with a chuckle, "before they eat everything." "Where's Bobby?" CeCe asked quietly. "He's still up in my room getting dressed." CeCe cast her eyes upstairs, then down to the floor. "I'm gonna wait for him if that's okay." Lewis shrugged, then smiled. "Sure. See ya in the dining room." He turned around and walked away. He stopped, then turned around, heading back towards CeCe. He sighed as he stuffed his hands into his pockets.

"You know nobody's mad at you, right?" Lewis asked. CeCe rubbed her temple as she nodded. "That's what Mattie said," she answered. "Bobby is…Bobby." He sighed heavily. "A lot people think they know him without really getting to know him. He's really a good guy." "I know," CeCe said softly with a smile. Lewis was surprised by her response. "Oh. Okay. Well, I-I'll see you in the dining room," he said. He turned around and quickly walked away.

CeCe smiled to herself as she leaned against the wall next to the door. She held her head down and stared at the floor, rubbing the vein on her forehead. The headache pain was starting to become a little bit unbearable. "I've got to get some aspirin." CeCe raised her head when she heard footsteps on the stairs. It was Bobby. "Hey, CeCe," he said. "Hey, Bobby." She watched him as he walked down, noticing that he and Lewis had on the exact same shirt, except Bobby's was light blue with dark blue stripes. "He looks nice."

Bobby placed his books on the table when he reached the bottom of the stairs and walked over to CeCe. "You still have a headache?" he asked. "Yeah," she replied. Bobby moved CeCe's hand out of the way as he leaned closer to examine her forehead. He ran his thumb back and forth over the vein. "You got this when you hit your head?" CeCe nodded silently. He stepped back, folding his arms across his chest and said, "That's the strangest injury I've ever seen." "I can't help it if I get hurt differently than everybody else."

Bobby stood there, staring at CeCe, who stared back at him. "So, are you mad at me?" he asked. "For what?" she said, a puzzled look on her face. He shrugged. "I don't know. For anything." "No, I'm not mad at you about anything." He held his right pinky finger out to her. "Pinky swear," he said. CeCe gave Bobby a wary look before hooking her own pinky finger with his. "I still wish you would tell me what your dad is going to do to you," she said softly after shaking his hand. Bobby shook his head. "Don't worry about it. E-e-everything will be okay," he said.

CeCe lowered her head as she shook it. She was trying to hide the tears that were threatening to show. Bobby sighed heavily. He figured he'd better change the conversation quickly before she started crying. He said, "That's a very nice dashiki you're wearing." She looked up at him, surprised he knew what to call her blue and white tie-dyed shirt. Bobby stuck out his chest a little and gave CeCe a smug grin. "Yes, I know what a dashiki is and how to say the word correctly," he said smugly. "Thanks. Mama made it for me," she said proudly with a big smile. "You look good. Blue is very pretty on you." CeCe blushed.

Bobby tapped the end of CeCe's nose with his index finger. He said, "Your nose is red again. I'm gonna have to start calling you 'Rudolph.'" CeCe narrowed her eyes at him and said, "You are not funny, Bobby Goren." She tried to keep a serious look on her face, but the slight upward curve on her lips gave her away. He leaned down, his nose barely inches away from hers. "Of course, I'm funny. You're smiling," he said playfully. He straightened up and laughed while CeCe rolled her eyes. "Whatever," she said.

Bobby gently tugged on one of CeCe's braids. "Come on. Let's go eat," he said. He took her by the hand and led the way to the dining room. As they were half way to their destination, Susannah came up to them. She looked at Bobby. Then she looked at CeCe, who standing slightly behind Bobby. Then she looked down, saw that CeCe was holding Bobby's hand with both of hers. She tried to let go, but he held on.

"What?" Bobby asked quietly. Susannah looked at him, shook her head and said nonchalantly, "Nothing. I was about to tell you two to come and eat. Bill's almost finished with the last batch of waffles." She then turned her attention to CeCe. "Good morning, CeCe," she said with a smile. "Good morning, Mrs. Lewis." She opened and closed her mouth a few times, trying to figure how to ask Susannah for some aspirin. "Can I have some aspirin, Mrs. Lewis?" she finally asked.

"Sure you can, CeCe," Susannah said. A concerned look covered her face as she felt CeCe's forehead with the back of her hand. "Do you feel achy, sweetie?" "Oh, no, ma'am. I just have a small headache," CeCe replied. Susannah smiled, then patted her shoulder. "Alright. I'll get the aspirin. You guys go and eat breakfast." Bobby looked at Susannah, giving her a shy smile before looking away. She chuckled lightly to herself. "Thanks, Mrs. Lewis," CeCe said. "You're welcome," she said as she stepped out of their way and headed towards the stairs.

Susannah paused at the bottom of the steps and watched Bobby and CeCe walk to the dining room, hand in hand. She smiled as she started to hum. As she was climbing the steps, she began singing softly under her breath, "When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's amore."