In the Earth's solar system, Cylon raiders were patrolling near Jupiter when another Grey ship entered the solar system. The raiders kept out of sight of the Grey's ship and monitored the Grey's movements and radio signals. When the Grey's signal went unanswered three times the Grey's ship began to leave the system. One of the Cylon raiders shadowed the Grey ship as it was leaving.
In the Grey's underground city, Apollo and the other waited for an hour before Catalina and the Grey's sovereign, Alchita, had walked in. Alchita was a Grey with no signs of human trait.
The colonial warriors stood up. As Catalina and Alchita stepped up, Catalina said, "Capt. Adama, this is our sovereign, Alchita. He is unable to speak English, so I'll have to translate."
"Tell him that it's nice to meet him," said Apollo. Catalina translated what was said.
Alchita made a greeting gesture and said several words.
Catalina translated, "Capt. Adama, we do have the location of Earth in our database; however, we would like your humans' help in exchange for that information."
Starbuck asked before Apollo was able to respond, "What do you need from us?"
Apollo glanced at Starbuck as Catalina said, "Our scientists have formulated a compound that is supposed to neutralize the radiation, purify the air and restore our planet. Unfortunately the neutralizer must be administered in the upper atmosphere and we don't have a delivery system to get it there."
"You want us to release the compound for you," said Apollo.
"Yes," said Catalina.
"Catalina-sixteen…" Apollo began.
"You may call me Catalina," she said.
"Okay," said Apollo. "Catalina, I would like to say yes on my people releasing the compound, but I don't have the authority to make that decision. That decision must be approved by the commander."
Catalina and Alchita exchanged dialog before Catalina responded to Apollo. "You are in command of this expedition, are you not, Capt. Adama?"
Apollo looked at Catalina is a skeptical manner and said in a cautious tone, "I am."
"Alchita would like for you to stay here as a guest of the Hominids as Lt. Thrace and the others take me and Dr. Cheywhin to see your commander," said Catalina.
"Why do you want Capt. Adama to stay?" Starbuck quickly asked.
Before Catalina had a chance to respond, Apollo said, "They think I'd be less expendable and therefore a more of an insurance to the Hominids that we're not up to no good." Catalina grinned and nodded. "And to show good faith on part of the humans, I have no quarrels with staying behind. However, who's Dr. Cheywhin?"
"He's the leading scientist on working on a way to restore our planet," said Catalina. Catalina then exchanged a few words with Alchita. When she and Alchita were done, Catalina faced Apollo. "Before we proceed, Capt. Apollo, Alchita would like to know if you would like to relocate to a more pleasurable surroundings."
"I would," said Apollo.
Catalina grinned and exchanged a few more words with Alchita. When she was done, she said, "Everyone can follow me." As everyone were walking into the corridor, Catalina continued to say, "English is not very well known among the major population of the Hominids; however, there are a few who knows the language. So you don't feel too much like an outsider, Capt. Adama, I'll take you to a recreation facility that the Hominids who do speak English frequent."
"When we first arrived, a Hominid spoke to us by using a translator," said Apollo. "If you show me how to use one of those, I should be good to speak to anyone."
"There are only a few translators, and I'm afraid that the people who have them, won't part with one even for a short time," said Catalina.
Catalina led the four colonel warriors down six more levels and through a few corridors before entering a large room. The room was moderately crowded with Greys engrossed in several recreational activities raging from creating art to playing games. Some of the Greys showed no signs of having human DNA mixed with them while others were like Catalina who appeared more human than Grey. Most; however, appeared somewhere between the two extremes in varying degrees.
Catalina led them midway through the room before an eight-year-old girl who had features much like Catalina stepped up with a drawing that she had just completed and said in the Grey's language, "Look what I did."
Catalina glanced at the colonial warriors for a second before she answered her in English, "That's great, Catty."
Catty looked at Catalina in a curious manner and responded in English herself, "Why are you talking in English?"
"Because we have guests that can only speak English and it's impolite to talk in a language that they can't understand," said Catalina. "Also by us speaking to where they can understand us, they know that we're not trying to conceal anything."
Catty nodded and said, "I understand." She glanced at the colonial warriors. "Who are they?"
Catalina pointed out the colonial warriors to Catty. She then continued to say as she gestured towards Catty, "Everyone, this is Catalina-Seventeen. She goes by Catty. I even went by Catty before the age of eighteen."
"I thought you and Catty were related in someway," said Starbuck.
Catalina grinned and said, "Twenty-years ago, I was the one who was in here drawing pictures when I wasn't in class."
"I know someone else who loves drawing pictures," said Starbuck.
"Is that someone your son or daughter?" asked Catty.
Apollo chuckled. Starbuck hit Apollo on the arm before saying, "No. She's just someone I know. Her name is Kim and she's fifteen."
"Catty, why don't you go and draw me another lovely picture," said Catalina.
"Can I stay with you?" asked Catty. "I promise to stay out of the way."
"You can't this time, Catty," said Catalina. "Oh and Catty, you'll need to know that I'll be going away for a day or two so you'll be staying with Catalina-fifteen until I return."
"Where are you going?" asked Catty.
"I'll be leaving with these people," said Catalina.
"What will you be doing?" asked Catty.
"I don't know for certain, but these people might be able to help us clean the air outside," said Catalina. "Dr. Cheywhin and I are going to go and talk to their boss to find out one way or the other."
"Will I be able to play outside?" asked Catty.
"I'm hoping," said Catalina.
"I hope so too," said Catty.
Catalina smiled and said, "Come and give me a hug." Catty grinned and gave Catalina a hug. After the hug, Catalina kissed Catty on the head. "Now you need to go back and draw some more."
"Okay, bye," said Catty.
As Catty was skipping away, Apollo asked, "Are you Catty's guardian?"
Catalina smiled and said, "I am and when I'm working, Catalina-fifteen, Catalina-fourteen or someone I trust watches her until my shift is over. On few occasions; however, Catty had assisted me while I worked. My job is environmental system analyst."
"Isn't that bizarre to be a parent… or guardian to Catty?" said one of the crewmen.
"Why would it be bizarre?" asked Catalina.
"Even though Catty is a child and you are an adult, you both are the same person in a way," said the crewman. "So you're actually caring for a younger version of yourself."
"Other than not giving birth to Catty, I don't see any difference between raising Catty and anyone of you raising a child," said Catalina. "As for Catty and I being the same person between birth and the age of seven, I think it gives me an edge on how to care for her. I'm also sterile… a condition I inherited from the original Catalina, so for me this is my only way to be a parent."
"You said that one Catalina is created every twenty years," said one of the crewmen.
"That's correct," said Catalina.
"You must have a store room of DNA samples of the original Catalina for the hominids to do that, but eventually that supply room will go bare at some point," said the crewman.
"Originally there were two hundred samples of all hominids stored," said Catalina. "Most of the samples are of children between the age of six and nine. That gives us two hundred generations to find a more permanent solution of reproducing."
"Is all hominids sterile?" asked Starbuck.
"Not all, but most are," said Catalina. "The good news is that when we clone someone who was or is fertile, that clone remains fertile, so not every hominid is a clone." Catalina gestured in a certain direction. "Anyway, the ones I want everyone to meet are over there, so follow me."
"Is there any reason why hominids prefer to clone children over adults?" asked Apollo as they started walking.
"When a clone wakes up for the first time a child accepts the changes to his or her environment along other changes faster than an adult would," said Catalina. "And as I said, I have the original Catalina's memories up to the age of seven and I remember running through fields of tall grass and feeling the warmth of the sun on my face. So I think it is easier to tell a child that she or he can no longer go outside and play than it to explain to an adult as to how we ended up in an underground city. Also as our technologies advances, it's easier to teach those advances to the children than it is to re-teach the adults."
"That makes sense," said Apollo as Starbuck was figuring something out in her head."
"The original Catalina lived more than three hundred years ago, didn't she?" asked Starbuck.
"She did," said Catalina. "She died at the age of ninety-three."
"Can you expect to live to the age of ninety-three?" asked one of the crewmen.
"Around there," said Catalina. "Not including accidental death, the youngest clone of Catalina died at the age of eighty-nine and the oldest one was ninety-six."
"So you can expect to live for another seventy years," said the crewman.
"Sixty-five years at least," said Catalina.
"Catalina, your people must have had the DNA samples stored in a safe place for it to survive a nuclear war," said Starbuck.
"Underground facilities are much easier to maintain a constant temperature so even before the civil war, all DNA samples were stored in underground facilities," said Catalina. "Also before the civil war, abstracting DNA samples to store in those facilities were mandatory in most cities. The people who survived the war came up with a way to expand on our underground facilities and make them into cities."
"Can you move between cities," asked Apollo.
"We have a rail transportation system that takes people from city to city," said Catalina as she and the others were stepping up to a group that could speak English. She then introduced everyone to one another.
Catalina explained to the group what was going on and when she was done, Catalina, Starbuck and the two crewmen left the recreational room.
Catalina led the three colonial warriors through the winding corridors and down three more levels before entering a laboratory belonging to Dr. Cheywhin. Dr. Cheywhin was a Grey and his back was towards the door as he was attempting to work through a formula. When he heard the four walking in, he turned to look. Once he saw Catalina he said in the Grey's language, "I was told to be expecting you, Catalina and the three who are with you." Starbuck stared at the formula as Dr. Cheywhin put his marker down. "Give me a second to get the documents and samples that I need and I'll be right with you."
Catalina nodded and then told the colonial warriors, "He'll be ready to go in a second."
As Dr. Cheywhin gathered what he wanted to take with him, Starbuck continued to stare at the formula. One of the crewmen noticed as to how focused Starbuck was at the board and asked, "Sir, are you okay?"
"I'm fine," said Starbuck. "It's just that, that formula looks familiar."
Starbuck's and the crewmen's attentions were drawn to Dr. Cheywhin when he spoke in the Grey's language, "I'm ready to go."
After Catalina repeated what Dr. Cheywhin had said, they left the lab.
Once in the corridor, Starbuck asked, "How do we get out of this underground city and up to the surface?"
Catalina gestured for Starbuck to wait and repeated Starbuck's question to Dr. Cheywhin. After Dr. Cheywhin answered, Catalina said, "There is an exit to the surface at one of our oldest cities, city of Makee and Makee is a six-hour trip by rail."
"So we get to experience your transportation system," one of the crewmen commented.
"You will," said Catalina. "Just think of it as a learning experience on how we live and get around."
"That's one way to look at it," said the crewman.
5:35 P. M., in Beth's hometown, Beth had stepped into the police station. Once inside every cop who knew her was greeting her.
When Beth didn't see Spence she asked one of the policemen, "Hey, where's Spence?"
"He's in the locker room changing clothes," said the officer. "Do you want me to tell him you're here?"
Beth nodded and said, "If you don't mind." The officer grinned and nodded. He then stepped towards the locker room. "Thanks."
"You're welcome," said the officer as he was walking away.
Beth waited a few minutes before Spence was walking up in his street clothes. Beth saw him as he stepped up and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong," said Beth. She gave Spence a kiss. The officers who saw the kiss made a whooping noise. Beth smiled as she glanced at the officers before she continued to say. "I got my new light khaki Grand Cherokee and I couldn't wait to show it to you. I figured this was a good time to show you since your shift was ending. And we do need to meet Eric at the motel so I thought we could drive there from here." Beth noticed that Spence's facial expression showed more apathetic than anything. "What's the matter?"
Spence shook her head and said, "Nothing. Well, I'm done here if you want me to look at you Jeep."
Beth stared at Spence in a curious manner for a brief moment before walking towards the exit. As they were walking, Beth asked, "So how was your day?"
"It was fine," said Spence. "How was yours?"
"My day was good," said Beth.
"You must be tired after working a double shift from ten last night," said Spence.
Beth slightly leaned against Spence and said, "I am. You may have to hold me up."
Spence put his arm around Beth, but Beth felt as though Spence's heart wasn't in it. Beth glanced at Spence, but decided not to inquire what was going on.
Seconds later, Beth was leading Spence up to her new vehicle. As they were walking around the vehicle, Beth asked, "So what do you think about it?"
Spence said in an apathetic manner, "It's nice."
"Okay, what's up with you?" Beth demanded.
"What are you talking about?" asked Spence.
"Spence, you're acting a little distant from me," said Beth. "Did I do something to piss you off?"
"You didn't piss me off," said Spence.
"Then what's wrong?" asked Beth.
"Beth, there's nothing wrong," Spence insisted. Beth just crossed her arms and gave him an inquisitive look for him to spill it. "I swear there's nothing wrong." Beth just continued to look at him in an inquisitive manner. "Beth, my job is good. I'm dating a beautiful woman… a doctor who is able to afford to go out and buy brand new vehicles, so what could be wrong?"
Beth looked at Spence in a curious manner and asked, "Are you upset that I'm able to afford to buy a new Grand Cherokee?"
"Why would I be upset over that?" asked Spence.
"That's my question to you," said Beth.
"Beth, I'm glad that you are able to buy new vehicles," said Spence.
"How come I get the feeling that you would be more excited if I bought one of the used vehicles that you were telling me about," said Beth.
"You're able to buy new vehicles so why should you buy a used vehicle when you don't have to," said Spence. "I'm lucky to afford to buy a used vehicle more than three years old, but you're a doctor. You're probably making two to three times more than what I'm making."
"I see what's going on," said Beth. Spence just gave Beth a curious look. "You're not upset that I bought the new vehicle. You're upset that I make more money than you. I never pegged you as being a sexist."
Spence said in an unconvincing manner, "I'm not upset that you make more money than me."
"You didn't sound very convincing," said Beth.
"I'm not a sexist, Beth," said Spence. "I don't care when a woman makes more money than men."
"Then why are you acting distant from me?" asked Beth.
Spence sighed and said, "Fine. The truth is that I like you. I think of you from the time I wake up to the time I go to sleep. Dating you is great, but I'm scared to allow myself to fall in love with you."
"Okay… I have to say that I still don't understand what's going on," said Beth.
"Beth, I can't afford to buy you new cars, expensive jewelry, trips to Europe…" Spence was able to get out.
"I'm not asking for any of those things," said Beth.
"Not yet, but people tend to associate with people of there own social status," said Spence.
Beth looked at Spence in a curious manner and said, "I need you to clarify that statement."
"You have money and I don't," said Spence. "It's only matter of time before you get bored with me and find someone who also has money."
"After four days you and I are still getting to know each other, so I'm going to hold in the extent of the rage that I'm feeling right now." Beth pointed her figure at him as she continued to say in an agitated tone, "However, you are a jerk. I like you. I can care less about how much… or how little money you make. So if I end this relationship it will be because you went from being jerk to a complete asshole."
"If this is you holding in your rage, I hate to see when you're not holding it in," said Spence.
"My only thought while signing the papers to buy my Jeep is that I couldn't wait to show it to you," said Beth. "Meanwhile, your thoughts were, when will I get bored with you; so yes, this is me holding back my rage."
"I'm sorry, Beth," said Spence. "I just assumed…"
"I know what you assumed and if I was that person, I would have accepted Ryan's marriage proposal," said Beth.
"Again, I'm sorry," said Spence. "Please forgive me."
"Do I appear to you as a woman who needs a man to buy me expensive gifts?" asked Beth.
"No." Spence took Beth's hand before saying again. "Beth, please forgive me."
"I'm not one to have casual relationships," said Beth. "I won't date anyone unless I feel that it can lead into something more than casual dating. You can ask Brandon."
Spence grinned and said, "I believe you. The thought I was having about you breaking up with me because I didn't have any money was a stupid thought."
"Yes, it was," said Beth. "I'm not that kind of person."
"I see that," said Spence. He then hesitantly gave Beth a kiss. Beth allowed the kiss and it lasted a few seconds. After the kiss, Beth just stared at Spence in an uncertain manner. Spence gestured towards the Jeep before continuing. "I do like your Jeep. You picked out a great color."
Beth grinned and shook her head before saying, "Thanks for attempting to salvage this moment."
"Honest, I really do like it," said Spence. "I can't wait to ride in it. We can even leave my car here as we meet Eric at the motel."
Beth continued to grin and gave Spence a heartfelt hug. When the hug ended a few seconds later, Beth said, "We should probably get going so we're not late."
Spence grinned and asked, "You mind if I drive the Jeep?"
Beth grinned and said, "Now that was the response that I was originally expecting from you."
"So can I?" asked Spence. Beth pulled out her keys from her purse and hand them to Spence. Spence smiled. "Thanks."
Beth smiled and said, "You're welcome."
"Oh, I have that taser gun," said Spence. "It's in the trunk of my car."
"I'll get it when we come back this way," said Beth. She then walked to the passenger's side.
The ride to the motel took ten minutes. After Spence parked the Jeep at the motel, Beth gazed around the parking lot without attempting to get out. After a few seconds of looking she said, "I don't know what kind of car Eric drives. Do you?"
"He drives a blue ford… a four-door," said Spence. "He's not here yet though."
Beth looked at her watch and said, "He has seven minutes before he's late."
"He'll be here," said Spence. "He's real curious to know what's going on."
"Well, we can't tell him anything," said Beth.
"We could tell him what you told Tiffany," said Spence.
"If you as a cop thought that your father was involved with a suspected terrorist what would you do?" asked Beth.
"Most likely I would try to prove it one way or another," said Spence.
"You would also confront her about it too, wouldn't you?" asked Beth.
"If I had enough evidence, I might," said Spence.
"Well, I may not be fond of Newbury, but I don't want to see him hurt," said Beth. "I don't want to take a chance that he'll confront Belinda with or without adequate evidence. So please don't say anything about terrorists bringing down the plane."
"Okay, you win," said Spence. He then leaned over and gave Beth a passionate kiss that last a few seconds. "So what are your plans after we're done here?"
"I'm going home and going to bed," said Beth.
Spence grinned and asked, "Care for some company?"
"Spence, sweetie, I'm going to sleep as soon as I get home," said Beth. "You're welcome to join me, but I'll be kicking you out if you keep me awake. You might be better off calling someone and go out and shoot pool."
"You would be okay for me to go out without you?" asked Spence.
"Of course; I trust you," said Beth. "Just don't get too drunk and come knocking on my door during the night."
"Wyatt called me earlier and left a voice mail for me to call him," said Spence. "Three out of five times when he calls me, it's to talk me into going bar hopping with him."
"See, you have someone to go out with," said Beth. "You should give your brother a call."
"What? Now?" asked Spence.
"Eric's not here yet, so you might as well," said Beth.
"Okay, I'll call him and find out what he wants," said Spence as he was getting his phone.
After he dialed the number, there was a few seconds of silence before Wyatt answered, "Spence, I'm glad you called me back."
"So what's up?" asked Spence.
"There's a card game tonight at my house and I thought you might be interested," said Wyatt.
"Who's all going to be there?" asked Spence. Wyatt gave a list of four people. "Okay. I'm in."
"The game starts in an hour," said Wyatt.
"Start without me if I'm not there by then," said Spence.
"Okay," said Wyatt. "Bye."
As Spence was putting his phone up, Beth asked, "So what you and Wyatt are doing?"
"I'm going to his house and play poker," said Spence.
As Beth grinned and shook her head, she said, "I don't think I met a cop yet that didn't play poker."
"As long as it's a friendly game, I don't see the harm in it," said Spence.
"I agree with you," said Beth. Beth then gave Spence a kiss. "Good luck tonight."
Spence grinned and said, "Thanks."
"How long do those games usually last?" asked Beth.
"It usually breaks up around midnight, but it has last as long as three in the morning," said Spence.
"My body got used to a few hours sleep during medical school so after seven hours of sleep I'm going to be wide awake again," said Beth. "If you want and if you're not too drunk, call me when your game breaks up… don't call me before midnight though."
Spence grinned and said, "Okay, after midnight, I'll call you."
Beth looked at her watch and asked, "Okay, where is Newbury?"
Spence looked at his watch and said, "It's not even six yet."
"It will be soon," said Beth. "Is Newbury normally on time for his shifts?"
Spence looked at Beth in a curious manner and said, "Since I've been working at the precinct, he has."
Beth saw the look she was getting and asked, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"You're a punctual person, aren't you?" said Spence.
"I do my best to be punctual, but at times things like heavy traffic might keep me from arriving on time," said Beth.
Spence grinned and said, "I bet that you can't stand to be late for anything and that's why you live so close to the hospital."
Beth said as if to defend herself, "Being late for something is kind of like a broken promise. I mean being scheduled to arrive or start work at a certain time is an unstated promise and I do my best not to be late for anything." Spence just stared at Beth with a smirk on his face. "Okay, Alicia has already told me how weird I am so you can stop looking at me like that."
Instead of turning away, Spence leaned over and gave Beth a passionate kiss. They ended the kiss when they heard a car driving passed the Jeep. When they looked, Spence saw that it was Eric and said, "He's here."
Beth looked at her watch and said, "He's two minutes late."
As Spence was opening his door, he said, "I know not to be fashionably late around you."
Beth just grinned at Spence as she was getting out of the Jeep.
Eric parked his car several spot away from Beth's Jeep. Once Eric and Haley were out of the car, Haley was picking up their three-year-old son to be carried.
Beth and Spence were stepping up to Eric and Haley before they had a chance to get far from the car. Eric introduced everyone to each other. Eric continued to say after the introductions were done, "We would have been here sooner, but Haley's mom was visiting when I got home and…"
"Eric, I'm sure Spence and Beth don't need an explanation as to why we weren't here sooner," said Haley.
Spence looked at Beth and said only to screw with her, "I know I don't need an explanation."
Beth caught Spence's tone and gave him a smirk.
Eric saw the smirk and said in an uncertain manner, "Okay… well anyway, follow me, everyone."
A minute later, Eric stepped up to his dad's motel room and knock on the door. Once Richard had opened the door and saw Spence and Beth with Eric and Haley, he looked at Eric and said while standing in the entryway, "I see that you're scared to come with no witnesses."
"My friends are not here as witnesses per se…" said Eric.
"It's fine, Eric," said Richard. "You could have brought ten more people with you. Hell you could've brought your entire precinct and I wouldn't have mind. I'm just glad you came."
Eric smirked and shook his head. He then gestured towards Spence, "Anyway, this is Spence. He's a fellow officer at the precinct." Richard and Spence shook hands and said their greetings. Eric gestured towards Beth. "This is Spence's girlfriend, Beth."
Beth held out her hand to shake hands and said, "It's nice to meet you, Col. Newbury."
As he was shaking Beth's hand, he said, "You can call me Richard." Beth was in a vision and when he saw her in a trance he said in a concerned manner, "Beth! Beth, are you okay? Beth!"
"Stop yelling, Pop," said Eric. "Beth is fine."
"She's not fine," said Richard. "She's having a seizure."
"Believe me, she not," said Eric.
Haley stared into Beth's eyes and asked, "Why is she frozen like that if she's not seizing."
Before anyone was able to say anything Beth came out of her vision. Richard saw her moving and asked in a concerned manner, "Are you okay, honey."
Beth smiled and said, "I'm fine."
"You're not fine, because you had a seizure," said Richard.
"It wasn't a seizure, Col. Newbury," said Beth.
"Call me Richard," he said, "and if you didn't have a seizure why were you motionless for a few seconds."
"It was only a few seconds?" Beth asked in almost disbelief. Richard just nodded. "Well, can we come in? I'll try to explain."
"Of course," said Richard. "Everyone come in." As everyone stepped in Richard held out his hands for Jack. "Haley, do you mind if I hold my grandson."
"Not at all," said Haley. She then handed Jack to Richard. Jack was quiet, but curious.
Beth gazed around the room and saw that Richard was alone. She then commented, "You're by yourself." Richard looked at Beth in a curious manner. "Eric was saying that a woman named Belinda was staying with you, but I see you're by yourself."
Richard continued to look at Beth in a curious manner and said, "Belinda went out to meet friends." Richard saw Beth giving Eric a shrug. "Is there something going on here?"
"Since Belinda is not here, I'm going to come out with it," said Eric. "Pop, I have a bad feeling about Belinda and you should not get involve with her."
"Ah, so that's why everyone is here," said Richard.
"I was under the impression that Eric wanted to patch things up with you," said Haley. "Eric, is that not the reason why we're here?"
"Patching things up with dad is part of the reasons," said Eric.
"Eric, if you want to talk and clear the air between us, that's fine, but if you're here to stick your nose where it doesn't belong then you wasted your time coming here," said Richard. "Now the subject between me and Belinda is closed."
"Okay, Pop," said Eric.
Beth raised her hand and asked, "I don't mean to interrupt, but Richard, is okay if I use the restroom?"
"Of course; help yourself," said Richard.
"Thanks," said Beth. Beth stepped into the bathroom and after shutting the door, she attempted to get a vision by touching things.
Everyone was quiet once Beth had stepped into the restroom. Spence broke the silence by asking, "Richard, where all have you been stationed?"
Richard went through a good size list. When he was done he asked, "So what's the truth with Beth? Does she get seizures?"
Spence shook his head and said, "Beth doesn't get seizures."
"Then why did she freeze the way she did?" asked Richard.
Before Spence was able to make up an answer, Beth opened the door. As she was stepping out, Spence said, "Beth, Richard is still curious to know why you momentarily froze."
"I get memory flashes," said Beth. "They're kept under control, but on rare occasions certain things, such as shaking hands with a person I just met, will trigger one."
Richard looked at Beth in a skeptical manner for a brief moment before asking, "Bad memories? Like with post traumatic stress syndrome?"
Beth shook her head and said, "I don't have post traumatic stress syndrome, and the memory flashes I get aren't bad memories… well a few can be, but most of them aren't."
"Do these memory flashes interfere with your daily life?" asked Richard.
Beth shook her head and said, "Not at all."
"Do you work?" asked Richard.
Beth nodded and said, "I'm a surgical intern at the university hospital."
"You're a doctor?" asked Richard. Beth just nodded. "And your memory flashes don't hinder you as you operate on people?"
Beth shook her head and said, "Not at all. Prior to any operation I eliminate any trigger that would cause a memory flash. And my supervisors know about them, so they let me do what I need to do so a memory flash doesn't get triggered during an operation."
"Interesting," said Richard.
Beth noticed how quiet Jack was being. As Beth shook Jack's hand she said, "You're a very quiet young man."
"He's sleepy, otherwise he wouldn't be quiet," said Haley.
Beth grinned and as she rubbed Jack's back she said, "I'm ready for a nap myself." She then faced Eric. "In fact, I've been awake for twenty-four hours, so I really do need to be going."
"Of course," said Eric. "Thanks for meeting us here."
"No problem." Beth faced Richard again and as she stuck out her hand she said, "It was nice meeting you, Richard."
Richard grinned and asked, "You won't have another memory flash if I shake your hand again?"
Beth grinned and said, "It could, but the chance of that is very low?"
"In that case," said Richard. He then shook her hand. "Have a goodnight."
"Goodnight," said Beth.
Jack caught Beth by surprised when he said, "Night-night."
Beth smiled at Jack and said, "Night-night, Sweetie," She then turned towards Haley. "Goodnight, Haley. It was nice to meet you."
"Likewise," said Haley.
Spence reached out to shake Richard's hand. They both said, "Goodnight."
As Beth and Spence were walking towards the door, Eric said, "Haley, I'm going to walk Spence and Beth to their vehicle."
"Eric, I'm sure they don't need an escort," said Haley.
"Haley, I'll be back in a minute," said Eric.
"Fine," said Haley.
Once Beth, Spence and Eric were outside, Eric said, "Beth, I know you got a vision earlier with my dad. What did you see?"
"Nothing related to Belinda," said Beth. "I also tried to get a vision when I went to the bathroom, but I didn't get anything."
"What did you see though?" asked Eric.
"I think it was an argument between you and your father over your mother's health," said Beth.
"I know what it was about," said Eric.
"Eric, I also saw a short segment of your father weeping over a gravestone," said Beth. "I heard him say, 'I'm sorry. I thought I was doing the right thing.'"
"So he does regret his decision," Eric commented.
"He's regretting something," said Beth. "Anyway, I need to be going."
"Beth, thanks for coming here and attempting to do this," said Eric.
"You're welcome," said Beth. "Bye."
Eric just waved. As Beth and Spence were walking towards the Jeep, Spence said, "I thought that was a good lie you told Richard."
"It wasn't lie," said Beth. Spence gave Beth a confused look. "I told him that it was a memory flash and it was; however, it was from Richard's life and not mine. Also prior to an operation I do touch things in order to eliminate any trigger that would cause me to have a vision."
"How come I get the feeling that you're good about deceiving someone without actually lying to a person?" Spence commented.
Beth gave Spence a dubious smile and said, "I don't know why you get that feeling."
Spence grinned and said, "Yeah, I wonder." He then gave Beth a kiss.