Sterling and his daughter have a little talk. This part brings in new characters: Sterling's brother David, David's dog Hank, and Livinia Carter. They will be introduced better in part four.

Jim Sterling looked out at his daughter and his brother, busy brushing the dog. Hank loved the attention, flopping down on the ground as they each brushed a side. He smiled as Olivia paused to clean the brush and Hank poked his muzzle at her impatiently. He couldn't hear what Olivia said but he could guess.

"What is wrong with you?" Livinia Carter's voice came from behind him.

"What?" Jim turned to look at her in surprise and ended up smiling at the tall dark woman fussing over the cushions.

"You have been walking around moping for the past few days."

"Moping? I –"

Livinia silenced him with a look and he bit his lip.

"I just have something I need to talk about with Olivia and I just am not sure –"

"Just do it." He had no doubt the woman knew what he was talking about. Livinia had pretty much raise him and his brother and neither of them had ever gotten away with anything. "And it's about time." She looked at him before shooing him toward the doors. "Go."

"Yes, ma'am," he muttered as he walked outside. Stepping into the girl's line of sight, he waved at her and, when she looked at him, waved her over. She signed something at David and he nodded as she rose. Jim met her halfway and slipped an arm around her, guiding her toward the path through the woods.

"What's wrong?" Olivia asked anxiously.

"Wrong?" Jim threw her a startled look. "No, nothing's wrong. I just – there's something I want to talk to you about." He absently rubbed his hands along his thighs, staring into the distance.

"Well?" Olivia finally said and he looked at her, startled.

"It's not exactly easy for me to bring up. You see, it's just …." His voice trailed off and he kicked at a rock on the ground, sending it sailing off.

Olivia remained silent for a long moment, a smile tugging at her lips. "Dad, uhm. Does this little talk have anything to do with you being gay?" She stole a look at her father, her smile widening at the look on his face.

"How? What? Your mother would have never said –" He paused, taking a deep breath. "I knew I should have shot the bastard when I had a chance."

"Why? I mean, I know of several reasons but I'd think that would be low on the reasons. I mean –" She turned to look at him, crossing her arms and looking stern. "You were going to tell me, weren't you?"

"Yes. I was just waiting until you were a little older. And out of Livingston's clutches." He tilted his head. "But why did he tell you? For that matter, how did he know? Your mother would not have told him."

Olivia made a face. "He didn't tell me. I overheard one of his men giving him a report about you. Apparently he'd been having you followed."

Jim opened his mouth to deny that before pausing, remembering a period of time a few months ago. "Maybe four months ago?"

"Yeah. He may still try and use it against you."

"Nothing to use. I don't flaunt it but I won't hide it." They walked along for a few minutes. "So what do you think? Your old man being gay?"

Olivia bit at her lip. "So you are my father?"

"What?" Jim stopped dead in surprise.

"I mean – if you're not interested in women –" Olivia fumbled uncertainly.

Jim gave a short laugh of relief. "Darling," he slipped an arm around her and she around him before they resumed walking. "Back then I was more bisexual than homosexual. Over the years my – my taste have solidified. Nowadays I stick to men but back then, well, I was interested in women and, I'm almost ashamed to admit, I was trying to be normal. Your mother, bless her, understood."

"Is that why you didn't marry her?"

"We didn't marry because we knew it wouldn't work. Not because I'm gay but because of our personalities and our ambitions. We would have ended up tearing each other apart and that would have hurt you and neither of us wanted that."

"That's what mom said."

"Your mother was a smart woman, even if she did have lousy taste in men." He kissed Olivia's forehead.

"I don't know." Olivia giggled. "She loved you."

"Like I said. Lousy taste in men." They both laughed as they walked on, turning back toward the house.

"So." Olivia squeezed her father's waist. "Is there someone I should know about?" She gave him a sidelong look.

Jim frowned, looking away. "There might be," he said finally. "Our relationship is – complicated."

"How so?" Jim didn't answer and Olivia rolled her eyes. "What's he like?"

Jim hesitated. "Ask me again in a few days. Which reminds me, I will be gone for a few days."

Olivia's smile broadened and threw herself forward to hug him tightly. He blinked in surprise but returned the hug. "Good luck."

He chuckled. "Yeah. Thanks." He brushed a kiss against her forehead. "I should be back in a couple days. You listen to Livinia. And get your schoolwork done."

"Dad." Olivia rolled her eyes. "Bring him back to meet us!"

Jim blinked. "I – don't know." He caught the look on his daughter's face and sighed. "I'll ask. That's all I can do."

They walked back to the house.

The next part is hot and steamy and rated M/NC-17. I hope to post it tomorrow.