Crystal was quiet as she followed my soulfinder link to wherever she was. Her expression kept shifting from certain to confused, sometimes smirking and sometimes laughing.

"What?"

"In a minute, don't rush me." She muttered and continued her soul-seeking. "I could have sworn..."

"What? What could you have sworn?" I jumped in my chair, shaking her shoulders.

She raised her eyebrows, I let go and sat back. "Better. And, I could have sworn she was in Amsterdam..."

"But?"

"London keeps cropping up and I don't know what to expect." Crystal frowned.

"Well maybe it was like Cleo? She was in South Africa but you found her in Denver. Maybe she's currently in London but intends to go back to Amsterdam." Xav suggested from his seat next to Crystal in the breakfast nook.

"No, I don't think that's it..." She murmured and closed her eyes again. A dry chuckle rose to her lips. "Now that is clever."

"Crystal. You have to understand that this thing only goes one way." I reminded her impatiently.

"Her name is London, but she's in Amsterdam."

"Her name is London." I repeated.

"Anything else you want to know that my spidey sense can find for you?"

"Last name?"

"Baker."

"Do you know when her birthday is?"

"8th October."

"What does she look like? Just so I have a chance at finding her."

"Let's see... Brown eyes."

"Uh-huh."

"Short blonde hair... no wait... it's got pink highlights."

"Pink highlights?"

"Or purple, not sure... she's about five-seven... tattoo... A swallow on her left wrist. An ear spike and a row of gold freckles beneath her eyes." Crystal opened hers.

"Interesting." I mused before asking the dreaded question. "Is she..." I started but didn't think I could finish.

"Will?"

"Is she married?" I blurted.

Crystal closed her eyes again. A peculiar face being pulled. "No."

I exhaled a breath I didn't realise I was holding.

"But..."

"But? But what?"

"I don't know. Its strange. She's not a mum... but she is. I cant tell."

"She has kids."

"I don't know that for certain... her mental space seems to be crammed with thoughts about family..."

I slumped back in my seat. "Whats the point? What's the point in going after her, Crystal? I'd just ruin a perfectly happy life for her, if I showed up." I stood up, needing to move, needing to think.

"I told you she wasn't married. What if she's a single parent? I'm sure she'd be overjoyed if you showed up."

"But what if she isn't? I'd just mess that up for her. I mean, I'd never even considered a family at this age but she might of, and she probably got sick of waiting around for me-"

"Will!" Crystal snapped. "That girl is longing for you to come along and find her. You need to man up and go get her because you'd be wasting time for both of you if you don't."

"Attagirl." Xav cheered and grinned at Crystal.

"Not now Xavier." she growled.

"Yes ma'am." he nodded and sat back.

"That girl has missed out on a whole lot over the years. Don't you dare be one of them."

"But-"

"No buts!" She held up her hands in protest. "Pack a bag. Buy a ticket. Get on the plane. Piece of cake!"

"I'm going!" I replied and headed upstairs to pack my clothes. "Worse than my mother..." I grumbled on my way up.

...

"Don't stay away too long, will you querido?" Mom pleaded as she made sure I had everything with me at the airport.

"I'll stay as long as it takes, mom." giving her a hug.

"Okay... but I expect another daughter when you return!" she shook her finger at me.

"Yes, mom." I grinned and waved goodbye to everyone, lifting my bag onto my shoulder, I headed to the flight desk...

The flight was ten hours to Heathrow, then another hour and a half to Amsterdam. It was about nine p.m. when I landed. Dropping my bag off at the hotel, I decided to look around the area, get a feel for the city night life.

I remember someone saying Amsterdam was a city of sin, probably one of the teachers that were present for Trace and Victor's education...but to experience the culture for myself, I realised, Amsterdam is a city of freedom. Freedom is of course a void in which most people find sin. A vicious reality, but reality non the less.

I ended up in a park, not remembering where it was but remembering how to get back. It had a glassy fat oval pool in the middle of the gathering of pathways. Surrounded by a low wall and beyond that were trees of every color green in the spectrum.

Thinking of how to go about tracking down London Baker; I began the circuit of stepping stones. I could look it up. I could search the streets. I could ask people. I'm sure a girls with pink hair and an ear spike are uncommon.

I should have asked Crystal to come with me. It would make everything so much easier... But do you actually want it to be easy? A voice in the back of my head asked.

I wanted to find her, and I wanted to find her soon, but I didn't want to just find her, I wanted to learn what it was about Amsterdam that made her stay. I want to follow her path to work, to her favourite coffee shop, learn what makes her who she is. Get the background before the subject.

Speaking of coffee shops, I need something to drink right about now.

Sitting in the window, I frowned into the black steaming liquid. How would I do this?

Well, the coffee wasn't giving me any answers. I sighed, turning to look out onto the street. Hoping she might materialise.

A couple were walking along the sidewalk, she was tucked under his arm, her arm around his waist. He leant down and kissed her temple, straightening up and smiling softly to himself as they walked. Blonde curls flicking out of his eyes with a jerk of his neck. She reached up and tucked a strand of choppy blonde hair behind her ear, eyes on the ground her yellow chuck taylor's slapped with every step.

Her earlobe was stretched around a powder blue ring the size of the buttons on my shirt. Circumference about the width of my pinky fingernail. The sleeve of her jacket had slipped down to reveal a mark on her wrist, partially hidden by a brown leather wristwatch that matched her eyebrows.

I only realised when they'd disappeared that it could have been her. She had been less than thirty feet from me and I missed it. I couldn't believe I'd missed it. Pouring the too hot coffee down my throat, burning away my taste buds. Slamming out of the cafe and running down the street, hoping to catch up with them...