Jesse sat on the park bench, her cheeks and the tip of her nose turning red from the cold. She was asked to meet someone here, something about a proposal to make. She honestly didn't want to be there and would give anything to be able to teleport back to Vietnam. She missed her sun and even the dry dust that clung to her sweaty body back at base. Being back here during December made her body panic and all she had done was shake and shiver the second she crossed the border.

She was used to wearing cool, casual clothes back at base that she didn't even bother to wear her long, warm boots that she had packed away with her, just in case. All she wore was her thin, crocheted sweater and her favorite, baby blue sun dress and her black slippers. She really wished she had that her wardrobe through before making a sudden departure.

Jesselynn looked up at the sound of shrill laughter explode from the corner of the park. There was a family with three children –two toddlers and a girl that seemed to be about six or seven— that was enjoying the snow bank and put it to use by surprising their older sister. The two toddler boys thought it to be hilarious that their crumpled up snowball hit her straight in the face though she whined and complained. Their mother was quick to their side, checking her daughter's face while she hid a smile from her.

A grin was plastered on her face for a short while as she watched the mother give her daughter a long, over exaggerated kiss on the cheek before letting her play again. Even now, though she was a grown woman, there was still an uncomfortable tug on her heart at the sight of a mother and her child. All she could think about was her mother. The same agonizing guilt slapping her in the face each time she heard a mother speak of their children with such love and devotion. Why did she have to be so stupid and completely take away her and Justin's mother like that? Even if she was just a small girl, she robbed Justin of motherly love. Everyone always said that a child needs their father, but sometimes it seems boys need their motherly just as much.

How she wished her mother was with her now! She feared she was making the wrong decision coming here and she was completely sure that her mother would have the wisdom to share about her situation. This situation and many in the past. Maybe her father would have so much to share with Justin as he chose this decision of fighting for his country.

She sometimes wondered how things would've been different. Who would her little brother or sister would have been like? Who would she have turned out? It was hard to think of a different scenario for her life because it just seemed fitting, of course. It seemed like the life she deserved, but not for Justin. Justin was the best thing in her life and the only good thing. He deserved so much better and she felt like she was robbing him of that. First with their parents and now with his own life.

Her mind cut back to the family. The children were running all over the yard, their mother hollering after them and trying to direct them back to her range. Justin had wanted to be a family man, wife and kids and all that, but when he turned eighteen, he was drafted and forced to fight. He had his childhood crushes and she often teased him by saying that they were going to be his wife. One time, he didn't even argue with her but just grinned with red cheeks. She was still debating on whether or not he just didn't want to put up with her teasing anymore or just agreed with her.

Jesselynn, on the other hand, never wanted that. She never wanted to be a wife and mother, though she was closed to be married once in her life. She honestly didn't see children and a husband in her future. She also never really understood it; motherhood. Yes, she knew how her mother was and how she loved them, but she never understood it. Where does such love and devotion come from? They always say that you fall head-over-heels in love with that tiny, wrinkled human the second you see them, but how? There were many people she had met in her life that she cared about, but not within a second of meeting them. She loved her brother and always had, but that's different, isn't it?

Jesselynn tried to imagine herself in that place, seeing her brand new daughter or son for the first time, but that warm feeling of such love never rushed through her. She just didn't understand why women were so emotional and happy about the moment that tears would even stroll down their face. Same with the fathers how did they, of all people, muster up that love and devotion?

Her father used to say that the second he laid eyes on both her and her brother, he was wrapped around their finger. It just didn't make sense. Yes, a tiny part of her could understand and see a mother's love –they carried them for nine months and felt the life within them— but a man who never experienced that? It just didn't seem logical and sensible. Was it like falling in love with your spouse or something? She just couldn't put the pieces together.

Her confused thoughts were interrupted when she felt someone place their hands on her shoulders, shocking her back into reality. Within a second, she sprang to her feet, an awkward gasp ringing out of her mouth, as she spun around and faced the mysterious person behind her.

"Jesus, you're still jumpy, aren't ya?" Marcus said with that annoying smirk on his lips as he stood up straight and crossed his arms, looking her up and down.

Jesselynn rolled her eyes and placed a hand on her heart, feeling her rapid heartbeat beginning to settle after her scare. "What do you want, Marcus?" She said, ready to be over with this and get back home.

Marcus had a fake taken aback look on his face as he glanced over at the family who was now gathering their belongings and heading out. "What? No hello? How's it going? Surely, you haven't forgotten your manners, Jesselynn." He said, taking a step towards her as he crossed his arms tight against his chest, an ice cold breeze causing a shiver to run down both of their spines.

Jesselynn just arched a brow, definitely not in the mood to mess with him.

"Well, apparently so. Also, what's wrong with your face? Gettin' awful red there. Well, besides the cold." Marcus pressed again, avoiding the reason he even asked her here.

"It's called a sun burn on top of the cold, Marcus. Now, can we just get this over with? I need to get back, you know." Jesselynn said impatiently as she watched the family drive away in their vehicle after the mother battled with her young children with getting them in their seats.

Marcus raised his hands in surrender and sighed. "Alright. I have a proposal to make with you." Marcus said with a serious tone in his voice, showing that he was done with his stalling antics.

Jesselynn groaned softly under her breath at him. "What kind of proposal?"

"Well, think of it as this. I want you to come back with me-"He started, taking a step towards her as he tried to find the right words and looked straight into the green pools of her eyes.

Jesselynn growled at him and stepped aside, her shoulder bumping into his as she began to storm away from him. "No! I can't believe you dragged me out here just to get rejected…The answer is no and will always be no!" She interrupted, pushing away from him before trying to escape.

Marcus rolled his eyes at her and turned around to her and grabbed her arm before she could get away from him. Jesselynn gasped softly under her breath as she felt that familiar tight, bone-breaking grasp on her wrist and looked up at him.

"Interrupting ain't very nice, you know that, right? Why don't you let me finish before you start being a bitch on me again. Huh?" He whispered to her in a dark, menacing tone. That was the Marcus she was familiar with.

Jesselynn just glared up at him, but knew that he was dead serious. He could do whatever he wanted to anyway. The park was nearly in the middle of nowhere and completely empty besides the two of them. It was going to be hard to explain to those back at the base why she showed up with fresh bruises.

"Then what is it you want, exactly?" She questioned in a soft tone, not wanting to anger him any further. Her eyes were downcast, staring at the sidewalk underneath her feet as she shook and shivered from the new, chilling breeze.

"I may hate you sometimes and not treat you like the princess you think you are, but I decided on something while you were gone. You see, I was with other girls, and honestly, they're not the same as you. They were strong, immediately trying to get themselves away from me instead of staying like you. You were weak, I suppose. Instead of trying to solve your own problems and help your brother on your own, you relied on me. You're a very needy, dependent little thing, you know?" He started as he played with her arm, flinging it around slightly as he dropped her wrist, showing her of her weakness.

"Now hold on one minute, you gave me no choice, Marcus. I tried to do it on my own without you, but you made it impossible for anyone to even want to help me. I could never get my own place or help my brother get into a nice school because you came around and sabotaged it all. You made me come to you!" She barked as she pointed a finger at him, anger boiling inside of her as Marcus made his usual false accusations.

"You still came back to me, right? You told me you'd come to me when Hell'd freeze over…Well, it musta been damn chilly down there then, huh?" He said with a crooked grin, blue eyes searching her face for her reaction.

Jesselynn just sighed and crossed her arms, the wind blowing her hair from her face. "What is this leading to, Marcus?" She said simply, seeing there was no point arguing with him. He always twisted her words.

"Like I was saying, the other girls aren't like you. So, I decided that I wanted you back, but I knew you would never just up and leave. Especially with that brother of yours out there. So, I thought to make this proposal." He said simply, hiding his hands away in his pockets as he looked down at her.

Jesselynn arched a brow in curiosity. This was definitely sparking a small flame of interest in her. "And what would that be?"

Marcus grinned, appreciating her cooperation and interest. "Let's say that your brother doesn't make it. Now, before you go off on me again, hear me out. Though I'm not wishing it, if something were to happen to your brother and you have no one else, come stay with me. You always said that Justin was the only person that kept you even wanting to make a life for yourself, for the both of you. If you're going to be miserable without him, why not be miserable with me? It's nice to have someone around the house while I'm gone." He said, grinning down at her as if he was making small talk with her instead of some proposal.

"Someone to be your punching bag, you mean?" Jesselynn snapped, an angry glare immediately plastered on her delicate face.

Marcus's grin faded away as he stood up straight. "Maybe…If you keep smart-mouthing me, woman. I thought you'd pick up some damn sense while you were up there." He said in a dark tone, almost as if he were scolding a spoiled child.

Jesselynn said nothing but cowered away from him, glancing down at the ground and up at Marcus.

"So, what do you think about it? We gotta deal?" He said, immediately getting back to business.

"I thought this was a proposal? Proposal means I get to answer with a yes or no, correct?" She said, crossing her arms.

"I don't think you really have much of a choice, Jess. Ain't like you do much besides watch your brother's ass all the time, right? Ain't like you got anybody else." Marcus said with a mocking grin, watching the discomfort and sadness come to her face.

He did have a bit of a point. Almost all her life she had focused everything around her little brother that besides Marcus, no one ever came into her life. Though, then again, she did have those back at base. That was the closest thing she had to a home or family at this point. Roxanne was like her sister. She thought the world of her and even saw her as the little sister she could have had, had her parents survived.

"That's not true! I have other people in my life than Justin or you. People that actually care about me and not treat me like shit all the time for their own self-worth." Jesselynn said with a scowl plastered on her face as she pointed her finger like a dagger at him.

Marcus scoffed, finding her reply quite humorous and pathetic at the same time. "Oh yeah? Like who? That Woods person? You think he's gonna be your 'knight-shining-armor' or something? Nobody really wants you like I would, Jess. They just tolerate you is all." He said as if he was talking to a tiny toddler again.

Her heart dropped to her stomach for a split second and she felt flutters in her stomach at the mention of Sergeant Woods. "How…How'd you know, Frank?" She questioned hesitantly, finding words to be rather difficult in the moment as she tried to piece together something close to logical.

Marcus chuckled softly. "Oh, first name basis now are we?" He teased slightly as he crossed his arms with a smug, proud look on his face.

She just growled and rolled her eyes at him. He was always stalling the obvious. "Just tell me how you know his name, Mark." She said in an aggravated tone. She knew how much he despised being called by his childhood nickname.

His grin softly faded, but he tried to ignore the name. "When that chick, Roxanne, started answering your mail when you were too busy to do it yourself. She thought I was family or something and she was tellin' me how much you and Woods seemed to be getting along." He said simply.

Jesselynn now regretted the decision of asking her to take her mail but shook it off with a shrug of her shoulders. "We talk…" She said, only finding those words in reply.

"So, do we have a deal or not? If Justin gets murdered out there and you ain't got nowhere else, you come with me?" He said, almost as ready to be over and done with as much as she was. They were already annoyed with the other's presence so quickly.

Jesselynn let out a breath and stared down at her freezing feet below her. He did have a small fraction of a point. If she basically had no point of living without Justin or any of her new friends, then why would it matter who she lived out the rest of her days with? Still, the thought of suffering with Marcus again was unappealing as it had been before.

"Can I have more time to think it through? I'll write you a letter with my response….I promise." Jesselynn said, unsure of what decision she should make.

Marcus shrugged. "Decent…Okay, but I expect a letter soon, you know?" He said with a stiff nod and a serious, solemn expression glued on his face.

Jesselynn nodded three times softly and began to turn to leave. Her mind was still on the decision. Should she live with him again? She didn't want to think of that scenario happening though. This was her baby brother they were talking about! She couldn't bear to think of him like that or the thought of never seeing him again. The thought of never hearing his melodious chuckle after one of his many teases or jokes at the appearance of Jesselynn's or Roxanne's bright, crimson red cheeks.

Or Roxanne. Just like she mentioned above, Roxanne was practically her sister. Though they didn't have identical backgrounds, they've both had their share of trauma in their life. Roxanne lost the only person she ever truly loved and she lost the two people she truly loved. She had even confided in Roxanne about Marcus and the way he treated her and Justin. She never judged or thought of her any different as she had before the news and Jesselynn appreciated that so much. The last thing she wanted to lose was her friendship with the kind woman. She couldn't think of the childish adult out of her life. She'd miss hearing her tinkling laughter and the sound of her humming along with some difficulty with a new song on the radio that was near blasting on her desk. It would be rather lonely and dull without that radio blasting and the occasional sway or spin from Roxanne as she greatly enjoyed a particular song.

"Oh! Jess…"

She was interrupted from her deep thoughts as she spun around, now realizing that she hadn't really moved from her previous position which was odd. She looked around to see Marcus casually walking back up to her, glancing around occasionally inspecting the crowd, which was not a single soul, before he stepped in front of her.

Jesselynn opened her mouth to say something in answer to his call, but her thoughts immediately changed course as she watched Marcus' hand come up within a split second. She knew what was coming, but she was frozen in place at the shock of the sudden impact.

The familiar contact with Marcus's backhand came crashing down on her lower jaw. She thought that she would have been used to it by now, but the shock still knocked her off her feet and caused her to stumble and trip over her feet. Her ears rung loud and endlessly and she could have sworn that someone had dropped a burning brick on her mouth as she tried to keep from moaning from the pain.

Her hand immediately came up to her mouth, a natural instinct by now, as she felt the appearance of blood beginning to drip slowly down her round, bottom lip. Great, now she was going to have to explain this to Roxanne. She didn't know how though.

Her thoughts were interrupted again as Marcus touched her again, but just grabbed her wrist this time and nearly drug her body close to his, his other hand viciously snatching her chin in his first three fingers and forced her neck to turn and look up at him.

"That was for calling me Mark, sweetheart." He spat at her in a low, growling whisper.

Jesselynn didn't say anything; the pain in her lip too distracting to even think of words to say to him. Besides, she knew if she said anything more than she'd just get a worse slap in the face. The last thing she wanted to do was come back to base all bruised and red.

When he was satisfied that she wasn't going to say a word, he smirked and threw her away from him with disgust. Jesselynn tripped over her feet and she nearly fell against the cement underneath her as she tried to wipe away the blood on her chin, wincing slightly at the pain on her lower lip. She shouldn't have been shocked or surprised; she knew Marcus, he was bound to hit her again upon reunion no matter what, but it still shocked her every time.

She now wished that she had never even came out here. She told herself not to and that it was stupid, even Roxanne advised her that it would be a foolish decision, but she was too stubborn. Why did she keep coming back to him? She angrily growled at herself under her breath as she tried to recollect herself.

Now, all she wanted to do was clean up her lip and get back home to Justin and Roxanne. There was no telling how angry Justin was going to be with her leaving to visit Marcus. She didn't even bother to tell him because she knew the reaction he would make. Hopefully, he wouldn't notice the mark on her lip when she came back. She knew that was a stupid thought. He'd practically give her a full-body inspection once he heard that she had visited Marcus.

At least someone cared though, eh?

"Wow…He just hit you in public? What if someone had been watching? I almost wish someone was." Michael questioned as he listened to his mother's latest story. He ran a hand through his graying blonde hair as he tried to let all this sink in. He knew his father was capable of many things and that he wasn't the greatest person, but he didn't know how awful he really was to his mother.

Jesselynn shrugged, her fingers lightly touching her lower lip as the memory replayed in her mind. It was so long ago, yes, but the pain behind every hit he took upon her was still there when she thought about it. "He always made sure we were in a private place, far from anyone else's view if there was even anybody there…Sometimes, I wished the same too, but now it's just water under the bridge. He's done passed on and gone." She said as she tried to hide her sadness from the three guests.

"He sounded like a major butthead." Sierra said simply, looking up from her crayons and coloring book during the story and gave her opinion of the story. The topic of abuse didn't faze her too bad since she grew up around for a good percent of her short life.

"Sierra." Michael scolded softly under his breath with a paternal glare on his face.

"Don't worry about it. I think that's the best way to describe him as he was back then. I know how disrespectful I'm probably being with him gone and all, but honestly, the only good thing that came out my time with him was my oldest boy, Michael. He was truly an angel, always has been and always will." Jesselynn said with a gentle, loving smile at the little boy that she thought was still a little boy.

It broke Michael's heart into a million pieces to hear her mother's loving words. All he wanted to do was jump out of the chair he was sitting on and wrap his arms around her and never let go. He knew he'd probably just scare her, but he hurt so much to hear her say that without saying the same to her. His heart tugged at the thought of her sorrow of never hearing or seeing that young boy again.

"Did you go with Mark, Mrs. Jesselynn?" Sierra questioned, placing her crayon down on the table beside her as her mind was too focused on the story going on in front of her.

Jesselynn sighed and tried to remember that far off. "Well, if I remember right, I did. But not for the reasons originally planned. I still had someone in my life, but things got…complicated." She said, trying to find the right words to say to the young girl.

"Hold on, time-out. Don't mean to interrupt, but can we please stick with the chain of events in the right timeline? I don't wanna miss out on anything." Jessica said before Jesselynn could even start reminiscing on the past events that Jessica wasn't ready to hear at the moment.

Jesselynn just smiled and stood up from her chair. "Of course, Jazmine. If that's what you want. I don't mean to be rude or kick you three out, but would it be alright if we took a little pause on the story-telling for today? My head's hurting something awful and I'm rather tired." Jesselynn said as she placed the photo album one of the three had been looking at back into its original position underneath the end table.

"Oh, um, of course. Sierra, can you pack up your things? We're fixing to go." Michael said, immediately reaching out and helping Jesselynn pick up the rest of the albums scattered around the room and placed them in the holders that Jesselynn specifically instructed them to be placed in.

Sierra immediately set to her task and began throwing her things into her purple backpack at her side as Jessica stood from her seat and adjusted back to its original spot.

"I hate making you guys leave so early, but just know that I have really enjoyed these visits! Truly I have, I'm not just saying that. After my nap, I think my little ones will be coming over. There hasn't been anything official, but I feel as though they'll come down today. I know they're farther from me, but I think I'll see them today. I just can't wait and don't want to be exhausted when they get here. You know what, I think I'm gonna tell them about you once they get here. I think they'd enjoy hearing about you guys." Jesselynn said as she made her way over to Michael and placed a hand on his shoulder with a soft smile.

Both Jessica and Michael exchanged a glance as they heard the excitement in their elderly mother's face. They wished she could just miraculously recover from this illness and see that the babies she wanted to see so bad were standing right in front of her. It broke Jessica's heart to see her mother practically raising all her hopes just for them to be squashed again. That is, if she remembered when she woke up.

As she felt tears begin to pool around her eyes, Jessica quickly excused herself and nearly stormed out of the room without a single word. Sierra slung her backpack over her shoulders and walked over to Michael and held his hand, looking up at him with a worried look on her face as she glanced back at the door her aunt just disappeared behind.

Jesselynn looked back at the door with a concerned look on her face. "Is she alright? She nearly ran out of here." She questioned.

"Um, yeah, don't worry. I guess we're all just tired, I suppose." Michael said with a forced grin, hoping to calm the woman's nerve. He suddenly thought of the times one of his sisters would storm off upset in some way and she'd immediately follow them softly. She'd tell them to go wash their hair and come straight back and once they did, she'd brush their hair softly as they put all their thoughts and emotions in words. She was always there when they just needed an ear to hear their true thoughts or feelings. He still found it odd how she knew exactly when that moment was. He supposed that it was a natural mother thing. Carol used to be the same with their children when they were young and upset. She always knew exactly what was wrong with them and how to help them…Maybe that's why he only had Lucas in his life anymore.

"Oh, well, I hope she starts feeling better." Jesselynn responded simply as something new struck across her face…Almost like a hint of familiarity that was confusing her…He couldn't help but wonder if perhaps she thought the same of his own thoughts. Had the thought produced another of the resemblance between the little girl in the photo and the adult copy of the child?

"Thanks, well, I hope you have a good time with your little ones, Jesselynn. It was really nice to see you again. Also, thanks for letting us come and visit you." Michael said as she suddenly reached up and drug him into one of her famous, warm hugs.

His heart twisted in a million different ways as a million different emotions ran through him. He awkwardly reached around and hugged her shoulders once, not sure of what to do at the moment as Sierra stood silently beside him. He wished he could stay in that moment forever, though. He hadn't been able to hug his own mother in forever it seemed like. Now, if it was back at home and back to normal, the moment would be even more perfect.

Jesselynn pulled back and looked down at Sierra and gave her a warm smile. "It was wonderful getting to meet you, Sierra. I'm glad you were able to come on over here with your Grandpa here." She said, stepping over and placing her hand on her cheek.

"Thank you, Mrs. Jesselynn." Sierra said shyly as she grabbed Michael's hand.

Michael said his farewells to Jesselynn one last time before joining Jessica outside again. He shut the door as quietly as possible so he wouldn't disturb both Jesselynn and the other patients around them as he found his younger sister sitting in one of the chairs in the hallway against the wall. She was wiping her cheeks with the sleeve of her shirt, trying to hide her tears from those that passed by her.

Michael sighed and looked down at Sierra as she tugged on his hand softly. "Pappy, why is Aunt Jessica crying? Is she hurt?" She asked softly, glancing over at her great-aunt with concern.

"No, don't worry, sweetie. She's just…a little upset. Don't worry, though. She'll be alright." He said hesitantly. He honestly wasn't sure of his sister's condition himself.

Michael instructed to Sierra to sit down in the seat next to Jessica as he offered her a hand, helping her stand up. As Sierra placed her bag on the floor beside her, Jessica stood straight and suddenly reached over and threw her arms around Michael's neck.

Michael's eyes were wide for a split second at his sister's action, but when he heard her soft sobbing, he knew that there was no question. She had been trying to keep her true feelings about all this hidden, but hearing her mother's words definitely hit home with her and it was taking the worst toll on her also. Michael sighed and stroked her hair, trying to calm her down some as Sierra watched them.

After she felt as though she couldn't cry any longer, Jessica pulled away from her brother and wiped away tears with hitched breathing. "I-I'm sorry…Just h-hearing her say all that…and u-us being right in front of her…It's h-h-hard, Michael." She said through delayed sobs.

Michael gave her a sympathetic, encouraging grin as he placed a hand on her cheek. "I know, Jess. We just gotta be strong, remember? That's what you told me before we even started coming here. If this is truly what you want and if you really want to know all about Mom and Dad, then you can't give up. It's going to be hard, but honestly, what isn't hard sometimes?" He said with a soft chuckle.

Jessica giggled with him as she tried to rub the sadness from her eyes though they were beginning to grow weary and burn slightly like they always did when she cried. "I know…You're right…I just miss them so much! Ever since Melanie got married and moved out, nothing has been the same in the family. I know it's been years ago, but I just wish things had never changed. Now, Mom's losing her memories and Dad's so far away that I honestly can't afford to fly out and visit him as much as I'd like. Roy's been late at work recently and nearly sleeps all day because of the new night shift they put him on. The kids are too busy with their own lives and you and Melanie are the only ones I ever get to talk to anymore. I just feel so…alone." Jessica explained, feeling a weight release from her shoulders with every word she said. She had kept her feelings cooped up for so long.

"You're not alone, though, you know that. I know that without a doubt that Roy would give anything to be with you right now. You get to talk to Emaley over the phone, though, don't you? She calls you almost every night. You should be proud of her! She's living out her dreams and travelling like she always wanted to. Same with Samantha, she's out roaming Paris and whatever country she decides to go next with her husband and the boys. Frankie's out in the army, fighting for freedom, just like Frank did. They may not all be able to be with you every second, but they still love and care about you. Just ask them." Michael said as he placed his hands on either side of her shoulders, giving her his famous crooked, encouraging smile. That was the only good thing he gained from his father that he could think of. He was able to get people to listen and trust him.

Jessica smiled half-heartedly as she thought about her only daughter who was somewhere in England by now. She always dreamed of travelling, something she got from her aunt, Samantha. She loved her sister so much and wished she could be here right now, but for both Samantha and Samuel, it was too hard. They were the babies of the family; they were the most oblivious to the fact that Jesselynn and Frank had so many untold secrets that David wouldn't tell them.

"You're right…Of course, you're right. You've always been a smarty-pants of the family." She said with a slight joke as she remembered Sierra's presence beside her.

"Hey, whenever have I ever been wrong?" He teased slightly, taking Sierra's hand as they began to walk out of the room. He wrapped one arm around Jessica's shoulder also for support.

"So, along with smarty-pants, you're conceited." She joked, elbowing his ribs as they exited the building.

"What's 'conseeded' mean?" Sierra asked, looking up at the siblings' banter.

"It's the correct definition of your Pappy." Jessica teased before Michael could answer her.

Sierra just giggled although she still didn't know what the word meant.

Hello, people of CoD Fanfiction! I know, it's been a while...Okay, more than a while. Perhaps a century and month! Feels like it, at least. So, yeah, back to the story. I know it's weird way to end the chapter, but I had to stop somewhere 'cause I have some other stuff to do at the moment...And I'm super lazy :P But, take it as a cliffhanger...Will Sierra ever find out what conceited means?!

Haha, okay. I'll be serious for a change. I want to take the time and say a big, huge, gigantic, enormous THANK YOU to CaptainHall and WheresDaBeef! (Sorry, if I totally butchered your names there, guys) Your reviews sparked an interest back in me for this story that I don't think I could have done on my own. So, thank you big time! If I could give you a prize, I would, but...For now, the prize is the satisfactory of sparking interest in me again!...Lame? Okay, sorry... Here's a virtual cookie!