"R-Riley?" was all I could say. I haven't seen her since my 13th birthday party. I immediately moved out to LA with Sarah after my parents died, mostly to escape my past, and cut all ties to my old friends. I stood there motionless, staring at my former best friend.

"Yeah, it's me." She flashed a friendly smile.I continued to stare in shock, unable to think coherently. It was as if the door between my past and the present had burst open in that moment.

Riley waved her hand in front of my face in an effort to break me from my daze.

"Luuuuuucy? You ok?""W-w-hat are you... what are you doing here?" I said pulling her into hug.

"Oh, you know..." Her voice trailed off. "So how have you been? You've never tried calling me and I didn't know where to reach you. I've missed you!"

"I...uh..." I felt ashamed for putting her in the dark for all these years. "I did try and reach you, but you must have moved by the time I tried because the number had changed." I glanced over to make sure Mackenzie was still in sight.

"Oh yeah..." She looked down. "Sorry about that."

"What happened to you anyways? And how did you find me?" I asked. I found it odd. She just showed up here, out of the blue. I saw Mackenzie running over to me from the corner of my eye and turned around to meet her.

"Lucy?" she suddenly stopped. "Who's that?"

"An old friend, sweetie. This is Riley"

Riley smiled at the little girl. "Hi." She looked back at Lucy. "I, uh.. was just in the city."

"Vacation? Visiting?"

"Something like that.. I just moved here with my mom. We move around a lot though..."

"Mackenzie why don't I take you home?"

I saw the tiny girls face sadden. "Why?" she asked.

I bit my lip. What would I tell Renee? She was already upset with me for being over 2 hours late. Bringing her home so soon because I wanted to catch up with a friend I cut ties with wouldn't impress her much. "Never mind, go back to the swings. I'll be there soon"

"You know, for the 7 years I knew you, I've never met your mom."

Riley chuckled nervously. "She's...busy a lot. And different. I don't think you'd like her much so it's ok."

"Psh, Ri, I'm sure she's fine. I believe that she's different, only because you are" I chuckled "But I'm sure she's great"

"Hey!" Riley exclaimed in mock hurt. "What's that supposed to mean?"

We both giggled as Riley attempted to change the subject. "So, you live here now? With...?"

"That's actually a long and complicated story. One that would take hours to explain." I said, shaking me head in embarrassment.

"I have time. Maybe I could come over sometime?"

I grinned. Riley had never had a problem inviting herself over. "I'd like that."

"I'd like that. Problem is, getting that monkey to go" I said with a smirk.

"Sweetie, why don't we head home?" I asked hoping she would be understanding.

"But we weren't here long." she whined. I saw her glance up at Riley and gave her cut eye.

"I know. But you see, Lucy hasn't seen Riley in a very long time. I want to catch up with her." Mackenzie hung her head sadly and I couldn't feel more horrible.

"Besides, Aunty Kimmy should be here soon."Mackenzie perked up. "Remember your going for the night?"Mackenzie smiled and shook her head.

"Ok let's go home!"

Mackenzie skipped along as Riley and I walked in silence. I was still trying to wrap my head around the fact Riley was here. Walking beside me. We used to be like sisters. Did everything together. To be honest, in a way I was glad to have her back but wasn't looking forward to the explanation I would have to give her soon

"Lucy?" Mackenzie voice brought be back to reality.

"Yes?"Mackenzie hesitated.

"Why don't you call Renee Aunty like I do?"

The child's innocent question shocked me. I didn't know the answer to that. It just never accrued to me that it mattered. I glanced over to Riley who looked extremely old Riley. I thought.

"I don't know Kenzie, I guess it's because I was older when I met her. I would feel weird." I explained.

"You didn't call mommy Aunty either"

"I know sweetie. But...Where are these questions coming from?"

Mackenzie shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know," she shyed. I tried to get into her little mind and figure out why she would ask those questions, when I stopped abruptlyI bent down to her level and put my hands on her shoulders.

"Look, just because I don't use labels doesn't mean I don't love them. Labels don't mean anything. Aunty, uncle, cousin, are just polite ways of calling people." I tried to explain. "For example, I don't call you cousin Mackenzie do I?" I said making a funny shook her head.

"That sounds funny"

"Exactly, but that doesn't mean I don't love you. Same with Renee and.." I choked on the thought of her. "Mommy." I paused.

"Just feels weird to me." Mackenzie shrugged again. "Okay" I stood back up and realized we were right outside the gate to the house.

I turned to see Riley, standing by the gate, a mesmerized look on her face. "You okay?" Riley stared at the estate that lay before them, and then turned to Lucy, puzzled. "Why are we stopping here?"Lucy giggled. "Riley, I live here.""You...you live HERE?" Riley's jaw dropped. "What is this place, Buckingham Palace?"

I looked down at Mackenzie who busted out laughing. "Pretty much, Ri" I said tapping her on the shoulder. "Come on, gets go inside"

Riley looked too shocked to respond as we proceeding towards the mansion that was now my home.

The second I opened the door, Mackenzie ran in and wrapped her arms around Renee's legs. "Gotchya, Aunty!" she squealed. When I turned to Riley, her face looked both stunned and pained. "What's up?"

Riley shook off the look. "Nothing." She smiled, but it fell short of her eyes. She lowered her voice so only Lucy would hear. "Is this your aunt?"

I knew Riley all to well when her nothings were something's but decided to get it go for now. "Yea it is," I waved Riley to follow behind as I waked over to Renee.

"Lucy your home early," Renee said, folding her arms across her chest.

"I know, I uh... Bang into someone." I turned to Riley. "Renee, this is Riley Keller. She's..." I couldn't figure out what she was anymore. Seeing as though I hadn't seen her in 4 years. "... an old friend of mine." Renee uncrossed her arms and pulled her hand out politely. "Hi, Riley. Nice to me you"

Riley hesitated and awkwardly shook her hand.

"You too" she mumbled.

"Lucy, I have to go into..." Renee paused.

"Into work. Something popped up."

There was no way in hell I was going to let her go into work pregnant. Jack would never allow it.

"Renee can I speak with you for a second?" I asked, turning to my guest.

"Do you mind?" Riley had been gazing up around the foyer.

"Huh, oh yeah sure. I'll wait here"

I grabbed Renee's arm and stepped out the screen door.

"What on earth are you thinking, Renee?"

I scowled her "Lucy listen..."

"No you listen! Your 2 months pregnant. Not exactly visible yet. And no one at CTU knows about the pregnancy. Your NOT going into the field! Jack would go ballistic if he found out!""Lucy!""and what I'm I suppose to..."

"LUCY!" she screamed. "If you listen for 5 minutes I can explain."

I crossed my arms over chest and glared at her.

"Jack called me earlier today. That's why I was so antsy for you to get home earlier. Something came up that I need to help with." I looked through Renee's eyes, trying to see if there was any hint that she was wasn't. "Jack called you to go into the field?"

"No not the field. Look, someone does know about the pregnancy." she paused "Chloe"

"O'Brian? Why does she know?"

"She's the only person Jack or I could trust that kind of information with. Anyways, listen I'm only going to help along side Chloe at CTU. I won't be going into the field."

"How long?" Renee relaxed a little and placed a hand on my fore arm. "For as long as they need me. I'll be gone every morning around 10 and back around 6. Some days they may not need me. But others I may stay or leave earier."

I raked my fingers through my hair and grabbed the back of my neck. "What about..."

"Already took care of. Kim will be here at 9 to take Mackenzie to daycare with Teri. She'll be back around 4."

I let out a shy. "You..." I cut off and looked away for a minute preventing tears from falling. Renee wrapped her arms around me. "You be careful Renee." I begged.

"I won't do anything I think will be stressful for the baby. I promise." she cleared. "I have my office number on the counter if you need me." I gave her one last squeeze and let her go.

Kim came to pick Mackenzie up ten minutes after Renee took off. Riley and I sat on the couch in silence. Each time I glanced over, she was always looking around the massive living room. I was getting sick of the quiet and spoke. "So, what has been happening with you lately?" I asked.

"My mom... She..." Riley paused and her eyes shifted down to the floor. "She left my dad. That's why I'm here. We moved again."

I knew all too well what it was like to lose a parent. "Why did she leave?" I asked.

"It's complicated, Lucy. I don't really want to talk about it." Riley not wanting to talk? This was so not normal.

I figured that it was probably hard for her to talk about though. "It's okay, Ri. I understand"