Chapter 6: Things Begin

Candice watched as Beth made another pitcher of lemonade for the kids. Kayla and some of her friends were making the most of the bright sunny Sunday and playing in the tree house. "I'll be right back," Beth put the lemonade on a tray with a bunch of kids glasses and headed for the door and a thermal cup.

"I'll grab the door," Candice walked ahead of Beth and opened the door to the back porch for her.

Beth smiled at her friend before moving to set the tray on the table beside Mick. He was wearing casual jeans and a simple T-shirt leaning back in a comfy patio chair watching the kids play from the covered area. "How are the monkeys?"

Mick grinned at her, "They're great."

Beth leaned down and kissed him and picked up the thermal cup from the tray and handed it to him. "It's important they to hydrated," Beth looked at him. "You too."

"Thanks baby," he looked over at Candice and smiled. "You too go back to whatever you were doing and I'll make sure everyone has something to drink."

Happy Beth headed back inside with Candice, "Kayla will love her new room. I love the little area for a tea party."

"She did ask for a new tea set for her birthday so I figured she'd need somewhere to use it." Candice looked her best friend over as she thought about how best to ask her something that has been on her mind for weeks.

"So are you going to tell me what's bothering you or am I going to have to drag it out of you?" Beth smiled up at Candice.

Caught in her thoughts Candice decided to just dive right in the way they always did. "I wanted to talk to you about something…it's about Mia."

Beth looked taken aback, "What about her?"

"Nothing bad," Candice laughed. "Well I don't think so but…that's the problem."

"Tell me," Beth leaned over the kitchen island to look at her friend eager to know what was going on in her mind.

Sighing loudly first she began, "I never felt bad for killing that bitch. Part of me thinks I should feel something for taking a life…but if I feel anything about it I'm happy."

Beth moved around the island to where Candice was leaning, "Hey I don't want you worrying about that. She deserved what she got."

"I know believe me I know," Candice nodded sitting up. "But I did take a life, shouldn't I feel somewhat bad for that?"

Beth shrugged, "I don't think I'd bat an eye if I was in your shoes. You were defending your life as well as David's."

Taking a deep breath in then out Candice relaxed. She knew what she did was right and would do it again in a millisecond. But still she had been worried about her lack of concern for taking a life, even one as wretched as Mia's. "Thanks Beth. I think I just needed to hear I wasn't…heartless for enjoying it."

Beth laughed, "For what that woman did to your life. Not a chance." Smiling she added, "It makes you human, at least in all the ways that count."

Jean made her way around the house enjoying her lazy day. Josef had stayed as long as he could enjoying it with her but he had an important teleconference to head to the office and prepare for soon but promised as soon as it was over he'd be home to continue their day. She made her way lass of AB negative in hand to her favorite reading nook in her old room and curled up with a new book that had caught her eye.

She had just got past the first chapter, reading at a normal pace and not using her special abilities, when her cell phone rang. She set the book aside and pulled out her phone not recognizing the number, "Hello?"

"Jean?" Grace was on the other end of the phone her voice panicked and hysterical.

"Grace? Are you okay?" Jean sat up worried.

"I don't know what happened," she cried. "I just woke up and there was blood…I don't know how…I'm scared Jean. So scared."

"Blood?" Jean moved about the room grabbing a blouse to put over her tank top and jeans and slipped on some shoes. "Are you hurt? Where are you?"

She sniffed back more sobs, "I'm at the police station. I called 911 when I woke up."

Jean breathed a sigh of relief that she was okay at least the police would have made sure she was treated for any injuries. "Where were you when you woke up?"

"I didn't know at first but it was a hotel and the phone had the address on it. The Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport 2500 Hollywood Way." Grace paused, "I didn't know who to call."

Jean was already in her car and headed down the driveway, "I'll be right there okay. I'm on my way Grace I just want to you take slow deep breathes until I get there okay."

"Okay," she agreed trying to do just that but soft sobs breaking in between. "They said…I have to get off."

"It's okay, just focus on breathing and I'll be right there." Jean head the phone disconnect as she made her way to the police station as quickly as she could. Taking slow deep breathes she did the same thing she'd told Grace, work on her breathing. All she knew was there was a very upset woman who needed her and that there was blood, she'd need to stay in control of herself if she was going to help.

To Be Continued…

Evilous