Author's Note: Sorry for the delay, everyone. I'm having a hard time emotionally right now and didn't really feel up to writing a lot. I working to fix things, but it's a struggle. Having such nice people show their support for me helps some, but my writing is a bit slow going. Hope things start to change for me soon. Not sure how much more I can take. Thanks for your understanding.

Chapter 27: History Lessons

Peter was lost in thought as he and Piper walked across the local college campus. The night before, the four of them had gone to Daryl's to try and cheer up Willow at least a little. Peter knew they wouldn't be able to take her pain away with a nicer bed and good meal, but he thought maybe it would help a little. Just enough. She had smiled when she saw the food, but only a little. After dinner she'd asked Daryl what was going to happen to her father's body. She couldn't claim his body without alerting the Templars she was there. He'd reassured her he'd contact the local Assassins so they could make arrangements; he wouldn't be buried as a John Doe. He'd get the burial he deserved.

In the morning, Peter had walked into the kitchen to notice a pot of stale coffee next to Piper. Willow and Davy had gone to bed right after dinner in the den that Daryl had converted into a temporary bedroom. Neither Peter nor Piper wanted to bother them, knowing that Davy was just offering what little comfort he could to her. Piper had informed Peter that she hadn't slept very well and had been up for a while. Peter had been the same. He was tired, even now, but every time he'd closed his eyes, he'd seen William's body. Cold and lifeless. Keeping busy would help him clear his mind a bit though. Which is what they had planned for today.

When they left Daryl's house that morning, he'd already left for work. He'd assured them he'd find out more about the investigation if he could and touch base with them that night. Piper and Peter had left a note for Davy and Willow when they left for the school encouraging them to just take it easy. The day was one Peter would normally enjoy; bright and sunny, beautiful and clear. Birds chirped overhead and the smell of freshly mown grass filled Peter's nostrils. It was the exact opposite of how Peter felt. How could the sun shine like this when his friends were being tortured somewhere? How could the world continue without them? Without Mike's coy smile and Micky's infectious laugh? It was as if the world was mocking him.

He was snapped out of his thoughts when Piper pulled open a door leading them into a building. He followed her down a hall until they found a set of stairs and went up to the second floor. Piper consulted a plaque on the wall informing them of which direction to go. They took a left and continued on in silence until they reached the proper door. There were a small set of comics taped to the outside of the door meant to make students feel more relaxed while they waited. Piper knocked on the door and waited for the response before opening the door.

"Yes, may I help you?" A man asked sitting behind a large, cluttered desk. His office was littered with books, knick-knacks and pictures of artifacts. The man was middle aged wearing a casual suit and wire glasses.

"Yes, I was wondering if you had a few moments to help us?" Piper said as they walked in. "A friend of mine took your class a few semesters ago and recommended you."

"Oh really?" The professor asked. "What's her name?"

"Valerie," Peter said quickly. The song Davy wrote was the first thing that sprang to mind.

"I remember a Valerie last year," the professor said. "Good student. How is she?"

"She's great," Piper said.

"Well, I suppose I have a few minutes," he said smiling at them. "What can I do for you?"

"We were interested in some of the area's first people," Piper said. "What can you tell us about them?"

"I teach an entire class on that subject alone," he answered.

"Can you just give us the basics?" Peter asked. "We're doing some research for an article."

"Well, the Cochise and Anasazi were the first natives to settle and develop agriculture here in Arizona," the professor answered. "That was around 4,000 years ago. After that there were the Hopi and the Hohokam."

"Are they the oldest people to have lived here?" Piper asked.

"There were nomadic people before then," he answered. "Very little is known about them because they didn't build cities or have a written history, of course, but the oldest set of human remains to be found in North America is roughly 9,000 years old."

"Where are most of the remains of these people found?" Piper asked.

"There are some ruins in the Tonto National Forest," he answered. "They were cliff dwellers. Others settled up north in the volcanic fields utilizing the nutrients in the soil from the ash. Some went south of here closer to the rivers. They were fairly widespread. The nomadic people would tend to stick wherever the food went. Bison and the like. Which tended to stick close to water."

"There were no people before the Indians?" Peter asked. Ginny had made it sound like the First Civilization people were a lot older than 9,000 years. And he doubted the Indians were the First Civilization anyway.

"There's no evidence for it," he said growing a little confused at their line of inquiry. "We know the first humans evolved in Africa and traveled out through land bridges. The first Americans came through a land bridge connecting Asia and Alaska during the last ice age. That ended around 11,500 years ago. It's likely this was when the first humans came to North America. They wouldn't have had any other way. But it's possible they came over as early as 25,000 years ago when the last ice age began, though unlikely. I can recommend some further reading if you're interested."

"Sure," Peter said. The professor wrote a few book titles and author's on a slip of paper and handed it to Piper. "Thank you."

"What paper are you writing this article for?" The professor asked.

"Just a small local paper," Piper said. "Out of California."

"And you came all this way to ask me questions?" He asked. "You could have just called."

"We were in the area anyway," Piper answered. "Visiting some friends."

"Oh," he said. "It's odd. I had a gentleman in here last week asking these very same questions. He was also writing an article. For a magazine."

"I guess it's a really interesting topic," Peter said laughing a little nervously. Piper had made sure to remind Peter they had to be careful with how much information they gave. They weren't sure if any of these people were just normal people or not. It could have been William's questioning that set off alarms for the Templars and got him killed. They didn't want to set off those same alarms.

"Well, we don't want to keep you any further," Piper said. "I'm sure you're a very busy man. Thank you for the information."

"You're welcome," the professor said smiling. He stood to shake their hands as they stood to leave. He seemed satisfied with Peter's explanation. He wished them luck and they made their way back out onto the sidewalk. Campus was bustling with students now getting to classes or heading to the library. Several had cups of coffee with them and some quick, portable meal. Most of them chatted with each other in small groups while some others walked while reading. No one paid Piper and Peter much attention at all.

"Was that helpful to you?" Peter asked quietly not wanting the wrong person to overhear them.

"Only in that we now know William was here," Piper said. "And that even scholars don't know a thing about the First Civilization."

"So now we talk to the realtors?" Peter asked.

"Hopefully we can pick up a trail," Piper agreed.


Once Micky fell back asleep, Rose went into the bathroom. Mike could tell she was upset, so he followed her once he put the needle and vial away. He looked back at Ginny for just a moment to make sure she was ok. Ginny laid down next to Micky and rested her head against his chest. Mike knew she'd be able to hear his heartbeat and could monitor him. Mike was a little worried about how quickly Micky had fallen asleep after the dose of morphine. He knew Micky's body was going through a lot and sleep was a good thing though. Micky was tired and maybe now that he wasn't experiencing as much pain, he could actually get some decent rest. When he walked into the bathroom, Rose was leaning over the sink.

"You ok?" Mike asked closing the door behind him.

"I'm sorry," Rose said. "I shouldn't have snapped at you like that."

"You're stressed," Mike said. "It's completely understandable. We're all stressed."

"I...I...God, I'm an idiot," Rose said slamming her fists into the counter.

"No, you're not," Mike said pulling her away from the sink so she wouldn't hurt herself.

"I liked her!" Rose said exasperated. "When we were kids, I actually liked her! I thought she was a good person! I saw right through Robert, but I liked Meg!"

"They both fooled each and every one of us, save for you," Mike said. "You were the only one to see Robert for who he was. That means you are not an idiot. So you didn't see Meg for what she was; but that's not a big deal. For what it's worth, I don't think she's as bad as the others. I think she legitimately cares about us."

"She's a Templar," Rose said sinking to the ground. "They only care about themselves."

"Not saying she still wouldn't sell us out to help her," Mike said sitting down next to her. "But she'll feel bad about it."

"Gee, that makes me feel so much better," Rose laughed.

"Joking aside, I think she might be a key to getting out of here," Mike said. "We might be able to use her."

"How?" Rose asked.

"I'm not sure yet, but I'll think of something," Mike said.

"Ever the optimist," Rose said.

"Is that supposed to be an insult?" Mike asked with a slight laugh.

"No," Rose smiled. "I just don't understand how you are doing this."

"Doing what?"

"Holding yourself together. Not falling apart."

"I don't know exactly. But a part of me knows I have to. Ginny's pregnant and is going to crack under that pressure. Micky can't handle it and you…"

"I'm just weak."

"You're scared. Every time that door opens, you're gripped with fear. And not just for what is gonna happen to Micky, but what is gonna happen to you. You went through hell with him before and you're terrified still. And there's nothing wrong with that. But that's why it's harder for you to stay so composed and have hope. You aren't weak. You're scared. And I don't blame you for that. You're still having nightmares."

"Only now I can't comfort myself by sleeping with a gun under my pillow.

"Not exactly sure that was a healthy way of dealing with it either."

"Then what do you suggest?"

"Let me help you."

"More talking?"

"Not just talking. You said those few nights we spent together, you felt safe." Mike smiled at her. A few times he'd snuck off to meet with her, they'd fallen asleep together. He'd somehow always managed to make it home before either Micky, Peter or Davy had realized he'd never come home the night before. She had told him that those nights were the safest she'd felt in awhile.

"I do feel safer when you hold me. Even now. It helps."

"Good." Mike leaned over and kissed her. He felt some of her tension begin to melt away. When he pulled away slightly, she smiled.

"See, that helps. Do it again."

"Gladly." Mike leaned in and kissed her again; this time with more passion. He felt and heard her moan into him as even more tension was released. Her muscles softened as her lips parted. He couldn't help the quick sensation that ran through his body. That tingle he felt whenever he kissed her. The one that ran down to his groin and made him feel warm. He knew this wasn't the right time or place for that, but his body reacted to the pleasure he felt. The first time in months. It made even him relax.

Rose pushed him back toward the wall and moved so she was then straddling him. He knew where this was leading. She pulled away from him before he could push her away and pulled her shirt off over her head. He lost himself momentarily when he stared at her breasts. She was beautiful and he couldn't help himself. He reached for her and cupped her in his hand eliciting another moan from her. Then he caught himself.

"Rose-" he started carefully not wanting to hurt her.

"It's ok," she said sensing his reluctance. "I've never felt more safe then when I'm with you. And I mean really with you. It's my body. I do what I want and who I want."

"I get that," Mike said as she unzipped his pants and began to wiggle them off. He wasn't really fighting her off, but he knew they couldn't do this. But he really wanted to at the same time. "It's just, we-"

"Don't think," Rose said cutting him off when she pulled him out of his underwear and grasped him. "Just feel." She leaned down and kissed him, deeply and passionately. He did. He felt his entire body surge with sensation. He hadn't even noticed she'd taken the rest of her clothes off and was positioning herself properly. He just felt. Felt happy, secure, and in love. She sank onto him slowly and they both trembled at the sensation. She continued to kiss him as she slowly rocked her hips against his. Her touch sent shivers down his spine and filled him with warmth. He didn't want to stop this. He wanted to make love to her. To show her what love really meant. How it was supposed to feel for both of them. How it felt to be truly in love. To have two people be in such perfect harmony. But he couldn't.

"Rose, no," Mike said pushing her off him. "I'm sorry, I'm really sorry, but we can't. It's not because I don't want to or don't love you or anything like that, it's just...we can't. Ginny is already pregnant. We have no way of taking precautions against you getting pregnant. And if you do, we have no idea what Robert will do to you or the baby. We don't even know what he's going to do to Ginny's baby. I love you. I love you so much. But we can't take the chance of another pregnancy. Please don't be mad at me."

"How can I be mad," Rose said smiling. "You love me enough to say no. I can't be mad at that."

"I do love you," Mike said. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Rose said moving to put her clothes back on.

"Wait," Mike said quickly. "Just because we can't have sex in the strictest sense, doesn't mean we can't still destress." Rose smiled and dropped her clothes again before leaning over to kiss him again. Mike moved his hands over her body, feeling her curves. When he slipped his fingers between her legs, she gasped and arched her back, pushing herself onto him. Mike moved to kiss her neck as he slipped his fingers inside her. She moaned his name in his ear, urging him on. He felt her wrap her own hands around him and begin to play with him. His stomach lurched a little and he let a soft groan escape his lips. She was breathing heavily now as he moved down to take her breast between his lips. She arched into him even further as he worked her harder, faster. She quickened the pace with him, urging him on as much as he urged him. He whispered her name over and over as he felt the tightness in his stomach increase. She moaned his name.

It didn't take long for either of them to release their stresses. Her body trembled and her voice quivered. His own body quaked and he felt weak. His muscles and energy were spent. Rose relaxed against him and kissed him before resting her head on his shoulder.

"I love you, Rose," Mike whispered softly.

"I love you, too, Mike," she answered.