A/N:

Thanks for continuing to read-and putting up with a little longer time between chapters. This chapter has been my breaks over the last few days, so you can see how hard I've been working on school stuff. (It's another short one.) Hope it was worth a little wait!

oreocheesecakes: Sometimes, the cliffhanger is a perfect place to break and get back to the "real" work I have to do. Glad you're enjoying it! :)

The Devil Wears Westwood: Right-the bad guys can't win...right?! I dunno. More drama, just for you! :)

prnamber3909: I know! :)

Selection Fan: You're so sweet. Thanks! :)

luv2read4reading: I know! Argh. :)

jthornestudent: Thanks for reading and reviewing. Glad you're still enjoying it! :)

waterpolo3: Thanks for the review. I appreciate it. Hopefully, the ages will be more clear over the next few chapters, but they have been married a little over 15 years now. Calix and Abrielle are approaching 9 and 5, and the little boys are about 18 months old. Thanks again! :)

The Selection Fangirl: I'm glad you like it. :)

Now, on with the story...SJ

I am completely awake. Georgia covers her face in her hands, and Marlee wraps her in a hug. Marlee's ability to comfort is one of my favorite things about her. How many times she has done the exact thing for me. I stand and move to the rear of the cabin; Aspen follows without a word. Strangely calm, I ask, "How?"

"Details are still coming in, but the command center operates outside of town a good distance. Locals think it is a warehouse for obvious reasons. It burned at a high heat and an accelerated pace. By the time the fire patrol arrived, the ceiling was buckling inward."

"Where were the guards? Why didn't they raise the alarm?"

"Mer, we can't find any of them," his face is ashen. "And the outside doors were chained closed," he didn't have to continue.

"They were lured inside or caused the fire," I finish for him. My stomach turns as I internalize this new information. I almost can't bring myself to ask the next question "Numbers?"

"At least twenty-three-alliance members and guards. We won't know for sure until the debris cools."

I turn aside, to compose myself. I will have time to mourn later. "We can't go to Bonita. Even if we didn't know who did this, we would be too much of a distraction. It takes too much manpower for the security details and clean-up."

"Clermont or Carolina?"

Carolina, my heart aches, even though I hadn't thought of Carolina as home since the Selection. And I allow myself some selfish comfort. "Carolina."

Relief is clear on his face. Security isn't as big of an issue, plus I will make sure he is rewarded with a visit from his family. "I'll tell the pilot," he hands me a phone, "You call your husband."

"Ames?" Maxon's voice is tight with tension, and I can hear Stavros, Carter, and August arguing about something in the background. And who else? Oh. Gavril. We will definitely need his help as we decide our next steps and what we need the public to hear. "Love, it's so good to hear your voice."

"Same here. I'm guessing Carolina was your suggestion?" It is comforting to hear him—I can picture how he is perched against the edge of his desk, one hand to his ear and the other stuffed into his pocket. I'm sure he has abandoned his jacket and tie, rolled his sleeves up, and ruined his neatly combed hair. There's probably even scruff across his jaw.

"Actually, my suggestion was that you immediately turn that plane around and come home. However, an end to your tour will draw more attention to Bonita. Right now, it's being reported as an unfortunate accident due to some improperly stored incendiary materials. As far as anyone knows, the only casualty was a lone night watchman."

I change the subject. "Have you gotten the footage of my fainting spell?"

"You made that look very real, love. Refuse alcohol at the next stop, and we will start a royal rumor. I plan to call your mother and Kenna to warn them before they see the footage on the Report."

Mom. We see her sporadically due to our schedules, and almost never go to her. Mom will want to come and visit soon, and the footage gives a natural reason for an extended stay. And that solves the problem I discussed with May about a month ago. If Mom came to visit with Kenna, James, and Astra, we could make sure they are protected. "Maxon, when you call, will you please invite them for an extended stay?"

I hear a heavy sigh, and then, "Whatever you'd like."

"If you have trouble convincing them, mention how close Calix and Abrielle's birthdays are, and how we've been too busy to plan their party. And, it is true. I haven't done any planning yet."

"Okay, America. Anything other chores I need to do?" He makes an attempt to tease, but I can hear the men in the background getting louder.

"No, but I have something for you to run by the team. I'd like to go to Carolina and then Clermont. After those two stops, let's take a brief break so I can bring Abrielle home."

"I thought she was behaving?"

"She's being fabulous, but—" I wonder if he is going to make me say that I am too concerned to have her continue to travel with me.

His voice softens as he understands my pause, "I'll check with the team. Speaking of, I really need to go. It's going to come to blows in here. I love you."

My voice catches in my throat, "I love you, too."

Carolina is sunny and bright, and warm for spring. The weather doesn't really match my mood, but it does welcome me to my home province. It seems like the whole area turns out for my arrival, and the school is practically a model for Kriss' education vision. At the reception, I am surrounded by friendly faces and allow Abrielle to stay for the entire party, a special treat since we decide to stay overnight.

The next morning, Georgia, Marlee, Mary, and I take Abrielle to see the house where I grew up. We all manage to convince Aspen to visit his family, and I sense an opportunity to shed some formality and truly relax for the first time in weeks. I instruct the guards to stay with the car. As the rest of us stand in front of the house on the sidewalk, I notice how shabby the little house is getting, but even in its current state, it looks cared for. The flower beds in front are weeded, though the black paint on the front door is fading and peeling in spots. I can almost picture Mom and Kenna in the kitchen with Gerad trying to sneak out into the yard to play soccer. May, Kota and Dad creating in the garage turned studio… I touch the tarnished door knob and remember carrying Kota's belongings out into a friend's truck. He only had a few boxes, but it seemed so exciting to me. Going off on your own to make your fortune. I didn't know that Kota meant to be separate from us in all ways possible.

I look down and take Abrielle's hand. It's been over fifteen years since I last set foot here. She smiles up at me, and I give her a little squeeze. "Ready to go inside?"

She nods, "Yes, Mama! I want to see your room!"

"When Mama was your age, this is where she lived. With Grandma, Uncle Gerad, Aunt Kenna, and Aunt May…"

"And Astra and Uncle James and Daddy?"

"No sweetie, Astra wasn't born yet. Uncle James and Aunt Kenna met when they were grownups, and Mama hadn't met Daddy, either."

The relaxed atmosphere spread to Marlee and Mary. Even Georgia's sadness and anger is mitigated by the exchange and Abrielle bounding across the porch and into the house. Everything but the piano and remained as it was before. A little older, and a little worn. But, still in usable condition. The piano is at the new house in Angeles, because of the sentimental value. On the rare occasion that I visit Mom, I still play it. This room is where I practiced my scales. Where I watched The Report each week. Where I found out I was a member of the Selected. Where I mourned Dad's passing. Where I called Kota's bluff. Where I was sure I was ready to love Maxon. This room means so much to be so physically small.

I catch up with Brie on the stairs and show her the room that used to be mine. "Mama, this is smaller than my closet!"

"I know, Brie. You know how we tell you what a lucky girl you are. This is how a lot of people in Illea live, and many more people share a room this size." I'd given her something to think about. "There's one more place I'd like to show you before we go. You ready?" She nods and I lead the group downstairs and out to the garage studio. I stand with my back to the studio and open the door saying, "And this is where Aunt May and my dad created their art." Georgia, Marlee, and Mary stop short. I look questioningly at the group, and turn into the room.

"Kota?" I gasp.

He shrugs, "Hi, Sis. It's been awhile."