The taxi cab pulled into the driveway of the old log house her mom had re-purchased a few years back. Fi tried to push down the feeling of panic that was rising. She was home, home is good and safe, she should be thrilled, or, at the least, not fighting off a panic attack.

She stepped out of the taxi just as Ned came around the side of the house. He was looking down as he walked so he hadn't seen her yet. She felt her breath catch in her throat; he was so close to her.

-Oh God, oh God, oh God, oh God! Breathe, and say something. I need to say something-

"Ned?"

He stopped and looked up. His eyes widened in surprise as he recognized the woman standing in front of him.

"Fiona?" he asked but without waiting for an answer he closed the distance and pulled her into a rib crushing bear hug that left her feet dangling a good foot off the ground. "Welcome home, honey."

Fi felt herself relaxing into the hug. She was home; everything was going to be okay.

"Dad?" came Clue's voice as he too rounded the corner. He frowned in confusion when he saw his dad and the young woman but then, "Fi!"

Just as Ned put Fi back on her feet, she found herself being spun around in another Rib crushing hug from Clue. Apparently, she was not going to get any regular hugs today and that was okay with her. Finally placing her back down, Clue, joined by Ned, looked her up and down.

"Wow Fi, you look a lot different than I remember."

"You look like you're the one who should be in a band not Molly," added Ned.

"Yea, it does get me some stares," she smiled, nervously twirling a piece of hair.

"Blue hair will do that."

Fi turned around and smiled, "Irene."

The two women embraced shortly and then Irene pulled back an arms length, looking her over.

"Hey, guys? Where is everyone?"

"We're out front, Carey."

"Fi, is that you?"

"Come and find out."

While waiting, Fi noticed the driver leaning impatiently against the taxi and rushed over to pay him. As the driver pulled away, Fi turned back around and right into Carey.

"Welcome back," he smiled, wrapping her into a hug.

His wasn't bone crushing but it was tight… secure. He also didn't seem to want to let go. Finally he released her and smirking, pulled playfully at a piece of her hair.

"Your mom's going to be so mad she missed your arrival," interrupted Irene. "But she and Will ran to the store, she thought she had a little more time."

"Who's Will," Fi asked and watched everyone's face fall.

"She didn't tell you?" asked a shocked Ned.

"Tell me what? Who's Will?"

"Well…"

"Her fiancé."

Fi turned to see Jack standing on the porch with Gabe and Annie.

Fiance?" Fi repeated in shock.

"Yep," Jack replied, making his way towards Fi, Gabe following. "For about three months now."

"She never mentioned it," Fi stated, sounding slightly hurt but making her way towards Jack as well.

"I think she wanted to tell you in person," he explained, pulling her into a big hug. "Welcome home, Little Sis."

"Thanks, Big Bro," she smiled, not having realized how much she had missed her straight laced brother.

Finally he pulled away and looked her over, "Yep, weird as ever."

-You have no idea- she thought, but instead turned to Gabe, "Let me see it?"

Smiling, Gabe gladly held out her left hand.

"It's beautiful," exclaimed Fi, "Who would have thought my brother would have such good taste in engagement rings."

"He does, doesn't he?" Gabe smiled, hugging Fi.

"Congratulations, you guys," Fi smiled but then looked past them to where Annie stood on the porch.

Then to the surprise of everyone there, the two girls raced toward each other, colliding in a hug. The family looked on in confusion as two girls who had only met in person twice hung onto each other like long lost sister. Finally pulling away, they heard Ned.

"Fi, why don't you go in? We'll get your luggage. Come on boys."

The two girls made there way into the house, they're arms wrapped around each other. She was home, and everything was going to be okay. She was different, but everything was going to be okay. She was home

"Fi," said Annie, sounding nervous, "you should know, the Will your mom's engaged to is Will Dysin."

Fi was sitting in the kitchen when she heard her.

"Fi! Fiona!"

"Mom!" she called back, jumping out of her seat and racing to the front door. "Mom!"

The two women collided on the porch, toppling each other but refusing to let go.

"Oh, baby, I've missed you so much!" exclaimed Molly, holding on desperately to the daughter she hadn't seen in six years. "I am never letting you out of my sight again!"

Fi didn't comment but buried her head into Molly's shoulder as she realized just how much she had missed her mother. She was also trying desperately to hold back the tears that wanted to flow. All the pain and tragedy that had filled her life over the past few years, all the pain and tragedy she thought she had buried deep, was fighting to break free as she hung onto to her mother. She couldn't let it out, she wouldn't, especially here, especially when she wouldn't be able to explain it to her family, when she wasn't allowed to. Desperately pulling herself together, Fi forced herself to focus on the joy of being reunited with her family not on the pain of a past she couldn't change. When they heard the front door shut, the two women pulled back, but still held onto each other's hands, and looked to discover themselves alone.

"Oh my God," said Molly as she looked over her daughter.

"Yea," answered Fi, looking nervous "I've changed a bit."

"Yea," Molly smiled, cupping her daughter's face, "But you're still you."

"You think?" asked Fi, she so desperately wanted to believe it was true, but part of her wouldn't believe it.

"Yea, I do," Molly smiled again as she reassured her daughter. "And you know what? I like the hair. The tattoos and piercings are going to take a little getting use to."

"Oh Mom," Fi couldn't keep the smile off her face as she threw her arms back around Molly.

"Oh baby, you've grown up so much. I've missed you so much."

As the door opened, the two women turned to see a man standing there.

"Oh, Fi," said her mom, sounding nervous and guilty, "this is William Dysin, my um.."

"Fiance?"

"How did you know?"

"Jack told me."

"Oh. I would have told you, Fi, I just couldn't figure out how."

"It's fine, really," Fi assured her mom, trying to believe that herself. Then turning and holding out a hand she said, "It's nice to meet you."

Taking her hand and, to her surprise, pulling her to her feet he said, "It's nice to finally meet you, as well."

As he helped Molly up, Fi couldn't shake the feeling that he wasn't referring to meeting his future step-daughter.

"Ned's getting things started inside; I'm going to get the stuff from the car."

"Alright, we'll see you inside," said Molly.

"Actually," offered Fi, "I'll give you hand."

"Thanks."

Once they were out of earshot Fi said, "Mr. Dysin-"

"Call me Will. At least, around the family," he smiled, knowing what she was going to ask.

"Alright, Will, do you love my mother or is this just an assignment?"

"I do care for your mother, Fi."

"That doesn't answer my question."

"That's all you're going to get. It's classified."

"My clearance-"

"Is impressive but not all encompassing. You're simply going to have to accept it," he said. Then smiling, as if he could see the debate taking place inside her head, continued, "Or have you forgotten your loyalties?"

"Have I ever forgotten them," she demanded angrily, hands on her hips.

"No," he said, a look of pity on his face, "you haven't."

"We should get the groceries inside," she said cheerfully, as if their conversation had never taken place and by the time they reached the house she had successfully buried her emotions.

"You've decided to stay?"

"For now, at least," answered Fi, who was unpacking.

"Oh," replied an obviously disappointed Molly.

"Mom, I'm twenty-one, I can't just move back home. Besides," explained Fi, eyeing Annie's bed, "I'm use to my own space."

"Yea, I know," she conceded. "Do you need any help?"

"I'm good, thanks though."

"Fi, are you okay?"

"Yea, I'm fine," she smiled, hoping Molly would be assuaged and let it drop.

"Really? Because you don't seem so fine."

"Probably just jet lag," shrugged Fi with another smile.

"Yea, probably," Molly conceded, sitting on the bed. "So at dinner, you told Clue you didn't have a boyfriend?"

"Yea, why?"

"Well, I thought you were seeing Dorian? I mean, you and I never talked about it much, but your aunt said you guys were pretty serious?"

"We were," answered Fi, mentally cursing her aunt. "And now we're not."

"What happened?"

"Irreconcilable differences," she answered tersely.

"Fi," said Molly, chidingly.

"I'm sorry, mom, I just… I don't know," she sighed, running her hands through her hair.

"I'm sorry, baby. You guys were together for a while, weren't you?"

"Five years," Fi answered softly.

"Oh, baby," said Molly understandingly, tucking a piece of hair behind Fi's ear. "I'm sorry."

"Yea, well, it was it was a few months ago, and I'm fine, really," assured Fi, not certain who she was trying to convince.

Sensing the topic was now closed, Molly said, "You didn't bring your guitar with you?"

"No, I left it at ho- in London," answered Fi, hoping Molly didn't notice the slip. "I haven't really been playing much, so I didn't see the point. Plus, I'll probably be swamped with the new office launch anyway."

"Maybe, but your in a musician's house now, you might just find you have a change of heart. Besides, it's in your blood, which is why," Molly trailed off and standing up went into the hall.

"Mom?" Fi called after her.

A moment later Molly came back in holding a guitar, "I want you to have this, and not just why you're here, I want you to keep it, permanently."

"Daddy's guitar?" said Fi, sounding hopeful and sad at the same time and little like her old self.

"You two are so much alike," said Molly, handing the instrument to her daughter, "It belongs with you, and, besides, I have to let the past go, I'm starting a new life."

Fi, forced herself to look up at her mom, "You love him?"

"Yea, baby, I do."

"And you're happy?"

"Happier than I've been in a long time."

"Good," she said, setting the guitar on her bed. Then, giving her mom a hug continued, "I'm glad you found him."

"Me too, baby, me too. Well, I'll let you finish up here, night Fi."

"Night," said Fi, picking her father's guitar back up. "Mom?"

"Yea," answered Molly, turning back around.

"Thanks."

"Your welcome, baby."

"I'm so happy to have her home."

"I can tell," smiled Will.

"I just wish she'd tell me what's wrong."

"Wrong? Molly, she's home, and safe, and happy. What could possibly be wrong?"

"But she isn't happy, even though she insists she's fine. And in some ways I think London is more her home now," answered Molly sadly. "And she's too thin. Did you see her at dinner, she hardly ate anything."

"Molly, she's a big girl, if she says she fine, you'll just have to leave it alone for now."

"I know," she sighed

"Don't worry. Whatever it is, she'll come to you when she's ready," he assured, though he knew there were things Fi could never tell Molly about.

"You're right," she smiled, kissing him goodnight.