We hurriedly pulled our clothes back on, and rushed up the stairs, both of us groaning as the sunlight hit our eyes as we stepped on the cool deck.

As we rushed onto the deck, I gasped as I realized we were nearing the beginning of the first tribe's land. Familiar landmarks now appearing within the thick vegetation.The acaí fruit trees, along with maracujá, and other delicious fruit trees were a clear giveaway of our location.

The Cajuenche tribe, one of many. Then followed the Guataka, before the Halyikwamai, and Icafui before finally getting to the Archuagan tribe.

We were finally about to arrive to my childhood home away from home.

That wasn't what was wrong, however, it seemed the tribe took the unfamiliar boat's arrival as a threat, and were now pointing their arrows, and weapons alike towards us.

"Ca'tu chippa nica, di na cu agua!" One of them yelled.

I replied that my husband and I were only trying to gain access to their water passages, towards the Archuagan tribe.

"Queta anchui, ca te pucha Archuagan pa ye t'cha?"

Again, calmly. I replied that I am an honorary tribal member, and only wished to be granted access before flashing the symbol the tribe gave me long ago, to which they agreed to grant access, releasing us soon after.

"What did they ask?" Edward asked after we finally floated away from the tribe members.

"First, they wanted to know who we were. To which I replied our names in their language and who we were, and where we were headed. Second, they wanted me to prove who I was to which I replied that I was an honorary tribal member of the Archuagan tribe before showing them this…" I calmly replied, as I pulled out the custom medallion I had made a few years ago, to show him.

"Hm. Have you ever considered working for the bureau? You'd be a great asset." He commented teasingly as he steered the boat in the direction I said.

I stared at him in shock before I gained my composure, and placed a cold smile on my lips. "Yeah, I'll fucking join the bureau, when they find my parents' murderer and fucking have them rotting in jail for the rest of their lives." I growled, suddenly needing air. "Or better yet, maybe I should join the bureau, perhaps I can fucking finish the job you assholes couldn't do in practically two decades!" I snap, walking away.

I walked along the deck, until I reached a small bench and sat down, leanin my head back onto the wall, and closing my eyes, while I listened to the water as it moved around the boat.

Suddenly, wishing I was back home in Clearwilde, with my patients at the clinic, rather than here with this gorgeous, clever idiot, who makes me want to deck him and lick him all at once.

I left my eyes closed as I allowed myself to relax, focusing on the sounds of the breeze, and the calming water, briefly remembering why I loved living here as a child so much.

"Did you ever have a dream home as a child?"

I heard him as he sat next to me, on the bench.

"No, I always thought of living somewhere like this. Maybe a cabin in the mountains or a homey place where everyone is so friendly with one another. What about you?" I ask, my mind still thinking of Clearwilde and the wonderful people I had met there.

"Hm. I always wanted to live on a ranch, you know, the ones with a house, that have a white picket fence, and porch swing, and a big red farm on the side… I guess, I always wanted a simple life." He said, shrugging his shoulders as he stared at the water with me

The sigh that escaped through his lips briefly made me wonder if he was tired of the city life.

"Why do you ask?" I muttered, turning to him, curiously.

"Well, because … it must be extremely difficult for you to be here. I just want you to know... that I'm sorry." He says, sympathetically.

"Sorry? Why?" I asked, confused.

"For causing you unnecessary pain, for not comprehending said pain, and for being an ass in general." He explains, giving me a tentative smile.

"I am sorry, too." I say smiling at him, tentatively.

"Why are you sorry?" He asked, confused.

I smiled, biting my cheek before turning to answer him, "Well, I snapped at you. I shouldn't be mad at you when it's not your fault your superiors are incompetent." I explained, laughing at his shocked expression.

"In all honesty, I wasn't even part of the bureau then. I was in middle school back then if I remember correctly." He said, smiling at me.

"That's true." I snorted, rolling my eyes at the cheesy grin his lips were displaying.

"So, how long will it be before we reach the tribal lands?" He asked, curiously.

"We are about four hours away. We will most likely arrive at the tribal ground by sundown." I say, before standing up with a sigh and heading to the bow.

Worry suddenly flickered in me as I watched the boat flow closer and closer towards the Archuagan land. How much had changed while I was away? Would they be able to recognize me? Or had I changed too much?

A/N:

Sorry for the long wait... but sadly, life has gotten really complicated, and just settled down recently.

Thank you to those of you still reading, following, reviewing, and supporting me.

Love ya lots,

Izzy