A few days after the Fourth of July festivities and Mikkel's official adoption Quinn and Lisa were hunting for a piece of art to hang in the library. They entered an art studio where an exhibition was being held and started browsing. "They have some nice pieces," said Lisa.

"And from unknown artists to," said Quinn.

"Well how do you think they become known?" Lisa teased him. "But by having exhibitions like this?"

"I know that Lizzy," said Quinn teasing her right back. "Most artist aren't really popular till after they're dead anyway."

"That's a true but sad fact about most people's tastes. They don't like somebody until he's dead when he's not here to enjoy the fame. They should have been famous while they were still alive to enjoy it. And it doesn't matter whether it's music or art or inventors, there all the same. Just look at Leonardo Da Vinci or Raphael or Michelangelo."

"That is so true," said a new voice just behind them. Both Lisa and Quinn whirled around to find a young man of no more than twenty-five or so standing right behind them observing the same piece they had been. "Oh sorry to interrupt your conversation. The name's Mitchell Taylor."

"Quinn and Lisa Diamond," said Quinn

"It's a pleasure. I was just thinking about buying that piece."

"Not if we get to it first," said Lisa. "It would go great in the library wouldn't it Quinn?"

"You have good taste Lizzy. That painting is a Monet, but it would look great in the library," Quinn agreed.

"You know something about art I see," said Taylor.

"I should, my mother was a well-renowned sculptor, before her death. She taught me everything she knew about the subject."

"You know . . ." said Taylor changing the subject aptly. "You look familiar for some reason," he said to Lisa.

"I do? I don't know why we've never met before this. I would have remembered if we'd run into each other before this," Lisa said.

"I don't know, maybe you just have one of those faces—" Taylor aptly stopped in midsentence and seemed deep in thought then snapped his fingers as he remembered something. "I remember I saw a picture of you when you were six or seven."

"It couldn't have been me," Lisa protested. "I was in an orphanage at seven."

"I heard him call you Lizzy. Could it be just a coincidence that not only your nickname is Lizzy short for Lisa, but that you look just like that photograph albeit 30 years older. "What are the odds of that?" asked Taylor blissfully unaware of what he was doing to Lisa.

"50/50?" guessed Lisa starting to move away from Taylor, Quinn following without comment. Quinn could feel her shaking and trying not to show it.

"I found an old picture when we were cleaning out the attic of my parents-in-law house. The Richards' told me just to throw it away, but wouldn't tell me why until I badgered them to death and they caved," Taylor continued blithely.

At the mention of the Richards' Lisa started to shake harder and was fighting tears. "Come on," Quinn said softly turning away from Taylor. "We'll leave if you want."

"No we came here to find a painting for the library and this might be the only time we have to ourselves for a while."

"Hey where are you going?" Taylor called, walking briskly to catch up.

"You go on ahead," Quinn told her quietly. "I'll catch up with you," he promised squeezing her shoulders which were still shaking slightly. Lisa nodded and headed for a different gallery just as Taylor caught up with Quinn.

"Where's she going?" asked Taylor, unaware that Quinn was trying to rein in his temper and not punch the man—especially in public.

"You listen to me Mr. Taylor," Quinn whispered fiercely blocking his path. "Do you realize the effect of mentioning that portion of her past has had on her? She has things in her past that she doesn't like to talk about and the Richards' is one of them. So get lost."

"Gee I'm sorry—"

"Sorry doesn't cut it pal. A seven year old sees her best friend die and the Richards blame her, even if she couldn't swim at that time and she nearly drowned herself trying to save him—they send her back into the system and for nearly thirty years she kept it locked up inside—letting it eat away at her. She doesn't even tell the O'Malleys who are; her family and they have to find out by accident when she has to go to that section of town and it effects her being in that neighborhood even after nearly thirty years. I asked Kate to get into the records for me, even though I felt like a rat for going behind her back."

Quinn turned around to head after Lisa just as Taylor said, "The Richards are here you know. They were over the way Lisa was heading."

Quinn didn't turn around, but his pace quickened as he searched for Lisa frantically. He found her not more than five minutes later standing in a corner trying to hide. She was shaking and trying her best not to be noticed. "Lisa honey; are you alright?"

"Let's just get out of here?" Lisa suggested. "There are other art galleries we can go to."

Quinn nodded not bothering to ask why, for he suspected the answer. He put his arm around her shoulder and started to lead her to the front of the gallery.

"Lisa Agate is that you," called a voice. Lisa pretended like she hadn't heard and kept walking as rapidly as possible.

They were just about to exit the building when several people came in the door blocking their path long enough for the Richards' to catch up. Quinn tried to block their path, but Lisa squeezed his arm and whispered, "Maybe it's better if I face this now so it doesn't happen in the future."

Quinn nodded although every fiber of his being was yelling at him to get Lisa out of there.

"It is you," the Richards' said.

"No I am a totally different person then I was when I was seven. It's Lisa O'Malley Diamond now. I have no interests in talking to you now or ever."

Lisa turned away and headed outside, but Quinn stayed for a moment. "Do you have any idea how that one event effected her whole life? She kept it bottled up inside until a few years ago and it nearly destroyed her. So I would appreciate it if you would not try to contact her or talk to her or even look at her. She has taken huge steps in healing the past, but she's not there yet and you probably just set her back emotionally, by a few years." Quinn turned and left the building leaving the Richards' stunned behind him."

"You okay?" Quinn asked Lisa who was waiting for him on the front steps.

"I'm fine, let's go find another gallery to explore."

"Are you up to it?" Quinn asked.

"Yes, let's just forget this incident and move on," Lisa said looking determined.

"Okay," Quinn agreed, glad to hear her sounding so cheerful.

~~~Beyond the Future~~~

The Richards stood there stunned for a moment then hurried after the pair. Quinn looked back and practically groaned. "We're being followed Lizzy," said Quinn.

"By the Richards?"

"Yes," said Quinn.

Lisa sighed and stopped. "We might as well face them now or they will track us down."

"Are you sure you're up to this?" asked Quinn worriedly.

"Quinn, I'm fine, quit worrying. I can't believe our luck. The one day we have to mosey through the galleries and it's ruined by meeting the one couple I never wanted to see again."

"We don't have to see them now," said Quinn. "We can just go."

"Too late," said Lisa, giving a resigned sigh. "They're coming this way."

Quinn took a step forward as if to step in front of his wife, but Lisa held him back. "Stay here and whatever you do don't punch them although I know you probably want to."

"You've got that right," Quinn muttered.

"Quinn behave," Lisa scolded with an exasperated sigh, but also trying to hide a grin.

Quinn didn't respond because as of that moment the Richards reached them.

"Lisa—"

"Mr. Richard's this busy street is not the place for this," said Lisa. "What about some coffee. There's a little place I know about that's about a block from here."

~~~Beyond the Future~~~

A few minutes later they all sat down at the table with coffee in their hands. Quinn looked unhappy but he was keeping his mouth shut which Lisa was grateful for.

"As I said it's Lisa O'Malley Diamond now. I haven't been Lisa Agate for 25 years."
"So you did get adopted then?"

"Oh no," said Lisa. "I never did."

"Then how did you get the last name of O'Malley?"

Lisa considered what to tell them then finally decided if it would end the meeting then she was willing.

"I ended up in Trevor House. By the time I arrived there were already five others around my age. One of them welcomed me and convinced me to join their group." Lisa smiled at the memory. "Evidently we all got out and we had decided long since that as soon as Jennifer turned 18 and got out for good we would all change our last names and become a real family. We are constantly stepping in and out of each other's lives. We all have high phone bills because we call each other constantly."

The Richards were fascinated with the concept that seven orphans had banded together and formed a bond so deep that almost nothing could break it.

"It's time for us to go Lizzy. We still haven't found that painting we need for the library," Quinn suggested after a few minutes. "And this is our last day in town before we have to head back home."

Quinn left a five on the table for the tip and they left after saying polite goodbyes.

~~~Beyond the Future~~~

It was the end of September several months after the July celebration and Mikkel's adoption when Marcus was again in Chicago in order to see Lisa about some forensics evidence on a case. Shari had, stayed home because he was working not on vacation and he had called her to make sure she knew he had to divert to Chicago and that he would be home in the next day or so. Her only comments had been to make sure he said hello to Lisa and Quinn for her and that she missed him.

Now that he had seen Lisa, he was headed towards a lunch date with Sara and Adam. They had invited him to lunch at their house when they had found out through Dave that he was going to be in town briefly to see Lisa on a case—if he could make it. He had gladly accepted only saying he was looking forward to a home cooked meal. A few minutes later he pulled up at their house and parked in the driveway.

Adam opened the front door and came out to meet him. "I'm glad you could make it," said Adam.

"Ah, well, I had a few free hours before I have to catch my flight back to Virginia," said Marcus.

"You travel a lot," said Adam, making it a statement of fact not a question.

"Sometimes I think too much," Marcus admitted. "Don't get me wrong, I love my job most of the time, but traveling so much eating room service or at a restaurant when all you really want is a home cooked meal."

"And when you're home Shari has a meal waiting?" asked Adam

Marcus laughed, "Apparently, you've never eaten Shari's cooking or you wouldn't be asking me such a question."

"Can't cook?" asked Adam.

"It's kind of interesting to eat if she cooks it. Sometimes it comes out fine—other times not so fine—and the cleanup afterwards . . ." Marcus made a face then continued, "Of course, I don't tell her that. I would never hurt her feelings. I do most of the cooking when I'm home. With four sisters I learned a lot of lessons early cooking was just one of them. I'm afraid that Shari never got very domesticated when she was growing up." The two of them had moved into the house and taken seats in the den. Marcus had never been to their house, but from what he was seeing it was nice. The chairs were nice but comfortable.

"What made you fall in love with her and finally decide she was the one you wanted to spend the rest of your life with?" Adam asked.

"Several things really, but the most important was that without being aware of it she made time for my family," Marcus said after a minute of thought. "My family is important to me and I had never planned on settling down until the rest of the family was settled, but she made time for my family and that showed me that she had her priorities straight. That family to her was important—special. She was devastated when her father and Carl were shot and died."

"In that I agree, family is important, before I met Sara my sister Mary Beth and her family were special, still are, but now I have Sara and my boys and I wouldn't trade them for anything."

"Lunch is ready," said Sara coming to the door of the den and interrupting the discussion.

The two men got up and headed into the kitchen where Sara had set the table for the three of them. "It's good to see you Marcus," said Sara, as she served the food. "You're welcome to come to lunch next time you're in Chicago if you want."

"If I don't have plans with anybody else in the family I might just do that. I try to squeeze in a few hours with the family when I'm in town—outside of work I mean. We usually end up playing a game of basketball. It's my way to relieve stress. You could come to a game sometime if you want," Marcus reponded.

"I might do that. I admit I sometimes miss playing professionally. Not much, but occasionally. I don't miss the living in a hotel week after week or the crowds what I miss mostly is the joy of the game and of course some of the players," Adam said.

The conversation turned to other things and finally came back around to family. "How did you handle it when Kate or one of the others got caught in a dangerous situation?" Sara asked. "Especially since none of you were Christians at the time."

"Different ways," said Marcus. "I tend to concentrate on work and Stephen calls me the minute Kate or Jack or whoever it is, is out of it. Of course, he keeps me updated all the way through it too. When they are out of it we all tend to relieve the tension by converging on that person lecturing the one who dared get hurt. It's our way to let it all out. Some of the lectures can leave your ears ringing for hours afterwards. I ought to know just because I'm the oldest doesn't mean I haven't had my share, when I've gotten shot. I remember there was one time this stalker was giving Kate a hard time. If it had gone on much longer, the O'Malleys would have stepped in and done something about it. The stories I could tell you."

"Why don't you tell us one?" asked Adam.

"I would love to, but there's no time to go into family history today. Maybe the next time I'm in town," Marcus said.

"Doesn't Kate being in danger cause you stress?" asked Sara. "I know she's not a police negotiator anymore, but from what I heard from Dave trouble still comes looking for her."

"Too true, she has no idea that half these gray hairs are her fault," said Marcus with a chuckle. "When that school shooting happened three years ago she came this close to being a casualty," said Marcus holding his thumb and forefinger about an; half an inch apart. "If it hadn't been for her pager taking the bullet she could very well be dead and she would have been the first O'Malley to be mourned, not Jennifer. Losing both of them so close together would very likely have destroyed the rest of us. Just losing Jennifer nearly did and we were expecting for her to pass on. Expecting it, but it still nearly shook us apart."

"That school shooting was so sad," said Sara. "To see four bright young minds just stripped away before their time. It is such a tragedy.

"I know and agree, I arrived and I felt as if I was walking into a war zone. All seven of us were there for that, my sisters just before it happened. So sad, we traced the school shooting back to Brian Rice who we had found evidence had shot his ex-wife, right before the flooding. He threw the gun into the river where it was picked up by his son Mark who then used it to shoot a boy named Tim and the older brother Greg watched it happen and went after him and both ended killing each other. As for the fourth she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time and didn't see it coming. It nearly tore Rachel apart to see all those kids wind up dead. When it's adults it's one thing, but a child—much less four children . . . ." Marcus shook his head. "Cut down in the prime of their lives, before they even really had a chance to live . . . to experience . . . it's sad."

"When a tragedy strikes no matter how you try to prepare for it, it is never enough," said Adam.

"And it's even worse when you aren't expecting it it's pretty bad. But the unexpected is much worse than the expected, because then you don't have time to prepare for it," said Sara.

"I know," said Marcus, sounding grieved. "That's one aspect of my job I really hate, that I can't prevent those; kind of things from happening at all—especially to children. I really hate to cut this short, but I have a flight to catch and I would like to be home tonight and sleep in my own bed," he said after a moment looking at his watch.

"There's an open invitation to come to lunch anytime you're in town. If we're home that is," said Adam.

"I'll call, if I'm in town again anytime soon," Marcus promised. "Thank you for lunch I really enjoyed it." Marcus gave Sara a kiss on the cheek and shook Adam's hand and headed out the door.

~~~Beyond the Future~~~

Marcus walked in his door hours later just in time for dinner. Shari had already ordered Italian and it had arrived, before him. He had called ahead and told Shari he was on his way home and what time he expected to be there. Shari had ordered dinner and it had arrived just before he had.

"You're right on time," Shari said, coming over and giving him a kiss.

"It's good to be home," said Marcus taking off his coat and hanging it up in the closet then went and washed his hands.

"Mikkel how was school today?"

"Fine," said Mikkel.

"More than fine," laughed Shari. "He came home real excited, because he got a B on his reading. The teacher even made sure to send a note home saying his reading had improved tremendously."

"I guess all that time we took to tutor him helped um?" asked Marcus ruffling the boys hair. "I'm proud of you."

"Thanks," Mikkel muttered, blushing—embarrassed.

"He's practically up to third grade level now," said Shari.

When they'd signed him up for school they had talked to the principal and they had also explained that he was an orphan and that they had adopted him. They wanted him in third grade so he would be with kids his own age, saying they had helped tutor him over the last eight months and that he had improved. The principal had finally agreed with the stipulation that they hire a tutor if necessary to get him caught up with the other children.

"How was your trip?" asked Shari.

"Fine," said Marcus. "I had lunch with Adam and Sara after I had seen Lisa. We spent a couple of hours talking then on the flight home I slept. And how was your day?"

"Fine," said Shari. She started talking about what they were doing. "We're trying to come up with some tougher laws that have to do with the abandonment of children, especially babies to try to prevent that kind thing from happening."

"Good thing to be discussing," said Marcus. "I hope it goes through."

"Me to," said Shari.

~~~Beyond the Future~~~

Later both Marcus and Shari headed to bed. The children had been put down hours ago and were sound asleep.

"I think Mikkel is going to fit in well with our family," Shari commented as they headed upstairs to their bedroom.

"Yes, we both already love him like a son," Marcus said. "Come on let's go to bed minx. Tomorrow after all is a brand new day."

The End