DRAGONJULS' Storybook
~ Actions and Consequences ~
J M Dragon

Part Two
© 2000 by J M Dragon
Email: jmdragon@jmdragon.net

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Disclaimer:See Part One

Chapter Nineteen

Constance had never been on a ranch before. She was both impressed and a little overawed by it. When they had arrived at the gate to the drive of the ranch house, it had been a shock. They had all been looked over and the vehicle search, even though it was a car from Destiny driven by a ranch hand and the owner of the property was one of the passengers. All Catherine had said was that it was security and she welcomed the vigilant work the security people were doing.

Now approaching the house, it was a little disappointing, nothing opulent, just a normal building that you would associate with a ranch or farm. Their bags were removed and taken into the house by the ranch hand. Catherine walked confidently forward, when suddenly appearing from under the porch Rio tackled his tall mistress. It was getting boring here no one wanted to walk anywhere at the moment, even his small mistress didn't.

"Hey boy how you doing?" Catherine stroked the ears of the affectionate dog and smiled warmly. Constance saw for the first time that this was a Catherine Devonshire that she had never seen. She looked relaxed for the first time, but a genuine relaxation of her features not feigned for anyone watching.

Taking the steps two at a time she bounded up the porch and went towards the kitchen. It was late afternoon and someone would be home she was sure of it! Opening the external door to the kitchen she saw Judy at the stove.

"Hello Judy." Catherine said quietly not wanting to disturb the woman too much.

Constance followed behind and watched in fascination as the other woman in the room turned and gave a wide smile.

"Well, hello Mrs. Warriorson, and how are you?"

"I'm very well, thank you. Where is everyone?" Catherine placed her laptop on the kitchen table and looked around.

Judy looked at Catherine and then her gaze centered on the stranger with her; Catherine notice where her gaze went, "Sorry Judy, this is Constance Waverly my President of Operations at Xianthos, my business outside the ranch." Catherine supplied and then went towards the door leading to the rest of the house.

"Jace is sleeping in your room with Elena. Faith and Lisa are in the lounge and Jake is with Colin and Grace." Judy didn't need a brilliant IQ to know what her boss was thinking.

Catherine smiled at the housekeeper and turned to Constance. "Judy will show you to one of the guest rooms. She makes some pretty decent coffee, so I'm informed and tea also."

"Okay. I get the message Catherine. You want to be elsewhere, right?"

"You have that right Waverly. Now I know you're getting back in the swing of things. I'll be back later." Smiling as she moved away from the two women in the room.

Two women remaining looked at each other and their expressions must have been very similar as they laughed.

"Oh, she'll be back. But guaranteed it won't be for a few hours, so Ms. Waverly I'll show you to your room." Judy said laughter in the inflections in her voice. Why the hell did this house suddenly come alive when Catherine returned? It was weird in the extreme!

"How about you make me this magnificent coffee and then show me to my room?" Constance decided she wanted to know more about this Catherine and who better than the hired help.

Constantia was feeling ill, she had been sick several times and had thought about calling Sarah but...Sarah needed her sleep. Her mind drifted to events that were long past; so long it was a wonder that she recalled them at all but she did it was like viewing yesterday.

Adam Warriorson turned and smiled his boyish engaging smile to the young woman. She was a good friend. "Oh, this and that, one day maybe I will be published."

Elena regarded him and gave him a thoughtful look, "Do you want to be published? Sometimes it can bring greater heartbreak than not being."

The young man smiled at the girl and ruffled her hair. "Elena if I was published, I could do all the things I want."

"So, Adam what do you want?" Elena asked him and watched quietly as she saw him shuffle at the balcony obviously disturbed at the question.

"Oh this and that, you know it would mean I could write more and not have to think about going to get a regular job." Adam pushed back a strand of his fair hair and looked down at the words he'd recently written.

"If it brought despair and death at its end, would you still continue?" Elena asked quietly.

"Elena you are such a romantic. It is no wonder that your sister needs to look after you so much." Adam smiled and put a friendly arm around her shoulder.

"Not romantic Adam. If you continue with this, you will die and you will have so much sorrow to experience too, rethink Adam, please rethink!" Elena pleaded and saw him shrug his shoulders and laugh.

Constantia walked into the room and her back went tense as she saw the man's arm around her sister, "I see that you both are enjoying the view?"

Adam released the younger woman and looked into the ice blue eyes that he adored. Yes she had captured his heart and he felt the pull from the first day, but she was so aloof. "Constantia, your sister says I must decease from my writing it will only bring death and destruction," he said melodramatically.

Constantia looked at the back of her younger sister. She had promised not to get involved with the Englishman she had promised and yet....

"I'm sure Elena has her reasons for saying such a thing Adam. She does have the sight as our mother once did." Constantia responded gravely and looked at the blue of the Aegean Sea.

"Constantia please join us for afternoon tea." Adam asked the women; she held so many mysteries and so many truths, yet she would not let him near.

"No! I have other plans. Have a good afternoon Adam, Elena." Constantia walked away.

"My sister is your soul mate Adam. If you do not take the opportunity you will regret it for the rest of your life." Elena proclaimed and left him on the balcony.

'Damnation I don't know why she won't give me the time of day! It's not fair! I love you Constantia, why won't you take my love?" he pleaded to the emptiness of the balcony. He picked up his pen and changed the title on the sheaves of paper he had in front of him. 'There Can Be Only One Soulmate.'

'I loved you too Adam.Elena told me of your love, but I felt it too late and how wrong I was, and how it hurt when you married my niece. They say things come full circle, but I have never felt that. You didn't come full circle back to me did you Adam? You tried to replace me with an image. She couldn't love you, never loved you. How cruel can the world be!' Constantia sobbed for her youth that had been tarnished by conflict and her young love that she had misunderstood and never stood a chance. Now she was an old woman still plagued by old foes and yet, she felt for once in her life that this time it would come full circle. She didn't know how or why, but that it would.

Her body once again retched and gave up whatever was inside. This time she pressed the bell at her side, she needed help.

Catherine went towards the lounge and her heart lurched as she saw her elder daughter sitting quietly on Faiths knee. They were reading a book.

"Is it a good one?" Catherine asked and was amazed her sick daughter could still shout so loudly. It certainly brought Faith a foot out of her chair.

"Catherine your home?" Lisa announced and bolted out of Faiths lap and straight into Catherine's waiting embrace.

"Yes, I am Princess and how are you?" Catherine kissed the child and heard her sigh in satisfaction.

"I'm good to go Catherine." Laughing as she said the words.

"You are huh? So, who told you that? What can I see before my eyes a very big spot, no not one I see another and another and anther." Catherine said in a bantering tone chuckling at the child's wide eyes.

"Oh, Catherine that's not fair," a pout coming to her face.

"Hey, Princess, I love you and if you had a million spots I would still love you. Never forget that okay?" Catherine kissed the top of the red hair and smiled as Faith looked at them with familiar indulgence.

"So, are you going to finish the story? I need to check up on Jace and Elena. Then I will come back and bath you, I promise. And we get to use that special bubble bath that Jace keeps to herself, what do you say?" Catherine chuckled.

"Yeah, that sounds cool, after dinner Catherine, is that okay? Grandma Faith doesn't read as fast as you." Lisa said and Catherine looked at the amused expression on Faith's face and she smiled with the older women. This child was certainly going to be a handful in the future; she was certainly bad enough now.

"Okay with you Faith?" Catherine asked the other woman who smiled and nodded her head.

"Yes, it is Catherine. I'm happy to see you home," her words sincere as she smiled at the tall raven-haired woman holding her child.

"Thanks. I'll see you both later," she gave Lisa a kiss and set her down on the floor and Rio who had been watching walked up to his small mistress and licked her hand.

"Rio where have you been boy?" The child was now entranced with the dog. Hell of a dog that was certain, he knew just when to make an appearance.

Catherine walked out of the door and looked up at the stairs that led to her partner. The one place she wanted to be. Everything else faded into obscurity she was sure of that.

The door to their room creaked ever so slightly and Catherine cringed at the noise. Pushing it open enough to get her tall frame through she smiled as she saw Jace in the king-sized bed holding close to her chest their youngest daughter. They both looked so serene and peaceful. Catherine wiped a tear away that threatened to fall and shatter her composure. 'I love you Jace. There will never be a day that passes that I will not feel that way.' Walking silently towards the bed she continued to take into her sight the face of her partner in life! No, eternity!

Catherine sat gingerly down at the edge of the bed and placed a gentle hand on her lovers face a tentative caress that Jace seemed to turn to without hesitation, it brought a tender smile to Catherine's face.

As she gazed down at the two of them Catherine pondered what her life would have been like had she never met Jace?

'A lonely woman, a silent woman, a woman without love! All those were true, but it was more profound than that. Who would she have loved, who would have even bothered to love her had Jace not entered her life. The answer as bleak as it might sound would be NONE! Her time left in this life would have been a solitary existence and with what she knew now it would have been such a waste. No, meeting you changed everything Jace. Not just for me, but for others as well. If I never get the chance to say this again.' Her thoughts stopped her tongue decided to take up the narrative, "If I never met you, whom would I have loved? If I had never met you, who would have loved me? If I never met you, who would smile at me with those green eyes, filled with love? If I never met you, why would I want to go on? If I never met you, who would give me dreams instead of demons? If I had never met you, who would fill my darkness with light? If I had never met you, who would kiss me good morning and good night? I love you!" Catherine had picked up Jace's free left hand her right holding their daughter to her chest. Kissing the palm with such tender reverence it was a fleeting gesture, but one that elicited a response from the receiver.

"Catherine?" Green hazy sleepy eyes looked up at her.

"Hello Jace." Catherine sent her a stunning smile that hit Jace full in the face and made her senses wake up immediately.

"Hi Catherine, are you a dream?" Jace asked and shifted slightly trying not to dislodge her daughter, not sure if it was an apparition in front of her. Her hand held in Catherine's clutch at it like a dying man in the tempestuous sea's that threaten only to drown him.

"A dream? No, love I'm flesh and blood and I'm here for you no matter what." Catherine responded slowly and her smile grew with each word.

"Kiss me Catherine, so I know for sure." Jace stated quietly and saw the ice blue eyes twinkle with joy at the comment.

"Anytime dear, anytime at all." Catherine bent down and placed her lips gently on the warm lips of her lover and revelled in the sensations just that tender touched caused in her body. Damn, she wished life wasn't so complicated.

"I love you Catherine," were the whispered words of her lover as she once again fell into a deep exhausted sleep, but the sigh as she did so told Catherine everything she wanted to know.

Watching the slow rise and fall of her partner's chest and the child held securely asleep in her arms, Catherine let the hot tears fall this time without intervention.

"I love you too Jace, if only you knew exactly how much!" Catherine stroked a slim finger down the side of the child's spotty red face. She felt so much tenderness watching this scene; she would defy anyone to break into her special moment with the mother and child.

"One day darling you are going to know exactly how much you mean to me and what you have brought into my life. For you are the only reason, the only reason on this earth that makes me want to live." Catherine whispered in awe, placing a kiss on each of their foreheads. Slipping off her shoes, she managed to slide down on the bed and hold them both in a secure embrace that only she could offer.

~ ~ ~

Detective Dan Kelsey waited patiently for the secretary of James Thompson to announce his arrival. Kelsey had called Thompson two hours earlier to arrange the meeting, but he was getting somewhat frustrated at having to wait for the man. The inner door to an office opened and a small stocky man walked out with a bound set of papers and muttering under his breath. "Hudson all is forgiven." The small man brushed by the detective who moved out of his way, ignoring the fact that he had been rude.

Kelsey looked towards the secretary who was probably middle aged and she looked at him with a shrug. The intercom buzzed and the secretary answered it and motioned with her finger at the door the small man had just exited.

"Mr Thompson will see you now Detective Kelsey."

Kelsey gave her a brief smile and he walked towards the door, knocked and walking in without waiting for an answer to his knock.

James Thompson was sitting behind his desk and it was strewn with that many papers and videos that it was a wonder the man found anything in the mess. Wonder if he lived in such disarray too?

"Mr. Thompson, I'm detective Kelsey, Ms. Devonshire mentioned me I believe?"

"Yes, Catherine called me last evening. We are going to work together on a few details I believe she said." James Thompson looked at the slightly unkempt look of the detective, someone really should advise him on his wardrobe.

"Yeah, that's right. She said you would be in a position to help me track down one Sally Clauser, a two bit actress in LA." Kelsey looked at the man. They were about the same size. Where he was dark, the other man was fair, his clothes had seen better days the man opposite him was immaculately dressed. Kelsey ran a hand over his unruly hair the other man's hair was neat and tidy. A little like chalk and cheese he suspected. Kelsey smiled at one thought though, his desk at the station was always neat and tidy, not like the one in front of him and his apartment in New York was the same.

"Then please sit detective, we obviously have work to do." Thompson put out a well-manicured hand and shook the detectives in a firm handshake that Kelsey was sure would have been the opposite.

"Can I ask you a question Mr. Thompson?" Kelsey saw the man smile with one of the largest grins that he'd ever seen on anyone before. The smile nearly split the man's face.

"As the old saying goes, you may ask?" Thompson wasn't used to being treated so formally, except by the bank manager.

"How are you related to Ms. Devonshire? She said you are family." Kelsey watched the man shuffle some papers on the desk and a small smile reclaimed his face again.

"Catherine hasn't any blood relatives. Yes, she has an aunt, but they do not see each other. Catherine has seen fit to choose her own family. Not blood relatives, but in her eyes relatives nonetheless; I come under that category." Thompson explained softly, it had been an interesting time the last nine months, especially taking over at UCP.

"Ah, so that's the score. I did wonder. Ms. Devonshire is an unusual person and quite different from the normal run of the people I meet in my profession." Kelsey looked around the room; it was in a warm yellow a pastel shade that wasn't too garish, quite restful and bright really.

"Well, I'm sure Catherine would welcome the description, she's certainly an impressive individual detective." Thompson considered the detective's words no, Catherine wasn't the run of the mill normal person one comes across everyday.

"Tell you what, we have to work together for a little while. I'm on leave at the moment, so either Kelsey or Dan will do, okay with you?" Kelsey saw the brief smile.

"Sure, well in that case Thompson or James will be fine with me. Mr. Thompson sounds rather formal and I think the subject matter does not equate to formality in any way I suspect." Thompson replied and waited for the man opposite to answer.

"No, that's true so, to business Thompson. How do we go about tracking Ms Clauser?" Kelsey leaned forward in his chair and waited for the other man to speak.

Catherine had decided to take a shower before dinner; Jace and Elena had been sleeping soundly. She doubted that she would disturb them, but she shut the door and tried to make as little noise as possible.
Walking out of the bathroom with a towel around her wet hair in a turban style she glanced briefly over to the sleeping forms and sure enough mother and daughter were still sound asleep. Catherine had to prevent a chuckle as she heard snoring, one slightly louder than the other, but like mother, like daughter.

Moving over to the desk that was positioned at the far end of the room, Catherine looked at the picture frames that had pride of place on the left-hand side. One was the two of them on their wedding day and Catherine smiled as she recalled her nerves on that very special day. Then she glanced at the picture of her partner holding Elena at two months old; it was one of Catherine's favourites. The largest picture was of Jace and the three children, which had been taken only last month. This captured her eyes Rio was sitting next to Lisa. Tralargon was in the background in the paddock, it had been a beautiful day and the family leaned against the paddock railing all smiles, even Jake. "My family." Catherine said softly and her eyes misted at the images; it really was quite a sobering thought to consider not having them in her life for whatever reason.

"Yes, your family." Jace responded quietly from the confines of the bed and Catherine turned to her partner with a grin.

"Ah, awake at last my love. How long have you been in bed?" Catherine asked and stood up and walked over to sit at the side of the bed that Jace occupied. She had obviously laid Elena on the other side of the bed at some stage.

"I went to bed yesterday for five hours, but I confess I have now been in bed for over ten and I feel very refreshed. Seeing you has done wonders to my stimulation process." Jace smiled and put out a hand and touched the scarred left cheek gently.

"Glad to hear that I can stimulate you with my presence. Dinner will be in about half an hour, want to share your presence with everyone." Catherine asked her and kissed the palm of the hand that held to her face.

"Where you are Catherine." Simple words but with a wealth of meaning in them to Jace's starved ears.

Catherine bent her head and nuzzled Jace's neck and heard the pleasure emitting from the smaller woman.

"Are you tired Catherine?"

"Tired no!" Catherine looked into the sparkling green eyes she missed acutely when she wasn't in the presence of this woman.

"Oh, pity." Jace responded and gave her a small pout, the very eyes she loved twinkling with devilment.

Catherine took in the position of her partner and the smouldering look in the eyes and the invitation...for that was an invitation, if she wasn't mistaken.

"Jace, why is it that everytime you see me, you just want to get me into bed?" the taller woman asked and her voice sounded serious.

Jace looked at Catherine and saw the evil glint in the ice blue eyes; those sexy orbs that would never fail to turn her body to jelly with a look.

"Well, I was looking after your health darling, any problem with that?"

Catherine smiled and her face told Jace her answer as full lips captured hers and it was some time before they surfaced.

"Jace if this is looking after my health, I'm tempted to fake sickness every minute of the day."

Jace laughed and was suddenly pushed to the side as her daughter showed initiative and pushed in between them, her green eyes latching onto the ice blue ones of her mama.

"Mama?" The child shrieked and her spotty and pale face gave Catherine a smile that made her heart beat faster. She was glad she had made the right decision and come home.

"Yes, Darling and how is my little one Mmmm?" Catherine pulled away from Jace and embraced her youngest daughter and kissed the small cheek several times.

"Oh. So, I get left behind for a younger model Catherine, thanks." Jace pouted again and laughed as she saw the startled expression on her partner's face.

Catherine smiled self-consciously at the happy expression on her spouse's face, "Jace you gave me this bundle of joy remember. Can I help it if I fall for green eyes?"

Jace punched her arm playfully and watched as Elena grasped a small fist around the turban that held Catherine's wet hair and it came away with a little backlash against Catherine's neck, making the tall woman frown and yelp at the sting of pain.

"Yeah, well at least she knows how to get your attention, but don't worry Catherine, I'll kiss it better for you later and that's a promise." Jace moved away and padded towards the bathroom, knowing that her partner was watching her move, it always made her tingle at the thought of those eyes roaming all over her body.

Catherine watched with a look of pure enjoyment on her face as Jace walked over to the bathroom, her naked form something that she would watch until the end of her days. The damn woman just made her feel so...so horny! As the door closed on her partner, she turned to her daughter. She thought about getting a shotgun for when Elena was at that age when she would be courting. If she looked anything like her mother, Catherine was sure she was going to have her hands full keeping the lecherous vermin at bay. Then again, there was Lisa to contend with first, but she was sure her elder daughters firebrand humour would distinguish everyone, but the brave of heart. Smiling wickedly at the very thought she tickled the toddler and smiled at her apparent strength. This kid had one hell of a constitution on her.

Sarah was anxiously awaiting the doctor. Lukas had not only called the man he had gone to personally collect him. Consty's health was the prime concern.

"Where are you?" strangled words from the distressed woman prone with sickness and a high fever in the bed brought Sarah closer.

"I'm here Consty, I'm here." Sarah said soothingly and wiped away the silver hair from her eyes, which opened and looked glazedly at her friend.

"Catherine?" Constantia Xianthos asked.She looked enquiringly at her friend and Sarah placed a smaller hand on the woman's brow her own eyes brimming with fresh tears as she realised that the sick woman wasn't talking to her.

"Do you want me to call Catherine, Consty?" Sarah tried to reassure her friend.

"No! She will come. Catherine is coming as it should be." Constantia answered distinctly and Sarah thought for a moment that she was now lucid and properly awake. "She'll come to bring it full circle. It is her destiny."

Sarah clutched one of the frail larger hands in hers and put it to her lips in a gesture of comfort and understanding. Although she didn't understand, "What do you mean Consty, has she called to say she's coming?"

"Dreams, she dreams. She must wrestle with the demons of the past before she can accept the dreams of the future. What is one person's nightmare, becomes another one's dreams. So it will be for Catherine, it will come full circle." Constantia looked at her friend, but did not see her. She saw other shadows other people long ago lost to her.

Sarah didn't know how to react and what to say. "I'll call her Consty," her voice low and barely audible in the room.

Steps could be heard walking towards the room, that would be Lukas with the doctor, 'thank god, I don't want you to die Consty, whatever would I do alone?' Sarah smiled weakly as the door opened and the two men stepped inside.

The dinner had been a quiet affair in the circumstances, particularly as Jake couldn't attend and he was on the ranch, nevertheless it was good to be home.

Elena and Lisa both looked kind of comical with matching spots and sat close together, with Jace for once, at the other end of the table with her daughters keeping the maternal eye on them. Although, they had rallied round quite well in the last twenty-four hours, especially after the scare with Elena, they did appear to get tired easily.

Catherine looked over at Faith who was talking quietly to Constance and it brought a wry smile to her lips. Grace really had no idea how much she got her compassionate nature from her own mother. Maybe one day they would reconcile all their differences and it would be work out, especially now with the impending child.

"Catherine?" Jace said, her hands full with Elena who was trying to extricate herself from the harness as she was twisted in them much to the frustration of both mother and daughter.

"Yes Jace?" Catherine looked up and smiled. Then, rising from her chair made her way over to her daughter's high chair.

Constance watched the domestic scene in fascination.

"Will you please take this little terror of ours for a few minutes. I think she's trying to strangle herself in the straps." Jace requested, fraught at the antics of her daughter. It was evident to Catherine that Jace required a little more sleep. She was like a bear with a sore head when she was tired.

"No problem darling, leave her to me.' Catherine locked gazes with her daughter green on blue and she saw the subtle change and the relaxing of the small fists on the harness. "Elena going to come with mama?" Catherine saw the scowl change to a wide smile and the small arms reach up to the tall woman.

"Got you little one. Lisa you come also. Thought we'd go on the porch and talk to Rio, what do you think?" Catherine turned her smiling face to Lisa as she picked up Elena and held her close.

"Yeah, Catherine. I want to go and Rio likes us telling him a story too!" Lisa sprouted, her voice moved up a pitch in excitement at the treat of both Catherine and Rio.

"Well, in that case, let's go and find the reclusive Rio Warriorson." Catherine chuckled and had Elena place on her left hand hip and with ease picked up the featherlight Lisa on her right.

"Catherine he's not related. You can't call him Warriorson!" Lisa explained as the tall woman walked towards the door and nodded her head at Constance and Faith.

"I can't? But he's family isn't he Lisa? Just like you, Jake and Elena?" Catherine said softly and the rest of the adults didn't hear the answer as the door shut behind the woman and her daughters.

There was silence in the room and Jace looked across at the bemused expression Constance's face. "How about coffee ladies I know I could do with one?" Jace smiled at them and they nodded as Jace stood up and went over to the table that held the coffee pot and picked out three cups, pouring the black liquid inside.

Several minutes later Constance looked at Jace and asked, "Will she really read them a story and the dog too?"

Jace smiled and looked at Faith and they exchanged a glance that said everything. "Yes, would you like to experience it?"

Constance raised her head and starred into the warm laughing green eyes, "Will she mind if we do?"

"No, no Catherine is home. If she invited you here Constance, she cares about you and she will not mind you experiencing what being part of that entails." Jace answered seriously her eyes taking on a wistful far away look.

"In that case lead the way Jace. I really want to see this." Constance replied quietly, amazed that her boss actually thought more of her than a mere employee.

An hour later the two children were sleeping in Catherine and Jace's room. Faith was watching a movie on TV with Judy. Constance was talking to Jace about New Zealand and how she liked the country. Catherine was leaning against the railing of the paddock stroking the muzzle of her horse and talking to Colin.

"She certainly is different here. I would never have believed it had I not seen it for myself." Constance stated as she leaned her elbows against the porch railings and watched her boss talking to a man.

Jace grinned, "Yes, Catherine is different here and she needs to be. It is her home, no pressure, although, that is debatable at times. Catherine made a home for herself here Constance long before I met her. This is her home. She feels safe here and now she knows love is here for her, no matter what happens elsewhere. I'm very fortunate she loves the children and me. We do not exist without her and I know she doesn't exist without us either." The words solemn but not sad, they held a light that defied explanation.

Constance turned her gaze to the small blonde who had captured the heart of Xianthos. For Catherine was a very powerful woman. If she wasn't on the side of good it would be easy to see her as a godfather type figure as she had that presence. That sheer magnitudes of personality that drew you in and never let you go unless she wanted you to go. "I think she should stay here for good."

Jace looked at the woman who she knew had problems. Although, she didn't exhibit any major addiction, Jace could see the signs and her heart went out to her. For Catherine to bring her home it must be important, Jace was prepared to accept that. Although, she wasn't enamoured by the thought that someone who had now succumbed to drink and drugs was now residing in the house. Yet! Hadn't Catherine been the same. Would she have turned Catherine away all those years ago? No! She wouldn't, nor this woman either. It was her destiny to save someone she could and she was waiting to do that, she needed to do that! "Perhaps, I would like that. But Catherine is a free spirit Constance, however, when all is said and done, I do believe she does well when she goes away. So long as she comes back to me, I will hold the love she has for me and our children and friends safe for her here on the ranch."

"Those are very sentimental words Jace. I wish someone had that kind of faith in me." Constance responded quietly and turned her head to gaze upon her employer again.

"Perhaps you weren't ready to accept that kind of faith in you. Maybe you need to try again." Jace stated and watched the slim back to her stiffen at the words.

"Try convincing that to someone else. I wish she'd listen that's all. I need a second chance. That is all I ask." Constance countered, her tone wistful.

"If you listen to your heart Constance perhaps it might send the right message to her. If you listen to your head, you might never have the chance again." Jace spoke with a tinge of emotional understanding.

"Did anything like this happen to you and Catherine? A separation that you didn't think you could salvage?" Constance turned as she spoke the words and wished she hadn't as she saw the cheeks pale and the eyes fill with tears.

"Did anything happen like that for Catherine and I? Oh, yes it did. And believe me, I thought she was lost to me and it was the end of the world." Jace expressed, her voice choked on the words.

Constance came over to the chair that the blonde was seated in and took the one opposite. "I'm really sorry Jace, if it brought up bad memories. I never intended to do that. You have to believe me." The darker woman said sincere in her apologies.

Tears swam and finally drifted down her cheeks and neither woman spoke as they both had memories to cause them pain. "Have I a problem here?" Catherine was eyeing the two women from her point at the top step of the porch. Her eyes shifting from anger at Constance to anxiety for Jace at the tears the blonde shed.

"Catherine?" Jace said indistinctly the tears still evident and she smiled with watery eyes at her partner.

"Got that one right." Catherine said quietly and walked over to Jace's chair and knelt down so that their faces were on a level with each other.

Jace reached out a hand and placed it tenderly on the cheek of her partner. "I love you Catherine."

Catherine sucked in a deep breath and exhaled it in quiet joy. "I know. I know you do darling and I certainly reciprocate." Catherine placed a brief kiss on the lips before her and she then pulled her tall frame upright and starred at her business colleague.

"Constance it's been a long day. Jace and I are going to have an early night. You are welcome to stay inside the house, but I will be setting the security system outside the house now. So, if you wouldn't mind, please keep yourself within the internal confines. The interior is free for you to roam about as you see fit." Catherine stated her mind now pre-occupied with getting her lover to bed and finding out why she was crying.

"Okay, that sounds good to me." Constance responded quietly and envied the love that emitted from the women in the close proximity.

Catherine held out her hand to Jace who clasped it eagerly.

"Goodnight Constance I hope you sleep well."

"I believe I will. I'm kind of tired myself. It's been a long...well a long time without sleep I guess." The darker woman smiled and went towards the main door and let herself in the main house leaving the two lovers together.

Jace turned into Catherine's strong embrace and she leaned her head on the broad shoulder. "I'm glad you're back darling."

Catherine could feel her heart beat pick up a pace at the simple words. "Yes, well that feeling is mutual. I cannot think of anything closer to heaven than holding you close in my arms in bed."

Jace considered the words and she felt her body respond on the primal level, "You haven't forgotten we have Lisa and Elena in our room have you Catherine?" It was a tentative question.

Catherine smiled wryly, "I could think of better places for them, but as they were part and parcel of why I came home, no! I will be very happy tonight to share my room and if necessary my bed with the three most beautiful women in my life." Catherine whispered the words into the shining blonde hair.

Jace looked at her partner and their gazes locked. The messages they sent each other didn't need words. It didn't need an interpreter. It just needed these two people very much in love and that was enough, more than enough.

"Let's go to bed Catherine?" Jace said, her words muffled as her mouth latched onto the side of her partner's neck and she kissed the soft smooth skin where Elena had left a small red mark earlier.

"Any time partner, anytime." Catherine without hesitation picked up the petite blonde and pushed open the door and proceeded up the stairs and within a short space of time, the alarm system was activated and the two adults were happily snuggled up together in the king sized bed with a daughter on either side.

Several hours later, the phone rang in the early hours of the morning at Destiny and minutes later a sleepy Catherine Warriorson picked it up.

"Destiny Ranch, what can I do for you?" her voice annoyed at the disturbance and looking at the clock it was only three a.m. didn't people sleep!

Catherine listened intently to the person at the other end of the line, her mind suddenly becoming alert.

"I'll be there Sarah give me a couple of days." More words at the end of the line and Catherine and the caller ended the conversation.

Catherine replaced the receiver and looked out at the stillness of the room and the three slumbering forms in her bed. It brought a brief smile to her lips. Then she walked over to glance out at the darkness that surrounded the ranch.

'So it had come!'

Turning abruptly she went back to her place in the bed and managed to retrieve some of the sheet that was being shared by the four of them.

Seconds later lips that she knew without question grazed her ear, "Is everything alright?" Jace asked her voice full of the sleep she wasn't really free from.

Catherine quirked a grin and turned slightly to see the face of her lover in semi sleep her eyes still closed.

"Yes, everything is fine, go back to sleep. I love you." Catherine whispered softly and placed a tender kiss on her forehead and then wrapped her arms around not only her partner but also the two children who had snuggled closer.

Catherine's last thought as she fell asleep, 'This is my family, this is what it's all about!'

~ ~ ~

Jace watched the proud profile of the woman she loved mulling over the phone call she'd received in the early hours of the morning. Judy and Faith had volunteered to help the girls with breakfast and bathe them afterwards so Catherine and Jace could talk for a while alone.

Jace could see the steadily building process of a decision being made, that perhaps would be unwelcome and as always she waited. Catherine would tell her soon. She was steeling herself to do so, it had been a character trait that to this day Jace disliked, but now understood. Not so, the first time she had seen it.

"I know you're there Jace." Catherine looked uncannily towards the small blonde, who exhaled abruptly at having been found out, in what could only be regarded as spying on the woman she loved. But who had as yet refused all the overtures that Jace had sent her in these fragile three weeks she'd been resident at Destiny.

"I'm sorry Catherine, I didn't mean...well, at least I hope I didn't disturb you. I'm sorry...." Jace trailed of unsure of what to say.

Catherine focused on the soft voiced entreaty of the younger woman and it made her smile a small flicker that came and went so suddenly on those full lips that if Jace hadn't been watching she would surely have missed it.

"No problem Jace. Funnily enough, I was thinking about you."

Jace looked surprised and she felt hurt that the expression she had seen on Catherine's face was certainly not a happy one and that caused her pain deep within her heart. "Thinking about me? Would they be good thoughts or bad?" Jace asked quietly not sure if she wanted the answer.

Catherine chose that moment to close the gap between them. She was standing so close all Jace wanted to do was wrap her arms around the older woman who was looking at her with a mixture of emotions crossing her face, the most prominent one disbelief. Jace was intoxicated at the sight before her the open shirt that exposed a flawless smooth skin on the right-hand side and ugly traces of scarring on the left-hand side, like the opposite side of a coin.

"You will always hold good thoughts for me Jace." The whispered admission a soothing balm to Jace, who looked into the unseeing ice blue eyes and her own green ones shimmered with tears as she considered the missing vitality of light that no longer emitted from them. Like a lighthouse suddenly loosing it's main lamp the possibility to flounder in the deadly seas now within the hands of nature itself and not the large strong and comforting hands of the woman before her. Jace shook her head at the fanciful thoughts, she really needed to get back to writing poetry again for this woman certainly inspired her, had always inspired her to wax lyrically.

"Can I ask you a question then?" Jace asked, her breathing becoming ragged, as her senses wanted her to capture the lips of the woman before her and ease the deep frown that once again appeared at the words she uttered.

"Go ahead, you may ask me anything." Catherine responded, her voice the low tone that sent Jace's knees weak.

"What's the frown for? Why do I get the impression you are worried about something that you don't want to tell anyone?"

The voice hoarse, their hormones were definitely going into overdrive. She was sure being pregnant had that effect on them.

"I know, I understand and will always understand. One thing I want you to promise me is that you will come home?"

Jace sucked in a deep breath and then exhaled it, "No! I want you to come home to me!" Jace's voice hoarse as the enormity of what she was asking Catherine to do as she came up to her and starred her in the face. It would be so easy for Catherine to bounce that comment out of the ballpark.

Catherine felt her own equilibrium sway before her eyes. The statement had not been expected or had it? Wasn't that why she was so nervous of leaving? That perhaps, Jace might leave again, never to return home! Home is where the heart is, the so-called expression. She knew with clarity where hers resided. It wasn't mentally or physically Destiny anymore. It was in the hands of the woman who was basically offering her that security.

"Yes! Yes, I will," the words so softly spoken.

 Jace barely heard them and when she was sure that was what was said, she placed the hand that was entwined in her fingers to her lips and kissed them.

"Are we going to have a conversation Catherine?Faith and Judy have been so kind as to leave us with some free time together. Or, do I get the cold shoulder indefinitely." Jace smiled as she saw the look of complete surprise cross Catherine's face. She didn't even realise she was doing it. That was the most endearing thing, just as well, or she might have been annoyed.

"What! Oh, bloody hell. I'm sorry Jace, I forget sometimes." Catherine left her pacing and went towards the sofa that Jace was seated in and knelt down before her, then picked up both her hands and gently kissed.

"Well if this is what your going to do everytime you stop talking to me for a few minutes, Hades I'm going to enjoy myself immensely. So, what's up Catherine? Are you going to tell me now?" Jace chuckled as the red stain of embarrassment stain the high cheeks bones before her.

"The call last night, it was from Sarah Rogers. She needs me to travel to Xianspiros now." Catherine answered absently, her fingers gently entwining with the smaller ones she held.

Jace smiled indulgently at her partner, had to wonder where her mind drifted someday's? "You know I could get jealous if you're going to be gallivanting off to a person, not to mention a place, I've never heard of before."

Catherine looked up into the twinkling green eyes and her own held confusion, then finally, understanding as she realised what she had left out of the simple sentence. "I'm sorry Jace, that was unforgivable of me. I thought you knew, but of course you wouldn't," her voice soft and completely enchanting to the blonde who watched her in fascination.

"Come sit here beside me darling and tell me." Jace smiled warmly at Catherine, who looked ready to bolt at the suggestion. Something wasn't quite settling well with her partner that was for sure. Jace wanted to find out exactly what and why that was? "I won't bite, I promise. Unless you want me to, that is?" She chuckled and saw another look of...it reminded Jace of a child unable to grasp something that they didn't understand and couldn't express.

Catherine finally stood up and released the hands she had been holding and sat down heavily in the sofa.

Jace wrapped a strong, but gentle arm around her and brought the dark head to rest comfortably on her shoulder. Jace started to stroke the hair a tender motion to relax her partner, who now seemed to be as tight as a drum.

Several minutes of relaxed silence and Catherine finally began to speak in a low modulated tone, which sounded as if it belonged to another person as Jace listened intently.

"Sarah Rogers is my aunts housekeeper. She arrived as a young woman in the house in London when we went to live with Constantia. So, it's been nearly thirty years now! I know only that my aunt went back to live on the island of her birth and where my mother was born too. Sarah obviously went with her. Not sure when or why. All I know is that the last address I found that had her name on was at the Xianthos villa on Xianspiros. If you are wondering Jace, I found it when I was going through Adams personal papers. Funny, I really need to go through several other boxes of his things, but I just couldn't face it in the end...foolish wouldn't you say?" Catherine looked up and was surprised, but delighted at the soft kiss she received in response.

"No. No, not foolish. Sentimental maybe, but never foolish darling." Jace answered her and resumed her stroking of the hair of her partner.

"Now that must be a first, me being sentimental,' Catherine laughed softly and continued with her story. "All Sarah said was that my aunt is ill and she's been calling for me and that I would understand."

"Do you understand why your aunt is calling for you?"

Catherine turned her face up and held the green eyes with her blue ones for several seconds. It was a look of complete despair and yet held a hope beneath the surface that Jace was hard pressed not to feel the tears curse down her face at the vulnerability she saw there.

"Yes. Yes, I'm afraid I do know why. She will be dreaming." Catherine replied enigmatically.

"I'm sorry darling, but what do you mean by dreaming? Is that in it would be a dream that you would turn up even though asked?" Jace was surprised at the response. She knew there wasn't a relationship between Catherine and her aunt. Certainly on Catherine's part, whatever she felt was antagonistic.

"Dreaming, in as we both dream and things happen. A family trait, which fortunately will die when I die, for I have no blood children alive, nor does Constantia that I'm aware of anyway." It was a solemn statement said entirely factually, but with a hint of disappointment buried beneath the depths.

Jace wasn't sure if she should just wait for further clarification, her own inquisitive and impatient need outweighed it. "Catherine why didn't you tell me months ago that the dreams had something to do with your aunt. You could have gone? No! We could have gone and cleared up the issue once and for all."

"Because Jace, I didn't know for sure and all I knew was that she would be the person who could interpret them for me. But, I kept putting it off. Guess now I go and see exactly why I'm dreaming the dreams I do." Catherine gave her partner a tight smile. It wasn't reflected in her eyes, as they appeared dull and lifeless. Her sighted right eye had the impression it was as blind as the left.

"What are you going to do?" came the whispered question

"Do? Do, Jace? Well, I'll keep up the family tradition and honour the request from my only living relative, however painful that might be. You see my Greek blood would not allow me to forget her Jace. And my English ancestry will not allow me to ignore a request from her either. So I'm trapped in a spiral of family traditions and ties that can never be covered in any handbook. I do not want to go, but I will go for I have no choice in the matter." Catherine resounded, her voice growing heavy at the thought of the journey.

"Would you like me to go with you?" Jace asked tentatively.

Catherine laughed bitterly it wasn't a pleasant sound and Jace gave her a quizzical look. "I want you by my side for the rest of my life Jace, but this time...this time I do this final thing alone, it is the final piece that makes up the puzzle of my past life. The girls need you here anyway and...well I have to go track down Hudson. This was only going to be a temporary visit. You knew that didn't you love?"

"No! No I want you to come back home after Greece Catherine. Promise me you will? Please don't go running around the world on a wild goose chase for that woman!" Jace's voice anguished at the very thought.

"I can't promise that; I would never promise that Jace! Once the bitch is either dead or in prison and I prefer the former myself, than I'll never leave you again, that I'll promise." Catherine's voice raised an octave or two and she moved away from Jace on the sofa and stood up her body rigidly in control.

"Catherine you have promised that to me time and time again and you still leave me behind! Why do you persist in lying to me? It's not good enough that I have to live with all your demons, but to keep battling them daily, with you apparently on their side. For God's sake Catherine, I'm only human and I can't take much more!" Jace couldn't stem the tears this time as they fell heavily. Catherine watched the scene as if she wasn't a part of it at all, merely a spectator in the crowd.

"That's not true Jace, I...well you... that is... you asked to be let inside. You pleaded with me to let you in!" Catherine's voice strained at the words. What did this mean and how the hell did it become out of hand like this.

"Don't you leave me behind again!" This time the frustration of so many wasted hours alone, angry and simply missing the woman before her hit Jace so acutely, she thought that it was a physical blow to the head. Jumping up, she faced her partner squarely and although her head only reached the taller woman's shoulder, she didn't appear smaller; one would have said by her stance, that she was the taller in the conflict.

"Do you think for one moment that I want to Jace? That I enjoy going into these situations without you beside me, do you?" Catherine's words becoming angrier by the minute.

"I want to say an emphatic no! But...it's not true is it Catherine? It's not true. There is always going to be a situation or an event that will take a part of you away from me time and again and I need to learn to live with it." Jace replied quietly, but with so much feeling Catherine's heart hammered in her chest at the emotional upheaval it was causing.

Catherine looked down at the green eyes that expressed so much emotion, be it love, warmth, comfort, compassion, anger, hurt and pain. And she was the cause of the ones that distressed her partner the most. The sheer volume of them a burden Catherine was loath to keep inflicting on the woman she loved. Yet, she had no choice! There was just being with Jace and everything that went with it and she could survive! Or, there was leaving Jace and being alone and dying a little at a time each day until there was nothing left.

"Yes. There will always be that situation. Is that what you wanted to hear?"

Jace turned away and walked towards the patio window in the study and watched the serene peacefulness of the ranch and the fields that came into view.

"Will you talk to the children this time and explain the situation?" her quiet words indicating that the decision was made and there was no turning back.

"That was my intention," Catherine's words clipped and emotionless.

"Jake will be in the stables. I suggest you go there first he will be waiting to see you, he... missed you." Jace felt the sting of the tears that she was holding back.

"I'll go there now, I will leave at lunchtime, guess there's no reason to delay the inevitable." Catherine watched the slim back of her partner. It was like someone was aiming a crossbow at her heart and she had no means to stop it.

"Yes, a good idea." Jace answered mechanically, her mind and heart vying for control.

"I'll talk to Lisa and Elena when I come back from seeing Jake. Will you ask Constance...?" Her words were effectively stopped as Jace turned an angry profile to Catherine.

"You're taking her with you?" the accusation as clear as the nose on her face.

Catherine closed her eyes momentarily and tried to compose the adequate reply without getting angry herself. "No! I'm leaving her behind the only person...hell I'm going alone!"

"What do you want me to ask Constance?" Jace finally asked the coldness of the room although it was stifling inside sending a shiver down her back.

"I would like her to attend some of the drugs rehabilitation programmes you have been involved with in the town; not as a user but for information. I think she will benefit from it." Catherine requested quietly.

Jace saw the concern and the compassion for the other woman flicker across Catherine's face before she shut everything and everyone out.

"It's a good idea. I think she will understand perhaps what's going on in her life or what could happen."

"Yes, that's what I thought. I'll go and see Jake." With that Catherine turned on her heal and left the room, her going leaving a large hole that no one else could fill.

Jace didn't reply, as there was no need. She continued to watch from her standpoint at the window and within a minute Catherine was striding towards the stable and their son. 'Why did they do this? Why did they want to punish each other like this? Why?'

~ ~ ~

Jake was grooming Rosy and humming a senseless tune, or was it an off key tune as Catherine walked purposefully inside.

"Jake." Catherine called loud enough to show her presence, but not enough to startle the boy.

Jake turned and his face gave out the most amazing smile she had ever seen in her life. It was all for her. She needed it, oh lord, did she need it. "Catherine am I glad to see you." He stopped the brush in mid air and then placed it on the side of the railing of the stall that Rosy was installed in.

Catherine gave him one of her dazzling smiles of pure affection. She did love these children of hers, she really did. They might not be physically part of her, but that was not the point; she loved them as her own. "Well, boy I'm glad to see you too." She held out her arms and he rushed into them. For several moments, they held each other in quiet acceptance of their mutual needs.

"Catherine how long are you staying?" Jake asked quietly as they disengaged from the embrace.

"That's an interesting question Jake and one of the reasons for coming to see you now. I need to leave at lunchtime." Catherine looked at the boy with sympathetic ice blue eyes he looked stunned.

"You're not even staying for a day with us?" His voice shocked.

"I was Jake, I was. But my aunt or rather her friend called, she's sick and I need to go and visit." Catherine tried to explain.

"But you... you never came back for the girls immediately after they were sick, like Jace did. It wasn't until Elena was in the hospital that you came home." Jake stated accusingly.

Catherine was upset at the plain truth thrown at her by a mere boy. "Jake, I know it sounds odd, but I wanted to come home really I did. And I was planning on coming home!"

"You didn't though, did you, not like Jace? I know Elena is her real daughter, but she loves us all in the same way. Do you Catherine? Do you love us as much as your dead son?" Jake asked her and waited for something, he didn't even know what.

Catherine was astonished at the remark and she felt an acute pain that threatened to overwhelm her it was so intense. "No, no I didn't come home right away.You're right Jake. That was wrong of me and I hope you can forgive me? I love you like a son Jake, I really do. And I love the girls also they are my daughters. If I'm not showing that please tell me why?" her anguish plain to the listener, but he was a boy he didn't understand.

"Why haven't you adopted us then?" The pain from the boy made tears brim close to falling from her eyes.

"Because I can't Jake!" The words returned with equal anguish.

Jake turned his back on her and refused to do anything else but pick up the grooming brush and continue his task. "You don't want to know why?" Catherine asked her voice cracking with the emotion.

"No!" the boy snapped angrily.

Catherine watched him for several minutes and then turned her back and as she was about to leave the stables, "I do love you and your sisters Jake. If there was a tangible way I could show you, I would. Don't pull the brush so hard on her flanks, she will bite you." Catherine said as she left the boy to his grooming and his thoughts.

Colin was walking towards the paddock as she left. She looked at him and a small smile played around her lips. He returned the smile with a warm one of his own. "Nice day?"

"For some, I'm sure it is Colin. Do me a favour and check on Jake in say fifteen minutes." Catherine requested tenderly.

"Why? Do you want me to go now?" he asked troubled at the statement.

"No! No go in fifteen minutes please. He's fine for now." Catherine answered and walked swiftly towards the ranch house and the girls.

Constance looked at the partner of her boss and saw the strain. She wondered what had gone wrong from the previous evening. 'Hell they had been so engrossed and caring about each other and now something was wrong, so wrong and the house was almost deadly silent.'

"Jace do you want me to do anything today?" Constance asked the preoccupied woman.

"No!" Jace answered her mind totally on something else.

"Okay, that's fine. I get the message I'll wait for Catherine." Constance replied quietly.

Jace looked out of the kitchen window and saw her partner talking to Colin near the paddock. "I'm sorry Constance, Catherine will be leaving at lunchtime. She had a call that was an important family problem."

Constance looked at the blonde she didn't look happy at all. "I guess I'll be going with her then. She seems to like to take me around the world like a dog. Must have been a throw back to when she was blind with the dog, huh?"

Jace laughed half-heartedly at the comment. "You will stay here with us. When she wants you, she will no doubt call for you." The last words said with bitterness that Jace couldn't hide.

"Okay, I will do what she wants. After all she is the boss, right?"Constance looked at the blonde before her and saw a pain that she had seen before it had been on Clare's face in the restaurant that night. Jesus, how did they ever get into these situations?

"The boss to you maybe," Jace replied angrily and her whole body stiffened as Catherine left Colin and moved towards the house. This was a nightmare.

 "Catherine, Elena and I are feeling better, so tonight can you read us a story?" Lisa asked as her hands reached around the tall woman.

Catherine allowed the child to... no it should be a natural reaction, what the hell was wrong with her? "Lisa I need you to listen to me, okay?"

Catherine looked at the redhead and smiled. She really wished this child was her own there was something about her that made her feel linked almost to the child, kind of crazy. Then she looked at Elena who was playing for once quietly with her bricks in the playpen. "God I love you both so much." Catherine said quietly part of her hoping the elder child didn't hear her.

"Well we love you too Catherine. You know we do." Lisa said and settled down into her lap.

"Yes, I know you do, but Lisa I have to go away again today and I need you to do something for me." Catherine said and watched in earnest as the child looked at her with blue eyes that seemed to see everything that went on regardless of how painful it could be!

"You want us to look after Jace for you Catherine." The child replied clearly and her eyes never wavered as she said it.

"Yes, that's exactly right Lisa. I need you to look after Jace for me and Elena and Jake do you think you can do that?" Catherine hugged the slender form of the child to her.

"Yeah, sure I can Catherine. Are you coming home soon?" Lisa asked her innocently.

Catherine hugged her tighter and placed a tender kiss on the head of the child and her face actually smiled for the first time since she'd talked to Jace earlier. "I'll be home as soon as I can Princess and I mean that."

"We will be here Catherine. We love you." Lisa volunteered and it brought tears to the eyes of the tall woman holding her daughter securely in her arms.

"Yes, I know you do and I love you also Lisa." Catherine held the child close for several minutes until she squirmed to be free and settled herself next to Elena and they began to play some childish game that she didn't understand.

Catherine bent down and kissed the dark head of Elena and she looked longingly at the two girls as they sat playing innocently in the room. Damn, but it was hard to leave.

Catherine was packing her case with a few of her favourite items of clothing. Anything else she needed she would buy along the way. Jace had been quiet and withdrawn at the whole process to such an extent that she was alone in their room, packing her luggage to leave once again. "Bloody great! I can't even talk to my wife properly anymore," her voice soft echoing in the empty bedroom.

Catherine was hurt and simply unable to do the right thing, or at least the right thing that Jace approved of and what was that exactly?

Walking over to her CD collection she selected one by Infinity and smiled at the title, so very appropriate. 'Leaving Without You.' Her hand shook as she placed it in the player and it rang out tones she wished she'd forgotten. It was one of the first ones the group had ever recorded.

'There In I Love You!'

There comes a time in life when you leave the ones you love,

In the entire world there will be no one like you,

I always dreamed of you and never thought you'd go,

Love was the guiding light and we tossed it away,

You are the very thing that made my blood flow,

Catherine had finished her packing as the music ended on the song. She turned and looked around the room, feeling a loss she couldn't understand. Turning the CD player off she collected her case and went out of the bedroom towards the kitchen.

Walking in, she placed the case near to the door, but not so it posed a problem for anyone else. Her eyes eagerly scanned the four walls and she sucked in a breath as she was face to face with her partner.

"You ready to leave Catherine?" Jace asked calmly.

Catherine let out her breath and she heaved a heavy sigh. "Yes, I've said my goodbyes to the children and explained as well as I'm able the situation. I think you might want to check on Jake sometime today. He was kind of upset."

Jace nodded her head at the words. Hades Catherine, who wasn't! "I'll do that; he's perhaps feeling a little lonely not being with the girls and in his own room."

Catherine pondered that as a plausible explanation for the boys' uncharacteristic emotional outburst earlier. Jace as usual knew the problem at face value.

"Yes. Yes, I'm sure that's the reason."

Colin chose that moment to come into the room via the side door on the porch and looked at the two women cautiously. He went a tinge red as he lowered his head and spoke. "Catherine I have the Landrover ready and Frank will be waiting for you and the connection from Christchurch to Athens has been confirmed." He looked up and saw the strain evident in both women's faces. "I'll be waiting outside then." He left the room as abruptly as he entered.

"I have to go." Catherine said bleakly. She didn't want to approach Jace her nerves were already shot from the morning's discussions and the meeting with the children. Another rebuke from her partner would send her over the edge.

"Yes, I know." Jace wanted to wrap her arms around Catherine and never let her go but... she couldn't, it was too late for that, her disillusionment so acute.

Catherine picked her up her case and the laptop that had been previously left in the kitchen for her to collect. She walked slowly towards the outer door her feet felt like lead weights. Jace watched her approach the door and she tried to call her back, she tried to will herself to forgive, and she tried....

Catherine turned suddenly and those ice blue eyes pierced the green ones and they simply asked for forgiveness as she opened the door and went out of the room.

Jace was trapped on the spot by her own inability to function beyond the selfishness of the situation and her outlook on it. Catherine was leaving again!

The motor roared into life on the vehicle on the drive and the sounds of the wheels on the gravel making Jace jump and bring her to her senses. As she opened the door to call out to Catherine it was already too late. The vehicle was headed towards the gates and the airport. Jace watched as silent tears cursed down her cheeks. She didn't know what to do, would Catherine call her? Did she deserve for Catherine to call her? A hand gently touched her shoulder and she turned dazedly towards brown warm eyes that settled on her in understanding.

"It was always going to come to this Jace. She needs you to be strong here for her and I know you will be, she knows that too." Grace said gently to her friend. The whole household was aware that there had been some kind of disagreement with the couple.

"Does she Grace? Does she really know I will be? Because I don't for sure! So, how can she possibly believe it?" Jace answered in a voice torn into shreds at her own perception of herself.

Grace tipped the blonde's chin towards her and she gave her a grin that lit the brown eyes into a warm chocolate haze and Jace responded with a small smile of her own. "Yes, Jace she does. Because she loves you and she knows that you love her and you will work it out. Catherine is far too clever to let you go Jace. Even if you wanted to, she wouldn't allow it. You're hers now and she doesn't let go, haven't you found that out yet?"

Jace's smile grew slightly at her friend's words. "I guess I forgot for a moment how possessive she could be, huh?"

"Yeah, that's the spirit. Before you know it, she'll be back and begging you to...well... I guess that's between the two of you, but you get my meaning I think." Grace chuckled and saw a faint pink tinge her friend's cheeks.

"Yeah! I get your meaning Grace and I guess it wont be the first time and knowing the two of us, not the last either." Jace accepted finally.

"That's my girl. Now do you want to come over to my house and talk to a rather morose boy. One who thinks the world is ending because he was nasty to Catherine." Grace supplied and watched a flash of pain cross the smaller woman's face.

"Oh, no. I bet she thought the whole world was against her this morning." Jace cried out in anguish for her partner.

"Well, fortunately it's Catherine. She'll live to make you all apologise later." Grace took one of Jace's hands and pulled her towards the kitchen door and onto the porch and the house opposite.

Catherine was seated in one of the chairs in the small single engine aircraft as Frank was going through the moments of taking off. It had been a rather traumatic morning. She wasn't sure who had come off the worse, her, Jace, or the kids. Maybe they had all faired pretty badly. And who could say, what this would mean at the end of the day.

Resting her head against the cold windowpane she looked out at the airfield and considered if there was anyway in the future that she could stay on the ranch for good after this, and keep one of those rather tentative promises she often had to break. It wouldn't be easy, near impossible she surmised, but it might be possible. She had an idea that she hoped might work in the short term anyway, which would leave them the time to settle down as a family and if Jace still wanted it, another baby also. Although in the present circumstances she didn't feel it would be appropriate to think on those lines, perhaps in a few months in the future....

Glancing down at the simple gold band on her left hand, she brought it up to her lips and kissed it reverently. "I love you Jace. If something should happen, though god forbid it does, I will rue the day I left without saying so for the last time." Her words slipped out quietly to the empty cabin. She felt the hot sting of tears and viciously wiped them away. Now was not the time for sentiment, now was the time to focus and clear up the outstanding matter with her aunt and see Hudson in Hell for good this time. That was the sequence of events and that would be how things mapped out for her.Then she could, and she would go home! It was incredibly simple when you thought about it. Now to carry out the words and she would, regardless of how long it took her, she would!

~ ~ ~

"Sarah why?" Constantia was sitting up in bed regarding her close friend who had just informed her that Catherine was on her way and would be on the Island later this evening.

Sarah moved over to the beautiful serene view from outside of the window of her friend's room and then turned back to face the clearly angry woman. "Consty you were calling for her. I didn't think it would be a problem. I'm sorry."

Constantia looked at her apologetic friend in quiet reflection. No Sarah would have thought she was doing something good for her; the woman didn't have a hurtful bone in her body.

"That's okay Sarah. I was out of it I suppose. The drugs the doctor prescribed have cleared that up as well as the vomiting. Now to gain back some strength and as we know, it is always difficult these days."

"Oh, I'm so pleased that you're well again Consty. I was worried, you did look really sick and you kept speaking about the strangest things, including Catherine." Sarah sat on the side of the bed and placed a gentle hand on the frail one of her friend's.

"Yes, Catherine. Now, what to do about her? She will not be happy that she's coming here and I'm not either dead or dying." Constantia spoke dispassionately. She hadn't talked with her niece in over fifteen years and that had been a brief acknowledgement at Lucas' funeral. God knows how maturity had faired with the rebellious child. She really had been rather selfish and unforgiving of situations.

"I'm sure you're wrong Consty. She surely will not want to see you dead. You are her only family after all." Sarah said her hand went to her mouth as she exclaimed them.

"You're right. I'm being harsh on someone I do not know. The Catherine as a teenager and the woman today, I imagine, are poles apart. At least from what Adam described as well as the papers have provided for us, she obviously is different. You must promise me one thing when she gets here Sarah?" Constantia looked at her friend her eyes earnest in their regard.

"Anything Consty, you know that." Sarah smiled and saw the look of concern briefly flash over the face of her friend.

"You are not allowed to mention that I need a wheelchair or the accident. Do you hear me?" Constantia spoke with a steel edge to her voice.

"But...but why?" Sarah said astonished at the proposed deceit.

"Because it is none of her concern. She will not stay long if she knows that the illness was not life threatening. So, I suspect she will leave the day after tomorrow." Constantia smiled warmly at her friend and placed her thin frail hand on the top of the one on the bedspread.

"I will do as you wish Consty. I do not agree with you. She will be hurt that you do not tell her, if she has any of the Xianthos blood flowing through her veins. I think you misjudge her without cause." Sarah replied quietly and lifted her free hand to wipe away an errant tear.

"Oh, Sarah, please do not cry. It will be fine. Remember that Catherine and I are very alike. I would suspect she would do exactly the same in my position." The older woman spoke softly and she had no realisation that the words did indeed, reflect the truth.

"Will Lukas pick Catherine up at the ferry terminal? The boat arrives at around eight this evening?" Sarah finally asked.

"Yes, of course Lukas will collect Catherine. I'm not that cruel that I leave her to find her own way here. She is family as you so rightly pointed out to me. How about some tea, I think we could both use it."

"Yes, good idea. They do say that tea is good for whatever ails you don't they?" Sarah smiled and stood up, made for the door and her task of brewing the mentioned tea.

Constantia watched her friend leave. She sighed again. This time in contentment, for she knew that Sarah would not break that promise and when she informed Lukas, he would not either. It was for the best, she did not want Catherine's pity! Her mind was annoyed about the visit of her niece, but her heart for some strange reason rejoiced at it.

Thompson was waiting for Kelsey to arrive at his office. He was late! Typical he was suspicious of the man himself but he didn't know him and hopefully he wouldn't have to put up with him for long, after all his involvement was simply to open doors in the community to find out as much as possible of Sally Clauser. He'd already done some research that would help and it looked like Clauser had left the country but that was up to the detective to find out for sure more his field of expertise.

James turned to observe the car park and see if his visitor had arrived yet and low and behold there was the man of his thoughts, chatting amiably with one of the actress's passing by. It was clear that Kelsey was being a total asshole with the young woman who he suspected was just being polite. In this game you never knew who that person might be and it could be your chance for stardom in this very competitive town. James was about to call his secretary when a burly security guard was asking Kelsey his intentions and a smirk came over James's face. The detective probably had to bring out his identification.Perhaps, that would scoff any plans the man had of perhaps passing himself of as a producer or something equally ridiculous. Chuckling he sat down and waited for the arrival of the man.

Several minutes later Dan Kelsey was sitting opposite James Thompson. "Sorry I'm late, became distracted." The detective offered as an explanation.

James stroked his clean-shaven chin and looked the unkempt man over. Did he have a change of clothes or had he slept in those he had on previously? "Yes, did it go by the name of blonde, leggy and cute?"

Kelsey looked at the man who seemed entirely serious. "Ha, well as it happens, yeah, it did. How did you know?"

"Call it an educated guess and leave it at that shall we." James laughed inwardly.

"Yeah, fine with me. So what do you have for me?" Kelsey looked at the man, who again looked immaculate, with not a hair out of place.

"I found out where she last lived and her last known job. It is believed she has left the country. Beyond that, nothing much." James replied, everything with a deadpan expression and almost choked on the laughter, he held back at the bug-eyed look, he received from Kelsey.

"Nothing much, hell man you might have just saved me hours, no days on this little number. Come on then, let me have the details. I will try and confirm if she really has left the country or rather who has!" Kelsey spewed the last couple of words.

James handed him the dossier and sat back in his chair observing the man. He could be quite attractive if he did something about his hair and the clothes. Hell the clothes would have to go! Shaking his head at the thought, he rose from the chair and went towards the door.

"I'll be back in say half an hour. Diana will bring you coffee shortly."

"Yeah, whatever!" the man was now engrossed in the dossier sifting through the precise details he had been given.

As James shut the door he muttered indistinctly, "You're welcome and thanks!"

 "So the bitch is coming is she? About time!" Sally Clauser said to Fatama Spiros as they talked over lunch.

"A friend has confirmed that a Catherine Devonshire arrived in Athens yesterday and was scheduled to pick up the ferry for the Island early this morning. We believe she has done so." Fatama said as she picked up an olive, bit into it, her face impassive as she spoke.

"Excellent. I knew if we made the old crone that sick without killing her, she would come. Catherine can be so predictable." Sally sneered as she recalled the woman she hated and her stoic expressions, except on one occasion and that had been amusing also.

"Predictable? From what I have read, the woman is hardly predictable and is she really married to another woman?" Fatama had often thought that the Xianthos line was degenerative. Now it was fact if the papers were to be believed.

"Married to another woman, oh yeah, so I believe. But then she always was a stickler for doing the right thing. Guess she thought that was the right thing, but I suspect it can't be doing her business much good. The other thing is that it makes her even more vulnerable, and I know exactly how to play to that particular vulnerability. I've done it before. I'm sure I can do it again." A hollow laugh followed the comment.

"Well, if it comes to that, I'm sure you can. Why not just kill Constantia Xianthos. Surely it would have saved us the trouble later?" Fatama asked with interest her lined face carrying an inquisitive look.

"Ah, but if she died, Catherine might not have come here. If the old woman is sick, it will pull at those compassionate heartstrings of hers and she was guaranteed to come. Catherine Devonshire has gone soft since she met up with her lover. It will be a delight to inform the widow personally, that it was due to her influence that Catherine died. Now how deliciously desirable is that?" Sally Clauser smiled evilly. The thought was simply to good to forego. She would see to it that Jace Bardley knew, in no uncertain terms, that it was all her fault.

"You sound as if you know the other woman well?" Fatama was satisfied that her plans to see the demise of the Xianthos line happen in her lifetime and shortly. This woman beside her was a great ally and totally mad! What could possibly fail?

"Yeah, I have the pleasure of knowing her lover. She is nothing like what you would expect Catherine to fall for. An insipid blonde from California hardly reaches the other woman's shoulders and she's not the most intelligent woman on the block. I guess she must be good in bed, because there is not much else going for her." Sally replied viciously.

"Well, I'm sure that is more detail than I actually required. Come! Let us enjoy our lunch. My daughter will be arriving back home soon and I want her to know the good news." Fatama soaked a piece of bread in the olive oil and relished the taste as Sally Clauser looked out over the Aegean Sea and thought of Catherine Devonshire.

'It was going to be all over soon, all the heartache she'd suffered at Devonshire's hands and, now! Now, to have the woman so near to her, and to end it was a dream come true! A spectacular moment in history for her anyway and this time there would be no mistakes. This time it would be the end. She deserved nothing less. A bullet to the head was going to be fine payment for her sins of the past...and who really would care? Ah, yes, the blonde might. However, she would find someone else and the kids she'd so called cared for, would be placed elsewhere. It really didn't matter. There would be so many people glad the bitch was going to finally get her just desserts. She would be happy to deliver.' Chuckling, she reached over and jabbed her fork viciously into the Greek salad.

The woman was listening to the irrelevant chatter in the elevator and was inordinately bored by it. Yet, it was the only way she was going to find out if the child she was seeking was here. So far today is seemed she wasn't. It looked like she would be waiting another day. Mind you, she still had over two months to come up with the goods. She hoped she could deliver; it would be a real nice Christmas present for someone. Well, someone that paid anyway. To the family of the child it might be a little different. However, that had no relevance to her, it never had and never would. The child was just a commodity on the market like any other commodity. It had its price and that was all there was to it.

As her floor came up the elevator doors opened and she pushed past the two women in the carriage with her. "Hey, haven't you any manners?" the talkative one of the two said annoyed at being pushed in the back.

"Sorry, never saw you." Came back a sarcastic reply, as the woman was certainly not thin and if she were being cruel, she would have said she was built with the side of a house in mind. But she wasn't that cruel...today at any rate.

"I should think so!" the other woman snorted apparently not hearing the sarcasm in the voice.

"Have a good day ladies." The woman quipped as the doors closed.

Walking down the exceptionally clean corridor to her apartment, she smiled wickedly at the thought of having a cool three million dollars in the bank at Christmas. Nice. Very nice. Her lifestyle was expensive, but unobtrusively so. She smiled at the thought of her meek manner and solid background that hid a dark evil secret to the outside world. For not many knew she was part of a child-kidnapping ring that would literally kidnap any child for the right price. She had certainly achieved her quota in the past ten years, since coming to this part of the country. Never had she been questioned by police or even considered as a potential candidate in any of the cases. The irony of it was, she had actually been called to several of the cases on a professional basis. It had been interesting to say the least, when you watched the child's parents plead for their child to be brought back safely. She knew all along where they were; life certainly had a subtle way of dealing with issues. Laughing at her thoughts, she put the key in the door and let herself into the apartment.

The room was cold, but light. It felt like a show home rather than a comfortable one to settle down into at the end of a weary day. Walking over to the stand, which held one of her answer machines, she looked down and noted that there were three messages. She pressed the retrieve button and as she removed her outer coat she listened intently.

"Hi, you've had two weeks, do you have any news? Call me." The message was short and precise. No names passed along, it was a message she expected, for the man did get uptight. However, when a five million deal was on the table it wasn't a surprise at all.

"When are you going to call your mother back? It's been over a month. Please darling, call me. I hate it when you leave it this long. You could be in trouble or even dead and how would I know? Please call me, I love you." A wry smile crossed the woman's face as she could picture her mother in that middle class suburban home cooking her father his evening meal and wondering who was coming over for bridge.

'Well, mom I'm already in trouble. You just don't know it yet and long may that last.' She chuckled at the thought of the outrage from her father and the total shock and horror of her mother.

"Hey out of Towner, we need you on a new case. The 'Devlin kid' who was kidnapped a year ago has turned up in the sewer, not a pretty sight. Want you to go out and talk to the parents. We know how sympathetic you can be, see you there." Her boss was as always right; she was sympathetic and it served her purpose. Pity about the kid though, he obviously didn't come up to scratch. Oh well, that happens too.

Snatching back up her raincoat she collected her car keys that she placed on the side table and she went back out the door she had just entered. 'Hope the two gossips have left. It would be nice to have the elevator all to herself just for a few minutes anyway; need to get the compassionate persona back in place.' Smiling she headed for the elevator and her normal role in society.

Catherine was about ready to hail a taxi as she stood on the jetty waiting to be collected by someone named Lukas Dimitrie, her aunts business personal assistant. He was now late.

She looked at the island or what she could see of it. It had fascinated her as she watched the lights appear to twinkle like stars in the sky. The ferry edged closer to the small bay opening and finally rested at the jetty and off loaded it's four passengers and several crates and packages. Her mother had often spoken of the island of her birth with great delight, but a touch of sadness in her eyes. They had talked when she was a child about going back there one day, but their father had been adamant that it was to early to consider returning. They had gone to another destination. Constantia had never mentioned it at any time they had lived together. Although her mother had said that Constantia had great influence on the island, even at that early stage in her life. She was after all the eldest daughter, but it had meant nothing to the young Catherine and even now, she knew very little about Xianspiros or it's relevance to her family history.

A vehicle screeched to a halt at the edge of the road yards from the jetty and a tall blonde haired, very good-looking man stepped out and walked towards her swiftly.

Catherine watched him approach, not sure if he was the person she was going to meet, or just someone arriving to collect a parcel. She would wait and see. The man walked towards her and he inclined his head and spoke several sentences in Greek to the captain of the ferry.

Within a minute the man was at her side and he extended a hand, "Catherine Devonshire?" his voice had a wonderful sexy resonance that she was sure most women would simply adore to listen to anytime of the day or night. Pulling out of her reverie of the mans' voice, she turned her glacial stare on him, he was after all, late.

"Yes. Are you Lukas Dimitrie?" Catherine responded and gave his hand a firm shake and relinquished it almost immediately.

Lukas looked at a younger version of his godmother Constantia Xianthos. If he didn't know better he would have said this woman in front of him was her daughter. "I am. I apologise for being late. I had to take a long distance call and it went on rather longer than I anticipated." The man offered as an apology.

Catherine looked into the brown eyes and saw the sincerity there and she smiled briefly, "Yes, I know how that one goes, believe me."

"Please, I will take your case and we will go directly to the Xianthos Villa. Your aunt is waiting to see you." Lukas replied and he looked long and hard at the tall beautiful woman in the half-light of the jetty lamps.

"Lead the way, I'm waiting to see my aunt too. How is she?" Catherine asked almost forgetting for the moment the real reason for her being here.

"As well as can be expected." Was the simple reply conveying nothing to the recipient?

The drive to the villa was markedly quiet from both parties. Catherine was exhausted. She hadn't had that much time in between her journey from the States to her home; for within forty-eight hours, she was back travelling half way round the world to some insignificant Greek island. Lukas was silent because he didn't know what to say to this woman who had shunned her aunt for years and brought shame on the Xianthos name in many ways. She would not be welcome here unless Constantia made it known she was welcome. Her reluctance to let her niece know of her infirmity spoke volumes to him and to the rest of the island, for they would find out. You could not keep things quiet on small islands no matter how clever you thought you were.

The villa was perched on a hillock overlooking the town on the west face with the Sea on the south. It was a breathtaking scene. The building looked like it would have hundreds or could it be thousands of years ago, truly spectacular!

"It's amazing." Catherine said quietly her voice awed at the sight.

Lukas smiled warmly at the appreciation from the woman at his side. He too loved the villa and it wasn't so much the building, but what it represented, the history, culture and tradition of the island, but one family in particular.

"Yes, Constantia had the villa restored to its' heyday. The building itself is centuries old. Your family have lived here for generations, but you would know that of course."

Catherine turned to look at the man. Was he being facetious or simply stating what he considered to be fact? She was too tired to consider anything but fact. "I would of course." Catherine said enigmatically.

Lukas pressed an electronic device on his dashboard and the gates opened automatically. Driving through, he pressed the device again and the gates closed behind them.

For Catherine this should have felt as if she was being put in a prison without escape, but her heart was telling her that she should not fear the place. It was a place she could call home if she so wished!

The villa from a distance looked amazing. However, its' attention to detail on closer inspection was even better and she almost wished it were morning, so she could see it's splendid features now.

"Welcome Catherine Xianthos to the villa Xianthos, the home of your ancestors and the true home of all who bear the name Xianthos." Lukas stated solemnly and walked with her case towards the marble steps leading to an ornate wrought iron gate. The gate opened out onto a courtyard in terracotta stones, with a large water fountain depicting the Greek goddess Aphrodite as its centrepiece. Looking around her and at the large plants that complimented the scene, Catherine's thoughts drifted to Jace and the wonder she was sure she would see out of her partner's eyes, if she ever had the chance to see this. It brought an acute pain to her chest as she realised the foolishness of her leaving without at least saying the words 'I love you' to her partner.

The man was waiting for her, having stopped at the heavy door that was inlaid with a gold pattern, which was difficult to describe in the half-light of the courtyard. Tomorrow, she would see it all.

Walking inside the marble floored hallway of the main villa, she was once again awed by the simple opulence of the features that had been lovingly restored, as well as the furnishings. Although simple, they perfectly matched with the more elaborate architecture and murals that defined the building. Catherine walked further inside. Immediately she felt at ease, something that totally surprised her. She wanted to consider that point carefully, but as her mind tried to grasp the feeling and interpret it, someone walked down the large ivory and black marble staircase.

"Catherine?" Sarah Rogers exclaimed in sincere welcome, the woman before her looked so like Consty when she was younger.

"Yes, Sarah?" Catherine smiled at the older woman, who must be in her late forties or early fifties now. Hadn't she gone to work for her aunt when she and her brother first went to live with Constantia over what...it must be twenty-eight years ago, surely?

"Lukas turn on the main lights please. It is so dark out here and I want to see how Catherine has grown up." Sarah smiled at the man.

He duly complied and the hallway flooded with bright light that made them all blink several times before they could focus properly.

Catherine stood and watched with a silent smile as the two others in the hall now looked at her. Their faces each mirrored shock at the traces of scars on her left cheek, the blindness in the left eye which refused to co-operate with her when she wanted to look at someone. It always let her down when she was tired and she was definitely tired. "Would someone show me to my room so I can freshen up before seeing my aunt? After travelling all day, I'm in need of a quick shower."

Sarah was dumbstruck. It was all well and good for Consty to keep her secrets, but it looked like Catherine had done a wonderful job of doing exactly the same.

"My dear of course. Of course. How very rude of me to keep you waiting so. I was just...I'm pleased you came Catherine."

"Thanks." Catherine smiled genuinely at the older woman who looked a little nervous now. Her injuries, however well she'd tried to disguise them did sometimes caused disconcertion in others.

Catherine had been shown into a large room that had a wonderful four-poster bed, which had to have been custom made, as it was enormous. You usually found them to be small into the bargain. They might look good, but when you shared them, well you really had to like the person you were in the bed with. Her eyes teared up as she thought of how Jace would look in the bed and the image made her heart beat increase. The sheer thought of her was enough to bring on the passion. Going over to the window, her view overlooked the bay and its inky blue surface mirrored the lights from the town, a true picture for the artist or the poet in anyone. Her mind once again drifting towards the image of her partner and the acute loss of not having her held in her arms with this wonderful view.

Half an hour later she was showered and had a change of clothes and she was ready to see her aunt and all that would bring!

~ ~ ~

Jake was a little easier after his heart to heart talk with Jace yesterday after Catherine left the ranch.

He had cried for the first time since the kidnapping over a year ago. As Jace had held him in her arms, she was finally sure that the path she was taking to adopt this child and the wonderful little girl inside the house was the right choice and the only choice.

"Will she still love me when she comes home Jace?" the boy gulped down tears with his spoken words.

Jace smiled tenderly into his hazel eyes, in which she saw the vulnerability there. It reminded her of another who had expressed the same emotion out of ice blue orbs.

"Yes, she will Jake. We all have words from time to time. Sometimes they hurt the person we love and all we want to do is say sorry and be forgiven."

"Has it happened to you and did they forgive you?" Jake asked quietly, his tears now a mere trickle down his cheeks.

"Yes, Jake.It happened to me and it was the worse time of my life. Actually, I was lucky they forgave me and still loved me beyond all the faults and the hurtful words that passed between us." Jace was reminded of the day she came back to Destiny, had walked into the study and saw the only person who would ever be important in her life. It was so simple really.

"Was that the day you came home?" Jake's looked at her with a small grin, and she responded with a smile of her own.

"You're far to clever for us, both you and Lisa, whatever will we do in a few years time?" Jace chuckled and heard a chuckle emit from the boy also. "Yes, that was the day I came home, because Jake, whatever else, I do love Catherine. She's home for me no matter where she may be.A part of me will always be with her no matter the distance between us. I hope she remembers that, for I wasn't too happy with her either today." Jace admitted and saw the boy raise an eyebrow and it reminded her of her partner as nothing else could.

"I guess Catherine gets to forgive us both then, Jace. So, I'm in good company?" Jake questioned wickedly.

"Yes Jake, I guess that's right. You are in good company and all I wish is, for her to be safe, well and that she comes home soon." Jace hugged the boy to her and felt all the muscles that Grace had been joking about, he really was filling out.

"Can I come home Jace?" Jake gave her a pleading look and she saw the wistful expression in his eyes.

"Don't you like it here?" Jace asked astonished that he wouldn't like living with Colin and Grace. They loved him as much as Catherine and she did.

"Oh no, it's not that at all. But I miss the girls and my room.I want to come home please, Jace?"

Jace looked at him and her green eyes watered as she tried to stop the flow, but couldn't.

"Come on young man. Lets go talk to Grace and get your stuff. It's time you got to tease your sisters." Jace offered him her hand as she hauled herself off the hay bale they had been sitting on.

Jake accepted the hand with a large grin plastered on his face.Suddenly, he hugged the woman who was now smaller than he was. "I love you Jace." The boy whispered into her ear and then ran out of the stables towards ranch foreman's house.

Bemused Jace watched him run like the wind. Smiling, she said softly to the now empty stable, "The feeling is mutual Jake." She left the stable to follow her boy and bring him home where he belonged.

She now watched him with Elena sitting on his knee and Lisa at his feet. He was telling them a story about how Zeus the Greek god sent thunderbolts down on the people at the bottom of Mount Olympus. It was a sight that depicted a family in harmony. There was but one important member was missing...and as if on cue, Lisa asked an interesting question.

"Jace, Catherine won't have to be saved from thunderbolts will she?" Lisa looked at her expectantly and Jake smiled and played with the dark locks of hair that had fallen over Elena's face as she continued giggling at the tall boy she loved to play with.

"No, darling. I certainly hope not. But if she does, I'm sure she will just send them right back." It had been the right answer, for Lisa smiled and nodded her head and nudged Jake to continue.

 'You better not have to defend yourself against thunderbolts Catherine. However, if you do, I'm going to be there right alongside you watching your back,' the very thought brought a smile to her face as she pictured the romantic scenario, just like something in the movies or TV.

Catherine was shown to her aunt's room and was surprised at the size of the place. It was enormous. She wondered why her aunt wanted all the space in one area. It was evident that it wasn't the original size of the room. Sarah had opened the door, but discreetly left immediately.

Catherine walked inside and closed the door on the two women.

Catherine's heart was racing for all the wrong reasons. She felt as if she was a ten year old again, visiting the aunt, who they had only ever seen twice a year and now she was going to take care of them for good. Here she was thirty-eight and she felt as gauche and timid that she remembered being all those years before.

"Catherine?" a strong voice that hadn't changed at all asked from the confines of a bed that was much the same size as the one in her room, except this one was very modern and obviously could move position.

Walking over to the bed Catherine came face to face with one of the demons of her past, or a perceived demon at any rate; damn, she wished that Jace were with her.

If Catherine was shocked at the pale and clearly frail woman in the bed, Constantia suffered the same shock at the injuries that were still evident with Catherine as well.

"How are you feeling aunt?" Catherine finally found her voice. She hoped it sounded far more confident than how she was actually feeling.

"Sarah as usual over reacted, I'm going to be fine. It was a wasted journey for you Catherine." Constantia stated, her years of being in control of her emotions coming into full force. When actually, all she wanted, was to put her arms around the young woman before her who had obviously suffered some terrible accident.

"Perhaps, time will tell. What has the doctor diagnosed?" Catherine moved closer and stood towering over the woman in the bed.

"Sit please, Catherine. You look far to intimidating, standing over me like an avenging angel." Constantia wasn't particularly intimidated. But she wanted to see the child better and with her sitting in the chair close to the bed, that would serve its purpose.

"Fine, so tell me?" Catherine's voice moved up an octave.

"The doctor has said it was a bad case of food poisoning and that I'm to rest. However, in a couple of days, I should be well again. Does that answer your question?" Constantia had been taken back at the woman's insistent question. She was certainly different to how she imagined her to be. There was arrogance to the woman before her and she certainly wasn't the patient type.

"Yes, so effectively, I came here under false pretences?" Catherine paused and considered her own words.

"No! Sarah was never that malicious Catherine. You and I may have been in the past, but she never has in her life." Constantia defended the honour of her friend.

"Sorry, it's been a long day." Catherine accepted the rebuke and gave a heavy sigh.

"I'm sorry also to bring you this far from your...what do you call the person in your life?" Constantia wasn't sure what was appropriate and if it was even true, for the papers had been known to lie.

"Jace, you can call her Jace. Yes it wasn't the best of leave taking, but it was an inevitable conclusion at the moment in my life." Catherine's voice sad and edged with the loneliness she felt without her partner.

"She means a great deal to you?" Constantia had seen the look of devotion pass over the face, which she had to admit, did look remarkably like her in her youth.

"Yes. She does. She is the most important person in the world to me. Although I'm sure you're not interested in my current lifestyle." Catherine remarked bitterly.

Constantia shook her silver hair at the woman, her posture one of defeat. "You haven't changed have you Catherine? Deep down you're still that angry child that lost both parents on the day your mother died and you haven't forgiven me, your father or yourself for that have you?"

"I don't know what you mean Aunt. I'm no longer a child." Catherine turned her head to one side and regretted it as Constantia observed the scars more closely.

"What happened to you Catherine? Why was there no mention of your accident in the papers?" Constantia was upset and her voice must have reminded Catherine of an earlier experience as she flinched at the harsh tone. Constantia saw the flinch although, Catherine tried to hide it as her head turned sharply and ice blue eyes met across the bed space between them.

"That's surely my private affair. When have you been interested in what happened to me?" the voice accusing.

This time Constantia flinched at the words. What had she done all those years ago to face such bitterness? All she'd done was accept responsibility for her sister's children when their father left with a broken heart. They would never have a life with him. He was a shell of a man. At least she still had love in her heart, albeit it hidden away. "I've always been interested in your welfare from a distance. You certainly didn't want it directly, as we both know."

"You're right. I didn't and who's to say I have changed. You and I are poles apart Constantia. Let it remain so. Why go through the motions for the sake of blood?" Catherine spoke in a tone she used in her business meetings, completely without emotion.

Constantia saw the stoic expression settle on the beautiful if marred face. Had she ever found someone to bring the features alive, as they should be? "Would you please allow me the benefit of trying to bring those poles a little closer, if only for the sake of your mother?"

Catherine considered the question and Constantia thought that she had totally clamed up until she spoke in a soft voice. "Jace would be unhappy if I did not at least try."

"Are you really happy with...Jace?" Constantia saw the tender expression cross the stoic face.

The mask that Catherine was renowned for fell away and left behind a woman who had found love and a measure of peace in a turbulent life.

"Yes. She's the woman I love. The mother of my children and she means simply everything to me." Catherine expounded with warmth, leaving no doubt in anyone's mind, that she meant every word.

Constantia raised an expressive eyebrow and Catherine frowned that was so familiar she wondered why?

"I'm sorry Catherine. But I thought you only had Lucas and he died with Adam?" the woman watched as pain momentarily etched those features again.

"My birth son yes, died with Adam. My soon to be adopted children have the same hold over my heart that Lucas did." Catherine waited for a scathing retort from her aunt and was surprised when a different one emerged.

"How many children do you have?"

"Oh, didn't the papers tell you that little gem? I was the talk of the tabloids for sometime I believe.' Catherine saw the look of censure she received for her remark. The look suitably chastising she answered the question. The damn woman always made her feel like a child of ten. "Jake is twelve going on twenty.Lisa is nine and quite a handful. The baby is Elena, and she is fifteen months old."

Constantia sucked in a painful breath at the younger child's name.

"You named the youngest after your mother?"

"No, I didn't. Jace did. It's her daughter......no our daughter. I just agreed. She said it would hopefully bring the child closer to me if she had the name of someone I loved." The words stilted and quietly spoken into the heavily charged room.

"Your Jace sounds like a very astute and compassionate woman." Constantia would have liked to meet the woman who had effectively tamed the beast within her niece.

"That's right, she is and I'm very grateful that she came into my life." Catherine sighed heavily and stood up and walked towards the window, her thoughts on the blonde with the warm smile and twinkling green eyes.

There was a soft knock on the door and Sarah popped her head inside, "Anyone care for a cup of tea?"

Constantia smiled with relief at her friend, "Yes Sarah, tea would be wonderful for me. What about you Catherine?"

"Tea sounds great to me also. I think I need some."

"Be right back then and I'll bring you something light to eat Catherine I'm sure you're hungry as well.We can't have you saying we starve our guests can we?" she laughed and closed the door as she went on her errand of making the tea.

That left two women alone with their thoughts. Neither wanting to carry on the previous conversation, after all, what was there to say?

Jace had received a phone call from the Reverend Stott. Would she possibly mind coming over to the shelter for a couple of hours in the early evening to help with the meals, as his wife was sick. Jace had agreed readily, after all it was her opportunity to show Constance the project and also keep her mind off her own problems.

"Jake are you playing soccer tonight after school?" Jace asked the boy who was about ready to leave for school. They had discussed the two girls and the possibility that Jake might contract the disease. The head stated he would take his chances that Jake would not be affected this time around. Some kids were lucky!

"Yeah, why?" Jake looked at her his spoon full of corn flakes about ready to be demolished.

"I'm going to be in town early evening and I can bring you home. If you would like for me too?" Jace replied handing Elena a milk biscuit for her to chew on.Lisa was still sleeping and Jace had noticed that the little girl had not been quick to get over the lethargy. However, the doctor had explained the late sleeping was normal during the early stages and was to be expected.

"Sure that would be great Jace, want me to meet you any place special?" the boy crunched down on his cereal and Elena laughed at the noise, so he exaggerated it for the little girl.

"Do you know where Lasky Street is Jake?" Jace was concentrating on Elena spitting her biscuit out rather than the disconcerted look on the boy's face.

"Yes," he said tentatively, but Jace was now preoccupied with her daughter and didn't hear the veiled message the boy tried to project in his voice.

"Great, then I'll see you there around five thirty, okay?"

"Jace, that's out of bounds. If I went there without an adult, I would be in trouble with the school. I will if you say so though." Jake finished his cereal quickly, his mind on the place that Jace had suggested he meet her. It wasn't the best area in town and he'd been warned by the schoolteachers never to go there, but if his 'mom' asked him, it must be okay, right?

Jace looked at the boy and shook her head briefly. What had she been thinking! "Sorry Jake, my mind was elsewhere. No, stay in school. Constance and I will be by to pick you up and please don't come to meet me. I will definitely be there."

Jake gave a shy grin, nodded his head and with a brief goodbye he collected his lunch and went out of the door, waving to them as he set off.

Jace gave a sigh of relief. Catherine would have killed her if she'd been responsible for another stupid decision regarding the children. Especially if something had happened to him and you never knew about these things in this day and age.

Constance chose that moment to walk into the kitchen and said a brief good morning to the blonde and her daughter, who looked at the strange woman.

"I see she has some of Catherine's mannerisms."

Jace looked at the women inquisitively. "What do you mean Constance?"

Constance smiled and she looked directly at the small child who now looked at her with a frown and a raised eyebrow, "See she even raises the eyebrow, you have to love that one in meetings."

Jace looked at her daughter and she chuckled. Indeed she did look like Catherine, must go with the territory of living in the presence of the woman. "Funny, you're right she does, Jake does too. Fortunately, Lisa and I have managed to refrain from following the pattern."

Constance laughed softly and poured a cup of coffee for herself prior to sitting down at the table. "Perhaps you two don't need the intimidating looks. Maybe you have hidden talents that do exactly the same, but in a different way?"

Looking at the dark woman opposite her, she reached for a drink of coffee and as she sipped it, she answered the question absently. "Yes, both Lisa and I talk our way in and out of situations. We are both very adept at it. I even think Lisa is better than me and she's only nine."

Constance didn't know what to say the woman had just taken her coffee and was drinking it as if it was the most commonplace thing ever. "Yeah, I guess you do. May I ask you another question?"

"Sure go ahead. We love questions around here," the external door opened and Grace walked in at that moment and smiled at both women. "Don't we Grace?"

Grace walked in and looked at the coffee pot, which was almost empty and decided that a fresh brew would be much better and answered as she cleaned out the pot prior to refilling it. "Don't we what exactly?"

Jace smiled and sipped from the coffee before she answered. "We love questions around here, common place wouldn't you say?"

Grace chortled and turned towards the women having started up the brew again. "Yeah, common place, so what's the question?"

Grace and Jace turned to Constance and she turned a bright pink on her dusky cheeks as she spoke. "Well, talking of common place, does helping yourself to someone's coffee cup come under that category?"

Grace laughed out loud and put a hand on Jace's shoulders, who then looked at the visitor in consternation and embarrassment. "I didn't take your coffee, did I Constance?"

Constance smiled at Grace, who was now grinning like a Cheshire cat and the distressed look on the blonde's face was so very endearing to the watcher. "I'm afraid you did. But that's okay, it looks like a fresh batch is almost ready."

"I'm really sorry Constance. I promise you it wont happen again. If you will excuse me for a moment, my daughter needs a change of clothes." Both women watched as she deftly unhooked the restraints in the chair and Jace picked up a remarkably clean looking Elena from the confines and strode out of the room.

"I didn't mean for her to be upset about it." Constance remarked as Grace sat down in the chair vacated by Jace.

"Don't worry about it. It is a trait that our Jace portrayed from the first day she came here. It's from all the teasing, or when she's preoccupied with something that it happens." Grace volunteered to make the other woman feel better.

"You appear at home here, but don't you live in the house across the drive?" Constance knew that Grace was important in the family for she had seen Catherine and the woman talking earnestly, then hugging warmly before she went.

"I was Catherine's housekeeper for over six years. I married Colin Montgomery the ranch foreman last year. We are expecting our first child in six months. Does that answer the question?" Grace never stopped smiling as she spoke and went over to pour two cups of the steaming beverage.

"Yeah, thanks. I envy Catherine this place to come and live away from the business world, I suppose the world in general." Constance spoke wistfully.

"Well, yeah! Destiny is a wonderful place, but the outside world does encroach inside the perimeter from time to time. That is why Catherine has left for the moment." Grace drank heavily from her coffee mug. She had been having a heated discussion with Colin earlier about her travelling on the trust business to Christchurch and perhaps the North Island. He had been adamant she stay home and rest. She had been equally adamant, that she wasn't going to sit around for the next six months and be cushioned in cotton wool. It was after all, a normal situation for many women carrying a child.

"She won't be back quickly, this time you know?" Constance volunteered her limited knowledge of the situation preceding the trip to Greece.

Grace lifted her head and looked thoughtfully at the other woman. "Why is that then?" She'd talked to Catherine prior to her call to Greece and knew something of the background. Was there more to it than what Catherine had acknowledged.

"I came back for the children as you told me to Grace. So what other revelation are you going to come up with me to ignore and wish I hadn't?" Catherine leaned against the railing watching the foals prance around in the paddock.

Grace smiled at the broad back as she was seated on one of the wicker chairs. "Oh nothing this time around, but I'm sure in the future I will come up with something. Why didn't you come home with Jace immediately Catherine? It wasn't like you those children mean the world to you!"

"I know, but something has happened that threatens us again Grace. I kind of need to be someplace else at the moment to neutralise it." Catherine spouted; her stance changed all of a sudden to an aggressive pose.

"Would that neutralising be dangerous to a certain party only a yard away from me by any chance?" Grace shuffled in her chair and decided that her friend looked like she needed a hug. Moving over to the woman, she placed an arm around her shoulders and Catherine gave her a surprised, but grateful smile.

"When do I ever do anything that's dangerous Grace? Please, I'm no secret agent." Catherine chuckled as she thought of the ridiculous notion.

"Admittedly you are no female version of James Bond, but Catherine you do seem to get yourself into trouble. And you can't exactly say it's been plain sailing now can you?" Grace spoke softly into Catherine's left ear that was close to her and she chuckled as they both shared an image of Catherine as a suave James Bond type.

Laughing she turned around and hugged Grace, "I hate martini's, Grace, so that's definitely out."

"How about we go and have some tea. Then you get the pleasure of waking up Jace as it's almost dinner time." Grace saw the happy look that particular comment brought onto her friends face, wasn't love grand!

 "You know of her association with a woman called Hudson?" Constance watched the woman's profile for any reaction.

"Oh, yeah! I know about Hudson, a nasty piece of work from all accounts." Grace slowly remarked.

"Well all indications were that she had died in a freak accident earlier in the year. Now, it appears that might not be true." Constance stated as if she was reading a prepared document.

"I see. So that's why Catherine was so agitated and it will be very dangerous." Grace whispered the words so quietly Constance had to strain to hear them.

"Dangerous? Possibly! We believe she was behind the shooting at Xianthos in New York and Catherine is adamant that she funded the kidnapping of Jace last year. We can't prove any of it, but...really who else has such a grudge for the woman? She lived fairly peacefully here for over five years and suddenly she meets...well the bomb kind of went off didn't it?" Constance was about to say Jace Bardley, but decided that might not be a good idea.

Grace heard the hesitation in the other woman's narrative and decided to call her on it, no secrets in this house. "Constance who did Catherine suddenly meet?"

Constance wanted to run out of the room as fast as she could, but her legs felt like jelly, she hadn't really meant to be disparaging about her boss's partner. "Well, I...."

"That's okay Constance, Catherine met me Grace. And well you know it. So don't go teasing her, you know how wicked you can get."

"Thanks. " Constance muttered inaudibly.

Jace saw the uncertainty and smiled. "You're lucky Constance. If Catherine were here, you would be in big trouble if she and Grace had their heads together and were teasing you."

"I didn't think that Catherine had that kind of sense of humour?" Constance was amazed that her boss would attempt to tease people. This place was certainly an eye opener.

"Sense of humour Constance? Please! You haven't been fooled by those ice blue eyes and the stoic demeanour, now have you?" Jace walked over to the coffeepot and poured herself her own mug of coffee this time and sat down at the table.

"Well, I'm sorry Jace, but she is rather intimidating and she's my employer also!" Constance said puzzled at the banter that was going on at Catherine's expense.

"Yes of course that's the only Catherine you've really had the opportunity to see but believe me in a couple of months you will known the true woman behind the mask she shows to the outside world. Here Constance she's a very warm, loving and caring individual and we all love her for it and protect that image for her too!" Jace finished her voice a little sharper towards the end of the comment.

Grace watched the blonde explain with minimum words the true complexity of the woman she loved and how in no uncertain words she would defend that woman. Quite wonderful when you saw this small woman in action she was like a giant and everyone else was dwarfed in her presence when she came to Catherine's character defence. "Yeah our Catherine loves a good joke and can take one also, the funnier the better in her book."

"Well, I guess I'm going to be around a little while. So I might see it for myself." Constance said her tone thoughtful.

"Count on it." Jace said and they all laughed as they drank their coffee.

Catherine sat on the patio of the breakfast area and contemplated the serene view. She was munching on croissants dripping with melted butter and tea, wonderful tea. She had surprisingly had a wonderfully peaceful sleep, with no nightmares. It was incredible!

Sarah chose that moment to come back into the area and smiling she waived at a seat and Catherine nodded her head. "What do you think of the Villa Catherine?"

Catherine turned to the older woman and looked at the warm pea green eyes that reflected a sense of peace along with the warmth. Her shoulder length chestnut hair was shining and Catherine couldn't tell if the older woman actually dyed it or not, hard to say.

"It's beautifully restored and I like it, very peaceful."

"Yes, that it is. When I moved here with Const...your aunt it was quite derelict you know. We only had two rooms on the first level available for the first two years, along with this patio area and the kitchen downstairs. It was a difficult time and I wanted to go home several times, but...well anyway we managed." The woman smiled and poured herself a cup of the still hot tea.

"I wouldn't have thought my aunt would have bothered if the place was so in need of repair? Doesn't sound like the woman I knew way back." Catherine gave her a long look as she spoke.

Sarah shuffled a little in her seat and gave a weak smile. "Your aunt had her reasons for coming to live here. Now I'm glad she did, we have had a good life these past ten years or more. Time flies by you know."

"Yes, I know it does, far to fast for my liking, but that's life. It must have been expensive to actually restore it back to this...must surely be as original as it could be?" Catherine enquired, interested in the project for its own merits.

"I don't know exactly how much...." She was stopped mid flow as Lukas Dimitrie entered the patio and said good morning and finished the sentence for her.

"The Villa building cost the best part of two million; the interior decorations and finishes another three, total project cost with some adjustments around five million." Lukas sat down and waited for the question. It came swiftly.

"Would that be Greek drachma, US dollars or British pounds?" Catherine knew the man was toying with her. She accepted it as a less than subtle ploy to see if she was interested in what Sarah was talking about, or just being polite.

"British pounds." He stated simply and smiled as she raised an eyebrow so similar to his godmother.

"You find something amusing?" Catherine eyed him suspiciously and waited for his answer.

"Now you mention it yes! Has anyone ever told you how much you resemble your aunt and those eyebrow actions? Right out of her bag of tricks, it's uncanny." Lukas was smiling and Sarah placed her hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh.

Catherine eyed them both and something told her to lighten up and she laughed wryly, "Must be a family trait, huh?"

"Without a doubt my dear, without a doubt." Sarah stood up to her small five foot two height. When Catherine and Lukas stood up it was like being flanked by bookends as they both towered over her.

"I must go and see Consty now. I will see you both a little later." She scuttled away happily.

Catherine turned a quizzical eye to the man at the name that wasn't familiar. "Sarah's nickname for your aunt seems to work for them."

"We never had shortened versions of our name. My mother thought it wrong if people could not be bothered to use the names we were given. She considered the names precious. I would have thought that my aunt would have adopted a similar practice?" Catherine comment questioningly. She was finding things out here that she had not thought possible.

"I wouldn't know. It was in full force when I came to live here several years ago. Constantia is my godmother, if you are wondering how we met?" he supplied and smiled again at her.

"I just assumed that it was beneficial for you to stay on-site, as you are her personal assistant for her business interests. Which of course, must be heavily depleted if she spent so much money on the villa restoration." Catherine poured herself another cup of the now cooling beverage she enjoyed.

Lukas pulled out a manila folder from the several he had carried with him into the area and placed it on the table. "I've talked to Constantia already about this. She agrees to your seeing a list of her investments; as well as the value to put your mind at rest that she is not financially embarrassed by the amount expended on the project." He passed it over to Catherine.

She looked at the insipid front cover, her expression concentrated. One looking would assume she could see through the folder to the contents inside.

Taping a fingernail on the folder she gave it another long look and then passed it back across the table, "That's okay Lukas. My aunt's private finances are none of my concern. Thank you all the same."

"She told me you would say that?" Lukas volunteered and watched the ice blue eyes look at him in surprise. They looked so much alike.

"Obviously knows me better than I thought. I'm going to be leaving later today. The ferry leaves at nine tonight, better get back she doesn't...well let's just say business calls." Catherine thought better of voicing her doubts of the situation between herself and her aunt.

"I know of that call and she will understand totally. She is a very astute business person herself and her portfolio should you have deemed to read it would have enlightened you so." Lukas had heard from Sarah the meeting had been strained between the two of them. And Constantia had cried during the night. Sarah had comforted her, but it wasn't her understanding the woman craved, it was the younger woman's who was asleep down the corridor.

"Would you be available to take me to the jetty tonight?" Catherine asked and walked over to the balcony and looked at the small yachts bobbing about in the picturesque bay.

"It would be my pleasure of course. But may I ask a small favour in return?" Lukas was never one to miss an opportunity, especially such a gift as this one.

"Sure go ahead. You can always ask." Smiling wickedly at the now blushing man in front of her. In a strange familiar way he was quite sweet. She wondered if he had a love life or just loved the two women at the villa.

"I was wondering if you would offer me some advice on a few investments in the area you are most familiar. Constantia and I have differing views and I would appreciate yours, that is, if you could spare the time." Lukas looked down at his well-polished black shoes waiting for the reply.

Catherine was flattered and her own cheeks stung a little with embarrassment at the request, gathering her composure. "Yes, no problem, but it's a view not specific advice. All ventures have an element of failure as you will no doubt have experienced along the way."

"Thank you, would you care to discuss it over lunch. It will be interesting to see how yours and Constantia's views differ...if they do?" Lukas hurriedly picked up his files and with a wave he went on his way as she agreed to the lunch appointment.

'Well at least it wasn't all a waste of time. If I can offer practical advise, guess I'm still good for something. Now to call home! It will be early evening Jace should be home, as good a time as any to apologise.' Catherine moved away from the edge of the balcony and looked up and was pierced by her aunt's ice blue eyes in a look that to Catherine was unfathomable. The older woman turned her eyes away quickly and she decided to let it pass and go on her way to use the phone.

~ ~ ~

Jace had brought Constance with her to the shelter. She had seen the look of anguish settle on the other woman's face at the deplorable state of some of the frequent visitors of the shelter. Jace had gone along to help with the food and left Constance in the capable hands of the Reverend who had great pleasure in taking her around the shelter. Explaining in detail, not only their aim, but also some of the unfortunate cases they had tried to help and failed.

"We had a young woman who came regularly. She stopped coming a week ago and I asked her friend why? He wouldn't say at first, but one day he just blurted it out her regular pusher had given her some bad stuff and it was all over. It was such a waste of life. She was so very clever. I haven't told Jace yet. She gets so upset at the happenings down here. I wonder why she puts herself through it." The Reverend responded softly, his quiet lilting voice clearly painting the picture for Constance as nothing else could.

"I appreciate the information Reverend. Believe me, I'm taking notes here." Constance replied earnestly.

It was almost six in the evening and Jace looked around satisfied that everyone had been fed and given a blanket for the night. It was the most they seemed able to do. Looking at the time she suddenly remembered Jake. He would be waiting for them and they needed to go and pick him up.

"Constance do you want to stay here for a little while longer? I need to go pick up Jake and then I'll return for you." Jace asked calmly.

Constance smiled at the blonde and mouthed a silent yes as Jace headed of in the direction of her parked vehicle. Fifteen minutes later Jace pulled up outside the shelter and everything looked tranquil in the neighbourhood.

"Jake I will go inside and let Constance know we are ready to go. Do you want to come inside with me or wait in the car?"

As Jake was still in the muddy looking soccer shirt he had on at the practice session, with small specks of dirt covering his face, he shook his head.

"I'll wait here Jace. I'm tired and my legs ache. It was a heavy work out tonight. I think the coach thought we were training for a cup match inside of the normal games!" Jake answered and grinned at the young blonde woman, who was returning a warm smile of her own.

"Won't be long Jake. Then we can get on home where you can shower or maybe a bath might help you relax. See you shortly." Jace opened her door and left the vehicle and ran inside the shelter to pick up her other passenger.

Inside Jace watched as Constance talked to one of the shelters regular occupants and she smiled wryly. 'Hope you come to your senses Constance, for this is no life for anyone. And you know so much better and could do so much more than fall into the gutter and never get out.'

"Hey Constance, about ready to go?"

Constance looked up and gave her a bright smile, "Sure, be right with you." She then bent her head back towards the person she was talking to and finished her conversation.

Several minutes later, as Jace looked at her watch for about the fifth time, she began to get impatient.She wanted to get home for Jake to get cleaned up, eat, see the girls and hopefully talk to Catherine. Constance was walking over to her with a thoughtful look on her face. As she did so, the door to the shelter sprang open and was bouncing on the hinges as a young man Jace recognised from her earlier visits ran inside shouting.

"Anyone know whose car is outside, someone is trying to steal it!"

Jace moved like lightening towards the young man, who grinned when he saw her. He liked the blonde American.

"Yes! Yes, I do. But there is a boy inside, is he still there?" the words falling quickly from her mouth in fear for her boy's well-being.

The young man she remembered as 'Steve', yes, she was sure it was Steve, looked at her with fear in his eyes.

"I don't know about that, but the window screen is smashed in and three of them are trying to steal it."

Jace didn't hear anymore nor the shouts that pleaded with her to be careful. She rushed out of the door and ran towards the spot where she had parked the vehicle.

"What's with her, is it her brother or something?" The man grumbled at her lack of appreciation.

Constance looked at the Reverend. "Oh, hell!" She shot off after Jace at a breakneck speed.

"Not her brother no! Her son." The Reverend answered quickly and went to call the police. He didn't want to, but he felt he had no choice in the circumstances.

Jace shouted for Jake to stay in the vehicle as he looked at her with frightened eyes. Jace then turned her attention to the would be thieves. One man was wielding a heavy gauge steel tube at the vehicle and two others were holding a figure while another was punching the victim in the stomach region.

"Hey, you bastards, leave him alone!" Jace angrily shouted at the men, who turned around to face her laughing at her. She knew what they were thinking, one woman alone and a small woman at that...no match for them! 'Well they were in Catherine's words 'bloody wrong'!'

The man who had been punching the figure turned his face to Jace; it held only evil there was no trace of any warmth or remorse in his actions. "Gonna stop me Blondie? Would love for you to try?"

Jace went further forward, then realised the figure they were holding wasn't a man, but it was a young woman, in fact the young woman she had met at the shelter with Steve.

" Leave her alone! What has she done to you?" As Catherine would say, in for a penny, in for a pound. Her wife's sayings were helping her to focus on the problem in front of her.

"Nope, she owes me. She was trying to stop me from taking this car, which will net me some fast dough!" The leader of the three snarled maliciously and turned back to his victim.

"Don't you dare hit her again, please!" Jace didn't have any fighting skills. She had only words and she realised that those were not going to help this situation at all. 'Oh, damn. Where was a cop when you needed one.'

Suddenly, the two figures slammed the captive into the side of the building again, watched it slump down, then moved forward towards Jace. At that moment Constance appeared and stood at her right side and from nowhere, Jake stood on her left.

"Jake you should not be out of the car. I told you to stay inside, it was safer." Jace stated, but her instinct was now to protect her son not herself, as she shielded his much taller body behind her shorter one. If it had been a comedy sketch, you would have laughed at the little and larger preposterous situation.

Within seconds there was a scuffle, with several blows traded from all of them. The third men abandoning his attack on the vehicle to help his friends and even up the odds somewhat. As soon as it started, it ceased, as the siren of a police vehicle came closer and the three assailants' left hurriedly not wanting to be caught. Leaving three bemused and somewhat bloody individuals standing in the street.

Jace immediately turned to Jake, "Are you okay Jake? Oh, God! Look at your face. They might have broken your nose again? I'm sorry I wasn't tall enough to stop one of them from hitting you!"

Jake smiled at his 'mom' and placed a gentle hand on her nose, "I don't know how you're going to explain this to Catherine, Jace. But you will have at least one black eye." He chuckled as he considered that conversation and felt proud that his 'mom' had defended him, even though he could fend for himself as Colin had been teaching him self-defence. Even Lisa had been learning some basic moves to protect her.

Constance had left the mother and son reunion and walked towards the bundled figure on the floor in the doorway. 'Jesus, the woman looked a mess.' "Can you get up or move at all?" her voice soft and warm.

Glazed eyes looked into hers. Her face was full of bruises and it appeared she was unable to say a word. "I'll get an ambulance for you." A hand suddenly found the strength to respond and she shook her head, Constance didn't know what to do next.

The police arrived, as did the Reverend and Steve from the shelter. He rushed over to his friend and slipped his own trembling arms around the young woman and soothed her. Jace looked over at Constance who also had a bruise on her cheek, wonder how the others had faired?

Two hours later, they had all given statements and the police had been satisfied with the recollection of the events. Jace said she'd be happy to bring charges against the men who had attacked them. The police had called an emergency windscreen replacement company, which was now fixed on the vehicle. Although, she would need to take it to the garage to repair a couple of dents in the hood and some small patches of paintwork, it would soon be as good as new. Catherine's valentine present was precious to her. She hated anyone else driving it but her. She even scowled at Catherine, if she ventured near her beloved vehicle. Catherine had said Jace thought as much of the car as she did Tralargon.

Walking into the house half an hour later, all three were laughing at what to them was now another episode in the life of being part of Destiny. Faith walked out of the kitchen and stood silently at the doorway observing them, at first with indulgence at their banter and then with horror as she saw all three faces looking the worse for wear. "What on earth have you three been up to, Jace?" her voice carrying into the room shattering the smiling faces.

"Faith, I can explain. It is not as bad as it seems, honestly." Jake chuckled and Jace gave him a mock stern look. It was like facing your mother as a child when you had done something wrong.

Constance and Jake watched as the blonde cleverly steered Faith back in the kitchen. They both looked at each other, and then ran for the stairs. They both agreed silently that being out of the way was the best solution for now and shower wouldn't be a bad idea either!

After talking to Faith and Judy for over half an hour and finally convincing them they were all okay and there wasn't anything to worry about, she snagged several cookies as she retold the story. She was finally allowed to go shower as her two compatriots entered the room both looking remarkably better, if somewhat a little bruised.

"Way to go guys, leaving me to explain everything." Jace remarked good-naturedly as she passed them both.

Constance responded for them both, "Well you did say this morning you were the one who could talk yourself out of a situation. Thought I'd see it in action."

Jace turned her head and gave the woman a smile, "You'll fit in here Constance. Really you will." As she was about to leave, Faith stopped her and spoke quietly for her ears only.

"Jace, Catherine called about an hour ago. She said she'd call again tomorrow, she would catch you then." Faith left her alone with that information as she walked towards the stairs.

'Oh, no!' Catherine would wonder where she was and she certainly wouldn't understand this little episode, no way.' Her steps felt heavy as she entered her bedroom and noticed that the two girls were tucked up in her bed.

"Hey girls have you had a good day today?" Jace asked, as both children looked at her untidy appearance and the dark marks on her face.

"Have you fallen off a bike or something Jace?" Lisa asked as she sat up in the bed to observe her mother. Elena was watching her mother come closer and held out her arms to her mother.

Jace smiled at Lisa, and pulled her younger daughter into her arms as she sat on the bed. "No Lisa. However, Jake, Constance and I had a little trouble in town, but were good to go, as Catherine would say. Okay?" Jace chuckled as she realised she'd done that a lot today, quote her partner and it made her smile, 'Hades I must be picking up her traits too!'

"Jace, Catherine would be mad and upset if she saw you like that?" Lisa offered up her childish logic, which usually wasn't so childish.

"Yes, Lisa I know. But she will understand trust me." Jace put Elena on one side and with a free hand stroked the red hair of the girl held close to her.

"You smell Jace! Will you have a shower before you come to bed?" Lisa wrinkled her nose and Jace looked at the girl, what were they going to do with her?

"That I will Princess. Then I need to have something to eat. How about a short story and we can all have an early night, what do you say?" Jace put Elena back in the bed and she dived under the covers giggling.

Lisa considered the proposal, "Could you tell us a short story before you go for something to eat? We might be asleep when you come back."

Jace laughed softly. "Sure can princess, give me a few minutes and I'll be right with you." Walking towards the bathroom door she left it slightly ajar and turned on the shower. 'God she hated not having Catherine here. She was now even more disappointed that she'd missed such a precious call from her partner. I'll call her after I've settled the girls perhaps? She might be around. Mind you, it would be the middle of the night there, so she would call first thing in the morning. Yeah. first thing!'

~ ~ ~

Catherine had been upset at not having contacted Jace and she wondered, not for the first time, why her partner wasn't at home. It must have been close to seven in the evening and with the girls sick surely she hadn't gone to help the Reverend out when she plainly had her own problems at home! Catherine refused to pose that same question to herself for fear of the answer and her eyes wandered over to the present predicament she was in.

Having had lunch and a long three hour one at that, with her aunt, Sarah and Lukas, it had been a pleasant time and very enlightening, particularly when her aunt discussed the many business interests she had become involved with, primarily Greek ones. But the international ones she favoured were right out of Catherine's own portfolio of investments. She could not fault the judgement of any of her choices and had even learned something along the way herself. What had been noticeable to Catherine was that Constantia never moved out of her seat for the full three hours. She had remained seated and covered by a blanket over her knees the whole time, although it was very warm, even in the shade two hours into the lunch.

Eventually Lukas retired back to the office in the north wing of the building and Sarah looked around the patio and decided to volunteer to show Catherine some of the finer points of the Villa. Her aunt had nodded her head, but had not moved to either go along with them or leave her seat. It puzzled Catherine, but she had other things on her mind, not least making an important call home.

Now she was packed and contemplated leaving the villa. It was a remarkable restoration feat and she felt a little better with her aunt after their lunch together. However, saying goodbye was another thing altogether and she wasn't much for farewells. Walking over to the window, she noticed that her aunt was still on the balcony and in a reclining seat overlooking the bay with its peaceful tranquillity. It was as good a time as any to make that final farewell to her relative.

A couple of minutes later she cleared her throat loudly so that her aunt was aware of her presence.

"I knew you would come eventually Catherine." Constantia said quietly and heard, rather than saw the sudden stiffening of the younger woman's body as it change the air around them.

"You did? Well, I guess it must be that second sight or something our family is so legendary for." Catherine shrugged off the nervous feeling she was having and went over to lean her tall frame against the balcony and look out at the small vessels bobbing in the bay. The colours were very restful to the eye. It was the same feeling you received when you watched fish in a tank swimming peacefully around.

"Our family is famous for more than the gift of prophecy Catherine. You feel it, yet you will not let it take over your life as you should." Constantia said simply and this time saw her niece stiffen at the words.

Catherine turned around and looked into the blue eyes that matched hers shade for shade. The only difference being was that her aunt saw with two eyes she saw with one! "What on earth are you talking about Constantia?" her voice cynical.

Constantia heard the cynicism and she gave a wry smile. This woman was so like her. Was that the reason that they had never been able to respond to each other? Was it because they thought so much alike and reacted in exactly the same way? Perhaps! That would answer so many of the age old questions she'd asked herself over the years.

"Love!"

Catherine wasn't sure she'd heard right, 'did her aunt say love?' not wanting to answer immediately she returned her gaze to the ships in the bay. Several minutes later she answered. Her aunt had left the simple word in the open and added nothing more to the conversation. "Love, is important in everyone's life not just ours."

Constantia smiled at her niece."Yes, I'm aware of that Catherine, but when we Xianthos love, we do it with our very souls. There is no second measures and for us rarely a second chance to capture that love again."

Catherine thought about the solemn words, shaking her head she spun her body round so fast Constantia held her breath wondering what the woman was going to do. She did nothing but gaze at her face and a tender look crossed her face. "You're right of course. We do love with our souls when we find the love of our lives, but you're wrong too! For some of us Aunt, do get a second chance and we seize it and never let it go." Her voice low, catching on the emotions that suddenly threatened to engulf her.

"You found that out presumably. Did it have anything to do with this mystery accident you have yet to speak of?" Constantia saw the large hand of her niece sweep away some of the dark hair that fell over her left cheek and the scars that were faint, but still visible exposed the very subject in all its clarity.

Catherine didn't ask, she didn't even know why she did it, but she sat down at the foot of her aunt much as Jake did at her feet at home when she was about to tell a story. Leaning gently against the arm of the chair, she looked up at the bright blue sky. It was such a wonderful day today.

"I was foolish enough to think that my past wouldn't catch up with me. The woman that I found I loved was so innocent in comparison to the person I had been, or still am. I thought I could just love her and forget all the other things that happened. However, they do catch up with you at the most inopportune times. It caused a wedge in the relationship, she left me!" Catherine said bleakly. It made Constantia jump slightly in her chair at the pain the words caused in her own heart. Placing a gentle hand on the top of the raven head, she stroked the hair in a comforting fashion. After an initial flinch Catherine allowed the older woman to continue her soothing motion.

"Did she love you as much as you loved her?" Constantia asked simply.

"Jace gave me her unconditional love. I was less than honest with her. It was all my fault the rift and yet, it made me a better woman for it in the end." Catherine sought to take the blame for her lost time with her partner.

"Jace was not to blame for any hurt she inflicted on you? That doesn't sound like a true meeting of souls to me Catherine." Constantia felt the shift of the body in anger and she smiled...so, it had touched a nerve. How very noble of her niece to take the blame.

"Jace had her reasons. She and I have surpassed the anger we felt to each other. That side of the relationship is now behind us. We now live for each other, our children, family and friends. I don't want to die and leave her here alone aunt. What am I going to do?" Catherine broke down and sobbed quietly. Her thoughts on the recurring dream that taunted her into taking actions she had no idea of what the consequences would be. Yet, something wouldn't let her leave it be.

Constantia had never in all the years, having watched this woman grow from a baby to early adulthood, ever seen her cry with so much emotion, not even at the deaths of her son and husband. She herself had cried harder, but in private for the death of Adam and the children that should have been hers, but she had allowed that possibility to trickle away. Constantia felt not only physically helpless as she wanted so much to take the young woman in her arms and give her the comfort she sought, but emotionally helpless too! "Catherine what do you dream?" Constantia knew that was the reason behind the breakdown before her. Obviously Catherine was dreaming and couldn't understand her dream.

Catherine shuddered at the thought and gulped a short breath and stifled the sobs that she was finding hard to suppress. "I...I die. I'm in a coffin and Jace is placing a flower in the casket. I want to tell her I'm not dead. That it's a dream and not to leave me there in the cold and dark, but she is taken away by a familiar hand, but I don't know who that is!"

Constantia continued her stroking gently of Catherine's head and then she traced a finger down the scarred cheek and tipped the chin of her niece towards her. Blue eyes looked into blue, one with fear the other with understanding.

"Catherine, I know you and I have never been close." Catherine's eyebrow rose to her forehead at that understatement. "Okay! We have never seen eye to eye ever, I believe. Nevertheless, we share a bond more than blood Catherine. That bond is ancestral and binds us together in support like nothing else ever would or could. The dream you're having isn't imposing death of the physical kind on you Catherine, but of the emotional kind. The old you is dead, but it still clings to life like a ghost and wants to remain forever. Your love for Jace and hers for you want to go forward, but unless you finally let it go Catherine, all will be lost. The old and the new and what would be left behind? Look inside yourself for the answers Catherine, for only you can answer them. But, let her inside Catherine, or you will lose her love. Jace's love for you will flourish and bring nourishment to your starved soul if you let her inside for good Catherine, but it's all up to you."

Catherine was listening intently to the words, as she had never considered that her dream was anything but a premonition of her death. With everything that was going on around her, she was still loath to think otherwise. What if Constantia was wrong? "How can you be so sure?"

Constantia gave a small cynical laugh and her hand moved away from Catherine's face and placed a hand over her own eyes ready to shield them from unseen pain that threatened. "Experience Catherine! If nothing else, I too, had a dream similar to yours. I was much younger and god help me, but I was so proud and foolish! I ignored it at my cost, my love's cost and the future generation that would no longer be born."

Catherine heard the sincerity in the voice of the older woman and she for the first time felt a connection that had never been between them. "You never got a second chance then?"

"Catherine I had a second, third and numerous chances, but I ignored my heart, his and your mothers also. Eventually he found someone else to take my place and start a family without me." The words filled with sorrow not bitterness, which surprised Catherine, as she had felt so bitter with Jace when she had married Peter Adamson. Looking up at Constantia, she saw the tears shimmering and ready to fall on the proud countenance before her.

"I...well Aunt, I suppose I've been sensible then, perhaps for the first time in my life wouldn't you say?" Catherine smiled genuinely at her aunt. She saw something in her face that reminded her of her mother and perhaps that was one of the reasons she had always rejected any approaches by this woman in love. Because she saw a resemblance to her mother and it wasn't fair that her mother was dead and this woman was alive. It hadn't been fair when she was ten years old. It hadn't been fair when she was twenty years old! And if she really looked at the pain she felt, it just hadn't been fair that everything she loved had been taken from her! She had been unable to adjust and accept that someone else could offer her a love to anchor her as a child, as she had offered to Jake and Lisa.

She had felt betrayed, alone and wanted to die with her mother. The child had died with her mother in reality. The shell left behind, had been allowed to grow and experience life, but without that essential quality called love in her heart. She had only ever felt that when Jace had opened her up to all those feelings. She owed her life to her partner. It could never be repaid except in acknowledging that they were equal. It was time she stopped the solitary bearing and share not only her physical love, but also everything including her fears of the past and the future. 'Oh, God, how simple a solution it sounds, but so very difficult to allow and yet, nothing else mattered really.'

"I think you learnt your lessons well Catherine. When you had a choice, you let love lead the way. That's all your dream is saying Catherine; let love leave the old you behind and go forward into the light with the only person who means life and death to you." Constantia saw the traces of tears in her niece's eyes. Perhaps, her coming here hadn't been so bad. Maybe they could build on this fragile conversation. She certainly hoped so. She wished with all her heart that it would be so, but what did Catherine want?

"I will. I have planned to leave tonight. I have business in the States, but if you...."

Constantia shook her head and smiled warmly at the young woman. It could have been so easy to hate her. They had never been close. They had argued incessantly and eventually Catherine had stolen without notice, the one person who represented a perfect love for her, Adam! God she had wanted to hate her. When their son had been born, it had cut her deeply, but how could one hate such a lost soul? For Catherine had been a lost soul in so many ways. Now, they had a second chance and this time she wasn't proud, she was going to grasp it, that is, if Catherine allowed it.

"No. No, please Catherine, you are a busy woman and I know you need to get back to your family. Perhaps one day you would come back and visit me with your family and we might build on today?" It was a tentative request, one, which Catherine heard as her heart, felt the peace it brought to her in such a profound way. It was like another door opening that she was willing to walk through to see the light.

"Yes, Jace and the children will love it here. But are you sure you wouldn't be upset at having three boisterous children moving around the villa as they might damage something?" Catherine smiled warmly at her aunt.

"Catherine this villa has been around far longer than any one generation. Therefore, I do believe it will stand the test of your children. Don't you think so? Anyway, they can in no way be worse than your mother and I were, believe me. I have photographs to show you next time." Constantia returned the warm smile and Catherine stood up to her six foot height.

"Yes, I guess your right. But you might regret that; hope you're ready to run around after them, because they sure make me tired." Catherine chuckled and saw a flash of...was it pain cross the face she looked down on.

Constantia saw the look and she knew there was no better time and lifted off the blanket that enclosed her legs and it revealed to Catherine emaciated legs, very pale. "You and I Catherine, have stories to tell the next time we meet, wouldn't you say?"

Catherine starred at the legs and the frail woman who had a vitality of personality that made you ignore the weakness of the body. "Between us Aunt, we could probably write a book, but a conversation in the near future looks equally good to me."

"Well, you have the publishing business Catherine not I. How good are you at story telling? It is in our family line too I might add." Constantia was glad she'd shown Catherine the truth. It would work out! It had to work out. Time was so short now!

"Actually the kids like my stories, but I prefer Jace's poetry myself. I think our brand of stories are for the future Xianthos generations, not for common knowledge." Catherine had an idea fermenting. She was going to take a side trip to Boston and make sure that if Constantia was wrong, that if it was her physical death that she was dreaming about, there was a future for the Xianthos line and she also knew that Jace would make it happen.

"Then I look forward to not only our stories, but yours for your children and the poetry from the woman you love. Thank you Catherine for allowing an old woman to see the future." Constantia spoke softly and with a measure of emotion that echoed in her mind as a memory.

"Thank you for considering that we have a future." Catherine placed a gentle hand against the face of her aunt and she smiled warmly.

"Safe journey Catherine, in all your endeavours."

"Keep safe and well until my return Constantia. My children will be happy to have more family to play with and I want to see those photographs also." Catherine went towards the door and turned one last time before she went into the enormous hall and the steps to the next floor.

Althea had been appraised of the situation on the Island and knew it was now or never if she was going to warn Constantia Xianthos. There weren't any other choices laid before her. It was quite simple really, she warned her and waited for the truth to be told, then she would die at her mother's hand. Or she waited and an innocent died and then she would have to retaliate and she would die probably at the hands of her mother, the police, or someone else. When you thought about it the choices weren't exactly good, as she died either way. So the actual path she faced was quite simple, she would go and warn the residents of Xianthos.

Althea had made her decision and went of towards the small jetty and unleashed the jet bike and sitting astride she revved up the throttle and turned it towards the bay area. With luck she might get an audience with the woman, who frightened her own mother in some strange and unusual way and in almost every situation.

The crippled woman who had arrived on the Island twelve years ago had become the favourite of the Islanders. All of her mothers' attempts at becoming the mother figure of the Island were destroyed with her sudden appearance. After all, the locals had always had a soft spot of the Xianthos family. It had obviously not declined even though they had fled the Island of their ancestors for over thirty years. The Spiros family had a line going as far back as the Xianthos line. Yet it had always been the same, the Spiros family was always the second, never the first in line and their feuding over the centuries looked like it would never be quelled.

Althea felt the slight wind behind her back and loved the feel of the spray hitting her face as she roared away towards her destination. And whatever outcome that destination might cause.

The phone rang insistently and Jace padded out of bed. It was the private line in their room, with only a handful of people knowing it. At this time in the morning Jace thought sleepily, 'it had better be a good reason' as she stumbled to the desk and the telephone.

"Hello, Destiny how can I help you?" Jace's voice a little slurred with sleep as her sluggish green eyes looked at the clock on the desk. It was only three a.m. for Christ sake, didn't people sleep.

"Darling, how about you? Read me a poem and make me happy listening to your voice." A low gravely voice asked quietly as Jace's heartbeat thumped erratically in her chest.

"Catherine, what...where... Gods I love you!" Jace spluttered and sat down heavily in the chair at the desk. Her body responding with a shiver as her thinly clad form hit the cold leather.

"I love you too Jace. And I'm about to go to the ferry jetty and pick up my connection to Athens." Catherine had been pleased at Jace's response. She had no idea what she would have done had her partner still been angry with her.

"Where to from there? No! No don't answer that Catherine. It's okay, just so long as you keep safe and you come home to us...to me!" Her voice lowered as she spoke the final words as a fervent prayer of hope.

"I was going to ask how the girls were and if they could travel yet?" Catherine stated quietly, for she had plans that involved all her family.

"The girls will be fine to travel in a week or perhaps two, but Catherine what about Jake? You're not mad at him are you? He seems to think you might be?" Jace asked knowing that Catherine might try to prevaricate, but doubted she could do so with ease.

"Mad at him, no Jace our son told me the truth as he sees it. To be honest on reflection, he was correct. I'll make it up to him when I come home." Catherine replied soberly.

"Your leaving early Catherine.I thought that perhaps you might have had at least two nights to make your peace with your aunt?" Jace asked quietly, had she even taken the time to talk to her aunt.

"Ah, Darling, but I have made my peace, or at least we will eventually. When I do I want you with me as Constantia has expressed a desire to meet the woman who is responsible for teaching me what love means." Her smile reflected the love even if Jace couldn't see it... she must surely feel it?

"Your aunt wants to meet me? That's wonderful Catherine, and the children?" Jace asked excited at the prospect. She wanted to meet someone who knew Catherine when she was a child. She wanted to experience some of her childhood however painful that might be.

"Oh, the children will no doubt not want to come home. She's restored the family villa Darling. It's magnificent. And the views over the bay are incredible. I want to experience it all over again with you Jace. Call it a second honeymoon, but with strings called Jake, Lisa and Elena." Catherine laughed as she pictured in her minds eye the face of the kids when they saw this place.

"Anytime my love, anytime. How are you?"

"Strange as it may seem, I actually feel good about a lot of things and I need to go to the States for a few weeks to work out some of them. However, Jace it isn't Hudson! I've decided that if she wants me, she has to come get me. And we will work it out together Jace, you and I, whatever that will be. Is that okay with you?" Catherine's voice sounded as if it was in the room with her and every word was emphasised to ensure Jace understood her completely.

Jace had sucked in a breath when Catherine had mentioned going back to the States, but she had slowly expelled it as the words revealed her partner had accepted her fate, and that they were better together than apart. "Would you like for us to come to New York and keep you company?"

"Yes!"

Yes, a single word that proclaimed the world to Jace.

"How about next weekend? I'll check with the doctors to make sure that the girls can travel. Jake will need to stay in school Catherine. However, I'm sure you can talk to him soon and promise to bring him the newest computer games that he can't get here to sweeten the pill." Jace laughed as she pictured Jake's crestfallen face at having to stay in school, then to be quickly replaced by a grin when he thought of a suitable present from Catherine.

"That can be arranged and Jace, I'm sorry about how we left each other. It should not have been that way. We can't afford to let things get in the way of our love Jace. It's far to important, it means my life!" Catherine gave a whispered plea and heard the catch in the throat of her lover at the other end of the line.

"Catherine, you are my life. And I'm sorry also. All I want to do is hold you and show you what I feel, but it will have to wait until next weekend. How about that poem instead?" Jace smiled as her tears fell silently. Catherine it seemed always made the first move in making up when they parted in haste and anger, why didn't she?

"Okay, I'm all ears and I love it when you recite a poem to me, makes my toes curl and I want to imagine every word is written with me in mind." Catherine responded softly quietly and chuckled wickedly.

"Toes curl huh? Now that's a picture to behold and my love every word is written for you and about you. Thought I had told you that already?" Jace smiled as she turned over a few pages of her journal and looked at the last one she'd written just the previous night, as she felt so alone and sad.

"Well, you did Jace, but it doesn't harm to check again." Catherine said and then waited for Jace to start her poem.

Leaving Me Behind

Alone without you I reflect on the sadness it brings, the jealousy that springs, how empty my life seems.

Companionless as you leave, misery follows me from room to room, resentment plays it's own tune.

Forsaken as time flees and you're not with me, my despondent soul cries in envy wherever you may be.

Isolated in the pain of loneliness your absence brings to me, downhearted with tears that fall heedlessly, insecurity never lets me go.

Apart we stretch the fabric of the love we created, wretched sorrow greets the days, doubting the love I crave.

Abandoned here to think, my possessive heart wants and yearns, I'm convinced and compelled to believe you belong only to me.

Come home my love, travel the distance that separates us, be the beacon to let free the happiness within, as two souls become one wholeheartedly.

Home is in my heart my love, alone and apart I will always want and need, I look forward to your return and the way you make my soul sing, for I guarantee it only for you.

Catherine blinked back a tear as Jace finished her recital and if there could have been anyway she could have held the small woman in her arms at that time, she would have moved heaven and earth to do so.

"Hey, Jace, does that mean you miss me?" Catherine tried to alleviate the tension on the line as she heard the short breaths of her partner who she knew was trying not to cry.

"I suppose I should have written something more upbeat huh?" Jace gulped back her tears and gave a watery smile to the inanimate object in her hand. 'If only!'

"No, Jace it was beautiful.I know you are my home Jace. My everything. You keep it safe in your heart darling, because I will always want it, need it and I never ever want to lose it!" Catherine stated with conviction.

"Will you call me later when you get settled in New York?" Jace finally shuddered, her heart overflowing with love for this woman.

"Let anything try and stop me Jace. I need to go now Darling. Lukas is waiting to take me to the jetty. I'll explain how my visit here went in detail later and please take care of yourself and the kids okay?" Catherine stated calmly, closing her eyes and wishing she were there to keep them safe herself.

"With Colin permanently on the look out for aliens from out of space these days, it's lucky he lets us back on the property if we go shopping." Jace replied happily and heard Catherine chuckle at her end.

"I love you Jace. See you soon."She breathed in awe and heard the whispered endorsement from her partner as she disconnected the call.

Jace silently placed the receiver back in its cradle. She looked over at the two peacefully sleeping children and a sudden chill came over her body as she moved. All the time she was talking to Catherine she hadn't felt cold in anyway. She had to hand it to her partner, she had a way of making her warm all over and she didn't even need to be in the same room or country... come to that! Her woman was simply marvellous.

Walking slowly over to the bed she placed tender kisses on both of her children's heads and whispered. "Mama loves you and she's coming home. She is coming home babies to us all and this time she's never leaving us again!" Jace settled back down in the bed and her thoughts drifted over the just completed conversation. With just the sensation of hearing Catherine's voice, her heart felt as if it was soaring in happiness. She slowly allowed sleep to claim her, but this time she was exhausted with joy.

Althea pulled the jet bike into the small jetty, which was used for the local ferry. It was the only safe place she could think of to moor the craft until she returned from the Xianthos villa, located a mile down the road.

As she alighted the bike she tentatively pulled her fingers through her spray covered hair and grimaced, she must look a sight. Ensuring the bike was completely secure; she walked down the jetty and was surprised to see Lukas Dimitrie striding forward with a tall stunning woman at his side. She had a familiar look about her, at least the features seemed familiar at this distance.

"Mr. Dimitrie." Althea spoke in Greek with a strong confident voice and watched the handsome man turn to her and look at her with a mixture of annoyance and amusement.

Althea was disconcerted at his gaze, not the expression of annoyance but the amusement, 'what the hell did he find so funny?'

"Ms. Spiros, it has been a long time since you have been in the Island. What may I do for you?" The man answered in Greek and Catherine watched the interchange between the two of them intrigued at the body language she could feel.

"I was hoping that perhaps I could see Ms. Xianthos this evening?" Althea knew that there was only two ways to get to see the woman and that was this man, or her constant companion Sarah Rogers. Fate was smiling on her; at least with seeing him here was a golden opportunity.

"Ms. Spiros that is both an unusual request and impossible. It is far too late for Ms. Xianthos to have visitors. She's been sick recently and needs to regain her strength." Lukas had grown up with this young woman. At least they had attended some of the first schools together. She had been a brilliant student and remarkably a very happy child and good company. However, that was years ago, now she was an unknown entity.

Althea looked down at her hands and to Catherine watching quietly, she was certain the young woman was about to wring them, a gesture of desperation.

"It's important Lukas!" Althea resorted to first name terms, then saw the sudden dull red cross the mans cheeks at her familiarity.

"If you explain to me the importance perhaps I can arrange for you to visit another day, for tonight, the answer is no!" Lukas responded, determined that a woman he no longer knew would not override him.

Catherine walked towards the couple and she smiled briefly. "We have a problem here?" Her low gravely voice interrupted the scowls that passed between them.

Lukas turned to the imposing woman at his side and was once again thrown by her appearance so like his godmother. "No, Catherine everything is under control. I was explaining that Constantia is still weak from her illness and that visitors would not be welcome this evening."

Catherine turned her ice blue gaze on the somewhat bedraggled appearance of the younger woman who was now starring at her with an amazed expression on her face. "True. So she gets to see her in the morning. I have a ferry to catch and it looks like the Captain is waiting. So, deal with this later Lukas." Catherine turned towards the ferry gangplank and was about to go aboard when a small hand placed itself on her arm. Turning cold ice blue eyes looked into desperate brown ones and she flicked her glance down to the hand restraining her. Althea reluctantly released her hold, but refused to move away.

"I need to see Ms. Xianthos tonight! It is extremely important!" Althea this time spoke in clear cultured English and Catherine was impressed, the woman was educated at least.

"What's so important that you need to see my aunt this evening? There is always tomorrow?" Catherine was impatient to leave, as was the captain of the vessel for he was grumbling words in Greek, but it was all the same in any language.

"I need to explain it to Ms. Xianthos. I dare not speak of it to anyone else." Althea pleaded and shot both Catherine and Lukas a look of concern.

Catherine waved the woman away and she went forward and crossed onto the ferry itself. "Lukas it's your call. If I were you, I would go have coffee or something that you Greeks do and talk about it. I'll be in touch as soon as I arrive in the States. And Lukas, keep an eye on her for me." With that the tall woman departed to the deck below as the captain rushed around disengaging the ropes for departure.

Lukas turned to Althea who was now looking despondent at the retreating back of the woman and she wondered if her sudden leaving the island would give her more time. Clauser wouldn't be aware of the departure and that would dislocate the plans for a while. It would be a breathing space and it looked like she needed it.

"Would you care to go for a coffee Althea? Perhaps we can discuss the importance of your proposed visit to see Ms. Xianthos?" Lukas looked at the woman and her dejected appearance. If he thought about it, she looked like a child that had been chastised for something she hadn't done. It was quite endearing, not to mention her somewhat bedraggled look

Althea considered the invitation, but decided it wasn't really necessary. "No, thanks all the same Lukas. I think I'll head back home. I will make a more formal appointment with Ms. Xianthos as you requested earlier. Was that really her niece, Catherine Devonshire?"

Lukas smiled briefly and felt a little disappointed that she hadn't wanted to take up his invitation. He would have liked to know how she was getting along and why it was so important to see Constantia.

"Yes that was the infamous Ms. Devonshire. She's quite stunning isn't she?"

Althea was a little annoyed at his description of the woman and then she looked down at her own appearance and shook her head... yeah, no competition.

"Infamous isn't that a little harsh? I understand she is a very clever business woman, but has a lifestyle a little different from most others." Althea finally replied and walked towards her jet bike.

"Yes. Her lifestyle is certainly different than the average person, I suspect. Will you call me tomorrow to make an appointment with Ms. Xianthos?" Lukas asked watching the woman untethered her craft and straddled the seat with ease.

"Yes, I'll call you Lukas. See you around." With that, she released the throttle and turned the jet bike towards her homeward destination.

Lukas watched the retreating back become swallowed up in the inky depths of the dark bay. "Yes. See you around Althea, safe journey home." The man whispered as the figure disappeared in the distance and all he heard were the echoes of the bike engine.

Catherine settled into a plastic seat that was both uncomfortable and well worn. She pulled out the file that she had requested earlier from her lawyer and glanced at its contents. Closing her eyes briefly she smiled as happy thoughts of her conversation with Jace popped easily into her head. Opening her eyes again, she read the details in depth and made several notes that would make the project fly. Well, in her eyes anyway it would emerge, take fruition and Jace would be extremely happy, and that was the main part... no...no... it would make both of them happy. With those thoughts, the tall dark woman beamed with satisfaction.

An hour or so later, she glanced out at the darkness surrounding the ferry and listened to the incessant chug of the engine, which by the sound of it needed a complete overhaul. 'Wonder why the young woman had been insistent on seeing Constantia? Surely it could have waited until the morning at least? Oh, well Lukas was competent enough to clear up the matter. It wasn't as if anything threatening could possibly get to my aunt. The place is very secure.'

Stretching tired and aching muscles, she walked over to one of the portholes and looked unseeingly out at the inky blue of the sea and the reflected darkness in the skies. 'It's time to call a halt to all this travelling Jace. I think I've finally realised and been shown that you are the most important thing in my life and it's time I made certain you know it and we enjoy our time together. We need to plan our new baby together also. And finalise all the adoption particulars for Lisa and Jake.This time it's going to happen. Jake isn't ever going to get the chance to say that to me again. Never again!'

Looking at her watch she sighed heavily. It would be at least another four hours before she reached the mainland. Then she hoped to get on the next flight out of Athens to Boston. By this time tomorrow, she would be in the States and the final phase of her plan. Now that was going to be a immense surprise for Jace. She was certain her partner was going to love all her plans... Oh, yes!... And that meant all of them!

Turning back she settled into the plastic seat again and closed her eyes and tried to nap. Well, she would try anyway.

~ ~ ~

Sally Clauser was frowning heavily at the beautiful sea view from the balcony. All her plans had been thwarted for the time being, unless she did get rid of the old crone at the villa. That would surely bring Devonshire back and with a bang as well! When she had been told, she hadn't thought that Catherine would be insensitive to her only living relative and would spend less than twenty-four hours in the woman's company. Now it was time to rethink the whole process. Her original thought that Devonshire might return. However, that had not transpired and it was now over a week later.

She was becoming impatient to complete this little episode and get her own life back to some normality. It was something to consider what would be normality after this was over. She certainly couldn't go back to her old life. Although, why not? Who the hell would care!

"You don't look very happy with the view Ms. Clauser?" Althea Spiros asked quietly as she approached the back of the other woman.

"Ms. Spiros, I'm not!" Sally Clauser retorted, her eyes never leaving the peaceful setting of the blue sea in front of her.

"Perhaps I can help?" Althea had wondered what made this woman tick. She hadn't found out yet. With the setting of the firm jaw in front of her, she doubted she would either.

"Let's just say, I was hoping that all my plans would have been realised by now. However, as with all good plans of mice and men, it was not to be." Sally replied and turned to look the younger woman over with a keen glance.

Althea shivered at the gaze she was receiving from the minimising woman. It was cold and calculating and she felt like she was being dissected under a microscope.

"I take it that you haven't heard anything to confirm your original view that Ms. Devonshire might return to the Island?"

Sally shrugged, "Mere detail. If she does not return in the next week, I intend to kill the old crone off to get her here and to hell with the other plans."

Althea looked shocked at the nonchalant attitude to a murder the woman before her was taking. "What exactly are you planning?" a whispered question.

Sally stepped forward and came uncomfortably close to Althea. The woman's breathe fanning her cheeks. It had a peppermint smell that barely disguised the garlic she had eaten at lunch. Althea moved away slightly so that she was now leaning against the balcony.

"Nervous Ms. Spiros?" a short laughed followed the question.

"No! No, whatever made you think that?" a terse clipped answer escaped Althea's lips as her eyes remained fixed upon the blue sea before her.

Sally laughed wickedly, a sound that produced an eerie echo even though there were no walls to bounce the sound off.

"A hunch that's all, and the answer to your question is... all in good time. When that time arrives, believe me, you will know. And together, we will make things happen."

Althea sighed heavily. The sound was not lost on Clauser as she moved until she was within an inch from the other woman's back.

Althea hadn't realised the proximity of Sally and turned around suddenly, and was face to face with the cold, but beautiful features of the foreigner. Her pulse raced with a fear she didn't understand. There was something evil that lay beneath the expressions of politeness and outward happiness with the world in general.

"I will wait then. If you will excuse me, I need to see my brother," her voice far from steady. This woman scared her. She knew if it came to a one on one situation, the other woman would win hands down... a very sobering thought.

Sally looked at the younger woman and saw the pent up fear she was unable to disguise. It was nice to know she hadn't lost her touch. Moving progressively closer so that neither had any personal space to speak of Sally placed a long tapered finger down the tanned skin immediately in her reach and felt the shudder of repulsion from the Greek woman. Her eyes fired with the challenge that set her. It reminded her of a certain Jace Bardley, who had acted in exactly the same way! Always a pleasure... the quarry that reminded her of a deer stunned by the headlights of a dangerous oncoming vehicle, unable to escape it's entrapment.

"I was wondering if you would like to join me for dinner this evening, another venue of course?" her voice seductive and enticing her deer!

Althea seethed at the question and felt disgusted at the familiarity this woman was displaying. "No thank you Ms. Clauser. Perhaps another time." Althea moved away having to brush the larger woman away and as she did so, Sally's arm came out and stopped her flight to freedom.

"My dear Ms. Spiros, it will be a pleasure and at the moment I have the time to wait for you to accept my invitation. You will enjoy it, I can assure you." Sally Clauser whispered into her ear and saw the blush stain the darker skinned woman's cheeks as she gave a sultry smile.

Althea fled towards the door that lead to the main part of the villa and muttered under her breath, "In your dreams!" and went swiftly to her own room for a much needed shower to wash away the crawling feeling she had at that particular encounter. Next time she would make sure someone else was in the room with them. No way was she ever going to be alone with that bitch in heat again!

Sally smirked at the retreating back and laughed at the sight. These people could be so predictable. And so very, very malleable when the time was right; exactly the same as Jace Bardley had been. It had given her such a rush of adrenaline as she saw her old PA's composure fall in ruins in the office at UCP when she had found out about her lover's alter ego. What a beautiful scene. Just as she had anticipated... Bardley's angry and unforgiving... with Devonshire shocked and devastated. It had been a real pleasure to bring that into the open, just one of her true feats of genius.

Her major coup de grace had been the masterful planning of Stewart Devonshire's demise in such a way that no one even suspected that the old man had not died of natural causes. She was going to relish explaining that to the nine lives bitch Catherine Devonshire. It would, as always be so very wicked to see the expression in her incredible ice blue eyes. Chuckling insanely to herself, she returned her view to the peaceful blue of the sea as her mind ticked off possibilities of how to kill another member of the family related to Catherine Devonshire.

The Xianthos jet was making its approach into New York's Kennedy airport, with everyone on board feeling euphoria for all different reasons.

Jace was counting the minutes... no the seconds, to seeing Catherine again. She could hardly bear the wait any longer, but Catherine had promised to meet them at the airport.

Lisa was humming to herself and watching the plane descend towards the minute houses that looked like her dolls house at home. She liked going to the apartment, it was better than being at school.

Constance was pensive, but happy about her return to the Country she now called home... and where she had left her heart. Deep down she felt that it was now time to consider all the aspects of her and Clare's relationship and talk. If it produced nothing else but that she saw Clare for one last time, then so be it but she needed it. And she was ready for it. That talk with the drug-crazed girl in the alleyway had convinced her that she'd been fucking stupid way beyond her intelligence. She had been fortunate that her employer had been on that road herself previously and made the effort to save her. She wasn't sure where she would be now, if Catherine hadn't stepped in... probably in some drunk tank, or laying under a bridge with the scum on the streets drugged and drunk, or beaten and brutalized, or even worse.

Elena was driving Dave the steward to distraction. She was a very demanding child. Although her mother and the other adult passenger had taken much of the load, he had the pleasure for the last half-hour. It had been worse than waiting on a full planeload of irritated passengers at the meal times. He wished Ms. Devonshire had been on the flight, for she had a way with the child that calmed her. It was quite charming to watch the normally stoic features crease into a remarkable smile that lit the often, cold blue eyes of hers into loving warmth that could sear you at twenty paces.

"Jace, will Catherine come meet us?" Lisa asked turning her smiling face towards the blonde at her side.

"Yes, Darling. She promised to be there and I'm sure she will be." Jace gave her a smile of happy anticipation at the very thought.

"Great! I want to show her all my spots. They don't even itch now do they Jace?" Lisa looked down at her left arm and saw the multitude of red blemishes still evident on her body as Jace glanced indulgently at the child.

"I'm sure she will appreciate that Lisa." Jace clutched on the arm of the aircraft seat as it crunched down on the tarmac of the runway and within a few minutes slowed and came to a halt. Her eyes flashing alternatively between her two daughters; Lisa sitting beside her and Elena across from her with the steward, who was allowing the child to pull at the gold buttons of his blazer, ensuring she was secure in her harness.

Dave made sure that the straps were still secure on the child as he went through the familiar routine of opening up the door as the automatic connection to the terminal slipped into place on the aircraft.

Constance had collected some of the small hand luggage and was talking to the animated Lisa as the steward indicated that it was fine for them to disembark. Constance looked at Jace and smiled as the blonde unhooked her squirming daughter and was given a smacking wet kiss on the cheek once the child was held in her arms.

Jace giggled along with her daughter and was given several more kisses. "Hey Elena how about you save some for Mama okay?" she chuckled as she was given a serious glance from mirror image green eyes.

"Mama!" the child said excited at the prospect of seeing her tall playmate. Lisa looked around in anticipation.

"Is she here Jace?" Lisa's voice rose in expectation and excitement.

"Not in the aircraft, Lisa but at the terminal." Jace patiently explained to the child and waited as she saw the look on Lisa's face, which meant she was about to stun them with another question, and you never knew what that, might be.

"Catherine won't embarrass us will she Jace, with the people on the counters like before? She was really mad that day wasn't she?" Lisa looked at her mother waiting for the answer.

"Catherine embarrassed you all? How irregular." Constance said quietly, but loud enough for Jace to hear and saw the faint pink touch her cheeks.

"It wasn't quite like that Constance. Catherine was a little annoyed at the delay in customs and she became a little testy, shall we say." Jace tried to explain so that it didn't put her partner in a bad light with someone who worked for her.

"She was mad Catherine. Everyone was watching us and she was shouting." Lisa turned to look at both woman and Jace gave her a slight smile and walked the short distance to her eldest daughter.

"How about we go and meet Catherine, Lisa instead of talking about it? What do you say?" Constance watched Jace walk ahead of her daughter and smiled as she could imagine her boss getting agitated at the sometimes, aggravating delay airports could provide.

Within ten minutes they had their entire luggage accounted for and this time, a security officer led them away towards a VIP area, a swift customs and security check, leaving both women amazed and the elder child smiling.

"Did my other Mom ask you to let us through quickly, because you don't want her mad with you again?" Lisa piped up to the customs officer who was a young woman with a pleasant manner and laughing grey eyes.

"Who's your other Mom, Honey?" The officer smiled at the child and had swiftly noticed the embarrassed indrawn breath of the blonde who she suspected was one of the Moms. Kids could be very entertaining for everyone but the parents she suspected. It wasn't the first time this kind of question had been voiced by a youngster.

"My other Mom is Catherine!" The child said proudly and she looked like a robin puffing his red chest out to exaggerated effect.

"Well Honey, perhaps she did. Certainly you are very important to someone out there." The officer smiled at them all as she passed back the passports having stamped them entry and pointed towards the exit.

"Oh, then it was Catherine because we are important to her. She loves us, doesn't she Jace?"

Jace wanted to cry at the comment and the totally beguiling way her daughter could state the obvious and take away any of the embarrassment of the original question.

"Yes, she does Darling. So, let us go see if she is waiting shall we?" Jace asked quietly and held out her free hand for the child to take. Elena was resting on her shoulder her eyes taking in the unfamiliar room around her.

Constance watched the scene with a wry smile, if she thought that Jace had a handful with Catherine and her ways. She was in awe of her employer if she had to cope with Lisa on a regular basis. The child would be an asset in the boardroom... it made you shudder to think. Holding onto the personal luggage, she followed at a discreet distance knowing that the family reunion should be a private affair.

Jace scanned the area immediately in front of her and to either side seeing several people, but not the tall form of her partner she craved to see. 'God's she hoped that Catherine had been able to keep her promise in being here. It was after all only two in the afternoon.'

Then her heart thudded in her chest as she saw the familiar gait of her partner turn a corner at speed and she watched as ice blue eyes locked with hers. A miraculous change occurred in the stoic features of Catherine Devonshire Warriorson, turning them into a brilliant smile her eyes filled with warmth and joy at the sight of her family.

Lisa saw Catherine at that moment and whooped with joy as she disengaged her hand from Jace's and ran at speed towards the tall figure now only yards from them.

Catherine laughed as she swung Lisa in the air and hugged her. "Hello Lisa, how's my favourite slugger doing?" chuckling as she saw the scrunched up face of the small red head look her in the eyes and then giggled and placed several wet kisses on her cheek.

"I love you Catherine and I've missed you and do you want to see my spots. I've got lots and lots?" the child said enthusiastically.

Catherine obediently looked at the spots on the child and grinned at her and pulled her closer and kissed her head, "Lots and lots that you have Lisa do they itch?" Catherine smiled at the child, but her eyes now strayed towards her partner as she came within a foot of her. Catherine's pulse raced at the proximity of the small blonde and their eyes locked once again and a silent message of love and welcome passed between them.

Elena had noticed her tall playmate and she squealed at the sight and started to struggle in Jace's arms making it very difficult for Jace to control her. Catherine saw the struggle and she smiled at her partner and whispering something into Lisa's ear she then put her down and held out her arms for her younger daughter. "Come here little one. Going to give Mama a kiss?" Catherine was showered with small wet kisses, which had them all laughing as the tall woman pulled a face.

"Hey Baby, I said a kiss not a shower," she gave a few kisses back to the child in loving retaliation, which then had Elena giggling.

Jace edged to within an inch of Catherine's left shoulder and looked up at her and tracing a gentle finger down her left cheek she whispered. "Good to see you Darling, I missed you and I love you!" the words for Catherine to hear only and that brought a resounding change in her expression to one of total adoration.

"Nice to hear and I love you too Jace. How about we get out of here and get to the apartment and I'll show you how much I missed you." Catherine responded, her voice low enough for Jace to hear setting her body temperature rising at the image that comment made in her mind, never mind the actual event itself.

"Oh! Let us go Catherine. I'm all for you showing me how much you've missed me and when you're done I'll reciprocate. How does that sound?" Jace smirked at the sudden flare of passion she saw in the blue eyes that left words unnecessary.

Catherine then saw Constance in the background and she beckoned her over. "How you doing Waverly?" her words sharp, but her tone held a warm friendly interest.

"I'm very well Catherine. And I can see without asking that you look grand." Constance smiled warmly at her boss she really did look good; relaxed and the haunted look she often showed in the eyes if you looked closely was completely gone! Must have been some trip to Greece.

"Yes, it is interesting times in my life at the moment. I actually believe things are going to work out for us all!' watching the sudden hooded look in the other woman's eyes she captured the brown eyes and gave her a long look.

"Even you Constance. Trust me."

Constance shrugged and placed her hands on the luggage trolley to steer it towards the exit of the terminal building as they all moved happily to their next destination.

Colin looked unhappily at the retreating back of his wife. Her footsteps were heavy and angry on the gravel path as she stalked quickly towards her parked jeep.

All he'd asked was that she reconsider going to Christchurch and then Auckland for three weeks on the trust business. But no! No. Grace being Grace had responded with a barbed comment or two about how protective he was becoming and how it was stifling her. She had a role in life other than as his wife and she was damn well going to carry it on, regardless of being pregnant! He wanted her to make it a shorter visit, that was all, not what she thought and not go at all! He loved her to distraction, but she certainly had trouble accepting that they needed to discuss some things especially if she planned to leave for weeks at a time!

He knew he wasn't the best communicator in the world. And to make matters worse, in the last month he had decided not only to add to the security system, but oversee it himself. He admirably desired to make sure the work was done not only quickly, but also accurately, as people's lives depended on it, including his wife and their unborn child.

Grace had been upset over the children and her inability to help in her present condition, then she had turned up a few weeks ago and said she was going away for a minimum three weeks. No discussion. But a decision already made by her.He felt she was informing him as she would a casual acquaintance. This just wasn't like Grace... it wasn't like her at all.

Collecting his hat he ran out the door that Grace had exited moments earlier and shouted in vain for her to wait. He watched as a cloud of smoke rose in the air as wheels turned quickly in the drive and the vehicle accelerated at speed towards the ranch gates. He shook his head and not for the first time he felt a tightening in his gut as he saw her drive away from the ranch.

When she was mad at something, she lost all sense of the meaning of careful driving in his estimation. Normally, he would have taken the keys from her and told her to have a coffee and then leave the house. She hadn't given him the opportunity to do so this time. She had just fled out of the house and it was too late to stop her on this occurrence.

"Don't you dare do something stupid Grace? What would I do without you?I love and need you!" the man whispered into the cool air of the late autumn day. He was tempted to get in the Landrover and follow her, but he wasn't sure that would solve the problem. Grace would probably feel he was being even more protective and make the situation worse still.

Colin glanced once again at the dust that was being generated from the jeep and sighed heavily as he headed towards the stables and tasks he knew he should complete. But today, the tall gangly man knew his heart was riding in a fast moving vehicle with his wife. It would be a very long day indeed!

Jace was watching Catherine tell a short story to Lisa with Elena cradled in her arms, as the younger child sleeping peacefully in a secure and loving hold.

Constance had feigned a headache to leave the family to have some time together and gone to her room.Catherine had indicated that if she wanted to return to her own home, then she could do so tomorrow morning. Constance had smiled wryly at that comment, 'so she will let me will she!'

Now that Stephanie the housekeeper had left for the evening, the family had resorted to a good old-fashioned story telling session and Catherine had been selected as the reader for the evening.

Jace smiled indulgently as Catherine made the noise associated with a cat meowing and then a dog barking and suddenly a whole menagerie of animals could be heard in the room. Lisa was laughing as she settled sleepily into Catherine's free shoulder space. It was a picture to place in the memory bank for the future... and sometimes take out and remind one's self of the happy moments and the love that was clearly evident in the room.

Sighing she pulled herself out of the sofa and walked over to the storyteller and her sleepy audience. "Catherine as much as I adore the sound of your voice and I particularly love the purring of the kittens," she winked at her partner as the woman looked up at her in surprise at the double meaning behind the comment. "The children are tired and I think bed is where we all need to be and might be a good suggestion. What do you think?"

Ice blue locked with green and suddenly Jace's body heat surged as a silent message of pure sexual need passed between them.

"Good idea, care to set the alarm and come to bed too?" Catherine smirked as she noticed the pink tinge on her partner's face.

"I think that's one of the best suggestions I've heard in weeks." Jace replied breathlessly.

"Excellent! Knew you would see it my way." Catherine smiled and her blue eyes smouldered with damped down passion.

Jace looked at her partner and Constance was right, Catherine looked so relaxed as if a burden that was weighing her down had finally been lifted.

"Lisa darling, let's go to bed and tomorrow we can go shopping early and find those pieces of furniture that you need for the dolls house. Isn't that what you wanted to do?"

Lisa looked up at Jace and gave her a sleepy smile and held out her arms for the blonde to lift her from the lap of her partner and gently cradle her to her body.

"Catherine can you come shopping with us too? It will be like going as a family?" Lisa looked towards the tall raven-haired woman moving slowly out of her chair to avoid waking up Elena.

Catherine now standing next to Jace with Elena still fast asleep in her arms looked at the child with a long thoughtful look.

"Lisa I would be honoured to come shopping with you and I have a surprise. How would you like to see Grandma and Grandpa for lunch tomorrow?"

Jace looked at her partner in surprise, were her parents here? Catherine had never mentioned this at all! There were times when she really despaired of ever knowing what her partner was arranging.

"Cool Catherine, where will we eat tomorrow?" Lisa asked as her head nestled into Jace's shoulder, but her sleepy mind now on food and the prospect of seeing Jace's parents.

"Lisa, lets see what happens and you may chose where we eat tomorrow, except I do not want a burger Princess. How does that sound to you?" Catherine smiled as Lisa nodded her head and nestled further into Jace's shoulder, if that was possible, as they walked towards the bedroom that both the girls shared for now.

Several minutes later Jace was closing the door to the bedroom as both children were settled.Catherine watched her partner from her leaning position at the wall opposite the door. The blue orbs taking great satisfaction in seeing the fluid curves of the blonde move as she gently shut the door. "You know something Jace? I could watch you forever." Catherine's low voice said in a tone that sent prickles of anticipation up Jace's back... that tone of voice always turned her on.

Turning from the closed door, she looked seriously at the tall woman whose negligent stance sent a message of want through her body. The ice blue stare that smouldered in passion and the quirk of those sensual lips that generated a flood of desire impossible to resist. "Catherine darling, forever just isn't enough for us." Jace's voice replied huskily as she moved to a hairsbreadth of her partner.

Catherine moved so slowly that Jace drew a sharp surprised breath when long arms surrounded her waist and she was pulled that inch closer so that two bodies melted into each other. Whispering into the blonde hair as she kissed the herb scented locks within her reach. "Together we will experience all that forever has to offer Jace and the rest of eternity? Well... that's another adventure for us to explore together."

Jace crushed her body closer that is as close as she possibly could to the tall frame of the woman who held her. The embrace so incredibly secure in a love that never faltered and never would, while there was a breath left in the body that pulsed with life so close to hers. Life in all its true purpose craved an audience with the thread that pulsed between them and it was given without a thought or heed of the consequences of the action.

"I want you!" Jace finally uttered her voice barely audible.

Catherine chuckled softly into the blonde hair and then tipped back her head and looked deep into the green eyes languidly returning her regard passion clearly the emotion in control. "Lover you have always had me. From the moment you entered my life you captured this searching heart darling and I want you. I will always want you!" Placing her lips gently on her partners she felt the immediate response of the explosion of senses, the creation of light that would herald the storm of their passion. Hands that previously had a tentative hold now roamed freely over bodies that they could both feel and it was a connection of souls starved of their opposite number that wanted to achieve the ultimate embrace.

"Take me to bed Catherine, before we make love in the hallway and what would the children think? Or Constance come to that?" Jace whispered barely coherent as full lips claimed hers again and creating sensations that made Jace forget her question and anything else except for the rapturous feelings of being held and loved in this woman's arms.

"Darling the children wouldn't worry any?Constance, well... she would think I was the luckiest woman alive. Now enough of the talk Jace lets make love until dawn and watch the sunrise cross the skies basking in that love. What do you say darling?" Catherine never let her lover answer. She placed her lips firmly, but tenderly on Jace's and drank from the overflowing cup of love that was hers to feast upon.

Jace did not responded with words... the time for that was later, so much later. Now was the time for action and did she want the action. Clinging to her partner and placing wet kisses on the exposed neck, she heard the guttural growl in Catherine's throat as she was lifted in strong arms and carried to their bedroom, everything else was irrelevant, but the consummation of their love.

Clare Fallon looked at the short letter that she had received a week ago. It had been a shock and she was surprised at the sender. Although why she should have been after all the things that had happened was beyond her. Once again pocketing the letter in her jeans.

She walked over more boulders and rocks as she heard and then saw the frolicking otters about to leave their habitat for the open sea. Life to them was so simple and uncomplicated. They went out, had fun, obtained food and came home. As she thought that Clare realised that she had been far to simplistic. Yes the otters played, fed and came home... but only some of them! Predators in the ocean would stake their claim on at least one of the otters that day. As with all life there was an element of danger and a fear of the unknown that had to be faced, or you ended up like the defenceless otter and died out in the world. She wasn't the otter!

She wanted to play, she wanted to feed and she most importantly wanted to go home every day and that home was Constance. Her months here had proved that she wasn't alive without the other woman at her side. They would just have to find a workable solution. Jace had been right. There were other ways of reaching the top of the world. She and Constance would just have to find a way... she knew they could do it!

Turning away from the natural beauty of the scene she was exposed to she carefully made her way over the slippery rocks to the tarmac path and scanned the area about her. It was early in the morning dawn had broken and except for the odd otter watcher there was no one in the vicinity of note. Taking a deep breath of the fresh sea air that was a calming influence on her tremulous nerves, she made a decision and for once in her life she felt that it was right and no matter the outcome it was the right thing to do!

Colin was upset that Grace had come home and collected her things and left him without a second thought to go on her trip for three weeks. Faith had called him over and said her daughter had taken an urgent call and she had gone earlier than the planned next day.

In all honesty he wanted to believe that but something in his gut told him that Grace had decided she wanted out of the ranch and away from him. In a word his wife felt 'stifled' he knew that. He had seen it coming and he didn't know what to do! He had hoped that the mood swings she was having being pregnant would dissipate and leave him with the loving caring and compassionate woman he had fallen in love with, but it hadn't. Looking over the empty bedroom they shared, he felt that unless he did something in earnest he would loose her... but he didn't know what to do! He didn't know whom to ask and he missed her! Tears that he had refused to acknowledge progressed down his rugged face and he wiped them away. It was idiotic to cry... he needed a solution, not an emotional outburst.

Walking over to the window he saw Jake striding towards the stables and to his beloved Rosy. The boy was as obsessed as his surrogate mother in the need to see the horse everyday. It was quite uncanny the numerous physical characteristics that he shared with Catherine. The most dominant one was his unfailing compassion in the heart of adversity. Catherine would always shoulder it, but she had a worthy successor in Jake. He loved the woman and he wanted nothing more than to emulate her in many of her actions.

Colin smiled and turned away from the window and swiftly walked out of the room, down the stairs and out of the door! He was going riding with his son. For as sure as the light comes everyday, Jake was his son and the boy would balance him in ways that could never be explained.

Catherine held the sleeping blonde in her arms and watched the gently creeping sunrise cross the sky that was within her view. There was no greater sight than the dawning of the birth of a brand new day and the opportunities to experience everything with a fresh approach. Tenderly placing a hand on the cheek of her lover, she stroked a slim finger down its smooth texture and smiled as she felt the slight movement as her partner reacted to that simplest of touches. For her no new day would ever be complete unless this woman was near her side. It would be like a half-light as often occurs in the winter and the full light wouldn't appear until they were together. Now watching the changing colours in the sky and the rapidly expanding light fill the space were dark had been it was like her life in many ways. Jace would always be the light that crossed the barriers of darkness and that was how it was meant to be, a promise of all those tomorrows and to be loved through them all. What more could anyone want in life?

Jace moved slowly into a position that created not an inch of light between their sweat soaked bodies in the aftermath of their lovemaking. "Go to sleep Catherine. I'm here now." The slurred voice said and soft lips kissed the neck within easy reach.

"I thought you wanted to see the sunrise with me?" Catherine replied tenderly and shifted her body slightly so she could look directly into Jace's face.

Green eyes blinked open sleepily and gazed into ice blue ones. "I do see the sunrise with you Catherine, because you are my sunrise. Everyday I'm with you is like a new day dawning."

Catherine's heart beat erratically at the answer and no words could justify what she felt at the comment. Tipping her head she placed her lips on her partners and they both felt the immediate reaction the familiar touch caused.

"Are you still sleepy?"

Jace wrapped her arms around the waist of her partner and her fingers began to caress the smooth back and she smiled into Catherine's lips as the touch brought a shiver to the tall sensual body. Fingers traced and lips trailed a seductive path down to the familiar curve of breast to cause the body to quiver in anticipation of the next action as a tongue claimed it's first willing victim.

Catherine moaned,"Guess not," accepting and welcoming her fate at the hands and mouth of the woman who brought a whole new meaning to the word 'Sunrise!'

~ ~ ~

Kelsey had taken Thompson with him to talk to the flatmate of Sally Clauser. Not that he had wanted the finely dressed man with him, but at least he had the patient look about him, as Kelsey realized he himself certainly didn't.

Walking quickly towards the door to the apartment and knocking with a heavy hand on the door. He looked derisively at the dapper man as he slowly came to stand at his right shoulder. "Do you ever do anything on a higher gear than neutral?" Kelsey said to the man as he waited for the door to be answered, his tone scathing at the pace of the man.

James Thompson looked at the detective and wondered not for the first time why Catherine had chosen him to help. She was usually a good judge of character and maybe it was well hidden that was all!

"Actually, yes I do. I make love at a pace detective I'm sure you have never experienced." James looked down at his well-manicured nails as he heard the sudden shocked intake of breath from the man at his side. Well he did ask!

"What?" Kelsey said affronted at the answer, but he grudgingly appreciated the humour of the man and maybe he wasn't such a waste of space that he had originally thought.

The door to the apartment was opened slightly to allow a crack of light to go through as a female voice said, "Who's there?"

Kelsey beamed at the reply and he hadn't had to threaten yet. Better than the response in New York, he would have probably had to shoot the door in to get a response. "I'm detective Kelsey, we need to ask you some question Miss Lancer?"

"What about, I haven't seen anything or done anything that involves the police?" the voice stated quietly.

"Now how would you know Miss Lancer? If you let us in and we talk, perhaps you might help us with an investigation. It involves your ex-flatmate Sally Clauser," Kelsey's voice revealing nothing.

"Sally doesn't live here any more." The voice was anxious, and was that fear he heard in the tone.

"I know that Miss Lancer, but we still have a few questions. Now you can answer them here or we can go down to the local station. It doesn't matter to me!" Kelsey said calmly.

James Thompson looked at the man in surprise. No way could they go to the local cop shop. He didn't have jurisdiction in the State. They were playing with fire doing this at all.

Waiting a few more seconds, Kelsey went forward to the door and placed his hand on the slight opening, "Your call Miss Lancer, but I hear you want to have a career in this town, not have it tarnished with scandal before it's even begun."

James Thompson thought that a cheap shot, but the door opened wider to allow them in, egos... what a town this was!

"Thanks. Knew you would see it my way." Kelsey said as he sidled inside and motioned for Thompson to join him.

"Did I have any choice?" the platinum blonde stated flatly and waved them towards a seat at the dining table.

"Miss Lancer, we all have choices, but some are easier to make than others." Kelsey replied and sat down at the seat nearest the door.

"Dad you never mentioned that you had taken over the running of Xianthos and Catherine, you never said anything either?" Jace stated as they seated themselves at the restaurant. The same one they had visited once with Clare and she had asked the manager for a take out meal. Lisa had been cajoled easily into going to the very plush establishment especially when her grandfather had mentioned it.

Jason Bardley looked first at his daughter-in-law, who smiled wryly and shook her head at him she was going to be no help.

"Jace, it was a spur of the moment thing and the children were sick... so we thought it better to mention it later. Like now!" Smiling broadly as he settled down next to Lisa, who had held his hand from the moment they had got together at the office two hours ago. It had been amusing to take the elder daughter of the owner around the various floors to meet her mom's friends as she called them. Catherine had declined the offer to go with them; she and Constance had gone into conference with Eduardo.Jace had taken Elena to the conference room and spent some time with her mother.

"Mom, what do you think about all this?" Jace asked as she settled Elena in the chair that the waiter had brought over for them. Alison Bardley was happy to sit and administer to her granddaughter; after all she didn't see her that often.

"I think it's a wonderful idea and your father is in his element. He loves it." Alison smiled at her daughter and then turned her attention to Elena who was tugging at her hand.

"Okay, I think it's a wonderful idea too. I just wish Catherine had thought of it earlier. She might have been home more often, but now there's no excuse is there Darling?" Jace turned her green eyes towards her partner's and captured the ice blue orbs that looked at her warmly.

"No excuse at all my love." Catherine replied and took the hand that lay on top of the table and squeezed it to show her partner she meant every word.

Jace smiled back her face wreathed with happiness. This was turning out to be one of the best trips back home she had ever experienced since she had met Catherine. "Can I rely on that, do you think?"

Catherine turned solemn eyes to Jace and she gave her a long penetrating glance. "Only yours and our children's lives can ever stop that outcome now Jace."

Jace caught her breath at the words. Things had changed with Catherine, it now appeared that she was willing to give up her solitary bearing and allow them to develop together as a team. Oh, what a team they would make. It made her want to throw her arms around the tall woman at her side and kiss her senseless, but she didn't think it was the right place, or the right time, but it would be soon enough!

The waiter chose that moment to rejoin them and pass out the menus. Jason looked at the blissfully happy features of his daughter and the calm, but very peaceful countenance of her partner and it made him happy. This is what he wanted for his daughter, not that ineffectual specimen of a man who had married her when she was at her lowest level.

Only good thing out of that liaison was the child giggling with his wife. She was sure a cutie, but so headstrong and that definitely wasn't part of their family line. Now... he could imagine it being a family trait in Catherine, but...hell that was pure fantasy. Still being around her perhaps that would be enough, although you didn't see that in Lisa or Jake.

"How's Jake?"

Catherine looked at him and smiled her thanks at asking about their son; it really hurt not having him round the table with them. "He's doing well Jason, I miss him. Although, he has the better deal, he gets to take his horse riding everyday and for Jake he would prefer that to going shopping believe me," her voice wistful. She wished she were able to do exactly the same.

Jason smiled in understanding and looked at his daughter who had taken her partners hand at the words. "How long are you going to be here?"

Catherine looked down at the table and then glanced at the small hand that held hers and she smiled slowly. "Not long now Jason. I need to check in with someone who has been trying to solve a problem for me and then we are going home... all of us."

"Well, that's good news and what plans have you got from there?" He asked as he looked at the menu and decided on his choice, before taking note that Lisa was looking puzzled at hers.

Jace looked at her partner and waited with bated breath for the response if they got one. "I was going to take a month off in the summer when the children had school holidays and visit my aunt. She wants to meet my family."

Catherine felt the increased pressure from the hand that held hers and she grinned, 'Yes, my love, you never expected that did you? But, I'm learning lessons every minute I know you."

"Just the children?" Jace asked anxiously and turned expressive green eyes to sparkling ice blue ones.

Catherine smiled broadly and leaned in and whispered into the delicate ear that was so tempting she wanted to nibble it and feel the responsive movements she was sure she would receive. "My darling, she dearly wants to meet our children, but you my love, she wants to embrace as an old friend of the family. For you have brought me joy beyond measure and Constantia knows that is rare for one of the Xianthos line."

Jace turned her own sparkling eyes to her partner's and hesitantly placed her lips briefly on the full ones so close to hers in a chaste kiss, but it was enough for them both to know how the other felt. "I love you Catherine, don't ever forget it."

"I never will Jace, that is a promise that will be close to my heart forever." Catherine murmured and the clearing of the waiter's throat brought them back to the present and their surroundings.

Lisa chose that moment to embarrass just about everyone, but herself and Elena who didn't understand. "Don't worry about them Mister Waiter, that's my Moms and they do that all the time at home. May I please have the same as my Granddad." The child asked with her usual aplomb not taking any notice of the open mouth stares she was being given by the others around the table.

"That would be sir?" The waiter finally managed to regain his vocal chords and turned to Jason.

"Right, yes well... the Beef Stroganoff sounds tasty to me." Jason finally said and looked at the blushing faces of his daughter and her partner. Alison had her face averted talking in a calm voice to their granddaughter.

"Thank you sir, and you madam?" The waiter turned to Catherine who looked shrewdly at her elder daughter, one of these days that kid was going to get a big payback. Just wait till Lisa brought someone home she liked then it was going to be some meeting. If she couldn't do the cute baby stories she sure could do some other stories that would embarrass her kid for a few minutes anyway. Knowing Lisa, she would turn the tables on them, but it was worth a try, unless Jace stopped her. Knowing the compassion of her partner, she probably would. Still it was a comforting thought in the back of the mind as a fall back anyway.

"I'll have a medium fillet steak, jacket potato and Dijon mustard." Catherine responded and smiled at her daughter and was given a smile in return that made all the embarrassment worth it, that child was a treasure no doubt about it.

The rest gave their orders and the waiter left them to their discussions.

Althea had called the Villa Xianthos and been given an appointment with Constantia that afternoon. Now she was at the gates and wondering if she was doing the right thing? After all, this was her family that she was putting forward as the perpetrators of a vile plan. Yet, she could do no other, perhaps if she told them now before anything tragic happened, that would surely count for something?

Pressing the call button gently, she spoke her name and that she had an appointment with Miss Xianthos. The gates opened and closed as quickly behind her as the vehicle cleared the opening.

Within minutes she was drawing up to the magnificent frontage of the villa and was struck by the sheer beauty of the restoration. Althea had heard that the villa had been restored, but this was truly a magnificent sight. She felt the pull of her ancestors as she got out of her vehicle and walked up the steps to the entrance. She raised her arm to the doorbell, but the door opened as if on cue. She looked at a woman with laughter in her eyes and a serene smile. The woman was definitely European. "Ms. Spiros?" Sarah asked politely and was surprised at the shock on the younger woman's face.

"Yes, I have an appointment." Althea spoke softly and returned the smile from the older woman.

"Oh, I know Ms. Spiros, Constantia is waiting." She motioned for her to come inside.

As she did so, she saw the beautiful recreations of an age long gone and it made her heart happy to see the heritage of her ancestors appear before her.

Sarah moved quickly through to the patio where Constantia was comfortably watching the gentle lapping of the sea in the bay as well as the small crafts that were moored within.

"Constantia, Ms. Spiros." Sarah announced the guests and Althea moved onto the patio. The frail looking woman was seated in a reclining chair with a blanket over her legs.

"Thank you Sarah. Ms. Spiros please, be seated." Constantia pointed to a seat to her immediate left.

"Thank you." Althea said quietly and moved over to the indicated seat, and as she did so, she was immediately drawn to the ice blue eyes that bored into her brown ones.

Sarah as you have a visitor, you may leave us." Constantia saw the indecision in her friend's face. "Please Sarah, I will be fine." Sarah glanced from one to the other and then patted a hand on her friend's shoulder and left them without another word.

"You have something you want to discuss with me Ms. Spiros?" Constantia gave her a grave glance and waited for the response.

Althea wasn't sure now, she was seated in the enemy camp. Was this the right thing to do? Taking all her courage in one hand she looked beseechingly at the older woman. "You know of course Miss Xianthos, that our families have been less than friendly in the past?"

Constantia nodded her head and inclined her head for the woman to continue.

"I...I wanted to explain a potentially dangerous situation."

"Then you have my undivided attention, please continue." Constantia gave the woman a veiled look and her left eyebrow rose in exaggerated interest.

"There is someone on the island that wants to see you come to harm and others you care about as well." Althea stated, her voice unsure exactly how she would explain this.

Constantia stiffened in her chair and she turned glacial eyes to the woman at her side. "Someone wants to harm people I care about? Is it Sarah? Do they want to harm Sarah?"

"No! No, it is not Sarah." Althea replied quickly.

"Then if it isn't Sarah, it must be Lukas, but why?" the words but a whisper in the still afternoon heat.

"Lukas is not the other person! You have a niece, a Catherine Devonshire? She is the intended target." Althea stated calmly, noting the distress of the older woman.

"Catherine? Why her? She has no connection here?" Constantia finally asked, her voice harsh.

"She does! She has you! You are the bait for Catherine." Althea said quickly and noticed the pallor that came to the already pale face.

"Bait? What is that, I do not understand? Catherine has barely spoken to me in twenty years. Why would I be bait?" Constantia was at a loss. She had thought providence had intervened and brought her niece back so they could have a relationship at least in her final years, but this indicated something more sinister.

"I'm sorry, but the person who planned this knows Catherine. She thought she would respond. She was right, Catherine did, but fortunately she was called away before any more of her plan could be put into play." Althea explained.

"Why do you come here to tell me this? If you know so much, you are obviously a party to the instigation of such a crime?" Constantia said dryly. Now she wanted to know everything, for that was the only way she could counter it with a plan of her own.

"Yes, that is true. My family has no love of the Xianthos name. I want to do the right thing for my family name. The feuds are old and should be at rest. Too many people have died already for the sake of what?" Althea spoke passionately.

"What do you know Althea Spiros? If we are to counter this new threat to my family, it would seem that the Xianthos and Spiros family will unite if for only the first and last time in it's history." Constantia stated, reflecting her words and it tugged a small smile across her lips.

"I hope that it is not the last." Althea replied, her words hung in the air as Constantia smiled warmly at the young woman.

"I hope not also. So, please appraise me of the problem and perhaps we can come to a conclusion without any further bloodshed on either family's part." Constantia looked out towards the bay and then towards the mountain range where her father had died. Perhaps it was time to settle this ancient battle feud between the two families.

Kelsey was drinking the coffee that James Thompson had ordered before he'd disappeared to speak to one of the directors on the lot of UCP. Now contemplating what Jane Lancer had divulged of Sally Clauser's last known activities. The woman had been reasonably forthcoming after Thompson had spoken to her gently rather than his brash New York cop approach. It would appear the other man had a talent for finding out information without the need for aggression of any kind. Probably would have made a good cop, but he was obviously much better off in the driving seat of this little operation and with all these perks of the job too. Kelsey's eyes looked out of the window and saw two blondes talking animatedly together; it made him forget for a moment the reason he was there. Looking at the notes he's made as he wandered back to Thompson's desk where his black notebook was open in the centre of the large desk notepad.

'Clauser had been approached by a well-dressed American woman to audition for a small budget movie and she would have to leave the country for a few months. The role had been to take on someone else's identity and live the other person's life, until such time as the original person came back on the scene. It wasn't difficult and you got to travel, there wasn't anything sinister or appeared to be sinister in the details she had been given. The money offered had been staggering for an out of work, would be actress. So Sally had left over six months ago and had promised she would return. Lancer had even been paid Clauser's rent for the year so she would have somewhere to come back too. The last communication from Clauser had been a postcard from Sydney Australia about six weeks ago, but nothing since.'

Kelsey pursed his lips and concentrated on the information, what did they know so far?

Clauser was dead although under an assumed identity-Hudson! She had taken on an identity, but had only stayed in Hawaii. Hudson one assumed had taken on Clauser's identity and it had been her that sent the postcard from Australia. Then again knowing Hudson it might not be that simple. She might have used more than one actress to take on an assumed identity. The bitch could be sure complicated and it still didn't make any sense. There was something missing in this equation and it was a big part of the puzzle, but what?

James Thompson strode back into his office and looked at the detective and pondered again what had made Catherine chose this man to help her. Shaking his head he cleared his throat to let Kelsey know he was in the room as the detective had not looked up at his entrance or appeared to know he had arrived in the room.

"Have you found a solution to the problem or perceived problem Kelsey? I thought that Ms. Lancer was very informative and she did not appear to be holding back any information."

Kelsey glanced up and gave the man a thorough look and then dismissed his remark and went back to his musings.

"Detective Kelsey this is my office, and I believe I have been reasonably helpful to you on this subject. Therefore the least you could do is avail me of your current thoughts on the matter. Failing that, courtesy decrees that you at least acknowledge my interest." James Thompson rarely let anything rattle him, but this mans arrogance and indifference to anything but the subject at hand and it annoyed him immensely.

"Yeah, yeah... but what do you want me to say... thanks?" Kelsey said shortly not interested in the man in the room with him.

James sighed, "That might help for starters."

"Starters huh? Well fellow let me tell you this, I'm here to help out a mutual friend and she's paying me big bucks to get the job done! Not only that, she wants a fast result. Wasting time pondering the situation with you, would in my opinion severely restrict the thought processes. Why don't you go play movie director or something? Or just go chat up a prospective bed partner, whatever you Hollywood people are famous for?" Kelsey picked up the coffee that was barely drinkable now it was cold. He grimaced at the taste, as he had never been one for cold coffee.

James Thompson looked at the man before him with loathing and decided that he wasn't going to take that kind of attitude from anyone and least of all, some two bit policeman. He turned on his heels and headed for the conference room down the hall. He needed to make a private call and didn't want the damn, stupid, arrogant detective to hear any of it.

Kelsey glanced up as the door crashed shut and he smirked to the empty room. ' I knew he didn't have any balls, was only screwing around with him to see if could take the pressure, obviously not. Pity for he was quite good at getting information fast,' sitting down in the comfortable chair at the desk, he sank into its depths and went back to the evaluation of the facts he had.

Catherine was leaning against the elevator wall. As it was about to close the doors, a woman's voice shouted for her to hold the doors. Catherine immediately pressed the hold button and waited as the woman rushed into the elevator and gave her a grateful smile. Catherine smiled briefly back and then let go of the button and the doors slipped silently shut.

"Thanks."The tall dark haired woman with a slight foreign, barely noticeable accent cheerily replied.

Catherine merely nodded her head and looked over the woman, who appeared to be perhaps an inch taller than she was. The long flowing chestnut hair was certainly an attractive feature on the woman. Her mind then quickly replaced the other woman in the elevator with her with the image of a petite blonde with sparkling green orbs and a face to Catherine would always be beautiful in her eyes.

Jace had taken the children home after lunch along with her mother. She had then been reminded not to be too late for dinner. So dutifully, she was now proceeding to the apartment and it was only a little after six in the evening. She had called to say she was on her way home. At least that was better than she normally did, as she frequently forgot the phone call part. Smiling to herself, she was slightly embarrassed as she noticed the light green eyes of the woman in the elevator was looking directly at her with an amused expression on her face.

"Have you lived here long? I haven't seen you around before." The stranger asked, trying to make conversation. However, she knew that the other woman was preoccupied with other thoughts, even if they did seem happy ones. It was obvious in the flickering expressions that passed over the rather stoic features that gave a 'in a world of your own' impression. At least that was what the chestnut haired woman surmised anyways.

"A few years, and I haven't seen you around here either. What about you?" Catherine decided to give the minimal information possible without being totally rude. Normally she wouldn't pass the time of day talking with a complete stranger in an elevator, but Jace had said try to be nice, so here she was trying to be nice!

"I've only lived here for a couple of years. Are you away from home frequently? Is that why I haven't seen you about?" she continued to probe much to Catherine's irritation.

Catherine quirked her eyebrow in wry amusement a very nosey kind of woman, "I personally don't think that is any of your business Ms...?"

The unknown woman chuckled. "Sorry, occupational hazard."

Catherine gave a thin smile. "And that occupation would be what exactly?"

She was not inclined to volunteer any more information.

The door to level fifteen opened and Catherine was pleased that the woman was leaving. "Another time perhaps, see you again sometime?" And left without a backward glance as the doors closed behind her.

Catherine muttered, "Not if I see you first". There was something about the friendly woman that didn't gel with her, but she didn't know what. Perhaps Jace had met her and they could swap notes on how she came across to her partner. Then again Jace would say she was being too protective and would laugh at her foolish thoughts. Perhaps she would just hope that the woman didn't get in the elevator with her again. After all, she'd gone the last couple of years without seeing her before, the odds looked definitely stacked in her favour. The doors opened on level twenty and she stepped out and smiled at the toy cart that was beside the door. What was the betting Elena had been hitting the furniture again, or more likely people this time around as the apartment was a little less spacious than the ranch house. Placing her key in the door lock, she let herself in and was surprised at how silent the place appeared.

Walking towards the kitchen she saw Stephanie working on some concoction or other for dinner, totally engrossed with the preparation. She decided not to disturb her and made her way towards the lounge. She stood for several minutes taking in the sight. Jace was sitting crossed legged on the floor with a giant jigsaw puzzle of a circus and Lisa was sat at her side with Elena walking around collecting pieces to hand to her mother and her sister as they put them together. As they did so, they pointed to the circus animal and slowly repeated the name of the animal several times to Elena, whose expression changed to a frown of concentration trying to mimic the word and she did so remarkably well. Catherine decided that she might just have the chance for a quick shower without disturbing the engrossed family on the floor and was about to turn when towards her bedroom, when her partner's voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Don't tell me you were going to come into the house and not even say hello to us Catherine? Shame on you!" Jace turned her expressive green eyes towards her partner and laughter shone out of them at the astonishment on Catherine's face.

"Well, I was...that is...how about hello everyone." Catherine chuckled self-consciously and went over to the three of them. Elena immediately hugged her stocking legs and Lisa gave her a hearty grin as she picked up the toddler and kissed her cheeks, getting a multitude of kisses back for her effort. Holding Elena securely in one arm, she removed her shoes and went down on her knees beside her partner and her eldest daughter.

"Are you going to help us fix the jigsaw now you're home Catherine? It helps us teach Elena new words." The child stated proudly.

"Princess, I will help, but first, I need to change. Then I'm all yours." Catherine smiled at the child and bent her head to kiss the red hair and was given a kiss on the cheek for her effort by Lisa who turned her attention back to Elena.

"Elena look this is a Lion, Elena a Lion. You say Lion." Lisa said as she pointed to the golden animal on the carpeted floor. Elena wriggled in Catherine's arms and she released her to go play the word game with Lisa.

Catherine then glanced deep into her partner's eyes and she placed a hand under the chin and brought her own head within an inch of Jace's and smiled tenderly, whispering, "I love you," and placed a gentle kiss on the lips within in her reach.

Jace smiled back and repeated the gesture and the words and Catherine placed her hands around the face of the woman she loved and traced gentle fingers over her cheeks in a soothing motion. "How did you know I was there Darling? I never made a sound." Catherine asked and saw the sudden pink tinge appear on Jace's cheeks.

If I told you I could smell you." Jace lovingly replied and chuckled as she saw Catherine give her a quick frown.

"You can smell me? Why thank you Darling and that was the very reason that I wanted to go change and have a shower before I disturbed you." Catherine replied a little aggrieved at the comment. Surely she didn't smell that bad.

Jace saw the pout and she smiled warmly at her partner. This woman could get offended so quickly from the most innocent remark.

"Actually beautiful, it isn't the ripeness of you that I can smell. It is just everything about you, which gives you that individual aroma that I associate with you. Which can be picked up by my senses, even if you're not in view. Catherine if you had an unpleasant aroma, don't you think Lisa would have told you by now?" Jace laughed as she saw the words finally register exactly what they meant and it had nothing to do with stale body odour.

"Sorry. Guess I over reacted. Yes, Lisa would have told me. She has done so before and she doesn't mince words that child." Catherine said softly and glanced at the bowed red head and her thoughts went to a time when she hadn't taken care of her body after the accident. It had taken this child to remind her of her responsibility and what she would be missing if she didn't.

"I must ask her about it one day." Jace stated quietly and watched as Catherine moved from her kneeling position to stand and tower above her.

Holding out her hand, Jace placed hers inside and was hauled up to rest in a warm loving hold. "Yes, you do that! But please, can I be in the office, or a hundred miles away when you do? Now I have a much better suggestion if you care to hear it?"

Jace turned her face up towards her partner and smiled encouraging her to continue. "How would you like to help me change and see to it that I clean up properly? You know the shower might just miss a part or two. What do you say?" Catherine's voice low and sultry. She could feel Jace's heart race at the suggestion.

"What about the children?" Jace responded breathlessly. She wanted nothing more than to help her partner out with this small task, yes sir!

"I was going to ask Stephanie to bring their meal forward. We can eat together later when the children are in bed. Is that alright with you?" Catherine's expression was guarded, her eyes waiting for a response.

Jace looked down at the girls; yes, they would eat now no problem. Stephanie could definitely handle them if Elena was in the high chair and then the housekeeper could go on home afterwards. Then, they could dish up the meal for themselves a little later as Catherine suggested.

"Okay. Darling, you go run the shower. I'll speak to the girls and Stephanie... leave a little dirt behind your ears Catherine. You know how I love your ears." Jace moved out of the hold as Catherine growled a response to that comment and she walked suggestively away towards the kitchen and the housekeeper.

Catherine's eyes never left the movement of her partner. That woman was just going to have to pay for that remark. She could think of lots and lots of 'dirty' patches on her body that might just need the ministrations of her lover... serves her right. Chuckling she told the girls she would see them after they had eaten and went towards her room and the heavenly prospect of a hot shower with an even hotter body to help her. 'Wasn't life wonderful!'

The woman who had exited the elevator on level fifteen let herself into the apartment that was dark and cold. It had none of the comfortable feelings of a happy home. She went over to the machine and saw the blinking of the message counter.

Going over she pressed the play and removed her outer coat as she heard a familiar voice begin the message.

"How is it progressing? Are we going to have to say we failed this one or can you come up with the goods on time? You have six weeks left! Call me when you get home." The male voice demanded and she laughed at his audacity.

Picking up the extension in the hall, she quickly dialled the number she had etched into her brain.

"Yeah? Who is it?" the male voice asked irritated at being disturbed.

"You requested a call," speaking in a clipped voice, bored already with the call and it hadn't even started yet.

"Are you having problems with our little assignment?" the man asked, listening intently, now he knew who was at the end of the line.

"Me? Really? That's your department remember? I have never had trouble at my end and well you known it! The merchandise has arrived make the necessary arrangements to leave the country, it will go down in the next few days be ready from tomorrow." She didn't wait for a reply as she disconnected the caller and replaced her handset on the cradle. Walking towards her kitchen area she smiled at her face in the mirror as she passed it in the hallway.

'That indifferent bitch in the elevator won't know what hit her, or who for that matter. For I know your name Catherine Devonshire, or Warriorson, or whatever you want to call yourself. Wonder if she discovers the use of a vocabulary over a three-word sentence.' Smiling wickedly at the thought, she went towards the fridge, opened the door, pulled out a carton of milk and drank from the carton... oh, her mother would have a fit if she saw her doing that!

~ ~ ~

Sally Clauser had watched Althea Spiros arrive at the villa and led into the building by Sarah and within ten minutes Sarah had arrived back to her visitor. Sally had smiled at the older woman and sat down on the long padded bench and motioned for Sarah to join her, who did so without a second bidding.

"You have another visitor? Is it someone you know well?" Sally decided to find out as much as possible from this friendly woman at her side, seeing Ms. Spiros arrive had been a shock, but not altogether unexpected! The woman certainly wasn't that receptive to the plans for the demise of Constantia Xianthos.

"Oh, she's here to see Consty. To be honest, I do not know her at all, Lukas does and I think Consty has met her before. She's the daughter of Fatama Spiros, who I believe you know?" Sarah might look dumb and foolish, but after a talk with Lukas and his mention of a scene with Althea Spiros when Catherine left the island, she had made some discreet enquiries of her own. No one was going to hurt Consty, not if she had anything to do with it!

Sally was taken aback by the comment and looked shrewdly at the woman at her side and saw the innocent eyes looking at her waiting for the answer to her question. Sally decided that she would answer, but cautiously. "Yes. I have met her and the son. The daughter unfortunately, I have not had the pleasure of meeting."

Sarah heard what she thought was the truth and smiled at her new friend.

"Lukas thinks that Althea has news about a plan to hurt Consty, but I do not think anyone holds a grudge. She is a wonderful person and has brought much prosperity to many on the Island since her return." The words rang out proudly from Sarah as she leaned back and basked in the sunrays.

Sally watched the woman beside her with a satisfied smile. She had found out exactly what she wanted and it had been so easy too. This woman was far too gullible. Perhaps as she appeared to care for the soon to be dead woman it might be fitting if she followed her on her fatal journey. What did it matter if two died, it might have more impact to bring Devonshire here? Mmm what an appealing thought, chuckling softly as the plan began to form in her mind eye.

"You find something funny Sally?" Sarah asked puzzled at the younger woman's merriment, she hadn't said anything funny as far as she was concerned.

"No! No... Sarah, I was appreciating the view it made me recall a summer when I was a child." Sally said quickly and then began to fabricate a story from a fictitious childhood and had Sarah laughing with her in no time.

Catherine had left early for the office and Jace was now about to leave the apartment and take the two children for a walk in the park and feed the ducks for an hour, until her mother came by and they would all go to the zoo for the day?

Calling a quick goodbye to Stephanie, she left the apartment with Elena in the pushchair and Lisa skipping along the corridor, pressing the elevator button.

Jace was waiting with an excited Lisa by her side chatting aimlessly on about the animals in the zoo and how they could teach Elena more new animal words. Just as the elevator opened Jace remembered that she hadn't picked up the bread for the ducks. "Oh! Lisa, I've forgotten the bread. We will have to wait for the next elevator. Stay here with Elena will you, I need to go back for the bread."

Lisa looked at the elevator and smiled, "That's okay Jace. I will go get the bread and you can take the elevator now and I will meet you downstairs, won't be a minute." Lisa skipped off towards the door of the apartment before Jace had time to answer her and laughed at her elder daughter. It wasn't a bad idea and the building was secure so Lisa couldn't really come to any harm between the apartment and the lobby.

Then again the elevator could malfunction, but that was a long shot and the child was very responsible." No Lisa, we will wait for you here. Don't take too long, okay?" Jace saw the petulant child's glance as she thought that Jace didn't trust her.

Jace pushed the chair up and down the corridor to soothe the restless Elena, who wanted out of her restraints. Talking softly to the child as she did so.

Within a few minute Lisa was running down the corridor with a large brown bag presumably filled with the bread for the ducks. The child had a wide grin on her face.

"All set Lisa?" Jace asked with a grin of her own and the previous expression that Jace had witnessed on the child's face had disappeared. Lisa never held any bad feelings for long against anyone, as far as Jace could remember.

The elevator arrived shortly after Jace pressed the button for the second time. The speed of the machine was slow today. Maybe it was due a service and she had been really pleased that she hadn't let Lisa come down in the elevator on her own.

Pushing the stroller inside first with Lisa following behind her, she saw, but took little notice at first of the shadowy figure in the corner as she manoeuvred the pushchair to face the doors, watching Lisa safely inside. Her back was now turned to the other person in the elevator and before Jace had time to turn around and see whom it was, she suddenly felt dizzy and disorientated and then she fell unceremoniously to the floor.

"Mom? Mom what's the matter?" Lisa cried in distress as she went towards her mother to try and help her, but as she reached the slumped form a hand reached out to her and a small syringe was inserted into the child's arm. Within seconds Lisa was in the same position as Jace slumped on the floor.

The shadowy figure removed her hood and smiled at the ease, of which she had managed to attain her goal of the day, just as well she had too! She had gambled the situation by sending a note to Catherine Devonshire. Calmly and confidently she pressed the next floor button and checked the corridor ensuring it was empty and pushed the woman out of the elevator and then deposited the pushchair next to the slumped figure. The child inside was looking around her with startled eyes, tears just visible behind dark eyelashes fanning green eyes.

The woman looked them over and tipped her head. "It might be your turn yet kid." She then pressed the button to allow the elevator to move forward to the next level, where she picked up the child and cradled her close to her chest; it looked a very loving scene a mother tenderly holding their child in sleep.

As the elevator stopped in the Lobby a thin man got out and came over to speak to the concierge. "Henry, you have to find out who leaves their rubbish in the elevator and all over the floor it's disgusting." The thin man said and walked out into the morning sunshine with an appalled expression on his face.

Jace found herself coming round to the sounds of crying and she tried to make her feeble thoughts make sense, but she couldn't everything was a haze. Trying desperately to shake off the clouds in her head she focused eventually on where she was, or rather the place she was in!

Her green eyes saw a corridor, but what was she doing sitting on the floor? Then she heard the anguished cries of a child and looked towards the red blotchy face of her daughter and Jace struggled forward to touch the child's face gently. Her head felt like it was bursting, but she didn't know why or what had happened to her.

"Its okay Darling, Mommy's here; it's fine, were fine." Jace placed a kiss on her daughter's forehead and it appeared to placate the child.

Jace looked about her and then down at her watch, and it was half an hour later than she thought suddenly her mind started to work in earnest and one word screamed at her LISA! Shaking at the thought and where the child was, it could be simple... she may have gone for help the first thing she should do is call Stephanie and see if Lisa was there.

Jace moved quickly towards an internal floor phone on the far wall, her eyes never leaving Elena as she did so and dialled the number her hands shaking... her mind becoming numbing as she thought of every possible predicament, except the one she wanted the most and that was her daughter safe and sound in the apartment.

"Stephanie, its Jace is Lisa with you?" Jace's voice reedy and anxious as she spoke.

"No, Jace she was with you, wasn't she?" Stephanie having heard the anxiety in the other woman's voice felt her own voice wobble with emotion on the final words.

"Stephanie can you walk down the stairs to level sixteen and I'll come up this way and we check all the corridors on our way, it's important and I'll explain when I see you." Jace found the words difficult to say. She knew without doubt that Lisa wouldn't have left her, unless she had gone for help or someone had made her leave.

"Okay, will see you at some stage along the way Jace, I'll go now." Stephanie responded and replaced her receiver at her end, then quickly went out of the apartment to start her task.

Jace bent down and kissed her daughter and couldn't help the tears that traced her cheeks. God help them all if something bad had happened to Lisa, Catherine would go berserk. Leaving the pushchair behind, Jace picked Elena up and went about her task as if the very devil was at her heals to the next flight of stairs and her search for her missing daughter.

 "James, look calm down. Kelsey isn't that bad. A little unorthodox perhaps and possibly rough in comparison to the people you normally associate with, but he's a damn fine police officer and I need him on this." Catherine had listened to the man for ten minutes extolling the faults of the detective and it was becoming tedious.

"Look Catherine he's insolent, rough isn't the word I'd use for him. I want him out of my office now!" James shouted at the woman at the other end. He'd tried to call her yesterday, but been unable to track her down; now that he had, she was less than helpful.

"James, look let me call him directly myself and talk to him. Then I will call you back and we can come to some arrangement. How does that sound to you?" Catherine looked at the door as it opened and Rita walked in with a steaming mug of tea the aroma brightened her spirits. Smiling at her to come forward with her favourite beverage she raised grateful eyes to the woman and saw her place a pristine white envelope on the desk along with the tea. Rita then turned and left the room. Catherine looked far from happy with her caller and it was best to retreat, as Rita had found in the past.

"Fine, but if he doesn't change his overbearing attitude, I'll personally kick him out on his ass!" James stated aggressively and it brought a smile to Catherine's face as she could picture the usually happy featured man with an angry look about him.

"Point taken James, now that we have that settled, how is everything else at your end?" Catherine picked up her tea and put the call onto the intercom now that it was less personal.

"We have had several of the major studios interested in using some of our smaller sound stages, which helps with certain parts of their budgets. I've also been talking to Alan Randal about a new documentary series and he seems keen to develop the idea as director. One thing though, it's about foreign industrialists of this century who made empires here and stayed, but still remained predominately true to their original roots." James spoke, his mind now on something that did make him happy.

"Sounds an interesting facet James. Anyone in mind so far?" Catherine asked her mind preoccupied as she picked up the white envelope that was addressed to her personally, but didn't have any postmark or details of where it came from. She found her letter opener and slid the knife over the top of the envelope and plucked out the thin sheet of single paper inside.

Catherine was diverted back to the conversation as she heard a sharp indrawn breath from James just before he answered her. "Your father would be top of my list."

Catherine dropped the sheet of paper on her desk and retrieved her tea at the words, what should she say about that. "How do you intend to relay the story and who will need to participate?" softly spoken words, but James knew that it was important he got this part right, or he couldn't hope to portray Stewart Devonshire in the documentary.

James smiled at his end as he outlined that he would use archive materials generally, but he hoped she would participate or at least allow people who had known him do so. "I'm in your hands as they say."

"That you are James Thompson, that you are. And you expect my full co-operation without a murmur?" she asked him quietly, her thoughts gathering momentum as she considered the implication of her fathers life being part of a documentary.

"Something like that yes, but we will obviously respect your privacy and that of your families." James stated equally quietly. He knew of her furious obsession with her privacy, although he doubted she would ever see it quite the way she had in the past.

"I'll give you one hour of my time in my office in New York, so make sure you have all the questions ready. You will not receive a second chance at the session when you are ready to go with the project," her voice clipped and unemotional.

"I will do that, you can trust me Catherine." James answered and felt like he'd won a medal.

"I know that, that's the reason I'm allowing it. Otherwise you could just go to hell." Catherine replied and picked up the letter she had deposited on her desk.

"On that note then I will talk to you again soon, have a good day Catherine." James smiled into the receiver as he heard her reply with a goodbye the line then disconnected at her end. He suddenly had reason to celebrate. But, who with, that was the question?

Catherine shook her head at the happy tone of voice James had finished with as the call came to an end. She smiled wryly; some people were easy to please. Looking down at the letter in her hands the smile froze on her face as she read the contents and the letter fluttered out of lifeless hands onto the desk.

Ice blue eyes looked unfocused at the letter sitting patiently on the desktop and she shook her head vigorously at the contents. It was a bloody hoax letter surely? Turning the letter over so she could read it again she was unable to stop the single tear that fell from her left blind eye, damn the weakness there!

When you receive this one of your daughters will have been removed from the safety of your home and will never be returned to you!

I would request that you do not help the local police, or use other associations to locate her. She is now dead in your eyes and you will never see her again. Should you not take notice of this message, we will make sure that the rest of your family is suitably disposed of. We have methods that are quite effective and untraceable.

I know you are an intelligent woman, so to put it in clear terms, if you so much as lift a finger to help in the retrieval of your daughter: First your...friend Jace Warriorson will die. Then your younger daughter... Elena. I believe you call her, will be next.

Might I make a suggestion, leave the country and take your family with you. They are not safe here. I will personally make sure of that!

Forty-eight hours enough for you?

A concerned friend

Catherine had her hands around the mug half filled with tea and she threw it at the wall in sheer frustrated anger. Her screamed words "Fuck you!" could be heard down the executive corridor. Her hand immediately dialled the short code to her apartment

Rita outside the door wasn't sure what to do, so she went over to the room that she knew Ms. Waverly and Mr. Bardley were having a conference in. Knocking, but opening the door in her haste, she looked at the two surprised faces that had turned to see who had come into the room in such hurriedness. "I'm sorry, but I think we have a problem." Rita then related the noises she heard from the owner's office.

Constance got up immediately and went towards the door. "Constance perhaps, I should go. It might be a family matter." Jason Bardley said and noticed the hesitation in the young woman who had without thought gone to aid her boss.

Constance looked at him, thinking about it for a moment and nodded her head as he walked by her and pressed a gentle hand on her shoulder in understanding.

"You will let us know if we can help?" Constance stated glancing over at Rita who was looking worried.

"Yes, of course I will." Jason went towards the door and didn't even knock, he just went inside and what he saw nearly broke his heart as he found the tall normally completely controlled woman sobbing into her hands. The mug shattered by the wall lay on the floor near the door. For some inexplicable reason it brought to mind a similar scene when he'd gone to comfort his daughter after she'd read all the tabloids about Catherine that dark morning three years ago. Now it looked like the dark morning had descended again, but in New York and on his daughter's partner's life.

Catherine looked up at the intrusion and was about to shout at the violator of her privacy, but seeing Jason just brought more tears.

"Catherine what's the matter? Is it Jace? The children, or...?"

Catherine gulped back a sob her face bleak, "Read this Jason tell me it's just some sick bastard who refuses to give me any peace."

Jason took the note from her and read it and sat down heavily in the chair opposite her. "Do you believe it?" he asked in disbelief.

"I have to believe any threat that comes over my desk now Jason. I'm
target practice for any joker out there these days." Catherine stated
through her tears, her hand pushed the button again which would connect to the apartment directly. It had been unanswered on the numerous times she'd tried to call after reading the letter for the first time.

"Have you spoken to Jace about this?" Jason hoped it was some sick joke, for he wasn't sure what this woman was capable of and if he was any judge, it could be murder itself.

The phone rang and was picked up by a breathless housekeeper. "Stephanie, its Catherine is Jace there?" Catherine tried to keep her emotions in check as she asked for her partner.

"Oh! Catherine, Catherine you need to be here! Lisa isn't in the building and we think she's been kidnapped. The police are on their way.Jace wont stop looking, she's like a demented woman." Stephanie said it was clear from her tone that she was crying.

"I'm coming home right now Stephanie! Where is Elena?" Catherine asked as fear firmly entrenched in her gut so strongly she wanted to be sick.

"She's with me here playing in her pen." The housekeeper replied.

"Keep a close eye on her Stephanie don't answer the door to anyone unless it's Jace or me; not even the police got me?" Her words firm her indomitable character coming to the fore to level out her emotions.

"I will, see you soon." The phone went dead and Catherine looked at Jason, who with tears falling stared back at her.

Catherine looked at the now silent instrument on her desk that brought the message she had dreaded. Turning, her anguished haunted eyes to her father-in-law, who himself looked ashen at the new development.

"They have my little girl Jason! And no one gets my children! I will fight to the death for them and this fucking note won't stop me; you can count on that! I promised Jace nothing would happen to the children because of me. And I damn well am going to keep that promise." Catherine wiped away her tears savagely and put the note carefully back in the envelope and placed it in her pocket. The police would need it as evidence.

"Lets go Jason, I have Jace to comfort and my little girl to find and no one is going to stop me!" She picked up her jacket and walked out of the door leaving her father-in-law to try and catch up. He shook his head to the waiting two women in the outer office and indicated he would call later to explain.

Both stepped into the elevator and within minutes were being taken by the chauffeur to the apartment and the tragic events being played out there.

Lieutenant Delaney had been given the assignment as another routine investigation into a possible kidnapping...... another one! It was going to end up in one of three ways: the kid had run away purposely, got lost in the city by accident, or had been kidnapped. Usually it was the first point and that often ended with the kid returning home some days later or never at all. You couldn't do much about it these days, too many outlets to get lost in. Getting lost in this city... well the kid would turn up in a few hours usually nothing more than scared. The kidnapping issue could be a multitude of reasons, not all to do with ransom money. Unfortunately in this day and age, perverts seemed to feast on the young, especially in the big cities where resources got choked on the vast problems associated with inner city crimes.

His sergeant, called Anderson had been given the address and they were going through traffic at a sedate speed. For some reason, Anderson never used his light or the siren and generally had a leisurely pace about him. But his powers of deduction were second to none in this type of case, so Delaney put up with the tortoise pace. As they slowed down Delaney looked at the street and noticed it was in the most expensive, well perhaps the most exclusive part of the city. 'Oh, shit! That means it could be a genuine kidnapping.' Looking towards Anderson who had a grim profile as he drove, well he always had a grim profile just the way he looked.

"Andy, did we get any details on the name of the child?"

Anderson nodded briefly concentrating on the heavy traffic; he really hated driving in this city. He had been born in the country and this traffic always stressed him.

"Yeah, a Lisa Simon lives in the 'Eleganca' apartment hi-rise block. Parents are well to do I suspect, if they live there. You can't get a broom cupboard in that place for under a million dollars." He heard Delaney puff out a held breath and knew what he was thinking, this might be an honest to goodness kidnapping and he could do without that.

"Any more on the kid?" Delaney asked now interested in the case, especially as he was pulling up at the apartment hi-rise.

"Despatch said she is nine, redhead; someone drugged the mother and the child wasn't seen again after they got on the elevator. Her mother is still waiting in the lobby by all accounts." Anderson replied factually. He stopped the car and Delaney got out quickly and wrapped his old overcoat around him as the breeze whipped around him. Although it was a reasonable day near these elegant old apartment blocks, the wind kind of took a hold on occasion.

"Let's get going then Anderson." Delaney barked as Anderson got out, locked the door and followed the short man through the revolving door into another world.

There were several people milling around, including the original officer that had taken the call. On seeing a superior, he excused himself form the people he was talking to and went over to them. "Sir, will you be handling the case?" the young officer asked as Delaney removed his badge to show the man.

"Yeah. What have you got for me?" Delaney glanced around the lobby and saw a young woman sitting on a long sofa crying and the elderly lady trying to comfort her. Then there was the concierge, who looked like he'd been shot; then again the shock of having this kind of thing happen in a building like this was rare. Several others fluttered around obviously for the sensational factor... you get them everywhere!

"The child's name is Lisa Simon. She is nine, a foreigner visiting with her parents. She has red hair four-foot tall and very thin. Although, she is said to be quite boisterous and would probably have given a fight before she was taken. Unless she knew the party in question that is, which is not impossible, but improbable according to her mother. It appears that as they entered the elevator, someone drugged the mother and left her on another level. There is no trace of the child. There was a guy who did get off the elevator and complained about some rubbish, but that's all. We are trying to locate the man, but he's a sales executive and is on his way to Boston. The airport authorities have been advised to detain him for questioning on arrival. The mother and the housekeeper have checked all the floors, but to no avail. The child appears to have disappeared, but all indications are she probably did not disappear on her own. After all the Mother was drugged." The officer responded in a moderate tone, it was a distressing situation, but not uncommon.

"I see. Is that the mother?" Delaney pointed towards the blonde woman crying on the sofa.

"Yes. A Mrs. Warriorson, she's rather distraught. We haven't had much from her, but we believe the husband is on the way home." The officer said calmly turning his attention to the blonde woman.

"I'd better go talk to her. Officer Blake, go with Anderson and check the corridors again and I mean everywhere. If she's a playful little girl she might be hiding; or who ever drugged the Mother, might have left the child in some unlikely area of the building." Delaney motioned for Anderson to come back and he did so quickly.

"Get me some more men. We need to make contact with everyone who lives in the building. If necessary, a search warrant to check every single damn apartment... even the empty ones!" Delaney stated directly, dismissing the man and walked over to the distraught woman. She didn't look old enough to have a nine-year-old daughter.

Colin had decided to take Jake into town to watch a movie and then promised a pizza supper. Faith had been grateful to her son-in-law as she and Judy were planning to cancel their dancing evening. That afternoon Colin had asked if it was okay to take the boy. He would ensure he wasn't too late, as Jake had to attend school in the morning.

Now sitting waiting for the pizza to be delivered to the table they discussed several topics, but mainly Jake's passion for football.

"Colin do you think Catherine will let me go to England with three of the other boys and a couple of the Dads, in the summer?" Jake asked his friend, but deep down he regarded Colin as his new dad and he knew he could talk to Colin about some of his hopes. Yes, he knew that Catherine would be interested. Also, she would make it happen... whatever he wanted, but he wanted to do some things without her help. They loved him, he knew that, and he certainly loved them and his sisters. Though sometimes he wished he had a father to go talk to in the evenings and he knew that he could with Colin, but he wasn't always around. Now that he and Grace were expecting their own baby, he doubted that Colin would have much time for him soon.

Colin looked at the pensive expression of the boy. He was certain he could read him fairly well by now. It was something else that Jake wasn't saying that worried him.

"Catherine may well let you go if the reason is sound but... Jake you know she's very protective and it might not be as easy as it seems." The older man tried to explain and saw the look of confusion cross the young mans features.

"If a couple of the other boys dads are coming along, won't that be okay? I will be safe with them and I don't get in trouble Colin." The boy asked earnestly.

Colin gave him a smile and shook his head. "Son, if you didn't get in trouble at some stage, you wouldn't be a teenager. There again, your sister makes up for you both I think. The young one... well she's something else again." Chuckling as he thought about the small girl with the red hair who captured everyone's heart once you knew her.

"Yeah, I know. Lisa is a bit much at times, but you know what I mean Colin. I wouldn't get into any bad trouble. Do you think if I ask and then if she's not sure I go and ask Jace and persuade her to ask Catherine?" Jake smirked at the thought.

"How do you know that it would be Catherine who disagrees and not Jace? How would you work your little ploy then?" Colin leant his chin on his hand on the table looking at the boy for an explanation.

Jake gave him a confident look. "It works both ways Colin with those two, trust me."

Colin laughed and didn't reply as their pizza was placed on the table, once the waiter had gone he responded. "Jake you say that you don't get in trouble... but son, if they found out you played that kind of game with them, then I think you might be grounded for a month. No... More like a year knowing Catherine!"

"Oh, I wasn't being mean or anything Colin. It's just what happens between them." He looked out of the window of the diner and a wistful expression passed over his face.

"Penny for them Jake?" Colin asked quietly, watching the changes in the boy's expression.

He turned to Colin and smiled, "I'm glad they brought us to live with them Colin. I never saw anyone love another person as they love each other, and how you all love us even though we are not related in anyway!"

Colin gave the boy a long serious glance and then smiled wryly. "Tell you what Jake, don't use all the other ploys on your parents just tell them how much you love them and I'm sure they will grant you anything you want... within reason that is. Come on lets eat."

Jake looked at him and laughed softly as he considered what Colin had said, 'Yeah, I just have to say I love you and with them I know everything will be alright, because they love me too!' The boy picked up a large slice of pizza and bit into it with relish as they continued their conversation about the poor performance of the local soccer team.

Delaney had finally managed to persuade Jace Warriorson to leave the lobby and go back to her apartment accompanied by the old woman called Daphne Allen. He had felt a certain amount of compassion for the small blonde. It was evident that the child was well loved and the circumstances did lead more towards abduction rather than anything else.

He looked about the lobby and saw a car draw up.A tall beautiful woman exited the vehicle and walked purposefully forward at such a speed you would think she must have been running, when in fact she was walking swiftly. Following in her wake, was an apparently upset older man, possibly in his late fifties early sixties. As the woman exited the revolving door she stopped momentarily at the concierge desk.

"Henry, is Jace in the apartment?"

Henry looked up at her with compassionate eyes and nodded. She was about to turn when he said something to her that the detective was unable to hear. The tall dark haired woman turned on her heels and came towards him. He was then pierced with a glacial look from ice blue eyes of the stoic tall exquisite woman.

"Henry tells me you are the detective in charge?" Catherine stated her voice cold and polite and showing none of the turmoil she actually felt in the circumstances.

"Yes, that's right. And you would be?" Delaney asked politely. She obviously wasn't the father, maybe some other relative... her accent indicated that she wasn't American either.

"Me?' Catherine looked at him now as if he was a bug she wanted to squash under her shoe. 'My daughter is kidnapped and you ask me that? I'm Catherine De...Warriorson." Her tone harsh in the quiet surroundings of the plush lobby as all eyes had diverted to them.

"That's strange. A Jace Warriorson appears to think she's the child's mother too! Care to clear that up for me?" Delaney didn't like the arrogant woman before him. He couldn't see any compassion in her nature, so maybe the kid did just want to leave home.

"My wife and I share equal responsibility for our children. Is that enlightening enough?" Catherine was exasperated and didn't much care for the man in front of her. Perhaps she would use her influence and replace him.

Delaney looked at the tall woman and gave her a sharp look out of his murky blue eyes, a desultory look on his face. 'Could be some idiot who has a grudge against gays too! Jesus, this didn't look like an open and shut case. Damn! And I wanted to get home early tonight for the ball game.'

"Yeah that will do for now Ms. Warriorson. Perhaps if we go to your apartment, we can go over the details."

Catherine nodded her head reluctantly and then turned quickly away from him and went towards her father-in-law, who was talking to Alison, his wife. She had arrived only a few minutes before expecting to spend the day with Jace and the children. All four of them entered the elevator silently and the journey to the twentieth floor was one of the longest Catherine had ever taken in her life. She felt like she had when she thought that Jace had finished with her and she saw no hope of ever salvaging the relationship. Only this time, she had the means to do something and no one was going to take her Princess away, not now... not ever!

Sally Clauser was pacing the small parlour that Fatama Spiros used to conduct any business interest she had to do in private. "We need to neutralise your daughter Fatama. She obviously isn't committed to our plans in quite the way you thought!"

Fatama Spiros noted the foreigner's caustic comment, her mind in turmoil. She had hoped that her only daughter would not do this, but it had always been a possibility. Sighing heavily, she looked at the back of the pacing woman. 'This was the type of woman I had hoped Althea would be. But alas, she has more of her father's blood in her than mine. Such a pity.'

"Neutralise can have many meanings Miss Clauser. What do you propose?

Sally stopped her pacing and shrewdly glanced at the old woman. Her mind was now engaged in the most appropriate manner to deal with this slight bug in the system.

Neither woman spoke for several minutes. Each had their own thoughts, but with one central subject, Althea Spiros. Eventually Sally sat down after continuing pacing during her period of thought.

"I suggest we change the plan to kill the two women as we agreed, but perhaps in a slightly different way. Obviously we leave Althea and George in the dark." A sharp tap of the cane on the floor interrupted Sally, by Fatama.

"My son is not a party to Althea's deception. He will do as his mother wishes. You will not touch my son Miss Clauser, not for any reason. Do you hear me?" The voice was sharp and harsh carrying around the room like an echo.

Sally looked at the agitation of the old woman, at the inference that her only son might be following in Althea's deception... interesting and very useful.

"Yeah, whatever. But if he joins your daughter's side, it will be up to you to neutralise it effectively. Shall I finish my train of thought on this subject?"

"Go ahead. We are after all, talking about my daughters life." Fatama responded and with her dark hawk like features turned to the other woman in concentration.

"No! No! Fatama you have it wrong. It is not your daughters life we talking about... it is her death!" Sally's laughter cackled in the room.

It reminded Fatama of a laugh similar to a witch in the old movies. 'Was this woman a new witch of the century, or just a very old witch come to plague the new century? Whatever it was, she certainly fitted the bill. She had no compassion at all and frankly, that's just the way I wanted it. The Xianthos family will rue the day they ever crossed paths with the Spiros family all those centuries ago.'

"Then please, I being their mother have a vested interest in knowing what you have planned for one of my children." Fatama gave the woman who had stopped beside her no more than a cursory look and let her continue. Her child had known her fate should she not do her bidding; so, it would not be a surprise to Althea when she died by whatever means this foreigner chose. Her only hope was that is was quick.

Catherine placed her key in the lock and opened the apartment door; she had been surprised, but pleased that a police officer had been stationed outside her door. He looked them all over with professional interest for future reference.

The sound of sobbing could be heard distinctly. As much as Catherine wanted to remain emotionally in control the sound of her partner's heart wrenching sobs brought tears to her eyes, which refused to be thwarted. They trailed down her cheeks as she went inside and looking briefly towards her in-laws. In silent understanding they nodded and she then turned to the detective. "I have to...I need to...that is...!" words failed her as she left him to think what the hell he wanted and she went towards their bedroom.

Delaney looked at the retreating back of the tall woman and had been somewhat taken aback by the emotional breakdown that threatened her.

"No problem, take your time," he muttered. He turned towards the grandparents of the child. Perhaps he could get some more background information that might help them.

Catherine quietly entered the master bedroom and saw Jace sprawled out on the bed. The angle looked somewhat uncomfortable, but understandably not noticeable to the woman so obviously in pain crying on the bed. Walking silently over to the large bed, she settled herself down on the side and placed a gentle hand on Jace's shoulder, trying not to scare her with any sudden movement.

Jace shuddered at the touch and she turned tear-filled, red-rimmed eyes full of pain towards her partner. She had known it was Catherine immediately when the woman had entered the room. She had so wanted to control herself... even if only a little. However, she hadn't been able to at all! "I'm so sorry Catherine. It's all my fault...." Words failed her and she began to sob again. This time Catherine took the small blonde into her arms and cradled her against her chest as her own tears streamed down her face. The situation was tragic enough, but to have her partner so... so heart broken and at the moment, she could do nothing but hold her. It brought a profound sadness to Catherine that she had never felt in her life before.

"Jace, no! No, it's not your fault! Darling, listen to me! It isn't your fault. Please believe me, it's not your fault." Catherine pleaded softly into Jace's ear and crooned soothing words to her for what seemed like hours, when it was only minutes. She held Jace closely until the woman in her arms finally exhaled a shuddering breath. Finally, her sobbing subsided to silent tears gushing down her already drenched cheeks, her eyes puffy and red at the ravages of the emotional upset.

Eventually, Jace looked up into haunted ice blue eyes, which had already seen so much in their short lifetime. Now there was more pain and tragedy to be countered. Gazing into her partner's face, she saw the strength there, which brought her to some semblance of normality. If one could ever be normal when something happened beyond your control to a child, even if that child wasn't one of your own flesh and blood, she was still there's.

"Catherine someone has our little girl. What are we going to do?" Jace uttered the words in a frail voice.

Catherine gathered in a deep breath and exhaled it slowly, as her arms tenderly held the woman who meant the world to her. "I think it will be okay... No! I know it will be okay Jace.Lisa...Lisa knows we will find her, she knows that...." A sob she couldn't prevent escaped her lips and this time Jace looked up concerned for the partner, who she relied on to be the strength... but really...... she had to find her strength from someone too. So, it had to be shared, this responsibility, just like all the others they had agreed to share. She couldn't be the weak link. Together they had to be strong for each other!

"Darling, Lisa will always know we love her and will move heaven and earth to find her. She knows Catherine and we will, we will together!" Jace spoke with words filled with compassion, love and understanding of their need.

"I will find her Jace, no one touches you, or our children. It is a promise I made to myself and one I will never default on ever, only death will prevent me and I'm not sure it would!" Catherine spoke softly and with such conviction it hurt Jace in a profound way, for her partner was taking on the full responsibility again...... And she didn't know how to counter that.

"Catherine, we will find her together and if we don't...." Catherine placed a finger on her lips as she said the words.

"No! No that is unacceptable. I will spend the rest of my life looking for Lisa, Jace. She's just lost. That's all, lost and I'll find her."

Jace looked up into ice blue eyes that were distant and belonged to someone else. The gap had opened between them and for the first time since she had met Catherine Warriorson it was as if she'd gone back totally to being that stranger that people talked about, but never met.

"Catherine hold me and make me feel that it's all a nightmare and that when I leave our room Lisa will be playing with Elena and getting into some scrape or another. Please Catherine." Jace tried emotional blackmail to bring her partner back to her.

Catherine, whose mind had descended to depths so far unfathomable, pulled Jace closer to her, kissed the top of her head and placed her chin on the blonde hair. "I've got you Jace. I have you and our children, all of our children!"

Jace settled into the warm loving hold of her partner, but knew in her heart that Catherine had removed a part of herself to find their child. And that part would never come back until Lisa was back in her arms. The feeling was wonderful in that Catherine felt like that, but terrifying in that what would Catherine do if they never got Lisa back, ever? The image was far too scary to reveal! "And I have you Catherine... never forget that ever!"

Catherine nuzzled the blonde hair and felt a little peace with the familiar smell of her partner's hair and general aroma. "I never will Jace. I love you."

Jace smiled weakly up at her partner, "I know and I love you also, and we will get Lisa back. Because together... together Catherine, we can defeat all the evil that comes our way. We just have to remember that... together!"

Catherine smiled into the honey color strands as she cradled her partner close to her, "I know Darling.Together we can defeat all the odds and we will... I know it!"

~ ~ ~

Faith was happily humming an obscure tune from the previous evening as she made her bed and wondered how the girls were getting on in New York! Then there was her daughter, she wondered about her, but never quite got an answer to her question. That poor man looked lost without Grace.However her daughter hadn't seemed to notice that in the last couple of months. Judy chose that moment to knock on her door.

"Faith there's a call from New York. It's Jace's mother, she asked for you." Judy spoke quickly for the tone of the woman on the other end of the line sounded upset.

"Okay, Judy. Thank you, I'll go take it in the study now. Is Jake awake?" Faith asked concerned that Alison Bardley wanted to speak to her.

"Well, let's put it this way, Jake is out of bed and showered, but awake... that's still debatable. I'll put the call through and see you at breakfast." Judy replied as she left the room.

Faith hurriedly smoothed down the bedclothes, swiftly proceeded down the stairs and entered the study. It looked quite comforting as the suns rays entered by the patio window and dappled the furniture in the golden hue that made it very welcoming. Sitting in the chair at the huge desk, Faith picked up the receiver of the phone and said hello.

"Faith is that you?" an anxious voice asked.

"Yes. Yes, is that you Alison? Is anything wrong?" Faith enquired. Intuitively she knew there was, or Jace's mother wouldn't be calling her, at least not this early in the morning anyway.

"Faith, it's Lisa."

"What do you mean its Lisa? Alison, is she sick again? I told Jace the girls shouldn't travel yet, but no, the young think they know best...." Faith trailed off and regretted every word as Alison uttered the next words.

"Faith, Lisa was abducted today and... and... well... we don't know anymore just yet! It's...well I thought you should know. Catherine will no doubt call soon enough, but I didn't want you to find out from a newspaper or the TV newscast." Alison's words filled with pain and despair at the situation.

"Is there anything I can do?" Faith whispered back, unsure what to say or what she could do.

"Perhaps you can keep Jake from school today. I'll get Catherine to call you both a little later. I don't know what else to say Faith."

Alison's voice cracked as tears finally gave way under the strain.

"I'll do that! Tell them we love them and they are in our thoughts." Faith finished finally, her heart going out to the family so far away.

"Yes, I'll do that Faith. Take care of Jake please, it would be the final straw if anything happened to him too."Alison expressed softly.

"Elena is okay isn't she?" Faith asked. Although, Alison surely would have mentioned it had anything been wrong she was sure, but she needed to know.

"Yes! Our granddaughter is playing happily with her doting grandfather. Sometimes you wish you were eighteen months old again and don't understand what's going on." Alison stated wistfully saying goodbye quickly as the detective looked in her direction.

Faith replaced the receiver and wished she didn't have to be the bearer of this news. What ever had those two young people done to deserve all this anguish in their lives? Gathering her strength of purpose, she exited the study and went towards the kitchen. Where a young man was going to be gutted. She would phone Colin and tell him the boy would need him that was certain. And her daughter, well... her daughter needed to be home and she better come too. Grace was far too independent for her own good sometimes and her husband was lost without her!

Opening the door to the kitchen she took a deep breath and went inside to two smiling faces.

Delaney had asked all the questions he possibly could from the grandparents and the housekeeper. Now he needed to speak to Jace Warriorson and have her version of the events and find out if there was anything distinctive about the child that might help them out.

The doctor was due any time to check over the woman and the baby. They needed to confirm that there were no immediate side or after effects of the drug that had been administered to Jace. The baby was to have a general check up, as they did not know what went on when the mother was unconscious. They might obtain a lead if they could identify the drug that was used and perhaps that would lead to where it came from. It was a long shot, but a possibility and you had to take any morsel offered in these cases.

Catherine Warriorson chose that moment to exit her bedroom, leaving Jace to clean up before she had to face the police questions and the expected lengthy wait ahead of them. Walking into the room stiffly, her posture one of years of practised control, she glanced around the lounge and smiled briefly at Jason and Alison. Her eyes then strayed to the detective. But... then she noticed an old woman sitting in one of the easy chairs looking over one of the children's storybooks. With deliberate strides she closed the gap between herself and this stranger, 'who the fuck was this in her home, it wasn't a circus, yet anyway!'

The aggression in her stance was apparent to anyone who knew her well. Unfortunately none of them did know her that well. As she towered over the smiling woman, "I'm afraid I haven't had the pleasure of an introduction... And what are you doing in my home?" Her tone cold and ice blue eyes looked at her with a glacial stare.

Daphne Allen had heard stories about this woman and had read stories about her also. This was however, the first time she had come face-to-face with the legendary Catherine Devonshire, or at least legendary in this City and this building. Jace had warned her that Catherine could be intimidating. The young woman had also informed her, if she were to succeed with Catherine, to look her straight in the eye and answer any question she asked truthfully and she would have no problems with her partner. Taking a calming breath, she continued to smile sweetly at the tall dark haired woman

"My name is Daphne Allen. I live in the block, level twelve and I'm a friend of Jace's. I helped her to the apartment because; I felt she needed a friendly shoulder to cry on until a member of the family arrived. You've arrived, so I guess I will go." Daphne spoke in a quiet tone, her New York accent barely decipherable. She moved out of the chair, but the tall woman had now forgotten about her.

Catherine remained impassive and continued to give her a searching glare her eyes narrowing until it looked like she was squinting. "Thank you for your concern for Jace. We appreciate it." Catherine finally managed to say and then turned to Jace's parents.

"I think Jace would like to see you both. She needs some moral support!"

Jason and Alison looked at her gratefully and went towards the bedroom Catherine had recently exited.

Jason as he passed within a few inches of Catherine on his way to the bedroom spoke quietly for her ears only. "What about moral support for you?"

Catherine gave him a reluctant smile and her ice blue eyes warmed at his concern. Placing a hand briefly on his shoulder she replied, "Jason, I know where to come. Thank you." Her words stilted, but held warmth that she rarely showed to anyone but Jace, Grace or the children.

He nodded his head and left her to the detective and his questions.

Delaney looked at the tall woman, who literally commanded the area she was in and it was hard not to do exactly what she said when she commanded something to be done. "Ms. Warriorson, perhaps you could answer some questions for me? Then I'll leave you until we need you to do a telecast to make an appeal for the release of your child."

Catherine quirked her eyebrows to her forehead in distaste at that request, "Detective, I have no intention of subjecting myself, my wife or our family to that kind of media merry go round. If you will allow me a few moments to arrange some beverages and check on the wellbeing of my younger daughter, then we will talk in my study. I have something that might have a bearing on the case."

Delaney merely nodded his head and went to sit in the chair that the old woman had vacated. She had slipped out of the apartment silently after brief introduction to Catherine Warriorson. He was sure he'd seen the tall stunning woman before, but for the life of him he couldn't remember why and her name wasn't familiar.... It would come to him and if it didn't, he would have her checked out at the station.

Catherine went into the kitchen area and saw Stephanie keeping Elena occupied. Her housekeeper looked almost as exhausted, as Jace had appeared to be.
.
"Hey, how's my little one?" Catherine asked softly as she came towards them both and bent down so that her face was close to the child's and Elena could touch her.

Stephanie smiled weakly at her boss and moved away towards the kettle. "Do you need tea Catherine?"

"Thanks. Would you find out what the detective drinks and have a tray made up for the study. I'd like to be alone with Elena for a few moments Stephanie... if you don't mind?" Catherine knew she didn't need to ask, but the other woman had been a solid rock according to Jace during all the turmoil of the recent hours.

"Certainly. I'll go and talk to the detective. Give me a shout when you need me." Stephanie looked sympathetically at the raven head bent down as the small hands had made their way into her hair tugging for attention.

Catherine was now engrossed in the child before her and smiled weakly. Her heart was heavy and all she wanted to do was hug the child to her and cry for Lisa and wish the day could start all over again and she could prevent the events ever happening.

"Hey, little one mama wants to keep her hair." Placing her own much larger hands around the child's and releasing them from her hair gently. Reaching for the restraining straps of the chair the child was held in she unclipped them and she lifted her daughter out and high into the air making the child giggle and ask for more, well as far as Catherine could tell... it was more.

A few minutes later she was cradling the child to her and softly singing a song that her mother had sung to her years before when she was a child and needed comfort.

Hush now child hush.

Hush now child hush.

Hush now child hush.

Hush now child hush.

Hush now child hush.

Hush now child hush.

Catherine felt... rather than saw her daughter asleep on her chest as she finished the song; it had always soothed her as a child. Although, the little one didn't really know what was happening, they did say children felt things both good and bad even if the understanding wasn't there. Perhaps they did, but if they didn't, what the hell, it had made her feel better if only for a short time.

Walking with gentleness to the child's shared bedroom, she gave a stifled sob as she saw Blackie and Lisa's original rag doll lying on the bed waiting for their young mistress to return.

Placing Elena in her large crib for her own safety, she smoothed down the covers and placed a tender kiss on the forehead of the child who did not move at the touch. Sitting down heavily on Lisa's bed, she picked up the toy dog and began pulling at its ears absently. Then she traced a gentle finger over the rag doll and a single tear dropped onto the surface of its worn dress.

"I'll bring her home for her to play with you both again, I promise." Catherine stood up and felt her legs shake, but she recovered quickly and as quietly as she had entered the room, she left it and went back to the lounge and the detective.

Jake was crying. He had his head on the neck of his beloved horse Rosie and he couldn't help the tears that fell. He'd tried taking in a deep breath and holding it like you do when you have hiccups, but it didn't work. He'd shut his eyes and tried to stem the flow squeezing so tightly shut he felt a pain at the back of his eyes. Nothing had worked though and he didn't want to go back into the house and face Faith and Judy until he had some control. He wished now he'd been able to go and then Lisa wouldn't have been kidnapped because he would have prevented it. He was sure he could have! Lisa had always been the talkative one and she was sometimes way too friendly to strangers, but no one had really wanted to hurt her. He didn't want to think about it, at least not if someone had hurt her and she never came home again. His tears still cascaded down his face and his hazel eyes looked out into the stall of the stable with pain in them much like that of a wounded animal.

Colin had been given the news and had returned immediately from one of his field trips to check on the new horses, which he had grazing about three miles away. Vaulting with practised ease from the large bay mare that was one of his favourites on the ranch, he knew where Jake would be. Faith had told him that Jake had gone deathly white at the news, but didn't utter a word and then he'd bolted from the house. They hadn't been able to stop him.

Walking quietly towards the stables, he saw the boy holding onto the neck of his horse. It was as if the horse knew he needed comfort and she was gently nuzzling him as he cried into her mane.

"Jake?"

Jake stiffened as he heard Colin speak to him, but he didn't want Colin to see him crying. He was a man now. He shouldn't be crying. He needed to be strong for his family. Removing his hands from around Rosie's neck, he scrubbed a fist across his eyes and turned with a gulp of air to look at the tall man who was in the open doorway of the stable.

"Yeah, Colin it's me."

"Jake, Faith told me what's happened. She is worried about you." Colin stated quietly not wanting the boy to feel any more discomfort than he already was.

"I...I didn't want to worry her, but I needed to be alone." Jake replied stoically and Colin was certain at just that moment the boy had the look of Catherine about him.

Giving the teenager a look of gentle understanding, he crossed over to the stall and stood within a foot of the boy.

"Would you still like to be alone son?"

Jake would have given anything to say 'yes' at that moment, but he couldn't. He just couldn't. Once again, his eyes flooded with tears as he closed the gap between the tall man and himself and was held in a comforting hold by Colin.

"I never, ever told her I loved her Colin and I do... I do. She was just so irritating that was all!" The boy sobbed into his checked padded shirt.

Smoothing a hand over the dark hair of the boy Colin had to hold back his own tears at not only the abduction of such a beautiful innocent child, but the pain that was being inflicted on a secondary level and that affected far more people than could be imagined.

"Jake don't worry. Everything will be alright and you will get the chance to tell Lisa you love her."

Jake turned red-rimmed eyes to Colin and in complete trust in the man said. "Will I really Colin, do you promise?" hazel eyes beseeched the man who was comforting him to say the one word he wanted to hear, nothing else was acceptable.

"Yeah... yeah, Jake I do promise. We will get her back. After all when Lisa gets talking they might pay us to take her back. What do you think?" Colin tried to lighten the conversation, although in his heart he felt the dead weight this kind of occurrence brought about.

Jake looked at him again and gave a weak smile, "I'd better get back inside and make sure Grandma and Judy are okay. You know what women are like, they over react don't they?"

Colin smiled wryly at the boy as he released him and saw him puff out his chest in importance, well... that was a good sign anyway for now. Only time would tell if the promise he had just given materialised, but he'd gone on a gut instinct that Catherine would not let any lasting harm come to her children. Regardless of the odds stacked against Catherine nothing short of death would prevent the woman following her way, eventually leading to victory!

"Yes, well with the women in this household it's hard to say exactly what they think, but they will surely enjoy your company and Catherine or Jace will probably call soon."

"Will Grace come home now Colin?" The boy asked innocently, not seeing the tall man stiffen at the mention of his wife.

"I think she will Jake, no I'm sure she will. Let's go and see if Judy has made tea shall we? And I'll call Grace as we drink it." Colin said, unsure if his wife would respond. However, that was a slightly unfair thought as Grace had always put the family and Catherine first. It was his welfare that she tended to ignore from time to time.

Walking side by side the two of them made their way towards the ranch house and the anxiously waiting family inside the building.

Catherine flicked a cool glance at the detective as he looked over the elegant study with its fine art on the walls and the unobtrusive sculptures in various positions in the room. The dark oak desk had pride of place in the centre of the room with all the newest technology laid out to best effect either on its surface or on the side table to the left.

"You have questions for me detective?"

Delaney looked at the woman who looked poised and calm, showing none of the emotional trauma that most parents did at the abduction of a child. Then again this child wasn't hers' in the biological sense anyway! The grandparents had explained that the child was basically in her care and that an adoption process was currently being carried out. "Yes, but you mentioned that you might have something for me?"

Catherine put her hand in her pocket and pulled out the letter, which she passed over to the detective. He looked at the letter and then at her, his mind becoming totally focused on the case in hand.

Delaney looked at the letter and read its contents a couple of times and then glanced at the woman her face impassive. "I'll need your fingerprints and anyone else who you know touched the letter to eliminate you all. Let's hope the person who left it has been remiss in its' handling shall we? You realise that your family needs protection, or do you think it was coincidence?"

Catherine snorted in derision at the detective. "I think not detective. Rather a convenient coincidence if it is wouldn't you say? As to the protection, I will personally organise all the necessary protection my family require. Now, the important issue is my missing daughter. What exactly do you need from my wife and I?"

"Talk me through what she's like, her habits, food likes and dislikes etc. Everything that you can remember about the child that might help in locating her." Delaney requested quietly, seeing the woman flinch and now appreciated the iron willed control she was adopting.

Half and hour later Delaney had pages full of the child's habits and just about anything there was to know about the little girl. The woman had been very precise in her descriptions and facts, as if she was reading it from a book. "I think that about covers everything I need at the moment. Would you reconsider the telecast Ms. Warriorson, it might help?" Normally he could cajole the parents into this appeal if they hesitated, but this woman didn't hesitate. She categorically refused.

"No! That's my decision detective. You will have to abide by it, I believe." Catherine was weary. She felt as if the whole world was caving in around her. All she wanted to do was sink into Jace's arms and find some comfort for her pain.

"Yes, that's true Ms. Warriorson. Would you allow one of our psychologists that has experience in this field to come over to talk with you and your family? It might help with the initial trauma." Delaney inquired politely, something told him that handling this woman with kid gloves was the right thing to do; he really needed to check out who she was.

Catherine inclined her head and accepted that proposal. It could do no harm and might actually help them understand the situation if one could ever understand the abduction of a child. In her heart of hearts, she hoped it had something to do with Hudson. At least then she knew whom she was dealing with, but a total unknown quantity was something else again and that would lead to possibilities unimaginable. "Will you need to see my wife?"

Delaney shook his head at the question, "I think you and the others have provided enough information for now, perhaps another time. We will need the doctor to check her over and take a blood sample to try and trace the drug used. She and you... well she certainly might need a sedative to help her sleep. I'm certain the doctor will prescribe what is necessary for her."

Catherine gave him a cool look as he'd inferred that she might need help to sleep! Help to sleep? She had that already in the package of a petite blonde Californian who had pledged to hold her every night and chase the demons away! Yes! She had help. "I will speak to Jace. When will you have more news for us Detective?"

Delaney looked at her and decided to answer her truthfully. "There wasn't a ransom demand and this letter indicates that there won't be one! Consequently we can only hope that someone sees Lisa and reports it to the police. We have the picture of your daughter out on the streets now. This type of case has happened before and the odds aren't good."

Catherine released a heavy sigh and looked at the man quizzically. "Well, as you are being honest with me Detective, exactly what odds do you give us? And in your experience, how many children do you actually bring back home from this type of 'case' as you call it?"

Delaney looked down at his brown well-polished shoes and shuffled around for a few seconds debating his answer. Then he looked directly into those searing ice blue eyes and told her, " A million to one and I've never had anyone returned to the family... alive!" He didn't wait to see the reaction to his declaration. He simply muttered a goodbye and he would be in touch, and then left the room.

Catherine scrapped back her chair and it tumbled over, the shock of the answer had disrupted her equilibrium cracking the fragile control she had kept on her emotions. She wasn't sure if this time she was capable of meeting this challenge.

The door to the study opened and Jace walked in quickly taking in the overturned chair and the deathly pale features of her partner.

"Catherine? Catherine are you okay?"

Catherine wasn't sure, she felt disorientated and desperately in need of a shoulder to cry on and as if her soul had called out to her partner, Jace walked into the room. "I don't know Jace. I just want our Princess back home safe!" The voice bleak and searching for an answer from her partner, an answer she knew wasn't available at the moment and might never be!

Jace rushed over to her partner, the woman who had always been strong no matter the circumstances. This situation was different, this was a child she had come to love and who belonged to her in every way except by blood. To Catherine that wasn't a necessity. The child was hers and she was bleeding inside with the horror of unknown circumstances her daughter was now suffering and that she couldn't do anything about.

"I'm here Catherine, I'm here." Jace pulled her partner into her arms and the raven-haired head rested with weary gratitude on the smaller woman's shoulder.

"I...I just want her back with us Jace. I will pay anything, do anything to have her back safe with us." Catherine tearfully replied her tears soaking the fabric of the shirt that Jace wore.

"Darling we will get her back, you know that Catherine! She knows that too! Lisa will be waiting for us. We have to be strong now and together we can bring her back home and we will be one happy family again." Jace spoke softly to her partner. It was a rare sight indeed that Catherine required any solace, but Jace was ready, willing and able to give whatever she needed regardless of her own wrecked emotions.

Catherine buried her head further into Jace's shoulder as she felt the soothing of her partner's hand stroking her hair in a calming effect. Jace led Catherine over to the large easy chair in the corner of the study and pushed her gently down into it, kneeling down in front of her distraught partner. Taking Catherine's face between her hands she waited patiently for the ice blue eyes to focus in her direction or at least the right eye anyway, the left would always do what it wanted to do.

Eventually Catherine glanced into the warm comforting gaze of the green eyes of the woman she loved and ones she knew loved her wholeheartedly. Catherine's expression one of embarrassment and to Jace entirely endearing it made her feel very protective over her partner.

"Are you ready to tell me what happened between you and the detective Catherine?"

Catherine tried to glance away, but Jace was insistent as she moved the chin back towards her and their eyes met again. " Please Catherine, no secrets. I need the truth as much as you do, NO! More than you do, our daughter was in my care and I feel responsible." Jace related sorrowfully and to Catherine the words tore at her heart for she could feel the pain the admission caused her partner.

"The detective doesn't give us much hope that we will see Lisa again." Catherine replied, but left out the implication that if they did, it would be at the mortuary. She wasn't inclined to say anything about the letter just yet either.

Jace sucked in a sharp breath, exhaling as if in agony, " NO! No, that can't be Catherine. He's wrong, I know he's wrong!"

Catherine shuddered at her own emotional turmoil and wanted nothing more than to curl up in a ball and wait for it to be all over. Yet, that wasn't the way to handle this either. There was another way... a more direct way and she was going to do it and succeed too!

"Yes, Jace. He's wrong because we are going to do just what you said, we will bring her home, whatever it takes." Catherine had asserted herself and her strong will power was now taking back possession of her emotions... she was gaining control again and she would need to be in complete control.

Jace rested her forehead on her partners and they stayed silently linked for several minutes. Finally Jace spoke softly. "We need to check on Elena and mom and dad are waiting for us. Let's go join them darling, perhaps together we will feel a little better."

Catherine locked her gaze with Jace's and she gave her a weak smile. "Yes, that's a good idea. Elena was asleep about an hour ago and she looked real tired. I think she will sleep a while longer." Catherine responded absently her mind was now on the problem at hand and she had a solution that was both impressive, but ludicrous and it might just work!

Jace placed a tender kiss on the lips of her partner and was stunned when Catherine responded with a fierce passion it was so aggressive and primitive in nature that Jace wasn't sure it was her partner that she shared the kiss with. Pulling away abruptly Jace looked into her ice blue eyes for an explanation, but could see nothing but emptiness within. It sent a wave of fear through her body. This wasn't the Catherine she loved, this was another woman altogether and one she'd never met or ever wanted to meet. "Darling come on let us go, I think you need some tea." Jace stood up and gently pulled Catherine towards her and the taller woman responded in body, but her mind was definitely elsewhere.

They exited the study to wait for further news from the police.

Serena Dusterly looked at her plain serviceable watch and sighed as she watched the TV indicate on the late news that another child had been kidnapped. Although this time the child was obviously from a wealthy neighbourhood as the newscast was being fed from an elegant apartment block in one of the wealthiest areas of New York City.

Pursing her lips together, she considered what the authorities would do with this case. At least they couldn't push it under any carpet as they had done before, for sure as hell, the parents would want some answers! Although with the current way the police handled cases of this description, answers would be far and few between. Looking closely at the TV set she saw one of the officers obviously part of the team to investigate, 'Delaney!'

Pulling herself out of the deep velour armchair that had seen better days, but was very comfortable and her favourite when she watched the TV or had some thinking to do. "Well, sorry youngster, but with that inadequate excuse for a detective on the case, you're going to be gone a long time. So your mom and pop had better be resigned to losing you forever."

Walking over to the small kitchenette she opened the refrigerator and drew out a cold bottle of Corona and levering the cap off. She drank from the bottle and relished the cold sharp taste as it went down her throat. Flicking off the light switch, she went down the hall passing several framed certificates for bravery and finally a diploma and a photo showing her in the forefront of the group smiling as she settled in for the group session on the passing out parade.

Serena turned into her bedroom and as she did so she saw the photo and looked with a wry smile closely at all the laughing faces. Yeah, it had been a good day when she'd finished her training in the FBI as a profiler... and it had been good for six years. Then her clear grey eyes swung to the wall on the other side of her bedroom door and looked at the frame that held a newspaper story and the end of her career. Her eyes clouded in pain as she recalled that case and muttered as she entered her bedroom, 'least I forget.'

The bedroom door closed and the light from the small window leading to the kitchenette shed a beam of hazy light upon the frame that held the newspaper cutting.

Jessie Collins, a ten-year-old was abducted under similar circumstances to the previous five in the city in the last two years. Police say that ineptitude by the FBI profiler on the case, Agent Dusterly has severely impeded their progress to capture the perpetrator. All her leads have been dead ends and provided nothing except to level comments leading to the character assassination of fellow officials. Dusterly was verbally attacked at a recent press conference after one of the abducted children was found bound, gagged and abused, then thrown onto a waste dump on the outskirts of the city.

Dusterly quit this morning under extreme pressure from city officials and removal of support from her agency with her outspoken views.

Police are now working with another agent and are happy to report progress and are confident of an arrest in the very near future.

Attached to the bottom of the frame were clippings of new abductions in the city over the last two years, after the original newspaper article had been published.

As the moon was overshadowed by a dark cloud passing in the night sky it extinguished the light on the frame as it went into the darkness of the hall and kept it's dark secrets and disappointments.

Grace Montgomery had taken the messages from her husband stating it was important she contact him, but had been so tired after a long day going over new funding for several projects on the North Island, she decided to take a nap before making the call. The nap turned into a long sleep. She had finally awakened at six a.m., with the prospect of not only another gruelling day with the lawyers, but an irate husband to contend with!

Going over to the bathroom in the hotel room, which she had booked for its easy access to the city of Auckland rather than the amenities, which were few. However, the place was comfortable and clean and that's all she needed. A few minutes later she opened her door and picked up the newspaper that had been left at her door, went over to the small desk and dialled her home. "Might as well get this part of the day over at least" she spoke to the empty room as her hands tapped gently on the scuffed, but polished surface of the top of the furniture she was seated at.

"Montgomery." Colin's voice sounded ragged and upset. Oh! God, she should have called last night.

"Colin, it's Grace, Darling what's wrong?" her voice taking on a higher pitch at the sound of pain she heard in that one word from her husband.

"Grace? Grace, I left you urgent messages, you never called." Colin had been worried all night. He had waited for his wife to call and he was now tired, upset and relieved now that she was finally at the other end of the line.

"I'm sorry Colin, but I was tired and I took a nap and I've only just awaken. What's the matter darling?" Grace heard his sharp intake of breath as she asked him once again what the problem was.

"Our little Princess is gone!" the statement stark and chilling to Grace. What the hell did that mean?

"Colin what do you mean? Is she dead? Was there an accident? WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN?" Grace got up from her seat and paced about the small room, or paced as much as the phone cord would allow her.

Colin heard the distress and anger, which wasn't directed at him, but more toward Grace, for not returning the call earlier.

"She's been abducted in New York. They don't know many details Grace, but someone has taken her and...well I...I don't know what to say to them or the boy! Will you come home please Grace?" Colin whispered into the instrument, his voice broke with emotion.

Grace could picture her tough looking husband with tears slowly falling; he was such a compassionate man. "I'll call Frank and have him bring me home by helicopter." Grace wanted to cry herself, but something stopped her. She had calls to make and a very important one that she should have made last evening. Catherine would wonder why she was silent at this grave time in their lives and her only defence would be that she was tired... some excuse that!

"I'll liase with the airport for your flight arrival and advise your mother and Jake, he will be happier if you're here too." Colin said quietly his emotions raw but knowing that Grace was coming home would help, she always had that positive ambience that defied the odds and they all needed that, never more so than now!

"Darling, I have to go and make the arrangements. Please hug Jake for me; he's going to need as much support as Catherine and Jace. At least Elena is too young to understand that must be about the only thing that is good out of all this." Grace stated finally.

"Grace I love you, be careful on your journey home." Colin said softly. He replaced the receiver and went on his way to the main house and the sleepless residents contained within.

Grace numbly picked up the local newspaper and her eyes went to a half page report on the left-hand column.

Grace closed her eyes and kept them closed for several seconds unable to contemplate the horror of the situation. You read about this kind of thing happening to others, no that was true, it had happened to Jace, but the motive was evident from the beginning of the abduction. This was different. This was their Princess, who had done nothing in this lifetime to warrant the cruelty and sordid experience of the event. Lisa, Lisa, Lisa, we will all pray for you and hope deep in our hearts that you will be returned to us and that we can wipe away the bad memories with our love. For you are deeply loved Princess. I hope you never forget that, wherever the scum has taken you!

Making her second call, she waited several minutes for the connection and the sound of the burring tone that indicated it was ringing at the other end. The call connections were suddenly made and Grace licked her lips nervously as she waited for a response from the other end.

"Devonshire residence. How may I help you?" a woman's voice enquired politely, the voice unfamiliar to Grace.

"May I speak to Ms. Devonshire or Ms. Warriorson?" Grace asked hurriedly forgetting to add her own name.

"Who's calling please?" the polite voice asked and waited for Grace to reply.

"Grace...Grace Montgomery. I'm a friend of the family." Grace explained.

Muffled voices were heard in the background, but Grace couldn't make out what was being said. Then she heard a faint click on the line and silence for a few seconds, making Grace think that her call had been disconnected.

"Grace? Grace is that you?" Jace asked shakily.

"Jace? Yes, Jace it's me. What's happening? I've only just heard. Dear God, Jace is it really true?" words tumbled out of her mouth and she heard a soft murmur of pain at the other end.

"Yes, Grace it's true, someone has kidnapped Lisa. The police are conducting several enquiries in the area, but...but...." Words failed the blonde as she hung her head at the multitude of scenarios their little girl could be subjected to.

"Jace I know, I know how you must be feeling. I'm in Auckland, but I'm going home to be with our boy. He will need the support I think! How are you?" Graces asked. Her concern for her friends now taking over, she needed to be strong for them, her sixth sense was telling her that this time even Catherine could flounder and needed the moral support.

"I'm not too bad Grace. Although, Catherine is taking it hard she's hardly spoken in the last few hours, I think she's planning something and by her expression it doesn't look like a plan the police will approve." Jace tried to explain the cold completely closed look in those vibrant ice blue eyes that had always held warmth whenever they looked at her... but not now. No, now, they held an intent that didn't involve her. She knew she had to break through, Catherine's sanity might be lost if she didn't and that wasn't an option in this life, or any other come to that.

"Is Catherine in the apartment Jace? Would you like me to speak to her?" Grace asked tentatively, she didn't want to interfere with Jace's own remarkable powers of persuasion with her friend.

"Grace if you can bring back my taciturn wife, then please try. At this moment, I would welcome any help. She's drifting away from me again Grace and I'm powerless to stop her. She's so focused on getting Lisa back." Jace admitted reluctantly.

"Then go seek out the stoic one, and let's see what I can do. Jace know that we love you here. Whatever you need we will be there for you all, no matter what the outcome." Grace's her voice raised an octave, the sincerity of the statement not falling on deaf ears.

"I know. And you don't know how much that means to me, no to us! Believe me, it keeps the hope alive and while we have hope Grace, there is always a chance that we will see our little girl soon." Jace said quietly and placed the receiver on the desk as she went in search of her partner.

Catherine was standing gazing emotionlessly out of the large picture window onto the peaceful and calm scene below, where she could just make out the swans and ducks. Her lips tightened at the sight... if it hadn't been for those bloody ducks then her daughter would be here now and none of this would be happening... and whose fault was it, hers! She cursed herself for having bought an apartment that overlooked the park; a major attraction for child perverts who wanted to track down their prey. Her mind chaotic and melancholy, she hadn't heard Jace enter the room or come up beside her, until green eyes starred intently up at her and she turned her face slightly so that her right eye could take in the presence of her partner. 'God... I failed you again Jace! How can you let me near your child and want me to adopt her; the authorities were right I'm not a suitable person.'

Jace looked up into ice blue eyes that turned to her as she starred at Catherine to capture her attention and was distressed by the pain and anguish she saw mirrored within the deep recesses. 'Why do you torture yourself so Catherine? When did you become the criminal in this crime? You are a victim here, just as much as our daughter! Why can't you see that?' Words she wanted to say to her partner, but at the moment they would fall on deaf ears and that wouldn't help either of them... no... it perhaps would even turn Catherine further inside.

"Have we any more news?" Catherine gave Jace a long look and asked grimly.

Jace shook her head, "No, but Grace is on the phone. She asked to speak to you."

"I can't speak to her now Jace. You take the call and I'll talk to her another time." Catherine responded in a stilted tone.

Jace lifted her right hand and traced a gentle finger down Catherine's scarred left cheek and saw her partner recoil from the touch reminding Jace of someone that had been burned and wanted to shy away from the heat source. It cut her deeply at the action, but she refused to stop her gentle caress. This wasn't going to destroy them it was going to strengthen them, just as all the other obstacles had done in the past. "I think she'd prefer to hear your voice Catherine. She's worried about you."

"I can't Jace!" She said flatly.

"Yes, you can! I will not tell her you refuse to speak to her. Knowing Grace, she would get the first flight out and hound you personally. Do you want that?" Jace retorted angrily.

"I don't want Grace travelling long distances. It might threaten the baby and what about Jake, he needs her now." Catherine said bleakly.

"Exactly darling. So please go talk and perhaps you can make each other feel a little easier." Jace smiled up into the serious profile and her hands moved around Catherine's waist as she hugged her briefly in understanding. Removing her hands to allow her partner to move towards the study, Jace placed a tender kiss on the lips of her partner who returned the gesture with a gentleness that was the complete opposite of the last kiss they had shared.

Catherine turned on her heal and headed for the study and the call.

Jace looked at the retreating figure and heard her parents talking in the kitchen. Elena was the centre of attention and certainly keeping her mother occupied. Walking over to the door, she glanced inside and saw her father sitting quietly watching his wife play with Elena, who was giggling at being tickled on her fat tummy. Stephanie was making coffee and generally chatting about the weather of all things. However, conversation was one sided, almost as if the woman needed to talk to keep her mind from the current problems in the household. Jace entered the kitchen and gave a bright smile that didn't reach her eyes, but she couldn't let her daughter feel the pain that she was feeling. That would only upset her; children seemed to feel the pain of their parents.

Catherine picked up the phone in the study and exhaled a deep breath as she spoke. "Grace?"

Grace heard the hesitation in the voice of her friend and she wanted nothing more than to be there with her and help her through another traumatic episode in her life. 'Damn that woman was paying dearly for something that happened in another life that was for sure!'

"Yes, Catherine it's me. How are you doing my friend?"

Catherine sank into the chair at the desk and cradled her head in her hand as she spoke. Grace had always seemed to have the answer in the past, would she now? "I'm okay. It's not me that's been abducted Grace, our daughter has and I'm getting her back!"

Grace felt a pain in her chest when Catherine had said 'our daughter' for they had shared responsibility for the two orphans at the early stages. Although Jace was now the main significant other in the child's rearing, Grace felt that she and Colin would always feel that the children belonged to them also!

"I know you are Catherine and you will I know you will! Listen to me Catherine whatever you do don't let this create a rift between you and Jace. Let her carry some of the burden of this with you. She's your wife, the children's mother and she loves you and wants to help! Let her help Catherine. Don't shut her out. You need each other's strength and the love you share brings that strength that we all need that now, all of us, even Lisa. No! More so Lisa. She's relying on you both to find her and together you can. Will you do that Catherine?"

Catherine heard the plea and knew in her heart that Grace was right. Grace had always been right in just about every conversation they had ever had and yet...! "I'll consider it!" the words tersely spoken and Grace shuddered at the sound. Conceivably Jace was right and her friend had indeed gone a path no one could follow.

"That's not good enough!" Grace barked at the instrument in her hand.

"Good enough? How do you know what's good enough for me, Jace or for my daughter? Go to Hell Grace!" Catherine shouted her anger and frustration at her present situation now focused on the person at the end of the line.

Grace felt the surge of energy that Catherine exuded and even though she was hurt at the words of her friend, she knew that it was Catherine's way and better for her to relieve her frustration on this call than on Jace. "Perhaps you're right Catherine and nothing I say will prevent you going off on your own and generating god knows what! But I love you and I love your family and I know you and you need her guidance Catherine. So, please consider it?"

Tears fell down both women's cheeks as they considered the words.

"I need to go Catherine. I want Frank to fly me home immediately before he leaves on other business." Grace stated desperately.

The mention of something familiar brought Catherine back to the conversation in hand. "Frank will cancel whatever he has planned for you Grace; you are an extension of me and he knows it!"

"Thank you Catherine. Please consider what I said. Take care and know we are here for you no matter what. I love you." Grace replied softly.

Catherine glanced down at the instrument in her hand and knew her friend's words to be heartfelt. "I know you do Grace. And I love you too. Please kiss my boy for me and tell him... tell him that we will be home soon. We will ALL be home soon."

"That I can do Catherine. Talk to you soon. Bye." Grace cut the connection and Catherine with fixed eyes on the inanimate object in her hand sat and stared at it for several minutes. Once again not hearing Jace quietly enter the room.

Jace saw, what to her was, a dejected woman who was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders alone.

"You're not alone Catherine, I'm here." Jace whispered into the silent room and red rimmed ice blue eyes looked into her anguished green ones.

"I know Jace. You've always been here." Catherine responded equally as quietly.

Jace walked over to the tall forlorn figure and wrapped her arms around the slumped shoulders, pulled the dark head into her chest and sighed as Catherine place her arms around Jace's waist.

"Together Catherine we will win, believe it darling."

"I believe in YOU, Jace and the power of our love. NOTHING can beat that, nothing!"

The words were expressed with a force; they shook Jace to the core. Her woman was now fighting the dark forces again, but this time she was going to let her help, and whatever action they took could only lead to a consequence for good!

~ ~ ~

Constance inserted her key in the apartment door and sighed heavily, another disaster to befall her boss and her own tears had been shed by the bucket load when the news of Lisa's abduction had been relayed to them that afternoon. All she wanted to do now was have a stiff drink, but she doubted that there would be any booze in the apartment. Between Catherine and Rita, they had made sure her residence was an alcohol free zone. It was now seven in the evening and she had spent the rest of the day with Enricho Garcia and Lee Western on projects to align the American operations. Having heard the news and finally composing herself, she had drunk gallons of coffee, which Rita had supplied acknowledging the requirement of Constance's battle not to go out and hit the bottle or worse the drugs!

The door opened and she went inside shutting it quietly behind her and was once again amazed at how homely the apartment looked in all the fresh pastel shades that Catherine had chosen to redecorate with. As she placed her heavy briefcase on the floor next to the coat stand, she could hear the faint sounds of pans being placed on the stove and the aroma of cooking in the air; whatever it was smelt delicious and she was hungry. The fact that she had an unknown visitor didn't appear to register in her mind. It was just so nice to come home to someone and all her heart hoped was that it was the woman who invaded her dreams at night and her thoughts during the day.

Then her caution finally installed itself and she shouted out to the person in the kitchen. "Hello, who's there?"

Silence preceded the statement and Constance gave a puzzled look towards the kitchen door that was only slightly ajar and therefore she was unable to see inside.

The door slowly opened wider and from within the other room the persona Constance would have wished to be in the apartment waiting for her looked sheepishly at her with a crooked shy smile.

"Hello, Constance. I know this is an invasion of your privacy and I should have called but...." She was stopped from saying any more as a look of astonishment and then happiness cross her ex-lovers face.

"Never! Never would your presence in my home be an invasion of my privacy Clare. I've missed you!" Came the plaintive response from Constance as she moved a step closer to stand within inches of the woman she loved. Her whole life suddenly gained focus and the trials of the day momentarily forgotten with the joy of seeing the lovely young woman in her home again.

"I made you something to eat. You always seem to miss your meals as I recall." Clare looked into the brown eyes of the woman she loved and saw pain etched there and experience that hadn't been there when they had last been together.

"Yes... yes, that's true. Some things never change Clare! Yet I've changed inside Clare and if you would allow me to prove that to you, this time, I promise to find another way to reach the top of the world." Constance remembered Clare's pleas and her own arrogance and ignorance of her lover's needs. She had been so selfish.

"You remembered?" Clare whispered as she moved a step closer so that if she put out her hand she could touch the face of the woman she loved... would always love.

"Remembered Clare! I remember everything about you! Everything you showed me! Everything you gave to me! Everything you taught me!" Her voice trembled with the emotion of seeing Clare again.

Clare's eyes sparkled with unshed tears as Constance made her emotive comment. "What did I teach you?" The woman asked desperately needing to know the answer.

"You taught me all about love. What it was to be loved, give love and receive love. You taught me that life was more than work! Clare you taught me that my life wasn't worth living, unless I shared my hopes and dreams with someone. You taught me to live!" Constance confessed and waited in trepidation for Clare's reaction.

Clare's face beamed at the remarks and this time she did move that fraction closer. Placing her warm hands around the chilled face of the woman, who in those words had confirmed as nothing else could, that the love they shared was alive and well, and it only needed a spark to rekindle it.

"I love you Constance Waverly and I want to come home."

Constance for the first time in what seemed like years, felt as if she had control of her life again. The surge of excitement that simple expression made in her body invigorated her to such an extent that she wrapped strong arms around Clare and placed a kiss of passion on the waiting lips close to hers. Continuing the kisses over eyelids and cheeks and the small nose and every possible surface of her face murmuring, "I love you," as she did so.

"Constance the food, it will be ruined." Clare finally gasped out as her own passion steadily rose to meet the ardour of the woman in her arms.

"You are the only food I want Clare, will ever need. How about we take this reunion to bed and I prove to you just how much I love you and have missed you?" Constance refused to waste any of this second chance she had been given and there was now going to be time for all the words, explanations and pain that they had inflicted on each other, but for now, holding this woman was the only important thing.

"Take me to bed Constance and show me!" the food now firmly in the background. What did it matter, they could always eat later... much later.

Constance picked up her lover and was thrilled at the feeling she had when Clare whispered words of love into her ear as she headed for the bedroom and the reaffirmation of their love for each other.

"I wasn't aware that you were friendly with the enemy Althea?" Sally Clauser said in a snide voice.

Althea jumped not only at the comment, but that this woman had once again caught her unawares. She was quite good at that.

"I'm not!"

"So, it wasn't you at the Xianthos villa the other morning, when I was having tea with Sarah Rogers? Then we better explain to mama that her beloved dead husband must have been having an affair at the same time as your conception for you certainly have a double." Sally said acidly and watched the younger woman pale.

"That's a disgusting suggestion, my father was in love with my mother and he wouldn't have done a thing like that!" Althea retorted heatedly as her face turning a bright red in anger.

Sally laughed maliciously and watched the woman grow more and more furious at her laughter. Serve the bitch right for double crossing them; true justice shall be metered out in good time.

"IF that's the case, what were you doing visiting the cripple?"

Althea hated this woman with every fibre of her being and wanted nothing more than to see her get her just desserts, but would she? "I wanted to see the woman for myself before we killed her."

Sally gave her a cold impersonal glance at those words. "Pull the other one Althea. What would be the point of that now?"

"I'm not like you! I need to know if what I'm doing is right!" Althea turned haunted eyes to the woman now starring intently at her.

Sally cackled and finally spoke, "Right! How the fuck can murder be right in your eyes? Your mother's sure. Me, well hell yes, but you and that pathetic excuse of a brother you have... NO SIR! Althea Spiros you are definitely not a chip off your mother's block as they say. And never will be, but let me tell you one thing for certain, you're dead if you tell anyone of this plan of ours, or betray us in anyway, got me?"

Althea looked into the dark depths of the cold ruthless eyes and felt the terror this woman could strike into your heart with a glance. 'Oh God! Was this nightmare ever going to end?' Her mind played over and over again.

"I understand."

"Excellent. So with that particular point taken care of, how about we get our plans into action?" Sally placed a firm hand on Althea's shoulder and she shrugged it off and stood several feet away.

Sally saw the look of distaste on the Greeks face and she smiled wickedly, 'How I like the ones that run away. The chase can be so very satisfying.'

Sally turned to look out onto the bright blue of the Aegean Sea and mussed on her next step. Everything would work out now. Soon she would have Catherine Devonshire at her mercy and pleading for her life.

Delaney was sitting in Captain Travis' office waiting for his superior to arrive from a meeting with his upper echelon chiefs once the details of the newest case had hit his desk.

Captain Travis had been brought in six months ago after Edwards the previous Captain had taken early retirement. Although, word in the station had said he was pushed into it after poor results, especially with the serial kidnapper case.

Captain Dan Travis a short stocky man with an intelligent mind and very methodical in his dealings with situations and case loads, walked into the small office at the corner of the station and looked at the man who was sitting relaxed in one of his visitors chairs.

"Lieutenant Delaney, I see you are on time? Any news on the current case?" Travis's voice brisk with a no non-sense intonation.

Delaney looked at the Captain and attempted to get up, but was waved down by Travis who went to sit at his desk. His shrewed hazel eyes continuing to observe the older man, who was according to the records, fifty, but he looked closer to sixty.

"Yes sir. I always like to be on time for the Captain. As to any further progress on the Simon girl, well unfortunately... no. All attempts so far to find any clues on who had abducted the young girl had drawn blanks. I have contacted Daniel's for his input and of course made a request for a psychiatrist to see the parents." Delaney stated calmly.

Travis stroked his firm chin and felt the day's stubble already growing and he'd only shaved two hours ago, must need a new razor. "As you know this might not be quite what the others have been, with the letter Ms. Warriorson gave to you and considering who Ms. Warriorson is in the community. I might also add the powerful friends the woman has. Take it from me Delaney, this will not get shoved under the carpet as the other twelve have been allowed to do!"

Delaney was annoyed at the inference, "Captain are you implying that we don't put hundred percent effort into each and every one of these cases? I personally have been on this serial kidnappers back for over five years. I can assure you that we haven't screwed up."

"Delaney, I implied nothing of the sort. Merely that we will need to take care in what we say to Ms. Warriorson and keep her apprised of the situation at all times." Travis watched the man calm down, but it had rattled him and that brought a thoughtful expression to his face... interesting!

"Why should we do things differently for her than we have for the other parents. Surely we should treat her the same." Delaney rasped sarcastically.

Travis pondered the remark and then answered quietly. "If I thought for one moment that you didn't give all those suffering parents equal information at each stage of the case, then Delaney I'd take your badge and kick your ass of the force today! As it is, I expect you will consider this conversation when handling her. You of course have been told all the facts about the woman I take it?"

Delaney looked down at the polished shoes he wore and then glanced back in the direction of the captain. "No, only the information I was originally given. Obviously she's wealthy, but that's it. I know she's gay also. That came out in conversation and might have a bearing on why her kid was targeted."

Travis gave him a careful glance and cleared his throat. "Ms. Warriorson isn't what she's usually called in this city. Do you recall a shooting at the Xianthos building a year or so ago?" Delaney nodded his head.

"Sure Kelsey was the officer in charge and he and the owner a Ms. Devonshire have been pally ever since. He has even been doing some research for her on his leave of absence at the moment." Delaney spoke scathingly about his fellow officer. He hated the fact the Kelsey was making extra cash out of his position. Why not let the little upstart get in trouble at the station, it could be called bribery.

"I'm totally aware of the research that Detective Kelsey is undertaking for Ms. Devonshire, however, that is a different issue. Ms. Warriorson's other name in the city of New York and the business world is Devonshire!" Travis watched, as Delaney looked at him astonished.

"That bitch is Devonshire? So that's why she likes to take over the situation." Delaney finished lamely.

"Delaney, if I ever hear you call the woman that in my hearing or anywhere at all I will personally take you down for it. Ms. Devonshire is a patron of the city. She is a friend of the State Governor and from what I gather, she's happy to call up her contacts and have your and my careers shot to hell on a whim. I want details of all the cases in the last five years and where the hell is the original profiler on this case?" Travis bit out savagely.

Delaney pulled a face at the mention of Agent Dusterly. "That would be Agent Serena Dusterly. She quit the FBI when things didn't go well and one of the children ended up in the waste dump outside the city. She was trouble with a capital T Captain. Ask anyone, especially Doctor Rosnova, they hated each other."

"Then I will speak to Doctor Rosnova, but I want to speak to Dusterly as well... you are to find her for me!" Travis demanding voice stated.

"I don't need to find the useless excuse for a Fed; she works freelance using her profiling skills if you can call it a skill with her, on would be candidates for high profile jobs in the business community." Delaney dismissed the woman derisively.

"I'll be the judge of how skilled Ms. Dusterly is or was, leave that to me. As for Ms. Warriorson and her family, make sure she's told everything... and Delaney, I mean even if you think it's not important; let her be the judge of that. I will be visiting Ms. Dusterly and then Ms. Warriorson and her family later today, I hope you have something for me by the time I arrive there." Travis waved his hand towards the door in a dismissive gesture.

Delaney got up from the visitor's seat and made his way to the door and just before opening it he stated quietly. "I want the bastard whose doing this to kids as much as anyone Captain. It's been on my case load for years and I want it badly!" He opened the door and went out towards his own desk. He'd better warn Rosnova that Dusterly had been mentioned and then ask her to go and see the Warriorson... or should it be the Devonshire family? What the hell did a name matter anyway?

Travis called his duty Sergeant into his office, he needed to see Serena Dusterly and what better time than now!

~ ~ ~

Catherine watched over Jace as she fitfully slept in her arms. They hadn't slept the previous night. Although, Jace had reluctantly agreed to have a nap she would only do so if Catherine joined her. Now holding this very special woman in her arms, it was evident that her partner was suffering in ways that she didn't reveal and had held her pain inside especially with her parents and Elena.

This was a time when her feverish mind wanted to play tricks on her. She could even believe for a few split seconds that Lisa was playing happily with Elena in the next room... but... that wasn't the case! No Lisa was in the hands of someone who could bring untold nightmares to the child. And had already succeeded in doing so by the abduction alone, then what next? Why did they take her? What reason if not for a ransom? Was it a sadistic pervert who preyed on young children? Was it a sick person whose mind thought her daughter was hers? Was it child slavery? Jesus H. Christ! The options were numerous, to Catherine each and everyone indicated that her daughter might never come home safe and well. If she did come home would she be so mentally brutalised by the ordeal, that she couldn't be their happy go lucky Princess, with the quick wit and the wonderful compassion she had for others.

Feeling the tears begin to fall, she wiped a weary hand across her eyes to try to stop the waterfall. Was living with Jace rubbing off on her? She hadn't cried this much in years, or ever, if she really considered the question.

There was only one thing for this situation; she needed to find someone as callous as the person who had kidnapped Lisa and hope that they could use their corrupt connections to hunt out the pervert... Perhaps then, they could have Lisa back, but who? Who did she know that corrupt?

Whispering to the quiet room that couldn't be called silent as Jace gave small snores and tiny sobs as her dreams became nightmares, which were only calming when Catherine held the woman closer and she murmured loving words quietly into her ear, "Who could find a pervert like this? There must be someone in the world as evil and corrupt who could track this person? Evil and corrupt the key words. Evil and corrupt?"

"Darling, there is only one person you know that's evil and corrupt." Jace sleepily replied having been brought out of her fitful sleep by the harsh words being spoken by her partner.

"Who?" Catherine looked down into the sleep filled eyes of her partner.

"Catherine there is only one person and that's Clarissa Hudson. Who else do you know that's evil and corrupt?" Jace answered quietly. Although, she was still in a sleep filled haze, she saw the expression of puzzlement on her partner's face replaced suddenly by a dawning of understanding.

"Jace, that's about the most preposterously wonderful answer you have ever come up with for an impossible situation. Do you know how much I love you for that?"

"Hades Catherine, I hope you love me for more than that. However, if you want to hold me close and lull me to sleep for a little while longer, that I can appreciate." Smiling at the excitement she saw in Catherine's ice blue eyes.

"My love, you have just given me a brilliant idea and any time." Holding the small blonde securely into her warm body, she contemplated what Jace said.

'Clarissa Hudson! She hated the woman, but if she could find Lisa then there might be some merit in just having the woman put away in prison for the rest of her life rather than kill her. However, that particular option was still open on that question. Clarissa Hudson how the tide turns! Now, how had James and Kelsey got on with finding her that would be the next thing!

Dusterly hadn't wanted to see Captain Travis, but he'd been insistent and that he felt that she could help. Was she going to turn away the opportunity to find out why he thought that?

So here they were trading niceties in her apartment and it was exasperating in the extreme. "Captain, I'm sure you wanted to ask me specific questions. So, please go ahead and put us both out of our miseries with the pleasantries." Serena insisted candidly.

Travis smiled at her forthright attitude. He liked that in a person and particularly one that had the career background she had. "Quite right Ms. Dusterly, time is marching on. You know of course, there has been another abduction?"

She nodded her head.

"This is a little different in that it is the same MO as the others, but we never received a letter to warn off the parents as we have this time." Travis saw a light shine in the woman's eyes at the news.

Serena was interested and she knew she shouldn't be as her natural instincts kicked in. "I'm sure you have a suitably qualified profiler to help you with this case. I quit if you read the records. There was a little debate about my particular views. I'm sure those views still hold firm in your department, not to mention the FBI."

"I've read all the reports; admittedly you claimed some very wild theories at the time. I'm sure you had a grounding for them. What do you make of receiving a letter in this instance?" Travis chose to ignore the woman's words for the moment.

Serena looked at the man and gave an exaggerated sigh. "Travis did anyone ever tell you to back off and you actually did so?"

Travis smiled his expression could be termed moderately handsome when he did so, "Actually lots have asked, but to date, no. I've never backed off if I thought the final solution was worth it. What about you?"

Serena gave him a quick look that told him he'd hit a nerve. " I think we both know that I have backed off a situation to my cost and the cost of others."

"In that case, how about you make amends and answer some of my questions. I was thinking that perhaps you might accompany me to see the relatives of the kidnapped child? Ahh... purely as a very interested bystander. You interested?" Travis saw the immediate light that reflected back at him out of clear intelligent eyes.

"Sure, I've got nothing on today." Serena glanced towards him, her voice nonchalant. Her stomach was churning. This was her chance, her second chance of capturing the bastard that was using the system for his or her own ends. Yeah! She was going to nail the bastard and she just hoped that her chance came soon.

"Show me the letter please." Serena requested and Travis smiled his brilliant white teeth gleamed in the room and it reminded Serena of an Ad on the TV for toothpaste. Smiling she took the letter from his hand and read it.

Kelsey was finally getting into bed in the hotel room that he'd booked for the week. His mind now fuddled by booze and the pleasant company of a would be actress he'd picked up in the bar that night. Hell! He might ask for a transfer to this city if you could just drop the odd comment about a studio and before you know it some young starlet was hanging onto every last word you said. He looked over at the young woman that was coming towards him stark naked and she was something else! A vision of perfection, her body and her face and all she wanted was a walk on part in some obscure series that UCP was airing and it sounded intelligent as well!

"Darling you look good enough to eat." Kelsey commented as the young woman closed the gap between them and settled into his arms. He began a quick session of kissing her neck, but captured her breasts just as quickly in his haste to have the woman.

The phone rang at that moment.

Kelsey cursed into the nipple of the young woman that he had been suckling. "Damn that phone!"

The young woman looked at him as the phone continued to ring and she gave him a look that said silence the sound. Kelsey released his lips on the woman's breast and hastily picked up the receiver. "Yeah! What do you want?"

Catherine Warriorson under normal circumstances would have torn a strip of anyone who answered her in that fashion. Instead she grimaced at the comment and ploughed ahead. "Kelsey is that you?"

Kelsey knew immediately who was at the end of the line and he went ramrod straight on the bed. "Yes, Ms. Devonshire?"

"What have you on Hudson?" Catherine asked, her voice sharp and devoid of emotion.

"She went to Australia, beyond that nothing else." Kelsey answered, his body stiff and waiting.

"I want chapter and verse on where she went. You have twenty four hours to find her... after that Kelsey, you pay the bills." Catherine growled distinctly to ensure there was no misunderstanding.

"But that's ... that's impossible!" Kelsey spluttered.

"Nothing is impossible Kelsey.Move your arse and do as I say, or you pick up the tab." Catherine snapped back.

"I could quit and go back to New York." Kelsey replied in indignation.

"Certainly you could... by all means do that. My daughter has been abducted and I could use someone I know here at this time." Catherine reasoned stubbornly, her voice low.

Kelsey swallowed hard. So, that was the reason for the change in attitude. "Leave it with me and download the information on what you have so far Ms. Devonshire. I'm sorry... truly sorry about your daughter."

Catherine took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly before answering. "Yes. I'm sure you are, but that doesn't bring my little girl back. Kelsey do what you have to do to get the information, I'll cover it."

Kelsey looked at the now dead receiver he needed some help on this one. Who better to assist than Catherine's friend Thompson?

"Lover what about us?" the woman lay flat and waiting naked on his bed asked seductively.

Kelsey glanced at the woman and shook his head. "Sorry! My boss needs help and I need to be somewhere else."

The woman looked at him in disgust. "What about my interview with the casting directors at UCP?"

Kelsey gazed at the woman and her focused attitude it could be commended, but his was far more commendable in his eyes. "Lady don't worry about that, I'm going to be very close to the President of the studio in less than an hour. You will have no problem."

The young woman gave him a speculative glance and replied, "Oh! So, you're bisexual? You will need to be good to get to Thompson. He hasn't been around with anyone since his lover died. Kelsey if you're giving me the brush off, Thompson does a classier departure from what I've heard... he does it with flower's; just for future reference!" The woman laughed caustically as she went back into the bathroom.

Kelsey looked at her retreating back and pondered what she'd said.
'Fuck! That was why the man seemed so... so tidy!'

Kelsey went to his clothes, chose what he needed and cursed the woman, who was holding up the shower. Damn these women who spent an hour in the bathroom!

Jace looked at the room overlooking the park. She couldn't help feeling that if she had gone back for the bread for the ducks none of this would have happened. Her sigh hadn't been lost on the one person who felt it was her fault alone the current circumstances.

Suddenly warm hands settled around Jace's waist and each woman felt the connection through touch that words could never convey adequately.

"Have you found her?"

Catherine smiled wryly, "No... but Kelsey will. For now love, it is just a waiting game."

Jace wasn't sure what was going on, but she looked into the ice blue eyes and everything she felt was secondary to the vibrations she felt from her partner.

"You think Hudson is going to help if you do track her down?"

Catherine looked out onto the park before she answered and then she gave Jace a calm determined look. "Jace, what I have to offer Hudson, she would be a lunatic to refuse."

Jace glanced up into the cool ice blues she loved and saw the steel settle behind the gaze brooking no obstruction.

"Catherine what are you offering her?" Jace was still as she waited for an explanation, not sure she really wanted to hear it.

Catherine's eyes narrowed at the question and she hesitated momentarily and then gave a small tight smile. "If it's the choice between seeing Lisa home safe and anything I can possibly offer her, she can have it gladly."

Jace sucked in a sharp breathe, "What if she wants you, like the time before?" her green eyes closed in remembered pain.

Catherine laughed at the absurdity of the suggestion from her partner, or was it so absurd? Her laughter ceased as she saw the pain cross her partner's face at the possibility. "Jace she wouldn't want a wreck like me now. Remember darling, old Hudson likes the beautiful things not some old battle scarred, has been, who's seen better days. That and I belong heart and soul to you; she'd have a fight to get me from your warm loving clutches now wouldn't she darling?" A small wicked smile worked over the impassive features.

Jace shuddered at the thought and gave a tight smile of her own, but it never quite made it to her eyes. "You my love are no has been, battle scarred maybe, most definitely in my clutches, but you are still the most desirable woman I've ever met in my life... always will be and I do believe that Hudson will probably still feel the same and want you too."

"Ah, but she has a major deficiency Jace." Catherine answered seriously.

Jace looked up into the wave of sincerity shining out of those beloved eyes searching her face. "I hope you're going to enlighten me Catherine?"

Catherine bent her head and placed a tiny kiss on each corner of her mouth and spoke a mere fraction of an inch from claiming the lips totally. "You promised to love me all my tomorrows. So, how she can ever have a chance to compete with that! Unless you plan to share?"

Jace looked up her heart swelling at the words that lifted her spirits a little from the hellhole they languished in. She couldn't resist the full lips hovering so close to hers as she placed hers firmly and possessively in a searing kiss of ownership. Eventually they came up for air as the doorbell rang. "Does that answer your question Catherine?"

Breathlessly Catherine wiped the smug smile from her face as she turned to answer the door. "Oh, yes! That certainly answered that question and I had no doubts, not even a infinitesimal one." The raven-haired woman state as she walled away towards the hall and the impatient ringing of the doorbell.

"George exactly why have been feuding with the Xianthos family for centuries?" Althea asked cautiously. She knew a little background but not the original reason and if she was going to die for something, she might as well know exactly what for!

George Spiros smiled at his younger sister; she never ever did listen to all the stories mama would relate to them when they were young. She would find an excuse to go swimming or play with her friends. However, he had listened and found it interesting. Although he never suspected that they would lead to the events that were transpiring now. "Althea if mama only knew!" He remarked smiling as he sat down on one of the comfortable reclining seats on the private stretch of beach that belonged to the family.

Althea smiled winningly at her brother and pushed her sunglasses onto the bridge of her nose to shut out the glaring sunlight and settled into the recliner, basking in the sun's rays. Her bikini covering little of her body, but as it was a very well formed body and no one else about but her brother and it served its purpose.

"George I'm all ears and darling brother, she's not likely to find out is she, unless you tell her."

George Spiros sank into his recliner smiling at her as he began his history lesson.

"It all began at the time of the ancient gods. You know before Zeus was replaced and people began to worship other forms of gods. Our original ancestor called Andreas Spiros and his best friend Mikolas Xianthos came upon this island quite by chance as they fished from the neighbouring island of Costalanti, where they had both been brought up. They made claim to the Island via Athens and Mikolas being the educated one was despatched to claim the Island in both names. He duly did so and was surprised at the ease with which the transaction took place. As he waited in Athens, Andreas began to place the foundations for the villa they would initially share until such time as they had families of their own." George stopped for a moment and picked up his cold orange juice and drank thirstily from it. He expected Althea to comment, he was not disappointed.

"So, which villa was first ours or Xianthos?" Althea was interested in the story, now that it had a more personal meaning for her.

"This one... but patience Althea, let me tell the story and you might understand." George settled back in the recliner and began again.

"Mikolas was having a meal at the inn where he had a room and was shaken out of his day dreaming about his plans for the Island when a commotion in the inn made him look up into the face of the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. There are mosaics in both villas' pertaining to the beauty of Delia Scorpos, the woman with the long ebony hair and the cerulean eyes. Anyway, Mikolas was disturbed that no one went to her aid and he did so and ended up with a broken nose and some nasty bruises for his pains. He was never the stronger one like Andreas, but together they made a team that was hard to break. The next day having finally ventured out of his room, he was walking out of the door to the inn when the same woman called him over. She explained her predicament... the people called her a gypsy because she had the gift of prophecy and used it to make money to live. Mikolas was smitten by the young woman and asked if she wanted to travel with him to the Island that was to be named Xianspiros after the two friends. Of course she agreed and three weeks later they left Athens together and had decided to marry as a security for the young woman. As they travelled to the small Island, Mikolas was smitten, but Delia appeared not to return his love.

Once back on the island, Mikolas and Andreas began in earnest to build the villa. During this time several other families had been allowed to set up home and farm on the few hectares of land that were fertile. Others would fish from the bay area and the surrounding sea that held a veritable wealth of fish and sea creatures. As the first Villa was built, it was clear the two friends were becoming estranged and the reason was none other than the age-old jealousy of two men in love with the same woman.

Delia for her part looked after both men equally well... But, she too was falling in love with the taller and stronger Andreas, who would take the time to make her laugh and bring her flowers, and generally making her happy in the new island, while her 'husband' would be too busy with the nurturing of the small thriving economy. There came a time when Mikolas found the two of them together and both pleaded with him to release her from her marriage vows. As with all situations, jealousy within men can be channelled in many ways and the only way he would allow it, was if Delia gave him a child and Andreas the rights to the Island, except for the villa and a small package of land he could farm." George stopped once again as he heard a sharp intake of breath from his sister.

"I never heard that this was a love story George. Mama always made it sound so... so depressing." Althea spoke absently, but she had removed her sunglasses and was starring out over the sea and wondering what had been going on in the young lover's minds at that proposal.

"I assume you want me to continue?" George smiled wryly at his sister, who had always been a sucker for a good romance, but she always wanted the requisite happy ending. Althea nodded vigorously as she drank from her own glass of orange juice.

"Eventually the young lovers agreed to the arrangement, for they couldn't convince Mikolas to relinquish his hold over Delia any other way. A year later a son was born. He had the dark hair and cerulean eyes of his mother, but the stature and intelligence of his father, which would be a potent, mix in later years. As the Island prospered, so did Mikolas Xianthos. However, when his son was five years old, he was taken ill and his mother was called from her home with Andreas; they did not think the child would live. Delia knew in her heart that she could not leave her son alone again and told Andreas that she would go back and live with Mikolas and bring up their son together. Andreas was beside himself with grief at having lost the love of his life and became a broken man... planning the downfall of the man he had once called best friend. For had he not gained everything and he had lost everything? Andreas eventually married a girl from his home village and brought her back to live on the Island. They produced a son, but the man was always bitter at the loss of his first love.

When the family was picnicking in their favourite spot two years later, there was a mystery accident. Delia who had foreseen a tragedy, but could not understand who it affected. Rushed towards the crumbling rocks and pushed Mikolas away from the edge, but caused herself to overbalance and fall from the cliff edge to her death. Mikolas was beside himself with grief, but took solace in the child that Delia had given to his life. When Andreas heard about the tragedy, he was so grief stricken he took his boat out and wasn't seen again. Although, he had been heard muttering that he was going to find his love, that she would be waiting for him and that he was sorry... so sorry, it was never meant for her!" George finished quietly and waited for a response from his sister, who had been remarkably quiet for her.

Althea finally turned towards her brother and wiped away the tears she had shed at the ending of the story. "So, how does that make a feud everyone lost didn't they?"

"Sister dear, you know we Greeks loves our tragedy... and the assumption that Andreas had gone to his watery grave to be with the woman he loved, caused a terrible bitterness in the wife he left behind. That bitterness, of course was passed onto the son and the rest, well... as they say is history." George spoke quietly and watched his sister take in the information before she replied.

"I think Delia loved them both and she wouldn't have wanted this feud to continue has it has over the centuries." Her voice softly murmured
and was only heard because George strained to hear her.

"Althea never let mama hear you say that. This feud is her life!"

"My brother, I love mama, but do you not think it is time to close up the wounds and forget the past." Althea looked directly into the brown eyes of her brother and cocked her head to one side waiting.

He took his time and moved out of the recliner and stood in the direct path of the sunlight that warmed Althea's skin. The obstruction of his body brought a chill to her over heated flesh. "Althea when did you become such an optimist? Mama lives for the past. It is too late for her to change."

"Is it too late for us George, you and I? Do we have to be tainted by the tragedy of the past? Can't we have a life that we can bring up children without knowing that we have helped to commit a crime? Is it too late my brother?" Althea asked, her voice full of emotion.

"Too late? Perhaps. Then again, perhaps not, so far we haven't done anything, but talk about a crime, talking and actually doing is two separate things. Too late? We will find out soon Althea, very soon."
George placed a kiss on her forehead and headed towards the steps that would take him up to the villa.

"I know you loved them both Delia and I hope that Constantia and I can work together and complete this vicious circle so that all the hate is finally laid to rest as it should have been all those years ago." Althea whispered to the gently lapping sea that was creeping closer as the tide had turned. Perhaps for both families, the tide had turned here also, but for the good... not the bad. She could at least hope.

~ ~ ~

Captain Travis was seated opposite the tall stunning raven-haired woman that he had heard about and seen pictures of, but was completely speechless when he actually came face to face with her. Her physical presence dwarfed anyone else's in the same room and when she spoke, she dominated the conversation. It was fortunate that she didn't say much. However, she certainly thought a lot by the concentration that flashed continuously over her expressionless features. Then his eyes strayed to the girlfriend of Devonshire who was seated to his left on a large comfortable looking two-seater sofa.

The blonde looked young and she was a very pretty woman also, not as stunning as her friend, but one of those that over time you found her to have that simple beauty that grew on you. Her green eyes were very expressive and she kept them averted from their prying eyes, but if you looked at her discreetly as she looked faithfully towards the tall woman when she spoke, reflecting a love and strength that the other woman acknowledged silently.

Dusterly was seated to his right and was looking at the letter that she held in her hands after he had made the necessary introductions and they had been shown to the study for privacy.

"You have news I hope Captain, preferably good news?" Catherine spoke her tone stilted.

Travis cleared his throat and looked directly into the all-seeing ice blue eyes of the woman opposite him, who looked calm and undisturbed by the events happening in her life or that's how it looked.

"News... unfortunately I haven't. Detective Delaney was supposed to meet us here; he's obviously been waylaid. My main reason for the visit was to ensure you Ms. Devonshire that we are trying our up most to bring about the safe return of your child and bring the perpetrator to justice."

Catherine inclined her head and she gave him a penetrating stare that un-nerved him, but he remained rooted to his seat and didn't move as she assessed the sincerity of his words. "When you put our little girl into my wife's arms or mine, you can be certain you will have done your job, until then I will keep that particular comment under scrutiny." Her words acid and she turned her profile slightly so that she could take in the reaction of the woman at the detectives' side, who he'd addressed as Ms. Dusterly and nothing more.

Serena Dusterly was watching the interaction between the two of them and it made her smile briefly as she realised who was the one in control here and it certainly wasn't Travis! Her hands once again flexed against the copy of the letter she held and her expression became thoughtful at its contents.

"You appear to find something funny Ms. Dusterly, care to share the joke?" Catherine had caught the woman's smile and was annoyed.

Serena Dusterly choked on her words as she glanced at the hawk like profile before her and then realised that the woman was partially blind. "Funny? No, not funny. I would like to ask you a question about the letter you received though?" A sharp exclamation was heard from the blonde seated in the corner of the room and she noticed that Devonshire had a guilty look appear on her face.

"Catherine what does she mean a letter you received? Why don't I know about it? What does it say?" Jace asked urgently and stood up to her five feet four inches and glared at her partner.

Catherine swallowed hard and moved from her position at the desk to stand inches from the obviously upset and angry blonde, the other two in the room momentarily forgotten.

"I can explain Jace." The words tumbled out pathetically.

"Explain Catherine." Jace's tone demanding.

Travis and Dusterly looked at each other with surprised expressions on their faces.

"I received a letter from..." she turned to the Captain who nodded in her direction. "The person we believe kidnapped Lisa... But it's not clear and I'm not taking any notice of it Jace. We will ride this one out together!" Catherine responded desperately closing her eyes and hoping that Jace understood.

"Let me see it?" Jace held out her hand towards the other woman in the room, who meekly rose from her chair and passed the document to the blonde.

Catherine shuffled nervously around on her few square inches of the carpet as Jace read the contents. Her eyes looked down at her feet moving around waiting for a response from her partner.

Travis was amazed that the small blonde could have such a... hell of an effect, was all he could think of at the moment on the stoic woman stood before her, must be some relationship.

Jace looked at the bowed head of her partner and saw at this close range the grey hairs that were now appearing in the thick of her head. With this additional strain there were certain to be more making their presence known on that beautiful head of hair that she loved. Placing a hand out gently she lifted up the chin of her partner. "I have to go home, don't I?" The words came softly, spoken gently and with understanding.

Catherine gazed tearfully at her partner when had she suddenly taken on the mantle of strength? For this was an inner strength to walk away and leave when they had no clues regarding their missing daughter!

"Not, if you don't want to Jace. We can try to overcome those odds too." Catherine replied slowly, leaving Jace in no doubt that she was wanted here, that she could stay and they would work together on this.

"If I stayed and the message is correct, we would be putting Elena in danger also. And who will protect her? We can't know what these people will do Catherine. They might just kill her outright and we would be without both of our daughters." Jace responded practically, her heart breaking at the thought of leaving Catherine to face this alone.

Catherine choked out a sob and pulled the blonde into a tight warm hug as she rested her chin on the blonde head. "They would have hurt you first Jace, according to the letter and I can't accept that.To allow that prospect would kill me too, we both know that. I can protect you Jace and Elena if you stay." Catherine softly responded into the blonde hair as she tenderly kissed the top of Jace's head.

"My darling, I know you will and I would protect you unto death itself, but one daughter in this tragedy is enough, don't you think? If my leaving with Elena will allow you and the police to track down our daughter faster and without further risk to the family, isn't that the best thing for us to do this time around Catherine?" Jace looked up and saw the tears that traced the high cheekbones and gave the skin a luminous effect. Her fingers reached up between them as she gently smoothed away the waterfall in tender concern. Her own tears threatening, but she held on to them for the sake of her partner's already fragile emotional state.

Catherine took a shuddering breath and gave her partner a look of pure adoration and love that Jace wanted to scream that she wouldn't leave her again. This time however, it was the right thing to do! Wasn't it? "I'll arrange the flight once the police have gone." Her response subdued and emitting a loneliness that broke Jace's heart.

Her smaller hand was placed in the large one as they turned to the captive audience in the room.

Catherine stood erect and without a trace of the emotional breakdown she had just spent in her partner's arms. "I'm sorry Captain, Ms. Dusterly please ask your questions."

Jace felt proud of Catherine as she stood there in complete control to everyone... but her. As she said the stilted words Jace felt the tremor in her hand as she held it. Jace squeezed the large hand gently in response to their mutual pain and knew that though her heart would break when she left her partner this time, they had made the choice as a team. It was the right choice even if it would be terribly lonely and cold inside her soul until they could be together again.

Kelsey looked at the immaculately dressed Californian, thinking about what the woman he'd taken to bed had said about Thompson. Shaking the thoughts from his mind, he concentrated on the task in hand. They didn't have much time.

"Will you help me?" Kelsey asked Thompson shortly, he'd managed to find the house of the producer and it was a ramshackle looking building, but probably worth a fortune in this city.

James Thompson had been annoyed when the unkempt looking detective had appeared on his doorstep and said he had some news that was important. He reluctantly let him inside the building and went into the kitchen to put on a pot of coffee.

"What's the problem?"

"Catherine wants the whereabouts of Hudson or Clauser as she's currently being called. In twenty-four hours, well actually twenty-two now and she said she will cover whatever it takes. I need help.I haven't the contacts, but you might have and you can certainly use your studio image to get the information faster as it does seem to open doors." Kelsey smiled briefly as he thought of the willing woman who was happy to share his bed just for an interview.

"That's not reason enough to help you Kelsey. To be frank, I don't like you! Your attitude stinks. You're obnoxious and you dress like a tramp and that's just for starters!" Thompson finally spit out at the man who looked at him with a puzzled expression.

"I'm not asking you out on a date Thompson. I'm asking for your help in tracking down the woman who wants to do harm to a mutual friend and she might have already done some damage already." Kelsey remarked quickly. He didn't want to enrage the man, he needed him and he could be charming if he needed something desperately.

James Thompson snorted his disgust at the thought of a date with the man in front of him. "What damage might already have been done?" He sipped from his coffee cup as he eyed the man over the rim of the cup.

Kelsey looked at him and noticed he hadn't been invited to coffee. Shrugging, he stood silently for a minute and then answered. "Lisa her eldest daughter has been kidnapped in New York and she wants to speak to Hudson. It is as simple as that really." He was unprepared for the look of shock and horror that crossed the other man's face at the news.

"Are you okay?" Kelsey had seen people break down before, but he hadn't expected it here. Just how close was this man to Catherine and her family.

Struggling to maintain his composure, James turned away from the man and peered out of his kitchen window and saw the shadows of night flickering around the small entrance light in the yard.

"Yes, yes I'm fine. Kelsey have a coffee, we have work to do." The words clipped and emotionless, but his stomach was churning at the picture that he had in his head of the small girl that was so vibrant and happy it was a shock. He hoped that they could help, he really did!

Kelsey moved over to the coffeepot and poured himself a coffee, then sat down at the kitchen table waiting for the other man to join him as they planned a strategy that would gain the result they needed.

Travis had been impressed at the way Dusterly had handled her questions. He was puzzled, not for the first time, why she allowed the authorities to manoeuvre her into a position where her only option was to quit.

"I shouldn't be saying this and you won't hear it again, but I think you should ask Ms. Devonshire to take your rather unique talents onto her employ for this case." Travis held open the door for Dusterly to enter his car.

She did not hesitate at his words outside the car, but gazed at him, her interest piqued eagerly.

"What exactly do you mean Captain? You already have a profiler on the case. Surely that would be a clash of personalities? Why would Ms. Devonshire want to utilize me anyway?" she reasoned with emphasis on her question.

"Clash of personalities are a part of living Ms. Dusterly and as to the other, well you know more about this case than anyone, even Delaney. He has been on all the abductions from day one. I like your reasoning Dusterly and so will she. If I could do something myself, I would. We certainly don't have the time for the red tape. So, I suggest that tomorrow morning you get your pretty ass back here and plead for a job. Because if anyone can find the bastards, I believe you can!" Travis motioned for her to get inside the vehicle and he shut the door on the astonished face of the woman the all knowing grin covered his face as he went round the front of the car and flopped himself behind the wheel.

"I will." Serena whispered into the empty car and gave Travis a smile as he got in the car beside her and they headed back to her apartment.

Catherine was pacing the VIP departure lounge four hours after the police had left her apartment. The flight was due to take-off shortly and Elena had boarded the aircraft with her grandmother, who was going to New Zealand with Jace. Jason Bardley had declined Catherine's offer to go along with the other members of his family.

Jason had already discussed the subject with Jace. He had simply stated Catherine might need some moral support at some stage and if she wasn't here. Who better than the father-in-law? Jace had hugged him hard for his compassion at their predicament and felt genuinely proud that he was her father and her partner would welcome that support as well, she was sure of it.

Jace looked at the pacing figure of her partner and she remembered back to a time when pacing had been for a totally different reason, but involved Lisa also.

"Catherine, she's going to be okay, look at her go." Jace chuckled as she watched the pensive face of her partner, who was watching their eldest daughter drive the go-kart around and around the circuit on the outskirts of town.

Stopping her pacing near the closest barrier to the circuit, she noticed the other side had old rubber tires attached by string to prevent damage to the barrier, and hopefully diminish the effects of an accident, if that happened.

"I never wanted her to do this; that child gets her own way far too much." Catherine muttered and began her pacing again as she watched the child spin around on the track, but miraculously gain control. Catherine's heart rate doubled at the sight and she gave a heavy sigh of frustration watching her child partake in a dangerous activity of which she didn't particularly approve.

Grace had mentioned that she wanted to take Lisa racing the go-karts. Catherine had disapproved at first, and then had finally acquiescent when Lisa, Jace and Grace had bombarded her with the request. 'What was it about these three women that could make her resolutions turn to jelly. Damn them!'

Now Grace was at the make shift pit stop, where close by at the fence Catherine continued her pacing back and forth, as Jace merrily watched the event with pleasure. Their child had a streak in her that couldn't be tamed. She hoped it never would. It was an integral part of her character and she loved life.

"She does not Catherine...and hey, riding a horse is as dangerous as this, if not more so when I watch the children and you ride away." Jace calmly stated and was pleased when the pacing stopped and Catherine turned to her in outraged dignity.

"It certainly is not! Our children are perfectly safe on the horses. They have had the best training possible. And I, for your information have diplomas to prove my equestrianism." Catherine stated proudly and watched as Jace burst out laughing.

"Well, my darling, I'm really pleased about that; we wouldn't want you falling off, now would we? So please lover, relax and enjoy our daughters prowess behind... a little more horsepower... shall we say?" Jace giggled as those dark eyebrows of her partners hit the forehead and she sighed heavily and turned back to the scene of her daughter driving around like a maniac.

A little later, one dirt smudged faced child came running over to them and was caught by Catherine, who lifted up the light girl. "Hey, princess you're not on the circuit now. Calm down a little please." Kissing the top of the red head as she held the child to her. Now she was happy. The child was safe in her arms and no damage done except for a dirty face.

"It was wonderful Catherine and exactly what I thought it would be. No! It was better than that. I loved it. May I do it again tomorrow, please?" Lisa was so excited she spluttered the words out and Jace couldn't help but laugh at the child's excited face and at her partner's rather pensive one; which had turned a little pale at the mention of another torturous session tomorrow.

"Lisa, how about we come over once a week. It was a little nerve wracking watching you take those corners." Jace placated the child, knowing that Catherine wouldn't know how to answer her.

Catherine looked across at her partner in grateful thanks at the suggestion.

"Oh! Jace, were you scared for me?I was okay, wasn't I Catherine? It's just like riding a horse but faster."

Catherine did look shamefaced as she answered. "Yes, you were okay Lisa."

Jace glanced across at Catherine and gave her a wicked smile as she saw the red stain her cheeks, 'my love, paybacks are so sweet.'

"Let's go find Grace and we can all go eat." Jace finally spoke having pulled a face at her partner for her cowardice in admitting her fear for their daughter.She watched as Lisa clutched Catherine's hand and held her free one out for Jace to hold and she skipped between them as they went to find Grace.

Taking a deep breath Jace moved away from the entrance to the aircraft gangway and went towards her partner. They had decided that all the goodbyes had been said, and Elena had been relatively happy to go back on the plane; now was a time for the two of them to say goodbye for a period of time that could not be determined.

"I remember the time you paced like that when Lisa had her first go-kart lesson. Do you Catherine?" Jace smiled weakly as her tears filled her eyes at the thought of her daughter, but also the pain she saw in her partner's eyes at the words and the memory they evoked.

"Yes." A single word that spoke volumes as Catherine held out her arms for Jace to go into them with natural ease.

Snuggling closer into the thick Jacket that Catherine wore to keep out the cold of the autumn day in New York. "She was so very happy that day. You were so scared for her. She proved you wrong that day with her bravado, didn't she darling?"

Catherine felt a tear begin to fall at the memory of her little girl and that fast driving machine, which she had so loved taking around the circuit. "Yes, she certainly did, and still does my love. She's a very brave girl and I'm going to make sure she continues to prove me wrong in the future as well."

Jace felt the splash of tears on her hair as Catherine succumbed to her heartbreak and they held each other tighter. "I know you will darling. She's going to grow up to be a beautiful woman; who's going to knock the socks of all her suitors and give you a hard time with it."

Catherine lifted her tear stained face towards Jace and they looked long and hard at each other gaining strength from each other's love. "I think I might need to invest in that shotgun soon then for she's a very beautiful young woman now."

Jace smiled as her own tears cursed down her cheeks. "Yeah and we know what will happen, she will be chasing you all over the ranch asking what was wrong with the new love in her life.You will be your stoic self and not say anything. And I suppose I'm going to have to take you both by the ear and make you see sense, right?"

Catherine moved her face closer and placed her lips next to Jace's left ear. "As always my love, you will be there to make us both see sense. What would we do without you looking out for us?"

Jace's heartbeat fluttered erratically in her chest. She didn't want to leave this woman again; it was a habit that was going to have to be broken... and soon. "I will always look out for you Catherine. No matter where in the world you are and our children are just an extension to that. We can't be separated now. We will get Lisa back, I know in my heart we will."

Catherine gazed seriously into the green ones turned to her, they were filled with so much positive energy that Catherine felt like she had been given a new lease of life with one glance alone. "I trust your heart Jace. From the first day I met you. You have never, never caused me to doubt that trust I have in you."

Jace looked deep into the ice blue eyes that reflected back an honesty that she hadn't felt she deserved, but now she was going to accept it. For Catherine had never doubted her heart, for it had always stayed true. It had been her decisions that had been dubious at times. "I will be waiting for you Catherine. I know when I see you again, you will bring our little Princess home with you."

A voice cleared from the gangway as Dave the steward called their attention to the waiting flight.

"I have to go." Jace stated quietly as their eyes locked. The message they conveyed was one of such profound love and devotion it settled around them like a comforting halo.

"Yes, I know." Catherine bent her head and placed several feather light kisses on her partner's lips and finally captured them in a tender kiss that exploded inside both women.

Reluctantly parting Jace held out her hand and touched her partner's fingers to reinforce the attachment of their souls. "I have all your tomorrows, don't forget that Catherine."

Catherine smiled at her partner as she went through the opening to the gangway and was lost out of sight. "I know and you're going to love me through them all... whatever happens."

Her body went rigid as she waited for the closing of the hatch to the aircraft and it taxied away out of view.

'Time to see the bastards in hell who've taken my daughter!' Catherine thought, as she turned on her heels and left the VIP departure lounge and went back to her lonely vigil in the apartment.

~ ~ ~

Thompson had spent the best part of five hours talking non-stop to various contacts in Australia and when he thought that it was all a dead end, he received a call from Melbourne. This indicated that a woman bearing the name Clauser had taken a flight out several weeks ago to Athens Greece. No other information was forthcoming.

James put his hand on his head and looked exhausted out onto the morning sunshine that dappled his back yard. He decided a walk around the yard would help. Kelsey had gone to talk to some police colleagues and he wasn't back yet.

Several minutes later he heard a voice shout directed towards him, "You know Thompson, we won't be getting any kind of result if all you're doing is feeding the fucking birds." Kelsey said, although his tone was more jovial than aggressive.

James looked towards the man and gave him a smile and shook his head. "You know, you have a wonderful turn of phrase detective. Has anyone ever told you that?"

Kelsey blushed a little and smote a fist to his forehead mockingly, "No, I don't believe they ever have, until now."

"So, a first detective, I am honoured." James walked closer to the man who still had the faint red tinge to his cheeks from his earlier embarrassment. They had actually worked quiet well together earlier and it was surprising how much they had accomplished jointly.

"Yeah, a first. So Thompson, what do you have for me?" Kelsey moved back into the kitchen and waited for the other man to follow.

James looked at the retreating man and was once again momentarily attracted to him. He couldn't for the life of him think why. He was a definite straight boy and probably a bigot too. Clearing his head of the thought, he went inside and smirked as he said. "Athens, Greece."

Kelsey looked at him in surprise and then his face wreathed into a smile as he went over to Thompson and placed a friendly hand on his shoulder. "Thompson, you just put my trust back in humanity; lets pass this one onto our mutual friend shall we?" He pulled out his cell and dialled a short code that would connect him to Catherine Devonshire.

"Glad to be of help." James responded as he felt the heat of Kelsey's touch on his shoulder and smiled internally, and then went towards the refrigerator to select something for a much-needed brunch.

Thea Rosnova had been out of town when Delaney had called her and he was annoyed as hell about that. Still, she had a life outside the department although; he didn't know what that life was. She had never been that open and was adamant that her private life and the work place never collided.

Now, he was late for a meeting with Travis at Warriorson's place, or should he say Devonshire, whichever, did it matter?

What really irked him was that he couldn't quite get a fix on this bastard and there were never any clues, none at all. After all this time surely there should be? No one was that perfect!

He was also seething that Dusterly had been mentioned. She had called him incompetent and implied he was covering up for a member of the team. What she hadn't said was who, but he had a suspicion that she was pointing the finger towards his second-in-command Anderson. In his way of thinking, you couldn't get a finer cop than Anderson. Then there had always been those fireworks between her and Rosnova and that had been something else! Rosnova was a cold bitch, but good with the families and hardly ever cracked her composure; but Dusterly had got under her skin and in a big way!

Walking towards the police vehicle he smiled, Anderson was a good detective, but a crap driver in the city.

Catherine had been pleased at the information that James and Kelsey had been able to retrieve. She had been sitting thinking about it and had her eyes closed sitting tilted back in her chair in the study. She was pulled out of her reverie as she heard a soft knock on the study door and Jason Bardley put his head around the door.

"Can I come in?" Jason smiled briefly at her as she smiled tightly back and motion him inside, which he did quickly, then closed the door before him and planted himself in front of her desk.

"What can I help you with Jason?" Catherine asked politely. She had wanted to be alone once Jace left. Although she liked her father-in- law and knew he was suffering for them, she didn't want to talk about it, not yet anyway.

"There are a couple of things really. I would like to make the telecast on behalf of the family to try and jog people's memories of Lisa. The pictures of her on the TV might have more meaning if it's a personal plea." Jason looked at her and she saw the determined expression that Jace sported when she wanted something badly.

"That's one thing and the other?" Catherine was considering his question carefully before she answered.

"Second you need to eat, third you need sleep and fourthly...." he trailed off as she held her hand up to stop him in mid sentence.

"Jason please, my education indicated to me that a couple of things usually equates to two things or did I have a deficient education?" Catherine looked at him; her eyes sparkled with wry humour. It sounded like Jace and now she knew why she had liked this man on sight, Jace was a chip of the old block definitely.

"I'm sorry. I get carried away. Jace is very important to me and so are the family she's chosen to spend her life with. You my dear Catherine happen to be a particularly important part of that scenario. So when my little girl asks me to watch out for you, I'm afraid you get the works." Jason looked directly into troubled ice blue eyes as he spoke.

"She never asked you to look out for me did she?" Catherine couldn't believe Jace would ask anyone else to do something that she allowed only Jace to do and maybe Grace at times.

Jason smiled at her expression, which was one of astonishment. "Actually... no! She didn't, but I thought it was a good idea. You care to let me?"

Catherine breathed out a sharp breath and rolled her eyes at the man "Can I take a raincheck as you Americans are apt to say?" smiling sheepishly at him.

"Sure, anytime. Ask my little girl, she knows her dad has a very comforting shoulder and I extend that to my newest daughter and will to both of my granddaughters in the future."

Catherine heard the sincerity in the remark and she looked down at her desk for a few moments. Then brought her head up in a decisive posture, that caused Jason to blink several times at the penetrating stare he received when she did so. "I omitted to explain something to Jace, Jason and I wanted to...well I just...that is...."

Catherine's hesitation reminded him of the conversation he'd had with her the only other time she seemed lacking in confidence and that was a day after Grace had married and they discussed a certain help in getting to bed.

Jason heard her approach and he smiled inwardly, Jace had said at breakfast that Catherine had wanted to discuss something with him, but she didn't know what exactly.

Jason had known that the woman who loved his eldest daughter was disconcerted at her lack of control a couple of days before.

"Good morning Jason. Sorry I wasn't around for breakfast, but I needed to exercise my horse. I've been a little neglectful recently." Catherine stated as she leaned on the porch railing next to him.

"Hey, no problem to me. I was surrounded by females all cooing over the children and maybe, I would have preferred to be with you." Jason responded amiably.

Catherine smiled as she looked across the drive towards the paddock and the two young fillies frolicking around.

 "Yes, I know what you mean. It can certainly get over powering at times can't it? Think yourself lucky Jason. You see it occasionally, I get to experience it everyday."

"Yeah and I bet you don't regret one single minute of that do you?" Jason smiled as he too looked at the horses in the paddock.

Catherine chuckled and shook her head, "No. I don't regret one single minute. Between you and I Jason, my children were the second best things that ever came into my life. Your daughter who I might add is the best thing then decided I needed to experience parenthood again from the beginning..... Well, I have never looked back!"

"Well, Jace always did like to involve her loved ones in everything." Jason smiled as he turned to the tall woman at his side.

Jason considered what she'd said. "Catherine, the only person you need apologize to for that afternoon is my daughter."

"No.... no, that's not what you should have apologized for."

Catherine turned to look him straight in the eyes, "It's not? So, what do I need to apologise for?"

"Well, young woman, you offered her your body I believe, and then you fell asleep on her!" Jason turned his face away as a smirked crossed his face.

Catherine wasn't sure she heard right and turned to the averted profile of Jace's father. "You're joking right?" Her face turning crimson in embarrassment at the comment.

"Catherine, would I joke with you?" Jason smiled at her and patted her shoulder as he moved away.

"I... she means the world to me Jason. There is nothing that she could want in this life that I would not try to provide for her. I guess I owe her one." Catherine reasoned absently.

"Well, I didn't want that particular detail, but whatever you and she work out is fine with me." Jason replied and moved away from the railing.

"Thanks Dad, I owe you." Catherine said, her smile lighting up her face.

"No problem Daughter, isn't that what parents are for?" he grinned and went towards the kitchen door.

"Yes, they are and thank you for bringing the love of my life into the world." Catherine replied with sincerity.

Jason turned at the remark before he went inside the door. "It was my pleasure from the day she was conceived, to the day she was born and the years that have seen her grow. I have only one thing to ask.... Make her happy Catherine. She deserves no less."

"I will, I promise." Catherine replied as he headed indoors.

Jason looked at the pensive expression that had taken over the woman seated opposite him, she really was quite a stunning woman and who would have thought that his little girl had captured and tamed that ferocious heart of the dangerous feline she portrayed. "Is there something that you wanted to tell Jace and would like me to for you, is that what you're trying to say?"

Catherine starred at him as if he was an alien from another planet. Shaking her head at the preposterous suggestion, she finally gave him a wry smile. "No. No, Jason that wasn't it at all, but I do need to speak to Jace about a particular issue... thanks for offering though."

"So, will you allow me to take part in the telecast on our families behalf. I am the head of the family after all?" Jason asked again.

Catherine smiled warmly at him as he called himself the head of the family... put that way, how could she refuse? "No, it might be too dangerous for Lisa. Jace and Elena might be out of the country but who's to say the bastards aren't waiting in the wings at home too. Oh, and Jason, thank you."

Jason smiled at her and then looked at her puzzled at her last comment. "Thank you for what?"

"Your acceptance of the importance of family and that you have allowed my family to be joined with yours. I will be eternally grateful to you for that." Catherine's words filled with sincerity.

"The day you came into my daughters life and made her happy was the day you were accepted into my family Catherine. Your children are just a natural extension of the love you share and that we see you have together. Who would not accept you as part of the family?" Jason responded seriously and looked at her with a quiet regard.

"Some would not, we are not the 'normal' married couple in this world, and people are apt to be judgmental about difference." Catherine turned a clear ice blue gaze to his waiting for his reply.

"Very true! To be honest Catherine, I have only wanted what was best for my children and Jace went through the conventional scenario that some expect and she was the unhappiest person I have ever met in my life. When I saw her again with you a year later, it fortified my view of earlier when she talked of her love for you before she knew you loved her. That was the happiest I have ever seen her and exactly what any parent wants for their child. I could do no other than accept you into my family Catherine. It would be a gross case of parental neglect to do any other!" Jason looked at the woman who gave him a surprised look but her features smiled warmly at him.

"Thank you, for I do love her Jason and always will." Catherine answered back huskily.

"I know and you're very welcome. Does that mean I get to make you sleep and eat too?" Jason smiled back at her.

Catherine gave him a mock stern glance, "I think that's pushing the head of the family a little too far Jason, but you're welcome to remind me from time to time."

"Okay, I will. I'll go and talk to detective Delaney and try to find out if we have more news catch up with you later." Jason gave her a wink and left the study, leaving Catherine with her thoughts.

Looking at the comatose form of the small girl and checking her pulse for about the fifth time in as many seconds or it seemed that way to her anyway, the woman smiled derisively at the child.

She was now at the safe house, concerned at the child's condition. She should have come out of the drugs that she'd administered to keep the child quiet. She was something else. This child never shut up! All the others had been to scared to say anything. But this kid... you had to hand it to her, she had the heart of a lion and talk, well she could certainly talk!

Looking at the pale face that was cold and clammy, she'd wait another couple of days before saying she had the merchandise. The kid might die and then she would have to start again. Although, that wasn't a problem, she had seen another likely candidate recently.

Turning away from the child, she looked out over the green fields that surrounded the property she used as a safe house; no one even knew that anyone used the house anymore. It was twenty miles outside the city, so not likely to be of interest to anyone; to close to the rail tracks anyway for some commuter to be interested in it.

Taking out her cell phone she flicked through the messages and saw a familiar one, 'Well there's a surprise.' Shethought sardonically and chuckled. Glancing once more in the direction of the child she walked towards the door and left the room. She would go back to the city and come back later in the evening, or maybe tomorrow. She was tired and needed sleep.

The building she left behind in darkness and never gave it a second look as she manoeuvred the car out of the shadow of the building to the dirt road towards the main intersection.

Jace arrived home with her mother and Elena. She couldn't help the tears that fell, as Colin drove towards the house and she saw Grace, Jake and Faith waiting on the porch for their arrival.

As Colin brought the vehicle to a stop outside the ranch house steps, Jace sucked in a deep breath and looked tearfully at her mother who in the entire furore had not shed a tear and kept a careful and loving vigil over her daughter and her child. What Jace hadn't known was that when her mother had been alone with her father, it was a totally different story and she had shed so many tears it was as if Niagara Falls had taken up residence in Alison's tear ducts.

"We're here mom." Jace said and gulped back further tears.

"I'll take Elena darling, you go and talk to your son and your friends." Alison replied knowing it was important that Jake particularly feel the support of one of his mom's at this time.

Jace gave her a grateful smile, slowly exited the vehicle and looked towards the distraught looking people silently watching her.

"Hey, how about a hug?" Jace asked looking directly at her son.

Jake pensively stared at her, his eyes wide and anguished. He relinquished Grace's hand as he moved forward and rushed down the steps of the porch and practically knocked Jace off her feet as he placed his arms around her and hugged her as she requested.

"I'm glad you're back Jace."

Jace felt the tremor in the boy. She couldn't stop the tears that dripped unceremoniously on his head as she heard the pain in his voice and the emotion he had pent up. "I'm glad I'm back as well Jake. Catherine wanted me to kiss you too if that's okay? As she can't be here with us."

The boy lifted his face towards hers and he shyly nodded his head as Jace placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. "She's going to bring Lisa home with her isn't she Jace?" His face held all the questions she wanted answered. However, she didn't have the answers, but she had the strength to believe, and she would; she would believe that her partner would bring home their daughter and soon.

"Yes. Yes, Jake. Lisa will come home with Catherine! Come on Jake can you imagine your mom having Lisa play havoc in America on her own huh?" Jace hid her own uncertainty with a slight playful comment, both knew that it was only to make him feel better as he looked at her seriously.

"No, mom wouldn't want that she might embarrass the family with some of her comments." Jake uttered giving her a weak smile.

"Yeah, Jake and we both know what your mom thinks of the family name." Jace hugged him tight to her and glanced up over his bent dark head and towards Grace who looked at her with pride and compassion.

"Come on Jake, let's go and give a hug to Grace and Grandma, okay?" Jace smiled over his head as she acknowledged Grace's expression. They had come a long way since that first time she had stepped over the threshold into this house. A long way to get there and still a long way to travel, but as a family... a whole family!

Walking up the steps with her mother following behind with Elena, Faith hugged Jace and tried to express words of comfort, but found it impossible and went over to Alison and the child who had laughed and squirmed at the sight of her other grandma.

Grace put a hand out to touch Jake's cheek; "Hey, Jake! How about going to check on Judy and make sure she's got plenty of coffee on the go?" Smiling at him as she said the words.

"Yeah, okay Grace." He smiled at Jace and went towards the kitchen door and went inside.

Faith and Alison had gone through the main house door to take Elena indoors from the cold early evening weather.

Jace looked at Grace who looked directly back her brown eyes reflecting the pain she felt for the situation and held out her arms as Jace went inside her friend's embrace.

"It's so hard to believe Grace." Jace whispered into her friend's shoulder.

Grace stroked the blonde hair of her friend, "Yeah, I know. It's going to get worse before it gets better Jace, but we know it will work out."

Jace stifled a sob and looked up into the brown compassionate ones as her green haunted ones beseeched her friend to be right. "What if it's not Grace? What will happen if we don't get her back?"

"I hate what ifs Jace. I prefer to be more positive, but if Lisa is lost to us forever, we will go on because she would want that! Lisa has an optimism that sheds light in the darkest places. Whatever happens we will always know that and have felt it in our lives. Not many people can say they affected people in that way but she did and she will again Jace, I know it!" Grace avowed positively.

"Catherine won't accept anything else, but Lisa's return Grace." Jace uttered desperately, brushing the blinding tears away.

"I know, and how is my friend taking it really Jace?" Grace asked quietly, knowing that Jace wouldn't lie to her. They both loved the woman and her well being was as important to them both as their own was, if not more so.

"She's hurting Grace, but you know her, she won't let people inside."

"I rather thought that, but she let you inside surely?" Grace gave a sharp look.

"Yes. Oh... Catherine let me in and then I had to close the door and come home. I didn't want to leave her, but I had too Grace! Really, all I want is to go back and hold her and say it will be okay, and together we will work it out, but the bastards who've taken our daughter made that impossible!" Jace spoke vehemently, venting her frustration at the situation into the cold still air of the porch.

Grace saw the pain, anguish and the loneliness of the situation her two friends now found themselves in.

"Come inside Jace and have some coffee and tell me about it. Who knows, we might find a solution."

Jace smiled weakly at her friend and hugged her hard for a few moments longer.

"Why is it, I know you will come up with a solution Grace?"

Grace gave her a wry look and smiled, "Because I will always be there for you all. When it comes to solutions I'm the best!"

Jace gave a feeble chuckle as she wiped away her tears and thought about those words. 'Yeah, she was always there for them, any of them and somehow Grace did have solutions and she would in this case too!'

Together arms wrapped around each other they went towards the kitchen and the coffee that was waiting for them.

Catherine looked out of the large window of the apartment. She was alone. Stephanie had reluctantly gone home. Jason had gone back to his apartment... even more so, but she had insisted, and when Catherine Devonshire insisted there was no way you changed her mind, unless you went by the name of Jace.

Looking down at the single sheet of white paper she held in her hand, a single tear rolled down her cheek as she thought of Lisa and her inability to protect her daughter. Then her thoughts went to her partner and the strength that Jace had shown in leaving her here alone and with the knowledge that their daughter was here someplace and would need both her parents when they found her! Had the tables been turned she would have stayed and caused untold trouble that was for sure and probably been the instigator of further tragedy in the family. Jace had seen the problems and looked past their own needs to be together and made the only decision that she could in the circumstances she had left with their youngest daughter and gone to the relative safety of the ranch and the support of their son.

Reading the contents of the sheet of paper another tear tracked down her cheek and her ice blue eyes wavered over the words written there.
Please Come Home

With a heavy heart we miss you, desolated to find you still gone!
Please come home.

We will never mourn you, never ever, for you live with us always inside!
Please come home.

Where are you? We wait we love you we need you!
Please come home.

Catherine had found the poem when she looked over the desk in the bedroom for a pen. She knew Jace had been scribbling away as Catherine had showered the evening before. Normally Jace would have offered her the finished article to read and make a comment, but this one was a plea from the heart. Knowing Jace's tender heart, she probably thought better of passing it over. There had been so many traumas already.

Glancing out of the window she wondered what Jace was doing as she spoke into the empty room.

"I will bring her home Jace, I promise! I wish I could feel your gentle touch and your warm eyes look into mine with love. Know this my love... whatever the circumstances, I will always love you. One day we will put all this behind us then fall into step, together once again. I'm standing right beside you Jace and if I reach out you can take my hand just for a moment let me feel the love you have always shared with me." Catherine reached her hand out before her and for a moment a very brief moment she thought that it warmed with the imprint of a smaller hand that she knew so well.

"I love you Jace." Catherine walked slowly towards her lonely bedroom to try and sleep for a few hours anyway.

Tomorrow was another day!

Jace walked over to the study patio window and looked out into the dim shadows of the ranch drive. Her heart cried over and over for Catherine and Lisa. All alone in a world that was making them pay for every moment of love they shared, or... that's how it appeared.

As she looked over the silent scene before her she felt a chill in the air and a shiver going down her back as if there was someone there with her. Shaking her head she let the tears trickle down her cheeks as she recalled a pledge she made to Catherine the previous year.

Whispering to the silent room. "You will always have me Catherine, wherever you are in the world, always remember that! You asked me to indulge you last year my love how about you indulge me and when the time is right come home to us! I know you're hurting about Lisa Catherine but I know you'll do what you can to bring her home too! And if you can't, don't stay away we will all need each other so much more if that's the situation. I'm going to hold out my hand now and hope that you will feel the love I have for you and gain strength from it, I know I do when I think of you and I do that every minute of the day!"

Jace held her hand out and she felt for a split second as if a large one she was oh so familiar with held hers fleetingly. It was so profound a feeling, she sobbed out at the ache she felt in her heart.

"I love you Catherine." Her words echoed in the room as she turned and shut off the lights and went upstairs to her empty bed.

Tomorrow was another day!

Return to the Academy  

continued in All Our Tomorrows

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