Hiding

[Rebecca Talon]

"Well, I have to admit. It's pretty alien to me. I love the mountains. I guess it's what I'm used to. Not so much a fan of the cold and snow," she added.

[Angel Ryder]

"Neither do I. I got used to it in those trips dad made us take to the Midwest to visit family around Christmas, but I was always an island girl. Christmas for me was a pig roast on the beach, not huddled under blankets waiting for a turkey or ham to be done in an old style oven in Uncle Charlie's drafty old house in Milwaukee or Uncle Marty's place closer to Lake MIchigan." Angel chuckled lightly. "Mother didn't seem to mind the cold as much as we did. Although her dad was stationed further south in Chicago, so I suppose they got used to it. But I always wondered, if going to a warmer climate was just a transporter trip away... why stay where it's cold? Never did figure that one out."

[Rebecca Talon]

"There's nothing like coming in from the snow, and sitting by the fire with a cup of cocoa. Or better yet a bowl of chili. There are perks to that weather. Nothing better than making love by the fireplace. "

[Angel Ryder]

"True true." Angel said with a slight blush to her cheeks. "I guess those ARE very good reasons, but I'll take those in the appropriate seasons... most of the year, this is heaven for me. So... " she looked her in the eyes. "Are you ever going to answer my dad's calls? I mean... you know sooner or later he's going to track you down. He probably is watching us right now." she glanced to the sky and waved.

[Rebecca Talon]

Rebecca shrugged, "Maybe eventually, if he doesn't just drop in."

[Angel Ryder]

"I give it a half hour. He'll realize that we know he's watching and then he'll wonder for at least fifteen minutes if he wants to beam in and prove us right or let it go. Then he'll beam a little ways away from where we are, walk the rest of the way and then make his presence known." Angel giggled. "I call it his 'am I out of the dog house?' protocol. He gives you space but he'll keep an eye on you."

[Rebecca Talon]

Rebecca sighed, "I'm not mad at him. I just don't want to hear what he has to say. Nor, do I wish to have to defend myself. There's a reason one comes to a place like this: to get away and leave your problems back at home."

[Angel Ryder]

"Do you think he's really going to judge you like that?" Angel raised an eyebrow at her. "Although I'm pretty sure he's forgotten anything he was going to tell you or whatever, got plenty on his plate at the moment. I think he just wants his friend back. Not that he doesn't have enough people hanging around him."

[Rebecca Talon]

"That's why I'm here," she said with a sigh. "I can't explain it to Nick. Hell I can't even explain it to myself, but I looked into Bartym's eyes and I.... I saw myself in them. I... I saw a path layed out before me. One that started with my urge to kill him. To wipe him from the face of the planet. My hatred for what he did to Leo, and his association with Dominus ane Bellatrix. An association that lead to your daughter being taken, and my son being a mess because of it. I saw what would happen if I didn't kill him, but I also saw what would happen if I did. A decent into lunacy. Someone once said, 'madness is like gravity: all it takes is a little push'.

"The last thing we need is another Bellatrix, yet Bartym lives. The ijulna showed me both outcomes. A no win scenario. Nick will want answers, and I can't give them to him. I am both damned for my inaction and the action I cannot act upon. You see, I can't be Jase'dasis. I can't be an admiral. I can't do anything but hide, and hope that those visions don't come to pass. The visions of people who are dear to me tortured and killed. Children slaughtered. I see them every time I close my eyes.

"And, your father being your father will want to be the hero. To make me feel better, or protect me. It's not something I am strong enough to deal with. You see I am weak. I am broken, and those two kids are the only reason that I haven't just swam into that damned ocean, and let it take me."

[Angel Ryder]

"Or it's an opportunity." Angel said as she sat up a little bit. "You have lived a life of service and it's taken a lot from you. I'm much younger than you, at least chronologically, and I'm already getting burnt out and turning into someone I don't like. I can only imagine how it is for you." she sighed. "There is nothing wrong with the way you are feeling Rebecca. Seriously. You have been strong and have been the rock for so many, maybe it's time to just let it go. You've been defined by your career and your commitments. Maybe the two kids are the universe's way of saying 'readjust'. Regain your mojo as it were. If the time comes when you want to do... whatever. That's your choice. If not, that's fine too. And I will fight for your right to do whatever it is you want to do." she held her hand. "You've fought for me, I can do no less. Even if dad and I don't talk for a little while, we've had our tiffs in the past, we always got past them. If he really loves us, he'll understand."