"So where are you going to?" Ken asked
 Grace looked up at her partner. She was finishing up some last minute paperwork.
 "I'm going somewhere I can get away from Doors. I'm not gonna tell you if you're just going to turn around and tell him. I need some time to myself, away from everything," she replied.
 "What if I promised no to tell Jonathan where you're gonna be at?" he replied.
 "All right, but promise on your life that you won't tell him."
 "I promise on my life that I won't tell him."
 "I'm going to Toronto and I'm taking Tara with me."
 "Oh? And just how were you two going to get up there without me?"
 "One word: Airplane."
 "HA! HA! HA! Very funny! Are you going to visit Arthur's folks while you're there?" he asked.
 "Among other things, yes."
 "Enjoy yourselves."
 "I will."
 Grace finished up her work.
 "Would you excuse me a sec? I need to call Tara."
 "Sure."
 "Thanks."
 

 "I believe I'm almost ready," Tara replied over the phone to Grace. "I should probably inform Mr. MacLeod about my whereabouts just in case something should come up . . . I'll make him give me his word that he will not tell Doors," she said, smiling just a bit. "And you're sure this isn't an imposition . . . ? All right, I'll meet you in one hour. Ciao . . ."
 With that, she hung up the phone and looked at her half empty bag on the floor. There were still a few things she needed to pack. A sweater, perhaps . . . a hair brush . . . a hair band comb . . .She sighed as she looked around. She couldn't fight it. She still felt empty. Even though joining the Liberation had alleviated some of the isolation she felt, she was still dead inside. There was too much hurt for her to deal with. Slowly, she walked over to the far corner of the living room, where there was a table. On it were several photos framed and several small candles that were lit. She looked at the photos each in turn. One of her mother. One of her brother. She had added one of Boone that morning, and one of Ta'al . . . That one had been taken during an interview for a popular Greek magazine. it was the best photo ever taken of him, and the photographer had been kind enough to give her a copy of it.
 Tears misted her green eyes. How was she ever going to make it through life without him? she wondered. Slowly, she blew out the candles and picked up the frames. She couldn't leave them behind.
 

 Tara waited for Grace and their ride patiently. She had already informed Ryan of her plans, and told him that if he let the cat out of the bag, it was under penalty of death! He would get a personal introduction to Chiron, her skrill. He had also promised to feed her cat for her.
 Her curly, brown hair was pulled away from her face by a black, velvet hair band comb. She still wore dark sunglasses to cover her eyes. She didn't want anyone to see that she had still been crying. It was just too dangerous for her. But her mood still permeated the air around her. She wore a black velvet pant suit and seemed to be distant. Others avoided her, while she waited, as if she was not someone to mess with.
 

 Grace had chosen to wear a Chinese style silk pants suit that was a royal blue in color with the blouse sleeveless. She wore her hair in a tight bun held together by chopsticks. The effect was just was she wanted because Ken complimented her upon seeing her.
 They headed to New York in the Taelon shuttle, keeping the conversation friendly, but at a minimum. Tara was waiting for them at Central Park. She waited patiently for ken to deactivate the shuttle virtual glass shielding.
 "Hi, Tara. Ready to go?" he asked as he stepped out to help her with her luggage."
 "As ready as I'll ever be."
 "Then hop on board. I'll take care of your luggage."
 Tara entered the shuttle and Grace hugged her.
 "I'm glad you consented to come. There was no way I was going to leave you here alone to deal with Doors. You'll love Toronto and Arthur's parents are anxious to meet you," Grace said.
 "I'm going to feel like a stranger."
 "Nonsense. After the first day you'll feel like you're family to them."
 At that moment, Ken finished stowing away Tara's luggage.
 "If you two ladies will have a seat we'll be off to Canada," he said. He waited until they were seated and strapped in before taking his own seat. "Setting the coordinates now."
 

 Samuel and Andrea Whitney watched the skies carefully waiting for some sign of the Taelon shuttle to appear. They were at a private airstrip waiting for the arrival of their daughter-in-law and her guest, Tara Carmichael. Although Grace had been vague about Tara, Andrea could sense that the woman would need and extra dose of hospitality and love. She would receive it in full.
 "There it is!" her husband pointed out.
 Ken landed the shuttle on a helicopter pad with graceful ease. When the virtual glass shield was deactivated, Grace practically ran into Andrea's open arms.
 "How I've missed you both!" she said, nearly in tears.
 Andrea pulled back to allow Grace to hug Samuel.
 "We heard about your new job with the Companions. How is it?" Andrea asked.
 "It's going well."
 From behind, Ken cleared his throat. Tara had just moved to stand beside him.
 "Forgive me. Samuel, Andrea, you both remember my partner Ken Grayson, don't you?" she asked.
 "Of course," Samuel replied, shaking his hand.
 "And this is Tara Carmichael . . . a co worker. She's the Assistant Head of Security for the UN Companion," Grace explained, avoiding using Zo'or's name.
 Andrea immediately put her arm around Tara and pulled the girls along. "We'll have you two settled in no time."
 "Bye, Ken. See you next week!" Grace called.
 Samuel grabbed the luggage of the girls as did Andrea . . .
 

 The Whitneys actually lived just outside of Toronto in an old Victorian style house. The house was huge and suited their family of 10 children.
 "Is Chris here?" Grace asked as their drive ended.
 "Yes, she is. She's in her old room. I fixed up Arthur's old room for you, Grace, and for your friend I made up Joanna's old room."
 "We should be very comfortable then. Thanks."
 

 As Tara was shown to Joanna's room, she was quiet and reserved. It wasn't that she wanted to seem unfriendly, but she still just was not feeling very good. At least, she had decided to live. That was a step in the right direction. But the pain was so great . . .
 "Here it is," Andrea said. "It's not much, but you should be comfortable."
 Tara looked around the room. There was abed covered with a patchwork quilt in shades of pink and lavender. There was a bedside table, a desk with chair and a dresser all in a light oak color. The room was beautiful and homey. As she walked into it to place her bags on the bed, she looked out the window. There was a beautiful view of the surrounding land.
 "This room is wonderful," Tara replied. "Your daughter, Joanna, must have had many special memories in this room."
 "I'd like to think so," Andrea replied. "So where are you from, if you don't mind my asking? I noticed that you have a touch of an accent."
 As Tara began pulling things out of her bag, she smiled at the woman. "I was born in Britain. I spent my early years there. But most of my life was spent in Greece."
 "That's very interesting . . ." she replied, watching as Tara took out several framed photos. "Oh-pictures!" she said, taking a step forward to take a look. "Who are they of?"
 A sadness come over Tara, as tears misted her green eyes. "My friend, William Boone, and my family . . ."
 Andrea looked at them in turn. "This one must be your mother. I can see the resemblance. And this one?"
 "My little brother Ryan . . . They both died long ago," she replied, as the last picture of Ta'al showed itself. "And this is Ta'al. The Companion I worked for before coming to North America . . . He was my only family left and he has passed into the Great Void now."
 "family? You were that close . . . ? It must have been very difficult for you to come to America then."
 "It was . . ." she answered.
 "And he was the last of any family for you? But what about your father?"
 "He died to me long ago . . ."
 Tara gathered the photos up and took them to the dresser to set them up. Andrea just watched. Poor girl, she thought . . . so alone . . .
 "I'm going to check in on Grace. I'll see you in a little bit."
 Tara forced a smile as the woman left. But no sooner was the door shut when she burst into tears and fell onto the bed. The pain would stop, wouldn't it? She wondered.
 

 Grace was laying on the bed that had belonged to Arthur as a child and she felt as thought she were laying against him again. It had been too long since she'd felt his arms around her and Grace allowed her CVI to bring to her mind memories of their time together.
 This is how Andrea found her. Lost in the vivid memories that her CVI created for her. Grace came out of her world when Andrea knocked on the door softly.
 "Honey, are you okay?" she asked.
 Grace sat up and quickly wiped away her tears. "Yeah . . . yeah, I was just remembering Arthur," she said.
 Andrea came all the way into the room and shut the door behind herself. She sat down on the bed next to Grace and hugged her very gently.
 "You'll see him again one day. You have got to believe that," Andrea said.
 "I do. It's just that this CVI . . . this $%@# CVI sometimes is very much a curse. I don't want to forget him, but still, it nearly kills me to think about him," she replied.
 "I can't understand everything you've gone through since he disappeared, but I do understand the pain. Just remember, dear Grace, you have a family who cares about you."
 "I know, Andrea. Thank you."
 "Now, why don't you go see Chris before she comes charging in here," Andrea said.
 Grace smiled and stood up. "I will. Is she down stairs?"
 "Yes."
 "Let me go check in on Tara-"
 "I'll check in on her again. You go meet with Chris and we'll come join you."
 "All right."
 

 As Andrea approached the room she had directed Tara to, she could hear the muffled sounds of crying. Being a mother, the sound tore at her heart. Poor child, she thought. gently, she knocked on the door and slowly opened it to find Tara swiftly sitting up on the bed wiping her eyes.
 "Oh-honey, you must be in terrible pain . . ."
 Tara didn't know whether to smile or continue crying at the truth of this woman's words. Her life was still turned upside down, and though she had made a commitment to continue it, her desire was to stop the pain.
 "There are just too many hurts," Tara replied, trying to explain herself. "In fact . . . If it weren't for Grace, I wouldn't even be here . . . I wouldn't be alive . . ."
 Though this young woman hadn't come right out and said what she meant, Andrea knew . . . Perhaps it was just a woman's intuition . . . But she knew Tara had been on the brink and she was trying to find her way back. Tenderly, she took a seat on the bed beside Tara's grim form and gently put a hand around her shoulders.
 "I can't claim to know what you've been going through, Tara, but I want you to know that you are surrounded by friends here . . . Grace is family . . . and you are, too . . ."
 "Family . . ." Tara echoed as the tears spilled from her eyes once more. "The last time I had a real family was over fifteen years ago . . . When my mother and brother were still alive . . . When my father use to acknowledge my presence . . . My only family for the last three years was Ta'al, and now he's gone . . . I have no family," she cried, trying to stop the tears, but failing miserably.
 Andrea pulled Tara into her arms, like she had done so often with her children, and let her cry. "It's all right," she whispered, "You're here with us now . . . You're not alone . . ."
 
 

 Chris Whitney was Arthur's youngest sister and one of Grace's closest friends. They had loved each other for the first moment they met. Grace considered her a sister, and Chris considered Grace to be her fourth long lost sister.
 Chris was sitting in the room which had served as a library for the family in the past, reading a book when Grace opened the doors. Chris looked up at her.
 "I knew I'd find you here." Grace said, as Chris hugged her tightly.
 Chris looked back to look Grace over.
 "You've changed," she said, noting the skrill on her sister-in-law's arm.
 Grace smiled and touched her skrill. "Yeah....well this came with the job."
 "It's a pretty color anyway."
 At that moment Dove hissed an approving.
 "Is that thing alive?" she asked in amazement.
 "Very much so. She's also intelligent to a certain extent."
 They sat down.
 "Enough about me and my skrill. How's college life treating you?" Grace asked.  Chris shrugged. "I'm doing well in it. I'm going to major in Chemistry I think," Chris replied.
 "Whoa! That's a heavy topic. What's your minor?"
 "European history."
 "I wish you the best, little sister."
 At that moment Samuel walked in.
 "Are you two hungry?" he asked.
 Grace glanced at her watch. "I'm starved!"
 "Well as soon as Andrea appears with your friend we'll all be going out to lunch," he said.
 "Where did you have in mind?"
 "I was thinking either Greek or Italian."
 "Either way is good. Let's wait to see what Andrea and Tara say."
 

 A moment later, Tara and Andrea appeared. Tara's eyes were red, but she forced a smile, looking at everyone. Though she tried to put on the appearance that everything was fine, it was quite obvious that they were not. But, Grace, in her wisdom said nothing about it.
 "So what would you two like for lunch? Greek or Italian?" she asked.
 Samuel nodding in agreement.
 "Oh-I don't really care," Andrea replied, "What about you, dear?" she asked, turning to Tara.
 "Is there good Greek food here?" she asked, still longing for her home with Ta'al.
 "Why don't we find out?" Samuel said.
 There was basic agreement from the group.
 Within a few short minutes everyone was ready. It was a short ride to the little Greek restaurant about 5 kilometers away. As they walked in, the atmosphere was light. Soft Greek music played in the background. There were replicas of Greek statues and it felt like a garden inside with all the plants, and the wood lattice. They were guided to a table and glanced over the menu.
 Tara's heart was still breaking. She missed Greece. She missed Ta'al . . .
 "May I get you something to drink?"
 Grace noted the strange stares that the waiter was giving her skrill as she decided on her choice of drink. ~Must not have many implants frequent the place.~ she thought.
 "Now get whatever you both want. My treat." Samuel reminded them.
 "I'll take a glass of red wine." Grace ordered, and slipped on a jacket.
 After he had taken all the orders, the waiter looked to Grace. "Are you cold, Miss? I could turn the air up a little."
 "Would you please?" she asked.
 "Of course. I'll return in a moment to take your lunch orders." he said and disappeared.
 Chris rolled her eyes and leaned over to whisper to Grace. "He's uncomfortable with your....what is that called again?"
 "My skrill? Maybe it's because the fact I am a Companion Agent is the reason why he's nervous," Grace said and shrugged.
 "We don't get too many Companion Agents to come visit this part of Canada, although Toronto is a primary city," Andrea confirmed when she overheard them.
 Just then waiter returned and served their drinks.
 "What's everyone's pleasure today?"
 "Well, I see you do not make Garides Youvetsi," Tara replied, "So I will settle for my other favorite dish - Spanokopita."
 "What is that exactly?" Samuel asked.
 "It's a spinach and feta cheese pie . . . It's quite tasty," she replied.
 He decided to try it as everyone else chose something different. As they sipped at their drinks they made small conversation. Tara hardly spoke a word, except to speak of Greece and occasionally of Ta'al . . . Though it was difficult for her to mention his name, or William Boone's for that matter.
 "By the way, Tara, what was that first dish you mentioned? Gar-des . . ." Andrea smiled.
 "Garides Youvetsi," she answered. "It's a shrimp and feta dish and it's very taste."
 "It sounds wonderful."
 "Perhaps one of these days I could prepare it for you," she replied, with a soft bittersweet smile.
 As lunch came to an end, everyone seemed to notice that Tara just picked at her food, occasionally taking a bit here and there. She had downed plenty of raspberry iced tea though. But it was as if she had no appetite, which, she truly didn't. She didn't even get a piece of baklava, her favorite Greek treat. She just didn't want it.
 "Why don't we all go do some window shopping," Andrea said. "There are a few things I want to pick up anyway. It'll give Grace a chance to show Tara around."
 "All right," Samuel replied. "Are you all up to that?"
 "Sure," Grace replied, glancing at Tara.
 

 Chris elected to go with her parents to help with the shopping while Grace confidently led Tara on a small tour of Toronto. Soon they were standing outside of a fair sized local bookstore by the name of MILLER'S BOOKSTORE AND CAFE. Grace turned to Tara.
 "I could use a cup of coffee right about now. And besides, I want you to see this place," she said.
 Tara followed her inside and into the shop's cafe. After ordering their choice of drinks, Grace led her to a nearby table.
 "So what's so special about this place? I can sense that this place holds some special meaning to you," Tara said, sipping on the coffee slowly.
 "This is where my husband and I met one another. For weeks on end I would see him here in the bookstore, at this cafe every Friday. It was a solid month and a half of Fridays before one day he asked if he could join me at my table," Grace answered. After that she sipped on her coffee quietly, remembering Arthur as he had looked the last time she had met him in here.
 "I never asked you this before, but what was it that made you come all the way up here to Toronto? You're from the States, right?" Tara asked.
"Yes, I am.  Macon, Georgia to be exact. I came up here to escape life at home after my brother, Randy, was killed in action during the SI War. Life just became unbearable there after losing him, because every time I'd go anywhere in Macon I'd remember how we used to do things together at those places. Have I ever shown you a picture of my brother in his dress uniform?" Grace asked.
 Tara shook her head no. Grace immediately opened the small pocketbook that she had been carrying and took out her billfold, looking through the pictures carefully. She had several of them from her childhood with Randy, and even in the latter years when they were both teenagers together. She showed them all to Tara.
 "....And this is Rebecca, my brother's girlfriend. She was his girlfriend for almost 5 years, right up until he died in Shanghai," Grace said and flipped the page again. Next was the picture of her brother in his Marine dress uniform. "This was taken about a month before Randy went over to fight in the war. He even managed to send a video tape to us. I love this picture of him though," Grace ended as she touched it with her fingers.
 "I can see why. You're brother was very handsome in that uniform," Tara said.
 "It was the last picture I ever got of him," Grace replied as she flipped the page again. This time there was a picture of her father and mother followed by a picture of Arthur. "That's my mom and dad. My dad died about a year and a half after Randy, from cancer. And this is my husband, Arthur." Grace indicated the picture.
 In the picture Arthur looked very much to be a doctor as he was dressed in a dark colored suite with matching tie. His eyes were a deep, deep green that appeared to be almost emeralds, and his hair was a sandy brown in color. On his face he sported a very natural smile and he was even winking in the picture.
 "This picture was taken with me especially in mind," Grace said, explaining the wink.
 "He was a handsome man too."
 "Yes he was! I was attracted to him the moment I saw him and I just instantly knew somehow that he would be the man I'd married," Grace said, losing herself in the past just for a moment.
 After shaking herself out of it, she glanced at her watch.
 "Whoa! It's late! We've been here for little over an hour. Andrea and Samuel will start to wonder where we are," Grace said as she finished up her coffee.
 They started towards the door but not before the doors
opened and the Whitneys came walking in....
 "We thought we might find you two here," Samuel smiled, sharing a tender glance with Grace.
 "Well, you know how special this place is to me," she replied.
 After another round of coffees, they did a bit more walking and then all headed back to the Whitney's home. Once there, Tara stood outside just looking around at the landscape. It was beautiful, with the woods just a few yards away. As she closed her eyes, she could hear the sound of the wind blowing through the trees, and the birds singing. The smell of rain was in the air. A Summer shower was on the way as the sky became dotted with
gray-colored clouds.
 She began to think about Grace's family . . . Arthur's family, who had been so kind to invite her up with Grace . . . Even the love that Grace and Arthur shared. She'd never had that kind of love for anyone. Thinking about it, she realized it had all come down to a trust issue, and there was no man out there that she trusted. Not anymore . . . And those who she had been close with, she was close to them like family . . . not that romantic, heart-stopping love. The more she thought about it, the more alone she felt. No mother, no father, no brother . . . no lover . . . no William Boone . . . and no Ta'al . . .
 Again, tears misted her eyes. The pain was always there, she thought, and it would always be there. But would she always be alone? Grace was trying so hard to help her not feel alone and isolated, but she was. It was just the truth staring her in the face.

** "So are you going to marry already or not?" Arthur asked very nonchalantly as they strolled on the property of his parents' home just outside of Toronto, Canada. They we in fact already married (for 6 months in fact), but Arthur loved to be playful with his wife.
 "Well, I really don't know why I should," Grace replied, just as playfully as he was being.
 "Because I love you without measure and we're perfect for each other," he replied.
 "Oh really?"
 "Yes...really," he replied. He kissed her with that...**

 Grace was brought out of the CVI enhanced memory by the sound of someone crying. Grace looked around and saw Tara a few yards to the east of her direction. Quickly she made her way over to her.
 Suddenly, Tara heard footsteps behind her. Judging by the sound, it was a woman. A hand touched her shoulder.
 "Hey, are you all right?" Grace asked, with concern.
 "I don't know . . ." Tara replied, staring off into the distance.
 Tara looked out toward the woods and became lost in her own thoughts. Her soul was numb, as if it didn't matter that she was alive. When she allowed herself to feel, she was encompassed with emotional pain and isolation.
 "I know you've tried your best to make me feel wanted," Tara began in her British accent, "And under other circumstances I'm sure I would feel that way . . . But I still feel alone in the world . . . At least you have your family and the love you shared with Arthur, your husband . . . As well as the hope that you may find him again . . . I've never known that kind of love. But Ta'al and Will were the closest to my heart . . . Without them I feel so empty and alone . . ." Tara explained. "And I'd be lying if I said that I didn't want to still just end it all, just to stop the pain . . ." she continued, "But I can't do that now . . . The Taelons have to pay for what they have done . . . which is the only thing keeping me alive . . ."  She turned to look at Grace and forced a smile, tears filling her eyes, turning them into emerald pools. "I'm also sorry I have burdened you with this . . .After all, you have enough of your own pain to deal with, rather than play baby-sitter for an Implant who's turned to mush . . . I'm sorry . . ."  Tara turned away, wiping at her eyes. It seemed as if the tears would never stop . . . just like the pain. "I am so terribly sorry . . ."
 Grace placed a hand on her shoulder. "Listen you are NOT a burden. I do have my own pain to deal with, but it's not as nearly as bad or as deep as yours appears to be. I want to be your friend, Tara, more than anything. I want to try and by as good of a friend as Will was to you. I know that I can never replace him but I want to be that kind of friend to you . . .    This may not help much, but where ever Will and Ta'al are right now, they don't want you in pain like this over their passing. They would want both of us to go on living our lives in the best way we know how without them. In that way, we can somehow bring honor to their memories . . . Believe me, I can understand the pain you're going through. I went through all this when Arthur first disappeared," Grace said as gently as she could. "And you have hope . . ."
 Tara turned to look at Grace once again and smiled. "Hope . . ." she echoed, somehow feeling a bit better. "That would be nice . . ." She looked out in the direction of the woods again. "Would you mind if I took a little walk? I need some time to think . . . Maybe find that hope you were talking about . . ."
 "All right," she replied. "But if you're not back by dark, I'll send a posse after you."
 Grace smiled and Tara couldn't help a gentle snicker.
 "Well, if I'm not back by dark you'd best send the cavalry instead . . ."
 The girls exchanged one more laugh and Tara headed off in the direction of the woods.
 "Just be careful out there," Grace shouted.
 "I always am," Tara answered back.
 

 After a couple of hours and a ways into the woods, Tara found a beautiful waterfall. The water cascaded down from the rocks into a pond of water. There were flowers dotting the grass surrounding this little place of beauty, and the trees provided excellent cover from the hot sun. She took her shoes, pants and top off, until she was only in her under things and waded into the water. It was cool and refreshing. As she floated, she let her mind go, and found herself island hopping in the Aegean Sea. She had seen Thera and Crete, with their excavated ruins. Ta'al had found these places of human ingenuity fascinating. The Minoans, as they were called by modern archaeologists had left nothing but writing in their own language. There was no Rosetta stone, as their had been with Egyptian. So to this day, the ancient language still had not been figured out. But the Minoans were craftsman. They had created beautiful mosaics and pottery. Their water hydraulics system was so advanced for a people from 1500 BC.  They were modern by the standard of the time. They even had building that were two and three stories high . . . And in the hills of these islands and even in Greece, there was a certain amount of peace. She missed walking through the ruins and feeling as if she belonged to a time that didn't exist. As if all time was part of her . . .
 Suddenly, she heard the sound of someone approaching. Swiftly, she swam to the edge of the pond and crawled behind a boulder. As she looked toward the noise, she saw a man approach. He was tall, with sandy colored hair that just touched his shoulders in the back. She watched the way he moved as he walked over to her pile of clothes and realized there was something very familiar with his body frame and movements . . .
 Suddenly, she stood up. "Ryan . . . ?" she asked.
 He turned to her, and saw her pink, wet undergarments and quickly turned back around,  with a bit of embarrassment. "Uh-yeah . . . Grace told me you had come for a walk in the woods, so I tracked you . . . I'm . . . sorry for the intrusion."
 Tara smiled and laughed to herself. "Oh-Ryan! What are you doing here?" she asked, as she approached him, trying to wring out the excess water from her hair.
 He began to turn toward her again, but again, turned away. "I  . . . uhh . . . just want to talk with you and see how you were . . . I had no idea that you were out here . . ."
 "Swimming?" she added. "Ryan, I'm still clothed. It's not as if you're seeing anything." She found a nice spot on a flat rock by the water where she could dry off in the sun. "So you might as well turn around and take a seat. It's going to take me some time to dry off."
 "Well . . . uh . . . all right," he replied, slowly, turning toward her.
 She was beautiful, he thought. Cautiously, he found a spot near her and sat.
 She could feel his apprehension. "Ryan, you should know me enough by now to know that I'm not going to bite . . ."
 "Well, when I usually see you, we're working . . ." he replied.
 "This isn't work and you're here . . ."
 He was silent for a moment as he gathered his thoughts. "I was worried about you . . ." he began. "I mean, after losing Boone and then Ta'al . . . Knowing what you almost did to yourself . . . I wanted to see how you were doing . . ."
 She turned to him and looked into his aqua blue eyes. "That's very sweet of you . . . I'm all right, I guess . . ." she replied, feeling the lump grow in her throat once more. She looked away quickly, before he could see the pain that was creeping up once more.
 "Grace told me that things were still hard for you . . ."
 "They are . . ." Tara replied truthfully. "There's not a moment that goes by where I'm not thinking about Ta'al or Will . . . Where I feel so alone . . . yet I know I'm not alone . . . Grace has been a wonderful friend these last few days and yet . . ."
 He couldn't see the tears that sprang to her eyes, but he could feel them in her voice. "Those who you loved are gone . . . right?"
 Gently, he inched over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. She looked at him as the tears fell from her eyes. Tenderly, he wiped them away as he caressed her cheek.
 "But you're not alone, Tara . . . You never will be alone again . . . I never told you this, but remember the last time you went to see Ta'al?"
 "Yes . . ."
 "He told me to take care of you . . . that he was worried about your safety . . ." Ryan told her, "And every day I worked with you I got to see the part of you that everyone else seems to miss. I saw the vulnerable part of you. The caring part of you . . . You were special then and even more so now."
 "What are you saying?" she asked, trying to dry her tears.
 "I . . ." He pulled her into his arms, "I care for you very deeply . . . And I want to be here for you. I want you to know that whatever you need, I'm here and that I'm not going anywhere . . ."
 With that, Tara melted into his arms and sobbed. She could feel part of the pain ebbing away as she could finally feel that she wasn't alone. That she had never been alone and that she would never be alone again . . . Not when she had Grace as a friend and Ryan . . .
 "Tara," he whispered, gazing into her green eyes, "I love you . . ."
 Gently he kissed her and nothing else existed in that moment, except for them.
 

 Grace returned to the Whitneys home and decided to spend some time alone in her . . . Arthur's room. Andrea had agreed to come wake her up in an hour if she didn't come down on her own. Grace went upstairs and into his room, intent on exploring the childhood belongings that her husband had left behind when he went to college in the States.
 Arthur was five years her elder, but she had never met a more perfect man before or since that time she met him. He had loved her so tenderly and with such passion . . . Grace couldn't believe that he was dead . . .
 She opened a trunk that had Arthur's initials on it. She ran her hand over the child carved "ADW", smiling. Slowly she pulled the contents of the trunk out, finding books about space exploration and pictures from the Hubble Space Telescope. At the time, they had believed they were alone in the universe . . .
 "So much for that," she muttered.
 Next she pulled out a ragged teddy bear, one that had been patched one too many times. She hugged it carefully and smelled the evidence that it had been in storage many years. In her mind, she imagined Arthur as a little boy, hugging the bear as he crawled into bed. Tears were in her eyes and then rolled down her cheeks, splashing onto the bear by the time she laid the bear on the floor.
 Out of the trunk next, she pulled out a model plane and several half completed coloring books. She flipped through the books of "Tom and Jerry", "Transformers", and "Power Rangers", slowly, marvelling that Arthur had once liked these television shows.
 The hour passed too quickly and Andrea came up, gently knocking on the door before entering. She found Grace sitting on the bed with Arthur's bear in her arms, staring off straight ahead of herself. She was lost in memories again.
 "Honey?" Andrea said coming into the room.
 Grace snapped out of the CVI enhanced memories, looked at Andrea and then down at the bear startled.
 "I'm sorry for going through Arthur's things like that. I know I should have-"
 "Hush," Andrea said, placing a finger over her mouth. "You're Arthur's wife. You don't need my or Samuel's permission to do this kind of thing. We know you loved our son and you made him so very happy. He'd want you to see the mementos of his childhood. Ah, I see that you like his old teddy, Saul. Why don't you keep him, then?" Andrea said, patting the old bear's head.
 "Can I? It would mean a lot to me to take Saul home," Grace said.
 Andrea hugged her.
 "Of course, dear. Of course....."
 

 Reluctantly, Tara and Ryan walked back to the Whitney's home, holding hands. Tara didn't want to let go and he certainly had no intentions of it. As Grace and Andrea saw the couple approach, they noticed that Tara was smiling . . . truly smiling. For the moment, she was happy.
 "It looks like you're feeling much better," Andrea stated, with a smile of her own.
 Tara laughed. "Well . . . I found that hope Grace told me about," she replied, exchanging a knowing gaze with her friend.
 "I told you, you would," Grace smiled back.
 "Well, I suppose I should get going," Ryan said, looking at the sky as it began to change colors as the sun set.
 "Nonsense," Andrea replied. "You'll stay and have dinner, then we'll fix up one of the rooms for you."
 "But, I don't want to disturb the girls' vacation . . ."
 Andrea gently rested a hand on his shoulder, stealing a glance at Tara. "I seriously doubt you could disturb it," she answered. "Now, I'm going to get dinner ready . . . "
 With that, she disappeared leaving Grace, Tara and Ryan alone outside.
 "You really do look much better," Grace replied.
 "For the first time since I was transferred, I feel . . . like I belong somewhere now . . ."
 With that, Ryan leaned over and kissed Tara, and she smiled, letting his arms engulf her in an embrace.
 Grace couldn't help but smile as she watched Tara and Ryan. They were happy together and Grace certainly knew how the true love of man could lift a woman's spirits. After they all settled down on the porch Grace asked Ryan how things were back at home.
 "Well a certain mutual 'friend' of ours is quite upset that he can't reach either one of you," he answered.
 "So you and Ken holding up all right?"
 "Yes, although there's been a few times I could swear that he was going to call Da'an and ask him where you are."
 Grace laughed.
 "Well, you and Ken just hold down the fort a little longer. We'll be coming home again before the week is out."
 Ryan gave her a mock salute.  "Will do."
 Suddenly there was a crash from the kitchen and Grace was immediately on her feet.
 "Excuse me. I think I had better go lend a hand to Andrea."
 Quickly she disappeared inside . . .
 "And how are you feeling now?" Ryan asked.
 Tara smiled softly. "Well . . . I don't feel alone," she laughed slightly.
 Tenderly, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her to his chest as they looked out at the stars together.
 "Right now, I feel as if everything is all right, except . . ." She sighed.
 "Except . . . ?" he echoed, waiting for an answer.
 "Well . . . my heart still aches, Ryan . . ." she explained.
 He sighed. "I imagine it will for awhile yet. You don't lose people who are close to you and not feel it . . . It'll take time, but the pain will slowly dull . . ."
 "I hope you're right . . ." she replied, comforting herself in his embrace.
 "Believe me . . . I am . . ."
 Though he didn't speak, she could tell that suddenly his mind was a million miles away. Not wanting to probe, she simply snuggled against him as they continued to look up at the star-filled sky.
 

 Tara was in a garden, admiring the lovely flowers in bloom around her. But each time she tried to get close enough to smell them, they withered away to dust. Each moment brought her more agitation and fear. Why were the flowers dying, only when she drew near?
 Suddenly, the sky turned dark with gray, ominous clouds. With hot intensity, she saw lightening streak across the sky, followed by a terrible clap of thunder. Rain began falling in large droplets, wetting her hair and the floral print dress she wore. Seeing another array of lighting, she began running for the house next to her, and for the closest door. It was large and made of heavy pieces of wood. As she pulled, the door wouldn't give. Suddenly, a tree, only 50 yards away was struck with the lightening and caught fire. Panic began building in Tara as she ran around the house trying to find another door. But when she did, that door also would not budge.
 "No! No!!!" she screamed as she pulled on the door furiously.
 Another lightening bolt hit near here. This one only 20 yards away.
 She took off running again to another door, but again, it was locked. She could feel the lightening drawing near her, as if it were seeking her out. She pounded on the door with all her might as her heart raced out of control. Another second and the lightening would strike again, and this time it would strike her!
 Suddenly, she saw a flash of light!
 "Tara . . . ? Tara, are you all right?" asked a voice from the doorway of her room, as she sat up in bed drenched in sweat. It was Ryan.
 For a moment she was disoriented as the dream melted away.
 "I'm fine," she replied, still shaking. "I just had a nightmare . . . That's all . . ."
 Ryan went to her and sat down on the bed. Through the darkness, he could see her dishevelled appearance. Gently, he wiped her brow and caressed her cheek.
 "You're trembling . . ."
 "Well, it was a terrible nightmare . . ."
 She sighed and leaned into him, as his arms seemed to naturally flow around her.
 "Do you think you can get back to sleep?" Ryan asked.
 "I don't know . . ." she replied. "Maybe if you'll hold me . . ."
 He smiled in the darkness and settled himself on her bed, resting his shoulders against the headboard, and pulling her back into his arms, so that her head rested on his chest. He would hold her like that for as long as she wanted him to, he thought, gently caressing her hair.
 "Now just rest," he commanded tenderly.
 She could hear the beating of his heart and it soothed her. Within minutes, she was again sleep. This time, her dreams were peaceful.
 

 The week seemed to pass all too quickly as far as Grace was concerned. In two days she and Tara would be heading back to their double lives, and the struggle for humanity's future would resume. This week had been a time of grieving and a of healing.
 Now she sat out on the front porch in the middle of the afternoon, Arthur's old teddy bear in her arms, thinking of him and of Will. Andrea came out onto the porch with her and sat down.
 "I know that look. You're lost in your memories." she said.
 "Yes, I am. I keep thinking of Arthur and I keep grieving for a friend I just lost. I miss them both," Grace said, wiping away tears.
 "There's not a day that goes by that I don't pray to see Arthur again. As for your friend, he's where no one can ever touch him or hurt him again."
 "I know that Will is at rest, but I still miss his presence. We had a connection from day one when we were working together. He understood my pain, because earlier this year he had lost his wife, Kate. And I understood his pain because of Arthur. Now he's gone and it's hurting me more than I thought it would or could."
 "Did you love him?"
 "Yes, I did as a close, dependable friend. That doesn't betray Arthur, does it?"
 Andrea hugged her. "No, of course not! Arthur would have understood your love and your friendship with this man. What was his name again?"
 "William Boone."
 "God rest the soul of William Boone."
 

 Tara walked back into the woods to the waterfall, and took a seat on the rocks once again. This place seemed to bring her the most peace. Ryan had left the day before, and though she felt better than she had, the pain still coursed through her. It would for awhile, Ryan had told her, as if he understood the pain. Though he never said that he did. She had been unwilling to pry. Perhaps one day in the future they would talk about it. As it was, she actually knew very little of him, compared to what he obviously knew about her. But regardless . . . he was a warm, comforting, caring soul and she was glad to have him in her life. Lost in thought, she tossed pebbles into the water, watching the extra ripples it caused.
 Suddenly, she head footsteps. Somehow, she knew who it was.
 "I thought I might find you here," said a soft, friendly voice.
 Tara turned to see Grace standing there with a smile. She returned it.
 "Is it that obvious that I love this spot?" Tara smiled.
 Grace nodded and took a seat. "So how are you doing today?"
 "I suppose I'm doing all right," she replied. "And you?"
 Grace smiled. "I'm doing better . . ."
 "Good . . ." she replied, but then a sigh escaped her. "I just wish that the pain would dull. It still feels too fresh . . . Too new . . . It's hard to believe that sometime in the future, if I return to Greece for a visit, that Ta'al won't be there. Or that when we go back to work, Boone won't be nearby for me to talk with anymore . . . Did I tell you about the nightmare I had a few nights ago?"
 "No," Grace replied with curiosity.
 "Well, I was in a garden and all the flowers would wither away before I could touch them. Then I was stalked by lighting trying to strike me down," Tara explained. "It took me awhile, but I think I understand the dream now . . . The symbolism . . . The flowers dying before I touch them represents everyone that I love who has died. The lighting . . . I haven't figured out yet . . . except that it has to do with feeling vulnerable, I think. I'm not sure . . . But it was a horrible nightmare . . . And I know this is a bit irrational, but part of me thinks that I must be a bad person for these things to happen. I know it sounds crazy, and that I'm not responsible for anyone's death . . . not my mother's or brother's deaths, and not Will's or Ta'al's . . . But perhaps, if I were a better person, maybe somehow they would have been spared . . . I told you . . . Crazy . . ."
 Grace took a deep breath as she sought to fight back a CVI memory intrusion. Tears were in her eyes as she looked at Tara.
 "You don't know how I was saying the same thing to myself after Arthur first disappeared. I thought that I was to blame. Before we starting seeing each other, I was interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement, but after I met him that changed. After he disappeared, I was kicking myself because I hadn't finished college . . . or rather I didn't pursue my Master's degree in Criminal Justice. All I could do was sit back and watched as others tried to find out what had happened to my husband . . . I've never told anyone this, but there came a time when I had to stop blaming myself and I had to try to get on with my life, just like Arthur would have wished. I think that's probably what Ta'al, and Will, and your mother, and your brother would want for you too. They all loved you and they don't want you to blame yourself for the their deaths, or for you to mourn their losses forever."
 Tara was silent for a moment, mulling over these wise words. She knew her loved ones would want her to go on. But how would she get to that point . . . ? Turning her bright green eyes toward Grace once more, she smiled.
 "It's a long, hard road, though, isn't it?" Tara replied.
 "It is," Grace replied, "It takes strength and courage. But you have a lot of both. I've seen it in action. And hey! If I could do it, so can you . . ."
 They shared a friendly chuckle.
 "So what would you like to do for the next day or so, before Ken arrives to take us back to our real lives?" Grace asked.
 Tara sighed. "Oh, I don't know . . . But I can tell you one thing. Your in-laws certainly know how to make a stranger feel like family . . . and that's a very wonderful feeling . . ."
 

 That night, after one of Andrea's wonderful home-cooked meal of roasted chicken, garlic fried potatoes, and fresh cooked green beans. They had actually spent a family evening together, just talking about the day. Something Tara hadn't done since she was twelve. It felt so good. They had ended the night with homemade blackberry pie topped with vanilla ice cream and good conversation. As Tara slipped beneath the covers, she felt at peace. It was the first moments of comfort she had truly had. Before she could even shut her eyes completely, she could feel her soul drift away on the gentle ray of a good dream . . .

 "Tara . . ." came the voice calling her. It was soft and gentle. Melodious and peaceful . . . "
 She was in a chamber standing, looking out at a breathtaking view of space.
 "Tara . . ." the voice called again.
 She knew that voice. As she turned around, she saw him, and her heart stopped. It was Ta'al, just as she remembered him. Without a moment's hesitation, she went to him, tears glistening in her eyes.
 "Ta'al . . . But . . . But Zo'or told me that you had-"
 "Passed into the Great Void," he finished for her. "I have, my friend."
 "Then, am I dead?" she asked with curiosity.
 A gently smile touched his alien, but tender face. "No . . . I am here because I have felt your suffering, and to let you know that I shall always be near you."
 She was puzzled. What she knew of the Taelons afterlife was nonexistent. One's energy just released into the void of space.
 "My energy has been dispersed," he said, answering her unasked question, "But what was my essence will always be near you . . . There are others, Tara . . . Taelons like me, who want to see humans and Taelons come together in unity, so that we may save both of our cultures. They are not so far from you. . . I gave you the modified CVI for a reason, Tara. Seek others who will help our cultures unite . . ."
 "But how would I know where to look without putting myself in danger?"
she asked.
 "Look inside yourself, and you will have the first piece to the puzzle."
 Tenderly, he held his palm up to her. As she reached out to touch him, she could hear his voice echo through her being, ~You are not alone . . . ~
 Suddenly, her eyes opened, and she was surrounded by the darkness of the guest room. She pulled herself out of bed and turned on the light, going to the dresser to pick up Ta'al's photo. Slowly, she sat back down on the bed and stared at him. As she did, she felt his warmth and feelings course through her. She wasn't alone . . .
 

 The place that Grace was in, in her dreams, she knew all too well. It was in the meadow that she and her husband had shared so much time together. She smiled as she just sat down in the middle of the field and looked at the flowers that surrounded her.
 "The beauty of your world had never failed to amaze me," a voice said suddenly from beside her. Judging from the sound of it, it was the voice of a Taelon, but a Taelon that Grace did not recognize. She turned to face the speaker. The face she looked into smiled at her.
 "Do I know you?" she asked.
 "No, you do not. We never met during my tenure on your world. My name is Ta'al," the Taelon replied.
 "Ta'al? As in Tara's Ta'al?" she asked.
 "Yes." he replied.
 Grace smiled. "She really loves you, you know. I haven't yet been blessed with that kind of relationship with a Taelon. Most Taelons I meet . . . seem . . . well . . . distant, and they seem as though they don't want a relationship with a human," Grace said.
 "There are many among my kind, indeed among the Synod itself, who do not wish for a relationship with humans. However there are those of us, who do. You must know how to look for these Taelons," he said.
 "I have always sensed that about Da'an. I think that in many ways he loved Boone, and I know he certainly trusted him," Grace said. She looked at Ta'al. "Was Da'an a friend of yours?" she asked.
 When Ta'al answered his voice was barely above a whisper.
 "Yes."
 When it appeared that the Taelon might leave her, Grace turned to ask him a question.
 "Have you been to Tara?" she asked.
 "Yes, I have. I visited with her before coming to you."
 "Why did you come to visit me?"
 "I came to thank you for helping Tara with her great pain and for helping her to live again. She means a great deal to me, even now after I have joined the void," he replied.
 "Ta'al, I had to do it. I had a lot of pain of my own to deal with so I can understand what she was feeling," Grace replied.
 Ta'al stood and waited for Grace to do the same. After she had stood he gave her the Taelon hand gesture that was exchanged whenever one was coming or taking leave. She watched him as he slowly began walking off.
 "Ta'al?" she called.
 He turned back.
 "Yes?"
 "Say hello to William Boone for me please." she said. Grace actually didn't know why she said, that because of what she knew about the Taelon afterlife, but still deep down inside she suspected that they shared the same afterlife with humans.
 "I will," he replied and continued on his ways.
 Grace watched him go....
 

 Tara awoke as the sun filtered in through the drapes. It was still early, but she decided to get up. For the first time since being hit with the news for Will's death and Ta'al's, she welcomed the start of a new day. She went to the kitchen and started a pot of coffee, knowing everyone would be up soon. Pouring herself a cup with cream and sugar, she headed outside to watch the sun rise into the sky. She took a seat on a patio chair and slowly sipped her coffee. It wasn't long before Grace joined her.
 "Good morning," Grace smiled.
 "Yes, I believe it is," Tara replied.
 Grace's delicate eyebrows arched in surprise. "Well, I guess you're feeling good this morning."
 Tara laughed softly. "You could say that . . . You know, I had an incredible dream last night. It made me feel at peace . . ."
 "Ta'al visited you, didn't he?" Grace asked.
 Tara gazed at her with her green eyes filled with surprise. "How did you know?"
 "You're not going to believe this, but he came to me also . . . It was weird . . . But he really cares about you a lot . . ."
 "Yes . . ." she replied. "Even now . . . He really came and saw you as well?"
 Grace nodded. "Yeah, he wanted to thank me for being here for you . . . He's really . . . majestic," she said, not being able to think of another word to describe the Taelon she had seen the night before.
 Tara smiled again. "That he is . . . But now I know that I am truly not alone. No matter where I go or what I do . . ."
 "Tara . . ." Grace replied with certainty, "You never were . . ."
 

 Soon the Whitneys were up, and Andrea was in the kitchen fixing a great breakfast for her family. Two of Arthur's brothers were coming with their families, and she was busy cooking stacks of pancakes, bacon, sausages, eggs, and even toast. Grace helped her with the cooking while Tara helped her by first extending the table and then setting it.
 "How long will it be before Joseph and Paul get here do you think?" Grace asked, just as they finished the last of the pancakes.
 Suddenly, they heard a horn blowing. Andrea smiled.
 "My guess is that's Paul and Monica."
 "Do you think that they brought the baby too?" Grace asked, as she wiped her hands clean. Andrea nodded yes.
 "They don't know that you're here, dear. You and Tara stay inside and let's surprise them both, okay?" she said.
 Grace nodded.
 She watched Andrea and Samuel go out to get her brother and sister-in-law. Two minutes later, she heard Paul's voice as he came into the door.
 "...I'll be back to work in...Grace! Oh my! Come here, big sister!" Paul said, spreading his arms to embrace Grace.
 Grace cried as she pulled back to look into the eyes of Arthur's youngest brother. Arthur and Paul resembled one another so much!
 "How long have you been here?" he asked, pulling her into a nearby chair. Grace caught Tara out of the corner of her eye.
 "Oh, Paul, meet Tara Carmichael. A coworker and friend . . . and your new sister!" she smiled with a hint of mischief. "Tara, this is my brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Monica. You're family now, too!" She paused, reaching out to take her nephew. "And this is Arthur Christopher Whitney..."
 "Or Artie as we call him," Monica interjected.
 "Welcome to the family," Paul replied with a warm hug. Andrea watched approvingly from a hallway, before heading back to the kitchen.
 Suddenly another car honk blew and Andrea headed for the door. Grace looked at Tara, still holding her baby nephew.
 "Joseph and his wife already have five children," Grace explained as she pointed to the food.
 "Five?"
 "Yep and they're expecting another one in 3 months too."
 "My goodness!"
 At that moment Joseph came into the door and he experienced the same reaction his brother had, just moments before . . . After they pulled back and Grace introduced Tara as the new family member, Andrea brought over a stack of the pancakes.
 "Now let's get this eaten before it gets stone cold."
 

 After the huge meal was over with, and the children were off playing, the Whitney's still sat at the table talking.
 "I still can't believe you work for the Companions, Grace, and for Da'an no less." Joseph said.
 "Sometimes, I wonder why I took this job. It takes a lot of effort and a lot of my strength. Thank God for the CVI. Otherwise I'd never get through reading some of the reports that I have to read," Grace said.
 At that moment, Tara's global bleeped and she frowned.
 "Excuse me." she said and got up from the table.
 "She works for the UN Companion Representative," Grace explained.
 "Grace, it's for you," Tara said, handing her the global.
 Grace took it. She saw Ken was at the other end.
 [You forgot to your global, didn't you?] he asked.
 "Yes."
 [Listen, we have a full schedule today. What time do you want me to come and pick you and Tara up?] he asked.
 "In an hour," Grace said.
 [All right. At your in-laws house?] he asked.
 Grace looked to Andrea and she nodded.
 [See you in an hour.]
 

 The packed luggage stay out on the porch as they waited for Ken's arrival. Andrea and Samuel hugged both Grace and Tara.
 "You both come back here anytime you need to. Tara, you're family now. Remember that . . ." Andrea said.
 Tara nodded, tears filling her eyes. "Thank you, both, for helping me to heal," she said hugging them again.
 At that moment the shuttle appeared from out of interdimensional and with ease, Ken landed the Taelon shuttlecraft in the Whitney's huge lawn. Joseph's children came running out towards the shuttle.
 "Kids! Don't get on your aunt's...."
 Grace smiled as Ken joined them.
 "Ready?" he asked.
 "Yeah. Let's load the luggage."
 "Grace, you and Tara say another round of goodbyes while I and your friend here load everything onto the shuttle."
 Grace and Tara made another round of hugs. Then Grace looked to Tara.
 "Ready to go back to our lives again?" she asked.
 "I'm not ready but I'm able."
 "Let's go then."
The Whitney's watched as the shuttle disappeared into interdimensional moments later . . .
 
 

 The End