Honorable mention goes to Carol, who named that tavern.

"Mom, I DID give him a chance." Taylor carefully did not sigh in exasperation. "I listened while he explained the length, breadth, width and depth of his, his father's and his grandfather's portfolios," she braced the phone between her head and shoulder so she could pull a frozen dinner out of the refrigerator. Scanning the box for cooking time, she threw the contents into the microwave. "I was politely attentive while he described every fitting, jibline, and sail of his past four boats. I withheld myself from flattening his nose while he patronizingly gave his liberal credentials by slaughtering every feminist author in existence. Mother, you're lucky the man survived dinner."

"I swear Taylor, I don't know where this aggression comes from." Barbara Williams cultured tones flowed out of the receiver. "Is it too much for a mother to want to see both her daughters happy and secure?"

"Yes, Mom, it is. It is if she's ignoring what will make her daughters happy in favor of what she thinks they should want." Or if she's trying to turn her daughter into something she's not. I'm not you Mom, and I hope I never will be.

"And what do you do when you're left to your own devices? You think that's going to lead to happiness?"

A discrete beeping interrupted Taylor's response. Thank GOD for call waiting. "Look Mom, I'm sorry, but I've got another call. Say hello to Daddy for me." She hit the flash button before her mother could reply.

"Hello," she couldn't quite keep the exasperation from coloring her voice, but her mood changed abruptly when she heard the mellow reply.

"Bad time? You said to call if I was in town."

Taylor laughed. "You called just in time to save me from my mother. Where are you? Are you hungry? Do you have time for dinner?"

"On the street in front of your building. Very. I was hoping you'd ask." Jack's warm chuckle flowed through her, cleaning out the tension left by her Mother.

"How'd you know where I live?" The blonde asked curiously.

"I have many skills. You want to let me in, or should I just wait down here?"

Taylor hastily hit the buzzer. "Come in, come in. You know where?"

"Yep, be up in a few minutes."

Taylor hung up the phone. Resisting the temptation to run and change her clothes, she took the nuke-a-meal out of the microwave and tossed it in the garbage. Running an eye over the light disarray in the living room, she sighed. "Oh well, it's not as if she didn't already know I'm not a neat freak."

A few moments later, a light knock sounded.

She pulled open the door with a smile. "Hey there stranger."

"Hey yourself," Jack replied, leaning against the doorframe.

Taylor grabbed her by the shirtfront and hauled her in the door. "Get in here woman!"

Jack's startled grin was a welcome sight. "Problems with the family?" She asked mildly as Taylor shut the door and shooed her towards the couch.

Flopping into a chair of her own, Taylor let out an exasperated breath. "Nothing major, just the leavings from a particularly disastrous family dinner." She felt compelled to continue when Jack cocked an eyebrow towards her. "They ah...always invite a 'nice young man' and then watch like hawks in the hopes that I'll show some glimmer of interest."

"Sounds uncomfortable."

"To say the least. I'm surprised that this one's ego fit through the door." She grimaced, "But forget that, where do you want to eat?"

"It's your town." The corner of Jack's mouth quirked upwards with the barest hint of a shrug.

"Japanese?"

"Perfect."

"Great," Taylor replied. "Let me just find my keys and wallet."

"No rush." Jack leaned back against the cushions as Taylor tried to discreetly search for her keys in the pile of flotsam dominating the dinner table.

C'mon Taylor, they're here somewhere...AHA! Triumphantly she turned, keys in hand. "Well, don't just sit there woman, I'm starving!"

Jack got to her feet and ambled towards the door, a challenging glint in her eyes.

"You up to walking?" She asked, deciding not to take up the dare, as she led Jack toward the elevators.

"Sure," Jack's long lazy stride covered an amazing amount of ground in a short period.

"Slow down, would ya stretch? I feel two years old again, taking five steps for every one of yours."

"Hurry up and slow down," Jack complained. "You're certainly a confusing woman."

"That's what they all say. Actually, it's just that I'm far more advanced than the rest of you...you're simply not equipped to understand what's happening in my brain."

Jack grinned, "I'm not sure all the PhD's on the planet can understand what's happening in there...but what leaks out is sure entertaining."

Taylor couldn't help the thrill that ran along her spine at the teasing smile aimed down at her from lofty heights.

She's still beautiful.

"You wouldn't be making fun of me now, would you Ms. McDermott?"

A falsely innocent mask covered Jack's face. "Nope, not at all, I meant every word I said."

"Uh, huh." Taylor looked suspicious as they rode the elevator down to the lobby. "To be honest, I wasn't sure if you'd call me or not." She commented in a characteristic topic change.

An eyebrow raised. "I said I would, didn't I?"

"Uh, yeah. You did. Guess I shouldn't have doubted." She grinned, "But you've got to admit it wasn't beyond comprehension for you to want to get rid of a pest like me. How are the boys?" She asked as they strode out into the lobby.

"Keeping me hopping," Jack replied with a note of exasperation in her voice as she held the door to the street open. "Jeff wrecked the truck last weekend...thought a light pole was a new braking device."

"That way," she gestured down the block with a wave of her hand. "He's OK?"

"Yeah," Jack rubbed the back of her neck ruefully. "His insurance just went through the roof though. Bad enough being male and under twenty five."

Taylor cocked her head thoughtfully. "Bet you're making him pay the difference."

"How'd you know?"

"'Cause you're great at instilling a sense of consequence into them. Hey!" She objected as Jack pulled her back from the curb by the collar just as she was about to step into the street. Before she could say much more, a sleek, low-lying sports car rounded the corner and sped by the spot that Jack had just pulled her out of. The red car came close enough to blow Taylor's clothing against her skin.

"Oh my god, how'd you know he was coming?" Taylor asked, feeling the cool sensation in the corners of her eyes that meant that they were open wide. Trembling excitement ran through her veins. Adrenaline, too little too late, she thought wryly, as she put her hands in her pockets to hide the shaking.

"Heard him," Jack replied succinctly as she grasped an elbow and steered Taylor down the street.

 With a cup of sake inside her and a healthy plate of tempura in front of her, Taylor finally seemed to be relaxing a little.

"You glad to be home?" Jack asked as she sifted through the tempura.

She was surprised when Taylor thoughtlessly stretched out an arm to put a yam on her plate. "Yes and no. I really don't like my job that much these days." She wrinkled her nose at Jack. "You spoiled me...I'm less patient with crabby supervisors than I used to be."

"I'm not crabby?" Jack was surprised. "This woman must be incredible." Tempted by a thought, she went hunting for an onion.

"Nope, you're not crabby...you're the strong, silent, intimidating type. She's just petty." Taylor's grin when Jack deposited the vegetable on her plate made her feel well rewarded. "Today, for example," the younger woman said while adroitly snagging the ring with her chopsticks. "Today started with a diatribe because I hadn't dressed appropriately...mind you I was in the process of taking off the sneakers I walk to work in, but I rather think that eight oh three is a little early to be getting uptight about my shoes. Then, she trashed a write up I was doing for the quarterly report...in a staff meeting. I thought I was going to sink through my chair." She wriggled in her seat in memory.

"Why do you put up with it?" Jack asked mildly through her mouthful of yam.

"I don't really have much choice," Taylor replied with a grimace. "If I quit, I'm going to have to put up with my father saying 'I told you so.'" She munched thoughtfully. "I know it sounds like a dumb reason to stay, but I just can't bear to prove him right."

"He didn't think you'd like the job?"

"No, he just didn't think I could hold one down for more than a year. Too interested in my own entertainment, he said." Jack was startled to find that Taylor's eyes were pointed down at her plate and her normally ebullient voice had become muted and uncertain.

Jack put her chopsticks down carefully, and reached her hand out above Taylor's plate, flexing her fingers in front of the young woman's eyes. "Hey," she said quietly.

Parents. Jack could feel the anger rising in her. "You're one of the most competent people I know," she said with as much force as she could muster once the blonde had looked up. "And your father's an idiot if he hasn't figured that out. Quit if you don't like the job, or transfer. Don't let him run your life."

Taylor nodded, never letting her gaze leave Jack's, which made it possible for Jack to see the mist that was threatening to rise up in her eyes. "I know I shouldn't, but I guess it's hard to break away from being emotionally dependent on them."

"Yeah, I still get the same thing around my mother sometimes." Jack replied, fighting the urge to fiddle with her fork.

"You do?"

She nodded, grabbing her sake cup in order to hide her discomfort. "She's a junkie, and no kind of parent, but I still remember when she was the center of my world." She took a long draught before continuing; "I think that's part of why she upsets me so much. If not, I'd just ignore it when she needed money for bail or something, or I'd tell her to jump off a cliff." Why in the world am I telling her all this? Suck it up Jack-O and knock it off.

Taylor cocked her head slightly. "You don't want to talk about this."

Gratefully, Jack shook her head.

"Then let me tell you about this woman Deb met the other night..." Taylor distracted her with gossip and funny stories through the rest of dinner.

"You know," Taylor said as she guided Jack back into her living room. "I really miss you and the six brothers McGruff."

Jack grinned as she found a seat on the couch. No, as she takes over my couch...Taylor observed as Jack's long form stretched out, feet crossed at the ankles far into the room and arms casually draped over the top of the furniture. "McGruff? Wasn't that the billy goat family? Or was it that dog that did commercials about fire?" She raised a brow. "Either way, I doubt it was a compliment. Funny, I thought you would have felt a lot safer here away from all the madness. I was thinking about hiring you a full time bodyguard after you hurt your foot."

"Are you kidding? I've never felt safer...when you weren't pulling my fat out of the fire, I had six linebackers forming a protective wall around me." She headed towards the kitchen. "I'll put the coffee on." She looked over her shoulder and spoke sharply as she realized that the tall woman was about to rise. "Don't you dare move! You look way too comfortable."

"Yes, ma'am." Jack bemusedly tossed off a salute.

"Better." Taylor grinned.

Just then, the pager went off, ruining the lighthearted mood of the moment.

Christ. Look at her eyes. Without thought, Taylor reversed course, her legs pulling her over to the couch. A concerned brow lifted over the deep blue eyes.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't know," Taylor replied, reaching out to hesitantly cup a cheek. "But I hope you'll tell me."

 For a brief moment, panic coated Jack's features. It was the barest instant before the casual mask was back into place. Standing, Jack replied. "I have to go."

"No!" With all her might, Taylor latched onto a bicep. As the dark woman paused, she went on in a quieter voice. "No, Jack. Please don't." She tugged slightly, toward the couch. "Please, is it that important that you leave right now?"

Jack shrugged.

"Why does that thing scare you so much?" Taylor asked gently.

"You think I'm scared of a pager?" The voice was rough, not aggressive.

Taylor shrugged and tried as hard as she could to project compassion as she replied. "Your eyes say you are."

A trapped and hurt animal looked back at her. She's going to run. C'mon Taylor, you can do this. Tugging again toward the couch, she gently pulled a silent Jack down to rest on it, pulling the muscular back against her chest and lightly wrapping her arms around the dark woman's abdomen.

After a long, tense moment, a slight relaxation in the muscles told her that she'd guessed right. Remember climbing that wall? Don't trap her...just support her.

"Here," she reached out a long arm and grabbed a huge cushion from the other end of the couch. "Strangle this if you want to."

"Taylor, I..."

"Don't you dare!" Taylor cut her off. "Don't deny that you need a hug, don't lie to me and tell me you're not feeling awful right now, and for god's sake, don't even think of apologizing."

Jack fiercely hugged the pillow to her chest. "Ok." Her voice sounded smaller that Taylor had ever heard it before. "I can't tell you..."

Rocking slightly, Taylor rested her cheek against a shoulder blade. "Fine," Taylor cut her off gently. "Just don't lie about it, alright?"

"I..." The words broke off and stretched into a long silence. Taylor just held on, hoping it would be enough, until a subtle tension told her that Jack needed to pull away. Instantly, she let go and scooted over to lay with her back against the other arm of the couch, feet and legs stretched out on the cushions between them.

Watching the flush rise over Jack's cheeks, Taylor spoke as easily as she could. "You know, if you ever do decide that you need to talk, I'll cross-my-heart-and-hope-to-die promise that it would stay confidential."

Jack directed a sharp look at her. "Don't say that Taylor. You don't know..."

Sitting up, Taylor interrupted again. "Let me tell you what I do know. You have something eating your soul out and whatever it is terrifies you...and since you're one of the strongest people I've ever met, it'll probably terrify me too." She took a deep breath. "I have eyes Jack, and a brain. I understand what I'm saying...I know that if you share whatever it is with me, that I'll probably have a few dozen nightmares over it." She reached out and grabbed Jack's wrist. "But I'm still offering...you just have to decide whether or not to trust me."

Jack just stared, words poised on her tongue. Denial, or confession, Taylor would never know, because the beeper chose that moment to invade the silence again.

Taylor reached out and silenced it. "Time to go to work," she said quietly.

The dark alley smelled of urine and refuse. Aaron felt his nose wrinkle. You'd think after thirty years as a New York City cop I'd be used to it by now. He jumped and turned in one startled movement as a low voice growled over his shoulder.

"Who are you?"

He paused to regain his composure, running an experienced eye over the dark form in front of him.

Christ, she looks like some sort of night deity. Not a kinder, gentler god either... Most people probably found the tall, intense woman intimidating. But Aaron had been a cop who'd seen hard service. He knew what to look for, and he found her downright terrifying. And Heaven help me, those eyes just whisper Death.

Whatever she had been, she was no common street punk now. Aaron mentally shook himself by the scruff of the neck, wondering if he was crazy for wanting to protect this killer. Wondering if I'm going to die trying to protect her.

He'd taken a foolish risk, using her own system to attract her to this meeting. He'd paged her with the same code Drechter's cartel sent to summon her to a job. Then he'd faxed her New York City apartment with the details of when and where to meet. He'd hoped the blatant evidence of how much he knew would establish his credentials. Let's just hope she wants to find out what I know before she decides to kill me.

"Just a friend." He replied as calmly as he could.

He didn't even see her move, but suddenly he was pressed against the wall of the alley. A slight movement told him that his holster had been emptied. Fuck, no one's that fast.

"Don't play games with me," the voice caressed his ear. "Who are you?"

"I'm a cop," he began. "Wait!" He panicked as a blade appeared near his throat. "Don't kill me...not yet. You need to know what I came to tell you."

"Get on with it," the voice allowed impatiently.

He took a deep, steadying breath. It's odd. I've faced death before...but there's something about her that's more terrifying than simply meeting an end. She's like some dark, primordial force of nature...something man wasn't supposed to see directly.

"I know you Shade...I've been watching you for years. I'm the only cop in this city who knows your real name. I risked my career to keep it under wraps after I watched you heave your guts out in this very alley eleven years ago."

"You're not doing a good job of convincing me to let you live old man," the voice warned as her body shifted minutely. Dangerously.

"It's Drechter. He's framed your cousin. I think he wants to use him against you."

"What cousin?" The voice was noncommittal, revealing nothing. She could have been denying having a cousin, or asking which one. Knowing his response would reveal how much he knew.

"Jacob, he's been working at Drechter Enterprises all year." Aaron gasped as his body was squeezed in tighter to the wall, until he hardly had room to breathe. The hand on his wrist tightened enough to break bones.

"Shade," he choked out desperately. The pressure released immediately, and he found himself standing with the wall supporting his back, blue eyes examining him doubtfully.

"Why?" She asked.

"I think because he knows that you won't be able to control you for much longer. Your cousins are almost adults."

The assassin waved an impatient hand. "No. Why the warning?"

He looked down for a moment. Watched his own hand rub circulation back into his wrist. "Do you remember meeting a disabled young man on a train years ago?"

Recognition flashed through her eyes. "Evan? No, Ethan." She said quietly, her voice losing some of its edge. "I remember you."

"You changed his life."

She eyed him thoughtfully, nodded once, and then turned and walked back into the night.

John jumped as the front door slammed open. A tall, dark, enraged woman stood in front of it. Uhoh.

"Where in hell is Jake?"

Not waiting for an answer, she strode up the stairs. Curious, John trailed up after her to find half his brothers standing wide-eyed in the hallway as Jake's defiant shout vibrated the rafters.

"Of course I lied to you! You would have found a way to keep me from taking the job. You didn't give me a choice, Jack! Just butt out Jack, and let me live my life!"

"Listen to me boy," the low vibrations of Jacks voice cut through the air as clearly as Jake's bellow, but with pure menace, not volume. "You don't have what it takes to work for the old man. You want to quit school and go to work, fine. We'll have that brawl some other time. But you WILL, by all that's holy, stay away from Pete Drechter."

"Afraid of a little competition Jack? I goddamn well can take anything you can." The sound of crashing ceramic reached their ears.

"There went the lamp," Julian whispered. John shushed him with a gesture.

"You never give me a chance! I could do anything I bloody well wanted if you'd just get out of the way and let me live my life!"

"You want to work for Pete? You think you can take it? Sell your soul as well as your humanity for the price of a few dollars?" Anguish filled the question, ignored by Jake as he screamed a reply.

"I can take anything you can!" Jake's voice cracked.

John traded a wide-eyed look with his brothers.

"He's gone around the bend," Jeff whispered. John nodded. It certainly sounded like Jake was on the ragged edge.

"All right, Jake. Come with me." The low growl had a note of finality to it.

The three of them hustled into Jer's room, peering through the crack as Jack frog-marched Jake down the stairs.

They opened the door and Julian began to head for the stairs when Jack's voice wafted up to them.

"Stay there you three."

They stared at each other for a long moment.

"Christ, what's that all about?" Jeff asked in a tiny voice.

The concrete grip on his collar infuriated Jake. He tore at it frantically. "Leggo of me! Damnit, let me go!"

Jack silently complied, letting go completely after she'd gotten him into the hay barn. He landed hard, the prickly hay felt coarse against his bruised hands and knees.

Rage pounded in his pulse, darkening his vision and encouraging him to fight. Just fight. Don't think, don't negotiate and don't ever, ever give in. There's a point past which man is not to be pushed...and I reached it years ago. Jake came up off the floor swinging. Jack silently sidestepped the swing and threw him back on the floor, landing bodily on top of him, causing the dust to rise and clog his nose. Like my life is clogged, stoppered by this force I can't escape, can't...get...off...my...back.

"Stop!" Jack shouted, but Jake continued to struggle, fighting with every ounce of his body to just get up. He didn't know if he wanted to kill her or run so far that she'd never find him. The emotions roiled through him. All he knew was he had to get up. Get off me; get out of my life.

"Let me up!"

Jack grabbed his head and held it down, talking directly into his ear. The sheer power in her voice penetrated his raging brain. "Here's the deal: you show me that you can take it, and your life is your own."

Jake ceased in his struggles, breathing heavily. He tried to clear enough anger from his brain so that he could think. It wasn't easy. His vision faded in and out with every beat of his pulse, pounding from his groin to his hair, making his skin swell painfully at the temples and pull tightly around his body. " Just like that? Bullshit."

"Just like that." Jack replied harshly. "I'll give you a healthy chunk of starting cash, some tips of the trade, and send you off to seek your own fucking damnation."

"Nothing's that easy." Suspicion and disbelief colored his tone and thoughts.

"Didn't say it was."

Defiance rose thickly; it was choking him. Had been suffocating him for most of his life. The only way to be free of it was to be free of Jack. "I can handle anything you can. Whatever it is, it's is worth getting away from you," he spat out.

"Stay here." Jack got up and left the barn.

Jake had barely enough time to stand up and rub his neck before she returned to hand him a squirming canvass bag.

"Take it out."

Jake opened the bag to find a black puppy, hardly longer than his forearm. He looked up in disbelief as he held an armful of squirming warm dog.

With a voice of hammered iron, Jack said, "Kill it."

Jake looked down to see she was holding out a long-bladed knife.

Unconsciously, he hugged the puppy tightly to him and backed away, shaking his head. As Jack followed him, looking increasingly menacing, he dropped the dog and stood before it, raising his hands up to ward her off.

"No Jack, you don't mean it."

"I most certainly do." Intense blue lasers drilled into him as she took another step forward. Grabbing his hand abruptly, she shoved the knife into it. Her low, growly voice was inescapable. "This is nothing. You have to accept worse if you want my job." She spun him around by the shoulder and shoved him toward the puppy. "C'mon, show me what you've got."

Jake stood, looking from the puppy to the knife. Anger, confusion, fear and revulsion swirled around in his stomach, tugging at him and keeping him off balance. I bet she won't let me do it, this is just a head job. She wants me to admit I can't, wants me to admit I'm not strong enough.

Then she spoke again, and he could actually hear her sneer. "You can handle anything I can, remember? I was doing worse than this when I was sixteen, little boy."

Call her bluff. He gripped the knife with confidence and took a step forward. Stooping, he grabbed the puppy and turned it over, placing the knife at the dog's throat. The fur was velvety soft beneath his fingers. His hand tensed. Any minute now, she'll stop me. He waited.

"That's it Jake. Use that anger. You hate the world and everything in it. What's one puppy?" The cold, uncaring voice abraded the ragged edges of his emotions. "There're too many dogs in the world. Is a puppy's life worth your freedom? Make it quick and clean, and you can have what you want."

Jesus, she's serious, he realized in a cold wash of horror. Now he faced a real choice. The anger in him pushed and pushed. The frustration was still there, demanding release, screaming 'I'll do anything!' His muscles tightened and he toughened the expression on his face.

Soft brown eyes looked up at him. Sorry fella, he thought as he tightened his grip on the dog. I'll make it painless.

He paused, unable to force his muscles to move. After a long moment, he pulled back, whispering, "I can't."

Jack was suddenly behind him gripping his wrist painfully, forcing the weapon down. "It's got to be done, Jake. Do it." No matter how hard he fought, he couldn't stop the knife from making a slow, arduous progress toward the helpless young animal. "C'mon kid, use that anger. Tap into it. It'll feel good when you're done."

"I can't!" He screamed at her, curling up into a ball around the dog. "I can't. I can't. Please, Jack. Please don't make me." He was horrified to discover that he was bawling like a child. He couldn't stop. Hiccups began to escape as he pleaded with her for the puppy's life.

"Shhh, it's OK son." She wrapped herself around him and crooned in his ear. "It's OK"

She simply held him for a long while, while he tried to fight the sobs into submission. "That's what I feel like every time I do a job for Pete. Like some force that's stronger than I am is directing me like a marionette, compelling me..." Her voice trailed off such that he wasn't even sure if she was still aware of his presence.

He scooped up the puppy and held it to him. "Oh God Jack, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

When he had control of himself, she tilted his head up so that he was looking directly into a compassionate, respectful set of eyes. "Why?" He asked. "Why do something that makes you feel so horrible?"

"I started because I thought I had to. I even thought it would be...a release of sorts. I was even angrier at the world than you are." She rocked back on her heels. "I continued because it was the only way to keep my family together." She looked at him. "You boys need me. Without you, I'd be the most worthless piece of garbage on this earth."

"I think I'm going to be sick." He heard the pleading note in his own voice.

Wordlessly, she heaved him upright and guided him out the door. Thankfully, he emptied his stomach in the dirt directly outside the door.

"I do a lot of that, too." She said. It wasn't a joke, he realized as he looked up at her.

Anna looked up as Jack wandered into the kitchen, looking like the world was leaning harder on her shoulders than usual.

"Evening Anna," Jack murmured distractedly, heading toward the main house.

Anna wiped her hands on a small towel while replying. "Sit down. You're not getting by me with that look on your face." She nodded meaningfully toward the small table.

Jack looked about to protest for a moment, then sighed and settled down in a chair. She looked up with a grin when a plate full of cookies and a glass of milk appeared in front of her. "Still spoiling me Anna?"

The older woman smiled, "Remember when there wasn't a single hurt that the boys could have that a plate of cookies couldn't fix?"

Jack's eyes glinted as she chewed on a cookie. "Right through their first crushes."

Anna reached over to grab a cookie and began munching. "I remember wishing that your problems were so easy to solve," she sat down at the table. "Going to tell me what's going on?"

Jack just shrugged. "I had to terrorize Jake, Pete wants me to replace Grayson."

Anna face mirrored mild surprise, "He's..."

"One of Pete's factors."

"Interesting," she looked Jack over. "You think there's something behind it."

Jack shrugged again, this time looking far more uncomfortable. "I uh...expressed my disagreement rather forcefully."

Anna patted Jack on the cheek; "You and Pete have always had a unique method of communicating, dear." She frowned. "It doesn't make much sense though, does it? Anonymity is a large portion of your value to him."

Jack's eyes indicated that she'd already followed this pathway. "Unless there's some reason why he wants to expose me further."

"What does the boy plan on doing with Grayson?"

In a dark voice, Jack replied. "I figure Pete's going to be calling me about him any day now."

Anna shifted uncomfortably at the reminder of Jack's vocation, before forging on. "Interception and Jake work into this scheme of his?"

Jack sighed, toying with the glass of milk. "In a way," she looked up angrily. "He's wants to turn the McDermott family into some sort of special task force. Jake's just the first."

Anna leaned back and spoke thoughtfully, "In a strange way, it makes sense."

Jack's angry look made her continue hastily. "What you and the boys have...that's special dear. Trust, teamwork...working together you'd be a force to be reckoned with. No matter what you choose to do." She smiled gently. "Those boys would unquestioningly follow you into hell, Jack. Even you must recognize that."

Jack's stubborn look of dismissal denied any acceptance. "Doubt there's much trust now. Jake's going to be years recovering from what I just did."

"That boy needed a kick in the pants. Better now than when he's fifty and wondering what happened to his life." Anna replied firmly. "But think, Jack. The one thing that Pete values...that is hard for him to find in his...ah, an alternative business...is loyalty. He's bought yours, but he's got to know that that can't last for too much longer now."

Jack nodded slowly. "The boys are getting older...they won't need my money, or me soon." She picked at her cookie. "Someone pointed that out to me recently."

Anna looked at her sharply. "They'll always need you Jack."

Jack waved her off, a thoughtful look on her face. "But I see what you mean...and if he can get just one of them...like Jake, to do something stupid and foolish, he knows he's got a weapon to use against me for a good, long time. I'm not scared of jail...hell. I'm planning on it...but the boys, no."

"So, he gets a group of highly effective people, with unquestioned loyalty...and he gets to keep you."

Jack turned a wry look toward Anna. "You're pretty good at figuring out devious, paranoid minds Anna."

"You forget love, I grew up in this world."

"Yeah, I did forget. It's so easy to."

Anna smiled and decided that it was a compliment. "Now," she smiled knowingly. "Why don't you tell me what's happening with that nice young girl and you?"

Jack looked startled. "What?"

Anna's gaze was almost sympathetic. "Taylor? The attractive young blonde that's got you wrapped around her little finger?"

Jack just stared.

Anna sighed. "I love you Jack, but you can certainly be blind sometimes."

She patted Jack's hand before rising. "Give her a call. I promise you'll feel better"

Later that evening, Taylor was watching a movie when the phone rang. Expecting Deb, she picked up the phone and quipped, "Allo, My name is Inigo Montoya."

"Taylor?" A resonant voice asked hesistantly.

Taylor felt the blazing heat on her cheeks. "Oh! Hey Jack, I thought you were Deb."

"Is it too late to call?" Jack asked.

Hitting the pause button on the remote, Taylor curled her legs under herself. "Of course not. You know how late I stay up. What's on your mind?"

"Wanted to apologize for ruining the evening the other day." Jack replied diffidently.

Taylor felt her face shape in surprise. "I'll think about it," she teased. "Throw in some coffee on top of the apology and I might even forgive you."

"Done," Jack replied emphatically. "When?"

Twirling the cord around her fingers, Taylor had a quick mental argument with herself. Once it was resolved, she replied. "Actually, there's something you could do that would be better than coffee."

"If there's carpentry involved, I'm going to need some time to get a permit." Jack stated wryly.

"No, nothing like that," Taylor laughed. "Though I'll keep it in mind for next time." She took a deep breath. "See, a group of us have been learning to play darts over at a little Irish pub on Fridays. Only, Deb's got a new woman she's seeing and she wants to bring her, which leaves me fifth wheel..." She trailed off, feeling a little awkward.

"So, you need a partner? No problem, just tell me when and where."

"Great!" Taylor gave her the info. After they hung up, Taylor had a long talk with herself about wiping the goofy grin off her face.

Jack leaned against the fence as she watched Julian school the little palfrey. He was the lightest rider they had, aside from Gina, who was out with a sprained ankle.

Besides, she commented to herself, he's damn patient with a jittery horse. I might see if he'd be willing to put some time in even after Gina comes back. It'd help pay for some mustang parts.

"That's enough Jules, bring him in."

She opened up the gate as Julian dismounted so that he could lead the gelding through.

"Walk with us as she cools down Jack?" Jules asked. "I wanted to ask you about something."

"Sure kid." She fell into step with him. "What's on your mind?"

He took a deep breath. "I want to pull some money out of my fund."

"Well?" She inquired. "How much money, and what do you need it for?"

Anxious to make her understand what he wanted to do, his explanation came out in a rush. "I...I was thinking about fixing up antiquated cars, and selling them once they've been spiffed up. I think I can make a significant profit on them. Mr. Pernicki at school he'd advise me if I had any questions, and my boss'll let me borrow tools over the weekends. I figured I could use the old garage as a workshop...if you'll let me move the blue tractor up to the back property. Mr. P suggested it, he knows where I can get an old BelAir dirt cheap...well, for a few thousand. I figure I'll need 15 thousand all told, between the car and the tools that we don't keep down at the shop...like body spoons."

He winced as she whistled her response to the amount. "That's a lot of money Jules."

He looked at her anxiously as she thought it over. "How much do you think you can sell it for, and how long will it take you to get it in shape?" She asked thoughtfully.

"I think...at least fifty thousand." He sounded unsure. "And I don't know, really. Probably a good year, maybe two."

"OK kid...here's what you're going to do. First, you're going to write a business plan. You know what that is?" She asked.

"In general terms." He answered tentatively.

"Go to the library, they should have some books on how to put it together." Jack advised. "I won't pull out your college money on speculation, but if you write one up that convinces me that it's worth the risk, I'll loan you the cash."

His eyes lit, but she held up a hand to stem the words that were about to flow. "Don't get excited. I have several caveats. First," she explained. "I need your solemn word that you'll keep your grades above a three oh this year. If they drop, then I pull the plug."

He nodded, having expected the condition.

"You'll also agree to invest at least twenty percent of the profits...long term kiddo."

"Sure Jack." He replied. "To be honest, I'm not sure what I'd do with that much money anyway. Anything else?"

"Yep." She replied. "You and I are going to spend some serious time figuring out what you're going to do with your life. I think it's pretty obvious that you want to work with vehicles." She grinned at him. "But we need to figure out what. You've been a little lazy about that."

He looked a little sheepish. "Yeah, I really don't want to live as a mechanic. I've seen what that's like. I just don't know what I'm interested in besides mucking around with cars."

"What about designing them?"

"Uh..."

"Think about it," she directed. "And look at some schools besides the local community college."

"Sure thing Jack," he grinned in relief.

Jack stood in the small garage she rented, her gaze scanning the vehicles in front of her. Which? She pondered. The boys would be appalled if they knew how many little toys she kept in this garage. Well, appalled to know that I was making them drive what they could afford...and that there's no way in hell I'd let them into any of these. She groaned mentally at the thought of Jake let loose with a little power at his disposal. Nope, the old bangers they can find work quite nicely, thankyou. My insurance premiums are bad enough now.

Two wheels? Four? Remembering Taylor's excitement over the dirt bikes back home, Jack decided that a motorcycle was in order. Cheaper to park, too. And...ah, of course. Black, sleek, and fun. Bet she'll want to go for a ride the minute she sees it. Jack thought devilishly.

She tried not to wonder why it had taken her so long to choose it, or why she'd had to purchase a new shirt to go play darts in a smoky Irish pub. Needed a new one anyway, she reflected, looking down at the white button down she'd picked up.

She conscientiously loaded a second helmet onto the bike before slipping into her leather jacket and driving the motorcycle out of the garage. She waved at the guard on her way out. "Thanks Dave!"

"No problem, ma'am." The old watchman tipped his hat. "Be careful! Those machines are dangerous!"

She grinned evilly and revved the engine on her way out of the lot.

 Jack walked into the tiny bar, trying to find Taylor's distinctive hair in the crowd.

"Jack!" Taylor spotted her first and began to fight through the throng. "Glad you found it. Hey!" She exclaimed, reaching out to remove the helmet under Jack's arm. "You rode here?" Her head tilted in query.

Jack felt the amusement bubbling up. "You know, you look like Jake's new puppy when you do that."

"Do what?" A crease appeared between her brows.

"Tilt your head in curiosity." Jack smiled down at Taylor. Teasing her...feels good.

Taylor tried to smack her on the shoulder, but Jack reflexively caught her wrist. "I'm not a dog!"

"Nope, a puppy. Much cuter." Jack replied, releasing the warm hand. More muscle there than I would have thought. The part of her that constantly evaluated potential opponents commented quietly in the background.

"Oooh. Just for that I'm not buying you any beer."

Jack devoted attention to looking disaffected. "Too bad, 'cause I was going to offer to take you for a ride later."

"One Guinness draft, coming up!"

Jack watched, bemusement tickling her, as Taylor started weaseling towards the bar.

Being small has its advantages. Jack mused, watching her squirm between two big brutes. Of course, looking big and dangerous isn't exactly a handicap.

Taylor reappeared, drink in hand. "This is what you wanted, isn't it?" She sounded a bit embarrassed and unsure.

Jack peeked to make sure that it was done settling before taking a good-sized draught. "Absolutely. I'm surprised you remembered."

Taylor just smiled enigmatically. "Ready to meet the crew?"

"Ready as I'll ever be I guess," Jack shrugged. Not precisely my usual crowd. Then again, what is? Death row?

Taylor hooked her arm through Jacks and began guiding her towards the back. "C'mon. None of them will bite without a specific request, I promise. A few may ask for your phone number though." Taylor grinned evilly.

Minx. "Maybe I'll ask for theirs." Jack smiled knowingly.

"Oooh, I smell a palm pilot in the air."

"Palm pilot?"

"The new millennium's version of a toaster oven," Taylor replied.

What the...? The thought never completed itself. They'd successfully made it to a nook in the back of the bar holding two tables and two dartboards. Four women were sitting around the table nearest the bar, obviously waiting for them.

Jack met red headed Amy and dark Erin, a disgustingly cute young couple who looked like they could finish each other's sentences. She exchanged wry looks with Deb as they shook hands. She also met Deb's date Casey, a very athletic looking blonde who made a point of meeting her eyes over a hearty handshake.

"So Jack, you play darts before?" Deb asked.

"Once or twice," Jack replied blandly. "What's the game?"

"Cricket's usually our favorite," Erin replied. "But we're alright with 301."

"Been a few years," Jack stated thoughtfully. "But I think I remember the rules for Cricket. Tough to play with three teams though."

"We thought we'd have one team sit out, then play the winners." Taylor commented.

Jack gestured towards a chair, "Why don't we sit out the first round then?"

Oddly, Casey made a show of pulling out Deb's chair as they stood up to play, looking over at Jack.

What? Jack stared the young woman down.

Taylor giggled, then leaned over and whispered in her ear. Jack tried hard not to jump as the warm breath tickled her. "Deb picked up a super butch this time...I think she feels that you're failing in your duties."

What the hell is she talking about? Jack wondered. From the sounds of it, I'm being laughed at.

"What's that mean?" She whispered back.

"She thinks we're an item...and you're not treating me right."

"Amy didn't pull out Erin's chair." Jack thought for a moment, "or vice versa."

"Um...she wouldn't expect them to."

"I'm confused."

Taylor giggled. "Don't worry about it. She'll stop it when she realizes that you're straight."

"I get the feeling I just lost the 'who's the toughest lion on the mountain' contest."

"Good thing," Taylor replied. "Those little games give me a headache."

Jack's eyes glinted devilishly. "You sure I shouldn't go all chivalrous? When in Rome... Besides," she continued, "I make a pretty tough lion when I want to."

A panicked look crossed Taylor's face. "No! No.it's OK."

"If you're sure..." Jack tried to sound reluctant. "I think I'd be pretty good at it."

"Yeah, and I'd get all kinds of ideas," Taylor muttered.

"What was that?"

"Nothing," Taylor turned red. "I just don't think it would be the best idea. You and Casey'd spend the rest of the night having a drinking contest or something." She hurried to explain.

Red ears...very cute. "Not the wisest choice," Jack agreed with a falsely solemn mien. "Especially since I have a contract to take someone for a ride tonight."

Jack sat back and watched Taylor as the younger woman directed her attention towards the game. Interesting comment.

"Jack? Hey, Jack?" Taylor's worried voice broke through her musings.

Jack mentally shook herself by the scruff of the neck and looked up with a smile, "Sorry."

"You OK?" Taylor briefly rested a hand on her shoulder.

"Yep. What's up?"

"It's our turn to play."

Jack looked up to discover that Casey and Deb were waiting for them.

"Care to make this interesting?" Casey asked as Jack stepped up.

Jack just raised a brow.

Deb cut in, "We don't usually bet on the games, Casey."

"Losers buy the beer. How's that?" Casey grinned. "Pretty tame."

"Sure," Jack replied.

"Challengers take first shot." Casey didn't budge from her spot.

Damned if I'm gonna squeeze by this punk. Jack stepped forward, twirling a dart between her fingers until she was standing a bare breath before Casey. Looking down, she let just a bare glimmer of the predator show. I was eating ego children like you for breakfast before I'd topped five feet. The blonde gulped and rapidly backpedaled.

"Thanks," Jack smiled affably, stepping up to the line. Easy Jack, she thought as she narrowed her focus down to the dart, her stance, the floor and the target don't blow this. When their relative positions snapped into place, she let fly. The dart landed in the narrow band in the middle of the pie section labeled '20.' Without pausing to think, and blocking out the murmurs behind her, she hit it again, then loosed the third one.

"Wow!" Taylor shouted from her position near the table. "Three triple twenties! That was great!"

Deb was standing next to the line, busily marking on the white board. "Lets see...that's three to close," she made a little circle under Jack and Taylor's names next to the printed 20. "And... six for points? What is that, 120?" She marked down the points near the outside of the board. She turned and grinned at Jack, "I'm just gonna go get those beers now. What are you drinking, Guinness?"

Jack shook her head, "Just a soda, thanks."

"Good enough," she grinned conspiratorially. "I'll see if they've got any Band-Aids for bruised butch pride, too."

With effort, she kept the grin off her face as she strolled up to Taylor.

Taylor leaned over and whispered, "That wasn't nice."

Jack raised a brow, "Who said that I was nice?"

Several hours later, they stepped out onto the sidewalk, gratefully breathing the crisp, cool air into their lungs.

"Wow...now I'm wishing that we were betting on the games." She poked at Jack's side, but was neatly sidestepped. "You're a hustler, you know that Jack McDermott? 'I've played once or twice...I think I remember the rules'" She mockingly quoted Jack's earlier comments.

"Well," Jack replied judiciously. "It has been over ten years since I've played."

"Didn't take you too long to get back into the saddle."

"Guess not." Jack guided her towards a shining black Ninja parked on the sidewalk. "Ready for that ride?"

Taylor felt her eyebrows float. Wow. "This is yours?"

"Yep." Jack looked the bike over judiciously before removing a second helmet that was strapped to the back.

"How come I've never seen it before?" Taylor fumbled with the helmet straps.

"I keep it in a garage down here. Here, let me help you with that." She gently pushed Taylor's fingers aside and threaded the webbing through the split D ring.

Taylor caught her breath. "Sorry," she mumbled nervously. "I seem to be a little klutzy."

Jack grinned. "That's what I'm here for."

The statement caused a little bubble of happiness to rise in Taylor's chest. "You sure seem to make a habit of saving my rear."

Jack straddled the bike and then looked over her shoulder. "Well, come on. Let me show you what a real street bike can do."

Don't have to ask me twice, Taylor thought emphatically as she got on and wriggled up to Jack's back.

Oh my god, Taylor thought a short twenty minutes later as they zoomed down the freeway at over eighty miles an hour. She'd looked down a couple of times, and then decided not to.

Jack wove her way through traffic with amazing confidence, and barely a modicum of respect for the potential speed traps around. Taylor tightened her grip on Jack's abdomen, deciding that closing her eyes and enjoying the smell of warm leather was more enjoyable than worrying about a ticket. Mmmm, yeah. Much more enjoyable.

Taylor was drifting in a warm, dreamy haze until she heard the engine pulse into a lower pitch. Opening her eyes, she discovered that Jack was pulling off into a rest area. A few moments after Jack cut the engine, Taylor regretfully loosened her grip and sat back so that the taller woman could get off the bike.

Jack shook her hair as she removed the helmet. "How you doing back there?"

"Ah...aside from a slight nervousness? Great. Absolutely wonderful." Careful girl, you're bordering on babble.

The dark brow did its thing. "Nervous? Hell Taylor, I'm sorry. Thought you'd enjoy it." She looked over in concern. "You should have told me."

"How?" Taylor inquired simply.

With a rueful grin, Jack scratched the back of her neck. "Solid point. I'll slow down."

Taylor looked around. "Bathroom break?"

Jack shook her head. "Nah...there's a little loop trail here that gives a great view of the city. Thought we'd stretch our legs a little and take a look at it before heading back."

Taylor eyed the nearby woods doubtfully. "Did you bring a flashlight?"

A knowing grin flashed at her. "Don't need one, there's a full moon. But yeah, I've got one if you really want it."

Taylor held out an imperative hand. "Hand it over."

They followed the trail in silence, keeping their eyes down to watch for bad footing. God, every time I think I'm over it, I rediscover just how handsome a woman she is. Taylor commented to herself as she looked over at Jack's profile, well illuminated under the full moon.

She watched as Jack shot another sidelong glance at her. She keeps doing that. Wonder what's up?

Well, Taylor's hopeful side spoke up, maybe she's going to ask you out for a date.

Despite the thrill the thought sent through her, Taylor firmly stomped on the notion. Het, boss, scary secret. She chanted in her mind.

Just when it looked like she was on the verge of a full-scale shouting match with herself, they arrived at the lookout point.

"Oh, that's beautiful." Taylor commented as she sat on top of a picnic table, looking across the Hudson to the gathered lights of the city. "Think I like the stars in Roddenbury better though."

"Different kind of view, that." Jack replied as she settled down next to Taylor.

"When did Jake get a puppy?" Taylor asked, mostly just to hear Jack's voice as she responded.

"Um," Jack cleared her throat. "Last week."

"He going to take it back to college with him?" Taylor asked doubtfully.

Jack looked surprised. "We haven't really thought about it."

"You? Not thinking of something? I'm amazed." Taylor teased gently. "And here I thought you were perfect."

"Not hardly," Jack snorted. She looked over in concern when Taylor shivered. "Cold?"

"A bit," Taylor was hesitant to admit it, but she simply melted when Jack took off her coat and wrapped it, along with her arm, around Taylor's shoulders.

They didn't say much, just sat and looked out at the city. Taylor's body couldn't make up its mind whether it wanted to be completely relaxed or if her heart should be pounding madly.

Jack looked down at her. "Taylor?"
"Hmm?" Taylor replied.

"What's the deal with the toaster oven?"

Taylor's laughter broke her tension. "Don't worry about it, just a joke. Sort of a sarcastic response to the accusations of a recruiting conspiracy. The lesbian version of Mary Kay gives you a toaster oven for every recruit."

Jack looked at her in disbelief. "A toaster oven?" She laughed.

"Palm pilot. I'm fixing to get me one, so look out Ms. McDermott." Taylor gave her best attempt at a leer.

"Hep! Hep! She's after my virtue!" Jack vamped up southern belle style.

Taylor just stopped and gaped for a moment before breaking into hysterics. "Oh.... my..." She gasped out. Who are you and what have you done with Jack?

"C'mon," Jack got to her feet and pulled Taylor along. "Let's get you home."

"I've got a better idea," a male voice spoke from behind them. Uhoh. I knew there was a reason Mother didn't want me wandering the woods at night.

"'Bout time you showed yourself," Jack replied calmly before turning to face the voice's owner. She completed the turn in a way that put Taylor behind her.

Taylor peeked around the tall woman anyway. He looked...scary. Tall and hefty...not heavy. Thick. Poorly maintained clothing. Mean look. Just your ordinary, run of the mill thug. Nothing to worry about, right? Yeah, right.

"You want something? Or are you just standing there looking pretty?" Jack asked without concern.

He smiled, pulling out a knife before responding. "Nothing much...just your wallet and your friend."

Oh god. This is fun. What'd you do this weekend? Oh, nothing. That guy they cast as the malevolent stupid brute in all the movies abducted me. Taylor thought with tense amusement, wondering why she wasn't more panicked. It'd be smart to be panicked right now, you know that don't you Taylor Dear?

"No." Jack grabbed Taylor's hand and started guiding her toward the path.

What happened next, Taylor wasn't quite sure. Some unknown signal occurred, and Jack exploded into movement. Grabbing his knife hand in two of hers, she stepped back and twisted. An unpleasantly wet crack and a small scream came out of the man's body.

Wow, Taylor thought as Jack calmly took her hand and led her out to the parking lot.

"Ugh...that was a nasty sound," Taylor commented somewhat banally as they headed for the bike.

Jack looked over at her. "You OK?"

She grinned. "'Course I am, you're better than a steel reinforced wall. Wasn't even worried." She paused for a moment. "OK, I was a little bit worried," she continued sheepishly. "That was pretty impressive."

Jack just shrugged.