Chapter XVIII

Randi was squatting on the floor, cradling Ditto's face in her hands as Gwen descended the stairs. The dog saw her and gave a sharp bark. The Marine gave the shepherd a brisk ear rub, and stood, watching as the canine headed out the door and down the beach.

"You ready?" asked the bard as she hefted her bag. Randi gently removed it from her grasp, and grabbed her own small case and the long hanging bag.

"Yep. C'mon. We've got a private shuttle, but the sooner we leave, the sooner we'll get to the capital. And the longer you'll get to rest before tonight."

"Hmm," following the tall woman out to the transport. "I haven't been back to the capital in years, since my hitch was up, I think." She mused on that for a little longer. "Hey, what's in the bag? You said Mother had my dress with her."

"Oh, my dress whites. There's a big... soiree... after the ceremony, and I... thought you might like to go with... me and, um... dance." Brilliant, Valiant. Stumble all over the place with this, why don't you?

"You're asking me to *DANCE*?"

"Yeah. Unless there's, um, someone else...."

"Oh no, Miranda Valiant. You've asked me to dance... you're stuck dancing with me for the whole night. I'm not letting you go." Then the bard flushed with the implications of what she just said. She started to open her mouth to qualify the statement, when a single word from the Marine stopped her.

"Good."

Their shuttle flight had taken about half the time Randi expected. The flight plan had been expedited at the highest levels, insuring their safe and swift arrival, as it would have been difficult to have any kind of awards ceremony without the guest of honor attending. So it was still quite early when they arrived in the capital city, and were driven to the hotel. The Sabre inquired after the Goldmans, who had arrived very late the night before, and found they had been given one of the smaller suites one floor below the penthouse. She nodded her acceptance, and decided to contact them after both she and the bard had gotten a bit of sleep.

"Let me just get a room...."

"I don't think so. You're in the penthouse with me, gunny. Let's go." Five minutes later saw them upstairs looking out at the morning panorama of the capital city spread out below them.

"Great view," Randi commented with a yawn.

"Yeah," the bard agreed with one of her own," but I think we both need a little sleep to fully appreciate it. See you in a few hours." Gwen placed a chaste kiss on the taller woman's cheek, then stumbled toward her bed.

The Marine stood stunned by the warmth the kiss had caused, before moving out of the living room, and to her own bed. She was going to think about the change she sensed in Gwen, but exhaustion quickly overtook her, and she fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Afternoon shadows were creeping in the window when Randi awoke from her rest. It was a little earlier than she planned to get up, and wondered if there was some reason she had awakened. She listened for a long minute, before she heard the chirp of the vid phone. Wiping her eyes and pushing back her hair she sat up in bed.

"Yeah?" Her throat was gravelly sounding from sleep.

"Randi?" Jill whispered.

"Yeah, Jill. What's up?"

"Oh, my. I'm sorry to wake you, dear. But I thought you might like to have Gwen's dress there instead of here. Not like she can get dressed without it."

The Marine chuckled lightly. "No, I suppose not. She's not awake yet, but you're welcome to come on up."

"I know she's not awake yet, that's why I called you. I figured I'd have a better chance reaching you than her, especially if she is exhausted. She has a tendency to tune things out til she catches up. I'll be up in a minute, all right?"

"Okay. I'll be waiting for you."

It was only a matter of a minute or two before the soft knock sounded at the door. The Marine had been waiting, and opened the door before Jill could knock twice.

The thought passed through the older woman's mind about just how adorable the sleep rumpled Marine really was. Gwen is so lucky to have Randi in her life.

"C'mon in," the brunette beckoned. She reached out her arms to take the dress Jill was handing her. "Have a seat, and let me go hang this up in Gwen's room. I'll be right back."

The Sabre was already almost to Gwen's room before Jill took a seat on the sofa. After a soft knock, she gently opened the door and peeked in. The bard lay curled up around a large pillow, still soundly asleep. Her blonde hair was tousled, and there was the slightest grin on her face. Randi wondered briefly what kind of dreams made the woman smile, before crossing to the huge closet and hanging up the dress. She removed it from its bag, casting a critical eye across it. Then she nodded judiciously, and left as silently as she had come.

Jill was waiting patiently on the couch, and smile when Randi emerged from the room. "She didn't even move, did she?"

The Marine returned the smile with one of her own. "Nope. Not a twitch. I think she'll be pleasantly surprised when she wakes up and sees that hanging there."

"So do I, dear. You did an excellent job."

"Um, thanks, Jill. Will you...."

"I'll be back in about three hours to help her get ready." The woman rose and headed toward the door. "So you have anther couple hours to rest yet, if you want. I have a feeling it may be long night." The older woman patted the younger's cheek, and closed the door behind her.

"You have no idea, Jill. You really have no idea," the Sabre muttered mostly to herself. Then she decided to take Mrs. Goldman's advice and rest a bit longer. It would be the last she would get.

When she woke from her nap, ninety minutes later, she felt refreshed, and ready for the evening's events. It was going to be interesting, and she actually found herself looking forward to the fun. It would be a wonderful memory to take with her, and wonderful one to leave Gwen with.

Thinking of the bard made her realize she needed to make sure the young woman was awake. She had indicated a desire for a nice long leisurely soak in the tub before it was time to dress, and Randi was going to do her best to fulfill every need and desire the younger woman expressed this night. She crossed the living area in swift strides, and tapped lightly on the bedroom door.

When there was no answer, she eased the door open and moved inside. The bard was still fast asleep, curled in almost the identical position she'd been in earlier, except for the blanket she had pushed from her shoulders to her hips. The childlike expression made the Marine smile in reflex.

"Gwen?" she called out softly as she moved to the bed. "Hey," sitting down and brushing the blonde hair away from the fair cheek. "Gwen, c'mon. Time to rise and shine."

"I'll rise, but I refuse to shine," came the mumbled response before sleepy green eyes peeked from half opened lids. A tiny grin flashed across her lips at the spontaneous laugh her words had garnered before she could school her features into a mock scowl. "Wha's so funny?"

"You are," the Marine answered honestly. "You are too cute for words. Now, if you want that nice long soak, best if you get in there. Your mom will be here in about an hour and fifteen minutes to help you get ready for tonight. If you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go do the same." Truth, but she also wanted to be out of the room and inaccessible when the bard saw her dress. The Sabre was suddenly quite shy about her audacity.

Randi did soak for about forty-five minutes before reluctantly climbing out of the tub and into the robe the hotel provided. Though she'd set the security protocols to allow both Geoff and Jill access to the elevator and the room, they respected both girls' privacy enough not to enter the suite without being personally admitted. And the Marine knew it was going to take a little while to get her hair dried and braided properly.

She was sitting at the dressing table half an hour later, having just finished painstakingly braiding her hair. A knock on her bedroom door surprised her, as she was sure she hadn't heard Jill enter the penthouse. She assumed the bard was still in the tub.

"Come." And was surprised when Gwen's still toweled head poked into her room. "Hey," she called, standing up from the table and crossing to the door, "What's up? Have a seat." She waved the younger woman over to the bed.

"Um, I, uh," small hands rubbed together nervously. Randi sat down next to the bard, and began to chafe her cold hands.

"Nervous, Little One?"

"No... maybe... yes, a little, I think. I've... it's just that... I mean, um...."

"Gwen? Gwen, look at me." Trusting green met confident blue. "Now, you're gonna be fine, okay? It's just gonna be a group of friends telling stories about *you* for a change. And then you say thank you, and we can go dancing, all right?"

"All right, but can I ask you a favor?"

"Sure. Name it."

The blonde tugged gently at the dark braid. "Just this once, just for tonight, will you leave it loose? For me?" The last in a bare whisper.

"But, Gwen I never...."

"I know. Please? You have such gorgeous hair, and you look so beautiful with it down. Please?"

How can I say no to that? You can't, Valiant. Now nod your head in agreement. Atta girl! It really was so little to do, and the happiness it brought to the bard was way out of proportion to the act itself. Gwen threw her arms around the Marine's neck.

"Thank you," she whispered, before she scampered out the door and back to her room. Randi shook her head dazedly, wondering if she'd just been had.

A few minutes later, a knock sounded at the suite door, and Gwen called out to Randi, "I've got it." She went to invite her mother in with a hug. The two Goldman women moved back to the dressing area, so the bard could finish her makeup and hair.

Jill actually took care of Gwen's hair. It had been the ritual for the many years the bard had been a performer before leaving home for the first time. It came back to them now naturally. Within short order, the blonde hair was piled neatly on her head, except for a few loose strands Jill had left for softness.

"It's been a long time since we've done this," Gwen commented quietly.

"Yes, it has. But we are so proud of you, Gwen. Of who you are and what you've become. Thank you for the joy you've brought to our lives."

"Mom," trying hard not to let the tears spill. "Did you have to go and make me cry? I don't want runny makeup!!"

"Oh, so I take it zebra stripes are out again, huh? Geez, I feel so five minutes ago."

Now the bard had to chuckle. She was very thankful to have the loving, supportive parents she had been blessed with. "I love you, mom."

"Love you too, sweet heart." She gave her daughter's face the once over. "Well," she said lightly, "looks like your makeup survived the mushy stuff. Let's get you into this dress."

"What dress? I still haven't seen it?"

"Well, you are certainly in for quite the surprise," the older woman muttered mostly to herself, as she entered the closet. She stepped back out, holding the dress in front of her. The only reaction she got from Gwen was round-eyed shock and an audible gasp.

The bard reached out a tentative hand to touch the silky, lace material in front of her. "It looks like...." a wedding dress. It did, too, though it was more than a little daring for a traditional wedding gown. The white silk had a white lace overlay and a high collar that lent an air of innocence. This was counterbalanced by the naked arms and back that would show off the bard's newly acquired muscularity from staff practice. The slits that ran from ankle to hip on either side simply added to the sensuality of the whole outfit. "Um, wow. It's gorgeous. Who...?"

"If you're asking who made it, your friend Maria did. But Randi designed it for you." Gwen felt her eyes bug out and her breathing catch. She closed her eyes for a long moment, and focused her energies on trying to remember how to breathe.

"Ahem, uh, wow," she said again, trying desperately to regain her bearings, "help me?" Her voice cracked, but Jill wisely ignored it, and moved to help her daughter finish dressing.

Randi sat in front of the mirror, slowly unbraiding the hair she had just recently bound up. Just as she ran her hands through the dark mane to untangle the last bit of plaiting, she heard a second knock at the front door. Knowing the bard was busy with her mother getting ready for the festivities, she got up to answer it.

It was no great surprise to see Geoff there, waiting with an anxious Sal, and a very nervous Rico.

"A little under dressed there, aren't you, Randi?" the rotund man asked the Marine as he breezed in the door. Geoff shook his head in amazed bewilderment, and Rico simply stepped over the threshold and stood still. He was still somewhat unsure about this whole idea.

"Are you clear on what I want tonight, Sal? Hi, Geoff, Rico," she muttered in after thought.

"Yes, Randi. We've got it all covered. Rico will be taking candid shots all night, and we will get some posed shots of you together before we go over to the theatre. I'm here to set up the background for the portrait part of this evening."

"And...?"

"And everything will be put into a keepsake album. I promise, Randi, everything will be just like we've talked about." Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the photographer subtly relax. "She'll love it. Now don't you need to go get dressed?" He waved his hands toward her in a distinct shooing motion.

"Yes, as a matter of fact I do. If you gentlemen will excuse me." When she closed the bedroom door, Geoff sat down on the couch out of the way, and Sal and Rico went to work.

The Marine took a deep breath, and moved to the closet where her uniform hung proudly. She studied it for a long moment, letting her mind acknowledge each and every award that was pinned to the jacket, and remember what she had done to earn it. Of the eighteen decorated medals and three ribbons, she was most proud of the twice-decorated life saving medal. It was one of the few physical reassurances she had that her life, especially the military part of that life, wasn't a complete waste.

The white undershirt went on first, followed by thick, white socks. The crisply creased pants were next, the gold piping running up the side adding a dash of color to an otherwise monotone landscape. The Sabre ran a critical eye over the jacket again. The gold chevrons and rockers on her shoulder epaulets gleamed even in the low light. The gold service insignia on the high collar shone as well. Gold piping around the throat and wrist areas complimented the gold buttons, which, if one was to look closely enough, bore the Sabre crest. The medals and ribbons marked the only spots of color on the whole outfit, aside from the multiple braids that draped from the left shoulder.

Randi hung the jacket back up again, and sat down to pull on her knee high boots. Unlike her black boots, the dress white boots that went with the dress white uniform were a soft kidskin leather that had no gloss or polish. She tucked her pants legs neatly into the boot tops, making sure to keep the creases straight. The Marine stomped her feet when she stood, trying to adjust her uniform to be a little more comfortable. Finally satisfied, she reached for the uniform coat again.

In the living room, Geoff smiled to himself. He had heard the stomping, and knew *exactly* what the young Sabre was doing. Always hated dress whites, especially those boots. A bitch to wear, and even worse to keep clean. But the only thought that crossed his mind when the Marine finally stepped out of the room was how incredibly well she looked in them.

Randi slid into the tunic, looking at herself in the mirror for a very long moment. Then she removed her hair from the collar, and preceded to button it closed, saving the hook at the top for last. Once she was buttoned and hooked, the Sabre picked up the ceremonial sword from the bed, and reverently slipped it into its sheath at her right side. The gold and silver ornamental sais were placed in the holders on the outside of either boot.

She glanced into the mirror again, giving herself a final once over. Satisfied with what she saw, she shook her head at the loose hair fanning out behind her. It softened her look more than she realized, but it was what Gwen wanted. And as far as it was in her power to provide, what Gwen wanted, Gwen got... tonight anyway. After that, well, she would trust to Geoff and Tommy to take care of her bard.

She opened the bedroom door, and was greeted by the flash of a camera. It took tight control on well-honed instincts not to lash out at the invasion. But before she knew it, Rico had moved away from her again. Geoff walked over and sized her up critically.

"Nice, very nice, Marine, but why isn't your hair regulation?"

Blue eyes turned full force on the older man, and he took a step back instinctively. "Because Gwen asked me to leave it down."

"Simple as that?" he asked quietly.

"Simple as that." She moved away from him, unable to answer the questions she saw floating around in his eyes, knowing he knew all too well what she wasn't saying. She stopped at the huge picture window that looked out over the capital city, staring out unseeingly at the scenic vista spread out below. The sight was too intriguing for Rico to let pass by, and he snapped off several quick pictures that went unnoticed by the tall woman, so deep in her own thoughts was she. But all heads turned as the second bedroom door opened.

Jill stepped out first, and walked over without a word to stand beside her husband. Then Gwen stepped to the thresh hold waiting hesitantly it seemed, for some unknown signal before proceeding forward. Rico managed to capture her brilliantly, then Randi moved forward, and the first spell was broken only to be replaced by a second, more powerful one.

"You are very beautiful tonight, Gwen."

"And you are quite dashing, Marine. I understand I have you to thank for this loveliness?" indicating her dress with a wave of her hand.

"No, I am only responsible for the dress. I had nothing to do with the loveliness that fills it."

Gwen blushed at the words, and Randi smiled. No one could hear the words spoken between them, though the love they shared was almost blinding in its intensity. Rico managed to finish one roll of film and start on another taking candids of them alone together like this. Finally, reluctantly, Geoff cleared his throat, breaking the tableau in front of him.

"Girls," smirking a bit at the dark brow that shot up in outrage, "Jill and I need to go get ourselves ready for the evening. If you'll excuse us... We'll meet you downstairs in about forty-five minutes."

Sal took the opportunity to separate the two women, seating Randi, then placing Gwen behind her. Rico worked a bit with this, then their positions were switched around, with Randi standing behind the seated Gwen. There were shots of the two of them standing, and both of them seated. But Rico knew his best photographs were going to come from the pictures where they were unaware of anything but themselves.

When they were done, the Bouvier brothers excused themselves and left. They needed to get set up for catching moments before the ceremony, though Dei had taken care of most of the arrangements. Once downstairs, the two men set themselves in the doorway to wait.

"You ready?" the Marine quietly asked the bard. "It's about time for us to leave."

"Yeah, I'm, uh, just a little n-nervous." Gwen bit her lip. "Aren't I a little young to be receiving a lifetime achievement award already?"

"Gwen, you have probably done more in your first quarter century, than many folks do in a full lifetime. This is the highest honor the Artists' Guild can give you. Accept it with the grace you have always shown. Then you can get started on your second lifetime's worth of work." The small smile Randi gave the bard got an answering smile in return. Then the blonde threw herself into the taller woman's arms.

"Thank you, Randi. I don't know what I'd do without you in my life." She squeezed tight. "I hope I never have to find out."

Randi had no reply for this, so she simply returned the hug as fiercely as she could, brushing her lips over the blonde head tucked trustingly under her chin.



When they stepped from the lift, Geoff and Jill were waiting. The man walked forward and wrapped his daughter in his arms. "We are so very proud of you, Gwen. Proud of your accomplishments, and of who you've become," he whispered in her ear before releasing her.

"Thank you, Daddy," struggling to keep her tears in check. Her mother simply gave her a long, heartfelt hug. Then she moved back away from Gwen, and to her husband's side.

"You two need to get a move on. It's almost time."

Blonde brows scrunched in confusion. "Aren't ya'll coming?"

Randi stepped up beside the bard from where she had momentarily retreated to give Gwen and her parents a minute alone. "They'll meet us there," she answered, drawing the blonde's small hand through her arm and covering it with her own gloved one. "They are taking a much more conventional mode of transportation," waving at the two as they got onto the speeding tube. "But, tonight is your night to be a princess, and you will be traveling in style."

The two had managed to make their way to the front door, and now Gwen stopped in shock at the sight of an old fashioned coach and four sitting at the end of the red-carpeted entrance. "I feel a lot like Cinderella right now." She thought on this statement, then turned to Randi in question. "Does that make you my Princess Charming?" She couldn't help the tiny smile that started as she watched the slow blush crawl up the Marine's face.

"Until the stroke of midnight," the Sabre stated when she could breathe again, "I will be whoever you want me to be."

The bard felt a fluttering deep in her belly at the words, and grabbed hold of the larger hand closest to her. There were no more words between them after that, until they reached the Performing Arts Center. Gwen was stunned by the amount of people waiting outside for her arrival.

"Um, I, uh... oh boy...."

"Gwen, look at me," Randi commanded, having sensed the turmoil by the stiffening of the bard's spine. She was met by scared green eyes. "You'll be fine. These people are all here to honor you, and I'll be right by your side the whole way."

"Promise?"

"Promise. Now, let me get out first, and I'll help you down, all right?" A single nod was her only answer.

Randi climbed gracefully from the carriage, then offered her hand up for Gwen to take. The moment the bard stood, the sky around them erupted in a sea of light, everyone trying to get the best holo-image they could manage. The flashes continued as they made their way arm in arm up the carpeted walkway, and into the building itself. A valet immediately arrived to escort them to their seats down front. Gwen looked around in confused dismay for her parents.

"Relax, Gwen. I'm sure they'll be here." In fact, they *were* there, hidden safely in the green room, until it was their turn to participate in the evenings festivities. As soon as the guest of honor and her escort were seated, the house lights dimmed, and the filled to capacity building fell quiet. The curtains opened to a large screen, and a voice introduced, "Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Thomas Steele."

By the time the applause had died down, Tommy was seated comfortably at his desk, the wall of monitors behind him showing the several different camera shots of both the awards ceremony in progress, and the prep work being done in the ballroom for the party immediately following.

"Gwen, I can't tell you how sorry Ella and I are to be missing this extraordinary occasion in person. But as you can see," motioning behind him, "I've got it all covered, and you'll have a really nice keepsake holo when I get the editing done." Polite laughter. "Thank you, Gwen. For making all of our lives a little better by sharing your gift with us. You'll never know the difference you have made, or the lives you have touched." He paused, knowing that his words had touched a deep chord in her heart by the tears streaming down her face. He decided to make her smile, and draw a little of the emotional level down. "And Randi, she's a princess, tonight especially. Make sure you treat her as such." The entire hall erupted into cheers and whistles. The Marine flushed a beet red, until the bard reached for her hand, and smiled up into her eyes. Then the world floated away for a time as if it had never been. Tommy's voice recalled them back to reality. "Thank you, Gwen, for being an inspiration to so many. Ya'll have a great night tonight." More cheers and whistles, then he spoke one final time. "Ladies and gentlemen, your host for the evening, Mr. Geoffrey Goldman."

"Daddy?" Gwen whispered, and tightened her grip on the strong hand she held. Geoff came out, resplendent in his eveningwear, and smiled down at his daughter. The he settled his notes on the podium, and turned to face the audience.

"When Tommy first approached me with the idea of being the Master of Ceremonies for this event, I had to question why. I mean, after all I'm not an artist... I'm a weapons smith. What did I know about being a storyteller? The he said to me, 'Geoff, I'm not asking you to be a storyteller or an artist or a weapons smith. I'm asking you as one of the people who know Gwen best. I'm asking you as her father.' What could I say to that, except for yes?"

"So tonight, Gwen, we will start at the beginning, and revisit some old memories. I guess the best place to start would be at the beginning. And we couldn't start there without this person...."

The blonde smiled when she heard her mother's voice taking them all back to the time before her birth, sharing the images and anticipation both she and Geoff had felt. She briefly talked them through to the age of three when Geoff resumed his narration.

"You folks won't believe this," addressing the audience again, "but Gwen told her first story at the age of three." The screen shifted to show a very young, incredibly cute kid sitting on an older woman's lap. "Gramma," the bard breathed, watching the screen through misty eyes. The woman had an old leather journal that she was reading to the child out of, while the tiny girl listened in rapt fascination. When she was done, Gwen turned to her grandmother and asked, "Can I tell you a story now, Gramma?"

"Sure, darlin'. Tell yer old gramma a story." The old woman's eyes widened in amazement, then filled with tears as the bard's first childish story came pouring forth from a babe's lips. "That was beautiful, sweetheart," the woman commented proudly to the child.

"That story was the very beginning of a journey that so far has been widespread and varied. Sometimes, her gift made the daily grind a bit more difficult to tread."

The voice of a favorite teacher could be heard, telling of a young girl more interested in telling stories than in studying. Gwen buried her flushed face in her hand. Randi just squeezed the other one.

The bard's mentor spoke next, showing a holo image of Gwen's first public performance. "I knew, even then, that she had long surpassed my skill to teach. She was a law unto herself."

As each speaker finished their part of the presentation, they moved to take the seats near the bard and Marine that had been reserved for them. Gwen gave each a hug and kiss in return, always taking a moment to share a private word before they resumed their seats, and the next voice from the past was brought out. Randi stood every time the bard did, as Gwen was loathe to release her hand for any length of time, and proper etiquette demanded. She was a little tired of having to keep readjusting the sword at her side, though.

General Hampton, who had been Gwen's commanding officer during her hitch in the Army, was the next orator, and quite funny to listen to, when you remembered career military had never been issued a sense of humor. He spoke for some time on the time the bard had volunteered visiting the old and infirmed, and doing shows for the local military. "She never knew I knew about her volunteer efforts, but I will say I was never prouder to be her commanding officer than I was when she was a storyteller instead of a soldier."

Now they were down to the last two talkers. The first out was the Commander of the base where she'd imagined she'd seen Randi's blue, blue eyes staring back at her from the audience. He told of her desire to insure everyone got a chance to hear and participate in the brief moments of escape she was able to provide in an otherwise dreary outpost. About her visits to the sick. And then he did an unexpected thing. He pulled a card out from the stage wings and held it up.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the personnel at my base, when they learned of the honor being bestowed on Ms. Goldman this evening, all asked for an opportunity to send their good wishes to her. We compromised, and everyone who wanted signed this card for her." He left the stage to applause, and headed toward the bard. She was a bit overwhelmed by the gesture, and stood looking at the several paged card for a very long moment, before turning, and giving the Commander a brief hug and kiss. So far, each speaker had a light smudge of her lipstick on their cheek, and this man was no exception. Surprisingly, he reached out a hand to Randi, who took it firmly and shook. Then the commander took his seat, and the bard and warrior resumed theirs.

"Our last speaker is himself a bard, but I think I should let him talk for himself. Ladies and gentlemen, from Midas enterprises, please welcome Scott Everret."

"That little fink," Gwen hissed under her breath. Randi just chuckled silently.

Scott, a little nervous, told the story of himself begging the blonde bard for help. "And ya know, she didn't laugh, or brush me off. She encouraged me, and showed me how to look at things from more than one angle, more than one plane. It has been my honor to watch her work, to learn from her creative processes the past few months. There are some people, who without seeming to, affect the lives of those around them. Who change the course of the world by word or thought or deed. I am proud to say that Gwen Goldman is one of those rare individuals. She has made this world for many of us, a better place to be, even if only for a little while."

The applause that broke out here was thunderous, and Gwen found herself wrapped in Randi's strong arms in tears before Scott made his way halfway down the stairs. He stood waiting patiently, as did the boisterous crowd in the Hall, until she regained a measure of composure, and turned to him. She held on tightly for a long moment, then released him and laughed at a joke he'd whispered in her ear. When they were all seated again, Geoff stepped up to the podium one final time.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is with great pride and pleasure that I present the Artists' Guilds Lifetime Achievement Award to my daughter, Gwenievere Goldman." The cheers and applause started again, as the crowd rose to their feet in a wave. Randi stood, pulling the bard up with her. She hugged the woman who had turned to her for support, then tried to ease her in the direction of the stage. But Gwen was having none of that, and pulled the Marine to the platform with her.

"Um, I, uh...." Without a word, Randi stepped up behind the stammering bard and put a hand on either side of her waist. That simple touch sent a calming peace through Gwen. She placed her smaller hands on top of the larger ones, and leaned back into the hard strength of the woman behind her. The Marine whispered something unintelligible in her ear, which caused a slight chuckle to cross her lips. The bond between them was almost palpable, and the world held its breath waiting.

Gwen stood straight again, but did not allow the hands to leave her body. "Um," she cleared her throat a bit noisily, "my Marine friend reminded me that the sooner we take care of the official business, the sooner we can go eat and party!" Laughter broke out at her words, followed by hooting and clapping.

"I, um... I really don't know what to say about all this. I am still so young, and I have a lifetime of stories still to tell. But you've honored me with the highest award I can be given, and I thank you all so much. I'm looking forward to my second lifetime of story telling."

The thunderous applause that met her short and sincere acceptance speech rocked the rafters of the old building. And it warmed the bard's heart no end. She glanced back at the Marine who still held her gently and grasped her hand, leading her softly toward the wings of the stage, expecting the ovation to die down. It didn't, and indeed, seemed to increase in volume.

Randi gave her a faint nudge toward the stage, and she stepped gingerly out from the curtains and into the spotlight again. The Marine was more than a bit surprised when she felt herself being pulled back out from behind the curtain and into center stage with the bard. She felt like Gwen deserved to be in the spotlight alone, while the bard was determined to have the older woman by her side. Apparently, most of the crowd agreed with her decision, as the volume level increased exponentially at the sight of the Sabre, and her negligent possessiveness. She never consciously set out to stake a claim, but it was clear to each and every person seeing them together that they were two halves to a whole, bound by a bond strong enough to be felt by everyone present.

Geoff, noticing his daughter's and her companion's discomfiture moved back to the podium. "Folks, why don't we move the party over to the ball room? It will give everyone here a chance to offer their congratulations to Gwen." Cheers greeted his words, and when he turned to look, he saw that the two women had already moved from the stage to the wings, and were standing alone together in the haven of one another's arms.

"Thank you, Daddy." The bard looked up from her embrace, but didn't move out of it when she saw her father walking toward them. Instead she waited until he embraced the both of them, as she'd known he would.

"It was my pleasure, sweetheart. Your mother and I are very, very proud of you." He released them and moved back a pace. "Speaking of... I need to go find her, and escort her next door. You two need to make an entrance, of course, so you'll need to wait until the hall clears. Ten minutes, probably. We'll see you next door, all right?"

"Okay, Daddy." The bard watched him walk off before looking down at her timepiece. "DAMN!" she exclaimed, still looking at the watch face.

"What?!? What's wrong?!?" Alarmed, Randi stepped back to see into Gwen's eyes.

"Nothing's wrong, but do you realize that lifetime took less than an hour and a half? I thought we were *in there* for a lifetime!"

"Was it really so bad?" a little saddened that Gwen was so miserable about her accomplishments.

"No, not at all. Especially with you beside me every step of the way tonight. Thank you for that, by the way."

"Welcome," came the murmured reply.

"I don't mean to sound ungrateful. I'm not, really. I am mostly overwhelmed and more than a little embarrassed. I really don't think I was ready for all this yet. It's just...."

She stopped talking when Randi pulled her back into their mutual hug. "It's okay, Little One. Now you understand why I'm not too keen on talking about all these ribbons and medals."

"Yeah, I have a much better insight on it now." She paused, then added, "C'mon. I'm getting hungry. Let's go next door and grab a bite to eat."

"Oh, now *there's* a big surprise! OOF!" the Marine exclaimed when a small hand hit her dead center in the gut. "Take it easy there, Little One. You've got muscle enough to leave a bruise now."

"And don't you forget it!" the bard chuckled as they made their way to the ballroom.

All eyes turned to them when they stepped to the doorway, and then applause and cheering broke out once more. People were kind enough to let them pass unmolested to the table reserved for them, and waited for Randi to seat Gwen before they started making their way to the front of the room to speak with the bard. The Marine tried to excuse herself when the crush started, but the blonde held onto her wrist for dear life. It was only when Randi explained she was going to get food for them both that Gwen loosened her grip.

"Be quick, please?" a mere whisper.

The Sabre nodded, and in fact found a server to help her expedite things. Within minutes, she was back at the bard's side, placing an appetizing array of food in front of her. She leaned back in her chair, her arm casually draped along the back of Gwen's, observing for a long moment. The Marine realized if the bard was going to eat, Randi was going to have to feed it to her, since everyone in the room seemed to have a need to speak to the young woman personally. So she scooted her chair up close to Gwen's until they were touching, and proceeded to insure the bard finished her food.

Gwen was more than a little startled to see a fork full of food heading directly toward her mouth. She cast a glance at the woman at her side, who gave her a crooked grin and raised eyebrow in response. The bard opened her mouth obligingly, then nearly moaned out loud at the wonderful tastes crossing her palate. The grin turned to a smirk, and Gwen settled back to enjoy the unexpected pampering.

The musicians had slowly made their way to the platform reserved for them when the bard finished up the last bit of food on her plate. She turned to the woman who had so patiently been feeding her for the past hour or so, thankful for the lull in well-wishers.

"Thank you, Randi. That was wonderful."

"It was my pleasure, Little One. I'm glad you enjoyed it."

"Oh, you bet I did. I'm not sure I can move."

"Hmm... guess this means you don't want to dance then, right?" blue eyes twinkling with mischief.

Gwen was out of her chair and pulling the taller woman up to stand beside her. "Oh, no. I don't *think* so, soldier. You promised me each and every dance, and I intend to collect."

Randi was silently flattered by the vehemence in the bard's voice, but only replied, "But you said...."

"Never mind what I said! I have waited a lifetime to dance with you. Now, please," she cajoled, leading the Marine to the dance floor, "will you dance with me?"

In answer, the tall woman took the shorter woman in her arms, and at her signal the music began to swell throughout the room. The lights were lowered, and it became as though the two of them were alone in the universe together. For the entire first dance they floated spellbound in each other, entrancing the entire room. Then the house lights came up again, and more couples moved to join them on the floor.

No one dare bother the Marine, as she made it clear any such attention would be unwelcome in the extreme, and dealt with accordingly. Several people did try to cut in on the couple and ask Gwen to dance, but all were firmly and politely refused. The bard, however was quickly losing patience with those that were interrupting her evening with Randi. Three songs, and half a dozen refusals later, she made her way to the musicians' stage, and asked for everyone's attention.

"Folks, I appreciate all the kind offers to dance, but please, don't ask me any more tonight. I promised all my dances this evening to my beautiful Marine sergeant, and I'd like to do so without being interrupted every five steps. Thank you."

Randi reached up automatically to help the bard step down from the platform, but her head was still reeling from the blonde's words. Never once had she ever expected so public or so possessive a declaration to come from Gwen, and she was a bit shell shocked by it. Gwen noticed the stunned look, and took the Marine's face in her hands, and waited patiently for blue eyes to track to hers.

"You okay?" came the whispered words. "I'm sor...."

The Sabre took one of the hands off her cheek, kissing the knuckles lightly before bringing their joined hands to the bard's lips. "Don't be. I'm not sorry. Just surprised." She indicated the dance floor with a wave of her hand. "Shall we?"

"Yes, let's." And they rejoined the dancers on the floor.



Geoff and Jill looked on in amazement at the two women so absorbed in each other. Then they turned to each other, with the same look of questioning wonder in their eyes.

"Do you think...?" Geoff started, then stopped, hoping against hope that Gwen had not begun to realize the truth in her heart. The Sabre was about out of time, and he was afraid for his daughter if she did discover the truth between them.

"Yes, I do," Jill replied to his question, her eyes twinkling happily. Not knowing what Randi was involved in, she could only see their bright future together, and not the heartache that her husband saw.

"Well, then," neatly diverting her attention from the subject, "let's join them on the dance floor. The music is too good to waste just sitting here."

"How right you are, my love. And suddenly, I feel like celebrating." She offered him her hand and he swept her up and to the floor in one fluid motion. And they glided around the room, glad to be together in this time and place.

As the witching hour approach, Randi looked down at the woman in her arms. Knowing she would soon need to leave, she kissed the top of the blonde head, which prompted jewel green eyes to meet her blue ones.

"I'm going to have to go soon, Gwen. May I walk you back to the penthouse first?"

For her answer, the bard merely took her hand, and led her from the ballroom, and into the carriage that was waiting for them. They were silent during the ride, and it was only as they stepped into the vast lobby that Gwen broke the hush that lay between them.

"You're going away again, aren't you?"

They stepped into the elevator, and Randi waited until the doors were shut behind them before she answered.

"Yes. I should have gone before now, but...." She broke off, unable to admit the truth to her bard even now.

"Will you be gone a while?"

They walked off the elevator and the three steps it took to get to the door before the Marine spoke.

"Yes." Unlocking the door and opening it, though neither of them moved to cross the threshold.

"You be careful then, cause I'm gonna miss you so much."

The Sabre found herself with an armful of blonde bard once again, and this time, she went with her gut instincts. She held on for a long time, rocking the younger woman back and forth. Eventually, she pulled back just enough to gaze into the beloved face. "So beautiful," she breathed.

"Really?" breathlessly.

The Marine raised a trembling hand to gently trace first an eyebrow, then a planed cheekbone, and finally a pair of soft, warm lips that quivered in response to the light touch. She looked into eyes which had darkened in ready desire, and the temptation became too much.

"Always."

As if in slow motion, she moved her hand to the back of the bard's neck, and tangled her long fingers in the blonde locks. Then she bent slowly and brushed the lips beneath hers once, twice, before claiming Gwen's mouth fully. A swipe of her tongue asking permission, and with a moan, the bard opened up to her like a flower to the sun. Randi couldn't resist the urge, and wrapped her other arm around the blonde's waist, pulling the smaller woman into her. Gwen reciprocated the action by tangling both hands in the long, dark hair, holding on tightly. For long minutes the kiss went on, tasting, teasing, breathing hard, until they were forced to pull away. The bard's eyes remained closed as though unwilling to leave the state of bliss she'd suddenly found herself in.

Randi reached up, loosening the Gwen's grip and gently kissing both hands before turning on her heel and entering the lift. She took a long moment to drink in the visage of the woman who had, in the end, become her entire world. As the doors closed, and headed up to the roof, she spoke aloud softly, "Goodbye, my love."

**************************************************************



Chapter XIX



"I heard you say goodbye to me that night, Randi. I heard it, and assumed that was why you kissed me. You'd never said goodbye before, but you did that night. Because you knew, YOU *KNEW* it was forever, didn't you? You knew you were leaving and not coming home again. It would almost have been better if you hadn't, or at least if you hadn't told me of your love for me from the grave. I've lost everything, Randi, and so much of it I was unaware of having until it was gone."

Ditto had wandered in during the night and curled up at the foot of wherever Gwen had fallen asleep, as had been her custom for the last few days. Now she barked at the bard once, indicating her desire to be fed. The blonde smiled in reflex, giving the canine a hug until she yelped for mercy. When the bard's hold loosened slightly, the dog proceeded to give her a thorough face washing.

"I've missed you these past few days, Ditto. I know you've been staying with Randall since he's been sick, but I'm glad you've been home at night." She gave the dog another brief squeeze, and moved to get her fed. It occurred to her in passing that she really needed to eat, but she felt her stomach flip flop at the mere suggestion of food. She placed Ditto's food and water dish in its usual spot, then headed toward the stairs. "I'm gonna go take a bath, girl."

The young woman spent a long time in the bath, content to sit for just a little while. When the water finally began to cool past an acceptable level of warm comfort, she quickly cleaned up and got out. She moved out of the bathroom clad only in a towel, and remembered the last time she had come out so dressed, only to find her best friend waiting for her. She moved to the bed, and sat where she had seated the Marine. It took her a few moments to notice, but when she looked up and glanced into the mirror, she discovered exactly how much Randi had been able to see of her while she'd been dressing in the closet.

"You brat!" smiling through her tears. "I can't believe I gave you such an eyeful." She made a mental note to reread that portion of the Marine's diary. Some of those later comments suddenly made a whole lot more sense. And she felt just a little bit better than before.

Sighing, she went downstairs, unsure of what to do with herself. She was startled by a knock on the door. She hadn't been expecting anyone, and none of the security alarms had been set off. Tommy must have extended the bridge, but then why are they knocking at our door? Curious now, and not even noticing the slip in her thoughts, the bard walked to the door and opened it. And stood there staring at her parents staring back at her. She fell forward into her father's arms.

"Oh, Daddy," she cried, before the tears started in earnest. He picked her up and eased them through the doorway. Jill just gave him a look, knowing his back had been troubling him, and hefted the bags. Geoff gave his wife an apologetic look, and she nodded at him in understanding. The circumstances were unusual enough to warrant the strain.

"Honey, why didn't you call?" Gwen's tears had finally dried, and they were sitting on the couch facing the vid monitors. She couldn't bear to look at the picture of them together right now. Jill posed the question then continued. "We came as soon as Tommy contacted us."

"Mama, I knew Daddy was in therapy for his back. You let me know he was going to have to have some extensive treatment for the increasing pain he's been having." Her eyes grew wide as she considered what she'd just said, and what her father had just done. The bard knelt down on the floor in front of him and placed her hands on his clasped one. "Oh God! Are you all right? I didn't just make things worse, did I?"

Seeing the already acute pain reflecting from her dulled-to-almost-gray green eyes, he took her small hands in his larger ones. "No, Little Girl. And I wouldn't have missed the opportunity even if it had. It's been a long time since I cradled my daughter like a child." He smiled at her, and she gave him a watery version in return.

She moved to sit on the table, facing them. "To get back to your question, Mother, I knew Daddy was in therapy. I was going to let you know when you called with his report. It's not like there is anything you could do."

Both parents flinched at the deadness in her tone. "We could have been there for you, sweetheart."

"Please don't misunderstand me, but that means absolutely nothing. There is nothing to be here for. Randi took my heart and soul when she left."

"You don't really mean that...."

Gwen erupted. "DON'T TELL ME WHAT I THINK OR WHAT I FEEL!!!!!!" She drew in a deep breath and dropped her eyes to the floor, then continued in whisper, "Please, just leave me be."

Geoff and Jill exchanged serious glances, and decided to move their stuff to the boathouse for now. They were here for the duration, and it was obvious they needed to be. Their daughter was sinking into a serious depression, and she seemed to be tailspinning fast.

Geoff called Tommy as soon as he and Jill walked in the door. He needed to find out exactly what had happened. All the younger man had told the elder was that his daughter needed her parents because Randi was dead. There were a lot of questions to be answered.



"I'm sorry, but I am obviously slow. Would you please explain that to me once more?" from Geoff. Tommy could understand the older man's aggravation that was more than apparent with his statement and question, but it didn't make him any happier to have to tell this tale again.

"What do you want me to tell you that I haven't already said, Geoff? No amount of retelling is going to change the story any."

Geoff drew a deep breath and then exhaled slowly. "I understand that, son. But I'm trying hard to make all the pieces fit, and right now, they just don't. But first, why did you wait so long to call us? It's been what... two? three days?... since you told Gwen?? Why didn't you call us before you told her, or at least as soon as you'd told her? We should have been here." He thumped his fist on the table in frustration.

He was thankful now that Jill had gone up to the Steele's house to stay with Ella while Tommy was with him. It would give him a chance to edit some of this down, as he was sure Tommy had not shared much of this with his wife either. He looked up when he heard Tommy start to answer his question.

"When the, I dunno... I think they were military officers, though they never said. Anyway, when they showed up at Midas four, five, six days ago, I dunno, things are a bit blurry right now... they told me point blank that Randi was dead due to an unexplained accident, and gave me a holo-chip. That chip was her last message to me." His voice trailed off and his eyes became distant as he remembered her last words to him. He finally cleared his throat and continued. "She reminded me of the note she'd given me to give to Gwen, and asked that I give her a bit of time alone to read it. I took Gwen her letter, and gave her a day to digest it. I fully expected her to contact you, but when you didn't come, and you didn't come, I went looking for you myself. I called you as soon as I'd located you. Ella and I have tried to keep an eye on her, but since Randall has been so sick the last few days, it's been difficult."



"Thank you, Tom. I do appreciate the care you've taken, and I don't mean to accuse. It's just...."

"I know, my friend. Believe me, I know.

There was silence for a few minutes, and Geoff got up from the table and went to the fridge. He grabbed a couple beers, and handed one to the younger man.



"Thanks."

"Hmm." A breath. "Okay, you wanna tell me why you think the men who informed you of Randi's death were military? I thought it was Standard Operating Procedure to appear in full dress uniform when relaying news like this to the family."

"Um, well, it actually has more to do with Randi, than it does with them. Though their looks and bearing did mark them as active duty military officers." He paused so long, Geoff wondered if he needed to re-ask his question. He drew a breath to do so, when Tommy continued. "You see, when she came to my house that night, the night of the awards ceremony, she was in military regalia, and I'm not talking about that fancy dress uniform either. Some sort of covert missions team from the looks of it." He stopped again for a moment, then looked up. "Let's just say she confirmed my suspicions of what her military career *really* entailed."

"Okay then," accepting the younger man's words because he knew better then Tommy ever would just how true they were. "What did these gentlemen say?"

"They introduced themselves as part of the Seaman's Guild, and told me, due to an unfortunate accident, Randi had been killed while on a sea voyage. Apparently, there was an explosion of the ship she was on, and everyone aboard perished. From what they said, they spent more than two months looking for survivors or remains. There were none of the first, and precious little of the second."

"And what makes you doubt their words?"

"Aside from Randi showing up on my front step decked out in covert gear with a note for Gwen like she knew she'd never come back, you mean?" Bitter words were met with a cynical smirk from Geoff. "Because, though Randi loved living by the ocean, and didn't mind taking a mini-cruise with us for very short durations, she absolutely* hated* being out in the middle of the water days away from land. She would never voluntarily go on a sea voyage, especially with the Seaman's Guild. She was *never* that fond of the smell of fish." Both men smiled in memory of the strong scent of fish Ditto had brought to Tommy's on Festival, and Randi's immediate desire to rid her of it.

"Have you tried to have her traced?" Geoff asked, knowing full well it was impossible.

"Now that's another odd thing. According to all the databases, she does not, nor has she ever existed."

The old Sabre nodded, as if he'd expected such an answer. "I'll tell you what. I still have quite a few military contacts who might be able to find something out for us. Give me a bit of time, and I'll see what I can find out." Tommy nodded. "Now, it will probably take a while," Geoff cautioned, "because we need to be discreet. But it should get us a few more concrete answers as well."

Tommy nodded is acceptance once again, and finished off his beer in a single, long pull. "How does Gwen seem to you? Aside from being broken hearted, I mean."

"Not good. This has hit her especially deep. I'm afraid for her." There was a long minute of silence. "I'd better get back to the beach house and check on her. She sent us away this morning, which is why I contacted you, looking for answers. I don't think she's gonna be talking to anyone anytime soon." There was a profound sadness in her father's tone when he said this, and for a moment he felt a surge of rage at the woman who had put them all in this place. Because he had known, deep in his heart, that this could very well destroy his little girl, and he could do nothing to prevent it. It was a testing of her soul. He hoped she was strong enough to bear it.

Tommy moved with him toward the door, and they walked up the dock, parting ways when they reached the sand. The younger man made his way to the front of the beach house, and climbed in his transport, headed for home. Geoff slipped in the French doors quietly, listening to the silence, trying to find his daughter. He had seen from the dark circles underneath her eyes, and the dull flatness of the orbs themselves that she had had very little restful sleep since she'd been given the news of Randi's passing.

He moved around the house with a stealth he found seldom necessary to utilize anymore. He hesitated to enter the Marine's domain, when he heard an almost silent whimpering. He stepped into the darkened room, and his heart broke again at the sight that met his gaze. There, curled up in the middle of the bed, wrapped almost completely around one of Randi's pillows, lay his daughter. From what he could ascertain, she was asleep, but still the tears rolled unchecked down her cheeks. Geoff pulled a chair near the bed, and sat down to keep watch over his daughter. He was more determined than ever to get to the bottom of things, and find out the truth of what had happened to the woman he had called 'friend'.



When Jill returned to the house, she found her husband still sitting by their daughter's side, watching her restless slumber. His concerned gaze tracked to her, his eyes warming when they met hers. He reached a hand out to her, and she accepted his invitation, sliding into his lap. She cuddled close, absorbing the strength she felt surrounding her.

"I need to go get dinner started," she pronounced reluctantly after a bit. "Nice as this is," smiling up at him, "we need to eat, and so does she. She looks as though she hasn't eaten in days."

"She probably hasn't, love. You remember she used to stop eating as a child when something upset her. This would multiply that a thousand fold, I would think."

"Yeah, I imagine you're right." She patted his hands, and his hold instantly loosened. "Why don't you try to wake her? I'll be in the kitchen." Jill slid from his lap, and slipped out the door. Geoff continued to observe his daughter in silence for a while, before softly moving to sit on the edge of the bed. He reached a hand over, and gently placed it on the bard's shoulder.

Gwen awoke at the touch, but knew instinctively that it was not the touch she desired. She stiffened, then slowly rolled onto her back, glancing into her father's concerned scrutiny, then looking away. She spent a long moment putting her emotions behind a mask, and when she had a semblance of control, she met his eyes again.

"How are you, Little One?"

The moniker almost broke her, but she bit her lip and drew in a deep, deep breath to keep from reacting. She kept silent; knowing anything she said would be a lie. The silence stretched on until it became uncomfortable. For the first time in his memory, Geoff couldn't find the right words to say to his daughter. Because he knew any platitudes he could produce at this moment were beyond useless, and his mind wouldn't allow him to think of anything else.

"Ahem. Your mother is getting dinner together in the kitchen. Would you like to join her?"

The bard turned he back to him, hugging the pillow tight to her body and breathing deeply. "No, not really. I'm not hungry. But you go ahead." She closed her eyes.

"Sweetheart, you need to eat."

She made no answer, though he was well aware she wasn't asleep. He left her finally, his heart breaking once again at the truth he'd never hoped to see... her soul was dying, and the only person who could heal it was already dead.



The following morning dawned bright and clear, for which most of the world was happy. After a week of rain, they were all more than a little ready to see the sun shine for a while. But more importantly, it was Celebration, and most of the rest of the world had something to celebrate.

Gwen sat out on the deck of the beach house watching the sun come up. Had her parents not been there, she would have been on the boathouse dock, but she was loathe to go down there with them inside. Her father had left a large box with her the night before. She replayed the conversation in her mind.



"Honey, Sal asked me to give this to you. He said he had instructions from,

uh, from Randi, to make sure you got this on Celebration."

"Just put it down, Daddy. I'll get to it later."

He had done as she asked with a bit of trepidation. He wasn't *positive*

what was in the box, but given who it was from he could make a fairly good

guess. And he wasn't sure if she was ready for this yet. Or if she ever

would be. But it had to be her choice.

"We'll be at the boathouse if you need us, Gwen. Goodnight."



She, too, was pretty certain what the box contained, but she sat on deck with it in her lap, waiting for the sun to come up, debating on whether or not to confirm her suspicions. Finally, daylight crept across the horizon, and she gave in to the temptation of knowing for sure.

Gwen opened the box hesitantly, then pressed a hand to her mouth as her hunch was confirmed. Delicately, she lifted the album out, amazed at the weight. She'd never seen so many genuine photographs together before, and was surprised by their weight. For a very long moment, she stared at the picture that graced the cover of the album. It was one of the many candids Rico had taken obviously, as she never remembered it being done. Tears sprang to her eyes and rolled unheeded down her face as she gently replaced the book in the box and put the lid back on it. Maybe someday, she thought, but not now.

The bard was still sitting at the table on the deck when Geoff came out of the boathouse a short time later. He walked up to join her, then hesitated when he saw the box had been opened. She didn't preface her words at all, but told her father of the decision she had made.

"I'm leaving."

He knew he looked like a fish out of water, with his eyes bulging and his mouth hanging open, but he couldn't help it. She'd blind-sided him. "Huh? Bu... Wh... Uh...."

"I need to get away for a while. I need to be on my own to work some things out for myself. I can't do that here, surrounded by well-intentioned, well-meaning friends. This is something I have to do alone."

"But what about your work, your stories?" He's finally regained coherence enough to speak.

"My work?!? If and when I come back it will be waiting there for me in some form or fashion. As for my stories," and here her eyes watered, though she refused to allow the tears to fall. "My stories are gone, and have been since she left that night. I haven't written one story or told one tale in three months." She held her hand up to forestall his questions. "It's not that I haven't tried... they're just not there anymore. She took them with her."

Geoff had no words of comfort to offer his only child at that point. So he did what he could... he supported her. "All right, honey. You do what you need to. You know how to reach us if you need us."

"I know, Daddy. Thanks. I love you, ya know."

"I know, honey. I love you too."





Geoff had wanted to be the one to close up the house, but Gwen would have none of it. "It's my responsibility, Daddy. I need to do this." And with that he relented.

"Tommy, you let me know when she comes home, all right?"

"You really think she will? This place has lot of memories for her."

"I know. That's why I think she'll be back. It's the only tie she has left, and she needs it."

"All right, Geoff."



The Steeles had taken the Goldmans to the shuttle hub. Gwen had said her rather stilted goodbyes at the house, not wanting to break down in public. Her mother had held her for a long time, rocking her like she was a child again, then kissed her forehead and moved away. Her father had simply looked into her eyes, and whispered, "Take care of yourself, Little Girl." Gwen made no acknowledgment beyond a small nod of her head.

"We'll be in touch." Geoff commented. He watched as Jill and Ella fussed over the almost-year-old baby a few feet away. He lowered his voice. "I will let you know if I discover anything else about what happened."

"I'd appreciate that, Geoff. Thanks." The two men extended their hands for a handshake, but by mutual consent it turned to a hug. It didn't last long, but both reveled in the feeling of support they found. When they separated, Geoff took Jill by the hand and led her up the ramp. Tommy and Ella stood together with Randall, and waved until the shuttle was out of sight.

They had decided to return to the medical facility they had left so abruptly so Geoff could resume his treatments. His back had been getting steadily worse and more painful, and lifting Gwen up had put some severe strain on it... not that he would ever have admitted it to her, especially in light of everything else she was facing right now. But he knew the therapy would help. Besides, the medifac was in the capital city, which, coincidentally enough, was where he needed to make his inquiries.



Gwen looked around the beach house one final time before hefting the backpack to her shoulders and settling it into place. "I'm sorry, love. It's too painful for me to stay here. Maybe someday, but not right now." She paused, as though waiting for a response, then sighed. "Goodbye, Randi." And without a backward glance she grabbed her staff, walked out and closed the door, the album box sitting prominently in the middle of the coffee table.



Geoff was never so glad to be done with therapy for the day. He knew the exercises were beneficial, and would eventually alleviate the pain he was suffering with, but right at the moment, he was sure the cure was worse than the ailment.

Jill had gone out, at his behest, to spend the day in the market. He was expecting company, and wanted to receive him alone. His wife understood, and had left him with a kiss after she dropped him at the treatment facility that morning, saying she would bring something good back for dinner. He had just gotten back to their room, when a knock sounded at the door.

"Jerry! Come on in," he greeted with a handshake.

"Geoff, my friend! You look...."

"... like I spent the day being tortured, I know. I did. Physical therapy can be a true beast, and today was just one of those days."

"We can put this off if you're not feeling well." Though the two men generally got together for lunch on the rare times they were both in the city, the Sabre Commandant had a feeling this was a more official visit. His suspicions were confirmed almost immediately.

"No, Jerry. This is more than us just getting together to talk and reminisce. I need a couple favors."

"I thought as much, my friend, from the urgency in your tone, and your desire to meet here privately instead of at HQ as we've usually done. I will caution you though, Geoff. It would probably be in your best interests to stop by one day anyway. I'm sure Kene knows you're in town, and God forbid you snub her." He finished off the last with a smile, then whispered conspiratorially, "I'd never hear the end of it."

Geoff chuckled at the chagrined look on his friend's face. "I'll see what I can do, sir." Though they had been friends since the accident thirty years before, and had met on many occasions as businessmen, Geoff still sometimes slipped back into the Sabre role of respect. "Sorry," he corrected himself almost immediately. "You can't take the Sabre out of the man, even when you take the man out of uniform."

The two men seated themselves at the table, and spent the next few minutes enjoying the lunch Jerry had brought with him. Finally, the Commandant turned to the weapons smith. "All right, my friend. Time to get down to brass tacks."

Geoff cleared his throat and began speaking. "I need two things. I need to know what *really* happened to Miranda Valiant." Jeremiah Daetwyler froze. "And I need a tracer kept on my daughter. Now, before you refuse the first, hear me out. It will explain a lot, including why I asked for the second." The active duty Sabre nodded his agreement, and folded his hands on the table, waiting expectantly.

So Geoff told him... about meeting Randi, and knowing what she really was. About their talks together. About knowing where ever she had gone, it was to do her duty as a Sabre, knowing she would die this time. And finally, about Gwen, and the love she and Randi had shared, that to his knowledge though never physically consummated, still bound them together as the soulmates they were. "My little girl is dying over this, and has gone on a walkabout for God only knows how long to see if she can find something to replace what she's lost. I'd just like to know she's being looked out for."

"Geoff, we'll look out for Gwen for as long as necessary, I promise. As for the other," he sighed heavily. "Come by the office in a few days. I'll have your answers, what of them I can give you, then."

"Thank you, Jerry. You don't know how I appreciate all this."



Gwen had gone to the shed where the motorcycle sat, tarp-covered and waiting. She pulled the covering off slowly, and actually sat down on it for a long moment, before standing up off of it, and replacing the tarp. Nope, it just doesn't feel right, being on there by myself. Guess I'll walk. It never occurred to her to take a transport. She wanted to be able to see and feel the places her traveling would take her. With that, she set out for Tommy and Ella's, to bid them goodbye.

The Steeles were just back from the shuttle hub, and settling in for lunch when the bard rapped on the door. Ella was quick to usher her in, noticing with some alarm her backpack and staff. "Come in! Come in! We're just sitting down to the table. Let me get you a plate."

"No, really, I...."

"SIT!"

The blonde woman meekly did as she was told. She wasn't sure what to expect from them when she told them her news. So, for more than half an hour, Gwen did little more than push the food around on her plate. Very little seemed to be reaching her mouth.

"You know, if you can't figure out how to eat it, I'm finished feeding Randall... I'm sure I could manage to get most of the food to your mouth."

Gwen had to smile at Ella's comment. Watching Randall eat table food had brought a few moments of genuine happiness back into the bard's eyes. His determination to help the process helped insure not all the food made it anywhere near his mouth. "I think I can manage on my own, thanks."

"Then see that you do, or I *will* make sure of it." The blonde took in the determined look on the face of her friend, and decided to humor her, as much as her stomach would tolerate it, and slowly started eating. She ate better than half the portion, before finally pushing the plate away.

"Thanks, Ella. That was good. And I'm glad to see Randall is feeling better."

"Do you feel better?"

It was an honest question and Gwen thought about it before answering. "Let's just say that my physical being feels better, though the rest of me is still pretty shot."

"Understandable. Now, you wanna tell us why you're here?" Tommy had sat quietly during the whole meal, watching the tableau that was unfolding around him. He knew very well that the bard had been struggling since the night of the awards ceremony, though until just a few days previous neither of them had known definitely about Randi, to the best of his knowledge. Now he waited patiently for Gwen to speak, certain of what she was going to say after his talk earlier with Geoff.

"I'm leaving," repeating her earlier words to her father. He nodded in sympathetic comprehension. "I need some time to myself, to be alone and grieve. Maybe it'll give me my muse back." Now Tommy looked at her sharply. "It walked out on me the night she left, and took all my stories with it."

"Oh, Gwen!" Ella commiserated, covering one of the small hands with her own. "Ya know, I keep wondering, if I had just asked the right questions, or pushed a little harder...."

"No, whatever else happens you gotta remember that this... whatever it was that took her from us, had nothing to do with us. You wouldn't have wanted to push her away, and that's what would have happened." Tommy chided his wife gently, having already had this conversation on several occasions the past several days.

"I know, love. It's just easier to second guess at this point."

"A lot of things are easier to second guess at this point," Gwen agreed softly, and the Steeles wept silent tears at the anguish plainly written on the bard's face.

"You'll keep in touch?"

"I'll do my best. I'll be back when I can. But right now...."

"Go with our blessing, then. And may the goddesses watch over you." The trio exchanged hugs, and Gwen picked up her pack and staff. She opened the door and hesitated. Then without another word she walked out and closed the door behind her, setting her feet toward the bridge and the mainland.



Jill had needed to return home before his physical therapy was completed, which worked out very well for Geoff. He felt bad about keeping secrets from his wife, especially like this, but it was a part of his life. And if he wanted answers, he was going to have to live with the consequences of keeping the secrets. He'd told her about the conversation he'd shared with Jerry that concerned their daughter, and he could see the relief on Jill's face, as she understood that Gwen would be monitored and safeguarded as much as could be managed.

Now, with his treatments finished for the present, he made his way to Sabre headquarters for lunch, and he hoped, some enlightenment.

Kenesha Rachoen rose from her position behind the desk, as soon as he stuck his head in the door. "Geoff!" she exclaimed. "I'd heard you were in town for therapy. How's the back?"

"Hi, Kene! Been better, been worse. You're looking good, though. How are things with you?"

"Same old, same old, anymore. Let me let Jerry know you're here." Geoff eyebrows rose at the informality of her reference, but said nothing. "Go on in, Geoff. Lunch should be here shortly."

"Thanks, Kene." He entered the inner sanctum of the Commandant's office with a bit of trepidation. The fact that Jerry was having lunch delivered instead of going out meant he'd found something. And it was important enough to ensure they were overheard by no one, not even wait staff.

"Come in, Geoff." He offered his hand in greeting, which the weapons smith accepted with alacrity. "Please, have a seat," waving him to one of the comfortable chairs in front of his desk. "How've you been lately? How did the therapy go?"

The ex-Sabre grasped immediately the fact that the Commandant wanted to give the impression that this was their first meeting. He wasn't sure he liked what that pointed to, but knew there had to be a reason for it, so he went along until the could talk a bit more freely.

"I'm doing well, sir, better now that therapy is over. It amazes me that something that intensely painful can make me hurt less, but it does. I will admit to being glad it's over for a while."

"I don't doubt it. I thought we'd have lunch in. I thought you might be more comfortable."

"Yes, sir. I would, actually. Thanks you."

They spent the next few minutes in small talk, discussing some of the improvements and new weapons Geoff was working on. Then talk turned to his family, and the weapons smith got some much-needed reassurance. "I understand your daughter was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Artist's Guild recently."

"Yes, yes she was."

"It's always nice when the ones we love are recognized and taken care of. Nice to know that others appreciate them as much as we do. She's a rare talent."

"Thanks, Jerry. I like to think so, but I could be accused of bias." He smiled in relief at what was not being said as much as at what was.

"Well, no one could accuse me of prejudice, and I say she's incredible, so there." The two men were still chuckling when lunch was finally being wheeled into the room. When the meal had been placed on the table, Kene stuck her head in the room.

"Boss man, if ya'll don't need me, I'll go get my own lunch now."

"That's fine, Kene. Go ahead."

"Thanks, Jerry. And if I don't see you when I get back, Geoff, it was good to see you again."

"You too, Kene. Take care."

"I thought the two of you had trouble getting along," the ex-Sabre commented.

"Well, time has mellowed us in a lot of ways, my friend. She still speaks her mind more often than not, and we still have some fantastic rows, but for the most part, we're very civil to one another. Besides, she's got on her company manners today. Let me enjoy it, will you?" The last was said with a ripple of amusement.

The two men ate their meal with continued small talk and personal exchanges. When they were finished, the Commandant rose, and asked, "Did you walk, or...."

"Actually, I called for a transport, but I feel like I could walk back. That was a great meal, thanks! But I am so full I think a little exercise might be in order." Hoping his response was what Jerry was looking for.

"Let me walk back with you then. I feel in need of a bit of exercise myself." They stepped into the outer office, where Kene was just seating herself behind her desk. "Kene, I'm going to walk Geoff back to his room. You know how to reach me if you need me."

"Sure do, boss. See you next time, Geoff." The weapons smith waved his goodbye, and the two men walked out of the office, then out of the huge military complex. It always amazed Geoff how the Sabres were able to maintain their anonymity, until he remembered they were but a very small cog in a vast military machine. No one even knew they were there. The men walked outside in silence, and by mutual unspoken agreement, went toward a nearby park, where they could talk without being overheard.

"Okay, Jerry. You wanna tell me why all the double talk and mystery?"

"Let's just say I have reason to believe there is a leak coming from high enough up it could be from a member of my staff, and what I am going to tell you is completely off the record. If word gets out of what really happened, Randi's sacrifice would be for naught, and the world would, more than likely, plunge itself back into the chaos it knew before the peace was achieved."

"So you know the story? She is really dead?"

"I know the story, and I have found no evidence that she is alive." He watched Geoff's broad shoulder's slump. "Sit down, my friend, and let me tell you what I know about what happened to the brave woman known as Miranda Valiant."



Chapter XX

"Part of this story, the beginning of this story, is more than thirty years old. I know you've heard rumors about a woman who ran away from her duty as a Sabre, screaming hellfire and damnation, and Kenesha and I getting into a huge row about it. You need to know the truth of what happened then to understand what just happened recently."

Geoff said nothing, but nodded for the other man to continue.

"We were all so young. I'd had a brief affair with a fellow Sabre by the name of Grace Rivers. She was lovely, but obsessive, and I had to break it off with her rather abruptly. She was determined to make a life with me, while I was very happy and content to focus on the Sabres. They were my life, and I told her as much... that while I found her company pleasant and entertaining enough, she simply couldn't compete. I knew what I wanted, and she wasn't anywhere near first on my list."

"I know, I know. Stupid. I look back and think of the myriad of ways I could have handled that better, but at the time my only concern was getting rid of her, which I did most effectively. She disappeared shortly thereafter, swearing vengeance, which I put down to theatrics. In retrospect, I am still a little confused at how she managed to pass her psych quals. She became a totally different person."

"A couple days passed, then Kenesha called me out, and proceeded to try to beat the snot out of me. We both gave as good as we got, and we ended up in the infirmary together. Since it was a private matter between the two of us, done on our own time, no action was taken. But we were made to understand it was not to *ever* happen again." Jerry grimace at the memory.

"She called me a fool, told me I was an idiot for turning down the love of a woman like Grace. Of course, she hadn't seen Grace go from demure to psychotic in the blink of an eye either. Turned out she was in love with the woman herself. It made working together more than a little awkward, but we managed. I did try to explain what had happened, but she didn't want to hear it, didn't want to believe that of the woman she loved."

"Why stay as part of the same team if it was so difficult? Surely something could have been worked out."

"You know what the rules were like then. If either of us had opted to change teams, it would have been disastrous for both our careers. Although Kene and I are basically responsible for that particular rule change, allowing for teams to be put together on an 'as needed' basis, instead of being assigned to a particular team."

"Yes, I noticed that had changed, after talking to Randi," Geoff said. "It was a good choice."

"We thought so. It's made for better teams, better camaraderie among the Sabres. Less competition and more teamwork." The Commandant sat thoughtfully for a few minutes.

"Sir, pardon me for asking. I mean this has been fascinating, and has cleared up a few things I had heard about before but didn't really understand. But what does this have to do with Randi?"

"Patience, young pup. I'm getting there, I assure you. I have long suspected Grace Rivers became the Ghost Rider who was responsible for much of the political unrest and rebellion we have encountered for the last thirty years. Several months ago, Gunnery Sergeant Miranda Valiant confirmed my suspicions, and brought to my attention a much more significant problem."

************************************************************



"Come in, Gunnery Sergeant." The Commandant extended a hand, surprised as always by the power behind the returned grip.

"Thank you for seeing me on such short notice, sir,"

"What can I do for you? Please, have a seat."

"Actually, sir, would you mind taking a walk with me?" He looked at her oddly, but complied readily with her request. She was more decorated than himself even, and he respected the work and wisdom it had taken to achieve that. She had proven herself many times. It was time to return a bit of that trust.

The two Sabres walked along in silence, a striking pair in any crowd, their looks and bearing drawing attention even in the military surroundings they were in. The tall, gray-haired Army Commandant, and the equally tall raven headed Marine Sergeant. Though neither spoke a word, it became apparent they were intent on something, and they passed through the corridors and stepped into the outside air unimpeded.

When they were a distance away from the building, their walk slowed, and the man turned to the woman. "Very well, Valiant. Would you like to explain to me why we are outside?"

"Do you remember a woman named Grace Rivers?" she asked bluntly. The shocked look on his face was his answer. "I see that you do. I have conclusive proof that points to her as being the legendary Ghost Rider. And there is evidence indicating someone very high up in the Sabre hierarchy, possibly even your own staff, as her leak."

In all his years, Jeremiah Daetwyler had never been flummoxed like he was at that moment. He stood there staring at her, trying to determine if the woman was serious, mad, or just trying to piss him off royally. If the last was the case, he'd see she scrubbed every military latrine and head on the planet until it glistened. Then he'd have her do it again for good measure. The Commandant drew a deep breath. "You say you have proof of all this."

"I do, sir."

He remained silent for several minutes, realizing that if any part of her story was true, any and all communication from here on out would have to be handled with utmost secrecy. "Very well, Gunnery Sergeant. I would like you to meet me at this address at 2200 hours tonight. If what you're telling me is true, and I have no reason beyond the sheer incredibility of the concept to think it isn't, we've got to keep this quiet."



************************************************************

"She wasn't lying, or making anything up. The proof she showed me as to Ghost Rider's true identity was conclusive. And what she showed me about a leak was more than enough for us to decided to keep her suspicions between us, and a chosen few. The same few who went out with her on information gathering missions for the nine months prior to the last one. You are the first person outside the circle to know the truth."

"Thank you for trusting me, Jerry."

"You've earned it, my friend. And you are in the unique position to need to know, and be able to understand."

************************************************************



"Commandant, this is a list of people I trust, that I know are clean. I'd like you to insure I am able to use them as necessary on my fact finding missions in the next few months."

Jerry looked over the list, approving her choices with a nod. "I can do that, on a somewhat limited basis. It will call too much attention to you if you use full teams every time, especially as you will be doing unauthorized covert operations."

"I know. For now, I plan to use teams of three or four as much as possible. Some things we can find out on regular missions."

"Agreed. You will keep me posted on your progress?"

"As much as possible, sir. We can't meet too often. We don't need to start talk."

"Very well, Marine. Good hunting."

"Thank you sir."





************************************************************

"I had one more visit from her after that, shortly after Festival. She had a full team going into do some last recognizance. They were hoping for enough information to be able to put a stop to the Ghost Rider's activities once and for all."

"Did they succeed?"

"Far beyond anything we expected. But until Tiny McCall showed up at my home several nights after Spring Equinox, I had no idea what had happened. I still don't have all the details, I'm sure. And doing a search for her remains has proven to be a close to impossible task, given the utmost secrecy surrounding this mission."

"Hold it. Waitaminute. Just back right on up there." Geoff stood and started pacing. "You're telling me you knew she was dead for almost three months before you notified the family?"

"Yes."

"Why?" So simple and so complex a question.

Jerry decided to go with the simplest, most forthright answer he had. "Geoff, we never found a body, and it has been very difficult to look, considering what happened."

"You're gonna tell me about that, though, aren't you?" He glared at the older man.

"Yes, but understand... we wanted to be as sure as possible that it was true before announcing it to the family. No sense in upsetting folks if there was even a remote possibility she was alive, right?"

Geoff sat down, defeated by the honest truth in his friend's tone. He had been hoping... but at least now, he would know the truth surrounding her death. He nodded for the Commandant to proceed.

"Now remember, everything I am going to tell you comes from Tiny, and his was an eyewitness and an ear witness account. He saw everything up to the time Miranda entered the stronghold, and heard everything up to the explosion."

************************************************************



Tiny had personally volunteered to be the one to pick Randi up from the roof of the hotel. He, better than anyone else, knew how very difficult the evening had to have been, and he was trying to spare his friend the embarrassment of being seen as emotional. He had the courtesy to look away as soon as she boarded, because he'd seen the tears that were streaking her face.

Shortly into the flight, he risked a covert glance in her direction. He was surprised to see her writing a somewhat lengthy missive on paper. He knew better than to even ask. She continued to write until shortly before they landed. Then she folded the letter and placed it in an envelope, writing a name across the front of it, just as they set down gently on the shuttle pad.

"You stay here. I'll be back." It was an order, and Tiny understood it as such. He nodded his comprehension, unwilling to disturb the balance she'd found with a single word.

She was gone for slightly longer than he'd expected, though not by any means upsetting their timetable. The Marine who arrived back at the shuttle pad was calm, cool and collected. "Let's go." In very little time they were up and away. "Report." Staccato, and only asked when his attention could be turned away from the controls.

"Except for you and I, all our people are in place. She didn't even notice the exchange of security personnel."

"Why would she? Even though these people are in her 'organization', they are still basically hired guns patrolling the water outside the dome. The ones she knows and trust are inside with her. And we have never, ever been this close before."

"That is very true. You will be able to sneak in before daylight. There are two guard who patrol at night that'll you need to take care of. Once you get by them, you have several options."

"No, I don't, Tiny. We've been over this. Someone has to stay, to insure no one leaves. And that is my responsibility.

"Why not just kill them all and then set the device? No one will know the difference."

"I will try. But, how many times have we found someone who was supposedly dead trying to crawl away from a scene, huh? You know and I know, like it or not, that this is the best solution for everyone."

"Everyone but you and Gwen," came the big man's rejoinder.

It almost broke her. But she grit her teeth together hard and glared at him. "It is the best solution for everyone," she hissed at him.

The silence was strained after that, broken only by the sounds of their respective breathing. She understood his point, but knew he understood that she was right. She could not get into the dome with weapons. Ghost Rider had set up elaborate alarms to detect them, due to the volatile nature of her guests. Ghost Rider didn't want the havoc to start until they reached topside again, and were given the signal. Besides, she had an overwhelming urge to talk to the blonde woman and find out why. This chase had brought up far more questions than it had answers. The questions needed answers before this chapter could be closed. It was necessary, if only for the record.

It was the darkest part of the night when they reached the ship that had been awaiting their arrival out in the middle of black water. Tiny set the shuttle down on the small pad that had been delegated for its use, and moved quickly behind Randi to exit the vehicle. They were immediately escorted over to two separate, distinct submersibles, which they climbed into. Each vehicle was then gently lowered into the water, and they sped for their ultimate target. The ship slowly moved away, knowing the surviving Sabres would find it easily by homing in.

It's just as well this thing is solid. Pitch black is pitch black anywhere, and it's not like we can turn on lights to alleviate that problem down here. They could, of course, turn lights on, but it served little purpose here, except to attract unwanted trouble. And the dark swallowed up the light here, making the darkness impenetrable. The Marine glanced around her at the technology that surrounded her, appreciating it in an abstract concept sort of way. It did what she needed it to do, and that was enough.

Just shy of the fortress, her auto guide slowed the capsule down and started readying itself for docking maneuvers. She spoke to her team one last time as their leader. After this, there would be no direct communication with them, and they would only have knowledge of what was going on with her through a comm link that interfaced between not only their vessels, but for the first time, between the Sabres themselves. Once that was gone, they would have no way of transmitting to or from her at all.

"My friends, we have served long and well together. Thank you for being part of such an enormous and productive effort. Today we reach the payoff of many months, and in some ways, even years of hard work. Don't let it go to waste. No one escapes the dome once I go in. And remember me, my friends, when all is said and done. CARPE DIEM!!!

Silence greeted her words, as she had known it would. They were far too disciplined to try to dissuade her at this late date. But her choice made no one in this group happy, and though it was as frustrating as hell, it cheered her to know in the end, she was regarded love and respect in the eyes of her comrades. And knowing that somehow made it all a little easier. For by choosing to do this herself, they should all if they were careful, go home to loving families this day, with far more confidence in their own peaceful futures.

The submersible docked with the merest whisper of sound, and Randi waited until the little craft signaled it was safe before opening the hatch. It was an interesting phenomenon, she mused, knowing you were sitting on the ocean floor and stepping out into a surrounding air pocket. She worked quickly, scrambling the impulses for the computer door lock, and opening it within seconds. The Sabre glanced carefully into the hallway, and sensing no one, stepped in and closed the locked door behind her.

First stage completed. Now to go find those two wandering security people. Tiny and the rest of the team were monitoring the silence anxiously. As much as they hated knowing the sacrifice Randi was deliberately making, they all knew it was the surest bet for accomplishing their mission. These were mostly surveillance and escort vehicles. If those inside the dome tried to escape, they would have to become kamikaze weapons. And they all admitted to being human enough to want to live, to want to tell the tale of heroism that was being wrought.

It hadn't taken long. They seemed to be patrolling the compound in something of a circle at pretty regular intervals. She simply waited for them to come directly to her. The team members heard the bone crunches, and flinched in natural reaction. It wasn't a particularly pleasant sound, especially when you couldn't see who was doing what to whom. They all heaved a sigh of relief when Randi's voice spoke to them. "Still with ya, guys."

The Sabres listened for footsteps they knew they would never hear, but strained to do so anyway. The next noise they heard, in fact, was the very quiet sound of buttons being pushed. Then a female computer voice said softly, "Entryways secured and locked." More buttons. "Blast doors lowered." A swipe, a click, and the rattle of a keypad. "Self destruct set. There will be no audio countdown. Please enter authorization code to commence sequencing." A longer pause this time, broken only by the almost soundless clatter of code data being entered. Randi had taken care to bring along prints of the woman's identification scans, and she put them to good use now. "Retinal scan complete." Another few seconds of silence. "Hand scan recognized. Authorization complete. Destruct in twenty-nine minutes."

The entire team marked the second those words were uttered. In fifteen minutes, they would need to leave the area, back to the outer edges of transmission range. The shock wave would destroy them otherwise. As it was, they were walking a fine line to stay in communication until the very last moment. But Tiny, especially wanted to be sure he had the whole story when he told the ending to the Commandant.

Randi, meanwhile, was not happy with the length of time set for the auto destruct. On the one hand, it was far too long, leaving a possibility for someone to stop it. On the other, it was barely enough time for her to get the answers she wanted. She left the control room, melting the control pad before heading down the hall to confront the Ghost Rider face to face.

She stepped into the darkened room stealthily, casting her glance first toward the empty Empty? bed. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she found the woman she sought, sitting in front of the artificial fireplace asleep. Randi took great pains to secure her, not wanting the Ghost Rider to stop the events the Sabre had set in motion. She was here for answers.

It hadn't taken the blonde woman long to awaken, though her face remained clouded with confusion until her eyes fell upon Randi. She didn't even struggle, knowing she had lost, and somewhat glad that it was going to be over sooner rather than later. She was more tired than she would even admit to herself.

"Hello, Grace." The only reaction the woman showed to being addressed by name was a rapid blinking of her brown eyes. "My name is...."

"... Miranda Valiant, the most decorated Sabre in history." Now it was blue eye that blinked in swift succession. "Oh yes, dear. I know *all* about you. And I knew if I were ever to meet my demise at a time not of my own choosing, it would be at your hand. I've watched you, you know. It pays to know your enemy. And you are simply the best. Absolutely magnificent."

"Now, would you like to tell me why you're here? And why I'm not dead yet?"

It was almost humorous, Randi thought as she gazed at the older woman, how very polite and civil we're being. To look at us you'd never know we were mortal enemies. Aloud she simply said, "I wanted to talk to you. And it seemed kinda rude to kill you before I gave you a chance to answer.

The woman's response to that was a light laugh. "I see your point. Well, my Sabre friend, what would you like to know?" getting right to the heart of the problem.

"Actually, I'd really like to know why."

"Why it started? Or why I am not struggling to escape and stop you?"

"Both, actually."

"Well, it started because the man I loved scorned me, and when I tried and failed to destroy him, I vowed to destroy the one thing he cared about... the Black Sabres. He felt they were paramount to everything, and I was determined to see he paid for choosing them over me. Especially when he chose them even after being injured because of them." The insanity which had gripped her years before shone from her eyes for a long instant, before giving way to the exhaustion of a woman who had been fighting too long for something she was no longer sure was worth the risk.

"It didn't stay that way, though, did it?"

"No," said with a hint of remorse and regret. "It became fun, and the power was addicting. Do you know how large my army has become?"

"Our conservative estimates put it close to a quarter million people."

"I think it's closer to half, but I'd have to talk to the faction leaders, and I'm really not in a position to do that right now."

"That's okay. Neither are they." The listening team wondered what they had missed while it had been silent. It explained why the silence had been so lengthy, though. Grace chuckled at Randi's comment.

"No, I don't suppose they are." Silence fell.

"So, why are you so willing to give it up?"

"Honestly? I'm tired. Despite everything, or maybe because of it, I just want to rest. Revenge is a hard motive to maintain for thirty years."

"You'll excuse me if I'm a little skeptical of your motives at this point, won't you? After all, just three months ago you were psyching up the upper echelon of your army."

"Now, you know, that's a funny thing. I fully expected an all out military assault to destroy the leaders and their minions. It's not like it's difficult to find ten thousand dissidents standing out in the middle of a normally uninhabited desert."

"It is if you're not looking for them. Let's face it, Grace," with a raised eyebrow. "Let's face it, Grace," she continued at the older woman's nod, "the reason the Sabres exist is because the regular military is kept pretty useless. And my team wasn't prepared to commit suicide without guaranteed results. Nine against ten thousand puts the odds at more of a disadvantage than we usually like."

The Sabres had started moving away from the structure slowly the second their alarms indicated fifteen minutes had passed. Tiny moved as slowly as was safely possible, knowing he was severing the last link he had to one of the best friends he had.

"I see your point. Are the odds better now?"

"Infinitely."

"Will you answer a question for me?"

Randi thought about it a second before she answered. "If I can, sure."

"Why are you so willing to die?" It came from a blind corner, and hit her so deep, she actually gasped for breath for an instant. She swallowed then looked back into the face of her enemy, startled by the compassion she found there. "Oh, you're not, are you? Wait," gesturing to the Marine, "let me finish. You are *willing* to die, but not *ready*. "

"What makes you think I'm going to die with you today?"

"I was in your place once. Cocky young Sabre, willing to do whatever it took, until I found out that what it took was giving up the one thing I wanted."

"There is one difference between you and me."

"Really?"

"Uh huh. I am willing to die to ensure the safety of those I love and care about. You wanted to ensure the death of those you claimed to have loved because of petty jealousies."

"I suppose, but you're almost worse than I am."

"How do you figure?"

"Well, I've been sending people to their reward in the afterlife. You are choosing to condemn your loved ones to a living hell on earth. Which of us is worse, do you suppose?"

"I guess we'll know in a minute now, won't we?" asked the Marine, looking at her watch. "Our time here is almost up."

"You have been an interesting person to talk to, Miranda Valiant, and a very worthy opponent. In some ways, I regret our time together is at an end. In others, though, I am profoundly grateful to you for freeing me from this tired, miserable existence. I truly have grown weary of the struggle."

"I have two quick questions for you."

"Of course. I have nothing to hide at this point."

"What will happen to the factions now?"

"Well, they have no concrete directions. They only know that they are at peace for the duration. So either they will settle down in the peace, and finally become productive citizens...."

"OR???"

"Or they will start a civil war among themselves, much like what has been going on for the last thirty years, only directed more at each other than at any outside foe It has been so long since many of them thought for themselves, I'm not sure they could at this point. Anyway, a full-scale war is out of the question without a strong central leader. And after today, there won't be one. Problem solved."

"Last question then," looking at her watch and seeing she had about sixty seconds. "Who is your inside contact?"

"You mean you don't *know*?"

"I have my suspicions, but I'd like them confirmed."

"Aw, what the hell, it's not like you can do anything anyway. My Sabre contact is...." BUUUZZZZZZ! Crackle, crackle, buzz.

Tiny cursed roundly as he lost the signal. And then there was nothing but a large explosion. And silence.



***********************************************************

Geoff sat stunned as he listened to the tale unfold around him. The narrative had been so visual he could almost see the scenes taking place around him. Finally, he drew in a breath, then two, and still he had to swallow and clear his throat before speaking. "Then what happened?"

************************************************************



The eight remaining Sabres were all affected by the resulting shock waves to varying degrees. Tiny took the worst hit, since he was the closest to the area of the explosion. It didn't crush him, but instead sent him reeling end over end for quite a span of time. When he finally regained control of his small craft, he sent out a signal to the members of the team.

"Everyone, check-in."

And they did so, starting with himself as Beta, giving their Greek designation and location. It didn't take long to see they had been scattered quite widely, though he had been flung the farthest by quite a few lengths. "All right, people, let's go see what we can find out."

What they found out of course, was there was no way they were getting anywhere near it for at least a couple days. The water was still roiling pretty good, and the silt and debris the explosion itself had stirred up made it impossible for even their sophisticated sensors to see through. So they marked the spot on their computers, and headed back to the ship.

It took three days for the sea to settle enough to be deemed safe enough for them to go back to take a look. The silt was still stirring, though they were each secretly convinced it was going to be like that for a while. It played havoc with their sensors and equipment, but they doggedly kept on. For a very long week, they searched and studied, growing more despondent with each passing day. After seven days of searching, ten days after the explosion, Tiny called a halt to their efforts.

"I need to go inform the Commandant. And he needs to get some people down here to see if there are any remains to be returned to the family."

He held himself ridged during this speech, willing himself not to cry. And he utterly lost it when Brenda curled her small hand into his, and whispered, "I'm gonna miss her too, Tiny. She was a good friend."

The ship lowered its standard to half-mast. Tiny took of in the shuttle a short time later, heading straight for the capital city. He had left a set of dress blues in the shuttle, fully aware of his duty as Randi's second in command.

He went directly to the BEQ, his haggard appearance garnering him several questioning looks, but no comments. He gave off a distinct air that made it clear questions would be unwelcome. He took a long hot shower to revive himself, then turned it on full cold to assure he was awake and coherent. Slowly, he put on his dress blues, the Navy crackerjack fitting him sleekly. One of the things he loved about the Sabres was the lack of formality, and traditional military garb. Except in situations like this. Or, he thought with a pain filled smile, those lovely, formal dress up occasions like Randi took Gwen to. His mind filled, for a wistful moment, with the image of the two of them Randi had shown him of them after the symphony. Such a beautiful couple. Too bad Randi was so damned pig-headed stubborn... He let the thought die, as he knew his anger was beyond useless at this point, and not what he needed to show the Commandant when he arrived at the man's office. Besides, he knew deep in the very deepest part of his being she had been right. It had been necessary. And if he were honest with himself, he admired her for having the backbone to make and stand by that decision. He didn't think he could have done it himself, and hoped he was never put in a position to find out for sure.

He walked into the Commandant's office, and, after his salute, presented his name to the Army Lieutenant Colonel seated at the desk. "Is he expecting you, Chief McCall?"

"He asked me to report as soon as I got into town, Colonel."

She wondered, but said nothing except, "I'll tell him you're here."

"Thank you ma'am." And he went to stand by the window to wait. It didn't take long, before she called his name, and indicated he had clearance to proceed.

"Chief McCall, how nice to see you again," the Commandant said in a carrying voice. Thank you for taking the time out to come see me on your own time for a personal matter for me. I can't wait to see what you've got." Jerry Daetwyler knew exactly what the news was going to be by the look on the man's face and his manner of dress, but with the leak still undetermined, he found it necessary to use pretense. Already things were in motion to find out exactly who the problem was, but it would take time he didn't have right now, for this mission. "Come, I know you've got to be hungry after your trip. Let's go get a bite, and look at those plans. Kene, I'll be out for a while with Chief McCall. You know how to reach me."

"Sure do, boss. Enjoy your lunch."



************************************************************

"Have you ever seen a grown man cry, Geoff? I mean break down and bawl like a baby. Tiny McCall did that day. It took a while to get the story straight from him, he was crying so hard at one point. But I've told you exactly what he told me."

"Will you answer a couple questions now?" He stood up to pace.

"If I can. I will certainly try."

"Did you send teams back down to search for remains, proof that everyone who had been in the dome was dead?" He sighed harshly. "I know the likelihood of her having survived that is nil, but it would give us all some sense of closure if there were remains we could physically verify, could, I dunno," running his fingers through his hair in agitation, "cremate and scatter. Something, anything." He slumped down on the seat in frustration. "I'm sorry, Jerry. I guess I'm not making much sense"

"You're making excellent sense, my friend. I'm just sorry there is nothing I can say to help you. The truth is I had teams down there for almost a month. There was nothing identifiable left after the blast. The explosives Ghost Rider had rigged for her self destruct mechanism were chosen specifically for their ability to wipe out all living tissue. In fact the only thing left intact in any way shape or form is the dome itself. That's one thing that took so long."

"How so?"

"From the way things were set, it took out the foundation, and when that happened, the dome fell straight down. It gave us hope there might be survivors, even though our scanners detected none. The silt was screwing our reading on everything else, why not this? But basically it fell straight to the ocean floor, because everything beneath it, organic and inorganic, was blown into oblivion as though it had never been."

The two men sat silently for a while, Geoff trying to absorb what Jerry had said, and the Commandant trying to unknot muscles that were suddenly very painful under the stress of retelling this story.

"Come, my friend," Jerry said motioning to Geoff. "Let me walk you back to your room."

The two walked slowly, partially to accommodate the weapons smith, whose back was beginning to bother him. All that sitting on stiff, unyielding metal was uncomfortable, if not downright painful. But the narrative had been too powerful to interrupt for mere physical misery. It would tell on him later, of course, even as it was starting to now. It always did.

"Do you know now who your leak is?"

"I am fairly certain, but still have no real proof. It's almost as though...."

"Almost as though what?" Geoff prompted, when it became clear the Sabre was not going to continue.

"It's almost as though it's accidental."

"HUH?!? What in God's name are you saying??"

"I'm not sure. It just doesn't feel right. The whole situation...."

"Of course it doesn't feel right, Jerry. It's TREASON!!" The Commandant never knew so much venom could be conveyed in a whisper.

"No, Geoff. I'm not being real clear, I guess. Even if my suspicions are correct, I'm missing a significant piece of the puzzle, because it's not making total sense yet."

"Okay, okay. I see what you're saying. Can you tell me who you suspect?"

"No. My suspicions came from Randi, and she asked me not to say or accuse until and unless I was sure. I have to honor her last request."

"Yes, you're right." The two men entered the room where Geoff would be staying the night. His shuttle home left the next morning. He waved the Commandant to a seat on the couch, and walked to the bar, pouring up two whiskeys, neat. He handed one to his friend and kept the other for himself. "Thank you for telling me all this, Jerry. I can see how difficult all this has been on you."

And he could too. The months had not been kind to the Sabre. New lines of strain and stress had been written in his face, and his normally bright eyes were much duller. It was as though all this had hit him in the core of his soul, and was slowly destroying him. Treason was bad, losing your very best was worse, but finding out it was all your fault, due to insolence and youth... that was a bitter pill to swallow.

"You deserved to know, my friend. You of all people in the world deserved to know the whole truth."

"Well, I thank you. It will give me something to tell Gwen. Oh, not specifics," holding up his hand when Jerry made to speak. "I know better. But I can honestly say that Randi died as she lived." A silence, then "And thank you for watching over my little girl."

"You know I'll keep an eye on her like she was my very own, and I'll keep you apprized of her whereabouts."

Both men finished their drinks, and Jerry stood to leave. "Don't let so long go between visits, my friend. And please don't wait until it's something so tragic."

"Agreed. And I'll even go you one better. Why don't you plan a weekend to come up and see Jill and I? A little home cooking might do you some good." Geoff extended the invitation with a smile.

"I might just have to take you up on that. It's been too long since I've tasted one of Jill's home cooked meals."

"Well then, it's settled. And maybe we'll have to take you down South with us sometime. Got some really good friends there, thanks to Gwen and Randi."

"We'll see," not sure what his welcome would be like in that place. "It's been...."

"... informative. Thanks, Jerry." The two men shook hands and the Commandant took his leave. Geoff walked over and poured himself another whiskey. He sat down and hung his head, setting the drink down and rubbing his temples. It was gonna be a long evening, and he had a lot to think about.





Continued In Chapter XXI (Conclusion)