Frank and Erma Garrett walked through the Marketplace hand in hand. Every so often they would simply smile at one another. The couple had been married for 64 years, quite an accomplishment in this day and age. He was a retired miner, she had spent her days as a schoolteacher, but now, their time was spent together. Frank is 84, Erma just celebrated a birthday four days ago, she turned 80. Frank's gift to her hung around her neck; a gold, heart-shaped locket. It would be nothing anyone would take particular interest in, it was just a gold locket. To Erma, it was her most prized possession. She would touch it every so often and smile. She wore it proudly outside of her blouse, for all the world to see.

Frank had just finished eating a sweet pastry he had purchased from O?Dell's Deli. Erma was in A Stitch in Time buying a scarf in preparation for cold evenings to come. As Frank waited, he looked about for a trash receptacle to throw away his wax paper that came with his pastry. He adored sweets, though he was diabetic he allowed himself an indulgence every once in a while. Erma had given him a dissatisfied smirk when he bought the confection and he chuckled about it still. Finally spotting a trash can, Frank made his way down the alley to discard his paper.

He only saw a flash of light. The club had been brought down onto the back of his skull with such force that he died instantly. His pockets were rifled through, but nothing was found. Erma had always been in charge of the budget. Frank had saved for months to buy Erma the locket and now he was basically broke of spending money until their next monies arrived from the government.

Erma left the store, giving a smile to the green haired shopkeeper. Her new scarf was in a packaged bundle tucked under her arm. She stood in front of the store for a short time, looking this way and that, wondering where Frank had gotten himself off to. A commotion in the alley got her attention; several men standing over someone lying in the alleyway. It took her a moment to recognize who it was as most of his upper body was obscured by trash cans that lined the alley wall. But the clothes; she had washed and folded those clothes a hundred times over for him. The bundled scarf fell to the ground. She ran to him. Her heart was racing as she finally made it to where Frank lay. She did not give any notice to the other men standing around as shock of what she saw hit her. The tears welled instantly; her hand covered her mouth to hold back her wailing. But the wailing never came. She too, only saw a flash of light. Any money Erma had was taken. Her locket was violently jerked from her neck.

"Do it, Sergeant!" The Lieutenant's tone was harsh now; demanding. That tone of voice where one knew what was to come afterward. He had used that same tone on his own men in the past. In the early years of his promotion to field sergeant, he had needed to use that manner of speaking with his own troops in order to get things done. Nowadays, they followed him blindly. They had grown to realize that the orders given to them by their sergeant would be good ones; Safe, direct and efficient. In a word; Trust. They trusted him with their lives. It was not a type of trust borne out of an oath to do so, or just because it was the chain of command. This trust was due to their Sergeant's performance and wisdom. No one lasts out here in the field for that long without knowing something about keeping yourself alive.

He looked to his men and gave a direct motion with his hand. "Light "em." For the first time in a long time, they hesitated. He could see the disbelief in the soldier's eyes. They all stared. He turned back to the Lieutenant, who only gave him an angry and urging nod. Turning back to his men, he yelled at them in anger. "Light "em, Dammit!" They jumped into action this time. The Lieutenant approached him from behind and spoke into his ear, "Your men are slow to obey your orders." He turned to the Lieutenant and stood up straight, towering over the snide little man. "MY men hesitate to obey YOUR orders." He turned back to watch them again. He had hoped the message was sent to the Lieutenant but in all reality it was in vain. They were his orders, not the Lieutenants. Simply because they came from his lips.

The first cannon released its load. The signal cannon. After it was spotted, the rest followed in suit. Thousands. The cannons showered the small city in fiery chaos. He stood and watched. If these people were going to die at his hand, then he would give them the respect of standing and watching it happen. He would not turn away. The Lieutenant stomped off calling over his shoulder, "I'll expect your report of the results in the morning." That sentence fell on deaf ears. All he could hear now was the screaming. The lives that were being taken in the barrage.

After calling the cease fire, he directed his troops into the city to deal with any remaining inhabitants. They met with little resistance as most had succumbed to the flames and explosions. As he walked throughout the debris he heard something. Movement. A whimper. He drew his dagger and moved toward it. The sounds were heard again from under a door that had been blown off its hinges and was now in a pile of rubble. He flipped the door out of the way and stared. "Oh god".? The child, a young girl, no more than four, lay there looking up at him in utter fear. She was clutching her side. Kneeling down in front of the girl, he moved her small hand to see the wound. It was not livable. This girl would be dead in less than an hour. She started to cry. Dropping his dagger he gingerly picked her up and held her tightly. The whimpering slowed. Placing his hand on the back of the child's head, he pressed her closer to his chest. This embrace was not to calm the child. This child needed peace. This child needed to be relieved of the agony she was in. He held her tighter. The tears in his eyes welled and, eventually, her movement ceased. She had suffocated in his embrace.

He yelled aloud as he sat up quickly from his bed. He was covered in sweat; again. He wished it was a dream, but it was not.

Staggering from the Marketplace, he clutched his midsection trying to keep any more blood from spilling out. His hand was cradled around the knife in his belly. He knew pulling the dagger out himself would do more damage, but now the pain was beginning to be overwhelming. Stopping to rest, he looked down at it again. This time, it triggered a memory.

28 Years ago ~ The Occupation of the Village of Tillway near Morrison's Keep ~

The woman stood there screaming. Half shocked at what she had done, the other half petrified about what she believed the repercussions to be. Looking down, the woman's knife was protruding from his chest. He tried to take a deep breath, but it felt as if he was halfway underwater, gasping for air.

Hours ago he had given his troops orders to move civilians out of the village and into a secure area. He believed that if the necessary steps were taken to diminish the loss of civilian lives during a battle, the more apt the enemy would be to eventually surrender; believing that they too would be treated as amicably. Most of these people did not speak their language, so communication of their intentions was difficult at best.

He quietly entered the small home, taking a quick look about. "Hello' We need to get you people to a safe location. We mean you no harm." Even as he said the words he knew they would not be understood. He hoped however, that the tone of his voice would tell the inhabitants that they were peaceful words. The home was quiet. Rounding a corner he entered what appeared to be a kitchen. All he saw was a flash of motion. The woman came at him wildly. Howling as if she was possessed, he tried to stop her approach as carefully as he could without injuring her. It was a mistake. When the knife entered his chest he could feel it glancing off a rib. The woman released the knife and backed away, her hands were covering her mouth in a look of horror at what she had done. Air bubbles seeped from the wound around the hilt of the knife. She had hit his lung no doubt.

Gasping for breath, he held up a hand to try to calm her, showing that he had no ill intentions. "Please"..No".Here to"." The words did not come. His breath was short and now the woman, who had backed herself up against the kitchen counter, located a second knife from the cooking block and lunged at him. He did the only thing he could; sidestepping her charge, he pulled the knife from his own chest and slit the woman's throat with it as she passed. She fell into the corner, dead.

Other soldiers barged into the home hearing the commotion. Quickly tending to his wounds a young private looked at him, distressed, "What the hell, Sarge" What's wrong with these people!" We're trying to get them to safety!? That's when they heard the sound coming from the kitchen pantry. Upon inspection, they located the woman's children, huddled in fear. Their mother had undoubtedly hid them there and then tried to protect them as best she could. Maybe it would have been better to let the woman kill him. Perhaps then, these children would still have a mother. Mourning the woman in front of his men was unacceptable; however he would carry the image of the expressions on the faces of those children with him forever.

Vampires had always been an enigma to him. Most often, as far as his experience had led him, they were 'regular" folks. Everyone knows how they feed, but it is the "who' they feed on that mattered. Many vampires use their feeding habits for the good of the public. If they deserve it, they become lunch. It serves the vampire's purpose of sustenance, and it serves the public by getting rid of some of the city's trash.

Other vampires however take on a better-than-thou mindset. They believe that they are the elitist; that their needs come before all others. This feeling of superiority is what leads them to care not who it is they choose to feed on. They only seem to care that they simply choose to feed; feed on whomever and when and wherever they choose.

He had walked by this particular family's house everyday on his way to work; The Cavinaugh's Ranch. It was a simple cottage which sat a few hundred yards off a dirt road several miles south of the city. Most often, the children, Sarah and Kay would be playing in the yard, while their father, Stephen, would be working in the field. His wife, Margaret, could most often be seen tending to certain chores outside, or in the window, watching her children. They always waved to him as he passed. He would always wave back with a smile. Tonight, there was no greeting. Tonight there was no one.

He had always been one to mind his own business, but due to recent events, he would not let this oddity go un-inspected. The front door was standing open. It bore the mark of a handprint, smeared in blood. The inside of the house was in disarray. Stephen was lying in the living room. He was clutching a broken shovel in his hands; most of his neck was missing. The minimal amount of blood on the floor beside him told him everything he needed to know. The sounds coming from the bedroom led him in that direction. He winced at what he saw as he pushed the door open. The vampire, a female, had just finished feeding on Margaret. Most of her face was soiled with blood. She looked at him with an intoxicated smile. She thought he would be her next meal. She was wrong.

This particular vampire was fast, but she was also young. Newer vampires generally are not as strong as their elders. This vampiress had the attitude he loathed. She treated this family as if she was entitled to take their lives; most probably treated RhyDin as if it was her own personal feeding trough. No more. He wondered who this particular vampiress belonged to. Most of the older and powerful vampires will generally burn the bodies of their prey to prevent re-animation. Maybe she was simply the result on an interrupted snack" It didn't matter. Save a few gashes to his chest from her claws, she was contained.

When she awoke, she found herself tied to a dock piling, facing the ocean, to the east. The sky had already begun to take on that familiar red and purple glow. She writhed, but to no avail. He had been waiting for her to regain consciousness. He had waited, to simply tell her one thing. Getting up into her face, he looked her closely in the eye, his rage still evident. "The Cavinaugh's always enjoyed watching the sunrise. Now it's your turn.? And with that, he walked away.

He returned to the Cavanaugh Ranch and located the bodies of Sarah and Kay. They were found, having been drowned at the bottom of the well. Their small bodies were apparently not enough to make a meal. He buried them. He wept for them, and in the light of the morning sun, he made promises to them which he intended to keep.

Luck was with him today. This night he had found where the screams were coming from. The screams had not stopped. The girl was not dead. He had arrived in time.

The man stood over her with the dagger, taunting her. The girl was crouched low in the corner of the alley; her pajamas were torn and dirty. This man had abducted her from her home, from her own bedroom. Now he had expected to have his way with her in this secluded portion of the city, under the veil of night. His expectations; his big plans for the evening would not come to fruition.

Not wasting a moment, he sprang at the man. Surprise is an important tool. At times, it can mean the difference between victory and defeat. Catch your opponent off guard, and you can have all kinds of advantages. This man was definitely surprised. The garbage can lid was smashed so violently into the man's face that it literally wrapped around his head. He stood over the attacker, his teeth clenched. His face was stoic, but his heart was filled with rage. Why would someone do this to someone so young" The girl couldn't be anymore than nine years old.

His fists were still clenched when the child touched his hand. He turned his head to look at her. She reached up and tugged at his shirt, pulling him down toward her. Crouching down, he knelt in front of the child. Gently, she touched his face. Traced the lines in his forehead and then down along the scar on his cheek. Then, quickly, she wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.

His body stiffened in surprise. Had it been so long that he had received an emotional touch from anyone" The child's gratitude was translated into that hug. It was the best she could do for him. She did more than she knew. He felt peace.

Maybe this ability he had, this aptitude for taking lives, was not such a terrible thing" Maybe he shouldn't be so ashamed" This little girl unknowingly gave him something he had been needing. If only for a brief moment, he felt appreciated. For a brief moment he felt needed. For a brief moment he felt?""

He had just walked Eva home to her room above the bookstore in the Marketplace, when he started south toward his own home. Though there was a slight rain falling, he didn't care. His heart was beating, he couldn't stop smiling. What the hell was this feeling? Living most of his life in the military, he hadn't had much of any opportunity for meeting, let alone having a conversation with a woman. So this feeling he was having was quite foreign to him. Telling her of his concern about her staying so close to the Marketplace due to all the recent crime was maybe the best thing he had done that night. It was what caused her to ask him to walk her home.

Now he was smiling even more. He put his hand on his stomach. Was he hungry' He slowed his pace, finding that he was almost running. He was so enthralled in these feelings that he never saw it coming. It was a wooden bat that was used to strike him in the back of the head. He tried to catch himself when he fell, but his arms didn't seem to want to work. The impact of his face into cobblestones didn't necessarily help, but the sharp pain brought him back to his senses a bit. He couldn't focus his eyes; everything seemed to want to spin.

He felt someone patting him down, looking for valuables no doubt. He had none. The last thing he felt was the short knife being thrust into his side. He heard footsteps running away. He forced himself to turn over and lay on his back in the rain. The puddle of water underneath him turned crimson.

He cursed himself for being foolish, letting emotion wash over and take control of him, then he cursed louder when he intentionally grabbed a hold of his flesh over the wound. It would do two things; the pain would be sobering enough to hopefully snap him out of the daze he was in from the head trauma. Secondly, it would slow the bleeding. He rocked to a sitting position and instantly felt the stabbing pain in his head. The Marketplace had begun to slow from its sickening spin as he rolled to his knees.

Someone had asked him recently how he had managed to stay alive all these years. He pondered that question carefully during his long walk home.

Perceval stood in the shower, his head hung low as he allowed the water to run over him. Leaning against the shower wall, he was deep in thought. Almost one year ago he had retired from the military. His plans to live on his farm in solitude and peace were becoming a memory.

He had thought he could bury away something that he had so ingrained in him by the military. His ability to fight, his ability to kill. It had become second nature to him. He thought he could leave it all behind; in the barracks where he had hung up his boots and closed his foot locker for the last time. He couldn't just sit back and watch. The city cried out to him. He tried to ignore it, he tried not to listen. But when innocence was threatened, he could not turn a deaf ear to it. Old habits, Percy"They die hard, don't they"

His job at the Inn was more than he could have hoped for. Watching the people there; their conversations; their smiles and laughter; the incredible diversity; it was all so beautiful to him. His favorite pastime was to take a lean on the shelving behind the bar and watch; just watch. He smiled now just thinking about it. If only these people knew what they did for his soul. It did his heart well to see so many people with such good intentions. Serving them was a privilege.

Reaching down, he ran a finger over the wound in his side. It was refusing to heal, though his constantly pulling the stitches didn't seem to help matters either. His health was a bit better. Whatever poison was in his system was just about gone. Either that or he'd learned to live with it. Sooner or later, he'd have to find himself a doctor to have it looked at; which moved him along to his next thought. Eva.

Whether or not hiding this wound from her was a bad idea, he wasn't sure. Maybe he was thinking foolishly' Maybe if he had told her from the beginning, he could have seen her sooner" Maybe if he had told her from the beginning, she would have left, thinking RhyDin is too dangerous a place for her" Maybe he was being an idiot. He shut off the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist, allowing himself to drip dry as he moved to the kitchen. Stepping out onto the porch with his coffee, he looked over his land; it was modest but rich.

He never planned on considering a relationship after retirement. The last time he loved someone was before he left for the military when he was just sixteen years old. Shaking his head, he pondered...Where had the time gone? The memory of his first love was still strong in him. It was strong when they shared their love together for the first time. It was strong when he proposed to her the day before he left for war. It was strong throughout all their letters back and forth and the time he spent away from her. And it was strong when he came home on leave, to visit her grave.

He watched his trees sway gently in the breeze. The ornamental trees he grew on his farm were his one retreat; his one escape from the world. Taking care of them was his everything. At least it used to be. It would seem that the only thing that stays the same anymore is that everything changes.

The chill in the air confirmed to him that winter was near. Perceval had been outside most of the day, readying for the approaching cold season. Suring up the roof in the barn, preparing extra feed for the animals, stocking up on firewood and taking care of the few remaining ornamental trees that did not sell during the summer were the chores for today. He had a bit of a greenhouse arrangement in the barn where the trees were to be moved. Currently, he was out mending his fences which kept the few heads of cattle he had from straying. Good, honest work outdoors usually helped him clear his head. But not today.

He had lost count of how many times he had struck his fingers with the hammer. He cursed at himself one last time when he did so, set the hammer and nails down and sat on the ground, leaning against the fence post. Perceval was on a portion of his land where no man-made structure, save the fence, could be seen. It was quiet. The smell of the autumn leaves was in the air and the breeze was cool. Opening his bag, he took out the small sandwich he had packed and began to eat. Slowly, he allowed his mind to embrace the one thought that had overwhelmed him all day. The one thought that had thrown off his concentration countless times.

Eva.

It had been almost a week now since he had seen her last. The note he had found during his shift at the Inn had made him smile. He smiled again, as he pulled it from his jacket pocket and read it another time. Carrying the note with him gave him a bit of comfort. It was worn now, the creases heavy from numerous opening and closing. Just having something with her handwriting on it made him feel closer to her as if she was around, though right now they were miles apart. It was silly, yes, and he would be overly embarrassed if she caught him with it, but he carried it anyway. Perceval had the note memorized, but he read it nonetheless.

So there he sat, leaning against that fence pole, considering his future. He rehashed everything in his head again. This was not in his plans, meeting a woman like this. It was not something he was upset or concerned about, it was simply the fact that never in a million years had Perceval even came close to considering the possibility of meeting someone. He shook his head, chuckling to himself as he folded up the note. He felt like a schoolboy with a crush. He had no idea how to act or what to do next. There were days when he walked through the Marketplace, hoping to run into her. For some reason he felt he couldn't go knocking on her door without a good reason, and as of now, he didn't have one, except maybe just to see her face again.

Perceval's smile tapered off a bit when he thought of the age difference between him and Eva. As far as he knew, he could be about 20 years older than her. Maybe she just needed someone to lean on' A father figure perhaps" She was obviously going through a transition in her life. Maybe she just"..Perceval brushed the thought from his mind. There was something there between them. He hadn't had that feeling in a long time; it was impossible to deny".at least on his end it was.

Perceval stood, picked up his hammer and nails and got back to work. These are the thoughts that would fill his mind today"yesterday and tomorrow.

Eva looked in the mirror one last time, the dawn light shining through the bathroom window casting her face in an eerie yellow glow. Her hazel eyes took in the shape of her face " her pointy chin, arched eyebrows, pink lips. She had her hair pulled back in a pony tail, an unusual style for her, the pink line of her scar in open view. She tended to keep her hair down to help shadow the scar, but today she figured it was okay. Tucker had seen it, and so far it hadn't seemed to bother him. Maybe she should put on some make-up. She pulled open the medicine cabinet and sighed. She remembered having lip gloss once. She pushed aside the various pill bottles, none of them hers, until finally she found the small tube. She shut the cabinet, bringing her face back into view, and opened the gloss to guide the wand along her bottom lip before rolling it gently against her upper lip. A little shine was nice. Eva rolled her eyes, and shut the bathroom door as she left, grabbing her jacket and heading down the stairs.

In the last day or so, she'd gotten the nerve up to ask a few people where to find Tucker's farm. Enough, at least, that she had some idea of where it was located. Not a great idea. But some idea. Her plan was to take a road south out of town, and just wander the hills and valleys until she saw something that looked like a tree farm. Brilliant.

It felt like a bad sign to Eva that she had to pursue Tucker right to his front door, but she could sense that the traditional rules would not apply with him. Plus, Eva had plenty of experience pursuing men instead of being pursued by them. Ghost hadn't been any picnic, with his traditional aloofness and standard silence. And if she was being honest, she knew that sometimes she could be a little intimidating. Eva frowned as she walked. Was that the problem'

Well even if Tucker didn't turn out to be at home, at least she'd taken a nice walk. The sun was rising, a bright brilliant circle in the sky, warming the streets of RhyDin, shining on the water. She'd started out early, unsure how long the walk would take, and figuring that pretty much any good farmer would start the day early. Probably the best time of day to catch Tucker at home, if he was going to be at home, anyhow.

Eva had once been an early riser, having gotten used to the schedule at her childhood farm. But being back in RhyDin had turned her schedule on its ear. Late night visitors were a regular occurrence to her room above the bookstore now, and despite her many attempts to turn them away towards the hospital, she ended up treating many of them in the late night hours. Yet another reason to find a new place. So when she set out towards Tucker's farm, she'd only slept a few hours. She hadn't noticed the circles under her eyes from lack of sleep when she'd looked in the mirror in the dim morning light, but they were there all the same.

She'd dressed casually for the walk; loose fitting jeans easing every step; a white tank top keeping her cool beneath her usual jacket; flat comfortable boots that dropped her an inch as compared to her normal high heeled ones. As she reached the edge of town, she pulled the small map she'd been using to help her navigate her apartment hunt from her jacket pocket. On the southern edge of the map she'd marked the various routes and distances people had described to her of where his farm was located, although so many of them had admitted to just guessing and being unsure. Had anyone ever been out there"

Eva recognized the farm only by the trees, her feet taking her down the road towards the farm house at a relaxed pace. She listened for the sound of him working around the building before stepping onto the porch, and raising her hand to knock on the door. With her hand poised over the door she caught a glimpse of her own reflection in one of the windows. Her cheeks were flushed, and her scar stood out prominently on her cheek. For a brief hesitant moment Eva considered pulling her hair free of the band that held it back from her face to try to hide it again, but she resisted. She trusted him.

Eva knocked on the door of what she hoped was his farm, and then moved towards the railing looking out at the land.

Eva had turned in time to see Tucker approach. The sight of him made her smile, the way he walked with his head down, clearly thinking very hard on some topic or another. It didn't look worried so much as it looked distracted.

When he looked up and saw her, she became self-aware for the first time that day beyond just her appearance. Clearly, she'd startled him. Maybe she was invading his privacy coming to his house" And so early too. She smiled through it.

"Hi."

"Hi" sorry' I didn't mean to catch you by surprise....I just' hadn't seen you in a while" thought I might try to catch you here" was worried I might have killed you?"

It was an awkward joke, but she laughed at herself a little. She should have brought something. Her mother would have brought something, like some sweet rolls she'd baked, or something....homey. Eva stood there empty handed, sighing inwardly. Once she'd started rambling it was hard for her to stop.

?"but here you are just fine" I wanted to see your farm too' so I just thought I'd invite myself over" or" you know it was hard to find actually' well not really, just not many people could tell me where it was" sorry it's so early' wanted to catch you? maybe before you left for the day' and I always used to get up early when I was living at the farm' I've never seen a tree farm before" looks like you're getting set for winter" should be a nice season' always liked winter myself?"

Eva paused for a breath her words trailing off into silence. She looked away from him, down the road from where she came, then back to him. She smiled, a hint of an apology in her eyes.

"I wanted to see you.?

Eva had relaxed as Tucker relaxed, her normal easy manner returning. He gave her permission to be there, and in that, allowed her to enjoy herself. She listened as he pointed to all of the sights on the farm, asking a question here and there, and then let herself be guided into his house. Her smile a near permanent fixture.

It was different from most anywhere she'd ever been, and she liked it. As tall as he was, the cottage sized to fit him, Eva still felt the place was cozy, and that made a warmth spread inside her chest. She tried to offer her help with breakfast, but it was hard to argue with Tucker when he'd set his mind to something, so she settled at the kitchen table with a comfortable cup of coffee. It was a relief to Eva anyhow, considering how awkward she felt in the kitchen. She never felt right in domestic spaces. Watching her mother sometimes had been like watching another species. She fit more with her father and brothers.

It was hard to miss that search for a second chair, but it didn't strike her as all that surprising. She'd been alone for a long time too, although she could tell not quite so long as Tucker. She just smiled kindly and waited for him to bring a chair over, her hands wrapped around the coffee cup.

"Eva, I want to repay you for your time"or if anything for the supplies you used when you patched me up. I insist. There must be something I can do to settle up?"

Eva blushed as soon as the words were out, her coffee cup turning in her hands, the bottom of the cup scraping the table. She couldn't explain why it made her uncomfortable to talk about payment, but she knew now that this topic would not go away.

"Oh' I don't know?"

Her eyes glanced up at Tucker. He was something of a carpenter right' She couldn't ask for furniture. Yes, she was looking for a more permanent place to live, but not that permanent. She'd never owned furniture in her entire life, she just kind of came upon it, or lived with other people who had furniture. Plus, what if he built her some beautiful table and then they didn't work out' She'd always have that huge piece reminding her of the failed relationship.

Her coffee cup turned and turned. Her hazel eyes looking down into the black liquid as she contemplated the options. The silence grew between them, but it was obvious she was just thinking. Finally, she looked up. Her solution wasn't much better than having him build a piece of furniture for her, but it could be left behind without too much heartache.

"I was thinking" well it's been a long time since I" since I got my hands in the dirt." She looked up at him uncertain, but pressed on anyhow. "Do you think maybe you could give me a small plot here to tend" Not near the trees of course, but maybe just something here. If I lay in some seed and bulbs before the soil freezes, I could have a garden to tend by spring. Vegetables, and some flowers."

Eva wasn't sure if it sounded silly. She'd always been floating in a space between being a farmer's daughter and being a city girl. But everything had changed over the last few years. The two had moved closer together. And maybe this way, she could get close to the earth on a regular basis, and be close to Tucker too.

"I wouldn't need much really. Just someplace out of the way. You can say no, I know it's your land. And I can probably think up something else."

"That sounds really nice." Eva smiled at Tucker's back, watching him. She could tell that he didn't just approve her request; he was enthusiastic about it, nearly giddy. It surprised her certainly, although probably not in the way he imagined.

There was something so gentle about Tucker, almost na've. As if every touch, or look between them was a wonder to him. When he held her hand in his, it made her smile, but she saw him drift off somewhere, somewhere Eva couldn't imagine. She knew it had been a long time since he'd been with a woman, but she thought romantically, not physically. He was a man after all. Could that little touch embarrass him so much' Or maybe he'd been remembering another woman' It was hard to know what Tucker was thinking. It must be obvious to him that she was interested in him at this point. She was pleased to have the excuse of a garden to come around and see him more often, but the truth was, she didn't want to need an excuse. And she didn't want it to take all fall and winter for him to be comfortable touching her.

Maybe she was just too much of a bad girl. Tucker made Eva feel uncertain, more than most, but she wasn't really a shy person. And she certainly wasn't inexperienced. It confused her a lot. In most of her past relationships, it hadn't taken much more than a few meetings to take someone to her bed. Eva looked down at the cup of coffee and started to turn it in her hands. She was seriously all wrong for Tucker, and perhaps taking advantage of him. She shook her head, trying to physically flick the thoughts from her mind. Stop. Stop. Stop.

Eva raised her head, and smiled. This day was just going to be this day. And tomorrow would be tomorrow.

"I think you might have told me already " but did you grow up around here, in RhyDin" I know you served in the military most of your life so far."

Eva smiled and looked down at her plate. Her life had been complicated, and there was always some editing required, but what to edit' She had no idea.

"I grew up in the north plains, just a few hours ride from here. My birth parents died when I was eight and I was adopted by neighbors, the McCalls. They owned a wheat farm, I think I mentioned that to you once. Anyway, they had two kids of their own, Angus who is a couple years older than me, and John who is around my age.

"I guess I did everything kind of young. When we were kids, Angus and I fell in love. He'd always been very protective of me, and I hadn't?" Eva sighed and glanced up at Tucker, then out the window, her utensils held still in her hands. "I was only sixteen when I left for college. My father was trying to separate me from Gus. Naturally it only motivated us more. I finished early and we married right before I started medical school."

Unlike Tucker, Eva didn't know how to tell her story in a way that didn't betray how sad she was. The important events of her life were painful now, but it was the loss of that life that stung her, not the events themselves. Eva smiled and looked back at Tucker. "I know it probably sounds very sad, but I was really quite happy for most of my childhood, and through school. Gus made me very happy, and I loved every minute of medical school."

Eva shrugged and looked back down at her plate.

"Anyhow, Gus and I had" we had" well we had problems. By the time I was practicing at the hospital. We were separated a lot. He was on the farm and I was more than an hour away in the city."

She was obviously glossing over something important, her earlier confession about becoming an addict still seeming to lack some sort of context in her life.

"Eventually, we were married in name only. After I finished rehab, I wandered for a little while before I came here. I met someone who helped me get my life back together."

Eva shrugged her shoulders and looked up with a smile. "I lived with him, on and off, until about six or seven years ago, when my dad got sick. I went home to take care of him. That about brings me back here, I think you know the rest."

Eva took a bite of her omelet and looked up again. "Gus remarried a while back, and John's married too. They run the farm. I've got a couple of nephews running around now." She smiled at the last bit.

"This is excellent, by the way. Thank you for cooking." Eva smiled, shifting on her chair.

"You ever marry' Have any children?" She'd thought about that before. It was easily possible that he had grown children by now, and she couldn't help wondering. A military life was difficult, but most military men seemed to have a wife to come home to at some point anyhow. Tucker had been apparently resigned to living alone. Until now, anyhow. But there was always someone. Wasn't there?

"Yes." Eva didn't hesitate in her answer. But the truth was always more complicated than a single word answer could convey. Eva let her eyes drift away as she sighed.

It had hurt her to take what felt like a rejection from Tucker, whether aimed directly at her or not. But she could respect his decision. Eva rushed headlong into all of her relationships as if she could fill that gaping emptiness inside her by some forced intimacy. Tucker hadn't been sucked into her pull, no matter how hard she had tried. Now at least she understood. Perhaps it was better to take things slowly. Eva sighed.

It wasn't as if she'd been relentlessly pursuing relationships for the past six years since she'd left Ghost. She had just shut it all out. Spent all of her emotional energy on her father. Calling for Ghost only in her dreams.

"Yes, I wanted to find him. I want to find him," she corrected herself with a sigh. Eva wasn't uncomfortable telling Tucker the truth. It didn't occur to her that she might have behaved inappropriately by pursuing Tucker. Everyone came with a past. And when she met Tucker she'd finally started to think of Ghost as a part of her past. And Tucker maybe, as part of her future. No, it wasn't that part of this that made her uncomfortable. It was the shame of how she'd left things with Ghost. How she'd mistreated Ghost so long ago.

"I left him rather abruptly. We'd been growing apart for a while, but I didn't tell him anything when I left for home. I didn't let myself think much about him when I was caring for my dad, it was just easier not to think. But then one morning I woke up and my dad was gone, and there was nothing keeping me home anymore. And there was nothing in my life again.

"I owe Ghost an apology. For the way I left. Just one day, gone. It was unkind. He didn't deserve that."

Eva looked down and pushed a loose strand of hair from her face. "That's his name. Ghost."

Eva met Tucker's eyes and forced a smile of her own. Maybe he was right. Ghost had been an important part of her life for a very long time. But she couldn't make Ghost appear on demand, and she wasn't sure how long it would take for him to get into town.

"I guess maybe we both need a little bit of time."

Eva's heart thumped in her chest. She could see that hesitation in his eyes, and hear it in his voice. No matter what she needed from Ghost, she knew how she felt about Tucker, and she wasn't prepared to give that away. No matter what he thought of her past.

She reached out and took his hand, rising to her toes. He was too tall for her to reach him without him bending to meet her. So she tugged on his hand until he got the idea, and then pressed a kiss to his cheek. Her voice was soft but firm, like the hold of her hand. "Please don't push me away." With their height difference, she would always be rising to meet him, and he would always be bending down to her.

"I should go." Eva leaned back and let him go, turning away. She took a couple steps, then smiled at him again. "I'll come by tomorrow to start working on the garden. Only a few more weeks before the freezes." Her smiled seemed to relax as she spoke. Maybe they just needed to let go to the seasons.

Tucker sat in his barn and stewed. Situated on a pile of hay bales, he was trying to occupy his mind with braiding a horse's reign, but his thoughts kept wandering to other places. Mostly he was disturbed with the way in which he handled himself around Eva. It seemed he ran the gamut between "blustering idiot' and "emotional moron". Perceval had always been overly introspective; he also beat the hell out of himself when it came to screwing up.

He didn't want to lay all the blame on his military life, but that answer seemed to be the most likely candidate. Being given orders to be shipped here and there across the country; he had no time for such things. He had watched the other men in his platoon. They'd go to different strip clubs while on leave. They sometimes would egg Tucker on until he went with them. While all the others were there carrying on like fools, whistling and hollering, Perceval would sit there with his drink and do what? Feel sorry for the women working there. The way these women were treated was shameful, and most of them probably only did this job to make ends meet. He wanted to swoop them up and take them away somewhere to be safe, but he knew he couldn't.

Perceval gave the reign a good tug to ensure it was taut then tossed it into the stack of the other eight reigns he had just finished. He shook his head looking at the pile. He only had two horses; what the hell are you doing, Percy' Disgusted, he brought his boots up onto the hay bales where he sat and rested his forearms on his knees. Lowering his head onto his hands, he let his thoughts consume him.

Raelynn. His fianc" of some thirty years ago. He could remember her face so vividly. They spent almost all of their time together when they had met. Remembering the feeling of being around her made him smile. He always knew what to say when he was with her; he always knew what to do to make her happy. So why not now? Had all this time caused him to forget' Maybe he forgot on purpose. Maybe when he got word of her death something inside him died as well. Maybe you're just out of practice, Percy.

Leaning his head back he looked up into the hayloft. That was the place. He was up there with Raelynn the day before he was to leave for the military. That was the first time he made love. That was the last time he made love. He had vowed to be faithful to her while they were apart. He knew that her death had released him of his promise, but that didn't make it right to be with just anyone. Being away at war all those years never gave him the opportunity to meet that someone. Now that he had, he was at a loss for words and actions around her.

During his military time, Tucker had run headlong into battles; past whizzing arrows and jagged blades without thinking twice about it. He'd killed literally thousands of men, with his bare hands alone at times, most gunning for the right to claim that they killed Sgt. Perceval Tucker. He'd led charge after charge into the heat of combat.

Put him in front of a woman he's attracted to and he's reduced to a babbling fool.

It's a funny thing about life sometimes. There are folks who seem to be always moving along and moving ahead. They make their existence an ever changing canvas of experiences and ideas, never pausing long to remain in their comfort zone of things that are easiest for them. Those who dwell in their comfort zone too long become stagnant. They only wish and hope to become involved in events they are at ease with; things that keep them free from anxiety. Others, not only seek out new knowledge by treading through unfamiliar territory, but they thrive on the rush it gives them; knowing that they are becoming a more well rounded person. They know that when they look back over their past life, they will not long for things they had never experienced.

Tucker was stuck in his comfort zone and he knew it. At least, now he knew it. Ever since he took that job at the Inn it changed him and his "big retirement plans". He laughed to himself just thinking about that. Had he really fooled himself into believing that he could simply cut himself off from the rest of the world and live here alone on his farm' Could he really get away with this self-imposed exile; shrouding himself from the rest of the world until he felt all his sins were atoned for" It sounded good a long time ago. Now he knew it was near impossible. Perceval never did like the idea of remaining in his comfort zone. Sometimes it takes something or someone to snap you out of it.

Hanging up his newly braided reigns, Tucker tidied up the barn, which, during the winter months served as his workshop, and checked on his horses one last time. He walked out from the barn and closed the large doors, latching them shut. The air was thick tonight. Perceval looked about, surprised at how dense the fog had become. Still, he knew his way around every scrap of land on his ranch and started his way for the house. The closer he got, the more he realized that there was someone else there. At first, his senses heightened; a throwback to his times in war. Then, as he drew closer, he could make out the slender form of a female walking away from his house and toward the road. And still the closer he got, the easier he could tell who it may be. His chest tightened. His face flushed. His hands were shoved deeper into the pockets of his canvas jacket, tensing"nervous. "Relax, Percy." He thought to himself.

For a moment he thought to let her go. He thought maybe he could dodge another awkward encounter. Maybe he could save himself some embarrassment just one more night. No. If he didn't try to break free of his comfort zone now, he may never do it. Tucker took in a breath and spoke.

"Eva?"

Tucker watched her as she came to a stop on her way down the path to the road. She had turned and said something" He could only make out part of it, mostly because he was more intent on and nervously excited about seeing her again. It was definitely Eva alright. He had watched her so many times, how beautiful her movements were to him; and then she came closer".and closer still"!

Watching her hands move up to take hold of his jacket; it was as if everything was moving in slow motion, like a dream. When she pulled him down gently toward her, he thought at first she intended to whisper something to him. But she wasn't looking at his eyes, she was looking at his lips. Tucker had no time to become nervous, no time to foolishly hesitate. It all had happened so wonderfully fast that not even an awkward statement came jumbling from his mouth.

Perceval leaned toward Eva to close the void between them and their lips touched. It wasn't a terribly long kiss, nor was it so fast that is was over before it even had a chance to begin. It was however, Perceval believed, one of those kisses where it immediately translated a message to the other. It told them that they intend to be more than just acquaintances. It told them that they are more than just two people with a mild attraction. It told them that they had both taken a large step forward; in which direction however, one did not know.

When their lips parted, Tucker leaned back up, his eyes still closed, lost in the rush of emotions from that kiss. Opening his eyes, he looked back down to Eva and he smiled affectionately to her. He removed his hand from his jacket pocket and brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. It was one of his favorite things to do. Taking in her features was something he would never get tired of. Then he blinked, as he remembered she had tried to tell him something. He did not want her to think her words were unimportant to him, so he asked.

"You left me a what??

He stood there watching the myriad of emotions flash across Eva's face. For a moment he had wondered if he had done something improper, until her face took on that contented glow again at the end, it was almost as if he mirrored her emotions as he watched her. Amazing how one kiss can clear up so many things.

Tucker listened closely as Eva explained the reason for her visit. Truth be told, he was a bit concerned with the fact that Eva did not feel comfortable talking to him directly about her thoughts and feelings. He wondered for a moment if he had become that unapproachable; maybe all his time alone here on the farm had been more of a detriment to his life than he was first aware. He let out a bit of a sigh as she spoke. Perceval didn't want to be that person; the old cranky hermit.

Eva suddenly shifted her explanation to something different, something more personal. Perceval had known that his nervousness around Eva during intimate moments was becoming more and more obvious to her, but maybe he was foolishly hoping that the topic would never have to arise; but here it was.

Tucker plunged his hands deep into his jacket pockets and took an anxious step backward. He looked down at the ground momentarily while he cleared his throat uneasily. "Yeah, about that"uhh"Eva".I uh".," his voice trailed off as his eyes darted from Eva to the ground and back again. "Look umm"I haven't been "around" women".alot"in the past"..well".a long time?" Tucker bit his bottom lip and clambered on, ?"and well, you know, in the military, I didn't have any time for".you know, that sort of?.thing. I mean, I did".I just didn't"." His face and eyebrows scrunched up a bit as he listened to himself making no sense at all. Taking another breath, he tried starting over, "I haven't been"with a woman".for like, well"it's been?" his eyes darted nervously up to the foggy sky, searching for words. Then just as quickly he looked back to her ?"I'm a little out of practice."

Perceval stood there in that awkward silence for what felt like an eternity to him. He had no idea how she was going to respond to it all, so he decided, quickly, to make a diversion".a poor one at that. He stuck a thumb in the direction of the barn indicating his horses, "Can I give you a ride home??

Tucker listened to Eva as he led her to the barn. The things she had said made him feel comfortable and nervous all at the same time. She was ready already? He didn't want to keep her waiting, but he didn't want to rush into things and screw everything up. She had requested a kiss however and, in light of the recent happenings, he was more confident to oblige.

The kiss he gave Eva was soft, gentle, but with more passion this time. It was short, but direct. He held Eva close to him afterward in a contented way, until he finally broke from her. Looking down to her, he smiled. "I don't want to rush either. But that doesn't mean I'm not interested. It just means"well".sometimes hurrying can mess things up."

Tucker turned and unlatched the barn doors, opening them up. He made his way in and moved to one of the stalls where Sampson, his Clydesdale was kept. Saddling him up, Perceval carefully helped Eva onto the large horses back, then he himself climbed on. He gave a look back to Eva seated behind him, "Hold tight, now." and they left the barn and started for the city.

The evening, with all of its fog and haze, actually turned out to be a beautiful night. Tucker opted for the slow ride back to the Marketplace, especially when he had Eva holding onto him. He let a hand drift from the reigns and found its way to Eva's. Unfortunately, during the majority of the ride, his thoughts were consumed with the idea of whether or not Eva was going to invite him up for cocoa.

Tucker had thoroughly enjoyed the ride home with Eva. He had been content just listening to her talking of her times she had spent in the Inn as well the silence they shared holding one another's hand. He couldn't help but imagine what the future might hold for the both of them, together. Most surprising and significant to him as well, was the overall feeling of comfort and ease he was not only sensing from Eva, but that he was feeling as well. It seemed that all his other cares and trepidations about the city's dangers and his past had faded away with each step that Sampson took.

Perceval had placed his hands around Eva's slender waist to help her down from the horse. Even the idea of touching her more freely made him feel so much more at ease around her. Helping her settle down gently to the ground, he watched her say her goodbyes to Sampson. She was so gentle. Tucker was bursting with his thoughts of their future.

"But I promise the next time you're here, I will have cocoa to offer you."

In a way, he was both disappointed and relieved. His relief was due in part to the idea that he didn't want the feeling he had this night to change in any way. He just wanted to wrap himself in these emotions for just a bit longer. Tucker touched her face gently and spoke his feelings to her. "This was a good day." Though the words may seem plain and straightforward, he knew that she would understand how significant this evening had been for him?.for them. Watching the door close behind her, Perceval led Sampson back down the alley, walking him home.

Things would be different now. Things would be better. For once, Tucker felt something he hadn't felt in a while. Hope.

Perceval sat at his kitchen table, staring out the window at his land, deep in thought. The journal, a Christmas gift from Eva, lay open in front of him. His breakfast, cold now, sat on a plate and pushed to the side. He had no appetite this morning, nor had he any for the past week or so. He always prepared the food nonetheless, hoping that his mood would change. No luck today.

Conflict. Would there always be conflict in his life" His thoughts moved back and forth to polar opposite ends. On one side there was his recent yet unexpected meeting with Isuelt DeRomiano. They spoke briefly, though the unspoken words between them was the more significant part of their conversation. The city stank. It stank of something that was not right; something terrible on the horizon, yet no one seemed to be able to put their finger on it. Had he been slipping" Had he been so preoccupied that he had neglected his late night rounds in the city' Dealing with the downtown thieves and robbers had made a difference, at least to him it had, but now there was something looming in the distance that concerned him. Something more sinister than the random scum he was used to. Was he so infatuated with Eva that he had missed this" Had he been so drunk with emotion that others had suffered" The idea of putting his wants and needs before anyone else's made made him ill with guilt.

On the other end there was Eva. His relationship with her had been so good for him. She brought out the best in him and in the world around him. He was noticing things in his life that he had not stopped to look at for a long time; the sunrise, starry nights, blue skies, people in love. Eva had opened up a side of him that he had long forgotten. Yes there was something about her, something troubled. A secretive side. Perceval felt there was more to her life than she had told him, however he was not about to pry. He trusted that when she was ready, she would tell him.

He sighed as he considered the reciprocal. He had not told Eva things about his own life that maybe he should. Things about his past; things about his present. He knew why he had kept it from her. Eva was a doctor. She healed people and saved lives. Perceval's best skill was killing. Taking lives quickly and efficiently was his forte. The military had made sure of that. It was ingrained in him. What the hell would she think of such a person. He was afraid to find out. He had killed children for god's sake. He had destroyed lives; burned the homes of countless families, all in the name of duty. What would she think? The answer was obvious.

Perceval looked down at the journal, took up his pen, dipped it in the ink and began to sketch.

I've been lazy. I've been a fool.

Spinning around behind him, Tucker sank his fist deep into the man's lower back, giving him an overwhelming kidney shot.

I should have kept to myself. At home. On my farm. Retirement. Exile.

Tucker caught the other thief fast approaching from the side wielding a knife. His lunge was sloppy. He caught the man's wrist in mid-motion, jerking it into a contorted position.

I've only caused others pain. By my action, and my inaction. I don't deserve joy. I don't deserve love. I don't deserve any of what I have, except for the blood stained hands. Those I earned.

The man's scream told him that he had reached the breaking point, then, quickly, a final sharp twist took the wrist's bones beyond it. Tucker watched as the man crumpled to the street, cradling his wound.

I can't get the images of them out of my head. Sometimes I see them"walking down the street; staring at me from the alleyways; watching me in the Inn. Like some sort of ghosts of my conscience. Keeping me in check.

The other man had stumbled forward, stooped down and located a discarded 2x4 from the Marketplace reconstruction. He came back toward Tucker, screaming and swinging the lumber wildly. His actions were undisciplined; careless.

They watch me. They look at me in shame when I'm happy"when I'm with her. I'd die a thousand times over for them if it could change history; change the fact that I killed all of them. Killed them in the name of duty.

Tucker stripped the board from the man's hands as he approached, spun once, and shattered it against his face with full force. He listened as the man fell, lifeless. He didn't need to look.

I've always been good at this; killing. If I'm going to do it now, it may as well be for Justice, albeit a warped sense of the term.

He looked over his shoulder just in time to see the other man duck out of sight, nursing his broken wrist. The splintered board fell from Tucker's hand and to the ground.

"You're not lonely, just alone." Keep telling yourself that. It'll sink in someday.

~ Day 54

My unit is dug in just south of the invading army's encampment. The plan is to hold this line as long as possible until the hope for reinforcements becomes reality. I don't see it happening. I look around at the soldiers with me. They're young. Children. Most of them have fear in their eyes. The rest are filled with testosterone; too stupid to see the truth of the situation we're in.

Tucker took a long drink from his dented, steel coffee mug. The coffee inside was cold but he winced and swallowed it down nonetheless. He dipped his pen in the ink bottle and continued. The ink was beginning to freeze over.

Sometimes I wish I was back home, tending bar at the Inn, or even in my barn, working on that wardrobe I never finished. I've tried to get a letter out to Eva; to wish her well and to let her know that I'm alright. Unfortunately the military leaders here have higher priorities than the mail. At first I regretted having come here; having enlisted in this kingdom's army. I've fought enough battles in my lifetime that I should have learned by now to let others fight their own. Maybe I always had a thing for the underdog.

The horde trying to invade this kingdom is massive and armed to the teeth. They leave nothing in their wake. To them this is nothing more than a conquest for land. I've seen the aftermath of their destruction. They kill everyone and burn the rest. Most of the battles had already been fought before I got here. Lines have been drawn. Now we wait until they're crossed.

Pausing, he watched two men pass by him carrying a third on a stretcher. The young man was on his way to the medical tent. He was going to lose both his legs, but he didn't know it yet. Tucker knew it. He could smell the festering decay in his wounds. He had smelled that same sour smell a thousand times. His eyes drifted to the south, watching the dense, black smoke from the horde's encampment hanging in the sky.

These kids have adopted me as a father figure. I'm flattered and disgusted by it at the same time. I try to teach them what I know whenever there's down time. I pray it helps.

This kingdom I am fighting for, I have learned, was a kingdom I helped overthrow years ago. Apparently there was a coup after our forces withdrew and they regained power. Now I am here fighting "for" them. I don't regret coming here. If we can't hold back this horde, maybe I can find a small taste of something I've been needing; Redemption.

"Ah, Perceval, so nice to see you again."

"Doc."

Perceval nodded as he walked in through the door the doctor held open for him. He found his way to the leather chair he sat in during his last "counseling session". Dr. Lewis sat opposite him, picked up a notepad and began jotting down notes almost immediately.

"So' How are you today?" The doctor asked in what appeared to be a fairly sincere tone which Tucker appreciated mostly due to the discomfort he felt with simply being in a psychologist's office.

"I'm uh".I'm alright doc. You?"

"Fine." This he answered quickly as it really had no bearing on their impending conversation. "Tell me, how are things since our last appointment?"

"The same doc." Tucker sighed, knowing that it wasn't good. And worse, it would lead to future sessions. He placed his forehead in his hand, rubbing it. Kneading out the frustration.

"Still staying home?" Dr. Lewis quickly glanced over his notes from their last meeting. ?"except for work?"

"Yeah. Yeah I am." The mention of work gave Tucker an uncomfortable feeling which had obvious, outward repercussions on his body language.

Dr. Lewis furrowed his brow as he studied him. "What is it?"

Tucker sighed; caught. "Last Thursday at work, a co-worker of mine said she was going to stop by my place, have lunch with me."

"That sounds nice. How was it?"

"I told her I'd be in my back forty acres mending fences. That I wouldn't be home."

"I assume your back forty fences didn't need mending."

"No."

"Why didn't you want her there?"

Tucker's snapped at the doctor with a recognizably protective tone. "Because Serena's too young to be paling around with an old man like me. She's got things of her own she needs to worry about and I sure as hell ain't gonna dump my issues on her."

Dr. Lewis looked over him a long while as Tucker plucked up the glass next to him and took a drink of water. The short pause, the doctor figured, would be helpful to calm things.

"So who is it that you do 'dump your issues on?""

"Besides you?"

Dr. Lewis smiled. "Yes Perceval, besides me. I'm talking about your friends. Who do you confide in?"

Tucker thought on that for a moment. Or at least he wanted to give the illusion that he was considering the question.

"Nobody."

"Why?"

"Nobody needs to hear my problems. They're mine. I made the problems, I'll deal with them."

"By joining a random military campaign to get yourself killed?"

Perceval's eyes shot to the doctor under raised brows. The doctor frowned noticeably, knowing that his sarcasm was unappreciated.

He continued, this time with a softer tone. "It hasn't always been like this" This bad"..has it, Perceval?"

"No." Tucker heaved an exhale. "No. It hasn't."

"Why now, then Perceval" What's changed?"

Tucker adjusted his positioning in the chair, trying to get comfortable. "I was happy. For a little while I was happy." He nodded as he spoke. "I was happy enough to make me forget."

"Happy is good. What were you happy about?"

He didn't want to get into this, but relented quickly. "There was someone. Someone I cared about in my life. Having her there made me happy."

"And what happened?"

Tucker wasn't about to go into the whole story about his Marketplace escapades or his and Eva's run-ins with Renzo. It was all too much to recap.

"It ended. I ended it."

"Why?"

Perceval gave out another long sigh.

"Because she doesn't deserve to be used by me to make me feel better."

"But Perceval, that's what being together with someone is all about. Both individuals in the couple making the other feel good about themselves." The doctor smiled but had a hint of curiosity in his face as if he shouldn't need to be saying this to a grown adult.

Tucker's eyes darted about as he processed that tidbit. Relationships, loving relationships were not something Tucker had much of any experience with. They were foreign to him.

He quickly changed up his answer. "Because she wouldn't ever be happy with me."

"Isn't that 'her' choice?"

Tucker shook his head. "No. I'm positive. She wouldn't have been happy with me."

"Why so positive, Perceval?"

"You know how some people tell you they have a skeleton in their closet' I have an army. And I won't be able to be happy until I beat the life out of each one of them."

Dr. Lewis brows raised high as he made some very prominent notes on his pad.

"And these skeletons," Dr. Lewis continued, "they are the same ones that led you to join this military campaign months ago' Your "One way trip??"

"Yeah." Tucker grimaced at the constant reminder of this.

"Perceval, I hope you don't try that route again in an attempt to relieve yourself of the guilt that's plaguing you."

He responded with a grunt.

Dr. Lewis leaned forward toward Perceval, giving him a stern glare. "Because that's what you want isn't it' Relief from your guilt' Relief from the guilt of all the civilians you killed while in the military?"

Tucker only stared down at his hands as the doctor spoke.

"The women?" Dr. Lewis moved closer. "...the children?"

"There's only one person that will forgive you for those transgressions, Perceval."

He waited until Tucker looked back up to him before making a motion toward the wall.

Looking that way, Tucker found himself staring at his reflection in a large mirror.

He responded to the doctor while gazing at his image. "I've already asked him to forgive me, Doc. He said No."