Val?s red head was bent over a wax model, his young face twisted into a fierce scowl of concentration. He was attempting his first model for a lost-wax piece of jewelry, and finding it harder than Johnny made it appear. ?Howzit so hard ta make this work like I see it? Ain? nothin? but wax!? Val almost tossed down the half-formed wax, and only stopped himself when he realized that would distort the model even more than it currently was.

?Tha?s always th? trick, righ?? Tell ya don? think abou? it too much ? more ya think abou? th? way ya think thin?s should be ?stead?a wha?s really there, more yer goin? ta go wron?.? Johnny didn?t look up from his work, weaving together threads of bronze and gold into a flat amulet. He finished the line he was working on before he looked over at Val, to watch the boy?s response. ?Speakin? of th? way thin?s should be place?a wha?s really there ? Lirssa came by th? Inn while I was in there tendin?.?

Now the half-formed wax model did hit the worktable as Val started. He looked up at Johnny, the expression on his face somewhere between guilt and worry. ?Oh ? uh? yeah? She?s shiny, right? That li?l dustup cleaned out??

?Tha?s th? way she was tryin? ta play it. Din? seem too pleased ta know ya?d tol? me tha? she migh? be in some?a trouble an? worked real har? at tryin? ta make Si an? me think tha? th? trouble was done with.? Johnny set down the amulet with a click on the scarred worktable and leaned back on his stool. One work-booted foot braced against the floor, the other hooked on one of the stool?s cross-beams.

?Bu? like I said, ya gotta look a? wha?s really there stead?a wha? yer expectin? ta see. An? wha? was there was tha? she was coiled up like a rabbit hidin? from a hawk, big smiles under scared eyes. An? towar? th? end?a th? nigh? she bolted with no warnin?, jus? like tha? li?l rabbit tryin? ta ge? away.? Johnny?s emerald eyes were level on Val, his expression serious. ?So I?m thinkin? it?s abou? time ya le? me know th? whole?a wha? our Li?l Bit?s gotten herself inta.?

It was the absolutely serious expression on Johnny?s face that ultimately decided Val. He?d never seen the silversmith without even a little smile before. The boy?s shoulders hunched up around his ears, and the worry was even more pronounced on his face, mingled with shame. ?She made me promise no? ta tell anyone, Mister Johnny, especially a grown-up.?

?Then you shouldn?t ?a tol? me there migh? be somethin? th? matter in th? firs? place, Val. I?m tellin? ya now, promise tha? lets a frien? ge? herself inta more?n she can ge? out alone ain? a promise worth makin?. Now ya le? me know wha? Lirssa?s been up ta. If?n there?s some way ta help ge? her clear, we?ll do wha? it takes.? With his arms folded across his chest, Johnny?s level gaze held Val pinned away from evasions.

It didn?t take very long before the whole story rattled out. The strange man in the Marketplace, the notes, how Lirssa had tried to get out of the job and how the man hadn?t let her go ? and, finally, Lirssa?s plan to try and sneak into the room she had been delivering the notes to. When Val finished, he looked as if a large weight had been lifted from his shoulders. By contrast, Johnny?s head had bent and he was running a meshed palm over the stubble on his cheek.

Finally Johnny sighed. ?Shiny. Lor? an? Skies, Val, why din? ya come ta me earlier? Could?a pro?lly done somethin? abou? this b?fore Lirssa go? in so deep ta be boltin?. An? ?s been more?n a week since she tol? ya she was plannin? ta go inta th? room, no tellin? wha?s happened or wha?s she?s doin? now.?

?I?m sorry, Mister Johnny.? Val?s voice was small, shamed and full of new fear and worry for Lirssa.

?Sorry?s somethin?, bu? wha? I wan? ta know is tha? if?n somethin? comes up again yer goin? ta trust me, Val, same?s I?m trustin? ya.? Johnny pushed to his feet, rolled the stool under the worktable, and strode for the door. ?Think abou? it, an? lock up in here when yer done fer th? day. I?ve go? ta talk ta Sianna.?

?Don? know. As many folks as Li?l Bi? knows, I don? think I?ve ever seen her turnin? ta a grown-up less?n she din? have any other choice, or fer someone else. An? Val said tha? she made him promise no? ta tell anyone, especially no? an adult.? Johnny sighed with frustration. ?Don? know if?n she?ll tell us anythin? ?r no?, bu? I can? think of anythin? else ta try tha? has a hope?a workin? in shor? order.?

"We could tell her th' troupe should go tae th' farm and work on new routines wi' Gabby for an audience. Convince her tae think Gabby needs th' entertainment and would pay them tae boot." Sianna was grasping at straws, just on the off chance that Lirssa was going to dain to stay mum about her current troubles.

Katarina remained quiet as she listened to the ideas being bounced around. She tried to think of being that young, and considering just who Lirssa would listen to, if anyone. "Wha' 'bout Jolyon? He's th' closes' person ta her tha' I kin thin' o'."

?Tha?s an idea. Nee? ta ge? ahold of him an? give him th? rundown if?n we try tha?, bu? should be able ta do tha?. An? yer righ?, tha?s th? closest adult I can think of ta her anyway. Migh? be tha? she?d tell him somethin? she wouldn? tell us, or listen ta him when she wouldn? listen ta us.? A slow nod went along with Johnny?s words as he turned over the idea.

"Aye, but what if she does no' listen tae any of us. Or takes unkindly tae knowing Val told us. We dinna wish tae back her into a corner where she'll no' trust us anymore than she does whatever has her sae scairt." The oven door shut a bit too loudly and set Meggie to fussing. Cooing apologetically, Sianna snatched her up and pressing her cheek against the infant's began to murmur reassuringly in a whispered Gaelic.

She winced slightly at the loud sound of the oven being shut, and put effort back into entertaining Ian, even if her heart wasn't in the gestures, "Well, mahbe she'll jist hav'ta deal wit' th' help, like it er nah." Katarina's lips pulled down at the corners.

?Tha?s my take on it. Ain? leavin? our Li?l Bi? in over her head, tha?s fer sure.? Johnny?s nod to that point was decisive. ?Tell ya wha? ? she?s been sayin? she?ll come by fer a look at th? babies an? all, so why don? we sen? a real invite? Ta come over fer dinner ?r somethin?.?

"Aye, she would no' think aught was amiss wi' that, and she is overdue a visit whether we're concerned or no'. But even moreso now that we are." Sianna eased Meggie into her high chair and lightly wiggled a rattle near her hands. "Though if worse comes tae it, I shall set Matty tae watching th' lass whilst I take th' sword out for a few visits." The blue-steeled expression on her face could only rival that of a Highland warrior. Fierce, determined, and utterly protective.

"Let's try an' wait fer tha' one. I thin' Jo's righ'. If we move too fas' er aren' careful, she's gonna break an' run fra th' help." Katarina brushed her finger against Ian's cheek, his light laughter easing her expression some.

Even in the shadows, her face was full of confusion. "Why, Mister Johnny, one moment you're saying you're gonna take care of her and the next expecting her to crawl outta bed at this hour of the night to have a cup of tea with something like me? You and I need to have a serious talk some day. And by the way...those windows? Open? Are you crazy? I coulda been a murderer." It would have been a yell if it weren't for the hushed way she said it, but there was some of her old vinegar there in the words.

?Somethin? like ya? Li?l Bit, yer a someone, no? a somethin?, an? someone tha? we both care abou? a powerful lot an? been worryin? over. Think tha? a cup ?a tea down th? kitchen won? be too taxin? fer Si if?n she bundles up ta keep warm.? Johnny?s expression was filled with an easy smile, one that was only lit by the near-full moon. ?B?sides, ya been promisin? ta come aroun? fer ages ? din? expec? in th? window, bu? ya can? run off withou? stoppin? fer a visit.?

"Didn't expect the need to be comin'," she grumbled, but grudgingly gave in to his consideration of tea. It was tea she was rather certain would be good for her and unlikely to knock her unconscious. She looked to Mrs. Sianna and moved to mother the gentlewoman, making sure she's bundled, moving to assist in getting her to her feet, basically anything and everything a woman who was supposed to be a frail health could need. "Had to be now. Just take my word on tha', right? Right."

Sianna said nothing about Lirssa being right and instead addressed the first bit, "Ye never need a reason tae come tae us, aye? Nor does there have tae be a reason ye canna come. 'Tis the way of friends." Doing her best to accept Lirssa's help and act as if she truly needed it, she made her way to the landing. and then down the steps. "Ahhh, and I just remembered that there are lemon tarts tae go with th' tea if ye'd like." Sianna offered a smile that matched her husband's to Lirssa, before casting him a quick glance over her shoulder.

A slow shake of her kerchief covered head, she couldn't agree with Mrs. Sianna on that count, but to actually say so meant prying questions. However, something had to be said. "At least you have good dogs that keep warning if a stranger comes in your house." Going down the stairs with care, she considered the lemon tarts. "That's kind of you, Mrs. Sianna."

"Ye needn't thank me for anything. 'Tis a pleasure tae let ye have some, especially a good friend such as ye." Entering the kitchen, Sianna moved to set the pot over the fire to warm.

The pressure was starting to build on her with their frequent comments on friendship and caring and being a someone not a something, that last of which she wasn't quite sure anymore. She stood next to the wall, leaning against it with hands behind her back. She watched the couple with care. "You know," she started, stopped and started again going a different direction than she had originally intended, "you have a very nice home." Small talk seemed safe.

?An? it?s yers anytime ya need it, Li?l Bit. Ya are wha? she said, ya know ? a good frien? ta come an? see ta Sianna when yer so feared?a somethin?. Family near enough ? an? family?s fer each other.? Johnny leaned back against the counter nearest the back door, arms folding over his chest. His emerald eyes were warm and his smile warmer.

That did it. Val had obviously been talking, and she had to put a stop to all this kindly talk. She stomped her feet. "No, no...no you can't be. No I can't be. Don't you see? I shouldn't even be here. You can't let people know I was here or that you saw me. You gotta promise. I'll come check on Mrs. Sianna when I can, make sure she's better, but you gotta keep it secret." Even though there was energy and feeling in her words, they were still hushed as if the walls might hear and spread tales on her to ears she did not want hearing or eyes she did not want seeing.

Now, finally, the smile fell away and left Johnny looking uncharacteristically serious. Both blond eyebrows raised a bit at Lirssa?s emphatic and mysterious words. ?Ya can? be family ta us? Then we?ll be ta ya. Ain? a choice, Li?l Bit, jus? th? way thin?s are. But how abou? ya tell me why ya think ya shouldn? be here? ?Cause from where I?m standin?, ya go? th? righ? ta be here or anywhere ya wan?.?

"Listen to me, Mister Johnny," she went right up to him, fists clenched, fierce determination. "You gotta not care anymore. If they knew, they'd hurt you. They won't stop. If it weren't for Mrs. Sianna bein' ill, I wouldna come at all, and maybe I shouldn't have, and maybe I won't anymore if you won't keep this one promise." There was pain etched in her eyes. Every image of anguish and suffering that could be imagined set upon the Smiths played out in her mind, then her other adult friends, all in a parade of agony.

Sianna blanched, not for fear for herself or Johnny, but for the sheer frantic frustration that seemed to emanate from Lirssa's core out to every curl on her head. The child looked wild and almost feral, caught in a trap and about to snap at those who wanted to help her escape.

The whistle for the tea sounded loudly, but it went unheeded. Instead, she crossed to where the others stood and drew Lirssa into a hug as if she had been one of her nieces.

?Who coun?s as people, Li?l Bit? Jolyon? He?s worried abou? ya too. So?s Lucky, Alain, yer other friends.? Johnny unfolded his arms from his chest and reached out to try and rest one hand on Lirssa?s shoulder while she was caught by Sianna?s hug. ?I?ll tell ya tha? if?n ya run away again an? don? come back, ya?ll be leavin? some mighty big holes in people. Tell ya tha? ya go? frien?s an? people who can help ya if?n ya?ll let?em. All we need is fer ya ta tell us who these folks are an? wha?s goin? on.?

Wincing at the shrill of the kettle, Lirssa shook her head. As Mrs. Sianna's arms tried to draw her into a hug, she curled her arms and shoulders into herself, making herself as small as she could. The lady was ill so pushing her away was not the answer. Instead, she just gritted her teeth and made a very quiet vow. She could never visit them again. Once more she shook her head at Mister Johnny's words, dirty strands of hair catching at the edge of her eyes and mouth. She drew herself in smaller, smaller trying to shrink away from the comforting without fighting it away.

The walk from New Haven over to the Marketplace had taken them much longer than usual, mostly because Locke was utterly absorbed in window shopping. He had finally managed to tear himself away from the haute couture boutiques on Benson Boulevard, only to get sucked into browsing displays once they had arrived in the Marketplace. There was a new store that had opened on the outskirts of the district, and it was no small effort to convince him to keep going to the Silver Lark. Even as he walked, though, he pouted slightly. "But...those dress shirts! Simply aces, Katarina. Simply aces." He sighed and closed his eyes, visions of silk ties dancing in his head.

Katarina managed not to roll her eyes for the third time, and tugged on Locke's hand to keep his pace from slowing down again, "Yeah, real aces an' shiny. Mahbe if ya kin manage ta nah daydream 'bout 'em too much, I'll.." she let her voice trail off, letting his mind fill in the gap before she offered her answer, "let ya look 'n th' window longa." Once the Silver Lark was in view, she released his hand and used her long legs to close the distance to the house. "We're here!" A cheery sing-song announcement, as she tried the door to see if it was open to invite herself in.

The moment the door was slightly ajar, canine noses nudged it farther and began darting in and among the legs of the guests in greeting. Happy household noise from the kitchen was a giveaway to the location, but Sianna called out in response just the same. "In here, aye? Branan, Caoimhe -- still." At the command the dogs settled and contented themselves with herding Katarina and Locke down the hallway.

?Tha? a magic trick ya do, Katie-kat, or jus? plain luck, gettin? here with th? cookies jus? out?a th? oven?? Johnny?s call followed Sianna?s cheerfully before he showed up in the kitchen doorway with a strawberry-blonde headed infant trying to lunge out of his arms. ?Locke, bro! How ya doin???

Locke followed on the heels of Katarina, deftly avoiding the dogs as they went between his legs. He giggled at their friendliness, before following Sianna's call from the kitchen, canines in tow. He smiled widely at the baby, before turning it on Johnny. "I have been faring well, Johnny. I hope that you have been doing well also?"

"Ya, I know I know." She made sure to give each dog special attention, before walking further into the kitchen, "I go' quite th' nose, yeah? An' developed a particular knack ta show when Si's makin' something I really like." Because she was in such a cheerful mood, she gave Johnny a kiss to his cheek, before glancing down at Meggie, "Ya le' yer ol' man hav' it, yeah?" She kissed her too, before giving Sianna a hug, though her eyes were on the shortbread cookies dipped in chocolate.

A chuckle answered Katie?s kiss to himself and his daughter. ?Always, bro. Here, grab a blanke? or somethin?, yeah?? The last was added with a grin as Meggie tried, desperately, to lunge herself over to the blue elf. ?She?s seemin? boun? an? determined ta ge? away from me an? lookin? like yer her ticke? ou?. Think there?s a spare ?r two over on one?a th? chairs.?

Sianna leaned into the hug while still performing the motion of removing the still warm cookies from the pan and lowering them half into the bowl of melted chocolate before her. It was warm in the kitchen, but not unbearable, in part to open windows and a nifty invention of a paddle fan blowing air over a large block of ice. It succeeded in dispersing a fine mist of cool breeze, much to Ian's delight from his seat in his high chair.

Locke headed to the chairs that Johnny pointed out, grabbing the thinnest blanket he could find. He returned to where Johnny was standing with the lunging child, blanket neatly folded into a square in his hands. "I am at her tender mercies, it would seem."

"Wha'?" Katarina teased as if Locke was speaking about her, before giving Ian some of her attention as well, "Gotcha all locked up 'n here. Ya jist wait. Time's 'n yer side, an' ya'll be runnin' muck." Chuckling, she peered over Sianna's shoulder, "Smells good, Si." There was no reservation to dipping her finger in the chocolate bowl for a taste.

"Did ye think it would no'?" Sianna winked teasingly. "Th' Smiths are always sae impatient. Canna wait until th' cookies cool, eh? If ye are no' careful, ye'll spoil yer supper in no time t'all." The final cookie plunged and then deposited with the mass already on the cooling racks, the pan and spatulas went into the sink to soak. A thin coating of chocolate remained in the bowl however. With a side nudge, Sianna pushed the bowl closer to Katie. "Here ye be. Share wi' yer cousin, aye?"

?Jus? wai? until she?s old enough ta understan? ya, bro, ya migh? regre? sayin? tha?.? Johnny?s laugh came easily as he carefully handed Meggie into Locke?s waiting arms. Meggie chortled happily and reached out for the spikes of white hair, started a babble of nonsense sounds that had an uncanny resemblance to the lilt of Sianna?s conversational patterns. ?Snowflake, ya hoardin? all th? chocolate over there??

Locke was equally careful in the way he swaddled her in the blanket, an extra layer of protection from his natural chill. No matter how many times he took hold of a child, his reaction would always be the same: sheer awe. It was reflected on his face, and in the way he remained speechless while Meggie babbled away.

"Yep. Nah a drop lef' fer ya." It was not at all true, and she would offer the bowl when he came by. Katarina would never admit it, but the simplicity of warm, melted chocolate was fulfilling after all of the cold meals she was now sharing. She watched Locke receive Meggie with a warm grin, " 'm telling ya, 'm thinkin' yer her favorite there, Locke." Another dip of her finger into the chocolate bowl.

Locke's eyes flitted Katarina's direction, but he couldn't quite summon the flat look to accompany the flat tone of his voice; he was clearly quite taken with the child. "Well, of course I am." With that, he began to babble nonsense back to Meggie, only with an Elvish lilt to his voice. Truth be told, it sounded more like singing than speaking.

Meggie clapped her hands against Locke's face enthusiastically at the sing-speech, her eyes widening a fraction at the cool a moment before more laughter bubbled forth from her. Sianna leaned against the counter a moment and just soaked in the scene before a teasing grin turned up the corners of her lips. "Aye, and she's sae taken wi' ye, I'll have tae remember that when she's fussy and out of sorts in th' middle of th' night. Ye'd no' mind coming tae sit wi' her a spell would ye, Locke?"

Johnny?s emerald eyes went wide for a moment when he saw Meggie touch Locke?s face ? he knew how very cold Locke?s skin was to the touch. But when she just laughed, his eyes narrowed thoughtfully before he grinned. ?So ? love havin? y?all here, ?specially when we?re draftin? ya inta babysittin?, bu? there a p?ticular reason fer this visi? or were ya jus? raidin? th? cookies??

"Careful, now." The touch was brief enough that no harm was done, but he couldn't help but shut his eyes when Meggie's hands met his cheeks. He looked over to Sianna and Johnny with some concern on his face. Sianna's words helped set him at ease a little. "No trouble at all Sianna. It would be an honor and a privilege to do so."

Katarina almost dropped the bowl of chocolate when Meggie's hands reached for Locke's face. She was too far away to do anything to prevent it, but when no harm came to Meggie, her eyes widened. After comprehension came a quick wave of jealousy that was gone as soon as it came. It left a stinging sensation, and she offered the chocolate bowl to Johnny to act like she felt nothing, "If 'm nah mistaken, yer th' one tha' 'vited us ova, yeah?" A questioning look to Locke.

"We came to talk about Lirssa. Per your request the last time we spoke." He was all business now, even with the baby in his arms.

It was a tale that was familiar enough to Locke, even if his experiences weren't exactly the same as Lirssa's, that it stirred up old, unwanted memories that completely wiped what little was left of the smile on his face. He found himself returning to old habits of his own: eating much faster than he should have, almost impolitely, like every scrap of meat and cheese and bread was the last one he might see for some time.

She paused in her drink of lemonade to glance over at Locke, and discreetly put a hand on his leg under the table comfortingly. "An' so, since ya've spread th' word, tha's whay she's nah talkin' ta ya no more?"

At Katie?s question, Johnny shook his head. ?Ain? even tol? anyone until ya two jus? now ? din? have th? chance. Next day she was aroun? an? abou? actin? like there?s nothin? wrong at all. We jus? din? promise. An? still wouldn?, won? ? she?s more?n a pawn, she?s like enough ta family, an? we ain? goin? ta jus? let her try an? ge? from trouble like tha? on her own if?n we can help it.?

"She's cutting her nose off tae spite her face, aye? I canna understand why she'd feel she'd have tae go at it all alone..." Between thinking and fretting, Sianna had not managed more than a bite and she waved her fork in the air like a baton, accentuating her words. A blink then as she realized her action and set it to the plate, the hand coming up to rake through her hair.

At the touch, Locke stopped eating, then lowered his head slightly, in an attempt to ensure only Katarina would see his grateful smile. "She's not talking to any of the Smiths, and yours truly by proxy, once I told her that we were living together." He cleared his throat before continuing. "I had my sources searching for information, but I was not able to find her until I saw her at the Inn recently. Perhaps I can run those names past my sources again?" The look on his face seemed to suggest that was unlikely to succeed, however. It was tight-lipped and slightly sour.

Between her still full plate, Locke's quick inhale of his food, Sianna's fork waving, and Johnny's words, the twins were the most normal of the bunch. At least Locke seemed to settle down. She left her hand on his leg, and picked at a piece of cheese, "Bu' still - I dun git tha'. I mean, jist 'cause 'm related ta Johnny dun mean 'm th' same as Johnny, yeah?"

"All she said was 'She's a Smith.' She didn't really explain her reasoning at all to me. Now I think I have a better idea why."

In answer to Katie?s question and Locke?s comment, Johnny nodded. Even his food was barely touched ? and that was very unusual. He was absently letting Meggie grab one of his fingers, pulling it away, then letting her grab it again. ?No? th? same as me fer sure, Katie-kat, bu? ya tellin? me ya?d be able ta promise no? ta tell anyone abou? wha? was happenin? an? le? Li?l Bi? work through tha? level?a trouble on her own??

"An' tha' Fitzhugh name - we din' have tha' b'fore. Worth another try, bu' I'm bettin' we won' ge' anythin' now."

"Nah, 'cause if it was me, I'd a lock her up 'n th' house. She wan's ta act like a child, then tha's how I'd treat her." She started nibbling on her pita sandwich, though without any thought to it's taste. "Pretty sure I'd do jist tha' righ' now. She certainly fits 'n ta be a Smith, stubborn li'l thin'."

"Aye. 'tis safe tae bet they've run tae ground like weasels but no' wi'out putting another hefty dose of fear in her. We just need tae outfox them somehow." Another sigh escaped Sianna before she took a deep swallow of lemonade.

He appeared to be working through his thoughts by finishing off what remained of his chicken pita and figs. The conclusion he came to didn't seem to leave him any happier than before. His lips twisted into a grimace, before he spoke. "How far are you willing to go?"

At Locke?s question, Johnny looked over, puzzled. ?How far with wha?, bro? Ta help Li?l Bit? Pretty goram far.?

Katarina's expression matched Johnny's, and she patted Locke's leg to encourage him to share his thoughts.

"I can try and spy on her. Not a typical use of my skills, but I know these streets fairly well, and know how to stay out of sight when necessary. I do not know what information I might gather from that, but it might be better than nothing, savvy?"

Sianna's brows furrowed with concern at the suggestion. "Do ye really think we should try tae go through her first or hunt the ones haunting her so, aye?"

Now Johnny?s palm scraped over the stubble on his cheek before he sighed. ?Ain? sure, love. We ain? had much luck tryin? ta fin? them.? He shook his head as he stood and lifted Ian from the boy?s high chair. Ian chortled and grabbed for a handful of Johnny?s shirt, then abandoned that in favor of reaching for Katie.

"Yeah, I dunno, Locke. Wha' if this Fitzhugh finds ya spyin' 'n her? Ain't sayin' yer good, bu'.. nah sure tha's somethin' 'm willing ta risk jist yit." Ian's happy face brought a responsive smile to her own, and she held out her arms to take the reaching baby.

He nodded, sighing quietly. "Fair enough. It wasn't something I had particularly relished doing anyways. Other ideas, mates?"