She gave him a soft smile. "Better busy than bored, eh?" This time, she closed the book and left it closed, laying next to her highball that was definitely in need of a refill.

"Mm...usually. Not when people start fights in the middle of the lunch rush, though." He nodded to her sadly empty drink. "Need some more?"

"Wait, what? A fight?" Riley watched as Broody took his beer and headed outside. He was probably going to sulk after being picked on by someone, who apparently wanted nothing more than to tease a friend.

"Some elf and some orc had the beginnings of a scrap," he replied, nodding.

"Really? Huh." She took a sip of her scotch.

"I've no clue what it was about. There wasn't even an argument first. The orc just walked over and slugged the elf. Of course, he vanished an instant later, but that wasn't much comfort to the hapless elf. Poor bastard hit the wall like he'd stepped in front of a bus. I had to carry him to that healer two blocks away."

?Is he gonna be okay?" she asked.

"When the broken bones heal, probably."

She sighed. "It's gotta be that drug. The one John and Harper were talking about. Tensions have always been high, but lately..." She trailed off and shrugged. Lifting the glass of scotch to her lips, she finished it off and slid it towards Daniel. "Yes," she said with a smirk.

He nodded in agreement. "Must be, yeah. More scotch?"

She nodded and slid off the stool, stretching a bit. "Thanks. I'll meet you at the hearth, okay? Be right back." She turned and headed out the door.

"Sure." He took the empty glass and went to find a refill, possibly even something for himself.

Slipping soundlessly out the door and then went to lean against the railing a little ways away from the porch swing. "Nice night, huh?" she said quietly, not loudly enough to disturb Broody's ...well... brooding.

He closed his eyes and tried to relax, swinging the porch swing back and forth with a foot. He cracked an eye open at the sound of a voice and glanced over at Riley. "I guess."

"So, what's your story?" She turned to glance out at the stars, not looking at him now. Sometimes people felt more comfortable talking when there was no eye contact involved.

Was she trying to make small talk or what? He arched a brow at her. "I don't even know your name."

"Riley. I'm assuming you're not Broody, right?"

Both eyes were open now and looking curiously at the woman. "I've been called worse, but no. I'm Dean."

She nodded and then turned to look at him, easily making out his form in the half-light of the shadowy porch. "So."

"What do you wanna know about me for? Writing a book? You could call it To Hell and Back, but I think that title's been taken." There was just a hint of bitterness in his voice.

She arched a brow, again startled at the similarities between this man and her Rhys. "Literal Hell?"

"Only one hell I know of, unless you count Rhydin."

She chewed her bottom lip and slid off her perch on the top of the railing. "Listen, for the record, I don't hate you. I don't even know you. But you remind me of someone who..." She paused for a second, her heart suddenly in her throat making it difficult to breathe let alone speak. She coughed a little and continued, "You remind me of someone I'd rather not think about. So..." She shrugged and then turned to go inside.

He was watching her carefully, as if he saw her for the first time really. He wrinkled his forehead at her, as if trying to sort out what she was trying to tell him. He seemed to get the jist of what she was trying to say and he frowned sadly at her. Someone had obviously hurt her and for some reason he reminded her of him. "Sorry," he muttered stupidly, unsure what else to say. It couldn't have been him. He'd have remembered someone like her. He sighed again, turning away from her to look out at the Rhydin sky, wondering just how far from Earth they really were.

Shrugging, she said with forced casualness, "Not your fault. You're not him." She paused on the way to the door, standing even with Dean. "You should be thankful that people care about you enough to give you sh*t." And with that strange and dubious bit of advice, she slipped inside, making for the solace of the Leopard. Foregoing the rigid formality of a chair, she slid bonelessly into English's lap and threw her arms around his neck, laying her head against his shoulder. She closed her eyes and breathed his scent, something that she was rapidly beginning to equate with home.

((Adapted from a live scene. Thank you, Daniel Tej!))

Riley felt...off today. Nightmares and sudden realisations had her even more quiet and introspective than normal. As a foil to her mood, she'd dressed in a brightly patterned dress and had pulled her hair back into a French braid, the tail of which now hung over one shoulder. She was sitting on the edge of the fountain, long legs crossed, nose in a book as she waited for her Leopard.

Daniel came up the street from WestEnd, strolling along at a pace that looked relaxed but somehow moved him through the Market quickly. He was carrying a blanket and a takeout box with the Bodhi Tree's logo on it, but the delectable scent of food rising from it didn't distract his nose from the Jaguar's scent. He paused at the edge of the little plaza where the fountain stood, smiling at the sight of her sitting there, engrossed in a book. He liked watching her when she was so relaxed.

Then the Leopard's scent caught her attention and she looked up, caramel gaze sweeping the area until she found him. She waved a little at him, her eyes growing wide at the sight of the take-away box in his hand.

His smile grew when she looked up and spotted him. He crossed the open area with easy strides, stopping right next to her and setting the box down on the edge of the fountain so he could lean in and kiss her lightly. "Good afternoon, sundari."

She returned his kiss, making a tiny noise, her hand reaching up to cup his cheek gently. "Hi, there. Wanna sit on the grass?"

He smiled, nodding to her, one hand reaching down to pick up the box and the blanket it had been sitting on. She rose and tucked her book back into her bag, and tugged on Danny's hand, leading him towards a small copse of trees on a near-by lawn. "What's for lunch?" she asked as she took the blanket from him and spread it on the grass. She settled down on it gracefully and swept her legs underneath her body.

"Well, let's see. He sat cross-legged on the blanket and pulled the box onto his lap, opening it and peering inside as though it was a surprise to him. First, he pulled out a copper-and-orange lily and handed it to her. "This is for you."

She grinned and took the flower from him and tucked it behind her ear. "It's beautiful, thank you," she said softly.

"No one will notice, next to you," he replied, smiling and digging back into the box, pulling out a pair of plates, each with a seekh kebab, a couple of samosas, and a large piece of paratha naan. He set one plate in front of her, then put his own down and finished the setting with two lidded cups of mango lassi.

"You're gonna spoil me, you know." She reached out and grabbed the lassi, peeling off the lid and taking a sip. "Mmm... So good. Have you given any further thought to my proposition?" she asked around a mouthful of kebab.

"It's every Cat's right to be spoiled sometimes," he said, grinning. He tore off a piece of the naan and took a bite, then raised a brow at her question. "What sort of thought? I hope you don't think I'm going to change my mind about going with you."

She shook her head. "Not about going, no." She shifted a little and slid her shoes off, setting them next to her bag and idly ripped her piece of naan into small bits before nibbling at one.

"What, then?" Something was on her mind; that much was clear. He watched her intently while chewing on some tasty kebab.

He shook his head, smiling. "Believe me when I say that it's every bit as much my pleasure as it is yours." He glanced over at her swinging feet, and raised a brow. "You realize a good portion of me wants to pounce on those feet, right?"

She smirked. "I'd like to see you try."

"The only thing holding me back is not wanting to ruin your lovely dress. You just wait, though. When you least expect it..." he trailed off, grinning wickedly.

She chuckled. "Uh-huh." Then she sobered and glanced up at the clock tower. "I should be moseying back to the Studios. I have another class this afternoon and I need to find Mindy, too." Moving gracefully, she sat up once more and reached for her shoes. "Movie night tonight?"

"Of course. What will we be seeing this time?" He sat up as well, and gathered up the plates and cups, putting them all back in the box.

"Hmmm... How about The Shining? I'll make dinner." She put her shoes on and stood, smoothing down her dress and patting a hand over her hair. "Let's say...8:00? My place?"

He rose smoothly to his feet, nodding. "Sounds perfect to me, I always enjoy being cooked for, instead of vice versa."

"And I haven't killed you yet either, so it all works out." She grinned and slung her bag over her arm, then tucked her free arm through his. She kissed his cheek softly, nuzzling gently against it with her nose.

"Honestly, your cooking isn't that bad," he replied, grinning. He turned his head and snuck in a quick kiss on her lips.

"Gee. I'm not sure whether to take that as a compliment or not," she said with deadpan delivery as they began the walk south, back to the building. "Have you been busy today?"

He shrugged. "Off and on. People have been coming in waves." He dropped the box into the first trash bin they reached, then pulled her against his side, enjoying the cool breeze in the air.

"How's the new woman working out?" As they walked, she was glancing at the various food stalls they passed. What would she make for dinner tonight? Last week, it had been Mexican. Earlier this week, they'd gone out for Italian. Maybe just something simple? A steak, potatoes, some green salad?

"Oh, she's great. She's like every Indian grandmother you've ever seen. Cooks better than I do, and doesn't take any cheek from the customers at all."

She laughed at that. "Does she threaten them with a rolling pin or a spatula?" She paused by a butcher's stall and selected two small fillets and some bacon. As the butcher's boy wrapped her purchases, she glanced over to a green-grocer's stall, eyes moving over the lettuces and various other vegetables.

"A rolling pin, of course. They hurt more," he replied, chuckling. He eyed the meats she was purchasing, inhaling their delightful aroma. "I can hardly wait to see what you do with those."

"Nothing fancy," she said as she accepted the packages from the boy and added them to her bag. "Gonna wrap them in slices of the bacon and grill them. Maybe some roasted potatoes with rosemary and garlic, and a green salad, too?" She turned and headed towards the green-grocer's.

"Who needs fancy, when you've got tasty?" He nodded in agreement with the salad.

"Exactly." She selected a head of perfect-looking butter lettuce, an orange bell pepper, some radishes, an ear of corn, a cucumber and a few carrots. She paid for the produce and slipped them into her bag. "Okay. I'm done. Do you need anything?"

"No, I'm set."

Nodding, she slipped her arm through his and they set off once more, headed across the bridge to WestEnd.

"You don't want company in New York?" he asked.

She licked her lips and fidgeted a little. "Well, I'm going to pay my respects to...a friend's mother." Memories of the dream she'd had last night came flooding back and she pressed her hands over her stomach.

"Ah, I see," He nodded. He had a good idea who she was talking about, but there wasn't any reason to press about it. Some things just have to be done alone. "Sounds like a workable plan, then."

"You're okay with it? I mean, going on to Boston alone?"

"Certainly. It won't be the first time I've traveled alone." He grinned.

She kissed his cheek softly and gave him a big hug. "You're amazing," she whispered in his ear.

He held her close for a moment, smiling. "It must be you, bringing it out in me," he whispered back.

"I think, honestly, it's the other way around. You're...refreshingly well-adjusted. Almost normal, you know?" Her eyes danced wickedly.

"Me? Normal? I didn't learn to be human until I was a teenager, if you'll recall." He chuckled quietly.

"Like I said. Normal." She winked and then flicked a glance towards Broody McHotpants and the blond who was currently hanging all over him. She frowned and then turned so she couldn't see them at all. "I really, really need to get out of here. Porch swing?"

"Anywhere you want," he said with complete sincerity.

She nodded and abandoned her drink on the counter. She slipped off her stool and made a beeline for the door, not saying anything to anyone in her passing. He followed, weaving through the crowed with fluid ease, never once brushing against anyone.

Air. Air was good. Huge, gulping lungsful of air are awesome. They help clear the head, stave off weeping, settle the stomach. She bent over at the waist, hands clutched to her stomach, eyes clenched shut. "It's not him, it's not him," she was mumbling under her breath, a mantra against the sudden barrage of memories. He stroked her back lightly, not entirely sure whether he ought to say something, or give her time. She turned and hugged him tightly, pressing her face into his shoulder. "I have to know," she whispered. "I have to know for certain, if he's dead or alive. Not knowing is killing me."

He squeezed her hard, harder than would be comfortable for a human. "You will. You'll know when you go to New York." He really did know why she was going.

She nodded and just stayed in his arms for a moment, feeling safe and protected. She was beginning to feel guilty for putting him through this emotional washing machine. She'd warned him, though, before they'd become involved. She'd told him to keep his distance. He clearly hadn't listened. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

"Stop apologizing," he said softly. "You haven't forced me into anything. It's me making the choice. Really."

She looked up at him, dry-eyed, but the tip of her nose was red - a sure indication that she'd been crying. "I'm f*cked up, Danny. So much sh*t in my history, so much heart-ache and pain and just...crap. I'm broken. Lani was right."

"I...," he said, then stopped and sat silently for a long time. Finally, so softly even Lycan ears would have to strain to hear it from more than a few feet away. "I'd probably not have met you if you had."

No words to respond to that, she just hugged him tighter, thanking whatever gods or maybe her karma for him being in her life.

He just held her silently, running his fingers through her hair. For the life of him, he couldn't think of anything to say that wouldn't either come out idiotically or incoherently.

She sighed softly and closed her eyes, putting a foot out to send them slowly back and forth. The motion soothed her.

His eyes slowly closed, too, as they rocked back and forth. He could both feel and smell as she slowly relaxed, which was a relief. It was probably better if he didn't try to say anything more at the moment, so he just kept stroking her hair softly.

"Do you think it'd be possible to stay in Cat form? Never shift back to human?" She asked this quietly, almost as if she's afraid to give voice to the thoughts.

"Um," he said, startled by the question. "Probably not. Sometimes the shift happens without conscious thought."

She nodded and pushed them more, the speed of the swinging picking up a bit. "It'd be easier to be a cat. Less...crap to deal with. Less emotional stress and abuse."

He nodded. "It's true, there is less stress. But...there's less of the good emotions, too."

She nodded and leaned back, closing her eyes and just being for a while, letting the scents and sounds wash over her. "It'll be so different on Earth. So loud and bright and crowded."

"So many people. One thing I don't miss."

She chuckled softly. "I like the people. I like watching them and trying to figure out what makes them tick."

"That's not so bad, I suppose. It's just the unthinking air that surrounds most of them that bothers me."

She snorted. "They're sheeple. They do what the TV and the magazines and the politicians tell them to do. But occasionally, you get flashes of intelligence. Those are the ones I like to look for."

"Sheeple. I like that. It fits," he said, smiling.

She grinned and stirred. "Maybe we should go home and try to sleep? Big day tomorrow."

He nodded. "It's probably for the best. Though 'try' might be the operative world."

"Too bad I can't take anything to ensure sleep," she said softly.

"I recommend one Leopard cuddle," he said facetiously.

She grinned and then stood up, reaching down to him. "Let's go try that out, shall we?"

He took her hand and stood, nodding. "We may have to try a few times before we get it right."

"Think you're...up...for it?" She grinned wickedly at him as they descended the porch steps.

He glanced sidelong at her, raising a brow. "Naughty kitty. I think I can manage."

"We'll see." She steered them in a general westerly direction. "We'll see, Little Leopard."

"Well, we'll give it the old college try, shall we?" His laughter followed them down the street and out into the night.

((Adapted from live play. Thanks to the player of Gina Giamotti.))

Looking both ways before crossing the street, despite it not being a particularly busy crossing, Riley slowly slunk up the walk to Janet's front stoop.? If she were a dog, her tail would be squarely between her legs. Taking a deep breath and trying to ignore the bowling ball of dread that had taken up residence in her gut, she mounted the stairs and knocked.? And then smoothed down her clothing and ran a hand over her hair.

It was a minute or two before anyone came to the door, a voice heard calling as the door was pulled open. "Joey! No more cookies. You'll ruin your dinner."

Ohsh*tohsh*tohsh*t, Riley thought furiously and wondered if it was too late to run away.

The pretty dark-haired woman turned back around to see who was at the door, hoping it wasn't yet another well-meaning neighbor come to pay their respects. Gina looked just like Riley remembered her. She had changed from work clothes and was wearing jeans and a pink sweater, her hair pulled back in a ponytail, pink flats on her feet. Her face blanched at the sight of Riley and for a minute, she thought she was seeing a ghost.

Riley took a deep breath, plastered on what she hoped was a contrite smile, and said, "Hi, Gina." Riley chuckled nervously and fidgeted with the hem of her jacket.? "Is this a bad time?? Am I interrupting dinner or something?"

"Riley?" Gina asked incredulously, hardly believing her eyes. She almost looked like she was on the verge of fainting.

She nodded and took a step forward, an awkward hand coming up to catch Gina's elbow...just in case.? "Yeah.? It's me."

"We thought you were dead," she whispered, after taking a minute to find her voice. What did you say to someone you thought you'd never see again? Tears filled her eyes at the sight of her old friend.

She nodded again.? "Yeah...? I...uh...sorry.? Stuff just...went to crap."? Her eyes, too, filled with tears and she took another step forward, reaching for Gina to fold her into a hug.

Memories flooded back, some good, some bad. The night they went out for dinner. The day at Coney Island. The last time they'd seen each other and said goodbye. She returned the hug, overjoyed to see Riley alive and well, despite everything that had happened.

She whispered, "I'm so sorry, Gina.? I'm so f*cking sorry."

She assumed Riley was offering her sympathies regarding John's death and she nodded her head, carefully wiping the tears from beneath her eyes.

She stepped back and awkwardly sniffed, wiping at her cheeks with fingertips.? "Is Janet here?" Riley asked in a hushed voice.

"No, she... she's still at work." She stepped out of the apartment and onto the stoop, glancing over her shoulder to check on Joey, who was doing his homework in front of the TV. "She's been like a mother to me, since John..."

Riley nodded again and took Gina's hand, sliding her fingers through the smaller woman's and giving it a squeeze.? "I'm sorry I wasn't there.? F*ck...? I'm sorry for so much.? I'm an assh*le." Clearly, Riley's potty mouth hadn't gotten any better.? If possible, it'd gotten worse.

She returned the hand squeeze, shaking her head in denial of Riley taking the blame. "No, you're not." Before the neighbors noticed and started asking questions and maybe for autographs, she asked, "Do you want to come in?" She let go of Riley's hand and pulled the door open, stepping back inside and waiting for her to follow.

"Yeah, I'd love to." Riley stepped inside and her knees went weak with the sudden assault of memories.? The last time she'd been in this house had been the morning she and Rhys had discovered Peanut...? She shook her head and moved further into the living room.? She smiled at Joey and gave him a stiff little wave.

"Would you like some coffee? Joey and I made some cookies yesterday." The boy was too young to really understand what was going on around him, and he only waved back at his mother's friend. She looked familiar, but he couldn't quite place her. He was too nervous about the cookies he had hidden under his shirt to greet her anyway.

"Sure, coffee would be good."? She trailed after Gina, squinting hard at the kitchen table, looking for signs of an ashtray or cigarette cartons.

"Where have you been? Everyone's been so worried." She asked the obvious question, wanting to know before it hit the papers, as she went about pouring two cups of coffee.

She blew out a deep breath and sat down hard on a chair at the table, elbows propped in front of her, chin in palms.? "Well...after...you know...I just couldn't..."? She sighed softly, knowing she sounded like the worst kind of quitter ever.? "I couldn't be here any more.? So...I went to see a former client and asked him to...relocate me."

She had to pause a moment to stop her hands from shaking before she reached for the coffee pot. "After?" She turned back to Riley, setting both cups on the table. After what? After she left the City? After she lost the baby? After the car accident? After the plane went down?

"After everything.? I tried to hack it for awhile.? I stayed in Tucson, continued working for about six months after Rhys...disappeared.? But I just...? I couldn't anymore."

Gina frowned sadly, suspecting Riley didn't know what had happened to Rhys. If she had, she might not have left. If that was the case, it was going to be awkward as hell telling her. She turned her back to fetch the cream and sugar. "Where did you go? I tried getting in touch, but... it was like you dropped off the planet."

"Something like that, yeah."? How to explain Rhy'Din to Gina?

She set the cream and sugar on the table, along with two spoons and then turned away again to fetch a tray of cookies. "You went underground? Into hiding?" It was the only thing Gina could think of that would explain Riley's sudden and complete disappearance.

Riley snapped her head up, her heart racing, adrenaline pumping. "Know what? There's news? Is he okay? Is he here, in the City?"

"He's..." She drew a slow breath to gather her words, frowning again. "There was an accident."

She blinked, her heart freezing now. "An accident?" she asked breathlessly.

"A car accident. He..." She paused a moment again, chewing her lip. "He's alive, but he... He had major head trauma. He's not the same, Riley. He doesn't remember me. He doesn't remember any of it. I don't know what brought him back to Brooklyn. He's working in a diner. You wouldn't even recognize him."

Her eyes filled with tears and she looked down at the table. The tears spilled over, dropping into her lap and leaving splotches on the thighs of her jeans. "Is he here then? In the city?" she whispered.

She nodded, her heart aching with sadness, not only for Riley, but for all of them. "He's... different."

Riley made no sound, just sat, still staring down at the table, silently weeping. She wanted to see him, even if he didn't remember her. She had to see him, just to prove to herself that he wasn't dead or being held prisoner or something horrible. She needed to lay the dead, the ghosts of memories that were haunting her every night. Maybe once she'd seen him, she'd stop dreaming about him, stop looking for him in every crowd and she could get on with her life...without him.

She reached for Riley's hand and gave it a small squeeze. She knew what she was feeling. She'd lost John forever. She'd never see him again. No one would ever take his place. "I don't understand any of this."

She squeezed Gina's hand, too, like clinging to a life saver. "I don't either," she whispered.

"But I have to believe Johnny is at peace now. That he's in a better place. And I'll see him again someday." Tears filled her eyes at the memory of John and at everything they all had gone through.

The corner of her mouth curled in a tiny smile. "I'm pretty sure he's reincarnated as like...a spoiled Siamese or something." She chuckled softly.

She smiled a little. "I hope he finds his way home then. I miss him."

"Be on the look-out for suspicious cats. Or dogs, maybe."

She nodded, trying hard not to cry. She thought she was all cried out, but talking about John made her heart ache with grief and loneliness. "John was the one who brought the stray home, not me." She was talking about Rhys, though it was Gina who'd introduced them.

"I know," she whispered. Indeed, she did know exactly how Gina was feeling. She'd been feeling that way since July of last year.

"I can take you to see him." She dabbed at her tears.

"Thank you." She stood up and took her coffee cup to the sink, washed and dried it and set it in the drainer next to the sink. Then she glanced at her watch. She had three hours until she had to leave for the airport.

"I don't know where he lives, but I know where he works."

She nodded, thinking it was probably better that way. She could see him at work and avoid making a scene in public. Maybe. "You should stay with Joey. Just tell me where it is and I'll go."

"How much time do you have?"

"The plane leaves in about four and a half hours. So...three hours?"

"He's at Cole's Diner. It's not far from Carroll Park. You know where that is?"

She nodded. "Just down the street from here, yeah?"

She nodded and wiped at her tears again. "It's not far."

She moved to wrap Gina in a hug again. She had no idea when or if she'd ever be back.

Gina moved to her feet to return the hug, the tears coming again. "Riley...I'm so sorry."

"Me, too." She squeezed her as tightly as she dared and brushed a kiss against her cheek. "Take care of yourself, and Janet and Joey, too." Riley let Gina go and moved towards the door, her steps heavy as if her body wanted her to stay here.

"Take care of yourself, too." She felt suddenly wrung out as she watched Riley go. There seemed like there were so many things left unsaid between them. Things that might have been and would never be. Part of her was happy Riley was alive and making a new life for herself. The other part of her grieved for the old life they'd both left behind.

She stopped with her hand on the door knob and turned, giving Gina some small ghost of her usual cocky, half-smile. "See ya."

"Good-bye, Riley," she told her quietly, smiling softly. In her heart, she didn't think she'd ever see her friend again.

She winked and then turned and stepped out of the house. Moving like an automaton, she crossed the street and slipped into the rented car. She sat for a long, long while, trying to work up the nerve to either commit to going and seeing Rhys or fleeing back to the airport. Shoving the car into gear, she took off for this diner. She'd just sit in the parking lot and look in through the window. Maybe he wouldn't even be there. Maybe it was his day off.

((Adapted from live play. A very big thank you to the player of Rhys Bristol.))

The only way to describe the look on Rhys's face was shocked. He recognized the woman at the counter, but not because he remembered her, but because he'd seen her face in the papers and on TV and he'd been told he'd once been engaged to her. Not only that, but he'd been questioned regarding her disappearance. He was definitely not the Rhys Riley would remember. He was wearing a white t-shirt that said "Give Blood. Play Hockey", paired with jeans, a white apron around his waist, and black Converse sneakers. He was sporting a green Mohawk, a few piercings, and the hint of a tattoo on the back of his neck. He had good reason for the change in appearance, or at least, he thought so. At the site of the dark-haired woman, all the color drained from his face and his jaw dropped open. Fortunately, there were no plates or pans in his hands, or there would have been food all over the floor.

She managed a small smile at his expression and then a bigger one at his t-shirt.? A thousand questions popped into her head, all of the clamouring to be asked, and the first thing that came out of her mouth was, "Green?"

He blinked in shocked surprise, not quite understanding her question at first.

"Your...your hair.? It's green."

He rolled his eyes upwards as if he could see his own hair that way and reached up to touch the 'hawk, which stood straight up and looked like he'd worked hard to get it that way. "Oh. Yeah." He looked back at her again, squinting his eyes, looking more than a little confused.

"You honestly don't remember me, do you?"?

"I..." He licked his lips, a sign of nervousness. "They said you were missing. Presumed dead or something."

"They said the same thing about you," she said softly. Her eyes filled with sudden, stinging, hot tears and she looked away, brushing angrily at them.? "I'm sorry," she managed, sniffing and turning back to face him.? "You're busy.? I...? I shouldn't have come.? I'm gonna go and leave you alone."? She turned to leave, hoisting her bag to her shoulder.

He opened his mouth to say something and then hearing her apology, he changed his mind. He wasn't sure whether he should just let her walk away or not. There were a thousand questions going through his head, some of which he didn't want the answer to. He hastily untied the apron and tossed it on the counter, turning to one of the waitresses who was checking someone out. "I'm taking my lunch break."

The waitress snapped her chewing gum and glanced after the exiting woman. "You already had a lunch break," she whined.

"Yeah, well, I'm taking another," he shot back.

She paused and glanced over her shoulder at him, a brow raised in question.? She felt guilty and stood there, awkwardly poised to flee the diner.

He came around the counter toward Riley. "You wanna take a walk or something?" He wanted to get out of the diner where the prying eyes and ears of his co-workers couldn't follow. He snagged an old green Army jacket that was hanging on a hook and pulled it on over his shoulders.

She nodded and turned, pushing open the door and stepping out into the weak late-winter sun.? God, what the hell was she doing here?

He pulled up the collar of the jacket, leaving it open at the front, despite the chill in the air. Despite his appearance, all the old habits and quirks were still old Rhys.

She let him lead, falling into step at his side and sneaking frequent looks at him from the corner of her eye.? He was Rhys, her Rhys - he smelled like Rhys, but he certainly didn't look much like her Rhys.

He shoved his hands in his jacket pockets and led her toward the small park that was within walking distance from the diner. "You cold?"

She shook her head, hands nestled into her jean jacket, which she'd thrown on over a hoodie and her t-shirt.? "I'm fine.? Cold is nice.? It's such a change from Tucson."

"Tucson, right." Old Rhys had never really liked Arizona, and from what new Rhys could remember of it, he hadn't been too fond of it either. Too hot, too dry, too brown. He felt not only awkward, but nervous as all hell. "So... where were you?"

She kept looking at him, sneaking glances from underneath the fringe of her lashes.? "Hmm?" she said, his question catching her off guard.

Old Rhys wouldn't have been nervous. He would have been flirting with her the first chance he got. He turned to her with a small frown on his face and then looked away, facing forward to continue on. "Sorry. It's none of my business, I guess."

"No, no.? It's fine.? I've...uh...I moved.? Relocated, really.? Sold my house, liquidated all my accounts and just...moved.? Started a whole new life."

"They questioned me about your disappearance."

((Taken from live play. Thanks to Daniel Tej.))

The flight from New York was uneventful, on time even.? Riley had been moving like an automaton since her earlier meeting with Rhys and she continued that way down the jetway and through the concourse at Logan International.? She felt as though she were swimming - her arms and legs were so heavy and she just wanted to lie down and weep.

Daniel stood waiting next to the baggage claim area. He'd already collected her suitcase; it sat next to his feet. He felt a little nervous, a little excited, and a little worried, all at once. He was sure that her meeting would upset her, but he didn't know how much, and he didn't know what her mood was going to be like when she finally arrived.

She spotted him the crowd and ran to him.? He was like a oasis of calm in a churning hurricane of people.? She dropped her bag on the floor next to her and threw her arms around him, holding him closely tightly. He hugged her so hard that her feet left the ground. A confused mix of emotions colored her scent; relief, happiness, sadness, pain and, oddly, contriteness swirled about her.? At the moment, though, it didn't really matter to him.? She was there, in his arms, and that was more than enough.

She giggled as her feet left the floor and held him even tighter.? "Oh, I'm so happy to see you!"? She leaned back, still safe in the circle of his arms and kissed him, fiercely enough to draw cat-calls and wolf-whistles from a group of passing Navy lads.

"And I you, believe me," he replied after several long, reluctantly ended, moments of kissing her. He chuckled softly at the reactions of the uniformed men and just held her, unwilling to even put her back on the ground yet.

She squeezed him harder once more and then wiggled out of his arms, only to reach for his hand.? "How was your trip out here?"? She leaned down to snag her bags.? "Did you rent a car?"

He entwined his fingers with hers and nodded. "The trip was fine. There was a little bit of turbulence en route, but not enough to matter. I did rent a car; it's waiting in the lot. Was your flight okay?" He intentionally avoided asking her about what happened in New York, assuming she'd want privacy to tell him, if she was going to at all.

She nodded and let him lead her out to the lot.? "Yeah, it was fine.? On time for once.? Did you snag us a good hotel?"

?I certainly did, The Marriott Long Wharf. It's quite nice. Our room is one of their luxury suites. I got it at a discount." He grinned. "I told them it was my first time in Boston, and I was going to be meeting my girlfriend's parents for the first time. The front desk clerk thought that was so cute, she gave me their newlywed special. It comes with complimentary champagne and a free breakfast at their restaurant overlooking the water."

She laughed and shook her head.? "I'm travelling with you more often!? That sounds lovely.? We can invite my parents to breakfast in the morning."

"Sure, that'll be nice." He stopped next to their rental car, a white Dodge Caliber. "Here we are," he said, popping the hatchback for her bag. "Do you want to go straight to the hotel, or somewhere else first?"

"Hotel, please, Jeeves.? I want to take a bath."? She gave the car a once over, noting the satellite antenna.? "Ooh, Sirius radio.? Nice.? I haven't heard a radio broadcast in...months."? She slid inside the car and fastened her seat belt.

"Very good, madam," he replied, exaggerating his accent as he pulled out of the parking lot and headed toward the hotel. It was a very short ride from the turnpike outside of the airport, though the view over the bridge was very nice. Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at the hotel.

She looked up at the building and smiled.? "Wow.? You sure know how to pick 'em, don't you?"? She climbed out of the car and glanced over at him.? "Didja bounce on the bed?? Or try out the shower yet?"

"Both, of course," he said, laughing. "They're lovely."

"Awesome."? She held her hand out for him and started towards the hotel.? She knew that she'd have to tell him everything that happened in New York, especially about meeting Rhys.? Communication had always been the biggest problem in her relationship with him; she didn't want to continue the trend with Daniel.

He lead her to their room, pointing out interesting architecture and artworks he'd seen on the way. Once inside, he sat down on the edge of the bed and smiled up at her. "Well, what do you think?"

She dumped her bags on the floor without a thought and went directly to the doors that opened out onto the balcony.? She stepped outside and inhaled deeply.? "God, I've missed that smell.? I've missed the ocean.? I've missed this city!"

His smile grew as he watched her enjoy the cool, humid air.? He leaned back on the bed, folding his arms behind his head. The bed really was lovely. "I'm glad we could come," he said.

She glanced over her shoulder at him, and the corner of her mouth curled in a smirk.? She moved back inside, stopping to close the doors behind her.? "Me, too," she said and kicked off her shoes, stripped off her jacket and threw herself onto the bed next to him, giggling as she bounced up and down on it like a five year old. He laughed as the bed bounced; it felt like he was at sea, moving up and down with the waves. Good thing he never got seasick.

She stopped bouncing and moved up to snuggle with him, laying her head in the hollow of his shoulder and draping her arm across his chest, playing idly with the buttons on his shirt.? "I saw him," she said softly.

"You saw...Rhys?" he said in surprise. He'd more or less assumed the man was dead, and hearing that he wasn't was a bit of a shock. He wasn't quite sure how to feel about it, either. He knew how strong her feelings for Rhys were, and it seemed very strange that she'd be able to see the man and still leave to be with him. "Is he...all right?" he finished, a little lamely.

She nodded a little but then shrugged, her fingers still busy with his shirt.? "He...he apparently got into a car accident at some point and suffered severe head trauma.? He doesn't remember anything that happened.? He doesn't remember me."

"I see," he said quietly. "I'm sorry, Riley. I can't begin to imagine how it would feel to see someone I loved and have them not even know who I was. It must be..." he trailed off, and shook his head, unable to even find words for it.

"Utter crap?"? She sighed deeply and closed her eyes, moving closer to him still.? "But...he's alive and all right. He's living in Brooklyn, now.? Working as a short order cook in some little diner.? He has a Mohawk, piercings, tattoos."? She chuckled at that.?

He slipped one arm under her shoulders, pressing her body against his. "And he has no memory of you at all?"

She shook her head.? "No.? He only knew my name because he was questioned in my disappearance.? The doctors and the police told him that we were engaged and I assume they accused him of murdering me or something.? They backed off, though.? Probably figured they couldn't try a man who had absolutely no memory of what he'd supposedly done."

"How horrible that must've been for him." Regardless of whatever ambivalence he might feel towards the guy, the idea of anyone being put through something like that was enough to make him shudder.

She nodded and rolled onto her stomach, propping her torso up on her forearms so she could look at him.? "Yeah.? But I think...? I think he's going to be okay.? And I think...? I think I can be okay, too, now.? Now that I know for sure what happened to him."

"I'm...relieved and happy to hear you say that. When you first said you'd seen him, I...," he looked away for a moment. "I confess I was worried that you wanted to be with him still."

She moved up closer to his face and kissed him gently, her hands sliding down his arms so she could curl her fingers with his.? "That part of my life is over, Danny," she whispered.? "I have to move on.? I have to move forward and get over all of it."

He rubbed his cheek against hers and smiled, squeezing her hands lightly. There weren't any words he could give in reply to that, so he just kissed her again...and again. They wouldn't be going anywhere until the morning, and for now he had her all to himself. She'd laid the ghosts of her past, once and for all.

The omelet was very tasty, though the tea couldn't match up to his own. He chuckled at Riley's hurried eating. "Chew, sundari."

Dr O'Rourke's lips lifted in a smile.? "Buddha's half-sister, right?"? While he was relatively new to Buddhism - having converted only 34 years ago, whereas Keiko had been raised with the Dharma - he had taken a scholarly approach to things and had memorised all of the facts of the Buddha's life.

"That's right," he replied, a bit surprised. "It's a Hindi word," he paused and blushed a bit, though his dark skin made it hard to tell. "It means beauty."

This pleased Riley's parents immensely and they exchanged glances over her head.? They'd been worried that they would never like a young man as much as they had loved Andy, but perhaps that would soon change.

"So, Daniel, tell us a little about yourself.? Where you're from, how you met Riley, things like that," Dr O'Rourke said.

"Well," he started, "I was born in India, but raised in Oxfordshire by my adopted parents. They're both professors at Oxford University."

"What do they teach?"? Keiko asked.

?My father teaches Botany, my mother Conservationism."

They nodded and Riley surfaced from her omelet long enough to take a deep drink of juice before plowing through her hash browns.? The conversation was pretty much just background noise at this point, but she was marginally aware that things were going well.

"As for how we met, it was pure chance and good fortune. I ended up in the same alternate world, in a city called Rhy'Din, through a magical mishap. I was lost and alone and had no way to get back to Earth. When I ran into Riley, she was sympathetic, and ended up giving me enough money to get a room for a week."

Mama-san and Dr O'Rourke exchanged smiles.? "She always had a soft spot for strays," Dr O'Rourke said.? "And are you two living together now?"

"We both have apartments in the same building,"? Daniel replied. Of course, he spent almost all of his time in hers, but he thought it was probably a good idea to keep that bit to himself, at least for now.

Riley chuckled and finally surfaced from her plate.? "He lives upstairs, Daddy."

Dr O'Rourke nodded and fell silent.? Mama-san gave Daniel an appraising look and turned to Riley.? "Are you staying in Boston?"? Even as she asked it, she knew that her daughter would be returning to this mystical place and it would probably be months, perhaps years, before they saw each other again.

Riley looked up at Danny for a long time and then slowly shook her head.? "No, Mama-san.? I'm going back."? She paused and looked at her father.? "You should come visit.? I think you'd like it."

Dr O'Rourke nodded.? "I would like to see it, I think.? Especially if everything you've told me is true."

Daniel nodded in agreement. "It's an amazing place. A little hard to wrap your head around at first, though. There are so many aspects that are like nothing you've ever seen, mixed with others that have been familiar for your whole life. It's a bit like entering the Twilight Zone."

Dr O'Rourke laughed.? "I would like to see that.? Tell me, is there really a starport?"

Daniel nodded again. "There really is. It's immense. You can really see the the dramatic mixing of old and new when you watch a light space freighter rocketing off over the tall masts of trading ships bobbing in the waters of the bay."

"Oh," Dr O'Rourke said.? "I would like to see that very much."? He turned to Keiko, his eyes shining like a little boy's at Christmas.? "When can we go?"

Keiko shook her head, her husband's excitement making her chuckle softly.? "Maybe for the holidays."

"I would love it if you came for Christmas and New Year's.? If I remember correctly, they have a big celebration around then.? It would be nice to have you there," Riley said.

"That would be great," Daniel said sincerely.

"Well, then.? We'll be there for Christmas and New Year's, too," Keiko said as Dr O'Rourke nodded.

Riley leaned over and pressed a kiss against her mother's cheek.? And then serious eating commenced. After the dishes had been cleared away and coffee and tea were being enjoyed, Riley and Danny made plans for the rest of their stay.? That afternoon, Riley told Daniel that they'd be tourists and see all the famous Revolutionary War sites.? The following night, they'd been given tickets to see the Blue Man group, and the day after that, Keiko requested girl time with Riley.? Dr O'Rourke offered to take Daniel out to Sudbury and they would all meet up at Riley's childhood home for dinner before they had to leave the morning after.