========================================================================= Date: Fri, 26 Apr 1996 22:37:07 -0400 Reply-To: MJordan104@AOL.COM Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: "Monica T. Jordan" Subject: Out of Love and Vengeance - Part 10/11 X-cc: moreau@odixie.enet.dec.com, mjordan@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu, nevets@newwave.net, naortiz@dttus.com "Out of Love and Vengeance - Part 10/11" by Monica T. Jordan. Copyright, 1996. For Disclaimers, Warnings, etc. see Part 1. Thanks. Warehouse. Seacover. December 10, 1995. Richie, his hands handcuffed and hanging high above his head, sucked in a deep breath when he heard noises outside the room and stared at the door. Hunters. Richie hated them with a passion. He wished them all horrible and painful deaths. It also didn't help the fact that he was upset at himself for being so careless and letting himself be caught. After the argument with Mac he'd jumped on his biked and took off fuming at how hard headed MacLeod could be. He was so enraged, he failed to notice a car heading straight for him. He had awoken from that death, in this room as he was now. He'd been left alone for hours without communication or explanations of why he'd been brought here. He watched the door expectantly and gasped in surprised as he recognized both people being brought into the room. "Joe! Anne!" "Richie?" Anne said rushing to him. "What did they do to you?" Anne asked appalled, staring at the blood stains on his clothing. "Failed to yield the right of way to a bus," Richie grinned, attempting humor. Anne gave him a scolding look but said nothing. "I was riding my bike and got hit by a car. I guess I died." He shrugged. "When I awoke I was here handcuffed. With no reason why." Anne stared at Joe who hadn't said a word. "Joe?" Richie looked at Anne, then watched Joe's back. He was curious as to why they were all here. "Joe. Do you know what's going on? Is it Moore?" "Who's Moore?" Anne asked, looking from Richie's face to Joe's back. "No," Dawson finally said. "It's Horton all over again." "Horton's dead!" Richie said. "Not his daughter." ### "Have you gotten in contact with Collins yet?" Lynn asked. "No," Drake answered. "I'll try again..." "Don't bother. MacLeod and Moore will be here sooner or later." "But without Keogh, how will we be able to tell if they are here?" "You worry too much Drake. I'll get it out of Ryan." She smiled and patted Drake on the shoulder. "Can't have them surprising us now can I?." ### Lynn entered the small room where Dawson, Anne and Richie were and ordered Richie to be taken. He struggled against the two hunters, but when Lynn grabbed Anne roughly, causing her to scream, Richie went with them without further conflict. Lynn remained in the small room. "Uncle Joe," she said. No emotion in her voice. Dawson studied the face of his niece. The ride in the car had been tense, no words being said. He wondered now, how could he have missed this? How could he not have seen it coming? He had many questions he wanted to ask, but only one escaped his lips as he watched her now. "Why?" Dawson asked, troubled at how callous Lynn had become. "Because MacLeod took my life away from me," she said simply. "But he means you no harm!" Dawson insisted, trying to reason with her. "No harm?" Lynn walked to Joe and stuck her face in his. Anne stared at her and held tightly to Joe's arm. "Because of _him_ my father became obsessed. Because of _him_, my father killed Robert. Because of _him_, my father is dead. Because of _him_, I'm not a happily married woman." Joe, couldn't believe how calmly Lynn had said those words. Joe stared into her eyes and saw a rawness in it. He'd seen before. Insanity. "Lynn," Joe began, clearing his throat. "James was sick. He killed innocent people -- mortal and immortal," Dawson said calmly. "My father did what he had to do," Lynn said. "He told me immortals were a threat to our way of life, but I didn't believe him." "But they _aren't_," Joe replied. Lynn sighed loudly at the ignorance her uncle could achieve. "But they _are_ Uncle Joe. _You_ betrayed your own family to save one of _them_," she said. Those words stung Joe like a bee. "_You_ picked one of them over blood. Blood! Uncle Joe. There's nothing more sacred than family and YOU BETRAYED THAT! And for what, huh?" She began pacing in the small room. The pitch of her voice getting higher and higher as she continued. "Why are you loyal to him and not your own family? You think I don't know about when he shut you out of his life because he blamed you for Charlie's death? He was ready to write you off, but still you helped him and freed him from that prison. You break your own rules and help him. AND FOR WHAT!" Joe felt miserable as her words burned into his ear. "They'll go on living forever as we wither away and die, Joe. They'll forget all about us!" Joe was silent. What could he say. She obviously believed everything she said. Anne was too frightened to say anything. Her life hadn't been the same since she found out what Duncan was. And now she wished she never had. "I _will_ accomplish my father's goal, _Uncle_ Joe. I'll destroy Duncan MacLeod if it's the last thing I do." ### Duncan and Aria pulled up in the t-bird to the warehouse. They'd overtaken the watcher who had made a fatal mistake. One or two bullets may stop one immortal, but not two. Aria had rushed the watcher and stabbed her with a knife, tackling her to the ground. The watcher only managed to get off two shots at Aria. Luckily they didn't hit any vital parts. Aria wanted to kill the watcher, but Duncan wouldn't let her. They tied her up and left her at Joe's home to be dealt with later. Duncan slowly came out of the car and stared at the warehouse. he thought to himself. More than two years ago at this very warehouse he'd met with James Horton. Duncan had a flash of memory. <<< Being shot by Horton. Running his sword through Horton. Lynn crying over her father's body. >>> Duncan vowed to himself it would end tonight. Too many people he'd loved had died or been hurt because of Horton and his hunters. Aria watched him curiously and wondered what memories the warehouse brought back to him. She thought of asking, but as they got closer to the entrance, they both sensed another immortal and froze. But they both knew it was too late to back away. If they'd sense an immortal, the immortal had certainly sensed them too. ### "All you have to do is tell me when you sense another immortal," Lynn purred into Richie's ear. He wanted to kill her. His body ached from being cooped up for hours. "Look, Ryan. Please make this easy. I so much like easy than hard." "Kiss my ass lady!" Lynn smiled, "You sure are making this easier than I thought," she said. "Who would you like me to hurt first. My dear uncle Joe, or Duncan's pregnant girlfriend?" Cold shivers went through Richie's body. The woman was insane and appeared to be enjoying this too much, Richie decided. He knew Mac could take care of himself in any type of situation or ambush. He had to think of Joe and Anne's safety first. Especially Anne's unborn baby. What would it hurt to let this monster know when another immortal was in the building? Lynn waited, her face calm and serene. "Well?" she asked. Richie was confused. Should he take the risk of giving Mac away or cooperate with Horton. Would she really hurt Anne? Dawson maybe, but a pregnant woman? Would she be so cold hearted? "I guess you need a little more incentive." Lynn ordered Drake to bring Anne to the floor. Anne was a practical woman and decided not to struggle against her captors. When they'd came for her she went willingly, telling Joe everything would be fine and not to worry. Walking out, her head held high, she prayed the fear she felt wasn't apparent on her face. But staring at Richie, she knew she'd failed. "Okay, Okay," Richie said. He gave in when he saw the fear in Anne's eyes. "I'll do whatever you want," he said frustrated. "That's a good boy," Lynn said, running her hands through his hair. Richie jerked his head away, repulsed by her touch, but at that instant his ears buzzed and he knew an immortal was nearby. he thought. He shook his head trying to get away from Lynn's roving hands when she grabbed his hair tightly. "Make no mistake Ryan. I won't hesitate to hurt them if you fail to cooperate." His body stiffened at her insinuation. "You _will_ tell me what I want to know. One way or another. But make no mistake Ryan. I am in control here. They can walk out or be carried out. Your choice." ### "She has another immortal working for her," Aria said, desperation in her voice. "Perhaps," Duncan said. "Let's enter quietly and see what we can find out." "Quietly? We've already been sensed Duncan!" Aria was beginning to panic. She needed to see Emily. To know if she was okay. The waiting was excruciating and she couldn't wait any longer. "What do you want to do Aria? Go in there screaming with swords drawn?" Duncan hissed and waited, hoping she'd calm down. "We have to act cautiously. Understood?" Aria fumed but remained quiet. He was right. She couldn't go in there hot headed. It would serve no purpose. And Emily could be hurt. "How do we get in?" Duncan pointed to an air shaft. "We go in through that," he said. Aria followed his hand and nodded. They climbed to the shaft and entered going into the warehouse on the highest level. They crept along until the floor area came into view. Duncan's jaw clenched when he saw Richie, tied to a chair, his shirt bloodied and surrounded by hunters. There was a woman in his face, pulling on his hair. "Lynn Horton," he whispered. "Where?" Aria asked alarmed, her heart pounding loudly in her ears. She'd envisioned a million deaths for that woman. All at her own hands. She had yet to decide which one was her favorite. She drew one of her knives and was about to throw it when Duncan grabbed her arm. "What are you doing?" he asked furiously. "What do you _think_ I'm doing MacLeod?" Duncan sighed. "Aria. We have to do this smart. No irrational thinking or actions. Understood?" He waited for her to agree. "Understood?" he growled. Aria nodded. They returned to watching the scene below. Duncan had to think of a way to save Richie and Dawson. And Emily. Then the feelings in Duncan's entire body left him when he caught a glimpse of a pregnant woman. "Anne?" he whispered. Duncan leapt up from where he was crouching and rushed down to the floor. Aria, startled by Duncan's sudden movement, fell down, but quickly regained her footing and followed close behind him. ### "What the hell was that noise?" Lynn asked, moving away from Richie. "Go check it out?" She ordered. Lynn's eyes searched the area where the sound came from. The section where Duncan and Aria where just spying from. She whirled around and glared at Richie. "They are here aren't they?" She asked, glaring at Richie. Richie didn't answer. Lynn went to Anne, who tried backing away, but she couldn't go far when she bumped into a hunter. Lynn grabbed Anne and pulled her roughly toward Richie. "All right, all right. Don't hurt her!" Richie shouted. "An immortal _is_ here." "MacLeod!" Lynn called looking around the warehouse. "Surrender and I won't hurt your pregnant girlfriend!" she taunted. Duncan was standing about fifteen feet from them enraged thinking how much he'd like to wrap his hands around Lynn's neck. Aria was right next to him her eyes closed. She hoped she could walk away from this whole nightmare, but knew it was about to get worst. "Moore! I know you're here with him. If you want to see you daughter again, you'll stick to our agreement!" "What the hell is she talking about..." Duncan began but froze when he felt a sharp object at the base of his neck. "Why?" Aria's heart ached when she heard the pain in that one word. "I'm sorry Duncan, but Emily is more important to me. I hope you can understand that and forgive me." Duncan wanted to turn around and look at her, stare into her eyes, but she wouldn't let him. She pushed him forward and they came into the clearing of the warehouse. Lynn smiled pleasingly at the sight of a defeated Duncan MacLeod. This was by far better than she'd planned. Drake went over to both of them and grabbed Duncan, holding his arms behind his back. Duncan thought of struggling, but when Lynn tightened her grip on Anne, he decided against it. A hunter came forward and clasped handcuffs on Duncan's hands. Aria stood near him, but wouldn't look at him. "I knew you couldn't be trusted Moore," Richie said, the words dropping like acid in Aria's ears. Lynn went to Richie and slapped him. "Now, that's not very polite of you." "Untie me and I'll _show_ you how polite I can be," seethed Richie. Lynn shook her head and returned her attention to MacLeod. "Why all this?" Duncan asked. "Why the games? If you wanted me, why not come for me? They have nothing to do with this." "MacLeod, if all I wanted was your head, I would've shot you months ago and taken it myself." "Then why didn't you," he growled. "Because this is so much more fun MacLeod." "Fun? Fun? You call _this_ fun? Kidnapping and hurting my friends? Kidnapping a child and forcing her mother to betray me. You call that FUN?!!!" Lynn rolled her eyes. "First of all. She _isn't_ her daughter. I know immortals _can't_ have children," she said, irritated. Then she smiled. "And what makes you think that this is the first time I've come after you MacLeod?" "What the hell are you talking about?" Lynn had waited a long for this, and relished the idea of the pain she was about to inflict on MacLeod now. "You really believed Andrew Cord showing up at the airport was a simple coincidence don't you?" Lynn said smugly, smiling at the pain on MacLeod's face. "What?" "He practically jumped at the chance to fight the great Duncan MacLeod," Lynn said breezily. Duncan's jaws tightened, but he said nothing. Lynn continued, her smile turning predatory. "I knew Cord sold weapons in the Balkans and hired him to sell the bad shipment to your friend Charlie DeSalvo. Killing Mara guaranteed Charlie would follow him wherever he went." Her smile subside slightly, "But that plan only partially succeeded. Your friend Charlie _is_ dead, but Cord failed to kill you." "You bitch!" Duncan said, blinking away tears as he remembered holding Charlie in his arms as he died. He'd blamed Dawson for Charlie's death, but Cord would've killed him anyway. No matter what. "MacLeod, I'm shocked. After four hundred years that's the best word you could think of?" "If it fits!" "Whatever," she said dismissively and continued on. She was just warming up to the subject. "When Cord failed I was hard pressed to find another way to get you MacLeod. But wasn't I tickled when I found Simon Killian's name in your file. Guess who arranged him release from the mental institution you sentenced him to, MacLeod?" She smiled. "I knew you'd be the first person he went looking for. His plan was actually brilliant. Just _brilliant_ MacLeod!" she sighed. "I'm actually sorry I never met him, though. That plan would've appeased me," she paused, "But my dear _Uncle_ messed that one up, didn't he?" "Oh, don't forget about Keogh," Duncan said mocking her. "Keogh!" Lynn said surprised. "He was an idiot! But he made me realize what I'd been doing wrong. See? Those other immortals didn't have an incentive, a reason, a motivation, if you like, to succeed. And then I found Aria. Quite by chance too," she said amused, "By using the child I knew she wouldn't fail me." "Where _is_ Emily?" Aria asked, stepping closer to Lynn. She had been listening to everything, none of which she liked, and hated her hand in it. But now she grew impatient and wanted to see Emily. She needed to see her now. Lynn turned to address Aria and smiled cruelly. "You know where she is," she said arrogantly waiting for acknowledgment but instead got a confused look from Aria. "I told you," Lynn continued in an almost sing-song voice. "I _told_ you she'd be better off dead than being raised by the likes of you." Aria's mind snapped. She lunged for Lynn and in her madness Aria ignored the gun Lynn pointed at her. Several successive shots were fired point blank into Aria's chest. Anne screamed. Richie was shocked. Aria staggered back, hatred in her eyes, and fell to the floor. A few seconds later she died. Duncan, unable to do anything to stop it, looked on in horror. "We take her head now?" Drake asked, hungry for the honors. "No!!!" Duncan growled. Lynn looked at him, happy at the pain she was causing him. But she had other plans for Aria. "Not yet. But if she breaths," Lynn said, "Shoot her." Drake liked the sounds of that even better. "Why?" Duncan asked. His eyes glued to Aria's lifeless body. Lynn turned to him. "I remember asking you that same question two years ago in this very warehouse," she said. "Why MacLeod? Why?" She stood before him. "Do you _really_ want to know why?" Duncan nodded. "I want you to suffer for the rest of your miserable immortal life MacLeod. I want you to live knowing that because of _your_ immortality people you cared about died." "Killing them won't bring your father back," Duncan said quietly. "I'm not crazy MacLeod. Just bitter," Lynn said. She walked over to Drake and uttered some instructions. She then turned around and stared at MacLeod for a long time. Then she walked away. Drake walked after Lynn, an evil smirk on his face. ### Several minutes had passed, but it felt like hours. Anne sat quietly, untied, near both immortals staring at nothing in particular. Duncan, tied in a chair, tried apologizing, but Anne wouldn't look at him which hurt him inmensely. Richie was furious and felt he could kill Lynn with his bare hands. Duncan tried calming him down but Richie was livid. With nothing else to do, Duncan stared at Aria's prone body on the floor. He wanted to hate her but how could he blame her for anything. She only wanted her daughter back safely. How was she to know Lynn wouldn't honor her word? Duncan's stomach lurched when he felt the stirrings of the Quickening from Aria. Richie was about to say something, when a look from Duncan stopped him. Aria's body rested behind the hunters, and Duncan had to find a way to distract them before they realized she was about to revive. He intently watched Aria's eyes for the least flutter. When her eyes did open and her mouth readied for an intake of air, he began to struggle against the ropes. The hunter closest to Duncan, came over to him and hit him, warning him to settle down. The other two watchers just smiled. Aria gasped for the much needed air. Focusing her eyes, she saw a hunter hitting Duncan, and two others standing close by with guns. She struggled to her feet carefully, ignoring the pain she felt. Richie and Anne held their breaths, watching her. Duncan continued distracting the hunters when he caught sight of Aria creeping up behind them. Aria crept up to the closest one, covered his mouth, and thrusted a knife into his neck, killing him. She did the same with the other two hunters. They were dead before they knew what hit them. ### Dawson, paced in a huff in the small room where he'd been left for the past hour or so. He was getting anxious at not knowing what was happening. Anne had been gone too long and he was worried sick about her. He tried the door again, wishing it to open. He began looking around in earnest at the room, searching for anything that could get the door open so he could escape and help Anne out. In frustration, he knocked over the small cot with his leg. Joe stared at his legs and let out a wry laugh. he thought, smiling. "Hey in there?" the hunter yelled to Dawson behind the closed door. "Quit with all that racket and settle down." The banging against the door continued. The hunter thought he'd ignore it but the banging got worse. It wasn't enough the little girl continually screamed and banged on her door, now he had to listen to this. In frustration to end the noise, he unlocked the door and entered, anger covering his face. As the hunter walked in, a huge object crashed over his head which sent him plummeting to the floor. Joe hopped out from behind the door, with a wicked grin, holding one of his prosthesis. "Thought I wasn't a threat huh?" he hissed at the unconscious hunter. Joe quickly readjusted his leg and searched the hunter, finding keys and a gun. Locking the door behind him, he glanced up the hallway. His attention drawn to screaming and banging against a lock door. Joe opened the door cautiously and an angry ten year old ran out, ramming her head into his mid section knocking Joe to the floor. ### Richie became alarmed when Aria removed her sword and walked over to MacLeod, who was in a compromised position, and watched her stand behind Duncan. She uttered something he couldn't make out, then raised her sword slightly and struck it down behind Duncan's back. Richie, unable to scream due to shock, relaxed the next second when Duncan's hands were set free. Anne walked over to Richie. She wasn't sure what was happening, but she wanted to go home. She watched Aria come over to Richie and slashed the handcuffs with her sword. "Thanks Moore," Richie said, standing and rubbing his sore wrists. "For a second there you had me thinking you were going to hurt Mac." "I did huh?" Aria responded sarcastically. Richie and Aria glared at each other. "Can we save this for later? We've been lucky we haven't attracted attention yet," Duncan said, irritated. He was now standing next to a very shook up Anne and wrapped his arm around her. He was waiting for agreement from both Richie and Aria, but no one had time to answer when all hell broke loose. ### Lynn and Drake were in the small office of the warehouse making final preparations, when the sound of metal scraping caught her ears. "What was that noise?" She arched her eyebrows. Drake shrugged, shaking his head. "Go check it out." Drake lazily walked to the glass window which overlooked the main floor area of the warehouse and grunted a curse. "It's Moore. She's alive again! And she's freed both MacLeod and Ryan." "NO!!!" Lynn stormed out of the office, screaming at the top of her voice, "SHOOT THEM!!" Her screaming attracted the attention of other hunters and they came running to gather at the center of the warehouse, guns at the ready. Everything after that happened quickly. Richie, standing next to Anne, jumped in front of her and got grazed by a bullet. Duncan grabbed Anne and swiftly stashed her behind some crates ordering her to stay put. Aria was tackled by Lynn. Duncan dove for one of the dead hunters weapon, since his sword wouldn't be much use right now and aimed it at Drake, who was almost on top of Richie, and shot him twice -- killing him. Richie shouted a warning to Duncan, about the two approaching hunters behind him. Duncan reacted quickly, dropping to the ground and shooting both hunters. Aria and Lynn traded blows but Aria quickly gained the upper hand. She forced Lynn on her back and wrapped her hands around Lynn's neck and squeezed. Duncan, grabbed another gun and threw it to Richie, who caught it. He didn't hesitate in using it when two hunters charged toward him. One shot Richie in the leg, but Richie quickly disposed of both. Aria, tightening her grip around Lynn's neck, could feel the life draining out of Lynn's body. Lynn tried pulling Aria's hands away, gasping for air, but it was no use. And then Aria became momentarily distracted when she heard Emily calling for her. Aria searched for the direction of where the voice came from and saw Emily standing next to Dawson. "Emily?" Lynn took advantage and reached into her pocket, retrieving a large swicth blade. She wasted no time in stabbing Aria in the neck. Aria screamed in agony at the intensity of the pain she felt course through her body. She grabbed Lynn's hands, but Lynn shoved the knife deeper and then yanked it out roughly. Duncan could see Lynn and Aria out of the corner of his eye. He'd heard Aria scream but he couldn't stop now to help her. The hunters seemed to have multiplied in the last few minutes and Richie and him headed them off as best they could. Emily cried out in panic, struggling against Dawson's grip, wanting to help her mother. Aria tried getting away from Lynn, but Lynn forced Aria down on the floor and tried stabbing Aria again. Aiming for the neck. Aria fought Lynn, keeping her hand at bay, but began to feel dizzy and weak. She wanted it all to stop. To just go away. For life to return to normal. Joe stared down at the crying little girl who continued struggling against him. He also looked at Duncan and Richie, fending off other hunters. Joe then stared at the gun he held in his hand, and then watched Lynn with sad eyes. He had no other choice, he told himself. Joe could hear Lynn's words ringing in his ear about betrayal, about family. His heart ached from the pain coming from the little girl next to him. Family, he thought bitterly. Aria felt her strength waning. She stared at Lynn, who grinned wickedly at her and pressed harder against Aria's weakening arms. Joe aimed the gun at Lynn and tightened his finger on the trigger, but gasped in surprise instead at what happened next. Lynn screamed out in pain, from the force of the hit she received from behind and slumped over Aria's body, unconscious. "That's for threatening my baby girl?!" Anne Lindsey said. She'd watched with growing horror from her hidden position at the ghastly scenes of death unfolding before her eyes. She'd watched horrified as Duncan and Richie killed the hunters in order to save them. Then she'd watched Lynn and Aria fighting. But it wasn't until Anne had heard the anguished cries from the little girl calling out for her mother, she'd decided to act. Anne felt a motherly bond with the child and felt compelled to do something to help her. Anne swallowed her doctor's oath, tightened her grip around the metal piping she'd found and, with slight hesitation, whacked Lynn on the back of the head. Aria pushed Lynn off her and struggled to her knees. Her neck hurt unbelievably, but it had started healing. Anne quickly felt for a pulse and sighed in relief that Lynn wasn't dead. Joe loosened his grip on Emily, who sprinted for her mother. Duncan and Richie, turned in their direction, having finally taken cared of the last hunters. They hoped. They watched as Emily rushed to Aria and flung her arms around her mother. Aria winced in pain, but hugged Emily tightly anyway. Joe ambled over to where Lynn's unconscious body laid and stared at her. He was glad he didn't have to kill her, but dealing with her wouldn't be easy once she regained consciousness. "I hope you're happy James," he muttered to himself, then stared at Aria and Emily. The emotion being poured from both, brought a tear to his eye. "How's my favorite daughter?" Aria asked, crying and laughing at the same time. Holding Emily like there would never be another tomorrow. "I'm your only daughter," Emily cried back. Aria pulled away slightly, staring into Emily's brown eyes, and cradled her daughter's face in her trembling hands, "Are you sure?" Emily nodded and buried her face once again in Aria's chest. They clinged to each other, locking out the world. "I love you baby," Aria whispered. "I love you too Mom," Emily said, crying. Duncan, Richie and Anne felt like intruders on their reunion, but their eyes remained glued to the crying pair on the floor. Anne affectionately stroked her stomach, aching for the day her baby girl would be born. Richie shed a tear. Duncan smiled, watching the love in Aria's eyes for her daughter. When Aria stood, Emily gaped at the blood on her mother's clothing and absentmindedly, poked a finger through one of the bullet holes in Aria's clothes. Aria grabbed Emily's hand gently and squeezed it. "Are you afraid?" Aria asked, holding her breath. Emily shook her head and hugged her mother again. Aria smiled, feeling stronger now and hoisted Emily on her back. Duncan approached them both but Aria couldn't bring herself to look at him. Richie made himself useful and went to help Anne. "Well? What happens now?" Aria asked. She looked happy and scared at the same time. She held her breath and avoided eye contact with Duncan. She wasn't expecting too much from him. Not after her betrayal. "I think there's a little girl I'd like to get to know," Duncan said gently. Aria smiled, but still wouldn't look at him. "And a mother too," he added. The heaviness in Aria's heart lifted slightly and she ventured a glance at Duncan. He was smiling. she thought. How can he still be kind to me after what I've done? And how could I have even thought of betraying him? She asked herself. "What about this?" Aria asked, motioning with a nod of her head toward the still unconscious Lynn. "We'll take care of this," Joe said somberly. He always takes care of Horton's mess. Aria nodded. "Thanks... Dawson. I obviously was wrong about you," she said with some difficulty. But Aria knew a person with character when she met one. Joe grinned slightly and said nothing. Aria thought that was smart and added humble to his tiny list of good qualities. End of Part 10. Comments can be sent to (mjordan104@aol.com). Thanks.