One Journey Ends

Seka's first day at the American high school was busy and confusing. Although she wasn't far from the two friends she'd traveled with, they weren't at the same school. Tara's home wasn't located in Boston itself, but it wasn't far, either. Tara assured her that she could see Ayako and Hama any time she wished, which made her feel more at ease.

She was very grateful to the small blonde woman for letting her stay so that she could complete her semester. It was going to look very good on her records for prospective colleges, and her father would have been very disappointed in her if she wasn't able to stay. Though she was sure if he'd understood the circumstances, he might eventually understand, Seka didn't even want to broach the subject. And she was determined to repay Tara's kindness by helping her in any way she could. She could see that life was difficult for her hostess in a number of ways.

The phone calls, for instance, took their toll on Tara's emotional health. Though she'd tried to hide it whenever the phone rang, Seka could see the sad look become even more pronounced as the bitter woman's voice sounded through thswerswering machine. Seka could only pick out a few words here and there, but she got the general meaning that the caller wanted Tara to suffer for her husband's death. The nice men who'd saved her from the cabin had explained that their new hostess' husband had recently died and that she was having a difficult time coping. They'd asked her to keep and eye on Tara and let them know how bad things were when she was alone. They'd given her a cell phone and a phone number to contact them. Seka knew that Tara didn't speak Japanese, so it was very unlikely that the woman would discover she was actually being watched. She'd felt uncomfortable doing such a thing until she saw how the blonde woman was faring.

Tara wasn't all that much older than Seka was, but her eyes held a jaded disparity that was more common to someone much older. Sven had explained that Tara had no family and few friends, and that she spent a good portion of every day visiting her husband's grave. From what Seka could tell, it seemed that Tara was walking a tightrope between the world of the living and the land of the dead. It was definitely not a healthy way to try to recover. Tara's job at the supermarket was only a part time position, so she still had plenty of time to contemplate her situation.

Seka walked into her English class timidly, looking for a friendly face. Her American classmates had been polite, if ambivalent about her presence and she hoped the atmosphere would become more cordial as they got to know her. She was used to having friends around her and felt awkward on her own. Her eyes fell on a small girl with long mousy brown hair in the front row. Her eyes locked with Seka's and brightened a bit, then fell on the empty seat beside her. Seka took the proffered chair eagerly and faced her new acquaintance.

"I am Seka," she said slowly. "Exchange student."

The girl smiled and nodded, offering her hand in greeting. Seka took it and shook briefly.

"I am Maria, from Argentina," she replied in a heavily accented voice.

Seka's smile widened happily. She knew she'd just made her first friend.

--------------------------------------

"I have found the name of the man who owns the cabin, but his initials are not S.R.B.," Sven said to Justin from his own computer.

"How did you find the information?" the darker man asked. "I have been working on that for two days."

"I have tapped into the state's real estate records," the blonde man smiled, though tensely.

Neither man had brought up the subject of their relationship since the night of the kiss but it was clear that Justin wanted to. Sven was afraid to discuss it anymore until he puzzled out his feelings completely. He knew he would eventually have to face them, but was reluctant to do so right now. He hoped Justin understood and wasn't thinking that Sven intended to brush his feelings aside.

"Very useful," the dark haired man said with a quirked brow. "Who is the owner?"

"Adam Bentley," the blonde replied. He punched a few keys and brought up a state driver license photo of the man in question.

"He has very cold eyes," Justin said softly. Sven didn't like the distant look that came over his partner's face. It lasted ofor for a few seconds, however, as Justin again assumed a neutral gaze.

"You know him," the blonde man said softly.

"I did not say that," the darker man answered looking away.

"You did not have to," Sven said not taking his eyes off Justin. He was a bit hurt that his friend didn't seem to trust him enough to tell him about this man.

"Let it go," Justin said darkly.

"No," he said, not afraid of the repercussions.

"Sven . . ."

"Justin, if we are to become involved, you MUST trust me!"

"I DO trust you!"

"If you did then nothing would remain a secret."

"You should talk!" Justin shot back. "You will not tell me anything if your past."

"Fair enough," Sven conceded. "If I agree to answer all of your questions, will you answer all ofe?" e?"

Justin stared at him for a moment then inclined his head in assent.

"Fine," the blonde man said. "You first."

"Who was the father of the dead girl to you?"

It took all of Sven's willpower not to jump up and leave the room. The topic was very sensitive.

"He was the man who helped me track down my wife and son's murderers," he choked out sadly. "Now, who is this man?"

Justin stood still in apparent shock before answering. "I am sorry, b" he" he said finally. "I did not mean to push you on that subject before you were ready."

"You knew of my family?"

The darker man nodded and looked down. "I ran a check on you the day after I found out that you were Andre."

"Well, I cannot blame you for that," Sven smiled ruefully, still calming himself from the confession, and from hearing the endearment from his partner. "Now, please trust me, my love."

Justin's eyes widened and gleamed for a second with something resembling hope. Sven hoped he was right about that, but he didn't have time to think about it, as his partner's eyes suddenly darkened even more.

"He was my stepfather," he said. And Sven knew this would not be a happy development.

--------------------------------------

The phone rang, startling Tara out of her afternoon musings. She saw that it was a local call and not from Ben's mother. Sighing with relief, she picked up the phone.

"Tara?" Jenny Morgan, from the department store, queried.

"Yes, Ms. Morgan," she answered trying to keep the weariness from her voice. "How are you?"

"I'm fine dear, and how are you?"

"I'm taking it day by day," Tara said.

"I have good news."

"Really?"

"Yes," Ms. Morgan replied excitedly. "We have an opening at the show counter. Are you still interested?"

'Not really, but I need the money,' Tara thought. "Very! When can I start?"

"How about right now? Arlene quit yesterday. Said she couldn't handle one more cranky, old bag. It would be for afternoons only. From 2 to 5."

"I can be there in half an hour."

"Wonderful, dear! I'll see you then."

Terrific. Oh well, at least it would fill her time.

--------------------------------------

"Your stepfather?" Sven finally choked out.

Justin could only nod in reply. He hadn't expected to ever have to see the bastard again. It had been years since his mother died and Adam had gone on a drinking binge, which never seemed to end. Finally, after taking one beating too many, Justin had left to join the navy. He'd never looked back, assuming the man was well on his way to his own demise. That he could still be alive caused the dark haired man a rare tremor of grief.

"I take it he was a less than happy memory for you," the blonde man said gently.

Justin pulled his gaze back to Sven and was surprised at how calm he suddenly felt. It was amazing how his partner could affect such a change in his mood. It was one of the many attractions between them.

"No," he replied simply.

Sven nodded not rising from his seat but he rested his hand on Justin's. "I will not ask you anything further until you are ready to share it."

The darker man looked at his partner and a flood of emotion suddenly rushed through him. He placed his other hand over Sven's and gazed at him intently.

"I want to, Sven," he said. Sven just nodded once and watched him carefully as he marshaled his thoughts. "My mother married him not very long after my father died. I was young and, she said, very willful. She said she needed male guidance for me."

"She blamed you?"

"I do not know for sure," Justin sighed. "But that is what she told me." He sank down onto the couch heavily, weighed down with memories. Sven got up from the chair and sat down next to him, reaching for his hand again.

"If it is uncomfortable for you, maybe you should not continue."

"No, Sven," he replied looking deeply into the ocean blue eyes. "I want you to know. I need you to know."

"Only if you are sure."

"I am," he said. "Adam was fine in the beginning. But after their wedding, he turned very cruel to my mother, beating her regularly. I was still too young to do anything for her, but she would always tell me not to worry when we were alone. She said my father had done it to her to. It was something that all married men did."

"That is horrible," the blonde man murmured, pain clouded his eyes.

"Yes," the darker man agreed. "She died of a brain tumor when I was seventeen. The doctors never said it directly, but I am sure it was related to the repeated knocks she took to her head."

"I am so sorry," his partner whispered.

"I left when Adam started beating me," Justin replied, shrugging. "I joined the navy and was soon recruited to join the SEALS. When I was given the opportunity to leave, I did so, changing my name to start a new life. I have never looked back since."

He looked at Sven, trying to detect any hint of disappointment or emotional distance. He found none. Instead, the blonde man leaned forward and placed a short, gentle kiss on his lips.

"I am sorry my case dredged all of that up for you, dear one," he said to a startled Justin.

"I am not," the dark man replied. "Your case brought us together. And besides, it had to be faced sooner or later. If he is killing innocent girls now, I need to stop him."