Summary: It began easily enough: God said join the choir, so she did. But when Joan finds a new best friend there, she also uncovers a terrifying secret, the like of which she has never confronted before. And with this secret come deadly consequences. Setting: Season 3. I don't delve into any of the Ryan Hunter stuff because that's not what I wanted to write about (although, it was building up to an awesome storyline on the show). However, there's probably some Season 1 influence in the early chapters, thanks to the DVDs. Rating: R for strong language, abuse/violence, and some sexuality. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ To K.C., the best muse a writer could ask for – you are very inspirational because of many things; to the “Girardis” – I love and miss you all; and to Dorothy – pal, without you this story would be a whole lot more depressing. Thanks for your input. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Let freedom ring, let the white dove sing Let the whole world know that today is a day of reckoning Let the weak be strong, let the right be wrong Roll the stone away, let the guilty pay It’s Independence Day -- Martina McBride, "Independence Day" CHAPTER 1