More than Friends

By Deb

SERIES/UNIVERSE: SG-7

DISCLAIMER: M7 characters belong to MGM, Trilogy, CBS, and TNN. The characters from Stargate SG-1 belong to MGM, Gekko, and Showtime. I'm notmaking any money from writing this story, I just love to write. Adriana is mine, as are Priscilla Meadows (and her students, except Will and Charlotte Richmond, who also belong to Trilogy, et al.), Carly Tucker, and Dawn Jackson (okay, so is Detective McCoy). You're welcome to borrow them, as long as you ask first, and return them intact.

SPOILERS: Mainly my twisted version of Wagon Train, Manhunt and Vendetta, references to The Collector.

WARNING: Original characters, some violence, nasty language in certain sections, and this is gonna be a LONG story. I'm covering three years in this story, so it's gonna be long. It's not gonna be 'day by day,' just the highlights, but it's still gonna be long.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This begins in 1992, eight and a half years before the events in The Light in the Distance.

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Part Six

The dig continued without any further incident, at least of the potentially tragic kind. For the next two weeks, Adriana steadily avoided Will, though that wasn't easy. The arguments became worse between the grad student and his wife, and Adriana was awakened more than once. It seemed Will had been felt threatened by the handsome guide who had found Raquel Hernandez and he steadily grew more boorish in his behavior.

Adriana, who was still edgy about being touched, had taken to inviting Charlotte to eat with her. Charlotte had seen something in Vin Tanner. Possibly a brighter future? Adriana didn't know. The two women never discussed him...or Will. But Adriana had realized with Vin's departure just how lonely Charlotte was. The girl was no stranger to loneliness, and it hurt her heart to see others lonely. While she couldn't have said that she and Charlotte actually became friends, they did reach an understanding of sorts.

Rather, as Will had once confided in her, she now found herself Charlotte's confidante, as the woman began pouring out her heart. During the last two years, she had lost more than just her baby. She had lost her husband as well. The woman admitted that there was a part of her which tolerated her husband's treatment, because she blamed herself for their daughter's death. Until she had met Vin Tanner, and realized that she didn't have to be unhappy. Adriana, who was no stranger to a lack of kindness, understood all too well. And while she had become Charlotte's confidante, she knew better than to try to advise the woman on what to do. After all, she was only nineteen years old, she had never even had a boyfriend. What did she know?

That didn't stop her from feeling as if Charlotte would cause more trouble if her fascination with Vin Tanner continued. Trouble for herself, trouble for Will. Trouble for the guide himself. She was inexperienced when it came to matters of the heart, but Adriana did know love when she saw it. Charlotte still loved Will. She was attracted to the guide...Adriana couldn't blame her there, as Tanner was everything Will was not.

But she loved Will. God only knew why, because at the moment, Adriana didn't like him very much, and they had been friends once. However, she kept her mouth shut. Later, she was to wonder what would have happened if she had told Charlotte her fears...if it would have done any good. Or if things were just fated to turn out as they did. But, Adriana relied on her instincts of the time, and for years after, she still couldn't say she had been wrong.

And of course, Will didn't like the new closeness between Adriana and Charlotte. But aside from the arguments which woke her at night, Adriana made it a practice not to pay attention to Will. It wasn't like she and Charlotte were an item, and Will had made it clear he no longer wanted to be friends with her, so what business was it of his? And strangely enough, Will wouldn't allow any of the other grad students to ride her tail.

Come to think of it, after they had helped to rescue Raquel, no one had really given her hard time anyhow. Cass Montoya had asked her if she wanted to go into town one night, go to the movies. Cass Montoya was twenty-five years old, one of the most popular and beautiful girls in the entire program. Brilliant, too. In a rare turn-around of their roles, Charlotte had explained that once Cass realized there was more to Adriana than what met the eye, she had become intrigued. After talking with Cass, Adriana convinced Charlotte to come with them, and she had her very first Girls Night Out.

It was the first girls night out shared by Charlotte, Adriana, and Cass, but it wasn't the last, as the three women vowed to turn it into a weekly event. And Adriana knew once they returned to college, returned to classes, she would lose that friendship. Things were different on campus. She understood it, she accepted it. That was how her life had been up to then, and rather than mourn what was to come, she enjoyed those times while she had them.

Still, it was with more relief than regret that Adriana returned to her dorm room once the dig ended. She had sworn to herself that she would take a week-long shower, then sleep for another week. That didn't happen, of course. She had a job to do, now that she was finished with the dig, and she had some reading to catch up on when she got off work. Not for school....the summer was her time to catch up on pleasure reading.

Claire was still at home...her younger brother Rafe was in trouble yet again, and Adriana missed her friend keenly in that first week back at the dorm. However, she buried herself in her books, in her music, and in her work. Adriana had pushed thoughts of Vin Tanner and the dig to the back of her mind, until that weekend, when she went to the library. Where some students hung out in the student union building, Adriana's favored hangout was the library. It was peaceful there, and the selection of magazines was so much better. Libraries, and bookstores, had always been where Adriana found peace.

She spent several pleasant hours, reading through the periodicals, going back through old newspapers, courtesy of the fiche machine. And as always, the librarian had to remind her that the library was closing. She put everything where it was supposed to go, said good night to the librarians, and headed back to her dorm. She hadn't even stepped outside the library, when a soft voice drawled, "Mind if I walk ya home? Ain't safe, this time a' the night."

Adriana, startled by the voice, went on alert, her body tensing for a fight. Then released a breath, seeing Vin Tanner leaning against one of the pillars in the front of the library. His hands were shoved in his jeans pockets, the night air lightly blowing his brown hair back from his face. He smiled sheepishly, adding, "Sorry. Din't mean to startle ya. Thought the librarian told ya I was out here."

"No...at least, I don't think so. I was trying to pay attention to two conversations at once. And besides, it was a surprise to see you, Mr. Tanner. How is Raquel?" Adriana asked. He bobbed his head with a smile, as if to say she was fine, and Adriana continued, "Was there any particular reason you came here? A girlfriend, perhaps? Or...oh, now I know I'm stupid. Are you taking a night class? I forgot about the summer courses that are held at night."

"No, ma'am. Takin' no courses here," he replied quietly. Adriana had the uneasy sense she had just put her foot in her mouth, up to her knee, and she wasn't entirely sure how she had done that. Tanner continued, "So, kin I walk ya home? I ain't right with leavin' a girl to fend for herself at night, even if she can take care a' herself. Just not how my ma taught me." And again, a shadow crossed the bright eyes.

Adriana didn't particularly enjoy walking home by herself at night, even though her dorm was less than a five minute walk from the library. But she was the last one to leave, and was all too aware of what could happen in that five minute walk. She smiled and replied, "Thanks, I'd appreciate that." She knew he had never answered her question, but after she had just put her foot in her mouth, she wouldn't press for an answer.

An answering smile lit up Tanner's face, and threatened to knock Adriana right out of her hiking boots. Yeesh! Why hadn't anyone...especially Charlotte...warned her about that? More to the point, why hadn't anyone warned him that his smile was a potentially deadly weapon? The man offered her his arm, and Adriana took it.

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Part Seven

Vin had a feeling that he had been set up, as soon as he saw the girl inside the library. The receptionist confirmed it for him. He had been set-up but good, and when he saw Priscilla Meadows, he would give her what for. 'Course, first he had to walk Adriana Wilmington back to her dorm. Priorities, after all.

He had heard from Charlotte twice since his departure from the dig, after Raquel was rescued. Vin had no idea how she got his telephone number, but it made him a little nervous. If Charlotte could find it, then how hard would it be for some of his past bounties to find him when they got out of jail? Vin didn't fool himself into thinking he was indestructible...the years following his mother's death had taught him that he was entirely too vulnerable.

He wasn't sure what he should do about his attraction to Charlotte, much less the phone calls he had received from her. He had been out tracking a bail jumper when she had called, leaving him messages on his recorder, and after the second one, decided to contact Priscilla Meadows. He would have never accepted advice from another man...in general, he didn't trust other people enough, period, to ask advice.

But Priscilla Meadows had never failed him, and when he had called her...when he had explained the situation, she had suggested he meet her at the library on campus, around ten pm. She had a night class until nine, and liked to stick around for an additional hour, in case her students needed her. Except, when he had arrived, he learned that Dr. Meadows didn't have any classes to teach during the summer.

However, she was also the advisor of one Adriana Wilmington, and she happened to know the girl's habits. How Adriana felt as at peace in the library as he did on the open plains. She felt safe there. All of this, Vin learned from the receptionist at the front desk when he had finally asked where Dr. Meadows was. Oh, she didn't tell him straight out about Adriana Wilmington, but it hadn't been hard for him to figure out that he had been set up.

The receptionist must have seen his irritation with the woman, for she added that it was approaching closing time, and maybe Adriana would need a companion back to the dorm? The suggestion had floored Vin...this woman didn't know him from Adam, he hadn't shaved in nearly a week. What the hell made her think he could be trusted with a young girl's virtue, much less her life? But it was getting late, and Vin didn't like the idea of the young girl walking back to her dorm alone. His decision was made. He went back outside, to wait.

And sure enough, at a little past eleven, she came out...probably could have kicked his ass, if she hadn't recognized him. Vin was young, but he wasn't stupid, and he knew once he saw that feral look in her dark eyes, that she would have kicked his ass if he had made it necessary. She wasn't dangerous, as he understood danger, but he recognized she was someone who would put up one helluva fight.

She was also smart enough to recognize that walking home by herself wasn't smart. There had been the barest hint of hesitation, when she slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow, but only the barest. Maybe 'cause he had left it up to her? That was entirely possible, and seeing the girl again brought back Vin's half-formed suspicions. He kept those suspicions to himself, however, and listened as Adriana spoke of her studies.

She missed her roommate, who had gone home for the summer. Vin didn't ask why Adriana hadn't gone home. He was illiterate, but he wasn't a moron.

The week before Claire's departure for home, Adriana had set up an email address, and she received email from her friend every other day. But it wasn't the same. Calling the house wasn't a possibility, because Adriana had quickly realized that Claire's father didn't approve of her. She admitted she didn't know why, but also claimed not to care. Vin, however, had a hard time believing that. Adriana Wilmington, for all her words, was a girl who did care what other people thought of her. She just tried to convince herself otherwise.

As they reached the front door of the dormitory, Adriana apologized, "I'm so sorry. I don't usually talk this much. They tease me at work, about how quiet I am. I guess I was a little more lonely than I realized. I've missed my nights out with Charlotte and Cass. I knew it wouldn't last, and I thought it was something I could handle. And I can...I'm fine with it. Even during the summer semester, grads and undergrads don't socialize. I just...miss it."

"Ain't no call for you to 'pologize. Done nuthin' to 'pologize for. You be okay to get to your room?" Vin asked. Inside, he could see a woman leaving a small office and walking toward them. Adriana turned to smile at her, then nodded. Vin didn't doubt it. Judging from the woman's expression, Vin probably would have been gutted if she had thought he was troubling Adriana. Yeah, she would be fine now.

"Oh yeah. Thank you for walking me home, Mr. Tanner. It's nice to know chivalry isn't as dead as I thought it was," the girl replied. Vin found himself blushing. He wasn't entirely sure what 'chivalry' meant, though he thought it had something to do with being a gentleman. And Vin knew he was no gentleman. He would never be comfortable in fancy clothes, or even a suit and tie. Jeans felt more natural to him.

"If you're sayin' I'm a gentleman, thank ya, but I know I ain't. And my name is Vin, ma'am," he replied as the woman reached them. Adriana cocked her head to one side, eyeing him thoughtfully. Vin wasn't sure, but he thought she was taking his measure. This was not the same girl he had met on the dig. While she had intervened twice, when Richmond had been causin' such a ruckus, she had been quiet most of the time. He was now seeing the girl whom Doug Andrews had described while they were waiting for Raquel to emerge from the crevice.

"You are a gentleman, Vin Tanner, and I'll not hear you say otherwise. If I call you 'Vin,' you must call me 'Adriana.' Besides," she added, a mischievous smile appearing on her previously solemn face, "I happen to know your real name, courtesy of Dr. Meadows. It surprised me, finding out that 'Vin' was short for 'Kevin,' but I'll keep your secret...under the condition that you stop saying you're not a gentleman."

Awww, hell! Vin had always been a little touchy about the subject of his actual given name, and staring at the impish face of his companion now, he had no doubt that she would carry out her threat. He nodded, and Adriana continued, "Good. Thank you again for walking me home, Vin. G'night." He smiled and nodded to her again, then turned away as she was entering the building. He had gone a few steps, when Adriana called, "Vin? There's a pizza party here next weekend. We all get together and pig out. Watch movies, get silly. The usual college kid stuff, without the alcohol. Would you like to come?"

He meant to say 'no.' He had work to do, after all. And parties were held indoors. A group of college kids, making idiots out of themselves. Making him feel old, and he was the same age as most of them. So he was more than a little surprised when he said, "Okay." He blinked, surprised by his own agreement...and even more surprised by the brilliant smile from Adriana Wilmington. What the hell had he just done??????

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Part Eight

AUTHOR'S NOTE:Things get a bit intense in the next few sections, but nothing graphic. Graphic anything, whether it be sex or violence, isn't something I'm comfortable with, but emotions do run high.

He wasn't gonna show. What the hell had she been thinking when she had invited him? What kind of idiot did he think she was? God, there was a reason she didn't talk to guys, much less good-looking ones. She couldn't make a fool out of herself, if her mouth was closed! But he had said 'yes.' Why? What did he want? Much to her distress, Adriana realized that she was coming to like the guide a great deal. And even more frightening, she wanted to trust him.

She could count on one hand, the men whom she had trusted in her life, and who had not let her down. Her older brother, his best friend Chris, and Doug. Even though Buck had figured out what their father had done to her, and didn't love her any more. Sure, he loved her, because he had to...because she was his sister, but he didn't love her. The real Adriana. And if anyone had asked her how she was sure that Buck knew about...what happened, they would have gotten a blank look and, "Big brothers always know."

That was what Buck had said to her, after she found her mother's dead body more than ten years earlier. Big brothers always know. Adriana was nineteen years old, but in truth, she had never entirely left that eight year old girl behind. Her body had grown, yes, as had her mind, but she still held some of those eight year old truths in her heart. That was one of them. She was convinced that Buck knew their father had molested her...and that he had stopped loving her because of it. Adriana really couldn't blame him for being repulsed.

That was why she was working at the DC...well, aside from the money, the money that would help her achieve her dreams. She was seeking to atone for whatever she had done wrong as a little girl, to make her father...do those things to her. She was at fault...she had to be. Her mother hadn't loved her, her father had touched her in a way that felt un-natural. The only people who had loved her were Buck and Chris, and she knew, she knew Chris wouldn't love her any more either, if he knew.

Just like he wouldn't love her any more, if he ever realized how jealous she had been when she found out he was getting married. Adriana had never told Chris, but she'd had a crush on him since they had first met. And when he married, it had broken her heart. For a time, she hated his wife...at least until the hatred turned into self-loathing.

That was something else she had to atone for...being so jealous of Sarah Larabee. And maybe, just maybe, if she could atone for what she had done wrong...if she could redeem herself, like the priest had always said at Mass when she was a child...maybe she could win her brother's love back. Which was why she endured the crap at the warehouse, and the crap on the dig, until someone pushed her too far. Adriana had never claimed to be consistent. She was, in fact, a bundle of contradictions, and she knew it.

Vin Tanner was something else again. Whatever Charlotte had seen in him, Adriana was now seeing in spades, and it scared the hell out of her. While she had allowed Dr. Meadows, Claire, Doug, and Will, and to a degree, Charlotte and Cass, into her heart, Tanner was dangerous. Because she wanted to trust him, wanted to believe in him. She had stayed strong for the last two years, except when she was with Claire. And she found herself wanting to tell Vin Tanner everything, including that most private shame.

That wasn't an option, of course. The only people who knew about it, aside from her father, of course, were Dr. Meadows and Claire. Claire. On the Saturday morning of the pizza, before Adriana went to the shower room, she had received an email from her roommate. Claire missed her desperately, wished they could talk on the phone. She loved her father and brother, really she did, she knew Rafe needed her, but there were times...oh Lord, forgive her, there were times when she never wanted to see either of them again.

But at the same time, she was grateful. Claire admitted she would have never known how much Adriana meant to her, if she hadn't returned home for the summer. There were times when she wanted to hear Adriana's voice, or see her smile. Wanted to watch Adriana dancing around their room, twirling and giggling with the shades drawn. It wasn't until she had left college that she realized how fortunate she had been, to gain Adriana's trust.

"I love you, my dear roomie," Claire had typed, "which is why I ask you now. Get help. Not because you are crazy, but because you aren't. And I want you to stay that way. You're a strong girl, but even you need help from time to time. You've been carrying this burden for years, ever since your mother died. It's long past time for you to understand, to accept, to believe, that you aren't at fault. Not even a little bit. Your father abused the trust placed in him by an eight year old girl, his own child. You did nothing wrong. It always sickens me...that the victim carries the shame which should be felt by the abuser, but I see it in you."

Tears had begun rolling down Adriana's face as she read the missive. There was a part of her which believed Claire...that she wasn't responsible for what her father had done. She wanted to believe that. Adriana wiped away tears, then continued reading, as Claire had written, "Well, you will see a therapist when you're ready. And when you are, Adriana, I will be there for you, holding your hand if need be. In the meantime, if my calendar is correct, you have a pizza party tonight. Go get ready for it, have fun, and stop beating yourself up over asking that guide. He sounds like a mega-cutie, and it'll do you good. Have fun, love you, Claire."

Adriana had giggled, signed off, then headed into the shower room. As ever, the bathing seemed symbolic to her, and Adriana thought about talking to Dr. Meadows about that.

Dr. Meadows had become a surrogate mother to her...had, in fact, become the mother Adriana always wished she had. There didn't seem to be much which the archaeologist didn't know, and she was always willing to answer questions, no matter how stupid they sounded. Maybe, if Adriana told her how she felt, about how even bathing seemed symbolic to her, Dr. Meadows could help her figure out where she belonged. It was a thought at least.

She padded back to her room, trying to figure out what to wear. Usually, she wore sweats or maybe overalls, but she wanted to...what? Impress Vin? Ohhh, that wouldn't happen any time soon. She decided on a compromise, a pair of emerald green sweat pants and matching top, which looked almost classy. That would work...nice enough so that she didn't look frumpy, and casual enough that she wouldn't draw any unwanted attention.

Still, as she combed her hair, she wondered if she should wear make-up. Maybe make herself a little prettier, and give the excuse that she had just felt like it? Then she shook her head. Nope. There were still a few guys she didn't know in the dorm, and she wasn't about to let down her guard with them. Besides, she was hopeless at putting on make-up...she wasn't in a mood to experiment tonight, either.

She gave herself a critical once over, then nodded. Yup, that would do. She slipped her crystal necklace on, then chose a pair of silver hook earrings, a birthday gift from Claire, and one of her favorite pairs because of that. She didn't exactly clash, and the rest of the dorm knew she was no fashion model. She grabbed her keys and wallet, locked the door behind her, then headed downstairs to set up. She wouldn't be the first one to the rec room...she had been here long enough to know that, and to have a pretty good idea who would be there first.

Carly Tucker, who had been in her biology class the previous semester, had also stayed during the summer. And she was also the one person who usually got to the rec room before Adriana did...before anyone in the dorm did, including their den mother. The pretty blonde looked up with a smile as Adriana entered the rec room, exclaiming, "Good...someone to help! Why is it, Adriana, that when it comes to setting up and cleaning up, it's always the women...and the men who make the mess?" Adriana laughed, putting her wallet and keys into the special box which Carly had set up for personal belongings.

"That's just the way of things, I guess. I hope you don't mind, Carly, but I invited a guy. Someone I met on the dig, he walked me home from the library last weekend," she replied as she closed the box and walked over to help Carly. The other girl's eyes brightened, making Adriana laugh yet again. Carly liked to paint herself as a femme fatale, but the truth was, she was a female version of Adriana's older brother Buck. She loved men...they drove her crazy, but she loved them. And they loved her wicked sense of humor.

"Library? Would he happen to be about six feet tall, with lovely chestnut hair, and a smile that would drive a saint to lust?" Carly asked. Adriana looked up from her own preparations. While she wouldn't have described Vin exactly in those terms, the description was an apt one. She nodded and Carly continued, her grin broadening, "Terrific. I'll have to start hanging out at the library. Your guest just arrived."

Adriana whipped around to find a very sheepish-looking Vin Tanner standing just inside the doorway, his face a rather attractive shade of red. Behind her, Adriana could hear Carly sighing, "You know, I would give everything I own to bottle that particular expression. I'll say this for you, Adriana, you sure can pick some winners. I'll definitely have to start hanging out at the library." But Adriana wasn't paying attention to her. He had come. He had really come.

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Part Nine

Vin wasn't entirely sure what he was expecting when he entered the rec room of the dormitory...but he definitely wasn't expecting to see Adriana Wilmington in conversation with a gorgeous blonde. And he really wasn't expecting that gorgeous blonde to look at him as if he was a piece of meat on her dinner plate. He was starting to think he had made a mistake, until Adriana turned around and that brilliant smile crossed her face again.

Aw hell. There was no way he could regret his decision now, not after seeing that smile. He responded with a shy smile of his own, tipping his hat to both girls, only to remember he wasn't wearing a hat. It had felt strange, but he wasn't real sure how to dress, and decided to make a mistake from caution, rather than stupidity. Vin Tanner wasn't one who really cared what other people thought of him, but he didn't want no one givin' Adriana a hard time because of him.

The blonde came around and said, "I'm Carly Tucker, it's nice to meet you." Her words had the effect of throwing cold water on the still-smiling Adriana, and she shook herself, stepping away from the table to join the blonde. The girl said, "Well, it's about time, Adriana, I was beginning to think I'd have to jump his bones to get you out of your trance!" The tone was teasing, but Vin wasn't entirely sure she was joking...not with that light in her eyes.

"Down, girl," Adriana fired back, a glint appearing in her dark hazel eyes, "this is Vin Tanner. I told you about meeting him on the dig. I volunteered to help Dr. Meadows find Raquel Hernandez, remember?" Now thelaughter died from Carly's eyes, and she nodded. Adriana turned her attention back to Vin, saying, "I'm really glad you could make it. I wasn't sure if you would." Vin's heart dropped clear to his toes. Damn, this girl was dangerous!

"I don't break my promises to a lady. Reckon I'm the first man here, so can I help ya'll with something? Maybe help set up?" he asked, and saw the approving smile which appeared on Carly's face. A second glance at the blonde told him that she was a firmly a member of the 'hurt Adriana and I'll wipe the floor with you' club, along with the lady who had met them at the door the previous weekend. Carly Tucker was a lot more subtle, but the intent to protect was there nonetheless. She could tease Adriana unmercifully, if she so chose, but let anyone else mess with her, and...well, there would be hell to pay.

"As a matter of fact, yes, there is! We could use help setting up. The boys won't be down until the food arrives, in about another half hour. If you wouldn't mind getting the tables and chairs set up, I'll run into the grocery store and get beverages. Strictly non-alcoholic, don't want Dawn on my six about that," Carly replied. Vin blinked in surprise. On her six? Perhaps seeing his confusion, Carly shook her head and added, "Sorry, I forget not everyone is a military brat. 'On my six' means on my tail. I don't want to get a royal ass-chewing."

"Oh," Vin replied. With another grin and a twirl that caused her long blonde hair to whip about her face, Carly was out the door. Vin looked back at Adriana, who was grinning ruefully. He asked, seeing that expression, "I ain't the only one she does that to? That girl is...damn. 'Scuse my language, ma'am." He shook his head, unable to come up with a good description of the blonde-haired whirlwind who had just left the room.

"Oh no...our Miss Caroline is a sheer force of nature. She's actually a lot like my older brother Buck...only she's a beautiful woman," Adriana said, shaking her head with an admiring smile. Vin shook his head in wonderment, unable to imagine a man who looked like Adriana and behaved even a little bit like Carly Tucker. Adriana motioned him toward a closet, continuing, "Buck's eleven years older than I am, and the man is...amazing. Fiercely protective...oh, he'll tease you and hassle you if he likes you, but let someone else mess with you, and they're dead."

"I saw Miss Carly was right fierce with ya. She likes to hassle ya, but if I tried to hurt ya, she would have cut me to pieces," Vin said softly as Adriana unlocked the closet door. She bobbed her head in acknowledgement, and he asked, wanting to change the subject, "Where should I be puttin' up these tables and chairs? There ain't a lot of tables. These just for the pizzas, and ya'll just sit around?"

"That sums it up, yeah. Put two tables in the center of the room, and the chairs in a circle. I'm heading into the other closet, to get the bean bag chairs, then I need to head back up to my room and get my boom box. Dawn, our den mother...the lady who threatened to eat you for a midnight snack last week...doesn't mind music as long as we keep it down to a reasonable level. Everyone brings their own CD's," Adriana explained.

"If ya show me where, I'll take care a' the bean bag chairs, too. Won't take me but a few minutes to get everythin' set up," Vin offered. The dark head cocked to one side, as if she was considering his suggestion, then very slowly, she nodded. Vin was made a little uneasy by her expression. Until it occurred to him that she was used to doing for herself, just as he himself was. And like Vin, she was a little wary of help when it was offered, at least until she knew what someone wanted in return. His suspicion was growing ever stronger. He knew better than to confront her about it. With a start, he realized he wanted Adriana to trust him.

"Okay," the college student replied, then added, "the second closet, the one with the bean bag chairs, is behind that curtain. I'll be back in about five minutes...I'll let Dawn know that you're in here, helping, so she doesn't have a kitten when she comes in to check on us." Vin nodded in understanding. Adriana headed over to a small box, removing her wallet and keys from it, and stopped at the door to smile at him. And then she was gone.

Vin turned back to what he had been doing, stacking the chairs against the wall while he got the tables out. He shook his head, wondering if the girls always did the work...and if it was always the same two girls. He thought that it was extremely likely. He didn't judge people, or tried not to...though it was hard sometimes. 'Specially in his line of work. But it seemed only right to him, that if you were gonna have fun, that you help in the clean up. Or at least, the set-up. Adriana was a little bit of a thing, and while he didn't doubt that she was strong, it was the principle of the thing.

It took him only a few minutes to set up the tables, and as he was arranging the chairs as Adriana had suggested, she returned with a rather large boom-box, which she placed on the same table which held the box for the wallets and keys. She flashed him a tired smile, then set to plugging up the box. Vin said, "I gotta warn ya, I ain't much for bein' with people. Not sure how long I'll stay."

She responded with another smile, answering, "I understand totally. That's why I suggested the bean bag chairs...we can push them into a corner, and watch the movie without having to deal with other people. Just so long as you don't mind having the evil twins on either side of you." Vin raised his eyebrows questioningly, and Adriana explained, "That's what the boys call Carly and me. The evil twins, because...well, you'll see. And when Claire is here, we're the evil triplets. The funny thing is, we only hang out together at the dorm, we never go out. Anyhow, if you don't mind the two of us..."

"Reckon I can live with that," Vin answered with a smile. Adriana smiled back as Carly returned with her arms full of groceries. Adriana scampered over to her friend, taking one of the coke cartons from her hands. Vin followed suit, taking a sack from Carly, who placed what remained on the table. For a brief moment, as he realized how good this felt, fear took the place of the warmth. What the hell was he thinkin, 'bein' here with these women?

And then he saw the quiet acceptance in Adriana's dark hazel eyes, saw the laughter in Carly's bright blue eyes. Would it be such a terrible thing, to allow himself to trust these women? While he didn't think Adriana confided in Carly, as she did in Claire, it was fairly obvious that Adriana was willing to trust Carly enough to enjoy herself. And Vin? He hadn't allowed many people into his heart...maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing. Maybe he should find out?

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Part Ten

AUTHOR'S NOTE: It was, indeed, John Dryden who said, "Beware the fury of a patient man." Ever since I came across that quote, I've wanted to use it in a story for Vin, since it's so perfect for him.

Adriana couldn't remember enjoying any of the previous pizza parties thismuch. She, Vin, and Carly sat in bean bag chairs against the wall...honestly, watching the others was as much fun as watching the movie itself. Which Adriana barely paid attention to, for once.

Instead, she was paying attention to Vin...watching the guard slowly slip from his face and eyes. She learned during the course of the night that he was a bounty hunter, of all things, in addition to being a guide. He had been born and raised in Texas. His mother had died when he was hardly more than a toddler, only five years old. Just three years younger than Adriana when her own mother died, but it seemed Julia Tanner had never shied away from showing her love for her small son. Adriana wondered at first if Vin knew how lucky she was.

She quickly learned that he did, as he fell strangely silent when asked about the years after his mother died. He had admitted that he was passed from family to family, when he became one mouth too many to feed. Beyond that...he wouldn't say. Adriana had the sense that despite the years which had passed, the time after his mother's death remained too painful to discuss. At least for the moment, and Adriana had her own memories. She wouldn't push.

His eyes, however, always came alive when his mother came up in conversation. He told her that it had always been easy to remember her name...Julia, Jewel. This was said with a smile that bordered on rueful. And Adriana understood. How could she not? To the five year old boy, being passed from family to family, his mother had indeed been a jewel. She found herself aching for that child, even as she ached for the man he had become. In a way, having a loving mother, then losing her, was worse than never having her at all. Vin knew what he had lost.

Carly remained curiously silent during the conversations between Vin and Adriana. Curiously, because any other time, Carly would have been firing questions of her own at the bounty hunter. Bounty hunter. That was still hard for Adriana to wrap her mind around. While she didn't doubt that Vin could be dangerous, there was a gentleness in him. Then again, she had never known any bounty hunters...in fact, the only exposure she had to bounty hunters, really, was Boba Fett in the Star Wars trilogy.

He talked a little about his bounties, about the men whom he had taken in. And women, sometimes, but less about them. It was that gentleness again, that sense of chivalry. At least, that was Adriana's sense about the way his eyes would darken when he spoke of the women he had been forced to take in. He admitted that he had been hurt sometimes...would be laid up for a few days or a few weeks, or even a few months.

But he healed fast, and returned to his job. There were some lower-paying bounties which he took...the ones for child-molesters. Rapists. Abusers, wife beaters. He hated anyone who harmed children. And it was when he spoke of those bounties that his face hardened, his eyes gleamed with such rage, it was hard to believe it was the same man. But...sometimes, the gentle ones were the most dangerous. Who was it that said, 'beware the fury of a patient man,' John Dryden? She would have to look through her English lit book, but that sounded about right. Vin Tanner was living proof of that adage.

Perhaps sensing unease with talk of his livelihood, Vin steered the conversation away from his bounties, instead talking about his work as a guide. When work as a bounty hunter slowed, he helped search and rescue. He didn't think there was a job he hadn't done...didn't think there was a job beneath his dignity. Adriana wished he worked at the DC.

Then again, no she didn't...she didn't wish that place on her worst enemy. Still, she was sure he could take whatever crap management decided to dish out. He was a survivor. And she wished she had his courage. He would deny that he was courageous, but it was there, nonetheless. Not the same courage that her brother and Chris had, but a quiet courage, a quiet strength, all his own. Oh yes...listening to him that night, she admired Vin Tanner a great deal.

And so the conversation continued, covering a wide variety of topics. Sometimes Vin did the talking, sometimes Adriana. She told him more about her older brother, about growing up in Colorado. She talked about Chris Larabee, trying to imitate the green glare, as she called it. The attempt sent Vin into helpless laughter, and he nearly choked on his soda. She wasn't sure if she should glare at him, for laughing at her...or if she should laugh with him.

In the end, she chose to laugh with him, because she was too happy to glare. It wasn't an emotion she really knew, but in that time, sitting on one side of Vin Tanner while Carly sat on the other, seeing those lovely eyes twinkle with laughter, she knew she was happy. But as she had learned, time after time, happiness lasts only a short time. This night would be a lovely interlude before the true nightmare began.

Continued...

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