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 Forty-One

"I'm not saying you're wrong, Carly, I just think that we should wait until I'm actually going out, before we try any experimenting," Adriana Wilmington said, laughing. Carly had found her in the bathroom, after Adriana had taken her shower, and talked her into going back to Carly's room. Adriana wasn't ready to see Claire again just yet, she was still trying to sort everything out, so she had agreed.

Carly, of course, wanted to experiment with make-up. Instead, the two girls had talked. Not about Claire, but about the semester. Funny, it almost seemed as if Carly was avoiding the subject of Adriana's roommate. Adriana couldn't think why that was...she did know that Carly had little use for Claire, even though she hung out with her sometimes, and she had called Claire, asking her to meet her at the cabin.

While Adriana's relationship with Claire had gone downhill, she had found herself becoming good friends with Carly as well as Vin recently. Adriana was, actually, a little curious about that, but she didn't question her newly found friendship with Carly. She was, however, finding out that she had a lot more friends than she realized. There had been a time when Claire had been her only friend, but that simply wasn't true any more.

And Claire was married. Married. Adriana shook her head, barely able to believe it. But Claire was only nineteen, so young! Well, yeah, Adriana was nineteen, too, but she had no intention of getting married. At least not for a long time, if ever. She would devote herself to her career, and if it came to that, she would adopt a child. She loved children, believed that she might make a good mother in time. But right now, she had to worry about getting through college.

"Well, the Christmas dance is coming up...you could wear that really pretty white dress, the one that Morgana gave you. And I could do your hair. You're so pretty, Adriana, especially when you're smiling," Carly coaxed, returning to the old theme. She kept saying how pretty Adriana was...never mind that Carly was drop-dead gorgeous. Adriana shook her head with an indulgent smile, reaching into her pocket for her room keys.

"I'll let you know, okay?" Adriana replied. It was the first time she had thought about going to a dance, since last year's Homecoming Dance. As she often did, just to avoid wasting time, she tested the knob...hmm. Looked like Claire was still here. She opened the door, turning her head to say something to Carly, when she encountered resistance. Frowning, Adriana turned her head back...what the hell? Why was her wardrobe door open?

And then she looked down. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of Vin lying very still. She slid into the room sideways, for once thanking whatever had Created her for making her so petite. She shut the half-open wardrobe door, then knelt at Vin's side, forgetting that she was wearing her robe and little else. She whispered his name, checking his throat for a pulse. Thank God, he was alive.

"Carly, help me get him onto the bed, then get Dawn!" Adriana said tersely. She hissed when her probing fingers found a knot on his head. Vin groaned softly, and Adriana slipped into position behind him, then wrapped her arms around his torso. Carly took his ankles and the pair picked him up and carried him to Adriana's bed. As Carly left the room, Adriana retrieved her waterproof pouch from the vanity, and almost tripped as she turned. What the hell? Her foot had caught on something...the belt to her other robe. How did it get out of her robe? Never mind that now. Adriana had always wondered if she would remember her first aid lessons when she needed them. She was getting her answer now.

She had heard his breathing as she helped Carly carry him to the bed, and she knew his heart was beating. But his breathing sounded harsh. Remembering being unable to breathe properly because of congestion, she wondered if propping him up against pillows would help. Only one way to find out...she pulled Vin up from the bed, letting his head rest against her chest, and arranged the pillows so he was reclining. Very carefully, keeping her hand cupped around the back of his neck, Adriana eased him back, then removed the still-damp washcloth from her pouch.

As Adriana worked, she noticed something she hadn't before. Vin's head rolled slightly to one side, revealing bruises on his throat. Bruises from a rope. Or...and this possibility horrified her...maybe from a cord? She shook off the dizziness. Not now, dammit! She forced herself to focus on the task at hand, and draped the washcloth over his forehead, then began loosening his clothes. Once that was finished, Adriana began bathing his face and neck with the washcloth.

Vin groaned again and Adriana whispered, "It's okay, Vin, you're safe." Slowly, the blue eyes opened. Adriana held her breath as they shifted around the room before finally focusing on her. Yes. They were focusing on her. She smiled, gently caressing his stubbled cheek, and whispered, "Welcome back. Do you know who I am?" He mouthed her name...Drina...then frowned when no words emerged.

"Easy," she soothed, "don't try to talk, just rest." He was conscious. He remembered her name. He could focus on her. So far, so good, but she would still ask Dawn to have a look at him. If she was right, if someone had tried to strangle him. She just didn't know who. She looked up as Carly returned with Dawn, talking anxiously and indicating to their den mother where they had found Vin when they came into the room.

Dawn looked first at the floor, then her eyes narrowed. Without looking at the injured young man on the bed, looking only straight ahead, Dawn asked, "Adriana, what happened in here? Where's Claire...and where are her things?" Huh? Adriana twisted on the bed, looking around, and for the first time, it hit her. Claire's decorations were down. Claire was gone. She looked at Dawn, who muttered, "Dammit!"

"It musta been Chanu. Claire was packin' when I got here," Vin answered hoarsely. His eyes fell on Adriana, and he rasped, sounding hurt, "Why didn't ya tell me? Thought ya trusted me...thought I could trust ya." Adriana blinked, confused by the hurt in his eyes and the hurt she felt at his words. Tell him? Tell him what? Claire and Chanu? Hell, she just found out this morning that they were married, and she hadn't talked to him since the previous night, when was she supposed to tell him?

"Vin, I just found out this morning that they're married," she said. As soon as the words were out, she froze. And then she felt her resolve harden. Claire had invoked the secrets clause, yes...but Adriana had warned her that if anyone got hurt, she would tell everything. Well, someone had gotten hurt, and in her room. She looked at the others and said, "I found out this morning, when Claire woke me up. She and Chanu ran away together...they got married."

"The credit card?" Vin rasped, his brow furrowing. Adriana looked back at the fallen man, also frowning. What credit card? What was he talking about? Vin stared at her, thoroughly confused, then groaned, "Aw hell. She lied to me. She done lied to me about ya knowin' what she done." Now Adriana was confused. Vin sighed, closing his eyes, and muttered, "She put your name on her credit card application. That's how we found her. When ya asked me last night about people pretendin' to be somebody they ain't, it got me thinkin.' And that's how we found her, 'cause she used your name on a credit card, not her own."

Adriana's blood ran cold. There was a part of her which wanted to deny it. Which wanted to say that Vin was wrong, that he had to be lying. Not because she didn't trust him, but because... Oh God. A hand touched her shoulder and she jerked, the old terror rising up. But it was only Dawn, her dark eyes reflecting worry and rage. Adriana wondered a bit dully if the worry and rage she felt under the coldness made her eyes look like that.

"Vin, lie still, let me take a look at you. Carly, take Adriana back to your room so she can dress in peace. And then we'll worry about what to do about Claire," Dawn said in a low deadly voice. Carly reached out and Adriana took her friend's hand, allowing Carly to pull her away from the bed. She had just realized that Dawn was right...she was clad only in her winter robe.

"I gotta git after 'em," Vin said hoarsely, but Adriana was barely listening to him. The coldness had seeped deep into her bones. Why didn't ya tell me? I thought ya trusted me...thought I could trust ya. He was right. She should have called him, as soon as she knew Claire and Chanu were married. She knew that Vin had been working on the case, knew that he had been helping the police find her roommate and Koje's son.

"No, you've got to rest, Vin. You could have been killed, you're in no shape to go chasing after anyone. Carly, take Adriana to your room so she can get changed," Dawn said. Carly tucked a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt into Adriana's arms, but Adriana stayed put. She couldn't leave. Not just yet. Remembering the morning Carly had found Vin outside their dorm, Adriana numbly moved toward Claire's side of the room and opened her wardrobe door. Dawn was right. Claire had taken everything. She was gone.

Stepping behind the door, Adriana stripped down to her underclothes, then began dressing, her body on autopilot. She heard Vin and Dawn's argument as she dressed, Vin stubbornly insisting that he would go after the pair. As she finished dressing, Adriana stepped out from behind the door and said quietly, "He won't be alone, Dawn. I'll be with him. I'm partly responsible for this, so I'll help clean up the mess."

"You are not to blame for any of this! C'mon, you weren't even awake when Claire got here this morning, and if I know Claire, she invoked that damn secrets clause of hers. What were you supposed to do, betray her? Like you knew Chanu would attack Vin? Get real, Adriana!" Carly exclaimed. Vin said nothing, and Adriana didn't meet his eyes. She knew Carly was right. She had promised Claire. But Vin was her friend, too, and he had been hurt because of the secret.

"Carly," Dawn said and Adriana shifted her eyes to her den mother, who was giving the young blonde a warning look. Dawn met Adriana's eyes and said softly, "I can't stop him, so I'm relying on you to take care of him. I know you will." Adriana nodded and sat down on what had been Claire's bed to put on her shoes. Not once did she look at Vin. She had to figure out where her loyalties lay. She had to make a choice.

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Part Forty-Two

"So what happened?" Claire asked in a small voice.

More than thirty minutes had passed since they had left Claire's dorm, and Chanu hadn't spoken at all during that time. He hadn't meant to alarm or frighten his wife, but he was still sorting out everything that had happened. He said slowly, "Tanner tricked me. Not into telling him the truth, but into showing my weakness. I didn't tell him that we ran away together, but he had figured it out on his own. After he left, the detective in charge, McCoy, came in."

He glanced into the rearview mirror, half-expecting to see Tanner chasing him. But they were clear so far, and Chanu continued, "I fell right into the trap. They said they had contacted your roommate, said that she would be pressing charges against you because of the credit card application. I lost my cool, and shot my mouth off. The detective just smiled and said something smart-ass like, 'I thought as much,' and that's when he told me that I was being released."

"Adriana doesn't even know that I used her name on the application," Claire murmured. Chanu nodded...he had realized that once he thought about it, then Claire continued, "Though after she finds Tanner, I don't doubt that Adriana will know. I told him that she knew about it. Think he believed me, but if Tanner does come after us, Adriana will be with him." There was a certainty in his wife's voice that worried Chanu.

He replied, "Of course she won't. This is your roommate, Claire. Like I told Tanner, she's afraid of her own shadow, she wouldn't come after you." Claire's eyes left the road and returned to him. They were filled with sadness and anxiety. And guilt. Seeing the fear in his wife's expression, Chanu began to wonder uneasily if he hadn't misjudged Claire's quiet roommate after all.

"Oh, no. You don't know Adriana at all. She will come after us. She promised to keep our secret, but she made another promise to me, when I told her about our marriage. Adriana swore to me that if anyone got hurt because of the secret she was keeping for us, for me, then all bets were off. If anyone got hurt, she would tell everything. Tanner was hurt because of the secret, because he knew something wasn't right. Adriana will come after us," Claire said.

Chanu didn't know what to say...didn't know what to think. At last, he pointed out, "But you're her friend, her roommate, Claire. Her first loyalty is to you, not to him." Claire immediately began shaking her head, as if he didn't understand and she didn't know how to make him understand. Chanu had no doubt at all that Tanner would come after him. Chanu was no fool. Even though Claire was his wife now, he knew this wasn't over, and that his wife's father would continue trying to separate them.

"Once, maybe. But Adriana has never been comfortable with keeping secrets. Some secrets, she can keep, because she has her own. But from the beginning, she wanted it understood between us that she wouldn't let a secret cause harm to either of us, or anyone else. And the more secrets I've asked her to keep, the times when I've kept things from her to protect her, that's built a wall between us. I built that wall, Chanu, to keep her safe. Because as long as she didn't know what was going on, she was safe. But now, I've put her life in danger by using her name on that credit card application," Claire explained. Chanu remembered what Tanner had said in the jail, about Adriana's father.

He asked slowly, "Claire, what exactly did Tanner mean about Adriana's father? Why is he a danger to her?" Claire looked down at her hands, then out the window. Chanu struggled with his impulse, with his need for answers. Claire had been through hell in the last twenty-four hours, ever since they had returned to Texas. She was in danger of losing one of the few friends her father had been unable to drive away.

"He...hurt her, Chanu. Touched her in places he had no business touching. From the time she was eight years old, when her mother was murdered, until she was seventeen, when she ran away. It got even worse after her older brother graduated from the Academy, when she was eleven, but it began when she was eight. She's kept in contact with her brother...don't ask me why he's never told their father where she is, I think it's because he doesn't have any great love for their father, either," Claire explained.

He hurt her, Chanu. Touched her in places he had no business touching. Oh... Chanu felt the blood leave his face. Of course. How had he missed the signs? Chanu had been taking psychology courses at a local community college, and he had learned about the survivors of sexual molestation. What he had interpreted as fear was wariness. The desire to blend into her surroundings, to avoid attention. And she was good at it. Maybe too good?

"And Tanner knows," he stated. Claire looked at him quickly, but Chanu wasn't paying attention now. The young man nodded once, firmly. Yes, it made perfect sense. Tanner had figured out that his new friend had been molested by her father...perhaps she had told him? He asked, "Claire, how did you know about the molestation? Did she tell you?" He glanced at his wife from the corner of his eye, and she shook her head.

"No. She refused to talk about it. If you even try to bring it up, she shuts you out and starts talking about something else, usually one of her classes. If he knows, he's figured it out on his own. I figured it out because of the way she reacts when someone touches her, without her permission, or if she can't see the other person. Doesn't see the touch coming. And how she never talks about her father. She adores her brother, talks about him all the time. But she thinks he knows, and he hates her for it," Claire admitted.

Now they were getting into territory which wasn't relevant. Chanu said, "So Tanner figured it out on his own. He's worried that her father will figure out where she is, and come after her. That's why he's so angry. He'll be coming after us, because he knows it's not finished yet. And she will be with him. We could either try to out-run them...or try to join forces with them." Claire looked at him quickly and Chanu said softly, "Your father will know soon that I'm out of jail, and that you're no longer at your dorm, Claire. If we choose a place to make our stand, and if they are willing to stand with us..."

Claire closed her eyes, and Chanu turned his attention back to his driving. After a moment, she said quietly, "The reservation is out of the question. There's an old, abandoned barn outside of town. It's not dangerous, just empty. Adriana has said in the past that it was where she would hide if she didn't want to be found. Not if she was hiding from someone, but just be alone. If she's with Tanner, that would be the first place she would go."

"Then that's where we'll go. We should stop somewhere for supplies. Are you sure this barn doesn't have an owner?" Chanu asked and Claire nodded. Chanu grinned ruefully. Knowing his wife, either she, or Adriana, had done research. He removed one hand from the steering wheel to reach over and take his wife's hand. They would get through this. He didn't know anything else right now, but he did know that. They would get through this.

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Part Forty-Three

Silences were not uncommon between Vin and Adriana. But there had never been this kind of silence between them. And Vin didn't know how to break it. Didn't know if he should even try, since it seemed Adriana's entire attention was focused on driving. But he had screwed up, and he had to apologize for it. Somehow. I'm sorry seemed hopelessly lame when you had accused your best friend of betraying you.

Best friend? Where the hell had that come from? More to the point, when had his relationship with Adriana gone from simple friendship to being best friends? Vin hadn't even been aware of the change, until he had told Adriana he thought he could trust her. Until he had seen the hurt in her eyes, and a door slam shut. Not until he faced the possibility of losing his friend, had he realized she had become his best friend. And he wasn't willing to give up on that friendship. He couldn't give up. But he also didn't know how to make things right. As Vin struggled for the words he needed, he caught sight of something in the rear view mirror.

Adriana muttered, "They've been back there for the last few minutes. I don't like it." Vin shook his head. No, he didn't like it, either. Adriana continued, "And it's not just how long they've been behind us, it's...I don't know. But they're making me nervous." She shook her head, and muttered, "When I get my hands on those two...oh, it wasn't enough that my roommate's husband tried to kill Vin, no he had to do it in our room!" The young bounty hunter realized for the first time that Adriana was talking to herself.

"If Chanu meant to kill me, I'd be dead by now. Reckon ya know where you're goin,' Drina?" Vin asked. He was rewarded with a glare from his companion, and he decided that was a 'yes.' He wasn't willing to risk her temper just yet, especially since he would need all of his energy when they found Chanu and Claire. Adriana had lost her temper maybe twice in the three months they had been friends...not something he wanted to repeat.

Not just for his own sake, because he hadn't been the source of Adriana's fury. But he saw what it did to her, the emotional and physical toll which resulted when she lost her temper. Being that angry took a lot out of her. Vin hated seeing her that fragile...she was quiet, but not fragile, until the adrenaline from her anger faded.

"A place I sometimes go, when I want to be alone, away from everything. An abandoned barn, doesn't belong to anyone. I checked it out before I started going there. Claire knows about it. It's isolated, but close enough to get supplies if you plan to hole up for a while. I don't know if she'll realize that I'm coming, but in this situation...that would be my best guess," Adriana replied. It was the most he had heard out of her since leaving the dorm.

Vin licked his lips, trying to figure out what to say. The truth was, Adriana was the first friend he had, who was his own age. The first friend who was an equal, who had shared a part of herself with him. He had...did he even consider them friends any more? He didn't know if they had ever been friends, or just people he associated with. And Adriana was definitely the first female friend he had...Priscilla didn't count. She was more of a boss.

He looked back at Adriana, who had glanced into her rearview mirror once more.

Her lips pursed, and her eyes narrowed. She asked almost absently, "You ever hear of the Nichols brothers?" Startled, Vin nodded and Adriana continued, "Cass Montoya dated one of the boys, David, for a while. They just sort of drifted apart, but I saw him around on campus a few times last year. Anyhow, I couldn't be sure, but I think that's him and his brother Peter in the car behind us."

Vin glanced in the rearview mirror. He had encountered the Nichols brothers a few times, stepping in once when one of the brothers threatened a young teenager. Their mother had intervened before the brothers could tear into Vin, but the bounty hunter had no doubt that they would still tear him apart. He studied the two men in the car behind him, muttering, "Why are they so close? Don't they think we can see them?"

"I don't think so. Either that, or they think that we wouldn't notice them. It could go either way," Adriana admitted. Vin acknowledged that with a bob of his head. Adriana was silent for a few minutes, but Vin could tell from her expression that her mind was working furiously. At last, she said, "Okay, this is what I'm gonna do. There's a turnoff up here, it's a short cut. If they take the same short-cut, I think we can assume they're following us."

"But why would they? Follow us, I mean," Vin questioned. Adriana shook her head, biting her lip thoughtfully. Vin heard the distinctive 'click-click' of the turn signal, then Adriana carefully turned right. The car being driven by the Nichols brothers drove past them. Vin sighed with a relief, then asked, "And why are you worried? It ain't like the reverend knows the Nichols family." Adriana responded with a look from the corner of her eye.

"We don't know that. I never had a problem with David...even though I was a lowly freshman, he always treated me with respect. But his brothers...it's not such a hard thing to believe. That Reverend Moseley would seek out the matriarch, and convince her that he's protecting his daughter. David made stray comments, about how fiercely protective his mother is of him and his brothers. Said that he was afraid of what it would do to her, if she lost any of them," Adriana replied.

"They scare you?" Vin asked softly, and Adriana slowly nodded.

"Yeah. They do," she replied quietly, "not because of what their mother would do if she lost one of them. Although, she scares me, too. I can't imagine what it would be like, if someone loved me that much. But some of the brothers scare me...because they like to hurt people. They don't care who. They just like hurting people. And as angry as I am with Claire, I'm afraid that she'll end up getting hurt, too."

Vin debated about telling Adriana about his conclusions, concerning her mother. How he wasn't so sure that her mother hadn't loved her, but decided now was not the time. He wasn't sure there would ever be a good time, especially if what he believed was true. He had no rational basis for believing it...just a gut instinct. If his instincts were right about Adriana's father, 'bout what he done to her, then how had Adriana turned into a good person? If her ma didn't love her?

And her brother had only been part of the picture for a while, starting when she was seven years old. Priscilla had once told him, while they were talking about Raquel Hernandez, that the first three years of a child's life were the most important ones. But most people, when they grew up, didn't remember those years. What if Katrien Wilmington had loved her daughter far more than she had ever let on? What if she had been forced to withdraw from her daughter emotionally, in order to protect Adriana? Weren't those the words that Priscilla had used when Vin brought up the topic of mothers who didn't seem to love their children, but actually loved them very much? 'Withdrawing from the child emotionally,' he thought were her words.

And then he thought about the last part of her statement. Even though she was furious with her roommate, she was worried about her, too. Afraid that if the Nichols brothers were involved, Claire would get hurt. Without realizing what he was doing, Vin began to relax. If she was this angry with Claire for her betrayal, yet could forgive her, then maybe Vin had a chance to earn Adriana's forgiveness for his own betrayal.

With that in mind, Vin answered, "Don't reckon anyone's gonna get to Claire, 'less they go through Chanu first. And if the Nichols have joined up with Moseley, reckon they been warned about lettin' any harm come to her." Adriana raised her eyebrows at that, but she looked a little better. A little less worried. Still, Vin was worried. Adriana had a point, about Moseley going to Mrs Nichols for help in retrieving his 'kidnapped' daughter.

"I suppose you're right," she acknowledged, "but still, I'll feel a lot better once we get to that barn, and find out whether or not they're there. Maybe I'm worrying about nothing, because even if the Nichols brothers are working with Moseley, a deserted barn out in the middle of nowhere is the last place anyone would look." Vin bobbed his head once in acknowledgment. Until something occurred to him.

"Unless," he said slowly, "unless someone else knows about it. Adriana? How well do ya know Claire's brother Rafe?" Adriana frowned, then Vin heard her sharp intake of breath, as the possibility which had occurred to Vin popped into her head as well. She glanced away from the road for a moment, just long enough to look at him in concern. Vin added softly, "The kid is a loud mouth. If he knows 'bout this barn a' yours and Claire's..." But even before he finished his sentence, Adriana was nodded in acknowledgment.

"He could easily tell their father about it, who would in turn tell the Nichols brothers. Okay. We work on the assumption that Claire told Rafe, for whatever reason. We work under the assumption that the Nichols brothers are in league with Moseley...shit, I almost said 'in league with the devil,' gotta watch that. I figure that way, we're covered," Adriana observed and Vin nodded. He had reached the same conclusion.

"Reckon that's the best way," he agreed, "but I gotta know, Drina. If we hadn't seen that car behind us, and if ya hadn't recognized those boys, would ya have thought that the Nichols boys might cause us trouble?" Adriana was motionless except to steer the car for a long time, then she shook her head in the negative. Vin settled back, murmuring, "Me neither. But the more I think on it, the more I think you're right. It makes too much sense."

"Yeah," Adriana whispered, and Vin turned his head to study his friend's profile. She looked worried all over again, and Adriana repeated, "Yeah. It makes too much sense...perfect sense. But I hope I'm wrong. I hope so much that I'm wrong, Vin." Vin nodded. He started to reach out, to touch her, but decided that would be a bad idea. For now. But the conversation of the last few minutes gave him hope. They would sort things out, after Claire and Chanu were safe. That was one promise he had no intention of breaking.

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Part Forty-Four

"I still don't like this. Since when did we involve ourselves in other families?" David Nichols muttered, shaking his head. His younger brother Peter glanced at him, a half-smile in place, and David continued, "For all we know, this girl Claire ran off with this Chanu character. She's nineteen years old, she was seen by other students leaving with this guy, holding hands. Why are we chasing after her?"

It was a rhetorical question and the eldest Nichols son knew it. As protective of her sons as his mother was, she tended to side with overprotective parents. But David had this terrible, niggling feeling in his gut that the reverend was far more than just an overprotective father who refused to admit that his little girl was growing up. Peter said as he watched the beat-up Escort which had been in front of them turn right, "Because no matter how Ma feels about this as a ma, she knows that we would rather have Moseley as our ally."

That insight rattled David, and Peter continued with a smirk, "I know, you figured that as a man of God, he would have Ma's automatic blessing, but she told me Moseley made her blood run cold. But like I said, she figured that it would be better to have Moseley as an ally, rather than as an enemy. At least, this way, we can keep a close eye on him. You know the old saying, keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

David shuddered to hear his brother say that, shuddered at the nasty smirk on his brother's face. God, what was happening to Peter? Where was his little brother? David had been born into one of the preeminent crime families in Texas, ruled by his Irish-born mother with an iron hand. His father had died while David and Peter were still children, leaving their mother to raise them alone in the family business. Because she had so many sons, his mother hadn't objected when David admitted he didn't want to be in the family business. And she knew, in turn, that David wouldn't turn on his family.

Which didn't explain why he was here? Until a few hours earlier, David had just been a grad student, studying veterinary medicine. Then he had received a phone call from his brother, telling him that their mother had volunteered them, all of them, to help some missionary type named Moseley find his missing daughter. Supposedly, she had been abducted by a Native American kid. Except, there were a few things wrong with the puzzle.

Number one, David had mentioned Claire Moseley to a few people on the campus, and had learned that she had a Native American boyfriend. She was nineteen years old, hardly a child. And, to make matters more interesting, she had been seen leaving her dorm, hand in hand with her boyfriend. Didn't sound like a kidnapping to David. But his mother had promised, and David hated to let her down.

Besides, Peter was starting to scare him. It was one thing to run the family business, but Peter actually seemed to enjoy hurting people. David remembered one incident involving Peter, a young girl who had sparked his interest...'complicated,' he had called her, and the girl's boyfriend. There was one altercation between the pair, which was halted by a young man, about Peter's age...and a second altercation, which resulted in a nasty beating for the young boyfriend.

Yes, it seemed to him that Peter enjoyed hurting people, and that was the real reason he was going along. Not because his mother had made a promise on his behalf, or rather, not just because of that promise...but because someone had to keep an eye on his brother. He said now, "You think the information we got from the brother is legit?" Peter nodded and David fell silent, thinking once more.

An abandoned barn just outside town...owned by no one, and often used by Claire Moseley and her roommate Adriana as a getaway, a safe house. In a moment of weakness, Claire had told her younger brother about Adriana's place, as she called it, and Rafe Moseley had, in turn, told their father about it. It was as good a place to hide as any, and David had learned from his sources at the college that Adriana Wilmington and Claire were tight.

"The kid's got no reason to lie to us...to his father. Why were you staring at that Escort poking along in front of us earlier? Trying to get the little bitch driving it to go a little faster?" Peter asked. David grimaced. That was exactly what he was talking about. Peter had no respect for anyone or anything. They were driving through the middle of town, the speed limit was thirty-five, and there were children to watch out for.

"What was she thinking, going the speed limit in an area which has children playing?" David observed sarcastically. He was pleased to see a flush arise in his brother's face. David continued, "And no...nearly losing one brother because of some idiot driver going too fast was bad enough. Possibly watching another child die would shoot my nerves all to hell." Peter glared at him, and David could almost hear their mother admonishing him about his language.

David continued, "No, I just thought the girl looked familiar, but I couldn't place her. I could only see the back of her head. Makes it kinda hard to identify someone." He had seen the Escort around on campus, too. A beat up old thing, the kind driven by young kids.

"I agree there, brother," Peter said easily. David fell silent, concentrating on his driving. Ma had insisted that David drive. She loved all of her sons, but insisted that David was the best driver...and, as she had said, she wanted to make sure they arrived safely. Peter had just given him a reminder that their mother had been right about this. The almost-vet stared ahead, wondering exactly what would happen when they got to this barn. What was waiting for them.

As he drove, David made a silent, solemn vow to himself. After this was all over, after this mess was settled and he finished school in May, he was leaving Texas. He would go somewhere, anywhere. As long as he didn't have to watch his beloved brother turn into a monster, and be absolutely powerless to stop it. He was a coward, he knew that. . .and maybe he should stay and fight for his younger brothers, but David had to get out while he could.

The young man only prayed that it would be enough...that he would live through this. That he would have his chance to make his dreams come true. While not nearly as devout as his mother, David Nichols said a silent prayer. And then he kept driving toward...whatever would happen in that barn.

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Part Forty-Five

"Reckon in the future, I should listen to Miss Drina."

The voice startled Chanu awake, and the young man was on his feet immediately, standing between his wife and the intruder protectively. Tanner. When did he get here? At his side was Claire's roommate, and damn if she didn't look like she was ready to kill them both. Tanner continued, "We know everything, Chanu. She's your wife...Drina done told me everything. Now, we just gotta figure out what comes next."

Claire stirred behind him, and Chanu turned toward her. He saw a blur of motion, then a blow rocked his head to one side. He shook his head, trying to blink the stars out of his eyes, then heard the incoherent growling of a seriously pissed off woman. When he could finally focus, he saw Tanner holding back an enraged Adriana Wilmington. Was this the same girl he had dismissed as being afraid of her own shadow?

"You bastard...I should kill you! That was for Vin!" the girl snarled at him, her normally placid face twisted into a mask of hatred. Chanu just stared at her in silent amazement as she struggled to free herself from Tanner. He became aware of movement, then Claire was at his side. Adriana's expression didn't change at all...if anything, it became darker, and the girl hissed, "You betrayed me. I told you what would happen if a secret caused anyone to get hurt. Your husband tried to kill Vin, and left him lying on our floor. I found him, Claire, I found him!"

"Drina...Drina, calm down, girl! We gotta think about now, not 'bout nothin' else! If we're right, the Nichols brothers, they'll be here any minute! Now ya gotta calm down, so we can figure out what to do...dammit, Drina, settle down!" Tanner grunted as she twisted and turned in his arms. There was no question in Chanu's mind that if Tanner had released the girl, she would have done her damnedest to kill him.

From the corner of his eye, Chanu saw Claire take a step forward, then stop. Adriana had stopped struggling in Tanner's arms, breathing heavily. But her expression promised that this was over. Wonderful. Tanner had just mentioned the Nichols family, and now he had a pint-sized Fury who was out for his blood. And at the moment, Chanu couldn't have said who frightened him more...the Nichols brothers or that little harridan.

"Be calm, little one," a familiar voice said as the ladder to the loft creaked. Chanu blinked in amazement as his father's head cleared the ladder. The chief smiled faintly and said, "The spirits told me to come here. Told me that I was needed. And I am. Have you told them yet, daughter-in-law?" Claire flushed and looked down at her feet. Told them? What was his father talking about this time? And how had his father found out that they were married?

"Koje," Adriana breathed, and now the fire-breathing dragon of a few moments earlier was gone, leaving the more familiar mouse in her place. She shook her head sadly and said, "I'm sorry you were dragged into this...I had hoped that someone I cared for would be spared this." She swept her hand around, indicating the room. Chanu's father walked over to the girl and her companion, who remained close.

"No need to be sorry, little one. I am meant to be here, and so I am here. Just as you are meant to be here. Now. I see from your reaction that you have not told them, daughter-in-law, any of them. That is, of course, your choice, but it would be easier if you simply told them now, rather than later. In the mean time, Vin asked a very good question. What do we do now?" the old chief asked.

"Way I see it, we could try to take ya down," Tanner said quietly, his voice even huskier than usually, "or we could stand beside ya. This ain't over, Chanu. Moseley ain't just gonna give up, and I reckon he'll bring help. What do ya want to do? Fight me? Or fight whoever Moseley sends after ya?" His bright blue eyes were burning into Chanu's very soul. Only a few hours earlier, he had attacked this man.

And now, Tanner was offering to fight by his side. He was right, after all. This wasn't over, this was only a delay. Chanu's eyes flickered to Adriana Wilmington, her small body tense. Rigid, even. But her eyes burned with rage, with hatred, and Chanu had the uneasy sense that when she had struck him a few moments earlier, it hadn't just been for the attack on Tanner. No, there was something else. Maybe striking back at a past tormentor?

"Will this little hellcat fight at your side?" Chanu asked. Adriana didn't wait for Tanner to speak, she simply nodded, her dark eyes never leaving Chanu. And those eyes promised hell on earth if he harmed Tanner again. Not to worry, little wildcat, he thought.

"Then we fight together." The thought was Chanu's, but the voice belonged to his wife. He looked at Claire, startled, and she said quietly, "I'm tired of being a coward, Chanu. Of denying that I love you. I'm tired of the lies and the secrets. I just had a vision...maybe even a prophecy. That we'll never live our lives in peace, that we'll always have my father chasing us. We make our stand here. For our future...for our child."

Our child. Chanu stared at his wife, dumbfounded. A child. Warmth flooded through him, then, and he understood. Then his wife would not fight...he had to keep her, and their unborn child, safe. He turned back to Tanner and Adriana...his eyes focused on Adriana, he said quietly, "I entrust my wife and child to you, little hellcat. Keep them safe." Not giving the girl a chance to refuse, Chanu turned to Tanner and offered his hand. He said quietly as the other young man accepted his hand, "We fight. Side by side, back to back."

Continued...

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