Gemini paces back and forth, anxiously looking at her phone every time she turns to move from back to forth, or forth to back.

Gemini makes another turn and looks at her phone.

Gemini paces to the other side of the room, and looks at her phone as she turns.

Annie looks away from the papers she was reading and side glances at Gemini. She sighs, it's been like this all evening but after midnight things had gotten worse. She wishes David calls her soon so they can finally have some peace and quiet.

Gemini turns again by the front window and looks at her phone, before pacing towards the back of the room.

Annie takes a deep breath, so she doesn't say anything, she knows why Gemini is in such a state, no need to upset her more.

[Gemini] Ring.

Gemini mutters softly at her phone as she turns again.

Annie sighs and tries to pay attention to what she was reading before, but she knows it's not going to work with Gemini pacing around.

[Gemini] Come on. Ring.

Gemini mutters to her phone again after another few, short minutes.

Annie side glances at Gemini, taking another deep breath, now the kid was talking to the phone, it was driving her crazy.

[Gemini] Come on, David. Where are you?

Gemini whispers, during one of her infrequent pauses at the window.

[Annie] You think he's going to hear you from here?

Annie asks looking back at the papers in her hands, the house was quiet except for Gemini's pacing, so she could hear the whisper.

Gemini rolls her eyes, still facing the window.

[Gemini] Of course not.

Gemini replies in a soft, but still normal, tone of voice.

[Annie] What time was he supposed to fight the headhunter? Have any idea?

Annie looks away from the papers to check her watch.

[Gemini] Midnight.

Gemini replies, checking her phone, and the time, again, and then resuming pacing.

Annie nods still looking at her watch, it was 1:28 now, whatever happened it's been decided by now.

[Annie] Why don't you try to call him? He should be ready by now.

Annie suggest with a mental prayer the headhunter didn't take the kid's head and no one answers the phone.

[Gemini] It's not gonna be a distraction?

Gemini asks. Fear of causing a distraction is why she hasn't already called.

[Annie] Yes, but it would distract them both. Besides I doubt they're still fighting? One hour and a half is a lot of fighting.

Annie shrugs, going back to her papers.

[Gemini] I suppose...

Gemini says hesitantly and picks up the phone, and hits the pre-programed number for David, and then hesitates her finger over the "send" button.

Annie sees Gemini hesitate but decides not to say anything, it was her choice, besides maybe it wasn't such a good idea. If the kid lost, tomorrow would be soon enough to find out.

Gemini lets out a gusty sigh and hits the send button and puts the phone to her ear. Listening.

Gemini bites her lower lip as the phone rings. After what feels like an eternity, the message system kicks in.

[Gemini] No.

Gemini whispers and quickly ends the call. As quickly as she can, Gemini dials David's home number and puts the phone to her ear again.

David 's voice comes back on the phone, a recorded message, " Hello, this is David Bradford, I can't answer right now, but leave a message and I'll call you back as soon as I can. Thanks."

[Gemini] No!

Gemini cries and quickly ends the call and then flings herself into a chair.

[Gemini] No answer.

Gemini says flatly to Annie.

[Gemini] Means he lost, doesn't it?

[Annie] Hmm, probably. But I don't really know, do I? I think we should wait till tomorrow.

Annie answers, taking a deep breath. Her and her brilliant ideas, why didn't she just let it be? She feels tempted to roll up the papers and smack her own head with them.

Gemini doesn't say anything, just turns her head to stare out the window.

David turns down the engine, after he's parked his car in front of the apartment complex where he lived, and rubs his forehead tiredly. Then he slowly exits his car, locks it and moves to the trunk to get the swords, he picks them up, closes the trunk. Finally he walks slowly to the entrance, while he thinks he can't wait to get to bed. "Still need to call Gemini first." He reminds himself as he moves to the elevator.

[Annie] Look, Gemini, something could have happened to his cell phone during the fight. Maybe they both ended up in the water, and I don't know how much these things are water proof, or maybe they stepped over it. We don't really know yet.

Annie points out, regretting once again she had suggested Gemini called David, as long as she was expecting his call she wouldn't know he wasn't answering his phone.

[Gemini] Yeah. Suppose so.

Gemini mutters not looking away from the window and the blackness of night that it held.

David gets out of the elevator, and walks to his front door. He opens the door, carries the swords to the living room and leaves them on the coffee table. Then he sits on the couch tiredly, he rubs his eyes for a moment before he decides to pick up the phone to call Gemini.

Gemini jumps as her phone starts ringing. Pick it up, she sees the number.

[Gemini] Oh, thank God.

Gemini mutters and hits the answer key, and puts the phone to her ear.

[Gemini] David?

[David] Yeah, it's me.

David answers tiredly, while he extends his legs over the seat of the couch.

[David] Sorry I didn't call before, but I didn't see a payphone on the way home.

Annie takes a deep sigh of relief when Gemini starts talking to David. She really didn't want the kid to mourn him for she had no idea how long.

[Gemini] What happened to your cell?

Gemini asks.

[David] It got destroyed by the Quickening. Grilled actually. I certainly hope I can retrieve the sim card.

David makes a face at that, he'd have a lot of numbers to look for and that's assuming he could get all the numbers he had in there.

[Gemini] Good luck with that.

Gemini replies, relaxing at the sound of his voice. He did it.

[David] Yes, I should have figured not to take it, especially since I had a challenge and all.

David nods despite she can't see him, while he moves on the couch to be able to lay down.

[Gemini] Or rather left it in the car.

Gemini mutters.

[David] Yes, next time I will, though I hope there's not a next time so soon.

David says looking in the kitchen direction, he's thirsty but he doesn't feel like getting out of the couch yet.

[Gemini] Me too.

Gemini says softly.

David yawns and blinks after that, trying to keep his eyes open.

[David] Why don't I tell you the fight some other time? I really could use some sleep now.

[Gemini] Alright. Me too. I only stayed up this late, 'cause I was worried. I'll talk to you later.

Gemini says quickly.

[Gemini] Goodnight!

Gemini says and hangs the phone up.

[David] Goodnight.

David answers sleepily without realizing Gemini wouldn't listen to him anymore. "She was worried." He murmurs to himself as he puts down the phone. Apparently that should mean something but he's too tired to think, he can barely keep his eyes open at the time. He tries to get up and go to the bedroom but decides he doesn't need to at the moment. " Just a couple of minutes." He whispers to himself as he closes his eyes and dozes off to sleep immediately.

 Nikki drives the 39 miles to Fall City, WA in silent thought. When she gets to the small town of Fall City she follows the directions Craig had given her which leads her to an old abandoned farm. She pulls in behind the dilapidated remnants of a barn and shuts off the engine of her truck.


Nikki: Grab everything.


Nikki says to Haley and gets out of her truck. She grabs her duffel bag, her pool stick case with the false (and ex-ray proof) bottom and laptop case and locks up the truck. She walks into the old barn and and looks around. In the center of the barn is a tarp covered vehicle. Nikki goes over to it and pulls the tarp off, revealing, probably, the ugliest car she had ever seen.





Haley follows Nikki, having grabbed all her things.


Haley: ****! I thought we were trying to avoid being noticed.


Haley says looking at the car.


Nikki: It definitely has a bad case of the uglies.


Nikki says with a laugh.

Nikki: I guess Craig figured no one would think I would drive anything so ugly.

Nikki adds, still laughing.

Nikki: Let's put our stuff in the back.

Nikki says. As she opens the lift back door it falls so that it is hanging by one of its two hinges. She quickly looks around as she holds on to the door.

Nikki: Haley see if you can find some wire or rope or something.

Nikki asks, holding onto the door with one hand and tossing her duffel bag into the back of the car with the other.

Haley sets her things down by the back of the car and starts looking around the barn. After a bit, she finds a thing of rope, with about an arms with of good rope too it.

Nikki: Hang on to this.

Nikki says to Haley and waits until Haley has a firm grip on the door. She takes the rope and ties the broken hinge together then tosses the rest of their belongings into the back of the car.

Nikki: Ok....now let it down easy.

Nikki instructs and when the lift back door's latch lines up with the catch she wires them together enough until she can crawl into the back of the car and wire the door shut from the inside.

Nikki: Go open the back doors of the barn.

Nikki instructs Haley as she climbs into the drivers seat and feels underneath it for the key Craig said would be there. When she has it she puts it into the ignition and says a silent prayer that Craig thought to make sure the battery was charged and there was enough gas in the car to get them to a gas station. As Haley opens the barn doors, Nikki turns the key and the ugly old car starts right up. She breathes the words, “thank you, Jesus” and motions to Haley to get in. As soon as she is in and snapping her seat belt, Nikki drives out of the barn and heads for the main road.

Haley: Now where are we headed too?

Haley asks as Nikki reaches the main road, having waited patiently until then.

Nikki: Salt Lake City where we'll catch a train to Nashville then drive to Pennsylvania or maybe New York then get on a plane.

Nikki explains as they head for the state highway.

Haley: Is this thing even going to make it that far?

Haley asks skeptically.

Nikki reaches around her neck and removes a chain with a medallion on it and she hangs it from the rear view mirror.

Nikki: St. Christopher. Patron Saint of Travelers.

Nikki says with a smile.

Nikki: Just have faith.

Nikki says, although she is pretty confident that Craig wouldn't set her up with a car that would break down. He knew what was at stake.

Nikki: You know.....I never asked you......do you know how to drive?

Nikki asks, glancing sideways at Haley.

Haley: Yeah. I'd had my learner's permit before I was arrested. They revoked it. Though I guess ah... Cynthia’s got her license.

Haley says pausing a moment to double check her new identity.

Nikki: Ok. Then try and get some sleep. I'll drive for as long as I can.

Nikki suggests.Nikki sees a sign that says "San Jacinto....4 miles. Gas...Food....lodging".

Nikki: Haley.

Nikki says and reaches over to gently shake Haley.

Haley: Huh? What?

Haley asks sitting up.

Nikki: Were coming to a town. Need to go to the bathroom?

Nikki asks, rolling the window down so the fresh air will help Nikki stay awake.

Haley: Yeah. I guess. How are you doing? You doing okay?

Haley asks.

Nikki: I'm tired but Ok

Nikki answers.

Haley sees a sign welcoming them to San Jacinto.

Haley: Is this were we were going to catch a train, or something?

Haley asks.

Nikki: No. We'll do that in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Nikki says as they pass a sign that says "welcome to San Jacinto, Nevada" and she sees a 76 gas station up ahead.

Haley: Oh. We gonna stop for a while, or just keep going?

Haley asks.

Nikki: I'm not sure what is available here. Looks like a pretty small town. If they have a motel....we could stop and get some real sleep and head out in the morning.

Nikki says as she pulls into the gas station and up to one of the 2 antique looking gas pumps.

Nikki: I'll take care of the gas if you need to use the little girl's room.

Nikki says, getting out of the ugly car.

Haley: A real bed would be nice.

Haley mutters and heads into the station, only to emerge a few minutes later with a key to the bathroom, attached to a florescent pink painted toilet seat. The men's bathroom's toilet seat key was painted green.

Nikki sees what Haley carries out of the small gas station store and bursts into laughter.  An old toothless man comes out of the garage and walks up to Nikki and asks if she needs any help.

Nikki: Actually....

Nikki says after sticking the gas pump nozzle into the gas tank hole.

Nikki: The sign a few miles back said lodging. Is there a motel here?

Nikki asks as the old man gets a handful of paper towels and begins to wash the windshield. Nikki leans against the cart.  The old man tells her that there's a small motel at the other end of the main drag which is the highway they are currently on and that it may or may not have a vacancy. He then says that the only other "lodging" would be a small camp ground about 4 miles out of town but he didn't recommend that because there had been some problems "up there a few nights ago," he says.

Nikki: What kind of problems?

Nikki asks. The old man tells her that a camper went missing and they haven't found the guy yet.

Nikki: How does someone in this small a town go missing?

Nikki asks, trying not to show her amusement.  The old man finishes with the windows and tosses the paper towels into the trash can. He walks up and takes hold of the pump nozzle and tops off the tank as he tells her that one theory is Garrison's ghost.

Nikki: Garrison's ghost?

Nikki says, fighting to keep from giggling.  “Garrison was a prospector back in the 1800s who had opened a silver mine in the foothills behind the town. He worked that mine for 5 years and finally struck a huge vein of silver.  When word got out crooks began to try and take the mine from him and one day there was a strange explosion that collapsed the mine...killing Garrison. Or so the story goes,” the old man says. “In 1943 the mine and surrounding land were declared a historical landmark and the small campground was built at the base of the foothills.  Every 4 years or so.....a camper will turn up missing and the story goes that it's Old Garrison's ghost claiming their souls because they are trespassing on his land,” the old man says. “But...like I said....that's just the town legend.  A story told to kids around a campfire.  Nobody really believes it. That'll be $17.12,” the old man adds, holding out his hand.

Nikki: Sounds like someone's been watching too many low budget horror movies.

Nikki thinks to herself as she lays a $20 bill in the old man's hand.
Haley leaves the bathroom and quickly darts back inside, depositing the bathroom key on the counter, then leaves and heads back out to the car, and Nikki

Nikki: Ready, Cynthia?

Nikki says, using Haley's new name.

Nikki: Thank you.

Nikki says to the old man as he hands her her change. She walks over to the drivers door as the old man returns to whatever he was doing in the garage. She gets into the car and closes the door.

Haley: Yeah. Linda.

Haley says after a moment.  She gets inside and sits, pulling on her seat belt

Nikki: There's a motel on the other side of town. If they have a vacancy we can spend the night and get some sleep.

Nikki says as she starts the ugly car and pulls out of the gas station.

Haley: That'd be great.

Haley sighs, shifting a little. The car seat wasn't the most comfortable.

Nikki: According to the old man at the gas station....it's a very small motel and may not have a vacancy...since the town is full of search and rescue people.

Nikki says as she keeps her eyes peeled for a motel sign.

Haley:Search and rescue people?

Haley says, nervously.

Haley: Why?

Nikki: Yeah. The only other "lodging" in this town is a small camp ground at the base of the foothills and some camper went missing yesterday....or last night.

Nikki explains.

Haley: Oh.

Haley says softly.

Nikki: It seems that this dinky little town has a ghostly legend and some of the locals believe the ghost is responsible for the missing camper.

Nikki says with a little chuckle as she spots the motel sign and points to it.

Nikki: There it is.

Nikki announces. She pulls into the parking lot and shuts off the car.

Nikki: I'll go see if they have any vacancies. Be right back.

Nikki says and gets out of the car. She heads into the office and rings the bell on the counter.

Haley: Okay.

Haley says, not moving.

Nikki asks if there is a vacancy when an older lady walks out of the apartment behind the office and is informed that the motel is full. The woman suggests the campground just as her husband joins her behind the desk. Nikki says that they have no camping gear and asks how far the next town with a motel is.  The husband tells Nikki that the next motel is in Elko which is 220 miles from them. When Nikki groans at the thought of two more hours on the road, the husband snaps his fingers and tells her he has an idea.  He tells her that he and his wife have a small nylon tent, a couple of sleeping bags and air mattresses...a camp stove and a couple of lanterns and...since he can tell how tired Nikki is...he would be more than happy to loan the equipment to Nikki so she and her traveling partner can get some sleep and they can return the equipment in the morning.  Nikki is surprised with the man's generosity. She offers to pay rental on the equipment but the wife refuses. The husband tells Nikki to pull her car around to the backside of the motel where their garage is and the equipment is stored and he'll meet her there. Nikki thanks him and hurries out of the office. She gets into the car and starts the engine.

Nikki: Well...looks like we're out of luck for a motel room tonight.

Nikki announces to Haley as she drives the ugly car around to the back of the motel.

Haley: Great. So what now?

Haley asks.

Nikki: Never fear. I ALWAYS have a plan B.

Nikki says with a snicker.

Nikki: The old couple who own the motel are loaning us their camping equipment and we'll be sleeping under the stars tonight. Good thing we've got good weather.

Nikki says as she pulls up to the garage just as the owner raises the garage door and switches on a flood light.

Haley: Oh... well that could be worse.

Haley says softly, thankful that there would be camping equipment and hopped that'd mean blankets or sleeping bags. She'd slept outside, without them before

Nikki: Worse than what?

Nikki asks as she opens the door and starts to get out of the car.

Haley: The weather.

Haley says.

Nikki: Oh. Ok.

Nikki says and walks over to the garage. The motel owner disappears into the cluttered garage that looks as though it has never had a car in it....just the couple's accumulated treasures. The man reappears carrying a small nylon bag and two sleeping bags. Nikki takes them from him and as she heads for the ugly car, the man disappears back into the clutter.  Nikki tosses the items she is carrying into the back of the car, through the front seat so she doesn't have to fight with the wired up lift back. She turns and heads back to the garage as the motel owner emerges carrying a plastic milk crate with a small camp stove, two lanterns and a couple of spare propane bottles. He explains that he doesn't know how much fuel is in the stove and lanterns so he put in the extra bottles just in case. Nikki takes the crate from the man just as his wife joins them. Nikki sets it on the drivers seat...thanking them man....who turns to walk back to the garage. Nikki turns to the woman and hands her 3 20 dollar bills rolled up...making sure that the man doesn't see her and she winks at the woman who smiles and winks back.  Nikki thanks the woman again and vows to see them in the morning, then she moves the crate to the back seat and gets in the ugly car.

Nikki: Amazing.

Nikki says as she backs the car around to the front of the motel.

Haley: What is?

Haley asks.

Nikki: That there are still people in this world that haven't been jaded by the way things are these days. Who are trusting and generous.

Nikki replies.

Haley: Oh.

Haley says softly, knowing full well that SHE isn't one of them.

Nikki: That's the beauty of small towns like this that are off the beaten path.

Nikki explains as she pulls out of the motel parking lot and follows the owner's directions to the campground.

Nikki: They tend to shield their people from the harsh realities of the world outside of their little community.

Nikki adds.

Haley: I'll take your word for it.

Haley says softly, just looking out the window.
Nikki stops at a small grocery store that is still open and buys some groceries then resumes their trek to the campground.  The ugly car rattles loudly as Nikki navigates it over the dirt road...even though it is considered to be a grated road....on the way to the campground.

Haley: Lucky them.

Haley mutters

Nikki: Remind me to thank my friend Craig for having such wonderful taste in cars.

Nikki grumbles as they bounce over rough furrows carved into the dirt road.

Haley: No kidding.

Haley mutters

The dirt road widens and they are suddenly staring at a large Nevada Forest Service sign welcoming them into the Nevada State Forest and Campground. Nikki follows the road through the gate and pulls up to the empty guard shack. She takes one of the registration cards and quickly fills it out then slips it through the slot in the guard shack door. She pulls the car up a little more and stops in front of a large map of the small campground and recreation area. She gets her bearings and drives slowly until they find an empty campsite. She parks the car and shuts it off.

Nikki: This looks like a nice out of the way spot.

Nikki says as she gets out of the car and walks around to the back.

Haley: That's for sure.

Haley says, as she slowly gets out of the car after Nikki.

Nikki: Can you crawl through and undo the rope that's holding the lift back shut?

Nikki asks Haley as she begins to untie the make shift hinge.  Within 20 minutes, Nikki has their tent set up and the sleeping bags laid out inside of it....the camp stove is open and ready to go on the picnic table and she is pumping fuel into the wick of the second lantern....the first one now sits on the floor of the tent.

Nikki: Are you hungry?

Nikki asks Haley once she is satisfied with their campsite.

Haley: I could eat.

Haley replies with a smile

Nikki: Ok.

Nikki says and rummages through their new ice chest and the other grocery bags. She hands a small saucepan to Haley.

Nikki: Would you go put some water in this, please?

Nikki asks and points to the water faucet near where they turned into the campsite from the road.

Haley takes the pot and heads to get some water.

Nikki prepares some fried slices of Spam, buttered hominy and grilled garlic bread and serves it on paper plates. When they have finished eating she tosses the paper plates in the garbage and cleans up their site...securing their food inside the car from wildlife. She hangs the hand towel she used to clean up on a limb of a small tree and looks at Haley.

Nikki: I don't know about you but I'm beat. I'm going to turn in.

Nikki announces and heads for the tent.

Haley: That sounds good to me. Something that's not moving!

Haley sighs with a grin and follows Nikki into the tent.

 

 

Calimesa, CA

 Nikki pulls her truck into the parking garage under the building where the Bower Security Agency is located.  She parks and heads for the elevators.  As the elevator door slides shut she wishes she had called to make sure Craig would be there.  Other than a few brief encounters at Joe's, Nikki hasn't really had any conversation of substance with Craig since she turned down his marriage proposal.
Nikki: You've got a lot of nerve, Flynn.

 
Nikki says aloud to the empty elevator car.

 
Nikki: You break the guy's heart and pretty much ignore him whenever he comes into Joe's and here you are getting ready to ask him a huge favor.  Don't be surprised if he tells you to go **** yourself.

 
Nikki says...shaking her head.

 
Nikki:Daddy would be so proud.

 
The elevator comes to a stop and the door slides open.  Nikki steps out of the elevator into the hallway of the 11^th floor.  She3 walks halfway down the hallway and stops in front of the double glass doors with “The Bower Security Agency” in gold Old English on the doors.  She takes a deep breath and walks through the doors into the spacious office.  The receptionist looks up and smiles welcomingly.

 
 Linda: Hello.  May I help you?
 
 
Linda asks, still smiling.
 
 
Nikki walks up to the receptionist's counter, smiling back at the woman behind the counter.
 
 
 Nikki: Hi. Is Craig in by any chance?
 
 
Nikki asks, mentally crossing her fingers.  In the 159 years that she has been an Immortal, she has, somehow, managed to not have to change her identity.  She had had to disappear a few times due to publicly dieing or avoiding questions as to why she didn't seem to age like normal people.  But she never has had to change her identity as so many of her Immortal friends have.  Therefore, the process of acquiring a new identity and all of the documentation required to back it up is new to her.  All she knew about it was what she has seen on TV shows and the movies.  She could have gone to Duncan for help but she knew that he would try to talk her into staying in Seacouver and going through legal channels to fight the State's attempt to permanently reunite Haley with the man who had molested her all of her childhood and, even though she had, at one time, been a law enforcer, she had little to no trust in the modern day legal system.
 
 
 Linda: Do you have an appointment?
 
 
Linda asks as she quickly opens Craig's appointment book.
 
 
 Nikki: No.
 
 
Nikki says and smiles, sheepishly.
 
 
Craig has been in a conference room on the 7^th floor going over blue prints with with a new Security Systems client. When the meeting wraps up he shakes the hand of the President and CEO of Fred Meyers Stores.
 
 
 Craig: As long as we don't have any last minute changes, we should be able to install the entire system as soon as the electrical work is done.
 
 
 Craig says as he rolls up the set of blue prints and slips them into their cardboard tube. 
 
 
The President and CEO of Fred Meyers Stores, Mary Sammons, thanks Craig and promises to stay in close contact with him about the progress of the new Fred Meyers Super Center being built in Seacouver, then she leaves.
 
 
Craig closes his brief case and leaves the conference room.  Instead of using the elevator to get to his 11^th floor suite office, Craig takes the stairs that open into a back hallway inside the Bower Security Agency's suite of offices.  As he opens the stairway door and steps across the threshold into his back hallway, he feels the buzz of another Immortal.
 
 
Nikki is about to apologize to Linda for not making an official appointment when she feels an Immortal buzz and she glances over her shoulder at the glass double doors, expecting to see the source of the buzz walk through them any minute.
 
 
 Linda: Is something wrong?
 
 
Linda asks, seeing the look on Nikki's face...a look she has seen on both Craig and David's faces more than once...(even though she has no idea what it means).
 
 
Craig uses the back hallway to gain access to his office without having to go through the reception area.  The source of the Immortal buzz may only be David but in this city it is better to be safe than sorry. Once in his office, he sets his brief case on the credenza behind his desk, along with the tube containing the new client's blue prints and goes to his office door.  He peers out of the narrow cut glass window next to the door which gives him a clear view of the reception area and sees the back of a familiar red head standing in front of the receptionist's desk and, intently watching the entrance to the suite of offices.  It is the first time he has seen Nicayla outside of Joe's Bar since she rejected his marriage proposal over a year ago. The first few times he had run into her at Joe's after their breakup had been awkward and a bit painful.  But as time went by, those encounters had become easier.  Even after he noticed that she was always accompanied by Adam Pierson and it became more obvious that the two were more than just friends.  He remembers the first time he came to realize that and had surprised himself by thinking, “well...seems as though she has overcome her fear...or aversion to entering into a serious relationship.”  Pierson must be a special person to have been able to get her to drop her wall of steel that protected her heart and kept her from allowing herself to love and be loved.  Special enough to accomplish what he had been unable to do. He didn't feel any animosity toward either of them.  Instead, he was glad to see that Nicayla had finally found the happiness she so richly deserved.  Now what surprised him was the fact that seeing her standing in his reception area...outside of the neutrality of Joe's Bar...none of the old feelings came flooding back.  Only curiosity as to why she was here.  He opens the door of his office and steps into the reception area.
 
 
 Craig: Nikki?
 
 
Craig says as he walks up to the receptionist's desk.
 
 
Linda: Oh you are here.
 
 
Linda says when she sees her boss approaching.
 
 
 Linda: I thought you were still in your meeting.
 
 
Linda says as she grabs a small stack of phone messages and holds them out to Craig.
 
 
 Craig: It just ended.
 
 
Craig explains, taking the messages from his receptionist/secretary.
 
 
Nikki is startled when she hears Craig's voice coming from behind her as she expected him to walk through the glass doors and she turns around...a bit embarrassed.
 
 
 Linda:This young lady would like to see you even though she doesn't have an appointment.
 
 
Linda says, shooting a glance at Nikki that says, “next time call first.”
 
 
 Nikki: I'm sorry to drop in like this, Craig.  If you don't have time to see me....
 
 
Nikki says, looking at Craig, hopefully.
 
 
 Craig: It's Ok, Linda.  Miss Flynn is welcome here anytime.
 
 
Craig says to Linda and smiles.  He gently places one hand under Nikki's elbow and gestures toward his office with the other.
 
 
 Craig: Linda, could you get us a couple cups of coffee, please?
 
 
Craig asks over his shoulder.
 
 
 Craig: Miss Flynn takes hers black with 2 sugars.
 
 
Craig adds and looks at Nikki.
 
 
 Craig: Right?
 
 
Craig asks Nikki to confirm.
 
 
 Nikki: A memory like an elephant.
 
 
Nikki says with a smile.
 
 
 Craig: I'd be a pretty lousy PI without one.
 
 
Craig says with a chuckle.
 
 
 Craig: Let's go into my office.  Shall we?
 
 
Craig says and steers Nikki in that direction as Linda gets up from her desk and heads to the coffee room to comply with her boss's request.
 
 
Nikki nods to Craig and heads for his office.
 
 
 Nikki: Thank you for seeing me on such short notice.
 
 
Nikki says, apologetically.
 
 
Craig walks to his desk chair and sits down.
 
 
 Craig: Nonsense.
 
 
Craig says, sitting forward and clasping his hands together on top of his desk.
 
 
 Craig: You look like a woman on a mission.  What can I do for you, Nikki>
 
 
Craig says, looking directly at Nikki.
 
 
Nikki takes a seat in one of the two chairs in front of Craig's desk and smiles at him, gratefully.  After all the time that has passed since she and Craig broke up she still feels a twinge of guilt for not being able to love him the way he had loved her and the way this generous and caring man deserved.
 
 
Linda comes into Craig's office carrying two steaming cups of coffee.  She sets one on the front edge of Craig's desk for Nikki and the other one in a mug that says, “World's Best Slave Driver” she sets in front of Craig.
 
 
 Craig: Thank you, Linda.
 
 
Craig says, smiling at his receptionist/secretary.  One of the best things he had ever done for his growing agency was hiring her.  He wouldn't be able to run this company without her.
 
 
 Craig:  Can you make sure we're not disturbed and clear my calender for the morning?
 
 
Craig asks Linda.
 
 
 Linda: Of course.
 
 
Linda says, dutifully, and leaves the office to return to her desk in the reception area.
 
 
 Craig: Now.  Back to my question.
 
 
Craig says as he picks up his cup of coffee and takes a cautious sip.
 
 
Nikki picks up her own coffee cup...not so much because she wants the hot, caffeinated liquid as she had already consumed at least a pot of coffee before coming here...but just to be doing something with her hands as she tries to look relaxed and casual.
 
 
 Nikki: I need a favor.
 
 
Nikki starts out.
 
 
 Nikki: But I need you to promise this will stay between us...
 
 
Nikki says, looking at Craig, seriously.
 
 
 Nikki: No matter what.
 
 
Nikki adds, then takes a sip of her coffee.
 
 
Craig realizes by Nikki's last comment, how serious this...whatever “this” was...was to Nikki and he has to make a conscious effort to hide his growing concern.
 
 
 Craig: You have my word, Nik.  What's up?
 
 
Craig asks, setting his coffee cup down on his desk and leaning forward.
 
 
Nikki takes a deep breath, then explains the situation with Haley.
 
 
 Nikki: I don't trust today's legal system to do the right thing and need to buy some time while I come up with a better solution so Haley and I need to disappear for a while.
 
 
Nikki, in anticipation of Craig's argument to the contrary, holds up her hand.
 
 
 Nikki: I know I'm stepping over a lot of legal lines, here, but I see no other choice for the moment.  And because of that Haley and I need new identities.  Passports, Ids, birth certificates, etc.  Unfortunately I have never had to do this before and don't know how to go about it.
 
 
Nikki takes a deep breath.
 
 
 Nikki: Can you help me?
 
 
Nikki asks, hopefully.
 
 
Craig picks up his coffee as he digests what Nikki has just told him and asked of him.  His first gut reaction  is one of concern for the legalities of Nikki's situation.  On one hand...there is the effect of aiding and abetting Nikki, who would become a fugitive as the authorities would view her actions as kidnapping, especially if she was planning on her and the teenager leaving the country...which she obviously was planning on doing since she was asking for passports. The ex-cop in him wanted to slam on the brakes and stop Nikki from committing a Federal crime.  If it ever came out that he had helped her in any way....or even knew about her plans and didn't report them...the reputation of the Bower Security Agency would be shattered...not only in Seacouver, Washington but his other offices, Nationwide, as well.  All he had worked so hard to build would be thrown away like today's garbage.  And that would effect, not just himself, but the employees of his Nationwide agency who trusted him with their financial security as well.  On the other hand...during his time as a cop he had seen too many of the atrocities many babies, toddlers, adolescents and young adults were forced to endure at the hands of the adults who were supposed to keep them safe and he hated child molesters and sexual deviants more than the worst serial killers on and off record.  He had always admired Nikki's endeavor to create a safe and loving environment for the victims of such animals by her building the Nua Tosu ranch and opening it to the kids who needed it.  It was one of those few glimpses into the selfless side of Nikki...one of those sides of her that she kept well hidden behind her “tough girl” persona  It isn't the ex-cop in Craig that feels that way, but the human being in him.  And it is also the fact that...even though Nikki had been unable to return his love and had, basically, broken his heart when she rejected his proposal of marriage...he still cared about her because her rejection hadn't stemmed from anything malicious towards him and she was now...as she had been then...a very special lady with a huge heart capable of loving even those whom others might not think worthy and her tenacity and passion for what she believed in...no matter what obstacles were put in her way.  It is this side of Craig that wins out.
 
 
Nikki sits on the edge of her chair, anxiously awaiting Craig's answer.  As she watches him mentally weighing all the odds of her request, the fear that he might turn her down begins to grow and she realizes that her hand holding her coffee cup has begun to tremble.  She quickly sets her cup down on Craig's desk...hoping he hasn't noticed...and sits back in her chair...tucking both hands under her thighs to hide them.  It has been only a few minutes since she had asked for his help...but it seems more like hours.
 
 
Craig gets up from his chair and walks around to the front of his desk.  He pulls the other chair closer to the one Nikki is in and sits down. He reaches out and places his hand on one of Nikki's forearms and gently pulls her hand out from under her leg.  Taking her trembling hand in his, he covers it with both of his hands and leans forward...looking directly into her emerald green eyes.
 
 
 Craig: I'm not going to point out all of the reasons you shouldn't do what you're planning because the Nicayla Flynn I know is intelligent and logical enough to have thought this through, thoroughly, and wouldn't make a decision like this impulsively.
 
 
Craig says, softly.
 
 
Nikki fights to control her trembling...embarrassed and a bit ashamed at being weak...one of the traits of being a stubborn, independent Irish lass.
 
 
 Craig: I do have a few contacts that can create whatever documents you and...
 
 
Craig's memory fails him for a second as he tries to remember the name of the teenager Nikki was changing her entire life for.
 
 
 Craig: Haley?
 
 
Craig says, quirking and eyebrow, questioningly.
 
 
Nikki nods, afraid if she tries to speak she will lose her battle for self control.
 
 
 Craig: ...Haley will need.  Unfortunately their services are not going to be cheap.
 
 
Craig says, still holding Nikki's hand in both of his.
 
 
Nikki takes a slow breath in.  As she does she manages to calm herself enough to be able to speak without her voice shaking.
 
 
 Nikki:  You are going to help me?
 
 
Nikki asks, almost incredulously.
 
 
Craig smiles at her, gently squeezes her hand and nods.
 
 
 Craig: You doubted it?
 
 
Craig asks, a bit amused.
 
 
 Nikki:  I wasn't sure after...
 
 
Nikki hesitates finishing her sentence.
 
 
Craig smiles, reassuringly.
 
 
 Craig: Yes.  I'm going to help you.
 
 
Craig replies.
 
 
 Nikki: I know I'm putting you in a hell of a situation.  I know what you're risking by helping me.
 
 
Nikki admits.
 
 
 Craig: Some things are worth the risk.
 
 
Craig says, letting go of Nikki's hand and smiling at her.
 
 
 Nikki: I don't know how to thank you, Craig.
 
 
Nikki says, gratefully.
 
 
 Craig: Don't give it another thought.
 
 
Craig says as he stands up and walks back to his desk chair...sits down and opens up one of his desk drawers.  He takes out an address book and opens it.  Most of the Bower Security Agency's contacts' phone numbers were on his computer but the ones in this book were ones that weren't for the eyes of anyone who might have (or gain) access to his hard drive.  He thumbs through the book's pages and stops at one in particular.  He looks over at Nikki and gets up...walking back around to the front of his desk.  He holds out his hand to Nikki.
 
 
Nikki places her now steady hand in Craig's and looks up at him questioningly.
 
 
Craig gently pulls Nikki out of her chair and leads her to the door of his office where he stops and turns to face her.
 
 
 Craig:  I would imagine that you have some packing to do besides tying up any loose ends regarding the ranch, etc.
 
 
Craig says, matter of factly.
 
 
 Craig: So go on home and take care of whatever you have to do and let me get to work on what I can do to help.
 
 
Craig says, looking directly into Nikki's eyes and smiling reassuringly.
 
 
Nikki slips her hand out of his and puts her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.
 
 
Craig's arms wrap around Nikki, instinctively.
 
 
Nikki kisses Craig's cheek.
 
 
 Nikki:Thank you, Craig.  Thank you.
 
 
Nikki whispers, grateful tears filling her eyes and threatening to fall down her cheeks.
 
 
Craig gives Nikki a quick hug.  Sensing the intensity of her emotions and knowing her well enough to know her Irish pride was battling against displaying those emotions, he lets go of her and steps back a step.
 
 
 Craig: If it will make you feel better, we can say you owe me one and I promise that at some time in the future I will collect.
 
 
Craig says with a smile and a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
 
 
Nikki is grateful for his insight and she is able to control those tears of gratitude.  Instead of letting her emotions take control she smiles at Craig.
 
 
 Nikki:Just don't make it something too complicated.  I hate having to think.
 
 
Nikki says...the smarmy tone returning to her voice.
 
 
 Craig: Oh I plan on it being so complex you'll need a slide rule and a team of scientists to complete it.
 
 
Craig says, teasingly.
 
 
Nikki rolls her eyes as her hand takes hold of the door knob.
 
 
 Nikki: Oh wonderful.
 
 
Nikki says sarcastically.  She opens Craig's office door and gives Craig a half hearted wave then walks through the reception area.
 
 
 Nikki: Thank you.
 
 
Nikki says to the receptionist as she walks past her desk.  A couple of minutes later she steps into the elevator feeling as though a huge weight has been lifted off her shoulders.
 
 
Craig waits until Nikki disappears through the glass doors then he closes his office door, returns to his desk and picks up the telephone receiver...dialing the number from the open address book before even listening for a dial tone.