SERIES/UNIVERSE: SG-7
DISCLAIMERS: M7 characters belong to Trilogy, et al, SG-1 characters belong to Gekko, MGM, and Showtime. Adriana, Carly, Lizzie, Josie and Jessica Tanner, as well as Evan and Pegeen Larabee, are all mine ... don't mind if you borrow them, just ask first, give them back intact and give credit where credit is due. Mindy belongs to herself and my neighbors, though she still thinks my family and I belong to her.
SPOILERS: For Mag7, all twenty-one episodes are fair game, along with my previous stories, More than Friends, A Light in the Distance, Under the Sun, Days of Yearning, Sun, Fun, and Ezra on the Run, and Full Circle, also all five seasons of Stargate SG-1.
WARNING: The usual, violence and language. Some h/c, more comfort than hurt, and smarm, but again, I'll be trying to keep the smarm down to a dull roar.
Vin was asleep. And from the looks of it, Buck wasn't far behind. Adriana smiled faintly, slipping into the room. She was almost to her brother's side, before his eyes flew open. His hand was already reaching for a weapon that wasn't there, and she stopped in her tracks. Buck glared at her, growling, "Dammit, DeeDee, I coulda hurt you! Why didn't you call my na ... uhhh. Ah, never mind." This was said as he glanced at the sleeping man in the bed.
Adriana took the last few steps required to reach her brother's side, then sat down in his lap. Both siblings adjusted themselves until they were comfortable, then Adriana put her head on Buck's shoulder. She murmured, "Didn't mean to startle you ... I was actually trying to figure out a way to let you know I was there. I didn't want to wake either of you up." Buck laughed quietly, tightening his arms around her.
"I wasn't asleep, baby girl," he answered softly. They were both silent for several moments, then Buck asked quietly, "You okay? I mean ... with everything? I know you've made your peace with taking things slowly with Vin, but a lot has happened in the last few hours. Things you weren't expecting, things none of us expected." Adriana sighed very quietly, understanding exactly what he meant about unexpected things.
"I'm okay. I'm half the reason we gotta take things slow, remember. And things have been a little weird today, but I've come to expect that. I still want to wallop both Larabee and Jessica clear into the next millennium. And that reminds me, she was at the pharmacy, when the three of us went for Vin's pills. Amazingly enough, there were no catfights, or anything else like that. Although, if looks could kill, I think I would have been splattered all over the pharmacy. She does not like me ... but that's okay, 'cause I don't like her, either. On the other hand, one wrong word from her, and Lizzie would have gone into attack mode," she replied.
"Yeah, but I bet her glare ain't no match for the Larabee glare," Buck snickered and Adriana pressed her face against his shoulder, trying to hold back her own giggles. That was an image that didn't want to leave her head ... Chris and Jessica in a glaring contest. Chris would win, naturally. Buck continued after a moment, "Just ain't sure whose glare would be worse. Chris or his mom, in this situation."
"Depends, I think ... on who is the glaree," Adriana replied, pulling back to look at her brother. He just blinked with a 'what?' expression, and Adriana explained, "You know, the glaree. The person who is being glared at. If it's Jessica, then it's a toss up. If it's Larabee Sr, it's a toss up. If it's Will, then Chris would be worse, I think." She turned at the footsteps, to find Chris entering the room. Adriana turned back and smirked at her brother, adding, "I think, brother dear, that we've been busted."
"What was your first guess?" Buck retorted as the colonel joined them. Chris smiled a bit absently, but he was watching his brother. Buck said, careful to keep his voice low, "He's okay, Chris. Fell asleep a bit ago, and no nightmares so far." Nightmares? Adriana had been having nightmares of her own, but this was the first time she had heard anything about Vin's nightmares. Neither of his sisters had said anything.
"Good ... listen, I checked with Carly. Dinner's gonna be ready before too much longer. JD and Billy are getting things set up in the living room. The sofa is still free, so I figured we should wake him up," Chris replied. Adriana looked from Buck to Chris and back again, trying to figure out what she had missed. Now she understood how Ezra felt when he asked plaintively 'what just happened there?'
"Already awake, cowboy," came a mumble from the bed. Adriana leaned forward on her brother's lap ... sure enough, her love's blue eyes were open. He seemed a bit sleepy, but he was definitely awake. She smiled at him, and she received a sleepy smile and an equally sleepy, "Hey, Drina. M' little sister behave herself?" Adriana snickered and Vin added, "Never mind. Didn't ask that dumb question."
"Actually, she's been pretty good ... helping Carly in the kitchen. Of course, it was either that, or pelt our ... now, how did Ezra put that while they were out? He was afraid that if Carly came out of the kitchen, she would, and I quote, 'pelt your misbegotten sire with uncooked meatballs.' Of course, Carly was out of the kitchen at the time, and she heard him say that. I think you can imagine how she reacted," Chris answered wryly, sitting down on the bed beside Vin. The guide glanced at Adriana, who just grinned.
"Knowing Carly, she probably made a smart ass remark about how that would be a waste of perfectly good meatballs, or some such thing," the archaeologist observed. She could tell from the colonel's expression that it had been something like that. Adriana added, "That's the way her mind works, Chris. JD might do something like that, but Carly wouldn't think the creep is worth the meatballs or the energy."
"She'd be right. You ready to deal with this, little brother?" Chris asked. He wasn't talking about dinner, of course, but about dealing with their father. And while Pegeen seemed to be cool, Adriana knew her love was ... anxious ... about facing her. Not because of anything he had done wrong. It was just the situation. Vin hesitated, then nodded once, a determined expression settling on his face. Adriana slid from her brother's lap, ready to aid if it was necessary. Buck and Chris carefully lifted Vin between them ... even with their gentleness, all still heard Vin's muted gasp of pain. Chris murmured, "Sorry, little brother."
"I'm okay, Chris," came the barely audible answer. His head hung down, and Adriana's heart ached for the pain he had to be feeling. She quietly swore to herself that if it was possible, she would bring back Dickie O'Shea from the dead ... and then kill him again. Oops, not possible, not even with the sarcophagus. She still wanted to do it, though. However, as she followed her brother and Chris from the room, Adriana silently swore that if Evan Larabee caused any more trouble tonight, then she would pelt him with meatballs. Assuming JD didn't do it first.
"Excellent timing, brothers," Josiah said as they headed into the living room. He was helping Josie to set the table, before heading back into the kitchen for another load. Now there was an interesting couple. Adriana had actually gotten an earful from Josie late one night. Adriana had been cleaning house, since she couldn't sleep, when Josie got back from what Adriana had thought was an evening with Vin, Chris, and the girls. She had thought wrong. Not the first time it had happened.
She had actually been with Josiah, opting instead to give her nephew and nieces time to themselves. Vin tired very easily, and Lizzie and Carly were still learning about each other. Josiah had asked Josie if she would be interested in going to a lecture about ... something. Adriana had been barely awake enough to register that Josie was flying high, a natural high. She could be forgiven if she couldn't remember exactly what the lecture was for. She was fairly certain that it involved anthropology, but beyond that ... ? Forget it.
In any event, that had been her first indication that the pair were interested in each other. Adriana was starting to wonder if she should worry about anyone else getting bit with the love bug. Not that there were too many singles left in their little circle. They still existed, of course. Buck, Ezra ... Carly. Everyone else, it seemed, was spoken for. Both Buck and Ezra had been warned of the consequences if they got involved with Carly and broke her heart.
Carly herself had warned them of what she would do to a guy who hurt her. That wasn't taking into account what her two brothers would do, as well as her little sister. Once, of course, Vin was strong enough to leave someone in a world of hurt. In the meantime, however, Chris was quite capable of protecting his little sister. Both of them. And neither Buck nor Ezra were willing to take any chances with their ... uhm ... family jewels.
Besides, unless Adriana missed her guess ... she had seen a dreamy expression in Carly's eyes when a particular member of SG-3 was mentioned. More to the point, when the name of Rafael Martinez was mentioned. Now, that would be an interesting couple, but since Rafael was currently watching over the Richmonds and the others, Adriana would have to wait to see them together. That was fine. Adriana was patient.
Buck and Chris were settling Vin on the sofa, and Lizzie immediately began flitting about, seeing what she could do to help. Chris gently steered her to the coffee table, where the food was still being set up. Adriana absently stepped to one side, sensing someone coming up behind her. And someone was, but not whom she expected. Josiah said quietly, "If I didn't know better, I'd say that little girl is trying to help out of guilt." Adriana looked up at the big man, who returned the gaze. Josiah went on, "Course, I'd have to ask why she feels guilty."
"Because there's nothing she can do to help Vin. Because she's worried about being able to keep her temper. I could go on, but I think you get the point," Adriana replied. Again, she looked up at the big man, who was regarding her with thoughtful blue-gray eyes. She continued after a moment, "That's not taking into account other things. She's nineteen years old, Josiah, she's learned that the world doesn't revolve around her. But that doesn't stop her from wishing she could spend more time with her brother."
"Are we talking about Miss Elizabeth ... or about you?" Josiah asked. Adriana inclined her head, raising her shoulders at the same time. She hadn't thought of it that way, but she could see Josiah's point. The anthropologist continued, "Still, I can't argue with you. Have you ever noticed, Adriana, that those with the greatest amount of guilt are those who have done the least amount of wrong?"
"Something of a generalization, Josiah, but I can't argue with your logic. I guess that's because it hurts more when something happens, and you couldn't do anything to prevent it or stop it. I guess that's what it comes down to. It hurts more, when something happens, and there was nothing you could have done, it wasn't your fault. At least, when there's something you could have done ... you can learn how to avoid it," Adriana replied.
"I repeat ... are we talking about Lizzie, or about you?" Josiah asked. Adriana didn't answer, and he continued, "You mind taking the next run into the kitchen? This is gonna take some time to get set up, and Carly still needs help." Adriana smirked at that. Which kind did he mean ... physical, mental, or other? As if hearing her thoughts, Josiah glowered at her and said, "With dinner!"
Adriana just laughed and answered, "On my way. Try not to put out Larabee Senior's eye with anything, at least until I get back." As she turned toward the kitchen, she was 'helped' along by Josiah's foot. She growled at him, much to his amusement, then continued into the kitchen. Just you wait, Josiah Sanchez, she thought, just you wait until dinner's over. She didn't know what she would do yet ... but she would do something.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: The song which Lizzie quotes in this second is Boadicea, by Steve McDonald, and can be found on his second album, Stone of Destiny. I thought the Iceni queen would be just the sort of gal who would catch Lizzie's attention.
By the time everything had been carried into the living room, Carly had learned a few things. First and foremost, her recalcitrant sire had made an appearance with his wife. A feisty gal who had made it very clear that she was interested in adopting all three of her husband's by-blows. By-blows? What the hell did that mean, she had asked Ezra. The gambler had turned brick red with embarrassment, explaining that he hadn't used the term himself. It had just slipped out, before he thought about what he was saying. He had been most distressed.
Okay, fine ... so what did it mean? Carly could be just as tenacious as either of her brothers, when she so chose. She chose to be so now. She learned it was an archaic term for a child born out of wedlock. By-blows. What did one thing have to do with the other? Ezra, for once, was totally speechless. She did, however, find out that it was her paternal overunit who had described her that way. Not Pegeen, and most certainly not Ezra.
The second thing she had learned was that her biological father was, to put it quite bluntly, a dick. Not that this had surprised Carly. But still, it both saddened and reassured her. It made her sad, because it sounded like Pegeen deserved a better man (hmm, sounds a bit familiar? Maybe she and Charlotte should hook up when we come back from our tour, Carly thought). And it reassured her, knowing that she wasn't the only one who felt that way about him.
And the third thing? JD was making noises about silencing her biological father ('sperm donor' was the term of choice for her younger sister) with a meatball. Cooked or uncooked. Didn't matter to him. By then, it no longer shocked her, as she had already heard it. From, of all people, Ezra. Now there was a man full of surprises. And if she wasn't already overwhelmingly attracted to Rafael Martinez ... well, she would consider going for it. If only to drive Chris nuts.
Things were going smoothly for the moment. Everyone was getting their dinner, and to no one's surprise, Adriana had lowered herself to the floor beside the sofa, plate balanced on her knees. Carly grinned as her friend carefully cut up her spaghetti. She had seen Adriana pull that particular trick off in the past, but it was still fun to see the looks of abject horror on the faces of the others in the room.
Of course, the peace couldn't last. Carly had finally found a seat and started in on her own dinner, when the sperm donor picked up where he had evidently left off ... criticizing all four of his children. Carly for taking so long in the kitchen ... she'd like to see him do better, cooking for all those people. Lizzie for her desire to go into the military, for the way she wore her hair, for nervous fluttering around Vin. He criticized Chris for his career choice, for the house, for the fact that they were eating in the living room, instead of in the dining room. He criticized Vin for the length of his hair, for his career choices, for his lack of formal education.
He had probably figured he had a captive audience, since everyone else was concentrating on the food. He had been wrong. Carly witnessed Chris doing a slow burn, with only Mary's hand on his wrist keeping him from blasting his father. However, Vin said quietly, "Don't rightly matter to me, what ya think of m' jobs. I done what I done, 'cause it were necessary. 'Cause a mama whose baby got hurt deserved to know that some scum wouldn't never hurt that child again. I done what I done. Reckon ya don't understand that, livin' in yer ivory tower. But that ain't my problem. It's yers."
"And as Vin so eloquently pointed out to me once, Mr. Larabee ... he didn't need books to teach him about life. Of course, if his parents had done right by him, instead of abandoning a five year old child, maybe it wouldn't have been necessary. Even so, Vin Tanner is one of the most intelligent men I've ever met. And more than that, he has common sense, something which you seem to be sorely lacking," Mary Travis added.
Yeowch. Actually, Mary really didn't need to add anything else after 'if his parents had done right by him,' but still, she had done real good. Chris had stopped fuming and was now grinning broadly at his lady. Mary just smiled serenely and added, "Billy, honey, if you'd like seconds, I'm sure Carly wouldn't mind. She made plenty for everyone. And Carly, in case I didn't say it earlier, you did a wonderful job."
It was then that things really got interesting. Pegeen removed her husband's plate and handed it to Mary, saying, "Here, honey, take Evan's plate. Since he's more interested in criticizing Caroline for her attention to detail and her desire to make sure everything was edible, than in actually eating, I think his plate should go to a growing boy." Mary accepted the plate of spaghetti, and Billy whispered a 'thank you.'
Carly smirked as the eight year old tore into the spaghetti. Pegeen winked at her, then said to Adriana, "I noticed, dear, that you're wearing an interesting necklace. Could I be so bold as to ask if there's a story behind that?" Carly glanced over at her former roommate, frowning when she realized she had never seen that necklace again. Her frown deepened when she noticed how nervous Adriana looked.
However, the brunette replied, "It was a gift from a friend ... Charlotte Richmond. She's on the same project as Carly. She gave this to me before we came back to HQ. It's ... well, it's a representation of Hera. Charlotte is an archaeologist, like me, and she came across this in a shrine devoted to Hera. She ... knows of my ... interest in her." With a start, Carly realized what Adriana was saying ... as well as what she was saying.
She wasn't the only one. Pegeen frowned thoughtfully and said, "You're a pagan?" Adriana nodded, and Pegeen continued, "My dear girl, I'm not judging you. It's just that you're the first pagan I've ever met ... that I know of ... so I didn't really know what to expect. You belong to Hera, then?" Again, Adriana nodded, and Carly felt her jaw become unhinged. Adriana? Was pagan? When did this happen?
"Yes, I suppose you could say that," Adriana admitted. She was clearly uncomfortable with the conversation, though Carly wasn't sure if that was because of the mixed company, or if there were other reasons. Mary didn't look surprised, and Billy was still shoveling away the pasta. So either he hadn't been paying attention, or it simply didn't matter to him. Pegeen just smiled gently, indicating that she was finished with the subject.
Unfortunately, her husband was not. He said with interest, "You're a pagan, Dr. Wilmington? I am surprised. I thought 'an it harm none' was part of the pagan code. I had expected someone as learned as yourself to be more civilized and less prone to violence." Carly barely managed to keep from choking on her meatball. What planet did this guy come from? She swallowed the meatball, painfully, then looked at Adriana.
From the corner of her eye, Carly saw Pegeen slowly edging away from her husband, watching the opposite side of the room very, very warily. As if she expected food to start flying any time now. Well, Carly couldn't deny it sounded appealing.
Her friend had put down her plate between herself and JD, and looked over at Evan Larabee with cool hazel eyes. She said quietly, "In the first place, Mr. Larabee, the code you are speaking of is Wiccan. Not all pagans are Wiccans. I'm not. I have Wiccan friends in the archaeological community, and others, but I am not a pagan. As for civilized and less prone to violence ... does the name Boadicea mean anything to you?"
"Fight the foe, fight the foe, sang the warrior queen. The lion looks proud, in the shade of the tree, but the lioness hunts down the prey," recited Lizzie. Everyone looked at her in surprise, and she blushed, explaining, "I listen to Dr. Frasier's CD's. She ... I mean, Boadicea ... was a tribal queen in Britain. She was a pagan, wasn't she, Drina? I started looking up things about her on the Internet, after I heard that song."
"Exactly. It's a long story, but suffice to say, she was a pagan ... and she most assuredly was not peaceful. Personally, I doubt if I would have taken that particularly well ... being tortured by the Romans, my two little girls raped, and others of my blood being turned into slaves. Unless, of course, Mr. Larabee, you think such people are reasonable? I've never come across anyone who considers a child rapist to be a reasonable person, but there's a first time for everything," Adriana said, a challenging light in her eyes.
That was the second time in the last hour he had been put in his place by someone whom he had expected to support him. Carly knew she shouldn't, but she was actually enjoying the show. To say nothing of the expression on her biological father's face. Chris put in, "Actually, little princess, I have a few other ideas for someone who would do that to a child ... and none of it can be repeated with a little one present."
"I am appalled, Dr. Wilmington. You are a scientist, a woman of education. How can you advocate violence, for any reason? That only leads to greater atrocities. It ... urk!" her biological father started to say. He shut up as a meatball covered in spaghetti sauce hit his chest. Carly followed the trajectory backward ... to find an insincere apologetic smile plastered on JD Dunne's face. Now what was happening?
"Sorry about that ... I imagine my trigger finger got a little happy. You know how it is with us bloodthirsty soldiers ... we're not happy if we're not killing someone, or at least maiming them," the young corporal said sarcastically into the stunned silence that followed. Pegeen was glad now she had moved out of the line of fire. She glanced at the others on that side of the room. Caroline was blinking in surprise. Buck was openly smirking, and Pegeen hoped Corporal Dunne had used one of his own meatballs.
Buck's younger sister was red-faced, one hand clamped over her mouth, but even so, Pegeen could see that her eyes were sparkling with suppressed laughter. And Kevin ... Kevin finally broke the silence by saying, "That was a terrible thin' to do, JD. Usin' one of them poor, defenseless meatballs like that after Carly spent all that time cookin' 'em. Ya oughta apologize to her for that!"
"You're absolutely right, Vin ... Carly, I am so sorry for using one of your meatballs as ammunition. I would have used the pasta itself, but I'm not close enough to give him twenty lashes with a wet noodle," Corporal Dunne replied. By now, Adriana was shaking with laughter, tears appearing in her eyes. The young corporal added, almost offhandedly, "Kind of appropriate, doncha think ... a wet noodle for a limp noodle."
"JD!" Christopher blurted out, glancing at Billy. Buck's smirk turned into an outright laugh, and Adriana just bounced against the sofa, shaking helplessly now. Pegeen didn't know whether to blush, chastise the young man for his dirty mouth ... or applaud him for putting it so concisely. It seemed, however, that just Christopher's 'JD!' was enough, because the young man shot an apologetic look first at Mary and Billy Travis, then another one in her direction. A sincere apology, this time.
"Sorry, ma'am. Buck always says my alligator mouth overrides my hummingbird rear-end, and I guess that happened this time, too," JD said, looking embarrassed. Pegeen noticed, too, that his apology was to her, and to Mary Travis ... not to Evan. In other words, he wasn't sorry he had said it, but he was sorry he had said in mixed company. Pegeen could respect that. He had meant what he said, after all.
Evan was fuming, but Pegeen paid him no mind. Instead, she focused on the young man now reclining on the sofa. The plate had been put to one side and Kevin had leaned back against the back of the sofa. His eyes were closed, and he looked very pale. Buck noticed where she was looking, and asked, "Vin? You okay there?" Adriana rolled to her knees and turned to face him, Pegeen catching sight of her expression as she did so. She looked worried.
"Reckon I'm just a mite tired, Bucklin, it ain't anythin' serious. Ya done real good, Carly," Kevin answered without opening his eyes. Caroline rose to her feet, approaching her twin, and Rain Jackson passed Kevin's plate first to Adriana, who then passed it to Caroline. That seemed to be a signal of some kind, because first Mary, then Josie rose to their respective feet. Mary started on her side of the room, Josie on hers, and together, they collected the plates of those who were finished with supper.
Both Christopher and Buck were among those finished, and they both eased Kevin from the sofa, Adriana and Corporal Dunne scrambling away to give them room. Josie Tanner said, "Carly, let me have that plate. You fixed dinner, I'll start on the dishes." Caroline handed the plate to her aunt with an absent smile, then turned her attention back to her twin brother, watching with concern as Buck and Christopher carried him from the room. The young biologist followed them from the living room, with JD and Adriana bringing up the rear. With their mothers occupied, Elizabeth moved to talk with Billy.
At Pegeen's side, Evan drew breath to say something ... the first words he had spoken since being struck by the flying meatball. Pegeen immediately elbowed him in the ribs, hissing, "Say one unpleasant word, Evan, and I swear, I'll let that boy finish what he started! Don't think I won't, because I will. Now behave yourself." She glared at him once, fiercely, then rose to her feet, stifling a groan at the aches which resulted.
She moved first into the kitchen, but Josie and Mary had everything under control. In fact, the two women were laughing and joking. Smiling to herself, and once more wishing she had been gifted with a daughter, Pegeen slipped next into Kevin's bedroom, where Christopher and Buck were quietly settling him into bed. Pegeen hung back, but still attracted the attention of Adriana, who was leaning against the dresser.
The archaeologist smiled at her, but there was a distance in her demeanor. Not a coldness, but a wariness. Like she didn't know what to expect from Pegeen. And for her own part, Pegeen had no idea how to reassure the girl that she had nothing to fear from her. The girl seemed quite capable of looking out for herself, and those she loved ... Pegeen had only to remember her able self-defense with Evan to realize that.
But it wasn't Adriana herself who concerned the archaeologist, but Kevin. He was reclining in bed now, his eyes closed, and Pegeen said, "Why don't you all go back into the living room, and relax? I'll sit with Kevin, in case he needs anything." Adriana shifted her weight from one foot to the other, her eyes narrowing. Pegeen got the message, loud and clear. She spoke to Christopher, but her words were directed at the archaeologist as well, "It's all right, son. You know I'd never do anything to hurt one of my children."
Christopher looked at her, then smiled quietly. He squeezed his brother's shoulder, a look passing between them. Pegeen didn't try to read anything into the look. Didn't try to interpret what it meant. Christopher had told her about the silent communication which he and Kevin had. It didn't matter if she understood. Obviously, Kevin did, and that was all that mattered. Christopher put his arm around Adriana's shoulders, murmuring, "It's okay, little princess, he'll be fine." Buck put his hand behind JD's head and began dragging him from the room by the scruff of his neck, ignoring the protests from the boy.
With the room now empty, save the two of them, Pegeen looked at Kevin and smiled faintly. He was watching her with a faintly bewildered expression, as if he wasn't quite sure what to make of her. She said quietly, "I meant that, you know. Not too long before we left, your aunt Josie sent Evan pictures of you, from the time you were born until you were five, and later pictures, when you met up with Caroline. And I swore to myself, Kevin, that you were my son now. Julia Tanner did a fine job of raising you ... but you're my son now."
He just stared at her, and it occurred to Pegeen that he didn't know what to say. A second after that, she understood why. She knew so much about him, but he knew almost nothing about her. She asked, "Would you mind if I sat down? I'm getting old, Kevin, and I can't stand like I used to." He glanced at the chair beside his bed, and Pegeen sat down quickly. She looked at her hands, then said, "Well, I would think you know the basics about me."
"I know yer Chris' ma," he said simply. Well, that was certainly basic. He continued after a moment, his voice husky from a mixture of sleepiness and pain, "I know ya raised him by yerself for a year, when he was thirteen. That ya didn't just let ... him ... back into yer life. That ya made him gain yer trust again. Reckon my ma woulda liked you." This startled Pegeen, until she realized that Julia Tanner had raised her little boy for five years, on her own. Kevin added, "She allus said, 'Vin and me is a package deal. Ya don't want him, ya don't get me.' Reckon that's what ya woulda done, if he hadn't come."
"That's exactly what I would have done, Kevin. You don't know what to call Evan, do you?" Pegeen asked. The look he gave her could have frozen a lake in August. She laughed a bit uncertainly and said, "I suppose that was a silly question. You can't call him your father, because I'd say Josiah Sanchez is more like your father. More like what a father should be like, at least. Yes, Evan provided the sperm which helped to create you ... but he isn't really your father."
"Reckon I could always call him 'Mr. Larabee.' That's what Chris always tells people when they call him that. 'Mr. Larabee is my father, not me.' He liked that about as well as he likes bein' called 'cowboy.' He don't like that one bit," Kevin observed and Pegeen laughed aloud. No, she was sure he didn't! Kevin asked, "Ya know why that is? Why he don't like bein' called 'cowboy,' even though he lets me do it?"
"I can answer those questions backward ... sort of. Yes, as a matter of fact, I do know why Christopher hates being called 'cowboy.' It goes back to when he was a boy. As for your other question ... why he lets you get away with it ... that's easy. Two answers, actually. First...when you call him 'cowboy,' it's a term of affection ... not malice. You're teasing him, and he knows it. The other ... because, Kevin, he loves you. From someone you love, you can forgive almost anything." Almost, Pegeen thought sadly, almost.
"What do you suppose they're talking about in there?"
Adriana turned as her former roommate walked out onto the patio, sliding the glass door shut behind her. She had come outside after leaving Vin's room, needing fresh air and time to think. She was miserably aware that Vin was close to his melting point, when he couldn't take any more. When that happened, he would need her strength. She wanted to make sure he would have that strength to access. But the truth was, she wasn't sure if she could access it.
"Does it matter?" she asked. Carly shook her head, sitting down beside her. The pair were silent for several minutes, then Adriana continued, "You ever find yourself wondering what she sees in him? Pegeen, I mean?" Carly laughed and nodded. Quite often, it would seem. Again, silence fell, and Adriana asked after a moment, "That's not why you came out to talk to me, though, is it?"
"No. Although, Pegeen and my biological father remind me a bit of Charlotte and Will," Carly admitted. Adriana just looked at her friend in disbelief. Say what??? Will was a pain in the ass, yeah, but he wasn't nearly as bad as Evan Larabee. Not any more, at least, although he came close after they lost their child. Carly shrugged and added, "Difference in perspective, I guess. Why didn't you tell me you were pagan now?"
Ahhh. Adriana knew this would come up eventually. She replied, "Didn't seem important. It's not a big secret, Carly, that I was keeping from you. There were other priorities, and your twin was at the top of the list." Carly lowered her eyes. Adriana shook her head and asked, "What? What aren't you saying? I can't read you in the moonlight as well as I can in the daylight, but I know there's something you're not saying."
"It just blows my mind. Hera, of all goddesses. I never had you figured for the kinda gal who would worship a jealous bitch like Hera," Carly replied, shaking her head this time. Adriana stiffened, her eyes narrowing as she looked at her longtime friend. She should be used to this. Every time she actually mentioned the goddess who had chosen her, she got this reaction. That was why she usually kept those things to herself. Besides. It was no one else's business.
However, all she said was, "She's not a jealous bitch to me, Carly. She's the goddess who loves me, loves her child. I'm not denying what might have gone before. I don't know that Hera. I wasn't there. The Hera I know loves me. When I have bad nights, she rocks me to sleep, and she comforts me when I'm afraid. Hell, why am I even discussing this?" She rose to her feet, shaking her head in frustration, and Carly caught her hand.
"I'm sorry. It just ... it caught me off-guard. And it made me realize that there were things about you I didn't know. I've spent so much time with Vin, I'd forgotten how much you've changed ... and that I needed to get to know you again," Carly said softly, staring up at her. Adriana sighed, feeling the anger drain away. She usually didn't tell people anything, other than the fact that she was a pagan. She invariably got the same reaction, "Hera??? Why?"
"It doesn't matter. I should know better than to tell people anything like that. Hell, I read the same myths you did. Hera, the jealous queen of the gods. The tormentor of Hercules. I know all that. But Hera is a mother goddess. And like I told you, that's not the Hera I know. I don't even know that I can explain this to you ... I tried to explain it once to JD, and got absolutely nowhere," Adriana replied.
"JD is JD, though. Apples and oranges. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to put you on the defensive, didn't mean to imply you're stupid. I just ... it just startled me. And it startled me, to find out that Charlotte knew something about you that I didn't," Carly added. Adriana grinned at that. Yeah, she could imagine. Carly looked at her feet, then looked back at Adriana, saying seriously, "You gotta know something. As weird as it was for me ... you're still Adriana to me. Okay? You're still my roomie, my best friend, still the woman my twin brother plans to marry."
"Okay," Adriana answered with a deep sigh. She wrapped her arms around her legs, murmuring, "Vin ... it didn't even faze Vin when I admitted it to him. It doesn't matter to him. He doesn't care if I'm Christian, pagan, Wiccan, or whatever. He doesn't care that ... that ... I have a hard time explaining why I belong to Hera, and not someone like Aphrodite, or ... or Vesta, or someone like that. It just doesn't matter to him."
"It wouldn't. Being the son of a missionary and preacher ... did it bother Josiah at all?" Carly asked curiously, and Adriana shook her head, remembering. It startled him that Hera had chosen her, rather than Diana or maybe Morrigan. But he wasn't bothered by it. Carly said thoughtfully, "Well, that's good. I would hate to think that Aunt Josie is falling in love with someone who can't see past his own beliefs."
"No, in fact, he was the one who finally explained it to JD. And it's not that the kid is stupid, or anything like that," Adriana told her friend.
Carly simply listened in silence as the archaeologist continued, "I think ... I mean, I think he knew that there were religions, or belief systems, other than Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. It just didn't register with him that some of those religions actually worship other gods and goddesses. It took Josiah the longest time to make him understand that Hera is as real to me as Jesus Christ is to them."
She flashed her friend a rueful smile, adding, "I'm not the most patient of people. He kept making assumptions. And I should have expected that, but I'm still pretty new at this myself." Adriana gestured helplessly, but it wasn't necessary, as Carly seemed to understand exactly what she meant. The archaeologist took a deep breath and added, "I'm sorry I started to walk off earlier. It's just that I learned the hard way not to talk about my beliefs, and that usually, the best way to avoid an argument I could only lose was to walk away."
"I shouldn't have pushed you. You always were full of surprises. You even were willing to listen to Daniel's theories, even when Vin and I thought they were crazy. I always admired that about you," Carly said. Adriana cocked her head to one side. Admired? Carly nodded, saying, "There was a lot I admired about you. I thought you knew. Well. Maybe it's time a lot of things were said."
Silence fell between Vin and Pegeen, after the woman explained that when you loved someone, you could forgive just about anything. Vin only had to remember the last mission to see the truth in that statement. Will and Charlotte Richmond were a living testament to that truth. The only reason Charlotte had forgiven Will, not just once but twice, was because she loved him. Of course, some groveling on his part didn't hurt. But love was the main factor.
How long had he loved Adriana? He became aware of it recently, just during the last few months. But really, hadn't he loved her a lot longer than that? Hadn't he really fallen in love with her back in Texas? And wasn't that what really hurt, when he thought she kept the truth from him about Claire and Chanu? Vin didn't know for sure ... but it made sense. Even so, even looking over his relationship with his friend turned girlfriend, seeing the parallels, there was still one thing which Vin didn't understand.
"Why?" he asked. Pegeen lifted her head to look at him, and Vin continued, "Why are ya here? Why do ya care 'bout me? Hell, he cheated on ya! Ya got no call to care 'bout me?" Pegeen's green eyes bore into him, but there was no anger in her gaze. Only steadiness. She reminded him of Nettie, when that lady wanted to make sure he understood something. Vin almost smiled, thinking of Nettie and wondering what she would make of Evan Larabee.
"I want you to listen to me, Kevin. And never forget this. Yes. My husband cheated on me. You, and both of your sisters, came out of those ... interludes. But that is not your fault. You did not create the situation, the situation created you. Long before he knew that you were his brother, my son had accepted you as his brother. That makes you my son. That's why I'm here, that's why I care. Because when my husband abdicated his responsibility as your father, you became my son," Pegeen replied.
Vin found himself rendered speechless by her response. Pegeen took a deep breath, then went on, "Mind you, I would never try to take your mother's place. Julia Tanner sounds like she was a wonderful woman. And Nettie, from what I've heard, loves you very much. But you were without a mother for so many years, Kevin. Will you let me make up that difference to you? Will you allow me that joy?"
Vin tried to answer her straight out, but what actually came out of his mouth wasn't 'yes' or 'no,' but, "Can ya explain somethin' to me?" Pegeen nodded. This was something Vin had been thinking about for a long time. It began when he first learned about Jessica Tanner and Evan Larabee, when he finally accepted that Julia Tanner wasn't the woman who gave birth to him. He asked hesitantly, "Why did my ma lie to me? She tol' me that my pa wasn't somebody her pa liked, but she loved him ... and that's how I came to be. Why did she lie to me?"
"I don't know that she did, honey," Pegeen admitted with a sigh. Vin frowned, and Pegeen continued, "She may have simply told you a sanitized version of the truth. You were so young when Julia Tanner died, Kevin. I think she told you what she could of the truth. The only untruth she told you was that your parents loved each other. But ... I'm not so sure I can blame her for that. Jessica was her youngest sister ... she probably wanted to believe that she and my husband loved each other."
It made sense. But Lord, all this was making his head hurt. He closed his eyes, and Pegeen said gently, "Why don't you get some sleep, Kevin? I know, it feels as if you do nothing but sleep. But every time you have another confrontation with my husband, it takes a lot of energy out of you. Close your eyes." Despite his best efforts, Vin found himself doing just that. He took a deep breath, his body's exhaustion taking priority over his need for answers.
Pegeen began humming softly as she lightly stroked his hair. Vin drowsily recognized it as the melody for 'What Child is This,' which was one of his favorite Christmas carols when he was growing up. Although, his ma always called 'em 'hymns,' instead a' 'carols.' He was gradually drifting off to sleep when he heard footsteps into his room. Pegeen said quietly, "He's almost asleep, Evan. You wake him, and I'll make sure you can't bring any more children into the world. You can't even take care of the ones you have."
"I wouldn't ... I just ... dammit, Pegeen. Do you think I don't know what an ass I've made of myself over the last few hours! I didn't even want to be here, remember?" Vin's biological father answered in a low voice. Vin struggled against what was drawing him back toward wakefulness. He didn't want to be awake now. He wanted to be asleep, asleep and unaware of whatever his father had to say.
"I'm not telling you again, Evan. Don't wake him up. And you didn't have to come with me to Christopher's home. You could have stayed at the hotel. I could have easily taken a cab. I've done it before," Pegeen answered in a deadly voice. Despite Vin's best efforts, his eyes opened to a slit. Pegeen was turned in her chair, practically bristling with rage. Her hand had left his hair and touched one of the bumps on his head. He hissed in pain, and Pegeen turned her attention back to him.
"I'm sorry ... I forgot you hit your head on the way down. Why don't I take Evan outside, and let you get some sleep. Would you like me to send in your brother or your girlfriend?" Pegeen asked. Evan snorted at this description of Drina, and Vin's eyes were now fully open. He glared at his biological father ... or, as Lizzie kept calling him, the sperm donor. Pegeen didn't look too happy, either.
However, it was Chris who said from behind Evan Larabee, "Adriana is out on the patio with Carly. I'll keep Vin company. You may want to take Father out front. I have a feeling Carly will want to remove certain body parts, after what happened at dinner." Vin, who had seen his brother's shadow in the doorway, simply relaxed against the pillows. Chris added, his green eyes flashing, "Come to think of it, I'm tempted to take a few shots at you myself."
"You're not enough of a man!" Evan hissed. A cold smile appeared, and Pegeen looked from her son to her husband and back again. She settled herself into her chair, as if she intended to shield Vin from the ugly confrontation that was bound to occur. It had been building all night now. From the moment Evan Larabee entered his son's home. And Vin wondered why Pegeen wasn't reminding Chris that Evan was his father, and entitled to respect.
"Actually, you're not worth it. Now, Paris Tanner will be here tomorrow. He's a little closer to your age. And he isn't real likely to look kindly on the man who abandoned his grandchildren. Yeah ... yeah, I think I'll let him deal with you. You want to head back to your hotel, you go right ahead. Mom is more than welcome to stay here. But understand this, understand it well. Vin is my brother. Carly and Lizzie are my sisters. I will not tolerate you insulting them, as you did tonight," Chris answered in a low voice.
He took a step forward, making Evan backpedal, and continued, "It's like Mary said. Maybe if Vin's parents didn't abandon him, he might have had the same opportunities. We'll never know what he could have become. But I do know the man he is, and I couldn't be any prouder of him. Even at nineteen, he was more of a man than you could ever hope to be ... hell, at twelve, the same was true!"
"Don't talk to me that way, boy, I'm your father, the only one you've got!" Evan hissed. Behind Chris, Adriana and Carly had appeared as well. The pair held onto each other hands, as they often did when they were nervous or frightened. A quick glance at his twin told Vin that she and Drina had patched things up. While he only just learned that Carly was his twin, he knew her well enough to realize she wouldn't take kindly to Drina surprising her like she done at dinner. They had a few things to work out. Looks like that was done. Carly winked at him, though she still looked nervous. Yup. Everything was good between them.
"I wish to hell I could respect you. I don't understand it. I didn't understand when I found out, and I still don't. How could you have abandoned Vin? Your own child? I would give my right arm to have Adam back, and you just gave your son away like he was a piece of trash! Thanks to you, Adam never got to know his uncle, or either of his aunts. Sarah never got to mother her brother-in-law. Thanks to you, I didn't find my brother until we were both adults. But now he's in my life, and I ain't about to let him go!" Chris fired back.
Huh? Maybe the pain meds were starting to affect Vin's brain, because that came out of nowhere. Or maybe it didn't. Evan Larabee said softly, "So that's it. You're choosing that little whore's brat over your father." Vin looked at Pegeen, startled. Where the hell did he get that? And why should Chris have to choose between them. Pegeen put her hand over his, her eyes never leaving the two angry Larabees.
"I'm choosing my brother over the man who abandoned my mother and me. You made your decision a long time ago, Father, and now I've made mine. I just finished a conversation with Mary. I've asked her to move in with me, her and Billy. She didn't give me a definite answer, but she did say she would think about it. I'm starting a new family for myself, Father. I thought about including you in that family. Until you insulted it. Until you insulted my brother and my sisters," Chris replied coldly.
Chris turned to Pegeen and added, "You will always be part of that family, Mom. You will always be my family." You will always be my family. The words echoed in Vin's heart, just as his mother's final words to him, more than twenty years earlier, continued to echo. Was it possible that when his mother told him to never forget he was a Tanner, it was just another way of saying he would always be her family? Regardless of their blood relation?