Hey everybody, longtime no see. I apologize for the long wait, there was an explosion in my life of good, bad, and ugly. I hate that I have two unfinished stories and hope to rectify that. Hopefully, I can update both of my stories weekly like I planned but that's only if life doesn't get in the way, as it usually does. I plan to edit the story entirely when I'm finished with it but in the meantime feel free to point out any errors, they are greatly appreciated. Also, thank you all for your wonderful reviews and I hope you all enjoy this latest installment. ;-)

Eric watched Tara's unmoving form on the bed. He wanted to reach out and grab her hand but he somehow felt that would be crossing a barrier that he had not yet deemed appropriate for himself. Even though he felt it would assuage the sick feeling that had been churning in his gut he kept his hands stubbornly to his side and instead vented his frustration within, as he usually did. It was one thing to hold her hand possessively it was another to hold her hand as she lay sick in bed. Anyone who walked into the room would find him detached and dispassionate but someone who'd known him for centuries, as Pam had, saw the strain and worry in his eyes.

Tara had been bed-ridden with fever for the past three days going in and out of consciousness and delirium. Novella had been ordered to perform as her full-time nurse and he'd called in several doctors to give him a diagnosis. He'd ordered them all away coolly when he realized they didn't have an answer. As much as he was tempted to rip all of their throats out, for what he saw as their incompetence, he restrained himself and sought another only to receive the exact same information.

Apparently, none of these Ph.D touting geniuses could figure out what was wrong with Tara. They all just reiterated her having the flu, pneumonia, etc. He could tell by his blood flowing through hers that this was not some common illness. The only reason he'd called them was because, for the first time, his blood had not healed a human.

Hours after she'd passed out he'd finally relented and given her some of his blood. He grew more perplexed when he realized it had no visible effect on her. Their connection was much more stronger now but that was the only result that he could see.

He didn't know how to explain it but the entire room felt charged somehow...alive. Tara's tiny frame was emitting so much heat that, even without their connection, he could feel it. The bed she lay on felt like it had been warmed up and ever so often he had Novella come in to change the sheets and bathe Tara in cold water. It didn't appear to help much at all but otherwise he'd feel helpless, something he was not accustomed too.

As a human he'd been a pagan and as a vampire he'd embraced being a nocturnal evil being but watching Tara unmoving on the bed without her usual feisty spirit had him looking upward. As it stood, he was as ignorant of God as other people would be of NASA's space program. He had no idea how to approach the topic or the idea. All he wanted was for Tara to wake up and tell him what an asshole he was.

The longer she slept the more he felt she would never wake up which is why time was of the essence. He reached out a cold hand and lightly grazed her cheek. He felt the heat before his hand made contact. It was almost as if the heat from her body was giving life to his hand. He slowly dragged his hand away when he sensed someone coming.

"I hope you have good news Novella."

She stepped quietly into the room and he turned his head towards her.

"I apologize, Mr. Northman. I don't have good or bad news," she glanced over at Tara's still form but fixing her gaze back on him, "Her cousin just called. Lafayette."

He raised a brow, "I didn't hear the phone ring."

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a cell phone that he'd seen Tara with, "It was in her clothes I just washed. I'm surprised it still works."

She placed the cell phone on top of the dresser.

"What did you say?"

He hadn't thought about Lafayette for one second and really had no intention to but he knew Tara cared about him and he felt obligated to tell him something.

"I said that I would give word to you and that you would contact him, if necessary."

He didn't find it necessary at all but would make the call anyway.

"Thank you, Novella."

She left just as quickly as she came and he was once again left alone with an unresponsive Tara. He watched the rise and fall of her chest feeling more depressed than he thought that he should. He was much too wrapped up in his human and he could acknowledge that but he'd never be a Bill Compton. The very thought unnerved him.

Bill Compton seemed to think that he was human, on most days. He would never make that mistake, although, he couldn't deny his growing attachment to Tara. He'd seen and heard many things over the years of vampires who'd gotten too close with their human counterparts. Caring for humans was nothing but a weak spot for vamps, for they were much too vulnerable. If humans weren't betraying their kind they were being used as leverage against them which is why he knew he should be at the club instead of here with her.

If he flew to Fangtasia he might, in time, release himself of this hold that she had on him. It would, at least, be a step in a human-free life. Even as he contemplated it he knew the devil himself couldn't drag him away from her.

He pulled himself from the chair he was in and went to the dresser to grab Tara's phone. He turned it on and could see that she had dozens of missed calls and messages. He could also see that the battery was low but he didn't plan on talking that long.

He went through her contacts and frowned when he saw male names he didn't know. He especially frowned when he came across Sam Merlotte, a good portion of the missed phone calls were from him. He found Lafayette's number and waited patiently as it dialed.

"Bitch, where the hell you been?"

He pulled the phone away from his ear briefly as Lafayette screamed into the phone.

"Do you know how worried I been? I thought Eric had bit yo ass and sucked you dry. Sookie and Sam been worried too."

He waited until Lafayette was finished with his version of a concerned tirade before he spoke.

"Are you through?"

There was a moment of surprised silence before Lafayette spoke again, "Eric? Where Tara at?"

"Where are you?"

"At work. Why?" he could hear Lafayette take a strangling gulp, "Did you hurt Tara? Eric, whatever she said or did she didn't mean it she just-"

"Tara is sick and I'm sending someone to get you. She would want you here."

"Sick? What's wrong with her? Did she get -"

He turned the phone off before he could hear Lafayette speak another word. He dialed another number.

"Hello?"

"Luther, it's Eric. I want you to go to a bar named Merlotte's and pick up Tara's cousin, Lafayette."

"The fruity one?"

"Is there another?" he asked dryly.

"Not that I'm aware of. You want me to pick him up now?"

Eric thought about it. There was no sign that she'd be waking up soon but he thought it better if Lafayette were nearby. It was either him or her mother and he refused to even let her cross the threshold.

"Yes. I prefer you do it sooner than later."

"I'm headed out right now."

As he clicked the phone shut he wondered briefly if he should try to bring Sookie Stackhouse into the fold. Dealing with her would mean that he would have to deal with Bill and that was not an annoyance he was in the mood to put up with. He would have to give word to Sookie by way of Lafayette but either way she would have to stay home.

He turned the phone off and pocketed it as he turned back to Tara. He felt a sharp pain in his chest as he fell unceremoniously back into the chair he'd been sitting idle in for days. He felt like everything around him was falling apart and he couldn't understand why.

He leaned towards the bed and paused for a painstaking second before he, hesitantly, placed her hand in his. He lifted her hand to his face and placed his lips softly against them. Once again, he was surprised at the heat he felt oozing from her in waves.

He leaned further in, his defenses slowly breaking away yet he couldn't muster the strength to care. He placed a lingering soft kiss on her forehead before laying his against hers.

"Wake up min sköna. Wake up."

Sam was really starting to climb up the walls. He'd been on edge for days. No one had heard anything from Tara or seen her. He was most concerned over the fact that even Lafayette seemed to have no idea what was going on. He and Sookie both had been hounding him about Tara but he either refused to say or genuinely didn't know and both scenarios were unsettling.

After being teased mercilessly by Lafayette about his feelings for Tara he'd went for a long run. He had never felt as confused as he had that night and he felt even more confused now.

"Where the hell is she?" he growled to himself.

"Where's who?"

He spun around to see Arlene looking at him as if he was losing his mind, which he probably was.

"Uh...no one," he ran his hands through his hair failing to hide his nerves.

"Okaaay," she said before looking apologetic, "I know this probably isn't a good time to ask this since Tara hasn't been around for days and we've been really busy and you probably need all the help you can get -"

He cut her off already annoyed before she even asked the question, "How much?"

She clasped her hands together with that 'please forgive me' expression she often wore, "How much what?"

"How much time do you need off?"

Her eyes lit up like a five year old who'd just been told Christmas was coming early.

"Really?"

Usually he'd find Arlene's spirited enthusiasm a breath of much needed fresh air but he was too tightly wound to care tonight.

"Yeah, go ahead but I need you back soon."

"Oh, thank you so much Sam, you don't know how much this means to me. Normally, I wouldn't ask but my kids have been wanting to go this amusement park up in Baton -"

"It's okay Arlene," he interrupted again, "Take a few days but hurry back."

She gave a little squeal of excitement and thanked him again before skipping out of his office. He sighed before heading towards the cabinet that sat behind his desk and rambled through it before finding what he was looking for. He popped a couple of Tylenol to relieve the headache that seemed to have lately taken residence in his brain and picked up his phone for yet another attempt in locating Tara.

After punching in her number the phone rang and rang and soon the voicemail picked up. He wasn't in the mood to leave another message so he just clicked the phone off in frustration and threw it amongst the papers on his desk. It wasn't like Tara to be gone for so long without a word as to where she was or where she was going. He didn't even know if she'd ever set food outside of Bon Temps. If she were around someone in this town should have spotted her. As it was, he was dangerously close to putting in a missing persons report.

He halfway wondered if Tara was avoiding him because of Earl, which still didn't make sense to him. He had no idea why Tara or anyone else in the bar would be so adverse to paying their respects to someone they regularly saw every night. The people who did say that they would come, like Arlene and Sookie, had to bail at the last minute for different reasons which had left the procession feeling more than a bit eerie.

The funeral had been nothing short of pathetic. He had been the only one to attend, not to mention he had foot the bill as well. Not that there was much of a funeral to speak of. He'd had him cremated and gave a moment of silence before sprinkling his remains on the property that Earl had lived on for years. He hadn't known exactly what to do and taking Earl home seemed the most sensible option at the time.

He jumped when he heard his phone ring and made a mad dash to answer it.

"Hello?" he asked, hoping that it would be Tara's voice that responded.

"If you have experienced difficulties in paying your mortgage in the past or have had to resort in taking out a second mortgage then you should-"

He pulled the phone away from his face, "What the hell?"

He ended the call before he could hear another second of the recorded auto message. He stared at the phone in his hand as if it were the source of all his troubles and in a burst of anger threw it at the partially closed door to his office. He then turned and kicked his desk out of sheer frustration.

"Damn I'll come back later."

He spun around at the sound of Lafayette's voice. Lafayette was staring at him as if he was some rabid dog that needed to be approached carefully. He even had his hands held up in a defenseless position as he opened the door wider, before stepping in.

He took a sharp breath, "Don't tell me you want time off too. I'm kind of not in the mood right now."

"I don't know about time off but I may have to leave in a few."

"Leave where?" he was nearly to the point of exasperation.

He saw the unsure glint in Lafayette's eyes before he spoke and knew that he was thinking about lying.

"A friend need my help with something. It's a emergency."

He moved closer to Lafayette sensing he was close to learning something of use. He peered closer at him and noticed his demeanor wasn't nearly as tormented as it was earlier which had to mean only one thing. He knew something.

"Where you going?"

His question was casual and even a bit nonchalant. He knew if he appeared too interested Lafayette would spill nothing.

Lafayette shrugged, "I don't know. My friend'll tell me when he pick me up."

"Who's your friend?"

He knew he was risking coming off like an interrogator but he couldn't help himself. If Tara was in trouble he felt he had a right to know.

Lafayette raised his brows at the question before responding, "You don't know him."

"How do you know?"

"Trust me, I know. You and him don't run in the same crowds."

He put on a slightly disappointed face, "At least tell me how long you'll be gone."

"Sam, if I knew, I'd tell ya but I don't."

"Days? Weeks? Months? Do I have to look for a permanent new cook?"

"Didn't I just say I don't know?," Lafayette snapped, "Damn, I'm stressed enough already. It ain't like you need some master chef to cook that shit you serve, anyway."

He felt himself growing frustrated again because he was obviously getting nowhere, "Okay, let's just cut the bull for a minute Lafayette. This is about Tara isn't it?" he paused for a minute to see if Lafayette would react and when he didn't he forged on, "If she's in trouble or needs help-"

"What? What you gone do if Tara in trouble and need help? What can you do Sam? You ain't nobody! All you gone do is make the situation worse or get yourself killed."

"What in the world is going on back here?" Sookie rushed into the room looking back and forth between them.

"I don't know what the hell's goin' on but I'm about to leave. Catch ya'll later."

Lafayette spun around and left, leaving Sookie to stare accusingly at him.

"What?"

She crossed her arms and glared expectantly.

"What just happened? What were you and Lafayette arguing about?"

He threw his hands up, "What do we ever argue about these days?"

Sookie's entire demeanor changed as she took on a much more somber tone.

"Tara," she glanced at the doorway before looking back at him, "You still think Lafayette knows something?"

"I wasn't sure before but I am now."

She stepped towards him eagerly, "Why? What did he say?"

"He basically just told me that I couldn't help Tara even if I wanted too."

"Why would he say that?" she looked towards the door again as if Lafayette would pop back up at any moment, "Maybe I should try to hear what he's thinking."

"Be my guest but he'll probably know what you're doing."

She gave a conciliatory nod, "You're probably right," she took another glance towards the door, "Where is he off to anyway?"

The way her chest heaved when she asked that question usually would have got his blood pumping but he was too worried to care at the moment.

"He won't say."

"You think he could be going to see Tara?"

"I hope so, at least then one of us would have seen her."

"I just don't get it. Tara would never go this long without contacting one of us. I'm really scared that she might be hurt."

When he saw the unshed tears in her eyes he took the opportunity to pull her into his embrace. She shivered in his arms as he ran his hand soothingly up and down her back. He closed his eyes savoring having her so close to him before she quickly pulled away and wiped her face.

"Thanks Sam, you always know how to make me feel better," she forced a smile, "I'm gonna go see if I can find out anything."

After she left the room he felt lost and frustrated again. He walked brusquely out of his office and tried to find something of use to do. Arlene and Sookie were doing fine with the tables and the new girl whose name he couldn't remember was at the bar. Lafayette was still, at the moment, cooking the 'shit' in the kitchen. He decided to take the garbage out.

After he'd gathered all the bags together he opened the door to the back and threw them in the garbage bins. He stood outside for a moment taking in the night air trying to construct a cohesive plan in his bundled mind when he saw a sleek black Cadillac pull up. A tall, muscular, black man got out and went in. He would have thought it was a new customer but the man left his car running which meant he wasn't going to be long for whatever it was he intended to do inside.

His predictions turned out to be correct when the man came out hardly a minute later and jumped back into his vehicle. He was just about to head inside when he saw Lafayette hurry out and jump into his own car. The guy pulled out first and then Lafayette followed.

Sam took one last glance at his bar before making a quick decision. He could sit here and go crazy worrying about Tara or he could take some action and try to find out on his own. A bird soared over his head and he stared up at it imagining what it would be like to fly so high.

He just hoped and prayed that Lafayette would lead him to Tara. He'd had an uneasy feeling ever since vamps decided to come out. Things in the town just didn't feel right anymore and with the vamps so open it was getting harder and harder to conceal his own secret.

When Eric's phone buzzed against his thigh he removed his head from Tara's before reaching into his pocket. He gave her a long hard look before he saw Luther's name on the screen and answered it.

"Is there a problem?"

"No. Tara's cousin is on his way. He's right behind me."

Eric frowned, "Behind you as in the backseat or behind you as in another car?"

"Behind me as in another car."

"Why is he not with you?"

"He didn't want to leave his car at the bar and I don't blame him. It ain't the most upstanding place."

That much was true.

"How long until you get here?"

"Twenty minutes to a half hour."

"Don't make any detours."

"Don't even worry boss. We'll be there soon enough."

He ended the call and began putting his phone back in his pocket when it rang again. An unknown number popped up. He usually didn't answer those but he made an exception out of curiosity.

"Eric Northman. Who the hell is this?"

"This is your magistrate calling," a silky voice spoke, "I'll put you through to him. Hold, please."

He glanced at Tara's still form reminding himself that he wasn't in the mood to talk politics and regretting that he'd answered the call.

"Northman?"

"I'm here."

"I sent an emissary to your club the other night but you weren't there."

"Why didn't you send him to my home?"

The magistrate's voice took on a pious tone, "I never go where I'm not invited or needed, least of all to someone's home."

He hated strangers randomly showing up to his home, as well. He'd gotten so used to it having to deal with Sophie that he'd come to expect it from everyone. Just the thought of Sophie continually soured his already bad mood.

"Is there a problem?"

"There are problems but they're not new. I'll need you in a few days when Raquel is questioned. You'll be questioned too."

He turned quickly when he thought he saw Tara's fingers move. He watched her intently, hoping he wasn't seeing things. He waited impatiently for something to happen feeling useless, yet again.

"Are you still there?"

He'd almost forgotten he was on the phone.

"Yes, I'm here."

"So, I can expect you at the hearing?"

"I'll be there," he said gruffly not even blinking lest he miss something.

He could hear the chair creak on the other end as the magistrate shifted.

"I also wanted to speak with you on the killings that have taken place."

The only thing that he could hear was Tara's heartbeat as it pumped steadily. He didn't know if he was listening too hard or if the pace actually increased. He didn't hear anything that the magistrate said.

"Could you repeat that?"

The magistrate cleared his throat and paused before resuming, "I wanted to talk with you about the killings. This is confidential information but since someone in your territory was a victim, I'll share. I don't need to remind you to keep this in the strictest of confidence, do I?"

Eric looked disgusted before answering placidly, "Of course not. You would have a bigger risk with one of your emissaries."

He was thinking of the little yuppy he'd encountered at Raquel's. He had the persona of a blabber mouth that didn't understand hierarchy or authority. If he should be questioning anyone's confidence it should be his.

"Just making sure we understand each other."

"We are understood."

"Good," he took a moment before continuing, "There's been another death," he paused again as if he expected Eric to add something, "The trial is nothing more than a formality since Raquel couldn't possibly have had a hand in this."

He closed his eyes briefly when he realized he must have been imagining things. Tara's body was as still as before, if not more so. He heard the magistrate clear his throat on the other end and tried to remember whatever it was that he'd just said.

"Do you know anything more about these killings? Was it another vamp?"

"We know as much as you do," his tone was slightly accusing, "And yes, it was another vamp. They have all been vamps. There is only so long we can keep this in camp. People are already starting to talk and the Vampire League wants to call a council. I'm assuming no one in your district has come forth with any new information."

"Normally, I would advise you not to assume anything about me but in this case you would be correct."

He heard the chair squeak again, "Whatever this thing is it seems to be fond of your area and the surrounding towns. No one else has reported anything."

The magistrate was probably implying something insidious but he was too distracted with watching Tara. The difference was minute yet he could almost swear that her heartbeat had increased. He leaned down and placed a finger on her pulse to get an exact reading but he still felt troubled and unsure.

"I'll call you the moment I find out anything. If that's all..." He was more than ready to end this conversation.

"That will be all. Have a good night, Northman."

The phone clicked off before he could reply and he tossed it onto the dresser before sitting on the bed next to Tara and taking her hand in his. He felt along her wrist for her pulse and held his hand steadily there. He could hear and feel her pulse well enough but he wasn't as self-assured as he was just a few weeks before. Knowing Tara had thrown his world upside down and he never knew what to expect from one moment to the next.

He felt her heart skip a beat and his eyes flew to her face. She remained as impassive as ever. He reached under her and lifted her up. She was limp in his arms but he could feel her heartbeat speed up again before returning to normal.

He lifted her chin up so that he could peer into her face, "Tara?"

Her heartbeat sped up again and this time for an entire ten seconds before going back to its natural rhythm. He shook her gently before cupping her face. More than anything in the world he wanted to see her eyes. He needed to see her eyes even if it was the last thing he ever did. Just the thought of staring into those fathomless dark pools filled him with something akin to hope.

"Tara," his voice was deep and commanding, "If you can hear me, wake up," he shook her roughly this time, "Wake up!"

Her heart began to pound furiously and he silently counted the seconds before it petered out again. He waited again for the increase and every time seemed to double from the last. He had no clue if this was a good or bad thing, he just needed her to wake up from whatever it was that brought this slumber on.

He held her close just listening to the rise and fall of her heart beat. He had no idea how much time had passed or if any had passed at all. It was to the point now where the fast pace of her heart outweighed the steady one. Her heart began to beat so furiously in her chest he began to worry if it would rupture.

She began to shiver in his arms and he held her tighter. The shivering soon turned into shaking and he gently laid her back against the bed. She started to convulse and he straddled her, pinning her down.

Her heart was beating so fast he could hardly comprehend it. He held her down tightly contemplating whether or not to turn her. The only drawback that he could think of was he wasn't even sure if he could turn her. His blood certainly hadn't helped her this time around, if it ever had.

She jerked up with a force that alarmed him and nearly lost his grip. It felt like there was a war going on inside of her body and he couldn't tell if she was winning or losing. A look of distress fell upon her face and he resisted the need to kiss it away.

"Get off of her!"

He felt something fall against him followed by punches that were only a mild annoyance. He released his right hand from Tara and grabbed Lafayette by the throat pushing him away. He watched as he made choking noises and clawed at his hands.

"I'm not hurting her," he finally noticed Luther standing in the doorway who looked more than interested in what was going on, "Luther, grab him and sit him down."

Luther marched over to Lafayette and pulled him out of his grasp. Lafayette started gasping for air when Eric let go of his throat to hold on to Tara again.

"What's wrong with her?" Luther held a tight grip on Lafayette but watched Tara closely.

"I don't know," Eric ground out.

"Is she gone die?" Lafayette's voice was a quiet tremble now that he'd finally calmed down.

Eric decided not to answer that question, not just because he had no idea but because the thought was much too unsettling to dwell on.

"Her heart's beating out of control."

"You want me to call a doctor?"

He shook his head no, to Luther's offer. He didn't believe that anyone could help her now. Tara began to moan as if she was in great pain and her fever grew gradually worse. She was much too hot to touch and he felt his flesh being seared as if it was touching sunlight but he refused to let go and held on to her tightly.

He saw Lafayette reach for her out of the corner of his eye, "Don't touch her. She's too hot."

"I can feel it," Luther said in awe, "How the hell can I feel it?"

He wanted to cover his ears to the loud thrum of her heartbeat, it was nearly deafening. Holding her felt like handling silver and was doing much worse. He wouldn't be surprised if it went through to the bone.

Just when he thought the noise in her chest would split his skull open it stopped. Her body stopped struggling and she let out a small sigh as if she'd awoken from a peaceful sleep. His eyes widened when he realized her heart was no longer beating.

"Tara!" he shook her violently.

"What's wrong?" Luther took a step towards the bed.

"Her heart stopped," his voice was small and meek, filled with disbelief.

"Tara," he heard Lafayette choke out a sob.

Her fever was dissipating quickly and he was frozen in shock not knowing what to do. She couldn't be dead. Not Tara.

He felt Luther give him a shove, "I'll try CPR."

He watched detached as Luther tried to breathe life back into Tara's body. He couldn't feel her anymore. A feeling of isolation ran so deep within that it paralyzed him. He couldn't move or think. He could only stare at her lifeless form.

Luther pumped furiously on her chest then switched to mouth to mouth. Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion until Luther jumped back. Tara took a deep ragged breath as if she was just coming into the world. Eric, like lightning, was at her side. He could feel her again. He watched her carefully as her eyelids began to move as if a weight were holding them down.

He saw Lafayette rush to her side and Luther took a step back to let him get closer. Her lips cracked open and she appeared to struggle breathing before taking a steady breath.

"Eric," her voice was nothing more than a whisper but it sent sensations pouring through his body that he'd never felt before.

When her eyelids finally opened her eyes stared lazily back at all of them. They were as dark as ever and heavily dilated.

"I am right beside you."

Her eyes tried to focus on his voice and when they did he could have sworn her eyes reshaped before landing on him.

"Wha-"

He laid a finger on her lip to signal her silence. It was obvious she was still very weak and he didn't want her to lose any unnecessary energy asking questions.

"Don't speak, min sköna," his voice was gentle and soothing.

He grabbed her hand and held it tightly in his, thanking whatever benevolent forces there were in the universe because he was certain they existed now. He brushed a loose tendril of hair from her forehead and leaned down to whisper in her ear.

"Har aldrig skrämma mig så där igen. Inser du att jag hellre skulle möta solen än att förlora dig?"

The truth in his words were unsettling but he decided he didn't care anymore. She was his human and he would vow to protect her and keep her by his side. Forever.

As soon as Israel stepped into the confines of his small hotel room he snatched his cell phone out of his back pocket with urgency. He'd been cooped up at the laboratory for weeks, and although the design was his own, he didn't want to raise any unnecessary suspicion by leaving. Sophie's paranoia about OD was well deserved and that was the only positive he could get out of the entire situation, not to mention his good news. At least, he prayed it was good news.

The phone rang the customary seven times before anyone picked up.

"Hello?" a deep baritone answered.

He gave a relieved joyous smile, something he hadn't done in what felt like ages.

"Hey, it's PBI."

"Israel?"

"Yeah, it's me. Put madre on the phone."

"That's all you have to say after being gone for four years? Where the hell are you anyway?"

Israel felt himself growing increasingly agitated. He didn't have time for pleasantries.

"Ari, hi. How are you? How have you been? It's nice to hear you. Now put mama on the phone. This is urgent."

He knew Ari was not fond of being talked to in a sarcastic manner but he also knew that he would understand it was out of character for him to do so. Ari got the message because the line went silent for a moment before he heard another line kick in.

"Israel?"

"Padre?" he softened at the sound of his father's voice.

"Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine Padre, more than fine," he spoke quietly.

"Then why aren't you home?"

The soft spoken question nearly broke his steely resolve which had been his manna for years. He would love to be with them. But what was home? For them? Nowhere. They had never really had a comfortable place to lay their head. Nothing but running all the time.

He knew even with this news he couldn't completely stop the rain but maybe he could provide some temporary shelter.

"Son?"

All at once exhaustion, grief, joy, pain, and exaltation roiled inside of him like a storm.

"I found her. I found her Padre."

*Har aldrig skrämma mig så där igen. Inser du att jag hellre skulle möta solen än att förlora dig?- Don't ever scare me like that again. Do you realize I would rather meet the sun than lose you?

*Padre -Father

*Madre - Mother