Sunday at noon found everyone just lazing around the house. Melinda was on the recliner, reading a book, Daisy was laying on the couch flipping channels on the TV, and Phil was napping in the lounge chair. He had made them a nice brunch of blueberry pancakes, cinnamon rolls, and fruit salad around eleven since everyone had opted to sleep in.

Daisy finally tiring of flipping through the channels, turned off the TV and got up and stretched. "I'm bored," she announced.

Melinda looked up from her book and raised her eyebrows at her. "What would you like to do?"

"I dunno. But this is making me tired. See if had a job at the kennel I could be working there now. Don't know why I couldn't just bring Leia home today. I could be playing with her. What are Lian and William doing? Maybe we could visit them?"

"They are seeing old friends today. Some of my mom's colleague's when she worked here. None of your friends wanted to come over? You're allowed to have your friends come over and visit, you know?"

"Yeah I know. But no. Roy and Miles and Nat are working. Everyone else has family stuff going on."

"We could go skating again." Phil mumbled still half asleep.

Daisy's face lit up. "Could we?" She directed the question at Melinda.

"Sure. I don't see why not. Go get ready Dais."

They ended up at the same skating rink and stayed for almost three hours. Daisy improved, Phil only fell twice, and Melinda showed off again much to the delight of Daisy. They stopped for Thai takeout for dinner, Melinda concluding that leftovers were good but not three days in a row. She bought a few spicier dishes and was surprised at the ease at which Daisy devoured them. Phil stayed away from the spicier items and concurred that Daisy got her iron stomach from her mother not him.

After they got home, Melinda decided the house needed some cleaning to be done, and so the three set about doing just that. Daisy dusted and washed the windows and wiped down the counters and appliances. Melinda vacuumed the living room and dining room and mopped the kitchen floor and Phil cleaned the bathrooms. After that, which only took a couple hours working together, Daisy and Melinda also decided to clean up and vacuum their bedrooms. Phil went to his room to do some grading and class prep for the next week. Then they watched another Star Wars movie and went to bed. Daisy stayed in her own room and had no trouble falling asleep.

The same couldn't be said for Melinda. She tossed and turned finally getting to sleep after midnight sleeping fitfully the remaining time till she woke from a nightmare a little before five o'clock. She sat in bed trembling and then wrapped her arms around herself and sobbed. Eventually she was cried out and got out of bed and grabbed workout clothes and a light sweatshirt and headed outside to the lower floor patio where she had set up a punching bag. She wrapped her hands with tape and then proceeded to punch the crap out of the punching bag.

Phil, who had awoken to use the bathroom saw the light on outside and watched as Melinda beat the bag senseless. She only did that when she was troubled. She was far more controlled and systematic when she was training. Her wild punches and fury told him there was something wrong. But Melinda had effectively shut down all his attempts to get her to talk to him about her issues. He watched concerned from the shadow of his bedroom door till he saw a small light on the stairway. Daisy was using her phone to navigate the steps. He was about to go to her, to tell her not to disturb Melinda, when he saw her shut off the phone and sit on a step staring out the window at Melinda. He made his way quietly to her and made just enough noise to not startle her. She looked over and watched as he came to the side of the stairs.

"Hey."

She nodded at him. "I got up to see if Melinda was going to be up for Tai Chi but her bed was empty."

"Yeah she sometimes needs to hit something."

"I'm scared Phil."

"She'd never hurt you Daisy."

"Not for me. For her. I don't know what to do. She's in pain. I know she is."

"Just keep poking at her."

"Like a bear?"

"A mamabear. Maybe if we keep poking and pushing, she'll let one of us in."

"I don't like that Phil. She let me have my space. It's not fair for me to push into hers."

"It is if she needs it Daisy. Some people need a push. Melinda's one of those people."

"Phil. I don't think so. Maybe it worked when you knew her before, but I don't think so. I'm gonna go out to her. Ask to do Tai Chi."

"Okay."

"Aren't you gonna go back to your room?"

"Nah. She already knows we're here. She's always been a good spy."

Daisy nodded and then stood up and walked to the bottom step and flipped on the light switch. Melinda didn't even flinch. "Yeah she knew we were here." Daisy added looking back to Phil. Then she walked over and slid open the patio door.

Melinda glanced her way and nodded. "Warm up. Then we'll do Tai Chi." She looked back at Phil who moved over to the sofa and sat down. He waved. She rolled her eyes and waited for Daisy to warm up and stretch.

Phil grabbed the blanket on the back of the sofa and settled back on the sofa getting comfortable. He always did like watching Mel do Tai Chi. The movements and fluidity were calming.

Phil and Melinda took Daisy shopping before picking up the dog. They needed dog food and a bed and various other dog products. Daisy especially was concerned about treats and toys for Leia. They stopped at a local Pet store. They all went in the store, and Daisy grabbed a cart.

"So she'll need a dog bed, a blanket, food and water bowls, a harness and leash, food and treats, and toys." Daisy rolled the cart down the aisle that had dog food. She looked at all the choices and then looked at Phil. "I have no idea what to get Phil."

"I do. I had a couple dogs growing up. "Probably should get canned food and dry food. We used to give our dogs a can each morning and a bowl of dry food at night. Here, this brand is more natural and better for dogs. This case is a variety flavor which means she shouldn't get tired of the same thing." He lifted the case of twelve cans and put it on the bottom of the cart. "And this ten-pound bag of dry food should last a couple weeks or so. Oh, and we can get this soft morsel food too, and give it to her occasionally or mixed with the dry food." He placed the two bags on the bottom of the cart.

"Okay. What else?"

"Some milkbones, a couple rawhide chews, and maybe a few other boxes of treats. Dogs usually like peanut butter. So get that peanut butter flavor treat box. And this box of large size milkbones should work. Here's a bag with rawhide chews."

They went around the store putting the rest of the things Phil and daisy decided the dog needed. Melinda said nothing and merely tagged along. That is until they came to leashes and she picked out one, putting it with the other one in the cart. When Phil raised his eyebrows at her, she just shrugged and walked away. They paid for everything and loaded it in the car.

At the shelter Daisy handed in her job application, and they filled out the remaining paperwork, paid the required amount, and also paid the fee to get the dog a dog license, which was required in their area. They received the license and tags, paperwork on the updated shots and a receipt for the payment. Daisy spent about fifteen minutes out in the dog yard for the dog to get used to her again and then they put the dog in the car and drove away. The dog sat on an old blanket on the rear car seat next to Daisy, with her head in Daisy's lap. The ride was only about fifteen minutes back home and Leia appeared to have no issue riding in a car.

Once they got home, Daisy went about setting up Leia's bed and other things. She put the dog bed in her room, the blanket on the floor in the living room, and set up the food and water dishes in the kitchen on an old piece of carpet Phil found for her. She helped Phil find a place in the pantry for the food and treats and then she took the dog outside on the leash to show her the back yard.

Phil was standing at the patio window watching Daisy and the dog in the back yard. Melinda was sitting at the table looking at something online. He turned to look at her, as she had been exceptionally quiet all morning.

"Daisy is settling the dog in. Leia seems to be adjusting well."

She nodded but kept looking at the computer screen.

"So we still have leftovers. I guess we can have those for lunch."

She simply nodded again, still not saying anything to him.

"Are you upset Mel."

She finally looked at him. "Why would I be upset?"

"Your even more quiet than usual. You hardly said two words this morning, even to Daisy."

"Hmmm...you know we should get a fence." When he just stared back at her blankly, she continued. "A fence. For the back yard. That way in the winter and cold we can just let the dog out without going out with her on a leash. Have it wrap all around from the sides of the house, enclose the entire area with the pool, tree house, swing set, and open grass area and go back to where the woods begin and the yard ends. We could have two doors put on it, one on each side." She swung the computer for him to see. "See here is a good example of what I mean. The fence is tall enough that the dog can't jump over, it's treated wood so it looks nice and it could enhance the value of the property. Plus that pool should be fenced in anyway."

"I hadn't thought about a fence. But sure, it makes sense. But um – to be honest that looks really expensive Mel. We just spent a lot on a down payment for the house and to renovate part of it. You just bought a new car. Maybe we should wait a little while to spend so much."

"This one here is a six feet high privacy fence. It's treated cedar wood and would last a long time. I figured the cost would be about eight thousand with installation. The materials are the biggest part of the cost, so doing it ourselves won't really save a lot. Phil I have the money. This local construction company says they do instillations in two days. It's getting colder and they won't be able to install soon if the ground gets too hard."

"We so far we've done half the cost each of everything, Mel."

"Phil. I have the money. It's something I would like to be done. It's not like I spent any money these last years. I didn't go on vacation. I didn't even need a car. I barely went out of my apartment. I have the money Phil. With a fence, Daisy and her dumb dog can be safe. I'd feel safer Phil."

"Okay. I can see you have your mind made up."

She flashed him a smile. "So, do you like this one? I thought it was pretty close in color to the deck around the pool."

"Looks good to me."

"Okay. I'm going to give them a call. Maybe we can get it done this week."

Melinda did call and set up the contractor to come Wednesday and Thursday if they needed the extra day. Fortunately, the contractor was not busy, since the time of year was slow for him. Few people decided to have fences or decks built in the late fall.

Daisy spent pretty much of the rest of the day playing with the dog, laying on the floor with the dog watching TV, and trying to teach her new tricks. Phil worked on his class prep, and Melinda sorted the laundry and plus spent some time in her room. Phil suspected she grabbed a nap. That night dog stayed in Daisy's room under strict orders from Melinda to keep Leia off Daisy's bed and have her sleep in her own dog bed.

Tuesday evening was Daisy and Carol's first Martial Arts beginner class. They arrived at four- thirty. Melinda had picked up Carol at her house. They entered the dojo and were guided to one of the classrooms. They were handed their uniforms, which Melinda referred to as a gi. They were white and the belts with them were white. The lesson started off with ten minutes of explanation of belt ranks, when there would be testing, how the instructors graded for testing and expectations. Then for another ten minutes they were taught a bit of history of the martial art and the tenets of taekwondo. The next few minutes were stretching and warm-ups and then they finally got to some basic moves.

Melinda watched with pride as Daisy had no problem with the stances and simple moves that Ms. Wing went over. Both girls talked excitedly in the car ride home and both were happy. Leia greeted Daisy exuberantly as though she'd been gone for days. Phil had made spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. After dinner they watched another Star Wars movie, and then everyone went to bed early because school and work started back up for Phil and Daisy. Melinda had the rest of week off, although she was actually doing some work from home, putting in about twenty hours, but she was not going back to the office until the next Monday.

So it was Wednesday morning, after Phil and Daisy had gone to the school, when Melinda found herself being shadowed by the furball. The animal followed here around all morning. She had put Leia in Daisy's room when the workers to put up the fence had arrived, and ever since she'd let the dog back out of Daisy's room, the dog had followed her around.

"You miss Daisy don't you?"

The whomp-whomp of the tail sounded on the floor as the dog looked up at her from its position at the patio window where it laid watching the workers put up the fence. Melinda looked at the time on her computer screen, noting it was close to eleven o'clock.

"Okay you. Let's see if you can run by my side." She got her running shoes and a sweatshirt, and the new stretch dog leash she had thrown in the cart at the pet store. She figured it would be more of a walk than a run, but she figured teaching the dog how to do both would be needed. She grabbed a small tight-fitting small draw backpack and put her keys in it, with a couple plastic bags and a pooper scooper, and gloves just in case. Then she clipped the leash to the dog's harness, closed and locked the front door and headed down the driveway.

Melinda started off just walking and was pleasantly surprised that Leia walked well beside her. That is when she walked. She stopped quite often wanting to smell practically everything and leaving small indicators of her presence by peeing a lot. Her patience wearing thin, Melinda decided to try a slow jog hoping the more active the movement the less the dog would be inclined to stop. It did work for a about a quarter mile but then the dog decided to stop short and nearly pulled Melinda over. She stopped and regained her balance and glared at the dog who seemed to be completely ignoring her while she smelled an area of dirt. Melinda moved to the dog, pulling the leash shorter and then hunched down.

"You need to not do that Leia. You need to learn that run and walk time is to run and walk and that it is not smell every single thing time." The dog wagged her tail and moved over to sit in front of Melinda as Melinda talked to her. Then she cocked her head as if she was trying to understand what Melinda was saying and that made Melinda laugh loudly. "You're a cutie huh?" She rubbed under the dog's chin and talked more to her. "You are such a pretty thing, aren't you? And you're pretty smart. You know the only reason you're here with us is because I can't say no to Daisy, right?"

The dog's ears perked at the mention of Daisy. Almost like she understood what Melinda was saying. Melinda continued." She means the world to me, and well, I think you might be good for her. She has such a big heart and yet people have torn so many things from her. You help her and you keep her safe, okay? I'm counting on you." The dog nudged its nose into Melinda's hand. "Come on. Let's head back and see if you can keep up." She got up and lengthened the leash and starting back home at an even paced run. The dog kept up just fine, and they made it back to the house in just under ten minutes.

Melinda did some work on her computer while the dog laid near her again at the patio window. The fence workers were going to work until five o'clock and come back the next day to finish. Melinda looked at the time and then got up. "Come on you,' speaking to the dog, 'let's go get Daisy."

Melinda pulled into the high school parking lot and turned off the car engine, waiting for Daisy. The dog whined and then tried to jump to the front, but Melinda pushed her back sharply rebuking her. The dog sat back down on the old blanket on the car seat and gave a short 'woof' at Melinda.

"Don't you sass me. You wait there for Daisy." She turned to check out the entrance as the kids started coming out the door. She knew Daisy would be one of the last because she was on the top floor at the far end of the building in her animation class for last period. Melinda smiled. Over the break, Daisy had shown them her project in the class so far and Melinda thought it was the most brilliant thing she'd ever seen. That Daisy had made her an animated badass spy was endearing. And the whole thing was so creative and done very well. Daisy was right, she was exceptionally talented with computers. The dog whined again, and Melinda gave it a stern look. "She'll be here soon. Stop whining."

Daisy made her way slowly down the hall toward the stairs. It had been a long day, coming back from a long break did that she guessed. She knew she was glad the day was over, not cause of anything bad, but just because she was tired and wanted to see her new dog. She'd spent the last two days practically attached at the hip with her and frankly she missed her. She was also excited to see the new fence Melinda was having built, wondering if it was done or not. Lunchtime today was really quiet too, it seemed everyone had a sort of holiday hangover. She walked down the first fight set of steps and turned the corner and came face to face with Grant Ward.

He grinned at her and when she tried to go around him, he blocked her path.

"Well if it isn't the little slut who caused me to get suspended. I guess your little band of lunch table freaks can't save you now."

Daisy looked down the stairs but there was no one there and no one was coming down either. She was alone with the creep.

"Look I just need to go. Please get out of the way."

"And if I don't?"

"If you don't Ward, then I'll remove you," came a voice attached to a body that sprinted up the steps.

Daisy grinned as Robbie Reyes stood on the step just below Ward.

"Beat it Ward. And don't go near her again or I'll get angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry."

Ward stepped around Robbie and headed down the steps.

Robbie watched him till he was out of sight and turned to Daisy and flashed her a grin. He offered his arm. "might I escort you to your car, Milady?"

She laughed. "Thanks." She smiled then at him with just a hint of red forming on her cheeks.

He stood there till she thrust her arm in his and they walked down the steps. At the bottom he let her arm go and spoke," Seriously though. Let me walk you. Ward is a complete and total tool and he is just stupid enough to bother you again. So you going to Mr. C's classroom?"

"Actually, my mom is picking me up. I'm headed to the main student parking lot. Phil's staying to coach basketball today."

"Ah right. He coaches JV. Well come on then. I'll walk you out. My car's there anyways."

"Hey don't say anything about Ward to my mom, okay?"

"Why not chica?"

"It's just – she's kind of a worrywart over me, and you know – nothing happened and I think she might just march me back in here and demand to report him to the office, or beat him up or something, and I'm just really tired and want to go home. I'll tell her later, okay?"

"Está bien, lo que tú digas."

She stopped walking and stared at him.

"Ah, ¿No hablas español? I thought you were in Spanish class?"

"Yeah, first year. What did you say?

"I said, whatever you say. But I don't think your mom will be happy if you don't tell her."

"Look Robbie. I will tell her, later. Like I said."

"Okay." They continued walking and Robbie spoke again, "so you know mi amigo Roy, right? He told me all about what Ward did. Guy deserved every punch Roy landed on his ass. He's not a good guy at all Daisy. Steer clear of him, okay?"

"That's the plan. You're friends with Roy Harper?"

"Yeah he lives down the road from me. We grew up together in the same neighborhood. He's a couple years younger, hung out more with my kid brother than me."

"Your brother goes here?"

"Nah, he goes to that fancy prep school a couple miles from here. Kid's real smart. Like genius level smart. He got a scholarship. He's only fourteen but already in tenth grade."

"You are very proud of him."

"Yeah. Kid's gonna make something of himself, you know. Go to a good college, become whatever he wants. His good at sciency stuff."

"What are you good at Robbie Reyes?"

"I like to work on cars. And other engines and stuff. Mechanical stuff, I guess. Guidance counselor said I should pursue that kind of work after graduation. Your dad helped me get in the work study program with the cops. I get training and work on their cars and trucks and get paid."

"Phil likes to help people. It's his thing."

"Yeah, it is. So Roy tells me you like computers Daisy Johnson. What else do you like?" He opened the door for her.

She went through the door and walked a few steps and then saw her mom standing outside by her new red SUV holding the leash to Daisy's new dog. "I like that awesome red SUV, the lady standing next to it and my new dog." She ran down the few steps and across the parking lot.

Robbie watched and then walked toward them as he saw Daisy kneel down to give the now barking dog a hug. His grin grew larger as he saw her stand up and wrap her arms around the woman, giving her a big hug. He made it to them as the pair stepped apart.

Daisy looked over at him, and with a shy smile introduced him. "Melinda this is Robbie. Robbie this is my mom."

He offered his hand which Melinda took and then she rattled off in perfect Spanish, "eres el chico que llamó hermosa a mi hija".

"Si señora. Ella es muy bonita y agradable."

"Solo recuerda que es la persona mas importante en mi vida. Lo entiendes."

"Si. Ella ya me dijo que un ninja.

Daisy glared at both. "Hey you guys. No fair. Speak English.

Melinda winked at Robbie who gave her a grin. She spoke, "Just making sure Robbie and I are on the same page Daisy."

"Believe me, we are, Señora." He bent down to pet the dog and then stood back up. "Well, I've got to get to work. Nice to meet you ma'am. See you later Daisy." He walked away and headed to his car.

"Nice car Robbie." Daisy yelled as he got in his 1969 Dodge Charger.

He nodded as he reved the engine and pulled out waving to her as he left.

"He is cute." Melinda spoke to Daisy.

Daisy smiled and got in the car with Leia. "Yeah."

Melinda stopped at Five Guys and picked up burgers and fries. When they got home Daisy fed Leia and they ate dinner. The fence workers left at five while they were eating, the foreman telling Melinda they would be back to finish at eight the next morning. Phil got home at five – thirty and warmed up his burger and fries. Phil went downstairs to his room at his desk to work on his teacher stuff, Daisy did her homework and Melinda sat in the living room watching TV.

Melinda sat alone in the living room and realized she was lonely. She had gotten so used to having Phil and Daisy around that she didn't know what to do anymore when they were busy. The TV certanly wasn't cutting it anymore. She hoped at least one of them would finish and join her. Instead, she flickered through the channels for a few minutes and then fell asleep.

All the recent talks about her past with both Phil and Daisy, must have raised those memories she tried to repress to the surface of her mind. Because she had a full blown memory nightmare.

Phil was grading his 3rd period history papers when he heard the screams. He moved quickly out of his room taking the stairs three at a time and slammed open the basement door, running to the source of the screams in the living room. He barely had time to register that Daisy was standing next to the recliner chair with a terrified look, her eyes focused on the person who had been screaming but who now was standing by the bookshelf, her breath coming in short gasps as she looked around the room wildly, shouting.

"Melinda. Hey, hey. It's not happening. Whatever you're seeing, wherever you are – it's not real right now. It's a memory. You're having a flashback. Mel, you need to focus on my voice. On me. Look at me." He tried to keep the panic out of his voice. He glanced at Daisy who seemed to be a moment from losing it as well, as she was now starting to clench her fists and breathe eradically too. "Hey Daisy, it's okay. She's having a flashback. Hey, I need you to stay calm. Come on, please. Just take a breath. Like Mel would tell you. Okay? Please." He looked back and Melinda who was focused now on Daisy. She'd stopped yelling and was simply staring at Daisy. She'd yet to indicate she was back in the present though.

Melinda spoke looking at Daisy. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for what happened to you. But I can help you. You need to put the gun down. Put it down now. We know it's not your fault. Don't hurt anyone else. Put down the gun and I can help you." Melinda was making no sense. Daisy looked even more terrified when she said that.

"Melinda. Listen to me. That's Daisy. Our daughter. Look at her." Phil took a few more steps toward her.

Melinda turned her attention to his voice. "You need to let her go, Diego. Tell her to drop the gun. Let them all go. Just let them go. You can't win. There's no way out. You're surrounded. Our whole team is out there. You can't get away." She waved her hand like she was holding a gun, looking past Phil. "Drop the gun. I can help you. It's not your fault. You didn't want any of this. I don't want to hurt you. Please don't make me."

"Okay. We surrender. She doesn't have a gun Melinda. Neither do I. It's me, Mel. It's Phil. Look at me. Mel you're having a flashback. It's a memory. Look at me."

She looked around wildly, obviously seeing something in her mind that was not there. Phil stepped even closer, blocking her sight line ot Daisy.

"Daisy leave the room. Now. Go back down the hallway and to your room. Please." Phil spoke gently to Daisy all while watching Melinda.

"I can't."

"Phil?" Melinda was looking at him. "Phil, what are you doing here?"

"It's home Mel. You're home. It's me Melinda. You're here with me. In the new house. Look it's just me and Daisy. You're having a flashback. Hey, you see me right?"

She looked at him, her eyes more focused. Then she simply collapsed to the floor to her knees, Clutching herself around her middle and rocking back and forth. "It's not real. It's not real. It's not real." She repeated the same words over and over.

Phil stepped closer. He knelt down about two feet from her. You're here in the house Mel. With me and Daisy. No one has a gun. You're safe. We are all safe."

Finally she stopped moving and repeating the not real mantra. She looked at him, her face distraught and tears streaming down her face. "I'm so sorry. I had to. She killed them. She killed him. She had the gun aimed at the younger girls. She was going to shoot the others. I had to Phil. I'm so sorry."

The realization of what she had to do hit him. All the dots connected. He inched closer to her. "I know Mel. I know you had to. I know you would never hurt someone if there was another way. Mel, it's going to be better soon. Okay? Melinda. can I touch you? Melinda, hey, it's okay. I'm here. I'm here. You're safe here." He was close enough to reach out to her but he hesitated. She was still not fully cognizent.

Daisy had not taken her eyes off Melinda through the whole incident. As she watched Melinda slowly come back to the present and to herself, she found herself slowly walking toward her. Once she was next to Phil, she fell to her knees, continuing to stare at Melinda. Leia who had come out into the living room with Daisy, crawled up to her and just sat next to her quietly.

Phil was surprised to see how calm Daisy had become but then noticed her hands, which were shaking violently. He was about to reach over to her to steady them, when Melinda reached out to take Daisy's hands and grasped them tightly.

Daisy watched her carefully but didn't remove her hands from Melinda's grasp. Melinda focused on Daisy's face and went through her breathing techniques. Daisy inched closer to her little by little till they were almost touching knees. Phil watched as Daisy's presence appeared to be calming and reassurring to Melinda. Daisy pulled her right hand, which had stopped shaking from Melinda's grasp and reached to softly stroke Melinda's face. Melinda nodded at her and then pulled Daisy into her with the hand still grasping onto Daisy. Melinda wraped her arms around her and clung onto her. Daisy reciprocated.

They stayed like that for a few minutes, neither talking until Melinda moved to sit down and lean back onto the bookshelf and Daisy sat next to her still both gripping onto each other. Phil stayed back and tried to remember his training. He went over the check list in his mind, the PTSD sufferer is mentally checked out. It's like someone or something pushed their mind deep down into themself and relived a trama. Sometimes they dissociate and feel like someone else has taken over and they are in a daydrem or watching a play. It's hard for them to communicate. Okay so Melinda probably can't speak yet. She is communicating though with Daisy. And she's allowing contact with Daisy.

So he needed to just ride this out and follow her lead. When Daisy had her PTSD episdoe at school she had passed out, and she had needed to sleep, he remembered. But not everyone is the same. He had never witnessed Melinda having a PTSD attack. Wait, no that wasn't true. When they'd first been told about Skye being found she had a reaction, nearly a disassociation, and had passed out. But before that – with Skye being taken and all the after emotions – she never had. Probably because she hadn't seen it. Had not witnessed it. But this event – this she had not only witnessed, she had been a part of. From the bits and pieces he gathered, she had shot someone, had to shoot someone, and it seemed that it was a kid, a teen or a kid. And hell, yeah that would mess up anyone, but Melinda – she protected kids. No wonder she left the field. He knew he didn't have the full story. Maybe never would. But she needed to talk about this to someone, if not him – someone.

Melinda rested her chin on Daisy's head with her eyes closed. He couldn't tell if she was sleeping or not. Her breathing had evened out and Daisy's hands had stopped shaking. She was sitting next to Melinda with her arms encircled around her. The dog was pressed against Daisy's leg as she lay next to her.

Phil crossed his legs and just sat there watching over them. It was a good half hour before Melinda moved. When she did, she disingaged herself from Daisy and started stretching out her muscles and wincing in pain.

He spoke quietly. "Can I get you anything? What do you need Melinda?"

She shoke her head.

"She probably wants to sleep, yeah?" Daisy tapped her shoulder.

Melinda nodded again.

Phil got up and offered his arm to her to help pull her up. Daisy got up and did the same. Melinda let each one take an arm and pulll her up, still wincing and stretching out her limbs. She barely whsipered, "muscles tighten, flexing too much, tight."

Daisy nodded. "Yeah I get that too. Sometimes."

Melinda nodded and then looked at Phil. "My room."

He nodded and came along side her, while Daisy took the other and they helped her to her room, and onto her bed. She laid onto her side, facing away from them. Daisy found a blanket and pulled it up over her, and then sat on the bed.

"I'll stay."

Phil nodded and ushered the dog, who had followed them in the room out. He closed the door and stood there, then he went to the kitchen and got a couple bottles of water, and some ibuprofin. He took it back to the room and spoke to Daisy. "If she wakes try and get her to take the pills and drink some water, okay?"

She nodded. "I will. I'll get you if – something – if - you know."

"Okay." He left the room and shut the door and walked back into the living room.

Daisy opened a bottle of water and took a few sips. Then she laid down next to Melinda and put her arm over her middle. Melinda reached up to thread her fingers through Daisy's.

Daisy woke slowly blinking and Melinda's face came into view. She looked peaceful as she slept. Sometime, Melinda had turned over and Daisy was now in her arms. She cuddled in closer and felt Melinda tighten her grip on her. She smiled and promptly went back to sleep.

Melinda opened her eyes and realized Daisy was cuddled into her with her arms wrapped around her. Daisy's head was right next to hers, with her long hair splayed out across the pillow as she snored softly. Melinda smiled as her heart filled with overwhelming love for her daughter. Then her brain caught up and she remmbered she'd had a PTSD episode. Flashes of the memory came back. She could see herself standing in the room and she saw Phil and Daisy but not much else was clear. She shut her eyes tightly against the ensuing tears, and felt shame for allowing Daisy ot see her at her worst.

She knew from past experience what the flashback would be. She had been told many times what it was from people around her when it happened, what she did, and what she said. It was the same. It was always the same. She knew that now both Daisy and Phil would be able to piece together what she did. How she had failed. What she had done. She knew they would never look at her the same again. Her thoughts spiraled downward, turning very dark. She was not a mother. She could never be a mother. Never be good for a child. It was porbably a good thing that Daisy wasn't raised by her, cause who knows how badly she woud have fucked that up. At least now Daisy was near adulthood and she had less of a chance to screw her up or hurt her. A hand tugged on her own.

"You're going down the path you probaby shouldn't. I mean I can see it."

Melinda looked over at Daisy who was looking at her concerned with her brow furled and her nose scrunced up.

"What?"

"I do it too. Try to dissect everything and wonder what secrets I gave away this time. What horrible things I revealed so people are justified in not liking me or in blaming me. Telling myself it's all my fault. Feeding the lies that continue to burn and laugh at me."

"Daisy."

"I know I'm right. The guilt and shame is all over your face. You think you deserve to be hated and scorned for what you did. You think that no one will ever understand." Daisy pulled herself up into a sitting position and squeezed Melinda's hand tighter. "You know you'd tell me to not go down that path, to not listen to the demons. So that's what I'm telling you."

"Daisy. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry you had to see that. Had to see me like that. I guess all this talk of the past has resurfaced those memories." Melinda also sat up.

"Then I'm sorry. You don't have to tell me any more about the past. Not if it hurts you."

"No. No Daisy, it's not – it's me. I never faced – I never reconciled some of those things. I – I- I just – I don't know if I ever will. If I should."

"If you're worthy enough to be free of them?"

"What I did – I almost – I almost couldn't live with it. That scared my parents so much they begged me to come home so they could take care of me. After a while I just – I buried it. I stopped trying to face it and buried it deep enough for it to stay there most of the time. Getting out of fieldwork, moving, not talking about it, shutting out my friends and co workers, even my parents, allowed it to stay buried but it also allowed it to grow roots I couldn't see. From time to time they try to get to the sunlight."

"Yeah. And Phils' r

ight. You have a way with words. You don't beat around with unnessary filler."

"I'm sorry Daisy. I'm sorry I scared you."

"Melinda. You keep apologizing. You don't have to do that. And I am not scared of you. I'm scared for you. I know you would never hurt me."

"Daisy. I have no idea what I'm even doing when I get pulled in like that. Of course I could hurt you."

"But you wouldn't. You wouldn't Melinda. You would never hurt someone purposefully just to hurt them. You would only hurt someone who was hurting someone else if you had to. The bad guys."

"The girl wasn't a bad guy. And I shot her."

When Daisy's eyes widened Melinda continued. "She was a victim. She was caught in something and forced to do what she was doing. I should have protected her. I should have done more. Instead I – instead I – I couldn't -I couldn't save her. I – I .."

Daisy moved and wrapped her arms around Melinda as Melinda sobbed unable to continue. After a few minutes, Melidna was able to regain her control and she pulled back and looked at Daisy with a sad expression.

"I shouldn't be putting this on you at all."

Daisy glared at her. "Oh bullshit. It's what family does. Besides, who better to comiserate with then another messed up person? Am I right?" Daisy grinned. "I mean the thoroughly whacked comforting and listening to the totally messed up. We make a helluva pair."

Melinda gave her a slight smile. Then she grew more pensive. "I was never the same. I couldn't stop thinking there was another way. That I screwed up. That I missed something."

"Well. Tell me."

"Daisy."

"I know you already think I see you different. I don't but maybe if you tell me – and I can help you see why you're wrong. Why you would never choose to do that, if there was another choice. Talk me through it."

"Daisy."

"What. You don't want to talk to a shrink. You don't want to tell your parents, Or your friends. Or Phil. Which by the way – I think you should talk to Phil. And your parents. And your friends. But start with me. If I can take it – they can too. Remember what you tell me. Talking things out is better than holding things in. Cause when you hold them in, they fester and grow and…"

"Alright. Stop throwing my words back at me."

"Okay. So spill."

"Daisy. It's not that simple."

"I know. But start. Starting is the hardest. Just one sentence, then another, and then a third."

Melinda shook her head and picked up the water bottle and ibuprofin. "Phil bring this in?"

"Yeah."

Melinda downed the three tablets and finished off half the water. "I – um – I don't think I want to burden you Daisy. Not with my baggage."

"It won't be a burden." She paused and then took a deep breath. "You know what happened to me. I mean you kind of know. You don't know exactly. Like the details. I'll tell you the worst thing if you talk to me. I'll tell you why I had my PTSD incident when I heard noises outside. Why I was so scared. Deal?"

"You don't have to pormise me that Daisy. You need to do that on your own time. When you're ready."

"Sometimes we need a little push to be ready. Sometimes I wish I could just leak my mind to yours."

"Like osmosis?"

"The heck is osmosis?"

"I guess you really aren't good at science." She smirked.

"You're really good at that you know."

"Huh?"

"Deflection."

"I know. And osmosis is passive transport. Not needing any help to pass from one place to another. Basically."

"Mind reading. Sort of. You have really managed to put off this conversation. Look if you don't wanna say any more, it's okay. I mean I probably understand better than anyone."

Melinda smiled at the out Daisy gave her. Maybe it was why she sighed and sat back against the headboard and started telling her story. "We were undercover. Akela, O'Brien and me. Daisy I don't know how much of this I can tell you. I don't know how much I can deal with."

"Okay. Stick to the facts. That should help. Unless you'd rather talk to Phil? Like I said, you don't have to. I mean Phil will probably push more. Although I did tell him it wasn't a great idea. I just – I just want to help."

"I'm not sure that you knowing the details of what happened will help. I don't – I don't – I kind of like that you think of me as a – as a hero."

"You are. You are protective and strong and good and kind. But even more than that, you get me. You totally have done nothing but just – you've been there for me. You – I never would have taken – I never had friends. Not like I have today. When Nat reached out to me, I was able to – I took a chance. Cause you made me see that I could be brave. I could accept that I'm okay and maybe people wanted to be around me – just for me, not for what they could get from me, not cause I had to – had to pay them back. It's cause of you – your faith, your trust, your care – how much you love me, it's why I am beginning to see the world differently. To see the good before the bad. To see the light and not the dark." Daisy paused as tears ran down her face. "Sorry I'm supposed to be comforting you not blubbering all over the place." She sniffled and looked down.

Melinda reached over and raised her chin. "Oh Daisy. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love you so much. You are comforting me, you silly goose. Come here."

Daisy crawled over and sat in front of Melinda who put her arms around her while Daisy laid her head back on Melinda. Then she spoke, "I think that maybe we can talk later, yeah?"

"Yeah. I promise. Maybe we just need a little more sleep. And comfort."

Daisy nodded as she pulled the blanket up over both of them. Melinda glanced at the clock which showed that it was almost three a.m. She'd been asleep for nearly 8 hours. She tightened her hold on Daisy and prayed she would have no nightmares.

They fell asleep for a few more hours, until Melinda's internal clock woke her a little after five o'clock. Daisy groaned and then moved away from her also waking. Daisy gave a huge yawn as she stretched her arms, and then turned her shoulders and rotated her neck.

She gave Melinda a wry grin. "For smart people sometimes we ar pretty dumb. Damn I'm stiff. Should have laid back down, yeah?"

Melinda grinned back. "Come on. Let's do some TaiChi. Outside. Go change and grab a jacket."

Daisy looked at her and squeaked. "Outside? It's cold Melinda. We are in Chicago. In late November."

"It'll get the blood flowing. Just on the patio. Then we'll grab a nice cup of tea, and hopefully by then Phil will have breakfast ready."

"Seriously?"

Melinda got out of bed and headed to her bathroom. "Seriously."

Daisy stood up and stared after Melinda. She opened the door and nearly fell over Leia. Leis wagged her tail and jumped up on Daisy. Daisy laughed at the dog licked her face and wiggled excitedly. "You been here all night girl?"

"She has." Phil answered as he came from the living room into the hallway. She wouldn't move. "Come on Leia how about I take you outside."

The dog barked once and moved to Phil and he clipped on her leash. Phil spoke, "so you both are awake?"

"Yeah. She's in the bathroom. We're going to do Tai Chi." Then she added as she rolled her eyes looking so much like Melinda phil thought, "Outside."

She traipsed to her room shaking her head. Phil laughed. He took the dog down the hall, grabbed his jacket and went outside using the dining room patio door. He walked the dog for a good ten minutes around the house and watched as Daisy and Melinda came out onto the lower patio and started stretching. Melinda looked up and caught his eye. She nodded at him and gave him a slight upturn of her lips. Then she yelled out. "You making breakfast!"

He nodded. He moved closer to them. "Any wishes?"

Daisy nodded. "Lots of food Phil. I'm famished."

He laughed. "Okay. I'll feed Leia and get started on breakfast.

"Thank you Phil." Melinda gave him another nod and then moved into the first Tai Chi movement as Daisy did the same.