Flames from the fire covered the cave walls in an orange hue. There was a feeling of warmth and safety shared by the two adults as they sat before the fire watching the young boy falling asleep.

"He looks like a little angel when he's sleeping," Samantha said softly.

"I did not know what I would do with the boy when he first came to me. Now . . . I do not know what I would do without him." Johonaa'ei picked up his small wooden pipe. He had enjoyed smoking since he was a young man and this intricately carved pipe was one of his favorites. He held a thin piece of wood over the fire and then held it to the tobacco. He took a big puff before he spoke again.

"Many years ago, when I was just about young Moon Dancer's age, my father who was called Nitch'i Biyazhi, which means Wind's Child, decided it was time for me to go into the mountains on a vision quest. I went three days without food or water. During my journey, the spirit of the golden eagle visited me. Since that time, I have felt a powerful bond with the ruler of the skies. Through the eagle and the wolf, who is the ruler of the forest, I sought a union with the natural world. On my journey, I gained a physical and spiritual oneness. I found freedom and strength that I hold with me always." Johonaa'ei smiled down at his grandson. "Soon, it will be time for Moon Dancer to go on his own vision quest. He too will seek out a peaceful communication with his inner spirit."

Sam loved to listen to the old man's tales. There was a comfort she felt with being there with Johonaa'ei and Moon Dancer that she had not experienced in a long time, if ever. Growing up in a series of foster homes, Sam had no real sense of family. However, in the short time she'd been with the little boy and his grandfather, she'd begun to treasure the way they warmly accepted her into their lives. She was eager to learn everything she could about them.

"What does your name mean in Navajo, Johonaa'ei?"

They both were started when Moon Dancer spoke. "Can I tell her Popi?"

"I hope we didn't wake you," Sam said to the sleepy-eyed little boy.

"It's okay, my lady. I wasn't dreaming yet."

"Just snoring," his grandfather said. He reached down and tweaked the little boy's stubby nose. "Such a lot of noise to come from such a tiny place."

Moon Dancer giggled as he sat up and then crawled in between the two adults.

"Can I tell her, Popi," he asked once more.

"Yes, my child. If I say no you will never get to sleep."

The little boy looked up at Sam and grinned.

"Johonaa'ei means 'he who carries the sun'. My Popi was born with yellow hair." Moon Dancer giggled at the look of amazement on Sam's face.

"It happens rarely," Johonaa'ei explained with a warm smile. "And now that my hair is like the first winter's snow, I am no longer quite so distinctive. My great-grandfather was also known as Johonaa'ei."

Sam reached out and took hold of the child's chin.

"Okay, little smartie, your Popi has called me Non'ha'bah. What does that mean?"

The boy quieted and then took a quick look at his grandfather before answering.

"Popi thinks that you are very brave. You fight the evil one with Great Spirit, as a Navajo warrior would do. Non'ha'bah means 'female warrior'."

"Does that please you," Johonaa'ei asked quietly.

Sam was nearly too overwhelmed to speak. She felt unworthy of the honor he had bestowed on her.

"Yes," she finally said. "It pleases me very much." Sam looked deeply into the elder's eyes before continuing. "Thank you, Johonaa'ei. You've have made me feel like part of your family."

Johonaa'ei tapped his pipe on the cave floor to clear it of ashes. When he looked back at her, Sam could see the depth of emotion in his deep brown eyes.

"My own daughter was taken from us," he told her. "Perhaps Ye'iitsoh, the Big God, has seen fit to send you and your son to me to care for now."

"Perhaps," she said. A deep sense of longing filled Sam as her thoughts turned to the child she'd not held in such a long time. She and Adam had no other family now that Caleb was gone. If this gentle man and his grandson were willing to embrace her and her son as one of their own she counted herself blessed.

The ebbing fire's glow reflected on their faces. For the moment, they were safe within their tiny sanctuary. But Johonaa'ei could feel the evil one's power growing and soon it would reach out and once again try to destroy young woman's fragile grip on happiness.

"What the hell is going on there!"

Ed pulled the phone away from his ear as Attwood's voice increased in volume. After a moment, he spoke quietly into the phone.

"Sloan and Jeff went out to make the provision run at one of those all night places. Jeff had been getting a little antsy and Sloan thought it would be good for him to get away from things for a bit. When it became obvious that their trip was taking longer than expected, Tom and I went out looking."

It hadn't taken them long to discover the van with it's doors hanging open and groceries scattered around it. There had been no sign of either Sloan or Jeff.

"I contacted you before we notified the authorities."

"Good move Ed," came the somewhat calmer reply. "I want to you notify the local police immediately. I'll take care of handling the rest of this from here. We're going to put Lewis under a spotlight. I want a total media blitz on this starting with a press conference at nine o'clock tomorrow morning. The presence of the Homo Dominants among us is no longer a secret. Now that the woman who first brought them to light has been kidnapped it will make be a major media event. I'm going to make sure we're the once orchestrating it."

After issuing several more orders, Attwood broke the connection. Ed turned and relayed the gist of the conversation to both Tom and Ray.

"I still don't get the motive behind this kidnapping," Ray said. "What does Lewis think it's going to accomplish? It's obvious he's been watching us since our arrival in Phoenix. He has to know that we don't have any more idea then he does as to Samantha Wexford's whereabouts. So why snatch Sloan and Jeff?"

Tom had been staring out the window. He slowly turned around and faced the two men.

"It's never been about Samantha Wexford," Tom said. "She was merely a means to an end. Lewis wants his son."

"And this is his way to try and force Samantha into revealing the boy's whereabouts?" Ray sounded skeptical.

"He wants to get his hands on her again," Tom told them. "As far as Samantha knows, her son is in Jeff's care. If she sees news about his kidnapping, she is going to assume that Lewis has the boy. How do you think she's going to react?"

No one answered. They all knew Samantha Wexford would leave wherever she was to get her son back. It was exactly what Lewis was counting on.

Arizona is known for it's spectacular electrical displays during thunderstorms. Tonight was no exception. High up on the mountains, away from the glare of the city lights, the pyrotechnically show was even more impressive. The cave Moon Dancer called Sanctuary was flooded with light from the nearly continuous strikes. Sam woke with a start after one particularly intense one. With hands clasped tightly against her chest, she looked around in a panic until her eyes found Johonaa'ei. He was sitting by the fire and, as she watched, he slowly placed another piece of wood in the flames so that the fire wouldn't go out. Looking past him, she saw the rain coming down in torrents just beyond the cave's opening. Luckily, the downward tilt of the entrance kept the water from seeping inside. Despite the wind and the rain, the cave remained a haven for the three. Knowing she wouldn't be able to return to sleep until the intensity of the storm lessened, Sam pulled her blanket around her shoulders and moved over to join Johonaa'ei beside the fire.

She was just about to speak when she realized there was something very strange in the way Johonaa'ei was sitting there. His eyes looked haunted as he stared out into the savage night. Although he appeared calm, a variety of emotions passed across his wrinkled face and he chanted softly in his native tongue. Sam had never seen him like this. She felt very uneasy. When Moon Dancer suddenly reached out and took hold of her hand, she yelped with fright.

"You must be quiet, my lady," he whispered. "Popi is communicating with the spirits."

An icy finger of fear traced it's way down Sam's spine as they sat staring at Johonaa'ei. As she and Moon Dancer huddled together watching him, the storm outside seemed to intensify. She nearly jumped out of her skin when Johonaa'ei's eyes suddenly focused on her.

"We must leave the mountain in the morning, Non'ha'bah." He was quite pale and a thin film of sweat coated his skin. "The spirit of evil has come to me. It chortled with delight when it told me of the great danger surrounding you and someone close to you."

Sam felt chilled to the bone. Had Lewis found Adam? Was her baby in his clutches even now?

"Johonaa'ei, please, you have to tell me more!"

"I'm sorry, child. I can only tell you that we must leave the mountain."

But Sam knew there was something more he wasn't telling her. The haunted look never left his eyes.

"But Popi, my lady can't leave Sanctuary. It's not safe!" Moon Dancer's young face was filled with fear.

Johonaa'ei pulled his grandson into his arms. "You must not worry so, Moon Dancer. Have I not given Samantha my oath to keep her safe? With one step, Non'ha'bah will begin a journey of both body and soul. The spirit of the wolf will lead the way. Now," he said as he smiled at both of them, "we must all get some rest before we begin our journey."

Long after Johonaa'ei and the boy had drifted off into restless sleep, Sam lay awake. Tomorrow she would reenter the world, Lewis' world. She was terrified.

Jeff had been awake for about fifteen minutes now he figured. Not that it did him any good. He was bound hand and foot and then roped together to a still unconscious Dr. Sloan Parker. Evidently, he'd been out for a while. He could see bright sunlight peeking in from under the shade on the one window in the room they were being kept. Sloan moaned aloud a few times but still remained blissfully unaware of their present situation. For her sake, Jeff hoped she would stay that way for as long as she could. In the meantime, he could worry enough for the two of them.

"You're one sneaky bastard, I'll give you that Lewis," he muttered. He felt like a total idiot at getting taken so easily.

"Lewis?"

Sloan moaned again and then Jeff felt her begin to tremble.

"It's alright, Sloan," he told her. "We're alone at the moment."

"Got to get out," she gasped. He felt her fight against the ropes that held them tied tightly back to back.

"We're not going anywhere," Jeff said. "I've been working on these ropes for a while now and they haven't budged."

Her trembling grew worse as she continued to struggle to free herself. Was this how Sam had reacted when she found herself back in Lewis' clutches? He could practically feel the terror pouring off of Sloan. They had both seen the evidence of what the man had done to Sam. How far would he be willing to go now to find his son? Jeff felt his hatred of the man responsible grow. From what Tom Daniels had told him, this would make the third time Lewis had snatched Sloan. What did he have planned for her, for them, this time?

"He has to know we have no idea where Sam is," Jeff said. "Why else would we have been hold up in that motel for the past week? But what other reason could he have to snatch us? Unless . . ." Jeff abruptly stopped speaking.

"Unless what, Jeff?" He felt her panic jump up another notch.

"Unless he came back that day and saw us with Triana. According to Tom, she was very special to Lewis. If he thinks we had anything to do with her death, he might just be plotting a little revenge here."

"And we thought these humans were inferior." Lewis was smiling coldly as he entered the room with another man. "You've guessed correctly on your first try. I have the two of you and soon Ed and Tom will be brought here. That only leaves Samantha and I'm sure she'll come running when she realizes that one of you will tell me where my son is."

"If she's still alive," Jeff countered. "Your little concubine spilled her guts to us about what went on out at the cabin."

Jeff saw Lewis stiffen at the mention of Triana. The younger man who stood beside him looked ready to explode. Seeing the effect his words had, Jeff continued.

"Yeah, she wasn't a very sturdy specimen, Lewis. Cracked after just a few well placed blows. And here I thought your people were supposed to be so superior to us humans. She screamed like a baby when that snake started crawling all over her."

Sloan gasped as the younger man suddenly lurched toward them.

"Stephen!"

At the sound of Lewis' voice, the infuriated man stopped dead in his tracks.

"Obviously this man needs to be taught a lesson, but not while he is bound to the lovely Dr. Sloan Parker. I have some very special plans for her."

Lewis strolled into the room and crouched down next to Sloan and Jeff. With a few quick slices with a pocketknife, he cut the ropes that joined the two. He quickly stood, drawing Sloan up with him. When she stumbled, he took hold of her arm and led her out of the room. Jeff looked up at Stephen and smiled.

"Guess that just leaves me and you, pal."

"Yeah," Stephen said with a grin. "Do you prefer fist, feet or the butt of my gun while I pound you into the floor?"

"I'd prefer you to undo these ropes and let me give you a fair fight."

"It ain't going to happen . . . pal," came the sarcasm-laced reply.

"No, I didn't think so," Jeff said. "People who enjoy beating up on women wouldn't know the meaning of a fair fight."

Jeff barely had time to prepare himself when the first blow hit. Five minutes later, Stephen left the room. Although Jeff lay bruised and bloody, his attacker was not even breathing hard.

The morning dawned bright and clear. A cool breeze drifting through the cave's opening was the only evidence of last night's savage storm. Sam slowly opened her eyes and found herself looking up into Moon Dancer's face.

"Good morning, my lady," he said softly.

"Good morning, Moon Dancer." Sam tried to return his warm smile but found herself close to tears instead. God, she was so afraid of what the day was going to bring.

"Everything will be all right," the child assured her. "Popi would never let anything happen to you."

Sam held on tightly to the small hand that curled into her own. She wanted to believe what the boy said was true, but she knew better. Once she came out of hiding, Lewis would find her. She didn't know if she had the strength to resist him again.

When Johonaa'ei walked back into the cave after his morning meditations, he found his grandson and Samantha sitting talking quietly to each other. He could practically see the fear emanating from the young woman. He wished he could do something to help soothe her but the visions he'd had the night before had made it clear how they were to proceed. The path they were to follow would not be an easy one and fear and loss would be their companions.

"Come my children," he called out to them. "As we get ready to leave the place that has sheltered us, we will share our final meal here together out in this beautiful morning that we have been blessed with."

Sam kept her hand linked with Moon Dancer's as the two moved out into the warm sunshine.

"Your journey begins today, little one," Johonaa'ei said. He hugged her and sighed inwardly at how tense she was. "Be glad."

Sam reluctantly pulled away from the comfort of his arms.

"How long will it take us to get to Phoenix?"

"It is a short journey in terms of distance," he told her. "But long in the things it will accomplish. We will go down the mountain and stop at my dwelling. There we can tend to our needs and prepare for the rest of our journey."

Sam looked down at her makeshift shirt and jeans she wore.

"I have a trunk full of my daughter's things. They will fit you nicely, I think," Johonaa'ei told her with a smile. "We can not have you looking like a little ragamuffin when you see your son again."

Once again Sam's eyes glistened with tears. The generosity of this man was staggering.

"I was truly blessed when you and Moon Dancer saved me," she told him. "How can I ever thank you?"

"With a life well led," Johonaa'ei said. "We all must take great care to provide for each other. It is our only defense against the incursions of the Evil One into our lives."

When they left a short time later Sam was feeling, if not calm, at least less terrified.

"How long has Dr. Parker been missing?"

"Has there been any contact made with the kidnapper?"

"Does anyone know this guy Lewis' agenda?"

Ed stood at the podium beside Dr. Attwood and watched the media frenzy unfolding in front of them. They had been conducting their press conference for almost half an hour now and the questions continued to flood in.

"We have not had any contact with Lewis as of yet," Attwood said raising his voice to be heard over the shouted questions. "He seems to have disappeared."

He didn't expect that to be possible for much longer. They had made sure that Lewis, Sloan, and Jeff's pictures appeared on the front page of every morning paper. After today, there would be few places Lewis could go without someone recognizing his face.

Attwood made no reference to Sam or her child. He'd nearly exploded when Ed broke the news of the real reason Sloan and Jeff had been snatched.

"What is being done in regards to this situation, Dr Attwood?"

"Everything possible is being done to assure the safe return of both Dr. Parker and Mr. Faraday."

"Can you tell us what Mr. Faraday's connection is to your group?"

Ed glanced over at Tom. They had worked out a convincing cover story if and when Jeff's celebrity status came to light.

"I would like to address that question," Ed said. He smiled toward the young woman who had posed it. "Jeff Faraday approached Dr. Sloan soon after the news of the Homo Dominants was made public. As I'm sure you are well aware of, Jeff has quite an awesome talent for writing novels that make us all peek under the bed and look in our closets before shutting off the bedroom lights every night. Lewis and his group tweaked his imagination. Jeff contacted Sloan in hopes of hanging out with us and gathering information for his next thriller. Unfortunately, it appears as though he ended up being in the wrong place at the wrong time."

A dark-haired man separated himself from the outer edges of the crowd and moved off as Attwood once again began to field questions. He'd found out what Lewis requested. Faraday was a nonentity in the grand scope of things.

"I see you're not wearing the pendant I gave you, Sloan." Lewis slowly drew his finger across her shoulder. He lingered over the slight hollow at the base of her throat. He smiled when she shivered. "Didn't you like it?"

"No," she gasped. Sloan felt like she was smothering in the tiny, windowless room that they now occupied. Lewis had undone her bonds so that she felt somewhat more in control. However, memories of her first two encounters with Lewis soon came racing back to haunt her. Knowledge of what he'd done to Samantha Wexford only increased her terror.

"I meant for you to wear it always," he said softly. As he spoke, Lewis began undoing the buttons on the front of Sloan's blouse. His eyes never left her face as he slipped it over her shoulders and let it drop to the floor. "It would show the world that we are bonded."

"There is no part of me that belongs to you." Although she wanted to sound defiant, Sloan's voice broke as Lewis' hands dropped to her waist.

"You know that isn't true," he said. She flinched and he saw tears beginning to well up in her green eyes when he undid her belt. When her slacks slid down over her slim hips, Lewis reveled in the absolute terror he saw reflected on her pale face. Sloan was so different than Samantha was. Everything she felt was right there for him to see. She couldn't mask her fear. "Remove the rest of your clothing, Sloan."

Her breath hitched and she mutely shook her head back and forth as she tried to back away from him.

"Do it. Now!"

Lewis grabbed hold of her upper arm and kept her from retreating any further. With his fingers digging painfully into her flesh, Sloan undid the front clasp on her bra. Her hands shook so hard that it took her three attempts before she succeeded. After he released her arm, she took it the rest of the way off. Tears coursed down her cheeks as she lowered her hands to the waistband of her panties.

"Please," she pleaded.

"Leave them on," he snapped. "For now."

It was worth the mild concession to see the flash of relief in her eyes quickly washed away by another wave of terror.

Lewis reached into the breast pocket of his shirt and took out an exact replica of the pendant he'd given her before. He brushed up against her as he fastened it around her neck and then stepped back and slowly looked her up and down. His suddenly smiled and Sloan whimpered in fear.

"You're mine, Sloan. We're meant for each other. Tom could never give you all the things I will."

A hot lick of anger suddenly broke through the paralyzing terror.

"I saw what you gave Samantha Wexford. I've been to the Chiquento caves and that hellhole in San Vieto. And then you brought her to Phoenix. I bet Samantha couldn't thank you enough for tearing open her back and then throwing her down that cistern."

"Then you know what happens to people who get in my way," he said softly as he moved toward her once again. Sloan quickly backed up, only to find herself bumping up against the wall behind her. There was nowhere to go when his rough hands began to move slowly over her naked breasts.

"Where is my son, Sloan?"

"I . . . I don't know," she stammered as feelings of overwhelming fear returned with a sickening jolt.

"How sad for you, Sloan. I truly hoped you would be the one to finally tell me the truth."

She doubled over in pain when he drove his fist into her belly. He had just shoved her back up against the wall when the door suddenly swung open.

"Lewis, I . . ." Steven's voice trailed off when he saw Sloan.

"Put you eyes back in your head," Lewis said with a laugh. He turned and grabbed hold of the pendant. Sloan gasped when he viciously tore it from her neck. "If you play your cards right, you can have what's left when I'm through with her. I once thought she was special. I was wrong." Lewis grabbed a fistful of Sloan's thick hair and pulled her away from the wall.

"So this is the infamous Dr. Parker," Steve said as he slowly walked around her. He reached out and tucked a finger in the waistband of her panties. Sloan began to shake uncontrollably when he slowly moved his hand back and forth across her taunt stomach. "Doesn't look so threatening now, does she?"

"Only to your libido," Lewis said with a harsh laugh. "Do you think you can stop drooling for a minute so you can lend me a hand? It seems as though our good doctor isn't feeling very cooperative at the moment. I was thinking a little incentive might be in order."

"As long as you don't plan on doing anything that would damage this body," Steve laughed.

"No, I'm not going to end up with another Samantha," Lewis told him. "Sloan is still going to be in good physical condition when I'm through. Of course, after several sessions, her mind will probably be gone but not before she tells me everything I want to know. But what the hell, Steve, it's not her mind you're interested in, is it?"

The other man laughed as he reached out and pulled open a thick wood door set into the wall behind him. He hadn't understood why Lewis had been so intrigued by this tiny closet when Jake had offered them the use of his home once they got hold of Sloan. The tiny house was located only a few miles from Sloan's motel. Unfortunately, it was Jake's second suggestion that had landed him in trouble. The last thing Lewis had wanted to hear was how he should just suck it in and consider the fact that he may never see his son again. Jake might just have been sitting here enjoying Dr. Sloan Parker's descent into hell instead of laying dead in the trunk of his own car. Lewis didn't take kindly to criticism. The narrow opening was barely more than four feet high. Of course, now it's usefulness became quite clear as Lewis began dragging Sloan toward it. The already terrified woman began to scream hysterically.

"No, you can't put me in there! No!"

"I don't imagine it's going to be a very pleasant experience for you my dear," Lewis said as he roughly pinned her flailing arms to her sides. "Someone as claustrophobic as you are will probably feel the walls start to close in on you rather quickly."

"No, please, no," she screamed.

Their forward progress stopped momentarily when Sloan managed to brace her feet against the sides of the narrow doorway. Steve quickly stepped forward and yanked them away and then he helped Lewis forcibly shove her inside and slam the door. Lewis quickly slid the bolt home to lock her in.

"It pays to study your prey thoroughly in order to find out their weaknesses." He had to speak loudly to be heard over Sloan's gut wrenching screams and the sound of her fists pounding on the thick wooden door. "A few sessions in that closet and Dr. Sloan Parker will be begging me for the opportunity to tell me where my son is. In the meantime, let's go see how our other guest is faring."

The two men quickly left the room.

Sam, Johonaa'ei and Moon Dancer's trek down the mountain was blissfully uneventful. The sun was just beginning to warm the day when they arrived at the small cabin.

"This is our humble dwelling," Johonaa'ei told her as he opened the door. "My grandson and I would be honored by your presence in it."

Sam smiled warmly at both of them as she entered. Their home, like the people themselves, was full of warmth and love. Every surface gleamed and any museum would have been ecstatic to claim several of the Indian artifacts that filled every room. Hand woven blankets draped several walls. Colorful Navajo carvings lined the mantle above the huge fireplace that took up one wall in the living room.

"It's lovely, Johonaa'ei," Sam said.

"Come and I will show you where you can bath and dress," he told her. "We must not linger here. It is only the first step on our long journey. Moon Dancer, go to your room and I will be there in a moment to help you pack."

Sam followed behind him as he walked toward the rear of the small cabin. He pointed out the bathroom to her and then moved over toward a large trunk pushed up against a far wall.

"These are my daughter's things," he said as he crouched down and opened the heavy looking lid. "They were sent to me after the accident. You are free to choose what you will need, my child."

"Thank you," Sam said quietly when she saw the look of sadness on his face. After he'd left, she carefully went through the trunk and picked out a pair of jeans and a couple of blouses with material thin enough not to bother her back. Although the wounds had healed over for the most part, several areas of her back were still very tender to the touch. After laying out the things on the bed, Sam quickly went into the bathroom and stripped off the clothing that she had lived in for over two weeks. Without another thought, she tossed both the jeans and her half shirt into the trash. She washed out her panties and laid them on the windowsill to dry while she showered.

"I'd forgotten how lovely a shower can feel," she said as she stood under the warm spray of water. Her daily ministrations in the cold water of the tiny stream once she was able to get around by herself had only served to keep her from feeling totally disgusting. She lathered her hair with some spicy smelling shampoo she found and laughed. It would take some time to get used to the cap of short curls that covered her head now. She was almost sorry when she finished scrubbing and stepped out of the shower. After drying off, she tucked the soft towel around herself, grabbed her dry undies and went in to get dressed. By the time she came back out into the living room, Moon Dancer was ready to take his turn and Johonaa'ei was busy packing things into a bag out in the kitchen.

"You look pretty, my lady," the boy said with a shy smile. "That was one of Mama's favorite shirts."

Sam looked down at the gauzy white blouse she'd chosen. The embroidered flowers on the yoke and sleeves had charmed her as soon as she'd spotted them.

"Do you mind that I'm wearing it," she asked quickly. She didn't want to cause the boy any pain.

"No," he said as he slowly reached out to touch the soft fabric. He lifted the tail of the shirt and held it to his face. Sam almost cried when he drew in a deep breath. "It still smells like her. Mama always smelled like a field of wild flowers."

After he had raced off to bath, Sam gave into the tears she'd fought so hard to hold back when he was there. She blindly grabbed onto the nearest chair and sat down.

"He is over his grief," Johonaa'ei said as came into the room and saw her crying. "When he first came to me, Moon Dancer's days were spent either shedding tears for his lost parents or cursing Ye'iitsoh for taking them from him. But after a time, he slowly began to heal. Today, when he saw you, he took joy from the memory, not pain."

"And what about you, Johonaa'ei? How do you feel seeing me walking around in your daughter's things?"

"Like my grandson, I am filled with memories. Some are sad but most are joyous. Your coming into our lives is a blessing, little one. It is a cause for celebration, not sadness. Come, wipe away those tears and help me prepare for our journey."

Sam stood and then hugged him tightly.

"I'm the one who was blessed, Johonaa'ei. Except for my son, you and Moon Dancer are the closest thing to family I've ever had."

"I would be honored to call you daughter," he murmured. Stepping back, he reached out and tucked a stray black curl behind her ear. "I want you to promise me that no matter what happens when we get to Phoenix that you will remember this. We are family now, Non'ha'bah, and family always take care of each other."

"I promise," Sam solemnly told him. She took comfort in the fact that this time when she faced Lewis she wouldn't be alone.

Within the hour, they were ready to go. Johonaa'ei pulled his dark green pickup truck around to the front and they loaded their things into the back. Moon Dancer slipped in next to his grandfather and, after Sam climbed into the front seat with them, they began the short trip into Phoenix.

The sound of a woman screaming cut through the hazy fog that filled Jeff's head and pulled him back toward consciousness. He opened his eyes and groaned aloud at the sharp pains emanating from his ribs. He could taste blood in his mouth and his jaw was throbbing. His good pal Steve had put quite a hurting on him. But it was the screams that sent a jolt of fear crawling into his belly. Sloan! Where the hell was Sloan?

"Where are you Lewis," he yelled at the top of his lungs.

"Right here, Mr. Faraday," came the amused filled response as Lewis walked through the door. "Did you have a nice nap?"

"Where's Sloan?"

"Dr. Parker is rather busy right now." Lewis laughed as Sloan's screams grew more desperate sounding. "She's learning a valuable lesson in the importance of telling the truth."

"What have you done to her, you bastard!" Jeff cursed the ropes that kept him from getting to Lewis.

Instead of answering his question, Lewis posed another.

"Tell me Jeff, is Sloan screaming as loudly as Triana did when you left her to die?" His face was flushed with fury. "Listen closely now. Did her voice contain the same level of terror that Sloan's does now?"

"You really get off on hurting women, don't you. Lewis?" The hairs on his neck stood up at the horrific screams coming from the other room. "Are you afraid that you may not be as dominant as your hype says?"

"Oh, don't worry, Faraday. I'm an equal opportunity killer. When the time comes when you are no longer useful to me, I'll gladly prove it to you."

His smile never reached the icy blue eyes that stared unblinkingly at Jeff.

"Useful? How so?"

"Oh, I know you were only along for the ride, Mr. Hot Shot Author. But if you're as good as they say, I'm sure you saw and heard plenty while you were gathering information for your latest literary effort. You seem to know all about Samantha Wexford. Tell me where she stashed the child."

"Child?" Jeff gave him an intentionally vague look.

"Do you know anything about claustrophobia, Faraday? I understand it can be quite debilitating. Why if someone with this phobia was to be locked into a closet barely big enough to move around in, I would think it would be quite an ordeal."

"Let her out of there, Lewis. Sloan's done nothing to you."

"She lied to me. She has to suffer the consequences. Now tell me Jeff, what do you think you could do to help get her out of there faster?"

Dammit, how could he make a choice like this? To save Sloan, he would have to betray Samantha's trust and tell Lewis where his son was. It was impossible. This mutant madman would raise Adam. Jeff turned his face toward the wall and lay there listening to Sloan's agonized screams. When Lewis left the room, he made sure the door stayed open.

A quiet tension soon filled the cramped forward cab of the pickup. Sam thoughts were filled with her fears of facing Lewis again. Just what had Johonaa'ei seen in his visions? He had changed since they'd left Sanctuary. Was he keeping some terrible secret from her? He'd said that someone close to her was in danger. Finally, she could no longer bear the quiet.

"Please, Johonaa'ei, I have to know what you saw in your vision," she cried. "I can't bear thinking that I may have lost Adam."

"Visions are not always clear, daughter," he told her. "They are like codes that we must decipher."

"But that should be easy for you, Popi," Moon Dancer said. "You were once a Code Talker?"

"Code Talker," Sam asked, momentarily distracted. "What does that mean Johonaa'ei?"

"It was a long time ago," he replied. "During World War II, the Navajo people were asked to play a very important part in the war effort. A man named Philip Johnston convinced the military that if we could develop a written Navajo language it could be used as a possible code."

"Up until then, we never had a written language," Moon Dancer informed her. It was obvious that the boy had heard this particular story many times. His eyes shined with pride as he listened to his grandfather tell it again.

"It proved to be quite successful," Johonaa'ei continued. "We developed the code and played a big part in the war."

"We," Sam asked.

Once again it was Moon Dancer who filled in the story for her.

"Popi was in the group that developed the language. He was a real hero in the war."

"There were many heroes," the elder said humbly. "Some returned home and some did not."

"Some soldiers had big parades too, but not the Navajo's," the little boy said angrily. "Nobody even told them what a wonderful job they did."

"Is that true, Johonaa'ei?"

"The fact that they did not honor what we did made it no less honorable," he said quietly. "We returned to our homes and picked up the lives we left behind. But we passed on the story to our children because we wanted them to be proud of this part of their heritage."

Sam was just about to ask Johonaa'ei about the vision once again when Moon Dancer announced that he needed to go to the bathroom. They pulled into the next gas station and the boy made a mad dash out of the truck. While Johonaa'ei spoke with the attendant who came out to fill up their tank, Sam slipped out of the truck to stretch her legs. She meandered over toward a battered line of newspaper boxes and leaned down to check the headlines. It seemed like years since she'd read a newspaper. She must have cried out, because suddenly Johonaa'ei was by her side. His arm snaked around her waist when she looked like she was going to faint.

"What is it child? What's wrong?"

She couldn't seem to find her voice. So she simply pointed to the box nearest them. Johonaa'ei quickly reached into his pocket for some change. On closer inspection, the headline was even more frightening.

"T-That's Jeff, my J-Jeff. Oh God, Lewis has my b-baby! Adam," she screamed as Johonaa'ei pulled her into his arms. "Adam!"

Once word of the kidnapping hit the media, things started going crazy. It seemed as though every lonely woman over the age of sixty suddenly had Lewis as a neighbor. Ray made contact with some friends on the local police force and made sure he and the others were apprised of any new developments on the case. Ed and Dr. Attwood kept in close contact via regular phone calls and Ed's computer. Tom desperately tried to pick up any sign of Lewis in the area. Between them they had all the bases covered. Ten hours after the kidnapping they were still totally in the dark.

"It's like Lewis snatched them and then disappeared off the face of the earth," Ed said.

"It's his usual MO," Ray reminded them. "Look how long it took us to find the place he was holding Sam during her pregnancy."

Tom turned away from the picture window he'd been staring through and sighed. They still didn't get it. If Lewis didn't want to be found, he wouldn't. It was as simple as that. The only reason they'd been somewhat successful at tracking him up until then was because he was intent on drawing Sloan to him. It all made perfect sense now. Sloan had always been the target. He'd used Samantha Wexford as a breeder, but it was Sloan he would give over the care of his son to. There was some strange connection between the two. On a certain level, Tom believed Sloan knew this. She was terrified of Lewis and she had a right to be. He would not stop until she was his or until she proved that she never could be. Tom only hoped that day hadn't arrived because Lewis would kill her without a feeling a second of remorse.

"You're awfully quiet, Daniels," Ed called over from the table where he sat punching in information on his laptop. "Care to share your thoughts with us mere humans?"

"It's not anything you want to hear," Tom replied.

"How about letting us be the judge of that," Ray suggested. "Sometimes if you let everybody put their two cents in you come up with a solution to the most complex of problems."

Tom shrugged his shoulders. Maybe it was time he clued them in on what was, in all probability, going to happen. Why the hell should he be the only one sick with worry? Ten minutes later, it was easy to see that he was no longer alone in his misery.

"Damn!"

Ed jumped up from his chair and began pacing. Ray joined Tom at the window.

"You know, son, you could have unloaded some of that on us earlier. We may have been able to help you deal with it."

"Deal with it?" Tom turned and looked at Ray. "The only way we're going to deal with it is to find the son of a bitch and kill him before he kills Sloan and Faraday."

"So that's what we'll do," Ed said quietly. "We'll hunt him down and bury him in a hole so deep that he'll be halfway to hell."

For once the two were on the same page. Now, if only they could catch at least one damn break!

His silent prayer had barely voiced itself in Tom's head when it was seemingly answered. For the first time since Sloan had been torn away from him, he felt optimistic as he took another look out the motel window.

Almost half an hour had passed when Lewis went back in and unlocked the closet door. Sloan's hoarse screams abruptly halted and she exploded out of her tiny prison on her hands and knees.

"Not so fast," Lewis said when she continued to crawl across the floor. He reached down and once again used a fistful of her hair to restrain her.

Sloan was barely aware of Lewis even being in the room. She only knew that she was finally able to breathe again. She did so, dragging in deep breath after deep breath and still it wasn't enough. Her vision began to blur and she grew lightheaded. An instant later, she was violently ill.

"Looks like maybe you should have gotten her out a little sooner," Steve said. He lounged against the door jam watching Sloan collapse.

"I keep forgetting how weak this species is," Lewis said with a sigh. "Well, it's obvious she's not going to be able to talk sensibly for a while yet. Maybe I'll toss her back in with Faraday. Seeing her in this condition may loosen his tongue.

They each grabbed Sloan under the arm and dragged her down the hall to the room Jeff presently occupied. They dropped her next to the wall by the door and she immediately crawled out to the center of the room.

Jeff began cursing both of them as he crawled over to Sloan.

"You damn sadists," he yelled. "Couldn't you at least have given her something to cover herself with? Can't you see she's going into shock?"

"What's the matter, Faraday," Lewis asked with a mocking grin. "Does the sight of a half naked woman turn you off?"

"Come to think of it boss, it seems to me like Sloan would be more comfortable if she didn't have on any clothes at all. It would help her to feel less confined."

When Lewis agreed, Steve walked over to where Sloan lay shivering and knelt down next to her. He slipped his arm beneath her stomach and lifted her up just enough to allow him to slip off her panties with his other hand. Jeff screamed with rage when Steve curved his hand over her hip and then smiled over at him. Sloan suddenly stiffened and then she went limp. Steve let her fall back onto the floor and then he stood up.

"How about some sandwiches and a couple of cold ones while we wait for Sloan to come around a bit more," he asked Lewis.

"I'm in."

"Dammit, the least you can do is retie my hands in front of me so that I can take care of her," Jeff yelled after them when they turned to go.

"Why bother," Lewis said with a shrug. "She won't be around long enough to thank you."

Both men left the room without another word. This time they made sure to close and lock the door behind them. Once they were alone, Jeff began to try and help Sloan.

"Sloan, can you hear me? Come on, talk to me now."

He moved as close to her as he could in order to lend some of his body heat to her. She was shivering even harder now and felt clammy when he touched her shoulder with his face.

"No," she moaned as she started inching away from him. Her voice was barely a croak and her words slurred badly.

"I'm not going to hurt you," he crooned softly. "Just let me try and warm you up a bit."

"Can't breath," she gasped. "Too close. I can't breath!"

Jeff immediately understood and moved a short distance away from her. In spite of her chills, right now what Sloan needed the most was to feel wide-open spaces around her. He could only imagine what being locked up in that closet must have felt like. He continued to talk to her to let her know he was there if she needed him. Finally, her frantic breathing seemed to ease up a bit and she appeared to fall asleep. It was the best thing for her now. No need for her to lay there and panic over how long it would take Lewis to come back for her.

"I'm so sorry I couldn't stop him from doing this to you, Sloan. But I just couldn't tell him what he wants to know."

"S'okay," she mumbled as she slowly curled up on the floor. "Tom will come soon." She sighed and then she finally fell into a deep sleep.

"I hope you're right," Jeff said quietly. "Because if he doesn't show up soon, I don't think either of us will be here to greet him when he finally does."

They were parked in the lot across from Room 11 in the Rainbow Lodge. Sam sat stiffly in the front seat, her hands clutching the crumpled newspaper to her chest.

"This is where it happened," she said in a hollow sounding voice. "This is where Lewis snatched Jeff and that Parker woman right out of their van." Sam had been unable to read the article that accompanied the pictures. Her hands had been shaking so hard she couldn't read the small print. But Johonaa'ei had described the scene quite clearly to her and she could almost see the abandoned van with it doors hanging open. Looking down, she could see what looked like several Cheese Doodles crushed into the tarmac. Jeff was addicted to the stupid things.

"Would you like me to see if the gentlemen they were with are still in their room," Johonaa'ei asked. He had been watching her closely ever since they'd seen the headlines. Sam had withdrawn into herself almost immediately and barely spoken as they made their way there.

"I don't know," she whispered. "Now that we're here I don't know what we should do."

The decision was taken out of their hands a moment later. The door to Room 11 suddenly swung open and two men came walking out. They headed straight for Johonaa'ei's truck.

"Stay here," he told Sam and Moon Dancer. He slipped out of the driver's seat and went to meet the men before they got any closer to her and the boy.

"We would like to speak to Ms. Wexford," Tom Daniels said quickly.

"And I would like to know with whom I am speaking," Johonaa'ei replied.

Ray smiled at the man's protective attitude and then reached into his back pocket for his I.D. Tom did likewise. To his credit, the elderly Indian didn't blink at the FBI credentials.

"Thank you," he said softly. "Now I would like to hear why you think I should let you speak with Samantha."

Since Tom was still staring intently over at the woman in question, Ray answered.

"We know what happened to Samantha, sir. We would like to speak with her in hopes of learning what, if anything, she knows about Lewis' latest act."

"You will not threaten her in any way," Johonaa'ei said with a glance toward Tom. "She has much to tell you but can not be rushed. Her journey to you has been filled with treachery."

"We're not here to hurt her," Tom said.

When he turned toward him, Johonaa'ei finally saw the fear in his young eyes. This one was dealing with demons of his own.

"I will go speak with her. Perhaps it would be better if you returned to your room. I will bring Samantha to you."

Both men nodded before turning to go. Johonaa'ei walked around to the driver's side of the truck and explained the situation to Samantha.

"Will you stay with me," she asked quickly.

"I will not leave your side until it is time for me to do so," he told her. "Come, let us go see these men and find out what happened to Jeff and your son."

Sam took a couple of shaky breaths and then she climbed out of the truck. Moon Dancer got out too and slipped his hand into Sam's as they walked across the small lot.

When the three entered the motel room, Ed's eyes immediately locked onto Samantha's. He smiled as he moved toward her.

"We've been looking for you for almost seven months, Ms. Wexford. I'm so glad we've finally found each other."

Sam edged closer to Johonaa'ei and kept her arms tucked tightly against her sides when Ed offered his hand.

"I didn't mean to frighten you," he said. He quickly pulled his hand back when he saw the look of fear flash across her face. The last thing he wanted to do was to scare her.

"I'm sorry," she said quietly. "It's not you. I'm not too good around strangers since . . .."

"It's okay, Ms. Wexford, we understand perfectly," Ray said quickly when she just stood there looking miserable. "It's just that we feel we know you. Like Ed said, we've been busting our tails trying to find you ever since Lewis got hold of you in Mexico."

"I don't understand. Why were you all so concerned over what happened to a perfect stranger?" She knew why Jeff was involved. He'd saved her and Adam's lives and told her over and over that he would take care of them both.

This time it was Tom who spoke. He'd been standing back closely watching Samantha since she'd entered the room. This was the woman who had gone toe to toe with Lewis and survived. He could sense her great inner strength. But Lewis' last vicious attempt to break her had obviously shattered her. She would have to find a way to tap back into it again before she could fully claim back her life.

"Do you have any idea who Lewis is," he asked.

Sam turned toward the man Johonaa'ei identified earlier as Tom Daniels. She was momentarily started by his resemblance to Lewis. She found herself trying not to look directly into his startlingly blue eyes.

"He told me what he was," she replied. "I quickly learned what he was capable of." "Lewis took care to let Dr. Sloan Parker in on his plans," Tom said. "She was in a frenzy to find you."

"He told her? But why?"

"It was just his little way of trying to destroy her because he couldn't possess her. He only let Sloan know parts of his plans. Just enough to drive her crazy with guilt because she couldn't stop what he was going to do to you and the others."

"This Lewis is a great weaver of webs," Johonaa'ei said. "Each strand is designed to draw in his victims until they are all in one place. Then he feasts of them at his leisure."

"Now he has Sloan, Jeff and my baby." Her voice sounded as dead as she felt inside.

"Your baby? Lewis doesn't have Adam," Ed told her. "Your son's been with Jeff's sister since the day Lewis grabbed you in that mine shaft."

Sam's legs simply went out from under her. She would have fallen if Johonaa'ei hadn't quickly wrapped his arms around her waist. Ed pulled out a chair and the elder gently lowered Sam into it.

"Put your head between your knees, Non'ha'bah," he told her. Her face had gone alarming pale. "That's it. Just take a couple of deep breaths."

Her baby was safe. Sam wanted to scream and laugh and cry all at the same time. Adam wasn't in danger. He never had been. Jeff had kept her baby safe, just like he'd promised. Adam was . . .

"Oh my God, that's why Lewis took them. He's going to force Jeff or Sloan to tell him where Adam is," she cried out in horror.

"No, no it's all right Samantha," Ed quickly told her. He crouched down in front her chair and took her cold hands into his own. "As soon as Sloan and Jeff were kidnapped, we called Molly and warned her. Her place is being guarded closer than Fort Knox."

"You're sure he can't get to Adam?"

"There's no way Lewis is going to be able to get past all the people we have up there plus their local officials. Believe me, your son has never been in a safer place."

She smiled and Ed's heart nearly broke at the look of pure joy that filled her too thin face.

"Can I . . . do you think I could talk to her?"

Ed looked over toward Daniels. Without a word, Tom picked up the phone. After a few short minutes of muted conversation, he handed it to Sam.

"You can speak freely," he told her. "It's a secure line. Molly is very anxious to speak with you."

Sam reached out and grabbed hold of Johonaa'ei's hand and then she lifted the receiver to her ear.

"Hello?"

"Is that you Samantha?" The woman's voice was full of warmth and laughter.

"Yes, it is." Tears fell unnoticed down her cheeks as Sam spoke to the woman who had cared for her baby all of these past months. "Tell me everything," she sobbed. "Please, tell me all about my son!"

They talked until Tom finally signaled Ed to cut them short. They had to keep the lines open in case Lewis decided to call them.

"She said he's a wonderful baby," Sam told Johonaa'ei and Moon Dancer as she slumped back into her chair. She was weak with happiness. "The best she's ever seen. She has five children of her own, but she said Adam was the best."

"He's yours, little one. Did you expect anything less?"

She laughed and then sobered quickly when she turned to face the other three men in the room.

"I want to see my son. I want to hold him in my arms and take him home with me. I can't do that as long as Lewis is alive. As soon as we find him, I'm going to kill the bastard." Sam slowly looked into each man's face. "If you don't want to help me, that's fine. I'll find a way to do it by myself. But with or without you, I'm going to make sure once and for all that Lewis isn't going to keep me away from my son any longer."

Johonaa'ei placed his hand on Sam's shoulder.

"You know I am with you Non'ha'bah."

The three other men looked at each other and each slowly nodded.

"We'll help you," Tom said, speaking for all of them.

This time they were going to bring the battle right to Lewis' doorstep. Now all they had to do was find him.

When several hours passed and Sloan still did not wake up, Jeff began to get worried. After what she had gone through, he expected her to be worn out and perhaps sleep for a bit. But, this extended nap just wasn't normal. She hadn't moved and several times he found himself making sure she was breathing. If he wasn't so sure it was impossible, Jeff would have sworn she'd been drugged. Lewis had come into the room several times to check on her and his growing frustration was easy to see. When he came into the room a third time, Jeff couldn't help but put a few digs in.

"Just how did you manage to rise to the top of your species' heap, Lewis," Jeff taunted. "It looks to me like you're just your average screw-up. Hell, from what I hear, Samantha Wexford managed to slip through your fingers not once but twice. Now, you can't even manage a simple interrogation without half killing your newest victim."

"If I were you, Faraday, I would lay there and keep my mouth shut. Annoy me enough, and your next conversation will be with your maker."

With that, Lewis turned his attention back to Sloan. He pulled her over onto her back and she groaned when he slapped her sharply across both cheeks.

"Come on, Sloan, you can't sleep forever. We have a very important date."

Her eyes fluttered open and she immediately began to try and get away from him. He laughed and hauled her back by her arm. Placing his hand on her belly, he applied just enough pressure to make her lay still.

"I think I'll do something a little different this time," he said as he smiled down at her. "I don't want you laying here feeling left out, Faraday. Hey Steve, get in here and bring me a straight chair and the other things laying on the table."

"What's with the chair," Steve asked as he hauled it into the room.

"Grab Faraday and put him in it," Lewis directed. "Use some of that tape to make sure he stays put."

"We're going to do this the easy way or are you spoiling for another beating?"

"Come a little closer and you'll find out," Jeff snarled. Although he tried his best to at least hinder Steve a little, the other man easily hauled him up and tossed him into the heavy wooden chair. By pulling his aching arms over the back of the chair, Steve made sure he stayed there until he could secure his upper body to the chair with the duck tape. Finally he taped Jeff's mouth shut.

"Take him into the other room. We'll be right behind you."

Steve tilted the chair back and dragged Jeff out of the room and down the hallway. Lewis forced Sloan to her feet and half dragged, half carried her after them. As they drew close to the room where he'd taken her before, she started to weakly try and free herself from his grasp. Lewis pulled her into the center of the room and then shoved her down on the floor.

"Toss me that tape, Steve, before you go answer that," Lewis told him when he heard the phone start to ring in the other room.

He quickly pulled Sloan's arms tightly behind her back and then secured them with the thick tape. Next her bound her ankles and then circled the tape around her thighs. With a final flourish, he ran a length of tape around her ribs and over her arms to make sure she couldn't move them. Sloan hoarse cries sounded throughout the entire procedure. When he finished, she was totally restricted and already gasping for breath.

"Don't carry on so, my dear. I'm doing this for your own good. Your little hands were already badly bruised from your last trip to the closet. We wouldn't want you to injure them further now, would we?"

"B-bastard," she sobbed.

He grabbed a piece of cloth and wadded it up before forcing it into her mouth. A piece of tape across her mouth silenced her. Next he wadded a thick piece of wax and placed it in each of her ears. Finally, he blindfolded her. He turned and smiled at Jeff.

"Can you imagine how she must feel right now," Lewis said as he stroked Sloan's sweat slickened skin. "Total sensory depravation must be a living hell for a claustrophobic. Add the thought of being put back in that little black hole and you have the perfect makings of a total breakdown."

Sloan's muffled screams began in earnest when he started to drag her across the floor. He was just about to push her back into the tiny closet when Steve came rushing back into the room.

"That was Mike. Guess who just showed up at the Rainbow Lodge?"

Lewis felt a rush of adrenaline surge through his body.

"So Samantha has finally come out of hiding."

He was smiling when he reached down and cleared the wax from one of Sloan's ears.

"I wanted to make sure you heard this, Sloan," he said. "Samantha has returned so I no longer need your cooperation. I'm still going to put you in your favorite little room. I'm just not going to come back for you. How long do you think you'll survive in there?" His cruel laughter was the last thing she heard before he stuck the wax back in and shoved her inside the closet. He slammed the door shut and then turned the lock.

"Let's get moving!"

"What are we gonna do about him," Steve asked.

Lewis seemed to be thinking it over and then he reached back and pulled the gun out of his waistband.

"Kill him. I'll meet you outside."

As soon as they were alone, Steve tucked the gun away and pulled out a switchblade. He quickly cut through the tape and ropes that held Jeff captive.

"Get Sloan out of that closet," he said in a low voice as he tossed the knife across the room. "You can use the phone in the kitchen to call your friends and warn them Lewis is headed in their direction."

"What the hell is this," Jeff snarled. "Do you actually think I'm going to believe your turning against your pal Lewis?"

"I don't give a shit what you believe, just do what I'm telling you."

Comprehension finally dawned in Jeff's eyes.

"You drugged Sloan back in that room, didn't you?"

"We both know she was never going to be able to keep lying to Lewis about his son," Steve said quickly. "I had to make sure she didn't talk. Here's another dose of the drug. I think you're going to have to sedate her in order to get her out of here. The van we brought you here in is parked out in the garage. Lewis doesn't want to use it in case it was seen when we grabbed you. The keys are on the hook by the door. Just head south and you'll come up on the motel in a few miles."

"Why are you helping us," Jeff asked as he stood and tried to work out the kinks and cramps that rippled up and down his legs.

"Whether you want to believe it or not, we're not all like Lewis. Just ask Tom Daniels."

Jeff felt himself flinch as Steve pulled the gun back out. But he simply pointed it toward the ceiling and fired.

"Bang! You're dead," he said. "Now don't make me regret taking this chance."

He turned and raced out the door. Jeff hobbled over toward the closet and thumbed over the lock. In seconds he had Sloan out. He quickly pulled off the blindfold and removed the wax plugs from her ears. He tried to lift off the tape across her mouth as gently as possible but the tender skin beneath it looked rough and reddened. He worked the wadded bit of cloth out of her mouth and she immediately began gasping for air. Her pale green eyes were wide with fear and he wasn't at all sure she was aware that it was him bending over her.

"You're okay now, Sloan. I'm going to undo this tape in just a second. But I have to go call Tom and the others to warn them that Lewis is coming."

"Tom . . . want . . . Tom." Her voice was so low and raspy; he could barely understand her.

"I promise I'll take you to Tom as soon as I can," he told her. "But I have to go make that call. I'll be right back Sloan."

Jeff ran into the kitchen and got Ray on the line. He quickly filled the ex- cop in on their situation and the fact that Lewis knew Sam was with them. He wanted to ask a million questions about her but knew he had to get back to Sloan. He simply asked Ray to tell Sam he would see her soon as possible and then he broke the connection.

The eerie noise that greeted him when he started down the hallway sent him flying back toward the room. Sloan was fighting to break free of her bonds. Her voice cracked and broke as she screamed out her terror at still being confined by the tape.

Jeff placed the small apparatus Steve had given him against her upper arm and pushed. Just as before, Sloan stiffened and then went limp. He grabbed the knife, turned her on her side and quickly cut through the tape around her arms, wrists and legs so she could at least move. They could worry about getting the rest of it off without tearing up her skin later.

Sloan immediately jerked away from him and half crawled, half dragged herself toward the door. Jeff grabbed the clothing he saw balled up on the floor near the closet and quickly followed after her. Sloan careened off the walls like a bad drunk as she struggled to get to the closest door to the outside. Finally, she made it to the kitchen and fought to open the door with hands that were too bruised and swollen to close around the doorknob. Jeff slipped the long shirt around her shoulders and then pulled open the door. Sloan dropped to her knees and leaned her head up against the screen door. Her shoulders shook with silent sobs as she stared out at the wide-open spaces that stretched out as far as she could see. She continued to sit there while Jeff maneuvered her unresisting limbs into shirt sleeves and pant legs. He looked and saw the car keys right on the hook where Steve had said they would be. He snagged them and then leaned down to help Sloan to her feet. He knew he should take her directly to the nearest hospital but he'd made certain promises he meant to keep.

"Come on, Sloan, we're going to see Tom."

"Tom," she croaked and then she gave a sleepy little smile. "See Tom."

Jeff rolled down the windows in the van and then settled Sloan in so that she could hang her head out. He knew it wasn't the safest way for her to travel but, at the moment, it was the only way she could stand being inside the car. He took off down the highway as fast as the old Buick would carry them. Sam was waiting at the end of the road for him.

"Lewis is on his way."

Ray turned around and saw a variety of emotions on the faces of the people crowded into the small motel room. Tom, as usual, showed nothing of the emotions that were boiling deep within him. Lewis, his one time mentor, had schooled him well. Ed's eyes glittered with hatred and his jaw was firmly clenched. Samantha Wexford, flanked as she was by her adopted family, looked terrified at first and then a cold mask of hatred sharpened her features. She would bear watching. The elderly Indian at her side looked calm although Ray saw him quickly reach out toward the boy. Young Moon Dancer looked every bit the fearsome warrior. His young face held a look that should never have been on the face of a ten-year-old boy.

"According to Jeff, we don't have much time," he added.

"Jeff?" Sam bolted out of the chair. "That was Jeff on the phone?"

"Yeah, he's bringing Sloan back with him as soon as he can get her calmed down enough to get into a vehicle." Ray gave them a thumbnail sketch of what had been happening out at the house Lewis had held them in. Sam's face grew pale when he told her what Sloan had gone though.

"He has to be stopped," she cried. "Lewis just can't keep destroying people like this."

"After today, Lewis will never hurt anyone again," Tom told her. "He will be put down like the mad dog he is."

After that, things started moving quickly. In the blur of activity that moved around them, Sam suddenly turned to Johonaa'ei.

"I know that you brought several weapons with you," she said quietly. "I want one of your knives."

"You are not strong enough yet to use such a weapon, Non'ha'bah. Your left hand will be useless in a fight."

Sam looked down at the misshapen fingers and tight binding that held her injured wrist in place. "You call me a warrior, Johonaa'ei. Give me a weapon and I will show you that you named me correctly. I nearly killed Lewis once before with one," she said defiantly. "This time I intend to succeed."

Without another word, he handed her a six-inch blade. She quickly slipped the smooth leather sheath in the waistband of her jeans. Her gaze fell on the boy who stood silently watching final preparations being made for Lewis' downfall.

"What will we do with Moon Dancer?"

"I'm going to fight, my lady," the child said.

"You're going to go hide in the truck," Johonaa'ei told him. "This is not your day to fight, my child."

"But Popi!"

A stern look from his grandfather had the little boy's chin quivering. He turned to Sam but found no champion for his cause there.

"Only a squaw runs from battle," he sniffed.

"Only a fool faces an enemy before his time," Johonaa'ei said gently. "The Spirits are greatly pleased by your bravery in saving Samantha. They know the courage that beats in your young heart. But this battle is not yours to fight."

Like a prisoner walking to the gallows, Moon Dancer walked out of the room and headed toward his grandfather's truck. Sam and Johonaa'ei watched to make sure he got inside and then locked the doors. His face was a mask of misery as he slipped to the floor and dropped out of sight.

"You should be there with him," Johonaa'ei said. "Your son needs you alive and well, Samantha. Would you go with Moon Dancer and trust me to defeat your enemy?"

Her hand slipped down to stroke the weapon he'd given her. She wanted to run. She wanted to get as far away from Lewis as was humanly possible. God, she could almost taste the fear that was coursing through her body at the moment. But she had to face him. Even if her's was not the killing blow, she had to be there to at least see it struck. Until she did, she would never feel safe.

"You know I can't do that, Johonaa'ei."

"Our roles have been chosen, little one," he said as he reached out and softly stroked her cheek. "I just wanted to be sure that you were certain."

"What do you want us to do," Sam asked Tom as she and Johonaa'ei stepped back into the room.

"We have no idea how many people Lewis will have with him," Ed explained. According to Jeff, a man named Steve was with them at the house and someone named Mike was the one who reported Samantha's arrival at the motel."

"Tom says that Lewis doesn't usually travel with a big entourage," Ray put in. "So we could be looking at maybe five or six men altogether."

"You seem to be well acquainted with Lewis' habits," Sam said. "How long have you been tracking him now."

"Tom's what you would call a convert," Ed told her. "He used to be Lewis' main man."

Sam grew cold as she turned to look at Tom. She'd felt something was odd about him from the first moment she met him. Now she knew why. He was one of them, one of the creatures who had slaughtered her friends. He was like Lewis. With an anguished cry she pulled out the knife Johonaa'ei had just given her and launched herself toward him.

Only Tom's quick reflexes stopped her from burying the knife deep in his chest. She screamed in frustration as he bent her wrist until she dropped her weapon.

"Let her go," Johonaa'ei said quietly. Somehow he'd moved around them unseen as they struggled and now held his own blade against Tom's throat.

Tom quickly complied. Ed stepped in from behind her and wrapped his arms around Sam to keep her from going after Tom again.

"Everyone take a deep breath and settle down," he said. "I shouldn't have told you like I did Samantha. Tom is one of the good guys. Believe me, nobody wants to deny that more than me, but he would lay down his life for any one of us, especially Sloan."

"He's one of them," she cried. "How can you trust him not to turn on you as soon as Lewis shows up?"

"Because believe it or not, Tom actually hates him more than we do," Ray told her.

"I know you're not ready to accept me, Samantha," Tom said quietly. "What Lewis and my people did to you was hideous. I would have given anything to have been able to stop him before it happened but we couldn't get to you in time. Let me do my job now and I promise you that you will be with your son before this day is over."

"He speaks with his heart, little one," Johonaa'ei said as he lowered his knife.

Sam no longer struggled to get free of Ed's hold on her.

"I'm sorry," she told Tom. "Please forgive me for not seeing you for who you are."

"We're all on the same side, Samantha. And in a matter of minutes, Lewis is going to be walking into our playing field. Let's concentrate on taking him down."

"I'll be ready," she said. Once Ed let her go she bent down and retrieved her knife. "What's your plan?"

It was simple. It was deadly. Sam would be the bait that would draw Lewis to them.

"This is not acceptable," Johonaa'ei said. It was the first time Sam had heard him raise his voice. "You will not use her as your Judas Goat!"

Sam laid her hand on his forearm.

"I'm willing to do it, Johonaa'ei. This has to end today. I just can't take it anymore."

He nodded and felt his heart grow heavy. Had the spirits not foretold it to him? A mere mortal could not hope to change what would happen here today. They would each play out their parts and the vision that had so disturbed him last night would be fulfilled. He prayed for the strength to see it through.

"I love you, Father," she said and kissed each of his weathered cheeks. He pulled her close and hugged her so tightly that she momentarily lost her breath.

"I will be watching over you today and always, Daughter."

She took the comfort of his words with her as she stepped out of the room and started the plan in motion.

Steve divided his attention between the long flat road stretched out in front of him and his boss. Lewis had pulled Sloan's pendant out of his shirt pocket soon after they'd driven off. He sat smiling and fingering the heart shaped piece of silver as if it was a talisman. Steve found the fact that the last time he'd seen the damn thing it was resting between the woman's naked breasts a bit distracting. He struggled to get his mind back on their present situation.

"Samantha wasn't alone," he told Lewis. "Mike said she showed up with this old Indian guy and a kid."

The other man simply shrugged his shoulders.

"It doesn't matter how many people she surrounds herself with, Steve. Nothing is going to come between us this time." He suddenly smiled. "I do hope young Tom is there. It will give me great pleasure to tell him what happened to his beloved Sloan."

Steve chanced a quick look in the rearview mirror to see if the beloved Sloan had caught up to them yet. He had no doubt that Jeff would be driving like someone possessed in order to catch up to Lewis. But the road behind them remained empty.

"He's there according to Mike. Him, Ray and Ed have been camping out there ever since they drove into town. How are you going to handle this, if you don't mind my asking?"

"Hard, fast and deadly," Lewis replied before turning his attention back to the pendant.

A short time later, Steve spotted the Rainbow's dilapidated sign up ahead.

"Pull over and flash your lights so Mike knows it's us. He might not recognize Jake's old heap."

Steve flicked his lights three times and waited.

"Okay, there he is," Lewis said. "Now . . .damn! There she is!"

Lewis watched as Samantha came walking out of one of the motel units and headed toward a soft drink machine on the corner. This was going to be easier than he thought.

"Pull up next to the office. I want to catch her unawares."

Steve maneuvered the car into the narrow space and Lewis quickly jumped out. First he walked around the rear of the small, rundown motel in order to make sure there weren't any nasty surprises waiting for them. Everything appeared normal. He came back around to the front entrance of the office only a short distance from where Sam stood apparently making up her mind which can of sugar to choose. A smile tugged at his mouth as she leaned down to pick up her cola. He started moving toward her.

"How nice to see you again, Samantha," he crooned softly.

Sam spun around and faced the orchestrator of her own personal nightmare. She threw the can of pop toward his head and took off on a dead run back toward the room.

"Help me, somebody help me," she screamed at the top of her lungs.

Three doors swung open simultaneously and Lewis found himself neatly trapped.

"Stay away from her," Moon Dancer cried as he hurtled toward them. He leaped out of the truck as soon as he heard Sam's screams for help."

"Moon Dancer, no," Sam cried.

Lewis neatly caught the boy up in his arms and placed his gun against the side of his small, dark head. Tom, Ray, and Ed stood holding their weapons trained on him.

"Move and I shoot him," he snarled. "Get over here where I can see you Samantha."

Her heart pounded as she edged over closer to where Lewis stood. Moon Dancer's face had gone white and his dark eyes looked huge in his little face.

"I'm right here, Lewis. Now let the boy go."

"Not until you tell me where my son is, Samantha. A child for a child."

Although Tom and Ed had both assured her that Adam could not be safer, she wasn't going to tell him the truth. Even if she didn't manage to kill Lewis here today, there was no way he was going to be able to get to her baby.

"He's with a woman named Lucy Cavender in Prescott."

Moon Dancer ran to his grandfather as soon as his feet touched the ground. Lewis smiled and then he quickly turned the gun on Sam.

"I've been waiting a long time to do this, bitch."

Samantha couldn't move nor could she take her eyes away from the barrel of the gun pointed at her chest. She heard the loud explosion when Lewis pulled the trigger and waited for the pain to slice through her.

"No!" Johonaa'ei cried. He shoved Moon Dancer to safety and then threw himself toward Samantha, knocking her to the ground just as the bullet drove into his chest.

All hell broke out around her but Sam saw nothing but Johonaa'ei as he lay bleeding on the ground next to her.

"You're going to be fine," she said even as his blood gushed over her hands when she pushed them onto the wound. "Just hold on, Johonaa'ei. You're going to be fine."

"It is all right, my daughter," he whispered. "I was prepared for this moment. Please, inside my shirt. Take the letter."

He knew. The vision Johonaa'ei refused to tell her about foretold his own death and yet he'd come anyway because she had been too cowardly to come alone.

"Why, Johonaa'ei? Why didn't you stay up there on your mountain where it was save," Sam sobbed as she fruitlessly tried to stop the heavy flow of blood.

His eyes were glazed over with pain but he smiled up at her.

"My place was with you." His voice sounded weak and he was pale, so very pale.

"Popi!"

Moon Dancer's agonized scream tore Sam's heart in two. The little boy threw himself down beside Johonaa'ei and buried his face against the old man's neck.

"Don't leave me, Popi," he sobbed. "Don't leave me all alone!"

"You are not alone." Johonaa'ei used the last bit of his strength to take the boy's hand and place it on Sam's. He smiled and then slowly closed his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Moon Dancer. I'm so sorry," Sam whispered as she pulled the little boy into her arms,

"No," he screamed, as he shook loose of her hold on him. "Wake up, Popi, wake up!" Moon Dancer shook his grandfather's arm and kissed and patted his wrinkled face.

Sam wrapped her arms around the grieving child and slowly rocked back and forth while a desperate scene played itself out unseen around them. After shooting Johonaa'ei, Lewis was forced to dive for cover when Tom, Ray and Ed opened fire.

A van suddenly careened into the parking lot. Jeff took the situation in quickly. He shoved Sloan to the floor and she was too out of it to protest his rough treatment.

"Stay down there and don't move until I come back for you."

He climbed into the back of the van in hopes of finding some kind of weapon. Except for a couple of lengths of rope, it was empty. Jeff slid the side panel open and slowly stuck his head out. It was all clear for the moment.

"About time you showed up, pal," Steve said as he slipped up beside Jeff. "I was afraid you were going to miss the grand finale."

"Looks like your side is out gunned and out manned."

"No, our side is doing just fine," Steve told him. "Unfortunately, we lost one when Lewis tried to kill the girl."

Jeff looked over to where Sam and a young boy sat kneeling beside the prone figure of an elderly man. Jesus! They were still sitting ducks.

"Damn, we have to get them out of there!"

"Is Sloan still in the van?"

"Yeah, she's in no condition to be moving around."

"Okay, that leaves my car," Steve said. "We can move it up between Lewis and Sam to shield her and the boy."

"Let's do it!"

Moments later they screeched to a halt as close to Sam as possible. Jeff dove out his side and immediately pushed Sam and the child to the ground and then covered them with his own body.

"Shoot the son of a bitch," he screamed over to Tom and the others. But something was wrong. Suddenly he heard the roar of the car engine and he turned and saw Steve's car tear off. Steve himself lay unconscious on the ground. There was blood streaming down the side of his face.

"Shit," Jeff screamed as he surged to his feet. "He's getting away. Tom help me get Sloan."

All three men raced over to the van.

"Go," Ed yelled as he took Sloan into his arms. "I'll take care of things here. Just don't let the bastard get away!"

Jeff took the wheel as Tom and Ray piled in.

"This frigging guy has to be the luckiest devil on the face of the planet," Ray said.

"Not for much longer," Jeff said. His voice dripped with hatred. "He's never going to get his hands on Sloan or Sam again."

Tom's face had turned to stone when he saw Sloan's condition. No, Lewis would not live to see another day.

"There he is," Ray called out as he spotted the battered cream colored car up ahead.

Jeff's foot pushed the gas pedal to the floor and the van shot forward. Little by little the distance between them grew shorter.

"We have to catch him before we get into the city," Tom said softly. "We don't want anyone interfering with our plans."

But Lewis continued to stay ahead of them as they started passing scattered houses and then more populated areas along the two-lane highway.

"Hell, he's turning off," Jeff cried. He nearly tilted the van as he turned off onto the dirt road a few seconds behind Lewis. A thick cloud of dust pinpointed the other car's position.

Lewis suddenly disappeared around another sharp curve. They heard a tremendous roar and then saw flames shooting high up into the sky in front of them.

"What the hell was that," Ray said in shock.

He got his answer seconds later when they finally caught up with Lewis. His car, or rather several small pieces of his car lay scattered at the base of what once was a twelve-foot high propane tank. The sites three employees stood well back from the inferno as it continued to burn.

"It looks like Lewis' luck finally ran out," Jeff said with a satisfied grin. "Nobody could have survived that."

"I'm sure Attwood will want to being out a team to go over every piece of evidence they can scrape up," Tom said. "Just to be sure." But he agreed with Jeff. Even Lewis couldn't have walked away from this one.

Each man was lost in his own thoughts as they drove off.

"He's really dead," Sam asked when Jeff told her the news.

By the time he and the others had gotten back to the motel, the police and Emergency wagons were already there. While Tom and Ray went off to try and contain the situation, Jeff had raced over to Sam.

"Back to hell in a blaze of glory," Jeff said with a smile. He told her about the explosion.

"So it's over, it's finally over," she sighed. But not before a brave man had made the ultimate sacrifice for her. Sam squeezed Moon Dancer's shoulder as he huddled up against her. They were both still trying to deal with the fact that Johonaa'ei was gone. Sam had taken the letter he'd told her about from inside his shirt but hadn't yet found the courage to read it.

"I'll ride along with them," Jeff told the medic when he signaled they were ready to go.

"Ed said we all had to go get checked out," Sam said in disgust. "I'm fine. I just want to take Moon Dancer home."

"You've all been through quite an ordeal," he told her. Jeff didn't know which of them looked worse. The boy sat on the edge of the folded up gurney with his arms wrapped tightly around Sam's waist. His face was pale and streaked with tears. Sam's eyes were glassy and she appeared to be a bit in shock. Jeff reached over and drew up one of the thick blankets around both of them. "Once we get you both settled, we'll talk."

"I spoke with Molly," Sam said after a few minutes. She felt guilty over the sudden burst of joy that rushed through her. "I'll never be able to thank you enough for making sure Adam was safe."

"I only wish I could have done the same for you, Sam," he said quietly. "When I found out Lewis had you again I thought I would go crazy."

"He ripped apart so many lives." Once again her eyes filled with tears.

"Where's Popi," Moon Dancer suddenly asked. "Where did they take him?"

Sam's face crumbled and she couldn't seem to find her voice.

"Your grandfather is being taken care of, son," Jeff told the boy. "Just like these good people are taking care of you and Sam."

"When can we take Popi home, my lady?"

Once again Jeff answered.

"You can decide what you're going to do in a little while," Jeff said carefully. "Now, why don't you close your eyes and rest a little until we get to the medical center, buddy. You too, Sam. I'll be right here."

He was still there when Sam and the boy were taken to the private room Tom and his people arranged for them. The boy had refused to be separated from her when the doctor's decided to admit Sam for observation.

"This is ridiculous," she fumed as she sat propped up in the hospital bed. "There's nothing wrong with me."

"Use the free bed tonight, Sam, and tomorrow I'll spring both of you."

"I guess Moon Dancer could use the rest," she told him. Obviously she didn't intend to pay attention to her own exhaustion. Jeff smiled when she tried not to yawn. "It's just that I have so much to take care of over the next few days."

Once they were settled in their room, Sam had finally read Johonaa'ei's letter. She handed it to Jeff now and then leaned back and closed her eyes while he read it. She had almost drifted off when he spoke.

"It's obvious that the man cared deeply for you, Sam," he said.

"I loved him," she simply said. "I know we only knew each other for a short time, but I never felt so cherished."

"Are you going to take the boy?"

"Of course," she said. "I don't think I'll have any legal problems since Johonaa'ei stated things so clearly. I haven't talked it over with Moon Dancer yet," she said with a frown. "He doesn't really have any other family but I'm not sure how he'll feel about me now."

"What do you mean?"

"He would still have his grandfather if it wasn't for me Jeff," she said.

"Lewis is the only guilty party here, Sam," he said with a trace of anger in his voice. "Don't go laying on the guilt over something you had no control over."

"Are you going to take your own advice," she asked, thinking about their earlier conversation. "You're not to blame for Lewis getting his hands on me again."

"Looks like we're all going to have to come to grips with this responsibility stuff," he said shaking his head. "Sloan has been carrying around a pretty heavy dose of it herself."

"I know. Tom and Ed told me when they explained how they got involved in the search for me. I'd like to talk with her tomorrow. Do you think she'll be feeling a little better by then?"

"I'm sure she'll love to finally meet you, Sam. But not if you still have those dark bags under your eyes," he teased. "Now go to sleep."

She wiggled around on the bed for a minute, trying to find a comfortable position.

"I guess I've been sleeping on cave floors too long," she complained. "I feel like I'm sinking into a marshmallow."

"Next you'll be asking me for a glass of water," Jeff laughed. "Now shut up and go to sleep!"

Suddenly, her chin began to tremble and he realized what the problem was.

"I'll be right here if you or Moon Dancer need me, Sam. I'm not going anywhere."

Sam was smiling as she finally allowed herself to drift off to sleep. Jeff did get up a short time later and leave the room but returned quickly. He was still there the next morning when a knock sounded at the door.

"Come on in, Sis," he whispered. He took a moment to peek into the bundle she was carrying and then guided her over to Sam's bed.

"Wake up, Sam, you have company."

She groaned and then slowly opened her eyes. For a moment she froze when she saw the stranger standing by her bed but then her eyes dropped to the blue blanket in the woman's arms.

"Someone just couldn't wait to see you this morning, Samantha," Molly said with a smile.

"My baby," Sam cried as she held open her arms. "Oh, Adam, my precious baby, I didn't think I'd ever hold you again."

"I think we ought to leave these two alone so they can get reacquainted," Molly said as she swiped at the tears on her cheek. Jeff felt his own eyes welling up as he watched Sam hugging her baby tightly against her chest and crooning sweet nonsense to him. They quietly slipped out the door.

"Is that your baby," Moon Dancer asked as he stared over at them.

"I didn't know you woke up," Sam said with a smile. "Come on over here and sit next to me so you can meet him."

The boy looked troubled as he walked the short distance between the two beds. Sam wiggled over and then patted the spot she made next to her.

"Sit right down here so we can have a little talk first," she told him. "Your grandfather left me a letter to read and there's some very special words in it about you and me."

"There is?"

"He wanted to make sure that you and I stayed together if anything happened to him."

"Like a family," he asked with a puzzled look.

"Exactly like a family, sweetheart. Now you don't have to give me your answer right now, Moon Dancer. I want you to think about this for awhile."

"Why?"

Sam took a deep breath and tried to explain it to him in words a ten-year-old would understand.

"Honey, I know you loved your grandfather very, very much. And I'm not going to lie to you. It's going to hurt for a long time whenever you think about him being gone. But I want to be there for you. I would love for you and I to be together."

"No," he said. "That's not what I mean. I mean, why do I have to think about living with you? If Popi wanted it to be that way then I'll do it. He loved you, my lady. And I love you too."

Sam couldn't speak. She simple pulled the little boy close and hugged him tightly. When she felt she could trust her voice, she drew back and gently brushed back the hair from his forehead.

"I want you to meet Adam," she said. "Adam, this is your big brother Moon Dancer."

When Jeff returned a short time later, Sam and the boy were giggling madly while they worked together to examine the baby from head to toe.

Sam was holding Moon Dancer's hand and carrying Adam in her arms when she quietly slipped into Sloan's room later that morning.

"May we come in?"

Sloan smiled when she saw the trio in the doorway and she gestured for them to come in.

"Are you leaving already?" Her throat was still very sore and her voice sounded weak and raspy.

"We have to take Johonaa'ei back to the reservation today," Sam explained. "Jeff arranged for the burial ceremony to take place tonight at sunset."

"Popi is going to be given a warrior's burial," Moon Dancer said. "He was a very brave man, you know. He died a hero."

"Yes, he did," Sloan agreed. "You must be very proud of him."

"I am," he said as he straightened his young shoulders. "He taught me the ways of the Navajo and I will teach them to my brother."

Sam's heart swelled with love for the little boy at her side. Her eyes met Sloan's and she smiled.

"A few weeks ago, I thought my life was over and now I'm taking my sons home."

"You deserve every happiness that comes your way," Sloan told her. "Lewis did his best to destroy us both. But we won, Sam. We won."

Sam remembered those words as she stood with Jeff and her family in front of Johonaa'ei funeral bier. Moon Dancer was dressed in full ceremonial garb and as the sun dipped behind the mountains, he lifted his torch and set the high wooden platform on fire. His shoulders heaved under her hands as he stood staring up at the flames. Sam handed Adam to Jeff and then she dropped to her knees next to the little boy.

"We'll miss him, Moon Dancer, but we will celebrate his life. Johonaa'ei will live forever in our hearts."

They held tightly onto each other and mourned their loved one. After a while, Jeff reached down and laid his hand on Sam's shoulder.

"It's time to go now," he said softly. "I want you and the boys to come stay at Whispering Ranch until you decide what you want to do."

In the gathering darkness, Sam sighed deeply and then took the first step on her journey back to re-claim her life.

"Come on, Moon Dancer, we're going home."

Sam and the boys slept most of the ride home. She woke from time to time and glanced over at Jeff, almost as if to reassure herself that she and her family were safe.

"I'm afraid I'm not very good company," she told him.

"I'm doing just fine," he said with a laugh. "I'm even getting used to you and Moon Dancer's snoring."

She gave him a sleepy smile and then promptly fell back to sleep.

He shook his head and switched on the radio. The miles passed by while he hummed and sang along with the oldies.

The hitchhiker continued walking along the side of the road. Every once in a while a car would pass by and their headlights would light up his face. The man's icy blue eyes would squint against the glare before he ducked his head. No one picked him up, but he wasn't really concerned. He would get where he was going in the end. Sometimes the journey proved almost as interesting as the final destination. So far, it had been one hell of a ride. He laughed, ran a hand through his silvery blonde hair and then started walking once again.

  The End?