Kris was disturbed by the matter of fact monologue and began moving her hand in a soothing, circular motion over Shelby's back, hoping to offer the smaller woman comfort through the contact.

"Slowly things started changing. He started punishing us by making us stand in the corner for hours. We were just little kids. Each minute seemed like an eternity, and he would hit us if we sat down. As we got older, the punishments started getting really physical. A lot of times, Ann and I never even did what we were accused of."

When Shelby paused, Kris gently asked, "What about your mother? Didn't she do anything?"

Shelby sighed loudly. "She said he was only doing it because he loved us, and if we were good it wouldn't happen."

Kris could feel the white hot threads of anger course through her. "That's not love!"

"No. It's not. But we didn't know that and I didn't find out until a few years ago that she did try to stop it. We just figured we were really bad kids and were too ashamed and embarrassed to tell anyone. I thought things would get better when my first half brother was born. It didn't. It got even worse. He got a perverse pleasure out of beating us with the buckle end of his belt until we bled." Shelby shuddered at the memory.

Kris moved behind her, gently massaging her shoulders, trying to work some of the tension out of them. She said softly, "You don't have to continue. I get the picture." What I'd give to have fifteen minutes with that fucker.

But a dam had broken, and Shelby couldn't stop the litany. "I used to change for gym in the toilet stalls and afterwards wait until all the other girls finished showering before I took mine. The bruises that showed, like when he hit us in the face, we always explained away as a fall or some other accident we made up. One day when I was fourteen, he hit me for the last time. Something just snapped. I told him if he ever laid a hand on me or Ann again, I'd call the cops. He just laughed until I told him we'd taken pictures of the bruises and bloody welts from the beatings with our Polaroid camera and had them hidden at school."

Shelby chuckled mirthlessly. "We hadn't, but the threat worked. I didn't find out until four years ago that he'd been beating my mother all those years, too. She finally told me she had tried to stop him from beating us, but he'd just get mad and beat us even worse, so she quit saying anything hoping things would improve."

She turned to face Kris. "You know what hurt the most? He shattered our love and trust. God, I hate him. I know I shouldn't after all this time, but I still do."

Kris struggled to contain the anger that was now burning hotly within her. In what she hoped was a soothing voice, she said, "You have every right to hate him."

"I used to blame myself, knowing I must have done something terrible to make him beat us so much."

"No! Don't ever think that."

"I don't anymore. It took me a while to get there, though. Now, I understand he was just sick and warped." She shrugged. "Bet you're sorry you asked."

"No, I'm not. I understand only too well."

"What do you mean?"

"Before I moved in with my aunt and uncle, I spent two years in...a boarding school. The headmaster was an expert at emotional and mental abuse to ensure blind obedience. His favorite tactic was complete isolation. After a while I'd have done anything to stay out of that room. He occasionally engaged in corporal punishment, too, but preferred to mess with our heads. I've never quit hating him either, Shelby. So, I do understand."

The two women looked at each other awkwardly. Shelby put the statue back in the cupboard and closed the door. She blurted out, "I care about you, too," before abruptly turning away, and glancing at the table. "I'll clean up out here."

I know you do. "I'm glad you do. Now how about getting off of your leg and letting me take care of this."

Shelby smiled. "Thanks."

At 10:30, Kris rose from where she'd joined Shelby in front of the TV. "I'm going outside for a few minutes. I'll be right back."

"How come? I thought Earl said he was going have a couple agents on surveillance outside for the rest of tonight."

"They are. I'm just gonna go check on them and make sure they're doing their job."

Shelby grinned. "Don't scare them off, okay?"

Kris chuckled. "Would I do something like that?" She was amused by Shelby's insight and chuckled when an emphatic, "Yes," followed her out the door.

When the phone rang, Shelby debated not answering it. Because Kim was out of town on a business trip, she knew it was probably her mother wanting to know about dinner.

"Hi, dear. It's Mom. Are you coming over Sunday?"

"I'd love to, but I really can't this weekend."

Disbelief colored Lisa's tone. "Why not?"

"Remember I told you I'm working overtime on a case right now." Well, that's not really a lie. I am tied up because of the case.

"No one works 24 hours a day, Shelby. I'm sure you can fit a couple of hours for your family into your busy schedule."

Shelby inwardly sighed at the harsh voice. "Look, Mom. I'm working with someone who just transferred in, and she is staying here until the case is over. You yourself taught me how rude it is to ignore company."

Lisa couldn't argue that point and, suddenly curious about the spies she was sure her daughter worked with, said, "Bring her along."

"I can ask her, but I really don't think she would be comfortable in a house full of strangers."

"Well, ask her anyway. Tell her I am making my special fried chicken."

"Okay, I'll ask her, but don't count on it."

"You could try being a little more positive, dear. I'm sure you could convince her to come if you really wanted to. Bye bye."

Shelby refrained from slamming the phone down. Her mother never failed to get in a dig of some kind, and she'd done it again. She knew her mother was unhappy with her because she had been steadily decreasing the frequency of her visits.

She had hoped by doing that, her mother might get a hint and figure out that her constant criticism and complaining wasn't appreciated. So far it hadn't worked, and Shelby wondered if her mother even realized that she was doing it. Maybe she should be more direct and talk with her about it.

She stifled a chuckle as she thought about asking Kris if she would mind accompanying her to dinner at her mother's house. Now that she knew who she was, it seemed even more unlikely that the operative would accept. I'm not being fair. She's still a woman, just like I am, and has feelings, too. She has no real family. When's the last time she got invited to someone's house for dinner. Shelby snorted. Let's be realistic here. With her looks, she probably gets invitations all the time. But does she go? Mom can be great when she isn't in her whiny, critical mode. I think Kris would really like Jimmy and Jason. Maybe I will mention it and see what her reaction is.

Kris returned a short time later, and the two women retired for the night soon thereafter. Shelby had expected to be too wired to sleep, but quickly entered the dreamscape.

The operative stayed awake a little longer, her thoughts focused on one Jonathan Whiteman. She finally fell asleep after vowing to learn his whereabouts and find out just what he'd been doing for the past few years.



*  *  *

Blue was off the couch, gun in hand, before she was even sure what had awakened her. She was running toward Shelby's room as the sounds of a faint struggle consciously registered, and she entered the room in a crouch, presenting the smallest possible target.

Her heart slowed when she realized the room was empty except for Shelby, who appeared to be in the throes of a nightmare. She was still asleep, but her bedcovers were tangled and twisted as though she'd been battling demons, and Kris realized she probably had been. She silently cursed herself for asking the younger woman to recall the horrors of her childhood.

She quickly approached the bed, laid her gun on the nightstand, and knelt beside the bed. "Shelby. It's okay. Wake up."

"No!" Shelby thrashed, fighting the bedcovers, and when Kris laid a hand on her shoulder trying to wake her, she jerked away, the nightlight illuminating tears on her face.

Kris wrapped her arms around Shelby, moved onto the edge of the bed, and lifted the smaller woman into a half sitting position, tucking her firmly against her own body. "Shelby, wake up. You're safe. I've got you."

As Shelby started to calm in her arms, she continued her quiet assurances. "It's okay. You're safe. I won't let anyone hurt you."

Jonathan's enraged face began fading as Shelby drifted toward consciousness, her fear replaced by a strong feeling of comfort and safety. Her eyes fluttered open and she realized Kris was sitting on the bed gently rocking her back and forth.

Kris looked into the puzzled emerald eyes gazing at up at her. "You were having a nightmare."

Shelby nodded. "I haven't had one of those for years. Thanks for waking me up."

"It's the least I could do. I'm sorry, Shelby. I had no business asking you what I did today."

"It's not your fault. I think with everything that has been happening, my defenses were down."

Kris released Shelby. "You should get some sleep."

Shelby grasped her arm. "Wait. Would you stay in here? Just for a little while. I know I'm just being a baby, but please?"

"Sure." Kris thought of her own all too frequent nightmares. "You're not being a baby. Nightmares are hell."