Arriving at Euston Station, the majority of riders were the few late night stragglers working extra hours. It was just about dinner time for most people as the train came to a sudden halt and the screech of the brakes bounced off the walls. The regulars were all used to the jolts and jarring stops and could quickly spot newbie’s who were yet unprepared and lacked the balance to stay upright. The majority of passengers had gotten off at Victoria Station, leaving only a handful to disembark at this north side stop. Jennifer quickly called Mrs. Williams and got to say a quick hello to her little boy while Jack attended to their bags.

Elliot was on a call himself, inquiring whether the car was waiting for them. Off to one side, John still stood separate from the others, seemingly loss in thought as the porters brought their bags and laid them down on the nearest bench. He had been pacing a few feet away, casting occasional glances at his friends but preferring to keep to himself a while longer. Steve brought Kayla over and had her sit down by the bags as Elliot informed all the car would arrive shortly. Apparently, even with the main rush hour over, traffic was still an inconvenience at any corner in London.

"It shouldn't be more than another twenty minutes." He told them. Offering to get tea or coffee for everyone, Kayla was the only one who accepted his offer.

"Thank you Elliot. I'll have tea with a little lemon and honey... if it's not too much trouble."

"Not at all Dr. Johnson... I'll be back shortly." Excusing himself, he went up the escalators heading towards the refreshment hall while the other waited behind.

Kayla watched John, looking worried by his self imposed isolation. She had known him long enough to feel secure in questioning his behavior. Getting up to confront the man, Steve cast a quick glance over to his wife, before pulling Jack aside for their own private little talk. Kayla stood waiting, as John walked a few steps away, then retracing his steps heading back towards them, stopping when they were just a few feet away. He seemed surprised to see her there and gave his friend a grin before she closed the gap between them.

"Hey there Kay. Are you doing okay?" Like Steve, he was well aware of her delicate condition and was more than ready to put her well being and comfort above his. It would have hurt him greatly if she was suffering on his account.

"I'm fine John. It's you I'm worried about."

"No need for that."

"I think there is. You've been pretty quiet all day... and we're all worried about you."

"I'm the topic of conversation for the Johnson's?"

"You know what I mean."

Sighing, he quickly smiled and gave her a pat on the arm. "Yeah, I know. Sorry I'm being such a jerk. Just got a lot on my mind."

Kayla smiled back, but then frowned right after as she thought about what they had discovered. There was just enough information to make them all hopefully, but so far, nothing else followed. After the services, the rest of Greyson's paper and files produced a whole lot of nothing, leaving only the stacks of discs. Elliot didn't seem to care one way or the other if they brought them or not. So far, the password Jennifer found worked on a few, but not all.

Taking a wild guess, the additional encrypted blocks would seem to infer that those were the secret military dealings. With just one log entry and a single picture, John was far from discovering much more about his past. He had Jennifer print out a copy of the family photo and he carried it in his bag. So far, even Marlena was unaware it existed, and he felt bad in hiding from her. They spoke again after the funeral, but all John would say was they would be home the day after and refused to elaborate any further.

"Did that picture... did it make you remember anything else?"

"You mean, did it break the flood gates so everything came crashing out?" Kayla nodded, but John just shook his head and looked away.

"Maybe the discs will... give us something?"

"I'm not holding my breath anymore Kayla. I'm beginning to think Lansing really didn't know anything other than Stefano wanting us, no questions asked." He squinted slightly then looked around, noting the age old stains along the tiled walls. Age and dirt, with the high stench of refuse and other disagreeable items was settling just at the edges, waiting for the winds to shift southward. He caught a slight whiff and wrinkled his nose in disgust.

Elliot returned then, carrying two Styrofoam cups, handing one to Kayla. He occupied the seat she vacated, checking his watch for the time, and sat alone looking around at his companions. Jennifer was more than ready to leave as she was eager to get home to her little boy. They would part ways as her destination was to the Deveraux household. London taxi's lined up just outside as she tried to get her husband's attention so they could take one and leave. Jack had just contacted the newsroom, instructing them to do a check of Andrew Donovan.

Sometimes the papers had more ways of discovering what was hidden than the government agencies. He had already decided to drop Jennifer off at home after getting their son, then proceed to the office for a little more investigating sleuthing. But Steve frowned at the idea of searching the newspaper archived. "I'm going to contact Bo about this."

"Why bring him in?" Jack questioned. "Look, just give me a few hours in the archive room. I'm sure to come up with something."

"Jack... Drew is former ISA. If Bo can give them a head's up on what to look for...? Who knows, maybe they kept tabs on his whereabouts."

"Well I'd still like to see what the paper may have on him. I mean what harm can it do?"

Steve twisted his mouth around, biting back the comment and just slapped his brother on the back. Jack fell forward and let out a yelp as Steve pulled him back up and forced him to straighten up. "You okay there!" Steve remarked shaking his muscles loose as Jack forced himself to laugh, while groaning inside from the pain.

"You really don't know your own strength... do you?" Rubbing at the new soreness on his shoulder, Jack looked over to where John and Kayla were and nodded his head at their direction. Kayla was having a soothing affect on the man as he was looking far less disgruntled in the last few minutes. He was pretty sure Steve hadn't mentioned anything yet and had to question when exactly the man was going to drop that ticking bomb.

"We're back in London now, Steve?"

"Oh noticed that, have you?"

Ignoring the verbal jab, Jack brought up the other picture. "And I see John still doesn't know."

"He will, as soon we get back to Elliot's place."

"You know I don't envy you now... being the one to tell him."

"Oh thanks. Just what I wanted to hear."

"No really! I mean if he was going to go off again, better you than...look I just meant you seem to be able to handle him better. And you'll have Kayla with you."

Steve had been watching while his wife spoke to the man. She certainly got him to relax though he wasn't sure how long the feeling of complacency was going to last. He had to admit, this trip wasn't exactly as fulfilling as he had hoped it would be. It's purposed served, he had a further look into the possible scenarios of secret missions and unmentionable outings. But what it could not explain or excuse was the guilt that it left on him, for actions perpetrated and not just against innocents.

When their driver arrived, the young master saw to it that their bags were taken care of and all that remained were a few quick goodbyes before they would part that evening. With promises of a last visit the next morning, Jack and Jennifer gave quick hugs and cheerful a thank you to all as they made their way to the exit signs. Kayla reminded them to give their little one a big hug and kiss from her. Jack extended his hand towards. Elliot and wished him well, earning a surprised look from the younger man.

When the Deveraux's got into their taxi, Steve was the last to see them off, telling them to remind JJ, his harp was going home with him. "You shouldn't have let him have it all this time Steve." Jennifer sorrowfully shook her head.

"It's going to be that bad?"

Nodding back at him, Steve sighed and let out a small chuckle as he waved them off and closed the door. Kayla came to his side as the black car sped down the street and their auto moved to take its place. The driver held the door opened as Kayla got in first followed by her husband. Standing at the door, John was willing to enter last, but Elliot motioned for him to follow, making him the anchor man in the group. The ride back home remained uneventful as most everyone was tired from the train ride back and the events of the long day.

Steve was more concerned about Kayla's well being as he kept his arms around her during the half hour or so drive back home. John glanced at them only once then stared out the window thinking about his own wife. Elliot cleared his throat after a few minutes and mentioned the meal cook had prepared.

"It should be ready by the time we reach home. Since you will probably prefer to retire as soon as possible, I thought it best to eat as soon as we arrive."

"That sounds fine." Steve spoke up first and Kayla readily agreed.

Turning to John, Elliot asked him if he was agreeable to the idea. "Mr. Black? If the timing doesn't suit you I can have cook prepare something a little later."

"That's not necessary. I'm actually rather hungry... so the sooner we can eat..." He left his sentence hanging open.

The sooner you can attend to the discs Elliot thought. The borderline civility was wearing thin, but he kept reminding himself, the anger was misdirected. He had not been able to offer more than lush accommodations and warm meals. If he could help, he would have done so. With his parents locking him out of their secret world, they left instead a trail littered with trash, little sense, and armfuls of disappointments. When Elliot grew to manhood, he had ceased to care. At the news of Portia's death, he turned a blind eye. And when Greyson committed suicide, he had already forgotten why.

Elliot had thought to leave them and retire himself. Dr. Johnson had already gone up while her husband and Mr. Black remained below. It had been a surprise when he was asked to stay. Steve took the small photo from his pocket and showed it the both of them. He cast a cursory glance, not recognizing either individual and returned a blank stare. John just looked, being neither anger or sad.

Steve seemed perplexed by the calm demeanor, but just stood, waiting for the ranting that was sure to follow. Fingering the picture, John traced the lines on the boy's face, noting the same deep blue eyes and slightly pointed jaw. The small glimmer of hope was faint inside him, as the picture would indicate he had lived that day. It was quickly replaced with a deep gash, criss crossing his heart twice that his mother had not. John couldn't even remember loving her but the pain was still harsh and a single solitary tear emptied itself leaving a silver line on his cheek.

"My son... "The acceptance of what appeared to be fact was quickly confirmed.

"It certainly looks like him." Steve told him. "You want to tell me why you don't seem that surprised or upset."

"Because it makes perfect sense." Facing Steve, John just smirked then let out a bitter laugh while placing the picture back on the table. "Have you forgotten the island gathering... when Stefano kidnapped Carrie? My child for yours he told me then, hoping to force you and Kayla to return Benjy. So he really has my child."

Steve thought back to that time, recalling how they all found out Benjy had been Stefano's son. It hadn't mattered to them as he and Kayla still loved the boy and would not give him up. But the tale grew even more twisted when Drew came into the scene as the new DiMera henchman, exposing a little dirty Donovan secret. He supposed Stefano was using that to try and tear them apart, to bring down the close ties of the Brady's. It could have worked, but didn't. They all escaped eventually, as did Drew. "Drew had the boy, not Stefano." He quickly clarified.

John frowned at him then grasping the meaning and looked down worriedly at the picture. "What are you getting at Johnson?"

"Stefano went into hiding again after that and Drew was left... well he was on his own for a while."

"After Benjy turned against him... I never thought it possible that DiMera could have felt anything aside from his own wants, but he really did love Benjy... and he never forgot I was the one who caused his deafness."

Steve nodded and pointed back to the picture. "You know Drew was insane!"

"Certifiably!"

"There was nothing to stop him from continuing Stefano's plan. If he thought he was still helping Stefano by holding your son, then he could have done it... independently."

"Then we should be concentrating on him... not..."

"Not DiMera!" Steve added. "I've already contacted Bo about getting ISA help on this. Jack said he was going to do some research, but... the paper isn't as reliable."

"But what about the discs? A lot of them still have security locks on them... they could still turn up something?"

"I don't know... it's possible they could. But it's going to take a lot of than a guessing game to figure out the passwords." Steve paused a moment, then looked over to Elliot. He had ignored him for a few minutes, but it was time to bring the young man back into the game. The picture was found in his father's room, behind a family photo. If he had it, it was because someone gave it to him.

"That photo was behind one of your family pictures. Your father received it from someone."

"I see your point, but I can offer no answers. I have never seen either person in my life."

"I never said you did." Steve added. "But what I am saying is Greyson was given... information later as to what happened with the boy. So somewhere in your father's things are more answers."

"Gentlemen... if you want to do a thorough search of the house... you are free to do so."

"That's all well and good Elliot, but it might not be something we can physically touch."

"Now you've lost me Steve." John told him confused.

"A verbal agreement John. Any future communications would have been strictly verbal... to avoid a paper trail."

Understanding settling in, John smiled then grasping full well Steve's suggestion. "We'd have to find someone Greyson knew or knew him." He thought for a moment and frowned again, thinking of the endless possibilities of such a search. "It still means we have to find some sort of lead and I doubt he would have entered the name in his address book."

Thinking on the matter, Steve made a suggestion, whether it would lead to more unanswered questions was a strong, but it gave them a start. "Whoever Greyson had contact with... and I am purely speculating here, they would have had to meet over the years. With news of Greyson's death, he may get... twitchy? So chances are he could try something, as in coming out in the open and... maybe exposing himself?"

"But we can't wait here forever... hoping he'll show!"

"You won't have too!" Elliot interrupted them. He went over to collect his briefcase and pulled out some recent surveillance pictures taken from the previous night. Placing the short stack on the desk, both Steve and John each picked up one, noting the shadowy figure of a man, hiding near a set of bushes. The time printed on the photos showed his arrival after the dinner hour when all would have retired for the night.

"Just wait... and your enemies will come knocking at your doctor." Elliot beamed at them, pleased with himself. "Wouldn't you say, Mr. Johnson?"

Steve narrowed his eye at the man and scowled deeply. He was really hating it when Elliot called him that.

**********

The household had retired shortly afterwards. He waited just across the street, counting until another forty minutes passed before making his way there. The lower windows by the dining room were his goal. Hidden just out of plain site he started to pry out panel. Pushing it in, he inched an opening of about two inches when a voice stopped him in his work.

"You! Halt what you're doing and turn around. Easy there! Up with your hands!"

The bobby had his night stick withdrawn as the intruder turned to face him. Seeing the solitary officer, he started to grin and made a reach for his weapon. The grin lasted only a short time as the whistle was blown, alerting all others patrolling the neighborhood to aid and assist. Within a minute, four other officers came barreling down the street as he tried to make a quick getaway.

Running down the center of the street, he quickly bypassed two that were waiting, though one had been able to take a swipe as he sped by. Blaming himself for not realizing the numbers of bobby's would be more than double in such a wealthy set area, he tried to ease his way through an alley before finally being apprehended. A few more well positioned strikes rendered him unconscious as he was dragged to the curb and the police wagon was called in.

One of the officers made his way back to the townhouse, seeking a few words with owner. Elliot was quickly called down and informed of the particulars. For the time being, the intruder would be down at the station and they could visit him tomorrow and decide on whether to press charges or not.

Elliot thanked them for their immediate response, but did question them on the identity of the man. "Where you able to find out his name?"

"Unfortunately, no Mr. Lansing. I'll presume he was trying to just break in and take some valuables."

"Yes, it would seem so." Elliot smiled gingerly, keeping his attention on neutral. The chances of the same uninvited guest now appearing there was very likely. So Mr. Johnson had been correct is assuming his father's contact would make an appearance, but for what he thought? Was there something encrypted in the remaining discs that he was seeking? "Was he alone officer, or were there others?"

"As far as we know, it's just the one man."

"Well I thank you for your quick assistance. I'll be down at the station tomorrow to make the formal complaint. Goodnight."

"Very good sir... and good night."

He went into the living room and watched from the windows as the bobby went down the street to resume his watch. Elliot waited a few minutes wondering if he should inform either Mr. Black or Mr. Johnson about what happened now. They were all to leave tomorrow right after the lunch hour. The visit to the police station would need to occur after breakfast, or instead of breakfast he thought.

"I wish I knew what was going on." He spoke to the empty room. Casting a quick look at his father's portrait, he walked over and stood by it a moment, gazing heavily on the harsh features of the private man. His face excluded power and strength, but Elliot could sense only the emptiness. "It would have been so much easier if you left me some answers father."

Pressing his lips together, he took a breath and slowly let the air out. It was too late to do anything now and he had grown very weary and tired of all that was happening. Better to sleep first since the flight home would be long and taxing enough for everyone. He could only hear his own footsteps as he went back upstairs and stopped at the second level. Not even the common sounds of the house creaking were there. It didn't dawn on his how very quiet it all was. Shrugging his shoulder, Elliot went up the remaining flight and proceeded to his room.

**********

The three men left just as their breakfast plates were taken away. Kayla was the last to come down and took only a small fare. Jennifer and JJ were to come by in a little while to spend the remainder of their time together. When Elliot informed them of what had occurred during the night, she was tempted to join but was quickly vetoed by all.

"Not a good idea Kay." John spoke first. "Just let us handle things."

Steve offered her a big bear hug and kisses both on her cheeks and hair. "Sweetness... just stay here and enjoy your get together with Jen and the little dude. And try to get my harp back. Okay?"

Elliot merely offered an easy smile and stood a good arms length away. "This won't take long Dr. Johnson. I'm certain all required paper work have already been started on and all we will be required to do is read them over and sign. I'll wager to guess we will return within then hour. Please don't trouble yourself over this matter."

Kayla eyes all of them with much amusement and annoyance that they had banded together to keep her out of harm's way for her own safety. She wasn't a China doll, but they insisted on treating her like one. There wasn't much for her to do then as they had very little luggage and the servants had seen to her every need since arriving. It made her feel so left out of everything and Steve had been more than quiet lately about any new information they found. All he would tell her was that someone else had been involved and left it at that.

She hadn't been able to get a name from him. John seemed chipper, if that was possible considering his morose expressions from the past couple of days. Even Elliot gave off the distinct impression that he was finally being made useful. The simple break in shouldn't have created such a stir in the household so it must have had something to do with the DiMera's. If they wanted to play their little boy games for now, so be it, Kayla thought. She'll get the information out of Steve later. She had her ways of making him talk.

The ambulance in front of the station raised little eyebrows. It was strange to think that the two would seem an unlikely pair, but more often than not, people getting hurt in that facility was not a common occurrence. As their car pulled into the front lot, Elliot informed the driver to find a parking location elsewhere.

"I'll contact you when we're done. You might have a chance to another morning tea if we are delayed."

Entering the building, they were instantly met with the sergeant on duty. "Gentlemen, Mr. Lansing. We seem to have come across a bit of difficulty here."

His eyes darted back and forth from the well groomed you man to his companion. One gave the air of unpolished richness while the other was laced with just a layer of danger and distrust. The black eye patch only added to the sergeant's misgiving and made him more alert while in their company.

"And what sort of difficulty would that be?" Elliot was anything if not polite. The frazzled state the man was in was far from hidden and he stood agitated bordering on discomposure before them.

"That man, we apprehended last night at your property sir... to put it frankly... he's dead!"

"What the hell do you mean he's dead!" John's thunderous voice worked its way down the long corridor that the officer in the booking room paused a moment from the exclamation. "What did you do to him?"

"Nothing sir!" He wasn't expecting such open hostility from these brash American, as judging from the accent, he was correct to presume they were. "He killed himself. Ripped his shirt and made a rope... his body was discovered not too long ago."

"I don't believe this! I don't... Damn IT!" Barking at no one in particular, John strode off to the side, the anger radiating from him in large waves, blasting any onlookers who dared to venture near. Steve pulled at his arm but he roughly shook him off as he tried again forcing him to stay still.

"Just get a hold of yourself man."

"He's dead Steve! Dead! As in I get no answers."

"You don't even know he was involved..." Lowering his voice, Steve shook him again before finishing his sentence. "...He could have been just a thief."

"Then why off himself!"

"I don't know, maybe he panicked or something..."

"Or what? He knew we would come down this morning." Brushing off the man's hand again John went up to the desk sergeant, all but glaring the man into submission. "Where's the body. I want to see him!"

Clearing his throat, the sergeant narrowed his gaze and spoke with as much dignity as his position allowed. He wasn't used to handling such flared tempers and it was catching him off guard. His subordinates were close by, by none had offer to back him up for the time being. "That's a highly unusual request sir. It's not in our regulation to allow..."

"I don't care about your regulation or rules..."

"Listen here. You may get away with scare tactics like this in the states, but we don't adhere to such rude behavior over here."

"Sergeant..." Elliot immediately interceded as Steve hauled John off to the side again. "...Please accept my apologies for the outburst for my friend. We have all been under tremendous strain lately and this was... very unexpected. Perhaps you can bend the rules slight to just allow us to view the body a minute or two."

"It's very improper considering the circumstances sir." He had been eyeing the other two with caution while their more reserved friend offered himself up as the intermediary.

"Perhaps you can make an exception? We have been called down here to see to the matter of his attempted break in on my home last night. I for one am greatly curiously as to his reasons and his actions afterwards."

"You are here to sign a formal complaint, not to be witness to his death."

"Yes I quiet understand that, but this has taken on a decidedly morbid turn? We thought perhaps to see the... man. He might be familiar... or known to us?"

Sighing at him, the sergeant thought for a moment and excused himself to make a call. Elliot walked over to a still agitated John who was barely holding up against Steve's restraints.

"I believe he is checking right now to see if we may be able to view the body for a minute. I am not certain I have convinced him to allow us this small infraction, but we shall see. Mr. Black, I understand your frustration... but please make an extended effort to not antagonize the man further. I know it will be difficult, but I cannot help you, if you continue as such."

Turning to Steve, John looked incredulous at him and spoke as though Elliot wasn't even there. "Did he just tell me to shut up and keep still?"

"Yeah he did! And you better because that bobby is close to throwing you in jail my friend."

"Okay, you want me to play nice... fine! But just get me to see the body. Got that!"

"Understood!"

So far, the sergeant was still getting permission and from the looks of it, was having a bit of difficulty there. Steve was going the matter over in his head, wondering what could have spooked the man to end his life. "Man I don't get this. Was the guy threatened while he was in here? How could they have gotten to him so fast?"

"Every department has leaks... why should it be any different here." Squinting at the row of bobby's that had just lined up against the side wall, neither group made any attempt at interaction or mere pleasantries.

Finishing his call, they were called back to the desk as the approval was given. "You've got four minutes gentlemen." He told them. "And we time our visits here. They are still gathering evidence so please prevent yourselves from touching anything."

"What time was the body discovered?" Steve asked the man as they were led back to the holding cells.

"Around six am."

"That's a time frame of seven hours."

"Closer to three. The last check was a little after two thirty."

"How many usually keep guard at the hour?"

"Just two. The suspect was the only man in house last night."

"And no one spoke to him after he was jailed."

"No."

Only a few men were around the open cell chamber. Three were inside gather evidence a fourth stood guard just outside. The suspect was taken down, but part of the shirt rope he had braided together still remained on the very top rim of the bars. His body was laid out on the floor, a blanket covering him from head to toe.

"Lift it up." John told them as he took a step closer, waiting. The sergeant nodded to the coroner as the sheet was lifted. Drew Donovan was as dead as he possible could be his face a mixture of blue and purple, the color of his lips stained with ashen gray. The makeshift rope had been left as is around his neck as his head was bent in an eerie position. What shocked them more was the almost pleasant smile that formed on his lips as though he had been smiling at the moment of his death.

John grimaced and scowled deeply, while Steve looked back at anger. Elliot spared but a momentary look before turning away. They were about to turn away when the coroner lifted Drew's arms and turned it up to face them. "This looks to be fresh. Perhaps you may know what it means."

Written in ink was a message, declaring in no uncertain terms that they had lost this round. Gritting his teeth, John let out a curse as he turned and exited the room. Elliot had not bothered to look but walked out, uncaring to see any further another look at the dead body. Only Steve peered down and closely examined Drew's last dig at them.

"The trail of crumbs is thin and cold, but not forgotten."

No wonder he died smiling, Steve thought. This was far from complicating matters. Without Drew, they were really at a dead end. He nodded to the men and followed his friends out. John had already gone outside as he paused in the entry hall to call Jack. As far as he knew, Jack had gone into the paper that morning and would meet with them later at the airport.

"Jack? It's me."

"Hey Steve... I'm still looking. I've got another hour... I'm sure I'll come up with something before you need to head out to the airport."

"I don't think that necessary anymore."

"I'm on a verge of finding something here. You'll see, it's just waiting for me to..."

"He's dead Jack. Drew's dead!"

"Dead!" But how?"

"Killed himself early this morning. That's it, we have nothing now."

"But... there's got to be something... he must have left some kind of clue?"

"If he did, I wouldn't even know where to start looking. Look just meet us at the house okay."

"Damn! We were so close."

"Yeah well... never mind. Just get over to Elliot's place."

"Okay, I'll be over there soon."

"See you there Jack." Steve snapped the phone shut and shoved it back into his pocket. Both John and Elliot were waiting at the curb as the car came around and John got in first. Steve ran quickly down the few steps and caught up with them as Elliot held the door for him. A look passed between them before Steve broke the eye contact first and got in. Elliot once again took up the anchor position closing the door behind him.

"Home." He gave the solitary answer as the car merged into the traffic lane. It was only nine in the morning, but already the first rain clouds had moved to cover the skies. It would be an hour at the most before the first drops would fall, but for now, the skies had turned an ominous grey.

**********

Steve approached John only once after lunch was over. The man was pacing up and down the billiards room again as the car was called to take them shortly to the airport. He wasn’t sure anymore what they could do next. If the discs pulled up nothing, it would be over.

"John? The car’s been brought around. Are you ready to go?"

"I never really had a chance… you know?" He stood just a few feet away, shaking his head at the irony of it all. "Everything was already decided years ago. Once I was trapped under Stefano’s control, it was the end."

"He could still alive…somewhere."

"That boy, who’s a man now? Yeah, he’s alive. Maybe he doesn’t even remember what happened to him as a child. Maybe he’s blocked it from his memory."

"Or he could be dead."

"Or he could be dead." John repeated.

"Drew was insane. There’s no proof he didn’t kill the boy years ago."

"But I’ll never know now." Smacking his hand within his palm he turned away, averting his face from his old friend. "I still don’t know my name. I’m still Mr. no one."

"You’re John Black."

"I still don’t know who that is Steve?

"He’s someone who needs to go back home to his family and friends." Talking him by the arms, Steve leads his halfway across the room before John stops and stares at him. John had noticed how much more calm and collected the man was in the last couple of weeks. It reminded him a little of himself and it also made him envious.

"You still get angry, don’t you? I know I do… I just don’t mention anything about it to Doc."

Steve looked down a moment before answering. It was all inside of him, the anger, the hatred, the pain and fear. Perhaps one day, it would leave him, or he would just be too numb to notice it was still there. By then his senses would be to dull to notice, or care.

"Yeah… I’m still angry. It’s impossible not to be."

"And it’s impossible, to just…stop?"

He wasn’t sure what the man meant, but Steve knew how it felt to feel defeated. Being in that position one time too many, it was like a punch to the gut to see it again.

"Come on… everyone’s waiting downstairs."

Their steps echoed down the hall and reaching the top of the stairs they took the steps quickly meeting the rest of their party below. The sun was absent, hidden behind dark clouds as the first raindrops fell, coating the stone and cement outdoors. They had finally been treated to an infamous wet rainy day in London. Being luckier than most, this was the first wet day they had encountered. How fortunate it was to occur at the end of their trip rather than at the beginning.

**********

Kayla wasn’t the least be surprised when John once again secluded himself from them. He spent a good portion of the trip up front and left them to entertain each other for the duration of the trip. She was able to catch a few hours sleep only to be served with a huge meal after her rest.

The trip had added very little stress and anxiety and she fared off a lot better than her fellow companions. Steve shielded his wife as much as he could, sparing her any gruesome details of the happenings from that morning. All Kayla knew was that Drew Donovan was dead and at this point, there were no further leads.

"Bo’s going to have the ISA work on the discs, but I don’t think we’ll find anything helpful to John on them." He told her. The tray of food was partially eaten and he frowned.

"Stop looking so worried. I’m fine."

"You didn’t eat much." He noted. "You also had a small breakfast."

"English food just doesn’t agree with me. Maybe you can whip something up when we get home. You know I love your cooking."

"If I do, will you promise to eat it all?"

"Oh no you don’t. I’ll eat as much as I can. I won’t have you forcing food down my throat."

Laughing at his failed attempt, Steve leaned in to kiss his wife as she quickly cleared her throat. "We’re not alone, remember."

Reminding him of the last member of their travel party, Elliot occupied the same seat across from them. Kayla gave him a genuine smile as Steve merely acknowledged his presence with a nod of his head.

"Are you doing okay Elliot? You’ve been very quiet." Kayla inquired, noting the subdued behavior. She had assumed it was because of the recent event.

"I have a lot of things on my mind at present, Dr. Johnson. But I thank you for your concern."

"I hope you were able to settle the details of your father’s will before we left."

"That has been attended to, for the moment."

Feeling her motherly instincts on the rise, she offered what assistance and help she could, though she hardly knew how to address the matter to this accomplished young man. He certainly gave no indication that he needed any help. But she had always seen that those who least asked were the ones who needed it the most.

"Well… if there’s anything you need help with… just let us know. My husband and I will be happy to help in any way we can."

Steve gave his wife a quick look before looking away. There’s was nothing wrong with being friendly, but let’s not go overboard here, he thought.

"Thank you for you offer, but what I have been contemplating is whether to sell the estate or not. It’s difficult to maintain it from across the ocean… but it is my family home, so I am at a crossroads on what to do."

"Well… it would be a shame to sell… if it has been in your family for generation." Kayla bit at her lip as she saw Steve turn his head towards Elliot at the mention of the home. "You should think on it some more. It maybe something you’ll wish to keep."

Elliot looked thoughtfully back at her then at her husband. He gave them both a brief smile as he shifted in his chair.

"I am considering all options. Benjamin has already expressed his feelings on the matter. He doesn’t want me to sell at all, but… I suppose things would be different… if I was married. Don’t you agree… Mr. Johnson?"

Steve let his mouth hang open wide as his eye gave the unmistakable look which was unlikely to be construed anyone way. If Elliot was in jest, he chose the wrong man. But if he spoke in good faith, he still chose the wrong man. The death stare lasted the remainder of the flight.