John spent a good deal of his time at the small office rather than at Basic Black. Marlena had asked about the trip, but he stayed closed lip about. Whenever she would push at the subject, he’d just smile back at her and say it’s all in the past now. Try as he would, he still couldn’t keep that hint of sadness and regret from entering his eye. She saw it often enough when he thought she wasn’t looking. Both Steve and Bo tried to get him to open up, but he was proving to be stubborn and just buried himself in work. Up until the day Steve recalled a particular dream, did John say more than two words on the matter. It was a pretty ordinary day, probably a Tuesday or Wednesday night, but it interrupted his peaceful sleep and Steve woke up a little disoriented and worried.

He had looked over and saw Kayla calmly beside him and he hesitated in waking her up. She was being to show more and needed her rest, so he just lay back down on the bed and tried to recall what had occurred. When he recounted the dream to John the following morning, the man sat tight lipped until he finished.

"I’m not even sure if it was real." He started off. "But there was a grave, just a single one… and I saw myself holding some wild flowers. I must have gathered those during one of my morning runs. I placed them on the grave… her grave and someone was laughing behind me."

"So were you alone or not?" John asked.

"Not sure… I don’t think so."

"But where was the grave? In England?"

"That’s just it! I think I know, but… I can feel like I could find it again… I just can’t remember." Steve felt as frustrated then as he did right after he woke up. "I do know I look down at it… the headstone especially and I could see her name… but I couldn’t read it."

"You want to clarify what you mean How could you not read her name?"

"Maybe I’m not supposed to know or remember yet? I don’t know." Steve shakes his head and frowns again. "What I can recall clearly was being reprimanded for going there and bringing the flowers. It might have been the second Gabriel or another one from a different team, but he said it was sign of weakness… then he laughed again."

John looked at him a second then let out a bitter laugh. "And so we are back to square one."

"What are you going to do?"

"Me?" John looks up, a nearly comical expression on his face as he tries to contemplate all his possible options. "Well I’m back home and keeping busy, trying to live my life as normally as possible. Or I could drop everything and head back to England, tearing Lansing home apart, piece by piece until I find some clues… or I can do nothing and just spend the rest of my life wondering… if I will ever find the answers."

"There are no absolutes or guarantees you won’t, but it doesn’t mean you need to give up."

"You did! All those years you lived in Cincy, after a while you just gave up trying. Even when you first came here, you would have preferred to remain Nick Stockton."

"Don’t remind me." Steve hated to remember how he had been before he found Portia. All the months he had pushed Kayla away still ate at him and the memories of her tears and sadness made him want to make up for the pain he caused. He couldn’t undo any of it and he was hoping she would never bring it up again. So far, she hadn’t and they had gone forward instead of dwelling on the past.

John eyed him curiously for a second. "If you were me now… would you give up… or still try?"

"I would just wait. Old secrets seem to have a habit of showing up, un-expect around here."

"I doubt any answers will come a knocking on my front door."

"I wouldn’t be too quick to discount anything falling into your lap John."

"Well what about our mutual friend… I heard he’s back in England."

Steve just let out a big sigh whenever Elliot’s name was brought up. "He’s supposed to be racing in Italy in a few days? Not really sure and I don’t really care… but Stephanie is in the same race… so I do care somewhat."

"Papa doesn’t like the men hanging around his little girl huh?" John smirked back. He had been through all of this before with Belle. It was highly amusing to see Johnson in the same mettle now.

"You got that right, one man in particular."

"Judging your daughter’s character, I don’t think she’s the type to fall for rich, snobby type. She’s got a good head and intelligence, maybe she’ll see through Elliot."

"That’s just the trouble… technically, Elliot hasn’t done anything wrong. Man I can’t believe I admitted that. All right I said it, it’s out in the air. I guess I’m just blaming the kid because of his parents."

"So you like him now?"

"Like hel… no I still don’t, but the dislike has lessened a couple of degrees. I still prefer she hung out with someone like Benjy."

"Now see I don’t get this… Benjy and Elliot are basically in the same boat and yet…you are choosing one over the other."

Temporarily taken back, Steve scowls. "Yeah, well… Benjy’s a really good kid and he can’t help being Stefano’s kid."

"Neither can Elliot."

"I know that!" He tells John, clearly frustrated. "But it’s different."

"How?"

He couldn’t come up with an answer right away and it just made him more upset. Then something came to him and Steve seemed almost cheerful at the prospect that he could use it against Elliot. "Benjy wasn’t under Stefano’s influence when he was growing up. Elliot was raised by Greyson."

"He was a child… did you expect him to run away from home."

"Well, no… but he must have been… well, Greyson helped make him who he is today."

"Right!" John gave him a knowing smile, as if to say, I don’t think it really matters who your daughter hangs out it. All men would eventually end up on your list. "He’s turned out pretty well, if you think about."

"Depends on your definition of well."

"Come on Steve? There something else bugging you about the guy."

Hanging his head down, Steve stared absentmindedly at the carpet, his gaze focusing on nothing in particular. There had been something that bothered him about Elliot and he hadn’t really spoken much about it, not to anyone. But it was inside of him, threading the wary waters along with his fears and worries. He never thought about, but each time he saw the younger man, it always left a bitter aftertaste in his mouth.

He fidgeted in his chair and almost got up to stand, before settling back down. Tapping his foot on the floor, his hand followed and mimicked the motion on the table. "When he was… all those years he watched… he was there… he witnessed…"

"You already said he watched you when you trained."

"No! You don’t understand!" Steve nearly yelled out, his voice rising, then returning to normal. "He saw when they… when I was… when they broke me! He was my witness to that… after I was broken down and made into… a Gabriel. He watched my destruction and death as Steve."

"I see." John told him, his voice barely visible in the silent room.

"I went from being… a man to this… nothing… he watched as they slowly killed me. I can’t forget he was there."

The quiet stretched out for a few minutes, but neither man made a move to disturb the silence. It made an attempt to grow, become larger and over powering, but it’s like was short lived and it willing died young. The creak of John’s chair shook them free and Steve looked back, his eye moist, but the grim lines on his face harsh and unforgiving.

John squinted and rubbed at his cheek before leaning forward in his chair. "I am very sorry my friend… that’s a bitter pill to swallow. I can see your difficulty then, but… it still unfair, when you take all matters in account. If you can’t forget the boy… will you be able to forgive the man?"

"I’m supposed to forgive Elliot Jules Lansing?"

Nodding at him, John sympathized strongly with his problem. "Forgive him for being…the other prisoner in your jail."

"He wasn’t there against his will. You’re wrong about that.

"I wouldn’t bet on it Steve. Just think about that for now."

He would have preferred not to think on anything that was related in anyway to Elliot, but he seemed to have little choice. Stephanie had emailed him that morning on their upcoming race in Italy. Luckily for this one, Benjy would be around, but unfortunately, so would Lansing Jr.

Perhaps he could have a real father-daughter talk when she came home to visit. If her schedule went on as planned, she would be home in two, possible three weeks. Kayla had already lessened her workload, so they could spend more time together. The both of them needed her around now as both their lives were changing at every turn. Though he was spending equal times both at the PI office and at the station, Steve felt he was doing more work here. Still he wasn’t ready to give up police work entirely, but rather have it in the background, where it could simmer and stew and not cause too much problems.

**********

Stephanie called unexpectedly the following night and the chance to hear from his baby girl made all the worries of that day vanish instantly. Steve learned quickly not to count on her wayward schedule, but the visit home appeared to fixed and Miss Johnson would be crossing the pond again before the month was up.

"You haven’t mentioned the racing much baby? Is everything okay with that?" He could hear disappointment in her voice all right. "I know you can’t always win, but something’s not right over there."

"My timing’s been off… and it’s been dragging me a bit. I’m okay… really. Just go to re-focus."

"Just don’t force yourself. Look… you know what you need, a couple of days off doing those women things? What is it… you know, having your face washed and scrubbed up by some professional then piled up with mud and cucumbers."

"Dad, you’re too funny!" Stephanie laughed heartily at him as he smiled into the receiver on his end. "They’re called facials… and yes, they’re great."

"Hey now, don’t go making fun of your old man. Your mom and Hope swear by those things. They say it’s like heaven for a few hours."

"I know and I could certainly use one or two, but I decided to take Elliot’s offer to visit his home instead next week."

"WHAT!" He just felt as though the bottom fell out from where he stood. Steve sank back down in his chair as the idea of Stephanie at the Lansing estate mad him equally angry and nauseous. "You never mentioned this?"

"He just asked me again yesterday."

"But you don’t have time to go there! You’re too busy!"

"Not next week… and anyway Abby will be in London visiting Uncle Jack and she might come down for a few days too."

"Now he’s dragging Abby into all this." Steve muttered aloud.

"Who’s dragging who? Dad! What are you talking about?"

"Why is he asking you to visit him?"

"He? You mean Elliot?"

"Yes. Elliot." He told her frustrated. "Doesn’t he have to do business trips or something…"

"Dad…he’s asked before if I would like to visit his home and I couldn’t go until now."

"But you just said you’re busy. That’s why you couldn’t visit until the near the end of the month."

"Well, I think I can always switch around so I can practically get a week off."

"Then why don’t you come home earlier instead."

"Because it’s not positive I can. I know I can manage four days definitely, but I’m hoping to get a few more. And if I can’t, England’s a lot closer to France than Salem is."

First thing to do after I hang up is call Jack, Steve said to himself. He should have known after the marriage remark that the man was up to something. No wonder he was so accommodating and eager, he was just buttering them up, hoping to get on their good side. Well not so fast Romeo, he muttered. He forgot one thing in this grand scheme of his. Steve Johnson isn’t so thrilled with the whole idea. No siree, he’s not.

"You know baby, I’m not that keen on the idea of you visiting… that place. It’s not exactly my favorite vacation spot."

"I know dad…but… it’s different now. It’s Elliot’s house now."

"It was still my prison, Stephanie."

"I know." Her words sounded so soft, Steve had to strain his ear against the phone to hear her. "Benjy told me he might drop by too."

"Why didn’t you say that before?"

"He’s only about seventy percent sure he can come down for a few days, but he did say, he’ll have more free time soon. The work load is easing off now so he’ll be around more."

He felt just the barest hint of a smile on his face then, not too big, but it was a start. With Benjy, Elliot wouldn’t do anything or try anything, so maybe just maybe it would turn out differently. Steve was hoping, with the two men side by side, Stephanie might just compare one against the other and make the right choice on who would be the better friend.

"Look, Stephanie… I’m not trying to tell you not to go… I’m just saying having you go there makes me nervous. But if Benjy was around… well I’d feel better."

"Okay, dad. You made your point loud and clear. Look I have to go soon, is mom there? I wanted to say hi to her too."

"Sorry, baby… but your mama and Hope are out buying more baby things."

"Oh! Well how is she? Is everything okay so far?"

"Everything’s just fine! Your mama’s checkups have all been clean and she seems to be the picture of health. You know the women here are planning a baby shower for her next month. You’ll probably be home in time for that."

"I can’t wait. Well… tell her I called and I’ll email you both in the next couple of days. Gotta go! Love you."

"Love you too baby!"

Steve put the phone down and sat motionless in his chair for a good ten minutes before sitting up. He hadn’t counted on Elliot asking Stephanie over for a visit so soon. He couldn’t quiet figure the guy out. So far, all Stephanie was indicating was a friendship between the two, so he really shouldn’t be worrying just yet. He had enough with Kayla’s pregnancy to keep him awake night. But now Benjy would be there too.

The man can’t be that blind to Benjy’s intentions. While he may have taken a step back the past few months, because of work, it was more than obvious he was getting back into the picture. Steve couldn’t help but wonder what Benjy thought of Stephanie’s and Elliot’s friendship. It still irked him that she would be going there, to that place. His daughter was a grown woman and he had no say in where she could go or not go, but why did it have to be there.

Elliot had nothing but praise for Benjy, but so far, Steve didn’t know what Benjy was thinking. He thought about contacting him, but decided against it right away. It would be to presumptuous of him to do that. He tried to think positively about the whole matter. John was right, Stephanie’s was too intelligent to be caught up in someone just because of wealth. She was like her mama, she saw what was underneath. With that Benjy had to come out first. Elliot was just too smug and confident to seem needy.

**********

It was really her first time in England, so this was just another first in her long list of adventures to cross off. London had been simply fantastic, especially the shopping bit at Harrods with Abby and Aunt Jennifer. Stephanie wished she could have stayed longer, but definitely, on her next visit, London would be her main hub during her stay.

Jack had shown some concern when he heard about the stay in Barnstaple. Abby was far too eager to go there and he almost booked a room at the village Inn so he could check up on them. Maybe it was the look in Stephanie’s eyes or the phone call from Steve that changed his mind, but unwillingly he agreed and took Stephanie to the train station the following day. Abby was to join her cousin in a few days on a three day weekend stay, then both would return back to town. He wasn’t feeling all too confident even with Benjy being there, but if Steve was okay with it, he should be too.

The country estate was simply something out of a fairytale for Stephanie. With the start of summer, all the flowers were in bloom and the lush greens of the shrubs and lawns just took her breath away. The flowery fragrance drifted everywhere, that the windows and doors leading to the gardens were usually left open during most of the day. At a place where dreams should have sprung, the remnants of her father’s nightmare also lingered, sadly at its side.

The old servants quarters were now closed off as the household staff preferred to stay in the gate house located at the other side of the gardens. She had come close to asking if she could see inside, but her courage failed and Stephanie spent most of her first day outdoors by the garden instead of being cooped up inside. The grounds were vast with several small hills on which a pleasant prospect of the house could be viewed at.

Offering his guest a grand tour, Elliot had two horses saddled as they went for a ride after breakfast her first morning there. Her host sat in amusement on him mare, watching as Stephanie struggled to mount her ride. The horse, sensing her nervous, reacted in kind and shifted from one hoof to the other as she shakily got on it’s back.

"Don’t these things ever stop moving about?" She felt strange being so high up with a seat that just would stay still.

"You act as though you’ve never been on a horse before?"

"Course I have." She answered smugly, then let out a chuckle while confessing her previous experience. "Well, they were really pony rides my mom took me on a few times when I was little. This is… so different from those."

"I would say… world’s apart." He was watching her intently, seeing the horse still shift around as Stephanie tried to get her bearing and balance.

"Are you certain you want to do this? We can always walk?"

"No! This should be fun. But no fast runs… okay."

"A slow trot it is… though you might change your mind afterwards."

"Slow is good. I like slow."

"A racer prefers slow? That doesn’t sound like you."

"Well in riding horses, slow is better."

"Your backside may not agree with you later… but… as you wish." Giving her an easy smile he headed off across the path and down to the edge of the lawn. Looking over his shoulder once, he urged his ride forward as he slowly trot across the wide open expanse heading straight for the groove of trees in the distance. Stephanie followed close behind, bouncing high on her seat.

When her bottom hit the saddle hard, she knew exactly what he meant by regretting it later. Stephanie looked over at Elliot and didn’t see him bounce at all. Se tried to relax some more and just move along with the natural rhythm of her horse. It wasn’t until they were closer to the trees did she get a hang of things and actually spurred her horse to go a little faster, reach them ahead of Elliot.

She dismounted first and rubbed at her sore side as he easily came down and chuckled at her again. She had tried to hide behind the horses, but they moved out of the way leaving her in the open in his plain view. Taking both her horse and his, he tied their reins on a fallen log and motion to the largest tree there. Perched high above was an old fashioned tree house, with wood planks used for steps. It still looked sturdy, though old and weathered in appearance.

"My other home!" He beamed. "It’s not much, but I loved it all the same."

"A tree house. Now see… I wouldn’t have imagined you as the type to have one."

"Why not?"

Stephanie looks back on him, regarding him thoughtfully, as though trying to get a deeper sense of who this man was. "You always seemed so… clean… and clean. I don’t know, I just can’t see you running around with torn jeans and dirty hands, climbing up there… it doesn’t seem like you."

"Well perhaps the ripped jeans never happened, but I used to come home quite disheveled, so nanny commented often enough. I consider a tree house as something in every boy."

"And girl too. I would have killed for one of those."

Grinning at her, Elliot let his gaze focus on his old haunt. The hours he spent there were endless it seemed back then. His father never had time for him so he retreated into his own little world. Up there, his father had no entry. He was the sole master and gatekeeper. There were never any worries his sanctuary would be invaded, because Greyson never went to the tree house, not once that Elliot could ever recall.

The melancholy thought hit him suddenly as he looked away. There were so many dark days in his youth. Even with a bright sun sending torrents of light rays a darkness always lingered there. Stephanie had walked over to the tree and tested the wood planks, seeing if they would hold her wait. Surprising sturdy, she started to climb as Elliot looked at her with a fathomless expression in his face.

She paused half way up and looked back at him. "You don’t mind do you… if I look around?"

"Not at all." He called back as she continued and entered the small dwelling.

The roof was higher than she anticipated and she was able to stand fully inside and walked around the small quarters. An attached benched lined one wall and a small table had been nailed to the floor boards. Stephanie smiled, imagining Elliot sitting there, eating and playing while look out the window to see if anyone was below. She wondered if he ever tried to drop water bombs on those who tried to trespass? Shaking her hand at the foolish ideas, it was more likely he just sat there, reading would be her first guess.

He had followed her up and came into the room moments later. The top of his head just skimmed the roof, but he was carefully and bent slightly forward. There wasn’t much left in the room. Aside from the table, he also had a small wood chest, filled with various paraphernalia of his childhood. Elliot had not looked inside for years. He doubted there was anything he cared to see.

"It’s pretty cool in here." She remarked looking out at the window and seeing the house and garden. "Course it’s pretty bare and plain too. Needs a woman’s touch, you know."

"You’re the first female who’s ever been here."

Her mouth opened wide and she narrowed her eyes suspiciously at him. "Oh that’s not true."

"Actually… it is. Nanny would never venture up those wood planks."

"But what about your friends… or was this just for the guys?"

"This was just for me. I never played much with the neighborhood children. Father didn’t like… well he preferred not to have too many visitors around."

"You didn’t play with… you were here alone?"

He didn’t answer her right away but gave a small smile first. The fact was he didn’t have too. Stephanie saw the answer in his eyes and her heart just fell. He would probably think she was foolish, but she couldn’t help feeling so sorry for him. It brought a lump to her throat and made her eyes all misty.

"Stephanie?" He softly called her name, but she couldn’t raise her eyes up to meet his.

Elliot found he couldn’t look away, especially when the look of hurt appeared in her eyes. Was she sorry for him? Taking a step closer, he called her, but she refused to look back at him. Reaching out with a hand, he placed his fingers under her chin and lifted her face to his. A single tear fell as he leaned forward and gave her a soft kiss.

Pulling slightly away, their eyes met as he bent his head again, offering her another one. For several second, their kiss grew and slightly deepened. Her lips were softer than he thought possible and he cupped her face, holding her steady. Stephanie tentatively raised her hands and placed them over his, enjoying the feel of his touch on her.

The sound of Elliot’s phone started them both and they pulled away, nearly jumping back in shock. With her heart beating quickly, she turned away slightly as he pulled the phone from his pocket and answered the call. His own breath was unsteady as he began to speak. Clearing his throat, he listened for a few seconds before saying goodbye.

"Stephanie?" Elliot called her name again as she turned slowly to face him. He wanted to talk about what just happened between them, but he couldn’t get the words out. Instead, he mentioned the call and the reason they needed to return to the house.

"That was Benjamin just now."

"Okay. Is he still coming to visit?"

"Yes… in fact he’s just arrived… so we should return to the house."

"That’s umm… that’s great. Let’s go." She sounded too eager, but all Stephanie wanted to do was get out of that small tiny room and find a please to breathe. The kiss was the most wonderful thing she ever felt and it also confused her to bits. She liked Elliot, she liked him a lot, but lately he was making her feel things that were in the plans. It was no lie when she told him Benjy’s arrival was great news because she had missed him a great deal.

Seeing him at their race in Italy made her eager for the next visit between them. She had been hoping to spend more time with him here. Now she was having other thoughts concerning his dark-haired cousin, thoughts that she had so far limited to the other one and it was making her all nervous and jumpy inside. If only Abby was there already. She really needed some female company right now.

Climbing down first, Stephanie undid the reins and waited before he followed handing him the reins for his horse. Their hands touched briefly as several sparks shot between them and she pulled her hand away as though shocked. She smiled nervously back and mounted, waiting for him to do the same. Moving her horse around, she missed the sigh that escaped Elliot as he got on his horse and motioned for her to follow him back. He kept giving her glances as they trotted back to the house walking towards the front and seeing Benjy unloading his luggage from the car.

Seeing them both, Benjy stopped and went around to the front passenger seat to retrieve a present while Stephanie and Elliot dismount and walked up to him. Giving his cousin a smile and handshake, he pulled the bouquet of white roses from the car and presented them to Stephanie.

"Oh they’re beautiful." She signed to him as his face broke out in a huge smile.

"You’re welcome." He answered her back then pulled her in his arms giving her a very close embrace. Her arms came around him as she held the roses in one hand while the other was wrapped around his shoulders holding snuggly him to her. Her face was radiant from the feeling of joy in her heart as his being there. But then the smile faded somewhat as she thought of the other man standing not too far away.

Elliot moved and walked around the couple until he could just see Stephanie’s face. He watched her with solemn eyes as she looked happy and excited at Benjy’s appearance. When she turned her head towards him, he saw the smile fade. She was holding tightly to his cousin, but her eyes were now focused on him and only him.

**********

Meanwhile, back in Salem…

Steve sat on their bed, playing a simply melody as Kayla came in from the bathroom and got in beside him. The song continue as he twisted around and placed a hand over her belly and began to rub at it gently. For a few second, nothing happened, then a flurry of little jabs poked at his hand causing him to stop and smile down.

"Hey there little dude? You like what song papa’s playing? Well there’s more where that came from."

Kayla felt some tears at her eyes as she sat back, leaning against the pillows and listened to the lullaby Steve was playing to their baby. He seemed relaxed tonight, different from the way he had been all week long. There were so many things on his mind lately, Stephanie, the new office, police work, but in spite of it all, he was always there for her, seeing to her every need.

It had been hard when they first returned home. John wouldn’t speak about what happened and she didn’t learn about Steve’s graveyard dream until a couple of days ago. He had come a long way from when they first went to England, but it wasn’t over yet. Kayla tried not to think about what else could happen. All she cared for now was having her husband home with her. It was quiet moments like this that made up for all the madness out there.

Steve had stopped playing and placed two fingers two his lips. "Shhh… he’s asleep now." He told her winking.

She laughed at him, while he put a finger to her lips to silence her, but a giggle escaped anyway. Her eyes opened wide and she took his hand again and placed it on back on her belly. Both of them felt the slight kicks again as Steve sighed happily.

"Oh, oh! He’s awake again." Kayla remarked.

"Okay, okay… another song coming up… but just one more."