“Come on Helena, you never had trouble keeping up before….”

“Well dear I was trying to impress you with my strength and fitness. I don’t hold a torch to you, now run along and I’ll be waiting…..we have a lot to do to be ready for next week and I want you all to myself once you’ve briefed the gang on our activities…..I won’t see you for weeks……”

“Ah babe I know….but we need that fresh produce to help replant everything we lost in the storms…..I won’t be gone long then or now……”

“You promise?”

“Of course, now go on don’t wait around for me……and don’t go anywhere without J.R or Hunter ok?”

“My, you certainly have grown since you first graced us two years ago.”

“Really I didn’t realize….”

“Shane really……you are the life force of our humble clan. Everyone looks up to you….you have taken control without much of a fuss…everyone agrees that you delivered us from certain oblivion.”

“……No way, they don’t trust me……I can feel it.”

“They trust you dearest. They trust that you have bought strength and vitality to this town….they all look to you, you inspire the younger ones you motivate the older ones, you have had a profound effect on everyone. You know what you do to me….I couldn’t be happier, we all couldn’t be happier…..I just wonder why you can’t be happy.”

“I am happy.”

Here it comes.

“You still think about her.”

“No I don’t.”

Lie.

“You are really bad at fibbing dearest.”

“I just wonder if she is alright.”

“The fall of New San Diego bothers you?”

“They didn’t deserve what happened to them.”

“I see it as justice and so should you….she killed your father…..and you know what she did to me…….”

“This is so old Helena……”

“So is your blinding devotion to her!”