Stopping to look at Shane she asked

Why do you want to know?

Shanes posture became defensive and she was about to answer with a scathing remarks at a strangers intrusion on their lives when a voice stopped her.

Marina, I think that I should be answering her questions, Kit has been looking for you and Carson was able to open The Planet for you today but I think that a phone call wont go astray.

Greeted Leo and gave Marina a quick hug before she walked away to take the coffee to the others.

Hey Shane Leo said. Blue eyes boring into Shanes, reminding her of so long ago.

God their still the same. Shane thought but Leo wasnt.

Youve changed. Shane accused

Couldnt help it but Im still here. Leo offered

Shane continued to look into Leos eyes trying to find an answer. Leo waited patiently under Shanes scrutiny, the guarded look in her eyes hadnt changed and it saddened Leo so much.

Thinking back Bette had said that it would be hard to get past those walls but Leo hadnt cared just wanting to help the bright young girl whose life had been dealt some devastating blows, and yet when those walls had become less defined and more fragile, Leo had gone away, no words, no calls, just gone. Leo regretted that day ever since, but looking at them now, regret coursed through Leos body and added to the already enormous weight on the shoulders.

Seeing Leo shoulders slump fractionally, Shane realised with sudden clarity that Leo wasnt infallible and that the weight hadnt gone away but

Rushing into Leos arms as the previous days emotions caught up she didnt let go.

It was true Leo had gone away but had left her with a promise that Leo had always kept.

Bette had reminded her of it a few days before the Provocations opening, that whenever she needed someone Leo would always be there whether she knew it or not.

Untraceable messages on her phone had comforted her through her own hellish time and then through the instability of Tina and Bettes relationship.