Maddock seemed to be settling well into life at the Compound. He was easy going, likable, didn't push people for answers and tended to be on hand when he was needed. The younger men especially appreciated his being around. It made them feel more like 'men' talking to a male healer, especially if they were injured. That wasn't a slight against Jaz, it was just a male thing. Something Jaz had been concerned about as the boys grew into adolescence.

Watching from a distance Jaz couldn't help but smile when one of the older women left the surgery with a smile on her face. Old Maggie was known for being difficult, cantankerous even at the best of times. That Maddock had her leaving with a smile was as about as close to a miracle as you could get in Jaz's book.

Turning away from the clinic Jaz took herself for a walk down by the stables. She hadn't ridden in years. With her life so full in regards to caring for the Pack, there had never seemed time; now mayhap there would be.

Marcus was brushing down one of the horses, his mate Angelique chatting to him from a hay bale close to the door. Jaz couldn't help but see how happy they were together, knew in her heart that she'd never have that sense of oneness, of peace you found with a mate. Shaking it off, she called out to Angelique.

"Would you mind if I borrowed your mate for a while? I'd like a refresher course in riding."

Angelique jumped up from where she was sitting her eyes sparking with joy. "You can borrow him for as long as you like Jaz. He's a good teacher too. He taught Cade how to ride and she's really good at it now."

She frowned, "I'm babbling aren't I?"

Jaz laughed and gave the girl a hug. "Why don't you go visit with Phia, I'm sure she could do with some company?"

Angelique grinned, "That's a good idea. I wanted to talk to her about organising a baby shower and there's no time like the present. Thanks Jaz." She waved a hand to her mate running off towards the main house knowing that's where she'd most likely find Phia at this time of day.

Marcus started saddling up the horse he'd been grooming when Jaz put a hand on his shoulder. "I know how to ride Marcus."

He stood silently waiting for Jaz to let him know what she wanted. He raised a brow curiously when she didn't say anything. "Jaz I think we've known each other long enough that you can ask me whatever you need."

Jaz moved to the hay bale taking a seat. "Eli is family now." She sighed.

"You want to know how Nate's doing."

She nodded. "They were so close and now..." she shook her head.

"Things have a way of working themselves out." He laughed, "Look at me! Eli was ready to kill me." He shook his head. "Hell he almost did. I wouldn't say we're best buddies, but I can at least say we're friends again. Cade made sure of that."

Marcus petted the horse, not wanting to focus too closely on Jaz. "I don't know what's going on Jaz and I'm not gonna ask. If you want my advice, give it time. I'm thinking that's gotta go both ways. But for now Nate's seems okay. Phia's keeping him that way." He smiled, "there's a hell of a lot more to that girl than you'd think. She might be a submissive, but she's strong and the fact that their having a baby is helping."

Jaz sat quietly thinking about what Marcus said, was surprised when he sat beside her. "So do you really want to ride?"

She laughed. "Yes. I used to love riding, but it's been so long. I'm thinking I'll wait a while longer; come back with Cade and the boys. They'll have fun showing me the ropes again."

Marcus turned towards Jaz, he would have taken her hand or rested a hand on her shoulder in comfort, but from what he'd known of her over the years Jaz was never a touchy feely kind of person. At least not with those outside her own household.

So he didn't offer the comfort of touch; he smiled softly hoping it conveyed what he was feeling. "Are you okay Jaz, I mean really okay? I know it's probably not my place to even ask, especially after how things went down when Cade first arrived." He sighed, remaining silent hoping she'd say something in response.

"I'm not certain okay is the right word Marcus. I'm doing better. I'm functioning. I'm out of bed and able to think about tomorrow without the pain or dread of how I'll get through the day. I know you don't understand, to be honest I'm not sure I'm ready for the entire Pack to know, but I'm getting there." She smiled up at him. "How does that sound?"

After those words Marcus did give her hand a squeeze, "Considering how you were not so long ago I'd say you're doing damned well!" he got to his feet, "Come on I'll walk you back to the house."

As they got close to the house Marcus noticed Nate and Phia in the distance and veered Jaz towards the backdoor. When Jaz turned to him he grinned, "I was hoping Emma had some fresh coffee and pie." His grin got bigger and Jaz laughed leaning into him. After all, Emma's pie was worth walking her home for.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next few days seemed to meld into each other, Pack members gave Jaz a wide berth, only those closest to her coming to the house. Jaxson called to check in and see how she was doing and also remind her that his offer was still good. Jaz couldn't help but laugh, the man was persistent in letting her know he would be there for her.

As Jaz hung up the phone she glanced outside and saw Nate standing just close enough that she'd be able to see him. He didn't move any closer, just watched her, knowing that she'd seen him. She backed away, heart racing knowing soon he'd be at her door wanting answers, wanting more information about her son.

Damn it, he has no right! Not now, not after walking away from me... from us. Anger engulfed her as she stormed out to her front porch ready to confront him. She stood at the top of the steps, hands fisted on her hips ready to battle it out with the man. They stood even with the distance between them looking eye to eye and waited for one to give.

Jaz was a healer, had always bowed to those around her... always except in cases where she needed to take charge in regards to healing. That always took precedence over everyone including the Alpha. But this, this was something different, she stared off with an Enforcer, someone who had once been considered a friend, once long ago a lover. A man she would once have done anything for, but now she was older, wise and a whole lot more stubborn. Besides, she has something precious to protect and as far as she was concern Nate had no right to any part of her son.

Finally after what seemed like hours, but was most likely only minutes, Nate turned away from her. He shook his head and walked away, but not before looking back as her as if letting her know he'd be back and he'd want answers.

Jaz pushed thoughts of Nate aside, she needed to concentrate on her own life and what she intended doing with it. She still hadn't come to a decision in regards to whether or not she intended staying at the Compound or not. Her brothers would want an answer soon and if she were honest she was at a loss as to what she wanted to do.

Even if Jaz did decide to leave, she'd need to stay close until Phia gave birth. Then she'd need to talk to her about letting Maddock treat her and her baby after she left. Perhaps even discussing the possibility of Maddock training a female to work with him as an assistant or getting someone trained as a nurse. Which would be useful not just with Phia's situation, but also for other females in the Pack as well.

That night at dinner Jaz spoke to every one of her concerns regarding Nate. "I'd like to go about my own business, carry on with my life which would entail leaving the house. I don't feel comfortable leaving the house empty. Not with my memories here unguarded." She looked around at her family and knew they understood.

Eli was about to speak when Emma beat him to it. "You told me you considered me to be family, so if you wanted to go shopping or take in a movie or whatever," she waved her hand around indicating the 'whatever'.

"I can stand guard so to speak. I can be organising dinner or baking for you and the rest of the family while you're gone. I may not be as tough as Eli or Cade, but he's not likely to go against my wishes if I told him to leave. And your brothers are just a shout away."

Jaz smiled, taking hold of Emma's hand. "Emma that's a wonderful idea, I can't remember the last time I saw a movie or truly had a day out without the worry of having to rush back to Pack duties. Thank you."

"It's settled then, tomorrows Saturday. You will let your family take you out for the entire day and when you return home I will have dinner waiting for you."

Everyone nodded in agreement and got on with their meal, Jaz with a lighter heart knowing she'd be able to get away from the Compound for a while and not have to worry about anything. Emma it seemed had not just become part of her family, but an outlet for her to access when she needed to escape.

That night as Jaz lay in bed she closed her eyes and tried to remember what her mother was like. She'd been so very when her parents passed that she could barely remember them. It saddened her that she could no longer pull on those memories, but Emma was a good substitute and she'd been a friend of her mothers. Jaz was certain her mother would approve of her having Emma so closely involved as to call her family. It was with that thought that she drifted off to sleep, but in the early hours of the morning Jaz woke from a dream of blood and ripped flesh and of... the god awful cry of a baby.

She sat bolt upright! Her body dripping with perspiration - gasping for breath Jaz searched the room for enemies for the broken dying bodies she'd glanced in her nightmare. Her hands went to her ears covering them as if to drown out the cries of - was it her or the baby? God was there more than one?

Panting for breath now Jaz did her best to gain control, she was a doctor, a healer she know what to do to gain control of her body. Why the hell couldn't she do it now?!

Ever so slowly she gained control her breathing slowed down to a normal beat and she almost felt like she could function again. She got out of bed and made her way to the bathroom to splash some cold water on her face. It didn't help, she was sweaty and clammy, so stripped off and got in the shower.

There was no point in going back to bed, there was no way in hell she'd be getting any more sleep. Jaz dried off, dress in jeans and a long sleeved tee-shirt before slipping on a pair of soft soled shoes and making her way down stairs to the kitchen, where she set about making a pot of tea.

Once the tea was ready she poured a mug and made her way out to the back porch to sit quietly and wait until the sun came up. She tried not to close her eyes, every time she did she saw the blood - heard the crying.

Jaz had no idea what to make of it, the crying she'd thought was because of her baby, that she was maybe remembering him, but he was such a good baby that he'd hardly cried at all. But the blood, that scared the hell out of her and she hoped it wasn't some kind of omen.

The thought of something bad happening to someone she knew, someone with a child, with a baby... she came to her feet her heart beating erratically. Chrissy or mayhap Phia could be in danger. She didn't want to worry either of them but she needed to know, needed to warn them.

Jaz took her tea back inside and sat at the kitchen table, it was too early to call on anyone, too early to wake up anyone with her crazy dream so she sat and waited. Ten minutes later she was moving out the front door as quietly as possible. There was no way she was going to be able to wait any longer.

Jaz made it halfway to the main-house before she came to an abrupt halt. Kasey was headed her way, an anxious expression on her face. Jaz knew Kasey foresaw the future and she had a feeling that she'd seen something that had to do with her nightmare.

She waited until Kasey got close enough for them to speak without anyone from the main-house hearing. For a moment both women just looked at each other unsure of what to say or who should speak first.

It was Kasey who broke the ice. "Jaz I know you needs space to think and sort things out. That's why I have been over to see you, same as Chrissy. I..."

"I was just coming to see you Kasey, I had a dream. Actually it was more like a nightmare. It was so real. So damned frightening that I could still hear and almost smell it even after I woke up."

Jaz closed her eyes wiping her eyes with her hands. As she opened them again she saw the shock on Kasey's face. "What?"

"I... I was coming to see you Jaz to tell you about a dream. No." she shook her head, "It was more like a premonition. I have a feeling something awful is going to happen."

"Chrissy! Phia!" stated Jaz.

"No, no, no it's not them." Said Kasey. "I don't know who they are, but you'll be involved. I don't know how but you're intricate in what will happen."

"You mean the accident?"

"I'm not sure... no I don't think so. But Jaz, you're important to whatever happens."

By this stage both women were holding on to each other. Kasey pulled Jaz towards the house and they moved towards the kitchen where Gilbert was already up and making coffee and putting together an extra early breakfast for both women.

Neither spoke any further about what they'd seen. They did however sit close needing the comfort of touch at intervals. Two cups of coffee later Kasey looked to the back door as Chrissy entered a concerned look on her face.

Jaz looked from one woman to the other, "You too?"

Chrissy nodded and grabbed a coffee before giving Gilbert a pleadingly hungry look. A look he knew all too well and responded to with a nod and a laugh. "Thank you Gilbert you are a wonderful man and you're worth far more than Braedon is paying you." He just smiled and went about fixing her something to eat.

They sat quietly waiting for Chrissy to eat then took their coffee into Braedon's office and closed the door. Once inside Kasey added the extra security of surrounding them within a kind of bubble of sorts that no one could either hear, or get through.

"Okay, it's safe for us to talk." Said Kasey.

"I don't get premonitions Kasey. I know you do and that sometimes even Chrissy can pick up on things, but not me. So what is going on?"

Chrissy linked hands with Kasey, "I just had one hell of a nightmare. Did you two both have the same one? And how is that possible... I mean Kasey yeah, but Jaz?"

"Exactly?" said Jaz.

"I have no idea. But I'd say we three all got the same message for a reason."

"Message!"

Kasey smiled softly at Jaz, "Yes, I believe it was some kind of message, a glimpse of what's to come."

"A glimpse. Kasey I'm a healer, anything with that much blood is not good, it's dead. Dead as in dead in a very bad way. And I heard children crying."

"What! I thought I heard a baby not children."

"Jaz," asked Kasey. "Are you sure there was more than one?"

"At first all I heard was a baby cry, but then I heard someone ask for their mother. There was definitely more than one child." Jaz shook her head, "For god's sake are we really treating this as if it's real. It was a dream, a nightmare."

"A nightmare that all three of us had. A nightmare that was had by two people who can foresee the future." Kasey gave Jaz's hand a squeeze in support and because she suddenly looked ill.

"Crap!" Offered Chrissy. "It might be best if we kept this to ourselves for now and if we have any more 'dreams,' we should share them as well just in case."

"In case of what exactly?" asked Jaz.

"I've got no idea, but if any of us have any more dreams - premonitions or whatever they are, we night just need to discuss things before we involve everyone else. Kase, what do you say?"

"Good idea Chrissy. Jaz you okay with that?"

"For now yes. What I saw," she shook her head. "I don't want my family knowing any of that, not unless it's absolutely necessary."

Chrissy looked at both women, her sisters by marriage, "You know it really sucks that it took something like this to bring us all together again. I hate that there was so much distance between us. I know there's a lot between you and your brothers that needs to be worked through Jaz, but that's between them and you. I want you and me and Kasey to be 'us' again."

"Is that even possible?" began Kasey. "I mean they're our mates. They'll want to know the ins and outs of whatever we get up to with Jaz." Kasey grinned. "I could just tell him its secret women's business, or that what we do has no bearing on what is between the three of you."

"Sounds good to me." Stated Chrissy.

"Me too." Said Jaz with a sigh of relief. "I've missed you," she reached out and hugged them both, Jaz felt something shift inside of her.

When she pulled back from her brothers, she'd also pulled back from her sister-in-law's. Jaz hadn't believed she could trust anyone with what she was going through, no one except those who already knew. Mayhap now she truly would know what it was like to have sisters, at least until she made a decision about her future.