"I can deal with that," Lucas replied. "It would be nice to see some of the city, and if we get more information than we already have, that'll be a bonus."

Once on the street, Lucas looked around and took in the sights and sounds of Fort Worth.

It's not Weston...but this place does look nice...

Mirage took a few minutes to study the people around them, just to make sure that neither Lucas nor her stood out.  Blending into the populace was their first task.  The city might be beautiful but, despite what Mirage had said earlier, she was here to work.

"Other than that crater where the fight took place, were there any other places that you heard about?  Any other places that Friday would've gone to?"

Lucas tried to recall but didn't seem to at the moment. "You know, Joe mentioned that he was going to show me a second place tomorrow. Not sure where it was but it sounded like the really important place was the Church that we visited. Aside from that, I can't think of anywhere else she would have gone."

"Then we really have nothing else to go on until the Righteous Sword gets back to us."  Helena slipped an arm through Lucas'.  "Well then, let's see if we can't enjoy ourselves while we stalk the streets of Fort Worth.  We may even get lucky and someone might try to mug us."

Lucas smiled and replied, "That sounds like a nice diversion. And as for anyone mugging us, they will definitely be in for a very rude awakening.."

"Then let's hope that someone is that foolish."

Helena walked alongside Lucas, looking into the shop windows of some of the places that they walked passed.  A few times, she would pull him to a stop and motion towards something that she thought would look good on him or her.  It was mostly for Lucas' benefit as she wanted to keep the mans spirits up.  They had fought side by side against many opponents but she wanted this time for them to be just two people.

Lucas was still hit very hard by Friday's apparent death. They had bonded together so tightly, and now..now she was gone. It was a wound that might never heal.

As Helena pulled Lucas into "window shopping" he smiled at her. She had an uncanny knack for making him feel better.

"Helena? I want to thank you...for helping to put my head and mind in a better place."

Helena pulled Lucas into a menswear store and was working her way through a rack of shirts.

"I'd rather you thank me for giving you a more proper wardrobe." She smiled at him, making a little light of his situation, but his words were appreciated.  When she spoke next, her voice was low.  "You're welcome, Lucas.  You deserve to be in a better place."

Wheeling upon him suddenly, Helena thrust a shirt and pants in Lucas' arms.  "Now, you go try this on and come back to show me." She grinned as she gently pushed him towards the changerooms, giving his behind a playful swat for emphasis.

Lucas couldn't help but laugh at his "plight".

"OK...OK....heh, I'll be out in a few minutes," he said, still laughing as he made his way to the changing room.

A few moments later, he came out in the shirt and slacks that she had picked for him.

"Well...what do you think?"

  His Dad pulled into the airport and sighed.  "I'm not very happy sending you to Nepal alone, Jeff."

Jeff nodded. He had travelled on his own within the country before, but this was a new experience.

"This is strange for me too, Dad. Can you tell me anything more about what the letter said?"

  His Dad said quietly "I have a sealed envelope that goes with your ticket for the plane ride.  Jeff . . . I love you.  Be careful.  I don't want to bury you, or have to put a memorial stone up for you."

Jeff nodded at his Dad and then hugged him.

"I will Dad..I love you guys. I'll be thinking of you every step of the way."

He then took the envelope and looked towards the gate where they were boarding.

"This is it, huh?"

  His dad nodded, and gave him a kiss on the cheek, admitting "I don't want you to go.  But it's in your grandpa's will, and if you don't come home, it will break both your mother's and my hearts, Jeff."

Jeff nodded at his Dad.

"I know Dad..I will be ok though. You guys taught me well, just keep track of my friends for me, would ya?"

  His Dad sighed, and said "Just the ones that live in the same building, Jeff."

Jeff smiled.

"Looks like they're calling my flight number," he said.

He took one last look back at the Weston skyline, then looked back to his father.

"Take care Dad..." he said, and with that he began to walk towards the entrance to the plane.

  His Dad watched him board, a smaller plane that would take him to a bigger airport, where he'd transfer and then get to the west coast, and make a second transfer to a trans-pacific flight.

On the plane, Jeff opened up the envelope to see what was inside.

  He found his passport (he hadn't even known he HAD one) as well as a bundle of Nepalese cash, and a map.

Jeff looked over the map to see if there was anywhere specific that he needed to go to. He also looked to see if Grandpa Yoshida left a letter inside.

  He found a tightly folded paper in his passport.  it was a handwritten letter from his Grandfather.  Jeff, if you're reading this, then I have died.  Yes, I know I took some liberties getting you a passport, but this is important.  There is a place, somewhere in the Himalayas.  High up, the natives know.  Ice and snow and cold rule there.  Once there were monks there too, but they have gone the way of the Passenger Pigeon.  There is something up there, somewhere, that echoes the pull of the Shard I gave to you.  Find it.

Jeff took a brief moment to look at the Shard his Grandpa gave him. It was STILL cold. He then looked at the map a few more times, trying to get acclimated to its location. It was a REALLY good thing he had done well in Geography.

Putting the items back in their envelope, he then looked out the window as the plane continued to travel. Wondering if things would ever be the same again.

  His plane taxied out, and lifted off, taking him to the next major airport, Cleveland international.  From there, he'd go to LAX, and then cross the pacific to Nepal.

Jeff looked at his itinerary. A three hour layover here..then to LAX. And then across the Pacific.

This was also a good time for introspection too. And he couldn't help but wonder about his friends in the New Age Defenders.