Uncommon Tears

What had Eric done to deserve someone like Stacy who was so understanding and gracious? He’d never know. “Thanks for believing in me. It means a lot.”

Even so, he still had some tough choices to make. Whether or not Stacy and Ashlee understood why he had to be on the road, being gone too much would eventually put much undo strain on their relationship. How was he supposed to find the balance?

He gave Stacy a squeeze before leaning in to plant a soft kiss on her cheek. “How did I survive this long without you around, hmm?”


Eli glanced over his shoulder as his sister walked away. He knew this must be hard on her…perhaps harder than he even realized. He’d often wondered about her feelings towards Alec. Had she ever really gotten over him? She’d sent him away more than once, told him, “no” flat-out, and had stuck with Tal, despite Alec’s interferences. But deep down…would one find she still had love for the man who had caused so much grief? Eli had known for some time, in his heart of hearts, that Ryan still had a certain love for Alec. Was it that love now, that made this so much more difficult? He could only wonder. And he wished the past had not been so marred by so many bad choices. He wished he would have known only the side of Alec that deserved friendship and respect. Perhaps he’d have better feelings how, had it been that way before.

As soon as he deemed it appropriate, Eli slipped away from the others and joined Ryan at the car. “Hey…” He came up slowly behind her. “You okay?”


The last thing Carson ever expected was to feel Misty take his hand. It was as if an electrical current surged all the way up his arm, and it took all he had not to jump in surprise. Was she…really touching him? He glanced down, almost thinking it had to be his imagination. But it was real. And oh, how much he wanted to just remember the way her touch felt. Was this a sign of a brighter future? Was it just a formal gesture in light of this tragedy? Did it mean nothing more than a public display of respect? Or…did it mean there was still a glimmer of hope? 

Ever so gently, he returned a squeeze to her hand, and just continued to hold it. His arms ached to hold her. Hug her. His lips longed to kiss her. Those very feelings drove him near the brink of insanity nearly every day. Did she realize how much torture this was, to be so close, yet so far away? 

Even so, he simply held her hand and forced his eyes forward to the last part of the service. He would ask nothing of her, and would not even speak to her unless she spoke first. Yes, it was torture. But he knew now that pushing only drove her further away. Silence and patience were the only things left now that he had to offer.

No one would hear his voice quake, or see his shoulders shake. He would not even blink. For he knew too well how to control his emotions. But even so, this day was too much, even for him. And the streams of tears made their way silently down his face – the only sign of his anguished heart.


As the brief service came to a close, Reese sighed and glanced at Angelica. “I had hoped I’d have Alec as an agent again one day,” he admitted. “I wanted so badly for him to succeed. I never can help but feel somewhat responsible. I know I shouldn’t, but I do. This is all just… such a waste.” 

He fished his keys from his pocket. “I’m gonna let be whoever needs to stay, and go back to the office for a while. I have a feeling I’m going to need to prepare something I’ve been considering for a long time now.” 


“Five days! This is unacceptable!” Medridge rapped his cane on his desk rather than swinging it at his unemotional agent. Five days ago, Garret had been scheduled to return to the estate. But he never had come. No word. No sign. He had simply vanished.

“I’m sorry, Sir. We started at Sonya’s estate, but quickly lost his trail. But his abandoned vehicle would make us lean towards the possibility that he was abducted.”

“But by whom?! Who would take him? Which of my enemies would dare take my right hand man without so much as a bargain for money or power? It doesn’t make any sense!” 

The agent shifted his weight as he tried to come up with an answer. “Perhaps whoever it is, is trying to make you nervous. It feels like a power play to me, if I may say so, Sir. If they wanted to make a point, they would have killed Garret and sent you his body. But if they wanted a bargaining chip, they would hold him until they knew you were upset enough to buy him back.” 

Medridge scoffed and sat down behind his desk. “And when we find them, they shall pay dearly for such an act of rebellion. Keep searching. But keep top agents here, and that includes Victoria. I do not want anyone thinking they can steal all the aces from my hand. No…no, they shall not.”