"No."  The word was hard and flat but if Jack had been able to see his aunt's face,  he would have seen a twinkle in her emerald green eyes.

"Awe, common aunt Mimi!  Just one sip?"  Jack MacLeod, Naomi's only nephew, could take one stride for every three steps she took and was trying his hardest to give his indulgent aunt a look of rakish charm and boyish innocence as she walked the length of the Rossi Shipping yard.  Despite flashing her a grin and pawing through his dark chestnut coloured hair, it was not working.

Naomi stopped short in front of a pallet of over sized crates and gave Jack a hard stare, trying her hardest to look as serious as she felt.  "Jack.  You know I'd give you the moon if you asked, but this is different.  Drugs and alcohol aren't really as fun as they look and they cause a lot of heartache.  Plus, you're two years too young. Wait until you're eighteen and I'll get you as drunk as a sailor on leave!"   She heard a disgusted snort from Jack and frowned.  She really hated having to say no to him but this was one situation she was going to have to stay firm.  "Besides, did I ever tell you the story of Tommy, my bodyguard who got beheaded by a bridge?

 Jack quickly turned to look at her, annoyance melting into fascinated horror but before either of them could say another word the wood directly behind Jack's head splintered and flew into hundreds of pieces.  Naomi threw herself at Jack, her purse and violin case flying. "Get down!"

Another shot spit cement in all directions as Naomi urged Jack to hide behind the huge shipping crate.  "Damn it."  She wasn't dressed or prepared for this.  She actually had a concert later that evening and was dressed in her performing blacks.  The skirt she was wearing was long and restrictive but at least her shoes were practical.  Of course, they were a pair she had borrowed from Marietta but she'd have to think about that later.   She managed to reach her purse and pull out her gun and then slid her violin case backwards to Jack.   "There is a gun under the velvet, be careful with the violin please, it's a Stradivarius!"  She wasn't sure if the look on Jack's face was fear or disbelief or a little of both, but she didn't have time to think about that, she needed to assess and eliminate the threat.

It had been too quiet since the first two shots and Naomi was worried about leaving Jack by himself.  But the docks were a crowded maze and desolate this time in the afternoon.  Anything could happen and she wasn't about to expose Jack to unnecessary danger.   She nudged her gun around the corner of a large shipping container and pulled back as soon as she heard gun shots.  It sounded like she only had one gunman to deal with.  That was fine with her.  She kept working her way forward, listening to the shots as they came,  judging distance with each rapport.  As she whipped around the last building on the end she saw a head and pulled the trigger.   Inspecting the body she saw a small smear of white greasepaint near the temples.

"Circo di Timore."  She whispered the name to herself. Circus of Fear. "My God, Jack! Jack!"  Naomi ran as fast as she could, trying to swallow the egg sized lump of terror in her throat.  So it had been a trap.  And that meant another killer was on his way to where Jack was hidden.

She heard gun shots while she was still too far away to see what was going on and had to keep running instead of dropping to her knees like her body wanted to. "Bitte Gott, bitte!"  Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes and she dashed them away before they could blur her vision.  Jack nearly ran into her, grabbing her arm and pulling her into a corner.  His face was pure white, specked with drops of ruby red blood.  

"You've been shot!"  She didn't know what language she used but Jack nodded.

"Just in the arm Mimi, I'm ok."  He still held the gun she had asked him to get but his hands were trembling.

"Where is the hitman Jack?"   Naomi wanted to hold him close but knew that with the hitman still alive they were both in danger.

"He shot at me from up there." Jack used the gun to point at the tops of the shipping crates that lined the dock.  Naomi nodded. 

"Keep the gun, stay right here."

"But Mimi!" "I mean it Jack!" She had yelled at him and his face paled.  "I'm sorry liebchen, I'm sorry.  Please do what Mimi says ok?  I need to know you are safe."  She smoothed down a piece of his hair and kissed his forehead. "Ich liebe dich Jack."

"I love you too aunt Mimi."

The climb up the shipping container took longer than Naomi wanted, every second leaving her exposed.  Once she got to the top she took her gun back out of her waistband and flattened herself on the top, inching along, looking in all directions.  The shipping yard was enormous but the shooter wouldn't have wanted to go too far away, especially if Jack was the target like Naomi suspected.

She swallowed the feeling of hopelessness she had and whispered a prayer.  Out of the corner of her eye she saw a flutter.  Turning slowly, she could see it appeared to be a scrap of fabric.  She continued to move forward, lifting herself on her elbows.  Now she could see the top of a man's head.  This had to be the other assassin!  She wasn't close enough to shoot and guarantee a hit so she got on her hands and knees and crawled to the edge of the box she was on.  One of her shoes slipped off and struck the metal roof with a loud bang.  The man she was aiming at turned around, anger and shock etched on his face.  Naomi fired once, twice, three times, watching a torrent of blood  explode from his forehead and shoulder.  If the shots didn't kill him, the plummet off the edge of the crate did.   She heard the cracking of wood as his body hit a stack of pallets below.

"Jack."  Naomi stood up and walked to the other end of the container where the ladder was.  She was so preoccupied with getting back to Jack she never heard the gunshots.  Losing her balance she flung her own weapon as her hands reached out to grab for anything to hold.  Instead, she merely grasped helplessly at the air, blacking out as her body hit the icy water that surrounded the docks.

rest in peace

Jack had watched everything from the dark corner where his aunt had demanded he stay and jumped when he heard three gun shots echo across the abandoned docks.  He carefully peered out and saw a body topple from the roof of one of the shipping containers, his heart leaping in fear until he could see it was not his aunt.  He went to step into the late afternoon sun to see if Naomi needed help and heard two more shots, this time the body that toppled was his aunt's. 

"MIMI!" Before he realized he had spoken he began to run towards where Naomi had fallen.  Another gunshot ripped through the silence and Jack felt the heat of the bullet as it streaked past his ear.  The shooter was only a few dozen yards in front of Jack and was taking aim again.  Jack hit the ground with a roll and closed his hand tighter over the gun he had taken from his aunt's violin case.  The assailant's bullet missed and Jack raised the gun, fury ripping through his body.  "Go to HELL!"   With little more than a blink he pulled the trigger until the gun would no longer fire.  Not even stopping to see if he'd succeeded he leaped to his feet and ran over to the edge of the dock.

It took him several tries but finally Jack managed to pull his aunt out of the water and up onto the dock.  

"Jack, I thought I told you to stay put."  Her voice was weak and wavered as she spoke, but there was a small smile on his aunt's face.  She reached to touch his cheek.  "I know this sounds like a silly thing to say," she coughed, wincing with pain. "But I want you to have Franz."  Another cough, blood and salt water mingling. 

"Shh, don't talk Mimi, I'll get help."  But even as he said it, Jack realized he had no idea what to do or how he would get Naomi help in time.

For a woman whose phone rings dozens of times every day, the beginning of the afternoon was an exercise in monotony. Calling the banks in each of the cities in which she'd spread out her resources to check balances. Checking in with her various business fronts. So when it rang for the tenth time in the last hour, Kates yanked it off the cradle and growled into it.

"What?"

"Boss. There's been a shooting on the docks. Come quick."

Kates held the phone for a moment, frozen. Usually her associates were more professional. The shit must have really hit the fan. Grabbing her dark trench coat, she walked briskly towards the Belle Isle ferry, though her subconscious fears soon pushed her into a jog. Standing on the ferry with her hands clenching the rails on the bow she willed it to move faster. But she could only stare down at the stormy waves as the minutes dragged by.

When it finally docked, she shot off the boat and looked around frantically for a taxi. There were none. But she did recognize one of the men idly leaning against the building across the street. Dodging traffic she approached the man as she struggled to recall his name, having only known him in passing.

"Mr. Cassini. Do you have a car available? I need to get to the shipping docks. Now."

Droplets of rain began forming on the windshield as Christian Cassini tore through the city streets on one fateful October evening. The clouds had formed quite quickly since he received the call that had turned his evening into a night that would never be forgotten. He flicked the wipers on and kept his eyes on the roads, not daring to glance at the young woman sat aside him.

It was not his place to question the motives for this trip to the docks, but he was quite aware it was not a regular business call that his life as an associate would normally see him working. Kates was anxious, clearly in deep thought and either very trusting of the young Cassini's erratic yet effective driving or simply unaware and unconcerned.

Christian could not recall what exactly had brought him to this situation, his surprise at being approached so hastily by his Boss leaving his memory short on what exactly he had said to her. Nevertheless, his duty would be fulfilled soon and hopefully Kates' mind put at ease, as the car rolled to a stop by the docks entrance.

The gate was blocked, and the security guard no-where in sight. Been paid off prior to the incident if this was as serious as he thought. The two left the car quickly, Christian reaching into his long coat and holding onto the butt of his gun firmly. As they weaved through the various shipping crates and warehouses, he caught sight of two figures by the waters edge. It took a second look for Christian to realise who was lying there, but scorned himself for even imagining his thoughts to be true.

"Miss MacLeod, over there."

He pointed toward the pair before moving around them in an arc, first making sure that Kates was aware of their location. He swept the area and watched the darkening district with keen eyes, the rain pulling vain attempts to null his senses. Someone was out there.

Kates pushed open the door of the car before Christian had fully stopped and strode purposefully out towards the pier. She could see the shapes of two people huddled together, along with a half dozen dockworkers and associates standing in a huddle off to the side whispering. Her gun felt heavy in its shoulder holster and as she made her way through the mist the figures emerged in clarity. Jack. Naomi.

The frantic green eyes of her son filled her with fear, as he looked up from his positioning kneeling in front of her. Naomi was laying with her head in his lap, hair wet and almost frozen to her face. Kates found herself on the ground next to her in an instant, calling her name. Naomi's eyes were closed, and Kates found herself brushing the red hair back away from her sister's face and gently cupped her cheek, trying to prod her to awake.

But she was gone.

They stayed like that for a long time, even as it began to rain. Kates and Jack kneeling and facing each other with Naomi between them. In shock, Kates hardly noticed her own tears mingling with the rain. Until Jack's voice snapped her back to action.

"Mom."  Jack hardly realized how tired he was, or how strained his voice sounded.  His aunt has uttered precious little after willing him Franz, merely mentioning her mother and Kates and how much she loved all of them.  Jack had urged her to stay awake, putting his coat over her and cradling her head, hoping to impart some warmth and strength into her shivering body. But the cold stole what was left of her energy and her eyes had closed, unable to be opened ever again.  "Aunt Mimi, she-she..."   He hiccuped, a silent sob wracking his entire body.  Scalding tears suddenly reminded him of how cold it was and of the encroaching darkness.  "I think everyone else is dead too." he said darkly. "The bastards."

She blinked once and rose to her feet. There would be time later. Time to think. Time to give in to that burning, empty gash on her heart. Her baby sister. She nearly lost it, but clenched her eyes and set her jaw. When she opened them again the surface was clear, though her grief rattled the bars of its cage incessantly. She stood and, motioning to Christian and the other associates, spoke softly.

"Please put the body in the back seat of the car. Fucking... gently."

They scurried immediately, delicately lifting the light body of Kates step-sister as the Don rapped her arm around her son and led him a few steps away from the car.

"Jack... tell me exactly what happened. From the beginning."

As she turned him to face her and lay her hands on his shoulders, she noticed the res stain barely visible on his black coat.

"Were you shot?!"

"No."  Jack's voice was flat and emotionless.  "No, I'm fine."  The cold had dampened the formerly searing stabs in his arm and admitting to any pain would make the agony in his heart that much worse.   Running his hands through his hair he tried to pull together an accurate recounting of what had happened.  He opened his mouth to speak and caught sight of his aunt's body being loaded into the car.  Jack stopped, looked at his mother and ran.  He ran with little care or attention to where he was going, only stopping at the far end of the dock where the only thing he could do was drop to his knees and vomit.

Kates followed her son slowly, giving him some time to compose himself as the ocean raged in front of his kneeling figure. She kept her focus on her son's back and locked down her mind, keeping it from breaking down about things she couldn't control. As Jack began to breath normally and wiped his mouth on his sleeve, Kates dropped down beside him and held him.

In two minutes I'm going to take you home and get a doctor for you. But for now... tell me what happened. Do you have any idea who did this?

Jack eventually shrugged off his mother, but only so he could stand.  He held out his hand and helped his mother to her feet.

"Aunt Naomi said she recognized one of the men.  I didn't really understand her though, she was getting -" he paused. "She was getting tired.  Said the man was a clown." 

He frowned.  "I really wish I knew what she meant by that."  He followed his mother back to where the cars were parked.  "If you don't mind, can I please drive Mimi's car back to the house?"  

He waked slowly to where he and Naomi had been standing when the first shots had been fired.  Her violin case was still sitting at an angle, the velvet draped haphazardly over the priceless instrument inside.  He felt a surge of fury and wished he could smash the violin and get his aunt back.  As he closed the snaps and scooped up violin and Naomi's purse, he wondered why things happened they way they had.  The drive wasn't long enough to clear his head and by the time he staggered over the front steps of his mother's house, the pain in his arm had returned.  Biting his bottom lip he hoped the agony he was in wasn't apparent.

Kates sat in darkness, staring at the dying embers in the fireplace as they threw their final bursts of red and orange across the room. There was a slight glare from bottle of whiskey that hung down by her side, but it vanished as she leaned back into the darkness. She'd quickly guided Jack to bed after the doctor had left, holding him and promising that they'd discuss everything in the morning. And now she was alone. Naomi. The rage engulfed her as the bottle exploded in the fireplace, illuminating her face... as well as the reflection of the person who stood behind her. She whirled quickly, her hand expertly and automatically moving to a gun that wasn't there.


Jack wordlessly approached her and dropped into the recliner next to her as her heartbeat returned to normal. They sat like that for nearly an hour. Mother and son staring into fading flame. Finally, Jack adjusted the bandage on his arm and broke the silence.


"What now?"


Kates clenched her eyes, clearing her mind and preparing herself for a conversation that she'd wanted to delay for another 5 years... 10 years.


"Jack... you know I've always been honest with you. A lot of men and women in my line of work try to keep what their business is from their children, but I couldn't do that to you. You were too damn smart, and I was just unwilling. But while I never wanted to lie to you, I also never wanted to force you into this business."


A glare stifled the protest before it could escape his lips.


"I know. I know. You've been saying for months that you're a man now and you make your own choices. That wasn't true... up until today. You have a legacy, Jack. Your grandma... don't tell her I call her that... may have had a few children. But there just aren't many Rossi's left after her. Your Uncle Harry. Me. And you. You're the only one in your generation. And although the MacLeod name certainly isn't on the level of the Rossi line, it nonetheless means a great deal to me. And you and I are the only MacLeods that remain."


She sighs, and the sadness emanating from her eyes makes her look older, briefly, than her 38 years, before she was spurred to dig into her purse and toss a sheaf of papers on the lap of her son.


"I've got something to show you. That's a plane ticket to London. Behind it are the acceptance letters of four of the most prestigious prep schools in Europe. Two in England, one in France, one in Germany. I always knew your were smart, kiddo, but I didn't think you had us all beat by this much. You could go to any one of them and do whatever you want. This was going to be your seventeenth birthday present. To be honest, I'd hoped that getting you overseas could keep you insulated from the business, at least while I tried to figure out what I really wanted for you."


Jack sat there, stunned, as she continued.


"I never expected you to get involved like this. But it's forced itself upon you. You have a very important choice to make. Yesterday I might have made it for you... but things have changed."


"First option. Go to Europe. Travel. Experience something that no one in my family ever has. See London, Paris. Use your innate MacLeod charms to break the hearts of dozens of young European ladies."


She cracks a smile for the first time before continuing.


"Go to school for the next 5 years. Earn your degree and do whatever you want. You know I'd be proud of you."


She shifts in the chair, letting the possibilities whisper to him through the silence.


"Or you can stay. I've let you see the fringes of the business, but you'd be in all the way if you commit to it. Help me try to track down whoever is responsible for what happened your aunt. Help expand The Renaissance and the larger operations of Detroit. You're the smartest kid I've ever seen... and I don't say that just because you're mine or your father's. You've got potential oozing out your ears. You remind me so much of your grandfather... and you'd be following in his footsteps, as well as mine and your grandmother's."


"You'd start out slow, of course. Violet and PG and Big E would show you the ropes. But you'd essentially be my shadow, and I'd teach you everything I know. You would, effectively, replace your aunt as my right hand."


She looked at her, her green eyes swirling like the sea after a storm, truly unsure what she hoped for. A life away away from her in Europe, physically safe but isolated from her? Or life here by her side, with the potential to get cut down like Naomi, Judge_Holden, and so many others that had been taken from her life.


"So what do you say, kiddo?"

The whole day had begun and ended like no other and now, sitting in the warmth and safety of his mother's office, Jack had just been offered a handful of impossible dreams. And yet, because of his blood, each dream could become a reality.

  He let the quiet settle back over himself and his mother.  In his hands he held his aunt's teddy bear, well kept and fluffy, even after years of being dragged around by Naomi when she was a child.  The bear had a peculiar weight to it, and a loose thread in the back let Jack know that Franz had to have something more than fluff in him.  As he lay Franz in his lap, Jack's right arm throbbed.  Despite the fact he had tried to keep the pain from his mother, she had ordered him to see the house doctor and was appalled that Jack had lied to her about being shot.  He had been treated and then slunk off to bed, laying in the dark, his thoughts keeping him from sleeping.  Eventually he had come down to his mother's study, hoping Kates was still awake.  He hadn't quite expected to be offered the world. 

After a few more silent minutes Jack stood and touched his mother's shoulder. 

"Give me six months.   Six months to see the world.  Six months to read and sail and do what I please.  Six months to -" he paused, choking back what he wanted to say. "I want to go to Vienna, I want to see the house aunt Mimi was born in.  After six months I will come back and stay at your side."  He turned to leave the darkened office. 

"Good night mama."