He looked up at the clock to see how much time was left for the test takers and then he scanned each face. His eyes stopped on hers and he watched her stare out the window with her pencil silently tapping her desk and the test book closed. She looked beyond exhausted and he knew the kid was making it even harder for her to be able to sleep. One time he came into class and had found her seat empty for the first time this year. When he looked at Miss Doberman, she just shrugged her shoulders.

The bell rang and he came back to reality as the test books stacked up in front of him. When he saw the two women walking to the door, he got up from his desk and followed them out into the hall. He saw Kari take off down the hall and he approached her. She seemed rather distant and he knew things beside exhaustion were killing her.

With a deep breath he asked "How is Hallie?"

She glanced at him and said "She's doing good."

He rubbed his neck and asked "How are you?"

Again he only gained a glance and she said "I'm doing fine."

He rolled his eyes and said"For doing fine, you look horrible. You need to take some time off just for yourself. Miss Doberman can watch Hallie. You need to get away from here and catch up on your sleep."

She grunted and said, "I'll take that thought into consideration once I graduate."

He sighed and said "You graduate in three weeks! Stop driving yourself to breaking point."

She took a deep breath and said "I need to be getting home. Hallie and I have to go to work."

When she stepped away from him, he rubbed the back of his neck again and then he snatched her wrist. Her eyes froze and he finally got the chance to explore the depths of those brown eyes.

"Call in sick. You have to get to bed before you collapse."

Her eyes became cat eyes and she said "Remove your hand from me and leave me alone, Professor."

He shook his head and said "I'm not hurting you. I'm just telling you as a friend to take care of yourself for once. Go back home."

Her eyes widened with flames and she said "Release me at once. You know nothing."

He did release her and asked "Is that because you won't tell me, or better yet, Kari?"

She sent him a cold look and said "My past is none of anyone's business. That includes a professor who can't look elsewhere among his own age group."

He winced at the blow and said "That was cold. I'm only trying to be your friend."

She turned her back to him and said "I don't need anyone's help anymore."

She walked away and he sighed. When he stepped back into his office, he shut the door and then someone stepped into the light. His eyes looked at the closed door and then down the hall. He watched her disappear and his stern gaze became cold in pursuit. The door opened and when Daniels stepped out, he found the hallway still empty.

@#$%

The engine hummed quietly and he relaxed in his seat while his eyes followed the woman up the office steps. She entered the building and he was about to get out, when she and a man returned. They stopped at a taxi and the woman picked up a little girl from inside. His entire world stopped when he saw the little girl holding onto the woman's neck and he fought for air. Then the three walked up the steps and he watched them disappear.

@#$%

With the meat browning, she turned to the living room and watched the little one watching some cartoon show she had become hooked on. The newly two-year-old angel was always surprising the two of them. When she heard the door open, she saw Kat walk in and she turned her attention back to the skillet in front of her. She heard the little one run over to Kat and heard them whispering something. They left the room and she turned off the stove while letting the meat cooling.

When she pulled down four plates she heard "Who's the fourth plate belong to?"

She looked at her and said "The last person you want to talk to right now."�

Her eyes narrowed and asked "Do you really want to die?"

Kari shook her head and said "No I don't, but you two need to talk. You've been on none speaking terms over three months now. You're no longer his student so I think maybe you should give him the benefit of the doubt."

She snorted and said "Never gonna happen. I'll be in my room if you need me."

She disappeared and Kari shook her head just before the phone rang. When she answered, she set the table and started serving the dinner when the doorbell rang. She hung the phone up and quickly answered the door. Like she planned, Daniels was standing in front of her, but he was still dressed way too casual. With a sigh of hopelessness, she let him in and heard Hallie running into the living room to see who it is.

Daniels picked her up and Kari laughed as she watched the girl squeal as he spun her around. She glanced down the hall and saw Kat watching the two from her door. She seemed rather tense even if it was Daniels and when she closed the door, Kari sighed. When Daniels put Hallie back onto her feet, the girl smiled and ran down the hall.

T"Well, she sure is getting big. Let's just hope she doesn't end up like Shadow."

Kari laughed and said "Too late for that hope."

He sighed and asked "Where is she?"

Kari nodded to the back room and said "Working as usual. Hallie spends the evening with her until she is too tired to stay up any longer."

She turned the stereo on and asked "Ready to eat?"

Daniels nodded with a little annoyance and said "I'm gonna go get those two."

Kari groaned as he walked to the back room and when he knocked on the door, he waited for a response. When nothing happened, he opened the door and stepped into the room. He found Hallie sitting on the bed coloring another coloring book and he looked to the desk. She was working on another assignment and at the same time she was talking on her cell. Hallie noticed him and smiled before she hopped off the bed.

She walked over to the desk and asked "Can I go eat?"

Kat nodded and said "Of course. Kari has your dinner ready and on the table."

Hallie smiled again and asked "Will you come eat with me this time?"

Kat sighed and said "Let me get off the phone first. I'll be right out."

The girl quickly left the room and Daniels looked back at the woman with some curiosity. She hung up her phone and rolled her neck and shoulders, trying to rid them of the tension that had developed deep within. He silently scolded himself as he walked over to her chair, but then he started massaging her shoulders. Every muscle in her back tensed under his hands and he knew she was silently praying for death to be brought upon him. When he reached her neck, he tried a different style of massaging and got a sigh out of her.

PGS