She knew people weren’t supposed to bargain with God, but she meant it. She really would. ———— Shawn was back on the road the next morning. ... decent meal a good night’s sleep, and change of clothes had done a world of good. His next objective was to go after the cowardly adulterer whose phone call had originally started the whole mess. He tracked down the man’s house, parked the car, went up the front sidewalk and knocked on the door. It was just after 6:00 a.m. Saturday morning. A groggy. Blushing yet again, he looked up at Robin. "I'm sure you don't want to hear all about my troubles." Robin listened sympathetically, although she already knew the story. "No, Stephen, I really did want to hear your problems. If I did not, I would not have inquired about them. Besides, you should be pleased that I did. I may just have a solution. It appears to me that you have lost your edge. The students do not obey you because they do not believe they must. You are the teacher, the master.. .." MOM!" Now you look, you're yelling at your mother."I take a deep breath and try to calm down. She always does this. "Mom, you and dad are in excellent health. Neither of you have been sick in years so let's drop this talk of you two dying. Ain't going to happen anytime soon. You have an epidural during your delivery so let's drop that talk. Dad had a great job and you worked as a school teacher. We didn't sacrifice very much when I lived at home so you can stop right there. I do love you, I. “They will, but I would not announce my presence, otherwise they will all wish to go and some will be needed to assist in the other endeavours.”“Aye, you’re quite the draw,” Roxanne chuckled.“Yes,” came a slight giggle. “But in this, I’m most definitely not the main event.”“We’ll plan accordingly,” Kordanta nodded.*** “How are our plans to improve portal technology going?” the senior patripure asked at a meeting of the caveatra.“Slowly. This new enemy appear to be extremely capable of spotting.