"You don't need to worry about that," Derek told her firmly.  "I will never
let that happen.  I can't possibly look at you and feel anything but
love...well perhaps some exasperation at times, but I've never looked at you
with out feeling love.  That is never going to change.  Yes, I do feel some
responsibility for what Magan became, but that is something I will just have
to accept and I will."

- - - - - - -

Derek's cell phone rang.

"Dr. Rayne, this is the London PBX operator.  I have Mr. Sloan on the remote
satellite link for you.  Hold one moment and I'll put him through."

A series of clicks and beeps followed.  When Sloan came on the line, there
was a great deal of static and background noise.

"Derek, it's William.  I've just gotten a garbled message from one of my
aides, something about you yelling at him about Boston and how I should go
to a commune or mental ward or something.  You wouldn't care to explain
would you, or perhaps I should try twenty questions?  Maybe it has something
to do with you tapping the security equipment in Boston?  Or maybe you're
wondering if Jane has called me yet about a number of unexpected guests
showing up from San Francisco?"

The static on the line was terrible, but the words were still
understandable.  Sloan was clearly calling from someplace very remote.



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