Written by me and  Kythra, with assistance from  leoni2

Colmaton Universe is the intellectual property of  TRAIN
Bureau of Superheroes, Morningstar are the property of  MojoRover
Betsy Ross property of  Boss_Hoss1
Kayla and Lillian Bowles/Voltage Vixen II and I, property of  jrcarter
Minotaur property of  arvanas_sorrat
Dealanach/Duncan Gunn, Gaisgeach/Moire Gunn and Stortbecker property of  maxim24
Germania and the National Heroines property of  leoni2
Teragauss/Sean O’Leary and family property of  Kythra


~

“-- and the super-team was rounded off by the new kid on the block, Dealanach! Yes kids, you heard that right, Jow-anagh! It’s Gaelic for Lightning, and don’t get nettled because this electric hero is here to stay!”

Katherina Pferd stared at the figure on the screen. A powerful young otter soaring through the air in a rock-grey suit, firing bolts from his eyes and bending metal at will. He dealt with some of the ordinary thugs without a problem, each blow sending one flying back while Digger and Ironsides fought alongside him, each one doing their bit to protect the rescued hostages while Teragauss confronted Suncat, the terrorist leader.

As the peppy news announcer rounded on the newcomer’s name, the camera shot closed in on the otter, right up to his chiseled face and the brutal scars up his cheeks.

“It cannot be…” Yet in her heart, the German mare already knew it was. That face, there was no mistaking it even under the scars. He even stood the same way she had. The way he punched, the way he flew, so familiar; something she never thought she’d see again.

For Katherina Pferd was not just a senior officer of a multinational company. She was Germania XIV, the current National Heroine of Germany. She had held that title since before the establishment of the Bureau, and she recognised a departed friend in this young hero’s features.

“Ma’am, your drink?”

Katherina looked up at the feline stewardess, the cat’s eyebrows raised in a question. “Err, ja, dankeschoen.” The coffee was too hot, but the mare didn’t notice as she sipped it, her mind beginning to whirl as painful memories came to the surface. Her voice fell to a low whisper. <Oh, Moire, Moire… I am so sorry. I am so, so sorry… why did you not tell me?>

When the plane landed, the tall German mare walked out without a word, and pulled out her phone as soon as she’d reached a quiet part of the terminal, before she’d even retrieved her luggage and gone through customs. Dialing a number only a select few knew, she closed her eyes and waited, as the ring tone was answered by a feminine voice.

“Hello?”

“Betsy? Ist mir, Katherina.”

“Oh hey, Katherina, you’re back! How was Germany, did you say hello to-”

“Ja, ja, listen Betsy, dis ist urgent. Dis Dealanach, ich saw him on der news. Vat...vat can du tell me about him?”

Betsy replied, her voice registering surprise. “Dealanach? He’s been transferred over from Europe, Scotland to be precise. He’s an electro-magneticist, pretty tough kid too. Only 19, would you believe it? Ex ganger, but his heart’s in the right place-”

She interrupted. “His name, Betsy. Vat ist his real name?”

“Why...Duncan. Duncan Gunn.”

On the other end of the receiver, Betsy Ross frowned, the red white and blue clad doe at her desk at Philadelphia Headquarters. The phone had gone silent. “....Katherina? Katherina? Are you okay?”

The voice that replied was thick with emotion. “Mein Gott. Ich... Ich knew his mother, Betsy. Ich knew her vell enough to know her name. Moire Gunn. Gaisgeach.”

Betsy Ross’s heart skipped a beat. For the last few weeks he had been there, the Philadelphia team had been asking questions here and there to heroes (and villains) who had been around at the time of Gaisgeach’s disappearance on that ferry in 2000. A few had met her, but they all said much the same - the Scottish heroine was hard to know, aloof and dutiful, with a secretive streak a mile wide. In the age before the Bureau, heroes had had to be even more careful about who they trusted, and Gaisgeach was one of the most secretive of them all.

If Germania knew Moire... then she might know who his father was, too. The boy deserved to know that, at least.

“He’s up in Boston at the moment with Teragauss.”

“Ich vill go und see him.”

“I gotta warn you Katherina, he’s had it pretty rough.”

“Ja. Dat ist just ein bigger reason to go.”

Betsy Ross sighed. “Okay. I’ll let Boston know you’re coming.”

* * * *

Thud. Thud. Thud.

The sound of fists hitting hard leather echoed through the huge back yard of the O’Leary household. Duncan paid it no heed - it was so rare to be able to train out in the open, yet still be away from prying eyes. Well, mostly.

The hulking otter was stripped to the waist, ignoring the chilly morning air biting into his dark brown pelt. He had started three hours ago, with a long, intensive series of pull ups, pressups, twists, squats and combinations, then a long run on the treadmill. Now he was boxing against an old punching bag. All of this he did while wearing a suppression collar around his neck. It raised eyebrows, it was true, but it was effective. Ideally, he would train all day and every day, but that was impossible thanks to the nature of the Bureau’s employment rules. Field Agents were not paid for their time, and were expected to juggle full time jobs with their Bureau work. No one seemed to have explained to the UN the difficulties this would cause with training. Not that the parsimonious UN or its constituent members would have listened anyway.

He tried to push himself whenever he could - it gave him a goal to reach. Each time he reached his limit he would hurl himself against it, pushing himself until he could go no farther.

It wasn’t very sociable, but that suited him fine. It helped clear his thoughts, too. The only sounds were birds and the distant, barely perceptible hum of the city. Nothing to concentrate on but physical labour. It made everything seem so simple, so clear, if only for the moment.

The interruption was a surprise. He still wasn’t used to having other furs around while he worked out, and Sean Junior, unlike his younger siblings, could be very silent when he wanted to be. “So why the collar, Duncan?” Sean Junior was seated on the upper treads of the stairway leading down from the patio deck. “Yeah, I know what it is.”

Duncan had started at the interruption. For a split second he had been ready to fight or run, but his muscles relaxed again and his arms hung by his side. A small smile crossed his face as he saw Junior.

“Powered up, I’m pretty strong. If I train without my powers, I can get even stronger. It helps me prepare for emergencies, if ah get captured or somethin’. I need tae be strong enough to get myself free, even if I’m not powered up.”

The young rabbit buck nodded. “Ah, okay. That makes sense. Scary, but it makes sense. Dad’s powers aren’t physical, so he doesn’t need to suppress them to exercise.” He watched as the otter went back to his training. “So are you really going to do some college courses while you’re here, or is that just a cover story?”

“....Gonnae try.” The otter nodded. “I...I dinnae know how much use I’ll be.” He was too embarrassed to reveal the truth - when Fire Fox had captured him when he was 17, he’d had the reading skills of a fifth-grader. The Bureau had been good about it, and personal tutoring had helped a lot, but it was so much to take in after so long away from school. “I dinnae know much about science, or mathematics an’ stuff. But I can look up tae people who do.”

Sean grinned. “That’s okay. ‘Knowledge is what you’re supposed to have coming out, not going in.’” He continued when Duncan just looks at him with a raised eyebrow. “It’s from a story I read. Pretty sure it’s true, though.”

Duncan nodded, unsure of what the boy meant but appreciating his kindness. “Thanks, Junior.” He smiled slightly. He removed the suppression collar, turned to the pile of scrap metal, and began practising forming shapes while Junior watched. He could make sculptures this way, some of them good enough that Mrs O’Leary had asked to display them in the living room. Others had found their way into the Boston HQ. Teragauss had given him some pointers about using his powers this way and encouraged him, at first as a way to practice fine control. The fact that he actually had some artistic talent had come as more of a surprise to him than to the others.

At that very moment, the phone rang beside Sean’s work desk.

* * * *

Katherina waited anxiously, watching while Minotaur waited for the pickup. The German mare had not felt so on edge in a good while. What she’d heard of him so far had made her heart sink - the boy had suffered so much. First his mother when he wasn’t even a toddler, then his grandparents, then the streets.

It seemed Kayla Bowles wasn’t the only child the superhero community had left behind.

She thought back to those innocent days in the 90s, back when things had seemed so much simpler. Lillian was still alive back then, too. The villains were wacky and the death rate low, at least until the final years. It was the twilight years of the Silver Age, even if they hadn’t known it at the time. She still remembered the first time she’d met the wild otter, with her Highland brogue and her shining spear.

“Nein,” She murmured to herself. “Ich vill not dink on it yet. Ich shall tell him erste.” She looked up, as the phone clicked.

Minotaur frowned. “Hey Sean, is that you? I have someone here to speak to you. About your guest.”

He handed the phone over to Katherina.

“Hallo? This is Katherina Pferd. Is dat Sean O’Leary?”

“It is indeed. Good afternoon, Miss Pferd. Duncan’s out back, doing his daily workout. Did you need to speak to him? Or did you want to speak to me about him?”

Katherina sighed. “....About him. Du see… Ich am Germania. In... In mein life, Ich have met and known many vunderbar people. Many good friends. Und Duncan’s mutter vas vun of dem. Ich vould... Ich vould like to come over, and see him. Perhaps tell him about her. Today, if possible.”

Sean nodded to himself. “I knew you had to be one of us on this line. Do you wish to surprise him? Or should I ask him first?”

“Ich... Ich vould like you to varn him. I do not know how much ich can tell him dat he does not already know.”

“Then how about dinner at 7:00? Minotaur knows where I live.”

“Dat sounds good, ja. ...Danke for this, Herr O’Leary. It means much to me.”

“I suspect it will mean a lot to him, as well. Very few people knew his mother well enough to be trusted with her secrets. We - the BoS - only knew after we’d recruited him, and even then, they had to run a DNA test to be sure it wasn’t just wishful thinking on his part.”

“Mein gott…” She held her head in her hands, the mare sighing. “...Ich vas in America all dis time. Ich should have known.”

“He wasn’t, Germania. Don’t be too hard on yourself. I’ll tell him you’re coming over.”

“Danke, Herr O’Leary. Danke..."

* * * *

Duncan stared dumbly at Sean and Teresa. His face was one of surprise, but in his eyes there was a hint of innocent hope, of anticipation that he might finally learn something about the woman who bought him into this world. Grandma and Grandpa had never spoken of her much. He realised only now that it must have been too painful for them. She was their only child.

“G-Germania knew my ma? An’ she’s comin’ here?”

“Aye, lad. That’s what she said, and she’ll be here at seven. Terry... I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to take the kids out for a while. Do you think they’ll mind pizza and a movie?”

“Sean may fuss, but only because he’ll suspect. They’ve been asking about seeing the new Fantastic Family without waiting for the video release, so I’m sure they’ll be agreeable.”

Sean Senior grinned. “I’ll talk to him if need be. But if you tell him it’s Bureau business, he should be okay with it. Obviously it’s something that you’re not authorized for either, after all.”

She chuckled. “Dear, I knew you’d have secrets from me the moment I persuaded you to join the Bureau. No problem.”

“Then we just need a menu. I know a place that has great Chinese take-out. How does that sound to you, Duncan?”

Duncan was sitting on the couch, already nervously rubbing one hand with the other. He looked back up, and nodded, trying to smile. “Aye. Chinese sounds good. S’not a deep fried Pizza, but heh….Even America dinnae have that.” He chuckled slightly, remembering the horrendously unhealthy food Glasgow was infamous for inventing.

Teresa snickered. “I wouldn’t bet on that. Texans will deep-fry anything.”

“Aye, well….” Duncan looked down at his hands. “I’m scared. And I’m excited, and I... I dinnae know what tae say.”

He looked up at them, and for a moment his eyes were as open and vulnerable as those of a small child. “Will you help me?”

Teresa leaned over and gently kissed his forehead. “Of course we will. I can’t be there with you when you meet her, but I’ll do anything I can to get you through it afterwards. And I know Sean will, too. You’re worried you’ll find out something you’d rather not have known, aren’t you?”

Without thinking, Duncan reached up and hugged the rabbit in his huge arms, holding her tightly. She was surprised for a moment, but then relaxed and returned the gesture. His voice was a gentle whisper. “Thanks, Mrs O’Leary. For everything.” He let go awkwardly after a minute, blushing. It was the most emotion he’d ever shown in front of them, and he didn’t like how naked he felt.

“So err…..When’s she coming round?”

“Seven. You’ve got two hours to finish your workout and get cleaned up.”

“Okay, okay….” He breathed, trying not to break into a sweat. The rest of his workout seemed to go by almost instantly, and then it was into the shower to wash off the sweat and grime. When he came out in a towel, he was touched to see clothes laid out for him, in his size. A white shirt that he buttoned up over his bulky frame, and pressed black trousers and leather shoes.

He promised himself he’d find a way to repay them, whenever he found a job here.

He gulped as the doorbell sounded.

* * * *

Katherina Pferd smoothed her dress down and breathed, standing awkwardly on the doorstep. Her athletic body was clad in a black business suit, the grey mare’s blonde mane flowing down her back in long tresses. In her hand she clutched a black leather briefcase.

The mare waited, and as the door opened she smiled brightly. “Hallo, Herr O’Leary.” She extended a hand to the rabbit who had met her. She was surprised, but impressed - in his civilian clothing he looked like the ideal of the well-heeled accountant, smartly dressed, but inconspicuous.

The rabbit smiled. “Fraulein Pferd. Wilkommen in unserem Zuhause.”

She blinked, surprised. <You speak German, Mr. O’Leary?>

<I learned a bit when I was sent to Europe to help with the Rhine flood cleanup. Young Duncan does not. And please, call me Sean.>

<A shame. It would have been easier... but no matter. Is your family here?>

<It is just the three of us for now. My wife and children are out at a movie, so we may speak freely. Duncan is waiting in the dining room. I hope you like Chinese food.>

<Why yes, thank you! And if you are Sean, I am Katherina.>

Katherina followed him in through the hallway and into the dining room, and stopped dead in her tracks. Duncan was standing a few feet away, the huge otter as tall as she was and broadly built under a smart white shirt. Katherina stared at his face, and silently stepped forward. Reaching a hand up, she traced a finger down one scar, and all through it Duncan stood silently, unsure of what to say or do.

“Du have her eyes. She always had such beautiful eyes.” Her own narrowed in sadness, as she felt the rough curved canyons of flesh down both his cheeks. “Duncan... Duncan, ich am so sorry. Ich... ich vish to tell du vhat ich know, but first we sit down, ja?”

Wordlessly the otter sat opposite her on the table, barely noticing the duck Sean placed before him. His huge hands rested on either side of the plate. He whispered. “What was she like?”

Katherina smiled, but her eyes were still tinged with sadness. “Very different without her mask.”

* * * *

<C’mon, sgaoileadh!> Moire Gunn looked back over her shoulder, the young otter’s face split by a wicked grin as she raced up the mountainside, apparently without a care in the world.

Behind her trudged Katherina, the German warmare huffing under the weight of their camping equipment as they headed up the trail.

Moire was irrepressible when she took off the mask - it made sense, given how she adopted a totally different persona during her work. One never knew what she was going to do next for certain - she was unpredictable and wild, a little scary at times but never malicious. It had been her idea to go camping up in the Alps for a rest break, and she had announced it while they were dancing at a club in Munich. And that had only been the night before!

<Slow and steady wins the race, Moire.> Katherina shot back, the grey mare giving as good as she got in their constant verbal sparring.

<Ya win a lot of races, then?> Moire smirked. Her bronze hair was shining in the hot sun, and her eyes had that wild look Katherina had noticed when they’d first met, a few months back, as Germania and Gaisgeach. If Moire Gunn was one thing, Gaisgeach was another matter entirely.

<So tell me, Moire, why are you so happy all of a sudden? This is ebullient even for you.> The blonde mare put on a burst of speed to catch up to her friend, hefting the pack on her strong shoulders.

The smile on Moire’s face disappeared, replaced by a fixed expression. Katherina knew that look all too well - the otter only got it when she was embarrassed about something, or better yet had another secret to keep.

<Oh my god, you’ve met someone haven’t you?>

The otter’s brow furrowed crossly as she looked to one side. But the corner of her mouth twitched, and she nodded silently.

<....Not gonna tell me his name?> The mare probed.

Moire sighed as they marched onwards, her mood fading. <...Not yet. It’s not that I don’t trust you Katherina, you know that. Mo sgal, but I have made so many enemies. I... I cannot risk it. Not after what happened in Japan. I was lucky that bastard didn’t get my parents names. The less people know, the less at risk they are.>

Katherina sighed. <One day, you might need people who know.>

The otter looked down. <I’d rather risk myself than others.> Her face brightened as she looked up. <Oh look, we’ve reached the first summit! Only three more to go before we reach the spot on the map.>

* * * *

Duncan was rubbing his hands, listening as for the first time he heard what his mother was actually like. Pain and a horrible sense of emptiness gnawed at him. It sounded like she would have been a fun mother. Walking in the hills above the farm, meeting people from other countries...That would have been nice. Even if she was always busy, even if she only had a few minutes a day for him, it would have been a hundred times better than the life he’d had.

FInally he spoke, his voice thick with emotion. “W-Why didn’t she tell you about me?”
Katherina reached over, and took his hand, holding it.

“Duncan, du must listen because ich can guess vat du are thinkink. She vas not ashamed of du, ich am sure of it.” She sighed. “...As du might guess, she vas very protective of her parents, und her friends. She had a bad experience ich think, und it made her very guarded about her personal life. She hadn’t even told me her parent’s first names yet. Der fact that she told me nothink of du shows dat du vere her most treasured secret.”

“And she never told you about my da?” Duncan’s heart dropped in disappointment. A small part of him had hoped that today, it might end. That he might finally have some answers. Instead, he felt only misery and bitterness, thinking about how different things could have been.

He felt two strong arms pull him into a hug. He had not noticed the salty tears trickling down his cheeks onto his scars. Katherina squeezed him tightly, the mare pulling his head onto her shoulder. “Ssshhh….Ich should have been here, but ich am here now. Ich…..”
She thought for a minute.

“Sean, did du say that Duncan took a DNA test to prove he vas Moire’s child?”

The rabbit had been quietly listening, doing his best not to intrude. His ears went up at being addressed, but he nodded. “They checked it against a sample of Gaisgeach’s from some of her personal effects that had survived. MI-5 had them, I believe. Of course, back then they were hoping for fingerprints, but the DNA evidence was still there when they checked last year. Fifty percent matchup, indicating a close relative, parent or sibling.”

Katherina nodded. “Vell….ich haff friends, as a national heroine und a diplomat. If du were to give a DNA sample, ich could probably get it compared through der Bureau database. It vill take awhile, but if du would like dat ich can try. Hmm?”

Duncan looked up at her, and nodded silently. Whoever he was, he wasn’t much of a catch if he didn’t stick around. But knowing his father at last... it might be a way of knowing mom.

“Aye.” He sniffed. “Aye, I’d like that.”

Katherina nodded, and looked up at Sean. “Could du help mit der paperwork, Sean?”

Sean chuckled. “Oh, of course. Everyone wants the CPA to do the paperwork.” His grin faded back to concern and sympathy. “Seriously? Of course I will. Morningstar owes me a few favors anyway. We’ll get it done. If your father’s in the database, Duncan, we’ll find him.”

Duncan sniffed, and tried his best to smile. “Thanks, Sean.”

Katherina smiled kindly. “Now - If we finish our meal erste, ich vill tell you more stories.”
Duncan nodded, and began to eat. But he barely noticed the taste.

“How….How did you meet my mother?”

Katherina smiled at the question, thinking back.

* * * *

“Scheisse!” Germania gripped the side-rail of the pitching vessel as sea spray drenched her from head to toe.

Stortbecker Stefan, the deranged pirate-wannabe, had been in the process of claiming his latest victim in the Atlantic Ocean. The bear’s stolen stealth boat was a marvel of modern technology, but still visible to the naked eye. In recent months the German supervillain had taken to raiding up and down the coastlines of Africa, capturing locals to be sold on the black market and looting entire ports. Without effective navies or air forces, the Third World nations were all but defenceless - until, that is, Germania had decided to go herself and bring an end to his reign of terror.

It was proving harder than she’d expected. Blitz and Krieg were coping with the storm as best they could, but on the slippery decks of the stealth ship it was almost impossible for either of them to gain a proper footing.

Germania herself had to keep her shield on her back, allowing her to grip the rail to keep from being washed overboard.

All the while, Stortbecker Stefan laughed maniacally as he jabbed, slashed and cut with his broadsword, the medieval-themed pirate keeping his sea legs admirably as he practically pranced around the deck. <Soon you shall feed my piranhas, you Bavarian slag!>
She barely parried another slash, staggering as the sea rolled beneath her. Inwardly she groaned as the hatches opened, and more sword wielding thugs emerged from below.

Suddenly, the ship’s violent motion came to a stop, the heaving decks levelling out and the rolling dying down to nothing. Stortbecker’s men looked about in bewilderment as the storm raged on around them without affecting the ship. They pointed in all directions, staring in disbelief. The ship was in a circle of calm water some hundred metres in diameter, while around it the sea pitched as violently as before.

<What the-> Stortbecker was distracted, and with his advantage gone Germania counter-attacked with desperate fury. She had no more idea what had just happened than the pirates did, but now the terrain no longer favored the sailors and Germania was proving herself the better fencer. Unfortunately, the crew rapidly overcame their confusion and resumed advancing on the heroine and her companions, and Germania was sure they would be overwhelmed by sheer numbers.

Before they got very far, however, a huge pillar of green water rose from the sea alongside the ship, looming over the deck. The pirates barely had time to scream as it crashed down onto them, scattering them across the deck and washing a few of them overboard.

As they staggered back to their feet, they discovered that it had left something behind. A wiry figure darted amongst them, and Germania saw a flash of silver and a spray of blood. A raccoon struck out with his sabre, and metal pranged on metal as he was parried by a tall, athletic female otter, clad in a skin tight one piece outfit, navy blue in colour. Her feet were bare, rough pads gripping the wet deck with ease as she jabbed a long, thin spear back and forth, left and right, strucking with both the butt and the tip in equal measure. Beneath a navy blue mask and wet bronze hair, Germania saw the otter’s piercing blue eyes, as wild and ferocious as her movements.

While she, Blitz and Krieg kept the goons occupied, Germania was free to go in for the kill. In a flurry of movement she established dominance over the bear, slashing open his thigh and striking the broadsword from his hand. The bear stepped back nervously, only to find himself confronted by the icy eyes of the otter. A distinct Scottish brogue growled from her mouth.

“Surrender, blaigeard. Now.”

A few minutes later, the storm had calmed, the pirate crew were secured in the same cages they had used for their captives, and the former captives were doing their best to steer the ship to a friendly port. The otter was staunching blood from a wound on her brow, and as she did so her mask slipped off. Germania looked down at her - she was strikingly young, no older than 20 or so, and elegantly beautiful rather than girlishly pretty. In a flash the otter had her mask back on and was standing up defensively, looking at the mare with naked suspicion in her eyes.

Germania frowned. “Not worry, ich am Germania. Du bist...?”

The otter looked down for a moment, perhaps realising just who she was speaking with. The distrust in her eyes lessened, at least. <....Gaisgeach. My name is Gaisgeach.>

The Teutonic mare raised an eyebrow, impressed. <You speak good German.>

<Aye, well...I learned at University.>

<....Let me look at that.> Germania sat the otter down, and with some reluctance the otter removed her mask once more. It was a shallow gash, but bleeding profusely, the blood threatening to blind the otter. As she treated the wound, the otter’s stern demeanour began to soften. Germania talked as she worked.

<I cannot thank you enough, Gaisgeach, really. It wasn’t looking good back there. I’m not used to fighting at sea, I’m a soldier by training.>

Giasgeach smiled for the first time, ignoring the pain of iodine. <Aye, well... Ye were holding up well enough for being outnumbered and not having your sea legs.> She looked at Krieg and Blitz, and the wolf sidled up to the otter and sniffed her hand.

Germania smiled dotingly. <He likes you. So, Gaisgeach, how’d you come to be so far from Scotland?>

<The pirates have been hitting Commonwealth members, among others. The Queen asked if I could lend a hand, and I was expecting to have to take them on by myself. When I saw you, I knew I wouldn’t have to.> She grinned. <I still can’t believe you’re Germania! I mean you’re-- >

<I know, I know. Happens a lot, heh. Sorry about the mask thing. If it helps, my real name is Katherina Pferd.>

The otter looked up in surprise.

<As in Pferd Motors?>

Germania nodded. <The same.>

The otter sat quietly, then whispered. <.....My name is Moire. Moire Gunn.>

<Well, Moire - thank you. Could you perhaps teach me to fight at sea a bit better?>
The otter giggled in reply.

<I’d be glad to.>

* * * *

Duncan’s eyes were closed, as he tried to visualise his mother fighting through that storm, commanding the waves themselves and whipping out about herself with her spear. He and Katherina were sitting next to each other on the sofa, the mare with her arms around his shoulders and his head on her arm. She cradled him, like a child.

“....She vas magnificent, Duncan.” Katherina’s own eyes were moist, and her voice was soft. “...Und....She’d be so, so proud of du. Ich know it.”

She shot a cautionary look at Sean, as they heard Teresa and the kids come home. Duncan was probably feeling vulnerable, and the last thing he needed was questions from children upset at their friend's sadness.

Sean nodded. “Told the kids it was a business meeting. You -are-, after all, a businesswoman. But yes, we need to break off the storytelling for now.”

Even as he dried his tears, Duncan wasn’t sure how he felt - on the one hand, he looked to the future with hope in his heart. On the other, he also shied from it, half fearing that he wouldn’t like what he found.

But at last he knew something, and between the O’Learys and Katherina, Duncan now felt like he had something he’d missed for a long time.

A family.