THE FLASH POINT
(Flashman is reading from a script in his hands as the lights come up 
in the theater.)
Flashman:(Ranma impersination) At least she's cute.  Unlike SOME 
people.
(Zero coughs and Flashman looks up.)
Flashman: Oops!  I was just practicing my lines for the skit me and 
my friends are doing for a Cos Play at I-Con.  On to the fic.
_________________________

Part XIX - Mommy Lost

[Bison: Paradise Regained.
Flashman: BARRAGE KNUCKLE!
Zero:(As Flashman pounds Bison) He's been watching too much of that 
Ohranger VS Kakuranger movie again.]

Usagi swiveled her gaze towards Chibi-Usa who was looking somewhat 
guilty at this point. <Nani???> Usagi thought, <What's she done?!?> 
As far as Usagi knew, her daughter had been very good lately and it 
was unlike Chibi-Usa to cause any type of mischief. Getting up, she 
walked over to her mother and said, "Mom, what's the matter?"

"Usagi, just go wait downstairs and I'll be down to explain it to you 
in a little bit," Ikuko stated again. <Please Usagi?> Seeing the look 
on her mother's face, Usagi nodded and slipped from the room. Closing 
the door behind her daughter, Ikuko walked slowly over to the bed and 
sat down. The silence that filled the room was uncomfortable as Chibi-
Usa watched her grandmother cautiously, a worried expression on her 
face.

"Chibi-Usa-chan, come here please," Ikuko instructed gently but there 
was a firmness in her tone. Hesitating only slightly, Chibi-Usa got 
up and went to stand in front of her obviously upset grandmother. 
"Chibi-Usa-chan," Ikuko began, "Did you talk to Mamoru?"

"Hai," Chibi-Usa answered softly, lowering her head to look at the 
floor. <Why does Obaa-san not like my daddy?> Chibi-Usa thought, <I 
love Obaa-san and she loves me but she doesn't like my daddy.>

[Zero: At this rate, NO ONE is going to like him when this story is 
finished.
Flashman: If it can turn Chibisetsu against him, THEN I'll believe 
that.
Bison: So why don't you find unMSTed versions of this story and the 
earlier chapters and give them to her?
Flashman:(Small voice) I lost the earlier ones and the only others I 
have are the MSTed ones.]

Ikuko gave a gentle sigh. <I love you so much, Chibi-Usa. I hope you 
can forgive me sometime.> "Chibi-Usa-chan, Mamoru ISN'T your father. 
Kenji is your daddy."

A slightly confused expression came onto Chibi-Usa's face. "But Obaa-
san..."

Ikuko cut her off, "No Chibi-Usa-chan, I'm your mommy. Usagi isn't 
your mommy; she's your onee." This just seemed to confuse Chibi-Usa 
even more. "Chibi-Usa-chan, do you remember your birthday? We said we 
were adopting you?"

"Hai," Chibi-Usa answered tentatively. She was starting to get the 
feeling that she wasn't going to like where this was going. On the 
other hand, her grandmother wasn't scolding her for talking to her 
father.

"Well when we adopted you, then I became your mommy and Kenji became 
your daddy. Usagi became your onee and you're her imouto."

Shaking her head, Chibi-Usa said, "No Obaa-san, Mommy is Mommy, you 
are Sobo. Ojii-san is Sohu." She looked towards her grandmother, 
"Daddy is Daddy."

"No Chibi-Usa," Ikuko said a little more sternly, "Mamoru is not your 
father. Kenji is your father and I'm your mother. We both love you 
very much."

"No," Chibi-Usa whined slightly, "I don't want Sohu to be Daddy. I 
know he loves me but I want Daddy to love me!" <If Daddy isn't Daddy, 
then he would be sad 'cause I'm not his mesume.>

"Chibi-Usa-chan, it was very naughty of you to talk to Mamoru. He 
isn't your daddy," Ikuko said again, "If you talk to Mamoru again, 
I'll have to punish you."

Chibi-Usa's face crumpled. She began to sniffle as tears started to 
stream from her eyes. <I'm not bad. Why does Sobo want me to stay 
away from my daddy?!? I love him so much and he loves me too!> 
Sniffling again, she looked plaintively at her grandmother. "Please 
Obaa-san..."

"Usagi," Ikuko said in a warning tone, "I am NOT your sobo. I am your 
mommy." Confusion mixed with Chibi-Usa's sadness and she sniffled a 
little more. Hugging the little girl, Ikuko said, "I know you don't 
really understand but you aren't allowed to go with Mamoru. You're 
not supposed to talk to him either."

"I want Daddy to love me!" Chibi-Usa finally wailed, "Why don't you 
like Daddy?!? Why are you being mean?!?" Her tears ran down her 
cheeks and dripped off of her chin. Her pleading eyes were puffy from 
crying and her bottom lip trembled.

"Kenji is your daddy now. We adopted you. Kenji's your daddy and I 
love him very much. We both love you, Usagi," Ikuko said gently while 
hugging the little girl. <Gomen nasai, Chibi-Usa, I didn't want to 
hurt you. We weren't going to force this but Mamoru isn't good for 
you.>

"I'm good, Obaa-san!" Chibi-Usa insisted, "I want Daddy to love me! I 
don't want Daddy to get mad at me for stayin' away!!!" She gave a 
heart-wrenching sob as she saw her grandmother's stern face. <Why's 
Sobo tryin' to get me in trouble?!? I was really good. I just wanted 
to make Daddy happy and he said he loved me. How can Mommy be Onee?!?

She knew one thing - she did not want her mother as her sister. She 

wanted her mother AS her mother.

"You are a very good girl," Ikuko said, "But you were naughty for 
talking to Mamoru. We've told you before that you're not allowed to 
talk with him." Starting to rub the little girl's back, Ikuko 
continued to speak, "Usagi, Mamoru isn't your daddy. Kenji is your 
daddy and he loves you. I'm your mommy and I love you, too."

[All: Here it comes.]

"NO!!!" Chibi-Usa yelled, "I don't want you as a mommy!" Getting off 
of Ikuko's knee, she started to run for the door, "I don't want you 
as a sobo! YOU'RE MEAN!!!"

Ikuko's arm shot out and caught Chibi-Usa by her arm. Pulling the 
squirming little girl firmly back, Ikuko used both hands to turn the 
child to face her. "Usagi, gomen. I know this is confusing but you 
have to understand. I AM your mommy! I AM NOT your sobo. Usagi is 
your onee and Kenji is your daddy. Shingo is your onii."

"NO!!!" Chibi-Usa sobbed out, her crying continuing, "I want Daddy to 
be Daddy! I don't want Sohu to be Daddy! I want Daddy to love me!!!"

"Usagi," Ikuko said in a soft but firm voice, "If you speak with 
Mamoru again, I'll have to punish you. I don't want to have to do 
that. You aren't allowed to go ANYWHERE with Mamoru." The look of 
hatred that Chibi-Usa sent Ikuko's way made Ikuko wince. <Gomen, I 
know this is hard on you. It'll be hard on Usagi as well.>

Feeling small and alone, Chibi-Usa went limp and tried to curl up 
into a small ball. She ignored her grandmother's soothing as she 
desperately fought a losing battle. They were taking away HER family 
and she couldn't do a thing about it.

[Flashman: Trust me kid, it's for the best.
Bison: Has anyone ever tried to do something like that to you?
Flashman: No...
Bison: Then you would NEVER understand how stupid what you just said 
would sound to her.  Even if you ARE right.]

"No," Usagi said while giving her brother a small smile, "This is 
your first `date' with Mika. I wouldn't want her to get a bad 
impression about my otouto."

[(All snicker.)]

"Okay Usagi, your father and I will be back about eleven," Ikuko said,
 "Shingo, you be polite when you're around Mika." Shingo blushed 
slightly and gave his mother a look of suffering. She and Kenji were 
chaperoning Shingo and Mika. <The only way to get him to agree about 
us coming was we promised to sit in a section further back.> It would 
certainly be interesting to see how she and Kenji would pass the time 
considering that they would likely have no interest in the film.

"You're gonna rib me about this for awhile, aren't you?" Shingo 
questioned.

"My little boy's going on his first date," Ikuko said sweetly.

[All: BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Flashman: Moms.  Can't live without'em but you CAN count on'em to 
humiliate you whenever the oportunity arises.]

Soon afterwards, Makoto arrived. "Oh I'm so glad you're here," Usagi 
said while pulling Makoto into the house, "Chibi-Usa hasn't eaten a 
thing and she won't talk to anybody."

[(All three sniffle.)]

Makoto could tell that Usagi was starting to become hysterical so she 
placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. "Usagi-chan, just take a 
breath. Let me get my shoes off and you can tell me all about it." 
After removing her shoes and putting on a pair of guest slippers, 
Makoto and Usagi moved into the living room.

Once both were seated, Usagi blurted out, "Chibi-Usa was talking to 
Mamoru again today." Makoto frowned but she wasn't allowed to ask any 
questions as Usagi continued to talk, "Mom had a talk with Chibi-Usa 
and told her what adoption meant." She felt her throat tightening and 
her eyes misting over, "I have to stop being a mommy to Chibi-Usa!" 
Usagi nearly wailed before sniffling slightly. <I don't want to lose 
my daughter.>

[(Zeros head is lowered while J.Bison is wiping his eyes and Flashman 
pulls out a gold, silver and blue hankey, which he promptly blows his 
nose on.)]

"But I AM, Mako-chan. I am Chibi-Usa's mother... I think Ami said I 
was her biological mother."

"NANI?!?" Makoto demanded, "How's that possible?!?"

Shifting uncomfortably, Usagi said, "Well Chibi-Usa's from the future.
 She came back in time."

<Now why do I suddenly get the urge to sing that Deep Purple song?>

[All: Huh?
Flashman: Missed joke alert.]

"Nani?" Usagi asked losing her depressed expression and replacing it 
with a confused one.

"If you're in the future, then we should be too and I'll be damned if 
I'd let anybody hurt you or Chibi-Usa!" Makoto snarled while getting 
up to pace, "I certainly don't see Rei letting anything happen either.
.. Actually I think I'd have to compete for the first crack at the 
guy who touched you in the wrong way."

[Flashman: End of the line lady.]

<Ugh... I guess I better not tell her about Mamoru,> Usagi thought.

[Bison: Good idea.
Zero: You mean you're actually being NICE to...
Bison: I want him in one piece when I get my hands on him!
(Zero facefaults.)]

<Dead?!?> Makoto questioned. "Dead?!?" she repeated it aloud, not 
really believing it.

"Hai, Luna figures that something happened to you. Chibi-Usa's 
confirmed that you aren't with me." She raised her head to look sadly 
at Makoto, "I don't know what happened to you but I know the Senshi 
wouldn't allow anyone to hurt me."

"You got that right," Makoto said while resuming her pacing, "Now 
Mamoru's been acting weird but I guess you and he get back together 
in the future and have Chibi-Usa."

Makoto didn't notice the green tinge that briefly flitted across 
Usagi's features. <Not if I can help it,> Usagi thought, <There's no 
way I'm gonna marry a monster like that.>

Hearing no firm commitment from her friend, Makoto turned, "Well, has 
Ami confirmed that Mamoru IS the father?!?" <He must have died and a 
stepfather's doing this. I mean Mamoru's acting strange but I don't 
think he would do anything to Usagi.>

"Mako-chan," Usagi began, "I think you had better sit down." Makoto's 
only response was to give her a quizzical look before sitting. "Mako-
chan, Ami did confirm that Mamoru is A father." Shuddering slightly, 
Usagi said in a quieter tone, "Mamoru is the stepfather and Chibi-
Usa's abuser."

Turning her head to look, Usagi saw that Makoto was gripping the arms 
of the chair, knuckles white, nostrils flared in rage. "Why that 
piece of..."

"Mako-chan!" Usagi nearly yelled, "Don't even think about it."

[Flashman: Yeah, we don't want HIM upset again, do we?
Zero: We were lucky that the fire walls held.  If HE flames us again, 
they might not.
Bison: Plus, I don't think the insurance is still paid up from the 
previous time.
Flashman: Yeah.  My HEALTH insurance.]

"Oh Usagi-chan, maybe Mamoru can get some help. Maybe he can get some 
type of counseling." Makoto wrapped and arm around Usagi and gave her 
friend a hug, "You have to hope that Mamoru can get better. If you 
tell him, then Endymion might not do what he does."

Sullenly Usagi shook her head, "No Mako-chan, in my heart I know that 
I would never marry him. I loved Mamoru so much though." A little sob 
escaped her, "I should love him, I still do. I just can't trust him 
and no matter how much love I have for Mamoru still, I couldn't marry 
him without trusting him."

There was silence for a few moments before Makoto said, "You'd be 
looking for him to start hurting you, ne?" Usagi nodded. "I don't 
know about all this, Usagi-chan, but I think Mamoru has a right to 
know."

Usagi shook her head vigorously, "No Makoto, that's the real danger. 
Endymion would know he's been found out. Mamoru might react badly; I 
can't tell him. Not yet."

[Flashman: But if she tells him and he never becomes the evil 
Endymion, then Chibi-Usa wouldn't have had to have been sent back and 
then Usagi-sama wouldn't have learned about the problem and told 
Mamoru so he could get help so he wouldn't become evil and then...
Zero:(Sparks fly from his head) ARRGGGHHH!!!  Time mechanics... 
making... brain... hurt...]

Giving Usagi a hug, Makoto said, "Usagi-chan, I know this is 
difficult. I'm sure that Chibi-Usa will still love you. When she gets 
older, Chibi-Usa could be told everything. Now though, she needs you 
to be an onee to keep her safe from Mamoru." Usagi sniffled again; 
hugging her friend close again, Makoto thought, <Why didn't you tell 
us, Usagi? I think the Senshi need to have a talk with Mamoru. You're 
our friend and we wouldn't want you to be unhappy.>

Turning to her friend, Usagi managed to say, "Pro-promise me you 
won't tell the others. I mean tell them about Mamoru and all."

"Why?" Makoto asked slightly confused.

Usagi took several breaths before saying, "Because... because I was 
going to tell all of you when I had a chance to sort all this out. 
I'm still confused about how I feel." Clasping her hands on her lap 
and looking at the ground, Usagi whispered out, "I said before that I 
love Mamoru still and that's true... It's just something's missing - 
trust - I suppose but that isn't all of it." Makoto remained silent; 
she wasn't sure what to think.

[Flashman:(Husky voice) We know what to think...
(All three break into tears and throw their arms around each other.
)]

Usagi was having a hard time fighting her emotions. She was 
desperately trying to balance between satisfying Chibi-Usa's need by 
being a mother and her parents' wishes that were forcing her into 
being a sister. "I think what Chibi-Usa needs is someone that's not 
really involved. She needs support and, right at the moment, 
everybody but Shingo is against her... or looks that way." Looking 
pleadingly towards Makoto, Usagi said, "Could you just spend some 
time with her... see if you can get her eat any of this food." Usagi 
then inclined her head slightly to indicate the tray of food she was 
carrying. <I'm so worried about her. I want to be her mommy and she 
wants me to be her mommy! There's just no other way to keep her from 
Mamoru. He isn't really her father either.>

[All: Thank god.]

"Okay Usagi-chan," Makoto said while taking the tray of food from her 
friend, "Let me have a few minutes with her." Nodding, Usagi opened 
the door for Makoto and then once Makoto was in the room, she closed 
it again. Walking over to the low table, Makoto carefully placed the 
tray down. <Oh you poor kid,> Makoto sadly thought as she padded over 
to the bed and gently sat down.

Chibi-Usa was curled up on the bed, asleep. One thumb was firmly 
planted in her mouth. The other arm wrapped tightly around her new 
teddy bear.

[Flashman:(Holding up Sentai Saber) Say nothing.
Bison: Jeez!  Don't get so worked up, we already milked all the jokes 
out of that thing that we could already.]

Her eyes fluttered opened and for a few minutes, the little girl 
sadly looked towards Makoto before sniffling. "Onee-chan!" she cried. 
Letting go of Ranma, she sat up and hugged Makoto tightly. Makoto in 
return lifted the saddened child into a comforting hug. "Shhh... 
It'll be okay, Sweetheart," Makoto said softly. She felt Chibi-Usa's 
small arms encircle her neck. Blinking rapidly, Makoto tried to clear 
the moisture from her eyes. "Are you hungry, Chibi-Usa-chan?" Makoto 
asked.

"Hai," Chibi-Usa said softly but kept her hold on Makoto. Getting up, 
Makoto gently carried the little girl over to the table and sat down. 
After settling Chibi-Usa comfortably in her lap, Makoto drew the tray 
close.

"There you go," Makoto said, "Now you eat that all up." Giving Makoto 
another hug, Chibi-Usa started to carefully eat the meal that had 
been prepared for her. <Well,> Makoto thought as she watched the 
little girl eat, <I don't need any other proof. You ARE definitely 
Usagi's daughter.> There was not even one crumb left of the meal. 
"Kami-sama, you were hungry."

[(All three belly laugh at Makotos thought.)
Flashman: One little nitpick though, that would work better if you 
accent the "definitly" instead of the "are".]

"No," Chibi-Usa answered softly, "I want Mommy to be Mommy." Turning 
her head to look at Makoto, she said softly, "Do you have a mommy, 
Onee-chan?"

"I did," Makoto said while giving a sad smile.

"Did Obaa-san make your mommy go away?" Chibi-Usa asked. The serious 
expression on her tear-streaked face was causing Makoto some problems.


[(Despite the seriousness of the situation, all three fail to hold 
back the facefault that Chibi-Usas comment brings about.)]

"No Chibi-Usa-chan," Makoto said as she stroked the little girl's 
hair, "My Mommy died when I was little." A subconscious sniffle 
escaped her. "I miss her a lot." Blinking again, Makoto saw the 
tentative question on the child's lips so she answered it. "My Daddy 
died too when I was young."

"So you don't have no Mommy or Daddy?" Chibi-Usa asked. <That would 
make Onee-chan really sad.> At Makoto's nod, she turned more and gave 
Makoto a strong hug. Hearing the door opening, both Chibi-Usa and 
Makoto turned to see who was entering. Tentatively, Usagi stepped 
into the doorway. "You're my mommy, ne Mommy?" Chibi-Usa asked Usagi.


"No Chibi-Usa-chan, I'm your onee," Usagi responded and winced 
internally at Chibi-Usa's depressed look, "Come on, it's time for 
your bath. You have to go to bed early because you talked to Mamoru 
today."

Chibi-Usa started to sniffle more when Makoto drew her attention. 
"What if you go have your bath and then I'll read you a story?" Usagi 
was about to protest this; Chibi-Usa wasn't supposed to get any 
bedtime stories either but her heart took over from her common sense. 
"What do you say, Usagi-chan?"

Usagi made a dramatic show of considering the answer. <How am I going 
to keep this from Mom?> Her mother would be upset that Usagi was 
subverting the punishment. <But I just can't stand to see Chibi-Usa 
so sad.> "Okay, Imouto, Makoto can read you ONE story," Usagi said 
sternly towards Chibi-Usa who seemed to cheer up a little bit. "Now 
do you want to take your bath by yourself or do you want me to help 
you?"

<Maybe I can get Mommy to like Daddy again. Maybe she's just mad that 
he kept spanking me. Daddy hasn't spanked me since I came here so I 
must be really good,> Chibi-Usa thought. "Would you help me, Mommy?" 
Chibi-Usa asked softly. <I know Mommy's still mad at me but I hope I 
can show her how good I am.>

[Flashman: God, this "how good I am" was something to pity at first, 
but now it's getting annoying.
Bison:(Gravely) Be glad you can feel that annoyance.  Those of us who 
have been through what she has can never do that.]

"I understand, Usagi-chan," Makoto said. <I'll try to help you, Chibi-
Usa, but if it comes between Mamoru and your safety, I'd sacrifice 
Mamoru.>

[Zero: Just so you know Doug, we'll help you build a fire shield to 
protect you from the flames that line is bound to attract.]

Over the next little while, a rash of bizarre attacks occurred. None 
of them were in the Juuban District and none lasted long enough for 
the Senshi to get to them. One thing was clear, however. The man with 
the red hair was very upset about something. Mercury's scan of the 
"rage" scenes was ambiguous at best. There was one advantage she had 
over the authorities though. The man had a similar power signature to 
those who were conducting the attacks against the Senshi.

[Flashman: Rats, so I can't throw in any Akuma jokes.]

Mainly because she was forced to be an older sister and no matter how 
much Chibi-Usa pleaded, Usagi wasn't willing to risk her daughter's 
safety for either their happiness. Another factor in her bleak 
outlook was Mamoru. He had stopped coming around Chibi-Usa's school 
and stopped pressing Usagi constantly to marry him. However, this was 
worrying. In the back of her mind, Usagi couldn't shake the feeling 
that he was really planning something.

What Usagi didn't know, nor even Ikuko or Shingo, was that Kenji had 
purposefully confronted Mamoru. The rather irate father had made it 
perfectly clear that if Mamoru had kept on harassing his daughters, 
that he would call the police. For a moment, Kenji then became scared 
as Mamoru flew into a rage that lasted for several seconds before 
calming.

[Flashman: We'll bring the materials for the shield too.]

Two weeks after her talk with Chibi-Usa, Ikuko's last amount of 
sympathy fled from her. She had been blacklisted by Chibi-Usa, given 
the silent treatment, practically ignored. At first, Ikuko had tried 
to be understanding, then patient. But her patience had slipped away 
from her a week ago. The only thing that had been keeping her temper 
in check was her true desire to have Chibi-Usa accept her as a mother.
 It would've worked except that Chibi-Usa was ignoring her 
continually or shooting her hostile looks when forced to answer.

The one she had sympathy for was Usagi. Ikuko could see that Usagi 
was depressed by the turn of events. Her daughter had seemed to 
flourish in the role of mother. Even praising Usagi for handling the 
new situation wasn't helping. Ikuko wished she could remove the pain 
from Usagi's heart but there was nothing she could do.

Now as she stood in the living room early one evening, Ikuko could 
feel herself getting tired of the routine. "Chibi-Usa-chan, would you 
like some ice cream?" Ikuko asked again. It would have been easier to 
let the question slide and simply not give the child any. However, it 
was galling somewhat to Ikuko to be ignored. There was no response 
forthcoming. Giving a sigh of annoyance, Ikuko said, "Chibi-Usa, I 
asked you a question."

Chibi-Usa turned and glared at Ikuko. She didn't see the loving 
person standing in the living room. What she saw was a dark person 
who wanted her to be in trouble with her father. Who was forcing her 
mother away. As far as Chibi-Usa was concerned, Usagi was innocent. 
The little girl could tell that Usagi was miserable and Ikuko was 
making her that way.

[Flashman: Yow!
Bison: Nice little trip into Chibi-Usas mind.
Zero: Not one we'd prefer to take again but...]

"Let go!" Chibi-Usa shouted, "I hate you! You want to take my mommy 
away!"

Picking the child up, Ikuko carried her up the steps and into Usagi's 
room. Shutting the door firmly, she sat Chibi-Usa on the bed. 
"Tsukino Usagi," Ikuko said sternly, "That is it. This is the first 
and last warning I will give you. I want you to start acting your age.
 You've been very rude to me; you were so polite before. If I ask you 
a question, I expect you to answer it."

Folding her arms, Chibi-Usa just glowered towards Ikuko for several 
seconds. "You hate Daddy. You don't want Mommy to love me," Chibi-Usa 
pouted, her eyes misting over, "You want Mommy to be Onee and not 
love me!"

"No Usagi, that isn't true," Ikuko said, "I'm your mommy and I DO 
love you. I want your onee to love you, too." Chibi-Usa made a noise 
of disgust and turned her back on Ikuko. Bristling slightly for a 
moment, Ikuko considered what to do. After a pause Ikuko said, "Usagi 
get ready for bed." Chibi-Usa remained in position, silent. Gritting 
her teeth, Ikuko went over to the dresser and, retrieving the little 
girl's pajamas and a fresh set of underpants, proceeded to change 
Chibi-Usa.

This was a bit of a shock to Chibi-Usa and a struggle for Ikuko. If 
Usagi had been the same age and behaved similarly, Ikuko would likely 
have acted differently. But it was her desire to be a better parent 
than Chibi-Usa's father that was really preventing Ikuko from acting. 
It took ten minutes to change Chibi-Usa who struggled through it all.


"All right Chibi-Usa, it's time for bed. If you want to act like a 
little kid, then you'll be treated like one." Sulking but realizing 
that she couldn't get out of the situation, Chibi-Usa crawled into 
bed and turned to face away from Ikuko. "I want to see you behaving 
better tomorrow," Ikuko stated again and then left the room while 
turning the light off.

[All: Fat chance.]

<Baka grownup!> Chibi-Usa thought angrily, <I'll show her!> As she 
lay there, a plan formed. Yes she would show up the person who was 
trying to rip her family apart.

[Flashman: And we'll be right back.]