Chapter 4

There is a clarity that comes at the moment of death, real or perceived, that people are just not ready to deal with. The white light, the tunnel, that's what everyone expects, the reality is far different.

Ian lay on the hard stone floor. The first things that came to him were the base senses, the cold, slowly creeping into his flesh where it met the stone, the throbbing behind his eyes and the general ache of someone who had undergone severe blunt force trauma.

Then it was warmth, the warmth from fingers on his shoulder, running through his hair, gently shaking him as the fog finally lifted.

Millie found Ian lying on the ground unconscious. Rushing too him she called for Cedric. A groan then a moan then eyes opening, not focusing, fear.

"Ian what is it, what happened?" Millie asked a tad too frantically as Ian rose to a sitting position, feeling the bruise on his right shoulder from where he had fallen to the floor.

"I think Michael is dead," Ian said to no one in particular.

Cole looked down at the body, shaking his head.

"I knew it was all too much for him," Cole said to Fred standing next to him.

Cole had seen the flash just as he had gotten to the front door, the brilliant white burst that he had seen once to often could mean only one thing

"Better call 911 Fred, tell them there has been a suicide," Cole said as he reached for his own phone to call Ian and tell him the bad news.

Both men were surprised when they heard a very much alive Michael Dane say "911 won't be necessary, who the hell are you and why the fuck are you in my house."

Light and Dark. There was no neutral gray between them. One moment there was a blinding flash like the death gasp of a dying sun, the next, utter darkness.

You would expect a floating sensation something akin to riding a magic carpet. The actual experience was one of intense weight, as if the whole of the universe was now resting directly on your shoulders. The weight was overpowering, awe inspiring and desperately comforting all at the same time.

The darkness did not last long.

Again the expectation was pure white, pure gold something ethereal and otherworldly; so the overcast pall with the brownish hue was startling and comforting all at the same time.

"Michael," a single word, spoken with the tone, inflection and depth that could only come from one person.

"Sasha," Michael sighed.

"It's not time yet my love," Sasha's voice said from somewhere beyond Michael's perception, "you know you have a destiny, something that will complete you, when that is done we will be together"

Michael was struck by the absolute truth of it, there was no grieving, there was no sense of loss only an overwhelming feeling of love and finality.

"Why were you not part of my destiny Sasha, why is it I'm always to face these things alone," there was a bitterness to Michael's thoughts that seemed contrived, as if trying to talk his way out being caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

"You are never alone my love, you never have been and you never will be, we will always be with you, you carry us as you carry your own soul," Sasha said, sounding like a wave on the water, first near then far away. "And she is always with you, think back on your life and you know it is true, she walks next to you, she whispers in your ear, she sheppard's your soul, you are never alone my love. I will be here waiting when your time finally comes, now go, let the weight of this place lift from you and go back, she is there waiting for you, her long rest is at an end, find her and fulfill your destiny."

The scene shifted too quickly and fundamentally to be described, one minute being in touch on a level of such depth that you are ... everything, the next an eye opening, trying to focus on the carpet below you, wondering what just happened, how the hell you missed and who the fuck is standing over you.

Cole reached down and helped Michael to his feet 'Sorry about that, we were driving by and saw the flash, the door was open," Cole said as he stepped back from Michael.

"It's not a problem, considering my life recently, having two good Samaritans wanting to help out is actually a nice change of pace." Michael replied as he sat down on the bed.

"Can we call someone for you, looks like your in kinda rough shape," Cole was looking for a way out of here quickly, this is not the low profile he liked to keep.

"No, I think I'll be fine now," Michael said standing on shaky legs as he walked the men downstairs to the door.

"Glad everything is ok, sorry to bust in on you," Cole said as he turned and began walking across the street to his car.

Michael watched him go, Sasha's words echoing in his ears, 'it's time to start living again, ' Michael thought as he closed the door, already making lists of things that needed to get done.

"Thank you Cole," Ian finished and hung up. He was stunned by the conversation he had just finished and poured himself a glass of Bruichladdich and then sat down on the couch.

"Michael's not dead," he said absently to Millie. She was relived but worried as well, things like this did not happen with Ian.

Ian thought about what had happened in the last hour, he was sure that the massive blast of physic energy emanated from Michael and was caused by his death.

Ian smiled and rose, walking over to Millie he took her in his arms and pulled her too him. His lips nuzzled her ear, "everything will be alright now, we need to get Michael here, this incident could only have been caused by one being," he said with a smile in his voice.

Ian loved the smell of Millie's hair as he held her close to him, he could feel her shiver, knowing that finding him must have been incredibly frightening for her.

"I'm fine," he cooed into her ear "this incident was not directed at me, it just confirms what we have believed all these years, that Michael is the one."

Millie was relieved and she relaxed as Ian held her, soon their new life would start, soon it would just be them, living and loving for each other.

Ian let Millie go and walked towards his office. "If everything works out right, Michael should be here within the month," Ian said over his shoulder. 'Time to contact Oxford and get the ball rolling, ' he thought as he picked up the phone and began to dial...

It had been two weeks since the attempt, which is what Michael called it in his head. Since then he had gotten back to some semblance of normalcy.

The house was under contract; due to close in a week, Michael had listed it for a ridiculously low price but knew it was important that it was gone.

"That's the last of it Mr. Dane," the mover said as he walked past him with the last 3 boxes.

'Moving on, ' Michael thought as he glanced into the house one last time and then locked the door. The realtor would do the walkthrough with the buyers this afternoon and then it would just be signatures, a chapter closed, memories filed away for some future time when the loss was diminished and the need to remember the good times stronger.

Sliding behind the wheel of the GT3 he popped the clutch and lit the tires up as he accelerated down Maple St for the last time.

Michael walked into the DMD offices with the same sense of history hanging over his soul. So much of the last 12 years of his life were spent here, working on projects, joking around with Steve, planning their futures, making love to Sasha in his office during stolen lunch breaks. Could he come back here, did he want to?

"Good morning Gale," Michael said as he passed Gale's desk.

"Umm, good morning," a surprised Gale responded, watching Michael stride by in his standard uniform, faded jeans and a long sleeve button down shirt with sleeves rolled above his elbow.

'He looks thinner, ' Gale thought to herself as she buzzed Steve to let him know that Michael had come into the office.

Michael closed the door behind him and slowly took in the office. It was him; from the pictures of Steve and himself in front of the sign going up all those years ago, to the most recent addition to the office, a casting of Sasha's pregnant belly with his hands on her, the room emanated ... Michaelness.

Walking over to the desk and sitting down he was overwhelmed by the amount of mail. 'Well taking several weeks off will cause that, ' he thought to himself as, with sword letter opener in hand, he dove in.

About half way through the stack Steve walked in and sat down across from him.

"How's' it?" Steve asked in their familiar abbreviated language.

A shrug and a wane smile was the answer.

Steve watched his friend go through the mail for several minutes in silence, measuring what to say next to his best friend and partner.

"We received an offer on the company," Steve stated.

Michael was shocked, while DMD was a known and respected company; it was rare that an architectural company was purchased.

"Who is the offer from?" Michael asked.

"Interesting question," Steve responded starting the story.

"About a week ago an attorney showed up, I met with him, figuring that he needed an office built or renovated. Turns out that he represents an architectural group out of New York who are looking to acquire three to five offices through out the southeast. They had reviewed our work and clientele and thought we would be a good fit." Steve paused and took a drink from his ever-present bottle of water before continuing. "They would be looking to keep all the staff as is, bring in a few of their own people to head up the architectural and construction divisions. They asked that I stay on for 6 months to consult and smooth the way with the existing clients." Steve said with a wry grin on his face.

"Hmmm." Said Michael, "So you get the cushy consulting gig and I get kicked to the curb eh?" Michael stated, sharing his friends smile.

"Seems they are aware of your recent issues and thought it best to give you some space, they have a young architect already lined up to take your place buddy boy." Steve joked.

"So how much are they offering for our hopes, dreams and futures my friend?" Michael asked as he stood up and walked over to the mini fridge to grab a mountain dew while searching his back pocket for his Zippo."

"Sixteen million." Steve stated flatly, letting the number hang in the air.

Michael almost choked.

"You've got to be kidding me, there is no way DMD is worth that kind of money." Michael said dropping back into his chair and lighting up Marlboro Light.

"I know, but their reasoning on the price is sound," Steve said. "With the work we have done and the contacts that will continue to bring work for years to come, it's a number that takes all that into account."