Thread: A New Philosophy (attn: Emma,ST) 6/23/10

"Be careful not to come across as ungrateful, be gracious but don't blow smoke up his ass. Just tell him that this is more than you thought it would be and you can serve him better as his sheriff. I'm sure he'll understand."

He thinks about what she says, taking it very seriously. He then thinks about the task he was given by Colonel Walker. He was instructed to find out about new philosophies. He looks at her and says, "So, even if I do go to Mr. Cahill and request the change, will you still help me seek out a teacher for different philosophies?"

Emma thinks about it. "I'll introduce you to someone who is better equipped to help you than me. So... yes. I'll help you but, the introduction will cost you. Eventually I may need someone's help and I want to know I can call on you to return the favor when that time comes. I know I can count on you to uphold your word... if you agree, I'll make some calls."

A.J. mocks being shocked that she would think he wouldn't come whether he owed her or not. He smiles and says, "You know you can count on me, debt or no debt. I accept your conditions. If you call I will come. You have my word."

"Alright then... Scourge... I hope the next time we meet I'll be able to greet you as Sheriff." She smiles at him. "Best of luck AJ."

A.J. nods, noting her change to formalities. It bothered him that she knew now. He felt he should explain why he was rubbing her hand with his thumb, but there on the street was not the place, or was it? He says softly, "Please, do not go yet. There is something you should know before you go."

He reaches in to his back pocket and pulls out his wallet. He opens it and removes a picture of Caitlin from it and stares at it a moment, there is a definitive hurt in his eyes as he stares at the picture. He says softly, "You need to know why I reacted the way I did when you took my hand." He hands the picture to her. She will note that Caitlin looks almost exactly like her and she might think it was a picture of herself, but would know it couldn't be a picture of her.

Emma blinks at the picture. "The resemblence is ... uncanny. Frighteningly so. Of course, I can see why my presence might cause you pain. I'm very sorry AJ. Had I known, I would never have been so personal with you." She hands the picture back.

"Trust I won't pull upon that old pain again at least not on purpose."

A.J. shakes his head at her response. He says in a serious tone, "I do not want you to treat me any differently than you have in the past. You are my friend Emma. To treat me any differently would only hurt me more. I just wanted to show you Caitlin's picture, so you understand why my control slipped. Ungol raised her. All I want is to be your friend. I have Keela in my life and she means everything to me. So, please, do not treat me any differently than before."

Emma nods. "Well, I'll do my best to keep things the same between us AJ. Thank you for telling me this. I'm sorry that monster Ungol hurt you as he did." She let's her voice trail off as she mentions Ungol.

"I should go. Again, good luck." With that Emma will walk off, clearly something now has her mind distracted.