They were waiting for them in the foyer when they came downstairs. The tension in the room seemed to mount with each step down the stairs that they took. Cairo focused only on Meagan, she was not yet strong enough to make eye contact with Nick. They reached the bottom of the stairs, and stared at them. It was a face-off, both sides waiting to see who would make the first move in what would be sudden death.

"What do you want now?" Meagan asked, breaking the stale-mate. She never could keep her mouth shut for long.

"We need to have a chat with our friend Nick, here," Brian said.

"He has nothing to say," Meagan said.

"Good lord, he does have a famous voice, let the man speak for himself," Lacey said. She had been close enough to Nick during Cairo and his relationship that this display was enough to disgust her.

"I've said all that I need to, Brian. I'm sorry about it, but I just can't see myself coming back to the group. I've said this over and over again, and now there is nothing left to say," he answered coldly.

"But there is something we need to say, Nick. And you have to listen, because I'm not going away until you do," Cairo said, stepping forward.

"I can't even look at you, even after what happened was so long ago. You cheated on me with my best friend. I don't think I need to hear what you have to say," Nick said, looking away from her, his words mumbled. She could feel something give in the room, she knew that if she persisted, he would listen.

"I know now what happened that night. But to get the full story, we need to ask Meagan about how well she's handling her two careers," Cairo said, turning her glare to Meagan. She looked a little shocked, and then panicked as slow realisation kicked in.

"What are you talking about?"

"I talked to your parents. According to them, you are a research assistant for a writer, in Europe. But wait a minute. I thought you were the tour director for the Boys. I'm a little confused, Meagan, care to explain?" Cairo asked, enjoying the intimidation she was pressing against Meagan.

"I have no idea what you are talking about," she lied.

"Then let's talk about your senior year of high school. Do we remember what happened then? It's too bad you were caught manufacturing and selling Liquid E at the senior prom, and had to loose that full scholarship. If that hadn't had happened, perhaps you wouldn't have had to lie to get the job with the Boys."

"What is she talking about, Meagan?" Nick asked.

"Don't you know? Meagan, here, is an expert at spiking people's drinks. And isn't it ironic that myself and another person in this room suffered side effects on that night, you know what I'm talking about, that have been associated with Liquid E? What are we going to say to that?" Cairo asked, feeling her anger at the entire situation rising.

"Tell her she's wrong, Meagan. Tell her she has the wrong person," Nick said to Meagan. Her face crumpled, and the tears began to flow.

"What about that resume? It's funny, but none of your previous employers seem to remember you, have never even heard of you. Why did you lie to get the job Meagan? And why did you drug me and Brian so that you could lead Nick into a carefully set up little situation, knowing what he would be thinking?" Cairo yelled. Meagan began to sob.

"More importantly, who is this writer that you are working for?" Brian asked, from behind.

"This is all bullshit. I didn't think you would ever pull this sort of thing, Kay," Nick said, shaking his head, unable to absorb what was being said.

"You aren't doing much talking here, Meagan. Tell him that everything I'm saying is true, Meagan. Tell him!" she yelled, getting in Meagan's face, even as she tried to turn away.

"Leave the girl alone, Cairo Williams," a stern voice ordered from behind the group. Frowning, Cairo was certain that she was hearing things. It was not until she turned around that she saw that she had heard true.

A stout old woman had just come out of the study. Cairo began to tremble slightly as she took in the woman's face. It couldn't be real, could it?

The woman was her grandmother. Her dead grandmother.