After putting Ailene to bed for a nap, Christie powered up her laptop and connected the phone cord. Callie watched anxiously as she connected to the internet and did some very odd things. Looking up at her friend, the blonde smiled and explained. "We don't want anyone to know this is coming from Hope Island, so I have to bounce it around the bit. You see this?" She pointed at the screen. Callie nodded, clearly puzzled. "Well, I'm hacking into a university in Australia. It has a large arts program including film making. When I'm done, it will look like the inquiries are coming from a student there."

Callie nodded, then shook her head. "Why?"

"We have to do this slowly and... organically. As Joey Rogers, I'll start searching the internet for information about special effects companies, names like Manex and Pixar and ILM."

"Okay, but how will that get us the information on Rollie Tyler?"

"Eventually, Joey will encounter a reference about Tyler FX and Rollie."

"Huh? Rollie?!"

"Rollie Tyler, wizard of the FX. Rollie had a reputation as one of the best independent special effects experts in the U.S. and since he also happens, er, happened to be Australian..."

"'Joey' will be curious about his fellow Aussie and go looking for information?" Callie looked questioningly at Christie. Her mind was still trying to process the information that Daniel Cooper, a minister from Southern California, was an Australian named Rollie Tyler who did special effects. It was mind boggling!

"Yep, it's a natural progression and connection since 'Joey' is interested in going into special effects. That way I shouldn't trigger any real alarm with any watchdogs when I start looking for Rollie Tyler."

"Oookay, I guess I can see that." Callie looked out the window. "This is going to take a while, isn't it?"

"Yeah, I'm afraid it is, Cal. I'm sorry. I know you want to know faster, but I will not risk leading those... people," Christie said it in a scathing voice, making it sound like a curse word, "back to Daniel. They've done enough harm!"

"Whoa!" Callie raised her hands in surrender. "I agree one hundred percent!" She frowned as she remembered how pale and hurt Daniel had appeared. She sighed softly. "Well, while you're working on that, I guess I should get to work too. I have a paper to put out."

"That's a good idea, Cal. I'll yell when I get something. Do you want that information about John Masterson now?"

Callie nodded. "Yeah, give it to me. I won't use it in this issue, but I can start to work on the story."

Christie dug out the copies she'd made and a diskette with information, passing them over to the dark haired woman. Callie, her expression determined and serious, sat down to work up the next issue of the Lookout, including an article about Reverend Daniel Cooper's unexpected collapse.

Daniel Cooper woke slowly from his nap. The first thing he felt was hunger. For some reason, that surprised him. Suddenly, a rush of memories roared up and he froze, holding his breath, waiting. When the remembered pain didn't accompany them, he relaxed slightly. Yes, his head did hurt, but not unbearably so. Somehow, this time while he slept, his mind had sorted the odd doubling of his memories into - well, not a cohesive, coherent set, but a bearable whole. Daniel suspected it would take more time to really sort everything out, but they no longer threatened to overwhelm him. He relaxed even more and yawned. A movement at the door caught his eye and he saw Doctor Watson looking in. When he smiled at her, she nodded and turned slightly, speaking to someone he couldn't see.

A moment later, the door burst wide open and Boris walked in, closely followed by Dylan.

"Hi Boris, Dylan," Daniel greeted softly.

"Boris bring broth for Reverend Cooper to eat. Not good to grind in dirt."

"Uh, that's to get run in the ground, Boris," Daniel corrected the Russian gently. "I've already promised Doctor Watson that I would behave."

"Is good!" Boris smiled as he dished up the broth. He took a sack from Dylan and pulled out fresh bread sticks.

Daniel sniffed and smiled. "That smells delicious." He looked at Dylan who was looking everywhere but at him. "Dylan?" He saw the boy jump slightly and frowned. "Are you mad at me?" Daniel asked softly, his tone sad.

Startled, Dylan looked up to meet Daniel's unhappy expression. He frowned, then relaxed a bit. "No, not really, Reverend Cooper, not if you promise you won't do it again." He tried to say it the way his mother would, trying to keep his words firm and determined.

"I'll try," Daniel promised solemnly, managing to smother the smile that Dylan's words and tone brought. He wondered if Alex knew Dylan was trying to act like her now.

Dylan nodded his acceptance and smiled at his friend. "How do you feel?"

"I'm much better. I'm also hungry!" He looked plaintively at the table that Boris was putting the food on.

"Should be hungry! Missing meals," Boris growled softly, "eat, eat!" He moved the tray table so it was in front of Daniel.

Daniel didn't need any more encouragement. He dug in eagerly, offering to share the fresh bread sticks with his visitors. Dylan willingly accepted one, but Boris stood back, his arms folded, watching as the minister ate. Daniel smiled at the man. "This is very good, Boris. Thank you."

"You are more than welcome. Boris is glad to feed his friend." Boris nodded to affirm his statement. He was very glad that Daniel was there to feed. The stories had been truly scary.

"Reverend Cooper," Dylan asked around a mouthful of bread, "what about the service tomorrow? Will you be able to preach?"

Daniel felt his anxiety rise at the question. He didn't want what was happening to interfere with his duties. The decision wasn't his unfortunately. What if Doctor Watson said he couldn't? What would he do?

Seeing the minister was disturbed by his question, Dylan was quick to try and reassure him. "Molly said we could post a notice if you can't. It'll be all right, Reverend Cooper." He touched his arm and left his hand there, finding his own reassurance in the firm, warm feel of the arm.

"I... don't know, Dylan. We'll have to ask Doctor Watson." Daniel answered, his face clearly troubled.

"Did I just hear my name?" Doctor Watson walked in, moving briskly.

"Um, will Reverend Cooper be able to preach tomorrow?" Dylan asked solemnly, his brown eyes serious.

Doctor Watson looked at her patient. She could see he was concerned about her answer. Remembering his promise to listen to her, she thought carefully. Reaching out, she felt his pulse, then checked his eyes. "Well, I suppose he can if he promises to take it easy." She caught his eyes with hers. "I mean that Daniel. I don't want you trying to do things too soon. Give yourself a chance to recover."

"Thank you," Daniel said in relief. "I promise, Doctor Watson." He smiled at her gratefully.

"Good. And this time you won't try to do everything after I let you back to full duties. I don't have time to be treating people who should be healthy. I have enough patients without any help." She said the words seriously, but there was a twinkle in her eyes.

"Yes, Doctor Watson!" Daniel responded with alacrity, a matching spark of humor appearing in his own eyes. He didn't want to be the doctor's patient again either. She was one of the nicest doctors he'd ever met, but he really preferred not needing one. Remembering his old life, he wondered how he had lasted as long as he had without arriving in her waiting room. Being Daniel Cooper was obviously a good influence on him. The question now was if he was going to go back to being Rollie Tyler, trouble magnet, or if Daniel's influence would continue to bless him. He watched as Doctor Watson chased his visitors out and sighed.

"What's wrong, Daniel?" Doctor Watson returned to his side.

"Nothing really. I'm just a bit bored."

"You should get some more rest." Doctor Watson fussed with his blanket.

"I don't think I can," he answered apologetically.

Now it was Doctor Watson's turn to sigh. She really should have expected this considering how active Daniel normally was. She wasn't ready to release him yet though. Before she could think of a solution, they were interrupted by Father Mac.

"Hello?" Father Mac stuck his head through the door. He smiled warmly at Daniel. "I just wanted to see how Daniel was doing, but I can see you look fine now. Much better than on the dock." He nodded approval at the doctor, ready to attribute the younger man's recovery to Doctor Watson's fine care.

"Yes, but I'm afraid he's bored now," Doctor Watson told the priest.

"Really? Well, perhaps we could play a game of chess?" The gray haired priest looked from doctor to patient.

Daniel's eyes lit at the thought of playing against his fellow cleric. He turned hopeful eyes on to Doctor Watson.

"Well, all right." Doctor Watson smiled. "It will at least keep him out of trouble for a while. I'll find the chess set. Be right back." She soon returned and left her patient and his visitor concentrating on the board and their next moves. The doctor closed the door behind her, relieved that Daniel was distracted by the Catholic priest. She remembered what Daniel and Christie had said and had to wonder how Daniel felt about it. What would he do now? She tried to imagine how she would feel if someone had erased memories of her real life, replacing them with those of another one and simply couldn't. It was just too far outside of the realms of her imagination. She doubted if anyone could truly feel what Daniel Cooper or, more accurately, Rollie Tyler must be feeling at this moment.

Ailene was now awake and playing peacefully on the floor, patting Blue and making soft sounds that were almost words. Callie looked from the toddler to where Christie was working. She was surprised to see the tears running silently down her face. "Christie? What's wrong?"

Christie started and looked up from the laptop. "Nothing." She rubbed her eyes. "Well, you wanted to know about Rollie Tyler. Look at this." She turned the laptop slightly away from her so Callie could see it as she joined her.

This proved to be an article from the New York Times. There were pictures of people somberly dressed. She recognized several of them, including the actress from the big summer box office. Something Scott... Lucy? No! Lucinda Scott! She read the headline.

The movie industry was shocked and saddened by the death of Rollie Tyler, master of special effects, and his assistant, Angie Ramirez. Together, they were Tyler FX, one of the most talented independent special effects companies in the United States. Yet, the world has lost more than the genius of these two talented people, for they have touched and saved the lives of thousands of people. How you say? Then listen to the story of a selfless man who came to New York City and made his name in the competitive world of special effects. Listen to the story of a man who risked his own life time and again to do what he knew was right, sacrificing his safety for the sake of others. Rollie Tyler was well known to the New York City police, first as a suspect in a car bombing, then as a friend. Strange as it may sound, it was Rollie Tyler who helped the police when they had no where else to turn and needed cutting edge technology and a limitless imagination. As more criminals went high tech, there was no way for our police to compete with their limited budget. Rollie Tyler never really got to make a big budget movie, but with his skills and genius, the skills of Angie Ramirez and vivid imagination, he brought big budget effects to the smallest budget movies. He used these same talents to help the authorities in many cases. Not just the police, but the FBI and even Interpol benefitted from his firm belief in justice and doing what was right even at the risk of his own life. Where many turned aside and didn't want to get involved, Rollie Tyler walked boldly forward and offered his services. Frequently, Angie Ramirez, daughter of Manny Ramirez, was at his side. I have found in the course of writing this story, that this man and woman have even saved my life and the lives of many who live in the environs of New York City. But let us begin at the beginning.

Rollie Tyler, born in the Northern Territory of Australia, came to the United States with his father at the age of 16. Two years later, he performed his first stunt, a simple fight scene in a forgettable Z movie. Four movies later, fast reflexes and cool nerve brought the teenager to the attention of Miles Bobb, a producer of B movies. He hired the young stunt man to wreck cars for the movie "Gangster Alley". It was here that the fates intervened and Rollie Tyler met Manny Ramirez, a Cuban exile with his own special effects company. Manny Ramirez was a respected special effects artist and he saw something in young Tyler, some spark of genius that told him this young man had what it takes to be a F/X man. He took the young Australian as his apprentice and accepted him into his home and his small family consisting of himself and his 11 year old daughter, Angela. Rollie Tyler thrived under the veteran F/X artist's attention and quickly proved his worth. Together, they made special effects magic until Manny Ramirez's tragic death 7 years later during the course of making a movie for Nick Breen. Rollie Tyler inherited Ramirez FX, renamed it Tyler FX and continued making special effects, making his own name and place in the industry. He hired Angie Ramirez upon her graduation from the University of New York where she mastered computers and the latest in computer science. With Angie Ramirez at his side, the movie industry found there was nothing that Rollie Tyler and Tyler FX couldn't accomplish. Rollie Tyler became known worldwide as a Wizard of the F/X.

If I were to list the credits of Tyler FX, I am sure you would recognize several names. You might even find a movie that you've enjoyed, but won't admit to, as if hiding a secret addiction from your friends and family. "The Martian From Moscow", "Jungle Fever", "Cliff Hanger", "Wind Diver", "Eye Of The Dragon", "Earth Doom"... "Earth Doom". It was during the course of this movie that Rollie Tyler and Angie Ramirez first came to the recognition of local law enforcement as allies. You may recall the bomb threats of Wayne Harmon and the 7th Brigade. For the first time, I reveal some of the untold story behind this case. The police found the massive car bomb in the parking garage of the Hasse Building and disposed of it in the East River. How they found the bomb is a tale worthy of a Hollywood action adventure flick. Detective Leo McCarthy, the police officer who had investigated and cleared Tyler in an earlier case of, ironically, a smaller car bombing, turned to Tyler for help in finding Harmon's bomb before it could explode in the heart of Manhattan. With the assistance of the cast and crew of "Earth Doom" and several friends from his stunt career, Rollie Tyler wove a master illusion. This illusion was created for the sake of one man, Mark Harmon. Quite simply, Rollie Tyler made Harmon believe his bomb had exploded, wrecking havoc in the heart of the Big Apple. Once convinced, Harmon spoke out with his beliefs and the location of the bomb. Hundreds were saved, all because of a F/X man and his friends. An adventure worthy of a blockbuster movie - yet it was real.

Other cases followed, some small, some large. Lives were saved and changed. Car theft rings were broken up, drug dealers taken off the streets, thieves caught, terrorists were arrested and brought to justice, assassins were stopped - all with the help of Tyler FX. Other notable cases where Tyler's efforts led to saving even more lives involved nerve gas, the bane of modern warfare. One such case threatened Manhattan, but once more Rollie Tyler and Angie Ramirez acted to help and actively stop the release of toxic nerve gas. The officers involved say they will never forget the sight of Rollie Tyler riding the canister of nerve gas beneath a police helicopter. Yes, I said riding it while dangling beneath a helicopter, to destroy it just before its timed release in an open air explosion on yet another movie set. So, I say thank God and thank Rollie Tyler and Angie Ramirez, because I am alive today due to their actions that day. A life worthy of a Hollywood movie, but who could possibly play these people? Who could make us believe that these unrealistic lives were real? A movie? No, it would take a whole series to cover the real life adventures of Tyler FX!

Tragically, Rollie Tyler died at the hands of an international terrorist. Angie Ramirez soon followed at the hands of the same man. On January 16th, the old brewery that was home and studio for Tyler FX was destroyed in a massive explosion. Rollie Tyler was critically injured. The building next door was also severely damaged, but was empty at the time of the explosion, the owners visiting family. When a friend on the New York City Police Department went to notify Angie Ramirez, she was found in her apartment severely beaten. Both actions are attributed to Victor Loubar, suspect in the assassination attempt on the Chinese trade delegation on December 8th, 1997. Police reports indicate that this case was at least the second time Rollie Tyler encountered Loubar. Tyler and Ramirez are credited with saving the trade minister's life. Loubar is also suspected of arms dealing, homicide, industrial espionage, sabotage and grand theft. He is on record as wanted in at least 23 nations worldwide. Rollie Tyler died of his injuries on January 30th, 1998. He never learned of the assault on Angie Ramirez who died three days later on February 2nd.

The double funeral was attended by representatives of the NYPD and FBI, as well as many members of the movie industry both from in front of the camera and behind it. Among the notables attending was Lucinda Scott, star of the hit movie, Matrices. Rumors indicate that Ms. Scott occasionally helped Tyler and Ramirez when they assisted police. She was one of the actors on the movie, "Earth Doom". Representatives of the Chinese Trade delegation attended as well.

Marvin Van Duran, Captain of Detectives at the Midtown South Precinct, read posthumous commendations for

Callie stopped reading, unable to continue because of the tears filling her own eyes. She looked somberly at Christie and compared her to the picture of Angie Ramirez that accompanied the article. Her hair was shorter and a different style now, but she looked very much like the woman she had once been. Looking at the picture of Rollie Tyler holding a spidery looking robot, she found she simply couldn't make the connection to the long haired man with the big, boyish grin and Reverend Daniel Cooper. They looked a lot alike, but it just didn't want to click.

Callie sighed softly and wiped her eyes. "It's hard to believe they're the same man," she commented softly.

"Which is why it's the perfect cover," Christie answered. "If it wasn't for the way they've lied to him..." She trailed off, her eyes straying back to the monitor.

"It does make you wonder."

Christie touched the mouse, enlarging one of the pictures. She bit her lip as she looked intently at it.

"What is it?" Callie asked sympathetically. How hard was it? To walk away from a previous life. To leave behind friends and family and know you can never look back. How hard was it? She couldn't imagine it.

"I never realized," Christie sighed deeply and looked deeply into Callie's eyes. Blue green eyes capturing and holding rich brown ones. "I never really realized how many people Rollie helped before, how many people he saved - How many I helped because of him. Look at them! Every one of these people were there at the--the funeral because we... Because Rollie helped them. Every one of them!"

Callie looked at the huge crowd, slightly stunned. "All of them?"

"All of them! Some of them, sure, they were friends too. But he--he helped them, all of them, when they needed it. I never really thought about what he did in relation to that, to the people. You know? I always thought about how he was risking his life to--to help the police, to help these people. But that wasn't the point. It was never the point! I thought he did it for the thrill, the kick of being on the edge. But it wasn't... The point was he was helping people! Friends, strangers, it didn't matter to Rollie. He just wanted to help them. They needed help and he gave it just because they needed it and he could." She looked down, clasping her hands together in her lap. "I accused him of playing Batman once. But he wasn't. He wasn't playing. He wasn't being Batman, the hero or the vigilante. He was just helping people." A fresh tear ran unnoticed down her cheek. "I think I owe him an apology."

"I think you might be right," Callie said very softly. "It must be hard..."

"Hard? To apologize?"

"No, I think it would be easy to apologize to Daniel. I think he would accept it with grace and love and go on. I mean it must be hard to--to leave your family and friends behind. But especially family. I don't get along that great with my family all the time, but they're my family and I love them. I couldn't imagine having to just... leave them without a word like... like you and Rollie did."

"No, Callie, it wasn't that hard." She smiled at her new friend and looked back at what she had and had lost. "Not at all. Yes, it would be hard to leave family behind, but... Rollie Tyler was my family. I didn't have anybody else. We, I had some good friends, but... Without Rollie, it didn't really seem to matter as much. Most of the ones I was close to would... just remind me."

"Remind you?"

"Of him. Of what I had lost or thought I had lost." Christie smiled as she stood and picked up her daughter, tickling her tummy and giving her a kiss. "My mother died when I was pretty young. Sometimes, I can't even remember what she looked like. My... My father died almost seven years ago. He... Fortunately, he gave me Rollie Tyler first." Christie smiled warmly, a bright light in her eyes. "He kept me sane after Dad died. He kept me together, looked after me, mothered me, fed me. He loved me and he gave me someone who needed me."

Callie looked slightly puzzled at the blonde's emphatic statement.

Christie shook her head and chuckled. "Rollie needed me. Me! He needed someone to love, just as much as I did. He needed someone to care for, just like I did. He... He needed someone to love him, to take care of him. To make sure he got enough sleep, that he didn't forget to eat, that he didn't burn his tongue because the tea was too hot, that he didn't overdo it when he was hurt or sick. He... He spent too much of his life alone, Callie. Rollie can't live like that for long. Not and be happy. Rollie needed a family and so did I."

"What about Rollie's family? His father... Dingo?"

"Dingo. Well, Dingo is certainly different. He's not a very satisfactory father." Christie smiled at a memory. "Not that he didn't love his son. He does! He loves Rollie very, very much. He just... Doesn't know how to be a father. It's not in his make-up and Rollie learned to accept that. Oh, he was very unhappy with Dingo sometimes, but not as a father, not really, not after he understood. It was because Dingo had a tendency to get in trouble and, unlike his son, it wasn't for noble reasons usually." She looked at Callie again, then touched Ailene's soft curls. "So, Rollie had Mangela for a father as well."

"Man..gel-a?" Callie tried the strange name and looked curiously at her guest.

"Mangela." Christie nodded firmly. "Mangela is an aborigine elder, one of The People, the Yamatji. He looked after Rollie a lot when Dingo wasn't there. Which was frequent. Mangela taught Rollie about The People, about their history and legends. He taught him their ways. Mangela taught Rollie things that most whites never learn." She grinned. "I bet there are quite a few anthropologists who would love to know the things Rollie learned, but he'll never tell. When it comes to the ways of the Yamatji, Rollie is as close mouthed and mysterious as Mangela is."

Callie nodded thoughtfully. Yeah, she could see Daniel not talking about things. It was one of the reasons he was a good minister, he knew when and how to keep a secret. "What about his mother?"

"She died when he was young." Christie frowned thoughtfully. "There's something strange there. Something Rollie isn't telling anyone and I don't think it's just because of Luther Cale."

"Luther Cale?"

"Luther Cale was a ... half-breed? Anyway, his mother was one of the Yamatji and his father was white. I don't think they know who. He was jealous of Rollie, of the time Mangela spent with him, so he..."

"He what?" Callie prodded when Christie trailed off.

"He tried to kill Rollie. He lured him to the top of Kata Tjuta with tales of the Dreamtime. He told him that his mother was there, that she was waiting in the Dreamtime to say good-bye to her son. He..." She took a deep breath. "He pushed Rollie off the mountain and left him there."

Callie looked shocked. "What happened?"

"Rollie broke his leg. He was in the desert for three days, three days! He was all alone, hurt, with no food and no water. He almost died before Mangela and the others found him. When Mangela found out what Cale had done, he was banished from the tribe. Dingo came back from wherever he was at the time. After Rollie was released from the hospital, Dingo took him away and Rollie never returned to the tribe."

"He never saw Mangela again?"

"Of course, he did! Mangela came by from time to time to visit. He was always getting into things when he visited and taking Rollie with him." She chuckled. "No wonder Rollie attracted trouble. Both of his fathers were trouble magnets. It was only natural for him to become one too."

"It must be hard on them - on Dingo and Mangela."

To Callie's surprise, Christie threw back her head and laughed. She laughed long and hard. "He knows! I bet you anything, Mangela knows! He knows Rollie is alive and he probably even knows where he is. He probably told Dingo too." She shook her head. "No wonder I couldn't find Dingo in that mob," she finished pointing to the picture. "I thought it might be because they couldn't find him in time, but I bet that sly, old reprobate, Mangela, knew all along and told Dingo his sonny boy was alive."

Callie was really puzzled now. "How? Do you think Rollie contacted him and told him? Those people don't sound like they would allow that. Wouldn't this Loubar be watching for something like that?"

Christie sobered and looked at Callie. "I can't explain it. Somehow, Rollie always knew when Mangela was there. It gave me the creeps. He would be doing something and suddenly stop, getting this distant look in his eyes. Then he'd open the door or pick up the phone and dial home and there would be Mangela. He never missed either. I don't know if it was Rollie or Mangela or both of them together, but it never missed."

"You mean like telepathy or a premonition?"

"Yeah, I guess. I read up on Australian aborigines when I was a kid, right after Rollie first came to work with Dad. I was curious because of his stories. I... The few books I read said that it was believed that they, the aborigines, were telepathic, that they could send messages over great distances." She shrugged. "I don't know how true that is, but there was certainly something there with Mangela. And of course, I could never get a straight answer from Mangela. I think he's constitutionally opposed to giving straight answers. He likes being mysterious."

"Rollie never explained it?" Callie asked.

"No. I ..." Christie frowned slightly as she thought about it. "I'm not sure if it was because he was uncomfortable with it or if it was because he didn't know, but he didn't or couldn't explain it either."

"When you told us that Daniel was half-raised by pagans, I wasn't really expecting magic."

Christie chuckled again. "No, I guess you weren't." She looked around. "Do you have a color printer or a black and white?"

"Color. Why?" Callie felt a little dizzy at the way Christie changed topics.

"I want to print this stuff out for Daniel to look over. I wonder how different it is from what They told him."

"Oh. Are you going to look some more?" She watched the blonde connect the printer to her P.C., configure it and start the print.

"Not right now. I don't want to seem too curious."

"Could you check that story I asked you about?"

"Sure. Let me logoff and start a new session. No need to raise flags by going in a direction that's out of character for 'Joey'." Christie broke her connection. As soon as the print was finished and she'd save the story to a folder on her P.C., she emptied her internet cache and history. She was about to sign on again, when Callie interrupted.

"I think this time we better use my P.C.. Nobody should think anything of me doing this again. I've already been there once and nothing happened."

"All right." Christie followed Callie over to her desk and watched as she logged on to the internet. Soon, she was back at the web page with the story about Daniel Cooper's mysterious disappearance and his father, Cliff Cooper. Christie whistled softly. She'd suspected that Daniel Cooper had been a fake, as much of a lie as what they'd told Rollie about her. He'd just seemed too convenient. Now, it appeared he wasn't. She'd heard of Reverend Cliff Cooper. She'd even seen him on television when she was channel surfing. She'd never stopped to listen, but she knew what he looked like. "So, Daniel is real!"

"Do you really think so? How can you tell?" Callie looked eager. Whatever she picked up from Christie now would be useful later. She hated having stories with inaccurate information.

"Well, for one thing, Cliff Cooper is too well known to fake his son." Christie stared intently at the pictures with the story. "Man, he really looks like Rollie! I never would have believed it. How did you find this, Callie? Researching Hope's latest resident?"

"Sort of. It was when Stella, Daniel's now ex-wife, showed up. I knew there was a story there, so I set out to find more information. That's what I found."

"You stopped there?" Christie looked curiously at the dark haired woman.

"Well, yeah! That made a pretty big story. I never got back around to do anymore checking." Callie sat back in her chair. "I wonder if it was Daniel or Rollie that actually married Stella."

"Daniel," Christie stated automatically.

"How can you be so sure? Daniel said he was drunk when he did it."

Christie laughed. "Definitely Daniel then. Rollie didn't get drunk often, but when he did, he either got happy or broody depending on his mood when he started, but he never really lost that much control. Oh, I could see him waking up in bed with an almost stranger, but I couldn't see him marrying her first. He would be wide awake and sober for that!"

"You sure have faith in Rollie."

"Always," Christie answered softly. "Let's see if we can find more pictures of Daniel."

"Okay, girl friend." Callie stood up and let Christie have her chair. "Should I go away again?"

"Nah, this shouldn't take too long. We don't have to hide you. It's only natural you check up on Daniel from time to time." She pulled up a search engine and entered Cliff Cooper's name, then sat back to await the results.

"Why Cliff Cooper?"

"He's more famous so there will be more on him and since Daniel is his son, he probably appears in some of the stuff on him too, including some of the  pictures." She grinned wickedly. "Besides, don't you want to know more about Daniel's father?"

"Oh yeah!" Callie grinned at the thought. Even if Daniel wasn't really Daniel, it still made for interesting research. She wondered if she would ever get used to the dual identity of Hope's minister. It made her head spin thinking about it. What if they did find something? What would they... No, what would Daniel do about it? Would he flee Hope? She hoped not. Daniel Cooper, whoever he was, belonged on Hope Island. They needed him! And he belonged here. Wasn't that what Rollie Tyler needed? To belong somewhere, to be accepted totally for who he was, not his past or his name, for him? Surely, he had found that acceptance on Hope. But... What about Christie? What would she do? There didn't seem a place for a research librarian on Hope. Would Daniel want to be with Christie and Christie with him? If it was safe, that is. Could they make it safe? Wouldn't Christie want a father for Ailene? When she'd mentioned her friend, and it had to be Rollie she had been talking about, she had said he would have been a father for her baby. Would Daniel want to be Ailene's father more than he wanted to be Hope's minister? Thinking about it made her nervous and afraid. She didn't want Daniel to leave. She didn't want ... But what was best? What was best for Hope Island? What was best for Daniel? And Christie? And Ailene? Who needed Daniel more?