A/N: All right, because I'm going to be busy tonight, you all are lucking out and getting chap. 18 early in the day ... I hope you enjoy it!

Hopefully this will answer a few questions you all have been positing over the last few chapters. Remember, everyone heals in their own time ... whether they're four or 21.

Thanks to Leiasky for being so awesome - oh, and for beta-ing too!

Keep those comments coming ... they're like a cool breeze on a hot day!

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A NEW DAY, ch. 18: Emotional Release

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Simon was anxious to speak with his mother. After calling the hospital and having to send the staff tracking her down, he waited now with barely contained nervousness for her to appear before him on the screen.

It had been almost a month since they had rescued Rylee and while Simon and Kaylee’s initial relief at knowing she was safe had outweighed just about any questions or concerns they’d had, for Simon, his questions, his need for answers, was quickly on the rise again.

And he needed an answer to this – he needed to know, just as he needed air to breathe or food to eat what had happened to his father. Simon wanted to believe he had died in a spectacular explosion, his body blown apart and scattered to the winds, even while another part of him believed he was suffering somewhere, his agony prolonged and torturous. But regardless of his belief, he needed to know the true outcome.

With a wink, the screen blinked off from its idleness and Simon watched as his mother’s concerned face faded into view. Smiling to him sadly, she said, “Hello, Simon. Is everything all right?”

Nodding once, he told her, “Yes, we’re all fine here, thank you.”

Noting his clipped tone and determined set to his jaw, Regan cocked an eyebrow to him and asked, “Are you all right?”

Not wasting any time, Simon held her gaze and asked firmly, “What happened to father?”

Regan inhaled sharply at his question. She had honestly hoped she’d never have to tell him, hoped that in his relief at g