PART FOUR

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She can kill with a smile

She can wound with her eyes

She can ruin your faith with her casual lies

And she only reveals what she wants you to see

She hides like a child

But she's always a woman to me

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She can lead you to love

She can take you or leave you

She can ask for the truth

But she'll never believe you

And she'll take what you give her, as long as it's free

Yeah, she steals like a thief

But she's always a woman to me

*

Oh-she takes care of herself

She can wait if she wants

She's ahead of her time

Oh-and she never gives out

And she never gives in

She just changes her mind

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And she'll promise you more

Than the Garden of Eden

Then she'll carelessly cut you

And laugh while you're bleedin'

But she'll bring out the best

And the worst you can be

Blame it all on yourself

Cause she's always a woman to me

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[Always a woman – Billy Joel]

*

Zoe and Cliff were having one of their semi-regular discussions about the latter's religious experience, “I wish I could show you what I saw, what I heard, eh.”

Zoe gave Cliff one of her very direct looks, “First and foremost, I'm a soldier.”

“I know, whairapau.”

“So, what I can see, feel and shoot at is what I understand. Saw Mal lose his faith right in front of me in that valley. Never really had any, above believing in Mal to get the job done.”

“I understand that...but this...this wild, beautiful thing... I guess you could call it 'god' if you like, eh. It's deep love, music, harmony,” he smiled, “even sex.”

Zoe's lips twitched, “Had a feeling that would come into it.”

“I still adore you. That won't change. I just see and hear...deeper music. The stuff that underlines everything, like a golden thread going through the whole 'verse.”

“You ain't gonna preach at me, are you?”

Cliff shook his head, “Wouldn't dare! I can now at least understand how people like Buddha or Yesu burned so bright with the music of the 'verse, eh. Can't switch it off. Still figuring out what it means to me. I just might sound a lot like River somet