Before he even opened his eyes, Daniel could sense something was different.  It felt as if he were finally free, some immense weight lifted from him.  Opening his eyes he saw the dark ceiling of the warehouse, looking around he recognized the young woman kneeling beside him, tears of grief staining her beautiful face.  He reached over to comfort her, but before his hand made contact, someone else was kneeling on his opposite side.  Words were exchanged between the two women and suddenly he felt himself being whisked away.

Instantly he was in a hospital.  The Elf called for the attention of the emergency medics, and soon nurses and doctors were all around him frantically yelling acronyms and rushing him toward the operating room.  

Daniel sat up and tried to protest that he was okay, but they ignored his pleas.  Finally, to prove his point he sat up straight, dangled his legs off the moving gurney, then hopped completely off.  Standing there, he held his arms out wide.

"See," he said, exasperated. "I'm okay."  But the scene before him made his heart stop.  The doctors and nurses were still rolling the gurney toward the OR, and his body was still on it.  Speechless and motionless, he stood in the hallway, his eyes following the implausible scene that was taking place.

"It's all right, Daniel," a soft voice said.  "Do not be afraid."

Daniel turned to face the woman standing beside him.  Her long wavy hair was the same sandy color as his.  Her bright, deep blue eyes seemed to sparkle, and her warm, knowing smile made him believe her words.  She was more beautiful than he remembered.

"Mom," he managed to whisper. The emotions that flooded through him at the sight of her completely overwhelmed the disbelief of the preceding events.

Her smile increased as she put a hand on his shoulder.  Instinctively Daniel threw his arms around her, hugging her as he had wished to do for more than twelve years, ever since her death.  The embrace he felt returned sent a tear down his face. 

"I've missed you," he whispered.

"I know, son." She petted his hair softly.  "But this is just a visit."

Daniel pulled slightly from the embrace, a look of puzzlement on his face.

"You are still living", she explained.  "You've been critically injured, but you have not yet been called to pass." She smiled softly.  "Go," she urged him on.  "You must follow."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Daniel's mother met him in the OR, and during the two-hour operation, she told him that his spirit would remain outside his body until it awoke from unconsciousness, and that she was here to tell him so. 

Daniel cringed as he looked over the doctors shoulder to see the hole in his own abdomen, just above his belly button.  Excalibur had missed his spinal cord by less than an eighth of an inch, broken one rib, punctured his intestine in three places, and nicked an organ.  The beeping of the medical machines and the concerned voices of the medical professionals made him uneasy, but he believed everything his mother said.

Seeing the nauseated look on her sons face, Mrs. Erikson led him outside the OR. 

"Don't worry," she said.  "I didn't like watching myself either."

He looked at her with realization on his face.  "I... Mom, I'm so sorry.  I didn't realize you had gone through this too."

"Oh," she said concerned. "I didn't mean to bring up hard memories for you.  I was just trying to empathize.  It's been a long time since I've been back among the living."  She looked around them as they walked down the long hallway.  "There are some things I miss."  She smiled lovingly at her oldest son.  Then her eyes turned to a young blonde woman who sat sadly in a waiting room.  "And some things I don't."

Daniel's eyes fell upon the lady as well, but his face didn't hold the emotion of pity his mothers did.  It was full of concern. 

"Sally," he whispered as he walked across the empty waiting room toward her.  "Sally," he bent down on one knee in front of her, placing a hand on her knee, "I'm right here."

"She can't see or hear you, Daniel," Mrs. Erikson told him. 

"You don't know her like I do, mom," he said.  "She was there when this happened to me.  She'll blame herself.  She may put on a front for everyone else, but inside her self-doubt eats at her.  She needs to know everything will be all right."

"Daniel," his mother beamed at him. "You surely did turn into a great man to care so much for this girl."

Daniel looked from his mother to Sally.  "I wish she knew how much I cared for her.  I wish that were enough for her."

Daniel's mother gently put a hand on his shoulder.  "Someday it will be, but she has to decide when.   There is much yet she has to learn before she is ready."

Daniel smiled slightly.  "I used to think I was a patient man."

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Watching the nurses wheel the gurney into the hospital room gave Daniel the chills.  It was unpleasant for him to see himself lying motionless.  He watched in sympathetic silence as Sally cautiously walked in and took his hand as she sat next to the bed in a chair that looked anything but comfortable. 

"How long is she going to have to suffer like this?" Daniel asked aloud.

"This isn't about her suffering; it's about your recovery," his mother informed him in a soft voice.

"I would think you'd be one who knew what trauma it is to watch your loved ones grieve."

"Daniel Roosevelt Erikson," she used that harsh tone that meant he had crossed the line. 

"That's a name I haven't heard in a long time," he said surprised.

"You shall use it again one day."  His mother's face softened and she put an arm around him.  "I know you had it rough, Daniel.  But this is for the best."

An hour later Mrs. Erikson looked up as a young man with black hair entered the room.  Her face was filled with emotion as he sat on the arm of a chair next to the blonde woman. 

"Look at him," her eyes were filled with tears.  "His hair is so long." She covered her mouth slightly with her fingers.  "He looks just like his father."

Daniel put an arm around his mothers shoulders.  He couldn't help but get a bit emotional himself; he hadn't seen his brother in twelve years.

"He said he was leaving SECRET.  He's found a way to escape them."

Tears of relief and happiness began to flow freely from the bright blue eyes of the older woman.  "I've waited for so long for a moment to see you two boys again.  My heart has never soared more than it has tonight.  And now to know that Friedrich's out of that agency's grasp."  The boys' mother sighed with relief as a burden was lifted from her soul.

She turned to Daniel.  "I will return in awhile.  I have other business to attend to while I'm here."  He hugged her again and watched as she faded into the air.

- - - - - - - - - -

As the hours passed, Daniel sat and listened to his brother's story. 

"Rick?" He said aloud, although no one could hear.  "You're her Rick?"  Daniel pondered the thought.  So he was only getting close to her to get to me.  "I feel so stupid."

He wasn't surprised to find that all through the past years, Free had been trying to reunite their family as hard as he had.  It had been hard work to recreate a docile replica of the three-leaved fern rose.  But by the telling of the story, he was proud that no one but himself could tell the plant was no more harmful than a tulip.

He was slightly amused, and a bit disheartened, as the young woman squirmed when Friedrich described how in love she seemed to be with him.  Although it was true that deep inside he wanted this girl to be his forever, and his mother's words had encouraged him, but it seemed impossible.

After the story the two left; Daniel could tell his brother had another of his cunning plans again.  He remembered how the boy had always managed to stir up trouble during their childhood.  Daniel watched after them as they walked down the hall.  He didn't want to be alone with his body; it made him feel very uneasy.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

He sat for a moment, then was startled when he turned his head and realized his mother had returned.  She was not alone; there was an elderly woman with her.  Although Daniel had never seen this grandmother figure before, he felt as if he knew her.

He looked at his mother, who smiled and nodded slightly.

The old woman looked as if she were proud of him.

The boy has grown into a fine man.

The old woman spoke in a soft gentle voice, as if her words traveled lightly on a warm summer breeze.

He shall blossom as a brilliant ranger. 

The woman then stretched out her hands toward the ceiling, as if in praise, her face upturned.

May a gentle sun bring you warmth and light

May you drink fresh rain and no longer thirst

May your roots find dark rich soil

May you be strong as oak yet humble as the willow

For you are the keeper of the Earth

She looked directly at Daniel now, she seemed to be smiling softly, and her pale green eyes almost glowed.

Grow in peace, Ranger.

Instinctively Daniel nodded solemnly.  "Grow in light," he replied.

His mother smiled and then both women disappeared.

Daniel was unsure of what had happened but he had only a moment to ponder it before a young woman with a long braid stuck her head into his room.  Then Tonya retreated back to the rest of the crew that had come to check on him, wondering where Sally was.

It was an interesting experience to see the faces of his friends when introduced to his brother.  Apparently the Others were on uncomfortable ground around the reformed SECRET agent.

- - - - - - - - - - -

After Free had excused himself, Daniel listened to the sad news of his fate.  "Less than 5%?" he questioned.  If his mother hadn't told him he was going to make it, he himself would have given up.

He was sad to see the girls get shooed from the room, and again he was left alone, with himself.  He tried to focus on something else. 

The flowers were a wonderful and thoughtful gift.  They really brightened the room and filled him with warmth, deep in his abdomen.  There was a rainbow of tulips, carnations and daisies, a few daffodils and orchids, and more than five dozen roses.  Daniel smiled to himself; They must have bought the whole gift shop downstairs.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Daniel jumped slightly as the window opened from the outside.  He was relieved and surprised to see Sally crawl through the window:  the room was on the third floor.  He stood to go across the room and help her in; but as he reached her, he remembered he could be of no assistance.

Dutifully, she crossed the room and sat down next to him again.  Daniel noted how tired she looked and was not surprised when she fell asleep, her head resting on the mattress next to him.  He wasn't aware of the loving look on his face, but recognized the rise of the emotion within him. 

"Daniel," he reprimanded himself.  "You're just friends."  He sighed awkwardly.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Although it was late, Daniel didn't feel tired at all.  He had felt wonderful all day.  This out of body experience, or whatever he was going through, seemed to lighten his spirit and he felt great. 

He was relieved to see his brother arrive again. And although he was sad to part from her company, he was glad Free had sent Sally home. 

As Free sat alone with him, Daniel watched him.  It had been more than twelve years since the two brothers had spent this much time together.  He didn't have the emotional investment that Sally had, so although he seemed concerned, he didn't hang about the figure in the bed.  Daniel thought he appeared slightly uncomfortable.  His little brother began to pace around the room.  But soon he sat down again, and somehow fell asleep sitting in the chair.

After a while, as the sun began to rise, Daniel began to feel uncomfortable, he stretched, but as he did so he felt a pang in his stomach.  "Ahh!" he said aloud. 

Just then Friedrich awoke.  Daniel thought for a slight instant that the man had heard him.  His piercing blue eyes searched the room then focused on a vase of fading daisies.  He sadly placed them into the trashcan, then uttered words of encouragement as he left.

And once again, Daniel was left, awkwardly alone. 

Daniel stood; he had been sitting on the empty chair next to his brother.  But as he did so, his abdomen gave a retching motion that caused him to double over.  He toppled to the floor and gasped for air.

Suddenly there was a comforting hand on his shoulder.  His mother had appeared and was standing over him, sinking to her knees.

"Mom?" he questioned, pleaded.  He didn't understand.  She had said everything was going to be okay, that he wasn't going to die.  "What's happening?"

His mother's eyes were filled with concern.  "You're okay."  Her eyes now searched the room as if she expected to see someone.  "You're just experiencing some of the aftershocks."

The pain had left, and Daniel sat up on the hospital floor. For a fleeting moment he considered it odd that he couldn't feel the coolness of the tiles.  He looked back at his mother.  "Aftershocks?"

"Sometimes your soul will take on part of the pain the body is feeling, in order to help with the healing process."  She was explaining, but her eyes kept searching the room.

"What's wrong, mom?" he asked, scared of the answer.

She gave strong smile, shaking her head as if the notion of something being wrong was absurd.  But the smile did not extend to her eyes.

"I know that smile," Daniel said sadly.  "That's the smile you gave dad and I when Free was taken.  That's the smile that..." he began to choke up, "that you used to tell dad you were getting better."  He bit his lip, trying not to think of those hard times.

"Something went wrong, Daniel."  She was speaking softly yet sternly as if trying to explain bad news to a child.

"But you said..."

"Shhhh..." she said. "There's something I have to tell you.

"There is a moment right before you die," his mother explained. "When whatever you think of, whomever you think of, your soul is instantly transported to wherever there may be. 

"For me it was my family.  I saw Simon crying by my bedside, but couldn't comfort him.  I saw you sitting in the garden, your hands buried up to your wrists in the mud created by your tears.  But I could not tell you that you would be okay.  I saw Friedrich sitting alone in a starchy hotel room, studying SECRET training.  I tried to tell him that I loved him, but he could not hear me.  Because I could not communicate with you, I thought those moments were wasted as I died. But later I realized that those simple moments remained with me, and I should have cherished those fleeting seconds. 

"So when this time comes for you, use it wisely.  Simply let them feel your love.  That is the only way to communicate it."

"I'm... I'm going to die?" Daniel asked in simple way. It seemed inevitable.

"It may come to that."  She looked at him sternly.  "I have to leave you now.  Don't go anywhere until I return." 

Suddenly the hospital door opened and Daniel turned to see the group from the Mansion come in.  As he turned back, his mother was gone.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

As time passed Daniel began to feel more and more uncomfortable.  His stomach began to churn as the pain intensified; and he felt as if his intestines were being manhandled. 

He found it hard to breathe. He seemed to be hot all over.  Then suddenly one agonizing stab of pain jabbed into his abdomen as if he were being skewered on the sword again and his vision blurred with steamy tears and he seemed to hear a high pitched squeal.

This is it. I'm going to die. And Sally doesn't know I love her.

"Boy," came a soft gentle voice.  "Why are you crying?"

He looked up at his mother and ran his hands over his eyes as the pain ceased suddenly.

"Remember what I told you?"

He looked around and realized they were standing near the edge of a house, a small house, but a nice one.  They seemed to be in the back yard.  Daniel noticed the trees and small bushes. Then his eyes focused on the two people.

He felt a cold lump slide into his stomach as he recognized the girl.

His mother looked at him, concerned.  She placed a hand on his shoulder.  Then suddenly they were back in the hospital room.

His mother looked around.  The doctor and nurses were still trying to stabilize him. 

"Who was that woman?" he looked over at his mother.  "That woman with the green eyes.  It was if I knew her."

Mrs. Erikson's expression looked surprised.

"She was a keeper of the Earth, a Ranger.  The last of her kind."  His mother looked sad now.  "I was sent to take her home, but she wanted to stop and see you.  I kindly granted her wish."

"But she called me a Ranger... am I one too?"

"Daniel, honey, she was an old woman... 105 years old..."

"Mother, am I a Ranger?" he asked again, rather persistently. 

"She had heard about your work with plants, and wanted to meet a colleague..."

Daniel's gray eyes narrowed and he took a step back.  "It's not like you to avoid questions.  Who are you?"

His mother frowned.  "Usually it's easier when I appear in a form that's not so threatening.  I thought your mother would suffice, giving the circumstances, but apparently the charade is not good enough for you."  The faux mother shook her head.  "I am an angel of Death." 

Daniel stared, not knowing what to say.  Then the figure before him changed into a man he didn't know; a plump graying middle-aged man with neatly trimmed monchew in a tweed suit. He looked like a professor.

"Does this make you more comfortable?" he asked in a gentleman's accent.  It had been unsettling for Daniel to hear his mother speak the words 'I am an angel of Death.'

"Where's my mother?" he asked.

"She wasn't even suppose to come to you... she has broken a few rules.  When she found out I was posing as her, she took it upon herself to intervene." 

Daniel smiled in spite of what was happening.

"And despite her futile attempts, you no longer live."  He gestured to the bed, where the medics were now clearing away their life saving equipment.

Daniel cocked his head.  "Attempts? ... To save me?"

"She thought you might have the makings of a Ranger in you.  So she brought Mrs. Verta Hodel Ufgaten-Stradavich, who's spirit happened to be passing while yours was in limbo, to evaluate you."

"She said I'd make a fine Ranger."

"No, she said you would blossom into one.  I am sorry but you cannot do any blossoming while you are...." He gave grin as he gestured again.  "I don't make the rules."  He stepped closer and put a hand on Daniel's shoulder, looking him fully in the face.

"Daniel Roosevelt Lairdlot, parentheses, Erikson, end parentheses.  You are..."

"Not dead!" Daniel turned to see his mother standing beside him once more.  "He is not dead."

The angel of Death put his hand out as if to calm Daniel's mother.  Then he cocked his head as if hearing interesting news.  Then he turned back to Daniel's mother with his eyebrow cocked as if he just realized something.  "I do not know how you did it...."

"One soul in exchange for another."

He shook his head in disbelief. 

"If you let this boy live..."

He looked back at Daniel and sighed. "Your mother is an amazing soul, always thinking ahead."

He turned and walked away, fading as he did so.  "All this work for nothing." They heard him say as he vanished.

Daniel turned to his mother, confused.  "What do you mean, 'one soul in exchange for another'?"

"Don't fret, Daniel," she smiled lovingly.  "Just sit down, and lie back."

Daniel sat down on the bed and began to lie back on himself. 

"I don't want to leave you, mother." His eyes pleaded with her.

She smiled lovingly at him, and brushed his bangs away from his forehead with her fingers.  "You have so much more to accomplish, Daniel.  Do not fear.  Just relax."

Mrs. Erikson brushed her hand against his cheek as she began to hum a tune that seemed so familiar to him.  He felt himself becoming heavier and heavier. He could hear his mothers voice began to sing as it faded.

If you dream you're a Ranger

Caring for this Earth

Remember love and hope

Were present at your birth

I hope that just like me

All your dreams are true

'Cause angel when I dream at night

I always dream of you

It was as if he were awakened from a fitful sleep.  He gasped for air.  He blinked and saw Sally's teary face staring at him, her mouth agape. 

He smiled weakly, and in a raspy voice managed to say, "Miss me?"