<em>Like having a dog</em>, Thorn thought to herself on many occasions, not just this one.  She called to him, he came.  When he disobeyed, or simply just took a second too long to follow an order, she beat him.  And when he was good…and her mood was equally good…she rewarded him.  Always like a dog, but not today.  Today he was human…and today she would treat him that way…if only for a few moments.<br/><br/>As he climbed into her lap she smiled at him.  It was the kind of smile she used to give Shadow.  For this moment, Sam was the only thing she had…the only thing left...the only thing she trusted to remain.  Never again would she become weak for a man, not after what Dino had done.  He had fooled her…made her think he had an interest.   when she met him that night he had followed her…then a few months later she heard his voice booming down as she stood at the bottom of the steps.  All those dates, all those late night phone calls, all of those days spent in bed holding each other…all lies…all a ruse.  Never again would she admit to a man that she loved him.<br/><br/>Her hand still resting on the journal, Thorn gently nudged it over to Sam.<br/><br/>“It’s a gift.  For you.  From me.”