"Krista! You look great!" It was a major change, brightening and maturing her face with the shaping.

"Marta, you're a wizard! Wonderful job, thank you so much!!" How she got her to sit still long enough to do the needed clipping, I have no idea, but the new look was enough. Coloring would not be needed, other than perhaps some skin-darkening... her years inside had made her complexion pasty. A little good quality self-tanning lotion, which I had bought, would darken her skin tone some, and make her a whole new person.

I had gotten some clear, brown-eyed contacts for myself to hide the normal cold blue, and had gotten two pairs for Krista; one plain brown to hide her green, one for the revenge itself, black devils in a red background.

Chester and I had done a lot of talking; he was spooked by Krista, and so was Marta. Both thought her to be quite sexy and attractive, but her personality was rather off-putting. I explained about the effects of the medications she had been forced to take, and how they would take time, perhaps weeks, to wear off. We talked further, mostly man-stuff and updates on my various businesses and political circumstances.

"War? It's STILL going on? What is Congress thinking of? Oil prices over $125 a barrel? My oil holdings must be paying dividends like crazy! And my buddy Boone Pickens is promoting solar and wind??? I can see I have some emergency catching up to do."

Carrying-in caused several trips, putting-away longer still. I had checked on the owner of the cabin through my business manager by phone on the trip back. She said it belonged to an elderly couple with no family, and would quietly buy it from the estate by the next day through a dummy corporation as well as my stream and cave. It was too damn pretty to be 'developed'. My new satellite phone would work anywhere it was clear, so I had communications and internet anywhere. The computer I had purchased was the best laptop WallyWorld had in stock, but it was not a Mac. I would cope.

Once all the goodies were stowed, I sat down with Krista.

"Marta and Chester will be leaving this afternoon; she has to get back to her salon, and he to his Harley dealership. I think it might be nice if we thank them for getting us out, don't you?"

"Beyond that, thank you and I'm proud of you for letting her do your hair. It really looks pretty! I bought you some clothing and stuff, cosmetics and shampoo and such. Hope you like them." I thought for a minute, deciding how to address the next one.

"Krista, I got you something else, something special. I don't know how you'll feel about it, but I got you a ring and a necklace to wear, along with some pierced earrings to wear. I saw you had holes, but nothing in them. Hope you like silver and emeralds..." There had been a jewelry store across from the tire shop. "It's just a plain, every day necklace and earrings. It's just real. And the ring is a 'friendship' ring, so you know I care even when I'm not right here next to you." I slid it on her finger, and waited for a reaction.