By Green

Disclaimer: I don't own the Rachel Morgan series or any of the characters. This fanfic will be Rachel/Al. The third in the series of one shots. I'll give blanket OCC warnings to all. I'm a terrible writer. You've been warned.

All for the Love of One

Chapter 1

I slid out of the leyline with the languid slowness of dripping molasses. Something had rang inside of me, a gleam of knowledge that someone was out there. That knowledge was accompanied by a sharp pain of fear and horror; and then my heart beat, cleanly dividing me from the perfection and joy of the line.

Solid flesh, my soul crafting the memory of my body around me as I dripped down from the everything to the single mindedness. My heart fluttered, my breathing hitched, and I felt at odds with these two realities. On one hand I still felt as if I were the stuff that made up the universe and yet this fear was too real, too fresh, but it wasn't my own.

I had found a way to become one with the lines. The sharp delight of that discovery is still large in my mind. I wasn't certain how I'd done it. Another boring day in the Ever-after, another way to get into trouble. I'd been standing in the line, letting it flow through me unfiltered, and I thought maybe I could step further into the line. I hadn't hesitated. I leaped and was gone.

The whirling warmth of the leyline infused my bones, pumped air into my lungs, until I back in the change of my flesh again. I wanted to weep. I'd been one with the lines, a perfect fusion of mind and will with the power that created everything.

And now I'm alone again, I thought, mourning.

The feeling of that other came back, seeping into the pity I'd felt. Curiosity allowed me to set aside that oneness in favor for this new sensation. In the back of my mind, I knew that worry, or who that worry belonged to. I could taste it o my tongue but the name eluded me.

The dripping energy set me down in shallow pool of very cold water. I sighed, the water doing its part to revive me. I bent double on my knees and coughed, accidentally breathing in the amber-tasting water.

'I am ... where?' I looked around me. I couldn't see all that far in front or around me. A nimbus of leyline energy crackled around me like white-hot sparkles. Beautiful but disorienting as hell.

A familiar warmth of desire stirred in my belly. Yeah, I was coming back to myself just fine. No worries there. Holding energy, manipulating it, had a definite sexual slant since I moved in with Algaliarept. The sparkles turned to pinks and red, probably reflecting my mood.

I groaned. No one knows how to embarrass herself like I do, I thought. It's a real talent. But the air was clearing and I forced myself to the edge of the pool.

I was in a fountain? I took a double take. Yeah, I was definitely some feet above the ground. The fountain was carved with three naked ladies, mouths carved in 'O's that let the water out. Vines and flowers connected each one to the rest in a mimic of chains. Music piped in around us, something oldie that sounded similar to the Beetles, but not quite the same. I'd never heard of them.

'I must be in the Demon Mall.'

The carved naked ladies were almost tastefully done. None seemed to be tied up too much, unless you count the vines, and there weren't writhing about in pain.

I felt the eyes on me, watching, waiting. That first mind was still there but the anxiety had softened. The heart pounding pain was replaced by relief. I leaned against the edge of the fountain, towards the mind. It felt like the whole Ever-after was watching me but I didn't care. Out of the curious glances, a wave of desire rose up in response to my mood. I felt ... Algaliarept.

He stood at the edge of the small lily and koi pool that ringed the fountain. He'd felt me and had come. Of course he had. The idea made me smile. Hell, I was still feeling the warm rush of energy that made my breath catch and other things ... Well, you get my meaning. The lines seemed to resonate with me still, a low humming that matched my heart rate.

He wore an expression somewhere between fear and relief, with a deeper emotion hidden underneath. "Al," I said with a sigh. I leaned against the edge of the fountain. The water had turned my lower legs numb and my teeth chattered but I don't think I could've gotten out just then.

He came over to me, silent still. His anger, his real true anger, was like that. A chilling wind, the calm that terrified me. It was the kind of quiet rage that one finds in those that suddenly snap and go onto roof tops to shoot at passer-by's. When he was pissed, he ranted and raved. When he was furious, he was silent. I fear him the most at those times. This time the feeling of his pleasure at seeing me took the edge off his anger, of which I was grateful. I don't like being scared of him.

His aura reached out to my own with ghostly pale shadows. "Am I in trouble?" I asked, reaching out to him. My own aura seemed to flow down my arm, a gentle breeze of wind.

Al's red goat-slitted eyes widened and I knew he'd felt it too. Our aura's merged, blending and separating seemingly at random. It felt similar to the afterglow of sex, yet underneath it was different. Our aura's had never merged like this before. It took quite a bit of foreplay (admittedly, less that it had in the beginning) to get us to merge like this.

I could feel the difference. What I shared with him beneath the cover was shallow compared to the depths of this. I almost felt like there was a door that could be closed, a switch I could flip, that would connect us if I could only fiddle with it longer. This was natural, more natural than sex. This was the way we should be.

He was unable to keep the shocked expression off his face and a sigh lifted from the gathering demons.

"Rachel," he said and he invested so much wrath into my name that I shivered. He hesitated for a moment and through the new connection I'd found I pressed into him all the experiences of riding the lines. He staggered, drinking it up, eyes locked with mine.

"Rachel," he said again, trying to making his voice stern and push the memory of the connection away. "That was," he drew in a breath and held it for a moment. "That was bloody stupid." He eyed me. "And you're proud of yourself."

One arm hooked in my arm pit and the other under my legs. With a slight tug, I slid out, teeth chattering from the cold. I let him hold me, though under normal circumstances I wouldn't have. Leyline power still curled through my body, leaving me languid and sated. I wasn't even sure I could walk.

With my head against his shoulder, I looked up, lids hooded, my breath hot on his neck. I could see him swallow and felt an answering thrill in my own body as our energy balanced and energy mixed. "I'm in trouble again, aren't I?" I breathed, licking my lips, slowly, deliberately, but not touching him.

Yeah, I'm awful, but I never claimed that I was a saint.

He made a soft sound as he stood frozen. "You could've died," he said, but there wasn't any admonition in his voice. Instead, a soft, weighty shadow of sadness lingered. The certain knowledge that I had been lost and with me took the new life we'd created together. "That's something children do, Rachel. I would've thought better of you."

I sighed under my breath. I was in trouble. I get in more trouble than a hooker in a monastery. It was a knack I didn't want. "I'm sorry," I lied. I'd do it again. I'd go back in right now. I could feel the seductive lure of that pleasure pull through me. I wanted more of it. "But I'm out so there's no harm, right?"

"Most children do that at some point," he said. He carried my over the edge and stepped out of the water. He grimaced as he shook his boots. "Some don't come out." A pause. "You didn't want to come out."

"I felt you," I said. I didn't like the implication of Al calling me a child, even if it was true in their way of thinking. That's the problem with people that are over six thousand years old. Compared to most everyone in the Ever-after, familiars included, I was a child. "I pushed my way out."

More demons appeared around us, either walking up from other parks of the mall or popping in. I looked around and caught Dali staring. He had a strange look in his eyes, some wild emotion I'd never seen save maybe once or twice. My heart caught for a moment and I forced myself to look away. I recognized a few of Al's friends before I stopped looking.

I forced my mind from the crowd and I realized that strange sensation was still floating between us. I thought it had to do with riding the lines but my aura was still blending with Al's. I could feel the tension through his body and knew he felt it too. Our aura's blending only happened during sex and that alone was worth some consideration.

Some small part of me knew I could do something to make this connection deeper, more satisfying, and I knew my body ached for that. Not sex, though I wanted him. I just wanted the intense connection even more.

I touched that part of my aura and mind with his, feeling my way instinctively. "Hm," I said, distant. I felt almost a sigh run through the watching Demons, but I pushed them out of my mind. If I was just a bit more forceful, maybe if I pull his -

"You could've reappeared in solid earth, Rachel." His crisp British accent seemed all the more sharp when I poked his aura.

"I'm sorry," I said again, drawing my bottom lip in to worry at it. The feeling slipped away into the background. I tried to reach out with the intangible but already the leyline energy was drying from my body. Al's own concern and worry had dropped to just the briefest whisper. It was still there but I had no idea how to get at it.

I could've cried. I wanted it terribly. More than anything. Maybe... maybe more than to go home and be welcome back. More than the sun on my face. I don't understand why it left me so suddenly.

I buried my face in his neck, trying to keep the sudden royal of emotion down. At least the passion was still there. "Just take us home, Al."

And he did.

-8-8-

"What were you thinking?" I opened my mouth to reply. "No. No," Dali waved a thick hand. "I realize you don't think before you act, Rachel Marianne Morgan. I've hoped that Gally and time with the charmed silver would've fixed that."

The attractive fifty-something looking demon sat behind his large desk on the dock. He wore a garishly bright red and blue flowering Hawaiian shirt and brown khaki pants. He was classically handsome with a square jaw and dark hair mused about his forehead.

I tangled my fingers behind my back and refused to look at him. My ability to find everything dangerous was legendary in the Ever-after. I'd done worse than just slipping into a line though and I didn't know why they were all upset.

Hell, I'd awakened a small black cube with a touch and revived five shadow warriors from the great war. The havoc they'd wrought on the Ever-after, attacking familiars and slaves alike, had been horrible. Al had been forced to buy a separate store room and go through his rooms to "Rachel proof" them, as he'd sneeringly called it. It had meant less food ('free food' or no) and no addition to the conservatory.

I risked a peek and found his expression matched the anger I heard in his voice.

"I'm sorry," I said for what seemed like the twentieth time today. Al's hand was wrapped lightly around my upper arm. It was a physical reminder hold in my anger. If I've learned nothing else then it's that if I get angry, I get extra time in the charmed silver.

I leaned against him, my big, strong (and evil) demon, and felt comforted. The feeling of our auras merging in more than a sexual way still lingered in the back of my mind, though I no longer wanted to cry for it. It was slipping neatly into the places in my mind that held all the wonderful memories of lost things.

"I don't think she needs charmed silver, your Honorable Ass Kisser," Al said.

They shared a long look, Dali's filled with some unknown emotion and Al's with defiance. He hadn't told me exactly why this was so much worse than anything I've done to date, but the tight set of his shoulders this morning as we were preparing told me this was much, much worse.

"You're only her teacher," Dali said softly.

Al just shook his head and slide his arm around my waist, possessive.

Right about now I'd accept the silver. It seemed the least of my problems. The punishment had been designed to humiliate, Al had once explained. To be helpless, to have to depend on others in simple matters such as jumping between rooms in your own house was too much for one demon to bear.

Yeah, I know. The horror. I don't mind the "humiliation" aspect. I just hated the real helplessness attached.

"Her magical examination is coming up in a week or two," Al said with a lift of his brow. "It would be more detrimental to her if you put her in the silver."

Dali leaned back and steepled his fingers on his stomach. "I'm not so certain she ready anymore," he said. His voice was calm but the faint trembling anger could still be felt. He shifted his eyes to study me for a moment before adding, "that little demonstration doesn't speak well for her... maturity."

I felt the blush come up from my neck and spread heat across my face. "I'm already an adult, remember? You certain think I'm adult enough to - how do you put it? - seduce?" I said, snidely, before I could stop myself. "Why do I have to take it at all?"

I met his eyes, my anger to his own. He cocked his head to one side, as if just now seeming something interesting. I shifted, losing a bit of steam, but said, "It's not his fault. I didn't know it would be dangerous. It was there and I just..." I sighed. "I don't know how I did it so I doubt I could do it again anyway."

Al stiffed beside me. I glanced up at him and found his ruddy complexion had taken on a rosy hue. I closed my eyes. Oh Gods. I'd made a mistake, hadn't I? I should just carry a shovel strapped to my back. It would make digging my grave SO much easier.

"It's Algaliarept job to teach you such things, Rachel Marianne Morgan," and a smile bloomed on his face. "The courts put their faith into his abilities." He paused. "It's understandable that he might forget such a thing," and he made it sound like he anyone could be so stupid, "but he should've impressed upon you the seriousness of our magic by now."

I caught Al's hand with both of my own and squeezed. It was all I could do to not yell at him. That wouldn't help anyone, much less myself, and somehow I felt Al was in more trouble than I. I could feel the tension jumping just under his skin. "I don't want or need another teacher, Dali," I said, trying to force calmness into my voice. "You can't blame Al because I have an innate talent to find trouble."

Dali sighed and rubbed his forehead. "I understand that. We all know what trouble is to you..." He eyed me for a moment, an almost pained expression on his face. "Newt is having a fit over this. She still wants you. None of us want you to go with her."

I blinked and something odd struck me. I don't think he was referring to my having fallen into the line was the reason for Newt's anger. Since I moved to the Ever-after formally, she'd been biding her time, like a carrion bird quietly waiting the end of the battle. I'd almost forgotten her insane need to grab me. But this felt different. I looked up at Al, at his pursed lips and the tight lines of anger on his face, and knew he was in "the know" too.

It left me cold inside. "No," I said, shaking my head. "I won't go with Newt. You can't keep me here." I'd gotten over to reality enough times that both men knew this. There were always ways and where there was a way ... And even if I couldn't, my mother was still alive. Hell, Ceri was still alive.

"Dali -" Al started.

Dali held up his hand and smile grew a bit condescending. "Newt could keep you from finding a line and the first time someone summoned you, Newt would summon you back and switch summoning names. Then she'd probably kill everyone who knew your name or attempted to summon you. Do you understand the seriousness of the situation, Rachel Marianna Morgan?"

"Yes," I said, looking away.

Dali stood and came around the desk. He stopped in front of me and wrapped a curl around his index finger absently. "I might be able to pacify her if you agree to move in with me."

I stared in horror at him. He'd never come onto me, never made advances. I was reminded of the look in his eyes yesterday and I shivered, stepping away and behind Algaliarept.

Al stiffened. "No! That isn't an option."

Dali looked at him then. "Is it better that Newt may get her?" He sighed. "I don't want to remove her from your care. You're an excellent teacher. But Newt..."

Al made a disgusted sound. "She's mine," he hissed. "It's not -"

I squeezed Al's hand, for strength or to keep him to silent, I don't know. "I won't go with you or Newt or any other demon." I wanted to say Al was my demon from the moment he tried to kill me, but I wouldn't. Or maybe I couldn't.

Dali leaned against his desk and cross his arms. He arched a brow in mocking salute. "You are a demon, whether or not you believe it, and you are subject to our laws. I know this is a hard choice. I'm offering you the lesser of two evils. I have enough political clouted to keep you save from her."

I wet my lips, my heart speeding up slightly. I was a demon. I knew that, had come to terms with it. The elements danced in my bones, power sang through my blood, and my soul had been created from the stuff that made the leylines. I was something elemental, beyond human. I could feel the breath of the world in my chest.

"I am a demon," I agreed slowly. "But I'm not subject to your laws. I wasn't even born when they were written." I held up a hand to stop his protest. "And, anyway, I'm not legal yet, am I?"

"You can't have her Dali," Al said, voice soft. His voice ran across me like silk, a deliciously sensual sound no man should have. In that moment, I knew he'd die trying to keep me. He'd always protected me. Sure, he was overbearing and had the tendency to back hand me. Could I survive without AL?

We've been together long enough that he knew my every mood and whim. Sometimes I thought all he had to do was enter a room and he knew what my mood was and how my day was progressing. Even in the best of relationships, that was rare. Maybe it was a demon thing. Maybe not. I didn't want to find out one way or the other.

"Wait," I said, mind racing. I'd just had a thought. "What if I pass this test?" I looked between the two. "Dali wouldn't do anything to fail me and when I pass, Newt will have less a claim against Al."

Dali pursed his lips in thought. "Maybe..." His gaze went out to the horizon. When it returned, he looked sad and whatever that terrible thing was, the thing they both refused to pain, loomed between us. I knew it wouldn't be okay but I couldn't help the hope that lingered in me. "But if you don't, you won't have a choice either way."

"You wouldn't do anything to mess me you," I said, making it a statement.

He shook his head. "And neither will Newt," he promised with a slight smile.

Al gazed down at me and squeezed my hand. His expression was that of a man lost. He sighed and nodded at Dali. "Let's go home then," he murmured, "and start preparing for you... test."

TBC

This is mostly complete. It was supposed to be a oneshot, the final in the series of three, but it kept growing longer and longer (at 13k words right now) so I broke it into three chapters. I might break the remaining two apart too. We'll see. I'll put chapter 2 up in a week or so. I'm still rewriting a major chunk of that chapter and wish to change a bit in chapter 3 so it's not all quite done.

And, of course, R&R if you like. =) Reviews are writers candy. XD