More Than Just A Kiss

Disclaimer: Only things I own are Tora and Etana as well as a few minor characters.

Sometimes the smallest thing can change a life. One moment, and a world can change for ever. Even the best laid plans can fail and the repercussions can be terrible... Or wonderful. A second chance for two people who've had far too many chances. Maybe that's the way it's supposed to be...

I know I'm dying. It's not a nice feeling, having your own body turn against you. Especially when you've looked after your body the way I have. No drugs, pretty much no alcohol except when I really can't stand life anymore, regular intensive exercise, although my nose has been broken more times than I care to count. I've survived more explosions, fires, wars and witch trials than I want to remember. At one point, I had the Black Death. I've lived for so long; I've forgotten more than most people will ever know. And I'm dying of a disease twenty times worse than the plague, a thousand times worse than being burnt alive. So I'm going to die today. I keep telling myself, it's not suicide. It's sacrifice. I'm giving my life, what little there is of it anyway, to save my species. For good or bad.

I finish the last letter, seal the envelopes with wax. I hate those pre-glued ones. I know it's silly, but it's just me. I have lots of little quirks like that. I hate using electric cookers. I'm fine with gas and have a flair with an open fire but put me in front of a heated element and I panic. I suppose I'm just too old to learn new tricks. I close the door and move slowly down the stairs. Two months ago, I would have been all the way downstairs by now. But my joints ache and moving hurts. Is this old age? So many of my friends have died of that. Actually, most of my friends have died screaming something along the lines of 'ETANA, HELP ME!' but I try not to think about that.

Then I feel the constriction around my chest and I want to scream NO because I have to get down there, have to get that syringe. My hands start to shake and I know I'm about to enter one of my debilitating seizures. And the black crowds around my eyesight.

Then it clears and I'm lying on the stairs, wings twisted under me, body moaning in protest. I pull myself up and allow myself the privilege of a groan of pain. Then I limp downstairs, managing to crawl into the lift to the lower levels. Pressing the button, I pull myself upright and cling desperately to the railing. How much my old enemies would love to see me like this. I'm surprised Grandfather hasn't paid me a visit to gloat. He's probably waiting until I'm so weak I can't even move and then he plans to come to me. To steal my last breath.

Beast looks up.

"Etana, what are you doing down here?"

"I heard about the cure."

"Yes. I'm making refinements and then we'll have you healthy again."

I smile.

"Good. Can I see it?"

Hank points to the desk.

"Don't touch it. I don't want you dying on me. They'll accuse me of injecting it into you."

I freeze.

"Hank, where is it?"

He bounds over.

"What?! Oh my stars and garters, someone's stolen it!"

I feel a clutch around my heart that's nothing to do with the Legacy Virus.

"PIOTR!"

Hank freezes then leaps over to the communicator on the wall.

"Cyclops, get to Colossus now!"

I know they won't get there in time. But I might. It's a far cry from the death I'd hoped for, flying in the breeze. But maybe if I can wrestle the syringe off him for long enough, I can inject it into myself. I teleport instinctively, forgetting how weak I am. Hank's scream is the last thing I hear before I leave the beautiful light and Piotr's lying in front of me, spread-eagled on the floor. And then the blackness crushes me and the last thing I can do is whisper to the dead boy.

"That was supposed to be me…"