Chapter Ten: The Passing of the Torch

Austin, Texas- September 19th, 2007

Years passed. Mark hadn't heard Serenity's voice in his head since the night she'd brought him back, almost ten years before hand, which was nice. His relationship blossomed and fell apart, like a rose in winter. He and Sara had been married not long after he'd been resurrected, and had added two more little girls to their family. Gracie and Chasey, his youngest and most obnoxiously cute children yet. He also had three grandchildren now; Carter, Gunner and Cassie's son, Hailie, April's daughter who had surprised everyone by actually being alive when April had told her family that she'd miscarried, and Elaina, Anna and Scott's daughter. His family was rather extensive now, and he was letting his life effect theirs. Anna and Scott's marriage had broken down, though they were on the mend now, April was a divorcee with a chip on her shoulder and Gunner was smoking more pot than a hooker on pay day. So here he was, in some dive of a bar in his hometown, a glass of whiskey in one hand and his face flat against the bar top.

The sad part was, he couldn't even get drunk anymore. Whatever damage he did to his stomach and liver with how much liquor he consumed was null and void when his rapid-healing came into play. The affect didn't last long enough to enjoy either, as his body expelled the toxins in his body as soon as they were absorbed. So when he tried to drink to forget, he managed to remember even more things that hurt, like the fact Sara had asked for a divorce and full custody of the girls. The divorce he understood; Mark was more self-destructive than a typhoon right now and he wasn't exactly the nicest person to be around. Even his co-workers avoided him these days, whispering to each other that he was turning into a grumpy grandpa who would shake his cane at anyone who even bothered to look at him when he walked past. The custody battle he also understood, to a lesser extent; he was on the road three hundred days a year, putting his body through hell just to entertain millions of people around the world. He barely had time to make himself some toast or play with his dogs, let alone look after his daughters, so he let her have them, as long as he could visit while he was in Texas, which she thankfully had agreed to.

Beside him were the divorce papers, finalized and ready to be returned to the courthouse to be put through the system. It would have been a lot harder if Mark had made it that way, but the fight wasn't worth it because he knew he was going to lose. So he let it go, realizing his battle wasn't with Sara anymore, or Serenity for that matter. It was with himself.

The bartender came over and placed down another glass of whiskey, probably knowing exactly how Mark was feeling right now. Mark downed the glass in his hand and put it on the bar top, hearing a clicking noise from behind him. He turned his head, just in time to see Sara walk in, Gracie held at her hip, being only two, and Chasey holding her mother's hand, her five-year-old eyes looking around the bar, curious. When she spotted Mark, she ran over to him and into his outstretched arms, happy to see her father after so long. He held her close and kissed her forehead, smiling. He was happy to see her, considering he probably wouldn't for a long time after this.

"Figured I'd find you in here," Sara said, walking over to them. She had a scowl on her face, as if she expected Mark to be face-first in a pile of cocaine. He scowled right back.

"Taking the edge off before I head over to the hospital," he retorted, malice in his voice. He didn't want to start a fight with Sara in front of their kids, he refused to do so.

Sara seemed to take the hint because she tapped the stack of paper beside Mark.

"Are they signed?"

"Signed, sealed and drowned in my blood, which seems to be what you want."

"Mark..."

"I know." He did know exactly what she was talking about. He was instigating the fight this time, and he refused to leave that image on his kid's brains. They had endured enough of their fighting over the last year, so much so that he really didn't want to expose them to more. He stood from the bar and downed his last glass of whiskey in one shot, leaving a fifty dollar note on the bar. He waved to the bartender, indicating he wanted him to keep the change, and bent down to hug his daughter properly.

"Daddy, do you have to go?" Chasey said, curling her arms tight around his neck. He felt a knot build in his throat from that question. He swallowed it back down and gently pulled his daughter away so he could look her in the eyes. Her big green eyes stared back at him, innocent and vulnerable. He smiled softly and kissed her forehead.

"I don't want to, Chase, I want you to know that. But I have to go, otherwise Sissy April will never forgive her dear, old Dad."

"I don't think she will in general," Sara whispered, loud enough for him to hear but not Chasey. He looked up at her and scowled. Not here, Mark. It isn't the time or place to set your ex wife's head on fire. He stood, letting Chasey go.

"Are you going to let me hold my youngest or do I have to pry her from you?"

Sara rolled her eyes, handing Gracie over to her father. She reached for him, balling up a wad of his hair in her tiny fist, kissing his cheek. He smiled and kissed her forehead, holding her close.

"Daddy loves you, little-one," he whispered. She grinned at him.

"Love daddy!" she cheered, pinching his cheeks and pulling him in. She smothered kisses all over his face, her way of saying I Love You. He grinned and kissed the tip of her nose, smirking at the giggle that came out of her.

Reluctantly handing his daughter back over to her mother, he kissed Gracie and Chasey one last time and waved goodbye, heading outside into the crisp autumn air.

Mark strode along the sidewalk towards the hospital. Taking his truck would have been faster, but he needed to feel the thud of his boots on the concrete and hope the air would cool his temper. So far it grew with the pace of his walk. Why did Sara have to start a fight in front of his daughters? It was bad enough she'd started an argument in public, but in front of them was uncalled for. If he hadn't sold his soul all those years ago, he probably wouldn't be having this problem, but that opened a can of worms he was not ready to open again. He'd never gotten the chance to ask Serenity what would happen if his mortality was restored, and maybe that was a good thing. She had given him so much whiplash that night he was lucky to have gotten out of there with just a stab wound and not a broken neck.

By the end of his walk, he was on the second floor of the hospital, walking out of the elevator and heading towards Xander's room. Xander was April's boyfriend of two years, and Mark didn't like him at all. He'd had to accept Xander in his daughter's life though, despite his past of kidnapping and rape. Mark felt it in his bones that some day Xander would slip from his 'road to redemption' and hurt her, probably enough to cripple her for life. But for now, he was on his best behavior, showing Mark his good side.

Mark smirked as he turned the corner; he wasn't an expert in reading people, and he refused to use his telepathy on people anymore, lest he read something they didn't want to share. He understood privacy and secrets better than anybody, as he kept his deepest, darkest secret hidden from everyone. So if Xander really was showing his best side to just Mark and leaving everyone else in the midst of an intense game of Guess My Nature, the Deadman had no idea. He decided to let the chips fall where they may, letting the world play out as it did. He chose not to get involved anymore.

He stopped just before Xander's room and felt himself grow cold. April, Anna, Scott and Gunner were there, along with Lara, Elaina and Xander's daughter, Jodi, but someone else was with them. She stood at six foot two, the same height as his children, with long black hair, its under growth dyed white. She had green eyes, freckles and a set of full red lips. She looked identical to April and Anna, though Anna's dyed-red hair made her stand apart from her sister.

Mark swallowed back his pride as he saw the look April gave him when she spotted him. If looks could kill, he'd me pushing up daisies. Her eyes narrowed as she scowled at him from down the hall. The newcomer turned and smiled politely, watching as April stepped up to her father. He prepared himself for what was coming, either a slap in the face or a punch in the stomach, probably both, depending on April's temper. As it turned out, he was right. She punched him in the stomach and slapped him across the face, letting him drop to his knees at her feet. He growled, not at her but at himself. He'd been lying to himself for years. Worst of all, he'd been lying to his kids.

Jodi hadn't had April, Anna and Gunner the day she'd given birth. she'd had Abbigail as well.

But was it lying if he didn't know the truth?

"Liar!" April shouted, shoving her father onto his backside. He looked up at her and watched her temper flare. She was way too much like Serenity when she was angry, and they hadn't even met each other.

"I didn't-" he started, only to be shut down when April slapped him again.

"You told me a long time ago that Abbi died," she seethed, glaring daggers at her father. He looked up at her, seeing the rage burning in her eyes. Scott had come up beside her and was holding her arm, as if to stop her from attacking him again. He smiled sympathetically at his would-be father in law as he climbed to his feet. "Yet here, she is, Dad. Why didn't you tell us? Why did you lie to us?"

Mark ran a set of fingers through his hair and tried to find the words. How to explain this to someone who was a ball of rage?

"I didn't know, alright? I had no idea." He looked down the hall to Abbi, who was smiling softly at him. He smiled in return. "Welcome to the family, Abbi."

"Happy to finally be here, Dad," she said, her southern drawl coming through loud and clear. She must have grown up in Texas, around people who had the deep accent, instead of his family, who had moved around so much that their accents were scattered. Mark was the only one who'd retained even a hint of his southern drawl, as he'd left Texas in 1987, two years after Jodi had died.

He was about to hug his long lost child when April stepped in front of him, blocking him from walking towards the rest of their family.

"How could you not have known?"

"I left the hospital when we found out Abbi was a still born, so did your mother and you three. If we were ever told at all, I have no memory of it, okay? Now can I please hug your sister?"

April growled, stepping away and towards Abbi, gently touching her arm. Where April's fingers had been left a gold tinge, four perfect prints. Abbi seemed to notice as she turned towards her sister, who stood beside Anna with her arms curled tightly around herself. She then looked back at Mark who shrugged, not knowing what was going on.

"Miss Calaway?"

April turned at the sound of the doctor behind them. She was a tall, dark-skinned woman, her hair tied up in a tight bun. Doctor Andrews was her name, and she was a specialist in the cancer ward of the hospital.

"Yes?" April answered, her voice wavering. Doctor Andrews smiled and pulled her aside, speaking to her low enough that no one else could hear. Mark couldn't help himself though, he listened in; knowing he could hear the conversation from all the way down the hall.

"I'm sorry, there's nothing we can do to help Mister Levesque. His right lung is on the verge of collapsing."

"Can't you do something, a transplant or some kind of surgery."

"I'm sorry, Miss Calaway, but no. He's too far in to be helped. I would say your goodbyes now."

As Doctor Andrews walked away, April dropped to her knees and openly wept. This wasn't something Mark was used to seeing. The last time he'd seen April cry was when she'd gotten pregnant at sixteen and had to leave everything behind. She hid her emotions well, well enough for her to never cry.

Before Mark had the chance to console her, Abbi and Anna were right by her side, their arms wrapped around their sister as she let everything out. Mark bawked. His three girls were engulfed in a beautiful silver light, illuminating as they sat curled around each other. He looked just above them and almost had a heart attack. There, smile on her face, stood his beloved Jodi, as beautiful as she was the day she left them. She smiled sweetly as silver sparkles swirled from her fingertips, surrounding the girls in front of her. She looked up and saw Mark, tilting her head and smiling even more. He barely had time to read her lips before she disappeared as quickly as she'd appeared.

It's time for them to face their great destiny. Our girls, our three beautiful witches, have a long road ahead of them. Teach them.

Mark blinked.

Apparently he wasn't the only one to notice the little light show. Scott had darted to Anna's side once it had subsided and pulled her to him, staring at her like she'd grown a second head. She blinked, smiling at him.

"I had a feeling this day was going to come," she said, looking at her sisters. Abbi smiled and helped April to her feet.

"The Lyn line has always been magical. We're good witches, born with special powers to help people. And now that we're finally together, we can save the world," she said, looking at April.

April held her arms, looking at the ground as if she was going to cry again. Abbi smiled and kissed her forehead.

"Does that mean I get powers too?" Gunner asked, looking at Mark. His father shrugged, not knowing what the hell was going on. Why he and Scott weren't as fazed by this as he thought they would be was a mystery. Maybe, somewhere deep down, they believed in magic.

"Sadly, no, Gunner. The magic only gets passed down to women," Abbi replied, smiling softly at her little brother. He pouted then shrugged, his disinterest clear.

"No skin off my nose, I get to live a normal life while you three save the world."

"Xander first."

It took every one a few seconds to realize who the croaky whisper had come from. April looked up, her gaze connecting with her older sister's. Abbi cocked her head to the side, her brow furrowing with confusion.

"Xander first or I'm outta here. I don't want to save the world if he's not in it."

Always the defiant one, Mark thought, watching this all unfold.

Anna reached out for her sister's hand, curling her fingers around April's. Abbi looked at them both and nodded, heading off towards Xander's room. They followed closely behind her. Scott and Gunner, both incredibly confused, stared after them. Mark chose this moment to dash after them; maybe they'd need his help.

"We're fine without you, Dad," April seethed, throwing a glare his way before turning into Xander's room.

The machine's next to him beeped softly as he stared out the window, his dark hair messy and stuck to his face. He turned slowly when the girl's walked in, smiling when April ran to his side and held his hand. He looked like a walking corpse with sunken eyes and paper-thin, pale skin. The last time Mark had seen Xander, he had been a glowing ball of energy. Not literally of course, but he had just been told he was signed to EMI Records, one of the biggest recording companies in the country, and that he and the Rejects, his band, were to start work on their first studio album as soon as possible. Now here he was, lying in a hospital bed, waiting for his timer to click down to zero.

And there's nothing I can do about it, Mark thought to himself as he watched the girls interact.

"The doc says I'm too far gone to be helped," he croaked, his throat probably feeling like it was on fire. April sniffed, holding his hand to her cheek.

"We can save you, baby," she whispered, kissing the palm of his hand. He smiled back, reaching with his other hand to gently wipe away the tear that had trickled it's way out of her eye.

"This is my punishment for everything I've done. There's no saving me this time," he replied. A harsh sob escaped April's throat as she held onto her love's hand as tight as she could. He leaned over to kiss her on the forehead. "I love you, Angel."

Mark felt the room grow cold as Xander's last breath slipped away, the machine beside him flat lining.

"If you're going to do this, do it now," he said, his girls turning to face him. "The Angel of Death waits for no one."

"It just so happens I have a spell ready to go," Abbi said with a grin, reaching into her jacket pocket and handing a slip of paper to Anna. "This is the protection half of it. The other half is up to April."

April took a deep breath as her sisters started chanting.

"Love and light, protect thee, as we will it, so mote it be. Love and light, protect thee, as we will it, so mote it be."

On and on this went. Mark's senses picked up on the warmth spreading through the room, entranced by the golden light that floated down from above. April shook her head, looking up at her father.

"I can't do this," she whispered, holding Xander's limp hand close to her heart. He smiled softly at her.

"You're a Calaway, April; of course you can."

April's lips formed a thin line as she turned back to her lover. He was limp and growing colder and colder as the seconds ticked away.

Love and light, protect thee, as we will it, so mote it be. Love and light, protect thee, as we will it, so mote it be.

The golden glow grew, allowing for the spirits of their ancestors to join them. Mark stepped back into the doorway, out of the glow's reach. He was consumed with dark powers, evil ran through him like a virus. If the light touched him, who knew what would happen.

Love and light, protect thee, as we will it, so mote it be. Love and light, protect thee, as we will it, so mote it be.

"From the heart, April," Mark said, catching April's lost stare. She looked up at him again. He smiled in return. "You can't get it wrong if it's the truth."

Love and light, protect thee, as we will it, so mote it be. Love and light, protect thee, as we will it, so mote it be.

April turned back to her beloved Xander, holding tightly to his hand. She reached her free hand up to tuck his fringe back into the rest of his hair, showing off his near-transparent skin.

"Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm. For love is stronger than death," she said softly. She didn't appear to notice it, but Xander's left hand began to glow, just above the first knuckle of his thumb. Mark watched closely as an intricately drawn 'A' with three tiny stars surrounding it appeared on his skin in gold ink. In a handwriting that he knew all too well; it was Jodi's loopy scrawl. He smiled, tilting his head to look back at his daughter as tears slipped from her eyes.

"Whither my love, wherever he be, through time and space take my heart nearer to thee."

As she said these words, her finger started to glow in the same fashion as her boyfriend's. This time, a swirly 'X' with a rose behind it appeared, except this time in silver ink. Mark smirked.

"Return my love, wherever he be, through time and space, bring him back to me."

Her sister's stopped their chanting at this point, allowing the golden glow that had filled the room to fade away. April blinked away the tears before leaning up to touch Xander's face, brushing his hair softly.

"Baby?"

Mark could feel his magic swirling as he looked at Xander. Was April's love enough to save him? Is that all it would take to return him to them in one piece, the same as before? He could feel his eyes turning black as his magic built, forming like fire in his hands. He sent a tiny piece of his immortality to Xander, letting it land on his head and sink in.

Behind the roar that had built up in his head as his magic did, he heard a deep growl. He had no idea who it belonged to, but he figured it wouldn't be good.

How dare you?! Serenity's voice rang in his head like someone had let firecrackers off right beside him and he crouched down in pain, holding his temples. That was not your magic to give away!

Maybe not, he thought in return, using the wall to help him back up, leaning against it for support. But it's not my powers you want. It's my soul. Whatever I give to him, you can torture out of me when I go.

The growl faded away as he blinked, his eyes returning to their natural color. He turned and looked at his girls as they watched in shock as silver light surrounded Xander. The color soon returned to his face and his muscles returned to their normal size. Mark watched as the sheets rose and fell with Xander's breathing. His eyes jerked open and he sat up as fast as lightening, looking around the room like someone had stabbed him with a cattle prod. He turned, looking April dead in the eye.

"Angel?"

Mark smiled to himself as he left the room, his last memory of the resurrection of Xander floating through his mind. Xander throwing his arms around April and Anna, holding them close as he realizes exactly what's happened; he's been given new life, a second chance if you will.

I have officially passed the torch, Mark thought, heading down the hallway to the elevator. Now it's Xander's turn to take care of them.

Time for him to focus on the one thing he'd been trying to do for the past several years since his deal had been renewed.

How to stop Serenity from claiming her payment.