"Reflection"

The Present

Around nine months had passed since the day that Jedda and the Defenders had last seen Rachel.

Stars were shining over the capital kingdom of Mongo, and most of the citizens had retired for the night.

A dark blue hue spread through Jedda and Krotan's bedroom, casting its glow across the huge rectangular chamber.

Upon realizing that the little one in her arms had fallen asleep, Jedda placed the child down on a soft cushion — laying him in a crib right next to his sister's bed.

Jedda planted a soft kiss on Lowe's temple, then placed another one on Vera's sleeping face.

After she'd finally managed to stop watching the kids, Jedda walked to her bed and found Krotan fast asleep as well. She stripped down to the nightgown beneath her robe, then nuzzled herself against Krotan's bare chest.

Whenever the two of them reached a new phase of their lives, Jedda found herself reflecting on how it had all begun. While glancing down at Krotan's ring, she thought back to their very first night together.

Several Years Ago

Jedda lay still in her new husband's arms. Krotan had drifted off to sleep.

Just yesterday, the two of them had been enemies. But tonight, somehow, they'd become husband and wife.

Finally.

Jedda had long been aware that this was Krotan's dream, and, for some reason, she herself had sensed that it would happen in time.

She just hadn't expected it to happen today. All of a sudden, they were legally married. According to Krotan, they always would be. And deep within her mind, Jedda knew that this was true.

She wanted to be angry. She wanted to be spiteful. Her head told her to leap out of bed, pull a sheet over her body, and slouch within a shady corner somewhere.

Instead, she found her hand circling along Krotan's chest, her foot nuzzling between both of his, and her face nestling against his neck.

Since escape wasn't an option, it appeared that there were only two choices available: She could be his prisoner, or she could be his wife. At present, she didn't exactly feel like either. She wasn't quite sure just what she was feeling. All she knew was that she'd been fighting her attraction to this man for a while, and there was a sense of relief in finally letting go.

Jedda closed her eyes and inhaled his scent. Her husband smelled strong and masculine.

It felt odd to use those labels — husband and wife. Yet for some reason, it felt strangely natural as well.

She'd once heard that when a super-villain expresses attraction toward a super-heroine, it means that deep down, he wants to become a better person. Deep down, he still has some goodness within.

Jedda had seen hints of that tonight, prior to their lovemaking. She'd witnessed a side of Krotan that she'd never seen before. A side that she'd long been waiting for.

Jedda paused amidst her thoughts, then flashed a curious frown. Why did she think of what they'd done as "lovemaking?"

It wasn't long before the answer arrived. Krotan had been tender and compassionate beforehand, and had remained that way throughout. She could tell that it wasn't simply about passion. There was definitely something deeper involved.

If he was capable of tenderness, and capable of compassion, then perhaps, in time, the two of them could...

Jedda winced again, shaking her head in denial. Krotan couldn't change. He was the son of Ming.

But then again, maybe there was more to that fact than she'd ever realized. Perhaps Krotan had largely been controlled by his father, or controlled by his hatred. Perhaps he was capable of releasing his hatred, and embracing his love.

After a few seconds, Jedda told herself to cease all the nonsense. She needed to think with her head, not with her heart. She had to find a way of resisting Krotan somehow.

Perhaps she couldn't run, but she could hide. When Krotan woke up, he'd find a big surprise waiting. Jedda would be out somewhere within the kingdom. She'd make him search far and wide in order to see her again.

The first step, of course, was to get out of this bed.

Jedda dug a hand into the covers and began to lift herself up. Just as she was rising, however, Krotan quietly moaned, and wrapped his arms around her again.

He hadn't said anything. He hadn't even awakened. He'd simply reacted upon feeling her slip away, as though a part of him could sense what her intentions were.

His grip wasn't aggressive. It wasn't forceful. It was gentle, tender, soft, and soothing. Jedda could almost hear a statement within his touch: Don't walk away from me. Don't walk away from us.

Jedda felt her eyes water and her body shake. Though she resisted for as long as she could, she eventually placed a soft, slow kiss on Krotan's lips.

Moments afterward, she lowered her bare chest onto Krotan's again, and quietly drifted off to sleep.

The Present

Because Jedda had ultimately listened to her heart, she and Krotan had found a fulfilling and enduring love. They now had two children as testament to that love.

Jedda smiled while looking over at Vera and Lowe. She smiled again while eyeing their proud father.

As she began to wriggle a little beneath the covers, Krotan moaned in his sleep, and embraced her once more.

Jedda paused in surprise, then chuckled to herself. Closing her eyes, she faded off into slumber along with her family.