Chapter XI
*****
Angeles, all could be
should you move both earth and sea
Angeles, I could feel
all those dark clouds disappearing...
Angeles, by Enya
*****
Morgan jumped as she felt a hand touch her shoulder.
"Sorry."
She looked up to see Enzo standing beside her. Her heart pounded in her chest. Instead of his usual Guardian outfit, he wore a tight white shirt with black pants and a matching black jacket. He stood there, holding out a bouquet of flowers, his other hand in his pocket.
Enzo put the flowers in her lap and took her hand in his, kissing it, with all the suave of a gentlemen.
Morgan's cheeks deepened in color as she blushed. "Oh Enzo, they're beautiful," she said as she lifted up the flowers and delicately sniffed them. The petals were white and delicate; the smell was that of a sweet perfume. "What are they called?"
He sat down across from her. "They're called lilies." He looked into her blue eyes. "But they don't compare to you." Enzo took one of the flowers and placed it in her dark hair.
They smiled at each other across the table. The smiles that only come from deep, true love.
*****
"Oh, Enzo, this has been all wonderful."
The two walked along the shore of the energy sea, barefoot. Enzo had long ago taken off his jacket; the night was warm.
She looked up at him. "I keep expecting to wake up from some amazing dream."
Enzo kissed her on the lips, long and passionately. "Did that feel like a dream?"
Morgan smiled dreamily. "That felt *very* real." She looked out to the energy sea. She pulled Enzo closer and whispered in his ear. "Wanna go skinny-dipping?"
Enzo's eyes widened. "Uhhhhh..."
Morgan giggled. "Just kidding. We'll keep our clothes on." She dropped her shoes and walked to the edge of the sea, the waves washing over her bare feet.
She looked back at him, mischievously. Then she ran into the water and dove in.
Enzo watched anxiously until Morgan reappeared several feet out, her hair plastered to her forehead. "Come on!," she shouted, motioning for him to join her. Morgan then turned and continued to swim farther out.
Dropping his jacket and boots onto the sand, Enzo grinned and waded in after her.
He swam out past his depth. "Morgan?," he called out. "I can't see you." Enzo sensed some movement behind him, but it was too late. He was promptly dunked.
"Hey!," he sputtered as he surfaced. Enzo turned around to face Morgan. "You sneaked up on me!"
Morgan snickered as she pushed some of her wet hair out of her eyes. "You should lean to pay better attention."
"When do I get to dunk you?," he asked, moving closer.
"You'll have to catch me!" Morgan splashed at him, then began to swim away. Enzo laughed aloud and gave chase.
He easily caught up with her, only because she let him. Morgan wrapped her arms around his shoulders as they treaded water. She looked into his violet eyes. "Enzo, I have to tell you something."
Enzo could tell she was being serious. He leaned his head against hers. "Yes?"
"I -" Morgan was cut off with a stab of pain in her head.
Enzo watched as she closed her eyes and clenched her teeth in anguish. "Morgan, what's wrong?," he asked fearfully.
"I... I... don't -" Morgan suddenly let out a heart-wrenching scream and went limp.
Enzo gathered her up in his arms. "Morgan?" He spoke to her softly. She did not answer. Her skin had gone a ghastly pale. Don't leave me now.
Anxiety covering his face, Enzo headed back to shore, cradeling his love.
*****
Enzo kicked open the door to the infirmary and ran to a examination table. He gently laid Morgan down upon it.
"Phong!," he shouted. "Is anyone here?"
The door creaked open, and the older sprite rolled through. "Yes, my son? What is wrong?" Phong spied Morgan lying off-line on the table. "Oh, dear." He turned to Enzo. "Enzo, what happened to her?" Phong had taken note that both of them were soaking wet and were missing their shoes.
"I... I don't know." Enzo rubbed the back the back of his head. "We were swimming, then she screamed and went off-line."
Phong sighed and placed a three-fingered hand on the young man's shoulder. "I will alert the medical staff."
*****
The face. The same ashen face. Again and again. It was Him. He had come for her. He was the one causing her so much pain. Sending her a message. He's coming for me... and everyone. I must stop Him from hurting anyone... even at the price of death.
His face shifted, became distorted. The pale skin became metallic, dark blue. The eyes turned red and green, and filled with the most evil hatred she had ever beheld. The face began to laugh, but made no sound. He reached out for her...
She wanted to scream, but something was holding her back. Her body twisted and convulsed in torment. She felt a cold prick in her arm. Morgan drifted off into a dark, dreamless state.
*****
Matrix and AndrAIa stood at the door of Morgan's infirmary room. AndrAIa leaned over to Matrix. "He's been here the whole time. Phong says he hasn't gotten a nano of sleep."
Matrix understood. "I'll go talk to him."
He walked into the room and placed a hand on Enzo's shoulder. "Any change?"
Enzo looked up from his vigil. He looked exhausted; there were dark circles under his eyes. Enzo dejectedly shook his head.
The older Enzo looked to the bed. Morgan was still very pale. Her life signs were weak but steady. He looked back down a his younger self. Enzo sat silent next to Morgan's bed, holding her limp hand in his. "Enzo, you need to take a break."
Enzo looked up at him. "I can't leave her."
"Yes you can. She'll be fine by herself for little while. You need to sleep."
Enzo sighed in surrender and got up. Matrix gently ushered him out the door. "If you won't sleep, at least eat something."
He, Matrix, and AndrAIa sat down at a table in the next room. AndrAIa reached across the table and put a warm hand over Enzo's fists. "I'm sure she'll be all right."
Enzo looked up at her, his face downcast and his purple eyes dim. "I hope so." He looked down at the energy shake they had brought him from Dot's Diner.
"Maybe you'll find something here, some link to your past."
"That's the same thing I hope every time I arrive in a system. And I'm always disappointed."
"You still might find some thing to help you on your search. I'll help you."
"Thanks."
"Enzo."
Enzo snapped out of his trance and swiveled around.
Morgan stood in the doorway, paler than the hospital gown. Her normally neat hair was rumpled. She stared blankly at Enzo.
"Morgan!," he cried out, rushing to her side.
She turned to look him in the face. Enzo gasped: Morgan's eyes were the black of midnight, dull and frigid. She clutched at his shirt and spoke weakly.
"He is coming. I must -"
Morgan slowly crumpled in Enzo's arms.