Title: A Friend in Need 10/18
Author: Somogyi
Email: somogyi02@yahoo.com
Archive: Sure, just please ask first
Rating: PG-13 for language, violence, and disturbing imagery
Summary: Synch and Jubilee are captured by Tessa and Shaw. A thoughtful look at how
the resulting scars have lasting effects on the whole GenX team.
Disclaimer: The X-Men and Generation X are property of Marvel Entertainment.
Characters are used without permission, no profit is being made, and no infringement
on copyright is intended.
*****
A Friend In Need
by Somogyi
somogyi02@yahoo.com
Chapter 10
Having seen his guests to their cottages, Sean returned to his own. He was quite
surprised to find Everett waiting for him inside.
"Ev? Lad, what are ye doin'--"
"Is it true?" Everett asked, walking right in front of Sean, nearly standing in
his face.
"Is what true?"
"That she doesn't remember what happened? That she doesn't even remember
Generation X?"
Sean sighed. "Aye, lad, I'm afraid so." He placed a gentle hand on Everett's
shoulder, preparing to lead him into the living room. "Let's go sit--"
"I don't want to sit down," Everett said, his voice rising. He stepped out of
Sean's grasp. "So she doesn't know who any of us are?" Despite the anger in his
voice, Sean could see past it, at the hurt and pain in his eyes.
"No, lad, I'm sorry t' say that she doesnae recall the past couple of years. She
still thinks she's a member of the X-Men. In fact, she was quite afraid of Emma-
-still believed her t' be an enemy."
"Is it permanent?"
"The doctor seems to think that her memory will return eventually."
"He thinks? Doesn't he know?"
"He feels it likely that, with time, the memories will come back t' her."
"Did he have anything positive to say about her being crippled?"
"Who told ye that?!" Sean shouted, his anger flaring, as he grabbed Everett's
uninjured arm.
"Ms. Frost said she was paralyzed," he replied, trying to pull away.
"She did, did she?" Sean was fuming. Emma accused him of neglecting the
students, and then she gave them misinformation, leaving them to worry
unnecessarily. "Well, Jubilee's not paralyzed," Sean replied, letting him go.
"She's already got feeling back in her legs."
Everett looked at least somewhat relieved.
"What else has Emma been telling ye?"
"Why, what else is there we should know?"
"Nothin'." But Sean had hesitated for the briefest moment. That moment was
enough.
"You're lying." Everett glared at him. "I'm tired of being coddled. Damn it, Mr.
Cassidy--my best friend is lying in a hospital bed, and she can't even remember
me! I want to help her--more than anything, I want to make it all right--but if
she saw me, I would be a stranger."
*Damn it, Cassidy. Ye've been so wrapped up in Jubilee's condition, ye've been
neglectin' Everett, an' all that he's goin' through. Scott was right: Ye can't
put her before all the others. Ye made a commitment t' yer students--all of
them.*
"Yer right, Ev, we haven't been totally up front with ye, an' we were wrong. We
were tryin' t' protect ye from bein' hurt, an' in the process, we only caused ye
more pain. F'r that, I'm truly sorry. Now, come on in t' the other room, an'
I'll explain everythin'. I, f'r one, need t' rest me weary bones."
*If Emma gets wind of this--which she most likely will--she's gonna kill me f'r
tellin' him before I tell her. . . .*
Everett silently followed Sean into the living room, and sat down in a chair
across from the couch.
"Now, ye've just got t' promise not t' say anythin' t' the other kids. At least,
not until I can speak t' Emma."
"All right. Please, Mr. Cassidy, just tell me. . . ."
Sean sighed. He stared at his hands, which were clasped between his knees. "Dr.
Knight told us tonight that social services wants t' put Jubilee inna home f'r
orphans who require special attention. They don't think she can get proper care
here at the school."
Everett's eyes widened. "That's ridiculous! Of course she can get good care.
We're the ones who care about her--we're her friends. Her family."
"I know, lad. I couldnae agree with ye more. Unfortunately, the government
doesnae see it that way."
"Well, then, we'll have to make them see. How do they expect her to get her
memory back if she's not even in familiar surroundings? She needs to be here if
she's going to get better."
"If worse comes t' worse, I only hope that her memory will return before she has
t' leave."
"You sound like you're going to just let her go."
"If it comes t' it, I don't have much choice. Jean, Scott, Logan an' I are
workin' on it. But I'm afraid that, ultimately, we're not goin' t' be able t'
stop them."
"We can fight them! We can tell them--prove to them--that she belongs here, at
the school."
"I wish we could. But I think we've got a lot goin' against us. An' we think the
doctor's hand is being forced."
"Forced? By who--?" Everett stopped suddenly. As the answer suddenly dawned on
him--it was perfectly obvious, once he thought about it--his expression
hardened. "Shaw," he muttered contemptuously, clenching his hand into a fist.
"It's not bad enough that he nearly killed her. Now he's got to take her away?"
"I know how ye feel, lad. But I promise ye, we'll do everythin' in our power t'
keep her here."
"Damn my parents for making me leave now. Jubilee needs me here, to help her
remember. . . ."
"I know, lad, I know. But ye should be grateful that ye have parents who love ye
an' want t' care for ye."
Everett nodded gravely. "I don't want to go. I feel like I'm abandoning her.
It's bad enough I couldn't protect her from Tessa--"
"Ev, that wasnae yer fault. Ye two were outmatched."
"I should have fought harder. There had to be something I could have done."
"Ev, I know how dreadful 'tis t' be in a position where yer helpless t' aid a
friend. 'Tis a horrible feelin'. But ye cannae blame yerself."
"I know," Everett whispered, looking down at his lap. "But it doesn't make it
hurt any less. And now, my having to leave the school. . . ." He shook his head.
"I don't want to leave her. I care about her. A lot. She needs me, now more than
ever. She needs me. . . ."
Sean looked at him sympathetically, and placed a hand on his knee. He was
beginning to see that when Everett spoke of Jubilee, he spoke of more than
friendship. His feelings went deeper than any of them had realized. "Well, maybe
things will work out all right, and ye'll both be back here next semester." He
smiled, trying to look hopeful.
Everett looked less than convinced. "Yeah. Right. Sure. Maybe." *If hell freezes
over,* he finished silently.
"C'mon, lad. I'll walk ye back t' the dormitory," Sean said, getting to his
feet. *An' then I'll go see Emma an' give her a piece of me mind. . . .*
*****
Sean plodded determinedly toward Emma's cottage. Before he could even raise his
hand to rap loudly on the door, he heard her voice in his head.
He opened the door and stepped inside. It was completely dark in the
entranceway. He could see a faint glow coming from a room at the end of a narrow
corridor.
Annoyance adding to his anger, he walked into her bedroom. The light came from a
small fire that crackled in the fireplace. Emma lay on her side on the bed, a
glass of brandy cradled in one hand. She was dressed in her typical fashion--
scantily and seductively--in a white, low-cut silk nightgown that hugged her
figure tightly, revealing every sensuous curve. One long leg peeked out from the
slit that extended nearly to her hip. Sean was too upset to make his typical
comment about the impropriety of her clothing. In fact, he hardly noticed it at
all, and did not give it a second thought.
"How dare ye, Emma!"
"What, you don't like it?" she asked, indicating her outfit. "I thought you
would appreciate--"
He ignored her sorry attempt at flirtation. "How dare ye go behind me back an'
tell the kids that Jubilee was paralyzed!"
"I hardly went behind your back, Sean. You were at the hospital, and I was here
at the school. The children asked me about her condition, and I told them. It's
as simple as that."
"But it ain't even the truth! She's got feelin' back, an' she'll be walkin' soon
enough!"
"Sean, when I left, she could not feel her legs. She could not walk. And you
neglected to inform me that she had improved--"
"Don't ye dare try t' pin this on me, Emma!" he spat, raising an accusing
finger. "Ye could have been a little more sensitive t' their feelin's. Why,
Everett was blamin' himself f'r her injuries, wishing that he didnae have t'
withdraw. . . ."
"And don't *you* dare take that holier than thou attitude with me, Sean Cassidy!
If anyone has a right to be upset, it's me! How dare you second-guess me in
front of Jean like that! I thought we were supposed to be partners in this."
"We are, Emma. But *I* am Jubilee's legal guardian, an' tis me responsibility t'
see t' what's best f'r her. I made me decision with her personal welfare in
mind. I'm sorry if me words were harsh, Emma, but it seemed the only way t' make
ye listen."
Emma sighed, realizing that this was the closest he would ever come to an
apology. "I spoke to Everett's parents this evening," she said, indicating that
the subject was closed.
"Any changin' their minds?"
Sadly, she shook her head. "They'll be here at the end of the week to take him
home."
"Damn it!" He ran his fingers through his hair. "We're losin' them. One by one,
we're losin' them."
"Well, at least Jubilee is still with us."
He looked at her sheepishly. "Not f'r long, if social services gets their way."
"What do you mean?" she asked, quickly sitting up.
He walked over to the bed. "Emma, there's something I need t' tell ye." She
gestured to the bed, and he sat down beside her. He could smell the liquor on
her breath, mingling with the sweet scent of her perfume. "Lord, Emma, how many
o' those have ye had?"
"Something tells me not enough," she replied, taking another large sip from the
glass. "Tell me, Sean."
Slowly, he related to her what the doctor had told them that evening, and their
suspicion that Shaw was behind it.
"I don't believe this!" she seethed, getting to her feet. "He tried to kill me.
He blew up my home and murdered my workers. He kidnapped and tortured my
students. Innocent children! Everett's already leaving because of his
interference. And now he wants to have her sent away? She's been punished
enough. How could he have her taken away? How?!" Channeling all of her
frustration into one quick movement, she threw the glass across the room. It
crashed into the fireplace, and the flames flared up as the alcohol caught
afire. She looked at Sean, and he saw that same fury lighting her eyes. "I know
why he's doing it. He knows that my students are important to me, that I feel
responsible for their welfare. He thinks that by getting rid of them, he's
taking away a piece of me. And he's right," she whispered, turning from him. She
paused a moment. When she spoke again, her low voice revealed no emotion. "It's
just like with the Hellions. I couldn't save them. And now I'm going to lose
Everett and Jubilee."
"This isnae like the Hellions. Jubilee an' Everett are alive. They may have t'
leave the school, but they're alive an' well."
"But it's still my fault."
He shook his head as he got to his feet. "No, it's not. 'Tis nae yer fault that
they were hurt. Ye're nae t' blame f'r their leavin'. Just like it wasnae yer
fault about the Hellions. Ye've got t' let that go."
"I can't," she whispered, voice tinged with regret. "I'll always have their
blood on my hands. 'Till the day I die."
"Oh, Em." He reached for her, but stopped, his fingers inches from her back.
Remembering how she had rejected his comfort earlier at the hospital, he
silently returned his arm to his side. Still, he could not let this go. Though
she did not outwardly express it, he knew she must be hurting inside. "Ye
mustnae blame yerself, Emma. 'Tis water under the bridge now. Beatin' yerself up
about it will nae bring them back. Ye've got t' let it go."
She did not reply, but merely wrapped her arms around herself.
"We've got to concentrate our attention on these kids. Aye, we must try t' stop
them from takin' Jubilee. But we've also got t' make sure the others are all
right as well. I realized tonight, when I was talkin' t' Ev, that I'm neglectin'
the others. They've got t' be hurt an' confused by all o' this. I've got t'
speak t' them, t' help see them through this. An' I need yer help, Em. Can I
count on ye? Can ye help me be strong f'r them?" he asked, gently touching her
shoulder.
She turned to face him and silently nodded her head.
"Good. That's a lass." He regarded her silently, smiling to show his
encouragement.
Emma stared back, gazing into his eyes. How did he do it? How did he manage to
always be so considerate? Why did he now show her such compassion, when a moment
earlier she had exploded at him in anger? It was his love and devotion for the
kids that fueled him, she knew. But that in no way obligated him to offer her a
few kind words. And yet, they did not have a patronizing undertone, but were
instead uttered with complete sincerity. Sean Cassidy was a truly amazing man.
One she was glad she had the opportunity to know.
She reached up to touch his cheek. She drew her face toward his, and gently
brushed his lips with her own.
He said nothing, but simply looked down at her and took her hand in his own,
giving it a gentle squeeze. That small gesture sent a delicious shiver up her
spine.
"It's late," she said, walking away. "I'm sure you must be tired."
For a moment, he said nothing, and simply looked at her. But then Sean seemed to
return to reality. "Aye, ye're right, 'tis late. I'll be leavin' now." He began
to walk to the door.
"Sean," she called after him.
"Aye?" He looked back.
"Thank you."
He smiled. "I'll see ye tomorrow mornin', at breakfast, t' discuss our options."
She returned the smile. "See you then."
End Chapter 10
*****
Author: Somogyi
Email: somogyi02@yahoo.com
Archive: Sure, just please ask first
Rating: PG-13 for language, violence, and disturbing imagery
Summary: Synch and Jubilee are captured by Tessa and Shaw. A thoughtful look at how
the resulting scars have lasting effects on the whole GenX team.
Disclaimer: The X-Men and Generation X are property of Marvel Entertainment.
Characters are used without permission, no profit is being made, and no infringement
on copyright is intended.
*****
A Friend In Need
by Somogyi
somogyi02@yahoo.com
Chapter 10
Having seen his guests to their cottages, Sean returned to his own. He was quite
surprised to find Everett waiting for him inside.
"Ev? Lad, what are ye doin'--"
"Is it true?" Everett asked, walking right in front of Sean, nearly standing in
his face.
"Is what true?"
"That she doesn't remember what happened? That she doesn't even remember
Generation X?"
Sean sighed. "Aye, lad, I'm afraid so." He placed a gentle hand on Everett's
shoulder, preparing to lead him into the living room. "Let's go sit--"
"I don't want to sit down," Everett said, his voice rising. He stepped out of
Sean's grasp. "So she doesn't know who any of us are?" Despite the anger in his
voice, Sean could see past it, at the hurt and pain in his eyes.
"No, lad, I'm sorry t' say that she doesnae recall the past couple of years. She
still thinks she's a member of the X-Men. In fact, she was quite afraid of Emma-
-still believed her t' be an enemy."
"Is it permanent?"
"The doctor seems to think that her memory will return eventually."
"He thinks? Doesn't he know?"
"He feels it likely that, with time, the memories will come back t' her."
"Did he have anything positive to say about her being crippled?"
"Who told ye that?!" Sean shouted, his anger flaring, as he grabbed Everett's
uninjured arm.
"Ms. Frost said she was paralyzed," he replied, trying to pull away.
"She did, did she?" Sean was fuming. Emma accused him of neglecting the
students, and then she gave them misinformation, leaving them to worry
unnecessarily. "Well, Jubilee's not paralyzed," Sean replied, letting him go.
"She's already got feeling back in her legs."
Everett looked at least somewhat relieved.
"What else has Emma been telling ye?"
"Why, what else is there we should know?"
"Nothin'." But Sean had hesitated for the briefest moment. That moment was
enough.
"You're lying." Everett glared at him. "I'm tired of being coddled. Damn it, Mr.
Cassidy--my best friend is lying in a hospital bed, and she can't even remember
me! I want to help her--more than anything, I want to make it all right--but if
she saw me, I would be a stranger."
*Damn it, Cassidy. Ye've been so wrapped up in Jubilee's condition, ye've been
neglectin' Everett, an' all that he's goin' through. Scott was right: Ye can't
put her before all the others. Ye made a commitment t' yer students--all of
them.*
"Yer right, Ev, we haven't been totally up front with ye, an' we were wrong. We
were tryin' t' protect ye from bein' hurt, an' in the process, we only caused ye
more pain. F'r that, I'm truly sorry. Now, come on in t' the other room, an'
I'll explain everythin'. I, f'r one, need t' rest me weary bones."
*If Emma gets wind of this--which she most likely will--she's gonna kill me f'r
tellin' him before I tell her. . . .*
Everett silently followed Sean into the living room, and sat down in a chair
across from the couch.
"Now, ye've just got t' promise not t' say anythin' t' the other kids. At least,
not until I can speak t' Emma."
"All right. Please, Mr. Cassidy, just tell me. . . ."
Sean sighed. He stared at his hands, which were clasped between his knees. "Dr.
Knight told us tonight that social services wants t' put Jubilee inna home f'r
orphans who require special attention. They don't think she can get proper care
here at the school."
Everett's eyes widened. "That's ridiculous! Of course she can get good care.
We're the ones who care about her--we're her friends. Her family."
"I know, lad. I couldnae agree with ye more. Unfortunately, the government
doesnae see it that way."
"Well, then, we'll have to make them see. How do they expect her to get her
memory back if she's not even in familiar surroundings? She needs to be here if
she's going to get better."
"If worse comes t' worse, I only hope that her memory will return before she has
t' leave."
"You sound like you're going to just let her go."
"If it comes t' it, I don't have much choice. Jean, Scott, Logan an' I are
workin' on it. But I'm afraid that, ultimately, we're not goin' t' be able t'
stop them."
"We can fight them! We can tell them--prove to them--that she belongs here, at
the school."
"I wish we could. But I think we've got a lot goin' against us. An' we think the
doctor's hand is being forced."
"Forced? By who--?" Everett stopped suddenly. As the answer suddenly dawned on
him--it was perfectly obvious, once he thought about it--his expression
hardened. "Shaw," he muttered contemptuously, clenching his hand into a fist.
"It's not bad enough that he nearly killed her. Now he's got to take her away?"
"I know how ye feel, lad. But I promise ye, we'll do everythin' in our power t'
keep her here."
"Damn my parents for making me leave now. Jubilee needs me here, to help her
remember. . . ."
"I know, lad, I know. But ye should be grateful that ye have parents who love ye
an' want t' care for ye."
Everett nodded gravely. "I don't want to go. I feel like I'm abandoning her.
It's bad enough I couldn't protect her from Tessa--"
"Ev, that wasnae yer fault. Ye two were outmatched."
"I should have fought harder. There had to be something I could have done."
"Ev, I know how dreadful 'tis t' be in a position where yer helpless t' aid a
friend. 'Tis a horrible feelin'. But ye cannae blame yerself."
"I know," Everett whispered, looking down at his lap. "But it doesn't make it
hurt any less. And now, my having to leave the school. . . ." He shook his head.
"I don't want to leave her. I care about her. A lot. She needs me, now more than
ever. She needs me. . . ."
Sean looked at him sympathetically, and placed a hand on his knee. He was
beginning to see that when Everett spoke of Jubilee, he spoke of more than
friendship. His feelings went deeper than any of them had realized. "Well, maybe
things will work out all right, and ye'll both be back here next semester." He
smiled, trying to look hopeful.
Everett looked less than convinced. "Yeah. Right. Sure. Maybe." *If hell freezes
over,* he finished silently.
"C'mon, lad. I'll walk ye back t' the dormitory," Sean said, getting to his
feet. *An' then I'll go see Emma an' give her a piece of me mind. . . .*
*****
Sean plodded determinedly toward Emma's cottage. Before he could even raise his
hand to rap loudly on the door, he heard her voice in his head.
He opened the door and stepped inside. It was completely dark in the
entranceway. He could see a faint glow coming from a room at the end of a narrow
corridor.
Annoyance adding to his anger, he walked into her bedroom. The light came from a
small fire that crackled in the fireplace. Emma lay on her side on the bed, a
glass of brandy cradled in one hand. She was dressed in her typical fashion--
scantily and seductively--in a white, low-cut silk nightgown that hugged her
figure tightly, revealing every sensuous curve. One long leg peeked out from the
slit that extended nearly to her hip. Sean was too upset to make his typical
comment about the impropriety of her clothing. In fact, he hardly noticed it at
all, and did not give it a second thought.
"How dare ye, Emma!"
"What, you don't like it?" she asked, indicating her outfit. "I thought you
would appreciate--"
He ignored her sorry attempt at flirtation. "How dare ye go behind me back an'
tell the kids that Jubilee was paralyzed!"
"I hardly went behind your back, Sean. You were at the hospital, and I was here
at the school. The children asked me about her condition, and I told them. It's
as simple as that."
"But it ain't even the truth! She's got feelin' back, an' she'll be walkin' soon
enough!"
"Sean, when I left, she could not feel her legs. She could not walk. And you
neglected to inform me that she had improved--"
"Don't ye dare try t' pin this on me, Emma!" he spat, raising an accusing
finger. "Ye could have been a little more sensitive t' their feelin's. Why,
Everett was blamin' himself f'r her injuries, wishing that he didnae have t'
withdraw. . . ."
"And don't *you* dare take that holier than thou attitude with me, Sean Cassidy!
If anyone has a right to be upset, it's me! How dare you second-guess me in
front of Jean like that! I thought we were supposed to be partners in this."
"We are, Emma. But *I* am Jubilee's legal guardian, an' tis me responsibility t'
see t' what's best f'r her. I made me decision with her personal welfare in
mind. I'm sorry if me words were harsh, Emma, but it seemed the only way t' make
ye listen."
Emma sighed, realizing that this was the closest he would ever come to an
apology. "I spoke to Everett's parents this evening," she said, indicating that
the subject was closed.
"Any changin' their minds?"
Sadly, she shook her head. "They'll be here at the end of the week to take him
home."
"Damn it!" He ran his fingers through his hair. "We're losin' them. One by one,
we're losin' them."
"Well, at least Jubilee is still with us."
He looked at her sheepishly. "Not f'r long, if social services gets their way."
"What do you mean?" she asked, quickly sitting up.
He walked over to the bed. "Emma, there's something I need t' tell ye." She
gestured to the bed, and he sat down beside her. He could smell the liquor on
her breath, mingling with the sweet scent of her perfume. "Lord, Emma, how many
o' those have ye had?"
"Something tells me not enough," she replied, taking another large sip from the
glass. "Tell me, Sean."
Slowly, he related to her what the doctor had told them that evening, and their
suspicion that Shaw was behind it.
"I don't believe this!" she seethed, getting to her feet. "He tried to kill me.
He blew up my home and murdered my workers. He kidnapped and tortured my
students. Innocent children! Everett's already leaving because of his
interference. And now he wants to have her sent away? She's been punished
enough. How could he have her taken away? How?!" Channeling all of her
frustration into one quick movement, she threw the glass across the room. It
crashed into the fireplace, and the flames flared up as the alcohol caught
afire. She looked at Sean, and he saw that same fury lighting her eyes. "I know
why he's doing it. He knows that my students are important to me, that I feel
responsible for their welfare. He thinks that by getting rid of them, he's
taking away a piece of me. And he's right," she whispered, turning from him. She
paused a moment. When she spoke again, her low voice revealed no emotion. "It's
just like with the Hellions. I couldn't save them. And now I'm going to lose
Everett and Jubilee."
"This isnae like the Hellions. Jubilee an' Everett are alive. They may have t'
leave the school, but they're alive an' well."
"But it's still my fault."
He shook his head as he got to his feet. "No, it's not. 'Tis nae yer fault that
they were hurt. Ye're nae t' blame f'r their leavin'. Just like it wasnae yer
fault about the Hellions. Ye've got t' let that go."
"I can't," she whispered, voice tinged with regret. "I'll always have their
blood on my hands. 'Till the day I die."
"Oh, Em." He reached for her, but stopped, his fingers inches from her back.
Remembering how she had rejected his comfort earlier at the hospital, he
silently returned his arm to his side. Still, he could not let this go. Though
she did not outwardly express it, he knew she must be hurting inside. "Ye
mustnae blame yerself, Emma. 'Tis water under the bridge now. Beatin' yerself up
about it will nae bring them back. Ye've got t' let it go."
She did not reply, but merely wrapped her arms around herself.
"We've got to concentrate our attention on these kids. Aye, we must try t' stop
them from takin' Jubilee. But we've also got t' make sure the others are all
right as well. I realized tonight, when I was talkin' t' Ev, that I'm neglectin'
the others. They've got t' be hurt an' confused by all o' this. I've got t'
speak t' them, t' help see them through this. An' I need yer help, Em. Can I
count on ye? Can ye help me be strong f'r them?" he asked, gently touching her
shoulder.
She turned to face him and silently nodded her head.
"Good. That's a lass." He regarded her silently, smiling to show his
encouragement.
Emma stared back, gazing into his eyes. How did he do it? How did he manage to
always be so considerate? Why did he now show her such compassion, when a moment
earlier she had exploded at him in anger? It was his love and devotion for the
kids that fueled him, she knew. But that in no way obligated him to offer her a
few kind words. And yet, they did not have a patronizing undertone, but were
instead uttered with complete sincerity. Sean Cassidy was a truly amazing man.
One she was glad she had the opportunity to know.
She reached up to touch his cheek. She drew her face toward his, and gently
brushed his lips with her own.
He said nothing, but simply looked down at her and took her hand in his own,
giving it a gentle squeeze. That small gesture sent a delicious shiver up her
spine.
"It's late," she said, walking away. "I'm sure you must be tired."
For a moment, he said nothing, and simply looked at her. But then Sean seemed to
return to reality. "Aye, ye're right, 'tis late. I'll be leavin' now." He began
to walk to the door.
"Sean," she called after him.
"Aye?" He looked back.
"Thank you."
He smiled. "I'll see ye tomorrow mornin', at breakfast, t' discuss our options."
She returned the smile. "See you then."
End Chapter 10
*****