Blatherings: Bah and fie I say... I had so much fun with the last chapter, I found it difficult to settle myself down. I want Auron to spend the next seven years pissed-off and kicking asses all over Zanarkand... eeeeaaiii! Oh well... heavy sigh.
Feedback is sweet... like candy... thanks everybody, with special nods to Scarbie and SpazKit... *squidge*





Otherworld Year Three: Chapter 3



Gabe awoke with a snort, to find himself slumped backwards against the couch, covered with a blanket. Crap... he had fallen asleep.

He looked up through blurry eyes and saw Auron... still sitting in the chair, his collar and glasses on the table next to him, his legs stuck straight out in front of him, and his arms crossed over his chest. He met Gabe's gaze, as a smirk played across his face... a look Gabe knew well.

"How the hell did you manage to stay awake all night?" Gabe asked grumpily, keeping his voice barely above a whisper, so as not to wake Sahna and Remie.

"Practice." Auron rumbled, in his usual matter-of-fact tone, that at times like this, drove Gabe bug-shit.

Gabe mumbled incoherently under his breath and threw the blanket off, rising stiffly to his feet. He turned to look down at Sahna and Remie on the couch behind him, also covered in a blanket, sleeping peacefully.

He had never seen Sahna in sleep before, and his face softened, as he let his eyes roam over her sweet face for a few moments. Turning back to Auron, he nodded his head toward the door, indicating they should go outside. Auron rose and followed Gabe out to the front porch.

"I'm going down to the jail-house, and take care of business in regards to those two bottom-feeders from the bar last night. You should probably stay here with Sahna and Remie."

"If you think that best." Auron said, one eyebrow arching.

"Yeah, I do. The enforcers know me, they won't give me any hassles. And besides, seeing you again might give both the prisoners coronaries... not that I'd mind." Gabe replied with an evil grin.

"What of the shop?" Auron asked, turning his head to the side and scratching his stubbled chin, in a familiar gesture.

"We'll just open a little late today, that's all. No big deal. I'll be back as soon as I can." Gabe said. Then straightening his clothes out as best he could, and raking a hand through his hair, he smiled wanly, and started off to the road behind the house.

Back inside, Auron went in to the kitchen and rustled around until he found some tea, and set the kettle to boil. Then he went to the refrigerator and looked in... leaning his arm across the top of its open door, searching for something to eat. With no food or sleep from the night before, he was feeling decidedly peaked.

It would seem his stamina was not what it used to be. There was a time when he could have gone days without food or sleep if required... not giving it a second thought. Apparently he had aged inside as well as out. Being dead didn't do much for his sense of well being either, he thought, smiling bitterly to himself.

He decided on fruit and toast, one of his specialties, since there was no cooking involved. He prepared enough for himself as well as Sahna and Remie, thinking they would be awake soon.

Laying everything out on the table, he sat down and sipped his tea, then began munching distractedly on a piece of toast.

Looking out past the kitchen to the couch in the living room, he watched as Remie's left eye fluttered open, then fixed on him in a silent stare. Auron felt a strange sensation run through him at the sight of the boy's countenance, as he realized Remie resembled a smaller version of himself. The look in his eye was one he recognized from his own reflection, when he could bring himself to look upon it.

Auron did his best to give Remie a comforting smile, as he silently gestured with his hand, telling the boy to come to him.

Remie managed to get up without waking his mother, her only reaction a moaning sigh, as she rolled onto her side and went back to sleep.

When Remie got to the table, Auron reached down and pulled him into his lap, then carefully held the mug of tea up to his swollen lips. Remie took a few sips, then pushed the mug down with his hand, indicating he'd had enough.

Remie leaned into Auron's warmth, and layed his head back against his chest, taking comfort in the feel of his strong presence. Auron brought one arm up and crossed it over the boy, then turned his head to gaze out the kitchen window, watching the sun come up.

************

Sahna stirred and opened her eyes, rubbing a hand across her face and looking around anxiously, as she realized Remie was no longer next to her.

She looked toward the kitchen and saw Auron was sitting at the table with Remie nestled in his lap, both of them silent, their heads turned to look out the window. She felt a lump form in her throat at the sight of them together... it was so sweet and sad it made her heart ache.

Auron grew more solitary with each passing year, but Remie was still able to get inside his barriers. They shared a bond she didn't quite understand, but she was glad for it. Remie had few male role models in his life. Gabe was one, and Remie adored the gentle-giant. But Auron was a hero to him, and the sort of man he would like to become. Remie had never communicated this directly of course, it was just something she knew.... as only a mother could.

She was reluctant to interrupt their quiet companionship, but her brain was fogged from the stress of the previous night, and she badly needed some of that tea that smelled so good.

Auron and Remie's heads turned in tandem to look at her as she rose from the couch and joined them at the table. "Is there any more of that?" She asked, pointing to the cup in Auron's hand.

Auron reached behind him and grabbed the waiting mug from the counter, then filled it from the tea pot on the table, and placed it in front of her. "You're a treasure Auron." Sahna said with a smile, as she took a long sip and closed her eyes, letting a sigh escape her.

Then she looked at her son, his poor, sweet face simultaneously reflecting a look of both despair and contentment, as he struggled with the mixed emotions of the pain from his ordeal, and the happiness from the close contact he now shared with the man he so admired.

Sahna wanted to say something to both of them, to express what she was feeling, but she didn't have the words, so she just let it go.

"Where's Gabe?" She asked, ashamed of herself for just now realizing he wasn't there.

"He is on an errand, and will return soon." Auron replied, looking down at the top of Remie's head, silently telling her that it was best not to pursue the subject in front of him.

"Hmm." Sahna nodded nonchalantly, then reached for a piece of toast. She took a bite, then pointed the piece of toast at Remie, silently asking him if he had eaten. Remie shook his head, his face wrinkling in a look of little boy disgust.

Sahna sighed, but didn't push it... her patience expanded by the relief of knowing her son was safe and whole.

"Okay, you can eat something later, but I do want you to take a bath now, and then to bed for awhile." Sahna said, rising from the table and extending her hand.

Remie huffed in protest, as Auron rotated in the chair, pointing the boy in the direction he needed to go. Remie slid off Auron's lap and took his mother's hand, as she led him down the hallway.

After she had Remie bathed and tucked in bed, Sahna went out to the front porch to join Auron, standing at the railing, gazing out at the incoming combers along the shore.

"Will everything be alright Auron?" Sahna entreated, as she ran a hand through her hair.

"Yes. There is no need to be overly concerned. I trust Gabe to do what is necessary. And your son is strong, he will recover from this." Auron replied, laying a hand on Sahna's shoulder.

"I'm sure you're right Auron. It's just that I feel pretty vulnerable right now... I can't help it." Sahna whispered, covering her face with her hands.

Auron pulled her to him and held her, stroking her hair, as she wept quietly against his chest.

"If it is acceptable, I wish for Remie and you to come stay with Gabe and I for awhile. I am uncomfortable with the thought of you being alone just now. Will you do this for me?"

"How could I possibly refuse such chivalry." Sahna said, smiling up at him through her tears.

************

Auron and Sahna were back at the kitchen table, sharing a second round of tea, when Gabe came through the door.

He pulled up a chair next to Sahna and sat, then reached for a piece of cold toast and downed it in two large bites. Then snagged a piece of fruit, turning it over in his hands, as he began to speak.

"Everything has been taken care of. The men who attacked Remie won't be going anywhere for a long while. Apparently, they were wanted in connection to several other offenses, and the enforcers were glad to have them in custody. And we got a full confession out of the older one. All it took was a mention from me about a certain friend of mine, who would be willing to pay him a visit if he didn't feel like talking." Gabe finished, with a smirk.

"That is good news, thank you Gabe." Sahna said with relief, laying her hand on Gabe's arm. He smiled at her, his face suddenly appearing years younger in his pleasure at making her feel better.

"How is Remie?" Gabe asked, as he finally bit into the apple he had been playing with.

"Physically, okay. Mentally, not so good... he's pretty shook-up." Sahna explained in a strained voice.

Gabe frowned, rubbing his chin, then said... "Why don't you two stay with us for a few days. It might help."

"Auron beat you to that invitation, and I have accepted. But thank you, thank you both... so much." Sahna said, her eyes glistening with fresh tears.

"Figures." Gabe grumbled, then smiled in spite of himself.