I stood in the washroom, the cracked mirror hanging on the back of the main
door showing a distorted reflection of me. I looked into the mirror, the
replicas of my old clothing fitting me as they had the first time I wore
them. I had allowed Morai to pull my hair upon my head in a bun that was
fashionable for the time. I looked like me, and yet I didn't. My heart
beat frantically as I looked at myself, realizing that despite the corset
that was forcing me to breath out my diaphragm I was more comfortable than
I had been in the khaki pants and button down shirt I had worn into the
Lodging House.
"No matter the choice you make, the necklace will know it will be your last choice." The gypsy had told me, for once making things clear. "If you leave, you will not come back to this time. If you stay, you will have no chance at going to the past again. We cannot have you wrecking havoc with time. There is only so far we can press these things. "
After the gypsy left, we sent the young girl who was working the museum home. Amanda was her name. She had smiled excitedly and nodded, telling us she had a double date with her cousin Chelci later that night that she now had extra time for which to get ready. I had smiled absently at her, my attention on the necklace in my hand before handing it to Morai and heading upstairs to get my clothes.
"Are you ready?" Morai asked, holding the amulet. I looked at it.
"What if I am making the wrong choice, Morai?" I whispered, fear on my face. I had lived through hell; would I be returning to it, or would life finally go my way?
"You're not making the wrong choice." Morai told me. "I guess the real question is are you willing to spend the rest of your life haunted in your dreams by a man who is dead?"
"I could learn to live with it." I said quietly, the fear plain in my voice now.
"Who are you and where is my friend?" Morai's voice held irritation such as I had rarely heard coming out of her mouth. "This is not the Briar I know and love; you're acting like a frightened ninny."
"This coming from the girl that didn't actually believe what I had told her until you found proof for yourself that the man I had talked about even existed." I said wryly looking back in the mirror and taking a deep breath. I knew deep inside me that the gypsy had been right; no matter the outcome, I would be going where I belonged. I would be going home. Silently, I held out my hands and for the second time that night took the amulet into them. It warmed hotly to my skin. I saw the jewel glowing and slowly undid the clasp, clasping it about my neck.
"Goodbye Morai." I called, though I knew it came out as a whisper. She gave me a quick hug before stepping back and watching. The last thing I saw was her face, eyes wide with shock as she watched me disappear.
For the first time I was entirely conscious of what was happening to me, my mind was neither filled with sadness, nor taken unaware. The light that shone upon me from an unknown source eventually forced me to close my eyes at its brilliance. I felt tickling upon my skin, as the world seemed to spin. Sand seemed to brush my face, my body felt warm, and then slowly it began to burn. I tried to scream, tried to move, tried to do anything to make it stop, but I couldn't. It seemed as if it would go on forever, but instead if faded. Slowly, I opened my eyes. I found myself crouched upon a badly scuffed and worn hard wood floor. My body would not function as I wished it too; instead it collapsed and I lay there gasping, not entirely sure of where the necklace had dumped me this time. I could only hope I was somewhere close to where I wanted to be before the exhaustion of time travel over whelmed me.
I felt small fingers poking at me and tried to brush at them, but I was too uncoordinated, my arms too heavy and unwilling to work.
"Who's the dame?" I heard a voice ask.
"Don't know." A small childlike voice answered. "We found her in the alley and brought her in."
"What's goin' on?" a new voice asked, one that held authority. "Medda's wonderin' what's with all the racket back here, she's got a show startin' in a few minutes and ya gotta keep it down."
"Whatta we gonna do with her?" Another voice joined the first two as I struggled to open my eyes.
"She looks kinda familiar." The second voice said thoughtfully. "Look she's comin' around."
Slowly my eyes flicked opened and I had to blink a few times to keep them from immediately closing. There were a circle of faces about me and I tried to focus on one, but couldn't. My hand went immediately to the pendant that hung coolly next to my face.
"Alright, I don't know what ya dragged in, but out all of ya. Either pay the man, find ya seats or leave. It ain't that difficult." This new voice held quite a bit of authority. Trying to focus on the boy that stood directly in front of me, my mind fumbled to place that voice.
"Cameo?" The boy whispered softly. Gently he knelt and took the pendant from where my hand clutched it. He turned it over in his hands before looking into my face. "Cam?"
I looked into a pair of familiar green eyes, hope shimmering in them from beyond a fringe of strawberry-blonde curls. His eyes misted over and I realized who was kneeling next to me.
"You need a hair cut kid." I replied, before my face turned green and I had force my concentration on not allowing the contents of my stomach to heave all over the floor. My head began to ache abominably; unsteadily I tried to stand and smiled thankfully at the young man who helped me up. Mimic smiled at me, his cheeks no longer as chubby, his freckles darker, and his hair a richer color, almost copper toned. He was no longer the small boy that had curled up to me to go to sleep, though I could see traces of the boy that had expected me to chase away the nightmares and sing him to sleep. About him was the cool collected air that both Jack and Spot had held. I knew that when the time came he would be the next leader of the newsies. I'd give him a maximum of three years time. Spot had taken over Brooklyn at the age of twelve and Mimic couldn't be more than ten. I was sure he was tough enough, but you had to have a certain amount of seniority before the older boys would take you seriously.
With Mimic's help, I made my way to the washroom. I barely made it to the toilet, though I was thankful it was not in the same condition as the first toilet I had been forced to use. Again, I was violently ill; the vomiting seemed to get more violent the more I had traveled. Finally, as the contents of my stomach were entirely gone and the muscles of my stomach had contracted enough times to be sure of that, I sat back weakly against the wall. Mimic handed me a glass of water that I quickly rinsed my mouth out with and then took a long drink.
"Ya back." Mimic whispered, as if he were afraid it might not be true, that if he spoke the words I would disappear.
"I'm back." I agreed." For good, no matter what happens. I can't go back to where I'm from."
Mimic nodded understanding as the boys that were nearby curiously crowded around. Slowly, I stood. I had more important things to do than worry about the headache that felt like someone was trying to crack open my brain with a chisel and hammer.
"Where are Jack and the other boys?" I asked. "How long have I been gone?"
"Five and a half years." Mimic answered. "I'll take you to him."
From the look in his eyes, he knew exactly whom I was desperate to see.
"Alright boys, you've seen enough." He called out. To my surprise they immediately started to disperse.
"You can't possibly be leader yet." I muttered.
"Nah, but these boys, they listen to me better than the current leader." He replied as he took my arm and helped me into the bunkroom. "Are ya sure ya can make it? Maybe ya should lie down and we'll go in the morning."
"No, Mimic. For five and a half years, I have lived without him. I have to see him." I said firmly, taking my hand from where it was massaging my temple and starting for the door.
"Ya still too stubborn." He said shaking his head and following. "I'm goin' to Brooklyn, I'll be back tomorrow. Yellow Jacket, ya keep an eye on things and keep the boys in line."
A boy who was the last to head in the direction of the stage nodded before Mimic was out the door following me. It didn't take long before he was the one leading the way and I was lagging behind. While his sturdy legs had still been walking all over the city for the past five years, mine had been sitting behind a desk, and no amount of treadmill running could prepare me for the walk. My feet were blistering in the shoes I hadn't worn in years, and my legs burned from trying to keep up with Mimic's walk. Finally, we reached our destination and I paused to catch my breath and run a hand over my hair.
Before me stood a gated brownstone house that was, in all actuality, less like a house and more like a mansion. I was pleased that Spot had done so well for himself. Swiftly and expertly, Mimic swung the gate open and we made our way up the circular drive to Spot's home. A smart Model T was parked in front of his house and I wondered if it was his. Its dove gray and black exterior gleamed from polishing. I watched from the bottom of the stairs as Mimic made his way up confidently.
"Ya comin'?" He asked from the top when he realized I had not followed him. I gripped the necklace, which was now useless, as I made my way up the stairs, drawing comfort from it as I had so many times before.
"You are mistaken child, if you think you were sent back to find your true love." I heard the gypsy's voice whisper in my ear, and I felt the fear that filled my heart.
"Master Christopher." I looked up swiftly at the man who stood in the doorway. He stood stiffly and I realized that he must be the butler. "I assume you are here to see Mr. Michael again."
"Yeah, I brought him a little present." Mimic replied, and I realized for the first time I had never known Mimic's real name.
"Very thoughtful of you, but Miss Sarah has just left to begin fittings for her new trousseau."
Mimic's face darkened as the butler said those words; I wondered who Miss Sarah was.
"He ain't got no right seein' that woman, let alone engaging himself to her." Mimic growled as he grabbed my arm and pulled me inside before the words could register in my mind. The butler had said trousseau, a woman's wardrobe she had created before she married. Engaged? Spot was engaged? I fought tears and Mimic's hand.
"I can't do this Mimic," I said as I struggled against the surprisingly strong grip of my former charge. "I can't, if he's getting married then I wish him all the happiness in the world."
"You can't marry her Michael, don't you understand?" I heard another familiar voice cry from behind the partially closed door of the study.
"Understand what, Alex?" I heard his voice ask. "You and Christopher keep dancing circles around what the hell it was that Sarah did to make her unworthy of marriage."
"She betrayed Briar, Michael." Alex hissed. "Have you not been listening to us? She set Briar up. She arranged for Mimic to be taken, she arranged for Briar to be framed for stealing. She talked nonsense about Briar's supposed craziness. Hell, she almost killed Briar with the whole Ox fiasco. She betrayed the woman you swore you loved."
"I know." Michael replied softly. "I know. All in good time Alex. Just trust me."
"What are you going to do?"
"Look, for now all you need to know is Briar's gone Alex, she's never coming back. " Michael replied steadily. "And for that, Sarah will pay."
"Isn't she?" Mimic asked, throwing open the doors. "Funny, cause me boys found this outside Medda's today."
Two men looked at us, both searching beyond Mimic to me, both stopping in shock. Two pairs of eyes widened in disbelief as they both stood. I realized looking into the face of Alex that it was Mush, his soft eyes still the same warm brown, still looking from beyond his face in a sweet naivety that we all knew he didn't possess. I did not look at Spot. I could not. Instead I focused on Mush who was took a hesitant step toward me.
"Mush." I said softly, as he made his way closer. He looked at me for a moment then pulled me into his arms, and I felt the joyous tears I had not known were in my eyes trickle into his jacket.
"Briar." He replied, "You're back. I knew you had to come back."
"I'm here, alive and well, except for this headache that is making me feel like I have the worst hangover you can imagine." I babbled, unsure of what to say, not wanting to turn my attention just yet to the man I had come to see. Finally, he stepped back and looked to Spot, who was watching with an expressionless look, his icy gaze making me want to flinch.
We stood like that for a moment, coolly regarding each other until finally he stepped from behind his desk and moved to stand directly in front of me.
"Michael." Was all I said, as neither of us moved. Slowly, he moved again until we were only inches apart.
"Briar?" his voice was uncertain as he touched my arm. The faded, aged fabric seemed to draw all of his attention.
"I'm home, Michael." I whispered as he turned his face and our eyes met. I do not know who made the first move, all I know is his arms were around me and he kissed me with a burning passion that I had not been kissed with since I had left him. There was an urgency and fear that tinged this kiss, and I wrapped my arms around him afraid to let go. Afraid that this was yet another dream into which I had fallen.
"Don't you ever leave me again. If you do, I swear I'll make Ox's torture seem like paradise." He hissed savagely as his arms tightened. "You're mine, now and always, you got that?"
I nodded tears falling down my face now, streaming in rivers that I had not shed in the years I had been gone, but needed to.
"I love you, Michael." I replied, "I will always love you and only you."
His arms swept under my legs and swiftly he carried me from the room. I did not have the time to protest or even call goodbye as he carried me up the steps and down the hall to a room. I knew the minute we entered, it was his bedroom.
His lips came down upon mine with the same power it had had years before. The power to make me forget all reason, to loose any ounce of common sense I had. I did not care that his fingers were fumbling at my shirt or that my skirt was falling to the floor. For once, neither of us was able to stop what happened. Neither of us wanted to.
I had been right; he was very well practiced in the art of love. Yet this was not the robotic movement of a man who was trying to give his partner and himself a moment of pleasure. It was the uncontrolled passion of a man in love. Every touch was a brand upon my skin telling me I was his, that I would always be his. He possessed me and I him and that was how it would always be. Wolves mated for life, and I knew that that is what he was telling me as he touched me. That I was his for life, and vise versa.
As dusk settled about the room, I felt his arm around me, his lips once again caressing the back of my neck. I lay contentedly, knowing that this was, indeed, where I wanted to be.
"I love you, Briar." I heard him whisper and tears of joy filled my eyes. Rolling over I looked into those eyes that I had seen hold so many different emotions. I wondered as he said it if he had told Sarah those same words.
"I know." I replied as he gently brushed the hair from my face and caressed my cheek. "But what about Sarah?"
"I never planned on actually marrying her." He told me "The only person I would ever plan on marrying is you."
"Then why are you engaged to her?" I asked, sitting up and clutching the sheet to my bare skin. He sat with me, his hand running patterns along my back.
"I'm not. She thinks she has me on the brink of it; she's already planning a wedding I've never asked her for." He chuckled. "With you here I can think of grander ways of getting the revenge I had been planning on."
"Don't think of her, Michael." I whispered running my hand along his cheek and bringing his face down for kiss. As we lost each other in the kiss again, I knew at that moment he was mine forever. This time he was sweet and gentle, telling me with every touch that he loved me. I slept for a while and woke to the moonlight in my face. Michael was awake and I could feel him gently caressing my hair, for he was Michael now. No longer Spot, though I could see traces of the boy I had left in the man he had become. Michael had always been mine, Spot had belonged to Brooklyn, and I was glad he had shed that aspect of his life. We had both grown and were ready for the emotions neither of us had been sure enough of before.
"She will never hurt you again, Briar." I heard him promise. "I will never let anyone hurt you again."
"How incredibly cliché." I said sleepily. He chuckled and curled up around me.
"Yes, but incredibly true."
"Promise me something." He nodded as he heard the urgency in my voice. "Forget Sarah. No more revenge, no more anger, just let it all go. It will be hard enough to loose you to me. Please forget it."
"I don't know if I can." He said looking away.
"Please, Michael, please, I want to forget it all and move on with our lives." I begged shamelessly. "If you truly love me you will do this one thing for me."
Slowly he nodded, before looking at me with a soft expression that I had never seen on his face.
"I protect what's mine." He said fiercely.
"I know." I responded laying my head on his shoulder. "I don't doubt it."
As his arms wrapped around me, I lay back, content and sleepy. I knew that I would never doubt him; he would love and protect me as fiercely as he had led the Brooklyn newsies. But for my sake, he would try. We had fought a long battle. There had been many casualties, and many wounds, but in the end, we had managed to find our way back. Through time and space, we had struggled; struggled for that which is worth every sacrifice: Love.
Okay guys, almost over! I think the muses are planning an epilogue and I'm done with it. Yes, Chelci, that means I will start on the Glimmer fic.
P.S. If I missed a SO. Sorry, thank you, I love you okay read on to find yours.
Rhap: Okay I updated.. Sorry not incredibly soon, but I think the last chapter will come soon enough
Chelci: Now it is pretty well the end. Ahh, tears are in my eyes because I don't want it to be over, my baby can't be all grown up! Well there it is in all its glory.
Raider: You asked for it, you got it.
Kathryn Mason-Sykes: Thank you. Wow, what a compliment. I hope you like this chapter. Final one to follow soon.
Shortie: She reconnected in many ways dear, happy? Thank you for the compliment. I try to make it enjoyable for all.
Erinkathleen: Happy enough for you?
Rumor: Well everyone voted and it seems everyone would have lynched me had I not given poor Cam a happy ending. So here it is in all its sappy glory.
Dreamer: Well good for you graduating early. I wish I had done that. I can't wait for your next update! Here you go!
Indy: Already got a future story posted. Check it out let me know what you think! Thank you! Hope you enjoy.
Angel: Thank you hon, here's more!
Ali: Ah, dahling was that romantic enough for you? After all, you are the queen of romance. Here you go, enjoy!
Galaxy: Glad you liked it, more for you!
Falco: Not over yet. Though it seems that it I could, I think I need to finish it up. Wrap up all loose ends and make everything better!
J.P: Yay, you reviewed again. Oops, did I make you behind again? I hope you like it! More cookies please!
Arlene: Thank you, thank you, thank you!
GG: Yup, continuing for a little while. I think one more chapter is all Cam can take. She's tired. Thank you for the compliment!
Fearless: No need to beg here you go!
Skittles: Here you go honey, enjoy!
Fyre Eye: No soaking or worse here you go! (hands chapter like you'd hand a hungry tiger a hunk of meat. Namely throwing it and running for cover). Yes, Morai knows! Hope you enjoyed it!
"No matter the choice you make, the necklace will know it will be your last choice." The gypsy had told me, for once making things clear. "If you leave, you will not come back to this time. If you stay, you will have no chance at going to the past again. We cannot have you wrecking havoc with time. There is only so far we can press these things. "
After the gypsy left, we sent the young girl who was working the museum home. Amanda was her name. She had smiled excitedly and nodded, telling us she had a double date with her cousin Chelci later that night that she now had extra time for which to get ready. I had smiled absently at her, my attention on the necklace in my hand before handing it to Morai and heading upstairs to get my clothes.
"Are you ready?" Morai asked, holding the amulet. I looked at it.
"What if I am making the wrong choice, Morai?" I whispered, fear on my face. I had lived through hell; would I be returning to it, or would life finally go my way?
"You're not making the wrong choice." Morai told me. "I guess the real question is are you willing to spend the rest of your life haunted in your dreams by a man who is dead?"
"I could learn to live with it." I said quietly, the fear plain in my voice now.
"Who are you and where is my friend?" Morai's voice held irritation such as I had rarely heard coming out of her mouth. "This is not the Briar I know and love; you're acting like a frightened ninny."
"This coming from the girl that didn't actually believe what I had told her until you found proof for yourself that the man I had talked about even existed." I said wryly looking back in the mirror and taking a deep breath. I knew deep inside me that the gypsy had been right; no matter the outcome, I would be going where I belonged. I would be going home. Silently, I held out my hands and for the second time that night took the amulet into them. It warmed hotly to my skin. I saw the jewel glowing and slowly undid the clasp, clasping it about my neck.
"Goodbye Morai." I called, though I knew it came out as a whisper. She gave me a quick hug before stepping back and watching. The last thing I saw was her face, eyes wide with shock as she watched me disappear.
For the first time I was entirely conscious of what was happening to me, my mind was neither filled with sadness, nor taken unaware. The light that shone upon me from an unknown source eventually forced me to close my eyes at its brilliance. I felt tickling upon my skin, as the world seemed to spin. Sand seemed to brush my face, my body felt warm, and then slowly it began to burn. I tried to scream, tried to move, tried to do anything to make it stop, but I couldn't. It seemed as if it would go on forever, but instead if faded. Slowly, I opened my eyes. I found myself crouched upon a badly scuffed and worn hard wood floor. My body would not function as I wished it too; instead it collapsed and I lay there gasping, not entirely sure of where the necklace had dumped me this time. I could only hope I was somewhere close to where I wanted to be before the exhaustion of time travel over whelmed me.
I felt small fingers poking at me and tried to brush at them, but I was too uncoordinated, my arms too heavy and unwilling to work.
"Who's the dame?" I heard a voice ask.
"Don't know." A small childlike voice answered. "We found her in the alley and brought her in."
"What's goin' on?" a new voice asked, one that held authority. "Medda's wonderin' what's with all the racket back here, she's got a show startin' in a few minutes and ya gotta keep it down."
"Whatta we gonna do with her?" Another voice joined the first two as I struggled to open my eyes.
"She looks kinda familiar." The second voice said thoughtfully. "Look she's comin' around."
Slowly my eyes flicked opened and I had to blink a few times to keep them from immediately closing. There were a circle of faces about me and I tried to focus on one, but couldn't. My hand went immediately to the pendant that hung coolly next to my face.
"Alright, I don't know what ya dragged in, but out all of ya. Either pay the man, find ya seats or leave. It ain't that difficult." This new voice held quite a bit of authority. Trying to focus on the boy that stood directly in front of me, my mind fumbled to place that voice.
"Cameo?" The boy whispered softly. Gently he knelt and took the pendant from where my hand clutched it. He turned it over in his hands before looking into my face. "Cam?"
I looked into a pair of familiar green eyes, hope shimmering in them from beyond a fringe of strawberry-blonde curls. His eyes misted over and I realized who was kneeling next to me.
"You need a hair cut kid." I replied, before my face turned green and I had force my concentration on not allowing the contents of my stomach to heave all over the floor. My head began to ache abominably; unsteadily I tried to stand and smiled thankfully at the young man who helped me up. Mimic smiled at me, his cheeks no longer as chubby, his freckles darker, and his hair a richer color, almost copper toned. He was no longer the small boy that had curled up to me to go to sleep, though I could see traces of the boy that had expected me to chase away the nightmares and sing him to sleep. About him was the cool collected air that both Jack and Spot had held. I knew that when the time came he would be the next leader of the newsies. I'd give him a maximum of three years time. Spot had taken over Brooklyn at the age of twelve and Mimic couldn't be more than ten. I was sure he was tough enough, but you had to have a certain amount of seniority before the older boys would take you seriously.
With Mimic's help, I made my way to the washroom. I barely made it to the toilet, though I was thankful it was not in the same condition as the first toilet I had been forced to use. Again, I was violently ill; the vomiting seemed to get more violent the more I had traveled. Finally, as the contents of my stomach were entirely gone and the muscles of my stomach had contracted enough times to be sure of that, I sat back weakly against the wall. Mimic handed me a glass of water that I quickly rinsed my mouth out with and then took a long drink.
"Ya back." Mimic whispered, as if he were afraid it might not be true, that if he spoke the words I would disappear.
"I'm back." I agreed." For good, no matter what happens. I can't go back to where I'm from."
Mimic nodded understanding as the boys that were nearby curiously crowded around. Slowly, I stood. I had more important things to do than worry about the headache that felt like someone was trying to crack open my brain with a chisel and hammer.
"Where are Jack and the other boys?" I asked. "How long have I been gone?"
"Five and a half years." Mimic answered. "I'll take you to him."
From the look in his eyes, he knew exactly whom I was desperate to see.
"Alright boys, you've seen enough." He called out. To my surprise they immediately started to disperse.
"You can't possibly be leader yet." I muttered.
"Nah, but these boys, they listen to me better than the current leader." He replied as he took my arm and helped me into the bunkroom. "Are ya sure ya can make it? Maybe ya should lie down and we'll go in the morning."
"No, Mimic. For five and a half years, I have lived without him. I have to see him." I said firmly, taking my hand from where it was massaging my temple and starting for the door.
"Ya still too stubborn." He said shaking his head and following. "I'm goin' to Brooklyn, I'll be back tomorrow. Yellow Jacket, ya keep an eye on things and keep the boys in line."
A boy who was the last to head in the direction of the stage nodded before Mimic was out the door following me. It didn't take long before he was the one leading the way and I was lagging behind. While his sturdy legs had still been walking all over the city for the past five years, mine had been sitting behind a desk, and no amount of treadmill running could prepare me for the walk. My feet were blistering in the shoes I hadn't worn in years, and my legs burned from trying to keep up with Mimic's walk. Finally, we reached our destination and I paused to catch my breath and run a hand over my hair.
Before me stood a gated brownstone house that was, in all actuality, less like a house and more like a mansion. I was pleased that Spot had done so well for himself. Swiftly and expertly, Mimic swung the gate open and we made our way up the circular drive to Spot's home. A smart Model T was parked in front of his house and I wondered if it was his. Its dove gray and black exterior gleamed from polishing. I watched from the bottom of the stairs as Mimic made his way up confidently.
"Ya comin'?" He asked from the top when he realized I had not followed him. I gripped the necklace, which was now useless, as I made my way up the stairs, drawing comfort from it as I had so many times before.
"You are mistaken child, if you think you were sent back to find your true love." I heard the gypsy's voice whisper in my ear, and I felt the fear that filled my heart.
"Master Christopher." I looked up swiftly at the man who stood in the doorway. He stood stiffly and I realized that he must be the butler. "I assume you are here to see Mr. Michael again."
"Yeah, I brought him a little present." Mimic replied, and I realized for the first time I had never known Mimic's real name.
"Very thoughtful of you, but Miss Sarah has just left to begin fittings for her new trousseau."
Mimic's face darkened as the butler said those words; I wondered who Miss Sarah was.
"He ain't got no right seein' that woman, let alone engaging himself to her." Mimic growled as he grabbed my arm and pulled me inside before the words could register in my mind. The butler had said trousseau, a woman's wardrobe she had created before she married. Engaged? Spot was engaged? I fought tears and Mimic's hand.
"I can't do this Mimic," I said as I struggled against the surprisingly strong grip of my former charge. "I can't, if he's getting married then I wish him all the happiness in the world."
"You can't marry her Michael, don't you understand?" I heard another familiar voice cry from behind the partially closed door of the study.
"Understand what, Alex?" I heard his voice ask. "You and Christopher keep dancing circles around what the hell it was that Sarah did to make her unworthy of marriage."
"She betrayed Briar, Michael." Alex hissed. "Have you not been listening to us? She set Briar up. She arranged for Mimic to be taken, she arranged for Briar to be framed for stealing. She talked nonsense about Briar's supposed craziness. Hell, she almost killed Briar with the whole Ox fiasco. She betrayed the woman you swore you loved."
"I know." Michael replied softly. "I know. All in good time Alex. Just trust me."
"What are you going to do?"
"Look, for now all you need to know is Briar's gone Alex, she's never coming back. " Michael replied steadily. "And for that, Sarah will pay."
"Isn't she?" Mimic asked, throwing open the doors. "Funny, cause me boys found this outside Medda's today."
Two men looked at us, both searching beyond Mimic to me, both stopping in shock. Two pairs of eyes widened in disbelief as they both stood. I realized looking into the face of Alex that it was Mush, his soft eyes still the same warm brown, still looking from beyond his face in a sweet naivety that we all knew he didn't possess. I did not look at Spot. I could not. Instead I focused on Mush who was took a hesitant step toward me.
"Mush." I said softly, as he made his way closer. He looked at me for a moment then pulled me into his arms, and I felt the joyous tears I had not known were in my eyes trickle into his jacket.
"Briar." He replied, "You're back. I knew you had to come back."
"I'm here, alive and well, except for this headache that is making me feel like I have the worst hangover you can imagine." I babbled, unsure of what to say, not wanting to turn my attention just yet to the man I had come to see. Finally, he stepped back and looked to Spot, who was watching with an expressionless look, his icy gaze making me want to flinch.
We stood like that for a moment, coolly regarding each other until finally he stepped from behind his desk and moved to stand directly in front of me.
"Michael." Was all I said, as neither of us moved. Slowly, he moved again until we were only inches apart.
"Briar?" his voice was uncertain as he touched my arm. The faded, aged fabric seemed to draw all of his attention.
"I'm home, Michael." I whispered as he turned his face and our eyes met. I do not know who made the first move, all I know is his arms were around me and he kissed me with a burning passion that I had not been kissed with since I had left him. There was an urgency and fear that tinged this kiss, and I wrapped my arms around him afraid to let go. Afraid that this was yet another dream into which I had fallen.
"Don't you ever leave me again. If you do, I swear I'll make Ox's torture seem like paradise." He hissed savagely as his arms tightened. "You're mine, now and always, you got that?"
I nodded tears falling down my face now, streaming in rivers that I had not shed in the years I had been gone, but needed to.
"I love you, Michael." I replied, "I will always love you and only you."
His arms swept under my legs and swiftly he carried me from the room. I did not have the time to protest or even call goodbye as he carried me up the steps and down the hall to a room. I knew the minute we entered, it was his bedroom.
His lips came down upon mine with the same power it had had years before. The power to make me forget all reason, to loose any ounce of common sense I had. I did not care that his fingers were fumbling at my shirt or that my skirt was falling to the floor. For once, neither of us was able to stop what happened. Neither of us wanted to.
I had been right; he was very well practiced in the art of love. Yet this was not the robotic movement of a man who was trying to give his partner and himself a moment of pleasure. It was the uncontrolled passion of a man in love. Every touch was a brand upon my skin telling me I was his, that I would always be his. He possessed me and I him and that was how it would always be. Wolves mated for life, and I knew that that is what he was telling me as he touched me. That I was his for life, and vise versa.
As dusk settled about the room, I felt his arm around me, his lips once again caressing the back of my neck. I lay contentedly, knowing that this was, indeed, where I wanted to be.
"I love you, Briar." I heard him whisper and tears of joy filled my eyes. Rolling over I looked into those eyes that I had seen hold so many different emotions. I wondered as he said it if he had told Sarah those same words.
"I know." I replied as he gently brushed the hair from my face and caressed my cheek. "But what about Sarah?"
"I never planned on actually marrying her." He told me "The only person I would ever plan on marrying is you."
"Then why are you engaged to her?" I asked, sitting up and clutching the sheet to my bare skin. He sat with me, his hand running patterns along my back.
"I'm not. She thinks she has me on the brink of it; she's already planning a wedding I've never asked her for." He chuckled. "With you here I can think of grander ways of getting the revenge I had been planning on."
"Don't think of her, Michael." I whispered running my hand along his cheek and bringing his face down for kiss. As we lost each other in the kiss again, I knew at that moment he was mine forever. This time he was sweet and gentle, telling me with every touch that he loved me. I slept for a while and woke to the moonlight in my face. Michael was awake and I could feel him gently caressing my hair, for he was Michael now. No longer Spot, though I could see traces of the boy I had left in the man he had become. Michael had always been mine, Spot had belonged to Brooklyn, and I was glad he had shed that aspect of his life. We had both grown and were ready for the emotions neither of us had been sure enough of before.
"She will never hurt you again, Briar." I heard him promise. "I will never let anyone hurt you again."
"How incredibly cliché." I said sleepily. He chuckled and curled up around me.
"Yes, but incredibly true."
"Promise me something." He nodded as he heard the urgency in my voice. "Forget Sarah. No more revenge, no more anger, just let it all go. It will be hard enough to loose you to me. Please forget it."
"I don't know if I can." He said looking away.
"Please, Michael, please, I want to forget it all and move on with our lives." I begged shamelessly. "If you truly love me you will do this one thing for me."
Slowly he nodded, before looking at me with a soft expression that I had never seen on his face.
"I protect what's mine." He said fiercely.
"I know." I responded laying my head on his shoulder. "I don't doubt it."
As his arms wrapped around me, I lay back, content and sleepy. I knew that I would never doubt him; he would love and protect me as fiercely as he had led the Brooklyn newsies. But for my sake, he would try. We had fought a long battle. There had been many casualties, and many wounds, but in the end, we had managed to find our way back. Through time and space, we had struggled; struggled for that which is worth every sacrifice: Love.
Okay guys, almost over! I think the muses are planning an epilogue and I'm done with it. Yes, Chelci, that means I will start on the Glimmer fic.
P.S. If I missed a SO. Sorry, thank you, I love you okay read on to find yours.
Rhap: Okay I updated.. Sorry not incredibly soon, but I think the last chapter will come soon enough
Chelci: Now it is pretty well the end. Ahh, tears are in my eyes because I don't want it to be over, my baby can't be all grown up! Well there it is in all its glory.
Raider: You asked for it, you got it.
Kathryn Mason-Sykes: Thank you. Wow, what a compliment. I hope you like this chapter. Final one to follow soon.
Shortie: She reconnected in many ways dear, happy? Thank you for the compliment. I try to make it enjoyable for all.
Erinkathleen: Happy enough for you?
Rumor: Well everyone voted and it seems everyone would have lynched me had I not given poor Cam a happy ending. So here it is in all its sappy glory.
Dreamer: Well good for you graduating early. I wish I had done that. I can't wait for your next update! Here you go!
Indy: Already got a future story posted. Check it out let me know what you think! Thank you! Hope you enjoy.
Angel: Thank you hon, here's more!
Ali: Ah, dahling was that romantic enough for you? After all, you are the queen of romance. Here you go, enjoy!
Galaxy: Glad you liked it, more for you!
Falco: Not over yet. Though it seems that it I could, I think I need to finish it up. Wrap up all loose ends and make everything better!
J.P: Yay, you reviewed again. Oops, did I make you behind again? I hope you like it! More cookies please!
Arlene: Thank you, thank you, thank you!
GG: Yup, continuing for a little while. I think one more chapter is all Cam can take. She's tired. Thank you for the compliment!
Fearless: No need to beg here you go!
Skittles: Here you go honey, enjoy!
Fyre Eye: No soaking or worse here you go! (hands chapter like you'd hand a hungry tiger a hunk of meat. Namely throwing it and running for cover). Yes, Morai knows! Hope you enjoyed it!