A/N-Cat-I have a slave driving muse!

Kyrette-*sighing* :You can't have it both ways. First you complain I don't work. Now you complain that I do! Which is it?:

Cat-Well I did want to work on Sarana a bit more…. *Looking around hopefully for Jelana*

Kyrette- :You can't. You sent Scaretta to chase her down, again, remember?:

Cat- Oh yeah. I forgot. *bends down to scratch her ever-so-patient muse* I'm sorry, my friend.

Kyrette- :It's alright. Let's just get this chapter done. I'm not done with the mage yet. Oh before we forget: We don't own, Lackey does.:

Cat- So on with 'Flame…………………

Chapter 19- What a Girl's Gotta Do

With the dawn, 'Flame was deep into Haven. She had used the cover of night to get into the city from one of the city gates. After, of course, going over the city walls to get outside. She figured it would be better to be seen coming in but not going out.

Before she'd left the city, though, she'd stopped at The Companion's Bell, written a note to Alberich and dropped off a few things. Then it was into the shadows and out of the city over the walls. Then she came back in through Exile's Gate and into the seediest parts of Haven. She hadn't discussed her actual plan with anyone. Mainly because she was afraid Firesong really would tie her up to make sure that she was safe.

She just hoped that she would be able to find Alberich down here and that he had gotten her note. If he hadn't…. That didn't bear thinking about. He had to have gotten it. Her entire plan hinged on it.

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That night, Alberich sat in The Broken Arms, working on his "third" beer of the night waiting for "Smoke". He did not approve of this. Still he'd kept his silence and sworn Kantor to silence as well. The last thing he needed was for his Companion to tell Darkfire, who would of course, immediately tell Firesong.

So here he sat, pouring more beer on the floor than down his throat waiting for her to arrive. It was the usual assortment of riff raff tonight, with one addition. The bodyguard, whom 'Flame had seen approaching the city was indeed here down in the nastiest area of Haven. No idea as to what he was doing here yet. But he'd been eyeing Alberich for about an hour now.

If he approached before 'Flame arrived, he'd have to stall the man. Just as that thought occurred to him, a commotion at the door brought many heads around. Outlined in the doorway was a silhouette he knew well. With trepidation pulling at him, he waited for 'Flame to cross to him.

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"My Gods! She's insane!!" Firesong's shout reverberated around the ekele. He stood and began to pace around the ekele. Aya squawked a bit, showering off false sparks. Silverfox watched him pace for a bit. "She's completely insane! 'Flame can't possibly expect me to allow her down there without my help!"

So saying he began changing clothes. Ripping off his immaculate robes and searching through the closet for something that might fit him.

Silverfox let him rip through the clothing for a moment before flowing to his feet. "Ashke, stop. Firesong!" Him yelling his love's name finally got his attention. He took the clothes from Firesong's hands and gently led the distraught mage to a chair.

After both were seated, and Firesong's breathing had calmed a bit, Silverfox asked what the trouble was. Aya hopped from his perch to sit in his bond mate's lap, offering his own comfort. Firesong scratched his bondbird under the chin, causing the firebird to cuddle up a bit, bringing a small smile to Firesong's face.

"Ayren just told me where my sister is." Firesong continued to slow his breathing relieving some of his tension. "She's down by Exile's Gate. I don't know what she's thinking but it can't be rational."

Silverfox studied his lover for a few moments, weighing his words carefully. He had to decide what exactly to say to convince Firesong not to go chasing after 'Flame. He had no idea what exactly 'Flame had planned but he had seen her as only a kestra'chern could.

She had something to prove. Not only to herself but also to everyone who ever doubted her. Most especially to her brother who had seen her so fragile. It was her turn to be the hero. Her turn to be the celebrated hero, even if it was only in her own mind.

"Ashke, this time you must stay behind." He raised his hand to stop Firesong's automatic protest. "I know she is your sister. I know that the two of you have finally begun a relationship. But this time, you must, must stay behind. Now is not the time for you to rescue her. Maybe later but not now." Silverfox stood and knelt before his life mate. "Please, love, trust me on this. Please."

Firesong looked at his life mate, seeing his concern. This time though he could not follow Silverfox's advice. He had to help her. He had to rescue her this time. Firesong had failed her so many times in the pas, he couldn't fail her again. "I have to help."

Silverfox sighed and stood, looking down at the man he loved. "What did she tell you?"

Firesong's lips quirked into a small smile. She had been ever so right in her assessment of him during the Storms. "She asked if I would have allowed anyone to take my place at Urtho's tower. I had to admit I would not have. But this is different!" Firesong, flowed to his feet and began to pace again. "This is not a threat to the world! Millions of lives do not depend on this! She is doing this for revenge!"

Silverfox crossed his arms, beginning to lose his composure. "She is doing this for vindication, Firesong. She has to prove things to herself. She has to prove something. I don't quite know what but something." He watched his love pace a bit more before continuing. "She is not a child in need of rescuing anymore."

Firesong whirled on Silverfox. "I know that." He almost shouted.

Silverfox held onto his own composure grimly. "Do you? I think you are still seeing her as the child cast out and alone. You saw her at her worst, alone, afraid, dealing with something that most could not. But that isn't her anymore. Not now. You pushing her to break was actually a good thing. It forced her to face what she had refused to until then." Firesong made to protest but Silverfox overrode him. "She is not totally recovered yet, I agree. But she has to do this. Will you undermine her fragile self worth for your own conscience?"

It was the last question that made Firesong stop and consider. Was he willing to harm her further for his own comfort? The answer to that was a resounding no. He had to believe that she knew what she was doing. But he didn't have to like it. He realized he had grumbled the last bit out loud when Silverfox chuckled.

"I didn't say you had to like it. Just accept it." Now Silverfox got that rare mischievous twinkle in his eye. "And thoroughly grill her about it when she returns." Firesong chuckled as he was supposed to. Then he turned to look out the window. Silverfox walked up behind him and wrapped him in a warm hug. "She will return, ashke. If only to prove everyone wrong, she will return."

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A/N Soooooooooooooooooooooo… We'll open the betting pools on Firesong actually staying out of this as soon as this is posted. Just put your bet in your review.

Cat-*looks sternly at all readers, hands on hips* And I want more reviews…. You guys have been VERY paltry with them lately! We need to know if everyone still loves Kyrette!

Kyrette- *snorts* :They don't cuz they never review. And still I post…: *walks away head sagging.*

Cat- Poor thing.. He loves all of you and no one loves him. Review if only to let him know you're still reading please??

~!*Cat*!~