And here's the last chapter of my little story. Again this is just Wolfsong of the Four Minds.
Healing Begins chapter eight.
The next day, Alex and Morgana prepared for the reunion. Xavier offered to fly them out to Boston. They accepted, and Alex called ahead to rent a vehicle. With Logan at the control, the Blackbird took off.
"Okay, kids," he grunted, "just call when you're ready. Cyc and I will be close."
"Thank you," they said as they got out at the airport. Together they walked and retrieved the keys to their rental, which just happened to be a new red Corvette convertible.
"You like red cars and black clothes. You sure you and Remy didn't hang out before we all met?"
"Yeah, actually, at a thieves only banquet in Tahiti. We met over drinks and rubies."
"An attempt at humor," she teased. "Leave the sarcasm to Shadow."
"Deal." They drove on in silence. When they reached the school grounds, Alex pulled through and got out, leaving in the keys for the valet. He walked around and helped Morgana out. Every glance of her in that red dress caused him to loose track of everything. They walked in, arm and arm. Just inside the front door sat a table with name labels and permanent markers, waiting them.
"I always hated these things," he moaned. She slapped his arm in a friendly gesture.
"It's just for tonight. It's a good thing the professor knows who's who."
"Really." They finished filling out their labels and went into the main room. An older with an attendance book stopped them.
"Morgana Greywolf and guest." She looked at her book, then at them. "Guest is Jackson Hooper. Have a lovely evening."
"Thank you," he said politely. "Do you feel old?" he asked Morgana as they walked on.
"No," she answered. "Out of place."
He looked down to her and noticed something. "You're wearing the pendant."
"Yeah," she fingered the ruby. "It matches."
"That it does." He smiled. "Shall we be social, darling?" So they went about the evening talking to old acquittances. The story she gave about quitting was that it was personal. As to why they of all people were her together, they simply said they had met up in San Francisco and had been working together ever since. They made no comments about a relationship. Soon they split up when Jackson ran into one of his father's colleagues. This gave her time to try and find Rhonde.
It wasn't until at the punch table did she find anyone she had been close to, and this one was probably the worst she could have ran into first.
"Morgana, you came." The voice was the same, and the person hadn't changed much.
"Jason." They didn't hug or shake hands, or anything. "It's been a long time."
"Yes. How have you been?" he cleared his throat.
"I've been good. Had some difficult run-ins, but...everything's going good."
"Good. So what are you doing now? Lawyer?"
"Oh, no. I never went back to law." She breathed deep, somehow sensing Alex's presence. "i help teach now at the Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters. Native arts."
"Teaching mutants."
"Teaching students. I see you're still not comfortable with anyone different. I guess you and Rhonde are good friends."
"We're more than that," a new voice announced. "We're married." Morgana turned around, and saw Rhonde. "Hello, Morg. Glad you could make it."
"My old best friend and my old boyfriend, married. How long?"
"After you left..."
"Was kicked out," she corrected.
"We started hanging out more. Then dating. We've been married for seven years."
"Two years after I left."
"We didn't mean to hurt you," Jason tried.
"No, you did that when you both turned me away after finding out who I really was." The tears started to fall. "I'm sorry. Excuse me." She walked off. Quinn saw and left her conversation.
"Morgana, what's wrong, love?" She looked up with tears running down her checks. "Rhonde and Jason."
"Married. Two years after I left." She cried. He took care of those tears too. "Alex, why does life work this way?"
"Because that's life. It isn't always easy. But it all turns out in the end."
"Thank you."
"You going to be okay now?" he asked lovingly.
"I think so. I have something I need to do," she answered rubbing her face.
"I'll be here if you need me." She walked away and back to her past. They saw her coming.
"Morg..."
"Let me talk," she pleaded. "I know from experience that what's in the past should stay in the past." She turned and looked at Alex. "I know that if the past is not forgotten it can ruin you life. That happened a little while ago." Another look to Alex. "But if it wasn't for my past, I wouldn't have my future."
"Jackson Hooper. I guess you did see him after all."
She blushed a little. "Here." She handed Rhonde an envelope from her purse. She opened it. "It's all there. I told you I'd pay you back."
"Morg."
"I promised, and Jason," she pulled the ring from her finger. "This should go to her."
"Morgana, I gave you that ring. Keep it."
"No. Everytime I look at it, I feel sad. Not because you gave it to me. Because of what you did after."
"Morgana."
"Please." She forced it into his hand. "She's your wife. I have a new life now. One I don't plan to leave."
"So where have you been for nine years?"
"I've been in and out of San Francisco for nine years, until recently," she answered some what relaxed. She could feel Alex's eyes on her. "Now I live just outside of New York in Salem Center in a decent sized mansion." She didn't say just how large the mansion was.
"That sounds nice. So you and Jackson Hooper. You know he's rich?"
"Yes, I know." She touched the ruby around her neck. "But he doesn't push it around. I just found out he's been sending money to help out my tribe."
"That's so sweet. How long have you guys been together?"
"We met up almost four years ago, then lost track of each other, then met back up less than a year ago."
"Have you been dating long?" Jason asked curiously.
"We had been for a while, but my mom forbid us."
"That's awful." Jason walked away when some one called his name.
"Well, she's changed her mind now," Morgana said, the relief in her voice.
"That's good. How are they?"
"Good. Visited them recently with my girlfriends. We went hunting."
"So are you back together yet?" They were seeming like old friends again.
"Not yet. He wants to, but I'm scared what happened will repeat itself."
"Morgana," Rhonde took her hands, "From the way he's been looking at you all evening, especially now, so protective, I don't think you have to worry." She turned her head. "Excuse me. Dance time." She walked away. Alex came over then.
"Go okay?" he asked rubbing her arms.
"Yeah." The tears came close to coming back.
"Want to dance?" he asked leading her out. The music, a song from an older movie, played on as they held each other tight.
"Alex, how is this going to work?" she breathed into his chest.
"How's what going to work, sweet?"
"This. Us."
"However you want, love. If you need time, I'll wait. All eternity if I have to."
She just stared up at him then laid her head on his chest. The rest of the night went well. When it was over, she said good bye to Rhonde and Jason and left. On the way back to the airport Morgana called and Scott informed them they would be waiting. The ride there and the flight back her head was filled with deep thoughts. The confrontation of her past hadn't gone badly. The trip with Alex had gone smoothly. Why couldn't she tell him how she felt? They were dropped off outside, as asked by Alex. He lead her away from the mansion.
"Where are we going, Alex?"
"I have something for you."
"Alex,..." He stopped her.
"Stay here," he commanded then took off. For once they weren't at the bench. He returned, leading something. "I honestly hope this doesn't upset you. I know he meant a lot to you and a large part of you died that day." She was crying. "This is for you. He can't replace Ravenhold, but maybe he can start the healing." He lead the horse the rest of the way out. A beautiful blue roan stallion, his face half white, half gray. She was still crying, but moved towards the horse.
"He's beautiful. And the bridle?"
"I made it. An attempt, anyway. Same with the blanket," he answered as she stroked the horse, still crying.
"I'm sorry. This didn't work. I'll take him away."
"No!" she screamed before he got half way to the stable. She ran to them. "I want him to stay," she said taking the reins from him. "I want you to stay, too. Oh, Alex I've missed you so much." More tears. "Alex, I love you, and I don't want to lose you."
"But?"
"But I want to take it slow. Enjoy every moment of it. Treasure it. I lost you once. It nearly killed me. I don't want that to happen again."
"It won't."
"Can you swear it?" she asked under a breathe.
"No." He placed his hands on her shoulders. "I can't." She dropped her head. He lifted it back up. "But I can promise you, and I've never broken a promise."
"No. You haven't." With that he leaned over wrapping his arms around her.
"I've missed you." He smiled. "I love you," and he sealed it with a kiss, deep and longing. "How about a late night ride?"
"Sounds great," she answered as he lifted her easily onto the stallion's back. Skillfully, he mounted on behind her, and taking the reins in one hand, he held her with the other. They kissed again as they rode off. Unknown to them, four pairs of eyes watched the two love birds. One spoke up.
"Finally."
"Hush," the larger form beside the voice said. "It is about time, though."
"You're starting to sound like her, my friend. Careful." the other large form warned lightly.
"Quiet. They might hear us. But you're right. At least balance as been restored," said another small form with a heavy accent though whispering.
"Now you're sounding like Ororo," the fist large form said.
"One big, happy family, again."
The End?