Disclaimer: ...you know by now who owns what so...yeah...moving on...

Fallen Angel

Chapter 9

It was a little after noon as Rett Butler and Beryun were heading down to the training levels of the Guardians complex. They had been helping the current instructors in the more advanced classes: Rett was teaching swordsmanship and Beryun was instructing meditation and hand-to-hand combat. But today was different. 'What did they mean 'a day off,' I wonder,' thought Rett as they took the elevator. There was a "ding" and they stepped out the opening doors...right into chaos.

People were running everywhere. Rett recognized several of the men and women he instructed and many of the senior instructors and hunters. 'What's all the commotion?' he wondered as he and Beryun made their way to Serena's office. They had to fight the human (and other) traffic as they pushed and dodged their way down the multiple hallways. Rett let out a sigh of relief as he set foot in the quiet office. 'Thank God.'

He nodded a greeting to Asher and shook hands with Father Dom. He surveyed the room, looking for a seat. He decided to lean against the wall next to Millenear, who, along with Desh, was already present. The only people missing were Serena and Remi and... 'No, wait. There he is,' he thought to himself as he spotted Eiji in a corner. He was just about to ask were the two missing girls were when one of them walked in.

"Afternoon, everybody!" Serena said brightly as she sat down behind the desk. Millenear and Dom responded in kind, but everyone else either mumbled a semblance of "Good morning/afternoon" or didn't talk at all. 'She's in a good mood. Now I know something's up. She's never this happy if Eiji and I are in the room.' He recalled the woman's lingering anger toward Eiji for his...arrival and him well... 'Best not to think about it,' he though as he unconsciously rubbed his cheek. 'That slap left a mark, too.'

Serena cleared her throat. "Ok, I suppose you all want to know what the hells going on out there, huh?" She pointed to her door. Not waiting for a response she continued, "Well, we're having a bit of a party."

"Why?" This came from Desh. "Don't you have more important things to do? And what in the world could you possibly be celebrating?"

Serena laughed. "Why, she didn't tell you?" Everyone looked at her very confused. 'What is she talking about?'

She laughed more. "Guess not. Oh well, I guess I get to do the honor then. It's Remi's 18th birthday! Everyone agreed to throw her a huge party for that and for...other reasons." She looked at them all, waiting.

"Eighteen?" asked Rett. "That's pretty big. Why didn't she mention it? I would have thought she'd tell everyone."

Something crossed Serena's face to fast for him to identify. "She has some..." she glanced at Dom, Asher, and, surprisingly, Desh, before she continued, "bad memories associated with her birthday. So, every year that she's been with us, we have thrown her a party to try and replace those bad memories with new, good ones. Make sense?"

Millenear nodded and smiled. "It does to me. I would probably have done the same if I had known." Serena smiled in return. "Well, anyway, on to other business. Deshwitat, Rett? The woman I spoke to you about will be arriving tonight. We will begin immediately after she gets here."

"Finally..."muttered Desh. Rett was inclined to agree with his friend. Serena nodded. "Finally, which I am sorry about, by the way. It couldn't be helped." She shrugged.

"You're not that sorry," stated Rett. She smirked and replied, "Correct, but I have been trained to say 'I'm sorry' at the appropriate time. I never said I was sincere, now did I?" Rett shook his head. 'I can see how she and Remi got to be such good friends,' he thought darkly.

"Well, that about covers it. Any questions?" She didn't give them time to say anything. "No? Ok, then I call this meeting over!" She nodded to them all and swept out of the room into the pandemonium outside. Dom and Asher followed her. Then, Millenear, Eiji, and Beryun. Soon, it was only him and Desh left.

"So, it's time."

Desh looked at him and nodded. 'He doesn't look to good.' "You ok, Desh? You're looking a little green." Rett remembered the last time he had seen him look that way. 'Shit!' he thought. "When was the last time you ate, Desh?"

"I'm fine."

"Like hell. Don't they have any of the red stuff handy? They have vampires on staff and all."

"I wouldn't know. I haven't asked." Rett stared at him. Desh stared back. Rett exploded. "WHAT THE HELL TO YOU MEAN YOU HAVEN'T ASKED? ARE YOU TRYING TO STARVE YOURSELF? ARE YOU INSANE!" Desh didn't say a word, just cocked his fist back and whacked him hard in the jaw. Rett shut up. He was still fuming though. He was about to say something else when the door opened. 'I'm getting sick of being interrupted.' Remi walked in.

"What are you yelling about Rett? I could here your voice clear down the hall!" She was frowning. She looked between him and Desh. "What did you do, Desh?"

"Nothing."

"EXACTLY!" Rett shouted. Both girl and vampire turned back to him. He told Remi what was going on. As soon as he was finished he wished he hadn't. 'What does she care? She hates Desh anyway. Why in the world did I—' He never finished the thought. Remi looked angry too. He couldn't believe it. She said, "Wait here." Rett wasn't sure about Desh, but to him the tone of her voice suggested a long, violent, and painful death to anyone who disobeyed the order. Neither of them spoke as she reentered the room. She was carrying a red glass bottle. She didn't say anything as she handed the bottle to Desh and walked out, slamming the door, but he did think he heard her mutter, "Vampires...idiots..." but he wasn't sure. Both of them stood, just staring at the door, for quite a few minutes.

"Uhhh...Desh?"

"Uh huh."

"You know what just happened?"

"No. You?"

"Not a flipping clue."

"Oh. Ok then."

They just decided to drop it and left the room. Rett noticed that Desh never loosen his grip on the bottle.

Later that day... (Nighttime)

Millenear watched as the next round of dancing began. She couldn't believe how happy Remi was. 'She looks so at home, so relaxed, so...normal.' Two faeries cast an illusion spell involving a whole lot of blue, pink, and purple butterflies. 'Ok...maybe not normal but happy all the same.' She decided to stop just standing in one place and went searching for the rest of the group. She found Beryun and Desh sitting at a table near the edge of the "festival grounds" and joined them.

"Where's Rett?" she asked.

Beryun pointed onto the dance floor. Millenear was afraid to turn around, but did so anyway, her curiosity getting the better of her. She nearly fell out of her chair.

Some... 'Wood nymphs?' were trying to teach him how to dance...their way. Rett was trying to escape, but couldn't find an opening. He caught her looking at him and sent her a pleading look. 'Oh dear Lord. What has he gotten himself into?' He tried to run away again. He failed. Millenear couldn't hold it in anymore. She started cracking up, falling out of the chair and onto the grass. She laughed until tears sprang to her eyes and her ribs felt like they were cracking under the pressure.

She finally pulled herself back into her chair, gasping for breath. Desh was laughing too, though in a more controlled manner. Beryun's expression never changed, but Millenear could have sworn she saw a hint of amusement in the monk's eyes. 'This was a good idea. We all needed a break.'

Millenear felt someone tap her shoulder. She turned her head to see Remi standing behind her. She didn't get a chance to say, or do, anything as Remi grabbed her and dragged her onto the dance floor. Another fast, pulsing beat came from the speakers of the sound system the Guardians had set up earlier in the day. Remi then proceeded to teach her how to dance. 'I can't believe I'm doing this. I was an exorcist of the Catholic Church, after all. I don't even like this kind of music.' She kept trying to get away, but Remi would constantly drag her back. 'Now I know how Rett was feeling with those nymphs.' They danced until the party was declared "over." She said she was going to go to bed. 'I wonder why Remi isn't coming with me. She looks more tired than I am.' She shrugged, 'She wouldn't listen to me if I said anything anyway.' She bid everyone good night and went back into the house.

Remi rubbed her sweating palms on her robe. 'Damn it, I just wanna get this over with!' She watched as Serena drew another circle of power. She growled. Her friend looked up and smiled.

Getting a little impatient, Rem?

Oh, how could you tell? she sent back sarcastically. Serry laughed.

Don't worry, I'm almost finished. We can start as soon as everyone is present and accounted for. Remi nodded and leaned against a tree on the edge of the clearing. They were about 3 miles away from the house, on the edge of the property. The last time she had been here had been 4 years ago. 'Now, we're going to undo what we did that night,' she thought excitedly.

"Done. Now we wait for the others," Serena declared. Serry walked over to her and sat down by her feet. "You nervous?"

"A little," she admitted, "but I'm looking forward to it. I would never have mentioned it before this but...I missed it. It was like I wasn't me anymore. It felt strange." She looked up at the night sky. The moon was absent as it began a new cycle. 'It's perfect for this kind of rite.'

"How are we going to manage the tracking spell, Rem? I betting you don't want the guys to know yet." Serry looked at her intently. Remi had a plan...sort of, anyway.

"Well, I was just going to use glamour."

"Glamour? You're kidding right?"

"No. I was really good at, remember? I still remember the way to do it. And I'm confidant that I would be capable of doing it after the ritual," she said a little indignant. Serry didn't respond, just gave her a little hand signal, letting her know that she would go along with it.

"Well, I guess I should go over everything with you again before the others get here." Serry stood up and faced her. "First, just remember that you need to keep your body relaxed. I'm not exactly sure how violent releasing the seal is going to be. You most likely are in for a lot of pain. Just keep breathing and try to maintain your meditation. Don't move or anything else. We will contain the reaction and will try to regulate it as best we can. OK?" She kept up the eye contact. Remi nodded, nervous all over again.

"That was the worst pep-talk I've ever heard, Serry," she joked weakly. Serry gave her a "don't worry" smile and patted her on the shoulder. "You'll be fine. You were the last time." Remi agreed. 'It sucked then too, though.'

They heard people moving towards the clearing. "There here, Remi. Go stand in the middle of the circle."