Pure Intentions? Chapter 25
A/N: Please note I'm making a reference to Filmation's episode "Beauty and the Beast" in this chapter.
Donalbain: To answer your question, no Adora is not the stalker.
Ubberscribbler: I hope I can go back to a rom-com story line as that is how I planned this story. I promise it won't be too dark.
To all who wonder who the perpetrator is and looking for clues in the previous chapters, I am not sure you will find any as I am still developing who the perpetrator will be!
"Teela's life is in danger because of me?", He-Man asked facing her mother. He saw the worry lining her ageless face which made his temper rise. "You couldn't see who wants to hurt her?", he asked.
"No, their face was blocked from me in the vision", she replied. "He-Man, does Teela know how you truly feel about her?"
Quirking his eyebrows, He-Man stared at the ethereal winged woman with a look of bewilderment. "Comme ci comme ça", he answered her sheepishly resembling more the charming prince than the fierce warrior.
In a very uncharacteristic manner for the Sorceress, but very much like her doppelganger daughter, she threw her head back and laughed heartily.
"In other words, she still doesn't know?", she asked once her laughter abated.
"I told her how 'Adam' feels", he clarified using finger air quotes to differentiate between his two personas.
"Only because she is my daughter and I fear for her safety, I'm advising you to drop the bullshit", the winged-woman stated in a harsh voice. Now He-Man was truly shocked. He had never heard her use that tone of voice or vulgarit . If he ever questioned that this mystically powerful being was his best friend's mother, He-Man just got validation that she had indeed birthed the fiery headstrong woman that stole his heart. "Obviously, someone wants her out of the way to get to you", she pinpointed.
"Aye, aye Captain", he responded mimicking Orko's response to Teela this morning.
Talking about Orko, the floating magician stared in awe between the two humans in the Throne room. He had no idea what they were talking about. 'This is highly intriguing', he thought. He was trying to glue all the pieces together. The note said that Teela wouldn't be Queen. 'The Sorceress had called Teela her daughter'. 'Was that true or was it a term of endearment?', he wondered. Suddenly, his eyes bulged halfway out of his face as understand dawned. 'How did I miss this?', he thought excitedly. Floating higher, he let out a peel of laughter clapping his hands enthusiastically.
His two best friends were in love with each other.
Surprised, He-Man turned to look at him. From way up high he heard Orko yell, "You are in love with Teela?!"
Hearing Orko's declaration, a look of surprise also came across Battle-Cat's face. "Wwhat?", he growled. The formidable feline was totally surprised. He lived with Adam everyday of his life, sharing a bedroom and all of life's excitements. Battle-Cat felt offended that He-Man/Adam had not confided his feelings for Teela in him.
Realizing that his friends were waiting for an answer, He-Man withdrew the Power Sword from behind his back to transform back into Adam. Once the reversal occurred, he lowered himself onto his haunches so that his head was level with his pet's. Orko too lowered himself to a reasonable level.
"I'm sorry guys." "I know we don't have any secrets between us, but I had to keep this one." "To answer your questions, yes I'm in love with Teela", he shared with them. It was easy telling his buddies how he felt. Adam wished it was just as easy for him to come clean to Teela.
"Can I count on you guys to keep this between us for now?", Adam asked.
"You hhaven't told Teela?", Cringer asked.
"No, buddy." "Actually, I'm glad the two of you now know." "I can use both of your help", Adam declared.
Hearing a loud thud, he quickly turned around to face the origin of the sound. The Sorceress had just finished slapping her hand against her forehead. "Oh, Ancients", they heard her utter under her breath. Then more clearly so that her voice carried below her she asked, "You have no idea how to woo her, do you?"
Acknowledging that he needed all the help he could get, Adam spoke from the heart "No." "I seem to get in all sorts of trouble with the women in my life, when I devise plans to show Teela how I feel."
"What kind of trouble?", the mystic guardian asked.
"Well with my mother, Adora, and now you." "They all think I'm a moron", he responded.
"You are not a 'moron' Adam." "My daughter is a very difficult person to deal with and the two of you have a complicated relationship", the Sorceress said smiling at Orko. She had seen him gluing all the pieces together. Turning to stare at him she said, "Yes, Teela is my daughter." "She doesn't know the truth and I must ask you to keep this secret as well."
"Is this for her protection, just like Adam's secret is to protect those he loves?", Orko asked.
"Yes, my dear Orko." "Skeletor could harm us both if this knowledge were to fall into his hands", she whispered.
"Your secret is safe with me", he said with supreme confidence.
"Thank you", the Sorceress stated with a smile. Turning to look at the Prince she offered some words of advice. "Perhaps you should stop devising plans on showing Teela how you feel and just be honest with her." "There was a time when the two of you could share anything with each other." "This shouldn't be any different", she counseled.
"Thank you for the advise", Adam stated absentmindedly for he was already thinking of how he could utter the words to Teela he so desperately wanted.
"Now I suggest you all head back to Arcadia, before Teela gets there and realizes you are all missing", the Sorceress stated as she opened a dimensional portal and the three friends walked through it.
Teela drove the Attack Track back to Arcadia, making good time. Alone with her thoughts, she contemplated what the Sorceress had shared with her. Someone wanted something she had, something new in her life. 'What could it be?', she questioned.
As she neared Arcadia, she wished that He-Man was able to travel back with her. He was good at solving puzzles and she needed to pick his mind.
Thinking about He-Man brought Adam to mind. Particularly, his question of whether she would be able to tolerate being alone with He-Man. She should have used that opportunity to share her suspicions with him. Teela worried that this tour would come to an end and she would still not know the truth.
Reaching Arcadia's force field, she stopped the vehicle as she waited to make contact with a guard to allow her entrance. Luckily she didn't have long to wait. Parking her transport at the vehicle bay, Teela made her way to the guard's headquarters. She wanted to check with them for any updates concerning last night's perpetrator.
As she walked, her mind was busy analyzing the Sorceress's words. Lost in her thoughts, she couldn't stop herself before colliding into a strong male chest. Surprise registering on her face, Teela quickly pulled back as she prepared to apologize for her absentminded mistake. Opening her mouth to speak, her words stuck in her throat when she realized who was standing in front of her, their strong arms wrapped protectively around her.
To her surprise, there stood Prince Moragore or as she had first met him, the "Monster of Moragore".
"Captain Teela, are you alright?", he asked in his smooth baritone voice.
Swallowing excess saliva that just seemed to pool into her mouth due to her surprise, Teela graced the prince with a smile responding "Prince Moragore, how good it is to see you again." "I'm sorry for bumping into you."
"Your apology is appreciated but totally unnecessary", he replied continuing to smile at her.
"What brings you here?", Teela asked getting straight to the point.
"Queen Sumana invited me for the weekend's festivities", he answered.
"Oh, I had no idea you were visiting Arcadia or that you knew Queen Sumana", she replied.
"I just arrived." "Queen Sumana and I have been in business with each other for quite some time." "When she told me you were visiting, I had to come", he stated charmingly.
His words surprised the captain. Recalling that a while ago, Prince Moragore's kingdom had come into Skeletor's clutches which required her and He-Man's intervention so that it could be freed, she wondered if that was the reason for his visit.
"I'm here with Prince Adam not He-Man", she quickly informed him in case he did need the hero's assistance.
What he stated next, floored her.
"I don't need He-Man or Prince Adam's help." "The truth is, I'm here to see you." "I haven't been able to get you out of my mind", he whispered as he slowly inched his head closer to hers.
Teela immediately understood that he was smitten by her. The way he looked at her, left little to the imagination as to why he had to see her. Seeing his head close the distance between them, Teela walked backwards a few steps bringing much needed space between them. It seemed as if the handsome prince had the balls to try to kiss her even though they had not seen in each other in a very long time.
From a safe distance she responded, "Prince Moragore as pleasurable as it is to make your acquaintance again I have to apologize for my hasty departure, but I must go." "Adam is waiting for me", she said before she noticed that she left off Adam's honorary title.
Her mistake was not lost upon the once hideous royal. Neither were her awkward almost jittery movements to put space between them. "Off course, Captain", he stated as he straightened to his full height. Moragore was tall, slightly taller than Teela; however, Adam was taller than him by leaps and bounds. "Tell his Royal Highness that I look forward to meeting him", he stated making sure to include Adam's title letting Teela know that her faux pas didn't fall on deaf ears.
"I wasn't aware that you and he never met", Teela responded.
"We haven't." "I haven't traveled much since you've lifted my transformative spell", he informed her. It was obvious to Teela that he remembered just how that spell was reversed. Continuing he added, "There's been too much work bringing my kingdom back to its former glory." "This is the first trip outside my borders that I'm making in a very long time." "I'd love if you would come back with me to see all the wonderful changes your and He-Man's interventions helped bring about to Moragore."
"I'm sorry, your Highness", she stated. "Unfortunately, Prince Adam has to adhere to a very full schedule that has been pre-planned for many months." "Theirs is no room for leeway", she stated just so that he clearly understood that she would not be going anywhere with him. Teela didn't know why, but his presence was making her feel highly uncomfortable.
"Captain, the Prince doesn't need to come." "I thought perhaps we could spend some time together." "Your beauty has captivated my heart", he declared.
"Prince Moragore, I'm only away from my duties from the Royal Palace for one reason." "That reason is Prince Adam." "Where he goes, I go", she stated succinctly. "Now I really must be going", she stated as she turned to leave.
"Captain before you go, may I ask you one question?"
Stopping in her tracks, she looked over her shoulder at him. Giving him a slight nod of her head she waited to hear it.
"You insist on using my title when you address me." "How come you called Eternia's Heir Apparent by his first name?", he asked.
Turning to face him fully, she kept her gaze even with his as she responded "Prince Adam and I have been…"
"Friends since childhood", Prince Adam finished her sentence as he made his way around the corner. His presence startled the two speakers as it was totally unexpected. Neither noticed that they were not alone in the hallway.
Closing the distance between them, Prince Adam stood in front of Prince Moragore. Looking between the two men who were staring daggers at each other, Teela felt it was time she hightailed it out of there. Seeing Adam staring the shorter prince down, Teela remembered the look on He-Man's face when she had kissed 'The Monster of Moragore' bringing about his transformation. It was one of utter shock which quickly morphed into anger, then amusement before he totally hid his emotions. However, Teela had caught it. It was that look which first made her notice how He-Man acted around her. It was the same look that prompted her to make the first move with him when they initially became intimate. That look had clearly said, 'She is Mine'. Adam was giving Moragore that look right now. Teela noticed the barely restraint rage coursing through his body, as Adam stood with his booted legs apart, chest puffed out, fisted hands clenched at his side. Looking at him, he looked like Grayskull's fierce warrior more than the genteel Prince.
So Adam was jealous that she was receiving the attention of another man. She could definitely use this to her advance. However, Teela had no idea how to do this without giving Moragore the wrong impression and leading him on. When she first met him, she truly liked him. She didn't know why she wasn't getting the same vibe from him this time around; however, that didn't mean that she should use him to get Adam. That wouldn't be fair and that wasn't her style.
Just as quickly as Adam had approached the once bewitched royal, Adam's demeanor suddenly changed. Gone was his threatening stance as with one fluid motion, he brought his legs together and extended his right arm in greeting. Holding his hand out in invitation he stated, "Prince Moragore, it is a pleasure to meet you." Both Moragore and Teela noticed that Adam did not need to be told the name of the person standing before him, attesting to the fact that he had heard their entire conversation.
Grasping Adam's large hand with one of his own Moragore responded, "It is my honor to meet Eternia's future King." Wanting to show his respect he continued, "You are welcomed to visit Moragore so that we can become better acquitted."
Inclining his head, Adam dropped his arm. "It will be my pleasure." Off course, he already knew Moragore better than he wanted as he recalled the torturous obstacle course he and Battle-Cat traversed in order to retrieve Teela. Then when he finally found her, he came upon her kissing the fiend who threatened his life.
"I've invited the beautiful captain to visit, but she stated she doesn't go anywhere without you", Prince Moragore responded throwing fuel into an already burning spark.
Adam shocked them with his next words, "Indeed, Captain Teela is very beautiful with a fiery personality to match her incredible loveliness." In the next breath he turned to Teela asking "Did you just return from Grayskull?"
"Yes, I was coming to find you", she responded as a blush crept up her neck at Adam's admission of finding her beautiful. This was new.
With that, Adam turned to Prince Moragore stating "Your Highness, it was a pleasure to meet you, but if you'll excuse us Teela and I have some personal business to discuss." Placing his hand on the middle of Teela's back he directed her away from the practically drooling prince.
Not wanting to make a scene in front of everyone, Teela allowed Adam to escort her away from Moragore, the Prince's hand continuing to be possessively placed on her lower back. However, inside she was seething. 'Who does he think he is?", she mused. When they reached privacy, she would give Adam a piece of her mind. The machismo he displayed in front of Moragore reminded her of when he insisted he buy clothes for her. Hadn't he learned his lesson? Teela was not one to be possessed by anyone.
Walking with a stiff back, Teela held her mouth shut until they reached their shared suite. Punching in the codes, she broke a nail from the force that she used to enter the security code. Seeing blood pool by her nail bed, she pinched the injured index's point to stop the blood floor. Giving Adam a quick perusal, she noticed that he had zoned out.
In a very uncharacteristic manner she drew attention to herself stating in a haughty tone, "I broke a nail."
Snapping out of his reverie, the Prince of Eternia looked down to see Teela holding her finger out in front of her, trying to stop the blood flow. Gallantly, he pulled a silk handkerchief out of a pocket, took hold of Teela's hand and proceeded to wrap her finger in it.
"There", he stated as he examined his handy work. "I'm sorry you hurt yourself." "It should heal by the time you are married", he stated with a wink gracing her with a wide lopsided grin.
Adam's words instantly lifted her mood, brining a smile to her face. As young children, his mother would always state that the wound would heal by the time they were married. She loved whenever Adam referenced anything from their childhood.
Momentarily forgetting her anger at him, she pushed open the now unlocked door. Entering the room, she gave a quick look left and right to ensure it was empty. Finding no threat, she stepped to the side to allow the Prince to enter first as was typically routine when she was in bodyguard mode, which she was in now.
Entering the room behind him, she noticed her valises lined neatly up against the room. It seemed like Maggie had not yet had a chance to put away her belongings. However, Adam's luggage was not present. Seeing her gaze land on the suitcases Adam stated, "Maggie notified me she had to return to Eternos."
"Is everything alright?", Teela asked concerned for her seamstress clearly evident on her oval face.
"Yes." "Her sister went into pre-mature labor yesterday." "Maggie came to me earlier, asking if it was possible for her to return home to help her sister." "I wasn't sure when you'd arrive back from Grayskull; therefore, I gave her leave to return home", he informed her.
"Are her sister and the baby fine?", Teela asked.
"As far as I know, her sister didn't give birth yet", he said as he opened the door to the privy. Turning to look at her he stated, "We have an hour before the soiree." "Would you like to shower first?"
"I'd like that", she answered.
Nodding to her, he moved to the side. Continuing to face her, he stated "Alright then." "I'm going to call my mother, I forgot that she needed to speak to me."
As Teela entered the bathroom she stated, "Give her my regards", closing the door behind her.
Alone in the bedroom, Adam used his communicator projector to dial in his mother's private number. The device allowed 2D video conferencing between callers. He wasn't sure if she would answer it; however, graced her with a beaming smile when she picked up. Looking at her loveliness Adam admitted he missed his family.
"Adam, it is so good to see you", Eternia's queen stated.
"Likewise, mother." "How are you?", he asked as it had been several days since they last talked.
"Worried", she responded. "How's Teela?"
"She's fine." "She's in the privy", he informed her.
"Duncan informed me of last night's incident", she stated letting him know she was aware of the threat to Teela's life.
Nodding, he signed to her a message so that Teela wouldn't hear it. Using sign language he explained to his mother that they just returned from Grayskull after having visited the Sorceress to find out more about the perpetrator. She then proceeded to ask him how his plan to win Teela over was coming along. Continuing to use sign language he informed her that nothing changed between his and Teela's relationship.
When their nonverbal communicative exchange was over his mother changed the topic.
"Adam, Man-E-Faces has gifted your father and I tickets to the opening night gala at the Opera National D'Eternia". "Man-E-Faces is starring in it; but we can't go." "Would you like for me to send you the tickets, so that you can go with Teela in our place?", she asked.
"When are they for?", he asked.
"Two weeks from now", she answered. "You'll be done with the tour by then, won't you?", she asked.
"Yes, but I wasn't planning on coming home yet", he informed her. "I'd like to take some time for myself before returning to Eternos."
"Oh!", she exclaimed. "Where will you go?"
"I was thinking about visiting Chateau D'Penney", he answered. Adam referenced his great-grandfather's private villa which was nestled in a secluded wooden area overlooking the Great Eternian Falls. Currently the house was empty, with the current Royal family visiting it whenever they wanted a private vacation. Although it was a grand stylish abode, most Eternian's were unaware that the land had ever belonged to the Royal Family. Only a handful of servants were aware of the real owner's of the villa which afforded the Royal Family much needed privacy. Adam had not been there in years, but had send notice to his office assistant to arrange it.
"With Teela?", she signed.
Nodding his answer, he looked up from the tablet seeing that Teela had walked out of the bathroom. Standing up, he walked onto the balcony taking the tablet with him. Closing the door behind him he spoke quietly, "Send me the tickets." "I'll make it work." He then quickly bid her farewell, promising to speak to her soon.