Chapter 6 - The Arrival
"Babe, where did you end up?"
"We're hiding out at the New York Bean, is everything okay? What the fuck was that?"
"Quinn,"
"Fae the kids are scared. I'm scared. Please explain what the fuck was that, please just,"
"Quinn, darling, I wish I could explain what that was, but I can only explain it as something like Supernatural."
"Like the show?"
"God no, no, well yes I guess?"
Quinn stayed silent over the phone. Fae could hear kids sobbing in the background.
"Mommy, what happened to Lina?" Fae could hear Hazel's weeps over the phone.
"Quinn, this may be next to impossible to explain to the kids. But just know the creature is gone, and that we're working on locating the source. Right now, I think things are okay. Trust me."
"How could I trust you?" Quinn cried. "I had no idea you had any association with… with this!"
"Quinn, please, you saw the thing! How was I going to explain something like that to you?"
Quinn remained silent again, thinking to herself. Fae let out a sigh. "Quinn,"
"And now, I'm homeless!" Quinn was in hysterics, sobbing over the phone.
"Quinn, no you're not, most of your stuff is okay, and you're going to stay with me at the apartment, okay?"
Quinn sniffled, holding together her tears. "Fae, I, I don't know if we could"
"Babe, trust me." Fae's tone was serious. "Get the kids home with their parents, Piper and Hazel have room to stay in the apartment. I'll come over to the cafe to pick you guys up, just stay there and don't worry. I understand this is traumatic,"
"You could say that!"
"I know babe, I know." Fae tried to calm Quinn down over the phone, proving to be very difficult. "I'll be there soon okay?"
"You promise?"
"Promise babe, promise. Hang tight."
*Click*
Outside the apartment, Wolfram and Hart's agents were surrounding the scene, inspecting and cleaning up the mess that had been the attack.
Fae called over a company car and gave the driver coordinates to the cafe. Fae picked up her phone again.
"Marley,"
"Hey Fae, I take it you survived."
"God, you could say that. Not everyone made it. My roommate, their boyfriend, and a child. Deceased. Quinn and the kids are traumatized, of course, I'm heading down to the cafe now to go and get her, get the kids dropped off at their parents. I already contacted agents to meet with their parents to explain and get therapy for them"
"Okay, whoa, are you okay?"
"I will move on, although it's definitely traumatic. Ethan was a friend of mine, it's sad to see them go like this, that's for sure. It always hurts losing a friend." Fae bit her lip.
"That's really sad, Fae. We have the egg at the lab now, Fred is taking a look at it now with some of the guys, I told her I was going to call you and keep you updated."
"Yeah, thank you. After the attack, Marie left pretty quickly."
"Yeah, we had a lead down by the city hall that needed addressing, but it was a false alarm. Looks like the creature at the apartment was the main attack. The Beast is definitely weakened now. We have pretty much direct access to his location if we can get through to this egg."
"Awesome. I'll be spending the night with Quinn tonight, I think she needs me."
"You're the office manager. Take your time off. Take a break Fae. You need it."
"Thank you, Marley, I will. I expect a full update in about a week though, okay?"
"Maybe even sooner than that. Ask whenever you're ready to come back to work."
"Thanks, Marley."
*Click*
/
"Quinn?" Fae knocked on the doors of the closed cafe. "Babe are you there?"
Fae looked through the glass door to see Quinn and the kids running towards the front, tears filled in everyone's eyes. Quinn scrambled to open the lock and as soon as the door was open, launched herself into Fae's arms for a tight embrace.
"I needed you," Quinn fought through her tears to utter a sentence.
"I'm here babe, I'm here. I'm alive, I'm with you." Fae tried to reaffirm Quinn as best she could. Leaning back a bit to check on the other kids.
"What happened to Lina?" Aeth stepped towards Fae to ask.
"She's gone sweetie," Fae said softly. "But don't worry, maybe you'll get to see her again one day."
Aeth sniffled abs rubbed her eyes, already puffy from the tears. Wes was still in panic mode while Piper and Hazel clung to each other tightly, refusing to let go of each other.
"I had an agent head to the diner to let Rachel know about what happened," Fae explained to Quinn. "Other agents will be with the kids to help explain the situation to the parents as well as set up therapists from Wolfram and Hart, they specialize in this sort of thing. Soon they won't even remember what happened."
"What about Hazel?" Quinn looked down at her daughter, clung to her friend.
"She'll be taken care of too. It's all covered under our policy."
Fae could see Quinn was slightly relieved but the experience was obviously a lot.
"What about the apartment?"
"Also covered under our policy. Wolfram and Hart's budget goes towards a lot of things… like this. You'll get money from insurance too."
"Yeah, I have that…" Quinn replied automatically, trying to process everything going on at once.
"Are you okay to stay with me at my apartment? I have room for you, Hazel, Piper too."
"Yeah, of course, of course."
"Okay, so let's get everyone out of here, I have cars set up to take the kids back to their homes where agents are already stationed. We'll get you back to your house so you can get some things and get set up at my place. Okay?"
"O-okay," Quinn started sobbing again.
"Hey, I'm here now, I'm not leaving your side." Fae hugged Quinn tightly again, burying her head in the crook of Quinn's neck. "Let's go."
/
Back at Quinn's apartment rushed towards her bedroom first as Fae held onto Hazel and Piper's hand.
"Why's mommy going so fast?" Hazel tugged at Fae's arm.
"Umm, I don't know to be honest." Fae leaned her head to the side to try to see what's going on.
"Thank god," Quinn's voice echoed from down the hall of the barren apartment
"Hazelnut come here sweetheart, mommy wants to give you your birthday present!"
Hazel let go of Fae's hand, running up to meet her mother. Hazel let out a huge gasp and Piper let go too, running towards the pair. Fae's interest was piqued at this point, as she caught herself running towards the group.
"Oh my god, he's tiny!"
Hazel was on the floor next to a white cat with one blue eye and one green. "He's so cute, mommy!"
"Isn't he?"
Hazel held out her hand towards the poor cat, who looked honestly terrified.
"Be gentle, sweetie." Quinn demonstrated how to pet the cat before Hazel tried to mimic the movement.
"Whoa, you got her a kitten!" Fae was so excited. "Poor thing must have been so scared while that whole ordeal was going on."
"His kennel reeks of fear alright." Quinn's smile was bittersweet. The couple couldn't help but burst into laughter, as it was the only emotion they had left in them.
"He is more than welcome at my place. What's his name?"
"Banjo," Hazel stated firmly. "His name is Banjo."
"Well then Banjo," Quinn smiled at Hazel. "Welcome to the family."
/
Quinn and Hazel slowly gathered their things and loaded them into the company car. It felt strange returning to the apartment for it to be so desolate, surrounded by agents, the authorities, ambulances. Debris scattered most of the apartment, and a clean-up crew was already on sight sorting through the place.
"This doesn't feel like home anymore." Quinn was so emotional throughout the process.
Hazel was luckily distracted by her new friend, and Piper was there to help carry some of Hazel's things down to the car.
"We'll get through this, babe" Fae held her hand on Quinn's shoulder and Quinn held up her hand to meet Fae's. "Together."
/
The first couple of nights at the apartment were weird, especially with the lack of Ethan's presence. Fae had called for a company to come in to clear out Ethan's belongings, returning things back to their family or donation. Fae figured she could turn Ethan's old room into a room for Hazel while Quinn moved her stuff into Fae's room.
Getting into the rhythm of living together especially through trauma was complicated and emotional. Quinn would spend the night crying until there were no more tears left to cry. Banjo was curious and cuddly, acting almost like a therapy animal to Hazel. Hazel was taking things surprisingly well, Quinn thought it was because the situation was too traumatic to process for such a young child, but regardless she was glad she made the decision to buy her the kitten when she did.
Fae decided to give work a call and see how things were.
"Hey Fae, how are things?"
"Marley," Fae was happy to hear a familiar voice over the phone. "Things are a little rough but we're getting through it. Quinn and her daughter are at my apartment now. Aja should be back tomorrow so everything is kind of coming together I guess?"
"That's good to hear, really." Marley's voice rang so sweetly through the phone, it was comforting to hear.
"Any update on the creature?"
"Well actually yes, major update, but you're going to have to come down to the office to see it for yourself."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, we managed to release the true spirit from the capsule. Fred is working with the creature right now in fact."
"Holy shit that is huge."
"Sure is. Also Fae, I'm so sorry about your roommate."
"Don't worry about it, Marley. I'm shaken up but I'll move on. It still hurts a little."
"Well, that's normal Fae. Just know I'm always here if you want to talk."
"Of course Marley. I'll be down at the office tomorrow morning before Aja comes back in the evening. I told her about the apartment so it's gonna be a full house at my place with Santana being there too n all."
"Sounds good Fae, see you tomorrow"
/
Fae arrived at Wolfram and Hart, heading directly to the lab.
"Fae, good to see you back." Fred smiled at Fae while holding her clipboard.
"Fred," Fae nodded to Fred to greet her. "Where's Marley?"
"She's actually talking to the creature now." Fred pointed towards a holding cell. "Unit 5."
"Thanks. Anything I should know?" Fae asked while throwing on a lab coat and gloves.
"No, well, you'll see," Fred let out a nervous giggle. What on earth could that mean?
/
Unit 5
Fae didn't know what to expect. What could Fred mean by "you'll see?" Approaching the unit, Fae was expecting to see a massive creature while instead, entered the unit's observation room to see a human, sitting on a stool. Marley sat on the other side of the glass, at the desk with a microphone.
"Fae!" Marley got up to give Fae a hug. "I'm so glad to see you again."
"You too Marley, what, or who is this?"
"Fae." Marley stepped back, keeping both hands on either side of Fae's shoulders. "That," Marley turned her head to point down at the human sitting down. "Is The Court."
"I," Fae looked down intently at the human. "I don't understand?"
"Neither did I," Marley explained excitedly. "When we opened the capsule in the containment unit we didn't know what to expect, we were ready to face a giant entity again, but no, out comes this human, who can talk by the way! So, so, we have been communicating and it's been very interesting so far!"
"Whoa slow down there Marley, catch up with yourself there." Fae laughed nervously.
"Sorry it's just been so exciting, I mean things have been so good!" Marley was overjoyed with her discovery.
"Let me see," Fae looked down through the one-way mirror to see the human sitting there. The human resembled a woman, with long raven hair, and large breasts, wearing a brimmed hat and glasses and simple clothing. She sat fidgeting with what looked like colourful playing dice in her blue-painted nailed hand.
As Fae leaned in closer, the human looked up directly to meet Fae's face, even though she was hidden behind the one-way mirror, the human's long eyelashes bat curiously, as if sensing Fae's very presence. This action surprised Fae, causing her to jump.
"She can probably sense you from the day of the attack," Marley softly explained.
"Yeah," Fae almost whispered. "You're right."
"Why don't you ask a couple of questions?" Marley suggested, pointing eagerly at the mic.
"Well, why not I suppose," Fae was nervous to 'face' the attacker that killed her roommate, but needed the closure.
"Hello," Fae's voice was heavily adjusted through the mic, it didn't even sound like her at all. "Please, tell me your name."
The human looked up, eyes almost piercing through the glass. "And why would you want that?" The voice was unexpectedly soft for such a ravenous creature Fae had seen earlier. Was this even the same entity?
"So, I can address you properly," Fae tried to sound as polite as possible.
"Well, I am to be known as The Court, it was my chosen name because I am the chosen."
Fae scoffed at this answer. "What makes you think you're the chosen one?"
"The Beast chose me!" The Court raised her voice.
Fae paused before asking the next question. "What made you become the chosen?"
"I was nobody," The Court looked away from the mirror. "The Beast, he gave me power, strength, the body I desired, it made me somebody."
"But you killed people, innocent people, why?" Fae didn't hold back.
"They were not innocent!" The Court screamed. "They were hateful, full of hate! They only received what fate had in store for them, they deserved their death!"
"How do you know this?"
"I see their souls. I see everyone's souls, even yours. I know you. You were there. You tried to stop me. But I don't see hate in you. I don't understand your reason to be behind that glass, when you could be with me, with us, restoring humanity as it should be!"
"That is not how you restore humanity!" Fae screeched through the microphone.
The Court hurled her dice across the room, leaving them scattered throughout the unit.
"I think you should give it a rest, Fae." Marley reached over to put her hand on Fae's shoulder. "I think I can handle things from here."
Fae looked down to see The Court seething, hands balled in a fist so tight you could see the white knuckles from the observation deck.
"Alright, yeah, that's probably best." Fae shook her head. "This week has been so much, and now with Aja coming home,"
"Exactly." Marley cut Fae off. "Go home and get ready for Aja and Santana to arrive. I'll keep you updated. We're so close to finding and stopping The Beast once and for all now that we have The Court here."
"Anything else you need me to do?" Fae asked meekly.
Marley walked over to a printer and handed Fae a small paper stack. "Give the transcript of the conversation to Fred. We got the motive out of The Court, this is a great lead."
"I'll do that. Thanks, Marley." Fae stood smiling at Marley for a second, absorbing in the sweet presence of her friend.
"Now go on! You've got a busy night ahead of you!"
/
Fae got home to find Quinn preparing what looked like a feast while Hazel and Piper sat on the couch watching TV.
"Hey babe, keeping busy?" Fae leaned in to give Quinn a kiss.
"I've been here all day." Quinn looked back down at the carrot she was chopping up. "But you know, I can't wait to see Santana again. We have our differences but sometimes you really miss your friend, even if they're bitches."
"Completely understand" Fae let out a hearty laugh.
"How are you kids doing?" Fae ruffled through the kids' hair from behind the couch.
"Fae!" Hazel groaned.
"Hi auntie Fae" Piper turned around to properly greet the woman.
"Excited to see Santana again?"
"Yeah, I miss her." Hazel looked down at her hands. "I want ice cream with her"
"Aww, I'm sure she'll take you out for ice cream very soon kiddo!" Fae smiled sweetly at the small child.
"It's 5 now, sweetheart"
"Oh shit you're right, they should be here any second."
And right Quinn was, because outside the apartment window a very happy and giddy Aja and Santana emerged from a taxi cab, carrying suitcases and bags of stuff.
Fae rushed downstairs to help the girls with bringing their bags up.
"Fae!" Aja dropped her bags to come running over to her friend, hugging her tightly.
"Ooooh, my sister!" Fae said, acting like she was suffocating. "I missed you so much"
"Me too, surprisingly." Aja smiled.
"Surprisingly? Fuck you bitch!" Fae burst out into laughter, causing an uproar within the group. "You hungry?"
"Hells yeahs we are," Santana snapped in the air.
"Well, good, Quinn's been working in the kitchen all day."
/
"Santana!" Quinn dropped her spoon in the pot she was stirring and ran over to hug her best friend. "Welcome to our temporary new place!"
"Looks very nice, I'm surprised Aja didn't invite me over sooner" Santana looked over at her girlfriend and pushed her playfully.
"Yeah, yeah, I figured you wouldn't wanna be around my noisy and nosy roommates" Aja chuckled.
Fae rolled her eyes and shot them directly at Aja. "Hmph."
"Well guys," Santana looked at Aja whispering, "Should I tell them?"
Aja grinned from ear to ear, nodding at Santana.
"We're engaged!"
/