Chapter 27 [Hours Later]

Preparation ran its course. Chores completed themselves. Materials delivered into the proper hands. Everyone sat around the prepared tables. They ate from the ham, chicken and plentiful side dishes. Fellowship lightened the mood.

Tension washed away….

[Dubois Farm Backfields—9 PM]

Nocturne covered the sky with her inky backdrop. Nightingale sang to another in the distance. Fireflies skittered in frenetic dances over the fallow fields. Eyes watched the skies overhead. Anticipation grew with each passing minute.

Peter looked about the area. He definitely felt better since their arrival. Fireworks rested in their proper place. He enjoyed watching Harry and Liz enjoy themselves with the new boss and neighbors from across their soon-to-be new state. Gwen and he heard more from Clark and Lana about Smallville and the buzz there. He caught up with Chloe about events at the Daily Planet and her internship. Katrina introduced Gwen and him to her husband. Grace had them meet her long lost mother, Deirdre. (He couldn't wait to hear *that* story.)

Sam's magic bow glided across its desired strings. Gentle Notes serenaded their picnic along Mozart's and Tchaikovsky's magical paths. Brahms' divergence wafted the affair on Creativity's warmth.

Comradery buoyed up the mood.

Pity Spider Sense nagged him. Uneasiness left him less than secure. His hair stood on end. Instinct almost felt eyes watching them. Now what? He glanced toward Dubois and his wife. He detected little out of place. His glance kept drifting toward the back woods.

Yellow Spots floated between two trees directly opposite to him.

"Peter, can't you relax?" Gwen leaned close to him. "Aren't you having a good time?"

"Everything's great here." Peter squeezed her hand. Alertness kept him on guard. "I'll be right back. I just want to have a talk with Dave." He patted her shoulder.

Gwen sighed. And the night was so dreamy thus far! Please no trouble, Peter! Please! She rubbed her forehead.

Peter walked over to where Dubois and Angie talked with Lex and their friend, Nyoki Tuishiama. Hesitation held him back. He didn't want to upset the Child. Still he needed to ask the question. "Excuse me, Guys?"

"Hey, Peter! Congratulations on the article! Lex was just telling us about it." Dubois shook Peter's hand.

"I was telling them how Travers can't wait to get you down there. Peter, if you got any questions about your editor in chief, they know." Lex clued Peter in.

"It's been a while, Alex. George and I knew each other in high school." Dubois shrugged off the praise. He considered Peter. "Something's bothering you?"

"Uh yeah." Peter rubbed the back of his neck. "I keep feeling something watching me. It isn't like your big kid. You know?"

Angie glanced at Dubois. Then she looked around and toward the woods. "Great."

"No it isn't. You mean the two glowing spots just inside the forest's edge out there? Right?" Dubois pointed toward the yellow spots. "You're right. It's your old buddy from Salem. It's watching and waiting as usual." He gulped a few more mouthfuls of coffee.

"And…umm…you're not concerned?" Peter frowned. Disbelief raised eyebrows and widened eyes.

Dubois cleared his throat. "I am not letting that creep ruin tonight." A spasm shot through his shoulders and down his spine. "It shows up. It gets my bodyguard at full power. We have a lot of firepower ready to come in if needed. The Rider wants a fight. It'll get one. Look. I'm glad you see what's going on. Just be ready to get Gwen and yourself under cover."

"We can handle it." Angie exchanged glances with Nyoki to her left. "The fireworks are about to start, Peter. Just try to enjoy them. You have as much to celebrate as anyone."

"We watch for each other. We take care of each other." Nyoki advised Peter. "Domo arighato."

"That's what I keep telling him." Gwen joined the conversation. "Mr. P, plenty to mellow out on. Stop dreaming up an imaginary boogey man."

"He's right, Gwen." Lex took a draught from his ale. "Peter saw the Rider out there in the woods. We know it's there." He checked his watch. "Show should be starting any time now. Don't let it take this night away from you."

Gwen stared at the hosts and their benefactor/friend. Fright paled her face. She cast a long look at her husband.

"The wizard can be anywhere, Mrs. Parker." Crane took a long draught from his mug. "I believe we are well prepared. They stay there. We are close to the house. I have stayed here while threats are out there. We can trust in the preparations."

"If you say so, Captain." Gwen leaned close to Peter.

Crimson, Emerald and White exploded across the sky.

"Look! There it is! They're starting!" Clark called out to everyone.

"This is great." Lana drank deeply from her lemonade. "Another one!"

Emerald and Yellow streamed across the night sky next. Then Fuchsia, Orange, White and Purples all took their respective turns in Procession's festivities. Trails of light and sparks dragged their way from east to west. Glowing droplets dribbled their way toward distant tree tops. Flashes brightened darkness akin to Day's brightness.

Admiration spread throughout the group. Perhaps they remained watchful. Still the show thrilled each and every one of them.

Celebration lightened everyone's spirits….