Note: Another chapter that made the rating go up. And hopefully this picture is accessible?!


He is hauling the archway, putting it down in front of her. "That was the last of it?!" "Yes." "Now we just need to take a break." He stares at her. "I know we are having things return as to how they were before. Especially them after blaming us for this, but even we need to recharge. Makkari is exhausted. Come on, let's get the others. It is almost lunch time anyway. Plus, with some of Earth's heroes helping as well, it took half the time."

He walks behind her. 'I could have lost her, all of this, I.' Turning she smiles, her illumination cutting through his demons. She reaches for his hand, which he grips in his. Greeting those they encounter as she continues to lead the way. "We are going to make sure it is new and improved, so it won't be so easy if or when something like this happens again. While keeping the original design, this should alleviate some of Zeus and the others, keeping and holding the grudge they have been for a while." His only response is tightening his hold on her hand.


Seeing their children's attention help in rapture at what is before them. As Constantine starts clapping, "IKARIS! KAT!" Sprite hollers, before making a beeline for them. Their children turn and see them, do their best to keep up. Relinquishing his hand, she holds hers out for them, which they take. As Ikaris remains behind them, his arms crossed. "And what do we have here?"

William and Wanda touch down as Tuc remains levitating in the air, his deck in front of him. Raymond appears in front of them, his blue hair standing out against his pale complexion. His tail moving before he uses it to balance himself. The Pryce children turn at the noise (a bamf), staring up at him. "We were trying to make it a game. They sure seemed to enjoy it."

"Well, that is good. They seem to want more. But that will have to wait. We could all use a break. If they are willing, they can continue later, but for now, it is lunch time." "Took, come on." Wanda and William don't bother hiding their smiles as Thomas, Hope, Charles Lensherr and Ted appear. "Aw man, you are still with that, Ray. I would think you would have grown out of it by now." "Come now, cousin, you must have realized you would be stuck with it ever since it was uttered." William comments.


Kissing them goodnight, Ikaris and Kathleen make their way to their room. "It is a good thing that we focused on the living quarters first." His arms wrap around her from behind, as he lays his head against her back, near her shoulder. She puts her hand on his arm. "We are okay as are The Robsons. My love you really need to stop beating yourself up. Sometimes despite our best efforts, things happen.

And while we may be considered celestial beings, we aren't perfect. Mistakes can and will happen, should they have the results they do sometimes, no. But it is just how things turn out." His hold tightens. "I know. And like I told you when you proposed, I am just glad that you took a chance after some of your previous relationships failed the way they had.

Especially with Margo Damian, your reservation about marriage after that was actually valid. But there will have to come a point, my love, that not only am I going anywhere. I am not as fragile. I know there is some part of you, you have buried that holds these fears. Otherwise, they wouldn't be springing forth now. And while I do find it touching, there will come a time you are going to have to trust me."

"That will never happen. And you know I trust you, it's why I didn't go to the Robson's this time. But what you are asking for, as long as I love and care for you, it just won't happen. Your well-being will always matter to me. Just like I know you have the same view when it comes to me. As bad as losing Sersi and Margo and even Icarus were, I survived. But if I lost you and our children. You said it yourself we are still human when it comes down to it.

And while their memory will always be etched in me, I have never loved like I do now. I am glad you didn't turn away from my need to keep Toby safe despite our constant views on this." "I have told you before, it wasn't your obligation that irked me. It was how you did it. I got it. But making it seem like you basically tossed our children to the side is what bothered me. I will endure many things for your love. But things at our children's expense is non-negotiable."

"I'm sorry!" "It is done and over with, you have finally told me you get it. Ikaris, my love, all we can do now is move forward." Ikaris moves her hair as he kisses the nape of her neck. "If I ever lost any of you… I need you! I want you!" Hiking her dress up, he puts his hand on her thigh, before moving it upward, his other arm continuing to keep her in place.

"Ikaris!" Throwing her head back allowing him more access, which he readily takes advantage of. Relishing her reaction, his hand finds what it is searching for. Her hand grips his arm as the friction begins to quickly overtake her senses. "If you need a moment to recover, let me know. Though the only positive is that you don't have to control any attempt from screaming.

The last thing I want right now is to have anyone interrupt us. For I do mean I what I said, I want all you can give me. Which I know is a lot and we have never before pressed this, who knows long we can actually go?!" Her gasps the only acknowledgement as he continues his actions. "But we don't have to, if you don't want to take it that far." "AH! AH! IKARIS! You know I can never really deny you anything."

Never losing hold on her, he levitates them to the bed. Turning her around, gently pushing her against it. Not giving her much time to catch her breath, he kneels at the foot of the bed; pulling her to him. Hiking her dress up again, leaving it bunched at the side, by her hips. Climbing up, he stops before he begins to eat her out. His hands laying by her sides, holding her arms down.


Her hands grip his shoulders as she continues to move at his ministrations, writhing on the bed. Her gasps coming in rapid succession. "Ikaris, Ikaris, please! It's been hours, I." "But I am far from done, Aikaterine." Moving her hand to cup his face, he halts to look up at her. "You haven't called me that for a while." "Well while they know about the nickname by now, it is still a private thing. And we have been in public lately, besides it is annoying to have to explain the reasoning every time. Besides, you are Kathleen Pryce to everyone else. But to me, you are simply Aikaterine."

"Ikaris, please I, I just." Quickly undressing, "Well I didn't do anything wrong if you can barely have a coherent thought." Pulling the dress up and over her head, putting her arms up above her, keeping them pinned down. "I have left you boneless, I know. Don't worry it is all about you. I will do all the work." He tells her as she continues to writhe on the bed, doing her best to anchor herself.

Arching her neck back, he kisses underneath her jaw, before putting pressure as he enters her. Moving her face, taking control the best she can, the two enter into a deep kiss; as he picks up speed and not relinquishing it. "I love you, Aikaterine. I can't imagine my life without you. Nor being with any other woman anymore." "You are the love of my life also, Ikaris!" Their heights taken further as the world melts away from them.


Her hands laying above the sheets by her side as he continues to wreck her body. The shallow thrusts prolonging everything. Bringing one arm to his shoulder, she pushes lightly against it. "Ikaris, Ikaris, I!" Placing his arms on either side of her, holding himself up. The eye contact isn't broken. "I take my words back. Do you really want me to stop?!"

He moves forward again. "You can't pretend that you aren't enjoying this as much as I am at this point." He lowers his head until their foreheads are almost touching, their breaths intertwining. As he takes in every nuance of her face, "I don't know how I existed all these years without you?!" Humming, a serene smile graces her face, her eyes close as his assault on her sensations continue even further into the night; the sheet caressing them.


The stares pierce through her. Moaning, she turns her face to see the faces peering up at her, next to her side of the bed. The horror, fear and relief in their eyes. Turning her head, "Ikaris, Ikaris!" "Hmm, what is it?!" Transmuting clothes on them, she levitates herself up slightly. "Umm?!" Reaching her arms out, she takes them in her arms. "Mommy is okay! For some reason, it is taking me longer to recover my vocals. And the bruises, the bad men left are beginning to fade."

Picking them up, she tightens her hold on them as they further snuggle into her. Sighing, softly, as she lays back, with them against her chest. As Ikaris wraps his arms over them, bringing them closer. Laying his head on her shoulder as she leans her head against his. "They were scared when they awakened, at being alone."


"We're surprised that you came to see us, much less for help, Kathleen?!" "Yeah, well, I wanted a female's perspective without prying eyes. Besides, doing it here, seems better than in Olympia, less time to ruin things and quicker to get to the other coast this way. And who better than those who know about the high life. Now M hand me that dress I brought."

"Oh, Ah'll get it." Paige responds, accidentally see the price tag. "Ah still don't get the fascination about spending so much for something that will be worn temporarily?!" "Come now, Paige, you would think being married to Warren would have you accustomed to this by now." M replies, continuing to apply eyeliner on Kathleen. "I think it is sweet. It means that you have remained humble and haven't let such a lifestyle make you a snob, Paige. And that you and Warren have raised Anabel the same way.

Though M isn't wrong. That saying about flaunting it if one has it isn't invalid either. Though Mrs. Worthington III does have a point, Monet. I always make sure that the designers use sustainable material otherwise I don't even bother. So, I am always making a fashion statement; I look glamorous as my line of work dictates, while making a consciously social and environmental impact while I am at it. And what designer doesn't want to be able to cloth an actor or actress, whichever term you prefer." Monet steps back. "Thank you, M."

"And ya're date?!" "Well, Ikaris is still smoothing out the details concerning Olympia, its deities, the new pact between us and The Deviants. Plus, dealing with Sprite and our children is an extra task. Dealing with Puck is a handful in and of itself, Joseph Eliot, Donald and Deborah Ritter are also visiting as well. So, you can just imagine the shenanigans that are no doubt occurring at the moment?!"

"Last I heard, your marriage is still a secret to them. "It is. And while I had reservations at first, I get Ikaris's point. Especially after what just happened, keeping that he has a family hidden is for the best. Nor do I blame him for having this mindset after he lost Margo Damian." "But, Kat, ah're you always going to let the ghosts of his former relationships cast a pall over you two?!"

Standing up, giving a stern look, "trust me, Paige Worthington, we have brought this up enough. And have moved past it. I can't hold it against him really since we didn't even know each other back then. Do you do the same with Betsy or Jean when it comes to your husband, Paige?" Husk looks down. "Ah'm sorry. Ah won't bring it up again." "See that you don't!"

"So, what do you tell the reporters since you have been painted as a slut by?!" Groaning with disgust, "don't even bring her up, M. Everything can go wrong and as long as I don't have to see or interact with that vile woman, I will have considered the night a win." "Okay. Then who is your date then? And Ikaris must really trust you." "Well of course, he does. He knows how much I love him. As for."

The knock on the door interrupts them. Opening, he leans against the doorframe. "Ladies!" Whistling, "well, I must say you look as gorgeous as ever, Kathleen." Grabbing her friend's arm, "that is ah're cue, M." "Oh, but it was just getting good!" The blonde manages to wrestle her friend away. Looking as they leave before turning back around, "should I be concerned there?! Your husband isn't waiting to ambush me, is he?"

Walking his way, taking the arm he offers to her. Kissing his cheek, "trust me, Eros Starfox, between you and Kingo, he knows I wouldn't ever make that decision even if I were free to do so." "I am wounded by that, really. You know that Kingo and I could give our dear cousin a run for his money. Especially with the charm I possess!"

"Easy there, Romeo. You aren't as good as you think you are." "And yet someone as stiff as Ikaris or even Scott Summers are able to get the most beautiful women. Go figure?! Maybe I should get pointers from them." Laughing, "well, for being sticks in the mud, they can definitely have their moments. And are softer than they appear, definitely makes them harder to resist." Clutching his heart, "ah, you've killed me here, Kat! And just when I finally thought I had a chance!"