Epilogue
The first weeks after were hell.
Days rushed by with them barely meeting all the demands that were raining down on them. It was unbearable to tell people, who had only just begun to hope, that it wasn't possible to bring everyone back from rehabilitation, and it was even harder to still watch people die in a war that unfortunately didn't just miraculously stop with them finding the cure for the Net. It took time for the fighting to recede. Not every Psy was ready to let go of the power and the promise of stability, Silence had offered for so long. But slowly it stopped. The last confrontations of pro- and anti-Silence supporters ended, more and more often nonviolent.
For most Psy feeling wasn't as alien as they might have expected. Silence had after all been against their nature. But there were those who had trouble adjusting to emotion. And so far they found only temporary help in the centers: it was possible keeping up some parts of their conditioning intact for a while, even under the influence of the projection in the Net. But it left an unsolved problem. One they hadn't even started to target, because Kaleb had been right: the constant amount of psychic energy they had to spend to feed emotion into the Net, often left them both exhausted. So exhausted that even Kaleb with his knack for control, he still nurtured too much for Alja's taste, was thankful Anthony and Nikita took over some of the political matters. After all their entire system had to be rebuilt, an omnipotent council no longer an option with a populace that was allowed to feel and think for themselves.
At least the other fractions didn't make it as hard as they could have:
Tatiana had simply vanished never to be seen in or out the Net since the almost-breakdown and had so far not even been found by the Arrows. But none of them had received any attacks on their shields again, so they could put that worry off at least for a while.
Shoshanna was suddenly eager to offer her medial influence to 'set things right', which was accepted courteously and rewarded with an Arrow 'guard' that ensured her 'personal safety' on the mental and physical plane twenty-four-seven.
SnowDancer and DarkRiver were already involved and continued to help, after both their alphas had made it very clear to them that they had exactly one chance not to 'fuck it up again'. And they hadn't looked at Alja while they'd said it. But Kaleb found he could deal quite well with it. They were reasonable negotiating partners and he had no intention to ever again betray his loyalty to the people who had a part in saving Alja. So 'fucking up' wasn't even an option.
It got a little easier, when after a few weeks the first empaths began outing themselves in the Net. It was as if they couldn't help it. Even with the danger from pro-Silence activists still looming over their heads they couldn't fight the urge to help. Together with Sascha and the Forgotten, Alja found a way to amplify the effect of her powers through those formerly latent empaths, reducing the strain on her and Kaleb at least a little.
And one day, in the middle of autumn, after another working meeting, Alja voiced a very distinctive hope to Sascha. "If this effect holds, then maybe we'll finally get enough of a break to do the paperwork for the marriage."
Sascha's eyes went huge and she almost dropped the cup of hot cocoa, she always made for their meetings ever since she'd discovered it was a passion both empaths shared. "You're going to marry? That's wonderful! Do you want me to help with the planning?"
"Um, there's not much to plan. We'll just have to turn in the paperwork," Alja retorted.
"You're not going to have a celebration?" The idea seemed absolutely anathema to the empath who'd been living for years now with changelings, who loved nothing better than to celebrate the matings of their pack members.
"Well Kaleb did say something about a ceremony in father Perez' church." She had met the man, who had saved Kaleb's life, a few times now. He was among those, who represented the human fraction during some of the strategic meetings. "It's nothing big or religious even, but I think it's important to him. He trusts Xavier like he otherwise only trusts Judd." When Sascha still looked at her uncomprehending she added: "It's not like we have friends or family to celebrate with. We're not that much like humans or changelings – yet." She smiled, silently hoping that soon they would be.
Sascha gave her a very knowing smile back, but left it alone after requesting: "Tell me when you've decided on a date, so I can send you some chocolate cake."
Alja hadn't really thought about her conversation with Sascha again. Of course she'd told her the date, because she really was developing an addiction to anything related to chocolate and her and Kaleb's busy schedule rarely left time for anything but nutrition bars. But she had planned to make the day count: This time she had relied on Silver's help to find a suitable dress and the woman had outdone herself finding one that was made of layers of flowing white silk and had the same backless cut as the one she'd once worn to the ball. It was perfect. So perfect that Kaleb was sorely tempted to pass on the ceremony and just take her to his cabin again.
But in the end his desire to have her promise forever to him won and he teleported them to the small San Francisco church. That was where Alja found she had gravely underestimated the other empath, not being used to something like genuine friendship.
Soft organ music sounded from inside and where she'd expected to be greeted by Father Perez alone, she found the church fully decorated with lush flower bouquets and filled with at least forty people. Almost all of the SnowDancer and DarkRiver changelings they'd worked with were there with their mates and some of the humans and Forgotten, among them Katya and Dev. Then she spotted Nikita and Anthony and even some of Kaleb's most trusted employees, looking a little lost with their formal clothing and unused smiles. But her heart almost stopped when she saw the people right at the front: There were some of her closest comrades from the Arrow Squad. She'd never seen Aden, Vasic or any of the others in anything but their uniforms or casual clothing to blend in, but today they had dressed up in suits, that made them look almost approachable. And above all it made them look like they might have a life beyond their past.
She barely took two steps into the church before she burst into tears.
Kaleb was at the brink of sending everyone away, when Alja started to cry, but then realized it was with joy. He searched for Judd in the crowd and telepathed to him, while he tried to steadily walk his still happily sniffing bride down the aisle. What is this?
Your wedding, obviously. The other man was standing in the very front of the church and was wearing a smirk that was visible even in the back where they'd entered. You know, some of us have begun to consider you friends and thought you deserved a proper reception.
This was your idea?
No, it was Sascha's, but I pitched in as soon as she told me. Hawke and Lucas did too, though they probably just want to see you uncomfortable in an emotionally charged, social situation.
I'm not sure I want friends anymore. He gave back, not hiding his own grin. Then he added more seriously: Thank you.
You're welcome. But you realize this is more than a gesture of friendship, don't you? The people here, they wanted to see this. You two are a symbol of hope to everyone.
Kaleb looked around at the expectant faces and realized Judd was right. Healing the Net was not the only thing they did. They also set an example. For other Psy but also for humans and changelings. Everyone wanted to see, if there was more to the fall of Silence than the official statements, like the suspension of rehabilitation and Protocol training.
Well, at least that part was easy. Now that he didn't have to keep his love for Alja a secret to survive, he couldn't hide it if he wanted to. His lips just stretched into a smile whenever he looked at her, which he did a lot, just to watch the stars in her eyes dance with joy. And he simply had to touch her all the time. He could barely keep his hands off her naked back long enough to put the damn ring on, when the time came. And when Father Perez finally told him to kiss the bride, Alja had to telepathically remind him they weren't alone, even though the whooping and cat-calling crowd of changelings should have been hard to ignore.
He learned what Judd had meant about Hawke and Lucas wanting to see him uncomfortable, when they stepped out of the church. Both alphas pulled him into a bone crushing hug that made him glad the Arrow's med-tech had fixed him so well. Afterwards they made sure they stood close enough to watch as the other congratulants made their way up to him. They seemed to be having the time of their lives as he received and awkwardly returned multiple hugs and pats on the back from the changelings. As much as he loved touching Alja, he found it hard to deal with that much physical contact with virtual strangers.
Are those two drunk already? Alja telepathed to him, after she'd perceived a wave of their gleeful joy. As far as I know about such occasions, they shouldn't be until much later.
I don't think so. He answered helplessly.
Alja shook her head shortly but she clearly was totally in her element. Hugging and smiling at everyone seemed to be her second nature and probably it was her, who was a little intoxicated by all the positive emotion that surrounded her. He felt bursts of projection surge down the conduit into the Net every now and then. Alja was truly happy and more than ready to share every bit of it. So she even pulled each of her surprised comrades into a tight hug.
Glad that the hard part was over, when the assassins lined up stiffly in front of him and, as expected, made no attempts at physical contact, Kaleb relaxed a little.
"Congratulations on behalf of the Arrows." Aden only stretched out his hand to shake Kaleb's shortly. But to his surprise he went on afterwards. "We have researched the appropriate proceedings of an emotional union like yours. It is common among the feeling races that the family of the woman speaks some words to the man. Since the Squad is the only family Alja ever had, we perceive it our duty to warn you."
Suddenly all the chitchat of the guests seemed to have stopped. He had no idea where this was going. But it seemed to be important. So he asked guilelessly: "About what?"
"Don't fancy yourself inviolable because of your power. If you ever hurt her, you have a squad of elite assassins to pay you back. And that might get uncomfortable even for you." Aden finished completely straightfaced and serious.
Out of the corner of his eyes Kaleb saw Lucas and Hawke lean on each other wheezing with suppressed laughter.
Before he could say anything in response Alja suddenly burst out at Aden: "Oh no, wait! You did not just say that. That is changeling culture. You're not going to import that primitive behavior into a society as sophisticated as ours."
Most of the humans and all of the changelings seemed to have a hard time keeping a solemn expression. Their alphas were openly barking with laughter by now. "Sophisticated my ass!" Hawke managed to get out between fits of laughter. "I don't want to kill your buzz lady, but you do remember the stunt your husband pulled right after we saved your ass? I think you're at least as bad as us under all that 'sophisticated' attitude."
After Kaleb's performance back then and her own very irrational decisions, it was obvious protectiveness probably ran as deep in the Psy as it did in changelings and humans. So she couldn't really argue with his view. And she didn't have to, because at that moment Kaleb replied to Aden absolutely unruffled. "I will heed your warning. I promise it will never be necessary to remind me of that again. Nothing you could do to me, would be worse than seeing her less than absolutely happy."
Alja covered her eyes with one hand awkwardly, but she also couldn't suppress a smile.
Sascha and her helpers from both packs had managed to install a full wedding reception in the backyard behind the church. In between its lush greens and flowers the garden now hosted several gazebos with small sitting areas and a large buffet table, filled with the most delicious foods, among them a three tier chocolate wedding-cake.
As the day progressed, some of the changelings tried to make them partake in all sorts of weird wedding traditions, of which some, Alja was sure, they'd just invented to taunt them. At least they weren't the only targets of their attempts at 'Psy-resocialization', as they called it. Some sentinels and lieutenants of DarkRiver and SnowDancer had made it their task to teach Silver, Anastasia, Aden and Vasic to dance. And Alja hadn't enlightened them that they could simply refuse.
Even Kaleb seemed to relax more and more and even enjoy himself as long as she wasn't dancing too long with other men, especially changelings; something he knew to prevent by dancing with her himself most of the time.
As the night descended and the music got slower, Alja remembered that first time they'd danced at the ball. It was only a few months ago, but it seemed a lifetime. Everything was different now, so much more beautiful. The soft lights of hundreds of little lanterns that illuminated the gazebos and the little makeshift dancefloor certainly helped to make the ambience far more magnificent. But now it was so much more. She had thought it was complete bliss just to sway across the dance floor in Kaleb's arms back then, her only regret that it would never be real. But not only had it become more real than she could have ever imagined. It no longer was forbidden or had to be a secret to touch like this, to feel this much. It was even desired, necessary.
Now she could lean into him all she wanted, luxuriate in the warmth and strength of his body. She could nuzzle at his throat, kiss him deeply and even flip off the changeling, who had suggested they should get a room, when she curled her body around her husband's a little too enthusiastically. She could finally just be who she was.
Almost automatically she let yet another burst of her happiness flow out into the Net – only to receive a short spike of worry from Kaleb.
"You're doing this all evening, projecting into the Net. You must be exhausted," he explained.
It wouldn't help to lie even had she wanted. Kaleb had to process whatever she poured into their connection on his side. So he knew exactly how much energy it took. "Oops sorry, I keep forgetting you have to do your part too," she replied, not raising her head that had dropped against his chest approximately three songs ago.
"Are you saying you're not even noticing what it takes out of you or when you need rest?" He leaned back so far she had to lift her head and meet his eyes. He looked ready to teleport her out and tie her to a bed and not in a kinky way.
"No, I know exactly what it takes. I think I could fall asleep while we're dancing by now. But I don't want this day to end." She still wasn't fully used to the idea of having another day, much less a good one. "Let's be irresponsible just for tonight."
He chuckled, nodding. But then his gaze became intense once more. "I wish, it could be easier for us," he whispered.
"After everything we've been through I doubt we'd know what to do with 'easy' anyway. 'Possible' will be enough," she replied, the little mischievous smile, he loved so much, filling her face.
And just like that it was a little easier. He kissed her long and deep, while he answered telepathically, his mental voice a caress: You're right, 'possible' will be just fine.
The End