Chapter 8: Reunion
Jay went back up to bring Ved and Cloe downstairs while Ram and Lottie went upstairs to see Ruby. Iris stood next to the window, thinking of what Ram said about Ebony. She heard exclamations of happiness behind her and knew that Ved and Cloe had made their appearance, but she didn't turn around. She started when someone touched her shoulder. It was Jay. Iris couldn't help but smile at the happiness in his face. "I just wanted to thank you," he said. "Whatever for, Jay?" Iris asked. "Ved told me everything you've done for him, Iris," he explained. "I really appreciate it."
Iris smiled gently. "Jay, I do what I can for all my people. I try a little harder for those who had been slaves . . . but please don't assume that Ved is the only one, although I do like him quite a lot." "I know it," Jay said quietly. "I don't know exactly what I'm trying to say." "I understand, Jay," Iris assured him. "But what I'd like to know is how such an intelligent, wonderful young man came to be a slave. And I want to know what happened to Cloe. Do you know anything about it, and if you do, can you tell me what happened without breaking any confidence?"
"I do know, Iris," he answered slowly. "And I will tell you. It's too long of a story to tell right now. I want you to know because . . . if it's all right with you . . . I'd like to stay here in Genesis. Ved and Cloe love it here and I do as well. This is exactly what I've been looking for." "Then we will discuss this later tonight," Iris said. "You may come to my rooms and we can talk about it privately." Jay nodded. "Thank you," he said, and leaned over to kiss her cheek before walking away. Iris touched the spot he had kissed with a surprised look and watched as he joined the group around Cloe.
One of the healers stepped over to Iris and whispered in her ear. Iris gave a quick nod and walked over to the Mallrats. Ved, his hair now dyed black and wearing a tight black shirt and baggy black jeans instead of his Techno outfit, and Cloe, very pregnant and wearing a pale blue cotton dress, greeted the Queen and Iris smiled at the two. "I have an announcement," Iris said to the others. "It is my unfortunate duty to tell you that Ruby has just passed away." Jay looked sorrowful. Gel began to cry. Ebony stood frozen, her face ashen. The others murmured sadly amongst themselves. "If it is all right with you all, we can give her a proper funeral at the hotel," Iris said soberly. "Unless any of you knew of Ruby's wishes?"
"She wouldn't have wanted to die, that's for damn sure!" Slade shouted as he strode through the crowd out into the street. Iris could see tears on his face and in his eyes as he passed her. Ebony followed him only moments later. Lottie came stumbling down the stairs sobbing wildly, and Salene, Amber and Trudy went to console her. Iris watched the scene sadly for a few minutes and then on impulse, went upstairs to see the girl who had died before she had met her. She went into the room but stopped abruptly when she saw Ram still standing there, looking down at Ruby with an expression of stone.
"I'm sorry," Iris said, turning to go. "No . . . stay," Ram said, his tone bitter. Iris came up to stand beside him and looked down at the beautiful girl in the bed. "Were you and she . . ." she began. "No. We weren't. We were friends," Ram said slowly, "but nothing more. She loved Slade. I loved Java." "Java?" Iris asked. Ram glanced over at her with a cold expression. "I don't want to talk about it." "I'm sorry," she answered, putting her hand on his. "It seems . . . it seems like so many of you have led such horrible lives and carry such pain with you." Ram looked back down at Ruby and said nothing more. Iris squeezed his hand and slipped out to leave him to his grief.
She went back downstairs and joined the Mallrats. "I think it will be all right to take you up on your offer to give Ruby a funeral," May told Iris the moment she saw her. Iris nodded. "Then I will take care of the arrangements as soon as possible." She looked over at Ved. "Ved, where's Malik?" she asked. Ved shrugged. "I'm not sure, Highness," he answered. "If I had to guess, I'd say he's waiting for you outside." "Can you call him to make sure?" Iris asked. "I need to speak with him." "Sure," Ved said, pulling a walkie talkie from his belt. While he spoke to Malik, Iris patted Cloe's stomach and asked her how the baby was doing.
Cloe smiled shyly. "It's doing well, your Majesty," she said softly. "But it does kick a lot, and it hurts sometimes." Iris nodded and smiled at the younger girl encouragingly. "But not much longer, right?" Cloe shook her head. "No. Only a couple weeks, according to the healers." Ved stepped back up to the two and put his arm around his wife. "I told Malik you wanted to give the girl . . . Ruby, I think her name was . . . a funeral. He said he'd take care of it." "Thanks, Ved," Iris told him. "I think if no one objects, we should head back to the hotel. You and Cloe should come with us. You can have rooms for the night if you like."
Ved looked down at Cloe with a questioning look in his eyes. Iris noticed that something had been communicated between them without saying a word, because immediately Ved looked back at Iris. "Thank you, my Queen, but I think we'll go home from here," he said. "Cloe's pretty tired." Iris nodded. "That's all right. You're welcome to come up to the hotel anytime to see your friends." "Thanks, Majesty," Ved answered. "I think we'll go tell the others that we're going." The two gave Iris a short bow and went over to the group. Out of the corner of her eye, Iris saw Ram come down the stairs.
She started to go over to him to tell him about the funeral when Ved's voice rang out sharply. "What in the hell is he doing here?" Iris looked over at Ved in shock. She had never heard him speak with such fear, hatred, and anger in the short time she had known him. Ram stopped mid-stride and glared at Ved with narrowed eyes. "Ved . . ." Jay began, touching his younger brother on the shoulder. "No!" Ved shouted, flinging off the restraining hand. "Why didn't you tell me you brought that sicko bastard with you?" The room was silent. Ved was glaring at Ram with a red face and fists clenched. "Ved, these are our guests," Iris said quietly, remembering her duties.
Ved looked over at Iris and his jaw clenched. He closed his eyes for a few moments then walked over to kneel before his Queen. "Forgive me for the outburst, your Majesty," he said shortly. "With your permission, I'd like to take my wife home." Iris glanced at Cloe, who was white as a sheet and visibly trembling, her eyes on Ram. "Of course you may, Ved," Iris said quietly. Ved stood up and without a word to anyone else, took Cloe's arm and walked out of the hospital. Iris waited until he was gone before turning to look at the others. "I think we should go back to the hotel," she said.