Chapter XIII: The Morning After….

"I'll still be here when you wake up…."

Criss….

"Tell me, Alli…if I wasn't famous…if I wasn't rich…if I wasn't Criss Angel, would you still love me?"

Of course….

"Really? You would still love me?"

Yes….

"What if I died? What would you do if I died?"

I don't know….

The woods grew deeper, the shadows casting over thickly across the tall sequoias that towered over her, creating within the boundaries of the giant trunks and the covering canopies that merely hid the black night sky from her sight. She was running…she didn't know why…but she felt that something was chasing her, following her through the shadows, stalking her, pursuing after her in a violent and aggressive way. Her throat became caught in her chest, her heart was pounding, her lungs felt clasped and clenched within her body, but she couldn't stop. Everything was growing darker around her and she knew that she had to get where she needed to be. Her legs felt tired, her body grew numb and weak, yet she couldn't stop. She couldn't until….

She suddenly felt her body come to a stop when she realized light was filtering in from between the trees, and she continued to feel her body moving forward where she could see a section of the woods break apart, and the could see the end of it break off towards the edge of a cliff that pointed clear out to the horizon that was broken between the pitch black, starry night sky and the raging blue surface of the ocean. Yet, her gray eyes traveled to what stood just beyond the edge of the cliff, a man that stood between the sequoias, his back to her, his dark hair billowing softly in the cool night wind. She hesitated, feeling herself suddenly become nervous and afraid of what this man would do, as her heart pounded violently within herself. She stopped just a yard or less away, her eyes watching him hesitantly. What is he going to do?

He slowly turned his back away from her, and she felt her insides suddenly become solid ice when his dark eyes landed on her, staring at her in a dreamy, lost gaze. He positioned himself against the wind as if he was preparing to jump off the cliff and plummet to the rocky, violent, merciless ocean below, but she wasn't going to let it happen.

"Criss, what are you doing?" she asked of the man, and he only grinned back at her—the same cocky grin he had always given her, yet this one was far darker, more eerie and omniscient.

"I want to see something," he told her softly, but she continued to look at him, confused, dazed, and terrified. "I want to see what you would do, what you would feel, if I died."

"No! Criss, please, don't!" she pleaded with the man, but her cries fell on deaf ears and seemed to become silent against her sore throat and tearful eyes.

"I want to see. Nothing scares me, but I want to see….I want to see what scares you….I want to know just what you would do if I died….I want to know just how much you love me…." He turned back to the edge of the cliff, and he took one step over the edge….

"Criss! No!"

She awoke with a sudden start in a weird and unfamiliar place, her face drenched in sweat, her hands clenching tightly at the blanket under her, her breathing fast and unsteady as she inhaled and exhaled out of her chest. She shook violently as she looked around, trying to remember where exactly she was. It took a long time, but it wasn't until she saw the man sitting in a chair against the wall, his eyes poured over an open book in his hand—the same man that had been in her dream—that she suddenly remembered where she was. She looked from the man to suddenly find his eyes locked on hers, and she felt her face turn a deep shade of red as the intensity of his stare flowed through her and controlled her. But then that cocky grin seemed to come back to his lips, and her heart seemed to relax and ease down a little from its nervousness.

"Good morning, beautiful," he grinned at her, and she smiled back at him, feeling that sudden warmth surround her again. Why, though, did this man have that kind of effect on her when no one else had before made her feel like this? What made him so different—other than the fact he was a world-known illusionist and stuntman?

"How long did you wait?" she asked him curiously, wondering how long he had been sitting there, waiting for her to wake up. She vaguely remembered the words he had told her last night before she drifted into slumber, but she was wondering if he had really spoken those words, or they were only a part of her peaceful and romantic imaginary world that she had made up while she was on the verge of entering that wonderful dream world of her subconscious mind.

"About two hours or so," he answered her simply, that smile of his widening. He made her heart melt, but she didn't understand why, though. He just seemed to be the very master that pulled at the strings that bound her limbs and body, yet the strings were loose in his hand, slipping through, allowing her to be able to move on her own willingly.

"You…you didn't have to wait that long," she told him in response. Her voice came out soft and gentle, almost like a child's, but it was a lot better than sounding like a croaking toad.

"Yeah, I didn't have to, but I wanted to. I told you I was going to be here until you woke up," he answered her, and for a moment she believed that he had winked at her, but it was only a quick, brief moment that seemed to vanish before it even came, but she did see that it was there, even though half of her was doubting that it even was, and it made her blush again, her heart melting again.

"Wow. Well…thank you."

Christopher merely smiled at her sweetly, and then he got up from the chair, tossing the book carelessly to the bed—Alli's gray eyes followed it, only to see the familiar front cover of the ever popular book, "Sweeney Todd." At once, Alli suddenly became engaged in the front cover and the known story of the book—a barber who had been torn from his love and child due to a false crime returns years later only to discover his wife was dead and child was adopted by the very man that falsely accused him, and he seeks revenge along with a woman who becomes completely infatuated with him, becoming one of the first ever seen serial killers. However, despite the fact that he might look it, who would have ever believed that this man was into those romance-based, horror-filled stories?

"JD and Costa got back to the suite a little later than we did. They had to escort your friend, Sam, home, just to make sure your boyfriend wouldn't do something stupid. I think they're still sleeping in. But my Ma's up, and I'm sure she'd love to meet you," Christopher didn't look at her directly, but merely looked at her reflection through the mirror on the wall as he tried to rub his eyes of any sign of his slumber.

"That was sweet of them. I don't know how I can ever thank you guys," she told him back, bowing her eyes from him—they still drifted to the book on the edge of the bed. Maybe that would be another one to read later on when she wasn't stuck reading something else for her class.

"You don't have to thank us. We're more than happy to help. Well, I know I am, but I'm pretty sure my brothers don't mind, either."

"Still…you went out of your way…you saved…I just…I don't…."

Tears filled her eyes, but they weren't of grief or guilt, but more of suddenly realizing that, despite her history with world, despite her history with men and all of humanity, there actually were some people out there who cared, people that loved and took care of others just out of the kindness of their heart. There were people out there who were willing to defend others, who were willing to protect, who were willing to get people that were weak, defenseless, and vulnerable back onto their feet and to take the stance of defense against the odds and power of the world around them. People like her dad….

"Hey, why are you crying?"

"I'm just sentimental!"

Half of her was laughing, most of her was laughing, but nothing could stop the tears from falling, nothing could stop those mourning emotions of longing and missing that man that would stand by her side through it all and make her feel warm and loved, no matter what trouble she got into. She covered her eyes with her hands, but even though she was smiling behind them, she knew these tears had only been building for so long. Now wasn't the time for them to come out, though. Now wasn't the time….

"Alli, why don't you join us for breakfast?" Christopher offered to her from the doorway, and she looked up, feeling slightly amazed and shocked by what he had offered her. As much as she desired to, she knew she couldn't, because there were two girls waiting for her at home, and she couldn't just leave and not show up as soon as possible the next day. Not to mention, she would look like a horrible mother if someone showed up to check up on Sophia.

"I can't, Christopher. I have to go home," she told him quickly, but in her voice was the tone of desiring to, of wanting to. She was even starting to feel accountable by turning his offer down. Not to mention a part of her really wanted to meet his mother, the woman he frequently talked about when they spoke over the phone. "I'm sorry."

"It's no problem. If you could, though, would you be willing to meet my Ma real quick?" he asked her, and her heart pounded a little inside. She knew it was a typical relationship action for a woman to meet her boyfriend's mother, or for the boyfriend to meet the girl's father, but it was a surprise to her, as she had never officially met Julian's parents, and yet this man, who she wasn't even involved with, wanted her to meet his mother. She was flattered, incredibly flattered, and she smiled pleasantly.

"I'd love to."

The grin on his face was something that couldn't be faked, it couldn't have been nothing more than a mask, it was sincere, heartwarming, and even a bit innocent, like as if her agreeing to meet the rest of his family was something he had been hoping to do for a long time. He opened the door, and the moment he did, she rolled off of the bed and pounced onto her feet, following him quickly out the door. The moment she stepped into the hallway, she saw exactly what she wasn't able to see last night due to the darkness—the lightly, homey colored walls and large elegant windows that peered into the outside, revealing the skies, the streets, the buildings, and the city that existed beyond them. Christopher turned to her with a proud grin, and she felt her face grow warm quickly, but she was smiling back willingly.

"Stay here. I know my Ma is going to like you, but I want to see the look on her face. I want to see what she'll do," he told her softly, and she merely nodded in agreement, though a piece of her dream came back to her, making her experience a strange sensation of déjà vu.

"…I want to see…."

"Wait here."

She listened, standing in the hallway, and then watched him as he walked through hallway into the opening where the living room was, and Alli suddenly realized that from where she was she could see a third of the living room, and about half of the sofa that he almost ended up sleeping on last night. Sitting on the couch she could see the back of a woman's head, her black hair curly and it fell past her shoulders in a fair way. With a nervous heart, she watched the illusionist approach the woman sitting on the couch, and that arrogant grin widened.

"Morning, Mom. Hey, can I ask you something?" he asked of her gently, though he sounded like a child suffering from anxiety that he may get in trouble for something. The woman looked up at him, her sudden posture changed to that of a mother preparing herself to hear the worst news. Alli stood silently in the hallway, feeling her body tremble slightly from excitement. What was this man trying to do?

"Of course, Christopher," the woman responded sweetly, though her tone was one of annoyance. Being the mother of a deranged, death-seeking wild man could have its problems and conflicts to it, so it could become annoying as the man suddenly became older, though never growing out of his childish antics.

"Mom, don't be mad at me, but…what would you do if I ran off last night and got married?" he asked her the most troublesome and hated words any mother would want to hear escape from her child's lips, whether man or woman. It didn't matter. It was a mother's job to be involved in the child's life, in the child's blissful matrimony, and even Alli felt like Criss was just tapping on his mother's last nerve by speaking these things. Yet, being the woman who gave life to such a playful and manipulating man, you would think she would be used to these kind of sick and twisted jokes. Apparently, she was.

"Christopher, you would think I'd be used to those jokes of yours by now. You would never go as far as to disrespect me like that," she spoke to her son sternly, and Alli felt her heart suddenly pound, not in fear or anxiety, but more in surprise that the woman understood her son than anyone else, as a mother should.

"Mom, you know I love you, you're the most important woman in my life. But…I'm afraid there is a second woman now," Christopher actually sounded sincere, as if every word that escaped from his mouth was the complete and honest truth. The woman obviously heard him clearly, her head jerking up to meet his eyes and Alli could see her trembling a little.

"What are you saying?" she asked him like a police officer, trying to interrogate the suspect of a wrong that he supposedly did. Criss looked up from her to the hallway where Alli waited, and then her gray eyes scanned down towards where his hands were by his side, gesturing to her unnoticeably for her to approach. She obeyed the gesture while he tried to explain to his mother of the horrible deed he had committed.

"Mom, please, don't be mad at me. But I fell in love last night. I met a beautiful woman, and…the first thought that went through my mind was, 'I have to have her! I have to have her! She has to be wife!'"

"Christopher, where are you going with this?!" the woman jumped to her feet before Alli could make a show of leaping into the living room into his arms like an infatuated wife should, but she stood in a place that kept her hidden, waiting for the right moment.

"Mom…I'm sorry, but…I want you to meet the new Mrs. Christopher Nicholas Sarantakos!"

That was it! The perfect timing to execute her part of the prank. As elegantly as she could, Alli pounced on her toes through the living room and—although she stubbed her toe against the side of the couch like the klutz that she was—threw herself directly into Criss' arms, keeping her eyes opened to see the woman—much older than she was, though still had the beauty that surprised all of her age—gawking at her, as if she was some creature from the bowels of Hell having been unleashed onto her child. She smiled back as sweetly and innocently as she could, but it was difficult to maintain a straight and serious face when she realized how wrong this joke was.

"Christopher! Who…who is this…" the woman was stuttering and stammering uncontrollably at the sudden presence of an unfamiliar girl in the living room, a woman that was half her son's age, a woman that she had never seen or met before. Alli felt so embarrassed, but this joke, although treading dearly over the line of security and safety, was humorous when it would all be over.

"I'm sorry, I'm Alli! It's so great to finally meet you! Criss tells me so much about you!" she told the woman softly, but the woman gave the look as if she had said everything that repulsive, rude, horrible, and above all, venomous to the woman's ears.

"Christopher!" the woman glared at her son threateningly, which was all that it took to lit it off, and Criss turned to the younger girl beside him, and in just one look, all tension, all anxiety suddenly lifted when he cracked into a hearty smile which eventually broke into a hearty laugh. The woman continued to gaze, stunned, shocked, surprised, but no sooner than when he started laughing that Alli seemed to break up giggling, but the poor woman was standing there, shocked and surprised, unable to respond to what the hilarious joke was.

"Christopher!"

"I'm sorry, Mom. I'm sorry," Christopher leaned over, his hands clutching his abdomen from laughter. Apparently the woman finally got the understanding of just what was going on. She gave her son a cold look, one that would leave any child trembling with fear of what their punishment would be, but apparently Criss didn't feel so threatened.

"Christopher, what is going on?!" the woman scolded at the man, who was breathless from laughing and unable to answer. Alli, suddenly realizing the joke was now over, decided to explain herself to this woman.

"I'm sorry, ma'am, I really am. Criss wanted me to play along. I'm not really married to him," she explained herself, and there was a look on the man's face in realizing that the game was over, his fun had been had, and it was time to come clean—however soon it may have been.

"Then who are you?" the stranger actually sounded like a police officer, interrogating a suspect of a crime she hasn't committed, but eventually will.

"I'm really sorry about that. I'm Alli. Christopher and I are just good friends—trust me, that's all we are," Alli smiled in a friendly manner, though the look she was being given told her enough that this woman would never like her because of the stunt she pulled. Finally, Christopher spoke up, breaking the tension in the air.

"She's telling the truth, Mom. Something happened last night and I invited her to spend the night here. Everything's alright, and if you need me, I can give evidence that I am—in fact—not married again," he told her, and it seemed that her son's words were more important that this complete stranger's, as her face relaxed, and at last she seemed to more human and less of a controlling parent.

"Alright, Christopher, I believe you. You need to stop pulling these tricks on me, otherwise it'll become harder and harder to believe anything you say. Do I need to remind a forty-year-old man of an old-time classic?"

Alli had to restrain a laugh, as she was suddenly reminded of the age-old tale of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf." Strangely, that had been what this woman had meant, and she was speaking the truth. The younger girl felt somewhat more alive and cheerful than she had been the night before, and oddly enough, she couldn't really remember what had happened the night before. This man seemed to have completely cleansed her from that horrible nightmare of reality that seemed so far away. He had brought her into a new reality, into a new world that was nothing more than an actual pleasant dream, but it seemed so much more than that. This man actually was her Adam, the very man meant to bring her into that peaceful Eden of comfort and shelter. Yet, even her Adam had a playful, child-like side to himself.

"Anyways, Alli, I would like you to meet my mother, Dimitra."

Alli—trying to start over with this woman whom she was somewhat afraid of—held out her hand to the older woman, who smiled at how friendly this young girl was, and shook it.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Alli. I just wish it wasn't under these circumstances," Dimitra's laugh was much like her son's, if not more feminine and soft. Alli forced a laugh, looking at Christopher for some help in this situation. He only shrugged with a smile, and then Dimitra added. "Will you be joining us for breakfast?"

"Um…."

"She can't, Ma, I'm sorry."

Christopher spoke for her, grabbing her arm softly, as if commanding her—she was strangely reminded of all those times Julian had grabbed her the same way, commanding her the same way, and a thrill of fear and pain went through her, a shiver running down her spine violently. A part of her kept saying that this man was not like Julian or any of the other men she had been with, but her instincts kept her on her toes, her guard always up and protecting her, always watching for those that wanted or could do harm to her.

"Maybe some other time, then. It's was…interesting meeting you, Alli." Dimitra grinned.

"Like wise."

Alli was then gently led out of the apartment by the illusionist, feeling the older woman's eyes on her back, but this feeling was then severed when the doors closed behind them, and she found herself standing out in the hallway with this man. He released her arm, and she looked up into his face, his eyes turned away from her, staring into the opposite wall, dazing into space. He was lost within his thoughts, trapped within the prison of darkness and shadows that haunted her as well, though she desired to know just what it was that he was thinking. He was acting strange, having her play that joke on his mother just to meet her, and then making her leave as soon as they had just met. Something was definitely on his mind, but what?

"Criss…." She reached over and gently brushed the tip of her fingers along his arm, and she could feel something morph between the two of them, a bond of some kind, and her mind felt relaxed and weak, as if her soul had entered his body, had entered into his thoughts, and she felt everything he was feeling, the silent shiver rise up against the spine, the confusion and shock that was still there from the night before. Yet, that moment of fusion with him was broken when he blinked and turned to her, but not with that arrogant grin that he always showed. That smile was…different. There was an emotion in it that she did not recognize, a look that was unclear, fogged, but a part of her didn't want to know what lingered behind those dark eyes of his.

"Shall we go?" he asked of her, and she couldn't do anything more than nod. An image came to her mind, an image of a sweet and innocent soul, a precious life that had not yet grown into its full existence in this world. A sweet soul with long curtains of ebony and sparkling orbs of emerald that was filled with a grace that few women in this world even had, yet this was a soul who was not even a woman. This image brought back emotions inside of her, but they weren't painful, like so many others. These emotions were pleasant, fulfilled, sweet, cheerful, and even….

She had to get home. She had to get back to the apartment. There was no way to deny it. She was missing her child very much. She had gone a day without seeing her before, but something about now…something about this day made her feel like she needed to be with her, she needed to be with her little cousin, the little one she lovingly called "Pretty Sophie."

"Christopher…why don't you meet me later today at the park? I think it would be nice, and I think Sophia might like seeing you again," Alli suggested as the two of them entered the elevator, and there was a look on the man's face that filled her with a warm light that was hardly ever shown before.

"That sounds like a good idea. What time?" he asked her back. His interest was peeked, but the woman had a feeling there was something more behind it than the desire to see such a cute and precious little girl.

"How about three?" Alli responded, and then the elevator stopped, and the two of them walked through the lobby and out into the parking lot where an empty cab waited—had he called it before she had even woken up? She didn't ask when he opened the door for her.

"It's a date, then."

She opened her mouth, but no sound came out of any protest or response at all against his words, and he winked at her as he closed the door, and left her thinking the very phrase he knew she was going to say, but didn't secretly want to hear. As the cab drove off towards the apartment, she was staring out the window, deep in thought, and finally it blurted from her lips.

"It's not a date…is it?"

-Liz Comic-

Liz: Okay, because this story needs some comic-relief for it, I felt I should add this bit to the end of every chapter just to brighten some moods after you guys read each chapter, depending on whether the chapter was serious or non-serious will depict the humor of the comic. Well, this is Comic Numero Una, and--

Crys: You spelled it wrong.

Liz:::confused::: What?

Crys: You spelled it wrong. It's "numero uno."

Liz: That's what I said.

Crys: No, you said "una." It's supposed to be spelled u-n-o.

Liz: That's what I did. U-N--

Crys: See? You put an "A."

Liz: Oh.

Crys: No, "A."

Liz: Kay!

Crys: No, you put "A."

Liz: Alright! Alright! Shut up! Shut up!

Crys: Not until you fix it and put "O."

Liz: Kay!

Crys: No, "O."

Liz: Will you--Wait, you're totally F#$&ing with me, aren't you?

Crys: Yes :::grins malevolently:::

(Liz screams and chases after Crys, who's laughing uncontrollably.)

Alli (O.O): Thanx for reading this! I hope you enjoyed it! Please remember to review. I'm sure Liz would very much appreciate it. Thank you!