Chapter Nine
The Council's Court Room
Vang was still mightily upset when Zora reached him. She slowed her pace to a casual walk as she slid up to him and butted her head against his. She rubbed her head against her feline father's, purring deeply and reassuringly. Even as she rubbed against him in their version of a hug, her green eyes turned toward Connor. She was proud of him and touched that he had reacted so quickly to protect Vang, who she had just recently come to learn was closer to being her father more than ever before.
Connor wanted to reach out and pet Vang on the head but was afraid that the big cat wouldn't like it. "Sorry about that," he said. "If I'd had a sword, I'd have run that damn boi through. I've been chasing after him for most of my life! I really hate him!" He smiled at Zora and then looked in Vang's direction and smiled at him, as well.
"He only picked on you, because he wanted to get Dad's attention." He knew that for a fact as Pan had often done things in the past to get his poor father's attention. He was only sorry that now he was picking on his extended family, as well. One day, he vowed, that dratted boi will get his.
Zora could not help the disappointment she felt that Connor had only rushed to intervene because of the feelings between his family and the green-clad imp. She pushed the feeling quickly aside though, vowing silently that if she ever got a chance to get a claw on that damn child, there would be nothing left of the thing to bother her family nor Connor's. She purred again to Vang, then returned to business with a low, informative growl.
"Why's Zora mad at me?" Connor asked Vang. "If Pan had realized that you're part of my family, he would have made it a lot harder on you. You don't know the things he's capable of. I really didn't know what to do, Vang. If I'd had a weapon, then I would have killed him; he angered me so for daring to touch you!" Connor still felt inclined to pat Vang, but he wouldn't dare.
Had Zora been in her human form, her mouth would have fallen open at Connor's words. Instead, her furry jaw gaped slightly open, her shining, green eyes looking at Connor in clear surprise. A warm, fuzzy feeling glowed in her heart.
Vang wasn't sure if Connor was picking up on Zora's emotions in truth or if he'd simply taken her growl to mean that she was upset with him. Regardless, however, he thought with a swish of his long, striped tail that he instantly regretted and grimaced over, he was proud of the boy and would have to let Connor know that he could get his hands on him later. "You did well, Connor. That was not the situation she was referring to." He rubbed his cheek against Zora's before pulling away and commanding, "Lead the way."
"Where are we going?" Connor asked as he fell into step beside them. His hand absently slipped over to Vang's head, and he timidly petted him even as they walked.
Roxanne was just succeeding in stopping the blonde woman's blood flow when she felt a stranger approaching. Her hands were still on the blood-soaked cloth she'd torn from the dress she wore when she looked up at the newcomer. Her jaguars reacted in that same second, and three sets of eyes studied the dark man together. Roxanne's brown eyes flashed yellow as she acknowledged him, "Vampiro." Her jaguars' coats ruffled, and low growls came from their throats as they suddenly flanked Roxanne. Sasha took a step further, and Yasmine looked at her mate before taking two steps further.
Roxanne's gaze had not left the man. "Espera," she called to her pets. "Veamos lo que desea, pero sea listo pounce." The blood had probably drawn it, but she remembered the Vampire as one of their prisoners and was willing to give him a half second to see if he was a true threat or something else.
She had now turned from her patient and was crouched between her familiars instead. Her back arched, she was ready to spring into a pounce attack on the Vampire at a heartbeat's notice. She purposefully arched a single eyebrow at him as she spoke again, this time in English. "What do you want?"
The very second Wolf and Elvira reached Delvira and Jareth, who were still wrapped in a tight embrace, Elvira questioned her sister, "We're where I think we are, aren't we?"
Delvira nodded against Jareth's head, and her black eyes opened to look into her twin's. She had managed to do away with her own tears at last out of the determination that she should not allow her husband to see her crying least her tears increase his own. Though her eyes no longer sparkled, Elvira could read her sister like a book and knew her heart was on the verge of breaking. "Yes."
"Why?" Elvira asked even as her own arms ached to hug her sister tightly.
"We are facing a retrial."
"But why?"
"There are those who would help and thought a retrial would do so. It should not have been now, but it is. They may condemn him again to the Labyrinth or . . . or . . . something . . . something worse . . . " she managed at last.
"What can I do to help?" Elvira queried, forgetting that Wolf was standing beside her and feeling that it was up to herself, Delvira, and Jareth to find a way to keep him from being condemned.
Deep sadness flickered in Delvira's dark eyes. "I would stand beside him, but I doubt they will allow it. They probably will not allow you to, either, so all that is left . . . " The thought that she would fight to the death to save her husband caused Delvira to rephrase her words. "All you can do to help, dear sister, is . . . pray."
Delvira spoke the word with such helplessness that Elvira knew that praying would do them no good or, at least, that was what Delvira believed. She had prayed for Wolf's safety, though, and some Power had helped them to get through the night, alive and well. She reached out, placing her hand on Delvira's where it laid on Jareth's shoulder, so close to his neck that Elvira could feel tendrils of his blonde hair on her pale skin. She gave her sister's hand a gentle squeeze. "I'll be with you every step of the way," she vowed.
Xena and Gabrielle had not been too long set out from Joxer and Autolycus when Gabby's green eyes caught sight of an approaching figure. With fried hair sticking out from her head, a face full of bleeding cuts, and blood spattered over the big, black robe she wore, the woman looked more like a walking corpse than the Governor's daughter she truly was. Gabrielle reached out, catching Xena's wrist, as she nodded in the direction of the woman. At the same time, she called back over her shoulder to where she knew Autolycus was still within hearing distance. "AUTOLYCUS, I BELIEVE WE'VE FOUND YOUR WOMAN!" She wished she had her bag of herbs so that she might help Elizabeth, but as it was, there was very little she could do.
Xena stepped forward to greet Elizabeth, but before she could reach her, she could tell that Elizabeth was about to pass out. She scooped her up and carried her to where Autolycus was limping toward them. "Put her down here, Xena," he told her, and he knelt down beside her.
Autolycus couldn't believe how bruised and battered Elizabeth's skin was. He was extremely thankful that she had lived through the night, and he remembered back to the bitch who had done this to her. He recalled, too, that he owed a debt of gratitude to Faith as she had finished the job he had started when he had been unable to and also saved his life. He also owed a debt to Donkey, who had carried his beloved to safety. He didn't know what he could do now to pay them back, but in the future, he would try very hard. Elizabeth was his whole world.
He talked to Elizabeth as though she was the only one there. "Thank the Gods you live, Elizabeth! I tried to kill the bitch for you! I did my best; it just wasn't enough! If it hadn't been for Faith, I wouldn't be here now! We both owe her a lot. Thanks, Xena." Then he looked at Gabby helplessly, hoping that she could help in some way.
Joxer had moved up to stand beside them and looked down, not knowing what to do. Then his eyes, too, went to Gabby. He knew she had the power to heal, but he had no idea where her bag was.
Gabrielle's mind was quickly going through what few options she had left to her. She could not do much of anything without her herbs, but she could at least stop the bleeding. She had noticed more blood coming from Elizabeth's back when Xena had carried the blonde to Autolycus, but she knew that one look at what Elizabeth's back was probably like would set Joxer into fainting. Luckily, as she'd trailed after Xena, she'd also caught sight of Phoebe holding and rocking Kit . . . at least, she thought that was what the Siamese cat's name was.
The bard cleared her throat as she edged past Joxer to stand between Xena and Autolycus beside Elizabeth. "Joxer, you go to your Phoebe," she'd barely started to speak.
"Phoebe! Where's Phoebe!" Joxer seemed to have new life breathed into him as he looked eagerly at Gabby now.
Gabrielle pointed to where Phoebe was sitting on the floor, but before she could get the warning out she'd intended to give Joxer, the self-proclaimed warrior was gone, half-running, half-tripping on his way.
Zora had turned her back to the guys and walked a few paces ahead as she regathered her bearings. She'd taken off so fast after Vang that it took her a second to remember exactly which direction she'd come from. Now, as Vang bumped his head against Connor's hand and gave a low rumble from his throat, Zora caught sight of what she was looking for. She growled, her tail striking the air as she alerted Vang. That was the only sign she gave before breaking out into a full run for the crab, cat, and tiger cubs that were still being whipped around in the air. She heard Sebastian's words as the crab cursed her in French for leaving him and growled snappily back at him even as she leapt into the air.
"We'll be right back," Vang assured Connor before racing after his daughter. His muscles tensed as he bunched down for a leap, and then he, too, jumped into the howling winds.
Connor raced forward and made a leap, jumping further than he expected to. He caught the brown and white cat who barked at him. "Calm down, Wolfie. Everything's going to be all right," he said even as he landed back on his feet. He stroked the cat. "We've been through a lot this night, but we'll make it together." He looked back to see if Zora and Vang had obtained their targets.
Zora had had to curb her instincts to go after the cubs first in order to do her duty and head back after Sebastian instead. As her sharp teeth again closed with care around Sebastian's already-sore tail, bringing another string of French from the crab and the snapping of claws, she felt something hard hit her rear. No sooner had the heavy object landed on her rear than tiny teeth grabbed hold of her own tail. The surprise of the impact almost caused Zora to roar, but she caught herself right before she could open her mouth. In that moment, she bit down harder than she'd intended to on Sebastian, who let out with an even louder string of French and Jamaican curses. His claws came just barely short of missing her as she landed on her paws.
Vang had seen the situation with Zora as the female cub landed on her haunches, but there was nothing he could do to help her as he himself was headed in another direction. His teeth clamped down on the scruff of the male cub's neck, and he took him with him as he descended to the floor. It seemed to Vang that they had no sooner returned to the floor when the winds suddenly stopped. He looked up, uncertain if he should expect some actual good news, for a refreshing change, or more bad. The warning in his gut proved to be as accurate as ever as he saw a brilliant light heading for them.
The winds had stopped, and Connor had moved closer to his family when a golden light began to come toward them. "RUN!" he told Zora and Vang. "We must get away before it catches us!" He paused only long enough to allow them a chance to go before him, but even so, he could tell that they would not escape the light as it was moving fast and bathing everything in its golden glow.
Zora would never have gone first if she had not had such precious cargo, but as she carried a cub on her back, she tossed Sebastian over her shoulder to where the cub lay. The crab reacted quickly, holding the cub with one arm and holding on to Zora's fur with his other set of pinchers. She took off running, her empty mouth now shouting a roar of warning to Connor's parents and brother who also were not too far away.
Vang's head butted into Connor's bum, telling the boy, in no uncertain terms, to move his ass. He took up the rear.
Angel's eyes took in the scene before him: two jaguars and a feral, wild woman, all ready to attack him if he made the slightest wrong move. He held his hands palm forward toward them to show that he had not come with attack on his mind. Behind them, he could see Trina Malloy, covered in blood and unconscious. "I have come for the woman. She is a friend. I mean you no harm."
The three pairs of eyes continued to study Angel's every movement. "Then you can wait, Vampiro," Roxanne returned, her disdain obvious, "until I have finished mending her. I am a doctor."
"Her brother is in very bad condition and is straining to come after his sister. He fears that you meant harm to her. He said your cats were trying to eat her. I see no evidence of this. Are you, in truth, a doctor? If you are lying to me and damage the woman, there will be Hell to pay."
Roxanne kept the stranger's gaze. "I have no reason to lie to you. I only tolerate you because of what my crew members did to you and your people." She saw the flicker of emotions pass with the speed of lightning through his gaze. "I will not harm you unless you press my hand, but I warn you. I have no use for males, and should I choose to attack you . . . " Her jaguars growled and swished their tails as she snapped her fingers. "It will be over like that. As for the woman, I am a doctor and would never intentionally harm such a lovely lady."
"You're one of . . . " He paused. "Which ship?" he asked.
"The Saucy Wench. I know what they did to you. I did not approve of it then nor do I now. I had no hand in that. If the catwomen are around, you can ask them for my credentials."
"The catwomen's names are Katrina and Celina. I have not run across them yet, although I know they are here. Trina is definitely not of your ilk. She has been pursued by males since she was in diapers, and she definitely is not unresponsive to their ventures."
"I am not afraid of your cats. I could call cats of my own if it came to that." He snapped his fingers. "That quickly, they would come." He prayed that Vang would respond that quickly. "But it should not come to that," he told her. "Continue on with your work. Why would her brother think the cats wanted to eat her?"
She could read his doubt like the cover on a book. "Because he is a fool," she half-spat, half-hissed the words, her eyes once more flashing predatorial yellow. "My Sasha is adept at picking out bullets, among other things." She picked up the bullet that Sasha had picked out of Trina's body and thumped it at the Vampire. "That is what he saw Sasha digging out of his sister's shoulder."
"That must have been a sight," Angel spoke in admiration. "Never seen anything like that. I've watched doctors in the past, most especially our ship's doctor, and you never have an easy task." He stepped back one step to show that he was not meaning danger toward her. "Will it be safe to move her after you've finished?"
"Si," she responded, her eyes never flickering nor moving from the Vampire's. "I will carry her to her brother when I am finished."
"I will wait and escort you," Angel told her, "but why do you insist on carrying her? Do you fear that I will hurt Trina?" he asked with puzzlement on his face. He knew fully well part of what she was thinking and was waiting for her attack at any moment.
"I have no need of an escort," she returned, "and if you want my continued aid in healing your people, you will leave me to my work."
"I promised Trent," he spoke, the man's name finally coming to him from conversations he'd had before with Trina, "that I would bring his sister back. I fear that, if I return empty-handed, there will be no restraining him. He is beside himself with worry. She is his twin."
"I have already met this Trent you speak of. There is no need to restrain him; the simpleton could not fight his way out of a wet paper bag. As for your promise, what should that matter? It is, after all, the promise of a male."
Joxer reached Phoebe and threw his arms around her. He began to kiss her rapidly before he could slow himself down. "Oh, my beautiful Phoebe! Thank Gods you're alive!"
With a frantic meow, Kit squirmed out from between Joxer and Phoebe and ran from the embracing couple. "Don't . . . go . . . far!" Phoebe managed to warn her family's cat through kisses with Joxer. Then, clasping Joxer's face in both hands, she grinned up into his face. "Thank Gods you're alive!" she told him. "I was worried, Joxxy!" Her lips then conquered his.
The first thing Tom saw when he opened his eyes was a brilliant light. His heart leapt in relief and joy, and a grin shot wide over his furry, orange face. Even his tail swished in happiness for he could see! He could actually see! His joy at his miraculous recovery was short-lived, however, as the light engulfed his world.
Katrina almost stopped breathing when the light hit Tom and washed over him. Oh my Goddess! she breathed. Please let him be all right! Tom, my darling, please speak to me! Are you all right!
What was the thing that had hit him, she wondered, and where was it? She jumped to her feet and looked wildly around. She could see it, and it was heading in their direction. They could not run fast enough to get away from it, and she knew it was only seconds before it hit them. I love you, my Tom! she spoke to him one last time even as she stood steadfast, waiting to meet her fate.
Sean had been holding Emma close to his side where he sat on the floor. He was afraid something bad had happened to her mind as she still had not woken from her ordeal. Until she woke up, he would not know anything. Had that awful creature completely mind swiped her? Would she know him, or would her brain be a complete jell? He closed his eyes and continued to pray for his beloved. He did not know when the light reached them and passed over them except for the fact that he felt a warm glow in its aftermath.
Morph's arms had grown to wrap around Celina's entire body when she'd started having the fit he'd known would come. He knew he had to somehow calm her, but so far, he was having no luck whatsoever. He kept his arms wrapped around the length of her squirming body, ignoring her claws as they struck him, and continuing to hold her with just enough firmness to keep her from breaking away from him.
With his arms holding hers to her body, he was able to press a kiss to her furry forehead but jerked his head back as she snarled out at him. That snarl affirmed that she had no idea what was truly happening for all the pain, fear, horror, and devastation that was impounding her from the others. He wished that he could somehow take her away from this place but knew that that was impossible and that his one chance of helping her was to somehow reach her.
His arms squeezed her, applying just slightly more pressure to his hold in order to hug her, and he tried again to speak to her. "Celina! Celina, my love, you've got to calm down! It's me! It's Morph! All that you're feeling is from the others! I . . . " Her yowl broke him off just as the light engulfed them.
Carl was walking with Prue toward the spot where he had left Paige trying to figure out how to get Ororo down when a howl suddenly met his ears. The Gnome jumped into a defensive position that put him closer to the floor, but before he could even figure out what was happening, something dark and furry had sped by and Prue was no longer by Carl's side! He sniffed and then called after the blur.
"Hey, Brendan! Put Prue down! You shouldn't even be around her right now!" He started to go after them, but something caught his eye. Turning around, the Gnome's eyes shot wide at what he saw. He hit the floor and started to dig but was not fast enough as the light reached him before he'd even broken the surface.
Jasmine looked up as the light rushed at her. "Ooh!" she exclaimed. "What a pretty light!" Wesley barely had time to digest her words when the light washed over them.
Wolf stepped forward. "What do you mean they will not allow Elvira to stand for him? What can I do to help, and what is this stand?" He looked at Delvira.
Jareth slipped his free arm around Elvira and pulled her closer into the group hug. He looked at Wolf, and with a half smile, welcomed him with a nod. He didn't know where to begin explaining to Wolf about this trial.
He knew more about Wolf's history than the others. He knew that Wolf had been pursued and tried several times and that many of his people had been killed simply because they were Werewolves and no one had stood for them. He also knew that Werewolves had been pardoned by King Wendell and didn't figure that Wolf wanted to get too far into this situation.
He thought Wolf was only in for the free ride with Elvira. After all, his sister-in-law was very loose with her charms. He loved her dearly but didn't know how much Wolf was involved. Would he turn and run now at the sign of danger?
He didn't think Elvira would be allowed to stand, either. After all, she was the twin of his wife, and they probably didn't separate the two in their small minds. He let Delvira do the talking as he was not sure if his voice would crack or not and, being who he was, he couldn't allow that to happen.
Elvira was surprised when Wolf spoke, wanting to know if he could help, and even more surprised when Jareth pulled her into his hug with Delvira. The gesture touched her self-proclaimed black heart and brought tears springing to her eyes, tears that she dared not let fall for she knew that, if she started crying, Delvira would start crying, and if Delvira started crying, Jareth would also be crying. The last thing they needed right now was a cry-fest. What they needed was answers, answers that she had no idea of and that she knew Delvira also did not have.
"They seemed to think," Delvira spoke, trying to keep her voice firm and even and failing as it continued to tremble from time to time, "that it would help if they could somehow convince Jack and his people to stand beside those of us being retried. If such would be similar to cases I've read about before, whatever happened to the one being tried would also happen to the one standing for him. They will not allow family to stand for one another or else I'd stand for Jareth or even Elvira might although I could never ask her to."
"I would," Elvira spoke, looking at Delvira and Jareth both. She had never felt this close to her brother-in-law before, always feeling that her visits came as a nuisance that delayed their love-making, but at last, she felt his love, as well, and did not want to let him go.
"So what you're saying," Wolf said with a very grave look on his face, "is that, if some one stands beside Jareth, he's sort of his conscience and helps him to stay out of trouble and, if Jareth fails to stay out of trouble, they both get punished?"
"Y-Yes," Delvira answered with a slow nod.
"They could even be killed?" Wolf asked as he gulped. His memories of other Werewolves being killed were very strong in his mind at this time. He knew of some who had been in trials and had been killed just because they were Weres and for no other reason.
Jareth's bi-colored eyes met Wolf's as he wondered what the other man was thinking. "The Council does not normally kill. That is one of their lighter punishments."
Wolf's eyes did not flicker as he stared back into Jareth's. "I will stand by you. One day, you're going to be my brother-in-law, but today, we are not kin so they can not prevent me from standing by you." He smiled at Elvira and Delvira. "She hasn't said yes yet, but I asked her."
It had taken everything Smee had left in him not to look up as all the chaos going on with first James and then Vang had happened. He had managed to keep his gaze pinned on the floor, however, and had yet to look up at James or Frederic, who stood protectively beside his better father. The two had been silent for some time, and Smee hadn't known what they were doing. He could imagine Frederic looking around for signs of trouble, but he could also imagine James seeking out more women which only broke the shattered pieces of Smee's heart even more. Smee was fighting tears again when a new roar, this one filled with frantic warning, met his ears.
Smee sniffled and glanced sideways toward the roar. He could see a blur of something that he couldn't quite make out, but he could definitely see the brilliant light that was chasing the blur . . . and then engulfed them. Smee didn't know where the light had come from for certain, but he did realize that it had to be even more danger. In fact, it probably carried with it some horrible curse from the Council.
That thought had barely entered Smee's mind when he realized where the light must be headed. The realization gave Smee the strength and agility to react faster than he ever would have believed he could have, now that he carried around several dozen pounds of lard with him. He leaped upwards and jumped onto James, knocking him on the ground and covering him with his portly body. He had already been screaming, but now his scream became actual words. "LEAVE JAMES ALONE! TAKE ME! TAKE ME! TAKE ME!"
Underneath Smee, James frantically scrambled, trying to get himself free so that he could see what danger was coming now. What could possibly have set Smee off when he had been sitting so quietly, almost as though he did not even know where he was at? He managed to get his face out from under Smee only in time to see a golden light coming directly at them. "What the -- !" he managed to gasp, his mustache shooting straight out, before it hit them.
It didn't hurt. Whatever the light was, it filled him with a pleasant, tingling glow and then continued on without leaving them. He pulled one hand out and looked at it. It seemed to glow all on its own. He reached down and touched Smee, who was golden, as well, and then he saw that the others, who had finally reached them, were golden. "What is it?" he asked wonderingly.
"I don't know what it is," Smee retorted, "but they're doing something! Stay under me!" He shoved his belly down upon James and tried to get his head back under him, as well. Then, he yelled back up, "WHATEVER YOU'RE DOING, LEAVE THEM ALONE AND DO IT TO ME! I'LL TAKE IT ALL! I'M NOT WORTH ANYTHING ANY WAY, SO JUST DO IT TO ME!" He quivered against James, and his red nose sniffed as he fought to hold back tears. "LEAVE THEM ALONE!"
Gabrielle gestured with her head to Xena. "Turn her over."
Xena gently turned Elizabeth over and winced as she saw the shape her back was in. She looked at Gabrielle. "She's in bad shape, and we don't have anything to use for bandages."
Autolycus ripped off his shirt and handed it to Xena. "Use this. It's not very good, but it's all I have."
Xena looked at it questioningly, realizing that it was a very expensive silk shirt but not worth a damn when it came to bandages. She shrugged, knowing that it would have to do and tore it into strips. She knelt to help Gabrielle, who was already steadily applying the strips and working on stopping the flow of blood.
Gabby knew that she could have helped Elizabeth a lot more if she'd only had her herbs. As it was, she could only pray that Elizabeth would make it through this and do what she could with what they had. She had never seen Autolycus care so much for any one the way he did for Elizabeth and knew that, if Elizabeth failed to live through the day even though she'd made it through the night, her loss might well end up putting the final nail in Autolycus' coffin.
All eyes were on Elizabeth when the light suddenly washed over them . . .
Kitty's breath caught in her throat as she stared at the image before her, her dragon's worried "coo" falling on deaf ears. The one woman who had been her best friend all throughout her life, seen her through two husbands and many dreams, both failed and succeeded, and never stopped loving her lay in a pool of blood, her white skin as pale as a ghost. Kitty's held breath released in a scream. "RACHEL!" She raced forward and fell to her knees beside the redhead, whose dull green eyes were cracking open at the sound of her voice.
"Kitty, I'm all -- "
"Don't lie to me, Ray! You're not all right! You're anything but all right! Why didn't you tell me?"
"You were busy -- "
"I'm never too busy for you! Especially not when you're . . . when you're . . . "
"I'm not dying." Her weak tone; pale, limp body; and oozing blood spoke volumes of difference, however. "I'm just . . . I'm just too weak. I shouldn't have used so much . . . so much power to . . . to help the others, but I wanted . . . I wanted to make you proud, do what . . . do what you would've wanted me to do in . . . in that situation . . . "
Her eyes were drifting shut, and Kitty's heart hammered in terror. "Rachel Summers, don't you dare close your eyes!" Her hands gripped her friend and shook her. "Don't you dare!"
From his perch on Kitty's shoulder, Lockheed had been looking around for a healer. His eyes had paused on the sobbing, howling, and roaring trio of Crystal Frost's animals when a light engulfed them. He squeaked and beat at Kitty's head with his small arms and wings, trying in vain to get her attention as the light continued for them. He was still roaring and screeching and Kitty still yelling at Ray to open her eyes when the light washed over them, as well.
Cordelia had torn off yet another piece of her dress and was trying to stop the flow of blood from the blonde man's shoulder when he suddenly spoke again. He had gone so limp that she'd thought he'd been unconscious, but that thought and her relief that he had stopped trying to fight his weakness and go off after his sister were both very quickly wiped away once he opened his mouth. "Is he . . . Is he gone yet?"
"Yes," Cordelia's response was hesitant. She didn't know what the man was intending, but his next words both told her his intentions and shot away her relief.
"Good. I . . . I needed his help, but I . . . I have to . . . I have to . . . to try . . . " He struggled to rise.
She pushed him back down. "You're going nowhere!" she told him. "Angel can handle her! He may be a Pirate, but he's a hero, too, and I know that he can save your sister! You're too weak to be walking off anywhere, let alone trying to fight! Now lay still!"
"I can't!" Trent protested as he struggled against the brunette's hands determinedly shoving him down to the floor. They'd barely began to argue when the light enveloped them.
Hansel caught sight of a swiftly-approaching light through his tears. He sniffed and cried again for Derek as he wondered if that light was anything like the light that Derek had seen at the end of the tunnel of death. Where was this light coming from? Was it the same one that Derek had seen, the one that his baby had gone into?
He sniffled again. "Derek," he moaned and began to tear himself away from the comforting pillow he did not realize was Chong's chest to stumble toward the light. "Take me!" he cried, opening his arms to the light. "Take me like you did my Derek!"
Chong jumped to his feet and raced after Hansel. There was no way he was going to let that light get his baby, even if he had to knock Hansel out and drag him away from there! He'd take care of Hansel until the day that Hansel was back to his normal self!
He, at long last, had a chance to save Hansel, and he was glad that Derek was out of the picture! May my soul be blasted to Hell for it, but I thank the Goddess Derek's gone! He managed to grab Hansel's back just as the light swept over them.
Piper had had trouble staying calm by Cole's side as she had watched all that was happening with her family and worried over where her missing sister, Phoebe, was and what was happening to her. When Ororo finally calmed and began to descend, Piper could stand it no longer and broke into a run toward her godmother. She did not see the fear in Ororo's eyes as she stared at something beyond herself and Cole, but she did pause when she heard Paige's frantic yell.
Paige had been relieved when Ororo had finally calmed down until she'd seen the mingle of fear and awe in Ororo's blue eyes. She had immediately looked in the direction her godmother was staring at and had seen a great light spreading quickly through the room . . . and Piper running just a little ways before it. "PIPER, WATCH OUT!"
Piper stopped at her sister's words and turned around to see what Paige was looking at. As she turned, she heard a familiar yowl. Without looking, she scooped and opened her arms to Kit, who leaped into them. Piper stared at the approaching light. Shifting the Siamese cat to one arm, she tried to freeze the light, but again her power did not work. It was coming at her with the rush of a tornado, and Piper knew that she could not outrun it . . .
Angel drew himself up to his full height. "Just because it's a promise of a male does not mean that it is of any less value than that of a female. I understand that you do not like males, and I am not pressing that point. All I am asking is that you allow me to escort Trina back to her brother when you are finished. By the way, did you know that there is another member from your ship in here?"
When the Vampire had declared that a promise from a male was of no lesser value than a promise of a female, both Roxanne and her jaguars had laughed openly at him. Their laughter died as quickly as it had begun, however, when he questioned her. Immediately, both big cats growled, their sharp teeth revealing and glistening. Their backs arched, and their tails struck the air. Roxanne's tone was low but verged on a growl itself. "What do you know of her?"
"Her smell is different from our people. I know not other than that she is here and is in a deep sleep. I was not looking for her but for Trina. I can show you where the smell came from if you allow me to help with Trina."
"Your help is not needed, Vampiro," Roxanne growled, her own fangs now flashing as she spoke and her brown eyes having turned yellow. "I warn you of this once and only once. Any other man to speak of the woman you have spoken of would be laying in a pool of blood now. You will not touch her for if you touch her, speak to her, or in any way harm her, I will not rest until I have spilled the blood of all you hold dear and dusted you. As for Trina, if you want my help with her, you will do as I say and leave me to my work."
Angel thought to himself, And I thought Faith was a bitch! How can I just walk away and leave Trina? But if I stay, it will cause a war, and we can not be fighting amongst ourselves, not at this time! He was lost in confusion and did not know what to say. He took another step backwards.
"This could be a war," he told her. "A war neither of us needs. I have not shown my powers to you nor have I lifted a hand toward you in any way. I am not interested in the woman; I just told you that she is here. But I am interested in Trina. I don't expect you to want to be friends with any of my crew, but I do expect enough respect out of you that you don't start a war."
Roxanne looked at the Vampire for a long moment, and then, slowly, she began to straighten. As she stood, she chuckled. Sasha kept her eyes strained on the Vampire, but Yasmine looked up at her mistress with curiosity shining in her eyes. Roxanne spoke in Spanish, and Yasmine's tongue lolled out as though she, too, were laughing.
Then, placing one gentle hand on Sasha's head, she spoke to her eldest, still in Spanish. At last, her eyes met the Vampire's again. "You want your Trina that badly? Very well. You can have her, but do not look at me for my aid . . . " Her mouth was open to say more, but she stopped, staring at something behind Angel. Both cats roared, and their spotted fur fluffed out.
Angel prepared for their attack. He didn't think he could handle all three of them, and then, to his complete surprise, the Latina hurriedly spoke in Spanish once more to her jaguars and all three turned tail and ran. Angel then knelt down beside Trina. He slipped his arms under her, lifted her up, and turned.
It was then that he saw a huge, golden light heading straight toward them and realized that that was what the females had been running from. What the Hell was this thing! he wondered. The end of the world! Before he could turn and run in the direction he thought safety might lie, the light hit him . . .
A noise of click-click-click was coming across the floor toward the area where Jack and Will were now reunited in a hug. Eddie's ears perked up. It was the Demon, and it was coming closer! He hated to interrupt Jack and Will, but he had to warn them.
He tugged frantically at Jack's jacket even as around the cloth, he warned them, "The Demon's coming! The Demon's coming! Save me, Will! Save me!" He was trembling all over his body, and every one of his short hairs stuck straight up.
He would not run! He couldn't run and leave his boy to face the Demon! What was it he had heard some customer read out loud while he and Will were still working in the forge in Port Royal? Oh, yes! Donkeys caused more deaths than cannon fire! What could it be that donkeys had that was so powerful? Eddie thought quickly over what he had. It's got to be my hooves! he thought and braced himself even as he let go of Jack's coat. He tensed, waiting.
Will looked down at Donkey and then past him to see what Eddie was carrying on about. He saw a figure approaching, but it certainly wasn't a Demon. "Eddie, relax. It's just a -- "
But it was just at that moment that the approacher touched Donkey's tail with a foot, and Eddie's bray echoed through the room and completely drowned out Will's voice. Jack barely had time to look at Eddie before he brayed. "What the Hell?" he asked even as he saw Eddie's feet kick backwards and something furry go flying. Eddie could not stop braying. His fear had finally overcome him, and he kept kicking his feet backwards even though his enemy was no longer there!
The surprised Willow flew through the air as though some one had shot a cannonball and straight into the oncoming light. Jack's mind barely had time to register that something was baring down on them before the light had overcome them.
Jareth could not believe it. He was definitely speechless. So Wolf was not taking his sister-in-law for a free ride? His heart was involved! Why did Elvira turn him down? he wondered and knew he'd have to get Delvira to find out. "Wolf, you can't do that, not unless you're completely sure. I know about your past. I know what you've been through."
"Yes, but I've received a free pardon from Wendell! I had it in my pack, and there's another copy at his castle! I could get it if I needed to, so unless they tell me no, I would be honored to be your stand-in."
Neither Delvira nor Elvira dared to believe their ears. "That's . . . " Delvira hesitated. "That's not quite what he means, Wolf. There's more at stake here than your lycanthropy. If they end up punishing Jareth, and you've stood beside him, the same punishment will befall you."
Elvira was as still as a statue in Jareth's and Delvira's arms. Their words passed over her ears like a rushing waterfall, and she was only vaguely aware of Delvira's hand rubbing her back. Was this happening, or was she dreaming? Was Wolf serious about this, or was he only trying to win her admiration even more, to impress her, to make her happy . . . ? Her head spun with thoughts, and her heart hammered so loudly that all four could hear it. For now, however, she remained in the hug, her back to Wolf.
"I understand the implications," Wolf told them. "My credentials are not that good, but they might still accept them. I am the Ambassador for the Werewolves. In Wendell's kingdom, that is, but he's such a do-gooder he's probably very high in their book. I know he will vouch for me."
His right hand reached out and gripped Elvira's shoulder. "I'm not doing it to get you more in my debt, Elvira. I'm doing it, because I admire Jareth and because I love you and I want our family to be happy." He smiled at her even though she had not turned around. "Can I be included in that hug?"
Delvira knew that her husband and sister were both nearly stunned out of their wits and that she would have to make the move. A single tear slipped down her pale cheek, and she hoped Jareth didn't see it as she reached out the arm that had been around Elvira's back and pulled Wolf into the hug.
Jareth reached out and pulled Wolf in the rest of the way. "Never would have thought it of you, Wolf. I don't expect it now, but I am grateful for it. If I can ever do anything for you . . . " His voice trailed off, not really knowing how to thank Wolf."You can," Wolf told him. "Help me to take care of our ladies." He returned their hugs.
"With pleasure," Jareth told him.
You've got quite the -- Delvira's words to Elvira broke off suddenly, and Elvira tensed, sensing the danger through her mental bond with her twin.
"What is it?" she questioned, her head snapping up and her black eyes looking at Delvira.
"Stand behind me." Delvira's words were a quick snap, and her actions as she darted around the group and began forming twin fireballs in her hands were even swifter.
"What?" Wolf queried even as he turned around to face the direction the women and Jareth were now looking in.
"What indeed?" Jareth asked dryly. "Can we get away from it?" Jareth knew that Delvira's fireballs would do no good against the light even before she threw them, but what he did not expect was for the light to reach them as quickly as it did.
Cole had seen the light and did not know what it was. All he could see was that Piper was in harm's way. He shimmered to her and Kit, throwing his arms around both of them, but before he could shimmer out with them, the light hit them. At least, he thought, if I'm going to die, I'm going to die with the woman I love in my arms!
Prue could not believe that Brendan had just snatched her and was now carrying her like a ball toward a goal! Brendan's Werewolf was running so quickly that she had not even seen Carl begin to dig the floor! "Stop, Brendan! Let me down!" she pleaded with him. "Please let me down! There's nothing to be afraid of!" But her words fell on deaf ears as Brendan did not slow down. Instead, he increased his speed. Surely he had not felt threatened by Carl, Prue thought, so why was he so frantically running now?
The Werewolf looked over his shaggy shoulder and howled again. The light was gaining! He ran even faster, tossing Prue up to the shoulder he'd just looked over and pinning her there as though she were a bag of flour with a cut in it.
Once there, Prue's mouth fell open. She began to talk to Brendan again, even though she knew he couldn't hear her. "What is it, and why does it want us?" The only answer she got was another howl. As the light came closer, she changed her words, "Hurry, Brendan! Run faster!" But it was to no avail as the light quickly swept over them.
Faith grinned tiredly up at Dawson. "Yeah," she told him, her voice still weak and hoarse, "you're a Pirate." Loving sarcasm twisted her grin, and she added, "Why ya wanna know, any way? So ya can stick closer to Birdboy's ass?" Her grin and wink told him that she was only teasing him.
"No. I want to know, because I know that only a Pirate could ever hope to keep your love and interest, and I never want to lose you, Faith. I want to be with you when I'm a very old man." He smiled at her. "But I still have to answer to the Captain when he calls!"
"We'll see about that," she told him as she started to lean up toward him again, "but Pirates don't usually . . . " Her words broke off as she sensed two differences around them. She reached out a hand and gently grabbed Salem's tail. "Hold it, Saberhagen. Where do you think you're going?"
"I . . . " Salem would not meet Faith's imploring eyes nor Dawson's curious gaze. "You two have a whole life ahead of you, Faith. I'm not going to impose on young love."
"Impose, my ass! What the Hell's going on?"
"Well, I . . . " He glanced at Katrina, hoping for a distraction, and was momentarily rewarded by the horror on her furry face. "I think you should check on Katrina."
"What's wrong with Katrina?" Dawson asked, looking curiously at Salem, then turning his eyes toward Katrina. The shock and horror on her face was plain to see. "What is wrong with her?" he asked Salem again.
"Lewis, what's . . . " Salem's loud hissing drowned out Faith's words, and she looked down at him. "Salem, I'm the one that's got your tail."
"It's not that!" the black cat protested. "Look!" He pointed a claw at the approaching light.
Faith's gaze followed Salem's claw, and her eyes went wide. "What the fuck's that damn thing!"
"I don't know," Dawson's voice trembled, "but it's coming straight for us! I love you, Faith!" he said as he grabbed her. "It would've been a great life!" His eyes focused completely on her. If this was his last moment of life, he wanted to have her in his vision forever!
"Dawson, let go of me! We've gotta get the Hell -- " Faith's words froze on her tongue as the light surrounded them.
Frederic stood, looking down at Smee. He hoped James was okay and reached down and began to try to help James get out from under Smee even as he talked reassuringly to him. "They're not doing anything! In fact, it didn't hurt when it passed through me! Get up! Let's see what is going to happen next!" he said encouragingly. He was wishing that Connor would give him a hand, and he looked at his brother meaningfully.
Connor stepped forward and took the other side of Smee. "Dad, get up! You're crushing Dad!"
If the situation had not been so dire, James would have found himself laughing. Other than the initial shock of Smee crushing him in the beginning, Smee had not hurt him at all, and it had felt rather good having him on him again. Maybe it was a mind swiping light, and it would take the memories of what had happened last night away from Smee? James could only hope!
For the first time in his life, Smee fought with everything he had against his boys yet, even while his chubby arms flailed back at them, he caused the rest of his body to go limp, succeeding in making himself even heavier. "You -- You two need to get down here!" he told them. "You don't know what you're dealing with! We do, but James doesn't always know what's good for him!"
Yeah, that was right! Smee reflected. He didn't know what was good for him! He'd always taken care of him, and yet James had tossed him aside as though he was rubbish . . . Then again, he wasn't worth much more than garbage, so who could blame him?
"Smee, everything's going to be all right," James told him rather dazedly. The last bit that Smee pulled was getting rather uncomfortable now. "You've got to get off. You're crushing my chest! That light felt warm and fuzzy when it passed through! Did it hurt you?"
"No," Smee responded, "but it's not done with you yet! I know I'm fat and uncomfortable, but I'm not going anywhere! They want you, they've got to go through me to get to you!"
"If you don't get off, there won't be anything of me left for them to get to!" James warned him. "I'm having trouble breathing down here," his mumbling came up to reach Smee's ear.
Smee looked down at James through tear-filled eyes and a round face as red as a radish. "Well, if there's nothing of you left for them to get to, at least there's nothing left for a woman either!"
"WHAT WOMAN?" James roared. "THERE ARE NO WOMEN I'M INTERESTED IN! IT WAS A SPELL, SMEE, ONLY A SPELL!"
"You don't have to lie to me!" Smee's voice cracked and trembled, but he stayed where he was.
"SMEE, GET OFF OF ME THIS INSTANT, AND THAT'S A DIRECT ORDER FROM YOUR CAPTAIN!" Hook barked at him.
"You're . . . You're not my Captain any more! You . . . You don't even have a ship!"
"I'm still a Captain! I haven't lost my rank just because I don't have a ship! I'll get another soon! NOW GET OFF OF ME!"
Smee trembled and shook as badly as his voice was cracking. He tried to say several different things, failingly attempting to inform James that it didn't matter if he got a hundred ships, he'd still have to look for a new cabin boy. Finally, he sputtered out, "N-N-N-N-N-N-NO!"
"THAT'S IT!" James said. "I HATE TO DO IT TO YOU!" With his one good hand, he reached out and began to tickle Smee. From old habits, James knew exactly where Smee was the most ticklish and now proceeded to do it to him with great relish.
Smee would never have thought he could laugh again after losing his James, but he couldn't help himself as James tickled him. He began sputtering with laughter, laughter that died as quickly as he remembered that this was probably the last time James would ever deign to touch his fat and then started again as swiftly as James hit a new tickle spot.
Ororo had paused Logan and herself in their descent toward the floor. She had seen the light overtake Cole and Piper, Brendan and Prue, and Joxer and Phoebe from her advantage point in the air and had been unable to help any of them. Indeed, nearly the entire floor was engulfed by the light now, but she still had her beloved Logan, who had made no sign of seeing the light but had fallen quiet, and Paige, who was still staring at where Piper had last been seen before the light had covered her. "Winds, aid us in our flight!" Ororo called out.
"'RO, LITTLE DARLIN', YA AIN'T GOIN' BACK UP AGAIN, ARE YA!" Logan pleaded. "PLEASE TAKE US DOWN! I'VE HAD ABOUT ALL I CAN HANDLE O' THOSE HEIGHTS!"
"WE HAVEN'T MUCH CHOICE," Ororo called back to him even as Paige, having had her feet swept out from under her by 'Ro's gusts of wind, screamed. Ororo swept Paige and Logan with her away from the floor and up toward the ceiling, but still the light followed!
"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT!" Logan asked. "IT'S COVERED THE ENTIRE FLOOR! ALL OUR PEOPLE ARE DOWN THERE! THEY DON'T SEEM TO BE MOVIN'!" For the first time, in a long time, twice in the same day, Logan was at a loss for words as to what the Hell was going on and why it was happening now. "'RO, WHAT IS IT?"
"I KNOW NOT, MY DEAR, BUT WHATEVER IT IS, IT IS NOT GOOD AND WE MUST AWAY -- " Yet the light had no intention of allowing them to escape for, even as clapping broke out from the observatory booth and Drell shouted out praise to the Wizards they thought had caused the light, the light engulfed the last three Pirates left.