Chapter Fourteen
The Council's Court Room
"¿Qué está sucediendo?" Theodora whispered to her new companion. She did not know much about Roxanne, but she was glad for her companionship in this bizarre place. She would have been lost without her, but Roxanne had been continually translating the going-ons since the trial had begun. She still marvelled at the thought that the black cat had once been a man, and not a Werecat either, evidently, for his membership in the cat species had been a curse. Her nervous, brown eyes danced between their captors and the other captives, and she stepped unconsciously closer to Roxanne as she awaited her response. "¿Qué están diciendo?"
"Nada -- todavía," Roxanne answered Theodora, her eyes never leaving the others. "Se sorprenden, atontado más allá de discurso en el momento. Hablarán pronto, y no pienso que serán felices con esta vuelta de acontecimientos." Her gaze darted over all of the beings who had spoken up for Salem. There were the Lewis sisters and their husbands, who she was glad to see had survived the night; Faith, who Roxanne had thought she'd never see again and whose return still surprised her; other catpeople; and still others, some of which she recognized and others whose identity she had no clue of.
"¿Usted dicho cada uno de ésos estaba parado para él?" Theodora questioned, her amazement and surprise clear in her face and voice.
"Si," Roxanne answered with a nod, still not looking back at the other Latina.
"¿Por qué¿Por qué harían algo como eso, pusieron sus vidas en la línea para alguna quién intentó asumir el control el mundo, que realizó tales actos del mal?"
Theodora's question as to why the others had all stood for Salem mirrored Roxanne's own wondering thoughts. She shook her head and glanced at the beautiful woman out of the corner of her dark eyes. "No sé," she admitted that she did not know but kept her other thoughts to herself. She would not tell Theodora that she had began to wonder if Salem perhaps had had a good reason for doing what he had for how could any one set out to take over the world for a good reason? It seemed impossible, especially coming from a male, but why else would so many stand for him? They couldn't have been in it with him for they, too, would have been on trial had that been the case. "No sé," she repeated again, her voice dropping to an even lower murmur. Sasha butted her hand, and Roxanne stroked her head and continued to watch the others. She knew more danger would come, and when it did, she would protect her babies and Theodora -- or die fighting.
At last, Drell found his voice. "ONLY ONE BEING MAY STAND FOR EACH CRIMINAL. YOU SPOKE FIRST, GIRL, SO YOU WILL BE GIVEN THIS CHANCE. IT IS THE ONLY CHANCE. NO OTHERS NEED SPEAK ON THIS MATTER FOR THEY WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. COUNCIL, WHAT THINKEST THOU?"
Whispers ran amongst the Council. Heads bowed together in thought. Some nodded; others shook negatively. Hands stroked beards, and Faith felt as if all the eyes in the world were upon her and Salem -- Salem, she realized, whose shoulders were still shaking. Stepping forward, out of Tom and Katrina's embraces, Faith knelt and picked up Salem. She stroked his ebony fur, and when he looked at her at last, she was surprised to find tears in his eyes. She smiled at him sadly, but a member of the Council spoke before she could whisper anything to him.
"I LIKE THE GIRL. I ALWAYS HAVE," the mighty voice of a majestic lion boomed out over the court room.
"You would." The man with the frozen parrot on his shoulder sneered at the lion.
"I must admit that I like the girl, too," a low, cold voice spoke. This new voice came from a man dressed all in black. His pale skin and haunting eyes immediately told Faith that he was a Vampire. His gaze seemed to look straight through her. "She's quite the killer."
"Perhaps," the lion returned, "but not when it comes to animals. She has fought for and saved many of my people before."
"Maybe, but she's got to be a weakling," one of the women said. "After all, she could barely stand on her own two feet at first!"
That was when Faith interrupted. "I'm not weak!" she barked out.
The horned woman scowled at her, but another woman spoke in her defense. This lady had red hair and wore a luxurious gown that appeared so fancy that one would have thought to see it in a ballroom but never in a courtroom. "The girl speaks the truth, Maleficent. She is anything but weak. True strength comes not from muscle or from held-back emotions but rather from putting one's own safety aside to stand for others. She has shown that splendidly this past night."
Those words sent a ripple of talking amongst the captives. How did the woman know what had happened to them that night? Whispers rose to a buzz of talking. Normal volumes quickly grew louder until they exploded into yells. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN!" a blonde shouted to be heard above the roar of the crowd.
Will turned to look and find out who the loud-mouthed blonde was and spotted Gabrielle coming up to their group just a split second before he heard skidding hooves. He turned again and saw Donkey sliding straight for Jack and himself. His arms shot around Jack, and he spun them out of the way just in the nick of time.
Ororo, too, saw Donkey and recognized his inability to stop. Her winds quickly put an end to that, however, as she brought his bulky body to a stop. Will was beside Eddie in a moment, patting his head and murmuring soothing words to him.
Jack was gasping for breath after having been stunned by Will's sudden dance. He, too, had heard the skudding hooves, but they had come to a sudden stop. His eyes turned to look from whence the sound had come and saw that his mom had the situation well in hand. He smiled.
Wolverine had been about to jump for Eddie and stop him from crashing into the group when 'Ro had taken a hand in the matter. He grinned lop-sidedly at her. That's my 'Ro! he thought.
Eddie had been terrified that he was going to crash into his beloved Will! He had tried in vain to stop, but he had not been able to! He was oh-so-thankful, though, when he felt the winds balancing him. He looked at the woman controlling the winds. "Thanks," he whispered even as his skin trembled where Will touched him. There was nothing like his boy's hand!
"SI!" Roxanne, who, up until that point, had been rapidly translating for Theodora shouted out. She started to question the woman but was interrupted by another.
"JUST WHAT DO YOU KNOW OF TONIGHT!" Piper Halliwell demanded, bringing surprised glances her way. Her face was hot with anger, and her eyes narrowed in suspicion. Could the Council have been behind all that had happened to them this past night! Were they responsible for what she and her entire family had gone through!
Trina Malloy took several strides forward, placing Trent and Carlos well behind her before yelling up, "WERE YOU BEHIND IT!"
"SILENCE," Drell thundered.
"Drell," the woman calmly told him, "they have every right to ask. No, we were not behind it, but we did watch what was happening. It is true that some of us enjoyed watching your pain and suffering, but others amongst us wanted desperately to help but could not."
At this point, as the angry murmuring began yet again to buzz loudly, Kyna stepped out of Spike's arms and called out to their people. "STAND DOWN. WHAT SHE SAYS IS MOST LIKELY TRUE! THE COUNCIL WOULD HAVE KNOWN BUT COULD NOT HAVE INTERVENED."
Eyes shot toward her. Voices paused. Murmurings whispered through the crowd. Kyna heard it all but remained silent and instead turned to look at Captains Sparrow and Xena with imploring eyes.
Jack had heard all of his people and their murmurings and shouts. He did not know why the night before had happened or who had caused it, but he did know that these people had had nothing to do with it or Kyna Chan would not have said what she had said. His quick, dark eyes kept glancing around at his people, and he thought a moment before he said anything. His eyes finally came to rest on Xena, who was intently paying attention but had not said anything.
"These people are innocent, as Kyna says, of what occurred, but they are not innocent in their intent as to what they want to do with us. Be on your toes!" His voice was not loud and carried only to the people who were closest to him. Their whispers, however, passed it to the others in a quick succession that seemed to calm the floor.
Xena was quick to nod in agreement with Jack. "They know everything, but they do not get involved in all things. They are voyeurs but seldom instigate things."
"TRUE, TRUE," Drell quickly agreed. "WE SEE ALL THINGS BUT ONLY TAKE A HAND IF IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE SURVIVAL OF OUR WORLD."
"Last night," one of the Wizards with long, white beards spoke, "though horrible, did not reach the point to require our intervention. There is, however, another problem with this girl, Drell. How are these people to stand beside their criminals for the duration of their sentences if they are mortal, as Faith is?"
"A GOOD QUERY INDEED, MERLIN."
"It is simply solved, Your Highness," Kyna spoke up. She was not going to let the chance to help Salem and his men simply slip by due to a mere issue of immortality versus mortality. "Either make the one charged with the crime mortal or turn the one standing for him or her Immortal. The Council has the power to do such."
"AH, YES, BUT WHICH ONE?" Drell mused aloud.
Faith's nerves were set on end by this latest turn of the debate. She had not considered the issue of Immortality, but she certainly did not want to become Immortal. She wanted to stay mortal but realized, too, that a mortal cat would never have a chance of surviving a Pirate's life. Salem was hundreds of years old, and it was not her place to strip him of his Immortality. "I would love to be mortal," Salem purred, but his claws kneaded Faith's bare hands with urgency. "It would finally grant me a chance to rest these old bones."
"VERY WELL. THOSE WHO STAND FOR THE CRIMINALS MUST ALSO ACCEPT IMMORTALITY. ALL THOSE WHO AGREE, SAY AYE."
Dawson could not believe what he was hearing! Faith was about to become an Immortal! She'd live forever, and he'd only be a memory! He wanted to rail that it was not fair for him to die and her to live on without him, but he knew that she had to do this for Salem and if he had been the one chosen to stand, it would be him becoming Immortal and Faith dying without him. Life was strange. He was learning to accept that. He looked at Faith. "You've gotta do it," he told her. "You've got to help him. I'll be there as long as I can for both of you."
Faith dared not look at Dawson for the tears she could feel welling up inside. This was yet another unfair turn of her life! She didn't want to be Immortal! She'd never once wished for eternal life! Hell, she questioned herself silently, how many times had she tried to take her own life! As if her own wants were not enough, the mere thought of outliving Dawson, and therefore losing him, was enough to make her knees shake. She felt Katrina holding her up, but the pressure seemed to come from far away.
Tom quickly glanced around. He licked his lips and twitched his tail, both nervous actions, and then he spoke. "Perhaps, in your infinite wisdom, Your Highness, you might consider to also make the beloveds of the ones becoming Immortal also Immortal?"
"NONSENSE," Drell barked. "THERE IS NO NEED FOR SUCH. THOSE WHO AGREE, SAY AYE." Again, the "aye"s outweighed the "nay"s, and Tom sighed.
Katrina shot Drell a Look but did not dare to speak as she did not want to bring his wrath down upon them. This was a decision that was not fair in the slightest! She knew that, if she was in Faith's shoes, she would not be able to make the choice if it meant losing Tom. She tried to get her nerve up to speak, but another voice beat her to the punch. She looked at the dark-eyed Captain.
"Your Honor!" Jack quipped his name once again. "You're wrong on that, Sir!" He shook inside as Drell fixed him with a Look.
"IT IS THE COUNCIL'S AGREED DECISION, PIRATE, AND THE COUNCIL IS NEVER WRONG."
"Mmmmaybe," Jack brought his two index fingers together and touched his chin in a thoughtful manner, "this once, you might reconsider your decision? Have none of you ever been in love and lost that loved one?"
"THE COUNCIL'S DECISIONS ARE FINAL, AND THE CONSIDERATION OF LOSING A LOVE IS A MUTE POINT. NOT ONLY IS TRUE LOVE A MYTH . . . " He was broken off by several heated exclamations from his own people. "STILL, THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS NOR SHOULD IT AFFECT THE DECISION. AFTER ALL, DO YOU HONESTLY THINK THAT YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONE WILL GO TOGETHER? ARE YOU THAT MUCH OF A FOOL TO THINK THAT TWO IN LOVE ALWAYS DIE TOGETHER?"
"No, Sir, Your Honor, but I do think that there is such a thing as true love and that a lifetime of many hundreds of years alone is not a good thing. True, in some cases, you might fall in love again, but it will never be the same. Two are much stronger than one." He bowed to him and backed up, his beads jangling. "They are better able to take care of the one in trouble and keep him out of trouble." He smiled at Drell.
Again, high-pitched voices rang all around Drell until he rapped his gavel loudly on his desk. "SILENCE! IF YOU WISH ANOTHER VOTE THAT BADLY, IT CAN BE DONE! THOSE WHO WANT ONLY THE ONE TO BE IMMORTAL, SAY 'AYE'. THOSE WHO SEEK TO MAKE BOTH IMMORTAL, A TRULY POINTLESS AND NEEDLESS FEAT, SAY 'NAY'." Yet, again, the "aye"s outweighed the "nay"s.
"IT IS SETTLED," Drell announced. "IMMORTALITY IS ANOTHER THING THAT THOSE STANDING FOR THE ONE ON TRIAL MUST ACCEPT. NOW -- " He paused and leaned over to Lionel. "What's her name again?" he whispered.
"Faith," Lionel returned, his voice also a low whisper. He stroked his beard and grinned in glee. He was certain Lex wouldn't like this recent turn of events! Where was his stupid boy, any way? He had yet to see him in the crowd but knew that he was one of Sparrow's men and that Lex considered Faith, at the least, a close allay.
"FAITH, YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT YOU WILL GO THROUGH MANY TESTS WITH SALEM SABERHAGEN IN ORDER TO PROVE HIS INNOCENCE?"
"Yes."
"YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT THE SAME FINAL SENTENCE THAT IS CAST UPON SALEM SABERHAGEN WILL ALSO BE CAST UPON YOU?"
"Yes."
"IF HE REMAINS A CAT, YOU WILL BECOME ONE?"
"Yes."
"IF THE SENTENCE TURNS TO DEATH, YOU, TOO, WILL DIE?"
"Yes."
"YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT ANY CRIME SALEM SABERHAGEN COMMITS, YOU WILL ALSO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR?"
"Yes."
"AND THAT ANY CRIME YOU COMMIT, HE, TOO, WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR?"
Salem's green eyes shot wide at that unexpected question, but again Faith remained outwardly calm and astonishingly docile. "Yes."
"ONE FINAL QUESTION. YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT, STARTING FROM THE MOMENT YOU ARE ACCEPTED AS SALEM SABERHAGEN'S GUARDIAN, YOU WILL BE IMMORTAL UNTIL HE IS EITHER FREED OR FINISHES WHATEVER SENTENCE, OR SENTENCES, BEFALL HIM?"
That was the question whose answer Faith could not get out. She trembled. She croaked the answer.
"WE CAN NOT HEAR YOU."
She tried again, but all she could think about was losing Dawson. Then she remembered that she had stripped him of his innocence and that he would have been better off without her. She raised her chin. Her dark eyes shot a Look at Drell that clearly told him to go to Hell. "Yes," she ground out.
Dawson whispered, "Does that mean you can't be a Pirate any more!" That was one clause that had really stunned him. Whatever Faith did would be put on Salem and vice versa! That meant they couldn't be Pirates! Did she realize that? He didn't think she'd be able to answer him, but he wanted her to think about it, but alas, her "yes" came too quickly.
Jack was trying to follow in his mind all these ifs, ands, and therefores as to what would be required when his turn came. He knew he had to stand for some one, just not who the Wizards had wanted him to stand for yet. The question before the Immortality clause really floored him. He heard Dawson's whisper. Did that mean he couldn't be a Pirate! Hold everything! he wanted to yell but instead raised his hand timidly, hoping to catch Drell's eye.
Drell ignored Sparrow. "ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF ACCEPTING FAITH AS SALEM SABERHAGEN'S GUARDIAN, SAY 'AYE'. ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAY 'NAY'." This time, the "aye"s resounded. Salem and Faith let out a breath neither had realized they were holding, and Drell cast another Look upon Jack, who was now jumping up and down in place and waving like a maniac. "YES, SPARROW?" Drell ground out.
"Another question, Your Honor. That second to last query. Does that mean we can't be Pirates if we stand by somebody? That's our way of life! We have to give it up?" Confusion shone clearly on Jack's face. He wasn't too worried about the Immortal part, because he had a surprise for Will if it came down to it, but having to give up the life of a Pirate, now that was an entirely different matter! If he wasn't a Pirate, what would he be doing? No more Pearl? he thought, and a sadness filled his soul he did not think could reach there. The sea called to him and had always called him since he had been a small lad, even before he was kidnapped. He looked at Drell, hoping he wasn't about to hear a death knell.
"ANOTHER PARTY HAS ALREADY BROUGHT THAT TO OUR ATTENTION, CAPTAIN SPARROW. IT WILL REMAIN UP TO THOSE WHO STAND FOR THE CRIMINALS, THE CRIMINALS THEMSELVES, YOURSELF, AND CAPTAIN KYNA CHAN AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THOSE WHO STAND AND THE CRIMINALS WILL BE ALLOWED TO CARRY ON THEIR ACTS OF PIRACY."
"What do you mean, Your Honor?" Jack asked, his gaze intent upon Drell. If he could smite him, he would gladly!
"IS IT NOT CORRECT," Drell questioned Jack, "THAT YOUR SHIPS, THE BLACK PEARL AND DESTINY'S GHOST, AND THE CREWS UPON EACH HAVE, FOR A LONG TIME, BEEN ENTWINED IN STATUSES OF FAMILIAL AND FAMILIARITY?"
"I guess you could say that, Your Honor. We are a family. There was just so many of us we needed two ships, but alas, we have none! Neither does Captain Chan!"
"AND IS IT NOT ALSO CORRECT THAT, THOUGH YOUR CREW HAS DABBLED IN GOOD DEEDS, YOUR ACTS OF WICKED PIRACY REMAIN MOST IMPORTANT?"
"Huh . . . " Jack was confused as to the question, but he didn't want to let on. What was the man asking? Was he asking if he was a bad Pirate or a good Pirate? "Sometimes," he admitted finally, hoping that would cover it.
"IS IT NOT ALSO CORRECT THAT CHAN'S CREW, ON THE OTHER HAND, HAS DONE MORE GOOD DEEDS THAN WICKED?"
"I . . . try to keep it that way, Sir." Kyna realized that that fact was true, albeit much to Spike's chagrin, but she had always been a do-gooder.
"DO YOU REALIZE THAT THERE IS ALWAYS A MIX OF GOOD AND EVIL IN ALL THINGS? IN LIFE? IN THIS VERY COUNCIL?"
"Yes, Sir, Your Honor. Yin and Yang," Jack told him very seriously. Where had he heard that from? It sounded intelligent! Would that impress Drell?
Kyna nodded and spoke simply. "YES, SIR."
"THEN, AS I SAID, IT WILL REMAIN UP TO THOSE WHO STAND FOR THE CRIMINALS, THE CRIMINALS THEMSELVES, AND YOU TWO CAPTAINS AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE OTHERS WILL BE ALLOWED TO REMAIN PIRATES. SHOULD THEY REMAIN PIRATES, THEY MUST BE MEMBERS OF YOUR SHIP, WHICH WILL BE CO-CAPTAINED. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A RETURN OF YOUR SHIP IN THE WORKS, CAPTAIN SPARROW, BUT IT CAN BE ARRANGED SO THAT THERE IS PLENTY OF ROOM ON BOARD THE VESSEL FOR TWO CREWS, INSTEAD OF MERELY ONE."
"When will the Pearl be returned, Sir?" Jack asked. He was clasping both of his hands together to try to contain his joy. He did not mind that Captain Chan would also have to be a Captain as long as he got his beloved Pearl back beneath his feet! He was sick of the land and the trouble it caused!
"WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT, IF SHE IS NEEDED, SHE WILL BE RETURNED, BUT ALL PARTIES MUST AGREE."
Jack looked at Kyna. "I agree," he said with a wink at Kyna. He turned back to look at Drell. "Can we have her at once please?"
Kyna shook her head at Jack's next question but hurriedly threw in, "I AGREE."
Drell passed on Jack's final question as though it had not been spoken at all. "SNAPE," he called, "READ THE NEXT ONE."
Jack moved back to his place beside Will. He reached out, took his hand, and squeezed it reassuringly. He was not liking to have to step forward and talk to Drell, but somebody had to do it and he was not afraid to look like a fool in front of his people. If it helped them, he'd do it again.
Will's fingers entwined with Jack's, and fear pounded in his heart. He never wanted to let go of his love. He knew he couldn't stand it if Jack stood for some one and accepted this horrid gift of Immortality, but he felt sure that Jack would sooner or later. When he did, Will vowed he would speak for the next one, regardless of who or what it was.
"NEXT," Snape's voice carried out over the crowd, "WE CALL ERIK MAGNUS LEHNSHERR, BETTER KNOWN AS MAGNETO."
Whispers again ran through the crowd. Who was this Erik Magnus Lehnsherr? None but Salem, his men, and the Council had heard of Lehnsherr, but a few knew of Magneto. Those who did held mixed feelings for the man for his reputation far preceded him. Amongst the voices, one suddenly rose. "Let me go, Charles," he could be heard saying. "I will stand before them, and I do not fear them, my love."
Curious bystanders turned to look at where the man's voice came from and saw a white-haired man leaving the arms of a bald Wizard. Magnus paused to kiss Charles on the cheek, but Charles turned so that his lips caught Erik's instead. He did not want what might prove to be their last kiss to be anywhere other than the mouth.
More whispers ran rampant at the sight. Several mouths dropped open, including Ororo's. For once, even the dignified African woman forgot not to stare as the two men shared a moment before Drell loudly cleared his throat and Magnus started to walk to the center of the room. Erik knew he was in dire trouble, but still he held his head high and his shoulders straight.
Wolverine's eyes had followed 'Ro's just in time to catch the kiss. Well, I'll be damned! he thought. The old, bald geezer is in love with a man! Thank Gods he ain't after 'Ro! I'd hate to have to fight him!
Cole looked at Magneto. He had once seen him in action and had marvelled at his abilities. He had not realized that he, too, had been one of Salem's men caught in the trap. It seemed like things were heating up even more than he had imagined. Weren't there two of them? A younger one? He looked around but did not see one. He thought he might be the next one called to trial. Cole had almost been caught in that net of lies for he had been thinking about following Salem, and if another business had not come to hand, would have been mixed up and on trial like the rest of them. He had done only one job for Salem, and apparently, it wasn't big enough to warrant the Council's attention. Or was it? He began to worry.
Xena looked on with intense interest. She had seen Magneto in action once and had heard other accounts of his misdoings. You would have thought he was as big as a mountain as his reputation would have you believe! She was awed by his regal approach to the executioner's throne, because the man walked as though he was a King. The nobility rang through. She reached out, taking Gabrielle's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. She had seen the kiss and knew that, if it was her last kiss, she would have been just as obvious in showing her love for Gabrielle. She would never have thought it of the old Wizard, though. In fact, she had thought he was ageless and sexless. His intense feelings of love amazed her. She empathized with Magneto and hoped that, when her time came, she'd be just as brave.
Gabrielle's fingers threaded with Xena's, and she slid even closer to her love's side. She could see so much of Xena in the way Magneto carried himself that it both surprised and scared her. Xena, too, would have gone to her death in such a manner -- refusing to let her fear show, keeping her outward appearance strong and proud, letting only one emotion show. Her heart also felt for Charles, and she wondered how he was being able to hold himself back. It must be, she thought, that he feared that his involvement would only make things worse for his beloved, which, in truth, it probably would. Her green eyes turned to the Council, knowing that the list of charges was about to be read. Did Magnus stand a chance? Who would stand for him?
Jack looked at Magneto and wondered. Was this the one they wanted me to stand for? He prepared himself for the worst. How could he tell Will that he was about to step forward and accept Magneto without panicking the lad? He reached out and took Will's hand again, giving it a gentle squeeze. He then continued watching the proceedings, awaiting his time.
Trina, too, watched Magneto take his stand in the center of the room in amazement. The man looked to be ancient with wrinkles everywhere she could see, but obviously he had done so many wicked deeds and must have been very powerful in his time. Power and regality still seemed to radiate from him. Her ears caught her brother's mutterings from behind her, and she rolled her eyes heavenward at Trent. Times like these, when he openly fussed about how such an old man could be a killer, made her think her brother might well be hopeless, but then a faint smile chased across her lips as she heard Carlos strongly "suggesting" that Trent shut up.
Wolf's keen, sharp eyes had been staring at the thirteen dais for a long time. He had not been surprised to see a familiar, redheaded, Queenly woman in their midst. Most of the faces, he did not recognize as he had never met them personally, and Drell had not seen fit to introduce them. Still holding to Elvira's hand, he whispered in her ear, "We have at least one friend up there, darling. She'll stand by us and help us in any way she can." He nuzzled the back of her neck. In case any one was looking, they would think he was getting frisky.
How soon would Jareth be called? he wondered. Just how big in the crime world had his future brother-in-law been? Part of him wanted to get it over with. He did not dread the part about Immortality as the rest of his family was already Immortal and he'd just be joining them. He never really had thought about living forever, and he didn't think about it now, but his mind did wander toward thinking about the Labyrinth. He figured Jareth would be returned there. After all, they had made him King there. Then, a cold, dark icy finger of fear ran up his spine. How horrible would it be if something else entirely different awaited them! Something dank, dark, and very smelly! He shook it off as though it were a flea and nuzzled Elvira again.
Elvira's brow had arched in surprise when Wolf had told her that a woman in the Council would stand beside them as best she was able to. She leaned in to his embrace but whispered back, "She? Who is she?"
"The red-haired one. She's a friend from long ago. She flirted with me once. I guess the wolf brings out every female, whether I want it to or not."
"Wolf, we are in dire straits but not dire enough to sell yourself out!" Elvira hissed back, her fangs revealing as her body went stiff in his arms.
"I didn't sell myself out. I just said she flirted with me. I was as beneath her as much as the dirt is beneath our feet. I was a lowly Werewolf, and she . . . well, she's a Queen. She's Queen Cinderella, and there's no need to be jealous, my love. I never once entertained thoughts of sleeping with her."
"And you'd best not do it now. There's always another way of getting what you want besides spreading your legs." Delvira had taught her that. "But Cinderella? Like in the fairy tale Cinderella?"
"Yes, darling, like in the fairy tale. There is a whole kingdom where fairy tales are alive. I'll take you there some day. I am friends with the King there, too. Not her husband. I have never had the privilege of meeting her husband, but from the way she talks about him, I really don't want to. I have a fairy tale of my very own. I never thought about it that way. I'll tell you about it someday soon."
Elvira started to tell Wolf that she looked forward to hearing his tale, and playing with his tail, but her words were drowned out by another bark from Drell. "WELL?" he demanded. "WE'RE WAITING, SNAPE. READ THE LIST OF CHARGES."
"Yes, Sir. Well," Severus shuffled the large stack of papers he held, "here we go." He cleared his throat and then began to read. "ERIK MAGNUS LEHNSHERR, ALIAS MAGNETO, IS CHARGED WITH MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, ARSON, BIAS-MOTIVATED CRIME, BURGLARY, COERCION, CONCEALMENT, FRAUD, DISORDERLY CONDUCT, DRUG TRAFFICKING, EXTORTION, FORGERY, FRAUD, GRAFFITI, HARRASSMENT, BREAKING AND ENTERING, GRAND LARCENY, LOITERING, PERJURY, PORNOGRAPHY, PROPERTY CRIME, PSYCHOACTIVITY, PUBLIC INTOXICATION, RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY, ROBBERY, SHOPLIFTING, SIMPLE ASSAULT, EXTENDED ASSAULT, VANDALISM, MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE, AIDED ESCAPE, ESCAPE, KIDNAPPING, TREASON IN THE HIGHEST DEGREE, ESPIONAGE, POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO SELL, TAX EVASION, ARMED ASSAULT, THEFT, ASSAULT AND BATTERY, RESISTING ARREST, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, SLAVERY . . . " The list read on and on.
As the last word left Snape's mouth, Jack prepared to step forward and had, in fact, lifted a foot to move when a voice filled his head. Not yet. He relaxed. Was it a bigger male that he was supposed to stand for? He continued to hold Will's hand and watched to see who would step forward.
In Salem's case, most of the listeners had somehow missed the charge of human trafficking, but the moment that charge had been read, many loud voices had raised in accusation. Names had been called, and curses shouted. Even now, various individuals continued to proclaim, but amongst the voices, one in particular called out. She did not shout, but yet her voice still sounded clearly above the rest just as Drell asked if any one would stand for Magneto. "I WILL." Eyes turned to look at Ororo Munroe as she stepped forward, leaving behind her family to walk closer to the dais.
"Aunt Ororo!" Piper exclaimed, her face paled with shock. "Surely you can not intend to stand for a slaver!"
Wolverine looked at 'Ro as though she had lost her mind completely. "'Ro?" he whispered her name in shock. How in the Hell could his 'Ro have stepped forward to accept Magneto? Then his mind connected back to Charles and Magneto's kiss, and he understood. No one else would stand for Magneto, the skunk that he was, except for 'Ro, and she did it out of her love for Charles. "Leave it alone, Piper," he whispered very calmly. "Your Aunt is full of surprises, an' this is just another one o' 'em. She has to do this. We have to support her." His hand went out to the girl's shoulder, and he squeezed it gently. "We don't always have to understand her, but we do have to be there for her. That's what family's about. She has to do this fer Charles. He's her father."
Standing beside them, Jack was too busy thinking about why his mother had stepped forward to stand for the man she knew nothing about to overhear their conversation. He, too, had seen the kiss between Charles and Magneto, which had surprised him greatly. If his mother knew about that and accepted it between the man she thought of as a father and his lover, that would explain why she had accepted it so readily between himself and Will. Maybe that's why she had stepped forward? He would help her in any way he could. He continued to wonder who they had picked for him to stand for. Maybe it was James? Captain Hook. One Captain standing for another? That would make sense.
Piper looked at Wolverine as though he, too, had taken leave of his senses. "Her father's dead!" she whispered back. "Ororo lost both her parents when she was a little girl!"
"Yes, but Charles is her adopted father." He bravely smiled at her. He didn't want the world to know that his heart might be breaking at any moment if and when he lost 'Ro. Up until the moment he actually lost 'Ro, he felt that he could do anything. He wasn't sure what he was, but one thing he was sure of was that he was not Immortal. He didn't like the idea of her becoming Immortal, but he would not think on that now. He'd enjoy each minute that he had with her and thank the Gods for it, and if he died before she did, he'd haunt her.
Piper was still glowering at Wolverine when another voice spoke up very quietly from directly behind them. The woman took her by surprise, and she jumped slightly before turning to look at the redhead. "Charles says," Rachel whispered to them, "not to worry. He's got a plan, and all will come right." Her green eyes turned to look at Wolverine. "Xavier can be trusted as much as my Father can not be trusted."
"What makes ya so sure o' this, little darlin'?" Wolverine asked her. "My experience is ya never can trust a Wizard."
"I have known Charles since I was a child, and I hold him in as high regard as Ororo does. He will not let us down."
Kitty stepped up beside Rachel. "She's right, Dad. If Charles says that he can fix it, he can, just not while they're looking on." Lockheed cooed in agreement from where he had perched himself upon the top of her head.
"I won't say anythin' against the old, bald geezer and I will give him a chance," Wolverine agreed, "but if he doesn't straighten this mess out, then I'll give him my claw."
Kitty spoke no more for she had known that that would be the most she could get Wolverine to agree to. Ray, taking note of the look in her best friend's eyes, also fell silent and turned her attention back to the judgement just in time to hear a bearded man speak out in protest.
"I am telling you," Lionel Luther protested, "she is a thief! I know the woman! I remember her! She picked my pocket when I was a boy!"
"She spent her childhood in Africa," Queen Cinderella argued.
"We were in Africa at the time," Lionel explained. "We had gone to pick up a shipment of slaves."
"Then you deserved to have your pocket picked! That should not be held against the woman. After all, need I remind you, Mister Luther, that even we are a mixture of Good and Evil? Surely you do not consider yourself amongst the Good?"
Lionel scowled at her, but Gandalf spoke up, changing the direction of the debate. "It is true that Ororo Munroe has worn many hats, but then we all have. I have watched over her as she has dealt with others, though, and she has a good heart."
"Oh, do spare us," scowled the horned woman called Maleficent.
"She does," Gandalf insisted, "and the four are in good hands with her."
"But if she stands for Magneto, he will also be around the four," another pointed out.
"True enough," Merlin commented, "but a chance that they might have a worse role model should make some of you glad."
Prue's quick ears picked up a reference to "four". What were they talking about? she wondered. She and her sisters were just coming into their powers, and there were four of them. Could it be about them? Auntie 'Ro was their guardian, and this discussion was mainly about her. "Piper!" she hissed. "They're talking about us!"
Piper fell back, walking carefully backwards a few steps past Cole, Wolverine, Kitty, Rachel, Jasmine, and Paige to where Prue stood as close to Brendan as she could get. "I was thinking the same thing," she whispered back, "but why? What's so important about us?"
Brendan stole a sideways glance at the eldest Halliwells. He, too, had concluded the same and wondered why their closeness to Ororo was part of the debate. He knew they were powerful, but he would have had no idea that they were powerful enough to bring the Council's attention upon them. Still, what had Kyna said earlier? Something about the Council watching over every one? Or had that been Xena? Some one had said it, he was sure.
Cole shook his head. If the idiot Council kept talking amongst themselves the way they were doing now, the four would know more than they should know at this time. He moved back to stand beside Piper, leaving Jasmine alone for a moment but keeping one eye on her. How could he answer their questions without giving away too much? Even he did not have all the answers. He whispered to the girls now, "'Ro will tell you about that soon. I think it's because the four of you will be very powerful Witches one day, and both sides are hoping to win you to their cause."
Piper started to speak but was drowned out by Drell's sudden bark. "ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF ORORO MUNROE STANDING FOR MAGNETO, SAY 'AYE'. ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAY 'NAY'." The "aye"s resounded for Gandalf and Merlin had successfully convinced the others that Magneto's close proximity to Ororo might end up having a negative impact on the four.
Once the Council's decision was made, Drell looked down upon Ororo, who had now walked to Magneto's side. He noticed the man staring at her in shock but dismissed it as he questioned her. "ORORO MUNROE, YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT YOU WILL GO THROUGH MANY TESTS WITH ERIK MAGNUS LEHNSHERR, ALIAS MAGNETO, IN ORDER TO PROVE HIS INNOCENCE?"
"Yes."
"YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT THE SAME FINAL SENTENCE THAT IS CAST UPON MAGNETO WILL ALSO BE CAST UPON YOU?"
"Yes."
"IF HE REMAINS OLD AND IMPOTENT, YOU WILL BECOME OLD AND IMPOTENT?"
"Yes." She ignored the heat that touched her cheeks and her worry that Logan might no longer want her should she be unable to meet his hunger in the bedroom.
What the Hell! Wolverine thought. Was his fireball of a sex kitten to lose her sexual prowess? It would kill the both of them! When her answer of "yes" came, he almost fell out. A single, lone tear ran down his face, and he swiped at it angrily. He was determined to stand by 'Ro regardless of what it did to them physically. He knew he'd love her forever, any way, even if she couldn't get it up, but oh those thunderstorms!
"IF THE SENTENCE TURNS TO DEATH, YOU, TOO, WILL DIE?"
"Yes."
"YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT ANY CRIME MAGNETO COMMITS, YOU WILL ALSO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR?"
Ororo glanced sideways at Magneto, whose shock was growing with each affirmation that left her mouth. She reminded herself that this was the person Charles loved and turned her full attention back to Drell. "Yes."
"AND THAT ANY CRIME THAT YOU COMMIT, HE, TOO, WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR?"
When Ororo did not speak, Magnus' worry began to grow again. 'Ro cleared her voice and whispered urgently to him, "He's asking you."
"He is?"
"Yes."
"Oh! Oh, yes, Sir, Your Honor!""ONE FINAL QUESTION. YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT, STARTING FROM THE MOMENT YOU ARE ACCEPTED AS MAGNETO'S GUARDIAN, YOU WILL BE IMMORTAL UNTIL HE IS EITHER FREED OR FINISHES WHATEVER SENTENCE, OR SENTENCES, BEFALL HIM?"
Ororo held her head high and her chin aloft. Her blue eyes squarely met Drell's gaze, and she spoke one last time in a firm, unwavering voice. "Yes."
"AND AGAIN, FROM THE COUNCIL," Drell directed. Again, the 'aye's resounded, and he tapped his gavel upon the podium. "IT IS SETTLED. ORORO MUNROE WILL BE MAGNETO'S GUARDIAN. NEXT."
Snape was ready this time. "NEXT, WE CALL JARETH."
Delvira closed her eyes for a moment as her whole body, inside and out, went weak. Dear Gods, she had known this moment was coming, but that knowledge, and even the knowledge that Wolf was ready and willing to stand for her beloved, did very little to comfort her heart. She felt a hand on her shoulder and opened her eyes to see Elvira.
Wolf stepped forward to stand between the two sisters, a sly smile upon his face. "Show time, ladies," he whispered. "Hang in there. We will win out on this thing." He was speaking more optimistically than he felt, because when Jareth's name had been called, his heart had fell to his feet, but he knew he had to brave it forward. He was the one support for both of the ladies, and he felt sure that Delvira might would faint at any moment if something bad were to happen to Jareth. He knew it was his time to be at bat, and he prayed that he was strong enough to carry it through.
He had never been one for extreme action but mostly had been a silver-tongued devil. His tongue had gotten him out of many bad positions before, and he prayed it would do the same this time. His eyes fell upon Drell's face. Why, the man seemed to be enjoying it! He knew deep down that some people got off on other people's pain and sorrow and figured Drell to be one of them. He wished that he could wipe that smirk off of his face. Then, his eyes went to Queen Cindy, who winked at him. Thank the Goddess, he thought, she does remember me!
Jareth paused only a moment and looked back at his wife and his family. What a brave man Wolf is! I shall be thankful to him forever! I know that if something happens to me, he will take care of both Delvira and Elvira. The feeling that thought gave him warmed his heart and gave him strength to walk forward and stand in front of Drell. He gazed up into his face and saw the look that Drell gave him as though he were only a maggot, and it angered him. How he would love to wipe that smirk off of his face!