Chapter Seventeen

The Council's Court Room

Emma looked up with tears in her eyes and was both surprised and yet not surprised to see that it was Sean who had caught her. She had not realized before what an enchanting green his eyes were, and she reached up to his handsome face with a trembling hand. "I . . . I remember . . . " she whispered. "Not . . . not everything . . . but I remember the trial and I remember the punishment . . . punishments." She looked over at Kurt, and her words carried through the room.

"You will not lose your memories, Kurt. You will keep your memories should the same punishments befall you. You must think about this carefully, if not rethink your standing entirely. It is not that I do not appreciate what you are attempting to do for me, for us, but I would not wish these punishments upon any other living thing."

"They let me keep my memories." Her voice grew louder and stronger as the whispers in the room grew. "They let me keep my memories so that I would remember those I had loved and lost, but they convinced me . . . They showed me how they were killed, tortured to death, and convinced me that their deaths were my fault . . . I tried forever to kill myself," she shook her head, "but I could find no release in death for death was not open to me. They wanted me to live forever with the greatest heartache imaginable." She continued to cling to Sean.

Sean held Emma tightly yet gently. She remembered him, and his heart sang in joy. They were together, and Ditey had promised that they would remain together! He had every confidence that they would pass the trials. "I knae they were awful fer ye, me darlin'. Mine were jest as bad. I remembered every single moment we had tagether, but they convinced me that ye were dead. I, too, tried tae die, tried tae climb inside the whiskey bottle, darlin', but even that would nae keep yer memories away." He kissed her hair, her eyes, her face, anywhere he could reach. "Nae one knew that ye were alive, because nae one else remembered our punishments. They were each lost in their own misery an' had nae time fer me an' mine."

Kurt looked at Emma and Sean. "I am villing to zake zis chance for both of you, mein freund. I feel zat ve can overcome. Mein Lord has promised zat it vill not be easy, but it is doable if I have faith and give it mein best. I have every intention of doing zat for I do not vish to lose mein memories of Katzchen," he looked at Kitty now, "for zey are ze most vonderful zings zat ever happened to me! But together, ve can overcome!"

"HOW TOUCHING," Drell sneered as Emma relished Sean's kisses and returned them and Kitty shared Kurt's gaze, their eyes speaking volumes more than their mouths ever could. "ON WITH THE TRIAL. IF THE WHITE QUEEN IS ONCE MORE CONDEMNED TO BE HELD PRISONER BY THOSE WHO MAY DO WHATEVER THEY WISH TO HER, YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT YOU WILL BE HELD BY THE SAME BEINGS AND SHARE IN HER EACH AND EVERY MOMENT OF MISERY, AGONY, AND PUNISHMENT?"

Kitty's gaze went pass Kurt for a moment as she looked at Emma and thought what more that might mean for Kurt. When Kurt had said that their memories they shared were the most wonderful things that had ever happened to him, her heart had felt alive again, but now she could feel the icy fingers of death trying to set into it again. She looked back to Kurt, took a breath, and then rose her chin. She felt Ray's worry but beat the redhead to the punch this time as she looked up into Drell's eyes. "Did you know?" Her voice was flat and quiet, but those who knew Shadowcat could sense the fury laying just beneath the surface.

"DID WE KNOW WHAT, SHADOWCAT?"

"Did you know that they would beat her, rape her?"

Negative answers rose from half the Council, but the others called out affirmations. "Did. You. Know!" Shadowcat demanded, glaring up at Drell. "Answer the question!"

"WE . . . SOME OF US SUSPECTED THAT THEY MIGHT."

Rachel had heard Kurt's request in her mind, but she hadn't answered him right away. She'd waited to see what would happen, but now she finally answered him. You just don't get it, do you, Priest? Kitty doesn't love me. I love her, but she's as straight as you are blue. She's got absolutely no interest in me that way. Let me stand for Emma. Then you two can be together, and you won't be facing all this. At least, if I'm raped again by my own gender, it's the right sexual orientation. She tried and failed to make light of the situation.

I can not stand down, Kurt thought to Ray. I have been raped in the past, as well. It is not a happy situation. But I have to do zis! I am ze only one vho can do it and succeed! Ve have to vin Emma's freedom! Don't you zink she's suffered enough? Katzchen loves both of us. Right now, she zinks I'm crazy, and so do you. But I have faith in mein Lord, and He told me zat Katzchen and I vill be together one day. I believe Him. I trust Him.

Logan had been watching Kitty the entire time, and he knew she was not too far from the attack. As soon as his daughter moved on the Council, he was going to be right beside her. No one was going to mess with his daughter!

Jack could feel the tension growing in his father, and he knew that attack was not too far off. He was ready to sound the charge at any moment and let the chips fall where they might lay. All eyes now remained on Kitty.

"¡Los bastardos! ¡Las perras! ¡La espuma humilde, pathetic! ¡Los funcionaré a través!"

"No!" Theodora stepped into Roxanne's path just before the other Latina could charge. "¡Piense de lo que usted está diciendo! ¡Si usted ataca estos seres, usted no estará parada una ocasión de la supervivencia y ni uno ni otro quiere sus animales domésticos! ¡Si no para se, entonces para ellos, no ataque!"

Roxanne looked at Sasha and Yasmine and found them ready to spring into action. She closed her eyes and sighed. "Usted ser derecho," she consented. "Yo deber . . . " She shook her head. "Yo poder no."

"¿Cuál era él dijo?" Theo asked, and as Roxanne began to explain what had just been revealed, the fury grew in Shadowcat and in Faith. Faith did not attack for Dawson's and Salem's sakes, though every inch of her screamed to.

Shadowcat, on the other hand, was itching for her blade so badly that her free hand had dropped to where the hilt of her sword should have been. Her brown eyes glowered up at Drell with pure hatred shining therein, and Lockheed had already flown off of her shoulder and was awaiting her sign to attack. "How could you have condemned Emma to such a fate!"

It was Drell's next words that stopped Kitty before Rachel could. "WE MERELY GAVE HER A TASTE OF HER OWN MEDICINE. SHE HAD SOLD COUNTLESS HUMANS INTO THE SEX TRADE."

Emma's head hung as Kitty looked at her. "I fear it to be true."

You are crazy, Wagner, Rachel thought sadly and angrily to Kurt, and Kitty does deserve better. She shut her mind off to his thoughts, and the process was like the slamming of a door that echoed through his brain. She glanced at Wolverine. "She's going to need us," she whispered. "Even if she doesn't attack, she's going to need us. If you're worthy of her, unlike that blue Demon, you'll be there for her."

"WHAT IS YOUR ANSWER, WAGNER?" Drell demanded.

"I vill stand vith Emma, and ja, I understand ze punishment! I have no choice but to accept it."

"IF THE SENTENCE TURNS TO DEATH, YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT YOU, TOO, WILL DIE?"

"Ja." If Kitty was dead to him, he might as well be dead, he figured, but Herc had promised him that they would be together and he had nothing stronger than his faith. He did believe.

"YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT ANY CRIME THAT THE WHITE QUEEN COMMITS, YOU WILL ALSO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR?"

"Ja," Kurt said in a louder, clear voice. He continued to pray, Deliver me from evil, Oh Lord! Show me ze vay!

"WHITE QUEEN, DO YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT ANY CRIME KURT WAGNER COMMITS, YOU, TOO, WILL ALSO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR?"

Emma could not even begin to think of any crime that a Priest as devoted to his faith as Kurt was might commit, but she knew the answer that she must give if Kurt would continue to be allowed to stand for her. Though she did not wish what had happened to her to befall him, or any one else for that matter, she would not turn him away when he so clearly believed so strongly that he must stand for her. "I do," she spoke quietly, not daring to look back up at first but then raising her eyes again to Sean's. If today was the last day they spent together, she wanted to spend as much of it as possible in his arms and gazing into the eyes of the man she now remembered she loved with all her heart and soul. "I love you!" she whispered to him.

"ONE FINAL QUESTION. YOU, KURT WAGNER, REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT, STARTING FROM THE MOMENT YOU ARE ACCEPTED AS THE WHITE QUEEN'S GUARDIAN, YOU WILL BE IMMORTAL UNTIL SHE IS EITHER FREED OR FINISHES WHATEVER SENTENCE, OR SENTENCES, BEFALL HER?"

"Ja," Kurt told him. "I never zought to be Immortal, but if it zakes it, I vill."

"I love ye, me darlin'!" he whispered to her as his lips touched hers gently. If this was the last day that they could be together, Sean would not let Em go but would hold on to her for as long as he could. He hoped this time that they would not be separated so that they might be able to help each other overcome their punishments and win. He could not stand the thought that he might not remember that she was alive again. He did not want to crawl back into his bottle, but he would if he lost his Em. She was his will to live.

"ALL THOSE WHO SUPPORT KURT WAGNER AS THE GUARDIAN OF EMMA GRACE CASSIDY, ALIAS THE WHITE QUEEN, SAY 'AYE'. ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAY 'NAY'." When the "aye"s had once more drowned out the "nay"s, Drell barked out, "NEXT."

"NEXT," Snape called out, "WE CALL CAPTAIN JAMES T. HOOK."

Smee shot up from behind Lorne and the three animals who he cuddled as though they were children like a scared mouse looking for a new hiding hole. His tear-filled eyes flew to James as he cried out, "No!" His rolls of fat shook, and his shirt popped and rolled up to his chin. He snatched it down as he looked fearfully at James.

"Damn," Zora muttered, her hands pausing in their strokes on Vang's and the cubs' fur coats and her eyes flying to Connor. She had known the time would come; she just hadn't expected Hook to be next. Her hands had frozen where they had been, but Vang used his head to bump her hand up and throw it to Connor's arm. She glanced at him in surprise but looked at Connor with sympathy.

"My turn!" James said in a jubilant voice, twisting the handlebars of his mustache. "This should be interesting!" He looked at his boys and wriggled his eyebrows. "Maybe Pan will now get his just desserts?"

Connor moved forward to stand beside his father as did Frederic on the other side. They didn't know if Smee would come forward or not, but they had to be with their father as long as they could. How could he take it so bravely? Connor wondered and then he remembered how his father told them that when you're the most afraid, act your bravest and the people will believe you. He knew his father had to be terrified.

Frederic stepped forward to stand beside his father, not knowing who would stand for his father as both he and Connor were not allowed. Who would stand for James, and who would stand for his other father when his time came?

Zora stood, leaving the cubs in Vang's care, and walking to stand beside Connor. As soon as his daughter's back was turned, Vang nudged Sebastian and Wolfie in to taking up his place beside the cubs and watching over them and sprinted off. Zora did not speak as she came to stand beside Connor, but she reached her hand out to his and gingerly touched his fingers. She met his sideways glance and opened her hand to take his.

Connor gratefully took Zora's hand. He wondered what her intentions were. Had she come to stand for his father? Whatever punishment was meted to James, which Gods forbid was Neverland, he and Frederic would have to go with their fathers. It was a beautiful, wonderful world there -- one unlike any other -- and he would love to show Zora his secret spots, but he did not want her to feel that she had to commit. He looked questioningly at her.

Frederic glanced over and smiled at her. He knew he was going to like having her for a sister. He looked at his father, who was still bravely standing as the charges were being read and staring defiantly at Drell.

" . . . AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, ARSON, BURGLARY, DISORDERLY CONDUCT, EMBEZZLEMENT, TREASON IN THE HIGHEST DEGREE, HARRASSMENT, BREAKING AND ENTERING, GRAND LARCENY, LOITERING, PERJURY, PROPERTY CRIME, PSYCHOACTIVITY . . . " Each word pounded in Vang's mind as he ran through the room. He didn't even look at Katrina and Tom when he passed them but kept running until he pounced in front of Smee. Smee squeaked, but Vang stood his ground and continued to look menacing.

" . . . PUBLIC INTOXICATION, RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY, ROBBERY, SHOPLIFTING, ASSAULT, VANDALISM . . . "

"You will go to him."

" . . . MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE, ESCAPE, KIDNAPPING . . . "

"But -- But -- !"

"There is no time for 'but's now, Samuel Smee. You will either go to him, or I, as Lady Bast for my witness, will put these . . . " He unsheathed his claws directly behind Lorne, not realizing that the lioness was watching his every move. " . . . directly in your rear end!"

As Smee shrieked, James could not continue standing, facing forward. He turned quickly to see what had upset his love. Seeing nothing more menacing than Vang, he turned his attention back to Drell.

" . . . ESPIONAGE, TAX EVASION, ARMED ASSAULT, THEFT . . . "

"But -- But -- But I -- ! But he doesn't want me!"

"He does, and we have no time to argue the point." Vang took a swipe at Smee's rear, and Smee hollered, grabbed his rear, and ran. Vang gave chase, directing him, though Smee did not realize it, directly towards James. When Smee began to come up behind James, Sebastian jumped upwards and landed on the short man's shoulder. He placed his claw over Smee's mouth, and Vang came to rest beside Zora, acting as though he were completely innocent and had done nothing but watch over the cubs. Zora looked down at him with a raised eyebrow but said nothing.

" . . . RESISTING ARREST, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, SLAVERY . . . "

James had to smile. Vang had come to his rescue and brought Smee to him! He would thank him later, if he had the opportunity. He did not turn around and acknowledge Smee though he wanted to. He kept staring at Drell, hating him more each second, and his hatred for the boi standing by Drell growing even more intrepid.

"WHO WILL STAND FOR JAMES T. HOOK?" Drell bellowed out.

With one hand gently squeezing Connor's, Zora dropped her other hand to rest on Vang's shoulders. She was willing to stand for James, but she knew that if she stood for James, Smee would be lost. Surely some one else might be willing to stand for James?

Delvira started to speak but found a pale hand much like her own covering her mouth. She looked questioningly at her twin who was violently shaking her head. "You can't!" Elvira told her. "If you stand for James, you risk being thrown to Neverland, and if you're trapped in Neverland, you can't be in the Labyrinth!"

Delvira looked sadly at her sister and then, beyond her, to James, who she knew must be as afraid as her beloved Jareth had been before Wolf had offered to stand for him. She sighed against Elvira's hand but nodded her consent. Elvira dropped her hand, and Delvira admitted, her eyes never leaving James, "You're right, sis, but Gods, some one has to help him!"

"I knew it!" Peter Pan laughed shrilly. "You are a codfish, Hook, and nobody's going to stand for a codfish!" A light twinkled loudly in his face, and Pan swiped it away. "Not now, Tink! He's going to get what he deserves!"

James took a deep breath. He heard Elvira's words to Delvira, and he looked at her. "You can not stand for me, dear lady, though I thank you for the thought. You must go where your husband is. He will need you. I'm afraid I've been a bad, bad boy," James said as he turned around to look back at Pan, "but nowhere near the codfish that you would have me be! Look in the mirror, Pan, if you wish to see a codfish!" He waved his hook at Pan and his voice rang out strong and determined even as he quaked in his boots because no one had spoken up for him. If no one did speak for him, would he be allowed to carry out his own punishment, his own trials, or would they simply throw him back into Neverland and never give him a chance?

Connor wished once again that he could stand for his father. They were not bloodkin. Perhaps? But before he could do anything, Frederic stepped in front of James. "I will stand for him! His blood does not run through my veins!" He looked at Drell, praying that it would work.

Protest rang out from the Council immediately. "HIS BLOOD MAY NOT RUN THROUGH YOUR VEINS, BUT YOU STILL CALL HIM FATHER. STEP BACK, BOY, OR BE REMOVED FROM THE COURT ROOM."

"I tried, Dad! I'm sorry!" Frederic told his father. "I am proud to call him Father!" Frederic returned to Drell. "He has been a great father!"

Drell dismissed Frederic with as much regard as he would have granted a fly. With a sinister grin on his face, he called out, "JAMES HOOK'S FATE GOING ONCE . . . "

James gulped rather loudly. "Will I be allowed to handle my own test on my own?" James asked hopefully.

Zora growled under her breath, and Vang also growled. Yet neither spoke for James.

"NO," Drell answered instantly. "IF YOU HAVE NOT GARNERED ENOUGH RESPECT FOR SOME ONE TO STAND FOR YOU, THEN YOU ARE NOT READY TO TRY AGAIN."

Delvira's mouth flew open, but Elvira's hand again silenced her. "They might twist your words!" she explained, knowing that Delvira had only planned to state that she would have stood for James if not for the risk it would involve and not daring to let her say even that much. At Delvira's look of frustrated comprehension, Elvira removed her hand once more.

James hung his head. "It is not fair!" he said. "The boi is the only reason I left Neverland! I would have stayed there! I like it there, but he has made it a living Hell! He did not do what you told him to do! He had his own plans for making my life a living Hell! It all started the day he cut my hand off and fed it to the croc!"

"PETER PAN IS NOT ON TRIAL HERE, HOOK. YOU ARE, AND YOU WILL NOT DETER THE COUNCIL'S ATTENTION!"

"But it is true!" Tiger Lily protested. "My people had a treaty with the Pirates until Peter Pan intervened! He had his Lost Boys steal from us and framed the Pirates for the thefts!"

"What? I did not know about that!" James declared. "You know I never would have stolen from you, Tiger Lily! We did have a treaty! I did not know why you broke it! I figured you fell under Pan's spell like every other woman who gets near him."

"I did at one time, but my Father had our Shaman remove the spell. Then," Tiger Lily looked at the sparkling light that now came to rest on her up-turned palm, "I realized the true love of my life and had her spell removed, as well." She looked up at Drell. "Peter Pan is not the sun, the moon, nor the stars! He is filth! He lies, cheats, thieves, kidnaps, rapes -- "

"PAN WILL BE DISCUSSED LATER," Drell stated, "AND THAT IS FINAL. JAMES HOOK'S FATE GOING TWICE . . . "

"Thank you for telling me that, Tiger Lily! I never hated you or your people!" He squeezed both of his boys' hands, and he turned to look at Smee, expecting the third time to go. Sebastian jumped down as James turned and was just in time to keep from being seen. "It's been a good life, Smee. Take care of our boys."

This must be the moment, Jack thought, and he started forward only to have the sound of No! reverberate in his head. Damn, Xavier! he thought. I must save him! He can not die! He was growing angrier by the moment.

James reached out, caressed Smee's cheek, leaned forward, and kissed his love good-bye before Drell could announce the third time and vanquish him. He had not really expected any one to stand for him, but oh, how he hated to go!

Smee had been about to speak when James had covered his mouth with his own. Though he wanted nothing more than to kiss his love and have him return his kiss and love, Smee could not allow James to kiss him now! "Can I stand for him!" he blurted out, pushing James off with surprising strength. "LET ME, PLEASE!" he begged, tears running down his round face. "WE ARE NOT MARRIED! HE DOES NOT EVEN LOVE ME!"

"EVEN IF YOU TWO HAVE BROKEN UP," Drell stated, "WHICH WE FIND VERY UNLIKELY, YOU STILL MAY NOT STAND FOR HIM FOR YOU SHALL HAVE YOUR OWN TRIALS."

"I DON'T WANT MY OWN TRIALS!" Smee wailed. "I WANT HIS!"

James had hoped that some one would have pity on him. Now it was about to be the third time, and yet no one had spoken for him! He knew he was not long for this world! "You are wrong, Smee," he told him, "I have always loved you and I will always love you!" He kissed him one last time as he turned to look back at Drell. "Get it over with!"

Connor glanced at both Vang and Zora. They had moved up to join the family, but why had they not spoken? He could not believe that they were too afraid of what punishment might befall them!

Frederic wished that he had some one who loved him who might stand for his father. He looked around and spotted Ray. She had been so eager moments before to stand up for Emma. Why would she not stand up for his father? His eyes pleaded with her.

Rachel felt eyes upon her and glared at the boy, who was stupid enough to get horny over her body when his father's life was on the line. Drell raised his gavel. "JAMES HOOK'S FATE GOING . . . "

"I'LL STAND FOR HIM!" Zora screamed, speaking just in time and simultaneously with Vang's roar. The two looked at each other in surprise, and Drell dropped the gavel with a disgusted sigh.

James felt his legs go even weaker, and he thought he might faint. You must act brave to be brave, he reminded himself and stood straighter on shaky legs. He breathed a sigh of relief. Thank you, Goddess, God, or Whoever's listening Up There! I'm not ready to die!

Connor looked at Zora and smiled. "Thank you," he mouthed and then the thought came to him as to why she had been so reluctant to jump for James as he noticed that his love's eyes kept flicking back to Smee. She thought no one would stand for his other father! He almost choked at that thought. But maybe Vang, since he had offered to stand for James, would stand for his other father? He looked hopefully at Vang.

James needed to sit down. It had been a close call, and Pan had almost won! He stared at the impudent boi with eyes of hatred, hoping that somehow, he would get paid back for his treachery!

Frederic looked at Ray and thought to her, I was not flirting, but I was asking you to save my Father. The way she was looking at him, it was as though he had tried to give her an extremely hot brick for a hot potato.

Zora smiled sadly at Connor and nodded. He had read her right at last, but she no longer feared for Smee. He had some one to stand for him now, she realized, for Vang had not spoken until the last second for the same reason she had not.

Vang returned Connor's look and nodded. "We will stand by you and your family."

Sebastian scuttled up to Vang. "I tried, mon!" he told Vang.

Zora looked questioningly down at the crab. "Tried what, Sebastian?"

Sebastian grinned innocently. "Tried to work up de courage to stand?"

"Right," she told him, not believing his excuse for a second, and looked up as Drell called out her full name. She would have liked to have informed him that only her fathers got away with calling her Seraphina, but she knew she had to hold her tongue and play the part just the same as most of the others had been doing. She looked into Connor's eyes and touched both his shoulders. She kissed his cheek gently and walked away, moving from between Connor and Vang to go and stand beside James. One look at Hook as Drell rattled off the first question told Zora that James was weak in the knees, but she knew he couldn't sit down. She met the man's gaze but didn't speak. She fell in to place beside him, took his arm, and draped it over his shoulder. Her hand ran down his arm, and she moved to grasp his hand but touched cold metal instead. Her heart stopped for a moment as she realized she had his hook, but then she held it as though it were his hand and tried to act normal though she was far more careful with it.

James smiled gratefully at her. She was one Hell of a woman and would make Connor a fine wife. He definitely approved! His dazed mind also told him that she had only been hesitating, hoping that some one else would stand for him so that she could stand for Smee. He gave her another grateful smile, and if it had not been for her supporting him, he would have sank to his knees.

Zora nodded at Hook's look of gratitude and then turned her attention upon Drell. "I do," she answered obediently when he had finished asking her if she realized and accepted that she would share the same sentence that was bestowed upon James.

"IF JAMES HOOK IS AGAIN STRANDED IN NEVERLAND AND FORCED TO STAY THERE, YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT YOU, TOO, WILL BE HELD FOREVER IN NEVERLAND?"

"I do."

"IF HE IS FORCED TO AGAIN PLAY THE FOUL ENEMY OF PETER PAN, YOU, TOO, WILL PLAY THE PART OF PAN'S NEMESIS?"

"I do." Zora couldn't help the wicked grin that played over her face and lit her wild, green eyes. "But I've gotta say Pan's way fouler. I can smell him all the way from down here!"

When Peter opened his mouth to protest, Aslan roared at him, "SILENCE, BOY! YOUR TRIAL WILL FOLLOW THIS AND THEN," his eyes turned to Drell, "SHALL COME DRELL'S TURN." Both Peter Pan and Drell gulped and turned blanch, but Drell quickly hurried on.

James laughed until he coughed. He almost choked. "At last, Pan will get what's coming to him!" But Drell? The Mighty Drell would be tried? Now, that was definitely a turn-about, and more than James could have ever hoped for!

"IF THE SENTENCE TURNS TO DEATH, YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT YOU, TOO, WILL DIE?"

Zora didn't miss a beat. "I do."

"YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT ANY CRIME THAT JAMES T. HOOK COMMITS, YOU WILL ALSO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR?"

Zora grinned, and her eyes drifted from Drell to Connor to James and then back to Drell. "I do."

"JAMES T. HOOK, DO YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT ANY CRIME SERAPHINA ZORA SHERIDAN COMMITS, YOU, TOO, WILL ALSO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR?"

"Yes, sir, I do!" What can we get into? James wondered. All of us together should be able to do something to really give them a headache!

Zora's grin grew as she realized that Connor's father was thinking the same thing she had been. Sharing his devilish grin, she winked.

"ONE FINAL QUESTION. YOU, SERAPHINA ZORA SHERIDAN, REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT, STARTING FROM THE MOMENT YOU ARE ACCEPTED AS JAMES T. HOOK'S GUARDIAN, YOU WILL BE IMMORTAL UNTIL HE IS EITHER FREED OR FINISHES WHATEVER SENTENCE, OR SENTENCES, BEFALL HIM?"

Zora smirked boldly up at the Council. "Bring it on!" At Aslan's warning cough, she rephrased herself, "I do."

James grinned at Drell. Make something of that now, will ya? he thought.

Connor hugged Zora and his father. Everything was going to be all right!

"ALL THOSE WHO SUPPORT SERAPHINA ZORA SHERIDAN AS THE GUARDIAN OF JAMES T. HOOK, SAY 'AYE'. ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAY 'NAY'." When the "aye"s won out, Frederic let out an excited whoop and joined in the hug.

Smee, standing alone, sniffled and looked down. He jumped back when he found himself looking directly down into Vang's face. "You are not going anywhere, Smee," Vang informed him. "You are going to stand there, and I am going to stand for you."

"NEXT," Drell crisply barked out.

"NEXT THE COUNCIL CALLS SEAN CASSIDY ALIAS BANSHEE."

Sean cast a baleful eye upon Drell. "Yes, Yer Honor. Present an' accounted fer," he said with a sly grin. He wondered who would stand for him but was extremely relieved to know that Kurt was standing for Em. That was one worry he didn't have to ponder over. He didn't have many friends, but those that he did have he knew he could truly count upon. He drew his courage to him like a mantle. Standing tall and proud, he waited to hear the charges.

"SEAN CASSIDY, YOU ARE CHARGED WITH MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS OF . . . "

A hand clasped Sean's shoulder from behind, and a woman's voice spoke strongly. "I will stand for him."

Drell glared at Shadowcat. "YOU SPEAK OUT OF TURN, PRYDE. THE QUESTION HAS NOT BEEN ASKED YET."

Captain Pryde met the Wizard's gaze evenly. "Read the charges," she told him. "I'll still stand for him."

"Thank ye, Capt'n," Sean told Kitty. His heart breathed a sigh of relief.

Shadowcat patted Sean's shoulder gruffly but reassuringly. Though mere moments before, she had been holding hands with Kurt and gazing into his eyes like the girl in love she was, her demeanor had switched to one of strictly business the very second Sean's name had been called. Now, she listened impatiently to Snape read the charges and ignored Rachel fussing in her mind.

" . . . AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, ARSON, BURGLARY, COERCION, FRAUD, TREASON IN THE HIGHEST DEGREE, DISORDERLY CONDUCT, EXTORTION, GRAND LARCENY, PERJURY, PUBLIC INTOXICATION . . . "

Ray, Pryde spoke at last, I'm not Kitty right now. I'm Shadowcat, and Sean's one of my men. You could have stood for him, but it's not your place. Besides, I wouldn't want you standing for him any more than you want me to stand for him. Now hush up! We'll talk later.

" . . . RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY, ROBBERY, SHOPLIFTING, VANDALISM, MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE, ESCAPE, AIDED ESCAPE, KIDNAPPING, ESPIONAGE, PSYCHOACTIVITY . . . "

Despite herself, Shadowcat couldn't help glancing at Sean in curiosity at the latest charge. She knew that he was not a telepath, so how could he be accused of psychoactivity? Then she recalled that he had been a Wizard and realized, for the first time, that there was no telling what all he might have been able to do at one time. She wondered if there was any hope of getting them their full powers back but knew that their freedom was most important. The discussion of powers might come after they'd won their freedom, but for now, it wasn't important.

" . . . POSSESSION, TAX EVASION, ARMED ASSAULT, ASSAULT AND BATTERY, RESISTING ARREST . . . "

Shadowcat had just begun to wonder if the list of charges would ever come to an end when the question she was waiting for came. Severus Snape looked right at the young Pirate Captain as he droned out, "WHO WILL STAND FOR SEAN CASSIDY?"

"I will."

"KATHERYNE PRYDE, YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT YOU WILL GO THROUGH MANY TESTS WITH SEAN CASSIDY IN ORDER TO PROVE HIS INNOCENCE?"

Kitty stood straight behind Sean and at her fullest height. She kept her chin raised high and her hard, unblinking eyes directly upon Drell. Her mouth was a tight line of anger out of which her strong, determined words broke from. "I do."

"KATHERYNE PRYDE, YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT THE SAME FINAL SENTENCE THAT IS CAST UPON SEAN CASSIDY WILL ALSO BE CAST UPON YOU?"

"I do."

"IF SEAN CASSIDY IS FORCED TO BELIEVE THAT HE HAS LOST ALL THOSE HE LOVES AND IS PERMANENTLY separated FROM THEM, YOU, KATHERYNE PRYDE, REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT YOU, TOO, WILL BE CONDEMNED TO BELIEVING THAT YOU HAVE LOST ALL THOSE YOU LOVE TO DEATH AND WILL BE PERMENANTLY separated FROM THEM, AS WELL?"

For a moment, Kitty's Captain's mask fell. She hesitated as her eyes dropped from Drell and she looked at Kurt instead. She cast a look over her shoulder, her eyes seeking out first her father and then Rachel. Let me, Ray pleaded in her head again. Please, Kitty, let me do this for you. She started to come forward, but Kitty shook her head at her.

No. I have to do this. Images of her mother, her previous husbands, and all the others she'd lost flashed through her mind. Her heart grieved. She thought of her adopted parents and wondered, far from the first time, if she'd ever see them again. Finally, she looked at Kurt again, her lips resetting in their thin line of angry determination, and nodded. Her chin jutted back up, and she once more met Drell's gaze. "I do."

"IF THE SENTENCE TURNS TO DEATH, YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT YOU, TOO, WILL DIE?"

"I do."

"YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT ANY CRIME SEAN CASSIDY COMMITS, YOU WILL ALSO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR?"

Kitty's hand returned to Sean's shoulder, but her eyes never left Drell nor so much as blinked. "I do."

"SEAN CASSIDY, DO YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT ANY CRIME THAT KATHERYNE PRYDE, ALIAS SHADOWCAT, COMMITS, YOU, TOO, WILL ALSO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR?" Despite the warm, reassuring grasp of Kitty's hand upon his shoulder, Sean felt a chill rushing through his body. He wanted to scream out that he did not want to lose Emma or his friends again. He couldn't bare the thought that Kitty should also suffer in this. He wanted to tell them that there was no way that the girl would stand for that, but he knew that, without her, he would be lost. He had no choice, but she did. "Kitty, are ye sure, gel?" he asked, giving her one last chance to back out.

Shadowcat looked into Sean's eyes, and there was no trace of Kitty Pryde in her unwavering gaze. "I am. Now answer the man's question, Cassidy." She knew Sean was trying to protect her from feeling the same heartache and anguish he had been cursed with. She appreciated that inwardly but knew she could not afford to let her true emotions show outwardly. She grasped his shoulder a little tighter and offered him a small smile. She nodded.

Sean returned her smile before turning back to face Drell. "I di accept it." He bowed his head and closed his eyes. He knew the next question would be about Immortality. He would not want to spend eternity without his Em, and he did not want to wish it upon Kitty, but he was extremely thankful that she had stood for him.

"ONE FINAL QUESTION. YOU, KATHERYNE PRYDE, REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT, STARTING FROM THE MOMENT THAT YOU ARE ACCEPTED AS SEAN CASSIDY'S GUARDIAN, YOU WILL BE IMMORTAL UNTIL HE IS EITHER FREED OR FINISHES WHATEVER SENTENCE, OR SENTENCES, BEFALL HIM?"

"I do."

"ALL THOSE WHO SUPPORT KATHERYNE PRYDE, ALIAS SHADOWCAT, AS SEAN CASSIDY'S GUARDIAN, SAY 'AYE'. ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAY 'NAY'." when they "aye"s had once more proclaimed themselves over the "nay"s, Drell rapped his gavel against his desk and barked out, "NEXT."

Shadowcat squeezed Sean's shoulder. She smiled thinly, but her hardened expression did not lift. "First round's ours," she whispered. Her man and his wife were spoken for. She hoped some one would stand for those who remained, but if they didn't, they didn't. The two who mattered were claimed.

Sean reached up and placed his hand over Kitty's and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Thank ye, me Capt'n," he told her, pride in his voice. He had no idea what he had done to deserve such a fine Captain or why his Captain even cared for him so much, but he was glad she did. He knew it would be a rough road to travel down but now felt that he had a chance of one day being free to walk in the sunshine with Emma on his arm and no threat of the Council.

Kitty smiled at Sean's reaction, and her eyes moved to Kurt. Worry creased her brow and plagued her eyes for a moment. How could she be with Kurt now? Now after he'd flipped out, talking to some invisible God, and dared to call her beloved dragon, Lockheed, who was still perched faithfully upon her shoulder and now bent to rub his forehead against her cheek, a flying rat? Now when she was closer to possibly losing him than perhaps ever before? Kitty rubbed her cheek against 'Heed, and her free hand reached up to gently scratch him. He purred and cooed, but as Snape's voice snapped through the air again, Kitty remembered her place and straightened. All signs of emotion left her at once, and she stood as straight, still, and tall as a soldier in the Queen's guard. Sensing the change in his mistress, Lockheed also straightened and sat up at attention. Their eyes turned together toward the Council, and they waited to see who would be next.

To Be Continued . . .