Chapter Eighteen

The Council's Court Room

"NEXT, THE COUNCIL CALLS SAMUEL SMEE."

A squeal erupted from Smee, and he hit the floor, his small, fat body quivering like jelly. Vang had jumped out of his way, giving him just enough room to do what he knew he was about to, and now stood calmly over him. He raised his head, and his green eyes turned solemnly toward the Council. He muttered to Smee out of the side of his mouth, "Get up. Stand like a man." His tail slashed impatiently through the air as Snape began reading the list of charges.

James looked sadly at his poor, pathetic love. He figured he would have fainted and was glad that he had only fell to the floor. He had truly expected Smee to faint as he knew that the terror of what was taking place was more than his poor love could stand. He felt Connor's hand reach out, touch him gently, and squeeze his shoulder. "He'll be okay," Connor told him very softly. He couldn't wait to find out what his other father had done. He had not been surprised to hear what James had done, because he figured that James had a magnificent record that was a mile long. He knew that his father, James, had believed very strongly in Salem, strong enough, in fact, that he had given up his rich man's background and become a Pirate all in the name of The Cause.

" . . . TREASON IN THE HIGHEST DEGREE, FRAUD, DISORDERLY CONDUCT, EXTORTION, FORGERY . . . "

Frederic wished that he could go to his father, Smee, and help him to stand. He did not want the others to think less of him because he was so weak, and yet Frederic knew that, if it had been his turn, it might be him on the floor instead of Smee. He admired those who had gone before for most of them had not shown fear but had stood bravely, listening to their charges. He slid back to stand beside Smee. Let them strike me with lightning, he thought. I will stand beside my father.

He reached out with very gentle hands and pulled his father to his feet. Once he had regained his feet, Frederic slipped his arm around him. He hoped some one would stand for his dad, because even though he was weak, Frederic loved him dearly. Frederic knew that James would never need him as much as Smee had always needed him. Frederic glanced over at Vang and knew that Vang was about to stand for his dad. He whispered to Smee, "It'll be okay, Dad. I'm here for you, and Vang will help you."

" . . . GRAFFITI, BREAKING AND ENTERING, LOITERING, PERJURY, PROPERTY CRIME, GRAND LARCENY . . . "

Had he not been Connor's father, Zora might well have laughed at the reaction that Smee had given when his name was called, but as it was, no trace of humor had entered her face or her eyes. She felt for the poor man and had been about to move toward him when Frederic had instead. She'd watched and had been ready to assist Connor's brother, but he hadn't needed her help. His strength surprised her, and she gave a slight nod of acknowledgement. She still wasn't sure what the Sorceresses had done to clean out Frederic's "duty", but this Frederic definitely wasn't a pansy. Perhaps Connor would be able to get along better with his brother now.

" . . . PSYCHOLOGICAL INTOXICATION, RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY, ROBBERY, SHOPLIFTING, PSYCHOACTIVITY . . . "

Smee had resisted when he'd first felt the strength of a man pulling against him, but when he'd happened to glance up, the words he had been about to speak to James died in his throat. He stared at the curly, blonde mop on top of his son's head in surprise. Frederic had come to him. Connor remained standing beside James, but Frederic -- his dear, sweet, little Freddy who'd had such problems with his curse -- had come to him and was determined to help him. Trembling, Smee put an arm around Frederic's small waist as he stood beside him and tried to stop shaking so badly. His head remained lowered so that the others would not see the tears running down his face, and he whispered to Frederic, barely able to get his words out for the emotions that stuck in his throat. "It -- It'll never be okay, Fr-Freddy. Your Daddy doesn't -- doesn't love me any more . . . . "

" . . . ASSAULT, VANDALISM, ESCAPE, KIDNAPPING . . . "

"James does love you," Vang spoke up from Smee's other side, "and even if he does not, you have a son who loves you, Smee. You must pull yourself together if, for no one else, then for Frederic." He placed a gentle paw on Smee's foot and looked up into his eyes, where he could see such pain and heartache that he was reminded of his own pain when he'd lost Seraphina.

" . . . ESPIONAGE, TAX EVASION, MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE . . . "

Frederic leaned down to where he could whisper in Smee's ear. "You're wrong, Dad. James loves you with all his heart. You're all I ever knew of love. As parents, you've been wonderful. Things will come right again. Don't be afraid. Believe."

Across the distance that separated them and felt like ten million miles though it was only several feet, James looked at Smee with eyes of love. He was proud of Frederic going to his father. He didn't know how Drell would take it, but he wanted to be there, too. Did he dare go to stand beside Smee where his rightful place was? The Hell with Drell! he thought as he slowly began to slip toward Smee. When he got close enough that he could touch Smee, he did so with a trembling hand. He fully expected Smee to flinch and pull away from him again.

Connor had followed James, keeping one eye on Drell the whole time and praying that he would not bellow out his name. When he saw that James had made it, it gave him hope, and he, too, reached out and touched Smee just as a voice ripped through the air.

Drell had been staring balefully at them the whole time and had not missed a single action. He was totally disgusted by all this male/male love and bonding, and his voice ripped through the air. "WHO WILL STAND FOR SAMUEL SMEE?"

Smee had jumped out of his skin when James had touched him. He knew James' touch and didn't need to look to know that it really was him this time. He pulled away from him, shying into Frederic as though trying to melt into his boy's skin and share it with him. When Drell barked out, he shook even more, and the knocking of Smee's knees could be heard clear across the room, where Roxanne snarled in disgust.

Zora had followed Connor and now stood beside Vang. She wanted to touch him but knew that her hand on his shoulders would be looked upon by the stupid Council like a human girl touching her pet and keeping it in line. She growled under her breath at the thought, her wild, green eyes flashing as her feline father spoke up.

"I will."

"YOU!" Drell roared in laughter and was joined by several others on the Council. "YOU'RE ONLY AN ANIMAL! YOU CAN'T STAND FOR ANY ONE!"

At that exclamation, Vang and Zora roared.

James had wanted to cry out when Smee had snatched away from him. He had fully expected it, but even so, it had done nothing to really prepare him for the pain that shot through him. He couldn't bare the thought that he might never hold Smee again through no fault of his own. Any hopes of a reconciliation went out the window, however, as Drell refused Vang's declaration. If Vang didn't stand for Smee, who would, and why couldn't Vang stand for him? He looked at Drell and demanded, "Why not! He is an intelligent animal and can speak and reason! Just because he is on four legs? Why can't he stand for Smee!"

"FOR THE VERY REASON I ALREADY ANNOUNCED! HE IS AN ANIMAL! A STUPID BEAST!" Drell hissed. "WE COULD NOT POSSIBLY PLACE ONE OF THE GREATEST TRAITORS OF ALL TIME INTO THE INCAPABLE PAWS OF A CAT!"

"Excuse me, Your Highness, but, I believe, if given the chance, you would find Vang's paws to be extremely capable." The smooth, elegant voice held an authoritative, regal tone and came from across the court room. Eyes turned toward the speaker as Celina Lewis made her way out from the shelter of her beloved husband's arms. "Vang is a great deal more than an ordinary animal. Indeed, he is not a four-legged animal at all but merely bares the appearance of one. He is, in fact, as much a tiger man as I am a catwoman. Like the rest of our family and I, he comes from another world called Alderberan. I would have trusted that, in your infinite wisdom, you would have already known this, but evidently not." Her tail swished.

"Princess Celina Lewis raises a valid point, Drell, but there is also much more to it," Aslan called out. "For starters, the decision as to whether or not an entity may be allowed to stand for another is not your decision alone but a joint decision to be voted upon by all members of the Council. And if I hear you refer to any animal again as a 'stupid beast', you and I will step outside this court room, and I promise you," the Kingly lion glared at the fat Wizard, who was now sitting on his shaking hands, "we will have to find another to fill your position as you will not return."

Cinderella smiled, and more than one of the long-bearded Wizards grinned from around their pipes.

Drell humphed and tried desperately to hide his fear. "VERY WELL. WE'LL VOTE BEFORE THIS RIDICULOUS MATTER GOES ANY FURTHER, AND I'M SURE YOU'LL FIND THAT THE OTHERS AGREE WITH ME. ALL IN FAVOR OF ALLOWING THIS . . . " Aslan cleared his throat loudly and drilled his claws against the top of his dai. "ALL IN FAVOR OF ALLOWING VANG TO GO FURTHER IN HIS ATTEMPT TO STAND FOR SAMUEL SMEE, SAY 'AYE'. ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAY 'NAY'." The voting tied very quickly, and Severus Snape was the last one to speak up. He did not look at Drell but droned out with the same lack of emotion he had been reading the charges with, "Aye."

Vang's tail cut with a charge of jubilation through the air, and Zora grinned. Celina smiled and started to step back. Morph's hand on her slim shoulder stopped her. Then he wrapped his arm around her furry waist, pulled her close, and kissed her cheek. "You would've been one heck of a Queen, darling," he told her proudly. He started to acknowledge Tom and Katrina where they had been standing on the other side of the room but now saw Faith, Salem, and Dawson standing alone with no sign of the two he sought. He nearly jumped out of his hide when Katrina spoke beside him.

Katrina had been about to speak herself when Celina had spoken up. She had left the speaking to Celina, who tended to be more eloquent with words than she did any way, and had instead gone to stand beside her sister and lend her moral support. Now, as she heard Morph's comment, she nodded at him and spoke up. "Yes, you would've made a wonderful Queen, my dear sister. I hope, if I ever end up in a corner, I'll have you standing for me, as well." She was very proud of her sister.

Celina smiled at Katrina, her blue eyes meeting her sister's green ones. "Our family will stand together as long as there is breath left in us, beloved sister." Her smile grew as Tom came silently up behind Katrina and wrapped her in a hug from behind. He kissed the top of her head.

The vote was close, and Snape had had the final deciding vote, just as Charles had hoped would work out. Things were definitely looking up for them, but only time would tell if they could win. He breathed a sigh of relief and continued to watch. There are two more, he thought. I hope they fare as well.

Drell humphed and glared back down at Vang as though he'd like to have him cut up and cooked for a dinner he'd take great relish in eating. "FINE."

"VANG, YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT YOU WILL GO THROUGH MANY TESTS WITH SAMUEL SMEE IN ORDER TO PROVE HIS INNOCENCE?"

"I do."

"VANG, YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT THE SAME FINAL SENTENCE THAT IS CAST UPON SAMUEL SMEE WILL ALSO BE CAST UPON YOU?"

"I do." He would miss the rest of their family, but being trapped in Neverland would not be a curse he could not deal with as long as Zora was there, too.

"IF SAMUEL SMEE IS FORCED TO RETURN TO NEVERLAND AND REMAIN THERE FOR THE REST OF TIME, PLAYING THE PART OF AN EVIL PIRATE ABOARD THE JOLLY ROGER AND A NEMESIS TO PETER PAN, YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO PLAY THAT PART TOO?"

"I do, and I accept . . . " Vang glanced at Zora, a wry grin on his feline lips. He looked at Kat and Ace, both of which had come so close to telling the Council off and had done so as much as possible without causing a greater battle. Then he looked back up at Drell, the tip of his tail twitching like mad. " . . . as long as I do not also have to be a cabin boy to Captain Hook and all that that entails." Vang watched with great interest as Drell's face turned several different shades.

James grinned. Things were working out for his baby! Would he show jealousy toward Vang for that comment? There had to be a spark in there somewhere, James prayed. Smee had often shown jealousy in the past when there had been no reason to do so, as far as James could see, but he really needed to reach that spark now. He dared to lay his hand on Smee's shoulder again, more possessively this time.

Zora grinned from ear to ear and looked at her adopted father in surprise. She often forgot that Vang did have an actual sense of humor until he deployed it at the most unexpected times. She patted his shoulders, and her hand stayed there protectively, her fingers splayed between the powerful blades of his shoulders.

Smee's body went as stiff as wood underneath James' touch, but he did not entirely move away. Instead, he stayed frozen to the spot, not daring to move or breathe. He knew James was merely acting the part he felt he had to for their sons' sakes, but he also realized that it might well be the last time James touched him. For now, he let his hand stay and tried, unsuccessfully, to imagine that it was real. More tears fell from his eyes, and a sob broke free. Oh, if only James really did still love him, but he knew better!

"WHATEVER TRANSPIRES BETWEEN JAMES HOOK AND YOURSELF IS ENTIRELY BETWEEN THE TWO OF YOU. THE COUNCIL WANTS NO PART OF IT. MOVING ON . . . VANG, YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT, IF SAMUEL SMEE IS SENTENCED TO REMAIN OLD, FAT, AND UGLY AS HE WAS ORIGINALLY TRANSFORMED TO AS PART OF HIS SENTENCING BEFORE, YOU, TOO, WILL BECOME OLD, FAT, AND UGLY?"

Vang's head snapped up, and he stared at the Council, his eyes wide in shock. He had had no idea that Smee's current status as an old, fat man had been part of his sentencing. He looked to Zora, the emotions in his eyes moving toward panic. If he was old and fat, how could he ever hope to protect her or, for that matter, even keep up with her!

Zora's eyes, too, were wide with surprise. She stared at Smee until she felt Vang's eyes upon her. Returning his gaze, she forced down her own surprise and nodded solemnly. "I'll be there for you," she whispered to him and began reassuringly stroking his fur. "You know I will be."

Katrina's mouth fell into a little, round o as her mind screamed, OH MY GODDESS! She could not believe that Vang might be old before her eyes. She would never have imagined him that way. She vowed to be there for Vang, as well. She knew it was something that her Grandmama would have wanted her to do as well as something that she wanted to do herself. Not in a thousand years would she have ever thought that Smee had been cursed to be old and fat!

Tom's head ached from Katrina's scream, but he understood and shared her shock. He squeezed her shoulder reassuringly, then moved his hand down to rub her back. He knew she would be there for Vang, if at all possible, and he would be right beside her even then. Nothing would keep him from his love's side as long as he was able to fight, and if he wasn't able to fight, such as in the case with the evil Piratesses whose memories sent shivers rippling throughout him and made his orange fur bristle, he would run to her as soon as he was able to fight again.

Jack looked at Smee. What did he look like when he wasn't old and fat? That would explain so much if he was good looking! He had tried to see what James had seen in Smee and couldn't, but if Smee's appearance now was not his true appearance, then James would have fallen in love with his previous self. He looked at Will and tried to imagine him as being old and fat. Yes, Jack thought, I will love you even then. He surprised himself to be thinking those thoughts as Will was so much younger than he himself, but would Will still love him if he was old and fat like Smee? He vowed to ask him one day.

Will looked questioningly at Jack. The way his love was looking at him made him uneasy, and he wondered what in the world he could possibly be thinking. "What?" he whispered, but Jack only shook his head, his beads jingling as he did so.

Xena had been very quiet for a while not saying much except for when the issue of family had come up. She looked rather strangely at Smee, trying to envision a younger, good-looking Smee. She reached out and pulled Gabrielle closer to her, giving her a gentle squeeze. It didn't matter to her if Gabrielle was young and beautiful or old and fat; she knew she'd always love Gabby.

Unlike Will, Gabrielle knew exactly what her beloved was thinking. She returned Xena's squeeze, reached up, and lightly kissed her temple. "I will still love you," she assured her quietly, "when your hair is gray and even when it's all fallen out. I will always love you, and nothing can change that." Her lips moved from her temple to her cheek and then finally to her sweet mouth.

All throughout the court room, others displayed signs of their shock, and all eyes were upon Smee and Vang. Many would not have been able to make such a sacrifice, and they wondered if Vang would even as he himself pondered the horrible possibilities. At last, Vang turned to Connor and Hook and stated his case quite clearly. "I need to know that some one will be there for Zora if she needs somebody and I am unable to be there."

Zora's eyes shot even wider at Vang's words. "Vang!" His concern initially griped her, but then she realized that she would feel the same way if their roles were reversed. Unshed tears sparkled in her eyes, and she smiled sadly at him.

Vang didn't look at Zora but kept his eyes on James and Connor.

"WE ARE WAITING FOR YOUR ANSWER, VANG," Drell reminded.

Connor looked at Vang. "I love Zora. I was going to talk to you about that later. I will stand beside her and protect her, and I will also stand beside you, if I am able, and protect you. You have nothing to fear from old age, Vang. Your family will be with you." He feared they might all be returned to Neverland, which was a place for youth and where the old were very lonely, but as a family unit, he knew they would all make it.

James looked at Vang. "I, too, will stand and protect Zora, if I am able. I will never desert you." He smiled at Vang fondly. Before James had met Vang, he would never have thought that he would like cats, but now he found that he had developed quite a fondness for them.

Vang nodded sadly. "Thank you." He turned back around, Connor's words echoing in his ears, and his eyes turned to Celina, Katrina, and their husbands. Celina had telepathically offered to be there for Zora seconds before he had turned to Connor and James, but he had had to decline her offer as he had no way of knowing if they would be trapped in Neverland or not and did realize that, were they trapped in Neverland, the rest of their family would be gone from them forever. His eyes moved to Kat, Ace, Captain, and Clyde. There, his eyes met first Kat's, then Ace's, and finally Captain's. He could learn quite a bit about maneuvering despite old age from Captain if given the opportunity, but this might be the last place he saw them in. Finally, he looked down at Sebastian, who had scuttled up beside him and placed a reassuring claw on top of his paw.

"It'll be okay, mon." When Vang nodded but did not speak, Sebastian added sadly, "If you don' get outta here, I'll tell dem you love dem."

Vang smiled sadly. "Thank you, old friend," he whispered and then raised his head to meet Drell's angry, piercing gaze again. "I do," he spoke just before Drell could speak again.

Zora's heart ached for Vang, whose back she had again placed her hand on, and yet her heart also beat wildly with hope, happiness, and another emotion she'd been feeling a whole lot of lately. Connor had said he loved her! She couldn't believe it! Grinning but trying desperately to remain solemn, she stole a glance back at him. Then she remembered that he'd said he'd protect her. She didn't need protection. He knew that. But he had had to reassure her father, and both he and his father had done so. Did they really think she needed protection that badly? Thoughts swirled through her mind, but she said not a word.

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

"I do."

"YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT ANY CRIME SAMUEL SMEE COMMITS, YOU, TOO, WILL ALSO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR?"

"I do."

"SAMUEL SMEE, DO YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT ANY CRIME THAT VANG COMMITS, YOU, TOO, WILL ALSO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR?"

Smee sniffed and whispered his answer, still not looking up, "I do."

"WHAT?"

He spoke a little louder. "I do."

"WHAT?"

Again, he raised his voice a decibel. "I do."

"WE CAN NOT HEAR YOU. WHAT IS YOUR ANSWER?"

Suddenly, a flare from the old days broke forth, and Smee snapped his head up, his tear-filled eyes gazing directly at Drell from a pale, round face soaked with tears. "I DO!"

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

This time, Vang answered immediately. "I do."

"ALL THOSE WHO SUPPORT VANG AS SAMUEL SMEE'S GUARDIAN, SAY 'AYE'. ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAY 'NAY'." Drell voted "nay" and was shocked at how quickly the "aye"s won their ground. Again, Snape threw in his voice at the last moment, and it was with great anger that Drell announced Vang as Samuel Smee's guardian. He then growled out, "NEXT."

"NEXT THE COUNCIL ON HIGH CALLS UPON JOSEPH LEHNSHERR." Whispers ran rampant throughout the crowd at this name. Some knew a Joseph but knew him only as Joseph. Was he Joseph Lehnsherr? Surely he could not have been connected to this mess, so just who was Joseph Lehnsherr?

Ororo looked questioningly at Magneto, and he answered her with a nod before she could ask. "He is my little brother."

"Where is he? Why does he not answer?"

Erik looked out with great pain in his eyes to where a man with long, white hair lay on the floor. "Because he does not know."

To Be Continued . . .