Chapter Twenty
The Council's Court Room
Piper's eyes frantically roved over the faces of her family, and she ached to bring her sisters and godmother all close to her. She dared not imagine what must be going through Lex's mind now, but her heart cried out for him and for any one that would face such a horrid curse. Nothing could be worse than forgetting your entire family and everything and every one you'd ever known and being separated from those you love. She vowed she would let nothing come between her family and herself again. They might have lost their mother and grandmother, but as long as they lived, she refused to lose any of them. Her hand tightened its grip on Cole's. She would not lose any of her family ever again as long as there was anything left in her to fight.
She saw Ororo look at her and could feel the change in the atmosphere around them. Had they been in view of a sky, that sky would be as dark as night now with storm clouds rolling across it and lightning flashing. Piper could feel the tiny hairs on her arms standing up from the vibrations of the impending storm. Ororo stood loyally near Magneto, but Piper could see in her stormy blue eyes that her godmother's thoughts and heart were with herself and the rest of their family. More tears welled in Piper's dark eyes as she suddenly wondered why they were even here. Why should they have all been brought here because of Salem's desire to take over the world, and just why had the man-cat been so determined to conquer it in the first place? Why should their family members have to stand beside Salem and his people and risk so much to try to help them? Why was the Council so mean, so cruel, so heartless? Why was fairness such a foreign topic now in their lives?
She turned closer into Cole's embrace but stubbornly kept her tears from falling. It would not do to let Phoebe or Paige see her crying, and she looked at each of her younger sisters now with a tremulous smile. "It'll be all right," she mouthed to them, but, in truth, she wondered if it ever would be again.
Phoebe saw Piper's attempt at reassurance and nodded her head against Joxer's bony shoulder, but the whole time, she knew that Piper was only trying to convince Paige and herself that everything was going to be okay. Piper was no more certain than she was that it was ever going to be okay again or even if they'd ever see the outside of this terrible court room. Phoebe wished there was something they could do to this evil Council. If there was, perhaps they could somehow escape, but she knew that not even their godmother, Ororo, could do anything against them -- or so she thought, but as long as 'Ro thought that, Phoebe knew they were lost. After all, she didn't have an active power, and their powers were gone regardless. Of their "immediate" family, which Phoebe considered to be Ororo and her sisters, the only one left with powers was 'Ro, and she had no intentions of trying to fight.
As the Halliwell sisters considered their predicament and longed for a means of fighting the Council, Rachel argued with Kitty as vehemently as Theodora did with Roxanne in another part of the room. Shadowcat was finding it growingly impossible to keep Ray in line, but as for the Latinas, every time Roxanne swore under her breath and murmured of what she would like to do to the Council, Theodora had merely to remind her of her pets. That calmed Roxanne every time, but the calmness never lasted for long.
Gabrielle continued to feel as though there should be something they could do, but she had yet to see any kind of an opening to attack the Council. She glanced at Xena, wondering what her love was thinking and if she had any kind of a plan yet. Her hatred of the Council grew with each new sentence that was discovered, but as of yet, they seemed to be helpless against them. Sooner or later, though, she knew something would present itself, and when it did, and Xena gave her the signal, she'd be ready.
Will's mind was racing, but with not even Jack willing to challenge the Council, he felt as helpless as the others. Though Jack's whispered reference to their shared memories being his most precious treasures touched his heart, Will did not comment on it but continued to try to come up with some sort of method to save Jack's family. There had to be something they could do, but what? What could he, a mere human being with no powers whatsoever, hope to do against a Council of beings so wicked, vile, and obviously powerful that neither Vampires, Werewolves, Demons, or even powerful Witches and Sorceresses dared attack? For the first time, he found himself smiling at Faith's outburst, but even then, he worried. She had no more powers than he did, just an awful lot of guts that might yet spell her doom. He thought of asking Jack if there wasn't anything they could do, but if he did get Jack to fight, what would happen if the Council overpowered his love? He dared not bring their fury down upon him or else he might lose Jack just as Lex was now risking losing Clark and their children! Will held more tightly to Jack and remained silent.
Faith was furious. Her fury had been building ever since they had found themselves in this court room with these obnoxious bad asses over them, but she had managed to contain her fury for Salem's and Dawson's sakes. Now, however, with Lex facing the unthinkable of losing Clark, she refused to remain silent any more. She had strode swiftly over to Lex, Clark, and the small group around them, leaving Salem to hide between Dawson's legs and whisper-yell at her back to get back over there and settle down for she should not be risking angering the Council. "Fuck the Council," she called back over her shoulder to Salem to which loud and angry whispers rang out across the Council.
She looked back to Lex, needing to know what he was getting at before finally taking on the Council. "What?" she asked. "What do ya want me to promise? It damn well better not be that I won't take them on and 'll just sit here with my damn mouth shut, listening to them raise Hell and cause more Hell in our lives, 'cause they just went too far when they decided to fuck with you."
"NO ONE IS ATTEMPTING TO MESS WITH LEX, FAITH," Lionel dared speak. "HE CAN STEP DOWN WHENEVER HE WISHES."
"SHUT THE FUCK UP, LUTHOR," Faith returned, her eyes blazing up at him as though her gaze alone could cut him into two, "OR I'LL YANK YOUR BALLS OUT AND SHOVE 'EM DOWN YOUR THROAT!"
Lionel gasped loudly and looked at Drell. "Are you going to let her speak to me like that!"
Faith looked back at Lex. "Whatever's on your mind, Lex, say it quick 'cause we ain't got much time!"
The winds of storm were brewing around them once again, but Lex knew that if they were to try to attack the Council, they would be defeated before they ever got started. "We can't fight them, Faith, not and win. What I want to get you to promise me is that, if the worse comes to worst and I lose my mind, my memories, will you please take care of Clark and the children for me? I won't be able to take care of them. And whatever you do, for Gods' sakes, don't leave me behind!" His blue eyes pleaded with her even as his hand clasped Clark more firmly. A slight tremble passed from his body through his arm to Clark.
Xena's mind was a complete whirl. She held tightly to Gabrielle, but only part of her mind was in the court room. Scenes kept flashing. They were scenes that she could almost remember but not quite put her finger on. Some one was crying, screaming as though their life depended on it, and then she realized that it was her. She could see Gabrielle's face, but her hair was longer. The day was dark grey, and the wind was blowing. She felt as though she was lost and would have fallen except that she felt Gabrielle's arms around her.
She could no more place where the memories had come from or where that time of darkness was than she could fully face what was now happening in the court room. She had tried desperately to bring herself fully alert in the holding area, but the memories would not let her be. They kept clouding her mind and taking her judgment away. Did Gabrielle have those memories? She wanted to ask her but, for once, felt lost completely. Why were they in this court room, so powerless to fight back against the enemy, who sat in judgment, and why did it seem so familiar? Her blue eyes gazed into Gabby's green with a total look of loss upon her face.
Cole held Piper gently but firmly. Every nerve of his body was tense, and he knew she could probably feel it. He was expecting a fight, a war from whence they could not recover to break out, but he would not be the first one to start it. He knew he had his powers, but how many more had enough power to fight against the enemy? His hand gently rubbed Piper's back as he took her small family in only to realize that their family was no longer small and instead included every Pirate in the room. Every one was kin. Every one was in the same predicament.
There had to be a way out. His eyes went to Captain Xena, hoping that there would be something in her eyes to give them hope to fight, only to realize that she was completely lost. Then his eyes went to Captain Jack. Would he do something? Would he step forward? Would he fight? Would he let the blood of his people be upon his head, or would he not do anything?
The same thoughts were running through Jack's mind. He had already done his best to drive Drell nuts, and he knew Drell hated him. He could not stand the thought that if he made a wrong move, the blood of his people would be upon his head, but he couldn't stand not doing anything. He was about to speak to Drell again when he heard Lex's words to Faith, and he realized that all of them were froze in terror at what they were facing and that, for maybe once, there wasn't a way out, not until the trials were over and they were free to do something about it. He wanted to ask his father for advice, and his eyes went to Wolverine's only to see that, for the first time, Wolverine was completely lost.
Logan had not recovered from the shock of 'Ro stepping forward to stand for Magneto nor the immediate shock that followed to find out that Xavier and Magneto were lovers. He would no more have tried to stop 'Ro for standing for Magneto than he would have stopped Jack from standing for Will. He felt the berserker rage building, and he wanted to let go. He wanted to scratch the eyes from their enemies and make them eat them, but he didn't dare. Who would end up paying for his mistake? 'Ro? Jack? The lump grew bigger in his throat until he thought he would choke on it.
When Gabrielle saw the look in Xena's eyes and on her face, her heart stopped for a moment in fear. Even Xena was lost! She couldn't be! She couldn't be just giving up, letting them have their way with them! No, this could not be possible, not from her love, who had fought many an army practically single-handedly! NO! She heard Faith's answer to Lex only partially, her mind running even faster now.
Though a part of her had expected it, Faith still had trouble believing what Lex was asking of her. "You can't be serious!" she exclaimed at last. "You can't really not expect me to fight! To fight for you! To fight against this! They can't do this! They just can't!"
She turned and looked out at the sea of faces. "What's happened to you people! Where are your guts! Why are you all too damn scared to do anything but stand here and take this crap! What is it? You're all too afraid? You're all too damn scared of what they might do to your family! What about what they'll do to your family any way!"
"Guys, this is Lex, we're talking about here! He's a part of us, a part of our family, and you'll just going to turn away, let him stand for this idiot who thinks he's some sort of innocent Pirate, and let them take his memories away! Clark, what about you?" she demanded, whirling on the young man who had so many powers but that were all beyond his understanding. "You love Lex! You just gonna stand there and let him be taken, or what? You really think they're just gonna take his memory away and let him stay and us find a way to replace it, to get it back to him? Hello!" she exclaimed, stepping up into his face.
"I might be crazy, but somehow I don't think Magneto let Joseph go without a fight! Did you!" she demanded, glaring at Magnus now. "You fought for him, didn't you? But they found a way to separate you and keep you separated! They wiped Joseph's mind, tossed him into who knows what, and you couldn't get him back no matter how hard you tried, but now you won't say anything 'cause you're scared that, if you do, Lex'll run like Hell from standing for him!"
"I . . . . " Magneto bowed his head. He would not admit that the insolent girl was right on the money, but how could he sidle out of this one? How could he escape admitting the truth without lying and possibly making Joseph think he hadn't cared for him enough to follow after him, enough to do everything he could to get him back? Charles? he questioned helplessly.
Celina had started forward for Faith, but Morph put a staying hand on his wife's arm. "No," he whispered urgently just loud enough that she, Katrina, and Tom could hear him. "If we point out that Katrina and you can save Lex from this, who knows what the Council might do?"
"She's right!" Gabrielle called out. "We can't just stand here and take this! I know it seems we don't have a choice, but we do not not have a choice! I know why you're all standing frozen! You're afraid! You're afraid to risk your loved ones getting hurt, possibly even killed, but think for a moment! Lex is now the one endangered of being taken from us, but he's not the only one. Jack, Wolverine, what about Ororo? I know she feels she does not have a choice but to stand for Magneto and help him, but we don't know what sentence will befall who! She could receive the same one Magneto did or the same one that Joseph did, the one Lex is now facing, or Gods only know what!" Her eyes turned pleadingly into Xena's. "There has to be something we can do!"
Clark felt to be perhaps at even more of a loss than the others, but finally, and slowly, he spoke. "Lex, I've always been taught to do the right thing. You know that. But I will not risk losing you by doing the right thing. That is the one thing I refuse to risk by doing good! I will not lose you!"
Xavier? Jack questioned in his mind. I know you're in there! What do we do now! We're at a stand still! What happens if we attack? He waited, desperately hoping Xavier would tell him things he had not already thought of.
Charles, who was now standing with Albus' support, was quick to answer Jack, but when he spoke within Jack's mind, he spoke within the mind of all the Pirates and Piratesses gathered inside the court room. I know this is anything but easy, he told them, but there is not a lot of choice here. The Council can not be fought successfully. If you make a physical attack on either side of the Council, you are attacking the Council as a whole, and the good ones of us will therefore then be obligated to fight against you, regardless of whether or not we want to. If you will continue this, I promise you that you will not be sorry. The vote is mostly decided already, but you must allow the threats to continue or else --
"NO!" No one suspected the shout to come when it did, let alone from the person who screamed. "FAITH," Cordelia screeched, racing forward from Angel's embrace toward a caped man who had slipped down from his dai on the Council and silently made his way through the people toward Faith, "WATCH OUT!"
As Faith turned, however, a glow caught her eyes. Jafar sneered from where he held his cobra-headed cane aloft. The glow came from the snake's eyes, and now Faith looked as dazed as though she'd been hypnotized.
When Cordelia had shouted Faith's name, all eyes had gone immediately to her except for Angel's. He was the only one to see, outside the Council and Cordelia, what had occurred. He could not believe that they were playing so unfairly. After all, they were supposed to be over them to make sure that they didn't go rogue, and here was a rogue on his own! "THAT'S NOT FAIR!" he shouted, looking dead at Jafar. "FOUL, EVIL WIZARD! I CRY FOUL!"
Jack looked at Angel as though he'd taken loss of his senses. "What the Hell just happened! What did he do to Faith!"
Dawson stood up and looked at Faith. He waved his hand in front of her face, and she did not react. "He . . . He petrified her!" Dawson cried, looking at Jack. "He petrified my Faith!" his voice shrilly echoed.
"Drell, that is not fair!" Jareth told him. "It's not right! I demand that you release her at once!"
Lex reached out and touched Faith. He then touched Clark. "He did it to Clark, too!" Lex yelled at Jack.
"Katrina!" Jack called.
Katrina stepped forward and waved her furry hand in front of the two. "I, too, must demand, Drell, that you release them from this state! After all, a condition is that the standee has to have freedom of choice! You have put undue stress upon Lex by taking both his sister and his lover!"
Lionel was about to roar, in laughter this time! Lex was in a no-win situation! He owed Jafar for that! How would the boy ever overcome this problem! All eyes now turned on Drell.
"FIRST OF ALL," Drell's voice thundered over the crowd, "NONE OF YOU ARE IN ANY POSITION TO OBJECT, LET ALONE DEMAND. SECONDLY, JAFAR WAS CALLED UPON BY THE COUNCIL. HE DID NOT ACT OF HIS OWN FREE WILL, AND THEREFORE HAS NOT GONE 'ROGUE', VAMPIRE. THIRDLY, THE KENT BOY MAY BE RELEASED, BUT FAITH WILL REMAIN THE WAY SHE IS FOR NOW. THEY CAN BOTH HEAR AND SEE ALL THAT IS HAPPENING; THEY SIMPLY CAN NOT MOVE. SHE WILL BE RELEASED AFTER WE HAVE HANDLED JOSEPH AND MINERVA AND THE TIME FOR THE TESTS TO BEGIN IS UPON US. FURTHER MORE, SHOULD ANY ONE ELSE WISH TO ATTACK US, WE CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THE SAME WILL BEFALL YOU."
Lex looked from Clark to Faith, his face growing longer every second he looked at them. He loved both of them dearly. He gave them a sad smile. He knew what he had to do. He had to stand for Joseph. He hoped that they would forgive and understand him. He hoped and prayed that he would never forget either of them. "I will still stand for Joseph. Now will you release them?" he asked.
"YOUR WILLINGNESS TO STAND FOR JOSEPH OR NOT TO STAND FOR HIM HAS NO IMPACT WHATOSEVER UPON THE REASON WHY THEY HAVE BEEN PETRIFIED OR WHY AND WHEN THEY WILL BE RELEASED. THEY WERE PETRIFIED ONLY BECAUSE THEY WERE SECONDS FROM ATTACKING US, AND WHETHER THAN KILL THEM, WE HAD THEM FROZEN. IF YOU TRY TO FIGHT US, YOU WILL NOT WIN. WE CAN NOT ALLOW IT. EVEN THOSE OF US WHO WOULD NOT FIGHT YOU WOULD IF YOU WERE TO ATTACK US," Drell explained.
"LOOK AT YOUR LOVER, LUTHOR," he said, shooting Lionel a half-grin, half-smirk that let him know that he was fully aware that Lex was his son and was homosexual. "NOTE HIS HANDS; THEY ARE BALLED INTO FISTS. NOW LOOK AT HIS FEET."
Lex shook his head and looked at Clark, whose feet were not even touching the floor. How brave you are, my love! he thought. He still could not believe that both he and Faith were petrified. He leaned forward and kissed Clark. "It won't be long, love, and I will do everything I can to keep my memories of you in tact." Lex knew that Clark had been about to defend him completely as his hands were also balled into fists. He turned his eyes to Drell and waited for the trial to proceed.
"JAFAR, STOP STARING AT THE PRINCESS -- " Whispers ran amongst the people again at this latest discovery. Some had known that Cordelia was a Princess, but most still had not been aware of the fact. " -- AND RELEASE KENT. HE WILL BE WARNED, LUTHOR, AND IF HE PERSISTS IN FIGHTING, HE WILL BE PETRIFIED. FAITH WILL NOT BE RELEASED AT THIS TIME."
Jafar looked up from where he had been glaring at Cordelia, who was glaring equally furiously back at him. He detested the girl and hated the fact that she now knew his secret. He would have to make certain that she had no contact with Jasmine or the others at the palace. If she showed up on his turf again, he would have her killed. He sneered at her one last time and then turned to face Clark. He spoke in a language that Cordelia did not understand and tapped his cane once upon the floor. Faith remained frozen, but Clark shot through the air from the momentum that had been saved up since he had began to fly.
"NO!" It was Ororo who cried out this time, and the African woman rose her hands and voice into the air. "Winds, protect him!" Winds whipped through the room and wrapped around Clark, pushing him down seconds before he would have hit his head on one of the dais. They brought him safely back down and returned him to Lex's side.
The very instant Clark's feet set upon the floor again, Lex rushed the couple of steps to him and threw his arms around him in a tight hug. "Are you okay!" he cried in concern.
Clark ran a hand lovingly over Lex's face. "I am, but . . . But we have no hope of attacking them? They won't even let us fight them!" His words came out as questions merely from the slim hope that Lex had another answer.
"Unfortunately, darling, that's about the size of it. There is no way to fight them. If they do not want to fight you, they simply petrify you. They will not allow Faith to return to herself until the tests begin."
Angel had stepped up to stand beside Cordelia. "Where do you know him from?" He indicated Jafar.
"That lowly scum," Cordelia fairly spat the word, "is the Royal Advisor to the Sultan of Agraba!" Her eyes had still not left Jafar.
"Where's that at?" Angel asked. "Did you travel with your father there?"
She nodded stiffly. "On several occasions. I suppose Jasmine, the Princess there, was the closest I ever came to having a friend before meeting you and your family. We always thought that there was something . . . fishy about him."
"He looks like an eel," Angel commented. "I wish I had his powers for one minute. I'd petrify that entire jury!"
Cordelia had laughed at Angel's comment but sombered quickly. She was amazed that he could make her laugh even now but did not mention it. Instead, she questioned, turning, at last, to look up at him, "Angel, what are we going to do?"
"Right now, we're going to have to go along with them until we can get most of you out of here to safety. When they least expect it," he looked at Jack and caught the Captain's eye. "When they least expect it . . . " He nodded back at Jack, who winked at him. He thought maybe he might have been misreading the Captain, but when Jack winked at him, he knew he was not. Jack was only biding his time. Whatever came, when Jack gave the word, Angel would be ready to move.
"NOW THEN," Drell commanded, "IF YOU FOOLS HAVE DECIDED TO STOP YOUR SILLY ATTEMPTS TO FIGHT US, WE MAY PROCEED AGAIN. LEX, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO STAND FOR JOSEPH IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO. INDEED, SOME OF US WOULD PREFER YOU NOT TO, BUT THE DECISION IS YOURS AND YOURS ALONE. THEREFORE, I ASK AGAIN: IF JOSEPH LEHNSHERR IS FORCED TO FORGET EVERYTHING AND EVERY ONE HE NOW KNOWS AND REMEMBERS, YOU, TOO, WILL FORGET ALL THAT YOU KNOW AND HAVE KNOWN?"
"Lex . . . " Clark whispered his name and, looking deeply into his lover's eyes, shook his head. He knew that for Lex to stand for Joseph would be the right thing, but this was one sacrifice he could not stand idly by and allow to be made.
"Clark?" Lex fumbled for words. "I feel like I need to do this. It's not an easy thing to do, and it may be the wrong thing, but I still feel led to do it. You're not making it easy for me."
"I don't want to lose you," Clark told him, and almost all the hearts in the room ached for him. "I love you. But if you want to do this, Lex, I will not stand in your way." He lowered his head, not wanting Lex to see the tears and fear in his eyes.
Lex's eyes filled with tears. He shook his head. "Clark, if I back down, you might not think less of me now, but you will later. Joseph needs me. You need me. You're the most important being in the world to me. How can I back down and be less of a man than I should be in your eyes?" He looked at Clark, waiting for an answer.
Clark did not really know how to answer Lex. He was torn between doing the right thing and protecting their union, but finally he admitted, "I could never think less of you, my love, but I would of . . . of me for . . . for keeping you from doing the right thing . . . " His self-hatred burned brightly even as he spoke the truth.
"Then we'll do this together," Lex said, lifting Clark's chin with a finger and looking into his eyes. "If they swipe my memories, you'll be there for me, and you won't ever let me go, and I know that, deep inside of me, is a flame that will burn for you for all eternity. It will never die. We will find each other again." Lex's declaration brought tears to every one who was not already crying. He held tightly to Clark's hand, and once again, he stepped forward. "I accept," he spoke defiantly.
Lex's acceptance shot an arrow into Clark's heart, but he stood still and tall beside his love. His head was lowered again, but he batted his eyes against the tears and rose his head once more. He would be there for his Lex, he swore. He would be there for his beloved partner, no matter what it took or what tried to tear them apart. If the Council threw Lex into some Gods-forsaken hole, Clark would still find him and would not rest until he had him back and his memories returned.
Drell frowned in disappointment but continued on to the next question. "IF THE SENTENCE TURNS TO DEATH, YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT YOU, TOO, WILL DIE?"
"You're only going to live until you die any way," Lex told him, breathing a heavy sigh.
"IS THAT A YES, LUTHOR?"
"Yes!" Lex told him resoundingly.
"YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT ANY CRIME THAT JOSEPH LEHNSHERR COMMITS, YOU, TOO, WILL ALSO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR?"
"Yes."
"JOSEPH LEHNSHERR, DO YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT ANY CRIME THAT LEX LUTHOR COMMITS, YOU, TOO, WILL ALSO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR?"
Joseph hesitated. He had seen and heard all that had been said and done over Lex's determined attempt to stand for him, and he knew that Lex loved Clark as much as he loved Rogue and was risking losing him forever by standing for him. Yet he barely knew the man. How could he allow him to make such an enormous sacrifice for him when they did not even know each other? Then he heard his brother's voice from behind him.
Erik knew exactly what his little brother was thinking for he had seen the look in Joseph's eyes when he gazed upon his lady wife and knew that Joseph had finally found his soul mate and that Rogue meant as much to him as Charles did to he himself. "If you do not accept this," Magneto whispered to Joseph, "we will lose each other again, and whereas that may no longer bother you, little brother, you will also lose Rogue."
Joseph had been going to tell Erik that he remembered how much he loved him and apologize for his earlier actions and words when he had not recognized his brother, but Magnus had continued without giving him a chance to speak. Now, with a look of deep, sincere gratitude at Lex, Joseph called out quickly, "I do!"
"ONE FINAL QUESTION. YOU, LEX LUTHOR, REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT, STARTING FROM THE MOMENT YOU ARE ACCEPTED AS JOSEPH LEHNSHERR'S GUARDIAN, YOU WILL BE IMMORTAL UNTIL HE IS EITHER FREED OR FINISHES WHATEVER SENTENCE, OR SENTENCES, BEFALL HIM?"
"Is that really necessary?" Lionel hissed.
"YES, LIONEL," Drell spoke aloud, causing Lionel to burn with embarrassment and anger, "IT IS NECESSARY. AS ALREADY DISCUSSED AND VOTED UPON, EACH GUARDIAN MUST BE IMMORTAL SO THAT THEIR LIFE SPAN WILL LAST AT LEAST THE LENGTH OF THE ONE THEY ARE STANDING FOR. WHAT IS YOUR FINAL ANSWER, LEX LUTHOR?"
For the first time, Lex actually smiled. He didn't know what Clark's life span was going to be, because he had finally come to accept that Clark was not a normal human, and the pleasure it gave him to see his father acting the fool even more increased his smile. "Yes, I accept Immortality!" he told Drell.
Lionel hit the seat hard. "It's not fair!" he was heard to murmur by those nearest him. "No matter how hard I try to get Drell's favor, something always throws a monkey wrench into it, and now it's that no-good son of mine!"
Ursula looked over at him. "That's just the problem, Lionel. You have got a good son. If he was no good, you and he would get along." She was glad she was not closer to him as sparks could be seen shooting off from Lionel's head.
"ALL THOSE WHO APPROVE OF LEX LUTHOR AS THE GUARDIAN OF JOSEPH LEHNSHERR, SAY 'AYE'. ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAY 'NAY'." The voting passed quickly, and once more, it fell to Severus Snape to break the tie. Snape droned out with the same bored, sneering expression, "Aye," and Drell was forced to state that Lex was approved. "NEXT," he barked out.
"NEXT, AND LAST OF SABERHAGEN'S PEOPLE HERE," Snape called out, "WE CALL MINERVA MCGONAGALL."
Albus quickly left Charles' side to return to Minerva's. He took her arm and escorted her onto the floor. He looked up at the Council and defiantly stood beside her.
Severus looked at the couple, and his heart broke a little more, just as it always did when he saw Albus with Minerva. He began to read the list of crimes. Hers was far shorter than the others'. " . . . TREASON IN THE HIGHEST DEGREE, ESPIONAGE, EMBEZZLEMENT, EXTORTION, FORGERY, ARSON, FRAUD, BREAKING AND ENTERING, GRAND LARCENY, PSYCHOACTIVITY . . . " Of the very man whose arm you now clean to, you withered hag! " . . . SHOPLIFTING, RESISTING ARREST, THEFT . . . "
As soon as Snape had finished reading the charges against Minerva, Drell demanded, "WHO WILL STAND FOR MINERVA MCGONAGALL?" Part of Snape prayed that no one would, but he knew that some one would come forward. He waited with a sneer on his pale face.
This was the last one. The minute Jack heard this, his heart went to his boots. He had failed! Which one had they wanted him to stand up for? Surely not her! Her list had not been long at all, but yet she seemed to be very dear to the heart of Dumbledore. He did not move forward yet even though he knew it had to be her. He waited for Xavier to say something.
Charles remained silent but stared at Jack, wondering why he had not stepped forward yet. Had he changed his mind?
"MINERVA MCGONAGALL'S FATE GOING ONCE . . . " Drell announced.
Now? Jack asked Xavier in his mind. He did not want to get yelled at another time.
Yes, dear boy, yes! Charles exclaimed. If you are still willing . . . ?
"MINERVA MCGONAGALL'S FATE GOING TWICE . . . " Drell called, raising his gavel and fighting the urge to smile in hope that no one was going to come forward at the last minute as they had for Hook.
Snape looked down upon the Pirates and began to hope when he saw no one coming forward. His heart was in his throat as Drell began to lower his gavel. If no one stood for Minerva, Albus would be heart-broken, but he knew he could pick up the pieces! "MINERVA MCGONAGALL'S FATE GOING . . . "
"HOLD EVERYTHING!" Jack hollered as he raced forward. "I'LL STAND FOR HER!" He didn't know why they had wanted him to stand for Minerva, but he could now see that no one else wanted to stand for her and that was what the Wizards had feared the most. How hard could it be to stand for one woman? With any luck, he'd soon find out!
When Jack had started to move, Will had called out, but his call had been drowned out by Jack's yell. Now horror blanched his face, and his hand grasped the air behind Jack. "NO!"
"THAT DECISION IS NOT YOURS TO MAKE, TURNER," Drell was quick to tell the blacksmith. "JACK SPARROW," he called, turning his attention onto the irritating Pirate Captain, "YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT YOU WILL GO THROUGH MANY TESTS WITH MINERVA MCGONAGALL IN ORDER TO PROVE HER INNOCENCE?"
"Yes," Jack was quick to answer. His eyes never left Drell even though he could hear Will fuming in the background.
Will hit his fist upon the wall in frustration. "Damn it, that was supposed to be me!"
Seeing the anguish on Will's face and hearing the dismay in his voice, Elizabeth stood from where she had been kneeling and keeping Donkey in line and hurried to his side, but when she touched his shoulder, Will turned away from her. He wanted no part of her right now. All he wanted was to find a way out of this nightmare and to take Jack with him.
"JACK SPARROW, YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT THE SAME FINAL SENTENCE THAT IS CAST UPON MINERVA MCGONAGALL WILL ALSO BE CAST UPON YOU?"
"Yes," Jack said after deliberating a moment. He wondered what kind of punishment had been put upon Minerva. Old age, maybe? He didn't want to think about being old. Why, he knew when he grew old, he'd lose his sparkle, and he knew he'd have to put a lot more kohl on, but he figured he could still be the baddest Pirate ever! Will'd help him!
"JACK SPARROW, YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT IF MINERVA MCGONAGALL IS SENTENCED TO REMAIN OLD AND INEPT IN THE BED CHAMBERS, YOU, TOO, WILL BECOME OLD AND INEPT?"
Will had not expected that. He stared at Jack and felt his knees buckle, but something caught him from underneath. Will stared past Donkey's long ears at Jack.
Inept in the bedroom? Jack thought. Well, I never was very good any way except with Will? Does that mean -- ? Oh, Hell, I guess it does! he told himself. "I understand, and I accept," he ground the last out between clenched teeth. He did not dare look at Will, who had somehow ended up sitting on Donkey.
"That's not good!" Eddie told Will. "We'll have to fix that last part!"
"I know that's not good!" Will exclaimed. "But how! How can we fix any of this!"
"I don't know," Elizabeth told him from behind, placing a hand on his shoulder, "but somehow, we'll find a way. I swear it, Will. I will not let this destroy your relationship with Jack!" She wondered if Gabrielle might have some kind of herb that could cure Jack's new inaptitude.
Jack cringed inwardly. Was he inept all ready? He didn't feel any different! He glanced at both of his hands, but they didn't look any older. He did not dare touch his face lest any eye that was not already on him would stare at him. His mind fidgeted so much that he almost missed the next question.
"IF THE SENTENCE TURNS TO DEATH, YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT YOU, TOO, WILL DIE?"
Jack almost burst out laughing on that one. In fact, he had to cover his mouth with his hand, trying to keep the laughter inside. Oh, if only they knew! he thought. It's impossible! However, aloud, he only said, "Yes." That was what he had to talk to Will about. Will was not going to like that Jack had kept secrets, but Jack had not realized that he was keeping secrets because it had only come to him recently. He was not sure if it was truly real or if he had only imagined it, but in the world that he lived in, Jack had come to believe more and more in things that, in the past, he had denied. This was just one more of them.
Will's eyes nearly popped out of his head as they flew wide at the sight of Jack covering his mouth with his hand. "Is he laughing!" he demanded heatedly, still not realizing that he was sitting on Donkey, who was doing all he could to keep standing underneath Will's weight.
Elizabeth's eyes also went wide. "Has he lost it?" she queried. "Is he . . . Has he gone insane!"
"YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT ANY CRIME THAT MINERVA MCGONAGALL COMMITS, YOU, TOO, WILL ALSO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR?"
"Yes." Jack grinned at Drell. Oh, how delicious was his secret!
"MINERVA MCGONAGALL, DO YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT ANY CRIME THAT JACK SPARROW COMMITS, YOU, TOO, WILL ALSO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR?"
Minerva was ready for her question and immediately answered Drell, "I do." Albus never ceased to amaze her, but when he had sworn to her that he would not let her down, she had believed in him, and now she realized his plan. She glanced at the long-haired man who was standing for her. The only thing about it that still surprised her was that he was using Pirates to achieve his goal.
"ONE FINAL QUESTION. YOU, JACK SPARROW, REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT, STARTING FROM THE MOMENT THAT YOU ARE ACCEPTED AS MINERVA MCGONAGALL'S GUARDIAN, YOU WILL BE IMMORTAL UNTIL SHE IS EITHER FREED OR FINISHES WHATEVER SENTENCE, OR SENTENCES, BEFALL HER?"
Jack sobered. "Yes." He grinned up at Drell. "I do!" Then he looked at Will and winked.
As the voting quickly passed over the last one of Salem Saberhagen's people who would stand on trial that day, Will fumed. "How can he --! How can he just act as though he has not -- he has not just given up so much, as though it's some kind of game! I'll -- I'll -- " He rose from Donkey and started to rush at Jack, but Elizabeth threw herself on top of him and tackled him down onto the floor.
"Will, try to calm down!" she exclaimed, barely missing his flying fists. "I won't let you do anything you'll regret later! I'm sure Jack has a perfectly good explanation for all this apparent insanity! He usually does! He -- " Her exclamation turned into a screech as she found herself falling . . .
To Be Continued . . .