Meggie looked at the door. She possibly could have made it, but with a twisted ankle her chances were next to slim.

That did not stop her from trying, however. She had taken one step before her foot failed her, and Dustfinger stepped in front of the door, jaw clenched.

"You can't run from me, Meggie. We are going to sort this out."

"You kissed her." Meggie felt the tears in her eyes and she furiously wiped them away.

"I know and I'm sorry. I was under a spell and I know that makes no excuse but I am not perfect and I made a mistake. I am willing to do anything to make this right. Please Meggie. I'm pleading her for you, and I do not beg. You and only you can stir this reaction out of me." Meggie already felt his words wash over her, melting the red hot anger.

Damn words, curse them and damn them to hell!

Dustfinger knelt before her on the bed, and pulled something out of his coat. Meggie's eyes widened and she looked up, question and shock in her eyes. Dustfinger took a deep breath.

"I was going to wait until this was all over and finished-because I swear Meggie this will end and we will continue living our lives until we grow old. This is a promise ring because I know you're still too young. I promise my love to you now and forever, and I promise we will get married." He waited, his body spasming from nerves, expression hopeful as he looked up at her.

"Dustfinger you can't make this pain go away with just words...or a ring...it will take time."

Dustfinger's face fell, and Meggie held up a hand, obviously not done.

"It's going to take some time." Tears were leaking out of her eyes, but they were created from pure happiness at his words.

"But I do accept, yes." A smile so bright that it almost blinded Meggie shone from Dustfinger, a smile she had never seen it, and it stole her breath away.

He slid the ring on his finger and then pulled her up and into a hug. Meggie felt the familiar security wash over her, but it was tainted. She buried her head into his chest.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Mo was furiously taping a pen to his pad. He had jumbled words that would not fit together. He had the puzzle but it was like the missing piece had disappeared.

Mo threw the pen down with a sigh, rubbing his hands wearily.

"That stupid bitch...you can kill her again you know." Orpheus called.

Mo looked at the men and they nodded, disappearing.

"This would have worked if she hadn't opened her mouth the snob!"

Mo rolled his eyes, and then squeezed them shut as he heard the noises and the whimpers that came with the man getting hurt. He deserved it and so much more, for what he had done but Mo was not a cold man and he would never be. Dustfinger walked down the stairs, carrying a stubborn Meggie who was arguing.

Dustfinger sat Meggie down carefully before seating himself down. They all stared at the blank paper and scattered pens, and Meggie looked up at her father, who seemed to be shaking with the tremendous stress. She laid a gentle hand on his tense shoulder, and he jumped.

Meggie frowned.

"Dad go to sleep." She pleaded.

"No-it will come tonight and I will not be weary then." Meggie closed her eyes. She had almost forgotten-each night weariness took over her and she slept peacefully.

"Sorry darling." Dustfinger leant over Meggie, rubbing soothing circles on her back and calming her down.

"Go check on Brandon." Meggie scooped the papers up and leant back, the pens now in her hands.

"What are you doing?" Both man asked.

"I'm the girl; I'm smarter so I'll do it. Mo stop. You need to be with Brandon. I can do this." Meggie said. Mo opened his mouth but the determined look reminded him so much of himself and Resa that he found he could not speak. Numbly he nodded, and disappeared. Dustfinger watched as Meggie used her knees to lean on, and watched in interest as she began to write away, slightly fascinated. Meggie sensed she was being watched and looked up.

"What?"

"You're beautiful." Meggie gave a pretty blush.

"Stop distracting me."

Dustfinger grinned cockily.

"Go." She ordered.

"Excuse me?"

"Go, go speak to Farid, make mends with him. I have Dustfinger, and you need to, as well. He is going to be the father of your granddaughter."

"Fine." Dustfinger grumbled, and Meggie smiled absent mindedly before continuing to write.

Dustfinger watched her a moment longer, taking her in and that she was his, even though they still had things to work on, she was promised to him, as he was promised to her. He disappeared down the lonely trial and stopped at the house, remembering.

Farid had been like a son to him, almost another half, someone he had once shared a bond that ran thicker than blood that tied their hearts and bound their souls together.

A bond like that broken was painful and better left shattered then to try and fix and be reminded of everything. Dustfinger knocked on the door, and a tearful Brianna answered it.

"Father."

"Do you have any idea of what you've just done?" He hissed at her, forgetting the real reason he had come.

Brianna closed her eyes.

"I thought we could be a family again-he was offering...I was stupid okay? I just missed her, and I..." Dustfinger's heart broke as he heard his daughter's pain and saw the tears. He wiped them away gently and cupped her face with both hands, bringing it down as he leaned up to kiss it.

He then moved inside, eyes searching frantically for Farid.

"Where is Farid?"

Brianna sat on the couch, holding her stomach protectively while Farid stepped out, carrying water. The glass dropped and shattered when he saw his hero standing there. He looked at Brianna and then back again as Dustfinger stepped forward.

"We need to work together to take this son of a bitch down, and we have a past, one that hurts to remember but hurts even more to just forget." He held out a hand, nervous, and out of the corner of his eye saw Brianna smile. Farid took it and then surprised the older man by pulling him into a hug. Dustfinger clapped him on the back, still not entirely comfortable with the man but once again time proved to be the key word.

"Come on, come stay with us and we are going to finish this."

"And mum?" Brianna asked both fearfully. Dustfinger swallowed as he looked at the expectant gazes so dependently focused on him.

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

It was the best he could do.