Chapter 10

Wednesday May 9th, 2007
London, England
London Heathrow Airport 12:05 p.m. (local time)

Three days after she woke up, Elizabeth was moved to psych for the mandatory 72 hours, and she was released from there at 3:30 Tuesday afternoon. Juli, Jasmine and Rebecca had been sent home when she went to the psych ward, and the twins were placed in Sabrina's care so that by five that afternoon, she along with Nick, Elaine and Sara were on a plane headed East.

"Okay I'll get the car but someone has ta get me luggage and get me some coffee," Elaine spoke up once they had all disembarked.

"I'll get the Starbucks," Sara chuckled. "You two want anything?"

"I'm fine," Nick said as Elizabeth shook her head.

"Okay," Sara nodded, "I'll meet you guys at baggage?"

"You got it," Nick said as he led Elizabeth off towards baggage claim.

"You okay?" Nick asked as he and Elizabeth made their way towards baggage claim, having noticed that ever since they'd started their descent into Heathrow, Elizabeth had seemed to grow quieter and quieter the closer they had come.

"I'm fine," Elizabeth said quietly. "I'm glad you're here with me."

"So am I," Nick said as he rested his hands on Elizabeth's shoulders, giving them a supportive squeeze as they waited for the bags to start coming through on the carousel.

"We have a car!" Elaine announced as she walked towards them from the left.

"And I grabbed you two a water since you didn't want coffee," Sara continued, from the right. "There was no line surprisingly."

"And this is the last of the luggage," Nick said as he pulled the last suitcase off the carousel before taking the water bottle from Elizabeth, who had taken them from Sara.

"In tha case, let's get out o' this place," Elaine said as she grabbed her shoulder bag.

"Sounds like a plan," Nick said as he and Elizabeth grabbed their bags and started after Elaine, Sara falling into step with them.

"I'll drive," Sara offered as they approached the car. Once everyone was in, they chit chatted a bit on the trip, Elizabeth though grew quieter the closer they got to Glastonbury. The others didn't push her though; all lost in their own thoughts a bit as well.

"By the way," Elaine spoke up. "When we're on the boat, ya need ta listen ta yer soul, na wha yer ears might hear."

"Pardon?" asked Nick confused.

"Close off the outside world. Listen with your heart, to what's inside you...here," Elizabeth said laying her hand over Nick's heart. "If you don't, you'll never make it to the island of Avalon. If you need something to focus on, focus on me. I need you Nick. I can't do this without you."

"I'm not leaving you alone, Beth," Nick reassured with a squeeze to Elizabeth's hand that was still over his heart.

"We could always stuff something in his ears ta keep him from hearing the bells ta," Elaine teased, trying to lighten the mood a bit.

"I don't think that'll be necessary Elaine," Nick said. "Besides after being buried in a box I prefer to be aware of my surroundings. I'll just focus on keeping Beth calm and I'll be fine."

"Okay then," Sara nodded as she parked the car. "You okay, Bets?" she asked as she turned around in her seat to look at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth hesitated a moment before nodding her head, her face pale.

"It's going ta be okay, Little One," Elaine whispered, reaching back to cover the hand that Nick held before twisting back forward and opening her door.

"Come on," Nick encouraged as he helped Elizabeth out of the car. "I'm not going anywhere," he reassured when he saw the look of apprehension in Elizabeth's eyes.

"Ready?" Sara asked softly after she had gathered her's and Elaine's bags, holding Nick's and Elizabeth's in her hands to give them. "Elaine went to summon the barge..." she continued softly.

Nick nodded; taking the bags from her while Elizabeth remained silent. Sara just smiled once before turning and making her way to the shoreline of the Bristol Channel where Elaine was waiting. Nick slipped his arm around Elizabeth's shoulders before they trailed after her, arriving just as a boat appeared through the mists, fog to some. Everyone quickly climbed on board before the boatmen pushed off from shore and started to cross the water, once the shore was out of sight; Elaine rose and closed her eyes for a moment. Opening them she raised her arms in the air, forming a 'V'. After another few moments of silence she swiftly brought her arms down and the mists disappeared, revealing the island they were approaching.

Sara glanced back at Nick and Elizabeth once the mists fell, he was watching Elizabeth intently...she had truly been the one to bring him to Avalon. Looking back ahead she took in the sight of Avalon, sighing softly. In a way they were home, more so than when in Boston or Vegas. The boat shortly pulled up to shore and the men got out, helping first Elaine then Sara to the ground. Nick stepped out and helped Elizabeth ashore before the boat left the shore once more.

A few feet from where they disembarked stood a young woman dressed in a simple gown. Stepping forward she gave a small curtsey nodding her head as a sign of honor, "Milady Elaine, Milady Cassara, Milady Elizabeth," she spoke to each of them before rising. "Mr. Stokes," she added glancing at him. "The Lady has been expecting you; we have rooms ready for you if you'll follow me."

"Thank ye, Maria," Elaine nodded before falling into step behind the younger woman, Sara, Elizabeth and Nick following after. After passing the stables and the House of Maidens, she stopped outside a moderate size stone house and brushed aside the curtain that covered the open doorway. "The Lady has requested that once you have refreshed yourselves, for Milady Elaine and Milady Cassara to come to her fire. She said that Milady Elizabeth is welcome to show Mr. Stokes around the Isle if they wish."

"Thank you," Sara answered before Maria inclined her head, then turned and walked towards the home of Caillean, Lady of Avalon.

Thursday May 10th, 2007
Within the Bristol Channel in England
The Isle of Avalon
3:29 p.m. (local time)

After Maria left, Sara and Elaine both quickly washed, changing into simple gowns, Sara's a pale blue and Elaine's a darker shade of blue. After giving Elizabeth a quick hug, they left the house that would be their's until they left Avalon again. When they returned at nightfall, Elizabeth had retreated to her rooms and didn't come out for the rest of the night. Nick appeared briefly to get some food and returned to her side, choosing to not stay in his own rooms. Elaine and Sara chose to not push her; she was expected before the Lady tomorrow as it was...

But, come Thursday morning Elizabeth was about as far from Caillean's home as possible and was with Nick up on the Tor, overlooking the lake as the afternoon sun crossed the sky. Neither noticed the figure approaching from behind them, until it had stopped to watch them for a few moments, then cleared it's throat. Elizabeth and Nick turned around to see who it was that had cleared their throat, Elizabeth paling slightly before rising to her feet, dropping to a brief curtsey as Nick rose to his feet beside her. "Milady," Elizabeth greeted quietly.

"Elizabeth," Caillean greeted with a soft smile. "Mr. Stokes, it's nice to meet you. We've been expecting you for some time, though the circumstances were certainly not what we wished..." she continued looking at him.

"I'm sorry, I don't understand," Nick said in confusion as he laid his hands on Elizabeth's shoulders.

"I'm not sure how much you know of our faith Mr. Stokes, but we believe that a soul never dies. Instead when the mortal body dies the soul goes to wait until it is time to live again. You have an old soul Mr. Stokes; this is not your first life. In the past you were a follower of our faith. Though I suspect it might be difficult for you to believe growing up in the faith you undoubtedly did..."

"My family is Catholic," Nick said.

"Then you most certainly did not grow up with the belief of reincarnation as they call it in today's society," Caillean smiled.

"No I didn't. I'm finding this all rather unnerving actually," Nick admitted. "I'm here because Beth needs me."

Caillean nodded, glancing over at Elizabeth. Any more she would leave for Elizabeth to tell the man she had been waiting many lifetimes to be reunited with. "That is very admirable of you Mr. Stokes, but I'm afraid I need to speak with Elizabeth in private..."

"I won't be separated from him Milady," Elizabeth said suddenly.

"You wish this conversation to be done with him present?" she asked softly, "Are you sure?"

"My attacker is on thisisland Milady. I am not comfortable being within such close proximity to the man who brutalized me...especially alone," Elizabeth said her voice breaking.

"Understandable Elizabeth," she conceded. "Fair enough then, he may stay if he desires to."

"I'm not leaving Elizabeth alone unless she tells me to," Nick said.

"I want him to stay Milady," Elizabeth said.

"As you wish," Caillean agreed. "Shall we sit?" she asked as she indicated the ground, "or would you prefer to stand?"

Elizabeth looked at Nick briefly before slowly sitting down, making sure her skirts were not tucked up underneath her, she was wearing the same green dress she had worn when she had first returned to the States after her six months in England, Nick sitting down just behind and to the side of her, so that his legs were behind Elizabeth but he was still close enough if she needed him.

Caillean gracefully sunk to the ground as well before picking up a broken piece of grass and running it between her fingers. Looking up at them she nodded once, "I've heard many stories these last few days Elizabeth, I would like to hear yours, however you wish to give it," she asked gently.

"What exactly would you like to know?" asked Elizabeth, her voice tight.

"What happened the night of the King Stag Ceremony," Caillean answered, "And what led you to make the choice you did, that the Goddess was willing to keep from being fulfilled..."

"What happened the night of the King Stag Ceremony was that I did what was asked of me regardless of my feelings or wishes and I paid the price for it Milady," Elizabeth said quietly. "I thought I had lost the one thing I ever wanted so I saw no point in continuing in this life."

"Why would you not make your feelings known before the ceremony? If you had a desire to not participate for just cause then the ceremony could have been delayed until a decision was made. It has been done before, though not for many years..."

"I had no desire to be a part of the ceremony Milady. It's hard enough for me to allow even Nick to touch me in anyway, that's something I've had to fight my instincts to allow thanks to my past, a past Nick is slowly learning about, a past that makes me want to run as fast as possible in the opposite direction from any sort of physical contact with anyone. I wasn't given a choice Milady," Elizabeth said as tears started falling down her cheeks.

Nick gently rubbed Elizabeth's back to offer her comfort, feeling her tense under his hand at first but slowly relax under his continued contact.

"Elizabeth, listen to me for a moment," Caillean spoke once she had calmed some. "Know this daughter of Ruane. What has happened is not a mark against you; you have served her faithfully. You should not have been forced to endure what you did, that is our failure. Tomorrow and the days to follow will be very difficult, but you have loved ones who will be there, and we will always be here to welcome you home," she continued before rising. "Do not feel guilty for the decisions you have made and the path you have started upon. You have the blessing of Avalon, and if we never see you again upon these shores before this life is through, you will always have our blessing and love," she smiled softly before turning and making her way down the hill.

As Caillean made her way from the top of the Tor, Nick pulled Elizabeth into his arms as she broke down.

Friday May 11th, 2007
Within the Bristol Channel in England
The Isle of Avalon
5:15 p.m. (local time)

After speaking with the Lady, Elizabeth stayed with Nick for the rest of the time they were on the Island, either inside in her rooms or off where they could be alone when they were outside. Elaine and Sara didn't press her; all were waiting for word on the decision of the Lady and the Merlin's opinion on the matter.

Just before sunset, Maria appeared to tell them that the Lady was waiting for them by the shore; that the boat was waiting so that they might return to England's shores before nightfall. They quickly gathered their things, before following her to the shore where Caillean was waiting.

She spoke with Elaine briefly, before stepping up to Elizabeth and Nick. "His punishment has been decided Elizabeth, do not worry. He will not bother you again or any other."

"How can you guarantee that?" asked Elizabeth quietly.

"He has lost his greatest desire in this world, and will spend the rest of his days within the house of Druids working as a servant," Caillean answered softly. "He will not be allowed to leave the house of Druids in this life. The Merlin has sworn it."

Elizabeth nodded in understanding.

"May She watch over you Elizabeth of Ruane, wherever this road may lead you."

"Come on Beth," Nick said as he helped Elizabeth onto the boat.

Caillean stopped behind him, watching Elizabeth step into the boat before speaking softly so only Nick could hear. "Watch over her Nicholas, The fate of this druid can be yours if you harm the last daughter of Ruane," she warned lightly. "Love her and you will be rewarded beyond your dreams, for true love is as rare as an Eagle's tear becoming a diamond."

Before he had a chance to even really respond, even look back at the woman, Caillean had moved away to where Sara stood some feet away. They spoke quietly for a few moments before Sara made her way to the boat and stepped aboard, Nick finally climbing in after her.

Soon the boat was touching the shore they had left only a few days before and they quickly disembarked before Elaine and Sara watched the boat disappear into the mists that had risen once more. Turning they walked to the car where Elizabeth and Nick were waiting.

"After today I promise I'll never speak of this again if you don't want," Sara began with a soft sigh. "But both Elaine and I wanted to apologize to you. I never though to question if you had agreed Bets...I should have."

"And I should 'ave stood up ta Lady Alexandra when she took away yer choice," Elaine continued.

"I wasn't strong enough to say no," Elizabeth said quietly.

"This is na yer fault little one, had ye been given the choice, ye would have voiced yer concerns," Elaine argued.

"Though you may not believe it, you would have Bets..." Sara agreed softly. "But why don't we leave it here, on the shores of the Lake? What do you say...let's go home?"

"Yes please," replied Elizabeth quietly, leaning against Nick for support.

"I'll drive, you call and get our reservations made," Sara smirked as she tossed Elaine her cell phone and unlocked the car. "As Jazzy would say, Home again, home again, jiggity jig."

Monday May 21st, 2007
Las Vegas, Nevada
Timber Rose Drive
O'Brian and Phillips Residence 5:21 p.m.

"Mail's here!" Sabrina Turner called as she set it on the counter, before continuing through the house towards Elaine's sitting room as it was called to the CSIs, in reality it was the room that housed all of the things needed for the ceremonies and various other ways of celebrating the Goddess, as well as copies of the ancient tomes and other books for training purposes.

"Thanks," Sara called as she made her way downstairs, it had been just a few weeks since they returned from Avalon, but things were already stressed in a way. Elizabeth had pulled away from Avalon, and in turn was pulling away from the family...Sara was fielding calls from Rebecca, Jasmine, and Juli daily as to what was going on and trying to talk them out of flying out and going to Betsy's house and making her explain things in person. For now Sara and Elaine, and in turn the other three women were getting their information about Betsy from Nick, whom she spent her time with. She had returned to work, and their relationship was growing stronger, but he also was worried that a part of her was still missing. but there was little any of them could do but love Betsy as she was. Sara entered the room and made her way towards the counter, quickly sorting out the junk mail, bills, and personal mail belonging to Elaine and herself. One though caught her attention, a large white shipping envelope...

Lake Avalon Glastonbury, England
Cassara O'Sianhan Sidle
Dierdra O'Brian
Catriona O'Brian

Tearing open the package she found three rolled up parchments inside and after grabbing a butter knife, broke the seal of Avalon from the first.

Cassara Galadriel of the O'Sianhan and Sidle Clans

You have been chosen by the Goddess to be tested for the right of High Priestess. You are requested to be present on Avalon's shores as the sun sets on the summer solstice. The Lady of the Lake, Grand Priestess Caillean will be waiting.

Tailesan, Merlin of Avalon

Rolling her own parchment back up she carefully opened the next, having a feeling what it was. She herself had one stored away, though she had never made the trip to Avalon as a child, she knew though that Betsy had...

Dierdra Eowyn of the O'Sianhan and Sidle Clans, daughter of the Druid O'Brian

A child of Avalon you are now and always shall be, during the Summer Solstice the Goddess wishes to bestow her blessing upon you.

Tailesan, Merlin of Avalon

The second one was the same, but with Catriona Arwen instead of Dierdra Eowyn...they came sooner than she had expected, but it was probably for the best that the girls be blessed as soon as possible and it would give her less time to doubt herself before the test...now she had other things to worry about.

Speaking with Gil about coming was first and foremost.

"Ya've received the summons then," Elaine spoke gathering her attention a moment later.

"Summer Solstice..." Sara answered. "If I pass...what will happen?"

"Ya mean the fact they will wish ta give ye a clan ta watch over and lead, and they could send ya anywhere in the world?" Elaine smiled. "Do na fret little one, things will work out."

"True," Sara agreed softly. "Whatever may come, She has greater plans than any of us know or can see."

"Tis true," Elaine agreed. "Gilbert will be arriving soon fer dinner no doubt..."

Glancing at the clock Sara nodded, "Probably, I need to get dinner started..."

"Go ahead, I'll watch over the wee ones, Sabrina will help."

"Thanks," Sara smiled before watching Elaine make her way upstairs. Turning she made her way into the kitchen to figure out something for dinner, automatically including Sabrina into the planning. She would talk to him over dinner; Elaine and Sabrina would probably eat upstairs while Sabrina studied. She could only hope he took it well...the request. He had been doing a bit better at accepting things since she returned, she had told him more about the religion and confided the truth about her guilt, he wasn't happy at what had been done but realized perhaps they could punish him more in their society than the Justice system could. And what justice would be done by turning Sara, Elaine, Nick and even Elizabeth in for lying and hindering prosecution when they would never get their hands on Jeremiah.

Shaking the thoughts from her head she focused on dinner, she would worry about his reaction after she got dinner made...

Thursday June 21st, 2007
Within the Bristol Channel in England
The Isle of Avalon
10:15 p.m. (local time)

Surprisingly he took it rather well, the news of her upcoming trip, and the invitation to come along. So the summer solstice found Sara, Dierdra, Catriona and Gil in Avalon. The flight had been rather decent all things considered, and she had to smile at how well he handled the crossing to the Island and the lowering of the mists. She had distantly heard the bells but focused instead on the island, and when his intake of breath upon seeing the island told her he had been able to as well.

Maria was waiting for them once more, before escorting them to a house towards the edge of the buildings. The Merlin appeared not long after Sara had changed into the simpler clothing of a Priestess, and changed the girls into the simple white linen gowns, even Gil had changed into a simpler outfit than the modern world wore. The third to bear the name Tailesan since he who first bore it during the time of Arthur, he was a tall man, regal looking with a short grey beard and gray curls, and a thick Scottish brogue. Sara had always thought he could pass for Sean Connery any day...

He led them to the gathering of Priestesses and Druids where Caillean waited to bestow the blessing of the Goddess upon Dierdra and Catriona, the heirs of the Sidle, O'Sianhan and now O'Brian clans. After, the other Priestesses gathered round to see the two, and congratulate Sara on the blessing of two daughters. She smiled and thanked them, while keeping an eye on Gil as he was led away by the Lady...she wasn't sure what they spoke about, her attention turning from her daughters to the upcoming test. The girls were placed in Maria's care as she prepared for the test, changing into the ceremonial gown of a Priestess in training.

She saw Gil as she was led to the shore as the sun moved towards the horizon, but didn't allow herself to focus on him as she was helped aboard the barge. Slowly they made their way across the lake to the shore, where as the sun set she paid homage to the Goddess, asking her blessing. The test was the same for all, to see if the Goddess would still allow them to bridge the veil between the worlds...and soon she found herself back upon the barge as it moved across the mist covered lake in the moonlight. Rising she raised her arms, closing her eyes and after a moment swiftly brought them down, feeling the mists fall away before opening her eyes to see them gone.

So it was done...

The Priestesses and the Lady were waiting at the shore as she stepped from the boat, before reaching up to remove the clasp that held the gown. As it fell away leaving her naked, she glanced towards Gil as he stood with the druids...a flash formed in her mind, in his place was one she had once known in her last life. As the image faded she returned her attention to Caillean as the robes of a High Priestess were placed around her shoulders, the symbol of the Goddess drawn upon her brow with blue paint to represent the second crescent that she knew now graced her ankle, a few inches above the first, forming two parts of a circle, or perhaps a sideways cat's eye...

"Welcome sister," Caillean smiled before Sara inclined her head in respect. Taking her arm, Caillean led her from the gathering as the celebration began. "She blessed you with a vision of your past," she continued once they were alone.

"Not really mine, but his..." she answered softly. "I always said he could be the greatest Druid...who knew he already was," she chuckled. "Will he remember someday?" she continued after a moment.

"I do not know the plans of the Mother," Caillean sighed as she stopped and turned to face Sara. "But I do not believe She would deny his past from him now that he has been introduced to our ways. He is curious of our world, eager to learn, but I suspect that is more his nature than a desire to learn specifically about our ways as a way of understanding and perhaps accepting Avalon as his own..."

"He thirsts for knowledge as a man in the desert thirsts for water," she agreed. "What She decides I will accept..."

"That's as it always was and shall be," Caillean agreed with a smile. "Now then, you are a High Priestess of Avalon, and a clan to be led is yours..."

"Where will I be sent?" she asked softly, mentally making plans on how to go about transferring the house entirely to Elaine's name and explain the move to her friends in Vegas.

"To your home," Caillean smiled gently. "Elaine is to be tested, if the Goddess accepts her, she will take Lady Alexandra's place as Chief Priestess, you are to become High Priestess for the clan she has gathered."

"Does she know?" Sara asked after a moment, once the news had sunk in.

"Aye, she learned this very night. Her test is to take place sunset of Samhain, until then she will work with you, but defer to you as the High Priestess of the clan. Any of your clan may come to see her tested if they wish," Caillean added, "And Elizabeth is welcome to come, even though she seeks another path."

"Thank you," Sara whispered.

"I am merely a messenger for the Mother," Caillean countered. "Go now, enjoy the festivities and celebration. You are High Priestess, you have passed a great test...and soon you shall continue your path. One day it will be you speaking to those who have passed the test of the Goddess."

"As She wills it," Sara answered before inclining her head once more then turning to make her way back down the hillside to the gathering.

Saturday June 23rd, 2007
Las Vegas, Nevada
Timber Rose Drive
O'Brian and Phillips Residence
9:15 a.m.

The last thing Sara expected the morning after she returned from Avalon was to find Lindsey on her doorstep waking the house. She sent Elaine back to bed, and led Lindsey into the kitchen, immediately turning the coffee maker on. Something told her she would be needing it...desperately. She found out fairly quickly that her need for coffee was an understatement, as she soon was lacing it with Bailey's as she heard Lindsey's story.

"So...what brings you by?" Sara asked as she poured a glass of orange juice for Lindsey, ignoring the fact that the girl looked a) exhausted b) her skin was entirely too red and it wasn't a sunburn and c) she looked really rather unkempt...

"Beth told me to talk to you..." Lindsey answered softly.

"She did?" Sara repeated, surprised more than anything. "What's going on?" she continued as she sat down across from the younger woman.

"I uh... I knew that the two of you were Priestesses..." Lindsey began after a moment as she fiddled with her glass. "I saw the mark on your ankle one day. When I was reading the Mists of Avalon it clicked you know? I uh...I want to learn, I want to understand the ways of the Goddess and have her strength..."

Sara frowned for a moment, something wasn't right about all this. "I won't turn you away Linds, but I need to understand, what has brought this on? You specifically mentioned Her strength, but by serving the Mother you don't just gain Her strength as you put it. It is a difficult life, your life is not your own in many ways, and you follow Her will. It is not an easy path, and a Priestess must give up many things that others accept as simply a fact of life. We must hide our faith, the world doesn't understand us, perhaps one day they will but it may be many years, even generations before we can return from the Mists. Simple curiosity after reading a book isn't the best reason to want to train as a Priestess..."

"I know," Lindsey smiled slightly. "I'm not doing this simply because of an infatuation with the faith I read about in the book, I'm assuming there is more to it than what was told in the book. But I still wish to learn. I...I don't belong in this world; I can't live with the rules of society. I want peace and I know that she can give it to me."

"Lindsey, what happened? What haunts you?" Sara asked gently.

"I was raped," she whispered, and Sara took a deep breath, releasing it slowly.

"Oh Lindsey..." she whispered as she reached across the table to take one of her hands. "Have you reported it?" she continued softly.

"No," Lindsey shook her head. "It was my fault I shouldn't have been there and..."

"Lindsey, it wasn't your fault, no matter the circumstances it wasn't your fault," Sara argued.

"I'm not so sure I can believe you," Lindsey countered before taking a deep breath and beginning her story.

An hour later Sara had raided the alcohol for herself, provided Lindsey with plenty of tissues and a shoulder. Once Lindsey had calmed down, they sat for a while and Sara explained a few things about Avalon, so Lindsey could understand. But she stressed the fact that Lindsey needed to tell her mother and she should report what happened. And she would be beside her every step of the way. Around lunchtime, after having briefly explained the situation to Elaine, Sara drove Lindsey home so she could talk to Catherine, and Sara would be there with her.

As Elaine watched them go she sent a silent plea to the Mother that She would watch over young Lindsey and Catherine as well.

Sunday September 30th, 2007
Las Vegas, Nevada
Timber Rose Drive
O'Brian and Phillips Residence
12:45 p.m.

The months following Sara's test and subsequent rise to High Priestess passed rather quickly, at least in the house on Timber Rose Drive. Elaine stepped down as High Priestess of the clan, deferring to Sara, and also preparing for her own test come October. At the same time she assisted Sara when she requested the help, though for the most part, and much to Elaine's pride, she needed very little help in leading the small clan that was ever growing.

They also gained a new Druid, who's King Making was done by a Priestess sent from Avalon, Robert was of the Campbell clan, and Kaycee, the young Priestess sent from Avalon of the Tester clan tracing it's history back to Oxfordshire. Plans were already being made for their legal marriage, the two perfectly matched, and Kaycee had moved to Las Vegas as well.

Sara had passed the information to Elizabeth, of her role as High Priestess; of Elaine's upcoming test for Chief Priestess and that she was invited to attend the ceremony and festivities. She hadn't heard anything back but had resigned herself to the decision that she would not push her closest friend. When Elizabeth was ready she would come back to them. Though convincing the others of that was as hard now as it was before her return to Avalon.

Then there was Gil, since the return from Avalon he had been surprised to be given access to many of the ancient tomes there at the house, and she would answer any questions he had. He was allowed to learn, and perhaps it might lead to his accepting Avalon, at the very least as much as complete understanding, if not embracing it as his own. Over the months the two spent much of their time together when not at work, be it the lab for him or clan related for her. And she told him stories about the past life she remembered with him, that of Micail...she wasn't going to tell him of the life she saw to have been his at her ceremony.

And then there was Lindsey...she had told her mother, Catherine was shocked and angry and so many other things, but so very sad that it happened to her little girl. And with Catherine and Sara behind her, Lindsey went to the police and pressed charges, the man who raped her had been arrested and released on bail provided by his father. But the trial was due to start on the third, and it was now in the hands of the jury and the lawyers and Lindsey's testimony. And Lindsey had continued in her desire to learn of the Goddess and began training under Sara and Elaine, Catherine wasn't entirely sure about it but she understood a bit and such, but it was helping Lindsey become the girl she was before the attack and that above everything else left Catherine supportive of the decision.

Today though was another celebration in their group, Dierdra and Catriona were a year old, their first birthday. Jasmine, Juli and Rebecca had flown in, and Sara had her hands full keeping them from leaving the party to go and check on Elizabeth. Nick had arrived explaining that she wasn't feeling well so she had stayed home. The rest of the group was there though, Warrick and Greg, Catherine and Lindsey, Gil and Jim. Sabrina had come as well, along with Robert and Kaycee and a few of other the Priestesses, though those from the lab didn't know they were Priestesses, save Nick, Catherine and Gil who caught the glimpses of blue crescents on ankles and wrists.

"Did you hear?" Catherine asked as Sara poured coke into a cup for herself.

"Hear what?" she looked up at the other woman.

"Nick was just talking with Warrick and Greg about the upcoming trip home for his parent's anniversary..."

"And?" Sara raised an eyebrow as she flicked the cap so it turned and tightened.

"Beth is going with him."

"That's good," Sara nodded.

"His family is Catholic...very devout," Catherine pointed out.

"Cath..." Sara began with a sigh. "Betsy is looking for her path in life, if it leads her to Catholicism then that's her choice, none of us will judge her. We just want her to be happy."

"Do you think she can be? What I know of Avalon from Linds and the books and what I know of the Catholic Church...they are pretty much the complete opposite..."

"They are, but what one finds that gives their soul peace doesn't have to agree with what they grew up believing," Sara shrugged. "If she's happy, then I'm happy. If she's not...then I hope she finds her happiness and place soon. Bets has to figure out her life and her desires, it's her's and her's alone, we can't make the decision for her. I can only hope that soon she'll be able to come and see the family again, before I end up having to lock our three 'sisters' into a room and throw away the key," she added with a chuckle.

"That might be sooner rather than later," Catherine agreed with a laugh. "Oh, that reminds me, did you know that Rebecca is out there talking about a tape?"

"Oh hell," Sara groaned before giggling. "She brought the tape...she was threatening to..." she trailed off shaking her head.

"Huh?"

"Come on, you have to see this," Sara smiled when she heard the familiar music of La Vie Boheme and knew the tape had been started. Leading Catherine into the other room they found everyone on couches around the TV, Rebecca, Juli and Jasmine singing along with the younger images of themselves on the television.

"To me," Rebecca cried with a flourish.

"To me," the guy who had been Mark sang on screen.

"To me," Juli sang with another guy on screen – Collins.

"To you, and you and you, you and you," Sara joined in with Jasmine and the other two, in time with the others on screen.

"To people living with, living with, living with - Not dying from disease Let he among us without sin - Be the first to condemn

La vie Boheme - La vie Boheme

La vie Boheme"

The rest of the song continued on screen while the four laughed, the rest of the gathering just watching them and shaking their heads. "Okay," Sara asked after she got her breath back, "why did you start with La Vie Boheme?"

"Cause it's my favorite and now that I put this baby on DVD and have it separated in chapters, I can," Rebecca smirked before going back to the menu. "And now from the beginning ladies and gentlemen, you can see how truly nuts we all are, especially when drunk."

"Note to self, no getting drunk while visiting Sar, too many karaoke bars in this town," Jasmine giggled. "Hear hear," Sara and Juli echoed before Rebecca threw a pillow at them.

"Would you please shut up, I want to watch a memorable piece of my past here."

"Yes ma'am," Sara, Jasmine, and Juli saluted before ducking another throw pillow.

"Hit play already," Jasmine ordered while the others gathered just continue to shake their heads and chuckle at the antics of the four.