Dave finally finished off his piece and put his dessert plate aside and suddenly turned serious. "Now that we have finished eating we have something to discuss with you Ducky."
"Why have you all suddenly turned so serious?" Ducky asked, as his gaze swept to every person in the room including his fiancé. Everyone's expressions were suddenly deadly serious. Ducky certainly felt as if something very important was about to happen, though he had no idea what.
"There is a reason we're all suddenly so serious," Aleah told Ducky, even as she took his hand in hers giving it a gentle squeeze.
"Lay it on me then," Ducky requested and Dave took that as the signal it was and started talking.
"You see..." Dave began.
Ducky listened in disbelief at what he was hearing. He wanted to deny what he was being told about immortality and magic, but he was sure anybody they'd ever told had thought the same thing and that was only if they ever told anyone else, as he might very well be the first for all he knew. He wasn't as disbelieving as he would have been if he hadn't sworn he'd seen something from the shore of the loch where the Loch Ness monster was said to reside in Scotland when he was a boy.
"I know we shocked you that magic it immortality exists," Jazz said from where she was sitting beside Dave.
"I know you're going to ask for proof," Aleah said speaking for the first time, ever since her father has started talking. Dave had apparently been elected as spokesman for the group, but since it was his daughter, Ducky understood why he was. "I certainly would if I hadn't been born with magic and also my immortality."
"That would be very good," Ducky said speaking for the first time seeming to come out of his daze. Everybody in the room noticed how his slight Scottish accent had thickened considerably in the last few minutes. Everybody figured that was the shock coming through.
"The magic is easy enough to demonstrate," Aleah said she making sure Ducky was looking at her and saw her empty palms before she flicked her wrist to form a witch light, which is how those in her family that had magic demonstrated it.
Ducky stared at the little blue ball which shined brightly as it hovered over Aleah's shoulder.
"You can touch it if you want it won't burn you or anything," Jazz suggested after Ducky had finished studying it.
Ducky did as Jazz suggested and touched the blue ball hovering over his fiancé shoulder. The ball was kind of an electric blue, Ducky noticed as he examined it. It emitted a low level glow that was certainly bright enough to see and even read by. It was basically a flashlight, but not done by any kind of technology that Ducky had ever seen before. He had seen this little globe form over his fiancé shoulder and Aleah had had nothing in her hands to make it appear, no device, as he had seen her hands had been empty.
Showing him her empty palms had probably been on purpose Ducky thought, as he continued to examine the ball of light. He was sure that it was to prove that she wasn't trying to trick him.
"I believe you have proved that magic exist, if this little ball is an example, as I know of no technology that can make it appear as if out of thin air," Ducky spoke for first time in over five minutes. "My question becomes why you have told me at all."
"You know almost everyone we have told has asked that question," Shonda said smiling, "and I can't say I blame them, as it's not a secret to be given out lightly."
"I would think you wouldn't tell me anyone at all," Ducky said, as he continued to hold the ball of light in the palm of his hand.
"Normally, that would be true, but we do have a reason why we have told you," Aaron spoke up before Dave or Jazz or even Aleah could.
"You see immortals like us have what we refer to as a mate," Aleah began once her uncle had finished speaking. "Someone that you can trust with any secret, that you can basically build a life together, have children, share joys, sorrows, worries and pains with. When you came to my office that first time you shocked the hell out of me, as I wasn't expecting to meet my mate, even though numerous members of my family have done so over the last few centuries. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that I was next for it to happen too."
"As Aleah said, we all know that we shocked you," Dave told Ducky not unsympathetically. "I'm really sorry if we did, but it was necessary that you know our secret."
"I understand," Ducky said and from his expression and the look in his blue eyes it was clear he did. Ducky was a brilliant man though just like Spencer in someways.
"We are willing to demonstrate our immortality to," Jazz told Ducky, even as she picked up the knife that she had used to cut pieces of the chiffon cake and cut herself swiftly with no warning.
Ducky gasped in shock and started to rise, but Aleah held him in place by grasping his hand harder then she had been and simply said, "watch."
Ducky obeyed and watched as Jazz's hand started to heal right in front of his eyes.
"Well, that's really something," Ducky said finally seeming dazed and amazed all of the same time.
"You probably should've warned him honey," Dave said in a lightly chastising tone.
"We did say we were going to demonstrate," Jazz said not looking the least guilty.
"True, you did, but you still should've said something before you did it," Aleah told her mother her voice calm, giving her a reproachful look. "All of us might have known you'd be OK, all except for Ducky that is."
"I'm fine," Ducky said. "I won't say I wasn't shocked, as you all know I was, but I'm fine."
"We know your worldview has just taken a dramatic shift to one side and we are sorry about that," Dave told Ducky sympathetically.
"I understand why you had to tell me once Aleah told me that I am her mate," Ducky said. "I might not have believed in soulmates before tonight, but that doesn't mean I don't know about myths and legends with soulmates. Of course, before, I thought they were just stories and that's such things didn't actually exist."
"Such stories usually have a grain of truth to them though, even if they've been exaggerated over time," Shonda said.
"True, I never thought about how they might be at least partly true but had been exaggerated over the decades and centuries." Ducky agreed. "I've done quite a bit of traveling over the years and been to a lot of different countries where such stories are often told, as if they actually happened. I know very well that it can be just the storytellers interpretation of whatever story he's telling, but somehow you can't help but believe, that such stories are real at least for a brief time. "
"If a storyteller is good enough they can weave their own magic into the story making you believe that the story actually happened, even if that was centuries ago," Dave commented.
"Those storytellers of course, are not using actual magic, just have a way with words," Jazz commented having wiped off her hand of the blood that had flowed for a few seconds. "A lot of them use gimmicks to give their stories more realism."
"I realize that, but still for a few brief minutes, you actually believe them as you really get into whatever stories being told," Ducky said. Ducky seemed to have recovered from his shock quite quickly
"You sure have accepted immortality in magic better than most would," Dave commented studying him intently. Ducky suddenly felt as if he was under a microscopic examination, Dave's gaze was so intense.
His wife magic strikes again and also all the desserts from Avril's bakery Ducky had been eating on a regular basis, was Dave's whimsical thought.
"I've seen many strange things in my life," Ducky said. "There are many legends in Scotland that are spoken in pubs and over campfires. Also, I could've sworn I actually saw the Loch Ness monster once from the shore of the loch where she is rumored to reside. I was a young lad of no more than eight at the time. Oh, I know very well I might have imagined it and my parents really didn't believe me when I told them, as they hadn't seen what I had. Ever since that night when I went walking along the shore, which was near our campsite, I have believed in the supernatural, that such things exist. I dreamed about that night for years after that and before I knew it I was 18 and time for me to go to college. However, I knew better than to talk about what I thought I had seen to anyone, because if my parents hadn't believes me there's nobody else likely would either unless they had shared a similar experience."
Camping was still really popular, even in this century by those people that liked to be outdoors, in the fresh air. Tents made of material were a thing of the past. Camping equipment was much more advanced than it had used to be, unless you really felt like roughing it. You could buy a tent nowadays that folded up into the size of a suitcase and it turned into a large structure that had enough room for four or five people without it being crowded.
"That one experience made you believe in the supernatural, which is why you accepted our explanation easier than any of us believed you would," Dave said looking rather relieved.
"I'm so relieved," Aleah told everyone and they all nodded in understanding.
"You were afraid I wasn't going to believe your tale," Ducky said in understanding.
"Wouldn't you be if you were me?" Aleah asked Ducky.
"Under normal circumstances I certainly would've been afraid of rejection," Shonda commented and it was clear all the others agreed. "The difference here is that both Jazz and I grew up having magic and magicals also have a mate and we know when we've met them. Unfortunately, most of the ones we have turned immortal don't have magic and so explanations and demonstrations must be given, because they don't feel what we do."
"So I take it you had to give this explanation before," Ducky said having listened to what Shonda said closely. "You certainly implied as much a few minutes ago.
"Yes, multiple times," Dave agreed smiling relaxing now that Ducky seemed to have accepted their explanation and demonstration.
"And it all started with our oldest daughter several centuries ago," Jazz said. "She met her mate, Spencer Reid, who is a veterinarian, even if he's retired at the moment. After Shawnda met Spencer it seemed to set off a kind of chain reaction, so that every few years one of our families children meets their mate and so this explanation is given."
"As well as a demonstration," Shonda added following her best friends explanation easily.
"An immortal never settles down until they have met the one," Aleah told Ducky continuing her family's explanation. "For one thing, so many people would use the information they're given to try to blackmail that person or something else criminal. An immortal just knows when they have met someone close enough to them in personality and things like ethics, that is also mostly honest. This might not happen for centuries but eventually it will. You never know when you're going to meet your mate and finding them is rather a crapshoot and always happens totally on accident."
"This doesn't mean that we don't date, but we always break up with that person at some point, even if they want to continue dating and even get married," Aaron continued.
"This might lead to hurt feelings on the other person's end, but unfortunately, that can't be helped," Dave continued. "I mean we could not date if we wanted to go that route, until we meet our mate. The problem with that though is we're still basically human and who wants to go without sex for centuries? That's usually how long it takes for an immortal to find the one that they are meant to be with. A immortal needs the release of having sex with someone, just as much as a mortal does."
"I understand," Ducky said and it was clear from his expression that he did.
"Of course, both Aaron and I have long since settled down and we would never think about cheating on our mates. The same isn't true for many of our children though, who are as yet unmated as we call it in our family," Dave said.
"That isn't going to be true for me any longer," Aleah said smiling brilliantly.
"We're all very happy for you sweetheart," Dave told his daughter. His tone was affectionate Ducky noticed. It was clear unlike so many parents that these four loved their children wholeheartedly. Ducky supposed though, that because they were immortal they knew how the world worked and how many parents didn't treat their children with love.
"Also, there's something else you need to know," Aleah said and Dave and Jazz looked at their daughter knowing what she was about to reveal as did her godparents.
"Are you sure you shouldn't give him a little time to absorb that immortality and magic exist before you tell him your own secret sweetie?" Jazz asked her daughter.
"Probably, but I want to go ahead and tell him with all of us here," Aleah said.
"What is it you can tell me anything," Ducky said, even as he took Aleah's hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"Just that every magical has a main talent," Aleah said. "That little witch light I showed you, any magical can do at a certain age, but everyone with magic also has an ability that is specific to them."
"For example I am telepath," Shonda put in. "A lot of Aaron's and my children got this ability, but not all of them."
"No, I would never read your thoughts without a good reason as that would be unethical," Shonda added when Ducky looked worried. "Now if I thought you were a threat to my family it would be a totally different story and I would read your thoughts to figure out what your plan was or if you really did mean my family harm. It is drilled into our children from a young age to use whatever talent they receive responsibly, especially for something like telepathy that can be used to invade someone's mind. I would never want to disappoint my parents, even though they've been dead for many centuries now, by using my talent wrongly or for selfish purposes. I can still imagine the lecture that my father Michael Walters would have given me when he learned of my trespass into your mind and that was something I never had to experience, as I was a good daughter who never used my ability just read somebody's thoughts, because I was curious. My mother also would have kept giving me disappointed looks and told me I was in the wrong for using my ability like that. No, thank you as my father had a way with words when he was upset. I would never want him to be mad at me when he had taught me better." Shonda actually shuddered she finished speaking, as she imagined her father's lecture.
"That's a relief," Ducky said.
"Back to the subject at hand," Aleah said. "What I was about to tell you is I am one of only one of three my parents children that got the talent to heal."
"You mean with magic?" Ducky said working out what Aleah meant in his head.
"Exactly," Aleah agreed. "Healing someone comes naturally to me, but I also have to be careful, because as an immortal we can only heal mortals and most of them must never know what we are, barring ones like you of course, who is the mate of one of us."
"Does that mean you could heal Kelly?" Ducky asked his mind immediately leaping to a possible solution for the 11 year old girl that he considered a favorite niece.
"To a certain degree, yes," Aleah answered. "Cancer is a hard disease to heal completely, even for someone like me, with a natural talent, due to my magic. I, not only need to be careful about how I use my ability around mortals and I also need to be careful that I don't burn out completely by overextending myself."
"There are numerous rumors about how you help the children at the hospital, because they get better as soon as you see them, even if it's only a minuscule amount at a time," Ducky said. "You have numerous doctors shaking their heads at how children they have declared unsavable, have slowly, as if by some miracle, fighting of the diseases invading their bodies on their own."
"All right, that was me," Aleah admitted smiling. "There's only so much I can do though at one time. Really, all I do is give their bodies the strength to fight off their cancer on their own. I have to be subtle about it though, as the last thing I need is somebody questioning me too closely."
"You could heal them though completely," Ducky said.
"It depends on the disease. As for Kelly's legs, yes, I could heal the damage to where she could walk again. Her legs would be weak at first, mostly because she hasn't been using the muscles. She still wouldn't be able to get out of bed without help, but she'd be able to walk again and her leg muscles would strengthen over time the more she used them. The bones would soon get used to her being active again."
"That would mean revealing your ability to the father," Jazz spoke up interrupting the conversation.
"I know and we have discussed this already, at least a little," Aleah said. "I'll have to think seriously about it, but I just thought getting rid of Kelly's cancer came first, as that could actually take her life if left untreated, while being in a wheelchair is just inconvenient. I had to prioritize what was more important."
"Jethro is an honorable man and if Aleah healed his little girl's legs to where she could walk and run again then he would never breathe a word about her ability to anyone," Ducky put in.
"Isn't there some surgery that could give Kelly back the use of her legs?" Aaron asked.
"It would take multiple surgeries to even give Kelly a partial ability to walk, as it's simply been too long since the car was run off the road. Three years more or less. Also, there's a matter of cost and while Jethro would do anything that he could for Kelly, their financial situation is such, that he couldn't afford such an expensive treatment for her, especially coupled with the ones for her cancer. His insurance is through the military and it doesn't cover the cost of such things unfortunately, not even partially. It does cover some things, but not that."
"That's too bad," Shonda commented.
"Which is why I want to help out if I can," Aleah said. "Kelly is such a bright, lovable, funny little girl that I would hate to see her not be able to reach her potential, just because she's stuck in a wheelchair and that's even if she can beat this cancer that is invading her body, even with my help."
"You've thought about this," Dave observed looking a little worried for his daughter if she went ahead with what she really wanted to do and revealed her ability to Jethro Gibbs. Yes, the three of them had discussed the situation somewhat anyway when Aleah had come to visit, and while he wasn't completely against it his daughter would need to be very careful.
"I have, quite a bit actually," Aleah said looking serious. "I got this ability for a reason and that's to help people. Usually I can be subtle about it, so that nobody ever discovers what I did, even if there are numerous rumors about me. Nobody can prove the rumors though, but in this case, I'd have to tell Jethro straight out about my ability, as there's no way I can be subtle. I've gotten to know the family quite well and Ducky's right that Jethro's an honorable man who would do anything for his daughter."
"He has no idea that magic exists though, at least as far as I know. I think, while it might be a shock, I think he'd be willing to try anything to get his little girl to where she could walk again," Aleah added.
"If you decide to do this, if he reacts negatively, you are to take his memory of you telling him about magic," Jazz told her daughter seriously. "While you believe, that this Jethro Gibbs is trustworthy, there's no point of taking chances. We don't want the fact that magic exists to get out to the general population, as it will cause chaos and you know it. Magicals live quietly just like immortals do for a reason Aleah, something you know very well."
"I truly don't believe that will happen, but I know it doesn't hurt to be cautious," Ducky said. "I would hate for you to have to take Jethro's memory, but I do understand where you're coming from. Let's hope it's not necessary."
"I was already planning to mom so you don't need to worry," Aleah told Jazz.
"Of course, I'm going to worry, you're my daughter and I love you," Jazz told Aleah seriously. "You are only one of three of our children that got the ability to heal others, but since you did, it comes with a responsibility to use it responsibly and wisely. It also comes with certain risks and you know this, as I certainly drummed it into your head often enough when you were young."
"I know mom," Aleah answered giving her mother a kiss on the cheek then did the same for her father.
"Let us know what happens either way," Shonda requested an Aleah nodded before she and Ducky finally took their leave from her parents home.
~~~Aleah and Ducky~~~