Chapter VII

Randi was actually glad to feel the encroaching darkness surround her once again. She felt raw, like her nerve endings were exposed, and the feeling had gone from uncomfortable to outright miserable.  She didn’t mention it to Gwen however, as the bard was suffering from guilt enough.  Reed had come back into the safe room and taken one look at Randi’s ashen face and lit into Gwen in a soft, controlled but entirely authoritative manner.  Only Randi’s own firm commanding voice had stopped Reed cold and she sighed as she realized they had discovered the risks they were running. She had apologized to Gwen for going off half-cocked, but Gwen had cut her off, thanking her for her knowledgeable concern.

Gwen had collected her diaries and they had left the safe room immediately, heading back into the darkness.  Randi settled onto the slab and stretched out, allowing tense muscles to uncoil and relax.  Gwen placed her diaries down on the floor and crawled up into her place beside Randi.  She put her head over Randi’s heart and let the regular pulse lull her into a sense of security she’d never found anywhere else – in any of their incarnations.  This was her one safe spot in all the world.  It always had been, and she reveled in it now.

“I’m sorry, Randi.  I really didn’t think... well, I guess I really didn’t think.  That was so stupid....”  Gwen probably would have continued to castigate herself except a pair of very warm lips covered her own for a very long moment.  “Oh, um....  Wow!”

Randi smiled at Gwen’s reaction.  It had always been that way between them and she relished it each and every time.  “Shh,” she directed.  “It’s over, and we’re all right.”

“But....”

“No, Love.  No buts, no what ifs....  If you start questioning, what am I gonna do?  Hmm?” motioning around to the darkness that surrounded them.  “What did you tell me just a little while ago?  I have to accept the past because I can’t change what already happened, right?”  Gwen nodded her head.  “Works both ways, Sweetheart.  You can’t change it, and now we know better.  So let’s get on with things and see where we’re at.”

“You want to start with my memories or yours?”

Randi ran her hands through her hair and scratched the back of her neck.  “Well, I thought that maybe we could read yours since yours is likely to be much richer in detail and if I’m lucky, told as a story instead of a memory.  Then we can insert mine whenever we get to a spot where they fit in.”

Gwen nodded.  “All right.  I think we can do that.  But first....”  She concentrated real hard and wiggled around when a thick pillow popped up, bracing her back and allowing her to sit comfortably in this place for a change.  Randi’s eyes widened, and she waited for Gwen to situate herself before snuggling up into her chest.  Gwen smiled down at her indulgently and brushed the hair from her eyes.  “Comfortable?”  Randi bounced her head lightly on Gwen’s breasts and nuzzled them until Gwen was caught between laughter and arousal.  She let laughter win and grabbed Randi lightly by the back of the head.  “You done there yet, Stud?”

Randi pouted, but the twinkle in her eyes was a counterpart to the one she saw shining out of Gwen’s.  “I s’pose,” she muttered, nuzzling one more time for good measure before turning her attention to the book Gwen held in her hand.  “Okay, I’m comfortable now,” leaning back to meet green eyes.  Gwen leaned forward and gave her a chaste kiss.

“All right, this picks up after the Amazon attacked us... just so you know where we are.”  Randi nodded, but didn’t say anything, and Gwen opened her diary and began to read aloud, written in the third person to put it into a perspective she could manage.

Gwen knew the minute Randi crossed the threshold that something fundamental had changed.  She’d caught a glimpse of the Sabre the night before when Randi had announced her determination to meet with Russ while Tiny was there, but Gwen had still been able to connect – still been able to pull some hard-earned answers from her.  Now it was almost as though she were an imposition in Randi’s life and that knowledge cut deep into her soul.

So Randi went off to the capital, unwavering in her resolve to make Russ see what was going on and to get some answers of her own.  One way or another, the Sabres were going to be involved in eliminating the rebels once and for all.  The time had come to destroy them, and Russ would either lead them or he would be removed as the obstacle he was.

All Gwen could do was wait.

“You don’t know what happened when I got to the capital, do you?” Randi asked, surprised when Gwen nodded affirmatively.  “You do?  How?  I mean, I don’t... I don’t remember much about it.  A couple fleeting images, but my first real memory picks up that Sunday with the Sabre meeting.”

“Tiny told me everything,” Gwen replied in a whisper.  “When he called to let me know he was bringing you home unconscious I told him he was going to tell me everything.  And once we had you settled he did... everything from the time you left the house until he brought you home, including what happened when you visited Daddy.”

Randi nodded her resigned acceptance.  “Let me find my memory of what happened then,” taking the thick book when Gwen reached it around to her.  “Thanks.  I’d forgotten I’d already gotten that out.”  She opened it up and took a deep breath, then started to read.

    Russ greeted me cordially but not enthusiastically.  It was obvious that my presence here was not only unexpected but definitely unwelcome.  It didn’t surprise me.  Russ was too much of a by-the-book officer, and Sabres like me had always been a wildcard he was uncomfortable dealing with.  However, I couldn’t have given a shit about his comfort level at this point.  It was time to play hardball, and....  Well, there was only one way out of the Sabre ranks, right?
    Truth be told, Russ should never had been a Sabre.  He’d never had the gumption for it... not the fighting and killing part of it anyway. And after what I had figured out in the shuttle, there wasn’t a chance in hell of him remaining one after today.  The real question here was how merciful I was going to be after I had been betrayed again by someone at the highest levels of the Sabres... by someone who couldn’t stand the heat of the battle the unit bore.  And this time it had been a deliberate betrayal. This time it was personal in a way it hadn’t been before.
    I made sure a noticeable drop in temperature could be felt in the room iwith my words and my attitude.  I actually saw Russ shiver, and it made me smile. The tension was thick enough to cut with a blade, and Russ did his damnedest to exercise the authority he wished he actually held over me.  It made me laugh inside though he never saw the humor in my face.
    I did feel badly for putting Tiny in the middle of things, but I needed to know where his loyalties lay and he came through for me like a trooper.  It was a rush to know I still commanded that kind of loyalty from those with whom I had served.  It would make what was coming so much easier if they all felt the way he did.  His words were flattering to the point of embarrassment, and I almost blushed, but my pride wouldn’t allow that kind of acknowledgment.  Instead I held his eyes and returned his respect, and it was enough.  I asked him to stay, gratified that he was willing to given the possibilities that lingered in the air unspoken between us.  I was only planning to talk to Russ for now, but I knew where it would eventually end... where it had to, knowing what I did about Russ’s betrayal not only of me personally but of the whole Sabre community.
    I turned my attention back to Russ with a glare that could have melted glass.  Russ sank into the chair behind him, hoping to hide his unease with bravado though I could see the tremors in his body and the twitches in his clenching jaw line.  I dropped down on his desk.  I knocked his head back in the chair and the sound echoed across the room.  I almost admired his nerve here near the end... to think he could set ground rules and stay in charge.  I grabbed the Commandant’s chin and squeezed, forcing him to sit upright and focus on me, knowing I had his undivided attention
    I explained what I had figured out as I began to pace around the desk.  I knew of the betrayal.  I knew it was someone high up who would consider me a threat either to themselves personally or to the Sabre unit.  The look on his face when I told Russ I knew it was him who was giving the rebels their orders was priceless, but I saw the truth in his eyes.  The look I gave him in return was one of hatred and disdain.  I watched as he recognized death in the glance and I saw the blood drain from his face.  I turned my back to him deliberately, wondering if he really had the balls to try something.   I felt him twitch and turned to catch the blade inches from my heart.  Tiny moved swiftly from his position to catch Russ’ hand before he could drop it and pulled it up behind Russ’s back.  Tiny turned to glance at me and flinched.  I wondered what he saw as I felt red rage wash through my veins.  It was time to make the son of a bitch pay for what he had done, and I planned to make Russ endure the agony of every single moment Gwen and I had suffered because of his machinations.
    I released Tiny from his duty to me, knowing he’d never been fond of this part of the Sabre code.  Truth was, I never had been too keen on it myself though I was exceptionally good at it and had always been more than creative enough to achieve whatever results I desired.  I was a little confused by his response, but I was glad to have him with me.  Russ struggled, but as he and Tiny shared the same training and Tiny was in much better condition, it was no effort at all for Tiny to maintain the upper hand between them.
    I had to laugh at Russ’s declaration that his death would be murder.  He should have known better than to try that card.  There is no such thing as murder of an enemy in the Sabre code.  We are all authorized... trained to kill the enemy.  And he was most definitely the enemy.  I hit several spots on his back and watched him to collapse into Tiny’s arms. 
    Bless Tiny – he tried to give Russ the right to a Sabre trial, but I nixed that idea before it was even fully voiced.  This was my right, and I was going to take it.  What he did to the unit and to the code was unforgivable and would have gotten him executed by a jury of his Sabre peers anyway.  But this was personal for me.  What he had done to me and Gwen gave me the right to be judge, jury and executioner, and I was damned well going to exercise that right.
    I picked Russ up and dropped him in his chair, and he spit at me.  I stood casually and wiped the spittle from my cheekbone, then onto his shirt, deciding then and there that nothing I could make him suffer would be enough but determined to get as much agony out of him as possible.  I reached out, pushing pressure points on his arms and legs before releasing the ones on his back, and he instantly keened in agony from the pain that flowed through his veins.  I’m sure he never imagined ever having to suffer such misery.  I smiled with the knowledge that he would die in a myriad of painful sensations.  Then I popped two spots on either side of his neck to shut him up.  No one likes a whiner, and I was simply over having to listen to his mouth.
    I made sure he knew exactly why he was dying – not for the Sabres, but for Gwen. The disgust in his eyes almost made me laugh.  Suddenly he struggled, understanding at last that not only was he not dying for something he believed in, he was dying for something he held in great disdain.  I jammed the blade he’d thrown at me into his stomach and felt a satisfying rush of warm blood. His innards spilled onto the floor and I stood up and backed away from him.  Then I made a decision to take back what was ours and gave my first order as Commandant.  My only concern now was going to be how to explain this new development to Gwen.

“I’m not sorry for what I did, especially to Russ.  His betrayal warranted far worse.”

Gwen blinked at that pronouncement.  She’d thought that what he had gotten had been pretty severe, and it was obvious from the words and tone Randi had used in writing out her memory that she had taken pleasure in the pain she had caused.  Russ had been different from the others; Russ had made everything personal.  Even Jerry hadn’t deliberately betrayed Randi, but Russ had intentionally tried to destroy them both.  “Worse how, Love?” Gwen asked honestly.

Randi turned hard, cold eyes in her direction, and Gwen knew that it was the warrior who answered her.  “If he had been given Sabre justice he would have walked the gauntlet and been beaten until he was dead.  Instead I chose personal vengeance.”

“And did anyone fault you for that choice, Randi?”

“No.  There were several comments made on how he deserved worse, but everyone was satisfied that justice was served by my actions.”

Gwen nodded and let the subject go.  “So what happened with Daddy?”

“Nothing, really... except....”  Randi paused thoughtfully as a memory sprang forth of its own volition.  “Carbon growled at me.”  She stopped speaking and Gwen waited patiently, having already heard the story from Geoff.  Randi blinked.  “It was odd, because his hackles rose and the fur stood up on his neck.  Then he stepped between me and Geoff like he was protecting him from me.  Weird huh?”

“Not really, no,” Gwen said and waited for Randi’s eyes to snap to hers which they did with fierce intensity.  “Think about it, Love.  From the time you were infected with... whatever it was Ares stuck you with... the dogs started acting weird with you.  Ditto wouldn’t come near you, and Carbon grew more and more distant and aggressive.  Animals are pretty perceptive, Sweetheart.  You know that.  We should have started listening to them sooner.  But you know what is really cool?” Gwen continued before Randi could respond.  She was absently rubbing her face where the mace had hit so many months ago.  Gwen captured the hand and raised it to her lips.  “Stay with me, Warrior... now you know what is really cool?”

Randi looked up into ardent green eyes and her breath caught at the emotions that swirled in them.  She smiled tremulously and shook her head, inhaling Gwen’s scent surrounding her.  “Nope... what is really cool?”

“What is really cool,” Gwen said with force concentration, “is the fact that you just remembered something on your own without the aid of the book.  That was a suppressed memory you called up of your own volition.  Maybe we are making some headway.”

Randi thought about that, then let a big grin cross her face.  “Heh.”  She looked up into the darkness and raised her voice.  “You hear that, Ares?  I’m winning!”

Gwen put her hand on Randi’s nose and brought her attention back to them.  “We’re winning.  And we’re going to keep winning until we win for good.  But Sweetheart, Ares can’t hear you.  This is your safe place.  No one is allowed in here.

“Except you.”

Gwen grinned bashfully, something Randi found endearingly cute.  “Except me.  However, I am looking forward to sticking it to Ares when we get out of here.  That lousy SOB has caused us way too much grief in my opinion.”

Randi’s eyebrows went into her hairline at Gwen’s description of the god of war.  She almost felt sorry for him... almost.  But with a little more thought she figured it was time he got what was coming to him.  After the millennia he had been pursuing them, it was time Ares got his just desserts.

“What is that smirk for?” Gwen asked when she saw the expression on Randi’s face.  Her question just made the smile grow larger.

“I’m looking forward to sticking it to Ares.  I think he has more than earned it, this lifetime especially.”

“Well, hopefully, he will get the damn point.  I’m a little tired of him and his scheming.”

Randi wrapped her arms around Gwen and squeezed tightly.  “Maybe we should think about putting an end to it, once and for all.”

Gwen returned the hug as fully as she could manage in their current positions, absorbing the sensations that flowed through her.  Then her brow furrowed as Randi’s words penetrated her mind.  “Put an end to it how?”

Now Randi’s brow furrowed and she burrowed back into Gwen’s neck, eliciting a goggle.  “I’m not sure yet, Love.  Let me think about it.”

“Fair enough,” Gwen nodded.  “You ready to go back to reading?”

“I think so,” Randi replied with a bit of hesitation. 

Gwen brushed the dark bangs off Randi’s forehead.  “There’s no rush, Randi.  We’ve got all the time you need.”

“No, I really think I’m ready, but....”  She motioned to the book still in her lap.

“Oh.  OH.  I see your point.  Hmm....  Well, maybe there’s more you need to read.  Or maybe you just have to exercise your personal faith in yourself.”

Randi thought about it – thought about what she had done and why – and made a conscious decision.  Though she had chosen personal vengeance over Sabre justice, the outcome had been the same, and given the same circumstances she’d choose the same path every single time.  With that knowledge settled firmly in her heart and mind, she focused her attention on the tome now firmly clasped in her hands.  A sense of satisfaction washed through her being as the volume disintegrated into nothingness.  Then Randi tilted her head back to look at Gwen, easily catching the knowing smirk on her face.  “Ya know, Bard, sometimes you are too damned smart for your own good.”  She threaded her hand through the short, blonde hair and urged Gwen’s head down to meet her lips.  “I love you.”

“I don’t think I will ever get tired of hearing that from you,” Gwen whispered into her lips when she and Randi drew back from their kiss.  “And I love you back, you know.  All of you.”

Words weren’t necessary for their silent communication and by unspoken agreement Gwen reopened her diary and found her place, clearing her throat before she started reading again.

    When Tiny crossed the threshold of the shuttle with Randi unconscious in his arms, Gwen’s heart leaped into her throat.  Even though she expected it after Tiny’s vid call, it was still unnerving in the worst way to see Randi cradled in his arms like a babe... or worse.
    It took a bit of doing, but eventually Gwen got both Randi and herself comfortably ensconced in bed and then Tiny came in to share the events that had taken place and Randi’s obvious reaction to them.
    “It’s started,” Gwen commented to Tiny.  She swallowed hard.  “I knew it was coming, but God... this is so hard.”
    “At least it should be over fairly quickly now that it’s started.”
    “Strangely, that’s less than comforting, Tiny.  Especially since the hard part is just starting.”  She yawned and snuggled down into Randi’s body, smiling drowsily when Randi naturally curled up into her.  Gwen never even noticed when Tiny slipped from the room.
    The dreamscape had been like nothing they had experienced together before.  Randi was fighting with herself and she didn’t recognize Gwen.  Things were touch and go for a while, and Randi left Gwen alone in the darkness in an effort to protect her.  Unfortunately for the warrior, Gwen wasn’t about to take that kind of decision lying down and went after Randi to claim what was hers.  But between the visits while Gwen had been gone, Randi had released the warrior.  And when they awakened, it was the warrior who was in control.
    “Dammit!  I can’t believe I overslept like that.  I wanted longer for us in the capital city.”
    Gwen looked at her as she trailed behind Randi into the bathroom, confusion showing clearly on her face.  “The capital city?  When did we decide to visit?  Not that I’m complaining.  It’s always nice to visit the folks but....”
    “We didn’t.  I called the meeting.  I am assuming command of the Sabre unit.”
    It was all Gwen could do to keep from reacting to the lost soul that stared back at her from the familiar blue eyes.  She knew in that moment that the fight had really begun, and that it was the warrior alone who faced her now.  The ferocity was wild and burning, and once more Gwen feared the darkness – not for herself, but for what it was going to do to Randi.  But Gwen had promised to love and support, and she determined to do so to the best of her ability.  Her fear was spent in the intense passion shared between them and then they made their preparations and were in the capital city by nightfall.
    The nearer they drew to their destination, the more distant Randi became until she was withdrawn and almost cold.  Yet she clasped Gwen’s hand in her own as the shuttle landed and they exited without a word.  Gwen wondered about that, remembering before... before they had become lovers – when they were just becoming friends, in fact; when Randi would be required to resume her Sabre persona.  On those occasions, Randi avoided all contact, especially tactile.  Gwen smiled to herself.  Maybe things hadn’t changed as much as she feared.
    A knock on the cottage door, and Jill welcomed them... then froze as Carbon charged at Randi as though she was a threat.  She glared at him, and he stopped a few feet away, ruff standing up all over his head and lips pulled back in a snarl.  He opened his mouth and snapped at her and Gwen moved to get between them, understanding that Carbon was reacting instinctively to whatever change had occurred to Randi’s psyche.  Randi stopped her movement with a subtle commanding motion of her hand and instead knelt to be at eye level with the now growling half-grown pup.  She held his eyes and he continued to snarl and growl though the ruff of his neck eventually flattened enough to allow them to pass.  But he remained between Randi and the Goldmans.
    “What is his problem?” Geoff asked as they entered the small living room of the cottage.  Then he got a good look at Randi’s eyes and understood immediately what the shepherd was reacting to.  “Yes, well... is everything set for tomorrow, Randi?”
    The Sabre nodded.  “I think so, yes.  It shouldn’t be that difficult.  I don’t think anyone is going to object much.”  She spoke as though she knew he knew what was going on.  He did, of course, thanks to Tiny’s information, but it struck him as completely odd since their last encounter was still clearly fixed in his mind.
    He remembered the surprise in her eyes when they got the alert for the Sabre meeting.  It was easy to recall the honest uncertainty in her eyes when Tiny had informed them both that Randi had been responsible for the meeting.  Then he saw the pain and confusion that swept across her strangely open features before she crumpled.
    He wondered how Gwen was dealing with the return of the Sabre, and he turned to study her when Jill’s voice cut into his thoughts.  “Wait a minute... just hold on.  Does someone want to let me in on what exactly is going on here?  I seem to be the only one in the room not in on the secret.” She waved her hands expressively.  “I mean, even Carbon seems to have more of a clue than I’ve got.”
    “Mama, calm down,” Gwen said quietly, and that made Jill more nervous than anything else.  Gwen was a bard by trade, an actor capable of many tones and facial expressions.  But there were some things that a mama could see regardless of what face Gwen put on, and her addressing Jill as Mama instead of Mother said more than most other things could.
    Jill blinked and looked into Gwen’s face, then she took her daughter’s hands.  “Okay, I’m calm.  Now what’s going on?”
    Gwen met her eyes unflinchingly.  “We’ve been threatened, Randi and I, and Randi is going to take command of the Sabres to ensure it doesn’t happen any more.”  She was surprised at how calm she was and how easy it was to explain the basics to her mother.  Neither her inflection nor her expression gave a hint of the turmoil that roiled through her guts at the knowledge of what was coming.  Jill, however, had no compunction over voicing her displeasure.  She withdrew her hands from Gwen’s, then turned her attention to Randi and glared.  Then she did the same to Geoff, hoping to make a point.
    “Excuse me??  What exactly does that mean, taking command??  I thought you were well out of this cloak-and-dagger, undercover military stuff!!  And you,” rounding on Geoff again.  “Who exactly do you think you are keeping something like this from me?  Have you lost your mind??”  She turned and looked at Gwen accusingly.  “And you’re all right with this?”
    Everyone stood stock still, flabbergasted by the vehemence in Jill’s voice.  Even Jill was a little stunned, but she maintained her glower as she looked at everyone in the room.  Randi stepped up to break the silence.  “Jill... mom... this is something I have to do.  I tried playing by their rules, and it nearly got Gwen and me both killed.  Now we do it my way.”
    “Killed?”
    “Yes,” not offering more detail.
    “And you’re all right with this?” Jill asked Gwen again when she saw nothing more was going to be forthcoming from Randi.
    “She’s promised me this is the end.  When this is taken care of, she’s done – they’re done.  It has to be done, Mama.  We won’t have any peace until it is.  We’ll be targets forever otherwise.”
    Jill nodded.  Though she didn’t like it, she did understand their need to put the past to rest once and for all.  She just really hated the idea that it had to be Randi again that had to be the one to assume the brunt of the responsibility for it.  Jill had seen what had happened to Gwen the last time, and honestly didn’t think her daughter could survive it a second time.
    “And how did you get involved, Geoff?  It’s not like....”  Jill scrubbed her hands over her eyes and walked away a little, dropping into a chair set a little apart from the rest.  It was where she curled up in the mornings to watch the activity in the miniature garden space.  Silence reigned while she sat there contemplating and the other three exchanged almost awkward looks.
    Finally Randi girded her loins to speak.  It wasn’t like she’d ever had to deal with this kind of awkwardness before, but she couldn’t let this go by.  They had to accept how important this was to them... all of them, but especially to her and Gwen.  “Jill....”
    ”No, Randi,” Jill held up a hand.  “I get it... I really do.  But I don’t like it... at all.  I just want you to know that right up front.  I know what this did to Gwen before and I don’t want it to happen again.”
    “Neither do I, Jill.  It’s why I’m gonna take care of this myself.”
    Jill looked long and hard at her daughter-in-law, and shuddered at the cold determination she saw so clearly in the shuttered blue eyes.  Something wasn’t right, but she couldn’t doubt Randi’s strength of will in this endeavor.  Finally she nodded her head in satisfaction.  “All right.  I’ll support this for now, but if you go and do something stupid again, I reserve the right to come after you and kick your ass.”
    “MOTHER!”
    “Gwen, it’s my right as your mother, now hush.”  Jill turned back to Randi who was doing an exceptional job of keeping a straight face.  “Do we understand each other?”
    “Yes ma’am... we certainly do.”
    “Good.  Now c’mon to the kitchen.  I hear a bowl of fudge ripple calling my name.”  Geoff and Gwen just stared at each other in amazement before following quietly behind.  


Chapter VIII

    It was an unusual circumstance.  Never in the history of the Sabre unit had every Sabre, active duty and retired reserve, been gathered together all in one place.  Now they stood shoulder to shoulder at parade rest in the only room at Sabre headquarters large enough to hold them waiting for Randi to make an appearance.  Tiny walked in first and called them to attention, and they snapped to with efficient, military precision.  Then Randi strode in wearing a full dress uniform accompanied by Gwen.  Only their strict discipline kept them from gasping and making whispered comments about either.  Randi wasn’t real keen about Gwen attending this particular meeting, but it had been the best compromise they could reach since Gwen simply refused to be left out.
    “At ease.” 
    Randi stood at the head of the room surveying the proud troops that now waited for her words.  Though rumors had long since made the rounds with Russ’s demise, still they held bated breath for her to confirm what many of them truly hoped to hear.  She had served with most of the people who now stood before her, either actively or as part of a safe haven during her numerous missions.  They had built trust and understanding between them, and now she was going to ask them for the ultimate trust - to follow her.
    “I asked you all here because the time has come to take back who we are – to become the Sabres we are meant to be and not the Sabres we have been led into becoming.  The time has come to finally end the rebellion once and for all.”  Randi looked around, seeing the agreement in the sea of faces throughout the room and felt a confidence and surge of pride she hadn’t known in a long time.  For all that being a Sabre had cost her, there was still a sense of family within the ranks and always would be.  “First though, I think you all need to understand what brought us... what brought me to this point.”  She cleared her throat and took the glass of water Gwen offered.  She downed it and handed it back with a smile then turned her attention back to the room.
    “Some of you know that after my... after Ghost Rider was disposed of, I retired from the Sabre service.  And I’ll be honest with you, I was glad to leave it behind because it gave me a chance to have a normal life with the woman I love.  And we were so happy... or we would have been if we’d been left alone.  But then the rebels started targeting us specifically – threatening notes, attacks – and I knew that I had been betrayed by someone high up in the unit... again.  My research led me to our former Commandant, Russell d’Amor.  He took exception to my retirement and decided that if the Sabres couldn’t have me, the rebels could.  And if it took Gwen out in the process, then all the better,” she added in a voice so cold, everyone in the room shivered.  “He disgraced the code; he personally targeted me.  And when I confronted him on it, he acted like it was his right... his due.  I took exception to his attitude and then I took vengeance.”  Complete silence – not even the sound of breathing could be heard.  For sixty heartbeats Randi waited, looking over the room for any sign of disagreement.  What she found was satisfaction and expectation.  “With that in mind, I have decided to step forward and fill the void left by Russell’s death.  As of this moment, I am assuming the role of Sabre Commandant.”
    The cheers went up from the entire room, and it echoed for several minutes.  Randi’s expression did not visibly change though her eyes sparkled in excitement.  Gwen bit her lip and kept her face carefully blank, easily able to feel the exhilaration running through Randi’s frame.  Finally Randi held up her hands and the room quieted once more.  “I have some definite ideas of what we are going to do to end the rebellion, and I will be meeting with each of you to make you aware of your new responsibilities and the actions we will be undertaking to ensure our success.  Thank you all for your support during this critical time.”  Again they cheered and Randi stood and absorbed it for a long moment before she turned and started out the door.  She got two steps before she realized and turned back to extend her hand to Gwen.  Gwen accepted it slowly, and together they walked out of the hall and into a dark and uncertain future.
    The next few hours were filled with meetings with various members of the Sabre unit. These were people in the worst locations who would be hosting many of the teams that would be involved in decimating the rebels.  For the first time in a long time, optimism and enthusiasm ran through the unit, and they moved in and out of what had by default become Randi’s new office exuding a confidence that had long been missing.  Gwen watched the proceedings with mixed feelings – knowing it was necessary and having some inkling of just exactly what this was going to cost.  But she was also secretly fascinated to see Randi in her element... to watch her wield her authority so effortlessly.  It was obvious Randi had the respect of every Sabre who entered her office.  Some asked questions; some offered advice; a few even argued points.  But always their eyes and voices and very posture held a note of respect and excitement.
    Tiny served as her second, and he was the one to bring to Randi’s attention to the fact that Gwen had gotten lunch for them.  Randi looked up in surprise, having been so involved in what she was doing that she had completely lost track of the time.  Finally aware her stomach rumbled as the scent of good food hit her nose, and she moved over to the small table where Gwen sat in silence.
    Randi’s attention remained locked on her preparations however, and she read through the dossiers of the next few she would be speaking to while she ate.  These would be her active team leaders – people who would be in charge of being certain her orders were followed to the letter.  They were the people she had trusted before.  The ones who had gone into the pit of hell with her and watched her back as her world shattered in an underwater explosion.  Better – not only could she trust them, but they had maintained their covert ties to each group they had been assigned to and would be best placed for retrieving information and formulating plans with the inside knowledge they garnered.
    Aside from Tiny who was a Wizard legacy, Brenda was her best operative.  Her link to the Brotherhood was purely carnal and as such it was an unlimited source for information.  Cam as a Red and Hernandez playing his role as a Blue had managed to achieve a small degree of success in moving up the ladder beyond simple peon status. Neither as well placed as both Tiny and Brenda, but they were higher up the chain than they had been a scant year ago.  Nick hadn’t moved up, but he had moved around and garnered some interesting tidbits about the Skinheads – things that if Randi had been privy to before her raid, she might have done things differently.  However....  She looked over Jess’ file.  She had assumed Randi’s place in the Fringe Amazon when Randi had been killed and had managed to become a scout leader.  Randi smiled.  Jess had done a credible job filling her shoes, and she was glad to have people she trusted already in places of knowledge throughout the rebellion.
    Her smile faded and took on hard planes.  This was what she truly didn’t understand.  Jerry and Russ had all these resources in place, and had the capability of not just defeating, but totally destroying the rebellion once and for all.  And yet they just let it sit dormant.  And in Russ’ case choosing instead to take the side of the rebels if it meant her destruction.
    Tiny and Gwen watched her in silence with uneasy fascination.  For Gwen, it was the realization that this was a side of Randi that she didn’t know at all, and she was having difficulty reconciling the coldness and distance she felt emanating from Randi with the woman she had fallen in love with. 
    For Tiny it was a return to something he had expected... had hoped... to never see again because to do so meant she had to become something she had ultimately come to despise for what it kept from her.  He privately wondered how long Gwen would be able to stand it before she walked out the door leaving Randi alone again.  Not that it was what Randi wanted... deep in her heart... but it was the only way she knew how to operate.  She pushed everyone and everything away and isolated herself to put her sole focus on whatever mission was in front of her.
    Randi was unaware of her companion’s thoughts.  She ate mechanically, not tasting her food; simply ingesting it because intellectually she knew she needed the sustenance.  She looked up in some shock when Gwen shoved her plate forward.  Her chair fell over with the force of the push and Gwen stood up and walked to the door without a backward glance.
    “I'm going to see my parents,” she announced in a shaky voice, exiting the room without meeting Randi’s eyes or giving her a chance to answer.  Randi looked at Tiny in some confusion. 
    “What’s her problem?”
    “You,” he answered succinctly.
    “Me?”  Bewildered blue eyes looked back at him.  “What did I do?  I didn’t say anything about work.  I didn’t say or do anything at all.”
    “No shit, Sherlock.  Did you suddenly go stupid or something?”
    Randi’s eyes narrowed and she stiffened even as she stood.  “Tread carefully there, Chief.  I will not tolerate insubordination from you or any other member of the unit regardless of our friendship.”  She blew out a breath as he automatically came to attention at her address of him, and she saw his jaw clenching in anger.  “Now did you have an opinion to offer?”
    “No ma’am,” he bit out, and Randi swore she could hear him grinding his teeth.  She knew he was lying, but what could she really do to make him answer?  He was her friend, despite her now superior rank and she had no desire to threaten him or worse.  She knew he knew the gravity of the situation and if it was something she truly needed to know to accomplish her goal, he would speak up.
    "Very well then.  Assemble the rest of the team in my office at thirteen hundred hours.  And find out what’s up with Gwen, will ya?”
    “No ma’am.”  She looked up at him startled at his direct disobedience after what she had just said.  Tiny swallowed hard but he met her eyes seriously.  “I will assemble the team as you have ordered, ma’am, but Gwen is your responsibility.  I will not interfere and if you can’t figure it out on your own, you are just shit outta luck.  Ma’am,” adding the last deliberately slowly and making it sting.
    Randi’s nostrils flared.  “Get out,” she commanded flatly, clenching her hands into fists almost unconsciously.  Tiny didn’t acknowledge her order except to spin on his heel and leave.  Randi watched him go, not even blinking when the door slammed behind him.  Then she resumed her seat and continued studying her files in the sterile solitude that was left behind.

“Waitaminute,” Randi interrupted.  Gwen looked at her tolerantly, waiting for her to continue.  “How do you know what happened between Tiny and me?  You weren’t in the room.”

“No, but I did know that when we finally got to this point, you were going to need all information I could gather.  So I did.  Parts that I missed or weren’t directly involved in, someone who was would share their experience.  I put the parts together into a narrative.”  She smiled impishly.  “It makes a better story that way.”

“So how much of this,” motioning to the diary between them, “is yours?”

Gwen shrugged.  “I dunno.  Maybe half?  It’s been a real busy time this last little bit.”  Randi closed her eyes in defeat.  Gwen gripped her chin and turned Randi’s face back to her again, waiting patiently until she felt Randi sigh in defeat and open her eyes.  ”C’mon, soon as we finish this, the sooner we get to go kick War God butt.”

“Yeah, but first I get to hear about what a first-class asshole I was,” Randi snorted in disgust.  “Kinda hard to get up a lot of enthusiasm for that.”

“Well, if it makes you feel any better, you weren’t always an asshole and you did do some good things.  At least when you were being an asshole, you were first-class.  I mean, really – who wants to be a second rate asshole?”

Randi couldn’t help it.  She snorted in laughter, then clutched at her still aching chest.   Gwen burst into giggles at the inelegant sound, then wrapped her hand over the arm that cradled Randi’s chest even as they both shook in true merriment.  Eventually the chortling did wear down and they could look at one another without breaking into laughter again.  Randi shook her head even as a half-smile graced her features.  Her eyes, however, were full of tender devotion and Gwen felt herself respond to that look of love that was directed towards her from underneath dark lashes and bangs.  “You’re something else,” she said to Gwen softly, turning her head and kissing the side of her breast.

Gwen tilted her head down and planted an almost chaste kiss on Randi’s lips.  “So are you,” she whispered, trying not to smack her lips together in satisfaction.  “The real question is,” Gwen cleared her throat and spoke a little louder.  “What exactly are we together?”

Randi did grin then, and Gwen felt herself return the look in kind even without knowing the reason behind it.  “We, my love, are bona fide certifiable trouble together – only the best kind though.   As long as we’ve had to perfect it, we couldn’t be any less.”

Gwen smiled and dropped another kiss on full lips, reading clearly the worry that lurked in the back of those pale blue eyes.  Then she hugged Randi to her body with enough strength to cause the air to whoosh from Randi’s lungs.  She reveled in the contact along their lengths before modifying her hold into something less constricting.  “Ready to read a little more?”

Randi nodded.  “I remember what happened next.  It wasn’t too bad.”

“A lot of what happened wasn’t, and the results were mostly positive,” Gwen agreed.  “You know that – or part of you does.  I just couldn’t live with being nothing but a trophy anymore.”  Gwen felt Randi slump against her in defeat and put her own hurt aside to comfort her.  “Sweetheart?”

“I never meant for that to happen.  I never wanted you to leave me.”

“I know.  But it got your attention the way nothing else in the world would have.  So we’ll spend some time together here and we’ll figure things out between us, and then....  Well, I guess once we figure it out we’ll know.”

“Okay so next is my meeting with the team leaders, isn’t it?”

Gwen took the book up again and Randi reached out a hand to hold one side.  “Yep.”

    “That’s it then,” Randi said as she turned her attention back to the small group, meeting each person’s eyes directly and holding them for a few brief moments before moving on.  “Each of you has your assignment, and I’ll expect results within the week.  I don’t want ya’ll doing anything stupid, but I do want as much information as you can gather without putting yourself in mortal danger.  I want answers and I want action.  The sooner we can move on this the better for all concerned.  Understood?”
    “Aye, sir,” they responded uniformly, and Randi’s only visible reaction was a blink of her eyes.  That salutation of respect was something she was going to have to adjust to.  These were people she had worked with in the field as an equal and to be so obviously separated from them now....  It hurt in a way she couldn’t even comprehend consciously; it was just something she felt.
    Randi took a deep breath.  “Very well.  Carry on then.  I will see you all back in here one week from today, and if you need anything, my door is open.”  She paused as they rose jointly to their feet and stood at attention.  “Dismissed,” she commanded quietly, and they all snapped a salute before turning and departing out the door.  She’d halfway expected Tiny to stay.  He was clearly still very angry with her, though she doubted any of the rest of the team could tell that.  He had maintained a perfect professional air and been as clear and concise in his responses to her as he had been respectful.  But she had seen his jaw clenching whenever she addressed him directly and he made it a point to refuse to meet her eyes.
    Randi looked at her watch, noting how late it was and deciding she could continue things in the morning.  There were still a number of Sabres she needed to speak to, but she’d taken care of the most critical and sent them on their way.  And though she knew that it was no longer going to business as usual – that is to say, business as it had become under Russ’ leadership... keeping banker’s hours – eight hours was time enough to spend working on her first Sunday back.  With any luck she could get things straightened out quickly and work on Sundays would become less of a necessity and more of an option.  For now, though Randi was ready to go find Gwen and see if she could make peace even though she was still at a loss to understand what exactly the issue was.  It wasn’t like Gwen just to storm out without giving a reason though Randi did understand her wanting to visit her parents.  It had been the ostensible reason for bringing her along on what was purely Sabre business.
    Randi’s brow creased.  Something in Gwen’s reaction was off; and even more, something in Geoff’s was.  She folded her hands and brought them to her lips in thought.  He had been as vocally supportive as the rest, but there was a hesitancy in his eyes; something troubled him about the whole situation.  And he hadn’t waited around to speak to her.  He had left immediately after the meeting.  She’d expected him to take a more active role... at least as active as he could manage.  And yet....
    Randi shook her head.  There would be more time to consider things further later.  For now she had a bard to find and make up with.
    Carbon’s ruff stood up straight and his lips pulled back in a snarl seconds before Randi knocked on the door to Geoff’s and Jill’s small cottage.  When the tap sounded, the shepherd growled low and deep in his throat, then barked loudly.  Geoff frowned in Carbon’s direction, and he moved to answer the door, unsurprised when he opened it to find Randi standing there.  Carbon lunged and Geoff grabbed him by the neck and pulled the pup into his lap.  He moved the hover chair back to allow Randi entrance and stroked Carbon’s fur in an attempt to calm him.  The further away from Randi they moved, the more settled the dog became.  Randi frowned as she noted the odd reaction and closed the door behind her.
    “What’s up with him?”
    Geoff shrugged.  “Beats me, unless he just doesn’t like uniforms,” motioning to the clothing Randi wore like a second skin.  He felt another shiver skitter down his spine.  The Sabre standing in front of him scared him just a little bit.  She wasn’t the woman he had grown to love as a daughter and respect as a friend.  This was something beyond his experience as she wasn’t the tortured soul who was struggling with what she was and what she wanted to be.  This was someone who was completely and totally in command... of herself; of her situation; of her Sabre persona.  There was no hesitation, no indecision.  This was a warrior who knew exactly what she wanted to accomplish and had a plan for getting it done.  Despite himself, Geoff was impressed.  On the one hand, he hated what he saw in her eyes... what she had become.  On the other he relished it because he recognized that she was going to do what needed to be done to not only protect Gwen but to end the rebellion once and for all.  And selfishly, he looked forward to that.  There was a part of him, a part that grew bigger the longer things continued, that was simply tired to his very soul.  He felt like this fight had been going on forever, and he truly believed that Randi could and would put a stop to it.  His only concern was what it was going to cost.
    A hand waving in front of his face brought him out of his brown study and he blinked his eyes rapidly as his thoughts cleared and he met Randi’s sardonically amused expression.  He was struck then by just exactly how charismatic she was.  She had an aura, a presence that was so compelling, so commanding, that if she had asked right at that moment, he would have stood and walked, regardless of the fact that his body couldn’t tolerate the activity at all well yet.  Part of him, the darker part that was rarely acknowledged and even less seldom indulged, looked forward to seeing her wield the power that she exuded so effortlessly.  Then she spoke, and he remembered the look in Gwen’s eyes when she had knocked on the door. 
    The change in his demeanor was subtle, but Randi had no difficulty seeing it happen.  Geoff’s eyes narrowed slightly and she felt the temperature in the room drop subtly.  “Problem, Geoff?” Randi asked as she took a seat.  “Where’s Gwen?"
    “Out shopping with her mother.  She was upset about something when she got here and Jill decided a new outfit for the story session she is doing this week might be just the thing to pick her up.”
    “What was she upset about?”
    Geoff shrugged.  “I dunno,” he said blithely, giving no hint that he suspected it had everything to do with Randi.  “When she got here, her mother took one look at her and decided they needed to go shopping.  Personally, I think Jill just wanted an excuse to go out shopping.”
    Suddenly Randi turned feral eyes towards Geoff and he almost flinch from the burn her could feel crawling up his skin at the fiery trail they left.  “You let them go out alone?” she growled, tapping her comm badge.
    Geoff furrowed his brow.  “They’re grown women, Randi.  Of course I let them go out alone.  It was broad daylight when they left and they are both more than capable of calling for a transport to get home.”
    “Need I remind you, Geoff, that Jerry Daetwyler was murdered in this very city in broad daylight not so long ago?  And need I further remind you,” her voice a mere snarling whisper that sent chills through his veins, “that Gwen is a particular target?  Goddamnit, Geoff!!!  What the hell were you thinking??”
    She rose and moved to the door, her boots sounding loudly on the floor even as she started issuing orders.  “Notify the command.  This takes priority.  I want them found and brou....”  The sound of the door opening cut off her words and Randi’s head whipped around to see both Jill and Gwen come through the portal laughing as though they didn’t have a care in the world.  “Have you lost your fucking mind?” she snapped grasping Gwen by the arms and running anxious hands over every part of Gwen she could reach.   Her touch was surprisingly gentle given the harshness of her tone.  “Are you all right?”
    Gwen handed off her packages to Geoff who had come up behind Randi without ever losing eye contact.  There was anger and frustration in those eyes, but mostly what Gwen saw was stark fear.  She clasped the frantic hands in her own and brought them to her lips, calming the racing pulse she could feel pounding beneath her fingertips by touch alone.  “Sweetheart, I’m fine.  We just went and did a little shopping.  That’s all.”
    “You can't do that anymore.  You can’t go out alone like that.”
    Fire sparked from green eyes and Geoff and Jill casually extracted themselves from the discussion though Randi and Gwen were so intent on one another, they didn’t even notice.  “I don’t think so, Randi.  You may be the Sabre Commandant, but you are not my master.  I will not be dictated to!  It’s bad enough you completely disregard me, but you do not control what I do or with whom I do it.  I won’t allow it!”
    Randi straightened to her full height.  “*You* won’t allow it?  This isn’t your decision to make, Gwen.  Your safety... *our* safety is my responsibility.  It is my right to take care of you.”
    “Yes, it is, but not if you’re smothering me in the process, Randi.  I won’t be penned up like some sort of an animal.  And it is my right to take care of you as well,” she continued before Randi could draw breath to speak.  “What happens when the tables are turned and you decide to go out on some sort of mission?  Do you just expect me to stand by and let it happen?  Are you going to stay in just because we are being threatened?  It’s what you expect me to do.”
    “That’s a little different, Gwen.  I am a trained Sabre warrior – someone with lethal combat skills and the experience to produce the necessary results.  Do you really think you could kill someone to stay alive?  Because that is what it would come down to.  I can... I’ve done it before and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.  Whatever it takes to survive – whatever it takes to win.  Can you do that Gwen?”
    “Randi, you’re being completely unfair and unreasonable.  You’re assuming I would get into trouble the minute I was out of your sight.  I am a fully capable adult.  I don’t need a nanny goat or a nursemaid.”
    “No, but you do need an escort when you go out!”
    “I don’t believe you!” Gwen growled.  She held up her hands and took a deep breath.  “You do whatever it is you need to do.  I’m going to bed.”
    “But it’s early!”
    “I have an early flight in the morning.  Goodnight, Randi.”
    “Waitaminute,” Randi just kept herself from reaching out and grabbing Gwen by the arm.  “Gwen, please.  I don’t wanna fight.  Where are you going in the morning?”
    Gwen paused and turned back around to face Randi with a weariness she felt deep in her bones.  “Home,” she said succinctly.  “I have commitments back there that I am not willing to break.”
    “Not even to stay here with me?”
    Gwen hesitated then shook her head.  “No.  You don’t need me here... not to do Sabre business.  But Tommy and those kids do, and I made a promise to them I intend to keep.”
    “What about your promise to me?  Doesn’t that count for anything?”
    “I haven’t broken my promise to you, Randi.”
    “You promised to support me in this, Gwen.  I thought you understood how important it was for me to do this... how important it is for us.”
    “I do, Love.  I also know that you don’t need me here to get things done.  Besides, I’m not going away forever.  Just long enough to do my recordings for Tommy,” not mentioning Randi’s promise to be there for her performances.
    Randi ran a hand through her hair and blew out a breath.  “All right – fine.  We’ll leave in the morning.  How long will it take?”
    Gwen felt Randi’s impatience in the biting words and she took a deep breath to keep from making another caustic comment. “I’ll be three or four weeks.  It depends on how things go.”
    Randi shook her head.  “I can’t spare three or four weeks. I’ll have to see what I can arrange for security....”
    “Randi, no!  That isn’t necessary.  That is our home, and those are our friends.”
    “And we have been attacked more than once by people who want us dead.  Dammit Gwen!  Show a little sense here!”
    “Randi, NO!  I can’t work like that.  If it can’t be you, I would rather it not be anyone.” Gwen mumbled the last so low Randi missed it as she scrubbed a hand over her face. 
    “I’ll make it people you know and trust... Reed and Tiny and Lacey,” Randi continued as though Gwen had not spoken.  “I imagine I can get any number of volunteers.  Did you know that a number of Sabres protected you when you were on your walkabout?  They really care for you, Gwen.”  Randi put her hands on Gwen’s waist and leaned down to put them almost nose to nose.  “Can’t you see how important this is, Gwen?”
    Gwen lifted the strong hands from her waist and squeezed them gently before giving Randi a sad smile and releasing them as she step back slightly.  “I see how important you think it is, Randi.  I just don’t happen to agree with you.”  She stood on tiptoe and gave Randi a soft kiss on the cheek.  “Goodnight.”
    Randi watched her go down the short hall and listened to the door close.  Then she blew out a breath in frustration.  This was not the ending to her day she had pictured with her triumphant return to the Sabres as commandant.  She had been hoping for a bit of a private celebration with Gwen and instead....  Randi walked back into the small living room and poured herself a stiff drink.  Then she moved to the window that overlooked the garden and stood contemplating the darkness for a very long time.


Chapter IX

    “Geoff, I don’t like this.  I don’t like the person Randi seems to have become overnight.  Who the hell does she think is acting like that?  Do you know how close I came to slugging her... acting like she owned Gwen like that??  I’ve got half a mind....”
    Geoff caught Jill around the middle and pulled her into his lap before she could make good on her implied threat and go share that half a mind with Randi.  “Sweetheart, now calm down and....”
    “Calm down?!?  Calm down?!?  Geoff, do realize the damage she could have done to Gwen... the damage she could still do if she lost control??  Our daughter is in mortal danger from that woman, and I promised her an ass kicking if she was stupid.  That’s as close to stupid as I am willing to let her get.”
    “Jill?  Jill, calm down and breathe a second, please.  Randi was afraid *for* Gwen.  Given what has happened to them recently and the fact that they are being deliberately targeted by the rebels, Randi has gone a little nuts.  But she will never, ever lay a hand on Gwen to hurt her.  It would destroy her.  Besides, you know Gwen wouldn’t allow it.”
    Jill sighed deeply.  “I don’t like it, Geoff.  I don’t like it at all.”
    “Neither do I, Sweetheart, but we really can’t step in yet.”
    Jill turned angry eyes towards her husband.  “We’re going to wait until Randi hurts her?”
    Geoff gently stroked Jill’s back in an effort to calm her.  “Sweetheart, I promise you... I honestly don’t believe Randi can physically hurt Gwen.  Gwen wouldn’t stand for it and Randi wouldn’t survive it.  I don’t think she would intentionally hurt Gwen emotionally either, but they are going to have to set those boundaries and determine what is too much.”
    Jill dropped her head onto Geoff’s shoulder.  “I hate this.”
    Geoff leaned down and brushed a kiss over the top of Jill’s head, noting with some surprise a large number of grays he didn’t remember being there before. “I know, Love,” he whispered and tightened his arms around her in a firm embrace.  “But we can’t interfere yet.  They’re still newlyweds – we have to give them the chance to work things out for themselves.”
    “But if things go bad...?”
    “I’ll kill Randi myself,” he said with all seriousness, hoping the trial that they were just beginning to endure wouldn’t lead to that conclusion.

“Um... wow!” Randi said softly, sadly.  “I never realized....”  She broke off and looked around the dark cavern, trying to adjust the mental picture she had of her in-laws with the one she had just been presented.  She blinked as the awareness of just how much that hurt shuddered through her large frame and she held perfectly still until the first wave passed.

“No, because they made sure not to bring it to your attention so as not to put me into any greater danger.”  Gwen drew in a sharp breath when Randi tilted her head back and she could see the stark agony reflected in her eyes.  She cupped the face gently with one hand and rocked Randi against her chest.  Gwen leaned down and brushed a kiss over Randi’s forehead.  “They still love you, Randi; they never stopped.  They just didn’t like the person you became when you allowed the Sabre persona to become all-consuming.”

Randi sighed so deeply Gwen felt it in her toes.  “I don’t like the person I became when I allowed the Sabre persona to become all-consuming.  But Gwen, you have to know something; have to believe it with all your heart.  Geoff was absolutely right about one thing.  Never, not even in the darkest throes of my stint as Commandant or Empress, would I ever deliberately hurt you.  It would destroy me.  My one clear thought has always been to protect and love you even though I’ve clearly done a sucky job at that lately.”

Gwen shrugged, hoping Randi wouldn’t lean back and see the tears that had gathered in her eyes.  “I never doubted your love for me, Randi.  That’s why some of the things you did and said hurt so badly.  I never believed it was deliberate; that’s why we’re here together now.  Not even on the darkest days from the darkest part of you did I think you were trying to hurt me, but a lot of your words and actions still hurt.”  She felt the flinch and held onto Randi tighter.  “I’m not going to let him win, Randi.  We’re gonna fix this together... you and me.”

Gwen felt the tremulous smile against her breast before Randi brushed a kiss across her skin and tilted her head back to look into Gwen’s eyes.  “I think that is one of my favorite words in the world.”

“What, Love?”

Randi smiled brightly.  “Well, I really like that one too,” eliciting a smile from Gwen, “but I was referring to the word together.  That one makes us one.  And combined, they make us invincible.”

“Well, Wonder Woman, you ready to move on?”

“Yes.  The faster we get through this the sooner we get back to us.”

Gwen leaned down as Randi tilted her face up, and their lips met briefly before they turned their attention back to the book they still held between them.

    The moon had moved quite far across the sky before Randi put the whiskey down untouched and crossed the room.  Her steps were silent so as not to disturb the rest of the household and she followed the path Gwen had trod hours earlier.
    Randi opened the door soundlessly and stood for a moment just watching Gwen sleep.  A frown crossed her face as Randi noted the restlessness in Gwen’s body and the tenseness in her features.  She stepped out of her boots and shed her clothes carelessly, leaving them to lie where they fell.  Then she crawled in to lay naked next to Gwen, noting that she didn’t relax against Randi for long moments.  Randi spooned against Gwen’s back and fell into a light, agitated sleep.
    Randi stirred the minute Gwen shifted away from her.  That action in and of itself was enough to wake her.  Since her rescue of Gwen from Ben, they had always used those first awakening moments to cuddle together while Gwen gently traced the planes of Randi’s face.  Now Randi scowled even though Gwen took a moment to tuck her in and brushed a ghostly kiss over her forehead.  Then Gwen padded to the small guest bath across the hall and began preparing to leave.
    Randi rose from the bed and contemplated joining Gwen in the shower, then decided to go with the signals that were being clearly sent for the present.  She felt confident when Gwen had a chance to sit down and think things through clearly she would agree with Randi’s reasoning.  So instead Randi put her time to good use, packing up their things and making a couple vid calls.  When Gwen came out of the shower, they didn’t speak, merely changed places.  Gwen looked around the room and noted their things were ready to go so she went out to the kitchen to say goodbye to her folks.
    “Is everything all right, Baby Girl?” Jill asked softly as she placed a cup of coffee in front of her daughter and pushed the bangs back from her forehead. 
    “Yes, Mama,” Gwen answered with a small smile in her mother’s direction.  “I have to get back to do those recording sessions for Tommy.  You know that.”
    Jill gazed at Gwen knowingly.  “That is not what I meant and you know it.”
    Gwen clasped Jill’s hand in her own and squeezed it gently.  “I know.  But we’ll be fine, Mama.”
    “Promise?”
    “Cross my heart.”
    Randi stuck her head into the kitchen and Jill schooled her expression into something close to a neutral welcome.  Randi was so intent on Gwen she missed the uneasiness Jill quickly masked.
    “Would you like some coffee, Randi?” Jill asked cordially, removing Randi’s focus from Gwen momentarily and trying not to remember the fury she had seen in Randi’s face the previous evening.
    “No, thank you, Mom.”  This time seeing the flinch and feeling her heart harden just the slightest bit towards this woman who really had no right to judge her and yet continued to do so.  Randi cleared her throat.  “I owe you an apology though.  I owe everyone here one,” she continued as Geoff slid into the room.  “I may have overreacted last night.  I certainly didn’t mean to scare ya’ll.  I just need you to understand how important this is.  Gwen’s security is paramount to me.”  She shrugged sheepishly.  “I guess it makes me a little overzealous.”  Randi noted a slight thawing in the Goldman’s eyes and she accepted it as a first step in repairing the damage she had done the night before.  She turned back to Gwen.  “Are you all right, Sweetheart?”  Randi clasped Gwen’s hands, pleased when she did not pull away.  She gazed into green eyes and found a myriad of emotion, chief among them fear.  It hurt to think Gwen was afraid of her and Randi started to pull away.
    “I’m fine, Randi, honestly,” she said, cupping Randi’s face as their hands slid apart.  “I just need to get going soon.  I’ve got a lot of work to do in the next few weeks.”
    “Without me?”
    Gwen nodded.  “Yes.  You said last night you couldn’t spare the time, and I can’t spare the time to stay here at the moment.  I don’t want to stand in the way of you doing what needs to be done to end the rebellion completely.  I’m ready for this to be over with once and for all.”
    Suddenly Randi realized that Gwen’s fear was not *of* her, but of the circumstances that seemed to be shrouding their lives lately.  And for that she really couldn’t blame her though she personally wasn’t afraid of them.  She was simply over the whole thing and ready to be done with it.  “I want to go with you, but....”
    “I want you to stay here.  I want you to do whatever it takes to bring you home to stay.  I’ll be fine.”
    “I will arrange for security immediately.”
    “Randi, I....”
    “This is non-negotiable, Gwen.  If you want me to be able to do what I need to do here, then you have to let me do this.  Otherwise I will have to come with you or lose my mind worrying about you.”  Gwen didn’t answer; she simply left the kitchen and went to their room to retrieve her small bag.  Randi caught up with her as she exited.  “I need you to promise me, Gwen... to show me you understand why I have to do this.”
    “I already told you I understand why you feel the need to coddle me, Randi.  I promise you... I do understand.  You do what you feel you need to do, and I will do what I need to do.  And right now that means I have a shuttle to catch.  Tommy and I had to reschedule Friday’s session for this afternoon, and I’m not gonna let him down again.”
    “I already called Reed; she’ll fly you directly home.  I don’t want you using public transportation for the duration.”  Gwen nodded.  She would allow Randi this bit of precaution if it would help her to settle down and get the job done.  Suddenly she was tired to the depths of her very soul.  She wanted nothing more for everything to be over with so she and Randi could go home and live a normal life together.  “Thank you, Gwen.  C’mon.  I’ll take you to the shuttle before I head to work.”  Randi took the small tote and tucked Gwen’s hand into the crook of her elbow.  Gwen shuddered.  The feel was all wrong, but she couldn’t put her finger on just what had changed. 
    Randi settled her into the small transport that had been provided for their use and they proceeded in silence to the Sabre landing field just on the outskirts of the capital city
    *Maybe some time apart would be best for both of us,* Gwen pondered, and that thought created an ache in her soul so intense it made her breath catch in her chest - given what they had been through just to be together.
    Randi felt the reaction and she looked down into Gwen’s face, stopping the transport when she realized Gwen was having difficulty breathing.  She blew gently in her face, forcing an instinctive reaction and causing Gwen to inhale automatically.  “You all right?” her sudden tenderness nearly Gwen’s undoing.
    Gwen bit her lip and nodded.  “Yes.  Just thinking about how much I will miss you.”
    Randi leaned forward and caught Gwen’s lips in a light kiss that both of them deepened by mutual, passionate consent.  Randi cupped Gwen’s face and threaded her hands in the blonde hair, reveling in the intensity she could feel between them.  Gwen let her fingers tangle in Randi’s hair, kissing her as though it was the last time, memorizing the tastes and textures and scents until they were a living part of her.  Slowly, she pulled them apart and placed a final kiss on Randi’s nose.
    “I love you.”
    “I love you too.  Be safe.  I’ll miss you.”
    Gwen nodded and slipped from the transport and moved quickly towards Reed and the waiting shuttle.  She wondered how long this separation would last.  And she speculated on whether or not this was the separation Aphrodite had warned her of.  She didn’t think so.  She wasn’t forcing Randi to choose.  She was merely going home to fulfill previous obligations.
    Reed gave her a nod as she approached but was otherwise silent.  Gwen recognized that Reed was probably in some discomfort and wanted to keep it at a minimum.  She boarded the shuttle with a single backward glance at Randi and a wave, then moved quickly to the rear of the vehicle.
    The flight home was made in silence except when Reed needed to communicate with Tiny.  Gwen half suspected he was keeping an eye on their progress for Randi, but she remained quiet.  There wasn’t much she could do about it until they landed anyway.  Instead she focused her attention on preparations for her upcoming performance.  Tommy and those kids deserved her very best effort.
    When the shuttle set down with a bare whisper, Gwen picked up her pack and moved back towards the front to thank Reed for the ride.  She wasn’t surprised to see Reed reach for the cutoff switch and grab her own bag out from under the seat.  “Don’t bother,” Gwen said in a low flat voice.  Reed turned to her in surprise, hesitating at the tone and then stopping all together at the look on Gwen’s face.  She meant business.
    “Gwen, I have my orders.”
    “I understand that, Reed, and any other time it wouldn’t matter because you would be here as my friend.  God, I hate to have to say this....”  She drew a deep breath.  “But as a Sabre you are not welcome in my home – not for this.  It's bad enough Randi has given in to whatever madness had befallen her, but I will not be subject to it in my own home.”
    “I thought you promised Randi....” having spoken to the Commandant once they were in the air and on their way back to the island.  Randi had made it clear the Gwen understood how things had to be and that she would give Reed no problems.  Reed smiled to herself.  She should have known it wouldn’t be that easy.  Given how skewed their auras were she was surprised they were still talking much less trying to stay together through it – though she understood better than most just how important they were to one another’s very existence.
    “I promised Randi that I understood, and I do understand.  I just don’t happen to agree with her.  I told her to do whatever she felt was necessary, and I would do the same.  I cannot work if I am being hawked over and even if you stayed in the background, Reed, *I* would know you were there.  And I will not tolerate that sort of treatment in my home.”
    “Gwen, it wouldn’t be like that.  No one is going to impose on you; you won’t even know we’re there.”
    Gwen shook her head sadly.  “Yeah, I would.  I knew you were there during my walkabout.  I just didn’t care.”
    Reed looked surprised.  “You knew?”
    “Yeah.  I mean, I didn’t know who you were, but after a while I knew I was being followed.  I just figured when no one attacked me that whoever it was had their own reasons for following.  I figured maybe someone who liked the stories I was reading to people though I couldn’t figure out why.  They were the same few stories over and over again.”  She shrugged.  “Like I said, I really didn’t care.  But I am well aware of this, and I do care.  I don’t want you here.”
    Reed raked a hand through her newly shorn hair.  She’d liked Gwen’s new look so well, she’d decided to try something a little radical herself.  She just hadn’t expected to be nearly bald by the time the barber finished.  It would be a while before she needed another cut for sure.  “Then I’m afraid we are at an impasse, Gwen, because I have my orders and they take precedence over your wishes.”
    Gwen refrained from putting her hand on Reed as she was well aware of the kind of pain she could inadvertently inflict.  “If you feel the need to remain on the island for the duration, you can either stay here or you can go to the boathouse.  But you are not to step one foot inside the beach house and I do not want you or anyone else near Midas.  Do I make myself clear?”
    Reed nodded, seeing the seriousness of the command written clearly in the green eyes that held hers.  She idly wondered if Randi was capable of keeping this particular powder house dry because she had the distinct feeling Gwen wasn’t going to give much quarter on this.  “You do realize I’ll have to report this to Randi.”
    “You do what you need to do, Reed.  But understand I am not kidding about this.  I will not become a prisoner for Randi’s peace of mind.  Because this isn’t about me... this is about winning.  And she is determined to win no matter what the personal cost.”
    “Gwen, what changed?  As of last Thursday when Tiny brought her home to you, I know she had your complete support.  Even though you weren’t happy and didn’t agree with what was happening, you were still determined to support her whatever it took.”
    “You didn’t see what happened to her last night.  I still support her, Reed, but I refuse to become a pawn in whatever game is being played.  She’s becoming someone I don’t recognize by giving into her fears and I will not be part of anything that aids and abets those fears.  She’s going to have to get past them, whatever it takes.”
    “Do you understand that by defeating the rebels, she is looking to win once and for all?”
    “Yes, Reed.  I do.  Do you understand that I run a real chance of losing her regardless of how things turn out for the rest of the world?  Already I don’t like what she’s becoming to do this.  It is beyond what she was before she died.”  Gwen hefted her pack and moved towards the shuttle doors.  “Maybe it would have been better for everyone if she had simply stayed dead.  Ares would never have gotten an opportunity to try to corrupt her in this lifetime, and I wouldn’t have to stand by and watch it happen.”
    Reed gasped, feeling the waves of misery that wafted from the core of Gwen’s being.  “You can’t mean that.  Gwen, you’re soul bound to one another.  Your karmic cycle could have been permanently destroyed had not Randi come back and allowed you both to claim one another once more.”
    Gwen looked back from the doorway at Reed, and the seer easily recognized the ancientness that resided in those eyes.  “Our karmic cycle would not have been destroyed, Reed.  That is not the way things work for us.  She would have gone to her rest and I would have followed.  That is how it has always been with us.  The only reason I did not know it was time to go when she died the last time is we had not actually admitted our love to one another.  That’s the real reason she was allowed to come back.  But I would have gone to my rest and found her.  We would’ve been together again in the afterlife, and all of us would’ve been spared the misery and heartache we have already had and still have to look forward to.  So, yeah... absolutely I do mean it.”
    “You would so willingly give up every happiness you have known with her in this life to have spared....”
    “Yes, Reed.  I would... in a heartbeat.”
    “And if you knew that her staying dead would have screwed your karmic cycle forever?  That you would be lost to one another for eternity?”
    Gwen hesitated.  That was an infinitely tougher question as it meant losing something that was an intricate part of her being forever.  Her breath caught at the palpable loss just the thought brought to her soul and tears formed in her eyes.  “Yes,” she finally whispered.  “Because it would have finally given Randi peace and she has more than earned that, Reed.  Ares couldn’t have touched her then.”
    “He would have owned her.”
    “What??” managing to wrap the whisper around an agonized keening.  “Reed, that’s not possible.”  She sank down onto the shuttle steps, her legs no longer able to hold her up when her knees turned to jello.  “She was beyond his reach.”
    Reed nodded and moved to sit next to Gwen on the steps though she left her bag neatly tucked under her pilot’s seat. “May I?” she asked, motioning to the space beside Gwen.  Reed waited for a nod before she dropped down rather heavily beside her.
    “You’re right.  If Randi had stayed dead after her defeat of Ghost Rider, she would have had peace for a little while.  Ares couldn’t have touched her as long as she remained in eternity.  But she knew that she loved you and her soul was already pining for you before she died.  She wouldn’t have stayed in eternity for very long before she would have resumed an earthly form.  And you wouldn’t have been around the next time to stop him from winning.”
    Gwen sat silently for a moment, taking in Reed’s words and letting them soak into her consciousness.  She never took her eyes off the house she could just make out on the other side of the foliage, but she did finally speak softly.  “How do you know this?”
    “Rosie and I have been doing research.  It took some doing, but we found some ancient texts that gave Rosie the ability to look beyond... to see the possibilities the past held.”
    “Isn’t that what you do?”
    “No,” Reed answered with a smile.  “I see the possibilities of what is coming.  Rosie was able to look into the past and see what would have been.”
    “Why?”
    “Because we need as much information as we can gather if you are to defeat Ares once and for all.  Because what could have been could be again if your bond is broken.”  Gwen gasped and wrapped her arms around herself in an effort to ease the anguish that trembled through her body as she faced the reality that she might be separated from Randi for eternity.  Reed sat quietly and let her process the pain that rippled from Gwen’s body into Reed’s awareness.  She focused on maintaining her barrier until Gwen turned to her.  “You bear a tremendous responsibility, Gwen... a burden no one should bear, but one that fate has handed to you anyway.  You are all that stands between Ares and Randi’s soul.  Alone she is formidable but vulnerable.  Together the two of you are invincible.  If you win this time, you win for keeps.  He will no longer have any sway over her.”
    “You sound so sure.”
    “I am.”
    Gwen turned her attention back out to sea and closed her eyes as a breeze blew across her face.  “I don’t doubt our love for one another or Randi’s commitment to me.  I never have.”
    “Then why the doubts?”
    “Because the stakes have never been so high, Reed, and the odds have never been so stacked against us.”  Gwen looked at her briefly again before turning her attention back to the outdoors.  She watched the breeze move the leaves randomly and Reed remained quiet, sensing Gwen was not done speaking.  “Aphrodite came to me.  She told me what Ares did... how he managed to infect her.  He took away her choice, Reed.  So my doubts aren’t about the bond Randi and I share.  My doubts are about the outcome of this fight with Ares.  He has made winning impossible this time.”
    “Not... really, Gwen.  True, he did infect her.  And true, it should have taken away her choice.  But the fact is, it didn’t... not completely.  She has been struggling for control since this started.  I think Russ did something to push her over the edge because it wasn’t until then that she decided she needed to go on the offensive.”
    "So she gave in to Ares,” flatly.
    “I don’t think so.  Gwen, even with her drive and her focus on becoming Sabre Commandant... on wiping out the rebellion... her first priority has remained your safety.  I believe she is still fighting.  Don’t give up on her yet, Gwen.”
    “I’m tired, Reed.  My soul hurts.”
    Reed mentally braced herself, then wrapped an arm around Gwen’s shoulders.  Gwen accepted the comfort, leaning her head against Reed’s shoulder but keeping her attention on the world just beyond the shuttle.  “You’re not alone in your fight, Gwen.  We’re all going to be here in your corner, and we’re going to win.  You wanna know why I think that?”
    “Did you see it?”
    “Would you like to see what I have seen?”
    Gwen nodded.  “I think I need to... especially if you can show me something positive.”  She sat up unexpectedly and looked into Reed’s gray eyes – eyes that she had nearly lost helping to recover Gwen from the former Sabre that had kidnapped her and subsequently erased her memories.  She shook her head.  “I sound like a whiny brat, don’t I?  God, I’m sorry.  I just... I dunno.  I’m just at such a loss here.  I feel like I’m caught in the whirlpool of Charybdis.  I seem to be losing sight of everything.”
    Reed smiled.  “Nah... you just sound like someone who is running on overload.  That’s why I’m here - to remind you that you don’t have to do this alone this time.  C’mon,” she encouraged, tendering her own hands.  “I’ll make it quick.  I don’t think either of us is up for anything extensive.”
    Gwen proffered her hands towards Reed and was assaulted by a flurry of mental images when their hands linked.  Then the connection steadied and she was able to make out a single image, and she wondered how Reed had managed to hold her vision on this one impression.  The two of them were older – Randi had streaks of gray in her hair on either side of her face over her ears and both of them had less than smooth skin.  They stood together wrapped in one another’s arms facing the ocean as the sun set.  The prophetic foresight couldn’t have lasted more than a few seconds, but for Gwen, everything moved slowly enough for her to drink in the details and realize with startling clarity that she was looking at their distant future together.  Abruptly the picture disappeared from her mind and the connection between her and Reed was broken.  Gwen gasped, momentarily overwhelmed.  There had been so much darkness, but that final image gave her the hope she needed.  She couldn’t have explained why she needed the reassurance, but she was glad Reed had been able to provide it.  Even though it was only a possibility, it was a vision that would take her through the darkness yet to come.
    “Thank you, Reed.”
    Reed smiled tiredly.  “I’m glad I could help, Gwen.”  She rose shakily to her feet and snatched her bag out from under the seat before extending a hand down to the bard.  “C’mon.  You’ve gotta get ready for work and I need to make a few calls.”
    “Reed....”
    “It’s okay, Gwen.  Trust your instincts.  There’s got to be a reason you feel as strongly about this as you do.  Just don’t forget we’re on your side too.”
    “You’re sure?”
    Reed shook her head and they headed up the short walk towards the beach house.  “No, but that is what I feel most comfortable trusting at this point.  There are so many variables, and somehow I think you pushing Randi out of her comfort zone will ultimately be a good thing.  Might suck in the short-term though.”
    Gwen laughed wryly.  “It already does, Reed.  It already does.”

Gwen stopped reading when the book slid off her lap and she looked down at Randi.  The warrior didn’t look up, but Gwen could feel the sobs and the wetness that was soaking the front of her shirt.  Randi made no sound, but Gwen could feel the misery and confusion roiling through Randi’s being.  For a long moment they stayed that way, and Randi absorbed the comfort Gwen so freely offered.  Then she eased her grip and leaned her head back on Gwen’s shoulder so she could peer gently into verdant green eyes.

“You would have given us up.”  A flat statement, no question in her voice.

“Yes,” Gwen answered in a whisper, her eyes never leaving Randi’s.  “If it would have granted you peace, I would have given us up in a heartbeat.”  She reached up two fingers and cover Randi’s lips before she could speak.  “You’ve been fighting for thousands of years, Love, and this time Ares stacked the deck against you to make you his warrior forever.  I wanted you to know peace, and if that’s what it took....”

Randi removed Gwen’s fingers from her mouth and brushed a kiss across the back of them before tucking them in her own.  “Sweetheart, do you understand that I would never know peace if we were separated?  Gwen, you’re my source; my strength; my reason.  Don’t you know that by now?  Without you... without us... there is no peace for me, and there never would be.  We have been a part of each other for so long....”

Gwen loosened her hand and smoothed back sweaty bangs from Randi’s forehead and let her hand trace down across Randi’s facial features.  The blue eyes closed at the feather-light touch and Gwen let her own eyes drift shut, allowing herself to simply feel in the moment.  Finally she moved her touch down Randi’s neck and let her hand come to rest over the strong heartbeat, taking care to use a gentle stroke around the still burned skin of Randi’s chest.  “We have, Love.  And I’m not sure either of us would survive an eternal separation.  I know I was slowly dying without you here before we confessed our love to one another in this lifetime.  I just meant you finally deserved some peace and if that was the only way to give it to you, I would have given that up for you to find it.”

“Always looking out for me huh?” cupping Gwen’s face and smiling when she leaned into the contact.

“Always.  It is my privilege and responsibility.”

“Then remember something for me.”  She waited for Gwen’s eyes to track to hers.  “Nothing is worth the price giving us up would cost.  Nothing.”

“I understand that.  I just want you to remember that you are worth everything to me.”

“Works both ways, Sweetheart.  No yin without yang.”  Randi paused then pulled the book back up between them.  “Now back to the grind.  Every memory we work through makes my chest hurt a little less and I am ready to be done.”

“Me too,” Gwen smiled shakily, and they turned their attention back to her written words.


Chapter X

    “Gwen, you promised me!  You said you understood!”  Randi roared.  Reed had contacted her as soon as she and Gwen had settled into their respective residences.  Actually she had waited until Gwen gave her the go-ahead, both of them knowing that Randi was going to erupt when she heard.  Randi had been quite calm during Reed’s report, instructing her to remain at the boathouse when Gwen was at home.  Randi insured Reed understood in no uncertain terms that the minute Gwen left the island, Reed was to be by her side regardless of Gwen’s feelings on the matter. 
    As soon as her call to Randi was complete, Reed placed another call – this one to Sky, requesting some local support.  Already her hair was standing on end from all the skewed energy flying between Randi and Gwen, and she had the distinct impression it was only going to get worse.  Her final call was to Rosie.  She wanted to bring the shamaness up to speed on recent developments, and she hoped the added time would give Randi and Gwen time to work out the latest wrinkle in their road.
    In the meantime, a storm was brewing in the beach house.
    “I promised you I understood your position, Randi, and I do.  I understand that you think I need a sitter twenty-four hours a day.  I also told you I would do what I needed to do to live normally.  And I will not be kept like some sort of prisoner, especially in my own home.”
    “Gwen, you need protection.  This threat is real.  The rebels will do anything they can to get to me and that definitely includes jeopardizing your life.  They have already tried and they will keep trying until they win or I do.  And I am not going to let them win.  I am not going to stand aside while something else happens to you.”
    “And I can’t stop living my life to accommodate some unreasonable fear on your part.  Randi, the island is impregnable; you’ve seen to that.  Reed is welcome to stay at the boathouse, but I will not have her here in our home as some sort of Sabre watchdog.  I will not allow it!!!”
    Randi gaped at her for a long moment over the vid screen before her eyes became hooded.  “I see.  Very well, then.  I will take care of this myself.  She will be accompanying you to Midas, period.  I already have other operatives in place there that will watch out for you.  No arguments, Gwen.  I don’t have time for it right now.”  Randi cut the connection without another word and Gwen stared at the blank screen unseeing until a light rap on the French doors brought her out of her shock.  She turned her head slowly to see Reed standing there uncertainly and motioned her in.
    Reed crossed the threshold and glanced around cautiously.  Nothing was disturbed or out of place, yet Reed could feel the discord pulsing through the air.  “Um, is it okay for me to come in?” she asked hesitantly.
    Gwen rubbed her forehead then ran her hand though her hair before dropping her hand to her side.  “Yeah, sure,” Gwen replied.  “I wish I didn’t have to be like this, but....”
    Reed held up a hand.  “It’s fine, Gwen.  Honestly, it’s better for me to stay at the boathouse.  The vibes here are so whacked they are beating on my defenses and until and unless I get some sort of support, it could get very painful for me.  I appreciate the distance.”
    Gwen grimaced.  “I hadn’t thought about that aspect.  Are you sure you’ll be all right?”
    Reed nodded.  “I’ve already made some calls.  It is just a matter of getting folks into place.  Rosie has agreed to come out this evening and help.  I’ll be all right.”
    Gwen reached out a hand, then hesitated.  She certainly didn’t want to cause Reed any more undue pain.  Reed clasped her hand very briefly before releasing it again.  “I’m glad,” she said softly.  “Now let’s get to Midas.  I have a fitting and then it should be time for lunch.”
    Reed smiled.  “I’m there.  I don’t know who your cook is there, but you can invite me to lunch any time.”
    Gwen laughed and picked up her things as they headed out to the transport together.  “I think it’s an apprentice of Ella’s.   His name is Gideon.”
    “You’ll have to introduce me.  My taste buds would like to say thank you.”  And so the banter continued down the road until they reached the Midas complex.
    Gwen wondered what sort of directives Randi had sent down that she and Reed were passed through the gates without comment, then realized the new gate guard was one of the operatives Randi had spoken of earlier.  She shook her head.  She had a bad feeling about this.

    “Gwen, what’s the problem?” Tommy finally asked after he had to stop filming for the third time.  Something was obviously troubling Gwen and he had a feeling Randi’s distinct absence was a contributing factor.  “This isn’t turning out like I visualized it and I don’t think my imagination is at fault.”
    Gwen blew out a breath and walked over to the chair that had her name inscribed on the back.  The children who had been patiently waiting for her story were claimed by their somewhat agitated mothers and given a small snack to tide them over til the next call.  “It’s not, T.  I’m just a little out of sorts today.”
    Tommy put his arm around Gwen’s shoulder and he felt her lean into him for comfort.  It disturbed him more than he let on and he turned to Gwen in full big brother mode.  “C’mon, Little Bit.  Share with ol’ Tommy what’s wrong.  Let me fix it, then we can get back to the serious business of telling stories.”
    Gwen wrapped her arms around Tommy’s middle and squeezed, glad when he returned the embrace fully.  “Nothing you can fix, T.”
    “Musta been one humdinger of a fight then,” he said evenly, feeling Gwen tense lightly in his arms.  He chuckled softly.  “And before you ask, it’s very easy to tell.  Ya’ll are so in tune with one another it’s real obvious when things fall out of sync between you.  I’m kinda glad she’s not here if things are that screwy between you.  My hair would be standing on end.”
    “Pretty much,” Gwen agreed solemnly.
    Tommy felt her look around as she eased away from him, and it occurred to him that had been part of the problem.  Something or someone in the room was distracting her.  He didn’t think it was Reed; she had agreed to wait with him in the control booth though there was a distinct tension between her and Gwen – something he hadn’t noticed before.  No, this was something beyond that; as if the whole room was making her uncomfortable... or someone in it was.  The clue that had been circling finally bit him in the ass and Tommy reacted almost physically to the epiphany.  Instead he patted Gwen lightly on the back.  “I have an idea,” he said to her sotto voce.  “I should have gone with my original idea to start with,” he continued, muttering. He turned to the room.  “Everyone out.  Except for the children, I want everyone out of the studio.”
    Reed rose from her chair in the booth, wondering what was going on and how she could keep her spot in the booth without causing an uproar.  There weren’t that many people in the studio to start with and she wondered what had prompted his command.  Everyone else looked back at Tommy doubtfully until he began to shoo them out of the room, and Gwen was quick to note which were more hesitant than others.  Soon there was no one left in the room but the kids, Tommy and Gwen.  Reed and one technician remained in the control booth.
    Tommy felt Gwen physically relax and drew a sigh of relief.  He should have expected Gwen’s reaction though.  The original idea had been to simply recreate the casual atmosphere of band practice.  But Randi’s call had changed all that and made it into a production.  He had felt Gwen’s hackles rise the minute she’d stepped onto the set, but she had tried to accommodate the change.  It simply wasn’t working the way he wanted it to.  So he chucked Randi’s directives and went with his gut.
    Gwen rose from her chair and moved over towards the kids, some of whom were getting fidgety and restless.  She crouched down and spoke to them in a voice too low for Tommy to hear the words, but in short order Gwen had one in her arms and another by the hand.  The older children took the hands of the others, and as a group they made their way to the set fireplace and were setting up their own little nook.  Tommy casually walked over to the camera and focused it on them, motioning offhandedly to the sound tech in the booth. 
    The children and Gwen settled themselves comfortably on the pile of pillows they had stacked up around the floor and then Gwen began to talk to them.  That’s all it was at first, just informal conversation between them.  The children talked about their various days while Gwen listened and laughed at their stories and antics.  Finally the youngest, Randall, who was comfortably ensconced on Gwen’s lap, turned to her and tugged on her shirt.  Gwen looked down into his wide brown eyes with a smile.
    “What’s up, Cutie?”
    Randall smiled back adorably.  “Wen, story, pwease?”
    “A story?  I dunno.  Do you think anyone else here might like to here a story?”
    “Yes!” he replied emphatically.
    Gwen grinned at his enthusiasm, and looked around at the sea of expectant, upturned faces.  “Whaddya say, guys?  Should we have a story?”  The cacophony that erupted was loud enough to make Gwen want to cover her ears, but instead she leaned back and laughed.  When the noise died down, she asked her next question.  “So, what shall I tell a story about today?
    “Pirates!
    “Princesses!”
    “Space fights!”
    “Cowboys!”
    The number of suggestions Gwen got was only limited by the number of ideas the children surrounding her were capable of imagining.  She laughed again and held up her hands for quiet.  Eventually they did settle down again, and she smiled at each of them.  She had missed this and she welcomed the tingle of enthusiasm that coursed through her veins at their obvious eagerness.  Her imagination pricked up its head, responding to the energy that now flowed from her audience, and Gwen’s mind turned itself over to creating a story with all the elements the children had asked for.
    Tommy observed the whole proceeding with a smile, watching the magic return to Gwen’s face and voice as she rose to the challenge the kids had presented her.  *This* was what she had needed, and though it was still a little off, *this* was what had been missing.  He kept an eye on the camera, but for the most part, Tommy settled in to enjoy the new tale Gwen was spinning for the children who now sat around her enthralled by her words.  For her part, Reed sat in the booth, struggling to maintain her hyper-alert status.  Since Tommy had effectively dismissed the security Randi had set up, the responsibility for Gwen’s safety fell solely and squarely up her shoulders.  So she fought not to be drawn in to story that Gwen was weaving around her.
    In the shadows, Randi stood hidden from sight.  It had been her intention to burst into the room as soon as she knew that Tommy had discharged the security measures she’d practically forced him to employ.  Then she caught a glimpse of Gwen surrounded by children with Randall sitting so trustingly in her lap, and Randi hesitated.  Gwen started to speak and Randi found herself spellbound by the sound of her voice.  Then she began listening to the words and felt a calm wash through her as she allowed herself to be drawn into the telling of the tale.
    At some point, Gwen became aware of the brooding presence standing in the shadows and she tailored her story to reach Randi like she couldn’t any other way.  It wasn’t a Soulmates story, but it still held all the elements that Gwen wanted to share with Randi.  Eventually though she reached the end of her story.  The pirates were defeated in a space fight with the cowboys and the knight rescued the princess so they could all live happily ever after in their underwater castle with the dolphins and seahorses.  The children were thrilled and clapped and cheered when Gwen was done and Tommy nodded in satisfaction.  This experiment was going to be everything he envisioned and more.
    Randi stepped from the shadows and everything came to a standstill.  The children had never seen her in uniform before, and though she tended towards dark and muted colors, there was something about the Sabre working uniform that simply absorbed the light from everything around it.  She was a hole of darkness in a room already filled with shadows except where they sat under the lighting.
    Tommy turned and caught the feral intensity in the look she wore and swallowed hard.  After all, he had completely disregarded her orders concerning Gwen’s safety and security and he’d known there would be hell to pay for it later.  He motioned to the tech who let the others know it was safe to come back on the set though the mothers were the only ones who rushed in.  The rest had no real reason to be in the room now that the filming had been done without them and most had in fact gone back to the jobs they had been hastily pulled from that morning.  It was odd for Tommy to be so indecisive, but they had seen the trouble Gwen was having with all of them around so most put it down to his accommodating her needs – which was the truth.  The others, well, they would face Randi’s wrath later. 
    Gwen rose from her seat as Randall was removed by Ella and moved to stand between Randi and Tommy.  Randi reached out to gently move Gwen to one side, but she refused to budge and Randi was loath to use force against her.  Gwen felt the anger roiling from Randi in waves and reached up a hand to her chest and laid it against Randi’s heartbeat.  She felt the pounding slow and finally Randi looked down into open green eyes.
    “You don’t get to be mad at him, Randi. He sent them out for me.  He sent EVERYONE out for me, everyone except Reed.  I couldn’t work knowing half the people in here were here expressly to babysit me.  So if you want to get mad at someone, you get mad at me, but you leave Tommy out of this.”
    Randi scrubbed a hand through her hair.  “Why, Gwen?  You promised me.”  There was anger back of the words but also a resigned tiredness.  “Why are you so determined to make this difficult?  Can’t you see you are in danger?  I’m just trying to protect you!”
    Reed had escaped from the control booth and waited silently in the corner of the set.  The technician had already moved to another area of the room to begin editing the shoot, and Tommy stood waiting patiently in the same spot he had been since he started the cameras rolling.  Ella had wanted to remain as well, but a hand signal from Tommy had encouraged her to take Randall out of the room.  Randall had been staring at his beloved playmate Wuv as though she was a spectre he had never seen the likes of before.
    “Randi, you’re trying to suffocate me!  Reed was right here – against my express wishes I would like to add – but she stayed because you gave her an order to protect me.  Sweetheart, you can’t wrap me up in cotton wool no matter how much you might want to.  I can’t live like that and neither can you.”  Gwen paused, feeling Randi trying to get her breathing under control.  “I know what’s driving this,” she continued in a softer voice.  “Randi, you can’t let this fear win.  What Ben did....”
    “What Ben did was take you from me.”  The statement was stark and fierce.  “What the Amazons tried to do was take you from me.  Never again, my bard.  I won’t permit it.”
    “I understand that, Randi.  But you’ve got to trust yourself and me.  Trust Reed to handle things here until you can be here.  She knows who to trust and who to look out for.  I’ll bet if I ask her, she can tell me the names of the half dozen Sabres you had staked out in here.”
    Randi looked startled.  “You could tell?”
    Gwen nodded.  “Yes.  Now that I know what to look for, it’s easy.”
    Randi blew out a breath.  “I won’t pull them out, but I will pull them back for now.  But Gwen, if something happens here....”
    “Randi, if something happens here, I will stop everything I am doing and will go with you to the capital city until this is all over.  But for now, I just need things to be as normal as we can manage.  Please?”
    Randi nodded her reluctant agreement.  “You finish up here while I issue new orders.  Then I’ll run you home before I head back.”  Gwen bit her tongue and nodded.  She wanted to urge Randi to stay, but things felt awkward between them still and she hesitated to ask.  Then Randi spoke again.  “Thank you for the story,” she said softly and trailed her fingers down Gwen’s cheek.  “I enjoyed that very much.”
    Gwen chuckled.  “So did I, though God knows the kids didn’t make it easy.”
    “No kidding... space cowboys?”  She dropped an arm around Gwen’s shoulders and steered her towards the corner where Reed stood relaxed and waiting patiently.  As they approached, it was all Reed could do to remain unaffected on the outside as their skewed aura battered against her defenses.  For now her barriers held, but she spared a moment’s gratitude for her upcoming meeting with Rosie.  The shamaness would be able to bolster the barrier she had in place, and Reed appreciated the fact that not only could Rosie help her but the fact that she was willing to do so.  It had gone a long way towards cementing their friendship.  She was standing at attention by the time Randi and Gwen reached her.  “At ease, Captain,” Randi commanded, and Reed fell into position automatically.  Gwen rolled her eyes.
    “Reed, relax, will you?  I can feel the starch in your shorts all the way over here you’re so uptight.”
    “Let it go, Gwen,” Randi instructed firmly.  “This is military business and well she knows it.  Her behavior is perfectly proper given the circumstances.”
    Gwen glared at Randi a minute before slipping out from under her arm.  “All right. If you will excuse me, I have business of my own to finish up before I can leave for the day.  You two can take care of your military business without me.”  Without another word, Gwen took Tommy by the elbow and walked out the door.  Reed kept her focus on a tiny speck on the far wall to maintain the façade required by her military bearing.  Randi watched Gwen leave and slapped her thigh in disgust.
    “Goddamn it!!  I can’t do anything right for shit as far as she is concerned lately, can I??  And why is she making things so difficult, hmm?  Does she think this is some sort of game??”  Reed didn’t answer.  It was not her place to speak, especially since she wasn’t sure whether or not the questions were rhetorical or directed to her.  Randi whirled again and glared at Reed.  “Well?!”
    “I’m sorry, sir.  Well, what?”
    Randi looked at Reed as though she had lost her mind.  Then she realized Reed was reacting as a discrete Sabre should.  Never answer a question the content of which you’re not entirely sure.  “Nevermind,” Randi muttered.  “Assemble the troops in my office in five minutes.  I have a different assignment for them.”
    Reed took a chance.  “And me, sir?”
    “No, you will remain with Gwen until she returns to the capital city to rejoin me.”
    “By your leave then, sir....”
    "Yes, dismissed.”
    Reed snapped to attention and saluted before scurrying out of the room, quickly finding her colleagues and gathering them to her with a nod of her head.  Then they went directly to Randi’s office to await their new orders.  Beth blinked at them as they strode into the reception area, but Tommy had given her instructions to leave these new hires to their business so she watched as they followed one another into the security office.  There was a precision and a military bearing to them that marked them as far more than simple security personnel, and Beth wondered what was happening at Midas that the military had moved in.
    Meanwhile, Randi went to Gwen’s trailer, knowing Gwen would need to remove her stage make-up before she could leave.  A grim smile crossed her face as she thought back to Gwen confiding in her how much the stuff made her itch.  Suddenly that closeness seemed so far away from them, and yet it had only been a matter of weeks.  Her heart clenched at the realization.  Randi grabbed her head in her hands as searing pain lanced through her skull, leaving a trail of fire in its wake.  She stumbled blindly and fell into the trailer and Gwen opened the door at the noise.
    “Randi?!?”  She turned and looked back at Tommy who had been sitting in the trailer with her going over her performance schedule.  At her cry he rushed to the door and looked at Randi in alarm before hastening to her side and easing her up the steps and onto the small couch.
    “I’ll get the doc....”
    “NO.”
    “But Randi....”
    “No doctor.”  Tommy looked at Gwen who simply nodded back at him.  He started to move away and found his hand clasped in Randi’s.  He waited.  “Thanks, T,” she said quietly.  “It’ll pass in a minute; it always does.”
    He looked at Randi for a long minute in serious concern.  “Does this happen a lot?  Randi, something could be terribly wrong; you need to get it checked out.”  His attention moved to Gwen.  “You talk to her.  Don’t let her go all stoic on you either. And you,” facing Randi again.  “Don’t be stupid.” He squeezed her hand and released it, then left the trailer without another word.
    Randi closed her eyes and let her head rest quietly on Gwen’s lap for a few minutes until the blinding pain became a dull ache, then her eyes fluttered open.  “Did Tommy just call me stupid?”
    “Not exactly,” Gwen replied with a small smile.  “He instructed you not to be.”
    Randi’s forehead crinkled in confusion.  “Have I done something lately to warrant that kind of warning from him?”  Gwen wasn’t sure what sort of answer to give.  She realized with startling clarity that Randi was still fighting – only she was fighting herself... with herself and for herself.  It was as though she were two separate, distinct individuals fighting for dominance and control of Randi’s mind and body.  Gwen wondered if Randi would be able to survive if she couldn’t merge both parts of her personalities back into a single whole individual. Before she could form the words to speak, Randi blinked and when her eyes open, the blue had become a gunmetal gray.  She sat up slowly as the pain diminished, confusion washing over her features again before they took on the hard planes of the Sabre warrior once more.  Gwen blinked at the dramatic change she could physically see take place.  “I have some business to finish up in my office.  Will you please wait here until I come back to get you so I can take you home?”
    Gwen nodded her agreement and Randi brushed a light kiss across her cheek before rising and leaving the trailer without so much as a backwards glance.  Gwen stared at the closed door for a long moment before she blew out the breath she had been holding and went back to her mirror.  She was going to have to talk to Tommy about moving the schedule up, or canceling it completely until this thing played itself out.  Despite the anger she felt and the turmoil that was her life currently, she wanted to be at Randi’s side for as long as could be managed.  Truth be told, she wanted to kick Ares in the nuts for his inability to accept defeat gracefully, and for continuing to make a mockery of their commitment to one another.  Gwen had never considered herself a violent person, but she was ready to go to war with him over this.  She wondered if she could enlist some outside aide, and let her mind wander over those thoughts as she continued to remove the irritating make-up. 
    Randi took much less time than she expected and before she was actually ready to leave, the warrior was back at her side.  Reed brought the transport around and got out, taking the motorcycle keys from Randi with nary a word between them.  Gwen’s eyes grew when she realized what had just taken place.  No one but no one besides Randi was allowed on that bike except for Gwen, and Randi had just turned it over to Reed without batting an eyelash.
    “We could have taken the bike, you know,” Gwen commented softly as Randi adjusted the transport seat to accommodate her much longer length.  “I enjoy riding tucked in behind you.”
    “No,” Randi answered starkly, the bleakness apparent in her tone.  “It’s too dangerous and I won’t risk you again.”  She couldn’t stop the shiver that trailed up her spine.  “Something is wrong here.  I feel....”
    “You feel what, Love?  What is making you so skittish here?”
    Randi shook her head mutely as she looked around the compound, searching for visible signs of whatever it was that was making her antsy.  Finally she moved the transport forward and headed out the gates.  “My thumbs are prickling,” was all she muttered.  Gwen looked at her with a frown, but didn’t say a word.  She understood the reference well, but couldn’t imagine what or who at Midas would set Randi’s sense off like that.  Neither of them saw the brown eyes burning with hate watch them head out the gates for home.

    “Oh no, Randi,” Ares growled as he watched the events play out on his scrying bowl.  “No, no.  You’re not going to lose your focus now... not for Blondie.”  He chewed on his lip as he paced, mind working furiously.  He was too close to achieving his desires to let Gwen’s hold on Randi to become her downfall.  He couldn’t afford her as a distraction for Randi’s focus – not when she was this close to fulfilling her destiny, and his.  “Time to put your focus back where it needs to be... on the conquering.”

“Waitaminute....” Randi said as they read that passage.  “How do you know what was going on with Ares?  It’s not like we have a scrying bowl to spy on him,” she added bitterly.  It stung knowing how she had been played by this particular god.

“No, we don’t,” Gwen agreed.  “But we have some friends who do.  And we’ve been working on this a while.  It took a long time to put all the pieces together, especially since some of them had to be gathered and recorded on the sly.”

Randi chewed her lip in silent contemplation and Gwen simply remained still and let her think.  Finally Randi nodded her head and Gwen picked up her reading.

    They arrived home and Randi was surprised to see that Reed wasn’t already there.  She had been rather leisurely in her driving, and she hadn’t given Reed any specific orders that would make her late.  So she was not very happy when Reed pulled up behind them with Rosie and dinner on the back of the bike.  But Gwen welcomed their friend and Randi allowed her manners to usurp her anger.  She would deal with Reed’s insubordination later.
    “It was good of you to come with Reed and bring us dinner, Rosie,” Randi commented agreeably.  “I feel like it has been months instead of just a week or so since I’ve had your barbeque.”  She stopped speaking when Rosie laid a hand on her arm.
    “Please don’t try so hard, my friend.  I know my presence here is unexpected if not unwelcome.  I came because Reed needs me if she is to fulfill the order you have tasked her with.  Don’t judge her too harshly.”  Randi didn’t answer verbally but patted Rosie’s hand before gently removing it.  Then she stepped towards the bedroom and closed the door behind her.  Gwen watched with confused eyes and Rosie shifted her attention to the bard.  She waited patiently until green eyes tracked to hers, then she gripped Gwen’s hands reassuringly.  “Go to her, Gwen.  Reed and I need to go down to the boathouse to do some work on her defenses.  We’ll be back shortly.”
    Gwen nodded her head numbly before moving to follow Randi into their room.  Randi stood in front of her weapons closet casually studying the massive array of armaments she had cached there.  She didn’t even turn when the bedroom door opened and Gwen crossed into the room.  “Before I leave tomorrow, we need to start your training on a few new weapons.  Reed will continue your lessons until I can be with you again.”
    Gwen’s forehead creased in a frown.  “Why?” succinct and to the point.
    Now Randi turned around to face Gwen with her own frown marring her features.  “Whaddya mean why?”
    “I didn’t stutter, Randi,” Gwen replied with more than a hint of exasperation.  “Why do I need more weapons training?  I have the staff and I’m good with it.  Why do I need something else?”
    `“Because I need to know you can protect yourself if everything else fails... if I can’t be there.”  Randi’s shoulders slumped in defeat.  “Gwen, it’s not a matter of *if* something happens to you, but *when*.  You are my greatest strength, but you are also my biggest weakness, and if the rebels can exploit that, they will.  That’s just how they operate.”
    Gwen could feel the frustration rolling off Randi in waves, and she stepped into her personal space, feeling the hidden flinch at the invasion.  It made her soul cry out in agony while at the same time it fueled an angry possessive streak.  “Don’t,” she said fiercely.  She placed one hand over Randi’s heart while the other cupped her face.  “Don’t let them dictate to you and don’t let your fear win.”  She pulled away from Randi and stepped back, moving over to the doors that overlooked the beach and turning her back to Randi.  “I’ve already lost you to the Black Sabres again.  Don’t let the rebels win as well.  They will completely destroy you.  They have less of your best interests at heart than the Sabres do.”
    “That’s not how it is Gwen.  The Sabres don’t own me.  They *owe* me.”
    “Yes, they do owe you, Randi.  But they own you as well.  They are as much a part of you as I am, and you are their natural leader.”
    “Is that what you think?”  The whisper was stark and pain-ridden.
    “It’s what I know, Randi.  You can deny it, but they are the truth of who you really are.”
    “What does that do to us?” after a long, awkward silence. 
    Gwen’s shoulders slumped.  “It doesn’t change how I feel about you, Randi.  Nothing can do that.  I promised you forever and I meant it.  But it feels like you’re slipping away from me, and....”
    Randi walked up behind Gwen, within touching distance but still separated from her.  Her reach was hesitant and awkward and Gwen made no effort to help ease the discomfiture between them.  Finally Randi let her hands rest on Gwen’s shoulders, rubbing them lightly to erase the tension she felt resting there.  “I’m not slipping away, Gwen.  I’m trying to ensure that we are finally able to have a measure of peace to live in together in this lifetime.  I think we have earned that.”
    Gwen patted the hand on her shoulder before pulling away from the uncomfortable embrace.  “I do understand, Randi.”  She walked over to the bathroom and closed the door behind her.  A look in the mirror showed green eyes full of despair.  “I understand that you aren’t slipping away from me.  You are deliberately walking away from us and into the darkness alone by choice.”
    The bedroom was empty when she walked back into its sanctuary.


Chapter XI

    Rosie took Reed’s hands into her own and urged her out the French doors before Gwen had completely disappeared into the bedroom.  As uncomfortable as the situation made her she knew Reed had to be in some sort of agony if her barriers were not holding.  And while she didn’t look to be in pain, she didn’t seem particularly healthy either.  Reed took the hint and led Rosie into the boathouse rapidly.  Without ceremony, the two assumed a position to help Rosie strengthen Reed’s defenses.  Reed had hoped it would take a while longer for this to become necessary, but obviously she hadn’t built up enough strength to combat the sheer awkwardness of their aura.  What they were doing to her senses was like experiencing a continual wreck, and it was exhausting as well as painful.  At some point in the very near future she would need another session with Sky and the elders of her village to bolster what Rosie was doing for her currently.  As it was, Reed could literally feel the strength flowing through her veins, and it was a relief to her battered psyche.  After a bit, she was able to pull away, and Rosie looked at her questioningly.
    “I think we both need to eat before we continue.  Passing out at this point won’t help either of us.”
    Rosie chewed her lip.  “Good point.  But we left all the food with Randi and Gwen.  Are you sure...?”
    Reed nodded her head.  “Yeah.  I feel much stronger, and we both need food.  Besides, I want some barbeque, dammit!”  Rosie chuckled lightly at this pronouncement and Reed grinned rakishly and wiggled her brows before her expression became one of concern.  “What about you... will you be okay going in there with them after sharing so much energy with me?”
    Rosie smiled wanly.  “Their aura does not affect me like it does you.  However, restoring some of the power I just shared with you is probably a good idea, especially since we need to do it again.  We’ve got to find a way to make it more permanent though.”
    “Agreed.  We can talk to Sky and see if he and the council can come up with something.  I don’t think we’ve ever actually had something like this happen before.”
    Rosie shook her head.  “We haven’t.  I’ve done the research.  Ares has never gone to such drastic measures to ensure his success, and that’s a lot of what you seem to be combating.  Not only is their aura together screwed up, but also Randi’s single energy is entirely warped from what it should be.  He’s done something.  It’s almost as though she is fighting herself.”
    Reed nodded.  “Well, that at least would make things make more sense.”  She paused in thought.  “It does seem like we are dealing with two distinct personalities, doesn’t it?”  She shook her head.  “We’ll have to study this some more.  It’s just so beyond our scope of reality.”  The two headed out the door and back towards the beach house.  “Rosie?” Reed asked, breaking the casual silence between them.
    “Hmm?” the shamaness replied absently.  Her mind was already working on the convoluted problem she had been handed.  There had to be a way to beat it; she just needed to find the right thread first.
    “We are going to win, right?  We *can* defeat Ares?”
    “We’ll find a way,” Rosie assured.  “We have to.  We can’t let him win so he won’t.”
    Reed smiled.  “Just like that?”
    “Just like that.”  Then the conversation ended as they stepped onto the deck and knocked on the French doors.

    Gwen walked out of the bedroom and noted Randi was casually setting the table for four as though nothing had happened.  It was more than a little disconcerting.  When Randi saw Gwen come out of their bedroom, she crossed the room and took her in her arms.  Gwen returned the hug reflexively, acknowledging just how right it felt to be there despite all the confusion.  It was moments like this she felt sure in her belief of them forever.  It was just unfortunate they were becoming way too few and much too far between.  Eventually Randi’s hold loosened though both women refused to completely release the tenuous hold they had on one another.  Instead Gwen pulled back just enough to look into Randi’s blue eyes.
    “I do understand your concern, Randi, and if you think more weapons training is what I need, then we’ll start my lessons tomorrow.”
    Randi drew Gwen back into her body for another long hug before brushing her lips over the soft, blonde hair.  “I wish it wasn’t necessary, Love, but I can’t stand the thought of taking chances with you... especially not now.  So much has happened....”  Gwen could feel the trembling in the strong body she was wrapped around and she squeezed tighter to show Randi her love and support.  Randi loosened one arm from Gwen’s body and ran the hand through her long, dark hair and scratched at her neck in utter frustration.  “I know you think you are losing me to the Sabres, but you’re not.  This is temporary... just until we destroy the rebellion once and for all.  I can’t... *we* cannot continue to live in a state of siege.”
    She would have persisted in her efforts at explanation had it not been for the hand covering her mouth.  Randi looked down at Gwen with a raised eyebrow.  “It’s all right, Love.  I do get it.  I realize it is important to both of us for me to be able to protect and defend myself just in case.  I just want you to understand that I hope just in case never arises.”
    “Me too, Sweetheart.  Me too.”  Whatever else might have been said was lost when Rosie and Reed knocked on the door looking for entrance into the beach house.  Randi released Gwen and moved to let them in, knowing she owed both women an apology.  “I’m sorry, guys.  I didn’t mean to be so rude earlier.  I just... having... knowing... this whole situation is driving me nuts and ya’ll caught the backlash.”
    Reed didn’t answer.  There was a different code in place for her now, and the fact remained that Randi was her commanding officer.  And as of yet, she hadn’t given any unreasonable orders.
    Rosie moved to the table and took a seat rather matter-of-factly.  “Just don’t forget who your friends are, Randi.  Things will be a lot easier for you that way.”
    The rest followed her example and sat down in the awkward silence that followed.  Gwen tried to break it, but was at a complete loss for something to say that didn’t sound trite or inane.  Finally Randi allowed her Sabre persona to come to the fore and both Reed and Rosie marveled silently at the obvious physical change that took place before their eyes as she spoke.  “Reed, can you and Rosie take care of your business tonight?”
    The two women exchanged looks before Reed turned back to Randi.  “Temporarily, at least.  It will require more work later on, but we can do enough to get by on until we can get things in place to create a stronger shield.”
    “And when will that be?”
    “I have a call into Sky.  If I go to them, we can do it in the next couple days.  If they have to come here, probably a week or so.”
    Randi sat thoughtfully with her fingers steepled under her chin.  Finally she tilted her head towards Gwen, and Gwen saw a flash of the woman she loved before the Sabre returned to the forefront of Randi’s expression.  “Your choice, Gwen.  You can go with Reed to the village or Sky and the elders can come to you.  Which would you prefer?”
    Gwen looked at Randi for a long moment before she turned her attention to the seer who was also her friend; a friend who was suffering almost as badly as she was from the rift that was becoming a chasm between Gwen and Randi.  Gwen took note of the dark circles under Reed’s eyes and the exhaustion that lay so plainly in the gray eyes.  She saw the physical contact that Reed maintained with Rosie and realized even now Rosie was straining her own reserves to strengthen the barrier Reed had erected to shield herself from the skewed energy that permeated the bond she and Randi shared.  If Reed could feel what Gwen did, she needed whatever help could be managed for her as quickly as possible.  And if it was worse....
    “I’ll go with Reed.  I think it’s best that she get what she needs as soon as possible, especially if she is going to continue to be my sitter.”
    Randi gave an exasperated sigh.  “Gwen, it’s not like that....”
   “Yes, Randi, it is, but I’m over it.  We can start on the weapons training whenever you want.  I’m sure there are several Sabres you will want to send with us that will be perfectly capable of instructing me.  Now if you’ll excuse me, ladies,” nodding towards Reed and Rosie.  “I imagine the sooner you get started, the better for everyone so I’m just gonna turn in early.  For some reason, I’m exhausted. Don’t worry about cleaning up here.  I’ll take care of it in the morning.  Goodnight, guys.”
    Reed grasped Rosie’s outstretched hand as Randi watched in consternation while Gwen walked away from them without a backwards glance.  Gwen crossed the threshold of the bedroom and shut the door without ever looking back.  Randi glanced at Reed and Rosie, astounded by the amount of pain radiating from the very posture of both women.
    She jumped up from her place as though she’d been bitten by something and backed away from the table.  “Are ya’ll done?” motioning to their empty plates.  They looked at one another and nodded.  “Then why don’t ya’ll head back to the boathouse?  I can see being here is making you both pretty miserable, and I’m sorry about that.  I’m not really sure what is going on with Gwen these days.”  She shook her head then muttered under her breath, “I’m not really comfortable either.”
    Randi looked up again at the sound of chairs scraping back from the table.  Rosie met her eyes while still maintain a firm grip on Reed’s hands.  “Thank you, Randi.  Do you have a time you need us back here in the morning?”
    Randi shook her dark head.  “No.  In fact, if ya’ll want to head up to the village early tomorrow, that will be fine.  I need to work on a few things with Gwen, then I’ll bring her up before I head back to the capital.  I’d like to reintroduce her to the local Amazon tribe there as well.”
    Reed nodded.  “That could be an immense help.”
    “I think so,” Randi replied.  “They are already somewhat aware of her capabilities.  They could continue to teach her and protect her without me having to pull from the Sabres.  And that means we can get our business finished faster.”
    “I’m all for that, sir.”  Rosie blinked at the address, but didn’t comment.  She knew Reed would explain everything more thoroughly when they were alone.
    Randi nodded decisively.  “That’s what we will do then.  The sooner we are done with the rebellion, the better for all of us.”  She cast her eyes in the direction of the bedroom before moving to escort Reed and Rosie to the door.  “Ya’ll be careful out there.  I’ll leave the light on until I get done in here and ya’ll get back safely, all right?”
    “Thank you, sir,” Reed answered as she pulled Rosie out the door with her and moved swiftly back towards the boathouse.  Randi watched until they reached the dock then moved to clean up the dining area so she could go check on Gwen.  Something just wasn’t right there, and it hadn’t been since before the Amazon attack.
    It didn’t take long; it was mostly a matter of recycling the take away containers and washing up the few dishes they had used.  Then Randi walked back over to the French doors and looked towards the boathouse, pleased that she could see lights and two distinct silhouettes.  She flipped off the light and set the alarm, then crossed into the bedroom without hesitation.  What she found there was not unexpected, but still tremendously disheartening to see.  Gwen lay facing the wall, wrapped around her own pillow and dressed in some sort of pajama outfit Randi had no recollection of ever actually having seen before.  It was clear from her body language that Gwen was still not happy, and Randi was torn between anger at her stubborn refusal to see the truth and sadness that they were obviously fighting about something she felt was a non-issue.
    Randi scrubbed a hand through her hair in frustration, then crossed to the bathroom.  She figured a hot shower would help her to relax.  Maybe by the time she was done, Gwen would either be over her snit or at least asleep.  In any of their previous disagreements, they had never been able to maintain their anger or barriers during sleep.  She hoped this would be the same.  Then she stepped into the steaming water and let her thoughts wander back to the Sabre business at hand.
    Gwen let the tears roll silently down her face.
    When the water shut off, Randi stepped from the shower a bit more relaxed but no closer to a solution to any of the problems she saw as immediate threats – especially those that threatened her very existence... Gwen.  She rubbed a hand over her eyes, then grabbed a towel to dry off with.  The worst part of her problem centered around the fact that Gwen refused to accept the seriousness of the situation.  Randi reached up a hand and cleared a space on the mirror.  She gazed for a long moment at the haggard reflection gazing back at her and rubbed the side of her face.  The burning had started up again recently and it was starting to work her nerves in the worst way.  She kept meaning to tell Gwen about it, but since they seemed to be a cross purposes continually lately, the opportunity hadn’t really presented itself.  She wondered briefly, given Gwen’s attitude, if she would even care.  That thought caused a wave of pain to shoot through her head and she managed to push away from the vanity just before her knees crumpled beneath her and darkness enveloped her.
    Gwen rolled over at the sound of the thump and looked at the door.  She waited, but when there was no other sound forthcoming she threw the covers off her body and rapidly slid from the bed.  She was nearly running by the time she hit the bathroom door and she fell to her knees with a startled cry at Randi’s position on the floor.  She grabbed the wet rag from the shower door and pulled Randi’s head into her lap.  With one hand she gently wiped Randi’s face while the other combed through dark, wet tresses.   Gwen studied Randi’s face, noting with unease the hollowed cheekbones and the dark circles under her eyes.  “Oh, Love,” she murmured under her breath.  “What have they done to you?  What are you doing to yourself??”
    As though hearing the whispered words, the blue eyes fluttered open.  Randi blinked rapidly trying to figure out exactly how she ended up on the floor while her mind processed the feel and scent of the warmth surrounding her.  Only then did she allow her eyes to track upwards to meet Gwen’s green ones gazing back at her with love and concern.  The intensity that radiated from Gwen’s very being brought sharp tears to her eyes and she nuzzled the soft, firm surface she was nestled against to keep Gwen from seeing the relief in her own.
    Still Gwen felt the relaxation that flowed through Randi as her body sagged imperceptibly in her arms, and she held on tightly for all too brief a moment before she allowed Randi to find a more comfortable position.  Much to her surprise, Randi didn’t move off the cold tile floor, but continued to lay with her head comfortably ensconced in Gwen’s lap.  After a slight hesitation, Gwen resumed her ministrations, feeling Randi continue to relax into her.  She closed her eyes and smiled sadly that there was such awkwardness between them so soon.  After an eternity, she felt Randi sigh deeply and she opened her eyes to find Randi regarding her seriously.  Gwen moved the wet rag to one side and ran her hands carefully to the partially dried locks, letting her hand rest slightly on Randi’s face.
    “What happened, Love?  Why did you fall?”
    Dark brows scrunched up while Randi considered the question earnestly.  She remembered stepping from the shower and then a shooting pain before waking up in Gwen’s arms.  Why did it feel like she had missed something pretty important in the interim?  She grasped Gwen’s hand and rubbed it along her face.  “Pain,” she said softly.  “Pain.”
    Gwen frowned in response.  Randi was running their hands along the side of her face that had been scarred not once, but twice by different members of the rebellion, and Gwen had to wonder what was causing it to flare up yet again.  Though she could see no visible evidence of its return, the spot where it had been was cold to the touch.  Gwen squeezed their joined hands and held them still, waiting for Randi to open her eyes.  Finally Randi opened her eyes again and this time she let them remain locked on Gwen’s.  For the first time, Gwen noticed the redness of the eyes that faced her.  She wondered if Randi was sleeping at all given the exhaustion she could see lurking in the back of her gaze.  Gently Gwen caressed Randi’s face.  “C’mon, Stud.  Let’s get off this cold floor before you catch a chill.  I’ll tuck you into bed and then we’ll see what we can do for the pain, all right?”
    Randi nodded, strangely compliant.  She continued to rub her face into Gwen’s belly as though the sensation was soothing.  Gwen looked down at her in alarm at her unusual meekness, disturbed by the sudden shift in moods.  Then she moved Randi into a sitting position, holding onto her as Randi gathered herself, then Gwen helped both of them to stand.  Randi hesitated, hating to show any weakness even in front of Gwen, but needing the support as she felt another wave of dizziness wash through her.  Gwen held on, not making a big deal of anything, but completely unwilling to leave Randi to her own devices even when she tried to gently disengage herself from Gwen’s grasp.  Instead she wrapped an arm more firmly around Randi’s waist and put Randi’s arm around her shoulders before she slowly moved them back to the bedroom.  It was fairly easy to get Randi settled once they reached the bedside.
    Gwen started to step away, intent on retrieving some juice and painkillers to help Randi cope with whatever had thrown her for such a loop.  She was a little surprised to find her hand caught and held in Randi’s firm, light grasp, and she looked up to find her gaze snared by the blue-eyed intensity of the warrior’s stare.  Gwen cocked an eyebrow in Randi’s direction, and almost got a familiar teasing grin in response.  What she got in its place though, was ultimately more heartfelt and a true indication of how badly Randi felt.  Something that given what was going on between them would never have happened if Randi’s defenses hadn’t dropped so low.  As it was, Gwen could do nothing but comply once the request was made.
    “You,” Randi said quietly.  “I only need you.”  In answer Gwen climbed into the bed beside Randi and opened her arms.  Randi snuggled into Gwen’s breast, placing the burning cheek tight against Gwen’s heartbeat.  Gwen waited for Randi to settle before she started a gentle tracing of Randi’s face, relishing the touch between them.  It seemed so long since they had shared this intimacy and Gwen found the memories brought tears to her eyes now.  “I’ve missed this,” Randi whispered.
    Gwen smiled sadly, unseen by Randi.  “So have I,” she replied with equal softness.  “I don’t like that we seem to be losing so much of what makes us... us.”
    Her words were only met with silence, and Gwen felt the tears well in her eyes though she refused to allow them to fall.  Then she felt a warm wetness on her breast and she held Randi tighter to her, relishing the chance for the closeness.  She felt Randi cuddle deeper into their embrace with a sigh.  It was a very long time before either of them settled down to sleep.  They had no way of knowing how drastically their lives would change once again with the coming of morning.

    Reed and Rosie were long gone by the time Gwen opened her eyes, and she felt around to discover that Randi was long since gone from their bed.  She bit her lip at the feeling of desolation that swept through her, trying to remember when the last time was she and Randi hadn’t woken together when they had shared a bed.  Green eyes closed and Gwen concentrated on riding out the pain in her soul.  She didn’t even move when she felt a warm touch try to erase the wrinkles from her forehead.  Only when the touch cupped her face did Gwen open her eyes to be met by the sympathetic blue ones of Aphrodite.
    “You doing all right there, chica?” Dite asked with a small, sad smile.  She brushed blonde bangs away from Gwen’s eyes.  “This is hard, huh?”
    Gwen nodded and returned the sad smile.  “Harder than I thought it would be, yeah.  I expected... well, I hoped it would be over quickly.”  She slapped the bed in frustration.  “Dammit, Dite!  Haven’t we been through enough?  Haven’t we suffered enough to be together in this lifetime?”
    “Yeah, ya have, but this is so not my call.  Otherwise....” she shrugged.
    “I know, Aphrodite, and I’m sorry.  I don’t mean to take this out on you.  I’m just tired and frustrated and....  We’re going to win, you know; we have to.  I just want it to happen sooner rather than later.  I’m sorry; the waiting is almost worse than just having it go ahead and happen.  I think it’s starting to drive me nuts.”
    Dite chuckled.  “Well, Babe, if it makes you feel any better, I passed nuts at such a radical speed so long ago it had to be pointed out to me.”
    Gwen couldn’t help it... she laughed.  Whatever words she had expected to fall from the love goddess’ lips, that hadn’t even been in the realm of possibilities.  Aphrodite tilted her head, not imagining her honest response would get such a reaction from Gwen as she continued to laugh until she cried.  And then she simply held Gwen in her arms until the storm passed.  Though intense in duration, it was mercifully brief, and Gwen sat up almost as quickly as she had collapsed into Dite’s waiting arms.  She looked at the goddess with a watery smile.  “Sorry about that.”
    Dite pushed her hair back from her forehead once more.  “I’m not.  You need the release, and I’m glad I was here to help.  Hmm, that doesn’t sound right, does it?  And somehow, I don’t think Randi is in the mood to appreciate that sort of humor these days.  Tell ya what, though... anytime you need a shoulder, you let me know, ‘kay?  All you gotta do is like, call for me and I am so there.”
    “Thanks, Dite.  I appreciate it.”
    Dite squeezed her hands then rose from the bed.  “I gotta split before that gnarly warrior babe of yours comes bebopping through the door, but you remember what I said, all right?  We’re watching even if it seems like we’ve deserted you.”
    “But....” 
    “I’ll be back when I can.  Later, Cutie!”  And she was gone in a shower of rose petals and sparkles, then not even the rose petals were left.  Gwen blinked her eyes furiously.  She’d never known the rose petals to disappear without a trace.  Then a hot, sweaty warrior came running into the bedroom and gave Gwen a wave as she passed right into the bathroom.  Gwen blinked and slid from the bed, feeling like she had just stepped into the Twilight zone.  Then she walked to the kitchen and began preparing breakfast.
    Randi came out behind her shortly thereafter, drying her hair absently with a frown on her face.  Gwen felt a frown crease her own face at Randi’s expression, especially when that look of confused dissatisfaction was turned her way.
    “What?” Gwen finally asked when Randi continued to stare.  She crossed the kitchen to cup Randi’s face in her hand.  “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”
    Randi didn’t flinch, but Gwen could feel the tenseness in the skin under her fingertips.  She looked into Randi’s eyes and saw pain and confusion before her expression cleared though the frown remained.  With her other hand, Gwen smoothed the wrinkles from her forehead.  Randi caught the hand and gave Gwen a crooked smile before planting a kiss on her fingertips.  “I missed you in the shower this morning.”
    “I missed you in the bed this morning.  I figured you just needed some space.”
    “Not from you.  I just woke up antsy this morning.  Something... something is nagging at me, and I don’t know what.”
    “Where... here?”
    Randi shrugged.  “I don’t know.  I don’t think so.  It’s a feeling that started at Midas yesterday, but I can’t put my finger on just what it is that’s making me nuts.”
    Gwen smiled.  “And that just makes you nuttier.”
    Randi nodded and returned the smile wryly.  “Yeah, it does just make me nuttier.  And these days, I don’t think I need any pushing in that direction.”
    Gwen snorted.  “Like any of us do?”  She turned back to the waffles that were now a golden brown.  “C’mon.  Breakfast is ready and I’ve still got to get a shower.  Then we can go....”
    “We’ll run by Midas to give Tommy the lowdown on things.  Then we’ll get you up into the mountains and I’ll reintroduce you to the Amazon tribe there.  I imagine they’ll remember you though I doubt you’ll remember them.”
    “Are they the ones...?”
    “They’re the tribe we visited when you got your introduction to the card-carrying festival.”
    “With the staff thing?”
    “Yep.  You’ll be staying with Reed and Sky, but they will come in to help train you.”
    “Can you do that?  I mean, I didn’t know you had that sort of position in the tribe.”
    Randi smiled depreciatively and shrugged as she decimated the waffle on her plate.  “It’s not a position really.  It’s more like an owning of a favor.  Besides, the queen likes me and she is going to love you.”
    “What makes you think so?”
    Randi grinned.  “Because I’m just that smart,” she said cheekily.  “Now go get your shower so we can get going.  I’ll clean up the kitchen.”  And in short order, they were headed to Midas, though Gwen’s mind was working overtime as she tried to make sense of Randi’s change of moods.
    It didn’t take long to reach Midas and Tommy was easily convinced of the need to once again postpone Gwen’s recording sessions.  Truth be told, it was something he had been anticipating.  Given Randi’s obvious change of focus and her need to keep Gwen safe, he was surprised it had taken as long as it had.  But it was apparent to both women that he had been more than prepared for the eventuality.
    “All I ask, Gwen, is that you keep in touch with me from time to time and let us know that you’re all right.  It’s in my nature to worry about you.”
    “And what am I?” Randi cut in.  “Chopped liver??”  She put her hands on her hips and gave him a mock glare.
    “No, but I figure you will be too busy ruling the world or something similar.”  His serious response caught her off guard, and she merely blinked in reaction.  “Besides,” he continued without a breath, “Gwen and I may have a chance to get some more work done if I keep in touch with her.  Ya never know when that muse will strike again.”
    Gwen smiled, trying to alleviate the sudden tension she could feel running through Randi’s frame.  “I don’t think that will be a problem, T.  My muse has a lot of catch-up work to do and has been busy working on a few new things.  I think it is safe to say we will be able to do some more recording soon regardless of where I am.  And I think if we could do one or two in the mountains it would be all to the better.  I think a change of scenery could definitely work in our favor.”
    “Good,” Tommy agreed readily.  “We’ll plan on it then.  You just let me know when you’re ready and we’ll get things set up for ya.  And in the meantime, ya’ll stay safe, all right?”
    Gwen reached up and squeezed Tommy around the neck, relishing the return hug he gave her.  “We will, Tommy,” she whispered.  “You too.”
    “We’ll get through this, Gwen.”
    At that point, Randi stepped forward and encompassed both of them.  “Once this is over, Tommy, things will get back to normal.  I promise.”  It only took seconds for them to all be reminded just how not normal things had become for them all.
    They stepped out from Tommy’s office, arms still wrapped around one another.  It almost caused Randi to react too slowly.  Without warning and without sound Brad came around the corner, blade raised.  He swung at Gwen, managing to slice into her arm before Randi grabbed his wrist.  The warrior didn’t pause, didn’t hesitate, but continued to squeeze, feeling the bones break beneath her grip.  Randi pushed Gwen behind her and advanced on Brad, pushing him down hard and making him hit the floor with a bounce.  Tommy rushed to pull Gwen out of range.
    “Randi, NO!” Gwen cried as she put pressure on her bleeding arm.
    “Infidel!” Brad screamed as he fell to his knees.  “The whore must die!”  He didn’t get to say anything else as Randi backhanded him so hard across his face Tommy heard the bones crack over Gwen’s yelling in his ear.  Just for good measure, Randi hit Brad again, relishing the spray of blood from his nose as it washed over her.  Then she grabbed him around the neck with her free hand and squeezed until he started to gag.  He struggled to no avail, wincing when she released his broken wrist, only to snap the other arm in two places.  “She has... to... die, Randi,” Brad wheezed.  “If... not by... the... Wizards... then... someone else... will... do... it.”  He chuckled as her hand tightened, then he choked.  “She’s... she’s your weak... spot... Randi, and the... whole... rebellion... knows it. <gasp>  We get... her – we... get... you.  And once... we... have you... we win.”
    Randi grinned evilly and reached down and hit a pressure point on either leg, rendering him immobile from his hips down.  Then she snatched up the knife he had dropped, and he knew when he met her black eyes that he was going to die a painful death.
    “Randi, NO!!  Please don’t do this!” Gwen pleaded to no avail.
    “I don’t think so,” she replied calmly, ignoring Gwen’s entreaty.  She turned the blade and rammed it into his stomach cavity with some force.  “You see,” she continued conversationally as she slowly wrenched it upwards, “she is also my greatest strength, and I will do anything to protect her.  Even if that means taking on the entire rebellion myself – one stupid son of a bitch at a time.”  Brad looked in her eyes again, and in that moment he believed she would.  For the first time he felt true, unmitigated fear.  His sacrifice would be for naught.  He started to cry.  Randi jerked the knife up into his chest cavity and pierced his heart, ready to have done with him.  “No more living for you,” she muttered as he toppled over into a puddle of blood and most of his internal organs.  The entire exchange had taken less than two minutes.


Chapter XII

    Randi moved away from Brad immediately, scooping Gwen into her arms and shouldering her way past the door back into Tommy’s office.  For his part, Tommy stood unmoving as she brushed by, stunned by what he had seen. Out of nowhere, several of Randi’s new security agents, the Sabre contingent, showed up and began cleaning up what was left of the Wizard rebel.  Tommy vaguely wondered how they knew they were needed and how they were able to cope with the heinousness of the scene without emotion.  But most of his mind was occupied by the images of Randi that had been seared into his brain.
    Gwen caught a glimpse of Randi’s black eyes before they started to fade back into their natural blue.  Without a word she relaxed into Randi’s embrace, allowing the comfort she needed to both give and receive.  Time would come later for discussion though Gwen understood why Randi had executed Brad.  She just didn’t understand the feral joy she so obviously took in it.
    Randi set Gwen tenderly on the couch in Tommy’s office and started to place a gentle finger on the tip of her nose.  But she saw the blood that remained on her hands and pulled back abruptly, unwilling to allow the ugliness of what had happened to touch Gwen any longer than necessary.  Instead she held up a finger, silently cautioning Gwen to stay put and she rose to her feet, moving over to the door.  Immediately one of the remaining agents stood from his cleaning duty, nodding his head at her whispered instruction.  Then he left at a run, returning almost instantly with a med kit in his hands.
    Randi tried to pull Tommy back into the office with her, but he furiously resisted her attempt, jerking away from her and leaving without a backwards glance.  Randi’s shoulders slumped.  Having Tommy walk away from her hurt almost as much as having Gwen push her away had.  She only hoped she’d get the opportunity to explain.  Randi closed the door and crossed the room, kneeling beside the couch and reaching for Gwen’s arm.  The blood was only flowing sluggishly and Randi pulled an alcohol wipe from the kit without moving her eyes from the cut.  Gwen reached her free hand and lifted Randi’s chin until their eyes met.
    “It’s all right, Randi.  I don’t understand the joy you take in killing, and I don’t like it.  But I do understand why that is your reaction... especially after being attacked.”  Randi didn’t answer but Gwen could see the relief in the back of her eyes.  “We’ll talk about this later?”
    Randi nodded and turned her attention back to the cut on Gwen’s arm.  She sprayed it to numb the area and then poured cleanser on it before wrapping it up.  “I want to get you out of here.  We’ll regen it when we get to Sky’s.”
    “We’re going to Sky’s and not the cabin?”
    Randi nodded.  “I want you in the village.  It will be easier to keep you safe there.”
    Gwen frowned.  “Randi, um... why do you think I would be safer there?  I mean... we were attacked there the last time we visited.  People died.  People are still dying because of me.”  She paused, drawing in a shuddering breath and sparing a glance towards the door.  “Randi, I don’t want to be the cause of something like that again.  I can’t,” in a bare whisper.
    Randi slipped onto the couch and took Gwen in her arms.  “I know.  That’s why I need you to go to Sky’s for now.  No one will look for you there – they won’t have time.  And I can move enough Amazons in to protect both the village and you.”
    “No, Randi.  I don’t want anyone else to die.”
    “Gwen, people are going to die because I’m going to end this rebellion once and for all.  The only way to do that is to destroy them, and that’s what I’m going to do.  One rebel at a time, they are going to die.”
    Gwen closed her eyes.  It wasn’t something she’d ever wanted to hear come from her Marine and she felt Randi slip just a little bit further from her with the words.  Then she opened her eyes and met Randi’s gaze squarely.  “I don’t like it, Randi.  It’s not your job and it’s not your responsibility.  Remember?  You DIED for them.  You don’t OWE them *anything else*.”
    “You’re right, Gwen.  I don’t.  But I do owe US that, and I’m the only person I completely trust to get the job done.  I know I can, and I know I *will*.”
    “Why, Randi?  Why does it have to be you?  Why can’t you leave it to someone else?”
    “Gwen, we’ve been over this.  We *keep* going over this.  Continuing to talk about it is not going to change anything – not the facts nor my position on what needs to be done.”  Randi sighed in sheer frustration as much as anything else.  “The fact is if someone else was able to take care of the rebellion, it would have already been taken care of.  The Sabres need a leader, and like it or not, I am the most qualified person for that position.  Besides which, this has become very, very personal to me.  I cannot stand idly by while someone is taking potshots at us.”
    “I still don’t like it,” Gwen stated adamantly.  “It feels like you are being set up... like you are being pushed into it for some reason.”  She swayed and leaned further into Randi’s body, somewhat reassured when Randi reflexively clasped her tighter.
    “By whom, and for what purpose?  I mean, ending the rebellion is for the greater good and all.  What difference does it make if I do it or if someone else does as long as it gets done?  Forget the fact that I am the most qualified person to get the job done.  Who stands to gain from me specifically taking charge and leading that kind of offensive?”
    Gwen closed her eyes again as a wave of dizziness washed over her.  She wondered what was happening since she didn’t think she had actually lost that much blood.  “Wh’ cou’ man’pla’ y...?” was what Randi heard come out of Gwen’s mouth before Gwen went limp in her arms. 
    Without hesitation, she scooped Gwen back up into her embrace and stood from the couch, moving swiftly to and out the door.  “Riker!”  She didn’t bellow; she didn’t need to.  The man was standing just outside the door as though waiting for instructions.  “Get me a medic with a regen unit and a shuttle, stat.”
    “The shuttle is standing by, sir, as is Lacey.  She was summoned as soon as we knew there was an injury.”
    Randi nodded.  “Good work.”  She looked down at the scrupulously cleaned floor.  “Make sure that body is put in a place where it makes a statement the rebels understand.”
    “Aye, sir.  Do you need some help with her, sir?”
    “Nope.  It’s not that long a walk.  Please let the command center know that my schedule will be a bit behind as I will probably need to stay overnight with her before I head back to the capital.”
    “Aye, sir... understood.”             
    Randi headed out the door but paused momentarily when she caught Tommy’s eyes.  He held her gaze as though searching for something before turning his back.  She walked out the door without missing another beat.  Time for Gwen was too precious to waste on something she couldn’t even begin to fix at the moment.  Tommy would just have to wait.
    As soon as Randi stepped foot onto the shuttle, the door closed and they prepared for take off.  Lacey met her and together they eased both Gwen and Randi into the reclining chair as neither woman showed a desire to release the other from the hold they had.  Even unconscious, Gwen clung to Randi fiercely, and Randi was just naturally proprietorial where Gwen was concerned.  But Lacey was well experienced in this particular bonding and knew how to work around it.
    She cut the binding from Gwen’s arm, wincing at the bubbling she could see still taking place from the cleanser Randi had poured into it.  Obviously the blade had been contaminated by something.  Lacey glanced at Randi for her reaction, a little startled by the fact that Randi wasn’t watching.  Her eyes were closed and her breathing even as though she was asleep.  Lacey decided to take small blessings where they came and got rapidly to work.  When she was satisfied she had removed all the poison and infection from Gwen, Lacey turned her attention to Randi’s hands.  Though she hadn’t seen Brad’s execution, she had heard about it just as the rest of the team had from Yemin, the Sabre who had been assigned to Randi’s office while Tommy’s assistant Beth was on vacation.  According to his report, Randi’s execution of Brad had been swift, and given the fact that he had attacked Gwen, fairly merciful.  However, it had also been in front of both Gwen and Tommy and everyone knew how Tommy had reacted to the violence.  Lacey shook her head.  She wondered just how much more these two could survive together before everything fell apart for them.
    Lacey took Randi’s hands in hers cleaning the blood from them dispassionately.  She felt Randi’s eyes on her and looked up to find them open to mere slits.  “How is Gwen?” Randi muttered hoarsely.
    “She’ll be all right.  I’ve got her under the regen unit now and I sent ahead to let Reed and Sky know we’re headed in.  They’ll be ready and Gwen should be awake in another few minutes.”
    “What was wrong?  Was it blood loss or...?”
    “Probably or.  There was something on the blade he used to slice her with.  It was still bubbling when I unwrapped it.”
    Randi sat up abruptly, taking her hands from Lacey and shifting Gwen in her arms.  “Do we know what it was?”
    “Wha’ what wuz?” Gwen mumbled, blinking her eyes sleepily and sitting up.
    “You need to stay still, Gwen.  Lacey’s got the regen unit going on your arm.  It should be done by the time we reach Sky’s.”
    Gwen frowned.  “I thought we were gonna wait til we got there.”
    “We were until the cut seemed to knock you out.  So Lacey came along to fix you up.”
    Gwen nodded.  “Are you staying?”
    Lacey shook her head and smiled.  “Not this time.  But I’ll be back.”  Then she got up to move away from the two of them to allow them a bit of privacy to talk.  Gwen’s hand on her arm brought her to a sudden halt and she turned to look at her with questioning eyes.
    “Thanks,” was Gwen’s only word. 
    Lacey patted the hand on her arm and smiled again.  “Anytime, my friend.”  Then she crossed to the other side of the shuttle, leaving Randi and Gwen alone in the silence.
    Gwen sat comfortably, her head tucked into Randi’s neck.  She let her hands wander absently up and down Randi’s sides, enjoying the feel of being able to touch while being surrounded by Randi.  For right now in this moment, Randi was totally with her, and Gwen relished it completely.  They sat there for a little while simply absorbing the peace.  Then Randi drew a deep breath and whispered into Gwen’s ear.  “Gwen, what did you say to me earlier?  When we were talking about who would stand to benefit if I led the Sabres through this campaign to wipe out the rebellion.”
    Gwen sat up to look directly at Randi.  “What do you remember?”
    “I remember Brad attacking, carrying you into Tommy’s office and wrapping your arm.  We talked.”
    Gwen gazed into Randi’s eyes, seeing nothing but honesty in them.  Once again, Randi really didn’t recall the actual act of violence she had committed.  Gwen wondered what it would take for Randi to see the truth.  She drew a deep breath and decided to push a little.
    “Do you remember what we talked about?”
    “Yep.  We talked about why I needed to be the one to destroy the rebellion.  Then you muttered something at me just as you passed out, but I didn’t actually understand what you said.”
    “I asked who could manipulate you.”
    Randi absorbed the question with a thoughtful pause, understanding it was being asked in all seriousness and not as a knock at her integrity.  Coming from Gwen, there had to be a significant reason behind the asking.  Finally Randi withdrew from her self-absorption and turned her full attention back to Gwen.  “No one,” she replied sincerely.  “There is no one on earth who could manipulate me into doing anything except me.  And that’s not manipulation; that’s decision and responsibility.”
    Gwen bit her lip and nodded slowly.  “All right.  I can accept that as an answer.  But what about things not on earth?  Could you be being manipulated by something outside the mortal realm?”
    “Like a god, you mean?”  Randi paused again for a long moment then shook her head.  “I don’t think so.  There isn’t one who’d be interested except maybe Ares, and I already turned him down flat.”
    Gwen looked at Randi for a long time before slowly nodding her head.  “All right,” she drawled.  “It was just a thought.”  She put her head back down on Randi’s shoulder and snuggled more deeply into her neck.  “Do you mind if I stay here a while longer?” she asked drowsily.  “I’m still kinda tired.”
    Randi smiled and brushed a kiss across the top of the blonde head before resting her cheek.  She squeezed Gwen gently but firmly for a long minute, then relaxed her hold just slightly.  “You’re always welcome here, Gwen.  You get some rest.  Regen takes a lot out of you.  I’ll wake you when we arrive in the village.”
    “’Kay, thanks,” Gwen mumbled as she dozed back off.

“You knew,” Randi said as Gwen paused in her reading.  “You knew and you tried to warn me; you kept trying to warn me.  But you didn’t just tell me.  Why?”

“I told you... I couldn’t.  You had to figure it out for yourself and make the choice on your own.”

“Huh... no way he could win if I get to choose.  I’ll pick you every time.”

“Would you really?” Gwen blurted out.  An expression of hurt flashed across Randi’s face and settled into her eyes.

“You doubt me so much?  You doubt us?”

Gwen leaned forward and brushed a kiss across Randi’s cheek, then cupped the same cheek in her hand.  “Not here,” she reassured.  “And not now.”  She blew out a breath.  “I will admit to having some doubts before.  For a while I really was afraid Ares would win.”

Randi thought about pulling away but realized just from their reading that Gwen’s concern had been legitimate.  Instead she covered the hand on her face, leaning into it and brushing a kiss against the palm.  “I guess I can see where you might have gotten that idea.  It’s been a rough few months, huh?”

“Well,” Gwen replied slowly.  “It’s not something I’d want to have to repeat, no.  But you know what? You’re here; I’m here; and we’re together at the end of it.  That’s good enough for me.”

“Is it?  Enough, I mean.  This isn’t exactly what you signed on for.”

“I promised to stand beside you through the triumphs and trials of our lives; not just when it suited me.  So yes,” Gwen answered with a fierce growl.  “It is enough.  YOU are enough.  You have always been all I ever wanted.  Just because we don’t always have moonlight and roses don’t mean I need anything more than you beside me.”

Randi grinned and took Gwen’s hand in hers, lifting it to her lips and brushing a kiss across the back of her knuckles.  “I love you,” was all she said, but her eyes spoke volumes more.  Gwen just wrapped her up and held on, being careful to remember the still burned skin on Randi’s chest.

“Randi, do you remember what happened with Brad... I mean, actually remember it?  Not what I just read but actual memories.”

Randi closed her eyes and breathed in the scent surrounding her... a scent that had been distant from her for a scant few months that had seemed like forever.  Finally she brought her mind back to the question Gwen had asked her.  She thought about it seriously for a long moment, searching every cognitive memory she had.  Randi opened her eyes.  “No.  I put it away like I did the others.  There's nothing there except for what you just read.”

Gwen nodded slowly as though she had anticipated that very answer.  “So you don’t remember how you felt when...?”

“No. Only how I felt when you read about it.”  She paused and formulated her thoughts knowing Gwen was waiting for her to share.  “I was glad,” Randi said simply.  “He hurt you; tried to kill you.  I’m glad he died, and I’m glad I was the one who killed him.”  She paused again, watching Gwen’s reaction closely but finding no recrimination or reproach in her gaze.  “He deserved far worse than what he got.”

“Because he came after me?”

“Yep.”

Gwen nodded again, as she once more got the response she expected.  “I think he deserved far worse than he got as well.”  Randi started involuntarily in Gwen’s arms as the words penetrated her conscious thought.  She blinked rapidly, wondering what could have brought on Gwen’s change of heart.  Gwen had never been a proponent of torture or violence for violence’s sake, and what Randi was proposing was just exactly that.  Gwen smiled sadly.  “You’re wondering where that came from, I guess.”  Randi blinked again and nodded.  She didn’t trust herself to speak yet, but she wanted to hear why.  Gwen leaned forward and kissed Randi’s forehead.  Then she sat back a bit and let her eyes drop to their entwined fingers before her voice became a mere whisper.  “After you... executed... Brad, you became obsessed.  Completely.  I didn’t see you again except through notes, vid calls or in passing until the rebellion was absolutely destroyed.  And then it was to become your....”  Her nose wrinkled up in distaste.  “Consort.  And you know how I feel about that particularly title,” giving Randi an exceptionally telling glare.

Randi scratched her nose and looked somewhat abashed.  “Yeah, I think I am real clear on those feelings, Love.  I will never, EVER use that word again even if we remain....”  She broke off.  “Gwen, what are we going to do about this whole Empress thing?”

Gwen’s eyes opened wide at the point blank question.  Though she’d been thinking about it off and on since Randi had taken control of the Sabres, she still hadn’t come to any concrete conclusions so she wasn’t ready to give Randi an answer.  There were too many variables and it needed to be their decision... their choice.  She shook her head and blinked.  “I think we need to tackle one thing at a time, Stud.  Let’s worry about this first.  Then we can worry about whatever comes next.”

“After this, anything else will be a piece of cake.”

Gwen smirked.  “My point.”

Randi mock glared at Gwen.  “You’re pickin’ on me.”  She smiled wistfully.  “I’ve missed it.”

“Me too.”  Silence ensued for a little while as they basked in the contentedness of just being part of one another again.  Then Gwen turned to Randi.  "Do you want to read your memories of what happened to Brad and why?"

Randi seemed to consider it for a long moment before she shook her head.  "No.  I know what I did from your reading, and I know why I did it just based on my reaction to that.  I don't think dredging it up yet again is going to change anything or make either of us feel any differently about it."

Gwen nodded her acceptance.  "All right.  I can understand that.  It's not like we can't come back to this if we need to."  She blew out a breath, fluffing her bangs with it before picking the book up once more and opening it to the place they'd stopped.  "Shall we continue?"

Randi nodded.  "Yep," she affirmed with determination.  "Sooner we get this done, the sooner I can go kick Ares' ass."

"You might have to stand in line for that, you know," Gwen joked lightly.  "I have a feeling there are a few goddesses that will want to get in a lick or two."

Randi cut her eyes towards Gwen.  "Me first," she grumbled, then motioned towards the open book.  "You gonna read?"

"Yep," trailing a finger down the page to find her place.  "Here we go."

    Their arrival at the village was subdued.  Reed waited for them as did Sky and a woman Gwen had not yet met.  There was nothing blatantly obvious in her dress or bearing, but Gwen was convinced that the stranger was an Amazon.  And not just any Amazon, but someone of responsibility though Gwen was not entirely sure the woman was a ruler.
    Randi scooped Gwen into her arms and trotted down the shuttle ramp before Gwen could draw a breath to protest.  She came to stand in front of them and immediately the change was apparent – no longer were they treated as friends.  Instead they were deferred to.  It was clear that Randi's change in status with the Sabres had caused them to be viewed differently.  Gwen frowned.  She wasn't entirely sure she liked that.  Randi eased Gwen to her feet but kept a possessive arm around her shoulders.  Reed snapped to attention while both Sky and the unknown woman bowed their heads respectfully.  Randi acknowledged the accolades with a slight nod of her own, then turned her attention immediately to Reed.
    "Has everything been prepared?"
    "Aye, sir.  Rosie is at the temple and the rooms have been prepared at Sky's."  Randi nodded and turned her attention to Sky.  
    "Thank you, Sky.  I appre...."
    The chieftain held up his hand to stop her speech.  "You honor us, Ravenhawk.  We will treat Little Dove like she is one of ours."
    "Sky, she is one of yours.  Thank you for making us part of the tribe."  Randi then turned to the unknown woman.  "Gwen, this is Lorac, weapons master for the local Amazon tribe.  Lorac, Gwen." 
    Gwen frowned instead of responding to the introduction.  She understood they hadn't talked about it, but being newlyweds she had expected more of an introduction... some sort of status as far as her relationship to Randi.   Then she realized that except for their honeymoon and no time since, Randi had never once referred to her as anything but Gwen when introducing her to people.  Gwen wondered why it had suddenly come to her attention and why it was bothering her so badly aside from the obvious.  Then she became conscious that everyone's attention was on her and she flushed just slightly under all the observation.
    "I beg pardon," she said softly.  "My mind wandered."
    Without giving her a chance to protest, Randi swooped Gwen up into her arms once more and began making tracks for Sky's.  The other three didn't even miss a beat but fell into line behind her.  Gwen started to speak, but one look into Randi's face with its clenching jaw made it clear that there would be neither discussion nor debate about her current circumstances.  So Gwen simply laid her head on Randi's chest and closed her eyes in contentment as she listened to the musical rhythm of the steady heartbeat under her ear.  They reached Sky's in short order, and he walked in front of Randi to open the door, then passed her through in front of him.  Without hesitation she walked in front of him and right up the stairs, directly into the room they had shared not so long ago.  Gwen reflected on how lonely it looked, knowing she was going to have to stay there alone for a still undetermined amount of time.
    Randi waited for Reed, knowing the seer would be right behind them to make sure everything was taken care of to Randi's satisfaction.  She crossed the room and turned down the bed, then stepped back to allow Randi the opportunity to tenderly place Gwen in the bed.  Randi reached down and removed Gwen's shoes, then moved up to her pants.  Gwen's hand on hers halted her motion, and she gazed into green eyes with questioning blue.
    "Randi, why are you tucking me in?  It is just coming on to midday and...."
    "Because," Randi's hands resumed their motion, and she gently but efficiently stripped both pants and shirt from Gwen's frame before tucking the covers around her body.  "You are apparently still suffering from the effects of whatever it was that Wizard put on his blade.  I want you to rest for the remainder of the day.  And if it continues, I’ll call Lacey back to care for you until I can assign a medic to you and get the issue is resolved."
    Gwen sat up and threw back the covers, and Reed flinched at the raw fury she felt radiating from Gwen.  She couldn't hear the low words being whispered between them, but it was obvious even to a non-seer that something bad had happened.  She slipped out the door, motioning to both Rosie and Sky who had kept the room in sight for that very reason.  They hurried to her side to give her grounding and Reed held on for dear life.  Meanwhile Gwen got up from the bed, pushing Randi's hands away from her when she attempted to force her back into bed.  "Now you listen to me," Gwen ground out through clenched teeth as she poked her finger into Randi's chest.  "My drifting off had nothing to do with Brad and everything to do with you."
    "Me?  Why?" 
    Gwen looked at Randi for a long moment.  "You really don't know, do you? You really don't realize."  She just shook her head at the look of honest bewilderment that crossed Randi's face.  Then she placed one hand over Randi's heart and the other cupped the side of her face that had borne the scar.  Randi closed her eyes all too briefly as she leaned into the touch, then returned a look of questioning.  Gwen took a deep breath before she spoke.  "Randi, when did I cease to be your bride?  Your wife? Your partner?"
    Randi blinked in confusion and her jaw muscles jerked.  "What do you mean, Gwen?  You’re still all of those things.  We're still newlyweds for God's sake!"  Her indignation was very clear.
    "Yes, we are.  And yet since our honeymoon, you haven't introduced me that way.  I am simply Gwen and I want to know why!"
    Here Randi made a critical error.  She rolled her eyes and moved away from Gwen, walking to the door before turning back.  "You have got to be kidding me!  Why do I need to, Gwen?  Everyone knows... even those who are meeting you for the first time.  They know who and what you are to me.  Why do I need to spell it out for them?"
    Gwen blinked in astonishment unable to believe she had just heard the words that had come out of Randi's mouth.  "You're serious, aren't you?"  Before Randi could answer she crawled back into the bed and pulled the covers up, turning her back to Randi.  Randi looked perplexed at the sudden change in demeanor and started to walk back over to the bed.  Instead she was stopped by the resigned, flat tone in Gwen's voice.  "Go back to the capital, Randi.  I'll be fine here without you."
    The words cut and Randi staggered a bit under the assault.  Then she straightened and whirled back towards the door, glancing back to relay her parting shot.  "I will be downstairs for the remainder of the afternoon squaring things away for your stay.  Call if you need anything and someone will accommodate your needs."  She saw the flinch in Gwen's body from the formality of her tone, but she couldn't bring herself to change it.  Instead she slid out the door and closed it firmly behind her. Randi never saw Gwen's tears but she felt them cut deep into her soul as she made her way down the stairs.  There was still work to be done.
    Fortunately for Reed, Rosie and Sky flanked her on either side when Randi came downstairs.  With a brief inclination of her head, Randi directed all of them into Sky's living area where Lorac stood gazing out the window waiting patiently.  She turned when the others entered the room and took a seat at Randi's commanding gesture.  Lorac was more than a little uncomfortable.  She wasn't particularly thrilled to have been given this assignment, and to know there were already problems wasn't making her any more at ease with the situation.  However, her queen had commanded and she knew they owed Randi a great debt.  She only hoped this would go a long way towards repaying it.  Now they all waited for Randi to speak.  It was obvious to all of them that something was troubling the new Commandant over and above what had happened at Midas. 
    "You have all been brought up to date on the situation with Gwen.  She will need to remain here until I can get to the bottom of the rebellion.  I cannot risk her out there any longer.  She is too great a target and my chief liability.  The rebellion knows this and I will not allow them to capitalize on that knowledge, not for her sake nor my own."  Reed heard the words, but she felt the rending growing between them with each syllable and groaned in silent agony.  This was becoming more intolerable by the minute and Randi was not in a position to accept advice about it.  Rosie's hand on her arm brought her back to Randi's speech.  "Lorac, you will be chiefly responsible for Gwen's training.  She is already well versed in the staff, but she needs instruction on sais, lasers, crossbow and hand-to-hand.  Anything else, you’ll need to clear with me first.  Bring in your best instructors.  Gwen is a quick learner and she needs the best to ensure she gets what she needs quickly."
    "It will be done, Chosen," Lorac responded though her enthusiasm was far less than Randi wanted to see from her.  Randi made a mental note to talk to the Amazon queen to insure the cooperation she needed.  She wasn't going to leave anything to chance due to indifference.
    "Sky, Lenore is sending a small contingent of Amazons to become part of the tribe for the duration.  They will blend in as much as possible.  Ensure that they have what they need.  They will be chiefly responsible for the safety of the tribe and will work in conjunction with your warriors."
    Sky nodded.  "They have already begun, Ravenhawk."
    "Reed, Gwen is your responsibility.  I need you...."  She took a deep shaky breath and Reed wondered what had really happened between them once she'd left the room.  "I need you to look after her well-being... physical, mental and spiritual.  I can't be here to do that so I am asking you to do your best to make sure she has everything she needs to be happy."
    "Aye sir.  I’ll do my best though I’m fairly certain she won’t be happy until you return to her," Reed said bravely, her words having more than one significance though she doubted Randi would see past the surface meaning.
    "I wish I could be that certain," Randi said in a bare whisper so low Reed only heard it because she strained to do so.  Then Randi cleared her throat and raised her voice to speak again.  "Assignments will begin this evening as I must return to the capital to begin final operations for the elimination of the rebellion.  Lenore has been notified of my arrival?" with a glance at Lorac.  The Amazon nodded her head.  "Good.  Then I will need to meet with Lenore within the hour.  Sky, I’ll leave the security scheduling in your hands.  Lorac, you will begin your training with Gwen tomorrow morning, and Reed, just do the best you can.  Rosie, will you be remaining here?"
    "For the duration, yes."
    "Good, then you can help Reed with Gwen.  Other than that ladies and gentlemen, I just want to walk around the village and check things out.  Make sure there’s nothing I’m missing.  I promised Gwen no more death because of her, and I'll be goddamned before I break it from lack of diligence.  Now if you will excuse me...."  And with that, Randi made her way out the door, leaving the rest alone to ponder the shape of things to come.

Part 3