Chapter XIII

Saphira noticed the distinct slump in Esmeralda’s shoulders even in the darkness as she approached the diner.  A swift look of concern passed between Joe and Saphira before Saphira headed to the door to meet Esmeralda.  Esmerlada leaned her head against Saphira’s shoulder and closed her eyes, smiling when the other woman’s arms wrapped around her securely.  She returned the hug without reservation, tucking her nose into the crook of Saphira’s neck and breathing deeply.  A chuckle made her pull back slightly to look into twinkling blue eyes.

“You were tickling me.”

Esmeralda smiled briefly before tucking herself back beneath Saphira’s chin.  “Sorry,” she said softly though the smile was apparent in her voice.  Saphira shifted to keep Esmeralda in a one armed embrace and turned them towards the seating area of the diner.  She closed the door and locked it, drawing the blinds and flipping the ‘open’ sign off.  Then they made their way to the counter and took a seat as Joe came around from the back with two laden plates.

Esmeralda cocked an eyebrow at him.  He grinned and set one between them and put the other in front of himself.  Saphira rose and filled three glasses with milk, placing them on the counter before resuming her seat beside Esmeralda.

“Thank you, Joe,” Esmeralda said as she picked up half of the huge club sandwich.

“Anytime, Essie.  You eat up.  Matilda should be here in a few and you don’t want her to see you picking at your food.  She already worries about you enough,” he said with the merest hint of chiding in his voice.

“I know.  I’m sor….”  She stopped speaking when Joe held up his hand.

“I’m not saying it to make you feel bad, Essie.  I just want you to know you’re important to more than just Saphira.  You were sick for a long time, and we worry about you... both of you.  You’ve been like family to us since you came here and we just wanna see you get back to full health again.”

Esmeralda smiled and covered his hand.  “I’m getting better every day, Joe.”

“If you’re gonna be holding hands with my hubby, I think I’m gonna be stealing me a kiss from your best girl,” Matilda declared as she came around from the kitchen and brushed a kiss over Saphira’s cheek before coming around to cup Esmeralda’s face in her hands.  “How’re you doing, Essie?  I missed seeing you yesterday.”

Es patted the hands that held her face and kept her eyes locked on Matilda’s deep brown ones.  “I’m better, Matilda… really.  Just a little tired.”

Matilda studied the green eyes that held hers, brushing a lock of blonde hair from her face.  “You’re working too hard.  Are those big shots on the Hill working you to death?”

“No, Matilda.  My work isn’t stressful and the Senators that I work for are very kind to me.  Besides,” she added impishly, “I get the best gossip you know.  I could probably make a fortune if I ever decided to become a tell-all author.”

“You probably could,” Matilda snorted, holding her eyes for another long moment, then nodding her head.  “All right.  Now eat up,” motioning to the unfinished sandwich and the fries Saphira hadn’t eaten.  “I have chocolate cake for you to take home with you,” chuckling as Esmeralda’s eyes widened comically.  “Please… like I don’t know exactly what it’ll take to fatten you up.  It’s in a box in the fridge.  Uh uh,” she continued when Esmeralda made as if to get up to go retrieve it.  “Food first… then cake.  And don’t even try it,” Matilda instructed when Esmeralda’s bottom lip threatened to make an appearance.  “You act like I didn’t learn all the tricks with my own kids,” she added with a snort.  “You’re gonna have to get a lot older before you get old enough to put one over on me, young lady.  And you should already be old enough to know better than to even try.”

“Yes, Matilda,” Esmeralda agreed with a smirk green eyes twinkling merrily.  Matilda snorted again and shook her head.  She turned to Saphira who was swallowing the last of her milk.  “You better keep an eye on this one, Phira,” she commented.  “She’s getting saucy again.”

Saphira grinned.  “Good… I’ve missed the sauciness.  Saucy means she’s feeling better.”

Esmeralda swallowed her mouthful and glared at them both balefully.  “I’m sitting right here, you know.”  Saphira wrapped an arm around her shoulders and Esmeralda relaxed into the embrace.

“We know; that’s what makes it easy.”

Esmeralda didn’t deign to speak again; instead she concentrated on finishing the food Joe had prepared.  With a contented sigh she popped the last fry into her mouth and chugged the last of her milk.  She deliberately snatched up her napkin and wiped the milk mustache covering her upper lip.

“Feel better?” Saphira asked with real concern in both eyes and voice.  Esmeralda’s lack of response to Matilda’s teasing meant one of two things - either she had just been peckish and needed to eat, in which case she would soon make a snarky remark as payback.  Or something deeper was wrong.  And given her slumped posture as she approached the diner earlier, Saphira was inclined to lean towards the second option.  “Es?”

Esmeralda turned her face into Saphira’s neck for a long moment, closing her eyes and accepting the wordless comfort she found there.  When Saphira’s arms tightened convulsively around her, she sighed and pulled back and looked into troubled blue eyes.  Esmeralda smiled gently.

“I’m fine, Phira.  Just been one of those days.”

Saphira cocked an eyebrow, but she realized Esmeralda couldn’t elaborate in front of their mortal friends regardless of how much they loved and trusted Joe and Matilda.  Angel business was strictly that, and not losing face in front of the mortals they interacted with was one of the first rules they tried to abide by.

Matilda leaned over and placed a hand on Esmeralda’s forehead, briefly checking for fever before brushing a kiss over the self-same spot.  She exchanged glances with Saphira and pushed away from the counter to head back towards the kitchen.  Saphira followed suit, gathering the empty plates just to have Joe take them from her.  So she turned back towards Esmeralda, waiting for her to stand before helping her on with her coat.  Esmeralda was returning the favor just as Matilda returned from the kitchen with a box in hand.

“Here,” she offered and Saphira accepted the box.  “There’s a big piece in there for you to share tonight and three smaller pieces  - one for each of you to have tomorrow and one for Amber.  You go home now and get some rest, all right?”

Esmeralda smiled and leaned forward to brush a kiss over the older woman’s cheek.  “Thank you, Matilda.  You’re the best.  God will repay you in kind one day.”

The woman shook her head slightly as though to brush off the words.  “I dunno about that, Essie.  But I do know what goes around will come around and it don’t pay to kick folks when they’re down.  And I know you and Saphira have had more than your share of trials and tribulations.”  She chuckled at the bewildered look on the two that stood facing her.  “I know you don’t say much, but we know,” motioning between her and Joe.  “We’ve been there a time or two before ourselves and I recognize the look.  Now,” shooing them towards the door unceremoniously, “home… both of you.”

They leaned around on either side of Matilda.  “Night, Joe.”

He grinned and waved.  “Night, lovelies.  Be safe,” he added before disappearing into the kitchen.  Matilda urged them towards the door.

“You heard the old man,” she said with a smile.  “Be safe.  We’ll see you both tomorrow.”  She let them out the door and locked it firmly behind them, then waited for them both to turn and wave goodnight one last time before they headed for the subway.  Only then did Matilda move away from the door and head to the back. 

Saphira and Esmeralda walked in silence til they reached the station, swiping their cards and nodding to the attendants who recognized them.  The train pulled in just as they approached the platform and they stepped aboard, finding a seat with ease and settling back for the short ride to their stop.

When they reached their small apartment, it was quiet and empty.  Amber had long since headed out for her assignment and it was only the two of them in the house.  Saphira took Esmeralda’s coat and her own, hanging them neatly in the closet while Esmeralda put their cake on a plate and stuffed the rest of it into the fridge.  Then they headed to their room together.  A few minutes spent preparing for bed and they were soon curled up together in the middle of the mattress sharing the large slice of decadent chocolate cake.  After they were finished, Saphira placed the plate on the nightstand and took Esmeralda in her arms.

“You ready to talk about it?” she asked quietly.

Esmeralda sighed and curled tighter into Saphira’s body.  “Some days, Phira,” shaking her head and sighing again.  “Charisma didn’t show up for work - actually, that’s not quite true.  She wasn’t there very long because Amber got a call to go looking for her.  I’m still not sure….”

She broke off abruptly and when she didn’t continue, Saphira prompted, “You want to start at the beginning, Sweetheart?  I’m a little lost.”

Esmeralda sighed again.  “You heard the announcement of Brianna’s appointment,” feeling Saphira nod her head above her.  “According to Amber, Charisma’s private reaction was less than welcoming - her words were ‘fire and ice’.”

“Yikes!”

“Yes - I suspect it wasn’t pretty.  Fortunately Charisma was smart enough to keep it private.”

She felt Saphira draw a deep breath and waited, knowing her mate was thinking things through.  When she didn’t speak immediately, Esmeralda tilted her head up to peer at Saphira in the gloom of near darkness, knowing Saphira would understand the action from the movement.  “Okay… so Charisma went to work, heard the announcement and disappeared for the rest of the day?”

“Essentially.  Opal said she came in like usual, though she seemed preoccupied.  After the announcement was made, Charisma had Opal cancel her appointments for the day and call for her car.  Opal called Turq for the car and then called Amber to bring her up to speed on things.”

“Why not you?  This is your operation after all.”

Esmeralda smirked, knowing that even if the expression couldn’t be seen on her face, the infliction would be clearly heard in her voice.  “And they have strict orders from you and Amber not to disturb me if it isn’t an emergency on threat of horrific bodily harm.  They take that seriously.”  She felt Saphira duck her head in acknowledgement and cupped her cheek gently before brushing their lips together.

“How long?  How long have you known?”

“Why do you think Amber is my second on this mission, Love?” feeling the cheek beneath her hand crease into a smile.  “I know as well as they do that I am not completely up to par yet and I appreciate everyone looking out for me.  I know Amber would have called if I was needed; but the truth is that right now I am in the best place I can be for both of them and I shouldn’t be seen outside of that capacity.”

Saphira nodded.  “So where did she go?”

“The riding stable.  Apparently she and Cleo ran until they were both soaked with sweat.  Amber left her when she returned home knowing Ame was there to keep an eye on her.  I am assuming she is still there since I haven’t gotten a call from either Ame or Amber indicating anything different.  Amber is with her now… not that Charisma is even aware of her presence.”

“I think it might be time for a roundtable.”

Esmeralda sighed and nodded her agreement.  “I think you may be right.  I’ll contact those who aren’t on the clock right now.  Good thing we share a house, huh?  Those that are sleeping will only have to come downstairs.”

Saphira rose from the bed, kissing Esmeralda firmly before allowing her corporeal form to fall away and her wings to re-emerge.  “I’ll send Amber back as soon as I get there.”

“Thank you, Phira.  I don’t think it will take long, but I need to know….”

“Shh… I understand, Love.  I’m the one who suggested it, remember?  You need to know so we know what direction we need to head in to get these two back on track.”  She spread her wings and faded from mortal sight.  “I’ll be back.”

************

“I’m sorry to call everyone here on such short notice, especially those of you are usually sleeping now,” glancing at Turq, Ame and Opal.  “Thank you for your quick response.  I’d just like a brief recap of today’s events from each of you and your take on them.  Let’s start with Ame’s arrival at the house this morning and go through the events as they happened.”

Ame told of her arrival as housekeeper, mentioning that Charisma seemed tired and a little distracted, but otherwise much as she was any other day.  Turq made the same observations and then Esmeralda turned to Opal.

“It was like watching her freeze over.  When she saw the news, she didn’t move… she was barely breathing.  She was exceptionally calm about it; she simply returned to her office and closed the door behind her.  When she came out she gave me the orders to call for Turq and cancel her appointments.  Then she left.”

“Turq, Amber - did she say anything… call anyone once she was in the car?”

Turq shook her dark head.  “No… neither time, actually.  I took her to the stables and waited for her there; Amber kept an eye on her while she was out on Cleo, then I took her home and she dismissed me for the remainder of the day.”

“And she stayed home the rest of the day?”

Ame nodded.  “Playing with Adam.  As soon as dinner was over, she sent me home.  I had to shield myself from her gaze to remain with her until Amber arrived.”

Esmeralda turned to Amber.  “And tonight?”

“She was sitting in her office staring at her desk when Saphira arrived.  And speaking of… I better get back there so she can get some sleep.”

Esmeralda nodded.  “Thanks, Amber… ladies.  I appreciate your insights,” folding her hands on the table.  The rest took their cue and bid Esmeralda a soft goodnight before returning to their own rooms.  Esmeralda waited until the door closed behind the last of them before rising and moving back to the bedroom to await Saphira’s return.

************

Charisma sat at her desk, her eyes unseeing in the darkness, though she would have been unable to see Saphira’s silent figure observing her regardless of the light factor in the room.  A knock on the door didn’t faze her - it wasn’t until the door opened and a streak of light fell across her desk that she looked up and met Kent’s gaze as he poked his head into the room.  She stared at him without blinking and he tilted his head, frowning at her lack of expression.

“Charisma?”

It took a moment, but finally Charisma blinked and focused on Kent.  She smiled at him, but it was sad… different from the sadness he was used to seeing.  He stepped further into the room, but left the door open to shed some light in the room.

“Charisma?  Are you okay?”

She blinked again and nodded slowly.  “I’m fine, Kent,” she replied, and after a tiny hesitation gestured him inside.  “What can I do for you?”

He shook his head awkwardly and cleared his throat.  “Nothing.  I just wanted to remind you I’m leaving for the city in the morning.  I have several auditions over the next few days, but I should be back by the end of next week.”

“All right,” she agreed absently, then looked at him fully.  “Break a leg, Kent.  I hope you get the part you really want.”

“You really do, don’t you?”

Charisma nodded.  “I want for you to have what you want in life, Kent.  I’d like for you to be happy.”

He paused, not saying what he wanted to, but turning the question around on her instead. “What about you, Charisma?”

“I’m happy, Kent - I’m just tired.”  She stepped from behind the desk and headed towards the door, brushing a kiss on his cheek when she passed by him on the way out of the room.  He stood still and accepted the rare touch before following her out of the room and closing the door.  He never saw the photograph lying in the center of the desk.

************

Esmeralda blinked sleepily when she felt the warm body curl up behind her and Esmeralda turned in Saphira’s arms.  “Sorry, I meant to wait up….”

Saphira removed her fingers from Esmeralda’s lips when her words stopped.  “It’s all right, Love.  I expected you to be asleep.”

“So nothing to report?” a sleepy smile in her voice.

“Nothing that won’t wait until tomorrow,” Saphira assured her.  “Go back to sleep.”

“Love you,” Esmeralda mumbled before sleep overtook her once more.  It was a little while longer before Saphira closed her eyes and joined her.


Chapter XIV

Saphira blinked against the brightness she could feel coming in the windows and sat up so swiftly, she nearly banged her head against the headboard.  Only the weight of Esmeralda’s warm body against her own kept her from leaping completely out of the bed.  Saphira consciously slowed her frantic heartbeat and gentled her actions as she pushed Esmeralda’s hair from her eyes and shook her shoulder with a light touch.

“Es... Esmeralda?  Sweetheart, you gotta wake up.  We overslept and I’ve missed half my first shift.”

“Uh uh... Ruby’s coverin’,” Esmeralda mumbled, burying her face deeper into Saphira’s belly.  Saphira chuckled lightly, causing Esmeralda to lean back far enough to glare at her before trying to burrow back into Saphira’s body.  Saphira stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.  Esmeralda huffed and rolled onto her back so she could look up into Saphira’s blue eyes.

“What do you mean, Ruby’s covering?  Since when is Ruby part of this assignment?  I thought we had already stretched the numbers too thin with this operation.”

Esmeralda shrugged.  “I thought so too actually, but apparently having to cover two such prominent and active individuals means we get more help.”

“Did you ask for it?”

“No, Phira.  He supplied it.”

“Any explanation?”

“Only that He deemed it necessary and timely.  Jas’ words were ‘He supplied your need in His time’.”

Saphira only just contained the snort she wanted to release and instead nodded her head solemnly.  She knew what Jas had said was true; it was just that her time would have been much sooner than His time... especially considering Esmeralda’s slow recovery and the magnitude of this particular project. “Well, I for one will be glad of the help.  Maybe we can all get a little more rest so we don’t mess things up by being careless.”

Esmeralda nodded.  “I think that is the idea.  Ruby said she’ll be taking the morning shift at the diner so you’ll only be working one shift from now on.”  Esmeralda shifted until she was sitting beside Saphira, wrapping her arms around her waist and holding Saphira in a loose embrace.  “I can’t tell you how glad I am for that, Phira.  I know being here with me like this is part of your restitution and punishment, but I’ve worried about the toll this has taken on you.”

Her touch was gentle, but her eyes were fierce when Saphira tilted Esmeralda’s head up.  “Me??  What about you, Sweetheart??  I’m not the one who got sick and almost died!!”  Esmeralda could hear the near panic in Saphira’s voice and feel the racing of her heart.  She put a hand over Saphira’s heart even as she leaned forward and brushed their lips together.

“It’s all right, Phira.  I didn’t die and I’m getting better every day... a little stronger every day.  Besides, this is my job.  I’m a little more used to the aggravations and frustrations that go along with being a clean-up angel.”

“Yeah, but He still shouldn’t have sent you....”

“Don’t question His reason, Love,” Esmeralda chided.  “I had to be the one to do this... we had to be the ones to do this.  They need us.”  She paused.  “Besides, I’m the best at what I do.”

Saphira grinned at Esmeralda’s shy admission and the tiny smile that accompanied it.  “Yes,” she admitted.  “Yes, you are.  And I suppose if they really need us....”

“They do.  Trust me on this, Phira.  It’ll make a lot more sense when you meet Charisma.”

“Yeah... what about that, by the way?”

“She’s asked – she’s very anxious to meet you.  I just need to find a time that works.”  She hesitated.  “Maybe I’ll see if I can pin her down for some time next week.  Since it’s Friday, I doubt she’ll be available for the next few days.”

Saphira nodded.  “Let me know.  We’ll work something out.”  She shifted until she was lying almost flat again.  “So who else is here besides Ruby and Jas?  And how do the rest feel about doubling up on their living space?”

“Well, to answer your second question first, I don’t think they care – they’re as glad to have the extra help as we are.  As for who is here - Jas is gonna be Brianna’s new driver; Jade and Mal are on ‘whatever’ duty until and unless Brianna sets up her own household.  We’ll make sure they are placed on her household staff if that happens.  Indi will be in the office and Coral will be Amber’s opposite... watching over her at night.”

Saphira nodded.  “Maybe this will give everybody a little breathing space, at least for a little while.  Until Jade and Mal have something more permanent, they can rotate around and give each of the others a little time off to not be human.”  She looked at Esmeralda.  “I never understood how wearing that was until I had to do it.  How do mortals survive this stuff?” motioning around her.

“His grace,” Esmeralda mumbled.  “And true grit.  He created them to survive, Phira.”  She turned into Saphira’s body, cuddling up until she was lying on Saphira’s chest.  “I’m just glad we don’t have to get up yet.  I hadn’t realized how tired I was until Ruby sent me back to bed.”

“So we’ve got a little more time before we have to go rushing out of the house today?” Saphira asked quietly, her voice dropping into its deepest registers.  Esmeralda shivered and tilted her head until her eyes met Saphira’s.  She gasped at the naked love and desire shining back at her from glowing blue eyes.  Esmeralda reached up a hand and tenderly cupped Saphira’s face – it had been an eternity since Saphira had let her see such raw passion in her expression... unwilling to guilt Esmeralda into more than she felt able to give during her recovery.  She felt her own eyes start to glow in response.

“Yes,” she replied briefly, letting her hand slide along the smooth skin of Saphira’s face before tangling in her dark hair.  Esmeralda felt a wicked smile form, only to find its twin in Saphira’s expression.  Without another word she tugged Saphira’s lips to her own, then there were no more words between them for a very long time.

************

“So what happened last night?” Esmeralda asked when they were once more curled comfortably around one another, blissfully sated.  Saphira still had a couple hours before she needed to get ready for work, but there was still angel business to discuss.  Saphira stretched and shifted around in the bed until she was laying flat on her back with Esmeralda wiggling into place beside her.  “Better?” Esmeralda asked, tilting her head just enough to see Saphira’s profile in her peripheral vision.  Saphira glanced down at her and nodded.

“Yes, thanks,” she drawled lazily, her rakish grin indicative of the fact that she was referring to more than just their current positions.  Esmeralda blushed and Saphira’s smile gentled.  “I love you, ya know.”

“I know,” Esmeralda agreed readily.  “It’s very mutual.”

“Lucky for me,” Saphira mumbled.  “Don’t know what I’d do without you, Sweetheart.”  She swallowed hard.  “I’d be a lost soul like Charisma.”

“So something did happen last night,” Esmeralda stated with conviction.  “Tell me,” she commanded.

Saphira kept one arm firmly around Esmeralda’s body, cradling her into her own warmth.  The other arm she pulled up and tucked under her head, assuming what Esmeralda referred to as her ‘thinking pose’.  Saphira worried her lip as she marshaled her thoughts, then let out a deep sigh.  “All right.  I’ll tell you what happened, but you need to understand that I’m the one who had the epiphany last night.”

“Phira?”

“Hush, Love, and let me tell it.  Did Amber tell you what went on prior to my arrival?”  Esmeralda shook her head. Saphira grunted slightly.  “Figures.”

“We only got into bare basics last night.”

Saphira nodded.  “All right... well, it seems that as soon as dinner was finished in the Tagherty household, Kent went into his study while Charisma put Adam down for the night.  Then she went into her study, opened her safe and pulled out a well-loved photo album.” 

“The photo album?”

“Yes.  She removed a single picture from the album and returned the book to the safe.”

“What picture?” Es asked impatiently.  Saphira chuckled in silence, only to let out a whoosh of air when Esmeralda smacked her on the belly before soothing the self-same spot.  Saphira glared at her momentarily before relaxing into the soft touch.

“My word, you’re an impatient little thing,” Saphira teased after a moment.  It was Esmeralda’s turn to glare and Saphira squeezed her lightly in an effort to placate her.  “I must have arrived not long after because that was all Amber shared with me before she took off to head back here.”

“Did you get a chance to look at the picture?”  Es asked again, impatience tingeing her voice though Saphira felt her effort to control it.  She nodded.

“I did.”  She paused and Esmeralda lifted her head, realizing immediately that Saphira was lost in her thoughts and not simply trying to tease her by drawing things out.

“Phira?”

Saphira blinked and shook her head.  “Sorry.  I was just....”

“...thinking,” Es said with her.  “I know.  Share?”

“I will – it’s part of this story actually.  The picture Charisma had pulled from the album was one of her and Brianna.  It was night and they were standing in front of the Trevi Fountain in Rome.”

“Were their arms around each other?” Es asked knowingly.  “Looking at the camera and grinning?”

“No,” Saphira said, bringing Esmeralda’s head up in surprise.  “I don’t think they were even aware of the camera at all.”  She bit her lip and Esmeralda waited silently.  “Their foreheads were leaned together and their eyes were closed... or focused on their hands.  It was hard to tell from my angle,” Saphira added with a shrug.  “I was afraid to get too close; I think Charisma could sense me.”

Esmeralda frowned.  “Really?  That’s....”

“I know.  It was unnerving for me as well.  That’s never happened before.”

“Why did you think she could?”  Not doubting her mate’s words, but Esmeralda was curious as to what had led Saphira to that conclusion.

“Maybe she’s of gypsy descent; all I know is when I got close enough to see the photograph, her head came up and she looked around the room as though searching for something... or someone.”

Esmeralda blinked.  “That’s odd.  She’s never given me any indication that she senses me as anything other than mortal.”

“Because you’ve never been anything other than mortal around her, Es.  You’ve never been near her as an angel.”

Esmeralda nodded.  “This is true.  I wonder if it’s happened to Amber.”

“I dunno – she hasn’t said anything to me, but it’s not like I’ve seen her except in passing.”

“Well, she hasn’t said anything to me either, but I’m certainly going ask when I see her next.”

Saphira glanced at the clock.  “That should be fairly soon.  She’s probably out there drumming her fingers on the table waiting for you to get up.”  She made a face.  “She’s probably waiting for you to fix lunch.”  Saphira flinched when Esmeralda pinched her.  “OW!  What’d you do that for?”

“She could be cooking for us, you know.”

Saphira shuddered visibly.  “I hope not.  I’ve seen what happens to people that eat her cooking... angel status not withstanding.”

Esmeralda couldn’t stop the laughter that howled from between her lips and Saphira grinned broadly, pleased with herself immeasurably.  After a moment, Esmeralda straightened and drew a deep breath, shaking her head to compose her expression.  “Thank you, Love.  I know we’re pretty far afield of our original discussion, but I needed that.  I needed this,” motioning between them.

Saphira brushed a kiss over the top of Esmeralda’s head.  “So did I.”

“So back to the picture....  How could they not have been aware of it?  Someone had to have taken it, which means they had to have asked someone... given someone their cameras to take it.”

“Doesn’t mean they were aware that picture was being taken until after it was on film.”

“True.  Wonder if Brianna has a copy of it,” Saphira mused.

“Maybe, but I’d be willing to guess she doesn’t.  It’s not anywhere in her office anyway.  The one of them at Trevi has the two of them facing the camera and grinning like crazy; it’s on her desk facing her.  She’s the only one that can see it.”  Esmeralda shifted.  “So tell me more about Charisma’s reaction.”

“It was... sad.”  Saphira paused thoughtfully.  “Poignant.  She sat staring at it for a long time just looking; I’m almost positive there were tears in her eyes.  Just before Kent knocked on the door, she trailed her fingers over it though I’m not sure if she was just touching it as she remembered or if it was something more.”

“So she knows.”

Saphira nodded.  “I’d say yes.”

Esmeralda blew out a breath. “That could go either way.”

“As to?”

“If Charisma knows how Brianna feels and she’s at least acknowledged her own feelings to herself, then this will likely play out one of two ways.  Either she will be hurt but will need to forgive Brianna for leaving, or she will be angry and will struggle to keep their interactions strictly profession and to a minimum.”

“That’s it?”

“Those are the typical human reactions to this sort of situations.  But that is assuming she is aware of both her feelings and Brianna’s.”

“And if she isn’t?”

“If she isn’t aware of Brianna’s feelings, she will be hurt.  If she hasn’t acknowledged her own feelings, she will be angry.”

Saphira covered her face with her arm.  “This is giving me a headache.”

Esmeralda smiled sympathetically.  “Those are just the basic hypotheticals.  The fact is we don’t have quite enough of the pieces in our hands yet to have a good idea of what’s coming down the pipeline yet.  Once I get a good feel for where Charisma is about all this, we’ll have a better idea.”

“Are you certain we can’t just smack them around a little and make them resolve this now?”  Esmeralda shifted and sat up, making a move to get out of the bed.  She slid into her robe, only to feel Saphira’s arms wrap around her.  “Where you going?” Saphira mumbled into her shoulder.

“Yes, I’m certain,” Esmeralda answered, patting the arms slowly rocking her side to side.  “And I’m going to get a shower.  Would you like to join me?”  Saphira was out of the bed so quickly Esmeralda was nearly catapulted from the bed. She narrowed her eyes at Saphira who gave her a sheepish smile in return.

“Sorry.”

Esmeralda held her gaze for another moment before she relented.  “C’mon.  We still need to eat before we go to work.”  Then they crossed into the bathroom and closed the door solidly behind them.

************

Amber was sitting at the table eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich when they exited their room both dried and dressed and ready for work.  She looked up and gave them the stink eye before turning her attention back to the newspaper she was reading without saying a word.

“What are you still doing up?” Esmeralda asked, glancing at the clock before pulling out a skillet.  Saphira joined her and they rustled through the fridge together, pulling out ingredients for their lunch.  They put things on the counter, then turned back to Amber, realizing she hadn’t answered Esmeralda’s question.  Saphira cocked an eyebrow at her.

“Problem?”

Amber turned and looked at Esmeralda.  “Are you all right?”

Esmeralda frowned.  “Yes, why wouldn’t I be?”

Amber took a deep breath.  “No reason, I guess.  I was just worried when I saw so many newbies headed out of here when I got in this morning... especially when I was told you were off limits.  Ruby said you needed the rest.”

“I did; I haven’t felt this good in a long time, Amber.”

Amber smirked.  “I’ll bet,” watching the blood flush Esmeralda’s face.  “Don’t mind your old sis, Es.  It’s just become natural to worry about you, and I’m tired after last night.”

Saphira pushed off the counter and turned to grab three plates as Esmeralda removed the skillet from the heat.  She set one in front of Amber, then placed the other two on the table for herself and Es.  “Something happened?”

“Grab a seat,” Amber instructed.  “I’ll bring you up to date.”


Chapter XV

“By the time I got back and went upstairs, Charisma was already in bed; I figured she was asleep.”

“She wasn’t?”

Amber shook her head.  “No... not at first anyway.  She was curled around her pillow, eyes closed.  Only when I got closer did I see the tears rolling silently down her cheeks.”

“Did she sense you?” Saphira asked.  Amber blinked at her.

“Excuse me?”

“Charisma... did she sense you?”  Amber frowned.

“No... why would she?”  Her golden eyes widened.  “Wait... you’re saying she could sense you?”  Saphira nodded.  Amber turned to Esmeralda.  “Has she ever...?”

“No, but as Saphira pointed out to me, I have only been a human mortal around her.  I’ve never observed her as an angel.”

“Weird.”  Amber bit her lip thoughtfully.  “Maybe it has to do with our classifications?” watching as Saphira’s and Esmeralda’s brows rose in tandem.  “Well, think about it.  I’m a guide guardian... I’m not supposed to be noticed as more than a feeling or an influence.  You’re a clean-up guardian, Es – your job requires you to be human... no interaction as an angel while you’re on a job.  But Saphira’s an Angel of Retribution – she’s supposed to make an impact as an angel.  If Charisma is sensitive at all, she might be able to feel the strength of that impression.”

Esmeralda and Saphira exchanged brief stares.  “Well, that would explain a lot.”  They turned back to Amber.  “So what else happened?”

Amber sighed.  “Her breathing changed so I know she fell asleep, but the tears didn’t stop.  After a bit she seemed to fall into a dream... or a nightmare.  It’s hard to say without knowing any details.  I do know she shot up out of bed gasping for breath.”  The three swapped looks, knowing full well that could indicate any number of things.  “Then she got up and went back downstairs to her study.  She stayed there the rest of the night – caught between pacing the length of the room and studying the pictures on her desk.”

“Pictures?  Plural?”

Amber nodded.  “Yes.  She recovered the album from her safe and went through them slowly... one at a time.”

“Did you get an opportunity to see them?”

“Yes.  And I don’t believe she doesn’t know.  It was there in every single photograph.”

Esmeralda blew out a breath.  “Today should be interesting.”

“I know Turq and Opal weren’t looking forward to it.  Ame apparently warned them Charisma was being a bitch on wheels.”  Amber nodded at Esmeralda’s raised eyebrows.  “She was – yelling, impatient, frustrated... if I hadn’t known better I’d have thought she was upset because Kent was leaving.”

“Are you sure she wasn’t?”

The look Amber gave Saphira could have cut diamonds.  “I’m sure.  For the most part, she completely ignored him, except to wish him well and say goodbye.  If she was upset with him, she wouldn’t have bothered to speak to him at all – or she would have focused her anger in his direction.”  She shook her head.  “It’s hard to explain if you haven’t guided humans as long as I have; you kind of get to know how your charges think after a while.  And while all humans are individuals and I will never claim to understand them, they still have a lot of traits in common with us.  So it makes it a little easier to relate to their actions as well as their reactions.”

Esmeralda chanced a look at the clock.  “You should get some sleep, Amber.  If today is as much fun as I expect it to be, your night will probably be another long one.”

Amber blew out a breath and nodded her head wearily.  “Probably.”  She rose and took her plate to the sink.  “I’m glad you’re feeling better, Little One,” leaning down and brushing a kiss over Esmeralda’s forehead. “Leave the dishes.  I’ll do them when I get up.  Goodnight, guys.”

“Goodnight, Amber,” they replied together, watching her disappear into her room.  Then they turned to one another.  Saphira took her plate and Esmeralda’s to the sink and extended her hand.

“C’mon, Angel mine.  We’ve got to get to work.”

“And you still have to share your epiphany with me.”

Saphira nodded.  It was time.

************

“The picture that had Charisma so mesmerized last night – the one of her and Brianna,” waiting for Esmeralda to nod her head before continuing.  “It brought home so many truths to me.  I know I told you that even He couldn’t have kept us apart... and I meant that, Es.  I meant that with my whole heart even before....”  She blew out a breath and clasped Esmeralda’s hand tighter in her own.  “I saw what this separation has done to Charisma to the smallest extent and it’s by her choice!  I can’t fathom... I won’t let that happen to us, Es.  I can’t.  I wouldn’t survive it!”

Esmeralda pulled them to a stop heedless of the odd looks and stares they garnered.  She brought her free hand to cup Saphira’s face, gratified when she immediately leaned into the touch.  “Neither would I, love.  And He knows that.”

“Why would she choose this, Es?  Why would she deliberately turn her back on happiness?”

“I can’t answer that, Phira – not yet.  I’m not sure she remembers what happiness feels like any more. She’s content in her life... or she was until yesterday.”

Saphira shook her head.  “This is my stop.  I’ll see you tonight?”

Esmeralda grinned.  “Don’t you always?  Have a good day.”

“You too, Sweetheart.  Love you.”

“Love you more,” Esmeralda quipped just as the Metro door closed between them.  She laughed at the face Saphira made at her before the train pulled away headed to its next stop.  Then Esmeralda took a deep breath to center herself.  It was shaping up to be a hell of a day.

************

Esmeralda entered the building and waited her turn to step through the security.  When she reached the metal detector, Derek greeted her.  “Hey, Es.  Glad it’s Friday?”

She gave the security agent a smile.  “Always, Derek. Aren’t you?”

He looked around conspiratorially.  “Yeah, but especially today.  Word has it Tagherty is on the warpath.”  Esmeralda’s eyes widened.  That’s not good.  Derek nodded his head at her unspoken thought.  “Just watch yourself, Es.”

She nodded.  “You know it.  Say hi to Doc Janie for me.”

“You betcha.  She expects to see you next week, you know.”

“I know.  I’ve got an appointment.”

“Make sure you keep it,” he warned with a smile.  “You know we’ll both hear about it if you don’t.”

“Worse,” Esmeralda countered with a grin.  “She’ll sic Saphira on me.”

“True.  Here comes your boss – have a good night.”

“You too,” she replied as she walked away from security to be intercepted by Rick.  She noted the frown on his face.  “Something wrong, Rick?”

He pinched his lower lip even as he accompanied Esmeralda to the supply closet that held her cleaning cart.  He observed her checking everything, making sure she was fully stocked before starting her cleaning rounds.  When she realized Rick still hadn’t responded she faced him, arching an eyebrow and putting her hands on her hips.

“Rick?”

“Senator Tagherty is in quite a mood.  Just watch yourself, huh?  I’d hate to see anything happen to you.”

Esmeralda nodded.  “I will.  Who knows... maybe she’ll be gone by the time I get to her office.”

“We’ll hope so.  You call me if you have any problems, all right?”

“I will, Rick... thanks.”

Rick gave Esmeralda a nod, then left her to start her rounds.  She wondered what Charisma had done to warrant her being warned not once but twice about her mood.  She hoped she’d get a chance to talk to someone on the team assigned to Charisma before she reached the Senator’s office.

************

Opal stepped from the office the second she heard Esmeralda walk by the door.  At the moment she was thankful for the respite she’d been given since she had been the main target of every outburst Charisma’d had since she’d walked into the office that morning.  It was just as well, she reasoned – the few non-angel personnel Charisma had working for her would have long quit had they been subjected to her ire that day.

“Es?”  Esmeralda stopped and turned back to Opal, eyes widening at her weary countenance.  She hurried back and put a concerned arm around her shoulders, smiling sadly when Opal tucked her head into her neck and sighed in exhaustion.

“You okay, Opal?  You look....”

“I am,” Opal nodded and confessed at the same time.  “Been a long, LONG day,” she added for emphasis.  “I’ve spent the entire day running interference for everyone to ensure that Charisma still has a staff tomorrow.”

“Feel a little black and blue?”  Opal nodded, then stiffened when she heard the clearing of a throat behind her.

“Opal, is there a reason you’re standing out in the hall instead of taking care of your work?  I’m sure I can find someone who would be thrilled to be promoted to your position if you feel you can no longer handle your responsibilities with timeliness.”

Opal sagged briefly in Esmeralda’s arms at the cutting words and tone before she straightened and put a bit of space between them.  “No, Senator Tagherty.  I’ll get back to it.”  She risked a glance at Esmeralda.  “Thank you, Es,” her words pulling a surprised reaction from Charisma.  Esmeralda smiled gently.

“Anytime, my friend,” she assured before Opal disappeared back into the office.  Charisma remained where she was, her blue eyes studying Esmeralda carefully.

“Is there anyone you can’t make friends with, Esmeralda?” letting her eyes roam around the hall and briefly rest on Brianna’s door before returning to meet Esmeralda’s green ones squarely.

“I’ve found that one can never have too many friends, Senator.”

Charisma’s eyes shuttered and she bit her lip thoughtfully before nodding briskly.  “I suppose you’re right.  If you’ll excuse me....” her tone almost cold.  Charisma winced when she saw the hurt flash across Esmeralda’s face before she could school her expression into a polite mask.

“Of course, Senator Tagherty.  I have work that needs tending.  Have a good evening, Senator.”  Esmeralda gave a respectful nod of her head and moved her cart towards the far end of the hall to begin her cleaning.  Charisma chewed on her inner lip a moment longer.

“Esmeralda?”  Esmeralda turned at the first syllable of her name being called down the hall.

“Yes, Senator?”

“Will you be by later?”

“Of course, Senator – it is part of my responsibility to take care of your office suite.”

Charisma nodded, not sure what to say at this point as anger and hurt warred over her features.  Then without another word she went back into her office and closed the door.  Esmeralda shook her head and got to work.

************

“Senator Walker?”  Esmeralda called out as she knocked on the door - just as she always did before entering an office.   Then she used her passkey and stuck her head in the door instantly recognizing that Brianna’s office was empty of her presence.  Esmeralda walked further into the room, pushing her cart ahead of her and idly wondering if this was going to be the way of things for the next two years – with the two of them doing everything they could to avoid one another.  She blew out a frustrated breath and took a good look around.

Clearly her words from the previous day had made an impact on Brianna; nothing was out of place.  All the boxes had been emptied and the things in them put away neatly in their designated spot in the office.  The boxes had been flattened and marked for recycling beside a mostly empty trashcan.  Otherwise there was little out of place in the room.

Knowing Brianna was more than likely gone for the day, Esmeralda set to work.  She still had plenty to do before she could meet Saphira at the diner.

************

Esmeralda knocked lightly on the door of Senator Tagherty’s office, fairly confident Charisma was waiting inside.  “Senator Tagherty?”  She got no answer so she pushed her cart in and stepped into the office behind it.  She saw Charisma sitting at her desk in the dark but ignored her, knowing it was up to Charisma to make the next move.  It didn’t take long.

“You know, don’t you?” she asked softly though her tone was cutting.

Esmeralda, having been engrossed on keeping her attention on her work, started slightly before she looked up at Charisma.  A look of confusion crossed her face.  “Senator?” watching hurt flash in blue eyes.  “Charisma?”

“You know, don’t you?” Charisma repeated, her tone more defeated than angry.

Esmeralda set down the spray bottle she’d been filling and padded to the desk, extending her hand to Charisma.  Charisma looked at her in confusion and Esmeralda cocked an eyebrow, then jerked her head towards the couch.  Charisma couldn’t help the smile that twitched her lips and she took Esmeralda’s hand with alacrity, allowing the other woman to tug her to her feet and lead her to the sofa.  They plopped onto opposite ends of the cushions and Esmeralda reached for the light, only to be stopped by Charisma’s voice.

“Leave it off... please?”

“Do you find the darkness comforting, Charisma?”

“Sometimes it seems like my only friend.”

“Can I help?”

“I don’t think so, Es,” Charisma replied resignedly.  “No one can help.  I need to work through this on my own.”

“What if I reintroduced you?” Esmeralda offered quietly.  “Nothing public, just....”

“NO!” Charisma lashed out. “No!” she said again a little quieter but no less forcefully.  “I will not be subjected to meeting with her outside of an occupational venue!  I may be forced to deal with her professionally, but otherwise I will tolerate no interaction with her!  Do you understand me??”

“Charisma....”

“No, Esmeralda!  Do. You. Understand. Me?”

Esmeralda rose and nodded her head sadly, her eyes never leaving Charisma’s even in the darkness.  “I understand, Charisma, more than you know... even if I don’t understand why.”  She moved back over to her cart.  “I do know one thing,” she added as she picked up her spray bottle again.

“What’s that, Es?” Charisma asked, her voice tired and defeated.

“You will never find peace or happiness until you settle things with Brianna.”

“Things were settled with Brianna Walker twenty years ago, Esmeralda... when she walked out of my life without even saying goodbye!”

“And you never made an effort to find out why, did you?  Doesn’t that make you equally culpable?”

Charisma’s blue eyes hardened and iced over.  “Get. Out.”

Esmeralda sucked in a sharp breath, but otherwise gave no outward reaction to the bite in Charisma’s words.  Instead she put her things away without further acknowledgment and headed to the door.  She placed a hand on the doorknob, then turned back to Charisma.

“One day – maybe sooner, maybe later – you’re going to have to face one another.  Whether that happens publicly or privately is entirely up to the two of you, but it will happen, Charisma.  It’s only a matter of when and where.”  Esmeralda sighed.  “I hope... I had hoped you would let me help be a part of your reconciliation, but you obviously have no intention....”  She trailed off and shrugged.  “You’ve made it clear it’s not my business.  However, Saphira is and she would still like to meet you if you’re still willing.  So if you can let me know when would be a good time for you, we’ll arrange something soon.”  She held up a hand.  “And I promise, no funny business.  Goodnight, Senator.”

Esmeralda was out the door with it closed behind her before Charisma had a chance to recover her wits.  She blinked and the tears rolled silently down her face.  It was a long time before Charisma called for her car to take her home.


Chapter XVI

“Brianna?” Saphira welcomed hesitantly as the Senator crossed the threshold of the diner, not having expected to see the woman here alone at this time of day.  “Please come in,” she added a little more firmly, seeing the uncertainty in Brianna’s expression morph into something less frightened and more sure of herself.  She gave Saphira a big smile and glanced around the busy restaurant, then back at Saphira who took the opportunity to ask, “Would you like a table, booth or a seat at the counter?”

“I’d like a seat at the counter,” Brianna replied softly, “if you will be the one waiting on me.”

Saphira smiled graciously while wondering what had sent Brianna running from Esmeralda to her.  She nodded her head.  “I’m sure we can work something out to make that possible.  C’mon,” leading her around the counter to the far side.  It was quieter here and Saphira suspected Brianna had come looking for sanctuary.  Saphira went around to the back of the counter and poured Brianna a glass of ice water and placed that and a menu in front of her.  “Here,” she offered.  “You take a look at this while I go take care of those folks,” motioning to a nearby table.  “All right?  Then I’ll be right back.”

Brianna blinked and nodded.  “Take your time, Saphira.  I’m fine here by myself for now.”

“You sure?”

Brianna looked around again cautiously, realizing it was probably the dinner hour rush at the diner.  Not wanting to cause Saphira to lose tips on her account, she nodded firmly.  “Absolutely.  As long as you don’t mind me hanging around for a while, I’m great.”

Saphira awkwardly patted her hand.  “You’re welcome to stay as long as you need to, Brianna.  Look over the menu and I’ll be back in a few.”

“Thanks, Saphira.”  Then Brianna watched as Saphira melted away to take care of her other customers.

A few minutes later Saphira returned to where Brianna was sitting.  She arched an eyebrow in question, causing Brianna to blush and chuckle simultaneously.  “I’m sorry,” Brianna said with only a hint of the embarrassment currently flooding her fair complexion.  “I never realized....”  Her voice trailed off thoughtfully and her expression sobered before her head dropped.  “Doesn’t matter now, I guess.”

Saphira worried her lip between her teeth contemplating her options.  This was actually Esmeralda’s field of expertise and Saphira felt like a fish out of water.  Still she was an angel and there was a part of her that knew only too well how Brianna felt, having faced the possibility of losing Esmeralda for the rest of their immortal lifetimes.  It wasn’t something she’d wish on her worst enemy and as an Angel of Retribution that was saying a lot.  The fact that this woman had chosen this path, thinking it was the right thing to do for the woman she loved more than anything simply made it worse.

Saphira took a deep breath and cupped Brianna’s chin gently but firmly in her hand.  She urged Brianna’s face up, then stroked her jaw line causing Brianna’s eyes to fly open and meet her blue ones in startlement.  “It does matter, Brianna Walker.  It matters more than anything else in the world.”

“How do you...?”  Then Brianna sucked in a pained breath, seeing the depth of agony and sorrow Saphira was allowing her to witness.  Brianna clasped the hand that still tenderly held her face and brought it down to the counter between them, covering it with her other hand.  “You really do understand, don’t you?  You know....”

“All too well, Brianna.”

A crashing sound brought them out of their private reverie and Saphira straightened though she did not pull away from Brianna’s hold.  Brianna, however, appreciating that Saphira was still at work, released her hold and made a weak shooing motion.

“Go on,” she encouraged.  “I know you’ve got more important things to do than to mollycoddle me.”

Saphira met Brianna’s eyes fiercely and Brianna froze.  “There is nothing more important than this,” she replied softly, putting a hand over her own heart.  “But if you want to talk privately I do need to finish up here first and get folks on their way.”

Brianna patted the hand that remained on the counter.  “No one understands better than I do that responsibilities have to come first.  Go on,” she said again.  “I’m not going anywhere.”

Saphira gave her a long look, then nodded.  “I’ll be back.  You be deciding what you’re gonna want to eat in the meantime, all right?”

“Deal.”

Brianna watched as Saphira wove in and out of tables, expertly taking orders, refilling glasses and bringing plates as fast as Joe called out, ‘order up’.  In a very brief amount of time Saphira had been to every table and was back in front of her.  “You know what you want yet?” asked with a smile. 

Brianna smiled in response.  “Yep.  I think I’ll have the blue plate special.”

“Great choice; lemme go put it in.  It shouldn’t take but a few minutes.  That’s been real popular today. You want something else to drink?”

“No, thanks – I’m good with water right now.”

Saphira nodded.  “All right.  I’ll be back.”

Saphira stopped at the window and placed Brianna’s order with Joe, then headed out around the corner to check on the other tables again.  Just before she headed back to Brianna, Jade and Coral stepped into the diner.  Her eyebrow arched, but she allowed them to seat themselves.  She wasn’t surprised when they took a booth near the door that allowed them ample sight of the entire room, but particularly Brianna.  Saphira scooped up two menus and headed over to them.

“Ladies,” she greeted.  “This is an unexpected pleasure,” the question in her tone clear.

“Es called us as soon as she discovered Brianna wasn’t in her office.  A call to Jas confirmed that Brianna came here before she dismissed Jas for the evening so we came right over.”

“Is she supposed to see you, Cor?  I thought part of your protection was the fact that charges never see their guardians.”

“She can’t see me, Phira... only you and Jade can.  We just didn’t want to risk losing her, and if she hadn’t been here when we arrived, we’d have split up again.  Now that we know she’s here, Jade will stay until she’s ready to go.  I’ll take over once she leaves.”

Saphira nodded.  “Go back to the house and get some rest and something to eat.  She’s gonna be here a while.”

Coral frowned at her.  “You’re sure?”

Saphira scowled.  “She came here to talk and I have at least another four hours to work.  Yes... I’m sure.  Besides, I’d never do anything to put this mission in danger – it’s too important to them and too important to Es.”

“And Him?”

“I’m not as concerned about Him as I am Esmeralda and them,” Saphira answered honestly. 

“Still a little residual anger, Saphira?”

“Drop it, Coral.  You really don’t want to start something with me that you can’t possibly win and have little hope of even finishing.”

Coral met Saphira’s eyes, squelching a flinch at the raw emotion that was focused her way.  She nodded her acceptance and rose, patting Saphira lightly on the shoulder as a form of muted apology.  Saphira jerked her head once roughly in acceptance, keeping her eyes on Jade to keep up the pretense that she was alone at the table. 

“Look over the menu, Jade,” she instructed.  “I’ll be right back.”

Joe called out ‘order up’ just as Saphira passed his window, and she snatched the plate from the ledge and gracefully set it in front of Brianna.  Then she refilled her water and raised her brows.  “Anything else I can get for you right now, Brianna?”

Brianna looked over her loaded plate and then at the condiments that were within easy reach.  She shook her head.  “I’m good; thanks, Saphira.”

“Anytime, my friend.  Enjoy.”  Brianna put a cautious hand on Saphira’s arm when she went to move away from the counter once more and Saphira tilted her head in question.  “Brianna?”

“Seriously... thank you, Saphira.  Do you... when do you expect Esmeralda?”

“Same time as always... a little after midnight.”

Brianna blew out an impatient breath.  “Do you...?”  She cleared her throat and started again.  “Would you and Joe mind if I waited here for her with you?  I’d really... I’d like to talk to both of you alone.”

“I told you, Brianna – you’re welcome to stay here as long as you need to.”

Brianna smiled tremulously and released her hold, her eyes watering this time though she didn’t allow them to fall.  Saphira nodded and turned away, praying for Esmeralda to hurry with her own work and get to the diner quickly.  She didn’t want to handle this alone.  Then she headed out to make another round of the tables, hoping beyond hope her prayer would be answered.

************

Esmeralda blew out a shaky breath as she returned her cart to its closet and donned her coat prior to going outside.  She was headed towards the security exit when a hail made her pause and turn.  She waited, knowing Rick was probably more concerned than upset – a state confirmed by his expression when he got closer.  She tilted her head at him and offered him a tired smile.

“Everything all right, Es?” he queried though the air around him lightened considerably as he returned her smile measure for measure.  “It’s earlier than usual for you... especially a Friday night.”

“I know.  But Senator Walker left very little for me to clean and Senator Tagherty dismissed me before I could even get started.  Don’t be surprised if she requests a new custodian.”

Rick’s grey brows flew to his grizzled hairline.  “Excuse me?”  Esmeralda nodded but didn’t elaborate and Rick huffed out a breath.  “Do you want...?”

“No, Rick.  I’m happy where I am and I like the people I take care of.  But I might have over-stepped myself with her tonight.  So she may ask you for a change.”

“And if she does?”

Esmeralda shrugged tiredly.  “You do what you need to, Rick.”

Rick snorted.  “In that case, you’re staying put.”

Esmeralda smiled and she patted his arm. “Thanks, Rick.  I’m gonna cut out early tonight.  I’ll see you on Monday?”

“You betcha, Es.  You be careful going home, all right?”

“Always,” she promised and headed towards the door.  At least, she comforted herself, she’d get to spend a little more time with Saphira, acknowledging how much she’d missed that since beginning this current assignment where they were together for little more than sleeping most of the time.  First though, she needed to give Amber a quick update, angling herself to the bathroom.  It would be where Amber would materialize when she arrived.  And frankly though no one would be able to see Amber, Esmeralda preferred to keep their conversation private.  This was the best way to do that in a Senate office building.  Besides, she didn’t need an audience to witness what looked like her talking to herself – no need to give Rick a reason to fire her for insanity, she thought wryly as she opened the door.

************

“What’s up, Little One?” Amber asked as Esmeralda entered, then yawned widely.  She stretched and looked around, furrowing her brow as she realized where she’d been summoned.  “Um... Es?”

“Sorry, Amber.  This was the best I could do on short notice.  Charisma threw me out of her office a few minutes ago so I wanted you to be with her.  I know this cuts your sleep short....”  Amber waving her hand cut off Esmeralda’s apology.

“It happens, Es.  Are you all right?”

Esmeralda nodded.  “Just a little frustrated.  Why would anyone choose to be miserable, Amber?”

“I don’t think she knows she is.  Remember, she’s been content in her life up to now.  She’s trying to hold onto the status quo she’s known and been comforted by for twenty years.  And since it’s worked for her up to now....” letting her thought trail off.

“You’ve been thinking about this.”

“Yeah.  I was putting together what I’ve seen from her, what I know about human behavior in general and the things you said this morning.  She’ll come around.”

“Let’s hope for sooner rather than later.”

Amber wrapped an arm around Esmeralda’s shoulders and guided her towards the door.  “Go on – go see Saphira.  I’ll be watching Charisma.”

Esmeralda rested her forehead on Amber’s shoulder.  “What would I do without you, Amber?”

Amber brushed a kiss over the blonde hair tucked beneath her chin.  “Let’s make a deal never to find out, all right?”  Esmeralda nodded.  “Good.  Now go see your girl and let me get to work.  I’ll let you know if anything comes up.”

“Have I ever told you how glad I am you’re my big sister?” Amber snorted and gave Esmeralda a noogie to alleviate some of the emotion she felt welling up inside her.  “Hey!” Esmeralda protested, straightening and patting her hair back into some semblance of order.

“Send me a Hallmark card,” Amber snarked.  “Now get out of here and let me get to work,” pushing Esmeralda out of the bathroom.

“Thanks, Amber,” Esmeralda whispered.

“Anytime, Little One.”  Then Esmeralda closed the door and turned her steps towards Derek and the security outpost.  She needed to see Saphira.

************

Jade had eaten quickly and left the diner though she remained outside in her non-corporeal, angel form in case she was needed.  So the diner was relatively empty when Saphira noticed Esmeralda approaching.  She glanced at the clock with a frown, then turned to Joe who had also noticed Esmeralda’s arrival.  He shrugged and motioned Saphira to the door.

Saphira had a brief thought to send up a prayer of thanks for Esmeralda’s unexpectedly early arrival before she crossed to the door and exited the diner.  She noted Jade and Esmeralda in conference and took her time reaching them.  Jade smiled and nodded before disappearing from their gaze, headed presumably for the house to get some rest.

Esmeralda turned as Saphira drew closer and held out her hand.  Saphira took it and pulled Esmeralda to her.  “Everything all right, Sweetheart?”

“Rough night,” she replied shortly.  “I’ll tell you about it later,” blowing her bangs out of her eyes.  “Brianna’s inside?”

“Yeah – she got here about ten minutes ahead of Jade and Coral,” noting the widening of Esmeralda’s eyes.  “Coral remained invisible to her and I sent her back to the house to get some rest.  Jade ate and came out here to keep an eye on things in case Brianna decided to leave before you got here and before I got off.  However, she wanted to talk to both of us so she’s sitting at the counter just waiting.”

“Tell me she’s at least eaten something.”

Saphira grinned.  “Not to worry, my love.  Whatever she wants to talk to us about doesn’t seem to be adversely affecting her appetite.”  She paused.  “How are you?” noting the residual sadness in green eyes.

“I’ll be all right,” Esmeralda promised.  “C’mon,” she invited, looping her arm through Saphira’s and tugging them gently forward towards the diner door.  “Let’s go find out what our other charge has to say.  Maybe she’ll be more willing to move things along than her counterpart seems to be,” growling low in her throat.  Saphira chuckled.

“You about ready to try things my way, Es?” asked teasingly.

“Don’t tempt me, Phira.  That much stupid should be painful,” her reply abrupt and sharp.

Saphira pulled them to a halt and took Esmeralda in her embrace again, waiting for green eyes to track to hers.  “You sure you’re all right, Es?” knowing the response was unusual.

Esmeralda sighed deeply.  “Just frustrated and a little hurt,” she admitted.  “I’ll get over it. C’mon,” tugging again.  “Let’s go talk to Brianna.”

Saphira gave into the tugging, knowing they would revisit the subject again once they were alone.  Then they entered the diner together and their attention focused on Senator Brianna Walker.


Chapter XVII

“Well, Senator Walker,“ Esmeralda greeted in a teasing tone.  “I guess I know now why you snuck out of the Senate building so early,” smiling and motioning to the slab of chocolate cake and glass of milk Joe had just placed in front of Brianna.  Brianna picked up her fork and returned the smile briefly before turning her attention to the cake to concentrate on cutting off her first bite.

“You know it, Es,” she joked lightly, just holding back a moan when the rich chocolate hit her tongue.  “I heard it calling my name.”

“Wow, Brianna!” tilting her head left and right before meeting green eyes with a hint of a twinkle in her own.  “You should hire out to be a spy or something.  With hearing like that....” letting the thought trail off when Brianna snorted and nearly ended up with cake up her nose.  Esmeralda chuckled at the glare Brianna bestowed on her.

“That wasn’t very nice,” Brianna commented, carefully cleaning the chocolate icing from her fork before wiping her lips and taking a large swallow of milk.  Esmeralda waited until she put the milk back down in front of her, then grinned cheekily at her.

“Maybe not,” she agreed, “but it sure was funny.”

Brianna chuckled and shook her head.  “Not if I’d had to explain that to an Emergency Room doctor.”

“We’re well-versed in CPR,” Saphira assured her.  “Not a problem,” locking the door and flipping the closed sign around before dropping the shade into place.

“Is it wrong that I don’t find that particularly comforting at the moment?”

“Nope,” Esmeralda assured her as she took the seat next to her even while Saphira went around the backside of the counter and started pouring up three glasses of milk.  “I wouldn’t want to explain the presence of chocolate cake in my nasal passages either.  And imagine the stir that would make in the press.”  Brianna just groaned and dropped her head onto the counter, careful to miss her plate.

“That would be humiliating,” came the muted words from Brianna.

“And embarrassing,” Esmeralda concurred.  She accepted the plate of food Saphira placed in front of her with a smile, immediately shifting half of it onto Saphira’s empty plate.  Saphira mumbled a ‘thank you’ and picked up her fork, perfectly willing to let Esmeralda continue to lead the conversation with Brianna.  Esmeralda took a bite of her pot roast, chewing slowly and holding up her thumbs to Joe who grinned at her assessment.  She swallowed carefully and turned back to Brianna who was decimating her slice of cake bite by slow bite.

“So Brianna Walker,” the address garnering Brianna’s attention faster than almost anything else would have.  “What brings you to our humble establishment, so to speak?” giving Joe another grin when he popped up in the kitchen window.  He winked then returned his attention back to his food.

“Guess you wouldn’t buy that I came by for the chocolate cake, huh?” Esmeralda cocked an eyebrow, knowing without looking that Saphira had done the same.  “Yeah, I didn’t think you would,” Brianna confessed.  “I just felt the need for a couple friendly faces.”

“Rough day?” Saphira asked, feeling a distinct sense of deja vu with the question.

Brianna shook her head.  “Not really... I mean, not what you’d probably consider rough.  I spent the day putting my stuff away and reading the bills and policies I’m going to be making decisions on soon.”  She gave them each a wry look.  “Do you know the money the government could save just by joining the electronic age and doing away with paper?”

“Yeah,” Joe spoke up unexpectedly.  “We’d be out of debt.”

Brianna laughed and Saphira and Esmeralda joined in.  “Not quite, but it would be pretty close.”  A beat.  “Maybe I should suggest that.”

“Someone certainly should – better for the nation; better for the planet.”

“Hmm,” Brianna commented, letting the thought roll around in her mind for a few moments before shaking her head to clear it.  “Anyway, I guess I was pretty engrossed in my reading because when I looked up, it was getting dark and my stomach was complaining fiercely over the lack of sustenance I had provided it today.  So I had my driver bring me over.  I figured I’d find good food and good company.  I was right.”

“Well, we’re glad you came to us when you needed a friend, Brianna,” Esmeralda said placidly, placing a hand on Saphira’s leg before Saphira could make a comment.  “Is there something we can do to make things easier?” noting a haunting sadness she recognized in the green eyes that met her own.

“You’ve already done so much,” Brianna confessed, “just by making a place for me at your table, so to speak,” gesturing around the otherwise empty diner.

“But....” Saphira prompted impatiently when Brianna fell silent once again.  “C’mon, Brianna – we can’t help if you won’t tell us what’s going on.”

Brianna sighed.  “I’m not sure I know.  I just… I couldn’t stand being cooped up in that office for another minute.  And this is probably one of the safest places I have ever known,” hoping they would understand what she was saying.

Esmeralda and Saphira exchanged stares for a long moment before Esmeralda turned back to Brianna with a smile.  “We’re glad you think so,” patting Brianna’s hand.  “Did you see Charisma today?” going right to the heart of the matter when she realized Brianna wasn’t going to bring it up.

Anger flared in Brianna’s eyes for a brief moment, then she visibly deflated, slumping back into her seat.  “How do you do that?”

Esmeralda smiled gently.  “It’s a gift.”

Brianna returned the smile sadly.  “And your hobby as a student of human nature.”  Her smile became a little more genuine.  “See... I was actually paying attention.  I think it’s the reason that despite your warning to the contrary, I am still inclined to trust you.”

“Why?”

Brianna shrugged.  “I can’t explain any more than that – it’s just a gut feeling.”

Esmeralda swallowed the last of her milk and spared Saphira a grateful smile when she removed her empty plate from in front of her so smoothly it didn’t disrupt the atmosphere of confidentiality Esmeralda had created between herself and Brianna.

“And do you trust your gut, Brianna?  Despite my warning, are you willing to risk it?”

Brianna held Esmeralda’s gaze for a long moment before nodding slowly.  “Yes,” she finally decided aloud.  “I have to.”

“Tell me about your day, Brianna.”

“I already did,” Brianna frowned.

“Tell me about your day.”

“What do you want from me, Esmeralda??” Brianna hissed as she jumped from the stool she’d been perched on.  “Hmm??” leaning down into Esmeralda’s personal space, surprised when the other woman made no movement to get away from her.  “What the hell do you want from me?” she added in a defeated whisper.

Esmeralda caught Brianna’s hand and guided her back to the chair she’d spent the evening in.  “Brianna, I... we... don’t want anything from you.  This isn’t about us; this is about you.  If you trust me, you need to trust me with this - tell me about your day.”

“It was like I told you.  I really did spend most of my day unpacking as I’m sure you saw,” smiling when Esmeralda nodded.  “In fairness, it was necessary if only so I could begin my real work here in an organized space where I could find what I needed.  I’m a little anal that way,” Brianna confided.  Saphira snickered, causing both blond heads to turn in her direction.

“You don’t need to explain that compunction,” Saphira offered with a smile.  “You’re talking to someone who cleans and organizes for a living.”  Esmeralda ducked her head to acknowledge the truth of Saphira’s words. 

“She has a point,” Esmeralda agreed.  “Of course, it takes one to know one in this case,” she added.

Brianna chuckled.  “When I grow up, I want to be just like you two.”  She sobered and took a deep breath.  “In truth finishing my unpacking and setting up my workspace was as much for my peace of mind as it was something to keep me from having to leave my office yesterday.  Aside from having promised you the chance to moderate between us, I just.... Charisma was on the warpath from the moment she stepped foot into the building this morning – enough so that security sent us a warning to steer clear of her.” She sighed and shook her head.  “I knew when I accepted this appointment that it wasn’t going to be easy.  I did walk away from my best friend without a word of explanation and for someone as passionate as Charisma Tagherty has always been, there still has to be a lot of hurt and anger over that.  I just... I never expected it to spill over onto the rest of the world like it did today.”

“And you weren’t ready to be her main target yet,” Esmeralda stated with compassion.

Brianna looked at Esmeralda frankly.  “I saw the expression on your face when you walked in here tonight so I don’t even need to answer that question, do I?”  She blew out a deep breath.  “Sorry - I know it makes me a coward.  I just don’t know how not to be... not in this.  Twenty years of habit is hard to break.”

“Does this mean you’re going to keep running for the next couple years?  Are you gonna play hide and seek to keep from interacting with Charisma on more than a professional level?” Esmeralda asked pointedly though there was compassion in her gaze.  Brianna studied her briefly before letting her eyes drop back down to the counter.

“It means that short of quitting I’m going to do whatever it takes to get through the next two years.”  She paused.  “What I would like to do is to rewind time... to go back to that airport in Barcelona and tell Charisma the truth.  Then at least it would have been her choice... her decision to leave, and I wouldn’t have to deal with all the backlash now.”  She looked up and blinked the tears from her eyes before turning to face Esmeralda again.  “However, until good ol’ Doc Brown builds that DeLorean time machine complete with flux capacitor, I’m stuck living with the consequences of my actions.  And if that means avoiding situations that put Charisma and I in the same sphere, then so be it.  Because I know she refused your request.”

Esmeralda cocked an eyebrow.  “How do you know?”

Brianna’s look was wry.  “Because I’m a student of human nature too.  And I heard her laying down the law to her staff in no uncertain terms.”

“And it hurt.”

“More than I ever thought possible.”  Brianna sighed.  “I thought I had put this behind me twenty years ago.”

“You may have put it behind you, Brianna, but you never worked through it... never dealt with it.  So now you have to deal with it and with Charisma’s reaction to it.”  Esmeralda hesitated a moment, biting her lip in thought before nodding her head as though she had reached a decision.  “I’m going to share something with you – something I’ve learned from experience over the years.”

Brianna looked at her skeptically.  Esmeralda didn’t appear to be as old as Brianna herself, much less old enough to refer to her ‘experience over the years’.  A hard glance made her pause.  There was an agelessness in Esmeralda’s eyes as though she had seen and lived lifetimes; and Brianna chanced to wonder just how old her friend really was.  “Please,” was all she said aloud.

“You commented yourself on Charisma’s passionate nature,” waiting for Brianna to nod her agreement.  “That passion has to be focused somewhere.  Right now, it is focused on the anger and betrayal she feels in regards to you.  It’s easy and it’s familiar.  And as long as you were outside her circle, it was easy to maintain.  Eventually though, it’s going to have to come to a head – simply because you’re close enough to confront.”

“So you’re saying...?”

“I’m saying a confrontation is going to happen.  You need to decide how you’re going to deal with it.”

Brianna sat silently, waiting for Esmeralda to continue.  When she didn’t Brianna sighed with exasperation.  “That’s it??  That’s all you’ve got for me??”

Esmeralda squeezed the hands she still covered.  “What would you like me to tell you, Brianna?”

“I would like you to tell me how to make this situation better.  Or how to make it go away completely.  Give me something... anything....”

“I can’t solve this problem for you, Brianna.  Only you can make those decisions.”

“What would you do, Esmeralda?  What did you do?”

“My situation was a little different than yours was, Brianna.”

“How so?”

“Because I made the decision that could have cost us everything,” Saphira said before Esmeralda could respond.  ”I chose to seek vengeance where it was felt vengeance wasn’t warranted, and it nearly cost me... cost us... everything.”

“I don’t understand.”  Saphira parted her lips to speak again, but the minutest shake of Esmeralda’s blonde head caused her to clamp her lips together and move away from them again without another word.  Brianna turned back to meet Esmeralda’s eyes.  “Did I say something wrong?”

“Not at all, Brianna.  It’s just something that is very painful and very private and I won’t put Saphira through that pain again.  I can’t... not even for you.”

“Will you tell me what happened then?”

Esmeralda held Brianna’s eyes.  “Tell me, Brianna... do you regret having confided in me?”

Brianna opened her mouth to speak, then stopped short, giving serious contemplation to Esmeralda’s words.  “No,” she said finally.  “I actually feel... better... lighter.  Like sharing with you made my burden less than it had been before.”  She bit her lip thoughtfully.  “I never realized how it felt... carrying that around for so long.  It’s been such a part of me.”

“And now?”

“Now?  It’s still there but not as great.”

“So you still feel confident in trusting me?”

“Yes... absolutely.”

“Then I am asking you to trust me again... right now.  I will share with you what happened to Saphira and me one day, but not now and not when Saphira is around to hear the story.”

“All right,” Brianna drawled slowly.  “Can I at least ask what you did?”  When Esmeralda hesitated Brianna hurried on.  “You can trust me Esmeralda.”

At this Esmeralda smiled.  “Of that I am sure, Brianna Walker.  I trust my gut too,” earning her the smile she was looking for.  “I was trying to figure out the best way to put it because it doesn’t put me in a very good light.  You see, I did nothing.”

“Excuse me?”

“I did nothing,” Esmeralda repeated, her head hung down in shame.  “The reason Saphira takes all the responsibility for what happened is because she was the stronger of us.  She did what had to be done to keep us together.”

Saphira glared at Brianna before taking Esmeralda in her arms from behind.  Esmeralda didn’t start though she didn’t see Saphira’s approach.  Instead she leaned back into the warm comfort of the strong body behind her.

“What she’s not telling you is that she was dying, and not really in a position to do much of anything except get well,” the tears in her fierce eyes not betrayed by the strength in her voice.

Brianna covered her mouth with one hand while squeezing Esmeralda’s with her other.  “Oh God... I’m so sorry.  This must make my situation look petty and selfish.”

Her words brought Esmeralda’s head up and green eyes bore into her own.  “Never belittle something as important as this,” Esmeralda instructed in her firmest tone.  “We don’t... not for anyone.”

“So what should I do?”

“Well, that really depends on you, Brianna.  What do you want to do?”

“What are my options?”

Saphira groaned.  “Lawyers!” she grumbled, then with another light squeeze of Esmeralda’s belly, she moved away from them once more to do a last check of everything so they could head for home as soon as Brianna and Esmeralda were done talking.  A flash of lights caught her attention and she moved to the windows that overlooked the parking lot.

“As I see it, you’ve basically got two,” Esmeralda said in response to Brianna’s query.  “Those two can be broken down further once you decide which route to go, but you start with two.”

“Let me guess – either Mohammed goes to the mountain....”

“... or the mountain goes to Mohammed... uh huh.”

“Guess I need to decide whether or not I want to be Mohammed or the mountain then.”

“You better decide pretty quick,” Saphira announced as she turned away from the window she had been looking out.  She glanced at Brianna before facing Esmeralda head on.  “Senator Tagherty’s limo just pulled up in the parking lot.”


Chapter XVIII

After a time Charisma wiped the tears from her face.  She drew a deep breath and blew it out slowly before standing.  In the darkness she made her way to the fully furnished bathroom, flinching when she flipped the light on.  Charisma blinked furiously, dropping her chin to her chest and focusing on the edge of the sink until her eyes adjusted to the light.  Only then did she let her eyes rise to the mirror.

Red-rimmed blue eyes stared back at her and Charisma bit her lip hard to keep the tears from starting again.  Instead she slipped her jacket from her body and hung it on the hook at the back of the door.  She rolled her sleeves to her elbows and plugged the sink, then started the cold water running.

Charisma considered simply plunging her head in face first, knowing that would cool the fever she felt burning in her face and eyes.  However, well aware that she drew attention whenever she was in the public eye, Charisma settled for grabbing a clean washcloth out of the small, well-stocked linen closet.  She tossed it into the sink and grabbed a towel, setting it beside the sink.  Then she snatched up the washcloth, wrung the excess water from it, and started patting down her face.

It took a while, but eventually the burning cooled and Charisma could feel the swelling in her eyes decreasing enough that she looked in the mirror again.  She gave herself a wry smile.

“Well,” she commented, “it’s not perfect, but it’ll do.  If anyone will understand my tears, Esmeralda will.”

She fixed her hair and rolled her sleeves down, shrugging at her reflection before sliding on her coat once more.  Charisma shut off the lights, then stood in the doorway a moment as her eyes adjusted back to the darkness of her office.  She crossed to her desk and removed her purse, then lifted the phone to call for her driver.

Turq pulled around and waited, opening the door as soon as Charisma stepped from the building.  She closed it carefully, then slid behind the wheel, putting it in drive and waiting for Charisma to give her a destination.  When Charisma didn’t say anything Turq prompted, “Home, Senator?”

Charisma pulled her eyes from the window and turned her attention outward once more.  “I’m sorry, Turq – what?”

“Where are we headed, Senator?”

Despite her earlier resolve, Charisma found herself faltering.  She bit her lip a moment, then met Turq’s blue eyes in the rearview mirror.  “Do you know of a place called Angel’s Diner?”

“I’ve heard of it, Senator.  I’m not certain it’s open at this time of night, though.”

“Take me there,” Charisma commanded.

“Yes ma’am,” Turq replied even as she wondered how to let Esmeralda know they were coming.

The ride was silent and fairly swift – this late at night, traffic was at a minimum and before Turq could figure out a way to alert Esmeralda that they were headed her way, they arrived at Angel’s Diner.  Turq put the vehicle in park, then got out to open the door for Charisma.  It took several minutes for Charisma to offer Turq her hand, but Turq was quick to take the hint and accepted the proffered hand with alacrity. 

As Charisma emerged from the back seat of the limo, they heard the faint ringing of a bell, indicating someone had exited the diner.  Dark and light heads turned simultaneously to find Esmeralda standing just outside the door.  She didn’t appear angry or upset and Charisma blew out a small sigh of relief.

“Senator Tagherty?”

Charisma stepped forward.  “Esmeralda, we’re not in the Senate building,” her voice shaking just slightly.  Esmeralda nodded her acceptance and gave Charisma a slight smile.

“What can I do for you, Charisma?”

“Can we go inside?”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Esmeralda answered softly.

“Oh,” Charisma replied with more than a hint of dejection in her tone.  “I came by because I owe you an apology.  I was unfair to you and you didn’t deserve my harsh words.  I’m sorry.”

The tender smile Esmeralda gave her almost broke Charisma’s heart.  Esmeralda extended a hand and Charisma clasped it like a lifeline, allowing Esmeralda to tug her forward until they were only a couple feet apart.

“I really do understand, Charisma.”

“Do you, Esmeralda?  Do you know what it’s like for your best friend to say goodbye one day and have it be forever?  No warning... no explanation – just gone?”

“Yes, Charisma – I do.”  Esmeralda held Charisma’s eyes and let Charisma see a hint of the life she and Saphira had shared.  Blue eyes widened as they recognized the truth.

“How did you survive?”

“I nearly didn’t,” Esmeralda confessed.  “But Charisma - when I had the chance... when Saphira walked back into my life, I didn’t hesitate.  I couldn’t.”

“How could you?”  Charisma smiled sadly when Esmeralda frowned and tilted her head.  Charisma shook her head.  “Nevermind, Es... it doesn’t matter.  It’s late and I need to get home to Adam.  I just... I just wanted to come by and apologize.”

Esmeralda put a warm hand on Charisma’s arm and Charisma stopped moving before she could take a step.  “Charisma, you didn’t need to apologize, but I appreciate it and if it makes you feel better, I accept your apology.  However, I would like to continue this conversation sometime soon.” 

Charisma hesitated then nodded.  “All right.  I’d like to hear your story.”  Before she could move away Saphira stepped out of the diner.

“Everything all right, Sweetheart?” glancing between the two women.

Esmeralda held out her hand and pulled Saphira towards them when Saphira twined their fingers together.  “Everything’s fine, Saphira.  Charisma...”

“... stopped by to apologize for being rude to Esmeralda earlier.”  Saphira slid her free arm around Esmeralda’s waist, only to find herself pulled forward to stand beside her.  She caught Esmeralda’s eyes and Charisma watched in fascination as they held a silent conversation.  Then they turned to her and Esmeralda cleared her throat.

“Senator Charisma Tagherty, my mate Saphira.  Saphira, Senator Tagherty.”

Charisma extended her hand and Saphira accepted it gently.  “I’m delighted to meet you, Saphira.  Esmeralda has told me so much about you.”

“The pleasure is mine, Senator.  Es has spoken highly of you.”

“Please, Saphira... my name is Charisma.  I’d be pleased to have you call me such.”

“Thank you, Sen... Charisma.”

“Look... it’s late and I really do need to get home.  Can I offer the two of you a ride somewhere?”

“Maybe another time, Charisma, though we appreciate the offer,” Esmeralda said with a smile.  “As you pointed out, it’s late and you should probably get home to Adam.”  Charisma narrowed her eyes.

“This isn’t because you’re still upset at me for earlier, is it?”

“No, Ri... it’s because she made a promise to both of us and she’s doing her best to keep it without betraying either of us or sharing any secrets she’s been asked to keep.”

At the first sound of Brianna’s voice, Charisma had stiffened but she hadn’t moved.  Only when Brianna stopped speaking did Charisma look around, finding her standing casually behind her leaning negligently against Charisma’s limousine.  Charisma held her gaze for a fathomless moment, watching as a myriad of emotions flitted across Brianna’s face.  Charisma felt several of them strike a sympathetic chord in her soul and she hardened herself to it, turning her back on Brianna as she brought her attention around to Esmeralda.  She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then opened them and started speaking.

“This is why you kept me out here, isn’t it?  Because you promised me no funny business.”  Esmeralda nodded holding her breath.  Charisma stepped forward and took Esmeralda in her arms, the hug brief but fierce.  “Thank you,” she whispered, brushing a kiss over the smooth cheek under her lips before she pulled away and offered her hand to Saphira.

“It was really nice to meet you, Saphira.  Perhaps sometime soon we’ll have the opportunity to sit down together and talk.”

“Thank you, Charisma.  We’ll look forward to it.”

Charisma smiled at them once more, then they watched the professional mask of polite courtesy fall over her features before she turned to face Brianna.  Brianna straightened but didn’t move away from the car, wondering what Charisma would do.  Turq stood perfectly still beside her door and that gave Charisma the impetus she needed to look at Brianna.

“It was good to see you again, Brianna,” her tone one of courteous friendliness though her expression was one of bland tolerance.  “I hope you’ll enjoy your term here in Washington.  Now if you’ll excuse me,” motioning to Turq, who immediately opened the door, “I must get home to my son.  Goodnight, ladies,” she added, then disappeared behind the door.  Turq shut the door solidly, then ran around and crawled into the driver’s seat.  Another moment and they were headed back down the road, three pairs of eyes following them until they vanished out of sight. 

“Well,” Brianna commented, her voice full of tears though she didn’t allow them to spill from her eyes.  “I guess we know which of us is Mohammed now.”

“Did you expect any difference?” Saphira asked kindly.

“I actually expected anger,” Brianna said plainly.  “Not indifference.”

“Ah, but doesn’t that describe Mohammed perfectly?  Wasn’t it his indifference that caused the mountain to go to him?” Saphira inquired, despite the look Esmeralda was giving her.

Brianna shrugged wearily.  “It doesn’t matter tonight.  I’m going to go home – I can worry about this tomorrow.”

“Let us walk you home, Brianna.”  Esmeralda held up a hand when Brianna opened her lips to speak.  “We don’t have to talk about Charisma anymore; we don’t have to talk about anything at all tonight if you don’t feel like it.  But let us take you home.  It’s too late for you to be out alone.”

Brianna smiled, the effort causing the tears to slide soundlessly down her cheeks.  She brushed them off impatiently though she never lost her smile.

“You must have old-fashioned parents,” she commented.  “You have old-fashioned manners,” she added when their foreheads creased with frown lines at her statement.  “That’s a good thing... trust me.”

“You do realize I’ll have to share this with Amber,” Saphira commented to Esmeralda.  “She’s been saying for years that I needed to learn some manners.”  Saphira turned to Brianna.  “Amber is my sister.  She thinks I’m rude and pushy.”

Brianna chuckled.  “Don’t most siblings think that about one another at some point?”

“Maybe,” Saphira agreed with a crooked grin.  “But it’ll be nice to be able to rub her face in this.”  Brianna laughed out loud.  Esmeralda just covered her eyes with her hand and shook her head.  Saphira looked between the two of them.  “What?” she asked in all innocence.  “Whaaaaat?”

“You girls about done out here?” came Joe’s voice from the doorway.  “I’m ready to lock up and head to the house.”  Even though the home he shared with Matilda was just behind the diner, they couldn’t blame him – not with the hours he worked seven days a week.

“Sorry, Joe,” Esmeralda apologized as they stepped back into the diner to retrieve their purses.

“Not a problem, Little Es.  I’d just rather be snuggled in bed with the old woman than hanging out here if I have the choice.”

Saphira snickered.  “Matilda hears you calling her an old woman, the only thing you’re gonna be snuggling with is a pillow on the couch for the duration, old man.”

Joe glared.  “That’s why you’re not gonna tell her about that,” motioning to the three of them.  “I like where I sleep.”

The women snickered, then solemnly zipped their lips and tossed the imaginary key away.  After grabbing their purses from the counter where they’d left them, they nodded goodnight to Joe as he held the door open for them.  Then they made their way towards the Metro station, headed for home.

************

“That could’ve gone better,” Saphira commented to Esmeralda as she stepped from the shower.

“It could also have gone much, much worse,” Esmeralda replied.  Saphira cocked her head in Esmeralda’s reaction, dropping the towel she’d been drying her hair with and picking up a comb.

“How so?  I thought Charisma’s lack of reaction was more cutting than anything else could have been.”

“At least she acknowledged Brianna, and Brianna can use that. Nothing is worse than being persona non grata to the one who means the most to you in the whole world.  Brianna exists to her and that’s more than Brianna has had to hold onto for almost twenty years.”

“So Charisma gave her hope today?”

Esmeralda hesitated.  “I don’t know that I’d go that far.  Charisma gave Brianna acknowledgement.  What Brianna chooses to do with it will determine what happens next.”

“I’m not following,” Saphira confessed as she crawled into bed next to Esmeralda. 

“Brianna has several options open to her – she can aggressively pursue Charisma, goading her into what in all likelihood will be an angry response; she can try to re-establish their friendship, hoping to break through Charisma’s barriers by essentially killing her with kindness; or she can leave it to Charisma to take the initiative in deciding their next course of action.”

“You don’t think she’d leave the initiative to Charisma at this point, do you?” Saphira asked, plumping her pillows and settling down as she reached over and snapped off her bedside light.  Esmeralda finished rubbing in the lotion she’d applied and slid further down the bed, tucking the covers up under her arms and turning to face Saphira.

“Not really... not at this point.  She gave Charisma twenty years to take the initiative to come and find her... to find out why she left without a word.  Unless she’s given up the idea of them being together, I’d say she’s gonna push Charisma until Charisma pushes back.”

“You think she will... push back, I mean?”

Esmeralda laughed and Saphira smiled even though she didn’t as yet know what the joke was.  “Sweetie, she’s a passionate woman – do you really think she won’t?”

“Can she afford to?  I mean... wouldn’t this destroy her career?”

“Phira, you did,” Esmeralda responded softly.  “You risked everything when you came back to me, knowing the consequences... knowing you could lose everything you cared about.”

Saphira covered Esmeralda’s cheek with her hand.  “Not everything, Es.  When I knew you would stand beside me regardless, it was easy to risk the rest.  Does Charisma have that assurance?  Is she willing to give up everything she has worked for her whole life for the chance to be happy with Brianna?”  She paused, but Esmeralda remained silent, seeing the thoughtful look on Saphira’s face by the moonlight that streamed through the open blinds in the room.  Her patience was quickly rewarded.

“Given what you’ve already told me, Charisma gave up her chance for happiness with Brianna once by letting her go without finding out why she left, correct?” waiting for Esmeralda to nod.  “Why is there any reason to think she wouldn’t do that a second time?  After all, she doesn’t know what she’s missing.”

“Maybe she does,” Esmeralda started, before trailing off because of Saphira’s shaking head.  “Saphira, she’s missed having her best friend in her life for twenty years.”

“But this, Es,” pulling Esmeralda into her body and embracing her completely.  She smiled wistfully when Esmeralda naturally melted into her.  “She doesn’t know what it’s like to have had this and then to have lost it.  And she’s gonna have to be willing to risk everything she has and everything she’s known her whole life to take a chance on having this.  Do you really think she will?”

“I don’t think Brianna’s going to give her a choice.”

“At least you made progress tonight.  They both seem to be interested in talking to you now.  Sounds like the next few weeks could be interesting.”

“Oh, they’re liable to be something all right.  I hope the girls are ready for what’s coming down the line because I have a feeling there could be fireworks before it’s all over.”

“Yipee Ki Yay!”

Part 4