Time After Time

Chapter 18

Lexi watched Dante walk away. She wasn't upset or mad at him, it was just a lot to take in. It was different seeing the memories from an outside perspective than the way he showed her through the blood connection. Still the same, he hadn't lied, just different. And seeing him and Kalista blood sharing like that, she didn't like it. It wasn't jealousy exactly. It just never sits well to see your boyfriend doing things with someone else. She understood now, that most likely the visions they kept having were for real. It seem like someone had done something to their memories, or what if that is their future? The thought have her a feeling of dread. Speaking of dread, she thought, glancing towards the kitchen. Maybe I should go talk to Erik. Heading that way, she was surprised to see him gripping the counter as he waited for the tea to steep, his head hanging down. His posture was so defeated. She lightly touched his back and he started, his golden eyes meeting her, unshed tears filling them. Lexi felt a pang in her chest. No matter how she felt about Dante, she cared for Erik. Without thinking, she wrapped her arms around him and he collapsed into her embrace, sobs wracking his body. " Shh, there now" she whispered softly, stroking his hair and lightly kissing his head. When he had finally composed himself, he pulled back, not meeting her eyes. " What is it?" Lexi asked. Erik just shook his head. Lexi held his face in her hands " Tell me." She said simply.
Erik looked so tired and defeated. Seeing he wasn't going to speak, apparently, she focused, much harder than she ever had before and tried to not only see this mood, but his thoughts, not bothering to put up the wall Dante told her about. Erik seemed to realize what she was doing and he nodded, raising his arms to place his hands over hers, which were still holding his face. She felt him pushing his power into her to help her see. Thoughts and emotions began to come through in the form of pictures, hazy but Lexi could still make them out. Erik, mortal and happy, in love, his feelings of hurt and betrayal when he realized Kalista loved Dante and had made him immortal as well. His embarrassment at the rage he had felt and how he had attacked his own brother and his brother him. Years of loneliness, with only Dante by his side, the last person he wanted to lay eyes on at the time. Then, the first time he saw Lexi, the hope that fluttered inside him after so many years of despair, and the way he feels about her. That part made her stagger a bit. Erik was truly, deeply in love with her and he didn't know if he could or even wanted to do this again. It hurt just as much, if not more than the first time. Both of the women he had ever loved, loved his brother. Despair tinged these thoughts and emotions so strongly it brought tears to Lexi's eyes as well. Erik was just so tired of being alone and he didn't know if he could continue like this forever. Slowly the thoughts and emotions began to fade, and Lexi's view was filled once again with Erik's face, so close to hers. Both of them had tears streaming down their cheeks. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly to her again. "Oh Erik, I am so sorry. What happened between Dante and you is in the past, don't feel guilty. He attacked you as well. And you are not alone, especially not know. Cass, Mallory, Tyrone" even as she began listing names, she knew that it didn't help the way he felt, but she pressed on anyway " Dante... and me. I care about you so much, I can't stand to see you this way." At these last words, she felt Erik began to stiffen and withdrawl. Turning his back to her, he strode over to the window, staring out.
Lexi took in his rigid demeanor, the tightness in his shoulders and neck. She understood his need now to find witches to help Cass, he truly wanted to break the spell, to find a way to for himself to die. He wasn't ready to just refuse and have the guilt of taking his brother down with him, but he wanted an out. Her heart actually ached at the thought of Erik leaving her. Dante would always be the one for her, but if she was completely honest, her feeling for Erik were not just that of a brother or friend. Making a choice she may regret later, ( God, she hoped Dante would understand if it came to that) she walked carefully over to him, timidly grabbed his shoulder, turning him to face her. Maybe this could be enough to change his mind, maybe if she could let him see how important her was to her, it could help him.
When Erik turned his golden eyes were guarded and grim. Standing up on her tiptoes, Lexi rested her hands on his shoulders and gently pressed her lips to his, letting her wall down, so Erik could see how she felt. She kept the part of her mind where all she kept Dante and her closed for the most part, although she did let her love for Dante shine through and focused on showing Erik her own feelings and faults. Her anger and determination to have him, her feelings for him. The first time she saw him, her plotting to have him, the jealous rage she felt everytime he was with Jade. Erik slowly lost his rigid stance as she flooded him with thoughts and pressed her tightly against him, deepening the kiss. When they finally broke apart, Erik rested his forehead on hers, a small smile on his lips and whispered softly "One day, maybe you will change your mind and be with me." Lexi sighed and looked at him " I love Dante and I always will, but you needed to see how I feel about you too." Just then they heard a gasp, and turned to find Cass standing there staring at them " I was just coming to get my tea." Erik blinked, he had completely forgotten what he came in the kitchen for. Lexi shot a pleading look at Cass, that said it's not what it looks like, I will explain later. Cass stared at her for a moment and just nodded, grabbing her tea and leaving the room. Erik turned back to Lexi and dropping a kiss on her forehead, said " I am going to go get some fresh air." Lexi nodded and when he had gone outside, slowly made her way to the staircase, heading up to Dante's room.

Dante was laying on his bed, arms crossed behind his head, staring at the ceiling. A little bit ago he had felt a push of power, that he knew to be Erik's, he was familiar with what his brothers powers felt like by now. Idly he had wondered what was going on, but didn't concern himself too much with it, he was too distracted wondering about Lexi, she had never flinched away from him before. Maybe seeing and feeling both his and Erik's memories and thoughts was too much. Sighing, he turned his head as his door opened, his heart skipping a beat at the sight of Lexi, as always. She stood by the door, not fully entering the room. He waited,looking at her patiently, seeing she had something to say.
" I'm sorry." Lexi whispered, her face downcast. Noticing for the first time she looked like she had been crying, he opened his arms wide, indicating for her to come to him. She practically flew to the bed and landed in his arms. Burying her face into his chest, she whispered into his shirt " I'm sorry I jerked away from you. I'm not mad, it was just a lot."
Rubbing her back soothingly, Dante lifted her face to look at him. " You have nothing to be sorry for, don't think about it another moment." An expression flashed across her face that Dante couldn't quite read, but it looked like guilt? "I love you so much" she said with a serious expression.
" I love you so much, you are my whole world now." He returned solemnly. She smiled and cuddled in closer. After laying there holding each other for a few minutes Lexi cleared her throat and said " Dante, I am worried about Erik." Surprise went through him, what was wrong with Erik.? " Why?" He asked.
Seeming to gather her thoughts, it took her a moment to answer " He is so much unhappier than he lets on. He is so lonely and sad. I don't know if he has ever known what it is like to be loved." She continued on to explain about his deep despair and even the possibility of wanting to break the spell, if he could find a way to do it without harming Dante, that Erik was tired of living all alone.
Dante stroked her hair, understanding know where the power he felt earlier came from, Erik was letting Lexi see his thoughts apparently. Finally he spoke " I think you are probably right." Lexi nodded and timidly said " I think if someone showed him how to be loved, it might help him a lot."
Dante's hand stilled in her hair for a moment, and closed his eyes. Understanding was beginning to fill him. Lexi wanted to save Erik, the only way she knew how. He could allow this for his brother, couldn't he? Guilt flashed through him at the memories of turning against each other and what got them here in the first place. Lexi's heart was in the right place and he trusted her completely. He whispered against Lexi's hair slowly "You are right again, my love."
Her body relaxed and she breathed a sigh. She knew Dante would understand. He always understood everything. Rolling over to straddle him, she rained kisses on his face and neck. Staring down at him, her heart filled with pure happiness. Dante would alway be the only one for her, she knew. But if she could help Erik then she had to do that. Sighing she kissed Dante again, longing saturating the kiss. Dante rose up to hold her tightly and return the kiss.
She leaned back and with a smile said " We probably need to go check on the witches."
"As you wish." Dante replied.

They walked down the stairs into the library hand in hand. Cass looked up when they entered, surprise and confusion flashing across her face quickly, before she masked it. Mallory and Tyrone looked grim. Lexi's bubble of happiness faded as she looked at them " What is it?" She asked, dread filling her at their expressions. Cass looked at her sympathetically, but didn't say anything. Mallory spoke slowly " We think we figured it out, but we need to wait for Erik to be here before we begin to explain."
Dante's face looked like it was carved out of stone, he clearly could sense the mood in the room was not one that would lead to good news. Nodding, he strode out the door, and changed into a hawk the second he was outside. Lexi just stood, not sure what to do, staring at the three witches in front of her.
What seemed like eternity, but in reality was only about 10 minutes, Dante flew back in, changing gracefully back to his normal form, as he walked into the library. Erik darted in right behind him. Mallory regarded the three of them and said
" You better sit down, before I begin."