WITHOUT

Rest.

Abby and Fern stood, approached Clark as they wanted their conversation with her to go - With justice and with care. A wrong had been committed.....But, they understood why.

"Miss Clark-Spirit. We are, Valley-Fern and Empress of all that is winged, Abby.." Fern had never in all her life spoken as many human words, as she had since coming to the mansion that night. Clark stood tall, frowned at them....Her dark skirt swirled around her, her "look" was uniform, an example of her position and the authority she held. She was truly a dark and fearful picture to behold. A figure, never to be challenged. Ever.

But, hidden behind her stern frown was a feeling of pure fear. Abby saw it in her eyes....She also caught flashes of deep regret. Clark knew she was to face her comeuppance. And, she was ready to answer for it (Truly she was)       But, whatever Abby said next....Clark wanted safety given to Ethan and Benton, and all who she cared for.     She wanted no harm for her fellow servants.

She would accept whatever they felt was just.

(Her hands felt damp, not from guilt. But from the innocent blood that had been shed)

Now, was not really a good time for this talk to be happening. Maybe after the Archangels had been dealt with.....But, when you've done what Clark did - All those years ago, well....The truth picks it's moments!     Some deeds don't wait for the more "convenient" moments in life.    Some conversations will happen right in the middle of other tragic situations.

Fern motioned for Clark to follow them to a room, Fern had seen an empty room....Away from the others.       She pointed to a chair, Clark would sit facing them....Abby was motioned to a couch.     She was to have a place of authority.      Fern took another chair, between the two.

".....Your people were human and angels.     The fairies were the children of that union.     Is this a fact to you?.."          Fern sat straight in her chair, she looked equally between Clark and Abby.

Clark nodded...."Yes.     I come from a "mixing" of angels, humans and fairies.    Ma never fully explained things.."       Clark went quiet. Her dear ma didn't explain a lot of things.    She possibly didn't know herself.

"You were hidden?    Yes?..."      Fern and Abby watched Clark.    "Yes.    My people hid.     But, we kept getting found.    We always got found..."       Clark shook her head.   She didn't want to remember.    But, she couldn't ever really forget.    Maybe that's why her stories got so mixed-up.     But, it was the pain of an event (A dark one) - That torn her up the most.

"You tended to my people.    You cared for them?    Yes?..."       Fern kept her face neutral.      Abby leaned forward a little in her seat.

"....I did.    I loved them...."      Clark bit her lip.  In her youth, she'd openly loved a lot of things, despite being told that was a wasted emotion (And, it would get her killed in the end) Clark refused to believe that. Love was a good thing - It should be with you at all times. But...Lately, she was saying that word too much!    She was experiencing too many "human" emotions!    And...It was to stop now!    By god and all his powers it was to stop now!     Clark clenched her fists.     Clark ceased her feelings at death. The dead have no need for them, in her thinking - They were best left to the living.

She stared so hard at Fern, then Abby.

She couldn't stop her words.

"I LOVED THOSE CHILDREN!    THEY WERE TO BE PROTECTED.    I NEVER, NEVER WANTED ANYONE TO TOUCH THEM!   NO ONE!    DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME!!.."     Clark's face was twisted in pain and anger. This was not her. She was ready to answer for what she did....She had done the unthinkable. Clark gripped her skirt, that stupid "love" word was making her crazy.