Book IV: Avi Dragon

Moving On

Menolly was willing to eat baby food, having recovered from the previous day's events. They laid out the towels from the first shower, since they were the driest, to keep the mess to a minimum. The adults ordered room service. Neither felt like socializing with strangers, choosing instead to enjoy their time together unfettered.
   Angel threw on her nightgown to answer the door. He didn't question it; in fact, he put on some shorts, unsure what the waiter could see from the doorway.
   She took the tray from the man with one hand, spun the palm of the other up, onto his forehead. She'd seen it done on Supernatural often enough, she thought it might work on real demons, possessing real people. She prayed it did no harm to the unwilling host, but there was a real chance that the poor man would collapse, and she didn't want the food to clatter to the floor.
   Fortunately, her purge worked, and the man survived. She guided his fall to the floor with the knee directly below her palm. He fell in a soundless heap, far enough from the door that she could close it without alerting her Bonded to the danger.
   It wouldn't have alerted him, before he got his second set of Marks. He debated how to handle this new ability. Did he keep quiet? Did he let on that he saw what she'd done? If so, how? Should he calmly suggest she tell the front desk that the man fainted? Wait, she can't lie. I'd have to do that. How long would the man be out?
   "He's already getting up, dearest. Turns out Supernatural doesn't know everything about Celestial powers."
   His head snapped up, but she was setting out their breakfast with no outward sign of distress.
   "That's good," he said slowly, waiting to see if she would erase his memory.
   She glanced up, head tilted to one side. "I can do that, can I? Huh. I was just bluffing before, but I guess I should've known when my throat didn't lock up."
   He pulled a plate of eggs closer. There was a table, but they didn't have a highchair for the baby, so they just ate on the bed. "That was pretty smooth, though."
   She blushed at her bagel sandwich. A rolling shrug was his only answer for a while. It was a novelty, this modesty. She'd always been so confident, it nearly bordered on arrogance.
   "I ran the simulation in my head, tried to find a way to get the food, not hurt the guy, and expel the demon, without..." She glanced up. "I figure it's my job to make things as normal as possible, y'know? No muss, no fuss."
   He smiled at her bent head. "I like this better than having my memory wiped, but honey, we're dragons. Normal isn't exactly in the cards."
   She snorted into her coffee. "Fair enough." She wiped the creamer from her nose, making faces at the baby to get her to giggle. "Maybe try to save the funny stuff for when I'm not drinking, though?"
   He kissed her nose, where a stray speck of coffee remained. "Yes dear."
   Her chest warmed from more than the coffee at those simple words, and for the first time, he didn't need her downcast eyes to tell him so.
   "I could get used to this."
   She looked up, a faint line between her brows. He pressed his lips to the wrinkle, relishing the reaction it sent down her spine.
   "Mm, that could get dangerous."
   "What are you on about?" she asked, the first trace of irritation coloring the question.
   He grinned a wide, knowing grin. "You don't have any secrets from me anymore, love. That's what it means."
   He realized, later that day, that he shouldn't have told her. She was surly, which her friends attributed to the impending move. She apologized several times, but everyone gave her emotional leeway, under the circumstances. There were lots of tears as they packed up the Pod; almost as many as the surreptitious glances at him, and the baby. They gave the Minnesotans the same story they'd given her sister--which is to say, he told them, and she just nodded, or added half-truths.
   Dan was there, which caused a few raised eyebrows. The locals thought there would be drama, or tension, but the trio had already been through the wringer together. The men weren't exactly friends, but they'd reached an understanding. Dan saw the change in the newlyweds, the familiarity that hadn't been there before.
   He asked her about it, during a brief rest. "I'm guessing that bed got some use last night. You look better for it," he rushed to add. "Did he say the word?"
   She shoulder bumped his armpit.
   "I'm just looking out for you. I meant what I said, you know. If he doesn't, you know I will."
   She gave him a one-armed hug. "Yeah, I know. And yes, he said it, but... it was after... you know. Kinda hard to take it seriously, y'know?"
   "Oh ya, don'tcha know."
   She bumped him again. "You're not fooling me, Danny boy." She sighed. "I'll miss you, ya great big goof." She meant it, of course. She adored him, and his 'dumb Nort'lander' routine.
   He kissed the top of her head. "I know." He pushed away from the wall and grabbed another box, while she aimed a kick at his backside.
   "Don't you go Star Warsing me, or I'll kick your butt for real."
   He just chuckled, in that easy-going way he had, and kept helping her move on. The going away party that night was sadder for his absence, but he promised to be there the next day, as well. He couldn't promise that he'd be at the final party, but he could give her as much time as possible, before she left forever. Not that he said it that way, of course.
   They were too tired to swim that night, but they did share another shower. It was the only intimacy they had the energy for.
   The next day wasn't as physically demanding, but the emotional toll was heavier. Her friend was still upset, which had her on edge, which in turn made the baby fussy. They finished before nightfall, including the party. Because it ended so early, Dan was able to stay for it. He tried to be a buffer between Angel and her bitter friend as much as possible, but the damage was done. By the time he drove them to their hotel, she was quiet, withdrawn. He gave her an extra long hug goodbye and ordered her not to be a stranger.
   She snuffled into his overalls and nodded, and then he was gone. All of her physical ties to Minnesota had been severed.
   The only thing left was to figure out the whole teleportation thing.