This digest begins in between the time Lucy comes to the Trading Post (now known as the Artists Retreat, or the Retreat for short) and Elizabeth returns from her dedication to the Lady. Currently in the Trading Post are Hugh (now known as Howard), Greg, Shane, and Holly. John Twofeathers is escorting Elizabeth to the sacred grove to begin her initiation.

While inside the Trading Post.... as the four of you stand quietly for a moment, Greg sipping his coffee, a sharp rap comes from the front door. Everyone turns to look. Someone can be seen standing outside, and Shane steps to the door, opening it. A figure steps inside. It is Lucy.

Jumping to attention, Shane springs in front of the group in a defensive stance, he whips two small ceramic handaxes from behind his back as he loooks at Lucy, not letting her past him towards any member of the group.

"You talk now, or you are not having a good day, dead woman!" his voices is thunderous and very intimidating, but he does not move to attack in Twofeather's home, it would be dishonorable.

Holly sits on a stool at the counter, slighty to one side of the group. Her jaw tightens slightly as the undead Lucy enters the building, but she makes no comment or movement, waiting to see how the drama plays out beween her and Shane.

Holly is dressed in a leather bomber style jacket, blue jeans and hiking boots. A black turtle neck shirt and a pair of black leather driving gloves help keep her warm in the mountain air. Her long dark hair is bound up behind her head and held in place with a silver clip. She has high cheek bones, a wide mouth and piercing blue eyes. She is an attractive woman, athletically built with the quiet stillness of a natural hunter.

Turning around, Greg spews his coffee out in Lucy's direction, and then begins to retch. Dropping to a knee. "Damnit. Someone want to get me back to the planet I used to live on? The dead stayed dead there. Don't know where the hell I am now though!"

As she steps in the door, you see a woman, 5'8" tall, of willowy build,approximately 140 lbs. Her hair is auburn, and cut in a severe bob at the cheeckbones. It is full and lustrous, as if she just walked out of a professional salon. Her skin is beautiful and flawless, very fair, and it veritably glows. Her eyes are green, and very piercing, but it is their shape, not their color, that catches your attention - kind of exotic. Her lashes are long and full, but not made-up. Her lips are full and sensuous, of a deep color that is obviously natural, but like none you've ever seen. She is wearing jeans, flat, Doc Martin-style dress shoes, and a t-shirt with a print of Frida Kahlo's "The Two Fridas" on it.

As Shane jumps to put himself between her and the group, her jaw tightens. She takes a deep breath and says, "Put your axes down, Yoyoma, this isn't even a drill. I called up here to find Elizabeth, and Mr. Twofeathers invited me to come up." She puts a hand over her mouth, cupping her chin. It is shaking. "I really need to talk to her. Is she safe? Adam is still out there, and I think he's going to go after her. Please, I really need to see her. Where is she?"

"She is with Twofeather's and will be back, if you were invited, then come in and sit, but do so near me...."

He slides his axes back under his coat, "We have a lot to discuss don't we,?" He looks over at Greg on the way past to make sure he is okay.

A dark cloud passes over Lucy's features, and her brow furrows. "Still giving orders, I see. Well, I'm still not taking them. From anyone." I go to sit down, and pick up a snow globe off of one of the shelves on the way. I purposefully sit down as far away from Shane as I can, and look at the snow globe, the table top, the linoleum, anything but the other people in the room. My voice cracks a little, "How long will she be gone?"

The man in black smiles a little. "Well, the players are many in a chessboard of John Twofeather's design. I guess only he knows where all the pieces lay."

Lucy looks up and says, "Oh, and to answer your question, Greg, this is not reality. This is a remake of 'Plan 9 From Outerspace,' but the guy playing the vampire sure as hell isn't Bella Lugosi."

The man in black looks at Lucy. "You are afraid. Of whom?" He seems unaware that this is a very personal question to ask.

"Didn't anyone ever tell you that it _is_ possible to abuse the rule of 'basic black'?"She says.

"Madam," the man in black looks at Lucy, "although you wear the rules of fashion well, and have done quite well in enhancing your own sexual charisma, I do not follow such arbitrary guidelines. What I wear is functional, and sedate."

"Lucy, Adam's mine." Shane says in a whispered but steely tone, " He attacked people that were with me, I can track him and I can find him and when I do, what he did to you will look like childs play. I do find it a little amusing you now find it convenient to see that it was not all paranoid psychosis. So, Hugh, is it? What do you require with miss Elizabeth?"

Shane takes a comfortable posture as he awaits Elizabeth's return.

"As for my business with the Apprentice," says the man in black, " I am an envoy from the King of Kings, and I hope to persuade her to open this area to God's love."

"So, you're who came into town a few days ago then aren't you?" in an eerie smile, Shane slides those words out across his lips in his regular dark tone.

Suddenly, Lucy is on her feet, and she hurls the snow globe as hard as she can at Shane. "AMUSING??!!! You find it amusing?!" She chokes, and tears start running down her face. She is shouting, and her breath is coming in ragged gasps. She lunges toward the table, and, grabbing the corner, turns it over, throwing it across the room, "YOU LEFT ME THERE!!!!!!!!!" She turns toward Greg and, between sobs, says, "I saw you there, at my car....he was carrying me away....I tried to yell to you....he had me....I couldn't move, or scream..... and YOU!!!!!!!!" She points at Shane, "YOU CALLED HIM AWAY!!!! He took me to his house....and....THREE FUCKING HOURS!" Now Lucy's voice is a haorse roar. She picks up a chair, and begins to lay about her, breaking everything in sight, using the chair as a club. Each of her words is punctuated by a swing of the chair, "IT TOOK HIM THREE FUCKING HOURS TO KILL ME!!!! I...WAITED.......AND......PRAYED......AND....PRAYED....AND PRAYED....AND NO ONE....CAME....TO....HELP.....ME!!!" She takes a step back, and trips over some of the debris she's created, landing in a sitting position. She looses the chair from her grasp as she goes down, and it skitters across the linoleum. She sits on the floor, knees pulled up, with her elbows resting on them, holding her head in her hands. She is crying in long, loud, moaning gasps, "no one came...."

Hugh watches silently, a hint of sadness on his face, especially hearing that Lucy prayed for deliverance, and yet none came. He sighs. He comes down from his perch, and his black gloved hands begin to pick up the debris from the floor.

Sitting back idly throughout her whole tirade, Shane's expression does not deviate from one of indifference. Waiting until she is done with her wild fit,he says in a sarcastic tone," So, Hugh, this girl here says while she was praying for three hours, as she lay being tortured by an occursed madman, where was your King of Kings on that one?"

"To answer your question," says Hugh, "how do you know that God hasn't answered Lucy's prayers? The Almighty is infinite, and your limited mind cannot comprehend the Infinite. Not even I can fathom the true nature of God. Perhaps God is answering Lucy's prayers right now. But presume not to judge the Infinite, until you are infinite."

"As to what happened to you," the man in black says to Lucy, as he continues to pick up shards of glass, "I can only hope that you will be able to find a higher purpose in that dreadful tragedy that befell you."

"No way. I'm done with your shitty god. There's no reason in the universe that could justify....oh, christ....what he did to me...." Lucy says, starting to cry again.

Lucy sobs, seated on the floor, as Hugh begins to clean up the mess a bit. Greg looks uncomfortable but also at a loss. The back door opens and John comes in, taking a quick glance around the scene. John is an aged Native American, his grey hair tied in two long braids. He is wearing a flannel shirt and faded, worn-out jeans over greyish, broken down cowboy boots. He walks quickly over to Lucy and puts his wrinkled hand on her shoulder. "Come on, honey," he says, quietly. "Come sit over here." Lucy begins to calm, something about his touch making her feel warm and safe. Lucy has managed to break his display counter, as well as knocking over several stands of postcards and tossing other foodstuffs and goods all over the floor.

"Pay more heed to your own words, Hugh. I know He is present," says Shane, a scornful smile crosses his lips as he watches the new man pick up the fragmented chair and snowglobe. He turns to Lucy, saying" You had the option to travel with us but your stubborn ignorance made you do differently, I told you of the dangers of that night and you didn't believe me. Obviously one of the powers that be has decided you have more to offer after your education and you are here now, live for the present, the wounds of the past are always there. Remember the scars but just don't touch them. Now I have told you that Adam will pay, and I hope to make you a part of that, what more cruel things could I do than those you devise for that monster, but you know I feel no sorrow for what happened, so throw things or break things, I did my duty as was needed. You know, however Lucy, if you travel next to me and these few, that you have my protection, but if you travel against me, you simply have an enemy, the choice is yours."

Lucy's face is almost purple with rage. In between choking sobs she says, "How DARE you blame me! I was doing _exactly_ what was planned, driving along right next to you all on the way to your car! The next thing I knew, my car runs into a tree and NONE of you were ANYWHERE to be found!!!! YOU fucked up, Shane, NOT ME!!"

Again smiling his odd smile, Shane looks to Lucy. "Rage doesn't become you, pretty girl, but I will not quarrel you within this man's house. As I said, I still consider you an ally, though a hostile one at that. I always liked your....... spunky nature.....so to say. As far as not being anywhere to be found, I was right where I should have been. You know who I was there for that night. I made it abundantly clear and she is safe now isnt she." Shane's emotionless words cascade across the room.

Lucy makes an inarticulate cry and leaps at Shane, her fingers tensed like claws and her mouth open as if to bite him. Everyone clearly sees that her canines are long and sharp. John grabs her shoulders as she lunges forward, inserting himself between her and Shane. As he blocks her, Lucy again melts into tears burying her face in John's shirt. He gathers her in an embrace, holding her as her shoulders shudder with sobs.

"Shane, do not provoke her. I do not want to have to ask you to leave," John says, and helps her over to one of the stools at the unbroken counter.

Having not even moved to act like he needed defend himself within this house, Shane nods to Twofeathers, having just proven what he was trying to discern. "That's what I figured happened, but I needed to know. I am sorry for one thing Lucy, that you have to live as this." Looking at Hugh, Shane sits back against the table comfortably, casting a glance in Holly's direction, "So, sweetie, whats on your mind tonight?"

Holly has been quiet through the tumult. At Shane's question she shrugs her shoulders. "I warned you all about the vampire. No one took it seriously. Now we have an undead in our midst. Along with who knows what other kind of wierd beasties. She's been translated now, and can live forever if she chooses. But what of her masters intenent? He pulls her strings now.

"And as for the maitre d' here," indicating the messenger of god with a tilt of her chin. "I've very little time for his goals. He will destroy us all in the name of his own cause. His kind have always hunted us. I trust Lucy more." Holly shakes her head and keeps her back to the wall.

Lucy lifts her head away from John's shoulder, but does not let go of him. "Everyone keeps talking about my 'Master'. Adam hasn't been able to make me do anything. If he could control me, then he'd be able to stop me from attacking him, which he hasn't. He's not affraid of me, but he's affraid of one of you." She pulls back from John and says, with a sniff, "Are you Mr. Twofeathers? I'm Lucy Ryan. I'm really sorry about your place. I'll pay for everything. It may take me a while, though."

John smiles, "That's Ok. Nothing here that can't be replaced." He continues to hold onto Lucy, patting her back in a comforting fashion.

"Lucy, the damage is paid for. don't worry about that, " his face is a little more relaxed now, Shane nods at Twofeathers indicating he doesn't want any disagreement, "As far as Adam, I intend to kill him. If that means you're going to work with me then that is a good thing. I vowed when I saw what he had done to end his existence and I shall do just that. As far as fearing one of us, hell I'm not all too sure about which one it is, but I do know that he was afraid of me when we met, that's not to say that he's not more intimidated by another of us. It's quite obvious that we all have our little secrets. If he is afraid of me, however , he has good cause and anything you can learn of his fear will help towards his destruction. I agree with Holly, I don't like this God boy over here, his people would see everyone destroyed in the name of their "peaceful" cause. Lucy, if you wish to pursue your creator, then I will aid you. Greg, I know you're just as lost in this whole thing as you were when it started, but my boy, you have reason to be here, have faith in that."

Shane walks over and rests next to Holly, looking down over her troubled visage.

"Shane, you have to stop taking everything over." Lucy's tone is matter-of-fact, not hostile. "You want to know why I think you're the biggest asshole who ever walked the earth? It's because you take charge of everything. I'd really like your help, but the fact is, if anyone's going to tuck Adam in for the big dirt nap, it's going to be me. And I'll take all the help I can get. But if we're all going to be pals, all of the cloak and dagger junk has to end now. So let's make like a big AA meeting and spill. I'll tell everyone everything I know, but it's got to be mutual. The first thing I'm going to need to do is get my car and all my stuff back. How many people have been told that I'm 'dead'? I just want the other parts of my life to get back to what passes for normal lately."

Shane simply shakes his head at all of this, looking at Twofeathers in digust with the whole suggestion.

The man in black chuckles, but this time it is a pleasant laugh, as he sweeps up the shards of glass. "I would imagine that the pagan god would have, oh what do they call it? "Control issues?" I think that's what it is called."

The shards of glass in the wastebin, he picks up the fallen postcards. "I'll need a mop eventually, John."

"You would be wise to hold your tongue, Angel, " Shane spits this last word out in a whisper. He still stands non-chalantly against the table next to Holly, but his gaze is not at all at ease. His eyes penetrate the air to Hugh as he smoothes the braids on either side of his face.

Lucy smiles, and her eyes don't just twinkle, they *gleam*. "A _god_. A _god_, Shane?! Really?!! Gosh, that explains a lot! The money, the ego....wow. Should I call you 'your lordship' or 'your godheadliness' or what?" She continues to help Hugh pick stuff up. Being able to focus on something, especially embarassing Shane, seems to have brought a momentary lapse in her malaise. Continuing in a light tone, Lucy says to Hugh, "Yeah, and Yaweh's a real prince. The name Job ring a bell? How many of you and your pals had a betting pool going about that one? And don't tell me that there's no gambling where you come from, either. Your boss was a betting man himself with that peachy little scenario."

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize that you were there in Job's time."

"The Bible is a tome written by men trying to comprehend the nature of the Infinite God. There are bound to be mistakes. The tale of Job may be totally truthful. It may have been written after the fact, in trying to understand Job's run of bad luck. You may never know, and you cannot know while you are on this mortal plane."

"As far as betting on the course of human events, many of my kind pay no attention to the mortal plane. You all just aren't that interesting."

"Present company, perhaps, excepted."

Lucy smiles, "Methinks the seraphim doth protest too much. You and your pals might not think we're so interesting, but God certainly does, doesn't he?"

The man in black's jaw tightens slightly. "Humanity is most beloved by God."

*Greg shrugs* "Hell if I know what's going on. I don't know that I'm all that important, too dumb too learn maybe, hell I don't know." *stopping a second* "Sorry, Hugh. I'm not trying to be rude or anything. Just tell me to shut up...anytime. Lord knows I haven't contributed anything so far."

Shane turns to John and says, "Twofeather's where is miss Elizabeth, or is it no longer my concern?"

John says,"She is on her journey, and will be back by morning. Do not worry, no harm shall come to her now, no matter who seeks her out." He seems quite confident of her safety.

"So Twofeathers, " nodding my head in Hugh's direction, " Is this the one that came a week ago when I came to see you?"

"No, there is another." John does not seem too concerned right now about this matter.

The man in black (Hugh) chuckles, and from anyone else it would be nice, but from his mouth, it is actually rather disturbing. "You all know so much of my kind, and yet you haven't met a single one, probably. You are as judgmental as you proclaim the King of Kings to be."

"Know this: if God wanted this place destroyed, it would be destroyed. I mean no disrespect, John, but your wards go only so far. I could go to this Cheyenne Mountain, or to any number of missile silo sites, and inspire the operators with the will of God and this place would be consumed in a modern pillar of fire."

"But the ability to do a thing does not indicate a desire to do a thing. Humans," and his jaw tightens greatly as this sentence forms, "are the most beloved of God. God has given them the greatest gift of all, free will, and is most reluctant to act in contrary nature to the exercise of that gift."

"As for hunting your kind," looking at Holly, "I have never done this, and I would hope that you judge not me because of what I am, rather than who I am. There are those that would seek Lucy's death simply for what this Adam has made her into; are they not as wrong?"

"You all seem to fear me so, and I'm sorry for that. As for your machinations against this Adam, I wish you success. All I desire is to speak to the Apprentice, and I will always be willing to wait. I have the time."

Shane, still glaring at the angel, says,"Make no mistake in your words, Hugh. I do not fear you, not any more than I would see in return from you. But, the apprentice, as you call her, is undermy watch for the time being and, " Shane stops to chuckle" she does not make deals with any force, I would doubt even with your God. Free will you know?" dark and soft laughter escapes Shanes mouth.

"Such is her right, pagan. You should know that I don't seek her allegiance, or her faith, or her soul, as my counterpart invariably does. I simply wish to speak with her."

"Whoah, Hugh, you better watch it with that 'pagan' stuff, Lucy says. "Shane might get mad, and then you guys wouldn't be allowed to play in the sandbox together anymore." In response to John's statement about Elizabeth, Lucy asks, "Where did she go?"

"She is taking a long path, and she will be renewed when she returns. She goes to find herself."

"Thanks, John, that really clears things up." Lucy laughs. "You're a regular crystal ball."

"Her journey is personal, and it is her business if she wishes to share the details. Would you like some coffee? You are all welcome to anything I have here." John goes around behind the counter and pours himself a steaming cup.

"Uh, sure. I mean, it sounds great. But, uh, can I have food anymore?"

"Don't know," John says, "Let's give it a try." He pours her a cup of coffee, then leans on the counter.

Lucy stops picking up long enough to take the coffee cup from John. She holds the cup for a moment, seeming to enjoy the warmth of the coffee coming from inside. "Bottoms up," she says. She takes a sip. She stands there a moment, waiting for something to happen. She takes another sip. "Huh. Well, that's one myth down the drain."

After a thoughtful pause, Lucy says,"Look, Shane,think about it. How can I work well with you if I don't know what you are, or what you can do? And the reverse is true. We can't make effective plans if we A. can't trust eachother fully, and B. can't plan strategically. I know you don't like Gabriel over there, so we can all talk again once he's had his little plea bargaining session with Elizabeth. And no one said you couldn't beat up on Adam. You just have to let me be the one to saw his head off with a nail file. Besides, I want you to put the fear of ...well, YOU into him, since you say he's affraid of you. I certainly don't get any results in that area."

She pauses for a moment. Then her eyes get big and she says, "Sherri. Oh, man, we have to do something about Sherri. I don't know what he did to her, but...I don't know. There's no air in the windmills of her mind, if you know what I mean. She's like an animal, not even capable of speech anymore."

As Lucy speaks, the man in black looks up very suddenly.

"First off, I am not Gabriel. He has even more contempt for the dalliance of humanity than I do."

"Secondly, what is this about your friend, Sherri? Enslavement is intolerable, and while I will not be able to help you against Adam himself (especially since you don't want my help) I will help repair the damage done to this woman."

"Hey, _I_ didn't say I didn't want your help. I'm not real fond of your boss, but if you can help, more power to you, and by extension, to me. But I'm not sure if you _can_ help, if you can't do anything to Adam. But, I don't know. Sherri didn't even recognize me, or her own name when I saw her in the morgue tonight. But if you can help her, I'll try to help you. Oh, and the next time you see Gabriel, tell him to kiss my butt." She then mutters to herself, "dalliance of humanity..."

Hugh looks thoughtfully at Shane and says, "It might be that my words were ill-chosen, pagan god. I apologize if I struck a nerve. I simply spoke my mind, as have you all about God. I thought that was a courtesy we were extending to each other."

"Indeed it was, Hugh," says Lucy. She is really enjoying herself. "Anyway, Shane, what do you think about what I said? C'mon. 'Get Him' can't be our plan. If we work together, let's really be together. What do you say? If I can forgive you for holding a barn dance, or whatever it was you were doing for the three hours it took Adam to torture me to death, you can certainly forgive the occasional snotty comment."

Shane casts a glance to Twofeathers and looks at his surroundings beforesimply uttering again, "You would be wise to hold your tongue, Angel." He eyes the door after saying this as if contemplating something,

Lucy sighs. "Okay. Hey, Shane, will you come outside with me for a minute, I'd really like to talk to you one on one."

Cocking his head at Lucy in a strange manner, Shane says, "Do you really want to talk to me outside this haven knowing the mood Im in right now, woman?"

"Yeah, so you'll kill me in John's yard instead of his house. No, I'm sure. Let's take a walk or something."

Looking to John, Shane says, "I want to know when Elizabeth gets back, you know how to contact me and I will just be outside." Turning to Lucy I say, "If you are wanting to speak then okay, if you are telling the truth and dont do the bidding of your master then okay as well but know this, if you are trying to lead me into a trap it will only get yourself and your cohorts dead permenantly, you of all the people here know I have no concern for your well being past where it aids my ends." he states matter of factly, tugging up the collar on his leather over coat he strides toward the door casting a stern glance at Hugh. As a parting thought, Shane says to Two Feathers, "It's best that I leave here for a moment wise man, or I might bring offense to your home." He waits for Lucy to file out before him, his senses keenly heightened for anything.

"Okay, you've found me out. My Master has instructed me to kidnap you and use your otherworldliness to hijack a Little Debbie truck and a tanker of skim milk. See, he's got this thing for moon pies..." She rolls her eyes and says, "Geeze, guys, give up on the 'master' bit, okay?" Lucy heads for the door, as Shane opens it, she turns around to the group and says, in a thick eastern European accent, "Vee vill return, blah,blah." She walks out into the night.

***Outside, Shane and Lucy have their discussion

Shutting the door behind us Shane says, "You're tongue as well could get you in trouble in the future. I prefer that we stay somewhat near here, so when Elizabeth returns I can watch the angel. Now, what is it that you want to speak about?" Shane goes over and leans on his car, "Oh, as far as your car is concerned, it is totalled, but you'll get a new one don't worry about that." His eyes scan the area for anything foreign.

Lucy snorts derisively, "No one can threaten me with anything worse than what's already happened. So, I prefer to give my mouth free reign. And I appreciate your generosity. So if you really want to buy me a new car, I'll let you. But it's not necessary. On another note, you have got to develop a thicker skin, man. Don't let his ass-holiness in there get to you. I mean, keep an eye on him, but don't let him bait you like that. Leave the witty reparte to me. I'm much better at it anyway. So, what I wanted to talk to you about is an answer to my question. Are we all going to work together on this or not? If you don't want to, we don't have to include Cupid. But the rest of us need to get straight with eachother, or this thing's never going to work."

"I am not in the habit of stating who I am, and he should not have overstepped his bounds, thick skinned I am, but that was a challenge and the only reason there is a live angel in there is because he is IN THERE. I cannot divulge anymore about myself, but I will work with you alongside you people for a few reasons. Most of which are my own. The Angel is another story."

Lucy turns and heads down a little path that runs next to the trading post. She walks in silence for a moment, and then says, "Well, before I make my big, tearjerking speach, do you mind telling me what the hell happened to you all while Adam was playing 'carve the co-ed'?"

"Let's stay near the post" he says, " as far as the time we spent away from you, we were in a faerie court trying to get Elizabeth out of there, I had no concern for yourwell being, she was my charge at the time. You know that, but yes I did yell to tell Adam that if he injured anyone with me he was mine and now he is. We were in the court for a good time and hen we finally arrived you were already dead, lucky for you the, cops came, because I was about to take your head. I was worried that Adam was just sick enough to turn you into a vampire but I couldnt take your head before that officer showed up."

"Well, it strikes me as odd that you don't care about my welfare, which I believe, but you still feel it necessary to avenge what happened to me. I mean, if I was 'with' you, then that implies that Elizabeth wasn't your only duty, though she may have been your primary concern. So you need to decide. Did you consider me under your protection, or not? Because if you did, then you might appologize for not being there when you were most needed by me, and acknowlege that, though you fully performed your duty to Elizabeth, you failed to do so with me. I mean, I was kind of counting on you in there. But if you did not consider me under your protection, then you really have no claim on Adam's hide, and he's all mine. Now, that said, I am well aware of the fact that I can't do anything to him alone. I need and want your help. I don't quite understand why you don't want to tell anyone about yourself - but hey, that's a rod that's up YOUR butt, not mine. If it's that important to you, then keep your secrets. It would just be helpful, and well, show that you have some faith in us - at least as much as we are giving to you. As for the winged pain inside, that's between the two of you.

"I shall say this, anyone with me that night was a part of my warrior troupe, so there is an obligation, but the first priority was to the safety of miss Elzabeth, make no mistake, it is not because I care about her, but it is a favor that I do for anoher to keep her safe. Warriors die, people die, but the primary goal must be attained. He killed a traveller with me and as such must die, I warned him and he chose to do it anyway. Yes he was afraid of me I feel and rightfully so. I cannot give you an apology aside from this, it would have been better for you to have travelled with us and due to what he did to you and made you I express regret. Ask for no more than that, but know if you travel with me you have my protection." His face still shows no compassion." As far as who I am, it is best I keep that to myself, for many reasons including your own safety of not knowing. What was it that you wished to speak of?"

"We've been talking about it, bonehead. Okay, appology accepted. So, now we're on the same team. Don't worry, I won't let anyone know we've kissed and made up." Lucy starts heading back toward the door. As she walks, she says, "So, what kind of car are you buying me?"

"What kind of car do you want to buy? It's you're money to spend, I'll be getting it when we sue the police for falsifying evidence, slander, and defamation of character for calling me your murderer. Team, what a strange concept, if you wish to travel with me then you must submit to one thing."

Lucy comes over and presses her body up against Shane's. She puts herhands on his chest, bats her eyelashes and says, "Oh, Shane, I thought you'd never ask." She laughs and steps away "Well, that depends on what it is. If you're going to ask me to do something contrary to my nature, like follow your orders without question, or stop humiliating you verbally, then I can't. But I'll tell you, I know my limits, and when it counts, I can fall in line with the best of them."

"If you are fighting alongside me, then you will allow me to train you to fight. That is what I require of and from you, we will find what is best for you to learn and hone your skills as a warrior. If you fight with me then I need you to be able to take care of yourself in the situations where I am elsewhere predisposed. As far as orders go, when I give orders in that manner I do it for the good of the whole team body, when i say Ill go first or last it is because I perceive the greatest danger there and yes, I am sure I can fight. Holly as well is a fighter, I need to learn more about her though and Greg, well greg I think can see the supernatural and he's just crazy and dumb enough to want to fight it. I don't know Elizabeth's purrpose but I do know it is important and though she is not a fighter I welcome her presence with me. So do you agree to my stipulation?"

"Hey, I have no problem with learning how to kick some butt. Okay, your godliness, you have a deal. Shall we go back inside?"

Grabbing her firmly by the arms, it is apparent he is not trying to hurt her, Shane's expression changes, he looks more stern, "Call me Shane, as far as you're concerned that is my name and I accept no mockery. You, as I said are safer knowing me only as Shane the private investigator. The angel overstepped his bounds stating a little about me, but we will keep this who or what I am out of our relationship. It is for your own good that I say this, so do not contest me here." He releases his tight grip but still holds on softly, comfortingly, " and just to let you know, you're sharp witted tongue does not bother me all that much, as long as it doesnt interfere with safety. I enjoy your ability to piss people off, even me." His dark smile returns to his lips as he gives a comforting squeeze to Lucy's shoulders and turns her towards Twofeathers, offering her an arm to walk her back inside.

"Whatever you say, your immenseness." She will take his arm when they walk back inside.]

After a long while, Lucy and Shane return from outside, arm in arm. As they come through the door, Lucy says, "Hey, I've figured out the secret. Shane loves to kiss butt, you just have to get him alone to pucker up. Oh, and in case you're wondering, I just used my vampiric charms to convince Shane to join my master's growing army of the dead." She gets a look of mock shock on her face and says, "Uh, did I say that out loud?"

With a wry smile Shane walks back over to rest next to Holly, "So Twofeathers, whats brewing in the area, I haven't seen this much activity in Boulder." Shane glances at Hugh as he passes.

The man in black hops up onto a counter and sits. "I suppose this is an example of 'sexual tension' that I've heard about. Perhaps you two would like to step outside again."

Lucy looks at Hugh, with a wry smile and raised eyebrow, "You're just saying that because you'd like to watch."

The door in back opens and Elizabeth walks in, radiantly naked and truly lovely to look upon. She seems to almost glow with inner light, and her skin is golden and alive. She is trailed by a large, furry weasel-like creature.

She turns and smiles at Twofeathers, her eyes for a minute looking very different, they are hard and bright and emanate power, not cruelty, just an absolute purpose, they reflect nothing. Then she blinks and her eyes are normal again, reflecting Twofeathers face, open bright with wonder and delight and confidence. She does not speak, she does not have to.

Twofeathers merely smiles and nods, welcoming her back.

Seeing Elizabeth walk in naked, Lucy says, "Well, Elizabeth, that's a new look for you. But you know, all of the posers in the art department will want to do it now, too." She is her usual joking self, except for the somewhat unsure expression on her face as she addresses her friend. Elizabeth sees Lucy as she was before the incident at Adam's house, but she is different. It's as if all that was attractive about her has been enhanced, and all of her unattractive features have been downplayed. Upon close inspection, it is obvious that she is not better looking, just...more appealing somehow.

*coughing slightly at Elizabeth's appearance, Greg turns his head away from her, and looks out the front door.*

The man in black's mouth hangs slightly open. He seems unable to speak.

Lucy snaps her fingers right in front of his face. "Hey, Gabriel, a little courtesey." She seems aggitated.

The man in black shakes his head, like a shiver. Although you cannot see behind his dark glasses, you can tell he is squinting his eyes shut. "You're right, this is very rude, and I apologize. And please, I am not Gabriel." He then bows his head and turns away from Elizabeth, his eyes still shut tight.

Elizabeth turns to Lucy, completely missing the jibes and reactions of the other people. A look of amazement crosses her face. "Lucy?" She goes up to Lucy and draws her into her arms to hug her. "I'm so happy to see you! Mi carita, you look well! We shall have to talk, about Sherri and about you and what comes next. I am full of questions."

She turns to Two-Feathers again, quietly she asks him in a low voice, "Do I leave school to devote myself to your training? I am close to graduation but say the word and I will leave. Do I dedicate myself to studying between the two? Say the word teacher and I will obey, what is my next step?"

Lucy gladly returns Elizabeth's embrace, "Elizabeth..." is all she can get out. She starts to cry again, this time softly. She hugs Elizabeth to herself tightly. She is unwilling to let go of her friend, but will do so if Elizabeth pulls away to talk to John.

"You may complete your education in whatever way you wish. I will be here for only a short time longer, and you have much to learn from me. You are welcome to stay here, or continue to live in town." He seems very happy, and Elizabeth's return has brought a glow to the entire room.

At John's words, Lucy's crying becomes redoubled. "I'm sorry. Sorry to spoil your moment, Elizabeth. Dammit." She lets go of Elizabeth and out the front door.

The man in black, who had been faced away from the rest of the room before, starts to go to the door, and then stops. He balls his gloved hand into a tight, tight fist, grits his teeth, and then crosses his arms in front of him.

Elizabeth says to John, "I will live here and be with you as much as possible while you remain, but must make arrangements for school." She smiles and then untroubled strides past everyone out the open door, closing it behind her and out into the night to find Lucy.

[Elizabeth concentrates as she steps outside, laughing a little joyfully at the night breezes and then walks to her friend with no indecision embracing and holding her and letting Lucy be the first to speak. She dries Lucy's tears with her soft hair and rocks her gently against her shoulder soothing her and stroking her head.

After a minute of crying, Lucy's words come in a great cascading confession, "No wonder all of this happened to me. I'm such a horrible person. I don't even know why you hung around for as long as you have. I'm so mad that you have found some kind of purpose, that you're so happy with who you are and where you're at. It's such a horrible feeling to be jealous of someone you like so much. And all I can think of is getting back at Adam for what he did. And you would never hurt anyone, or say anything mean to anyone, and I'm always so mean. But that's the way I am and I don't think it will ever change. All I could think of when I woke up in the morgue tonight was talking to you. And then Adam came, and....oh, god, I killed someone. I tried to stop myself, but he was there, and he knew. I hate him, hate him. And you've never hated anyone. I'm so awful." She stops and catches her breath. Then she says, with a sad laugh, "and what's worse than all of it, is that I think I'm falling for Shane." She half laughs, half cries, and says, "why do I have to be dumb on top of everything else?"

She starts to cry again and sobs, "And why does John have to DIE?!"

Elizabeth looks at Lucy in the eyes, still stroking her head. "Lucy, we all have paths to walk which noone but ourselves can complete. I think 'Adam' forced you upon his path, against nature. But regardless Lucy you have your own life, your own actions only you are responsible for. It is not horrible to be jealous, its human. What I have assumed is a heavy responsiblity, I do not yet know what is expected of me, but I chose it, I suffered and died for it and being reborn I opened my mind and heart to embrace it.

"You two have died and your rebirth is harsh, but you can still make something pure of it. Lucy, you're a wonderful person, you're bright, funny, talented, you're beautiful - and you know right from wrong. Whatever you are, whatever you are capable of, if you keep the knowledge of that than no one, not even Adam can make you into the monster that he is.

"I will help you in whatever way I can Lucy. I swore an oath to hunt Adam, I intend to rid the world of a cancer like him, he poisons and destroys without purpose. You're not him, you're Lucy, please I can't explain. Look at me, look deeply at me, feel my heart, breathe my breath and look into my eyes, I have strength."

Elizabeth places Lucy's right hand over her own heart, and raises her chin for Lucy to look into her eyes. Elizabeth's eyes change and become deep, like the night devoid of stars taking Lucy into them. Power vibrates through Elizabeth supersceding Lucy's own connection with her body.

"You have not left the earth, it will still embrace you if you continue to love, if you remember what life is and respect it. It will protect you if you protect it -- I will give you my strength to help you Lucy if you want that. Your body is not an enemy, but a force of death, but death is part of life too, you have not escaped the cycle, just changed your responsibilities. I love you Lucy, do not despair, despair is the enemy, there is always hope, and love, for people who do not abandon it. I will not willingly abandon you."

In her eyes you see/feel powerful images, the movement of the earth, the breathing of the trees, darkness, a loss of self as it spreads out in the night, then a new awareness, you sense how Elizabeth is a node of sorts to a web connecting her to each living thing around you, and to dead things, a rotting stump willed with worms, decaying leaves. Looking down you see yourself pierced with a similar web as she holds you and surrounds you.

She blinks and releases you. "John is getting a well earned rest. He will sleep well and deep and will be around when he is needed. We all die, the manner or our death is not important but how we continue and live, that is what is important. He is valiant, wise, and loving, I hope I can fill his shoes."

"It's not John I'm sad for. It's me. We mourn for OUR loss when we mourn for the dead, not for theirs." Tears still fall down Lucy's cheeks, but she is calmer now, in the last stages of crying.

"I don't even know why I care...I only met him a few hours ago. But I do care." She hugs you tightly, "I love you, Elizabeth, and I need you to be my friend. I've never needed anything more in my life. I need your help, and John's, for as long as he's here. I have to make something out of all of this, if I'm going to be able to go on. Please don't leave me, and I promise I won't leave you - even if I'm not much help."

Lucy puts her head on her shoulder and sighs, waiting for her to decide to go inside.

Elizabeth holds her for a little while longer. "We'll talk to John to see what he can tell us, I'm as new at this as you are dear one, but of course I won't leave you, I'll always be here."

She gets up helping Lucy up with her and putting her arm about Lucy's waist she walks with her back to the trading post.

Lucy will put her arm around Elizabeth, too, and go back inside.]

Lucy and Elizabeth are gone for a long while. As they come from outside, Lucy takes her arm from around Elizabeth's waist and asks John a mumbled question. She leaves the room, and returns with an old flannel shirt, a pair of long underwear pants, some thick, wool socks.

She hands the clothing to Elizabeth, "I'm affraid if you don't put something on soon, Greg will permanently lose his voice and the angel's eyes will pop out of his head."

After Lucy brings her some clothes, John turns to Elizabeth, saying, "I believe our dark-clothed friend wished to speak with you, Elizabeth. While you have a chat, Greg and I need to go outside for a little while. I'll cook everybody breakfast when I get back."

Greg seems surprised, then follows John out of the room.

Elizabeth accepts the clothes graciously, and pulls them on. She has to knot the bottom of the shirt to keep the long underwear up, both are very large and bulky on her but only accentuate her beauty. After putting everything on to Lucy's specs she looks around at everyone, Shane, Holly, Greg, and (assuming he's there) Hugh.

When John leaves with Greg, Elizabeth looks toward Lucy, giving her another hug and then walks over to Hugh. "I'm sorry if I have not given you my full attention yet, but here I am now. The person that first met you is not the same person before you, but I am still Elizabeth Jimenez." She smiles warmly and sits down near him looking up at him. "Please tell me whatever it is you wish."

Lucy sits at the table, now righted and wiped off. From across the room, she watches Hugh and Elizabeth carefully. To everyone else, Lucy and Shane look like two watchful gargoyles perched on either side of the room, both eyeing Hugh suspiciously.

The man in black grasps his hands into fists, making sure to face away from Elizabeth.

"Please forgive such rudeness, but it is the only way I can maintain clarity of thought." His jaw is clenched tight.

"John has erected wards to keep the King of Kings from viewing this valley. God wishes that not to be so. I implore you, when you take John's mantle, to lower the wards and allow God to gaze upon his most beloved of creations within this valley."

"It is only fair, as there are many who worship the Almighty in Boulder, and their praise cannot be heard in Heaven. If equity demands that all agents of the Afterlife have the ability to gaze into the valley, the King of Kings would be willing to pay that price."

The man in black seems to be concentrating desperately on something.

Lucy can't stand it and pipes in, "Talk to John first, Elizabeth. He locked Yaweh and the Mea Culpa Choir out for a reason, of which I'm not sure. But it's possible that Your Lady doesn't want them interfering here. Besides, they've got a lot of territory. I wouldn't think there are many places left in North America where a goddess holds exclusive sway."

"It's not about interference; I wouldn't even be here if it weren't for the wards," argues Hugh. It's not about territory. The territorial instincts of man and his faith in the Almighty is why the King of Kings is worshipped around the world."

"God simply wishes to view all of the Most Favored."

"I don't buy it. Christianity is a MONOTHEISTIC religion," Lucy snorts. "'Thou shalt have no other gods before me,' remember? Peacefully or not, my bet is on a scenario similar to the Christians and the Lions, except that now the lions are woefully outnumbered and the Christians have elephant guns."

"Please now, lets not get into a dogmatic discussion here, plenty of time for that later," Elizabeth intones. "Hmmmm," she looks to Hugh and back to Lucy. "Well, you know I hate to say this, but I think this request will have to go to committee. Hugh, I am unaccostomed to being petitioned by gods, a god or the big god.

After making peace and thanking the Holy Church for the good it did me I sundered my connection to the conquerors hegemonic partriarchal paradigm as it were, before my death and rebirth. I have a lot to learn before I can even consider making decisions like allowing who in where or even what my boundaries are and the first of which is what in heaven's name as it were is going on. (pardon the terminology, no offense meant).

You and your er, King of Kings, will have to be a little patient. All I can say is I will ask what the previous policy has been, what the situation is and why decisions have been made. I will consider your petition seriously, although I may want to ask for some more details. Then in light of this I will review it with my Lady and determine what will best serve her wishes. That's all I can promise for now.

I am a student of Two-Feathers and a guardian and more of the Lady, but any decisions I make once the mantle is handed over to me will be mine, and having received your request I will try best to take it in the light that will allow fair examination of it. You have my word on that.

"Is there anything else Hugh you wish to add or say? Would you like something to eat? As you are here it would be more delightful if you would take your ease and perhaps rest a moment before going on, or will you be waiting for the answer, which may yet be weeks before coming?" Elizabeth answers as friendly as before.

Lucy laughs, "The conqueror's hegemonic patriarchal paradigm! I love it! You wrote that in a paper for Claire's class, didn't you?! Ha! Well, Hugh, welcome to the Sisterhood! HAHAHA!"