Speedbump in the Road Home
By Mandy
 
(Well, something causes a slight problem as Bekka & Co. head home...someone doesn't make it home!)
 
"WAHOO!" Aly cried as Clavicus tore the cruiser out of the hanger. 
Being a princess helped, especially since she and the lanky Drule were in one of the nicer cruisers. She sat ready in the co-pilot's seat, dressed in a red flight suit with a black jacket. The tight suit framed her slightly distended lower abdomen, but the jacket covered it nicely. Tim would have a FIT if he knew, which is why she kept that portion of her mind sheltered. 
 
"Is everything alright La... err...Prin...err... " the ex-bounty hunter stumbled since they were out of the Harem. He didn't know if she reverted to her title as a Princess, or kept the Lady title...or..
 
"Call me Aly Clavicus. Just Aly."
 
"Well, is everything alright?" he asked, turning to face the girl. She nodded and pointed straight ahead. 
 
"Tim and Bekka are getting closer. Just continue on north and we'll be 
there in about thirty minutes." Aly said, settling back into her chair. ~Hey, you heard that right Timmy?~
~Yeah, yeah, I gotcha. We'll all be ready!~
 
*
 
Tim exited the room he and Bekka shared, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. She smiled slightly, glad he had taken the news of her 
pregnancy lightly. He seemed concerned about something thought, and she planned to wean it out of her when they arrived back to the Harem. 
 
"Umm Tim darling," Bekka whispered, drawing him out of a deep reverie. 
He looked up to see a brawny Drule with gads of tattoos and piercings and a much smaller female Drule who was quite pretty standing slightly in front of him. 
 
"Did you get in touch with whomever you needed to?" Namira asked, still shy as could be around the Borean prince. 
 
Tim nodded, smiling at Namira with kindness in his eyes. "Yes, my twin sister and another man will be coming to get us any minute now," he said gently, hoping to put the girl at ease. 
 
Namira smiled softly back. Bekka was right...he was handsome! And quite kind too. 
 
A faint scuffling could be heard in the shadows as they proceeded down the stairs toward the main hall of the tavern. Tim's grip tightened around Bekka's shoulder as they walked out into the more open part, the hairs on the back of his neck standing straight up. 
 
"What's wrong?" Bekka whispered as they walked. 
 
"I sense some heavy duty magic here that only has one origin..." he said back as more movement could be heard. 
 
"Tithonus Pollux Har'grovi...Regent Har'grovi and Guardian of the 
Coraen Blood..." a deep and sultry female voice came to Tim's ears as he whirled around, drawing out an energy blade shaped like a scimitar. 
 
"Haelani!" he seethed, drawing Bekka behind him. Namira yelped as she saw at least ten heavily cloaked figures surrounding the four travelers. One stepped forward, drawing the heavy black cloak off its face. Underneath was a coldly beautiful face with long icy blonde hair, cold eyes, and ruby lips twisted in a cruel smirk. 
 
"Miss me Lord Tim?" she said, walking over to the visibly angry teen. 
She ran a long fingernail across his face, making Bekka's blood boil for some strange reason. He slapped the hand away, Haelani recoiling back to her original position.
 
"What do you want from me?" he said, never taking his eyes off of her. 
She smiled wickedly as she withdrew a gleaming dagger from her black jumpsuit.
 
"The Leader of the Mora Clan requests an audience with you," she said, balancing the blade on one finger. Tim gasped, a sudden realization hitting him dead on in the chest.
 
"But I killed Hermaeus Mora!"
 
Haelani chuckled, walking backwards a bit more to lean against another cloaked figure. "There's one more Mora clan member to face, Leader of the Har'grovi!"
 
Bekka's mind was churning with so many thoughts, hearing all these 
unfamiliar terms. *Who's Haelani? And why's Tim so tense?*
 
The figure Haelani was leaning against flipped back the hood covering his face, revealing the one thing Tim prayed he would never see again. The eyes...now he could tell. 
 
"Hello Lord Tithonus. And I should say hello to my 'Auntie Bekka', since you are carrying my younger cousin," the man said, grinning with a mirth she had never seen before. 
 
"Marhes you dog!" Tim yelled, bringing the blade exactly in front of him. The man smiled and raised his hand, ready to bring his men into an attack.
 
 
(this part by Bekka)
 

“ No! “ Bekka shouted, lunging towards the men as they closed in around Tim but Ryat pulled her back.

“ NO! You’ll get hurt! “ Ryat snarled, pulling Namira to him as well. “ These men are not to be messed with! “

“ But TIM! “ Bekka pushed against his arm as she struggled, helplessly watching the fight Tim was in the middle of. He fought hard but he was clearly out-numbered. The man called Marhes looked at her and grinned wickedly. The grin sent a sick feeling right to the pit of Bekka’s stomach.

“ Stay out of this, Auntie. You are one of us now and Tithonus is our enemy. I can feel the Daedra power growing in you and flowing from your friend. It is my uncle’s power and you shall never be rid of it. Accept your fate, “ Marhes stepped towards her but stayed far enough away so he wouldn’t be hit by her failing arms.

“ What the hell are you talking about? “ Bekka said, trying to hit the man.

“ You will learn soon enough, “ Marhes looked over his shoulder as he heard a body hit the floor.

Haelani smiled, “ He’s beat, Marhes. “

Marhes looked back at Bekka, “ My work here is done but I will be seeing you again. I must make sure my cousin is raised properly and knows who killed his father. “

“ You’ll do no such thing! Damn you! “ Bekka fought Ryat harder.

“ I can’t let you! “ Ryat held her tighter, almost too tight. “ You’ll get hurt. We’re out gunned and out-numbered! “

“ Are you on his side or ours, Ryat? “ Namira whispered, blinking up at her lover. His eyes didn’t look quite right. He seemed different somehow…

Marhes chuckled, “ He can’t hear you. He is under my spell. He will return to normal once I leave here with Tithonus. Too bad you never developed your powers, blood cousin. “

Namira felt a tingling in her fingers. She looked down and found they were glowing. A voice came to her mind. ~Touch him, blood sister. You will break my cousin’s spell that way. DO IT! ~

Namira reached up and touched Ryat’s face, his eyes going wide as a strange power flowed from Namira’s fingers into him. His eyes returned to normal and he realized what was happening. Before he could do anything, Marhes was holding a sword to his throat. “ I underestimated you, blood cousin but I will not allow him to interfere. “

Marhes kept the blade at Ryat’s throat until the men had carried Tim away. Marhes grinned, “ Now, you will stay here until we leave if you value your life. “

“ Ryat! Do something! “ Bekka pleaded.

Marhes pressed the blade until a small rivulet of blood came from Ryat’s throat. He clucked his tongue, “ Auntie, are you asking this man to die for something so foolish? I will slice his windpipe in two if he moves a single inch. “

“ Bekka, I can’t. Just let them go. We can save him later, “ Ryat whispered as the blade went further into his flesh, slicing into it slowly as Marhes applied a slow but constant pressure.

Namira let out a cry, raising her hand and shooting a bolt of energy at Marhes. It didn’t hurt him but it surprised him enough to remove the blade. He looked at the girl, “ My, we DO have potential. Maybe when I come to get my cousin, I can take you as well. With proper training, you could really be something. “

“ You’ll do no such thing, “ Bekka ground out.

Marhes stroked Bekka’s cheek, “ We’ll see. I bid you farewell for now but don’t think this is the last you will see of me. “

The three of them watched as Marhes left. Soon after, the sound of a cruiser could be heard as it flew away. When he was sure it was safe, Ryat released Bekka and Namira. He placed his hand to his throat, finding it was still bleeding.

Namira reached up with out a word and moved his hand away. A moment later, the wound was gone. “ I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you. It was like he got inside of my mind… “

Bekka turned and began to beat Ryat. “ Don’t give me that crap! You were too scared to do anything! I hate you! You are the worst… “ Her voice trailed off as she slumped to the floor.

Namira leaned down, “ Oh no! Not again! “

**

Aly took a sharp breath, making Clavicus jerk the steering wheel. He steadied the cruiser and looked at her. “ Are you okay, Aly? “

“ I can’t feel Tim anymore, “ Aly whispered, trying to get an answer from her twin through the mental link but it had gone dead. He had said he would keep it open until she got to him. “ There are only two reasons this would happen. “

“ What are they? “ Clavicus asked, setting the cruiser on course and pressing cruise control.

“ Either he shut it or he’s… “ Aly’s voice got very quiet, “ Unconscious. “

“ How could he be unconscious? “ Clavicus asked.

“ I don’t know. Come on. We need to get to that tavern NOW! “ Aly grabbed his hand, an overwhelming sense of dread consuming her.

Clavicus switched off the cruise control and pressed the accelerator down, “ Got it. Hold on tight. “

**

Bekka shook her head as she found herself in the same world she had been in when she helped Gina kill Mehrunes. Her baby appeared from the mist. She glared at him for a moment. “ You know, your father had a bad habit of doing this to me but at least he would wait until I was laying down. If you aren’t careful, you’ll hurt yourself pulling this trick. “

“ I’m sorry, mother, “ The boy looked at his feet, “ But someone wanted to see you. “

“ Who? Is Kennith in trouble again? “ Bekka rose to her feet.

“ No. It’s someone new who wants to see you. “

Bekka furrowed her brow, “ Who? “

“ You’ll see. Come on. “

Bekka followed her son through the dream world to a place where Kennith sat with a little girl. She resembled Zechs in many ways, right down to her shaggy bangs. When she saw Bekka, she smiled at her with… Aly’s smile? Her strawberry blonde hair was up in the same ponytail that Aly always wore her hair in.

“ Who is that? “ Bekka looked down at her son as she pointed at the girl.

“ My cousin. She wanted to tell you something, “ The boy said and walked over to the girl. He said something to her and she stood up. She then walked over to Bekka.

“ Hi! “ She said cheerfully.

“ Hello, “ Bekka said. It seemed strange; she didn’t even know Aly was pregnant. She forced a nervous smile, “ My son said you wanted to see me. “

“ Yeah. I know you’re worried and stuff but don’t be. Uncle Tim will be all right. Thins will be hard for a while but he’ll be fine. “

Bekka nodded. “ Uh, okay. “

Bekka’s son grabbed her hand, “ Come on. We can’t stay long this time. Auntie Aly is very close and we need to get outside so she can see us. “

In a flash, everything went black…

**

Namira looked up at Ryat as Bekka’s eyes fluttered open. “ She’s coming around. “

Ryat nodded, “ The innkeeper said we could stay another day so she can rest… “

“ No! “ Bekka shouted weakly. “ We have to get outside. They’re very close. “

Ryat looked at Namira, “ I’ll carry her out. I just hope she is right. “

Namira opened the door and held it as Ryat picked Bekka up and took her outside. She shut the door and looked up towards the sky; she could hear the engines of a cruiser. “ I hear them. “

Ryat shook his head, “ But how will they see us? It’s too dark. “

Namira rummaged around in her apron and pulled out something that looked like a gun. She furrowed her brow, “ What’s this thing? “

Ryat smiled, “ A flare gun. Aim it towards the sky and fire it. It will send up a signal so the cruiser will see it. Why would you put something in your apron if you didn’t know what it was? “

Namira raised her hand and shut her eyes as she fired the gun. A bright streak of light went up and exploded into an even brighter beacon that glowed for quite a long time. She looked up at Ryat, “ I didn’t put it in here; my apron is enchanted. “

**

Tearful Reunion
By Mandy
 
(Man, we're on a writing kick, non?)
 
Aly continuously scanned the view as she and Clavicus tore through the sky extremely fast. Beads of sweat had popped out on her forehead as she still kept a very wide mental connection open in hopes that her twin would wake up soon. Just before he had gone under, he had given her a desperate message.
 
 
*
 
~Hey Al... ~ Her brother's voice rang through in her mind clear as a bell. 
Something was wrong though...he sounded so forlorn and resigned!
 
~Yeah, what's wrong? ~ She asked, back, trying to probe her way into his mind. 
 
~I'm having some major trouble here...~ he sent back tiredly.
 
~Tim, tell me what's happening! ~ She sent back, beginning to chew her lip. 
 
~Kind of hard, kid. Do me a favor and take care of Bekka for me. She and the baby are going to need it. ~
 
~WHAT?? Tim, hold on! I'll be there as soon as...~
 
~AUGH...NOOO! ~ Tim's mental screams of pain ripped into her body like white-hot pokers as Aly took in a sharp breath. 
 
Now, all that remained on the other end of Aly's connection was cold, heavy darkness. It scared her badly. She felt the cruiser take a sharp downward descent as she came out of the reverie, shaking her head. 
 
"I saw a flare signal for us milady," Clavicus said as Aly stood up, bracing her hands against the control panel. 
 
"That's Bekka! Hurry up and land this thing!"
 
As the cruiser landed, it kicked up quite a bit of dust. Bekka felt well enough to sit up a bit as the hatch opened and two currently shadowy figures leaped out. "Coraen Fires...Light my way!" a blessedly familiar voice said as a burst of red fire erupted from Aly's hand. 
 
"Clavicus! Aly!" Bekka cried out as the two ran over. The princess knelt down and gathered her best friend into a large hug, tears soaking Bekka's hair. 
 
"Bekka! Thank God you're safe!' the ex bounty hunter said as Aly helped Bekka to her feet. 
 
"Let's go ahead and get out of here!" Aly cried over the din as the five ran quickly towards the hovering craft.
 
*
 
Aboard Marhes's flying fortress, Tim hung by his wrists against a large platform, blood caked all over his body. At least four of his ribs were cracked, along with long dagger wounds that ran over his now bare torso and bruises dotting his entire body. He hadn't stirred a single instant for the entire ride, his breathing ragged and labored with pain. 
 
The half Borean, half Daedra demon entered the room, carrying an energized Borean torture whip. His spiked hair crackled with pure dark energy as he walked over to the injured prince. "Ah, Tithonus. Too bad you are so protective of that pathetic race of yours," he sneered as he uncoiled the torture device. He reared back, and let the cord fly towards Tim. 
 
It connected with one of the wounds that dotted his body, sending dark energy coursing through his body. Even in his deeply unconscious state, he let out a howl of anguish that rang in Marhes's ears. 
 
The fiend was somehow getting extreme pleasure out of torturing the prince. 
Haelani stood near the door, watching Marhes whip the body of her former lover with a smile on her dark lips. 
 
He had been the one Haelani had cheated on Tim with. Marhes showed her vaults of limitless power within her own body, even though she carried no mage blood whatsoever. He had given her "a gift" as he called it: a piece of his own body. 
 
Over and over again, Marhes tore into Tim's vastly weakened body with the whip, destroying every last ounce of energy the mage carried with him. Blood flew from the tails, more and more each time. He didn't know how much longer the prince could last.
 
Oh, but Marhes wanted him to last. Because he wanted Lord Tithonus's death to be painful and agonizing to no end.
 
*
 
"So...you're pregnant too?" Bekka said as she lay draped over a couple of seats. Aly sat next to her, keeping a constant vigil on her best friend. The girl nodded, laying a hand on her stomach. The two had talked about all the happenings of the past month, catching themselves up on the whole picture.
 
"I have a feeling it's a girl, but I'm not positive."
 
"It is," Bekka whispered, laying her hand on Aly's stomach also. "She looks like a perfect cross between you and Zechs, with the same blonde hair and blue eyes, and does she ever have your smile!"
 
Aly smiled in spite of herself, putting a hand on her best friend's stomach. 
"It looks like the Harem's going to have quite a few little ones running around," she sighed.
 
Bekka nodded sadly. "Can you explain some things to me?"
 
The mage-princess nodded and looked Bekka square in the eyes. "You want to know why Marhes is after Tim, and why you and I both are pregnant." Aly sighed as she ran her hands through sweat-soaked hair, looking older than her twenty years.
 
"Tim and I are mages from the Har'grovi line, which is the leader clan back on Borea. As long as history has known, Daedras and Boreans have battled each other for supremacy in generation tournaments known as trials. Last time, our father defeated Grenlea Mora, which caused her brother Hermaeus to assume the title of leader of the Moran Clan. Well, you said that Marhes claims to be Hermaeus's nephew, which finally makes some things clear to me," Aly said.
 
"Which is...?"
 
"Anylis, who is the Lady of Dianmonde, has no mage blood. Marhes's father is non mage. The only way that he could have built that energy shield to block my powers is with Daedran magic. Anyway, Marhes is the only surviving Moran blood carrier. He's out for revenge and nothing but revenge."
 
"Why am I pregnant then?" Bekka asked, looking at Aly. 
 
"That's another part of our heritage you need to know. Boreans and Daedras are both immune to certain man-made drugs, one of which happens to be the type of birth control you and I are on. Twists of fate bring us so many surprises that life wouldn't normally take."
 
Bekka nodded, looking out the window. *Tim, please don't die on me now. I need you. * She was still beginning to learn the difference between lust and the adoring love that Tim held for her.