Steven walked into the house balancing a tray with cups of hot coffee. “Coffee delivery.” He stopped and grinned at the bodies sprawled all over Cora’s new living room. “Well, looks like I missed all the fun.”
“Lucky thing, you having to work today.” Owen said leaning his head against the back of the couch, looking at him without lifting it.
“New rule, no more moving.” Dade said, sprawled on the floor by Steven’s feet.
Steven grinned down at him. “It’s all done?”
Rachel slid out of the chair and came over, taking a cup from him. “Yes, everything is exactly where she wants it.”
“Well, not everything.” Cora said quietly from the chair she was draped across. “The new oven arrives tomorrow.”
Dade looked up at Steven. “Your ass is making a house call tomorrow and helping me move that in and the old stove downstairs.”
“I…”
Glaring at him, Rachel smiled. “He’d love to help.”
Steven handed Leena a cup. “I’d love to help.”
Leena grinned. “Thanks. I’m not as worn out as the rest, no one would let me do anything.”
Owen lifted his head. “You helped enough.”
“Oh yes, Owen, holding doors was such a contribution.”
Dade propped himself up and took the cup the doc handed him. “It was, if Owen had to stop and open doors, my back would be worse and we’d still be moving.” He grinned at Cora. “You lied, by the way, your furniture was not light.”
Cora shrugged. “It is when you’re just pushing it across the floor.”
Steven sat down on the floor and leaned against the chair Rachel had flopped back into. “Wow, can’t believe I missed it all.”
Chris lifted his head out of Kasey’s lap and grabbed one of the cups off the table. He handed it to her then picked up his own, smiling at Steven. “Not all, did you see that large pile of boxes…” He grinned at Cora. “Where you fit all this stuff in your apartment, I’ll never know.” Then he looked back to Steven. “That large pile of boxes must go upstairs, we elected you.”
Steven laughed. “I knew there was a catch.” He played with Rachel’s hand. “Got those results today, angel.” Rachel sat up and looked at him anxiously. “It’s really early judging by the levels, but it seems we’ve succeeded.” She sat up and grabbed his face whipping it around until her eyes searched his and he smiled and nodded at her.
Rachel slid off the chair and straddled him kissing him, obviously not caring if the others were there. Finally lifting her head, she whispered. “Really?”
Steven grinned and nodded. “You’re going to be a mommy.”
A tear rolled down her cheek. “And you a daddy.”
Dade watched Leena hold her hand over her mouth, he wasn’t sure whether she wanted to cry or laugh.
“You’re pregnant?” Leena asked quietly.
Rachel hugged Steven tight to her chest and nodded looking at Leena. “Just barely, I’ve been making him take blood every few days to check.”
“Eww.” Owen made a face. “That kinda of takes the fun out of trying, doesn’t it?”
Steven grinned. “Might for you, but it works for us.”
“Well in hopes all the blood talk will stop, congratulations.” Dade grinned. “I’d get up to shake your hand, Doc, but I’m about half dead right now.”
Kasey came to life and flew over to them dropping to the floor and hugging them both where they sat. “This is so wonderful! I’ll get to be an Aunt, twice.”
Dade looked at Chris. “How did she go from beat to bouncy in one step?”
Chris leaned back against the chair. “I’ll never know.”
Leena sniffled and all heads turned to her. “It’s okay, I’m okay. It’s a hormone thing is all.” The tears were running down her cheeks.
Owen pulled her into his lap and looked over at Steven. “Does this last the whole time?” He asked, not being able to stand her tears.
Steven shrugged. “Sometimes, but wait until she starts throwing things at you. I had to patch up a husband the other day. His very pregnant wife snapped and threw half the kitchen at him.”
Owen grimaced. “Great, something to look forward to. Lee wouldn’t even have to be near anything to toss it at me.” He smirked. “At least you can defend yourself when Rach goes crazy on you.”
“Hey.” Rachel whined. “Who says I’m going to go crazy? I might be a quiet and timid pregnant woman.”
Everyone, including herself, burst out laughing.
Chris climbed slowly up into the chair Kasey had deserted. “I really hate to pry into happy moments, but with all of you too tired to run away on me, like yesterday, I need to fill you in on some serious details regarding Charlie’s case.”
The room sobered.
Dade crawled over to the chair Cora was sitting in and leaned back against it. “Details? I thought it was just an update from Patrick.” He didn’t like where this was going.
Chris nodded. “It was, but then I got a call from Judge Wilson last night and he added a whole new bunch of details into the works.” He looked down at his hands for a moment. “A few things won’t to fit into the happy moving day and expecting parents.” There were a few hissing breaths. “But all the same I’d like to see this over with before the handfast, so all of us can move on.”
Kasey nodded and sat cross-legged in front of him. “I agree. I want that over and out of my mind before I become Mrs. Larkin.”
Chris paused and smiled at her for a moment. “Kassandra Larkin, I didn’t even realize that until now.”
“I like it,” she said with a grin.
“So do I,” he said quietly.
“Oh!” Rachel climbed off Steven and looked at him. “I’m going to be Rachel O’Reily. That’s a mouthful.”
Steven pulled her back against him. “Too late to think of that now.” He placed a big palm over her tight flat stomach.
Rachel grinned. “I’ll live with it.”
Owen laughed. “At least Grey goes with anything.”
Leena wiped her eyes and nodded. “Yes.” She sobered and looked at Chris. “Please get on with it, just ignore me if I start to cry.”
Dade took a deep breath and watched Leena warily.
Chris smiled at her. “I’ll try to.” He leaned forward for a minute, as if he was gauging what to say and what not to. “First, Old Charlie’s birth name is Lawrence Charles Price-Hill, so the vision we saw was correct. He was raised in a very devout catholic family, graduated with highest honors and went on to study theology with an eye to the priesthood.” He leaned back. “He was released from that program for inappropriate behavior towards women. From that moment, he started going by just Charlie Hill.”
Kasey hissed out a breath. “I’m not sure if it’s a comfort to know our seeking was correct or not.”
“There’s more,” Chris cleared his throat. “Judge Wilson saw Kasey and my name in the files for this case. Apparently, Charlie has been spinning tales to his lawyer and doctors about witches and satanic worshippers. Us.” Chris’s eyes connected with Dade’s. “Of course, Greg knows I’m Wiccan, we’ve had many discussions about it in the past, he’s very tolerant and open to other spiritual beliefs, and he’s not happy with Charlie’s claims at all.” He took a sip from his coffee. “He’s asking for more psychiatric testing.” He took another sip. “I can tell you that his own attorney isn’t pushing very hard to make any sort of plea deal for Mr. Hill, but he’s also pushing for more psychological testing.”
Steven hugged Rachel tighter. “What are they testing for Chris?”
Chris opened his hands. “I’m sure you’ll understand more of it than we do, Doc. His headaches are real, but there’s talk of possible dissociation, something to do with spilt personality…”
Steven nodded. “That would explain the headaches, and his actions, to a certain extent. Psychotic disorders produce many physical symptoms. He could suffer from the headaches with the killer side of his personality not being dominant, it could push old Charlie into being that killer and justify it quite logically, with a possibility of schizophrenic tendencies…”
“Whoa.” Dade held up a hand. “Let’s just leave it there and say he’s very ill.”
Cora nodded. “Yes. I don’t think I can deal with the long explanation right now.”
Steven shrugged. “Okay, yes, he’s very ill and chances are he’ll never be completely healthy with these disorders.”
“Which brings me to the rest.” Chris said picking up his cup again. “Greg wants this done quickly, the more time that goes by the more chances of some slip in the system.” He shrugged. “It happens from time to time. Anyways, Patrick is also pushing for a quick verdict, out of the courts if possible, which is understandable. He doesn’t want all of us to get on the stand and, well, lie.” He grinned. “I’m not too interested in that either.”
“Before I get dizzy, Chris, what is the bottom line?” Owen mumbled from his lounging position on the other couch, holding Leena gently.
Dade nodded, in complete agreement with Owen.
Chris exhaled slowly. “Sorry. Okay, Greg wants us to go see Charlie at the facility he’s being held in.” He held up a hand when everyone tensed. “Not an up close and personal visit, just one that allows Charlie to see us, so the doctors and Greg can get a clear picture on how quickly he can suddenly change.”
Cora hissed out a breath. “We have to see him?” Her voice was quiet.
Dade got up and perched on the arm of the chair placing a calming hand on her shoulder. “And if Cora collapses in front of the judge and doctors, they’ll have her admitted to the facility too.” He wasn’t happy with this idea and his tone let everyone know.
Chris shook his head. “I don’t know how to get around it. The difference between us going and not is important. If we don’t go, the case could get lost in paperwork and with one test after another showing his saner side, he could end up with a lesser sentence…” Kasey covered her mouth in shock. “And there’s a chance he’ll be out in a few years. If we go, we’ll have to protect Cora from his emotions, but if we go and he turns into that man we saw the night he was arrested, and does that in front of the doctors, lawyers, and Judge Wilson, then he’ll be in a mental institution for the rest of his days. A secure facility, and I’m going to push for isolation.” He lifted his hands. “We make the decision as a group, Patrick and Rhonda are going along with whatever we decide.” He glanced around at the now serious and quiet group. “So, do we protect Cora and go?”
Rachel looked over at Cora then back to Chris. “I know I don’t know anything strong enough to protect her from the darkness inside him, does anyone else?” She looked around to see everyone else shake their head. She looked back at Chris. “Do you?”
Chris looked down at Kasey for a moment searching her eyes then back to Rachel. “Yes. But whether I do is entirely Kasey’s decision, as I’ve given her my word I won’t do that magic.”
Kasey took a deep breath then hopped up. She paced over to the window and looked out before she turned back to Chris. “Would it hurt anyone?”
Dade held his breath waiting for Chris to answer.
Chris let out a slow breath. “No. It would shield her from picking up anything from him while we were in there, only.”
Kasey clasped her hands in front of her twisting them. “It’s in that journal?”
“Yes.”
She chewed her lip and looked back at him. “Have you done it before, successfully?”
“You know the answer to that, you read it.”
She looked around at the others sitting silently and still, just watching her, waiting. She let out a long slow breath. “It wouldn’t be dark in this case, would it, Chris? I mean not for the reasons you are using it.”
Chris stood up and went over to her and pulled her into his arms. “No.” He said softly against the top of her head. “Not that way, but I promised you I wouldn’t use it, Kassandra.”
She looked up at him with huge eyes. “You would still keep your word after this one time?”
He nodded and watched those green eyes study him.
Turning, Kasey looked at Cora. “It’s really Cora’s decision, it would be her it was used on.” She glanced back up to Chris. “It’s safe?”
Chris nodded and kissed her lightly. “Of course, I’ll make sure.” He turned and looked at Cora.
Cora sat there studying Chris and Kasey for a moment. Turning, she then glanced up at Dade, picking up his hand from his lap and held it. He squeezed her hand to let her know he’d back her up. “I’d like to know a bit more about it beforehand, but if you think this will work to help put this man where he needs to be…” She looked at Dade for a moment then back to Chris. “Then I’ll do it.”
Chris put his arm around Kasey and looked around at everyone. “I’ll call Greg tomorrow and set it up for one evening this week, when all parties can be there.” He hugged Kasey tightly. “Then we can move on to pre-wedding jitters and honeymoons.”
Steven nuzzled into Rachel neck. “We could practice the honeymoon and skip the jitters.” She laughed and hugged his head to her.
Dade squeezed Cora’s hand. “I’m going to take the energetic doctor up and get your bed put together, so you aren’t on the couch tonight.” He leaned down and kissed the top of her head.
Steven reluctantly let go of Rachel. “Jones, you really excel at interfering with my sex life, did you realize that?”
Dade paused with a box in his hands at the bottom of the stairs. “Yep. Grab a box.”
Steven picked up a box and followed him up the stairs. “You’re not to try and contact us for a week after the handfast.”
Dade laughed and turned into the room. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”