Lex kicked at a sode can on the fall street while he and Eire walked toward the Lions Gate pub, a small bar not far from the Chaos Inc building, owned by Regan. "So...wha'd Rue want?" Eire asked, shoving his silver hair out of his face and glanced at the red head next to him. "I don't know..." Lex said with a shrug. "I wasn't really listening to what she had to say." Eire snorted, trying not to grin to that.

� Don�t blame you.� he said, shoving his hands deep in the pockets of his trenchcoat. �Probably just more boasting crap about how great Lily Rose is ... poor kid�s being raised by psycos.... partially vampiric psycos at that...�

"Yeah, that's a kid who's gonna need therapy...Right along with Michael and Maya...and Devin...pray t' God Sylvie just keeps Xander away..." Lex said in reply, glancing about the street. he shoved a lock of hair that had come loose from the braid that was a little past the shoulders now, back behind his ear, and realized the black nail polish was chipping.

Eire snorted. �Nah come on... Since Sylvie wrapped him around her finger, Xander�s come a long way... Hell, since Sylvie annouced they were expecting, he�s almost... normal.... human, even.�

Lex turned his eyes on Eire and started at him a blank moment, before rolling them. "What ever." He grabbed the door to the bar and opened it, slipping inside with out even waiting for Eire, which caused the door to close in Eire's face. Lex just snickered, heading for the bar.

Eire rolled his eyes as he shoved the door open and followed Lex in. �Smart ass... � he muttered, waving hello to Regan and miming guzzling a beer. She grinned and nodded. Eire�s smirked as he snuck up behind Lex, tugging on the back of his coat making him turn around so he could steal the seat Lex had been aiming for. Regan sat the pitcher of beer down on the bar. �Good lord, the �dark duo� has returned. Hey little bro.. how�s things?�

Lex shoved at Eire, knocking him off balance for the stool and toss Regan a grin. "Oh well, you know...the usual...it's like total chaos back there." He leaning on the bar and finding his cigarettes. It was half empty and he'd only got it that morning. Eire snatched the pack before Lex could get one out and stole it instead. "Isn't he delightful." Eire said ot Regan dryly. "He jests to be sure...its complete HELL."

Regan chuckled. �I can imagine. The place is swarming with kids... the MacDonnell twins running underfoot, Devin constantly into trouble.. sienna at least helps out... and am I correct in assuming Sylvie should be due soon?� Eire was busy playing keep away with Lex�s cigaretes. He stuck out a studded tongue at Lex and crossed his eyes, being completely juevenile. �Nah... another month or so i think....�

"Two months." Lex corrected, grabbing a hold of Eire's coat collar and dragging him closer while making a swipe for the cigarettes. He snatched them back, kicking Eire in the shin. Regan was eyeing them. "Look, you two know I have an age limit in here!" She said seriously. "For gods sake, Lexine, you're 25 years old, Eire, you're even worse...how much longer until you turn 30?!" She stressed this number, giving them a look.

�Never say the NUMBERS!!� Eire gave her a shocked and horrified look followed by a grin. Regan snorted and turned as another customer hollered at her. she waved and turned back to the boys. �You guys happy with just the beer or did you want something else to go with it?�

"How's your tequilla stock?" Lex asked, finally lighting a cigarette. He dragged the ashtray over as Eire poured the beer.

"How many times must I tell you, NO over the tequilla? I do NOT want to have to call dad down here, Lexine." Regan replied with a look before heading to see what the othe customer wanted. Lex leaned a little over the bar, reaching over it, when Regan's voice called from half way across the room. "Lexine! Don't even think it!"

"She takes the fun out of everything." Lex muttered to Eire, dropping back on to the stool and drawing a long drag off his cigarette.

Eire smirked. �Women.� He signalled the other bartender. �Yo Teddy!� The tall dark haired man sauntered over. �Ted.� �Yeah, Ted... can I get a shot of tequila?� He winked at Lex.

Ted set up a shot of tequilla and Lex glared. When the shot was poured, Lex snatched it before Eire could, Eire made a swipe for it, but it caused Lex's elbow to smack the man on the other side of him, which caused the guy to spill his drink as he'd been about to take a drink. "Watch it you little fag!" The man growled at Lex. "Fag?!" Lex shot back. "The only fag I see here is the one I'm smokin'!

�Ooooooo.� Eire grinned, sitting back on his stool to enjoy the show. �I think you owe me a drink, �Fag�.� the man said, glaring at Lex. Eire snickered into his beer, wondering what Lex was gonna do. The man turned his glare on Eire. �Who�s this? your little fag girlfriend? Hey girlfriend, maybe you should buy me the drink he spilt...�

"How the fuck did you get through the door with a mouth like that?" Lex sneered back. The man glared, slamming the glass down. "You little fuck..."
"You kiss your mother with that mouth?" Lex asked in a mock sweet tone with a rather wicked smirk.
"You're gonna get me to put this glass through your mouth you little gay fuck." The man slurred.

Lex rolled his eyes, looking at Eire. "Where's to originality of that comment, I ask? Its true, the drunker they get the less your brain works..."

Eire was trying hard not to crack up. He loved watching people change colour at Lex�s comments. He saw the man raise his empty glass above Lex�s head as if to smash it downwards, and slammed his own mug over Lex�s head and into the guys face. Lex ducked sideways to above the majority of the sloshing beer and shattered mug.

The man came off the bar stool with a howl, "You fuckin' freak!", making a swipe for Eire, and was followed by his two friends, one who struck out at Lex. Lex slid backward off the stool, while grabbing the guy's hair, and slamming his face into the bar. The first guy, seemed intent to strangle Eire. Ted was already leaping over the bar and Regan was half way across the room. The third guy slugged Lex across the jaw, who recovered from the whip lash to kick man between the legs.

"He started it!" Lex snapped, elbowing the first man in the ribs as hard as he could.

Eire was giggling as the man was trying to choke him. Giggling and gagging, that is, one hand groping along the bar for the pitcher of beer, the other, in a fit or juevenile inspiration, was giving the man a titty-twister of supreme torque. The man�s face was turning purple and his hands were losing their grip.

The man stumbled forward as Lex elbowed him, just as Eire was able to bring the pitcher down. That man let go of Eire, stumbling back and falling backward onto the floor, only to be replaced by his other friend as the other grabbed Lex, attempting throw him across the room, but the man screamed, his hands turning red and blistered. Lex just grinned innocently as the man stared in horror.

"LEXINE! EIRE!" Regan shouted, fighting her way over.

�Damn it! Lex, th' women in yer family have th' worst friggin� timin'...� Eire growled and suddenly found his ear being pinched, dragging him across the bar. � Hi Regan.. did I mention how pretty y' look tonight?�

Regan had Lex by the ear as well and Ted was already kicking out the three guys. "Eire...I don't give a fuck how I look tonight, this is THREE TIMES. THREE! You know the old saying, three strikes and you're out!"

"We didn't start it, Regan!" Lex whinned.

"Didn't start it?! You NEVER start it, Lex! And you can bet, dad is going to hear about this!" Regan snapped, hauling them both toward the door.

�I�m gonna tell yer mommy an' daddy on ye!� Eire mocked her. �Geez Regan! Come on!� Regan just gave his ear a painful twist as she paused by the door. A helpful patron, carefully trying to contain his laughter opened the door for her.

Regan sent them both stumbling back outside into the fall night. She planted her hands on her hips as Eire fell backward and replied. "Are you trying to tempt my wrath, Eire?"

"My cigarettes are still on the bar..." Was Lex's only reply, looking back through the door almost forelornly.

"You smoke to much anyway, Lexine!"

"Will you not call me that!" Lex snapped with a look, Regan only narrowed her eyes, a look that was almost identical to Chaos.

Eire plopped down on the stairs, rubbing his ear as Regan slammed the door, leaving them alone. �Damn...she is SO much like 'er mother it�s scary...�

Lex snorted and leaned against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest. Eire looked up at him, a slow grin creeping over his face. �Been awhile since we gave Doyle a chance t' kick us out.. wanna hit th' Raven?�

"Eire, Doyle banned us from the Raven for two months...we're lucky Regan hasn't done the same..." Lex replied, giving him a look. Then he grinned slightly. "Although Spud'll probably let us in the back door and if we keep our heads ducked, we may be able to avoid Doyle...'

Eire stood, swatting the backs of his pants to knock off any lingering dust. � Probably... Or we could head over t' tha' bar on fifth...oh wait... didn�t they ban us too? Yeah... fer tha' time with those bikers... man tha' was fun...�

Lex had to snicker then sighed. "Yeah, well, Fairlen was involved in that one too, but..." Lex suddenly fell silent, his mood switching just as severely as it had been for some time and he stared off into the distence, aware Eire was now just as moody. Lex's tongue always slipped after events such as these...

�fuck.� Eire muttered, turning to slam a fist against the nearest wall. �fuck.� he muttered again, and started walking. Lex followed, aware suddenly how �dark� his friend had become since Fairlen�s death. �Let�s get some fuckin' booze an' get drunk,Lex. An' I meant completely fuckin� shit faced.�

"I'm not draggin' your ass home tonight, so try to leave SOME braincells intact...but I agree...and I gotta get another pack of smokes..." Lex muttered, turning the corner and heading for a small liquor store. He had no desire now to go to another bar or club. And for a moment, he wished he was alone, rather then with Eire. It wasn't that he didn't like Eire's company, the two were almost inseperable since Nate and Meeks had had the twins, but there were times, like this, when Lex would have perfered just to be alone...lost in the past.

He hadn't been the same since Ter Nah Nog, and everyone knew it. Some times he was darker then Eire, some times he played up his feminine looks just to bug everyone else, and some time he wanted nothing to do with any one at all.

Eire kicked viciously at a can, sending it ricocheting down the street as they headed for the nearest store, so immersed in his own bad mood he was oblivious to Lex�s. � Maybe i�ll just pick up a bottle 'r two... maybe go fer a run...� he mumbled, as they reached the store.

A reflection in the window made Lex spin suddenly around. Eire stopped with the door open. �What?�

Lex didn't answer, green eyes searching the street, but it was realitively empty, even if it was still early for the night. "You didn't...did you see anyone behind us...?" Lex asked almost breathless, still searching the street. He could have sworn he'd seen him, and now his heart was pounding in his chest. He pulled the long coat tighter around him.

Eire snorted. �No. You want those cigarettes, or not?� he asked and after a moment, snorted and went into the store, leaving Lex outside.

Lex didn't follow, staring across the street at the park and was already crossing the road when Eire stepped back out side calling to him. "Lex, where th' fuck are ya goin'?!" Lex didn't answer and Eire swore, leaving the shop to catch up with Lex. He caught him half way across the street in the middle of the road and grabbed his arm.

"I saw him, Eire! I swear I did!" Lex replied, trying to tug out of Eire's grasp.

�Saw WHO? What�s gotten into you? You possesed or something??� Eire asked, prying Lex�s fingers off hia arm and then catching hold of him. �Lex. Who did you see?�

Lex met his eyes as he turned from the park. "I saw Faal...in the store window...I know I did."

"Oh ye've got t' be seeing things, Lex...he's gone." Eire replied, rolling his eyes.

"Yeah, like Fairlen?" Lex snapped in a hiss, eyes flashing.

Eire growled and gave LEx a shake. �Damn it, Lex...I was there too! He�s gone! Flash o' light, boom, no more Faal! IF ye saw someone, it wasn�t him.� Eire attempted to drag him back to the store. �come on, let�s get our shit an' go home. this night is fuckin' dead... maybe I can drag Nate away from th' kids...�

Lex shoved Eire back toward the store. "You're own your own, Eire..." Lex snapped back. "Jus' leave me alone." Eire's statement had hurt, and Lex had to restrain himself not to hit Eire for it. Even if he knew it was true. "I'm going home, Eire..." Lex muttered, turning away from him and starting down the street for the small apartment he'd bought a few months before, away from everyone else at the building. A place he could just be alone.

Eire snorted. �fine.� he turned and went back into the store to buy a couple bottles of whiskey or tequella... or whatever caught his fancy.

Lex continued to walk, every now and then glancing back over his shoulder. As he walked past a parked car, a familiar face smiled at him from the window. He stared at the reflection for a moment before turning to look at the alley beside him. �Faal?� he whispered.

He conjured a small flame, but the alley was empy. Flicking his wrist and entigishing the flame, he shut his eyes a moment, taking a deep breath, before stepping closer to the buildings along the street. Once he reached the apartment building, he stopped on the door step, turning to look at the street again.
for a moment he thought he saw a tall slim man standing at the mouth of the alley he�d just left behind. Long blonde hair pulled back in the familair ponytail, blue eyes sparkling, lips turned up in a smile... Lex blinked and the vision was gone. �oh god... i�m being haunted...�

**

The next morning, Lex was silent when he entered the Chaos building. It wasn't hard for everyone to notice something was up. At first everyone figured it was just another severe mood swing, but Lex hardly said a word to anyone half the morning and was far more distant then normal.

"Alright...what's gotten into you?" Xander finally asked, cornering Lex in the kitchen. Xander's black hair was shorter and he was wearing a pair of jeans and old dress shirt, looking far less like the Xander that Lex had once known, then usual. "Nothing..." Lex muttered, still looking forlorn.

Eire sauntered into the kitchen, in search of coffee, his head still throbbing form the hangover that hadn�t quite finished receding yet. � Hey. � he said, passing Lex on his way to the coffee makers. � See any more ghosts?�

Xander raised an eyebrow to this statement and eyed Lex.

"Fuck you, Eire..." Lex muttered, though it lacked his usual conviction.

Eire gave him a look, "Told you didn't see Faal..." He replied, getting his coffee.

Lex didn't answer, but sighed deeply. There was a tiny squeal from the doorway and Lex caught a teettering Maya with out thought as Aiyla appeared in the door way, chasing her daughter.

"Mornin'" Aiyla said cheerfully, then noticed Lex's sullen look, although Maya had noticed it first, because she was peering at her 'uncle' Lex confussed. "What's up?" Aiyla asked seriously, looking between Xander, Eire and Lex.

"Appearently Lex has been seeing Faal's ghost..." Xander answered simply, his hands in his pockets.

�Ghost?� Nate said, appearing behind Aiyla with Michael in his arms. �What�s this about ye seein� a ghost, Lex? �

Eire snorted into his coffee mug. �Lex thought he was being followed by Faal last night.�

�Shut the fuck up, Eire.� Lex hissed.

�Kiss m' ass, Lexine.� Eire snapped back.

�Enough! both o� ye! damn! Yer worse then th' little ones!�Nate growled, putting Michael down and shoving him out of the room, along with Aiyla and Maya. � Damn it, E. Ever since Fair died, ye�ve been an absolute ass! It�s like.. ye�ve turned into Xander! sorry, Xan.. the �old� Xander. Lex�s yer friend. show some fuckin� heart!�

"Fuck, we all know he's gone!" Eire snapped in his defense. "We were ALL there!"

Lex glared at Eire, he hadn't feel like crying like this in almost a year's time. "You don't have to fuckin' remind me." He hissed.

"Two years, Lexine!" Eire snapped. "Move on."

"A lot, coming for you!" Lex pratically cried. "You're a hypocrite for even saying that! And a fucking bastard!"

Xander had to grab Eire by the arms to keep him from lunging at Lex. "Will you two knock it off! You both lost some one you cared about, you don't need to take it out on each other!" Xander snapped, looking aggitated at them both.

Aiyla poked her head back into the kitchen, the twins no where in sight. She scowled at Eire and LEx in response to Xander�s words. �Damn it you two. Maybe you both should take some time off. You�re both wound too tight. Take a fucking vacation and calm the fuck down!� She snapped, pausing long enough to steal a kiss from Nate before popping back out to rescue the secretary from the twins.

Lex shook his head, trying to keep from attacking Eire back. "I can't be here today..." He muttered, already heading for the door.

"Good! cause we don't want you here today!" Eire shouted back after him, until Nate smacked up side the head rather hard. Eire looked slightly fazed then winced. Lex ignored him, leaving the building.

Xander gave Eire a dark look, "And here I thought I was an asshole."He replied, heading for the kitchen door.

�Aiyla�s righ�. Get out�o here fer a while, E.. �efore someone kicks yer ass out...� Nate said, following Xander out of the room, leaving Eire to growl to himself.

Lex paused at the main reception desk long enough to tell the secretary he was leaving and to cancel his schedule for the day, then entered the elevator. He closed his eyes for the brief ride down to the lobby, trying to calm down. He heard the doors open and automatically stepped out, half way out the door before he opened his eyes. A man in a dark brown over coat was brushed past him entering the elevator. Lex took two more steps before he caught a whif of a familair cologne and looked up to see the reflection of smiling blue eyes. He spun in time to catch a hint of blonde hair as the doors closed.

"This is NOT happening!" Lex moaned,

"What's not happening?" Came a voice he knew well and he turned to see Rue standing in the lobby, holding the hand of a four year old Lily Rose, who was holding her teddy bear.

"I'm having a bad day, Rue..." Lex answered, with a deep sigh.

"Yes, you look like it, Lex...need to talk about it?" Rue asked. "I was just going to drop off this folder to Aiyla, but we can have lunch if you'd like..." Rue replied.

"No...I'm going...I don't know, I just need a walk..." Lex muttered.

Rue watched Lex as he waved half heartedly to the security guard at the desk and headed for the door. � okay.. call if you change your mind. My cells on.� Lex waved over his shoulder at her and shoved open the door. Rue hit the button and waited for the elevator.

She'd talked to Doyle that morning, and Doyle had said something about meeting an old friend. And the way Lex looked got her to thinking. "It couldn't be..." She muttered.

"Un'ce Lexi okay?" Lily Rose asked, looking up at her adopted mother.

"He'll be fine sweety." Rue answered, but glanced back at the main door thoughtfully. When the elevator opened, she was met by Sylvie who looked simply beaming. "Morning Sylvie." Rue said with a smile.

�Hey Rue. Hey Lily Rose.� Sylvie smiled, leaning down as far as her belly would allow to ruffle the girls hair. �Lex come through here?� she asked as she straightened back up. Rue nodded her head towards the door.

�Just missed him.�

�Well, damn.�she said. �I was hoping to catch him. Would�ve sent one of the others after him but everybody�s all moody. Should�ve known I�d never catch him with jun or along for the ride.� she said, patting her stomach.

"Something I miss, or is just everyone's time of month?" Rue asked, "Cause I haven't seen Lex that troubled in..well...nearly two years..." She said with a pointed look. "Oh, and how's the cravings going?" She asked with a slight grin. Lily Rose beamed up at Sylvie, oblivious to anything other then being a little girl and talking nonsense to her teddy bear.

Sylvie rolled her eyes. �I have no clue...No one will say anything. As for cravings...The mere thought of food sends me of on a tangent. LAst night I made Xander run out three times. first was three cheese and anchovie pizza, then there was the Hagen Daz run, and then I sent him on a three am search for deep fried calamari....� She chuckled and made a face. �Other then the Hagen Daz.. none of those things are normally even in my vocabulary...�

Rue had to laugh out right. "Worse is the fact that I don't think Xander has made a complaint about ANYTHING in months, so I doubt he said anything..."

**
Lex headed toward the park, from last night, oblivous to the creeping cold, he'd left his coat back at the office, but he really didn't want to go back for it. Instead, he turned to a small trick he'd learned in the last few months, and increased his temper, although if he used it to much, it would make him much more tired then normal, unless he'd used his powers heavy in a fight. It'd been a few weeks since he'd been on a job that required that much power.

Every so often he�d catch a glimpse of something out of the corner of his eye. Catch a hint of scent. Once he thought he heard his name whispered in a familair voice. Everytime he looked there was no one and nothing there. He reached the duck pond at the center of the park and sat on a bench, staring morosely at the birds swimming on the wind ruffled water.

He couldn't stand the torment. He hadn't been so confused or upset since Ter Nah Nog. He was already digging in his pocket with out thought, fingering the mini butterfly knife. It'd been years since he'd felt like cutting, but he had a strong urge to now, and there wasn't anyone around. He yanked up his shirt sleeve after recovering the pocket knife, looking at the scars on his arm, for a clear spot, that could be hid easily.

Right infront of his eyes the scars on his arm vanished, leaving the skin unbleamished. Lex sucked in his breath, the knife falling from his hand onto his lap. He closed his eyes, trying to calm his racing heart. � Please Faal... please stop haunting me.. please. You�re not a ghost... I know you�re not...�

Lex slipped off the bench, drawing his knees up and wrapping his arms around them, staring at the water. Over head, storm clouds slowly moved in, distant thunder rumbling but Lex ignored it, turning his eyes to his arms again, looking at them.

"Hello little flame." A soft voice said from behind him and Lex stiffened, but refused to turn around. He shut his eyes, repeating silently to himself that he's not crazy, he's not being haunted.... His eyes snapped open at the warmth of a hand carressing his face.

He looked up, eyes wide. There was more thunder, and the scent of rain on the air, but still Lex didn't notice the weather. "Faal...you're...I thought..." He shut his eyes again, afraid it was all just a dream. "This is real...isn't it..." he breathed.

"It is." Faal answered, kneeling on the ground in front of Lex, one hand on Lex's cheek, the other taking his hand. "I am so sorry. I never meant to leave you. I came back as soon as I could. I.. I've missed you so much, Lex, but I know this has hurt you deeply. I hope you'll be able to forgive me someday..."

Lex reached out with his other hand, touching Faal's cheek, as if to make sure it wasn't a dream. "Two years...where were you? What happened?" He had so many questions he didn't know were to begin and he was still afraid it wasn't real.

Faal sighed and moved to sit beside Lex, slipping his one arm around his shoulders while the other still held his hand. "I was summoned to take my turn in the cave.. remember I told you about the Guardian's of the Pheonix Stone? We each take a turn in the cave... twenty years at a stretch. Once in the cave we are completely cut off.. there's no way to get a message out. As soon as I arrived, I resigned as Guardian... but finding a replacement takes time."

"Two years was to long...I couldn't even imagine twenty..." Lex said softly. He looked at Faal. "If you resigned as Guardian... you're no longer immortal..." He shook his head, looking at the ground, before asking. "How long have you been back...I thought I saw you last night..."

Faal nodded slowly, not looking at him. "Last night. I saw you and Eire... but.. " he gave a sigh. "I was afraid. I followed you, watched you... I'm sorry if I frightened you."

Lex snorted softly, closing his eyes, incling his head toward Faal's shoulder. "Frightened...no...worried over sanity, yes." He answered softly. A soft fall rain began falling. "Does anyone else know you're back?" He asked, opening his eyes again.

Faal pulled Lex a bit closer to him and rested his cheek against the soft red hair. "No. I sent a glimmer to the building, but I faded it before anyone but you saw it.. I chickened out. I only sent it because I thought if Clarice knew... maybe she could help talk to you if things went... badly.."

Lex sighed deeply, turning his face upward slightly to the rain. "Things haven't been the same... it's all changed so dramatically in two years... I'm not who I used to be..." He said softly.

Faal chuckled. " I know. I told you that the Fire element in you would asert itself. They are just not submissive personallities as a rule. Little flames tend to blaze up when given the chance. I knew the first time I saw you that you could be a truely awesome blaze if you wished to be. How high do you burn now, my little flame?"

Lex smiled slightly absently. "You don't want to know...Eire's been a bad influence." He said softly. "Espeically after Fairlen died..."

"Fairlen? Oh. I'm sorry to hear that. She was a sweet girl, and I know Eire fell as deeply for her as I did for you... and as quickly."

"I don't think he'll ever really recover..." Lex replied, looking at Faal. He hadn't realized just how BADLY he'd missed Faal until now, and he couldn't stop the tears that began falling.

Faal looked down into those twin pools of green fire that he so loved and kissed away the tears before pulling him into a fierce embrace. "Gods, Lex. I am so sorry for leaving you. I swore I never would, and I did." He kissed the top of Lex's head as he sobbed into Faal's coat. "The thoughts and dreams of coming back to you and being with you were the only thing that kept me going day after day, waiting for my replacement to arrive.."

"Two years too long..." Lex muttered into Faal's coat again, the rain growing heavier. "I dreamt about you all the time...and everyone kept telling me you were dead..."

Faal stroked the rain damp hair, his other hand rubbing Lex's back gently."But you never gave up on me... would it have been easier if you had?"

"I tried to quiet working for Chaos after you disappeared...she wouldn't let me...neither would my father...I just wanted to dissappear too..." Lex answered softly, leaning in closer to Faal. "I did things I shouldn't have..."

" We all do things we shouldn't have. Especailly when we're hurting. I should've resigned as a Guardian for the stone as soon as I found out who you were. I knew i couldn't be both the Stone's Guarian and the 'Daughters'.. sorry.." Faal chuckled, " but that's how it's always been known... there's never been a 'son' until you.."

Lex actually rolled his eyes. "Yes, the Fate's wonderful idea of a joke...if I could resign, *I* would...I don't like being...what I am...everyone has to keep reminding me...and when I tried to slit my wrists...that was hell to pay..." Lex muttered, "Nate found me...I got a lecture from everyone..."

Faal gripped Lex's shoulders and looked into his eyes."You tried to kill yourself?? For the love of Terra! Lex, .. god I am so sorry I wasn't there for you." He loosened his grip on Lex's arms, suddenly realizing he must be hurting him. "I'm no better for you than Rowen or Rue. In the end I still caused you insufferable pain.. neither of them made you try to kill youself..."

"That's not true!" Lex snapped, mood switching just as drastically. "Rue ne'er did...I did over Rowen...at least twice! Rue and Tizzy know all about it...they just swore ne'er to tell anyone..." He gestured it off, looking away from Faal.

Faal turned Lex's face back towards him. "Lex. Can you ever forgive me?"

Lex looked at him for a long moment, not saying anything for a moment. "No...yes...I don't know..." He muttered finally with a sigh.

Faal sighed, feeling his own eyes burn. Only this young man could ever make him feel like crying. "Can you at least... find it in your heart to give me another chance?"

"I'll have to, wont I? I've been perfectly misrable with out you..." Lex answered, staring back at the pond. The ducks had taken cover, the rain was slowly getting heavier and colder, thunder rumbling. There was lightening in the distance, Lex watched it for a moment.

"No Lex. You don't 'have to'. You've been miserable because you've been too afraid to move on with your life and face things on your own. You could do it if you'd just give yourself the credit you deserve. You don't need me, love.. you never did."

"But I wanted you..." Lex replied softly. "I wouldn't have made it through Ter Nah Nog with out you...Besides, who else over looked my past..."

"Your friends and family do it all the time. You just over look them. Lex, " Faal said laying his hands on his thighs and looking over over the rain dappled pond. "I want to be with you. I have never been as happy and ... full of life as I was when I was with you. But I don't want you to be with me because you feel you have no other choice. I don't want to be merely needed, Lex. I want to be loved as well."

"I loved you two years ago...I never stopped loving you...but I warned you, I'm not who I used to be...I'm...darker..." Lex muttered, shivering from the cold, and confussion.

"And I told you I knew, understood and expected you to change. I love you, Lex. I love your very soul. I've seen glimpses of the darker Lex before, but you always hid him away again. I've told you about some of my past, good and bad, and yet you still love me... should my love for you be any different?"

"You knew I wasn't used to being loved like that...I was just starting to get used to it, when you vanished. It'll take some time to get used to it again..." Lex said in a soft whisper, starting a rather loud thunder clap.

Faal chuckled, looking up into a faceful of rain, then back down at Lex, blinking the water from his eyes. "Does that mean I have a second chance? Because if I do, I would very much like to drag you out of this rain and get you dried off and warmed up. The only think I can't decide on is if I can wait until then to kiss you."

Lex inclined his head, and said softly. "You have your second chance..." He very much wanted to get out of the rain, but there was still a small part of him that was afraid it was all just a dream. "I don't want this to be a dream...it'd be a terrible painful dream if it is..."

Faal stood and pulled Lex up from the bench. He took Lex's face in his hands and looked at his face as the rain drops splattered over his cheeks. "It's not a dream." He said, and kissed him. He looked down to see Lex's eyes closed and smiled, slipping his hands down to his waist, kissing him again.

Lex wrapped his arms around Faal's neck and started to kiss him back, but at the last moment, turned his head, hesitant. At the same time, he glanced over Faal's shoulder, to see his brother, Saffron, who'd been looking for him, since Aiyla had told him Lex had left the building. Saffron had never really approved of Faal and he was standing just a bit down the path.

Faal watched Lex's face. "I'm rushing, I know. I'm sorry..." He noticed Lex's distraction. "We're being watched I take it? Friend or foe?"

"Saffron..." Lex answered Faal. "What do you want, Saffron?" He called to his brother.

Saffron cleared his throat, moving forward them. "Aiyla said you left earlier, upset...I've been looking for you..' Saffron answered simply from under the umbrellia, watching them.

Faal never took his eyes away from Lex. "Shall I introduce myself? Or would you perfer to have him think you're meeting with strange men in the park on rainy days..." His eyes sparkled with his amusment.

Lex had to smile slightly. "I'd ne'er hear the end of it if he thought I was meeting strange men." He said softly. Saffron seemed to wait patiently, though he was eyeing them.

Faal sighed in mock dissapointment. "Fine ruin my fun and games." He winked, his eyes still sparkling. "Hello Saffron. I trust you remember me. Sorry for my abrupt departure earlier."

Saffron eyed Faal. "Kinda hard to forget you..." He said evenly. He looked at Lex. "Rue's worried about you too..."

Lex shrugged. "Rue doesn't have to worry 'bout me...she's got enough on her plate."

"She still thinks of you as a friend..."

"Yus...I know..." Lex answered.

Faal looked down at Lex, trying to determine if he was tense and uncomfortable due to the kiss.. or Saffron. "Would you like to go with Saffron and get out of this weather? I'll be at my house outside town if you want to call..."

"No...I don't..." Lex started, but Saffron cut him off.

"Lex, you really should..."

"Don't start, Saffron!" Lex snapped, giving his brother a glare.

Saffron narrowed his eyes. "I'm not starting anything, you're the one who can't stand the cold..." Saffron replied.

"I don't need you mother henning me, Saffron." Lex snapped back.

'When have I ever?" Saffron retorted.

Lex glared at his brother. "Go away, Saffron." Lex hissed.

"I'm not going anywhere. God, I've been patient over your mood swings, Lex, but enough is enough!" Saffron snapped back.

Lex pulled away from Faal, still glaring at his brother. "I don't need this..." He muttered finally, shaking his head. He shoved past his brother, leaving both Saffron and Faal standing there.

Faal sighed and looked to Saffron, speaking softly. "You can't treat him like a child. Little brother aside, he is still an adult with a mind of his own. You need to respect that." He headed off into the storm following Lex.

Lex was wandering down another path. He ran both hands through his hair, pushing it out of his face, and glared at the rain a moment, before ducking under a large tree. He leaned up against the base, wrapping his arms around himself, trying to make sense of things. After two years, everything felt rushed again, and he was trying accept that Faal was back. He hadn't been in this kind of mood in so long and almost wished Eire was around so he could beat up on him.

Faal stood back along the path and watched Lex for a moment. He felt a tightness in his chest and his eyes began to burn again. The look on Lex's face... Faal sighed, rubbing at his chest as if to ease the pain. "Maybe I should've stayed away..." He whispered softly to himself before turned around, leaving Lex to his solitude.

After a few minutes, Lex looked around. Neither Saffron nor Faal had followed him and that confussed him even more. The storm grew in force and Lex knew he couldn't stand under the tree much longer. With another glance around, he headed for the exit for the park. Turning out of the gate, he noticed Xander's car parked a little along the way and wondered if he'd given Saffron a ride.

Faal stood under a copse of trees near the enterance and watched Lex emerge. He felt the strongest desire to call out to him or just run over and grab ahold of him and never let him go again... He sighed, and wiped at his face, feeling warmth mixing in with the rain drops on his face and knew he was crying. Him. HE couldn't remember the last time he'd cried.. decades certainly.. a century? Perhaps. He watched in silence, watching Lex and harbouring the feeling that he'd never be able to do more than watch again...

Xander rolled the window down as Lex started to pass the car. "You gonna walk, or you wanna ride?" He asked the red head.

"I'd rather be alone, Xander..." Lex muttered, but paused at the car.

"You look wet, and misrable Lex, and you know i don't offer a ride in this car very often, especially to wet people..."

Faal bit his lips as he watched Lex and the vaguley familair man in the car talk. He couldn't just stand by. He loved the boy too much. He'd always tried to hang back and Let Lex make the moves, or at least wait until he was sure Lex was comfortable, but he just couldn't... Faal took a few steps out from beneath the cover of the trees towards the car and then stopped again, uncertain. If he rushed things and scared Lex off...

"So why are you offering now, Xander?" Lex asked, shoving his hands in his jean pockets.

"One, Sylvie'll kill me if she finds out I let you walk in the rain...Two...why not...Look, I know we haven't been the best of friends, but that doesn't mean I don't think of you as a friend..."

Lex stared at him a moment, then asked. "Got a cigarette?"

"If you get in the car..." Xander answered with a slight grin.

Faal watched as Lex started to walk around the car to the passenger side door and suddenly wanted to kick himself. "Alwasy such a fucking gentleman, you fool. You're going to lose him..." He muttered and broke in to a run, hoping to reach him in time. "See me Lex.. please , love.. see me.."

Lex sighed and started to open the car door as Xander took a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. Sliding into the passanger's seat as Xander handed him a cigarette, Lex caught a reflection in the passenger side mirror and looked that way. The door was still half open and he turned slightly in the seat to see Faal. He started to get out, but dropped back into the seat. Xander had seen Faal as well and was looking at Lex. "Just go, Xander, before I change my mind..." Lex muttered misrably.

Xander started to object, then sighed, starting the car. "Guess Saffron's on his own..." Xander muttered, he glanced across the street, knowing some one else had been lingering.

Faal suddenly felt a burst of hope, a sudden knowing that Lex had seen him.. then the door swung closed and the car pulled onto the the road. All the strength suddenly left him, and he crashed to his knees watching the car drive off.

Estehl crossed the street quickly watching the car leave. He reached Faal's side and took his arm, pullimg up. "There's an old saying, maybe you've heard it...if you love something...let it go..if it comes back...it was meant to be." He said softly, watching the car vanish.

Faal turned and looked at Estehl, tears flowing freely. "You don't understand, highness... I've never, in all my years ever loved this strongly. No one has ever touched my soul like he has... without the hope of him.. I'm lost..." Faal turned and watched the car turn off onto another street and the burning crush in his chest increased.

Estehl sighed, looking back at Faal. "The only thing I can tell you, is to give him time...he's been trying to adjust to being on his own for two years...don't think I haven't been watching him." There was a slight up turn of Estehl's lips, then he grew serious again. "He's confused, and he's up set....I would have told him two years ago, but it wasn't my place..."

Faal took a deep breath. "no.. it's never another Fae's place, is it.. Never anyone's place. Let someone suffer horribley rather then speak a few words..." Faal rubbed his chest and turned his back on Estehl, begining the long cold walk home."

"Faal, you know better then anyone...Telieveer may be gone, Rowen may be gone...Rhy as well...Honnor Knight is still around...there's one last fight against him..."Estehl warned as Faal walked away.

"The fighting never ends, Estehl. Nor the hurting and the dying. There will always be one more fight. For over two centuries there has always been 'one more fight' that I was needed for... for the first time in forver I had found something worth living for, not just dying for. " he called back over his shoulder at his king. "don't worry, majesty... I'll wait. I always have..."

Estehl shook his head, and called out one more thing, before he himself turned. "Things'll change, Faal...for the better...that's already been set in motion." With that, Estehl vanished into the park.

**

Xander glanced at Lex from the corner of his eye as Lex smoked a second cigarette in silence. "you look misrable and aboslutely awful, Lex..." Xander said softly.

"Yeah, well I feel like it..." Lex answered finally.

Xander divided his attention between Lex and the road for the short drive. "Were am I taking you, Lex.. home or work? You want to have supper with Sylvie and I tonight? She's a really good cook."

"You know where my apartment is..." Lex asked.

"Come on, Lex...you don't need to be alone this evening..." Xander insisted. Lex gave him a look. "It'll do you some good to have the company of a friend." Xander added.

"I just...want to be alone, Xander." Lex answered finally. Xander sighed, turned on to the street toward Lex's apartment and drove in silence, until they arrived at the building.

"You gonna show up at work tomorrow?" Xander askd finally.

"I don't know...maybe..." Lex answered. Xander shook his head. Lex got out with out a word. Xander hesitated, then did as Lex asked and left.

Once Xander was out of sight, Lex turned from the building and headed for the connecting garage. If he left now, he could be out of town before it got to much later. Then he stopped, just inside the garage, staring toward his own car. "What am I doing?" He asked out loud, pretty sure no one else was around.

"good question, sweetie.. What ARE you doing?" Jasmine asked, suddenly behind Lex. the drag queen was removing a wrap from her hair and shaking it free of water.

Lex started, turning to look at Jasmine. He gave her a look. "Will you stop sneaking up on people!"

Jasmine chuckled softly, turning her amber eyes on him. "I don't sneak up on people... you did ask a question... I was only answering. "

Lex eyed her and asked flat out. "Did you know he was back?"

"Of course. I felt it the moment he left the cave." she said as she tucked the wrap into a pocket and brushed rain off her shoulders. "Now what is the problem, Lexi darling? Hmm? You've been head over heels for each other since first sight, and you've been pining away missing him all this time. and now that he's here, you turn and run away..."

"I don't know..." Lex muttered, shoving his hands in his pockets and looking away from Jasmine.

Jasmine raised an elegant eyebrow. "Lexi, you've spent two years running away...if you have any brains about you, as I know you'll do, you'll go to him..."
"I can't..." Lex answered softly.

"Then you're going to be very misrable...and just so you know...you've hurt him this time..." Jasmine answered calmly. Lex looked up sharply at those words, wide eyed.

Jasmine sighed. "Lex, Faal is pure blood Fae... he gave you his heart and soul. His spent his entire existance fighting for causes, until he was only living for the next fight or the next cause. With you, he finally found something worth living for. Knowing he's lost you is hurting him, and if he lets it.. it can kill him."

"I didn't...he hasn't lost me..." Lex breathed.

"Yeah? Then he needs to know that..." Jasmine said seriously. "So are you going to stand here, are you going to run again. Or are you going to go to him?" She asked, regarding Lex. "You may think it's hard choice...but it's not...not for a fire elemental...and don't let me remind you, that he is your guardian..." She gave him a pointed look.

Lex frowned, and rubbed his head. "I don't..."

"Lex... If you love him and want to be with him, go. simple. If you want to be miserable and drag him down with you, stay."

Lex was silent for a long moment, before giving Jasmine a look. "I hate your bluntness some times..."

Jasmine laughed, eyes sparkling. "Some one has to be the voice of reason. Go, Lex, it's not to late..."

Lex looked back at his car. When he looked back at Jasmine, she tossed him, his keys. "Go, before I kick your ass out of this garage." Jasmine warned.

**

Faal emerged from the cab and stood looking up at the victorian structure before him. He'd bought it more then fifty years ago and set up bank accounts and care takers, as he did with his other houses. He wondered why he bothered. Why bother having a home and treasures if there was no one to share them with. He unlocked the front door and dropped the keys on the hall table. His coat he hung up on the hook out of sheer habit. He wandered down the hall, leaving a trail of rain water behind him as he went. "I'll call the broker in the morning and arrange to sell them..." he muttered, as he wandered inton the dark house, not bothering to turn on the lights.

It took a little time, to remember the house, Lex had only been there once or twice. After a fifteen minute search, he pulled his car over to the side and looked out the house for a moment, Jasmine's words echoing in his head. The radio had said something about the storm getting worse and sky, which was slowly approaching evening proved them right. Chunking the half spent cigarette out the crackedwindow, Lex undid the seat belt and got out of the car.

Faal left his wet clothes piled in a soggy mess on the bathroom floor and climbed into the shower, cranking the hot water up as high as it would go. He stood with his head bent and let the water wash the chill away. His chest still felt crushed with the burning feeling, and he felt like he should have to gight to breath, but he pushed the discomfort away along with the stinging pain from the hot water and just tried to feel nothing.

Lex hurried up to the door, shaking the rain out of his hair under the stoop and knocked on the door, his heart pounding. He was really hoping he hadn't done a stupid thing, that he hadn't lost Faal. He was mad at himself for not getting out of Xander's car when he saw him. "Oh please...please don't leave me standing here..." He muttered, knocking again.

Feeling at least warm again, Faal shut of the warm and for a moment thought he heard something. He stepped out of the shower, grabbing the satin robe off the back of the door as he left the bathroom he tried to listen through the pounding of the rain on the roof. The burning in his chest flared as he turned to go into the bedroom, and he had to lean against the wall for a moment to catch his breath. The sound came again, louder then before; someone pounding on the front door. Faal took a few deep breaths as he tied the sash of the robe and headed down the stairs.


Lex's knocking increased. For a moment he stepped back, looking up at the house for any sign of life and muttered to himself, "Please be here! I'll burn down the fuckin' house other wise..." He snorted softly. stepped back up to the door and pounded this time. Time was agonzingly slow for Lex now and it was driving him crazy. He just wanted Faal.

" I'm coming, just a minute!" Faal called out just before he opened the door, not wanting to get struck by the fist doing the pounding. He stood in surprized shock to see Lex standing there.

Lex stood on the doorstep breathing hard, just looking at him for a moment. He was soaked and cold, and said in almost a whisper that was hard to hear over the storm. "I'm sorry..."

Faal couldn't seem to get a deep enough breath, as his chest seemed to squeeze tighter just looking at Lex. He swallowed a couple times, seeing Lex's mouth move and knowing the words even if he couldn't hear them. He stepped aside and motioned Lex inside, closing the door behind him. "you've got nothing to be sorry about, Lex. I'll get you some towels.. I think there might be some of your stuff upstairs yet.. unless you came back for them.." he said, turning to head back upstairs to the hall closet for towels, rubbing his chest as he went.

Lex reached out, taking Faal's arm and stopping him. "Please...just wait a moment. I am sorry. I shouldn't have left you standing back at the park...I don't know why I didn't get out of the car...especially when most of me wanted to..." he shook his head. "No...I do know why...and I hate myself for it..." He blinked back the tears that were threatening.

Faal closed his eyes, not daring to look at Lex. He fought past the ache in his chest and tried to quell the surge of hope that started to rise. "Please Lex. If you have something to say, say it. I can't stand here all day in my robe, and you'll catch your death if you don't get out of those wet things soon."

Lex took a deep breath, heart still pounding. He had to be honest, or there was no way he could do this. It just all depended on how Faal took it. "I didn't...get out of the car...because..." He had to gulp for a breath a now, the tears over taking him. "Because...I wanted you to hurt...like I did...when you vanished...and I hate myself for it...but I told you I wasn't who I used to be..." He closed his eyes, biting his bottom lip

Faal squeezed his eyes a bit tighter, feeling tears build again. "Lex. It's okay, I understand. You don't have to appologize." He reached out and leaned slightly against the wall for a moment. "Do you still feel the same, Lex? Are you here because you want to know I'm hurting? I am. Of course I am." He replied, his voice calm and some what sad.

Lex had to wipe at the tears on his cheeks. "No! I'm not here because of that...not exactly...I'm here cause I can't stand the idea of you hurting...That's why I had to apologize...after this afternoon...it should be me asking for a second chance...I ran away, I shouldn't have...It took Jasmine's blunt edge to get through to me...and..." He trailed off, not taking his eyes away from Faal.

"Lex." Faal said in a harsh whisper as his chest squeezed tighter. Just hearing Lex's voice was making it worse. "Lex, please. You're not a bad person and I'm not upset with you for wanting to strike back at someone who hurt you. I would like to know why you're here though. I know you can't understand this, but it's very difficult having you here right now. So please... say what you came here to say."

Lex stared at Faal, more tears running down his cheeks. "I don't want...to loose you...not again...especially not for something I did...I still...love you..." He whispered. He took two steps back. "I just...wanted to be with you..." His voice was barely audible. "But if you want me to go...I will..." He looked at the floor and the little puddle of water he'd created.

Faal spun around reaching out to stop Lex from leaving and wound up having to lean again the wall for a moment. "Lex.. I don't want you to go. It's just... being with you, hearing your voice, knowing that you... don't want anything to do with me... it's hurts a great deal."He paused, offering a weak smile through his tears as he rubbed his chest. "Do you mean it, Lex? Do you really want to be with me? Or are you here because JAsmine blabbed."

"I DO want to be with you!" Lex replied earnestly. "You said you didn't want to be needed...but I need you, Faal...I love you to much to walk away from this...I admit if Jasmine hadn't spoken up, I wouldn't have realized what or why I had done it..." He looked at Faal, his eyes pleading. "I don't want to be the cause of your pain. I can't stand that idea..." He began trembling. "I told you once I could ne'er turn my back on you...but I did anyway. and if anyone should have the right to say no to this...its you..."

Faal leaned back against the wall and shut his eyes against the sudden flood of tears. He opened his arms to Lex. "It's okay, Lex.. be with me... please. I promise there is nothing else in this world or any other that will take me from you again."

Lex crumpled against him, clinging to him, his own eyes closing. "I'm so sorry..." He muttered again, unable to keep from repeating himself. He was still shaking, half from being cold, half from trying to hold back the sobs he knew were going to happen.

They just held each other, both shedding tears for their own reasons. Lex for shame of hurting someone he loved, and Faal for relief of still being loved. Finally Lex's shivering became more noticable and Faal began tugging off Lex's coat. "Come on.. let's get you out of these and warmed up. If your lucky I may have left you some hot water." He said, leading the way upstairs. "I'll grab you a robe and some towels, and I'll get a fire started..."

Lex sniffled, following Faal up the stairs, rubbing his wet sleeve under his nose. "This is what I get for running around in a storm...bloody weather..." He muttered, openly relieved that Faal wasn't mad at him.

faal choked on the sudden laughter and gave Lex a gentle push into the bathroom. "Go on and get in the shower. I'll get the towels and robe."

Lex shut his eyes with slightly nervous giggle, one hand over his mouth and slid into the bathroom. He peeled off his shirt but had ot lean against the counter a moment, just glad the moment down stairs hadn't gone a different way.

Faal quickly raided the closet for towels and a spare robe. He stood outside the bathroom door and listened to the water run. He leaned his head against the door and noticed that the pain in his chest had eased somewhat and was now just a constant ache. Finally he summoned his courage and knocked on the door.

Lex leaned against the back wall of the shower and heard the knock. He turned the water off and called. "Its open." He felt warmer at least, or was starting to.

Faal swallowed a sudden lump as he opened the door and walked into the steamy room. He set the towels and robe ontop of the vanity and turned to leave. Lex's silouette against the curtain stopped him in his tracks. "I.. uh.. I left the towels on the counter for you. I'll go start the fire. Any particular room?"

"Not really..." Lex answered softly, starting to open the curtian, hand grabing a towel. He'd forgotten he had a new tattoo on his back shoulder. "Which ever room is closet...I suppose." He added.

Faal reached out and touched the new tattoo before he could even think to stop himself. He felt Lex stiffen and jerked his hand away. "Sorry.. I'll go start the fire."

Lex turned his eyes to Faal, as he reached the door. "You don't...have to be sorry..." He said softly. his own fingers touched the small delicate phoenix on his shoulder a moment.

Faal quickly slipped out of the room, trying to focus his mind back to the task at hand. the closest fireplace... that would be his bedroom. He quickly got a fire started and turned to find some clothes, only just realizing he was still in a rather wet robe.

Lex slid into the spare robe, unbraided his wet hair and glanced at his reflection. He wiped the ruin make up off his face, before leaving the bathroom and following what he knew was the heat from the fire, to Faal's bedroom.

Faal quickly did up his pants as he heard footsteps in the hall. He was still pulling on the shirt as Lex entered the room. He started to do up the buttons,then stopped and hurried over to the large overstuffed chair, dragging it closer to the fire place. He tugged the folded up quilt off the back of it and shook it out, laying it back on the arm. "there you go." He said, returning to fumbling the shirt buttons."Would you like something to eat or drink?"

Lex looked at him for a long moment, before moving from the door toward the chair slowly. "No...that's okay..." He said softly, picking up the quilt. He wrapped it around himself, looking at the fire a moment, before turning his eyes back to Faal, just looking at him.

Faal let out a low moan. "Oh god, Lex.. please don't look at me like that.. you know what you do to me with those gorgeous eyes of yours." he said, trying to remember what he'd been about to do.

Lex smiled slightly and asked softly. "Am I to spend the rest of the time not looking at you...your hair's longer then I remember..." But he turned his eyes back to the fire, watching the flames for a moment. They both looked differently, he knew.

"So is yours." Faal said, walking back to stand next to the chair. He reached out and stroked the wet red strands. "I like the new tattoo." He said with a small smile. "Is it for me? You always loved tracing my pheonix.."

"Yes..." Lex answered softly, with another slight smile. "I got it... eight or nine months ago...i t was also kinda for my birthday... Regan's idea..." he admited, turning his eyes back to look at Faal.

Faal dropped to his knees at the foot of the chair and leaned his head against Lex's knees. "I've missed you, little flame. I've been so empty without you..."

Lex reached down with both hands, and touched his face. "I've missed you so much...there's a small part of me that still doesn't believe this is real..." He whispered, thought his eyes were warm.

Faal gave a soft chuckle. "That's only because your throat hasn't had time to get scratchy and sore or nose to start running. Once you get sick.. you'll have no trouble believing it's real." he turned his head slightly and looked up at Lex. With a smile, he lay his head back down and stared at the flames, enjoying the feeling of Lex's fingers carressing his face.

Lex laughed softly. "I have no one to blame but myself if I get sick..." He snuggled deeper into the blanket, still carressing Faal's face, and watching the fire himself, content for once in so long. He had to stop himself from playing with the flames this time, as was habit, long ago.

Faal let his eyes slip closed. For the first time in two years he felt fully relaxed and at peace. Lex's gentle carrasses had soothed away almost all the ache in his chest. He jerked his eyes open and realized he'd fallen asleep for a moment. He sighed, relaxing again, deciding there wasn't any place he'd rather fall asleep then in Lex's arms.. or lap as the case may be.

Lex had turned his eyes from the fire to watch Faal, finally completely believing it was all true. Outside the storm was at full force and he glanced at the window only a moment at a loud clap of thunder. He didn't like thunder. Claps like that always startled him, especially if he was lost in thought and wasn't paying attention to the storm, like now. He moved one hand, resting his fingers in Faal's hair with a sigh.

Faal's eyes opened again. Lex's hand had moved to his hair. Another peel of thunder echoed through the room, rattling the window and making Lex jump. Faal looked up. "Still hate storms?" he asked. Lex bit his lip and nodded with a shy smile and Faal chuckled, standing up. He pulled Lex up out of the chair, and unwrapped the blanket from around his shoulders, and wrapped it around himself, sitting in the chair and pulling Lex down onto his lap. Lex chuckled and curled up as Faal wrapped the blanket around both of them. "Better?" Faal asked, wrapping his arms around Lex.

"Much..." Lex said softly, cuddling up against him. He curled a lock of Faal's hair around his fingers, relishing in the fact he hadn't been able to do so in two years and lay his head on Faal's shoulder, sighing contentedly. "I don't think I'll ever really like storms..."

Faal leaned back into the chair, his fingers idly stroking Lex's waist and arm where they lay. "Then I guess it's a good thing that i'll be here to hold you until they pass by."

Lex smiled softly. "I've missed that..." He said softly. "But you know that...I've missed a lot of things...oh well, I don't suppose you've heard about Nate and Aiyla have you?" He asked, suddenly realizing everyone at the office was probably worried sick about him...cept Eire...

"No Lex.. I've head nothing. While in the cave i had no way of finding out things and since i've been out, my minds been preoccupied with you." He felt Lex tense a bit. " Are you alright?"

"I just realized no one knows where I am...and the last person to see me was Xander..." Lex said, turning his head to look at Faal. "Anyway, Nate and Aiyla are married, with twins, Xander and Sylvie are together...Sylvie's expecting. Rue and Sands made it together and of course Dad and Chaos..." He gave Faal the short verson of everything.

Faal smiled softly as Lex spoke. "So much in just two years..." He said and kissed the top of Lex's head. "I suppose I'm lucky you didn't find someone else to replace me. you can use the phone you know, Lex." He said, indictaing the bedside phone.

"I wouldn't have found anyone else...I was always still in love with you...still am..." He said softly with a warm smile. He glanced at the phone. "I suppose I should...before they're all out looking for me...I don't know...Xander would have known I hadn't stayed at my apartment..."

" Perhaps Jasmine let them know... you know how she loves to stick her pretty nose into anything even remotely romantic."

Lex laughed softly. "Estehl's had Jasmine watching me like a hawk, I suppose he doesn't think I know that...but I do...and if it's not Jasmine, it's Sands...who can be much more annoying them Jasmine..." He didn't really want to get up to use the phone.

"Well I'm sure all three of them know where you are, which means that Rue knows, and thus Clarice..." Faal chuckled softly, resting his cheek against Lex's head. "Will you stay the night? I can take the spare room if you'd perfer, so you can have the fireplace..."

Lex turned his head, looking seriously at Faal. "I'll stay the night...but you don't really have to take the spare room..." He said softly. "I don't...want you to..."

faal looked down into Lex's eyes. "You do realize that if I stay with you... I won't be able to remian a gentleman."

Lex smiled softly, a finger stroking Faal's chin. "Did that ever really stop you before?" He asked in a soft tease. " I just...don't want to be away from you..."

Faal sighed softly. "I have always tried. You're just too much of a temptation for me to resist. It's very difficult to try to take things slow so someone will be more comfortable, when that someone keeps ... being so damned irisitable." He said and kissed Lex before he could turn aside. " I'll try to be good. I'll try to wait for you to be ready..."

Lex kissed him back softly, blushing slightly. "You can still make me blush..." He whispered, shaking his head. "I just want you to hold me tonight..." He added still in a whisper.

Faal gave a low groan, followed by a sigh. "I'll try." he said, holding LEx tighter. "you know. I was thinking about what you said, about wishing you could resign as 'daughter'. The only way the role has ever been passed on was for the 'daughter' to have a daughter to take over. It's also the only way the seal is kept safe. " You're going to have to give a child some serious thought. "

Lex scrunched up his nose. "Yus...so I've been told. Not that I've thought about it...I've kinda avoided it since Estehl brought it up... It's just not something I've put a lot of thought into..." He answered softly.

"Well, you're still young. But with all your friends settling down and starting families, it's bound to pop into your head sooner or later. I just wanted you to know that, I would love to help you raise your child when the time comes."

"Yus...I suppose Eire and I are the only ones in the group who haven't settled down...and I don't think you'll see Eire settling down for a long time...he's kinda traded places with Xander..." Lex replied. Then looked at Faal with a slight smile. "I think I'd like that..." He said in reply to the last thing Faal had said.

Faal kissed Lex again, before settling back into the chair and pulling Lex with him. They snuggled under the blanket a little deeper as the thunder rattled the windows. "Let me know if you get hungry enough to eat... we may have to order out." He said and cuddled Lex close to him, closing his eyes.

"But I'm not hungry." Lex answered softly, amused. Then wrinkled his nose again. "Sylvie's favorite thing to get mad at me over...I apparently don't eat enough for her concern." He shrugged non chalantely, snuggling as close to Faal as he could get.

Faal chuckled. " Well, if you do get hungry, let me know. Or if you get cramped and want to move." He pulled an arm fr0m out of the blanket and smoothed Lex's hair down.

Lex was quiet a moment, then asked softly. "So what happens after tonight...Saffron already knows your back...plan on letting the others know, or do you plan on staying undercover for awhile?"

"I'm not hiding, Lex. The only reason they don't know already is that I was focusing on you. Unless you want me to hide. " He chuckled.

"As much as I'd like to keep you to myself...it's only fair the others know..." He giggled suddenly. "It'll put an end to Eire's ghost talk...the ruddy bastard..." He was still a bit annoyed with Eire.

"Perhaps's he's jealous. Maybe he's looking for Fairlen's ghost as we speak... he always struck me as lonely. Then she came in and left again. It's not so bad being lonely.. it's being lonely with the memory of being with the one you love... that's so hard..."

"I suppose thats why he and I became such good friends...if I wasn't dragging him out of a bar, he was dragging me out of one...we got kicked out and banned from the Raven and not even Rue would do anything to let us back in...but I didn't start that fight...Eire did..."

Faal chuckled. "A bar brawler, now are you? Why am I not surprised..."

"Well...not exactly...but we've had our fights in the bars...some one says something, you really think I can keep my mouth shut? It's like last night...some guy started, I couldn't keep from popping back, then Regan tossed us out...thats why we were going to that liqour store...when I saw you the first time..."

faal just chuckled quietly. "sorry.. I just have this image of this fiery, sexy little five foot four inch tall redhead, tackling a room full of bikers ..."

"That was the bar over on fifth...23 bikers against three of us...and Eire was a bit to drunk at the time so it was just Fairlen and I..." Lex replied with a grin. "I almost set the place on fire, but that was an accident..."

Fall burst out laughing so hard, Lex was jostled around. "My god! You mean you and little Fairlen?! I was joking, and yet... somehow I can see it."

"Hey! We did pretty well...even when Eire ended up unconcious under a table..." Lex said with a pout. Then sighed. "I started kick boxing again, so I can hold my own in a fight...with out using my fire...everyone's kinda been on me about that...curse and all...I pushed my limits to far...the first couple of jobs after you disappeared...and passed out in a rather big battle...and since then..." He shrugged.