The plane whistles and shudders as we ascend into the sky. A parting gift from Lotta, to allow us a government issue private jet that would safely get us to the secluded airport. We would not be arriving back at the beach side property in New York, we would be heading towards a more mountainous region where it might be possible to find a lake big enough to achieve our end goal. We had to get back into the dragon realm. 

Tonic would be there with Echo to meet us, we'd managed to divert them from returning to Europe for with Senator Campbell invading every inch of our lives, it would seem it was not safe for anyone on our side to be there. She could easily be considered an accomplice and then we would be out of luck to gain access to her. 

Unfortunately, it would mean more delays all the same. Her party must travel to us by boat, the lycans who lived in Iceland did not have the means to fly nor did we have the ability to transport them. Lotta could only do so much and Verando had to be conservative with him money. Ron was good to us in that regard, making sure that we didn't do anything foolish. 

My hand rests on Verando's thigh, I expected him to be tense, but we'd opted to get him drunk and he seemed to have taken the opportunity to lose conciousness. While I'd been willing to medicate him, he had been entirely unwilling to partake in any sort of drug use while his younger self was there as a reminder of his past. My light weight warlord flinched at my touch, startling him into a yawn before he shifted to lean against the top of my head.

Scoffing at the height difference, I press my cheek against his shoulder, enjoying the warmth eminating from his body. It was a twelve hour flight, the longer he could sleep the better. 

Tyler sits across from me with a smile as we are cleared to move around the cabin. "Glad to see yall figured everything out. I really was gettin' worried with all this past self mess. But, hey, what the heck do I know about relationships?" Sighing, he runs a hand through his hair, leaning back into his seat as the attendant brings him a water. 

"Thanks. I think." I'm still not the best company. Tyler had managed to thrive without me, it would seem once I gave him the basics, he had found some sort of pain to keep him motivated. I could only imagine that the discomfort he focused on was Helen. I never understood his love for the girl, shifting my gaze to the woman who sat across the isle. "So..."

Tyler pulls his lips into a line, shaking his head. "Aint nothing for it, Your Majesty. Er.. Nic. Is it still alright to call you that?"

I smile as softly as I can manage with a sleeping murderer cuddled up to me. "Of course, Tyler. You're family."

"I do appreciate that. You all have done more for me than I can really say, just wish it would have ended up different for some of us. Lord knows there are trials but damn, they can be tough. I've been focusing a whole lot of those spells we used to pull you from the past. The most difficult part of this will be capturing a dragon who can take us back. We don't have much magic to trade with, you were kind of our biggest bargaining tool last time."

Taking Verando's hand in mine, I slowly spin the wedding ring on his left hand. Noticing the bite mark, I remember that the three fingers were numb to the touch. Testing that theory, I lightly skirt my own over them, they were slightly cooler than his index finger and thumb though not much difference beyond the scar at their junction.

"The dragons are not thrilled with us, we are not using the realm for its intended purpose and they know that. I have decided I will ask them to destroy the bond, in exchange we just need to fix what we broke. Then there will be no more connection to us, they could come here if our side was shattered, but we could not go there. That seems to be the only way to stop this from happening again."

It would mean that this was final, that we would never be able to go home, but that was how it was supposed to be. We both knew that this was a one way trip and going back meant death for us both anyways. While Verando had been adament at one point, we had accepted our roles here as ambassadors for those who needed us. 

"Have you thought about what you want to do after this? Will you keep campaigning?"

Sighing, I lace my fingers with my husbands. "No. I never get to see our children and that's what I always wanted, to have a family. I really need to help Darrius, that is where I'm needed. I think when this is over, it needs to truly be over- for us atleast."

Smiling, Tyler seems pleased to hear this though it wasn't in the man to put guilt on anyone. "We can handle this, Nic. The heroes are getting strong, the magic users are getting more confident, we are going to be able to make this place equal. It's just going to take a while."

With a small sigh, I just smile back. It would never be equal, not as long as one side was legitamately stronger. But, I couldn't keep leaving our children behind. It was our job to prepare them for what was to come, the expectations and the reality that the world would view them differently. That, and the fact that every moment with Darrius was precious. We would not have him forever. 

One day, we would have to give Darrius back to the universe. 

"I'm sorry, Nic. I didn't mean to make you cry." Tyler catches me off guard and I clear my throat, wiping at my eyes with the back of my hand. 

"No, gods, it's not that. I'm just tired, I'm sorry, Tyler. That was quite unprofessional of me."

The heavy weight of Caspian sitting beside Tyler makes both of us flinch, though Verando doesn't budge. He must really be drunk to not be on high alert, even in his sleep. The one armed man reminds me of Sota, I couldn't help but be a little smug. "What a light weight." He eyes my husband with an up and down glance that makes me growl  low in my throat.

"We're having a conversation."

"Your pheremones have calmed down." He comments, ignoring my distaste. "About time, you were shedding indicators like a damned feline." Rubbing the injured forearm, he sighs, considering his words before giving Tyler a harsh glare that makes him get up. "See you later, snowflake." he spits as the man excuses himself. 

"What do you want Caspian?" I snap, keeping my voice low.

"Are you really this selfish?"

Appauled, I attempt to find reason in such a question. "Enlighten me." I nearly giggle, the man must truly be deranged.

"How can you fuck someone 'not' knowing what could happen? You and I both know exactly what could happen if this is actually a heat cycle. Have you considered going to a doctor? Consulting someone before you tangle with one of the most fertile men in history? I'm shocked you're not already pregnant, without the damned heat indicators." The tint of jealousy in his voice would make me smile if it wasn't for the disgusted nature in his tone. 

"Jealousy is an ugly color, Caspian." How dare he get involved in something like this. "I don't think you have any right to wonder anything about what me and my husband are doing, you better keep your damned nose out of my buisness-"

Caspian leans forward, those golden eyes locked with mine, his tongue runs lightly over the sharpened teeth. "Or what, cupcake? He loves me, too. Just not enough. You can't do shit about this, not yet anyways." Exhaling, he flops back into his seat. "I'm just trying to figure out what your plan is, if this ends up being what we are all thinking. What if you die?"

"I'm immortal." I snap back.

Caspian shrugs. "Verando is immortal. I'm immortal. We are of similar blood. You? Hmmm... maybe. Maybe not. Hard to kill? Long lived? But not all lycans are immortal, sweet heart." Raising an eyebrow, he taps his teeth lightly with one of his finger nails, drinking in my uncertainty. "Wouldn't that just be a shame if your pretty little head died with this abomination you're trying so desperately to produce."

"Verando would die too." It comes out quicker than I can stop it. Before anything else, I wanted Caspian to know that we would go together. 

The dark haired man stands, dusting himself off as if his mission were accomplished. "And where would that leave that wretched spawn? An experiment that I imagine the government would love to get their hands on. Two men, reproducing, through Lycanism... my my, the papers would go mad, now wouldn't they? Seems like quite the scandal for someone who wishes to be left alone. I'm not trying to be a dick-"

Pausing, he shrugs one shoulder. "Maybe I am." Looking at me, he pulls his lips down into a frown. "But this is horribly thought out and you know it. If it's possible, you need to consider the risk and what that means. He loves you, disgustingly so, he is not going to be rational about this." He skirts down the plane and leaves me with my warlord.

Everyone surely had to be thinking about it, had to be concerned or maybe dared to be excited. A normal couple would be bubbling with joy, planning and considering the possibilities. But, my body was not made for this. Whatever was effecting me, it could have consequences beyond what anyone would know what to deal with. Placing my hand over my stomach, I try and envision what it would be like only to laugh at myself. 

People tried for years and never got pregnant, one cycle and I'm naming the unexisiting fetus that I so desperately longed for. Verando slides off my head, slipping down into my lap with barely enough time to catch himself. "Gods... my bloody neck.." Popping his neck, he flinches as he corrects himself, braced on the arm of the seat only to catch my face. In the dim lighting of the plane, I force a small smile. 

"What's wrong?" Even drunk he knew me to well. 

Do I dare? 

Glancing around the plane, I see that for the most part, with the dimming of the lights everyone had decided to get some form of rest. As night had fallen, the majority of our trip would be in darkness. "Can we go to the rear of the plane, and talk?"

Glancing over the seats, he frown, nearly pouting. "Darling, that is quite far. I can't walk, love." Yawning, he takes me hand in his, kissing the back of my knuckles. "Whisper it?"

He makes me smirk. "Your not whispering though, baby." I remind him, bringing my face closer to his. "What if I carry you?"

Snickering, he seems genuinely amused. "Carry me, the nerve... I'm too tall, you would hit my head on every damned... I don't even know what these are, love. I would have to crawl and it would be degrading. You would most definently have to go first."

"You're such a mess when you're drunk." I sigh, kissing his cheek. I just needed to talk it out with him, or get to a place where I could get as far away from Caspian as the plane would allow. "This plane is to quiet and we are being to loud. Come on, I'll help you back there."

Grinning deviously, he slides off the seat and onto his knees, pushing my legs apart. "I assure you I can be louder."

"Stop!" I hiss, covering his mouth with my hand. 

"Gentlemen." Marcello groans. "Nic, you're responsible for that. Take him away. Do something with him. Throw him out the damned window if you must."

Verando's face visibily pales. "Plane windows open?" 

Standing, I pull him to his feet, throwing his arms around my waist as I guide him to the back of the plane into the singular suite. It's a small room that consists only of a bed, but it would work. I flick on the light as Verando slumps to the floor with a groan, back against the wall, resting his head between his knees. "I'm going to be sick."

"How the mighty have fallen." I sigh, getting on my knees in front of him to slowly rub his back. "It always amazes me just how much you need to be in control. Boats... planes..."

"I don't much care for these forms of travel. I'm relying on someone who potentially didn't even pass the standard. Would you want a poorly surgeon operating on you? I'd say not. I don't consent to forced mediocrity. I would truly like to see more qualifications on these sorts of expeditions." While I could see the logic in it, it was more than I'd ever really questioned our circumstances. We so rarely got a choice. 

He was a unique individual to say the least. "If there was any other way, I'd do it." 

"I know you would, love. Now... distract me... you were quite sad before."

Pulling my lips into a thin line, I brush my fingers slowly through his hair. "What if this is a heat cycle? What if I'm pregnant?"

"That'd be quite the feat considering you lack a uterus." He grumbles, mulling it over as I stroke. "Nic, you're a fresh Lycan, it's quite possible you are just experiencing these desire of having a 'mate' and using it to your advantage. Our wolves seem to be getting along, animalistic desires being what they are..."

Glancing up at me, he pales and groans, burying his head once more. "Maybe you should push me out of this damned plane... I'd rather the poorly surgeon."

"I really need you to stop being logical and be with me for a moment. I know you're very serious, I know you're drunk, but I need you right now. I need you to just... suspend your disbelief. What if I am pregnant, Randy?"

"I would love to stop being drunk. This was a horrid decision." Forcing himself to sit up, he puts the back of his hand to his mouth and attempts to steady himself against the wall.. "You have impeccable timing for these things, you know."

I shrug one shoulder. While it felt unfair, I needed reassurance, I needed him to tell me he would love me and be with me on this should it have an unfortunate ending. I needed him to tell me nothing bad was going to happen. "I try."

"Something was forced on me, something I never wanted... and it turned into something that gave me you. You.. are my priority. But if something happened, it is not up to me. I don't know if you're wanting me to tell you it's okay or give you my permission but it's not up to me, love. I'll be scared, worried... I might drive you up the bloody wall but I'll do whatever I can to keep you safe." Flinching, he rubs his eye with the back of his hand, attempting sobriety. "Does that make any sense?"

Slowly, I nod, jumping forward to throw my arms around his neck and nuzzle into his chest. "You need to get drunk more often, I like this Randy."

"Piss off." He sighs, rolling his eyes and exhaling heavily. "I'm crawling to that bed, getting in it, and sleeping this off. I'm going to have a horrid hang over tomorrow, should be a joy for all of us."

_______________________

Getting off the plane, Verando dawns a pair of dark sunglasses to block out the glare of the sun. I lock my arm with his, leaning my cheek against his bicep. "Smell that air." Helen says excitedly. "Smells like.... deer."

I sniff lightly, not quiet getting the same impression. While the mountains were gorgeous, the air had a humid tone I wasn't quite used to. There was an impressive amount of greenery, one of the locations that had been consumed by forest and slowly reclaimed. We hadn't had much oppertunity to come to a region such as this beyond the ones inhabited by Wraiths. 

"Smells like... water." I mumble.

Verando winces, rubbing his temple. "Yes, yes, we get it. Sights and smells. Fuck me, can we all just be quiet?"

Tyler smiles. "You're in my home state now, guys. Welcome to Tennessee. No can do, Randy, we've got a lot to catch up on. We're all eating supper at my mama's!" 

If I wasn't so concerned about my on edge husband, I would be amused at the horrified look on Helen's face.