" I ask no paradise on high, With cares on earth oppressed,
The only heaven for which I sigh, Is rest, eternal rest. "

- Solomon Northup

(Paris, France: 8:00 AM)

The plates and utensils had done their work for today in helping out to feed Methu-Selah's family. What was left on the dishes was a peck of bread crumbs when they had finished eating breakfast. The aromatic smell of brewed coffee and milk wandered around the flat as they drank it from the medium-sized orange mug. Amnon wiped his mouth with a paper napkin and emptied his drink when he looked at his parents.

" Was it a good meal? " the elderly Kree hybrid woman asked and smiled, approaching the two gentlemen who were still sitting near the table.

" Yes, indeed, " the Kree Eternal nodded affirmatively.

" Thanks, Mom, " Amnon added.

" I was just wondering what happened to your slave den mission in Switzerland. Did anyone get rescued? " Carol curiously asked.

" Did you want it in full detail? " Methu-Selah gave her a suggestive look and replied. " We are happy to tell you everything. "

" No, no, no, " she wryly smiled and crossed her arms. " You guys don't need to spend more than an hour explaining everything. It's just a highlight of what you did last night. "

Amnon and his father shared glances and knew what to start in telling of what happened yesterday.

" Master, you go first, " the young pink Kree intently grinned and spoke.

" Why, me? " the ancient blue skinned man raised his voice.

" Well, you were the first person who entered the University campus and morphed into my old form. With due respect, you can tell her what you have seen. "

" Is this the order of the oldest to the youngest? "

" Yes, sir, " Amnon chuckled.

" Fine, let me finish my drink first, " Methu-Selah heavily sighed and slowly emptied his cup. He carefully placed it on the table and said, " Now, where was I? Ah, yes. I did see some slaves continuing their usual toil and hardship as usual. I just saw a sick woman, an arguing couple, some nosy slaves, and then a grandfather and his grandchild. "

" Then, what did you guys do? " Carol curiously asked.

" You're turn, Amnon, " his father reminded.

" Well, some undercover people and I just arrived to take them out of there, " Amnon continued. " Then, the guards prevented us from leaving. Then, the Old Man knew what to do as he snapped his fingers and caused darkness. We instantly got out of the slave den and ended up on the streets of Bern. "

" Wait, how?! " his mother raised her voice and became more intrigued.

" The Old Man just teleported us and stopped time. I got baffled at first when I looked at my wristwatch showing it was already 10:30 PM. I just realized we have gone out of the slave den in three hours! I told him that was totally ridiculous! The MTF troopers and some of the Rebel Forces were all astonished! "

" Son, I told you I have my ways! " Methu-Selah grinned and chuckled.

" Seriously, master? "

Methu-Selah and his son laughed with their hearts out. Carol was pleased to see her son enjoying company with his father. She sighed in relief and realized Amnon gradually gained his joy and happiness which he has been longing for. The two ceased their laughter and turned their attention to her.

" It seems you guys had fun, last night, " she broke her silence and smiled.

" Well, yeah, " her son nodded and smiled back. " I'm glad I'm back in business for raiding slave dens like I used to. Thanks to this Old Man and the others, the mission became very successful. "

" Good job, then, " Carol gently rubbed her son's back. " I'm so proud you all did that. Now, tell me what happened to Bav-Tek and his crew? "

" They were successful too as I have heard, " the Kree Eternal replied and carefully wiped his mouth using the paper table napkin. " They found it easy as they met a Kree man who secretly supported the Terran forces. "

" Who? " Carol asked, feeling more intrigued.

" The man named Faust, " Methu-Selah answered. " He just received a large sum of money to start his own business and let the slaves free for good. "

" Wait, so Faust happened to be one of us?! " Amnon queried and scratched his head, feeling surprised. " I didn't know that. I met him before when I was there some months ago, but I thought he's working along with his brother Wilhelm? "

" There are few good Kree men like us, my boy. They just got compelled to do the wrong things. "

" Right, " he nodded. " I understood that. "

Suddenly, the three got interrupted when they heard a knock on the door. Methu-Selah remained silent and sensed another light soul coming to see them. Amnon instantly stood up from his seat and walked over the door, opening the knob. He curiously peered and saw the dark-haired female angel, wearing a light purple shirt and a velvet skirt. Skouro cheerfully smiled at him and his family.

" Hello, Amnon! " she said.

" Skouro, Hi! " the young pink Kree greeted her and let her enter the flat, thoughtfully offering her a seat at the dining area. " Have a seat and dine in, we still have some breakfast. "

" Oh, no, thank you! I have just eaten earlier! "

" My son's friends are welcome in this flat, " Carol said and turned to the dark angel. " Every visitor deserves to have a house specialty. "

" It's okay, Carol. I don't want you to give you more troubles. Maybe, next time I will try to eat more! " Skouro chuckled and sat down on the dining chair. " I'm just here to see you again as I heard yesterday's Swiss mission's success. Thanks to you, guys! "

" It was Amnon's idea, " Methu-Selah stood up and knocked his son's elbow when Amnon felt a slight pain from his father's act.

" Ow....Master! " he wryly smiled. " You were the first one who entered that place! "

Skouro cheerfully laughed and covered her mouth when she saw the father and son's antics. Carol grinned and crossed her arms.

" Well, Skouro, what brings you here? " the elderly half-Kree woman asked, changing the topic.

" It's about Amelie, " Skouro instantly answered. " She's under treatment. The MTF doctors checked on her as they said she is progressing to Stage IV Ovarian Cancer. She refused to have further treatments, even though they asked her to undergo. She wanted to die peacefully. "

Carol remained silent and guilty when she carefully placed the empty dishes into the kitchen sink. She sadly sighed when Methu-Selah and Skouro sensed her jealousy and regret. Amnon looked at his mother with concern and understood how she was frustrated two nights ago.

" Carol? " the dark angel called her attention. " Are you okay? "

" I'm sorry, the Flerken cat gets my tongue, " the elderly half-Kree woman slightly smiled, brushing off her negativity. " It's just that I feel sorry for her. That's all. "

" Carol, there's something wrong with you two nights ago, " Skouro sincerely answered. " You're not happy to see Methu-Selah's friend. "

The elderly half-Kree woman sensed the same light soul as Skouro has, but with an element of darkness. The dark angel had penetrated her own thoughts. Methu-Selah gently held her beloved's right hand and gave him an assuring look. Carol felt uneasy and sighed.

" Skouro, I got jealous before, " she humbly admitted.

" Why? "

" I am still in love with the Kree Eternal. "

" Oh..." Skouro paused and turned to Methu-Selah. " Is that true? "

" Yes, " the blue skinned man sincerely answered and bowed in shame. " I still love Carol, but I felt sad for Amelie. "

" You're stuck in the lives of two women, " the dark angel replied with concern. " That's too complicated. "

" It's all my fault I get involved with them. "

" Master..." Amnon gently placed his left hand on his father's shoulders. " Perhaps, we should go see her. "

" Son, are you sure? "

" Yeah, let's just help her ease the pain before she leaves us. "

" Amnon, how did you know someone in tremendous pain? " Skouro curiously asked.

" Well, I'll tell you later, Skouro. I think that's the purpose of your visit, " the young pink Kree replied. " You want us to see Amelie, right? "

" Oh, yeah, " she nodded. " Right, I guess you should come with me. "

The four left the flat as they headed to the next apartment and entered. The French members of the Rebel Forces had guided them to the room where Amelie spent resting. Skouro gently knocked the door as the nurse left the room and widely opened the door. They entered the room and saw a pale and ailing woman who was lying on the bed. She was wearing a green shirt. The orange bandana covered her baldness. Amelie Glénat was pleased to see her visitors who came.

" Oh, I am so glad you are here, " Amelie gave them a small smile, experiencing pain from her chemotherapy.

" It's good to see you again, mademoiselle, " Amnon replied and asked. " How are you feeling? "

" I am getting worse than ever, " the French cancer patient sadly sighed. " This illness drives me crazy. This is more painful than I experienced in the Swiss slave den. "

" You don't need to feel bad about it, Amelie, " Skouro added. " The people in Bern are safe now. "

Amelie widened her eyes in shock as she couldn't believe in what she heard. She never expected to hear any good news from them.

" Sacré Bleue, " she muttered and looked at the others. " Is this real? "

" Yes, " Methu-Selah answered. " They were rescued yesterday. They are no longer enslaved and suffering anymore. "

" Merci beaucoup. " Amelie wept for joy and hugged everyone.

Carol silently stood and watched the other three hugging them. She regretted her ill-feeling and felt sorry for the cancer patient. She was composing her thoughts while looking at them. Amelie looked at the blonde half-Kree woman and slowly parted herself to the group. The Frenchwoman carefully rubbed her eyes with her blanket.

" Amelie, " Carol broke her silence and gently held the patient's back. " I just heard from Methu that you have been his good friend for a decade. I knew how you have been so kind to him. "

" From Selah, I have heard so much about you, Carol, " Amelie smiled and replied. " He has been talking to me about you. "

" Well, I guess we can be good friends, then? "

" Certainly. "

" Should we leave you for a while? " Skouro politely asked. " Methu-Selah, Amnon-Selah, and I will be outside and wait for you to finish. If it's fine with the both of you? "

" Oui," the two ladies nodded.

" Mom, we'll be right back, " Amnon added and kissed his mother's cheeks.

" Go ahead, Kid, " Carol said. " Just knock on the door to call me, okay? "

" Sure. "

" All right, then, " Methu-Selah reminded the other two and guided them, leaving to let Carol and Amelie have a private talk.

(Skoùro Valour belongs to FlashlightMan)