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Post by Emily on Jan 5, 2008 22:37:19 GMT -5
*She looked at him doubtfully.*
Would trying have been enough?
"Anyway, it's all over, anyway," *she said, rinsing a lettuce in a basin of water, working by the natural light coming in through a front window.*
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Post by Genghis Khan on Jan 5, 2008 22:39:16 GMT -5
"Over?"
*He followed her, as if he thought she was trying to escape the conversation.*
"Because I know?"
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Post by Emily on Jan 5, 2008 22:41:51 GMT -5
"It was over when I found out I was pregnant again. When I found an abortion wasn't an option, I knew I had to make some changes in my life. I'm a mother now, Genghis. I can't go back to who I was before, and I don't know that I'd want to. I love that girl so much," *she choked and fell silent, ripping the lettuce into pieces.*
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Post by Genghis Khan on Jan 5, 2008 22:43:22 GMT -5
"And..."
*Genghis desperately tried to follow the foreign thought.*
"You think that I can't...love her?"
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Post by Emily on Jan 5, 2008 22:44:38 GMT -5
"I think...you can't love me."
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Post by Genghis Khan on Jan 6, 2008 12:12:30 GMT -5
*Genghis stared at her hard for a moment, a flood of emotions coursing through him.*
How can you say that? Even think it?
*But he could not force the words. Instead, he grasped her roughly by the shoulders, pulling her into a deep, desperate kiss.*
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Post by Emily on Jan 6, 2008 12:19:35 GMT -5
*Emily melted against him for a moment, giving in as she knew it would prove useless to fight. As she felt him relax even a little, she pulled away, turning back to her vegetables, trying to pretend nothing had just happened. She picked up a bowl, but it slipped from her sweating and shaking hands, shattering on the floor.*
"DAMN it!" *she growled, slamming her fist against the counter, her other hand covering her eyes as she tried to stop trembling.*
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Post by Genghis Khan on Jan 6, 2008 20:31:30 GMT -5
*Genghis caught her fist a moment, then shifted his hands to sweep her up into his strong arms and away from the bowl carnage. He held her a moment, taking it the feel of her, warm and safe. Perfect. Then he carried her to a nearby chair and sat her down gently, kneeling beside her. He spoke gently, as if his words might shatter something else.*
"I...am sorry. If you wish me to leave and not return...I will respect your wish. But it will not stop the feelings that I have for you."
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Post by Emily on Jan 6, 2008 20:37:44 GMT -5
*Emily rubbed her forehead, leaning her elbows on her knees.*
"I don't know," *she said, beginning to cry softly.* "I don't know...what's best for me might not be best for Ruby. She's changed me, Genghis. I don't know if you realize how much. If you loved me once, I...I might not be that girl anymore."
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Post by Genghis Khan on Jan 6, 2008 20:47:17 GMT -5
*Genghis lifted his hands to caress her cheek, his thumb tracing her lip.*
"And perhaps I would want you all the more."
*He lowered his eyes for a moment.*
"I cannot believe that you have stayed so close, if it is truly your wish to never see me again. I..."
*He nodded, as if working his way through the thought.*
"...I do not expect you to stay with me, but...I would ask that you not isolate yourself from me completely. You, or Ruby."
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Post by Emily on Jan 6, 2008 20:58:55 GMT -5
*She took a deep breath.*
"I don't kill unless I have to, anymore. My quests are less intense than they were. I've stopped using my powers unless it's to save someone risking their life, foolishly. The life I've made here is simple, and the result of plain, hard work. I don't want to topple empires or bend space or twist time to my liking..."
*She half-smiled, half-grimaced.*
"Hell, right now I just want to make a damn souffle that doesn't turn into a tasty crater."
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Post by Genghis Khan on Jan 6, 2008 21:05:27 GMT -5
*Genghis's eyes narrowed, trying to follow the relationship of the comments.*
"Does that mean...that you will still see me? If I leave the empires elsewhere?"
*He glanced to the door.*
"I do not mean to ruin the life that you have made, but...to be a part of it...even a small one..."
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Post by Emily on Jan 6, 2008 21:07:12 GMT -5
"I don't want you to give up your conquests. I know how much they mean to you," *she said, shaking her head.*
"We could...be individuals together. If that makes sense. Separate lives, intertwined. Our own interests, our own time...and when we choose to be together, we will be."
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Post by Genghis Khan on Jan 6, 2008 21:11:04 GMT -5
I'll take what I can get.
*Genghis dared a small smile and nodded.*
"If that is what it takes to please you..."
*He pressed his mouth hotly to hers, overwhelmed by even this smallest of victories. Actually, upon further reflection, he realized how massive a conquest it was, even if it was compromise.*
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Post by Emily on Jan 6, 2008 21:14:57 GMT -5
*Emily kissed him back gently.*
"I'm sorry I can't be with you as completely as you may wish," *she said quietly, but smiling.* "I want you to be as happy as possible, Genghis."
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