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Description
                                             Chapter Thirty-Five Burning Bridges

Demeter Persephone Jones wasn't an average woman; she knew power, she knew lust, hell she even knew love.  The only thing she couldn't handle was waiting; she liked control and order, she liked helping those who needed help hell she had fallen in love with one that she was already helping.  Did that make her a bad person? No, not in her eyes

But as she sat there with Rebecca Fenris; her friend, and mentor for a long time, she could feel the anger rising off of her elder like a volcano.  Because to her mentor men were nothing but easy ways to money, no, she couldn't say that to Becca, men were simple things to please.  They were easy to manipulate; she could have any number of men wrapped around her finger in turn, but she didn't and she taught Demeter well, but Demeter chose a different path. She knew you didn't need posturing and giving in, you didn't need a solid iron hand or an exterior that didn't betray your caring nature.  Yes, Becca might be cold on the outside but if she considered you a friend; there was nothing fiercer of a protector, well maybe except for Caleb, but that she only heard from people like Sage.

She knew Rebecca's story, orphaned as a child in the UK she grew up in an orphanage with her twin sister, they were given to many foster parents, but ultimately they were considered wards of the state.  Rebecca and Rachel Fenris, you didn't have any two different and yet loving twin sister.  They were mischief makers constantly in trouble.  They both learned that men were easy to manipulate; but Rebecca was the less confident of the two so she stayed meek while Rachel learned through education; while Rebecca turned to the streets, causing jealousy from Becca to Rachel.  After two years without her sister and a few relationships that she regretted the hell out of now, Rebecca learned that it was easier to dominate men for money than through sex, so she carefully crafted the personality of a coldhearted woman who thought men were pigs. She was in character whenever at a club or with friends, though if you knew her like Demeter did you could read her like a book.  She knew what Rebecca was thinking, that this was stupid to wait for this boy.  That they were giving up power in a way showing how they cared; but no matter how she felt she would seethe in silence until they were alone, when they were all bets were off.

The doctors finally told them that he was going to be fine, though he was going to be out of action for a while longer.  They had him heavily sedated and monitored to make sure that he would lose any more blood.

"Caleb should count himself lucky; very lucky that he made it.  If it had been even a few centimeters off he would have been dead" the doctor concluded and let them alone with the unconscious boy.

They settled into chairs, Becca still shooting unkind looks either way but resigned to the fact that this was her friends pet now.  Demeter watching over him deep in thought; about everything that had happened over the past month, she came to a realization that not even Caleb has thought about: it had been a year since he released Ophelia from the collar he had given her.  They had been together for a year, it was funny how time flied. She reached over brushing the hair out of his face; he had grown a lot but not all the way she knew the biggest part of the test was coming yet she didn't know when she would have to lower it. She looked at Becca who by now had pulled a book out of her purse then back down at her injured pet, "Please be ok" she whispered as she kissed his forehead

                                                                *-_-_-_-_-*

"What is this about Shadow? You told me yourself she was meant to be mine" Caleb roared, as everything seemed to shake with his voice.  His mind was slowly crumbling as he started to rage; Shadow was looking at him calmly almost as if he expected this.
"Yes, she is meant to be yours; she is meant to help you.  I didn't say how this was going to play out or whether or not it was forever" the specter said calmly, "You yourself have learned a lot from the girl; you cannot say that you would of made it much longer without her, you owe her a lot and yes you love her.  But it's only been a year sunshine, that is in no way time enough for you to know for sure you want to be with her forever."
"Yes it is!"
The world seemed to be crumbling and the problem was that he was waking up as he was screaming so he felt hands holding him down, voices floated to the surface

You'll tear the stitches dragon. Stay still; what are you trying to say

Finally with a blast of the harsh light of the hospital room he awoke screaming from the pain that was dulled, and the pain that had been there.  Looking around the room he realized almost everyone was there, Demeter, Malvina, Angela, Rebecca, and even his mother who he noted was holding a tissue in her hand.  Though she looked nervous she still was sad over her son's predicament; this surprised Caleb as he thought if anyone wouldn't show up it would be his mother. He tried to sit up and an anguished scream came from his throat.

"Mr. Brown" came an domineering voice from the doorway, it was Airi; she wasn't in her normal business attire her body was framed in a grey shirt and a pair of jeans, her eyes screamed both concern and anger, "You have stitches where you got stabbed, I'm very surprised that you made it through this far. Hell that was why I came here; I got the call from Demeter that you had been injured and were in the hospital.  My professional side told me to stay away but at the same time I very well couldn't if you did anything stupid and ended up dead I would feel horrible that all of our work was for naught."

The thoughts that went through Caleb's head were not something meant for civil discussion; both because of the pain and because he was basically being called out by a woman who had abandoned him; yet there was a voice in his head that was telling him that this was meant. As if everything had been leading up to this moment in time; he laid back down resigned to the fact that he was in this bed yet again, or even in this building. The drugs running through his system left him half dazed yet he remembered why he was here, who had put him here and what exactly transpired.  He felt stupid for having fell for the bait, but then again he seemed to do stupid and headlong things without any real foresight.

Over the next few hours the room was very awkwardly silent as they waited for the doctor, who Mrs. Brown had excused herself to get.  Caleb's head was spinning with drugs and thought, each and every person who had meant something to him was there and yet part of him was upset, angry at Lucian for being such an asshole, angry at himself for being so dumb as to actually trust his former pet; he wouldn't be here if he had thought this through, never gone to the pet shop or even waited for someone to find him, sure he was lonely but wasn't everyone? Did he really need to learn things the hard way; these were all the questions going through his head.  He realized he was a stubborn fool, and he deserved this fate but at the same time all he wanted to do was be happy! Isn't that what everyone wants?

He looked at Demeter, and he knew if he had the strength he would ask the question burning his soul at the moment, but he didn't so he laid there looking at his goddess.

                                                         *-_-_-_-_-_-_-*

When he had come to it had scared almost everyone in the room, even Rebecca and that was a damn hard thing to do.  Demeter had held him down and she had been one of the voices he must have heard in his half consciousness; she was worried about her pet but also worried because she had received a phone call in the intervening time, it seems one of her relatives had taken a turn for the worse and was on their death bed.  So not only was she looking after her injured pet but she would have to leave him soon; and she couldn't bear to tell him.

Not that he would even realize what she was saying, she could see by his eyes that he was in a clouded and confused look still; something that had a lot to do with the pain medication that they were pumping through his bloodstream. She stroked his hair gently as they all watched him.

The doctor entered the room just then and Demeter made room for him as he went about checking all the monitors and the stitches he finally said, "Well you certainly are a lucky one Mr Brown, it's only been a few hours since you came in; I've seen people come in with something like this and not come out for weeks."

"Wh-what happened doc?" Caleb's voice was weak and half slurred he was sure.  But he had to know how or what was injured, he could feel the stitches and it felt like it was just below the ribs but he was sure that this couldn't be right.

"Well, as far as I can tell someone attacked you and stabbed you just below the ribs, trying for a lethal blow but missed.  Not that if he'd not been more than a few meters above….well let's just say we wouldn't be having this conversation sir."

"Well I'm sure I'm not the only one glad that he didn't succeed." He looked around the room at everyone even his psychiatrist, or former, he reminded himself, he was surprised at all this, he understood Demeter, even Rebecca, but Sage surprised him as did his mother, "So how long until I get out of here?"

"Probably a couple of days still sir, I mean you're not going to die as far as I know, still some observation couldn't hurt; that is if you don't mind I mean depending on how you do in the next few hours I could clear you to go home, but I strongly suggest you take this as a momentary vacation."

He nodded his mind clearing, "that's ok, I'll take some time to think about things, right now if you don't mind doc, I'd like to talk to my friends and family alone"
Over the next few hours he recounted all that had happened.  Telling even the whole thing about him and Ophelia for those who weren't in the know; it all lead up to the culminating fight in the park and how that fell into play.  His mother was one of the many who was upset that he took such a violent route, but she excused herself sometime within the intervening hours.  Demeter was holding his hand by the end of the story, not really upset but nonetheless displeased that it came to this, not only had he lost a friend but he got hurt in the process. When the story was over he looked at Demeter dead in the eye, clear minded enough he finally asked

"Demeter Persephone Jones, so godlike they had to name you after two of them, I know we have only been together for a year; or less I'm not entirely sure. Every day we have been together has been the happiest year that I have had, you've changed me for the better almost erasing my mistakes, and I am sad that I don't have a ring; but will you do the honor of being my bride?"

The room took a collective breath and sigh, as they watched the two supposed love birds; both of them seemed happy but the next words out of Demeter's mouth proved very one wrong, "Dragon, you know I love you, but sadly right now isn't the time; I have to leave you to go on a trip to my hometown again.  I just couldn't fathom making you wait, for an answer. Don't think that this means I don't want it because I do I just think don't think right now is the time."

Caleb was struck in the heart none the less; he looked down realizing that one road had ended, and yet another was about to begin. This was the lesson of love.  As now was the time to heal, and not look back on the past in shame; he wasn't really done.  This was only the first length of a long road.

Description
                                             Chapter Thirty-Five Burning Bridges

Demeter Persephone Jones wasn't an average woman; she knew power, she knew lust, hell she even knew love.  The only thing she couldn't handle was waiting; she liked control and order, she liked helping those who needed help hell she had fallen in love with one that she was already helping.  Did that make her a bad person? No, not in her eyes

But as she sat there with Rebecca Fenris; her friend, and mentor for a long time, she could feel the anger rising off of her elder like a volcano.  Because to her mentor men were nothing but easy ways to money, no, she couldn't say that to Becca, men were simple things to please.  They were easy to manipulate; she could have any number of men wrapped around her finger in turn, but she didn't and she taught Demeter well, but Demeter chose a different path. She knew you didn't need posturing and giving in, you didn't need a solid iron hand or an exterior that didn't betray your caring nature.  Yes, Becca might be cold on the outside but if she considered you a friend; there was nothing fiercer of a protector, well maybe except for Caleb, but that she only heard from people like Sage.

She knew Rebecca's story, orphaned as a child in the UK she grew up in an orphanage with her twin sister, they were given to many foster parents, but ultimately they were considered wards of the state.  Rebecca and Rachel Fenris, you didn't have any two different and yet loving twin sister.  They were mischief makers constantly in trouble.  They both learned that men were easy to manipulate; but Rebecca was the less confident of the two so she stayed meek while Rachel learned through education; while Rebecca turned to the streets, causing jealousy from Becca to Rachel.  After two years without her sister and a few relationships that she regretted the hell out of now, Rebecca learned that it was easier to dominate men for money than through sex, so she carefully crafted the personality of a coldhearted woman who thought men were pigs. She was in character whenever at a club or with friends, though if you knew her like Demeter did you could read her like a book.  She knew what Rebecca was thinking, that this was stupid to wait for this boy.  That they were giving up power in a way showing how they cared; but no matter how she felt she would seethe in silence until they were alone, when they were all bets were off.

The doctors finally told them that he was going to be fine, though he was going to be out of action for a while longer.  They had him heavily sedated and monitored to make sure that he would lose any more blood.

"Caleb should count himself lucky; very lucky that he made it.  If it had been even a few centimeters off he would have been dead" the doctor concluded and let them alone with the unconscious boy.

They settled into chairs, Becca still shooting unkind looks either way but resigned to the fact that this was her friends pet now.  Demeter watching over him deep in thought; about everything that had happened over the past month, she came to a realization that not even Caleb has thought about: it had been a year since he released Ophelia from the collar he had given her.  They had been together for a year, it was funny how time flied. She reached over brushing the hair out of his face; he had grown a lot but not all the way she knew the biggest part of the test was coming yet she didn't know when she would have to lower it. She looked at Becca who by now had pulled a book out of her purse then back down at her injured pet, "Please be ok" she whispered as she kissed his forehead

                                                                *-_-_-_-_-*

"What is this about Shadow? You told me yourself she was meant to be mine" Caleb roared, as everything seemed to shake with his voice.  His mind was slowly crumbling as he started to rage; Shadow was looking at him calmly almost as if he expected this.
"Yes, she is meant to be yours; she is meant to help you.  I didn't say how this was going to play out or whether or not it was forever" the specter said calmly, "You yourself have learned a lot from the girl; you cannot say that you would of made it much longer without her, you owe her a lot and yes you love her.  But it's only been a year sunshine, that is in no way time enough for you to know for sure you want to be with her forever."
"Yes it is!"
The world seemed to be crumbling and the problem was that he was waking up as he was screaming so he felt hands holding him down, voices floated to the surface

You'll tear the stitches dragon. Stay still; what are you trying to say

Finally with a blast of the harsh light of the hospital room he awoke screaming from the pain that was dulled, and the pain that had been there.  Looking around the room he realized almost everyone was there, Demeter, Malvina, Angela, Rebecca, and even his mother who he noted was holding a tissue in her hand.  Though she looked nervous she still was sad over her son's predicament; this surprised Caleb as he thought if anyone wouldn't show up it would be his mother. He tried to sit up and an anguished scream came from his throat.

"Mr. Brown" came an domineering voice from the doorway, it was Airi; she wasn't in her normal business attire her body was framed in a grey shirt and a pair of jeans, her eyes screamed both concern and anger, "You have stitches where you got stabbed, I'm very surprised that you made it through this far. Hell that was why I came here; I got the call from Demeter that you had been injured and were in the hospital.  My professional side told me to stay away but at the same time I very well couldn't if you did anything stupid and ended up dead I would feel horrible that all of our work was for naught."

The thoughts that went through Caleb's head were not something meant for civil discussion; both because of the pain and because he was basically being called out by a woman who had abandoned him; yet there was a voice in his head that was telling him that this was meant. As if everything had been leading up to this moment in time; he laid back down resigned to the fact that he was in this bed yet again, or even in this building. The drugs running through his system left him half dazed yet he remembered why he was here, who had put him here and what exactly transpired.  He felt stupid for having fell for the bait, but then again he seemed to do stupid and headlong things without any real foresight.

Over the next few hours the room was very awkwardly silent as they waited for the doctor, who Mrs. Brown had excused herself to get.  Caleb's head was spinning with drugs and thought, each and every person who had meant something to him was there and yet part of him was upset, angry at Lucian for being such an asshole, angry at himself for being so dumb as to actually trust his former pet; he wouldn't be here if he had thought this through, never gone to the pet shop or even waited for someone to find him, sure he was lonely but wasn't everyone? Did he really need to learn things the hard way; these were all the questions going through his head.  He realized he was a stubborn fool, and he deserved this fate but at the same time all he wanted to do was be happy! Isn't that what everyone wants?

He looked at Demeter, and he knew if he had the strength he would ask the question burning his soul at the moment, but he didn't so he laid there looking at his goddess.

                                                         *-_-_-_-_-_-_-*

When he had come to it had scared almost everyone in the room, even Rebecca and that was a damn hard thing to do.  Demeter had held him down and she had been one of the voices he must have heard in his half consciousness; she was worried about her pet but also worried because she had received a phone call in the intervening time, it seems one of her relatives had taken a turn for the worse and was on their death bed.  So not only was she looking after her injured pet but she would have to leave him soon; and she couldn't bear to tell him.

Not that he would even realize what she was saying, she could see by his eyes that he was in a clouded and confused look still; something that had a lot to do with the pain medication that they were pumping through his bloodstream. She stroked his hair gently as they all watched him.

The doctor entered the room just then and Demeter made room for him as he went about checking all the monitors and the stitches he finally said, "Well you certainly are a lucky one Mr Brown, it's only been a few hours since you came in; I've seen people come in with something like this and not come out for weeks."

"Wh-what happened doc?" Caleb's voice was weak and half slurred he was sure.  But he had to know how or what was injured, he could feel the stitches and it felt like it was just below the ribs but he was sure that this couldn't be right.

"Well, as far as I can tell someone attacked you and stabbed you just below the ribs, trying for a lethal blow but missed.  Not that if he'd not been more than a few meters above….well let's just say we wouldn't be having this conversation sir."

"Well I'm sure I'm not the only one glad that he didn't succeed." He looked around the room at everyone even his psychiatrist, or former, he reminded himself, he was surprised at all this, he understood Demeter, even Rebecca, but Sage surprised him as did his mother, "So how long until I get out of here?"

"Probably a couple of days still sir, I mean you're not going to die as far as I know, still some observation couldn't hurt; that is if you don't mind I mean depending on how you do in the next few hours I could clear you to go home, but I strongly suggest you take this as a momentary vacation."

He nodded his mind clearing, "that's ok, I'll take some time to think about things, right now if you don't mind doc, I'd like to talk to my friends and family alone"
Over the next few hours he recounted all that had happened.  Telling even the whole thing about him and Ophelia for those who weren't in the know; it all lead up to the culminating fight in the park and how that fell into play.  His mother was one of the many who was upset that he took such a violent route, but she excused herself sometime within the intervening hours.  Demeter was holding his hand by the end of the story, not really upset but nonetheless displeased that it came to this, not only had he lost a friend but he got hurt in the process. When the story was over he looked at Demeter dead in the eye, clear minded enough he finally asked

"Demeter Persephone Jones, so godlike they had to name you after two of them, I know we have only been together for a year; or less I'm not entirely sure. Every day we have been together has been the happiest year that I have had, you've changed me for the better almost erasing my mistakes, and I am sad that I don't have a ring; but will you do the honor of being my bride?"

The room took a collective breath and sigh, as they watched the two supposed love birds; both of them seemed happy but the next words out of Demeter's mouth proved very one wrong, "Dragon, you know I love you, but sadly right now isn't the time; I have to leave you to go on a trip to my hometown again.  I just couldn't fathom making you wait, for an answer. Don't think that this means I don't want it because I do I just think don't think right now is the time."

Caleb was struck in the heart none the less; he looked down realizing that one road had ended, and yet another was about to begin. This was the lesson of love.  As now was the time to heal, and not look back on the past in shame; he wasn't really done.  This was only the first length of a long road.