by Rob Preece
He shook his head. “I can't go back to what I was, Ivy. I'm with you until you tell me you can't use me."
It was an awesome responsibility. But as the memories returned, Ivy realized it wasn't her responsibility alone. She and Zack had shared. They were partners.
"I can't see the way I used to, Zack. When I returned to your world, I closed my third eye and can't open it. I can't see into your heart any more. It scares me."
"If you want to know what my heart has to say, how about this? We're in a church. We know the priests. Why not get married. I don't know how long the two of us will be around, given the way trouble has of finding us out. But I'd rather spend what time is given to us as your husband and lover."
Ivy felt the corners of her mouth turn upwards. A smile. “The Goddess cannot be limited."
"Which means?” He didn't look happy.
"I don't know where my future will take me, only that I have more to accomplish.” Memories were coming back now, as the overpowering presence of the Goddess, in all of her glory, faded from her, leaving her diminished, but still transformed from what she had been.
"You've done enough. Surely we deserve a break."
She laughed. “I said the same thing. But I still have things to offer to the world."
"What about me?"
"You do, too, Zack. If you want a family, a wife and children, you can have those."
He got a stubborn look in his eyes. “I want to be with you."
"But I can't offer you those things, Zack. Not now. Maybe never."
"All right."
"All right, you'll take the family?"
"No, Ivy. All right, I'll take you, no matter what conditions that come attached."
"The Foundation is still out there, Zack. Smith won't be coming back, but others will be looking for tools to rush the end times. If you stay with me, you're dooming yourself to more of what we've faced."
Zack caught her hand and held it. “If I can be Sancho Panza to your Don Quixote, that's good enough for me. And if the promises of the Temple of Aphrodite can come true, I'm even more happy with that."
"All right.” AS she said those words, a wave of joy washed over her. Yes, the Goddess demanded, but she rewarded as well. Ivy couldn't give Zack the life he'd dreamed of. There would be no growing old together, surrounded by loving children and grandchildren. Against the power that remained to the Foundation, against the powers that had been unlocked during those moments when the Cross had come together, they could only battle without hope of complete victory.
Still, having Zack at her side made her think that they could win some battles. Perhaps, in time, they could even explore the promise that Aphrodite had made.
"We must leave then,” she continued. “And I'm counting on you to come up with a plan, Captain."
He laughed. “As long as we're a team, Sergeant."
She wrapped her veil more tightly around her, then stopped and looked at it. The stars glittered even in the Church's darkness. So, maybe they weren't so completely ill-equipped for the future after all.
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