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As all good things come to an end.
How else are new journeys begin if the one before doesn’t end.
This was the reality the crew faced when they rolled through the gates into the OCS front yard. Mary drove the Kombi up and parked the vehicle right next to the awaiting group. It seemed the whole church were excited for their return. Many happy faces peered waiting for the Kombi's doors to open. None more excited then Michelle, Suzanne, Jillian and Michael.
“We’re back” Ava stated, leaning back into her girlfriend, she turned to her with a mischievous grin. “We’re home”
“We’re home, my love” Beatrice repeated.
The lovers started to lean in when the others barged past them.
“Come on move it! My ass is asleep!” Serita quipped.
“Leave them be sweetie they are having a moment” Camila ordered as she hopped over Beatrice and Ava. She wrapped a secure arm around Serita's waist, then turned to Beatrice and Ava with an apologetic smile. “Sorry girls” she said, then threw open the side door.
“Camila they are always having a moment!” Lilith grunted from the front.
“Oh please, like you and Mary can’t keep your hands off each other!” Ava dismissed.
Lilith turned to her and glared while Mary shrugged. “She’s not wrong and I don’t agree with Ava often”
Lilith turned to her and huffed. “you are lucky I love you”
Mary rolled her eyes, leaned and kissed her for a moment. “love you too” she whispered on her lips before kicking the door open and throwing herself out into the open air.
The others shortly followed and were immediately swept up into the arms of the three older ladies and Michael.
“We’re glad your back” Michelle stated, relieved in her tone.
“Of course” Ava laughed as they all pulled away. “Why wouldn’t ya”
They laughed.
“Well we managed to keep ourselves busy” Michelle answered. She turned to the other two ladies, sharing a knowing smile and a quick wink.
Suzanne and Jillian starred at Michelle for a moment, wide eyed and tints of pink in their cheeks. They turned back to the crew, composing themselves and hoping no one noticed.
“A lot has happened in your absence that is true” Suzanne agreed, trying not to look in Michelle’s way. For she knew one look at Michelle’s smirk her composure will come undone again. “The alliance between Tarask and Sister Warriors is growing with every day. The Pope has continued to fiance our sector and allowed us full control on how we use it. We have new state of the art armouries and training facilities” then she turned Ava with a regretful look. “In order to make sure they are up to scratch, Ava..would you be a dear and..destroy it”
And that was what Suzanne was afraid of, the sheer joy in Ava’s eyes that reeked of chaos. “I’ll be honoured”
“Excellent, Lilith do you mind being her sparing partner?”
Ava’s joy vanished to terror while Lilith’s eyes sparkled with delight. “I would be honoured”
“oh no” Ava groaned. “Why can’t I train with Bea?”
Suzanne raised her eyebrow with a tight lip smirk. “Do you really want me to answer that?” she dared her.
Beatrice turned her head to the ground, flushed red. Ava chuckled nervously, equally flushed. She raised a hand to the back of her neck and rubbed the spot. “Maybe not” she replied. She pulled her hand back and smirked “But I would have had more fun”
“And no actual damage to the facility”
“I wouldn’t say tha-“
Beatrice's attention snapped upright, she turned to Ava with a glare as she warned hush tone “darling don’t you dare bring that up”.
Ava looked up at her lover with a scared smile. “sorry love” she stepped closer and kissed her cheek. Calming Beatrice’s rage. That was until she pulled back and stated “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”
Beatrice groaned, raising her hand up and face palming her forehead.
Suzanne starred at the couple confused while the Doctor stepped forward and asked horrified “what on earth did you two do!”
“What didn’t they do” Lilith comment, shaking her head with disgust.
“I was so proud of them” Serita stated.
“It was a beautiful moment to spectate” Mary answered. “Shame they can’t go back, Bea’s a good right hand when it comes to poker”
“What happened?” Jillian asked. Her question only widening the smile on Michelle’s face.
“Well-“ Mary began.
“Don’t!” Bea interrupted.
Mary laughed at her friend, then shrugged with her hands raised up high. “Don’t shoot the messenger, but long story short, Ava and Bea are both banded from Vegas!”
“How!” Jillian demanded.
Mary was about to explain when Beatrice stepped forward past Ava. “I will gut you with my hurricane blade if you answer that!” Bea warned.
Ava looked up at her girlfriend, stepped forward and hugged her. Nuzzling her head on Bea’s shoulder. More comforting her lover and stopping her from lashing out then protecting Mary. “be nice” Ava warned at a low whisper. “that was an amazing night”
“with an embarrassing end” Bea grumbled.
“Again long story short” Serita spoke, ignoring the threatening glaze baring down at her. “Several buildings were destroyed, the whole city thought it was earth quake and when this strange lightning storm happened, well all the preachures were declaring it was God smiting them down!" Beatrice groaned, the ex nun tried to reach Serita, but Ava's strong grip around her lover held her back. Serita turned to them briefly, grinning before she turned to older ladies and declared with a plain tone "Turns out it was just them two fucking"
Beatrice groaned, dropping her head low with defeat. Collasping sideways into Ava.
Many stifled laughter was heard around them, the loudest were of Mary, Ava, Serita and Michelle.
“Seriously!” Jillian stated shocked.
“It happens” Michelle answered. “Usual case for me is tsunamis”
Jillian and Suzanne blushed bright red. Ava ripped herself from her lover with her mouth wide open and starring at the three ladies. “No way!” Ava gasped.
“Don’t start!” Michelle warned.
“That explains last month” Michael comment.
“What-!” Ava gasped.
“ANYWAY!” Jillian quickly interrupted. “Let’s all get back inside, you can meet us in the dining room once you settled in!” Jillian led the ladies and her son away. The others following behind. With Ava leading her crew with her hand in Beatrice’s.
“those three are together” Ava whispered. “they are finally together I fucking knew it!”
“language my love!” bea warned. “we’re still in a church”
“sorry babe, but you know what, I ain’t having this duckery-“
“oh no please go back to the swearing” Lilith groaned.
“what’s wrong with duckery?” ava laughed.
“it’s profoundly insane use of a word, I would much prefer actual swearing then that”
“fine, fuckery”
“better”
“as I was saying, I’m going to have a chat with them two!”
“mother superion and dr Jillian?” Beatrice asked her.
“yes”
“goodluck with that” Lilith and Mary both laughed.
“Bea you have my back on this right?” Ava asked pouting to her girlfriend.
Bea rolled her eyes and kissed Ava’s forehead. “to the end of the world” she whispered back.
On the other side of town at Jillian’s house.
The Trio returned to Jillian’s mansion, hand in hand, they sneaked through the house heading for the kitchen.
“no stop you two!” Jillian warned harshly at the laughing pair. “you will wake up my son”
“don’t you find this kind of ridiculous doctor” Suzanne chuckled.
“very now shut it!”
A light flicked on in the lounge room and all three ladies jumped, Suzanne and Michelle drawing out their knives and faced the light, shielding Jillian between them. They faced the glowing lamp and chair in the middle of the room uncertain, watching as the chair swiveled around slowly to reveal Ava. Sitting straight back in her chair with tapping the arm. “Good evening ladies” Ava greeted, in a serious tone.
“bloody hell” Jillian groaned relieved.
“ava” the other ladies sighed, sheathing their knives.
“What by the Old Gods are you doing here?” Michelle groaned.
“You two snuck out of the Cradle, where have you three been?” Ava answered.
“Out”
Another lamp turned on and another chair beside Ava swiveled around revealing Michael in his pjs. “Answer the question” he demanded.
“Michael what are you doing up!” Jillian demanded.
“Waiting for you”
“Why?”
“We just want to know Suzanne and Michelle’s intentions” Michael answered with a cheeky grin.
“We both do” Ava agreed.
“Oh absolutely not, go to be right now!” Jillian demanded.
“Okay” he answered all too easily. He grinned merrily at his mother, then focused on Michelle. “Michelle can you please read me a story?” he asked, putting on his best puppy dog eyes.
Michelle laughed at the pouting face, shaking her head. “Ah my clever trouble maker, Ava has taught you well” she laughed, walking to his side.
“Thank you” he replied. He took her hand, then turned to Jillian and Suzanne. “Goodnight Mummy”
“Goodnight” both ladies replied.
Ava’s eyebrows shot upward at their answer. Suzanne slowly realised what she said, her face widening with shock. A shared look mimicked by Michelle while Jillian beamed proudly at the two ladies. Without another word Michelle was dragged off into darkness. Leaving Jillian and Suzanne alone with Ava.
“So ladies” Ava began, returning her composure back to an unusual seriousness rarely seen from her. “Before I begin to investigate weather you two are suitable for my mother, shall I enlighten you with a fact?”
“Continue?” Suzanne replied suspiciously.
“Did you know you can gut a fish to see where it’s been” she hinted, tilting her head slightly downward and casting a dark glare over the ladies.
Suzanne caught the meaning and smiled at the threat.
Jillian shock her head “Sure, but what does that have anything to do with this?”
“Just to keep in mind” Ava replied with a low shrug.
“Would you do that?” Suzanne inquired.
“Do what? Gut us?” Jillian asked confused.
“Not to worry ladies, we just want to make sure we are all on the same page. That your intentions are honourable” Ava replied. She reached behind her and pulled from her back a glass of whiskey. She raised the glass to her lips and sipped slowly. Her eyes shifting white. “I hate to get rid of another body” Other Ava spoke as they pulled the glass down.
“Very well” Suzanne responded, her tone full of pride despite the threat thrown her way.
Jillian raised her eyebrow at the woman and said “Okay Godfather calm it down a notch, where did you get that whiskey from?”
“From my very many skills” Other Ava retorted, standing upright. She took another sip, then lowered the glass by her side and approached slowly. In one blink of her eyes, Ava was back in control, starring unblinking at the ladies. Challenging their stare to see who would blink first. “So, you intend on dating my mother, both of you?”
“Yes” they both replied.
“And you care for her?”
“We do”
“How long has this started?”
“A month after you left for holiday?”
“And how do you feel for her?”
The ladies turned to each other and stared, sharing an unspoken agreement. They focused back on Ava and admitted. “We love her”
The Halo Bearer’s serious composure dropped, with a drop of her hat. She grinned brightly at the ladies and declared “now that’s all I want to hear” she started to walk away before she stopped, turned to them and declared. “Now since I actually do like you two, I am going to warn you, this won’t let up on my teasing of you threes relationship and Michael plans to do the same!”
Jillian smiled, shaking her head “You two are as thick as thieves”
“Great minds think alike, goodnight” she turned and sprinted, disappearing with a flash of light.
“Oh my good giddy aunt what was that!” Jillian groaned, throwing her head back.
“She turned into my father” Suzanne answered, she turned to Jillian with a proud smirk. “I’m so proud of her in this moment, shame it was directed at us”
“I can think of one hundred more actuate words to call it then shame” Jillian laughed. “I just felt twenty years younger, except I should be standing on a bloody stairwell watching my date go through this scare factor bullshit, not me living it!”
Suzanne laughed, shaking her head. “Don’t worry, she’s only doing this to tease her mother”
“Don’t I know it!” Michelle’s voice spoke from the hallway entrance, she watched the women turn to her, before marching over into the light. “Don’t worry loves, I will get her back tomorrow and every day on until we are done!”
“Oh dear this isn’t going to stop” Jillian groaned.
“One day it will” Michelle promised. She captured both ladies by their hips, then leaned forward and kissed each woman passionately on the lips. Pulling back and whispering in the space between them. “Let’s just enjoy the night”
“Are you sure my son is in bed?” Jillian asked.
“He is and sound asleep, he won’t hear a thing” Michelle promised.
“Still, best to leave that silencer charm on. Especially with your set of lungs” Suzanne warned smugly.
Michelle turned to her with a mock offended look. “You’re one to talk dear" her grin darkned as she spoke "or shall I remind you”
Suzanne scoffed, shaking her head.
Jillian turned in the grasp to face both ladies with a smug seductive look. “I vote reminding both of you how loud I can make you two”
Suzanne and Michelle turned to each other, then focused back on Jillian. Suzanne stepped forward, grasped Jillian by the back of the head and kissed her passionately. Michelle smiled as she watched the pair make out before her. She pulled them close and teleported the trio into Jillian’s room. For a night of passion between the Trio.
One Month later
The crew laid sprawled on the roof for Cat’s Cradle. In the arms of each other’s lovers. They watched in silence the sun rising over the town. It had become a tradition of theirs to watch the sunrise and set, no matter where they were in the world or what they were doing. It started the last time they went to fight Adriel together. This became their ritual and since that day, they wouldn’t trade this rare moment of absolute calm for the world.
“Looks like you lost the bet Baby girl” Mary remarked, breaking their silences.
Lilith groaned, throwing her head into the tiles. “I was sure Ava wasn’t going to last this long”
“Hey I don’t know why you are betting on me in the first place!” Ava retorted, pulling her head away from Beatrice’s chest. “I don’t start trouble”
“YOU DO!” the girls stated together before bursting into laughter.
“Oh ha ha ha!” Ava retorted, shaking her head. “Just you watch, next bout of trouble won’t be because of me!”
“I very much doubt that Angel wings!” Mary declared.
“Sorry girl, but its true, you always start trouble!” Serita apologised.
“Always!” Lilith reinforced.
“How dare you all! Camila?” Ava begged
“You do Ava, its always you who starts it! The moment we see you running we know you did something wrong!” Camila answered lightly.
“What that’s not far I run all the time!”
“We know, cause you are running away from whatever mess you caused!”
“Traitors! The Lot of you!” Ava declared dramatically. The others laughed at her expense. She twisted in her seat inbetween Beatrice’s legs and asked “Bea my love, light in my life, love of my life here on out and all the lives followed. Do you believe them?”
Beatrice smiled at her lover. She leaned down and kissed Ava’s lips, then pulled back and replied softly “you do”
“Oh that’s it!” Ava whined, pulling herself upright. “The hurt, the betrayal!”
“Stop being so dramatic my love”
“Fine” Ava huffed with a cheeky grin. “Only for you” she leaned back and kissed Beatrice. Pulling back moments later to rest her head on Beatrice’s chest, twisted to face her friends. “So what’s the next guess? A month? Two months from now? A week?”
“Oh no we aren’t telling you that!” Mary declared.
“Why not?”
“Because you will bid against it or use Beatrice to bid against it, then pull off some ridiculous stunt so you and Bea can share the prize money!”
“hmm” Ava hummed. “Well you aren’t wrong”
Suddenly Ava’s alarm on her phone started blasting in her pocket.
Ava ripped out her phone confused, looked down at the alert for a moment and her eyes widen with glee. “okay then” she huffed. She turned off the alarm and thrust it back in her pocket.
“My love?” Bea asked confused.
“Gotta go” Ava answered. She turned in her spot, pushed herself up onto her knees and pushed Bea back down. Kissing her passionately, despite the many groans and whines around them. She pulled back when they were both breathless. Grinning down at her lover, Ava stated “Sorry love I gotta go shopping, I’ll be back by lunch, if not then by dinner” she cupped her lovers face and whispered “I’ll be back soon, I love you”.
"love you too"
Ava kissed her temple then leapt to her feet, running to the edge of the Cradle’s building.
“Wait what exactly are you doing?” Bea asked, pulling herself upright.
Ava stopped and turned to her, excited. “Shopping, I’ll be back soon don’t worry”
Bea smiled, shaking her head “Why do I feel like you are about to throw yourself into trouble?”
“Never throw, I’m more like a stumble in the wrong yet right direction”. Ava raised two fingers to her head and saluted the group. “See you all later” she wished. The Halo Bearer stepped backwards and fell off the building.
The group suddenly raced to their feet, calling Ava’s name as they peered over the edge.
“SEE YOU ALL LATER!” Ava wished. She walked backwards away from them, waving goodbye before turning and sprinting straight for the gates.
“USE THE STAIRS NEXT TIME!” Mary shot back. She pulled back, throwing her hands on her hips and shook her head. “tsk, she’s going to be the death of me one day”
“Place your bets, what trouble is she getting up to now?” Serita stated.
“At this early hour? Anything” Lilith dismissed with a short wave of her hand.
“Well unlike you girls, I have faith in her” Camila stated, turning to face the girls.
The girls in question turned to her with a questioning eye.
“You are only saying that cause you are the next closet for the bet” Lilith stated.
“Only four more days to go” Camila laughed.
Beatrice rolled her eyes at their antics. “Let’s get a move on, the day is young and my love isn’t known for starting trouble this early in the day. Besides we have training to get to”
“You’re right, we should wait three hours before getting the call” Mary comment.
The girls laughed as they tear themselves away from the roof and began heading for the inside stairwell. Each of them hoping they were right, that Ava wasn’t about to start anything or get them dragged into another troublesome situation.
They hoped to God, but fate always has other ideas for the Crew.