zg_shadows | Four snapshots from four years

Thanks to Paul for sparking my inspiration to write this... even if it's taken me a week to complete it. Thanks to Neill for being my proof-reader. Sorry for the people I've borrowed. Oh, and the anglicifation of dialogue is on purpose... I don't like writing in scots.

Something old…

Morning sunlight flooded the room causing tiny particles of dust to sparkle around her as she inspected her image. Golden-red hair pinned in curls around the tiara… tightly laced bodice embroidered with tiny flowers… flowing cream silk to complete the gowns full skirt… and the gentle curve of her belly which was already beginning to firm, even if the cause wasn't yet noticeable… it was all a picture of what she had vowed would never happen to her. A future she had fought so hard for the right to avoid.

The small silver pendant clutched so gently in her hand felt so heavy to her heart. She had turned away from Shadow to be able to continue that fight without the repercussions falling upon his shoulders… and he was still doing everything he could to persist in that battle with the Nation… for every kin who couldn't find a way to stand up for themselves unlike she had… wouldn't leave. So many times she had tried to find the words to say how proud and grateful she was for that work… but things had changed between them. All that remained was to try and help where she could.

"Sulien has terrified the caterers into submission and everyone's ready downstairs, now we just need our blushing bride…" the cheerful voice of her best friend shattered the reverie. "Having second thoughts?"

"No." She smiled at the philodox before fastening the silver heart around her neck and collecting her bouquet. "I'm ready."

Something new…

Battle rages. Specks of old plaster irritate her eyes, screams and roars deafen her ears, and the cold of metal against her back creeps into every pore… but she shuts out all of it. Pinned down behind her makeshift barricade all she does is count slowly.

On six a bullet ricochets off a nearby wall, flying past close enough to rustle the strands of hair managing to escape her ponytail. One deep breath is the only reaction, almost as though she remained oblivious to how close her life had come to ending right at that moment.

As though on cue at the count of ten, he calls her name across the combat. Turning her head towards the shout she smiles warmly and for a split second the world seems to pause in her eyes. Just one small nod as the new clip slams into place with well trained hands and she spins back into the fray still smiling.

Something borrowed…

It was hardly a new experience to want to scream. Leaning gently against that particular tree and tossing pebbles into this particular lake… she felt as though time had taken a drastic shift backwards. Feeling the highland wind power its way through her small frame she pulled the worn plaid shawl more tightly around her but that couldn't stop the shudders. It hadn't felt so cold ten years ago.

A lot had changed for her in those ten years. To the mundane world she was a talented scientist, and respectful businesswoman. She had left this place with nothing and carved a life for herself… a life worthy of some respect. Even despite all of her anger and misgivings she had not abandoned the Nation, instead fighting every step of the way for the right to combat the wyrm. The spirits had acknowledged the renown she had earned… but here. Here none of that seemed to matter. "Why the hell did I come back?"

"Because deep down you care about what they think." She'd heard him approach, and she knew it was only because he had let her. Settling himself down beside her he threw his battered coat around them both, the size and warmth of the Garou going a long way to shelter her from the weather. "You can fight as many battles as you like, you can make the toughest warrior respect you but you'll never consider your war won 'less it's done here. He's the one that really matters to you. Stubborn as you are I think you'll do it too… part of why I love you."

She could accept that from him, listen to his low voice and look up into the earnest blue eyes without feeling the deep desire to shout at him or break something. Those eyes were so much wearier than she remembered, set in such a craggy and scarred face that anyone would think he was the elder of the pair. It pained her to think on the troubles he must have gone through to look like that. Then he broke into that cheeky grin and any tension between them, any distance that had grown up over the years, shattered in her heart. "Truth be told Ryn, I'm just glad you're speaking to me again… So, you running?"

"I'm going home. I've got a good life in London, a good family, and …" She paused and smiled. "I'm happy there."

"Never thought I'd see the day any Garou managed to put that smile on your face. Must be quite something." Aeryn blushed her confirmation as she gave him a gentle prod in the ribs, receiving a delighted chuckle and kiss to her forehead from her baby brother… quietly she wondered if this would be the last such moment they shared. Still, for now at least, she'd settle for a scrap of borrowed time.

Something blue…

Whether it had been the nightmare which had woken her or some subconscious clock didn't really matter. One blurry glance over to check the time confirmed it was likely she'd have been woken in a few minutes anyway. Taking great care to avoid disturbing her husband, she managed to get halfway to the nursery before the crying started.

Before too long she was sat in her chair by the window which looked out over the dark heath. Some nights she thought she had seen a glimpse of movement in those shadows, but seen or not there would be someone out there patrolling. It was a strangely comforting thought. A tiny flailing punch from her infant son brought her attention away from the view. With a tired smile she began to sing, an old lullaby that her Mother had sung to her, the same lullaby she had sung as a child to help Callum when he couldn't sleep. It seemed right that she used it now. Watching the boy settle her own smile strengthened. At that moment the world felt right and quietly she thanked Gaia for her blessings before trying to get some more sleep.