Merry wiped the tears from her eyes and got up the strength to face 
the obstacles ahead. She was just leaving the bedroom
when there was a knock on the front door. There was movement to
indicate that one of the guards got up to go answer the door. She
entered the living room, just as Galin opened it, to see a shadowed
figure standing there. As she came closer to the frame, she realized
who the person was. The female that was standing on the front porch
at this hour was Alexandrite, her personel secretary and best friend.
She was five feet six, with burgandy hair. You could almost have said
she stuck her head in a wine barrel, cause it was so red with purple
highlights. She was big built, but mostly in a muscular way and had
the skin of a cheetah's coat. Her eyes were a tricolor of blues and
greys, with pointy ears that stuck up through her hair, like little
antennae. Alexandrite had a lot of things in common with Merry, one
of those was being half human. Merry went to the door to greet her
friend with a hug. It was good to see a smiling face in a time of need.

"Hey Mer," Alexandrite said.

"Hey yourself," Merry replied.

After their brief greeting, the two woman stood looking at one 
another.  Alexandrite was the first to break the silence.

"Sorry to barge in on you this late at night, but I had the feeling
something was wrong. I came by to make sure you were ok," she said.
Merry gave her friend a small smile and moved away from the door.

"It's alright. You want to come in," Merry asked.

"That will be fine," Alex answered.

Alex walked in to see the guards lounging around the living room. Her
eyes caught sight of a blue guard and knew he must of been new. She
looked over her shoulder at Merry and asked, "So who's the new guy."
Merry glanced between Pippin and Alex introducing the two. "Pippin
this is Alexandrite. Alexandrite this is Pippin," she said.

"Hello," chimed Pippin.

"Hey," returned Alex.

The other guards knew Alex well.  They'd often had her run errands for
them at work. They were glad to see Alex tonight in their own little
way. Merry needed a good shoulder to cry on to ease the nights event.
 
"So what's up," Alex asked.

Merry broke down and told her friend about the events that had
befallen her of late. She told her about the call from Queen Andais, 
Doyle's departure, and the arrival of the new guards. She went on to
tell her of the trap set for her at the church and what had been 
happening at court. Merry finished it with the call from Laurella. 
Alexandrite realized the visions she had been having were all coming 
true. If they didn't do something quick, Taranas would have control 
over both courts. 

"I don't like this Mer. All my visions are coming true. If something
isn't done, Taranas will be supreme ruler of the courts and that's not
a good thing," Alex stated.

"You think he's really behind it Alex?" Merry asked as she sat down on
the sofa beside Rhys. Alex just stood, waiting for Merry to give her
permission to be seated.

"All the dreams I'm having have come true. At first I thought they
were just nightmares, but now I know they are real. The last one I had
was of Taranas seating on the throne of both courts," Alex stated
looking worried.

Merry knew her friend was telling the truth. She had often seen her
friend use her gifts to help out the agency or the police. Merry knew
what Alex was saying was true, but for tonight she wanted to leave all
her troubles behind and have fun with her best friend and guards.
Alexandrite had always been a good friend no matter what Doyle and
Frost had said about her being a witch.

Merry patted the sofa next to her and said, "Come Alex, have a seat
and stay awhile. We're watching movies and having popcorn."

Alex smiled at her friend and sat down. For the rest of the night they
finished watching movies, talked, and had some fun, leaving behind the
horrors of the day.