Hamish turned towards Cash, a look of anger and pain on his face “Fine” he replied, dropping Severus so quickly the wizard fell to his knees and took a deep, gasping breath. “But it better be good.”

Cash sighed and shook his head as he looked from Hamish to Snape. “It is.” he assured Hamish. “Rick, let him be, I promised Angel I wouldn’t kill him, never once did I tell her I’d take care of him.” Cash added as he saw Rick going to assist the professor. “So Hash, you calm enough to listen now?”

“I’m listening” Hamish replied as he folded his arms across his chest, almost defying Cash to convince him there was any good reason to not destroy the man. “and it had better be convincing.”

“I found it convincing, or perhaps interesting, enough to let him live.” Cash pushed himself away from the wall and casually sauntered towards Hamish. “You like Sirius, don’t you? Think he’s be a good match for Angel, a decent father to her son, a solid protector, a leader of the clan?”

“Sure, we’ve discussed this before. He’s almost perfectly suited for the role” Hamish replied, slightly confused “But that’s all the more reason to destroy this one. He wants to steal Angel away and harm Sirius, perhaps even Harry….” he paused when he saw Cash waving his hand between them.

“He would never harm Harry, that much even I believe. But I agree with you on the rest.” Cash interjected, “Now, knowing all of this, and understanding Angel’s unexplainable, yet real affection for this man. What would you say if I told you not only had Angel made me swear not to kill him, but Sirius himself begged me to let this man live the night Angel was attacked?” Cash smirked as he saw the look of disbelief spread across Hamish’s face. “That’s right” he nodded “the one man who would challenge him for our mortal child’s affections, the man that would sooner see him tortured and falsely imprisoned for a crime that doesn’t even exist.”

Hamish dropped his arms to his side and shook his head “But why? If this man were gone, Sirius’s life would become so much easier. It doesn’t make sense.”

“Yes, actually, it does,” Cash said as he grinned widely “Sirius is a man of honour and compassion. He knew this man had nothing to do with harming Angel, and he understood how deeply his death would hurt her. So he threw aside his own best interests for the benefit of Angel and Harry. And at that very moment, I decided he would be her husband. He loves them more than his own life, he can put the joy of others before his own needs, and he is a brave and honourable man. He will make a fine leader, a loving husband, and a caring father.”

Severus stared at Cash, a look of complete disbelief on his face, Black had begged this monster to spare ‘his’ life. “You must be lying. There is no possible way Black would do anything to save me, he himself tried to kill me once.” Severus paused as he saw the look on Cash’s face and realized the Gangrel was telling the truth. “Fine, then he had ulterior motives, he knew Catri would never forgive him if……”

Joshua surveyed the scene before him and felt his temper rise, no longer able to hold his tongue, he shouted at the professor. “What do you know of the Angel? Do you think because you shared her bed you know her heart? And yes, I know she went with you, we all are aware of it, including several beings who are taking it badly. They seem to think you did something to her to make her want to come with you.” Joshua added as he walked closer and closer to Sev. “I can think of two Nosferatu in particular who are extremely disturbed by the idea. They are currently speaking to their princes about calling a blood hunt for you. They want to question you ‘personally’ on the matter.”

“Neutral corner Ventrue.” Cash barked out, abruptly ending the confrontation. “No blood hunts for the wizard tonight. We have more important prey to hunt. I trust you have spoken with Prince Julian.” he paused as Joshua bowed politely. “Good, because Prince Daithi is now involved.”

“Daithi?! But he rules all of …” Joshua became suddenly silent as he realized the wizard was still there, listening to every word they spoke. “Is he willing to help us?”

“At Angel’s request?” Cash smirked “Of course, and the chance to finally rid the night of that accursed Tremere doesn’t hurt either. The hunter Brutus has been summoned and will be here shortly. The blood hunt will be announced shortly.”

“Blood hunt! But how? Isn’t a scent needed?” Joshua gasped, “Were you able to take his blood Cash?”

“Not enough for a hunt” Cash sighed “But Angel on the other hand, well, we have more than we need to call a hunt across several continents.”

“Angel? How was she able to” Joshua paused as he saw the looks on the faces of the Gangrel. “Is she alive? Did he kill her?” he asked, a panicked edge evident in his voice. He felt his stomach churn as the thought of what a monster like Gustavas could do to a frail creature like Angel. Joshua was lost in his own thoughts until he felt Cash’s hand on his shoulder.

“She is safe now. She took her son with her to Fernglennis, nothing can harm them there.” He held up his hand to stop Joshua’s objections “No Joshua, believe me, she is safer there than anywhere in this or any other world. Even Prince Daithi could not offer her the protection that Fernglennis can. The very Earth would rise to defend her there, she is tied to the land and the clan and are allies surround her at every moment.”

“So how did she manage to steal enough of his blood for the hunt?” Joshua asked, truly curious as to how anyone could do such a thing.

“He called her out after she rescued us. He probably thought we were all dead and she would be easily beaten in her depression and guilt.” Cash sighed “But he didn’t count on her love or her strength. She healed us all, Harry, Sirius, myself…. By the time the Tremere showed up to try and finish her…well, there was more rage in her than anything else. She almost died, but managed to take his hand before she apparate back to us.”

“His hand?! His entire hand?” Joshua gasped “But how? And is she well enough to have travelled? If anything happens to her there will be a war, she is the only thing holding the alliance together at the moment.”

“I know, believe me, I know. Why do you think the Tremere are hunting for her and not someone like me or ….” he cast a sideways glance at Snape and scowled. “We all know the cost if anything happens to her. I’m counting on the Ventrue, Toreador and Brujah to remember that as well. As it is the Caitiff and Gangrel would kill or die for her.”

“So you are comfortable that she is well?” Joshua asked, he needed to know, but he was hesitant to push the Methuselah any further than he must.

“If she wasn’t when she got there, she will be shortly.” he grinned as he stepped away from the Ventrue and draped his arm over Hamish. “After all, she took her son, husband and best friend with her. I have no doubt they will do ‘anything’ to keep her safe, healthy, happy….and warm.” he added dryly as he looked directly at the potion master………

As Sirius walked through the house wondering what surprise he would come upon next, he paused as the hallway broke off in two different directions. Thinking he heard the sound of children playing, he decided to take that direction and see if anyone there had seen Cat lately. He had to find her, he knew he had to at least try to explain things to her, although he had no idea how he would be able to do it.

He ran through possible conversations in his head, just coming out and saying it was completely out of the question. He just couldn’t be that blunt, especially knowing she would be upset enough with him for keeping such a secret for so long. He thought about offering her a bouquet of flowers first, after all, she always adored flowers, but changed his mind when he remembered all the flowers Snape kept giving her. “Alright boyo, lets think this through, in the end she can only do two things, accept you or turn from you.” he said as he thought out loud.

“Do you honestly think she would turn from you my boy?”

Sirius jumped with fright at the sudden sound of another voice, looking behind him, he paused and then sighed “Merlin, what are you doing out of Cash’s mind?”

“Out of Cash’s…… Do you think I ‘live’ there all the time?” Merlin asked indignantly “Do lets try to use our heads, shall we? He has enough trouble managing his own mind without me traipsing around it constantly. Not that it isn’t an amusing place to pass away a few weeks.” he added, winking playfully at Sirius. “Now, what is this about her turning from you?”

“Nothing, I was just thinking out loud, weighing my options as it were.” Sirius explained as he and Merlin fell into step with each other.

“Options, you have options?” Merlin replied “I had no idea….. So, what are they?”

“Very funny” Sirius said flatly “Are you always this helpful?”

“Now, now my boy” Merlin soothed “I am only saying this because I know you and her far better than either of you can possibly imagine. And I had a little chat with my godchild not more than an hour ago.” he paused as he saw Sirius’s eyes grow large. “Yes, she is very near to us now, and the only things preventing her from coming to you are another man she is fond of, although even she admits she is not ‘in’ love with him, and a particularly hurtful moment from your combined past.” Merlin turned his head for a moment, trying to think how best to say this “It seems she remembers all to clearly the pain you caused her when you broke her heart. She has forgiven you over time, but she has never been able to forget your actions, they hurt her too deeply.”

“I know, it was stupid and heartless and I still don’t have a good reason for what I did.” Sirius replied “But I can’t change what’s happened, although I swear I’ll spend the rest of my life gaining her trust back.”

“At the rate you’re going, it may take that long” Merlin deadpanned “Tell me, what are you waiting for?”

“Divine intervention?” Sirius replied as his shoulders slumped.

“Trust me, you don’t want that” Merlin stated firmly “it’s always messy, and I’ve yet to see anything divine intervene that didn’t leave at least one person dead.” he chuckled softly when he saw the look on Sirius’s face. “If I were in your shoes, or boots as the case may be, I would be speaking with her at the first opportunity. She is a forgiving woman and she still loves you, but if you keep avoiding telling her the truth, she will come to believe that you have lied to her, and that she will not find easy to forgive.”

“I know, but what if she doesn’t want me anymore, I don’t think I could bear that much pain.” Sirius explained “She might as well tear my heart out.”

“Well, it seems melodrama runs in the family. And I doubt she would simply refuse you, after all her son thinks of you as a father.” Merlin said, doing his best to encourage Sirius. “And look at it this way, is the half life you’re living now any less painful than one without her? You lurk in the shadows as another man woos her, softens her heart, and what can you do but watch and sulk? You are here now. This is one of the few places you are a free man Sirius, take advantage of it. Tell her how much you love her, how sorry you are for what happened, tell her how they condemned you to Azkaban, of your escape. Take this one and only opportunity you have been granted. Tell her everything and then win her heart back. Help her heal”

“Heal?!” Sirius yelped, “What do you mean heal? Was it her battle from this afternoon? I knew she was tired, but she seemed so much better once she was with clan.”

“She is still tired from today, yes, but this wound goes much deeper than any physical injury.” Merlin explained as he gently pushed Sirius towards a door. “She’s been waiting for this wound to close for nearly seventeen years, I think its more than past time you tend to this.” Merlin stationed Sirius in front of the entrance to a room as he gently pushed the heavy wooden door…..

Sirius saw Cat sitting on the large sofa in front of the fire, reading while the small children played in the play yard a few feet away. His heart ached as he found himself thinking how this should have been them, the children theirs...

“Cat” Sirius said softly as he entered the room, he waited until she looked up at him, relieve beyond words to see a soft smile on her face. He hovered near the doorway, trying to gather the courage to start explaining things to her, “Are you really sure you want me here, I will leave if you ask me to.” he asked, feeling badly that Albus and Harry had strong armed her into taking him along.

“Do you really think I’m that cold hearted Sirius” Cat asked a wounded look on her face. “Harry loves you like a father, do you honestly think I would force him to choose.”

“No.” he said walking over to her “I know you to well to even think that.” he sat down next to her, hesitantly he touched her cheek as he turned her to face him “I miss you so much. How many times can I apologize for what I’ve done.” the tears were beginning to spill out of his eyes. “When are you ever going to forgive me? I swear I never meant to hurt you.”

“I forgave you a long time ago Sirius.” she said softly, “but the pain is still there,” she explained as she brought her hand up to her heart “I’ve never been able to make it go away” her eyes were filling with tears already. “I just wish I knew why you suddenly turned on me, why you hated me..”

“No gra, I never hated you, I was angry and hurt, but never, never did I hate you.” Sirius insisted as he sat next to her and held her hands in his own. “When I saw you dancing with Snape like that, … I though you didn’t love me anymore.”

Cat hung her head as guilty memories flooded her mind at the mention of Severus’s name “I wouldn’t have been dancing with him at all if you hadn’t have stood me up.” she replied softly as she attempted to remove her hand from his.