"What was your family's reaction to you outing yourself as a lesbian?"

"Does this mean you won't be running for President?"

"What does Adam think about having two mommies?"

"Okay!!! That's enough!!" Brianna roared, causing an almost instantaneous hush to fall over the crowd blocking their way into the Senate Building. "You can ask whatever questions you like - we don't have to answer anything, but freedom of the press and all that. But you bring a child into this and all bets are off, understood?? You leave him out of this."

The reporters blinked - stunned by the outburst and the one who had spoken. They had been so sure Senator Tagherty would be the one to react. And by the time they had shaken off their surprise, Charisma and Brianna were inside the building.

They looked at one another in stunned silence for a moment, then burst into nervous giggles. "I'm not sure that helped our case any," Charisma said through her laughter, "but that was fabulous. I don't think I've seen anything that funny in a long time. It was nice to see them get back some of what they give all the time."

"Yes, well... I probably shouldn't have spoken out of turn like that, but I really do not like reporters. And when they went after Adam...." The ringing of their cell phones simultaneously cut off her words. When Brianna answered, it was Kay on the other end and Kent was on the other side of Charisma's call. The next few minutes were spent chatting and laughing - Kay congratulating Brianna on her biting witticism that kept the press at bay; Kent ensuring both Brianna and Charisma were all right. When their calls were over, Brianna and Charisma exchanged glances and entered the lift, clasping their hands together as they headed upstairs.

"I guess we need to sit down and formulate some sort of press release. Because we both know this news has gone viral already."

"I might have something," Brianna offered. "I drafted it this morning so it's a little rough. But I think it says what we want it to." The elevator stopped and they released each other's hands as the doors opened, maintaining a sense of propriety in the workplace despite their desire to cling to one another for support. They exited together, ignoring the stares and the whispers they were getting from their colleagues and the numerous staffers apparently scattered randomly down the hallway. Brianna tugged Charisma into her office, nodding to Indi as they passed directing into the inner sanctum. Indi nodded back and continued to answer the phone that never stopped ringing.

Brianna closed the door behind them, then led Charisma directly to the couch, seating her and plopping into the cushion beside her. She popped the locks on her briefcase, and withdrew a yellow legal pad. Charisma's eyes widened in delight, recognizing the handwriting she had missed. Brianna chuckled at her expression.

"Charisma?"

"You still...." holding up the pad. "I missed this. I missed reading your raw stuff. I used to love it when you'd come in and pass me one of these. I never knew what I was going to get, but I always knew it would be good." She frowned. "Is this how Fontana writes?"

Brianna laughed. "Depends on my mood, actually - and whatever's available to me when inspiration hits. But yes... sometimes this is still the way Fontana writes."

"Good," Charisma muttered, and turned her attention to the page in front of her.

************

"And in a joint statement from the offices of Senator Charisma Tagherty and Senator Brianna Walker about the rumors flying around the capital about their illicit affair, the two had this to say...." The reporter glanced down at the screen set into her desk - though it was completely unnecessary with the teleprompter that was positioned next to the camera - before she faced the lens squarely. "While it is true that we are together in a very new romantic relationship, we have been in love for a very long time. Senator Walker recognized it in college - Senator Tagherty refused to. It is what caused us to be apart from one another for twenty years. Though we realize people want to hear the dirty laundry being aired, there is simply nothing inappropriate between us to share - no illicit affair; no secret liaisons; no hidden funny business - just two people finally acknowledging something that had been true for years. That being said, the divorce between Senator Tagherty and her husband Kent Rockwell was both mutual and amicable, and was in fact instigated at Mr. Rockwell's behest."

The reported glanced down, then back up at the camera. "Mr. Rockwell had this to say," as a monitor started rolling footage of Kent Rockwell. "Charisma and I were friends long before we decided to marry - we were content as a married couple, but we were never happy like she is now. Brianna Walker makes her happy and as her friend, I want her to be happy." He shrugged. "Who knows - maybe I'll find that kind of happiness myself."

The screen came back to the news anchor and she spoke again. "The Senators' statement continues - At some time in the near future, we will have a press conference to allow questions. Until then, we won't be answering any inquiries - please try to respect that and keep in mind that Adam Tagherty is completely off limits in all aspects. Those who have difficulty with either of those concepts will not be permitted to attend the press conference."

The reported cleared her throat. "Several of the Senators colleagues were approached by various news agencies and were basically stonewalled. We're not sure what caused this unprecedented closing of the ranks, but we'll keep digging."

************

"So what happened?" Charisma asked as she leaned forward to accept the drink from Laura. Brianna sipped on hers as she leaned back to watch the other two Senators. Laura walked from the bar and took a seat on the couch across from the one Brianna and Charisma were settled in. She studied them and shook her head even as she chuckled.

"I'm not sure - I didn't send out any instructions." She snorted. "I'm a little surprised to tell you the truth. You know how cutthroat some of the people in this business are. I'd have thought...."

"... that they'd take advantage of a perceived weakness?"

"Yes... exactly. Although," Laura turned to Brianna, "you were exceptionally forceful this morning with the press, and not many can hold their own against those vultures without the benefit of security and a written speech. Guess that being a writer thing helps you think on your feet, huh?"

"Sometimes," Brianna conceded. "Do you know who they talked to? The reporters, I mean."

"I can find out. Why?"

Brianna shrugged. "Just curious. I wonder how many of them were at Es' service."

Laura rubbed her forehead. "Why would that matter?"

"Because we both spoke about the value of friendship - it was something Es was especially good at. And everyone who was at her funeral knew that."

Laura sighed. "I wish I had known her. She sounds like she was a truly remarkable woman."

"She was, Laura. She really was."


Chapter CXIII

The knock on the door startled both of them out of their reverie. It wasn't that they had been doing anything that would cause them to be caught in a compromising position yet again - once of that was bad enough, and it had already happened twice to them. It was simply that most of the rest of heaven tended to use the celestial chimes... except for Rudy, of course. But since they had taken care to close the door completely, there was no way to be disturbed by the clearing of a throat. Still, though they were expecting a request to return to the banquet - they were the guests of honor, after all - Saphira and Esmeralda traded confused glances. They certainly hadn't anticipated a knock at their door to call them back to the festivities.

Saphira extended her hand as Esmeralda did the same and they held hands as they moved in tandem to the doorway of their home. Saphira looked at Esmeralda with a question in her eyes and Esmeralda just nodded her head. Saphira opened the door....

... and was nearly punched in the face when Amber went to bang on the door again. Only Saphira's quick reflexes kept her from harm - which only lasted until Amber could twist out of her grip and shove Saphira out of her path as she stomped in the door. Saphira's expression contorted into something less than welcoming, and it was only Esmeralda's hand on her arm that kept her from lashing out. Instead, she wrapped her body around Esmeralda's from behind and simply waited. Esmeralda covered Saphira's arms with her hands and spoke softly.

"Hello, Amber. Please come in and make yourself at home," seeing Amber was still standing in the foyer, arms crossed over her chest glowering at both of them. "What can we do for you?" Esmeralda asked, stepping forward out of Saphira's embrace and approaching Amber cautiously when the silence started to grow uncomfortable.

Amber snorted. "You're kidding me, right?" backing away from Esmeralda before she could touch her. "Do you have any idea how furious I am at the moment??" She turned her gaze to Saphira. "I can forgive Es - she was dying because we thought you were DEAD, Saphira!!! How could you do that to her, huh? How could you do that to us??" moving in close enough to take a swing and wincing when it actually connected. She had fully expected Saphira to stop the blow... just as she had at the door. Instead, Saphira just let it make contact, warning Esmeralda back with her eyes and the tiniest shake of her head. Esmeralda sighed unhappily and crossed her arms as she watched the tableau play out in front of her. She knew it needed to happen, but it didn't make her any happier to witness.

Saphira lifted a hand to her face, casually wiping blood from her nose and split lip. She stared at her hand, then glanced down at her robe, realizing she didn't really have anywhere she could wipe it. Esmeralda sighed loudly and left the foyer, confident that Amber's anger had been tempered by her action enough that nothing else crucial would happen in the few moments she would be gone. She was correct - when Esmeralda returned, neither Amber nor Saphira had moved from the spot she'd left them in.

Esmeralda slipped between them, taking care *not* to push Amber away as she tended to Saphira. She gently wiped the blood from Saphira's face and hand with a wet cloth, wincing in reflex when Saphira flinched. She patted it dry, pleased to see her ministrations were successful in stemming the blood flow. Esmeralda lightly kissed first the nose then the lips, smiling when the injuries began to heal. Then she stepped back away from the confrontation, understanding they needed to finish what had been started long before Amber had come crashing into their home.

Saphira kept her arms at her sides, looking at Amber with sadness in her eyes. "Do you feel better, Amber?" she asked with concern, no trace of anger or sarcasm in her tone. Amber studied Saphira's countenance for a minute, then dropped her gaze to the floor.

"I think your face broke my hand," she muttered. Saphira sighed and looked at Esmeralda. As a clean-up Guardian, she was much better equipped to heal than an Angel of Vengeance such as Saphira was. Esmeralda shook her head and walked between them again, catching Amber's wrist in her hands and tenderly lifting it enough to examine it.

"I think you're right," Esmeralda replied, gently manipulating the bones back into place. Amber clamped her jaw tight, grinding her teeth hard enough that Esmeralda could hear the squeak. "I'm sorry, Amber; I'm not trying to hurt you."

"I know, Es. And it's my own fault, so nothing for you to be sorry for. Can you kiss it and make it better like you did for Phira?" not seeing Saphira relax when she heard the familiarity roll from Amber's lips. But Esmeralda felt it and smiled.

"I can kiss and make it start healing - it's going to be a little uncomfortable for a bit, though. The bones still have to re-knit themselves whole again."

"I know," watching as Esmeralda ghosted her lips over her knuckles. "Thanks, Es."

"Anytime, Amber," Esmeralda offered, cupping Amber's cheek with her free hand. "Are you ready to go sit down and talk about this rationally?"

"Not really," she mumbled. "I'm still very angry." She sighed and carefully removed her hand from Esmeralda grasp. "On the other hand, we need to get this settled before the Father sends someone after us to return to the banquet. He seems kind of anxious to make His announcement... whatever it is."

Esmeralda gestured towards one side of the house, then reached back and took Saphira's hand, and together they joined Amber in the living room. They seated themselves across from her and waited for Amber to speak. Finally, Amber looked right at Saphira, staring into her eyes as though to divine the truth without speaking. When Saphira held her gaze without flinching, Amber nodded and spoke.