Z2

Defenders of the Earth: This Is Their Story

By Marzena

Plot: Season 1, Episode 7

Chapter 2: Beautiful

Two pairs of mysterious dark eyes, gazing at each other, getting lost in the moment, trying to hold on to that special moment, never wanting to forget.

You're beautiful, my love.

And you're such a charmer, Mandrake. Really.

Ah ... you don't like being charmed, then?

I love being charmed, dear. But then again, you already know that.

Indeed, I do.

She hadn't changed much. Beautiful was still the first thing that came to his mind. Pale skin, big dark eyes, the body of a very attractive woman, and long, dark curls whose color had always reminded him of the blackest of nights. Beautiful, still so beautiful.

She'd been looking beautiful the day she'd left, too. They'd been talking, laughing, everything had been as usual. He'd been happy, full of plans for their future together. And she'd not once given any indication that she wanted out. But she didn't come home that night. She'd never come home again. Her things were gone from her room, and he had been sick with worry until he'd found her letter. Then, his worries had turned into hurt and anger. But it hadn't stopped him from searching for her. Luckily, she'd always been good at hiding.

And now there she was, right at his doorstep, her long curly hair framing her beautiful pale face. Long, dark lashes hid her deep black eyes. And then she smiled like nothing had ever happened.

"I'm back," she simply stated.

Yes, he could see that. She had come back many times in his dreams and hopes, but this, this was real. He could see it, he could even smell her perfume, the smell as mysterious as the woman standing in front of him now.

"Mandrake?" she whispered, her voice as sexy and suggestive as he had remembered it for all those years. "Aren't you going to greet me?"

"Cathleen," he managed to say, still not moving aside to let her enter his home. The last time he'd invited her in, she'd left again and she'd broken his heart in the process.

"Ah," she replied, sounding somewhat amused. "So you do remember my name then?"

"I do," he curtly replied, finally not at a loss of words anymore. "I remember you clearly, my dear. Weren't you the one leaving many years ago?"

There was a short pause, but she didn't seem to mind the mentioning of her departure at all. But then again, this was Cathleen. Ever so mysterious.

"I'm sorry," she finally said. "Back then, I was very young and, well, frankly, I don't have much of an excuse. It's a long story, Mandrake. One I'd rather not discuss on your doorstep."

"I don't know if I really want to know," he said, still not moving aside. "All this was over and buried a long time ago now, Cathleen. So why tearing it all up again? Why are you here?"

"To talk. To explain. Because I've had my reasons, and because this is just something I have to do. Please, Mandrake, do hear me out."

He didn't want to, and she had to know that. But he'd never been able to be mad at her for long, and he certainly never had been able to deny her something. Fine. She'd get her chance, and then he'd ask her to leave. To leave for good this time.

"You have five minutes," he said coolly, finally stepping aside and opening the door for her to enter.

"I don't need more than that," she replied, smiling one of her beautiful smiles, then walking past him without a second glance. Always so mysterious, always so very sure of herself.

Little did he know then that she would never really leave his life again.

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Article

Author

Chapters

1: Death

April and the other Gordons face a tragedy.

2: Beautiful

Mandrake is reunited with a romantic interest.

3: Peace and Quiet

Flash is thrown into an unexpected struggle.

4: Nightfall