Under the Bridge [Emma]

[Cian Lawrence]

But it was about her. It was all about her and the kids. He was doing this --staying strong-- for her and them. He didn't care if he lost himself, not in the long run. Despite what he had told Emma, he would not hesitate to die before causing any of his family any sort of pain or distress.

But he would need to focus. He would need to concentrate on himself; for their sake. So that he could be better and not be a threat to them anymore. So he could just be Daddy and Dadaaaa and Cian and a husband to them.

And then Emma was calling the children over and Cian fought against the sky-rocket his blood pressure pulled. Because...shit. Could he handle being near them? Now that he knew? Swallowing, he held onto his control. Maura climbed into his lap immediately, brimming with a sunny smile and babble at him about something or other. Cian felt his heart swell with love for the little girl but something...something was niggling...at the very back of his mind...something...

Reaching out, Cian dropped a soft hand to Oliver's head, ruffling the boy's hair. Relief came almost instantaneously. Oliver really was the miracle elixir here. Letting out a slow, shake sigh, Cian closed his eyes gently.

[Emma Lawrence]

Some of his stress seemed to be alleviated when he put his hand on Ollie's head. The boy reacted immediately, smiling up at him, pleased at the attention he was receiving. He even leaned into the subtle curve of Daddy's waist, laying his body weight against him and playing with his large, calloused fingers. Emma smiled, weakly, but took the liberty to scoop up her daughter, resting her on one of her criss-crossed legs, peering into her majestic eyes and kissing her cheek.

Briefly wondering about what this meant for their future family plans, she glanced up to see how Cian was handling the children being around. It was nightmarish to think that this could last years--even a lifetime. She refused to breed for Azrael again. Knowing parts, however small, of him were inside Ollie made her blood boil and brain blow a fuse.

"Cian?" she prompted, visibly trying to tone down the concern in her voice, although the urgency was prominent. Something wasn't right. Something came over his face that told her to put the kids away, something could happen... Biting down on her lip, she cradled Maura closer to her chest. "Cian, are you okay?"

[Cian Lawrence]

Cian grinned gently at Oliver, pulling him closer to his side. "Yeah," he murmured to his wife. And for once, he meant it. Mostly, at least. He could still feel something lingering, bubbling beneath the surface. Something that he now knew was Azrael. But for the moment, he was okay. Oliver made it better. The Azrael in him, Cian guessed, somehow negated the effects. He was with his family and they would (somehow) find a way. A way to get this out of him.

"Yeah, I think I'm good," he said softly, passing a light smile to her. Maura, in Emma's lap, gave him a pout though, aware of the attention that her brother was recieving and that she wasn't. "Dada?" she requested. Cian snuffed out a chuckle and tapped her nose. "I see you Maura Erin," he assured her. That seemed to satiate Maura enough as she clapped happily, beaming.

Something tightened in Cian's chest. But he ignored it. Tried to ignore it.

[Colleen]

To the moon and back

She felt like it'd been forever since she'd visited Cian, Emma and the bunch. Her mouth twisted as she sat in the cafe with her charge sitting across the table from her. "Everythin' okay?' She waved him off. "Yeah, yeah. Just.. I miss my brother." She smiled softly. "Hey, you think you're okay for a bit?" She asked, gathering her coat.

"Yeah, I'll be fine. If I need you, I'll holler." He grinned. "You do that." She laughed, patting his shoulder as she started off. "Better find a place where I won't be seen orbing." She chuckled to herself before heading down an alley.

Looking around to make sure the coast was clear, she took off. Orbing into their living room, she turned around in time to hear; "I see you Maura Erin," Grinning, she shoved her hands into her pockets and shrugged. "And what am I?" She smiled. "Chopped liver?" She quipped with a grin.

[Emma Lawrence]

Cian's affirmation wasn't satisfactory, but she let him be. Picking at his brain might send him over the edge. As much as he'd insisted he wouldn't go down the same road, she did not need a repeat of Saikoro and his mood swings. Any shortness of temper wouldn't be a good thing for any of them, but especially himself and the kids. She knew she could handle most anything--most.

Maura shifted in her lap and Emma laid her head on the back of the couch. "What, Mo? Mum's not good enough for you? Gotta have Da's approval?" Using more Irish slang than usually around Maura was beginning to become a habit. Despite her jealousy, she wanted to increase Maura's adaption to the accent as much as she could. It was adorable besides. The words were hollow but underneath she--perhaps--would concede to being a little envious of Cian and how Maura seemed to connect to him more naturally. Nothing to be bitter about, because after all, she was only a baby. Just enough head-butting to prepare her for the pubescent years.

"And what am I? Chopped liver?"

Turning her head over her shoulder after jumping at the sound of a new voice, she offered a weak smile, eyes still rimmed in red. "Hey, Coll." Angels popping up everywhere, demons controlling her husband, no new baby in a year if this continued, new job, what next? Her stomach ached at the thought of something happening to the children and she curled her arms tighter around Mo.

Maybe Colleen could ease some of Cian's tension.

[Cian Lawrence]

"What am I? Chopped liver?"

Cian looked up. Seeing his sister before then brought a slight smile to his face. "Heya, Coll-Coll," he greeted her. Ruffling Oliver's hair, he rose to give her a hug. But something made him stop. Turn. Go back to Emma. Seeing his wife's face he knew she was still upset. Frowing a little he crouched to cradle her face in his hands. He handled her gently, tracing the hollows under her eyes with his thumbs. "We'll be all right, love," he promised her in a quiet voice. They had to be.

Ducking in, he dropped a chaste kiss to her lips before moving to Colleen. "What's new, sis?" he asked, giving her a steady hug.

[Colleen]

"Hey, Coll."
"Heya, Coll-Coll, We'll be all right, love,"

Did she miss something? She looked around, everything seemed to look normal. Did someone die? That's what it felt like to her, there was this... sadness and apprehension hanging in the air, mixed with anxiety and despair.

"What's new, sis?"

She wrapped him into a hug, smiling softly. "I just missed the family." She paused a moment. "Well, what family I have.. here." She grinned softly, but then saw Cian's face and it dropped just as quickly as it came.

"What's wrong?"

[Emma Lawrence]

The tables were turned now; roles reversed? Shouldn't she be the one comforting him, telling him they would be all right? Not about to turn down the calm affection he was offering, she accepted the kiss and the words without protest, though her brain was defying urgently. Nodding, she released the most shallow of sighs before setting her eyes on him and Colleen sharing an embrace.

Words were exchanged, then, and the other female asked what was wrong. In a gesture that disregarded her as an option to be the one to answer, Emma turned back to focus on the children, who were sitting placidly on the couch once again, caught up in some hand game they'd made up on the spot.

"Daddy cryin'," Ollie informed Colleen absently, still concentrating on the motions of Maura's hands. "Me and Mo came in here an' made him feel all betta."

[Cian Lawrence]

Cian licked his lips at his sister's question. What's wrong? What wasn't wrong? He didn't know what to tell his sister, how much he should tell her. Then again... Colleen was something of an angel. He didn't know the exact logistics of it but he was pretty sure that she had some sort of link to the Heavens. And hey, if Omni couldn't help them, who could?

But he didn't want the kids to hear. He didn't want them to know what was happening to Daddy. There was no way they would understand what was going on it was likely to only scare them. He passed a look to Emma. He laid a hand to Colleen's arm before moving toward his children. "That's right, Ollie. You and Mo fixed me right up." Sparing a grin for the kids, he tapped Maura on the nose. "Why don't the two of you go play for a little bit, huh? I gotta talk to Aunt Coll about something boring."

[[feels S&S, sorry!]]

[Colleen]

Emma was silent. It was strange, not hearing her speak. Her eyes flicked to the kids and smiled softly, hand landing on Maura's head before bending down and giving her and Ollie a kiss on the cheek.

"Daddy cryin'," Ollie informed Colleen absently, still concentrating on the motions of Maura's hands. "Me and Mo came in here an' made him feel all betta."

Colleen smiled brightly. "You did?" She laughed gently. "Well that's good. Can't have daddy being a grumpy puss, now can we?" She smiled, running a hand through Maura's hair before Cian told them to go play so they could talk.

Once the two of them were out of earshot, she looked between Emma and her brother. "Okay, so what's really goin' on here?" She asked, playfulness aside. "How bad is it, and can I help in anyway?"

[Emma Lawrence]

How bad was it? Bad enough to make her want to break down and sob again. Once Maura followed Oliver eagerly out of the room, she pulled her knees to her chest so she could hide her face in case such actions needed to be resorted to. Something told her it would happen eventually, and she wanted it to be as stifled as she could make it. What provoked Azrael to attack her partners consistently? He was obviously trying to get some mileage out of his little torture games.

Standing, trying to squelch the cramping in her stomach, she went over to Cian and merely coiled her arms around his middle, just wanted to be close to him. With Colleen around, Azrael would be kept at bay. An angel could destroy him. Right?

[Cian Lawrence]

Cian sighed at his sisters question and shook his head. He stalled a moment, licking his lips and thinking over how he could possibly explain everything to her. Especially with the kids about... Emma came over then, wrapping herself around him. He returned the embrace easily, pulling her tight to his side. Nuzzling his face against the top of her head, he inhaled before pulling away and looking to Colleen.

"It's bad," he admitted in a soft voice, swallowing thickly. "It's very bad, Coll." One hand caressed his wife's back, fingers toying the end of her curls. Chewing on his bottom lip, he added, "And...we're going to need help, yes. I'm just not sure if you'll be able..." He turned his head over his shoulder suddenly, looking to his children. Maura was attempting to catch Oliver's attention but all she seemed to be succeeding in was nearly knocking herself off the couch.

"Dash that on second thought." He met her eyes steadily, asking her for help just through the look. "I know you already do, Colleen, but could you keep a watch over Emma, Maura and Oliver? A more careful watch; in fact, perhaps..." He dropped his eyes down to Emma's, "if it's all right with Emma, perhaps you could even stay here?" He could explain it all later, so she had the full story of what was happening to him. But if Colleen was there, with them-- Well, he would feel a lot better about his family's safety.

[Colleen]

Emma was still silent, and even now as she hugged Cian from behind, it worried her. Just how bad could it be? "It's bad," he admitted in a soft voice, swallowing thickly. "It's very bad, Coll." Well, fuck. He was doing a damn good job at scaring the bejesus out of her. So, if that was his plan; mission accomplished.

"And...we're going to need help, yes. I'm just not sure if you'll be able... Dash that on second thought."

"Yea', don' tell your sister she can't help you. Sure fire way of shocking her to death." She breathed out, hand flicking up to her forehead. Just what in Omni's name was going on down here? She leaves for a few days and everythin's just fallin' apart.

"I know you already do, Colleen, but could you keep a watch over Emma, Maura and Oliver? A more careful watch; in fact, perhaps..." He dropped his eyes down to Emma's, "if it's all right with Emma, perhaps you could even stay here?"

"Cian," She paused to swallow. "Your scaring the bejesus out of me. Will you please just tell me what's going on?" She asked, brows furrowed. "Of course I'll stay, you don't even have to ask..." She said softly, a hand reaching out to touch his cheek softly. "I'm your big sister, ain't I? I'm here to protect right? So tell me what is going on..."

[Cian Lawrence]

Colleen assured him that she would stay and relief rushed through her. Good. Good, at least that was taken care. He wouldn't have to worry about Emma or Oliver or Maura. They would be taken care of if...if anything ever happened, went wrong. Sighing a little, Cian patted Emma's side in some sort of reassurement. She would be safe. Okay.

Leaning into his sister's touch, Cian's eyes slipped closed. Her skin against his relaxed him. Maybe it was just that she was an angel, maybe it was just that she was his older sister. Either way, the tension in his body slipped and got lesser from her presence. Once he realized that though, Cian brought himself tight again. He had to stay alert. Had to keep Azrael at bay. Had to focus.

Looking back at the kids, he sighed and nodded, gesturing to the kitchen. He moved off there, hand holding a vice-grip on Emma's. No way he could explain all this without her. Once they were completely out of ear-shot of Ollie and Mo, he leaned against the side of the doorway, fingers fiddling with the hem of his shirt. "I'm...posessed." Might as well just come out and say it. "There's something --someone in my head. And I can't...control it..." Jesus, that hurt to say; hurt to admit.

[Colleen]

Silence. Though she took comfort in knowing she was giving Cian a peace of mind, and comfort the best she could. Watching him move to the kitchen, she followed suit. She leaned against the count, impatiently waiting to know just what was going on.

"I'm... possessed."

She found it difficult to swallow. "Possessed?" She questioned, brows furrowed as she stared at both of them. Emma was unnaturally quiet, and it was beginning to freak her out, in all honesty.

"There's something --someone in my head. And I can't...control it..."

She was finding it hard to concentrate, with the way he was putting it. "Y'know, I don't normally curse. But... What the fuck, Cian?" She inquired, brows raised. "What do you mean your possessed?"

[Azrael]

"What he means is.....he's harboring another soul." Came a voice, resonating from Cian's mouth. But it was not Cian's voice, no way. It was Azrael's. Soon after the voice, Azrael was standing there. "Me! How wonderful it is to finally meet you...Colleen Lawrence. Cian has told me so much about you." He said suavely holding out a hand with a smirk. Oh, he had perfect timing. What better time to pop in when they were talking about him in the first place.

He took a step around the kitchen, looking at everything with amusement before he turned back to gaze at Colleen. "Cozy little kitchen, isn't it? Emmanuelle decorates so perfectly......makes me sick." He knocked down some hanging pots and pans and then let out satisfied grunt before walking right up to Colleen.With his hand on his chin, he spoke softly, "Let's cut to the chase. You, my girl, are in grave danger. As for Cian, he seems to be giving up the fight...which pities me because I'll have to find another host. But anyhow, I need to speak to Emma."

[Emma Lawrence]

There it was, just like clockwork. Not Cian's voice, and soon her husband disappeared altogether. Repelling from him, taking a few precautionary steps back, she sent a look to Colleen, as if promising to explain later. Colleen couldn't be hurt, right? She was an angel--but the kids. Holy shit, the kids! Inching toward the entryway that separated the kitchen from the kids' rooms, she planned to use herself as a barrier at all costs. No way in hell was he getting to her children. Her husband was far enough.

Sneering grimly at him when he commented on the kitchen, she held her arms in stiff lines at her sides. Standing like a rock, feet firmly planted into the ground, she set her jaw, teeth gritting. Cian wasn't giving up. Cian wouldn't ever give up; he promised. But God, where was he now? Where was he, now that Azrael had taken his body? Was he still in there, watching, trying, fighting?

"But anyhow, I need to speak to Emma."

"Talk with me all you want. Somewhere else. Away from Colleen and away from my children. You haven't won yet, and you never will. You'll see it when Cian forces you out." Her stomach tightened, shaking inside and out. He could cause unimaginable damage to Cian, to her kids...

[Cian Lawrence]

He had his mouth open to answer Colleen when some kind of ripping pain accosted his entire body. All at once. It was like the first time he had lost control of his pyrokinesis. Fire and pain everywhere. He tried to scream out but there was no sound.

And then he was moving and talking but it wasn't him. It was like inhaling but not being able to exhale; he could only do so much. He wanted to curse and scream and slam his head against walls. This was not fucking fair. He was a good man! He had lost so much already in his life. Given he had gotten a lot of it back... Was this punishment for that? His sister was an angel, his wife hadn't died in childbirth, some high-up angel decided his best friend could live... So he got possessed?

And then he was close to Colleen. Too close. He was not going to hurt his family. Ever. It would not happen. Summoning up everything he had within him, Cian thrust himself away from Colleen. The body stumbled away but that's all he had time for. His energy was faded significantly from that.

Fuck. It was going to be a bloody long posession...

[Colleen]

"What he means is.....he's harboring another soul."

She could see the changes in facial expressions. She didn't need Emma to tell her that this was not her brother. "What he means?" She threw back at him, curious to know just who it was that was inhabiting her brother's body.

"Me! How wonderful it is to finally meet you...Colleen Lawrence. Cian has told me so much about you."

"Wish I could say it was nice to meet you..." She threw back at him. She was no fighter. but if worse came to worse, she would grab Emma, orb to the kids and get them all somewhere safe. That's why Cian wanted her to stay, right? To protect them? Then, by Omni, she would!

"Let's cut to the chase. You, my girl, are in grave danger. As for Cian, he seems to be giving up the fight...which pities me because I'll have to find another host. But anyhow, I need to speak to Emma."

She eyed him as he grew closer. "You don't scare me." She stated it a calm voice. How many times had she been in dangerous situations with her charges? Too many to count, honestly. "Just what kind of danger am I in? I know my brother, Cian doesn't give up. Not without a fight." And it seemed, with that, the body made a jerk before walking to Emma.

"Talk with me all you want. Somewhere else. Away from Colleen and away from my children. You haven't won yet, and you never will. You'll see it when Cian forces you out."

What was Emma doing? Was she trying to get herself killed? If that was her goal, she was doing pretty damn good, in Colleen's opinion. She shook her head, brows furrowed, signaling Emma that no matter what, she would not leave her alone with this monster.

[Azrael]

"Just what kind of danger am I in? I know my brother, Cian doesn't give up. Not without a fight."

"The more he fights, the weaker he gets and the quicker he dies. I've told him that SO many times but he just doesn't believe me. Do you, Cian? Ha! Cat got your tongue. I thought so." At that moment, he was jerked a few steps back and Azrael laughed maliciously before narrowing his eyes on Emma. Oh, brave brave little Emma.

"Talk with me all you want. Somewhere else. Away from Colleen and away from my children. You haven't won yet, and you never will. You'll see it when Cian forces you out."

He sighed and shrugged it off. "I wouldn't dream of touching your "precious" children. If I hurt any children, it'll be Sai's for he is the reason I am stuck in this measly excuse for a body. Now that I think of it.....so is it the other girl's fault to blame....so I'll damage her as well." He took a few steps towards Emma and then tipped his head to the side, arms crossed.

"That's what I need. I need Saikoro. Dead. If he's dead....then I am too....at least, long enough to slip down and locate Bella and my precious amulet. So if you could be so kind as you just...you know...kill him, that'd be great!"