yarnkittymon: :  ::despite the best efforts of Josh and Maeve, and even Art, who's rather worried, Leyla has gone back to the forest, though they all somehow convinced her to come back to Marquis for the trial of Hilary, as the woman who attacked the girl is apparently named::

maggybeths: LA: ::she doesn't want to testify so she looks every bit like a scared, cornered, cat when they head to the trial. She's only doing it because she's afraid of the what the woman will do to her and especially Eli.::

Quantum Catz: EK: ::isn't really happy that Leyla has to testify either, since he knows she doesn't want to, but he'd rather that than have to fight the woman again::

Quantum Catz: EK: I'll be over before you know it

maggybeths: LA: ::she doesn't look like she believes it::

yarnkittymon: :  ::Art is standing guard besides Leyla, smiling at her::  Buck up, kiddo; Hilary can't hurt you.

maggybeths: LA: ::she shudders and before she can even stop herself-:: But others can

yarnkittymon: :  ::the guard sternly shakes his head::  I'm charged with protecting you, and I'm sure Eli will too.  You're going to be fine.

maggybeths: LA: ::she doesn't believe it and likely wont till it's all over::

Quantum Catz: EK: ::smirks:: Besides, they'd all be worried that Isaac wouldn't heal them anymore if they tried to fight me

maggybeths: LA: ::she just nods and nervously glances around her::

yarnkittymon: :  ::it will probably be a quick trial; there's a couple dozen people there to watch, but no more than that.  Josh is in school, so he couldn't come.  Little children aren't allowed.  Leyla probably almost instantly notices a familiar, rather angry-looking woman with cat-ears and fur on her face, dressed in a tailored dress, glowering at Leyla::

maggybeths: LA: ::she ducks her head, letting her curls hide her face from view::

yarnkittymon: :  ::Art tries to get Leyla to sit down on the prosecution's side::

maggybeths: LA: ::she goes willingly enough, almost grateful to be sitting. While she was able to make herself look as normal as possible, she still feels the need to hide behind her hair or at least behind Art or Eli::

yarnkittymon: :  ::almost no one in the crowd is staring at Leyla; she even hears someone murmur some compliment about someone's hair, though the poor girl likely doesn't imagine it's directed towards her::

Quantum Catz: IS: ::sits near Eli and Leyla, smiling reassuringly::

maggybeths: LA: ::if anything they figure they're speaking of Maeve. The girl's red hair had her mystified enough::

maggybeths: MV: ::She of course is on the other side of Isaac, and is sort of amazed to actually be a part of the audience for once and not there as a defendant.::

yarnkittymon: :  ::Art stays standing next to Leyla, protectively::
yarnkittymon: :  ::the guard in front clears his throat, and says::  All rise for Judge Connor.  ::as everyone gets to their feet, the guard near Hilary keeps a special eye on her::

maggybeths: LA: ::she gets to her feet with everyone else::

Quantum Catz: : ::when the crowd stands, a man slips into the back, looking around rather worriedly::

maggybeths: LA: ::she's facing the front so she doesn't see him::

yarnkittymon: :  ::the black-robed judge takes his place, and then everyone can sit down; the judge calls the prosecution, and that lawyer details all of the charges against Hilary::

maggybeths: LA: ::she sinks further down in the bench to escape the woman's glare::

Quantum Catz: EK: ::is glaring at the woman himself::

yarnkittymon: :  ::Hilary levels a glare at Leyla for a while, until her lawyer nudges her and whispers something; the woman completely changes her attitude, looking down::

yarnkittymon: :  ::when the prosecutor is done, the defense lawyer makes comments about his client's innocence, even suggesting that Leyla forced Hilary into a disgusting monster's form::

maggybeths: LA: ::she tenses, and goes completely pale::

Quantum Catz: : ::there's an audible gasp from the man at the back when the lawyer suggests that::

yarnkittymon: :  ::Leyla's lawyer gets to his feet, objecting::

yarnkittymon: :  ::the judge sternly addresses the lawyer::  Miss Leyla is not on trial here!

maggybeths: LA: ::figuring that someone is utterly disgusted and is about to start yelling for her to be run out of town, she slumps down even more::

yarnkittymon: :  ::Art leans down next to Leyla, whispering::  I hate defense lawyers.

maggybeths: LA: ::she looks up at him and when she doesn't hear anyone else protesting, she slowly peeks over her shoulder at whose behind her::

Quantum Catz: : ::the man at the back is rather thin and not very tall. He has dark brown hair, but he's covering his face with his hands now, looking tired::

yarnkittymon: :  ::the defense lawyer finally sits down, and the prosecution calls Eli as its first witness::

Quantum Catz: EK: ::goes up, smiling at Leyla as he leaves her::

maggybeths: LA: ::she smiles worriedly at Eli but manages not to squirm too much when he leaves her::

yarnkittymon: :  ::the prosecution lawyer asks for Eli to recant what happened last Tuesday::

Quantum Catz: EK: ::tells them how the woman took his powers and knocked him out. Then how he found her attacking Leyla and fought her off; adds at the end:: She was saying Leyla was a monster, it serves her right that she got stuck the way she did

yarnkittymon: :  ::Hilary gets to her feet, practically hissing, and her lawyer says::  Objection!

yarnkittymon: :  ::the judge just barely manages to keep a straight face::  Jury, disregard that last sentence.

Quantum Catz: : ::the man nearly stands up and runs to Hilary, but forces himself to stay seated::

yarnkittymon: :  ::when the prosecution finishes, the defense lawyer gets up and asks::  Mr. Kindall, is it true that you have feelings for this Leyla?

Quantum Catz: EK: ::blinks, blushing a bit:: She's my friend

maggybeths: LA: ::she's blushing a bit too and lets her hair fall back over her face again::

yarnkittymon: :  ::the lawyer nods::  I suppose you'd do anything for her.

Quantum Catz: EK: I'd fight off someone who's hurting her, yeah

yarnkittymon: :  ::the lawyer says::  And you'd lie for her?

yarnkittymon: :  ::Leyla's lawyer stands::  Objection!  Leading the witness!

yarnkittymon: :  ::the judge nods, frowning at the defense lawyer::

yarnkittymon: :  ::the defense lawyer nods::  And you're absolutely sure this was the person who attacked her?

Quantum Catz: EK: ::looking annoyed:: Yes, i'm sure. ::bites back an insult::
yarnkittymon: :  ::the lawyer adds::  Even though it was a dark night?

Quantum Catz: EK: I'm a shapeshifter - I could pick her out in a crowd blindfolded.

yarnkittymon: :  ::the lawyer frowns, apparently believing Eli, since he doesn't ask him to do it; instead, he says, quietly::  No further questions.

yarnkittymon: :  ::the prosecution then calls Leyla, just asking her to tell the story of what happened::

maggybeths: LA: ::she keeps her face lowered, petrified and refusing to look at the audience as she tells how Hillary showed up at the cave, her climbing a tree and then pretty much repeats what Eli said::

Quantum Catz: : ::the man at the back stares at her, going pale when he actually gets a good look at Leyla, not really listening to what's said::

yarnkittymon: :  ::the prosecutor gently asks::  Why were you out in the forest alone?

maggybeths: LA: ::keeping her gaze lowered; quietly:: That's where I live...

yarnkittymon: :  And why do you live there?

maggybeths: LA: ::looking even more nervous, she shrugs helplessly:: Because I like it out there?

yarnkittymon: :  Are you afraid of something?

maggybeths: LA: ::she glances at Hillary then back at the prosecutor. She can't answer him because it'll only lead to more questions. Her gaze seeks Eli's, silently pleading for him to get her off of here::

Quantum Catz: EK: ::smiles weakly at her, since there's not much he can do::

yarnkittymon: :  ::the prosecutor gently says::  Is there someone you're running from?

maggybeths: LA: ::she glances back at the prosecutor then scans the audience, trying to think of what to say. When she notices the man in the back, her breath catches and she pales even more. Frozen, she doesn't look back at the prosecutor::

yarnkittymon: :  ::Art quietly says::  I think it's too much...she's just a kid.

yarnkittymon: :  ::the lawyer shakes his head::  Leyla, please.  Is there something that scared you so much that you were living in the forest, away from people?

maggybeths: LA: ::her gaze snaps back to the lawyer then back at the man; whispers:: Daddy... ::she gets to her feet, wanting so bad to change but with so many looking at her she just can't; whimpers:: People... too many people... ::she backs up::

Quantum Catz: : ::when his eyes meet hers he winces and looks away. He looks a lot older and more tired than he did when she was younger::

Quantum Catz: EK: ::stands up:: Leyla

yarnkittymon: :  ::Art gets to his feet, drawing nearer to the girl as well::  It's too much for her!

yarnkittymon: :  ::the prosecutor frowns; quietly::  I'm sorry.  ::sits back down, but the defense lawyer gets up, an almost sharklike expression on his face::

maggybeths: LA: ::the walls are practically closing in on her. With no way out she's close to panicking. The defense lawyer isn't helping and she backs up even more::

Quantum Catz: EK: ::ignoring the judge and lawyers, runs over to her:: Leyla, are you okay?

maggybeths: LA: ::she reaches for him, shaking:: I want to go back. I don't want to be here anymore.

yarnkittymon: :  ::the prosecutor goes over to talk to the judge, and the judge calls the defense lawyer as well; the three have a conversation, and the defense lawyer is livid by the end::

Quantum Catz: EK: We can't just go - but it'll be over soon, i promise

maggybeths: LA: ::her eyes fill with tears and she shakes her head::

yarnkittymon: :  ::the judge clears his throat::  Leyla, you're excused from the stand.

Quantum Catz: EK: ::takes her hand:: Come on, we'll sit down, no one's going to ask you anything else

maggybeths: LA: ::she looks back at the judge with a look of pure gratitude. She does follow Eli back to her seat even though she'd rather run out the door but she'd have to pass her father to do it::

yarnkittymon: :  ::the prosecution calls Art up to the stand, mostly to explain what wounds he saw, and then the defence calls Hilary up::

yarnkittymon: :  ::Hilary claims she was walking in the forest when she was attacked by a monstrous beast, who gravely wounded her arm, and then forced her into the freakish form she's in now::

maggybeths: LA: ::she shudders, scared to death they'll believe her and she'll be called back up again::

Quantum Catz: : ::mutters under his breath, though audible to those near him:: Even I don't believe that, Hillie
Quantum Catz: EK: ::squeezes her hand when she shudders::
yarnkittymon: :  ::Hilary was too caught up in her own problems to even notice her husband in back, but she somehow notices when he speaks, even under his breath.  Her ears go back, and she shudders, suddenly looking around frantically for a way out; she cries out::  She's a monster!  You all know it!  Can change forms into a beast!

yarnkittymon: :  ::the defense lawyer frowns, shaking his head::

maggybeths: LA: ::knowing her father believes it, she tenses even more, waiting for him to stand up and tell everyone that she's right::

Quantum Catz: : ::thinks about standing up, saying something, but he doesn't know what to say::

yarnkittymon: :  ::the defense lawyer whistles, knowing he's probably lost the case::

yarnkittymon: :  ::Hilary calls out::  The beast's father is out there!  Call *him* to the stand!

Quantum Catz: : ::pales and tries to hide himself::

maggybeths: LA: ::she's gone back to shaking uncontrollably; weakly:: I have to go...

Quantum Catz: EK: ::looks around:: Is that why you got upset? Is your dad actually here?

yarnkittymon: :  ::the defense lawyer finally says::  My client has gone mad, can't you see?  She's not guilty!

maggybeths: LA: He'll tell them she's right. They'll lock me up.

Quantum Catz: EK: Like they'll listen to someone who abandoned their kid

Quantum Catz: : ::hesitates, wondering whether a defense of madness is better for her than him admitting that he's here::

yarnkittymon: :  ::the judge calls out::  Is Leyla's father in this courtroom?

Quantum Catz: EK: ::notices the man at the back and snarls::
Quantum Catz: : ::finally, decides that an asylum may be even worse than prison and stands up:: Yes, I'm here

yarnkittymon: :  ::the judge nods, and above both lawyers' protests, says::  Can you please take the stand?

Quantum Catz: : ::hesitates and then walks to the front, looking sadly at his wife as he moves closer to her::

maggybeths: LA: ::she's gone even paler and once he passes her seat, she gets up to run::

Quantum Catz: EK: ::tries to stop her:: Leyla, you can't just run

yarnkittymon: :  ::Hillary gets out of the seat as quickly as she can, shaking her furry head::

maggybeths: LA: ::she shakes her head and tries to get past Art to run:: They'll believe them!
yarnkittymon: :  ::Art grabs Leyla, trying not to hurt her, but also trying to keep her there::  Stay with us, kiddo

Quantum Catz: : ::as soon as he gets to the stand he says, softly, not looking up:: Leyla didn't disfigure Hilary. She probably didn't attack her either

yarnkittymon: :  ::Hilary's jaw drops::

maggybeths: LA: ::she goes limp in Art's arms, looking just as surprised as Hillary::

yarnkittymon: :  ::the defence lawyer says::  You lie!

yarnkittymon: :  ::the judge clears his throat::  How do you know this, sir?

Quantum Catz: : Because Leyla can only shapeshift, and then usually only into cats. But Hilary can take people's powers and use them herself

yarnkittymon: :  ::Hilary gasps, as thoughs he's been hurt::

yarnkittymon: :  ::the judge nods, looking rather sternly at the lawyers::  You'd think that knowledge would be the kind of thing a competent lawyer might bring to the trial...

maggybeths: LA: ::she's still shaking::

Quantum Catz: : ::looks at Leyla but there's no warmth in his eyes:: I think it's my fault that this happened. I forced Hilary into this without realising, to try and help me get over my past. Please, don't treat her harshly

yarnkittymon: :  ::the judge looks back at Leyla; quietly::  We just can't let someone off for harming one of our citizens, sir.
Quantum Catz: : The girl doesn't look harmed to me. Hilary looks worse off. And bsides that, didn't you alreaedy cover the fact that Leyla isn't a citizen of your town?

maggybeths: LA: ::she starts to struggle again; whimpers:: Please, I don't want to stay?

yarnkittymon: :  ::Art keeps his grip on Leyla::  Let's see how this plays out, okay?

yarnkittymon: :  ::the prosecutor says::  She's in the outskirts, then.

Quantum Catz: : Living in the forest as an animal?

Quantum Catz: EK: ::winces at that and reaches for Leyla; a part of him wanting to get her away from this as well::

maggybeths: LA: ::she shakes her head then buries her head against Eli's shoulders, sobbing. She doesn't want to listen to her father::
yarnkittymon: :  ::the judge quietly says::  I have no choice but to declare a mistrial.  But Hilary is forbidden from entering Marquis again.

Quantum Catz: : ::hesitates:: There is one other thing. The last I checked, Leyla was only 15, she was supposed to be being cared for in the orphanage in Kenston. Maybe you could make sure that this time, that happens to avoid her getting attacked again? I gave up my parental rights a long time ago

yarnkittymon: :  ::the judge cringes, then quietly says::  Far be it from me to judge, but I wonder if that first attack might not have been our fault, either?

maggybeths: LA: ::cires:: No! ::she struggles against Eli, wanting to run again:: I'm not going back! ::she glares at her father:: What do you care anyway!

Quantum Catz: : ::winces and looks away, moving down from the stand and towards his wife:: No child should be left to run around the forest, shapeshifter or not - it isn't sage

Quantum Catz: *safe

Quantum Catz: EK: ::tries to hold Leyla, not wanting her to run again::

yarnkittymon: :  ::the judge quietly says::  We'll do what we can for her.  You keep your wife away from her.

yarnkittymon: :  ::Hilary grimaces, sure her husband will want nothing to do with her now, anyway::
maggybeths: LA: ::pleadingly:: I don't want to go back! Someone attacked me there too I'm better off in the forest. ::she looks at Eli.:: If I go now I can hide...
yarnkittymon: :  ::Art softly says::  I'll bet I know who attacked you *there*.

Quantum Catz: EK: You don't need to *hide*

maggybeths: LA: ::she looks back Art, puzzled, then over at Hillary. She looks back at Eli; tearfully:: Yes I do. I don't want to go back.

yarnkittymon: :  ::Hilary doesn't look at Leyla::

Quantum Catz: : ::softly:: After what's happened to Hilary, i don't think she'll want to come back here.

maggybeths: MV: ::she leans over towards Isaac; softly to where only the people near them can hear:: She could stay with us, couldn't she?

Quantum Catz: IS: ::smiles slightly:: That's just what I was thinking

maggybeths: MV: ::she smiles and glances at Leyla and Eli:: That's of course if she wants to.
Quantum Catz: IS: ::looks at Leyla:: Well, would you like to?

maggybeths: LA: ::she's staring at the couple wide-eyed, like she can't believe anyone would even offer that to *her*. She looks back at Eli::
Quantum Catz: EK: ::grins at Maeve and Isaac:: Really?

maggybeths: MV: ::she shrugs:: Well, we do have that extra room...

yarnkittymon: :  ::the judge nods, looking mildly amused::

yarnkittymon: :  ::Hilary shudders, trying to slink out of the courtroom::

Quantum Catz: : ::watches his daughter for a long moment and then turns away; to Hilary:: Let's get you out of here

Quantum Catz: EK: ::looks at Leyla:: Well?

maggybeths: LA: ::she's worried, and her gaze returns to her father before it quickly returns to the floor.:: My own father doesn't want me. I don't know why you would.

yarnkittymon: :  ::Hilary shudders, softly saying::  There's...surgery....

Quantum Catz: EK: He's an idiot, ignore him.

Quantum Catz: : ::sighs:: Maybe eventually it'll wear off on its own. Or go away if you take another power

maggybeths: LA: ::softly:: Okay.

yarnkittymon: :  ::Hilary shudders again, not even daring to hope, but she timidly tries to take her husband's hand::

Quantum Catz: EK: ::smirks:: Is that it? I was expecting a bit more of a fight than that

Quantum Catz: : ::takes her hand but says softly:: You shouldn't have come here
maggybeths: LA: ::smiles shyly:: I've been fighting all morning. I'm tired I guess.

yarnkittymon: :  ::the woman shakes her head::  You wanted to be rid of her too.
maggybeths: MV: ::she leans over to them but looks at Eli:: The both of you have had a long day, what do you say we get her out of here and back home to rest?

Quantum Catz: : I couldn't have her in my life. I couldn't bear to look at her. But she's the last remnant of a woman I loved. You're lucky - you could have ended up in jail over her

yarnkittymon: :  ::Hilary quietly says::  Better in jail than *this*.

Quantum Catz: EK: ::nods:: Yeah ::smiles at Leyla:: You ready to go?

maggybeths: LA: ::she quickly nods her head. She was ready to go the moment they stepped foot in here::

Quantum Catz: : It might not be permanent.  If it is... ::hesitates:: If it is I guess we'll just have to deal with it

yarnkittymon: :  ::Hilary starts to tremble, her cat-ears perked, and she suddenly, wordlessly hugs her husband::

Quantum Catz: : ::softly:: I'm sorry you felt you had to go this far. I never meant to make Leyla a problem in our lives
yarnkittymon: :  ::Hilary shakes her head::  We'll just pretend she was never born.
Quantum Catz: : ::sighs and nods::
Quantum Catz: : ::not long after the trial, Leyla's father leaves Hilary in the inn and finds out from someone in town where Isaac's house is and goes there, knocking on the door::
Quantum Catz: IS: ::answers the door and upon seeing the man says:: I don't think you should be here

maggybeths: MV: ::her and Leyla have been getting along quite well and probably have been running the brothers crazy. She was on her way to get it when Isaac beats her to it, but his words make her pause, and she peeks over his shoulder. She glares when she sees who it is:: What do *you* want?

Quantum Catz: : To talk to my daughter, funnily enough

maggybeths: MV: ::she smirks:: Well, I'm sure she doesn't want to listen to more of your *lies* so you can just be on your way.

Quantum Catz: : What exactly did i lie about? All i told was the truth

maggybeths: MV: ::she glares at him:: I'm not talking about anything you might have said on the stand. I just don't want you upsetting her anymore.
Quantum Catz: : Isn't that her decision?

maggybeths: MV: ::she shakes her head and looks at Isaac:: I know she won't want to see him. She's afraid of him to begin with. She doesn't need to hear anything he might have to say.

Quantum Catz: : You don't know anything about her past.  You don't know why i did what i did. Don't dare judge me or call me a liar. I'm asking for five minutes with my daughter and if it may be the only opportunity she has to speak with me, do you really want to be the one to take it away from her?

maggybeths: MV: ::snaps:: How do you know she hasn't told me? I know all I need to know! And no matter what you think she doesn't need to be hurt by you again!
Quantum Catz: : I know she hasn't told you because i don't think she'd want to talk about it. And maybe i did hurt her, but everyone deserves a moment to explain why

maggybeths: MV: ::she smirks:: You're wrong, but fine. Have it your way. But if you make her cry you'll be answering to me, got it?

Quantum Catz: : I'd rather talk to her out here than in the house. If she decides she wants to talk to me then i'll be waiting here

maggybeths: MV: ::she smirks at him then goes up the stairs to get her. They hear a frightened "No!" but eventually a very pale Leyla appears at the door::

Quantum Catz: EK: ::a small bird flies out of a nearby window and perches nearby::

maggybeths: LA: ::her eyes catch the movement and she looks over, relaxing a bit more when she senses that it must be Eli::

Quantum Catz: : ::looks at his daughter, smiling sadly:: You've grown a lot

Quantum Catz: IS: ::notices Eli too and goes back into the house to give them some privacy::

maggybeths: MV: ::she figures Eli is nearby which is the only reason she retreats into the house with Isaac::

maggybeths: LA: ::she feels a little less secure with those two gone, wishing Eli was closer to her. She turns to the man in front of her; bitterly:: What do you want? Afraid I might actually be happy?

Quantum Catz: : I'm hoping that you are

maggybeths: LA: ::stunned, she takes a step back::

Quantum Catz: : ::hesitates, rubbing his eyes with his hand:: All those years ago, you embodied everything that'd made my life fall apart. If you had just been *normal*....

Quantum Catz: EK: ::chirps out a complaint, but can't do much as a bird and doesn't want to disturb the man unless he really upsets her::

maggybeths: LA: ::she flinches, pressing herself up against the door:: I get it, okay! I'm not norma, and you can't love me. So what do you want?

Quantum Catz: : To tell you that you're not a monster.  I never believed that. I just...couldn't get the stories out of my head, couldn't forget your mother and how she died. You reminded me too much of it all

maggybeths: LA: ::she looks surprised at first, like she can't believe he'd admit to her not being a monster but the look turns cold again; quietly:: Is that suppose to make me feel better? Am I suppose to forgive you now, for just throwing me away like an unwanted *cat* when I needed you? ::tears threaten to fall but she holds them back::

Quantum Catz: : No, you're not. And you didn't need me - you didn't a man who saw horror stories and death when he looked at you

maggybeths: LA: ::coldly:: You chose to see that because you believed it! You believed I had something to do with it! Or instead of seeing those things you would have fought for me! Would have loved me... even a little!

Quantum Catz: : It didn't matter! Your mother believed it! She took her own life because she believed it!

maggybeths: LA: ::she flinches again; weakly:: Just go. I already know I killed her. I already know I'm a curse. You don't have to rub it in it hurts enough everyday. Okay? Are you happy now? ::the tears break loose::

Quantum Catz: : ::hesitates, not sure what to do when she starts crying:: No, what i mean to say is...the stories were the curse, the people whispering behind our backs, the odd glances...we shouldn't have listened but we did

Quantum Catz: EK: ::flies over and lands on Leyla's shoulder::

maggybeths: LA: ::she looks sadly at Eli then tries to wipe away her tears. She glances back to the man in front of her; weakly:: Well, you figured that out too many years too late.

Quantum Catz: : I know. But I just wanted you to know, so you don't make the same mistakes I did. Hilary won't bother you again, i've talked to her

maggybeths: LA: ::she watches him for a while, like she doesn't know exactly what to make of him; quietly:: If you don't believe it then why did she come after me?

Quantum Catz: : Because i can't forget you, i curse every mistake i ever made since you were born, i hate the world for everything it's taken from me. I suppose she thought if she severed the last link to the past then i could move on

maggybeths: LA: ::she can't hide the hurt in her eyes caused by his words. And in a way, she doesn't care, just wants him to have one second thought about giving her up; whispers:: I still loved you, you know. I waited by that window for months. Just hoping you'd come back to get me. Hoping that you could find a way to love me. I guess that was too much to hope for though. Who could love me, right?

Quantum Catz: : ::sighs and nods towards the bird on her shoulder:: It looks like your friend does

maggybeths: LA: ::that not being the response she wanted, she glares at him:: Fine! Just get out then! I don't need you anymore. I have *my friend* and his family and I don't need you! I hate you so just go! ::although if he ever knew his daughter he'd know it's partly a lie::

Quantum Catz: : You want me to say that deep down I always loved you and wished things could be different? I did wish things could be different.  I did wish for it to be easier. I did wish to be able to live a life with you. I wished it, but i'd been through too much to really try hard enough to achieve it. I was weak. I still am

maggybeths: LA: You didn't wish it with me! You wished with a daughter who was perfect! Who wasn't ugly, and who was normal! So you can go back to Hillary! Maybe she'll give you a daughter you can love.

Quantum Catz: : No, i wished it with you in a world that would accept you. But at the time, i didn't believe it could happen. ::looks away and sighs:: I won't have another child, the pain was unbearable, i've lost too much now

maggybeths: LA: ::she just looks at him, looking unbearably hurt, rejected and angry; quietly:: I don't think I want to talk to you anymore. It's not helping anything.

Quantum Catz: : ::sighs:: I came here to settle things with you, i guess i didn't do a very good job. I'm sorry. For everything

maggybeths: LA: ::softly:: How could you do a good job when you still don't love me enough to fight for me?

Quantum Catz: : You don't need me to fight for you, I'm a horrible father anyway

maggybeths: LA: ::miserably:: But you were still my father... ::she starts to cry again; accusingly:: I had no one else! And you just left me!