Part 23 (1/2)
”What's wrong with you? This is serious. I had to strip Ameana of her powers.”
”She has no more powers?”
”Not until I give them back to her.”
”Wow, I didn't know you could do that.”
”I never thought I'd have to.”
”I'm sorry. That must have been difficult.”
”You think?” I snap.
”Hey, I didn't tell her to hit me.”
”You asked me out in front of everyone.”
”So I should have done it in private?”
”You shouldn't have done it at all.”
”Because you'd say no?”
”Because I'm with someone else. We had this discussion 48 hours ago, remember?”
”Yeah, I think it went something like 'Hey, I love you. Now get away from me, I'm with Xena, Warrior Angel.'”
”Meana is a good angel.”
”I can tell. There were three or so nails in the wall and she didn't impale me on any of them. She's a gem.”
”This is very hard for her.”
”How is it for you?”
I sigh, rub my neck roughly, and look down at the floor.
”I see,” she says.
”You can't do that again. Ever.”
”p.i.s.s off Ameana or ask you out?”
”Both.”
”Don't I get a chance to convince you to choose me?”
”You couldn't.”
”Why?”
”Because nothing you could say could get me to love you more than I already do.”
”If you want me that bad why don't you fight to have me?” she shouts.
I don't answer. Angrily, she shakes her head.
”You said that I should fight for people I love. Well, I'm fighting for you,” she roars.
”I can't be with you.”
”Because of Ameana?”
”Because you will be the end of me.”
”What?” she says, taken aback.
”The Sage is our guide. He has lived on Earth for thousands of years. He says that you will in some way destroy me and make me betray my team.”
”I don't understand. Why would he say that? You would never betray anyone.”
”I tried to bring that to his attention, but you'll find he's a little sure of himself. It can happen when you have never been wrong.”
”Never?”
”Not once.”
”He is this time. You wouldn't betray anyone, ever.”
”How can you know that?”
”How can you not? You have issues, but none of them is lack of loyalty.”
”Gee, thanks.”
”So, being with me will lead to the end of you?”
”Yes.”
”How?”
”I don't know.”
”Tell me.”
”I. Don't. Know.”
”You shouldn't be around me.”