~~Young~~

Chapter Twenty One

Sera shook her head trying to grasp what he just said, "what..."

"Her suicide sent her to hell, he did not t'ink she de'served it. So he went back tu make sure she gets tu heaven instead."

Sera looked over her shoulder to the Beta house and then back to Jerry, "Why would he do that?" she asked with none of the bite her previous words held. Oh she was still pissed at Gage, but if he was trying to save Lizzy...

"Be'cause it is de right t'ing to do," Jerry echoed her tone, "ot'erwise he would be here."

Sera took a couple of deep breaths to try and tamp down that fluttering in her chest, "it doesn't matter," she mumbled more to herself, "it's too late," she said a little louder and took off for her friends again.

Jerry didn't chase after her this time, at least not at first. She had her foot on the curb preparing to cross the street when he caught up to her again.

"D'ur Uncle is dead," he said curtly, "he killed 'im before he left for hell."

Sera faltered, her breath lost from her chest. This time her gaze went to the Dean's house, but before she could ask Jerry how another voice called to her.

"Sera? Sera is that you?"

She turned back to see Duncan charging across the street and in one swoop pulled her against him for a crushing hug.

"We...we thought the worst," he clung to her, "Chels told me about Lizzy about how she..." he wouldn't finish, "and that woman, she just appeared, Chels too," he shivered against Sera, "None of it makes sense," he pulled away to hold her at arm's length, not once giving her a chance to cut in as he moved on to the next subject. His eyes roamed over her as to take in her condition, lingering for a moment on the blood on her shirt-Lizzy's- and on her jeans- hers and Lizzy's- and then he did the unthinkable, he kissed her.

"Oh I don' t'ink so," Jerry growled but if he tried to do something about it he was failing because Duncan didn't stop. And it was obvious he couldn't hear him either...

Not that Sera was trying to stop him herself. No she let it go, she even found herself kissing him back, because this was why they had stayed together for so long despite their differences. And in this moment she forgot about everything else because it was just that, it was just like things had been before...

For a borderline nerd Duncan kissed like a man who had seen more action in his life then the high school quarterback. Albeit a little more desperate then the kisses she had known, there was no less passion from him in this moment then when they had been bound for each other's bed. He used to be the only one who could kiss her like that, like his lips were only meant for her, but now...now wanting it to be that way just wasn't enough.

"Duncan," she pulled away, torn by that affection on his face. Chels obviously didn't have time to tell him about Gage, but would it have mattered if she did? As much as she wanted to think not Sera knew it did. It mattered because everything she wanted that kiss to be wouldn't be, because of Gage.

"I'm too late aren't I?" he asked sadly, reading the uncertainty on her face, "there's someone else."

"D'u damn well bet dere is," Jerry grumbled.

She could only nod as she ignored Jerry. Part of her was angry for it, that as betrayed as she felt by Gage she couldn't let him go for the sake of Duncan. Right here in front of her was a man that not only cared about her but understood her. Knew not only the person in front of him but what made her who she was. She should be with him, this man, this should be the one she would spend her life with! They were all being forced into hiding because of this, and who better to spend your days with then someone who knew why. He would support her through every endeavor, just as he always had. He would help pick her up when she fell apart, just like he always had. He could love her for what she was...Sera pressed her fingers to her lips and felt her heart break for Duncan...just like he always had.