Dance

"Geneva! I'm bored!" Long, dark lashes fluttered over deep brown eyes, as a single tear escaped. "I don't want to play this game anymore!"

"Now, Merry," Geneva began, her voice soft and gentle, despite her frustration. "You gave your word. Whatever card you drew. Remember? Even though Selina and I tried to warn you?"

Putting aside the folder that held the next day's court case, Geneva sighed and bent toward the earnest little face and took a calming breath. "Fredo and Stefan aren't complaining, now are they, little one?"

An energetic snort from over Geneva's shoulder warned her that Fredo, busily weaving too many flowers into her hair, was about to offer an unwelcome opinion of life on this side of the veil. Luckily, when Geneva turned and pointed a messily polished nail at him, Merry's brother had the good sense to swallow whatever he'd been about to say and turn his gaze toward the ceiling.

"But Mordecai said it would be fun, Neva!" Another tear snuck out to roll down Merry's silky cheek. "He promised! And it's not!" she insisted, fisting her hands on her hips and stomping her tiny foot. "It's not fun to be human - at all!"

With that pronouncement, Merry threw herself into Geneva's arms, sobbing as though her heart had broken.

"Mother!" Geneva almost hissed the word.

The sound was less than a whisper, but frustration added an energy that gave the thought substance and sent it through Geneva's door out into the front office. One of the law clerks would later swear that - at that exact moment - windows rattled. Taking on a life of its own, as well as a sharp turn at the door to the break-room, Geneva's call to her mother nearly knocked down the head of security. Felicity shook her head and smiled. Someone was in deep trouble and, happily, all she had to do - this time - was sit back and watch. Giving in to the urge, she purred.

At the end of the hall, Geneva's message reached its target and Judge Rowena Morgan Powers spilled her tea.

DJ