I have a new story up if any of you Avenger's fans want to check it out. It's called Titanium. I would appreciate the feedback like the wonderful reviews I'm getting here. I can't thank you all enough for either just jumping on the boat or have been around since the beginning. I really love you all. Thank you so much.

Inspired by the album Division Bell by Pink Floyd (more formally, David Gilmour, for Roger Waters had departed at that point).

I've been on a Floyd kick lately.

IRONY:

Relating to the Things in the Paradox

The house bustled with life and cheer and, as promised, Jeremy spent more time with us up on the wives' floor. Unfortunately and fortunately, he seemed to spend every waking moment with Bay. I normally observed them from the shadows, returning to my life role as wallflower.

Bay radiated animation from her every pore and Aubrey groveled, following her pregnant sister wife like a lost puppy. I only felt betrayed by the girl who said she would never allow herself to end up in her situation.

My time with Bay was scarce. She knew her traitorous deeds and I couldn't look her in the eye, or her small baby bump which you could only notice if you looked at her from the side or if she was wearing tight shirt, which she normal wore.

My skills on the piano progressed rapidly for most of my days were spent working at the instrument. To my delight, the staff moved it to the glass patio as a surprise. From there my soul poured out through the keys as my fingers flew down and up the keyboard.

When Aubrey wasn't with Bay, she played outside with me, screaming in delight as we swam in the pool or flipping like a gymnast master on the trampoline. She taught me a few tricks, but I couldn't do anything more than a front flip. After that we'd lay in the grass and talk about our lives here at the mansion (I did most of the listening).

One afternoon I strode outside, the summer sun bathing me in it's hot, golden glow. I headed towards the trampoline when I heard footsteps behind me.

I pivoted, finding Hannah running to catch up with me. When she reached me, there was a hopeful, yet hesitant look on her face. "Um...do-do you think I can, um, hang out with you?"

I nodded and smiled slightly. Hannah had claimed to be too mature for "children's games". Maybe she had finally figured out how crowded, yet empty, the wives' floor could be.

"I was just heading out for the trampoline," I told her as we walked. She said nothing, her olive green eyes following the path. I kicked off my shoes, climbing up onto the trampoline. Hannah did the same, a slightly terrified look contorting her pretty features.

"You've never been on a trampoline before, have you?"

Hannah shook her head, her feet unsure on the foreign material.

"There's nothing to be afraid of. We're netted in so we can't fall off." I bounced against the wall as demonstration. Hannah still looked unsure. I grabbed her hands, bouncing up and down. Hannah began to bounce with me, her face breaking out in an incredulous beam of delight. I let go when she began to laugh, jumping higher and higher. I taught her how to flip and soon we were both racing across the black surface, flipping and trying to tag one another.

The twinkle of delight in Hannah's eye was something I had never experience before. I had only seen her masquerade of fake emotions, wearing a mask of fake smiles and dimples. Now her eyes were alive and her lips were spread in a continuous grin. She was beautiful when she smiled; not to impress, but to show she was alive and well.

I flopped down on the trampoline when my lungs burned and legs ached and Hannah followed suit. We were silent for a long time, our eyes watching the clouds.

"Charlotte...?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks."

I didn't look over but I grinned in response. Hannah's elbow poked my ribcage.

"You're welcome," I responded with another smile. But that one slowly slid off of my face. "I wish Bay was out here with us. Aubrey too."

"Jeremy is with them." Hannah's voice was beginning to sour.

"You're still his favorite, though," I replied simply.

Hannah shook her head, the gesture of objection shaking the springs. "No, I'm not. I would have smothered you with my ego by now. You honestly don't see the way he looks at you?"

"I have, but I see them as looks of hunger."

"You're sadly mistaken," Hannah uttered with a small tsk. "And totally oblivious."

Knock Knock.

I bolted up as the door swung open, clutching the covers to my chest. I blinked a few times, dazed and disoriented as the morning light poured my open shades. My vision cleared with several more hard blinks. Jeremy stood waiting in my doorway with a breakfast tray in his hands, his face hesitant.

"I'm sorry I woke you," Jeremy apologized. "Can I come in?"

I nodded, taking deep breaths to calm my racing heart. I had been dreaming about my father, chasing him through thickening mist, searching for his hand. One moment he was there before me, and then he would disappear, replaced by Headmaster Hugh. I rubbed my head as Jeremy came to my bedside, now concerned.

"Are you okay?"

I nodded again. I pulled the covers away, swinging my legs over the bedside which caused my night gown to billow gently. Jeremy, now assured I was alright, smiled. I locked my gaze with his, his warm chocolate brown eyes affectionate and sincere.

I got up, crossing to my closet and shutting the door to get dress. I roamed the expanse wardrobe for a moment, choosing a pair of perfectly fitting jeans and a cashmere sweater. I slipped on a pair of socks last before I walked out, heading to the bathroom to grab a brush.

Jeremy watched from his perch on the ottoman as I brushed my hair, the dark brown curls bouncing and rippling with each stroke. He waited till I was done to speak.

"I brought you breakfast."

"I see that," I replied, scooping up the cup of blueberries. I had only read about them in books, but never seen one up close, let alone taste one. I rolled one between my finger, staring at the plump, bright blue beauty in my hand before I stuck it in my mouth. The tender flesh ripped easily between my teeth. The juices bathing my tastebuds were enough to to make me grin. It was one of the best things I had ever tasted. I quickly ate another and another, smiling widely.

"You've never had blueberries before?" Jeremy sat next to me on the bedside, his voice surprised. I shook my head, plucking a blueberry from the cup. The next act was purely impulse and it shocked even me, though I fought not to show it, my eyes were deceptive. As always, I was an open book.

I had reached out and held the berry to Jeremy's lips, offering him one of my delicious treats. Jeremy opened his mouth and I dropped the berry onto his tongue. He chewed and swallowed, opening his mouth for another. I bit the corner of my lip a smirk, plopping one into his mouth.

"We should do something today," my husband offered. "Would you like to?"

My brain reasoned logically, not wanting to be anywhere near him, but my heart overpowered it. Something inside of me told me even though Jeremy was the cause of this situation, he was not the bad guy. He wasn't right?

I nodded, smiling slightly.

After breakfast I brushed my teeth and put on pair of shoes, Jeremy leading me outside. We walked side by side in silence, the light breeze whispering through the leaves and teasing our hair, I letting him lead. We soon arrived at a large, penned enclosure with several dog houses. Jeremy motioned for me to watch and he whistled a quick two note.

Five, yapping, wriggling dogs emerged from the houses, tongues lolling, ears perked, and tails wagging. They were in an array of color, one an overly friendly large golden dog, a long-haired, skinny and nimble looking black and white dog, a slim short-haired, long-legged and elegant looking gray dog, a small white puppy patched with light brown, and the last a huge black and brown dog.

"Say hello to Phoebe, Bailey, Charm, Kipper, and Fang," Jeremy grinned, opening the gate and squeezing through. I hesitated but followed.

I was quickly swarmed by dogs, tackled to the ground by the biggest and licked to death by the littlest. Charm, the gray one, must have sensed my uneasiness and was the only one who did not attack openly with love, but with reassurance.

Jeremy pulled me up off the ground, laughing hard. "They like you!"

"They almost killed me," I responded with a gasp, but I couldn't help but laugh with him. Kipper, the little puppy, and Bailey, the border collie, ran circles around my legs. Charm nosed my hand and Fang and Phoebe licked my other.

"Do they ever come out from the fence?"

Jeremy nodded. "I'm scared to leave them out all the time, though. I only take them out when I'm out so I can keep an eye on them. Phoebe," he patted the golden, "was going to be stuck in with a cruel, abusing breeder. Bailey and Charm came from the same place, illegal dog races. I found Kipper on the streets and Fang was pulled into the dog fights. I rescued them all."

"That was kind of you," I said.

"I don't like it when animals are abused," Jeremy responded.

"Do the others know about your dogs?" I asked.

"Yes. Bay likes to see them and Aubrey is more fond of playing with Kipper. Hannah likes them better on the other side of the fence," Jeremy explained with a small shrug.

I crouched down, petting the animals in silence. Jeremy joined me, greeting his beloved pets with smiles and kind, uttered words. We sat like that for a long time, I getting to know the dogs and Jeremy happy to be reunited.

"I want to show you something else." Jeremy stood up, gesturing for me to come. I waved my goodbyes, following Jeremy through the yard and to a large hill at the far end near the forest. Together we climbed the hill, at the top a large tree. In the shade of the towering maple was a spread checkered blanket and a picnic basket. I smiled at the cheesiness. Even though today escape had been on my mind, I was compelled to stay here with Jeremy. It was like my heart longed for him, which frankly terrified and shocked me.

We sat down in the shadows of the leaves, Jeremy opening the basket and handing me a sandwich wrapped in wax paper. I unwrapped the deliciousness between two slices of bread, taking a bite. Jeremy smiled, already half way through his by the time I looked up again.

"Thanks for coming out with me today, Charlie," Jeremy said.

I blinked, my response slow. "You're welcome," I paused before continuing. "Jeremy? Can I ask you a question? Why did you pick me to come out with you?"

"Because you're my wife," Jeremy responded, snorting slightly as his grin grew.

"It's just...we don't spend much time together. I mean, most of the time your with Bay and others you're with Hannah or doting on Aubrey," I continued on.

Jeremy's smile faded slightly and he blushed, his eyes focusing down on his knees. "Well, it's just...I mean...this is going to sound stupid but sometimes I get nervous around you."

"Wait, what?! Why?"

"Because you hold yourself differently than your sister wives. You're much more quiet and you seem more anxious and soft spoken," Jeremy explained. "And I like that about you. You're thoughtfulness. Don't get me wrong, I love Aubrey and Hannah, but they're clingy. Bay is emotional a lot behind closed doors even though she seems happy, it's almost like she's not. And you're much simpler. You don't mind being by yourself because you know how to entertain yourself. Both you and Bay do, but Bay is much more loud."

"You make me nervous all the time."

Jeremy was taken aback, his chocolate eyes widening. "Really?"

I nodded, answering quietly, "You intimidated me at first."

Jeremy chuckled to himself before his eyes found mine. "I'm terribly sorry for any misunderstandings, Lady Charlotte."

"Please call my Char-" My eyes widened as Jeremy's lips were suddenly pressed against mine. My heart leaped up in my throat before diving back down to hammer in my chest. His lips were soft against mine, hesitant. I relaxed, giving in to the kiss and closed my eyes. Electricity seemed to jolt through me every time our lips touched as the kiss grew more passionate. I wrapped arms around him, his fingers trapped in my hair, oddly at bliss with the man who had stolen me away from my home. Away from everything I had known and cherished. But the kiss was something else. It seemed to be the beginning. Even though I would always be bitter, deep down I cared for Jeremy, even if I would never admit it to myself.

And when the kiss was over, we lay looking at the sky through the leaves.

And on the way back we shared another kiss, this time short and sweet.

And on the way back we walked hand in hand.

And on the way back the irony of my situation was killing me.

-Prism Fire-