"Ladies and gentlemen," Mackenzie stood underneath the large tent that had been rigged up in the backyard, filled with tables and chairs, and a small stage area in front of a dance space. "I stand here as the proud younger brother of a beautiful sister, and an awesome new brother-in-law."
He gestured to the head table where Joe and Jessica were getting up to make their way to the floor for their dance.
"And for their first dance, to serenade us with the voice of an angel, please welcome to the stage, my sister, Avery!"
Avery smiled slightly, stepping up onto the stage. She sat on the stool and held her guitar in her lap, then adjusted the microphone.
"Heartbeats fast, colours and promises / How to be brave / How can I love when I'm afraid to fall / But watching you stand alone / All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow / One step closer..."
Joe twirled Jessica around slowly, then brought her back to his chest.
"I have died everyday waiting for you / Darling don't be afraid I have loved you / For a thousand years / I'll love you for a thousand more..."
Avery's hands and fingers switched gracefully between the chords.
"Time stands still / Beauty in all she is / I will be brave / I will not let anything take away / What's standing in front of me / Every breath / Every hour has come to this / One step closer / I have died everyday waiting for you / Darling don't be afraid I have loved you / For a thousand years / I'll love you for a thousand more..."
Jessica rested her head on Joe's shoulder, and she let out a few more tears.
"And all along I believed I would find you ... / Time has brought your heart to me / I have loved you for a thousand years / I'll love you for a thousand more / One step closer / One step closer... I have died everyday waiting for you / Darling don't be afraid I have loved you / For a thousand years / I'll love you for a thousand more / And all along I believed I would find you / Time has brought your heart to me / I have loved you for a thousand years / I'll love you for a thousand more..." Avery's voice trailed off and she slowed her fingers over the strings of the guitar.
Zac whooped and cheered for both of his sisters, before standing and holding his hand out for Kate, to join him for the second dance.
Walker, Isaac, Taylor, Nikki, Natalie, menagerie & Christian
Nikki and Natalie shared a glance.
"You first," Natalie offered, wiping her eyes for the umpteenth time that night.
"Sure?"
"You've been watching the kids all day, it's my turn."
Nikki grinned, then stood and took Isaac's hand. He gave her a kiss on the cheek before leading her onto the dance floor beside Zac and Kate.
Taylor smiled after them, before leaning over and pulling Natalie into a deep kiss. She let a couple of tears go as it happened, feeling more than ever like the luckiest girl alive.
Walker and Diana were next on the floor as Isaac began trying to coax Ezra and Penny to dance with each other.
~*~
Meanwhile, Christian stood to the side of the Hanson house. There were people coming and going down the thoroughfare nearby, but he was having trouble weighing up his options in the current situation. The last time he'd been here with the whole family - almost ten years ago - was when he had been impersonating Taylor and trying to kill Isaac.
While a lot had changed since then, he hadn't really had any contact with anyone besides the older brothers and of course Avery.
Having thought that, he remember that he wasn't 'Christian' tonight. He was 'Neal'.
Taking a deep breath, he made his way inside.
Avery, Zoe, Mackenzie, Zac & Kate
Avery watched as her brothers, sisters and parents all took to the floor, and she couldn't help but wonder if she would ever have this moment.
Pushing the thought aside, she started to sing her next song.
"What day is it? And in what month? / This clock never seemed so alive / I can't keep up and I can't back down / I've been losing so much time / 'Cause it's you and me and all of the people with nothing to do / Nothing to lose / And it's you and me and all other people / And I don't know why, I can't keep my eyes off of you..."
Zoe let out a giggle as Mackenzie spun her around, and she looked back to see Kate and Zac kissing while they danced.
A rainbow formed faintly in the dimming sunset-lit sky, as Kate smiled and rested her head against her husband's.
Meanwhile, next door, preparations were being made.
Walker, Isaac, Taylor, Nikki, Natalie, menagerie & Christian
Christian made it to the back of the house and surveyed the scene. The first person he spotted was Zac on the dance floor with who he presumed was his wife. Near him, Isaac, and of course... Walker Hanson.
He recognised a good portion of the kids running around as belonging to Taylor, and finally spotted him sitting with Natalie off to the side.
It was at this point where he realised he recognised the voice of the singer. He stepped around the crowd a little to get her into his line of sight, then couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief when he saw her.
She was okay.
He doubted the family would be carrying on with the festivities if she wasn't, but still... it was good to verify.
He sighed to himself, just standing there watching.
~*~
"It's beautiful isn't it? The whole day?" Natalie shook her head as she leant in to Taylor a little.
"The whole concept," he smiled in agreement.
"Mom! 'Vrett said that we can eat cake!" River came running up and planted his hands on her lap.
"We can, but not yet," Natalie corrected.
He ran off again and they laughed after him. Viggo started reaching his hands out for his brother and Nat looked up at Taylor.
"We could let him down if we keep an eye on him?"
"You really think his first move won't be to zoom toward that dance floor?" Taylor's eyebrows rose.
"Good point."
Viggo started getting upset, so Natalie reached over and took him into her lap.
Zac, Kate & Avery
Zac kissed Kate once more and she smiled faintly as they broke apart.
"Take Penny for a spin around the floor," Kate told him. "I'm going to relieve Nat and Tay."
She kissed his cheek and then head over to her best friend and brother in law, as Zac head over to Penny.
"Guys," Kate said, leaning in so they could hear her. "Go dance, I'll take over kid wrangling duties."
Shepherd, for his part, was already climbing out of his seat to get to his mother.
Avery started to play her final song.
Walker, Isaac, Taylor, Nikki, Natalie, menagerie & Christian
"Thanks Kate," Natalie grinned, immediately jumping up and pulling Taylor with her.
"Woah!" he stumbled to his feet, "are we really that anxious to get out there again?"
"Yes. Now shush," Nat poked her tongue out before leading him onto the floor.
He shared a nod with Isaac once they were there before setting his hands on Nat's waist. He vaguely noticed Ezra zooming past with Everett on his heels, but his attention soon focused solely on his wife.
"I feel a little bad about Avery not getting to dance," Nikki brought up suddenly.
"I didn't even think of that," Isaac admitted, a little embarrassed.
"Why don't you guys take over for a bit and let her down?"
"Well we could," Isaac shrugged, "but I think they might switch to the stereo soon anyhow. She can't sing all night. And besides, Jess purposely asked so we could have the night off. Tay's voice needs a break."
"He's not the only singer," Nikki said pointedly, tapping him on the nose.
Avery, Zoe & Kate
As Avery finished up, she let out a laugh as Zoe came to help her off the stage.
"Single Hanson ladies unite!" she exclaimed, giggling as she took Avery's guitar from her. "I'll put this away for you, go and find someone hot to dance with... Joe has cute brothers."
"Zo - " Avery shook her head as her younger sister bounded off, and she stood for a second, almost feeling out of place now that the stereo had relieved her of her singing duties.
She made her way to the edge of the dance floor, where she could see Kate sitting with the kids.
She paused, midway, feeling a familiar telepathic shield.
Walker, Isaac, Taylor, Nikki, Natalie, menagerie & Christian
"See?" Isaac couldn't help but smirk, making Nikki poke her tongue out at him.
"I should probably relieve Kate soon anyway," she sighed, resting her head on his shoulder (or as best as she could in heels).
Christian made his way right past where Taylor and Natalie were kissing, sidling up behind Avery. Fitting into the crowd like a pro.
"May I have this dance?" he asked, his hand out.
Avery & Zac
Avery smiled faintly, not having to turn around fully to know who it was. She slipped her hand into his.
"Neal."
Zac looked up from where he was dancing with Penny (her standing on his feet as he moved her around the floor), and scowled when he saw the new arrival with Avery.
Walker, Isaac, Taylor, Nikki, Natalie, menagerie & Christian
Chris pulled her into him and began to dance slowly.
"Glad to see you're doing well," he smiled.
Walker caught sight of the new arrival, and decided to keep an eye on him. He didn't recognise him, but Avery seemed to know him...
Isaac meanwhile nudged Taylor, pulling him out of his trance. He indicated the other side of the floor to Taylor, making him turn slightly.
"What's he doing here?" he frowned.
Nat looked in the direction she saw Taylor turn.
"He's here for a reason," she said suddenly, trying to focus her power on the couple.
Zac & Avery
Zac danced Penny over to his brothers and overheard Natalie's last sentence.
"What, to drive me insane?" he scowled. "I know, I can't ruin Jess's wedding, but what I wouldn't give to be able to pun..."
He looked down at Penny and changed the subject in case she was paying attention.
"Well."
Avery smiled slightly, resting her head against Christian's shoulder as they danced.
"I'm surviving... everyone's been understanding though," she said, glancing up at him, through her long eyelashes.
~*~*~*~
"Teleporters ready to get us the hell outta here?" Sam asked Nate, who had snuck into the wedding to catch a glimpse of Avery. "Earth to Nathaniel."
Nate shook his head a little, a small smile on his face, then he disappeared through the crowd and came striding through the side gate to meet the rest of the League.
"Everything's good to go. It's pumpin'. Time to actually get the party started."
Bethany closed her eyes and extended her presence out, Gaffrah Blade at the ready.
Walker, Isaac, Taylor, Nikki, Natalie, menagerie
"He's worried about something," Natalie shook her head.
"Well the last time he was here..." Isaac trailed off.
"What's going on?" Nikki frowned.
"This isn't the place," Taylor shook his head, "someone needs to ask him to leave."
He broke his hold on Natalie just as Isaac reached out to grab his shoulder.
"Tay? She's happy. Don't break that up," he advised.
Taylor stopped, torn.
Meanwhile Christian had unwittingly locked eyes with Walker and offered him an awkward smile.
"I don't see why they wouldn't be," he said softly, knowing she hadn't known what he'd meant but going with it anyway.
Zac & Avery
"He should be worried," Zac shook his head. "Worried I'll punch his teeth down his throat, if his hand slides any lower on Avery... he doesn't need to touch her that much."
~*~*~*~
Bethany slipped into Avery's mind with surprisingly no resistance, and then paused. Something was wrong.
Instantly, she tried to pull back, but she found she was trapped by something she couldn't see, couldn't feel her way out of.
And then the pain. A blade was coming at her from all sides, crushing her, cutting her presence to shreds.
~*~*~*~
Avery stiffened for a moment, her eyes changing colour for a moment, shining gold as her alarm system activated.
She stumbled, glad for Christian's arms around her, before it was all over, and she straightened up. Unsure of what had happened.
Walker, Isaac, Taylor, Nikki, Natalie, menagerie & Christian
"Zac!" Natalie scorned, now free of Taylor and able to take Penny from her Uncle.
Isaac's eyes widened as he saw his sister's eyes change colour.
"That's her telepathy at work," he said.
"That's it," Taylor insisted, starting to make his way over.
Christian caught her easily and helped her up again.
"What was that?" he asked, worried, eyes searching hers.
Surely it wouldn't be happening now...
Zac & Avery
"Sorry, Nat," Zac said sheepishly, before paying attention to what Isaac said. "What do you mean? Why would she be using her telepathy now?"
~*~*~*~
Nate held onto Bethany's arm, the female telepath shaking and convulsing.
"What the hell happened?" Sam asked, looking bewildered.
"No idea, but Hanson did a number on her. She's torn to shreds," Nate replied. "Let's get the hell outta here."
And in an instant, they were gone.
~*~*~*~
"I don't know," Avery said, shaking her head.
"I felt... something. And then... I don't know. Whoever it was is gone. Something happened, by itself."
Taylor & Christian
"I have no idea," Isaac looked worried.
Christian nodded knowingly as Taylor made it to their side.
"What's going on?" he frowned.
"She was attacked," Christian said softly, casting a wary glance around at the crowd, "...telepathically."
Zac & Avery
"I'm gonna find out," Zac said, making his way over.
"I'm ok, Tay," Avery reassured her brother. "I didn't even feel anything."
Isaac, Nikki, Taylor & Christian
"What's going on?" Nikki asked again as Isaac apologised to her and followed Zac.
"How do you even know?" Taylor shook his head, "and why are you even here?"
Christian looked sheepish, digging his hands into his pockets.
"I sort of... had an idea it was going to happen. Sorry," he apologised to Avery straight away.
"You knew she'd be attacked?" Taylor looked incredulous.
"Well, no. I overheard someone in a cafe in New York talking about her, and about the wedding, so I figured..."
"...You'd play the knight in shining armour? You couldn't have called us?"
Avery & Zac
"But why?" Avery looked lost, as her brothers kept questioning Christian.
"Funny how you want to be her hero now," Zac said, his voice low and menacing. "Guess Avery getting boobs went a long way in shifting your priorities."
"Zac!" Avery pushed Zac's arm down. "Don't. This is Jess's wedding, please don't ruin it, I'm fine."
"Speaking of," Zac looked her over. "Guess you're stronger than you realise. How did you defend yourself so easily?"
Avery shrugged.
Natalie, Taylor, Christian, Isaac
Natalie grabbed Taylor by the arm, making him jump. He immediately felt her power working on him, and fought the urge to make her let go.
Christian looked down his nose at Zac (easy because of his height) and opted to let the comment go.
"She has a telepathic warning shield," he said simply.
"A what?" Taylor frowned.
"A warning shield. If anyone enters her mind with intent to do her harm, it attacks them. She made it herself. Obviously still effective."
He leant forward to Zac slightly.
"She gave me one too," he said pointedly.
"Okay, we're ignoring a much bigger problem here," Isaac pointed out, "if she was just attacked, then by who? There's no one here that would do that. Thereby implying they could be just outside."
Taylor clenched a fist.
"At my sister's wedding?" he said through his teeth.
”Calm down,” Natalie ordered him.
Zac & Avery
Zac huffed a little, and took his sisters arm. Avery shrugged him off.
"I made a what?" Avery breathed out. "Guess past Avery was pretty good at seeing the bigger picture."
"It's a perfect time to strike, I guess," Zac said to Tay. "We're all here, but we were all distracted. And, no one here would've had the telepathic strength to stop them. Except Avery."
Taylor, Natalie, Christian & Isaac
"Because Tanya just went home," Taylor nodded.
He held himself back from letting loose an expletive.
"If they were here we would have noticed," Christian finally said to Isaac, "they would have literally collapsed."
"Tay?" Nat began carefully, "would you please come and sit down?"
Taylor fought with himself again, but knew it was Nat's influence that was stopping him doing anything drastic. He finally relented, and went back to where Viggo sat with Kate and Nikki, and sat with her.
"If this doesn't calm down, Mom's going to catch on," Isaac insisted, looking between them all.
Zac & Avery
"Well, I can play nice," Zac smiled sarcastically, and put his hands up in a surrender position.
"Just as long as Avery's ok. You are, aren't you?"
Avery nodded. "I didn't even feel anything. I'm fine. Please, don't let this ruin Jess's night, it's ok."
Nikki, Natalie, Taylor, Isaac, Christian
"Is anyone going to give me a straight answer as to what's happening? Who is that guy?" Nikki was getting annoyed.
"He's..." Nat began, before getting a look from Taylor.
"...Maybe it's best not to say. But his name is Neal, and he's a friend of Avery's."
Taylor smirked at that, before Nat grabbed a nearby glass of water.
"Don't make me throw this over you, because I will."
~*~
"Okay," Isaac nodded, "I'm going to take a look around outside."
"I'll come with you," Christian offered.
"Maybe you should stay with Avie," Isaac suggested, eyebrows raised.
Christian looked back at the crowd uneasily, but relented. Isaac took off around the side of the house. Chris took a deep breath, then turned back to her.
"It didn't hurt?" he made sure.
Kate, Zac & Avery
Kate looked over at Nikki and gave her a sympathetic smile. "I feel ya, sister."
~*~*~*~
Zac grit his teeth, and followed after Isaac, wanting to make sure the two of them didn't leave anything out.
"I'm ok," Avery nodded. "I didn't even know what had happened. It just felt like..."
She paused, trying to think of how to describe it.
"Like someone had turned the volume up for a second, and then it was gone. A small shock."
Christian, Taylor & Walker
"I haven't heard of it ever activating before," Christian began thoughtfully, pulling her off the dance floor a little so they weren't in anyone's way.
He could feel Taylor's eyes on him the whole time.
"But I guess there's a first time for everything. I ah... I have a theory."
He glanced up as he saw Walker making his way toward them.
Avery
Avery let Christian lead her away, and she looked over at him.
"What is it?"
Christian & Walker
"Well we never worked out what exactly happened to you in Europe, or how you got to New Orleans," Christian began, his eyes on Walker warily.
"What if this was the same person? Or people? Aliens, whatever? What if they came back to try and finish what they started?"
He straightened his back as Walker reached them.
"Avery, who is your friend?" Walker smiled politely between them, "I don't believe we've met."
Avery
Avery smiled at her father as he approached.
"This is Neal," she told him. "Neal, this is my dad, Walker."
She glanced over at Taylor for a second.
Taylor, Christian & Walker
Taylor offered what he hoped was a reassuring smile, as his knee started to bounce unnervingly.
"Pleasure to meet you Sir," Christian nodded as he shook the man's hand.
"A firm handshake. I like that," Walker nodded, "pleasure to meet you too. How do you know each other?"
"We shared an apartment in New York. We were both art students," Christian brushed over.
Avery
Avery looked between her father and Christian, and relaxed a little.
"Are you and Mom having a good time?" she asked.
Walker, Christian
"We are," Walker's eyebrows rose, "I just wanted to meet the new arrival that everyone else seemed to know."
"Sorry about that," Chris tilted his head, turning on the charm, "I should have introduced myself first thing. I apologise."
Walker nodded.
"But your daughter does look absolutely amazing," Chris amended, "well... all three of them, in fact. Or is it technically six?"
"I... guess it's six," Walker paused to contemplate that.
Avery, Kate & Zac
Avery grinned at her father. "Only two of us left at home though, after tonight."
Zac came stomping back into the yard, let down that they hadn't found anything outside. He sat next to Kate and she rubbed his knee lightly.
"You ok, boo?" she asked.
"I'm good," Zac nodded. "Just... not a fan of Avery's guest."
Taylor, Isaac, Christian & Walker
"Who is?" Taylor muttered as Isaac also reappeared scratching his head.
Isaac made his way over to Avery and Christian.
"And who knows how much longer that will be?" Walker pointed out.
"I guess with you already having lived on the station and in New York..." Christian mused.
"Exactly. So really Zoe's the only one who's never left home."
Isaac tentatively touched Christian on the arm, making him turn. He shook his head indicating that they hadn't found anything.
"I'll leave you kids to it," Walker offered, before leaning over to give Avery a kiss on the cheek, "but I'll expect a dance later, young lady."
Zac & Avery
"Don't get why he's so interested in her business anyway," Zac grumbled.
Avery gave her dad a kiss back and smiled faintly. "Well, I always have space on my dance card for you, Dad."
Taylor, Natalie, Walker, Christian
Taylor frowned at that.
"What is it?" Natalie asked, still not letting go of his arm.
"I wonder..." he began, turning to Zac, "with what happened... you know, originally. I'm wondering if he feels indebted to her or something. Didn't he say she gave him a shield?"
"I should hope so," Walker said pointedly, before returning to Diana's side.
"So what now?" Chris sighed.
"That doesn't bother you at all, does it?" Isaac shook his head.
"What?"
"Nothing. And no, we didn't find anything. Whoever it was is long gone by now."
"Which means they had help," Chris said decidedly.
Zac & Avery
"That's the part that worries me," Zac sighed. "She gave him a shield, why? He kidnapped her. She killed his father, basically. Why should either of them feel anything but animosity towards each other?"
Avery looked over at Isaac and shrugged.
"Ike, can we think about this tomorrow? It's Jess's night and I'd hate for the attention to be taken off her. I'm fine, let's just leave it at that."
Nikki, Natalie, Taylor, Isaac & Christian
"He what?" Nikki gasped, looking between Zac and Taylor.
Taylor made eye contact with her and Kate and looked sheepish.
"Maybe this isn't the best time or place for this discussion," he said finally, "we're kinda out in the open... and the kids are here."
"Thankyou," Natalie rolled her eyes.
"Of course," Isaac raised his hands in surrender, "besides, I have some more dancing to do with my wife. Excuse me."
Then he pointed at Christian.
"Don't leave," he ordered, before walking over to the others.
Kate, Zac & Avery
Kate shifted her look to Zac and he had the decency to look sheepish.
"I'll explain later, I promise," he told her.
"I, um," Avery looked over at Jess, who was signalling her. "I should go see if Jess needs anything."
Christian
"No go ahead, it's her night," Christian insisted, "I'll just... hang. Outside. Away from your brothers."
Avery
Avery gave a wry smile.
"That's probably a good idea. Zac... well... he's Zac."
She scratched the back of her head awkwardly, before turning away to leave.
Taylor, Christian, Nikki, Isaac & Natalie
Taylor watched as Christian made his way around the house again, showing great personal restraint in not going after him.
"You have some explaining to do, Mister," Nikki insisted as Isaac pulled her to her feet.
"I do, huh?"
"Zac let slip a couple of things," Taylor offered, "like the way Avery met 'Neal'."
He purposely used quotation marks.
Isaac sighed, "oh. Right."
"I don't want to rude to Jess or anything..." Natalie began, "but I think we need to start getting the kids to bed. It's back to work tomorrow, guys."
"This is true," Taylor nodded, "but I'm sure she'll understand. After all, yay for our own beds!"
Isaac chuckled as he physically coerced his wife into one last dance.
"Guess we'd better start saying our goodbyes," Taylor sighed, finally standing up, "and... rounding up the kids."