Name: Dream Dangerously, Fassbender Fan, Jimjamz
Title: Changes (part 2)
Disclaimer: characters belong to the writers of Hex and Shine Entertainment with the exception of original characters created for this fic.
Character focus: Cassie/Thelma/Azazeal.
Rating: PG
Summary: Cassie returns to Medenham after the events of Series 1 to discover some shocking changes. This was originally written as a continue the plot fic on the Strange Thoughts board.
Context: Just after series 1, an alternative version of events to series 2.
Keywords: drama,

"Michael...say hello to your Mother."

Cassie's mouth worked silently for several seconds, speechless with shock.
How could this be? The child was dead. Their son was dead, aborted by the doctors. He was the sacrifice necessary to bring all of this to an end. Wasn't he?
Cassie couldn't bring herself to even look again at the small boy staring at her, wide eyed and, unnervingly, unblinking. Finally the words came to her.

"Liar." She gasped hoarsely.

Mirth reflected back at her from Azazeal's eyes. That he found this funny made her emotions rise.

"LIAR!" She screamed at him. "Why don't you just go and leave us alone?" she spat.

A slow, cruel smile spread across Azazeal's face. He tutted softly "You're setting a bad example Cassie."

"Michael," he addressed the child beside him. "Your mother doesn't mean to be angry, she's just surprised. Soon she will realise that she loves us very much and we'll be one happy family."

Cassie felt nausea rising in her stomach. She had to get out. She turned and fled the room, Azazeal's laughter and the gaze of the child following her...

***

Thelma didn't come to Cassie that night. The one time she needed her and she wasn't here Cassie thought selfishly. Avoiding Rose's questions Cassie had gone straight to bed when she returned but sleep offered no escape. Her dreams tormented with images of Azazeal and Michael, she awoke in a cold sweat..

"Ok what the hell was that all about?"

Cassie blinked in the light of the lamp Rose had now switched on.

Rose continued, "I can handle snoring but screaming in your sleep, have never seen that one before!" She smiled stepping out of bed and walking toward Cassie's.

"I know we didn't get off to a particularly good start but if you need someone to talk to I am a very good listener!"

Cassie looked into her roommates eyes, her smile seemed sincere.

"Look, Cassie," Rose drew her knees up under the covers and wrapped her arms around them, "you don't have to tell me everything, and I know there's lots about you that I don't...will never understand, but everyone needs to talk to someone." She seemed suddenly self conscious as she looked down and plucked at a loose thread on the duvet. She took a deep breath and plunged on.

"It's not easy for me, starting new at a place like this and well, I-I've noticed how the other students act around you, heard what they say. Well, I think we could both use someone watching our backs."

Cassie felt her coldness towards Rose soften a little. In her indignation at someone trying to take Thelma's place, it had completely passed her by that Rose might be having a tough time of it. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad to at least have an ally in school. Medneham could be a lonely place if you didn't entirely fit in. Cassie knew it from harsh experience.

"Thanks." She replied to Rose, awkwardly. "I was just having a bad dream, that's all, but," she paused, unsure of what else to say, "yeah. Thanks." She attempted a smile, mentally excusing herself to Thelma for letting her hard line against Rose drop.

Thinking she turned and rummaged in her bedside draw. "Look, seeing as we're both awake at stupid o'clock...chocolate digestive?"

***

When Cassie awoke the next morning, Rose had already left for classes. She really felt she'd bonded well with the girl, even if there was that underlying sense of guilt when she thought of Thelma.

She's not trying to take her place...she only wants to be friendly she told herself You'll need all the friends you can get now...

Cassie had been lying in bed for two hours, just staring into space. Images of Michael kept flashing up in her head. She didn't know what to do. Part of her wanted to go and see him again, but the other part was telling her to stay put. Just when her indecision was starting to get too much...

"Well, you just rushed off yesterday"
Cassie looked up. Thelma was at her usual spot, the desk chair, gazing down at Cassie. Cassie sat up.
"Thelma" She said shakily, trying not to cry. Thelma's smile instantly disappeared to be replaced by a worried frown.

"What's wrong...has something happened?" The ghost asked, resting her hand next to Cassie's. The blonde looked down at the two hands, then up at Thelma's face, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"I-i-i-ts-"

Cassie was interrupted by the sound of the door opening. The two girls turned round.
"Good morning. I thought you ought to see your son"

Cassie stared unblinkingly at the figures in her doorway, clutching the bedspread tightly she longed to be able to embrace Thelma who was growing pink with rage beside her...

"You may have convinced yourself you feel nothing for me Cassie. But you cannot deny Michael"

His voice snapped the blonde back to reality as she realised Thelma was no longer by her side..

"What the hell are you playing at now? This another sacrifice of yours?"

Confident he couldn't harm her now she was a ghost, Thelma faced Azazeal,

"Cause y'know you can't get rid of people that easily...look at me-" she grinned, stepping close enough to feel his unwavering breath on her face, "-and I am going nowhere!" she finished indignantly.

Smiling, Azazeal looked past Thelma at Cassie once more then back at Thelma, leaning toward her she flinched as he whispered into her ear.
"You don't scare me child. Cassie and I have something you two never will. No matter how hard you try..."

Anger bubbled inside Thelma as she felt tears prick her eyes; the maliciousness of his voice ringing inside her ears; the sudden knowledge that Cassie had still not spoken. She felt deflated and small as Azazeal brushed her aside, guiding the child at his side toward Cassie.

Cassie was frozen as the two made there way towards her. When yesterday Cassie couldn't bear to look at the child, now she couldn't take her eyes off him. He hadn't even spoken yet, but for some reason, past his soft blond hair and baby face, he seemed wise beyond his years. Almost like an adult.

Michael stopped before her, his father at his side, laying a hand protectively on his shoulder. Cassie's gaze travelled down his face, past his big blue eyes (Her eyes ) his button nose and small, rosebud lips. His skin was pale. He was the spitting image of her.

Slowly, she stroked his cheek. He didn't even react, still stared unblinkingly at her. As she touched her son for the first time...her son, she felt a strong rush of love.

"What have I told you, Michael? Say hello to your mother" Azazeal addressed the child beside him, before turning round, smirking knowingly at Thelma, who just stared, obviously in total shock about the whole situation.

Michael glanced up at Azazeal, before turning to Cassie. He shyly smiled and then, to her great surprise, threw his small arms around her.
"Hello mummy"

Tears pricked Cassie's widened eyes as she felt his arms around her, his small fingers clutching at her clothes, his small heart beating against her chest in time with her own..things began to blur as her head began to rush, this was all too much.

Gently prising his arms from around her, Cassie release herself from the child's embrace. In doing so she found herself clutching his hands in her own, looking down at them she began to weep.

Thelma had been watching all of this in slow motion, frozen to the spot; unable to speak. Jealousy and anger filled her as her mind battled over what to do.

As though Azazeal could read Thelma's mind he cast her a disarming look and placed his hand over Cassie and Michaels.

"We are a family now Cassie, you can't let this go, you know what it's like. Do you really want that for our son?"

A deep longing filled Cassie's heart as she stared at Azazeal. She had wanted so much to be with him and she desperately wanted this child as he stood before her. She calculated the risks as love and confusion blinded her, she stretched a hand toward her lover...

"I-"

"Cassie!!"

Unable to hold back Thelma interrupted, positioning herself between Cassie and Azazeal, her back to the fallen angel.

"What are you doing? Don't tell me you are even considering this? After all he's do-"

Tears interrupted Thelma's speech as she crumpled before Cassie. Desperately wishing the blonde could hold and comfort her once more. That she would finally make her choice. That she would choose her over Azazeal....