The pink slip was written and sent to the classroom where Gabe was at. It was during the first class of the day and Sha'uri needed to have a few words with him. Later in the day was not good for her, for she was usually too exhausted to handle it properly. Her exhaustion seemed to be coming earlier and earlier every day. This pregnancy was draining her. So early in the morning seemed to be better for her and gave her opportunity to catch him. She waited in her office, fingers drumming on the desk.

The note was handed to him and was written:

Student's Name: Gabe Ashlocke
Class dismissed from: First class
Transfer to: Headmaster's Office
Reason: Conference with Acting Headmaster.
Expected return time: When done in Conference
Other Notes: Prompt arrival to the Office is expected.

Melody was expecting him and showed him into the office where Sha'uri sat with one hand on her belly and the other drumming her fingers atop the desk. Sapphire hues were totally absent the usual mirth and warmth. In place was a sterness and cold reserve in their depths, marred by some measure of disappointment. Unlike her gaze, her voice held a certain measure of understanding and calmness.

"Please, sit down."

She motioned to the chair and Melody backed out of the room and closed the door, leaving Gabe to face the music on his own.

She waited until he had sat before she continued, though her fingers did not resume the drumming.

"It is my impression that you seem to like it here at Ravensheart Academy. You've been a good student so far and haven't caused problems here at school.. aside from the little pranks you and Cadence play on each other, which, by the way, I want to thank you for not letting it get out of hand. Yes, I notice them every time. Course, while that's not exactly the best model for some of the other younger students, it does at least show them how not to get out of hand..."

She gave a brief pause.

"However, I've been hearing some things about your activities outside of school. Normally I wouldn't make this my business, you're an adult and fully capable of doing whatever it is you do... but.. I think I have to stick my nose in just a bit this time. First, though, I'm going to give you a chance to tell me .... do you have any clue what I might be about here? Any idea at all?"

Yes, she was testing him and watching him closely for his reactions. Her fingers resumed that incessant drumming atop the desk.

Her gaze narrowed on Gabriel and her tones were stern.

"Oh, I'll correct you all right. You sound like a liar already. In one breath you tell me you have no clue while in the next breath you tell me that my source - singular use of the word - may not be reliable. That would indicate that you at least think you know what I'm talking about and even think you know my specific source for such things. You're definitely not telling me something or assuming far too much."

The pupils of her eyes became a dark flame. Years of military training kicked in, as well as the authority she had become accustomed to dealing, even though she didn't like it. This was something Gabriel had never seen her visage to carry until now.

"Don't play games with me, Gabriel. I am coming to you first out of courtesy to you. You've been accused of something and I want to hear your side. Maybe it's false accusations and maybe it's not. Maybe this whole thing is nothing but a misunderstanding. Maybe it's not. Either way, It's for me to determine. I'm giving you a chance to tell me the truth for your own protection. Don't blow it."

The muscles in her jawline were clenching. She was not happy, though she was trying to be fair, indicated by her tones softening with compassion.

"Now, let's try this again. This time I'll be blunt. I expect you to tell me what you know. I heard you attacked the Bonnie Corp business.... I want your side of the story before I dig further with other sources. What you do outside of the school can have a reflection on the school and I feel it's my duty to dig into this. I'm sure the Headmaster would do so himself if he were here. Now, what we do about it is another matter. I'm sure there are circumstances that would effect such decisions. Either way, I would rather wait until the Headmaster returns before making too many decisions about it, other then gathering information. Right now, I need to know what you know about it. Have you ever attacked the Bonnie Corp. or any of its associates? If so, when? Why? and how? If not, what reasons might exist for you to be accused of such things?"

Stern features eased to worry as she leaned back in her chair, trying to get comfortable with the squirming in her stomach. The sigh she let out said it all... she'd be glad when the child wasn't in there anymore. As for Gabriel, her gaze remained steady. It was true, she'd noticed some differences in him lately and knew it was a critical time for him. Her gaze was that of a friend.

"I'm glad you've been trying to atone. However, running away from punishment will not help, Gabriel. If we exact some kind of punishment, it won't be to kill you, nor flail the skin from your flesh, nor maime you."

She afforded a kind grin.

"It also doesn't help doing to others what they do to you. Sometimes the best retaliation is to do nothing at all, or better yet do something nice. I don't know if this situation between you and Bonnie corp has been resolved, but it needs to be not just because of any reflection it has on the school, but for your sake too... and theirs. I don't know what happened to cause it. Talk to me, Gabriel... how can I help?"

She regarded him carefully, taking a moment of silence to contemplate.

"My mother used to tell me that time was a great healer of all things. Time is a great revealer, too. Many things come to light over time. She'd say,"

'Aye now, Sha'uri... Time'll tell the story 'o thAt one. Patience, little luv... patience ya must learn. Yar always in such a fuss. So pull the shorts outta yar arse girl an sit down a spell! Ye'll be given me an ulcer yet!'

The accent was a perfect likeness of her mother, and her eyes flashed all fiery, not with fire but with spirit. Then she relaxed as she smiled fondly and continued.

"I sense in you some great potential, Gabe. Equally so, I sense a great turmoil, a conflict that I don't even understand except that it drags you down. It's like you're struggling so desperately to prove something and you don't even realize what that is. Not yet. Maybe it isn't proving, but understanding you struggle with."

The flames had slowly subsided in her eyes, leaving gentle sapphire hues tinged with a sadness as her reflective demeanor towards him turned slowly upon herself. Her gaze shifted unknowingly. She knew about inner struggles and had several of her own to contend with. A hand absently rubbed gently over her abdomen as she oddly thought about how she missed Briarius so much. Then once again those sapphire hues were upon him.

"Perhaps you need time away... time to reflect. There's only a few days left of Summer classes. I don't know if Briarius will be back before then. But I'm sure he'll be back before the Fall sessions start in a couple of weeks. I would like to suggest something....It's only a suggestion, but hear me out and consider it. Okay?"

She shifted in her seat, leaning forward with her forearms resting upon the edge of her desk and waited for his attention.

"Des ja vous...."
she quipped.

"This is what I mean.. you constantly struggle and that's what you said last time, too, that it was a struggle for your survival. Your soul is torn. You need time away to observe.. time to heal, time to pull yourself together. My advice, take time off .. away. I mean away from the Inn, from the Market area, the Great Hall and from the Glen. Take time away from RhyDin. Get away from the Nexus. Maybe that is why you struggle so much. Isn't it possible that it effects you?"

She nodded.

"Good. Now... back to the subject of the Bonnie Corp. Have you made attempts to rectify with them? I mean, is there a truce between you? Have you apologized, offered to fix anything that was damaged? Did anyone die? Have they attempted since then to wipe you off the face of the earth?"

She grinned, but it really wasn't a laughing matter. Still, she had made her last question lightly.

"I think I can understand that."

She knew all to well what it was like to lose control, to struggle with two halves that opposed each other so much. She also knew that to lose control would wreak devistation.

A twinge of pain shot through her stomach as she tried to get up, intending to move to his side of the desk. She opted to stay put, not move and wait a moment to see if the pain would go away. The Healer in her was beginning to get the idea that something wasn't right, but now was not the time to make a fuss about it.

"However.." she continued to speak, "With great power comes much responsibility. Learn from your mistakes, Gabriel, or they will be your undoing or worse, the undoing of others around you. I hope you find meaning in that a... advice."

Pain shot through her again like a thick needle twisted in the womb. It caused her to stutter that last word. Still, she clenched her jaw and withstood the pain, trying not to show any of it.

She saw the darkness around Gabe and understood it. Didn't she have her own shell of protection wrapped round her inner most core? She knew... He needed to be the one to deal with his and she could not help him. It was a matter of soul and it wasn't for anyone else to deal with except him. She watched him walk to the doorway as he was leaving, and then it hit her again.

"Ah!"

She gasped as another shot of pain raced through her stomach, harder then the last one. It wasn't a contraction, but something else. Something was wrong... she just didn't know what was causing it. Clenching her jaw tight, she struggled trying to control her breathing..... It almost felt like her womb was shifting out of phase, leaving her here or perhaps visa versa ... either way, it was not a contraction and yet cycled like one. She'd never been so scared in her life and she cried out with the first name that came to her mind as it hit her again. It wasn't even a thinking reaction.

"Bri!"

She really wished he was here, but she knew... he couldn't be.