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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 4136315" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Two-hundred-eighty-three, “Saying Goodbye”, Thursday, June 22nd , 1:00 P.M. Nanuet pulls Kate and Manuel aside and whispers to them as the Arch-Bishop finishes his work. "I've done a little thinking. I am not sure what your plans are, about returning and whatnot. I think that I would like to take my time traveling back. I sped across the country and didn't get a chance to see anything. If I am not needed immediately back home then I think I would like to travel by conventional means." Kate replies, "You are missed, but there is no work that needs doing right now. We plan to leave almost immediately after Ruby is well. She'll want to sleep and we came away in a hurry. I especially have responsibilities I must return to. If you have any messages you want us to carry, I'll be glad to bring them." Kate took a moment and spoke to the Arch Bishop. "I wanted to thank you for all your help. We plan to leave as soon as we can, so we're unlikely to return with Mr. Howells. I would have enjoyed having a chance to talk with you. I hope I'll have another chance." When the healing is completed George thanks the Arch-Bishop and then assists Ruby back outside to the carriages. Once George has her in the carriage she says exhaustedly, "Baby, please make sure no one leaves while I'm resting. Ask them to meet us at dinner tonight, please." The carriages reach the hotel and the hotel doormen hold the doors open. Nana and George both help Ruby off. Gonzales escorts Kate out of the other carriage, followed by Nanuet. They all head into the hotel lobby. George passes on Ruby’s request. Ruby has George help her up to her room. As Ruby had George take her swiftly upstairs, Kate sighed to Mr. Gonzales, "If I didn't know better, I'd say she was trying to keep us from leaving by denying us the chance to say goodbye." She pursed her lips and looked at Mrs. West and Ruby's little brother. "Now what? I suppose we wait for Mr. Eastman and convey our goodbyes through him, as much as I don't like it." Gonzales says, "No, we'll say our goodbyes to Ruby now." They head upstairs. Ruby tiredly sits on the bed and uses all her energy to pull off her shoes. "George, what do you think about what my mother asked, you know, for us to travel to Baltimore with them?" He says, "I will go anywhere you wish my dear. If your mother wishes your company we should probably go along, plus you seem attached now to your brother so I would hate to separate you." Before Ruby can respond there is a knock on the door. George goes to the door and opens it. "We wish to see Ruby," Gonzales states. George turns and says, "Dear, your friends wish to see you." She doesn't bother to get up. "Come on in," she calls out wearily. Her brain was desperately trying to shut off and even her eyes were open against their will. "Sorry for running off, I just really needed to sit down, I need some more sleep. At least it should be restful knowing I'm not going to turn into a vampire tonight." "I wouldn't be surprised if you sleep until tomorrow, dear," Kate said crossing the room to the bed. She sat down there and took Ruby's hand. "And we must say goodbye," she said gently. "Now that we know you're going to be alright, and you're in good hands." "Oh, but you can't leave yet, you said you were going to come back to Rochester and my things are there." Ruby looks to George, a bit embarrassed. "I was thinking of going home with you." George says, "Ruby, darling, you need to rest and I need you here, as do your brother and mother. Arizona can wait for another day." Kate says, "Arizona isn't going anywhere. You have a chance right now; a chance to change things with your mother. It will take a long time, and a lot of forgiveness, but it also takes the right time, and that's now. Obviously something opened her eyes, at least partially, and now is the best time to encourage them to stay open." Kate kissed her cheek. "And now that I know you'll be in one place for a while I can actually write you." Gonzales says, "Ruby, it's finally time for you to stop running and to stop worrying about anybody trying to kill you. Johnny Ringo wasn't even buried in the ground and you were just starting to recover from his near-lethal attack when Colin Turner decided to then come after you. Turner is now gone, Ringo is now gone, even the threat of your parents abducting you is gone. Kate is right, for the first time in your life you have a chance for a real family of your own, embrace that." She replies, "But-but what about my puppies? And my house? And my job? And my training? And-and all of you?" Ruby sighs then looks at George standing before her. "It's not that I want to leave you, I don't, but I have responsibilities there too." Ruby can't believe the words coming out of her mouth. Responsibilities?? Since when do I care about that? "I miss my puppies." She tiredly hangs her head, "And I have some business to finish before Jake leaves for good." Kate answers, "None of that's going anywhere. The puppies are being well-cared for. The saloon misses you but Clarisse is getting better every night and Miss Peacock and her fiance have been good additions. The faro table is bringing in good business." She squeezed Ruby's hand. "And what business do you really need to finish before Jake leaves? To tell him that you truly did care for him? To tell him that he taught you what you needed to know to accept love? That sometimes love alone isn't enough? He knows all that. You've both set out on new paths, keep treading them for a while before you meet again." "Miss Peacock? What's that about? I didn't know we had anyone new... I haven't had much time to think about all the questions to ask you and what's going on." Ruby shakes her head. "And what you're telling me is that you don't need me there." Kate replies, "I'm saying there is no need to cut your trip short, thinking you are shirking. The others have picked up the slack and a few more days before you come home will do them no harm. That's far different than not needing you at all." Ruby sighs again. "As for Jake, no, I don't have any of those things to talk to him about, that's over as far as I'm concerned." She doesn't sound completely convincing. "I want him to let me buy his half of my house and his share of the saloon. He never really wanted either of them anyway." Kate refrained from disagreeing at least on the point of the saloon. "I'll mention it to him. He can wire you about the arrangements." Ruby exclaims, "He won't." Ruby quietly ponders, while she fights her eyes closing. "Maybe I can send a note. Will you bring him a note and help with the arrangements in town Kate?" Kate says, "Of course I will, honey. Take care of yourself and your family. Let me worry about business." She kissed her cheek again. "And when you do come home, I want to hear all about what happens." "Of course," Ruby yawns. "I want to hear all about your...," a smile sneaks onto her lips, "stuff too. Plus I need you to help me plan my wedding. I can't do it without you." "I always love a wedding," Kate said warmly. "And yes, I have, ah, stuff to get back to before I can't do it anymore." Mr. Eastman handed Ruby paper and pen and a lap desk to write on. "I'll write you all about it when I get home." Ruby furrows her brows. What is she talking about before she can't do it anymore? She shrugs to herself and begins writing a quick note. When she is done writing she looks it over briefly before handing it to Kate. "Thank you for your help Kate. You can take care of all the rest of it. It shouldn't be a problem." She asks sheepishly, "Mr. Gonzales, would it be possible for you to bring me my puppies?" Gonzales replies, "Yes, I could bring them to the house in Rochester before the week is over. I think they would be much better to have than the last puppy you brought into that house." She replies, "I agree. Although I guess he knew me well enough to know I'm a sucker for cute puppies." She smiles, "I'd really appreciate you bringing them. I think soon enough George is going to have a huge house with a really big yard for them to play in. Plus I think they'll like the lake. They could use some time off from working the saloon too." Ruby stands and hugs her teacher tightly. "Thank you so much for coming to my rescue. It's really nice to know someone's watching out for me." Ruby then turns to Kate and is about to stop her when she stops suddenly. "Where Nanuet? Is he leaving with you two?" Kate replies, "He wants to travel back on his own and see the country he went through so quickly to get here. I'm not sure how long he's going to stay here, but he doesn't seem to be in any great hurry." "Oh good, you won't all be deserting me at once," Ruby teases through another yawn. She turns to Kate. "Please think about coming to visit me again for a couple of days. Teacher would be happy to bring you I'm sure, maybe when he brings the puppies. I've really missed you. You could bring Ginnie if you're worried about her. Knowing her, she'd probably love the photography business. Or you could bring Conrad and let him have a little vacation from Promise City too." Kate says, "It's a possibility, I'll have to find out if Promise City fell apart during my absence before I leave it again. And you really should get your rest, dear." Kate leaned forward and hugged Ruby, holding on a few extra seconds. "I love you, take care of yourself." Ruby hugs her friend back. She really didn't want to let her go but it was too late. Kate had already found a new life for herself. "I love you too Kate. Take care and be safe. Say hi to everyone back in Promise City for me." Kate says, "Of course. And we'll see each other again, I'd wager before another week passes. Two at most." Ruby replies, "Good." She wasn't convinced but she was hopeful. She quickly hugs Kate again then plops back down on the bed. "Okay, I'm going to rest now. Get going you two." Gonzales and Kate leave Ruby and George. After everyone had finally left Ruby and George alone, Ruby collapses back onto the bed. "It's been a busy and tiring couple of days. I can't even think straight!! So much has happened and there is a lot to think over." She wearily pulls herself up. "George, will you help me get undressed? Then I'd like you to stay with me for a while, until I fall asleep, will you do that?" "Whatever you would like my dear," is George's reply George helps Ruby get undressed before she climbs into bed, pulling him in with her. She snuggles up to him and closes her eyes. "Baby, we're going to need some clothes and sundries if we're going to go to Baltimore with my mother. Can you send someone out? I'm not up for shopping right now." She yawns, "And make sure Nanuet doesn't leave without saying goodbye..." Her voice trails off and she falls into a deep sleep. Nanuet was in no rush to leave, he had been on the move for several days now and was weary. Because of this he felt no reason to join Kate and Manuel as they went to say goodbye to Ruby, je would say his own goodbyes later. He thought about what he wanted to say to Minerva, what message he wanted to give to Kate to deliver. He works with the clerk to compose a note: "Minerva, I never meant to stay away for too long, but after an incredible week I find myself needing some peace and quiet. I will return shortly, you have my word and as always, you have my love." There, that sounds good he says to no one in particular as he folds the note then finds a comfortable place to sit. Kate and Gonzales locate Nanuet and say goodbye to him. Nanuet is sure to give his note to Minerva for her to deliver. He tells them that is plan is to stay here for a day or two and then head home. How he will be traveling is unsure but it will probably take a while before he makes it back, he plans on taking his time. The Indian says, "I don't think my people were made to take all this excitement in such a short period of time. I need to slow down for a bit. Maska will be by my side, together we'll be fine. Take care of yourselves, our paths will cross again soon enough I'm sure." Gonzales and Kate return to Kate's room and the older elf gets the brazier lit. A few minutes of powder sprinkling, hand-hold and incantations later they are back in Mr. Gonzales's mansion. He says, "Well, it was getting towards mid-afternoon in Pennsylvania so it would be just around noontime here. How about we go get ourselves a bite of lunch and let our friends know that we are back?" Kate smiled brightly, taking a deep breath. "Yes please, I'm starving. It's so nice to be home." She took her teacher's arm and walked with him through the magical rooms and down to the busy cantina. They descend the stairs into the main dining room and are pleasantly greeted by Dorita. She quickly gets the two of them some food and Pedro also passes onto Gonzales a note from Jake Cook. Kate dug into Dorita's good food with relish. She'd eaten very enthusiastically over the last day or so, but then she'd been expending a great deal of energy. "What is it, Grandfather?" Kate asked curiously between bites. "A private matter, nothing to concern yourself over," he states.</blockquote>

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