An acorn grows into a mighty oak ((tag Clark))

[slayers_desire]

In the past few weeks, Clark and April have been helping to mentor the Dryad spirit in her mental mindscape. They took the opportunity whenever they had free time -- which didn't come very often in their busy lives. But step by step, moment by moment, the Dryad was learning more about the world.

And with each visit, April felt a little piece of herself heal and get stronger.

The Voices were still not quite completely back, and there were times when they would have been a great assistance to the situation at hand -- but they took each day at a time. They handled each emergency the best way they could, using the strengths and abilities of other members of the JLA team.

Usually, Clark and April found time right before bed to take a moment in the mental mindscape. It seemed to suit their schedules. The children were asleep. And the their day was done. The only thing that would come up -- was the occasional need for Superman.

Tonight was one of those nights when they had no emergencies to handle. April was sitting on the bed, brushing out her hair quietly to herself. She felt they were closer to resolving the issue -- so she could have those abilities back in her life. In truth, she missed them.

Comments

[slayers_desire]

"Tell me about when you first knew?"

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"I'm not sure there was ever one single moment where I knew I was in love with her. It was gradual, something we grew into over time."

[slayers_desire]

"Just like the love for the tree is gradual." There is a soft glow to the tree, when Daphne speaks. And some of the blooms seem to open slightly.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"Yes. Attraction can be instant, but real love takes time. 'Love at first sight' is only the first step towards a deeper relationship."

[slayers_desire]

"I love you." Daphne smiles.

April laughs. She is not surprised. This is her mind. A part of herself. Even the Fates all were connected to Clark.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

It's still a bit weird for Clark, but he knows that Daphne is just a representation of part of April, so it really isn't unexpected that she would love him. He supposes that must mean that he loves her too, as he loves all of April, not just the part of her that he usually sees. Especially if she is the talking representation of the tree that's gotten them through so much over the years. "I love you too."

[slayers_desire]

There is another glow to the tree, and one of the blooms completely opens. April feels a soft little whisper enter her mind.

"Clark... one of my voices. It is back."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

It's welcome news, and Clark looks up at the tree, seeing the glow coming from one of the branches, and how many more have yet to open. "Slow and patient..."

[slayers_desire]

"Love and support." April takes his hand in hers. "The more love we give the Tree and the blooms, will return my Voices."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"You know what this reminds me of?" Clark says with a smile. "Waiting for our children to be born. It seems to take forever, but it's necessary."

[slayers_desire]

"And that forever feeling seems especially long for me..." April laughs.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"Well you're basically growing a psychic baby in your mind," Clark says, teasing her a little.

[slayers_desire]

"We are..." April laughed with him. And kissed him softly.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"We've already restored one of your voices... it won't be long now."

[slayers_desire]

"The buds around the one that flowered are already responding to the first." April notes. And it is true, the other buds are getting closer to blossoming.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"A chain reaction... what affects one affects them all."

[slayers_desire]

"I think we will help open others, the whole tree will soon be in complete bloom."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Clark kisses her, and holds her in his arms. "And we did it all without needing to use that doll."

[slayers_desire]

"I am so glad we did. I just wouldn't have been me... carrying that thing around."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"No," Clark agrees. "You're not your mother. And I'm glad that you're the person you are."

[slayers_desire]

"Maybe we should share more memories of love to help blossom the others?"

[kalel_ofkrypton]

He smiles a little, and touches her shoulder, where a Kryptonian symbol is still scarred into her flesh. "Remember this?"

[slayers_desire]

"It started with you using your heat vision to remove a Rune..." April smiles softly. "And replacing it with another one."

"Then later after you saved me from the Demons, the Rune changed on its own to this."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"Soulmate," he says, reading it in his mind's eye, tracing it on her shoulder. "I think at that point, I couldn't have left you if I'd wanted to."

[slayers_desire]

As they speak a few more buds bloom open at their memory sharing. "You have always been there for me."