She's safe now

Titans Tower

"...That's a huge relief... X'ara's coming to... OK, I'll see you all soon... Love you too, Kori." MJ ended her call to Kori, and focused her attention on X'ara, who was beginning to wake up.

"Ugh... Mary Jane? Where... what happened?" X'ara groaned. "The last thing I remember was Kingsley charging at me and grabbing me... I blacked out..."

"It's OK -- you're safe now," MJ assured X'ara. "Gwen & Kori rescued you, and they and the girls took care of Hobgoblin."

"So... it's over?" X'ara asked hopefully. "Is everyone else OK?"

"Yeah," MJ confirmed as she helped X'ara sit up. "Kori said Gwen and Jean and everyone else are fine. They'll be here soon."

"And Kingsley?"

"Kingsley's done. Emily says the cops are looking to come down hard on him for the stunts he pulled as Hobgoblin," MJ answered.

X'ara burst into tears of relief. Kingsley and his yes men had made her life miserable for months, but it looked like it was finally over. She collapsed into MJ's arms and began crying happily, clinging onto MJ tightly.

"Hey, hey... it's OK," MJ told the alien beauty, gently stroking her hair and trying to reassure her. "I know things have been awful for you... but it's gonna get better from now on. We're gonna make sure of it..."

"Thank you," X'ara murmured softly, looking deeply into MJ's eyes. "Thank you..." she whispered as she leaned in. X'ara then tenderly kissed MJ, as they shared a warm, affectionate moment with each other.

"Always, X'ara," MJ said softly, smiling as she continued to comfort the Tamaranean. "Kori & I are here for you for as long as you need us."

X'ara smiled, holding back another round of happy tears as she snuggled into MJ's shoulder.

"X'ara!" Kori shouted as she rushed through the door, with Jean, Gwen, Donna and Betsy behind her. "Are you all right?!"

X'ara leapt up and hugged Kori tightly. "I am fine. Thank you, Kori... my princess... for everything."

Kori smiled warmly as she embraced X'ara. "Of course, X'ara. As long as you are here on Earth, you will always be under my protection."

X'ara nodded in gratitude before looking into Kori's eyes. Like she had with Mary Jane earlier, X'ara pressed her lips against Kori's, kissing her softly as Kori held her close.

That... seems like an awfully intimate moment to share in front of a group, Betsy thought to herself, recalling Jean's earlier lip lock with MJ & Kori. Were they always that affectionate?

It's a Tamaranean thing, Jean explained in a telepathic message. Spend enough time around them and you'll probably learn a lot more.

X'ara turned her attention to Jean and Betsy next. "I am also grateful to the two of you for helping me sort out my memories... I think I can move forward now."

Jean walked over to X'ara and hugged her gently. "I'm just glad you're safe now. Remember, you've got friends now."

X'ara thanked Donna as well, and then turned to Gwen, who extended her hand towards the Tamaranean. "I guess we haven't really met yet, huh?" she greeted X'ara. "I'm Gwen."

"We have not," X'ara confirmed, accepting Gwen's gesture and shaking her hand. "A pleasure to meet you, Gwen. I am X'ara -- I have heard much about you... thank you for saving me."

"Nice meeting you too, Xara, and you're welcome," Gwen replied. "Looking forward to getting to know you. My friends here seem pretty fond of you, y'know."

"The feeling is mutual," X'ara told Gwen. "I owe much to everyone here."

"Nahh, you don't owe us a thing," Gwen insisted, with everyone else in agreement. "So... what're your plans from here on out, If you don't mind me asking? Gonna stick around with Emily and Looker?"

"Yes, I think I will," X'ara answered. "I... I think I can find happiness here on Earth... something I did not believe would be possible until I met all of you. I hope that all of you will continue to be there for me, as you have been since I've met you."

"Yeah, we're not going anywhere," MJ assured X'ara, walking over to the alien beauty and placing her hands on X'ara's shoulders. "Let us know if you need anything."

"Actually, I was wondering..." X'ara looked over at MJ & Kori. "Can I stay with the two of you tonight?"