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arfic-l-digest        Thursday, March 22 2001        Volume 01 : Number 020




----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2001 09:55:12 +1200
From: "The Olsen Family" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (arfic-l) The Medusa Stone (14/19)

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

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The Medusa Stone (14/19)

by Anne Olsen

Email : [e-mail]

Fandom : Stargate SG1/ Highlander/ NS Tomorrow People

Rating: PG

Summary : SG1 finds a manuscript that Daniel has trouble deciphering. An =
historian named Adam Pierson offers to help.

Disclaimer :=20
The characters of Daniel Jackson, Jack O'Neill, Sam Carter, Teal'c, =
General Hammond, Janet Frasier, Apophis and anybody else you recognise =
from the SGC do not belong to me. Neither does the concept of the =
Stargate, SGC, and the Goa'uld and any thing else related to the series =
Stargate SG1. They belong to Stargate (II) Productions, Showtime/Viacom, =
MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Products.

The characters of Methos (a.k.a. Adam Pierson), Joe Dawson, Connor =
MacLeod and Duncan MacLeod belong to Panzer/Davis, Rysher/Gaumont =
Television. So do the concepts of Immortality, the Game and the =
Watchers.

Likewise the characters of Adam Newman, Megabyte Damon, General William =
Damon, Ami Jackson, Jade Weston, Kevin Wilson or any names or events =
linked to the Tomorrow People TV series do not belong to me either. They =
are the property of Roger Damon Price, Thames/Tetra and ITV Television

- ----------------

Part Fourteen

"I don't believe it," said O'Neill. "Daniel would never do something =
like that." He was staring in disbelief at the image that the security =
cameras had picked up as Daniel and Megabyte had entered the gate room.

Carter spoke up. "Colonel, I don't think that is actually Daniel. I =
mean, it's him but I don't think he's in control of his actions."

"Are we talking mind control, Carter? But who? It's not Goa'uld. Frasier =
ran the usual tests when we returned through the Stargate. She didn't =
find any sign of anything out of the ordinary."

The next comment came from Methos. "Think about it, Jack. Who have we =
met recently who hates telepaths and isn't too fond of me either? It =
would explain Daniel's behaviour too. Remember I told you the last thing =
I remembered hearing before I lost consciousness was him screaming. That =
was probably when it happened.."

"Ramiis." O'Neill felt so stupid. It had been staring him in the face =
all this time and he hadn't seen it. Hadn't wanted to see it. He had =
known that Daniel had been acting totally out of character and still he =
hadn't thought of the obvious. How was he going to explain this to =
Daniel if, when, he corrected, they managed to get out of this mess?

"Are you saying what I think you're saying?" asked Damon. "My son is in =
the clutches of a lunatic who has a vendetta against Tomorrow People? =
I'm sorry but I'm more worried about his safety at the moment than that =
of your Doctor Jackson."

"Look, I know you're worried, Bill. I would be too if it were my son, =
but at the moment it looks as though Ramiis is more interested in using =
him as a hostage than actually killing him." Hammond tried to sound =
reassuring, even though he didn't feel it himself.

Teal'c interrupted the conversation. "General Hammond, it appears as =
though Ramiis wishes to speak with you."

Daniel's voice came through the Gate room intercom system, through to =
the control room. "Open the blast doors so that we can see each other," =
he said. "I want to see who I am conversing with."

At least it sounds as though the guy wants to make a deal, thought =
O'Neill. He tried not to think about what the deal would entail. He had =
a sneaking suspicion it would have something to do with either Methos or =
Adam or both.

"This is General Hammond. I presume I am speaking with Ramiis and not =
Doctor Jackson."

Damon and Adam moved forward, closer to the big glass partition between =
the control room and the gate room. Now that the blast doors were open =
they had a good view of the gate room itself, and of Ramiis/Daniel and =
Megabyte. Adam could see how worried Damon looked when he saw his son. =
It was times like this that he was pleased that his own parents weren't =
aware of their son's abilities, but at the same time, watching Damon, he =
wondered again if he should have stayed in contact after what had =
happened between them.=20

Megabyte looked awful. They both noticed at once the bruises on the =
boy's face and the dried blood around his mouth. His hands were bound =
behind him and he seemed quite unsteady on his feet. He noticed them =
watching him and gave them a shaky smile.=20

"Very observant, General. Doctor Jackson is, shall I say, not available =
at this point in time. He, and the boy, shall be returned to you =
unharmed if you comply with my request."

"Yeah right," interrupted O'Neill. "And what makes you think we believe =
you for a minute? We have absolutely no reason to trust you, none at =
all."

Hammond glared at him. "Colonel O'Neill, please be quiet." He turned to =
Ramiis. "Please excuse him, he is worried about your hostages, as we all =
are. Would it be possible to speak to Doctor Jackson?"

"No it would not." Ramiis tightened his grip on Megabyte. "You may speak =
with the telepath. Then we will negotiate."

Megabyte could see the worried looks on the faces on those in the =
control room, especially his father and Adam. I'm sorry Dad, he thought =
to himself. He knew this was his only chance to help Daniel, he had to =
take it, and worry about the consequences to himself later.

"The box," he yelled. "You've got to destroy the box, it's how he's =
controlling." He felt something hard hit the back of his head, and then =
.nothing.

Ramiis stared at the still figure on the floor in disgust. He had =
expected the boy to beg his friends to save him, or at least reassure =
them that he was relatively unharmed, not this.=20

Damon jumped to his feet as soon as he saw Ramiis hit Megabyte with his =
sword hilt. "If you've harmed my son." he began.

Adam took him by the arm. "Sit down, General. You can't do anything for =
him now. We'll get Megabyte out of this, somehow." He wished he felt as =
confident as he sounded. He wished his friend still had his powers, then =
at least he would be able to confirm that he was only unconscious.

"Okay, Ramiis. Let's cut the small talk and get straight to the point. =
What do you want?"

"Why, General Hammond, I thought that was obvious. I want Methos, of =
course. We have unfinished business, which I wish to finish now. =
Remember Methos, there can be only one. I intend to be that one. Or =
maybe you intend to let children fight your battles for you again? Do =
you wish to add one more telepath to the list of those whom you failed =
to protect? I believe Tutankhamun was calling your name as he died."

"That wasn't my fault," Methos replied, more to reassure himself than =
Ramiis. He still carried the guilt of the deaths of Tutankhamun and =
Neret, even all these thousands of years later. If he hadn't left Egypt =
when he had, he might have been able to save them from Rameses Ak'Hara. =
Looking back he was sure that the boy king had told him to leave because =
he had suspected that another more powerful enemy waited in the wings to =
kill him. He remembered the look in their eyes as they had all said =
goodbye for the final time. They had known that he would not see them =
again, he had just not wanted to admit it to himself. Looking out for =
himself, as usual, he thought to himself. Sometimes he regretted all he =
had had to do over the years to ensure his survival. He wondered if it =
was all worth it.=20

His thoughts returned to the present as he looked at Megabyte lying on =
the ground in the gate room. Obviously Tomorrow People haven't changed =
much over the years, he thought to himself. Still putting the welfare of =
others before their own. The boy must have known what Ramiis' reaction =
would be when he spoke up.=20

This time would be different. There was no way he was going to be =
responsible for the deaths of another generation of Tomorrow People. =
"Ramiis, I accept your challenge." he began.

Hammond interrupted him. "Sorry, son. I can't allow this, not on my =
command. We will not trade one hostage for another. I'm sorry Bill, I =
know that's your son down there, but I'm not about to trade one life for =
another. I don't think for a minute that Ramiis would release Megabyte =
once he has Methos anyway."

"General Hammond, this doesn't fall under your jurisdiction. I know this =
is your base, but this is immortal business. There is no inference in =
The Game, mortal or otherwise.

Methos could see he was wasting his time, there was no way he was going =
to be able to get past the armed guards either. Unless..

He moved deliberately closer to Adam. "I still need to get my sword," he =
said to him. "You know we're out of any other options don't you? I know =
how your kind feel about violence, we just need to distract him."

Adam nodded. He held out his hand to the immortal and closed his eyes.

Damon suddenly realised what was happening. "No, Adam!"

Adam and Methos disappeared in a flash of white light leaving a very =
surprised General Hammond and SG1.

"Okay," said O'Neill looking accusatively at Damon. "They can teleport =
others as well as themselves. Anything else these kids can do that you =
forgot to mention?"

- -------------------------

End of Part 14




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<HTML><HEAD>
<META content=3D"text/html; charset=3Diso-8859-1" =
http-equiv=3DContent-Type>
<META content=3D"MSHTML 5.00.2614.3500" name=3DGENERATOR>
<STYLE></STYLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff>
<DIV>The Medusa Stone (14/19)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>
<DIV><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3>by Anne Olsen</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D3><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">Email : <A=20
href=3D"mailto:[e-mail]">[e-mail]</A></FONT></F=
ONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3>Fandom : Stargate SG1/ =
Highlander/ NS=20
Tomorrow People</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3>Rating: PG</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3>Summary : SG1 finds a =
manuscript that=20
Daniel has trouble deciphering. An historian named Adam Pierson offers =
to=20
help.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3>Disclaimer : </FONT></DIV>
<DIV>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3>The characters of Daniel =
Jackson, Jack=20
O’Neill, Sam Carter, Teal’c, General Hammond, Janet Frasier, =
Apophis and anybody=20
else you recognise from the SGC do not belong to me. Neither does the =
concept of=20
the Stargate, SGC, and the Goa’uld and any thing else related to =
the series=20
Stargate SG1. They belong to Stargate (II) Productions, Showtime/Viacom, =
MGM/UA,=20
Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Products.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3>The characters of Methos =
(a.k.a. Adam=20
Pierson), Joe Dawson, Connor MacLeod and Duncan MacLeod belong to =
Panzer/Davis,=20
Rysher/Gaumont Television. So do the concepts of Immortality, the Game =
and the=20
Watchers.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3>Likewise the characters of =
Adam Newman,=20
Megabyte Damon, General William Damon, Ami Jackson, Jade Weston, Kevin =
Wilson or=20
any names or events linked to the Tomorrow People TV series do not =
belong to me=20
either. They are the property of Roger Damon Price, Thames/Tetra and ITV =

Television</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman"=20
size=3D3>----------------</FONT></P></DIV></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><U>
<P>Part Fourteen</P></U><FONT size=3D2></FONT>
<P>"I don’t believe it," said O’Neill. "Daniel would never =
do something like=20
that." He was staring in disbelief at the image that the security =
cameras had=20
picked up as Daniel and Megabyte had entered the gate room.</P>
<P>Carter spoke up. "Colonel, I don’t think that is actually =
Daniel. I mean,=20
it’s him but I don’t think he’s in control of his =
actions."</P>
<P>"Are we talking mind control, Carter? But who? It’s not =
Goa’uld. Frasier ran=20
the usual tests when we returned through the Stargate. She didn’t =
find any sign=20
of anything out of the ordinary."</P>
<P>The next comment came from Methos. "Think about it, Jack. Who have we =
met=20
recently who hates telepaths and isn’t too fond of me either? It =
would explain=20
Daniel’s behaviour too. Remember I told you the last thing I =
remembered hearing=20
before I lost consciousness was him screaming. That was probably when it =

happened…."</P>
<P>"Ramiis." O’Neill felt so stupid. It had been staring him in =
the face all=20
this time and he hadn’t seen it. Hadn’t wanted to see it. He =
had known that=20
Daniel had been acting totally out of character and still he =
hadn’t thought of=20
the obvious. How was he going to explain this to Daniel if, when, he =
corrected,=20
they managed to get out of this mess?</P>
<P>"Are you saying what I think you’re saying?" asked Damon. "My =
son is in the=20
clutches of a lunatic who has a vendetta against Tomorrow People? =
I’m sorry but=20
I’m more worried about his safety at the moment than that of your =
Doctor=20
Jackson."</P>
<P>"Look, I know you’re worried, Bill. I would be too if it were =
my son, but at=20
the moment it looks as though Ramiis is more interested in using him as =
a=20
hostage than actually killing him." Hammond tried to sound reassuring, =
even=20
though he didn’t feel it himself.</P>
<P>Teal’c interrupted the conversation. "General Hammond, it =
appears as though=20
Ramiis wishes to speak with you."</P>
<P>Daniel’s voice came through the Gate room intercom system, =
through to the=20
control room. "Open the blast doors so that we can see each other," he =
said. "I=20
want to see who I am conversing with."</P>
<P>At least it sounds as though the guy wants to make a deal, thought =
O’Neill.=20
He tried not to think about what the deal would entail. He had a =
sneaking=20
suspicion it would have something to do with either Methos or Adam or =
both.</P>
<P>"This is General Hammond. I presume I am speaking with Ramiis and not =
Doctor=20
Jackson."</P>
<P>Damon and Adam moved forward, closer to the big glass partition =
between the=20
control room and the gate room. Now that the blast doors were open they =
had a=20
good view of the gate room itself, and of Ramiis/Daniel and Megabyte. =
Adam could=20
see how worried Damon looked when he saw his son. It was times like this =
that he=20
was pleased that his own parents weren’t aware of their =
son’s abilities, but at=20
the same time, watching Damon, he wondered again if he should have =
stayed in=20
contact after what had happened between them. </P>
<P>Megabyte looked awful. They both noticed at once the bruises on the =
boy’s=20
face and the dried blood around his mouth. His hands were bound behind =
him and=20
he seemed quite unsteady on his feet. He noticed them watching him and =
gave them=20
a shaky smile. </P>
<P>"Very observant, General. Doctor Jackson is, shall I say, not =
available at=20
this point in time. He, and the boy, shall be returned to you unharmed =
if you=20
comply with my request."</P>
<P>"Yeah right," interrupted O’Neill. "And what makes you think we =
believe you=20
for a minute? We have absolutely no reason to trust you, none at =
all."</P>
<P>Hammond glared at him. "Colonel O’Neill, please be quiet." He =
turned to=20
Ramiis. "Please excuse him, he is worried about your hostages, as we all =
are.=20
Would it be possible to speak to Doctor Jackson?"</P>
<P>"No it would not." Ramiis tightened his grip on Megabyte. "You may =
speak with=20
the telepath. Then we will negotiate."</P>
<P>Megabyte could see the worried looks on the faces on those in the =
control=20
room, especially his father and Adam. I’m sorry Dad, he thought to =
himself. He=20
knew this was his only chance to help Daniel, he had to take it, and =
worry about=20
the consequences to himself later.</P>
<P>"The box," he yelled. "You’ve got to destroy the box, =
it’s how he’s=20
controlling…" He felt something hard hit the back of his head, and =
then=20
…nothing.</P>
<P>Ramiis stared at the still figure on the floor in disgust. He had =
expected=20
the boy to beg his friends to save him, or at least reassure them that =
he was=20
relatively unharmed, not this. </P>
<P>Damon jumped to his feet as soon as he saw Ramiis hit Megabyte with =
his sword=20
hilt. "If you’ve harmed my son…" he began.</P>
<P>Adam took him by the arm. "Sit down, General. You can’t do =
anything for him=20
now. We’ll get Megabyte out of this, somehow." He wished he felt =
as confident as=20
he sounded. He wished his friend still had his powers, then at least he =
would be=20
able to confirm that he was only unconscious.</P>
<P>"Okay, Ramiis. Let’s cut the small talk and get straight to the =
point. What=20
do you want?"</P>
<P>"Why, General Hammond, I thought that was obvious. I want Methos, of =
course.=20
We have unfinished business, which I wish to finish now. Remember =
Methos, there=20
can be only one. I intend to be that one. Or maybe you intend to let =
children=20
fight your battles for you again? Do you wish to add one more telepath =
to the=20
list of those whom you failed to protect? I believe Tutankhamun was =
calling your=20
name as he died."</P>
<P>"That wasn’t my fault," Methos replied, more to reassure =
himself than Ramiis.=20
He still carried the guilt of the deaths of Tutankhamun and Neret, even =
all=20
these thousands of years later. If he hadn’t left Egypt when he =
had, he might=20
have been able to save them from Rameses Ak'Hara. Looking back he was =
sure that=20
the boy king had told him to leave because he had suspected that another =
more=20
powerful enemy waited in the wings to kill him. He remembered the look =
in their=20
eyes as they had all said goodbye for the final time. They had known =
that he=20
would not see them again, he had just not wanted to admit it to himself. =
Looking=20
out for himself, as usual, he thought to himself. Sometimes he regretted =
all he=20
had had to do over the years to ensure his survival. He wondered if it =
was all=20
worth it. </P>
<P>His thoughts returned to the present as he looked at Megabyte lying =
on the=20
ground in the gate room. Obviously Tomorrow People haven’t changed =
much over the=20
years, he thought to himself. Still putting the welfare of others before =
their=20
own. The boy must have known what Ramiis’ reaction would be when =
he spoke up.=20
</P>
<P>This time would be different. There was no way he was going to be =
responsible=20
for the deaths of another generation of Tomorrow People. "Ramiis, I =
accept your=20
challenge…" he began.</P>
<P>Hammond interrupted him. "Sorry, son. I can’t allow this, not =
on my command.=20
We will not trade one hostage for another. I’m sorry Bill, I know =
that’s your=20
son down there, but I’m not about to trade one life for another. I =
don’t think=20
for a minute that Ramiis would release Megabyte once he has Methos =
anyway."</P>
<P>"General Hammond, this doesn’t fall under your jurisdiction. I =
know this is=20
your base, but this is immortal business. There is no inference in The =
Game,=20
mortal or otherwise.</P>
<P>Methos could see he was wasting his time, there was no way he was =
going to be=20
able to get past the armed guards either. Unless….</P>
<P>He moved deliberately closer to Adam. "I still need to get my sword," =
he said=20
to him. "You know we’re out of any other options don’t you? =
I know how your kind=20
feel about violence, we just need to distract him…"</P>
<P>Adam nodded. He held out his hand to the immortal and closed his =
eyes.</P>
<P>Damon suddenly realised what was happening. "No, Adam!"</P>
<P>Adam and Methos disappeared in a flash of white light leaving a very=20
surprised General Hammond and SG1.</P>
<P>"Okay," said O’Neill looking accusatively at Damon. "They can =
teleport others=20
as well as themselves. Anything else these kids can do that you forgot =
to=20
mention?"</P>
<P>-------------------------</P></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>End of Part 14</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></BODY></HTML>

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------------------------------

Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2001 14:18:03 -0500
From: "Michele Bumbarger" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (arfic-l) Part 8: Chapter Seven

Title: Eclipse - Book One: Darkness Falling

Part 8: Chapter Seven

Author: M. Bumbarger

Email: [e-mail]

TV Series: Alternate Universe Crossover - Buffy, the
Vampire Slayer/Highlander: The Series/Original Series
Tomorrow People and New Series Tomorrow People

Rating: TV-14, there's a little bit of bad language
and it gets violent in some points, nothing more than
you'd catch on prime time television though

Archive: Only mine (Alternate Realities).

Author's Notes & Comments: Yes, Part 7 was mistakenly labeled "Part 6,"
sorry for any confusion. Previous parts can be found in the arfic-l archives
at http://www.escribe.com/tv/jeff and at http://www.fanfiction.net

Disclaimer: None of these characters, television
shows, or concepts belong to me. The Tomorrow People
are the property of Roger Damon Price, Thames/ITV
Television, and Tetra Television. Buffy the Vampire
Slayer characters belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant
Enemy. Highlander: The Series characters belong to
Panzer/Davis, Rhysher Entertainment and Gaumont
Television. All are used here without permission and
not for profit. All original characters are the
by-product of my own warped and twisted imagination.

**********

Chapter Seven

The heart of The Centre was another world entirely. This was a place that
the majority of norms never saw and a place that most of them didnÆt want to
see. It was exactly as it had been described, a city within itself, all
housed within the four secured walls of Psi ControlÆs vast acres of complex.
It could have been any upscale living community with the same design, it
echoed these types of places found in London and France with its shops and
stores and rise of living flats, but the moment he stepped inside Adam knew
that it was as different from any of those places as different could be.

He could feel the difference. He felt different, like an outsider, like he
was unwelcome and didnÆt belong. And he wondered if this what all the psiÆs
felt once they were taken beyond these walls and æmainstreamedÆ into normal
society. The pressing sense of disengagement as though he was no longer a
part of anything, and all those around him knew it. Adam literally felt eyes
burning into his skull and back as he walked along behind Amelie, the
invisible pressure of a thousand minds wondering exactly why a norm was
violating their space. What are you doing here? You donÆt belong here. Get
out of here, the feeling seemed to whisper all around him, pressing into him
from all sides. Maybe it was all in his imagination; maybe it wasnÆt. It was
no secret that psiÆs could project thoughts as easily as they could read
them; certainly in this place he must be surrounded by hundreds who disliked
his presence among them.

Subconsciously, he rubbed the back of his neck, fighting the overwhelming
urge to simply turn and flee back in the same direction from which he had
come. There was no reason for the flight reflex and no reason for the
unshakeable feeling of unease that settled itself on his shoulders like a
heavy winter coat. It was all in his mind, showing him that wasnÆt as immune
to the propaganda and societal mores that he had been exposed to his all his
life. He thought that he was open-minded. He thought that he could accept
anything, and now he saw with that faint glimmer of disappointment that he
was as panicky and fearful as the world at large.

Adam didnÆt like that insight.

ôCome on,ö Amelie spoke to him again, drawing his attention away from his
disturbing thoughts. ôWeÆll have to take the elevator.ö

Her slight smile was encouraging and Adam returned it easily, following her
into the elevator. ôWhere are we going, Amelie?ö

She held her books against her chest, as if using them as shield between the
two of them. ôTo take care of your hand.ö As the elevator began its ascent,
she looked away, staring straight ahead. Her dark eyes fixed on the closed
elevator doors as if they were the most fascinating things she had ever seen
in her entire life.

Leaning against the wall, Adam watched . . . or rather admired her in the
silence. Today, her dark curls were pulled back from her face with a pale
blue scarf that matched the pale blue of her blouse. They could have been
two strangers in the outside world save for the Psi Corporation logo sewn
into the upper sleeve of her blouse. He caught her eye as she glanced at
him, catching him watching her and licking her lips, she hurriedly looked
away again.

ôYou work here? At The Centre? Sir?ö

Adam winced uncomfortably at the last of her words. ôAdam,ö he corrected her
immediately.

ôDo you work here, Adam?ö

ôNo.ö

Amelie turned to him, a question in her eyes. ôBut the guard recognized
youàö

ôHe recognized my name,ö Adam explained. ôI have . . . associations . . . in
high places.ö

ôLet me guess. One of those associations made you punch a tree?ö Amelie
asked with a gentle smile. There was a light in her face when she smiled
those partial half smiles. Adam wondered what it would take to get a real
smile out of her.

ôShe and I donÆt exactly see eye-to-eye on somethingÆs.ö

ôGirlfriend?ö

Adam flinched. That was either an incredible amount of insight or she was
reading his mind. He shamefully pushed the thought of mind reading aside,
figuring that with the state his mind was in, she and every psi in the
vicinity couldnÆt help but read his mind.

ôI wasnÆt before. I am now,ö Amelie apologized. ôYouÆre screaming at me.
Just relax. You have natural shields, theyÆre in place when youÆre relaxed.ö

ôNatural shields?ö Adam tried to force himself to relax and realized that
the best way to make oneÆs self more on edge was to think about it.

If Amelie was still hearing his thoughts though, she said nothing, instead
answering the direct question he had asked. ôNot everyone has them. Like
children donÆt have them at all. Some people acquire them as they grow older
and some people have to be trained. ThatÆs one of the first things they do
with those who work here, they train them to shield their minds, otherwise
it would probably get very uncomfortable around here very quickly.

ôOf course, some of us are more sensitive than others. AlphaÆs, BetaÆs,
GammaÆs, we pretty much pick up everything. The DeltaÆs and EpsilonÆs are a
bit luckier.ö

ôWow,ö Adam commented softly. ôMore than one sentence. I guess I just have
to know what questions to ask you?ö

Adam watched as the embarrassment flickered across her face and she turned
away from him, once again hugging the books to her chest. He opened his
mouth to say something when the elevator announced their arrival and the
doors parted.

ôAre you coming?ö Amelie asked, her voice a bit sharper than it had been
earlier. She stepped out of the elevator and headed down the corridor,
leaving Adam with no choice but to quickly follow along behind her.

The long corridor reminded him of his own flat and Adam got the distinct
impression that they had entered into the living quarters. He wasnÆt sure
why that both surprised and intrigued him. He wasnÆt sure what more or less
he had expected.

ôSo, you punched a tree because you were angry with your ex-girlfriend?ö
Amelie picked up the thread of their lost conversation as though they had
never stopped having it. ôNo wonder sheÆs your ex.ö

Adam decided that he liked her. More than that, he was intrigued by this
woman. HeÆd met a good many psiÆs in his life û how could he not when his
father was the esteemed Dr. Neiman û and none of them had been like Amelie.
No matter how hard he tried to crack their cold exteriors, nothing had
worked. They wanted to be distant and detatched. They didnÆt laugh, they
didnÆt smile and they had never shown any kind of sense of humor. But with a
little encouragement, Amelie left her designation behind and let him see
that there was more than the property of Psi Control.

She had a dry wit that he rather liked, one that hinted at a sharp mind.
Suddenly Adam wished that he had taken a bit longer to look at her data
file. She was a Beta in Psi ControlÆs ranking methods, the only thing
separating her from an Alpha designation was the ability to teleport, an
ability that she clearly did not have. AlphaÆs and BetaÆs were the two
strongest and most powerful of psiÆs and the fact that Amelie was here and
not assigned to some science or military base somewhere in the Alliance was
curious. Had she been a Gamma, Delta or Epsilon, levels three, four and five
of Psi ControlÆs rankings, it wouldnÆt have been of note at all. But the
Beta designation, coupled with her willingness to put up with him, did raise
a few more questions than it answered.

Psi Control took special effort to shield and protect their AlphaÆs and
BetaÆs who were rumored to be sensitive to anything and everything around
them. So, why then did he encounter Amelie twice in the public gardens where
she could be bombarded by the noise and thoughts of the norms in the outside
world? And why was she keeping him in her company? Unless . . . once again,
Psi Control didnÆt know as much about its psiÆs as it thought it did.

Amelie ran her wristband over the entrance door to what had to be her living
quarters and gave him that soft half-smile that was slowly coming familiar
to him. ôCome on inside, IÆll find the first aid kit.ö

ôYou have a first aid kit in your flat?ö Adam asked, clearly surprised. Even
he didnÆt keep one on hand, and he was accident-prone. Even when those
accidents werenÆt self-inflicted.

ôOf course, Psi Corporation wants us to be in good health,ö Amelie called
over her shoulder as she disappeared down a hallway.

Adam looked around the flat. It was a standard military flat from what he
could tell. He stood in the entryway and to his right was a small
kitchenette. Dead ahead was the living room and dining room and then a
hallway leading off to the bedroom and bathroom. There were no pictures on
the walls, and nothing to give the place any sort of æpersonalÆ touch. Given
the prevalence of shopping in The Centre, Adam could only interpret the lack
of personality to one of two factors: either Amelie had just gotten here or
she didnÆt plan on being here very long; or some combination of the two.

Maybe his speculation about Psi Control not placing her was a little off the
mark.

ôAdam,ö Amelie emerged with the first aid kit and motioned for him to join
her at the dining table. She sat in a chair and began rummaging through the
kit while he slowly eased himself into a chair as well.

As he sat, Adam noticed the books on the table, and took a quick perusal of
the titles. Byron, Keats, Brown . . . Stephen Hawking. That one got his
attention and he reached out, pulling it closer. ôSomehow, I never knew that
Hawking wrote poetry.ö

Amelie looked up sharply, and catching his smile gave a half giggle. ôItÆs
interesting reading. Fascinating really. Let me have your hand please?ö

Adam extended his hand, his attention now focused on the books on her table.
There were more there about science, three dealing directly with physics and
time and space. One was so complex that he wouldnÆt even have given it to
his honors class to read. The stinging burn on the medicinal cleaner made
him hiss and jerk, briefly distracting him. ôOw.ö

ôSorry, this will sting a little.ö He heard laughter in her voice and
glanced at her yet again. Unfortunately, her head was lowered, her curls
falling like a veil to hide her face. She said nothing, continuing to clean
his hand. ôIt looks like you didnÆt do too much damage. You wonÆt need any
stitches. Although my advice to you would be to get a punching bag. Or cut
back on the coffee.ö

Adam laughed, a good heartfelt laugh. ôSo, these physics books . . .
required reading?ö

ôLeisure reading,ö Amelie supplied. ôI was bored. I wanted something
engaging.ö

ôThatÆs a bit heavy of leisure reading, isnÆt it? Do you understand it?ö

ôOf course I understand it.ö Amelie raised her head, her dark eyes
penetrating his. ôYouÆre surprised. Because IÆm a psi?ö

ôNo, thatÆs not it at all. There are very few people in the population that
can understand these theories, thatÆs why IÆm surprised.ö

ôBecause IÆm a girl?ö Amelie asked, slowly wrapping gauze around his hand.

ôNo,ö Adam objected quickly, too quickly. At the rising of her eyebrows,
Adam felt the fire rushing to his face and he sighed heavily. He wasnÆt a
chauvinist, he knew that there were female scientists, and some very good
ones. But Amelie just didnÆt seem the scientific type.

ôYes,ö he admittedly sheepishly. ôBut not because youÆre a woman. Because
you seem . . . softer than that. You seem more like the Byron type.ö

Amelie shrugged, apparently unbothered by his admission. Adam reflected that
she probably got that reaction a great deal. ôI do like Byron and
Shakespeare and Bronte, all the greats and some that arenÆt so great, but
science intrigues me. It engages my mind. Besides, IÆve memorized most of
Byron and Keats and Shakespeare. All of them. I just like to read from the
books, it makes it seem more personal.ö

Once again, he asked the right question and got an unexpected answer. A
truly unexpected answer. ôYouÆve memorized most of Byron and Keats and
Shakespeare?ö

Amelie nodded. ôYou donÆt believe me?ö

ôWell . . . no. Maybe youÆve memorized a few poems or passages from a few
plays, but most of their writing?ö Adam shook his head in disbelief. He had
a photographic memory and never forgot anything that he read, and even he
wouldnÆt make that claim; even if it might be true, he had truthfully never
given much thought to it before now. ôNo, Amelie, I donÆt believe you.ö

Sitting back, Amelie began to pack up the first aid kit. ôTest me. Ask me
anything. Anything that isnÆt common knowledge and taught to every school
child.ö

ôAll right,ö Adam thought for a moment, calling to mind one of ByronÆs
poems. ôFinish this poem: This special honour was conferr'd, because/He had
behaved with courage and humanity -- Which last men like, when they have
time to pause/  From their ferocities produced by vanity.ö

ôTrick question?ö Amelie asked curiously, cutting him off. ôThatÆs not a
poem, not really. ItÆs a stanza of the eighth canto of Don Juan. And the
rest of it, goes like this:

     His little captive gain'd him some applause
          For saving her amidst the wild insanity
     Of carnage, -- and I think he was more glad in her
     Safety, than his new order of St. Vladimir.


     The Moslem orphan went with her protector,
          For she was homeless, houseless, helpless; all
     Her friends, like the sad family of Hector,
          Had perish'd in the field or by the wall:
     Her very place of birth was but a spectre
          Of what it had been; there the Muezzin's cal
     To prayer was heard no more! -- and Juan wept,
     And made a vow to shield her, which he kept.

If Amelie had merely recited the poem, Adam would have been impressed. But
she did more than that. She recited it with passion and fire, her eyes
brilliantly alight, her face almost rapturous as she came to the end of the
canto. By the time she concluded, Adam realized that he simply sat staring
at her opened mouthed and mesmerized.

She sat back suddenly, anxiety blanketing her again. ôAnd thatÆs the end of
the eighth canto of Don Juan.ö

ôThatÆs incredible,ö Adam remarked. ôHow did you . . . why did you û ô

ôBooks were scarce. I wanted to hold onto everything I read,ö Amelie
shrugged. ôHow is that youÆve memorized Don Juan?ö

ôIÆm a wasted genius,ö Adam shrugged. ôAt least according to some people.ö

ôPeople who make you punch trees?ö

ôThose would be the people.ö

ôWhy do they think youÆre wasted?ö

ôBecause IÆm a university professor when I could be so much more. Because
IÆm teaching introductory level physics to eighteen and nineteen year olds,
most of whom donÆt appreciate me or the education that theyÆre getting, and
I should be smart enough to see that that is a complete waste of my time and
my talent.ö Adam paused and broke into a small laugh. ôListen to me. I donÆt
even know you and any minute now IÆm going to be telling you my lifeÆs
story.ö

ôOnly if you want to,ö Amelie whispered, her dark eyes radiating warmth and
intensity like nothing he had ever seen before. He couldnÆt speak, he could
barely force himself to keep breathing as he stared into the depths of those
eyes. And this time, she stared right back, not looking away as if she too
sensed the connection between them.

ôI used to break things,ö Amelie confessed.

ôWhat?ö Her words pulled him from his trance.

ôWhen I was little and I would get angry with my Mum, I would break things.ö
Amelie smiled wistfully, glancing down at her hands briefly. ôI remember
once when I was about four or five, my mother had this beautiful glass swan
that had been an anniversary gift from my father. And I was so mad at her,
so angry that I just wanted to show her what it meant to make me mad.

ôShe kept it out of my reach, high up on the mantle so that I could only
stare it and all the pretty colors it made when the sunlight hit it just
right. I went in there, and I stared at it, and I remembered thinking how
much I wanted to break it. How much I wanted to see it on the ground in a
million pieces . . . and then it was,ö Amelie paused and gave a small, quiet
laugh. ôI was happy for about ten seconds until my mother realized what had
happened. She didnÆt know how I did it, but she knew I did it. I wasnÆt too
happy after the spanking. At least trees donÆt hit back.ö

ôOr spank?ö Adam volunteered.

ôOr spank,ö Amelie agreed with a bright smile.

He was right, her smile did light up her entire face and the entire room. He
reached for her, to touch her face or maybe her hair and then catching
himself, quickly withdrew his hand. Amelie retreated as well, standing so
quickly that she nearly knocked the chair over in her haste.

ôI should walk you out,ö Amelie said quickly. ôYou shouldnÆt have been here
at all. This was wrong. This was a bad idea. I ûô

ôAmelie,ö Adam did reach for her then, taking her hand gently in his own.
ôYou didnÆt do anything wrong.ö

ôYouÆre a norm, you canÆt be here. You shouldnÆt be here. ItÆs not
authorized and ûô

ôAnd what? The guard let me in, you didnÆt. And I know IÆm not supposed to
be here, but itÆs worth whatever trouble I get in.ö He lowered his voice,
stepping closer and ignoring every voice of reason and logic that yelled at
him. Raising his hand, he lightly brushed her cheek with his fingertips. ôI
like you, Amelie. I donÆt know you, but I do know that IÆm intrigued by you
and that IÆm drawn to you for whatever reason. I know that I want to see you
again, talk to you again.ö

ôNo,ö Amelie backed away, although he noticed that she hesitated for a
moment before pulling her hand from his. ôWe canÆt. This is wrong. You
really have to go now. IÆll walk you back to the main gate.ö

Adam planted himself firmly in her path. ôTell me I can see you again, and
then IÆll leave.ö

ôAdam, no. This is risky enough. ItÆs more dangerous for me than it is for
you. I shouldnÆt have brought you here at all.ö

ôThen why did you?ö Adam waited for an answer which never came. He nodded,
ôWe donÆt have to meet here. We can talk in the garden. ThatÆs all I want, a
chance to talk to you again, Amelie. Please?ö

ôI like to read out there, during the lunch hour. Noon to two. Everyday.ö

ôMonday, twelve thirty?ö

ôIÆll be there,ö Amelie promised.

Adam smiled, wondered what he was getting himself into and realized that he
didnÆt really care. He felt alive again, connected somehow and he was going
to hold onto that feeling for as long as he could.

*** End of Chapter Seven

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