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arfic-l-digest         Tuesday, April 24 2001         Volume 01 : Number 028




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

Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2001 18:30:20 -0400
From: "Michele R Bumbarger" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (arfic-l) Worlds Away (30/36)

Title: Worlds Away (Part 30)

Author: M. Bumbarger

Email: [e-mail]

Fandom: New Series Tomorrow People

Rating: PG-13/TV-14

Summary: The Tomorrow People are swept away to a different world,
where they must take up the lives of their alter-egos and try to find
their way home . . . which won't be easy.

Disclaimer: The Tomorrow People (Adam Newman, Ami Jackson, Megabyte
Damon, and Jade Weston) are the property of Roger Damon Price, Thames
Television, ITV, Tetra Television and Nickelodeon. They are used here
without permission, but not for profit. The lands, countries, customs,
deities, and original characters are mine and mine only, springing
from the depths of my imagination and should not be used anywhere else
without my permission. Please do not repost this to any list or
archive it anywhere else without my express permission.

Previous parts at
http://www.alternate-realities.net/worldsaway

**********


Chapter Thirty

It was time to leave.

Wiggling from beneath the muscular arm, which was slung possessively
around her waist, Sarena slipped out of the narrow bed. She took a
deep breath, shuddering slightly as her bare skin made contact with
the cool air of the cabin. The fire in the hearth had long since
burned itself out, and she had no intentions of rekindling it.
Rekindling it would only disturb him, waking him from the depths of
sleep, and when he was awake, he made it so much harder for her to
leave. When he was awake, he always pleaded and cajoled, his voice
soft, whispering words that she longed to hear, if only they didn't
fall from his lips.

Finding her clothing in the darkness of the cabin was not a problem.
Once it had been, before she grew wiser and more cautious, before she
began to take control of their clandestine nocturnal meetings. Now,
she always removed the garments herself, placing them on the table or
the chair, her shoes neatly close by so that dressing -- and
leaving -- was not an obstacle.

Fully dressed, Sarena dropped, quietly, into the chair before the
hearth and dusted the dirt and straw from her feet. This was one of
those little things that she despised about being here, about this
place. The floors were not stone and tile, not covered over with
elaborate rugs, but still no more than dirt and straw which made her
feet itch and kept her shoes dirty. She would have to spend time
before going to her own bed to wash away the grime, to not carry the
stain of this place into her quarters.

"Would it kill you to stay just one night?" His voice, soft and
accusatory, carried across the hut, startling her.

So, he was awake. He was not the master of subtlety, or pretense and
Sarena was a bit piqued that he had, for once, fooled her. That now,
she would have to sit and listen to his pathetic pleas.

"Yes, it would, Kelv." Properly shoed, Sarena began to replace the
pins in her hair. "You know I have to be there to attend to my lady
when she wakes in the --"

"How stupid do you think I am?"

Sarena paused, one pin pinched between her teeth, her hands tangled in
her hair, and debated whether or not to answer that question. Stupid?
Perhaps not, but it was not stupidity that she was looking for. Had
Kelv been stupid, she would never have found her way into the stable
boy's bed. He was young, yes, barely sixteen, and na=EFve, but he was
not stupid. The nephew, cousin, or some other some such to Legan, when
he was not needed in the stables, he was put to work in the Keep,
learning the proper ways to attend to a lord. Still young enough to be
unable to appreciate the education that Legan was providing him with,
but easily enough swayed by feminine wiles to be her source for
keeping tabs on Lord Marmion.

"I don't think you're stupid, Kelv."

"That's not the word of it around," Kelv muttered. "I'm being branded
an idiot for keeping company with you."

She pushed the pin in, securing several long winding strands of loose
hair. "If you are listening to gossip, then maybe you are stupid."

"Or maybe we both are."

Flinching, she poked herself in the fingers with another pin. She
cursed softly in the darkness. What was his problem? Kelv never
behaved like this. Yes, he sulked and whined pathetically, but he did
not insult her. "What has gotten into you?"

"Nothing." Sarena knew from the shuffling movements that he was
getting out of bed, probably hunting around for a candle to light. "I
just don't understand why you keep doing this."

"Doing what? Returning to my own bed as is proper?"

"You don't care about proper." The swish-flick of tinder being lit
sounded in the room and in a moment, a candle danced in front of
Kelv's face. He held it in front of him, striding boldly towards the
table where she sat, apparently unaffected by the temperature of the
hut. "You just care that *he* might find out what you're doing."

"You're talking nonsense."

"I'm talking nonsense?" Kelv sat the candle on the table, kneeling
before her in the dirt and straw. He rested his hands on her knees,
holding her facing him although she attempted to turn away. "Sarena,
I'm not stupid. I know that you run out of here every night because
you hope that Lord Marmion will come looking for you. Well, he's not."

"You don't know --"

"I do know! Everyone knows! It's no secret that he tossed you out of
his bed. That he hasn't paid any more attention to you than Selly, the
cook, since he came back from the northern provinces with Lady Jadina.
He's done with you, Sarena. Let it go. Let it go and be someone who
actually cares about you -- "

"Someone like you?" Sarena shoved the boy away from her. She didn't
need this. Not from him, not tonight, but most especially not from
him. She'd chosen Kelv because of his ability to get close to Marmion,
she had chosen him because he was still young enough to keep his mouth
closed except when she asked him to speak. And she had chosen him
because he was a pretty boy, with piercing blue eyes and silky dark
hair that always seemed to be unruly. He could charm her when he
wanted to, when she allowed it; but she was not going to allow that
now.

"Everyone talks about you, Rena. When you're not around to hear the
words. They say that you're blind and you're stupid. That you're
simply waiting for the unavoidable to happen, for him to finally get
fed up and send you away."

"He won't. He can't. Jadina won't let him."

"Like she would care if she found out what you've been doing? She's
moved into his bedroom, she's probably sharing more than his bed --"

"Shut up, Kelv!" Grabbing her cloak, she wrapped it around herself,
wondering when the temperature of the room had dropped a few degrees.

She didn't want to hear these words, the taunting little words that
repeated themselves in her head every night. Jadina was barely fifteen
when she was married to Marmion, really no more than a child. Not as
shrewish and manipulative as her sisters, but certainly prettier than
them. Two years her senior, Sarena saw opportunity when it presented
itself. Lord Marmion was not interested in his child-wife, no matter
how pretty she was, or how much she charmed his parents. Marmion had
no interest in Jadina, but Sarena was another matter entirely . . .
she had first climbed into his bed two days after the marriage was
consummated.

And she had never left, until that trip to the northern provinces. The
one in which Lady Margot made it clear that Sarena would not be
accompanying her lady Jadina, that everything would be provided for
the family when they arrived north. Two and half months was all it had
taken for Jadina to turn Marmion's head; two and half months was all
it had taken for the little bitch to do the unexpected.

Sarena had never expected it. From day one she convinced Jadina that
Marmion was not worth her time, her interest, or her effort. She
taught the girl of the things to do to catch and keep a man's
interest, hoping that someday the seeds of fancy would plant
themselves and that foolish Jadina would dare to use those tricks by
bringing another man into her bed. She had never thought the girl
would use them on her husband.

"I don't need this from you. She is not . . . Jadina is just a simple,
spoiled child. She can never, and will never be anything more than a
pretty trinket for his arm. No matter what his feeling right now, I
know Marmion, and he will grow bored of her."

"Like he grew bored of you?"

The sound of flesh meeting flesh resounded in the room as the flat of
her palm made contact with his cheek. "Damn you to Hermion's fire,
Kelv!"

She nearly pulled the door from its hinges as she yanked it open. She
had enough of him, for tonight, maybe for always. Tightening her cloak
around her, she stepped into the night air, yelping in surprise as
Kelv grabbed her and yanked her around so hard that she felt the joint
crack. "Let go of me!"

"If you won't listen to reason about Marmion, then at least listen to
this - be careful of the company you keep."

"Like you?"

Kelv laughed and shook his head. "Zolnar's sword, you are so stubborn,
woman! Will you please --"

"Good night, Kelv, I've heard enough." Jerking her arm free, Sarena
stepped away from the hut, into the full moonlight, daring him to
follow her in his undressed state. Hood of her cloak pulled over head,
she began the trek back towards the Keep.

Halfway there, she stopped, peering anxiously into the shadows which
cloaked the night. She could have sworn that she heard someone
following behind her, but when she looked, all was as it should have
been. The night around her was still and devoid of any life save her
and the sounds of animals in the distance. Still, Sarena quickened her
pace, the prickling feeling of a million eyes on her never leaving.

There was a back entrance to the Keep, it led off of the servants
quarters and into the stables, and that was the door that Sarena aimed
for. She reached for the lamp that she left beside the door, gasping
and stumbling backwards so quickly that she landed on her rear as
another hand swooped down and claimed it before she could.

"It's a bit late to be wandering around at night, isn't it?"

Sarena remained on the ground, her heart pounding deep within her
breast as the speaker turned to her, lighting the lantern as he did
so. The light reflected onto the familiar face of His Royal Highness
of Albarasque, Prince Calend'et.

"Yes, it is. Your Highness." The last was added as an afterthought,
and left a bitter taste in her mouth. It seemed that the entire
kingdom was going out of their minds for this wedding, the union of
High Prince Adam to the Damiar Princess of Albarasque, but very few
seemed to understand what it really meant, how something such as this
was the first step towards allowing Albarasque and all their damned
priests and mages to overwhelm the power and pride of Stiborn.

The Damiar Princess, for all the strange foreignness she and her
entourage brought to the Keep, was at least quiet and manageable.
Although she did not understand what Jadina saw in keeping company
with the alien princess, she could only hope that Prince Adam would be
able to contain the girl and any attempts she might make to assert the
control of the Temple of Damiaren.

Prince Calend'et was another story entirely. For all that he openly
professed his dislike of all things Stibornan, he seemed happy enough
to accept Stibornan women into his bed. Sometimes, they were there
whether they wished it or not. Of course, that sort of thing never
reached the deaf ears of Lady Margot and Lord Bial, because who would
take the word of a servant girl over a highborn blue blood prince?

He smiled at her, extending his hands. The smile oozed oil and sleaze,
and Sarena suppressed a shudder as she accepted the extended hands and
the offer up from the ground. The sooner these foreigners left
Stiborn, the better off they all would be . . . if it were not too
late by then.

"It's a good thing that I happened to be out as well," Calend'et
continued, all teeth and smiles, keeping tight hold upon one of her
hands, "Wouldn't have wanted any harm to come to you."

Sarena shivered, and not from cold. Recalling the prickles of a
million eyes, she stared at him with incredulity. "You were following
me, Your Highness?"

"Well, we certainly wouldn't any harm to come to one of your
personage, would we?"

As if on cue, the men appeared. They stepped forward, materializing
out of the shadows. Clothed entirely in black, even their heads
wrapped with black cloth, their faces almost hidden beneath swaths of
cloth, Sarena reacted although she meant to suppress any reaction. It
was easy to forget the sahkrah, the warrior-priests who guarded the
prince. They faded into shadows easily, trained as they were to remain
unnoticed as much as possible.

"If I meant any harm to you, Sarena, I would have done it by now,"
Prince Calend'et tucked her hand into the crook of her arm, leading
her away from the Keep. "I only thought you would like to know that we
will not be unattended. Besides," he leaned in close, his breath hot
against her ear, "you still have the stink of that stable boy on you."

Two things occurred to Sarena at that moment: one, that the Prince
knew her name, and two, that he did not profess an interest in her as
did other men. Yes, he was young, but she had heard the rumors about
him, that when he was being kind and gentle, he made up for his youth
in exchange for his skill. Knowing her name filled her with a morbid
sense of pride, but his lack of interest, and the ease at which he
dismissed her, hit her like a slap in the face.

"Your Highness, where are we going?"

"We are walking. I want to talk to you, and you will want to hear what
I have to say."

"I should be getting back --"

"Why? Your lady is asleep, she will not need you until morning. And
your stable boy . well, you left him."

"What do you want with me, Your Highness?"

"You may be a well bred wench, but you are too demanding by far."
Prince Calend'et patted her hand where it rested in the crook of his
arm, a touch that made her want to jerk away and wash for a week. His
words and manner were arrogant, speaking as though she were beneath
him when he was the filthy outlander.

Wisdom dictated that she held her tongue. Whatever her thoughts on the
matter, he was royalty, and any offense given to him would fall
soundly upon her shoulders.

"I know that you have certain . acquaintances . that disagree with
this so-called marriage and union of our kingdoms." His words crawled
down her spine like ice water, Kelv's admonishment of being careful of
the company she kept ringing in her head. Sarena nearly stumbled,
desperately wishing to be any place but walking besides the prince,
but knowing that unless he willed it, she would never make it past the
sahkrah.

"I don't know what you mean, Your Highness." The lie fell easily off
of her lips, her words calm although she felt anything but calm at the
moment. All of those late night gatherings, in dimly lit huts or
within the forgotten store rooms of the Keep came back to her. Their
numbers were few, but those in charge spoke of greater things and of
people in power who would soon step up and speak out against the
insanity that had taken hold of King Martine.  All she had to do was
bide her time, and when the fall-out came, she would not be harmed by
it. No one would who knew what side to stand on.

He laughed, not a rich, mirth filled sound, but more a dark twisting
sound that made the night air feel even cooler. "I've been watching
you, and I know that you're not as stupid and simple as you want
people to believe. Do you know why I know that? Because I'm not a
simpleton, either, yet even my grandmother doesn't see beyond what I
want her to see. She doesn't see anything beyond my dear sister."

The last was added as an afterthought, she was certain, muttered as it
was under his breath. Though speculation ran high that Prince
Calend'et and the Damiar Princess could not stand one another, this
was the first true evidence Sarena had ever seen. She filed it away
for later consideration . . . if she left here with enough of her
dignity and poise in tact to warrant further consideration.

"I'll be honest, your people are not the only ones who  . . . dislike
the arrangement between your prince and my sister." The prince stopped
talking and turned to face her, his eyes shining deviously in the pale
moonlight. "Now, I have proposition for you, and I don't think that
you'll be so stupid as to turn it down."

*** End of Chapter Thirty





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

Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2001 19:39:03 EDT
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: (arfic-l) Fic "The Closet" (Slash) 2/2

oh, i love it! i love it so much! you guys are great, i love both of you for
writing slash with these guys, because they are the greatest couple never
written about!!! i am off to search for more fic that has adam/megabyte
relationships.
happy birthday ibonek!
~victoria

- -
 To unsubscribe to arfic-l, send an email to "[e-mail]"
 with "unsubscribe arfic-l" in the body of the message.
 For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send
 "help" to the same address.  Do not use quotes in your message.

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

Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2001 21:13:19 -0400
From: "Ibonek 17" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (arfic-l) "Realizations" 1/1 by Ibonek--another slash!

Title:  Realization (1/1) SLASH!
Author:  Ibonek
Email address:  [e-mail]
TV Series:  Tomorrow People (New Series)
Distribution Statement:  Alternate Realities and Galactic Federation
Communication Hub, anywhere else, please ask!
Rating:  PG-13
Summary:
Disclaimer:  The characters here are sadly, not mine.  The Tomorrow People
belong to Roger Damon Price, Thames/Tetra Television, ITV and Nickelodeon.
Without them, this madness would never have started and then where would we
be?  ^_^  All are used here without permission and no copyright infringement
is intended.
Author's note:  I would like to thank my dear friend Amet.  I forgot to do
this in the last one.  This whole series is dedicated to her, 'cause I'm
writing these for her (and for the rest of the list too.)  It's her theory
that is used in my stories, I'm borrowing it and just want to make sure she
gets her fifteen minutes (more like seconds ^_^) of fame!  And since I know
you're probably bored, I'm going to get on with the story now!
Ib

Realization
By Ibonek

    I watch him lost in his thoughts as I play his new video game.  MegabyteÆs
completely zoned out, thinking of me I suppose.  For the past few weeks,
IÆve caught him looking at me.  I donÆt even think heÆs aware IÆve noticed
his attraction.  I donÆt think he realizes he broadcasts it when weÆre
alone.
    IÆm not sure how I feel about Megabyte.  I value his friendship and weÆre
very close friends, and I have to admit, he is handsome.  When I first met
Megabyte, he was a gawky little kid.  Recently I realized that somewhere
over the past four years, that gawky kid had grown into a rather attractive
young man.  His features are more defined and the baby fat is gone from his
face.  Any girl would swoon over him.
    God, I think I have fallen for Megabyte.  Somehow it managed to escape my
notice until now.  IÆve never been good at relationships, it seems I do the
wrong things.  Lucy told me I was a romantic--maybe that turns girls off.
    Lucy.  It hurts to think about her.  I loved her intently, I fell hard on
my ass for her. . .too hard.  Ami and Megabyte donÆt talk about her much and
neither do I.  Jade doesnÆt even know who Lucy Allen is.  She doesnÆt know
who Lisa is either, neither does Ami.  ItÆs easier that way, hurts less.
LisaÆs leaving the group cut me to the quick, and I know Megabyte was hurt
too, no matter how much he refuses to admit it.  I donÆt think he realized
how much I cared for Lisa.  He was only fifteen at the time, and girls were
the furthest thing from his mind.
    Which brings me back to Marmaduke Damon.  I have to figure out how I feel
about him.  WeÆre the best of friends, Jade or Ami will tell you that.  HeÆs
attracted to me, AmiÆs told me as much, and IÆve seen it in his eyes.
    I pull my thoughts back to the video game in time to watch my character
smash into a wall.  Ouch, thatÆs gotta hurt.  Megabyte is staring off into
space and I nudge him with the controller.
    ôHere Megabyte, your turn.ö I say.
    ôUm, okay.ö he says, taking the controller.  Our fingers brush, a tingle
running through me like an electrical charge and it hits me.
    I do love Megabyte.
    Hesitantly I place my fingers on his face, inching closer.  MegabyteÆs
breath is coming out in short gasps as I stroke his cheek.
    ôMay I kiss you, Megabyte?ö I ask softly.
    ôY-yes.ö Megabyte says breathlessly.  Our lips meet in a passionate kiss
and something happens.  I can see past MegabyteÆs shields, see, hear, feel
his pleasure caused by my kiss.  I know he is sensing the same things from
me.  His shock and elation roll over me like lapping waves, his thoughts
focused on the kiss and how good it feels.
    This is his one dream come true.
    The intensity of my friendÆs attraction nearly causes my knees to buckle.
I never knew, never expected that anyone could actually love me that much.
I gasp and he pulls away.
    ôWhoa.ö he says.  I know he experienced the mind merge too.  I feel as if I
know him better than I ever have before.  I can still feel the
connection--his fears, his thoughts, his desires.
    ôThat was. . .like a mind merge.ö I say.
    ôWhoa.ö he repeats.  I move to kiss him again, the video game long
forgotten.  The kiss is aborted as Jade teleports in, followed by Ami a few
seconds later.
    ôHey guys.ö Jade says.
    ôHi.ö I couldnÆt keep the impatience from my voice.
    ôAmi and I are going to the movies.  Do you guys want to go with us?ö
    ôUnless youÆre busy.ö Ami says, looking knowingly at me.
    ôNot anymoreö I grumble, glancing at Megabyte.
    {WeÆll continue our discussion later.} I telepath to Megabyte, who smiles.
    ôWhat movie are we going to see?ö he asks, shifting on the bed.
    {So, what did we interrupt?} Ami telepaths to me quietly, so the other two
canÆt hear.
    {Megabyte and I were just. . .talking.}
    {About what?}
    {People we like.}  AmiÆs smile widens.
    {ItÆs about time.}
    I return her smile as Megabyte catches my eye.  Jade is oblivious, chatting
away about some movie she wants to see.  For the first time in my life, I
feel IÆm making the right decision about love.
The End!
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com


- -
 To unsubscribe to arfic-l, send an email to "[e-mail]"
 with "unsubscribe arfic-l" in the body of the message.
 For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send
 "help" to the same address.  Do not use quotes in your message.

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

Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2001 21:14:20 -0400
From: "Ibonek 17" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (arfic-l) "Realizations" 1/1 by Ibonek--another slash!

Title:  Realization (1/1) SLASH!
Author:  Ibonek
Email address:  [e-mail]
TV Series:  Tomorrow People (New Series)
Distribution Statement:  Alternate Realities and Galactic Federation
Communication Hub, anywhere else, please ask!
Rating:  PG-13
Summary:  Adam comes to a decision about his feelings.
Disclaimer:  The characters here are sadly, not mine.  The Tomorrow People
belong to Roger Damon Price, Thames/Tetra Television, ITV and Nickelodeon.
Without them, this madness would never have started and then where would we
be?  ^_^  All are used here without permission and no copyright infringement
is intended.
Author's note:  I would like to thank my dear friend Amet.  I forgot to do
this in the last one.  This whole series is dedicated to her, 'cause I'm
writing these for her (and for the rest of the list too.)  It's her theory
that is used in my stories, I'm borrowing it and just want to make sure she
gets her fifteen minutes (more like seconds ^_^) of fame!  And since I know
you're probably bored, I'm going to get on with the story now!
Ib

Realization
By Ibonek

    I watch him lost in his thoughts as I play his new video game.  MegabyteÆs
completely zoned out, thinking of me I suppose.  For the past few weeks,
IÆve caught him looking at me.  I donÆt even think heÆs aware IÆve noticed
his attraction.  I donÆt think he realizes he broadcasts it when weÆre
alone.
    IÆm not sure how I feel about Megabyte.  I value his friendship and weÆre
very close friends, and I have to admit, he is handsome.  When I first met
Megabyte, he was a gawky little kid.  Recently I realized that somewhere
over the past four years, that gawky kid had grown into a rather attractive
young man.  His features are more defined and the baby fat is gone from his
face.  Any girl would swoon over him.
    God, I think I have fallen for Megabyte.  Somehow it managed to escape my
notice until now.  IÆve never been good at relationships, it seems I do the
wrong things.  Lucy told me I was a romantic--maybe that turns girls off.
    Lucy.  It hurts to think about her.  I loved her intently, I fell hard on
my ass for her. . .too hard.  Ami and Megabyte donÆt talk about her much and
neither do I.  Jade doesnÆt even know who Lucy Allen is.  She doesnÆt know
who Lisa is either, neither does Ami.  ItÆs easier that way, hurts less.
LisaÆs leaving the group cut me to the quick, and I know Megabyte was hurt
too, no matter how much he refuses to admit it.  I donÆt think he realized
how much I cared for Lisa.  He was only fifteen at the time, and girls were
the furthest thing from his mind.
    Which brings me back to Marmaduke Damon.  I have to figure out how I feel
about him.  WeÆre the best of friends, Jade or Ami will tell you that.  HeÆs
attracted to me, AmiÆs told me as much, and IÆve seen it in his eyes.
    I pull my thoughts back to the video game in time to watch my character
smash into a wall.  Ouch, thatÆs gotta hurt.  Megabyte is staring off into
space and I nudge him with the controller.
    ôHere Megabyte, your turn.ö I say.
    ôUm, okay.ö he says, taking the controller.  Our fingers brush, a tingle
running through me like an electrical charge and it hits me.
    I do love Megabyte.
    Hesitantly I place my fingers on his face, inching closer.  MegabyteÆs
breath is coming out in short gasps as I stroke his cheek.
    ôMay I kiss you, Megabyte?ö I ask softly.
    ôY-yes.ö Megabyte says breathlessly.  Our lips meet in a passionate kiss
and something happens.  I can see past MegabyteÆs shields, see, hear, feel
his pleasure caused by my kiss.  I know he is sensing the same things from
me.  His shock and elation roll over me like lapping waves, his thoughts
focused on the kiss and how good it feels.
    This is his one dream come true.
    The intensity of my friendÆs attraction nearly causes my knees to buckle.
I never knew, never expected that anyone could actually love me that much.
I gasp and he pulls away.
    ôWhoa.ö he says.  I know he experienced the mind merge too.  I feel as if I
know him better than I ever have before.  I can still feel the
connection--his fears, his thoughts, his desires.
    ôThat was. . .like a mind merge.ö I say.
    ôWhoa.ö he repeats.  I move to kiss him again, the video game long
forgotten.  The kiss is aborted as Jade teleports in, followed by Ami a few
seconds later.
    ôHey guys.ö Jade says.
    ôHi.ö I couldnÆt keep the impatience from my voice.
    ôAmi and I are going to the movies.  Do you guys want to go with us?ö
    ôUnless youÆre busy.ö Ami says, looking knowingly at me.
    ôNot anymoreö I grumble, glancing at Megabyte.
    {WeÆll continue our discussion later.} I telepath to Megabyte, who smiles.
    ôWhat movie are we going to see?ö he asks, shifting on the bed.
    {So, what did we interrupt?} Ami telepaths to me quietly, so the other two
canÆt hear.
    {Megabyte and I were just. . .talking.}
    {About what?}
    {People we like.}  AmiÆs smile widens.
    {ItÆs about time.}
    I return her smile as Megabyte catches my eye.  Jade is oblivious, chatting
away about some movie she wants to see.  For the first time in my life, I
feel IÆm making the right decision about love.
The End!
_________________________________________________________________
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------------------------------

Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2001 22:47:14 EDT
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: (arfic-l) "Realizations" 1/1 by Ibonek--another slash!

hey listies, is anyone else getting double postings of, like, everything?
because i am and i was wondering if it was a list problem, or me being
special.
goodnight all, and just as a sidenote, i loved all of the slash that came in
tonight. ibonek,Amet, you rock!
peace+love,
v

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

Date: Tue, 24 Apr 2001 10:55:03 -0400
From: Mandi Ohlin <[e-mail]>
Subject: (arfic-l) A question...

Just wondering...

Does anyone on this list watch Power Rangers Time Force? I got kind of
annoyed with a character's seeming lack of personality (even for a Saban
show) and wrote a missing scene to correct it. I just wanted to know if
there was an audience for it at all here. :)

- --
Mandi Ohlin (Mandolin)
member of the SisterHood of Evil
fanfic fanatic and nitpicker extraordinaire

Devon: "What does a girl have to do to impress you?"
Oz: "Well, it involves a feather boa and the theme to
    'A Summer Place.' I can't discuss it here."
                   --BtVS: "Halloween"

http://weirdweb.net

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

Date: Tue, 24 Apr 2001 11:31:57 EDT
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: (arfic-l) A question...

well mandi, i don't personally watch the show, but i think you should post it anyway because somewhere, out there on the big wide web, someone is going to read it, and, seeing as i personally am getting interested in the PR fandom.

so post it, and see what happens!
~victoria

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

Date: Tue, 24 Apr 2001 18:05:53 -0400
From: "Michele R Bumbarger" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (arfic-l) Worlds Away (Part 32/36)

Title: Worlds Away (Part 32)

Author: M. Bumbarger

Email: [e-mail]

Fandom: New Series Tomorrow People

Rating: PG-13/TV-14

Summary: The Tomorrow People are swept away to a different world,
where they must take up the lives of their alter-egos and try to find
their way home . . . which won't be easy.

Disclaimer: The Tomorrow People (Adam Newman, Ami Jackson, Megabyte
Damon, and Jade Weston) are the property of Roger Damon Price, Thames
Television, ITV, Tetra Television and Nickelodeon. They are used here
without permission, but not for profit. The lands, countries, customs,
deities, and original characters are mine and mine only, springing
from the depths of my imagination and should not be used anywhere else
without my permission. Please do not repost this to any list or
archive it anywhere else without my express permission.

Previous parts at
http://www.alternate-realities.net/worldsaway

**********

Chapter Thirty-Two

This was it.

Adam had never really wondered or imagined what his wedding would be
like. He simply didn't entertain those types of thoughts and
fantasies. He was certain of one thing, however, and that was that he
knew that had he imagined his wedding, it would not have been this. He
would not have been standing on some strange world, before the altar
of some strange deity, awaiting the arrival of his bride who was a
priestess. And also a mage.

And also his best friend, Ami.

His best friend, who had the luxury of being hidden behind a thick and
heavy veil. Every eye in the chapel was upon her from the moment the
first bell chime sounded, but she at least showed no outward signs of
nervousness. Of course, buried somewhere beneath damask and lace and
silk, it was hard to know what Ami was showing signs of at all.

It was not, however, hard to miss the anger and bitterness in the eyes
of Prince Calend'et, the laughter in Hagen's or the pride and mixed
anxiety that was shared by his father and mother. Given the choice of
places to look, each offering something he did not want to focus on,
feel, or be responsible for, Adam chose to direct his attention
towards his bride.

She was a figure dressed and draped in pure white and gold and silver,
the elaborately embroidered hems of her gown sweeping the chapel
floor, the veil and train streaking outwards behind her. He couldn't
make out the slightest detail of her face, and in a moment of complete
blind panic, he wondered if that was actually Ami. For all of his
fears and fretting . .  . well, he wasn't ready to go through with
this with anyone else.

Instinctively, he reached out for her, his mind finding hers. [Ami?]

[Who else?] Her mental voice wavered, even though she managed to send
him an image of her smiling.

The ceremony began with a prayer, both he and Ami kneeling side by
side before the priestess of Shira. The goddess of fertility and
marriage gave first blessings to the marriage, and her blessings were
seconded by the priest of Damiaren. The words and chants meant nothing
to Adam, and his eyes were beginning to glaze in an attempt to make
sense of any of it, when it came time to exchange the vows.

Standing now, Ami's hands were placed in his, and feeling the coolness
of them, feeling the way her body trembled ever so slightly, Adam
realized for the first time that Ami was probably nearly as nervous --
if not more nervous than he was. He felt a momentary twinge of guilt,
for being so wrapped up in himself that he forgot that this wasn't
wholly about him, but it was about her as well.

Though he could not see her for the veil she wore, Adam knew that when
he turned and gazed down at her that she was meeting his gaze
directly. He felt it through the touch of her trembling hands in his
own, he felt it as she reached out mentally, trying to *soothe* him.

In response, Adam tightened his hands around hers, repeating vows,
that in spite of being on a different world, with different rules,
were spoken with nearly the exact same meaning as vows exchanged on
earth. Pledges of loyalty and fidelity, love and honor, meant the same
no matter what church or religion the vows were exchanged in, and Adam
was simply relieved that he made it through without stuttering too
badly.

"Til Hermion claims our souls."

Another world, another translation, but the meaning remained the same.

Til death do us part.

The final words of their vow rang out with a note of finality in the
elaborate chapel.

He would have been surprised to see his hands trembling when he
finally lifted them to lift the veil away from Ami's face had he not
been aware of the constant edge and ebb of nervousness gnawing at him
since before the ceremony began.

He got caught only once, the intricate lacing of the headdress
momentarily stumping him.  So intent was he on unraveling it, that the
court just beyond them was forgotten.  A soft pair of hands fluttered
up to help him with the layers, probably in some obscure breach of
royal etiquette but they had come this far together, no one was likely
to say much now.  As Ami helped him unravel the threads, he thought
she squeezed his hand for just the briefest of instants.

Dark eyes like new moons rising sought his gaze, familiar lips
twitching in a tentative smile.  Adam felt an equally tentative smile
cross his own face, an expression dipped in relief, relief that it
really was Ami underneath all that lace and satin, a relief that he
saw mirrored in her own eyes for different reasons.

Adam hesitated a moment, knowing what came next, but waiting for some
sign of permission from her. Permission which came when she closed her
eyes, her face tilted upwards in invitation to seal their vows.

Leaning in, he claimed his bride with a kiss. It was a kiss meant to
be but the briefest of ceremonial touches, a ritual of the rite of
marriage, but something passed between them as their lips touched --
understanding and acceptance, the knowledge that they were both in
this together providing a type of sanctuary in which they both found
momentary refuge. He moved towards her instinctively, or perhaps she
moved closer to him, it was hard to know for certain, but what he did
know was that they both lingered there a moment, the court and the
temple forgotten until a cough and a tug on the back of his doublet
reminded him of who he was . and where he was.

Separation brought him back to reality, and he gave her a shaky and
somewhat embarrassed smile. [Sorry 'bout that.] He didn't know what he
was apologizing for, but he felt that he had to say something.

Ami caught his hand, an action that brought a raised eyebrow from
Shira's priestess, but it was clear that Ami -- that his bride -- did
not care in the least. [Don't be.]

[You're really all right with this?] Adam asked, his eyes anxiously
searching her dark ones.

Her smile was bright, and did not quiver, her hand warm and soft as
she squeezed his, [I am now.]

***

The wedding feast was a celebration like nothing Adam had yet had the
pleasure of experiencing since their arrival in Stiborn. Nobles and
lords, from the highest to the lowest, filled the great hall dressed
in their finest upon their finest. He had not truly paid much
attention to the lords and ladies of the High Houses present at the
ceremony, his attention had been completely elsewhere at the time, but
Adam noticed them now. He noticed how they each attempted to out shine
one another, bestowing compliments and congratulations on the newlywed
couple.

Tables overflowed with food. The best of roast pheasant and game hens,
the most tender of roast, the freshest of vegetables, and the richest
of desserts spread out to be savored and devoured. And, according to
Hagen, some of the sweetest and best wine in all of the kingdom as
well. No expense was too great for this momentous occasion. To watch
the celebration, it was easy to forget that once upon a time, the two
kingdoms had been at war with one another; to watch the smiles and
hear the words that were bestowed upon the Damiar Princess, was enough
to instill the belief that this treaty would work to achieve its final
ends - a lasting peace.

Ami basked in the glow of all the attention she received. Initially,
she had been embarrassed by it, hiding as much as she could from the
appraising eyes of the Stibornan court, clinging to his arm as though
the great hall were an ocean and he was a buoy that she might drown
without. Her time in the Sun Palace, she had not been so much the
center of attention, and even her arrival in Stiborn, where she spent
much of the time sequestered at Elspera Keep, had not prepared her for
this. But, as the hour wore on and it became apparent that the
attention would not slack off, and she was convinced that Adam would
not leave her to handle the well wishes of the court alone, she
relaxed. She relaxed so much so that she finally moved away from his
side, talking and sharing food with Tara, who seemed to be making her
new sister-in-law into her new best friend, and Jade, and even
occasionally engaging this lady or baroness in avid conversation.

The Damia Reina and Prince Calend'et did not share their table, a fact
of which made Adam extremely grateful. Despite the merriment and the
meaning of this feast, the sovereign of Albarasque and her entourage
remained at their own table, on a separate dais, their celebration
their own. Only Damiar Roleran left that dais, coming to sit for a
while with her grand daughter before her own attendants led her away
to retire for the evening.

"I say it again, cousin," Hagen returned from his wanderings among the
nobility to take up a seat at the end of the table with Adam and
Megabyte, "only you could have this sort of luck."

"And what sort of luck are we talking about, Hagen?"

The lord raised his mug in the direction of the end of the table
occupied by the ladies, "My luck would be that she was such a
carefully guarded secret because there are cows with prettier faces,
but not yours. Your bride is certainly easy on the eyes, isn't she?"

Adam sipped from his mug, knowing that it didn't really matter how he
answered or what he answered. If Hagen had something to say, he would
say it, no matter what Adam responded. "I suppose."

"You suppose?" Hagen laughed. He reached out and rapped his knuckles
lightly on Adam's forehead, his laughter becoming louder as Adam
dodged and pushed him away. "What are you, addle brained now? You
suppose? Are you trying to tell me you wouldn't have consummated this
marriage right on the temple floor if I hadn't pulled you back?"

Megabyte attempted to hide his laughter by shoving a large piece of
bread in his mouth and it was all that Adam could do to prevent
himself from choking on the wine. Sometimes, he wondered if Hagen
thought before he spoke . or if he said things like that simply to get
a reaction. It was probably some combination of both.

"I appreciate your intervention, Hagen, but I doubt that it would have
come to that."

[I don't know, Adam. You and Ami were getting pretty --]

The kick to Megabyte's shin effectively stopped the other from saying
whatever it was he intended to say. [Megabyte, just shut up.]

"Then you are a far better man than I am, Adam."

Megabyte snorted. "Now, there's a big secret."

"Well, we've long known that he's a far better man than you are,
Marmion."

Adam set his mug down, loudly. "Can you two try to not ruin my wedding
here, please?"

Hagen rolled his eyes, "Someone's sensitive."

"Nerves," Megabyte quipped.

Adam shook his head and groaned, wondering why he even tried. He could
never win if Megabyte and Hagen were in the same room together. If
they were not baiting one another, then they were working in unison to
embarrass, humiliate, or annoy him. Sometimes all three. Well, he
supposed it was mildly comforting to know that no matter what
happened, some things never did change.

And some things did.

Ignoring the teasing of his "cousins," Adam turned to the sound of
laughter and giggles. Ami, Jade, Tara and one of Ami's attendants, had
their heads together, eyes focused in his direction. As he looked at
them, they all straightened and looked away, leaving Adam no doubt of
who had been the subject of their smiles and giggles. It made him a
little uncomfortable, his face warming although he had no idea what
they had been speaking of.

To look at things from Hagen's perspective, he was absolutely correct.
Ami was, to quote Hagen's words, "easy on the eyes." It wasn't
something that Adam had ever really consciously noticed before. Truth
be told, it was one of those things that he probably wouldn't ever
have noticed, except perhaps briefly and in passing, if they hadn't
been forced into this situation. But they were here, the situation was
here, and there was no way for him to deny that the young woman at the
other end of the table, for all intents and purposes, was now his
wife.

His wife, Adam repeated the words to himself again and discovered that
they neither sounded nor felt as foreign as he had expected.

He was all right with that.

*** End of Chapter Thirty-Two



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End of arfic-l-digest V1 #28
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