Hi, this is my new FS fanfiction. It's going to be a Will/ Alexis story, and is set after Seeking Crystal (although she's not going to be from Amsterdam- sorry!). I'm not sure if their ages will quite fit with the Benedict timeline, but I've made Alexis and Will 24, so, hopefully, it shouldn't be too out of sync with the books. I hope you like it! Please leave a review- any feedback is welcomed! Thanks!
Disclaimer: All that you recognise belongs to Joss Stirling. Alexis et al, are mine, though.
1:
Savant soulfinder conventions. Eurgh. I hated them. Hated them with every fibre of my being, and then some.
Soulfinder conventions were the brain child of the Savant Net- a rapidly growing organisation of savants, who dealt with issues in our culture, without alerting the general public to our presence. The Net was generally held in high regard- they had records of all savants, and kept tabs on us to ensure that we, and our powers, remained secret. It was they who introduced the concept of soulfinder conventions, as a result of a worldwide outcry from savants at how difficult it was for soulfinders to find one another.
It was all fine to start with- conventions were optional. But then, after a few years, attendance was made mandatory for all savants that the Net had on their books in order to increase matching rates. And so it became that, annually, there was a global convention whereby all savants aged 18 or over (minus those who had already found their soulfinders, or those who were married or in a serious relationship) were required to attend, whether they liked it, or not.
Unfortunately, I was 24, a savant, and single- so my attendance was non-negotiable. It was to be my first convention, something that I was less than thrilled about. Non-negotiable attendance had been brought in last year, but I'd managed to get lucky- coming down with a seriously bad case of the flu that had left me bedridden for a week, and physically unable to fly to Sydney, where the convention was being held that year. This year, I hadn't been so fortunate.
The unwelcome reminder about this year's convention came in the form of an innocent looking manila envelope, dropped through the door about two months ago. It had sat on my dining room table for at least two days, before I made myself open it- breaking the seal tentatively, but refusing to look at its contents for at least another week. The envelope had contained all manner of things relating to the convention: a leaflet about the Net, an itinerary for the day, a code of conduct, some forms for me to fill in and send back, but worst of all was the flyer emblazoned with a cheesy slogan about everlasting love, accompanied with a photograph of a nauseatingly cute couple fawning over each other. Ick.
Okay, so you might have figured that I'm really not into the whole 'soulfinder' and 'love at first sight (or thought!)' thing- the idea really didn't appeal to me. I don't want to be forced to love someone for the rest of my life, just because of some mystical connection that we don't really know that much about. I mean, who wants to be uprooted from their home, and forced to move half way across the globe all because some higher power deemed us fated to be together? I wanted to find someone, and fall in love on my own- what was so wrong with that?
I'd already tried my best to get out of this year's convention, which was to be held in Paris, before I'd even begun to fill out any of the forms that they'd sent. I'd written to them about a month ago, saying that I was incredibly sorry, but I couldn't possibly make the convention as I couldn't afford to travel there. Now, that was partly true. I was a newly qualified teacher, and my wages didn't exactly comfortably cover train tickets to Dover, and then the fare through the channel tunnel to Paris, not to mention the cost of staying in a hotel in the middle of the French capital. I was certain that I'd managed to get out of it, certain that they'd let it slide when I promised I'd begun saving for next year's convention, and would definitely be in attendance. Unfortunately, I was wrong. They sent plane tickets, a taxi service to collect me from my home and the airport in Paris, and a night in a four star Paris hotel before the convention- all expenses paid. And, as if to make matters worse, was the accompanying sincere letter offering to pay for all of my future convention trips. Drat.
Aside from the leaflet, the envelope also held a great amount of paperwork, designed to help organisers find our soulfinders. I had to fill out my date of birth, my estimated day of conception (now that would make for a very awkward conversation with my parents), if I was a premature or late baby, my nationality, a current photograph of myself, and numerous other questions. I was quite exhausted after filling out only half of the questions! Rumour in the savant community had it that the organisers had a soulseeker on their team, which meant that match making this year was almost guaranteed.
The itinerary for the day, included in the envelope, explained exactly how the convention would work. It was to begin at 9 prompt, and after registering, everyone was to go into a hall to watch a video on the savant net before the, and I quote, 'real fun' began. From what I could gather from the instructions, and accompanying photographs, the actual 'matching' process was rather like a massive speed dating event, whereby tables were laid out in a circle with chairs on either side. The women were to stay put on the outside chairs of the circle, whilst the men moved around on the chairs on inside of the circle, to allow them to speak to all available savants. The circle design seemed to work for both heterosexual and homosexual savants- for the homosexuals would simply move to the side of the circle that best suited them. In order to maximise matching, the itinerary explained that those of similar ages were placed near to each other, so matching should happen fairly quickly, if at all. Once matches were found, the couple would leave the circle, and their chairs were to be removed, so that the circle got smaller as the event progressed. The actual matching process seemed pretty straight forward- couples were given 1 minute to make a mind link with the person opposite, before a bell was rung to signal that the people on the inside who hadn't found a match were to move on to the next person, whilst those who had found a match were to leave the circle. This continued until every unmatched person on the inside of the circle had met every unmatched person on the outside of the circle- ensuring that no potential matches were missed. Once the matching was over, there was to be a party to celebrate the matches that had been made, before we all headed off back home.
Hopefully I'd be heading back home on my own, but who knew what would happen. After filling in most of my details I had to do the inevitable, and ring Mum to get the answer to my final question. Sighing, I grabbed the handset and dialled the familiar number.
"Hello" a chirpy voice answered.
"Hi Mum, it's me."
"Hello,me"
"Mum!" I groaned. "You know exactly who it is!" She laughed.
"Yes, Alexis. What's the matter?"
"I'm just filling in my details for the convention." She hummed appropriately. "And…" I sighed, here goes. "I need my estimated conception date for the forms. I was just wondering if you knew?"
She laughed gaily. "Oh, Alexis, I don't know if I could quite pin it down. Your father and I were just insatiable back then!" She sighed happily. "Mind you, what's changed?" She laughed again.
"Mum!" I cried out, aghast. "Major overshare!" I was quite happy pretending that my sickeningly in love soulfinder parents never had sex. In fact, I'd rather presume that my siblings and I all arrived by stork, like in that Disney film, 'Dumbo'.
I could hear her cackle in reply at the other end of the line "Oh, Alexis, you have so much to learn! Let me get your father- he might remember." I sighed, as I heard a muffled shout of "Brian!"
"Mum, honestly, you don't need to get Dad, just give me a rough estimation- it really doesn't matter if it's that accurate-"
"Nonsense, dear" she cut in "we want to give the most accurate information, so you get the best chance of meeting him!" There was movement on the other end of the line. "Honey, I'm putting you on speaker, so your father and I can both hear you."
"Okay", I sigh "But, Mum, this really isn't necessary- a rough estimation would be just fine. I was born on September the twentieth, so I'll put down Christmas Eve" I held my pen poised, and moved to fill in the date.
"Oh no, Alexis, don't put that! It definitely wasn't then!" My Dad replies. "We were staying at your Grandma's for Christmas in '88, and your brother, Jack, had to stay in our room overnight. Definitely not then!"
"Okay", I reply, "when then?"
"Maybe Christmas day?" My Mum questions "I pretended to have a headache, so that I missed the Christmas walk, and your father stayed to nurse me back to health, whilst everyone else went out…" The statement hung in the air for a moment, before it clicked…
"Mum! I did not need to know that!"
"I was an excellent doctor, wasn't I, darling?" My father murmured, and my mother giggled.
"Mmmmm" she sighed, "I felt so much better afterwards!"
"Mum, Dad, please!" I begged- I really didn't want to hear of their sexual escapades! "Was it definitely Christmas day, then?"
"Maybe it was boxing day, actually" My Dad answers "Do you remember, Liz, we sent Jack out to build a snowman, and told him to surprise us and build the biggest one he could? He was occupied for hours, which meant we had the house to ourselves…"
"Oh, yes!" My mother answered, "Now, that was an excellent idea of yours!" I felt sick. No wonder my Mum and Dad always encouraged me and my siblings to each build snowmen in the garden, whilst they, each year, conveniently found some excuse to stay inside. Well, they'd successfully ruined that family tradition!
"Guys, I'm just going to write down 'The Christmas period of '88'" I sigh, mentally scarred from this horrendous encounter.
"Mmm, that would probably be best, honey, we couldn't possibly pin it down, and it's best to cover all bases."
"Okay, fab." I sigh, relieved to leave this topic of conversation.
"Oh, love, could you come over later?" My Mum asks. Well, actually, my Mum never really asks- it's more of a demand. "Jack and Savannah have some news they want to share with us." Jack was my eldest brother, who, at 26, was the first of us three to find his soulfinder. He met her at a convention a couple of years ago, and they were hopelessly in love- so much so, that Savannah had moved all the way from Australia to rural Derbyshire, just so that they could be together.
"They're pregnant, aren't they?" I deadpan. The newlyweds had made no secret of their desire for a large family.
"I don't know" my Mother replies. "We'll find out later. They're coming at 2 this afternoon, so pop round for then won't you love?"
"Yeah, sure Mum" I acquiesce, despite the fact that I've got stacks of marking that I should be getting on with.
"Great!" She responds "I'll see you then, then. Now, I've got an appointment with my very own Dr Anderson" she purrs.
"Mmm, yes you have, darling" I hear my father reply.
"Okay, bye guys!" I blurt out quickly, hanging up the phone before they reply- not that I'd have gotten one anyway. I glance at the clock- it's just past one. Perhaps I'd get there for half two, just to be on the safe side. I really didn't want to walk in on something I shouldn't…
XXX
An hour and half later, and I'm stood outside my parents' front door. I've rang the doorbell multiple times, but there's still no answer. Frustrated, I tap my foot- thankful that at least I'm not stuck in a heavy April shower.
"Come on! Open the door" I mutter angrily to myself.
Just then, I hear a car pull onto the gravelled drive. I turn, and look to see Jack and Savannah. I smile and wave happily at them as Jack brings the car to a standstill, turns off the ignition, and races to the passenger side of the car to open Savannah's door for her, extending his hand to help her out of her seat. So, chivalry isn't dead! They stroll towards me, both grinning broadly.
Savannah throws her arms around my neck in greeting, whilst Jack gives me a welcoming smile. Gently extricating myself from her hug I ask "So, what's the big news, then?"
Savannah, now nestled back in Jack's arms grins broadly, and looks up at him. "Well" she begins, in her distinctive Aussie twang, looking back at me "We're" she's practically vibrating with excitement. They look up at each other and nod at each other- a silent form of communication between them, before they blurt out together "pregnant!" At the same time the door swings open, to reveal my mother, whose hair is dishevelled and glasses are askew. Before I have a chance to react, she squeals loudly, before launching herself at the pair, barrelling past me at such a rate that she knocks me off balance, and nearly causes me to fall off the porch. Wrapping her arms around her son and daughter-in-law, she squeezes them tightly.
"Careful, Mum! You're going to hurt the baby hugging her that hard!"
"Jack, I knew you were going to be one of those parents" I laugh.
He grins at me, unabashed, looping his arms gently around his petite wife, who looks adoringly up at him- pressing a gentle kiss to his jaw. He begins gently nudging her inside. I look at him questioningly. "I don't want her to catch a chill." He defends himself.
"Jack, it's the hottest day of the year so far" I deadpan. He follows Mum through the door, keeping Savannah tethered to him.
"Better safe, than sorry!" He replies, "besides, it's only April- that's practically winter!"
Shaking my head at his ridiculously overprotective nature I follow them into the house, and see Dad walking down the stairs, fumbling to fasten the top buttons of his shirt.
"Hey, Dad" I grin, as he envelops me in a hug. "Lexi" he greets, squeezing me comfortingly, before letting me go. Although his once black hair is now peppered with grey, he still acts as if he were thirty.
"Did you hear their news?" I ask, as we follow them through to the kitchen- the place where we all sit and talk as a family.
"Yeah. Looks like I'm going to be a Grandfather! When are you going to find your soulfinder Lex?"
I roll my eyes at his badgering, as we round the corner into the kitchen. He and my mother were both constantly pestering me about finding my soulfinder.
"Well, the convention's next weekend, so next week if I'm lucky" I smile, feigning excitement at the prospect. I take my seat at the table, as my mother claps her hands together gleefully, before busying herself- insisting that we all had a cup of tea.
It wasn't that I'd always hated the idea of soulfinders. In fact, it was quite the opposite. When we were growing up Mum and Dad had always told us about soulfinders, the connection they shared, and how magical the whole experience was. Every night, they'd tuck us each into our beds, telling us of soulfinder stories, whilst whispering how much they loved us. Growing up, I couldn't wait to finally meet my soulfinder. The man who would love and cherish me forever- made perfectly just for me.
But that all changed a couple of years ago. After what happened to my sister, I finally realised that the very notion of soulfinders was a fairy-tale concept- outdated and ridiculous. Although, it was great while it lasted, the repercussions of losing a soulfinder were just too much of a risk to take. The world was cruel, and the people in it even worse. I was broken out of my reverie by my mother.
"Are you meeting Alice in Paris, Alexis?" Mum asked. Alice was my younger sister, the sweetheart, and my best friend as well as my sister. We told each other everything. That's how I knew all about her soulfinder- where they met, what he was like, and when she lost him. My family didn't. Devastated from the loss, the cheerful, happy, and always upbeat Alice that we all knew and loved spiralled into a depression, of which only I knew the true cause. A talented artist- she moved to Paris to pursue her dreams, and to move on- trying to deal with the harsh reality of life without a soulfinder.
"Yeah" I reply "I'm meeting her at the airport, when I land. I'll get in at around 2 French time, so we're going to have lunch together"
My Mum clucked happily- glad to see that the Alice we knew was emerging once more. "It's so exciting that both of my girls are old enough to go to the convention!" My Mum squealed delightedly, wrapping her arms around me from behind, and squeezing me tightly. "Maybe both of you will meet your soulfinders, and we'll have two weddings this year! How would you feel about a double wedding, Alexis? You're both so close- it would be fabulous! A summer wedding would just be divine, wouldn't it? I think purple would be good as a colour scheme. Actually, maybe sky blue would be better. Your father could walk you both down the aisle together! I'd have to buy a spectacular outfit- I'd be a double mother of the bride! I know-"
"Hang on, Mum!" I laugh, cutting off her tirade. "No one is getting married." Her face dropped comically. She didn't realise that Alice was only going to the convention to take her name off the list. If your soulfinder died, you didn't get another one. So, for her, the convention would be pointless.
"If, Mum, if, I meet my soulfinder I'm definitely not getting married straight away. Anyway, I might not even like the guy!"
"Not like him?" She asked, incredulous. "Of course you'll like him- you're fated to be together!" And, she was off again- twittering on about star signs, and some higher power- flailing her arms dramatically as if to exaggerate her point. I zoned out, and, looking across the table at the rest of my family, so had they. It seemed cruel to let Mum entertain the idea that both Alice and I would be getting married to our soulfinders- for Alice no longer could, and I was totally against the idea, no matter what she said.
"Anyway, Mum" I said, cutting her off again. "I'd best be getting off- I've got tons of marking to do before Monday morning, lessons to plan, and I've got to pack for the convention." I got up, giving her a big hug, before turning to Dad to do the same. He pressed a kiss to the top of my head.
"Call us to let us know you've landed safely, won't you? And be careful. Paris is a dangerous city, there are pickpockets and-"I laughed- you could see exactly where Jack got his overprotective tendencies from!
"Dad, I'm 24, a grown woman, and am totally capable of looking after myself! I'll be totally fine, and if anything does happen, then you'll be the first to know. I promise."
His moustache twitched in grudging acceptance. "Just promise me you'll be careful- and look after your sister." I smiled- she'd managed nearly a year in Paris without my protection, but I wasn't about to mention that to him.
"I promise, Dad." Giving me a last quick hug he let me go, and I moved over to Savannah and Jack.
"Congratulations, you two! You'll be fabulous parents! Savannah, just let me know if his protectiveness gets too much, and I'll happily knock him into shape for you" I winked at her, whilst pointedly ignoring Jack, who was glowering at me as a result of my comment. Giving them both a quick hug, I made my way out of the kitchen, and towards the door.
"See you later" I yelled, slamming the door behind me, before heading off home to pack.
Please, please leave a review! Constructive criticism is welcomed- I really want to know what you think! Also, would people like the whole story in Alexis' POV, or would you like some chapters written in Will's POV? Thanks!