Revival
Nita and Kit have gone their separate ways after defeating the Lone Power, but when the balance of time itself is in danger, the two must come to terms with their destinies... and each other.
Disclaimer: Wait, let me go check the mirror again... nope, I'm not Diane Duane now anymore than I was yesterday... (sigh)
Chapter One: Missing Him
Juanita Callahan sat at her desk, staring absently into her computer screen. What she found interesting about the solid blue screen was beyond her, and she stared as it flickered once, twice, and finally shut off. Nita cursed and tried to bring the computer back to life, jamming her finger into the ON/OFF button.
"Come on, turn on, you stupid thing," she muttered. Nita half expected the monitor to answer her rambles, but she wasn't surprised when it didn't. Machinery had stopped talking to her after she split ways with Kit.
Nita sat back with a sigh. Even after all these months, she still missed him. She missed the way he made her laugh. She missed the way he would come over, unannounced, and her family wouldn't mind. She even missed the way he sometimes stole food out of their fridge. But most of all, Nita just missed Kit's unwavering presence in her life, his ability to completely understand her even when no words were spoken.
Nita finally pushed herself away from the desk and wandered into the kitchen. She remembered how the mood was when her mother was still alive: warm, inviting, and not oppressive. Now, however, it seemed empty and cold; a little like Nita's heart.
She opened the fridge, peering in. Nothing was absent. She slammed it shut, blinking away sudden tears. The house was silent, a harsh reminder of the rigid times her family had fallen upon.
Ever since her mother had died, they were having a tougher time than they'd liked to admit. Nita's father worked long hours at his flower shop, and often didn't appear until almost dinner time every night. Her younger sister, Dairine, had been away on active duty for months. Since both girls took their classes online now, it was easier to keep up with assignments, although Nita felt a little guilty for completing so much of Dairine's work for her. She left a short message in Nita's manual every once in awhile, but as to Dairine's whereabouts, only she knew. Nita had a strong suspicion that Dairine was still searching for Roshaun, but she was careful to keep her opinions to herself.
Nita glanced at the stove clock: 6:47 p.m. Her father would be coming home from work soon. She knew the whole scene by now: he'd pretend to make dinner, slamming some pots around, rummaging through the fridge. When he was done, her father would curse quietly and pick up the phone, dialing take-out. Nita wondered if it would be Chinese or Italian tonight, and found that she didn't care. She hadn't had a real appetite for a long time now.
She tromped up the stairs, heading for her room. She paused at Dairine's door, peeking in for a second. It was cold in there, and Nita shivered. Dairine's bed lay untouched, the faded Star Wars bedspread folded neatly without any wrinkles. A few letters of the Speech hung in the air, shimmering slightly. Nita put out her hand to touch them, her fingers brushing against them softly. She was overwhelmed with the sense of her sister. The glistening letters positively shrieked of Dairine. Nita snatched her hand away, feeling a bit forlorn. She hadn't realized how much she missed her little sister until now.
Nita shut the door quietly behind her. She entered her room, which was next door, and fell onto her bed. Closing her eyes, Nita resolved not to think about Kit anymore, and as always, her mind didn't listen to her. It wasn't until she felt herself drifting off that she allowed her mind to relax.
Well, what did you all think? You know the magic about these stories is that you can click that little purple button down there and tell me what you think. Please? Cyber-Oreos for all my reviewers!