Title: Tribe 3: Wonderwall

Chunk 1: Sections 1 thru 5

Fandom: The Tribe

Author: PinkTribeChick

Summary: I said maybe, you're gonna be the one that saves me . . . Life goes on for the Mall Rats after the Chosen take over the city.

Extended Summary: Essentially, this is an Alternate Universe story for Series 3 and beyond of the Tribe. I won't say anything more than that, because I don't want to spoil anything for those of you who have never read this before.

Rating: Teen

Pairing: Too many to name! But Bray-Amber, Lex-Zandra, Ryan-Salene, and Jack-Ellie, for starters. There will also be some Tribe-character with original character pairings.

Author's Notes: I started this story in July/August of 2000, and completed it sometime during 2003, I think. It was my first foray into Tribe fiction and is to date my longest and only finished long story. Many thanks as always go to Brett The Mole, as he was the one who talked me into sharing this story with others when I first started writing it, and he was the one who kept bugging me to complete it. I wouldn't have gotten anywhere without you, Brett! And major thanks to Ariannya, Whit, and all the others who at various times read and proofed sections for me and gave me their invaluable feedback. And here it is – I felt like it was long overdue time that I should post this and some of my other Tribe stories here! Enjoy, and please review! Feedback is much appreciated!

Disclaimer: All characters, situations, and song lyrics remain the property of their respective owners. Any original characters are sole property of me, PinkTribeChick.

Tribe 3: Wonderwall

Sections 1 thru 5

"I said maybe (I said maybe) . . . you're gonna be the one that saves me (that saves me) . . . and after all . . . you're my wonderwall . . ."

Oasis

"Get in there!" the guard shouted, pushing Trudy into the hotel basement. He shut the door and locked it.

"You can't keep me in here! I'm the Supreme Mother, you twit!" Trudy screamed at him. "You can't do this to me!"

"Yes, I can! We don't want you! Just the baby!" the guard said, laughing. He walked away. "Oohh . . . I'm going to kill them all someday!" she growled. She spun around, looking at her surroundings. There was old furniture scattered around the room and a doorway that led to another room. She could hear voices coming from inside the room, so she walked over to the doorway.

"Hel - oh, my god!" she exclaimed, peeking into the room. Her mouth fell open when she saw the two familiar people the voices belonged to. Two teenage girls sat on an old couch inside the room, one holding a baby. The one on the left had long, wavy blonde hair, with black roots. She was slender and had an air of confidence, as she stared incredulously at Trudy. The other girl, to the right, had curly blonde hair, pulled back in a bun, and glittering blue-green eyes. In her arms she held a little girl, a baby who couldn't have been more than a year old. The baby had curly jet black hair and pale blue eyes, and reminded Trudy of someone she knew.

"Trudy?" the girl on the left said, puzzled by Trudy's presence there.

"Oh my god! I've really lost it now! I'm seeing dead people! Ghosts!" Trudy crumpled to the ground, hysterical. The girl got up and ran to Trudy's side.

"Trudy, calm down! It's really us. It's me and Zandra," the girl said. Trudy was rocking back and forth, shaking her head violently. "Trudy, look at me." She turned Trudy's head, so she could see her face.

"Amber?" Trudy sputtered, looking into her old friend's green eyes. She touched Amber's hand. "We thought you were both dead! I can't believe it!"

"Not dead. Just kidnapped, and very well hidden," Amber responded. "They just brought us here a few days ago. The explosion was merely a diversion, so they could take us." Zandra stood up and walked over to Trudy and Amber.

"The Supreme Mother, huh? What a crock!" Zandra said bitterly. "I knew it had to be you, from the moment they first mentioned you. You're in charge of the whole thing! How could you have let everyone believe we were dead? How could you not have known where we were all this time?" Zandra scowled angrily at her.

"If I'm in charge, Zandra, then what am I doing down here with you two, like a prisoner?" Trudy retorted. Zandra looked away, not having a suitable answer. "I had no idea, honestly. I wasn't kidnapped myself until months after you. I'm just a pawn. They brainwashed me to get to Brady. They wanted her, not me." She burst into tears. "They took her . . . they took my baby! And everyone else, too!"

"Shhh . . . it's okay. We believe you," Amber said, putting her arms around Trudy. She looked up at Zandra.

"I guess we have to believe you. Judging by your reaction to seeing us and all . . . nobody could act that well," Zandra said. "I'm sorry for accusing you."

"Thanks," Trudy said, still crying.

"Do you know if Lex is okay?" Zandra asked.

"I don't know . . . I didn't see him or Bray amongst the lot they brought in. I didn't see Salene or Ryan either, now that I think of it," Trudy responded. She looked at the little girl Zandra was holding. "She looks a lot like Lex."

"I know. Sometimes I think she's the only reason I've managed to survive it all. When I look at her, I see him . . . and it gives me hope," Zandra said, smiling. "Her name is Lexandra."

"She's beautiful," Trudy said kindly. She turned to Amber. "Listen . . . I'm really sorry about all of this. If I had known . . . well, let's just say a lot of things would be different right now."

"It's okay, Trudy," Zandra said. "Like you said, you didn't know."

"You believe me?" Trudy asked.

"Yeah, I guess so. I mean, I don't understand why you betrayed everyone, but it's obvious that you feel guilty," Zandra answered.

"You have no idea," Trudy said. "I feel like a fool. I traded the best friends I ever had for power. And I didn't even do it for Brady, really. First, you two died . . . then I was kidnapped . . . it was like something just snapped. I couldn't handle it anymore."

"Well, I think it's about time to break free," Amber said, with a grin. "We've got some friends to rescue. Are you two in?" She put out her right hand. Trudy and Zandra looked at each other. Then they both put out their right hands, smiling. The three girls shook on it.

"M-hmm-mmm . . . ," Bray moaned. "Amber . . . mmm . . . " He slowly opened his eyes.

"Aren't you calling for the wrong girl?" Ebony asked teasingly. Bray sat up in bed, shocked to see her.

"Where am I? Where's Lex?" Bray said, looking around frantically.

"Lex is fine. He's got a few bumps and bruises, but he'll be okay. He's in the kitchen eating," she replied. "You gave us quite a scare, Bray. We weren't sure you'd make it. You've been unconscious for almost three days."

"Where am I?" Bray repeated.

"Rebel Headquarters. And I am not quite as dead as you thought," she said. "I'll go get you some food, and then explain it all to you. And I think someone wants to see you." She pointed to the doorway, where Lex was standing. She stood up and walked to the door. As she walked past Lex, she whispered something to him. "You tell him about her. I just can't do it." Lex nodded.

"Hiya, buddy!" Lex said, walking into the room. He had a bandage on his forehead and bruises on his arms. "I'm glad to see that you're back from the dead . . . I need to tell you something." Lex sat down on the bed.

"What's wrong, Lex?" Bray asked, his heart beginning to race. "The last time you gave me a look like that . . . " He trailed off, not wanting to speak their names. It had been almost a year since the girls had died, and the two still found it hard to say their names.

"I know, man," Lex said sympathetically, patting Bray on the shoulder. "This isn't easy to say . . . but I have to say it."

"It's Danni, isn't it?" Bray said. Lex looked up at the ceiling.

"The Rebels didn't get there in time. She's dead, Bray," Lex said.

"How?" Bray asked, tears filling his eyes.

"They drowned her. The Rebels tried CPR . . . but it was no use. I'm really sorry, man," Lex said.

"First, I lose Amber, and now Danni? What is this? Some curse or something? Am I destined to lose every woman I love?!" Bray exclaimed angrily, tears streaming down his cheeks.

"I'm sorry, Bray. They did all they could for her, really. But we really don't have time to worry about this right now," Lex said. "I'm not trying to be harsh, but we do have people to rescue and a Guardian to fight. And that's the truth. You'll have time to mourn later. Right now, we need you to recover from your injuries, so we can launch an attack on the Guardian and his followers."

"I know . . . I just feel like I've lost Amber all over again," Bray said.

"Maybe that's because Danni was so much like Amber," Ebony said, walking into the room. "I brought you some soup." She set the tray down in front of him.

"She really wasn't that much like Amber," Bray said firmly. "Was she?" He looked at Ebony questioningly. Ebony and Lex looked at each other, and then at Bray.

"Exactly like Amber," they both said at the same time.

"Why do you think everyone resented Danni so much?" Ebony said. "Do you get it now?" Something about their words struck Bray. It suddenly made sense to him. All he'd really done was transfer all his feelings for Amber over to Danni. He'd never really loved Danni for Danni. He'd only loved her because she reminded him of Amber. And while, in a way, it eased the pain of her death, it made him feel guilty, because he knew Danni had really cared about him. If only he could apologize . . .

"Where is she buried?" Bray asked.

"Out in the back yard. We made a headstone and everything," Ebony replied.

"Take me to it," Bray said.

"Come on, Ryan. We've only a little more ways to go, and we'll be there," Salene said, as Ryan stopped for another rest break. She knew he was lucky to even be alive and walking at all, he had been so badly injured, but she still wanted to make it to the Rebel Headquarters before sundown.

"I don't know how you can have so much energy in your condition," Ryan said, referring to her pregnancy.

"I don't, Ryan. I just want to get there soon, that's all. The sooner we get there, the sooner both of us can rest, and the sooner we'll be safe," she responded.

"But how can you even be sure Bray and Lex are there?" he asked. Salene walked over to him, sitting down next to him. She took his hand in hers.

"Because their bodies weren't with the dune-buggy wreckage, and the Rebel Headquarters is the most logical place they could've gone," Salene explained. "I just have a feeling about it, Ryan. Can you please trust me? I mean . . . even if they aren't there, the Rebels are, and they can help us free everyone." She looked into his eyes.

"Alright," he said. He kissed her gently on the lips. "Let's go." He stood up and then helped her to her feet. Then they started on their way again.

"Alright . . . we've managed to get out. What now?" Zandra asked, looking at Amber. They stood outside the Hotel, hiding behind a dumpster. Amber looked over at Trudy.

"Where do you think Bray, Lex, Salene, and Ryan could have gone?" Amber asked.

"Rebel Headquarters, maybe?" Trudy suggested.

"Do you know where that is?" Zandra asked, trying to quiet a crying Lexandra.

"Yeah. But what about Brady and the others? We can't just leave them here," Trudy said.

"But we can't take on the Guardian and his followers, just the three of us. We need more people. Maybe the Rebels will help us," Amber responded. "It's worth a shot. And we'll come back for the others once we have a decent army together to fight back. Anyway, it's not safe to have Lexandra here when the fight does happen."

"I agree," Zandra said. "Come on, Trudy. What do we have to lose?"

"Time," Trudy said. "But I guess we don't have much choice do we?"

"No," Amber whispered. "Are we going or not?"

"Yeah, let's do it," Trudy said. Amber peered around the dumpster. She put a finger over her lips and motioned for Zandra and Trudy to follow her. They crept out from behind the dumpster, into the alleyway. "Alright . . . this way." Trudy pointed down the street. Zandra made sure the makeshift carrier they had made for Lexandra was secure, then the three girls took off running down the street and didn't stop until they made it to the dirt road that led out to the country.

Meanwhile, the Guardian was coming down to visit the missing girls in the basement. He unlocked the door and stepped inside, motioning for his guards to follow him.

"Alright! Come out now! We've brought you some food!" the Guardian called out. No response. "Louis, go check the other room to see if they're in there. Now!" The guard ran into the adjoining room, then came back out.

"They're gone, sir," the guard said.

"What?!" the Guardian exclaimed angrily. "Gone?!" He shoved the guard to the ground. "How could they have gotten out? There are no windows, nothing they could escape out of!" He spun around to face the other guards. "Search the entire premises. They couldn't have gotten far. Find them! Dead or alive, I don't care! Just bring them back! GO!" The guards ran off to search for the missing prisoners. The Guardian walked into the adjoining room and looked around, trying to figure out how they escaped. He looked up at the ceiling. A tile had been removed, revealing an air-duct. He scrunched up his face, then threw the plate of food at the wall. It hit with a remarkable force and shattered to pieces. He stomped out of the room and back upstairs.

"Here we are," Lex said, helping Bray to Danni's grave.

"Can you leave us alone for a little while?" Bray asked, kneeling down beside her grave.

"Sure, man. I'll be back in a few minutes to get you," Lex replied. He walked away. Bray traced the letters on the tombstone with his fingertips. Danni . . . May we never forget why she died . . . Rest in Peace. Bray started to cry again.

"First, Amber . . . then you," he whispered. "What next? I'm sorry, Danni. I'm sorry we weren't able to save you . . . sorry for the way I treated you . . . sorry for not loving you the way you loved me. And I just hope . . . wherever you are . . . that you can forgive me." He brushed a tear away. "That's all I needed to say." He slowly stood up and turned around. A girl was coming into the back yard, from the house. She had long blonde hair and a familiar gleam in her eyes. As she came closer, he realized who it was: Amber. He faltered slightly, falling to his knees again. He started to cry harder.

"Bray!" she exclaimed, running to him. "Are you okay?" She knelt down beside him.

"I'm seeing things . . . she's dead . . . Bray, you're just seeing things," he murmured to himself, rocking back and forth. "You're going crazy, that's all."

"You're just fine, Bray," Amber said, putting her hand on his shoulder. "And you're not seeing things. I'm really here. And I'm not a ghost. See, I'm warm?" She laid her head on his bare shoulder. He could feel her tears, wet on his skin. He reached up with one hand and touched her cheek, her hair, and traced the outline of her face.

"I'm not hallucinating, am I?" he said. "I've wished for this for so long, and for it to be some mind trick would be really cruel."

"I'm real, I promise," she said, smiling. "I mean . . . could a ghost do this?" She kissed him gently on the lips. Her lips were warm and soft against his, and she tasted just as he remembered. He took her in his arms and held her to him.

"Oh, my god," he whispered. He looked up at the sky. "Thank you, Danni. Thank you."

"I'm really sorry about her," Amber said, looking up at him. "Danni was really nice."

"How did you know her?" Bray asked, shocked.

"She was a prisoner at the Hotel with us. You were all she talked about before they killed her. They wanted to kill us first, but she gave herself up to save us, and they killed her instead," Amber said. She shook her head silently. "I never told her who I really was, but somehow . . . I think she knew anyway."

"I lose her, and find you again. Why?" he asked.

"I don't know. It may not be fair, but I'm here. And so is Zandra," Amber responded.

"Z-zandra?" Bray stuttered, shaking.

"She's inside with Lex. They have a baby, Bray . . . a little girl. She looks just like Lex," Amber said. "But first, I have something I need to say to you."

"I won't blame you if you hate me. For Danni, and all," he said, looking away.

"I could never hate you, Bray. Never. And I don't care who you were with or what you did while I've been gone. All that matters now is that we're together again. And no matter what you do, I will always love you." She brushed a strand of hair out of his face. "God, I missed you."

"I don't deserve this . . . you . . . I gave up on you. I thought you were dead," Bray said quietly.

"Love is blind," she said simply. "We don't get to choose who we love. And I love you."

"I love you, too," Bray said. He touched her cheek gently, then kissed her. "This time, it's forever." They kissed again.

"You've got yourself a deal," she said, smiling. "Let's go inside. Zandra wants to see you, too, and you need to meet the baby. She's so cute!"

"I bet she is," Bray responded. They both stood up, and he took her hand in his. Nothing had ever felt quite so right to them both as being together did. Things were going to be okay.

Please review – I'm anxious to hear your thoughts! And thanks for reading!