A/N:   This story is an Amelia-centered AU fic. It takes place in a "present" day, Southern-California-type setting (because that's where I'm from, go figure.) Canon couples with a few non-traditional pairings along the way. In this world, however, I am changing the rules a little, thereby causing some OOC-ness. Legal age is 18, not 21, and job restrictions to that age limit will also change. No one's got magic, but they've got something else.

Standard disclaimers apply: I don't own the characters, nor am I making any money off of this, so please don't sue. Reviews are encouraged, constructive criticisms appreciated, and any flames shall meet the same fate as the Balrog. Enjoy! ^_^

Chapter 1

The Interview

"Oh! I'm going to be late!"

The physics final had taken longer than she had anticipated, and traffic back home was unusually heavy. She had briefly thought about skipping the trip home and heading on over to the store right away, but after a quick look at her attire (well-worn jeans and a faded Metallica t-shirt) she decided to at least run home to change. Amelia yanked her tan blouse on over her head and ran a brush quickly through her short black hair. Smoothing out her blouse, her hand ran over the locket attached to her necklace. She pulled it out and straightened it before tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. On her way downstairs, she slipped into her sandals as she grabbed her keys and purse on the table and flew out the door.

Luck was turning to her side as she jumped into her beloved car and it turned over on the first try. It was a dull grey 1965 Mustang Shelby GT350 and was in need of a lot of fine-tuning. When her father had asked her what kind of car she wanted for her 16th birthday, the answer came easily enough, but the search for one that could be fixed up took a year and a half. They found a couple that looked nice and shiny on the outside, but had absolutely nothing under the hood. Finally, they had found one just two months ago that wasn't too pretty on the outside, but with an almost perfect engine that just needed some tweaking, it was beautiful on the inside. Grinning, Amelia tore out of the driveway and headed back towards the mall.

Surprisingly enough, traffic was all going the opposite way and she actually arrived at the bookstore ten minutes early. She found a parking spot in the front, and dusted herself off before going in. Still not quite sure of where she needed to be, the petite girl decided to go to the café and at least get some tea to calm her nerves. As she looked down into her purse to find her wallet she walked right into something solid.

"Oh, I'm sorry…" She said sheepishly. Her eyes traveled up to find a pair of striking aquamarine eyes set into a face that, upon quick glance, seemed somewhat misshapen by scars circling his features. The man mumbled something incoherent and turned away quickly before she could say anything further.

I hope he's okay…

"Hey, Amelia!" the redhead behind the counter said, her face brightening at seeing her friend. Amelia stepped forward.

"Hi, Miss Lina!"

"Are you here to see the wonderful Lina Inverse?" She struck a pose that they both found comical, then leaned on the counter conspiratorially. "Or are you here for your interview?"

"Both, actually. My interview is at 2:00 and I'm getting nervous. Can I have a chai tea? I don't want to pass out." She giggled.

"Sure, have one on me. But you'll have to buy me lunch when I go on break in a half hour. We can talk then. I'll go get Jack and let him know you're here."

"Thank you Miss Lina." Amelia smiled and accepted the hot cup before taking a seat at the nearest table.

Lina stepped around the counter and disappeared into the back of the store to find her boss.

Amelia sipped her tea slowly, grateful for the warmth spreading through her and calming her nerves. Her eyes swept the room and they settled again on the man she had bumped into, now sitting in a corner reading the paper and sipping an espresso. He was wearing a hooded jacket with the hood over his hair, so she couldn't really see his features. Curiosity mixed with concern as she wondered about the scars covering his face. What kind of horrible situation must he have endured to be scarred that badly? Almost as she processed the thought, he turned and looked at her.

Mortified over being caught staring, she flushed scarlet and tried to focus all her concentration on drinking her cooling cup of tea.

Minutes later, a short stout man with an easy smile and a bushy mustache stepped in front of her and addressed her.

"Amelia?"

"Yes?"

He stuck out his hand.

"I'm Jack Denning, the store manager."

"Oh, hi, Mr. Denning," she replied, standing up and shaking his hand firmly. He smiled at the strength of this small girl. When he released her hand, he took a seat at the table and indicated for her to do the same.

"Please, call me Jack. We aren't formal here at all. And I apologize about the surroundings. Usually, I like to interview people in the stock room, but we've just received a large shipment, and there simply isn't any room back there. I hope you don't mind."

"No, Mr.… um… Jack. This doesn't bother me at all."

Lina came over and set a cup of coffee in front of him. "Thank you, Lina." As she turned to go, she winked at Amelia and gave her a hidden thumbs-up. He addressed the interviewee again, "Your friend there has given you a great recommendation, but why don't you tell me about yourself?"

She smiled cutely, being only slightly nervous about talking about herself in such a manner.

"Well, I'm just finishing up my Senior year at North High. Finals are this week, you see, that's why I'm out early. I've taken all honors courses through high school, and I've got a 3.9 GPA, but that's provided I aced that Physics final I took today. The last four finals should be a cinch… Umm… I want a full time summer job that can become a part time one when I start college in September. I'll be attending DBU."

"That's great. I'm a graduate of DBU also…." He smiled nostalgically before resuming his questioning. "So tell me, what made you decide to apply here at Book 'n' Brew?"

"Well… I guess if I had applied at a clothing store, I would say something like 'because I like clothes' or a music store 'because I like music' even though I like them both regardless. Of course I like to read, but I also like the opportunity to meet new people and aid them in their quest for knowledge. I volunteered in the school library the last two years, but although that was a wonderful experience, the books were older and I only got to see the same few faces throughout the year. I'd like to work here because I get to actually interact with a wider variety of people. Sometimes people say I'm too full of energy, and I guess I should have been a cheerleader or something, but I'm so sure that I'll be able to do anything required of me with all the energy I've got."

As she spoke, her voice quickly became louder as she put her heart into her little speech, and her fist was clenched in the air for emphasis. People in the small café turned to look at her, but she was not embarrassed. She was used to speaking in front of crowds from her debate team, and she meant every word, so what should she be embarrassed about?

Jack, apparently wowed by her enthusiasm, decided right then and there to hire this little spitfire. He composed his face, cleared his throat, and stuck out his hand.

"Well, I'd like to try out that energy you spoke of. When is the soonest you can begin?"

More than a little surprised, she shook his hand again as she racked her brain for her schedule for the rest of the week. She said the first thing that came into her mind.

"Tomorrow?"

"Sure! Let's go to my office and discuss your schedule and pay."

Amelia followed him, glancing back with a smile for her friend. Lina gave her a wave and a wide grin. She knew her friend would be able to get a job there with flying colors. Her overly optimistic personality sometimes got to her, but it was refreshing in a world full of depression and pessimism.

"That was an interesting show. Maybe if the second act is as good, you should charge admission," someone said sarcastically.

Lina looked up and frowned. Speak of the devil. It was the poster child of depression and pessimism. She grabbed the empty cup and saucer from his hand and almost threw the cup into the sink.

"Lay off, Zel. Hell, I think her cheerfulness is the perfect counter-curse for the negativity you bring along with you," she said just as sarcastically. More seriously, she added, "How is the search going?"

"Nothing yet. Hardly surprising, though." He rubbed the back of his head through the hood, shaking loose a few more strands of his strange lavender hair down over his right eye. "It's hard without the resources I'm used to…." He stopped, cocking his head.

"I know. Just remember not to do anything you'll regret."

"Of course not. See you around, Lina." He turned abruptly and left the bookstore without a glance back. She rolled her eyes. That's just the way he was.

She had barely wiped down the counter when Amelia came bouncing up.

"Miss Lina, can you believe it? This is so neat!"

Glancing down at her watch, Lina grinned. "Of course I can believe it. Now let me clock out so we can eat!!!"

They walked across the parking lot to Lina's favorite restaurant, Tank's All-You-Can-Eat Buffet. Amelia briefly wondered if that was one of the reasons her friend had gotten the job here in the first place. Lina had gotten a part time job to fulfill her general elective requirement at school three years ago, but decided to keep it when she realized that with the money she earned, she could buy pretty much whatever she wanted. Her grades never failed, and since her scary older sister also had a part-time job, her parents never questioned her choice. Now Lina was attending DBU, majoring in, of all things, archaeology and ancient civilizations. Apparently those Indiana Jones movies really sparked an interest and fed into her desire to travel and find treasures beyond her imagination.

"Ooh, look, they've got fried chicken and lasagna and cream puffs and gyoza and chocolate pudding…"

Lina continued her worship of food as Amelia filled a plate with a mixed salad and a slice of pizza and another plate with lasagna and garlic bread and a drumstick. She'd just have to get dessert later.

There was no time for words as the two girls ate like there was no tomorrow. The younger girl had always had a big appetite, but upon meeting Lina in high school, found that there was another girl who ate as much as her big sister, Gracia did. It was refreshing to say the least. Amelia instantly liked the redhead, and soon found that Lina was smart and clever, usually talking her way into and out of situations, and if talking didn't work, her unusual temper would settle things. In short, Lina was brilliant in Amelia's eyes.

"Sho… wot di Gak shay ool be gooing oomowo?"

Amelia smiled and swallowed her food before answering.

"Oh, Jack said that for my first day, I'll just have to get to know the store and where everything is. He's still not quite sure if he needs me for the registers or customer service on the floor. Whatever it is, I know I can do it!"

"I know you can do it, too, but you've also got to learn to eat faster. I've only got five more minutes on my lunch break and we haven't even gotten dessert yet!"

Grinning predatorily, the two went to demolish the dessert counter.

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