(disclaimer: i do not own ice age or any of its characters. it is property of blue sky studios. i do however own this story and my own character, Sandy)

{author's note: my first fanfic so please be nice. i'm open to suggestions and requests. comments and corrections are more than welcome. PLEASE review and tell what you thought. No without further adue, i present to you, my fine reader, chapter one of my first fanfic. Enjoy!}

I had been thinking alot lately. I have had alot on my mind, with the new baby and all. Actually it was mostly concerning my new

daughter, Peaches. That, and how I almost lost her and my own life for that matter. It all started when Sid found out I was to have a baby soon. It made him think how he wanted a child too and took some dinosaur eggs. Well, the babies biological mother was worried sick and came to our wolrd in a frantic search for her young. When she had found her babies she immediatley took thenm with her but in her haste took Sid along with her children. Since Sid is part of our family, we went on a journey of our own to find him. Along the way we met an isane weasel, who served as our guide. He seemed quite nice actually,and my brothers did idolise him. Heck, he had even earned Deigo's respect. But the one terrifying moment was near the end, when for a spilt second I thought I would lose her. While my brothers, Crash and Eddie, and the insane weasel were off saving Sid, I was in labor.( and surrounded by raptors!) if it wasn't for Diego and my husband Manny, we would both be gone.

I shuddered at the thought. I turned to see my daughter sleeping in the cradle Manny had built for her. She looked so precious in her sleep, as if oblivious to everything around her ( well, she was seen as she was alseep). Seeing the smiling, sleeping girl made the whole journey way more than worth it. I smiled myself thinking about how great it was to be a mother and how what a great family we have-

"Ellie?"

I turned, only to see my husband, Manny, gazing affectionately at me with his deep brown eyes. His face had a look of concern on it.

"Is something wrong?" he asked me.

"No just thinking." I answered.

" What about?"

"Oh its just that..." my vioce began to trail off. I inhaled and began again. " I was just thinking about the day Sid ran off with those baby dinosaurs"

He now looked at me with a face of confusion, but it quickly changed to understanding.

" The day we got our little girl. I was so afraid those stupid dinosaurs would hurt you...or Peahes..." he said in a hushed vioce.

"Manny...look, we are both here, safe and sound thanks to you and Diego. That day also reminded me how great our family is."

He sighed. " You're right, Ellie."

" Aren't I always?" I said with a wink. Then I leaned over and kissed him. " G'night Manny."

"Night Ellie. Good night Peaches. Daddy loves you, so, so much. Sleep tight, Peaches."

I rolled my eyes. I hated it when he talked in a third person like that, but hey, at least he's a good father. As he walked out of the room I returned to my thoughts.

I glanced at my daughter who was sound asleep. I wanted her to have the best of everything, the love and support I never had as a child. That is until the possum family took me in. Momma possum was very supportive and loving and was so kind to take me in. I had some friends in the tree where we all lived. My very best friend was a female possum named Sandy. She loved to sing and dance and was a actually pretty good at it. We used to have the most fun together. Whenever I was sad(usually about not fitting in with the other possum kids) Sandy would come over and she would cheer me up by singng a song she made up or just talking to me. Yeah...I had good times in that tree with all those possums. It then occured to me how my family was doing now? and what had become of Sandy? I recalled the day I left the tree. It was after dinner and I asked to speak to Momma possum alone.

*Flashback*

Momma possum looked at me, her deep blue eyes full of concern. I had been feeling like an outcast for so long, this time even Sandy or my brothers couldn't cheer me up...this had to be done...right?

"What is it, Ellie?"she asked

"Mom, I wanted to tell you that...that I think its time I go out on my own." I barely managed to say, for I was stuttering too much.

She looked at me with those deep blue eyes as she sat in silence for a moment or two. She blinked, trying to take it all in.

Being young I hadn't understood why she did that,now I do. I dread the day my little Peaches may want to start her own herd, or go off on her own. Finally she took a deep breath and spoke.

"Ellie...are you sure?"

I gulped. " Yes, mom...I am."

"Oh.."her vioce trailed off. She coughed.

"Ellie...why would you want to leave us? Usually possums stay in groups-" she stopped herself.

"Mom, I just don't think I belong here anymore...I love you and all you have done for me, you're a very good mother...but.." my vioce became hushed " I just don't belong...I just don't..."

"Ellie. I understand. I just hope you find what you're looking for. I love you Ellie. You're my baby girl and always will be."

Just then Eddie popped around the corner. He had obviously heard the conversation.

"What do you understand mom? What is Ellie looking for? Where is she going?"Eddie asked innocently

"Yeah mom,where?" Crash chimed in

She said just smiled at her hyper twin sons. Then she turned to me, with eyes on the brink of tears. Her face was a twist of sadness and pride. She smiled and left the room.

"Ellie why was mom cryin-"

"Whats going on?!?!" interrupted a demanding Crash

"Boys, Iam leaving the tree. I don't belong here anymore...but remember this..I'm your big sister and I will always love you." i said with a smile plastered on my face hoping I was doing the right thing.

Crash,surprising, seemed to understand and turned away from me to exit the room.

"No."

What?

I turned to see my younger brother,Eddie, standing there with his arms crossed and a detirmined look upon his face.

"No, I am going with you."

Hearing this, Crash turned around rushed to the side of his brother. With hopeful eyes and a detirmined look on his face he crossed his arms and said "Me too."

Rolling my eyes I told them gently how mom would need them here. But they insisted that I would need protected from hawks and such on my journey. So after telling mom ( and possibly breaking her heart) I took my brothers with me...and never went back

*end flashback*

Perhaps its time for a visit?