A/N: Here is the first chapter. I worked on this over the Spring Break and I have couple of more ideas for the upcoming chapters. For now, enjoy. =^_^=

I don't own of the the Atlantis series characters....except for my female protagonist. The honor the story goes to Miss Gena Showalter who will be starting her book tour in April. Go buy her books!


Chapter One

Present Day. San Antonio countryside, Texas

The sound of horses and crickets seeped through the dark blue curtain windows as an early November breeze ruffled through them, causing little silk ripples to appear.

24 year old Lila Fontenot blinked lazily as she felt around for her glasses on top of her bedside table. After catching and putting the slight rectangular specks on, she read the blue numbers on her iPod clock. 6:30 a.m. Time for work. She pulled back the Ocean blanket from her warm body and began fixing it over the dark purple sheet covered queen's bed.

The morning sun had yet to make an appearance, the moon and dusk shade battling over the horizon as Lila made her way to the bathroom and turned on the light. Her dark brown eyes quickly adjusted to the blinding glow as she checked her appearance in the mirror. Her dark brown/black hair was not so bad considering it was down to her waist in messy waves. The tanned skin of her curvy body was hugged by the warm purple nightgown and her face was somewhat smooth except for the scar that cut over left eye and eyebrow. So far so good.

Lila quickly washed her face and teeth before gathering the clothing for the day. Being part of the Otherworld Bureau of Investigations (OBI) had its hassles. Such as going in early for recent report about her latest mission. Ok, she'll admit that having great combat skills and talent in the fine arts made her a sort of feminine fatale, but she didn't see why the report needed to be filled out about finding the last part of that pilfering, murderous, deceitful Argonauts organization and getting rid of them. Shrugging it off, she finished putting on her blue jeans and dark purple ruffle blouse and made her way back to the bathroom to put on her contacts. Finishing with that task, she made her way down the room stairs, past the living room out looking her small ranch and to the kitchen. Opening the door, she called out, "Critias, Hermos, come and eat."

She left the door open as she went to stove and turned on the stove for breakfast. I'm thinking a bacon and ham omelet and some fruit, she thought. It's going to be a long day. No sooner that she put the pan and eggs on the fire, two German-wolf mix dogs trot their way to the center of the room. Putting the cooked bacon and ham on the skillet, she bent down eye level to the massive beasts. "How are my boys today?" she asked, scratching their favorite spots behind the ears.

Good morning to you, mistress. Can we join you for breakfast?

She heard the two thoughts in her head as a reply. "Sure," She chuckled, "Let me finish making mine and I'll get yours."

The two dogs bowed their heads and went to the table in the dining room as Lila went back to making her breakfast. She loved it when she could hear what the animals are saying and no else could. She silently thanked her mother, may God rest her and her father's soul in peace, bloodline for carrying the gene of communicating with animals.

Grabbing her plate that had her steaming hot omelet and fruits and glass of milk, she strolled to the dining room and set the food down before she went back to the kitchen and grabbed the two dark blue dog bowls from the sink rank and the dog food from the pantry. Quickly filling them up and taking them to her two companions, she sat the bowls down and began to eat her breakfast as well.

Where are you going today, mistress?

Lila heard Critias's thought as she finished her plate and drink and put up her plate in the sink. "I'm going to work today to finish off that report," she replied, washing her hands in the sink and grabbing her black leather bag from the counter island in the middle of the kitchen, heading towards the front door. "So you guys know the routine?"

Yes, mistress. Maddox barked, voicing his understandment. Watch out for intruders, don't make a mess of the house or barn and keep an eye out on the others animals.

"You got it," she laughed as she dressed her feet in thick black socks and boots. Grabbing the long tailed black coat off the coat rack and wrapping it around her frame, she produced her keys from the bag as she headed out the door. "I'll be back later on. Be careful."

And with that she locked the door and made her way to the dark blue '10 Ford pickup on the gravel driveway. She could hear the rest of the animals waking up and heading out to the pastures. Having a ranch in the countryside was always peaceful for Lila since she grew up on a farm herself. She had learned the basics of ranching and combat from her father and how to cook and train in the fine arts from her mother. Unconsciously, she wrapped her fingers around the aquamarine pendant that hung around her neck. They had given her the jewel for her 13th birthday. She slightly clutched the pendant, ignoring the slight pain in her hand and her heart. It had been eleven years since they both lost their lives. Eleven years since she went to live with her father's 4 brothers on a farm in South Carolina and then back to Texas to live and work on her own. She remembered how Uncle Daniel taught her gymnastics, earning scolding from Uncle Dante that she should focus on her school work (considering that she always got A's and high B's), and caring from Uncle Armand, her father's twin brother, helping her further her skills in ranching and combat skills, and she also remembered Uncle Atticus who was always strong in his mind and heart but always silent; but lastly she remembered the life lessons that her Grandfather taught her. To never back down from what is right. To stand up for those who can't. To always remember where she came from and to always live life to the fullest. She guessed that's way she got tribal tattoos on her arms and lower back, why her activities included surfing, weapons archery, cooking and taking care of small children that at the first glance at her, they would smile the best smile that they could.

Wow. No wonder her friends worried about her. Either, she was really living it up or crazier than dimwitted possum that can't play dead.

Shaking her head, she got into the truck and headed down the dirt road for the 30 mile daily trip to San Antonio. As she passed by the acres of her land, she could see the herd of stallions and mares that left the barn this morning. They ran and ran as fast as the wind could carry them. Looking past the small tree foliage of the rolling hills and cliff sides, Lila couldn't help but think that life was entirely good.


Well, that's that. Please R&R! I would love to hear from ya as well as questions. I'm still working on the other chapters as well so I'll be able to update soon.

For now....Enjoy =^_^=