Lashana owns everything except Draco. She wishes she owned Draco, however, because she's certain she could convince him to 'singe' her office building.

Past revisited

Chapter three: Guess who's coming to dinner

Kaelianna didn't know what to do.

Not only was she now in a world that she didn't know anymore, but now she was surrounded by screaming and panicking people who were pointing at the dazed dragon that lay before her while they tried to drag her away from the supposed beast. Said dragon that was going to be joining those people in panicking as soon as he got his wits about him. This is not good. Not. Good.

The sound of the screams and yells changed pitch then, and she turned wide eyes to the dragon that was now looking around himself in confusion, tail lashing in an outward sign of agitation as he rose to his feet, towering over all of them and rumbling when the lights from the cars blinded him. Sirens and flashes of red light made her heart dive-bomb into her stomach, and she frantically tried to struggle free of the hands that were pulling at her, her voice drowned out by the noise of the sirens. Draco!

What hell is this?! The dragon spun in a circle, snarling at the noises and bright lights that were disorienting him, giving him the feeling that he was trapped. The air was foul, the stars hidden from view by the flashing lights that were now all around him, making his inner lids shutter down over his eyes to protect them from a threat he'd never before encountered. Screams and yells drew his attention to a large group of humans to his left, and he growled angrily when he saw them dragging a struggling Kaelianna away from him. No!

"Let go! You don't understand! Let me go!" Her yells fell on deaf ears, and Kaeli snarled in frustration as she lashed out, backhanding a cop away from her. "Get off of me!" The training that Bowen had ingrained into her rose into life then, making her shift her weight to her left leg as she lashed out with her right foot, mule-kicking the officer that was holding her right in the cujones.

Now free, she shoved her way through the crowd and scrambled up onto the hood of a car, raising her voice over the caphony of sounds around her as she rose both arms and waved, trying to get the dragon's attention as he crouched and growled at the people around him, tensing in preparation of a fight. "DRACO!"

His hearing might have been nigh overloaded by the garbled mess of noises around him, but the wave of fear and worry that washed through his heart easily caught his attention, making him snap his head up and around to look at the one that was waving to him, her form silhouetted by the continuous flashing lights that rivalled those of the stars.

Desperate to get away from this place, Draco snapped his wings open and lunged into the sky, grunting when a bright beam of light hit him straight in the face, momentarily blinding him. Knowing that he couldn't leave Kaeli with these barbarians, he cracked an eye open just enough to catch sight of her and dove, inwardly chuckling as the humans threw themselves to the ground, enabling him to easily scoop his Rider into his claws before rising into the darkness.

The sensation of being nestled against a scaled chest made Kaeli heave a sigh of relief as she gripped at the talons that were closed around her, very aware of the thunderous beat of the dragon's heart. Twice she saw him send a worried look behind them, and she frowned to herself as she stared down at the landscape beneath them, knowing that explaining the concept of cars and streetlights to him was going to be a challenge.

Spotting a small secluded park close to a convince store, she nudged her elbow against his claw to get his attention and pointed to the grove of trees, feeling his talons tighten around her as he hesitantly folded his wings and dove.

"What barbaric place is this?!" Draco growled once they were on the ground, his tail thumping against a tree as he lashed it in irritation, his gaze darting around the small clearing before he deemed it safe, letting him turn his attention to his Rider, who looked just as pale and frightened as he felt. "Are you alright? Did they harm you?"

"I-I'm alright. I'm okay," she said softly, dimly aware that he had spread his wings so that they formed a protective barrier on either side of her. "You?"

"I've been better! What were those lights, and that shrill screeching sound? And what were those strange wheeled contraptions?!"

She sighed as she watched him send wary looks into the darkness around them as he spoke and waited until he had returned his gaze to her before stepping forward and lightly touching his scaled cheek. "Draco, I'll explain everything. I promise. But first we have to get you somewhere safe, we can't risk anyone else seeing you." Truthfully, seeing him trying not to let his fear show was doing nothing to keep her calm, and she inwardly braced herself for what was bound to happen next. "Look, there's a.... a small market just over there. I'm going to go see if I can find some information on where 'Rica is, I need you to stay here and--"

"If you think that I'm going to let you risk getting caught by those fools--!"

"Draco, listen to me! Humans in this time don't believe in dragons. If they see you they'll try to capture you or kill you and the humans of this time have much deadlier weapons than the ones you're used to evading!" She saw him clench his jaw a little as he shot a distrustful look in the direction of the store before he returned his visibly shaken gaze to her. "Draco, please, just wait here for me. I'll only be gone a few minutes."

"....alright. Go. Quickly." He saw her smile at him in thanks and sighed as he took a moment to rub his cheek against her side. "Call for me if you need to. Weapons or no, I refuse to lose you to these barbaric humans."

"I'll be right back," she promised, giving him a quick kiss on his snout before turning and dashing towards the nearby parking lot. A part of her dreaded having to explain all of this to him, she hadn't wanted him to know about where she had come from. Compared to his time, hers was based on ideas and technology that was almost beyond his capability to understand. She only hoped that when they found Erica, her friend would be able to help her hide him.

Shaking her head a little, she slowed to a walk as she stepped into the halo of light from the streetlamp and made her way over to a phone booth, wrinkling her nose at the stench of it as she opened the phone book and leafed through it. Okay, Johnston, Johnston... aha! Only one 'E. Johnston' in the area! Gaia be praised, we might not be completely screwed.

Grinning, she ripped the page out of the book and shoved it into the small bag she always carried, mustering up her courage as she headed into the corner store, very aware of the cashier's gaze on her as she walked over to a stand of maps and sifted through them. Hmm, this isn't good. I just realised that I don't have any paper money on me.... Frowning a little, she rifled through her change purse and tossed five gold coins onto the counter, winking at the stunned human mischievously. "Keep the change."

Not wasting a moment in case the cashier tried to stop her, she bolted from the store and ran back to the waiting dragon, letting him nuzzle her shoulder in relieved greeting before she flashed him a triumphant grin and vaulted onto his back. "Let's go!"

"You know where she is?" he asked as he obligingly launched himself into the air, the tops of the trees rustling loudly from the wind his beating wings created.

"Kinda. I know how to find her, that's just as good, right? Here now, you keep boasting about that eyesight of yours, can you see what that sign says down there?"

"Which one? There's six of them! How do these people know where they're going?!"

"Gods only know. Look for... uh... something-road, or avenue. Should be on a little blue sign."

"There's two. 'Bridge Avenue' and 'Maple Crescent'."

"Bridge and Maple...." She frowned and carefully unfolded the map as he rose a little higher and circled the intersection, his gaze trying to take in everything all at once while she fought with the map and the page she had ripped out of the phone book. "Okaaay. Um.... Oh, here it is. 'Bridge Ave.' Okay, Draco, head West."

"And which way would that be?"

"Uh.... good question." She glanced down at the map, then at the streets below before tapping his shoulder to get him to look at her and pointing. "That way. Try to find 'Janson Street'."

"You're sure?"

"Um...." Pushing the map as flat against his scales as she could, she used the light from the city below to help her see and nodded to herself. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm sure. We follow 'Bridge' up to 'Janson' then hang a left and find 'Dryden Cresent'."

"Cresent, street, avenue?" He shook his head and turned his gaze down to the smooth stone road he was supposed to follow, warily eyeing some sort of metal carriage that came to a stop at a corner, the light that came from it terribly bright in the darkness. "How complicated are things in this time?"

"You don't want to know," Kaeli answered as she leaned forward and peered past his left shoulder, trying to read the street signs.

He glanced back at her and winced a little, remembering that he was supposed to be trying to find the right street. Inwardly chastising himself for letting his curiosity get the better of him, he turned his attention to the numerous odd posts on either side of the road and slowed his wingbeats as he rose a claw and pointed. "There. 'Janson'. Hold on." Not waiting for an answer, he turned on a wingtip and altered his course, oddly relieved to see that the area they were now flying over seemed to be quieter than the others. "What are those?"

"Houses. Think of them as extravagant huts."

"Hrrm...." He lazily beat his wings and soared over parallel rows of tall trees that lined either side of the road, swinging his head down to peer at the tiny signs that came into view, automatically turning to follow 'Dryden Cresent' when he saw it. "Which way now, Kaeli?"

"I don't--" She cut herself off with a yelp as the wind caught the map and sent it into her face, and she bared her teeth in a snarl as she balled it up and threw it aside. "Ugh, bloody maps...." Her mood lightened when she heard the dragon's muffled chuckle, and she smiled despite herself as she looked at the page from the phone book. "There's numbers on the houses. Look for five-oh-eight. Oh, wait. Nevermind. I see it. See that big brick one there?"

"Brick?"

"Er... red stones."

"Ah. That one."

"Yup. Land in the yard behind it. You should be safely hidden back there while I go surprise Erica." Which ought to be a big surprise considering I saw two cars in the driveway.... methinks 'Rica's got more than just us for company....

~*~

"So... these aren't from you?"

Alex sighed for the fifth time that minute and shook his head, raising a hand to run his fingers through his short dark hair. "Sorry, hon. I know how much you love roses, but they're not from me."

"Oh." Erica swallowed thickly and dropped down onto the couch next to him, staring at her hands as a wave of guilt washed over her, dimly aware that the cat was staring at her as if to say 'I told you so'. "I'm so sorry, Alex. I thought you had--"

"You thought I lied when I said I needed money, didn't you?" He frowned at her as she avoided his gaze and resisted the sudden urge to shake her until her teeth rattled. "Erica, I would never do that! You know that! If my car hadn't needed a new transmission I wouldn't have been unable to make rent!"

"I know, I know! But with the way this week has been going.... I guess I'm just.... Oh, I don't know anymore!" Sighing in defeat, she lowered her face into her hands and closed her eyes, shivering when she felt Alex move closer to her and slip an arm around her shoulders, hugging her tenderly. "I really am sorry, Alex."

Seeing how obviously horrid she felt, he shook his head slightly and gently lifted her head so that he could meet her gaze. "It's okay, brighteyes." Aiming to make her feel a bit better, he smiled and winked at her. "Though, I'm a little jealous now, considering that you seem to have a secret admirer."

A weak chuckle left her as she leaned towards him, feeling him bury his fingers in her unbound hair as she met his hazel gaze. "Whoever they are, they don't compare to you."

"Ah, there's what my male ego likes to hear," he teased, eliciting a more carefree laugh than before. "So! Now that we've officially had our first 'huge misunderstanding as a couple', what's next? Should I camp out on the couch? Eat cold wieners? Clean the kitchen floor with a toothbrush?"

"Actually, I've been meaning to wash that floor...." she trailed off at the amused look he gave her and grinned as she draped her arms around his neck. "How about you just stay a little longer and watch a movie with me?"

Alex grinned in return and leaned a little closer to her, brushing his lips over hers. "That can be arranged." He was mere millimetres away from kissing her when the doorbell rang, and he grumbled in annoyance as she pulled away, sticking his tongue out at her when she snickered at him.

Grinning, Erica tucked her hair behind her ears and opened the front door, frowning at the figure that was standing in the shadows. "Can I help you? Though, if you're selling chocolate, I don't want any."

"You? You'd turn down chocolate? Damn, 'Rica, what happened to you?"

Erica gasped at the familiar voice, her eyes widening when Kaelianna stepped forward, the light from the entranceway highlighting the gold streaks in her hair, her emerald eyes dancing with mischief. "Rach!"

Wondering what all the female shrieks and giggles were about, Alex got up from the couch and peered around the wall that separated most of the livingroom from the entrance, quirking an eyebrow at the other woman that Erica was enthusiastically hugging. He wondered who she was, for he was certain that Erica had never mentioned a long-lost friend, especially not one who looked like she did. She looked like she had stepped right out of a fantasy novel.

"What are you doing here?! I tried to go back, really I did! How are Bowen and Kara? How'd you get here?!"

"Whoa, whoa! Take it easy!" Kaeli grinned, making calming motions towards her best friend while trying to contain her own excitement. "One thing at a time! First...." She trailed off and blinked at the dark-haired male that was staring at them. "Oh, hello."

"Huh? Oh! C'mere, Alex. I want you to meet my best friend," Erica smiled as she wrapped her arms around his left arm and pulled him towards the other woman. "Alex, this is Rachel."

"Actually, it's 'Kaelianna' now, but I'm more used to being called, 'Kaeli'. Nice to meet you, Alex." She smiled at him for a moment, then shot a look at Erica. "Um.... can we talk? Alone?"

"Uh...."

"Great! Nice meeting you, Alex!" Not waiting for an answer, Kaeli shoved him out and kicked the door shut, ignoring Erica's loud protests as she dragged her friend into the kitchen.

"Stop that! Leggo! Rachel, what the hell's gotten into you?! That was my boyfriend you just threw out! Ow! Quit shoving me!"

Rolling her eyes as she reached the back doors, Kaeli spun and lay her hands on her friend's cheeks, forcibly turning Erica's head so that she stared out of the sliding glass doors....

....right into the eyes of an anxiously waiting dragon, who gave her a sheepish grin and rose a claw in a wave.

Erica blinked. "Oh, hell."

TBC