Author's Note: Sorry, I tried to update this earlier but FanfictionNet wouldn't let me upload this for a few days.

Chapter Nine

Although Alec had never taken an acting class in his life, he was sure that he would have excelled in the subject and passed with flying colours. All week along he had been acting normally around Seregil, hanging out with him, having dinner with the Cavishes, bringing him along to Mickey's during his shifts. He smiled normally, laughed normally and gave Seregil one-armed hugs that were not long enough to make Seregil feel awkward, but long enough so that Seregil wouldn't realise something was amiss. All in all, on the surface, everything was normal. All week long, Alec was fine.

All week along, Alec pretended that he wasn't completely, madly and inexplicably in love with Seregil.

Normally Beka might have noticed if something was up, for she was always the first to be able to tell if Alec was feeling down or acting strangely. But she had problems of her own with Nyal, and thankfully that took the focus off Alec and the storm of unrequited feelings brewing inside him. He had caught Nysander giving him sideways glances sometimes, his brow furrowed with worry, but Alec had assured him that he was fine. Really, what did he have to complain about? He was going to graduate in a year, and he had a good job, with good friends who were almost like family. So life was fine, really. So what if every single time Seregil looked at him made his heart rise with hope, then crash with disappointment again?

He was frowning over this as he wiped his glasses clean after a late shift, Seregil laughing in a corner with Beka while Micum tallied the day's sales in the office. His friend's laughter was a good indication that he was settling in and getting more comfortable, and Alec honestly didn't know what to do if Seregil stayed here forever and never went back to his own world. It was easier to pine over someone who was absent, as opposed to someone whom he saw every day. Hell, it was absolute torture.

"Alec!" he heard Micum bellow from the office. "Come here a second!"

"Coming!" Alec set down his glass and dishrag, untying his apron distractedly. Whatever Micum wanted him to do, more work would definitely be welcome. At least it would help in taking his mind off things. And then, hopefully, once the fall semester started, Alec would be too busy to even think of his current heartache with Seregil. Maybe things might get better then.

He stepped gingerly into the messy office, careful not to bump against a stack of crates that were placed in front of the safe, for some reason. "You called?"

"Yeah Alec, you know that I didn't renew the contract for our house band." As if on cue, both Micum and Alec winced at the mere memory of the loud, screechy music. "And I've engaged this band called 'Silverleaf' from Toronto. They should be here in about two to three weeks."

Alec was surprised. "That's rather fast."

Micum gave him a deadpan stare. "Would you rather that I extend 'Birth Of The Cool' for another two weeks?"

"Nononono!" Alec said hurriedly. "Erm, go on."

"Anyway, I need you to help me email their manager and ask what sort of equipment they'll need. Just the basic stuff like mics, amps and so on. I'll also need you to ask about their instruments and whether they'll need keyboards or if they're bringing their own." Micum pushed a handwritten list across the messy desk to Alec. "Here, I've got most of it written here, but you know I hate computers. Could you help me email the manager and follow up whenever necessary?"

"Sure, of course." Alec squinted at the list. "What's his name?"

"Hang on, I've got it here somewhere." Micum flipped through the rolodex on his table. "Ah, here it is! His name is Thero."

Alec just stared at Micum with wide disbelieving eyes.

"Alec? You okay?" Micum waved a hand in front of him. "You look like you've just seen a busload of ghosts."

"Yeah, yeah. Um, yeah. I'm good." Alec simply nodded, staring down at the email address in front of him. So he was finally going to meet the modern version of Thero. He didn't quite know how to feel. What if this Thero knew Seregil?

Well, there was only one way to find out.


Alec had never been so nervous in life about writing a simple email. He opened up his notebook, then paced around a bit while waiting for Windows to load. Once his notebook was up and running, he opened up his email account and stared at the screen, biting his lip. How was he going to subtly ask this Thero if he knew Seregil, without sounding like a nutcase?

He took a deep breath, then began to write.

From: Alec

To: Thero

Subject: Band equipment

Hi Thero, my name is Alec and I work for Micky's. I'd just like to extend a friendly welcome to ur band! My boss, Micum Cavish asked me to email you and ask if you need any special equipment that we can get and install for you before you guys arrive. So let me know if you need any special amps, mics, feedback monitors, cables, effects pedals and mixers. Also, we need to discuss your instruments. Attached is a list of all our current equipment and instruments. Let me know if it is sufficient.

He sat back, relaxing a little. So far, so good. He sounded professional, even a little breezy. He wondered if it was acceptable to slip in a little personal question. Still, no matter how he phrased it, the question 'Do you know someone called Seregil?' just sounded very random and weird. He frowned before deciding that it was better to wait before they had exchanged a few emails, then he could spring the question on Thero once they were more comfortable with each other.

Anyway, we're looking forward to welcoming ur band. Just drop me an email if you need anything. Take care and see you soon!

He smiled. That sounded just right. He didn't sound crazy or stalker-ish, which was a big bonus in his book. Clicking the 'Send' button, he got up from the couch and went to get himself a drink to calm his nerves. What if this Thero didn't know Seregil, and all his hopes came crashing down again? No, that wouldn't do. He couldn't keep getting his hopes up all the time.

After an hour of mindless channel surfing, he checked his email again and was delighted to see there was already a response. However, it was rather brief and taciturn.

From: Thero

To: Alec

Subject: Re: Band equipment

Hello, the equipment list is fine, I've gone through it with the band and we don't need anything else. We use a different KORG keyboard from the one you have but that's not an issue. Thanks.

Alec couldn't help feeling ridiculously disappointed. That was it? He couldn't believe that Thero would be so curt with him. Hadn't Seregil told him that the two of them were good friends in the other universe, and Alec had even helped to patch up Seregil's strained relationship with Thero? Maybe it wasn't like that in this world.

Feeling really let down, Alec was about to log off his email when he saw a line at the bottom of Thero's email that he had missed out earlier.

PS: I noticed your email signature, that's a Sia lyric, isn't it? Are you a big fan? I think she's unbelievable.

Well, at least that was something. Alec was rather surprised to find that Thero was a Sia fan too; he didn't know of anyone else who liked the Australian singer. Feeling a little buoyed, Alec wrote an email back to Thero thanking him for his quick response, then added a few more lines about Sia, asking which album he liked best.

From: Alec

To: Thero

Subject: Re: Sia?

Hi Thero, thanks for ur prompt response. I'll let Micum know about the KORG keyboard, he might be able to trade it up for a newer model. I'll keep you updated on that.

In the meantime, yes, I am a HUGE Sia fan. I fell in love with her first album and haven't looked back since. Do you like her as well? She's always been there for me through hard times, particularly now.

Alec blinked. Where had that come from? He hadn't meant to tell Thero that he was going through a rough patch now. But with his father gone, Seregil oblivious, Beka heartbroken and Nysander busy, Alec had no one to talk to, and he realised that he needed to vent somewhere, or he was going to burst. Besides, Thero probably wouldn't care and just stick to the main topic.

This time, the response came in less than ten minutes.

From: Thero

To: Alec

Subject: Re: Re: Sia?

Sounds like you're going through bad times. I know it's none of my biz, but is everything okay on Planet Alec? Besides, it's nothing that some Sia (and a bottle of wine, or three) can't fix.

Alec just had to smile. Thero was a lot nicer than he initially feared. Maybe it just took him some time before he warmed up and became the man that Seregil was so ready to describe as loyal, intelligent and compassionate.

From: Alec

To: Thero

Subject: Re: Sia?

Thero, thanks for ur concern. Yeah it's been rough lately but I'll be fine. Just got to weather the storm a bit, I guess. Taking refuge in Sia's lyrics. "I'm addicted to the joy that the little things, they bring." How genius is that?

After many hours and several emails later, Alec couldn't help going to bed with a smile on his face. At least now, he had a friend in Thero, and he might very well know the modern version of Seregil. And Alec could get to meet him at last without feeling like a plate of leftovers that someone didn't want. Even if Thero didn't know Seregil, it already sounded like he and Alec were going to be good friends. They liked a lot of the same bands and singers, and they had the same odd sense of humour.

Maybe things were going to get better after all.


The next few days were a blur for Alec, because Elsbet's birthday was coming up and Kari had roped him into helping out for the not-so-secret surprise party that they were planning for her. Seregil had also volunteered to get involved, and the increased proximity was not doing Alec any good at all. He wanted to forget about Seregil, to remind himself that he would never be his, but one look into those wide grey eyes and Alec was completely lost. He had never had it this bad before, and he kept cursing himself for these unwanted feelings. Not having any other outlet, he couldn't help pouring his frustrations into his emails to Thero, which were becoming more and more frequent.

From: Alec

To: Thero

Subject: Re: Sometimes I just feel like...

Thero, have you ever felt like you've met the one person who is right for you? The one person who gets you, who understands all ur little mood swings and when you want to be left alone, and when you just need a huge hug? I dunno, maybe I'm wrong but I just can't stop thinking about this person. And he'll never be mine, so I dunno why I'm so obsessed.

Thero's response was very encouraging.

From: Thero

To: Alec

Subject: Re: Re: Sometimes I just feel like...

Alec, maybe I shouldn't be telling you this, but we've exchanged so many emails that I feel I can really talk to you. Anyway, I've been in a lot of relationships. A LOT. And never have I met someone who makes me feel like I want to spend the rest of my life with them. Sometimes it makes me sad, but sometimes I just try not to think so much about it because I have friends and family.

But you know, since you're lucky enough to meet this person, you should really think it over. Maybe you shouldn't give up. It's really hard to find someone you can have a connection with. Maybe you should give this guy some time. Maybe he'll come to his senses and see how awesome you are. Well, your tastes in music, at least :-D

This made Alec laugh out loud in the office, making Micum raise his head questioningly. "What's so funny?"

"Oh, nothing." Alec was still smiling as he logged out of his email account. "Just something funny Thero said."

"Thero?" Micum was astonished. "You mean the manager of that Toronto band? You're still in contact with him?"

"Yeah, why?" Alec wished he didn't sound so defensive. "I mean, we're getting to be good friends."

"Well, okay." Micum sounded rather doubtful as he put down some flyers he had been leafing through. "That's kinda odd, but that doesn't mean you two can't be friends. It'll be better for us anyway, when the whole band gets here and there might be issues. At least you can smooth things over for us."

"Yeah, definitely," Alec said, although he knew full well that it wasn't the reason at all why he was building such a rapport with Thero. It wasn't his fault that the guy was funny, understanding and had the same tastes as Alec, right?

As he left the office, whistling, he almost bumped into Seregil who was carrying a bucket of ice out back. "Someone's in a good mood!" Seregil said teasingly, and Alec felt the tips of his ears heating up in a familiar blush.

"Wait, you have to hear this." Alec rested a hand on Seregil's bicep, not noticing the way Seregil's eyes flickered to his grip. "You remember the new band that Micum is bringing in? Guess what? The manager's name is Thero!"

Seregil almost dropped the bucket of ice, but Alec's hands shot out just in time, helping him to balance it. "Wait, are you serious? His name is Thero?" Seregil just kept blinking and blinking as he tried to absorb this. "Interesting. Do you think he knows me? I mean, the new version of me?"

"I don't know." The thought was making Alec bounce excitedly on the balls of his feet. "I haven't asked him, I didn't know how to bring up the subject. But I'm going to."

"Good. Good." Seregil just kept nodding, his smile a bit strained. Just as Alec was going to ask him if everything was alright, Seregil tilted his head towards the bucket. "Well, I'd better go, or the ice is going to melt."

"Yeah, okay." Alec stepped back, trying not to frown. "Uh, I'll see you at the Cavishes' for the party prep tomorrow?"

"Yes, definitely." Seregil nodded distractedly as he made his way into the office. "See you tomorrow, Alec."

Alec watched him go, more than a little confused, but he didn't want to think about it too much. No, he had too much on his plate already. Give this guy some time, Thero had advised, and Alec was beginning to think that maybe he was right.

To be continued