HOW DO YOU BEAT DÉJÀ VU

CHAPTER ELEVEN

A/N: Okay, so umm…I know I sound like a broken record, (CD, MP3…you get the picture) but it is true that work, severe health issues, and stalled muses seriously delay my updates on WIPs. I am trying, though, to get things on track.

This chapter was hard to do, only because Tony's fate left me hanging for the longest time. After much soul searching, I decided to do the original idea I had. Hope you like it. Reviews are the best present!

Just letting you know: the Psyche part of the story is mostly my idea. If that offends anyone, I am giving you fair warning. Simply DO NOT READ this chapter if you wish to see the retelling of the famous Cupid and Psyche story as it actually happened.

Disclaimer: oh, come on, if they were mine, I would have quit my government job decades ago. But, alas, Sidney Sheldon, Sony, Screen Gems, and any partners or subsidiaries have the distinction of ownership.

Previously: Looking at Cupid, she said softly, "I choose Major Nelson's happiness above my own. I will marry you."

Aphrodite was practically giddy with anticipation. "Bravo, my dear!" She said. "You've made the right choice!"

Jeannie felt tears gathering, but she pushed them back, saying, "I know."

Cupid took her smaller hand in his large one. Smiling, he told his mother, "I need some time…to make arrangements; that is, unless you've made them."

Aphrodite shook her head. Her long tresses bounced. "No, no." She clapped her hands, saying, "Oh, how happy we shall be! And, soon, we shall celebrate a new goddess in the family."

Ever the quiet one, Ares looked on at his merry wife, the sad yet resolute genie, and his son, who like he tended to be, had the most unreadable expression suddenly.

"Congratulations, dear girl," the god of war said. He hugged Jeannie for the briefest of moments.

Resigned to her fate, Jeannie blinked, changing into a white harem costume, with silver glitter and slightly lower pantaloons that showed her belly button. A diamond rested in it, and her hair was longer, still in a ponytail, but hanging down her back. Her hat was white—no glitter—trimmed with the finest gold material.

"Shall I wear this for the wedding?" Jeannie asked her soon-to-be-husband.

Cupid looked with adoration as his mother nodded her approval. "You may wear whatever you wish," he told Jeannie; adding, "however, that is more than appropriate."

Jeannie stared ahead, seemingly out into space, as she asked, "When will I become a goddess?"

Ares spoke then, his voice similar to the Blue Djinn's, Jeannie thought suddenly, yet more sympathetic. "You will not become a true goddess until you have undergone training for such a role. It will not be too different; however, you must learn to be free once again, since you have been in subservience to a master for so many years." He then regarded his son. "I trust you have acquainted her with the duties befitting a goddess?"

Cupid let go of her hands, giving his father his full attention. "No, but that will be arranged immediately," he declared. Bowing to both parents, the God of Love said, "By your leave."

Putting his hand on her back, Cupid guided her out of the golden throne room. When he noticed her sad eyes, he said, "We don't have to decide anything major this day. If you like, I could show you around my home."

Eager to postpone her nuptials as long as possible, Jeannie nodded, saying, "Yes, I would like that." They walked through the huge corridors then turned the corner.

She blinked back on her harem costume, and as Aphrodite went on about the guest list, becoming more and more excited, Jeannie tuned everyone out, just for a moment, hoping that somehow, her master would rescue her.

XXXXXXXXXXX

The capsule drifted in the blackness of space as Major Nelson, the only occupant who'd not gone to sleep, checked the tiny computer in front of him. At times like this, he often felt his mind wandering to the changes his life had taken in so short a time.

He thought that by this time, he'd be married, with the position of Colonel only a few scant years away, and with at least one walk on the moon under his belt, in as much as he had been selected to go with the team NASA was considering sending up there.

Too bad God or Fate, or perhaps both, had other plans for his life.

He thought about the conversation Jeannie and he'd had. They'd argued many times, but despite that, she had never treated him as though he didn't matter to her. He'd not soon forget her words: yes, I am well. Why are you bothering me?

Major Nelson did what he did best: he pondered; then, he decided he'd take action. Something was off about his genie, and he owed it to himself to discover what it was. If she didn't want him around anymore, then he would wish her well, but Tony wanted to hear her last words from her lips, not just from her thoughts.

Inputting some coordinates, he saw that it would be another few hours before everyone else woke up. He checked the fuel indicator on his lower right.

"Not enough," he said. "We won't make it if I turn this capsule around." But, Tony wouldn't give up. I've got to talk to her somehow…think of something. He thought. Some movement caught his eye suddenly.

Looking at the red light flashing on one of the computers in front of him, Tony asked himself, "Could it be…?"

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Cupid walked ahead of his genie after they'd left the golden palace, talking about the room they were about to enter. "It is my most treasured room," he said. "I came here ever since I was a little boy. You could say it was my tree house." The God of Love paused, asking, "Did you ever hear anyone talk of tree houses before?"

Jeannie said, "Oh, yes, once." She thought about a happier memory, as Major Nelson spoke about his childhood, and about how he'd named his tree house in his backyard, pretending it was a rocket that could soar into space. He didn't like it when, after he'd told her, Jeannie had blinked a tree house into his garage—because, of course, Doctor Bellows had caught him and Major Nelson had to explain its being there.

She sometimes wished she could turn Doctor Bellows into a frog or a bird, or something so that he wouldn't bother Major Nelson. Jeannie's mind returned back to the present.

Her fiancé jumped up, exclaiming, "I have the best idea!" Before her very eyes, the chamber changed into Major Nelson's living room. The God of Love's grin grew a mile wide. Jeannie, for once, didn't know what to say.

"You don't have to say anything," he said.

Jeannie looked around, asking, "Why are we here?"

"Simple," Cupid said, turning into a perfect copy of Major Anthony Nelson. Putting his arms around her, he said in a perfect imitation of Tony's voice, "I told you that if you like I could be Mike MacAllister. But I can become any man you desire! Believe me, it would be perfect. Since Major Nelson is in the capsule, no one would look for him, especially not that snooty doctor! We could go anywhere: London, Paris, Istanbul! We could pretend that we are mortals. It would be such fun!"

But Jeannie said, "No, I tried that, once." At the god's puzzled frown, she amended, "Twice, actually."

Sensing a story, Cupid pursed his lips, but didn't say anything.

Jeannie walked around the couch, saying, "You see, I made a copy of my master; once, to fool everyone into thinking that he wanted to marry me. And, the second time, I made a copy of him so that he could be a NASA for a lecture and we could travel to Paris at the same time."

"And…?" The God of Love asked.

"Major Nelson got into terrible trouble," Jeannie responded, stopping. She looked so distressed. Cupid frowned, hating to see her so unhappy.

"He will not get into trouble," he declared. "I can make everyone forget we were ever there." He moved closer but Jeannie walked away.

"That is very kind of you, but I would know it was you," she said with finality. "Besides, you wish me to forget him, do you not?" Seeing the wisdom in her words, Cupid changed back. They went back to where his special tree was.

"Yes," he said, "but I know it can be difficult." He looked up at the tree. There was a green fruit resembling apples growing there. Reaching up to grab one, the blond god told her, "If you wish it, for a wedding present, I could make you forget him." He bit into it.

Jeannie thought about that, but after a moment, realized she would not give up all the happy memories she had with Major Nelson. "No, I do not want that," she replied.

He nodded slowly, saying with much sympathy, "I understand."

Both the Olympian god and the genie were lost in thought; then, she asked, "I can see that you are fond of me, but do you really love me?"

They walked some more toward a large opening amongst some tall, gleaming golden columns. Cupid gave her his hand, helping her down the marble steps which led to a clearing. Jeannie marveled at the perfectly cut green grass. It was greener than any lawn she'd seen in Cocoa Beach. The sky was also picture perfect, with blue-as-a-robin's egg overtones. They walked up several small hills, and when they'd walked far enough away from the palace, the love god made a blanket with several fruits and some sweet wine materialize. The two sat, and Cupid got a glass, into which he poured some wine.

Handing it to Jeannie, he finally told her his answer. "No. I do not love you, fair genie," he said, staring at her with his grey eyes. "I do care for you though, enough to believe that I can grow to love you. The truth is that I love another."

"Psyche?" Jeannie guessed.

"I gather you have heard the stories," he whispered.

"It was a favorite tale for me; I had some books in my bottle that I read," she said.

His eyes growing dreamy, Cupid allowed himself to drown in his memory. "I had met her quite by accident. She petitioned me, you see, for her mortal lover. I still have memories of her long, blond hair, like golden honey; and her eyes were as blue grey as the sky after a storm." He paused, staring at Jeannie. "She looked something like you."

The magic girl smiled, but didn't say anything.

"I was quite new at my position as the God of Love at that time. She was one of the first mortals who had asked me for a favor, so I visited her—as a beautiful bird, of course."

"Oh…" Jeannie said, not really understanding. She supposed he changed into things when he visited mortals like she shrunk herself and popped into Major Nelson's pocket to avoid detection.

Cupid went on. "I saw the man she wanted, and I readied my golden arrow after dosing it with love potion." He paused again, looking embarrassed. "I aimed it so that it would hit him in the heart…".

Jeannie ate some fruit. "And then…?" She prompted.

He sighed, saying, "And then, my aim being what it was, or rather, wasn't, the arrow accidentally hit me." Jeannie tried to keep a straight face, but her lip quivered. She laughed so hard, she nearly choked.

"It's not funny!" Cupid protested. But, her laughter was infectious. He joined her, and for several moments, they enjoyed a good chuckle.

"Okay…" he said between giggles. "I guess it is funny, especially since the arrow circled around and hit me in the rear end!" They laughed again.

"Is that why you use clubs, too?" Jeannie asked.

Cupid offered her more food and wine. When the magic maiden declined, Cupid magicked the items away. "I told you why…because, depending on how hard hearted the person might be, the arrows don't work, remember?" He reminded her.

"I remember," Jeannie responded.

"But, you are right about the clubs," he said. "I do sometimes use them when my magic does not guide the arrows well. In the beginning, when I was learning to perfect my archery skills, I would use the clubs as a secondary measure. Now, since I have perfected the use of my arrows, I only use the clubs for special cases.

"When I tried hitting Copernicus, I had arrogantly told myself that I would be able to guide the arrow; that my magic was flawless…".

"But, of course, it wasn't," she finished for him.

He felt her hand on his shoulder. "My magic, at first, did not go well, either," she admitted. "In fact, I told Major Nelson that, once."

I was a very young girl when the Blue Djinn put me in my bottle…she'd said.

"Naturally, over the centuries, I have become much more proficient," he stated.

Jeannie nodded. Cupid went on with his story. "Anyway, I accidentally hit myself, and I fell in love with her." It was at this moment that his grey eyes grew stormy, changing to their violent red color.

She gave him a comforting hug.

"I was so in love with her that I would make myself into different things, or turn invisible, just so that I could be near her without her being alarmed. I knew she would not understand my desire for her. I hsd fixed things so that all she wanted was the other man." He said. "The first time I went to Earth was in pursuit of her. I changed myself into his image, and courted her at my leisure, all the while thinking that my parents, especially my mother, would not discover me."

They walked to a library. There were not only scrolls, but books on the many shelves therein. The shelves were silver and were polished so that they showed a diamond-like brilliance. Cupid selected a book and was absentmindedly thumbing through the pages.

"I was wrong," he said. "I had planned everything down to the last detail. I would take the place of her lover—I didn't mind—because I enjoyed pretending to be other people, getting involved in their lives. As I said, I wooed her, made her fall heels over head…or is that 'head over heels'?" He cleared his throat, putting the book back on the shelf.

"When we were about to commit our relationship, Mother appeared."

"She did not accept Psyche because she was mortal?" Jeannie asked, though she knew the answer.

Cupid nodded, "Yes. My mother is quite jealous, you see. To be fair, we all are, to a certain extent. There are just some who are more passionate about things than other gods are, especially when it comes to choosing a proper mate for one's own offspring. My mother wanted me to remain here, not to marry, let alone cavort with human beings.

"Mother has a terrible temper, more powerful than that of my father. When she thought that a mere mortal, Psyche, was taking her baby boy away from Mount Olympus, she would not have it."

He stood, gripping his arms with his hands and shuddering at the memory he had. "My mother used all of her dark magic and sent my only love to the bowels of Hades, my father's realm. Now, I cannot go there, and she cannot come here."

"That is terrible!" Jeannie thundered. "My mother does not wish me to be with my master—my former master—but I decided I must be with whom I choose!"

"In the mortal coil, that is easier," the god of love said sadly. "But for us gods…". He couldn't finish his thought. In a fit of pique, Cupid threw his arrows to the ground. Jeannie's mind raced. There had to be some way they could both help each other.

Asking the obvious question, Jeannie inquired, "Could you not stand up to your mother and not marry me?"

Shaking his head, Cupid countered with, "Can the sand stand up to a mighty wind?"

Jeannie protested, "But it is the only way!"

He shook his head again, saying, "No! If I defy her, Psyche will suffer. At least my father is keeping her safe, and I can talk to her through a mirror in one of the many rooms at home. The only comfort I can give right now is that once I speak the words to your bottle, you will be free, and no longer a slave. You may not be able to escape your fate, but no one will be able to control you as they did before."

They teleported to a room with purple pillows, which had matching buttons in their centers. The chamber was round and the ceiling was high. The couch matched the pillows and the walls were decorated with gold and silver streamers. Jeannie's mouth fell open when she realized what the room was.

"This is my bottle!" She exclaimed.

Eros said, "So it is. I have looked in on you many times before; you, and many others. Do you like it?"

"I do like the colors," Jeannie admitted. Cupid indicated a bed that had darker plum colored sheets. On top of them was a pair of pink pajamas. They were made from the finest silk and there were some slippers underneath them.

"I know we will need some time together, as I said before, but the sooner you become accustomed to me, the better," he said softly.

When he closed the door, Jeannie let the tears fall. She didn't know how she would ever get used to being with Cupid, nice though he was. Though she had given her word that she would marry the God of Love, her heart, now and forever, would be with Major Anthony Nelson.