Okay people . . . As the summary said, this is a look into the future. It's basically from Miranda's perspective (this particular chapter is even Miranda's point of view). I don't want to give anything away, so I'll just stop babbling now. Enjoy :)


I would have taken an airplane, but that's not nearly as fun. You don't get a chance to *really* look at the scenery. You don't get the freedom of the wind whipping past as you go on your way.

Some people would call me crazy for going all the way to Portland on a motorcycle, but I like it this way. It gives me more time to think, and I really need time to think for this trip. Besides, I don't think the passengers on an airplane would appreciate my music.

I've got it all set up here. I have the kind of earphones that go right into your ear so they can fit inside my helmet, and my CD is playing in my portable CD player which, thankfully, has very good skip protection. I also have a small trailer (just large enough to hold my suitcase) connected to the back of my motorcycle, just rolling right along with everything else. I find this set up works well on road trips.

It's been such a long time since I've been to Portland, the place I called home for four years. There's nothing wrong with Texas, but after a while, you kinda get tired of seeing sun, sun, and guess what? You got it -- more sun! I don't think I've seen a single rain drop in six months!

I'm not quite sure why, but one morning, I woke up and I decided to take a few weeks off of work, pack up a some clothes and other necessities, and take a road trip. I guess I just needed a break from designing space junk.

Or maybe I just wanted to see Declan again.

Which brings me to the reason I left Portland to begin with. It could be reasonably said that I wanted a career opportunity, because I definitely had an opportunity, but there was another reason, no matter how hard it is for me to admit it.

When Declan and Peggy got together, I guess you can say it kinda freaked me out. I mean, I know how stupid I was being. How could I have expected anything to happen? I was his assistant for goodness sakes! Still, it was hard for me to accept their new relationship, so when I got this job offer from NASA I took advantage of it right away.

That was almost three years ago. Now, I like to think that I've gotten over it. I like to think of Declan as a friend.

I also like to think of Peggy as a friend, even though I didn't know her as well. Sometimes I catch myself trying to blame her, but I know it's not her fault. It wasn't anyone's fault. Some things just happen.

Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if it had been the other way around. My guess is that Peggy wouldn't be immature enough to run away, like I did. That's Peggy for you. Mature, sophisticated . . . no wonder Declan chose her over me.

Since I moved to Texas, I've almost reverted back to my original extreme introvertedness. There are just so many strangers there. I haven't really made any new friends. I haven't really been able to call it home, like I had with Portland.

So I guess you could say that I'm going back home, even if it is only for a few days. Wherever I'm going, it's nice to be on the open road.


Gasp!!!!! Is there actually a Declan/Miranda fic coming out of Emi-Chan's head? Well . . . not really. As you'll see later in the story, this is pretty much a Declan/Peggy fic. It's basically about Miranda's reaction to Declan and Peggy's relationship. As always, I *love* responses, so please send them to me. Thanks :)