Time and Again

Time and Again

Chapter 6

Rated PG (Just in case)

By LynaQT

E-mail: Lyna_Q.T@miakaandtamahome.com

Disclaimer: These amazing characters belong to Tamora Pierce. I haven't a dime, so don't sue. The plot is mine, however.

Chapter 6: So the Reason Was…

"Sorry about that," Alexis quickly gained her composure, "but going into hysterics won't help the situation. It is my experience that one ONLY gets punished if one gets caught. So if we hurry, we can make it back to the castle before the bell."

"What about the guards?" Neal could see that the kiss meant nothing to Alexis. She showed no visible signs of being agitated by kissing him. It was merely a means to an end…an EXTREME means, but none the less she seemed quite blasé about it, while Neal was still blushing.

"Like I said 'if one gets caught,' so we'll have to sneak by the guards. I'll even use magic, although I'd hate to do so. But if we don't get back you'll get in trouble, right? And I don't want that on my conscience, since you only came out here to protect me."

Neal nodded. She was a strange one. Kissing complete strangers just to shut them up. Dominating ladies, could I find any other?!?! Neal saw the smile on Alexis's face. "What is that for?"

"I've never seen a guy blush for so long. Do you think that your blood has stopped circulating?" It was then that Alexis did her best to hide her smile to no avail.

"Stop being pert! Hey, it was the first time a girl ever kissed me. How am I supposed to act?!?!?"

"Well, it is the first time I've kissed a guy. I must still be bright red!"

At that, Neal reexamined her face to realize that it was full of woman's gear. No wonder she looked so composed, it was all that POWDER that hid her embarrassment!!! "So the ONLY reason you kissed me was to shut me up?"

Alexis grabbed Neal's hand and made a mad dash toward the palace. Why couldn't he leave it and forget it! "Did you know insanity runs in my family? Well, that was a lapse of one," Alexis said in-between breaths. "It was a moment of weakness. I was hurt and needy and I thought that no man wanted me, okay?! I felt that no ONE knew me. And then you came out here, a STRANGER, to help me…and you're so…and…I-I…Don't you know BETTER then to talk to strange ladies?!?!"

Neal had a surprisingly hard time catching up with Alexis even though he was one of the fastest pages. How did she run at such a speed in her skirts? "Pages rarely have the opportunity to talk to ladies. So answer my question why did you ki—"

"I want to be friends, alright? I like you, but I-I promised myself I'd never love a man," Alexis blurted out. With each word Alexis seemed to be running even faster, as if she might be about to run away from her problems.

Neal couldn't read her. He prided himself on his abilities to analyze others, but Alexis was one great mystery. Neal did know one thing: Alexis was a special lady that seemed lost even though she was holding his hand and guiding him the way. "Of course, I'll be your friend. I'll be your BEST friend…if you could slow down."

Those were the exact words Alexis needed. In this place where all her old friends couldn't even recognize her, she found someone to talk to, to laugh with, to be the person she could connect with. Loss of friendship: it was the thing that Alexis knew was the worst part about being in the future and seeing Jon and George so changed.

She caught a glimpse of Neal and saw that he was gulping for air, and she let out a genuine laugh. She had made a friend in this strange future and that alone lifted her sadness for the moment. She picked up the pace and teased, "Come on Neal, if you expect to make it to Squire you better start training harder!"

Dominating lady friends…. Sigh.

Neal could feel the anticipation of having pulled one over the indomitable Stump. Alexis used her magic to put the guards at the palace gate in a trance. From there, they slipped through the back servant's entrance. They were right on time for the afternoon meal. The coast was clear, the timing was perfect, and Neal hadn't missed a thing. He was surprised that in a matter of minutes, so many things seemed to have changed in his life. Yep, life in Tortall is certainly unique!

They entered the mess hall separately, Neal first and a couple minutes later Alexis followed. Alexis could see that Neal already had a plate ready for her and together they walked companionably to sit with the pages. As they sat, Neal knew they were home free from any punishments.

"Lady Alexis of Trebond, please report to me after your meal," Lord Wyldon of Cavall bellowed the instant after Alexis had made herself comfortable.

Before Alexis could even ponder what Wyldon might want to talk about she heard the infamous bell and saw a young brunette page run in. That page as well as a handsome senior page were reprimanded; the first page for tardiness and the second for rudeness.

"See Alex, this is a prime example of how we pages never waste a minute. The second day of your second year and already, Kel, you have punishments…" Neal droned and batted onward along with the other pages. Alexis was introduced eventually to all the pages at the table: Merric of Hollyrose, Cleon of Kennan, Faleron of King's Reach, Esmond of Nicoline, Seaver of Tasride, and Keladry of Mindelan. She learned that the senior page reprimanded for rudeness was Joren of Stone Mountain and Jon's son Roald of Conté was pointed out to her, but Alexis's main focus was on The Girl.

So this is the lady page that will be the first to take my place.

Kel noticed that Alexis had been staring at herself for quiet some time. "What is it? Do I have food on my face?"

"No, nothing like that. I was just admiring your height. I wish I was taller," Alexis said laughingly. "I once even tried to make myself taller by using my magic, but that only led to a HUGE headache. Needless to say, I've accepted my short stature…what else could I do?"

Kel smiled on that stern Yamani face. She didn't laugh like the others, but she definitely smiled and Neal noticed it.

"You know, if you can't meet the Lioness the next best thing is Alex." Neal tipped his head in Alexis's direction. "She has a sense of humor to balance your Yamani ways. Plus, Alex here won't let you run all over her like you do me."

"What is that supposed to mean? And what is with this 'Alex' talk?" Alexis gave a punch to Neal's shoulder.

"Ouch! Hey, Kel punched that same shoulder YESTERDAY!!! Besides I think Alex fits you more than that over-feminine 'Alexis.'"

Alexis was about to give him another punch for that over-feminine crack, but restrained herself. "Fine, I give you all permission to all me 'Alex,' just not in front of the adults." Great, another name I must get used to: first Alan, then Alexis, now Alex. Going incognito is highly overrated. Alexis finished her meal as quickly as possible so that she could find out what Wyldon wanted. "I'll try to meet up with you all later."

Alexis made her was solo to the dais where Wyldon was positioned. "You called, my Lord."

"Lady Alexis, your arrival will not interrupt with the training and education of Tortall's pages and squires, correct?"

Wyldon seemed to be waiting for a response in the affirmative, so Alexis made herself curtsy deeply and through gritting teeth respond with, "Yes, my Lord."

"I will remind you, along with your Aunt and Uncle, that although you will go through the same education as a knight of the realm you will never BE such. The training will be harsh, strict, and equal to that of any page, so that in the unlikely event you are in danger you can defend yourself long enough for a trained knight to come and rescue you. No leniency will be shown to you merely because you are a girl. Do you understand, girl?"

"Uncle?"

"Yes, your Uncle, George, Baron of Pirate's Swoop, as well as your Aunt, Alanna, will be reiterated about their decision to place their sole niece in my harsh training ground. It is my hope that one of you will come to your senses." Wyldon was a man to be reckoned with, Alexis realized that right off earlier that morning. Now Alexis couldn't wait to show him better, but first she had something to take care of.

She curtsied again and made her voice respond with a sedate, "Yes, I fully comprehend and look forward to your 'education,' my Lord. May I be excused?"

Wyldon recognized that stubborn chin of hers. "Yes, you may. If you're anything like your Aunt, training you will be quite interesting."

Alexis left the dais with a flourish of her skirts and quickly walked to the where she had left Neal, Kel, and the others.

Cleon saw that Alexis's face was pale and that she kept clenching and un-clenching her hands. It looked like Alexis was ready for a fight. "What happened, violet petal?"

"Do any of you have a sword?! Or happen know where the nearest one is located?!"

Yea, another chapter done!!! I can't believe school is OVER!!! I miss my Senior friends!!! I can't believe I'm going to be a Senior!!! (See, I'm so OLD!!!) I'm taking the behind the wheel tomorrow…eww. Wish me luck! I HATE driving… I hope b/c it is summer that I'll be able to get chapters out quickly, but I might have to get a JOB! I got PAGE!!! I'm so happy! I was wondering if I should make a chapter a part song fic…oh wells, I'll just see what happens like the Neal thing.

Any questions or comments, TELL me!!! I absolutely LOVE reviews. Hehe.. Who doesn't? So READ and REVIEW. Tell me what you want…I'll try to deliver.

Plot Copyright 2001, June.