Chapter 2
Author's Notes: Please, Please remember that this is me. You know I could never truly hurt or kill my characters. I promise, just keep the faith. Like I said before this is a tale of love and doing what it takes to protect that love.
Also if you would pay attention to the quotes I have at the beginning they should give you an insight into what could be happening in the rest of the chapter.
Oh and Shelby, I'm continuing I would hate to have a curse placed on me. :)
Buffelyn, the only reason that I was talking about Becoming Part II is because of the sword fight. It was what gave me the inspiration for this story. I promise you I am not Joss Whedon and Rick and Evie are not Buffy and Angel. :)
Thanks to all of you who reviewed. I so appreciate it. Thank-you so very much! I also had to change my summary :( but it was so I could tell you there was a new chapter. :)
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"Bottom line is, even if you see 'em coming, you're not ready for the big moments. No one asks for their life to change, not really. But it does. So, what, are we helpless? Puppets? No. The big moments are gonna come, can't help that. It's what you do afterward that counts. That's when you find out who you are." ~Whistler
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London, England
O' Connell House
March 17, 1934
It had been two weeks. Two long frustrating, frightening, horrible, aching, devastating weeks. And nothing had been found. No one could find him. Not the police, not her, not Jonathan, not one person. No one knew where he had gone or what he was doing. After Tuesday Alex went back to school with the promise that if they found his dad that they would come and get him. Evelyn 'worked' at the museum, but in all reality barely recognized one day from the next. Now she was lying in their bed, dressed in his shirt, using his pillow. She didn't care if the shirt was dirty it smelled like him and with nothing really to hold on to it was all she had.
She had put up a good front for Alex and stayed brave for him, but at night it just killed her. She wanted her husband back safe and in her arms. Yesterday they had found his car. It was parked near the docks. As if he was merely looking out at the sea. That made her cry even more. Jonathan had thrown the police out when they asked her if Rick could have left of his own will. Evelyn didn't have to contemplate that for a moment, but the suggestion of it made her livid. How DARE they suggest that Rick would do such a thing. He would never... and the more she had stared at the police officer the more enraged she became. It was then that Jonathan made them leave for if her anger became blind there was no telling what she might do and the consequences thereof. That night she cried while her brother held her. Not since the time that her parents died had she cried like that. And this was even worse than then.
There was a knock on her door. Alex peaked in like he always did and when he saw his mom lying there with tears pulled the door back. But his movements didn't escape Evelyn's attention and she beckoned him forth. He stood by the bed nearly in tears himself. She patted on Rick's side of the bed and Alex laid down next to her. "Mum, are we ever going to find dad?" She looked at him for a moment and then gave him what she had been praying. "I know that your father is the strongest person alive. I know that he would move heaven and hell for us and has before. There is no doubt in my mind that your father will do anything in his power to return to us wherever he may be. And in the mean time you and I will have to go on living and keep looking for him." For the time being that seemed to mollify her son. Alex continued to sleep with her the rest of the night.
It was early morning when Evelyn heard a noise. She sat up quickly and she heard the pounding on the door again. She looked to Alex who was still asleep and quickly got out of bed and put her robe on. The banging got louder and persistent and she hurried to the door. When she made it, she looked through the keyhole not recognizing the person in front of her. She slowly opened the door and when she fully assessed who was standing in front of her leapt into his arms. "Oh Rick where have you been?" Not caring at the moment. Not caring beyond anything that her husband was finally home and safe and warm in her arms.
Alex had heard the noise and had come running down the stairs. When he saw who was with his mother he ran toward him. "Dad! Dad!" he shouted and Rick bent down and picked his son up. Glad to have him home Alex and Evelyn didn't let Rick go for some time. "So what happened dad?" Alex asked when they settled in the living room. "Well I had gone to store because I was going to surprise your mother with a picnic when I went to the car someone hit me in the back of the head. I had no idea who it was, but they left me and some room and took forever to finally pick the lock and get out." Both Evelyn and Alex were amazed, but not really surprised that he had gotten out. "Wow Dad. You are the coolest." Alex swore. "Thanks son." Rick smiled.
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It had been a week since Rick had been home and Evelyn was worried. Scared actually. The first night she had tried to chalk it up to the fact that he had been gone for so long and she was still anxious, but she could no longer deny that something wasn't right. Her husband wasn't her husband. He looked just liked him, sounded like him, talked like him, but it just wasn't Rick O' Connell. It was as if he had traded bodies with someone. None of his normal quirks were present. When he kissed her it wasn't with the passion that she had known for nine years. When he looked at her it wasn't with the love she had always seen in his eyes.
Now his eyes were different. Oh they were the same color, but they didn't have the passion and love that Evelyn knew. She had even given him a mini quiz and he had certainly passed with flying colors, but it was all as if it had been researched. She could even see a difference in the way he talked and related to their son. This man was a stranger. She could feel it in her bones and knew beyond any doubt that the man she was now living with was not her husband. And it scared her. But what to do seemed to elude her. She had to find out what really happened or she may never find her real husband.
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London, England
British Museum
March 25, 1934
"You wanted to see me Mrs. O' Connell?" Henry asked. "Yes, I was wondering if you knew where the second crate was at?" she told him. Still searching through there inventory for the missing crate. "No I haven't. In fact I don't remember there being a second crate with the Roarke Shipment." he replied. They looked at one another, "Liam." they said in unison. "Do you want me to go?" Evelyn shook her head. "It will only take me a day. You can look after things while I'm gone correct?" "Of course Mrs. O' Connell. Good luck." he called out to her. "Thanks."
She got home and started packing. Rick came into the room and she suddenly had the chills. "Are you going somewhere?" "Yes, Liam has taken the second crate of the Roarke Shipment an as you know if I don't get it back I will never get it." she huffed. "Do you want me to go with you?" "No." she snapped. He looked surprised, "No, it's okay. You know Liam doesn't like you and it would be easier if I got it myself, but thank-you." she replied soothing him. "Right. Well I'll miss you." he whispered and leaned in to give her a kiss. She gave him a quick one and turned back to her packing. She wanted to cry. She could no longer stand to be touched by this man who looked just like her husband. Her skin crawled when his mere presence was near hers.
He grabbed her waiste and put his arms around her, but she shrugged them off. "I really have to go Rick. I'll miss you." the last part was a silent cry and Rick gave her a small smile. But that wasn't what the cry was about. She missed her husband. As her mind was thinking she decided that perhaps she would do a little digging to see if she could find out what really happened. "By the way Jonathan is coming over for the night. He is taking Alex for a while." She didn't want 'Rick' in the house with her son alone. Jonathan thought she was daft, but knew that if Evelyn felt something was wrong nine times out of ten she was right. So he agreed he would pick Alex up from school and take him to dinner and perhaps to a play and then stay the night.
Perhaps now he could see what was really going on.
End of Chapter 2
~ Hope you all have enjoyed. Another chapter should be posted on Monday or at the LATEST on Tuesday. :)