Somewhere Out There

Chapter One - Moving On

A/N: Please note that I do not know a lot about HDM.. I've only read the series twice and even though I like it a lot, I still can't remember every little detail. If there are any mistakes, please let me know so I can fix them. Thanks! :)

Okay, a little while ago I saw someone write something about the idea of Will and Lyra getting back together was so over-used, and even though those are practically the only ones I read, I sort of agree. So I came up with this.. Review?

Will Parry stood nervously outside the white picket fence. A warm glow was coming from the open windows and gentle chatter drifted through the screens; the house looked friendly, but Will felt anything but welcomed.

"This is for the best," Kirjava whispered gently from the ground beside Will. She brushed against his legs to reassure him, but the terrible ache in his heart didn't cease.

"I feel like I'm betraying her," he said gently, tears pricking at his eyes at the mention of who he spoke of. "It hurts to know that I am."

"You're not betraying her," she told him. "You both agreed to see other people, you know you did. Would you want her to see other people in her own world?"

"No," he answered selfishly. "I know she and I decided that, but I just can't bear the thought of her loving someone else."

Kirjava made a soft mew and leapt up into Will's arms, brushing her soft fur against his neck. "You know she will never love another like she did you."

Will nodded. He had to do it--for his promise to Lyra, for himself, for his health. For two years he had lived his life in a state of depression and automation; doing only what he had to, as if living were just a daily routine he was burdened to for the rest of his life.

"Go on," Kirjava pushed. She bounded to the ground, camouflaged in the warm summer night, and watched with a pitiful and miserable look as he opened the gate and ascended up the walk.

"I-is Cynthia there?" he asked nervously, once someone opened the door after he knocked. A black-haired girl his age appeared behind what seemed to be her father; she smiled warmly at him and Will felt his pulse race.

You're not betraying her, you're not, he thought to himself over and over as Cynthia introduced him to her father.

"No drinking and driving and be back by eleven," he said with a laugh. Cynthia kissed him quickly on the cheek before skipping down the front steps.

"Hi Will," she smiled, taking his hand in her own.

"H-hi."

***

"Pan, please don't make me do this," Lyra begged, nervously biting her lip. "You know I don't feel right doing it…"

Pantalaimon turned in her arms to look at her and saw a silent tear fall onto her cheek. It was hard for the both of them, that much they knew; but something she still couldn't grasp was the notion of moving on. He stretched up to her face and licked her softly, trying to give her as much comfort as he could.

"I can't, I just can't," she said, more tears falling. "You know it's too hard for me."

She hugged him closer and sobbed into his silky fur. Around her a slight wind stirred and her navy skirt swirled about her knees; the night was peaceful and quiet, except for the occasional passing of a raucous crowd. But Lyra was miserable; she hated how she had been separated from Will, she hated having to move on, she hated knowing what she had to do.

Yes. She knew. She knew she had to…

"Lyra?"

Lyra whipped around, quickly drying her tear-stained face, to find why she had been there in the first place. A flaxen boy stood a few feet away, his sheltie dæ mon sitting obediently beside him.

"Hello, Collin," she said, attempting and failing to sound cheerful.

"Hi." Collin noticed the tears but said nothing, and for that Lyra would always be grateful. "I thought maybe we could walk to Gillian's Café?"

Lyra smiled at his effort to be gentle with her. To show him she was alright, Pan jumped from her arms to greet the miniature collie and she took one of Collin's hands. "I would love that."

Somewhere out there, in a world so different and so similar to her own, she was aware that Will was following her own actions… he knew what he had to do, too.

A/N: Short, I know. And I have NO idea where I'm going with this story!! Help!