Author's Note: Duncan MacLeod, Amanda, Richie Ryan, Joe Dawson and
Methos/Adam Pierson do not belong to me. I do own Asher Jacobs and Darcy.
While I do own (most) of the words for the song Asher sings to Richie, the
inspiration and the concept come from Jason Robert Brown's "The New World"
from his show Songs for a New World. If ever given the chance, I highly
recommend this show.
This is the concluding chapter to Aviatophobia. I am playing with the idea of writing a sequel. If you would like one, write a review and let me know. Cheers. ------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
September 19, 2004, 8:30 PM, Le Blues Bar
Asher and Amanda had liked one another almost the very instant they had met. She and Nick had only been in Paris for two days and nights (crashing as usual at Duncan's barge), and the first night, Richie and Asher had arrived, bottle of red wine in tow, for dinner. Asher had shyly brought some flowers too. Daisies.
In the week since the third anniversary of her death, Asher had opened much. She had apologized to Duncan for their initial meeting, who assured her she was forgiven, and had found in Darcy a common ally in the common pursuement of fun at the Highlander's expanse. And, she had immediate plans to remain in Paris. Duncan had given to her some brochures of some local law schools, and had offered a job at the bar to help pay the tuition bills. (Much to Richie's private dismay), she accepted the job offer, waitressing with more serious wit than Darcy's shameless flirting possessed, and Asher had also promised to work with the computers.
It was this particular night, Amanda and Nick were cuddled in the Immortal-claimed back booth, Duncan sitting across from them, conversing over scotch (Duncan and Nick), and red wine (Amanda). Richie was behind the bar, alternating helping Mike fill drink orders, and offering words of encouragement to Asher every time she stopped by the counter. It was her first official night as a waitress, and no longer a trainee. Only was Adam still missing.
When the place had come to a slight lull, and Darcy had claimed some drunken college boy's lap, Richie pulled Asher behind the counter, and produced, hidden between the liquor bottles, a small wrapped package, and a bouquet of daisies. "I know it was yesterday, but happy birthday."
Asher stared at him, disbelief written across her face. She had not celebrated a birthday since before her first death, and had hardly expected someone she had know only ten days (even if it was someone as sweet as Richie Ryan) to remember. "Well, go on, open it."
With trembling fingers, Asher meticously ripped the wrapping paper to reveal a tiny pewter statue of the Eiffel Tower. It stood no more than three inches high, and fit perfectly in the palm of her hand. It was identical to the model she had begged for when she had been four, and to the very same model she had lost when she had lost her mortal life. She felt tears spring to her eyes.
Richie did not know what to say. "If you don't like it. it's just you seem to love the Eiffel Tower, and I thought."
He was silenced with the soft pressure of Asher's lips on his. "I love it, Richie. Thank you. The daisies are nice too."
Richie only smiled, and this time, it was he who initiated the kiss. From the shadows, Duncan appeared, and took a place before the microphone. "It is with great honor, I introduce the musical act for tonight. Our very own, Asher Jacobs."
Richie's face showed his shock, and lightly Asher touched her lips once more to his, and taking her guitar into her hands, she made her way to the stage, sitting carefully on the stool, balancing the guitar in lap. "A birthday present for the one who showed me how to care again. I call this: The New World." she paused, caught her breath, and began to sing.
A new world calls from the sky
A new world calls across the ocean
A new world calls from the shadows
Afraid to fly, afraid to fly
In that one moment, one special moment
When the world crashes down
And the walls you built
Unravel before your eyes
When the ground swallows the sky
And the metal no longer metal
And in that one moment
You have everything to fear
And no one to comfort you
A new world calls from the sky
A new world calls across the ocean
A new world calls from the shadows
Afraid to fly, afraid to fly
And when you round the bend
On the verge of death
Doomed to path you never chose
Doomed to road you never saw before
Afraid to laugh, afraid to cry
Knowing if you start, you'll never stop again
A stranger in a new world
A stranger in a new world
A new world calls from the sky
A new world calls across the ocean
A new world calls from the shadows
Afraid to fly, afraid to fly
"She is amazing, Mac," clipped Nick in hushed tones, once Duncan had returned to his pre-claimed seat. "Joe would have loved her." "He would have," agreed the Highlander.
One special moment, one special moment
When you choose to stand tall
And you know you are not alone
And though the surface may still crack
You break new paths
Into a new world, into a new world
For you have a house in the hills
College education on the coast
A boyfriend surely you love
And a life to die for
And then you die, and then you die
And the house burns down
And the boyfriend leaves you
And you are alone
In that one moment, one special moment
When the world crashes down
And the walls you built
Unravel before your eyes
When the ground swallows the sky
And the metal no longer metal
And in that one moment
You have everything to fear
And no one to comfort you
Richie stood transfixed behind the counter, too entranced to care if the mob hit asking for more drinks. Barely aware of the light comradie touch of Mike's hand on his shoulder, Richie wondered if it was too early to be in love.
And you'll know you'll live
For it is a new world
A new world calls from the sky
A new world calls across the ocean
A new world calls from the shadows
Afraid to fly, afraid to fly
Take the first steps
Round the first bend
Hand in hand, knowing you are loved
It is time to fly, time to fly
The bar stood silent, and for the briefest moment, Asher stood alone on the stage, terrified she had done wrong. From somewhere within the crowd, came a low whistle, and as if given the permission, the crowd erupted, but Asher only had eyes for Richie, and he only had eyes for her, and between them, the world danced.
This is the concluding chapter to Aviatophobia. I am playing with the idea of writing a sequel. If you would like one, write a review and let me know. Cheers. ------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
September 19, 2004, 8:30 PM, Le Blues Bar
Asher and Amanda had liked one another almost the very instant they had met. She and Nick had only been in Paris for two days and nights (crashing as usual at Duncan's barge), and the first night, Richie and Asher had arrived, bottle of red wine in tow, for dinner. Asher had shyly brought some flowers too. Daisies.
In the week since the third anniversary of her death, Asher had opened much. She had apologized to Duncan for their initial meeting, who assured her she was forgiven, and had found in Darcy a common ally in the common pursuement of fun at the Highlander's expanse. And, she had immediate plans to remain in Paris. Duncan had given to her some brochures of some local law schools, and had offered a job at the bar to help pay the tuition bills. (Much to Richie's private dismay), she accepted the job offer, waitressing with more serious wit than Darcy's shameless flirting possessed, and Asher had also promised to work with the computers.
It was this particular night, Amanda and Nick were cuddled in the Immortal-claimed back booth, Duncan sitting across from them, conversing over scotch (Duncan and Nick), and red wine (Amanda). Richie was behind the bar, alternating helping Mike fill drink orders, and offering words of encouragement to Asher every time she stopped by the counter. It was her first official night as a waitress, and no longer a trainee. Only was Adam still missing.
When the place had come to a slight lull, and Darcy had claimed some drunken college boy's lap, Richie pulled Asher behind the counter, and produced, hidden between the liquor bottles, a small wrapped package, and a bouquet of daisies. "I know it was yesterday, but happy birthday."
Asher stared at him, disbelief written across her face. She had not celebrated a birthday since before her first death, and had hardly expected someone she had know only ten days (even if it was someone as sweet as Richie Ryan) to remember. "Well, go on, open it."
With trembling fingers, Asher meticously ripped the wrapping paper to reveal a tiny pewter statue of the Eiffel Tower. It stood no more than three inches high, and fit perfectly in the palm of her hand. It was identical to the model she had begged for when she had been four, and to the very same model she had lost when she had lost her mortal life. She felt tears spring to her eyes.
Richie did not know what to say. "If you don't like it. it's just you seem to love the Eiffel Tower, and I thought."
He was silenced with the soft pressure of Asher's lips on his. "I love it, Richie. Thank you. The daisies are nice too."
Richie only smiled, and this time, it was he who initiated the kiss. From the shadows, Duncan appeared, and took a place before the microphone. "It is with great honor, I introduce the musical act for tonight. Our very own, Asher Jacobs."
Richie's face showed his shock, and lightly Asher touched her lips once more to his, and taking her guitar into her hands, she made her way to the stage, sitting carefully on the stool, balancing the guitar in lap. "A birthday present for the one who showed me how to care again. I call this: The New World." she paused, caught her breath, and began to sing.
A new world calls from the sky
A new world calls across the ocean
A new world calls from the shadows
Afraid to fly, afraid to fly
In that one moment, one special moment
When the world crashes down
And the walls you built
Unravel before your eyes
When the ground swallows the sky
And the metal no longer metal
And in that one moment
You have everything to fear
And no one to comfort you
A new world calls from the sky
A new world calls across the ocean
A new world calls from the shadows
Afraid to fly, afraid to fly
And when you round the bend
On the verge of death
Doomed to path you never chose
Doomed to road you never saw before
Afraid to laugh, afraid to cry
Knowing if you start, you'll never stop again
A stranger in a new world
A stranger in a new world
A new world calls from the sky
A new world calls across the ocean
A new world calls from the shadows
Afraid to fly, afraid to fly
"She is amazing, Mac," clipped Nick in hushed tones, once Duncan had returned to his pre-claimed seat. "Joe would have loved her." "He would have," agreed the Highlander.
One special moment, one special moment
When you choose to stand tall
And you know you are not alone
And though the surface may still crack
You break new paths
Into a new world, into a new world
For you have a house in the hills
College education on the coast
A boyfriend surely you love
And a life to die for
And then you die, and then you die
And the house burns down
And the boyfriend leaves you
And you are alone
In that one moment, one special moment
When the world crashes down
And the walls you built
Unravel before your eyes
When the ground swallows the sky
And the metal no longer metal
And in that one moment
You have everything to fear
And no one to comfort you
Richie stood transfixed behind the counter, too entranced to care if the mob hit asking for more drinks. Barely aware of the light comradie touch of Mike's hand on his shoulder, Richie wondered if it was too early to be in love.
And you'll know you'll live
For it is a new world
A new world calls from the sky
A new world calls across the ocean
A new world calls from the shadows
Afraid to fly, afraid to fly
Take the first steps
Round the first bend
Hand in hand, knowing you are loved
It is time to fly, time to fly
The bar stood silent, and for the briefest moment, Asher stood alone on the stage, terrified she had done wrong. From somewhere within the crowd, came a low whistle, and as if given the permission, the crowd erupted, but Asher only had eyes for Richie, and he only had eyes for her, and between them, the world danced.