Stars Collide

Introduce Rick Montague to Evelyn Capulet, watch the sparks fly, then toss in the Book of the Dead and a mysterious locket. Sommers meets Shakespeare meets Buffelyn. Enjoy and review:)

I've borrowed the plot bones from Bill (although technically he's public domain now:), the characters from Stephen (he does own them technically:), and mixed things up a lot so don't be alarmed by deviances to the R + J lore. After all, if I didn't make the story my own, what would be the point? To that end I have condensed characters, eliminated some, thrown out plotlines and added many twisty original ones. And don't be thrown off by, say, our normally terse-spoken Rick being particularly eloquent--this is, after all, a Shakespearean-inspired love story:) Have fun;) ~Buff

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Residents of New Verona:

The Montague family...

Richard Montague, our dashing hero

Jonathan Montague, prime minister of Hamunaptra

Sheila Montague, Jonathan's fourth wife

Ardeth, Rick's friend and kinsman to Chief Bey

Izzy, Rick's kinsman

the Montague gang--Daniels, Burns & Henderson

The Capulet family...

Evelyn Capulet, our lovely heroine

Seti Capulet, king of Hamunaptra

Anck Simon-Capulet, deceased wife of Seti, mother of Evelyn

"Lock" Capulet, Evelyn's kinsman

the Capulet gang--Red, Jacques & Spivey

The other players...

Father Imhotep, priest and confidant of both families

Beni Parris, son of a duke

Chief Bey, law keeper of New Verona

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Prologue

Most of the headlines were inaccurate, of course, and without even reading the attached articles, Imhotep knew they would be drivel, too. Tabloids had gobbled up the love story like it was the greatest scandal of the millennium. "ILLICIT LOVE AFFAIR SHAMES ROYAL FAMILY..." "BADBOY HEIR SEDUCES VIRGIN PRINCESS..." "SUICIDES SPARK RIOTS, PANIC IN STREETS..." Or, if they had chosen to go with the more sentimental bent, something like, "YOUNG LOVERS FALL VICTIM TO SENSELESS TRAGEDY."

The local newspapers had handled the events with somewhat more dignity and respect, but that was only because they were all owned by one of the two families. The New Verona Times declared, "HEARTBREAK PRODUCES FRAGILE BUT WELCOME PEACE." The Hamunaptra Herald announced, "SUICIDES HIGHLIGHT NEED FOR COMPROMISE; SIDES MEET TO DISCUSS ISSUES."

It occurred to Father Imhotep as he stood there at the newsstand that he was the only one left in New Verona who knew the truth. Perceptions colored by family loyalty and personal agendas had twisted the tale into one of deceit and betrayal. He alone had the ability to set the record straight. Osiris knew his own troubled conscience could use some easing.

He knew he wasn't going to say a word, however, because he also knew it would do no good. Let the people work themselves up into a frenzy until the next headline came along, until they all became but a footnote in a history textbook, until they could be forgotten. So that somewhere, somehow, the truth would live peacefully. So that they might live on, happy.

Father Imhotep flipped the vendor a coin and tucked the newspaper under his arm as he walked away. It was a small regional paper that hardly anyone read, but its headline, at least, was not tainted by false beliefs. Only the truth, whether by chance or divine intervention, simple, shining, bright, beautiful...

"LOVE OVERCOMES."

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Chapter 1 arrives as soon as you tell me what you think:)