Date. 03.31.2002
Time. 4.45 pm
Music. My Spring Break Mix 2002 that my roomie made me
Chapter 4

Copyright. I do not own the Vision of Escaflowne or its characters… just the characters that I created. If you would like to use them, it would be alright with me, just ask first.

Author's Notes. Well! Another chapter is upon me. Actually, this one and the previous chapter were going to be one long one, but I decided that it would seem out of place compared to the length of the other ones. This is a mostly Van/Hitomi chapter for those of you who have been waiting for it. There will be other characters in it, just not really involved with them. I don't know what I'm talking about at the moment… it is tooo early for this kat to be awake. And sick as well. Alright, here we go!!!

The Vision of Escaflowne. Parvulus de Crepuscid

Chapter 4. Dance Upon the Air

* * *

It is sweet to dance to violins
When Love and Life are Fair:
To dance to flutes, to dance to lutes
Is delicate and rare:
But it is not sweet with nimble feet
To dance upon the air!

--Oscar Wilde

* * *

As Sellie walked down the hallway in her fresh clean clothes, she noticed how oddly silent the castle seemed to be. Usually, at this time of day, there were people all over. However, the stillness was uncomforting and peculiar.

Well, at least she got out of going to lessons for a day, she thought. Its almost three in the afternoon anyway.

As she walked past the Nursery, she could hear laughter inside and voices talking. Finally, she thought. Some form of life. She pushed in the door slowly and poked her head in.

The familiar smell of her old room filled her nostrils. She could see two beds in the far corner, each with matching pale pink coverlets. Murals of faeries and sprites skipping in the wild grasses out in the woodsy area danced across the walls of the room. When she turned ten, she was no longer a child according to her parents, so she left the Nursery and moved to her new room. She needed to "grow up and take responsibilities."

She sighed at that thought. I just want to go play and be free. She shook her head and averted her attention.

She could see Merle and Celena sitting on the floor of the large room, each one with a cat-child in their arms. The balls of fluff were wriggling around uncontrollably as the two women tickled them unmercifully. Shrilling screams echoed within the walls as they hooted with laughter.

Merle looked up and saw her. "Hey, Sellie," she said, smiling. "Want to help torture Sulae and Rani?"

Sellie's lips curled into a smile. "Sure, Aunt Merle," she grinned. "Anything to help out." She dove into the pile of fur on the floor and grabbed one of them by the sides, not knowing which kitten it was. She had trouble telling the difference between them anyways, as did everyone else. That's why the two of them were referred to as "the Twins." Merle was probably the only one that really knew.

"No… please! Stop! Sellie! I… can't…" the one she tickled gasped out between breaths. Celena laughed as the other one scrambled onto her lap to escape her wrath.

"Mama, make Sellie stop! Rani is gonna explode!" she, obviously being Sulae, whined as she clutched onto Celena's torso.

"Well, what would you rather play, then?" Merle asked. Sellie eased off of Rani, who quickly scrambled to her sister.

"Ummm… can we go outside?" Rani replied, her toothy grin spreading across her face. "I wanna go play in the flowers."

"Why not?" Celena said, hoisting the two kittens under each of her arms and left the Nursery room. She had removed her sword and laid it out of the young ones' reach.

Merle sighed as she looked after her two daughters. She straightened the light sundress on her shoulders, then gathered up the toys around her.

Sellie knelt down beside her. "Anything wrong, Aunt Merle?" she asked quietly.

The cat-woman looked up at her, but there was a vacant look in her deep violet eyes. "Hmmm? Oh, nothing dear…" she trailed off, continuing with picking up the toys. Sellie knelt down beside her and helped.

"Do you want Celena and I to take care of the Twins for you today?" she asked. "So you can have some time to yourself?"

"Oh… no, that's alright," she replied, the same emptiness making her voice sound so hollow. "They should be going to bed early tonight. I can get my break then." She stopped and gazed at her niece. "So Lord Van has come back then?"

Sellie nodded. "But only for a few days. I guess we have to go to Cassia, meaning me and Mom, too."

"You'll like Cassia… don't worry," Merle said, smiling at the slight hint of annoyance in the girl's voice. "Very pretty. I went there a few times when I was in schooling at Kadmos."

"I'm sure it's pretty… but is there anything to do?"

"Well, it's built on a gorgeous lake and there's a huge waterfall as well. I'm sure you'll find *something* to entertain yourself for awhile."

"Are you going to come with us? I mean, you *are* Daddy's aide and advisor. I think he would like it if you came."

"No, it's alright, child… things need to be looked after in Fanelia… and Palos is too old to handle everything on his own," she placed all the stuffed animals and carved toys she had gathered into the large wooden storage bin at the foot of the nearest bed. She adjusted her dress and looked down at the girl.

"Shall we go see what Celena and the Twins are up to?" she asked cheerfully, trying to change the subject.

Sellie knew that she shouldn't press any harder into opening up her aunt. She knew how lonely she felt, even with the Twins around. She missed her husband. She could sense it how un-whole Merle was without him. But she couldn't stand to see her suffer so. Everyone tried so hard to help her move on with her life, especially her father. They grew up with one another. But Merle hid away from them all, keeping her emotions to herself.

"Yes, Aunt Merle… lets."

She gave the cat-woman a hug around her waist. Merle stroked her hair as she returned the embrace. They broke away and left the Nursery, heading out to where Celena and the Twins were sunbathing in the courtyard.

* * *

The combined amount of the steam from the hot water and the aroma of bath oils soothed Hitomi's mind, body, and spirit. This is exactly what she needed in order to relax… a hour of disappearing from the world. Her joints in her knees no longer screamed at her every time she tried to move them.

It's a sign you're getting older, Hitomi… she told herself. But she refused to believe it. She was in the middle of her thirties… that's not *that* old.

But she had seen quite a few silver hairs scattered throughout her short mane of sand-colored hair and a couple wrinkles upon her complexion.

She sighed and lowered herself deeper into the bubbles so that only her shoulders were barely visible above the water line. She opened a weary eye and looked around at her surroundings. The bathing area was attached directly to their bedroom… one of the newer additions since Van had begun his rule of Fanelia. It was extremely large for Hitomi's likings… she was used to tiny closet-sized rooms with a bathtub and shower combination. But with the lit candles and sunlight peeking through the cracks of the window shutters gave the room a comforting mood that was tranquil. She could spend hours lying in the oversized basin.

She fiddled with the pink stone that hung from her neck, thinking back on her events here on Gaea. She had known Van for almost twenty years now. How was her own family and friends faring without her back on Earth? She thought of them often, wondering if her younger brother now had children of his own. He would be in his late twenties. And her mother… was she alone? Did she sit in her rocking chair, staring out at the evening sky every night? Hitomi shook the thought from her head. Her mother was strong… she would never result to wasting away.

Her neck was fairly stiff. She raised her hand out of the water and began to rub where it met the shoulder. All the tension from running and stress from working had finally reached its limit.

Suddenly, there were more hands upon her neck, massaging her muscles in a constant rhythm. However, these hands were rough and callused compared to her smooth palms… a result of years of labor and sword fighting. She smiled, her lids still shut. She didn't have to open her eyes and see who it was… she knew simply by his touch.

"What happened to later on tonight?" she asked softly, not removing her touch upon his fingers.

"Oh, we're still on for that…" Van said, working the stress buildup. "But does that not mean that I'm not allowed to see you till then?"

Hitomi smiled and fell deeper into his massage. The stress from the run melt away each time he tightened his grip on her skin. "Thank you…" she whispered.

"My pleasure, love," he replied, kissing her on her shoulder. He stopped his massage, but his fingers still lingered upon her wet skin, touching ever so slightly. He traced her collarbone, up her neck, along her jaw line…

Hitomi turned around and looked up at Van. He sat upon the stone edge of the tub, still clad in the clothes he traveled in. She folded her arms on the outer rim, her eyes studying him.

Could Time have changed us so much in twenty years? He sure didn't look that much different than the first time she had met him. His wild black hair still fell into his eyes like it did when he was a teenager. He could have let it grow a little longer gradually. His eyes may have softened after awhile… they haven't seen war since the time of the Great War. But they still contained that fierce gaze that drove her mad.

He had attained Folken's height, but as his brother held more of his mother's features, Van resembled more of his father. His build was still awkward and lanky like a teenager's, but he was accustomed to it.

She must have been staring at him for awhile, for Van gave her a puzzled look. "What's on your mind, love?" he inquired.

She shook her head, breaking out of her intent look. "Sorry," she apologized. "I was just thinking…" she trailed off. Van didn't try to go into deeper inspection.

"So what did you do in Cassia?" she changed the subject. "You weren't in meetings the entire time, were you?"

"Practically the entire time," Van snorted. "But I did manage to go out to the marketplace and get something for Sellie. I think she liked it… at least, I hope she did, but…"

"You found her?!" Hitomi almost leapt up from her position, but recalled her current situation of taking a bath.

"More like she wasn't being too careful about sneaking in," he chuckled.

"That girl… I swear…" she sighed. "She's becoming more and more like *you* every single day."

"Me?!" Van pretended to be innocent. "What ever are you talking about?"

"Don't give me that!" she replied. "She doesn't obey orders like a certain someone else I know."

She slouched back into the bathtub. "I just wish that we could tell her everything… so she would be more cautious…"

Van exhaled and played with her wet tresses. "I know you do, love… I do also… it would make life much easier. But we promised ourselves and we promised Gaea that her being of Draconian and of ancient Atlantean heritage would have to be hidden from her until the time was right. What if she knew of her purpose for her entire life? Don't you think she would be a different person than who she is now? Each day, dreading it because it was one day closer to her destined time rather than living each day to the fullest?"

"I know… you're right…" Hitomi said. "But I feel awful… we've been denying her of who she really is because of something that hasn't happened yet. We don't even know what is going to happen. There is so much that she doesn't know about herself… about us." A tear ran down her face. "We've been lying to our own daughter."

Van couldn't look at her face, but he felt it inside of him that she was becoming so miserable. He leaned down and kissed her tear away. She sniffled a bit, then angled her head so that she could return the kiss back.

He ran his thumb across her cheek, wiping away her tears that still fell. He gave her one last kiss then pulled away. "Everything will be alright, love…" he whispered as he stared deeply into her soft green eyes. "Everything will turn out alright."

She let out a halfhearted laugh. "I hope you're right," she replied. A spontaneous thought rushed into her head, and she pushed him of the edge of the tub. Van was not able to catch his balance in time and landed hard against the stone floor. Hitomi covered her mouth, trying to muffle her laughter. "Will you get me a towel please?" she asked through her giggles.

"Gods…" he muttered, but gave her a smirk. He grasped the thick white towels that hung across the room and laid it upon the tiled tub. She took it and was about to stand up, but looked at him with an uncomfortable look plastered on her face.

"Could… you… turn around?" she asked meekly.

"Hitomi…" he said, his eyes plainly expressing his hurt. "You've been my wife for thirteen years now. I've seen you before…"

"I know," she replied quickly, her face blushing. "But… could you?"

He sighed and shrugged his shoulders, smiling as he slowly turned around. He could hear her standing up in the water and wrapping the towel around her. He couldn't help and take a sneak peak.

Her back was facing towards him, so she did not notice him glancing at her. She drew the towel around her, rubbing the excess water off of her body.

Her short light-brown hair was barely damp; only the tips were wet as it clung to her neck. Her body was still as slim as when she returned to Gaea seven years after the Great War, but there were still those subtle feminine curves. He had never noticed her structure the first time he saw her… but then again, he was a real ass towards her anyways.

Her fair skin was so smooth as he watched her muscles flex under her back. She was still quite athletic, but never gained the muscle mass that male bodies do. Her strength was understated.

As she was drying off with the towel, something caught his attention. Upon the small of her back, he could clearly see the tattoo that Gaea carried upon her palm. The wild stag symbol that represented that she was a follower of the Goddess of Gaea. She decided to bare it upon herself soon after Sellie was born. Gaea suggested to hide it if she was that serious about having it, just in case something were to happen.

He saw that she was beginning to turn around, so he stood upright once more, his eyes facing away from her once more.

She stepped out of the tub, the towel tightly wrapped around her. She walked up next to him and placed her lips next to his ear.

"Besides," she whispered. "There's always… tonight." She gave him a quick kiss on the neck, then disappeared into the closet.

Van lingered for a moment, his eyes following her. How could he get so lucky to have someone like her, he wondered.

Yes, there is tonight… he thought as he left the bathroom.

* * *

The amount of spectators grew with every passing moment. At first, it was only Van and Sellie in the courtyard, sparring back and forth. But soon, Allen, Celena, several members of the Crusade crew, and castle samurai watched the fight.

Sellie had tied her hair back tighter, but strands had fallen out over time. She clutched onto her blade's handle firmly, her green eyes serious and studying her opponent with such determination. Her brow was damp with her intense work out. Her linen shirt clung heavily to her skin in the slightly humid weather.

Van watched his daughter intently, monitoring each move. Although she was still young, she had a lot of potential to be an excellent swordsmen. She had received much experience from his generals over the years. Hitomi had picked the skill up, but was nowhere near as close to Sellie's performance.

Their swords clashed together once more, the sheer force knocking Sellie off balance. She stumbled back, but quickly fell back into her position of attack. However, Van held up his gloved hand.

"That's all for now, alright?" he said, panting. "The sun's almost down and we need to eat soon anyway."

Sellie relaxed her stance, placing her sword back in the sheath. She tossed back her hair and tucked it behind her ears. "Sure, you're just afraid because I was winning."

Van snorted. "You weren't even close to winning," he replied smoothly. "I still could go on for awhile. I just wasn't sure if *you* could."

Sellie let out a ringing laugh. "I could go on forever! I took out General Tybel."

Some of the soldiers let out whoops of laughter at her comment along with the leviship crew. Celena tried to muffle her giggles. Tybel's face just burned a bright shade of red as he tried to hide his embarrassment.

Van looked over at him. "I can trust Tybel to take care of Fanelia's forces," he said, trying to help him out a bit. "But just beware when you go to war with my daughter."

The General bowed down while some of his men still sniggered. He shot them a look plainly saying that "Just-wait-until-we-get-back-to-training." They hastily shut up.

"Besides, it's time for dinner," Hitomi's voice broke the awkward silence in the courtyard. Van looked up to see his angel leaning against one of the tall pillars. She wore a simple off-white dress, the translucent skirt blowing softly in the wind. The pink pendant stone she bore captured the last rays of the dying sun as it set off in the distance.

The castle samurai immediately fell to one knee, their right arms clutching their chests in respect to their Queen. She nodded their head to them, then returned her attention to the others.

"Allen… Celena… Gaddes?" she continued. "I hope that you and the crew will join us?"

"Of course," the Knight replied. "Thought that you would never ask."

Van was already by Hitomi's side as the others approached the steps to the Great Hall. They instinctively entangled their fingers together… always touching. Allen followed the Royal couple, next was Sellie, pursued shortly Celena, Gaddes, and the Crusade crew.

Her older brother did not see that his sister or his first-in-command also were holding each others hands. Celena sighed and leaned her head against Gaddes' shoulder.

The Great Hall was decorated entirely in the colors of Fanelia. Long thick tapestries hung from the walls, each one bearing the Royal crest.

The large circular table was set, one used when Van only wanted to eat with his own personal friends. He stood behind his own seat, waiting for the others to take their places. Hitomi still held on to his hand, standing to his right; Sellie was to his left. Once everyone chose their seats, Van made the gesture that they were able to sit.

The servants immediately set the main courses at each seat and lifted the lids. Billowing steam elevated from the roasted poultry. The crew was very vocal about having good home cooked food for once, letting out positive feedback to the chefs in the kitchen. It was almost like an extended family gathered together after a long period of time.

"So, Sellie," Gaddes said. "How long have you been using the sword? Last time I saw you, you were all about the crossbow."

"I've been sparring with Dad since I was about six, I think," she replied. She liked Gaddes. He was like her goofy, out-of-place uncle that still acted like a teenager sometimes. "But I really got into it two years ago."

"Do you still use the bow?"

"Oh yeah," she said. "Target practice every other day."

"Gods, Fanel," one of the crew members spoke up. "If you keep having kids like Sellie here, you'll be able to replace the entire army!"

Hitomi dropped her fork on her plate, its shattering clamor making the entire table fall silent. Van shifted uncomfortably in his seat and looked over at her. Allen and Celena both glared angrily at the man who brought up the subject.

"Damn it, Merrick!" the Knight hissed furiously. "You speak only when…"

"It's all right, Allen," Hitomi interrupted. "He didn't know about us."

"I'm sorry, M'lady," Merrick said solemnly. "I… I wasn't aware that you weren't able to…"

She shook her head. "Like I said, it's all right." She forced a smile to her face, but underneath the table, she reached for Van's hand. "Now, didn't you say earlier that Dryden and Millerna were also in Cassia? How are they doing?"

She could see Allen's mouth moving as he answered her question, but the words made no connection to her ears. It was an inaudible noise in her mind. She tried to escape from the thoughts forming, but it was futile.

Why did I stop being able to conceive?

* * *

"Lupin, get off," she said harshly at the wolf, who rested at the foot of her bed. Why should she even bother… he was just going to hop back on in the middle of the night anyway.

Sellie yawned as she brushed her tangles out of her thick hair. It had been a long day. After dinner, they moved to one of the common rooms where Celena and some of the crew members were acting out some of the adventures they had had recently. She had held one of the kittens in her lap… she wasn't too sure of which one, while Merle had the other. Every now and then, she would look up at her mother to see how she was. She had a smile written on her face each time she made contact with her, but her eyes revealed differently. There was hurt and sadness. But… something else. Sellie could sense a connection between she and her mother, but more than that… something beyond being parent and child.

A knock broke her thoughts. "Come in!" she shouted as she peeled back the comforter to her bed.

Hitomi poked her head in. "Hey," she said. "I just wanted to see if you were still awake so that I could say good night."

"That I am," Sellie replied as she slipped under the covers. "When are we going to Cassia?"

"Day after tomorrow," Hitomi walked into the room and sat on the edge of her large bed. "And don't worry, we'll be back in a few days after that." She had halted Sellie from protesting anything she was going to say beforehand. "Besides, this will be a good experience for you anyway. You'll get to have some experience in how to deal with other countries."

"I *have* dealt with other countries, Mother," she said in a huff. "I deal with Rouen."

"Oh please… Asturia is practically a part of Fanelia as it is," Hitomi brushed her loose locks out of her eyes. "I mean, *real* experience."

Sellie sighed. "I'm not going to have to rule this country anytime soon. Why do I need this?"

"Because you never know when your father or I will be gone, sweetheart," Hitomi looked into her eyes. "You know that, right? At that point, you'll have to be ready to take over."

Sellie played with her blankets uneasily. "Yeah, I know… I just… don't want to think of it now." She grabbed the music box that sat on her bedside table. "Did you see what Daddy got me?" She handed the box to her.

"This is beautiful, Sellie," she replied as she softly touched the engraved wood. "What are you going to put in it?"

"Haven't decided yet," she said as she took it back and returned it to its spot next to her. "But it will come to me soon."

Hitomi fingered the pendant that hung from her neck. "Well, I want to give you this for starters." She lifted the necklace from around her own head and placed it into Sellie's hand firmly.

"Mom… I can't take this. It's your good luck charm."

"It has given me all the good luck I could possibly want… and now it's yours."

Sellie touched the cool stone, staring deeply into the translucent pink mineral. "I think I will have better luck wearing it." She put it around her own neck, the pendant settling down upon her white nightgown. "Thank you."

Hitomi smiled, leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. "Good night, honey," she said softly, then lifted from her seat.

"Mom?"

"Hmmm?" she turned around in her journey to the door.

"Can you sing a song for me?" Sellie asked as she drifted back into the pillows, her green eyes showing signs of weariness. "You haven't sung recently."

Hitomi smiled. "Of course." She placed herself back on the bed, closing her eyes in deep thought of song. She began to hum the melody, then started to gently sing the notes:

You and me, together we'll be…

Forever you'll be…

We two can be good company…

You and me…

* * *

As Van walked down the hallway, he could hear someone's voice singing what seemed to be a lullaby. Curious, since Merle had put the Twins down hours ago, he followed the sound to Sellie's room. He was about to enter, but hesitated, not sure if he should break the bond between mother and daughter at that instant. Instead, he leaned his head against the door, his ear pressed firmly upon the wood.

Hitomi's voice was so beautiful when she sang. She hadn't done so in a long time, he had noticed. Did Sellie ask her to?

He sighed and retraced the steps he just walked. If Hitomi was singing to her, that would probably mean that Sellie would be asleep when she finished.

Allen and Celena had retreated to their guestrooms a little while ago. Some of the crew had also claimed stakes in the vacant rooms while the rest slept inside of the Crusade. Merle, too, had gone bed. No one else was around.

He arrived back to his room, but did not feel tired at the moment. The spring night air called to him through one of the open windows, beckoning him to come outside. He agreed.

A gentle breeze blew through his hair, playing with it as if it were fingers. It was unusually warm for that time of year… he wore only his breeches and a loose shirt.

His thoughts drifted back to earlier to that night… when the Crusade member accidentally mentioned about…

What had happened? They were able to have Sellie with no problems at all. Then, something occurred, as if a switch had been pulled that wouldn't allow Van Fanel to have anymore children.

He wasn't truly complaining. He loved Sellie with all his heart. But he could tell in Hitomi's eyes that she wanted more.

Who was he kidding… he wanted more too.

"We are happy, aren't we, though?" a voice whispered into his ear. Soft hands wrapped themselves around his stomach.

He smiled. "Of course we are," he replied. He turned around, holding her against him. "You were sneaking around in my head again, weren't you?"

"Didn't have to. Your thoughts were pretty loud in themselves." She laid her head on his chest, just underneath his chin. "We are so blessed just to have Sellie… I don't think I could ask for anymore."

"But don't you want to know why? Why no more after her?"

"I'm a little curious… but I don't think I'm going to go searching for answers anytime soon. Just going to live in the present… in the now with you."

They remained silent for what seemed like eternity, just being with one another. Finally, Hitomi broke the stillness. "That music box is beautiful."

"I saw it and immediately thought of her…" he stopped.

"Something wrong?"

"You never sing anymore… and when I heard your voice tonight… it just made me remember when you used to do it for me."

Hitomi smiled into his chest. "Would you like me to sing for you?"

There was a hesitation. "Yes."

She slowly drew back, still touching him. She decided not to sing the same song that she had performed for Sellie. Instead, she chose a different one:

Touch my skin… and tell me what you're thinking…

Take my hand… and show me where we're going…

Lie down next to me…

Look into my eyes…

And tell me… oh tell me what you're seeing…

She sang the words so tenderly, but such emotion was put into each note. As she did so, she slid her hands up his shirt. Standing on the tiptoes of her shoeless feet, she lifted it over his head and tossed it back onto the balcony.

So sit on top of the world… and tell me how you're feeling…

What you feel is what I feel for you…

Take my hand… and if I'm lying to you…

I'll always be alone… if I'm lying to you…

She took his hands and made him travel down herself. She guided him to lift her up into his arms. She still faced him, her slender arms wrapped around his neck. She tied her legs around his waist… her being in the exact same position as they were earlier that day. She took her arms away and held his own hands, as if they were dancing.

See my eyes… they carry your reflection…

Watch my lips… and hear the words I'm telling you…

Give your trust to me…

And look into my heart…

And show me… show me what you're doing…

She raised her eyes heavenwards and glanced back down at him, a wild look flaring in her iris. He grinned, recognizing that look. They hadn't gone out "sky-dancing" as she called it, for awhile because of the previous season. But now, the weather was warmer and perfect.

He carried her over to the low railing bordering the edge of the balcony and leaned on it. With a single motion, he moved his arms so that she was pinned to his body and fell over the edge.

The rush of falling filled him with adrenaline. There was enough room for him to release his enormous white wings and fly upwards. Hitomi clung tighter to him, letting her legs unravel about him and trail behind them along his.

Feel the sun… on your face…

And tell me what you're thinking…

Catch the snow… on your tongue…

And show me how it tastes…

The clouds hung low as they left behind the Fanelian valley. He took strong beats against the wind and flew in the haze, its vapors changing shape each time his wings hit.

Hitomi kissed him as they broke through the top of the clouds. Up there, the sky was so clear, allowing the two moons to reflect upon the surface.

She began to pull away… telling him with her eyes that she wanted to be on her own. He gradually let her go… but still watched her with eyes like a hawk.

She closed her eyes in concentration, then let her own wings appear from her back. Luckily, the dress was cut low enough that the force of the unfurling did not destroy the material. She beat up and down a few times and caught up with Van. She launched herself into his arms, causing the both of them to lose the rhythm of flying and fall back into the clouds below.

She laughed gleefully and fell back into the beat, her hand still holding his. She closed the gap between them and kissed him on the cheek.

This kind of freedom… no boundaries… just you and me…

Take my hand… and if I'm lying to you…

I'll always be alone… if I'm lying to you…

Take your time… if I'm lying to you…

I know you'll find that you believe me… you believe me…

to be continued…

* * *

I'm so sorry that this took so long to get out. I've been having a lot of personal problems as well as helping out some friends along the way. Plus, on top of that, I've started my last quarter of this year with taking a course in my major (computer arts). I really have to focus on my classes. I am going to continue with the story, just the installments will take time. Please be patient with me and WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS! Plus, sorry there's not a lot of action yet. And I stress the "yet."

Chapter title comes from the excerpt found at the beginning. I'm reading this trilogy (not fanfic!) by Nora Roberts and I am really hooked. Eep.

First song. "Good Company" from Oliver and Company. I loved this movie for the longest time and I don't know why. Its so cute.

Second song. "Take My Hand" by Dido. I am in love with Dido. Her music is beautiful. My friend and I wanted to make a music video to this song. But probably never going to happen.