A.N.: Okay, first of all, I'm totally evil for not updating in so long.
My apologies. Now that I'm out of college for the summer, I should get a
better chance to grab the computer more often.
To address Oedipal Kat's response: In my fic, this scenario works. First because, as this site indicates, it's fiction. Second, they never actually asked Ax if it would work for Tobias, so Ax never actually said it COULDN'T work. Third, Tobias's mom acquired Tobias, so I sorta took that and ran with it. Hey, why not? Lastly and most crucially... this fic just won't work otherwise.^_^ That being said, I give you permission to just humor me, and enjoy the rest of my dippy little story, which we will resume..NOW!^_^
We were all gathered, except Rachel, of course, in Cassie's barn, which is also known as the Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic. Both Cassie's parents are vets. Cassie says she'll be one, too, when she gets older. They treat just about anything you like at that barn. Anything from deer to dodos, as long as it's a wild animal. It's also where we get most of our native morphs from. Right now there were a handful of opossum being treated, as well as a raccoon, two foxes, and a kestrel, all of whom were watching Marco nervously, and for good reason.
"Are you INSANE?!" Marco practically screeched. "Are you completely out of your mind?"
I knew he'd respond that way. From the looks on the faces of the others, they weren't all that thrilled with my idea either. With the possible exception of Cassie, who appeared somewhat interested, Jake, Tobias, and Ax wouldn't even look at me. I tried to remain calm.
"Not so much, Marco. Think about it: Rachel's miserable. She's totally eaten up with guilt. She won't function as well if she's forever stewing over this-"
"Like she EVER WAS functioning? Xena? The Warrior Princess?" Marco interrupted.
"All of us have guilt to deal with, Sarah. It comes with the territory. Rachel's gonna have to deal with this in her own way," Jake said quietly, looking up with that sad, tired expression, one he's worn more often lately.
Cassie looked troubled. Tobias, being Tobias, was expressionless, as usual. He loves Rachel, but he hates David. I couldn't blame him, or any of them, though, could I?
I said nothing. What could I say? Cassie's an idealist. Surely she was at least trying to see how this could work, but how could I possibly convince the others?
Marco, thinking I was properly subdued, continued ranting. "Just WHAT are you ON, anyway? No, I really want to know. Rachel shouldn't have even told you-"
"It's not that we didn't trust you, Sarah, honest. We just wanted to forget it ever happened." Cassie implored quietly. I guess that was one of the guilt Cassie had been 'dealing with'.
I gave her a sad smile and mouthed the words "I know." Marco kept going, pacing the width of the barn.
"- and after all that comes SPILLING OUT of her big, fat mouth, after you learn what that, that-MONSTER-did to us, tried to do to us, you think it will HELP if we give him a SECOND CHANCE?!?"
I crossed my arms. "APPARENTLY, you weren't listening," I said firmly. "I didn't say anything about a second chance. I'm talking about A WAY OUT OF THE HELL YOU HELPED CREATE FOR HIM!"
Marco stopped. Ax and Tobias looked at me curiously. Cassie looked hopeful. Even Jake looked up, surprised at my sudden outburst. Well. THAT got their attention.
I lowered my eyes. "A way out for ALL of you.. not just Rachel," I whispered.
Marco opened his mouth to say something, then shut it.
I took a shaky breath. "Look. I won't pretend to know what that must have been like for all of you. What happened really sucks. But I honestly believe there's a chance this can work. Obviously, it won't relieve you of all guilt or pain. But can you honestly say you'll flat out turn down the chance to get rid of even a little bit of it?
"Just hear me out. That's all I'm asking. Think it through. If you want to reject it after that..fine. It's your call to make. If you say no, I won't bring it up ever again."
Everything got real quiet, except for the usual animal noises in the barn. Jake looked at each of the others in turn. He sighed heavily, then gave me a slow, sad half-smile.
"Let's hear that plan one more time."
A.N.: This isn't a very long chapter, but then, it's not a very long story, either. I foresee probably only one or two chapters to go. Hopefully I'll get my butt in gear for this and my other fic (which is pretty good. Check it out! *shameless promotion*), and the next chapters will come out sooner than later. Ciao for now! *wincing, too corny* Oh, that was just wrong of me. Quick, push the pretty button, that'll make it alllll better.
To address Oedipal Kat's response: In my fic, this scenario works. First because, as this site indicates, it's fiction. Second, they never actually asked Ax if it would work for Tobias, so Ax never actually said it COULDN'T work. Third, Tobias's mom acquired Tobias, so I sorta took that and ran with it. Hey, why not? Lastly and most crucially... this fic just won't work otherwise.^_^ That being said, I give you permission to just humor me, and enjoy the rest of my dippy little story, which we will resume..NOW!^_^
We were all gathered, except Rachel, of course, in Cassie's barn, which is also known as the Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic. Both Cassie's parents are vets. Cassie says she'll be one, too, when she gets older. They treat just about anything you like at that barn. Anything from deer to dodos, as long as it's a wild animal. It's also where we get most of our native morphs from. Right now there were a handful of opossum being treated, as well as a raccoon, two foxes, and a kestrel, all of whom were watching Marco nervously, and for good reason.
"Are you INSANE?!" Marco practically screeched. "Are you completely out of your mind?"
I knew he'd respond that way. From the looks on the faces of the others, they weren't all that thrilled with my idea either. With the possible exception of Cassie, who appeared somewhat interested, Jake, Tobias, and Ax wouldn't even look at me. I tried to remain calm.
"Not so much, Marco. Think about it: Rachel's miserable. She's totally eaten up with guilt. She won't function as well if she's forever stewing over this-"
"Like she EVER WAS functioning? Xena? The Warrior Princess?" Marco interrupted.
"All of us have guilt to deal with, Sarah. It comes with the territory. Rachel's gonna have to deal with this in her own way," Jake said quietly, looking up with that sad, tired expression, one he's worn more often lately.
Cassie looked troubled. Tobias, being Tobias, was expressionless, as usual. He loves Rachel, but he hates David. I couldn't blame him, or any of them, though, could I?
I said nothing. What could I say? Cassie's an idealist. Surely she was at least trying to see how this could work, but how could I possibly convince the others?
Marco, thinking I was properly subdued, continued ranting. "Just WHAT are you ON, anyway? No, I really want to know. Rachel shouldn't have even told you-"
"It's not that we didn't trust you, Sarah, honest. We just wanted to forget it ever happened." Cassie implored quietly. I guess that was one of the guilt Cassie had been 'dealing with'.
I gave her a sad smile and mouthed the words "I know." Marco kept going, pacing the width of the barn.
"- and after all that comes SPILLING OUT of her big, fat mouth, after you learn what that, that-MONSTER-did to us, tried to do to us, you think it will HELP if we give him a SECOND CHANCE?!?"
I crossed my arms. "APPARENTLY, you weren't listening," I said firmly. "I didn't say anything about a second chance. I'm talking about A WAY OUT OF THE HELL YOU HELPED CREATE FOR HIM!"
Marco stopped. Ax and Tobias looked at me curiously. Cassie looked hopeful. Even Jake looked up, surprised at my sudden outburst. Well. THAT got their attention.
I lowered my eyes. "A way out for ALL of you.. not just Rachel," I whispered.
Marco opened his mouth to say something, then shut it.
I took a shaky breath. "Look. I won't pretend to know what that must have been like for all of you. What happened really sucks. But I honestly believe there's a chance this can work. Obviously, it won't relieve you of all guilt or pain. But can you honestly say you'll flat out turn down the chance to get rid of even a little bit of it?
"Just hear me out. That's all I'm asking. Think it through. If you want to reject it after that..fine. It's your call to make. If you say no, I won't bring it up ever again."
Everything got real quiet, except for the usual animal noises in the barn. Jake looked at each of the others in turn. He sighed heavily, then gave me a slow, sad half-smile.
"Let's hear that plan one more time."
A.N.: This isn't a very long chapter, but then, it's not a very long story, either. I foresee probably only one or two chapters to go. Hopefully I'll get my butt in gear for this and my other fic (which is pretty good. Check it out! *shameless promotion*), and the next chapters will come out sooner than later. Ciao for now! *wincing, too corny* Oh, that was just wrong of me. Quick, push the pretty button, that'll make it alllll better.