DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters created by Alexander Key and
owned by Walt Disney Pictures. This is fan fiction, and not endorsed by
Mr. Key, his estate, or the Walt Disney Company. No copyright infringement
is intended, and no money is being made from this story. It is based on
plot elements used in the books Escape to Witch Mountain and Return from
Witch Mountain, as well as the movies of the same name, although the books
and the movies differ extensively. Please direct all queries, comments,
etc. to kevinpkhaynes@yahoo.com. It is my sincere desire that you enjoy
the story as the pure entertainment it was intended to be. Your feedback
is welcome as well!
LIFE ON WITCH MOUNTAIN
By Kevin Haynes
CHAPTER 16
Tia had never been overly concerned with the way she looked. She had been told by boys that she was pretty, but had been such an outdoorsy type of person that she didn't ever try to look different than she was. It didn't bother her animal friends if her hair was unruly or her clothes didn't match, so why should it bother her?
Working in Washington, she had to look the part of a professional. Other Homedwellers who knew more about this than she did had picked out her wardrobe, and she found it was perfect. The clothes were nice, yet comfortable, and she always projected the image of a senator's assistant when she wore them.
However, nothing had prepared her for the way she would feel getting ready for her first date. What should she wear? Obviously pants were out - this had to be a dress. And not just any dress . a dress nice enough to not only please Eric, but also be appropriate for the President and his wife.
She did something she thought she would never do. She took the credit card that the Homedwellers had gotten for her, and went to an exclusive clothing store. She had heard other ladies she worked with talk about the wonderful clothing there and the assistance you received from those who worked there. She had always, when she heard this, smiled inwardly as she thought, "Boy, these humans really like to dress up. Who needs a store like that? It just caters to vanity."
But now she was going there herself! Twice she almost decided against it, but thinking of Eric, and then the President, she kept on going. She didn't even know what to ask for, but the capable employees at the store understood her dilemma, and helped her choose the right thing for the evening out. Tia ended up paying more for one outfit than she normally would have spent on clothing in a year. But this was worth it.
Excitement and guilt mixed in her heart as she got ready for the date. She couldn't help but be excited about a real date with Eric - she wouldn't have to take any notes or be anyone's assistant. She could actually be Tia! But then she felt guilty. What would the other Homedwellers say about her dating a human, especially one that might end up trying to find out the secrets of her people?
The dichotomy was driving her mad, so she finally had a talk with herself. Tia had always been able to focus on the task at hand, no matter what other distractions there were. So she decided that, as Eric said, they would talk about their relationship afterward. But for now, she was simply going to enjoy herself.
At 6:30 sharp a long black limo pulled up in front of her apartment building. Eric stepped out of the back of it, looking dashing in a tuxedo. He told the driver to get back into the car because he wanted to hold the door open for Tia. She actually blushed, and held out her hand to take his outstretched hand. He steadied her as she got into the car, and said, "Tia, you look beautiful!"
Twenty minutes later they were at the White House. Security was amazingly tight, but their credentials were in order, and they were expected. Tia tried to calm the butterflies in her stomach as she walked into the White House . and not as a tourist, but as a guest!
The evening went perfectly. Eric was so charming, and she mostly listened to him and the President talk. Eric was so passionate about the issues he believed in, and his whole heart's desire was to improve the lives of the people that lived in his home state. She saw his face light up as he talked to the President about his dreams. He also saw him give the President his undivided attention - when he listened to someone, he did it with his whole being.
After the dinner was over, Tia was somewhat relieved. She was afraid that the President or his wife might ask her a lot of questions about her background and where she grew up. She knew what to answer, but didn't really like the idea of lying to them. But the conversation had been carried by the President and Eric, and Tia got to simply observe.
As they rode away from the White House in the limo, Tia wasn't sure what to say. They talked in general terms about the evening and how well it went. Eric was especially excited that the President seemed to agree with what he was saying. Then, after a short lull in the conversation, Eric said, "So, Tia . do we need to talk?"
Tia remembered his comment in the office that, if she still liked him after the date, they should talk about their relationship, and if she didn't, then they wouldn't need to talk. Assuming he was referring to that, she said, "We need to talk more than ever!" He smiled, took her hand, and kissed it gently.
Tia's emotions went haywire again. She had never been overtly objective in her life, but this was ridiculous! She couldn't even think straight! She finally was able to say, "I guess the bottom line is this: is it allowed for a senator to date his assistant?"
He smiled at her and said, "That is left up to the senator and his assistant. I believe the senator in this case votes in favor of that motion. How does the assistant vote?"
Tia, her voice thick with emotion, moved closer to Eric and said, "Aye."
As he leaned in to kiss her, he whispered, "The vote is two to zero. The motion carries." And they kissed.
LIFE ON WITCH MOUNTAIN
By Kevin Haynes
CHAPTER 16
Tia had never been overly concerned with the way she looked. She had been told by boys that she was pretty, but had been such an outdoorsy type of person that she didn't ever try to look different than she was. It didn't bother her animal friends if her hair was unruly or her clothes didn't match, so why should it bother her?
Working in Washington, she had to look the part of a professional. Other Homedwellers who knew more about this than she did had picked out her wardrobe, and she found it was perfect. The clothes were nice, yet comfortable, and she always projected the image of a senator's assistant when she wore them.
However, nothing had prepared her for the way she would feel getting ready for her first date. What should she wear? Obviously pants were out - this had to be a dress. And not just any dress . a dress nice enough to not only please Eric, but also be appropriate for the President and his wife.
She did something she thought she would never do. She took the credit card that the Homedwellers had gotten for her, and went to an exclusive clothing store. She had heard other ladies she worked with talk about the wonderful clothing there and the assistance you received from those who worked there. She had always, when she heard this, smiled inwardly as she thought, "Boy, these humans really like to dress up. Who needs a store like that? It just caters to vanity."
But now she was going there herself! Twice she almost decided against it, but thinking of Eric, and then the President, she kept on going. She didn't even know what to ask for, but the capable employees at the store understood her dilemma, and helped her choose the right thing for the evening out. Tia ended up paying more for one outfit than she normally would have spent on clothing in a year. But this was worth it.
Excitement and guilt mixed in her heart as she got ready for the date. She couldn't help but be excited about a real date with Eric - she wouldn't have to take any notes or be anyone's assistant. She could actually be Tia! But then she felt guilty. What would the other Homedwellers say about her dating a human, especially one that might end up trying to find out the secrets of her people?
The dichotomy was driving her mad, so she finally had a talk with herself. Tia had always been able to focus on the task at hand, no matter what other distractions there were. So she decided that, as Eric said, they would talk about their relationship afterward. But for now, she was simply going to enjoy herself.
At 6:30 sharp a long black limo pulled up in front of her apartment building. Eric stepped out of the back of it, looking dashing in a tuxedo. He told the driver to get back into the car because he wanted to hold the door open for Tia. She actually blushed, and held out her hand to take his outstretched hand. He steadied her as she got into the car, and said, "Tia, you look beautiful!"
Twenty minutes later they were at the White House. Security was amazingly tight, but their credentials were in order, and they were expected. Tia tried to calm the butterflies in her stomach as she walked into the White House . and not as a tourist, but as a guest!
The evening went perfectly. Eric was so charming, and she mostly listened to him and the President talk. Eric was so passionate about the issues he believed in, and his whole heart's desire was to improve the lives of the people that lived in his home state. She saw his face light up as he talked to the President about his dreams. He also saw him give the President his undivided attention - when he listened to someone, he did it with his whole being.
After the dinner was over, Tia was somewhat relieved. She was afraid that the President or his wife might ask her a lot of questions about her background and where she grew up. She knew what to answer, but didn't really like the idea of lying to them. But the conversation had been carried by the President and Eric, and Tia got to simply observe.
As they rode away from the White House in the limo, Tia wasn't sure what to say. They talked in general terms about the evening and how well it went. Eric was especially excited that the President seemed to agree with what he was saying. Then, after a short lull in the conversation, Eric said, "So, Tia . do we need to talk?"
Tia remembered his comment in the office that, if she still liked him after the date, they should talk about their relationship, and if she didn't, then they wouldn't need to talk. Assuming he was referring to that, she said, "We need to talk more than ever!" He smiled, took her hand, and kissed it gently.
Tia's emotions went haywire again. She had never been overtly objective in her life, but this was ridiculous! She couldn't even think straight! She finally was able to say, "I guess the bottom line is this: is it allowed for a senator to date his assistant?"
He smiled at her and said, "That is left up to the senator and his assistant. I believe the senator in this case votes in favor of that motion. How does the assistant vote?"
Tia, her voice thick with emotion, moved closer to Eric and said, "Aye."
As he leaned in to kiss her, he whispered, "The vote is two to zero. The motion carries." And they kissed.