Love can touch just one time
And last for a life time
Never letting go till we're gone
-exert from the Titanic theme song
Disclaimer; You know I'm not her, so don't even think it. I have one thing to say though; I have issues against killing J.K.'s characters, but I have none against killing my own…you've been forewarned.
Announcement; Now PG-13 for some suggestions in this chapter…nothing too bad.
Chapter 3; Like the Phoenix
Needless to say, Remus had the worst hang over of his life the next morning. He couldn't remember to much about the night after seeing Farren, though he was pretty sure one of his fellow drinkers was crying harder than him, until the bartender had kicked him out the back door and told him he needed to stop making people cry harder than they already were. Remus couldn't quit recall, but he was pretty sure he had passed out then.
Which meant, he suddenly realized, that he was lying in the back of a bar near the dumpster. That would explain the smell. He was frightened to open his eyes, as they were already aching from the dim light his lids let through. But he knew he would have to some time. Seemingly far away, he heard voices arguing.
"NO, I will not go get him now! We have things to discuss. What you did last night was wrong and-" The woman's voice was shrill.
"Let me remind you," A man's rumbling tone said. "That when I hired you it was after you had come in my bar, drunk, crying and trying to hide it! Not many people would hire someone like that! Now go do your job!"
"Excuse me? I was not drunk! I had just been raped, for Dumbledore's sake! And as grateful as I am to you for giving me this job, I could take what you did up with the law! Then we'll see who's out of the job!" There was a moment of silence, a sharp smack, and someone was thrown on the ground next to him.
"Oh," the woman said softly, picking herself off the ground. "Sir, please wake up." Remus tried to tell her he was awake, but his mind was stuck on the fact that she had said 'For Dumbledore's sake.' And the fact that she had been raped. And the fact that she sounded like someone her once knew.
"REMUS?" The woman's voice was sounding eerily familiar now. He wrenched his eyes open, ignoring the blazing sun. It looked like her. It sounded like her. It couldn't be her, though…could it?
"I'm sorry, I must have mistaken you for someone else," the woman quickly said. Remus couldn't take the chance though, in case it was her.
"Farren? Is that you?" He sounded horrible.
"Remus? Is it really-"
"Farren!" Remus couldn't help but interrupt her. Forgetting how hurt he had been the night before, he sat up quickly, a headache rushing to meet him. Embarrassing as it was for his old girlfriend to find him like this, Remus pushed the emotion away and lurched forward, tossing his arms around her. She gripped him back-crying he thought- hugging him until it felt like his arms would fall off.
"What are you doing here?" She finally gasped in his ear. He gently detangled himself from her.
"Here in your time period, here in America, or here behind the bar that you work at, totally hung over, hugging you?" Remus asked sardonically. Farren made a noise somewhere between a laugh and a sob.
"All of them!" She said laughingly.
"I wanted to see you," he whispered softy. She smiled.
"After all this time you came to see me? You're a weird one, Remus."
"That's okay," Remus sighed contentedly. "You want to go somewhere and talk?"
"Oh, Remus, I really have to work, I don't want to get fired! If I loose my job Anya won't be able to stay at my house anymore and I'll-I'll…have to stay in this crappy place working for that son of a bitch if I don't get fired," Farren slowly seemed to realize. Remus knew he looked shocked, but he had never heard Farren curse before. She had, he realized, grown up.
"What's so bad about your boss?"
"What's isn't bad about him?" She angrily snarled. "He's always making a move on me, he loves to remind me that I'm only here because he convinced his father to hire me, often reminds me that it was he who comforted me after…things, and last night he followed me home! After I had a nice conversation with him and showed him out, explaining that I was tired, I wake up the next morning to find him…in my bed!" Farren looked repulsed. Remus couldn't help but pull her into his arms.
"That's why I was here," he muttered. "A friend of yours told me to go on in, that you'd be there, and probably wouldn't be asleep. But when I got in there, I saw you with that…guy and, well…here I am," Remus was rather ashamed to admit this to her, but she looked horrified on his behalf.
"Oh, Remus, I'm sorry. Let's go to the park or something. We need to talk," she said.
"What about your job?" He asked slyly.
"What job?" Farren challenged him. With a grin, Remus stood from the ground and offered her an arm, which she gratefully took. With that, the two of them walked to the park.
Remus had not looked at Farren very well at first, but now he drunk in the sight of her. Her auburn hair was darker red than ever and fell, to his amazement, past her waist. She was still rather short, only five four at tallest, but was also slender and attractive, making up for any awkwardness that the shortness might have enticed. Her face was more slender than he remembered and her hazel eyes seemed larger and brighter. She was almost too skinny, he thought, but didn't question her. Her bartender outfit consisted of a white shirt with red cap sleeves and a red skirt. Remus thought there was nothing more beautiful.
When the two of them reached the park, they sat on a bench. Farren looked almost nervous. It had been, Remus knew, an awfully long time since they'd seen each other.
"You look too thin," she told him, peering up at him. He smiled and resisted the urge to pull her closer.
"So do you," he told her.
"I eat!" She sounded indignant. "I just also have to support my sister, the rental house bill, and the car bill on my paycheck."
"You don't have a sister!" Remus said, confused.
"Oh," Farren looked abashed. "I forgot that you would know that. I'm so used to people here not knowing much about me…though gossip spreads fast."
"It's Anya…you remember her, Remus? I know I told you about her."
"I do remember her. In fact, I've met her, up at the gas station. I knew her name sounded familiar." Farren frowned.
"She told me she turned down that gas station job! I don't like her working at her age." Remus smiled sympathetically.
"She doesn't want to have to leave you because of insignificant funds." He said.
"You sound like you know what you're talking about," she said with a laugh. "But Remus, tell me honestly…why are you here?"
Remus took a deep breath in. "I wanted to see you again. I wanted to see if we could make it work out," Farren paled.
"Now, Remus, don't take this the wrong way, but…youhavetogobackalonebecauseRemusfromthebooksneverhasagirlfriend," Remus stared at her. He wasn't sure exactly what she'd said, but he had gotten the gist. It had something to do with the way she knew things about his future…James's future…poor little Peter's…and the traitor's future too.
"Farren…maybe…you just haven't seen my future with you…or anyone," he added, to soften the blow. Farren looked slightly swayed.
"But we're from different time periods! I would have to go back with you-" Remus knew he looked to hopeful "-and leave Anya, and I just couldn't do that!" Remus felt his heart drop.
"Look, Farren, I know there's things you know that I don't…but there's things I know that you don't. Please come back with me so that you learn. You could be in danger if you don't know…if ever Voldemort comes back." Farren paled further.
"I-in danger?" She stuttered. "I've been in many kinds of danger Remus. I'm sure I would handle it. It's not as if I could protect myself with magic even if I went back with you." Remus snorted. Farren looked at him, light dancing in her eyes.
"I-is there?" She asked. Remus couldn't help it. He knew they weren't in a safe place. He knew that telling her now could ruin everything. He knew that he had wanted to tell her in such a way that she would be convinced to come back with him. But he didn't manage to do that, because before he could stop himself, he had jumped to his feet and was rambling on about her past. He began to choke up when he had to tell her about her parents (she was looking at him so hopefully) and actually cried when he blurted out how lost he would feel if he learned that she died because he couldn't convince her to come back and learn magic. He was pacing in front of the bench as he talked, eyes wide and wild as he recited what he could of the book.
"Farren," he finally gasped. "I know it's been a long time. I know we're different people now, and I know the circumstances are harsh…but I still love you! I want to at least try to save you, at least try to work out our relationship! I'm still in love, okay? I'm still-in love." She was crying.
"Farren?" He whispered. "You're crying. I've nev-never seen you cry." He could remember like it was yesterday Farren telling him that she hadn't cried in so long, that she was afraid she was an unfeeling monster.
"I learned to cry," She whispered back. "When I learned about loosing my only chance at love."
"But Remus," she said, seemingly determined to find a reason why they couldn't be together. "We don't know each other anymore. I mean…I know you heard what I said…about being raped. But you don't even know the story! How can we just climb back into each other's lives after everything that we've missed? I've grown up, seen things. I'm not the same!"
"Farren," Remus said incomprehensively. "I know you're different! But you're not a different person, okay? You're still Farren. I mean, one of my best friends died, another of them was blasted to pieces, and another betrayed us all! I was a wreck before Dumbledore told me about your past, about how he wanted me to come find you, bring you back. And I was only too happy to do so. I've been thinking about it every since I left you the first time. I know people change; I know we've grown up. But I'm still making the effort! Before I knew there was a way I could come to you, I ate once every couple of days, drank only when I had to. Can't you see how good you are for me?" Farren looked stunned.
"Oh Remus…I always knew it would happen. I knew everything-I could have stopped it after all-but I never got it. I never let it in." Farren looked horrified. "I never let myself feel the pain of loosing my good friends-yes they were good, even if I only knew them for the shortest amount of time- and most of all I never realized what it would do to you. For the past three years, I have thought about my dear friends constantly…but I never got it. Not until now."
"Farren, Farren, that's not the point! I love you still…and I want to get to know you again. Please…just try. Please come back with me?" At some point in time he had sunk to the soil in front of the bench. Down on one knee and still grasping her hand, he looked up at her with begging eyes. She seemed to relent.
"But Remus…I can't leave Anya," she protested, albeit feebly. "I'll-I'll make you a deal. You spend some time with me. We'll get to know each other again; you can camp out in the living room. And next Saturday, we'll talk about it then, okay? I really think I loved you Remus, but we were different then, and we were children. If it doesn't work out…I think I'll always love you as my childhood crush and my greatest friend." Remus rose from the ground. It was not exactly what he had been hoping for, but it was better than he flat out refusal. He smiled at her and nodded.
"Agreed," he said. She smiled.
"Let's go get some lunch. We can stop in a Denny's- You look starved! And as soon as we're done, you can get your stuff from wherever you're staying, and come to my house." Remus smiled wider.
"Let's do that," he said. Holding out his arm in a mock-gentleman manner, Remus and Farren left.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"You have got to be kidding me? NO! There's no way!" Farren was laughing as she protested feebly. "How many Alberts did you meet yesterday?"
"Quite a few!" Remus answered with a laugh. "Come one, this is my hotel room. I'll grab my stuff and pay, won't take but a minute."
"I don't mind, really," Farren told him. Remus smiled and held the hotel door open for her, letting her walk into the cool shade first.
"Ah, man…I knew it was a girl!" It was the guy at the desk counter. Remus laughed.
"I've come to check out," he told him.
"You only stayed a night and all ready paid for it bro- just get your stuff out of the room quick. Normally I'd have to make you pay another day since checkout time is at 10:00...but we aren't busy. And I can see that you were-ahem-otherwise occupied." Remus smiled. Farren took his hand and he led her to the room, quickly tossing his clothes back in the suitcase with a blush.
"I was in a hurry to see you last night," he muttered. Farren smiled, looking flattered.
"Oh my gosh! You still have this stuff?" She asked looking at some of the clothes. "These have got to be retro by now!"
"Not so, not so!" Remus protested. "I saw plenty of people wearing similar things!"
"That's 'cause things like sweaters and t-shirts don't go out of style. It's just that not many people can honestly say that their clothes were made in 2000...ish and also saw time in the 80's." Farren was smiling. Remus pushed his things back in the case and did a quick evaluation of the room. Convinced he had got everything, he left, Farren following him. Soon they were on the road again in his rented car, Farren teasing him about how he hadn't gotten all that much better at driving. Remus just snorted and turned down her street, pulling in at the house.
"I'm calling the gas station. Anya's got to quit going behind my back to get jobs. It's just not right. We have enough saved in the account to last until you-maybe me-leave, then, we'll see what happens." Remus nodded.
Farren grabbed a phone and showed him the living room. He put his stuff down and sat on the couch, listening as Farren spoke on the phone.
"This is her guardian, yes. I want you to send her home! I know she's not off work yet, and I don't care if you fire her. Send her home!" Farren paced through the room and rolled her eyes at Remus. "Before she leaves, let me speak to her…yes…thank you. Anya?" Farren went on. Remus smiled and began examining appliances. Farren finally hung up the phone. "Oh that girl!" She said, but Remus knew she was only worried about Anya working and not at Anya herself. Remus used the shower, knowing he still smelled like a bar, and changed into clean clothes, before coming back in to sit with a quiet Farren. They sat in silence for a few moments, Farren frowning and Remus trying to look politely interested. After a while, the front door flew open and Anya came pounding into the house, puffing as if she had ran the whole way. She blushed a deep red when she saw Remus.
"We have-company, Farren?" She asked in a horrified voice. Remus smiled and looked away.
"You would know that if you weren't working during the day," Farren told her angrily.
"I'm sorry, I just wanted some money of my own, I- why aren't you at work?" Anya said suddenly.
"I…quit," Farren said, suddenly looking very young.
"Farren! You know we need that money," she accused.
"Yes, I do," Farren replied drawing herself up to her tallest height. "And I also know that I should not have to suffer another day with that-that man! You know how he is," Farren sounded deathly.
"Y-yes," Anya replied. "You're right. But-but what will we live on?"
"The account that I've been putting my paycheck into," Farren replied, still sounding sharp. "You know I've been saving 20% and putting into a living fund."
"Now why don't you go clean up and then come meet Remus, okay?" Anya nodded and walked from the room, but seconds later she had stuck her head back in.
"I know you! You're the one that asked me where the orphanage was!" Remus smiled and nodded while Farren gave them odd looks. Anya then left.
"Sooo," Remus said uncomfortably. "What's new with you these days?" He said, trying for a conversation.
"Nothing!" She said with a laugh. "I mean, I know I've said I'm different, but there's not all that much that I've done in the last eight years. I go to college during the summer…I'm studying to be an author!" She looked excited. The shower abruptly stopped running.
"Any…boyfriends?" Remus said, trying to sound casual. Farren glanced at him sharply and quickly looked away, shaking her head to show the negative. '
"You?" She asked in the same tone. He snorted.
"The last time anyone tried to set me up, I made sure to rip his nasty little dog nose apart the next full moon," Remus said viciously. Farren laughed, but looked away. They were both tense.
"Farren?" He turned to her suddenly, at the same time that she jerked around, saying, "Remus?"
"Ow," they gasped in unison as they hit heads. "Yes?" They asked the other, their timing synchronized. "We have got to stop doing that!" Again, it was both of them. Remus laughed, Farren did as well. They were very close…very, very close. Remus could see the golden and blue flecks in her eyes.
He wasn't sure who made the first move, but the next thing he knew, their mouths were touching in ecstasy. He moved his hands so that they were wrapped around her; she wove hers around his neck. The kiss was needy and expectant, but Remus found he loved it anyway. They had never before kissed quit like this.
"Farren?" Anya's voice was shocked and gleeful.
"Anya," Farren gasped. "I-um-"
"I knew it! I knew you were him!" Anya was pointing at Remus. He knew he was blushing a deep red, and with the room suddenly focused on him, he hastened to straiten out his clothes and sit up straighter.
"What are you rambling about?" Farren asked, still sounding embarrassed.
"I knew he was that guy, the one you met along time ago, I was like…six or something. You came back all sad that he'd moved and showed me his picture, remember?" I knew you looked familiar!"
Farren blushed. "Don't point Anya…it's rude," was all she said. Anya put her finger down.
"Um…" Remus mumbled. "Yes?"
"Yes," Farren repeated him. "He is. And yes Remus is back. And I hope you will refrain from telling him embarrassing stories," she said, still blushing slightly.
"There was this one time," Anya immediately started in. "When I was eleven, and I found this book and I couldn't really understand it, so I brought it to one of the older boys who'd just arrived at the home, and-" Farren leapt up and placed her hand over Anya's mouth.
"Remus doesn't want to hear that story," She said quickly. "You'll embarrass yourself." Anya rolled her eyes, but nodded.
"Well there was this other time, when Jimmy Alvert's-that's this kid-came to The Home and…"
Later that night, Remus lounged on the couch, exhausted just from listening to Anya's wild experiences. Farren had cooked them a dinner that was much better than the one's Remus was used to eating and throughout the dinner Anya had made many carefully snuck in remarks about his and Farren's relationship.
"I always wanted an older brother…brother-in-law works too," she had said. Remus was sure he was permanently blushing.
The couch was comfortably warm and cushiony and the blue blankets Farren had left him were pleasantly warm. He rolled to his stomach, letting the heat rock him into sleep.
"Remus?" A voice broke through his drowsiness.
"Uhh," he replied, turning on his back to see Farren, dressed in a sweeping black nightgown, her long hair falling in a plait down her back. He quickly sat up.
"Did I wake you," Farren asked worriedly.
"No, no," he quickly lied.
"I did, I'm sorry," she said in the same, overly polite manner. "I just wanted to make sure you have everything you need, and that you were comfortable, and-well I know my house isn't anything spectacular, so I wanted to make sure-"
"Farren," Remus said, chuckling slightly as he climbed from the blankets. " I love it here. It's perfect. Absolutely wonderful! Please, don't worry." He came to stand in front of her, towering over her slightly. "I'm fine," he reassured her. She smiled at him, still looking uncertain.
"Remus, I…I know I said I would think about it. But I also know that it's going to be rather odd for me to just…go back with you…I mean, we aren't even-" she stopped, looking embarrassed.
"Farren," he said to her, his stomach wiggling uncertainly. "Would you like to…to be my girlfriend? I mean, so it won't be so odd if you do come, and we could even bring Anya, she seems like a good kid, and…well?" It was ridiculous, he thought, that he should be acting like a fifteen-year-old again, with his nervous stomach and his sweating palms. He quickly wiped them on his pants. Unbeknownst to either of the two, someone crept up to the door and peered in.
Farren blushed, but looked happy.
"I'd love to," she said. Remus laughed hoarsely.
"Really?" He knew he sounded very happy.
"Really, really!" Farren looked pleasantly flushed. Remus flung his arms around her, kissing her furiously. Her hands moved over him seductively as the two kissed like they had never before got to.
"Anya?"
"In bed."
"Good," he mumbled.
Outside the door, Anya Wellings walked silently away with a small blush creeping on her cheeks, an even bigger grin spreading across her devious face.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Two days later, both Farren and Remus were still acting like a honeymoon couple, and -as much as Anya loved Farren finally being with someone-she was thoroughly fed up with it. Remus knew this, and yet he couldn't quit force himself to stop swinging Farren into his arms whenever she passed, though he refrained from calling her baby-names. He knew they were almost too happy, but he once again felt like the sixteen-year-old he had been when he had first met her. He tried to act at least slightly normal, and found himself really liking Anya as well. She had a determined personality, and yet was still mischievous, young, and active. He often played cards with her and taught her to play chess (he was rather appalled that she didn't know).
But even as he got to know Anya better and better, he also began to understand the new, older Farren. She hadn't yet told him the whole story about her getting raped, and Remus had not asked, for obvious reasons. He loved her, he thought, even more than he had before because of her new adult type personality.
The evening was dawning and Remus felt slightly useless. Farren was going over their money and trying to figure out exactly how much they could spend a day and on what. Anya was determinedly studying her driver's education manual, as she had recently got her learners permit. And Remus was just sitting around, peering out the window, not wanting to disturb either of them.
"Remus," Anya said to him. He looked up. "Will you tell Farren I went out to look at the car…under the hood and stuff?"
He nodded. "Sure, I'll tell her as soon as she gets out. I wouldn't want to bother her now. If it gets late and you aren't back soon, I'm going to come out and get you, all right?" Anya nodded and took her book with her. He thought he heard the car starting up and couldn't imagine what Anya could be doing that required a started car, but soon decided that he had heard another car leaving. Relaxing in his chair, he watched Farren's closed door, and the minute hands of the clock as the inches slowly forward. Soon, it had been fifteen minutes. Remus wondered why Anya wasn't in yet and quickly opened the door to check. The only vehicle in the driveway was the old Saturn he had rented. Feeling panicked, he rushed back inside, running into Farren.
"There you are! I finished!" She told him.
"That's great, just great, but Farren? Um-Anya's gone." Farren stared at him.
"What do you mean?" She asked, opening the door to see the same empty drive that he had.
"She said she was going to go look at the car parts. And now she's gone! I'm sorry, I didn't realize. I should have gone with her-"
"It's fine," Farren snapped, and slammed the door closed. "We'll wait for her, right here. So that when she comes home, I'll be ready to give her a piece of my mind.
But Anya never came home.
At about nine o'clock, a sobbing Mr. Dugs called to tell them that a drunk driver had hit Anya. She was in critical condition and at a hospital in Austin. Farren was sobbing as Remus drove them over.
They quickly usurer Farren in to see her, saying that she had asked for her, weak as it was. They would have made Remus stay out, he knew, if Farren hadn't been gripping his arm so tightly that they couldn't be separated.
"Anya," Farren gasped in shock. "My baby sister Anya, please wake up…can you hear me?" Farren let a fear of her tears fall onto Anya's still cheek. Anya struggled to open her eyes.
"Farren?" She whispered hoarsely. "Remus? Is that you?"
"Yeah, An, it's us," Farren whispered. "What were you thinking about?"
"The open road and the wind in my hair," Anya said seriously. Farren snorted through her tears and Anya worked up a smile. "Farren, I got something to say, so listen close." Anya said.
"You were the," she paused to groan. "The only sister I ever had. And you were the best one too. I want you to be happy and do your own thing…you can't take care of me forever." Farren sniffed
"She thinks she's going to die. That's why she's saying this to me, because she wants me to know before she d-dies," she was sobbing now.
"Remus?" Anya weakly added. "You're a great brother-type person. Treat my big sister right, k?" Remus smiled through his own tears and nodded.
"Every night in my dreams," Farren shakily sang. She had a beautiful voice. "I see you, I hear you,"
"That is how I know you go on," Anya joined in, albeit weakly. "It's our song," she told Remus softly "It's from a movie. You wouldn't have seen it though…because you're not like us, are you?" Remus didn't even have time to express his astonishment that she knew, because her eyes were closing softly.
"Sing it to me, Farren," she whispered, and Farren did. Anya smiled
"Take it," Anya said, giving something to Farren. "Remember me by it. Farren took it and looked at it in her cupped hands tears streaming down her cheeks.
"I love you," Farren whispered. "I will always love you."
"And I you," Anya whispered, before going entirely still, a machine next to her going haywire. Her funeral was set for Saturday, the day Remus was supposed to talk to Farren about leaving once again. He had a feeling that she wouldn't go.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"We are gathered here today to mourn the death of Anya Wellings, a woman in every sense of the word, though she was only fourteen. Anya had no true home…she lived at an orphanage. But she had a family, for she loved Farren Alma as a sister and they spent hours together. She worked hard for what she wanted, embraced the moment-whatever it happened to be- and loved with a true and pure heart. She was born on January 1st, 1997, but as of Thursday June 11th, 2011, Anya Wellings will forever live on in the afterlife of a Christian." The pastor bowed his head in silent mourning.
Later, Remus couldn't remember much, except that all three of the Dugs' and Farren spoke, and that many teenagers Anya's age came to the viewing. That night, Farren ate nothing, though Remus cooked. She stared blankly out a window, though Remus knew she saw nothing. She was in, he thought, a type of shock.
"Remus," she finally gasped, crying for the first time since Friday. He gathered her in his arms and soothingly rubbed her back, whispering nonsense in her ear.
"She was the only constant in my life. She was always there for me somehow. When I was raped, she was too young to understand, but she still she comforted me. When she was old enough, I told her." Farren gulped. "There is no one now who really knows. I want…I want to tell you," she looked so lost! Remus grabbed her hand.
"Then tell me," he said soothingly. "Do whatever will ease your pain." Farren wiped her eyes on his shirt.
"I was only seventeen, Remus. You had left not even a year before, and only four days after you left, I returned to Texas, per my request. You know how Spencer was. Anyway, they let me stay for a remarkably long time, but of course, they eventually found a foster home once again. This one had two boys, ages twenty and eighteen, and a father, who was just like his boys…perverted. I'm still not sure which one it…it was." Remus felt like someone had delivered a physical blow to his head.
"How could you…not know?" He asked, anguished. He pulled her closer as she began to shake.
"They were always making passes at me, coming into my bedroom at night…it was dark and I couldn't see his face. They all looked remarkably alike, anyway." Remus couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"I'm so sorry," he held her close and soon, they were sound asleep, curled around each other in the armchair.
The next morning, Remus awake to the soft song of birds chirping outside the window. He was feeling decided uncomfortable…cramped and heavier than usual. Looking down, he realized that this might be because he slept in a chair with Farren draped across him. Yes, that definitely could have something to do with it. Farren shifted as well, squinting her eyes at him. She rubbed the fiercely and nearly fell off of his lap. With an amused smile, he pulled her closer to him. They sat in silence.
"I never decided," Farren said suddenly, shattering the quit calm. Remus pretended not to know what she meant.
"Huh?"
She wasn't fooled. "I want to go with you," she said.
"You do?" Remus was, to say the least, shocked.
"Yes,"
"But…I thought after everything that happened, you'd want to stay here. I didn't think you'd want to see much of anyone, let alone move, change time periods, and live continuously with someone you haven't seen in years, except for the past week, which hasn't been the best."
"Uh-uh," Farren shook her head, looking like a child in his lap. "I want to go with you. I love you…I really do," Remus was delighted.
"That's great!" He could barely contain himself. "I wanted you to come so bad, but I thought for sure-"
"I want to come, Remus. I want to live with you." Remus smiled.
"When shall we leave?" He asked her.
"Now," she whispered. Remus chuckled.
"What about your stuff?" Farren snorted.
"I packed it al ready."
"What?" Remus was confused.
"The night you came. I know I said I hadn't decided, but I figured Anya could come with us, you even said she could later. I just packed then. I don't have much I'll need. Can we shrink my truck or something?"
Remus looked thoughtful. Carefully dislodging Farren, he went to her room, which did look very bare. Examining her trunk, he shrunk it so that it was smaller the pocket size. He then did the same with his case.
"Now?" He asked. "What about selling your house, paying your bills…all that stuff?"
"The house is rented. People will think I left because of Anya, which, in a way, I have. They'll sell my stuff and take the house back. We can get all my money from the bank. There's really nothing else that needs taken care of…though there's something I want to get." Farren left the room and entered Anya's, which she hadn't done since the night of the accident. Careful not to disturb anything, she searched through the room until she finally found two things; a black leather bible with Anya's name engraved on it and a gold necklace, one Remus had never seen off of Anya. It was pure gold and simple, with only an intricate rose on the end to serve as a charm.
"I thought she was buried in it?" He asked, confuse. Anya had always worn it.
"No," Farren sighed. "She gave it to me in the hospital, remember?" Remus did.
"Please, let's go," Farren said. "I can't stand it any longer." Taking his hand, she led him from the house, which looked lonely and bare. They even left the car, walking to the bank to withdraw her money. Remus led he to a back road and picked up a pop can.
"I shouldn't be doing this," he told her, trying to convince himself as well. "I really shouldn't be doing this. But I don't live in America…or this time…and I'm leaving…I really shouldn't be doing this…" Farren snorted and hit him over the back of the head teasingly.
"Do it, all ready!" She said. Remus grinned.
"You know how to use a portkey? All you have to do is touch it-"
"I know, I know!" Farren seemed to want to get out of there quickly. Remus smiled at her reassuringly and, with her touching it, he charmed the can to be a portkey and the two of the sped off the National Time and Space Travelling Agency of America. Once there, they went through another inspection and got the Anteeo Ambulo fixed so that it would take them to both Remus's time and Dumbledore's office. Then, Remus sat down with Farren to talk to her.
"This will be frightening," he said solemnly. "And painful. It was the most horrid thing I ever had to go through, though it did bring me to you. It won't leave you innocent." He warned.
"Remus," she said seriously. "I lost that a long time ago."
Remus admired her to no ends. She smiled at him and they both touched the operation, Remus going through the horror again, Farren for the first time. It was not so bad, Remus reflected, when you were with someone you loved.
They arrived in Dumbledore's office. He was not there, though Remus worried not. Farren sat down in a chair, looking horror struck and windblown. But then…
"It could have been worse," she said hoarsely.
"You are coping so well," he whispered, embracing her.
"I am like the phoenix," she said quietly. "I rise anew from my own ashes." Remus could not have agreed more. With one high beautiful note, Fawkes the Phoenix flew to Farren, crying healing tears, though Remus did not know what he was healing. He thought that he was perhaps healing Farren's spirit.
And last for a life time
Never letting go till we're gone
-exert from the Titanic theme song
Disclaimer; You know I'm not her, so don't even think it. I have one thing to say though; I have issues against killing J.K.'s characters, but I have none against killing my own…you've been forewarned.
Announcement; Now PG-13 for some suggestions in this chapter…nothing too bad.
Chapter 3; Like the Phoenix
Needless to say, Remus had the worst hang over of his life the next morning. He couldn't remember to much about the night after seeing Farren, though he was pretty sure one of his fellow drinkers was crying harder than him, until the bartender had kicked him out the back door and told him he needed to stop making people cry harder than they already were. Remus couldn't quit recall, but he was pretty sure he had passed out then.
Which meant, he suddenly realized, that he was lying in the back of a bar near the dumpster. That would explain the smell. He was frightened to open his eyes, as they were already aching from the dim light his lids let through. But he knew he would have to some time. Seemingly far away, he heard voices arguing.
"NO, I will not go get him now! We have things to discuss. What you did last night was wrong and-" The woman's voice was shrill.
"Let me remind you," A man's rumbling tone said. "That when I hired you it was after you had come in my bar, drunk, crying and trying to hide it! Not many people would hire someone like that! Now go do your job!"
"Excuse me? I was not drunk! I had just been raped, for Dumbledore's sake! And as grateful as I am to you for giving me this job, I could take what you did up with the law! Then we'll see who's out of the job!" There was a moment of silence, a sharp smack, and someone was thrown on the ground next to him.
"Oh," the woman said softly, picking herself off the ground. "Sir, please wake up." Remus tried to tell her he was awake, but his mind was stuck on the fact that she had said 'For Dumbledore's sake.' And the fact that she had been raped. And the fact that she sounded like someone her once knew.
"REMUS?" The woman's voice was sounding eerily familiar now. He wrenched his eyes open, ignoring the blazing sun. It looked like her. It sounded like her. It couldn't be her, though…could it?
"I'm sorry, I must have mistaken you for someone else," the woman quickly said. Remus couldn't take the chance though, in case it was her.
"Farren? Is that you?" He sounded horrible.
"Remus? Is it really-"
"Farren!" Remus couldn't help but interrupt her. Forgetting how hurt he had been the night before, he sat up quickly, a headache rushing to meet him. Embarrassing as it was for his old girlfriend to find him like this, Remus pushed the emotion away and lurched forward, tossing his arms around her. She gripped him back-crying he thought- hugging him until it felt like his arms would fall off.
"What are you doing here?" She finally gasped in his ear. He gently detangled himself from her.
"Here in your time period, here in America, or here behind the bar that you work at, totally hung over, hugging you?" Remus asked sardonically. Farren made a noise somewhere between a laugh and a sob.
"All of them!" She said laughingly.
"I wanted to see you," he whispered softy. She smiled.
"After all this time you came to see me? You're a weird one, Remus."
"That's okay," Remus sighed contentedly. "You want to go somewhere and talk?"
"Oh, Remus, I really have to work, I don't want to get fired! If I loose my job Anya won't be able to stay at my house anymore and I'll-I'll…have to stay in this crappy place working for that son of a bitch if I don't get fired," Farren slowly seemed to realize. Remus knew he looked shocked, but he had never heard Farren curse before. She had, he realized, grown up.
"What's so bad about your boss?"
"What's isn't bad about him?" She angrily snarled. "He's always making a move on me, he loves to remind me that I'm only here because he convinced his father to hire me, often reminds me that it was he who comforted me after…things, and last night he followed me home! After I had a nice conversation with him and showed him out, explaining that I was tired, I wake up the next morning to find him…in my bed!" Farren looked repulsed. Remus couldn't help but pull her into his arms.
"That's why I was here," he muttered. "A friend of yours told me to go on in, that you'd be there, and probably wouldn't be asleep. But when I got in there, I saw you with that…guy and, well…here I am," Remus was rather ashamed to admit this to her, but she looked horrified on his behalf.
"Oh, Remus, I'm sorry. Let's go to the park or something. We need to talk," she said.
"What about your job?" He asked slyly.
"What job?" Farren challenged him. With a grin, Remus stood from the ground and offered her an arm, which she gratefully took. With that, the two of them walked to the park.
Remus had not looked at Farren very well at first, but now he drunk in the sight of her. Her auburn hair was darker red than ever and fell, to his amazement, past her waist. She was still rather short, only five four at tallest, but was also slender and attractive, making up for any awkwardness that the shortness might have enticed. Her face was more slender than he remembered and her hazel eyes seemed larger and brighter. She was almost too skinny, he thought, but didn't question her. Her bartender outfit consisted of a white shirt with red cap sleeves and a red skirt. Remus thought there was nothing more beautiful.
When the two of them reached the park, they sat on a bench. Farren looked almost nervous. It had been, Remus knew, an awfully long time since they'd seen each other.
"You look too thin," she told him, peering up at him. He smiled and resisted the urge to pull her closer.
"So do you," he told her.
"I eat!" She sounded indignant. "I just also have to support my sister, the rental house bill, and the car bill on my paycheck."
"You don't have a sister!" Remus said, confused.
"Oh," Farren looked abashed. "I forgot that you would know that. I'm so used to people here not knowing much about me…though gossip spreads fast."
"It's Anya…you remember her, Remus? I know I told you about her."
"I do remember her. In fact, I've met her, up at the gas station. I knew her name sounded familiar." Farren frowned.
"She told me she turned down that gas station job! I don't like her working at her age." Remus smiled sympathetically.
"She doesn't want to have to leave you because of insignificant funds." He said.
"You sound like you know what you're talking about," she said with a laugh. "But Remus, tell me honestly…why are you here?"
Remus took a deep breath in. "I wanted to see you again. I wanted to see if we could make it work out," Farren paled.
"Now, Remus, don't take this the wrong way, but…youhavetogobackalonebecauseRemusfromthebooksneverhasagirlfriend," Remus stared at her. He wasn't sure exactly what she'd said, but he had gotten the gist. It had something to do with the way she knew things about his future…James's future…poor little Peter's…and the traitor's future too.
"Farren…maybe…you just haven't seen my future with you…or anyone," he added, to soften the blow. Farren looked slightly swayed.
"But we're from different time periods! I would have to go back with you-" Remus knew he looked to hopeful "-and leave Anya, and I just couldn't do that!" Remus felt his heart drop.
"Look, Farren, I know there's things you know that I don't…but there's things I know that you don't. Please come back with me so that you learn. You could be in danger if you don't know…if ever Voldemort comes back." Farren paled further.
"I-in danger?" She stuttered. "I've been in many kinds of danger Remus. I'm sure I would handle it. It's not as if I could protect myself with magic even if I went back with you." Remus snorted. Farren looked at him, light dancing in her eyes.
"I-is there?" She asked. Remus couldn't help it. He knew they weren't in a safe place. He knew that telling her now could ruin everything. He knew that he had wanted to tell her in such a way that she would be convinced to come back with him. But he didn't manage to do that, because before he could stop himself, he had jumped to his feet and was rambling on about her past. He began to choke up when he had to tell her about her parents (she was looking at him so hopefully) and actually cried when he blurted out how lost he would feel if he learned that she died because he couldn't convince her to come back and learn magic. He was pacing in front of the bench as he talked, eyes wide and wild as he recited what he could of the book.
"Farren," he finally gasped. "I know it's been a long time. I know we're different people now, and I know the circumstances are harsh…but I still love you! I want to at least try to save you, at least try to work out our relationship! I'm still in love, okay? I'm still-in love." She was crying.
"Farren?" He whispered. "You're crying. I've nev-never seen you cry." He could remember like it was yesterday Farren telling him that she hadn't cried in so long, that she was afraid she was an unfeeling monster.
"I learned to cry," She whispered back. "When I learned about loosing my only chance at love."
"But Remus," she said, seemingly determined to find a reason why they couldn't be together. "We don't know each other anymore. I mean…I know you heard what I said…about being raped. But you don't even know the story! How can we just climb back into each other's lives after everything that we've missed? I've grown up, seen things. I'm not the same!"
"Farren," Remus said incomprehensively. "I know you're different! But you're not a different person, okay? You're still Farren. I mean, one of my best friends died, another of them was blasted to pieces, and another betrayed us all! I was a wreck before Dumbledore told me about your past, about how he wanted me to come find you, bring you back. And I was only too happy to do so. I've been thinking about it every since I left you the first time. I know people change; I know we've grown up. But I'm still making the effort! Before I knew there was a way I could come to you, I ate once every couple of days, drank only when I had to. Can't you see how good you are for me?" Farren looked stunned.
"Oh Remus…I always knew it would happen. I knew everything-I could have stopped it after all-but I never got it. I never let it in." Farren looked horrified. "I never let myself feel the pain of loosing my good friends-yes they were good, even if I only knew them for the shortest amount of time- and most of all I never realized what it would do to you. For the past three years, I have thought about my dear friends constantly…but I never got it. Not until now."
"Farren, Farren, that's not the point! I love you still…and I want to get to know you again. Please…just try. Please come back with me?" At some point in time he had sunk to the soil in front of the bench. Down on one knee and still grasping her hand, he looked up at her with begging eyes. She seemed to relent.
"But Remus…I can't leave Anya," she protested, albeit feebly. "I'll-I'll make you a deal. You spend some time with me. We'll get to know each other again; you can camp out in the living room. And next Saturday, we'll talk about it then, okay? I really think I loved you Remus, but we were different then, and we were children. If it doesn't work out…I think I'll always love you as my childhood crush and my greatest friend." Remus rose from the ground. It was not exactly what he had been hoping for, but it was better than he flat out refusal. He smiled at her and nodded.
"Agreed," he said. She smiled.
"Let's go get some lunch. We can stop in a Denny's- You look starved! And as soon as we're done, you can get your stuff from wherever you're staying, and come to my house." Remus smiled wider.
"Let's do that," he said. Holding out his arm in a mock-gentleman manner, Remus and Farren left.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"You have got to be kidding me? NO! There's no way!" Farren was laughing as she protested feebly. "How many Alberts did you meet yesterday?"
"Quite a few!" Remus answered with a laugh. "Come one, this is my hotel room. I'll grab my stuff and pay, won't take but a minute."
"I don't mind, really," Farren told him. Remus smiled and held the hotel door open for her, letting her walk into the cool shade first.
"Ah, man…I knew it was a girl!" It was the guy at the desk counter. Remus laughed.
"I've come to check out," he told him.
"You only stayed a night and all ready paid for it bro- just get your stuff out of the room quick. Normally I'd have to make you pay another day since checkout time is at 10:00...but we aren't busy. And I can see that you were-ahem-otherwise occupied." Remus smiled. Farren took his hand and he led her to the room, quickly tossing his clothes back in the suitcase with a blush.
"I was in a hurry to see you last night," he muttered. Farren smiled, looking flattered.
"Oh my gosh! You still have this stuff?" She asked looking at some of the clothes. "These have got to be retro by now!"
"Not so, not so!" Remus protested. "I saw plenty of people wearing similar things!"
"That's 'cause things like sweaters and t-shirts don't go out of style. It's just that not many people can honestly say that their clothes were made in 2000...ish and also saw time in the 80's." Farren was smiling. Remus pushed his things back in the case and did a quick evaluation of the room. Convinced he had got everything, he left, Farren following him. Soon they were on the road again in his rented car, Farren teasing him about how he hadn't gotten all that much better at driving. Remus just snorted and turned down her street, pulling in at the house.
"I'm calling the gas station. Anya's got to quit going behind my back to get jobs. It's just not right. We have enough saved in the account to last until you-maybe me-leave, then, we'll see what happens." Remus nodded.
Farren grabbed a phone and showed him the living room. He put his stuff down and sat on the couch, listening as Farren spoke on the phone.
"This is her guardian, yes. I want you to send her home! I know she's not off work yet, and I don't care if you fire her. Send her home!" Farren paced through the room and rolled her eyes at Remus. "Before she leaves, let me speak to her…yes…thank you. Anya?" Farren went on. Remus smiled and began examining appliances. Farren finally hung up the phone. "Oh that girl!" She said, but Remus knew she was only worried about Anya working and not at Anya herself. Remus used the shower, knowing he still smelled like a bar, and changed into clean clothes, before coming back in to sit with a quiet Farren. They sat in silence for a few moments, Farren frowning and Remus trying to look politely interested. After a while, the front door flew open and Anya came pounding into the house, puffing as if she had ran the whole way. She blushed a deep red when she saw Remus.
"We have-company, Farren?" She asked in a horrified voice. Remus smiled and looked away.
"You would know that if you weren't working during the day," Farren told her angrily.
"I'm sorry, I just wanted some money of my own, I- why aren't you at work?" Anya said suddenly.
"I…quit," Farren said, suddenly looking very young.
"Farren! You know we need that money," she accused.
"Yes, I do," Farren replied drawing herself up to her tallest height. "And I also know that I should not have to suffer another day with that-that man! You know how he is," Farren sounded deathly.
"Y-yes," Anya replied. "You're right. But-but what will we live on?"
"The account that I've been putting my paycheck into," Farren replied, still sounding sharp. "You know I've been saving 20% and putting into a living fund."
"Now why don't you go clean up and then come meet Remus, okay?" Anya nodded and walked from the room, but seconds later she had stuck her head back in.
"I know you! You're the one that asked me where the orphanage was!" Remus smiled and nodded while Farren gave them odd looks. Anya then left.
"Sooo," Remus said uncomfortably. "What's new with you these days?" He said, trying for a conversation.
"Nothing!" She said with a laugh. "I mean, I know I've said I'm different, but there's not all that much that I've done in the last eight years. I go to college during the summer…I'm studying to be an author!" She looked excited. The shower abruptly stopped running.
"Any…boyfriends?" Remus said, trying to sound casual. Farren glanced at him sharply and quickly looked away, shaking her head to show the negative. '
"You?" She asked in the same tone. He snorted.
"The last time anyone tried to set me up, I made sure to rip his nasty little dog nose apart the next full moon," Remus said viciously. Farren laughed, but looked away. They were both tense.
"Farren?" He turned to her suddenly, at the same time that she jerked around, saying, "Remus?"
"Ow," they gasped in unison as they hit heads. "Yes?" They asked the other, their timing synchronized. "We have got to stop doing that!" Again, it was both of them. Remus laughed, Farren did as well. They were very close…very, very close. Remus could see the golden and blue flecks in her eyes.
He wasn't sure who made the first move, but the next thing he knew, their mouths were touching in ecstasy. He moved his hands so that they were wrapped around her; she wove hers around his neck. The kiss was needy and expectant, but Remus found he loved it anyway. They had never before kissed quit like this.
"Farren?" Anya's voice was shocked and gleeful.
"Anya," Farren gasped. "I-um-"
"I knew it! I knew you were him!" Anya was pointing at Remus. He knew he was blushing a deep red, and with the room suddenly focused on him, he hastened to straiten out his clothes and sit up straighter.
"What are you rambling about?" Farren asked, still sounding embarrassed.
"I knew he was that guy, the one you met along time ago, I was like…six or something. You came back all sad that he'd moved and showed me his picture, remember?" I knew you looked familiar!"
Farren blushed. "Don't point Anya…it's rude," was all she said. Anya put her finger down.
"Um…" Remus mumbled. "Yes?"
"Yes," Farren repeated him. "He is. And yes Remus is back. And I hope you will refrain from telling him embarrassing stories," she said, still blushing slightly.
"There was this one time," Anya immediately started in. "When I was eleven, and I found this book and I couldn't really understand it, so I brought it to one of the older boys who'd just arrived at the home, and-" Farren leapt up and placed her hand over Anya's mouth.
"Remus doesn't want to hear that story," She said quickly. "You'll embarrass yourself." Anya rolled her eyes, but nodded.
"Well there was this other time, when Jimmy Alvert's-that's this kid-came to The Home and…"
Later that night, Remus lounged on the couch, exhausted just from listening to Anya's wild experiences. Farren had cooked them a dinner that was much better than the one's Remus was used to eating and throughout the dinner Anya had made many carefully snuck in remarks about his and Farren's relationship.
"I always wanted an older brother…brother-in-law works too," she had said. Remus was sure he was permanently blushing.
The couch was comfortably warm and cushiony and the blue blankets Farren had left him were pleasantly warm. He rolled to his stomach, letting the heat rock him into sleep.
"Remus?" A voice broke through his drowsiness.
"Uhh," he replied, turning on his back to see Farren, dressed in a sweeping black nightgown, her long hair falling in a plait down her back. He quickly sat up.
"Did I wake you," Farren asked worriedly.
"No, no," he quickly lied.
"I did, I'm sorry," she said in the same, overly polite manner. "I just wanted to make sure you have everything you need, and that you were comfortable, and-well I know my house isn't anything spectacular, so I wanted to make sure-"
"Farren," Remus said, chuckling slightly as he climbed from the blankets. " I love it here. It's perfect. Absolutely wonderful! Please, don't worry." He came to stand in front of her, towering over her slightly. "I'm fine," he reassured her. She smiled at him, still looking uncertain.
"Remus, I…I know I said I would think about it. But I also know that it's going to be rather odd for me to just…go back with you…I mean, we aren't even-" she stopped, looking embarrassed.
"Farren," he said to her, his stomach wiggling uncertainly. "Would you like to…to be my girlfriend? I mean, so it won't be so odd if you do come, and we could even bring Anya, she seems like a good kid, and…well?" It was ridiculous, he thought, that he should be acting like a fifteen-year-old again, with his nervous stomach and his sweating palms. He quickly wiped them on his pants. Unbeknownst to either of the two, someone crept up to the door and peered in.
Farren blushed, but looked happy.
"I'd love to," she said. Remus laughed hoarsely.
"Really?" He knew he sounded very happy.
"Really, really!" Farren looked pleasantly flushed. Remus flung his arms around her, kissing her furiously. Her hands moved over him seductively as the two kissed like they had never before got to.
"Anya?"
"In bed."
"Good," he mumbled.
Outside the door, Anya Wellings walked silently away with a small blush creeping on her cheeks, an even bigger grin spreading across her devious face.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Two days later, both Farren and Remus were still acting like a honeymoon couple, and -as much as Anya loved Farren finally being with someone-she was thoroughly fed up with it. Remus knew this, and yet he couldn't quit force himself to stop swinging Farren into his arms whenever she passed, though he refrained from calling her baby-names. He knew they were almost too happy, but he once again felt like the sixteen-year-old he had been when he had first met her. He tried to act at least slightly normal, and found himself really liking Anya as well. She had a determined personality, and yet was still mischievous, young, and active. He often played cards with her and taught her to play chess (he was rather appalled that she didn't know).
But even as he got to know Anya better and better, he also began to understand the new, older Farren. She hadn't yet told him the whole story about her getting raped, and Remus had not asked, for obvious reasons. He loved her, he thought, even more than he had before because of her new adult type personality.
The evening was dawning and Remus felt slightly useless. Farren was going over their money and trying to figure out exactly how much they could spend a day and on what. Anya was determinedly studying her driver's education manual, as she had recently got her learners permit. And Remus was just sitting around, peering out the window, not wanting to disturb either of them.
"Remus," Anya said to him. He looked up. "Will you tell Farren I went out to look at the car…under the hood and stuff?"
He nodded. "Sure, I'll tell her as soon as she gets out. I wouldn't want to bother her now. If it gets late and you aren't back soon, I'm going to come out and get you, all right?" Anya nodded and took her book with her. He thought he heard the car starting up and couldn't imagine what Anya could be doing that required a started car, but soon decided that he had heard another car leaving. Relaxing in his chair, he watched Farren's closed door, and the minute hands of the clock as the inches slowly forward. Soon, it had been fifteen minutes. Remus wondered why Anya wasn't in yet and quickly opened the door to check. The only vehicle in the driveway was the old Saturn he had rented. Feeling panicked, he rushed back inside, running into Farren.
"There you are! I finished!" She told him.
"That's great, just great, but Farren? Um-Anya's gone." Farren stared at him.
"What do you mean?" She asked, opening the door to see the same empty drive that he had.
"She said she was going to go look at the car parts. And now she's gone! I'm sorry, I didn't realize. I should have gone with her-"
"It's fine," Farren snapped, and slammed the door closed. "We'll wait for her, right here. So that when she comes home, I'll be ready to give her a piece of my mind.
But Anya never came home.
At about nine o'clock, a sobbing Mr. Dugs called to tell them that a drunk driver had hit Anya. She was in critical condition and at a hospital in Austin. Farren was sobbing as Remus drove them over.
They quickly usurer Farren in to see her, saying that she had asked for her, weak as it was. They would have made Remus stay out, he knew, if Farren hadn't been gripping his arm so tightly that they couldn't be separated.
"Anya," Farren gasped in shock. "My baby sister Anya, please wake up…can you hear me?" Farren let a fear of her tears fall onto Anya's still cheek. Anya struggled to open her eyes.
"Farren?" She whispered hoarsely. "Remus? Is that you?"
"Yeah, An, it's us," Farren whispered. "What were you thinking about?"
"The open road and the wind in my hair," Anya said seriously. Farren snorted through her tears and Anya worked up a smile. "Farren, I got something to say, so listen close." Anya said.
"You were the," she paused to groan. "The only sister I ever had. And you were the best one too. I want you to be happy and do your own thing…you can't take care of me forever." Farren sniffed
"She thinks she's going to die. That's why she's saying this to me, because she wants me to know before she d-dies," she was sobbing now.
"Remus?" Anya weakly added. "You're a great brother-type person. Treat my big sister right, k?" Remus smiled through his own tears and nodded.
"Every night in my dreams," Farren shakily sang. She had a beautiful voice. "I see you, I hear you,"
"That is how I know you go on," Anya joined in, albeit weakly. "It's our song," she told Remus softly "It's from a movie. You wouldn't have seen it though…because you're not like us, are you?" Remus didn't even have time to express his astonishment that she knew, because her eyes were closing softly.
"Sing it to me, Farren," she whispered, and Farren did. Anya smiled
"Take it," Anya said, giving something to Farren. "Remember me by it. Farren took it and looked at it in her cupped hands tears streaming down her cheeks.
"I love you," Farren whispered. "I will always love you."
"And I you," Anya whispered, before going entirely still, a machine next to her going haywire. Her funeral was set for Saturday, the day Remus was supposed to talk to Farren about leaving once again. He had a feeling that she wouldn't go.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"We are gathered here today to mourn the death of Anya Wellings, a woman in every sense of the word, though she was only fourteen. Anya had no true home…she lived at an orphanage. But she had a family, for she loved Farren Alma as a sister and they spent hours together. She worked hard for what she wanted, embraced the moment-whatever it happened to be- and loved with a true and pure heart. She was born on January 1st, 1997, but as of Thursday June 11th, 2011, Anya Wellings will forever live on in the afterlife of a Christian." The pastor bowed his head in silent mourning.
Later, Remus couldn't remember much, except that all three of the Dugs' and Farren spoke, and that many teenagers Anya's age came to the viewing. That night, Farren ate nothing, though Remus cooked. She stared blankly out a window, though Remus knew she saw nothing. She was in, he thought, a type of shock.
"Remus," she finally gasped, crying for the first time since Friday. He gathered her in his arms and soothingly rubbed her back, whispering nonsense in her ear.
"She was the only constant in my life. She was always there for me somehow. When I was raped, she was too young to understand, but she still she comforted me. When she was old enough, I told her." Farren gulped. "There is no one now who really knows. I want…I want to tell you," she looked so lost! Remus grabbed her hand.
"Then tell me," he said soothingly. "Do whatever will ease your pain." Farren wiped her eyes on his shirt.
"I was only seventeen, Remus. You had left not even a year before, and only four days after you left, I returned to Texas, per my request. You know how Spencer was. Anyway, they let me stay for a remarkably long time, but of course, they eventually found a foster home once again. This one had two boys, ages twenty and eighteen, and a father, who was just like his boys…perverted. I'm still not sure which one it…it was." Remus felt like someone had delivered a physical blow to his head.
"How could you…not know?" He asked, anguished. He pulled her closer as she began to shake.
"They were always making passes at me, coming into my bedroom at night…it was dark and I couldn't see his face. They all looked remarkably alike, anyway." Remus couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"I'm so sorry," he held her close and soon, they were sound asleep, curled around each other in the armchair.
The next morning, Remus awake to the soft song of birds chirping outside the window. He was feeling decided uncomfortable…cramped and heavier than usual. Looking down, he realized that this might be because he slept in a chair with Farren draped across him. Yes, that definitely could have something to do with it. Farren shifted as well, squinting her eyes at him. She rubbed the fiercely and nearly fell off of his lap. With an amused smile, he pulled her closer to him. They sat in silence.
"I never decided," Farren said suddenly, shattering the quit calm. Remus pretended not to know what she meant.
"Huh?"
She wasn't fooled. "I want to go with you," she said.
"You do?" Remus was, to say the least, shocked.
"Yes,"
"But…I thought after everything that happened, you'd want to stay here. I didn't think you'd want to see much of anyone, let alone move, change time periods, and live continuously with someone you haven't seen in years, except for the past week, which hasn't been the best."
"Uh-uh," Farren shook her head, looking like a child in his lap. "I want to go with you. I love you…I really do," Remus was delighted.
"That's great!" He could barely contain himself. "I wanted you to come so bad, but I thought for sure-"
"I want to come, Remus. I want to live with you." Remus smiled.
"When shall we leave?" He asked her.
"Now," she whispered. Remus chuckled.
"What about your stuff?" Farren snorted.
"I packed it al ready."
"What?" Remus was confused.
"The night you came. I know I said I hadn't decided, but I figured Anya could come with us, you even said she could later. I just packed then. I don't have much I'll need. Can we shrink my truck or something?"
Remus looked thoughtful. Carefully dislodging Farren, he went to her room, which did look very bare. Examining her trunk, he shrunk it so that it was smaller the pocket size. He then did the same with his case.
"Now?" He asked. "What about selling your house, paying your bills…all that stuff?"
"The house is rented. People will think I left because of Anya, which, in a way, I have. They'll sell my stuff and take the house back. We can get all my money from the bank. There's really nothing else that needs taken care of…though there's something I want to get." Farren left the room and entered Anya's, which she hadn't done since the night of the accident. Careful not to disturb anything, she searched through the room until she finally found two things; a black leather bible with Anya's name engraved on it and a gold necklace, one Remus had never seen off of Anya. It was pure gold and simple, with only an intricate rose on the end to serve as a charm.
"I thought she was buried in it?" He asked, confuse. Anya had always worn it.
"No," Farren sighed. "She gave it to me in the hospital, remember?" Remus did.
"Please, let's go," Farren said. "I can't stand it any longer." Taking his hand, she led him from the house, which looked lonely and bare. They even left the car, walking to the bank to withdraw her money. Remus led he to a back road and picked up a pop can.
"I shouldn't be doing this," he told her, trying to convince himself as well. "I really shouldn't be doing this. But I don't live in America…or this time…and I'm leaving…I really shouldn't be doing this…" Farren snorted and hit him over the back of the head teasingly.
"Do it, all ready!" She said. Remus grinned.
"You know how to use a portkey? All you have to do is touch it-"
"I know, I know!" Farren seemed to want to get out of there quickly. Remus smiled at her reassuringly and, with her touching it, he charmed the can to be a portkey and the two of the sped off the National Time and Space Travelling Agency of America. Once there, they went through another inspection and got the Anteeo Ambulo fixed so that it would take them to both Remus's time and Dumbledore's office. Then, Remus sat down with Farren to talk to her.
"This will be frightening," he said solemnly. "And painful. It was the most horrid thing I ever had to go through, though it did bring me to you. It won't leave you innocent." He warned.
"Remus," she said seriously. "I lost that a long time ago."
Remus admired her to no ends. She smiled at him and they both touched the operation, Remus going through the horror again, Farren for the first time. It was not so bad, Remus reflected, when you were with someone you loved.
They arrived in Dumbledore's office. He was not there, though Remus worried not. Farren sat down in a chair, looking horror struck and windblown. But then…
"It could have been worse," she said hoarsely.
"You are coping so well," he whispered, embracing her.
"I am like the phoenix," she said quietly. "I rise anew from my own ashes." Remus could not have agreed more. With one high beautiful note, Fawkes the Phoenix flew to Farren, crying healing tears, though Remus did not know what he was healing. He thought that he was perhaps healing Farren's spirit.