Author's Note: Ok so here I go again, so sorry about the formatting, I
tried my hardest to fix it I swear!! Ok so thanks for all my faithful
reviews the next chap (not this one) is dedicated to you! And sooooo much
fun the next chap is going to be!!!!! Anyway, here we go I give you.. THE
INTRUSION!!!!
The knocking continued and Elizabeth almost peed her pants at the voice she heard behind the door.
"Lizard Breath? Hey you in there Lizzie?" Came Bradford's loud and boarish voice from behind the door.
"Aw man!" was Elizabeth's shocked response; Bradford was the last person she had expected.
"Hey Elizabeth, I'm coming in!" Bradford yelled from behind the door.
Great, that was the last thing Elizabeth needed, her conceded butt kissing partner for the day bursting through the door to find her in the company of a make believe hero and the enemy's secret weapon. She had to think quickly.
"Oh.umm no! Brad I was drying my hair, I have to get dressed! I'll be there in a minute," she called before Bradford could break the door down.
"Um. ok just checking, call me when you're decent." Came Bradford's rather quick response.
Elizabeth thought frantically as to what to do and then the thought flashed across her brain.
"Quick Will! Hide in the bathroom!" Elizabeth whispered as she packed up the computer and shoved it into his arms.
"What?" was Will's bewildered response, he was left complete darkness but Elizabeth didn't have time to explain.
"It's ok Will I know this guy from work, I'll get rid of him soon just stay in the bathroom and don't make a sound," she whispered as she shoved him in the bath.
"Whatever you say Elizabeth, or is it Lizzie?" Will asked puzzled.
"Don't you start," Elizabeth said as she shut the door to the bathroom and ran to the front door and flung it open.
"Bradford, what on earth are you doing at my apartment at this time of night?" Elizabeth said before he could let out a word.
Bradford looked back at Elizabeth with a puzzling glance. "Firstly Elizabeth, it's nine o'clock in the morning, and secondly, you never met at the rendezvous last night and I was worried about you." The genuine look of concern in Bradford's eyes freaked Elizabeth out so she tried not to look at them.
"That's really nice Bradford, I'm touched that you'd want to look out for me. But I'm fine, so you can go and let me get back to my day please." Elizabeth had hoped she'd said that nicely, but Bradford's presence was starting to worry and annoy her.
What if he was in on the betrayal? Elizabeth doubted it because she didn't think he had that kind of cunning intelligence. However, Elizabeth did believe that in the event of Bradford finding out about her little cover up, it would take a great deal to keep his motor mouth shut, especially because he would stoop to any length to get back in the good books with the General.
However Elizabeth was startled to see that Bradford's expression had gone from concern to defence. She almost cringed at the tone of professionalism in his voice.
"I was not concerned about you Miss Cartwright," Elizabeth wondered what suddenly made him respect her last name, but shrugged the thought away. "But about the mission, I was able to bring Augustine into custody, along with his henchmen, but the device he was using seems to have disappeared. You, were obviously the likely person to have collected it, and the General and Miss Mackin request that you come in to work immediately." Bradford finished his demand and then looked down at Elizabeth in the most professional way she had ever seen him.
Elizabeth almost panicked right then and there and only the hint that Bradford had said 'likely' kept her from confessing right there. She put on her best poker face, which resembled sort of a grimace and moved to stand toe to toe with the agent.
"Unfortunately I was unable to attain said device," Elizabeth said lying through her teeth in what she hoped mimicked the professional tone Bradford had used. "I am ashamed to say that after the lights went out, I panicked and fled the scene, I failed." Elizabeth hung her head in mock shame; grateful for the Drama lessons she had been interested in as a kid.
"You what?" Bradford said bewildered that Elizabeth could fail at such a simple task.
"After the lights went out and you chased Augustine out of the theatre, the henchman started to wake up and I panicked, set off the flower bomb and left. I drove around a bit to try and calm down and then came straight home. I'm sorry, I told you I was no good at this confrontation thing, you can go and tell the General what a lousy agent I make." Elizabeth hoped that her pathetic portrayal was enough for Braford to fall for.
"Sorry, Lizzie but the orders for you to come in this morning, didn't specify if you were successful or not, and my orders are to bring you in immediately, acting as your safeguard in case of trouble. Now let's move." That dashed any hopes of Elizabeth getting rid of him, she realized that she'd have to go in and leave Will here all day, but didn't know how she could relay the message without alarming him.
Suddenly she had a brilliant idea. "Can you wait just a minute, Bradford, I have to e-mail a message to a friend, it's his birthday and I really want him to see this." She ran over to her computer and typed a quick message on her word processor, closing the window as Bradford came near.
"You know sending messages over the Internet is dangerous, you never know who's listening in." he said as he tried to take a peak at her screen.
"Only the greatest Pirate in the world would be able to get into my files," Elizabeth said loudly so that a listening Will would hear.
"Pirate? Man you are obsessed." Bradford said as he stared at the blank screen. "Come on let's go lassie," Bradford said in a condescending tone.
"A Pirate is a term for hacker, loser." Elizabeth said as she moved away from her computer, and toward the door.
"Didn't you used to be a hack." But Elizabeth silenced him before he could finish his sentence and together they left her apartment.
*****
Will was shocked at what he had overheard, Elizabeth was a hacker, or in his terms a pirate. Could he trust her now? She had lied to him, what if she was still lying to him. The possibility that this could all be some sort of elaborate plot loomed in his mind. Will looked around the bathroom, and ran his fingers through his dishevelled hair, trying to make sense of it all. He spied the tiny bathtub, where Elizabeth had spent the night, working to try and help him. Inwardly he decided that he would have to trust her in order to repay the kindness she had shown him.
Will waited until he was sure that Elizabeth and her co-worker Bradford? (He wasn't sure of the name), were gone and then slowly opened the door. The apartment was still and silent without its lively owner and Will walked threw it trying to regain control over his thoughts and emotions.
He walked over to the computer where Elizabeth had mentioned the comment about Pirates, slightly annoyed that she had hinted that he would be a Pirate. He stared at the screen, looking for anything that might have been meant for him, and almost chuckled when he saw a small object named The Black Pearl. He manoeuvred the small machine attached to the computer, as he had seen Elizabeth, and was, after a few minutes and the discovery of 'double-clicking', able to look at what it said.
Dear Will, I have to go into work for a while; don't worry judging by Bradford's ignorance your secret, well my secret, is still safe. I'll try to be home as quickly as possible but don't wander out! Remember you're famous in my time so you'll be noticed! If you want some fresh air you can go out on the balcony. There's food in the fridge if I'm not home by Lunch, just chill out and make yourself comfortable. Oh and if you want to shower or bathe, feel free, left knob is hot water, right knob is cold. Anyway see you later! Love, Elizabeth
Love? Did she mean that? Or in her time was it a common greeting? He also did not understand the meaning of 'chill out' but decided that it meant that Elizabeth wished him to be comfortable.
Comfortable was something Will was not, not at the moment. He thought back to the moments before when he had been very close to kissing Elizabeth. Standing there in front of her so close, he had felt something he had been denied when His Elizabeth had denied him. And he was sure, that if that opportunity had lingered a moment longer he had been fully prepared to take action and revel in it completely.
But it was too fast. He felt as though he was betraying his own Elizabeth, the one whom in fact had betrayed him. He could still remember with perfect detail the moment when he had last seen her, walking away from him. He knew that he still loved her, still longed for her, but what did his feelings matter? She was engaged to a Commodore in the Royal British Navy, and he was a mere Blacksmith, the son of a cursed Pirate. He mattered nothing in her world, a world of law, order and lineage. But in this world, with this Elizabeth, he did matter, to her. Somehow, he could sense that she felt for him, much the same as he felt for His Elizabeth. He was awash in the new emotions overcoming him and felt that if he did not realize something soon he would drown in them.
He decided the idea of a bath was refreshing and may work not only to clean him up and soothe his sore muscles, but may soothe his troubled head and heart as well. Blocking any further thoughts from his mind he made his way into the bathroom to unwind.
*****
Elizabeth had gone too far, and she knew it. She had the time to realize on the drive into work, that what had almost happened between her and Will, must never happen. His place was not with her; it was back in the movie with His Elizabeth. She'd just been caught up in the moment and it was understandable that she had tried to kiss him. And, considering she was going through a breakdown at the time, and the hottest guy in her world had tried to comfort her, what girl wouldn't want to take solace in his soft lips and Puppy Brown Eyes?
Properly justified, Elizabeth returned to the task at hand and attempted to pay attention to the debriefing report General Grippa was giving both her and Bradford.
"Ok, let me get this straight Miss Cartwright, you have no idea what has happened to the machine?" General Grippa could hardly believe the words as they escaped his lips, how could she have failed?
"That is correct sir, as I told you before, I fled. I was unable to do that which you told me to, I'm sorry." Elizabeth hated to lie, but everything was different now, the faces that had once been friendly and kind to her, were now twisted by her distrust. Was the General aware of this betrayal? Was he the cause of it? Elizabeth couldn't read his face, but deep down she knew that for now she had to keep her secret.
The funny thing was, a part of her didn't mind. A part of her was excited by the mystery and suspense of it all, and that frightened her. She had faced confrontation before, and it had ended badly, she didn't want the same kind of pain she had felt once, to be inflicted upon her again. And the last thing she wanted was for Will to get hurt.
Elizabeth's reverie was interrupted as the General directed his speech at her again.
"Miss Cartwright, though I am disappointed in your failure, I can not say that you did not warn us, when we gave you the job." Elizabeth felt the disappointment in the General's eyes stab into her like a knife. "Therefore, I am giving you the week off to recuperate from your no doubt trying experience, and expect that you will be into work next Monday."
"Thank you General," Elizabeth said her heart breaking at his disappointment. "Perhaps in the future I will be prepared to handle these sorts of things more appropriately?" she said trying to redeem herself in his eyes just a little.
"Perhaps Miss Cartwright, you are dismissed." The General said as he motioned for her to leave. Both her and Bradford started to stand but paused when the General's voice rang out again.
"Bradford, did I say you could go?" Came the General's usual booming voice.
"Umm. no sir?" was Bradford's shaky response.
"Than sit DOWN!" The General boomed.
"Right away sir!" came Braford's hurried response.
Elizabeth didn't really feel like staying and witnessing Bradford's disparagement, so she left and started for the door. She was stopped however when Miss Mackin came around the corner and waved to her.
"Elizabeth!" she called out. "I'm so sorry to hear about what happened. Are you alright?" she looked genuinely concerned and again Elizabeth's heart sank as she was forced to lie.
"Yes I'm fine Miss Mackin, I guess I just panicked. I told you I wasn't the agent type. I'm sorry." Elizabeth couldn't bear to meet her trusting eyes.
"It's me who should be sorry Elizabeth, I knew your history and still I pushed for you. I should have considered your feelings." Elizabeth thought she was finished, but was startled when her tone suddenly changed.
"Bradford had mentioned that the machine was ready to fire, do you know perchance if it was able to?" Elizabeth was taken aback by the sudden curiosity in her voice.
"Umm. I don't know, Augustine had mentioned that the timer was off so it is possible that the machine miscalculated and didn't fire at all." Elizabeth didn't like where this conversation was going, she had only made up excuses for so much. But fortune it seemed was smiling on her, as it seemed that the curiosity in Miss Mackin's eyes quickly dissipated.
"Oh, well then," said Miss Mackin pasting on a smile. "Well I'd hate to waste anymore of your recuperation time, you go out there and enjoy that beautiful day."
"Thank you Miss Mackin," Elizabeth said as she turned and walked toward the exit, relieved that she was finally able to get back to Will. Little did she know that the moment she walked out of the door, she was not alone.
Elizabeth paced the aisles of Wal-Mart looking for a suitable change of clothes for Will, realizing that he had literally only the clothes on his back. She had been stopped however when she reached the underwear isle. Boxers or Briefs? The question that plagued the female brain had come to taunt her, and she was fully glad Will was back at the apartment so that he couldn't see her crimson face.
For a full five minutes she stood there, and finally decided she'd be met half way and picked out a pair of black Boxer-Brief cross kind of things. She was completely out of her element and embarrassed out of her wits, but necessity called for her to be so and so there she was.
Cautious and paranoid Elizabeth wandered over to the shortest check-out line she could find, holding, guys jeans (she hoped they were the right size) a bland no name shirt, a large sweater, socks and the dreaded underwear. She approached the check out counter as though a mob hit man were on her tail and placed the merchandise on the conveyer-belt as discreetly as possible. The female tiller gave her a strange 'what do you think you're going to do with those clothes' kind of look and Elizabeth tried vainly to think of an intelligent sounding explanation.
"It's my brother's birthday and I promised I'd by him a full outfit," Elizabeth said as she handed the tiller her bankcard.
"Great to see your fashion sense has no impact on your checking account." The girl sneered as she handed Elizabeth the bag.
"I'll have a great day, thanks." Elizabeth said sarcastically as she grabbed the stuff and walked out the door, having too much on her mind to mumble a proper comeback.
Elizabeth made her way to the door but was stopped by the headline in the paper. Quickly, she grabbed a coin from her pocket and ripped the paper out of its holder.
Pirates to make final showing after Terrorist intrusion!
The new Imax Cinema, which opened to the public last Tues. Is pulling Pirates of the Caribbean from its play list after uncovering intense legal
issues. The theatre is reported to only be showing the blockbuster hit
starring Orlando Bloom and Johnny Depp once more before destroying the
tape. In order to satisfy the complaints of fans that turned up to yesterday's showing only to be evacuated from the scene due to an untimely
terrorist attack, the theatre has agreed to give one last showing.
Spokespeople from Disney have refused to comment and when told, Orlando Bloom muttered, 'I'd hate to see the disappointment wrought on the fans' and claimed to make further inquiries. The last performance is scheduled for this Sat, all those who had tickets to the first session are encouraged
to call 2845-5677 for further details.
Elizabeth was shocked and frightened realizing that if she was unable to crack the puzzle within a week, all of her chances of getting Will safely home would go up in smoke. She stood there motionless for a moment staring down at the paper, still not realizing that a pair of puzzled and jealous eyes stared down at her.
Stifling the part of her that said she didn't mind if Will was trapped in her world forever, Elizabeth walked out of the store and drove home as quickly as possible. Seeing as it was a nice day and she was still a little wound up Elizabeth decided to park in the alleyway adjacent to her building, instead of fighting for a spot in the front. It wasn't soon after that she realized the intense error of her ways as she saw a strange dark car pull in front of the alley and four large men get out and advance on her menacingly.
"What'd you do with Augustine and the machine?" The largest one grunted. Elizabeth noticed in him the same gruff brutality of one of the henchman she had helped to take down last night.
"I don't know what you're talking about!" Elizabeth yelled as the blood in her veins started to chill.
"Don't play dumb with me girly," he said as he brandished a baseball bat and slammed it into her windshield. "I'm not the most patient person in the world."
Elizabeth did the only thing she could think of, she let out a blood- curdling scream.
*****
Twenty-three floors above, Our Fine Hero, heard the call of his faithful damsel in distress.
The knocking continued and Elizabeth almost peed her pants at the voice she heard behind the door.
"Lizard Breath? Hey you in there Lizzie?" Came Bradford's loud and boarish voice from behind the door.
"Aw man!" was Elizabeth's shocked response; Bradford was the last person she had expected.
"Hey Elizabeth, I'm coming in!" Bradford yelled from behind the door.
Great, that was the last thing Elizabeth needed, her conceded butt kissing partner for the day bursting through the door to find her in the company of a make believe hero and the enemy's secret weapon. She had to think quickly.
"Oh.umm no! Brad I was drying my hair, I have to get dressed! I'll be there in a minute," she called before Bradford could break the door down.
"Um. ok just checking, call me when you're decent." Came Bradford's rather quick response.
Elizabeth thought frantically as to what to do and then the thought flashed across her brain.
"Quick Will! Hide in the bathroom!" Elizabeth whispered as she packed up the computer and shoved it into his arms.
"What?" was Will's bewildered response, he was left complete darkness but Elizabeth didn't have time to explain.
"It's ok Will I know this guy from work, I'll get rid of him soon just stay in the bathroom and don't make a sound," she whispered as she shoved him in the bath.
"Whatever you say Elizabeth, or is it Lizzie?" Will asked puzzled.
"Don't you start," Elizabeth said as she shut the door to the bathroom and ran to the front door and flung it open.
"Bradford, what on earth are you doing at my apartment at this time of night?" Elizabeth said before he could let out a word.
Bradford looked back at Elizabeth with a puzzling glance. "Firstly Elizabeth, it's nine o'clock in the morning, and secondly, you never met at the rendezvous last night and I was worried about you." The genuine look of concern in Bradford's eyes freaked Elizabeth out so she tried not to look at them.
"That's really nice Bradford, I'm touched that you'd want to look out for me. But I'm fine, so you can go and let me get back to my day please." Elizabeth had hoped she'd said that nicely, but Bradford's presence was starting to worry and annoy her.
What if he was in on the betrayal? Elizabeth doubted it because she didn't think he had that kind of cunning intelligence. However, Elizabeth did believe that in the event of Bradford finding out about her little cover up, it would take a great deal to keep his motor mouth shut, especially because he would stoop to any length to get back in the good books with the General.
However Elizabeth was startled to see that Bradford's expression had gone from concern to defence. She almost cringed at the tone of professionalism in his voice.
"I was not concerned about you Miss Cartwright," Elizabeth wondered what suddenly made him respect her last name, but shrugged the thought away. "But about the mission, I was able to bring Augustine into custody, along with his henchmen, but the device he was using seems to have disappeared. You, were obviously the likely person to have collected it, and the General and Miss Mackin request that you come in to work immediately." Bradford finished his demand and then looked down at Elizabeth in the most professional way she had ever seen him.
Elizabeth almost panicked right then and there and only the hint that Bradford had said 'likely' kept her from confessing right there. She put on her best poker face, which resembled sort of a grimace and moved to stand toe to toe with the agent.
"Unfortunately I was unable to attain said device," Elizabeth said lying through her teeth in what she hoped mimicked the professional tone Bradford had used. "I am ashamed to say that after the lights went out, I panicked and fled the scene, I failed." Elizabeth hung her head in mock shame; grateful for the Drama lessons she had been interested in as a kid.
"You what?" Bradford said bewildered that Elizabeth could fail at such a simple task.
"After the lights went out and you chased Augustine out of the theatre, the henchman started to wake up and I panicked, set off the flower bomb and left. I drove around a bit to try and calm down and then came straight home. I'm sorry, I told you I was no good at this confrontation thing, you can go and tell the General what a lousy agent I make." Elizabeth hoped that her pathetic portrayal was enough for Braford to fall for.
"Sorry, Lizzie but the orders for you to come in this morning, didn't specify if you were successful or not, and my orders are to bring you in immediately, acting as your safeguard in case of trouble. Now let's move." That dashed any hopes of Elizabeth getting rid of him, she realized that she'd have to go in and leave Will here all day, but didn't know how she could relay the message without alarming him.
Suddenly she had a brilliant idea. "Can you wait just a minute, Bradford, I have to e-mail a message to a friend, it's his birthday and I really want him to see this." She ran over to her computer and typed a quick message on her word processor, closing the window as Bradford came near.
"You know sending messages over the Internet is dangerous, you never know who's listening in." he said as he tried to take a peak at her screen.
"Only the greatest Pirate in the world would be able to get into my files," Elizabeth said loudly so that a listening Will would hear.
"Pirate? Man you are obsessed." Bradford said as he stared at the blank screen. "Come on let's go lassie," Bradford said in a condescending tone.
"A Pirate is a term for hacker, loser." Elizabeth said as she moved away from her computer, and toward the door.
"Didn't you used to be a hack." But Elizabeth silenced him before he could finish his sentence and together they left her apartment.
*****
Will was shocked at what he had overheard, Elizabeth was a hacker, or in his terms a pirate. Could he trust her now? She had lied to him, what if she was still lying to him. The possibility that this could all be some sort of elaborate plot loomed in his mind. Will looked around the bathroom, and ran his fingers through his dishevelled hair, trying to make sense of it all. He spied the tiny bathtub, where Elizabeth had spent the night, working to try and help him. Inwardly he decided that he would have to trust her in order to repay the kindness she had shown him.
Will waited until he was sure that Elizabeth and her co-worker Bradford? (He wasn't sure of the name), were gone and then slowly opened the door. The apartment was still and silent without its lively owner and Will walked threw it trying to regain control over his thoughts and emotions.
He walked over to the computer where Elizabeth had mentioned the comment about Pirates, slightly annoyed that she had hinted that he would be a Pirate. He stared at the screen, looking for anything that might have been meant for him, and almost chuckled when he saw a small object named The Black Pearl. He manoeuvred the small machine attached to the computer, as he had seen Elizabeth, and was, after a few minutes and the discovery of 'double-clicking', able to look at what it said.
Dear Will, I have to go into work for a while; don't worry judging by Bradford's ignorance your secret, well my secret, is still safe. I'll try to be home as quickly as possible but don't wander out! Remember you're famous in my time so you'll be noticed! If you want some fresh air you can go out on the balcony. There's food in the fridge if I'm not home by Lunch, just chill out and make yourself comfortable. Oh and if you want to shower or bathe, feel free, left knob is hot water, right knob is cold. Anyway see you later! Love, Elizabeth
Love? Did she mean that? Or in her time was it a common greeting? He also did not understand the meaning of 'chill out' but decided that it meant that Elizabeth wished him to be comfortable.
Comfortable was something Will was not, not at the moment. He thought back to the moments before when he had been very close to kissing Elizabeth. Standing there in front of her so close, he had felt something he had been denied when His Elizabeth had denied him. And he was sure, that if that opportunity had lingered a moment longer he had been fully prepared to take action and revel in it completely.
But it was too fast. He felt as though he was betraying his own Elizabeth, the one whom in fact had betrayed him. He could still remember with perfect detail the moment when he had last seen her, walking away from him. He knew that he still loved her, still longed for her, but what did his feelings matter? She was engaged to a Commodore in the Royal British Navy, and he was a mere Blacksmith, the son of a cursed Pirate. He mattered nothing in her world, a world of law, order and lineage. But in this world, with this Elizabeth, he did matter, to her. Somehow, he could sense that she felt for him, much the same as he felt for His Elizabeth. He was awash in the new emotions overcoming him and felt that if he did not realize something soon he would drown in them.
He decided the idea of a bath was refreshing and may work not only to clean him up and soothe his sore muscles, but may soothe his troubled head and heart as well. Blocking any further thoughts from his mind he made his way into the bathroom to unwind.
*****
Elizabeth had gone too far, and she knew it. She had the time to realize on the drive into work, that what had almost happened between her and Will, must never happen. His place was not with her; it was back in the movie with His Elizabeth. She'd just been caught up in the moment and it was understandable that she had tried to kiss him. And, considering she was going through a breakdown at the time, and the hottest guy in her world had tried to comfort her, what girl wouldn't want to take solace in his soft lips and Puppy Brown Eyes?
Properly justified, Elizabeth returned to the task at hand and attempted to pay attention to the debriefing report General Grippa was giving both her and Bradford.
"Ok, let me get this straight Miss Cartwright, you have no idea what has happened to the machine?" General Grippa could hardly believe the words as they escaped his lips, how could she have failed?
"That is correct sir, as I told you before, I fled. I was unable to do that which you told me to, I'm sorry." Elizabeth hated to lie, but everything was different now, the faces that had once been friendly and kind to her, were now twisted by her distrust. Was the General aware of this betrayal? Was he the cause of it? Elizabeth couldn't read his face, but deep down she knew that for now she had to keep her secret.
The funny thing was, a part of her didn't mind. A part of her was excited by the mystery and suspense of it all, and that frightened her. She had faced confrontation before, and it had ended badly, she didn't want the same kind of pain she had felt once, to be inflicted upon her again. And the last thing she wanted was for Will to get hurt.
Elizabeth's reverie was interrupted as the General directed his speech at her again.
"Miss Cartwright, though I am disappointed in your failure, I can not say that you did not warn us, when we gave you the job." Elizabeth felt the disappointment in the General's eyes stab into her like a knife. "Therefore, I am giving you the week off to recuperate from your no doubt trying experience, and expect that you will be into work next Monday."
"Thank you General," Elizabeth said her heart breaking at his disappointment. "Perhaps in the future I will be prepared to handle these sorts of things more appropriately?" she said trying to redeem herself in his eyes just a little.
"Perhaps Miss Cartwright, you are dismissed." The General said as he motioned for her to leave. Both her and Bradford started to stand but paused when the General's voice rang out again.
"Bradford, did I say you could go?" Came the General's usual booming voice.
"Umm. no sir?" was Bradford's shaky response.
"Than sit DOWN!" The General boomed.
"Right away sir!" came Braford's hurried response.
Elizabeth didn't really feel like staying and witnessing Bradford's disparagement, so she left and started for the door. She was stopped however when Miss Mackin came around the corner and waved to her.
"Elizabeth!" she called out. "I'm so sorry to hear about what happened. Are you alright?" she looked genuinely concerned and again Elizabeth's heart sank as she was forced to lie.
"Yes I'm fine Miss Mackin, I guess I just panicked. I told you I wasn't the agent type. I'm sorry." Elizabeth couldn't bear to meet her trusting eyes.
"It's me who should be sorry Elizabeth, I knew your history and still I pushed for you. I should have considered your feelings." Elizabeth thought she was finished, but was startled when her tone suddenly changed.
"Bradford had mentioned that the machine was ready to fire, do you know perchance if it was able to?" Elizabeth was taken aback by the sudden curiosity in her voice.
"Umm. I don't know, Augustine had mentioned that the timer was off so it is possible that the machine miscalculated and didn't fire at all." Elizabeth didn't like where this conversation was going, she had only made up excuses for so much. But fortune it seemed was smiling on her, as it seemed that the curiosity in Miss Mackin's eyes quickly dissipated.
"Oh, well then," said Miss Mackin pasting on a smile. "Well I'd hate to waste anymore of your recuperation time, you go out there and enjoy that beautiful day."
"Thank you Miss Mackin," Elizabeth said as she turned and walked toward the exit, relieved that she was finally able to get back to Will. Little did she know that the moment she walked out of the door, she was not alone.
Elizabeth paced the aisles of Wal-Mart looking for a suitable change of clothes for Will, realizing that he had literally only the clothes on his back. She had been stopped however when she reached the underwear isle. Boxers or Briefs? The question that plagued the female brain had come to taunt her, and she was fully glad Will was back at the apartment so that he couldn't see her crimson face.
For a full five minutes she stood there, and finally decided she'd be met half way and picked out a pair of black Boxer-Brief cross kind of things. She was completely out of her element and embarrassed out of her wits, but necessity called for her to be so and so there she was.
Cautious and paranoid Elizabeth wandered over to the shortest check-out line she could find, holding, guys jeans (she hoped they were the right size) a bland no name shirt, a large sweater, socks and the dreaded underwear. She approached the check out counter as though a mob hit man were on her tail and placed the merchandise on the conveyer-belt as discreetly as possible. The female tiller gave her a strange 'what do you think you're going to do with those clothes' kind of look and Elizabeth tried vainly to think of an intelligent sounding explanation.
"It's my brother's birthday and I promised I'd by him a full outfit," Elizabeth said as she handed the tiller her bankcard.
"Great to see your fashion sense has no impact on your checking account." The girl sneered as she handed Elizabeth the bag.
"I'll have a great day, thanks." Elizabeth said sarcastically as she grabbed the stuff and walked out the door, having too much on her mind to mumble a proper comeback.
Elizabeth made her way to the door but was stopped by the headline in the paper. Quickly, she grabbed a coin from her pocket and ripped the paper out of its holder.
Pirates to make final showing after Terrorist intrusion!
The new Imax Cinema, which opened to the public last Tues. Is pulling Pirates of the Caribbean from its play list after uncovering intense legal
issues. The theatre is reported to only be showing the blockbuster hit
starring Orlando Bloom and Johnny Depp once more before destroying the
tape. In order to satisfy the complaints of fans that turned up to yesterday's showing only to be evacuated from the scene due to an untimely
terrorist attack, the theatre has agreed to give one last showing.
Spokespeople from Disney have refused to comment and when told, Orlando Bloom muttered, 'I'd hate to see the disappointment wrought on the fans' and claimed to make further inquiries. The last performance is scheduled for this Sat, all those who had tickets to the first session are encouraged
to call 2845-5677 for further details.
Elizabeth was shocked and frightened realizing that if she was unable to crack the puzzle within a week, all of her chances of getting Will safely home would go up in smoke. She stood there motionless for a moment staring down at the paper, still not realizing that a pair of puzzled and jealous eyes stared down at her.
Stifling the part of her that said she didn't mind if Will was trapped in her world forever, Elizabeth walked out of the store and drove home as quickly as possible. Seeing as it was a nice day and she was still a little wound up Elizabeth decided to park in the alleyway adjacent to her building, instead of fighting for a spot in the front. It wasn't soon after that she realized the intense error of her ways as she saw a strange dark car pull in front of the alley and four large men get out and advance on her menacingly.
"What'd you do with Augustine and the machine?" The largest one grunted. Elizabeth noticed in him the same gruff brutality of one of the henchman she had helped to take down last night.
"I don't know what you're talking about!" Elizabeth yelled as the blood in her veins started to chill.
"Don't play dumb with me girly," he said as he brandished a baseball bat and slammed it into her windshield. "I'm not the most patient person in the world."
Elizabeth did the only thing she could think of, she let out a blood- curdling scream.
*****
Twenty-three floors above, Our Fine Hero, heard the call of his faithful damsel in distress.