Title: Takeoffs and Landings
Author: Princess Box
Rating: G
Genre: General
Timeline: AU - about 14 years after 'The Telling'. No EvilFrancie, no Lauren, Will is still Will, Diane is still alive.
Summary: Alex thinks she knows her parents but Syd and Vaughn are hiding something.
Disclaimer: I don't own 'Alias'! Anyone you don't recognise is mine and anyone you do isn't.
Author's Note: I just checked my email and saw all the reviews I received while I was away! Thanks so much guys! I love feeling loved! vademecum informed me that it's been 10 days so I thought I better get on with this! Sorry if I'm a bit late!
I'm planning on sending Alex back to school in a couple of chapters (it's summer at the mo) but all I know about school in America is from teen movies, which isn't much! I was hoping that someone who knows what they're talking about could email me at , just to tell me what it would be like for a 17 year old. What year she'd be in, what subjects she'd have to take, stuff like that! Otherwise I'll be writing it like a New Zealand high school, but I would prefer to get it right! Thanks – that'll be SO helpful!
Gils - I added in a line just for you! Thanks for the suggestion!
LOS ANGELES
"Happy birthday," James whispered down into my ear. I tipped my head backwards and kissed his chin. Facing my friends again, I gave them a slightly embarrassed grin and I finished the conversation. "Sorry guys, important business to attend to. I'll talk to you later, k?"
Spinning me around in his arms, James tilted my head upwards and kissed me properly.
"I missed you."
"I'm supposed to be the hostess! Making sure everyone's okay and stuff, not making out with my boyfriend!"
"It's your BIRTHDAY! You're supposed to be having fun!" He took my hand, led me out the front door, and sat down on the steps. I joined him, placing my head on his shoulder. It was refreshing to be able to breath – the house was full of people and stunk of alcohol, sweat and smoke.
"Alex, are you okay?"
"Mmmm……" I hummed comfortably. "Why?"
"You've just been acting kinda weird lately. Not weird……just not you. You know you can tell me anything, right? Anything."
I silently gulped. My parents kept the truth a secret from me for 17 years without me learning anything. I've only known for two weeks and people are already suspicious.
"Come on," I said, grabbing his hand and pulling him to his feet. "I'm fine. Let's go and have some fun."
Praying the distraction had worked, I grabbed the front of his shirt and dragged him through the crowded living room. The large glass doors are open onto the patio, above the swimming pool full of teenagers in skimpy swimwear.
I pulled him against my chest and we joined all the other people who were dancing around us in the hot summer air.
-
Yesterday was perfect.
I slept in and my breakfast was brought to me in bed. Mom and Dad invited James and Kat, their parents, Will and Francie, and Weiss and Mel for lunch in the early afternoon. We spent hours talking – it's quite unusual how I'm so close to so many adults, but these people are like family.
Best of all - Mom and Dad bought me a CAR!!! Apparently I've gone through a lot recently, am very brave and they're very proud of me.
I can't help but grin.
It's brand new, a little black sports car. I love it!
After making me swear I'd stay safe and ring someone if there were any problems, they flew to Sweden for the weekend. I'm not sure they'll still trust me as much after they return home!
-
"Alex. ALEX!" Kat yelled into my ear. I broke the kiss and looked at her, slightly frustrated at being interrupted. "Can you keep your hands off my brother for one second? You have to cut the cake and open your prezzies!"
I let my hands drop from around James' neck and grabbed his hand. Linking my free arm through Kat's, she led me to the huge pile of gifts in the living room where everyone was struggling to gather around. Someone turned off the lights and Matt and Rebekah, two of my closest friends from school, carried in a huge chocolate cake, made especially for me by Francie, big enough to feed everyone in the room. After singing 'Happy Birthday', everyone out of tune, my friends all cheered and I blew out the candles.
"This is from me and Daniel," someone said from behind me, throwing a present into my lap. "One drink per present or we're taking them with us."
I poked my tongue out at them, but skulled a shot of tequila. Ripping open the paper, I discovered a black top.
"Thanks so much!" I squeaked, giving them both a hug.
-
"Here's the last one. It's from me."
I looked up at James. "You've already given me a present."
Last night he took me out to dinner and we went to a little carnival. We rode the ferris wheel, ate cotton candy, and he won me a huge teddy bear. It felt like a movie - the most perfect way to spend the evening.
"That was from your best friend and this is from your boyfriend." He whispered in my ear, so only I could hear.
I removed the wrapping paper and opened the box. Inside was a velvet jewellery box. I looked back at him and he nodded for me to continue.
Opening the maroon box, I found a necklace. White gold with a tiny heart pendant. My eyes filled with tears and I flung my arms around his neck, burying my face in his shoulder.
"It's gorgeous," I said into his lips a moment later. The guys began catcalling and James must've sensed my embarrassment because he pulled away and gave me another hug.
"Thank you so much."
"Happy birthday Lexy. Just remember that I love you, okay, and I'm always here for you."
-
An empty vodka bottle rolled across the carpet from where Kat was lying on the couch, with her head on her boyfriend, Chris', lap. Everyone, except for my closest friends, had left and we'd all collapsed amongst the rubbish on the floor in the living room.
"Let's play spin-the-bottle," Matt suggested.
"You just wanna kiss my girlfriend," James answered, playfully punching him in the stomach.
"I haven't played that since I was about 12!" someone groaned.
"It'll be fun! Come on."
"Okay," I slurred. "But Birthday Girl thinks that Matt should start, considering it's his faaaaantasstic idea."
Matt made out with Jenna, Chris with Rebekah, and James with me. We were in fits of giggles, just like 8th Grade.
Kat spun the bottle and it stopped, pointing directly at me. This is what the guys had been waiting for.
"Okay, I'm gonna need some more alcohol! Vodka? Someone get me some Vodka!" I yelled out to no one in particular.
"That would be great……Thanks." I continued when no one moved.
-
"There is NO way I'm kissing my sister! You guys can all go fuck yourselves."
"Wait," I began. "No one in here wants to see you guys make out! That's way too gross! But you have to do something."
"STRIP spin-the-bottle!" I concluded. "Insteada of kissing, you gotta take off an item of clothing." Now I was standing behind where he was sitting on the floor. He looked up at me, shocked.
"Come ooooon!" I whined. "It'll be fun."
I reached down and lifted the ends of his shirt, pulling it over his head. Suddenly James twisted around, grabbed my legs and, probably due to all the alcohol, I lost my balance and landed in his lap.
"You're muscly," I purred, rubbing my hands over his chest, even though I'd seen him topless lots of times before.
"Okay, you guys have got to get a room."