Disclaimer: Don't own any of it, although there are certain people I wouldn't mind owning...(You know who you are...)
A/N: Anyways, once again, my wonderful brain trust decided to take a hike, so the ideas were once again GONE. But have no fear; I've got 'em again, so you get more story! Thanks to canadianfan1984, Any, Dan, and sharebear for reviewing.
(Side note to canadianfan1984: Yeah, she does. Everyone needs friends like that. And of course, having a boyfriend who is the textbook definition of "tall, dark, and handsome" doesn't hurt at all! Thanks for reading, and I hope you're not too pissed that I took so long to put this up. I can't help it that my muse decided to go on vacation... :D)
(Side note to Any: Well, thanks! Not everyday someone just finds something and loves it. Hope you keep reading and that you review again.)
(Side note to sharebear: Thanks for the information! It's really helpful; I don't know how yet, but it will be. Besides, it kinda works; I mean, Jerry O'Connell looks older than he really is, and Jill Hennessey looks younger than she really is. I know, it is a new twist, and so far it's been really well received by the readers; a fact that never ceases to amaze me. Thanks for reading, and I hope you keep enjoying the story!)
(Side note to Dan: Well, you're getting more! Please keep reviewing. It really helps.)
Chapter Seventeen: Welcome and Unwelcome Visitors
"How's it going down there Amanda?" Nigel asked, addressing the pair of feet that were sticking out from under the desk.
Amanda rolled out from under the desk looking frazzled. "Well, seeing as how I haven't set up computers on a wireless network since about, oh, 10th grade, it's going pretty well. I only have to get the monitor plugged in, and then plug the power cables into that power strip over there, and then I'll be done." With that, she rolled back under the desk to finish working. A few moments later, the door opened, and Jordan walked in.
"Hey Nigel," she said, looking around the room. "Where's Amanda?"
Nigel pointed down at the floor, and Jordan looked down to see a pair of legs sticking out from under the desk.
"Down here," Amanda said, rolling out from under the desk and standing up. "What'd I do this time?"
"Nothing," Jordan said with a grin. "But there's something you should see in the conference room."
Amanda looked at Nigel, who waved his hand at the door, as if to say, "Oh go on then." With the obvious permission given, Amanda walked out of the office and towards the conference room.
Amanda was deep in thought as she walked to the conference room, so deep in thought that she almost didn't see Peter walking down the hallway in the opposite direction.
"What's got you so deep in thought?" he asked. Amanda jumped, and then sighed with relief.
"I didn't see you coming," she said. "Jordan came into the office when I was fixing the computer and told me that there was something I should see in the conference room, and I have no idea what it is. I'm actually a bit worried."
"Don't be," Peter said. "Just go see what it is. You never know, it could be something decent."
"Fine, I'll go see," Amanda said with a small sigh of defeat. "But if it's another rat's brain, I'm having you and Bug shot."
"Oh come on, Amanda, it was only once," Peter said with a roguish grin. "And you thought it was funny."
Amanda glared at Peter, then grinned. "Well, if you'll excuse me," she said with a tone of mock superiority. "I have some business to attend to in the conference room."
With that, she turned and walked off, stopping at the third door on the left. As she opened it, Peter grinned. He knew exactly what was inside the room, and knew Amanda would be happily surprised.
Amanda opened the door of the conference room and went inside. She scanned the room, trying to see what the surprise might be, when her eyes widened. Sitting at the table in the middle of the room was a young woman in her late 20s with brown hair and brown eyes. Amanda screamed with joy and ran to her sister.
"Oh my god!" Amanda shouted. "Michelle, what the hell are you doing here?"
Michelle Anderson caught her younger sister in a hug and said, "Is it a crime to come out and visit your younger sister occasionally?"
"No! Of course not! I'm just really surprised to see you here," Amanda said all in one breath. "I thought you couldn't get off work this week?"
"And miss my little sister's 19th birthday? What kind of big sister do you think I am?" Michelle said with mock disgust as they sat down at the table. "Anyways, the boss owed me a favor for fixing the budget on my day off, and I called it in, so here we are!"
"That's really cool Shelley, I mean-wait a minute..." Amanda said slowly, standing up and looking suspiciously at her older sister. "You said we, not I. Who else did you bring?"
At that moment, Amanda found herself being dive-bombed from the sides by 4 children who had just appeared from under the table, laughing their heads off. "I guess this is what you meant by we?" Amanda asked ruefully from the floor where she lay under a pile of kids.
"Surprise Aunt Amanda!!" screamed the kids. "Happy Birthday!"
Amanda laughed as she sat up and pulled the kids into a gigantic group hug. "Thank you," she said. "So, how are you little demon children?"
"We're fine," said Chad and John together as they stood up, before realizing that they had been tricked. "HEY!"
"Sorry," Amanda said with a grin as she stood up, pulling the two remaining giggling children up with her. "I couldn't resist." She looked at the two 4 year olds standing next to her and said, "And how are you two?"
"We were good," said the little girl, as her brother nodded. "We were good on the plane."
"Yeah," said the little boy. "We were good. We gotted wings!" He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small pin shaped like a pair of wings. "See?"
"Very nice," Amanda said, admiring the wings for her nephew and niece's benefits. "So, where's your dad?"
"Dad's back at the hotel," Chad said as he peeked out the door. "Where are all the dead people?"
The twins and John sniggered, while Amanda blanched visibly. She hadn't thought he'd ask that, but of course, she should've; him being her nephew and all.
"They put them away so you wouldn't get to 'em," Michelle said to her oldest son. "So, now that you guys have seen your aunt again, it's time to go back to the hotel."
True to their nature, the kids began to whine (the twins), plead (Chad), and give the puppy face (the twins, Chad, and John). Michelle looked at her kids, sighed, and said, "OK, OK, but only two of you can stay."
The twins, sensing that this was their opportunity, walked over to Amanda and latched on to her legs, giving their mom the puppy face as best as they could. Amanda looked down at the new appendages, and then looked at Michelle. Once again, Michelle sighed in defeat and said, "OK, you two can stay with your aunt. But there are a few rules: Jack, no pulling your sister's hair; Jill, no kicking your brother-that goes for you too Jack; and both of you, listen to your aunt."
At that moment, Jordan walked into the room. She looked around for Amanda, then saw her standing across the room, with two small children attached to her legs. Amanda gave her a "what can I do? They want to stay..." look, and Jordan grinned. Her grin faded as she remembered the reason she had come in.
"Amanda, if you're not too busy, there's someone else here to see you," she said. "He's waiting out here in the hallway."
Amanda nodded, and-detaching the kids from her legs-walked out into the hallway, the kids tagging along behind.
He stood there in the hallway, aware of the dirty looks he was receiving from the woman who was returning to tell him Amanda would be there in a moment. He was aware of the MEs watching him from the doorways, and of a cop standing next to the woman. He saw her then, walking down the hallway, stopping to talk two of the MEs before continuing.
He hoped she would talk to him. It had been far too long.
Amanda walked down the hallway, the twins a small distance in front of her, jibber-jabbering to each other. A voice stopped her.
"So, are these two of the demons?" Nigel asked as he came up the hallway with Peter.
"We're not demons!" Jack said.
"We're twins!" said Jill with a grin. Amanda laughed at their innocence and said, "Kids, this is Dr. Townsend, and this is Dr. Winslow. They work here."
Jill motioned for Amanda to lean down. "Is that your boyfriend?" Jill whispered, pointing at Peter. Amanda nodded. "Just wondering," Jill said. Peter laughed, having heard the attempt at a serious conversation.
"Maybe not for long," he said with a grin. "That guy waiting for you at the end of the hall says he needs to talk to you urgently."
"Well then, I guess I must be going," Amanda said lightly, secretly wondering who this "mystery man" was. "Come on you two, let's go."
The twins waved at Peter and Nigel, and followed their aunt down the hallway.
Amanda got to the end of the hallway and stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the man standing there. Her eyes became cold and icy, and her voice turned to steel.
"What are you doing here Justin?"