Disclaimer: No, I still don't own any Archie character. Nor do I own the song, only the plot his mine. Popped up in my insane brain.
We
had a life, we had a love,
But you don't know what you've got 'til
you lose it
Well that was then and this is now
And I want you
back
How many times do I have to say I'm sorry
How can
something so good go so bad
How can something so right go so
wrong
I don't know, I don't have all the answers
But I want you
back
How many times can I say I'm sorry
You can run, and
you can hide
But I'm not leaving less you come with me
We've
had our problems but I'm on your side
You're all I need, please
believe in me
I only wanted someone to love
But something
happened on the way to heaven
It got a hold of me and wouldn't let
go
And I want you back
How many times do I have to say I'm
sorry
They
say you can't take it with you
When you go
And I believe it
But
taking what I've got or being
here with you, you know
I'd
rather leave it
"Something happened on the way to heaven", by Phil Collins.
Stormy Anniversary
Twenty years. It has been exactly twenty years since the day he married Lara-Le. To someone else, this day would have been spent partying and laughing. But to him, it would not.
Laying in his bed, Locke the Echidna sighed. He longed to be at his ex-wife's side. He longed to see her smile as he says 'Happy anniversary'. He closed his eyes, leaning against his pillow. Guilt overcame him as it always did when he thought about Lara. Well, you should be guilty, his mind scolded. After all you did to her, ignoring her, taking her only child. Hell, you shouldn't be guilty: you should be ashamed of yourself.
Letting out another sad sigh, the red echidna sat up in his bed. Since he was awake, he could as well get up and start his day. Faking a yawn for good measure, he slipped his boots on and stirred. He hoped that nobody remembered what day it was… or at least that they didn't show it. He wished to spend a calm day, away from his ancestors, and think about Lara, their marriage, their life.
No such luck. Someone knocked on the door, and Locke gritted his teeth. What was wrong now? The members of the Brotherhood never bothered to wake each others up, since there was no schedule. Who was here, and why?
"Locke," Sabre's voice came from behind the door. "Son, are you awake?"
Locke said nothing, and was tempted to fake sleep. But it has to be something important enough, since his father has come to him personally. He sighed and answered: "Yes I am. Come in."
Sabre came in, and Locke was shocked by the clueless look on his father's face. He looked like he just heard Athair say something smart. Frowning, the brown echidna jerked a thumb behind him. "Come with me. There's something that might interest you."
Puzzled, and curious, Locke got up, throwing his lab coat on while walking. He wondered what could have made his father come and get him. Did somebody die? No, he would have felt it through their mental bond. Seems I'll just have to wait and see what happened, he thought to himself.
He followed his father in the corridors, and noticed they were nearing the surveillance room. He began worrying, and frowned; did something happen to his computers? They got in the room, where Sojourner was seated in front of a computer. He looked up as Sabre and Locke walked in, and sighed.
"At least you're here. What were you doing?" he growled.
Somebody didn't have his coffee… "Good morning to you too, Grandfather," Locke said.
"Locke," Sabre interrupted, "look at that." He pointed at the computer screen that Sojourner has been watching seconds earlier. Locke looked at it… and widened his eyes. There, walking on the path leading to Haven's main entrance was… Lara-Le? What in the name of the Chaos Emeralds was she doing here?
Sabre smiled at his gaping son, and patted his shoulder. "I'm at least as surprised as you are, but I do remember this is a special day, isn't it?"
"Hardly," Locke whispered. "I didn't expect her to remember…"
"Well, you better go greet her, since she's here."
Locke nodded without making the mental note to do it. He then walked out of the surveillance room, still dazed. Lara? Here at Haven? Why did she even bother to come, the day of their anniversary? Did she do that on purpose, or was she just coming by to say hello? No, this last one wasn't possible; Lara never dropped by to say hello.
Well, I will find out eventually…He made his way down to the elevator bay, and got to the surface. He walked out of the dark and narrow cave, leaning against the rock. Now all he had to do was wait… and he did. He stared blankly at the swaying trees and dark coloured sky. A storm is on the way…
Minutes later, he caught sight of his ex-wife. Lara was walking on the stone-covered ground, right toward him. He began wondering; should he smile? Should he ask her what she was doing here? Should he say 'Happy anniversary'? By the time he pondered that over, she was in front of him. And smiling from ear to ear.
"Hello Locke," she said cheerfully. "How are you?"
"I-uh-I am fine," he stammered, not knowing what expression his face has turned into. "And you? How are things?"
"Great." She tilted her head on a side, looking at him quizzically. He felt himself stiffening under her gaze, wondering why she was staring at him like that. "Surely, you didn't forget what day it is, did you?" she asked.
Locke shook his head, and she smiled once again. "I knew you didn't forget! I told Wyn but he wouldn't believe me." She got on her tiptoes and pecked his cheek. He was startled, but found himself kissing her cheek too. "Happy anniversary" he said softly. "But… why did you come? Not that I am complaining, but we aren't married anymore, Lara."
Lara just shrugged. "It doesn't matter. That day is still special to me, married or not. Don't think that just because we're divorced and you live here means you are nobody to me."
Locke smiled gently. "And Wynmacher? Does he know you are here?"
"He is at work, and he won't come home till late in the night. He must be suspecting that I am here, but I didn't tell him… because I knew he would disagree."
Locke opened his mouth to say something, but whatever he was going to say was drowned by sudden thunder. He looked up; the sky was almost black, and there were flashes of lighting that sunk through the dark clouds. He felt a droplet of water splat on his nose, and then a cascade of rain was unleashed.
"Lara, come in before you get drenched," he said, pulling her in the cave. There they watched the raging storm shake the trees and unleashing hell on the island. A hissing sound was heard; it must have been the wind. Locke turned to Lara. "There's no way I'm letting you go home in that storm. You're staying at Haven till the weather calm down."
She tried to protest politely. "I don't want to bother…"
"You won't bother anyone."
"What is the Brotherhood going to say?"
"They can say whatever they want, for all I care. You could get lost, hurt, maybe even worse, and I'd blame this on myself. You are staying," he said firmly.
Lara sighed, and finally nodded. "All right, I'll stay. But not too long…"
XXXXXXX
Spectre the Echidna yawned tiredly. He had just got up, and was walking toward the kitchen. His angry stomach grumbled in protest, longing for a hot breakfast and a big glass of orange juice. He smiled at the idea, and forced himself to go faster. He was halfway there, when he heard Thunderhawk's shout.
"What do you think you're doing, Fifth son?"
Curious, he risked a glance in another corridor, and frowned upon seeing Thunderhawk, hands on hips, standing in front of an annoyed looking Locke. Behind the red echidna, Lara-Le was looking worriedly at Thunderhawk. The lavender echidna was not in the mood to be messed with.
"Why did you bring her here?" he bellowed.
"Because it's pouring rain out here," Locke retorted. "I couldn't just let her walk home and end up hurt or lost."
"And why do you think you couldn't? The matter is: you could, but you would not. That's what the problem with you is all about, Locke; you rarely do what you can do."
Spectre couldn't take it anymore, and decided to step in. "Son, leave them be," his cold voice rang. "Locke is just being polite to Lara-Le; I don't see why you bother him."
Thunderhawk mumbled something under his breath, but straightened his shirt and walked away. After all he couldn't go against his father. Spectre nodded to Locke and Lara, and resumed striding toward the kitchen.
"Why did he help us?" Lara asked Locke once Spectre was out of sight.
Locke shrugged. "Who knows? Ways of the morning starving black echidna's heart are impenetrable."
XXX
Stupid wrist, stupid! whacks wrist, and howls in pain ARGH! Hum, anyway, here's the first chapter, and yes I know I said I would finish "Having Fun" before writing that, but I changed my mind, blame it on my insane brain. Stupid brain! whacks head with broken wrist ARGH! My head! My wrist! However, chapter two coming up soon!
