Chapter XX: Encore

FD: Okay, not necessarily inspired by Eminem, but still, thanks to his songs, I got an idea for this chapter. If this chapter is inspired by any song by Em, it would be Like Toy Soldiers, but not so much. Some of the lyrics from MOSH did help, but not so much. IF you enjoyed the fic, and don't want it to end, I'm sorry, but there is only two more chapters, plus an Epilogue. But, good news (especially for you, Tiky, my fruendin), I'm working on a sequel as we speak. You'll love it! There's a lot more of Sarah's family in it, plus some mysteries will be solved. I ain't gonna say no more for now, but enjoy.


While the Dark Diamonds and friends and the Majestics were having adventures in Europe, back in America, Winter break came and went, and now Spring break was under way.


"Ya-hoo! Spring break at last!" Bree Zuniga cried as she ran out of the backdoors of the school and into the parking lot, her blonde ponytail swaying gently behind her, her hazel eyes sparkling with excitement. Behind her followed another girl, Beth Lottana, a tall African-American girl with soft, thin, straight black hair and serious brown eyes.

"Goin' for the tennis tournament comin' up?" Beth asked in her low voice. Bree nodded. She had the perfect figure, long, thin legs, a perfect waist and face, but mostly guys stared at her chest because of her outfits. Today she wore a spring green, low-cut tank top and a pair of tight black pants with black boots.

"Yeah. And I'm guessin' you're gonna go for golf all month, huh?" she asked. Beth nodded. She didn't have the perfect body, but she was skinny and weight-conscious. Her arms were small, yet packed a powerful swing when she played golf. That was her sport. But Beth wasn't looking at Bree, but up at the sky as a plane flew over. Bree got the hint.

"I know. They've been gone for a long time. They should've come back by now."

"I miss them. You think we should call them and ask what's goin' on?" Beth asked.

"I don't know, somethin' tells me we shouldn't," Bree confessed.

"Well, if it isn't the Loser Sisters!" cackled a familiar voice into the lot. Bree and Beth turned to see a girl walking toward them, being followed by a couple of love-blinded boys. Krystal Henderson, tall, Mexican, with long black hair and brown eyes. She used boys' hormones to her advantage by dressing in clothes that showed more skin than a swimsuit. Bree growled low in her throat.

"Get lost, Krystal!" she hissed.

"Make me!" Krystal hissed. "Where's the other freaks?"

"F.Y.I., Kris, they're in Europe. The last time I heard from Tiffany, she told me they were doin' well in Europia, and each one has a steady, rich boyfriend," Beth teased. "I guess you're just jealous because each guy you lay isn't even up on the food chain."

"Who has a boyfriend?" came a serious, stern voice. Bree and Beth gasped and turned to come face to face with an elderly man, walking toward them, leaning on a cane. His light brown hair was flecked with gray, while his serious blue eyes just flared with no emotions. A brown goatee traced around his mouth.

"Ah! D-D-Dr. House! What brings you here!" Beth cried. A pleased smile crossed Krystal's face.

"Well, don't you look so smug, Miss Henderson. Tell me, how's the young virgin, Mr. Thomason?" he asked Krystal. She blushed, then scoffed and stormed off.

"Wow. That was so cool, Dr. House!" Bree said.

"Please, it was nothing. Listen, I need you're help, ladies. I'm thinking of signing up my daughter as an automatic doctor at the hospital," Dr. House spoke.

"WHAT!"


The night came quickly in Europe. Life had returned to normal for everyone. Malik, who was still unconscious, was taken into custody by the Feds until further notice. They explained to them that he had kidnapped Sarah and beat her, but it was until her friends found out where she was that he committed suicide, but it didn't work. Sarah was suggested to go to the hospital, but there was nothing wrong, plus she refused not to go to any hospital but the one her father worked at. Now she was standing alone in her room, staring out at the night. The full moon was shining down on the city brightly from a clear sky. The stars were like glitter plastered onto a black piece of paper that a child had made.

This day had been so ruthless and violent, and, though she was so weak and exhausted, Sarah was wide awake, fearing that if she fell asleep, she would never wake up from her eternal dreams. She couldn't even look Robert in the eyes without fearing that it would be the last time she would see him. Jin decided to hang around for awhile, staying with Valon and Alister at their hotel. There was definitely something about Jin that seemed familiar. Where had she seen him before. Somehow, that memory seemed buried deep within her mind. Why couldn't she recapture it?

"Do you want me to leave you alone?" Robert's voice came from behind her. Immediately tears formed, but they did not fall. She turned to him and shook her head.

"I could've lost you. Seventeen years ago, I could've never met you," Sarah said, choking on the tears.

"What are you talking about?" Robert asked.

"This wasn't the first time I nearly died. Seventeen years ago, on the day I was born, there was an accident that a woman and man of eighteen were caught in. The woman was sent to the hospital immediately, and the man was hurt badly, his leg injured permanently. I could've died in that accident if it wasn't for my daddy," Sarah explained. "I never even knew about that accident until earlier today when the memory flashed before my eyes. All my life, my dad pretended his leg didn't bother him until it got hurt again."

"When was that?" Robert asked.

"Five years ago. Someone broke into our house at night. My dad had hidden a gun well for our protection when I was with him. The burglar also had a gun, and when he came after me, my daddy jumped into the way and got two bullets in the same leg that was already injured. The doctors said that he was lucky that he survived. He could've lost his whole leg. No one knows what saved him, but my daddy has saved me many times in my life. I owe him so much," Sarah sobbed.

Robert approached her and wrapped his arms around her. "Shh. It's okay, now. Don't worry. Everything will be alright," he said. Tears fell like the rain onto his shoulder and Sarah was shaking as she let everything out. Her pain, her anger, her hatred, all the things she kept inside her and had built up over the years came out through the tears that fell from her face. Robert comforted her and held her close through it all.

After she cried for a few minutes, she pulled away and kissed Robert. It was a short kiss, but it was all that was needed. It showed that she wanted to repay him for everything, but he shook off that feeling, but was blinded by the love she held for him. He brought her close and stroked her hair.

"I'm just glad to have you back in my arms, Sarah. I almost lost you. I'm not going to lose you again," he said. Sarah smiled as she returned the embrace and soon darkness filled the room, allowing the light to fade only briefly for them.


"Damn, Bush does it again!" Yuji growled, crumpling up the newspaper she had been reading for an hour.

"Everything okay?" Oliver asked.

"No. I just can't believe what Bush has been doing there!" Yuji growled again. She had told Oliver everything, but he felt it wasn't right to talk about it.

"Who's Bush?" he asked.

"The president of America. So far, he's been the most stupidest, horrible, fuckin' president in this country!" Yuji said.

Oliver back off, then curiousity got him.

"What's happening?" he asked.

"He's forcing the army of America to go to Iraq and fight Husane!" she cried.

"I thought you didn't care?" Oliver asked.

"About my father and family. But Tiffany's dad is in the army, and Sarah's is close, even though he's already injured over the years. He once went to the military before she was born."

Oliver knew what she was talking about and what she was trying to do. She wanted to erase the memory of the day away from her mind. But the lesson she should've learned, like how Sarah learned, was that memories don't fade, but are buried. They can never go away, no matter how hard you try. That should have been clear to her. After all, the memories that Sarah had forgotten came back, but was Yuji willing to remember hers?


"I can't keep them here in Europe, Maxwell. Don't worry, they're gonna come home soon," Steve said as he hung up. He had to bring the girls home. They were getting homesick, and things were getting dangerous here. He flipped open his phone and began dialing numbers in. They were going home soon. They had to.


"Hello?" Tiffany answered her phone.

Enrique was lying on her bed, staring up at her as she talked. Her voice was trembling as she talked. She kept looking at Enrique, then looking out the window. What was going on?

"Thanks. Bye," she said as she hung up. Then she turned to Enrique.

"Who was that?" he asked.

"Steve. He wants everyone to pack up their things. I'm sorry, Enrique, but I'm going home," she said sadly. Enrique's eyes widened.


FD: That's all for now. I'm exhausted. If you're question the theme, there was actually two. One was that memories never die, and that power and strength is nothing if you don't have a soul. Those were the themes. If you like the fic, please read and review. Tiky, I would like to say the following, sorry for the caps; THANKYOU SO MUCH FOR SUPPORTING ME ALL THIS WAY AND YOU'RE THE BEST! YOU HAVE HELPED ME OUT WITH MY SELF-ESTEEM AND HAVE BECOME A GREAT FRIEND! IF THERE'S ANYTHING YOU NEED, PLEASE LET ME KNOW, BECAUSE I OWE YOU SO MUCH! THANKS AGAIN! Peace!