Author's Note: Standard disclaimer applies. I own no part of the LJS universe. I offer this up as homage, as a way to kill the boredom until Strange Fate comes out. Please don't sue me...I am not worth the trouble, I assure you. As always, feedback is welcomed...if not craved. Thanks for reading!
Jenny opened her eyes to find herself floating among the stars."I must be dreaming," she said aloud."You are," a voice answered from behind her.
That's when she knew she was dreaming, because the voice belonged to Julian. She began to sob, with soft cries escaping her lips. Jenny expected Julian to come to her, to take away the pain in an instant, but he didn't.
"Why are you crying?" he asked instead.
"Because I know this is a dream. And the reason I know that is your voice. It's just like I remember it sounding before I saw you in the Shadow World. And that means I'm wrong because I can never really remember how your voice sounds until I hear it for real. So I'm dreaming and it means you aren't real."
With that she broke down again.
"Oh Jenny, "Julian's arms circled her from behind. "Who said I'm not real?"
At that Jenny stopped crying and turned to look up at him, still cradled in his arms. Her heart skipped a beat as her eyes met his. He was wearing the same outfit as he had been when
Jenny had last seen him. He looked great in the black duster jacket. Of course, he would look great in anything.
"What do you mean? I saw you die!"
"I told you I'd go into another dream and here I am. I was hoping you'd be here. You said you'd dream me into a place of light and I want you there with me- always."
Her cheeks felt hot and she couldn't help but smile. Suddenly she felt better, as if a weight had begun to lift from within her.
"Well I'll give you until I wake up, anyway."
She laughed and closed her eyes, imagining where she would take Julian. She felt a bright light strike her lids. Jenny opened her eyes to see a hole in the stars, just as she had
imagined there would be. Julian took her hand and they walked through and as they did they found themselves on a pristine white beach, with water gently lapping at the shore. Just then she caught the faint sound of music. It was that same otherworldly music they had danced to before. Julian closed the distance between them and took her in his arms. Jenny sighed in contentment. She felt the water caressing her ankles, and she cast her eyes down to watch it play. It was then she noticed the change. Jenny was surprised to find she was wearing the gold dress. The one she had been wearing when they danced at Prom. She looked over and saw Julian was sporting the same tuxedo along with a wolfish (and quite sexy, she thought to herself) grin.
"Your idea, I take it?"
"Well it's my dream too. And I am quite partial to that particular outfit, as you well know. I wish you could have seen how you affected everyone in that ballroom. All eyes were upon you, as well they should have been."
His choice of words caused a thought to strike her.
"I don't know why this just occurred to me and we sort of talked about this before but did you watch me all the time, twenty-four seven?"
When he gave her what could only be described as a lecherous grin she paled and he laughed.
"I am above all a gentleman."
At her dubious look he laughed again then added,
"If you need proof just consider the fact that I made sure we were alone each and every time I kissed you breathless."
He looked at her lips as he talked, and when his eyes met hers that look, that hungry look of his as back. Jenny felt a shiver run down her spine, and she tried to keep her gaze steady. But it was too much and she ducked her head, hiding her face in his shirt. She was mortified that she had even brought up the topic. Julian laughed and Jenny could feel the reverberations within his chest. He began to lead her again in time to the music, which had continued to play. Jenny closed her eyes and swayed along with Julian, listening to the music and the quiet roar of the tide. She tried to think of something to say to chase away the amusement Julian was experience and bring back that look that made her weak at the knees, not mention everywhere else! Suddenly it came to her, and she gathered her courage to say it. But her voice wouldn't fully cooperate, so she leaned up to whisper in his ear.
"Alone? You mean like we are now?"
Part of her couldn't believe
she had actually said that, while part of her reasoned that this was a dream
and therefore a different set of rules applied here. The rest of her simply
recognized that Julian made her feel wild, beautiful and desired. That part of
Jenny embraced the feelings and the unparalleled joy they brought. Knowing she
was capable of causing these intense feelings in someone was heady stuff
indeed.
Jenny missed Julian's eyes widen at her question, but she couldn't mistake the
passion that darkened them when he leaned in to her, his mouth only a few
inches away.
It felt real. Jenny felt that same electric current ignite her blood at the touch of his lips on hers. She sighed and gave herself up to the feelings coursing through her, tightening her arms
around him.
She was jerked awake by the cab's abrupt stop. Her fingers flew to her mouth as if in disbelief. She wanted the dream to last a little longer, like forever? Her conscience mocked her. Everyone else was awake and groggy too. It took a while to realize that while they were indeed at Jenny's house, there was no cab. They were simply on the lawn.
"What?"
"What in the world?"
"What's going on?"
Jenny let her friends overlapping comments voice her own confusion. Behind them the front door to Jenny's house opened and her dad popped his head out.
"Well I didn't believe it but I guess it's true."
Jenny felt very confused and more than a little bit frightened at what he possibly was referring to. With an effort she found her voice.
"What do you mean, Dad?"
"Well your grandpa said you were all out here watching the sunrise together and I had to see it for myself. Come on inside everyone, and I'll fix you some breakfast."
And with that he turned to go inside, shutting the door behind him.
"Did he just say 'grandpa'?" It was Zach who uttered the question, albeit in a voice barley audible.
"But how?" This came from Michael.
The answer came from Tom.
"Julian."