A/N:I would have updated yesterday if not for the log-in issues. Still not entirely sure where this came from; the idea came to me at work one night several weeks ago.

Destined to Repeat

((AU Fantasy crossover w/ Arthurian legend - Josh/Mindy, pre-Drake/Mindy - Rating: K; Words: 687)

Mindy tugs at her bracelet, unaware of how worn thin it has become. The strand binding the bracelet breaks under the tension and the freshwater pearls spill onto the floor, rolling around, spreading to surround her in a radial pattern. It's a metaphor, an allegory, there's so much symbolism, it's the current state of their lives and the future that lies ahead no matter what choices they make.

It has barely begun but she knows that this has all happened before. The three of them have danced this dizzy tango, spinning her around, from one to the other, back and forth.

She doesn't believe in reincarnation. Yet…

Once upon a time…

There are memories and dreams that cannot be her own, that cannot be real.

Whenever she wakes to the sound of the rain, she remembers that once upon a time she lived in Camelot and that she was called by the name of Guinevere. She was the king's consort and as much as she loved and treasured her king, she betrayed him with his most favored and trusted knight. She remembers that history is destined to repeat itself.

They will fall and so will go Camelot.

Then she realizes that she must have still been dreaming because she lives in San Diego, California and she's in high school and she loves Josh, and she and Drake hate each other (except when no one's looking, it's not hatred burning in their eyes). Josh is not a king and Drake is certainly no knight, if he were, his armor would be dull and full of dings and dents. Drake does not possess the loyalty of Lancelot nor any wisdom that Josh would ever need. Josh lacks the bravery of Arthur and the ability to wield any power. Her heart cannot be torn.

Where are the Lady of the Lake, Sir Gawain, Morgana, and all the others? They are nowhere because they do not exist and they never did. There is no sword in a stone, no kingdom in need of a ruler, no queen in need of a lover, no knight in need of a sire, no witchcraft or wizardry, no sworn vengeance. There is only here and now and the reality of their lives.

She looks at the pearls, now still, on the floor and she resolves that she will never be the Guinevere to Josh's Arthur and Drake's Lancelot. She will never betray Josh and she will never love Drake. She has decided. The queen has made up her mind. She is not a queen; she never was and she never will be because her father calling her "Princess" is nothing more than a pet name, a term of endearment.

She doesn't know that she has it right and all wrong at the same time. She can't see past what they mean to her now and what she means to them; how could she possibly know?

But she should have because this happened before. In another place, in another time. It happens over and over and when she realizes her mistake, every time, she thinks that she should have known better. That perhaps this was her chance to put an end to the vicious cycle of love, lust, and betrayal.

Maybe in the next life, she will have learned, she will remember. Except she doesn't believe in more than one life. She doesn't know that the pattern has already been broken.

Years from now, Mindy will finally know and it won't make any sense because this time around, it is happening out of order.

She will always be Guinevere, just as Josh has always been Lancelot and Drake will always become their Arthur.

They all kneel and begin to gather the fallen pearls. Her fingers brush Drake's as they reach for the same smooth crystalline ball of calcium carbonate and she pulls her hand back, her fingers curling her hand into a loose fist. She stands, opening her hand for Josh and he places several pearls in her palm. Drake drops the last pearl into her hand and their eyes meet.

The once and future king….

*** Finis ***