Title: Tribe 3: Wonderwall
Chunk 8: Sections 36 thru 40
Fandom: The Tribe
Author: PinkTribeChick
Summary: I said maybe, you're gonna be the one that saves me . . . Life goes on for the Mall Rats after the Chosen take over the city.
Extended Summary: Essentially, this is an Alternate Universe story for Series 3 and beyond of the Tribe. I won't say anything more than that, because I don't want to spoil anything for those of you who have never read this before
Rating: Teen
Pairing: Too many to name! But Bray-Amber, Lex-Zandra, Ryan-Salene, and Jack-Ellie, for starters. There will also be some Tribe-character with original character pairings.
Author's Notes: Again many thanks as always go to Brett The Mole, as he was the one who talked me into sharing this story with others when I first started writing it, and he was the one who kept bugging me to complete it. I wouldn't have gotten anywhere without you, Brett! And major thanks to Ariannya, Whit, and all the others who at various times read and proofed sections for me and gave me their invaluable feedback.
This chunk is dedicated to my reviewers Tribefanatic, Tribalranger, and WhiteWarrior! Thanks again for reviewing guys!
Enjoy, and please review! Feedback is much appreciated!
Disclaimer: All characters, situations, and song lyrics remain the property of their respective owners. Troy Wisneski belongs to the author Paula Boock, from her Tribe novel "Power and Chaos." Any original characters are sole property of me, PinkTribeChick. The songs used in this section are "Maybe" by Alison Krauss and "Wonderwall" by Oasis.
Tribe 3: Wonderwall
Sections 36 thru 40
"Alright, you can go now," Tai-San said to KC, Patsy, and Cloe.
"But it's early," Patsy said. "We've barely learned anything." KC clamped his hand over her mouth.
"Don't question it, big mouth. She's letting us go early, so let's go," he said. They walked out of the room. Tai-San smiled at Sasha, who was standing in the other doorway, where the kids had been unable to see him.
"How did your meeting with Zandra and Lex go?" she asked him.
"Fine. Except it is going to be a double christening. Lex and Zan decided to include Amber and Bray's little one as well, which was actually Lex's idea, surprisingly," he replied. "I'm supposed to meet with Lex, Zandra, Amber, and Bray to discuss it, once they get back with the baby." They started to walk toward the café.
"Well, Lex does have a heart, even if he doesn't show it that much. And you have to realize, in a sense, he understands how Bray and Amber feel. He thought he'd lost not only Zandra, but Lexi, when they were kidnapped," Tai-San said.
"Yeah. I guess being a father just brings out the good side in him," Sasha said, shrugging his shoulders. They sat down across from each other at a table in the café. "Anyhow . . . I'm anxious to see Amber and Bray's baby. I wonder how much he'll look like her."
"Me, too. Of course, he could look more like Bray than Amber. You never know," Tai-San said. A thought occurred to her, about something that might have happened at Sasha's meeting with Lex and Zandra. "You didn't tell them about the marriage, did you?"
"Tell who?" Sasha said, confused.
"Lex and Zandra. You didn't mention to them about Lex's and my marriage, did you?" she repeated.
"No. I'm not that stupid. That is a book that I would just rather not open. Besides, it's not my place to bring it up, since it doesn't even involve me," he said. "And, at this point, it's the last thing on my mind."
"So, what is on your mind?" she asked, sighing silently in relief. He hadn't told anyone.
"Tea leaves," he said, smiling at her. She rolled her eyes, smiling back.
"Seriously, what's on your mind?" she said.
"Amber, as usual. You'd think I'd be over her by now, since it's been over a year. But, alas, my heart still aches." He put his hand on his chest, making a silly face. Tai-San laughed. "Seriously, though, I do miss her. I still love her as much as I did the day we met. Seeing her and Bray together, with their child, is going to be really hard."
"Well, if anyone knows how you feel, it's me," Tai-San said, putting her hand on his.
"Thanks," he said.
"Hey, you two! What's up?" Lex said, walking into the café. Tai-San pulled her hand back, her face turning red.
"Nothing at all. We were just talking," Sasha said, standing up. "Are you looking for someone?"
"I was looking for Tai-San, actually," Lex said. He looked over at her. "Can we talk?"
"Sure," she said in a monotone voice, standing up. "I'll be back in a few minutes, Sasha." He nodded.
"If you're not, I'll send out a search party," he said. She smiled at him. She and Lex walked out of the café, toward the antique store.
"So, Lex, what is it that you want to talk about?" Tai-San said, unable to bring herself to look at him, even though he was standing right beside her.
"I wanted to talk about that conversation we had the other day. The one where you said you weren't going to give me up without a fight?" he said.
"Unless you have something else you want to talk about, I'm going back to the café," she said, attempting to change the subject. The triangle between her, Lex, and Zandra was just something she didn't prefer to talk about. It hurt too much. Les took her by the arm and steered her into the antique store. He sat her down in a chair, and pulled up another chair for himself.
"Why didn't you tell me it bothered you in the first place?" he asked.
"Would it really have made any difference whatsoever, Lex?" she answered haughtily. "Let's be honest here, Lex. Since the day she "died", you've always been thinking about her, always wished you could get her back. She had your baby, Lex. It really didn't take a genius to figure out which one of us you were going to choose, so I just made it easier on you."
"Alright, well . . . even so, why didn't you tell me anyway? Why did you just expect me to figure it out on my own?" he said.
"I figured you knew me well enough to know how it would make me feel. You're the only person that knows me well enough to know that stuff does get to me. It was only logical that it would bother me if you left me for her," she said. "That would upset any normal person."
"But you're not just any normal person, Tai-San. And you usually tell me how you feel about things, with no beating around the bush or lying. Why?" he said. She looked away from him, her eyes filling with tears. "Answer me. Why?"
"I felt responsible for Zandra and Amber being kidnapped, or as we thought, dead. And I promised myself, that if they were alive, and we ever found them, I would give you up, no question, since it was my fault she was gone in the first place. I did it out of guilt, Lex. It's a wonderful thing. The only problem is, it wasn't my fault, and I know that now. So, why should I have to give up the one thing I love, to a girl who's never appreciated me for what I did for you, and hated me vehemently?" she said. The tears started to pour down her cheeks.
"You say you know everything there is to know about women, Lex, yet when it comes to this, you don't have a clue. Which really makes me think you don't really know anything at all about women. And I bet Zandra would love to hear that. She's known it for a long time, anyway."
"Where is this coming from, all this hostility toward me?" he asked, baffled.
"The same place it came from the first time you left me for Zandra. My broken heart," she snapped. She stood up. "I hope you're happy, Lex. And I also hope you drop dead before you reach the age of 21. Have a nice day." She smiled at him and left the room, running toward her own. She found Sasha in sitting in there, waiting for her. He stood up, wrapping her in his arms as she sobbed.
"Shhh . . . ," he said, stroking her hair. "It's going to be alright. I'm here, and I'm not going to let him hurt you anymore." He picked her up, cradling her in his arms, and took her over to her bed. He laid her down gently. "Just go to sleep. Things will look better once you've had some rest."
"No, they won't," she said bitterly. He put his finger to her lips to quiet her.
"Just try, please? You'll feel better," he said. She closed her eyes. He started to sing to her, softly.
"Maybe I can stand alone . . . And maybe I'm strong as stone . . . Even though the bird has flown . . . Maybe he'll fly on home."
She smiled in her sleep. He kissed her gently on the cheek and walked out of the room.
"Here we are," Troy said, as he, Bray, Amber, and Ryan came to a stop in front of a small cottage on the beach. Amber held Bray's hand tightly, as Troy went up and knocked on the door. It slowly opened, and behind it stood a teenage boy, holding an ax in his hand.
"Hello?" he said. "What do you want?"
"Is Marlaina here?" Troy asked.
"Yeah, she's here. Who are you, and what do you want with Marlaina?" the boy responded.
"My name's Jaffa. I'm here for the little boy she's been taking care of," Troy answered.
"And I'm supposed to believe you? I've met Jaffa before, and you don't look a thing like him," the boy snarled in suspicion. "How do I know you're telling the truth?" Troy took the boy by the collar and pulled him up close.
"Because if you don't, I'll beat the hell out of you right now, and that little boy's mother, who is standing over there, will help me!" he threatened. The boy looked over at Amber.
"She don't look dangerous to me," he said.
"You make her angry, and she can be. Now go get Marlaina and the boy," Troy said, pushing the boy back into the house.
"Yes, sir!" the boy exclaimed in fright. He ran into the house and upstairs. Bray and Amber walked up to the door, along with Ryan. Bray put his hand on Troy's shoulder.
"Our son better be okay, or you'll be paying for it for a very long time," Bray whispered into his ear.
"He'll be fine. Marlaina is a very good baby nurse, and she would never put any child's life in danger. That's why I chose her in the first place. That, and you guys would have never thought to look here," Troy said. A teenage girl came to the door, holding a baby in her arms. Troy plastered a smile on his face. "Ah, Marlaina. How have you been?"
"Fine, Jaffa. Sorry about the trouble the boy gave you. He's never seen you without the cape and all before," she replied. She had long brown hair, which was pulled back in a braid, and she was very large-waisted.
"I've come to fetch the boy," Troy said, pointing to the baby she held.
"Alright, well, here he is." She handed the baby to Troy. "I'll go and get his things." She turned and walked away momentarily. Troy turned to Amber. Her eyes filled with tears as she took her son from his arms. Bray put his arm around Amber and looked at his child. The baby boy had thick, sandy blond hair, and he looked up at Amber with a pair of blue eyes that looked just like Bray's. Tears rolled down Amber's cheeks as she kissed the baby on the forehead.
"Bray, I'd like you to meet our son," she said.
"He's beautiful," Bray said, in awe. "What's his name?"
"Bray Michael," she replied. Bray looked up at her, beaming.
"Good name," he said.
"I know," she answered, smiling. She took her son's tiny hand, and he wrapped it around her finger. "Hi, Michael. I'm your mommy. I'm going to be taking care of you from now on."
"And I'm your dad," Bray said. "And we're never going to let you go again. Never ever. I promise." Little Michael yawned, then closed his eyes, settling off to sleep in Amber's arms. Troy got the bags from Marlaina, and they left.
"Where are they?" Salene said, pacing back and forth in Trudy's room. Trudy sat on the bed, playing with Brady. "You don't think they were captured by another tribe, do you?"
"By what tribe, though? They're all peaceful now," Trudy said. "You have nothing to worry about. I'm sure they're on their way back to the Mall as we speak. Now will you stop pacing? You're going to make yourself go into premature labor if you don't stop worrying so much!"
"I know you're right, but I still can't help wondering. It just seems like they've been gone forever," Salene said, sitting down in a nearby chair.
"A watched pot never boils, Sal," Trudy said. "And stressing out never does anyone any good. Especially an expectant mother." Tzara walked into the room.
"Hi! What's up?" she said, looking back and forth between Trudy and Salene.
"Nothing. Salene's just worried about Ryan and the others, but mostly Ryan," Trudy said. "I keep telling her they're fine, and that she needs to stop worrying before she makes herself sick." She gave Salene a pointed look.
"Oh . . . ," Tzara said in understanding. "Well, do either of you want to help me find Dal? He's disappeared again."
"No, I haven't. I'm right here," Dal said, walking up beside her. Her face lit up when she saw him. "What can I do for you?"
"Some of the sutures came out, and I'm bleeding again," she responded, showing him her left arm.
"Alright, come with me," he said, taking her by the other hand and leading her out of the room. Salene looked over at Trudy.
"Was it just me, or was she looking for Dal not just because she was bleeding?" Salene said.
"It wasn't just you. I saw the way she smiled when he walked in," Trudy said. She started to laugh. "But something makes me think it's not just a one-sided affection."
"Me, too," Salene said. "It was cute to watch, though."
"Yeah. I just hope they both get a clue that they're into each other eventually," Trudy said. "Or we'll never see the end of it."
"True. So true," Salene said.
Tai-San woke up in her bed and looked around. Sasha was nowhere to be seen. She smiled to herself, remembering the words he had sung to her. Maybe I can stand alone . . . Maybe I'm strong as stone . . . Even though the bird has flown . . . Maybe he'll fly on home. She slid out of bed and walked, barefoot, toward the café. As she got closer, she could hear Sasha singing and playing his guitar. She peeked in the doorway to see him sitting on a table, with Trudy and Brady sitting nearby. Trudy was rocking Brady, trying to get her to go to sleep.
"I said maybe . . . you're gonna be the one who saves me . . . and after all . . . you're my wonderwall," Sasha sang to the little girl.
"I think she's asleep now," Trudy said quietly. "Thanks, Sasha. That was great." She smiled at him appreciatively.
"No problem," he said, as Trudy walked off.
"Nice song," Tai-San said. He turned around to see her walking into the room. "That was sweet of you to sing Brady to sleep."
"Yeah . . . it always seems to work," Sasha responded, shrugging his shoulders. He put his guitar in the case and closed it.
"I was wondering, what was that song you were singing to me earlier?" she asked.
"You heard that?" he said, his voice cracking, and his face turning red. He'd thought she was asleep.
"Yeah, I heard it. What was it? It was really pretty," she said.
"Maybe . . . it's an old country song my mother used to sing to me when I couldn't sleep. It always made me nod right off," he said.
"Oh," she said, nodding. She started walking over to him slowly, taking a few steps at a time. "Did I tell you? I'm thinking about staying on here a while. Taking a break from touring," he said, smiling slightly.
"That's great," she said.
"Yeah, I thought you would think so," he said quietly, looking down at his feet, shoving his hands into his trouser pockets.
"Oh," she said again. "Sasha?" He looked up at her again.
"Yes?" He smiled at her.
"I just wanted to say thank you. For being there for me the past couple of days. You've been a good friend," she said. She stood right in front of him now, touching his shoulder with her hand. He slid off the table, into a standing position.
"I'm glad I was able to help you," he said. They were almost nose-to-nose. "Tai-San?"
"Hmm?"
"About my tea leaves . . . how you said I'd settle down and find a home because of someone I love?" he said.
"What about it?" she asked.
"I think it's you, you know what I mean?" he answered.
"Yeah, I know what you mean," she said softly.
"And how your leaves said that you would find someone better for you than Lex?" he said. "I think I might know who that guy is."
"Who?" she whispered.
"Me," he said simply. He cupped his hands around her face and looked into her eyes for a moment. Then he kissed her tenderly. As she kissed him back, he slid his arms around her waist. Lex watched the scene from the doorway of the café, in frustration, before he turned and walked away quietly. He'd lost her forever now.
"We're back!" Bray called from downstairs. Salene and Trudy both jumped to their feet and ran downstairs, along with the rest of the tribe. Bray and Amber stood at the bottom of the stairs, smiling. Amber held Michael in her arms, and he was still asleep. Ryan and Troy stood behind them.
"You're okay!" Salene said, running to Ryan. He wrapped her up in his arms, hugging her. Trudy walked up to Bray and Amber.
"Trude, I'd like you to meet your nephew, Bray Michael," Bray said to her. She smiled at him.
"He's so little," she cooed, looking at the little boy in Amber's arms. "He looks just like you, Bray."
"Yes, he does," Amber said. "Lord, help us. He's going to be a ladies man someday, just like his daddy."
"I'm so proud of you," Dal said, giving Amber a squeeze and a peck on the cheek.
"If only my mom and dad could see me right now, see their grandson," Amber said.
"They can. And I'm sure they're both very proud," Dal said to her. He put his hand out to Bray. "Congratulations, Bray." They shook hands.
"I say this calls for a celebration," Lex said, smiling. "A double christening, perhaps?"
"Really?" Amber said. Lex nodded.
"We decided to put it off until tomorrow, so he can be in it, too. It was the least we could do," Zandra said, putting her arm around Lex's waist.
"You're the best, you know that?" Amber said to Zandra.
"I know. Just don't ever forget it, okay?" Zandra said, smiling. Sasha and Tai-San sauntered down the stairs, smiling.
"Sasha! Come see my son!" Amber called to him. Sasha walked over to her.
"I'm so happy for you," Sasha said. "And I mean it." He hugged her. Ebony walked over to Troy.
"You did a good thing, Troy," she said quietly to him.
"I know," he said, smiling. She took his hand in hers.
"I'm sorry about earlier," she said. "I didn't mean what I said." She gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"It's okay, Ebony. Everything's going to be okay from now on," Troy said, squeezing her hand. "It's all going to be okay."
That's all for now, folks! Thanks again for reading, now please go and tell me what you thought of what you read! I love reviews – they keep me going! Toodles until later . . .