Chunk 23: Sections 111 thru 115
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.

To see pictures of the various dresses described in Chunks 23 thru 25, please check out the link in my profile!

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 lyrics used in this chunk are from "I Will Love You" by Fisher.

Tribe 3: Wonderwall

Sections 111 thru 115

Jack stood in the kitchen making himself a cup of cocoa later that night, around two a.m. He was sitting at a table, sipping it calmly when Amber came in the room.

"Couldn't sleep?" she asked.

"Ilse wouldn't let me. I'm trying to let Lysette get some rest, so I've been looking after Ilse all evening. She's been really fussy since her last feeding," Jack replied wearily. Amber poured herself a cup of cocoa and sat down beside him at the table.

"So, I'm confused. Is Ilse yours or Todd's?" Amber said.

"Todd's. It was my idea to lie and tell everyone that the baby was mine. We weren't expecting her to come early," Jack admitted, embarrassed.

"Why would Lysette want to lie about who Ilse's father is?" Amber asked.

"You didn't see how scared she was when she told me. She didn't want to go back to Todd, and she didn't want him thinking that he had to be with her just because she was pregnant with his child. It just seemed like the simplest solution at the time," he responded. He finished off the last of his cocoa and plunked the mug down on the table. "But that was before . . ."

"Before what?" she inquired.

"I just love Lysette so much. Ilse, too," Jack answered. "I never thought I could love anyone so much. And what happened today scared the hell out of me. I could have lost Lysette, and Ilse could still go either way. I don't want to lose either of them."

"Have you talked to Lysette about this? Does she know how you feel?" Amber asked.

"I don't think she knows I feel this strongly about her," Jack replied. Amber finished her cocoa and put the mug in the middle of the table. She stood up.

"Well, then I highly suggest you tell her. And soon," Amber said, smiling. "Night, Jack."

"Night," he said forlornly, as she walked off.

Jack walked back to his room with a cup of cocoa in his hands. As he got closer, he could faintly hear someone singing inside. He poked his head around the doorway and saw Lysette sitting in the rocking chair with Ilse in her arms, singing to her.

"Till my body is dust . . . till my soul is no more . . . I will love you, love you . . . till the stars start to cry . . . and the moon turns to rust . . . I will love you, love you," Lysette sang to the little girl as she rocked her gently. Jack smiled, watching them. Lysette stood up and kissed her daughter on the head, then put her back in the incubator. She then got back in the bed and curled up underneath the covers.

Jack tiptoed into the room and set his mug down on a table nearby. He got into the bed, curling up beside Lysette. He wrapped his arms around her, and she snuggled up to him.

"I love you, Lys," he whispered.

"I love you, too, Jack," she murmured sleepily, as she drifted off to sleep in his arms.

The next few days passed rather quickly, with everyone getting ready for the opening of the clinic and the party that was to accompany it. Ilse was steadily improving with each day, and Todd made an effort to come by to see her at least once a day, if not more, with Ellie and Sydney in tow. Zandra and Ryan avoided each other, simply because it was easier than confronting the heartache they were both feeling.

The evening of the party arrived, and everyone was running about, trying to get ready. Ryan sat in his room, on the bed, feeding Kina while Salene was off helping Trudy do her hair. As he sat there, he watched Zandra in her room across the way.

Zandra was standing beside a basin of water with her back to him, just wearing her pants. She soaked a washcloth in the water and squeezed it out. She wiped the washcloth over the length of her arms and back, cleaning herself. Water drops rolled down her skin, noiselessly hitting the wood floor. Ryan couldn't help wishing to himself that he could be one of those lucky drops of water, just to be able to touch her warm skin. Zandra finished and dried off, pulling her shirt back on. About that time, Lex came into the room. Ryan watched as they argued about something, and Zandra's face twisted into an angry expression. Suddenly, she ran out of the room crying.

"Zandra!" Lex called after her, running to the doorway. He sighed loudly and rolled his eyes, then walked over to Ryan's room. "Hey, Ryan. What's up?"

"Not much. Just me and Kina, eating supper," Ryan said politely, smiling. He put Kina up on his shoulder to burp her. "What's got Zandra so upset?"

"Oh, I just don't feel like going to that stupid party for the clinic opening. I want to stay home with Lexi. Besides, someone has to stay behind and guard the mall," Lex said.

"Oh. And it has to be you?" Ryan inquired.

"Of course! I'm chief of security," Lex responded. "Zandra thinks I'm doing it because I just don't want to go out in public with her or something. Or I don't want to spend time with her. One of her usual accusations. I don't know why she wants to go to the stupid party so badly. It's not like it's any big deal or anything."

"But I thought Jack was staying here with Lysette and Ilse, and I'm pretty sure Sienna, Cloe, KC, Charlie, and Patsy are staying behind, too," Ryan said. "I should think they'd be able to take care of themselves and the mall for a few hours without you."

"What? No way! They'd probably trash the place with a party of their own!" Lex exclaimed. "Besides, I haven't gotten to spend much time with Lexi lately, and that's important to me. It's not that I don't want to spend time with Zan. I do . . . I just don't want to go to the party." Ryan could feel his anger rising. He couldn't help thinking that Lex was lying and just trying to avoid Zandra, as usual. Lex could be so selfish sometimes.

"Why don't I believe you?" Ryan said, putting Kina in her crib.

"What?" Lex said, surprised.

"Why don't I believe you?" Ryan repeated. "I mean, come on, Lex. You're always finding some excuse or other to avoid doing stuff with Zandra. What is it? Is it just easier to ignore her than to make the effort to show her some sort of affection and attention? And did it ever occur to you that she just wanted to go to have a little fun for a change, to get a break from Lexi, and spend some time with you? She loves you so much, and you treat her like dirt!" Lex looked away, embarrassed. "You don't deserve her now, Lex, and you never did! Has anybody ever really bothered to tell you how completely selfish you are?" Ryan was seething, his fists balled up at his sides.

"Not in the last twenty-four hours," Lex murmured jokingly.

"Well, you are. I've never met anyone as totally self-centered as you, Lex. You really never think about anyone else's feelings, ever!" Ryan exclaimed. Lex's mouth fell open in amazement at Ryan's words and obvious rage. "I hope she comes to her senses soon and leaves you. Because she deserves a lot better." With that, Ryan pushed past Lex and went to find Zandra, leaving Lex in shock.

"What a jerk!" Zandra said, tears streaming down her cheeks. She sat in Trudy's room with Trudy and Salene, while Salene did Trudy's hair.

"Yes. But Lex has always been a bit of a jerk, so I don't see why you're surprised by his actions," Trudy responded looking at Zandra in the mirror. Salene was curling her dark hair into tiny ringlets.

"I know," Zandra said with a sigh. "And it's not that I'm surprised by it. I'm just disappointed. I'm so sick of how he always lets me down."

"I would be, too, if I were in your shoes," Trudy said. "I wish there was something I could do to help."

"Like what? Find me another date to the stupid party at the last minute?" Zandra said sarcastically. Salene listened closely to Zandra's words. "Don't go to the trouble. I really didn't want to go that much in the first place." Salene put the curling iron down and fluffed Trudy's curls with her fingers.

"There you go. Done!" Salene said triumphantly. Trudy looked at herself in the mirror.

"You did a great job, Sal. Thanks!" Trudy stood up and hugged her best friend. "I'm going to go change into my dress." Trudy walked out of the room. Salene looked over at Zandra, who sat on the bed, crying. She walked over and sat down beside her on the bed, putting an arm around her shoulders.

"It's okay, Zandra. I think I have an idea," Salene said soothingly.

"An idea about what?" Zandra asked, looking up at her. She wiped her eyes, sniffling.

"The party," Salene replied. "You want to go more than I do, and since Ryan wants to go, while Lex and I don't . . ." Zandra stood up, realizing what Salene was saying, her eyes widening.

"Sal, what are you suggesting? That Ryan and I go to the party together?" Zandra sputtered. Zandra going to the party with Ryan would be like pouring salt on a fresh wound, not that Salene knew that. It would be like the date from hell, possibly worse. Having to spend the night with Ryan was something Zandra didn't think she could handle at all.

"Yes, I am suggesting exactly that," Salene said generously. Zandra took a few steps back, her mouth opening. She was already feeling guilty for fooling around with Ryan as it was, and Salene's innocent and open-handed offer wasn't helping. She didn't deserve Salene's sympathy, and she knew it.

"No way. You should go, Salene. Ryan is your husband, not mine," Zandra objected. "Besides, I'll get over it. It's not that big of a deal, really. Go with Ryan, have a good time."

"No, you go with Ryan. You'll have a great time. And you really want to go, don't you?" Salene said, confused. She gave Zandra a bewildered look. Zandra looked away.

"Yes, but . . . ," Zandra trailed off.

"But what?" Salene inquired.

"I don't think it's such a good idea, Salene," Zandra replied. "I mean, thanks and all, because it's really sweet of you. But it's just not a good idea."

"Why in the world not?" Salene asked in a shocked tone. "I think it's a rather ingenious idea myself." She couldn't believe Zandra wasn't jumping at her offer. Under normal circumstances, Zandra would have said yes to something like this. Salene knew how much Zandra liked to dress up and go to parties. She didn't understand why Zandra was behaving so strangely about it.

"It . . . it just isn't!" Zandra exclaimed in response. She put her hand on her forehead and closed her eyes. Salene stood up, putting her hands on her hips.

"Well, my mind is made up," Salene said indignantly. Zandra opened her eyes, looking at Salene fearfully. "You're my best friend, aside from Trudy, and I want you to be happy. Ryan's going to take you to that party. And that's my final word." She scurried off to go find Ryan to tell him.

"Salene!" Zandra called after her. But it was no use. Salene was already off and running. Zandra sunk down in a nearby chair and put her head in her hands, sighing loudly in frustration.

Ryan squirmed uncomfortably at the foot of the stairs as he waited for Zandra to come downstairs, so they could go to the party. He'd nearly choked on his supper when Salene had walked into the café and told him he was taking Zandra instead of her. It was the last thing on earth he wanted to be doing, after all that had happened. It was the icing on the cake, only instead of being sweet, it left a very bitter taste in his mouth.

Patsy and Sienna also stood at the base of the stairs, waiting with a Polaroid camera to take pictures of everyone. Dal had fixed it earlier that week and found some film, telling the girls to capture the special night for everyone. Along with the girls, nearly all of the boys were down there, each waiting for their date along with Ryan. Jack was upstairs with Lysette and Ilse, and Charlie and KC were hiding along with Cloe in the café. They were sulking because they weren't allowed to attend the celebration. Lex was in the nursery with Lexi, playing with her. Salene was putting the twins to bed.

Amber was the first to place one delicate foot in front of the other down the stairs. She wore a dark purple, sleeveless, silk dress, and her hair was pulled up in a mass of curls on her head. Bray met her halfway, and she took his arm. They stopped at the last step as Patsy took a quick picture. They had to be at the hospital early to help out Dal, Tzara, and TaiRon, who were already there, decorating and setting tables up.

"You look beautiful, Amber!" Cloe squealed in excitement. Amber smiled gratefully.

"Thanks. I had a hard time picking out a dress to wear," Amber said. She looked at Bray, and he nodded. They walked out the front entrance of the mall. That still left four girls who were getting ready.

Tai-San and Ebony came down the stairs next, together. Tai-San was radiant in a plum velvet sleeveless top and matching silk skirt. She had let her hair down for the occasion, and it fell to her shoulders like thick black silk. Sasha practically ran up the stairs and handed her a bouquet of daisies he had picked for her earlier that day. Tai-San smiled bashfully, smelling them.

"Thank you, Sasha," she said softly.

"You look . . . well . . . just incredible," he stuttered, turning a bit red. She took his hand in hers, and they descended the stairs, also stopping for Patsy to take a picture before exiting the mall.

Ebony then made the rest of her way down the stairs. She wore a strapless, jade-green dress that had an empire waist and a shawl of the same color. The color of the dress brought out the brown in her eyes. She had her hair pulled back partially in a bun, and the rest hung softly loose. Everyone's mouths fell open, shocked to see her actually looking feminine for once. She met Troy at the last step. He smiled reassuringly at her and offered his arm. Taking it, Patsy took a picture of them, and they left.

Next was Trudy. She wore a forest green dress that was sleeveless with a big puffy skirt. Her hair was in tight ringlets, pulled back by a faux pearl headband. The dress suited her perfectly, not only in physical shape, but to her personality as well. She looked like a princess, more dressed up than anyone else. Martin strode confidently up the stairs to her, and they joined hands, walking down the stairs. Patsy took a quick picture as they left.

Ryan sighed loudly, tapping his foot. What was taking Zandra so long? He looked over at Patsy and Sienna questioningly. They both just shrugged their shoulders. Then Zandra came down the stairs slowly. Looking at her, Ryan's eyes widened, and he sucked in his breath. She looked amazing.

She wore a white oxford wrap-around shirt and a simple, lavender A-line skirt. Somehow, in the short amount of time she'd had to get ready, she had ironed her hair stick straight, and it was pulled back into a braid with a jeweled barrette. She forced herself to smile as she approached Ryan, not wanting to hurt his feelings, although she was sure he wanted to go with her about as much as she wanted to go with him. Ryan smiled back.

"Doesn't she look great?" Salene said, coming down the stairs partially. Ryan looked up at his wife.

"Yeah. Very pretty," he responded.

"It took an hour to get her hair looking like that," Salene said, grinning. "You guys have fun tonight, okay? I expect a full report of all the festivities - what everyone wore, what you ate, everything! Bye!" She waved, walking back up the stairs. Ryan looked down at his feet, feeling guilty again.

"Let's just go, okay?" Zandra said. He looked up. She stood in front of him. "We don't have to stay that long. Let's just go to say we went, and then we can go eat at one of the bars nearby, okay? Just to appease Sal." He nodded, smiling in relief. Cloe took a picture of them, and they left. Patsy looked over at Sienna.

"I don't think Ryan and Zandra are going to have a very good time at all," Patsy said, not knowing in her naiveté how right she was.

"I don't think they are either," Sienna said, frowning. "Come on, let's go upstairs. It's time we have a party of our own." Patsy grinned in response, and the two girls ran upstairs to the café, giggling the whole way.

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 . . .