Tauna's Mischief

"That was not my fault." Andrea cracked up laughing and tossed a paper toward Jan. "Blame her."

"Hey, I do not write." Jan tossed the paper back at Andrea.

"You two need to grow up." Tauna sat at a desk attempting to work on an assignment as the three sat in an empty classroom at the local college.

"Tell her to quit trying to hook me up with Mr. Bennet." Jan scowled at Andrea. "I told her Colonel Fitzwilliam; she should know that by now." She tossed a Nerf ball at Andrea, barely missing her ear.

"I typed the colonel's name; it is not my fault it got changed when I went to the bathroom. You were the only one left in the room; I figured you must have had a change of heart."

"Not that big of one. You are the one that keeps giving Bennet new wives."

"That may be over; I mean, how many times can you give one man a new wife?" Instantly she turned to Tauna, who had gone to speak. "Keep your big mouth shut."

"But I did not say a word."

"You were thinking it."

"Now, back to you." Looking at Andrea. "I did not write you with Mr. Bennet."

The two began to argue back and forth. Andrea insisting she was innocent, Jan demanding she plead guilty, and Tauna keeping her attention on her assignment. It was not until two men entered through the open door in the back that Andrea and Jan's argument stopped.

Mr. Bennet and Colonel Fitzwilliam might as well have been plucked from the pages of a Regency novel, for they stepped into the room with the greatest of ease. The only sound that was now heard was the soft thud of their boots on the flooring. That was until they stopped within a few feet of the ladies.

Mr. Bennet, with a grin on his face, surveyed the room and remarked, "It appears we have stumbled upon a rather interesting gathering, one not of our time. Tell me, do all young ladies engage in such spirited debates in this… era? Especially ones involvoing mine and the colonel's private lives?" Thomas looked around, unsure of where he was, and yet knowing full well who it was he was looking at.

Colonel Fitzwilliam, adjusting the cuffs of his uniform, added with a chuckle, "And I thought the battlefield was chaotic. This place, or at least this room, seems to have its own kind of strategy and alliances."

Andrea, momentarily stunned, regained her composure, turned and looked straight at her sister. "This has your mischief written all over it! If I were a gambler, I would now say you were the one to mess with my story!"

Jan, equally amused and bewildered, could not help but laugh. "We should have known. But…" Standing up. "As long as Colonel Fitzwilliam is here, the least I can do is to take him to the cafeteria."

"Jan!" Andrea jumped up. "People will think you are both lunatics; they will not believe where they are really from."

"Ah, just tell people he is a character actor, they will believe it." Tauna grinned. "And…" Looking at Mr. Bennet and then Andrea. "Might as well tell them the same thing about Mr. Bennet, you really should make sure he gets a meal before I send them back."

"Let us get you a meal." Andrea picked up her things and then shot a 'I will get you back somehow' look to Tauna before leading Mr. Bennet out the door.