From: va kuole Date: Thu, 16 Jul 1998 09:52:19 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Future History FUTURE HISTORY (1/2) PART ONE: DIVISION BY muuh Classification: S/MSR Disclaimer: Ya guys all know that they aren't mine. Not even Bill belongs to me. So people, look at the end to find out where the name came from. Rating: Boring! It's not even PG. But read it, nevertheless. And wait for the second part Spoilers: none Summary: My crazy brain developed a mix of x-file and shipper-story. ALTERNATIVE UNIVERSE (Hello Germany! I have BSE!) Thanks to: Nessy who read it to correct my English, Anna who read it afterwards, Sierra for the gammareading, AnkPak Sophie. Now find out more! DIVISION Katherine was riding through the prairie. She had left her stepfather's ranch because she didn't want anybody to see her tears. Not even her mother. It was terrible that she still missed her father so much. Ahab Yllucs had gone four years ago. He had been Kate's only real friend and also her teacher. There had never been playfellows in her age. So she later had had to make friends with the cowboys. The man her mother, Tergram Yllucs, had married had never understood that and they still had many arguments. He wanted her out of the way at "The Boston Boarding School For Young Ladies" which should educate her how to behave as a young lady. At the moment she was wearing jeans, shirts and a colt. Kate had always replied that she was too old: already 18 years old! XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX This topic occupied her so much that she overlooked the rattlesnake which rested on a stone beside the path. But her horse noticed it very quickly: It shied and raised. Katherine was not prepared and hit the ground. Unconscious she lay there. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX A few hours later she woke up. First of all she thought - if you can call the process in a foggy head that way- that she was still lying in the sun with a sunstroke. The air was cool, everything dipped into a dim light - obviously protected from the hot sun. The ground under her was soft, but it wasn't sand. It consisted of wonderful soft blankets. "Where am I?" Expressing only these three words brought Kate a great headache which at least showed her that she wasn't dead. "Don't move! You are hurt!" In the fog in front of her eyes a concerned face appeared. It belonged to....an Indian! She was so scared that she fainted again. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX The second time she woke up, everything she could see around her was clear, but it was quite dark. Her head hummed like a swarm of bees. Nevertheless she tried to leave the bed. Carefully she groped for the door. When she opened it a blinding light dazzled her. "Ya should not get up!" There was this voice again. Somehow familiar, but she was unable to place it. "Who are you?" Her voice was trembling. "I think, white people call me "The Gateguard". Kate was frightened. The guard had the highest religious duty the Indian tribes distributed. No white man would ever attack him fearing a war full of blood. The Indians were still stronger than the white. But - so her stepfather had told her - soon this heathens' culture would be destroyed. Kate was not sure whether she would be so happy about that. "You are..?!" She was no more able to speak intelligible. At the best this boy was 20 years old. That was impossible! "Yes, I am, does that seem strange to you?" he replied. "Sure it is! Afterall there is only ONE Guard!" "And?" The boy looked really strange at her and Kate stared back as if he had beaten her. An old friend of her father had told her that each guard had been a special man. You were supposed to feel his authority from the other side of a room. But this boy seemed uninterested in the respect of other people. "Do you really think that this is nothing special?" "It was by a chance that I was selected. I am a human being, too." "But when you were born your god sent a signal to your tribe. That alone makes you a special guy." "If you say so..." He turned around in indifference. "Hey, Mister! That is not very politely, listen! I'm talkin' to you!" But he didn't react. Instead he left the hut. His last sentence was: "Lie down again. I'll be back soon." Now he really left. Outside Kate could still hear his footsteps for a long time. She was beyond "The Transition Without Return". How could that be? She did not want to go. She was too young. Unfortunately she could figure out nothing else than sleeping again. Although she did not want to obey she went to bed. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX When she woke up again she was not sure about the time. Last time the sun had still shone. By now it was probably evening. But the central room was still lightened. Or again? She was not able to decide. The guard wasn't there. A short time later he entered. "You are awake at last." He wore a thick coat and a cap he had pulled down to his eyes. He shed both and lay them down. Then he took a bread and a knife out of a cupboard. "I think, you're hungry, ah?" "Why? Did I sleep so long?" "4 days." He passed through a curtain into another room. Kate had no problem with that. That way she was able to eat undisturbed. A few moments after she had finished he returned and Kate used her chance immediately. "Please, I have to go home! 4 days! That is a long time! My mother will die of sorrow! Will you bring me back? Where am I exactly?" "Calm down! I don't think that you want to go outside now. Why, do you mean, am I wearing a coat?" "A summer storm?!" That could last weeks! Or months! "You will have to stay out here with me. Not even I could leave. And don't panic! I won't do anything to you that you don't want." Again he left the room. The guard did not return on that day, but Kate could hear him murmuring in the adjoining room all the time . She went to bed late and much, much later he did, too. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX In the morning he was not there and something told her that she wasn't allowed to disturb by trying to find him. So she had first breakfast. It was boring to spend a whole day alone again, since there wasn't anything interesting to do. In the evening she met him again. "By the way, my name is Kate." "I know." "I fell to the ground because of a rattlesnake." "I know." "A bit monosyllabic today, Mr. Gateguard." "Call me Red or Redlum. Everybody does so." He seemed disappointed. That was the opposition to her mood. "Please, tell me: Do you have anything I could do? Or read? It's a bit boring here all day." "I'll give you something later. But I have to work now." >What kind of work?< Kate thought but he disappeared behind the curtain before she was able to ask him. He came back after "only" two hours. Red handed her a book and smiled so honestly and wide that his mood just had to be better. "So, what will we eat now?" Redlum grumbled while he opened and closed the different cupboards. Finally he found some dried meat and eatable roots. Then he threw everything in a pot of water. "Hey, I cook the best ...whatever it is you have ever or will ever eat!" His humor really was back again. And within 10 minutes he conjured an acceptable meal. While they ate Kate heard more about Red and his tribe. Every guard came from another Indian tribe. Red was really 20 years old and had been married already. A little bit sad he told her about his wife's death. An unknown illness had killed her. He implied that something else had to be blamed. Kate tried to find out what, but he blocked very rude every time. In the end he told her that he had to work again. She was not able to sleep all night. And obviously he was not, either. During the night he jumped up from the couch again and again and paced through the hut. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX In the morning he woke her up. "I have to tell you something. Good news!" He did NOT look like it was good news. "So? May I go home?" Kate smiled. "Yes and no. I have to send you away. I got order to do it." "You want to say, I am supposed to...GO?" "Yep. Get ready." He left and entered the back room. Kate stayed in bed calmly. Just minutes later Red returned. "Everything is ready. Come on." "I won't go." She told him that as casual as possible. "WHAT?! Are you crazy?" He shuddered; his eyes had a feverish glance. Kate used that as an argument. "You are ill and if you have to stay in bed, you won't have anybody who will care for you. Red, think about your tribe! They would loose their predominance." "You ARE crazy! You might never get that chance again!" He grasped her forearm and pulled her into the adjoining room. "Go through!" The thing he pointed at looked like a glimmering mirror. "What is on the other side? Have you ever been there?" She was frightened. "Nope. And I am the only one who will never go there. Now go!" He looked at her with his wonderful >WONDERFUL ???? !!!!< hazel-brown eyes. So she started a second try: "But somebody has to have a look after you! Who else than me could do that?" "GO!" No contradiction was possible anymore. Kate had to go. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX "Where the hell am I?" "Come, Dana, you are at home. You wanna go to your friends soon." A familiar voice talked to her. "But my name is Kate! What do you want? What's up with my friends?" They brought her to a strange room. "They" were two men clad in glimmering white. Then she was left alone. When Kate looked around she saw that the walls seemed to be of the same material as the mirror in the hut. But they glimmered in all colors of the world. Suddenly all lights were switched off and a grumbling started. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX When she woke up again the memories nearly hit her. She WAS Dana! And Kate Yllucs! She had been thrown into prison because of her thefts. Only one time she had been caught. One time she had directly run to the wrong direction, into the open arms of an officer. Her best friend - what was his name? What did he look like? - had tried to help her. Hopefully they had not caught him. Dana concentrated as much as possible but she just could not remember his face. So often they had fooled the stupid officers. More than one time they had saved each other. How had she been able to forget all this? To forget the face of her partner?! "You are awake." A voice shrieked Dana up. "Who are you?" Her voice wasn't as strong as she would have wanted it to be. "I will help you until you find your way by your own." An old woman was sitting beside her bed. "I want to go home. My family! I want to see them. My brothers!" "Okay, okay. Rest a bit. I'm sure that you may go home tonight but first you have to eat." And although Dana wasn't hungry, she ate the soup unwillingly. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX One hour later nothing could've stopped her anymore. She left the prison behind where 1500 men and women were controlled. Just as in a dream she walked through the streets. It had become true. Deeply inside Dana had always known that the ranch had not been her real home. *Now* she would go home. She went around in her old area. The streets were as dirty as three years ago and much fewer lightened. "Hey, Redhead! You are quite brave, huh?" A few people stood in her way. "Um, home sweet home!" She behaved as in earlier times. "Hey Chief! A girl for you. You need a bitch with her own thoughts, don't you?" "Hey man! I'm NO bitch! I fooled the police here when you were still in your diapers. And so: SHUT UP!!" The boy who had spoken was 12 at the best, while she was "much" older. The leader of the group was about 23 years. Dana recognized him. "Which gang?" She spoke as cold as possible, but she was terribly afraid. "We are the Lone Gunmen, what did you think? Everybody knows that this district is ours!" He behaved as if he himself was the chief. "How is Charles?" Dana knew that she had won. She sauntered towards them. They were puzzled that she knew the name of their boss. Only a few people knew it. "He's okay, why?" "Take me to him. I have to talk to him!" "Wait here. I'll ask him." "Shut up!" Then she started on her way to the headquarters, her home. None of the boys dared to stop her. She walked down Federal Avenue and entered the semi-detached house. Some people thought they recognized her, but Dana ignored them. At last she reached the office in the basement. "Sorry, Boss! We just couldn't stop her." "What the hell?! How dare you?" Charles shot up from the chair and turned around. "DANA!" "Hi Charles. Nice to see you." He ran towards her and took her in his arms. "It was time that you returned." "Dear brother, the company expanded a lot." A loud shrieking made them jerk. "Hell, Phoebe! You shouldn't shock us so badly!" Charles felt unconfident. "Chaaaaaaarly? Who is that?" Dana disliked that girl with her brown bob and brown eyes. And that voice! Ugh! "This is Dana, my sister. Dana, this is Phoebe, my girlfriend." "Hi." Dana hated that barbiegirl. "Charles told me that you were in prison." She showed emotions which were definitely not true. She was so fake. "Yep, and?" "Was it very bad?" "Nope. Should it be?" This topic was done and Dana walked out without a word. "Is my room free?" "Um, Phoebe is livin' in there now but I have another for you." Dana raised only an eyebrow and then shrugged resigning and actually not really caring. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX In the evening a great party was celebrated. The whole gang was there. Charles had "borrowed" a huge hifi-system somewhere. The music could be heard in the whole district which wasn't inhabited though. Later she found her brother: "Charles, I have a great plan. I have to tell you." "Please, starbuck, wait till tomorrow." And he went on with Phoebe. Dana could not sleep when she lay in her new room in her new bed waiting for the morning. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX At sharp 9 am she stood in her brother's office. Her opening was: "We won't see each other during the next few years." "Hell! What are you talkin'bout? You barely have returned yourself yet." "Charles, stop that. Sometimes you are like Ahab! Listen to me first then tell me what you think. I know that you need information about the kept people. And I know that the government wouldn't employ anyone of your friends. But they would take me." He stopped her. "Wait a sec. Nobody can get in there." "But I have to." "You only want information about "The Fox", don't you?" He looked at her with his I-know-what-you-think-and-now-don't-lie-anymore-look. "Yes, but first of all the gang needs it." Dana knew that this was not a good excuse. Yesterday one of her cousins had told her about his capture. Fox had tried to save her from the prison, but he hadn't been able to. They had found him in the morning sitting next to the transition-mirror. "Forget it!" Charles was sure that her plan could not be a success. "I wanna do it! And you'll see!" The same day Dana had packed her things. She left her family and the whole district for 12 years. She worked hard to be friendly - often lovely - to her bosses although her character was cool. Too often she had to come home with them. But that way she reached her goal. That was more important than her own pride. It was against her nature to fall into every man's arms and in her mind she repeated always that she had to do that. Unluckily her latest boss expected more "dates". It was often not easy to keep him away. As often as possible Dana searched in the archives for information. But the only name she found was Redlum. He had lived in the district, too, but that hadn't been left by normal people, yet. He could be everyone. He could also be Fox or her second brother Bill. And she still wasn't able to remember their faces. She searched for hints, but at least she found out that Fox had been arrested 7 years ago. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX One day it was the first controller of transitions' turn. She had a picture of him given to her by one of her friends. He had found out what Byers' habits were. One evening Dana put her shortest dress on and went to a pub to meet him (although he didn't know). She flirted as much she could but he was totally unimpressed. She decided not to give up. One week later he asked: "Girl, what's your name?" He was about 37, so Dana only raised an eyebrow in agitation. "Dana, and you?" "Oh, Dana. My name is Byers. Let me tell you: You are about 23 years old, named Dana Yllucs, born in Quebec. Parents dead, brother Charles is chief of the Lone Gunmen, brother Bill is dead. Your partner was "The Fox" or simply Fox. He is in prison. You're trying to find him, but you haven't found any hint till now." Dana felt that she had lost control and started her retreat. "Stop! Stay here and order a drink. It will take a long time to tell everything." First Byers told her about the system: "Everybody who is kept gets a number. I think you know that. He also gets an implantate. Normally that's secret. The number is written on it before it is settled in the neck. It sends a signal. That is the reason why we always know where every one of the prisoners is. It is also possible to change their thoughts and memories. While you were there you could only remember what the computers let you. And what they let you had been decided on your first day after the conviction. The old memories are saved on CD and deleted in your head. Imagine, this house would burn down! I always tried to convince the government of making copies, but..."he sighed. Dana was impatient: "Sure, but what is with Fox?" "Okay, okay. Fox and you were handled as everybody. You could have been pardoned, but he, you know, has no chance." Byers seemed sad. "Why? He only stole and they never caught him before! We have always been together! Why has he been punished so much harder? He has not even tried to run away!" "You don't know? He killed an agent. A short time after you were caught. But the man had had the chance to tell who had done it before he died." "I knew, he would get mad as soon as I was gone. Some stupid officer!" "Fox was quite angry. This man had betrayed your plan." "But only my brothers knew our daily working area!" "That is true. Fox has killed Bill. Hell! Not even has repented yet!" Until now he had not noticed how all that hurt Dana. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have told you those things in that way." "Just go on. What happened to Fox?" She swallowed. Her face was white. "Fox didn't get a normal implantate. He got one of the more simple ones. We cannot change his thoughts. And we don't have to. He knows that if he does anything wrong not only he himself but everybody he loves is goin' to be punished. Wonderful! Fox is too afraid. I think he accepts his future as long as he is left alone." "But why is he called Redlum and I'm Kate?" "Very easy. Our prisons aren't that secure. The prisoners are no prob, but everybody from outside can go there. The real names are saved on a laptop. Not even I can open these files." "And, Byers, I have to know something: Has Fox been married? He told me about his wife. Has he ever been married?" "No. Never. Fox and our friend Frohike invented that story. We can delete most of the memories, but sometimes some remain. They are suppressed by new memories as long as there is no release. Most of the people remember images, but they don't know where they come from. If you give them the additional names they will remember for sure!" For a few minutes Dana just sat there and thought about everything. Then she made a decision: "I have to get him out of there! I owe him." "Forget it. He will stay there forever." "I'll get him out. With or without your help." "You need me. Alone you will neither come into the transition-room, nor into the room of conversation. I guess I don't have a choice." Byers got up. "See you tomorrow in front of the prison at 9.45 p.m." He went out. Dana left soon, too, to prepare herself a bit. First she went to her brother and told that she perhaps would not return. He was surprised that she was so brave. She risked more than anybody. If she was kept she would never be pardoned. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX On Tuesday evening she waited patiently at the meeting-place. But Byers didn't come. When Dana wanted to leave, somebody touched her shoulder. "Dana? My name is Langley. Byers sent me. He is too busy. Come on. Let's go!" Dana was puzzled. "You know: We often help people who have problems. Let's see what we can do for you." That much trust in strangers was very rare. Langley went back with her to the door and to the basement. There was so little light in the hallway that Dana had to think of unpleasant and awkward things. Her companion opened a door and let her walk into an office. The room was filled with papers and computers. Two men sat inside and were discussing something. Byers was one of them. He smiled when he noticed her. "Hi Dana! You know Byers and this is Frohike. Hurry, it is late already." He opened another door and walked through. The others followed. In the next room there were lots and lots of shelves all filled with CDs. "This is our library. Here are all memories saved as I told you. But you wouldn't find any prisoner without Langley. It is his home. But now go on." In the next room there were a lots of cabins and computers. Dana raised an eyebrow. It looked so strange. "Everybody should have a work which is created for him. Frohike found his here. He supervises the conversations. And he also speaks to Red regularly. They both know each other quite good. And they are both crazy in the same way." Byers smiled to his friend, but Frohike was much too busy by staring at Dana to notice the remark. "Frohike, you should call Redlum now. I thought you both had a date?" Frohike looked up and went away. "I'll do that and you prepare Dana. Go on!" Byers and Langley nodded and went to an elevator. Dana followed hastily. While they waited Langley explained: "We have to protect your head. Otherwise your memories will be deleted automatically. You have to wear a special cap." "Cap?" "Or hat, if you want." Byers handed her a piece of cotton which had the color of clouds on a summer day. The textile covered her head and her neck. She felt pushed into a small room. From outside she could hear their voices: "Don't worry. You will appear in front of his nose." Dana was unbelievable happy. Soon they would be a team again. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX The glimmering ended. She was standing in the room, but Fox wasn't there. Unsteadily she went to the central room. In the middle of it there were standing some men and one of them was her stepfather. "Kate!" He seemed as surprised as she was. "Retlaw!" She twitched back, but without Redlum that way was locked, because he was the only one who was able to handle the machine and their three friends couldn't open the "door". "What are you doing here And what are you wearing?! You will come home with me now, young lady!" "But..." "No contradiction!" Hopeless she looked for her old partner. But he wasn't there. Outside somewhere behind the peak a horse whinnied. The men ran out and rode there. Dana saw Fox riding away. It looked like a suicidal action. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX In September of 1874 Kate returned to the "Diamond Bar Ranch". The cowboys stared at her. She had lost a bit of her weight so that the modest dress emphasized her figure. Her red hair was properly combed. The reception was great. In the evening she appeared in jeans again. But this was just because not one of her friends from Roswell had come. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Life went on, but with a few differences. She took over the whole household. The meals did no more only consist of beans'n'bacon. She did no more feed the horses and repair the fences. Also her style of riding had changed: from Western to English. On Christmas, after she had left, her stepfather had sent her a saddle especially for women. In Boston nobody rode like a cowboy. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX In spring one of Kate's friends came from Boston. Kate had totally changed her attitude. While she had always asked for everything, she ordered now. She ignored all the cowboys, did not greet anymore and behaved like a queen. But not only the cowboys had to suffer, also her friend, Tea Leoni, had to. OK, she was icy to the cowboys and hostile to her stepfather, but Tea was handled like a mortal enemy. Behind her back Katherine was called "Miss Antarctica" or "Ice Queen". But some knew about her grief although she never told them about it. She always seemed to be depressed. In the evening she often sat lonely on a fence of a corral and stared at the dusk. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX End Part One Nessy was angry about that end at that time. Hope u r, too. Author's note: Bill is one of DD's old characters. FUTUTRE HISTORY (2/2) PART TWO: NOT EVEN A KISS by muuh Disclaimer: see part one Rating: PG (This title says nothing. Everybody with a fantasy will find the sexual tension and imagine "something".) Fox was lying in a dark room. His head ached; when he touched his face he felt the dried blood. Through the little window he was able to see the sundown. It seemed to last hours until the door was opened. A glaring light was shining directly into his face. "Hey stupid boy! You just ran right into our hands. Typical for Indians! More stupid than pigs and slower than snails!" Fox contorted his face by pain and answered: "I'm no Indian!" "Sure. And I'm the Chinese Emperor!" "I'm telling the truth." The man didn't answer, but kicked Fox hard into his ribs. Groaning Fox rolled around. "Tomorrow morning the sheriff will tell us what we have to do with you. We'll probably hang you. I'm really sorry." The man laughed loudly. He left the cell and the dark fell around him again. Because of the pain in his side Fox wasn't able to sleep the whole night. The time didn't pass. In the end the only thing Fox felt was the terrible thirst. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX He thought, it might be long before noon when the door was opened again. Loud voices. Laughing. Fox saw everything through a haze curtain. They gripped his arms, pulled him out. They talked to him, but he didn't understand anything. He looked as if this wasn't happening to him, but to somebody else. He probably was in the courthouse. He probably was interrogated. But how was this possible when he didn't answer? It didn't matter to him. Just another stranger. He felt unconcerned. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Slowly the fog vanished. The first thing he really noticed was that a woman entered the room. "Retlaw, what is this boy accused of?" Renniks was the first judge and had just begun to read the sentence when his wife interrupted. "He stole cattle." "Did you catch him while he did it?" "No, but..." "Did anybody watch him?" "No, but everybody knows that Indians steal our cattle. That is proven." "Stop that! Mr. Renniks, you are the most stupid and most intolerant man I've ever met! Only because you BELIEVE that he did anything to Kate, MY daughter, your STEP-daughter, you have to take revenge? You did not even ask HER about that! She is angry! You were so proud of yourself 'cause your men caught the Gateguard that you didn't notice. Hell! He helped her! He is the nicest Indian who has ever lived or will ever live on earth! You have to set him free right now!" She had gone too far. Her husband was very angry. "I don't have to do anything! Wife, go home now!" But Tergram hadn't finished yet. She started to plead: "But you could condemn him to help us on the farm. We need every man we can get. And he is strong." This solution was the best. The Redskin wasn't unpunished AND Retlaw had his peace at home. "I sentence...this Indian to 6 months of working on my ranch. If he flees every man will be allowed to catch him and bring him back. Dead or alive." Tergram smiled satisfied at her husband. She had won (like always). Then she paid attention to the boy. "Am...no...Indian." Fox was just rattling. Tergram was worried about him and asked one cowboy to help her. Together they carried Fox out to her cart. When they arrived at the farm the man lay him down in one of the barns. Obviously they had forgotten him, but Tergram had just waited for her daughter's return. When Dana came home her cheeks were red because of the speed she had her horse drifting on. Her mother pointed at the barn with her head and smiled. Quickly Dana took some food and water and ran over there. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX When she saw him first she was sure that he was dead. His lips were pale, his eyes closed. His skin looked as if he had dried out. She went over to him fearfully and shook him. "Fox! C'mon! Wake up!" Tears filled her eyes. "Please! Don't do that! Don't leave me alone here! I need you!" His eyelids fluttered. Groaning he opened them. "What happened?" He grumbled almost unintelligibly . She was still shaking him. Only slowly she understood that he was quite awake now. "You have to drink. You were caught and you have to work here now for 6 months. And if you flee they are all allowed to kill you. But first you have to drink and sleep. Trust me. I'll look after you from now on. "A smart friend - a girl - told me once that I shouldn't trust anybody. Not even her." Dana looked for a good answer, but he was already back in the land of dreams. She sat beside him for hours. In the evening Retlaw hollered from the house and she had to go. Right after dinner she disappeared again. Fox was awake at last. He had laid down in the most invisible corner of the barn. "You could sleep in the cowboys' house, you know?" "No, thanks." "You think, they wouldn't accept you, don't you?" "I'm no Indian." "I know that, but they don't." "Can't they see? I don't even have black hair or dark brown eyes!" >No, they're hazel/green.< >You're not very polite. He is talking to you.< >Shut up.< >Okay.< Dana stared at him as if she wanted to drown in his eyes. "Dana?" "The people here see, what the computers let them see. Don't blame them. I have to go." She left before he had the chance to respond. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX In the morning he had already left. When one of the cowboys was supposed to wake him the blankets were still there, but he and one of the wildest horses were gone. Retlaw raged and sent out two groups to find Fox. He reappeared at noon. The rancher yelled at him and behaved as if Fox was retarded and deaf. Retlaw also said something about shooting him right now and only having trouble, but in the end Fox only had to repair a fence of one of the corrals without help. That was the punishment. He was allowed to ride the stallion furthermore. Kate was sorry that she was not able to talk to her partner the next days. She was afraid that he'd flee, but he didn't try to. For weeks he worked hard. Even Renniks had to admit that. Fox had to do the worst jobs, e.g. digging the hole where the junk of the slaughtering was put in. The mobbing by the cowboys was simply ignored. One night Kate could not stand it anymore and she went to the barn. "Fox? Fox!" He opened his eyes and looked at her sleepily. "What's up?`" "What's up with you?" "What's up with me?" "You don't behave like yourself!" "Like myself?" "No. I'm not sure I know you anymore." "Oh, that's simple. I'm not Fox. Not here. Here I am Redlum the Indian." That sounded logical, but Dana didn't want to accept this. She wanted her friend back. "Why didn't you flee?" "I feel good here. Like at home." "Liar!" "Okay, I hate it. But I don't want to risk anything." "What do you think would happen? You're crazy. I know that since you killed Bill!" "Ya know it." "Yeah, I do. You were very angry. But if you hadn't done it he would be dead by now anyway." "Don't tell me such shit. It was not a good idea. Without that we wouldn't be here." He watched with his hazel/green eyes (with his puppy dog look in place). Dana didn't want to waste the short time they could spend together with arguing. "What happened to your glasses? How did you take them with you?" "I didn't. I can't read anything." Somehow she regretted that. They were a piece of their home. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Once in summer when it had been too hot to leave the house they had sat altogether next to the pool. Mostly Fox had been the only one who sat. Everybody else had played in the water. But he - only wearing his satin boxers and his glasses - had read like crazy. Seldom he had come to them into the water. "Earth to Dana! Earth to Dana! Begging for Answer!" "Yes", she sighed. "You miss our friends? Did anything change since I was gone?" "Charles has a girlfriend now. Her name is Phoebe. I think that says everything." "That bad? I knew somebody with the same name once." Fox smiled sheepishly. Suddenly he sounded serious: "She just played with me. But we also were happy a quite long time." His wonderful eyes looked away dreamingly. He cleared his throat and said sadly: "You have to learn from your errors." "That was before we worked together, right?" "Yes, a long time before." "C'mon! You aren't THAT old." "Okay, okay. Two months later we met." "Quite young to have a girlfriend." "16 years old? That's normal, isn't it?" "You can behave normal?!" "Okay, okay, I won't argue with you! But I thought I was totally in love. She behaved like a bitch. We should warn Charles about his Phoebe. Maybe she's the same." They both paused. She thought, he probably waited for her to continue. So she did: "Everything is much bigger. The whole district is left now. And about 300 people belong to the gang. The government doesn't have a chance. I tell you, the city will belong to Charles soon. He doesn't need us." Fox obviously felt uncomfortable when he asked: "And how about Charles?" Kate sighed. "I think Charles is repressing everything. He did not even tell me about what happened to Bill. If he was confronted with the topic he probably would deny knowledge. But anyway, I haven't talked about it with him." She sighed and leaned back. Soon she fell to the side and nestled up to his shoulder. "Sleep my little girl. There's enough time left." In the morning he awakened her before dawn. "Dana! Get up! They will look for you soon. Go to your own bed!" Reluctantly she left the warm hay and went into the house. Neither she nor Fox noticed Tergram standing at the window watching them smiling. If two people ever belonged together they did. But they didn't realized how much they needed each other - yet. What a pity! XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX And they were together all the time. Kate refused to do other jobs than those Fox had to do. She always helped him. The six months were gone way too soon. But Fox stayed on the farm even afterwards. Retlaw was not happy about the situation: 1)Obviously his daughter loved this guy. 2)His wife liked him, too. But one thing made up for the trouble: He didn't have to pay wages. Dana was quite angry about that, but Fox never wanted anything. Just his food and a bed. After the second year Fox asked for some vacation. He wanted to fetch some things he had left in his hut and tell his team on the other side that he was fine and they had to find another guard. Dana decided to accompany him. She wanted some information about her family how they were doing. This time she noticed the way down there. After they had ridden through a part of the desert they 'entered' the mountains. The countryside was wonderful and Dana didn't know anybody she would rather ride along with. In the evening Dana had not even noticed that they had reached the hut. "First I wanna pack some things. Wanna help me?" For three hours they emptied out the cupboards. But in the end Fox only wanted to take two saddlebags with him. Finally they went into the mirror room. "Frohike? Are you there?" Only rustling and static. "Frohike?! Answer me! Usually you aren't asleep at this time! Come on!" But his friend didn't react. "I have to go there. Something is wrong." "Oh Fox! Please stay! It doesn't matter what happened to them. I know that they helped us, but they don't matter anymore. Please! You can't watch out for everyone! Don't leave me!" Dana did not want to lose him again. "Don't worry about me. I'll be back soon. Maybe your brother wants to come with me." He smiled in a strange way. Dana felt uncomfortable about this. Over there he was a criminal! And he thought it was a nice trip to the woods! He turned around and started the machine. Her breathing increased and the fear along with it. Before he passed the mirror he looked at her. "Fox! Promise me one thing:" "Sure! What?" "Come back to me. That's all that matters. That you will come back to me!" He gave her his puppy dog look and stepped towards her. "As long I can move and nobody chains me I will return. Even if I have to die." That was not exactly that what she had wanted to hear but it was enough. Suddenly Dana was frightened by her own courage telling him her most inner feelings. She tried to cover them now: "I would want that from everybody in this situation." "Sure." "Yes! Sure!" "Did I say anything else?" But he still smiled at her in a familiar way. When they had worked together and escaped he had looked at her like that. It was so full of tenderness and love that she looked away quickly. "Dana. Look at me." She didn't obey. "Dana, please." She turned her face back to him. He was standing in front of her. Only centimeters between their faces. He was still smiling. "I'll see you in the next life." "NO!" "What no?" "I'll see you later. I'll wait for you." "Okay." "Come back soon." "I'll try." He stroked her cheek with his fingertips. Dana shivered. "Bye." And he was gone. She sighed and passed her hand over the place where he had touched her. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Fox was already standing in the transition hall. He was worried because of the chaos in there. Their office had always been a mess but down here they had been terribly tidy. Carefully he stepped over the many things lying in the way. He wasn't able to see anybody. When he left the prison he saw another terrifying picture. The street did not only seem unusually empty but also dirty and old. At least here in the city everything had been clean once. Now it looked like the district of the Lone Gunmen. "Hey you! Come over here! Leave the street! If they get you you'll be in trouble!" Slowly Fox followed. As soon the man was able to grab him he pulled him behind a car. Outside two sliders suddenly sped past. "That was close." Fox recognized his friend. "Frohike? Is that you?" "Fox! What the hell are you doin' here? Why aren't you with Dana?" "I was worrying about you and the others. Where are they?" "I sent them to your world." "Why weren't you inside? I called you?" "As you can see we have some probs. The government is trying to catch Charles. The war was declared. Police AND army are on patrol. 24 hours a day. And a closing time is included." "What will happen if they get you out here? Did they get Charles yet?" "They didn't catch him yet. Otherwise there wouldn't be so much trouble. And if they find you you are dead. Or they'll put you in a cell. Barbarians!" Frohike grinned. "I have to find Charles." "Why? That's way too dangerous. Go back to your Dana. And if you don't I'll go. I swear! You're totally insane! I would never let such an opportunity pass! I'd use it. She needs your comfort now." ILOVETHEX-FILESILOVETHEX-FILESILOVETHEX-FILESILOVETHEX-FILES;YOUTOO? Dana had lain down on the sofa. Fox would not be back before tomorrow morning for sure. But suddenly the mirror started glimmering and humming. She stood up distrustfully. Next to the door Fox had settled his rifle. She took it with both hands. Breathing heavily she pressed her back against the wall. >Shit, shit, shit!< Suddenly a hand grasped the gun. "I won't do anything to you that you don't want." A humorous voice told her in a familiar, soft and affectionate tone. "And so: Don't do anything to me, either." Dana's whole body shivered and relaxed. "How can you do that to me? Why didn't you say something? You scared me!" She walked towards the man. Lovingly he took her shoulders between his hands and pulled her towards him. >FINALLY!< >What the hell are you thinking there?< >I need him! And you know that!< >Yes, I know that, but he doesn't!< >Sure he does!< >Nope.< >I'm talking to myself. Really weird.< >Then talk to him.< >Shut up.< >Okay.< Dana snuggled closer to his chest. "Dana." Fox' voice uttered incoherently. But she knew what he had said. While she pressed her cheek against his shirt he felt how he shivered. "I'm sooo happy that you're back again. And I'm sooo happy that you're okay." She untangled herself carefully from his arms. "Me too." Step by step she went backwards to the couch. And settled on it. Seductively she smiled at her friend. He was the first man she really wanted to do weird things with. He smiled at her again with his puppy dog look. When her lips parted she could see his eyes widening. Slowly he approached. She could see the hunger in his eyes so why didn't he hurry up? "Close your eyes." This time she obeyed. But first she leaned back. It seemed a long time until she felt his hands settle next to her head. She knew that he was bowing his head. Just a moment before their lips met she opened the eyes. INEUROPEINEUROPEINEUROPEINEUROPEINEUROPEINEUROPEINEUROPEINEUROPEINEUR His eyes weren't there! HE wasn't there! Dana sighed. >Shit.< >Great shit.< >Really great shit.< >You have to find him.< >But I can't go over there.< >Then you will have to wait.< >But I can't.< >What a problem!< >Shut up.< >Okay.< Suddenly she heard the mirror. Carefully she pinched herself to make sure that she was awake. Hoping it was Fox she entered the adjoining room. A hand and an arm appeared. "Fox?" A face appeared. "I'm sorry, but it's just me. Frohike." "Oh. Fine that you're alive. Where's Fox?" "Is it that important?" He started walking towards her. "Yes, it is!" She forced him to stop. If she gave in now he would do what he wanted to. "Fox was right." "What do you mean?" "You're too strong for me. He told me so." "Sometimes he is really wise." Again she had to hide her feelings. Men could be so unfeeling. Every woman would have noticed her sorrow and grief and would have consoled her. >They are toooo stupid.< >Shut up.< >Okay.< During the night and the next day more and more people appeared. The whole gang was wanted by the government and Fox had sent them all. But - so he had told them - he first wanted to find Charles. A warm feeling spread through her. >He is doing that for me! For ME! ME! ME!< >Don't fly away.< >Shut up.< >Okay.< Somehow this conversation sounded familiar to her. The whole evening she waited for her brother and FOX. But they didn't come. In the night Dana did not want to sleep. She wanted to be awake when he came. She wanted to welcome him. >With a kiss?< >With a kiss.< >You're talking weird things again.< >If I want to welcome him with a kiss?< >No, but you would prefer finding him by your self. You hate waiting.< >And? I told you to be quiet.< >Nope. You said: Shut up.< >Then I'm telling you now.< >What?< >Be quiet.< >Okay.< She was angry about herself. Talking to her consciousness. Theoretically she was two persons. The strong, independent woman and the small girl who just wanted to be held by her Fo..-friend. Dana still tried to deny that kind of thoughts. Just before dawn she fell asleep. THEYFINISHEDTHEYFINISHEDTHEYFINISHEDTHEYFINISHEDTHEYFINISHEDTHEYFINIS In the morning Dana woke up with an incredible headache. The mirror was being used a great deal. Nearly the whole gang was here, but there was still no sign of Charles and Fox. Nothing could stop her anymore. Her two most loved men in the world were over there. What could have stopped her? Slowly she approached the mirror. She was still distrustful of this thing, but she had to deal with. Another gang member helped her. She entered the hall. In disbelief she looked around the messy room. Everything was quiet, but the air was full of electricity. Something told her that it was dangerous outside. So she went to the side first instead of walking to the exit immediately. Suddenly she heard soft steps. Panicky she threw herself behind a desk. A shaky voice called: "Anybody here?" Dana's heart jumped nearly out of her chest. It was Charles! "Charles! You are here! You're okay!" "Dana! What are YOU doin' here? Fox told me that you were on the other side. Why did you come? It's too dangerous!" "I had to come. I nearly died because you two didn't come. You two are my most loved men of the world afterall." Irritated Dana looked around. "Where is #2 actually?" "Right behind you." Two cold hands suddenly covered her shoulders. Dana jumped forward. "C'mon, Charles. You'll go first." Fox wanted to be alone with her. That was too obvious. Hopefully Charles hadn't developed common sense in the meantime. There were only a few men with that. Most of them got it just for a short time. Then somehow lost it again. Her brother grinned. "Tell me when I'm allowed to proclaim your engagement." Dana raised an eyebrow, Fox had a hard time fighting his laughter. He almost wasn't able to switch on the mirror. Charles went through. They were alone. It was Fox who broke the silence. "Am I really #2?"Dana stared at him. He seemed totally serious. "Well...no." She smiled. And walked towards him. He retreated until he was standing in front of a desk. Now he had no way out anymore. But he didn't look uncomfortable. Dana smiled at him provokingly. Slowly she lifted her hand and touched his cheek. His breathing increased. "Dana, I..." "Sh." She pressed one finger to his lips. That touch made him shiver. "I think we should shift universes now. It's too dangerous here." "And over there? With 300 other people? Let's stay here another moment. Alone." The way she said that last word, convinced him. He settled down on the desk. Slowly - driving him insane - she closed the space between them. "Dana. I don't want anybody to be hurt." "Do you think you would hurt me?" "No, but..." With only a look she made him stop. Carefully she started moving her fingers over his shirt. Soon their feeling carried them away to another world... At last when the release came he called her name out loud. TILLAUTUMNTILLAUTUMNTILLAUTUMNTILLAUTUMNTILLAUTUMNTILLAUTUMNTILLAUTUM Somebody shook her hard. "Dana. Wake up! You had a nightmare. Wake up now!" It was her eight- year-old cousin. She was about 8 years. She didn't know anything. Dana opened her eyes. "You groaned so loud. It was really bad, huh?" "Nope. It wasn't as bad as you think. There are more terrifying dreams than this one was. Believe me!" She stood up. "I'll go over there. I need to know where Charles and Fox are." "But that's too dangerous." "I'll go." Her cousin looked unhappy. But Dana had to know. She had to tell him how much she loved him. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX When she arrived at the hall everything looked just like her dream had been. Everything happened just as in her dream. Charles was first sent over 'again'. "At last...alone." Dana sighed and turned around. "And now? Let's switch over, #1?" "Not only #2?" "Maybe, maybe not. That depends on the situation." She smiled. His eyes showed a special brightness. A glance she knew. A glance she loved. Tears filled her eyes. "Hell." She couldn't believe that she was crying. "I love you, too." He simply replied. "Don't joke." He walked towards her and wiped her tears away. "I'm not joking. Why are you crying?" "'Cause I'm happy that you're alive." "Then don't cry." "I can't stop." She sniffed. Carefully he closed his arms around her. To make that comfortable feeling perfect she snuggled her cheek to his chest. Another sigh. They stood there like that for about ten minutes. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Suddenly Fox lifted his head. "Quiet." Now she heard them, too. Footsteps. "Shit." "Yeah. I would have liked to be with you for a while longer. Alone with you." He smiled at her. Slowly Fox stepped back and released her from his arms. Now Dana didn't feel safe anymore. "You gotta go." Fox pointed at the mirror. "Nope." "Hey, not this time! Dana, please!" He was worried about her. "Okay, I'll go. But you'll have to promise me: You'll come, too. Right behind me!" "Sure, if I can." "No! Not this time! You'll come!" "Okay, I'll come." She walked towards the glimmering mirror. One step. The next... She turned around. "I love you, Fox." He smiled at her. "I love you, too, starbuck." "HOW SWEET!" On the other side of the hall stood Phoebe. They both startled. Everywhere were men now. Wearing the green/brown army uniforms. "Fox?" "Go, Dana. Go as long as you can!" "Not without you." "Go!" Nevertheless he jumped towards her. One of the officers caught his arm and pulled him back. Dana stretched her arm. He did, too. Their fingers met. "Go." He was whispering only. Dana saw his pain. His eyes showed all of his emotions. She couldn't - mustn't - leave him here. Impossible! "Please." His lips formed silently. Slowly she walked backwards. Dana closed her eyes and felt how tears filled them again. She shook her head. She was dreaming. She HAD to be dreaming. That was the only possible explanation! "Hell! Dana! Go!" Her eyes flew up when somebody gripped her arm. "No! You won't get her!" Mobilizing his last bit of power Fox jumped forwards and pushed her through the mirror. Because of the force he passed it, too. But only half. His legs were still on the other side. Slowly he started sliding back. Fox pressed his hands and his face down on the ground to get some hold. Dana grasped his arms. Pulled as hard as she could. But the men on the other side were stronger. "Help me! Please help me!" She felt how the panic filled her. She was going to lose him. That couldn't happen! She needed him. "Dana, you have to destroy the mirror. It's your only chance." Fox' voice was calm. "But then you'll die!" "Not when I'm completely." "But they are stronger than me! "Yes, they are." "You mean, I am supposed to leave you there? You are crazy! I'll never do that." "Dana, think of your own life." "I do! I have no life without you!" "Don't say that." Only his head and his arms were outside now. He started to loosen himself from her hands. "I'll see you in the next life, starbuck!" And he was gone. Only their fingers were still intertwined in the middle of the mirror. Suddenly a stone destroyed it. The fragments flew everywhere. She could feel when one hit her cheek. But that didn't count. It wasn't important. "NO!" She started screaming and crying. "Dana, it had to be. Fox himself said so." Charles's unpitying voice. "But he'll never come to me again. Never." She was only able to whisper. her brother took her in his arms. Then he carried her to the couch and lay her down. It needed a long time until she fell asleep. But before that she murmured something like "Not even a kiss." XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX "Agent Mulder! Agent Scully!" The ranger entered the plateau again. "Do you know what this is?" A ranchero had found a kind of frame here. It consisted of metal that was not from this planet. So the rangers had called the FBI. It was an x-file for sure. After Mulder and Scully had arrived at Roswell Alvarez had brought them to the plateau. He had left them to call the headquarters and they had settled down. Each one sitting on one side of the thing. Scully had closed her eyes while Mulder just stared at her. They had stretched out their arms so that their palms met in the center of the frame. Suddenly a smile appeared on her face. She looked confident. "Are you okay?" The ranger touched Scully's shoulder and she shrieked up. The connection broke. "We don't know what this is. It seems that a house was here, but we don't have any idea what this frame was for." She lied. Mulder could see that in her eyes. But she wasn't sure about what she had seen. He was. He knew now that it wasn't just a coincidence that they were together. It was fate. They belonged together. And this time he had to convince her to trust her instincts. But how? "We should go back to the motel. It will be dark soon." He started his way back to the car. Scully still stood there. She couldn't believe what she'd seen. There had to be a scientific explanation! >You belong to him.< >Shut up.< >You have belonged to him, you belong to him and you will belong to him always.< >Shut up.< >Okay.< But she had already realized that her consciousness was right. Downhill her partner behaved like a perfect gentleman. He even opened the right front door for her. But when she passed him, he whispered: "Not even a kiss?" THE END Did you like it? I hope so. Please send me feedback. vakuole@yahoo.com (I'll answer, but sometimes the e-mail-server cuts off and 'rien ne va plus'. Bye, muuh _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com