OK, Fifthwheelers: I promised something by the end of the weekend, and here it is.
Is this only the beginning? I don't know. When writing it, the story began to develop into an A/T/L fic of sorts (I still don't know how) but I figured this part was clearly A/T (and done, as opposed to the rest of it) so I'd go ahead and post it.
I hope you like it...
Title: Born to Dance
Author: Reese (roswellreese@hotmail.com)
Rating: PG
Dedications: To DC for her Loyalist fic and encouragement, to all the Fifthwheelers at DTL who take time to support the equally deprived Loyalist movement and to Bennie, it seems your Tissue Trilogy really stuck with me
***
She looks so small, sitting there all alone.
Then again, she is pretty small. Kind of like Liz. But different.
Liz is my best friend. I trust her completely. I would do anything for her, no matter what the price.
Tess on the other handwell, lets just say Im not so sure.
But weve got something in common. Something even Liz and I dont.
We dont belong. At least, not herenot with them. Alien or human, it doesnt matter. Were just not one of them.
I wonder if she feels the same way. Does she wish, for once, she was the first one called? That she didnt always have to hear of things second hand? That someone out there appreciated her for who she was, rather than for what she is a part of?
I wonder if shed like some company. Surely, even I, Alex Whitman, would be better company than none at all, right?
Im a funny guy. Im in touch with a womans needs: Kleenex, Baskin Robbins, Sleepless in Seattle.
Yep, Im exactly what Tess Harding needs.
***
Mind if I join you?
She looks up, startled, and then turns away, subtly wiping at her eyes.
See, most guys wouldnt catch that, but Im not just any guy. I have two best friends who are females. I know how to read such things. I know how to handle them.
Kleenex? I snatch the handy pocket sized pouch out of my jacket. Always good to have those on hand for such emergencies.
She doesnt turn around. No, Im not crying. She makes another subtle attempt at wiping her eyes without giving it away.
Crying? Who said anything about crying? I play it off. I was hoping you could muster up enough of those alien powers of yours to make my Kleenex dance. Ive always wanted to see a Kleenex dance, havent you?
I hear a noise. Was it a laugh? A chuckle? Ill get her yet.
I mean, look at the texture, would you? Kleenex were made to dance. I dont really think they were invented for crying or runny noses. Oh, no. Dont underestimate the Kleenex. I think they were born to dance.
Youre weird, she laughs.
Funny, Ive been called a lot of things beforebut weird? Hmmthats a new one. Handsome? Charming? Oh, yes. Downright irresistible? But, of course! But weird? Nope, thats a new one.
She finally turns to me and rolls her eyes. Ok, whatever you say.
Now thats the attitude I like in a woman! I try to retreat from the assaulting hand, but to no avail. She smacks me on the arm and Im ashamed to say it hurt.
You better watch yourself! Or Ill use my secret alien powers to do more than make your Kleenex dance! Her eyes narrow. This is apparently her attempt at a menacing face. But the grin pulling at the corners of her lips gives it away. Shes smiling, even if its not on the outside.
A job well done, Whitman.
I dangle the Kleenex in front of her. But, before you annihilate me with your death ray eyes, could you please pretty pleasemake my Kleenex do the tango? Or the salsa? Even the electric slide would do. I hesitate for a moment as I watch her think it over. Pleeeaaassseee?
She snatches the Kleenex right out of my hand. Fine. Fine! As long as it will stop your whining.
Pleeeaaassseee?
I said okay! Geez! She looks around us. See anyone?
No, why? Do you think Mr. Kleenex needs a partner?
She pulls a second Kleenex from my stash. No, not when he has Mrs. Kleenex right here. She holds both of them in front of her, focusing intently. Now keep an eye out. This could be hard to explain to any passersby.
I look left, then right before giving her the go-ahead nod. Its all clear.
I lean in, focusing on the Kleenex she holds in her hand. I never really thought Id live to see the day that Kleenex danced.
Ready?
Ready.
All of a sudden, she jumps up from the bench, spinning around in circles and singing. Dance, Kleenex, dance! She thrashes one of them, I believe its Mr. Kleenex, in front of my face. Want to join us, Alex? The Mrs. and I hate to dance alone. Then she pulls him back and shakes him in the air some more, all the while changing her tune from one dance hit to another.
I think shes lost her mind.
UmmTess?
Yes, Alex? Its Mrs. Kleenex who responds.
IuhI could have held them up and made them dance all by my human self. I was kind of hoping for something a little more
Alex, she laughs as she sits down next to me, apparently exhausted from her Kleenex dance marathon. We cant use our powers to make Kleenex dance. For one, I dont even know how. And second, thats not really why I have them. Theyre for survival. Not for entertainment.
I concede to her logic. Fine. Geez. I just thought it would be nice to see the Mr. and Mrs. have a night on the town, thats all. I slump down in my chair as though the disappointment is overwhelming.
Oh, Alex, she rubs my arm for emotional support. Im sorry. She then jerks her hand away and points to the tree behind us. But I can make that tree pink? I shake my head no. Or what about the sidewalk there? I can make it glow! Hows that?
No, no. Its just not the same. I sink even lower. Its fascinating and all, really, but just not the same asas Kleenex dancing. I sink so slow that Im about to slide right off the bench.
She laughs as she pulls me back up into an upright position. It looks like somebody needs some ice cream to cheer them up.
Ice cream? Did she just offer me ice cream?
Oh yeah. I could get used to this.
Is this only the beginning? I don't know. When writing it, the story began to develop into an A/T/L fic of sorts (I still don't know how) but I figured this part was clearly A/T (and done, as opposed to the rest of it) so I'd go ahead and post it.
I hope you like it...
Title: Born to Dance
Author: Reese (roswellreese@hotmail.com)
Rating: PG
Dedications: To DC for her Loyalist fic and encouragement, to all the Fifthwheelers at DTL who take time to support the equally deprived Loyalist movement and to Bennie, it seems your Tissue Trilogy really stuck with me
***
She looks so small, sitting there all alone.
Then again, she is pretty small. Kind of like Liz. But different.
Liz is my best friend. I trust her completely. I would do anything for her, no matter what the price.
Tess on the other handwell, lets just say Im not so sure.
But weve got something in common. Something even Liz and I dont.
We dont belong. At least, not herenot with them. Alien or human, it doesnt matter. Were just not one of them.
I wonder if she feels the same way. Does she wish, for once, she was the first one called? That she didnt always have to hear of things second hand? That someone out there appreciated her for who she was, rather than for what she is a part of?
I wonder if shed like some company. Surely, even I, Alex Whitman, would be better company than none at all, right?
Im a funny guy. Im in touch with a womans needs: Kleenex, Baskin Robbins, Sleepless in Seattle.
Yep, Im exactly what Tess Harding needs.
***
Mind if I join you?
She looks up, startled, and then turns away, subtly wiping at her eyes.
See, most guys wouldnt catch that, but Im not just any guy. I have two best friends who are females. I know how to read such things. I know how to handle them.
Kleenex? I snatch the handy pocket sized pouch out of my jacket. Always good to have those on hand for such emergencies.
She doesnt turn around. No, Im not crying. She makes another subtle attempt at wiping her eyes without giving it away.
Crying? Who said anything about crying? I play it off. I was hoping you could muster up enough of those alien powers of yours to make my Kleenex dance. Ive always wanted to see a Kleenex dance, havent you?
I hear a noise. Was it a laugh? A chuckle? Ill get her yet.
I mean, look at the texture, would you? Kleenex were made to dance. I dont really think they were invented for crying or runny noses. Oh, no. Dont underestimate the Kleenex. I think they were born to dance.
Youre weird, she laughs.
Funny, Ive been called a lot of things beforebut weird? Hmmthats a new one. Handsome? Charming? Oh, yes. Downright irresistible? But, of course! But weird? Nope, thats a new one.
She finally turns to me and rolls her eyes. Ok, whatever you say.
Now thats the attitude I like in a woman! I try to retreat from the assaulting hand, but to no avail. She smacks me on the arm and Im ashamed to say it hurt.
You better watch yourself! Or Ill use my secret alien powers to do more than make your Kleenex dance! Her eyes narrow. This is apparently her attempt at a menacing face. But the grin pulling at the corners of her lips gives it away. Shes smiling, even if its not on the outside.
A job well done, Whitman.
I dangle the Kleenex in front of her. But, before you annihilate me with your death ray eyes, could you please pretty pleasemake my Kleenex do the tango? Or the salsa? Even the electric slide would do. I hesitate for a moment as I watch her think it over. Pleeeaaassseee?
She snatches the Kleenex right out of my hand. Fine. Fine! As long as it will stop your whining.
Pleeeaaassseee?
I said okay! Geez! She looks around us. See anyone?
No, why? Do you think Mr. Kleenex needs a partner?
She pulls a second Kleenex from my stash. No, not when he has Mrs. Kleenex right here. She holds both of them in front of her, focusing intently. Now keep an eye out. This could be hard to explain to any passersby.
I look left, then right before giving her the go-ahead nod. Its all clear.
I lean in, focusing on the Kleenex she holds in her hand. I never really thought Id live to see the day that Kleenex danced.
Ready?
Ready.
All of a sudden, she jumps up from the bench, spinning around in circles and singing. Dance, Kleenex, dance! She thrashes one of them, I believe its Mr. Kleenex, in front of my face. Want to join us, Alex? The Mrs. and I hate to dance alone. Then she pulls him back and shakes him in the air some more, all the while changing her tune from one dance hit to another.
I think shes lost her mind.
UmmTess?
Yes, Alex? Its Mrs. Kleenex who responds.
IuhI could have held them up and made them dance all by my human self. I was kind of hoping for something a little more
Alex, she laughs as she sits down next to me, apparently exhausted from her Kleenex dance marathon. We cant use our powers to make Kleenex dance. For one, I dont even know how. And second, thats not really why I have them. Theyre for survival. Not for entertainment.
I concede to her logic. Fine. Geez. I just thought it would be nice to see the Mr. and Mrs. have a night on the town, thats all. I slump down in my chair as though the disappointment is overwhelming.
Oh, Alex, she rubs my arm for emotional support. Im sorry. She then jerks her hand away and points to the tree behind us. But I can make that tree pink? I shake my head no. Or what about the sidewalk there? I can make it glow! Hows that?
No, no. Its just not the same. I sink even lower. Its fascinating and all, really, but just not the same asas Kleenex dancing. I sink so slow that Im about to slide right off the bench.
She laughs as she pulls me back up into an upright position. It looks like somebody needs some ice cream to cheer them up.
Ice cream? Did she just offer me ice cream?
Oh yeah. I could get used to this.
