~*~*~*~*~*~

Alice
was writing, a demon at her fingertips as she wrote.  Fingers flying over the keyboard, she
periodically saved the new story.  Or
rather, novel.  It was entitled The
Domino Effect.  She had over 100 pages
written, and damned if she didnt think she had another 200 in her today. 

The semi autobiographical book was about what had just happened, with them all.  The fall into darkness.  The rise from the ashes. 

And it was good, no.  Good was too
lenient a word, fucking mind blowing is what it was.  She reached for the bottle of water and drank
some more.  Yes.  She needed too get this down so that it never
happened again.  Making it real would
bind it to where it was, in the past.  Over
and done with.  She closed her eyes and
sighed.  Until she remembered.  Those intense blue eyes with indigo rims, the
oh so light brush of fingers on her cheek, a sultry voice asking, You do have
a fantasy, dont you, Alice?  Do you want to say yes?  Her eyes snapped open.  She stood up, walked briskly into the
bathroom, and started a shower, a steaming stinging back-pounding release from
everything that happened, all of it.

~*~*~*~*~*

Jo moved through the crowd, a hat down over her
green tinted sunglass covered eyes.  She
moved up the steps of the building, and going inside.  She let her eyes roam over the names on the
offices.  Settling on Wheaton/Astin.  A bit of a smile, Kate
and Amy.  A
soft sigh of relief finally washed over her, she was alive.  Working with Kate,
alive.  Shed done it, that short brat
with the even thicker French accent than her, had done it. 

Jo moved back out into the sun, letting it wash
over her.  Then she spotted her, her long
blonde hair glowing in the early morning sun. 
Amy was wearing a suit, black on green,
and Jo smiled shyly.  She perched herself on the dividing wall of
the building, watching her as she spoke with Emma, one of their friends, Jos
partner when shed been an Agent.  EmmaAmy her finger.  Jo closed her
eyes,

I know, married!  I dont know how Im going to explain it to
my parents.

Not yet!  Fuck no, I havent even been
able to break in a new partner yet, not going to get knocked up yet.  Mario loving school.

Jo snapped off the conversation, she was happy.  She was safe, she was alive.  For now, that was all she needed.  She stood, walking on the wall, her hands
deep in the pockets of the black jeans and she launched herself into the crowd.  Disappearing.

Amy looked around as if someone had just spoken
her name. 

Hey, you ok?  Emma
asked, and Amy turned, searching the crowd.

Did you feel that?  Amy
asked, rubbing her temple.

No.  Emma
said, her hand going for her gun, but Amy put
her hand on hers.

It was Jo. 
She was here.  Amy
said breathlessly, and Emma  There was no sign of their
old friend, or her wanting to break her self-imposed exile from them. 

Are you sure?

  As sure as Ive ever been.  Shes 
Amy struggled for the words, fighting
away the tears.  Shes ok.  Amy said in an
assured voice and Emma didnt question her, you
always knew when the other half of your soul was happy, if it was in trouble,
or if it was in danger.  That was Amy
and Jo, two halves of a wonderful whole.  Even when apart.

Good.  Emma
said, the lump in her throat growing, but she took Amys
hand, and they walked into the building, leaving the past behind.

playing mother while she cradled her in her arms.
dropped
to her knees, hands behind her.
laughed, rose, and headed for the kitchen, thinking Pancakes.
hadbrought something different intowanting pain; wanting her toshe didnt
want to remember.

change?

began, and then she saw
stroked her lovers face.
cracked
an eye open, smiling at the sight of away, to not
let her see.

said, Youre all the man I want, the only man I need, and in compromising
positions.
muttered,
yanking the door open to come face to face with cut her off.

was laughing, showing turned, looking in
the crowd.