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Subject: {ASSM} Change of Life [2/5]
Date: Sat,  1 Dec 2001 11:10:09 -0500
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Had to get a new email, so I'm reposting my old works under the new 
addy to get it out.

Change of Life, pt 2

Now, onto the boring stuff

-------------------------

DISCLAIMERS

-------------------------

This story contains scenes of an erotic and/or controversial nature, 
and is not intended for the perusal of minors.  Further if perusal of 
such material is considered illegal in your area or immoral by your 
religion or personal beliefs, you should likewise bypass this story.

This story remains the property of the author.  Permission is granted 
to download, photocopy, copy and repost so long as any such action 
contains these disclaimers, and no attempt is made to profit from 
this story.

All characters in this story are the creation of the author, and any 
resemblance to real persons, alive or dead, are purely coincidental.

This story may contain aspects of fantastic science or magic.  The 
parameters of what this science/magic can accomplish are completely 
at the discretion of me, the author, and, as such, I make no 
apologies for any rules of "real" physics, chemistry, biology, or 
magic that may be broken within the story.

-------------------------

Now onto the fun stuff

-------------------------

Change of Life, pt 2

As soon as he was back in the consensual reality, he teleported home. 
Bronwyn, Laurie, Jacqui, and a small collection of Sisters were in 
the kitchen.  From the way they were laughing and chatting, Joe 
guessed they were making wedding plans.  He stepped in and greeted 
everyone, sitting beside Bronwyn.  "Hun," she said, "much as I love 
you being around, all we're doing now is dealing with all those tiny 
details that I know you hate, so I won't be offended if you decide to 
go spend time with your mom or the kids."

"Actually, there's something I wanted to ask you about in regards to 
the wedding."

"Oh?"

"Have you chosen a place for the wedding yet?"

"Not yet.  We're still pricing halls."

"Then I should inform you that the other members of the Realm council 
I serve on have extended a request for me to hold the marriage in 
realm."

"And how do you feel about that?"

"There are some people in the realm who I'd like to be there who 
can't come here, but I want it to be your decision."

"I don't know.  Jacqui, you're the one whose seen the most of this 
realm.  I admit I'm curious, but do you think it's a place to hold a 
wedding?"

Jacqui said, "It's a fantastic place.  I think it'd be great!  And 
you may even be able to get the Goddess herself to attend."

Bronwyn turned to Joe.  "Do you think that'd be possible?  Would the 
Goddess really attend the wedding?"

Almost noncommittally, Joe said, "We can always extend an invitation. 
She'll come if she wants."

Bronwyn looked at Joe.  After a few seconds, she asked, "Could you 
ladies leave me alone with my husband to be?  I'd like to talk with 
him."  After the girls agreed and left, Bronwyn turned to Joe and 
asked, "Okay, what's wrong?"

"Wrong?"

"Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about.  Every time 
the Goddess comes up, you quickly change the subject.  Now I ask 
about inviting her, and you give me a look that makes me feel like 
I've invited a child molester."  Joe almost said something, but bit 
it back.  "That!  That reaction is what I'm talking about."

Joe said nothing for a few seconds.  "Bronwyn, things have... passed 
between the Goddess and I.  Things that I am hard-pressed to forgive."

"The birth rites?  But you know that wasn't her."

"No, not the birth rites.  It's... deeper than that."

"What?  What is it?"  Joe remained silent.  "Please, Joe, don't you 
know how much it tears me apart to know of the problems between you. 
Even if I can't solve them, at least let me know what they are."

Joe stayed tight-lipped for a few seconds more before saying, "Ask 
the Goddess."  Bronwyn was about to protest, but Joe said, "Bronwyn, 
please.  There's no way I could explain what went on between us 
without making it seem like I'm asking you to choose.  And that's the 
last thing I want.  I know the Goddess is important to you and I 
wouldn't want to change you for anything.  Please don't ask me to 
explain."

Bronwyn just nodded and held her lover.  After a bit, she pulled to 
arm's reach from him and asked, "Wait for me?"

"To the end of time."

She kissed him and went to her private meditation chamber.  She 
carefully prepared the crystals, herbs, and candles that would focus 
her will and allow her to touch the Goddess on a more personal level. 
It was a ritual that was given only to the high priestess of the 
order, and only the acting high priestess could use it.

She knelt down and began the song that would complete the ritual and 
allow her to touch the Goddess.  She felt the world fall away and her 
soul set free.  She traveled to the hall of the Goddess,feeling her 
perceptions adjust to Her spiritual realm.

She walked into the ante-chamber and knelt in the center of the room. 
She had read some of the journals of the previous high priestesses 
and knew that each had seen this room slightly differently.  To her, 
the room was soft and comforting, while, at the same time, 
representing a strength that she rarely saw anywhere in the mortal 
world.

She felt the presence of the Goddess envelop her.  "My child, what 
brings you to me?"

"I have a question.  About Joe, the Akashic Master."

"About why he despises me so?"

"Yes.  Please, Great Lady, what passed between you?  What happened?"

There was a shimmering in the air and the Goddess manifested in 
Bronwyn's presence.  The high priestess was shocked.  Only in the 
most serious matters would the Goddess manifest to any high 
priestess.  Usually She only gave comfort and advice through Her 
spiritual presence.  Bronwyn had no idea this was that serious.  What 
had passed between the two she loved the most?  What reason did Joe 
have to hate Her?

The Goddess, knowing her thoughts, said, "I see in your thoughts that 
you believe that the Akashic Master has simply misinterpreted some 
action of mine.  That, unfortunately, is not the case.  I wronged 
him, Bronwyn.  I must admit that."

"You?  Wronged him?  How is that possible?"

"I am not infallible, my child.  I am the living embodiment of 
womanhood, which is not only all that is good, but also all that is 
bad.  I have the experience of billions of women to draw upon, both 
living and dead, which gives me less chance of making mistakes than 
others, but I can still make mistakes."

"Please, Lady, what happened?"

"He was only nineteen years old when he came to me the first time. 
He forced his way into this realm, demanding to know the reasons for 
why I had inflicted the birth rites on the Sisterhood.  That was when 
I explained to him the real origin of the birth rites.

"After I convinced him of the facts, I tried to convince him to 
reunite with his mother.  I tried to convince him to allow me to 
forge a connection between him and his mother.  But he refused, 
saying he wasn't ready.  He tried to leave, but I felt he couldn't 
leave.  If he left I would have no ability to do anything unless he 
returned to me.  So I attempted to force a connection.  I felt that 
if the Akashic Master knew the pain his mother was suffering from his 
departure, he might try to heal that.

"But I misjudged Julie's reaction.  At the time, she was not ready to 
accept the existence of her son, much less his presence in her mind. 
As soon as the link was forged, Julie used her power to close it off. 
I couldn't reopen it without hurting her, so I was forced to let it 
go.  Instead of healing the breech between them, I only made it 
worse."

"But you were only trying to help."

"Bronwyn, that's not an excuse.  After I let him go, he turned on me. 
He assaulted me mentally, inflicting on me the pain I had inflicted 
on him.  He gave me the same feelings I had given him.  The same 
helplessness, the same sense of violation."

"He attacked you?"

"I deserved it."  When Bronwyn tried to protest, the Goddess said, 
"Bronwyn, the impressions he gave me were almost exactly the same as 
those of a woman who had been raped."  Bronwyn was shocked.  "Yes, 
Bronwyn, in my arrogance to make what I thought was right a reality, 
I raped his mind!  And, as much as he hates me for it, I will hate 
myself that much and more."

"But how do I resolve this fight between you?"

"My child, it is good that you want to try, but this is something I 
have to make up to the Akashic Master myself.  But I can tell you 
that your being there for him is a big help."

"It is?"

"Yes.  Let me show you something."  The Goddess waved her hand and 
the hall changed.  It took on a cold, impersonal nature that had a 
terrifying presence to it.  In the center of the room was a raised 
dais with a cold, sterile throne atop it.

"What is this?" Bronwyn asked.

"This is how the Akashic Master saw this realm when he first arrived. 
Rather intimidating isn't it?"

"This is how he sees you?"  Bronwyn felt despair.  Despite the 
Goddess's confession, she still loved Her.  How could she hope to 
have a long term relationship after seeing this peek into his soul?

"Oh, child, no.  This is how he saw me when he thought the birth 
rites were my doing.  It was based on faulty assumptions."  She waved 
her hand again and the room took on a softer aspect, but at the same 
time, parts seemed to fade in and out of existence.  "This is how he 
saw me after we had a chance to talk.  He wasn't quite sure what to 
think of me.  I'll skip what he thought of me after I erred."  She 
waved her hand again, and the room took on a savage, primal, and, 
yes, even beautiful aspect.  "This is how he saw me after meeting 
Tarina."  She waved her hand again, and the room returned to its cold 
vision.  "And this is what it returned to after she died."  The Lady 
waved her hand and the room changed again.  It was still cold, but it 
had a beautiful, loving imagery that had not been present in any 
version except the one where he was married to Tarina.  "And this is 
what he saw the last time he came to me to ask for the removal of the 
birth rites.  This is what you gave to him, Bronwyn.  You gave him 
love, not only for me, but for his own feminine side.  Even Tarina 
could not give him that."

"I gave him this?  But... how does he feel now?"

"I don't know.  I can only show what he sees when he enters the room. 
But I do know that his closeness to me has increased since he and you 
moved in together.  And really grew when Alia, your child, was born."

"Thank you, Goddess, for giving me a peek into Joe's soul."

"Now you need to return to him.  He fears that you have judged him harshly."

"Thank you, Lady."

As Bronwyn left the room, a hooded figure stepped from nowhere. 
"Will she be good to him?"

"She will be good to and for him," the Goddess replied, to which the 
hooded figure just nodded.

Bronwyn quickly left the psychic realm and returned to her body.  She 
ran downstairs to Joe.  When she entered the room, she felt the fear 
flowing from her lover.  He turned to her, tears in his eyes.  "Well? 
Do you hate me?"

"No."  She came over and sat on his lap, straddling his legs.  "In 
fact, I love you more than ever."  The two kissed.  Joe started to 
rub Bronwyn lovingly when Alia started to cry.

The two stopped.  Pressing their foreheads together, they smiled. 
Joe said, "That kid has got to work on her sense of timing."  Joe 
teleported them up to the nursery.  Bronwyn picked Alia up.  "Is she 
okay?" he asked.

"Sure.  Just hungry."

"Well that's not something I can help with."

Bronwyn smiled as she undid her blouse.  "Bet you could if you wanted to."

"If I had to, I suppose I could."

Lani, from her crib, said, "Pa-pa, I hungry."

Joe said, "Saved by the tummy.  I'll take her downstairs and feed her."

Bronwyn smiled as Joe took Lani from her crib.  Bronwyn blew him a 
kiss as he took Lani downstairs.  Joe never shirked in his fatherly 
duties, and Bronwyn loved him for it.

Domestic bliss was beautiful.

************

She felt like her guts were being wrenched into knots.  Then, as soon 
as it was started it was over.  "You can open your eyes now," Joe 
told her.

Bronwyn opened one eye and then the other.  "That was horrible."

Joe smiled and tried to keep from laughing.  "I did warn you and ask 
you to let me block your senses."

Bronwyn quickly checked the pouch she had Alia in.  Their youngest 
child was snoozing contentedly, apparently unaffected by the gut 
wrenching affects of the cross-dimensional travel.  Joe brought Lani 
around from her place on his back.  Lani, too, had been unaffected, 
and, in fact, was giggling happily.  "For some reason, children are 
unaffected by transition effects."

Bronwyn finally got a look around.  She was in a nondescript room. 
There was a desk with a computer on one side, and an arch filled with 
an oscillating light show within it.  Behind the desk, a man sat 
waiting.  "Not exactly what I expected," she said.

"What did you expect?"

"I'm not sure, but something a little less... normal."

Joe laughed.  "I know what you mean.  Not what you'd expect in a 
man-made universe built by the magic of some of the most powerful 
wizards in creation, is it?"  Bronwyn shook her head.

The archway shimmered and Jacqui and Laurie stepped through into the 
room.  Laurie staggered a bit, saying, "That was rougher than I 
remember it."

Jacqui explained, "The Akashic Master was shielding you last time, 
and did a better job than I."

"Which brings up a point," Joe said, "remember that here my identity 
is a secret, so refer to me by title only."

The doorway shimmered again and Tasha, Inya, Norma, and Julie stepped 
through.  Julie staggered and almost fell into Joe's arms.  "THAT is 
not an experience I relish repeating."

"I told you that you should wait for me to come back for you."

"The girls seemed so anxious, and I didn't want to disappoint."

"Mom, you indulge the girls far too much."

"So I'm a grandmother, so sue me."

Joe gave a short laugh.  "I'm going to head back and get Shawna and 
Ariel."  He handed Lani to Julie.  "Jacqui, why don't you show 
everybody the garden?"  Joe stepped back through the gate.

Once he was gone, Julie looked around for the girls only to find them 
missing.  "Where are the girls?"

Jacqui explained, "The girls spent part of their childhood here. 
They've probably run off to visit with friends.  They'll be fine, 
Julie."

"Uhm, okay."

Jacqui escorted the women through the halls and outside.  She brought 
them to the lush park referred to amongst the magi of the realm as 
"The Garden".  After walking around in the garden for a while, Julie 
took a leaf of a plant in hand and asked, "Is this what I think it 
is?"

Bronwyn looked at the leaf and said, "I think so."

Jacqui asked, "What is it?"  She and Laurie walked over and looked at 
the leaf.  "Looks just like any other leaf."

Bronwyn asked, "Are you kidding?  Don't you know what this is?"  Both 
Jacqui and Laurie shook their heads.  "Let me guess, neither of you 
ever went through a phase where you were utterly fascinated with 
dinosaurs and things prehistoric?"

"No."

"Ladies, these plants are extinct on Earth.  Flora like this hasn't 
even been seen for millions of years."

 From behind them, they heard a voice saying, "Some of the plants in 
the Garden haven't been seen for billions of years."  The ladies 
turned and saw the Verbena Mistress walk up.  "Ladies."

Lara stepped up and said, "De-evolution of plant and animal life is a 
basic rote, a manipulation of the Magic, of the Verbena.  Jacqui has 
the ability to do the same thing if she were so inclined."

Bronwyn looked around, noticing that many of the plants were 
prehistoric and could only be seen in history books.  "Amazing.  Do 
you have... real dinosaurs, too?"

Lara smiled.  "In the menagerie.  Unfortunately it's off limits to 
all but Masters.  In order to maintain as natural an ecosystem as 
possible, the dinosaurs are allowed to run free.  It's not a safe 
place to visit.  But there are places where you could be allowed to 
view the dinosaurs, as well as almost any other era in our planet's 
existence."

"Wow."

Joe, with Shawna and Ariel, stepped up.  "Glad you like it."

Bronwyn slipped her arm around his waist and kissed him.  "This is... 
Words cannot describe it.  Do you think we could see the dinosaurs 
soon?"

"Sure, we can go to the observation platform on the way to meet an old friend."

"Great."

Julie asked, "Joe, can I come along?  I'd love to meet any friend of yours."

"Sure.  I was planning on inviting you along anyways, mom."

Lara asked, "Going to introduce them to Jarred?"  Joe nodded.  "I'd 
love to see that, but I've got an appointment in a little while.  See 
you later, Akashic."

After Lara left, Bronwyn asked, "What did she mean by that?  'I'd 
love to see that.'"

"Jarred is a little unusual.  Come on."  He turned to Shawna, Ariel, 
Laurie and Jacqui.  "You want to come along?"

Jacqui said, "I've got some other things I want to show mom."

"Shawna, Ariel?"

Shawna declined, but Ariel quickly accepted.  "Okay.  Catch the rest 
of you on the flip side."

Joe escorted the three women to a spot in the park.  "Now what?" Bronwyn asked.

"I've never had cause to ask this, but are any of you afraid of 
heights?"  The ladies shook their heads in the negative.  "Good. 
Secure the babies."  He waited until Bronwyn and Julie had placed the 
babies into pouches on their backs to carry them, then held out his 
hands to them.  "Now link hands and enjoy the ride."

Julie and Bronwyn each took a hand and Ariel took her mom's hand and 
suddenly they lifted off the ground.  Once they got over the initial 
shock, the experience of flying was exhilarating.  They quickly left 
the ground far behind and flew to a miles wide, floating, rock 
cylinder.  He flew them above it to another platform about 30 yards 
across.  Spaced at equal points around the platform were items that 
looked for all the world like simple telescopes.  Joe landed them on 
the platform.  "Use the telescopes to look into the bowl.  You'll 
find a small lever on the side.  Move it up or down to move the sight 
closer or farther to what's in the bowl."

Each woman looked through a telescope into the "Dinosaur Menagerie", 
the contained ecosystem that held the dinosaurs of the Jurassic 
period.  Each woman quickly moved around, looking through multiple 
telescopes.  After a while, Bronwyn came over to Joe and wrapped her 
arms around him.  "You make me feel like a little girl."

Joe kissed her, then said to everyone, "Not to be a party pooper, but 
my friend is waiting.  You can always come back later."

There was a little bit of disappointment, but the women returned to 
Joe.  They linked hands and returned to the ground below, flying to a 
mountain range in the distance.  Joe landed on a ledge next to a 
cave.  "Okay, before we go in, I want you to know that no matter what 
it looks like, I'm in no danger in here.  There is no need to defend 
me.  Okay?"

All of the women gave him a strange look but gave their agreement. 
When they went inside, Joe moved the ladies to one side of the cave, 
then put his fingers into his mouth and gave a loud three-toned 
whistle.  Almost immediately the ground started shaking like they 
were caught in an earthquake.  Then, before any of the women could 
react, a giant oriental dragon charged into the opening, head butted 
Joe and threw him into the air.  Despite his previous warning, all 
the women marshaled their magic energy, preparing to defend Joe 
against the dragon.  But before they could launch their attack, they 
felt their power squelched in the building.

Joe flew into the air, came down, and landed astride the dragon's 
nose.  Bronwyn wondered what to do when the dragon growled, "My 
friend, it has been far too long since your last visit!"

Joe laughed.  "Sorry, but I've been a little busy."

"I have heard.  On top of your normal duties, you manage to repair 
the breech between the Brotherhood and Sisterhood.  I am impressed."

"Thank you.  Speaking of which, there are some ladies I'd like you to 
meet."  The dragon lowered his head and Joe slid to the ground.  Joe 
waved the ladies over.  Bronwyn was the first to approach.  "Jarred, 
this is Bronwyn Llewellyn, soon to be Bronwyn Llewellyn-Braumann."

"A mate?  Congratulations."  Jarred nuzzled Bronwyn a bit, taking a 
deep breath.  Bronwyn blushed crimson when he said, "I can definitely 
smell your scent upon her."

Joe grinned.  "And that's our child on her back."

"Congratulations."

Joe then waved the other two over.  He put his hands on Ariel's 
shoulders.  "This is Bronwyn's daughter, Ariel."

"An older sister for the girls?  So have you found them to be as much 
of a handful as I do?"

 From behind the dragon, they heard, "Oh, we're not that bad."  The 
women looked around Jarred's body and saw Tasha, Inya, and Norma come 
from the rear of the cave.

Jarred snorted.  "You're not the babysitter who had to chase three 
rambunctious girls around this cave."  Julie giggled, thinking of 
Jarred having to chase the girls like she had over the past year. 
"And who is our last pretty woman?"

Joe walked over and put his hands on Julie's shoulders.  "Jarred, 
this is my mother, Julie."

"The estranged mother?  Good to see you have reconciled.  And I am 
glad to meet the woman who brought this man to the world."

Julie curtsied.  "Good to meet you, too."

Joe said, "And the child on her back is another daughter of 
Bronwyn's.  And soon to be mine officially."

"Your life seems much better than the last time we talked."

"It is."

"Come.  All of you.  We can talk more comfortably in the spring in back."

Jarred turned and went back to the back of the cave.  As the twins 
and Norma followed him, Julie asked, "How did the girls get here?"

"Space gate.  Instant teleportation between the base and here for 
those who have Jarred's permission."

"Why didn't we use it?"

"Because you wanted to see the dinos.  The best place to do that is 
from the lookout, and there's no space gate to there.  We don't want 
someone who can't fly going up there and falling off."

Ariel came over.  "Shawna is going to be pissed she missed this."

Joe asked, "Why's that?"

Bronwyn explained, "Shawna has always had a thing for dragons. 
Stories, knickknacks, art.  She collects anything to do with dragons. 
Now she's missing out on a chance to meet a live dragon."

"She can meet him at the wedding.  I plan on asking him to be my best man."

"This'll be a wedding for the history books."

"Too bad it'll be so fantastic that no one who doesn't attend will 
ever believe you."  Bronwyn had to laughingly agree.

They all went in back to a chamber larger than a football stadium, 
spectator seating included.  Off to one side was a huge lake, and 
from the feeling of the breeze coming from it, they could tell that 
the lake was heated.  Joe transformed all their clothes to bathing 
suits, and they spent some time splashing around and getting to know 
one another.  At one point Bronwyn and Julie were alone with Jarred 
as everyone else was swimming in the lake.  Bronwyn asked, "Jarred, 
did you ever meet Tarina?"  Julie, always desirous of learning more 
of the lost years of her son's life, perked up and listened in.

"Joe's first wife?  No.  He and the masters here were not on good 
terms during the years when they were married, and he was either 
unwilling or unable to come here to visit.  It's too bad, from what I 
hear, she was a woman I'd've liked."

"What've you heard?"

"That she was a warrior spirit, very straightforward and direct."

"Jarred?" Julie asked

"Yes?"

"Could you give me some advice about Joe?"

"If I can."

"Do you know... what I did to Joe?"

"You transformed him to Joanie, but tried to keep him from changing back."

Julie looked down, ashamed at the reminder of what she had done. 
"Yes, well, that's the problem.  I... I really did think I was doing 
the right thing at the time."

"And now?"

"I realize I was pushing my beliefs on my son.  But that leads to my 
current problem.  Now I'm so afraid that what I'm doing is just 
pushing my own beliefs on him again that I feel like I'm walking on 
eggshells.  I'm afraid to even ask him to include me in on any 
portion of his life for fear of imposing.  I love my son, but I'm so 
afraid of hurting him again."

"And you're wondering what I could suggest?"

"Yes."

Jarred thought about it.  "The only thing I could suggest is to 
discuss it with him.  As long as I have known him, Joe has always 
been a straightforward man.  I believe he would rather you disagree 
with him and be open about it then hide what you feel about a 
situation."

"I don't know."

 From the direction of the lake, Joe said, "He's right, mom."  Joe 
stepped up and took his mother's hands.  "I don't want you to be 
afraid of me, mom.  I guess, in a way, it's good you're worried about 
this, because it shows you're serious about reconciliation.  But 
you're also my mom and my children's grandmother.  You have a right 
to voice any opinions and make any comments you want to, just 
remember that the only people I will tolerate telling me no once I've 
made a decision about me or my children's lives is the children 
themselves or Bronwyn."

"So what if I were to tell you that I think Tasha would look great in 
dresses, and that she should wear them more often?"

"I'd say you were right.  She does look great in dresses.  She just 
hates wearing them.  On top of which, she usually destroys them with 
her rather physical lifestyle.  But she has agreed to wear a dress 
for the wedding."

"Thank you, Joe."

"So are you going to try to get her into dresses more often?"

"No, I like her like she is.  I just wanted to know how you'd react. 
And if I ever push too hard, just tell me and I'll back off."

"And if you think I'm doing something wrong, please tell me.  I love you, mom."

Julie hugged her son.  "I love you, too, Joe."

************

Bronwyn was in her white dress, waiting for the ceremony to start. 
She felt a little guilty wearing white (she had lost her virginity 
almost three decades ago) but everyone told her she looked great. 
Shawna, her maid of honor, was helping her get ready.  At a lull in 
the conversation, Shawna asked, "Mom, are you sure you want to do 
this?"

"Of course I want to do this.  I love Joe."

"But is that going to be enough?"

"Okay, Shawna, what's wrong?  I know you and Joe have never gotten 
along, but I thought you were happy for me for having found him."

"I am.  And I know he's a great man, and will be great for you.  It's just..."

"What?"

"You remember Chris?"

"The cop you dated?"  Shawna nodded.  "What about him?"

"Mom, I loved him.  Brian is his."

"So are you jealous because you had to break up with him so he 
wouldn't find out about the Sisterhood?"

Shawna was silent for a bit before saying, "Mom, I didn't break up 
with him because of the Sisterhood.  In fact, I almost told him about 
us."

"So why?"

"After we moved in together... things started going downhill.  Every 
time he was late coming home, every time he was called in for an 
emergency, I began to worry about him.  I worried that he wasn't 
going to come back.  And if the phone ever rang at those times, I was 
afraid it was going to be another officer saying, 'Miss Llewellyn, 
I'm sorry to say that Chris has been shot.'  It just got to be too 
much."

"And you're worried that I'll be going through the same thing with Joe?"

Shawna nodded.  "Mom, I've been talking to some of the Brotherhood. 
They have been fighting the monsters that prey upon humanity during 
the schism.  And Joe is fighting the worst amongst these."

"I know."

"But I'm not sure you do."

"Shawna, you weren't there when he fought the doctor who was 
corrupting the Brotherhood.  I saw what he fights up close and 
personal.  And Joe confessed that he was only high side of average. 
And, yes, every time he goes out to fight these monsters I wonder if 
he'll never be back.  And, yes, it tears me up inside.  But it tears 
me up more to think of life without him."

"But-"

"Shawna.  I understand how you feel and that you only want to protect 
me.  But after I knew who he was the Goddess reminded me of the time 
when he was Joanie.

"I only met him a couple times before he was transformed, but even 
then there was something about him.  I just... felt a sympathetic 
vibe with him.  And after he was transformed, I couldn't have been 
happier.  I couldn't wait to make Joanie an official member of the 
Sisterhood.  When Julie told me that Joanie was pregnant...  I almost 
cried.  After he gave birth, I started making plans for the official 
induction, but then Julie told me he had decided to transform back 
and leave her.  I cried that day, Shawna.

"I told myself it was because we had lost so powerful a Sister, but 
now I realize it was because I had lost her.  I won't lose him if I 
can prevent it.  And if some day I do lose him to the monsters he 
fights, at least I'll have had all the time I can possibly squeeze 
out of the universe with him."

Shawna just stared at her mother for a bit before embracing her. 
"And I hope you have as long as you want together."

After they finished, Bronwyn said, "So I assume you haven't met Joe's 
best man yet?"

"No, but why assume that?"

Bronwyn grinned.  "Oh, no reason."  They heard the wedding music 
start and Bronwyn said, "Damn!  We lost track of time!  Quick, get my 
veil!"

Shawna grabbed the veil and quickly pinned it to her mother's head. 
She lifted the hem of her dress and ran outside.  She expected some 
man to be waiting for her, but saw no one.  She looked around, then 
heard from above her, "Up here."

She looked over at what she thought was some kind of golden tree, and 
followed it up to a giant oriental dragon's head.  "Holy..."

The dragon smiled, an intimidating sight.  "My name is Jarred.  I am 
Joe's best man and your escort."  The tree (really a giant claw) 
moved closer to her.  "I think it would be best if you just rode my 
claw.  Step up."  Shawna moved closer and stepped up onto Jarred's 
claw.  She felt magic wrap around her, holding her in place as Jarred 
took to the air.  They flew over the crowd and landed near the 
podium.  She stepped off and took her place near the other 
bridesmaids.

She quickly looked around.  Laurie, acting as the official 
representative for the Goddess, was officiating.  Joe looked 
fantastic in a tuxedo, and it seemed like the entire base had turned 
out for the ceremony.

Bronwyn stepped out, and walked regally down the aisle.  She took her 
place by Joe and Laurie started the ceremony.  "Dearly beloved..."

************

Bronwyn and Joe were preparing to go out that evening for dinner and 
a show with Jacqui, Laurie, and Jeremy.  It was their first 
anniversary, and Jacqui and Laurie had volunteered to treat the 
couple to a night on the town.  At the last minute, Jacqui had 
invited Jeremy along.  When Laurie had asked why (she and Jeremy were 
still sniping at one another constantly), she had said that she 
didn't want Joe to feel alone since Marcus was out of town on a 
mission for the people who had trained them.  Laurie had grimaced a 
bit, but not protested.

Joe walked into the room where Bronwyn was putting on the last 
touches of her make-up.  He said, "You look ravishing, lover."

Bronwyn smiled at him.  "You keep telling me that.  Better be careful 
or you'll give your wife a swelled head."  Joe gave her a strange 
look.  "What are you thinking about?"

Joe gave her a huge grin.  "Just wondering what you'd look like with 
a head twice as large as it is.  A swelled head, literally."

"Don't you dare!"  She threw the wadded up Kleenex she had used to 
blot her lipstick at him.  It only went a couple feet, and was 
absolutely silly, even as a fake-petulant move.

Joe laughed and stepped closer to her.  "Never.  You're perfect as 
is."  He took her hands and pulled her to her feet.  She wrapped her 
arms around him and they kissed.

In the middle of the kiss, Joe stiffened.  They separated a bit and 
Joe stared into space with that look Bronwyn had identified as him 
talking to someone in the other realm.  She grew angry and slightly 
depressed.  "Can't they leave us alone on our anniversary?" she 
thought.

He looked back to her.  "Sorry, it looks like I'm needed."

She looked down.  "I understand."

"If you want, I'll call back and tell them no."

"No, you've got your duties and I've got mine.  Go ahead."

"Okay.  Promise me you'll go out with Laurie tonight."

"I'm not really feeling up to it, now."

"Okay, that's it.  Not only do I want a promise you'll go out, I want 
a promise if I'm not back, you'll spend the night with Laurie.  Mom's 
got the kids till the morning, and I don't want you alone."

Bronwyn was about to protest, but Joe insisted.  Finally, she agreed. 
He quickly kissed her, stepped back and disappeared.  Bronwyn 
collapsed back into the chair.  She sat there almost crying.  She 
loved him so much, but Shawna had been right.  Every time he had to 
go, she wanted to beg him not to.

{So next time ask him not to go,} an unfamiliar voice said in her head.

"What?  Who's there?"  Bronwyn saw the Soul Blade float out from 
under the bed.  "What are you doing here?  Why didn't Joe take you 
with him?"
-- 
"This is reality, not T.V.  Can't you tell the difference?"
"Sure.  I just like T.V. better."

J R D
jrdss@pobox.alaska.net

-- 
Pursuant to the Berne Convention, this work is copyright with all rights
reserved by its author unless explicitly indicated.
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