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From: J R D <jrdss@pobox.alaska.net>
Subject: {ASSM} My top ten (tg) #2 (6/14)
Date: Sat, 19 Apr 2003 15:10:06 -0400
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-------------------------

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 POWER pt 6

That Saturday, Nita walked into the campus center.  She had her 
Sociology books as well as some computer books.  Jack was taking the 
same computer class, but at a different time (as she had planned, too 
many classes together would've been way too suspicious).  She looked 
around and saw Jack waiting at a table.  She walked up to him, and 
said, "Hi, sorry I'm late."

"Only a few minutes, no big deal."

"Yeah, but with all this running around with new classes, I seem to 
be late for everything."

"Just relax.  Take it one day at a time.  But it does bring up an 
interesting question."

"What's that?"

"Why not just wait till next semester?  I mean I know you've only 
lost a couple weeks, but it's not like high school, where you HAVE to 
attend."

"Well, I'm not really a patient woman.  I'd rather try to catch up a 
couple weeks then wait 4 months for next semester."

"Me, I'd wait, but to each his, or her, own."

They then got down to work, Jack helping Nita with the lessons she 
missed.  And Nita had to admit he was a good instructor.  She 
probably had learned more from him than from the classes' regular 
teachers.

Once they finished, Jack offered to escort her home.  She tried to 
beg off, but he insisted.  They walked back to her place, with him 
holding her arm in his like a true gentleman.  She was going to say 
good-bye at the door, but as soon as she opened the door, Nita heard 
Lani crying and her mother's instincts took over.  She rushed inside 
to Lani's room.  Lisa, one of the Sisters who Bronwyn had confided in 
before starting as Nita, was attempting to rock the baby to sleep, 
but the baby seemed to want none of it.

Nita took the baby, but Lani was just as resistant to being soothed 
by her as by Lisa.  Nita was about to try to use her magic, at least 
to attempt to find out what was wrong if not solve it, when she heard 
Jack ask, "May I try?"

Nita was a little shocked, but she finally said, "Okay," and handed 
the baby to him.  He took Lani and held her close, gently humming and 
massaging her back.  After only a few seconds, Lani settled down and 
started cooing happily.  After a few minutes, Lani settled down and 
fell asleep in his arms.

Jack gently placed the baby in her crib.  "She's got a touch of 
colic, but she should be okay."

Nita asked, "How did you get her to settle down?"

"A massage technique I learned from an acupressure specialist.  It'll 
let her sleep comfortably for the next three or four hours.  By the 
way, I don't think we've been introduced," he said, extending his 
hand to Lisa.

"Oh, sorry," Lisa said, "Jack, this is my... mom, Lisa.  Mom, this is 
my tutor, Jack."

Picking up on her role, Lisa said, "Tutor, huh?  He seems too cute to 
be just a tutor."

Jack grinned as Nita said, half growling, half imploring, "Mother."

Jack said, "Believe it or not, we're just friends.  See you in class 
on Monday, Nita."

"See ya then."  After Jack left, Nita slugged Lisa in the arm. 
"You're a stinker."

Lisa grinned widely.  "Sorry, couldn't resist.  So that's the guy who 
took Jacqui's place?  Seems nice enough."

"I know, but we can't be sure that it's because he's really that nice 
or because he's being Jack."

"Well, anybody that good with a baby can't be all bad.  And he is a cutie."

"Correction.  Jack is a cutie.  We have no idea what this guy really 
looks like.  But the weirdest thing is I still can't get over the 
feeling that I know this guy."

"Lingering effect from his resemblance to Jack?"

"No, that's not it."

The phone rang and Nita picked it up.  After a quick discussion with 
the person on the other end, she set the receiver down, visibly 
shaken.  Lisa asked, "What's wrong?"

"One of the Sisters was attacked in New York.  At first she thought 
it was just a mugging, but just to be sure, she scanned the mind of 
the man after she stunned him.  It seems he was a mercenary hired to 
attack her.  He didn't know about her status as a Sister, but I don't 
like this."

"Another faction of the Brotherhood?"

"I hope not.  If they're up to another direct confrontation so soon 
after our last confrontation, it means they're a lot stronger than we 
expected."

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

Excerpt from the journal of Miss Jacqui Donovan, Vol. II

Day 24

Oh, Bronwyn, mom, how could you?  I finally got Marcus alone, and 
asked him why he was avoiding me.  He said he wasn't sure he loved me 
any more.  He said he wasn't sure he ever loved me.  I nearly broke 
down in tears, but managed to ask why.  He said, oh, goddess, I can't 
even write it.

Bronwyn, mom, how could you?

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

Bronwyn, in her regular form, and Laurie were discussing the recent 
attacks on the Sisterhood.  In the last two weeks, seven Sisters had 
been attacked by mercenary soldiers.  But Laurie was distracted and 
irritable, and finally Bronwyn commented on it.  "What's wrong, hun? 
You've been snapping at me all evening."

"I don't know.  I've been on edge for the last few weeks, but today 
it's been like a toothache pain, and I don't know why."

"Is it," Bronwyn nodded towards the inside of the house, implying it was Jack.

"No, it's not him.  At least I don't think it is."

"Then what?"

Laurie, frustrated, said, "I don't know!"

Jack entered the room.  He grabbed some apples out of the bowl of 
fruit on the table and started juggling them.  "Good evening, ladies."

Bronwyn, in a cold tone that she took when in her regular form, said, 
"Good evening, Jack," but Laurie just grumbled a bit.

Without even slowing the fruit in mid-air, Jack looked at Laurie for 
a while.  Finally, he said, "Your link is stronger than I thought."

Laurie demanded, "What does that mean?"

"Your link with your daughter.  She's been having some pretty bad 
problems recently, and that apparently has been leaking through. 
That's why you've been so irritable recently."

"Problems?!  What kind of problems?!"

"Problems with Marcus."

Bronwyn asked, "Her dead boyfriend?"

"Not quite so dead anymore."

"You brought him back to life?!"

"Not exactly.  He brought himself back.  Not everybody who enters our 
ranks used magic before their Awakening.  In fact, most didn't.  For 
a few, the experience that gives them their power is a death 
experience."

Laurie said, "Marcus... is alive?"  Jack nodded.  "But why the 
problem?  Jacqui should be happy that Marcus is alive."

"She was.  It's Marcus who wasn't happy after he came back.  He 
pushed Jacqui away, and that hurt her."

"But why?  I thought Marcus loved Jacqui."

"He did.  Probably still does."

"Then why the problem?"

Jack considered it, deciding whether or not to explain.  Finally, he 
said, "The problem is what you two did to him."

Angry, Bronwyn said, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Jack sighed.  "Look, don't get me wrong.  I understand why you did 
what you did.  I don't agree with it, but I do understand it."

"What did we do?!"

"You manipulated him.  Mentally and physically.  And when he died, 
those spells ended and started falling apart.  When he returned from 
beyond the veil, all he knew was that he had been manipulated, not 
why."

Laurie said, "But we only did it to protect Jacqui!"

Jack sighed again.  "Look, I said I understood.  But let's face 
facts, manipulation to a woman is like fighting to a man.  It comes 
far too easily and, with most, is used far too often.  Like fighting, 
if it's used to keep others from forcing their viewpoints on others, 
or to defend a viewpoint, then it's justified.  But if it's used to 
enforce a viewpoint, it'd be like me popping someone in the nose for 
not agreeing with me."

"But we were only trying to protect Jacqui."

"Uh, not wanting to harp too much on this, but you were also trying 
to manipulate Jacqui into accepting her femininity.  That's why you 
gave Marcus a sexual skill far beyond his normal abilities for her 
de-flowering."

Laurie and Bronwyn got guilty looks on their faces.  Then Bronwyn 
asked, "Wait a minute.  How did you know what we did?"

"The spell was reconstructed to see what it was."

"Why didn't you tell Marcus?"

"Because right now Marcus is doubting Jacqui with both his heart and 
his head.  Telling him about the spell will only fix the problem in 
his head, not his heart, and that is where the important fixes have 
to be made.  Marcus has to know, in his heart, that he loves Jacqui 
despite what you did to him, or it'll always come between them." 
Jack tossed an apple, which he had kept in motion throughout the 
conversation, to each of the ladies.  "Something to think about," he 
said as he took a bite of the remaining apple in his hand.

As he walked from the room, he told Laurie, "If you're feeling this 
bad, Jacqui must be in pretty bad shape.  I'd suggest you take some 
time to meditate and send her some good feelings.  High emotional 
stress can't be good for the baby," and left.

Laurie got up.  "Uhm, excuse me, I've got to... uh..."

Bronwyn said, "You've got to go take his suggestion.  Go ahead, your 
daughter needs you."

Laurie ran upstairs, and Bronwyn looked at her watch.  She had to get 
home anyways.  She had a big project due in her computer programming 
class, and she and Jack were getting together tomorrow to work on it.

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

Excerpt from the journal of Miss Jacqui Donovan, Vol. II

Day 25

I don't know what it is, but this morning I woke up a lot calmer than 
last night.  I had the feeling of mom being there with me.  I miss 
her.  I was still kind of depressed since Marcus told me he wasn't 
sure he ever loved me (it still chokes me up to remember it), but at 
least I felt up to facing the world.

You know, it really just sunk in.  Even if I finish training in 
record time, mom isn't going to be here to help me with the birth of 
my child.

The good news is, I met a friend.  She's not mom, but she is someone 
to talk to.  I was in the garden after a morning lecture.  Actually, 
calling it a garden is a bit of an understatement.  It's more like a 
park.

Anyways, I was walking through the park, looking for a place where I 
could crawl up and hide from the world.  A place where I could cry my 
eyes out and no one would notice.  I thought I found it when I found 
this almost overgrown path.  It led to a secluded little grove.  I 
thought I was all alone, when I heard this light whistling.  I looked 
around and saw this innocuous looking old woman sitting on a log. 
She had her hand in front of her face, and perched on it was a small 
bird.  The lady and the bird seemed to be whistling to each other, 
and I got the impression they were talking.

But when I got too close, the birdie got startled and flew away.  The 
woman turned and saw me.  She said, "Oh, hello.  Don't get many 
visitors to this part of my garden.  Come sit with me," and patted 
the log beside her.

I walked up to her.  Before I sat down, I asked, "Your garden?"

She smiled a sweet, innocent smile.  "Well, I know that I don't 
really own the garden, but so few people get out this deep I just 
started thinking of it as my garden.  An old woman's harmless folly."

She seemed so nice and kind that I just couldn't help but smile.  I 
sat down beside her.  She asked, "So what problems bring you to dear 
old granny?"

"Problems?  What makes you think I have problems?"

"Dearie, I may not be one of the magi here, but what kind of 
grandmother would I be if I didn't see the creases on your brow, and 
the sadness in your eyes?  Besides, the only people that seem to find 
dear ol' granny are those that need help."

"That must get annoying."

"You're dodging the issue, dearie.  Come on.  What's the problem?"

I don't know what it was, but I found myself pouring my heart out to 
granny.  I started with mom's transformation of me into Jacqui and 
told her everything up to Marcus's confessions of the day before.

Finally granny said, "It saddens me to see that the Sisterhood is 
still manipulating their children that way.  But I suppose they have 
set it up so they don't have any choice."

"Still?  What do you mean?"

"Haven't you checked the base archives on information about the 
Sisterhood?  Most of the archive is off limits to you as an 
apprentice, but what you need to know isn't.  But that's not the real 
problem here, is it?"

"No.  What am I going to do about Marcus?"

"Nothing."

"But-"

"No, dearie, no buts.  Marcus's problem is that he has been 
manipulated by your mother and her friend.  Let him know how you 
feel.  Let him know that you're sorry for what was done to him. 
Anything more and he may interpret it as an attempt to manipulate 
him."

"Great.  All the power mom says I had before, all the power I've got 
now, and my best course of action is to do nothing."

"Dearie, here's the thing about power.  The greatest responsibility 
in having power is in knowing when not to use it.  Learn that lesson, 
and you'll be heads and tails above the rest of the Sisterhood."

I then thanked granny, and got up to leave.  Before I left, she said, 
"Dearie, if you ever need someone to talk to, you come looking and 
granny will be here."

Somehow it feels good to know that granny is out there for me.

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

Laurie sat at the table, reviewing the records she had of the Sisters 
who had decided to return to being men.  Her records were by no means 
complete (Bronwyn was the only one who had access to all the records, 
and Laurie felt there was no way she was going to help with this), 
but there was enough to get an idea of what Jack had meant with his 
clue.  It was subtle and Laurie was lucky that Jacqui's despair had 
subsided a week ago, or she would've missed it entirely.

Jack came in from one of his study dates with that girl.  "Good 
evening, mother-darling."

"Evening.  Jack?"

"Yes?"

"Can we talk about your clue?"

"Sure, just let me get a soda.  Want anything?"

"No thanks."

Jack got a soda out of the fridge and sat down beside Laurie.  "Okay, shoot."

"I think I've got it figured out."

"Tell me what you've got and I'll tell you if you're right."

"Well, each Sister who returned to being a man had a power 
significantly higher than their mother.  Most were considered serious 
losses to the Sisterhood."

"That's it.  You got it."

"But what does it mean?"

"That, mother-dear, is for you to discover."

"If only I knew why Jacqui reacted as badly as she did."

"Wrong question."

"Huh?"

"Your next clue.  You're asking the wrong question."

"Care to be a little more vague?"

Jack smiled.  "When Jack originally became Jacqui, you tricked and 
manipulated him.  You purposefully withheld vital information in 
order to get the result you wanted.  He was hurt and betrayed.  Seems 
to me that his reaction was perfectly normal."

"But... my mom tricked me, I didn't react like that.  A lot of 
Sisters, most Sisters, were tricked and they didn't react like that."

"And that is the crux of your second clue."

"I still don't get it."

"When you do get it, then you will have solved a major step towards 
the solution of your problem."  Laurie thought about it.  "Are we 
finished yet?" he asked.

"Actually, I've got one other question."

"What's that?"

"When do I meet this girlfriend of yours?"

Jack laughed.  "She's not a girlfriend.  She's just a friend and 
study partner."

"Yeah, right.  You think I don't notice the extra spring in your step 
when you come home after seeing her?"

Jack laughed again.  "You're determined to play the role of mother 
here, aren't you?"

"Can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen."

"Alright, already.  I'll talk to her and see what I can arrange."

"Thanks."

Jack went upstairs, and Laurie smiled after him.  He may not have 
been the real thing, but it was nice to know that, after all she had 
done, she could get along with someone who so closely resembled the 
real thing.

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

Nita sat in the library with Jack on their usual Saturday study 
session.  Although this man was easily her superior as far as the 
programming class went, her own knowledge of human nature made her, 
once she had caught up, his superior in their sociology class.  It 
was a small thing, but knowing he wasn't perfect pleased her.

They finished up their study session, and Jack leaned back in his 
chair.  "Thanks.  I finally think I'm going to be ready for the test 
on Monday."

"Just returning the favor for your help in computer class.  Want to 
go to the cafeteria for some snacks?"  It was almost ritual, as well 
as unnecessary, the asking.  Ever since they had first started 
studying together they usually went to the cafeteria afterwards. 
Nita had started it, figuring if they were relaxing over a cup of 
coffee, he might let something slip.  It hadn't worked, but it had 
started a regular habit of going to the cafeteria after they were 
finished.

Surprisingly, this time he said, "Naw, I'm not in the mood for candy 
bars and chips.  Look, I know this little coffee shop near my house. 
They've got fresh muffins and great coffee.  Want to go?  My treat."

Nita stared at him.  Was he asking her for a date?  As always, she 
couldn't read his face, but so what if he was?  Wasn't that what she 
was trying to accomplish?  Trying to get her interested in him?  No, 
that wasn't right.  She was trying to get him interested in her.

Finally, she said, "Alright."

"Great."  He took her arm and escorted her to his car.  They drove 
for a while until they stopped in front of his house.

"What are we doing here?" she asked.

"I've got to pick up some cash.  Besides, mom has been pushing me to 
meet you for a little while.  You don't mind, do you?"

Actually, she did.  She had been avoiding just such a meeting because 
if she and Laurie spent any time together in the same room, then 
Laurie would be sure to see right through her disguise.  But there 
was no way she could tell him that.  She said, "I guess I'm a little 
leery about meeting parents."

"Don't worry about it.  I'm sure you two will get along great."

"I don't know."

"Look, if you're really that uncomfortable you can wait out here."

Nita briefly thought about it then decided against it.  If she stayed 
out here that'd only make Laurie all the more suspicious and probably 
result in her being actively probed by her friend.  "No, I guess I'd 
better bite the bullet."

"Relax.  It's not like we're boyfriend and girlfriend."

"Right.  We're just friends.  Study buddies."

"Right."  Jack got out, went around, and opened the door for Nita. 
They both went inside.  Laurie was sitting at the table looking over 
something.  She quickly covered it up, but Nita recognized it as 
being some of the records that Laurie had of other members of the 
Sisterhood.  "Mom, I'd like you to meet Nita.  I'll leave you two to 
chat while I go upstairs for a sec."

As Jack ran upstairs to his room, Laurie said, "Good afternoon."

"Afternoon, Miss Donovan."

Then Nita saw it.  The look on Laurie's face that said that she was 
beginning to see through her illusion.  "Excuse me, have we met 
before?"

"I don't think so.  But we might have."

Then Nita felt a light probing of her mind.  Only a reading of her 
public mind, but it was more than she wanted to reveal.  She 
instinctively threw up her shields, realizing seconds after she had 
done it that that was exactly the wrong thing to do.  She and Laurie 
had spent far too much time in each other's minds not to know the 
feel of the other's magic on touch.  Laurie's eyes went buggy with 
rage, as Laurie mentally yelled, "Bronwyn!  Don't you dare shut me 
out!"

Whispering, Nita said, "Sorry."

Still projecting mentally, Laurie said, "How dare you!  I told you I 
didn't want you interfering!"

Nita said, "No mindspeaking.  If he senses it, it'll blow my cover!"

Whispering, Laurie said, "I should blow your cover, anyways.  I am 
not going to risk my daughter over you!"

"You can't do that.  We have no idea how this guy would react to the 
news.  He may take off anyways."

"All the more reason to confess now."

They heard Jack coming back down, and Nita said, "Just don't blow my 
cover.  Let me play this out.  Please, love, trust me."

"Alright, not this time.  But you WILL be here tomorrow, in your 
regular form, so we can discuss this in detail."

Jack came into the room.  "Hello, ladies, have a nice discussion?"

Laurie put on her best smile and said, "Certainly, dear.  Your friend 
is a lovely girl."

Jack took her arm and said, "I know."  They then left, leaving Laurie 
to wonder how she was going to handle this.
-- 
"This is reality, not T.V.  Can't you tell the difference?"
"Sure, I just like T.V. better."

jrdss@alaska.net
ICQ#37222294
J R D

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