Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2001 11:09:52 -0400 (EDT)
From: Rune Therain <mist_dark@yahoo.ca>
Subject: Shadows of the Past 5

Well since you've gotten this far I'm assuming that you're enjoying the
story.  Either that or you're a very persistent person, or you're trying to
win a bet.  Whatever your reason, glad to have you hear.  This is the fifth
instalment and is the second to last that I've completely written at this
point.  Thought I've gotten a good handle on the seventh one.  I've almost
run into a form of writer's block.  I have all the ideas I want; it's just
that I'm starting to lack the needed imagination to put some of those ideas
together.  I know I'll come up with something, but it's sort of annoying.
Guess we'll just have to wait and see.

The disclaimer doesn't have anything truly new in it.  Don't know them.  If
you're to young/it's illegal in your area/it offends you, leave.  Just the
same old disclaimer.

If you'd like to get a hold of me and let me know what you think of the
story, and I'd like you to do that, you can send it to one of two
addresses.  Or both if you feel up to it.  Mist_dark@hotmail.com or
Mist_dark@yahoo.ca

That's all for now.  I'd write more, but I'm sort of tired.
Until next time,
Rune


CHAPTER FIVE



	The darkness hadn't alleviated itself any in the office.  It was
still gloomy, but its occupants didn't seem to notice.  Or if they did,
they didn't care.  The woman sat in her place behind the desk.  She still
wore her hair in a French braid, but had changed her suit to one that was
deep green.  Behind and slightly behind her stood Ian and Katra, one on
each side.  Across from her sat a man and a woman.  Each had deep red hair
and bore such a resemblance to each other that they were most certainly
siblings.  The man was dressed in a white three-piece suit and his hair was
cropped close to his head.  His sister wore a skirt suit of identical
colour and wore her hair long.  Both of them watched the woman in front of
them with some curiosity.

	"How did your little trial go?"  The woman asked.

	"Well," the man told her in a deep voice.  "The three humans were
easily manipulated.  They wanted to rob that restaurant anyway.  I simply
pushed them over the edge of doing it."

	The woman nodded her head.  "Kyle is right.  It was simple.  Though
both of us question your motivation on seeking revenge on this man.  He
could not have possibly done something so bad that you are going to all of
this trouble to punish him."

	"What he did was more then enough to earn my wrath," the woman
snapped.  "I'm only asking for your aid in this matter.  You will be
handsomely rewarded if you do."

	"Are you sure Mara?"  Kyle asked.  "My sister and I will help you,
we would do that anyway.  We've been bored for some time now, but we do
want to make sure we aren't getting into a game that will kill us."

	"You'll be fine, and I am sure of my motivations," the woman
assured him.

	"I see," Erin said.  She smoothed her white suit and then asked,
"What of the Oracle?  What will you do if he involves himself?"

	"He could be difficult," Mara said.  "I don't want to risk the fury
of a man that can see the future.  We'll simply have to be careful not to
give him cause to interfere."

	"You could kill him," Ian offered.

	Mara looked at him sharply.  "Are you mad?"

	"He's only one man," Ian defended his idea.

	"To kill the Oracle is to have the wrath of fate visited upon you.
Spilling the Oracle's blood will curse you for the rest of your life.  You
will be unable to die and every possible misfortune will befall you."  She
looked at the youth with scorn clearly written on her face.  "During the
French revolution a man was foolish enough to slay the Oracle."  A wicked
smile crossed her face.  "Do you have any idea what it's like to have your
head removed and not die?  That man lived for thirty years with his head
lying next to him.  He couldn't die until the curse had run its course."
She turned back to Erin and Kyle.  "No I've no intentions of killing the
Oracle."

	"Nice lecture," Erin laughed.  "Now back to business.  We will need
to follow these men more closely.  Their bodyguards are very good at what
they do, though I couldn't get any information from them.  Kyle and I will
need to do some more observation before we will be able to formulate a plan
of attack."

	Mara nodded.  "Report back with whatever you find.  Use Ian and
Katra when necessary.  They'll be useful for a while yet."

	Disgust became clearly visible on the siblings' faces.  "You wish
us to use the services of animals?"  Erin almost spat.

	"They'll do what's asked of them," Mara said.  "That was part of
the agreement they made.  You don't have to use them, but they do have
their uses."

	"I doubt we'll need their aid," Kyle said.  The disgust that was
visible on his face was also clear in his voice.  "But we'll keep them in
mind."

	"What do you have against us?"  Ian snapped.  Katra had remained
silent during the exchange, but she was clearly not impressed with the way
the Erin and Kyle were talking about them.

	"You're human for one," Kyle said.  "And you sold your life for
power that you can't possibly hope to contain.  You don't have any power of
your own, so you bought it instead.  I cannot, and will not, respect
something like that."

	"So glad you feel that way," a voice said as the doors to the
office opened.  A man about twenty-five walked into the room and shut the
doors behind him.  He had dirty blonde hair that was in need of trimming.
His choice of clothing was simple.  A light grey shirt tee shirt and faded
jeans.  He looked very much out of place with the three people dressed in
business suits, but fit in fine with both Ian and Katra.  A grey wolf was
tattooed on his arm.

	"And who are you?"  Kyle asked sharply.  He spotted the tattoo and
the possibility of respect drained from his eyes.  The newcomer had been
put in the same group as Ian and Katra.

	"This is Paul," Mara said.  "And he should not have come in until I
called for him."

	Paul flashed a wolfish smile.  "I just got bored waiting.  Thought
I'd drop in and see what was holding everything up."

	Erin rolled her eyes and snorted in disgust.  "How many of them do
you have working for you?"

	"I only work with these three on a regular basis.  Though I have
worked with up to twenty at one time.  The rest have met with their
unfortunate side effects."  Mara glanced at Paul.  "His services will also
be yours to call upon if you feel the need."

	"Peachy," Kyle muttered.











	"Can I ask you guys a personal question?"  Deana asked.  She and
Sean were sitting with Joey, Justin and Josh in the lounge area of their
suite.  Chris, Lance and Cody had gone off to get some movies for the
evening.  They thought about just sending Lance and Cody, but due to
Lance's inability to pick movies, they sent Chris too.  And Chris had been
more then willing to go.

	"Sure," Justin said.  "Can't say we'll answer it, but we might."

	"Good enough," Deana said.  "Is Chris gay?"

	"Why?"  Joey asked guardedly.  "Does that bother you?"

	Sean laughed.  "Not in the least.  But if he was then it would
certainly clear up the little lookfest he had going at lunch."

	Josh arched an eyebrow.  "What do you mean?"

	"You guys didn't notice?"  Deana asked.  "The way that Chris was
staring at Cody.  Well staring isn't the right word.  Sneaking sidelong
glances when he thought no one was looking.  It was so obvious.  And kinda
cute too."

	"What are you guys getting at?"  Joey asked.

	"Well you didn't notice it," Sean said.  "You don't know Cody well
enough, but he's interested in Chris.  And if we're right, Chris is
interested in Cody.  So I suggest that we do something to get the two
together."

	"Cody's gay?"  Justin asked.  "I would never have guessed it."

	"And unless you knew Chris well enough you wouldn't guess that he
was gay either," Joey told him.  "So we're going to try to get these two
together?"

	"I think we should try," Deana said.  "Cody hasn't had anyone in a
long time.  He could use the companionship, and besides he seems to like
Chris."

	"Same with Chris," Josh mused.  "But how are we going to do it?"

	"Well they're getting movies," Sean said.  "And all sorts of
romantic things happen during movies.  I say we just get leave them alone
with each other and see how things go from there."

	"Worth a shot," Justin said.  "But how are we going to get Lance to
leave them alone?"

	"I'll take care of that," Sean said.

	"Won't this sort of spark their attention?"  Josh said.  "I think
I'd notice if everyone in the room suddenly emptied of everyone except the
object of my affection."

	"That's the point," Joey said.  "Chris will pick up on the fact
that we know he likes Cody and I'm assuming Cody will do the same thing for
Deana and Sean.  Right?"

	"That's the plan," Deana said.

	"Good, now all we have to do is wait for them to come back."





	The credits started to roll on the television screen and the group
started to stretch.  No one had guessed the ending to Sleepy Hollow.  It
wasn't a horror film, but it certainly had the atmosphere to keep you on
edge.

	"Good ending," Justin said.  He got up from the couch and walked to
the bathroom.

	"Gotta love him," Josh said.  "Gets straight to the point and then
goes to relieve himself."

	Joey laughed.  "Of course, that's why he's Justin."  He stretched
for a few seconds longer and then flopped back down on the couch.  "What's
the other movie you got?"

	"The Princessbride," Lance told him.

	"The what?"  Josh asked.  He looked at Chris and Cody.  The two had
'nonchalantly' sat side by side.  "You let him get what?"

	"Hey," Lance defended himself.  "It's a good movie.  Just because
you've seen it a hundred times, doesn't mean the rest of us have."

	Josh had the good grace to blush.  "Okay it is a good movie, but it
doesn't fit the theme.  And those two should have interfered."

	"Cody hadn't seen it," Chris said.

	"I see," Josh said slowly.  "Well I guess we're watching the
Princessbride next."

	"What's next?"  Justin asked as he came back from the washroom.
Sean ducked passed him and darted in.

	"The Princessbride," Joey said.

	"Haven't you seen that enough?"  He asked Josh.

	"Yes, yes," Josh said.  "Let's just watch the movie."

	"Somebody's touchy," Lance grinned.

	"Shut-up albino boy," the brunette threatened.  "I can do such
horrible things to you."

	"But that's nothing compared to what I could do to you," Lance
smiled wickedly.  "Do remember I'm the organized one and I have access to
almost every aspect of your life."

	"I've noticed that," Chris said.  He turned to Cody.  "You'll want
to watch him.  If he sets his mind to it you could be bunking in the broom
closet."

	"I'll try to remember that," Cody laughed.

	When Sean got back from the washroom they stuck in the second movie
and started watching it.  About the fourth utterance of 'inconceivable'
Josh pulled himself to his feet.

	"Since I've seen this a hundred times," he said.  He looked
directly at Lance.  "I think I'll head to bed.  See you guys in the
morning."  The group chorused goodnights and then he left.

	Joey yawned a few minutes later.  "Josh didn't have such a bad
idea.  I think I'll follow his suit."

	"I'm tired too," Justin said.  He helped Joey to his feet and the
pair staggered off to their respective bedrooms.

	Deana got up and without a word followed them.  Cody looked over at
her.  "And where do you think you're going?"

	With an absolutely straight face Deana looked back at him.  "To
tuck them in."

	Sean laughed and the remaining four people went back to watching
the movie.  A couple of minutes later Sean got out of his chair and walked
over to Lance.  He extended his hand down to the blonde.  A look of
confusion crossed Lance's face as the singer took the other man's hand.
"Time to go to bed Lance."  Without waiting for a response Sean pulled
Lance off of the couch and into a standing position.  Just as smoothly he
ducked down, tossed the blonde over his shoulder and marched into Lance's
bedroom.

	Chris and Cody watched them in silent shock.  After the door closed
Chris looked at Cody and laughed slightly.  "Okay, that was odd.  No other
way to describe it."

	"I'd have to agree with you on that," Cody agreed.  "And it wasn't
very subtle either was it?"

	"Not in the least," Chris said.  "What do you think they're up to?"

	"Probably pushing us together," Cody said.  "I think Deana and Sean
noticed us looking at each other at lunch."

	Chris blushed in the darkness.  "You noticed?"

	"Just once or twice," Cody said.  "I'm surprised you didn't notice
me doing it too."

	"Guess I was busy doing something else," Chris said.

	"Guess so," Cody responded.

	"Wanna watch the rest of the movie?"  Chris asked.  "You haven't
seen it all yet.  And with the exception of the really bizarre exits, it's
still pretty good."

	"If I'm with you," Cody said.  "I don't care."  He stopped suddenly
and looked at Chris before laughing quietly.  "I can't believe I just said
that out loud."

	Chris leaned into his chest.  "The feeling's mutual.  The first
part, not the out loud part."

	Cody wrapped his arm around Chris' shoulders and continued to watch
the movie.  Neither one really watched the movie, but they enjoyed the
parts they saw.  After it ended they stayed where they were until the
credits had finished rolling.

	"What should we do about our lovely friends?"  Cody asked suddenly.
"They deserve something for pushing us together like this."

	"I say we let them think we'd already gotten together before they
started trying to do it for us," Chris suggested.  "Though we'll have to
take Lance down with it too."

	"Why?"  Cody asked.

	"Well first off, he's innocent about the whole scheduled retreat.
Or they organized it very well.  There's no way Lance could act that
surprised at will.  Did you see his face when Sean picked him up?"  Chris
laughed.  "That was priceless.  But if we let him know about our little
joke, then he'll want to play along, and that'll give us away."

	"It almost sounds like you know what you're doing," Cody said.
"But I guess you're right.  They've all got to go down.  Deana and Sean in
particular.  I can almost sense that they put the rest of the guys up to
this."

	"Upset?"  Chris asked while toying with Cody's shirt.

	"Not in the least," the bodyguard said and kissed Chris on the
forehead.  "But revenge against those two is always sweet.  They've played
some nasty tricks on me.  But in all fairness I played some nasty ones on
them."

	Chris chuckled quietly.  "Sounds like the guys and I.  We've all
played some good ones on each other.  It always comes around and no one
takes offence to it.  But in the end revenge is always exacted."

	"They'll get us back for this," Cody said.

	"It'll be worth it," Chris said.  He pushed himself upward to look
Cody directly in the eye.  "Won't it?" he said as he kissed him.


TBC

So what did you think?  I do want to know.  I think now is a good time to
point out that I've only been getting e-mail from one person.  And though I
do thank him for the e-mail, I'd like to get some more.  I know I'm begging
at this point, but I really do want to know what you think of the story.
Good or bad.

Rune