Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 5:33 pm
A/N: Thanks guys! Sorry this isn't coming faster (as do my other fics, generally) But I've had a lot of stuff going on. I just want you all to know how much I appreciate all of your support. I hope my little snippets once a week have been enough to keep you all rooting for your fave Dreamer couple. And the little candy tidbits I've thrown in. Which of course, is my segway....
“But thy eternal summer shall not fade,
Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow'st.” – Sonnet XVIII, William Shakespeare
ACT III. SCENE I:
The backstage area of the theatre was bustling, as people moved up and down the halls, pushing and shoving through the tight spaces, carrying set pieces, fabrics for costumes, small beginnings of props. There was very little light except for the oil lamps and the cracks of sunlight that beamed through the wooden boards above their heads. Much of the backstage was actually beneath the stage and far behind it, but the hallways were so narrow, they’d build nearly four different routes to lead them toward the stairs.
Maxwell stood in one of the many shadowed corners, listening as the groups passed, lost in their world of whispers and laughs. His eyes were closed as he waited with baited breath for the familiar voice to arrive.
“Maxwell, are you ready for this?” He looked over, catching sight of Michael coming to stand before him, half shadowed and half glowing with the light of the oil lamps.
“Yes.”
“You know what you will say…?”
“I have it under control, Michael.”
“You will tell her only what she needs to know….”
“I said, I know what I am doing,” Maxwell bit through clenched teeth, pushing himself away from his leaning position against the wall and standing straight in frustration.
“You’re already lost in her, Maxwell, and she hasn’t even come back here yet. You’re going to let your feelings get in the way.”
“And? I thought you were the only one supporting me here, Michael?”
“I’m trying to think about her, Maxwell. Have you even stopped to think about the danger she’s put in? Just knowing our secret? If Kivar found out about her… about what she is… you’d never see her again.”
Maxwell swallowed hard, falling back against the wall with a thud. He hated to admit it, but Michael was right. He had to be careful about the way he handled things. Discreet in his actions. They needed Bethany, there was no doubt about that. But could he also have her? The way he so desperately desired her? With what effects?
He sighed, as he felt Michael’s hand squeeze his shoulder firmly.
“Whatever you do, I am certain that it will be for the best of everyone involved.”
Maxwell nodded, thankful for the boost of confidence. He knew he would need it.
The sound of light patters against the wooden stairs startled them both, and Michael looked out, nodding his head in acknowledgement.
“She is here. I will keep her maiden busy for as long as I can.” Maxwell nodded, and prepared for her arrival. It was strange, but he could sense her drawing near, as if he could see her in his mind, walking with soft, quiet steps, her eyes eagerly taking in her surroundings. He closed his eyes, listening carefully as her steps neared, and then reached out, his arm grabbing around a small wrist, as he pulled her into the shadows with him.
“Maxwell!” she said with a quick, startled cry, before he crashed his lips against hers. The immediate rush of images surprised them both, fueling their passion. He reached up, his fingers digging into her hair. He felt the heat building within him so he pushed away softly, leaving lingering kisses on the apples of her cheeks, the tip of her nose and on her forehead.
“I simply cannot, not touch you.” She nodded in response, still breathless, but smiling. “We have to talk. Can we go somewhere?”
“Marye is here, she will be looking for me.”
“I have the horses waiting outside.”
“I do not know…” she hesitated, a nervous look crossing her features. He couldn’t help himself when he ran his fingers softly down the side of her face. Her eyes flew up to meet his and he smiled, reassuring her. Those brown eyes did something to his system that he couldn’t explain.
“Please,” he begged, holding her hand firmly in his. “It is urgent that we speak.”
She took a deep breath, after weighing her options, and nodded silently. He took it as a first sign that things would go well. He had so much to tell her. He was truly afraid he would not be able to get it all out.
<center>***</center>
Michael strolled toward Marye, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. He knew what he had to do, but it didn’t make it any easier. The woman was impossible, and incredibly overprotective of Bethany. He knew if he didn’t keep her focused elsewhere, she would make it impossible for Maxwell to go according to plan.
With that in mind, he walked up behind her, as she spoke to Alexander Whitman, one of the regulars at the theatre. He had been in several productions before, but this one had been his first large role, and he was carrying it out with all the seriousness it deserved. Michael didn’t know how it happened, but somewhere in the middle of rehearsal he really started to believe the story on the stage, and he marveled at how something that was so flat on paper could really be brought to life.
“It really was fabulous! I was very impressed…” he heard her say excitedly and he stepped up beside them, smiling as he looked between the two friends.
He knew they were friends, he had seen them before together. They didn’t share the intimacy necessary for something more… and Michael found himself cursing under his breath for noticing such an unimportant detail.
“It was Alexander, very impressive. And you, I must say I did not expect to see you here again…”
He watched as her eyes narrowed, her ears becoming a darker shade of pink.
“I was not aware that I could not return to the theatre.”
“Oh no, not at all what I meant. I’m thankful that you’ve come… it just surprises me that you could not stay away.”
Her full lips curled into a smile, as a snicker escaped her mouth. She turned to look at Alexander in disbelief, who seemed just as confused about the entire situation. He shrugged and excused himself, claiming to need the final pages of his script looked over for corrections on his notes.
“Charming Master Guerin, however, I can assure you that your cunning ways are being wasted. I still clearly remember our first encounter.”
“Well then, I did my job. Seeing as how you have been unable to stop thinking about me,” he smirked, enjoying the slow fire that burned in her eyes.
“Oh, I guarantee you I have NOT been thinking about you.”
“Really?” he whispered, as he stalked her, and she took steps back, clearly fighting the urge to cower beneath his tall frame. She stood straight, her eyes locked on his, until she bumped her back into the wall beside the staircase that led to the balcony of the theatre. She looked back in a quick panic and then addressed him seriously.
“This is very inappropriate,” she choked out, and he couldn’t stop the smirk from growing wider. “I must attend to Bethany.”
“Why did you really come here?” he asked finally, as she looked up at him with her sparkling green eyes.
“Not because of you! How absolutely pompous! Do you really think that you are the only purpose for my existence?” She laughed, and his smirk dropped, as he kicked himself for the confusion running through his system. Why is that not what he wanted to hear? She pushed him away as she made her way past him, still mumbling loudly. “I cannot believe you would even think….”
She stopped suddenly, as her eyes caught sight of two running figures. Michael nearly froze. He’d finished too early. He’d done too much, too fast.
“Is that… Bethany?” Marye asked in absolute confusion. Michael did the only thing he could think of. He grabbed her arm, pulling her toward the darkened stairwell and kissed her.
She fought for only a moment, before she melted into his arms. He pressed against her lips hard, suddenly wrapped in the moment of passion. This hadn’t been part of his plan. Then again, he had never expected to ever run into someone like the small woman that he now held in his arms.
She pushed away, both of them gasping for breath.
“That was to calm you down. You are always wound so tight.”
“Oh, and I assume that you think you can send me into a spiral with just a kiss?” Before he could think, her hands grabbed the front of his shirt, pulling him close and planting a rough kiss on his lips. “You obviously know nothing of the De Lucia women.”
She walked away, leaving him speechless for what he could only assume was the very first time in his life. She looked around, a slow panic settling in her features. Finally, she turned around and walked back toward him, standing directly before him, her face desperately close to his own.
“If you had anything to do with Bethany’s running off, I swear to you that you will not forget my name, Master Guerin.”
With that, she turned on her heels and stomped off, her long braid slamming against her back playfully.
He sighed loudly. He didn’t think he’d be able to forget anything about her.
<center>***</center>
Maxwell stopped in front of the cave, as he looked back at Bethany’s worried face. They both clearly remembered the last time they had been in the chamber, the effects of their very presence had sent the Granolith buzzing to life.
He squeezed her hand softly, reassuring her as best he could, and they walked in slowly, closing the large boulder behind them. They stood frozen for a moment before the pods, watching their steady green glow. It didn’t cease to amaze either of them.
“I know there are a lot of questions hanging in the air,” he started slowly, turning to look at her. “And I will try to explain everything to the best of my knowledge. But there are so many things that I do not even understand.”
He could see in her eyes that she understood, to some extent, his apology. He continued walking, dragging her slowly by the hand toward the Granolith Chamber.
“For some reason, fate has entrusted you to be the guardian of this very powerful machine. It is why you and I were meant to meet in this time and place, and so many times and places before this.”
“But I am not one of you,” she questioned.
“No, but our survival depends on your knowledge of these things and on your willingness to help us. I truly believe they appointed you because they knew that I would notice. Because there was just no way I wouldn’t fall in love with you.”
He watched her lips slowly curl into a smile and he leaned in, unable to resist the lure of kissing them.
She pushed him softly, her eyes full of concern once again.
“Wait… what exactly does this all mean? What will I do? How will I know when to do it?”
He sighed, fearing her reaction.
“Bethany, there is someone very powerful looking to hurt us, to find us. We do not know where he is or when he’s coming. But you have to promise me, that when something strange happens, you will try your best to get me here, and send me back to where I come from by means of the Granolith.”
“Something strange? Like what?”
“He will come and try to kill me. I do not know what form he will be in. He may look like any normal person, but he will be a monster, and you will know it. You will sense it.”
“And you want me to come here and send you on this… to where? How would I even know how?”
“It is deep within you Bethany. You will know. Your very desire to keep me alive will do all of the work for you.”
He watched as her breath caught in her chest.
“Keep you alive? You will not die! You have yet to meet the man, what if you are more powerful?”
He grabbed her shoulders softly, pulling her in for a tight hug.
“I do not know how this will all end. I only know one thing, and it’s that we need you. I need you. And not only because you’re the only one that can save us, but because I want to live the rest of my life having you in it.”
“What are you saying?” she asked suddenly, her eyes searching his eagerly. He nearly held his breath. What was he saying? Could they even do this?
“I want you to be my wife Bethany De Parquee.”
“Maxwell…” she said on a whispered breath.
“I do not know how long I have here on this Earth, but I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“We may not have very long,” she said sadly, but he pulled her close letting his forehead fall on hers.
“We will live an eternity,” he whispered as his fingers caught the string around her neck. He pulled it up, a smile covering his face as he noticed the pendant with the swirl symbol on the front. “It is a sign of my love, all that I can currently give.”
“Then I will wear it against my breast, so that it covers my heart, every day.”
He leaned in closer, brushing his lips across hers. He knew how dangerous this was. But he couldn’t stop it. His soul was calling out to her, each passing day, louder and louder. She completed him in ways he didn’t think were possible.
He could never tell anyone. He knew they would only object. It didn’t matter now. He would do all in his power to be with her. And to make sure they were both safe in the process.
“But thy eternal summer shall not fade,
Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow'st.” – Sonnet XVIII, William Shakespeare
ACT III. SCENE I:
The backstage area of the theatre was bustling, as people moved up and down the halls, pushing and shoving through the tight spaces, carrying set pieces, fabrics for costumes, small beginnings of props. There was very little light except for the oil lamps and the cracks of sunlight that beamed through the wooden boards above their heads. Much of the backstage was actually beneath the stage and far behind it, but the hallways were so narrow, they’d build nearly four different routes to lead them toward the stairs.
Maxwell stood in one of the many shadowed corners, listening as the groups passed, lost in their world of whispers and laughs. His eyes were closed as he waited with baited breath for the familiar voice to arrive.
“Maxwell, are you ready for this?” He looked over, catching sight of Michael coming to stand before him, half shadowed and half glowing with the light of the oil lamps.
“Yes.”
“You know what you will say…?”
“I have it under control, Michael.”
“You will tell her only what she needs to know….”
“I said, I know what I am doing,” Maxwell bit through clenched teeth, pushing himself away from his leaning position against the wall and standing straight in frustration.
“You’re already lost in her, Maxwell, and she hasn’t even come back here yet. You’re going to let your feelings get in the way.”
“And? I thought you were the only one supporting me here, Michael?”
“I’m trying to think about her, Maxwell. Have you even stopped to think about the danger she’s put in? Just knowing our secret? If Kivar found out about her… about what she is… you’d never see her again.”
Maxwell swallowed hard, falling back against the wall with a thud. He hated to admit it, but Michael was right. He had to be careful about the way he handled things. Discreet in his actions. They needed Bethany, there was no doubt about that. But could he also have her? The way he so desperately desired her? With what effects?
He sighed, as he felt Michael’s hand squeeze his shoulder firmly.
“Whatever you do, I am certain that it will be for the best of everyone involved.”
Maxwell nodded, thankful for the boost of confidence. He knew he would need it.
The sound of light patters against the wooden stairs startled them both, and Michael looked out, nodding his head in acknowledgement.
“She is here. I will keep her maiden busy for as long as I can.” Maxwell nodded, and prepared for her arrival. It was strange, but he could sense her drawing near, as if he could see her in his mind, walking with soft, quiet steps, her eyes eagerly taking in her surroundings. He closed his eyes, listening carefully as her steps neared, and then reached out, his arm grabbing around a small wrist, as he pulled her into the shadows with him.
“Maxwell!” she said with a quick, startled cry, before he crashed his lips against hers. The immediate rush of images surprised them both, fueling their passion. He reached up, his fingers digging into her hair. He felt the heat building within him so he pushed away softly, leaving lingering kisses on the apples of her cheeks, the tip of her nose and on her forehead.
“I simply cannot, not touch you.” She nodded in response, still breathless, but smiling. “We have to talk. Can we go somewhere?”
“Marye is here, she will be looking for me.”
“I have the horses waiting outside.”
“I do not know…” she hesitated, a nervous look crossing her features. He couldn’t help himself when he ran his fingers softly down the side of her face. Her eyes flew up to meet his and he smiled, reassuring her. Those brown eyes did something to his system that he couldn’t explain.
“Please,” he begged, holding her hand firmly in his. “It is urgent that we speak.”
She took a deep breath, after weighing her options, and nodded silently. He took it as a first sign that things would go well. He had so much to tell her. He was truly afraid he would not be able to get it all out.
<center>***</center>
Michael strolled toward Marye, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. He knew what he had to do, but it didn’t make it any easier. The woman was impossible, and incredibly overprotective of Bethany. He knew if he didn’t keep her focused elsewhere, she would make it impossible for Maxwell to go according to plan.
With that in mind, he walked up behind her, as she spoke to Alexander Whitman, one of the regulars at the theatre. He had been in several productions before, but this one had been his first large role, and he was carrying it out with all the seriousness it deserved. Michael didn’t know how it happened, but somewhere in the middle of rehearsal he really started to believe the story on the stage, and he marveled at how something that was so flat on paper could really be brought to life.
“It really was fabulous! I was very impressed…” he heard her say excitedly and he stepped up beside them, smiling as he looked between the two friends.
He knew they were friends, he had seen them before together. They didn’t share the intimacy necessary for something more… and Michael found himself cursing under his breath for noticing such an unimportant detail.
“It was Alexander, very impressive. And you, I must say I did not expect to see you here again…”
He watched as her eyes narrowed, her ears becoming a darker shade of pink.
“I was not aware that I could not return to the theatre.”
“Oh no, not at all what I meant. I’m thankful that you’ve come… it just surprises me that you could not stay away.”
Her full lips curled into a smile, as a snicker escaped her mouth. She turned to look at Alexander in disbelief, who seemed just as confused about the entire situation. He shrugged and excused himself, claiming to need the final pages of his script looked over for corrections on his notes.
“Charming Master Guerin, however, I can assure you that your cunning ways are being wasted. I still clearly remember our first encounter.”
“Well then, I did my job. Seeing as how you have been unable to stop thinking about me,” he smirked, enjoying the slow fire that burned in her eyes.
“Oh, I guarantee you I have NOT been thinking about you.”
“Really?” he whispered, as he stalked her, and she took steps back, clearly fighting the urge to cower beneath his tall frame. She stood straight, her eyes locked on his, until she bumped her back into the wall beside the staircase that led to the balcony of the theatre. She looked back in a quick panic and then addressed him seriously.
“This is very inappropriate,” she choked out, and he couldn’t stop the smirk from growing wider. “I must attend to Bethany.”
“Why did you really come here?” he asked finally, as she looked up at him with her sparkling green eyes.
“Not because of you! How absolutely pompous! Do you really think that you are the only purpose for my existence?” She laughed, and his smirk dropped, as he kicked himself for the confusion running through his system. Why is that not what he wanted to hear? She pushed him away as she made her way past him, still mumbling loudly. “I cannot believe you would even think….”
She stopped suddenly, as her eyes caught sight of two running figures. Michael nearly froze. He’d finished too early. He’d done too much, too fast.
“Is that… Bethany?” Marye asked in absolute confusion. Michael did the only thing he could think of. He grabbed her arm, pulling her toward the darkened stairwell and kissed her.
She fought for only a moment, before she melted into his arms. He pressed against her lips hard, suddenly wrapped in the moment of passion. This hadn’t been part of his plan. Then again, he had never expected to ever run into someone like the small woman that he now held in his arms.
She pushed away, both of them gasping for breath.
“That was to calm you down. You are always wound so tight.”
“Oh, and I assume that you think you can send me into a spiral with just a kiss?” Before he could think, her hands grabbed the front of his shirt, pulling him close and planting a rough kiss on his lips. “You obviously know nothing of the De Lucia women.”
She walked away, leaving him speechless for what he could only assume was the very first time in his life. She looked around, a slow panic settling in her features. Finally, she turned around and walked back toward him, standing directly before him, her face desperately close to his own.
“If you had anything to do with Bethany’s running off, I swear to you that you will not forget my name, Master Guerin.”
With that, she turned on her heels and stomped off, her long braid slamming against her back playfully.
He sighed loudly. He didn’t think he’d be able to forget anything about her.
<center>***</center>
Maxwell stopped in front of the cave, as he looked back at Bethany’s worried face. They both clearly remembered the last time they had been in the chamber, the effects of their very presence had sent the Granolith buzzing to life.
He squeezed her hand softly, reassuring her as best he could, and they walked in slowly, closing the large boulder behind them. They stood frozen for a moment before the pods, watching their steady green glow. It didn’t cease to amaze either of them.
“I know there are a lot of questions hanging in the air,” he started slowly, turning to look at her. “And I will try to explain everything to the best of my knowledge. But there are so many things that I do not even understand.”
He could see in her eyes that she understood, to some extent, his apology. He continued walking, dragging her slowly by the hand toward the Granolith Chamber.
“For some reason, fate has entrusted you to be the guardian of this very powerful machine. It is why you and I were meant to meet in this time and place, and so many times and places before this.”
“But I am not one of you,” she questioned.
“No, but our survival depends on your knowledge of these things and on your willingness to help us. I truly believe they appointed you because they knew that I would notice. Because there was just no way I wouldn’t fall in love with you.”
He watched her lips slowly curl into a smile and he leaned in, unable to resist the lure of kissing them.
She pushed him softly, her eyes full of concern once again.
“Wait… what exactly does this all mean? What will I do? How will I know when to do it?”
He sighed, fearing her reaction.
“Bethany, there is someone very powerful looking to hurt us, to find us. We do not know where he is or when he’s coming. But you have to promise me, that when something strange happens, you will try your best to get me here, and send me back to where I come from by means of the Granolith.”
“Something strange? Like what?”
“He will come and try to kill me. I do not know what form he will be in. He may look like any normal person, but he will be a monster, and you will know it. You will sense it.”
“And you want me to come here and send you on this… to where? How would I even know how?”
“It is deep within you Bethany. You will know. Your very desire to keep me alive will do all of the work for you.”
He watched as her breath caught in her chest.
“Keep you alive? You will not die! You have yet to meet the man, what if you are more powerful?”
He grabbed her shoulders softly, pulling her in for a tight hug.
“I do not know how this will all end. I only know one thing, and it’s that we need you. I need you. And not only because you’re the only one that can save us, but because I want to live the rest of my life having you in it.”
“What are you saying?” she asked suddenly, her eyes searching his eagerly. He nearly held his breath. What was he saying? Could they even do this?
“I want you to be my wife Bethany De Parquee.”
“Maxwell…” she said on a whispered breath.
“I do not know how long I have here on this Earth, but I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“We may not have very long,” she said sadly, but he pulled her close letting his forehead fall on hers.
“We will live an eternity,” he whispered as his fingers caught the string around her neck. He pulled it up, a smile covering his face as he noticed the pendant with the swirl symbol on the front. “It is a sign of my love, all that I can currently give.”
“Then I will wear it against my breast, so that it covers my heart, every day.”
He leaned in closer, brushing his lips across hers. He knew how dangerous this was. But he couldn’t stop it. His soul was calling out to her, each passing day, louder and louder. She completed him in ways he didn’t think were possible.
He could never tell anyone. He knew they would only object. It didn’t matter now. He would do all in his power to be with her. And to make sure they were both safe in the process.