Bubblegum Crisis and its characters belong to Youmex, Inc. and AnimEigo, Inc.

WARNING!: This story contains sexual situations between two women. If this
offends you or you are under age then read no further. You have been warned!


A side story to 'Passages'

(And no, this story will not make sense unless you've read it. If you
missed it (or deleted it :p) E-mail me and I'll send it to you.)



Scars 
-------- 
By She-Hulk (brobinso@neocomm.net)



	Priss tossed the wrench back into the tool box and sighed. The sound was a
strange combination of relief and pleasure. <There! Okay, let's see if I've
learned anything from Silia these past weeks.> She swung her leg over the
bike and turned the engine over. The growl was eager and Priss listened
carefully, not hearing the slight tremor that she'd been trying to fix.

	"All right!" She shut the engine down and climbed off of the motorcycle.
Priss knew a great deal about bikes, but Silia knew more and she had been
teaching her how to perform more complex adjustments. <Looks like I get a
gold star.> She smiled as she began to clean up the rest of the tools she'd
used. Smiles came more easily now, but she didn't realize this. Only Silia
and the others had seen this slow change in her.

	Priss carried the tool box back to it's place, passing in front of the
large window that ran the length of one wall. The sun streamed in, flashing
off of her arm. Priss didn't notice. She had come to accept this part of
her, as impossible as it had seemed at first. Her fear of cybernetics was
fading, but she still hated boomers with an intensity that could surprise
the others even now.

	Priss set the box down and straightened, feeling the muscles in her back
protest. She'd started work this morning and a quick glance at her watch
revealed it to be late in the afternoon. "Damn time flies!" She went to get
her jacket and left the garage. Silia would be back soon and they were
going to have dinner then go on to Hot Legs for Priss' show. The elevator
dinged quietly as it deposited her on Silia's floor and Priss slipped
through the half open doors.

	She looked up in time to see Silia open a door at the end of the hallway.
Priss frowned as it swung closed, realizing that she hadn't noticed it
before. Curiosity compelled her and she followed Silia. The door was
unlocked and Priss peered cautiously around the darkened room. It was
small, no more than ten feet in diameter and was empty. Except for the
elevator doors that were just closing. Priss studied the control panel
carefully. There was no indication of where it went. No lights over the
doors and no direction arrow by the single button.

	Really intrigued now, she pressed the button and waited. A few minutes
later the doors slid open and she gingerly stepped inside. As the doors
closed again, Priss felt a dropping sensation. She searched the small
elevator, but again found no indicators of where she was going. The
elevator stopped and the doors opened silently. The lack of a bell bothered
Priss for some reason. It made all of this seem more unreal.

	A long brightly lit hallway lay beyond the elevator and Priss gamely
followed it. It was about fifty feet in length and there was only one door
at the end. Priss pushed it open and paused on the threshold.

	She was looking at a large lab, very similar to Silia's other one.
Mechanical blips and beeps filled the air. A long metal container sat in
the center of the room and a mass of wires and cables ran from it to the
surrounding machines. Rows of electronics and computers circled the room
and a large video screen was affixed to one wall. Lines of numbers flashed
across the screen and Priss saw Silia standing near a keyboard. She reached
across to another control panel and pressed several switches. The display
changed and Priss saw the thermal outline of a body.

	The series of numbers that scrolled past meant nothing to Priss, but one
caught her attention. 33-S. She looked at the container again. <She
wouldn't have...> Priss didn't remember moving, but she was beside Silia
instantly. "What have you done?" Her voice was high and angry.

	Silia flinched and cursed herself for not sealing the door behind her. She
could feel Priss' outrage and she slowly turned to face her lover. "Hello,
Priss."

	Priss made a dismissive gesture with her hand. "Tell me this is not what I
think it is."

	Silia raised an eyebrow and shrugged. "I told you I wouldn't lie to you
again."

	Priss gasped and turned to the container. A touch slid the top back and
she found herself staring down at Sylvie. She was floating in a clear
fluid, her nose and mouth covered by some kind of mask. Hoses ran to the
side of the tank and beyond. Priss heard the rattled hiss and realized that
it was a respirator. She laid her hands on the glass cover and tried to
make sense of what she was seeing. "What is this?"

	Silia sighed and wondered where to start. Priss was going to ask the
impossible. "About eight months ago, I was alerted to the fact that Genom
was making inquires as to the whereabouts of Sylvie's body." Priss
stiffened as she realized that it was right around the time of her
accident." I knew Genom had to have reason, so I made sure that I found her
first."

	Priss gritted her teeth. "You didn't want Genom get anything you might
want, right? So you swiped the body of my-.." She broke off as she realized
what she'd been about to say.

	"Actually I had a nobler intention. You won't believe this, but I had
wanted to make sure that she wasn't broken up for spare parts and that she
received a decent burial."

	Priss' laugh was derisive. "Then what is she doing here? Alive!"

	Silia came around to the other side of the tank and stared at Priss over
Sylvie's body. "She's not alive, Priss. Her neural relays were severely
damaged. Only the motor systems are still working." Silia touched the
glass. "She's brain-dead. Her memories are gone." Priss made a small sound
of pain and Silia continued. "I found out were she was being stored and
broke in. It was fairly simple as the ADP evidence vaults are about as
secure as a child's toy box. I brought her back here, intending to arrange
for a burial, but I was curious as to why Genom suddenly wanted her."

	"No one was more surprised than I was to find most of her systems intact.
There had been a great deal of deterioration to the outer shell and I
decided to repair it before burial. I used the information from the data
disk and began the repairs. I admit that part of me thought she might be
revived, but when I discovered the amount of damage to her logic circuits,
I knew there was no hope. Whatever Genom may have wanted was gone, along
with her memory."

	"Why didn't you tell me about this?" Priss was crying. Silia touched her
hand and tried not to let it hurt her when she pulled away.

	"I didn't want you to see her in that condition. You have enough
nightmares already. Once the shell had been repaired I waited only for the
right moment. Two days later you were in the hospital."

	Priss wiped her eyes and looked at Silia. "Are you sure you can't save her?"

	Pain blossomed in Silia's chest. Did she realize what she was asking?
Silia saw the despair in Priss' eyes and wondered if she could hurt her
again. "The chances are so slim as to be almost non existent, Priss. Even
then she wouldn't be Sylvie. She might even go rogue." Priss said nothing,
just continued to watch Silia with the same steady gaze she'd had the night
Silia had approached her about joining the team. It was look of someone who
had been badly hurt and was calmly waiting to see if you were going to
finish the job. Silia sighed. She couldn't do it.

	"I'll try."


+ + + + +

	Silia watched Priss leave the stage. She had been good tonight, but the
edge that had been in her voice was obvious to everyone. She lit a
cigarette and drained her glass. Somehow, she had to perform a miracle.
Silia thought of Sylvie's relationship with Priss and wondered if that was
why Priss was doing this. Did she hope to regain her lover? Silia winced.
What about her?

	Priss climbed onto her motorcycle and roared away from the club. She
didn't see Silia raise a hand as she stepped out into the street. She
didn't see the flash of pain that crossed her features as she left her behind.


+ + + + +


	The streets rolled out in front of her in an endless black stream. She
passed cars and buildings, the city whipping past her in a kaleidoscope of
dark blurs and bright lights. Priss watched the needle climb as images of
Sylvie crowded her mind. Her laughing eyes haunted Priss and she tried in
vain to out run them.

	The instant that Priss had tightened her finger and fired that fatal shot
was like a slow burning ember that refused to die. Tears streamed down her
face and the road became obscured. A million times Priss wanted to call
back that action. To stop herself. There must have been another way to stop
the DD. It didn't have to end like that. Sylvie didn't have to die.

	When she could see nothing but the tears she slowed and pulled off of the
road. Priss removed her helmet and wiped her eyes. She was startled to find
herself in the same spot where she had caught up with Silia months before.
The thought of Silia was like an electric shock and Priss groaned. She had
left her at the club! They had ridden together on Priss' bike and she had
left her stranded. Priss felt a wave of shame wash over her and she hurried
back onto the road. Silia would be home by now.


+ + + + +


	Silia heard Priss come in and watched the clock tick off another minute.
She'd called a cab and returned home when she realized that Priss wasn't
coming back. The bedroom door opened and shut, but Priss didn't speak.
Silia had lain there for hours, wondering if Priss would ever come here again.

	Priss saw Silia lying on her own side of the bed and winced. The neatly
folded covers where Priss usually slept were a damning reminder on her
actions. Silia was turned on her side, away from Priss, again a silent
gesture of dismissal. Priss undressed quietly and pulled the covers back.
Silia didn't move as she slid into bed and Priss watched her back for long
minutes.

	She sighed and touched Silia's shoulder. "I'm an ass."

	Silia said nothing, but silently agreed.

	Priss moved closer and wrapped her arm around Silia's waist. "I needed to
think, but I shouldn't have done that to you. I'm sorry, Silia." Priss
buried her face in Silia's neck and inhaled deeply. "I didn't handle this
well, did I?" Her lips brushed Silia's ear and she felt her shiver. Priss
permitted herself a tiny grin, but kept it out of her voice. "I don't now
how you put up with me." Priss punctuated her words with light kisses along
Silia's neck. " I'm stubborn. Rude. Arrogant. Willful. Temperamental. A
reckless fool. A lost soul." Priss' teeth scraped her skin and small gasp
escaped from Silia's lips.

	She rolled over and stared up at Priss. "Sounds like very good reasons for
throwing you out."

	Priss saw the fading pain and the beginnings of desire. She smiled down at
Silia and let her hand slip up to her breast, feeding the desire. "Yeah,
but you won't."

	Silia arched into the caress and forced herself to speak normally. "Why
won't I?"

	Priss' voice was a playful whisper just before she took Silia's lips.
"Because I'm good in bed."




	Priss felt Silia leave the bed and groaned. Her words were garbled as a
pillow blocked half of her mouth. "Whruging?"

	Silia looked back at the tangled mound that was Priss and laughed. "What?"

	The mound shifted and Priss' tousled head appeared. "Where are you going?"

	Silia tightened the belt on her robe. "I'm going to shower and then I have
some business to take care of." She left the room and Priss sank back
against the pillows. A glance at the clock showed the time to be a little
after seven. Priss heard the water come on and imagined Silia standing
under the spray. A mischievous grin formed and she tossed the covers back.
"I bet I can make you late."

	There was a startled exclamation and a half-hearted protest that was
quickly silenced. Then only the sound of the shower could be heard.


+ + + + +


	Linna watched Nene's fingers fly over the keyboard and shook her head as
'Access Granted' flashed across the screen. She made it look so easy. "What
are you doing?"

	Nene didn't look away from the monitor, but she smiled at the sound of
Linna's voice. "I'm trying to hack into a couple of government files for
Silia. She needs some information on the 33-S and the way they store memory."

	Linna frowned. "Why?"

	Nene's fingers faltered and she glanced at Linna. "She's trying to revive
Sylvie."

	There was several moments of stunned silence as Linna absorbed this. "I
think you'd better explain."


+ + + + +


	Silia stared down at Sylvie and idly wondered if she could just switch her
off. Immediately images of Priss' reaction pushed the thought from her
mind. "I wonder if you realize how much trouble you're causing." Priss
hadn't spoken of Sylvie again, but Silia knew better than to hope that
she'd changed her mind. They were playing a game with each other now. Priss
was being very careful not to slight Silia in any way while Silia pretended
that she wasn't bothered about trying to bring Sylvie back. She felt like
they were balancing on a knife point. One misstep....

	The door behind her opened and she turned to see Linna enter the room.
Silia observed her worried expression and the quick look she sent Sylvie.
<She's talked to Nene.> "Did you need something?"

	Linna frowned at Silia and pointed to the boomer. "A better explanation
for why you're doing this would be nice."

	Silia smiled at her expression and began to check the system settings
again. Which she had just done, but she suddenly needed something to do
with her hands. She didn't look at Linna as she spoke. "Priss asked me to."

	"Oh. Well that makes perfect sense. Priss asked you so you're going to
attempt something that could blow up in our faces! Good grief, Silia! If
Priss asked you to shoot yourself, would you do that too?" Linna scowled at
Silia's grin. "You know what I mean! When did you suddenly become Dr.
Frankenstein?" The slight stiffening of Silia's body told Linna that she'd
hit a nerve. "I don't understand, Silia. Have you thought about what will
happen if you actually manage to pull this off? What will happen to you and
Priss?"

	Silia's fist struck the console and Linna jumped. "I know the risks,
Linna!" She turned and Linna could see what Silia couldn't hide. She was
being torn in two directions by the same person. "I would like nothing
better than to pull the plug and end this now, but I can't. Between my own
curiosity and Priss' request, I've been put in the unenviable role of
reviving my lover's lover."

	"Surely you can talk Priss out of this?"

	Silia's laugh was flat and just a little desperate. "Priss is playing the
considerate lover role to the hilt. I hold the all of the cards, you see.
Without me, there can be no resurrection. Priss needs me to perform the
miracle. Every time I try to talk to her about it she just smiles and says
that she has faith in me." Silia rubbed her face and stared at Sylvie.
"That's the truly terrible part, Linna. Now I don't know if she means it
when she says that she loves me. I only know that I still love her and I
can't deny her this. So I'll do my damnedest to bring Sylvie back and pray
that when Priss is given the choice....she'll choose me."

	There was nothing Linna could say.


+ + + + +

	Priss slipped into the lab and approached the tube slowly. The outer lid
slid back and she stared down at the woman she'd killed. She was a boomer,
but that had never really meant anything to Priss. She was Sylvie. It was
hard to grasp the fact that this woman had been Priss' lover and yet was a
boomer. The wild conflict of love and hate that raged in Priss would have
given Freud a field day. She traced the glass above her face and spoke
softly. "I wonder if you realize how much you changed me? Silia thinks I'm
doing this because I want you back, but she's wrong. I keep reliving that
moment over and over again, trying to find something I overlooked, missed.
There should have been another way, Sylvie. You shouldn't have had to lose
your freedom." She closed her eyes and whispered, "I want you to have that
chance for freedom, Sylvie."

	"I can't think of an easy way to tell you this, but Anri is dead. Maybe if
I practice it enough while you're like this, I can find the courage to tell
you face to face. She was killed by a rogue boomeroid named Largo. He'd
conned her into believing a lot of crap about a new race of boomers and
taking over the world to make it a better place. I tried to save her,
Sylvie." Priss didn't notice her hand slip under her shirt to trace the
scar on her side. The unconscious gesture was a part of her mannerisms now.
Anri's blade had sunk deep and Priss had welcomed the pain. Memories would
surface and she would always reach for that puckered reminder that she had
failed. "I'm sorry, Sylvie."

	Her voice dropped even lower and she focused on her friend's face. She
didn't notice Silia enter. "I love you."

	Silia froze and backed silently from the room.


+ + + + +


	Nene downloaded the information to Silia's computer and briefly considered
changing the data. The things she had discovered would help Silia restore
Sylvie's memory. Which would probably cause Silia to lose Priss. Nene
wondered how everything had gotten so out of control.

	Her video link buzzed and she hit the button to see Silia on the other
end. "Hi. Did everything come through okay?"

	Silia's voice was subdued, but that was normal now. "Yes. Thank you for
your help, Nene. This should be the last of what I need.."

	Nene frowned and opened her mouth, but Silia's expression stopped her. It
wasn't fair for Priss to do this to her. Silia terminated the link and Nene
went to find Priss.


+ + + + +

	Priss saw Nene pull up outside and groaned. She set her guitar down and
opened the door before she could knock. "Hi Nene. Something happening?"

	Nene pushed past her and didn't answer. She waited until Priss had closed
the door and then let her have it. "I can't believe you! You obviously
haven't thought about what you're doing, have you? This is crazy, Priss.
You can't bring back the past and you're killing Silia." Priss scowled at
her, but Nene stood firm. "Did it for one instant cross your mind what you
might be doing to Silia? Or do you even care?"

	Priss grabbed the front of Nene's jacket and lifted her from the floor.
"Shut up! You know I love-" Nene slapped her across the face and Priss
dropped her in surprise.

	"No! I don't know if you do or not! All I see is the look in Silia's eyes
and the fact that You put it there!" Nene shoved her fists into her pockets
to keep from striking Priss again. "I can't understand how you could do
this to her. You're playing a dangerous game, Priss. Pitting your lovers
against each other."

	"But I'm not..." Priss shook her head, but Nene went on.

	"Yes you are! You've asked Silia to bring back a ghost, one she knows will
take her place in your life. It's unfortunate that she loves you as much as
she does. Otherwise she could ignore whatever pain it might cause you and
finish Sylvie off, once and for all!"

	Priss sank onto the couch and stared at Nene. "I....love...Silia."

	"Then show her! Put the past behind you and let the dead rest! You've got
everything in your hands, Priss, but if you keep reaching for the
impossible you're going to lose it all." Nene was breathing heavily and she
ran a trembling hand through her hair. She hated confrontations, they made
her sick.

	Priss was shaking her head again and Nene groaned. "You don't understand,
Nene. I just want to bring her back..."

	"And lose Silia!" Nene strode to the door and flung it open. "You really
don't care, do you?"

	Priss didn't answer and Nene slammed the door behind her.


+ + + + +


	Silia's finger hovered over the delete button as she read the file. It
would be so easy to erase this and bring it all to an end. She hit the
print button instead and turned to her enemy. "Why can't I kill you? The
temptation is very strong, but I can't bring myself to stop this madness."
The printer beeped as it finished and Silia tore the paper away with a
sigh. "So now I have the answers. A way to bring you back. It could still
backfire. There's no way to determine what deterioration has occurred, but
I guess I'll just have to try it and see."

	Silia had changed into surgical scrubs and sterilized the lab. She pulled
back the metal shield and began to drain the tube. The clear shield slid
back and Silia moved the tray of surgical instruments nearby. She checked
the respirator and energy monitors, then reached for a scalpel.

	She made an incision just under the hair line on Sylvie's forehead and
down behind each ear. Silia replaced the blade and peeled back the
synthetic skin and hair, revealing the metal casing that housed the
boomer's brain. She picked up a screwdriver and began to remove the access
plate. Once the plate was removed she could see the small black unit
easily. This was the reason that Genom had wanted Sylvie. She had been a
prototype, a 33-S.c, with a separate backup memory unit. The adjustment to
activate that unit was extraordinarily easy and Silia watched the brain
patterns increase with a dull sense of irony. "Welcome back, Sylvie."


+ + + + +

	Nene groaned as her stomach lurched again and Linna knelt beside of her.
She slipped one arm around Nene's waist and held her her forehead as she
was sick. After a few minutes the nausia faded slightly and Nene sat back
against the bathtub. Linna soaked a wash cloth in cold water and pressed it
to Nene's face. "Are you all right?"

	Nene turned her face into the cool cloth and sighed. "Yeah. Just nervous
stomach." She got up and Linna steadied her as she found her feet. Nene
brushed her teeth and didn't look at Linna.

	"You want to talk about it?" She watched Nene grip the sides of the sink
and moved to stand behind her. Nene met her eyes in the mirror and brushed
away a smear of toothpaste.

	"I went to see Priss."

	Linna sighed and hugged her. "She chewed you out."

	Nene's laugh was forced. "Actually I didn't give her much of a chance to
say anything. I sort of chewed Her out." Linna didn't say anything, waiting
for her to continue.

	"I had just talked to Silia and she looked like hell, Linna.
I.....got...angry. I told Priss what I thought of her and what she was
doing to Silia. Then I.......slapped her."

	Linna grinned at the thought of mild little Nene facing down Priss. Nene
frowned at her mirth and she quickly schooled her features into a more
serious face. The smile broke free again and Nene scowled. "Sorry. I just
can't get the image out of mind. This huge doberman being knocked flat by a
chihuahua!"

	Nene stamped her foot. "Linna!"

+ + + + +

	Tires screamed as Priss brought the bike to a fast stop and jumped off.
She burst through the doors of the building and ran to the private
elevator. Impatient fingers hammered in the code and she yanked her helmet
off as she waited for the doors to open. "Come on!" Priss pushed the metal
doors open and squeezed inside. She hit the button inside and began beat
her hand against the helmet quickly, her body fairly vibrating with nervous
energy. "Hurry!" She'd been such an idiot!

	Priss raced down the corridor and shoved open the door to Silia's lab. She
could see Sylvie lying on a table, she'd been removed from the liquid.
Silia had just pulled her scrubs off when Priss burst in. She said nothing
and Priss ignored Sylvie and went to her.

	"Don't do it! Turn everything off and let her go." Priss hugged Silia and
felt her tremble. "I keep saying this, but I'm sorry, Silia. I had no right
to do this to you." She pulled back and smiled sheepishly at Silia. "I'm
sorry."

	Silia started to speak, but Priss wasn't finished. "I felt guilty. I ended
Sylvie's life. I pulled the trigger. I wanted to bring her back, correct my
mistake. Fix the past." Priss shook her head and cupped Silia's cheek. "I
didn't realize that I was destroying my future. I wasn't thinking straight
and I put you in the worse position possible."

	Silia wasn't sure how she was feeling. Elation and joy seemed the most
obvious emotions, but dread and anger were right there in the thick of
things. "Nice time for you to realize this. What caused the sudden change?"

	Priss laughed and hugged her again. "Nene knocked some sense into me. It's
time to let the past go."

	A escalated beeping filled the room and Priss frowned as she glanced
around. Silia backed away from her and went to Sylvie. "I'm glad you've
decided to end this, but I'm afraid you're a little late."

	Sylvie opened her eyes and blinked rapidly against the bright lights.
Priss moved as if in a trance, looking down at her. "S-Sylvie?" Her voice
broke and she watched her focus on her presence.

	Memory flooded Sylvie's mind and she remembered where she'd seen this
woman before. "Priss." Her voice sounded the same, but there was something
missing and Priss frowned. Sylvie remembered seeing this face staring at
her over the surface of a weapon and flinched. There was an odd popping
sound and Sylvie's logic circuits redefined the threat that was leaning
over her. Her fist shot out and sent Priss reeling back.

	Silia gasped and reached for the power link that was keeping Sylvie alive.
She jerked it out, but Sylvie had absorbed more than enough energy. Her
hand closed around Silia's throat and tossed her across the lab where she
crashed into the video screen and fell to the floor in a shower of sparks.

	Priss staggered to her feet and wiped the blood from her cheek. She saw
Silia and her stomach clenched. Sylvie got up from the table and advanced
on Priss. Her head was making little jerking motions as she repeated one
word over and over. "Priss. Priss. Priss."

	Priss stared at the boomer as it neared and knew that Sylvie, her Sylvie,
was dead. This was just another boomer gone bad and she reacted
accordingly. At least that's what she told herself as she extended her
claws and charged the boomer. The boomer swung wildly and Priss ducked low,
thrusting her fingers into the machine's side. Sparks flew and red fluid
began to seep from the wound, but Priss wasn't finished. She let the energy
saber slide into place and slashed backwards. The blade sliced a path from
shoulder to waist, cutting across the boomer's back. There was a muffled
scream and the boomer exploded, sending Priss flying.

	The smoke began to clear and Priss sat up with a groan. Another trickle of
blood had joined the first and she coughed. The explosion had knocked
several large pieces of equipment over and she began to climb over them to
reach Silia.

	Absolute terror gripped her as she rolled Silia over carefully and laid
her hand over her heart. For a moment she could feel nothing, but then the
sensors began to relay the precious sound of a beating heart. Priss ran her
hand over Silia's body quickly, wincing as she discovered each injury.

	Silia made a small sound and opened her eyes. Priss was above her and she
frowned at the blood on her face. Silia slowly lifted a hand touched her.
"H-Hurt?"

	Priss laughed in relief and shook her head. "I'm fine. You on the other
hand, have several busted ribs." She caught Silia's hand and pressed her
lips against her palm. "God, you scared me!"

	Silia looked around and back to Priss. "Sylvie?"

	"She's dead."

	"S-Sorry...logic circuits.....bad."

	Priss picked her up gently. "It's okay. Sylvie died a long time ago. That
was just a boomer."

	The faint sound of her name reached her, but she ignored it and carried
Silia from the ruined lab.

	The power was draining away quickly and the audio line trailed off.
"Priss..Priss...Prriiss....PPPPrrrrriiiiiiiisss.........PPPPrrrr......"


+ + + + +


	Silia watched Priss carry the covered tray into the bedroom and sighed.
This had been going on for a week and it had to stop. "Priss, I am
perfectly capable of eating breakfast in the dining room. You have to stop
this." Priss just grinned and set the tray over her lap. With a dramatic
flourish, she removed the large domed cover to reveal....Silia's helmet.

	Silia stared it for a moment and looked up at Priss in confusion. Priss
laughed and lifted the helmet, setting the tray off of the bed. "I thought
we could go out for breakfast." She sank down onto the bed beside her.

	Silia took the helmet and slipped her hand around Priss' neck, pulling her
close. A brush of her lips and Priss decided that they could be a little late.



	The hand on the clock moved another notch and Linna groaned. She was
starving! Nene stopped watching the clock and motioned for the waiter.
Enough was enough. They ordered and Linna wondered what had happened. "You
don't think they're fighting, do you?"

	Nene shot Linna a look and grinned. "Yeah and now they're making up!"


+ + + + +


	Priss stared down at the plain headstone and felt Silia slip an arm around
her waist. The day was cool and overcast, fall stretching to snatch time
out of summer's grasp. Soon the leaves would turn and then winter would
bluster it's way through. Seasons of change, time passing endlessly. She
opened her hand and let the rose fall onto the black marble.

	In the distance she could see Linna and Nene. They were at Irene's grave.
Priss saw Linna kneel and place her flowers. Nene's hand was on her
shoulder and Priss was struck by how fleeting life really was. "It's all an
illusion, isn't it?"

	Silia shook her head and smiled. "No. Not always."

	Priss slid her arm around Silia's shoulders and they turned to go. Nene
waved and the two girls hurried to catch up with them. They left the
cemetery as the rain began to fall softly over the past.


shimai