.hack//SIGN Fan Fiction / .hack//LIMINALITY Fan Fiction / .hack//Legend Of Twilight Bracelet Fan Fiction ❯ Episode One- .hack//Destiny ❯ Winds of Change ( Chapter 20 )

Chapter Nineteen- Winds of Change- The Real World.

 

Dan just sat there at his desk, musing. Was it true? Were he and Vanessa truly a couple? He just sat there, silently laughing. Who would have thought that they, of all people, would hook up? Or, for any matter, kiss. He regretted that it only happened in the virtual world. Tonight, however, he would make sure that it was more tangible.

He smiled as he stood.

Jas popped his head in.

“Well, it's about time you smiled, Mr. Gloomy.” He said in a singsong voice. Dan laughed and threw a pillow at his brother.

“How's the ankle today?” he asked, concerned. Jas shrugged it off.

“Just a flesh-wound.” The doorbell rang.

“That must be the pizza.” Dan said as he walked downstairs, Jas following. The two of them walked into the kitchen just as the pizza made it in. Peg smiled at her two boys.

“So, what's the special occasion for asking the girls over?” Dan smiled.

“Victory.” Peg was confused.

“Beg pardon?” Jas nudged his brother.
“It's nothing. We just want to ask them over, you know, to be friends.”

“Ah, no special occasion after all.” Peg said, resigned. Dan shook his head in malhumor.

“Thanks for this, Mom.” Dan said.

“Yeah, um, ditto.” Jas added. Peg smiled.

“Well, um, thanks for appreciating me.” She said, obviously happier. She took out a few two liters and set them on the counter and left the room. Shortly, Morgan and Vanessa arrived. As soon as she saw him Vanessa rushed over to Dan.

“Um, Dan, I just wanted to-“ Dan interrupted her with an outstretched finger.

“Does that mean we're together?” She nodded. “Good. Then as my first act as boyfriend-“ he leaned down and kissed her. She was not at all surprised, but Jas and Morgan were.

“Wha-?” was all Morgan managed to get out. Jas was speechless, not only at the act, but also at how long they were kissing, and with his anger at himself for forgetting his camera.

“Hey, I thought I heard you WHAT ARE YOU-“ Peg said as she walked unexpectedly into the room. Dan and Vanessa broke apart.

“It's noth-“

“We're just-“ Peg raised her hands.

“Oh, don't try to cover up! I knew that there was SOMETHING up the moment you asked if they could come over. I KNEW IT!” Jas scoffed.

“You knew it before I did.” He muttered low enough that Peg couldn't hear. Morgan nodded as she smiled. Vanessa and Dan both stopped blushing.

“So, um, are you okay with it?” Dan asked. Peg smiled.

“I would have it no other way. Vanessa is a responsible young lady. I respect your decision. BOTH of you.” She then stopped smiling. “No babies. Please?” Dan snorted and Vanessa smiled.

“We're not THAT serious. At least, well, not yet.” She said. Peg nodded.

“Good. Well, have fun! I'm gonna go and leave y'all alone.” She grabbed an apple and walked out, humming an obscure song. Dan sighed and laughed.

“Well, I guess THAT went well.” Vanessa laughed.

“I take it she took it well?”

“When were you planning to tell us,” Jas questioned. Vanessa smiled.

“Oh, sooner or later.”

“With emphasis on the later!” Dan added, making Vanessa laugh.

“Well, when did you two get together?” Jas asked.

“Yeah, spill the dirt!” Morgan added.

“BAILEY!” Vanessa cried out. “There isn't any so-called dirt. We got together this afternoon, if you two must know.”

“Wow, it IS true!” Jas exclaimed. “The web DOES get people together.”

“JAS!” Vanessa cried.

“What?”

“Ignore her.” Dan said. “We must discuss what has happened.”

“Jeez, always for the business.” Jas muttered.

“I heard that. But it is of utmost import that we discuss what happened on the field, and with Conquest. First question: How many people thought that it was all too easy?” The others all raised a hand. “So did I. Do you think that they weren't expecting us to be so, I dunno, prepared?” Vanessa shook her head.

“No, remember, the person said that they were sending Conquest for us. They knew we were coming. I would like to think that we kicked its butt-”

“I don't think so,” Morgan interjected. “This thing USED Plong in order to stall us. If he wanted to kill us, he would have. So, the question isn't `Were we', it's `Why we'.”

“Precisely!” Jas exclaimed. “What if we were playing into their hands?” The room was silenced by that comment. Dan finally broke the silence.

“Well, I don't think so. I think that Conquest was just a pre-cursor to the rest. I think that they allowed us to martyr him. They may have been unsure of our power. They may have made it an easy fight, so that we think that they are not a threat, so that we stop. However, by us killing him, they know we won't. Ladies and Gentleman, I'm afraid that however hard it was, it is about to get worse. However, we have just successfully protected The World from all danger for the time being, and for that we must celebrate.” Dan indicated the pizza. “I hope everyone likes it with extra cheese.”

“Well, actually, I like meat lovers.” Morgan muttered as she got a piece.

“Thanks for inviting us over,” Vanessa said to Dan as she poured a drink. “I think I'll be over here a little bit more often, though.” Dan laughed.

“Count on it, babe.” He said before giving a chaste kiss on the cheek.

“EWW!” Jas cried out in mock disgust.

“Oh, shove it!” Vanessa said with a laugh.

“You know,” Morgan said in between bites, “that we are never going to stop harassing you two.”

“Yeah,” Dan answered, “we kinda figured.”
“So,” Jas said as they got back to business, “what is our next course of action?”

“Well, I think for now we just periodically check in every day or so until AFTER Halloween. These next few days we really need to relax. Halloween, we will go to the party. The day after, well, we'll log in, TRY to reach Casper, and deal with whatever happens. We should also contact Helba, and let her know our progress. Until then, we should all be cautious when we log-on. Don't compromise yourself in any situation. Also, be wary of any mail from Boragia. We do NOT need anyone here to, well, be MIA” He sighed. “Other than that, the chair rests. Have fun. Don't get hurt.” He smiled and raised his glass.

“Before I am done, I would like to offer up a toast. To us: may our successes mean victory for all. What we do in life echoes through eternity!” The other glasses went up.

“To us!”

 

Dan and Vanessa sat together as Jas and Morgan played a video game, talking quietly. Vanessa looked deeply into Dan's eyes.

“Are you all right?” She whispered.

“Yeah,” Dan said, avoiding her eyes.

“That's a lie, and you know it. What's wrong?” Dan sighed.

“I feel, I feel the winds of change. You know? This is something that'll make or break us. I'm afraid of both.”

“So, you're afraid of change?” Vanessa asked, quizzically.

“Not normally, but I don't like this type of change. Change should be natural, not, well. I guess I am jaded like that, because, well, of who I am, and where I come from.” Vanessa kissed his cheek.

“Don't worry. I'll be there beside you, making sure that you are safe. No matter what.”

“Promise?”

 

A kiss is the best answer for promises, especially between two lovers.