Crossover Fan Fiction / Bleach Fan Fiction / Saiyuki Fan Fiction ❯ Aint Nothing But Magick (reverse) ❯ 13 ( Chapter 13 )

Title: Ain't Nothing But Magick (Reverse)

Author: J'dee, Mabelle, & Tobias

Rating: PG-13 some smoking and drinking refs…

Genre: Drama / Humor/ Action / Adventure / Romance

Author's Note: The original ANBM was a fic where 25 authors + were pulled in to the DBZ/GT world, the reverse is just that… a reverse where a select number of anime characters are yanked in to the real world, with not a true reason why, and no idea how to get back to their home…

 

 

Chapter 13

 

 

Roy sat at the kitchen table with the files making the comparisons he'd missed out on in the big meeting. Zack sat next to him telling him the information that was worded and the possible theories that had arisen at said meeting.

 

J'dee looked at the two raven haired men wearily before slipping out on to the balcony lighting up a cigarette. Truth had it she was waiting till Roy was done so her and Zack could check out Seventh Heaven one more time.

She looked over seeing Havoc walk out on to their balcony. The blonde lent on the railing looking at her an unlit cigarette dangling in his mouth.

“Are you even going to talk to me?” Havoc asked. “Or are you still mad at me?”

“You used me!” J'dee exclaimed.

“I'm sorry…” Havoc apologized. “Roy told me-”

“Would you jump off a cliff if Roy told you to?” She challenged.

“That depends on what purpose it would serve.” Havoc replied.

J'dee looked away. She was cranky and she was mad, she had worked so hard to avoid falling in to bed with anime hotties and she had managed it… until Havoc.

“Maybe ease my piece of mind.” She mumbled in reply.

 

Zack looked up seeing Havoc and J'dee arguing he blinked for a moment as Belle set down a couple of hot drinks for Roy and himself.

“Am I missing something here?” Belle asked.

Roy looked up at her and flashed a smile. “She's still mad about a couple of nights ago.”

“What did you do?” Belle demanded.

Roy picked up the cup. “We tried to kill her of course.” He walked out on to the balcony.

Zack felt Belle touch him on the arm. “Zack… what really happened?”

“Roy set Havoc up to sleep with her. And he did, she didn't even know it was Havoc and when she found out she ran like hell. She's mad at Havoc for letting himself be used like that, at least judging by the body language.” He moved to the door to listen in.

 

“Now now I thought you two would be getting along better.” Roy smirked walking out on to the balcony.

“Shut up!” J'dee snapped.

Roy just smiled. “Don't be angry, it's all in the past I'll assure you… it's time to move forward.”

“I wish you were still on the bad side so I could ring your arrogant throat.” J'dee growled at Roy.

“You wouldn't be able to get past Hawke-eye or the Major I assure you.” Roy replied with every bit of confidence that he knew she hated.

 

Zack stood in the doorway watching the three of them. He looked to Belle who was watching them unsure on what to do or how to react having Roy, Hawke-eye, Armstrong and Havoc in the apartment. Let alone the news that J'dee's `good' streak was over as of a couple of nights ago.

Zack looked back to where Roy stood behind J'dee, his eyes narrowed as he watched the smooth moves the Colonel was placing on the red headed woman right in front of Havoc.

The blonde watched mouth gaping open.

J'dee blushed like mad at something whispered in her ear, before she pushed back and Zack blinked as she grabbed him by the hand.

“Stay away from me Colonel. I was nearly char grilled because of you.” She warned.

Zack looked at J'dee he knew that wasn't the real reason she wanted the Colonel away from her.

“J'dee?” Zack felt her pulling him to the door.

“Zack and I are going out Belle… make sure Ed kicks that smart ass out on his butt I don't want him in the room when I get back. I don't want him near me ever!”

Zack saw Gojyo looking onward blinking. Zack was pulled out in to the hallway and he just followed.

 

Gojyo looked at Roy as he entered the apartment from the balcony looking even more cockier than he had at his appearance at Toby's barbeque earlier.

“I must admit you have a good taste in bathing suits.” Roy smiled.

Gojyo nodded his head slowly. “Hey I do what I can to get a pretty girl into or out of a sexy outfit.”

Havoc walked past Gojyo and Roy just grinned.

“Shame… Jean beat you too it.” He patted Gojyo on the shoulder.

Gojyo watched as Roy left the blonde stopped by the door as Hawke-eye and Armstrong left.

“Dude… is that true?” Gojyo asked.

“The colonel told me to sleep with her. I did. I'm sorry it wasn't under more honest circumstances.” Havoc stood by the door.

Gojyo grabbed Havoc slamming him against the wall. “Dude what the hell is wrong with you? Have some respect! She's been hurt emotionally you don't just do that!”

Havoc looked to the side not saying anything.

“Gojyo… step aside.” Belle remarked her voice low.

Gojyo blinked and he remembered her earlier threat on him if he ever hurt J'dee and he let go of the blonde.

“Dude you're in for it now.” He shook his head stalking out to the balcony pulling out a cigarette.

 

~*~*~*~

 

“Hey you asshole!” Belle cried as she stepped into the hallway. Roy and Havoc looked back and Belle grinned maliciously. “Oh good, you both looked. We need to talk.” She walked up to them and she could see Armstrong and Hawkeye watching her as she approached. Belle crossed her arms and put on a slight pout, best to look innocent.

“How can we help you?” Roy asked, a slight charming smile on his face. Belle fought a blush, he was really cute.

“Did you…” her voice cracked slightly and her jaw trembled as she closed her eyes. “Did you really sleep with J'dee?”

“Yes,” Havoc said and Belle flinched at the thought.

“Did you order Havoc to sleep with J'dee?” she asked, feeling sick at the thought.

“It was meant to be a last act of kindness,” Roy stated and Belle glared at him.

“How was that kind? If you had succeeded she would have had sex and then found out you just gave her a…a pity fuck,” Belle stated as she looked at Roy. He smirked as if he knew all sorts of fun thing they could be doing instead. It pissed off Belle.

“It's a good thing we didn't succeed then, now I can personally get to know you all better,” he said and Belle felt a little grossed out at the innuendo.

“Oh, so you intend to pursue J'dee now?” Belle asked and Roy smirked again.

“Perhaps,” he said. “Unless you're interested.” Belle did blush at that and quickly averted her eyes as she took a slight step back. Roy moved forward and Belle smirked to herself as she suddenly moved forward and brought her knee up fast and hard. There was a nice squish and Roy let out a guttural noise as he collapsed to the floor cradling his crotch. Belle squatted near Roy's head as she listened to Havoc laughing and saw Armstrong and Hawkeye approaching.

“That was for fucking with my best friend before you tried to murder her. Now I'm going to tell you the same thing I told Gojyo. J'dee is my best friend, I would not only die for her, but I would risk my soul for her,” Belle stated as she looked at Roy, her face hard. “There is nothing I won't do to protect her but where I really shine is what happens after you hurt her. I will make you regret hurting her, if I see so much as one tear fall from her face and she says your name, there is nothing I won't do to make you regret ever giving her a once over.” Belle got up and turned to Havoc. As soon as her blue eyes landed on him it stopped being funny. “Did you really sleep with her just because you were ordered to?”

“Yes,” he said and the look of disgust in Belle's eyes was hard to face. Havoc had the decency to look down. The slap was loud and solid and Havoc knew he'd have a bright red hand mark on his cheek soon.

“That was actually for fucking my friend,” Belle stated as she got into Havoc's face. “You heard my threat once, but let me get more specific for you. If you hurt her again I will make you regret it. Did you know that damage to erectile tissue's blood flow will cause a man never to achieve an erection again? I do and I know the best way to do it. If J'dee…wants you in her life, I'll let her do that. If you both are contrite and would like forgiveness…I will consider it once you prove yourselves. I don't regret this so you know, you hurt my best friend in one of the worse ways a man can hurt a woman so you better not expect me to apologize for this. However, I will forgive you for your actions against her, if you ask for my forgiveness.” With that Belle looked guilty before she went back to the apartment.

“Are you going to help me?” Roy groaned.

“She did have a point, Sir,” Hawkeye stated as Armstrong and Havoc went to help their felled leader.

 

~*~*~*~

 

Zack stood outside Seventh Heaven and he looked at the bar, J'dee stood next to him looking at the building like she was hoping she could see something… anything.

She had told him he would pick him over Cloud any day but here they were regardless. Pulling out her digital camera she flicked it to movie and started recording.

“Do you really think this might catch anything?” She asked.

“You're the ghost hunter not me.” Zack smiled.

She looked at him and gave him a playful push. “Nice boost of confidence you're giving me here.” She pointed the camera at him and he just smiled.

“Tell me when did you realise you were different from other kids?” He asked.

She turned the camera back to the bar her face blushing. “I was about six or seven years old. I realised I was smarter, faster than the other kids, and the fact that I saw things other people didn't see. I had memories of previous life times… Vivid ones.”

Zack looked at her. “You recalled your other lifetimes?”

She smiled. “I was a pirate in one, probably explains why I'm not to keen on the ninja thing. Didn't stop me dating the cute, blue eyed, blonde, Aussie ninjitsu guy.”

Zack saw her look over the top of the camera as she filmed. “You date a lot of blondes?”

“God yes… I couldn't for the life of me figure out why… some of them were real jerks though.” She looked at him. “Why?”

“Just curious.” He offered her a smile.

“I've been hurt a lot by previous relationships. Belle she's like my protector against getting hurt again.” J'dee sighed.

“Blondes have hurt you?” He asked.

J'dee let out a breath. “Can we change the topic please?”

Zack looked at her, he saw the hurt expression on her face. “So you have a gift?”

“I see I hear things others don't… and when I can't see… the camera sees it for me.” J'dee looked through the screen. “I had a blue eyed blonde as a best friend when I was younger, he was so funny and I was just so mean to him. But anyway from the age of five to the age of ten we hung out a lot. His dad died when I was ten.” She stopped looking up at Zack. “We went to the funeral and I couldn't understand death very well… it was my first funeral. So I asked my mother why his dad was at the back of the church. She turned round and then through her tears smiled at me and said `I'll tell you later' She never did but I knew… Two years later his mother died half of a broken heart and stress of having to raise two boys by herself and the other because of a medical complication.”

“You saw your best friend's dead parents?” Zack asked.

“I see a lot and hear a lot…” J'dee whispered.

Zack watched her pause for a moment.

“Like now… Cloud… he's in there.”

Zack turned round and looked in the window, he frowned unable to see anything. “Can he… see us?”

J'dee looked up. “He's fighting something… it's dark I can't see it properly.”

Before she knew it Zack had raced to the door and opened it pulling it open.

“ZACK!” She shouted and she was hot on his tails inside.

 

They were greeted with nothing, but a half destroyed bar and a weapon lying on the ground a large buster sword with several materia slots.

Zack walked to the blade, crouching down his hand moved over the hilt.

J'dee stood behind him filming the bar. “He's gone. Cloud's gone.”

Zack picked the sword up. “Get some footage upstairs then lets go I think we need to review this back at your place.”

He didn't want to verbally confirm it, but he feared they may have just caught Cloud being abducted on film.

“Okay.” J'dee moved to the stairs filming as she walked up it slowly. “I feel like I'm in Blair Witch Project, just not the woods and this is slightly more real.”

 

~*~*~*~

 

Ed and Goku were playing the PS2 and Belle was watching with Gojyo when she noticed he had a rather depressed expression on his face. Belle looked at him a moment before she went to her bedroom and got her hair brush. She sat watching the boys while brushing her hair. A smile had to be smothered as she noticed Gojyo was watching her brush her hair. She smiled at him then and he gave her one of his flirty smiles.

“Can I brush you hair Gojyo?” Belle asked and she was well aware that all the attention in the room was on her. “I just love men's hair, it's so different from a woman's.” She did her best puppy dog eyes and Gojyo grinned.

“Sure, sugar, why not?” he said and Belle cheered.

“Just sit on the floor in front of my legs,” Belle said pointing at the floor in front of her.

“Whatever you say,” Gojyo grinned as he sat down and felt Belle's legs move to either side of his torso as she pulled him back to lean against the front of the sofa between her knees. “Never thought I'd be between your legs, honey.” Belle sighed as she hit the side of Gojyo's head lightly with the brush.

“Don't talk about my mom like that,” Ed gagged.

“She's not your mom,” Goku stated. “But that is gross Gojyo.”

“Don't make me regret this Gojyo, I've been wanting to play with your hair for a while,” Belle stated as she took the mass of hair into her hand and held it at the base of his skull, running the brush though his hair to make sure there were no hidden knots to hurt.

“It's still like he's saying that to a woman identical to my mom,” Ed stated as he and Goku continued their game. Belle began to brush Gojyo's hair smiling as she ran her fingers through the long, soft locks then the brush. It was relaxing and Gojyo sighed as he draped his arms over Belle's knees, rocking his hands back and forth so they brushed Belle's shins.

“You do have beautiful hair, Gojyo,” Belle stated as she placed the brush to the side, pulling the long, blood colored hair back so she could look Gojyo in the face. He angled his head up and Belle slowly tightened her grip before smiling gently down at Gojyo. “It's so soft and so pretty. I think because it's such a perfect shade of red.” The change in Gojyo's face was immediate but so strange because it was so slight.

“Yeah,” Gojyo grunted and then discovered just how tight she was holding the hair in her hands.

“Red is a lovely color Gojyo, and the red of your hair matches your eyes,” Belle said keeping her eyes on Gojyo's. “Red this shade makes me think of blood.” Gojyo's eyes widened slightly and Belle took that as permission to continue.

“Blood isn't death you know, blood is actually life,” Belle stated, risking one hand's grip to tuck a stray strand behind Gojyo's ear.

“How do you figure that?” Gojyo asked and Belle smiled.

“Because oxygenated blood is this shade and that's life blood. It's the blood that keeps us going, it keeps us running. Without red blood we would die from lack of oxygen. Red blood is life. Think about it, what color do our lips and cheeks turn when we're excited, mad, or happy?”

“Pink,” Gojyo stated and Belle did laugh, bending over so her forehead pressed against his for a moment and she pulled back.

“That's because our skin mutes the color. The reason our lips and cheek are pink are because blood is rushing to them. The reason sex is so much fun is blood. Neither men nor women could have fun in the sheets with out that amazing liquid,” Belle teased as she stuck her tongue out at Gojyo. She let go of his hair and wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pressed her cheek against his scarred one. “Don't get me wrong, wasted blood is wrong, but spilt blood turns brown relatively quickly. Red blood only stays red in the body.”

“What brought this on?” Gojyo asked, trying to look at Belle from the corner of his eyes.

“I've always thought that you were a sad character,” Belle confessed as she hugged Gojyo tightly and closed her eyes. “How could you not be loved, who cares about the color of your eyes and hair, they're beautiful. A testament to the power of life and you certainly attempt to do your biological duty.”

“Why now?” Gojyo asked noting that the boys were strangely quiet.

“Because you doubt yourself over J'dee and I don't want to see your face so sad. You have a handsome face but it's so much happier when you're embracing your coloring and living,” Belle sighed. “I'm not worldly or wise but I know, I'd do almost anything to see you as you should be. Happy, silly, flirty, and full of life…you were not meant to regret and sorrow.”

“Anything?” Gojyo asked and Belle buried her face into his neck to hide her smiled.

“I said almost,” she sighed and pulled back, kissing the scars on his cheek. “She's pissed off at Havoc and only an idiot would come back after what I did to Roy.” Belle got up and started to her room. Gojyo caught her wrist and they looked at each other.

“What about my warning?” Gojyo asked and Belle smiled.

“It still sticks, but if you hadn't noticed, I'm collecting a bunch of broken boys to try and fix however I can,” Belle said with a bright smile.

“However?” Gojyo asked and Belle shook her head.

“I said almost, get that through your head,” Belle laughed as she headed to her room.

 

~*~*~*~

 

J'dee arrived back in the apartment and she stopped seeing Ed asleep on the recliner a blanket wrapped around him and she smiled a small smile.

“Her actions reminds me of my mom.” Zack smiled.

“I've never seen your mother…” J'dee mused.

Zack pushed the door to J'dee's room open. “One day if I don't give her a heart attack by actually showing up at her door alive.”

J'dee walked inside. “You think you'll return home alive?” She asked opening up her lap top before flicking it on.

“Roy thinks that because I haven't turned in to some flesh craving zombie like creature I'm pretty safe from harm for now.” Zack sat down on the bed.

J'dee looked at Zack sadly. “I think the reason you're not dark and un-natural is because this a new world a different life. But I'm worried if you return home that you might become so.”

Zack looked at J'dee. “You think it's possible?”

“Maybe because when someone dies you can't… you shouldn't bring them back. The repercussions from it alone… just ask Ed.”

 

Zack watched her plug her camera into her laptop. It brought up a window and she searched the files for the movie file she wanted. He watched as she double clicked and the file began to play, their conversation could be heard in the background.

Zack wasn't focused on their words he was too busy staring at the image of Cloud sitting at the table and opposite him Reno sat leaning back in the chair a beer in hand gesturing wild and drunkenly.

“Reno…” Zack breathed.

The red head seemed to laugh at something. Before Zack saw the two of them turn and Rude was thrown across the bar and Reno flipped out his EMR the glow of the weapon reminding Zack of the people he missed back home.

Reno jumped up and suddenly the camera moved the part where she turned the camera to look at him.

Zack looked at J'dee. “Weren't you watching?” He asked.

“Wasn't wearing my glasses I'm sorry.” J'dee apologized as the camera turned back to the bar.

Cloud was shouting something then the silhouettes of Denzel and Marlene raced up the stairs, the two orphaned children followed by Tifa who paused on the stairs to look back at Cloud.

 

They saw the shadow like monster rise and Cloud drew his buster sword out before Tifa raced up the stairs at Cloud's shout. The blonde looked pissed of and a pissed off Cloud generally meant a can of whup ass or a complete anti-hero emo moment.

Then the battle began and Zack heard J'dee's voice before he heard himself take off towards to the door. The camera followed and when the door opened the bar was trashed. Rude lay over a table in the far corner from where he'd been thrown. Reno was unconscious on the floor near the stairs, but Cloud was gone.

 

The camera moved up the stairs and Zack saw Tifa in the room of Denzel and Marlene holding the two explaining that everything was going to be alright. The camera panned before it moved to Tifa and Cloud's room and Zack stopped seeing the blonde in a corner his hand on his side.

“Aerith… is this what you meant…” he mumbled trying to stand up. “You said destruction…”

Zack froze seeing the shadow rising behind Cloud. Standing up he could do nothing but watch as the blonde let out a startled cry as the shadow grabbed him and pulled him in to the shadows of the wall.

“Cloud…” Zack looked at J'dee her face serious. “We just witnessed Cloud getting abducted. Didn't we?”

Zack nodded his finger tapped against his crossed arm as he paced. “Get some sleep. I'm going to patrol the area.”

 

~*~*~*~

 

Belle achieved semi-consciousness when someone poked her in the side.

“Go wy, J-ee,” she managed to grunt as she wrapped herself in the covers more.

“Move over,” a voice ordered and Belle did it so that the voice would go away. Instead she got a blast of cold air.

“Nah!” Belle protested before weight got on the mattress and a warm body got in. Belle sighed as the warm thing wrapped around her body and she let it spoon her. “Mmm, warm.”

“Yeah,” the voice chuckled and the sound sent shivers down Belle's spine. She yawned and enjoyed the musky and manly scent she caught as she returned to sleep.

 

~*~*~*~

 

“I think this is the first time I've seen you up for training.” Tobias commented to Shinji, as he entered the kitchen. Shinji was already dressed for training and was in front of the blender, making the protein shakes.

 

“I think I'm getting used to it. It wasn't that much a struggle to get out of bed this morning.” Shinji commented. “It feels like a typical morning now.”

 

“Excellent.” Tobias said, and pulled some mugs from a cabinet. “Here, pour them in these and then change into your swim suit.”

 

“What for?” Shinji asked, puzzled.

 

“I saw you learning with Belle yesterday. Near the end you were swimming around under your own power.” Tobias commented, and Shinji blushed.

 

“I guess.” He replied, sheepishly. Tobias grinned.

 

“So I'm changing our schedule. Swimming is excellent exercise for cardio. It'll help build your stamina and speed. So from now on we'll swim every other day.” Tobias commented. Shinji thought for a moment and nodded slowly.

 

“Okay then, I'll go change.” Shinji commented as he poured the shakes into the travel mugs. Just before he left the kitchen, he paused in the doorway.

 

“What is it Shinji?” Tobias asked. He was afraid he'd pushed the boy back into the water too fast.

 

“You, won't horse around or anything like you did with the others yesterday will you?”

 

“I give you my word, when we're in the pool I won't horse around unless you feel safe with it.”

 

“Thanks, Toby.”

 

“Anything for a friend.”

 

~*~*~*~

 

Belle yawned as she woke up nice and toasty. It had the makings of a great day until a familiar masculine, predatory smell tickled Belle's nose. Belle was well aware that her right hand was on a muscular chest while the other was wrapped around a side before resting on a well muscled back. Her eyes shot open and she was nose to nose with Grimmjow and he flopped an arm over her hip.

“Did you know you make the best noises when I do this?” he asked as he dragged his fingers over her hip side. A giggle gasp escaped Belle as she tried to yank away from Grimmjow, unfortunately her left arm was trapped between Grimmjow and his jacket. As she yanked back she ended up on her back with Grimmjow over her. “I think I like where this is going.” A strange strangled and squeaky noise escaped Belle's throat and Grimmjow grabbed her shoulder before she shimmed between him and the mattress to a certain skull fracture.

“I said don't sleep in my bed when I'm sleeping,” Belle hissed and Grimmjow smirked.

“I asked,” he stated and Belle considered her moment of semi-conscious in which she believed she was in a giant hover bed.

“You did not,” Belle bluffed.

“You moved over,” he stated.

“Damn you,” Belle muttered as she untangled her arm and pushed Grimmjow back. “Okay, enjoy the bed, I'm so not letting that fly tonight.” She got out of bed and grabbed some clothes to change into.

“You can try,” Grimmjow stated as he curled up in the nice warm bed.

“I will beat you, cat,” Belle stated as she closed her bedroom door.

 

~*~*~*~

 

J'dee lay in bed her sleep had been erratic and disturbed by the images shown to her on the screen. She had been trying to find Cloud in her dreams hunting for him hoping to save him from whatever fate was bestowed upon him by the shadows. But even in her dreams he was so far out of her reach she couldn't locate him.

 

Tiredly she entered the kitchen and sat down at the table her hand moving through her hair. She stopped as banana on toast and a hot chocolate was placed in front of her. Looking up she saw Belle and she watched her friend sit down.

“You didn't tell me about Havoc.” She whispered. “Are you okay?”

J'dee looked up at Belle and nodded. “Yeah… I'll be alright, I was just confused that's all. Between Zack and Gojyo… and then when I thought a normal person took an interest in me I kind of jumped too soon.”

Belle looked at her. “You make me worry about you so much.”

“I don't mean to and I really don't know how the hell this keeps happening to me.” J'dee sighed. “When he predicted that they would be lining up at my door for me I didn't think he literary meant it.”

 

~*~*~*~

 

Belle sighed as she walked to the store well aware of her escort. Renji and Hisagi to either side of her as well as Hugue behind them with Ed next to him.

“I really don't need four of you,” Belle stated as she looked at the small army.

“We just feel that we need to watch you better,” Renji stated.

“Havel suggested it didn't he?” Belle sighed and Renji chuckled.

“Actually Havoc told us what you did to Roy, we're just worried he might forget he's on our side,” Hisagi stated.

“What did you do to the Colonel?” Ed asked and Belle blushed.

“I…uh…kneed him,” Belle stated and Ed froze and Belle turned to look at him.

“You mean…” Ed's eyes got wide and Belle rubbed her neck.

“Yeah…right in the man bits,” Belle stated before getting tackled by a laughing teenager.

“I love you!” Ed cried as he laughed while hugging Belle. She smiled as she rubbed Ed's hair as he laughed.

“It is funny,” Renji stated and Hugue even flashed a smirk. Belle blushed she was making quite a scene.

 

~*~*~*~

 

“How'd he do?” Misato asked, concerned. Tobias finished drying his hair as Shinji shuffled inside to take a long, hot soak in the bath.

 

“Excellent. He's using muscles he didn't know he had and he lasted longer than I thought. I think he'll make huge leaps and strides now, with swimming added to it.” Tobias added. Misato let out a sigh of relief.

 

“So now all we need is time.” She murmured to herself. Tobias frowned, remembering that Washu wanted to talk to him.

 

“I hope we get enough of it.”

 

~*~*~*~

 

J'dee washed up her dishes and put them on the dish rack to dry before walking in to her room she was just to tired to go in to work for the day so she was going to call in sick.

Grabbing her phone, she called the R.A explaining a false situation and he seemed to understand she swapped her Sun shift for a Fri one with another staff member.

The R.A was saddened by not working with her but she made the promise that she'd rape him in the back room on Tuesday when she went in for her shift.

He just laughed and told her that it wasn't rape with both parties were willing.

 

Ending the call J'dee moved to flop down on her bed and just try to sleep.

 

~*~*~*~

 

Belle was outside waiting for her clothes to dry on the line, smiling as she read a romance novel from her favorite series. The heroine was about to be kissed by her love-hate match-up and Belle had been waiting for this to happen since his character had been introduced.

“Miss Belle?” a voice asked and Belle squeaked as she dropped her book to see Abel behind her.

“Abel! Oh no my page!” Belle moaned as she dropped to her knees to grab her book, sure enough her page was lost. “Damn, I was hoping they'd kiss.”

“Oh, a romance novel,” Abel commented and Belle blushed before laughing nervously.

“Yeah, I'm rather…chaste, so I get my romantic thrill from reading trashy novels…don't tell any of the perverts,” Belle whispered as she dusted off the book before a small book was shoved under her nose. It was a romance novel, old and worn.

“Your secret is safe with me,” Abel said with a smile and Belle laughed as she hugged him.

“What kind are your favorite?” Belle asked as she sat down with her book. “I love the fantasy ones.”

“Oh, anything that taunts the reader with a forbidden love works for me,” Abel laughed. “In all honesty, Noelle got me into them.” Belle blinked for a moment and smiled sadly.

“Well at least I infected people with the desire to read in a past life,” Belle laughed as she began flipping to her page as Abel opened his book.

 

~*~*~*~

 

“How goes it, Little Washu?” Tobias asked, entering the hanger. He blinked, surprised to see a large white box in front of Jehuty.

 

“Surprisingly well! The final fitting shouldn't take too much longer! I have the pod ready!” Washu called down from on top of the box. Tobias climbed up to the cockpit walkway, and headed over. The box was just a bit wider and long than the cock pit. It was a foot or two taller than the cockpit and went down to where Jehuty's feet would rest if they were on the ground.

 

“It's bigger than I thought it would be.” Tobias said. Washu grinned evilly at him.

 

“When do I ever do just what I need to?” She teased and Tobias laughed.

 

“Point taken.” He agreed. There was a large hole in the side facing Jehuty, that line up perfectly with the cockpit. “Is that where it attaches?”

 

“Yup! I stored enough MREs in the cockpit to keep you alive for a week incase you have to jettison the pod. It'd be a tight ride but you'd be alive. The pod itself has a small living quarters with a bed, and enough food for two months. I set up an oxygen recycling system, so as long as you don't end up somewhere where there is no sunlight, it'll run indefinitely on solar power.” Washu informed him, and Tobias grinned.

 

“You need to send NASA plans for that.” He teased, and Washu laughed.

 

“And wait 50 years for them to decipher them to use them, huh?”

 

“Why the long wait to attach it to Jehuty, Little Washu?” He asked.

 

“Have to make sure the seals are perfect and that the emergency disengage works. It wouldn't due to have you suddenly decompress because of bad seal.” Washu stated flatly.

 

“That would be one hell of a bad day.” Tobias agreed.

 

~*~*~*~

 

Gojyo sat on the balcony railing looking over the playground, he lit his tenth cigarette of the hour. He glanced over seeing Hakkai come out on to the balcony.

“Gojyo…” Hakkai looked at him, and the brunette knew instantly he was in a bad mood. “What happened?”

“I feel cheated. That damn Colonel.” He grumbled.

 

Hakkai nodded slowly as he lent on the railing. “Zack filled Sanzo and myself in on it last night and to explain that you were spending the night there.”

“Damnit Hakkai. Why do I feel so…”

“Jealous?” Hakkai offered. “My theory is that you know Zack is deceased, you know you have a chance… but Havoc is as alive as you or me so you feel cheated.”

“Now that asshole Colonel wants in on the act.” Gojyo looked up. “Like hell I'm letting him.”

Hakkai let out a sigh. “Gojyo I…” He stopped seeing red eyes look at him. “Think you just need to talk to her. She obviously didn't know it was Havoc.”

“And what and am I going to say `Hey honey I don't mind sloppy seconds'?”

Hakkai let out a breath. “Don't think of it like that. She's still the same woman. She's just even more confused than ever.”

“She's confused.” Gojyo huffed taking a drag of his cigarette. “Then what the hell is wrong with me?”

 

~*~*~*~

 

Belle finished typing her grades into the computer before leaning back and smiling.

“All done!” she sighed. “Tomorrow I should have a bunch more to grade, but it's a nice break for now.”

“Belle can I ask you a question?” Alphonse asked and Belle blinked as she looked at the large armor boy. Ed was upstairs talking to Roy, he had to harass him after Belle's confession. Zack was looking at a file next to Belle.

“Sure, Alphonse, what did you want to ask?” Belle asked as the armor shuffled. “Would you like to talk on the balcony?”

“Yes please,” Alphonse chirped and Belle closed the glass door, noticing Hakkai was on his balcony and turned his head to give them the illusion of privacy.

“Do…do you hear her?” Alphonse asked and Belle blinked as she looked at him.

“No,” she said and she could see a shrinking of the armor as if he was horribly disappointed. “It doesn't work like voices in my head. It is memories and déjà vu. I look at you or Edward and I know I need to do something, sometimes it's a hug other times it's a kind word.”

“Could you…could you try and remember something…something that only she and I would know?” Alphonse asked and Belle stared at him for a moment. She hadn't tried to recall anything from her previous lives. With Sanzo it was just a flash of memory but if he could force a memory from Koumyou, there was no reason she couldn't try for Al.

“I'll try, but I make no promises,” Belle stated as she focused on the feeling she had had when she saw the Rockbell house. She squeezed her eyes shut and held onto Al's gauntlets. She focused on the Rockbell house, on Edward, and the name Alphonse.

Like recalling a forgotten memory it was suddenly there. There was an image of a beautiful little boy with sandy hair crying as he held onto her apron. He was sobbing as he looked up at her, probably only four or five.

`What's wrong, Alphonse?' Belle knew Trisha asked and the pain at seeing her child so upset broke her heart.

`Edward yelled at me!' Alphonse cried before Trisha gathered him up into her arms and rocked him gently.

`Why did he do that?' she asked as she cooed softly and pressed Alphonse close to her.

`I asked him when Daddy was coming home,' Alphonse whispered and Belle nearly fell from the pain in her chest. It hurt so badly the loss of Von Hohenheim and the memory of a handsome man with a strong jaw, beautiful golden hair, and lion eyes. Belle gasped out loud at how handsome Von Hohenheim was to Trisha and her heart fluttered before she returned to the upset child in Trisha's arms.

`Daddy will come home, you just ignore Edward, he's a silly sourpuss,' Trisha had whispered before pressing two fingers over Alphonse's belly and walking them up his middle to tickle his neck. Edward never let her do that but Alphonse would.

Belle opened her eyes and pressed two fingers to where the belly of the armor would be. She began to walk her fingers up the chest and Alphonse made a gasp. Belle looked up to see the armor staring at her and Belle grunted as she was caught in a bear hug as the armor boy sobbed.

“I'm not Trisha, Alphonse, but we are part of each other,” she whispered softly as the young man sobbed sadly. Belle closed her eyes to keep from crying for the poor boy.

 

~*~*~*~

 

“Are your days usually this dull?” Misato asked, bored. It was peaceful in the house, and that peace was further amplified by the fact that Shinji was playing cello on the porch. Tobias had no idea where he got one but he suspected Washu had something to do with it.

 

“Only the peaceful ones.” Tobias muttered. Deciding to go with the whole peaceful theme today, Tobias had run out and bought a few hammocks. They were for the most part smaller ones, except for the large hammock he had setup between the oak trees at the edge of his lawn, but still a good 20 feet away from the forest proper. Next to him he had a table with a coke, and he lay back in his brand new hammock, his hand behind his head, eyes closed as he basked in the spring weather.

 

“Lazy oaf, don't you think we should be preparing or something? I mean we just had a party yesterday, so we should spend today planning for these people coming after you and your friends?” Misato snapped. She was standing by the hammock, and was exasperated to see her friend relaxing away as her ward practiced his cello.

 

Tobias had to admit, that while Misato could be one hello of a slacker, when her Nerv officer side came out she was one hell of task master.

 

“I've done everything I can do, Misato.” Tobias murmured. He opened one eye to look up at her. “And I still stand by my statement that you being brought to me was a mistake. A happy one for me, but a mistake none the less. So relax, and enjoy the day.” Getting a bit irritated as he saw her frown deepen, he sighed, and reached up to grab her. Misato gave a startled shriek as he yanked her down with him onto the hammock. Shinji stopped playing momentarily to watch his guardian flounder in the hammock with his trainer. He grinned and began to play Vivaldi's Spring. As Shinji continued to play, Tobias finally got Misato settled next to him in the hammock and resumed his relaxed pose. Misato huffed angrily before signing herself. She settled in next to Tobias and had to admit, this was damn relaxing.

 

After they had both drifted off to sleep, Misato rolled gently to her side and snuggled into Tobias. She had one of the best rests ever since 2nd Impact.

 

~*~*~*~

 

Zack moved into J'dee's room and he looked at her sleeping. He stood over her for a moment looking down.

“You're always forgetting to lock your door.” His hand moved through her hair for a moment. He turned to look at J'dee's laptop and slipped in to the seat turning it on, he was going to go back to Seventh Heaven he had no choice. It was for Cloud he needed to find the blonde. But first he needed to know where to look.

Zack looked at the computer screen waiting patiently as the icons loaded.

The sound of the sliding door opened and he looked to Gojyo there cigarette in mouth. “Dude what are you doing?”

“Trying to save a friend. I just need some details.”

“There's a dvd player in the lounge just use that.” Gojyo remarked.

“I'm not going to be watching a DVD I'm going to be watching something we filmed last night.” Zack explained.

Gojyo grinned. “Is it live porn?”

“No.” Zack looked at the red head. “Seriously we need to get you laid.”

Gojyo laughed. “Trust me I'm trying.” He looked to where J'dee slept her arm flung over a white stuffed toy bunny.

 

Zack shook his head and he raised a brow realizing he had ended up in the wrong folder and went to click back but stopped seeing a folder largely entitled `Yaoi'.

“I'm not sure I want to know what's in there…” Zack muttered.

“You found her porn?” Gojyo asked.

“Maybe but trust me you don't want to see.” Zack mumbled.

“Dude just click it.” Gojyo lent over him.

“You asked me to, just know that.” Zack pointed at Gojyo before clicking the folder.

Zack was glad she had the thumbnails turned off in this folder but some of the names of the pictures made him raise an eyebrow.

“Well I don't know if she's doing this out of revenge or curiosity but that's something I never thought Roy was in to.” Zack remarked.

Gojyo blinked. “Dude does that say what I think it does?”

“Yeah and I'm not bringing up thumbnails.” Zack remarked.

“Why?” Gojyo asked.

“Trust me you won't like it.” Zack pointed out.

 

J'dee was stirring slowly hearing Gojyo and Zack's voices she then realized she could hear the hum of her lap top she was sure she shut it down. Rubbing her tired eyes she sat up slowly and blushed beet red seeing Zack and Gojyo looking at the yaoi folder Sephy had left on her computer because they had no dvd writable CD's to put her friend's yaoi addiction and other stuff on.

“Oh god don't you two dare look at that!” She exclaimed.

Zack lent back in the chair and grinned.

“And what do we get for not clicking on a picture entitled… 53 doujin?” Gojyo asked.

J'dee jumped up and she tackled Gojyo away from the screen. “NO!”

Zack laughed from where he sat looking at J'dee pinning the perverted red head to the ground.

“Ooooh beautiful if you wanted me so bad you could have just said so, no need to get rough.” Gojyo teased.

“You know you've got a million and one pictures of Sephiroth and me in here are you telling me Sephy likes the idea of me with Sephiroth?” Zack asked.

“Sephy like the idea of Reno with Sephiroth same with Cloud…” J'dee replied.

“And who do you like me with?” Zack teased.

J'dee blushed jumping up. “Zack!”

“A long haired red head, or a blue eyed blonde?” Zack continued to grin at her.

J'dee swallowed. “Uhhh red?” She asked.

Gojyo grinned. “Ooooh kinky honey are you involved in that picture?”

“GAH!” She flapped her arms about. “Stop that! I said it was Sephy's folder not mine.”

“So Sephy likes Havoc and Roy?” Zack teased.

J'dee's mouth moved. “She likes Roy or did… at least until he went `Dogs Ilove dogs' then she went `My god he's an idiot… I'm going back to being a Havoc fangurl'.”

“So why does she have Havoc and Roy yaoi if she doesn't like Roy?” Zack asked.

J'dee let out a breath. “Okay I happen to admit I have a thing for black and blonde combos.” Her head dropped.

Gojyo just laughed. “Honey are you admitting what I think you are?”

Zack raised a brow. “I'm not clicking on the FFVII ZnC titled pictures then.”

“It's only a single once off weakness! And Belle reprimanded me but I'm so using that against them later for trying to kill me!” J'dee's arms continued to flap about.

Zack nodded. “Nice way to make use of sources you have access to. But Roy might burn your laptop.” He offered. “I'd also advise you to take the Colonel's picture off your wall before he does a bedroom visit.” He motioned.

“Hey they didn't have any Havoc posters.” J'dee protested.

 

Gojyo looked at J'dee shifting uncomfortably. “And this 53 doujin?” He asked.

J'dee's mouth moved. “Okay I admit I grabbed that. Because the artwork was actually exceptionally good, which is why Sephy's yaoi folder kind of grew in size since she moved to Virginia.” She blushed. “But just so you know I did NOT grab the Shinji x Kaoaru pictures, that was all Sephy I don't do shota.”

“Dude click the doujin.” Gojyo remarked.

J'dee shook her head. “Zack don't you dare.” She warned.

Zack thought for a moment. “Is it graphically bad?”

“Not really just language.” J'dee remarked.

“Then I'm clicking it.” Zack remarked.

 

~*~*~*~

 

As Belle cooked, she watched Goku and Edward entered the room.

“Where's Gojyo?” Belle asked as she prepared some chicken fingers for the boys. “He's usually with you, Goku.”

“He came over here a little while ago,” Goku stated and Belle blinked.

“Funny, I didn't see him come in,” she said as she looked at Alphonse grabbing a controller to play against Edward. They had been horribly disappointed to find that Belle's FMA games were single player.

“Yeah, I get winner!” Goku cried and Belle smiled, ah video games, the great equalizers.

 

~*~*~*~

 

Gojyo walked out of J'dee's room shaking his head.

“Honey what the hell is wrong with you?”

Zack shook his head. “Gojyo I never knew you thought of Sanzo like that.”

“I DON'T!” Gojyo snapped. “The monk pissed me off more than the monkey!”

“Yeah I hate you too.” Goku remarked from where he sat near Ed playing the playstation.

Belle looked up from the kitchen raising a brow. “What are you three going on about?”

“Remember that fan yaoi Gojyo and er yeah doujin I showed you a bit ago… Because it was really well drawn?”

“Yeah.” Belle replied looking at her wearily.

“Gojyo found it on my lap top.”

Belle just cracked up laughing.

“What? Hey what's so funny?” Goku asked from the couch where he was playing another round of Budokai with Ed.

“Nothing monkey!” Gojyo snapped.

Belle wiped a tear away as she shook her head. “You let them look through your computer? Even I remembered to put a password on mine.”

J'dee let out a breath. “I was sleeping I didn't know they'd make themselves at home in my room as I slept.”

“You keep forgetting to lock your door.” Zack pointed out.

J'dee let out a breath. “I'm sorry I was too tired to think that I wanted to suffocate from re-circulated air in my room.” She remarked with flat eyes.

Gojyo looked at J'dee shaking his head. “First Havoc now this… honey I'm beginning to think there is something seriously wrong in your head.”

“You missed the 58 pictures Gojyo.” Zack smiled.

“What is it going to take to prove to you I'm not in to that?” Gojyo shot Zack a look.

“Nothing really I just like teasing.” Zack grinned.

J'dee rolled her eyes. “Zack you wanted to look over the footage from last night go to my videos not my pictures.”

“Accidental click I assure you.” Zack smiled he waved before heading back into J'dee's room, shutting the door after him.

 

~*~*~*~

 

Belle laughed as she looked at J'dee and Gojyo before she bent over trying to catch her breath.

“Oh, oh that's too funny,” Belle giggled and Gojyo's glare was even better. “The only thing that would be funnier is if Sanzo had been with you.” The thought of Sanzo's face was too much and Belle grabbed a chair as tears began to fall.

“That's not funny!” J'dee cried as she glared at her friend. “He would have shot my computer.” That image did not stop Belle's laughter instead it only seemed to increase it.

“Not funny, honey,” Gojyo stated and Belle giggled more.

 

~*~*~*~

 

Yawning as she awoke, Misato stretched her arms above her head. Blinking as the movement set her bed swinging, it took her a moment for her brain to process she was still in the hammock. Gently easing to the side, she slipped her feet down to the ground. She'd have to buy a hammock when she got home, she decided. That was one of the best times she'd have sleeping. Yawning as she headed for the porch, she noted voices in the kitchen. She paused when she heard her name, and was not above doing a bit of ease dropping.

 

“…Misato was when I came out to wake you two.” Shinji's voiced said. There was a moment of silence before she heard some one sigh.

 

“You're reading into things too much, Shinji. Where did you want me to set this?” Tobias asked.

 

“On the middle of the table please, and don't change the subject. I've never seen Misato smiling like that when I helped her get up in the morning.” Shinji said.

 

“It was probably the hammock, I doubt she's slept in one before.” Tobias responded, amid the sounds of metal being plopped on wood.

 

“So the fact that you had your arm around her meant nothing then?” Shinji demanded.

 

“When did you get so confrontational?” Tobias demanded, himself.

 

“When I saw my father drive me to brink of insanity just so I could kill everyone and he could be reunited with humanity!”

 

They were silent for a long moment.

 

“Washu, right?” Tobias asked so quietly Misato barely heard him.

 

“She's been talking to me while she works on the test plug. It helps a lot, and she knows a lot about this kind of stuff. Talking to her takes a lot off my mind. She calls it therapy.”

 

“Well psychology is technically a science, and she is the goddess of knowledge. I should have known she'd do something like that when I asked her to talk to you.” Tobias said, and gave a small chuckle. Misato's eyes widened. Shinji was getting therapy from Washu? She had the mental image of Washu in her girl form talking to Shinji as he lay on a therapist's couch. She bit her lip, holding in her laughter, but still immensely grateful that was what Shinji and Washu talked about when he disappeared into her lab for a few hours a day.

 

“You're trying to change the subject anyways! I think Misato likes you, and I know you like her!” Shinji stated, frustrated. It was silent for a bit and Misato dared a peek through the kitchen door window. Tobias was facing Shinji, who had his back to the door. Tobias was blushing and his expression was like a kid caught with a hand in the cookie jar.

 

“Shinji, it doesn't matter if I like her, it's complicated. Its not a matter of saying I like her and asking her out. Misato has had it rough, you know that. What if you guys left and I couldn't come with you? What if it got extremely serious and we were ripped apart?” Tobias shook his head. “That'd kill her.”

 

“So we'll just take you with us!” Shinji declared.

 

“It's not that simple Shinji.”

 

Deciding to end the conversation for him, Misato opened the kitchen door, and walked in, like she hadn't heard a thing.

 

“Heya! Dinner ready yet?” She asked eagerly. Shinji scowled at Tobias who snatched up the trays from the kitchen counter and placed them on the table.

 

“It's leftovers from yesterday, Misato. We had a lot left over.” Shinji told her. He looked her over for a moment before steeping out and hugging her. “I love you Misato.”

 

Surprised for a moment, Misato grinned before ruffling his hair and hugging him back.

 

“I love you too kiddo.” Misato said. She looked up to see Tobias glance away. Washu walked in at that moment and frowned, looking everyone over.

 

“I miss something?” She asked. Tobias shook his head.

 

“Nothing important, Little Washu.”

 

~*~*~*~

 

J'dee was finally glad the day had ended and Zack had returned to Seventh Heaven to investigate further. She sat on her bed looking out her sliding door.

Music wafted from her stereo.

She was still dead tired regardless of how much sleep she got.

Pulling her blankets back she slipped in to her bed and lay on her side pulling Goten close. She held on to the plush white bunny and let her eyes close.

 

The sound of the sliding door open made her look up and she looked to Gojyo as he entered.

“Gojyo go get some sleep.”

“I got a message from Zack, I'm supposed to watch you tonight honey. He found some clues that he's collecting at the bar.” Gojyo sat on her bed and looked at her.

“I hope it's not bad news.” J'dee let out a breath.

Gojyo moved behind her on the bed and lay down his arms slipping out her waist pulling her tight to him.

J'dee blushed at the contact. “Gojyo-” She began.

“I haven't slept with the monk nor will I ever.”

“And Hakkai?” J'dee teased.

She was greeted by the warmth breath touching the back of her neck. “Don't make me prove it to you that I'm not in to that…”

J'dee felt her body shiver as she felt Gojyo's hand playing with the base of her bedtime shirt lifting it up slowly.

“Gojyo!” She squeaked pulling it down her face heating up. “Stop that I believe you okay. I only got it for the artwork.”

“Suuuuuure.” Gojyo purred.

 

~*~*~*~

 

Belle was curled up in her bed when a finger poked her.

“No, now go away,” she stated and Grimmjow growled.

“Let me in,” he snarled and Belle shook her head.

“No, leave me alone,” she stated.

“I'm getting something to eat then,” Grimmjow stated.

“Don't you dare,” Belle hissed as she sat up.

“I want to sleep in the bed or eat,” Grimmjow stated and Belle groaned as she got up and grabbed a tuna fish sandwich. As she reentered her bedroom she saw Grimmjow snuggled up in her bed.

“Oh you suck,” Belle groaned as she placed the sandwich down on her nightstand before pushing Grimmjow over and crawling into bed.

“I win,” Grimmjow chuckled and Belle grumbled. She was suddenly being pushed into the mattress.

“Hey you jerk!” Belle cried before Grimmjow slid back, eating the sandwich. “There better not be a crumb in my bed tomorrow.”

“I'll lick them all off,” Grimmjow purred and Belle chose to ignore him even through her skin broke out in goosebumps over his tone.

 

~*~*~*~

 

Later that night Misato left her room to walk down the hall to Washu's lab. Knocking and waiting for Washu to invite her, she wondered if she was doing the right thing. After being allowed in, she sat on the cushion Washu provided. Misato fidgeted a bit before asking Washu her question.

 

“Do-do you mind if I talk to you like Shinji does? I really need to talk to someone who knows about everything.” Misato asked. Washu looked surprised, and cast Misato a suspicious glance.

 

“Why not talk to Toby? He seems to be closer to you than me.”

 

“He's apart of it.” Misato said. She was startled when Washu shifted into her adult form.

 

“I'll always have an open ear for my friends.” Washu said firmly.

 

Misato smiled widely, feeling more like herself since seeing those videos.

 

 

To Be Continued…