Disclaimer One: These characters belong to me and me alone, so don't be a pud and try to snatch them away. I'm watching you. No, I'm serious. I can see you now.
Dedication: To my friends whom I hold dear, you mean more to me than I could ever express. Thank you.
Caught
Alternate Ending
by Minerva ~IV~ Even after the most incredible afternoon, the
next day, the files and numbers in front of her still appeared to
be gibberish, but for a different reason. When she first logged
online, excitement coursed thorugh Jill's body as saw Mustanblu
avaliable on her friends list, but within a few seconds, the user
logged off. Thinking it was Yahoo's mistake, Jill picked up the
phone to call the brunette's job instead--only to find that she
called in sick. Concerned and panicked, she tried the mechanic's
home only to get voicemail, prompting her to leave a message. The
more time that passed the more Jill's thoughts took a downward
spiral. I did something. It must be me. Maybe it was too much
too soon. Tears slid down her cheeks. She wiped at them
angrily. "No, it's got to be some kind of mistake. This
can't happen to me. It can't. We connected. There was something
there." A couple of hours later, Mustangblu returned.
Jill waited, wondering if she would disappear again. Five minutes
passed. With nervous fingers she started typing a message. Jltner: <<Maggie? You okay?>> Long minutes passed, but there was no answer. A
sick feeling started deep in her stomach. With each minute of
silence that passed, it grew bigger. Jill's heart thudded
painfully, and she tried to control suddenly ragged breathing. This
can't be happening to me. She seemed fine on the phone
last night. What happened between then and now? Maggie, please
don't let your fear ruin this. Needing to give it one more
try, Jill picked up the phone once more. *** Maggie stared at the computer screen blankly.
She wiped at gritty eyes as the words blurred. Sleep beckoned
her, but she refused to go. Despite the whispered words, soft
caresses and hot breath stealing kisses, her old friend fear
returned, blossoming inside until it became a living breathing
entity. It took over, reminding her of the potential of
pain--causing it and feeling it. The two sides warred inside
her--fear versus happiness, leaving her exhausted, confused. Even
now when she closed her eyes, Maggie could recall the
accountant's smile; glittering blue eyes; the way her skin
tasted; and the way she smelled. She remembered it all. Her hands
clinched into hard fists. Blunt nails bit into her flesh. It's
too risky. A far away voice whispered. Maggie gritted her
teeth and pounded her fists against the sturdy wooden top of the
desk. It's way too risky. Think of what could happen. The phone rung. Maggie snatched the cordless
up, glancing at the caller ID. She gasped and closed her eyes
again. It rang and rang until the sound cut off abruptly. Knowing
that the accountant more than likely left another message, Maggie
typed in familiar numbers and waited for the prompts. The pain in
the voice on the other end tore at her heart. "Please don't
do this. It's okay to be scared. Don't you see? Don't you
understand? It makes it all the more worth it. Don't do
this." She erased the message, but the words were burned
into her brain. Risky. The cryptic voice mumbled. "Shut up!! I'm already hurting her! She's
scared too." Maybe she's right. Think of what could happen. Maggie burst out laughing, as a light bulb went
on in her subconcious. A few words from someone who cared--from
someone who understood, opened a door that seemed locked tight.
"I am. . .I am thinking for once. . .I am. She's scared, but
she's taking a chance. I could be like this forever, and I'm so
tired of it--tired of the running. I could be happy. That's what
could happen!" She screamed to the virtually empty room.
"That's what could . . . happen," she whispered
brokenly. I'm such an idiot! The tide of the internal
war changed in a mere matter of seconds, leaving all parties
involved the victors. Needing, wanting to share her thoughts and
discoveries, Maggie couldn't dial the numbers fast enough.
Stumbling over the keypad several times, she had to stop, take a
calming breath and begin again. Elation coursed through her,
bursting inside until she almost could not contain herself. A
smile spread across her face. bSo this is what potential
happiness feels like. I really have been an idiot all these
years. *** Jill leaned her elbows on the edge of her desk
and covered her face with her hands. The one time I take a
chance; the one time I just go for it, and it lands me
here--alone. The phone rung, interrupting dark thoughts. She
glared at it before snatching it up. "Yes, Turner
here." Her greeting was curt and icy. Silence met her. Then,
the unmistakable sound of a deep swallow pierced the quiet. "Maggie? Please let it be you." Maggie cleared her suddenly dry throat.
"Um, I'm scared, but I. . .want this." Relief flooded the accountant, blocking out any
spark of anger. She closed her eyes and sighed. "Okay, it's
a place to start." "I think I'm ready." The End Hopefully, this is a triumphant
return even with the little twist I put on things. Sorry I've been gone so long. I've been sorting my life
out. I recieved all email and know even though I didn't have it
in me to answer at the time. It meant the world. Hope you enjoyed
this story. Drop me a line at Minerva