South Of Bikini 2- Good From Despair free porn video

With her primary mission complete, Alex takes care of some 'housekeeping' while in Federal Period Washington City. Copyright 2008 R.G.Beyer South of Bikini: Onward Episode 4 "Good from Despair" 0013hrs, The Presidential Mansion, Washington DC, January 12th, 1865 "Why are you in your whites, sis?" "I just needed to do something, Emily. We need to get some rest." I said as my dress whites quickly changed and shifted into my favorite pink nightgown. I wiped my eyes a few more times. "You went to pay your respects!" "After what I did to him...I think he deserves that, don't you?" "But he's not gone yet, Alex. We just finished talking to him a few minutes ago." "I had to, Emily! I just effectively persuaded a man to give up his life to save the country he loves! I feel like I've become the Grim Reaper! Why did I have to do this? Why must I be tested like this?" "You're the only one capable of doing this and... wait, who's testing you, Alex?" "The President is convinced that the man upstairs is testing me- that it's his way of trying to convince me that he chose me...chose all of us for a reason." "Something like that would be entirely out of the ordinary for us then, right sis?" Emily raised an eyebrow. "I guess it could be in the realm of belief...given our gifts." "Ya, believable, I guess- especially if we knew someone that could transcend time and dimension, huh? Or someone that could carry off a thousand ton nuclear submarine with only her mind." 'Hey!' Jack's voice rang through our heads. "Okay, point taken, sis. So it wouldn't be so miraculous as much as improbable." "Entirely plausible would be what I'd call it, Alex." Emily smiled at me. "So what's on tap after we leave tomorrow morning?" She quickly changed the subject seeing my somber glare. "We return to Sand Dollar five minutes after we initially left. That's what I promised Uncle Rick." "I thought this mission was to take twelve days, not four?" "So I left plenty of room for mistakes and retries! I also postponed Vicksburg until a later date- ah kinda had it with the federal period for a while." I said as I rubbed my sore ribcage as example. Emily nodded her understanding. "I knew going into this that things were going to be difficult so we're just going back to Sand Dollar- to assume our normal, everyday lives." "No, I mean what adventures will the Empress embark on and when, silly?" "Oh." I paused. "We make right our scout mother's seemingly unalterable plight." "You found a way to save her! That's wonderful, Alex!" Emily said, overjoyed. She wrapped her arms around me and kissed my cheek. "Has she been able to envision it?" "I haven't told anyone yet- isn't that right, Jack?" I said into the air. 'Certainly not me! Not that I can remember! She's still with us in '52, Alex.' A huge smile filled Emily's face. "It's 6AM. Liz and Sarah will be here any second, Alex. We better get our circus tents on. I think today the blue one with black trim should do." "I'm wearing the red and black one today! I feel like being a bitchy harlot!" I stated, as I began drawing large volumes of air to and from my lungs in preparation to have my middle crushed. "We aren't going to be stuck here for another week are we?" Emily asked seriously. "What? No! I just meant that I'm still melancholy! This hasn't been one of my happier ventures, Emily!" "Hey, I'm here for ya, sis. You know that." "I know, Em, I'll try to keep a positive outlook on things today." "I'll hold y'all to that, Alex Steinert! Now, let's get dressed before our chambermaids arrive." At precisely 0615hrs, the now familiar knock, the one heard these last three mornings without fail, came at our door. "Come on in girls." Emily invited just as my Reilly suit was finishing its task of severely constricting my midsection. "Um...Good morning, Alex. Good morning, Emily. Did you both sleep well?" Liz asked as they both entered the room. I turned around to notice two questioning faces staring at me. Had they witnessed my clothing as it completed its change? "I confess it has been hard to acquire proper rest while not moving these last three nights. I fear it shall require many more nights after returning home to Hartford, Liz." I told the girls with a slight smile. That seemed to reassure them as both faces took on the normally pleasant, contented smiles we'd seen every morning. "We're sorry to hear that, ma'am." Sarah said, a little discouraged by my reply. "Mrs. Lincoln required that we give you the best bed in the Mansion. Liz, she said, I want you to treat Alexandra like an Empress- a true woman of royalty!" She paused and blushed after doing a fair imitation of Mary Lincoln. Emily let a snicker escape her lips. I gave my sister a sideways glare. "Sarah and I are sad you'll be leaving us today, Alex. You, Emily, and your cousins have been leagues better than any past guests here and we would be more than happy to serve you when next you visit." "Why thank you, girls. It's been a real honor staying here with the President, and you two have been wonderful- in fact, everyone here has been simply marvelous! I'm sure we'll think back fondly on these last few days." I smiled the best I could, given what I had just done five hours prior. "Miss Alex, may I inquire about your cousin, Jacquelyn? I pray I do not overstep my station with this." Sarah lowered her gaze and blushed a bit. "What about Jack, hun?" "She..." Sarah stopped abruptly. What I could see of her ashen face as she shied away told me this was embarrassing for her. "She what, hun?" I pressed. "She...she gives me a pain in my head anytime I'm closer than a few rooms from her, Miss Alex!" Emily stifled another laugh with her hand. "She does that quiet often to us as well, hun." I giggled with a wry smile. 'Thanks, Alex! It's so nice to be wanted!' Jack thought to me sarcastically. I noticed that Sarah quickly reached for her forehead and cringed. 'Jack, I think Sarah can hear you.' I thought back to her. 'Let's try something. I'll ask a question and you think the answer to me.' 'Aye.' "Sarah dear, May I try a little experiment?" "An experiment? What's that?" "I have an idea why you might feel the way you do around Jack. I would like to ask you a few questions. Don't be afraid to say whatever pops into your head, okay?" "You want to test me, ma'am?" "Yes, hun, it shouldn't hurt though. Can I try?" Sarah looked at her friend, Liz, who nodded her approval. "Alright, Miss Alex." She shyly agreed. "Alright, here goes, but I want only honest answers...from up here," I touched my forehead a few times, "no matter how strange they might sound." Both girls nodded. "Okay. Can you tell me what year I was born, hun?" I asked. '1916.' I heard Jack answer. "1916, Miss Alexandra." She immediately answered then closed her eyes and shook her head in confusion. "That is impossible, though! It is the year of our Lord 1865, you shouldn't have been born yet if that were true." She quickly reasoned. I smiled. "Tell me, Sarah, why would you say I was born into this world fifty-one years from today when clearly I'm here now?" 'Because she's a witch!' 'Jack!' Sarah's eyes widened as quickly as her complexion drained! She raised her head and stared at me in fear. "Tell me Sarah, what did you hear that caused such a harsh response?" She looked at her friend and fellow maid then looked back at me, still in horror. "Y...y...y...yyyyyou're a...a...a...wwwwwitch?" She swallowed hard. Liz immediately followed suit hearing those words. "And who told you such a despicable lie, hun?" I asked as I looked in the direction of Jack's room. 'Jacquelyn.' "Miss Jacquelyn, ma'am." I thought the girl was going to pass out! "Forgive me ma'am, I should not have bothered you or your cousins!" She turned to leave, snagging her companion Liz as she went. 'Jack, the door if you please?' I thought with a slight laugh. The maids' attempt to exit our room failed as Sarah couldn't get the knob to turn. She was now visibly shaking- sheer terror filled her face. 'I need Jamie over here now, Jack! Better yet, have everyone come over." 'Aye, Cap. Be over in a sec.' Our two new guests had turned and were now facing us- tears streaming down their faces, trying in vain to become part of the door they had just tried unsuccessfully to open. 'Deer in the headlights' my future twin had called the reaction. "Emily, are they okay?" I asked, not diverting my eyes from the two teenagers. "Heart rate is twice normal, Alex, but they're okay. I'll keep an eye on them." A knock sounded at our door. "Girls, we have guests, so could you kindly peel yourselves off the door so our cousins can come in?" I smiled nervously. "I promise we mean you no harm whatsoever!" I raised my hand and gestured for them to move farther into the room as Emily and I, in turn backed away. Slowly the two girls moved far enough for the door to swing open. Jack, Mina, Jamie and Corrine entered single file and closed the door behind them. "Really, Empress, must you continually frighten the indigenous population?" Mina shook her head as she spoke. "Y...y...yyyyou..." Sarah choked out quietly. "I'm what, hun? Speak up, I won't bite." "Y...y...yyyyou...yyyyou really...really are an...an Empress?" "So my sisters claim, but I assure you both that we are not witches...not in any way, shape, or form, girls." Alex, Liz is about to pass out, better go easy." Emily warned. "Jamie, they both need to calm down." I said, looking to her. "Okay, Alex. Girls," Jamie looked directly at the two quivering teens, "I really need you to calm down. The Empress has no intentions of harming either one of you!" The fear drained from the two teenaged faces and the girls' eye's frantically looked around at us for the reason. "That's better. Girls, I have no reason to hurt either of you, nor am I intent on harming anyone else. Sarah," I looked directly at her, "I believe you asked me why Jack here causes you pain when near? I am merely providing the answer. Would you like to know that answer?" I asked as I smiled. The girl nodded once, but remained silent and stationary. "Okay. Jack is what we call a telepath- a person who can read someone's thoughts and even talk to them in their mind." I paused to see if they understood. "I believe that you have a similar gift, Sarah. I'm also sure that Liz can hear you in her mind as well... that you two can talk to each other. Am I corrct?" Both slowly gave a nod. "Good, that means that everyone in this room has special gifts." I slowly approached the two teens and gently put my hand on Sarah's shoulder. She flinched sharply at my touch. "Please relax, hun, I only want to offer you two a seat on the bed, so if you would do so, I can continue with my explanation." With a look of distrust, both girls slowly, cautiously, sat themselves on the bed. "Girls," I began, "we are travelers. Not the usual kind that you would normally expect though. Sarah, the date of my birth that you heard in your mind is indeed correct. I was born August 7th, 1916. You see, where Jack has the gift of reading minds, I have the gift of travel...time travel." "Y...y...yyyyou...aren't...wwwwitches?" Liz bravely inquired. "Hardly!" I chuckled, "Though in certain cultures and time periods I could see how our gifts would be misinterpreted- just as you have misinterpreted us. "Alex, why are we revealing ourselves to these two?" Corrine asked in confusion. "I'm going to let Sarah tell you for herself. Sarah, would you care to share with us your last name, hun?" The girl's eyes now started to sequence around to each of us one at a time. "GGGGoode. S...S...SSSSSSarah G...G...GGGGGGoode." She stuttered out. "Nooo! But I thought Sarah Goode lived..." Corrine blurted out before I stopped her. "An ancestor, Corrine. Isn't that right, hun?" Sarah nodded. "She has been told that she is named after a relative who lived in Massachusetts two hundred years ago, ma'am." Liz again gallantly spoke for her friend. "She seems to have also inherited the family gift, Liz." I said as I tried to lean over and look in the girl's eyes. The tight confinement of my corset and sheer volume of my dress made even half the distance impossible. I silently cursed this era's styles as I stood back up! "Do you mind if I change into something a little less...confining, girls?" I paused just after I brought my HUD online. "Now, what you are about to see may frighten you, but in no way is it any more magic than the telegraph." I selected my denim jeans, a pink short-sleeved 'T', bra, bikini britches, pink sneakers, and socks and immediately felt relief as my clothing changed. "Wow! That feels much better!" "Alex, we're losing them." "Jamie..." "I got it, Alex. Girls, you really should stay with us. Alex has more to tell you, right skipper?" I nodded. Again a sober expression appeared on the girls' faces. Both scanned me from head to toe several times. "How...how did you do that?" This time Sarah herself asked the question. "This is what we wear where we come from, girls- well, not exactly where WE come from, but close." I looked to the four corners of the room. We also have technology...machines...that allow our clothes to transform into almost any garment we choose. There is nothing magical about it. Here, feel for yourselves." I leaned in close and allowed them to touch my jeans and blouse. "It feels like cotton, but softer!" Liz exclaimed after cautiously extending her hand. Sarah then brought her fingers close to feel. "Alex, a word with you in private, please?" Emily quietly asked for my attention. "Excuse us for a minute, ladies." Emily and I walked over to the window and looked out over the south lawn and its beautifully groomed gardens. "Alex, Liz has the start of a cancerous melanoma on her right forearm and left clavicle...collar bone. She has a few years at best." Emily sadly whispered, trying not to move her lips. "Corrine can handle it, sis." "I know that, but there's more. Alex, both girls are in an early stage of Tuberculosis." Her tone told me exactly how serious she was. I consulted my gift and gave Emily a wink. She immediately smiled. "Jack, do we still have the extra Reilly suit?" I asked as we stepped in front of the two, seated girls. I began critically assessing them. "As a matter of fact, Alex, we have two. You want me to get them?" "No, I'll just pop on over." I said nonchalantly just before phasing out. Fetching the two garments and accompanying shoes, I purposely returned to a different location- behind our bed. "Here we are." I said as I rephased. Both girls jumped high enough to make the bed frame groan and squeak loudly. "Now I'd like you girls to put these on so I can take you on a little trip. My sister, Emily, will come along just to make sure I don't cook you both for dinner, my pretties!" I cackled the last line. "Alexandra! You're frightening the poor girls again!" Mina chided. "Ladies, I'd change into the proffered clothing as quickly as humanly possible- before the Empress gets even more theatrical!" Neither girl moved a muscle. "Perhaps you are shy and require privacy? Ladies, please turn around so that Sarah and Elisabeth may redress in peace." Mina suggested in a motherly tone. She looked over her shoulder. "You may proceed, my dears." After a few minutes, and with Emily's and my help, Sarah and Liz were ready for their first experience with a Reilly suit. Both suits had been configured as period dresses, foundations, and footwear. 'Jack, I want Sarah dressed for 2028- something more befitting a seventeen year-old of the time.' I thought to her. Jack nodded her acknowledgement while I concentrated on Liz's outfit. "Liz, do you like what I have on?" I asked, motioning to my clothing. She nodded very, very slowly. "Then please stand up on your tiptoes. Don't be afraid, hun, it won't hurt." I placed my hand on her shoulder and made the selection from my HUD. A look of surprise flashed to her face as her clothing shifted and changed. She now wore dark blue, denim jeans like mine, but her 'T' was a light blue and matched her bra, britches, and sneakers. "You can put your heels on the ground now. How do you like?" Liz was too busy examining every inch of her new outfit to reply, Sarah, likewise appeared fascinated. "Ladies? When y'all are ready?" I said, looking to my 'cousins'. "I thought just you and Emily were going, Alex?" Jamie asked. "You can stay here if you like. We'll be right back." Everyone took hands after converting their Reilly suits to twenty-first century styles. Emily and I put Liz and Sarah between us. "Won't we be missed, Miss Alex? If we are not found at our assigned tasks we shall be punished and removed from our service at the mansion." Sarah asked, worried. "Trust me, honey; no one will even know you're missing." I smiled. "Where are we to go looking like this? We cannot possibly leave the room, ma'am." Liz added. "We would surely be discovered." I simply smiled at her then looked around my group to ensure all hands were held. Our sunlit room became the sundrenched swimming pool area at Emily and Spencer's condominium complex. Except for my future self and two daughters the place was completely deserted. I rephased us. "About time you got here, sis! What took so long?" Allie crossed her arms in mock annoyance. Cassie and Sam dropped to one knee in unison. "Greetings, Empress of Space and Time! It is 1100hrs, July 11th, 2028." They said in harmony. I pointed an angry finger to them. "Stop that this instant! You know how much I hate that!" "Yes, Empress!" They harmonized again with devious smiles. I rolled my eyes- both of me. "Sarah and Elisabeth, we welcome you to the year 2028. I hope I have not frightened you too terribly." Allie said as she took her position beside me and tilted her head in my direction. "Sister, it is good to see you again! I trust you have recovered from your ordeal?" She asked as she wrapped her arms around me. The now familiar tingle passed between us. "You know the answer to that, Alex." "Is this real? Are we here in...in the future?" Liz asked with astonishment as she continuously looked around. "It's only the future for y'all, hun, my daughters and I call this time our home." "But you and..." "Ya hun, we're the same person, only ninety years apart. Is that any stranger than traveling through time though?" A car drove up the street outside the pool's perimeter fence. Both girls eyed the strange contraption until it was out of sight. "It's called an automobile, ladies- a car for short. It's just one of many ways we get around in the twenty-first century." "Why do you refer to us as ladies? We are of no wealth or title." Liz wondered. "No, but you are more special than you know, girls!" I informed them. "Would you care to try the pool, the water should be perfect?" "You bathe outside...in public... here?" Sarah seemed shocked. "We wear clothing, silly girl- just not that much. My daughters Samantha and Cassandra will take you into the dressing room and help with your bathing suits." Allie instructed. "We must decline the generous offer if allowed, ma'am. The water appears too deep for our tastes. Our thanks though." Liz refused politely. "I knew you would say that." Allie said calmly as she suddenly pulled Sarah's top over her head. We all gasped at what was revealed! "My word! How did you acquire so many scars, child?" Mina gasped in disgust. The surprised teen made every effort to cover her top. Allie stood back with her arms crossed in front of her waiting for Mina's question to be answered. "Before I first arrived at the Mansion, I...I required...dis...discipline, Miss Mina." Sarah finally answered timidly with a crimson face. "Some discipline! Looks more like torture!" Jack commented, as the air around us suddenly smelled sweet with ozone. "Jack, you'll get your chance. Back down, please." Allie and I calmly said together. Our two guests stared first at Allie and me then at Jack. Liz pointed at Jack. "You sweetened the air? How?" "Tell me who did this to her, sweetie, and I'll show you exactly how I use my gift! When we return to your time, and when we find the bastard!" Jack promised the girl, in a very threatening tone. But he will hurt you too, Miss Jacquelyn! If... you can find him...her father. We have not seen trace of him since giving Sarah up as recompense for a debt owed one of the mansion's groundskeepers." "You were collateral for a bet?" Cassie spit out incredulously. "Mom, I want to go back with you! I want to have a serious talk with Mr. Lincoln about his apparently narrow ideas on slavery!" "Oh please no! I wish not to involve our president in this matter! My arrival at the mansion predates him and Mrs. Lincoln! I was all of eight when Mrs. Pierce's chambermaid took pity, gave me a home, and taught me my duties. Liz and I became friends my first day there. We've been like sisters since." "Cassie, why don't you and Sam take Sarah and Liz to the showers and help them into they're swim suits. I need to consult with your aunts on a couple matters." Allie asked. "Come on you two, we won't bite!" Cassie stated as she picked up a small cloth bag and motioned for our two guests to follow. "Hard." She casually added with a laugh. Sam followed behind in case either girl changed her mind. I waited a minute before turning to Jack. "You sure you can handle both of them Jack, teenagers can be difficult?" "What are you talking about, Alex?" "Sis, Joss doesn't know yet. Wait till Jacki gets here. And you better start calling me Alex!" "Sorry, sis, I got ahead of myself. Okay, ladies, you heard me, since we're the travelers, we change our names. You know the drill." "That's not fair, skip! I just got comfortable calling you Alex, now I have to call you Allie?" "Sorry, Jane, but that's what we agreed to." "I hate that name! I like Jamie better!" She complained. "Hey you picked the name, hun. Carri, when the girls come back casually take care of those scars on Sarah's back. Jack will then relay the locations on Liz that Emily would like you to heal." "What else is wrong with her, Alex...I mean, Allie?" "She has an early form of skin cancer developing in two locations, Carri, among other more severe things." Emily answered in her professional voice. Five familiar faces appeared at the gate to the pool area. "It's about time you got here Brandon. Allie and I have been wondering when you'd show." "Don't blame dad for being late, mom. I was the one dragging my feet. I'm not entirely thrilled about this- not one bit!" Young Alexander said in defense of his Pa. Alex Covington looked at me. "He's starting to hone the family gift, sis. He saw that he would meet her today- can't see why though. He still needs to work on using his little mental friend." She winked as she chuckled. "He'll get it soon enough. Jacki," I reached out and pulled her into a good tight hug. "You sure you want to do this? I see some tough road ahead." "Allie, I missed so much not staying on Terra to raise Connie. At least I can get to do some of that with them- plus, they need a good home and a proper education. I think I can handle the occasional eruptions." She smiled and winked once. "Besides, Randi already has official histories and documentation prepared for them." "As long as y'all are sure, Jack." Amelia had immediately greeted her twin, Emily Rosen, and her husband Spencer. Now we switched and I eagerly greeted Emily in a similar manner. James and Alex wondered off to the far end of the pool and took up residence on a couple lounge chairs- probably to talk about the latest hologames or such. Neither man seemed very interested in attending our little, private pool party. I had a strong suspicion that would soon change. "So I take it Alex gave you the specifics?" "TB is easily curable these days, sis. Do we really need to offer them the Kili water?" "If the future is to work out properly, yes. Wait until you see this, Em." I smiled brightly. "I've already seen what happens from a medical perspective, you know. I just thought the Mahanilui a bit drastic of a cure, but you're the Empress, sis." "Well, I for one can't wait to see what develops, Allie." Spencer Rosen said excitedly as we exchanged a tight hug and a quick kiss of each other's cheek. "I thought you might, Spencer. Does James have any idea yet?" "We don't really know. If he's seen anything it's that he has a new friend to play games with. Allie, he hasn't been real keen on developing or using his gift- I mean the boy's in his seventies, I know he knows how to use them." Emily said in exasperation. "He'll start to use them after today." I winked to my sister and her husband. "I'll second that, sis." Alex Covington said as she put a hand on my shoulder and nodded to the bathhouse. The overall result of modern clothing was spectacular! Cassie escorted Liz out first followed by Sam with Sarah. Liz wore a black one-piece racer with white piping and looked amazingly fit. Sarah wore the same style swimwear only in red with white piping. Both swimsuits tied behind the neck of the wearer. Our Federal period teenagers looked very attractive in twenty-first century swimwear! Both girls locked eyes on the two male adults standing next to Alex and I and instantly froze in place! Each face was a similar shade of red and displayed Alex's 'deer in the headlights' expression. Cassie immediately placed a hand on both girls and all three disappeared, along with Samantha. "Well that was worth waiting for." Brandon laughed. Alex elbowed him. "That's not what I meant and you know it, so just keep your comments to yourself. Remember, these girls were brought up in an age where women were more slave-slash-housekeeper than intellectual equals. As you may know women's suffrage was just getting started back then and you know how long that took to catch on, dear." Brandon remained quiet and gave my future self a weak smile. "Good boy." She said, kissing his cheek lightly. "Hey, Alex? Y'all want to come over here and join the party, please?" Alex turned her attention to the two cousins. "If I have to, mom," Alexander groused as he and James stood up and slowly walked back over to join us. "Boys, we want you to meet some people that Aunt Allie brought for a visit." Cassie, Sam, Sarah, and Liz appeared in front of us. Both young males developed a sudden case of 'stage fright'- eyes wide, mouths slightly agape, severely increased heart rate, and both drew in enough air to challenge a vacuum cleaner! Cassie produced her cell phone thing and pointed it at the two startled young men. "Two guys in ten-year-old swim trunks- twenty bucks. Two guys wearing thirty-year-old flip-flops- a buck and a half. Two guys seeing two really hot babes and actually taking notice of them instead of their hologame consoles- priceless!" Cassie amusingly announced as if quoting some TV or radio commercial. Alex rolled her eyes as Cassie pressed a button, making a beep. The girls obviously noticed the boys and now four people stood silently staring at each other. "Sarah and Liz, this is my brother Alexander, and this is my cousin James. James and Alex, meet Sarah and Elisabeth. Sam introduced them to each other, but I really didn't think they heard a word she said. "Fascinating! What we are witnessing is the none-to-often seen initial mating rituals of the human male in complete contrast and comparison to that of the human female! How bloody lucky we are to all have experienced this rare interaction today!" Mina monologued. All but four pairs of eyes refocused on Mina, amazed by her unexpected sarcastic outburst- amusing as it was. "Mina!" I gasped. "What has gotten into you these past four days?" She remained quiet for a short period. "I have seen your strategy, Empress." She accused, glaring at me. Did I see some hatred in her eyes?" "Despite all my warnings and efforts to dissuade you from tampering with my fate, you have nonetheless found cause to interfere in my future. How dare you change my expiration date and deprive me of my deserved rest?" She hissed. "Look, must we really talk about this now, Highness? I'd like to remember this as the day my son and nephew met their soul mates, not the day my mentor and close friend, Mina, told me to mind my own business and let her die." Alex scolded. "Soul mate? You're a matchmaker now, Aunt Alex?" James looked at my twin in surprise. Young Alexander remained quiet with his eyes still fixed on an equally transfixed Liz. "Like y'all didn't see this coming, Jimmy. You have the family gift as well as Alex here." I pointed to my son. "Are you so afraid to use them as intended?" "No, but..." "No buts about it, Jimmy. I know you've used it in the past. What changed? What made you decide to ignore something so special?" "I...I just want to be normal." He said raising his voice slightly. He looked around at the others then out to the surrounding homes. "I just want to be the same as everyone else. I don't want to be 'special'." He continued in a quieter voice. "Oh, so you want to be like Mina and just allow yourself to fade away even though you still have so much to live for?" I countered. "Empress, I have no intention of just 'fading away'!" Mina protested. "Oh? Then what would you call walking into Chicago the night of the great fire! I know of only three people that would feel comfortable in such an inferno and none of them would be you, my sister! If not wanton suicide, what would you call it?" Alex Covington continued for me, revealing to everyone present her clandestine plan. Jacki and Joss visibly shuddered as they apparently were monitoring my premonitions of the event. "Aunt Mina, why? Why would you have even thought of such an awful thing?" Samantha cried in shock. "Apparently I've already had a change of heart! Isn't that right, Jacquelyn?" Mina eyed Joss. "I have seen myself alive and well in 1952!" "Of course you're still alive, Aunt Mina! I was just so shocked that you had once entertained such ideas!" Sam re-iterated. "Congratulations, Empress, it seems you have saved yet another soul. You have used what has been taught you well. We all know what will be henceforth." Mina said with resignation. "Does this mean we can dispense with all the dramatic, 'Soap Opera' type acting, Mina?" Alex asked with a slight smirk. "This whole thing has been an act?" Emil...Amelia exclaimed. "Mina's unique teaching style, sis. I'll tell you more back at the condo. Now," I turned and motioned to our temporarily forgotten children, "Now can we get back to this pool party? Sis, what time did you reserve the pool till?" "Midnight. Did you bring your bikini?" Alex answered. "Got it right here." I said as I produced the two small items from my left pants pocket. I noticed Sarah and Liz glance my way. "Miss Alex, what you hold in your hand cannot possibly cover enough not to be embarrassing!" Sarah warned. "Yes, scandalous, isn't it?" I giggled with a devious grin. Our two young guests just looked at me in confusion. "My sisters, I just happen to have brought enough for everyone, so let's get this here party goin'! Jack, music if you please?" Alex Covington pronounced with an equally devious smile. What Alex termed 'top ten' music spilled out of the loudspeakers around the pool area and she motioned for me to follow her to the changing rooms. Alexander, James, Liz, and Sarah stayed stationery as Spencer and Brandon stood nearby as chaperones. The others soon joined us in the locker-shower room. 1145hrs, Flagstaff, Arizona, July 11th, 2028 "So, Sarah, what do you think about the twenty-first century?" I asked as I waded over to the yet unsure teen, standing in the shallow end of the pool. "Ma'am?" She answered with a quizzical tilt of her head. I motioned around me. "This. How do you like all this? No cleaning bedpans, no dirt encrusted travelers? Could you be comfortable here in 2028 instead of 1865?" "Miss Alex, this is certainly a wondrous place, but Liz and I do not belong here. All this...this finery...neither of us deserves this." "Poppycock!" Mina interjected. "My dear girl, just because someone isn't born to privilege or wealth isn't cause to deny them basic comforts and happiness. Here, in this time, men and women are held at the same level- both equal in society and the law. The centuries of women's suffrage have resulted in fair treatment no matter what gender. Yes, the world still has its royalty, but it does not mean the same thing. So stop assuming you are inferior and enjoy this liberated era, and by all means, say what is on your mind, child. No one here would want it any other way." The girl remained quiet as she thought about what Mina had said. I nodded to Carri as she walked up behind Sarah. "Sarah, you seem to be getting a little sun burnt. Mind if I rub on some suntan lotion so you won't burn so fast?" Carri said to our meek guest as she squeezed some white liquid out into her hand and began to apply the lotion to Sarah's back. With every pass of Carri Masterson's hand, evidence of Sarah's lash scars began to fade. Liz, noticing the miracle as it happened next to her, let her mouth drop open, but remained quiet while watching intently. Occasionally she would look over to me in bewilderment. I simply winked and shook my head slightly for her to remain silent. Tears began to form in Elisabeth's eyes as she waded over to me. She silently mouthed 'thank you' before wrapping her arms around me tightly. I could feel the teen quiver as she began to gently cry into my shoulder. "More wonders are yours to experience if you'll allow us, sister." I whispered into her ear as she continued to weep, happy that Sarah's back was now smooth and supple- no longer disfigured by the ugly scars of her past. "Why would you do this for us, oh mighty Empress?" She whispered to me after a few minutes. "Um...because I...because we can, honey- because you and Sarah can be sooo much more than common servants. You girls have gifts, not unlike us. Would it be wrong not to let you develop them- to use them to help and do good?" I asked, smiling at her. "But we have no gift like you or the others, mighty Empress." "Okay, I'm tellin' y'all fer the las' time, hun, my name is Alexandra! Alex or Allie fer short- dependin' on which side o' time we're on, of course!" I corrected her, a little annoyed. "What our EMPRESS is trying to say, Elisabeth, is that we are who we make ourselves to be- how we use those gifts given us. You see, you and Sarah most definitely have gifts, gifts that need tutelage in order to develop correctly. We only wish to provide that education and guidance." Mina interrupted, to my relief. The 'Mighty Empress' moniker needed to be stopped immediately! From the corner of my eye, I saw the water's surface deflect and shimmer slightly. Searching my feelings, I decided to avert our guests' losing any personal continence. "Alexander, I really don't think it wise to frighten our guests anymore, so decloak if you want to talk to Liz." I warned, keeping my eyes on the fragile girl still in my arms. As I said that, Liz looked around in time to see my future son become translucent then tangible. "How do you do that?" She asked him curiously. "D...d...do...do what?" Alex stuttered. "How do you appear and disappear like that?" Liz refined her question further. "I...I...I don't know. I just...I just do it. What does it matter to you anyway?" Alex stuttered more before going on the defensive. "I think it wondrous! To be able to disappear at will like that- it's so magical!" A slight smile appeared on the girl's face. "It's not that amazing." Young Alex blushed. He started to go translucent again. "Oh, please sir, don't go! I meant not to embarrass you. I simply have paid you a compliment. Forgive me for being so forward." Liz said quickly- her head sadly tilting forward, before the boy disappeared all together. Too late, the only sign left of Alexander was the strange shimmer of the water where he still stood before us. Liz looked up at me then back to where he had been. Sorrow filled her eyes. "Young man, is that any way to treat our guests? You rephase and apologize to Elisabeth this instant!" I scolded. Alex quickly reappeared in the same spot. "Sorry, mom, I...she...I'm sorry, ma'am." He said with his head lowered, not once making eye contact with her. "Alex, maybe Liz would like you to show her what it's like to phase out?" "Oh yes, Empress! I would be ever so indebted, kind sir!" "Why would you want to do that, it's nothing special? I do it all the time." Alex asked, confused by such a simple act. "Alex, Elisabeth has never experienced what you, your sisters, or I consider mundane. Just phase the two of you out and walk through a couple of your aunts then rephase. I'm sure she would be thrilled by that?" I winked at him with a devious smile. "Aw, mom!" I glared at the boy. "Alright. Elisabeth, you'll need to take my hand so we can both disappear. If you let go, you will rephase...reappear instantly." He instructed. "When...if we walk through people or things, make sure to hold tight, I wouldn't want you to materialize inside someone. Got it?" An enthusiastic Liz nodded her head multiple times. Alex nervously reached out to take her hand, as did Elisabeth. Upon contact, both teens looked first at their hands then at each other in confusion. Each teen's face flushed instantly. The look on my son's face as he turned to me spoke volumes as to the status of his developing gift. Elisabeth too looked to me- her face displaying a multitude of questions requiring answer. I simply raised an eyebrow, as my devious smile grew wider. 'Oh, if you could hear the language! The boy swears like a sailor, Alex!' Jack thought to me. 'Gee, I wonder where he gets it, Jack?' I thought back with a little extra sarcasm. Instantly Alex and Liz vanished. Two distinct shimmers could be seen moving away from me- to the steps close by. Each shimmer diminished until gone completely as the two teenagers apparently left the water. "Fell for each other completely, Allie?" Spencer asked quietly after swimming over to me. "Like a stone in a pond, Spence. From this point on, Alexander makes his own future. His gift is now fully developed." Alex and Brandon walked over to us. "Thank you, sis! I guess I don't need to tell you how long I've been waiting for this to happen?" I smiled even wider. "When are we going to eat? I'm starved." I said, changing the subject. I was now confident that both future and past would flow smoothly- well this part of the past, anyway! There would still be many missions to the far and near past- small gremlins popping they're angry heads up from time to time. I realized I hadn't seen Cassie or Sam lately, asked a question mentally and received an answer just as the two appeared at one of the two long buffet tables setup alongside the shower building wall. A few minutes later, Cassie placed finger and thumb to her mouth and whistled. Lunch was served and we all left the water. An assortment of cold cuts, sliced vegetables, condiments and two kinds of dip greeted us as we formed a line to take our turn. A container of sun tea and another with lemonade finished out the offerings at the end of the second table. An ice chest containing ice-cold beer sat on the ground beside the table's end. "Leave that for the men folk, girls. We have a legal drinking age of twenty-one here in the twenty-first century!" Alex Covington announced as Sarah bent down to inspect the strange metallic cylinders. Canned goods were still a pretty new technology back in 1865. Soon we had each laid claim to a lounge chair and were enjoying our lunch. "So, how was it, Alex?" I asked my twin. "How was what, hun?" "The night you brought Sandy back from DC?" "Which time was that, sis?" "The night of the charity ball...in January. Or, has it been too long ago for you to remember?" "A lady nev'a kisses an' tells, suga! You'll just have ta find out firsthand." Alex giggled. "I'm surprised at y'all for even askin' sis. Y'all should have those memories already in storage." "Mom, do you two have to do that? I mean, really?" Alexander asked in embarrassment from where he shared a seat with Liz. The two made a great looking couple. "Miss Alex, before, when you had Miss Corrine cure Sarah's back, what did you mean 'there are more wonders to experience if we would allow you'? You also called me 'sister', why?" There was a rustling from Sarah as she tried in vain to see her back after hearing Liz say it was healed. She succeeded in running her hand over her lower back feeling only smooth, undamaged skin. "How did you do that?" "Miss Corrine healed you while in the pool, Sarah! Isn't it wonderful?" Liz chirped happily to her friend. The teen turned around and stared at Corrine...Carri Masterson. Carri smiled. "Yes, sweetie, my gift helps me heal cosmetic differences such as scars, blemishes, hair length, hair color, skin afflictions, even skin tone, just to name a few. Oh, and you are very welcome, sweetie." "You can really do that, ma'am?" Carri remained quiet. She showed the girl her bare finger and reached over to Jamie. She touched her cheek for a moment then removed it to reveal a cute, dark mole. Sarah's eyes widened. Carri repeated the process and the blemish had disappeared completely. The teen swallowed hard and took another sip of her drink. "My sincere thanks, Miss Corrine, I shall be forever in your debt." "Just to see that smile is more payment than I require, Sarah. I hope the pain associated with those scars has also subsided." The teen's eyes widen as she realized it was indeed true. "Why do you do this for us, Empress?" Liz caught my attention again. Both Alex Covington and I twisted our heads around to glare at our other teenage guest. "Elisabeth, I think you better call my mom by her given name and not that title. She gets very upset when friends and relatives use it." Young Alexander told his seatmate. "Sorry, Miss Alex, but why show such charity to common chamber maids?" I thought a minute as to how I was going to explain things further and still conceal the obvious. "Liz," I paused. "Liz, have you ever once had the opportunity to stop doing what you are required to do for a moment and think- or ask: 'Is this all that I am, or can I rise above my seemingly inferred station in this life and become...be something better? Do something better?" "You mean to dream of being someone else or somewhere else, ma'am?" "Like when we used to pretend that we were the president's daughters, Liz." Sarah added shyly. Liz thought about it. "I sometimes look to the moon and wonder what it would be like to meet the man rumored to reside there." "Elisabeth, there is no such person as the man in the moon. American Astronauts, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin proved that when they walked on the moon fifty-nine years ago." Alexander explained. "A man has actually traveled to the moon, Alexander?" The girl said to him in wide-eyed amazement. "Ya, we've gone to the moon a bunch of times. Mom's been to a few planets too. It's not so fantastic." He said nonchalantly. "I even have a half-sister that was born on a planet named Terra." Alexander babbled. "You've been to another planet, Empress? What was it like?" Liz asked as her eyes sparkled with excitement. I noticed both teens sit bolt upright in curiosity. "It is no different than me sitting here with you, honey, although the scenery is a little different." My voice suddenly responded from behind Sarah's lounge chair. Liz's eyes almost popped from her head and Sarah almost gave herself whiplash turning toward the voice. "Alex and I were wondering when you'd get here, Alexandra." I said, rising from my seat. Alex and I walked over to our Granddaughter and each kissed her and gave her a welcoming hug. Each of us felt the familiar tingle as we touched. "Sarah, Elisabeth, I'd like you to meet my Granddaughter, Alexandra, Second Granddaughter to Tibius, the Grand High Consul of Citadel, Terra." Alexandra suddenly appeared before Liz, shook her hand, and gave a Terran-incorrect welcome: 'Hi! How y'all doin'? Call me Alex'! She then appeared in front of Sarah and repeated the salutation. "My, aren't we the show off?" Mina sniped. "Aunt Mina, I've missed you too. How y'all been?" Mina was too busy having the stuffing squeezed out of her to answer. Sarah was still looking at her hand- the one she shook Alexandra's with. "You...you..." She stuttered looking up to the heavens. "Yup, that's right, honey, I'm from out there!" She made her last sentence sound spooky and giggled. Alexandra turned back to Alex Covington and I. "Mom says to say hi, Grandma. I wanted her to come along, but, well, y'all know how proper she can be. Truth is I think she's still traumatized by her little stint as a Pixie. On occasion I catch her playin' with Connie's kid like she was the adolescent, you know?" She giggled again. "Y...you...yyyyyou look just like her!" Sarah piped up again- disbelief very evident in her voice. "A regular Sherlock, this one." Alexandra pointed her thumb back to the confused teen without turning. "1865? Remember?" I coaxed her to pull up the now-shared memories. "Oh ya. OH! Oh, Grandma, I'm sorry!" She walked back to me and wrapped her arms around me once more. "That was a horrible thing to go through. Forgive my insensitivity." "Hey kid, you going to change from that out-of-this-world clothing and into something a little more Earthy?" Alex Covington chuckled. Alexandra's clothing immediately transformed into a beautiful, pink trimmed, black one-piece swimsuit, complete with pink and black sandals. "Is this more befitting the party, Grandmother?" From the look on Emily and Amelia's face, Alex and I must have both rolled our eyes. "Miss Emily?" Sarah looked to Amelia. "Ma'am, being a physician, could you prescribe treatment or poultice for inside wounds to the head? I fear the pain of which is becoming severe!" "How did you know I was a doctor, Sarah?" Both Emily's looked surprised while Amelia responded. Sarah lowered her eyes as if searching the ground for the answer. "I...I don't know, Miss Emily. It may have been mentioned before we left the mansion this morning." "You...you can read her mind? You can read my mother's mind, Sarah?" My nephew, James asked from a few chairs away. "No. It must have been told to me earlier! I have no special powers- I swear!" "Grandmother Empress, these are the two?" Alexandra leaned over and whispered into my ear. "These are the two that bring love, happiness, and longevity to our family here on Earth?" "Shhh!" I whispered to her, "That is for Alexander and James to decide. They must use their gifts for confirmation." "But I...we have seen this to be true, Grandma. Why keep it such a mystery?" "Did I not teach you how to use your gift? "As I recall, it was I that first demonstrated my gift to you." "Okay okay. James and Alex just needed a little push here, Alexandra. Just a little nudge to prove it useful." "You are ever so devious, Grandma!" "As I recall it, you were the devious one, my little pixie." "Oh, you heard about that, huh?" Alexandra blushed. "Sharing." I sang, pointing to my head, even before I used my little friend to see that there was another meaning to her statement. It was my granddaughter's turn to roll her eyes. I nodded over to Sarah. "Watch." "Ma'am, I didn't know that you had experienced the Mahanilui. I should have enlisted my own gift so I wouldn't insult you. I figured you were just a normal person and not a member of my aunt's sisterhood." My nephew James told Sarah. "I am deeply sorry, Sarah." James took the girl's hand in his...and froze! It was evident that James was, at that very moment, accessing his gift- really accessing his gift! A pleasant smile washed over his face, eyes still closed, as images flashed in his mind- images of the future- of his future. Sarah had also closed her eyes and a similar smile appeared on her face. "But she hasn't been through the Mahanilui yet, Grandma." Alexandra whispered. "Shhh!" Alex and I said together. "Fascinating!" I heard Spencer say. Just the way he said it though, made a memory of some old TV show appear in my mind...one of Alex's, I presumed. "Aunt Allie! Why do you do this? I'm perfectly able to see my own future, you know." James lamented, opening his eyes suddenly. Sarah's expression as she looked to Alex and I, said something else entirely. "You knew this would happen! You knew that Liz and I would travel with you! You knew we would meet..." "Honey, I wouldn't be much of a clairvoyant or Empress if I couldn't see something so blatantly obvious!" I interrupted the teen. Alex and I raised the same eyebrow. "Yes, James, Miss Alex knew we would meet each other. She also foresaw our vows." "Vows?" He closed his eyes for a second. "Oh. Oh! You mean marriage?" He gulped."Oh!" "She has also seen her son's union with Liz!" Sarah continued. A finger tapped my shoulder. "Are you sure they didn't hit the strong stuff yet, Alex?" Spencer asked quietly in my ear. I calmly shook my head 'no'. "She's already pretty impressive, Empress. How powerful will she become after the alcohol she consumes this evening?" He inquired in a whisper. "Miss Goode will remain humble to her gift as she develops it to match Jack's, Spencer. She will never misuse it as long as she lives, but will prove indispensible as a tutor to her many students." "A teacher? How wonderful, Alex! Wasn't the original Sarah Goode a teacher also?" "Ask Alex, I make the trip back this fall...I mean fall of 1944." I motioned to her with a nod. "I never did find out, sis." Alex whispered from beside me. "We were having too much fun watching Jemma put the fear of God into those pompous...into those poor colonists. Imagine the surprise on their faces when she sat straight up after her fourth dunking and asked for more!" We both giggled at the memory. "They never could get that bonfire to do anything more than smolder before she just...poof!" Alex couldn't hold in her nervous laughter. "Will our Miss Goode get to meet her namesake, Alex?" Spencer shook his head as he waited, then asked his sister-in-law after she had regained control. "As will Miss Bishop, Spence! They look remarkably alike except for height and hair color." "And who says history doesn't repeat itself?" He grinned. "You'll never hear that from me, Spencer- never hear that from me!" I repeated as Alex and I laughed again. "And what gift will Elisabeth Bishop receive when she wakes tomorrow morning, Alex?" My future brother-in-law asked, more out of curiosity. "Ew! Ew! I can answer that one!" Alex chimed out like a third grader. "She receives my son's heart!" She laughed maniacally. I looked at her as seriously as possible without rolling my eyes. "When Liz finishes her schooling, and Jack finishes her lessons, Liz will be a first rate Mind Warrior in her own right." "So the two girls are more sisters than they know?" He deduced correctly. "Especially after tonight." I winked with a huge smile on my face. "You really do love being so devious, don't you, Empress?" "Hey, a girl's gotta have some fun, right?" Alex and I said and giggled in unison. 1945hrs, Flagstaff, Arizona, July 11th, 2028 "So, are you ready to open up your presents, Sarah?" Alex Covington asked as she appeared in the archway between Emily's living room and hallway. "How would you know when my day of birth is, Miss Alex?" The shocked girl asked. "Do you really have to ask that, hun," Alex tsk'ed her? "I thought everyone here knew that today is your eighteenth birthday." "She's only eighteen?" I heard James ask his mother. Emily simply patted her son's leg a few times and looked at me with a smile. 'She'll probably be thirty before Jack let's you near her, hun.' I thought in jest. 'Thirty-five!' Jacki thought back quickly. Alex and I started laughing. Brandon, Cassie, and Sam appeared behind Alex carrying several fancy- wrapped boxes. Each handed them to our guest of honor. Sarah immediately broke into tears after opening the first of the six gifts- two new pair of denim jeans. James instantly wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close. "What's the matter, don't you like them?" "They are wonderful! I just...I...I just never received presents before." She sniffed before wiping her eyes. "You've never gotten presents before? I thought Christmas was observed back then?" "We do. Mrs. Lincoln made sure we all received a Christmas dinner and Mrs. Brand, the mansion cook, made extra pastries, which we are only to eat in the kitchen. Any clothes I own were made by either Liz or I using cloth bought from the millenary using the small stipend our chores provide. This garment, its...it's so soft and pleasing in color- surely fit for royalty!" She exclaimed before holding the blue jeans with both hands, moving them closer to her face, and closing her eyes, reveling in her first real gift. What would she do with the new sneakers Alex and I had popped into town to purchase earlier, I wondered? All told, Sarah now had a good start on her twenty-first century wardrobe having received new jeans, several causal blouses, new sneakers, and two modern dresses. Nothing she received required the use of a hoop, hairnet, or corset either! I noticed Liz valiantly holding a smile as her friend opened present after present. Queue the future Empress, my Granddaughter, Alexandra, I thought. "Elisabeth Bishop, I sense some resentment toward your sister Sarah?" She stated, appearing in the center of the room directly in front of our seemingly slighted guest. To say the girl was startled was an understatement! "No, Empress." She looked over to Alex and I cautiously as to ask if that were the correct way to address her. "I definitely am not covetous of my friend's acquirements! I simply wish it were my birthday also." I don't know how she did it, or whether I could do likewise, but Alexandra produced two nicely wrapped packages from behind her back- supposedly out of thin air! How did she manage to keep them phased independently? "Happy belated birthday, Elisabeth Bishop!" She exclaimed, handing the teen both mysterious boxes. "I venture to wonder where she acquired her showmanship, Alexandra?" Mina looked in my direction and smiled. Liz displayed the same emotions as her sister, receiving two pairs of jeans, two nice blouses, a pair of sneakers, and three 'T's'... All from one, three inch high, twelve by eighteen inch box! Leave it to the Terrans to maximize storage space! I think we all wondered what the second package could hold. "This next package is from me, my mother, and my grandfather exclusively, Liz! What is contained inside is for both you and Sarah with our sincerest wishes that you both have the happiest of lives- no matter which ti...time you choose to live in!" My Granddaughter began to choke up as she handed over the next box. Liz looked confused by Alexandra's emotional slip as she assessed the present. She quickly opened and produced from it a genuine, golden Terran sheath dress similar to the one Alexis wore on my first visit to Citadel! The ecstatic teen looked at my granddaughter in silence, her mouth apparently incapable of producing any sound. "Look farther into the packing, Elisabeth, there is something for your sister too!" Alexandra prompted the stunned girl. In total, two dresses of similar design, one gold, one silver; four pairs of matching high-heeled shoes, two matching purses, and two matching full slips were retrieved from the alien package, though I suspected it could hold twice as much. Chief Samuel's duffle bag came to mind. I wondered if that was how they actually did it. "This is all too much for simple servants as us, Empress! We...we do not deserve such charity!" Sarah insisted. Liz, still dumbfounded, nodded her head. "I look forward to seeing y'all in those the next time you visit Terra. I hope they still fit y'all by then. Grandfather included a little extra feature, but I'll let y'all find that one on your own." Alexandra turned to Alex Covington and I. "Grandmother Empress, I must take my leave now. I have pressing business in Citadel, which involves a three Earth year layover and a girl named Alexia. I look forward to your next visit, my sisters." Alex and I wrapped our arms around our granddaughter and received the customary tingle. The information shared brought tears of joy to our eyes. In unison, we both kissed a cheek then stepped back. "See y'all later," were her last words before vanishing. "You saw that, right, sis?" Alex asked me as we looked at each other. "Yep!" I replied and noticed a large smile on Sarah's face. "It is wonderful news is it not?" She smiled wider. "Jack, I think you and Connie have competition." I glared at my future first officer. "Honey," I turned my softened face to our birthday girl, "It ain't nice to eavesdrop in someone's head without permission!" I scolded. "Especially when it's the Empress's head! Honey, there ain't no tellin' what horror you might see in there!" I pictured the Arizona's main guns going off during a readiness targeting exercise I participated in before the war started. Sarah noticeably jumped. "See what I mean, hun?" I smiled devilishly. "Yes, ma'am." "Miss Alex?" Liz tried to catch my attention. "What is it hun?" Alex and I both answered at the same time. Emily, both of them glared at us. "Ma'am, Alexandra mentioned that we would visit her on her planet...um...Terra?" "You heard right, hun." "She also wished us happiness in whichever time we chose. What did she mean by that if I may be so bold?" She asked, shying away a bit. "First off, hun, never be afraid to ask questions- especially to me or any of our sisters! Secondly, you and Sarah are welcome to stay here in the twenty-first century should you choose. Identities and official documentation have already been created and a proper legal guardian has stepped forward, ready to provide a home. You shall receive a proper education and, as an added benefit, experience new lands, peoples and worlds! Jacquelyn Cummins has also agreed to teach you both how to read and write should you accept." I smiled, waiting for what I had said to be grasped. To increase the chances of my offer being accepted, I began to playback the images I had foreseen. Sarah's eyes became large as saucers! "You mean...you mean we can stay...here?" She screeched in excitement. Liz, distracted by her friend's sudden outburst, momentarily looked at her then back at me. She seemed on the verge of crying- whether that was good or bad; I had no idea without consulting my gift. Sarah looked to James sitting next to her. She seemed to be reading him then suddenly looked at Liz, sitting next to Alex. "Liz, we can stay! Empress Alexandra says we can stay!" She said slightly confused by her friend's unheard response. Elisabeth's expression remained dour. "No, Liz! The Empress says we can stay! You can see Alex any time you want! Is that not wonderful?" "I...I can?" "Sure, hun. but your education comes first- yours too, Sarah Goode!" I reassured them both. "You want to see...me?" Young Alex gulped in surprise. Liz slowly took the young man's hand in hers, answering his question. "Oh bloody hell, you've gone and set me to crying!" "Mina!" We all chorused. "I know!" Spencer suddenly shouted. "Let's celebrate! Alex, do you think it might be alright just this once?" He looked for acknowledgement from my twin. "I think it best they make that choice, Spence, don't you?" "Of course, Empress, I didn't mean to rush things. Please." He motioned for one of us to continue. "What other choice are we to make other than whether to stay here or go home?" Sarah asked. "Whether we should decide to become one of them, Sarah." Liz surprised us all with her astute deduction. "You wish us to become like you, Empress? I sorely lack the confidence to receive such powerful gifts as you possess." She looked down to the floor. "What will Mrs. and President Lincoln say should we accept?" Liz questioned. "Who will provide bedchamber services to them in our absence?" She asked in concern. "Are you two the only chambermaids at the mansion, hun?" "No, there are twelve of us." "Then there should be no problem until two more excellent servants such as you can be found." I said suddenly thinking about Emily's diagnosis of the two girls. "Consumption? We both have consumption, Empress? Is that why you offer such extravagances? Because we are dying?" Sarah looked appalled. "Once again it's not nice to read someone's mind without permission, Sarah Goode! It is what got your ancestor murdered so many years ago!" I pictured another battleship salvo in my mind. I noticed both Jacks prepare themselves as I did so. Sarah and Liz jumped this time. Why must you do that, Empress? Why must you picture such horrible images?" "To teach you a lesson, sweetie! Simply because you have such a gift doesn't always mean it's to be used every hour of every day! Alex had your best interests in mind when she brought you here. The Mahanilui is offered to you freely and not just as a cure for Tuberculosis!" Joss told the girls concisely. "Although the Mahanilui will completely eradicate the disease, modern medicine is quite capable of also curing it. The Empress's intentions are pure and carry no indenture of any kind." Joss got up, walked over to her, and placed a hand on the girl's shoulder. "Sarah, you and Liz already have the tiny machines- we call them nanos- that result in the Mahanilui in your bodies. They are water-borne, but require a catalyst to activate. They have not and will not harm you in any way, I assure you. We girls have all consumed the tea and lemonade from earlier today and, as you can see, suffered no ill effects. You alone must choose the path ahead of you. Even though I have seen the path you both likely choose, I now leave the choice up to you." Alex Covington assured them. Alex and I took our seats to wait while the two girls made they're decision. "Miss Jacquelyn, you would allow us residence, teach us, and guard over us as the Empress has said?" "As long as you both abide by my rules, yes." Jacki smiled thoughtfully. Her glass, now empty of its sweet tea, rose from her hand and whisked itself out of the room and into the kitchen. Both girls blinked in amazement of what they had just seen. Each began to stare in fear at their tentative mentor. "You two should just chill out! I'll teach you both how to do it when its time." Jacki told the two. "If you've decided to stay, that is." Both teens nodded their heads in silence- eyes wide, mouths still agape. "Should I get the hundred-proof, Empress?" Brandon asked quietly from beside Alex. I raised a hand. "Not yet, dear, I have to hear it from both of them first." Jack looked around at me and winked. "I'll require you both to attend school with one hundred percent attendance! All homework must be completed in a reasonable amount of time. Any problems understanding said homework or lessons must be communicated to me in real-time telepathically. We all share the daily household cho