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Poster's Note: Wren wrote this chapter and sent it to me at the beginning of December. She was really excited to finish the story. I'm sorry it took me a while to get around to posting it but her untimely passing hit me hard. Though I didn't know her for very long, the two of us had become quick friends :) Here is the last chapter of her DRU story, A Familiar Experience. Wren will be missed---EOF
 

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The rented Jaguar sped comfortably along the highway. The rain was cold and persistent, but Taylor had no problems driving in it. Laura’s smile seemed almost constant and she felt happy, almost giddy at their situation.

“I can’t believe it, Tay! I’m actually in England! This is so cool, and I can’t wait to meet your family!”

“There isn’t really a great deal of family to meet, love. As you know, I’m an only child, and I don’t have a great deal of extended family. I was a late child and I only have one grand parent left, my mother’s mother, Elaine. She lives in a home for the elderly, as she has some medical issues, but you will meet her soon. My father, Duncan Michaels, is an orphan and a very reserved man, and I’ve told you how I felt alienated from my parents.

Helen Michaels, my mother, has two younger sisters, my Aunt Penelope (Penny) and her husband Uncle Lawrence, and my Aunt Millicent (never Millie, please) and Uncle Hubert. I should be surprised if they were there to welcome us, as we are not a close family.”

Eventually, they pulled into a drive that led to a gate. Taylor pushed a series of buttons and the gate opened, so he continued to drive up to a large brick home. They went in and Laura was surprised at the size of the rooms. They seemed rather smaller than she would have expected. A girl in a grey dress that ended below her knees, wearing a white apron and a white cap met them. She looked to be not much older than Taylor.

“Good evening, welcome home Sir, Ma’am.”

“Hello Annie, this is my wife, Laura, and this jewel is Mum’s maid, Annie Smithers.” Annie blushed and curtsied. “Are my parents home?”

“Yes, Sir, your mother is in the sitting room.”

“Thanks, Annie. Well, are you ready to meet the family?”

“Lead on, MacDuff!”

Taylor groaned at her joke, and then he took her hand and led her into a nicely sized room with a pleasantly crackling fire in a brick fireplace. Taylor’s mother, a smiling, slim, gray/blonde haired woman about Taylor’s height stood to greet them with hugs.

“Oh, I am so glad you’re home,” She told Taylor. “And you, Laura my darling, are more beautiful than the boys have told me. Please, call me Mum, dear. I hope your trip was pleasant?”

“Oh yes, I’ve found it fascinating. I’ve never traveled before, so this is all very new to me.”

“Is Father not here, Mum?” Taylor asked.

“No, he was called to London, but I expect him soon, as he is most interested to see you and your bride.”

“I look forward to meeting him as well.” Laura said, and she yawned. “Oh, I’m sorry, Mum, I wasn’t expecting that.”

“No need, dear, you’ve had a long trip here. Taylor I’ve had the Blue room set up for the two of you, why don’t you take your lovely bride and get settled, dear?”

Taylor gave his Mum a quick kiss on the cheek, and then led Laura to their room. He made sure she was comfortably asleep, and then he transformed into Mystic and made her way to the reading room. She brushed up against Helen’s ankles and purred.

“Oh, how did you...Taylor?”

“Meraow!” Mystic jumped into her lap and let herself be stroked.

“Oh, you’re beautiful, dear! Such lovely fur, it’s so soft.” Mystic purred and made herself comfortable.

Annie appeared to announce lunch, and saw the cat on her mistresses’ lap.

“I surprised they didn’t mention any pets.” Annie said, and she shivered. “I’ve never liked cats. They’re too sneaky!”

“Oh, I suspect you might feel differently about this one, Annie.” She knew about the crush Annie had for Taylor before he went to America and found such a gorgeous bride. “You’ll probably see her fairly frequently, at least until Taylor’s new home is ready.”

Annie turned, mumbling something about a litter box.

Mystic meowed and jumped down, then went to their room, where she transformed back to Taylor, dressed and then walked back to the reading room.

“What did you think Mum?”

“I think you’re really going to confuse poor Annie, but I have to admit, seeing that gives me ideas. Work related ideas. I’m going to call Jamie and ask him to dinner tonight. I think we need to talk.”

>.< -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >.<

Dinner was excellent, a very tasty roast, cooked with a collection of vegetables, and followed by an excellent apple pie. After they finished everyone gathered in the Reading room.

“Laura,” Helen asked, “Taylor and Jamie have told me that you’re a witch, and from what I know of witches, you would still be a novice, correct?”

“Yes, Mum,” Laura agreed. “My mother has been training me for approximately four years. I have memorized several spells, and I am continuing my training with my mother by teleconference, once we get settled.”

“Feel free to use the computer in our library, or see Annie, and she hook your lapt3op up to our wireless network,” Helen suggested.

“That would be helpful. Taylor and I discussed the possibility of working for you in your official capacity. Do you think we could be helpful, Mum?”

“Yes, dear, as a matter of fact, I had planned to suggest just such an arrangement, but with the addition of Jamie. The three of you could be a team, helping to investigate suspected paranormal activity. It may be real or completely fraudulent, but to protect our country, we must do our best to investigate and, where possible, explain and control these phenomena.

It is my suggestion that Sergeant King lead the team, officially, but I realize that the logistics will be very informal. Your talents and abilities will need to be understood between you as well, so try to let Jamie deal with the day to day distractions and work with him to find the best way of operating. We will set up a budget for you, and do our best to keep you technologically up to speed.”

Taylor and Jamie looked at each other with sly smiles, while Laura simply looked at Helen.

“Boys and their toys,” She said, and the ladies giggled at the guys’ reaction of feigned innocence.

“We need the proper tools, Laura!” Jamie insisted while Taylor just laughed.

A bright beam of light cut short the joviality, as the sound of an approaching helicopter grew closer. It came to rest behind the house, and Laura saw a man coming towardss the door. As he approached she could see that he resembled an older, more distinguished Taylor. This must be her new Father-in-law. He was obviously a much darker, more serious man than her husband. He walked up to embrace Helen, and then he smiled and held out his hands to Laura.

“Welcome to the family, Laura.” As she walked up, she saw behind the seriousness an excitement and a spark of the charm that Taylor had, and she decided she liked him. Reassured, she walked over and kissed his cheek.

“Thanks, Daddy!” she said, and Taylor bent over with laughter at her impertinence. Soon everyone was chuckling, and Helen knew it was the perfect beginning to their new relationship.

Duncan smiled, but he quickly became serious. “I hope I can count on you three right away. We appear to have a puzzling problem, right into your bailiwick.”

James looked at Taylor, who nodded.

“Yes, sir, my team is ready, sir!”

“Good man, well done.” He sat down in a comfortable chair and pulled some papers from a briefcase. “There have been several small but important and impossible thefts at the home of the head of security. This is our chance to demonstrate our new team’s effectiveness. James, I want you to focus on locating the items on this list, while Mystic goes in as recognizance and Laura handles communications. I’ve assured everyone that we will be professional and provide some answers for these incursions as soon as possible, so do your best.”

“Rest assured, sir, we’ll answer some of your questions as quickly as we can.”

“Very well, Sergeant, take the heli, your transportation in London is arranged, good luck, all.”

“Thank you. Sir.”

They watched the new team depart, and Helen turned to her husband. “They’ll be a good team, Duncan.”

Of course they will. Lord help us, if she’s anything like they are, they won’t allow themselves to fail.” He smiled.

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This is the end of A Familiar Experience. No, it’s not the end of the story...