Patricia and Jessica, having completed what they set out to do, must now try to return home and pick up their lives. Elements and Themes listed apply to entire story, Rating to this submission. Thanks to Marina Kelly and Robyn Hoode for editorial assistance. I appreciate the perseverance of all those readers who stuck with me to the completion of this story. See my authors page for information about my next story and the possibility of a sequel to "Severance Pay"

Chapter 15

The phone rang in our suite waking both Mom and me.

“Hello,” Mom said.

“Oh my God, have you seen the news?”

It was Gloria, and she was beside herself.

“What news?”

Chapter *14*

Bernies Back

I'm not sure what I expected; some shaven headed lag with LOVE HATE tattooed across the knuckles perhaps. The reality of course is that Bern was just Bern, bigger of course, junior isn't far off making an appearance, but Bern nevertheless.

Vanilla Sky…Part 9.

*Before…

I’m kind of perplexed watching it until in like twenty minutes the fire’s out and the water’s starting to touch my toes.

“Wow…what?”

“Bay of Fundy tides Sam, fastest and highest tides in the world.” Shane says smiling.

“Okay…that was very, very cool.” I’m actually sill impressed with it still and still stealing glances at the water as we walk back to the vehicles and the guys drive us all home. Music’s on, heater on, friends and just…I want to live now…I want my life so badly now.

*And Now…

The Faithful, North African and Middle Eastern Islamic nations, are plotting to seize the oil resources of the Middle East. By controlling the earth's oil and its major trade routes, they plan to bring the world to its knees. Then, when the entire world is kneeling, the Faithful of Allah will read to them from the Koran, preaching the message of Islam, the True Faith. The Faithful will stop at nothing to achieve their goal. But how far will they go? And how many lives will it cost?

The Tempest

Drustina completes her 'Tour of Inspection' of the Saxon and Mercian realms then makes preparations to espy the western Celtic seas and realms to ascertain what can be done to thwart the growing Norse threat.

Gretchen and Patty attend the New Years Eve Dance where Patty has a disturbing realization. Cardoza's hit team strikes. Lipscomb begins Phase Two of his plan. Themes and Elements listed apply to entire story, Rating to this submission. Thanks to Marina Kelly and Robyn Hoode for editorial assistance.

The big night finally arrived and I was ready when Kurt arrived with Melisa and Brian. Because it was the Homecoming dance I dressed casually, a mini showing my legs a cute blouse with a scooped neck and two inch heels. I did my own makeup and my hair had been style a week before at a photo shoot, so I was looking better than I thought I would. Everything was perfect except for the butterflies in my stomach.

Drustina and her companions complete their 'tour of inspection' to ascertain the general preparedness of the Saxons and Mercians to combat the Norse threat. Finally they return to Winchester to witness the marriage of Ethelred the Wessex king to Sonala the Mercian Princess.

The Girls play in the Catholic Holiday Tourney with spectacular but dangerous results. Raymond Hobbes hosts a Christmas Party over Cardozas strenuous objections. Escaban chooses his hit team. Patricia and Gretchen negotiate the terms of the New Years Dance. Themes and Elements listed apply to entire story, Rating to this submission. Thanks to Marina Kelly and Robyn Hoode for editorial assistance.

The Maiden of Bronze

Chapter 4 Part 2

Doc Savage and Pat Savage are the Property of Street and Smith. Introducing a future time line inspired by Doc Savage.

By: Desiree

I'm most Grateful to my Beloved Jasmine as she has and always will be my most wonderful muse.

Chapter 13

The party's departure from Castle Tranidor does not go smoothly as there are interruptions, first from Kalikan and then from unexpected visitors. Garia finds time to explain a pivotal financial institution before the party finally leave for the south.

What a good boy…Chapter 25

Chapter 25

I get up after a few minutes and head over to where Jamey is sitting and ease down into the seats. He looks over to me and he smiles ad blushes. I grin. “Looking at the pretty?”

“I uhm…” He’s turning red.

“Hey as a V-boy and new to the whole with guy’s thing too I’m seeing the same kind of yummy.”

“I…Oh damn Tracy…I can’t help it, you and me…it was so good I see them and I’m wondering and I’m not sure I want to.”

“It’s a trip.” I nod and sort of lean on his shoulder. “I was so on the fence about being attracted to you.”

“Me…?”

“Yes you, you’re a beautiful boy.”

After relieving the village of Dore from its Viking occupiers, Drustina is angered to learn that the occupying Vikings have consumed all the stores gathered for the winter. Thus when the invaders returned to Yorvik they would leave the Saxon women and children to starve.
In an 'out-of-character' fit of revenge, Drustina decides to curb the Viking appetites for excess in a particularly malicious way.

An undercover agent's worst fear occurs and Patricia must change the rules of the game to survive. Themes and Elements listed apply to entire story, Rating to this submission. Thanks to Marina Kelly and Robyn Hoode for editorial assistance.

X-Why-Me… Chapter 17

Chapter 17

*Before…

Emily grinned back. “My mom does want to get to know you more we could have supper and an in house date.”

“In house date?”

“I found out we can watch that Buffy show on Net flicks together.”

“It’s a date then.”

……………………The bell rang to get back to classes, and they all got up and left together as a loose sort of group but one that was trying to be there for each other.

Emily smiled a little and took Kira’s hand once they were clear of the crowd. “Walk you to class?”

Kira smiled at her. “Please that’d be really nice actually.”

*And Now…

Chapter 12

Mom dropped me off in the usual place, right in front of school. She waved as she drove off. Today I wore a girl’s T, another mini skirt and the cutest flat sandals that showed the polish Mom and I did the night before. Kurt was waiting for me by the front door. I didn’t know anyone could smile so brightly.

“Wow, you look gorgeous,” he said.

I blushed and said, “Thank you.”

“I’ll walk you to class,” he said, taking my hand and intertwining our fingers.

Patricia's discovery stresses the relationships among the team. Themes and Elements listed apply to entire story, Rating to this submission. Thanks to Marina Kelly and Robyn Hoode for their editorial assistance.