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Serenity ([info]storysurvivor) wrote,
@ 2008-04-07 00:44:00

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Special
I was sitting in my room tracing my finger over the lettering on a business card. It's small and square, and I'd long since memorized what it said on the front. Things had calmed down considerably since the night my mother died protecting my sisters and me from my sister's father. How strong to actually know that I have sisters. They are so still virtual strangers to me, yet I want to change that sometime soon. I need to change that sometime soon.

I've been spending a lot of my time away from everyone else. Mostly because I've been trying to understand this world more. Harry gave me a bunch of cds and dvds to catch me up on pop culture. That is what he called it anyway. Sometimes I went out with Connor and Fred for a quick bite to eat, or a walk with Sarah to familiarize myself with the neighborhood. I needed to make an effort to familiarize myself with my sisters and their families.

Why was I being so much of a coward about that? I guess because I know they have a lot going on. I don't want to add to their stress. So, I sit here with this card, and traced the name that I memorized. I've thought about calling him a million times, but always found an excuse not too.

Now I was running out of excuses. I really wanted to see him again. Out of everyone I had met so far in this world, Seeley Booth was the most special. There was something unique about him that was so far removed from the world I came from, and the world I live in now.

With a sigh, I finally picked up the cell phone that Harry bought me, and dialed the number. Maybe I would get voice mail.

[Open to Seeley]

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[info]sniperbooth
2008-04-08 06:06 am UTC (link)
Overall, the past few weeks had been quiet for the most part. A few cases here and there that were more involved that others, but the majority of the time I'd been occupied with a missing persons case. Some reports had come in about a girl who'd been spotted not far from the city, but so far nothing was panning out. It was like this girl was a master at disappearing and slipping under the radar just when she was supposed to.

There also hadn't been any law firms to collapse or "terrorist" attacks in the middle of downtown Los Angeles recently. I'd spoken with Angel not long after the incident had happened, but he told me more than once that they had everything under control and that it was better if I didn't know details.

For once? I agreed with him. When it came to his demons and whatever else, I considered myself better not having all the details. Usually that was easier said than done.

I was sitting in a local diner I'd found, that was at least a little comparable to the one back in DC, sifting through a couple case files when my phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, I frowned when I didn't recognize the number.

"Seeley Booth," I answered but didn't hear anyone at first on the other end. "Hello?"

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[info]storysurvivor
2008-04-08 06:57 am UTC (link)
I was quiet for a moment. Why did he make me so nervous? No one made me this sort of nervous. Not a scared nervous, but an excited sort. It was so strange. "Agent Booth, it's Serenity. I hope I'm not disturbing you."

I really hoped I wasn't. He was a busy man. He did honorable work. How he could try and bring order and justice to a world this hopeless I would never understand. He was born to do it though. That much I knew.

Just being with him, the few times I had been with him, had left me feeling safe. He made me calm when others made me want to hide. He was kind and strong. I knew there was a strong resemblance to Angel, but Seeley was more warm.

I guess that came from him not being a vampire. Not that I would tell Angel that. It would hurt his feelings, and he had been nothing but kind to me.

"I can call back later if you'd like."

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[info]sniperbooth
2008-04-08 07:13 am UTC (link)
I smiled a little when I recognized the voice and name once she spoke up. I'd thought about the girl I'd bumped into on the street a few times since then. She didn't seem as comfortable with this world and from what I'd found out, she had every good reason to be that way. I didn't understand everything, but what I did know was that she had been terrorized for years by someone she was tricked into believing was her hero.

"No, no this is fine. You haven't disturbed me at all. I was just going over a few things and you calling is a more than welcome break. It's nice to talk to you again, Serenity."

Closing up the files, I took a sip of the coffee I'd ordered and leaned forward on the table. Then something hit and I was worried all of a sudden. I'd told her to call if she ever needed anything.

"Is everything okay? You're not in any kind of trouble, are you?" I asked, just to make sure.

There was something about her that made me want to protect and make sure she was alright. She was trusting and vulnerable with being so unsure about things here.

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[info]storysurvivor
2008-04-09 01:41 pm UTC (link)
He sounded worried about me. I wasn't sure what to think about that. We barely knew each other, but he had been so protective ever since that first meeting. He reminded me a bit of Angel and Connor that way.

I doubt he or Angel would find the comparison flattering, but it was meant as a compliment. There was a smile on my face as I said, "Everything is fine. I was wondering if you would like to meet up today. If you're not busy, I mean."

My cheeks flushed a bit. I wasn't used to doing this. Asking someone out wasn't exactly part of my routine in the world I grew up in. At least I knew he wasn't going to suddenly decide to devour me with teeth and claws.

"The weather is nice. We could have lunch at the beach and take a walk on the boardwalk if you'd like." This wasn't so hard right? If he was busy or not interested he'd tell me, and that would be that. It was better to ask and find out if he was interested than to keep avoiding him and wondering.

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[info]sniperbooth
2008-04-10 12:46 am UTC (link)
I smiled into the phone when she hesitantly asked if we wanted to meet sometime today. She sounded a little unsure about it all, but from what little I knew about her, this seemed like a big step.

"I'm not busy at all, actually. And I would love to get together with you sometime today. Walking and lunch at the beach sounds great."

The only thing I really had going on for the rest of the day was looking into cases that I was already more familiar with than the back of my own hand. I knew some of the guys already talked about how I needed to get out and do things around the city a little more. Well, this was a perfect opportunity.

"Would you like me to come and pick you up at the hotel? I can be there whenever you'd like to leave or if you'd rather meet somewhere on the beach, we can do that too."

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[info]storysurvivor
2008-04-10 01:22 am UTC (link)
"That would be great. I'm still mostly keeping to walking around the city unless someone gives me a ride. I'm not ready to learn to drive yet." Cars sort of freaked me out. They were so big and powerful, and I wasn't sure if I would ever be ready to control one.

I'd seen glimpses of my sister, Faith, driving when she would come home and she frightened me. What if driving like that was genetic? I would be a menace to those around me.

"How about an hour? I just need to change, and brush my hair." Maybe I hadn't needed to add all of that, but I was used to being so completely honest. I didn't have the filters that most people in this world seemed to have.

I was smiling so bright as I thought about spending the day with him. It would be nice to get away from the hotel for a bit. Even better to get away with Seeley. He fascinated me, and I wanted to learn more about him.

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[info]sniperbooth
2008-04-10 04:01 am UTC (link)
So, it was settled then. We were going out for a bite to eat and then spending the afternoon around the beach or in the city. "An hour sounds good. I'll finish up a few things here and once I get to the Hyperion I'll wait downstairs. Feel free to take your time, though." She seemed alright with all of that so once we said goodbye, I hung up my phone and grinned to myself. I had myself a date.

I thought for a second about running back home to pick up the dog, but remembered the first time I'd ever seen Serenity on the street. A dog had been barking and she seemed freaked out about it. She seemed more comfortable with the world now, especially after her just calling me herself, but I didn't want to take any chances that Squint would startle her. He was a good enough dog, but friendly enough that being careful around someone who might be afraid of dogs wouldn't pop up on his puppy radar.

On the way back to my car, I passed a flower stand and decided to stop and buy a bouquet of mixed flowers. Colorful and lively.

It took a while to drive over to the Hyperion, but I was still a little early. I didn't mind much so I grabbed the flowers and headed inside. I'd been to the Hyperion once before and it was generally an in and out kind of place really. Stepping inside, I glanced around the lobby and wondered about who all stayed in this place besides the ones I already knew.

Sitting down on the circular couch in the middle, I waited for Serenity to come downstairs.

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[info]storysurvivor
2008-04-14 05:13 am UTC (link)
"Wow, Angel, you took my advice and did the spray on tan!!!!!" Sarah said as she bounded off the stairs. Then she stopped and looked at Seeley. "Oh, you're not Angel. Er...hi."

I could hear Sarah as he emerged down the stairs. She was staring at Seeley and the flowers. They were lovely flowers. I couldn't help but smile when I saw them. When I saw him.

"Sarah, don't be impolite," I said quietly as she frowned at me. I was getting better at dealing with teenagers, I thought. Tyler was easy enough, but sometimes Sarah and Lily left me a little confused. Mostly Sarah.

"I'm not being rude, Serenity. It's just, I mean when you look at him quickly he looks SO much like Angel. Except a lot more tan. And a little more toned, but let's not tell Angel that, okay? He gets a bit sensitive about his weight sometimes which is so stupid. He is totally hot for a really old guy." She paused and looked over at Seeley. "Not that you look like a totally old guy or anything. Um, do you want me to put those in water for you?"

I gave him an apologetic look. Seeley definitely wasn't an old guy. Poor Angel and Seeley, they did look a lot alike, but I didn't notice it so much once I was with Seeley.

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[info]sniperbooth
2008-04-14 11:22 am UTC (link)
Spray on tan, what? Frowning, I stood up from the couch and looked at the young girl who'd just called me Angel. I had a feeling that this wouldn't be the last time I would get called by his name if I kept coming here. Not that it would keep me from coming here, mind you. Not when there was a woman living here who I happened to want to take out to lunch or dinner or maybe a movie or two in the near future.

"No... not Angel," I said and glanced up to the stairs when I saw and heard Serenity. I smiled at her but then the girl she called Sarah caught my attention again.

I still didn't get the me and Angel look a like thing. I mean, we did favor some but it wasn't like we looked like twins. There were some major differences, okay. You know, like I wasn't dead and I don't drink blood. And like the girl said, I am tanned and toned. Pretty sure I was taller, too.

"Sure..," I said about the flowers and gave another smile to Serenity. They'd been for her, but I was sure she knew that. Sarah took the flowers and I watched her head into the kitchen to put them in water. Stepping forward, I nodded at Serenity.

"Hah, I think I'll still be getting used to being mistaken for Angel when I come over." Yes, that was a hopeful comment about coming over more often, by the way. And did anyone else find it weird how many people looked like each other? I mean, Harry Osborn has his own look a like back in Maryland. Same for Lucy Diamond, where ever the hell she is. Probably Australia since that's the last place anyone would look for her.

"Are you ready to go? I don't mind waiting if you needed more time. I know I'm a little early."

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[info]storysurvivor
2008-04-23 06:18 am UTC (link)
"I hope it will get easier for you the more you visit." Why yes, that was me telling him that I hope he'll be a frequent visitor. Every time he was close I was reminded how safe I felt in his presence. One day I would probably have to tell him why things made me so nervous. He knew vague details, yes, but I had skipped over most of it. I did that with everyone.

It was a tribute to the kind of man he was that I could feel safe and completely at ease with him. Very few people had that effect on me. My sisters did, but it was a different kind of effect. It was like my blood recognized them, and I knew that I was stronger when they were with me than us being apart. With Seeley I just felt safe. Plus he was so nice, and very funny. How could I not want him to visit often?

"I'm ready." I wanted to escape before Sarah went on another of her tangents. Lily said it was best to always make an exit when she was distracted. "Sarah doesn't mean to put you on the spot. She's just...enthusiastic."

I think that was a word that Angel used to describe her once. Or maybe it was Harry. I only paid a little attention to what was said the first few weeks I was here. Now I was finally starting to fit in a bit. It helped to know that Fred understood better than most what it was like to adjust to this place. Connor did too, but he was as quiet about Quortoth as I was about my home. In fact, all three of us were. Maybe that was the norm for people from other dimensions.

I followed him out of the hotel and linked my arm with his. "I think you're much more handsome than Angel, but let's keep that between us, yes? He can be a little sensitive sometimes."

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[info]sniperbooth
2008-04-24 04:22 am UTC (link)
"I'm sure it will," I said with a smile because hey, if she was inviting me over for more chances to get myself used to this place then I wasn't about to decline that offer. Of course not. She said she was ready and I gave her a small nod.

Enthusiastic? Heh. I guess that was a good word for her. But she was putting the flowers in some water so we were thankfully able to get away without too much trouble. Once we were outside of the hotel, she linked her arm into mine and I smiled warmly at her.

"Think so huh? I'll be sure to keep quiet about that then. Wouldn't want to upset the guy or anything." Like, you know, make him go all psycho and go on some killing spree. Not that I really thought he would, but hey a guy can never be too careful around vampires, right?

"So, where to first?" We had the whole afternoon and rest of the day and I was up for whatever she felt like doing. "We could head down to the beach like you mentioned and grab a bite to eat. There's this one place that's pretty good the few times I've stopped by there."

I leaned in a bit and added, "They've also got some of the best milkshakes I think I've ever had."

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[info]storysurvivor
2008-04-24 06:07 pm UTC (link)
"I like milkshakes. Unless it's the ones that Sarah tries to make for Harry and Angel." I made a face that clearly said don't ask. Thankfully she made it very clear it wasn't strawberry milkshakes. I think Faith or Fred would have been very angry if she hadn't stopped them.

"Have you had any luck with my fingerprints? I was...I guess I've been curious if I had an identity before I was taken away." I followed him to his car and got in on the passenger side, waiting for him to climb in behind the wheel before I began again. "My mother, she gave me away because she wanted a better start for me. That makes me wonder if I was kidnapped from the family who took me, or if he did something horrible to them."

I didn't like that idea, but I couldn't put it past the wolf. He was vicious and he was willing to do anything and everything to have his way. It still made me wake up screaming in terror when I remembered the things he did to me. When I remembered how easily I was fooled by his other face.

"I hope they're okay. I guess I just want to know who I was before my life became a twisted fairytale." I smiled at him as I tried to lighten the mood. "I think milkshakes on the beach sounds great, and after a walk we could grab some dinner. There is a boardwalk that I've visited once or twice there. We could win your little boy a stuffed animal." I gave him a wicked grin now. "I bet I can win him something bigger than you can."

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[info]sniperbooth
2008-04-25 02:52 am UTC (link)
It took me a few seconds, but when I realized what she meant about the milkshakes Sarah made for Harry and Angel, I raised a brow and gave her a curious look. Interesting place to live, the Hyperion hotel.

Once we were in my car, she asked about her fingerprints and her adoptive family and I gave her a nod. "A little, yeah. I had to look into your mother's background to get places she'd lived and her parents information, but a few things have turned up. You lived for three years in Manhattan," I told her and tried to figure out a way that wouldn't upset her more than it had to.

"It was a private adoption through Wolfram and Hart itself, but some information is out there. From the looks of it, there are records up until you were around three or four or so. I have information on your adoptive mother, she's still living, but I'm not sure about your father. It doesn't look as it they're still married. No records of any death, though."

I nodded when she said she just wanted to find out who she was before all of this happened to her. "That's understandable. You were given a chance at a normal life, but he took that away from you and the family you were supposed to be raised by. If you'd like names I can give them to you and any other information I find, you'll be the first to know."

The mood lightened and I grinned over at her when she mentioned milkshakes and games. I let out a laugh when she said she could beat me. "Hah, well. I guess we'll have to see about that then. Gotta say I'm a pretty good shot at those things with the hole and the water gun." And darts. Ooh, darts.

"I'm trying to get Parker's mother to agree to let him come out and visit for a week or so sometime soon. I've mentioned you to him a few times and I know he'd love to meet you. Maybe you can give it to him yourself?"

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[info]storysurvivor
2008-04-28 04:10 am UTC (link)
I listened intently as he told me what he had found so far. Seeley had obviously been putting a lot of time into the investigation. I was touched by his compassion and dedication. He was the person I could confide in that didn't live at the hotel or wasn't caught up in the craziness of my family life. He was normal. As normal as anyone I would ever know in any of the lives I had lived.

One of the things I liked about him was that I never felt like he was frightened by the life I had lived. Upset that it had happened to me, yes, but not frightened. He didn't judge me or the people who were related to me. It was such a weird life, and he took it in stride. How many people would be able to do that? I doubted very many.

"Manhattan. I've heard of it. Tyler and Lily visited not too long ago. Harry and Kennedy grew up there." Not that I knew Kennedy that well. I just heard Harry talk about them being New York City brats. There was some fight with Faith about a sports team. I didn't understand it, and Sarah had warned me it was best not to ask.

"Yes, please, I'd like to see what you've found out. If...if you have a couple of days off sometime perhaps you could go with me to meet her? Harry said I could use the jet any time. Your son lives not too far from New York, yes?"

I smiled when he said that Parker may come for a visit soon. I've heard so much about him that I was eager to finally meet him. I was curious what he was like. I was curious as to what Seeley was like with his son.

"You must miss him so much. Do you ever regret moving here?"

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[info]sniperbooth
2008-04-29 07:16 am UTC (link)
"Not a big fan of the place myself, but I'm a Philly and DC guy so I'm mostly biased against it from the start." Which was part of the reason it took me so long to get used to things around here. Beaches, surfing, and it was basically never cold. I missed the cold. Unless you counted that freak snow storm we had a few months back. Which, come to think of it, was the first time I'd met Serenity. And Harry.

I looked over at her curiously when she asked if I'd want to head out there for a few days with her to check in on what was left of the only normal family she'd ever had. I smiled. "I'd be happy to make the trip out there with you when you're up for it. I've got a couple active cases open now, but those shouldn't take more than a few days. Pick a date and we can fly out. Getting the days off shouldn't be a problem."

She made the comment about DC not being all that far from New York and I nodded. At least not in comparison to Los Angeles. "We can definitely make the side trip down to DC. You can meet Parker and we can stop in on a few of my old work friends."

Heh. Maybe that would get Parker begging Rebecca to come out for a visit here. No, of course, I wasn't above that little tactic. What?

"I do miss him. A lot actually, but I guess it's gotten easier though it's still hard. At first I wondered if I made the right decision on moving out here. Thought about heading back a few times, but decided to give the city a few more weeks and ended up getting more comfortable. It's a lot different on this side of the country, that's for sure. But, I know that what I'm doing here is good work so now I think I did make the right decision."

I shot her a smile as I turned a corner and we were getting pretty close to the beach. "Having good company makes it much better, of course."

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[info]storysurvivor
2008-04-30 06:31 pm UTC (link)
I smiled when he said he would make the trip with me. We could use the jet, and really be comfortable while traveling. Harry insisted it was the best way to travel. Considering how strict they were with airport security now, it was probably the safest way for me to travel. I've been watching a lot of the news stuff to catch up on current events. It seemed like it would be next to impossible for me to prove who I am.

I'm sure security would love to hear my story about how I spent years in a hell dimension based on horrible fairy tales. Would they like to see the red cape and the basket? Right I left the basket back in the other dimension with my grandmother who wasn't really my grandmother. I missed her. I didn't miss the wolf.

"I'd like to see DC and meet your son and friends. It's nice to see someone's home through their eyes. You can learn a lot about it you know." I really wanted to meet Parker. With my sister expecting a baby of her own, and having watched my mother die I was fascinated by parents and children. The bond they shared was something I didn't really understand. Especially now that I knew my grandmother hadn't truly been my grandmother.

She was a character in a story that wasn't real. I wondered if that meant my life before here wasn't real. Just a story full of things that woke me up screaming at night. I had no physical scars from the wolf, but the emotional ones ran deep.

We reached the beach and I stopped as I gazed out at the ocean. It always took my breath away when I first saw it.

"There was nothing like this in the world I grew up in. Nothing at all like the ocean and all this sand." I looked over and him and smiled. "The company here, especially when I'm with you, is much better than I had there. If I never see another cabin in the wood again I'll be very happy."

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[info]sniperbooth
2008-05-02 02:13 am UTC (link)
"We'll have to spend a few days there when we make it over to New York then." Bones would probably like her and I was sure Angela would be all over the place about me having some sort of ... female friend. Girlfriend. I thought about that for a moment and smiled to myself. I hadn't had one of those in a while, to be honest.

She had a look on her face when she looked out the window to the ocean. Like she was in awe of it whenever she saw it. I liked that.

"I think I'm getting a little partial to the ocean here. It used to be too sunny and bright all the time but it's not so bad anymore." She liked my company, huh? Heh. Well.

"Well, I think now we're about as far away from a cabin in the woods now as you can get." I smiled over at her. We were here so I was ready to get that milkshake. Out of the car, I walked over to the passenger side of the car and opened up the door for her. I nodded forward and we made our way over towards the boardwalk. Milkshakes weren't far at all.

"How's everything going at home? The hotel, I mean. I know things were really crazy over there for a while. I spoke with Angel a couple times and he.. tried to clue me in without giving me all the gory details. Everything going alright now?"

She was interested in learning about my family so I felt the same way about hers. Granted, that interest was different in the beginning, but now I wanted to know a little more about the rest of them. No matter how... strange things seemed to be at times or how much I resembled one of them.

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