Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 A Cat's Tale

   by Catmandu99
(Codes: mf, rom, teen, cons, safe)



   ====Chapter One===

   It was the meowing of the cat that first got my attention.  It was the
girl standing under the tree looking up at the meowing cat that received my
second attention.  And third.  I probably would have stood there gawking
all day if the very real distress in her voice hadn't diverted my
attention.

   "Loki, come down!  You know you don't like heights."

   A cat that didn't like heights?  Now there was a new one on me.  I did
have to agree though that the cat really was looking miserable up in the
tree.  Despite the furry face, this cat's demeanor was `Get me out of this.
NOW!'.  Now, I'm a dog person, but no way could I ignore this pretty girl's
plight.  I always was a sucker for a damsel in distress.  Even one with a
hissing black cat.

   I went to stand next to her.  "Hi.  I'm Adam.  Adam Williams.  Need a
hand?"

   That was when I was introduced to the most gorgeous pair of slate gray
eyes I'd ever seen.  These were the kind of eyes that poets wrote about. 
As a newspaper man (feature writer in the school paper thank you), I was
used to cataloging things.  No way would I be able to catalog her eyes. 
They seemed to shift colors with every thought or passing breeze.  Always
gray, but first with hints of blue and then green peeking out of their
depths.

   I must have been standing there with a very stupid look on my face for
longer than I realized.  Next thing I was aware of was the amused look on
this girl's face.  I know my face colored a bit - a curse of my Irish
heritage and fair skin - so there was no way I was getting out of this
gracefully.  Thankfully she took pity on me.

   "Miranda Evans," she offered.  "That rascal in the tree is Loki.  He
doesn't like heights, but every once in a while he tries to climb something
and then gets stuck.  The problem is that I can't climb up after him." The
last was said with a nod toward her left arm, which I finally noticed was
sporting a cast.

   I just winced and nodded.  Having broken my own arm a couple of years
back, I could sympathize.  There wasn't much you could do with an arm in a
cast.

   "Never fear, fair damsel," I cracked, "I'm happy to help.  I was the
champion tree climber in Mrs.  Fisk's 3rd grade class.  Well, until Emily
Morrison moved to town."

   I winked at Miranda.  "She knocked me out of the neighborhood tree house
and took both my pride and my title all at the same time."

   Miranda finally smiled at that.  "I don't think Loki will knock you out
of the tree, but if you can get him down from there, you will certainly be
my champion."

   "Now what guy can resist an offer like that?" Certainly not me.

   It was over in a matter of minutes.  Thankfully the tree Loki had
decided to climb was a fairly small one and I had no problem hooking my
arms over a limb and swinging aboard.  Loki hadn't retreated very far up
the tree yet, but was watching my moves with an almost comical look of
surprise.  Guess he didn't expect a nerd would know how to climb a tree.

   Look, I cultivate the studious newspaper geek bit carefully.  But it
wasn't the sum total of my existence.  When I was 5 my Mom decided to
enroll me in gymnastics.  I loved it.  3 days a week I was allowed to go
run, tumble and bounce around to my hearts content.  (I was 5, you know.)
My Mom received the benefit of a son who burned off all his excess energy
in gymnastics class and NOT in her house.  By the time I was old enough to
realize that gymnastics was not considered a manly sport, I was hooked.  I
was also really good.

   Not many people in town knew this about me.  I'd outgrown the local
coaches' skills years before and had been taking my coaching in a town over
an hour away.  Even people who'd grown up with me were oblivious.

   It did make getting an acrophobic cat out of a tree a snap though.

   I handed the still silent cat off to Miranda before jumping to the
ground.  Both cat and girl eyed me curiously while I dusted bits of bark
off my palms and jeans.  The cat was the first to break the silence with a
chirruping meow.  Miranda responded as if answering a question.

   "That's what I want to know.  How did you manage to do that
so...so...gracefully?"

   I laughed at that.  "You should see me on the dance floor." I executed a
couple steps.

   Thankfully Miranda laughed at that and let it go.  We chatted for a few
minutes more and I discovered that her and her family (1 mom, 1 dad, and 1
brother) had just moved to Fairview.  In fact, she had been unpacking when
Loki snuck out the back door to test his tree climbing skills.

   "Actually, I had best get back." Miranda looked at the cat now
peacefully dozing in her arms before glancing back up.

   I was wondering how to work the conversation around to seeing her again
when she beat me to the punch.

   "Um, since I'm new in town, I was wondering if you would mind showing me
the town." Miranda just stood there looking at me while my brain emptied.

   `YES!" I stood there a second, sheepish.  "Uh...was that too
enthusiastic, do you think?"

   Miranda just laughed and leaned over the cat in her arms to give me a
peck on the cheek.  "Thanks.  Why don't you come by tomorrow afternoon?  We
should have most of the unpacking done by then.  At the very least, I'll be
grateful for a break.  I live in the old white Victorian on the end of the
street." She gave a nod with her head to indicate which end of the street.

   She needn't have bothered.  EVERYONE knew that house.

   "Aaah.  You're the ones who bought the old Stone Sister house.  Everyone
was wondering."

   The Stone Sister house was a landmark in our town.  Velma and Veronica
Stone were spinster sisters who lived together their entire lives.  They
were really sweet old ladies, but a little eccentric.  Rumor had it that
they were witches.  Whenever they were confronted with that particular
piece of gossip, they would just laugh and say that they hadn't gotten to
the section in their spell book on transforming boys into toads just yet.

   "Yes, Mom and Dad bought it from a pair of sisters.  Did you know them?"


   "Faintly.  No one really knew them well.  If you know what I mean.  But
they seemed like personable ladies.  The Historic Society was heartbroken
when the Velma and Veronica decided to sell and take a cruise around the
world." I winked at Miranda.  "Apparently the sisters were the driving
force of their annual fundraiser."

   That got a chuckle from Miranda and Loki even opened one eye to stare.

   "I have to go before Mom puts the family curse on me for deserting her.
I'll see you around 2 tomorrow, okay?" Miranda started to walk away before
quickly turning around and heading back toward me.

   She leaned in close and gave me another whisper soft kiss on my cheek.
"Thank you for rescuing Loki." Then she was gone.

   ===Chapter Two==

   The rest of the summer passed more quickly than I would have thought
possible.  I had gymnastics meets at least every couple of weeks and my
training was stepped up to 4 days a week.  I also had Miranda.

   Miranda was a bundle of curiosity and humor.  She had a twisted sense of
humor that could leave me breathless.  After she started meeting some of
the people in town (courtesy of our frequent strolls together), she would
start making observations about them.  I think I learned more about the
town I'd grown up in from her observations than I had during the 16 years
I'd lived there.

   We got along famously and I had to admit that I liked her more than just
as a friend.  I have no idea how Miranda felt.  She was fun.  She was
bubbly.  She was an all around great friend.  But, other than those kisses
on the cheek after I rescued Loki, there was no sign that she wanted more.

   I'll admit that I was afraid.  I'd never had a girlfriend before. 
Courtesy of a gymnastic assistant and former gymnast a couple of years ago,
I wasn't a virgin.  But I wasn't Don Juan either.  Kathy was 16 to my 14
and, for some reason, picked me to help her lose her virginity.  We shared
mutual time together whenever we could for the next year.  It was sweet,
but it was never more than just physical release for either of us.  I
hadn't bothered repeating the experience since then.

   I think I was also afraid that once school started, Miranda would find
someone else.  Someone who didn't disappear several days a week.  With her
body and personality, the guys would be crawling all over her.  She could
have the pick of the litter.  And while my gymnastics had given me a more
than adequate musculature, I was still a bit of the geek.  No way would she
want to stick around.

   It was with that thought in mind that I started school in August. 
Starting school also meant the return to the newsroom.  Well, in actuality
it was the French classroom, but it doubled as our news and journalism
class.  Outside of gymnastics, I had a real passion for writing.

   I wasn't stupid.  Most gymnasts are in their teens for a reason.  It's
not a matter of if you're going to get injured; it's a matter of how many
times and what type of injury.  A young body tends to heal faster.  But the
human body can only take so much abuse before it gives up.  I was lucky
that I was a male gymnast.  Our best years were usually between 15 and 19
since it takes time and a minimal maturity to build the strength necessary
to perform.  Women gymnasts were considered over-the-hill by the age of 15.


   No way was I going to let myself become a broken 19 year old with no
prospects for a future.  Writing was my passion and, hopefully, future
vocation.  It was also my refuge whenever I was depressed.  To my surprise,
I never needed it.

   The guys did flock to Miranda - just as I knew they would.  But Miranda
didn't seem to show any preference and instead continued to hang around me.
We didn't have any classes together, but we ate lunch together.  She even
took to hanging out in the newsroom with me when I had to stay late.  I
just figured she hadn't found anyone that tickled her fancy.  Boy was I
clueless.

   ===Chapter Three==

   "I want you to take me to the football game on Friday."

   I looked up from the article I was working on to stare at Miranda.  She
had perched herself on the end of a desk and was sitting with her chin in
her hands just looking at me.  My eyes swung around the room to see if
anyone else had been the object of that request.  The room was empty.  Sort
of like my head.

   "Huh?" was my witty rejoinder.

   "I want you to take me to the football game on Friday.  It's the first
home game of the season."

   Nope.  I saw her lips move that time, so I knew I wasn't imagining
things.  I had no idea why Miranda would want me of all people to take her
to a football game, but I wasn't one to question a gift from the gods.

   I attempted to collect my cool before answering.  Nothing turns off a
girl like drooling, I've heard.  "Are you sure you want to go with me?"

   Damn.  I blew it.  I had the chance and I blew it.  Stupid, stupid,
stupid.

   Miranda took a deep breath.  "Adam, I have been waiting 3 months now for
you to ask me out.  I finally realized that I could still be waiting when I
was an old maid if I didn't take the initiative."

   My jaw hit the desk when I heard that.

   "So I want to know if you'd like to take me out...on a date...Friday.  I
figured the football game was as good a place to go as anywhere else."
Miranda stopped and just looked at me expectantly.

   I was floored.  "Miranda, I never knew you wanted me to ask you out.  I
thought you just wanted us to be friends."

   At that, she got off the desk and stalked over to me.  I don't care what
the medical doctors say; an angry 5'4" woman can grow a foot when she is
looming over you.

   "Adam Williams!  I have done everything but tear off my clothes in front
of you trying to give you hints.  Now do you want to go out with me or
not?" The last was practically a wail, but I finally got the hint.

   I smiled at Miranda slowly.  "I'd love to take you out to the football
game on Friday."

   A meek "Oh, okay" was the only response Miranda gave before turning
around and heading for the door.

   She had almost made it to the door when I stopped her with a truth of my
own.

   "I've wanted you for 3 months too."

   When I saw her turn with the start of a smile on her lips, I couldn't
resist adding, "But if you want to tear off your clothes, please feel
free."

   I heard her giggling down the hall.



   ===Chapter Four==

   I picked Miranda up at 6pm for the football game.  When she answered the
door, I admit that my brain froze.  I was in awe that this creature would
want ME.  She was dressed casually since we were going to a high school
football game.  The way she filled out her shorts created anything but a
casual interest in me.  The woman had LEGS!

   I was never much of a football fan, but I must admit that I had a great
time.  Part of it was because Miranda obviously WAS a fan.  She was
screaming her head off after every play.  After one particularly loud
outburst, the guy in the bleacher row behind us patted her on the back and
told her that it would be okay.  Miranda just smiled at me sheepishly and
sat back down.  It was the most normal thing in the world for me to put my
arm around her and hug her to me.

   There was no way that I was able to keep my arm around her the entire
game.  Not with her jumping up and down like a jack-in-the-box.  But after
that, Miranda would grab and hold tight to my hand every time she managed
to sit back down.  I loved it.

   Dinner was nothing fancy, just some hot dogs grabbed from the concession
stand at the game.  Miranda didn't seem to mind though.  We ate our dogs
during half time and talked about minor inconsequential things.

   By the time I got Miranda home, I was half in love.  For her part,
Miranda was slightly windblown and the tip of her nose was red from sitting
out in the sun.  She was also beaming from ear to ear.  That's when I
kissed her.

   It was the tentative kiss of a new relationship.  There was no tongue
involved, just warm breath and moist lips.  I felt it in my belly.  But I
kept my touch confined to only our lips and pulled back way before I was
ready.

   The look in her eyes stayed with me the rest of the night.

   Being with Miranda was more fun than I ever thought possible.  We went
to a few more football games since it was obvious (to me and the people in
the bleachers) that Miranda loved football.  I also finally told her about
my gymnastics.

   If you think it's odd that I hadn't told her before now, you just don't
understand the prejudice some people can have.  Most people had at least
one of two stereotypes of gymnasts.  They figure we are all gay or on
steroids.  Most people believe both.

   I don't do drugs.  Period.  No way was I going to take a chance on my
health or my eligibility.  And despite the fact that I can probably bench
press most of our school's football team, I'm considered a pansy because
I'm a gymnast.

   I tried to explain all of this to Miranda.  I give her credit.  Her only
question was if she could come watch a practice.  I never practiced better
than when she was sitting at the side of the mats watching me.

   No doubt about it.  I was in love.

   ===Chapter Five==

   The only time I was uneasy was around Miranda's brother, Mitchell.  Her
twin brother.  He was never overtly rude, but I could sense his disapproval
every time we met.  Once I even walked in while Mitchell was arguing with
Miranda.  I heard him yell, "He's not your kind" before Miranda shushed
him.

   Quite honestly, I was confused by it.  I wasn't the greatest catch in
the world, but I also wasn't anything Miranda should be ashamed of. 
Miranda explained it away as Mitchell's protectiveness.  Just what he was
protecting her against, I was afraid to ask.

   With the exception of Mitchell's obvious dislike, everyone else accepted
Miranda and I as a couple with few questions.  I had very few friends since
I had such a busy extracurricular schedule, but they were all the staunch
loyal type.  My friend Alex joked that had he known babes like Miranda went
for geeks, he would have invested in pocket protectors years ago.  I really
laughed when Miranda informed him that it wasn't my pocket that needed
protection.

   That earned her a long kiss.  As punishment or a promise, I'm still not
sure.

   Miranda's kisses were out of this world.  Every time I kissed her it was
like someone had set fire to my nerve endings.  My lips would start to
tingle and my blood changed to fire.  There was nothing tentative about our
kisses now.  I wanted her so badly I hurt with it.  But I also loved her
which meant that I would do anything to make sure she was never hurt.  So I
reined in my libido and gave it a good talking to.  It didn't work, but I
sure felt virtuous for a while.

   For a while.

   The end of October found us with a rare Saturday to ourselves.  No
gymnastics, no parents, no nothing but time for us.  I think it was
Miranda's idea to stay at home.  We played a couple of games of chess
before Miranda got tired of being beat and suggested dancing.

   Have I mentioned that I love to dance?  Particularly with Miranda.  Most
girls grab you in a chokehold and have to be dragged around the dance
floor. Not Miranda.  She snuggled close during the slow songs, but kept her
weight on her own feet and followed my signals as if she were reading my
mind.  Dancing with Miranda was better than sex with most other girls.

   I used my hand at her back to press her closer while we swayed to the
beat.  I'm not sure what made it pop out of my mouth at that particular
moment, but I never regretted saying it.

   "I love you, Miranda."

   I was shocked when I heard a soft sob, quickly controlled.  Pulling
back, I tipped up her face.  Her eyes were filled with tears and I started
to panic.  Maybe it was too much too soon.  We had only been dating a
little over a month after all.

   "Honey, I'm sorry.  What's wrong?  Whatever it is, I'm sorry.  Are you
okay?" I knew I was babbling.

   Miranda gave one more watery sniff.  "I'm fine.  I love you too, Adam."

   Finally I started to relax.  Until she drew back and punched me in the
shoulder.  I knew it had to hurt her more than it did me, but I smiled at
the incongruity of being beat up while someone told me they loved me.

   "Why'd you go and hit me?  I thought you loved me."

   Miranda didn't answer all at once.  She looked toward the door.  "Loki,
would you give us some privacy, please?" Finally she looked back at me.

   "You always hurt the ones you love, Adam.  Besides, it was about time
you told me!" Miranda was getting her composure and spunk back.  God did I
love this woman.  She could still floor me though.

   "NOW will you finally make love to me?"

   What'd I tell you?  I was completely speechless.  Good thing words were
not what Miranda was looking for.

   Her eyes were telling me everything I needed to know about how much she
wanted this, so I wasted no time in bending down to kiss her.

   Miranda's lips were always so sweet.  As soon as my lips touched hers I
felt that powerful tingle that always accompanied our kisses.  I would know
Miranda blindfolded based on that kiss.

   Her lips plucked at mine as I slowly rubbed my lips over hers.  I wasn't
actually kissing her, just letting her feel our mingled heat and the
friction of skin rubbing against skin.  She must have enjoyed it because
her hands started a restless sweep against my back.  I was not going to be
rushed, however.  I was going to wring every drop of pleasure out of this,
for myself and for Miranda, as I could.

   While my lips started a slow nibble, I let my hand push up under
Miranda's blouse.  Her skin was warm and firm and felt better than I had
imagined.  I just let my hand make slow circles across her back while I
continued to savor the press of her mouth.

   Eventually, that wasn't enough any more.  When Miranda sighed into my
mouth, I took advantage.  I began to lick the inside of her lips, gradually
deepening my penetration.  Miranda was making little mewling noises in the
back of her throat that spurred me on.  My tongue was now tangling around
hers and both of us were starting to pant.

   I wasn't truly conscious of what I was doing at this point.  I was
following my instincts and playing out several of my recent fantasies. 
That's how my hands found her breasts.  I let the backs of my hands brush
over her nipples before cupping the underside of her tits and just
squeezing gently.  I could feel the shockwave that rolled through Miranda
when I started to tug on her nipples.  I couldn't let that go without an
acknowledgement.

   I stepped back slightly from Miranda, but before she could say anything,
I had her shirt up and over her head.  Half a second later, my shirt
followed.  My hands immediately found their way back to Miranda's tits
while my lips found her erect nipples.  I continued to rub the underside
and sides of her breasts while I let my teeth tug her nipples.  When she
gasped, I let go and gave a quick bat to each nipple with my tongue before
pulling as much as I could into my mouth and suckling.  By her arched back
and moans, Miranda approved.

   Miranda's obvious enjoyment was setting me on fire.  I wanted her so
badly I was about to cum in my pants.  I almost cried when Miranda pulled
my head away.  She was on a mission though.  That much was obvious with how
quickly she managed to discard her pants and panties.  Then her fingers
found the zipper to my jeans.

   I had to stop her.  No way would I last if she touched me.

   "Not yet," was all I managed to choke out.

   I don't know if she understood, but Miranda looked into my face and
nodded slightly.  I pulled her into my arms and both of us gasped at the
feel of her nipples against my chest.  Experimentally, I started a slow
slide across her chest while lowering her to the floor.

   I knew I wouldn't last long, so I wanted to make sure that Miranda got
off first.  With that thought in mind, I resumed my attention of her
breasts.  My hand, however, had made its way to her cunt lips.  I ran my
fingers up and down gently just trying to find out how ready Miranda was.
Boy was she ready.  I was surprised how much moisture had already gathered.
But I wanted more.

   I started by running my fingers up and down the outside of her cunt with
an occasional swipe over her clit.  Every time I hit her clit, Miranda
squealed.  Eventually my finger was poised directly over her clit and I was
rubbing in tiny circles while continuing to suck strongly on her tits.  It
didn't take long.

   Miranda came with a loud shout and fingers clenched in my hair.  That
was my cue.  I shucked my jeans as fast as I could only taking the time to
grab a condom out of my wallet and slide it on.

   I pushed into her as slowly as I could.  She was as tight as I could
wish and I knew I wouldn't last long in her heat.  When I finally bottomed
out, I lowered myself onto Miranda and held still.  I plucked gently at her
lips until she moaned.  Pulling my head back a fraction of an inch, I
whispered against her mouth, "I love you, Miranda.".

   That was when I started thrusting.  Long hard strokes that I couldn't
have controlled if I wanted to.  It only took 4 strokes before I felt the
cum starting to boil in my nuts.  Quickly I reached down and took Miranda's
clit between my fingers.  I squeezed gently just once and she went off with
another shout.  The feel of her cunt walls massaging my cock was too much.
Way, way too much and I too gave a shout as I felt myself begin to cum.

   ===Chapter Six==

   I had never felt better in my life.  And I didn't just mean the sex.  In
actuality, it felt really good to just have her in my arms (naked didn't
hurt).  I loved her and that made what we just shared more than just
physical.  I was content all the way to my soul.

   "I love you, Adam."

   "I love you too, Miranda.  I don't do that with just anyone, you know."
I couldn't help it.  I felt lighthearted.

   Instead of laughing, Miranda just continued to run her hands over my
chest.  Feeling concerned, I tipped her face up to examine her eyes.

   "Honey, are you okay with what happened?  Did I hurt you?"

   "Not at all," came the quick response.

   There was still something in her eyes though that bothered me.  I didn't
think I had hurt her, but I couldn't help but feel that something was going
on in that brain that wasn't good.

   "Miranda..."

   "Adam," she cut me off.  "I have something I have to tell you.  A sort
of secret.  But I can't do it right now.  Right now I just want to enjoy
THIS."

   She looked up at me with a silent plea in her eyes.  "Adam, it's nothing
bad or illegal, but it IS very hard for me to say.  Because I love you it's
only right that I share every part of me with you."

   I couldn't begin to think what would cause such a declaration.  I did
not think that she was cheating on me.  Miranda wasn't the type.  What it
could be, I had no idea.  All I could do was offer my support.

   "Okay, Miranda.  Tell me when you're ready.  But I want you to remember
that I love you.  Which means I love all the parts of you.  Nothing you can
say will change that."

   It was whispered against my chest, but I heard the tiny voice say,
"We'll see."

   She WOULD see.  I would make sure of it.  I made that vow while cuddling
Miranda closer to my side.

   ===Chapter Seven==

   We must have dozed there on the rug in Miranda's living room because we
only woke up 20 minutes before her parents were due to arrive back home.  I
was glad to see whatever melancholy had gripped Miranda before appeared to
be gone.  She still seemed a bit preoccupied, but managed to laugh when I
joked about finding a bed next time.

   Miranda just stuck her tongue out at me.  "I'm the one with rug burns on
my ass, handsome.  Next time we either get a bed or YOU get to be on
bottom."

   We were back on the couch (fully clothed, darn it!) in an intense debate
over Halloween costumes by the time her parents got home.  I was for them
while Miranda thought they were tacky.  Halloween was the next night and we
had been invited to my friend Alex's house for his annual Halloween party.
Costumes were optional, but most people caught the spirit and dressed up. I
was just trying to convince her to go as Little Orphan Annie so that I
could dress up as Daddy Warbucks when her parents walked in.

   I wasn't thinking about costumes though as I drove home.  I was still
mulling over Miranda's earlier words.  My mind was trying to figure out
what sort of secret a 16 year old could have that could be so terrible.  I
fell asleep trying to puzzle it out.

   The next morning dawned clear and cold.  Perfect Halloween weather.  I
dressed in old sweats as I got ready for my morning jog.  1 mile before
school kept me in shape and woke my brain up.  I didn't drink coffee so I
needed something to clear the cobwebs before hitting the hallowed halls of
school.  Thank God it was Friday.

   My normal route took me right past Miranda's house.  Well, it didn't
used to, but once we started dating, I changed my route slightly.  Miranda
knew when I ran and generally gave me a wave from the front porch as I
jogged past her house.

   I'll admit to being distracted while I ran.  My mind was still wrestling
with Miranda and her cryptic comments, with major interruptions of how it
felt being inside of her while I ran.  I really wanted to repeat the
experience again.  Soon.

   My distraction is probably why I never heard the car.  I did hear the
scream a split second before I felt the impact against my back.  Then I was
flying through the air and at the ground.  I never felt my body hit the
ground.

   For that matter, I didn't really feel anything at all.

   I must have passed out for a brief time.  The next thing I knew, Miranda
was bending over me crying.  She kept touching my face with her fingertips
and sobbing.  I couldn't make out the words other than my name over and
over.  I tried to smile at her, but before I could try the world turned
gray again.

   I could have only been out a few seconds when I surfaced again. 
Mitchell was running up to Miranda.  When he saw me, he went white.  Guess
that told me what kind of condition I was in.

   I'm still not sure if I really saw what I saw next or if it was some
sort of delusion.

   Mitchell didn't waste any time on checking my injuries.  He turned to
Miranda and slapped her.  Hard.  Even in my semi-numb state, I was
outraged. Miranda was shocked out of her tears.

   Mitchell grabbed her shoulders and started talking.  Fast.  "Miranda,
snap out of it.  If you don't do something, he's going to die.  You have to
concentrate.  If you can't be calm at least be calmer.  You have to do it.
NOW."

   Miranda just nodded her head while trying to take a deep breath.

   Mitchell continued talking.  "Mir, I'll help you as much as I can, but
you know I'm not as good at this."

   By this point, Miranda was much more in control of herself.  Tears still
coursed silently down her face, but she was no longer on the edge.

   Kneeling down next to me, Miranda held her hand out to her brother and
kept her eyes on my face.  "Just let me borrow the essence."

   My world was still sliding in and out of focus when the chanting started
in my brain.  It was primal and earthy and demanded a response.  It spoke
in the voice of Miranda.

   The chanting never ceased, but it was overshadowed when all of my nerve
endings came to life.  Pain such as I had never felt before blazed across
my body.  I would have screamed, but the pain and the chanting stole my
voice.  The pain lasted for several lifetimes before a golden warmth - such
as with the sun coming out on a cloudy day - started to wash over me.  My
muscles went limp.  And still the chanting went on.

   I came to just as Miranda slumped across me.

   I started to sit up in panic, but stopped when my muscles screamed in
protest.  Having strained myself in gymnastics practice several times, I
knew that slow and steady were the key words.  Of course, Mitchell's hands
on my shoulders also had something to do with why I stayed on the ground.

   Seeing the panic in my eyes, Mitchell acquiesced enough to tell me,
"She's okay.  Just exhausted."

   I would have followed up with a question, but again, Mitchell beat me to
it.

   "I'll explain everything, but we need to get both of you inside.  We're
starting to attract attention."

   I looked around and could see a few curious glances our way.  I did
agree that I we needed to get inside.  Besides, I was worried about
Miranda.

   Mitchell helped me to my feet before scooping Miranda up gently.  Even
though he was her brother, I still felt a quick twinge of jealousy that he
was the one carrying her.

   ===Chapter Eight==

   I held the door while Mitchell carried Miranda inside their house.  He
was met by the anxious questions of both parents.  I could barely stand up
so I just continued to hold the doorframe while Mitchell deflected his
parent's concern.

   I would probably still be there if Mr.  Evans hadn't helped me into a
chair in the living room.  As it was, I only briefly heard Mitchell give an
account of what happened.  My mind stalled at the words "fatal hit and run"
and I looked up.

   "What?" I croaked.  Swallowing, I tried again.  "What did you say?"

   Mitchell just sighed deeply and pinched the bridge of his nose.  Before
I could demand an explanation, he looked into my eyes.  What I saw kept me
silent.

   "Adam, you were hit by a car.  A hit and run actually as the driver
didn't bother to stick around and see how you were.  It was a fatal
accident.  In fact, if it hadn't been for Miranda, you WOULD have died."

   Mitchell glanced back at Miranda now spread out on the sofa.  My eyes
too traced her features before I was once again caught by Mitchell's words.
Mr.  and Mrs.  Evans just sat silently with a sad look in their eyes.

   "I saw your injuries.  You were lying more twisted than a carnival
pretzel.  You also had blood running out of your nose and mouth." I dabbed
at my mouth coming away with a handful of blood.  He continued a little
more gently, "You would not have survived."

   "But...how?" It was all I could say.

   It was Mrs.  Evans who answered this time.  "Because Miranda is a witch.
Specifically she is a healing witch.  She can't heal herself, but when she
concentrates, she can help those who have been hurt."

   Oddly enough, I looked to Mitchell for confirmation that this wasn't
just a crazy dream.

   He nodded.  "It's true.  We all have the power, but it comes in
different forms for every witch.  Miranda heals.  I have the sight. 
Although not always perfectly." He glanced again at Miranda and fell
silent.

   My mind was spinning.  This was a lot to try to digest all at once. 
"I'm not sure I can believe all of this.y"

   "You have no choice!" The bite was back in Mitchell's voice.  "You can
try to deny the facts, but there they are.  Pandora's box has been opened
and you can't wish away the results."

   I decided to ask something else.  "What about Miranda?  What's wrong
with her?"

   Again, it was Mrs.  Evans who answered my question.  "She's
recuperating. In order to heal you, she had to pass a lot of her own energy
to you.  Sleep is the best way to recover what has been lost."

   I started to stand and cross to Miranda when Mitchell's next words
stopped me cold.

   "Adam.  I think you should go home now."

   "No." No way was I being shoved out the door after a revelation like
that.

   "Adam." I turned at the tone in his voice.  "You should go home. 
Miranda needs sleep to recover.  YOU need sleep to recover.  You also need
to figure out how you feel about all of this.  And after THAT, you need to
figure out how you feel about Miranda.  Being a witch is not just what she
does, but who she is.  You have to decide if you can deal with that part of
her.  Go home."

   My shoulders slumped and I acknowledged that he was right.

   Mr.  Evans drove me home (I was in no mood to walk).  My parents had
already left for work, so I just went straight to bed for several hours of
sleep.  Oddly enough, the last thing I thought of before falling into a
dreamless sleep was the look in Miranda's eyes when we made love.

   I woke again several hours later feeling almost human and hungry enough
to eat a bear.  After a quick sandwich eaten while standing at the sink, I
went over everything that had happened.  Everything I had heard.  I still
didn't know what to think of it all.  Witches.  In this day and age.

   Witches were something you read about in fairy tales.  Not your
girlfriend.  The problem was I had the proof that Mitchell was telling the
truth.  I liked to think that I was a fairly rational animal.  I didn't
want to be the yokel who claimed there were no such things as bears when
confronted with a grizzly.

   So there were real live, honest to goodness, spell casting witches in
the world.  Okay.  So what?  What does it really matter?  This wasn't a
fairy tale and I didn't have to worry that my girlfriend was going to lure
me into her oversized oven.

   That's when my mind finally started clicking.  I was right.  This wasn't
a fairy tale.  This was life.  My girlfriend, who just happened to be a
witch, had just saved my life.  More importantly, she WAS my life.  I was
more alive and more glad to be alive when I was around her.  THAT was what
mattered.

   My resolved firmed; I walked out the door and headed to Miranda's.

   ===Chapter Nine==

   I didn't bother knocking on the door.  I just opened it and walked right
in.  Mitchell happened to be standing there when I barged in.  I looked him
straight in the eye.

   "I don't really care if your sister is a witch.  I love her.  I will
probably always love her.  THAT is what's important."

   I never waited for his response, but instead just pushed past him to see
Miranda sitting up on the sofa, her eyes trained on the hallway where I was
standing.  She looked a little shell-shocked.

   I walked over and kneeled down at her side.  Reaching up, I pushed her
hair behind one ear and looked deep into her eyes.

   "I love you, Miranda." It was all I could say.  It was everything I had
to offer.

   With a loud sniffle, Miranda launched herself into my arms, tumbling us
backwards.  In between tiny kisses pressed to my face I heard her say, "I
love you too, Adam."

   Sometimes that's the best magic of all.  Happy Halloween to me.



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