Title: One Year Later
Author: A. Magiluna Stormwriter
Feedback address: stormwriter@shatterstorm.net
Date in Calendar: 2 December 2009
Rating: PG
Pairing: Alex/Rachel
Date Written: 1-2 December 2009
Word Count: 1145
Written for: licenseartistic
Prompt: November 2009 quote :: "Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death." -- General Omar Bradley
Summary: Halloween finds Alex reminiscing over the events of the last year since she and Rachel moved their family to Las Vegas.
Spoilers/Sequel: Takes place between Chapters 4 & 5 of "Elemental Journey"
Warnings: Loving, long-term lesbian relationship. Don't like it? Don't read it…
Archive: This is a ShatterStorm Productions exclusive piece. Contact the webmistress for archive options.
Link to: http://bdkk.shatterstorm.net/
Website: ShatterStorm Productions’ Doggie Duo’s Fanfic
Advertisement: Part of the FSAC:DW09

Disclaimer: This story is an original work of amateur fiction, and is written purely for the private entertainment of P:TL fans. This story is no way affiliated with Trilogy, MGM Worldwide Television or the Sci-Fi Channel. The characters are their property, and this story is not meant to infringe upon the copyrights of MGM, Trilogy, anybody else who owns an interest in "Poltergeist: the Legacy", or any representative of the actors.

Author's Notes: I have started every single calendar with this couple, and I'm not about to stop anytime soon. I wanted to do something with a holiday, and my Alex muse wanted to do this one, to revisit the event that got her and Rachel to pick up their lives and family to move to Las Vegas. I think it worked out. And there may well be a sequel soonish…

Beta: shatterpath, as always

Dedication: My muses, for always being there when I need them…

"One Year Later"
by A. Magiluna Stormwriter


(10-31-03)

October 31, 2003
Halloween

Today is Halloween, Samhain, All Hallow's Eve. Take your pick on the name. The veils between the worlds are gossamer thin tonight, and I can feel the spirits wandering about. Gramma Rose is definitely nearby, which seems to be alternately calming and energizing her namesake.

Speaking of Rose, it's been a year since we first met Dace, a year since the agents of the Dark Side first made a move to get my daughter. First is somewhat incorrect and makes it sound like multiple attempts have been made. It was the first time an attempt was made, but there have been no attempts made since then. Well, none that Rachel or I have noticed.

Maybe we were just lucky a year ago. That thing may well have been after me initially, and simply took the opportunity presented to try to get Rose. I guess we'll never know for sure what the Dark Side's intentions really were that fateful day. To be completely honest, I hope we never do.

I really need to find a good way to thank Dace for what she did last year. I thought she was one of them at first, coming to kill me and steal my child. Until I heard Gramma Rose's voice telling me to trust her, which I did before promptly passing out. It wasn't until I woke up in the hospital, realized that the beast I'd seen superimposed over her face was real, that I completely freaked out. It took everything in me not to jump out of that hospital bed and tear my child from her hands.

I was an idiot. Thankfully, Rachel stopped me from doing any permanent damage to that new relationship with the enigmatically open blonde. What still surprises me is that initial lack of trust I had was transferred to Rachel when it was time for us to move to Las Vegas. It's taken most of the last year to work on changing that, especially after that debacle this spring in the gazebo.

I know what will happen to the children if Rachel and Dace don't get along. I'll be damned if I let any of them suffer the fate that was given to poor Alexis.


"Trick or treat."

That low, husky voice startles me for just a moment until it truly registers who's behind me. With a smile, I close the journal and set it aside, turning to face my beloved wife. And let out a delighted laugh at her costume. The sight of my wife in a low cut, skin tight witch's dress, complete with cape, ankle boots, red and white striped socks, and witch's pointed hat, is exactly what I need to chase away the shadowy thoughts of what might have been.

"You look positively sinful," I chuckle, reaching out a hand for her.

"Witches are not sinful," Rachel retorts, hiking her dress up to straddle my lap; that's when I notice the socks aren't socks, but tights. Oh my... "Wicked and sexy as hell? Definitely. But not sinful."

"Well, looking at you in this outfit makes me think sinful, wicked thoughts of what I want to do to you." My hands move to grip her waist, pulling her closer, and I nibble at the exposed collarbones.

"Far be it from me to stop you from your thoughts and fantasies, but there is a very impatient two-year-old in the other room that wants to get her candy."

Sighing heavily, I rest my forehead against her chest in an attempt to rein in my libido. It is one of the benefits of being pregnant, and one of the drawbacks. Especially right now, when I want nothing more than to slowly peel off that outfit and make love to my beautiful wife.

"Maman? Can'y now?"

Leave it to Rose to kill the moment for me. Pressing a gentle kiss to Rachel's sternum, I lean back to smile ruefully at her. "Go keep her busy while I get my costume on?"

Rose's insistent voice apparently overrides any objections Rachel may have had. Giving me a lingeringly nibbly kiss, she gets to her feet and readjusts her dress. "Better hurry, or I'll send her in here," she teases as she heads back out into the front room.

If it weren't for the fact that this is Rose's first year doing Trick or Treating, I'd find a way to get Kat to take her so I can spend time alone with Rachel, getting a few treats myself. But I won't miss out on this first memory for my baby girl. With a smile, I set my journal back into its appropriate place in the drawer before moving to get my costume from the closet. Zo and I worked hard on this one, and I can't wait for Rachel to see it.

In no time at all, I strip off my clothes before slipping into the leotard that was dyed to match my skin tone. I meticulously shift it around so that the painting is centered appropriately. Next comes the flowing silk skirt in blues and greens, imitating the vast oceans, and finally I slip into the deep indigo bikini top, littered with tiny rhinestones to look like the evening sky. Running my fingers through my hair, I smile at my reflection, hands resting over the painted globe covering the slight bump that is my unborn babe.

Satisfied, I head out into the front room and wait patiently in the doorway until my family turns to face me. The awed look on my Rachel's face is praise enough, and I can read the hints of hunger in those beloved hazel eyes. Yes, I'll definitely be getting treats later tonight after the girls are safely in bed. She winks and mouths "I love you" before motioning for Kat to pick up Rose.

"You look fabulous, my love," she murmurs as I take her outstretched hand. "How did you get this done without me finding out?"

I shrug nonchalantly and barely suppress a low moan when she brushes her lips against my knuckles. "Thank Zo for the idea. I just posed for her while she painted the leotard." And I won't tell her about the standing appointment in the next couple of days for Zo to paint me in this outfit. It will be part of a larger piece of our entire family, and I'll be giving it to Rachel when the baby's born.

"Oh, I'll definitely thank her," Rachel replies, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "You just need to distract Kerry so I don't get beaten with that crutch of hers."

Laughing delightedly at that image, I lean in to drop another kiss to her lips. "Let's go make a memory for Rose, then we can come home and make some memories of our own, okay?"

"I like that idea."