Paul Diamond/SIM Archive

Favorite Sims

USS Nemesis-B

Nemesis-Firing Squad

Nemesis-Worse Than He Thought

Nemesis-The Trial

Nemesis-Goodbye

USS Constitution-B

Constitution-Knight In Shining Armour

Constitution-You Say Goodbye, I'll Say Hello

You Say Goodbye, I'll Say Hello

Volana turned to who she thought was Diamond, however as two

Klingon's strode up and grabbed her, she turned back to who she thought was Diamond and shook her head in disbelief::

Volana: You... You are Sniper! I've heard of you.

Sniper: ::smiling:: It's so nice to know that my reputation has preceded me. And you must be the troublesome Dr. Volana Mercury, the one that got away. You do know that for what you did I will have to kill you.

Volana rolled her head about and grinned as she faced that man

that would deliver her death.::

Volana: Klingon's would prefer to die with honor, Sniper. I'm sure your pals would tell you that the women are more into holding such traditions than the men. If you choose to kill me now, my soul will go on with Kahless the Unforgettable as I'd accomplished my task for my friends. In their eyes, I will have died with honor. You, you have failed your Regent. Your price will be heavy that you did not stop me before I destroyed the power generator.

Sniper: True, I was too late to stop you, but he always has an escape route planned out, as do I. But, enough of the pleasantries, time to do my job.

As Sniper raised the blaster to Volana's forehead, she did not

flinch or make motion to move from the blast.::

Sniper: Dr. Volana Mercury, you have been caught in the act of treason against the Regent and have been sentenced to death. Do you have any last words?

Volana: I have said my say. But I must add that your alternate was more a man than you will ever be, Sniper. That much I do know.

Sniper: Then why am I standing here and he's lying in an empty room dead? ::a smile crossed his face when he saw her reaction upon hearing of Diamonds death.:: Say hi to him for me when you see him, will you?

Sniper tensed his trigger finger as he pinpointed her left eye. That was all he could take and Diamond bolted for Sniper. He

tackled Sniper in the middle of the back as he fired his weapon causing the weapon to discharge off target. As soon as they hit the ground, Diamond snarled in Sniper's ear.::

Diamond: I'll say hello, you say goodbye.

Sniper: ::rolling out from under Diamond:: So, you aren't dead after all. I'm impressed doctor. I didn't give you enough credit. A mistake I won't make again.

While Sniper took aim at Diamond with the weapon he still held,

Diamond searched for something to protect himself. He found a shard of metal and threw it at Sniper like a knife to give him some time.::

Sniper: ::moving out of the way:: Ha, and I thought you were good. You missed.

Diamond: ::looking at him and smiled:: Look again.

Sniper looked where Diamond indicated and saw the shard sticking out of his weapon. The weapon started to spark and overload causing Sniper to throw it away from him. At the middle of its arc, the weapon exploded.::

Sniper: I keep doing that, under estimating you. That is becoming a very bad habit. Very well, enough of this. ::pulling two swords from his belt:: It is about time I put an end to you.

Sniper started to advance on Diamond, swinging both swords parallel to the ground hoping, to cleave the doctor in half. This is what Diamond had wanted, close quarter combat. With the name like Sniper, Diamond figured he was most deadly with ranged weapons. This way, maybe Diamond had a chance.::

Diamond retreated from Snipers attack looking for anything to

protect himself with. In his search, his eyes caught Volana fighting with her captors and it appeared she was winning. Diamond smiled to himself, first to see that she was still alive, and second he had come a crossed two 1 meter long metal pipes. He grabbed both of them, one each hand, and turned to meet Snipers next swing. When the two weapons met, sparks flew.::

Sniper: The doctor fights back? Good, this will be more interesting. Finally I will show everyone who is the better man.

Diamond: Thank you for the compliment. I will make sure they know when you lay on the ground defeated.

Sniper's face distorted with anger and he swung wildly at Diamond

which Diamond easily deflected. Sniper calmed down quickly and started to attack in a more precise manner. The two were evenly matched in skill, but Sniper held the edge because of the weapons he held. After a hard hit, Diamond back peddled and looked at his pipes. Both showed signs of wear, nicks and gouges were taken by Snipers swords.::

Sniper: You are no doubt wondering why your weapons are damaged and mine aren't. Well, these were specially made for me. Both are made out of Titanium, almost indestructible. And with one being a rapier and the other a lean sabre, both are light and very deadly.

To prove his point, Sniper swung at Diamonds head with the sabre.

Diamond ducked, held up one pipe to block the swing and felt the impact. He looked at the pipe again and it was noticeably shorter. Laughing, Sniper pressed his advantage and lunged with his rapier at Diamond's chest. Out of instinct, Diamond spun away and brought the other pipe straight down at the sword. The sound of bone cracking told Diamond his move worked.::

Sniper dropped the rapier on the ground and looked at his broken

hand. Never in all the years of fighting had anyone hurt him like that. He looked at his double, the one who was suppose to be the weaker of the two, standing there with a satisfied smile on his face.::

Sniper: oO How could one as weak as him hurt me like this? Oo

Now with anger driving him instead of intellect, Sniper attacked

Diamond in a fury. He swung the sabre that was in his good hand at Diamond, which Diamond was able to counter. Both combatants tried to achieve the upper hand but it was obvious that Sniper's aggression gave him the edge once again.::

It was now that Diamond's heart began to pump harder. He was in

the fight for his life. One wrong move, one miscalculation and Snipers sword would hit home and separate a part of his anatomy from his body. From somewhere deep inside, Diamond felt strength building giving him a lift in his abilities. Diamond started to fight back and Sniper started to give ground. Diamond swung his one remaining pipe at Sniper trying to knock him unconscious. Sniper was as good at defense as he was at offense and deflected the potential blows damaging the pipe further. Diamond staggered back from the last move and surveyed the damage to his weapon. Both men knew that it wouldn't last another blow like that and Sniper pressed his advantage again.::

Diamond looked for an alternate weapon as he retreated from

Sniper's attack. He almost gave up hope until he saw a flash of light from the ground, fire from the building reflected off the blade of the rapier Sniper had dropped. Diamond knew that with that weapon, he stood a much better chance. He made his way to the dropped weapon, dodging the attempted blows of his attacker, in a way not to clue Sniper in on his plan.::

Sniper: Come now doctor; don't run from your fate. Stand like a man and face your death head on.

Diamond hoped that Sniper's arrogance would blind him from

Diamonds motives and continued towards the rapier. As Sniper swung at Diamond once again, Diamond dove under the blade, grabbed the rapier by its hilt as he rolled past it, and stayed in a crouched position. He was in a small alcove made by three trees with nowhere left to go. He listened to the footsteps approaching behind and waited for his chance.::

Sniper: Time to end this charade. You were the best opponent I have faced, but not the better.

Sniper raised his sword and swung it at Diamond's neck. At the

last moment, Diamond turned, brought the pipe up to block Snipers sword, and thrust the rapier upwards into Sniper's chest. The look of shock on Sniper's face told the story. Diamond slowly pushed the blade into Sniper doing more damage as it went. The Star Fleet uniform Sniper wore gave him relatively no protection like the armour he normally wore did. When Diamond felt the hilt touching Snipers body, he grabbed him in a bear hug and whispered in his ear.::

Diamond: Looks like you were wrong, I am the better man. ::Diamond pushed Sniper away from him and stood there and watched the man that had killed so many.::

Sniper looked down at the weapon that was stuck into his chest.

The heat that he felt burning in his chest was growing and spreading through out his body. He knew this time would come, when he would die, but he never expected it to be like this. His knees started to buckle and he sank to the ground. He never tried to pull out the sword, why bother? He knew from past experiences being on the giving end that he was dying. He took in the scene around him. The burning building, his men either dead on the ground or captured, the one woman he failed in killing, and the one man that was able to kill him.::

The last vision he saw were figures in the distance, shadows

moving closer. The closer they came, the more details he was able to make out until he recognized them. They were all of his victims coming to exact their revenge on him. To his surprise, they stopped a few meters from him and watched. Watched as he took his last few breaths. He saw his mother looking disappointed, his father looking ashamed, and finally his one true love looking satisfied. With one final breath, Sniper fell to his side and laid there.::

Diamond walked over to the body of his alternate self and withdrew

the rapier from his chest. He wiped it on the ground, grabbed the other sword, and headed to where his crewmates were. Standing with them was Volana, bruised and battered, but alive. She ran and met him with a huge hug that lifted him off the ground.::

Volana: Paul!!!! ::laughing:: You came for me??!!!!

Diamond: ::wincing from the pain of his fight coupled by the strength of the hug:: Of course I came for you. I promised I wouldn't let anything happen to you and I am a man of my word. ::Diamond walked over to a smiling Commander Stone.:: Commander, area cleared of all alternates.

Stone: That would be my appraisal. Good job everyone.

Diamond: ::beginning to feel weak after the exertion:: Thank you sir, permission to collapse?

Stone: Permission... what?

Diamond smiled and fell to the ground as he lost consciousness.::

Through The Looking Glass

((Make-Shift Sickbay - Klingon BoP))

Dodge left to see what the emergency was while Paul went back to

his experiments. He lifted the tri-corder so he could read it better and saw that there was time for it to run the complete tests. Paul figured this would be a good time to catch up on his rest, seeing how he knew there would be little time later. He sat back in his chair and drifted off to sleep.::

((Dream))

Laughter, evil, maniacal, laughter. Paul opened his eyes only to

see his own image in a mirror. He looked around the room he was in and saw that it wasn't the Klingon Sickbay, but the bath facility in his quarters on the Constitution. He ran hot water from the faucet and splashed it on his face, then looked up into the mirror. His reflection looked back, then winked. Paul hit the wall behind him as he stumbled away from the mirror. His image laughed the same laugh he had heard earlier, and what was eerie, he now recognized as his own voice.::

Diamond: Impossible, this can't be happening.

Image: Of course it can, anything can happen here; it's your dream.

Diamond: I'm dreaming?

Image: Kind of slow on the up take, aren't you? It's surprising you've made it this far.

Diamond: ::taking a closer look and the image mimicking him.:: Who are you?

Image: You know who I am, look close and remember.

Diamond: ::anger, and then fear went through Diamond as he realized who he was seeing:: SNIPER! But I killed you.

Sniper: ::smiling:: See, you DO have brains, you just need to use it more. Yes, you killed my body, but my spirit lives in you.

Diamond: No, that's impossible, I don't believe you.

Sniper: You can believe what you want, but I'm telling you, I'm being reborn inside you.

Diamond: How?

Sniper: By creating you in my image. Think about it, you have changed since you left the planet, haven't you?

Diamond: ::wary of giving information, but not wanting to lie:: Yes, but that's the Brikaran DNA in me.

Sniper: Ah yes, the foreign DNA, now that was a blessing to me, it is helping me in ways you can't imagine even I couldn't imagine.

Diamond: But what does that have to do with anything, I'm not turning into anything like you.

Sniper: You're not? Think about it. Let's look at the facts here. One; you have become more aggressive in your interactions with others, lashing out at some physically, almost killing your brother- in-law. If it wasn't for "mommy" you might have. And later, verbally belittling your crewmembers, honestly, letting that counselor off so easy like that, you should have beaten her for spilling the beans. I would have killed her.

Diamond: ::grasping at that straw of hope:: See, I'm NOT like you, I didn't kill her.

Sniper: I said I was creating you, not that I was finished yet. You're too much of a goody goody to do this quickly. ::shaking his head:: Where was I?

The image of Sniper began to pace back and forth in the mirror,

which gave Paul a creepy feeling, as Paul stood and watched. He had no idea how this was being accomplished, so this must be a dream like the image said. Paul also knew that the image was speaking the truth so far, he had done all those things that were mentioned. Finally Sniper stopped and looked at Paul with a huge, evil smile.::

Sniper: I know, your temper. You have been flying off the handle more and more, easier and easier, haven't you?

Diamond: Yes, like I said…

Sniper: I know, I know, the DNA. Would you stop using that as an excuse and face the facts that there is something higher working here?

Diamond: You've only mentioned one example, and that doesn't prove anything, that only proves I need help with controlling this.

Sniper: Alright, you want more proof? How about you're womanizing?

Diamond: ::shocked:: My WHAT? I'm not a womanizer!

Sniper: What do you call it? You're jumping from one woman to the next like used clothes. Now if it were me, I'd kill them, but that will come soon enough.

Diamond: What in the world are you talking about?

Sniper: ::sigh:: I guess I'll have to spell it out for you. First there was Kays, she left you because work came first, you sap, and she was good, at least in my universe. She wasn't gone that long when you replaced her with that half-breed Klingon Volana Mercury from my universe, and then when her usefulness was over, poof, she's out of the picture. Now it's that shrimp of a tri-breed, Yladro.

Diamond: ::becoming angry:: Don't you DARE talk like that about her!

Sniper: ::acting afraid:: Oh, big bad doctor going to beat me up? ::laughs:: Good luck, never happen. Looks like I struck a nerve, you MUST have feelings for her, true feelings for you to stand up to me like that, well, I'll take care of those for you, you won't have to worry about that again, Ill make you realize what women are actually for.

Diamond: If that's what I have to look forward to, I'll kill myself first.

Sniper: You won't do that; you have too much to live for. Besides, what makes you think I'll allow that?

Diamond: ::changing tactics:: Why are you doing this?

Sniper: Because you want me too.

Diamond: What do you mean I want you to?

Sniper: Remember when you were told that I represented paths not taken? Well, your subconscious wondered what it would be like if you choose my paths, and here I am. And we are fast approaching the time for you to fade away and me to take over.

Diamond: I'll never give up with out a fight.

Sniper: You don't have a choice in this; I'm the stronger of the two.

With that, Sniper reached out of the mirror and grabbed Paul by

the lapels of his uniform. Paul felt himself being pulled towards the mirror and there was no way to stop it. Out of desperation, Paul swung his fist at the face of Snipers image in the mirror. He saw it make contact, but instead of the mirror breaking he first felt his hand break, and then the pain. He opened his eyes and he was back in Sickbay on the Klingon ship. As he assessed the damaged hand, he heard the laughter fade away in his head.::

Diamond: Damn, that hurt.

Family Crisis

((Runabout))

Paul felt the transporter effect take hold as the inside of the

runabout was replaced with the crisp cool air of the Nebraska climate. Paul turned around where he stood and saw the hospital. It was a tall modern building with a large medical insignia on the side. He walked through the double doors and made his way to the lift. He took it to the Administration Floor and located the office he was looking for. Walking up, he was stopped by a young man.::

Secretary: May I help you?

Diamond: Yes, I would like to see the Personnel Director.

Secretary: I'm sorry but she can't be disturbed. If I may have your name, she will contact you when she is available.

Diamond: I'm only in town for a few days, now is the best time for me.

Secretary: I'm sorry sir, but like I said…

Diamond: Let me make this easy, I'm her son, Dr. Paul Diamond, I'm on leave and came to take her to lunch.

Secretary: ::turning white:: Can you prove this? ::Paul handed over his identification card and as the secretary read it, he turned even whiter.:: I'm sorry Lieutenant, I didn't recognize you. You can find your mother on Floor 18, Room 1820.

With the look on the secretaries face, Paul didn't ask anymore

questions. He dropped his things and took off for the lift. Sheila stuck her head out of the bag and started to follow.::

Diamond: Sheila, STAY!

Sheila landed on the desk of the secretary and laid down and

waited. Paul entered the lift, gave it the proper floor and room, and waited. It seemed like forever but the lift finally arrived. Paul stepped out as soon as the doors opened and headed for the room. He was soon intercepted by a Nurse that tried to stop him.::

Nurse: I'm sorry sir, you are not allowed here, this is only for family.

Paul pushed past her and headed for room 1820 at the end of the

hall. The nurse followed him emphasizing the fact he wasn't suppose be there until a woman stepped out of the room. At first she was surprised, then relieved to see Paul.::

Margret: It's ok Maryanne; this is my son. ::hugging Paul:: Paul, what are you doing here? You should be on your ship.

Diamond: I have some leave and I decided to visit. What's going on?

Paul's mother didn't say a word, tears started to roll down her

cheeks as she looked into the room. Paul disengaged himself from his mother and walked in. The sight he found was one he would never forget. Tubes and wires going to and from the patients body to various machines told him all he needed to know. This was one time he wished he wasn't a doctor, that way he wouldn't know that this patient had just had a massive coronary. He fell to his knees and took the man's hand into his.

Diamond: Dad…

((Time Warp))

The piece of wood that was held in the small vice had ceased being

a branch of ash and was shaping into a fine bow under the hands of Paul. Ever since Paul had left the hospital four days ago he had hidden in the workshop that he had built when he was young making bow's for both his friends and one special bow in particular. Paul had created around six bows of good quality, but his energy went towards the special bow. This one he took his time sanding, notching, and varnishing than the others. He had also made around twenty arrows and a carrying case for it as well. He was almost finished with the finishing touches when he was interrupted.::

Charles: There he is, hiding in his little room playing with his sticks. What's the matter can't face the inevitable?

Diamond: ::ignoring the remark:: Charles, what brings you here? Where are Janet and my little niece, Samantha?

Charles: They are in the house. I was sent to find you for dinner.

Diamond: Didn't realize that time had flown like that.

Paul reached down and removed the bow from the small vise and gave

it one last once over. The bow was smooth and strong. Paul had chosen the best branch out of the bunch and transformed it into one of the best bows he had ever made. The crowning point was the crest that he had found from some research that he had engraved above the handle. Paul carefully laid the bow in its case and closed it.::

Charles: I don't understand you. You pay more attention to your "sticks" than you do your family.

Diamond: ::disgusted:: This is for a fellow crewmate.

Charles: Oh yeah, that's right, you're going to run away to your ship instead of helping here.

Diamond: ::slamming the lid close:: What are you getting at? You have a problem with my choice of careers?

Charles: It just seems that when the way get's tough Paul runs away to his ship. You never want to face trouble, you… ::moves his first two fingers in a running motion:: run away. No wonder your mother is talking of selling the farm.

Diamond: WHAT? She wouldn't sell the farm without talking to me.

Charles: Why? You're never home to have a say, let alone help run the farm. It was I that suggested it since it has always fallen to your sister and I to help around here and not you.

Diamond: YOU have no say in the matter, you are not a Diamond, you only married into the family. This farm and all its land go to the oldest male DIAMOND, not "son-in-law", and that is me. I have MORE say in this than you.

Charles: ::Laughs:: You? You will leave at the first chance you get. How do you expect your mother to run a farm this size and continue to work at the hospital?

Diamond: You'd be surprised at what she is capable of doing. Besides, my father ISN'T dead yet, he's only laid up for a few weeks.

Charles: Even so, he won't be able to handle a farm this size anymore.

Paul knew his brother in law was right, but he didn't have to

believe it. There had to be a way to keep the farm in the family, there had to be.::

Diamond: One thing I've learned in Star Fleet is that there is more than one option and this isn't any different. ::looking at Charles:: And YOU will not have any say in this, this is for my IMMEDIATE family to discuss, tonight.

The two men stared at each other waiting for the other to make a

move. Who knows how long it would have lasted, no one will because Paul's sister, Janet, walked in.::

Janet: There you two are, dinner is on the table.

Charles: ::staring at Paul:: We were just coming, you go ahead and make sure Sammy is ready.

Janet: She's is already in there with Mom and…

Charles: ::turning on her:: DON'T TALK BACK, DO WHAT YOU'RE TOLD.

Janet cringed from him, but before he could do anything, Charles

stormed out of the room.::

Diamond: ::walking to his sister:: What was THAT about?

Janet: Ignore him, he'll calm down.

Diamond: How long has he been like that?

Janet: Ever since he lost his contract with Star Fleet for cutting corners. He's been in a bad mood ever since because no one will hire him anymore.

Diamond: ::moving Janet's face towards him and looking in her eyes:: Has he hit you or Samantha?

Janet pulled her face from his hand and walked away.::

Janet: Come on, dinners getting cold.

Paul let the subject drop but vowed to keep an eye on Charles. He

followed his sister into the house they, and his father, and his father's fathers grew up in. The family was sitting around the table with his father sitting at the head, exactly where he had always been. He thought back four days ago and the words from his mother.::

((Flashback))

Diamond: Dad…

Margret: He's resting comfortably.

Diamond: ::turning to his mother:: What happened?

Margret: He was plowing the backfield when he had a heart attack. Fortunately your sister stopped by for a visit and found him in time.  ::starting to cry:: I've been telling him he had to slow down.

Diamond: ::moving to his mother and hugged her:: Mom, you're not to blame, he's stubborn, no matter what you'd tell him, he would always do it his way.

Margret: ::looking at her son:: Sounds like his son, don't you think?

Diamond: ::smiling, he looked back at his father:: What does the cardiologist say?

Margret: No permanent damage, he'll come home in a few days as long as he progresses like he expects.

Diamond: So, he's going to…

Margret: Live? Of course, he's stubborn remember? He just refuses to die. ::smiles:: But there will have to be changes, diet, work load, things like that.

Paul looked at his sleeping father and was relieved.::

((Present))

That same feeling he had in the hospital room flooded Paul as he

looked at his father sitting in his chair as if nothing had happened. His father tried to hide the fact he was sick, but Paul could tell, he could see the signs.::

Daniel: Are you going to sit down with us son or stand there all night?

Paul smiled and took his place. Dinner went off without an

argument. Charles was even civil; the signs of his anger had evaporated. The conversations were of happy days gone by, and those ahead. This was why Paul had come home, to relax with family. After what he had been through since arriving on the Constitution, he needed to recharge not only his body, but his soul as well. Dinner was finished and the family retired to the living room where they all sat with their coffee and tea.::

Diamond: That was a wonderful dinner mother.

Margret: Thank you, it was a special occasion, I had everyone home at the same time.

Daniel: They're home for only one reason.

Margret: Daniel, don't be cynical.

Daniel: You know why we're all here as well as I do, so don't tell me not to be cynical.

Janet: Daddy, calm down, you don't need to be upset.

Daniel: Don't tell me what to do young lady, ::turning to Paul:: or you either young man. I don't care if you ARE a famous doctor, I'll do what I want when I want.

Margret: Daniel, stop it, they are trying to help.

Daniel: I don't care, we are NOT going to sell the farm and that's final.

Diamond: Dad, I agree, you shouldn't sell the farm. But you should find someone to help.

Charles: See, what did I tell you, pushing his responsibilities off onto someone else.

Janet: Charles, that's not fair, he has a responsibility to Star Fleet first.

Daniel: And you don't talk about a member of my family like that in my house.

Charles: I'm just telling the truth, if no one else can see that.

Janet: That's my father you're talking to.

Charles: And I am your husband, don't you forget it.

Charles lifted his hand to strike Janet, but before he could, Paul

was on him in a blur before anyone could react. Paul had pulled Charles off the couch where he had sat by his raised arm, grabbed his throat with his free hand and started to squeeze. His anger had risen when his sister was threatened which lent to his strength. Part of him encouraged him to squeeze harder while another told him to let go. Charles was fighting at Paul's hand to get him to release but he was starting to lose conscientiousness.::

Margret: PAUL MICHEAL DIAMOND, you release him this instant!

The voice of his mother penetrated his anger and Paul released his

brother in law. Charles fell to the floor wheezing, trying to catch his breath.::

Margret: ::walking over to Paul:: Don't you EVER choke someone like that again. "Do No Harm" remember?

Diamond: But mom, he was going to hit Janet.

Margret: That doesn't give you the right to hurt him like that. ::helping Charles up:: Are you alright?

Charles: Yes, thanks.

No one saw her hand because it moved so fast as Paul's mother

slapped Charles across the face. The look on both Paul's and Janet's faces were of shock, where Daniel's was of humor.::

Margret: Now, don't you EVER raise your hand to my daughter again, or next time I won't stop Paul. Gather your things and leave my house, you are no longer welcomed in this family. ::turning to Janet:: You and Samantha will stay here until everything is final. I will not have you near him again.

Daniel: ::laughs to himself:: I told him not to piss her off.

Charles rubbed his face, looked at Margret, looked at his wife,

and sulked out of the house. Margret moved to the comm. padd and called the authorities to report the incident. They informed her that everything would be handled. Janet left the room as well to put her own daughter to bed which left Paul with his father.::

Daniel: That was admirable what you did for your sister, even if your mother won't tell you.

Diamond: He made me so angry.

Daniel: I know, me too, but I couldn't…

Diamond: Dad, don't do that to yourself, you will be able to soon.

Just then his mother entered the room again and his father shook

his head to end the conversation.::

Margret: There, everything is taken care of.  ::turns to Paul:: Now, about you young man, we have to do something about your anger.

Daniel: I know the perfect punishment. ::looks at his wife:: The tickets, you know, to that concert? We can't go now, I have to "rest", and you know what they say, "music calms the savage beast".

Margret: You will find any way to get out of going, won't you? ::sighs:: But you're right, you need the rest, and Paul needs to relax, and sunny California would be the best place for that.

Diamond: What are you two talking about?

Margret: ::moves over to bureau:: I was given two tickets to a Piano Concert in California just before you fathers attack. He can't go now, so I think you should go and represent our family. ::hands the tickets to Paul:: Front row seats and backstage passes to meet the pianist.

Diamond: Pianist? ::looking at the tickets he couldn't make out the name of the performer, it looked Scandinavian or something:: Who is it?

Margret: I can't pronounce his name well, Weylanndro or something like that. But that doesn't mean he isn't great, he is. The shuttle leaves tomorrow at noon, the concert is tomorrow night, and you have a room at the Walmount.

Diamond: But there are two tickets, who is going with me?

Margret: I don't care you just go and relax. No arguments.

Paul knew better to argue with his mother, so he accepted his

fate, his punishment, and headed to pack. In the hall he ran into his sister coming from her old room. They just stood there looking at each other, Paul with a look of concern for her, Janet with embarrassment. Soon tears rolled down her cheeks and she rushed into his arms for a hug.::

Janet: ::whispering:: Thanks bookworm!

Janet then ran down the hall into the guest room and locked the

door behind her. Paul, not knowing what to do or say, went to his room and went to bed.