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mirkwoodshewolf · 3 years

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A heavenly reunion pt. 1; Queen x reader

*Author's note*

This is it guys. After almost 3 years of writing this series it's FINALLY come to the end. Like all good things, they must end eventually so here it is. The LAST chapter of my Rock Angel series.

I first want to point out the YEARS (except Freddie's death date) DON'T MEAN ANYTHING. I'M NOT TRYING TO PREDICT THE FUTURE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. I just picked these random years to represent when the remaining members of Queen will pass, AGAIN THESE AREN'T REAL DATES AND I HOPE THEY AREN'T.

Pt. 2 will be up in just a few minutes so until then, enjoy this first part.

Taglist:

@plethora-of-things

@waddles03

@psychosupernatural

@ixchel-9275

@simonedk

@queensdivas

@queendeakyy

@queen-paladin

@sparkleslightlyy

@starswin

@labessieisallama

@isabella-bby

@naturalswifty89

@onebigfangirlworld

@ssa-sadboi

@5sos-wdw

@jd-johndeacon-or-jackdaniels

@geek-and-proud

@wormzteef

@bohemiansweede

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*3rd Person POV. June 23rd, 2051*

Rock star, animal rights activist, founder of organizations like ANGELS CURING AIDS, WORDS CAN HURT TOO; Victims and survivors of emotional and verbal abuse, and the ANGELS AGAINST STALKING that helps protect people from violent stalkers. Also apart of charities like the Mercury Phoenix Trust foundation. The Rock Angel (Y/n) Kline had lived a full life.

She continued to tour with Queen as they got many other partnerships throughout the years. But she most enjoyed collaborating with Adam Lambert as he reminded her of him, bright and ambitious just wanting to share his music with the world and he knew he could never fill in Freddie's shoes but he sure as hell made a name for himself in his own way.

She was also a part of the "Bohemian Rhapsody" film that had been made and got to know the actors playing the men that she had grown up with and came to see them as her true family. Ten years after the film released, her own story got to be told thanks to the rights of Paramount and the brilliant mind of Dexter Fletcher, who had directed the story of her boys and Elton John, another one of her dearest friends and mentors.

But now at the crippled age of 90, the Rock Angel now lived in the privacy of her home in London. She was forced to stop touring because just 3 years ago she was diagnosed with a form of dementia.

It was hard on her family and her 4 children and dozens of grandchildren even great-grandchildren to see the once strong woman they had once admired for so long and looked up to as a role model not only in music, but life.

In their current home of London, her husband of over 70 years Jack who had made a name for himself. After the whole stalking incident, Jack joined the ranks of the LAPD. He worked himself all the way to the top and became Chief for over 30 years before he retired by the time he was in his 60's.

He sat there by his wife's bedside stroking her long white hair as she lay there forced into bedrest. She looked up at him and whispered.

"Jack?"

"I'm here baby."

"Where are they? Where are my boys?" she asked.

"Our sons? They're just downstairs."

"No, no. I meant my boys." At those two words, Jack's heart broke as he looked at his wife sympathetically.

"Baby they've—they died. It's been so many years since they all left this world." At hearing her boys were dead, tears fell down her face but Jack held onto his wife and kissed the top of her head. "But I can show you their videos, if you'd like."

"Please. I need to see them. To tell them goodbye." Jack then reached for the I-pad and opened up the Youtube app and began typing in the very song that he knew he would need.

He knew his wife didn't have long and he wanted her to have one last happy memory of hearing the perfect song written by her boys.

Together they held the I-pad and soon the music video "These are the days of our lives" came on.

"Why does Fred look so sick?" she asked worriedly. Jack swallowed the lump in his throat and tried to explain.

"He was suffering from AIDS, and it—really affected him love."

"I wish I could've taken care of him." She said as she stroked the screen every time Freddie came on screen. At the instrumental break as she watched Brian skillfully play the guitar, she smiled and said. "Bri....he was such a good guitar player."

"He was, but nothing compared to you." Jack praised obviously playing favorites. He then took notice of his wife growing tired as the song ended.

It was time.

"It's okay baby, you can rest now." And she did just that. Her breathing slowed right as Freddie spoke the last 'I still love you' line and the video ended. "Goodnight my Rock Angel. Be with your boys once again." He then let out a sob as he leaned against his deceased wife.

At 10:45am on June 23rd, 2051 (Y/n) Kline was pronounced dead at the old age of 90.

Everyone who had collaborated with the Rock Angel or had looked up to her all gathered at her funeral. Close friends and family all came to mourn at the loss of the last of the greatest Rock and Roll singers. She was buried in her birth town of Leicestershire, right next to her real parents.

*My POV*

I felt peaceful. My mind was no longer hazy. I could remember everything once again, but what confused me was where I was. I found myself walking through a long corridor but as I passed a mirror, I stopped and backed up to find a shocking surprise.

I was young again.

I looked to be about the age of 19, when I first met the guys. My hair was in the same long wavy fashion I once had before I cut it. I stroked along my cheek just to see if this was real or a dream, but as I stroked it I found that it was. Suddenly a door opened before me and I don't know why but I found myself walking toward it.

Now I was in what looked like an office with everything you would see. Filing cabinets, a large desk filled with paperwork but what caught my attention was the abacus that stood at the front center of the desk.

"Ahh (Y/n) Kline, please come forward." I turned to see a man around his 60's with short black hair, a grim like face with sharp cheekbones and icy blue eyes. He wore a black business suit and he was intimidating but for some reason I came forward toward the desk.

He sat down and pulled out a file and began reading through it humming to himself then he said.

"Place your hand over the abacus." I looked at it to see that the color code was white and black. White at top and black at the bottom.

"What is this?"

"This shall determine your next step. Just place your hand over it and let fate do the rest." I didn't know what this was gonna mean but again I saw myself place my hand over it and the second I did, it started going frantic.

Moving up and down frantically with no one even touching it. It was mostly balanced most of the way until it finally majority of the counters went white. The man smiled and said.

"Give my regards to those Rockstar friends' of yours. I'll be looking forward to your next concert." He then snapped his fingers and everything went bright.

Next thing I knew, I heard the sound of birds chirping and felt the sun beaming down on me. I was then greeted with wide open fields and a giant house along with several barn-like homes. It was like Garden Lodge and Rockfield farm mixed into one.

As I stood a few feet away from the main mansion-like house I swore from the second window of the white satin curtains I saw movement. I walked towards the house and placed my hand on the doorknob, I paused for a few seconds before I finally opened the door. I walked in and it was exactly like Freddie's home of Garden Lodge.

I walked through the threshold to see the grand staircase to my right, the long corridor ahead of me and the entrance to the living room to my left.

"Hello?" I said as I stood there. It was then I felt something nuzzle between my legs and I heard a meow. I heard it again and I looked down to see a very familiar face. "Hey, Delilah." I picked her up and held her as she purred and nuzzled my face. I scratched under her chin and she lowered her head to lick my hand.

"No it should be more like this." I heard a low, smooth baritone voice say.

"No, no and no Mr. tuxedo! Bernie has it like this and it shall remain this way. He and I are the genius piano and songwriting duo and it'll stick to this rhythm and timing." Another voice boasted out.

Oh my god.....It can't be. I set Delilah down and she took off running up the stairs as I crossed the living room into the parlor where Fred kept his piano to see two men that I had not seen in forever.

"David? Elton?" I spoke up. The two men turned toward me. David looked so much healthier than last I saw him and he looked younger just like me, in fact he looked about the same age he was when he did Live aid as well as working on the Jim Henson project 'the Labyrinth'.

Elton on the other hand looked about the age from when he was first starting off, back before he began experimenting with all the drugs and all that. The vibrant ginger hair but he still had on those flamboyant sunglasses he always loved to wear.

"Is that—really you?" I asked bewildered.

"Oh shit it can't be. The high angel herself, the Rock Angel?" Elton dramatic tone.

"Yes, it's me."

"Ohh darling. Welcome home." David greeted me with a wide smile and open arms as he walked up to me. He embraced me as he chuckled warmly and said, "Did you have a good life darling?"

"Uh-huh. I had the best life." I said, my voice muffled within his blue suit.

"It looked like you did love." We separated and I couldn't help but admire just how healthy he was.

"How have you been David?"

"Much better darling. No more chemo, I can finally breathe again."

"That's good."

"Alright you overgrown smooth talker, let me at her now." Elton proclaimed as he shoved David aside and immediately came up and kissed both of my cheeks before embracing me. "Oh darling we sure have missed you."

"And I you Elton. Life just hasn't been the same without your music."

"Been practicing those scales I taught you?" he asked pointedly.

"Yes, whenever I could."

"That's my girl." He hugged me again and I buried my face into his shoulder.

"(Y/n)?" a choir of voices soon rang up. I felt my heart stop as I lifted my head, not believing what I was hearing. Elton let go of me and both he and David with soft smiles on their faces told me to go and see who it was. The four voices called out my name again.

I crossed through the parlor, ran across the living room until I came to the door and just halfway up the staircase, I felt my smile widen and tears fill my eyes.

"My boys."

"You're finally here!" Freddie proclaimed. My legs raced directly up the stairs and Freddie, Brian, Roger and John all gathered me at the center in a long awaited Queen group hug.

All I felt were arms wrapped around me tightly, kisses all over my head and face and gentle hair and back strokes. I don't even know how long we were in that hug for but I didn't care, all I cared about was the fact my boys were here all together. When we finally separated I finally got a good look at all four of them.

They were all so young and vibrant just like how I first saw them back in concert long before I became an intern, I would like to think they were now the same ages they were when they first played at the Rainbow back in 1974. Long hair and all.

"I can't believe you four are here." I praised.

"And we can't believe you're here. And with your long hair again, was this when you were most happy?" asked Brian.

"If by that you mean when I first became Miami's intern? Yeah, best day of my life. Do you guys hate it?"

"No darling we've loved you no matter what your hair length is." Freddie said as he stroked the ends of my hair.

"I only just hope you didn't bring along any extreme surprises. Belly button rings, more tattoos." Deacy teased me. I chuckled but felt tears fall down my face.

"Aww lovie what is it?" Roger cooed as I felt him rub my shoulder. All four of them looking at me with those concerned puppy dog eyes they all knew how to do.

"I'm sorry. It's just—I missed you four so much." They all awed as Freddie first took me in his arms and said with his head leaning against mine.

"I know darling. It seems like it's been forever since the five of us were together."

"Coming from you Fred you have no idea." I wept as I gripped onto him as tight as I could, burying my face into his long black hair which softly tickled my face.

God if there's anything I missed about Freddie, it was his warm hugs. They were always so warm and inviting, anyone who was lucky enough to be given any sign of affection from this loveable man was considered lucky, and I was fortunate to be one of those people, and now finally after almost 60 years, I was able to feel that affection once more.

We were now upstairs in the master bedroom to do some private catching up.

"Alright sister dear, come here you." Deacy said. I smiled and immediately went into his arms and he embraced me. As all of you know, after Freddie's death, Deacy was the one to take it the hardest. So much so that he hardly played at any Queen gigs except for maybe three occasions then by 1997 he officially retired and no one had heard from him since.

The guys and I respected his decision so in order to make sure he was alright, I kept in contact with Veronica and would occasionally ask how Deacy was doing as well as the kids. I had learned that the two of them had two more kids, Luke and Cameron and the two of them had been successful in their own ways, all of the Deacy kiddies had, especially Luke who followed in his dad's footsteps and played in a band of his own.

In fact with the permission of the parents, I had allowed my nephew Luke to play at a few of my tours, and god just seeing him play reminded me so much of his dad, not to mentioned he looked so much like him.

And it was an honor to play with a second generation of Deacon.

The sad news of Deacy's passing came to Jack and I from Laura on a cold November day in 2035. Out of the two of us, Jack was the most heartbroken because he not only lost a brother but his idol and mentor.

We were invited to the burial by decree of the Deacy clan but I made sure that through some makeup and wigs that Jack and I weren't recognized by press because we wanted this to be private. As Deacy would've wanted that.

"Ohh I've missed you so much (y/n)."

"Not as much as I missed you brother mine."

It was then my attention turned towards the last 2 members of Queen, the remaining members I kept working with till the end. Brian May and Roger Taylor.

Together in our lives after Freddie's death and Deacy's retirement, I had been there for everything Queen got to accomplish, and they did the same for me. In fact it was Brian who bestowed upon me my plaque to be initiated into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame before I was given my star right above Queen's.

I was also involved with some of the work they did for a little movie called "Bohemian Rhapsody", and they helped become a part of my movie "Set it all free Angel". I first turned my attention to Brian.

It had been almost 10 years since my movie came out and 20 for Queen's film Bohemian Rhapsody. I was in my home studio working on my next upcoming album when I had received a call from Anita telling me that Brian had passed away at the age of 93. It was a peaceful passing so he wasn't suffering or in pain which I was thankful for in a way, he's suffered through so much that if I wanted him to go out, it would have to be peacefully in his sleep.

The world was devastated at losing such an inspiring man. Not only in the music industry, but for his work in astrophysics, as well as the animal programs that he's helped funded and laws he helped raise awareness for.

When he died, I took over the business in his name and within 3 years; I finally helped get laws of abusing, harming or killing animals to be illegal and anyone caught doing that wouldn't get misdemeanors. They would face legal full sentencing of 20-50years in Federal prison. On the night the laws passed and I along with Brian's partnering animal rehab centers signed off on the law, I went to Brian's grave and told him everything.

I immediately glomped him into a hug and held onto his waist tightly. He embraced me back just as tight as I was holding him, me humming lovingly as I buried my face into his chest feeling him stroke down my hair. After what felt like forever, he separated from me and stared down at me with those loving hazel blue eyes of his as he placed both his hands at the top of my head before stroking them downward against each side of my head and ending by cupping my face in his hands.

"I am so proud of everything you've done (Y/n). I saw it all, thank you for continuing my legacy for animal rights."

"You taught me everything I needed to know about being kind and caring towards all creatures, so much so you helped inspire me to do my own animal rehabilitations and rescues. I just—wish I could've been there for you when you......"

"It was beyond your control love. But I didn't suffer. I knew you loved me, and would've done anything to come see me had you known. I never blamed you, so stop blaming yourself." I nodded as tears slipped down my face but with his thumbs he wiped them away before hugging me once more. I felt him kiss my temple before cupping the side of my face once more to kiss my nose.

Even as I got older and we were both in our senior years, he never once stopped with the nose pecks. I smiled and Eskimo kissed him before he pressed his forehead against mine. It was then I felt a hand on my shoulder and I turned to my right to see Roger standing before me.

Besides Freddie's death, I think the most devastating thing for me was when Roger died. It was about a year after Brian's death when I had gotten a frantic call from my godson Rufus that Roger had been taken to the hospital because of a stroke. Without hesitating, I got into the car and raced to West London Medical Hospital, where I met up with the Taylor pride.

I was frantic with anxiety and fear that I would lose yet a 3rd member of Queen. Over 48hrs passed when Rog finally regained consciousness and I was sitting right there by his bedside holding his hand. He spoke so softly it was like whispers on the wind and the only thing he wanted to do was go outside.

Reluctantly the doctors allowed it so my godchildren, and his wife Sarina took him out to the hospital garden and allowed me some one on one time with him. But I didn't know that that would be the last time they would ever get to talk to him. The last words he ever spoke to me were and I still remember it to this day, even up here in heaven.

"Brian and Freddie have come to collect me, they send out their love to you and Deacy. Look after the old bastard for us." And I literally felt his life slip away from my hand as he died right there in front of me.

For months I was depressed. I was allowed to go to the funeral and speak my eulogy and I sang at his funeral, this time my own rendition of Phil Collins' song 'You'll be in my heart.' It was also because of his funeral that Deacy and I got even closer than we had in years.

He had secretly gone to both Brian and Roger's funeral but it didn't take till Rog passed for him to physically approach me and we both just wept and cried from losing a father, a brother, a great friend together.

Finally when I finally gained the strength, me and the Taylor children all took a picnic up where Roger was born and just looked out beyond the fields of where his childhood home was and reminisced on all the wonderful memories we had of our father.

And it was from his death I produced my album 'Papa Lion' and dedicated it to him; 'To my Papa Lion, and all the other father lions out there. Keep protecting your children no matter what'.

"You gonna get into these arms or what love?" he asked me. I spoke not a word but felt tears in my eyes as I raced up and buried myself into his neck and dirty blonde almost brunette hair. He held me and spun me around, kissing all over my face humming and moaning lovingly.

When he finally set me down, he cupped my face just like Brian did but he gently leaned forward and very gingerly headbutted my forehead and the two of us nuzzled each other, rubbing our noses together.

Like a father lion and his cub reuniting with each other at last.

I held onto his wrists which still cupped the sides of my face and just allowed my tears to fall out but I couldn't stop smiling.

"I hope those are happy tears." He said to me. I sniffled and nodded.

"Yeah the—these are....ha-happy tears." I choked out.

"You know you don't have to be so strong around me, right lovie?" It was then I just broke down and wept as I embraced him. "Shhh, shh. I'm here my lion cub, I'm here. Papa lion is here." He whispered in my ear.

"God I have waited so long for you to say that." I whimpered out to hear him softly laugh and just hug me tighter.

"Oh my darlings.....my heart.....it's too full!" We heard Fred exclaim out dramatically. We both laughed as I nuzzled deeper into my papa lion's chest, happy to finally be reunited with them.

After finally calming down, we were all just sitting around the master bedroom. I was up against the couch leaning against Deacy's legs as he was currently brushing and braiding my hair.

"So you guys continuing to rock it out here in Heaven?" I asked.

"Don't you know it darling. Every good singer who has helped made a difference comes up here and we continue to live a peaceful eternity doing what we were born to do. Be performers." Freddie stated.

"In fact we just had our concert the other night. We got to perform alongside the Beatles." Said Roger.

"Shut up! The Beatles?!"

"You know it love, Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Starr." Said Brian.

"Wow, I wish I could've seen it." I said.

"You will darling, we perform our concerts every single night. And it's always a mix mash of artists and bands collaborating together to perform the Greatest Heavenly Rock 'n Roll concert." Said Fred.

"Now that you're here poppet, you'll get the chance to perform with the best of the best." Said Deacy. I was flabbergasted.

"Holy......" I couldn't even finish it because I was just so shocked to think that I would be performing with the greatest artists long before my time and bands I wish I had the chance to record or perform alongside with. The guys all chuckled at me and I said.

"So that's why David and Elton were here."

"Mm-hmm. We're all performing together in tonight's show. Three artists of the 70's decade for the first time ever sharing the stage together." Said Brian.

"Ohh man what people would've killed to see that in person. I mean yeah you guys performed at the same venue like we did with Live Aid or did some recordings together but never all three of you guys on stage at once." I said.

"That's how it works around here." Spoke Deacy as he finished the last strand of my braid. I thanked him and observed the braid he had done and I commented.

"You've gotten better Deacy."

"Laura was good practice. My baby girl always wanted her hair braided."

"She may have gotten that from me, sorry." He playfully scowled at me but I cheekily stuck my tongue out at him. "Say Fred, where's Jim at? I figured if you were here, he would be too."

"Oh that man of mine, he's out tending the garden, come have a look." He escorted me to the back window and there I saw a field of flowers as far as the eye could see.

"Whoa. He's done all of that?"

"Been doing it since 2010 darling. Always a hard worker my husband. When he first came, I was worried he wouldn't like this appearance of mine, after all I didn't have my tache and my hair was much shorter than when I first met him."

"Jim loves you Freddie. He loves you no matter what you'd look like."

"And I did know. Turns out he's got a long hair kink." He whispered to me which made me choke out a laugh.

"Seriously?" He nodded ecstatically and that's when Deacy spoke up.

"We're still here Fred, no need to hear any of that."

"Oh god Deacy don't act so innocent. After all you were the one who wrote a song about pre-ejaculation." Deacy's mouth just gaped before turning stoic, and of course Rog and Bri were laughing their asses off. He turned to me and I shrugged saying.

"He's got a point."

"Okay yeah ha-ha fuck all of you."

"Oh come off it John. We mean no harm by it." Roger teased

"At least it's better than a car fucking song." Deacy fired back.

"That's not funny!" Roger proclaimed.

"It is kinda funny." Deacy sassed back.

"Okay, okay enough both of you. I had enough of your arguments to last an entire lifetime. I don't need to relive it now when I just got here." I stated.

"Sorry love." They both choired out.

"Oh (y/n), I do have a surprise for you though." Brian spoke up. I looked at him and said,

"What kind of surprise?"

"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise now would it?" He said as he walked right up to me.

"If you tell me, I'll still act surprise." He chuckled and wrapped an arm around me.

"C'mon love, let's head outside." We soon went down the stairs and headed out of the house.

Brian lead me to an open field about a half mile away from the house. There was nothing but green for miles ahead.

"Brian what's this about?"

"You'll see." He then took his index finger and thumb and curled them inward like pinchers before placing them against his lips letting out a loud whistle. We stood there for a moment that was until I heard a bark. A very familiar bark. No it—it couldn't be.

Soon jogging up the hill about a mile away was a German Shepherd. His familiar traditional fur coat shined under the sun as he looked right at me. He let out a couple of barks and soon several more dogs came running up beside him.

They consisted of a golden retriever, 2 pit-bulls, 3 huskies (1 traditional black and white, another grey and white and the last one an auburn coloring), a collie, and 4 Labradors (2 blacks, a tan and one brown).

With each dog that this pack had, I knew every single one of them. I turned to Brian baffled and he just grinned at me before nodding telling me that they were who I thought they were. I turned back around and the German Shepherd let out a bark. I then let instinct take over and ran as I cried out.

"Bucky!" He soon came running after me, as did all the other dogs barking and panting as they all ran down the hill towards me. "C'mon kids! Come on!" I proclaimed. Each dog was running as fast as they could but Bucky and the black and white husky Shasta were leading the pack. "C'mon kids!" Bucky let out some barks as he raced ahead of Shasta and we met half-way.

Bucky leapt with both paws to my shoulders knocking me down onto the ground.

"Ohh Buck. I can't believe it's you! Ohh look at you boy! Good boy Buck!" A second later Shasta came up to me whimpering happily as his tail wagged. "Oh Shasta baby boy look at you! Hi~ Hi baby boy~." Soon enough my entire dog pack was all up on me grunting and whimpering happily as they all began to tackle me, wanting my attention and love.

Now while you all know I've had Bucky and Sammy as the family pets for Jack and the kids. The other dogs have a different story. The two pitbull brothers that I had named Titan and Bear were rescue dogs when I was a part of an actual rescue mission with one of my animal charities in saving dogs from a Mexican dogfight.

Whenever I was free from touring and recording, I made sure they were well taken care of and even let them stay at my home for awhile before they were finally adopted by a good family.

My triple threat huskies Shasta, Maya (the grey and white) and Eevee (auburn) were actually Kelly's dogs. Shortly after she left for college, she wanted to fill her house with dogs so she adopted these three and very often when she would visit or we would visit her, these troublemakers were always there. Sweet and loveable but stubborn little buggers but I wouldn't take them either way.

The Labradors were also rescue dogs that I helped out. The black one Raider and white one Rowdy were just left abandoned tied up in the backyard of their owners homes. The owners had abandoned them and left them for dead in the hottest summer of the year. But thanks to my team we got them out, sheltered and good homes but I occasionally checked in on them since I couldn't let them go.

The brown lab Cleopatra and the other black lab Midnight were once stray dogs till my son Freddie found them and gave them some food and water. Since he didn't have the heart to turn them to the shelter he adopted them. They even started their own little family since Midnight and Cleopatra were mates together and had many puppies together.

And finally the beautiful Collie was Jezebel. Jezebel was something special because she was actually my nana's dog. I hadn't seen her since I was probably five years old, she was already an old girl growing up but from what I remember, she was so maternal with me.

Whenever my nana was busy with something, she knew she could trust Jezebel with me.

After giving every single dog my attention I finally managed to stand up and see all the dogs in my life standing in a row.

"Jezzy, Bucky, Sammy, Titan, Bear, Shasta, Maya, Eevee, Cleo, Midnight, Rowdy and Raider. I don't believe it. Good doggies. My lucky dog pack. I can't believe you're all here. How did you find them all?"

"I was out strolling wanting to observe the stars when I found Bucky and Sammy. They immediately recognized me and just came running right for me. Soon enough they brought me to meet the rest of the dogs you've known and rescued. I was surprised about the collie but I knew she wouldn't be among them if she wasn't a part of your family."

"Yeah, Jezebel was my nana's dog. I called her Jezzy cause I couldn't quite pronounce her name. She was like my guardian dog angel. Always maternal until she passed away of cancer when I was just 5 years old." I walked up to her and pet her head and she leaned up against me. "She even saved me from almost being attacked by a stray dog one summer."

"Well I'm very glad she did." Brian said as he walked up and stroked her head and she gave his hand a friendly sniff and lick.

"And you took care of all of them?"

"Well I'm an animal activist through and through. If Freddie takes care of every cat that comes to Heaven, I thought I should take care of the animals I've grown fond of, but also the animals my little protegee has taken on herself. As well as the family dogs." I smiled and Brian and thanked him with a hug and he gratefully hugged me back.

As the day drew to a close and nightfall came, the boys had escorted me over to the Heavenly Concert hall. If we want to look at it scale wise, imagine it as Wembley Stadium during the time of Live Aid back in 1985. We drove in a royal golden carriage fit only for her royal majesties themselves.

"Wow, it's just like Wembley stadium."

"It is in a way, but it can fit an infinite amount of people. Any and all are welcome to watch us perform." Said Deacy.

"And we won't need to do soundchecks or anything?"

"Nope. This is heaven darling. Up here everything works to the full capacity and capability. No have to worry ever again about sound checks or power outages." Freddie stated. Our carriage soon stopped at the back entrance and the doors magically opened.

I stepped out first followed by Deacy, Roger, Brian and Freddie. Deacy wrapped his arm around me and guided me into the building and the five of us followed the sign down to the basement level where the dressing rooms were.

And it was like they said, I saw dozens of stars with the names of so many artists and bands before and during my time. Elvis Presley, Janis Joplin, the Beatles, David, Elton, Led Zeppelin, REO Speedwagon, George Michael, Phil Collins, Bob Dylan, and everyone and anyone you could think of.

"And here we are darling, your dressing room awaits." Roger said as he stood before a red door with a golden star with wings on each side that read in bold black letters my stage name ROCK ANGEL. He opened it up and I was in awe.

Inside was a very large room filled with furniture, a huge makeup station with large mirror decored with lamplights around the perimeter of it.

On the left side of the dressing room were hundreds of different outfit's I've worn throughout the years. Everything was there on hangers along with some of the hats I wore, fedora's, cowgirl, and my famed flat caps of various different colors and styles.

While on the right; I could see just music instruments like the Red Special Brian had made for me up against a special holder up along the wall right by my makeup stand.

"Is this my....."

"Go on and have a look darling." I heard Freddie say in my ear.

"Okay. I finally have my own mall." I walked in and was just in awe at everything. It looked like heaven had taken my master bedroom from my first home I had after becoming the Rock Angel and just put it all here.

I walked inside and said.

"Ooo, very nice shoes." I pointed out on the shoe wrack seeing some of the styles of shoes I've worn. From combat boots, to Adidas', flats, and even the high-heeled boots that Deacy always wore during the 1970's.

"We're glad you like them darling. Why don't you go around that corner and press the black button along the dresser." Deacy said. I walked further in and reached a dresser and found the black button. When I pressed it, a couple of shelves slowly opened up revealing almost every pair of sunglasses I've always worn.

"Oh my god! I've missed wearing these." I picked up a pair of my ray ban black and gold framed sunglasses. "Didn't I make these look good?" I quickly turned to see the guys were gone. "Guys?"

"Over here love." I heard Brian's voice say. I walked towards the right to see my boys standing or sitting along some of the foot stools.

"Oh there you all are. Ohh nice amps." I couldn't help but see the amps up along the wall. "I—I'm just...." Before I could continue a remote was tossed over at me by Roger as he said.

"Before you even say anything else. Type in combination 2-1-2." I muttered the combination to myself as I pressed the numbers and soon the closet before us opened and soon revolving around were various guitars and bass guitars, shelves soon opened revealing several pairs of drumsticks each imprinted with my name on them.

I had no words.

"Umm....this is.....I can't—" I jumped back a bit as the top shelves suddenly opened revealing two different microphones. One was a basic black but it was bedazzled with red gems while the other one was pure gold with golden gems.

"Elton and I had a little hand of having your microphones designed." Said Freddie with a modest shrug.

"I mean....guys this is......unbelievable. And this is all mine?"

"Oh darling you should see ours. It's practically the entire mansion back home."

"Each star that comes here is given the full custom of what they've enjoy back on Earth. And since you've favored how you once had your rotating dressers back in 2011, it's all here for you but advanced into your instruments as well." Said Roger.

"And if anyone has any suggestion like if they're close to another artist, they can submit some suggestions of what should be in said artists dressing room." Brian spoke up.

"Aww you guys, I love you." I said as I came up to them and we got into a group hugged.

"We love you too (Y/n) darling. Now hurry up and get ready, the concert is about to begin." The boys left me to my own business. I walked up to my clothes rack and went through every style and decided that if I was to do my first concert in Heaven, I might as well wear exactly what I wore for my first concert as the Rock Angel.

After getting ready and doing my makeup the same way Freddie had done for me that day in Madison Square Garden, I picked up my Red Special and put it around my neck and left my dressing room.

"The Rock Angel is back." I looked up to see the boys standing across me in front of their dressing room, dressed to the T like they had at the they did at the Odeon theater Christmas Eve 1975. I smiled and said.

"Well look at you guys, it seems like only yesterday I was sneaking my friends into the house while Joanna and Graham were at their Christmas party just to watch you guys live at the Hammersmith Oden theater." I sassed.

"Thank you love, now c'mon time to head to the stage." Roger said. The lads cheered and I followed behind as we all walked back up the stairs and went through the corridors of backstage. Hundreds upon hundreds of artists were getting themselves ready to go up and perform.

I watched as the boys did their typical body warmups to get themselves pumped up when I felt a nudge at my arm.

"You seem quiet poppet, everything okay?" I looked up to see Deacy standing beside me.

"You said anybody whose anybody comes to see these shows right?" He nodded and I said solemnly, "Do....do you think my family, like my mum and dad know that I'm here now? That I'm here performing?" I felt him wrap his arm around my shoulder and he said.

"It's possible. Anytime a new artist or band comes here, it's fully announced far and wide throughout Heaven. So there's a good chance they might be out there in the audience."

"I hope so. I just want to show them what I've achieved, I want them to be proud of me."

"They are poppet. Just like we are." He embraced me in a one armed hug leaning his head against mine.

"I really have missed these moments between us Deacy."

"So have I. And I've got a hell of a lot of comforting to catch up on."

"Well now's a good start."

"Oi you two! Are we going to perform or not?" The two of us smiled as we heard Roger's voice cry out to us. My brother looked down at me and he said.

"C'mon, let's go do our thing." I nodded and we headed towards the guys.

*3rd Person POV*

Once again it was concert time. Every soul that had passed into heaven that was a fan of Rock and Roll or music in general came from far and wide to come to the concert of concerts, even bigger than the Earthly event that Live Aid gave the world.

Generations of artists and musicians that had come from around the world from many different backgrounds came to this very stadium to give the performance of their afterlives. Thousands, almost a million people poured into the stadium as the lights were flashing and doing their test run for each artist that would perform that night.

Soon Bob Geldof came onto the stage and everyone applauded for him.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Welcome once again to the Heaven's Rock and Roll concert." Everyone applauded and cheered holding up signs of their favorite artists or bands that would be performing tonight. "It gives me great honor to announce that we recently were given a new arrival, but I won't give it away on who it is." The audience crowd because they wanted to hear who it was as Bob continued, "I'll leave that to the band who know her best. So without further ado I would like to bring up on stage the first band performance of this evening's festivities. These lads I knew personally and they helped make one of the biggest rock concerts even greater than I could ever imagine. These four individually talented young men rose to the stardom in the early 1970's before exploding into the worldwide phenomenon by the 1980's. Ladies and Gentlemen please bow before her royal majesties that is Queen!"

The crowd roared with applause as Bob left the stage and the stage grew dark. Soon the opening notes for "Now I'm here" began playing and everyone cheered louder as they began clapping in rhythm. Those who have seen and grew up seeing Queen live, knew exactly how to react and behave during a Queen concert and those who got to know Queen up here in heaven got a taste of what it would've been like had they seen them in person with all four of them up on stage.

Soon Freddie's silhouette and voice echoed through the speakers as he began to sing the song. When the song began to pick up, the lights on stage exploded as did fire from the sides of the stage as all four members of Queen were finally revealed to the crowd.

Freddie lead with the vocals and his mates and brothers backed him up on not only the vocals but their instruments, and ever the frontman he was, strutted the stage like it was his as his voice overpowered and reached out into the audience with a force unlike anything.

By the end of the song, Freddie proclaimed into the microphone.

"Thank you! Thank you, good evening everybody!" The crowd cheered as Freddie continued, "Oh it looks magnificent out there tonight. Okay my darlings, right now. Right now, we're going to take you for the first time ever we're taking you all to the battlefield. This is called Ogre Battle!"

The boys continued to play a few more songs like 'White Queen', 'Killer Queen', 'Bohemian Rhapsody', 'Don't stop me now' and 'Son and Daughter' included with Brian's famous guitar solo giving Deacy and Freddie enough time to change clothes for the next half of the performance. Freddie now wearing the famed black satin outfit with his chest exposed and diamond fingernailed glove as well as the chain glove on the other.

"Yes thank you, thank you very much. Featuring Brian May on guitar!" Brian took a bow as the spotlight shined on him and the crowd cheered. "Now then my darlings, as I'm sure everyone's heard we have a new arrival. A very special girl to all four of us. How would you all like to meet her?"

The crowd roared with applause and soon Roger began doing one single rhythmic beat. Hearing the beat made the entire audience clap in that single beat rhythm.

"She first rose to the spotlight in the summer of 1981. A bright, charismatic young woman whose music has touched the lives of millions. To us she wasn't a shadow of our fame, she was an equal partnership. The like of which we had never knew we could ever ask for. Ladies and gentlemen and everyone up in the balcony give it up for Heaven's very own Rock Angel, Mrs. (Y/n) Kline!"

From up on the catwalk above the stage, the silhouette of the Rock Angel herself came up and it appeared that she actually had angel wings sprouting from her back as she began the first verse of her famed song "Set it all Free".

By the chorus, the screen lifted up and she hopped off the catwalk and gratefully fell from the 10ft catwalk onto center stage playing her Red Special as her boys backed her up as they always did whenever they performed this song together.

And seeing the two artists perform together, Queen and the Rock Angel, the crowd was in pure excitement bouncing up and down and crying out the lyrics to the well known song that the Rock Angel's 'Bohemian Rhapsody'.

But none were more happy to perform once again than the artists that were on stage. It had been forever since it was the five of them together up on stage and they couldn't help but look at each other. As the guitar solo came up, it turned into a guitar battle between the Rock Angel herself and Brian May which got the crowd really pumped up.

By the end of the song, everyone was chanting out 'Angel! Angel! Angel!'

"Hello Rock and roll heaven how's everyone doing tonight!?" The crowd welcomed her with a roar of applause. "God I can't believe I'm here performing with my boys once again. And right now we'd like to bring out a special guest for this next number." She turned to Deacy who nodded and began playing his bassline for "Under Pressure" which got the crowd applauding louder.

"This man is a well-known legend and the birth of a true 'flamboyant' hard rocker. And a very close friend of mine." Freddie started.

"Six time Grammy award winner, 4 time Brit award winner, actor, musician. Everyone put your hands together for Mr. David Bowie!" (Y/n) proclaimed into the mic.

It was then Freddie and (Y/n) began singing the first part of the song as at the center stage a circular hole began to open and soon rising up onto the stage was David Bowie himself. He wore a royal blue suit with a black undercoat suit shirt as well as the business white shirt. A light blue tie and black shoes.

He soon began his line of the first bridge as Freddie and the Rock Angel backed him up. When the second part of the song came up after Freddie's little vocalization, David gave the gesture for (Y/n) to take the second part of the song. And as she always performed it, she would lowly sing in her alto range before suddenly belting out to the perfect volume as she would hold the note out for as long as she could letting the two legends back her up.

Just like the record Freddie and Roger softly sung the first part of the break, then David came in before (Y/n) belted out the why vocals before the song picked right back up. It was something that could only be seen in Heaven. Three legendary singers performing one song.

David Bowie, Freddie Mercury and (Y/n) Kline the Rock Angel.

The three lead singers stood side by side with each other with David on the left, Freddie in the middle and (y/n) to the right. The three in almost rehearsed synchronicity began to sidestepped across the stage as all three voices blended the bridge that it could give one an eargasm.

Agreeing with each other and knowing what she could do to close the song, both David and Freddie stepped back with (y/n) completely unaware as she just allowed the song to consume her.

At the final note, she let out a proud controlled belt that was first heard at Freddie's tribute concert and it almost seemed like the sun was rising as the stage was lit up in a heavenly glow as she held the note. The entire audience was in an uproar as they gave a standing ovation to the Rock Angel herself.

She turned around and saw the five older men smiling at her and applauding her for a phenomenal performance that they have missed so dearly.

The concert continued as Elton John soon came up on stage and together he, Freddie and (y/n) sang 'I'm still standing' a song that was personal to all three of them in some shape or form but they knew this was the perfect song for them all to sing.

After a few more Queen songs, with the allowance of their beloved Rock Angel since her set was about to come up after theirs, she allowed them to stay and be her band as she would perform her hit songs before the souls of Heaven.

Songs like 'Who I am', 'So good,' 'Bridge of light', 'Rock angel', her rendition of 'Somebody to love', 'We'll be together', and with her boys already up there with her they did a few more duets of Queen songs like 'Friends will be friends', 'Spread your wings', 'Fat Bottomed girls', and 'Jailhouse Rock'.

Finally their time was up and as 'God save the Queen' played through the speakers, all five of them stood side by side each other and bid the crowd a goodbye and thank you.

After watching several performances from backstage, and when the concert finally came to a close it was time for the after party. So just outside in the back a beautiful garden was set up with refreshments and plenty of drinks to fit everyone's needs and all the performers of the night came out to talk amongst one another and to celebrate another well-performed concert.

As well as to welcome their newest achievement.

*My POV*

Oh my god. That was a thrill rush, and now being here at the after party I saw literally everyone. Elvis, Janis, the Beatles, Little Richard, Elton, David, Hendrix, everyone in rock and roll big names were gathered around this beautiful garden.

As I went to go grab some water I felt a hand tap my shoulder and there stood John Lennon himself.

"So you are the famous Rock Angel?" I swallowed my water and was completely star-struck.

"Y-yeah I.....Mr. Lennon I....."

"Please call me John."

"Okay, John. Can I just say.....just between us that you were always my favorite Beatle out of the group."

"Coming from you that's a huge honor. And now I can finally rub it into Paul's face the bugger." I laughed and that's when I heard a female voice say.

"Alright let me at her, where is she?" And there donned with her famous fur coat, tall Russian-like hat and red circular shades was Janis Joplin herself. "And there she is. The one female rocker better than me." She spoke as she came up to me.

"Oh no Mrs. Jop—"

"Ah-ah. Mrs. Joplin is not my name. Call me Janis baby girl." I blushed and she wrapped an arm around me and said, "You know, you and I aren't so different kid."

"How so?"

"Well we both struggled in our families and personal lives, got together with some male rockstars to form a partnership before splitting off to have our freedom. The only difference is, is that I wish I had your strength. I decided to call it quits with heroin being my way to kick the bucket."

"You were someone I did look up to. I mean yeah you had your struggles, but hell you didn't take shit from no one. When conservative minds at the time wanted you to do it their way, you said....."

"'Fuck you. I'm doing it my own way!'" She finished off which made the two of us laugh. "Yah know something baby girl, I like you. Promise me for Lady's night you'll do a song with me?"

"It would be an honor Janis." She smiled and hugged me tightly.

"Alright my darlings, may we have everyone's attention?" Freddie's voice soon spoke up as he was now standing on top of a table. Everyone looked up and as the boys of Queen stood up front Freddie continued, "First of all magnificent show all of you. So cheers my lovely darlings." Everyone of us raised our glasses in the air saying 'cheers'.

"We'd also love to specifically say a wonderful show for our newest arrival," Brian spoke up. He turned to me and extended his hand out for mine. I took it and he gently pulled me up front so that everyone could see me.

"Our beloved Rock Angel herself, (Y/n) Kline." Roger spoke up as he smiled warmly down at me.

"To the Rock Angel!" Deacy stated as he raised his cocktail glass in the air.

"To the Rock Angel!" Everyone choired at me. I bashfully smiled and said.

"Thank you, it was an honor to see most of you perform tonight, and it was great to perform with someone of you once again after so many years. I hope I have the privilege to perform with every single soul here." I said.

We then raised our glasses once more and the mingling and partying continued long into the night.

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katherinemallory · 4 years

Text

#3 The departure

Hell is empty and all the previous chapters are here: #1 #2

I couldn’t believe I had overslept. When I looked at my alarm clock, it was a few minutes after 9 A.M., meaning I was nearly late to my medical.

Quick, I murmured to myself. I had less than half an hour to wash and dress up, so I didn’t have enough time to eat a proper breakfast.

When I was drinking my everyday cup of Earl Grey, I checked my phone just to notice one unread message. Damn, I thought, it could have woken me up, if my phone wasn’t on silent mode again... The text message has been sent from an unknown number:

Thanks for spending the evening with me. Now don’t let M scare you. Good luck, Kath.

The message amused me. So, he knows my phone number already, I thought, trying to remember if I ever gave it to him. No, I definitely didn’t. That’s the kind of things they teach you at the SIS: how to spy on a girl you like.

Quick, Kath, I kept repeating, as I tried to brush my hair. After a few minutes I was ready (thank God I’ve never worn any make-up... such a waste of time). I picked one of my black suits, grabbed my coat and ran outside.

I rapidly opened my car’s door - it was pretty cold for a December day in London - and I checked my look in the rear-view mirror. Not bad, I said out loud, as I started the engine. There were 10 minutes left until my medical. Step on it, Kath. Direction: MI6 Headquarters.

I’ve been driving as fast as I could, so naturally I caught the eye of a one younger male driver when we stopped on a red light. I didn’t mean to show off (I just wanted to arrive at the SIS as soon as possible), but the look on his face was quite satisfying.

But my mind was elsewhere. I’ve been still analyzing my date with James Bond... It went far better than I could expect and I had to admit that Bond had made a pretty good impression on me. Let’s sum it up: he’s reasonably older than me (to hell with my preferences, surely Bond was more suitable for a thirty-something woman just like me than a man twice older than her...), he’s witty (this is his greatest quality without a doubt...), he’s bloody handsome (honestly, I’m not very much into blondes... or am I?), he’s a true gentleman (so far he appears to be one - there are not many gentlemen left in this world)... And don’t forget about the charm...

When I finally arrived, I glanced at my watch: two minutes to 10 A.M. Perfection. As I passed by the guards and then took the elevator down for my meeting with Q, I continued to consider Bond as my future life partner.

Yeah, Bond seems to be nearly perfect except for... his womanizing and the fact that we work together. No, Kath, let’s be realistic: you could never be with someone who’s got a never-ending dating history... Not for real... And this service at the double-0 section thing... It also doesn’t augur well.

The amount of time I had spent thinking about Bond surprised me. Before the date I was able to resist the man, but now I wasn’t so sure anymore. Did I really fall for his charms? Damn. It felt really strange.

The elevator’s door opened. I’ve seen a vast "room" full of shelves and any kind of machinery you could think of. The walls were made of brick and the furniture was rather raddled. The "room" had no windows and there was pretty dark there.

A young-looking man approached me.

“Hello. You must be 002, M’s told me about the medical.”

He had short, dark hair, and in the room’s lighting his eyes seemed to be grey. Despite his deceiving appearance, I presumed he was older than me. He was wearing a brown corduroy-collared suit and a red tie, all making him look like someone who dresses elegantly, but only to such extent no one could say he doesn't care for the job. He was smiling.

“I’m your Quartermaster,” he continued as I didn’t react to his greeting. “Nice to meet you.”

“Hello, Q”, I replied. “Yes, I’m 002, but you can call me Kath if you wish,” I added politely.

“You know, Kath is not a bad idea,” he said, “I’m not a big fan of all this official stuff.” He paused for a while, glancing around the room as if he was looking for something. “Shall we get started?”

He picked up his glasses from one of the shelves and we went through a very long corridor. It turned out that Q took me to a small room with a single chair in the middle, and a few computers on the ground. There was also a desk and some lever arch files lying on the floor. I sat on the chair, ready for the upcoming instructions.

“I will have to ask you to take off your jacket,” said Q, “and roll up the right sleeve of your shirt.”

I did as requested while Q was looking through my files.

“It seems you’re fit as a fiddle.”

“That’s the job,” I quipped, but stopped smiling when I saw a machine that resembled a huge driller. Q was holding it in his right hand. “What is it?” I asked.

“Nano-technology. It allows us to monitor your movement anywhere,” he said and paused, looking into my eyes. “I’m afraid this will hurt a little...”

“It’s alright. Do it qui...”

I didn’t finish my sentence in time. I couldn't, because I felt a strong prick that made me dizzy.

“OUCH!” I yelled, and immediately I had a scowl on my face.

“I’m sorry, Kath. It’s all over now”, he said as he gently stroked my shoulder. Then he gave me a cotton swab. “Hold it there for a few minutes and follow me. It’s time for the more pleasant part.”

We went through another long corridor made of brick walls. After a few minutes, I had absolutely no idea where I was. I felt like I was lost in a some kind of labyrinth.

“Here we are”, Q announced when he unlocked some colossal metal door. He seemed to be excited when we stepped into another strange-looking room. There was nothing there but all kinds of wardrobes. Q opened one of them and chose a black box from the middle shelf with the note "002" written on it. “Open it”, he encouraged me, smiling.

“Wow!” I exclaimed. I’m sure I sounded like a little girl who was finally allowed to unwrap her Christmas present. “I *love* it!”

“Who wouldn’t?” asked Q, still smiling. “The Walther PPK/S 9 millimetre short. It’s been coded to your palm print, so only you can fire it.”

“Thanks, Q,” I said, still in delight. “Anything else?”

“No, that is all. It was nice to have met you. Good luck, Kath.”

There he was: standing in front of me, with his hands on his hips and a smile all over his face. Even though my mind was a mess at that time as I had many doubts about certain people (about *that* one person, to be more specific), I knew one thing for sure. Q is the most lovely guy of them all.

“See you later in January,” I replied and hesitated. “And, Q... have a wonderful Christmas.”

...

After the medical, I headed to the M’s office. The hallway on the last floor was full of people walking around and carrying some documents.

“Morning, Eve,” I said, while opening the first door. “Such a busy time of the year... Can I see M?”

It was really nice to hear her sweet, warm voice.

“Morning, Katherine. Just a second,” she replied and picked up the phone. “Sir, 002 is here.”

I noticed how patiently her eyes observed a little white light above the leather maroon door, with the phone still near her ear. When the light disappeared, Eve allowed me to come inside.

“Morning, sir,” I said and stopped by the door. I saw Mallory sitting in one of the leather armchairs next to this desk.

“Morning, 002,” he replied as he stood up to greet me. “Please, have a seat,” he said in his semi-friendly manner, but to me his words still sounded like an order.

I sat in front of him on a huge old sofa. The natural lighting made me focus on his clothing (again...). He was wearing a deep sky blue shirt and a dark grey suit trousers. His jacket was draped over the chair that was standing behind his desk. I tried to memorize his every move when he straightened his navy tie. He made sure the tie looked perfect, and then Mallory’s right hand landed on one of his braces. My supervisor looked surprisingly good for a brief appointment with his two double-0 agents.

“Very conscientious of you to check your e-mails, 002,” M said curtly and pointed to some documents that were lying on a coffee table. “Your medical record’s fine. Q has already assured me that you’re ready.”

He looked at me in a way that only a supervisor could look at one of his subordinates. I felt obliged to reply.

“Yes, sir, I’m ready.”

“Good,” he commented in his cold voice, and stood up as the maroon door opened suddenly. “002, meet 005.”

I turned my head and couldn’t believe my own eyes. What is more, I couldn’t accept my reaction to what I’ve just seen. My first thought has shocked me. A woman?

There was a slim female standing in front of me. She was probably a bit older than me, but it didn’t change the fact she was stunningly beautiful. Her light blonde hair was longer than mine - down to her shoulders - and she was wearing a black suit, just as me. I was surprised that I immediately started to compare myself to her.

She extended her hand.

“002,” she said, giving me a small, but warm smile. “I’m looking forward to working together.”

“005,” I replied, shaking her hand. “The feeling’s mutual.”

“Well, so don’t mind me,” taunted Mallory, clearly irritated by our short conversation. “Please join us, 005. We are about to start.”

005 sat next to me on the sofa. I usually didn’t get jealous of other women, no matter how good they looked like, but this time it felt a little weird. I wasn’t comfortable sitting in front of Mallory with a woman who was far more attractive than me, but luckily he didn’t seem to notice any changes in my behaviour. For him, we were just another pair of double-0s going on a mission together. He didn’t care about our looks. What interested him was how we would cooperate.

“You leave tomorrow for Geneva,” he stated, “and will remain there as long as necessary. Although I do *not* think you’ll need more than two weeks to finish the case,” his voice sounded more and more stern with each sentence. ”Your mission might turn out as incredibly dangerous, even though right now it appears just the opposite...”

Bond was right, I thought. M tried to scare us. Perhaps he just wanted to make sure we would take the mission seriously, but why the lecture? We knew everything we needed to know from the files.

I got distracted, while staring at Mallory’s hands going up and down his braces. I recognized he didn’t wear a wedding ring. Maybe he wasn’t married after all...?

Out of the blue, someone has cleared his throat. I glanced at Mallory’s face and then realized he was looking directly at me with those exceptionally green eyes.

“Are we clear about the rules, 002?” huffed Mallory. He sounded quite offended.

“Yes... sir,” I stammered.

He gave me a disapproving look and then resumed.

“Your liaison awaits you in your hotel in Geneva. He’s aware of your arrival... and I need hardly remind you that you’re expected to report daily.”

“Yes, sir,” said 005.

“That’s all for now,” announced Mallory as he stood up. He went up to his desk.

“Good luck.”

...

When we got out of the M’s office, Moneypenny wished us luck as well. 005 turned to me.

“Let’s meet at the airport. We’ll talk about everything tomorrow.”

“Seems reasonable,” I added. “The name’s Katherine, by the way.”

“See you later, Katherine. I’m Amanda,” she replied and left the room.

I stayed with Eve.

“You know Eve,” I struggled with words, “I would like to ask you something.”

“Ask anything you want,” she said, hiding her curiosity.

“Christmas are coming... and... I wonder...” I hesitated, “... if the double-0 section ever gave M a Christmas present?”

“No, I don’t think so,” she answered after a few seconds of silence. “At least not since I have been his secretary. The common opinion is that he wouldn’t like that.”

“And what do *you* think?” I asked in a provocative tone, suggesting my view on the matter is different.

“I think it wouldn’t hurt,” admitted Eve.

“Right, because I even have an idea...”

...

I came back home and started packing. I even looked through the case files again while sitting on my bed in my pyjamas. Time passed really quickly the next morning and I was sitting with Amanda on a plane to Switzerland before I knew it.

Our flight was quite pleasant. Amanda turned out to be a very kind companion and it didn’t take long for me to confide in her. I told her *everything* about my date with Bond. It wasn’t responsible at all - I should have known that as a secret agent - but I assume I just needed to vent to someone. We continued the conversation even when we arrived in our hotel in Geneva.

“... and you know, I have no idea what to do. I didn’t want anything from him and now I kept recalling the date and I miss his voice and...”

“Oh, I think you *do* know what you really want,” Amanda interrupted me.

“I do?”

“Yeah,” she said. “If you want my opinion, Bond is not the one you’re interested in.”

“How so?” I asked, still in shock. “I’ve told you every detail of our date. If I am not interested in him, then why I think about him all the time?”

“This has nothing to do with Bond,” Amanda said calmly as she continued to place her clothes in the wardrobe. “You’re a secret agent for God’s sake. You don’t have time for real love. That’s why you think about Bond that much - cause he gave you something you had missed for many months now, a *real* romantic interest.” She turned around and looked at me, “Even if it’s genuine from his perspective, don’t go for it now. You don’t love him. What you feel is temporary.”

I remained silent for a few seconds. Amanda has known absolutely nothing about my crush on Mallory, but she hit the nail on the head.

”You know what, Amanda? I’m going to wait just as you suggest. There’s no need to hurry. If it’s really going to happen, it will.”

“No need to thank me,” she said and started to laugh. “Would you mind if I went to the shower first?”

“No,” I replied. “I’ll report to M.”

I turned on our laptop and started typing:

We arrived at the hotel on time and met our liaison. Nothing suspicious so far, but we’ll keep our eyes open. We’ll look around the place and report again tomorrow.

Yours sincerely,

002.

I hesitated, not sure if I should add any Christmas wishes to my e-mail. No, Kath... remain professional, I thought. Mallory’s going to know we deeply care about him when he receives his gift from the double-0 section. He wouldn’t approve mixing up our private lives with our career lives.

Personally, I wouldn’t mind it... if you know what I mean... I couldn’t stop to think about Mallory since my departure, even though I have gone on a date with James Bond the day before... Bond was on my mind quite frequently in the recent hours, but deep inside I was aware of the fact that my attraction to him was purely physical. And I never followed physical instincts, apart from a very few my weak moments on a very few missions.

With Mallory... it was different. Obviously I’ve found him extremely attractive from the beginning, but that was not the main case here. My boss was so intimidating that I felt paralyzed every time I spent even a brief moment in his presence. But most importantly, I developed a high level of respect towards him. And there has been a recurring pattern in my life: when I respected a man for real, he would often become my fascination, and later on, my love interest.

By the evening I was sure I slowly began to fall in love with Mallory... who was my supervisor. Not a very responsible way to go into the double-0 section. I knew it was pretty stupid... I knew it was unthinkable to develop any kind of relationship with Mallory. It was even unthinkable to have a crush on him, but I couldn’t do anything about it.

I was never a Christmas enthusiast, but... for the first time in my life I felt that I would have loved to spend Christmas in London. I would have loved to see Mallory’s face when he opened his present from the double-0 section. I was sure that Eve was able to get what I suggested just on time, and I wondered if Mallory would want to know who came up with this idea...

I sent my e-mail and went to bed, hoping to have some dreams of Mallory that night.

***

To be continued.

#James Bond #Bond James Bond #Q #miss moneypenny #Gareth Mallory #M #fiction #fanfiction #katherine mallory #james bond fanfiction #002 #007 #mallory #merry christmas #merry christmas everyone

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theshatteredrose · 4 years

Text

Turquoise Lotus Father (Treasure Seekers Saga 2) - Chapter 17 - Etrian Odyssey 5 Fanfiction

AN: A rather special chapter since it’s from Blayke’s point of view for a change. So, yeah, there’s a bit of swearing involved :’D Hope you enjoy reading~!

Ao3 | Wattpad | FFNet

Chapter 17:

Blayke kept polishing his rapier as he walked out of his room. He was still agitated by the events that occurred in the labyrinth, and in the past few days in general. That Keita brat seriously pissed him off. His confidence, his attitude, his bravado.

Nothing but an obnoxious brat.

Still, he couldn’t afford to underestimate him. Just like he couldn’t afford to underestimate any of those bandits. They had a guild name, but he couldn’t remember it. And honestly he didn’t fucking care.

With his weapon as sharp and shiny as he could possibly get it, he slid it back into its sheath and rested it near the front entrance of the guildhouse. He did hesitate in doing so, however. With the break-in that occurred a couple of days ago, he was understandably still a bit edgy.

That bandit was lucky that it was Drayce that walked into the library and not Blayke himself. He’d like to think that he would put up more of a fight. Drayce was protective, and honestly far too nice. He preferred the act of waiting and being on guard. Blayke preferred to strike back, be he the first to strike or the second. Be he would definitely take a swing at someone.

Reckless? Probably. But the momentary satisfaction of hitting the bastard attacking him would be worth it.

“B-Blayke?”

Dropping his rapier in the foyer, Blayke turned at the sound of Caelem’s nervous voice. As he laid eyes on the therian, he found him looking as nervous as he sounded; ears folded back slightly and his fluffy red tail hanging low with just the tip twitching in slight agitation.

He had gotten used to seeing Caelem’s fluffy tail being all…perky and upright. Even wagging excitedly and happily on occasion.

“What’s wrong?” Blayke immediately asked.

Caelem frowned. “I can’t find Drayce. I can’t even hear him.”

“What?” Blayke asked in surprise. “He’s not in this office? What about his room?”

Caelem just shook his head. “I checked the library, too. I had…thought that maybe he fell asleep or…something else happened. But I couldn’t find him anywhere.”

Blayke felt the urge to race upstairs to have a look himself. But if Caelem said he couldn’t find Drayce, then he couldn’t find him. Going to look for himself would be fruitless. But if he wasn’t milling about in the library, getting himself lost in his office, or simply crashing in his room…then where the hell was he?

“Checked the training room?” Blayke questioned.

“Zohar and Kamali are there,” Caelem answered. “They haven’t seen him either.”

God damn it!

If there was one person in this overly roomy guildhouse that would know where Drayce could be, it could only be a certain green-haired caretaker.

“Ashton!” Blayke called out as he all but marched in a purely agitated manner into the kitchen. And as soon as he spied the other man, levelled him with a very pointed question; “Where the hell is Drayce?”

Ashton immediately stopped what he was doing by the kitchen sink to abruptly spin around to face him. “What? He’s not in his office?”

“No,” Blayke bit out, only truly agitated because he was becoming increasingly concerned. After all those events with those bandit bastards, he had a right to be. “And not in his room or the library, either.”

Ashton seemed to share his concern as his face went from mild surprised to this stoic expression of hidden concern. He eyes became hard, steely even as he quickly exited the kitchen, no doubt wanting to see for himself.

Blayke followed him out, only to stop in the foyer when he realised the rest of the guildhouse’s occupants were already gathered there. Worry, confusion was rift. And there was nothing Blayke could say that could ease their minds.

Instead, all he could really do was to run a hand through his hair in frustration. “Man, you really do need to keep a constant eye on the guy,” he muttered.

Drayce had always been like that. Ever since they were kids. He would just wander off after seeing something that looked interesting. The adults said that he was inquisitive. To Blayke, he was just asking for trouble.

And he couldn’t help but feel that Drayce had found himself in trouble…

He wasn’t over-reacting. Something was wrong. He felt it in his bones.

A low growl to his right pulled Blayke from his thoughts. He immediately narrowed in on the source of the sound to find Faelen crouched down in the back hallway next to Nashoba. Whom of which was staring directly at the back door. Back arched, fur bristling, and head hung low.

Before Blayke could tell Faelen to get back into the foyer with everyone and ask what it was that had Nashoba agitated, Ashton marched down the stairs. His expression hadn’t changed much at all. But his jaw was clenched, and his eyes were narrowed.

“He’s not here,” Ashton stated simply as he reached the bottom step.

“He has to be here,” Blayke argued. “No one saw him leave.”

Ashton’s expression hardened further. “By the front door.”

Blayke frowned. “Out the back? What the hell for?”

The sound of hurried footsteps from the floor above caused everyone to instantly look upwards. Tense. Thankfully, it was just Shashi. However, he looked mildly worried as he hurried down the stairs to be next to Ashton.

“Ashton. The map. It’s gone,” he said simply.

“What?”

Shashi lifted his hand to reveal a golden key in his palm. “Here. The key I gave to Drayce only a few hours ago.”

Ashton stared down at the key wide-eyed. “He…?”

A low growl followed by a snarling bark from Nashoba prevented Ashton from saying anything further. The sound, however, immediately reminded Blayke of Nashoba’s previous signs of agitated and he narrowed in on the back of the Crescentia.

“What’s wrong?” he immediately asked as he reached out to snare Faelen by the collar of his shirt and pulled him back to where everyone else had gathered.

“S-someone’s outside,” Faelen nervously stated as he allowed Kamali to take him by the shoulders and essentially hold him close to him to ensure his safety. Nashoba, thankfully, didn’t immediately race off to find the source of the sound himself. He stayed, guarded and alert, in the middle of the hallway.

“Another bandit, huh? Caelem, my rapier.”

Caelem wordlessly picked up the sheathed weapon and effortlessly threw it across the room toward him. He threw it in such a way that allowed Blayke to catch it in one hand and unsheathed it within a mere second later with the other. Discarding the sheath to the side, he held the handgrip of his weapon tightly as he darted toward the backdoor.

He anticipated a bandit. After everything that happened, it had to be one, right?

If it was that brat…

Yet…they got what they wanted. The map. Drayce. Why the hell would they waste time or effort returning to the scene of the crime, so to speak?

Only one way to find out.

When Blayke reached the backdoor, he immediately stilled. He waited in silence, hoping for another noise to narrow in on. Rushing outside without a clue where the intruder could be was stupid. He may be a man of action, but he wasn’t stupid.

He didn’t have to wait long. A soft rustling sound was heard. To the right of the door. Likely a few steps away.

So, to prevent their intruder from gaining the upper hand, Blayke acted first. He opened the door wide and darted outside. He quickly positioned himself into a defensive stance, but readied himself to go full on defensive an instant before he needed to. He faced the direction the rustling came from and heard another noise. Another quick rustle.

That second sound allowed him to narrow in on their intruder further.

He had expected that overly confident blue haired kid. Or that sullen, quiet harbinger. Hell, he half expected to find that smug, eyepatch wearing asshole.

What he got was a brounii with short blond hair with red-rimmed glasses, who happened to be hiding behind a stone pillar. And practically trembling with fear.

“Who-?” Blayke mumbled, revealing his surprise.

The brounii peered around the pillar at him. He had green eyes that were brimming with tears. “P-please don’t hurt me.”

A tearful brounii? He hadn’t expected that…

While still in the state of surprise, Blayke made the conscious decision not to lower his weapon. “You’re…?”

“Runihura l-left me here,” the brounii continued, either accidently or purposely revealing his connection to those bandits. “He said…he said that the d-dragoon said it was ok.”

That caused Blayke to lower his guard a fraction as he blinked at the other in surprise. “Drayce…”

What was going on? How much was he keeping from him?

“Blayke?”

Someone quietly saying his name inside caused Blayke to snap out of his surprise and he turned his head to see that the others had gathered close to the back entrance. Likely worried for him and ready to spring into action themselves. And equally likely, surprised by his lack of action. And probably cussing.

“It’s a brounii,” Blayke replied as he lowered his rapier, but not his guard. “A scared one at that.”

Fiorello immediately stepped forward and defiantly brushed past the others. “Allow me,” he said simply as he moved to step outside also.

By appearance, Fiorello didn’t look that intimidating. And he was a healer, so he would know how to approach someone who was frightened. Even so, Blayke decided to stay close and keep watch. The brounii might be scared because he was alone. Or he was scared because he was being used as bait.

With those bandits, anything was possible.

Fiorello approached the other brounii cautiously. He didn’t immediately rush him. He stopped a few steps away. At a respectable distance. “What’s your name?” he asked in a surprisingly gentle voice.

The other brounii peered out from behind the pillar. “P-Palash.”

“Come inside,” Fiorello urged gently with a reassuring smile. “You’re safe here.”

Palash didn’t respond at first. He continued to hide behind the pillar and just stared at Fiorello. He then suddenly swallowed, as if trying to work up the nerve to leave his little spot of so-called safety.

Finally, he did step out from behind the pillar. “O-ok.”

Fiorello offered out his hand to the still very skittish Palash, who happened to be dressed similar to that of a botanist, so likely felt a sense of kinship with his fellow brounii. Palash looked at Fiorello’s hand, once more swallowing hard.

He then took a hold of Fiorello’s hand.

Although still suspicious, Blayke took a step back to allow Fiorello to take Palash inside. He couldn’t help but glance at their surroundings cautiously, still half expecting someone else to jump out while they were distracted.

The way that Palash clung to Fiorello, skittishly looking at his surroundings in mild panic, prompted Blayke to assume that the kid wasn’t remotely dangerous. No one could fake being that frightened.

Somewhat satisfied that no one else was outside, hiding in the garden and shadows, Blayke backed his way back into the Crescentia. He closed the door and made sure to note that he locked it tight.

He then turned to follow Fiorello deeper into the Crescentia, his rapier close to his side.

“Don’t crowd him. Give him some room,” Fiorello chided everyone.

Blayke, of course, wanted to interrogate him. But with how skittish he appeared to be; it would lead to nowhere. He’d leave the questioning to Fiorello for now. He’d be better off keeping a close eye on their surroundings and ensuring that everyone else was safe.

“Now, then,” Fiorello started as everyone gathered in the foyer once more, and he turned to Palash. “Can you tell us what happened? You need to tell us everything. We’re very worried about a friend of ours, you see.”

Palash continued to cling onto Fiorello’s arm tightly. “U-um, I’ll start with what’s really important.” He took another moment to draw in a deep breath to settle his nerves. “K-Keane took someone hostage. A therian. A-and…he shot another. A pugilist.”

Blayke felt his heart drop into his stomach. “A pugilist? No way…”

That could only mean one thing.

Fiorello caught onto the implication, too. Though, he tried not to show it, the tightening of his jaw indicated that he was rightly worried. “Where?”

“I-I don’t know,” Palash regretfully replied with a shake of his head. “I only know because Runihura t-told me. He…”

Tears suddenly began to pool in his eyes again and his bottom lip trembled. It was obvious that the harbinger was extremely important to him. He was just as worried for Runihura as they were for Drayce’s safety.

Runihura must have been pretty desperate to leave Palash alone in the back gardens of the Crescentia.

“Runihura has been trying to protect you, hasn’t he?” Kamali asked him gently.

Barely holding back his tears, Palash nodded his head. “K-Keane, he…he’s after the dragoon. Drayce.”

Blayke immediately tensed as a mild sense of nausea appeared from the pit of his stomach. “Why?”

Again, Palash shook his head. “I-I don’t know. He’s a treasure hunter. That’s all I know.”

It wasn’t just because he was a treasure hunter…

Damn bastard. He had better not try anything with Drayce!

A sudden and extremely loud knock at the front door caused everyone to jump. Blayke instantly whirled around, rapier in hand as he pushed himself to the front. Though ready for a fight, a part of him was sceptical that one of those bandits would just waltz up to the front door and make such a racket.

Blayke signal everyone to stay back as he moved toward the front door. With one hand on the handle, the other gripping his rapier tightly, he turned the knob and threw open the front door.

He had expected someone to be standing directly in front of him. And that was what he got. But he hadn’t expected them to be leaning heavying against the doorframe, cradling their left shoulder as dark read blood snaked down his arm and pooled at his feet.

Salim…

Grimacing in pain, Salim lifted his head and muttered through gritted teeth. “You guys…”

Blayke’s rapier was sent tumbling to the floor as he reached out to catch Salim before he fell down along with it. “What the hell happened?” he asked as he felt the pugilist’s full weight fall against him.

As Ashton darted forward to help Blayke drag Salim inside, he managed to ground out a short explanation. “Some…bastard with an eyepatch. He has…Tokala.”

Damn it!

“Take him to the clinic immediately,” Fiorello ordered. “Palash, stay with Kamali. Zohar, help me with this.”

“Of course,” Zohar said dutifully.

Salim continued to lose blood as they dragged him to the clinic. For someone who was usually energetic, perhaps even obnoxiously so, seeing him so…limp and pale was incredibly unnerving.

With Ashton’s help, they laid Salim down onto a cot. As Blayke moved to step away, Salim suddenly lashed out to grab him by the arm. Although it appeared painful for him to do so, he held onto his arm tightly as he looked up at him.

“Find Tokala,” he gritted out. “He’s in trouble.”

…He wasn’t the only one.

“Did that bastard say anything?” Blayke asked as he crouched down next to Salim’s bed.

Fiorello and Zohar worked feverishly on Salim’s arm, of which the pugilist paid little attention to. “Something about a vassal. I think he was…ugh, he was talking about Tokala.”

A vassal? Blayke didn’t have a clue where to start with that. But maybe someone else did.

Blayke patted the back of Salim’s hand in a hopefully reassuring way. “Let Fiorello heal you without complaint. As soon as he’s done, we’ll go looking for Tokala.”

Salim peered up at him through one eye. He gave a short nod of his head in both acceptance and understanding. He then released his hold on Blayke’s arm.

Leaving Fiorello and Zohar to do their jobs, Blayke stepped away from Salim’s bed and out of the clinic. He wasn’t surprised to find that the others had gathered outside the room. Palash with them, holding onto Kamali’s hand tightly as he hid behind him.

With his ears flat against his hand and his hands fidgeting nervously in front of him, Caelem stood before Blayke. “What do we do now?”

Good question.

First thing they needed to do was to sort out all the information they had gathered. And figure out just what the fuck was actually going on!

“I think I’m beginning to understand what is happening here,” Shashi suddenly uttered. With his hand grasping his chin in a thoughtful posture, he turned to the green-haired earthlain next to him. “Ashton. Do you think-?”

“Absolutely,” Ashton cut him off, his expression stoic yet frustration could still be clearly seen in his eyes. “Keane took Tokala and somehow managed to get to Drayce. The map was likely ransom. He used Tokala to ensured Drayce’s complete compliance.”

“And the damn idiot didn’t tell anyone else because he didn’t want anyone else to get involved,” Blayke added. He couldn’t help but utter a low growl as he raked his hand through his hair. “Ugh, I’m beating his ass when I get my hands on him!”

Ashton nodded his head sharply. “Shashi. Information on the map. You said it pointed to a location at one point. They must be heading there.”

“Yes,” Shashi returned swiftly. “Upper left-hand corner. That’s our best lead.”

“Right, that’s where we’ll go,” Blayke decided before he turned to the two scholars. “But you two, stay here. Just in case that bastard didn’t drag Drayce there. You two can keep an eye out for them in town.”

Ashton looked as though he wanted to argue with that, out of sheer protectiveness toward Drayce then for any other reason. Yet, he couldn’t find fault in Blayke’s line of thinking either.

“What about Salim?” Faelen asked nervously.

“He’s probably coming, too.” As if they could talk him out of staying put and waiting. “He’s seriously pissed off right now.”

And he wasn’t the only one.

Right. Enough talk. Time for some fucking action.

“Everyone, get ready,” Blayke ordered as he moved to the stairs to get his armour from his room. “We’ve going to beat the shit out of those bandits and get Drayce back.”

“Right!”

#Etrian Odyssey #etrian odyssey 5 #fanfiction #turquoise lotus father #the treasure seeker #Angelward Guild

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