Some Things Are Just Worth Waiting For

Flo slid into the seat across from Karen.

"C'mon, Hon.  Stop being so down.  You're startin' to bring the whole place down."

Patrick Stewart walked by the table, sobbing.  Even the little magic marker face on the top of his head was frowning.  Tears made the magic marker run down the side of his face.  Pretty powerful stuff here in DreamTime.  Karen had to remember that.

Karen smiled at Flo.  "I'll be okay.  Really.  It's just that it's been so long and I know it's all my fault and I'm so afraid that life will get stupid again and I'll miss her and I won't be able to keep up and ..."

Flo reached across the table and gently slapped Karen on the cheek.  Mel looked up from the grill with a surprised look on his face.

"FLO!  Don't be abusin' the customers, now!" he yelled through the service window at Flo.

"MEL! Shut your grits!" Flo responded.

Karen chuckled.  Floriel was in rare form today.

Floriel, er, I mean, Flo nodded at Karen, "Tell me what's going on right now.  I know I'm not Angie, but sometimes it helps to at least let a little pressure off."

Karen smiled a sad smile.  "It's Life, Flo.  Life really fucking sucks sometimes."

"Uh-oh. Man trouble again?" Flo nodded sympathetically.

"Oh, it's not just that.  It's a lot of different things."  Karen told her and sighed.

Wolf nudged Karen's arm, reminding her he was still there.  Karen smiled and hugged him, inhaling deeply the musky scent of his fur and skin.  "I love you Wolf", she said as she ran her nails down his spine.  He always loved that and it instantly put him at ease.

Karen took another draw through the straw.  "Aahhh.  Mountain Dew seems more appropriate today."

Flo looked at her, startled.  "What?  Mountain Dew?"

"Yeah, I don't know what it is but I've developed a new affinity for it.  Last thing I need, considering..." Karen trailed off.

"Honey," Flo leaned across the table, taking one of Karen's hands in her soft ones.  "I know it's hard, but when you told the Big Guy what you wanted to accomplish, he didn't promise it would be easy to do."

"I know." Karen pouted.

Karen sat up suddenly, her face looking hopeful for the first time since she walked in.

"Is that what I think it is?"  Karen asked Flo.

"Get off your butt and go see who it is," Mel yelled from the back.

Karen jumped up, Wolf scrambling after her.  Flo headed for the coffee pot knowing what she'd be doing next.

She slammed against the door, rattling the glass as she rushed out.  "Oops," she grinned at Wolf.  "I forget to watch what I'm doing here.  Things can be much more powerful."

Wolf gave a yip and looked down the street.

Karen saw the trail of dust kicking up behind it before she could make out the car.  As it drew closer she recognized it.  "Isn't that the car from "Supernatural" or something like that?" Karen asked Wolf.

Karen slid a pair of sunglasses on to cut down on the glare and make it easier to see. 

"Hot here, too" she mumbled, fanning herself with one of those cheap paper fans you pick up at tourist shops in St Augustine.

Wolf slid his head under her hand and she absentmindely scratched his head as she waited. 

The wind arrived before Angie and the Impala did, but Karen didn't mind.  She loved the wind, no matter how it was created.  Good thing for the sunglasses though or she would have been pelted in the eyes by all the sand Angie was throwing up as she thundered toward her.

Angie slid into a parking space and slammed the car into Park.  The engine died as she jumped out, leaving the door standing open.

"SSSSIIIIIITTTTTTYYYYY BBBBOOOOO!!!!"  they both exclaimed at the same time, running full speed at one another.  At the last second, they both stopped and then gently wrapped their arms around each other.  Sobbing and hugging at the same time.

"Nice parking job," Karen grinned at her, "I've missed you so much,"

Angie grinned.  "And I you.  What matters is Today and that we are back together again."

"God Help Me" Patrick Stewart muttered as she strolled by with a blank scalp.

Karen grinned at Angie as she handed her a thick black magick marker.

-----------------------------------------

When everything is wrong I'll come talk to you

You make things alright when I'm feeling blue

You are such a blessing and I wont be messin

With the one thing that brings light to all of my darkness

You're my best friend

and I love you, and I love you

Yes I do

There is no other one who can take your place

I feel happy inside when I see your face

I hope you believe me

Cause I speak sincerely

and I mean it when I tell you that I need you

You're my best friend

and I love you, and I love you

Yes I do

I'm here right beside you

I will never leave you

and I feel the pain you feel when you start crying

You're my best friend

and I love you, and I love you

Yes I do

~~ Weezer

Long, Long Way From Home

Karen gave her Pepsi another aimless stir with her straw. She decided to check her watch, even though she knew it didn't function in the Dreamtime. The hands and numbers on the watch face had been replaced by a profile picture of Patrick Stewart. On the side of his head was a smiley face that had been drawn long ago with a black Magic Marker. Patrick turned to look at Karen.

"She'll be here" he assured.

"I know" Karen replied with no surprise. Anything could and did happen in the Dreamtime Bar 'N Grill. She was just waiting for Angie to happen.

"Sugar" a quiet Southern voice said. "You've stirred the fizz right outta that soda. Let me get you another one."

Karen sighed. "Where is she, Flo? I thought she would have been here before I got here."

Flo placed a warm restraining hand over Karen's still stirring one. "Honey, it's been a long time. A lot has happened to her in the Real World. She's havin' a hard time remembering how to get back here."

"Wish I could send her a map."

Flo smiled. "Well, I dunno about a map. But I might be able to send her some directions---"

**************************************************

Angie sat on the couch, folding laundry. She was semi-watching a repeat of "Supernatural" on TNT and trying to decide what to fix for dinner that evening, as well.

"A roast would be good" she told the shirt she was folding.

"Well, yeah" Dean Winchester agreed on the screen. "But wouldn't cheesecake and a cuppa mud be better?"

Angie blinked at the TV. She was fairly certain this episode didn't contain any dialogue about coffee or cheesecake.

Dean leaned against the fender of the Impala, folded his arms and grinned at Angie. "No, you're not crazy" he said. "Believe me, I know crazy, and it ain't you."

"Are you...talking to me?"

Dean laughed. "What is this, 'Taxi Driver'? 'Course I'm talkin' to you. The things I gotta do to get somebody's attention these days."

"What my insensitive brother means" said Sam Winchester--Dean's not-so-little brother--as he walked into frame, "is that someone's looking for you. She thought this might be a good way to get your attention."

"Insensitive? Me?! I'll show you insensitive. You're not so big that I can't still beat your insensitive ass!"

Sam grimaced. "Dean, that didn't even make sense. And we aren't here for us, anyway." Sam stepped forward to address Angie. "We're here to show you the way home." He stepped to one side, pulling Dean along with him, to reveal what was behind them.

Angie felt the sting of tears at the sight of her old familiar hangout. The Dreamtime Bar 'N Grill was still there, looking just as it had the last time she'd seen it.

"I thought...I thought it was gone." Angie wiped at her eyes with the shirt she'd been folding.

Sam shook his head. "Not gone. Waiting.”

"Yeah" Dean put in. "Some people came in while you were gone and tried to douche it up with some 'Twilight' and some 'Harry Potter' crap, but management took care of that pretty quick."

"Some people actually like that 'crap', you know" Sam warned.

"Yeah, well. Some people like crappy TV shows about two hot guys drivin' around in a muscle car and killin' evil shit, too." Dean winked at Angie. "No accounting for taste, I guess."

"Anyway" Sam continued, edging Dean offscreen, "someone's waiting for you. You ready to go?"

Angie felt her heart leap at the thought of seeing her friend again. Then she looked at the unfolded clothes and thought of the unmade dinner. "I can't" she said at length. "I have too much to do--"

"--in the Real World" Sam finished. "Angie, this is the Dreamtime."

Dean leaned back into the frame. "Dude. Seriously?" he asked Angie. "You're talkin' to two guys on the TV and they're talkin' back, and you don't know you're dreaming?" His tone was not unkind, simply puzzled.

"My god" Angie said, looking at the laundry and the carpet that needed sweeping. "Have my dreams become this mundane?"

"Not anymore, darlin' " Dean drawled. "Here. Catch!"

He tossed something to Angie, which she barely caught. It was a set of car keys. 1967 Impala car keys. She smiled at Dean.

"You're letting me drive the Impala?"

Dean cleared his throat. "Um, yeah. Figured she could get you there quicker than anything else."

Angie jumped up from the couch and ran to the window. Outside, in the driveway, sat the sleek black vehicle. She couldn't wait to show it to Karen.

"Don't hurt my baby" Dean said.

"Wouldn't dream of it" Angie replied. "Thanks, guys. Oh, and if you're in the neighborhood of the bar 'n grill, stop by for a cold one or two."

"Absolutely" Sam said. "Well, it's time for us and you to get going." Sam picked a backpack up from the road. "See ya later, Ange."

"Yeah" Dean groused, picking up his own pack. "See ya."

Angie heard Dean complaining to Sam about their lack of wheels as they walked away. Then, forgetting about the brothers, she looked down at her clothes. "Sweats? That'll never do."

She ran outside, dressed in a Judas Priest t shirt and jeans, and opened the Impala door. Angie slid behind the wheel, briefly drumming her fingers on it before starting the car. The engine roared to life and Angie sighed. "Oh, you sweet, sweet baby" she cooed. She backed out of the driveway and sped down the road. Angie turned on the radio, and then began to laugh as she heard Foreigner singing--

"--Waiting, hours of waiting

I could feel the tension

I was longing for home

I'm looking out for the two of us

And I hope we'll be here when they're through with us

I'm coming home…"

Genesis

It was difficult, being a Deity. Anyone who said different hadn't actually been One. Things went wrong, You got the blame. Things went right, no one gave You the credit. Yes, being a god was a thankless job at best, and a big holy pain in the sacred ass at worst. He made a mental note to confer with other gods about how they dealt with those issues, as soon as He dealt with an issue of His own.

Carefully, He shielded His thoughts from the Heavenly Host to hide His divine plans. Contrary to what most of His believers thought, angels didn't champ at the bit to serve humanity. They could be quite disagreeable, in fact, when faced with an earthly mission. This time would be no different.

Turning to His left where Michael stood, always at the ready, He said, "Summon the Host." Michael gave a brief nod, then gave a shout that reverberated throughout the Holy City. Innumerable angels assembled in an instant before the Throne. Michael could have sworn he heard his Father sigh.

"I need a volunteer" the Almighty said. This request was met by the sound of rustling wings--the angelic equivalent of shuffling feet. Some coughed. Others looked around at their brothers and sisters. Still others looked upward. Some of the Choir Celestial had even tried to break into a rousing chorus of "Holy, Holy, Holy"s before they were silenced by a look from Dad.

God looked at the assembly. "Really?" He asked. "You don't even know what I want! What if it's a special assignment, like throwing Lucifer out or announcing the birth of My Son?" He looked at them again, saddened. "No one?"

Silence.

This time Michael knew he heard a sigh. He would have volunteered himself, but he had his orders. He was to remain in Heaven until the End of Days. He didn't know why, and he didn't question. He just obeyed. Unlike the group before him. He was about to request permission to send his reluctant siblings to join Lucifer, when he heard a stirring in the ranks.

"Oh for Pete's sake!" an irritated female voice spoke up. The angel was working her way through the crowd, pushing and shoving and even ruffling a few feathers in her wake. Making her way to the Throne, she knelt down before her Maker, looked up and said "I'll do it." Then she turned to the group behind her and gave them such a withering look that they all took a step back.

"Floriel." There was a smile in God's voice when He spoke her name. She was as far from his typical creation as the heavenly was from the infernal. She had hair a shade of red that the Father was certain He hadn't created. And then there were those pink wings. Pink! Yet here she knelt, taking on an assignment that no one else would take. God made another mental note to make her an archangel when this mission was finished.

"Floriel" He repeated, "I have seen the sadness of My children on Earth, and it has touched My heart. I want to create a special respite for them in their dreams. A place where they can leave their worldly cares and troubles behind and find happiness before they return Home to Us. I want you to be in charge of this earthly Heaven. You may design it in any and every way you wish." God leaned forward, His tone hopeful. "Will you do this for Me?"

"Of course I will, sugar" she replied. This term of endearment toward the Ancient of Days drew a startled gasp from her brothers and sisters, which Floriel and the Almighty pointedly ignored. "And if it isn't too much to ask, could Melioth come with me? I'd sure like some company."

God sat back. "Does Melioth agree?"

"He does." Melioth came forward and knelt beside Floriel. God had often chosen him to run errands and deliver messages. He was faithful, efficient, and knew over ten thousand different ways to prepare manna. God would miss that---

"Then rise, beloved. Go forth and serve My children with My deepest thanks and My blessings." God placed His hands on Floriel and Melioth's heads in silent benediction, and then they were gone.

*****************************************************************

Flo wiped down a table, humming to herself. A warm arm went around her shoulders and she looked up. Mel was smiling at her.

"Ever regret it?" she asked. Mel chuckled and shook his head.

"Never a day" he replied.

"Well" Flo said, "there's about fifteen minutes before the next group gets here. How 'bout you make us a couple of grilled manna sandwiches and some chili cheese fries?"

Mel kissed her forehead. "That sounds heavenly, baby." They laughed at the lame joke and walked into the kitchen, arms around each other, confident in their jobs well done.

And far above them, their Father smiled, too.

****************************************************************

Believe in what your heart is saying

Hear the melody that's playing

There's no time to waste

There's so much to celebrate

Believe in what you feel inside

And give your dreams the wings to fly

You have everything you need

If you just believe.

Josh Groban--"Believe"

i'm here

Making the final turn, Karen smiled at the little boy standing on the corner, skateboard tucked under his arm.  He grinned back, then turned and ran into Mr. Whipple's candy store.  She could guess what the boy was dreaming about tonight.

She continued down the road, a few cars parked on the side here and there. It was like coming home again.  Looking left and right she saw all the familiar businesses and landmarks she remembered.  She even saw a few new things she didn't remember from before.  Like the wolf riding in the back seat.

He is a magnificent beast.  His coat was a tawny color with blonde highlights.  The color darkened to form a line from the top of his head to the tip of his bushy, full tail.  She looked in the rear view mirror and he grinned at her. 

"Real full of yourself, aren't you?" she teased him.  He liked it when she wrote about him.  The better she could describe him and bring his image to her mind, the stronger the feeling of being alive was.  After all, they were a pair, mated for this lifetime.  He was her guide and protector, when she would allow it.  She could be as stubborn as he could, one reason they got along so well.  Most of the time.

"We're almost there", she told him.  He climbed from the back to the front seat and sat up catching the appreciative eye of everyone as they drove by.  "You are soooo conceited" she chided him.

There it is.  Mel's.  Is that the pink cadillac?  Yep, I do believe it is.  Good, that means Flo is here too.  Pulling into a parking space near the front door, Karen set the gear in first and engaged the parking brake.  Troy always gives her a hard time about putting on the parking brake on a level surface, but it's a habit she's stuck with.  She'd seen one of their other cars slowly roll toward the road before when it wasn't in gear.  No way that was happening to her baby!

Turning the radio down, she switched off the engine.  Wolf looked at her with his gentle blue eyes, knowing what she was thinking.  She smiled and reached up, scratching him under the chin.  "I love you, guy".

They climbed out of the car and headed for the front door.  Reaching up Karen opened the door, stepping inside and holding it open for Wolf.  Pulling her sunglasses off, she turned and scanned the room.  A few customers here and there -- oh, look, there's Ozzy -- but no sign of Angie.  Wolf slipped his head under her hand and nudged her toward a table.  Ozzy waved, then turned back to his conversation with Kurt Cobain.

"WELL!  WHY, I'LL BE!!"

Karen knew that voice well.  Flo ran up, giving her a huge hug.  Karen hugged her back, happy to see her friend.

"Welcome back" Mel hollered up from the back.  Karen waved while Flo ushered her to their regular table.  Of course, no one would be sitting there. 

"Pepsi?" Flo asked knowing.  Karen nodded her head as Wolf jumped up in the seat opposite her. 

"Anything for this fine fellow?" Flo asked.

"He's fine, but thanks for asking."

Flo nodded and headed off to get her Pepsi.

Karen took a deep breath, looked into those handsome blue eyes, and waited ...