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\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\cf1\fs20 Disclaimer: I do not own I Dream of Jeannie. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Once upon a time, there was an astronaut: Captain Tony Nelson. One day, his space capsule needed to make an emergency landing. He wound up on a tropical island, and there he made a discovery that changed his life: he found a bottle. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 This was no ordinary bottle, however. When Captain Nelson removed the stopper from its spout, a cloud of pink smoke came out, and a beautiful blonde woman appeared. She was a djinni, conveniently named Jeannie. And so, the adventure began... \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Chapter One \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Two years had passed since that eventful day on the beach. Captain Nelson had become Major Nelson, and had pretty much gotten used to Jeannie\rquote s antics, and everyone was living happily ever after. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Until now... \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 ~*~\cf0\f1\fs24  \par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Major Nelson walked out of General Peterson\rquote s office. Dr. Bellows turned to the general. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote I\rquote m worried about Major Nelson,\rdblquote  Dr. Bellows said. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Yes, he does seem a bit tense,\rdblquote  General Peterson agreed. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote It\rquote s like he\rquote s forgotten the meaning of the word \lquote fun\rquote ,\rdblquote  Dr. Bellows commented. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Little did the doctor know that at that exact moment, Jeannie was saying the same thing to Tony\rquote s best friend, Major Roger Healey. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Well, he\rquote s worried about the Apollo Mission,\rdblquote  Roger said. \ldblquote But I suppose he really should relax a bit more.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote And I shall help him relax,\rdblquote  Jeannie said cheerfully. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Tony walked in just then. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Master, darling!\rdblquote  Jeannie piped, throwing her arms around Tony\rquote s neck. \ldblquote Since tomorrow\rquote s your day off, why don\rquote t we go out tonight?\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 Tony pulled back and looked at Jeannie\rquote s smiling face. He grinned at her excitement, then sighed. \ldblquote Not tonight, Jeannie. I\rquote ve got lots of work to do.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 Jeannie\rquote s face fell. \ldblquote How about tomorrow?\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Not tomorrow either, I\rquote m afraid.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Oh, but Master, it is your day off! You need to relax more!\rdblquote  Jeannie argued. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote That\rquote s what Dr. Bellows told me,\rdblquote  Tony groaned. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote See? That means it\rquote s true! Please?!\rdblquote  Jeannie begged. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Tony sighed. \ldblquote Oh, all right. I suppose I really do need to relax. I\rquote ll go out with you tomorrow.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Whee!\rdblquote  Jeannie spun around with glee, and leapt into Tony\rquote s arms laughing. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Roger raised an eyebrow and grinned. \ldblquote Well, I have to be going. I have a hot date tonight!\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 Tony rolled his eyes. Roger had no problem relaxing! \ldblquote All right, see you later,\rdblquote  Tony said. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Goodbye, Major Healey!\rdblquote  Jeannie called as Roger walked out the door. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 ~*~\cf0\f1\fs24  \par
\cf1\f0\fs20 The next morning, Tony groggily rolled over and looked at the alarm clock on his night table. It flashed 9:30 at him. He jerked upright and flung the covers off himself. \ldblquote Jeannie? JEANNIE!\rdblquote  he shouted. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Jeannie floated in, cross-legged, as one would expect a person to ride a flying carpet\endash  except Jeannie needed no mystic rug. \ldblquote Yes, Master?\rdblquote  she said happily. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote It\rquote s nine thirty! Why didn\rquote t you wake me up? I\rquote m late for work now!\rdblquote  Tony spluttered. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Master, it is your day off! Do you not remember?\rdblquote  Jeannie asked, concerned. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Oh, yeah,\rdblquote  Tony said. \ldblquote I did forget. Sorry, Jeannie. Still, you let me sleep in too long. I should have been up an hour ago.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 Jeannie rolled over onto her stomach in midair and rested her chin in her hands. \ldblquote Master, you needed your sleep,\rdblquote  she soothed. \ldblquote I did not want to disturb you. You looked so peaceful.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 Tony rubbed his temples with his fingertips. \ldblquote Okay, okay. I get the message,\rdblquote  he sighed. \ldblquote That sleep did feel good.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 Jeannie smiled. \ldblquote That\rquote s good, Master. Let me know when you are ready to go on our picnic. I have everything prepared,\rdblquote  she said. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote All right,\rdblquote  Tony said, nodding. Jeannie floated out of the room and closed the door behind her. He knew that a day of relaxation would be good for him, and was just what Dr. Bellows had prescribed, but still, he wanted to get back to the office and work. Doing nothing made him so frustrated. \ldblquote Just relax and have a good time with Jeannie,\rdblquote  he said to himself. He knew from experience that if he didn\rquote t, Jeannie would get offended, or worse\endash  she might try to help him! That always led to disaster. The best thing to do was suffer through this picnic, and head back to NASA tomorrow with it all behind him. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 ~*~\cf0\f1\fs24  \par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Ready to go, Master?\rdblquote  Jeannie asked. She came out of the kitchen, carrying a picnic basket. Tony smiled. Jeannie DID look awfully pretty. She had her hair pulled back in a ponytail with two blonde curlicues framing her face. She was wearing a white and blue T-shirt with a strawberry print, a red denim skirt and white Keds tennis shoes. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Yeah. Where did you want to go?\rdblquote  Tony said, shaking himself out of his daze. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote I was thinking maybe we could go to the park,\rdblquote  Jeannie suggested. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Sounds good,\rdblquote  Tony agreed. They packed the picnic basket into the trunk of Tony\rquote s blue convertible and pulled out of the driveway. As they neared the end of Palm Drive, the street on which Tony\rquote s house was located, Jeannie noticed a moving van. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Master, what is going on here?\rdblquote  Jeannie asked curiously. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Oh, some new people are moving into that house,\rdblquote  Tony explained. \ldblquote Major James Tarik and his sister Faye, I think. James just got transferred here. General Peterson said that James was going to be helping me and Roger on some new top-secret project.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Really?\rdblquote  Jeannie exclaimed. \ldblquote Oh, Master, how exciting! A top secret project! What is it about?\rdblquote  she asked, her blue eyes wide with curiosity. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Keyword, TOP SECRET, Jeannie. I\rquote m not letting you in on THIS one,\rdblquote  Tony chuckled. \ldblquote Besides, the General hasn\rquote t given us the details yet.\rdblquote  Jeannie pouted. \ldblquote Oh, come on Jeannie. Forget about it. We\rquote re going to have a nice, stress-free picnic together, right?\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 That perked Jeannie right up. \ldblquote That\rquote s right, Master! I am so happy. We are going to have a marvelous afternoon.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 ~*~\cf0\f1\fs24  \par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Mmm, Jeannie, that was great chicken you whipped up,\rdblquote  Tony said as he wiped his face off with his napkin. \ldblquote The potato salad was delicious, too.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote I am glad that you are pleased, Master,\rdblquote  Jeannie grinned. \ldblquote It was a new recipe that my mother sent me for chicken curry.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Well, whatever it was, it was excellent,\rdblquote  Tony said. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote What do you wish to do now?\rdblquote  Jeannie asked. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote I\rquote m fine just sitting here and digesting,\rdblquote  Tony said, stretching out on the checkered blanket. Jeannie nodded. She leaned back against the trunk of the tree they were picnicking under and gazed out at all the happy families who were also enjoying a day at the park. Two children on roller skates whizzed past Jeannie on the sidewalk. Jeannie\rquote s eyes widened again as she noticed the strange devices on their feet. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Master!\rdblquote  she gasped, grabbing Tony\rquote s sleeve. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Huh? What?\rdblquote  Tony mumbled, yanked out of the doze he had fallen into. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Master, what are those???\rdblquote  Jeannie inquired. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote What are what?\rdblquote  Tony asked, looking around. \ldblquote Oh, those! Those are roller skates. I used to have a pair like them when I was a kid.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Are they fun, Master?\rdblquote  Jeannie asked, never taking her eyes off the children as they gleefully rolled to and fro. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Oh, yeah, they\rquote re lots of fun!\rdblquote  Tony said, grinning. \ldblquote I was the roller skating champion of my neighborhood.\rdblquote  He rambled off into some childhood memory as Jeannie gazed enraptured at the children at play. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Jeannie was so wrapped up in staring at the youngsters that she didn\rquote t even notice the familiar couple who were also taking advantage of the warm Florida day. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Alfred,\rdblquote  Amanda Bellows, Dr. Bellows\rquote  wife, began. \ldblquote Who\rquote s the blonde with Major Nelson over there?\rdblquote  She pointed at the two under the tree. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Dr. Bellows followed his wife\rquote s gaze. \ldblquote Why, I have no idea. She looks absolutely charming, though.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Oh, maybe he\rquote s found a girlfriend!\rdblquote  Amanda exclaimed. \ldblquote Maybe he\rquote ll finally settle down, get married, and stop you giving so many migraine headaches,\rdblquote  she said wistfully. \ldblquote Then you can stop giving ME so much stress.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Amanda, dear, I think you\rquote re getting a little ahead of yourself,\rdblquote  Dr. Bellow reasoned. \ldblquote This is only just the first time we\rquote ve seen him with her. You can\rquote t already be marrying them off.\rdblquote  He looked again at the happy twosome. \ldblquote Though a girlfriend might calm his nerves a bit.\rdblquote  Little did Dr. Bellows know that Jeannie was, all along, the one who had been giving Tony and Roger, and therefore Dr. and Mrs. Bellows, their headaches in the first place. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Oh, Alfred, let\rquote s go introduce ourselves!\rdblquote  Amanda said excitedly. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Now, Amanda, let\rquote s not pry,\rdblquote  Dr. Bellows warned. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Oh, we\rquote re not prying, we\rquote re just being friendly!\rdblquote  Amanda exclaimed. \ldblquote Come on!\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 Meanwhile, Jeannie had pulled Tony to his feet. \ldblquote Master, let\rquote s go roller skating!\rdblquote  she suggested, enthralled at the idea. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Oh, Jeannie, I haven\rquote t done that in years. I\rquote m pretty rusty,\rdblquote  Tony said, shuddering at the prospect of being put back on those wheeled wonders. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Come on, Master, it will be fun!\rdblquote  Jeannie begged. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Wouldn\rquote t you rather just sit here and relax?\rdblquote  Tony tried. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote No!\rdblquote  With that, Jeannie blinked a pair of roller skates on Tony\rquote s feet, and he went sailing, howling all the way, across the sidewalk and down a gently sloping hill. Jeannie giggled, blinked a pair on her own feet, and casually followed him. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Oh, darn!\rdblquote  Amanda said. \ldblquote We missed them. Well, I suppose we\rquote ll see them again sometime soon, right Alfred?\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 Dr. Bellows stared down the hill, perplexed. \ldblquote Amanda, where did those roller skates come from? I didn\rquote t see Major Nelson wearing them a minute ago,\rdblquote  he said confusedly. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Alfred, you\rquote re imagining things again,\rdblquote  Amanda sighed. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote No, really...\rdblquote  Dr. Bellows trailed off. \ldblquote Oh, why even bother. Come along dear, let\rquote s go home.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 ~*~ \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Chapter Two \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 The following morning when Tony awoke, Jeannie still wasn\rquote t speaking to him. Honestly, he should be the one angry at her; she wasn\rquote t the one who was covered in scrapes and bruises. \ldblquote I was just trying to get you to liven up and have some fun,\rdblquote  she had said, fixing a glare on him. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Jeannie?\rdblquote  he called, wandering into the living room. She was sitting cross-legged in the blue chair, reading a magazine. She lowered it just long enough to stick out her tongue at him, and went back to her reading. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Jeannie? Are you still mad at me?\rdblquote  he asked, even though he knew the answer. \ldblquote Jeannie. Come on. I\rquote m sorry.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 She arched her eyebrow at him. \ldblquote Master, if you enjoy being a stick in the mud, who am I to interfere?\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote I am not a stick in the mud!\rdblquote  Tony vehemently protested. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Of course you\rquote re not,\rdblquote  Jeannie said, her voice lacking enthusiasm. \ldblquote Now go on, get to work, you don\rquote t want to be late, fuddy-duddy.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 She blinked vaguely in his direction, and he was suddenly in his uniform, a piece of burnt toast hanging out of his mouth. \ldblquote Ghank oo,\rdblquote  he said, pulling the toast out of his mouth. \ldblquote Burnt toast, my favorite.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote I\rquote ll see you later, Master,\rdblquote  Jeannie said, not looking up at him. Tony shook his head and walked out the door. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Hey, Major!\rdblquote  a voice called as Tony closed the door behind him. He looked up and saw Major Tarik waving at him. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Hi, James,\rdblquote  Tony said. \ldblquote How do you like Cocoa Beach?\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Oh, it\rquote s nice,\rdblquote  James said, a funny expression on his face. \ldblquote My sister Faye is still unpacking. It\rquote s not like home, but I think we\rquote ll like it here.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Where are you from, Major?\rdblquote  Tony asked with ambivalent interest. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Major Tarik got another awkward expression on his face. \ldblquote Er, um, east,\rdblquote  he said. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Tony grinned. \ldblquote You can\rquote t get much more east than Florida without leaving the continent, Major,\rdblquote  he said, chuckling, but didn\rquote t press the issue any further, to Major Tarik\rquote s evident relief. \ldblquote Do you want me to give you a ride to the base?\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Oh, yes, please,\rdblquote  Major Tarik said, and they climbed into Tony\rquote s car. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 From the living room window, Jeannie watched the two with mild interest. Watching Tony with his friends always made Jeannie a bit sad. He never lets me out of the house, and when he does, I\rquote m not allowed to talk to anyone. I don\rquote t have any friends of my own, Jeannie thought glumly. Well, I suppose there\rquote s always my sister. Not that her tiger of a sister was much of a friend. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Lost in her thoughts, Jeannie didn\rquote t see the long haired girl approaching the house until she was already on the porch. The doorbell rang, and Jeannie froze with panic. She thought for a moment whether she should answer the door, then, feeling rebellious, blinked herself into ordinary clothes and opened the door. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 The girl on the other side smiled a pretty, soft smile. She had almond-shaped brown eyes and jet-black hair. Jeannie smiled back, thinking wistfully that the girl looked like someone from Jeannie\rquote s homeland of Persia. \ldblquote Hi,\rdblquote  the girl said in her soft voice. \ldblquote Are you Major Nelson\rquote s wife?\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 Jeannie panicked. \ldblquote Um, no,\rdblquote  she said. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Oh, I see, you\rquote re his girlfriend,\rdblquote  the girl assumed, and Jeannie decided not to refute her, thinking that saying she was Tony\rquote s girlfriend would be easier to explain than saying that she was Tony\rquote s djinni. \ldblquote Well, I\rquote m Faye Tarik, Major Tarik\rquote s sister,\rdblquote  the girl was continuing, and we just moved in across the street. Our phone isn\rquote t installed yet, so I was wondering if I could use yours?\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Certainly,\rdblquote  Jeannie said, letting her in. She showed Faye to the phone, and then, trying not to look nosy, wandered into the kitchen. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Faye picked up the phone, looked around, and then put the phone back on the hook quietly. She walked to the end-table by the fireplace and picked up an ornate bottle that was sitting on top. She scrutinized it quickly. \ldblquote So it is true,\rdblquote  she whispered. Then, double-checking to make sure Jeannie wasn\rquote t around, went back to the phone, lifted it off the receiver, and hung it up once more, loudly this time. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote I\rquote m done,\rdblquote  she said to Jeannie, walking into the kitchen. Jeannie was pretending to keep busy by attempting to peel some vegetables. As she had never used a vegetable peeler manually, though, the vegetables were misshapen with deep cuts ridged into them. As Faye entered, Jeannie quickly hid her mess. \ldblquote Thank you for letting me use the phone,\rdblquote  Faye said, smiling. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote No problem,\rdblquote  Jeannie said. She didn\rquote t want Faye to leave yet; she didn\rquote t talk to other girls very often. \ldblquote So, have you ever been to Cocoa Beach before?\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote No, I haven\rquote t,\rdblquote  Faye said. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote How do you like it here?\rdblquote  Jeannie asked, desperate to make conversation. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Well, I haven\rquote t seen much of it,\rdblquote  Faye said. \ldblquote I\rquote ve been trying to get the house in order.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 An idea struck Jeannie. \ldblquote Would you like to go to lunch with me?\rdblquote  she suggested. \ldblquote I could show you around town.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 Faye\rquote s features brightened. \ldblquote Would you really?\rdblquote  she asked. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote I\rquote d love to. Does noon sound good?\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 ~*~\cf0\f1\fs24  \par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Majors Nelson, Tarik, and Healey stood in General Peterson\rquote s office, waiting for the briefing on their new Top-Secret mission. \ldblquote We\rquote ve got a crisis on our hands, gentlemen,\rdblquote  the general began gravely. \ldblquote I believe you\rquote re all fully briefed on our rapid-output computer, ERIC.\rdblquote  Tony and Roger cringed. They still remembered how much trouble they had gotten in when they had tried to discover Jeannie\rquote s birthday using ERIC. \ldblquote Especially you two,\rdblquote  the general said, pointing to Tony and Roger. Evidently, General Peterson still remembered, too. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Now, according to our information, Soviet spies have learned of ERIC and are trying to get it for themselves. If they were to get their hands on ERIC, it could mean the loss of the Cold War,\rdblquote  the general said grimly. \ldblquote Your job is to protect ERIC, and to try to find these spies and stop them.\rdblquote  The majors nodded. Tarik had a strained look on his face again. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 After the briefing, Tony and Roger headed back to Major Nelson\rquote s office. \ldblquote This is serious stuff,\rdblquote  Roger was saying. \ldblquote You know how devious those Soviets can be.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Yeah,\rdblquote  Tony said, opening the door to his office. \ldblquote But keep it down, Rog, you know that this is a top-secret mission.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote What is, Master?\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 The two men jumped. \ldblquote Jeannie!\rdblquote  Tony wheezed, slamming the door of his office. \ldblquote What are you doing in here?\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote I needed to talk to you, master,\rdblquote  Jeannie said. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Oh, so NOW you\rquote re speaking to me,\rdblquote  Tony said sarcastically. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Jeannie\rquote s eye twitched, but she decided to ignore the remark. \ldblquote Master, I met someone today\endash\rdblquote  she began, but Tony broke in. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote You met. . .who did you meet?\rdblquote  he panted. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Faye Tarik,\rdblquote  Jeannie said indignantly. \ldblquote The girl who moved in across the street. She wanted to use the phone.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote And you let her in?\rdblquote  Tony said, turning green. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Yes, I did, master.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote And how did you explain. . .\rdblquote  He waved vaguely at her pink harem outfit. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Jeannie exhaled in an exasperated way and rolled her eyes. \ldblquote I wasn\rquote t wearing this.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 Some color came back into Tony\rquote s face, but disappeared when he asked, \ldblquote How did you explain who you were?\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote I didn\rquote t have to, Master. She just assumed I was your girlfriend,\rdblquote  Jeannie explained. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote She thinks you\rquote re his girlfriend?\rdblquote  Roger said, looking appalled. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Well, it was either that or tell her I was his djinni, it\rquote s up to you,\rdblquote  Jeannie said with a shrug. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 By now, Tony had calmed down. \ldblquote No, you did the right thing, Jeannie,\rdblquote  he said. Jeannie smiled triumphantly. \ldblquote Then what happened?\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote We are going out to lunch this afternoon,\rdblquote  Jeannie told him. The color drained from his face once more. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote You\rquote re going to lunch with her?!\rdblquote  Tony exclaimed. \ldblquote You can\rquote t! You\rquote re. . .well. . .a djinni!\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Oh, and just because I\rquote m a djinni, I\rquote m not allowed to have friends? Is that is?\rdblquote  she shouted right back. Roger looked nervously about, hoping that their shouts didn\rquote t attract the attention of Dr. Bellows. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote That\rquote s not what I meant,\rdblquote  Tony said. \ldblquote But what if something happens?\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Nothing will happen, Master. I will control myself. No magic, I promise,\rdblquote  Jeannie said sincerely. \ldblquote I will do everything the mortal way.\rdblquote  Tony eyed her suspiciously. \ldblquote Which is why I\rquote m here, actually,\rdblquote  she continued, a mischievous gleam in her eyes. \ldblquote I need money for lunch and shopping afterwards.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 Tony was taken aback by this. He stared at her for a moment or two, apparently thinking it over, and eventually pulled out his wallet. \ldblquote I suppose I should be happy that you\rquote re going to do something the mortal way,\rdblquote  he said. \ldblquote But I have a feeling that if you keep this up, there\rquote s going to be a big dent in my bank account.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 Jeannie giggled, taking the money, and blinked herself out while Tony was still saying, \ldblquote You\rquote d better behave yourself, young lady.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 ~*~\cf0\f1\fs24  \par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Chapter Three \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote What do you think of this one?\rdblquote  Faye Tarik asked Jeannie, pulling a lavender mini-dress with a white belt off the rack and holding it up to herself. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Oh, that is lovely,\rdblquote  Jeannie said enthusiastically. Faye looked in the mirror, turning from side to side while holding the dress up, shrugged, and returned to the sales rack. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 She rummaged through a few more dresses and pulled off a gold one. \ldblquote Jeannie, you\rquote d look stunning in this!\rdblquote  she squealed. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Jeannie surveyed it critically. \ldblquote I do not know,\rdblquote  she said, thoughtfully fingering the material. \ldblquote Gold is really not my color.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 Faye seemed to ponder this for a moment, and nodded. \ldblquote Yeah, I can kind of see what you mean. Shame it isn\rquote t blue,\rdblquote  she said, putting the dress back. \ldblquote Blue would bring out your eyes. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote So, Jeannie, how long have you and Major Nelson been going out?\rdblquote  she asked, catching Jeannie a bit off guard. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Two years,\rdblquote  she replied automatically. \ldblquote Almost three, actually.\rdblquote  Well, it wasn\rquote t truly a lie; that was how long ago he\rquote d found her bottle. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote OoOoh!!!\rdblquote  Faye squealed, her eyes widening a bit. \ldblquote That\rquote s quite a long time. Have the two of you, you know, discussed marriage?\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Unfortunately,\rdblquote  Jeannie whispered. Faye looked at her curiously, and she stammered, \ldblquote I mean to say that I came to accept a while ago that Major Nelson and I are never going to get married.\rdblquote  The more she said, the more she wished that she\rquote d never said a word at all. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Why on Earth not?\rdblquote  Faye asked, taking her eyes away from the dress rack for a moment. \ldblquote You\rquote ve been together for so long. Don\rquote t you love each other?\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote I love him with all my heart,\rdblquote  Jeannie admitted. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote And him?\rdblquote  Faye demanded. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote He says he loves me,\rdblquote  Jeannie said, feeling very uncomfortable. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Then what makes you so certain that you two will never get married?\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Well. . .there are certain. . .personal problems that would make marriage for us. . .difficult,\rdblquote  Jeannie said, struggling for words. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Faye considered this, and shook her head. \ldblquote I don\rquote t know, Jeannie. It\rquote s none of my business. It\rquote s just that, well, if the two of you love each other, that should be all that matters,\rdblquote  Faye said. \ldblquote If I were you,\rdblquote  she said, returning the the dresses on the rack, \ldblquote I would show that man who was boss.\rdblquote  \line\cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 Jeannie smiled to herself at that. He is my master, she thought. Of course he is boss. But then again. . .He did free me that day on the beach. . .that means that we should be equals and have equivalent say. Now she was really confused. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Oh, look Jeannie!\rdblquote  Faye said in excitement, pulling a dress off the rack that was the same as the gold one had been, except this one was a stunning electric blue. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote That is lovely!\rdblquote  Jeannie exclaimed. \ldblquote But I really have no need for something so fine,\rdblquote  she reasoned. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Yes, you do!\rdblquote  Faye insisted. \ldblquote You\rquote ll be wearing this to a party.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote A party?\rdblquote  Jeannie asked, laughing. \ldblquote What party?\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote My party,\rdblquote  Faye said matter-of-factly. \ldblquote We\rquote re having a house-warming party tonight, and you\rquote re invited.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 Jeannie\rquote s face lit up. \ldblquote Really?\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Really,\rdblquote  Faye affirmed. \ldblquote You\rquote re my first friend in Cocoa Beach, Jeannie, of course I want you to come. And bring Major Nelson.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote M-Major Nelson?\rdblquote  Jeannie stammered uncertainly. \ldblquote Oh, Faye, I do not know.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Nonsense,\rdblquote  Faye said with a wave of her hand. \ldblquote He\rquote s your boyfriend. Just tell him that he\rquote s going and drag him if need be. It\rquote s just across the street,\rdblquote  she reasoned. \ldblquote Jeannie, be assertive!\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 Jeannie smiled unenthusiastically as Faye ushered her up to the front counter with the dress in hand. The clerk looked at it suspiciously. \ldblquote Where did you get that?\rdblquote  she asked, gingerly fingering the material. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote On that rack,\rdblquote  Faye said, pointing. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote That\rquote s funny,\rdblquote  the clerk said, ringing them up with a shrug. \ldblquote I could have sworn that this dress was only available in gold. But here it is, so I guess I must have been mistaken.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 Jeannie thought that this was a bit odd. If she didn\rquote t know that she hadn\rquote t used magic all day long, she would have thought that she had blinked the dress blue herself. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote See you at six, Jeannie!\rdblquote  Faye called when they parted ways. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Yes, see you then,\rdblquote  she said softly. Hopefully. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 ~*~\cf0\f1\fs24  \par
\cf1\f0\fs20 That evening at 5:45, Jeannie was in her bottle putting on the dress and still trying to figure out how to explain to her master that they had been invited to the party. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Jeannie?\rdblquote  she heard Tony call. Jeannie wrung her hands nervously and smoked out of her bottle. When she re-materialized, she saw that Tony was wearing a dinner jacket and a tie. \ldblquote Master,\rdblquote  she said. \ldblquote Why are you all dressed up?\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote I\rquote m going to a dinner party,\rdblquote  he said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. \ldblquote Why are you all dressed up?\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 Jeannie glanced down at her new blue dress. \ldblquote Oh, I bought this today,\rdblquote  she said distractedly. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote I like it,\rdblquote  Tony said approvingly. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Master\endash\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Now, Jeannie, I have to get going,\rdblquote  he said, ignoring her and heading towards the door. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote But, Master\endash\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote No \lquote buts,\rquote  Jeannie. I\rquote m running late, so behave yourself while I\rquote m gone...\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote But, Master!\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote I\rquote ll just be across the street at the Tariks\rquote , they\rquote re having a housewarming party.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote I know that, Master!\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote So be a good djinni, and I\rquote ll be back in about...\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote MASTER!!!\rdblquote  Jeannie interrupted, blinking him into a chair and gagging him. \ldblquote I know all about the party, I am going, too!\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 Tony made a muffled yell. Jeannie blinked the gag off. \ldblquote Oh, no, you\rquote re not, young lady!\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Oh, yes, I am, Master!\rdblquote  Jeannie retorted. \ldblquote Faye invited me this afternoon when we were shopping. And she told me to bring you along.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Well, James invited me this afternoon and he didn\rquote t tell me to bring you along. So you\rquote re staying right here!\rdblquote  Tony snapped. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Very well, Master,\rdblquote  Jeannie said, turning mysteriously calm. \ldblquote Go without me.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Well,\rdblquote  Tony said, at a loss for words. \ldblquote Glad to know that you\rquote ve remembered who\rquote s master.\rdblquote  He headed towards the door. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote I just hope you have something convincing to say to Faye when she asks where I am,\rdblquote  Jeannie continued coolly. Ton froze in his tracks. Jeannie smoothed her skirt. \ldblquote We spent a good portion of the afternoon picking out a suitable dress for the party tonight.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 Tony turned back to Jeannie, who was calmly inspecting her fingernails. \ldblquote This is blackmail,\rdblquote  he growled. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Yes, Master, I believe you are right,\rdblquote  Jeannie said nonchalantly. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Fine,\rdblquote  Tony sighed. \ldblquote But you had better behave yourself, missy, because half the base is going to be there, including Dr. and Mrs. Bellows.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Honestly, Master, I am not a child,\rdblquote  Jeannie said. \ldblquote I am older than you are.\rdblquote  She headed out the door, leaving him stuttering behind her. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Yeah, but only on a technicality!\rdblquote  he called after her. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Jeannie knocked on the door of 1023 Palm Drive. She could hear voices inside. Panting, Tony hurried up to her, reaching the front porch just as Faye opened the door wearing the lavender mini-dress with the right belt. \ldblquote Jeannie!\rdblquote  she exclaimed, grinning broadly. \ldblquote I\rquote m so glad you made it!\rdblquote  She looked at the hyperventilating Major standing next to Jeannie. \ldblquote And you got him to come, too. Though it looks like you actually did have to drag him,\rdblquote  she giggled, gesturing to his flushed cheeks. Tony glared at Jeannie, and Jeannie glared right back. \ldblquote Please, come in,\rdblquote  Faye said. \ldblquote The other guests are in the living room.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 Tony smiled formally and strode past the two women into the main room where some of the others had gathered. Faye shook her head and looked back at Jeannie. \ldblquote What\rquote s the matter with him?\rdblquote  she asked with a grin. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote We had a bit of a disagreement before we came,\rdblquote  Jeannie shrugged it off. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Ah,\rdblquote  Faye said knowingly. \ldblquote Doesn\rquote t like being told who\rquote s the boss, huh, Jeannie? Typical man.\rdblquote  She walked into the living room where Major Tarik, Tony, Dr. and Mrs. Bellows, and General Peterson were eating hors d\rquote oeuvres. \ldblquote Have you met Amanda yet?\rdblquote  Faye asked, gesturing to Mrs. Bellows. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote No, not formally at least. . .\rdblquote  Jeannie began, and Faye grabbed her hand and pulled her over to where the Bellows were standing. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Amanda,\rdblquote  Faye said, getting Mrs. Bellows\rquote  attention, \ldblquote This is Jeannie. She\rquote s Major Nelson\rquote s girlfriend.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 Amanda\rquote s eyes grew huge and her smiled huger, and she eagerly shook Jeannie\rquote s hand saying, \ldblquote I\rquote m so pleased to meet you!\rdblquote  Jeannie could feel herself turning very red and was overcome with a desire to blink out. No magic! she scolded herself. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote What\rquote s your last name, dear?\rdblquote  Amanda was asking. Jeannie panicked. She wasn\rquote t about to go into the \ldblquote Jeannie Jeannie\rdblquote  thing one more time. Her eyes darted quickly around the room and landed on a bottle on the table. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Martinelli,\rdblquote  she answered automatically, reading off the label. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Jeannie Martinelli,\rdblquote  Amanda said as though it were the most wonderful name in the world. \ldblquote You\rquote re Italian?\rdblquote  she asked. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Um,\rdblquote  Jeannie hesitated, but Amanda\rquote s question had obviously been rhetorical, because she immediately moved onto a totally new topic, about how a girlfriend for Major Nelson should be a steadying influence and how happy she was for them, as if they were engaged to be married or something. The doorbell rang and Faye moved to answer it. \ldblquote I\rquote ll come with you, Faye,\rdblquote  Jeannie quickly volunteered, eager to get away from the overly enthusiastic Mrs. Bellows. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Faye opened the door, and Jeannie saw Roger and an attractive redhead standing on the other side. \ldblquote Hello, Major Healey!\rdblquote  she said happily. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Roger\rquote s eyes grew very wide indeed. \ldblquote Jeannie!\rdblquote  he groaned. \ldblquote Jeannie, what are you doing here? I\rquote ve got to get you out of here!\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 Faye got a horrified look on her face and grabbed Jeannie\rquote s arm. \ldblquote Major Healey, are you drunk?\rdblquote  she demanded. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Drunk? Of course I\rquote m not drunk!\rdblquote  Roger said, nearly hysterical. \ldblquote I just want to know what she\rquote s doing here!\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote She\rquote s here with Major Nelson, of course!\rdblquote  Amanda, who had followed them into the entryway, piped up. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote You\rquote re\endash you\rquote re here with Tony?\rdblquote  Roger said dumbly. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Well, of course she is,\rdblquote  Faye said, her brows knitted with concern. \ldblquote Who else would she be here with?\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote It is all right, Major Healey,\rdblquote  Jeannie said pointedly, her voice filled with meaning. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote All right? Okay,\rdblquote  Roger said. The four women looked at him with concern. \ldblquote Sorry, I don\rquote t know what came over me.\rdblquote  He looked at the redheaded girl and jumped, as if he were seeing her for the first time. \ldblquote Oh, yes. Everyone, this is my girlfriend, Josie Willow.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 The redhead smiled as everyone said their \ldblquote\lquote How-do-you-do\rquote s?\rdblquote  and \ldblquote\lquote Pleased-to-meet- you\rquote s.\rdblquote  Once all the guests had arrived, they had dinner, and afterwards they were free to mingle in conversation. Amanda was sitting by Dr. Bellows, throwing in her two-cents worth; Josie and Roger sat in the back corner and made at, as was Roger\rquote s prerogative; and Jeannie and Faye went into the kitchen for a nice chat. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote So what exactly happened with Major Nelson, Jeannie?\rdblquote  Faye asked, filling the sink with soapy water to do the dishes. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote I would rather not talk about it,\rdblquote  Jeannie said quietly. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Faye smiled sympathetically and lightly patted Jeannie\rquote s shoulder. \ldblquote I understand, Jeannie. If you change your mind, you know where to find me.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 Jeannie nodded and wandered into the Tariks\rquote  backyard. She sat on a brick planter and gazed up at the stars, thinking about everything that had happened since Tony had freed her from that bottle a few years ago. She had been so grateful to him for freeing her. Yet, after everything that they had been through together, she sometimes wondered if she would have been better off staying in the bottle, maybe being freed by someone different. Especially on nights like tonight, when Tony and his friends acted like Jeannie having friends of her own was a major problem. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 She looked down at her feet, trying to force back the tears that were welling her eyes. Why shouldn\rquote t she have friends? Why shouldn\rquote t she be allowed to go out and do things with other people, and for just a few hours, be like a normal girl? She had proven today that she could behave perfectly well around mortals; as long as she kept an eye on herself, she could go without using magic. And yet Major Nelson and Major Healey wanted to hide her in her bottle while they went off and had fun with other friends, other girls. Out of sight, out of mind. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 I am worth more than that, Jeannie thought defiantly. I deserve a life just as much as the next person. Faye is right. My master is holding me back, stringing me along with false promises. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Jeannie was so caught up in her musings that she didn\rquote t hear the patio door open and close once more; she didn\rquote t hear the footsteps behind her; she didn\rquote t notice that anyone was there until she felt a warm arm go around her and a soft voice say, \ldblquote Jeannie?\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 Jeannie didn\rquote t want to look at him, embarrassed by her puffy red eyes, but Tony turned her chin gently to face him. \ldblquote Jeannie, what\rquote s wrong?\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Master, do you not love me?\rdblquote  she asked, dreading the answer. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote What\rquote s that supposed to mean?\rdblquote  Tony asked suspiciously. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Just answer the question, please.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20 Tony sighed. \ldblquote Yes, Jeannie, I love you, you know that I do.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
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\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Then why do you hide me away from the world?\rdblquote  she whispered. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Tony frowned. \ldblquote That\rquote s not what I\rquote m trying to do,\rdblquote  he said. \ldblquote It\rquote s just that some people don\rquote t understand, they would fear your power, or else try to use it selfishly.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\line\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote I know that, Master,\rdblquote  Jeannie said, frustration filling her voice. \ldblquote What I mean is. . .well, I have proven to you that if I try very hard, I can go without using my magic. But instead of taking me out in public or letting me have friends of my own, you hide me away in a bottle. I have been with you for two and a half years, but tonight was the first time that I ever met the Bellows. Do you have that little faith in me?\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\line\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Tony held her closer. \ldblquote That isn\rquote t it, Jeannie. I know I\rquote m a bit paranoid. I promise I\rquote ll try to relax more and let you have friends of your own. Is that better?\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\line\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Jeannie sighed. At least she was making progress. \ldblquote Yes, Master. That is better.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\line\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Good,\rdblquote  Tony said with a smile. He kissed her. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 ~*~\cf0\f1\fs24  \par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Back in the house, Dr. and Mrs. Bellows were leaving for the night. \ldblquote Alfred, I want to say goodbye to Major Nelson and Jeannie, do you know where they went?\rdblquote  Amanda asked. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Oh, yes dear, they\rquote re in the backyard,\rdblquote  Dr. Bellows said, putting his coat back on. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Amanda nodded and walked over to the patio door. Her eyes widened. \ldblquote Alfred!\rdblquote  she gasped in a quiet, choked way. Dr. Bellows looked at her in alarm. She gestured wildly for him to come over to the patio door. Dr. Bellows furrowed his eyebrows and walked over to where Amanda was standing, and looked out into the backyard, where Tony and Jeannie were passionately kissing. His jaw dropped in alarm. \ldblquote Oh, Darling, how precious. See? See?!!! Maybe they will get married, and then\endash no more migraines!!!\rdblquote  She seemed absolutely giddy at the prospect. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Dr. Bellows rolled his eyes. \ldblquote Oh, Amanda, you are hopeless. Come on, let\rquote s not disturb them,\rdblquote  he said, guiding her towards the front door. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 ~*~\cf0\f1\fs24  \par
\cf1\f0\fs20 At the same time that Amanda was witnessing the shocking sight, Faye Tarik was watching through the kitchen window. She smiled softly. \ldblquote I\rquote m glad they worked that out,\rdblquote  she said to herself, and went back to drying the dishes. The door to the kitchen swung open, and James came in, looking ashen-faced. \ldblquote Oh, hey,\rdblquote  Faye said, looking up. \ldblquote Come to give your sis a hand with the dishes?\rdblquote  she asked with a sarcastic tone in her voice and a grin on her face. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote I was just upstairs,\rdblquote  he said gravely. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote Okay,\rdblquote  Faye said, setting down a dinner plate and pulling another out of the soapy water, rinsing it, and toweling it off. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20\ldblquote There\rquote s a message for you,\rdblquote  James continued, the same deadly tone in his voice. \ldblquote From him. He knows you\rquote re here, and he\rquote s coming to find you.\rdblquote  \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\line\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Faye\rquote s eyes widened in horror, and the dinner plate slipped from her hands and shattered on the linoleum floor. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Chapter Four \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "I do not know how you talked me into this," Jeannie said when she and Faye arrived at NASA a few days later. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "What is the matter with you?" Faye asked in exasperation, grabbing Jeannie by the wrist and dragging her out of the car. "I promised James I'd have lunch with him today. He's working on that project with Tony. You're my friend and you're having lunch with me, if we just happen to bump into Major Nelson..." She trailed off, poking Jeannie and giggling. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Jeannie sighed. "If you say so." \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "Worrywart!" Faye exclaimed. They approached the visitor's center. "Faye Tarik and Jeannie Martinelli to see Majors Tarik and Nelson," she told the guard. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "Identification?" the guard asked. Faye pulled out her driver's license. Jeannie's heart stopped. She didn't have ID! She supposed she could try to blink something up, but without a model in front of her to go off of, the results could be disastrous. Panicking, she tried to get a glance at Faye's driver's license. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "Jeannie! Faye!" an excited voice called out. They turned to see Mrs. Bellows bustling over. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "Identification?" the guard droned once more. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "Don't be silly," Amanda scoffed. "They're with me." \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "Yes, ma'am, Mrs. Bellows," the guard said, handing Jeannie and Faye visitor's passes through the window. Jeannie sighed in relief. That had been the first time Jeannie had ever visited NASA through the official channels, and she hoped it would be the last. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "It's such a coincidence that I ran into you two," Amanda chattered happily. "What brings you two to NASA?" \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Faye grinned and rolled her eyes. "My brother wanted to show me all his pretty gadgets," she said cynically. "But I thought I'd bring Jeannie, too. She can save me from boredom whenever James gets dull, and if we happen to bump into Major Nelson..." \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Amanda raised her eyebrows and smiled. "Oh, yes, I see." The two women giggled. Jeannie felt the color rising in her cheeks. "So, Jeannie, just how serious are things with Major Nelson, anyway?" \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "Um. Well. We--" Jeannie began, her voice strained, but was saved from having to say anything further when they rounded a corner and walked straight into Major Healey kissing Josie Willow quite voraciously. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "Major Healey!" Amanda shrieked, disgust on her face. "In a NASA corridor?!" \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Roger snapped to attention, though it was a bit of a sloppy salute, since his tie had come undone and his shirt was untucked. Amanda looked appalled; Faye, on the other hand, was giggling, and Jeannie tried hard to suppress a smile. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "Sorry, Mrs. Bellows, Josie and I were just--" he cut off when he spotted Jeannie. "What are you doing here?" He demanded. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "Major Healey, what is the matter with you?" Amanda snapped. Leave Jeannie and Faye out of this, it's not their fault that you were behaving so innappropriately for an officer of your status!" \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 She paused for a breath, giving Josie an opportunity to escape the tyrade. "Excuse me, Roger, I need to use the powder room," she said. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "Well, it's no wonder!" Amanda called after her. "It looks like all your make-up rubbed off onto Major Healey's uniform!" She whirled back to Roger. "And you! Just consider yourself lucky that it was I who caught you and not Alfred! Or someone more important, like General Peterson! That would teach you to leave those sort of activities until after hours!!!" By now, Faye was doubled over laughing, and Jeannie had tears of mirth leaking from the corners of her eyes. "Where is my husband, anyway?" Amanda asked when her tyrade was finished. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "He's in Major Nelson's office, Mrs. Bellows," Roger answered in the manner of one addresssing a superior officer. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "Excellent," Amanda said. "We can kill two birds with one stone. Come along, Jeannie, Faye." She bustled off in the direction of Tony's office. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Faye took in a ragged breath. "She certainly put you in your place, Roger," she giggled. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Roger stared at Faye as if he were seeing her for the first time. He jabbered something unintelligible, and then suavely ran a hand through his hair. "Miss Tarik," he said, deepening his voice. "I regret that I've never had an opportunity to have a decent conversation with you. Maybe we could have lunch or something?" \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Faye smiled sweetly. "I'd love to Roger, but unlike you, I recall that you have a girlfriend. You know, the one whose face you were sucking off a few moments ago?" She giggled as Roger's face went blank, and turned to Jeannie, who had started laughing at Roger's pass at her. Some men never change. "Come on, Jeannie," Faye said. "We have to catch up with Amanda before she reaches Major Nelson's office without us." \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Jeannie's heart started beating nervously as Faye began pulling her off. Roger quickly shook himself back to reality and dashed after them. "Um, I'll come with you," he said. He lowered his voice and murmered to Jeannie, "What do you think you're doing? Tony's going to have a cow when he sees you here." \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Jeannie's nervousness disappeared, leaving annoyance at Roger and at her master's attitude about her. "What does it matter if I am here?" Jeannie whispered back snappishly. "Am I not allowed to have friends of my own?" \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "That's not what I meant, Jeannie," Roger replied. "But you know what Tony would say..." \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "We shall see momentailry, shall we not?" Jeannie retorted. They rounded the corner and saw Tony's office door was ajar, and that Amanda was inside chattering at Dr. Bellows and Tony. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "Oh, there they are!" she said. "I wondered where you two disappeared to." \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "We were just helping Roger straighten out his tie," Faye said, grinning at a blushing Major Healey. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Tony glanced up from his desk at Faye and jeannie, and jumped, knocking a stack of file folders and their contents onto the floor. Everyone turned and stared at him as he shakily got up from the desk and started picking up the mess. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "Major Nelson, what is the problem?" Dr. Bellows asked in a long-suffering voice. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "Sorry, sir, I had a muscle spasm," Tony stammered, kneeling behind his desk to pick up the mess. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "A sign of exhaustion," Dr. Bellows said knowingly. "You've been working much too hard. What did I tell you about relaxing?" \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Jeannie hurried forward. "Let me help you with that, Anthony," she said. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "Why, thank you Jeannie," Tony said in a pseudo-sweet voice, then grabbed her wrist and pulled her down behind the desk with him. "What are you doing?" he whispered. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "I am sorry, Master," Jeannie whispered sincerely. "Faye wanted me to come with her to see her brother, and you know how--" \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "--Pushy she is," Tony finished. "I'm beginning to." \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "Master, she is just trying to be nice," Jeannie said. "She doesn't know I am a...you know. She just thinks that I am your girlfriend. Which is not such a bad thing, you know." \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Tony broke down and smiled. "No, it's not really, is it?" He picked up the last of the papers and put them on the desk, then he straightened and pulled Jeannie to her feet. "Thanks, Jeannie." \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Jeannie smiled gleefully. "You are welcome." \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "Well, it looks like everyone needs a break," Dr. Bellows said. "So why don't we go and find your brother, Miss Tarik, and then we can all have lunch together," he suggested. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "That sounds good," Tony said, taking Jeannie by the elbow. They left the office and began following Dr. Bellows. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Faye leaned over and whispered to Jeannie, "Sure, it sounds good. Everyone has a date except me. I get my brother." Jeannie giggled. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 They followed Dr. Bellows outside, to an area that appeared to be a launchpad. "Major Tarik is working on one of the launching devices for the next Apollo mission right now," Dr. Bellows explained. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "Sounds like James," Faye said, rolling her eyes. "He always liked playing with Tinker Toys." \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 When they found Major Tarik, he was just finishing up, and promised to meet them all in the cafeteria, so the group started heading over there. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "Hey, Rog, whatever happened to Josie, anyway?" Tony asked. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "Yes, didn't she say she was going to the powder room?" Amanda said. "She should be done by now." \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "We did just leave her, though," Jeannie said. "Perhaps she is looking for Major Healey?" \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Roger frowned. "Yeah, I forgot about her," he said. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "You forgot about her?" Amanda asked, looking appalled. "What, kiss and ditch?" \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "Amanda, please," Dr. Bellows scolded gently. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Before anyone could say anything more, a deafening explosion rattled the earth. The source of the blast obviously was nearby, and the ground shook and rattled, knocking everyone off their feet. Screams rang through the air. Flaming debris flew everywhere, zipping dangerously close to the group of friends. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "Heads down, cover your neck," Tony shouted. Suddenly, a dome of purple light surrounded them, blocking everything else from view. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 And as suddenly as it had begun, it was all over. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Jeannie cautiously opened an eye. She relaxed and struggled to her knees, looking around at her companions. Beside her, Tony, rose to a crouch. Roger was still sprawled spread-eagle on his stomach, his hands covering his neck, shaking like a leaf. Dr. Bellows was clutching Amanda. Faye alone was on her feet, looking around, wild-eyed. "What happened?" Jeannie asked, her voice cracking. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Roger sat up. "Where did that blast come from?" \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 They all turned and looked back in the direction from which they had come. Billowing smoke rose from the launchpad construction area they had met James at. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "My brother!!!" Faye screamed, tearing off in the direction of the launchpad. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "Faye, wait!" Roger shouted, running after her. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "Come back! It's dangerous!" Amanda shouted, as she and Dr. Bellows followed. Sirens started going off, shrilly drowning out their shouts. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Jeannie leapt to her feet and started to go after them, but Tony held her back. "Look at this," he said, gesturing to the ground all around them. "Why didn't we get hit with that shrapnel?" \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Jeannie looked around. There was dust, dirt, and smoldering debris all about them, but where the friends had been, there was a perfect circle of clean asphalt, about fifteen feet in diameter. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "Did you see that purple light?" Tony prodded. Jeannie nodded her assent. "That protected us from getting hit. Did you do that?" \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "No, Master," Jeannie said truthfully. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "Jeannie, are you telling me that it wasn't magic?" \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "No, Master, I am not. But I did not do it." \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Tony scrutinized her face for a moment, and shook his head. Jeannie could not tell if he believed her, but he didn't seem up to arguing the point at the moment. Before either of them could do anything, Josie Willow ran up. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "What happened?" she asked. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "We're not sure," Tony said. "Something exploded by the launching area." \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "Where's Roger? Is he all right?" she asked. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "Yes, he went running over there a few moments ago," Jeannie said, pointing. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Josie followed the suit of Faye, Roger, Dr. and Mrs. Bellows, and tore off in the direction of the blast. "Come on," Tony said, grabbing Jeannie's hand and running after them. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 What had once been the launch pad was now a smoky bunch of rubble. There were firefighters on the scene, and any flames there may have been appeared to have been put out, leaving only smoke and the smell of burning rubber. Jeannie worriedly looked around for any sign of her friends. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Tony approached another officer. "What happened here?" he asked. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "Someone set off a bomb, sir," the man replied. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "What?" Tony asked in disbelief. But that's impossible! How could someone like that have gotten onto the base?" \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "I don't know, sir," the man said with a shrug. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Out of the corner of her eye, Jeannie saw Faye helping a singed-looking man onto a stretcher. She ran over. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "Faye! Is James well?" she asked concernedly, looking at the man on the stretcher. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "He's unconscious," a medic said. "But it looks like he only sustained minor injuries. We'll have to take a look at him at the base hospital, but I'm sure he'll be jut fine." \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Faye sniffled, but she nodded bravely. "Thank you," she said. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 Jeannie put an arm around her friend. Faye was fighting to hold back tears. "Who would have done this?" she whimpered. "Why?" \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "I think I have an answer for that," a brisk voice said. General Peterson stepped through the smoke. All the officers snapped to attention. "I have bad news, gentlemen. I think the bomb was a double-edged sword. First, to eliminate Major Tarik. Second, to create a distraction." \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "What do you mean, General?" Faye asked. "Who would try to kill my brother?" \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "Spies, young lady," General Peterson said without so much as a flinch. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "Sir?" Tony said uncertainly. \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\cf1\f0\fs20 "I have bad news, gentlemen. While we were tending to the explosion, someone tried to break into ERIC." \cf0\f1\fs24\par
\pard\f2\fs20\par
}