Title: Fellowship, and all that. Author: SusanH Rating: PG Distribution: Stingers and Crimplex, if I ever work out how to change my site, probably there too. If you want it for somewhere, ask. Disclaimer: None of these characters belong to me, they just played a little game in my head for a while. If you've never heard of them, handle with care...Spoilers: None that I can think of, kinda set nowish. Authors comment: This is in response to Courtney, thanks for giving me a push to write something. So many ideas, so little time. Thanks also to Diana, for the random discussions every afternoon, and to you both, I'm sure I'll get feedback. I better! AC 2: I mean no offense to anyone, so please don't take any. This is supposed to be lighthearted, and is not to be taken seriously. Fellowship, and all that. ‘Michael Felding. Suspect in no less than eight murders, also wanted for questioning in three attempted murders. So far he’s had solid alibis for all murders, but on this most recent case he’s come up empty. As a result, he’s gone underground.’ Ellen Mackenzie turned to face the five people she was addressing. Without looking at the board she pointed to the face-down corpse of a Chinese greengrocer who had been found dead in the alley behind his store the previous evening. ‘Chan Wan Hung. Felding’s ninth victim. Rumor has it that Hung was fed up paying protection money to Felding and not getting the protection. He’d held off payment for the last month, and was hence found like this last night.’ ‘So what’s our take?’ Pete Church leant against a table, and looked edgy to get moving.‘How we gonna catch this scum?’ Mac took a deep breath, and prepared for the reaction she was going to get. ‘Angie and Stone, you’re going to join Fellowship.’ Oscar Stone’s jaw dropped open, and next to him Angie Piper defensively folded her arms. Church began to chuckle. ‘I can see you in one of those skirt things Stone.’ Stone retaliated with a dirty look, which brought more laughter from his pal. ‘Mac?’ Danni Mayo piped up from the back of the group.‘What’s Fellowship?’ ‘Ahh, right. Fellowship is a religious group based just outside the suburbs. They’re headed up by this man, Roland Archen who apparently is a devine being, and his three wives, Martha, Abagail, and Rachel.’ As she spoke Mac pointed to pictures stuck to the board behind her, but focused her attention of Church, who was in tears from the laughter he was trying to conceal.‘Why Fellowship?’ Stone recovered his voice, and raised the question. ‘An informant believes that Felding has headed here. Rachel Archen is his sister, and it’s thought she’s hiding him out on the complex. You guys are going in to find out if this is true.’‘So this is a long shot?’ ‘Not exactly. Felding’s family sticks close to him. They’re provided several alibis for him in the past, it’s a logical step to think that they’d move up to hiding him too. If you guys get in close to Rachel, or someone that doesn’t like Rachel, you might find Felding.’ Stone shook his head, and glared at Church, who still sat giggling like a schoolboy.‘What are you laughing at?’ ‘Good thing you’ve got nice legs Oscar.’ Church burst out laughing, and Danni began to giggle at the thought of Stone in a skirt. Mac turned back to the board to hide her smirk. 'Bloody Church. Why doesn’t he get this job? No, he gets to be a bikie, he gets to be a getaway-driver. What do I get? Bloody cult, that’s what.’ ‘Talking to yourself Oscar? You belong in a cult.’ Angie tried to lighten Oscar’s mood, but was rewarded with a glare. ‘It’s not a skirt Stone, it’s a sarong. They’re different. Even that English soccer bloke wears sarongs.’ ‘Beckhem? Oh great, that makes me feel better Ange.’ Oscar’s tone contradicted his words, and Angie slammed her locker shut. ‘Listen to me, farm boy. We’ve got this job, like it or not. We go in, we find out if nasty boy’s there, and we get the hell out. I’m not thrilled about it either. Have you read the cover we’ve been given?’ Stone looked up, and smiled apologetically.‘Not exactly.’ ‘Well you better Simon Wilkens, because you and me, your _wife_ Alison are going to Fellowship to seek relationship advice from the great Roland Archen and his three wives. At least we have the relationship problems to begin with.’ Ange turned away from Stone, embarrassed that she’d said more than she planned. ‘Ange.’ Stone’s hand on her shoulder stopped her from walking away, and she could feel his breath on her cheek. ‘I’m sorry, but…, well…, you know.’ Her heart sunk lower into her chest, and with a small sigh Angie shrugged Stone’s hand from her shoulder .‘Yes Oscar. I know.’ ********************************************************************** Stone slowed he car down to a crawl as they approached the gates of Fellowship. He glanced across at Angie, who was staring out the window away from him.‘Angie? You okay?’ She turned back to face him, and the familiar lump in his throat rose up to choke any words he had planned to say. Then she smiled softly, and Stone felt his heart’s pace pick up a beat or two. ‘I’m okay, _Simon_. Let’s go in. Just remember, problems with trust, problems with communication.’‘Huh?’ Angie sighed, and wondered where Stone went to when he daydreamed like that. ‘Simon and Alison Wilkens, problems with trust and communication.’ Stone grinned, and nodded.‘Yes dear.’ ‘My friends, today we welcome two new friends, Simon and Alison. They’ve gone to find some peace in their relationship, and to make themselves stronger. Let’s all do our best to aid their journey.’ Roland Archen turned his attention to Stone and Angie. Aged about fifty, he was remarkable fit for his age, and had sparkling blue eyes that had to have helped charm so many people into his belief system. He placed an hand on Angie’s arm, and smiled down on her. “Many people here came for the same reasons, and elected to stay. I hope that you,’ he paused briefly, then raised his head and met Oscar’s eyes ‘both of you will stay with us also.’ ‘We’ll have to see Roland, if this place is all it promises to be..’ ‘It is Simon. Everything and more.’ A voice from the other side of the dining hall caught his attention, and the local guru excused himself. Stone lent down and whispered in Angie’s ear. ‘The guy has a thing for you. Watch yourself.’ Angie turned her head so that they’re eyes met, and Stone saw something in her face he’d never seen before. ‘Since you’re not going to leave me alone with him, I won’t have to, will I?’ Stone took her hand in his, and squeezed in gently.‘No darling.’ ‘Simon, Alison, welcome.’ A tall blonde woman strode towards them, her hands extended and a strong smile on her face. ‘I’m Rachel Archen, and I’m very glad you came to us. It takes strong people to realize their problems, and stronger people to do something to fix them. We’re very glad you thought that you’d find the answer with us.’ ‘Thank you Rachel. We feel very welcome. A bit over dressed though.’ Angie smiled and looked down at her patterned summer dress. All around them people where dressed in white flowing shirts and sarongs, and Rachel nodded her head.‘I’m here to see to that Alison. If you’ll both come with me, we’ll start the journey to your new relationship.’ Taking Angie by the hand Rachel strode off towards a door on the other side of the room. Stone reluctantly followed, shaking his head at the thought of what was to come. In the back of his mind he could hear Church laughing at him, and despite his location, he cursed his absent friend.‘Bloody Church.’ ‘Now now young fellow, that’s not the attitude to take.’ An elderly man reached out and placed a hand on Oscar’s arm. ‘This may not be a church, but the feeling is the same. Mind your manners son.’ ‘Yes sir, awfully sorry. Just a bit, well, you know.’ Stone found himself lost for words, and wondered how on earth he’d survived in undercover considering how often he got caught out. ‘Thought you and the wife could sort it out between the two of you huh? Don’t like this whole intervention thing?’ Stone felt relieved, and grateful to the stranger for providing him with a cover he was supposed to remember. ‘Yeah, you know, our problems are our problems, not the worlds.’ The older man stood from his chair and placed his hands on Stone’s shoulders. ‘We’ve all got the same problems son, just different versions. Even an old fool like me can see that you just don’t know how to tell that woman of yours what she means, and she’s got the same problem. Me, it took me thirty-six years to realize what you already know, and by then I’d lost my Doreen to cancer.’‘I’m sorry sir.’ ‘Norman.’ He took a hand from Stone’s shoulder and offered it in a handshake, which Stone accepted.‘I’ve never been a sir son.’ ‘Simon. You been here long Norman?’ ‘Eight years Simon. Ever since my Dorie left me. Had no kids, no-one else gave a damn. ‘Cept for Roland and his girlies. They’ve let me make this me home.’‘From what I’ve heard they accept everyone, I mean, they took us.’ ‘These lot, they’ll take anyone. From good class like yourself, to poor folk like me, to criminals wantin’ to repent. All sorts.’ Before Stone could question the older man futher, Rachel appeared at his side. ‘Norman! Holding up our new friend. There’s plenty of time for talk later. We need to settle Simon and Alison in.’ ‘Sorry Rachel. Got to talking, you know me.’ Rachel nodded her head, and led Stone away. ‘Poor old man, desperate for attention. I wouldn’t pay him any heed Simon, his mind’s not what it once was.’‘Bet he knows some stories though.’ Rachel stopped and turned to face Stone. ‘Simon, stories is not why you are here. Alison is why, and you are why. You want to save your marriage, remember that.’ ‘You’re right Rachel. You’re right.’ Stone nodded and followed her lead. He had to save his pretend marriage to the woman he loved but pretended to not. Easy.