Disclaimer: Earth: Final Conflict Universe is from Gene Roddenberry.

No copyright infringement is intended.

The idea is mine.

Author: Mithril ([email protected]) 2000.

Summary: Da’an has a magical experience...

Tittle: Just a little bit of Magic

Just a little bit of Magic

It was a beautiful spring evening in Washington; the trees were in bloom, a gentle wind agitated the lives and the birds were singing.

In the Embassy’s garden, Da’an was seated on a bench, a serene and delighted smile on his pale face, he was just enjoying the moment...

However, after a while, his grin faded. Soon he would have to leave his beloved garden, as he had an important conference to attend to in less than an hour. It would be taking place in the recently inaugurated ‘Taelon’s Camelot’ children's hospital and the speaker would be Professor Roswell, one of the few humans who had managed to learn Eunoia without the aid of a CVI.

Da’an did not know the Professor, as that particular human had always avoided public activities, but he had read about the human’s research. Roswell had elaborated startling ideas regarding interdimensional portals and the treatment of lethal diseases and the most important points of the investigation would be explained in the conference.

Da’an sighed. True, it promised to be a very interesting event and the idea of helping humans -specially children- was always appealing to him, but still... the North American Companion wished he could put his duties to a side, if only for a day... It was just that he felt so tired...

Shaking his head and with a resigned expression on his face, he rose from his seat and returned to the building.

******

"Leaving interdimensional mode," Liam informed his quiet and slightly distracted passenger.

"Thank you, Major," Da’an said softly, ‘waking up’ and looking outside, as the new, beautiful construction appeared before them.

"Wow!" Liam exclaimed. "It’s a castle... a Taelon looking Castle!"

"Indeed," Da’an said with a small grin. "Being a children’s hospital, it was decided that built it like a Castle would be a good idea."

"Well, at least it would be less traumatic for the kids," Liam agreed. "Here we go," he added, expertly landing the shuttle near the main entrance.

They descended form the ship and immediately a man wearing an impeccable suit approached them. He was the hospital’s Director, Doctor Edward Johnson.

"Welcome, Da’an, Major Kincaid. It’s a honor to have you here," he said with a respectful bow, unable to hide his excitement.

"The honor is mine, Doctor Johnson," the alien replied gently.

"Thank you," the Director said. "Please, follow me," he added, guiding his guests to the entrance.

Once inside the building, Doctor Edward Johnson began to tell them about Professor Roswell’s research and how it had helped sick children.

Liam listened, interested, but Da’an just kept a polite silence, walking distractedly behind them. In fact, so distracted he was, that he did not notice both humans entering the elevator...

He just continued walking, deep in his thoughts.

Five minutes later, suddenly hearing children’s laughter, Da’an stopped walking and raised his head. He looked around and blinked in surprise. Doctor Johnson and Liam were no where to be seen. He did not worry, though. The building seemed to be safe enough.

Shaking his head, he turned and was about to go and search for his lost protector, when he heard the laughter again. He tilted his head and closed his eyes, enjoying the children’s laughter. An idea occurred to him and a somehow mischievous grin played on his face. He decided that Professor Roswell, Doctor Johnson and Liam could wait. Without thinking of it twice, he followed the joyful sound.

After a while, Da’an stopped before a closed door... and heard the laughter again, louder, together with an impressed OH!

Da’an’s smile widened, he had found the place. He took a hand to the doorknob and carefully opened the door. He silently entered the room and when he saw what was going on, his eyes shone tenderly.

A group of children, all of them patients of the hospital, were seated on their beds or on chairs, their gaze fixed upon a slender young woman. Da’an’s eyes widened at her strange appearance. She was dressed in a long, navy-blue dress and she wore a strange cone-shaped hat. Both, the dress and the hat were decorated with silvery stars. The Taelon tilted his head, wondering where he had seen that odd outfit before.

"Okay," she said sweetly, interrupting Da'an's thoughts, "Who wants to see another trick?"

"I do!" the kids answered loudly, between giggles.

*Tricks?* Da'an thought, puzzled, and then it hit him. The woman was disguised as a witch. He tilted his head, confused. Thanks to his previous studies of Earth's cultures, he knew witches were always pictured as old, ugly, evil women... but the woman he was looking at now was... pleasant and kind with the young ones. Surely she must be one of the hospital's volunteers.

The ‘witch’, took a hand to her chin and seemed to think about her next trick for a moment. "I know!" she suddenly exclaimed, approaching a little girl. "I will need your help, Lucy," she said solemnly.

The child nodded and clapped her hands, excited.

The woman smiled an took a hand to Lucy's head and after a few seconds, she withdrew it... holding a white rose... that had appeared out of Lucy's ear!

"OH!" the audience exclaimed in awe... and so -mentally- did Da'an.

Then, she covered the flower with a black veil and turned to a red headed boy. "What do I have here, Billy?" she asked him.

Da'an blinked, slightly disappointed. What was the point of making that obvious question?

The boy seemed to think the same thing. "A rose," he answered, matter-of-factly.

"Oh, really?" she asked in a teasing tone and to everyone's astonishment -including the Taelon's- she removed the veil and a small, yellow bird appeared instead of the rose.

It flew to her shoulder. "Okay, everyone say hello to Emmett. He is my friend and he begged me to bring him here. He said he wanted to meet you," the 'witch' explained kindly.

"Hello, Emmett," a chorus of happy voices greeted the bird.

"What kind of bird is he?" a blond girl asked with shining eyes.

"He is a canary and, if you want, he will sing to you," the disguised woman replied.

"YES!" the kids exclaimed, clapping with enthusiasm.

She chuckled and raised her hand. The bird flew to her finger. To the children's -and Da'an's- delight, Emmett began to sing.

After a while, the sweet music ended and the bird flew away through the open window. The kids began to protest.

"Hey, hey, don't be sad," she soothed them. "You know the rules, no animals are allowed here... But if you promise not to tell Doctor Johnson... I will bring Emmett tomorrow."

"We promise!" the children answered solemnly.

Remembering serious Doctor Johnson, Da'an smiled in amusement and tilted his head. What would he say if he learned about... this kind... 'witch'?

"Now, for my grand finale, I will need a volunteer," she said then.

Immediately, short arms were raised and everyone exclaimed Me! Me!

The young woman laughed softly. "Hey, calm down. Let me think."

"Please, Mandy, I want to be the volunteer," Lucy begged, jumping from her chair. However, in doing so, the girl accidentally spotted the Taelon that stood in the doorway. Lucy gasped and could not say a word. She just remained frozen with her hand raised.

"Lucy, Angel, what happens?" the young woman asked, slightly worried. As the child remained quiet and seemed to be staring something at the door, the 'witch' turned her head to see what was worrying Lucy... and opened her eyes wide when she saw who was there.

Having being caught, Da'an approached the children and the woman. "I apologize for the interruption," he said softly, finding himself strangely drawn to the woman's -Mandy it seemed was her name- green eyes.

She blushed slightly under his stare and smoothed her dress. She smiled. "There is no need to apologize. You are welcome here, Da'an. Right, kinds?"

"Yes! Hello, Da'an," they greeted him, looking at the alien in awe.

Da'an smiled back and saluted them in his unique way. "Sinai Eurahh."

"Oh!" they whispered, their eyes shining in disbelief for having the North American Companion all for themselves.

"Sinai Eurahh, Da'an," Mandy replied in perfect Eunoia.

Da'an blinked in surprise and was about to ask her how did she pronounce so well, when he noticed the sudden mischievous grin that had appeared on her face. He kept quiet... and unconsciously went a step back.

Tu his utter astonishment, she held his hand and gently pulled him closer. "Would you like to be my volunteer?" she asked innocently, her green eyes meeting his blue ones.

He stiffened at her unexpected request and -to the children's delight- he blushed in a deep blue. She obviously knew He was the North American Companion and that He should be treated with respect... However, seeing the pleading look in her eyes, he suddenly found himself willing to comply. Besides, he knew she meant no harm... and he was... curious.

"I will be your... volunteer," he answered at last.

A smile lit up her face. "Thank you, Da'an," she said sincerely and then turned to look at the children. "Now, everyone keep quiet. I must concentrate to do this," she added in a solemn tone. Then, she faced the Taelon again and after a wink, she released him.

She took off her hat, revealing her waist-length red hair, and offered it to her assistant. "Can you hold it for me, please?"

Da'an obediently took the hat and gave her a puzzled glance. She chuckled and waved her hands over it. "Abracadabra!" she exclaimed.

"Abracadabra!" the excited audience repeated cheerfully, but nothing happened and the children and Mandy looked intently at the alien, as if it were his fault.

Da'an blinked and, seeing her mischievous grin again, he finally understood. Vowing himself that no one would ever know about this embarrassing moment he rolled his eyes and cleared his throat. "Abracadabra," he repeated.

Immediately the hat shook in his hands and sparkling confetti began to emanate from the hat, flying all over the room. A sweet music filled the air.

"How?" was all that he managed to ask, staring at the confetti-covered 'witch'.

"Just a little bit of magic," she answered with a wink and snapping her fingers, the confetti disappeared and the music stopped.

She chuckled at his confusion and turned to the delighted kids. "Well, that's all for today, you need to rest now," she said, approaching them and giving each one a hug

"Please, don't go Mandy," Lucy begged, as she climbed to her bed.

"I will return tomorrow, Angel," Mandy soothed her, covering the child with the blanket. "Besides, Da'an has a meeting now."

Startled, Da'an stopped his inspection of the hat and raised his head. He had completely forgotten about the conference and Liam!

"That is true, but I am afraid I am late," he said.

Mandy shook her red head and smiled. "Oh, no. I assure you the conference has not started yet. Professor Roswell is late too. Come with me, I will show you the way to the Auditorium," she offered.

"Thank you... Mandy," Da'an accepted, returning her the strange hat.

"You are welcome," she said, blushing slightly. "Say good bye to Da'an."

"Bye, Da'an, thank you for coming!"

"It was my pleasure," the North American Companion replied sincerely.

Mandy put all her 'magic' things inside a bag and, after saying good bye to her little friends again, she left the room... followed by a still amazed Da'an.

They walked in silence for a couple of minutes, but suddenly Mandy stopped and turned to face him.

"Thank you for helping me with the kids. They will never forget this day," she said with a shy smile.

Da'an blushed blue. "No. I must thank you. It was a unique experience."

She nodded. "Indeed... I am not used to have... such an important ... volunteer."

He smiled back and tilted his head. "However, there is something that I do not understand. Why do you wear a witch disguise? You should be a fairy," he stated softly.

"A fairy?" she asked, puzzled.

He nodded. "Yes. That disguise would suit you better."

Mandy flushed. Was that a compliment?

"Did I offend you?" he asked at her silence.

She cleared her throat. "Oh, no. It was... sweet," she answered, flushing even more. "Let's go," she added.

They continued walking until they reached the elevator. "Here we are," she said, calling the elevator. "The auditorium is in the last floor."

"Will you attend to the conference?" Da'an asked, for a strange reason don't wanting her to go.

"Yes, but I can't go like this," she answered, smoothing her dress. "Doctor Johnson would have a heart attack... although I wouldn't want to miss the look in his face," she added mischievously.

In that moment, the doors slid open and the Taelon stepped inside.

"I will meet you there... and remember, all that it takes is just a little bit of magic. Sinaui Eurahh, Da'an," she said as the doors slid close.

"Magic," Da'an repeated and, unbidden, a grin played on his face. Indeed it had been a unique experience. *Volunteer,* he thought amused.

Seconds later, the elevator reached the last floor and he stepped out. Suddenly, he heard a loud "Da'an!" and saw a worried Liam hurrying towards him.

"Yes, Liam?" he asked innocently.

Liam opened his mouth to say something, but instead, he just sighed and rolled his eyes. "Let's go inside," the protector said simply. "After you," he quickly added.

Suppressing a chuckle for Liam's mental sake, Da'an entered the crowded Auditorium.

They took their seats in the first row and waited for the event to begin. Suddenly, the lights blinked and, to Da'an's and Liam's astonishment, a white rose appeared on the Companion lap.

"What--" Liam began to ask, but in that very moment, Doctor Johnson stepped on the stage and the puzzled protector had to remain quiet.

After a short and boring greeting speech, the hospital's Director invited Professor Amanda Roswell to the stage.

A slender young woman -in fact too young to be such an important scientist- stepped on the stage and took Doctor Johnson's place.

When Da'an saw who Professor Amanda Roswell was, he gave a quick glance to his rose and had to struggle to keep his façade. She had changed her clothes into a formal suit and she had combed her hair, but her kind -and now really mischievous- gaze was still there... fixed upon him.

He couldn't help but smile.

She smiled back and then began her conference with the strangest phrase, but for him it made a total sense...

"Just a little bit of magic..."

Fin