anothertimeanotherplace

Mac sighed as she threw her books down on the sofa. Another day of trying to get through to him about this stupid rave. Why did she keep doing this to herself? It was almost as if she were obsessed with him..She was positive Brittany thought so, she�d said as much to her last week..calling her a stalker�even Billy told her to get a life..He�d made it perfectly clear that he was no longer interested in being a part of her life�so what kept her from believing him?�.why was she still looking for the Billy that she knew and loved?..especially when he seemed to be dead and gone�.and now..Brittany was wearing her ring�that ring she�d held so dear, the thing that had made her feel so special�that was dead and gone as well�.but it couldn�t have disappeared so easily, could it?�he seemed genuinely upset by the idea of her attending the rave with JT�maybe he was just worried about her ruining his fun�.but maybe there was more to it than that�..that spark she still saw sometimes�that light in his eyes�she couldn�t have imagined that�anymore than she could have imagined the way it felt to kiss him�..even though it had been months�she still remembered how that felt�..that spark�those kisses�.that�s what kept her going�in spite of how much he kept on hurting her�but the rave was tomorrow night�and he was still determined to go��and if he was still going�.then so was she�someone had to save him from himself�.

� Oh, good , you�re home..��..Mac turned her head at the sound of her grandmother�s voice�.. � How was school, dear?�things any better?��..Mac stood up�.forcing a smile to her lips at the sight of her grandmother�s concerned face.. she shrugged her shoulders�. � I suppose�..I just thought it would be easier than it is by now�.seeing Billy and Brittany together��but I�ll be okay�..��..Katherine sighed�..her granddaughter still seemed so broken hearted�.that worthless Abbott boy��he was more like his mother than she suspected�. � Well then�it seems you need something else to think about�like your birthday party�.I need to pin you down young lady�we need a definite date�now..I was thinking about Valentine�s Day��we could have a lovely theme�..��..Mac sighed�� Oh great�cupids and hearts?�forget it�..that�s the last thing I need right now��I�m not so sure I even want a birthday party, Grandma�.��..Kay shook her head�. �Nonsense�..you only have one 17th birthday�.and I�m not going to let that horrid Abbott boy ruin this for you��worthless, good for nothing piece of..�� I know�.��.Mac interrupted her grandmother�s rant�� but I just can�t seem to help myself��in spite of everything that�s happened�.I can�t seem to forget about him�..��Kay saw the look in her granddaughter�s eyes�.the sad wistfulness that never seemed to disappear�especially lately�.she reached out to hug her tightly�� You will��.you just have to give it time, dear�..keep yourself busy�I�ve always found that helps�..��.she pulled back and put her hand underneath Mac�s chin� � just remember that sometimes two people have separate destinies�.no matter how much we want it to be otherwise�..��..Mac nodded�biting at her lip as the tears formed in her eyes�� I guess�.I suppose we weren�t meant to be after all��.it just hurts, Grandma�..and I wish I knew how to stop it�.��Kay smiled�� Keep busy�..think about other things�..I think I can help you with that, by the way��I need you to go upstairs to the attic��There�s a box of old books up there that I�ve been meaning to give to the shelter�..I thought you might like to go through them before I give them away�.some of them belonged to your grandfather�.��Mac raised her eyebrows�� really?�and you�re giving them away?�.��..Kay smiled�.. � They�re just things, Mackenzie��replaceable�no one can take away my memories of your grandfather��and if they can help out someone else�..so be it��.Replaceable�..she�d learned that lesson well these last few months�Billy had replaced her without a second thought�..and given away the thing she cherished the most�.. � I suppose I could�.��.Mac said unenthusiastically��digging through boxes in the attic�.whoopee��but�it would keep her mind off things�at least for awhile�..She pushed up the sleeves of her sweater�..patting her Grandmother on the arm�� I�ll go up there now��and I�ll bring the box downstairs when I�m through�.okay?�.��Kay smiled��hugging her again�.. � that�s the spirit��I�ll see you later��.I have a few things to do downtown�..��.she pulled away and patted Mac�s cheek gently�.. � You�ll see�things will get better, Mackenzie��with time�.��..Mac nodded�forcing another smile as she watched her grandmother head out the front door�..Time�..well�she had plenty of that now�.endless time on her hands �.time to think about everything that had happened�..Maybe digging through boxes in the attic wasn�t such a bad idea after all��.She headed for the stairs�.

Half an hour later�.Mac began to think twice about her decision�..The attic was crowded�..full of all kinds of old junk��and dusty�..and dark�.just a single light overhead�She�d finally located the box marked books�way over in the corner�underneath an old bedspread��and she�d dragged it over to a bare spot on the floor�sitting down next to it to open it up�..not much interesting inside�..her grandfather must have been a history buff�.because most of the books were about that subject�..a few old fashion magazines..those must have belonged to someone else�maybe her grandmother..�..she smiled as she leafed through them�..looking at the old style dresses��the men in hats��an ad for shoes caught her eye�.especially the price��$2.95�..she shook her head�imagine paying $2.95 for a pair of shoes?�..she put those in the keep pile��.and continued to dig�more history books�.nothing else very interesting��she was just about to close up the box when a small red leather volume caught her eye�..it had a metal lock in front�..she lifted it out��it had the words �MY DIARY� embossed in gold across the front�.the letters were worn and barely visible��a diary?�.whose?�.it was locked�the pages held together tightly no matter how hard she tugged at it�..she dug through the books�..searching the bottom of the box..smiling when she felt her hand close around a small metal object��she opened the lock�.the pages stuck together lightly�girlish handwriting covered the first page�smudgy, faded blue ink.... � Property of Madeline Reynolds�..and if you are reading this and aren�t Madeline Reynolds�.you�d better have a pretty good explanation��.she smiled��raising her eyebrows�. Madeline Reynolds?��her grandfather�s sister��Great Aunt Maddie�.the one who lived in Florida now��except her last name wasn�t Reynolds�..it was Mackenzie�..she�d been named after her�.at least, that�s what her father told her��she�d never met her or her Great Uncle �. �..she�d never remembered to ask his real name..everyone called him Bucky��.she turned to the first diary entry

� January 31, 1942.

Dear Diary,

Well, just when I thought things couldn�t get any worse�.they did�.James is definitely joining the Navy�.he told me today��just as soon as he turns 18 next month�.Diary�I�m so afraid�.what if something happens to him?�the papers are full of horrible stories about soldiers being killed every day��and James is determined to find the action�no matter where it may be�..and on top of that� Bill is at it again�he came to school drunk today�..��.Mac raised her eyebrows��and then sighed�.it seemed her great Aunt had a Billy in her life as well��she turned her eyes back to the page�� he was supposed to help me out with the Food for Europe drive�.and he bailed out�.saying he was too hungover to do it��I don�t understand why it bothers me so much��he and I barely know each other�.and yet�sometimes�..�

� Mackenzie?��..she picked up her head at the sound of her grandmother�s voice�..quickly closing the diary��.. � Oh�.Grandma�.I didn�t hear you come up��I�m just about finished here��.she picked up the magazines�.hiding the diary underneath them��.She stood up�.brushing off her jeans with one hand�� I found these��and I�d like to keep them..if it�s all right?�.��she held out the magazines�the diary hidden underneath them�.Kay smiled�.nodding�� Certainly�..keep whatever you like�did you find anything else interesting?..you seemed very intent on something when I came in�.��.Mac smiled�.. � just a few things��but I did notice something��a name written in one of the books��Madeline Reynolds�.is that Great Aunt Maddie.?�.��.Kay smiled�� yes��and I think those magazines must have belonged to her��.you know��.you remind me of her�.I�ve always thought so�..��Mac raised her eyebrows�� really?�.how?�.��. � well, for one thing�.you look like her��a lot��I knew her before your grandfather and I were married, you know��she was a lot like you�..smart�determined�.stubborn��once she set her mind on something�..she never gave up�..no matter what people thought�..��..Mac paused��. � I look like her?��.��Kay nodded��pushing her aside gently�searching through the boxes��. � there�s an old photo album here somewhere�..��she lifted up an old lamp�.. � aha!�.here it is�..��..she held up a worn leatherbound volume�..opening it to look through the pages��.. � Oh�here�s your grandfather�.in his uniform�..he was handsome�wasn�t he?��she held out the book to Mac�..who took it carefully�..a tall, dark haired young man�..even in the old brown and white photo�.the resemblance to her own father was amazing��.. � he looks just like Dad��.she said quietly��..Kay nodded�smiling�.. � yes�.he does��.and I know there�s a picture of Maddie here somewhere�..from her high school graduation��she thumbed through the pages��. � ah�here it is�..��..she pointed at it��

Mac took a deep breath�..it was almost like looking into a mirror�..the young girl in the faded photograph�..same eyes, same dark hair�..wearing a white dress�holding a bunch of roses in her arms��she was smiling�..but her eyes�.they seemed so sad�.almost as if she were thinking about something else�� the resemblance is really quite amazing�..I haven�t seen that picture in years�..but you really do look just like her�..��Mac nodded��. � she does�.doesn�t she?��..Kay nodded�wondering if she should tell her granddaughter her Great Aunt�s story��no�.she shouldn�t�.she was dealing with enough right now��.and this distraction would be good for her�.. � Can I have this picture, Grandma?�.��..she asked softly�unable to tear her eyes off it�..Kay nodded�.. � Of course�..in fact�.take the album�..it will be good for you to know some more about your family�..��..Mac smiled�.closing the album�� thanks�.I promise..I won�t ruin any of the pictures�..I�m just amazed by the resemblance, I guess��.Kay nodded�.. � Esther sent me up here to tell you dinner is ready�..so bring those things downstairs��.��she headed for the staircase��.Mac nodded�.reaching up to close the light�.she was dying to read more of that diary��.

Mac closed her bedroom door behind her�..she rushed her way through dinner�.anxious for the excuse to get upstairs and read more��she pulled the diary out of the dresser drawer she�d shoved it into earlier��settling down on the bed to read�.she opened up the pages�.resuming where she�d left off earlier�.

� and yet sometimes��I see something in his eyes��.I know he�s had a hard time lately.. and I can�t help but think that there is something more there than meets the eye..�.and no matter how hard I want to look away and forget about it�.something keeps pulling me back�..Katie says I�m fixated�..and that I�m just looking for trouble�.��Katie��her grandmother?�� and maybe she�s right��.but I still can�t help wondering sometimes�..anyway�the Food for Europe drive went really well�..we got all kinds of things to send over there��.and James says that once he gets over there�those Nazis won�t know what hit them��..that�s another thing�sometimes I wonder if James really cares about me�.or about how I feel��.he�s always off somewhere�..bragging about how he�ll show �em,playing those practical jokes all the time�he seems to think this war is some sort of challenge or something�to show what a big hero he is..�all of this seems to be closing in on my right now��I just wish I could forget about it��that�s all for now, diary��I have to get up early tomorrow�.Katie and I are going to Chicago�.to see Frank Sinatra..swoon��so there is some good news, I guess��more tomorrow�..��

So�her lookalike seemed to have the same problems she did��and it sounded like James must be her Uncle�.she remembered hearing something about him being in the war��.she got up off the bed�..reaching for the photo album��pictures of Maddie with a blonde girl about her age��she smiled�it was her grandmother�..the same smile�the same eyes�..so lovely��her trip through time was interrupted by the phone�s ring��..she put down the album�.. � Hello?�.��. � Hey, kid�..��..she recognized J.T�s voice immediately�� How did you get this number?�.��.she asked�� You wanna ask stupid questions, or you wanna have some fun for a change?��I just wanted to make sure our deal was set for tomorrow�..��Mac paused�..her last chance to back out��maybe she should�..Billy was determined to act like an idiot�she should let him�..but she just couldn�t�.. � yes�..it is�.just remember what I said, okay?�no drugs�no drinking��.. � Would I do that?�.��.JT asked innocently�� yes�you would�and you have��so don�t even think about it�.�.. � Oh, geez�loosen up will you?�stop worrying about that Abbott jackass�he�s a big boy�..and no longer your concern�..I told you�.nice girls like you finish last�especially when they�ve got somebody like Britt to party with��I�ll show you what I mean tomorrow night�..and don�t wear those cinnamon buns on your head or anything, will you?�..wear something that shows off the goods��.��..Mac smirked�.. � whatever�.just make sure you show up��.��.. � I�ll be there�..looking like my usual stunning self��just make sure you don�t disappoint me, kid�.see ya��Mac hung up the phone�..if anyone had ever told her she�d be hanging out with someone like JT��.she shook her head�.too late to worry about that now��Billy was not going to destroy himself�.at least not while she had something to say about it�

She headed back to the bed�picking up the diary again�.she still had a ton of homework to do��.and she still had to pick out something to wear to that stupid rave tomorrow��.she shoved it back into her dresser drawer��the rest of her Aunt�s story would have to wait until later��she had more important things to concentrate on right now��

� Are you sure this is the place?�.��.Mac asked JT�.he smiled and nodded�shutting off car�.. � Yup�this is it��all rave�s happen in old warehouses��and this one looks like it�s slammin� already�.��..Mac got out of the car��following him towards the front door��. she expected a problem�or at least getting carded�but the guy at the door merely took their money��not giving them a second glance�.the place was packed�.loud techno music blaring�..lights flashing�.. � I think I see Britt�..��.JT said�his height allowed him to peer over the crowd�� you can�t miss that helmet hair of hers�look�she�s dancing�and it�s not even moving��..��..he pointed across the room�..and sure enough�it was Brittany�.wearing a patent leather skirt and top�.with her boobs pushed up to her chin�.teetering on spiked patent leather boots��.she looked like Ann Margret in an old Elvis movie�..flailing away like she was in a go-go cage��God�she made Mac sick��the sight of her made her feel queasy�.hair all ratted up and sprayed�a pound of makeup on her face��.and Billy�.trying desperately to keep up��Mac bit her lip to keep from laughing��dancing was definitely not his strong suit��.he tried�.she had to give him that�.he looked like he was having fun��.or at the very least�.trying to��

� Let�s get out there�.I want to see that outfit of Britt�s up close�..��JT said�.yanking at her arm�. � and take off that coat�.I wanna see what you�re wearing�..��Mac hesitated a second�.then thrust out her chin�taking off her coat��. � Hey��.JT said�eyeing her carefully�� Now that�s more like it��..showing some skin��.pretty tasty, kid��.Mac smirked�� I guess I should thank you�..I�ve never been called tasty before��whatever that means�..it sounds like a snack or something��JT laughed�..handing their coats to the guy at the check window�� It means you look good enough to eat��.��he eyed her again�..the short black skirt and short sweater�..her hair all free and loose�high black leather boots�.not bad�.not bad at all��maybe this evening could be about more than just annoying Britt��..

� Wow, Billy�..��Brittany sighed in a breathy voice�( author�s note: ewwwwwwww)� � this is awesome�isn�t it?�.��..she gyrated around Billy�..in a complete circle��which confused him at first�what the hell was she doing?��he realized she was checking the room�..her head twisting around�.scanning it as if she were looking for someone�.. � Yeah�it is��Billy said�turning her head back to his�. � especially in that outfit of yours�you look unbelievable��Brittany smiled�. � thanks��.except this vinyl stuff is really warm�..I must look like a mess�all sweaty��my makeup must be a wreck by now�..��..She stopped gyrating��reaching up to kiss him�. � be right back�.just a quick repair job�..��Billy stopped attempting to dance�.nodding his head�� I�ll be getting us something to drink�..over there�.��he pointed towards the bar��.and watched as she walked away�..This wasn�t as wild as he thought it might be��.just a bunch of kids dancing around to loud music��and there was no sign of that dealer anywhere�thankfully��..he hadn�t really wanted to try X�.even though Britt seemed into it��he had enough crap to deal with��drugs were the last thing he needed right now��

� Hey Abbott-tola�.the Abbott man�.the Abmeister general�..how�s it hangin, bud?�..��.Billy�s head whirled around at the sound of JT�s voice�� Where�s Britt?�.destroying the ozone layer?��.I swear�that chick must be responsible for at least half of that hole up there��.what with all that hairspray��saw you moving around out there, bud��from the way it looked, I guess.that rash still hasn�t cleared up yet, has it?�.��JT grinned�he loved sticking it to Abbott�that dumbass look on his face�.all muddled and confused�.it was so easy�.. Billy looked behind JT�.his heart sank�..Mac�damn her��looking more incredible than ever��hair all loose and shiny��tight skirt�even tighter sweater��damn�why did she always have to look even better than he remembered?� � get lost��.and take your little friend with you�.��Billy snapped�turning back around to the bar��..JT�s grin grew wider��.he shook his head�� nope�sorry��still a free country, Abbott�..and me and my little friend here are going to party�..hearty��I just thought I�d see if you and your girlfriend were interested in a little fun�that�s all��JT took Mac�s hand�.. � let�s dance��.it smells like stupid over here��.Billy forced himself not to turn around until he was certain they were gone��and then he peeked quickly over his shoulder��What the hell was she doing here?�..dancing and laughing with a scuzzy creep like JT?�.scuzzy creep��something you should be well accquainted with, Abbott�..that�s what you are�..

� Got those drinks, honey?�.��.he felt Brittany�s hands creep around his waist�pressing herself up against him�.just enough to get his attention�.she did love to flaunt herself at him�.then pull away�..she was great at that��.he turned around�.pulling her closer��the vinyl dress felt like the plastic covers on his Grandma Foster�s old sofa�� Yup�..you all repaired?�..��..he asked�her makeup was in place�.lips perfectly lined�.eyebrows arched up high��.her hair one solid mass around her head�she nodded�.releasing him to take the drink� � Have you seen that dealer anyplace?��I�m really hoping you thought about what I said about X, Billy�..I think it could bring us even closer��.��she smiled�sipping at her drink�.that should spark his interest��.a little tease never hurt�.it might even get him to stop thinking about Mackenzie�..the obsessed little nutcase��her and her insanity were the last thing she wanted him thinking about�.especially now��when they had finally put the past behind them��all her hard work was finally paying off�..Billy shook his head�� I don�t think that�s a great idea�let�s dance�.��..he finished his drink and set down the empty glass�pulling her out towards the dance floor��

� I can�t believe how crowded this place is�.��Brittany said as she gyrated around the floor��..Billy glanced over her head��JT and Mac were still dancing��.JT showing off his moves�..and Mac�laughing�smiling�..her hair shining under the flashing lights��.her body�.those legs�.. � What are you staring at?�..��Brittany�s voice broke through his thoughts�..snapping his attention back to her��she whirled her head around before he could answer��. � Oh no��.not those two��.Brittany whined�� I suppose she�ll come over here and hit me again��..you won�t let her, will you Billy?�.��.Billy looked at her�� No�of course not��.do you have a problem with them being here?�..we can just ignore them, you know�..��..Brittany pouted�..sticking out her lip�.. � I�m afraid of her, Billy�she�s obsessed with you�.and I think she might just be willing to kill me to have you�.what else does she have?�..the time you two spent together�behind my back�that was the only thing that�s ever happened in her sad, pathetic, little life��and I suppose she felt she deserved more�especially when she stole prom queen from me�.she thought she could steal you as well�..��she circled her arms around Billy�s neck�.. � but that�s all in the past�and tonight is about us�.��.she reached up and kissed him�(bleech)�

� Hey Britt�..I think I saw that outfit in Viva Las Vegas��.Brittany turned around at the sound of JT�s voice�� leveling her gaze at Mac��. � you must be more desperate than I thought, JT�little Mackenzie at a big, bad rave�what will your grandmother think?�..��..she grabbed Billy by the hand� � the stalker girl is at it again��..let�s go�..��.Billy smiled and calmly released his hand�� It�s okay, Britt��.let�s just ignore them��.he pushed past JT�..Mac reached out and touched his shoulder��just briefly�.but it did get his attention�..she saw that spark in his eyes��just for a second�beneath his glare��. � Can I talk to you for a second?�..or do you have to ask permission first?�.��..she glanced over at Brittany, whose nostrils were flaring like a horse��. � don�t, Billy�she�s crazy�..��Brittany urged�..pulling at his hand��..Billy glanced at Mac�..those eyes of hers were dark and soft��. � there�s nothing to say��..I told you�..get a life�..��.he said gruffly�the words stabbing at his heart�� Mac glanced over at Brittany�..that lovely opal ring�..the one she�d looked at a million times�.it looked ugly and cheap now�..it�s simplicity out of place against the trashy outfit��.. � that�s a lovely ring, Britt��..��.she said�glancing up at Billy�whose eyes grew dark��she saw him fidget slightly��..his cheeks red�.so�she didn�t know who it belonged to first��good�. � I thought so the very first time I saw it��.she said�..staring directly at Billy��.who got the subtle message in her eyes��he glanced over at Britt��who was flashing the ring in Mac�s face��..an evil grin on her face��. � If I talk to you�.will you end this, once and for all?��..he asked suddenly� � No more chasing us around?��you�ll leave Britt and me alone?��..Mac nodded�.. � yes��..she said quietly�knowing full well that she would never leave him alone�..not ever�..Billy turned to Brittany�� I�ll be back in five minutes��.why don�t you go and get another drink?�.��..He patted her arm�.. � I�ll be fine�..and it will be worth it to have her off our backs�..right?��.Brittany pouted�..then nodded reluctantly�� I suppose�.but make sure you�re back in five minutes�.or I�m coming after you�I don�t trust her��Billy followed Mac off the floor�.towards the front door��this would all be over soon�..just make sure she gets the message this time, Abbott��

Author�s note: I know very little about X, so I�m winging it here�don�t know if any of this is correct�

�Make this quick�..it�s freezing out here�.��.Billy said as they stepped outside�� Fine�.I�d hate to take up your valuable time with your girlfriend��.��..She paused for a minute to watch his reaction..it was hard to read in the dim light�..what was he thinking?�. � that�s right�my girlfriend�.I don�t know what else it will take to convince you of that�.��.he said angrily�why was she so persistent?�.. � I never would have thought that you would settle for hand me downs, Billy�and I know Brittany wouldn�t�..guess you didn�t have time to get her a brand new ring, huh?�.and it would be a shame to waste that money you spent��..she didn�t want to say it�the words came out before she could stop herself�. � I suppose this just backs up what I�ve been telling you��..he said quietly�� you and I are from two different worlds�.we want different things�..you don�t know me as well as you thought you did..��.. � I guess not�..��..Mac said sadly�..looking at his eyes�they looked dead�flat�no emotion� � but that doesn�t mean I think you should do something stupid, Billy�.and for someone like you�..being at this place is stupid�.��.Billy looked at her�.. � someone like me?�.what�s that mean?�..you think I�m too dumb to take care of myself?�.��Mac paused�.. � you still can�t seem to remember that you almost died last year, can you?�..just like you conveniently forgot about your girlfriend�s part in that little adventure��fine��she raised her hands�� do whatever you want to�.you always do anyway�..screw anybody or anything that gets in your way�..��..Her words cut through him like a knife�.what made them worse was that they were true��.he�d screwed up everything he�d ever touched�..and the sooner she got that into her head, the better off they would all be�.. � that�s right�.��..he said sharply�. � but it�s not your business��so why don�t you just go home?�..no one wants you here��She looked up at him�..his cruel words stung like a slap�. � JT invited me�..and no one is going to make me leave�not until I�m good and ready�..so why don�t you and your girlfriend go back to the poolhouse?� the scene of your big night together..��I�m sure she reminds you of that every second��.since you can�t seem to remember it��her voice broke at the end��enough of this�enough��.he�d broken her heart for the very last time�� and while you�re at it��.both of you go to hell�� from where I stand� it looks like you�re already there�..��she shoved him aside��.opening the front door to head back inside��

Billy stood in the freezing cold��.there�done�finished�you got what you wanted, dumbass��.she�ll probably never talk to you again�better for her�..the best thing, really�..and he would forget about her�.maybe someday it wouldn�t hurt to look at her�.maybe someday he wouldn�t remember the way things used to be quite so clearly�.he pushed open the door�.the place was still throbbing�..he scanned the room�..Brittany was over by the bar�.laughing and talking with someone he didn�t recognize��a tall dark haired guy��she seemed happy to see him�..touching his arm�.giggling��he deliberately kept his eyes on her�..avoiding any chance of seeing Mac again�. � Am I interrupting something?��he asked as he approached her��The guy smiled at him�� No�..no big deal��I�m outta here anyway��.��he turned to Brittany with a wink�.. � Have fun, baby�..enjoy�.��.and with a wave of his hand he left��

�What was that about?��..Billy asked Brittany��who smiled��. � Nothing�.just a reminder that you should never leave me all alone for too long�he bought me a drink�and we talked, that�s all�..��..she held up her glass and drank deeply from it��.draining the remainder in a single gulp��. � What happened with you and the prom queen?��..she asked after setting her glass down on the bar��.Billy shrugged�.. � nothing�..I told her to get lost�.and I think she finally bought it�..��Brittany smiled�.. � Good��I hate that she�s here, you know��she ruins everything she touches��everything�.we can�t have any fun while she�s still here�..��her words were slightly slurred��and Billy picked up the empty glass�sniffing it��it didn�t smell like booze��. Brittany smirked slightly�.. � what?�you don�t trust me now?�..think I�d drink while you weren�t around?��.see, she put that idea in your head�.that crazy bitch�.��.her words were angry now�..her voice a hiss�..Billy put his hand on her arm�. � Why don�t we get out of here?��I�d really like to be alone with you�..��Brittany smiled�.. � I was hoping you�d say that�..that�s a wonderful idea�..why don�t you go get the coats?�I need to go to the little girls� room��.I�ll meet you by the check?��.Billy nodded��. � don�t be too long�okay?��Brittany nodded�..watching him walk away��.she glanced over to the end of the bar�.Mac was there�the bartender handed her a full glass��Brittany smiled��reaching into her purse��this was too good an opportunity to pass up��that bitch would pay�..she held the small vial in her closed palm�..sauntering over towards Mac�..

� Well�.I see you�re still here��.she snapped�..standing directly behind her�..Mac turned around to face her�the drink was behind her�on the bar�. � Yes�..I am��..she answered�.looking her in the eye�� Brittany put one hand on her hip��. � What will it take to get through to you?�..a sledgehammer?�.he doesn�t want you, Mackenzie�he got tired of your little girl scared routine��and he came back where he belongs�with me��..Mac stepped a bit closer�not backing down�� I suppose he is back where he belongs��in the gutter�so why don�t you get back to him and leave me alone?..��..Brittany merely smiled�..she reached behind Mac�.on the pretense of putting her purse down on the bar��she squeezed her hand quickly�.slipping the contents of the vial into her drink��. � not until I tell you what I think of you�.��..she said�.drawing her hand back to her side��Mac rolled her eyes�� save it for someone who actually cares��I don�t�.I mean it�.I told your boyfriend�.now I�m telling you��I�m through�..you two deserve each other��.��.she turned back to the bar and picked up the glass�.sipping at it�..her back to Brittany�who was grinning from ear to ear��she reached over and picked up her purse�� fine�that�s all I needed to hear�..just so you know�.if you do bother me or Billy again�.I�m calling the police��.Mac waved her away ..not turning around until she saw her head towards the coat check out of the corner of her eye��Billy was waiting for her�coat in hand�.they were leaving��.which meant there was no reason for her to still be here�.now if she could just find JT�.she took a final drink and set down her empty glass�.scanning the room for JT��she spotted him�..across the room�..talking to a red haired girl��.she took one step towards him��and was struck by how fast her heart seemed to be racing�..so fast that it seemed it might burst out of her chest�..it felt weird�.almost as if she were looking at herself from the outside�.a blinding searing pain in her head��.her knees wobbled�.something was wrong�.really wrong�.and she was powerless to even utter a word before the world went black�..

The crowd around the edge of the dance floor cleared��no one really knew what to do��JT noticed the commotion and headed towards it��. �What�s up?��.he asked�.peering over the heads of the crowd in front of him�. � Some chick passed out or something�.��a short guy in front of him answered�. � too bad, too��she looked smokin��.I was just about to check her out�.��JT looked down at the guy��.hot chick, huh?�..he smiled�maybe Britt had a little too much fun�..He elbowed his way towards the front�..looking down at the floor��shit��Mackenzie��white as a sheet�sprawled across the floor�he�d be dead for sure if anybody found out about this�.he�d be blamed for sure��the bartender was leaning over her�� she okay?��.JT asked nervously��.. the bartender looked up�.. � no�.she�s not�..she�s unconscious��the ambulance I called should be here�soon�..you know her ?�.��.. JT paused for a moment�..he didn�t have to say anything�.he could blow out and deny everything�but Billy and Britt saw him here�where were they, anyway?��they would tell everyone that he�d left her there ��.and he�d be in deeper shit than ever�.. � I�ve seen her�around school��..Browning�..Mackenzie Browning�.��he muttered..heading towards the door..��he had to book out of here�and fast�..

� I�m glad you picked this place�..I�ve always looovvedd this poolhouse��Brittany purred�.her words were still slurry��.and she felt sort of woozy�.and incredibly turned on��this night was turning out even better than she�d planned�.this poolhouse had always been a lucky place for her��. Billy looked at her�.she was still talking slowly�wobbling slightly��but she had a look in her eyes�..that same look she�d had that day�in his room�before Jack interrupted them�he smiled�.. � me too�..��he said�.pushing thoughts of the last time he�d been here with Mackenzie out of his mind�.the way she hugged him so tightly��.and he�d held her so closely�.as if they would always stay that way�..maybe recommitting himself to Brittany here�.where this whole thing started would finally push those thoughts away forever�it had to�.She sat down on the sofa�patting the spot next to her�.. � Come and sit��I want to be close to you again�.it�s been soooo long�way too long�..��Billy nodded�.sitting down next to her��watching her face�.she smiled seductively��.. � we really shouldn�t be doing this��..but I still remember the last time we were here��..��.her voice trailed off�� and we made love�.even though you don�t remember�.I remember��it was wonderful�..��.her voice was thick as she yanked at his shirt to pull him closer�� you were cheating on me�..with that little bitch�..that putrid little piece of street garbage�..��..she pressed her lips against his ferociously��.biting down so hard that Billy winced�..touching his lip and finding blood��she was definitely drunk�or something�..but she didn�t taste like liquor�� I�ll make you forget her name�..I�ll make you forget she ever existed��.she pulled him closer again�..tearing at him with such fervor that he lost his breath�she shoved him down against the sofa��.giggling��.. she seemed to be in her own little world�� we shouldn�t be�.shouldn�t be�..if Billy finds out�..��she giggled again�.playing with the buttons on his shirt��Billy raised his eyebrows��. �Britt?��it�s me�.Billy�..what the hell is wrong with you?��she giggled again�holding her finger to her lips�� shhh�don�t be silly��I know who you are�.and your secret is safe�or should I say�our secret?��..she leaned down to kiss him again�..Billy pulled away�� what secret?��..he asked�her eyes were all glassy�.her nostrils flaring wildly��..she smiled�.. she waggled her finger at him�.. � don�t play games, JT�..I�m not in the mood�..��.she reached behind her to unzip her top�.. � I think I need some help with this�.and since you were so good at it last time�..��..she turned her back�.and Billy sat upright�..she thought he was JT��.the last time?�..could what JT told him so long ago possibly be true?�.. � sure�sure��..��.he said�playing along��. � it was good the last time, wasn�t it?�.��..he whispered against her hair�..Brittany nodded�� yes�.it was�.even though I would never have admitted it�.it was good, JT��very good�..��Billy felt his stomach turn over��she had slept with JT�.if she lied about that, what else had she failed to tell him?�� but what about Abbott?�.��he asked�.Brittany shrugged her shoulders�.her back still facing him�.. � what about him?��he and I are still like this��she held up two fingers close together�giggling when she couldn�t keep them that way��. � and little Miss Bitch finally got hers��tonight was even better than the last time��stupid little girl�..��. � the last time?�.��.Billy asked�..reaching for the zipper�hoping it would make her continue�� that�s it, sweetie�..yes�.I thought the last time was my peak��her walking in on the two of us�..it went even better than I thought��but I�m tired of playing the innocent little virgin��that�s her show�not mine�.and I need to keep Billy interested before we can actually do the deed��.��..Billy�s heart began to race�.the blood pounding in his ears�� he took a deep breath�.. � do the deed?�..what gives, Britt?�..I thought you and Abbott were tight�..��he lowered the zipper��. � We are�..but I need a little more time�.to further cement things��.he�s already given me a ring�.��she waggled her finger over her shoulder�� I just want him to realize that I�m not just someone he can screw and then dump�..��Billy�s face fell�.so they did sleep together��for real�� anybody would be a fool to do that to you��.I never would�.��he said�.. � oh�that�s sweet, JT�..too bad there can�t be anything more between us than sex��but a girl does have her needs, doesn�t she?�.and when Billy and I actually do sleep together�..he won�t forget it�.I�ll make sure of that��he won�t be able to remember that little slut�s name�never mind her face�..��Billy pulled back slightly�watching her pull the top off her shoulders��.he held her by the shoulders before she could turn around..�.he had to give it one last try�� It kills me to think of you sleeping with Abbott�..I hate it�..��he said quietly��.Brittany giggled��. � awww�you really are sweet�..and if it makes you feel any better��..��she turned around��.staring directly at Billy�.but not seeing him��.. � I won�t talk about it�..once it really happens��..but that�s why we have to take this chance now�..before Billy and I get much closer��..��Billy smiled��.she�d finally admitted it��.that nagging, gnawing thing at the back of his brain�the question that had kept him awake for all these months��. � so you�re saying it hasn�t happened yet?�..��..Brittany nodded�.. � yes�why are we talking so much?�Billy could come in here at any minute, you know?�we don�t have much time�.��she yanked him closer again��.attacking him with her lips��..and Billy pushed her away��..rising to his feet��. � take your clothes and get out��..he snapped��.trying to keep from choking her�.God�what an ass he�d been all these months��.and what he�d done to Mac�all those things he�d said to her��.where was she now?��Brittany gave him a puzzled look��holding her top in her hand�.. � what?�..I thought�.you said that��she shook her head�� you�d better get out, JT�now��.before Billy finds you here�..��.Billy yanked her by the arm�pulling her to her feet�� Look�.I don�t know what you took��but in case you hadn�t noticed�.I�m not JT�..it�s me�Billy��.��.Brittany looked at him again�smiling through her haze�.. � I know who you are, silly��you�re the man I love��the man who gave me this�..��.she held up her hand��showing him the ring on her finger�..Billy smiled�� that�s right��I am the man who gave you that��..except I forgot to tell you who it belonged to first��Brittany smiled�. � Oh�an antique!�.I love antiques�was it your mother�s?�.or your grandmother�s?��Billy shook his head�.. � no�..it wasn�t�.actually�..it belonged to Mackenzie��..I gave it to her in this very room�..last summer�..��.Brittany�s face turned dark�..red with anger�.. � you gave me her leftovers?�..you miserable, cheap bastard��.how could you do that to me, after everything we�ve meant to each other?��.haven�t you hurt me enough?��

Billy paused for a second��looking at Brittany closely�.makeup smeared�hair disheveled��grateful for the very first time that he hadn�t actually slept with her�the idea of it made him sick�. � No, Britt�..I haven�t�..not nearly enough�.��..he said quietly�.smiling�

� I know what really happened here that night, Britt�.you just told me�.whatever it was you took must have really been something�..you thought I was JT��..��Billy continued�..watching Britt twitch was pleasurable�to say the very least�..it felt good to see her begin to squirm�� No�you�re lying�..what on earth would I want with JT?�..��.she muttered��her head spinning��. � Sounds to me like a little more of what you�ve already had�..maybe that�s why you were confused�.it did happen here, didn�t it?�.you and JT?��. � Of course it didn�t�.it�s just more of his lies�.I thought you didn�t believe him, Billy��Billy nodded�.. � I didn�t�.but I believed you�..just a few minutes ago�.when you told me how great it was��except you thought you were talking to JT�not me�.turns out I wasn�t the only one keeping a secret last summer��but you were convincing�I�ll give you that�you even had me convinced that we�d slept together�..��..Brittany made a clucking sound with her tongue�a little note of irritation that made Billy want to choke her�.. � I told you�it happened�..we made love�right here on this sofa��Billy smiled�shaking his head�.. � forget it��you really were in a talking mood tonight, Britt�..I know nothing happened that night��it was all part of your sick little vendetta against Mac��you couldn�t resist bragging about it to your old pal JT�.�� You�re lying!��..Brittany screeched�holding her hands over her ears�.. � No�I�m not�.but you are�..and I�m sick of it�sick of you��I fawned over you�.made myself into a spineless, weak lap dog�just to avoid hurting you again�..and you ate it up��.you fed on it��well�it�s over�..take your act somewhere else��.Brittany shook her head��. � No��I�m not listening�something set you off tonight�you�re making all this up�just to hurt me�.why?�..��.Billy shook his head�.. � No�I�m not�.look�.just get out��.Brittany watched him walk over to the sofa and sit down��so it was out�..finally�.she�d worried about it for months�everytime Mackenzie came into a room�.whenever JT gave her one of those smug grins��well�..she wasn�t going down that easily��.. � You think that you can just trot right back to the waiting arms of your little prom queen�don�t you?�..that miserable, simpering little bitch��.her voice was an angry snarl�.. she smiled evilly�� I don�t think so��she told me herself she was finished with you��.��..Billy looked up at her�� shut up about Mac��.I mean it��..Brittany shrugged�pulling on her top�.. � fine�.but it�s true��but I took care of things�..just in case the little girl didn�t get the message��she grabbed her purse�.reaching for her coat when Billy yanked at her arm�� took care of things?��meaning?�.��.he tightened his grip on her arm as he got to his feet�. � nothing�..��Brittany said calmly�trying to remove her arm��.he grabbed it tighter�so hard she winced�.. � tell me�.or I swear I�ll slap you so hard�your whole family will feel it��.Billy said angrily�his face red�� you�re hurting me�.��Brittany whined�.and he loosened his grip�� she smiled�.. � let�s just say I gave little Miss Mackenzie a present�..a little invitation to the adult world��she should be in an interesting situation by now�..all those men at that rave�.maybe even JT�if it effects her like it did me�.she should be smiling by now�� Effects her?�..what did you do?�..tell me��. � I slipped her a little X�.a nice little surprise�.I know her birthday was awhile ago�but it was a thoughtful present�wasn�t it?�just what she needed to loosen her up�..��.Billy released his grip on her arm�..grabbing his coat�� Oh�chasing after her?��.she�s probably hooked up with someone by now��.you might walk in on something you don�t want to see�..��she giggled�� sort of poetic justice�..she walks in on us�.you walk in on her�..except she probably won�t be faking��.�� Get out�.��..Billy pulled on his coat�holding the door open��..Brittany sauntered towards it�� Give me a call if you decide you want a real woman�..��.she purred�� I�d rather be dead�thanks�..��..Billy answered�..pushing her out the door�.he had to get back to that Rave�.even if she never spoke to him again�.he was the reason she was there in the first place��

Kay burst through the hospital doors�followed closely by Esther��..she hurried to the front desk�.. � I got a call�.from here�they told me my granddaughter was brought here?�.��the nurse behind the front desk nodded�.. � yes�Mrs. Chancellor�she�s in with the doctor right now��he should be out any minute to give you an update�.��..Kay nodded�.. � fine�but if he isn�t�..I�m going in there�make sure he knows that�.��The nurse smiled�� I will�..��.she moved out from behind the desk towards the exam room��..Esther walked up behind Kay�.putting her arm around her shoulders�� she will be all right, Mrs. C�..Mackenzie is a very strong girl��.Kay sighed�.trying to fight back tears�.her granddaughter��her only granddaughter�.lying unconscious in a hospital�how had it come to this?�.and what was she doing at a rave?�..she�d heard about those things on television�.alcohol�drugs��oh God�drugs�.had her heartbreak over Billy been even deeper than she suspected?�deep enough to make her turn to drugs?�.that miserable boy�even more useless and dangerous than his mother�..if anything happened to her granddaughter�that boy would pay for this��.

� Mrs. Chancellor?��..a male voice broke Kay�s thoughts��. � yes�.��..she answered�� I�m Doctor Cheney�..I�ll be treating your granddaughter�..��Kay nodded anxiously�� She will be all right�won�t she Doctor?�please�.tell me she will be all right?��..The Doctor �s face was grim�.. � We can�t be certain of that, Mrs. Chancellor��.it appears that she�s taken some sort of drug��.her bloodwork hasn�t come back yet�but it has all the signs of Ecstasy��.apparently she had a very severe reaction��.��The tears rolled down Kay�s face��.drugs��.damn that Billy Abbott to hell�� We are monitoring her very closely�..but I�m afraid she�s still unconscious��we�re moving her to ICU�.you can see her in a few minutes�.I�m sorry, Mrs. Chancellor�but that�s all we know right now��excuse me��Kay nodded as the Doctor walked away��.Esther lead her over to the chairs across the room��.helping her sit down�� this is all that Abbott boy�s fault�the way he treated her�the things he did�..why didn�t I see how upset she really was?��all that talk about birthday parties and nonsense�why couldn�t I see how hurt she really was?�.��Kay said helplessly��.. � You can�t blame yourself, Mrs. C��Mac has never been one to share her pain with anyone�.she always kept most of it inside�.�� and she wouldn�t have any pain if it hadn�t been for Billy�.I knew he was trouble�..just like his mother��if anything happens to her, Esther�that boy will pay for this��and dearly�.I promise you�.��Kay said�.pulling out her handkerchief to wipe away her tears�� Mrs. C��let�s just concentrate on getting Mackenzie well��revenge doesn�t help anyone��.��.Kay looked over at Esther�� don�t tell me you think he isn�t to blame for this�..he is�and you know it�.��..Esther smiled�.. � maybe you�re right�.but obviously Mackenzie cares a lot about him�in spite of how he treated her�..��.Kay shook her head�� I can�t believe she�d turn to drugs��.she was against that�she told me so��many times�..��..Esther nodded�.. � I know��I suppose she was hurt�and angry�and depressed��.more than any of us realized�..��she wrapped her arm around Kay�s shoulders��. � she will get through this�..she has to��Kay said softly�� I can�t lose another person I love�not one more�..��

Billy burst through the hospital doors�.the same place they�d brought him a year ago��another banner night he�d lived to regret�.but this was worse�.one of his stupid adventures had hurt Mackenzie ��He headed towards the front desk�� Excuse me�..��.he asked the nurse��.. � I heard a friend of mine was here�.Mackenzie Browning?��..Kay looked up at the sound of her granddaughter�s name��Billy Abbott�..well�the nerve and stupidity of this young man was seemingly endless��.She shot to her feet�.. � Get out��she snapped�..walking up behind him��.Billy turned around��. � Mrs. Chancellor�.I heard�about Mackenzie��I..��.. � If you�d like to live to see your next birthday�..you�ll get out of here right now�this second�.the only reason she�s in this hospital is because of you�..you know that don�t you?�hope it makes you proud of yourself�.��..she saw the tears in his eyes��. � Oh�tears�how sweet�..too bad they�re too late��.now get out �this instant�.��Billy sighed�.. � Mrs. Chancellor�you�re right�this is all my fault�.every bit of it�..but I just wanted you to know��.Mac was at that rave to try and protect me�.from myself��she kept reminding me�about my history�.all the things that had happened because of my stupidity�.and I wouldn�t listen��..Kay nodded�.. � yes�.just like you�re not listening now��leave�..your sympathy isn�t welcome here�..��Billy held up his hands�.. � fine�I deserve worse than that�.I just wanted to let you know��Mac didn�t take those drugs on her own�.they were slipped into her drink�.and I know who did it��Kay raised her eyebrows�.. � Oh really?��where did you stumble across this bit of information?�..��.Billy paused��.taking a deep breath�� The person who did it told me so�.she was proud of it�.and herself��it was Brittany, Mrs. Chancellor�..she slipped the X into Mac�s drink��I�ve already called the police�.they should be getting to the Hodges house anytime now�..��Kay put her hand over her mouth�shaking her head back and forth��.she walked back over to the chairs�.sitting down again�.Billy followed her��standing before her�.his face wet with tears�� It�s all my fault, Mrs. Chancellor��Brittany did it to get back at Mac�another one of her endless schemes against her��starting with the night in the poolhouse�..she told me so tonight�.��Kay looked up at Billy��.. � the night Mackenzie walked in on you two making love?�..that night?��.Billy nodded�.. � yes�that night�.except nothing really happened�.I kept wondering why I couldn�t remember it�..it turns out it was because it never really happened�it was just another way of Brittany getting even with Mac�and me�..for sneaking around behind her back last summer�..but you have to believe me�..I never thought she was capable of anything like this�..��Kay shook her head�.. � that�s exactly the problem�you never think�.about anyone or anything but yourself�Do you know the pain you caused my granddaughter?�.how many times she cried on my shoulder about you?�do you?��.Billy�s tears continued�� I know�..I do�..and I�d do anything to take it all back�.make things right between us again��.��he knelt down before Kay�.. � the times I spent with her were the happiest times I�ve ever had�..in my whole life�..and I thought I was doing the right thing by pushing her away�.I�m reckless and stupid�.and she�s so smart�..about everything��is she going to be all right, Mrs. Chancellor?�please�..I�ll leave�you just have to let me know that she�ll be okay�..please�..��..Kay shook her head�� they don�t know yet�.she�s still unconscious�..and I think you should leave�right now�.if she does wake up�.I don�t want you here�understand?�.��.Billy nodded�.wiping the tears off his cheeks��.. � I understand�..��he stood up�� I do love her, Mrs. Chancellor�..more than I ever did before�if that�s possible�..even if she doesn�t know that��..he turned and left�giving a backwards glance at Kay before opening the door��He wasn�t sure where to go�.what to do�..the relief he�d felt earlier tonight was replaced with a searing, ripping pain�.like someone had blown a hole in his chest��.she had to make it through this�..she had to�even if she never wanted to look at him again�..

Mac opened her eyes before sitting upright against the pillow�..that was a weird dream�.about Billy again�as usual�.must have been because that rave was coming up tonight�she pulled back the covers to head over to her dressing table�. yawning broadly as she reached for her hairbrush to pull it through her hair�.it felt softer than usual�probably time for a new one..she put it down�then did a double take�no wonder it felt different�.it was different�not her usual wooden paddle brush�this one was silver..with soft, white bristles�where had that come from?�.probably Esther rearranging things again..she shrugged�reaching over to turn on her radio�but all she hit was air�her radio, too?�there was something else in it�s usual place�a square, boxy looking thing�with a round dial and some knobs�something strange was happening here�.she looked at herself in the mirror�.she looked the same�except�.where were her pajamas?�..the ones she went to sleep in last night?�she looked down at herself�flannel pajamas..with little rosebuds printed all over them�.had she been that exhausted last night?�.

� Madeline Reynolds�I�m not going to call you again!�.��.Madeline?..that was her grandmother�s voice�she recognized it immediately�.but why was she calling her Madeline?�.maybe she was hearing things�.reading that diary last night�looking at those pictures�. � Madeline?�..��the voice called again�� I�m coming!��she called back quickly�.more out of reflex than anything else�she turned back towards the mirror�.there were things stuck along the sides�.ticket stubs�.a black and white picture�oh�..she pulled it down to look at it�.the same picture of her grandfather�.the one her grandmother pointed out in the photo album�.except�it wasn�t faded�.it was smooth and new looking��God�what was happening to her?�she put back the picture�.examining the ticket stubs�.from someplace called The Palace�.it said Matinee-25 cents�25 cents?..her heart began to pound�so hard that she lost her breath momentarily�.she got up quickly�glancing around the room�.it was her room�.that much she was sure of..same dressing table�same bed�.the wallpaper was different�and the bedspread�and the floor�the carpeting was gone�.she felt the bare wood underneath her feet�she looked around�.the television was gone�.and her poster of The Backstreet Boys�.what was happening?�

� You�re not even dressed!��.she whirled around at the sound of her grandmother�s voice�.at least�it sounded like her grandmother�.but she looked different�to say the least�her hair was white�and curled all around her face�.and that dress she was wearing..and that corsage?�what was that?� � Madeline�.how many times have I told you not to dilly dally�you know I have that Red Cross meeting this morning�and if you want a lift to school�.you�d better get a move on, young lady�..��..Mac nodded�..still in shock�.her mind moving a million miles a second��this must be another weird dream�..so this woman standing in front of her was just an illusion�like the room�.. .not her grandmother�. � Why are you staring at me like that?�.��the woman asked her�.. � Aren�t you feeling well?�..��..the woman walked over and touched her hand to her forehead�.. � You don�t feel warm�..perhaps you worked too hard on that food drive�.��the woman�s face turned anxious�.and Mac smiled weakly�� I�m fine�.just a little tired, I guess��The woman shook her head�.. � Madeline�..you didn�t stay up all night writing in that diary again, did you?�how many times have I asked you not to do that?�..a girl your age needs her rest�..��..So�this was her mother�not her grandmother�.but she did resemble her grandmother�a lot�.maybe she was transferring�.like Dorothy..in the Wizard of Oz�.that was it�.she was dreaming this whole thing�.and she�d wake up soon�.. � I�m all right�.I�ll get dressed right now��..she said�moving towards the closet��all her clothes were gone�her jeans�..her sweaters�.. this stuff was a little scary�. � um�.��she fumbled through the rack�� I�uh�I�m not sure�..��.She heard a sigh come from behind her�� Don�t tell me that you have nothing to wear�.you have a closet full of clothes�.wear your red sweater and that plaid skirt I like so much��and make it snappy�..��.Mac mumbled something and nodded as the woman left the room�..

She stared straight ahead at the rack of clothing��how was this possible?��how could this be happening?�..this was the weirdest dream she�d ever had��but she might as well play along ��as long as this was just a dream�she might as well go with it��.

Billy paced up and down in front of the hospital entrance��.checking his watch�.nearly 10 �he�d been here since 6 am��and Esther hadn�t come out to report anything new since before 9��.he was about to lose his mind completely when he spotted Esther coming through the doors��. � What?�anything new?�.��.he asked her��she shook her head sadly�� No, Billy�..I�m afraid not��she�s still unconscious��..and the doctor said he�s not sure when she�ll wake up��.if ever��.she saw the tears in his eyes and patted his hand��. � I�m sorry I can�t bring better news��and I know how hard this must be for you�not being allowed to see her�.��..Billy nodded�.. � it is�..but Mrs. Chancellor was right�.after the way I treated Mac�.I don�t deserve to see her��.but you will come out again, won�t you?�.let me know if anything changes?�.��.Esther smiled gently��. �sure, Billy�.whatever you want�..but the doctor did say he wasn�t sure�.so it might take awhile�..��.Billy nodded again�. � I understand��and I�ll wait��thanks, Esther��..Esther smiled and waved her hand before returning inside the hospital�.Billy watched her walk inside�his insides churning around like a cyclone�.all those things he�d said to her�the way he treated her�he deserved to be the one in that bed�not her�.everything he touched turned to something horrible�..and now�he may very well have killed the person he loved the most�and she didn�t even know how he really felt�.and if she died��he shook his head�no�..no�she couldn�t�.he needed to get away somewhere�to think�.think about how he could possibly fix this��

� You�re very quiet this morning, Madeline�.��the woman�s voice from beside her in the car broke Mac�s thoughts�� this was getting weirder by the second�..it seemed so real�.this was Genoa City�except everything looked so different�.no tall buildings�.small stores�..a movie theater she�d never seen before�..no Crimson Lights�.the only place she recognized was Fenmore�s�.and it had another name�..and the cars�.the car she was sitting in�it was like a tank�.huge�..and slow�.and these clothes�..ankle socks�and saddle shoes�she felt ridiculous�..but all the people outside the car windows were dressed the same way�..men wearing hats�.a few soldiers in uniform here and there�.. � Are you sure you�re all right, dear?..��Mac smiled weakly�� sure�.I guess I�m still not awake yet�.��..that was an understatement�..if this dream didn�t end soon she might just go crazy�..it was weird..seeing things that were familiar�yet different�.. � Well�.just remember�.if you want any help with picking out that dress for the Valentine�s Day dance�just let me know�.you only have another week�..��the woman smiled�.turning her eyes back to the road�.. � Have I told you that I approve of James?�.I do, you know�he�s a fine young man�so funny and charming....��.Mac nodded�wondering how she was going to manage to get through the day at school�James�that was the name mentioned in Madeline�s diary�damn it�why hadn�t she read the whole thing?�at least she�d know what to expect�..shut up, Mackenzie�this is a dream, remember?�you can�t do anything but wait to wake up�.wing it�..it�s better than following Billy and Brittany around all day�..Billy�.God�she�d barely thought about him�in fact�.if she closed her eyes�.his face seemed fuzzy�out of focus��.how was that possible ?�this was a dream, wasn�t it?�..

The car pulled to a stop��. � Have a lovely day, dear�..and remember�.loose lips sink ships�.��she put her finger to her lips�..Mac wondered what the hell that meant�..but she smiled�grabbing the books she�d found on her dresser and opening the car door�. � no kiss for your mother?�.��..the woman asked�..Mac paused�.then leaned in and kissed the woman�s cheek��. � bye�.Mom�.��she smiled�closing the door��The woman smiled back and the car pulled off��Mac closed her eyes�..please�let this end�soon��she opened her eyes and turned around��Walnut Grove Academy�..at least�that�s what the sign said�but the building didn�t look the same�.this one was old�brick�.she sighed�clutching her books�.might as well get this over with��she headed towards the steps�.