Elsewhere

Author’s Note: I never like to leave a story without an epilogue, as I like to know what happens to the characters after they succeed, or even if they fail, although I haven’t written anything like that as of yet. I hope that I never have to. But this is . . . elsewhere in my thoughts . . . I don’t own Beast Wars, Rattrap, the angel of patience also known as the author Sapphire, or Sarah McLachlan, or the song “Elsewhere.” But I hope to be the bringer of enjoyment with this songficcie of mine! Enjoy!

I love the time and in-between

The calm inside me

Sapphire stared out over the landscape of her country, seeing brush and shrubs every so often, but other than that, nothing really marred the landscape. It was a calming, beautiful sight, and it often brought the young woman peace and a calmness of mind that had only been restored recently, when . . . when he came back . . . to her, and her alone . . .

In this space where I can breathe

I believe there is a

Distance I have wandered

Rattrap watched the girl of his dreams smile at the setting sun, and smiled in hopeful wishing. She was recovering from her grief well, and would continue to be recovering for a little while, sadly. He knew that Sapphire had gripped fiercely to the images of his death, as a time of closure, yet . . . she knew that it was also a new beginning.

To touch upon the years of

Reaching out and reaching in

Holding out holding in

He smiled gently, noticing that she was remembering again, and reached over to gently wipe a falling tear. Sapphire sniffed, and then turned towards him, burying her face in his shoulder, clinging to him. Rattrap hadn’t let himself leave her side in the week that he had returned, since he knew that she needed his support just as much as he needed to see her face, to feel her love.

I believe this is heaven

To no one else but me

Sighing finally, Sapphire looked at the young man, who smiled, and said, “Look up.”

She did so, and Rattrap smiled again, hearing her draw in her breath at the beauty of the twilight sky. Laughing breathlessly, she spotted the first star, and whispered, “Star light, star bright, won’t you be my star tonight? I wish I may, I wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight . . .”

And I’ll defend it as long as I can be

Left here to linger in silence

She went silent, and Rattrap wished as well, knowing deep within his heart that she was wishing for the same thing, only in different words. Silently, they walked to her home, taking the long, almost-scenic route. It wasn’t as direct as the usual way home, which was something that both enjoyed.

Rattrap’s hand drifted, to brush against Sapphire’s, watching her out of the corner of his eye, suddenly bashful and blushing. He knew that he shouldn’t act like this, but he didn’t know how else to act around someone who he cared so much for in the way he did!

Sapphire’s hand took his gently.

If I choose to would you

Try to understand

Rattrap blinked at their joined hands, and then up at her, biting his lip. Finally, he said, “Dat was a tease, not an invitation!”

Sapphire laughed, and leaned towards the Brooklynese now-human, and said, “Maybe to you, but I like the way it is now.”

“Eh . . . so do I.”

I know this love is passing time

Passing through like liquid

Sapphire laughed, and looked up at the darkening sky. “So. You met my family, my rats, and now my private thinking place. I don’t think that there’s anything else for you to see here.”

“Da city?”

“That comes later.”

“I love you.”

I am drunk in my desire

But I love the way you smile at me

Sapphire stopped, to look up at the young man, who looked as surprised at his statement as she was. Apparently, he hadn’t planned upon saying that. The girl blushed, and then look up at his eyes, and whispered, “I love you, too.”

Rattrap’s face turned even redder, and he cleared his throat, saying, “I don’t know how dat popped out.”

“So? Isn’t it the truth?”

I love the way your hands reach out and

Hold me near

Rattrap smiled down at her, and then rested his hand upon her shoulders. She moved closer, and sighed. “I’m glad that you’re here.”

“Only glad? I’d say dat I’m a bit more happy than dat, Sapph.”

I believe

I believe this is heaven

Sapphire laughed quietly, and they continued to her house. Her parents were elsewhere, and her sister was reading in the living room. They went into her room, and sat looking out to the night outside the window. The young woman sighed, and curled closer to her personal space heater, who smiled down at her head. “What is it?”

“Have you chosen a human name yet?”

To no one else but me

And I’ll defend it as long as I can be

He sat back a bit further, and was pleasantly surprised when Sapphire took advantage of the new room to lean closer against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. Rattrap sighed again, and said, “Dunno. I like a few.”

“Did you want to tell me?”

“Do I have a choice?”

Left here to linger in silence

If I choose to would you

Try to understand

Sapphire smiled up at him, and said, “Not really.”

“Fine. I like Renny, Ryan, Dempsey, and Ajax.” He looked down at her, then said, “Da other two let Sinead and Starath help decide on which name dey chose.” Rattrap’s human face flushed slightly, as he asked, “Would you help me?”

“Why bother asking? I would, anyway.”

Oh, the quiet child awaits the day when

She can break the mold that clings like desperation

“I don’ want a common kinda name, so . . . I guess dat ‘Ryan’s out, eh?”

“Yeah, I guess . . . I like Ajax.”

“And ‘Renny’s kinda boring . . .”

“I like Ajax.”

Mother can’t you see I’ve got

To live my life the way I feel is right for me

“Sapphire!”

The young woman sighed, and rose to open the door, facing her mother. “Yes?”

“You have tonight only to get that web site of yours updated. And I don’t want you to spend all night upon it! Your studies have to take first priority! As for your friend . . . remember that he sleeps in the living room. If I find out that anything’s been going on behind my back . . .”

Might not be right for you but it’s

Right for me

Sapphire was blushing, but inside she was seething at the accusation. “I wouldn’t let anything happen. And I know. I’ll get to bed before one-a.m., I promise.”

The door closed, and Rattrap sighed. “Dat was lovely.”

“You have no idea,” Sapphire said, sighing and booting her laptop up. “Aah, it’s cold. Great.”

“Takes a while, don’t it.”

I believe

Before long, though, they were both laughing, talking with other authors all across the world. Donovan was teasing Sinead, and loving every moment of it, while Sinead spent her time between laughing and searching through sites and stories on her computer. Finally, though the question came up, voiced by Donovan.

“Well, vermin? Have you made your mind up about a name yet?”

I believe this is heaven

Sapphire looked to the once-Maximal, who smiled, and said, “Ajax.”

To no one else but me

She smiled in return, and Sinead groaned. “Great. He chooses a name with a double meaning. The Greeks never made up their mind who exactly Ajax was. Either he was a warrior of great stature and skill, who fought against Troy in the Trojan War, or . . .”

And I’ll defend it as long as I can be

“Or?” Sapphire asked, looking at Rattrap. He was blinking at the screen, deep in thought. Maybe this name wasn’t the worst thing to call him.

Left here to linger in silence

“Or he was a warrior of small stature, who was arrogant, annoying, and also fought against Troy,” Sinead finished, laughing. “I think that the second meaning fits him better!”

If I choose to would you

Rattrap shrugged, and sat back, letting his hand join Sapphire’s, as he replied, “Sapph just likes th’ name. Just like Sinead likes Donovan, an’ Starath likes da name Micheal. I like dis tradition, if ’ya ask me. But . . . I wonder who’ll be next?”

Try to understand

Starath smiled, and said into her computer microphone, “Whoever Fate thinks is ready, I guess.”