D: Guardian Angel

They found a hostel that was cheap yet close enough to get to everything, then they headed out to explore the city. For several days they went around, seeing the sights and finding interesting little shops and places to eat. Nights they spent sharing a tiny room with two single beds and a bathroom just down the hall.

"This is so much like our first years in college," Brianna commented as she returned from taking a shower. "I'd forgotten how much I hated community bathrooms."

Charisma snickered. "I hadn't. But it's the price we pay for traveling cheap."

"Remind me to win the lottery before we do this again," Brianna grumbled good-naturedly.

"Well, maybe the castle in Scotland will be a little more modern."

Brianna rolled her eyes at Charisma. "I don't think indoor plumbing was a real priority when most of those castles were built. But as long as we don't have to run outside to use the privy, I'll make do."

Charisma laughed. "Me too."

The Highlands were beautiful and the castle they'd found to stay in was in the first stages of refurbishment, forcing them to share accommodations. The room they were given was spacious and ancient, enfolding them in a sense of timelessness.

"I never expected?."

"No? neither did I. Everything about this place is different than what I had imagined - the palatial room, the fabulous vista, the friendly people. But I'm glad we came here," Brianna agreed as they hiked the trail their hostess had directed them to the following morning.

"Me too," Charisma said, catching Brianna's hand as she stumbled. "You all right?"

"Yeah? too busy looking around to watch where I'm going, thanks."

"Anytime. C'mon," tugging on the hand she still held. "We should be getting back."

They walked slowly back towards the castle, only to pause when they heard the plaintive wailing of the pipes. Charisma shivered.

"Bagpipes always sound so mournful," she said softly as they resumed their trek.

"Not always," Brianna disagreed as the sound turned decidedly upbeat. "I wonder what's going on." Then they emerged from the trail into the garden area, stopping when they realized they'd walked into the middle of someone's wedding. They froze? not wanting to disturb the nuptials, but unwilling to intrude on a private moment. Suddenly, the decision was taken out of their hands - the bride and groom beckoned them to join the circle and after a brief glance at each other, they did so, joining their hands with others in the circle until it was complete once more.

The ceremony was mercifully short; the reception, on the other hand, went on long into the night. And it was very late when Charisma and Brianna returned to their room. Charisma sat down in the wing chair nearest the bed and bent down to remove her shoes.

"Wow," Brianna said breathlessly and more than a little drunk as she flopped backwards onto the bed. "That was pretty amazing." Her words were low and measured, the only true indication Charisma had about how intoxicated her friend really was. But before she could comment on either Brianna's condition or her words, Brianna rolled onto her stomach and propped her head up on her hand. "You ever think about that?" she asked Charisma thoughtfully. Charisma cocked her head and raised an eyebrow in question. Brianna chuckled. "Sorry," she continued with a hiccup. "Your wedding? do you ever think about your wedding?"

Charisma's brow furrowed as she frowned. "Um? no? Why would I? It's not like it's even on the horizon of possibilities at the moment."

"And? C'mon, Ri? every little girl dreams about her wedding to her very own Prince Charming. You're telling me you've never even thought about it?"

"Pretty much. I'm sure I'll find the right man someday and settle down to whatever extent my career will allow. But getting married isn't the be all and end all for me." She rose from the chair and padded over to the bed, dropping gracelessly onto her back before folding her hands across her belly and turning her head to look at Brianna. "Are you telling me getting married is now a priority for you, Brianna Brianna?"

"What?!? Oh, hell no!" Brianna replied with a laugh. "I thought about it once, but I realized that's not what I want out of life? at least not right now." She shrugged and dropped her gaze to the heavy coverlet on the bed. "I suppose if and when I ever find the right person to share my life with, that might change, but for now, I am happy to be free and independent."

"You sound like Rudolph." Brianna rolled her eyes.

"Better the reindeer than the elf, I guess. At least the reindeer gets to be the hero."

Charisma snorted. "I think you should have skipped that last glass of punch."

"I think I should have skipped more than that. I have a feeling I may regret tonight when tomorrow comes."

Charisma sighed, then rolled off the bed. She reached for Brianna's hands, pulling her upright and sliding Brianna's shoes from her feet, deliberately tickling them. Brianna laughed, then glared, tucking her legs up under her.

"That wasn't nice."

"No? but it was funny. Here," passing Brianna several aspirin and a glass of water. "Drink up. You'll feel better in the morning."

"Yes, mom," Brianna answered drolly, but she complied, grimacing as the bitter taste of aspirin hit the back of her tongue. Dutifully she chugged the water, handing Charisma the empty glass and shimmying out of her jeans before flopping back onto the bed. "Man, I'm tired."

"You going to go to sleep in your clothes?"

"I don't think you'd appreciate it if I slept nude."

It was Charisma's turn to roll her eyes "Nothing I haven't seen before, Bri, but I don't think *you'd* appreciate it too much if you slept in the nude. It's still pretty chilly here in the Highlands in the morning. And I'm not keeping you warm," she added with a smirk.

"Spoilsport," Brianna complained good-naturedly. But she was smiling when she said it. She accepted the heavy shirt Charisma passed to her, not noticing that Charisma turned her back as she whipped off she other shirt and bra before she slipped into the flannel. "Ah? much better."

Charisma had turned down the bed in the meantime and Brianna climbed in with a sense of relief. It only took another moment before Charisma was dressed for bed and she slid in beside Brianna. She didn't even stiffen when Brianna curled up into her and gave her a brief hug before moving back to her side of the bed.

"Thanks, Ri," she said with a yawn, curling on her side and tucking her hands under her head.

"For what?" Charisma asked sleepily.

"Taking such good care of me," Brianna mumbled as she drifted to sleep.

"That's what friends do, Bri," Charisma whispered before following her friend into Morpheus' realm.

************

The first time I viewed this bit, I wondered if perhaps it was the point of awakening for Charisma. But the more I watched, the more I was convinced it wasn't. Why? Because I am fairly certain she is still in complete denial.

Of course, at the time, neither young woman could foresee that this would be the last time they would be actively involved in one another's lives. All they knew then was that they were best friends having a wonderful time together.

Fortunately, they took Patrick's words to heart and lived each day as though it could be their last. They went new places and tried new things, creating some beautiful memories. It's just a damned shame Charisma is no longer willing - or able - to remember them. C'mon? let me show you some more. You may as well enjoy the rest of the trip - it goes a long way towards explaining so much.

Chapter V

"Ya know, I knew from reading that Ireland was green, but I never expected it to be *so* green," Brianna commented as she looked at the rolling hills that surrounded their current abode. "I've never seen anything so lush? so vibrant. Have you?"