Oh! My Demon! a side story!
by R. Zane Richards


All OMG characters created and owned by Kosuke Fujishima, Jen and other 
characters are mine. Don't sue...ever heard of the saying about blood
and a turnip?  No? Well, ask a friend.  I'm writing this for fun, not profit.

This side story takes place during and in between the events in OMD 
chapters 10, 11 and prior to 12.  

Kilts, Bagpipes and (gasp!)The Boards: Will Jen survive her first assignment?
OR: 
"All the worlds a stage and most of us are desperately unrehearsed."

********

It's early, early morning in Nekomi, Japan.  I mean really early.  
As in 'birds-are-just-now-waking-up-and-smelling-the-coffee' early.
In a small house next to a temple sitting atop a hill, overlooking
the still mostly sleeping city a young goddess stirs.  Well, okay
truth be told she's being jolted out of her sleep by a rather 
annoying alarm-clock which blasts out "PI-KA-CHU!!"  Right in her
ear.  The goddess then turns and blasts the pokemon clock 
right between it's little yellow ears.

We hear her mutter as she rolls over "thaz 'bout the o'ly thin' usefu' 
I learned yet...YAWNNN!" She slowly gets up, and while standing there and 
yawning and trying to wake up we shall depart for the moment.  Mainly 
because she's probably going to get dressed now, and we don't want to end up
like the alarm clock if she notices us watching her.

"You'd better believe it, buster."  She growls.

*******

One of the front doors to the temple slid open, and through it stepped
a rather rare sight.  A young and *new* goddess, still wearing her pj's
and a pair of fuzzy bunny slippers steps out into the morning, which it
is now that the suns beginning to make it's presence know.  Her light brown
hair done up in a simple tail, hangs to the small of her slim back.  It
frames her slender face, with it's strong, but not harsh angles and 
light blue markings on her cheeks and forehead. Her dark lavender eyes,
almost purple, still slightly puffy from sleep, look out over the 
cityscape.  She grabs her usual seat on the stairs.
  
It's still somewhat dark, but light comes quickly.  Sipping on fresh cup of  
coffee, she sits at the edge of the stairs and enjoys this quiet peaceful time
of the day.  About the only time I really get to myself, she muses,
either I'm studying my books, or actually in a class, or everyone is 
up and moving around.  Not that she minds all that much.  She loves the 
life in the house, there's so much of it and so much love to be found in 
it.  Even with all the bickering between the oldest and the youngest of 
her 'sisters' (they've all sort of adopted each other), there is great 
peace to be found here.  She hoped her longtime friend, Zane, could
also find it...but it seemed trouble had been the only thing that had
come along.  Both she and Bell felt very troubled by Maras' actions,
and felt more than a little guilty by the implication that it had
somehow been Jens' wish that had brought it on him.  He didn't 
complain, or least not much.  He was enjoying his time here, and that
is what mattered to Jen.  She put those thoughts out of her mind, and
concentrated on the quiet and peaceful morning unfolding before her.

She doesn't get to feel this way very often, and so treasures each 
quiet morning as if there won't be that many to come.  She knows 
differently however, but won't let it get to her head.  

Soon the door opened again.

"Good morning Jen" Bells soft voice greeted Jen, "Ready for another busy
day?"

"Yes, but...umm...I need to go get a new alarm clock." Jen sheepishly 
grinned.

Bell answered with her own small smile, "Another one?" she laughed 
lightly, a sound that was answered by the small birds gathered on the 
walk in front of the house.  Bell came over and sat next to Jen.

"Yeah, sorry about that."

"Well, I know how you feel." Bell laughed again, "When I first came
to stay with Keiichi, I wasn't yet adapted to the cycle of sleep
that humans need.  I was woken up one day by his clock, and it 
suprised me and before I could stop myself...I...I..." Bell broke 
off.  Jen looked at her with concern, was Bell crying?

To Jens amazement, Bell was struggling to hold off the laughter that
was about to overwhelm her, her hands clapped over her mouth.  She 
shook from the effort as tears began to stream down.

"I...I accidentally...zapped...hrmf!...his alarm clock..." Now she was
laughing out loud.  Jens jaw dropped, as she stared at her new
friend and sister and immediately joined began her own gales.

After a few minutes, struggling to regain control, Bell spoke 
again, her voice somewhat shaky from all the hysterics "Poor 
Keiichi, he ended up being late for class...but he never got 
angry with me."  Bell's laughter had died off all of the sudden,
but there was still happiness in her voice. "I think I knew 
when he told me that even though he was late, and believe me
I was apologizing again and again, he wasn't mad at me...I knew
he was telling me the truth."  Bell's eyes were soft and far
away now.  "That's when I knew that I really did love him.  And
even if he has trouble saying it sometimes...he really does
love me."

Jen just looked at Bell and sighed.  How many times had she 
seen that truth, the love between Keiichi and Bell, evidenced
to her very eyes?  But it seemed like they were always trying to fight 
it, as if keeping it under control was something they could
actually accomplish.

'I just want to find my own 'Keiichi.''  Jen thought to herself
and sighed again.  Her thoughts turned inward, and she suddenly
felt so lonely...like she would burst into tears at the drop 
of a pin.

Bell's deep blue eyes grew sharp again, as she turned to look
at Jen.  Placing a hand under Jen's chin, she lifted her face
to look at her eye-to-eye.  "You will find someone, I know it.
You've grown so dear to me and my sisters in such a short time.
I know you have so much to offer to the right person, and you
will find that one.  Please don't bury yourself in your sorrow,
keep your patience and know we care about you."

She gave Jen a short, strong hug. "Now, I've got to get breakfast
fixed.  I'll call when it's ready."

"Thanks, Bell." Jen simply answered still looking out over the
morning light spreading across the city as a new day began.

********

"And so if the proper methodology is applied in the spell casting..."
The professor droned on.  Jen struggled to keep herself awake, was
it just her or did this guy put everyone to sleep?  Guessing it was
true, because it was a remedial class for the rest of them, she 
kept trying to keep her eyes open. 

After awhile the class was dismissed, and Jen grabbed her trusty old
backpack.  It was worn from more than a few years of service, but
she really couldn't let it go.  At least not until the other strap finally
gave out.  

It was an hour before the next class, so she decided to stroll for
awhile, heading in the general direction of the building that
housed the gym/bookstore/union/bowling alley.  Needless to say it
was a pretty large building.  And as she strolled she pulled out
the latest novel she'd been reading on.  'Old habits die very 
hard' she smiled to herself.  Thus with head in book, feet set 
in motion she didn't notice the professor until...

Wham!!

...too late.

"Ohmygosh!" She got up, and grabbed the teachers hand, "I'msosorry!
I'msorry!" She helped the middle aged, slightly balding man as he
stood up and brushed off his tan sweater and light gray slacks. It 
wasn't quite what most of the professors wore, in fact the outfit
was quite informal when compared.

"Oh, it's quite alright!" said the man, in a clipped but rather
roguish British dialect, "Just please be careful next time...say don't
I know you from somewhere?"

"Well I am taking classes here." Jen answered.  He seemed to think
about this for a second, but shook his head.

"No, from someplace else...strange." He said.  She began looking closely 
at the strange professor. "I get the same feeling too...but where?"

"Oh, I'm sure it's not that important." He quickly answered. He began to
walk off, leaving Jen standing there, the book in her hands forgotten
as she tried to remember who the stranger was.

Suddenly, the professor turned around and called out, "Oh yes, I do
remember now, it was The Tempest!  Yes, fine job you did, I believe.
Wonderful job." He trailed off that last part as he turned to go.  Jen
just caught enough, and her eyes began to widen. 

"It...it...can't be, can it?"

"Why can't it!?" A merry sounding voice from behind made Jen spin 
around and drop her book for record breaking second time in a row.  She
laughed, it was only her friend from History class, an angel 
named Miranda.  Jen gave her friend a 'you-smartass' look, Miranda
for her part, just stood there smiling back.  She was wearing jean shorts,
a top that did nothing really to hide her figure.  She brushed her hand
through her short blonde hair and cocked an eyebrow in return.  They
both began laughing.  

"Headed somewhere?" Miranda inquired.

"Yeah, you wanna go too?" Jen answered, it was their normal greeting.  
Miranda nodded.

Miranda happened to be the daughter of a high ranking arch-angel, which 
did nothing for her popularity at school.  No one really ever talked to her, 
they always expected her to be, well, uppity...snooty...you take your pick.  
But  Jen had found her to be most pleasant company.  On they walked
while chatting away, Miranda always had questions about the mortal
world.  Most of Jens' classmates tended to shy away or ignore
Jen completely as her status in Heaven was considered rather shaky 
at best, questionable at the least.  So the two found each other 
to be very good companions.

"So what were you and Professor Will discussing?" Heather spoke
as they reached the building. "Looked rather amusing, the two
of you."

Jen stopped in her tracks. "You mean, that WAS him?"

"Shakespeare? Well, yes of course it was...but he hates being
called that.  Says he can't understand the fuss everyone made
over his plays." Heather said, "But he never says he doesn't 
mind."

Musing on this the two entered the building, as the conversation
drifted towards theatre, a favorite topic of Jens and one
Miranda never really got tired of hearing about.


***********

History class (what we mortals would consider as mythology)was
never boring, Jen thought as she listened to the Prof. go over
the actions of the Greek Parthenon during the war of Troy.  
She'd been especially attentive to the parts of the history of
the Greeks when it came to the arts and theatre.  In fact, she
had suprised the professor when he began asking questions of
the class on that very topic, and the only one who really knew
much of it was, suprise-suprise, Jen.  Heather also knew a 
great deal about the older gods, and any real conversation during
class was usually between these three.  

So Jen was rather annoyed when the loudspeaker clicked on and
the irritating whine of the system cut across her ears.  Her
annoyance, however turned to suprise when the voice coming
through the speakers asked "Will Jen, goddess third class, 
limited license, please report to the administration building,
provost office..." the message was repeated, unnecessarily
as Jen was already getting ready by the time the announcement
was played through the first time.  She made her quick 
apology to the Prof., and told Heather she'd meet her later
to catch up on anything she'd miss.

Walking back across the campus, she was too busy grousing in
her head to enjoy the rather spectacular view that was 
afforded.  'I can't stand that stupid PA system' she growled
'whoever came up with the plan for running this place 
should have decided if it was going to be a high school or
college before they built it!'

And so as these thoughts went through her head she made
her way to the really large administration building.  It actually 
housed a few other departments and even a small branch 
of the 'government' that kept track of the goings on in the 
Heavens and it's hosts, not to mention the super mini-mall
complete with an Orange Julius.

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


She made her way to the office, she'd been here before
when she'd first begun her classes.  Well, apart from
what Belldandy and Urd had begun teaching her at the
temple.  Skuld, on the other hand, basically homeschooled
as she hated the idea of being the youngest at the
school.  Or at least that's what she claimed.  Sooner
or later she'd have to start here too.  Part time at least.
'Wonder what she'd think of this place,' Jen thought.

Housed inside one of the larger buildings in this
particular region of Heaven, she guessed that the
office should be this large.  But who in Heaven came up
with the idea for decorating it like a baroque 
cathedral?  It was a little...okay, a *lot* too 
garish for her tastes.  And did they *have* to have
the monks chanting all the time??  Jen made her
way to the actual office room where the provost,
thankfully of much less ostentatious tastes, was
housed.  

She knocked and entered.  The provost, a fellow by
the name of Teruko Muriyama, formerly on
earth he had been a headmaster at a school of 
excellent repute, and that had earned him-upon his
recent death(asleep in his bed at age 90)-this position
as soon as he showed up.  He was a kind, but very
devoted and disciplined, man.  He now appeared as
being no older than a firm, handsome 40 years of
age.  He'd accepted Jen immediately, with no qualms
about her stature as others had voiced.  He knew education 
was meant to be given to those who needed it, those who
wanted it.  For that reason, and the fact that Jen had quickly 
established herself as a excellent student, Provost Muriyama had
taken a shine to the young goddess.  The young
deity he now looked at over his bifocals.  He
never wore them because he needed them, he simply
felt it was part of the image he projected.  It
solidified him to the students, even if they 
didn't see him all that often.  

"Good morning, Jennifer." He preferred to address
his students(and he always thought of them as his)
by their full names.  

"Good morning sir." 

"Please have a seat" He motioned to the chair, "I
have to apologize to you for pulling you out of
your favorite class, but unfortunately the choice
was not mine."

Jen sat there looking back at the man. He knew 
that history was my favorite class?  Wow, she 
thought, it is true what they say about him.

Muramachi laughed, "No, I hate to disappoint you
but I can't read thoughts.  Well, not the direct
method used by the Hosts who can read minds...
I simply like to keep up on how my students are
doing." He offered a genuine smile at that.

"I was asked to call you here to tell you this,"
He spoke with a bit of concern, "For whatever
reason, you have been given your test assignment."

"What?" Jen asked "So soon? I'm not..."

"Ready yet? I know, and I do not like it." He 
leaned forward. "I'm unsure as to why exactly,
but I have the bad feeling it's because there
maybe someone upstairs who wants you..." He
hesitated for a moment "Who wants you to 
fail."

Now a bit of panic was beginning to seep in, and
Jen couldn't quite keep it out of her voice. "The
Boards?  This soon?  I...can't you do something,
sir?"

*Quick explanation by author: The Boards referred
to in tones is the Final, for lack of a better term,
the test which decides at what level a deity will
be able to obtain...and vice versa if they fail
they may simply be kept as a 3rd class or even worse
the possibility of being kicked out of the host and
reduced to the spiritual level of a amoebae.*

"I wish I could." He apologized, "By the way, who was
that strange man who was just here?"

"Who? I didn't see anyone?" 

"Oh, well then, never mind." The Provost continued, 
"I have tried to explain to the members of the 
Board that you aren't even close to being ready but
they won't hear me and won't tell me who ordered 
it." 

"I'm sorry Jennifer, but my hands are tied."

"I have to contact Belldandy...Urd...someone."

"I'm afraid you can't do that either...it's already
begun, you need to report into the Board immediately
following this." 

As Jen, quite in shock, got up and walked out the
door.  Walking like a zombie almost.  The Provost 
quietly waited, then leaned over and picked up his white 
phone.  "May Kami-sama truly bless her today...she'll 
need all the help she can get."

He picked up the phone and began to dial.

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

If the Provosts' main office was as garish and decorated 
a place as you might hope to find in Heaven(or anywhere for
that matter)then the room that housed the Office of The
Board was as starkly plain as you'd never want to find.
The very simplicity of the place wasn't so bad, but when
you combined it with the idea that *this* is where The
Board was housed...well, it had a definite effect on the
people who entered here.  

The Board had, at one time been under the long and rather 
dull title 'The Board of Testing and Certification of Neoteric 
Members of The Host of The Almighty'.  But soon the
students who had to come here began simply calling it
The Board.  The shortened name had meaning, it struck fear into
the hearts of those who faced it, and it simply was
shorter to say.  Soon everyone called it that, and 
the members of the Board simply never corrected anyone
about it.  They were the ones who decided which 
deity would make it and which wouldn't, and the 
psychological edge made it easier to weed out the
ones who couldn't 'hack it'.  

One thing that could be easily said, anyone who went
through the Boards never forgot the experience.

It was into this atmosphere that Jen strode into, not
really knowing all she was facing.

***********

The phone began to ring.

"Hey, someone answer that?" Urd called from her usual
position, that is, floating in front of the TV.  It was clear
from her tone of voice that the 'someone' she referred
to meant Skuld.

The phone kept ringing.

"Hey!! Are you deaf? The phones ringing!" Urd
called again, then settled back into her favorite
daytime drama "As The Noodles Boil", satisfied she'd
done her duty properly.

Skuld ran by her and picked up the phone, muttering
all the time under her breath about her oldest sister.

"Hello, Morisato residence, Skuld-inventor and all 
around genius speaking." She hated calling this place
by Keiichi's name...hey, it'd been Bell who knew this
place existed and had secured the house in the first
place.  'Stupid Keiichi.'

"Hello," the male voice cut straight to the chase, "I must speak                                                                    
with goddess first class Belldandy immediately."

The voice had caught Skuld way off guard, whomever was
on the other end of this line knew who Belldandy was.
Skuld silently cursed at herself for not having installed
a universal caller ID machine.  She planned on building
it as soon as this conversation was over.  But for right
now, she had no idea who she was talking to and what
she should do...wait a second!

"URRRRDD! It's for you!" She spoke into the phone again,
"Please hold for a moment." Skuld sat down the phone.

"URRRRDDD! Hurry up!"

"Okay, okay...jeez, you think you could yell a bit 
louder next time...besides I'm missing the best part of
the show, Kenichi and Masako are about to..."

"Just answer the phone and forget about the stupid TV!"

The look on Skulds face did indeed cause Urd to stop...
for a moment.  

"Okay, okay!"  'Whiny little brat.' Urd thought to herself.
She walked over and picked up the phone.

Skuld watched as Urd asked who was there. Urd for her
part simply said uh-huh and nodded a lot, but she began
to look worried, then angry.  Then she looked very
angry.  She politely said goodbye, waited for the other
party to hang up,  and then slammed the phone back into 
it's receiver hard enough to crack it.    

She headed back out of the room, grabbing Skuld and
taking the youngest goddess with her in tow.  Skuld
was trying to protest.

"Cut the crap, kid." Urd turned to face Skuld, "Something
very bad has come up...and Jen's right in the middle of
it.  We have to get a hold of Bell now."

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

The semicircular room was not very well lit.  But again
that depends on who in the room you asked.  If you asked
Jen, she would probably say no.  The reason being is she
couldn't make out a single persons' face in the group
in front of her.  Nevertheless the same ones who's stares she 
could still feel, quite strongly.  And the same ones asking the
questions, an inquisition of sorts, would say the room
was just fine and anyone complaining about the lighting
was a whiner.

That was The Board.  

Jen could feel them, sure enough.  And she hated it, feeling
like something under a microscope.  She'd been called in
here, way before she was ready or even knew what she'd
face, to be asked a few simple idiotic questions that 
she'd answered.  She thought maybe these jerks didn't 
think she'd even get one right.  And now they were 
talking amongst themselves, and thanks to the incredibly
bad acoustics (magically altered for just such an occasion)
in the room she couldn't hear them beyond a few incomprehensible 
whispers and she felt(rightly so)that if she even breathed a 
syllable they'd hear it clear as a bell.  While she had to speak 
so loud to the Board as to almost yell, they'd talked in normal 
(if not condescending)tones.    

She looked around the room now.  It was quite dark, and she
couldn't figure out how they'd put the lights in the achieve
the lighting that now annoyed and(well, to be honest)scared
her quite a bit.  If they went this far, with everything 
they did, to achieve a certain effect...plus the fact it 
was clear they had no objections to whomever had ordered 
this to be done...then who knows what else they might do.  
An early Board was simply no laughing matter...no one 
who'd ever tried it had ever passed.  That's what one of the 
silhouettes had informed her of,  never mind the fact that she 
wasn't the one who'd asked for it.  She began to seethe at this 
again...but was at least able to keep it under control.  No telling 
what they'd do if she lost it here.  She knew she was, for all purposes,
screwed...but she had to do her best.  For at least the
reason of showing up these jerks.  

Now one of those jerks addressed her. "Jennifer, goddess third class, 
restricted license, we have decided on your first assignment.  Before 
you on the table is a dossier now have your second class
ranking-being temporary, it is for this assignment only." The faceless
voice unnecessarily emphasized. "We will be keeping an
eye on you at all times, remember that.  Now go on 
to your assignment...we trust you have at least been
trained on your mode of teleporation?" Before Jen
could even say yes or no, the voice continued "I hope 
so anyways, for your sake, now go...and good luck." 

'Yeah, you tell me good luck the way I would wish Hitler
a good life.' Jen thought she'd heard a bit of what...
mirth?  That felt right.  Morons.  She picked up the file and
left quietly. She could feel a slight headache coming on from 
the effects of the poorly lighted room as she walked into
the bright sunlight outside.  She looked for a place to
sit, relax for a few minutes and read up on her first
'official' assignment.

She probably would be glad to know that in a small bar across
heaven, plans were being made to help her, even if it was 
too late.  

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


Urd was getting impatient, with Skuld, not that it's anything new.

"Haven't you contacted her yet?" 

"Urd, be quiet!"  Skuld turned around from typing on her computer, 
not very easily though, wearing an oversized helmet on her head with 
a multitude of wires coming out in all directions.  In fact it looked 
like a colander with all sorts of wires, lights and even what looked like
part of Jen's ex-alarm clock soldered to it. "I'm trying as best I can!!"

"If you'd been paying more attention to your training you
wouldn't have to use this...thing on your head."

"Shut up!" 

Urd's earlier thoughts were confirmed when the helmet 
began lighting up and suddenly said "PIKACHU!"  

"Okay I found her!"  Skuld opened up a connection, sent 
the short message Urd had told her. 

"Well, did it get to her?" Urd asked, wishing she had her
own first class license...she didn't like depending on 
Skulds machines. 

"I don't know, I think so." Skuld sighed, taking the 
helmet off her head.  She didn't like depending on her
machines so much anymore, but what could she do?

Her answer was quickly confirmed by Belldandy, who 
came running in.  

"Urd, Skuld, what's going on?  You know we can't..."

"Belldandy" Urd interrupted, putting her hands on Bell's 
shoulders  "We got a big problem on our hands."  Urd then 
spent the next few minutes,  quickly explaining what was 
told to her on the phone.

Bell nodded and the three sister left for the Heavens.

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

Jen finished her reading and put the dossier in a pocket
dimension.  One handy thing about being a deity, she never
had to carry with her more than she needed, and nothing
was ever too far out of reach when she did need it.

She'd better get going.  Jen could just feel the weight
of eyes on her.  At least the assignment wouldn't be too
bad.  And she'd finally get to see Scotland, or at least
some of it.  

She closed her eyes, and focusing her power she banished
the street clothes she was wearing.  As her clothes spun off
in strips it was replaced with her goddess uniform.  She took
note of a few changes now that she had her second class 
ranking, temporary though it might be.  

'I didn't know this would happen' she thought taking a quick look at 
herself.   

Instead of the full dress it was now more like a bodice, of royal purple,
laced up the front with purple and white lacings with short sleeves that 
reached halfway down her arm,  white full-body tights underneath 
what was a rather revealing outfit.  The front was short enough to reach 
just above her midsection. The bodice at least had a back to 
it...more like a tail that swirled around behind her.  Her tight white 
leather short pants that ended mid calf finished the outfit, with purple 
and white lacing along the seams of the legs to match the front of her 
bodice.  'Jeez' she thought 'Any less, and it'd be a skin show... I like!'

Now to find a place to teleport, Jen began looking around.
At least it should be easy to find, she thought to herself,
lights were her transportation devices.  Really any kind of
lamp, bare bulb or such would work.  Fitting for a future
goddess of theatre really.  There, a lamppost on the corner,
even if it wasn't on it would work.  Jen levitated herself
up and in a flash she was on her way.

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

The three sisters hurried along the street to a back alley
bar,  in a 'run down' section of Heaven.  Well, okay it was
hardly run down, but because some of the Host considered it
less than fashionable it was known as being such.  

They made there way to a little bar, and entered.  The bar
was modeled after a English pub.  To bad it's not a karoke 
bar...well, no time for that anyways, Urd thought as they 
made their way to a booth in the back.  Really they were going 
through a great deal of trouble for nothing, as everyone knew 
the Almighty had His ears everywhere.  That face made
the members of this little gathering feel better as they
weren't necessarily hiding from Him.  To add to that 
feeling of security was the fact it wasn't very well
lit.  Many things could hide in the shadows, but this
place was as safe as any.

A middle aged man in a shirt and tie met them as they
approached.  He bowed deeply and offered them a seat.  
The man glanced around and then returned his eyes to 
the trio before him.  

"I am Teruko Muriyama, the Provost at Jennifer's' school."
The man announced, "I'm glad you could come, as I feel 
this situation needs immediate attention."

Belldandy spoke first, "Please, can you tell us exactly
what's going on.  Why is this being done to Jennifer."

"I was hoping that maybe one of you might know." He 
folded his hands in front of him on the table.  "I was
given no warning, no indication that this was coming."
He took out his glasses, carefully unfolding them and 
wiping them with a cloth as he spoke.  "I do not have
any way of finding these things out.  But I can tell
you I am quite upset about what is happening."

"You aren't the only one." Urd growled, "If we lose
Jen because of some idiots prejudice...because of this
damn fool decision someone's made..."

"None of of want that." Muriyama spoke evenly. "That is
why I called you, since you are basically Jen's family
now and her protectors."  

"We've been caught completely off guard." Urd said. 
"Probably because of the fact *we* are her patrons. 
Someone's afraid we might step in...we should have
seen this coming."

"But we can't do anything now." Bell spoke.  "But we 
just can't leave this situation be.  There has to be some way
without directly interfering."

That gave them some pause.  They all knew what the
penalty for interference was, well except Skuld.  But
she could tell from the faces of the others that 
it wasn't good.  It wasn't, for it meant instant
failure and being expelled from the Hosts, usually 
resulting in the destruction of the parties involved.

Thus, glumly they sat for a few minutes, each thinking
in their own way how to try and set this situation right.  And in
this fit of concentration the didn't notice the man 
in the trenchcoat and hat approaching, who wasn't actually 
a man, their booth.

"Excuse me," The stranger said, as all eyes suddenly
shot up to him.  There was more than a little guilt in
those eyes, he could tell, and a lot of anger. 

"Care to tell me what this little gathering is accomplishing?"
He said with a little smile as he took off the hat and coat.  As
he did, the disguise spell used came off also.  Now instead of
a shadowy stranger, a fairly large man, looking to be in his 50's, 
a kind but hard wrinkled face, gray beard and shoulder length hair
and a black leather patch over one eye now stood before 
them wearing what looked liked a light blue tunic, slightly loose gray 
leather pants under a dark wool knee-length cape.  It wasn't
showy, but then again it didn't need to be.

"Kami-sama?" Belldandy gasped.

"Errr..." Urd tried to say something.

"Father?!" Skuld exclaimed as she jumped up to hug Him.  He
gently hugged the young goddess back.  

Teruko Muriyama simple stood up and bowed again, much
deeper this time.  Terukos' face not showing any of the
shame he now felt at getting caught.  The fact that the
weren't really doing anything didn't matter, they had
been thinking about it.

"Please Teruko," Kami-sama put his hand on Terukos' 
shoulder. "Do not feel such things, you have no need
to feel any shame at all." Folding his coat in his 
arms and motioned for all to sit.

"Why the disguise, Father?" Skuld asked after they'd sat
down.  Urd began to say something to Skuld but Kami 
stopped her.

"Urd, she's still young enough to address me in such a
way and I do not mind." He said "In fact it's much more
dearer to me to be called such than most of the multitude
of titles I get called everyday."  He patted Skulds 
hands gently, turning to look at Urd,  "And besides, It wasn't 
*that* long ago I can remember a certain light haired young 
goddess calling me Daddy." His face broke into a kind smile.  
"As for the disguise, well...no reason really.  It just 
seemed appropriate for this occasion." 

Belldandy began an apology only to be stopped by Kami.

"You have certainly earned your excellent reputation, 
Belldandy.  I see that Morisato fellow has been a good
influence on you *and* your sisters.  You really should 
bring him with you next time.  I would like to have a 
talk with him.  Maybe we can do something about your more
'apologetic' side of your nature." He finished with a wink.

"Urd, you are still a wild one at times." His face grew a
bit sterner at this, but the softness was still there. 
"You have, however, began a more...mellow, shall we say,
existence.  Your knowledge and wisdom grow with each year,
and you've certainly learned much about staying out of
trouble."

Urd, like Belldandy was now staring intently at her hands
folded in front of her.  

"And Skuld, the Norn goddess of the future." He turned to
face the youngest, "You are now coming into your own, you
struggle everyday with things the rest of us take for granted
but you never have given up yet.  Even when it would seem
easiest to.  And I understand that you too have found a
mortal that you care deeply for."

Skuld, blushing furiously, also now found her hands suddenly
quite interesting.

The Almighty seemed to be quite amused with this. 

"And you, Mr. Teruko Muriyama." He concluded, "What can
I say about the finest provost at the School we've had
yet?  Your very excellence and dedication on your record
speaks for itself."

He held up his hands to ward off any self-depreciating
remarks from the man.  

"Please, now I do believe there is some important business
to attend to." Kami continued, "But I'm afraid Belldandy
and Urd will not be joining us."

Stunned by this Belldandy spoke, "What do you mean, Kami-sama?"

Before Urd could say anything, Kami spoke  "I think there is
a more pressing problem for the two of you to attend to."

He got nothing but blank looks at this.

"Hmmm, Bell...did you forget someone?" 

"No I don't..." Bell's eyes suddenly came to life. "Zane!"

"Yes, and I do believe he has some company."

Urd jumped up, grabbing Belldandy, "Mara!!  That little bit...oops!
Sorry Kami-sama!" Kami-sama said nothing but turned and
pointed at a TV hanging in the corner and the mirror on the
wall nearby.

"Thanks...Dad!" Urd said with a big grin on her face as the two
disappeared.

"Kids these days..." He shook His head, "You know, I've always 
wanted to say that." 

"Now let's get down to our business, shall we?" Kami-sama said
turning back to the other two.

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

The young man paced back and forth on the stage, script in hand
and a look of furious concentration on his face.  He would say
a few lines, stop and look at the script, then smack his palm against
his forehead.  Then the steps would be repeated.

'This is really painful to watch' Jen thought from her hiding place 
near the balcony as she observed the young man on the stage.  'He 
just keeps getting more and more frustrated...' She knew the feeling 
well.  

The man, looking to be in his mid-twenties, short sandy blonde hair 
if not just a bit unkempt, in a fairly stylish cut, even for his young
age his face was already showing a bit of the rugged handsome features
it would grow into later.  He was wearing the normal, everyday
jeans, T-shirt and beat up Nikes, with a worn blue denim shirt tied
around his waist.  His build was well proportioned for his height,
he looked to be around 5'9" or so.  Not skinny, but certainly no 
bodybuilder.  Jen finished his appraisal by noting the photo in the
dossier seemed to be a bit old.  

'This looks too simple though.' She began to think of what 
Belldandy had taught her, 'Too simple, there must be something
more to this situation.'  She put the file back into it's place.

"ARRRRRGGGGHHHHH!!! Am I ever going to get this right? Concentrate
Robert, concentrate!!" He emphasized the last concentrate with
the aforementioned smack on each syllable.

'Oh, man...I'd better do something quick...no, wait.' Jen stopped
herself, she knew she'd have to wait until...

"GOD! SOMEONE!! ANYONE!!! HELPPPPP!!!"

...her cue came.

'That's one if I ever heard one.' Jen mused. She emerged from
the light she'd been hiding in. It would have been a very
impressive entrance indeed if the poor actor had been paying
any attention and not banging his head on the stage.

"Please excuse me, I am the goddess Jennifer, 2nd class,
limited license, and I am here to help you." She was on
the stage now, well actually hovering about 2 inches above 
it. "Ummm...hello?  Hello?  Could you stop that please, you'll
hurt yourself!" The fellow looked up. "I am the goddess of
the Theatre, my name is Jennifer, and I have come to grant you 
your wish." 

This Robert looked up, eyes now wide with the vision before him.
Shakily he stood up, took one good look at what had just announced
itself as a goddess no less, took a short step and fainted.

Jen looked at the man for a second, "I just bet this *never* 
happened to Bell."

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

The door to the temple slid open, then shut again as Keiichi 
entered. "I'm home!"

Nothing.

"Hello? Is anyone home?" Keiichi called out.

Silence was the only thing that greeted him.

"Hell-ooo??"

Nothing again.

'Hey, I can actually catch up on some stuff I've been neglecting! 
Alright!'

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

"Listen, I'm not the fastest man when It comes to thinking, but 
I think I understand what this is all about."

"Good!" Jen answered.

"I hit my head too hard and you're a figment of my imagination!"

Jen face-faulted. 

Getting up again she said "Listen, please I'm telling you the truth, 
you have been granted one wish...and that wish, whatever it may be, 
will be granted."  She began to feel more sympathetic towards the man
now remembering her own reaction at an event similar to this, and 
trying to keep her own patience.  Jen sighed inwardly.  She knelt down 
next to Robert, who was sitting up now rubbing his head.  She had
to do something.

"I'm not a figment, or an hallucination, Mr. Robert McLeod, born
15 August 1977 in the Edinburgh Mercy Hospital, blood type O,
2 older brothers, 1 younger sister, and widower." She mentally
cringed when she noticed his reaction.  

He looked at her sharply.  "What do you know about that?!  That's 
none of your business!"  He began to move away.

"I know something about your life." Jen explained and spoke softly now, not 
wanting to screw this up for her own reasons-the Board be damned.  Inside 
she was berating herself  'Now why did I have to mention that!? I hope I
can keep from blowing this now.'  

"I know of your desire to be an actor, your repeated attempts despite 
everyone telling you that you'll never make it."

"You see, in a way I've been in your shoes."

Still eyeing her nervously, he had stopped moving away.  

'Good' Jen thought 'I can still help him if he only will let me.'

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

Silently, in the shadows nearby an unheard conversation was
taking place.

'She's got a good heart, strong motive and seems to be able to 
connect well' The second spoke.

'Well, it's still too early...I didn't expect you to be so...
sympathetic towards this mortal'  The first never turned to look
at the second.

'She's no longer a mortal.'

'She's certainly not fit to be a goddess.'  The first retorted.

'Remember, your personal feelings have nothing to do with this
particular assignment.'  The second warned.  'This time is 
different.' The second kept this thought to itself.

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

"So, let me get this straight...you're a goddess?

Jen nodded.

"And because of whatever dire straits I'm in, I've been granted
one wish?"

Another nod.

"Okay..." Robert now spoke more to himself "I need to think this
over verrry carefully."  

"Take your time, please." Jen watched as the man began to rub
his temples.

After a few minutes, Robert let out a sign of frustration, "I'm sorry, 
I just...I just can't think of what it might be.  The thing I want."

"When is your rehearsal?" Jen asked, hopefully making an opening.

"It's not a rehearsal...I wish, it's only a first call audition."

"Oh, sorry." Jen felt rather embarrassed, hadn't it said something
about that in the folder.  She thought she'd better check as 
soon as she could.  Just in case there was something else she might
have missed. "Well, I was thinking we could go somewhere away 
from here, maybe a short walk would help?"

"That does sound good." Robert said, getting up. "Auditions aren't
for another hour."

"Wow, you certainly do put a lot into your auditions, I bet you'll
be great." 

"Well, if my record with auditions is any indication...I don't think
I'll be seen on stage anytime soon."  Robert shook his head slowly
then quietly said  "I just wish I knew what it is I'm supposed to do 
with my life."

He came to screeching halt, realizing what he just said.  Slowly
he turned towards Jen. 

"Oh, bloody hell...heh, I almost thought you'd heard me..." But 
before he could say anything else, the diamond shaped marking
on Jens forehead began to glow and lengthen in size as she floated 
up another few inches.

"Oh damn, you did hear me."

A strong glow encompassed Jen as the power in her began to grow, and
everything laying loose around her suddenly lifted off the ground
and began swirling around her. The room grew dark, the only light
coming from Jen's body.  Then in a flash, a blue beam of
light shot out of the marking on her forehead, through the roof 
and, Robert could only assume it just kept going up, into the
sky.  It startled him so much, Robert fell backwards on his rear
with his eyes still glued on this...well, goddess.  Who else could
actually do what he'd just witnessed?

As quickly as it began, it was over.  Everything fell back to the 
floor as Jen came back down, her feet now on the stage.

She looked at him, and he could do nothing but stare back.

"Your wish has been approved."

He fainted.

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

'She certainly screwed that up.' 

'I think you'll be suprised.'

'I doubt it.'

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

"Yo!! Morisato!!"

'Oh no it's my sempais! There goes my afternoon!'  Keiichi cringed.

"Morisato, since there's no one else here to keep you company we
will be glad to!"  Tamiya thundered.   This giant of a man slid open
the front doors, and motioned to some unseen people.

The 'we' was, of course, the entire Nekomi Tech Motor Club, of
which Keiichi was president.

'Why me?'  Keiichi barely had time to think before a cup of sake
was put in his hand.

"Yo! Drink up Morisato!"

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

He woke up slowly again...only to see a rather amused young
woman staring at him.  He then remembered everything that had
happened.  He sat up fast, only to have his head start 
swimming.

"Hey, take it easy." Jen spoke, "You fainted, again."

"Well, considering recent events..." He shook his head, "How
long this time?"

"Only a few minutes." Jen said quietly.

"Good, you know...that walk still sounds good." Robert said
getting up with Jen's help. "I know a little coffeehouse nearby
where we can talk...and I think we need to.  Not busy are you?"

"No, and I agree...I think we should talk."

"Ummm...about your clothes..." Robert's face began to redden.
"I'm not sure that would be something to wear...might get some
unwanted attention..."

Jen looked at herself again.  "Yeah, you're right...hold on."

Robert took a few steps back as the goddess in front of him began
to glow all over again.  When the light faded, Jen was wearing a 
oversize T-shirt, jeans and sandals.   The glow was really an 
unnecessary addition, but Jen didn't want to embarrass the
poor guy.

Robert took a few seconds to speak. "I think...that'll be okay."

As they walked off the stage and headed out, Robert hadn't 
realized he'd left his script behind.

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

'Now look at that...completely unprofessional.' 

'It certainly does seem strange doesn't it?'  The second answered,
a bit of humor in his 'voice'.

'Are you trying to make fun of me?' The first asked.

'Who me?' 

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


Back at the temple, the party was already going at full steam.
Keiichi could only watch as a half-undressed Tamiya sang(if you
could call it singing)the Club theme as the rest loudly cheered
him on.  How much sake had he already drank?  He didn't really 
know.

He suddenly felt something...oh no! It was Belldandy coming back,
Urd also.  Several years of living with the goddesses had definitely
had an impact on his senses.

'Oh man...I'm dead!' He jumped up quickly and ran for the bathroom.

"Morisato!  What? You can't hold your sake?" Otaki laughed.  The
others began to laugh also.  Didn't matter much to Keiichi, he was
already gone.

He quickly opened the bathroom door and quickly shut it again.  Right
on time.  Bell was just coming through and Urd was right behind.  From
outside Tamiya began howling out another song.

"Hey, K-boy...we leave for a few minutes and you throw a party?" Urd
asked.

"Ah, no...my sempais just showed up and...ermmm, well..." He began 
rubbing the back of his head.  Then he noticed Urd was 'carrying' 
Zane.  Or at least his unconscious body.  "Ah! What happened??"

"Long story, no time." Urd answered. "We need to get him to his room 
and let him rest."

At that point, Bell gave Urd a sharp look but before Bell could say 
anything Urd was out the door and down the hallway.  

"Yo! Urd, my personal 'goddess'!" Otaki exclaimed, "Didn't see you
come in.  Have a drink with me! And who's the guy?"

"No one, Otaki...Maybe later on that drink thought..." She winked an
offered a rather interesting smile.  'That should keep him happy for
awhile.'  Meanwhile Otakis' girlfriend began giving him a rather 
sharp look.  

Urd took Zane back to the room he was staying in, which was Keiichi's
room actually.  Pulling out a futon and a light cover she got him into
the bed.

'I hope he's going be okay.' She thought, 'I just wish I knew what was
going to happen to him...I really shouldn't have interfered with that wish...
damn it, there was nothing else I could do...I couldn't just...'  Urd didn't
want to finish that thought.  'He'll be better off...I hope.'

She left the room and headed back to the living room.  Bell was busy  
trying to get everyone out.  If Zane was going to wake up, she 
didn't want him waking up to a free-for-all like this, not to mention the noise.  
Keiichi was still busy trying to explain what had happened.

Bell turned and put a finger to his lips, silencing them. With a smile
she said "It's okay, I've been around Otaki and Tamiya long enough to
know they'll throw a party here any chance they get.  I know they tend
to overwhelm you when they do."  She gave him a light kiss on the cheek,
"But sometimes you must say no and stick by it, right?" Another smile 
which Keiichi returned, his eyes glazed over in happiness.  'A kiss!!' He 
thought.

Inside Keiichi breathed a huge sigh of relief.

"Now Urd and I must go, we have some serious problems to deal with." She
said turning to go, "I don't know when I'll be back, but it shouldn't 
be too long." She grabbed a broom in the corner, and walked back handing
it to Keiichi. "Would you mind, dear?" 

Keiichi took the broom, relieved again, and nodded. For his trouble 
Bell gave him another kiss before heading out.  Too bad she hadn't 
noticed which broom she'd handed to him.  

For his part, Keiichi just stood there for a while, not able to move.
'TWO kisses...in one day...!!' 

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

After they'd talked a little while longer, Kami-sama sent Skuld back to
Japan, and Muriyama back to his office.  He'd explained to them that
there really wasn't anything they could do but wait and hope Jen could
pull through.  Besides, He'd said, you might be in for a suprise or
two.  With this rather mystifying statement made he bid them good day.
Suddenly he closed His eyes as if concentrating and then opened them
again. 

'Wish granted,' He thought, 'Won't they be suprised.' A slightly tired
smile crossed his lips as He got up to leave.  He almost had decided
to let Yggdrasil cancel it out due to interference, but the extenuating
circumstances being what they were.

When a second wish came a few seconds later, he grew concerned...this 
one would be put on hold.  He headed back to his office, He had some
appointments to make.

Time to do something He should've done a long time ago.

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

The streets were fairly clean and well lit, Jen thought to herself.  She 
glanced around taking in what she could see from the streetlights.  'Too 
bad it's nighttime.  Bummer.'

"It looks much nicer during the day" Robert spoke as the walked along. "But
at night it looks cleaner, still it's not too bad really.  There's not as much
heavy industry now it seems."

Jen looked at him incredulously, "How did you know that's what I was thinking?"

"Well, you were looking around like you wanted to see everything you could, 
the rest I just figured out."  He shrugged like it was no big deal.

"That's really very good.  Sharper than some of the people I've met, well,
you know...in Heaven." 

"Come from heaven, did you?"

"Where else?" She heard the slightly teasing tone in his voice, very subtle.
'Damn, maybe he could be a great actor someday...at least a very good one.'
She'd taken stock of everything he'd said and done, and she was pretty sure.

"Here it is," He said, turning a corner and opening the door. "Ladies first."

"Why thank you m'lord." This time it was her voice with the tease as she gave
 a little curtsy.

They walked in and found a suitable corner booth with a clear view of the room.
They didn't want any sudden, possibly embarrassing interruptions.  

The waiter came, took their orders and left.  

"Straight black?" Robert furrowed his eyebrows. "Remind me never to get on your
bad side."

"Robert, listen...I have to tell you something." Jen said, "This is my first wish
granting, and was already under a lot of pressure before this...I'm just wondering
if everything went right.  I was told by..." She didn't feel like trying to explain
Yggdrasil at this particular point "by...Kami-sama, you know...God, that it had
gone through.  I guess what I'm wondering is, do you, like, feel any different?"

"No I still feel with my hands and fingers."

Another face-fault. 'Second time tonight...a new record!' Jen thought.

"Are you alright?" Robert said, getting up. 

"I'm fine, I'm fine." Jen said, dusting herself off. "That just wasn't the answer
I was looking for."

"What am I supposed to say?  I really don't feel any different." He shrugged. 
"Well, except for that maybe now I do feel a bit more hope."

"About your acting?"

"No, in fact..." Robert trailed off for a moment.  Jen was afraid he wouldn't 
continue.  When he did speak again, it caught Jen by suprise.

"You know about...Heather?"  

Jen nodded, "Only a little...I'm sorry, I never should have mentioned it.  I 
..."

Robert only held up his hand to silence her, "No, it's alright...in a way I'm 
glad you did...you see..."  He went silent, seeming to struggle for a moment
took a deep breath and then continued.

"Heather and I, well, we got married young...we were both 19. Our parents told us we 
were fools." He wasn't making eye contact with Jen and his hands kept tearing at 
the napkin in front of him. "They were right, of course.  But we...we were fools in love. 
You know the old story.  I know it sounds corny and all..." Another pause.  "I worked 
days at a local foundry, good pay and all...but Heather kept telling me I was 
worth more than that."

Jen leaned forward just slightly, listening intently now.

"We had four good years together...certainly it was tough." He swallowed hard,
keeping himself steady. "Heather worked at a bakery and began taking more and
more hours.  She also was saving up some money.  Then about a year before..."
He stopped again, his voice had broken just a little. "A year before the 
accident, she gave me the money and told me to start taking classes at the
local university...insisted on it even." He wiped his eyes with the heels of
his hand. "Told me to find what it was I wanted to do...and...and do it."

He was beginning to struggle with his words now, and although part of Jen 
wanted him to stop, to stop hurting himself, she knew he had to continue.
Had he ever told anyone all of this? She thought.

"Well, I found acting...loved it from the beginning." He gave a rather pale
ghost of a smile at this. "I wasn't the best student the professor ever had,
but he liked me...kept on me about lessons and exercises and all.  And 
Heather of course insisted on helping with them too."  

"She...we would take whatever I had to read, to work on and act it out.  She
became almost like a acting coach.  She...she'd work with me until late 
every night, even though she'd have to get up early for work."  He gave
a heavy sigh, "Didn't matter a bit to her...being tired most of the day,
on her feet and coming home to stay up half the night working with me."

"All she wanted to do was to...to help me become an actor...and here I
am...I can't even..." Tears were now beginning to fall, "I can't even
get a damned role! I'm a complete failure..." Robert hissed the last words 
out in a harsh rush, unable to say anything else.  More tears coursed
down his face.  He roughly brushed them off and began to get to his feet.

"I'm sorry...I...I'd better go..." He stood up, a little unsteady.

"No, wait..." Jens hand had shot out and grabbed his arm before she 
could even think about it. "Please, you don't have to tell me all this...
if you don't want to.  But please stay." 

Robert looked at Jen for just a second, his eyes not really focusing, 
his mouth opened, then closed again.  Slowly, silently he sat back
down. 

"Well as you can probably guess..." Robert was a little steadier now but
still shaky. "You can guess I feel more than a bit guilty...I can't even honor...I 
can't even honor her life...I keep screwing up.  I'm caught between 
feeling guilty as hell for it, guilty for continuing to try and 
the guilt I'd feel if I just quit."  He barked a short laugh that sounded
more like pain.  Jen's heart couldn't help but respond...she was a 
goddess, however that only meant that what was inside her was 
only magnified, not created anew.  Her hands reached out to his, covering
them.

"Let me tell you a story...if you will.  It's about a girl, and her dream
and how one day it all changed."

Robert nodded for her to begin.

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

Keiichi slowly swept up the mess on the floor.  'Jeez, for being graduate
students I would think it would slow Tamiya and Otaki down some...guess
not.'  He continued sweeping in the same tired pattern.

Still slightly drunk, and tired now Keiichi still didn't notice the odd
cards attached to the broom with silver wire.  And he had no idea while he
was sweeping, the rhythm and motions he was using were doing more than
just cleaning up dirt.  

But being in the state he was, he didn't even pay any attention to the
fact the broom handle was beginning to glow a blueish white.  Well, not
until it was too late.

"What the..." Keiichi muttered, looking at the broom. It was all he got
out before the broom shot out through the door...

...with Keiichi still hanging on.

***********

Skuld popped up out of the bath, and stepping out into the house she began
looking around at the mess still left there.  "Ohhhh! I bet Keiichi is just
leaving this for my older sister!"  It wasn't that she didn't like Keiichi at
all...she just still thought her older sister too good for him sometimes.
She was beginning to get steamed again.  She went to find Banpei, her 
trusty companion and all around chore-doer.  

'Hmmmm...wonder what happened to that door?' She dismissed it as just
another sign of Keiichis' unworthiness of her dear older sister.  One of his 
big oaf sempais' must've gotten too drunk and fallen through it.   And had
Keiichi even bothered to try and fix it?  And just where was he anyways?

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

"Momma, momma!!  Some man just flew by our window real fast on a 
broom!  An' he was yelling bad words too!!"

"That's nice dear, now go clean your room."

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

After Jen had finished, Robert just looked at her for awhile as they
sat there.  The silence wasn't entirely uncomfortable.  

"I guess you do have a sense of what I'm feeling." He said finally.

"I can't even come close to knowing how you feel," Jen quietly spoke,
"but at least you know that I can understand a little."

"I guess we've both had our events in our lives..." He sat back, wiping
his eyes again to clear them.  "I guess the reason why I told you all
this...these things...I've never spoken to anyone about how I feel.
Guess that's a good sign, huh?"

Before Jen could answer, a bolt of lightning struck outside in a park
across from the coffeehouse, causing both of them to jump.  Jen got up, 
and grabbed Roberts hand and headed outside.  Robert barely had 
time to throw some money on the table.  He hoped it was enough.

"Hey, wait a minute!" He finally got out as they reached the spot where
the bolt had struck.  And just as Jen thought, there was a message 
written in the ground.  Fortunately the coffeehouse was empty but for the
servers and the two of them, the streets were deserted.  

'That won't last long' Jen thought.  She quickly read the message, her
eyes widening.  She turned and began looking for a light of some kind,
a way to travel.  Robert followed.

"Wait, what was that??" He asked. "Can you at least tell me what you're
doing?"

"That" Jen explained "was a message from Kami-sama...I've got to get my
rear-end up to Heaven."

"What?" He was astounded.  The writing looked like nothing he'd ever seen
in his life.

"I'm sorry, but I have to go." Jen looked around again.  There!  A parked car, 
the headlights should work just fine.

"And leave me here?" Robert followed her along towards the parked vehicle.
"And do what...wait for you?"  He asked as Jen suddenly changed back into
her goddess clothing.

"I'm not sure I can take you to where I'm going...I can't risk it.  I'm sorry."  
She touched the glass of the headlight and, to Roberts' astonishment, she 
put her hand and then her arm into it.  

Robert just stared for a second, and then grabbed hold of Jen's tail of
her outfit she was now wearing...

and jumped in behind her.

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

'She's been summoned, I see.' said the second, from the shadows near the
car on the now quiet street.

'Yes, I can see that plainly, but why, and by whom?' There was more 
than a little uncertainty in the firsts' 'voice'.

'Well, my guess is for us to follow and find out.' suggested the second.

'I don't like this, I don't like this at all.  What if we've been found out?' 

'In that case, it's been fun working with you.'

'Would you please be serious for once?'

Inside the shadows there was a shifting movement, and then the 
shadows settled back to their normal place.

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

"Colonel, we're picking up that strange contact again sir! 
This time almost directly over Tokyo." The radarman 
reported.  

"Okay, are the planes on course to intercept?"

"Sir, Eagle-1 has intercepted...but I don't think you're 
gonna believe what he has to report."

"Give it to me anyways!"

The radarman was right, the Colonel didn't believe it.

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

The door to the main theatre area opened, and two heads poked
through.  Belldandy's head just below Urds.  

"All clear, no ones here." Urd breathed a sigh of relief. "Let's
go."

"Urd, we can't just show up, look around and say it's all fine!"
Belldandy grabbed Urds' shirt as she turned to leave.

"Okay, Okay," Urd entered behind her sister, walking around the
edge of the stage.  "What are we doing here? You know we can't 
interfere." She whispered "We should've just gone straight back
home."

Belldandy whispered back, "I know, but the rules say nothing 
about just checking on Jen." She spotted something on the stage. 
"There!" 

"Where are you going? And why are we whispering!" Urd spoke as she 
jumped up on the stage and walked over to where Bell was kneeling down.
"I know you're really concerned about Jen but there's nothing we can do."
Then Urd saw what Bell had found.  There was a small book on the stage. 
'No, not a book...a script.' Urd corrected herself.  Ah, so that was Bell's plan.

"There's a strong imprint on this." Bell said as she began to cast
a spell.  "I think we can find out what happened."

*Quick explanation by author:  Every object that a person touches leaves an imprint 
of the owner on it, no matter how brief.  This imprint 'records' what is
said and done by the handler and sometimes people nearby.  Usually these 
imprints will stay for only a brief period of a few years.  Sometimes, when 
the situation is right they may remain for hundreds of years. *

'Smart girl.' Urd thought.  

"Who was that guy?" Belldandy asked, looking around.

"What guy?" 

"Oh, never mind..." She shook her head and went back to
concentrating on the job at hand.

The spell took hold now and tendrils of what looked like white 
smoke drifted up from the surface of the script.  They watched
as a face took shape quickly.  A rather handsome face Urd noted.

"Alright Jen!" Urd pumped her hands in the air, "Way to go!"

"Urd, please...this is serious."

"Well sor-ry..." Urd grumbled, "At least she didn't end up getting
assigned to some waffly doofus who'd end up wishing for her to stay
with...her...for...ever." Her voice wilted as she noticed Bell's 
very sharp stare.  "Eh, heh-heh..."

They both turned their attention back to the spirit imprint and they
watched and listened to it for a while before they got some of  the 
answers they were looking for.

"Good for you Jen," Bell folded her hands together, eyes closed
with relief.  She could tell Jen had done a fine job.  

"Yeah, she is handling this really well.  Thatta girl, Jen."

After the imprint finished, Urd spoke again "Well, that wasn't too 
much help.  A coffeehouse...nearby.  Great."

"I think we can find it.  I felt a bit of a memory of this man, fairly
strong.  That's very strange though...I wonder why it would do that?"

"Well, no sense in just standing here...let's get a move on!" Urd 
was up and moving.  Bell quickly followed.  

"By the way, Sis?" Urd spoke as they went back out the door, "Let's
find a better exit way than the way we came in...I don't think that 
poor guy we startled is ever going to live that down."

"Urd, it was the closest we could find with a mirror and a TV...
besides I apologized."

"Bell, yelling I'm sorry while the guy runs away screaming isn't
exactly an apology."

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

"Passengers, this is your captain speaking, we are now preparing
for our arrival at Nerita airport and will be arriving in 30 to
40 minutes.  Please make sure your seat belts are fastened and 
trays are in the upright...OH MY GOD!!! Frank did you see that!!
What the hell was that...what? The intercom is still on...oops."

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

Belldandy and Urd were making good time towards the coffeehouse 
when a bolt of lightning hit nearby.  Both knew what it was, and
they began to move a little faster.  Before they could get far,
a second bolt hit only feet from them.  

It was a message from Kami-sama.  Telling them to report to
His office ASAP.  They looked at each other.  They were in for 
now.  They were already worn from their little misadventure, and 
they knew it wouldn't end too soon.

The frantically began looking for a place to teleport.

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

Jen emerged from one of the track lights in the waiting room
of the Almighty's office.  She'd been too worried to notice her
hitchhiker.  She noticed him now as he fell straight to the
floor pulling Jen down with him.  

"Robert!  What the hel...heck are you doing!!" Jen asked while
frantically trying to get up and help him up too. "Do you realize 
how much trouble we both could be in for this?"

"Hey, I didn't want to just wait for you!" He got up and 
took a look around, "THIS is heaven?? Looks like the 
waiting room of my dentist office."  

"Robert, THIS is...or at least I'm pretty sure this is...
the waiting room for The Almighty's office!!"

"Jennifer, I've been expecting you." The two froze and slowly
turned around, Jen cringed.  That could only be...

"Kami-sama!" Jen suddenly switched on the smile, "How good of
you to see us...me! I me how good of you to see me on such 
short notice!" She bowed politely 'Please God let this work...
wait that's no good!  Please God don't notice him...' 

"Oh, please relax...and stop with the act." Kamis' face furrowed just 
a bit. "And please bring this young man with you."

Jens head sunk a few inches, "Yes, my Lord." She turned back 
again. "Robert, please come with me." 

"That's God??" Robert just stood there. "Looks a lot like my
great-grandfather." Robert whispered to Jen.

"Robert!" Jen hissed.

"It's okay, Jennifer." Kami motioned for them to enter.

"Now please have a seat and wait, the others will be here soon."

"Others?" Jen asked.

"You'll see." Kami-sama dropped a wink. "By the way, Jennifer do
you have your file on this man." Jen nodded. "May I have it?"

Jen reached over to her right and opened her pocket dimension 
up.  Fishing around for a bit, she pulled it out and handed
it over.  Noticing Roberts' odd stare she mouthed 'I'll tell you
later.'

The Almighty looked through it for a moment. "Just as I thought" He
muttered, a slightly disgusted look on His face. "I'll be back
shortly." With that, He walked out.

'This is really different than what I imagined' Robert thought, 
looking around.  Noticing the dates on the magazines stacked
on a nearby table, he smirked 'Well I guess it isn't that 
different after all.'

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

"Here Bell, this looks good! And the guy's asleep." Urd
motioned for Belldandy to follow.

Bell hated entering someones home like this, but they had no
choice really.  But they had to be very, very quiet.

As soon as she had the thought out, Urd tripped on a 
table leg.

CRASH!!

"Whuzzat!!" Came a voice as lights began turning on. "Who's
there!!" 

"Quick...move!!" Belldandy grabbed Urd and practically threw 
her at the TV.  Urd went through just fine, after bumping her
head on the screen, and Bell headed for the framed mirror on the 
wall.  Just in time, as the owner of the apartment stumbled 
into the room half asleep carrying a baseball bat.  

"Wha..." He mumbled, trying to clear his eyes, he couldn't 
see much and he was still half asleep.  He thought he saw
something by the mirror and marched himself over to take 
a look.

The surface of the mirror shimmered for just a second, and
was still.

"Hah?" This was too weird, besides there was no one here.
"Damn cat..." He'd forgotten the fact that he didn't
have a cat.  It didn't register though as he shut off the
lights and went back to bed.

By morning he'd think it was just a dream.

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

The door to Kamis' office opened again, as He entered. He
went to his desk, a rather plain looking mahogany business 
desk.  He turned around. "Come in." He didn't sound
too friendly at all.

Jen didn't know what to expect.  What exactly was going on 
here?  All the things she'd feared when this began, the ones
she'd temporarily forgotten while on the assignment, those
fears began to flood back in.

The first person entered followed by another, and another
until there were a total of seven of the most plain looking
people Jen had ever seen in her life standing in The Almightys'
office. They were lined up, in a row, to her right.  They
looked *very* uncomfortable.

"Jen," Kami-sama now eyed these seven as he spoke in a rather
gruff tone, "Meet The Board."

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

"Ah, good afternoon Emperor Akihito, a pleasure to meet you."
The Canadian ambassador bowed, as he'd been shown, correctly.
He had been looking forward to seeing the wonderful gardens of
the royal palace.  "I thank you for your extremely gracious 
hospitality by receiving me here at the Palace."

The Emperors response however, was cut off by the sound of 
a yell growing louder and louder.  Then they heard the sound
of something large splashing down in the moat outside the walls.

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

Jen was stunned, then anger began to slowly seep into her
consciousness.  These...this is The Board?! These were the
ones who everyone feared.  No, not them but the power they wielded
with seemingly no respect for anyone.

"I must apologize Jen." Kami-sama spoke, His sharp blue-gray eyes
never moving from the seven. "I have made a mistake, and many
have paid for that...and you almost did."

"A long time ago, when I set up Yggdrasil I also set up the
School, and I knew there needed to be some way to make sure
that the system was working.  This idea, that of a final
test for the students, was suggested and it was a good idea." He 
now sat down in the black leather chair behind His desk and 
leaned forward.

"That was, until the ones chosen to be on this committee decided
that they needed to change things and they began to acquire more
power by hiding themselves, by bullying and by other rather distasteful
tactics."  Kami now looked at Jen. "The had ways of keeping
certain, information secret.  And they've manipulated, and 
damaged and blackmailed...all in order to keep themselves in 
the position to decide who they wanted to pass and to fail."

"There's much more to it...but that's all you need know about
them." He looked back at the group, who now looked like men about
to be executed. He now pulled two large folders out of his desk.

"Except for one thing more that you should know, and I'm very proud
of you for this, for you overcame their treachery by doing something
wonderful, and may I say amazing...going almost purely by your instinct, 
one of the marks of a more matured deity."  Kami-sama sat the 
two folders down side by side on His desk. "They gave you incorrect 
information on your assignment, altered it just enough so that you 
could slip up...not that they would pass you anyways." Kami-sama began 
to smile. "But you...you were able to forget all the fear, the pressure 
and help this young man sitting next to you."  

"And to top it off, they themselves ordered the early Board on you, 
believing they would never have to answer for it.  But believe me,
they will answer for that, and much more." 

"They..." Jen was now reaching the near furious level. "These GEEKS
did this to me...simply because...you didn't like the fact that I was
once mortal...is that it?!" She had gotten up and was now looking
them all eye to eye.  Except that the seven couldn't quite come up 
with enough guts to look straight back.

"How many others?" She asked them. Her voice had dropped back down
and sounded miserable. "How many others did you try to ruin...or
ruined completely?"

Kami-sama held up a hand to stop her. "Jennifer, they will be punished
for their crimes...and there are many.  And there are many things they
will have to correct."

Kami-sama motioned for the others to leave.  They walked out slowly,
heads bowed.

Jen sat back down, feeling angry, sad and a little bit relieved.  At least
they've been stopped.  That gave her something to be glad about.

"Now as for your situation with Robert here." Kami-sama spoke, "I think
it's time to resolve this."  That caught Jen by suprise.

"Pardon me...Lord." Robert grimaced slightly, "Does this mean my wish 
wasn't granted?"  He felt so little, speaking in the presence of
The Almighty...but he had to know.

"Well, what exactly is your wish?" He asked.

"Umm...well, I wanted...want to know what I should do with myself." Robert
still couldn't quite believe just Who he was talking to...but after all he'd
seen in the past hour or so, he could accept it enough to speak what he 
was thinking.

"And what might that be?" Kami-sama asked, with a glimmer in His eye.

"I think...well, ermmm..." He was now getting very red in the face, "I'm..
ummm...ah heh...no, wait...ehhh..." Robert stammered on for a while
longer.

"Don't second guess yourself, son." Kami-sama prodded, "You'll just 
end up making yourself unhappy."

"Yes...I believe...no, I'm sure." Robert felt the truth coming, what felt 
right in his heart. "I belong with Jennifer."  Jen spun around towards Robert, 
not believing her ears.

"As you wish, so shall it be done." Kami-sama intoned, his voice ringing slightly.
"Your wish is now approved."

Before anything Jen could ask the next question, the one she was worrying about
more than anything,  everything was put on hold by the sound of two female voices 
yelling and a general commotion coming from almost right outside the office. 

Jen jumped up and opened the door, Robert following close behind.  If Jen wasn't 
ready for what she saw in the lobby, poor Robert was just lost. 

It was Belldandy and Urd...yelling at each other.  A tired, frazzled Belldandy and
worn out, slightly bruised Urd at  that.  

"Hey! It wasn't ME who decided to go waltzing all over the place looking for Jen
when WE knew WE couldn't interfere!!" Urd was waving her hands over her head.

"I did NOT mean to INTERFER!!" Bells enormous patience hand run out, "NOT to 
mention YOU dragging me after you and LEAVING ZANE BEHIND!!"

"What!! Oh you're gonna bring THAT up again!" 

"Yes!! Not to also mention YOU somehow doing SOMETHING to his wish!!" Belldandy
was actually getting red in the face now, "And you claim I was TRYING to interfere
when the only person guilty of that particular crime is YOU, dear sister!!"

"For your information, IT was NOT a wish, it was a PACT!!  They're NOT the same!!"

'Oh boy...' Kami thought 'I'd better stop this now...'

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

Keiichi felt the weight of the stares in the crowded train.  'When I get home
first thing I'm going to do...after I get some dry clothes on...okay, second
thing I'm going to do...'

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

"Excuse me...you two..." Kami tried to get the two goddesses attention.

"STAY OUT OF THIS!" They turned and thundered. Then they actually saw Who
they were talking to.  The looks on their faces went from extreme anger to
the 'oh-crap-what-did-I-just-do?' look in about, shall we say, .00001 of 
a second?

A single look from the Almighty and they hit the floor bowing and apologizing
in a long single rush of words that couldn't quite be made out clearly 
between what Urd was saying and Belldandy was saying.

For His part, Kami simply rolled his eye, leaned down and tapped the
two prostrate goddesses on the shoulder.  They both slowly got up, looking
nervous, fear etched in their faces.

"While I don't condone fighting like this, I understand the past 24 hours
have been rather rough on the two of you." Kami spoke slowly, "I want
the two of you to work this out on your own, you can do that I hope."

Bell and Urd nodded in unison.

"Good," Kami brought his hands together, "Now, Urd, I know of your actions
concerning Zane, and I was the one who directly approved the wish...for 
reasons I shall withhold for now." He turned to face Bell, her head hung
down, her eyes hidden behind her bangs.  Whereas Urd was sweating what
Kami-sama was going to do, Bell was worried about what He was thinking of
her.

"Don't fret, dear child." He lifted her chin gently, "Everyone has times
in their life when it all gets to be too much...and the answer to the 
question you're asking yourself is yes."

Bell seemed to liven up a little after that, but she still felt horrible
about her own behavior.  

"As of now, the wish made by Zane will stand on record as permanent, until
otherwise terminated, as per regulations by the recipient."

"But my Lord," Urd spoke in quiet tones, "He really didn't make a wish...it
was.."

"Yes, he did make a wish but not at that time..." The Almighty stopped her, "But
it's not something to discuss here and now."  

Urd understood, "So he's...he's going to okay?"

"Okay!! Okay?" A voice from behind caused them all to jump, a voice loaded with 
great deal of anger, as well as sounding very upset. "Come with me and I'll
show you okay!" 

Skuld burst through the crowd of people, grabbed Urd by the arm and before
anyone could say or do anything yanked her away.  Urd's feet barely stayed on
the floor.  

"It seems it's begun." Kami almost whispered, "Bell, I would suspect 
it a good idea that you should follow also."

Belldandy bowed again, the shame still in her eyes.  Before she could turn
Kami stopped her. "Please, next time...don't wait so long before we visit
again." He said with a smile.

Bell was silent for a second, then with a warm smile of her own, "I'll make sure
I don't, Father." The smile brightened even more as she turned and left.
 
Jen came up next, more than a little worry in her own eyes.  Kami-sama smiled
and patted her on the shoulders. 

"Congratulations, Jennifer, goddess 2nd class, unlimited license."

She didn't know what to do...she'd passed...and with an unlimited license
straight off the bat...that meant...soon she'd be able to go for her 
1st class qualifications!  

She wanted to jump, yell, cry and all of those things at the same time...
She settled for something else.

Robert came up to congratulate her and got glomped on for his troubles,
Jen tackling him to the floor. Not that he minded too much.  

"Ahem." Kami coughed, "I hate to break this up...but I have something
for you Jen." He held out a small wooden box of polished cherry, with 
some of the most exquisite carvings on the lid.  Jen got back up and 
stood quietly now before Kami.  Robert, in a daze, slowly picked 
himself up.

"For...me?" Jen looked at the box. Robert was looking over her shoulder,
his curiosity overcoming his nerves at being in the presence of the 
Almighty.

"Open it, please." Kami beckoned.

She did, and upon opening it, saw a pair of the most incredible earrings 
she'd ever seen.  Not just earrings, she saw, but it also included a small
earcuff attached to a fine gold chain.  The earrings, which as far as she could
tell were made of gold polished to a mirror shine, were loops with small
long teardrop shaped gold pieces hanging along the hoop itself.  It reminded
her of some beautiful windchimes she'd seen.  And each had a small blue stone 
embedded in the lower part of the hoop.  

"These look almost exactly like Belldandys."  She gasped.

"They're not just earrings, they're also power seals." Kami-sama explained. 
"And you must wear these at all times on Earth, because of your unlimited license."
He continued, "You'll get a new pair when you achieve your first 
class ranking."

Jen bowed politely to the Almighty, "Thank you, I don't know what to say."

Kami merely bowed in return.

Jen grabbed Roberts hand, "We need to get going ourselves."

"What? Where to?"

"Japan."

"Oh, okay for a second there I thought you said...Japan!!!"

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

It seemed fated such convergence's would happen on this hectic day,
and so it did, twice.  

Skuld emerged from the bath practically dragging Urd along despite Urds' 
protests.

"Hey lemme go!!"

"Not until you see this!  I heard what Father said about what you did...I can't 
believe you sometimes!!"

As the came out into the living room, Bell was emerging from a standing
mirror.  And at that very moment Keiichi stumbled into the house.

"Keiichi where have you been?" Skuld asked.

"Oh, the party's over..." Urd moped.

"Keiichi, what happened to you?" Belldandy gasped.

"Urd, here's your broom..." He handed Urd short broken piece of wood.
"Skuld, you don't wanna know everywhere I've been...and Belldandy, it's
a long story and I'm very tired...going to bed." He drug himself off
in the direction of his room.

"He busted one of my fastest brooms." Urd looked at what was left of
the handle.

'Oh no, poor Keiichi.' Bell thought.

'He's going off to his room...HIS ROOM!!' Skuld grabbed Urd again
and went after Keiichi. "Wait DON'T GO IN THERE!!"

The got to Keiichis room, but he wasn't there.  Then they heard the
water running in the bathroom. Skuld breathed a sigh of relief.
'Now for the rest.' Skuld  thought as she walked into the room, and 
turned looking right at Urd.

"Urd, you wanted to know if Zane would be okay??" She stood next
to the futon where he lay.  She grabbed the edge of the 
blanket covering him. "Well, does this look 'okay' to you!?" With
that Skuld lifted up the blanket high enough for them to
see.

All Urd and Belldandy could say was "Oh my!"

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

A little while later, Keiichi was down in Belldandys' room, since he
couldn't go back to his own room and he wasn't about to complain about
that.  They'd made a place for Robert out in the living room, and Jen
was already fast asleep in Skulds room. 

Laying on his back, he was so tired.  He didn't think he'd ever 
get enough sleep again.  But he certainly wasn't going to sleep now.  
Not with Bell laying next to him on the futon, her head on his shoulder, 
never mind the fact that they were both still dressed and above the 
covers.  The boy was in heaven and, for the time being, almost all was
right with the world.  

"I just hope this will all be okay." Bell quietly spoke, not wanting
to disturb this incredible feeling of peace that was beginning to envelop her.
She didn't think she'd ever feel this way again, not after all that
had happened, though even now she couldn't get herself to sleep.  It
eluded her every time she tried to close her eyes.

"Don't worry Bell, I mean...one thing I've discovered is that
these things always seem to work out..." He looked down at Bell,
who was now looking back up at him.  Her deep blue eyes, his dark
brown, met and locked. "The thing is not to worry too much...I guess.  
You know you've done your best, right?"

A nod.

"Then that's all there is, seems to me."

She smiled and put an arm around Keiichis' neck, laid her head 
on his chest right where she could hear his heart beating.  And
listening to that rythym, she soon fell fast asleep.

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

In another room.

"So Urd, do you think Zane's really going to be okay?" She sounded
a bit uncertain.  "How long is it going to take?"

"I don't know, kid, I just don't know."

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

After sending away the members of the Board to a holding cell nearby,
the Almighty turned and spoke to the wall.

"Okay, you two, you can come out now." He motioned.

"Yes, my Lord." said the first.

"Here, Kami-sama." said the second.

"I'm not entirely happy with your role in all of this...but you've 
redeemed yourselves with the information you most helpfully 
supplied."

"Our pleasure." They answered. They'd both been failures at the Board,
reduced to nothing more than floating spirits with no real power.  In an 
ironic twist they'd been later used by the Board, who had assumed they
couldn't remember anything from before, as the 'spies' for watching the 
assignments.  Personal thoughts aside, they'd wanted to get back at the 
Board more than anything else.  

Now they had.

"I guess you two could stand a nice long vacation, on me.  How does Aruba 
sound?"

If the two had faces to smile, the tops of their heads would've fallen off.

The End of the Beginning.

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

Well, there you have it.  Hope you enjoyed...chapter 12 will begin soon, 
hopefully not too long since the muse is still biting me...ow!...

As always fan, flamage and fluff go to r_zane@yahoo.com 

Interested in OMG? Check out the Dark Horse website: www.darkhorse.com 
simple eh? Or go to your local comicbook store and inquire within.

    Source: geocities.com/code_name_d