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	     	 Everybody Wants To Rule the World

			    Chapter Nine
		   	Written By: LadySwan

	Finally, Garrett was all packed and ready to go. He was
itching with anticipation to get back to Swans Crossing, to get to
his mother's side, to see... his friends. The ones that truly
mattered to him.
	Michel burst through the room, grinning from ear to ear.
"Sup buddy?"
	He flopped on the bed opposite Garrett. And then he saw the
suitcases next to him. Michel frowned. He rememberd this. He had
seen Garrett do this the last time. He was leaving.
	Garrett didn't say anything. He just stared out the window
behind Michel.
	Michel looked at the desk in between their beds. "Why're
you leaving? Does this have anything to do with my cousins letter?"
he asked, picking up the three letters.
	Garrett snatched the letters from his roommate and stuffed
them in his bag. "No." he said in a cold voice. "This has nothing
to do with Mila."
	Garrett's shoulders slumped. "My mom's very sick. I need to
go to her."
	Michel put his hand on his shoulder. "Man, I hope your mom
gets better soon, but I hope you come back here too."
	Garrett glanced at him. "Maybe." Garrett's mind drifted far
away. He remembered the last time he had gone back to Swans
Crossing. He had spent the entire summer with Sydney, although not
in the way he had wanted.
	He glanced at the clock. 6 pm. Finally! Garrett stood up.
"I gotta go, see ya man!"
	They said good-bye and Garrett hurried down the hall. He
was sure his cab was waiting for him by now, and he wanted to get
to the airport as soon as possible.
	"Just one minute, young man!" the dean's voice boomed
behind him. "And just where do you think you're going with that
suitcase?"

	  � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� �

	Everyone froze at the gunshot. No one moved, not even the
Baldies. The suddenly, the one holding the gun, grabbed his stomach
and fell to the floor, groaning.
	Many different thoughts were floating in everyone's head,
but all were asking the same question, Who shot him? Who had the
gun?
	Then, out of nowhere, the police arrived, swarming the
place, encircling the group. "Freeze! Don't move a muscle!" they
ordered the Baldies.
	Callie felt a tear start to roll down her cheek. Finally
this whole nightmare was over. She glanced over at Jimmy and they
shared a hug.
	Neil said a silent prayer, thanking God that they had
survived. He silently swore to himself that he would never ever
again work on a project as dangerous as Ub2b had been.
	Watching Callie and Jimmy hug through the corner of his
eye, JT felt a rush of hope. He would get to see Glory again, and
everyone he loved. Even his pesky sister Katie, even... Garrett,
if he ever came back from France. Yup, even the sight of Garrett
would be better that going through what he and Neil had gone
through this past few days.
	With a sigh of relief, Barek joined his officer buddies and
started to arrest the Baldies one by one, reading them their rights.
"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say or do will...."
	Meanwhile, the four teenagers gathered together and began
to talk among themselves. "I'm so glad this is finally over." Neil
murmured.
	"Ditto, Buckyball." JT agreed.
	"Same here." Callie and Jimmy said in unison.
	"With the cops here, everything will turn out fine," JT
told the group.
	"Yeah, I'm glad." Jimmy said. "But there's something I
don't understand. How did they find us? Barek told us he hadn't
gotten a chance to tell them yet the Baldies' hideout and that
there was no way they could find out after we were kidnapped."
	One by one, they came to realize how bizzare their rescue
had been. Almost as if it was too good to be true. As if there was
something wrong with this picture. But Callie felt that even
though there was something unsure of, she knew this felt right. And
that there was nothing left wrong in Swans Crossing.
	"Greetings my dear friends! That was quite an adventure we
went through!" a familiar voice said, coming up to them.
	"Saja!" they all exclaimed.

	  � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� �

	Exiting quietly from his room, his wife sound asleep, Grant
Booth, with a saddened face and a heavy heart, hoped with all his
heart that Cornelia would get better.
	Glory had been smiling, every time she was around her
parents, trying to keep their spirits high, but Grant could see she
was withdrawn. With Garrett in France, JT being kiddnapped, her
mother being seriously ill was too much too handle.
	And then, there was the election. Coming in only a few
short weeks. He hadn't spent anytime on it at all. He hadn't spent
his time, like usual, trying to find dirt on his opponent, Margaret
Rutledge, working on his public relations, trying to get his
popularity risen. He hadn't found the time for it anymore.
	And now, as he went through his mail, he spotted a letter
from his campaign manager, Tom, about the recent survey on the
mayorial elections.
	Grant took a deep breath, his hands shaking as he opened
the letter. Half of him knew he shouldn't be surprised if he was a
little behind, but the other half, the stubborn half, the Booth
part of him told him he should be in the lead.
	He scanned the letter, barely reading what Tom had written,
searching for the results. Grant froze when he saw it. Margaret
Rutledge - 57%, Grant Booth - 43%.
	He had half-expected it, but he felt like a failure,
something no Booth likes to feel. Everything all seemed to be
slowly coming apart. He had been spending so much money on the
election, and on his wife's medical bills, he was reaching the
danger zone in his account. Grant was only grateful that he had
already secured his kids' trustfunds, in case anything happened.
	Grant sighed loudly and plopped down on the couch, burying
his head into his hands. What was he going to do?

	  � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� �

	Safe and sound, the gang of five all laughed good-naturedly
as Saja told them about what had happened between him and the cops
and how they had managed to rescue them.
	"Well I'm glad you were at the Tool N' Die when you were,"
Callie told Saja. "otherwise...."
	Jimmy reached over and put his arm around her shoulder and
gave her a squeeze. She smiled up at him.
	But then, breaking the happy mood, Special Agents Hudson
and Sylvester and Barek came over them. None of them were smiling,
as the five teenagers had been, just mouths in a straight line,
looking grim.
	Special Agent Hudson spoke up, "Mr. DeCastro, Ms. Walker
and Mr. Clayton, please follow me. I'll escort you back to Swans
Crossing and to your homes."
	"Mr. Atwater and Mr. Adams, please follow me and Special
Agent Browler. We will take you to our Headquarters not far from
Swans Crossing. There we will inform your parents of your saftey.
But in the meantime, we will bring you three in for questioning."
	"You're arresting them?" Callie asked with shock.
	"But you can't!" Jimmy exclaimed.
	"My friends have done nothing wrong." Saja informed the
three Agents. The three of them stood in front of JT and Neil, as
if to protect them from the agents.
	Special Agent Hudson smiled slightly with amusement.
"Forgive us for your misunderstanding. We are not arresting your
friends, we are mearly bringing them in for questioning."
	Hesitantly, they looked at JT and Neil, who nodded. They
let them pass, and the teens followed the agents. Callie, Jimmy and
Saja got into the police car with Agent Hudson, and watched as JT,
Neil and Barek got into the car with Agent Sylvester. They watched
as they drove away, hoping for the best.

	  � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� �

	A loud laugh came from the table where Sandy and Mick were
sitting. Jazz had noticed that they had been conversing a lot
about music, ever since they had met an hour ago. She headed for
their table.
	"Hey. Everything ok here? Can I get you two anything?" she
asked.
	"No thanks, Jazz." Sandy said, a big smile still on her lips.
	"I've noticed you two have been playing music on that thing."
Jazz commented, using her pen to point out Mick's guitar. "And you
two are pretty good together." And it wasn't only Jazz who had
taken notice. The few people that were left in the shop occasionally
glanced in their direction and nodded in appreciation to their
music.
	"Thanks." Mick said, grinning in the same manner as Sandy.
"I've been playing the guitar ever since I was a kid. My dad used
to teach me."
	"I've got a favor to ask the two of you."
	"What is it?" Sandy asked, her eyes shinning with curiousity.
	"Well, I'm sure you guys know, the jukebox is in the shop
for repairs. Callie and Jimmy haven't gotten to it yet and I'm not
sure when it'll be back."
	"Yeah where are those two anyways?" Sandy asked.
	Jazz shrugged. "Well anyways. The place gets pretty dull
without the music, and I noticed a few customers seemed to really
like your music."
	She noticed the two seemed to blush. "What do you say? Will
you play for us here at the Shop a couple of times a week please?"
	Sandy and Mick looked at each other in amazement and
grinned widely. "This is great! Sure!" Sandy said, grinning from
ear to ear.
	"You must be like gold! Ever since I met you an hour ago I
keep getting more and more gigs!" Mick joked.
	Sandy blushed but kept on smiling.
	So the three started to get to work on the details of the
Swan Soda Shop's new musicians.

	  � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� �

	Saja raced to the Soda Shop after Mrs. Swan told him that
her daughter was there. He was eager to see her and tell her his
news about JT and Neil.
	But when he got there, he saw Sandy sitting in a table with
Jazz and some guy he had never seen before. Saja felt jealous fill
him, something he rarely felt. Something 'Saja' should never feel,
only Bobby should.
	Cautiously, he walked up to the table. The first person to
see him was Jazz. She looked up from the table and saw him. "Oh
hey Saja!" And then she turned back to the two, "I'd better get to
work, good luck!"
	After Jazz had walked away, Saja looked at Sandy. When she
saw him, she smiled widely and stood up and hugged him. "Guess
what? I have the best news!"
	"As do I." Saja said, unsure to show his enthousiasm. He
looked at the guy. He was good-looking, their age, and had a guitar.
Saja was wondering if he had some competition.
	Sandy saw Saja looking at Mick and giggled. "Oops! I forgot
to introduce you guys. Saja, this is Mick. Mick, Saja." she said,
pointing to each guy.
	She turned back to Saja. "Guess what? Jazz just asked me
and Mick to perform here at the Soda Shop for a couple of days
while the jukebox is being fixed. Can you believe it? Our first
official gig! It's so exciting!"
	Saja forced a smile. "That's great."
	Mick noticed the two seemed to be a bit close, and Saja's
being uncomfortable, so he choose this moment to leave. "Um, I
gotta go home for dinner. Bye. It was nice meeting the both of you.
Sandy, I'll talk to you later, k?"
	The three said good-bye, and soon, it was only Sandy and
Saja sitting at the table together. After Sandy's enthousiasm died
down a bit, she realized that Saja had some news for her as well.
"So, what's up?" she chirpped.
	Saja jumped, realizing he hadn't told her yet. "Oh. Yes, um,
well, the police and I found JT and Neil. Callie and Jimmy were
with them. Barek was sort of with them. We rescued them from the
Baldies. Their safe now. But JT, Neil and Barek are at the police
headquarters for questioning." He said this all in a rush, in a
not-so Saja-like manner.
	Sandy stared at him dumbly. "Ohmygosh! You and the police?
This is great! Glory will be so happy to have JT back! What were
Callie and Jimmy doing there? Barek was with who? The Baldies? Or
with JT and company? Why are JT and Neil being questioned?" When
Sandy realized how much had come out of her mouth and how little
made sense, she just stared at Saja. "This is so great!" she
finally exclaimed, jumping up to hug him.
	Saja was also stunned at his own rush of words and non-
sensical speaking manner, as well as Sandy's. He realized that he
was as shocked as her, even though he had actually been there. And
then he realized at how contented he was at everyone's safety, as
well as being with Sandy. He hugged her back, promising himself
everything would be ok from now on.

	  � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� �

	Margaret was celebrating when she heard how far ahead she
was in the polls in the mayorial election. "That's great, Jerry.
Keep up the good work!" she said, and soon hung up the phone. She
surveyed the Rutledge Mansion's living room, deciding what she
could do this time to celebrate.
	She went upstairs to call Sydney, only to discover she was
in her bathroom, taking a shower. I'll call her downstairs later,
she thought to herself.
	Ralph had the day off, so Margaret went into the kitchen
and got herself a drink and wandered into the kitchen singing to
herself. It disappointed her a bit that Sydney didn't enjoy singing
as she did, but it never bothered her a bit because Margaret often
envied Sydney, wishing she could have been just like her when she
was her age.
	Thinking about her campaign, she congratulated herself for
thinking up those catchy slogans, and her recent publicity with
the upcoming concert and the continuing success of the town at
present.
	And then she wondered how Grant was doing, and why all of
a sudden his campaign took a plunge. It hadn't been anything bad
at all directly to his campaign, his name just hadn't been
appearing as often as her's was.
	Margaret tilted her head thoughtfully. She did remember
hearing that Cornelia was a bit ill, maybe that had something to do
with it. Maybe he had gotten too busy for his campaign.
	Not that Margaret hated Cornelia, in fact they were good
friends despite the Booth-Rutledge feud, but Grant's loss was her
gain, and Margaret was too happy to care why he was losing at the
moment.
	"May the best woman win," she said, smiling, raising her
glass as if to toast.

	  � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� �

	Nancy entered her room and slammed the door. She hurled
herself on her bed and covered her face with her hands. She felt
like crying. She had never felt so humiliated in her entire life!
	But Nancy composed herself. Nancy Robbins did not cry. She
didn't get mad. She got even. Nancy narrowed her eyes. Amanda Shane
will wish she had never been born once she got through with her,
Nancy thought vindictively.
	And then the phone rang. Curiously, Nancy let it ring three
times, something she had learned from Sydney-O, and then picked it
up.
	A few minutes later, Nancy hung up her phone in disgust.
Sandy had just called. She had invited Nancy to watch her 'gig' at
the Soda Shop the day after tomorrow after school. She had been
calling up the whole gang, and inviting them as well.
	"Who does she think she is?" Nancy wrinkled her nose.
"Does she actually think she's better than me?" She rolled her eyes.
	Narrowing her eyes, Nancy decided, well it looks like there
will be two victims for my revenge. "Oh, and how sweet it will be."

	  � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� �

	Callie sat on the edge of her bed, a blanket wrapped around
her shoulders, and a cup of hot chocolate in her hands. She stared
at it nervously, as her dad paced back and forth outside her room.
	When she had gotten home, just as she had suspected, her
dad had been shocked to see her with the police. She had quickly
entered the sub, telling her dad she'd take a warm shower, while
Agent Hudson had talked to her dad. She knew it was only a matter
of minutes before her dad came in to talk to her.
	Right on cue, Callie heard the Captain knock lightly on her
door. "Callie? May I come in?"
	"Door's open." she said softly.
	The door opened, and the Captain came in. He sat down next
to Callie and gave her a tight hug.
	Callie felt tears start to form in her eyes as she hugged
her dad back. For awhile back, she didn't think she'd be able to
see her dad ever again.
	"Callie, that police agent told me-"
	"Dad I'm fine." Callie interrupted. "Just a little shook up
I guess." she laughed lightly.
	But Captain Walker looked grim. "I don't know what I'd do
if I ever lost you, like I did your mother." He looked down at his
hands. "That's why I'd like to stay away from your friends."
	Callie's eyes opened wide in shock. "What?"
	"They could get you into serious trouble-"
	"Dad! I got myself into the trouble. It was my own fault. I
was trying to help them! They're not the reason why this happened!"
	"Callie, you don't understand. I'm doing this because I
love you. I don't think I can bear the thought of losing you. It
scared me to death when the agent was telling me what happened."
	"But dad, if you love me, you'll know that I need my friends,
because they need me. I didn't have a life until you made me move
here to Swans Crossing. After going from place to place around the
world, I can't picture living my life anywhere else. I love being
here in Swans Crossing." Callie told him, a single tear running
down her cheek.
	Captain Walker smiled at his daughter. She was so grown-up.
Much more than he was. She had always been the grown-up between the
two of them. She knew what she wanted. And she always did what her
heart told her to do.
	"Alright. I won't keep you from your friends. Just try to
stay our of trouble, ok dear?"
	"I promise dad." Callie hugged him. "I love you."
	"I love you too, Callie." the Captain said, crying as well.

	  � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� �

	"Ohmygosh! That's great!" Glory said, starting to cry. She
held the phone in her hand, almost jumping around her room. "When
can I see him? He's where? Why? Okay, I'll wait to see him
tomorrow. Tell him to call me as soon as he gets home. Thanks Mrs.
Adams! Yeah, I know, I'm glad they're back."
	Grabbing some tissue from the almost-empty box, Glory
wipped her tears. JT was back. He, Neil, Callie and Jimmy were safe
and sound.
	But something nagged Glory's happiness. He and Neil were at
some police headquarters, they were brought in for some questioning.
She tried to convince herself that it was nothing serious, probably
just about Ub2b and because it was illegal and stuff. She knew they
wouldn't arrest them, at least not while they needed Ub2b as well.
	At least there was something Glory could be happy about now.
Garrett may still be in France, her dad might be losing in the
election, her mom might still be deathly sick, but at least now JT
was back!
	"The silver lining in every dark cloud," Glory murmured,
laying on her bed, gazing at the celing, hugging one of her stuffed
animals.
	"Maybe this is a sign," she said, sitting up straight. "Maybe
after this, everything will get better." She hoped with all her
heart, but she knew she couldn't get her hopes that high, least she
get disappointed.
	But still, Glory couldn't help but imagine, everything
slowly working out. She and her dad were sitting by her mom's bed
in the hospital and then the doctor comes over and announces she's
going to get better. And then Garrett comes into the room back
from France. And then her dad gets an announcement that he's won
in the elections.
	But then Glory shook her head. That couldn't happen. Her
dream had gotten to wild to be reality. But still, it helped make
her feel better thinking about it....

	  � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� �

	"I reapeat, Mr. Booth. Where do you think you're going?"
the dean asked him sternly, looking down at Garrett as if he was a
small child.
	Garrett hated that look. It was a look his father often
gave to him, and it brought back a lot of bad memories. "I have a
flight to catch. I need to get home, my mother's very ill." he
retorted.
	The dean's eyes narrowed when he heard Garrett's sharp
tone. "May I remind you Mr. Booth, that I have not received any
information from your parents that you are being called back."
	Garrett gritted his teeth. He was going to be late for his
flight at this rate he was going. "My dad doesn't know that I'm
going back yet. But I don't care. My mom might be dying and I want
to be with her!"
	"Dying or not you are not allowed to leave this school
without your parent's permission!" the dean practically yelled.
	In a slightly calmer voice, he continued. "If you leave
this school right now, you will be expelled and will not be allowed
to come back to this very fine school."
	Like I ever want to come back here, Garrett thought to
himself darkly. Garrett stared at the dean straight in the eye.
"Goodbye, Dean."
	He headed straight down the hall, and hurriedly got into
his cab. But not before he heard the dean yelling behind him, "And
don't you ever come back here you rich American brat!"
	The words stung, a bit, but Garrett soon got over it. After
telling the cab driver to hurry to the airport he leaned back in
his seat and wondered what was waiting for him back in Swans
Crossing. Definitly not a girl, Garrett kidded himself. Well,
definitly not Mila, he reminded himself, as he thought of another
girl back in Swans Crossing. Thinking of her soft brown hair, and
her beautiful green eyes, Garrett wondered if 'she' would be as
excited to see him as he was to see her.

	  � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� � �:� �

	Sydney was lying on her bed on her stomach, a huge notebook
in front of her and a pen hanging behind her ear. She was trying to
think about the upcoming concert, if there were any other details
that weren't ready yet. But all she could think about was Alex. His
cropped dark hair, his red lips, his soft brown eyes. Sydney was
smiling widely.
	She removed the pen from behind her ear and ran her hand
down her hair. She began doodling on her notebook, writing down
Alex's name several times in different styles. When Sydney realized
what she was doing, she put her hand over her mouth and giggled.
	She got up from her bed and sat down in her chair and faced
her vanity. She saw her soft brown hair, her green eyes, her
perfect skin complexion, and her red lips in the shape of cupid's
bow. But what she liked best, were her lips, forming a smile.
	Strangely, she hadn't been looking at her reflection as
often as she used to. She didn't feel as self-concious anymore. She
knew she always looked great, Alex's face always told her so, she
didn't feel the need anymore to look in the mirror.
	"That's what I like about our relationship." Sydney said
outloud, looking thoughtful. "He gives me comfort, something none
of my previous relationships have ever given me."
	Sydney sometimes felt like she was just putting on a show.
Pretending to like her boyfriend, and being affectionate. But that
wasn't always how she was feeling. Sydney always did a good show of
pretending how she felt. Look at how Garrett got the idea she
didn't care about him anymore. That wasn't true. She had always
liked Garrett, even after everything that had happened.
	Sydney knew that all of her friends admired the way she
made guys fall hopelessly in love with her. What Sydney didn't want
to tell them was that most of the time, they fell in love with what
she added to their image of themselves. That they create in their
own minds the perfect girl, with the perfect face, a girl who
wasn't real--a girl who wasn't her.
	And what made Sydney even more upset, was that she had let
them get away with that before. She had kept on pretending.
	But then her gaze fell upon the framed picture of her and
Alex on her desk. She smiled when she saw her wide smile. She knew
that her smile had been genuine.
	Sydney sighed with content. She was glad she had Alex. She
didn't think anyone could make her feel as contented as she was
now.


		        To be continued...

		         � 1999 LadySwan


If you have and comments, suggestion, questions, ideas, or any
kind of criticism at all, please email me, LadySwan, at
ladyswan_1@hotmail.com ! Thanks!�!�! �:�