She shut the engine off and closed her eyes, relieved to finally be here, safe and in one piece. She wasn't fond of driving and often had horrible visions of bloody death in her head when she sat behind a steering wheel. Driving for so long through a foreign and unknown country, in a car which she wasn't used to had been a hell of a thing to do. She sighed. At least, she had enjoyed the flight over the Atlantic Ocean, which was odd because she hated heights and couldn't even stand up on a chair. She realised she was lingering in her hired jeep on purpose. Until she got out of the car, that place did not really exist, it was just a dream, a vision. She was scared instead of being happy and excited to be here. As usual, she was overwhelmed by her shyness and her lack of self-confidence. She had wanted to come here and now she was nearly panicking at the thought of talking to someone. She took a deep breath. //You've travelled thousands of kilometers to come here, you've succeeded in finding the place despite of Michelle's awful directions, you're 26, you're a grown up and now you're going to get out of that car or I'll kick your ass !// She knew she probably looked insane talking to herself but she was so used to it that she didn't care.

She took another deep breath, got out of the jeep and took her luggage from the truck. Because she came by plane, she had been obliged to bring the minimum and it had been utter torture for her to decide what to let in France. She wasn't able of travelling lightly. Her back protested when she first took the staircase and she was feeling very stiff from hours sitting in the plane and in the jeep.

She couldn't help but stop in front of the Crowe's Hotel just before entering, despite her huge load of luggage. She marvelled at the architectural style which she found quite beautiful but which unfortunately didn't exist in France. She turned slightly to take a look at the other building with "Crowe's Tavern" on it. Maybe if she had time... It was very early in the afternoon, after all. And maybe if she has the strength to enter such a place alone, she said to herself with a slight smirk on her face.

She climbed the stairs and found herself standing in a warm and welcoming lobby. There was nobody at the front desk of the reception but she noticed the silver bell. She put down her burden before using it. She gasped at the sound. Damn, she was still too nervous.

A woman came with a smile on her face.

- "Hi, what can I do for you ?", she said very kindly.

- "Er... I..."

Once again, she was feeling awkward, speaking to a stranger, even a gentle one.

- "You must be Au...."

The woman stopped, obviously wondering how to pronounce her name.

- "It's Aurore. Aw-raw-rea. 'Ea' as in 'heart'", said Aurore with a sheepish smile. Even in France, people usually didn't know how to pronounce it.

- "I will remember. I'm Peaches. Glad to meet you."

She extended her hand and Aurore took it without hesitation, sensing that Peaches' kindness was not fake.

- "I'm glad to meet you too."

- "How's been your travel ?"

- "Very long, exhausting and stressful because I was afraid I could not find this place. The indications were quite vague and... Wait a minute, how did you know it was me ? I didn't tell anybody when I was coming here."

- "I don't know why, but I appear to know when someone is coming here. And you'll always find this place as long as you're drawn to it strongly enough."

Aurore frowned.

- "Drawn ? I don't understand."

- "The people that are coming here are always drawn here for some reason. They simply need to come here, even if they're not aware of that need most part of the time."

She paused, not sure how Aurore would handle the next part.

- "And, a lot of people are drawn here because they have a strong connection with a character."

Aurore's eyes widened. A connection ?!

- "You mean, a connection with an RC character ?"

- "Yes. And sometimes, people have different kinds of connections with several characters."

//OK. It's The Twilight Zone. Or Star Trek.//

Peaches looked at Aurore while the latter was absorbing the information and trying to adjust to it. She was relieved to see her smile softly.

- "You know, I've never been a Cartesian and had always wanted to believe in alternate and parallel worlds even if there was no proof of their existence. So, I think I can handle all that", she said with a large gesture at the lobby, "even if it's a bit weird."

- "You mean *a lot* weird", said Peaches with a soft chuckle and Aurore became a little more at ease with her.

- "If you don't mind, I'd want to put my belongings somewhere"

- "I'm going to give you your room keys"

- "My room ? But I had assumed that I wouldn't have one ready. How you knew I was... Oh yes, I remember : you're kind of a medium, aren't you ?", she said with a shy smile.

- "You can say that", replied Peaches, stifling a giggle. "I'm going to call Cort to help you with your luggage."

As Peaches was reaching for the phone, Aurore felt sheer panic running through her. No way. She wasn't ready at all to meet one of the boys in the flesh. And certainly not Cort.

- "No !", she almost shouted before regaining some composure and say more calmly though blushing, "No, please. I can carry my luggage to my bedroom myself. It's not as heavy as it seems."

She was lying. Her back was killing her and she knew she wasn't going to take the elevator because she had a phobia about them.

Peaches had jump at Aurore's exclamation and was now staring at her with as strange glow in her eyes. She withdrew her hand from the phone and smiled.

- "OK, do as you want. But if you need some help..."

- "I'll be all right."

Aurore knew from Peaches facial expression that she wasn't fooled by her lie. She wasn't a good liar at all./And I have no talent for survival/

- "I just need to... adjust a little before..."

- "I understand perfectly. Most of the girls who come here have to."

//But they are certainly not as afraid as I am//

Peaches reached behind her and handled Aurore a key.

- "You have room number 214."

- "Thanks a lot", said the young girl as she reached for her luggage, trying not to wince at the pain in her back. She turned to Peaches and grinned for the first time since she arrived.

- "Thanks for your welcoming."

- "We like people feeling very welcomed here. And if you need help..."

- "I know. //I just hope I'm not going to crumble in front of her// Thanks again, Peaches."

Peaches looked her as she was slowly and awkwardly walked to the staircase, surprised that she didn't take the elevator. She climbed upstairs and disappeared from view.

- "She seems nice, but she behaves oddly. And she's quite a shy one", she thought. She wondered if Aurore was going to adapt to the Nest. She realised she has forgot to tell her that her English was good. For a French girl.

Aurore arrived at Room 214 totally out of breath. She dumped her two suitcases and rucksack on the floor, searching for her keys in her jeans' pocket. She wished her arms hurt less as she tried to put the key in the lock and turn it. Her hand was shacking from carrying her bags and she had to try third times before succeeding in opening the door. Damn, was she already getting too old to carry heavy things ?

She didn't really look around as she literally drag her belongings inside. She closed the door and leaned against it, letting out a sigh of relief which caught in her throat when she finally took a look at her surroundings. She realised that her room was indeed a suite and a big one. She was standing in what she would have called a living room with a sofa and two comfortable armchairs, all in pale green leather and that warm honey coloured pine she liked so much, with a sideboard in the same wood. The walls were papered in a pale yellow and there was a ventilator at the panelled ceiling. She noticed the parquet floor and her eyes widened when she saw the really big TV in the corner. There was even a Dolby Prologic sound system and... Was that a DVD player ? She took a few steps to find an impressive collection of DVDs, mostly RC's movies, some wich she had never seen, like Heaven's Burning or The Silver Brumby. //This must be Heaven. Yeah, that's it. I've died in a car crash and now I'm in Heaven.// And of course, there was a high quality hi fi. She was glad she had brought some of her favourite albums.

She didn't dare to move further, almost afraid all that would vanish if she did. And she finally noticed the framed pictures on the walls. Her eyes widened. //That *is* weird.// All the photos, colour prints or painting were about Ancient Egypt. Photos of a felucca on the Nile with Karnak Temple in the background, the Great Pyramids with the usual Sphinx, Queen Hatchepsut Temple, Touthankamun's gold mask, old paintings of the 19th century representing famous Egyptian monuments before their restoration... Jesus, there were little reproductions of a goddess Bastet statuette and the famous Nefertiti's bust on the top of the sideboard. It seemed like someone knew she was fascinated by Ancient Egypt and had... She shook her head. She really didn't want to find any explanations for the moment. She'd ask to Peaches. All that she wanted to know was that she already liked the warm and luminous room.

She headed towards the two doors which probably led to the bedroom and opened them. She froze at the sight of what must be the most beautiful bedroom she had never seen. The first thing she noticed was the canopied bed in the same pine wood used in the entry, with gauzy white curtains and a wooden chest at the foot. She looked around : all the furniture was made in the same warm coloured pine wood. There were two nightstands, a very large armchair near the French doors leading to a balcony, a chest of drawers and a dresser too, with an old-fashioned silver mirror, a white marble table, little drawers and a cushioned stool. She had always dreamt of having a dresser like that but had never found one she really liked.

The whole bedroom was in pink colours. The floor was covered with a thick rosewood carpet which begged to be stepped on barefoot and the walls were covered with a pale rose wallpaper with small rosewood flowers on it. It remembered her a wallpaper she had seen in the Royal Pavilion in Brighton several years ago. There were two wooden doors besides the dresser and she tentatively opened the first one. She grinned broadly. A dressing-room ! With drawers and shelves everywhere and so much hangers she was sure to have enough of them in spite of all the clothes she'd brought. She had the same weird feeling as in the entry. It was as if someone had read her mind and made the bedroom of her dreams. She grabbed the handle of what was probably the bathroom door. //I wonder if there is...//

The first thing she saw almost made her jump for joy : a big jacuzzi tub, at the floor level. She'd always wanted to know what it was like to be in a jacuzzi tub... The whole bathroom was panelled : the walls, the ceiling and the floor. It was warm and welcoming. There was a shower large enough for two. She slightly blushed at the unexpected thought. She looked down at her crumpled jeans and tee-shirt and grimaced. She really needed a good shower and some fresh clothes, but she wanted to take care of her belongings so she could feel more at home.

As she was heading for her luggage still at the entrance, her eyes caught a glimpse of blue through the French doors. No, it was impossible...

She had not bothered to go near the French doors until now, she was too overwhelmed by her surroundings and... Well, she new she would probably never be able to put a foot on the balcony because of her fear of heights. Every time she stood on a balcony, she could visualize the empty space below and she imagined the thinness of the balcony floor which could break at any second... She took a deep breath, pushing the awful thought away. At least, she could look at the view without going on the balcony, even if she knew it wasn't the same thing. She stepped nearer and opened the French doors as she stared at the blue spot in the distance. An unmistakable smell of salt air and spray came to her nostrils. She knew that smell, she lived near the sea and liked walking along the beach very often.

It was still impossible, though. She was very far from any coast, she was sure of it. But the sea was here and she could see a little bit of a beach. Where was that place exactly?! Was it in a sort of time warp ? A parallel world ? An another question she would have to ask to Michelle or Peaches. Or there was anyone else she could ask !

Well, she'd better not torture her poor brain with that. So, there was a sand beach, far better than the little shingle Norman beach she was used to. She smiled. She now had a project for the afternoon : walking on the beach and having a paddle in the water which should be warm judging by the air temperature. She really had to unpack and take a shower now.

She saw the last surprise of her room as she headed to the entry : little speakers almost hidden in her bedroom so she could listen to music here too without putting the volume up too loud.

She was dying to go to the beach so she unpacked and showered very quickly. She dressed in white stretch pants, a tight rosewood tee-shirt and leather sandals, her usual makeup : only mascara and lipstick. She was feeling nervous again at the thought of leaving her room because it means meeting strangers. Or worse, people she had already seen before... on a screen. She sighed deeply. There was no cure to her lack of self-confidence. She couldn't stay in her room for two weeks !

She grabbed her purse and headed to the door. She stopped by the mirror in the living room to take a quick look at her appearance to reassure herself. She wasn't very tall, only 5"2', rather slender but curvy. Especially her upper body, a fact she had always hidden with very large shirts until a few years ago when a friend told her she envied her breasts. Very small hands and feet, blonde-streaked auburn hair that almost fell to the base of her neck and complimented blue-green eyes, full chiselled lips, a very pale complexion. She shrugged at what she saw //Well, very average looking//.

She stand in front of the door, her right hand on the knob.//Come on girl, nobody's going to eat you// She lifted her chin and finally left the room.

She had spotted a path near the Tavern, one which seemed to lead to the beach. At first, she had no intention of entering the Tavern, she just wanted to spend a little more time by herself to get accustomed to the place.//Cheater and liar. You're a coward// It was that annoying voice in her head which had just spoken. That little voice which always interfered with her lonely pursuits, pushing her towards other people each time she tried to avoid them. She knew that voice very well, she had known it since her childhood. She hated that little annoying voice most part of the time, but she knew that that voice just wanted to help her, even when she tried to ignore it.

She was very thirsty. She had not drunk anything for a while. When she had been busy unpacking, she had ignored the nagging dryness in her throat. But now it was here again, stronger than ever and she knew she couldn't go all afternoon without drinking something. She looked back at the hotel. There was a mini bar in her room... //No way ! You're going to drink something *here* !// It was the voice again. She stopped in her tracks for a few moments, still hesitating. For God's sake, she hadn't heard about someone ever being murdered there. Why was she so unsure of what to do ?

She took a deep breath for the umpteenth time since she arrived at the Nest and decided that the walk on the beach could wait a little longer.

It was not what she had imagined it would be. It was welcoming and warm like the hotel, but also intimate and comfy. She was not used to go bars alone. Well, it was more accurate to say she didn't go to bars at all.

She almost felt relieved to see that the place was empty, even the counter was deserted. Had she missed a "Closed" sign somewhere ? She returned to the door : nothing. She shrugged and half-smiled : so much for her hesitations in coming here.

Ok, she was going to wait for someone to appear. She spotted a booth in the back of the tavern and seated herself comfortably, observing her surroundings. There was a dance floor, a juke-box and a staircase with a landing just above the bar. She wondered what was upstairs. She became a bit agitated, her hands moving nervously. She needed to relax a bit. She reached in her purse and pulled out a book she had begun to read in the plane.

She was so intent on her book that she didn't see or hear the man coming back from the store room. He noticed her only after several seconds because she was sitting very far from the bar, cornered in the booth. He didn't know her, she was probably a newcomer.//Well, it's time to welcome her//, he thought with a grin.

- "G'day"

He spoke softly but she gasped sharply, nearly dropping her book as she looked up at him with frightened eyes.

- "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare ya", he said with a warm smile.

Her heart was pounding so hard that she was sure he could hear it. She was probably blushing like mad. The man who stood in front of her was casually dressed. He had sparkling and gentle blue-green eyes and long wavy hair. She couldn't believe it, even though she knew where she was : she was looking at Jeff Mitchell. She knew he would be at the Nest, but going from theory to reality was a bit more unsettling than she had thought. She could handle the place, the hotel, the tavern, even the beach and the sea but it was weird to see a movie character standing before her three-dimensional and talking. How would she react when she met the others ? Maximus, for example. Considering the effect he had on her when he was on-screen, she just didn't want to imagine her reaction when she met him.

She realised her mind had been wandering and that she was staring mutely at Jeff.

She hoped her voice hadn't run away to hide somewhere and she tried to answer.

- "Hi", was all she managed. Was that squeak her voice ? He was one of her RC favourite incarnations and all she could manage was "hi" ?!

Jeff tried to break the ice with a bit of humour, hoping she was going to be receptive.

- "Ya know, I think ya must have sunstroke or somethin', your face is red"

To his amusement and pleasure, the shy girl gave him a startled look and burst into laughter. //Good, she's very nervous but she's not uptight// She could have been vexed by the joke. She had a rather resounding laugh, in sharp contrast with her discreet and soft appearance. But it was a communicative laughter and he soon found himself laughing with her.

All the stress left her like a wave rolling from the sand far into the sea. Despite her shyness, she could be very talkative when she felt comfortable with someone. She had always liked Jeff and he wasn't a threat for her. She wondered where the last thought had come from and just tossed it aside.//Later// She would think about that later.

- "It's all your fault if I'm red", she said in a playful voice, the one she only used when she was completely relaxed with someone. "You're the first one of the...er...boys I've met since I'm here" She had nearly said "incarnation" but thought it might not be a good choice of words.

He nodded understandingly and frowned. She had a soft voice, but her accent...

- "Ya're not a pom, aren't ya ?"

She blushed slightly and thanked God for understanding some strine.

- "No, I'm from France", she said with a smile and a bit of pride on the last word.

- "Crickey ! You're the first French girl to come here !" A realization drawned on him. "So ya probably don't know me : I'm..."

- "Jeff Mitchell", she finished, stifling a giggle. "France is not an uncivilised country, you know. We have the magic boxes with the little people living in it and telling stories. I've seen "The Sum of Us" several times thanks to a friend. It's indeed one of my favourite Russell's movies"

Her eyes widened as she saw a pink colouration spreading from the base of his neck to his chin. He was blushing. She had made Jeff Mitchell blush !

- "Ta...", he begun. "Thank ya", he corrected, not knowing if she had understood him. "I'm sorry for the... I didn't mean to offend ya..."

This time, she giggled frankly.

- "I thought you would know I was teasing you ! No offence taken, really. In fact, a great deal of people in my country don't know about "The Sum of Sum" at all.

He smiled, relieved. She was nice and he wanted her to feel at ease because he knew the newcomers were always disoriented their first time at the Nest.

- "By the way, my name is Aurore", she added.

He raised an eyebrow, which made Aurore's heart leap in her chest.//Calm down girl. I know he's handsome and charming but he's not playing for your team, remember ?//

- "Aurore ?", he repeated hesitantly. He had done his best but he new the pronunciation was bungled.

- "I promise you will get used to it", she said, trying to keep a straight face as a chuckle was caught in her throat. He had killed her name but he wasn't the first. She had an idea.

- "Why don't you call me Dawn ? It's the English equivalent of my first name and it would be easier for you to pronounce"

He thought for a short moment.

- "Nah, I prefer Aurore", he said with a grin, slaying the pronunciation again and fully aware of it. "And I can still call ya "mate" ".

Aurore smiled and there was a short pause.

- "What..." "I...", they begun together. They giggled.

- "Ya first, ya're the guest", said Jeff.

- "I'm very thirsty and I wondered if you had some Coke with a lot of ice cubes"

- "Sure. I was going to ask ya if ya wanted somethin'. I'll be back in a tick !"

He kept his promise and put the biggest glass of Coke she had ever seen on the table less than a minute later.

- "Wanna eat somethin' with that ?"

- "I don't know..."

Her stomach growled, a perfectly timed answer. She blushed slightly, feeling awkward. Jeff just grinned.

- "I think that's a "yes". We've got doughnuts"

She looked up and smiled.

- "Yes, it would be nice, I think I'm hungry, I haven't eaten anything since the meal in the plane"

He returned to the bar and brought her two delicious-looking doughnuts. She had already drunk half her Coke and the feeling of dryness in her throat had disappeared. Jeff thought she might want to be left alone considering her nervousness when he first spoke to her, so he turned to return to the bar when he heard her speak his name bashfully :

- "Jeff ?"

He looked at her.

- "Yeah ?"

- "You... Have you time to... Do you... Do you want..." //Oh God, is this going to get out of my mouth ?!// She was always furious when she stammered and she stammered even more when she was furious. She stuttered a lot when she was a child. Other children laughed at her and told her she was mentally retarded. She could almost hear Jeff laughing at her now. But he didn't. He was just smiling at her, his head tilted on one side.

- "Ya don't wanna drink with the flies, that's it ?"

She relaxed again, understanding he would never make fun of her. How could she had thought that ?

- "No, I don't", she answered. "That's what I was desperately trying to tell you. Do you want to join me ? I have an extra doughnut", she smiled, playfully holding the doughnut up at him as if she was tempting a dog.

- "If ya present it that way, I can't resist. But I don't want this one, ya've put your dirty fingers all over it", he said with mock disgust. He made a face at her as he was sitting in front of her.

- "Hey ! My fingers are not dirty !", she protested with a fake offended look on her face as she took the other doughnut to extend it to him with a wicked smile. Jeff played along.

- "Oh no, they're both contaminated now !", he said, crossing his two indexes together as to repel some vampire. Aurore laughed heartily and just put the doughnut on top of his two crossed fingers, which made them both laugh harder. Everyone who entered the Tavern then would have seen two people playing together like foolish kids.

Finally, Aurore managed to eat her doughnut in less than a second and Jeff stared at her, surprised.

- "I think ya better eat this one too. Looks like someone was very hungry" He gave her the last doughnut and she felt the laugher rumbling again in her chest.

- "You're joking ! *You* have contaminated this one !", she said between chuckles.

- "Yeah, it's full of poofta germs, it's highly dangerous !", he answered in a mock warning tone.

She stopped laughing, astonished to hear such a word from *his* mouth.

- "Oh, so you're afraid of poofta germs", he said, pointing playfully at her with his left finger. He knew why she had reacted like that and wanted to keep that joyful atmosphere between them.

- "No, of course, not. It's just that word you just used..."

- "It's what I am, luv"

- "Yes... but it's not..."

- "I know what ya wanna say but if it's okay for me to say it, it's okay for ya to hear it", he said peering at her.

She smiled to let him know she understood. All seemed to be simple with Jeff. No judgment, just friendship and laughter.

There was then a moment of silence as she begun to eat her second doughnut but it wasn't an awkward silence. Suddenly she spoke up without really thinking about what she was going to say.

- "Where is that place exactly ? There's a beach and it's not supposed to be near any coast from what I know"

Jeff looked at her with a lopsided smile.

- "We don't know, luv. We're not even sure how you all come here"

She was taken aback by his answer.

- "You don't know ?! You mean you've been living here for..." Her brows knitted. "How long have you been here ? I mean..." She realised there were a great deal of things she didn't know about the Nest and that she had a bunch of questions to ask.

- "That's an answer I can give ya. We all come here after the end of our movies. It's a hard time for all of us at the beginning here. I believed that the world I was living in was real. I was leaving the park with my dad and suddenly I had ended here. Without my dad"

She felt a tug at her heart as she realised how painful it must have been for him. She had never thought of it that way.

- "Oh, I'm sorry Jeff" She didn't know what else to say.

- "Ya don't have to. Some of my brothers were already here and they helped me to adjust to the life in the Nest. I'm happy now, even if I miss my dad sometimes. I wonder if he is well..."

- "I'm sure he is", she said spontaneously.

- "Yeah", he replied, but there was still a hint of sadness in his eyes. "Ya know, we can go back in our worlds if we want. Some of us do it sometimes but some are not very enthusiastic about it"

An image of Maximus fighting for his life in the arena popped up in her mind. No wonder some of them were happy to just stay at the Nest. Something crossed her mind.

- "Can you... Can you bring someone from the real world with you in your fictional world?"

Jeff had a lopsided smile which looked more like a grimace. She seemed to adjust quickly to the oddness of the place.

- "Yes, we've just discovered that but... There has been some... problems with that and we sort of decided not to use that possibility without being very cautious", he finished.

Her eyes narrowed. He was very cryptic and she could sense there was more than he wanted to say but she didn't want to push him further on a subject that seemed to be... delicate.

- "But we can come in your world if ya come with us or if..." He looked at her, hoping she would understand. "There's a girl here, Michelle, who has a precious gift. She can guide us outside the Nest to your world. Without her, we couldn't go in your world alone and we couldn't come back either. But she rarely does it, it's very tiring for her and it could be dangerous for her health"

//Oh sweet Jesus, it's Star Trek again// She must have made a funny face because she heard Jeff chuckle softly.

- "Ya want some aspro ?"

- "Ah, ah, very funny, Jeff. The more I learn about that place the more it's weird. I'm almost expecting to be beamed up in the Enterprise"

He laughed, his eyes sparkling.

- "I certainly can understand. We have discovered these facts as we went along and it was sometimes very hard to believe even if we had witnessed it"

- "You know, I have always loved science-fiction stories and I think I'm gonna have a kick here"

- "Glad ya don't want to run to your car and leave !"

- "I don't have came all the way from France to run away because that place is awful", she said with a raised eyebrow. Jeff flashed her that killer grin she was sure all RC's incarnations had //God, this is only Jeff and look at the effect he has on me. I'm going to be in big trouble soon// She looked around to briefly turn away from his face.

- "Is it always so... quiet, here ?"

- "There's not very many people early in the afternoon but I can assure ya it's pretty animated in the evening. In fact, it's deserted today cause a lot of the boys have left to help Liz and Annabella to pick up supplies and food. They should be here soon, though"

He saw her stiffen at his last words. She finished her drink quickly.

- "Listen, er... I don't want to be impolite but I... wanted to go to the beach and I had just stopped here for a drink and..." She was torn between her urgent need to leave and not sounding like she wanted to get ridden of Jeff because that was not the case. Jeff didn't understand. She had seemed perfectly relaxed a second ago and now she was in a hurry to leave the Tavern. Her demeanour had changed when he had mentioned the others' return.

- "No worries, luv, he reassured her. I'm just sorry I can't go to the beach with ya. I have to tend bar"

- "I... I understand" She got up and picked her book and her purse. Jeff caught a glimpse of the book's cover.

- "Now I know why you're here", he teased with a mischievous grin.

Confused, Aurore followed his gaze and saw her Gladiator novelization. She blushed. She knew what he was thinking. She cast him a "none of your business" look and he just continued to grin.

She was turning to leave.

- "I hope we will see ya here tonight, luv" Gee, she had hoped he was not going to ask that. She hesitated.

- "They don't bite, ya know. Well, maybe if ya ask 'em" He regretted saying that immediately, no matter how much he couldn't help making the joke. She was blushing the deepest shade of red he had ever seen. But she was resourceful.

- "Good, a vampire's nest, all I needed ! May I cut you head off ?"

She was rewarded by that high pitched giggle she found so cute.

- "No, ta. I think I want to keep my head on my shoulders !"

He walked her to the door.

- "Luv yar hair colour", he simply said. Her face turned pink again //She's not used to be complimented//

- "It's not my real colour"

- "Yeah, it's obvious, ya know."

She made an offended face and playfully swatted him on his stomach.

- "Goujat !"

He frowned.

- "What ?!"

- "It means "boor" in French", she answered. She had spoken in French on purpose.

- "So, I see ya tonight, ok ?" He looked directly at her with those puppy dog eyes //No, not that look. It's unfair !// She knew she had lost the fight.

- "All right", she whispered. "I'll be here"

- "Beaut ! Have a nice arvo, luv"

He waved at her as she headed to the path.

She smiled to herself as she recalled her time in the Tavern with Jeff and how they had been so playful. She knew she had been relaxed with him because she was sure he wasn't trying to flirt with her. He wasn't a threat.

That thought again. She didn't understand where it came from. It wasn't like she had been assaulted before. Maybe it came from her need to protect herself from any harm and to stay in control of her emotions. She rarely let herself go ; she had to size up the people in front of her before. Fortunately, she has a knack for that.

She walked along the path, lost in her thoughts when she was startled to feel unstable ground under her feet. She was now walking on the sand, the beach spreading on both of her sides with the deep blue sea in front of her. Paradise. There even were palms in the distance.

She took off her sandals and rolled up her pants to mid-calf length. Now she was ready for a walk on the beach. She decided to go left.

The sun had already warmed the sand and she guessed it will be so hot later than no one could walk barefoot on it. She walked aimlessly for some time, her sandals in her hands, leisurely observing the wonderful landscape. At some point, her instincts directed her towards the waves and she followed it, sighing deeply at the pleasure of feeling the fresh water on her feet and ankles.

That beach was very different from any beach she had known. No children running everywhere and splashing her with cold water, no people yelling after them and no dog to urinate on her bag. She giggled at the memory. That beach was peaceful. It was the right place to think and relax, she was glad she had chosen to come here.

She recalled what Jeff had said to her before she left, "Now, I know why you're here" and she remembered Peaches' mysterious words. A connection with a character... Was she here because of someone in particular ? She went over her mind the RC movies she had seen. She really liked some of the characters but she couldn't name one she liked more than the others. She shrugged. Maybe she had no connection, maybe she was not here for someone but for something. The first reason which came to her mind was she was here to learn to loosen up a little and dare to be herself, for a change. Well, it looked like it had not very well begun.

After a while, she felt a little tired and thought it would be better if she walked back and just sat on the beach. She took a step on the sand and realised she had forgotten something //Gee, I don't have a towel// She walked a little further, put down her shoes and rummaged in her purse. Two tissues, it was better than nothing. She returned to the water and wiped her cleaned feet with the tissues. It would have to do it. She put her sandals back and continued to walk back.

After a few minutes, she suddenly spotted someone sitting under a palm in the distance, reading. She screw up her eyes, wondering who could it be. That's when she saw the shaven head. She knew only one RC's character who had his head shaven and she was sure she didn't wanted to meet him. She stood in place for a second, her heart beating madly in her chest and her mind racing to find a solution. She had to disappear from the beach before he had a chance to see her and she couldn't head back to the path she had came from, it was too near him. She turned and started to walk at a quick pace until she saw a path on her right she hadn't noticed before, when she was lost in her thoughts. She didn't care where it lead, she just wanted to get away from here and fast. She cast a last look behind her to see that Hando had apparently not seen her because he was lost in his reading. Well, she would not take any chances.

After a few minutes of walking quickly, she begun to relax and allowed herself a pause to roll down her pants legs. Her surroundings were very unfamiliar but here everything was unfamiliar to her, except maybe her room //Well, the best way to know where that path leads is to follow it// She hoped she could catch an other path back to the hotel somewhere. Aurore glanced at her watch. She still had plenty of time until the evening, realising she had finally decided to go to the Tavern. When Jeff had asked her, she had accepted with the thought that she might not show up, instead staying in her room to watch some movies. But she knew he would be at the Tavern waiting for her and she couldn't stand up such a nice guy. Besides, she had had a great time with Jeff and she wanted to chat with him again //Too bad he is...// Oh well, she had already gone there before.

She felt a sudden chill in the atmosphere and had goose bumps on her arms. What was that ? It was still too early in the afternoon for a rapid temperature drop //I should have taken a vest// She continued to walk, growing colder with each step. She just had crossed her arms on her chest in a vain attempt to protect herself against the cold when she saw the last thing she would ever have expected to see.

- "Merde", she muttered in her native language. She had grown accustomed to the idea of having a beach here but that... Just slightly ahead of her, the path was covered with snow. She stared blankly at it for a moment, completely astonished. Maybe it was fake ? Snow so close to a tropical beach was impossible. She tentatively stepped on it and she heard the inimitable crunch of the fresh snow. She reached down and took a handful of it. It was cold with that particular fresh sent she liked so much. She had had very snowy winters until she was thirteen years old and moved to Normandy. She was now aware that she had missed the snow very much. The real snow, not that stuff that sometimes fell in Normandy and melted two hours after.

It was completely awful. One minute she was walking on sand and the next on snow. And now her toes were beginning to ache from the frost. // Great, I had to wear a pair of sandals, didn't I ?!// She didn't know where she were exactly and all she could do is to follow the path, wherever it led. Maybe it would have been a better idea to stay at the Tavern talking with Jeff. Well, it was too late to think about that now.

She walked very fast, the cold snow insinuating itself in her sandals and the frost making her shiver. She rounded a curve in the path and stopped abruptly, momentarily forgetting the temperature. Her mouth dropped.

- "What the..."

Ice. Very large, black ice... It was the pound. The pound of Mystery, Alaska. For a mad second, she thought she had been brought in the fictional world of the movie but there was a big building next the pound that was not there in the film. She felt the beginnings of a headache and she didn't know if it was because of the cold or because of her intense thinking. Ok, she had to be practical and stop thinking too much. She must go into that building, maybe there would be someone to help her.

She noticed a little footpath when she got closer to the building. It led to a blue door. She followed her instincts and was soon walking through a short tunnel. She still didn't know where she was exactly but at least the temperature was much more bearable. She exited the tunnel to found herself standing in the middle of many rows of seats. The building was indeed an ice rink and it was quite big. It was the first time she had been in such a place and she scanned her surroundings for a while.

What surprised her a little were the movie posters. Even if she had never been in an ice rink before, she knew it was unusual. Of course, they were RC's films : Gladiator, LA Confidential and Mystery, Alaska. There was a huge one of Gladiator, particularly beautiful and she gazed at it, lost in her memories of the movie.

But she grew cold again. The place was not as warm as she had thought first, it had just been the sharp temperature contrast with the outside. Maybe she could grab something here, anything to keep her from freezing on her way back to the hotel. She remembered her idea of finding someone to help her. She cleared her throat.

- "Hello ? Is there anybody ?!" Her voice echoing in the huge place almost made her gasp. She was afraid of her own voice. She snickered to herself. Since there were no answer, it seemed that she was alone here and that she would have to manage by herself.

She went down the concrete stairs she found on her left. Her idea was to find a locker room, hoping there would be some warm clothes left here. Her search was successful after a short walk around the rink. She wasn't mistaken, a door plate identified the room. She was prepared to smell strong odours like sweat and feet but the locker room smelled fresh. //Probably a cleaning product//, she thought as she noticed the immaculate floor.

She had been slightly surprised to find the door open, as she had been when she had entered the ice rink. But this was the Nest and it seemed that nobody was afraid of burglars. She took a quick glance around and spotted something on a shelf. //There is a God//. It was a blue sweater with black socks. She hesitated before taking them. They were clean and neatly folded and she didn't knew who they belonged to. She shook her head and took them. She needed them more now than their owner.

Well, the clothes certainly belonged to a man. She had slipped into the sweater which was at least three size too big and almost knee length. She have had to roll up the sleeves. And the socks... She couldn't help but laugh. The socks were 10 inches too long and they were so thick she had great difficulties putting her sandals on again. The result was quite hilarious. With a bit of luck, she wouldn't encounter anybody on the way back to the hotel and could take off the extra clothes soon after leaving the snowy and cold area. Then she would ask Jeff or Peaches if they knew the owner ; she would clean the clothes before returning them, of course.

She stepped out of the locker room with a smile on her face which grew larger at the sight of an instant coffee machine. Great, she was dying to drink something hot. She chose a hot cocoa and began to get warmer after several sips in addition to the clothes she was wearing.

The sound of somebody clearing his throat made her jump out of her skin. She choked on her drink and began to cough. She heard footsteps growing nearer.

- "I'm sorry, I didn't want to frighten you. Are you ok ?", said a voice close to her ear. She had already heard those words before. Did they all want to scare her to death ?!

The voice was somewhat familiar but she couldn't put a name on it. She slowly turned around to encounter a pair of bemused but gentle blue eyes. Of course, she should have guessed. John Biebe. Great. She probably had his clothes on and was wearing the most ridiculous outfit she had never wore of her whole life. Just fucking great. He was looking at her and he was trying to keep a straight face but she could see the twinkle in his eyes and the slight quivering at the corners of his lips.

- "You can laugh if you want. I've laughed when I've seen myself. I think they are yours ?"

He became more serious and nodded. The first words she had thought when she had saw him were "giant Teddy Bear". Except she didn't usually have the thoughts she was having now when she looked at a Teddy Bear. She realised she had spoken to him naturally, without feeling awkward. It was because she knew him. She was alone in a remote place with a man taller and stronger than her but she was not afraid or worried because she knew he was honest and gentle. She had never thought about it, but she indeed had an advantage on all the boys in the Nest : she knew who they were. It must be embarrassing for them to meet strangers who already knew all the details of their pasts.

She tried not to stare too obviously at John but it was a bit hard. He was positively handsome. "Well fed", uh ? Too bad Charlie Fucking Danner wasn't here. She would have made him sing soprano for the rest of his life.

- "I'm sorry for your clothes but I was literally freezing and I found them in the locker room."

He shook his head with a smile. //Oh no, not The Biebe Smile//

- "You don't need to be sorry, you had a good reason to put them on. I must have forgotten them the last time I trained here. I'm happy I've been able to help."

His voice was deep, quiet and soothing with a strange accent which reminded her Frenchmen speaking English, with a hint of something else she couldn't define. He extended his hand.

- "I'm John Biebe."

- "I know : sheriff of Mystery, Alaska", she completed with a bashful smile. Her tiny hand was engulfed in his huge one for a second. "I'm Aurore and I have a strange accent because I'm a French girl."

He chuckled.

- "Good, now I won't be the only one to have a strange accent here, Aurore."

She froze. He had almost perfectly pronounced her first name. Maybe it was because of his own accent. Or perhaps he had French-Canadian origins.

John suddenly frowned slightly, his sheriff side showing a bit.

- "You know, you should have come here with warmer clothes. You could catch a cold."

- "I know but I hadn't planned to come here, I didn't know that that place existed. I was walking on the beach when I saw Hando and..."

- "Did he...", cut in a very worried John.

- "He had done nothing to me. In fact, I don't think he has seen me. He was reading, seated under a palm and I was far from him. But I was scared when I've recognized him and I've left the beach by the first path I've found. And then I was here, frozen to the bone !"

- "So, you've seen Romper Stomper ?"

- "Yes, but I've been able to watch it only one time. It was too much disturbing to see Russell playing such a character."

- "So you know what Hando is capable of ?"

- "Oh yes !"

- "He has changed a bit since he had encountered Syrena. He's a little more... sociable, though he still spends most of his time alone or with Syrena when she's here. But I still think it's not totally safe to meet him alone", he finished.

She could almost read his thoughts as he looked at her. She was petite, she seemed fragile and easy to scare. She would be the perfect victim for Hando. Or for...

- "I know about Sid, too", she said as John was about to speak of him. He had the weird impression that she had read his mind. "I will do anything to not meet him, he really creeps me out, more than Hando, perhaps."

- "I'm glad to hear that. Sid has a knack of finding the newcomers and harassing them. He can't kill anyone here but..."

- "He's still a pain in the ass", she finished with a grin. John grinned back. "I've heard some stories and I will stay away from him." //Yes, but will he stay away from you ?// She suddenly thought that she was not attractive enough to draw Sid's attention on her, anyway.

- "Great". He decided to change the topic of conversation. "Have you met the others ?"

- "Not really, just Peaches and Jeff. Jeff Mitchell. I've been only here for less than 3 hours, you know."

- "Too bad you arrived today, we were all busy helping Liz and Annabella with the supplies."

This was the second time she heard those names pronounced with respect.

- "Who are Liz and Annabella ?"

- "Liz is the owner of the Tavern and Annabella is the chef resident."

- "Oh." She realised something. "So, you're all back here, now ?"

- "Yes."

Oh, this was just going great. Now, she could meet any of the boys in that ridiculous outfit. He saw the change on her face. She seemed stunned.

- "Are you ok ?"

- "Yes. No. I should go, I don't want to meet anyone... like that", she gestured at her clothes.

- "You know, er... That's not..."

- "Don't search something nice to say, you won't find", she chuckled and he responded by a mischievous grin.

- "I can walk you back to the hotel", he seriously offered then.

- "You came here for skating, didn't you ?"

- "Yes", he reluctantly answered.

- "I don't want you to walk me to the hotel and then return here. It would be a loss of time. Just show me the way back and I will go back by myself."

He hesitated.

- "You sure ?"

- "Quite sure. In fact, I would have like to watch you skate but it seems I'm not in the appropriate outfit", she finished with a grimace.

He seemed surprised.

- "You would have ?"

- "Of course, I've liked to watch you skate in your movie." //God, it's weird to say that, "your movie"//

For the second time of the day, she saw an handsome man blush because of her. She would have never thought they could blush so easily.

- "Really ? You like hockey ?"

- "In fact, I don't know very much about hockey, it's not a very popular sport in France. We have teams but the matches are not broadcasted a lot on TV. Better say they're not broadcasted at all. But I've enjoyed watching your team playing against the New York Rangers. It was thrilling."

The pink colour in John's cheeks deepened.

- "Oh... I... Thank you."

- "I could say that I loved your film too but you're going to be as red as your gloves, so...", she said in a wicked tone.

- "You're right, don't say it to me", he chuckled. But she could see the sparkle of joy and pride in his eyes.

- "John, I really like your company but..."

- "I'll show you the way."

She followed him, climbing the concrete stairs and walking through the tunnel again. She tried no to peer at his backside but even with his coat, it was hard not to. //Think straight, girl, think straight//

She felt the bite of the cold air again as they emerged outside. She looked at the pound and turned to John.

- "John, how...", she stopped, trying to find the best formulation for her question, looking at the pound again.

He followed her gaze.

- "Why is it here ?"

She nodded.

- "It's a kind of a mystery. Peaches told me that it appeared few days before my arrival at the Nest. I was surprised and quite happy to find the pond here. I was disoriented and it was reassuring to see a part of my world. But I'm not the only one to have had that surprise."

Her eyebrows shot up her head.

- "You mean... There are others... things like that ?! Places of your worlds ?"

- "Exactly, but it's not only places. Argento and Scarto were already here when Maximus arrived, and East's horse, Nero, too. There was Lachlan's plane, Colin's car... You girls sometimes bring things too when you come here."

Her eyes went wider.

- "What ?! What could we bring ?"

- "Fictional places you love, the decoration of your rooms..."

- "I knew it ! My room was exactly what I've always wanted to have. God, it's almost scary."

- "You don't have to be scared. It's the Nest, it's like that."

She realised something.

- "But if... If there's new places adding each time, the Nest must be bigger than I thought."

- "We don't exactly know how it's big, we've never seen it's end, if it has one. It stretches with every new member, it seems."

//Perpetual expansion, like the Universe. Wow !//

- "And I thought I've heard all the weird things of the Nest with Jeff !!", she smiled. John suddenly frowned at the name.

- "He should have told you about Hando if he knew you wanted to go to the beach", said John, in sheriff mode again.

- "He didn't remembered, that's all. It's not his fault. Besides, there had been no harm done, John", she firmly answered.

Oh, this one wasn't as shy as he had thought first. She even might have a temper.

- "You're coming to the Tavern tonight ?", he said to lighten the atmosphere.

- "Yes."

- "Can I pick you at your room so you don't have to come into the Tavern alone ? I could introduce you to the people you haven't met yet."

It was a delicate attention and she couldn't refuse. It was John Biebe asking to accompany her at the Tavern, for Christ's sake !

- "It would be really kind of you, it's a good idea..." Her last words trailed off as he pushed back his long hair from his face. //Why did he have to do *that* ?! I'm not going to survive that place// She just hoped she wasn't blushing as red as she thought. But John spoke up, not noticing anything.

- "Good ! What about 7:30 ? Or is it too early ?"

- "No, it's perfect", she answered with a broad smile. //Calm down, girl.// She realised she had forgotten something. "Oh, my room is number 214, by the way."

- "I will be here at 7:30", he smiled gently. "Now, the way to the hotel."

- "Oh, yes." She had almost forgotten the cold but now she could feel her feet beginning to freeze again despite of the socks. She should leave quickly the area.

- "You see that path over there ?" He gestured to his left and she nodded. "You just have to follow it and you'll be at the hotel in 20 minutes. But you'll have left the cold area long before that."

- "Good, cause I'm already starting to feel cold again." She turned to look at him. "Thanks a lot, John."

- "Never mind, you would have found the path without me". He was sure of that. "See you tonight." He flashed her a killer Biebe smile.

- "See you tonight, John." And she headed to the path.

John was really gentle, nice, sweet and good looking. Too bad he had "Tina's" written all over his forehead, she thought with a smile. What a pity there aren't more men like him in the real world. She sigh unconsciously as she walked her way back to the warmth of her room.

As John had told her, the snow suddenly disappeared after several minutes of walk. It was as weird as when it had appeared before.

The path curved and she could see the hotel in the distance. The temperature had risen and she was now too warmly dressed. She stripped off John's sweater first and put it over her shoulders to have her hands free to remove the socks. She crouched to fasten her sandals again when a shadow appeared in front of her and then a pair of feet. Still crouching, she slowly looked up. Casual wear, broad chest and shoulders, a tanned face with a trimmed beard and vivid blue-green eyes, bluer than green. It was Maximus Decimus Meridius, Commander of the armies of the North, wearing jeans and a blue tee-shirt. She almost fell back on her butt. Thanks God, he wasn't wearing his tunic, or she would have probably passed out. He was staring at her curiously. She got up, a lump forming in her throat. He was quite impressive, even without his uniform.

- "Hello," he said very politely. "May I help you ?"

His baritone voice echoed through her. A voice that conveyed both natural authority and gentleness, an unusual combination.

She found her voice.

- "Hello". She was grateful to have met the boys one after one ; it was certainly less overwhelming. Well, almost.

He noticed her hesitancy and her bashfulness. He extended his hand.

- "I am Maximus", he said with a gentle smile that caused her heart to skip a beat.

- "I know. It's an honor to meet you, General", she answered seriously, meaning each word. She put her hand in his and to her surprise, he didn't shake it but he brought it close to his lips, bowing slightly. She stayed completely still for an instant, dumb struck. She forced herself to speak before he could begin to believe she was stupid.

- "I thank you but I don't need any help. I was just heading back to the hotel."

- "Oh, so you are staying here ?"

- "Yes..." She realised she hadn't presented herself. "My name is Aurore." She managed an half smile. God, he nearly paralysed her. //Breathe, girl, breathe//

He raised an eyebrow as Jeff earlier.

- "Aurore ?" Her eyes widened. He had pronounced her name perfectly.

- "Y... yes."

- "Like Aurora, the Goddess of Dawn who opens the East Doors to the sun every morning?"

She hadn't seen that one coming and she blushed a deep shade of red. No wonder he was pronouncing her name so well, it was very ancient and probably existed in Latin. She managed an answer.

- "I think, yes. I was born at dawn and my mother thought about that name."

He looked at her hesitantly before asking :

- "You are not from America, aren't you ?"

- "My accent have betrayed me again." He smiled that wonderful smile. "I'm from..." She was going to say "France" but she suddenly thought about something and tried to remember. "I'm from Gallia." It was worth remembering. His whole face lit up.

- "I have been there", he said. "It's a beautiful country."

- "Thanks. I'm living in Normandy, near the seaside, up North from... Lutetia."

He nodded, recognizing the name.

- "Lutetia Parisiorum ?"

- "Yes. It's called Paris, now."

- "And it has that huge metal structure..."

- "The Tour Effeil, yes", she said with a grin. She was beginning to relax. Maximus was the last person she would have thought of talking about Paris with.

- "May I walk you back to the hotel ?", he gallantly asked.

What was with these guys and walk her back to the hotel ? Not that she was complaining but it was becoming embarrassing.

- "No, thank you, I'll be fine. Go do what you were about to do. I will be at the Tavern tonight, anyway."

- "Oh nice. I will see you there, so." He bowed slightly and she smiled in return. Then she watched him heading wherever he was going to. A really impressive man.

"What was she doing with one of John's sweaters ?", he thought with a bemused smile.

She finally arrived at the hotel a few minutes later. Cort was a the desk ; he looked up at her entrance. She blushed, wondering if Peaches had told him about her almost running away at the mention of his name.

- "Hi", she said.

- "Hi ! You must be Aurore." She tried not to wince at the pronunciation.

- "Yes."

- "Welcome to the Nest", he said with a smile. Strangely, his eyes seemed greener than John's or Maximus'.

- "Thanks, Cort."

- "So, I don't need to present myself." His smile broadened.

- "No. I've seen The Quick and The Dead several times, I really love it."

- "Really ?" He seemed completely surprised.

- "Yes. I know that a lot of people don't like it but it's not my case. It's just a pity your uhh... character is so under-developed."

- "Tell me about it !", he chuckled. "I'm glad you liked the movie."

- "Can I ask you something ?"

- "Yeah."

- "Do you have a laundry service or anything like that ?"

- "Yeah, of course."

- "I would want to have this sweater and..." She rummaged in her purse... "those socks cleaned."

He looked at her, surprised.

- "These are John's", he said, trying to hold back a mischievous grin.

She became red from her neck to her hair roots.

- "Yes, I was cold and..."

- "You don't owe me any explanation", he cut with a grin, making her redden even more. "There's a basket in your bathroom, just put the clothes there and they'll be cleaned."

- "Oh, thanks", she answered, her face still pink.

Then the telephone rang and Aurore just waved at him before climbing the stairs to her room, not wanting to continue that sort of awkward conversation with him.