Chapter 11: Changes

May 2060

It had taken Sparrow a while to get accustom to the fact that all of her emotions were an open book to all of the leonine males in David's family, especially since so many of her emotions were tied up with David and her own self image. She had learned that even Cherry could sense her feelings when she touched her. Cherry was apparently the only female that had this ability and many believed it was the reason that David's empathic ability was so much stronger than the others. Although she sometimes got a bit embarrassed, she was no longer really bothered by it. She even occasionally joked with them about it.

It was late in the evening and Sparrow was on her computer working on her homework assignment. Three weeks ago she had gotten her GED and enrolled in an on-line college. She was deep in thought, trying to solve an algebra problem, when she felt a soft, warm, loving feeling gently wash over her and became aware of someone behind her. She turned around to see David standing behind her and smiling. She paused, looking at the leonine apparition with his fiery mane, his eyes glowing reddish-gold with reflected light from her desk lamp, and his fangs barely peeking out. The sight that had terrified her the first time she saw it now lightened her mood and made her smile.

"You felt me, didn't you." David remarked, his head cocked just a bit to the side.

At first David's comment didn't register then Sparrow's eyes opened wide as she realized that she had indeed felt David's emotions and, in fact, she was still just barely feeling the warm lovethat was coming from him. Feeling just a little bit dazed at the startling revelation, she nodded distractedly.

"It seems that you are beginning to tune in to the bond that we share." David remarked as he broke into a huge grin that left his fangs on full display. "Anyway back to why I came in here. It's well after dark and I just came in to ask you if you would like to take a break and go for a walk in the park with me."

Sparrow glanced at her homework a moment then at her darkened bedroom window and finally with a distracted shrug, saved her work and shut down her computer. "Yea, ah, a walk in the park sounds nice." She was still processing the idea that she was feeling David's emotions.

As they descended the stairs she continued to be acutely aware that she was still feeling the emotional warmth from David. She also began to detect a hint of humor from him as well. The emotions felt just like her own yet she could easily tell that they were not really hers. There seemed to be a kind of unique flavor to them that she associated with David.

David grabbed a dark cloak that was made of a very light, loose woven material, from the coat rack beside the fireplace and threw it on as they exited the brownstone. The moon was little more than a sliver and the only light in the park came from the street lights and the occasional lighted pathway. As they walked along Sparrow kept glancing at David in wonder as she continued to, just barely, feel his emotions. The most prevalent emotion was that wonderfully warm feeling of love that seemed to increase in intensity each time he glanced at her.

"There's someone coming." David remarked as he took her hand and pulled her off the path they were on. Eight seconds later a young couple strolled past them. Sparrow noticed that the girl was quite pretty then she felt a flash of erotic interest from the bond that went away before she had time to get jealous. She felt David's arm go around her shoulder and the feeling of warm love washed over her stronger than she had yet felt. She looked over at him and could just make out his face within his hood as he stared back at her. The reflected gleam of his eyes seemed to bore through her.

"Any normal, or in my case leonine, male can't help but notice when a very sexy girl passes by. It's a natural reaction and it has no effect on my feelings for you . . . except possibly to remind me how lucky I am to have you by my side."

He tightened his hold on her and kissed her forehead then almost without thought their lips met in what quickly became a very passionate kiss. This time she not only felt the usual effect of his kiss rush through her, she also felt his emotional reaction to their kiss as well. To her surprise, he was just as strongly affected as she was which caused a giddy kind of joy to well up inside and mix with the other emotions swirling through her.

~ o ~

About an hour later they had returned to the brownstone and soon ended up on the second floor library sofa together. Sparrow found that kissing David while being able to feel his emotions was the most incredible thing she had ever experienced and she just couldn't get enough. They were brought back to earth by the, louder than normal, sound of someone coming up the stairs. Two seconds later Charles and Elizabeth paused at the second floor landing and grinned at the young couple as they tried, unsuccessfully, to not appear flustered by the interruption.

"Goodnight kids." Charles remarked with a nod and a knowing grin. Then they continued up the stars.

Sparrow turned bright red. "They knew."

David laughed. "Of course they knew. That's just the way it is in this family."

~ o ~

As Sparrow lay in her bed that night she kept going over in her mind the events of the last few hours. Over the recent months she had begun to really believe that David actually did love her just the way she was, but now she had the irrefutable proof of his own emotions. When that sexy girl had passed them in the park, David's love had not wavered. Even now she could still feel his love enveloping her over the bond. She fell asleep to the unique glow of David's love for her.

~ x x x x x ~

Over the summer Sparrow's sense of David's emotions through their bond steadily got stronger and it was quite a revelation for her. She couldn't help but be aware that David's feelings for her were just as intense as hers were for him. The romance between Sparrow and David as well as their bond developed pretty much along expected lines. Sparrow had become comfortable and happy living in the brownstone thought having her bedroom adjacent to David's did often make it difficult to resist the temptation to let their relationship become too intense too fast.

The greatest revelation of the two way bond was Sparrow's discovery that the sight of her scars did not repulse David. The only emotions she had detected from him relating to her scars was an occasional mild sympathy whenever she was feeling self-conscious about them.

The fiery nightmares, that used to plague her sleep nightly, had faded away until they had become very few and far between. She assumed that the fact that she could always feel David's loving presence in her mind probably had a lot to do with it. And David was always there to bring her out of it on the very rare occasion when that nightmare tried to return.

Over the summer David also taught Sparrow how to gain some control over the bond including suppressing her side of it and how to project emotions over the bond. She was fascinated at all the possibilities the bond had opened up before her.

~ o ~

That June Elizabeth announced her retirement from the position of New York District Attorney and, at her recommendation, Clarissa was appointed as the interim DA.

Around the middle of July Peter's new book came out. This book was written for the adolescent market and was an immediate hit. Peter had used the names of Katy's and Sally's children for major characters in the book and it was dedicated to Matt, Katy, Sally, Chastity and Sparrow for their kind help in its creation. The day the new book began rolling off the press, Peter grabbed four copies and autographed one each for Katy and Sally's four children. The four kids were thrilled to get their own copies of the new book from their favorite writer. They were doubly thrilled to find themselves as characters in the book.

By now Sally had become a close friend of the Chandler-Wells family and a helper to the tunnel community. Matt and Katy also kept in contact with Peter and David. Even Chastity wrote to them a few times.

~ x x x x x ~

It was late in August and David and Sparrow were up on the rooftop garden cuddled in each other's arms, watching the rise of the full moon. David looked speculatively over at Sparrow a moment as an idea began percolating through his mind. "Sparrow, you do still have any doses left in that whiffer of yours?"

She knew that there were three or four doses left. "Yes, I still have a few." She could feel the flow of David's emotions and was very curious what he was up to. As far as she knew, there was nothing of any consequence going on below.

He grinned almost mischievously at her. "There is supposed to be a very good concert playing in the Central Park Band Shell tomorrow evening. Would you like to go to that concert with me?"

Her expression shifted to one of surprise. "How are you planning to do that?"

His grin got wider his eyes sparkled with suppressed humor. "That is a surprise. Will you go with me?"

After a moment she smiled back and replied. "I would love to go to the concert with you." He had certainly peaked her curiosity.. "If for no other reason than to see how you are going to pull this off."

"Good, then it's all set." David smiled as he took both of her hands and kissed them.

~ x x x x x ~

The next Evening David reminded her to take a squirt of her medicine as he packed up a picnic basket for two. He led her down into the tunnels and, after a bit of a walk, they ended up in a small rectangular concrete chamber that looked like it had once been a storm drain but there were obvious signs that this place was occupied quite often. She glanced out of the opening that ran around the walls just below the ceiling and was amazed and amused to see they were next to the band shell.

They nestled into the blankets and pillows that covered the floor of the small chamber and were soon cuddled together and listening to the beautiful music that wafted down through the heavy grate above them. During the first half of the concert they shared the picnic dinner that David had prepared and during the second half which included some very romantic music they made-out. They quickly found themselves skirting dangerously close to the line they were both trying not to cross too soon and had to force themselves to slow down. She could tell by David's tumultuous emotions that he had wanted it as much as she had. "Someday." She thought sighing to herself. "Someday."

By the time they had returned to the brownstone she had used the last of her special medicine but it had definitely been well worth it. She was still moving through a dreamy daze as she climbed into her bed.

~ x x x x x ~

November 2060

By the time Election Day came around in November Clarissa was the obvious choice and was easily elected as the new District Attorney by a wide margin. One week after the election Clarissa arrived at work an hour late after stopping at the court to pick up some important documents. A man and a woman were apparently waiting near her office.

The man approached her as she walked up. "Clarissa Winston?"

"Yes." She shook his hand. "What may I do for you, Mister? . . ."

"Farrow, Tony Farrow." He replied. Clarissa's eyebrows shot up to her hairline at the mention of that name as he continued. "We're in town for a week and I was hoping that you could put me in contact with my sister." He paused considering what to say. "I know you've been handling our letters through your office." He paused, seeming to gather himself. "Please, she's my only sister and I just want to see her to reassure myself that she is alright."

Clarissa could see the sincerity in his eyes. "I have a few things that I must take care of this morning and I can't promise anything, but if you will come back after lunch, say around two or so, I may have something for you."

At lunch Clarissa ran over to the bookstore where Sparrow worked. She found Sparrow near the back putting some new books on the shelves. She almost missed her because she was wearing her blond wig for a change. "Sparrow, there you are."

"Clarissa." Sparrow smiled. "What brings you in here, today?"

"I had a surprise visitor in my office this morning." Clarissa reached out and touched Sparrow's arm. "Your brother and his wife were waiting there for me this morning. He really wants to see you. I think that he really cares about you and he needs to see you in person for the sake of his own peace of mind." She paused giving Sparrow's arm a reassuring squeeze. "Whatever you decide you want to do, I will help any way I can."

Sparrow thought for a long time before she finally answered. "If he really wants to see me that bad, I guess I should at least meet him." She paused looking down at the stack of books on the cart. "I, I just don't think I can do this alone." She took a deep sigh of a breath and looked back up at Clarissa. "I just wish David could be there with me."

After a moment's thought Clarissa responded. "We could have the meeting at your home after you get off work. That way David could be close by. I can be with you as well if you want me there."

"What about Peter and Charles?" Sparrow asked worriedly. "How will they feel about this?"

Clarissa smiled and gave her arm another gentle squeeze. "I'm sure the boys won't mind making themselves scarce for a little while. They've done it before when there were guests visiting that weren't in the know."

"I would feel better meeting them there if it will be OK." She responded. "It would be nice if you were there too."

"In that case I will call Elizabeth to make all the arrangements. I'll meet you there after work and I'll bring your brother and his wife with me."

Clarissa was waiting for Tony when he came back. "Mister Farrow I have talked to Sparrow, ah Michelle and made arrangements for her to meet you this evening. If you will meet me here after work at six, I will take you to her."

"Thank-you, I really do appreciate this." He shook her hand.

~ o ~

A few minutes before six Tony and his wife showed up at Clarissa's office. She made a quick call to make sure they were ready at the family brownstone then led them down to the street. There was a cab already there waiting for them.

As they piled into the taxi Clarissa spoke to the driver. "Take us to the brownstone Cherry."

The very pretty red headed driver responded. "Sure thing, Clarissa." She glanced at Tony. "Is this Sparrow's brother?"

"Yes he is." Clarissa replied.

She nodded and pulled out into the traffic. Tony was surprised that Clarissa and the taxi driver knew each other and that this taxi driver also knew about him. He glanced at his wife uncertainly wondering what was going on here. His wife took his hand as she also wondered what they were getting themselves into. Tony and his wife were even more surprised when, a short time later, they pulled up in front of an upscale brownstone across the street from Central Park. The final surprised was when it was the red headed driver that led them up the steps then casually walked right into the building.

Tony and his wife Sandra were both immediately impressed as they glanced around at the elegant interior of the place. Then they both became aware of the young woman that was standing and fidgeting in front of the elegant spiral staircase that dominated the far end of the room. As they approached the woman Tony noticed several things at once. She was dressed in clothes that covered her from the neck down; she was wearing gloves; her face was half obscured by the style of her long brown hair; and she reminded him a lot of his little sister before all of those terrible things had happened to her.

Tony cautiously approached the vaguely familiar woman, his mind churning with uncertainly. "Michelle? Is that really you?" He looked closely at the young woman trying to assure himself that this woman was indeed his long lost sister.

The woman quirked her mouth a bit then, with the barest shake of her head, responded. "I don't use that name anymore. That person is gone, forever. I go by Sparrow now." She glanced down a moment then she looked back at Tony. "But to answer your question, yes it's me . . . more or less."

Tony stepped forward intending to embrace her and she took a step back shaking her head and holding her hands out to stop him as a look of panic flashed across her face. "Please don't. I don't . . . I don't know you." She glanced over at Clarissa and Cherry then back at the confused and slightly hurt look on Tony's face. "Please understand. My memories of you are gone. You're a stranger to me . . . just some nice person that I've exchanged a few letters with."

They all stood there in uncomfortable silence for several seconds. Finally Tony cleared his throat; the look of hurt in his eyes deepened a bit as spoke. "Why did you see me then?"

Sparrow glanced over at Tony's wife who had taken Tony's hand and was looking at him in deep sympathy. Then Sparrow glanced down again and swallowed. Finally she looked back up at Tony. "Because you do remember me . . . or at least who I was." She glanced over at Clarissa. "I've been told by Clarissa that we were very close at one time so I wanted to set your mind at ease. I wanted you to know that I have begun a new life and that I'm doing OK."

After another moment of silence Tony's wife stepped forward holding out her hand. "Hi, my name is Sandra. It's nice to finally meet you, ah, Sparrow." Sparrow accepted Sandra's hand and acknowledged her offer of friendship with a nod.

Tony managed to regain his composure. "So, um, where do you live now?"

"I live here." Sparrow eagerly jumped at the safer ground. "Would you like to see my room?"

Sandra glanced at Tony, who looked around in surprise, then responded for him. "We would love to see your room."

Sparrow led them up to the second floor and down the hall toward her room. Tony was brooding as he tried to absorb the fact that his little sister didn't even know him. Sandra was mulling over the idea that her husband's terribly mistreated little sister was now living in such a nice upscale home. As they passed David's closed door Sparrow soaked up her sense of his close presence and his love, drawing strength from it. Tony and Sandra were both impressed with Sparrow's room. Tony's eyes were drawn to the two wig stands on the vanity; one sporting a blond wig, the other empty. It brought back painful memories of the sight of his badly burned little sister and his own feelings of guilt over what had happened. He still was haunted with the feeling that he should have known, should have stopped it somehow.

Sparrow let them glance around then remarked. "I just want you to understand that I'm happy now. I have a nice home, a family that cares about me, and a boyfriend that loves me." Almost the instant she said it she regretted mentioning David.

Tony noticed the look that flashed across her face. "You have a boyfriend?" The disturbing image of how she had looked the last time he saw her before she disappeared was seared into his memory. He admitted that she looked quite pretty with all her burn scars covered up but the concept of any man actually being physically attracted to her surprised him. He immediately wondered if the guy knew what was under that wig and gloves or if maybe she was being taken advantage of.

Sandra, who had no concept how badly scarred Sparrow really was, smiled and remarked innocently. "That's wonderful. Will we be able to meet him?"

Sparrow stammered nervously. "Well, ah, I, ah, I don't think that, ah, that may not be possible." Tony's suspicions jumped through the roof as he watched her glance around unable to look them in the eye. "He's . . . well he's just a bit different looking and well . . . He's a bit shy about showing himself to strangers . . . but he's really s . . ."

She was interrupted by the explosive outburst from Tony. "No! This is unacceptable. Just because you're scarred by that fire is no reason to throw your life away on the first freak that will have you. You deserve better than that. I won't stand for it." Tony's face had turned bright red as anger mixed with long buried pain and guilt rose up and suffused his expression.

"But you don't understand." Sparrow nearly wailed. "David isn't a fr . . ."

"I won't let it happen again." Tony interrupted again as he began pacing angrily. "I failed you when we were kids. I should have known what was going on with Uncle Berry and stopped it back then." Tony was now in a full self-loathing rant and failed to see the anguish on Sparrows face or the warning signals from his wife. "I should have stepped in and stopped him when Father threw you out. I should have been there to protect you and your baby! I blew it and you paid the price but I'm not going to stand aside and let your life get ruined again!"

                                                                                                              Chapter12