Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters. The only one I own is Crystal. They all belong to ROAR and Universal Studios, even though I know every girl on this list wants to *own* Heath. Love In Time Part One Crystal hated her life. She hated everything about it. Why was the world so greedy? Today, she had just lost her job. Now, how could she pay everything? Food, rent, taxes. Oh there where so many taxes. As if it wasn't bad enough her parents weren't talking to her because of her choice not to go to college. She hated her job anyway. And she hated men. Was it so much to ask for one guy to love you, really love you, for who you are, not how beautiful or rich you were? It was wishful thinking, so she looked out the car window, picked the brightest star out that night, and wished. * * * * Conor look out to the night sky. He was lonely. After Claire died he vowed never to love again. But he wanted to love again. He wanted to feel love. He looked at the stars. They weren't very bright that night, but one stood out, very bright. He looked at it and wished he could learn to love again. * * * * Crystal was now driving home from the bar she left. She was sick of her life, swallowing her problems with every swallow of beer. She hated everything and wished she were dead. So many wishes. Little did she know in a couple seconds she would come so close to that wish. There was a screeching of tires, glass shattering and then silence. In a couple minutes some sirens pierced the silence. * * * * * She was cold. She couldn't move and her head was throbbing. Her fingers were numb. A bird chirped in the distance. Crystal wondered where she was? She couldn't open her eyes. The coldness set in and she felt very tired. Wait. Was that footsteps she heard? Oh well, she thought, and fell asleep. * * * * * She was awake now ans running through the woods. She was scared because she knew a murderer was chasing her. It was now she realized it was a dream. When she was 15, she had been with her friend in the woods. All of the sudden a man, wearing a long robe with shoulder legnth dark blond hair and small eyes, came up behind her friend and murdered her. He didn't touch Crystal and the police never found him. In her dream, she reached her friend. Now, in her regular dream that she'd had many times before, the guy came up and stabbed her friend. Then she ran and fell down a hole and fell until she woke up. This time was different. She ran until she caught up with her friend. The murderer caught up with them. Crystal couldn't move. The murderer tied them up to two separate trees, facing each other. The guy took a knife and slit Crystal's friend's throat. Crystal didn't want to watch but couldn't turn her eyes away. Then the guy turned towards her. "You shall suffer worse than your friend." he said and brought the knife up to her head. * * * * * Her scream pierced the silent night. She was sitting up in a bed-like cot and was clamy and cold. Her head was throbbing and she felt like she wanted to puke. She stopped screaming when she realized she was alive and a guy was with her. He was sitting on the side of her bed saying "It's alright. Your Okay." Crystal was scared. Who was this guy? Why was she here, wherever 'here' was? She was freaked out by the dream and upset. Nothing could go right for her, could it? She started crying. These big sobs were heaveing out of her and she couldn't help it. The guy said "Don't cry. You're alright. It was just a dream" and took her into his arms, his warmth encircling her. He kept whispering comforting words into her ear. She was 19, but felt 3 and didn't care. For once she wanted someone to look out for her. The guy just held her while she cried her heart out. Finally her tears died down to sniffles. She sat back and got a good look at the guy. He had blond, curly hair that was tossled from sleep. His skin was perfectly clear. He had huge, intense brown eyes that were looking at her with concern. "Are you alright?" he asked. "Yeah," she said trying to keep her voice from shaking. "That must of been some dream. You were tossing and turning and I couldn't wake you up." he said. "Do you want to talk about the dream?" "It wasn't a dream," Crystal replied. "It was a nightmare." Seeing she didn't want to say any more, the guy said, "You should go back to sleep. You just got over the fever and need your rest." He stood up and walked over to a pile of blankets on the floor across the room. Crystal realized this was his bed and he was sleeping on the floor. "This is your bed, isn't it?" was all she could say. "Name's Conor. Don't worry about it. Go to sleep." Crystal wanted to argue or ask the million questions she had but was tired. She laid her head down and fell into a dreamless sleep. Crystal woke up the next morning feeling sick. She was dizzy, her head hurt, and her stomach was threatning to errupt. "Morning," Conor said. He was sitting on a chair by a fireplace. There was a little light coming in the room from a small window by the ceiling. It was the only light in the room. "Morning," Crystal replied uncertainly. "Did you sleep okay after the dream?" he asked. He was stirring something in a pot over the fire. "Yeah," she replied abstantly, thinking 'Why isn't he cooking on a stove?' "What did you say your name was again?" Crystal looked at him. "Crystal" she said. "Crystal. That's a beautiful name." Conor said. "Thanks" she said as she looked around the room. 'Oh my God' she thought as she realized there was no electricity. She had a crazy idea but she had to know. "Conor?" she asked. "What?" he looked at her curiously. "I-I think I hit my head or something." she stammered. "What year is it?" Conor looked surprised and stared at her for a minute, then said "400." Crystal stayed with Conor while her strength returned from the fever. It had taken Crystal awhile to realize and get used to the fact she had traveled back in time. She knew she was in Eire now, but had no clue how to get back. Over the time when she was recooperating she became friends with the people of the Santuary. Crystal had become good friends with Catlin, a slave girl whom Conor had rescued. While Crystal was weak, Catlin had visited her. Catlin told her many stories, but one stuck in Crystal's mind. It was about a man, Longinus, who had taken a spear and put it in Jesus' side. Crystal remembered reading about it in the Bible. "The guard stuck a spear in Jesus' side because it was written 'Not one of his bones shall be broken.' " But Catlin told her something the Bible never told her. As Longinus' punishment, he would never die. 'If that'sd true,' Crystal thought, 'He'd still be alive in my time.' Crystal still hadn't told anyone about her going back in time. She didn't think anyone would believe her. She also hadn't told anyone why she kept having the dream. She had it almost every night and it didn;t scare her as much now, but when she had it and woke up, she could never go back to sleep. Often when her and Conor were sitting by the fire Crystal would look up and catch him staring at her. She wondered what he was thinking and he wondered the same. When the weather got warmer Crystal liked going for walks. Sometimes Conor went with her. It was so peaceful in the woods. Once, Conor told her about the roar. How when everything was in balance you could hear the power of every living thing. 'All you can hear in the city is cars,' Crystal thought. Crystal felt something towards Conor. She wasn't sure what it was. It was almost like Crystal had known him before, but she was sure she'd never met him in her life. If Crystal was counting was counting right, it was May now. She thought about going back often. She thought maybe if she returned to where Conor had found her, she could get back. It was May 5 when she approached him. "Conor?" she said. He was busy sharpening his sword. 'This is stupid.' she thought, 'I never know how to act around him. He probably won't remember anyway.' Conor looked up as he put his sword back in it's sheath. It was his father's sword. That's all he had told her but Crystal knew from Catlin's stories how his family had been murdered. She knew nothing of Claire though. "I was wondering," she continued as he looked at her curiously. Those brown eyes she could just fall into. She tore her gaze away from his. "Do you remembered where you found me, when I had the fever?" His brow frowned in concentration. "Yes I do remember." he finally said. "Could you show it to me?" "Sure," he replied. He led her through the woods, all the way to the river. There where two huge rocks right by the shore. "There," he said. "You were lying right next to those rocks." Crystal looked the place over carefully, memorizing every detail. "Thanks," she said, hinting she wanted to be alone. "Okay," Conor said and started to walk back. He stopped at the edge of the woods. Something wasn't right. He could feel it. It was obvious Crystal wanted to be alone, but he didn't want the chance of anything happening to her. He stayed, hidden behind the trees. 'Okay,' Crystal thought. 'What do I do now?' She hadn't planned this far ahead because she hadn't thought Conor would remember. 'Concentrate,' she thought. 'Go back.' And she could feel herself going back. 'Home,' she thought. She saw a hospital room now. She was lying on the bed and she looked pathetic. Her mom was sleeping on a couch off to the side. 'Mom,' she thought, but found she couldn't speak. Her friend, Victoria, was sitting on a chair by her bed. She was saying something. "The doctor said you might not make it. You HAVE to make it. Your the only friend I have that actually listens to me. You can't die like . . ." her voice trailed off and she went into sobs. 'Maybe,' Crystal thought, 'If I try to enter my body I'll go back.' "You can't go back." She heard a firm yet gentle voice speak to her. 'What?! Who are you? Why can't I go back? I want some answers!" Crystal demanded. "You can't go back yet." The voice repeated. "You can't go back until you find what you wanted." "I want to go home," Crystal thought in her mind to the voice, but there was no reply. She felt herself going back again. She was on the rock again. She kept her eyes closed as a single tear made it's way down her cheek. Conor was surprised. Crystal had always acted strong and brave; not one to shed tears. The only time he had seen her cry was that night she had the dream. Maybe she just acted strong. He didn't know. 'This is ridiculous,' he thought. 'Nothing is going to happen.' But he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. He turned to leave when he stepped on a twig. SNAP! Crystal stood up and turned around, quickly wiping away the tear on her face. "Who's there?" she demanded, for she couldn't see Conor hidden in the trees. Conor saw no choice but to show himself. "Oh it's just you," Crystal said, relaxing. "I-I didn't know if you could find your way back so I came back for you." Conor said, stammering an exuse. "I probably would have gotten lost." she said, walking over to where he was. They started walking back in silence.Crystal looked at him. The way the sunlight shone on his hair made him look adorable. 'How do I feel towards him?' she thought and wasn't sure. 'If I can't get back I'll end up staying with him,' she thought. 'He's cute, I'll admit that. No, he's FINE. He's also kind and caring. He's not afraid to show his feelings. No one in my time comes even close to him. He's understanding, too, for being through so much.' she thought. She knew how his family had died from Catlin's stories. She knew nothing of Claire though. If she told him about traveling through time, would he understand? Would he believe her? Crystal wasn't even sure she believed herself. She was just about to open her mouth and tell him when Catlin came running through the woods towards them. "Tully and Fergus were in a fight with the Roamns." she paused to catch her breath. "They hit Tully with a poison arrow." Conor and Crystal took off with Catlin to the Sanctuary, hoping Tully was all right. It was later that afternoon. Crystal walked over to Catlin's hut and knocked. "Come in!"Catlin replied. "Hi," Crystal said as she entered. "How's Tully?" Catlin gave a tired sigh. "Sleeping now. We think we got out all the poison, but some still might have entered his body." "Do you want to go for a walk?" Crystal asked, hoping to tell Catlin about traveling through time without being interrupted. "Sure," Catlin answered. "I could use a quiet walk." They started walking through the woods. Crystal was trying to start telling Catlin. Without knowing it, she had led Catlin to the river. "Good friends can tell each other anything, right?" Crystal said as she sat down on one of the huge rocks. Catlin did the same as she replied, "Of course." and waited for her to continue. "I have to tell you something. It's very unbelievable, but it's the truth, so will you try to believe me?" Catlin nodded and Crystal continued. "I'm from another time," she stated, and explained everything. Catlin didn't know if she believed Crystal, but saw Crystal thought she was telling the truth. When Crystal was all done, all Catlin could say was "Wow." "What should I do?" Crystal asked. "Does Conor know?" "Not yet," Crystal shook her head. "You're the only one I've told so far. I didin't think anyone else would believe me. Do you believe me?" she asked. "Yes I do and I think you should tell Conor. He's the leader of the Sanctuary and he should know about something like this. He'll believe you." "Okay," Crystal replied. "He likes you," Catlin said, changing the subject. "What do you mean by he likes me?" Catlin shrugged. "Just that. I can see it in his eyes, and in the way he acts around you. Do you like him?" She wasn't sure what to answer. Then she remembered something Conor once told her: 'Listen with your heart.' So she did and answered, "Yes I like him very much." It was now the beginning of June. June 3, to be exact. Crystal still hadn't told Conor. She was waiting for the right time, but that day wasn't the right time at all. Crystal woke up that morning with a sick feeling in her stomach. 'Today,' she thought, 'It's been one year today. And I still miss her just as much.' That day was the one year ago her friend died. 'Today will be the last day I mourn her. Then I will get on with my life, but I'll never forget her.' She was depressed and thought going for a walk might cheer her up. She got out of bed and found Connor was already gone. She got dressed and stepped outside. There was a warm breeze and the sun was just peeking above the trees. She started on her walk. She walked through the woods for about 10 minutes, then she heard a noise. What was that? It sounded like someone yelling. She followed the sound and it led her to a cliff. Conor was standing there. He took another breath and let out a yell. 'He's roaring,' Crystal realized. She felt she was intruding on his privacy and turned to leave. SNAP! She stepped on a twig. Conor spun around, preparing for a fight. His muscles relaxed when he saw it was Crystal. "I was just going for a walk and I heard someone yelling." "It's all right," Conor said, then looked at the land. Something was troubling him, she could tell. It was in his eyes. They weren't sparkling like they usually do. She walked over and stood beside him. "What's wrong?" she asked. He looked at her with those troubled eyes. "You wouldn't understand," he said, then started walking back. "How do you know I won't understand if you won't tell me?" Crystal's question made him stop. "I want to be your friend." Crystal said. "You wouldn't understand," Conor repeated. "You wouldn't understand what it's like to love someone with your whole soul. That you would die for them in a second. You wouldn't understand the guilt of not being there when they needed you." Tears were streaming down his face freely now. Crystal went over and hugged him. "I miss her," he said. "She died a year ago, today." He said when they pulled away. "She was so young. Why'd she have to die?" Conor asked to no one in particular. "I was away visiting some friends. When I came back, they told me she was dead. Murdered, they said." he paused. "I miss Claire so much," he said, as a final tear rolled down his cheek. Crystal's felt a heavy feeling in her stomach. "What did you say her name was?" she asked. "Claire," Conor said. "She had the most beautiful blonde, curly hair and-" "Blue eyes," Crystal finished for him. Conor looked at her surprised. Crystal couldn’t believe it. How could it be? Claire was the name of Crystal’s friend who had been murdered one year ago that day. That same Claire was the girl Conor had loved. "How did you know that?" Conor looked at her increduously. 'His eyes look so sad,' Crystal thought. "I have to tell you something," she said, deciding he needed to know everything now. "It's going to sound crazy, but it's true. OK?" He nodded. "I'm from a different time," she said and explained all about traveling back in time. "You know," he siad after a pause, "I've seen some pretty weird thing with Longinus and the gods. If I hadn't seen some of the miracles I have, I probably wouldn't believe you." "You believe me?" she asked. "Yes I see you're telling the truth." "There's more," she said and Conor waited for her to continue. "You know that dream I had, when I first came here?" Conor nodded. There's a reason why I have them." She sighed as her eyes filled with tears, remembering. Remembering was still hard for her even after a year. "A year ago tody, I was in the woods with a friend of mine. We were great friends. I could tell her everything and she would never laugh. She had the wilest imagination. . .Anyway, we stopped at our favorite spot, a clearing, and sat on two stumps." She stopped, gaining strength for the next part. "Suddenly, this man just seemed to come out of nowhere and just. . . just took a knife and stabbed her over and over." She paused to brush the tears that were running down her face. "I scraemed. He looked up at me. There was so much hatred in his eyes." Her shoulders shook with silent sobs. Conor went to put his arm around her, but she stopped him. "There's even more," she said. Conor sighed. "You sure you want to tell me?" he asked, concerned about her. She nodded her head. "You'll want to hear what's next." She paused. "My friends name was Claire. We knew the same person." "But how?" Conor asked, confused. "I think she knew how to travel between times." Conor looked over the cliff, thinking about Claire again. "Let's start back to the Sanctuary and we can talk some more," Crystal suggested. Conor and her started walking back. "There are some days when I can feel she's right there next to me. It helps me get through my days." Conor said. Crystal looked up at him and smiled. 'She does understand,' Conor realized. 'She understands because we lost the same person.' Conor looked down at her again. 'Gosh, she's beautiful,' he thought. He was surprised. Where did that thought come from? It had been a long time since hethought of a girl that way. Crystal, however, was trying to figure out why he was so familiar. Then she remembered. "Claire used to tell me about you all the time," she said. Conor looked surprised. "She used to make up these stories, and you were always in them. I thought she just had a wild imagination, but I guess she was tellingh the truth." She paused. "You feel it too, don't you? We understand each other because we lost the same person." "Yeah, we do understand each other." he replied and casually took her hand in his. It was a small gesture, but made Crystal's spirirts soar. They walked on in silence for some more. Suddenly, Conor stopped. There it was, that feeling again that he first felt by the river with her. Something wasn't right. Crystal's eyes searched the trees as if she, too. sensed it. There was a noise behind them. They spun around, Conor's muscles tensing for a fight. Crystal's eyes were met with two dark, hatred eyes. Crystal let out a scream. She was looking into the face of the man who had killed Claire. Finally, a cliffhanger! Send all comments to: TDancer13@aol.com