What Happens Now?

By Sarah "Lois" Gridler (Long story, just use Lois <g>)

Rating: PG

Content: Nothing shocking at all (sorry to disappoint anyone <g>)

Spoilers: Has anyone not seen the final episode and the new season? If you don't already know these spoilers, have you really been watching? <g>

Keywords: AJ/Annalisa relationship, maybe angst

Timeline: Post season 1

Disclaimer: Technically, I don't own these characters. I should, I care more about them than those who do. I am writing this for fans, not for profit. If you sue me you won't get anything. Maybe $15 if you're lucky.

The lyrics included in this story are not mine, either, they are © 1995 Seventh Son Music. Other credits are listed in Author's Notes.

Author's notes: Well, I'm putting my hand into the fanfic ring. Take it easy on me, this is attempt #1. Comments and criticism are welcome. This takes place after the Sea Dragons are told that they are no more. The song "Between Now and Forever" is on Bryan White's CD of the same name, the song was written by Bryan White, Don Pfrimmer, and George Teren. Full lyrics at the end of the story.

Empty Tables and an empty dance floor were taking over the Tailwind. The club wasn't completely empty, a few couples were loitering in the late hours as the staff cleaned and prepared for the next busy day.

At a table on the edge of the dance floor sat a man and a woman, not talking,

and slowly finishing their beers. The four glasses on the table were the only evidence that they hadn't been there alone the whole night. Their two companions deserted them a short while earlier. They were now completely alone at the table together. The woman put down her glass and began to mindlessly play with the dogtags around her neck. Her action did not go unnoticed by her companion.

"Lindstrom…. Anna…" he said, then paused. What was there to say?

"A. J. , I don't understand. Why did they give us the chance to prove ourselves, and then take everything away? I wanted to prove myself, I enjoyed what we did, as hard as it could be, I believed in what I was doing." Annalisa sighed and leaned back in her chair, pushing the half-empty glass towards the center of the table.

A. J. turned his chair to face her, and reached for her hand. Holding her limp hand in his, he asked, "And now?"

"Now I just don't know. What good am I doing here if I'm just being jerked around from one assignment to another? I don't want to give up, A. J. " She squeezed his hand in return, smiling at him. "And I was with you. They're probably going to take even that way from me too."

"I don't want to loose you." He said, the words surprising him. When did this happen? He wondered, when did I begin to feel this way about her? His thoughts jumbled together, his brain trying to sort them out and determine the moment everything had changed for him.

"Me neither." She replied. "What happens now? We get reassigned, and what? "

"I don't know." They sat in silence, holding hands for a while, neither wanting to talk.

In the background the jukebox played slow, mournful songs, the soundtrack to their night. Annalisa sighed as yet another slow song followed another. "Let's dance."

"What?"

"You didn't like the idea of bowling, let's dance." Anna grinned slightly as she stood and pulled AJ up and onto the deserted dance floor. Anna pulled AJ into a "hold and sway" slow dance, and they moved to the slow country song, holding each other close, letting the words speak a conversation for them.

"I can't believe that I've found you

Fate did a number on me

If you end up with my arms around you

It's meant to be."

Annalisa's hands slid around AJ even tighter, as if the closer they were the more they'd forget what was happening. How could something so wonderful cause so many problems? She wondered. Because, as the cliché goes, love isn't easy. Anna and AJ continued to sway to the chorus.

"Wherever you're going,

I'd like to go too

…….

I'd love to spend

Some more time together

So what are you doing

Between now and forever."

The couple danced to the end of the song, and through the next, and the one

after that, holding each other close and trying to hold on to the moment, afraid of what would happen when they let go and reality set in again. The words now and forever sinking into their minds.

Eventually, the music stopped and they were the only customers left in the club. Reluctantly, they let go of each other and paid for the night. "I just hope this isn't the last time we come here together," AJ commented as they walked out together.

The End

© 1998 by Abby Normal Productions <g>

I can't believe that I've found you

Fate did a number on me

If you end up in my arms around you

It's meant to be.

Well, maybe my crazy is showing

But maybe I'm hooked on your touch

But wherever my life is going

There ain't no rush…. 'cause

Chorus:

Wherever you're going

I'd like to go too

If you don't have anything

Better to do

I'd love to spend

Some more time together

So what are you doing

Between now and forever

I'll take the blue with the gray days

I just pray the road will be long

'Cause if I'm beside you there's no way

I can go wrong

Chorus

I'd love to spend

Some more time together

So what are you doing

Between now and forever