I was asked if I would post Pandora's Box here. If you haven't read it before, great, welcome! Pull up a chair, get comfortable and enjoy the ride. I don't yet know where the coffee machine is, but I'm sure we'll find it eventually. Make sure you have good light when reading, don't want your eyes hurting half way through, and please, if you have any comments, criticisms, ideas, or just want to say that it was a great chapter, by all means say so! Author's love to hear from their fans and their critics - yes we like hearing from critics - it's the only way we improve. Just remember, if you're going to criticise, make sure it's constructive, not destructive.

Okay, now the welcome is done, let's get onto the warnings:

Rating: NC-17
Reason: sex scenes, language, adult themes, a little violence.

Disclaimer for music used:
Any songs written for the band Mad Season are written and sung by a band called The Screaming Jets - let's face it, I just don't have the time to write new songs for everyone. They retain full copywrite and any infringment was unintensional. I do not nor have I ever recieved monetary reparations for these songs or for the use of them.

Any songs written by Mattigan Powers are written by me, and I hold full copywrite.

Any songs used within the story as background music are named and have the original artist mentioned - full copywrite remains with the original artist and songwriter and any infringment was unintensional. I do not nor have I ever recieved monetary reparations for these songs or for the use of them.

Disclaimer for characters:
The following are used but are not owned by me and and any infringment was unintensional. I do not nor have I ever recieved monetary reparations for these people, or teams or for the use of them.

Elijah Wood, Orlando Bloom, Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd, The Mighty Ducks Ice Hockey Team, Marshall Mathers II (Eminem), Hailie Mathers, Kim Mathers, D-12, Aftermath Records, Dr Dre, Sean Astin, Hannah Wood, Debbie Wood.

All other characters used are figments of my imagination, and if there is some original basis on a real person, it has been distorted for fictional purposes.

This story is fictional and any similarities to events in real life are purely coincidental. It is written for leisure and is not intended to offend, however any other emotions are a pure by-product and were most likely intended.

*grins*

Wow Wendy!
This is impressive, I have never read a disclaimer that long, and that specific before...
It's great!

and like I said before I can't wait for you to post :)

hug
Laila

PART 1

Chapter 1

Elijah looked up at the sign outside the stadium – “MAD SEASON – ONE NIGHT ONLY! SOLD OUT” and sighed with excitement. He’d been out of town filming, but had arrived home the day before Mad Season, one of his favourite bands of all time, was in LA for one night only – and now they were sold out! He couldn’t believe his luck, that he’d found out they were coming early and had gotten front row tickets for himself and his friend, Dom Monaghan.

Now standing there, looking up at the sign, he was starting to get really excited. He hadn’t seen them play live for ages, as they’d stopped touring for a while but were now back out on the road after a few years off, and he’d already bought the new album, knowing all the songs off by heart, and had copies in his car, and in his stereo at home. He took one last look at the sign, and then walked back to his car, ignoring the ringing cell phone in his pocket.

He drove home, and walked casually inside, going around the back instead of through the main house, and being greeted by his two huge dogs, Rascal and Levonne, who were excited to see him. After giving them a few moments of attention each, they followed him quietly to his home in the guesthouse behind his mother’s house, and bounded inside after him. Whistling, he went straight for the shower, noting that the time was getting close to when he was meeting Dom to grab some food before the concert started.

He sang in the shower, a little off tune, and a beat behind the music that was blaring on his stereo but he didn’t care. He was warming up for singing at the concert – which was great fun because no one could hear you over the band anyway so it didn’t matter if you could sing or not! Once dried, he walked into his bedroom with his towel slung around his hips to figure out what he wanted to wear.

Choosing black pants that snugly fit him, he browsed his collection of shirts, deciding to go with a Mad Season tour shirt from a few years ago, with an open denim shirt over the top, and rolled up the sleeves… a new look for him that he thought he’d try – knowing full well that Dom would probably laugh at him, but he didn’t care. It was better than turning up in a plaid button shirt and a brown jacket that looked like his grandfather lent it to him like he usually did. Besides, it wouldn’t be too hot while in the concert, as it usually became sweltering with all the people pushing to get to the front.

Once he had his clothes on, he went to the bathroom, dried his hair and set it with gel, spiking it messily on the top, as he liked to do when he went out. Noticing a zit on his chin, he sighed before popping it, and then wondered if anyone would notice… ‘Nah,’ he thought, and so what if they did? He was human, had glands and sweat like everyone else – and broke out every now and then just like others. ‘Fuck ‘em,’ he thought, and brushed his teeth.

Stepping out of the bathroom, he looked around for his doc marten’s to put on his feet, and once he’d pulled on a pair of white socks, he put his docs on and then went in search of his wallet, car keys and cell phone. As he passed through the kitchen on his way out the door, he remembered to grab the small envelope with the two tickets inside, and stuck them securely into his wallet, before heading out the door, ignoring the blinking light on his answering machine.

Tonight, he was just a 22-year-old kid, going to a concert with a friend to enjoy one of his favourite bands; he was not going to be “Elijah Wood, Movie Star”. As he walked out to his car, he waved at his sister Hannah, who was lazing by the pool in a bikini, trying to get a tan he suspected.

“Where you off to?” She called, shielding her eyes from the sun that was setting over the hills behind their house, but in the direction of where Elijah was standing as he stopped to yell over to his sister.

”Dom and I are off to see Mad Season tonight!” he said happily, and Hannah sat up.

“When did you get tickets??” she asked, suddenly very interested in where he was going as she loved them too.

“A couple of months ago! I was on their website and saw they were playing one night only so I ordered two tickets, got front row too! Love to stay and chat, Squirt, but I gotta go, Dom and I are gonna grab some food before the concert, see you later!” he called, and started towards the garages where the cars were stored.

“BUY ME A T-SHIRT!” she called after him and he waved in response as he whistled on his way to his Mini Cooper.

Dom and Lij were gonna meet at Dom’s, leave Lij’s car there and catch a cab to the concert – easier than trying to find a park, not to mention girls tended to know his license plate, and he’d already had to have his registration changed 4 times because people kept waiting by his car and swarming it when he wanted to go.

Unlocking the car, he hopped in, and was greeted with Jacin Powers’ strong voice singing their song Better.

Hehehe I just thought I'd make sure it was ... accurate and covered everything.

*siiiiigh*

and there it is....
the sweet start... who would believe what horrible things will happen to this carefree young guy...
but I keep my bloody mouth shut - promise! :) :yes:

*grins* that is such a sweet bit - only humon our celebrated moviestar ;)

keep it coming, you know we love it :x

huggles
Laila
:baby:

Woot! :D Now's a chance for me to re-read this fic heh!

i've never read it before!!

So i guess this is a great and big opportunity :D

luv
Andie!

Hugs Wendy!

My friend!!!! So good to see you posting these here as well! I'd get one more chance to catch up with it!

:leggy:

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES!!!!

finally!
now I can read this fic at my own pace...

Do u remember I asked u to mail it to me once? and u gave me the link to download it and I did...
but it was too much for me to read.
even though I got far after a day and a half reading I got such a headacht from stairing at this flickering screen for so long!

but it's soo good to se you are here and that u are posting your lovely fic!

thnx

I am so glad that you are re-posting this!! I truly love this story, now I have an excuse to re-read it, and refresh my memory! :laugh:

hi!!!

i'm reading this!! i can't believe my luck!!

good start hun! i'll be checking this! :yay:

Oh my goodness! I didn't expect such a big response!

Check back everyday because I plan to post one chapter a day - except for 5 days over christmas because I won't be in town.

Oh, and if I knew you on EWFN and you've changed your nick, can you just mention what your nick was, just so I have recognition... I get confused easily hehehe.

Oh and if you had friends who wanted to read it and it was too much at once, let them know it's being reposted at one chapter a day. No more, no less (except for christmas as I said before). Even if i get begged...which btw i do like *GRIN*

Feel free to pick the chapters apart, quote what you liked, what you didn't like, if something doesn't make sense, or you thought it was amusing... mention it - you never know, you might trigger something for another reader.

Okay, I've said enough for now. I'll be back in the morning to post the next chapter.

*grins*

well I told you ;)
great place *hehe*
great story...
great ppl...

result: great!

:hehe:

huggles
Laila

Hey ure posting again i will yay. Just one question can i still be head of information desk over here as well??

Chapter 2

Lij parked outside Dom’s apartment building and almost ran inside, he was getting really hyped up about seeing the band live. Knocking on the door, it almost flew open and Dom stepped out, shutting the door behind him. Elijah looked at him questioningly, and Dom grinned.

”Hey man, cab’s on its way. I said we’d wait downstairs,” and Elijah nodded, following his friend down the stairs. They chatted about their day, and as Lij suspected, Dom ribbed him about his clothes.

“Just because I’m not a clothes horse like you don’t mean you can laugh at what I choose to wear!” Elijah said defensively. “Besides, at least it doesn’t scream ‘I’m gay’ to the world.”

“My clothes do not scream ‘I’m gay’ to the world!” Dom said just as defensively back. “They scream that I have taste and style, unlike you. Yours scream I don’t have a light on in my bedroom and chose them in the dark!”

“Asshole,” Lij muttered as the cab pulled up.

“Wanker,” Dom grinned back, and Elijah laughed. “Get in the fucking cab,” he said
as Elijah punched him in the arm and then walked around the cab and got in the other side.

**

“Damn it, why can’t we ever go anywhere without being mobbed?” Dom complained, as they were ushered out the back of the café to a waiting cab.

"Because our job makes us in the public eye, and people, for whatever strange reason, think we’re sexy.” Elijah laughed, and Dom looked at him.

“Mate, I know I’m sexy, but I just don’t get why they think you are?” he laughed, and Elijah smiled.

“It’s the eyes…at least that’s what they keep telling me. I mean, they’re just blue eyes. What’s the big deal?” he asked, and Dom thought it sounded like a serious question.

“Lij, dude, you know you have unusually bright blue eyes, right?” Dom said. He gave Elijah a thoughtful look as his friend stared out the window of the cab.

“I guess.” He said thoughtfully, and Dom guessed he was thinking about the girls that had just bombarded him with calls of “I LOVE YOU ELIJAH!”

It made Dom sick how much trouble Lij had with fans. In the beginning it was fun, but now they seemed to come out of the woodwork when Elijah was around, and sometimes they weren't respectful either. He remembered the time they were at an A-list restaurant, and a 16 year old girl came up and asked for the half eaten bread roll on the table because Elijah had touched it to cut it in half.

The cab pulled up outside the stadium, and they paid the fare and got out, trying to figure out what gate they had to go in through. It was early, and the lines hadn’t really started yet, which was handy because Dom figured the chances of them getting mobbed again were less when there were hardly any people here. A burly, muscly guy looked up from where he was standing and looked at the two men.

“What gate are you after?” he asked them and Elijah looked at his ticket.

”Uh, it says 24,” he answered, and the guy smiled.

”Right, keep going round to the right there, and it’s about 60 yards that way,” he answered, and they thanked him before heading the direction they were told.

Once they found their gate, they handed over their tickets and the guards let them in. Excitedly, they walked inside and started looking around like they were 6 years old and had been given free run of a toy store. Finally they ran down the stairs and weaved their way past the chairs to their row – surprised to find that seats had been set out instead of a mosh pit. Shrugging at each other they found their seats in the front row, which were luckily right in the middle of the room, second and third chair from the end.

As they sat in their seats, a woman about 21 years old walked over. She had long brown hair, and was wearing a black Mad Season tour shirt from their last tour, over a denim skirt that showed off her legs well and stopped mid thigh, and black boots that went to her knees – Elijah would have called them ‘fuck me’ boots, but they were zipper boots and not laced ones. Checking her out, she looked stunning, and he was instantly attracted to her, physically. Dom noticed Elijah’s eyes set on the girl walking towards them, and gave a small chuckle.

She sat down on the chair on the end of the row, and turned to Elijah, crossing her legs.

”Hi, how you doing?” she asked, and smiled at him, showing a set of white, perfectly straight teeth. She had a pretty face, and the smile just dazzled him.

“I’m great thanks, how you doing?” he asked, and hoped to God above that she wasn’t some crazed fan.

“I’m fantastic, thank you,” she said and put her hands under her chest as she leaned forward on her knee, to look at the guy beside the one she was sitting next to. “Hi, how you doing?”

“Fine thanks, you?”

”Fabulous! You guys looking forward to the concert?” she asked, and Elijah sensed that she was just being friendly. She didn’t give off the same vibe he felt when surrounded by fans.

“Yeah, it’s gonna be fucking brilliant!” Dom said, and Elijah nodded.

“Yeah, I think it’s gonna be awesome,” he said, and then stuck he hand out to her. “Hi, I’m Elijah.”

She took his hand and he felt the warmth of her hand seep into his, giving him a buzzing sensation.

“Hi Elijah, I’m Mattigan… but you can call me Mattie, everyone does.” She took her hand back from Elijah’s and he felt disappointed but tried not to show it. She reached across Elijah, her arm brushing against him, and he sat back a little, feeling shocked at her touch, like he’d been hit with a static shock. Extending her hand, Dom took it and brought it to his lips, kissing it softly.

”Hi Mattie, I’m Dom.” He said smiling.

”Ah, a charmer, aren’t you?” she asked teasingly, and gave a little laugh. Dom winked at her, and received a glare from Elijah. He smiled and shook his head, looking at his lap. “So have you guys been fans of Mad Season for long?” She asked, and they both nodded. Elijah mentioned how he'd gotten Dom into them.

They started chatting about other music bands that they liked, while Dom watched as other people slowly filtered into the area, taking their seats. Eventually the lights went dim, and Mattie said to Elijah the show was starting. He was so excited to see the concert that he only half minded that it meant the end of his conversation with Mattie.

Of course you can! I'm counting on you to keep the Pandora thread under control, happy, and helping others where ya can! *GRIN*

Me keep people in control like thats going to happen but i'll try i'll really try

Awww...
lovely chap :)

I'm so happy you post here *lol*

soooo happy :)

*huggles*
Laila

Chapter 3

Once the stage lights came on, and the opening act came out, Elijah took one last look at Mattie, noticing the grin on her face – like she was thoroughly happy to be there, and wouldn’t be anywhere else for the world. He wondered why she was so happy, and why there was a look in her eyes like she was proud of something. Shrugging it off, he allowed himself to get swept away in the supporting act’s set – a local band that were being given a go, according to Mattie, who explained just before the lights went out. The girl who had become quick friends with Elijah, intrigued Dom as well as why she didn’t act like she’d ever heard of them before.

The opening act was good, and their set was short – maybe 4 songs, but enough to warm the crowd up. A few people tried to get up and dance in the front row, but the security guards came up and told them to sit down for now. Elijah leaned over and asked Mattie why, and she replied that it was because the act was new, and they didn’t want people climbing onto the stage and scaring them. They’d never played to a packed crowd before, only small clubs, and they’d asked to have the crowd kept back. Elijah wondered how she knew that, and before he could ask, she said, “I have my sources, now enjoy the music, Elijah!” and turned back to the stage and got back into the music.

The opening act’s set ended, and Fotogenic went off stage. A few lights on the stage were kept on, but mostly the room was dark while the stagehands changed the set up there. Elijah watched in fascination as they changed the backdrop and lights and brought on more speakers. Dom and Mattie, who was crouching in front of Dom and Elijah, were chatting about the previous band while the crowd was waiting for Mad Season and they started chanting their name. Eventually it got to the point where Mattie and Dom couldn’t hear each other unless talking right into each other’s ears, so Mattie said to Dom she was going back to her seat, and sat back down beside Elijah.

The lights all went dark and Mattie grinned, and leaned over to Elijah, saying into his ear, “It’s about to start!” excitedly.

He laughed, and said back, “You’re so cute when you’re excited.”

Winking at him, she leaned back over and said, “You’re a charmer too, huh?” before laughing, and looking at the stage. Suddenly, he heard movement on the stage, and got himself ready to see the band he’d come to see play.

The drums started playing in the darkness, then the bass, and once the lead guitar started to play, the lights came on and the crowd went nuts, cheering as the first chords of Better came over the speakers at a high decibel. Mattie got up, along with everyone else in the crowd and started to dance and clap along with the music, so Elijah and Dom joined her, laughing and cheering with everyone else.

Elijah watched as Mattie sang along with the lead singer, Jacin Powers, and she knew every word. She never took her eyes off him, and wondered why that was. The lead singer was a good 20 years older than her; maybe she had an infatuation with him, or a liking for older guys? His heart sank at this thought, but he put it out of his mind as the music washed over him and he got into the performance.

This girl didn't know what happened when she knocked upon my door
The things you had, the life you lived all the dreams you had before.
Your eyes were facin' your heart and soul you know they said it all
What happened on that day back then the moment hurt us all

Now you can see the reason why not everyone's the same
And you don't have to please them, or try hard to save your name

They said you'd never get anywhere,
Well they don't care and it's just not fair
That you know and I know better.
They said you'd never get anywhere,
Well they don't care and it's just not fair
That you know and I know better.
(Yes I do)

Well the days go by and you wonder why, "is this really true?"
Your heart says "No" but your feelings show the poor baby never knew
But you and I, we knew deep down, that ain't really you
We always knew that it'd work out right and we could start anew

Now you can see the reason why not everyone's the same
And you don't have to please them, or try hard to save your name

They said you'd never get anywhere,
Well they don't care and it's just not fair
That you know and I know better.
They said you'd never get anywhere,
Well they don't care and it's just not fair
That you know and I know… better.

Well things ain't always what they seem
So wake up and get outta your dreams
Things ain't always what they seem so wake up!
Well things ain't always what they seem
Wake up man, you're in my dreams!
Things ain't always...

Oh now you can see the reason why not everyone's the same
And you don't have to please them, or try hard

They said you'd never get anywhere,
Well they don't care and it's just not fair
That you know, and I know better.

They said you'd never get anywhere,
Well they don't care and it's just not fair
That you know, and I know better.

They said you'd never get anywhere,
They don't care and it's just not fair
That you know, and I know better

A one, two, three, four, they said you'd never get anywhere,
Well they don't care and it's just not fair
You're never gonna get anywhere
That's what they tell me
Never, never, never, never, never, never, never get anywhere
They don't care, and that's not fair!
They said you’d never get anywhere
They don’t care and it’s just not fair
That you know, and I know … BETTER!

Elijah and Dom were just as enthusiastic as the crowd at the end of the song, and Mattie was laughing and clapping along with everyone else. Watching her was like watching a 5 year old running rampant in a candy store; she was so high and happy.

“Thank you LA! It’s great to be back!!” Jacin said from on stage. As the band members positioned themselves for the next song, Jacin talked to the crowd. “You know, we’ve been off the road for a while now, and we’re very pleased to be playing tonight. We’ve actually been writing a new album, and over the next few months we’ll be putting laying that record down so you can expect another new album out by the end of the year… anyone interested in that?” he asked the crowd and got an overwhelming scream of YES from the crowd. Jacin laughed, and said “Boys, I think our fan base is a loyal one. What do you say we give them a … Helping Hand?”

The crowd went nuts, screaming and chanting, while the band members laughed, and the drummer, Lenny Raines, started drumming, before Jacin said into the microphone:

Rock on

Sometimes, things get a little hazy
Sometimes, I think I'm just a little crazy
I don't even know my own name
Soon all of me will go up in flames yeah

Wearing scars, on my arms and in my eyes
Are you friends or enemies in disguise?
So hard, when everything just runs against me
Jealous words, turn into a love/hate frenzy

Won't someone, please understand
Won't someone, lend me a helping hand

Time is up, to do the time that's left undone
Time to grab my hat, grab my coat, I gotta load my gun
Silly things always are the ones that turn out worst
And it seems the ones who love you always hurt you the most

Won't someone, please understand
Won't someone, lend me a helping hand
Won't someone, please take the time to think
That your actions and words
They don't always say what they mean (No they don't no they don't)

Rock on

Since I was a child, I used to dream of many things
Superstars, the bizarre, kings and their pretty queens
Now it seems, I need a shot, a drink to jog my thoughts
Why does this happen all the time is it, is it just because

Because no-one, will understand
Won't someone, lend me a helping hand
Won't someone, please take the time to think
That your actions and words
They don't always say what they mean.

I'm White Magnolia ... lol do you remember me? i wouldn't be mad if you tell me that you don't lol :blush:


I really like those chapter!! :yes: :yay:


luv :love:
Andie!

I do indeed! Now i know the new nick too.

Just for old EWFN reader's information... if anyone was looking for Pandora's... it got deleted. I can't find it on there, and I'm waiting on a confirmation PM from sandra.

Marcus posted this announcement in the Fanfic section:

I guess Pandora's got the chop, because I can't find it, my bookmark doesn't work anymore it goes to a page that isn't there, and it's not listing on the search for it.

I can't believe it... 123 chapters down the drain.

I read that they were ... hmmm saved in some place and the stories will be out when the new Adult forum is open...


:love:
ANdie!

I just went looking for Pandoa's Box, too Wendy. I think that absolutly sucks. I can understand that they are creating an adult section...but I think they could have given you warning to try to preserve your story first. Hmmm. Well. They'll be deleting mine in the OB section, too.

Well, I'm looking forward to seeing it all posted here when you have the time to bring it up to date. I am hooked on your story! :yes:

:love: :love:
Kimi

Why they're deleting yours????

i don't understand ... i mean, the girls at A&F did something similar... actually, the same thing, but i mean, it wasn't a big trouble, they didn't delete anything...

in EWFN are going to delete?

bad...

luv :love:
Andie!

Chapter 4

Elijah and Dom danced with Mattie throughout the concert, and had the best time they’d had in ages. No fans screaming for their autographs, no one after what they could give them, no photographers clicking their way to their next sale… just three twenty-something’s dancing, singing and enjoying the concert of a great rock band. All three of them were sad to see it end.

The lights eventually went up, after Mad Season ended with their song October Grey, and they’d exited the stage. Laughing, Dom, Elijah and Mattie sat back down and waited for the crowd to exit before moving. They chatted amongst themselves about the music, before one of the security guards came over to Mattigan.

“Matt? Jacin wants you honey.” He said, gently touching her shoulder.

“Oh sure, okay I’ll be there in a second, tell him not to have a heart attack, I’m fine!” she said and the guard laughed, nodded and backed away, walking back in the direction of backstage. Elijah and Dom looked at her stunned, and she looked sad.

”You know Jacin Powers?” Dom asked her, as Elijah’s mouth wouldn’t work. His heart had sunk to the floor, and he lowered his eyes to look down at where his heart felt like it was. She was indeed involved with Jacin Powers. ‘Well that just fucking SUCKS,’ he thought bitterly.

“Well, it’s kind of hard not to when he’s my father. I have to go guys,” She said standing up and Elijah’s head whipped up at her comment, and looked at her with wide, blue eyes. She felt her heart tug at them, and knew she was attracted to the guy she’d just met. His friend wasn’t bad either, but she had “clicked” with Elijah. “Want to meet him?” she asked, not willing to leave their company just yet.

Dom and Elijah looked at each other. This was something new. Usually it was others trying to get things from them, now here they were getting something for free without asking.

“Uh, um… sure if you want,” Elijah said, and Dom nodded. Mattie grinned, and motioned for them to follow her as she turned and headed towards the backstage door. She sailed past the guard on the door, but he stopped the two boys.

”Rick, it’s cool, they’re with me.” She said and he stepped back and allowed them past. “Come on guys,” she said as she pushed through the door and headed backstage. They looked at each other then looked at Mattie’s back as it walked down the hall. They ran after her, catching up to her in a few seconds. She smiled and said hi to various people backstage as they passed her and called her by name.

One of the backstage crew stopped when she saw the three of them and said, “Mattie, how come you’re with Elijah Wood and Dominic Monaghan?”

Dom and Elijah looked at each other. “Looks like the jig is up, man,” Dom said quietly to Elijah, and Lij cringed.

“Who? Oh, these two? Oh I just met them while I was watching the show. They’re pretty nice so I thought I’d take them in to see Dad. See you later Mary-Sue!” she said, and continued on her way, the guys walking closely behind her, noticing the scowl on Mary-Sue’s face as they left her standing there in the hallway gaping after them.

“She a friend of yours?” Dom asked, and Mattie looked behind them to make sure that there was no one around. Seeing they were on their own, she snorted laughter and shook her head.

”Hell no, she hates me. She’s only nice to me because she has to be. I don’t care though, I know that she doesn’t like me,” Mattie said, and stopped outside a door with a sign that read “Mad Season – Dressing Room” on it. Knocking, she called out, “You decent?”

“Of course not!” a man called back, “I’ve always been indecent, honey you know that!” and Mattie grinned. As she opened the door she smiled at her new friends.

“He’s always like this, don’t worry about it.” And as the door was pushed open, Dom, Lij and Mattie came face to face with the band members of Mad Season who were lazily sitting around on the sofa’s, three of them drinking a beer each and the other standing and walking towards Mattigan.

Mattie wrapped her arms around Jacin’s neck, and he hugged her. Elijah and Dom watched the interaction between father and daughter, and Elijah got the feeling that this relationship was a close one.

“Hey Dad! Great set!” she said, and he kissed her cheek before letting her go.

”Yeah, felt great too. You were in the crowd again?” He asked, as he sat back down, and Mattie found three chairs for herself and her friends.

“Sure, that’s where I met these two!” Mattie said, and pointed to her new friends. “Uh, Elijah...Wood? And Dom… Monaghan? I think I got that right!” she looked at her friends and they nodded. “Guys, meet my Dad, Jacin Powers, and my surrogate uncles, Rob Grant, Phil Hoffman and Lenny Raines.”

Dom and Elijah shook hands with all four guys, and Mattie leaned over to kiss the cheeks of the other four guys, Lenny, the drummer of the group, pulling her down so that she was sitting on them.

“Wow, Matt, you outdid yourself this time,” Lenny said and Mattie looked at him.

”What’d I do?” She asked.

“You snared yourself two hobbits,” he said, and Elijah and Dom both groaned. Lenny grinned and winked at them.

“Man, now our cover is really blown,” Elijah said, grinning as he could see the humour in it.

“Yeah, guess getting the hobbit hair cut off didn’t help us in our efforts of disguise.” Dom added and the other guys laughed while Mattie wondered what on earth they were talking about.

”Don’t worry about Mattie, she hasn’t seen Lord of the Rings yet.” Phil said, and Mattie looked at them.

“Oh, you’re actors huh?” She asked, and then shrugged. “Cool.” She leaned over to Rob who was sitting beside her while she was stuck on Lenny’s lap, and said in his ear, “Are they famous?” Rob nodded and Mattie blushed. “Oops.”

“Don’t worry about it Mattie,” Elijah said, grinning. “Actually it was awesome to just go out and meet someone at a concert without being fawned over. It gets tiring after a while.”

“Yeah, we’d already been caught at the café where we went for dinner, so it was great to hang out with someone who didn’t know who we were.” Dom added, and Mattie felt a little better. She got off Lenny, and sat beside her father, resting her head on his shoulder.

nah marcus said they'd be deleted. i'm not reposting another 123 chapters ... not on that board and not again.

it's over for me. I'll stay here and The Writer's Blok.

Yeah I understand your frustration...
I won't go there anymore either...

but to the chapter *sigh*
I'm still looooving it :)

It's so cute "Are they famous?" CUTE! *lol*

gosh I can't imagien how far we have to go to reach the new stuff... but I'll try to be patient! :)

hug
Laila

I am Elijahisawesome from the EWFN boards...I read part of this story on EWFN but couldn't finish it because my eyes ached and then I forgot about it. I am going to read it know though! Its really good! I can't believe that they would delete all of that stuff. Oh well.

luv ya

Sarah

YAY!!!! I can catch up now! woot!

I have to go to work now though, but I'll be checking up on it very soon.

about EWFN: The fictions have been moved to "topics violating the guidelines" mine included. None have been deleted, just hidden from members before marcus decides whether to have an adult forum or not...

It would indeed be a long while before we get to the new stuff but I absolutely love re-reading these heh... A long way since then!

great chappies wendy. Gets comfy chair out and settles down to read this story again

Sighs i do love this story pulls up comfy chair and sits down and reads

It doesn't matter Kierra - though thanks for the info - I've requested it be deleted from EWFN to Marcus in PM. I can't be bothered with the crap he pulls. It's the way he words things that causes the majority of the hostility, and when he replies to those who are just voicing their opinions... it's just plain rude.

Is it true he's shutting the site down after ROTK?

Chapter 5

“Did Cole turn up?” Jacin asked Mattie, and she looked at her dad.

”No, he didn’t, and you knew he wouldn’t too.” She said, sighing.

”Matt, honey you need to dump his ass,” he said to her, and she groaned.

”Dad, don’t start that again! I told you, it’s none of your business!” she said, as she got up and went in search of something to drink, asking Dom and Elijah if they wanted anything. Asking for a beer each, she nodded, and disappeared, Dom on her heels offering to help. Jacin looked at Elijah and smiled. They had gotten on well so far, and had spent the last hour talking before he started his interrogation of his daughter’s love life.

“She really needs to dump her boyfriend.” Jacin said conspiratorially to Elijah, who had been devastated to learn that she was indeed taken. ‘Of course she was!’ he thought to himself. ‘Look at her! She’s gorgeous, intelligent, humorous, fun to be with and a great dancer…’ he could have gone on and on in his head but broke off the conversation he was having with himself to listen to what Jacin was saying.
“She needs someone who’ll treat her right,” Jacin said, and the other guys in the band agreed.

”Sure does, she’s an angel that one,” Rob agreed, and Phil and Lenny nodded.

Dom and Mattie returned and Dom handed Elijah his beer, before sitting back down beside Elijah on the chair he’d vacated.

“Did you hear from Drew?” she asked.

“Yeah, your brother said he would love to have come along but they’re playing in Phoenix tonight and couldn’t make it back.” Jacin said.

”Damn hockey players,” she muttered and then laughed. Drew and Mattie were very close, and whenever the Anaheim Mighty Ducks were playing at home, she drove to Anaheim to watch her brother play.

“You’re related to Drew Powers too?” Elijah asked incredulously.

Dom lightly hit Elijah on the arm and said, “Who?”

Elijah laughed. ”Ice hockey player, Dom. Plays for Anaheim.” Elijah informed him. He was more of a basketball fan himself, but everyone had heard of Drew Powers.

”Yeah, he’s my brother. I’m the only non-famous member of the family.” She grinned. “I’m happier in the background – don’t like the spotlight too much,” and she set about removing imaginary lint from her shirt. Sighing, she looked at her watch. ”Oh shit, look at the time. Daddy I’m gonna have to get going. Working girl and all, got bills to pay,” she said getting up.

“Yeah, okay, okay.” Jacin said, getting up with her. He gave her another hug.

”Great show guys, seriously.” Mattie said.

“Come down to the studio on Friday Matt, and bring your folder,” Phil said and the others agreed. Mattie sighed, they were forever trying to get her to show them her song writing that she did in her spare time.

”I’ll see what I can do,” she said winking at them, knowing full well that she wouldn’t be able to get time off for such an event, and then turned to her friends. “Are you going or staying?” she asked and they looked at her then each other. They’d had a fabulous time hanging out with the band, though Elijah felt it was time to go that they had intruded on their time long enough.

“I guess we’re going too,” Elijah said, and they reluctantly got up.

”Need a lift?” She asked, and Dom nodded.

”That’d be great, thanks!” he said, and Elijah and Dom walked over to the others and thanked them for allowing them to spend time with them.

As they shook their hands, Jacin said, “Anytime. You’re friends with Mattie now, so you’re welcome back anytime.” He held Elijah’s hand a little longer in the handshake than he did with Dom, and felt a mutual look pass between them. He liked Elijah, and felt he would be good for Mattie to spend some time with him. And he intended to try and make that happen.

Elijah wondered why Jacin was looking at him like that, and then realised what he’d said earlier. He didn’t like Mattie’s current boyfriend – he didn’t treat her right. Elijah hated guys like that. Maybe he would have an ally in winning Mattie’s affections? Judging by the nod he just received from Jacin, he gathered it was a yes. Grinning himself he said his final goodbyes and followed Dom and Mattie out, with the two T-shirts he’d been given by the band for Hannah and himself in his hand, and an autographed CD wrapped up inside it.

Once they had reached the car park, Mattie walked over to a 1970s metallic blue VW Beetle, and unlocked the doors and Dom helped her pull the soft top off, and fold it back into the hatch at the back. She told them to get inside. Dom crawled into the back seat, giggling with glee as his favourite car was a Beetle convertible, and now he was sitting in one, though he would have preferred a red one, but blue would do at least for the ride home!

Elijah was shocked to not only see a second hand car, but also one so old! He would have thought that a daughter of a millionaire would be driving in a top of the range BMW or something instead of an old bomb.

“Yeah I know, she looks like a bomb, but Bessie is my baby and I can’t bring myself to get rid of her. I’ve spent a couple of thousand fixing her up so she’s perfect mechanically. Plus I hate those pretentious BMW things and shit like that, though the new mini coopers are pretty nice. But I can’t afford one of those, so Bessie is all I have for now.” She explained, and Elijah was amazed at how she answered the question he was thinking.

“How come?” Dom asked, wondering why she couldn’t afford one.

“How come what?” she asked a little confused.

”How come you can’t afford one?” he asked again, and Mattigan smiled.

“I earn my own money, Dom. I don’t sponge off my Dad. There’s money put aside in a trust that I’ll get later in life I guess, but until then I’m on my own. My brother is lucky; he’s a fabulous sportsman and really lucked out with the hockey contract with Anaheim. Me… I have to earn it the old fashioned way – a 9 – 5 job that I enjoy at least. I’m happy with the way things are though. It keeps my life much more simplified than those of the men in my life…excluding Cole of course.” She pulled out of the car park, and followed Dom’s directions to his house in Santa Monica.

**

They’d chatted happily and joked around all the way back to Dom’s and now the boys were standing on the sidewalk outside his apartment building. As she was about to drive away, Elijah leaned back over the car door.

“Hey, want to hang out sometime? Just as friends, I mean.” He said as he watched her open her mouth, in case she had ideas of turning him down.

“Uh…sure why not?” she said, and he asked for her number so he could contact her. She quickly wrote it down for him and handed it over, then he stood up and she said goodbye, waving as she drove off.

Dom stood beside Elijah and said, “She’s taken man.”

“I know, the good ones always are, dude,” he replied. “She’s awesome though…”

“Yeah… she was nice. Just don’t go making a dick of yourself trying to win her heart,” Dom said as he tapped Elijah’s arm to indicate he was going inside.

Thats what I heard

I think he will...maybe...I heard it, but he changes his mind frequently

I didn't notice this when I first read the story but wow, they read each other's mind! Woot! :D Pretty glad to read this because of... erm... Well, you know :shutup:

[/useless post]

Glad he doesn't listen to Dom

Chapter 6

The next day Mattigan got up early and got ready for work. Sighing as she pulled out of her driveway from her apartment building, and drove off in the direction of work, her soft-top pulled up on her Beetle, and The Eminem Show blaring out of her stereo. She wasn’t really looking forward to her day job, because she didn’t think the head of the music studio where she worked on reception liked her much, and always looked down on her like she was dirt.

She much preferred going to work at the café where she was a waitress three nights a week, and on Sundays. Working two jobs was tiring, but she didn’t sing, and couldn’t play hockey. All she did was write lyrics and poetry in her spare time and only shared them with her Dad sometimes… he hadn’t seen the bulk of her work, but had be supportive of the work she had shown him.

Settling down once she’d arrived, she busied herself setting up her computer, and filing away what she needed to while answering calls at the same time. After an hour or so, and taking at least 15 messages for the head of the studio, she answered another call, yet again for ‘Dr Dre’. Mattigan heard the door open and smiled a wider smile than the one that was plastered on her face while she was on the phone, when she saw who walked in the door.

”Yes sir, as soon as he’s available, I’ll pass that message on,” she said into the microphone that was attached to her headset. The blonde man in street gear smiled at her as she rolled her eyes and said, “Not at all, have a nice day!” and hung up the phone, taking her headset off at the same time and placing it on the desk. Mattie looked up at the man standing in front of her reception desk and said, “Marshall! How are you?” she said pleasantly with a smile.

“Hey girl, I’m happening, how you doing?” he said lazily and winked at her.

“Fantastic thanks. Where’s my favourite girl? Judging by the smile on your face, I’m guessing you brought her along?”

Marshall “Eminem” Mathers grinned at Mattie. “You know it girl. She’s outside with Dre – he bought her an ice cream.” He chuckled as he leaned over the reception desk and was close enough to kiss her. “When are you going to dump that fucking prick you call a boyfriend and run away with me?” he suggested sexily.

“Marshall, sweetie, you’re too much man for little old me,” she teased back and as he kissed her cheek they heard the door open and close. Marshall, still leaning over the top of the desk, looked behind him.

“DADDY!!” Hailie said as she ran over to him.

“Hey baby,” he said as he got off the desk. Dre walked in behind him.

“She made a mess on the sidewalk man,” Dre said, laughing.

“Mattie!!” Hailie squealed and ran over to Mattigan behind the desk.

“Hi Hailie, how are you?” Mattigan asked as the young girl threw her arms around her and gave her a hug. Mattie laughed and ignored the sticky ice cream that Hailie had just put all over her suit.

“Good,” Hailie said. “Uncle Andre bought me a ice cream!”

“Aren’t you a lucky girl?” Mattie asked her, grinning, and Dre rolled his eyes. Mattie saw it and felt uncomfortable again as she usually did when Andre was around her. She didn’t think he liked her at all, and thankfully it was not Andre who had hired her, it was his office manager.

“Any messages?” Dre asked a little short, and Mattie looked away from Hailie for a moment and picked up the pile of pink pages and handed them to him.

“The ones on top are the urgent messages, Andre,” she said and Dre waved at her dismissively and headed towards the elevator.

“Em?” Dre called as he stepped into the elevator.

“I’ll catch you up there, man,” he said and Dre nodded and stepped back into the elevator as the doors shut.

“He always dawg you like that?” Marshall asked her. Mattie put on her best smile. She refused to show that she couldn’t handle it, nor was she going to let Dr Dre get to her. And as a loyal employee, she wouldn’t put her boss down either. Besides, she didn’t see Marshall all that often as he did the majority of his recording in Detroit, and didn’t want to talk about such matters with him, he’d more than likely go to Dre and tell him what she’d said!

“Like what?” she asked brightly. Marshall looked at her with cynical eyes.

"Matt,” he said, and Mattie looked at Hailie. She didn’t think it was right that Hailie had to listen to this.

"Hailie, why don’t you go and wash the ice cream from your hands and then you can come back and take a ride in the elevator?” she asked her, crouching in front of the child. Grinning Hailie said okay and took off running for the female bathroom. Mattie straightened up and looked at her acquaintance. “Marshall, everything is fine. Are you taking Hailie upstairs?” she asked trying to deflect the conversation from herself.

“Actually, there’s a track I wanna lay down this mornin’ but I don’t want Hailie to hear it…” he trailed off.

“I’ll watch her,” Mattie said, opening her bottom drawer, and pulling out a couple of colouring books, some reading books, and lots of coloured felt pens. “I’m all prepared!” Mattie grinned at Marshall. He laughed and when Hailie came back, he explained that Mattie was going to colour with her for a while and then he’d come back down and get her soon.

Once she was settled in a spare chair on the end of Mattie’s desk, Marshall turned to Mattie and said to her, “Thanks for watching my little girl, Matt. You’re fucking cool, you know?”

Mattie smiled. “Anytime, Marshall, Anytime.”

“Matt… Don’t let Dre dis you, stand up girl, and he’ll come around,” he said and she looked thoughtfully at him. He smiled, and kissed her cheek again, then headed to the elevator, waving at Hailie who waved back before going back to her colouring.

He watched as Mattie talked to Hailie and coloured with her, while answering the phone calls that came in. He felt his anger rising at the way he’d seen Dre treat her. He liked Mattigan, she looked after his daughter wonderfully, and never complained nor questioned why. She offered every time. He respected her, and that wasn’t something he gave away easily, and rarely to women.

He was going to have it out with Dre about how he treated her, as she didn’t deserve it.