Well Hey There Stranger [Tessa/Shannon]

[Alfred Franklin Jones]

CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE

HEAVEN ON EARTH WITH AN ONION SLICE
NOT TOO PARTICULAR, NOT TOO PRECISE

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Alfred weaved through the crowd in the cafeteria, trying to find a clear table to sit at. He ignored the stares as he carried his tray. What was really so strange about carrying five hamburgers anyway? He could be sharing them with a friend! He wasn't, but how did they know that? It reminded him of England nagging him that he was going to get fat if he kept eating the way that he did. England was always nagging him, come to think of it.

Hadn't he fought a war in the 1700s to put a stop to that?

Anyway, he was going to put all of that behind him for the time being. He had five warm ground beef patties just waiting for a spot reserved for them in his stomach, and he wasn't going to deny them that privilege any longer. Unwrapping the first patty from its foil home, he began to feast. The different flavors worked together to create a beautiful medley within his mouth. Each and every hamburger was a piece of art just waiting to be dissected and explored by Alfred's taste buds.

While he was indulging in the food of gods, however, Alfred needed something else to keep himself fully occupied. As the table he was seated at was empty of occupants other than himself, he'd brought other entertainment. In this particular case? He had with him a Captain America comic book.

He'd read it before, of course. There weren't many comic books that he hadn't read. Being nigh immortal meant that he had plenty of time and energy to invest into his comic book collection. Captain America had always been his favorite, for reasons that were obvious to anyone who knew him. He'd gone to the midnight release of The Avengers fully decked out in Captain America garb, and had gone to see the movie at least three more times within the first week it came out. He'd even insisted that Barack start calling him by the name Captain America. This lasted for about two weeks before the president insisted that he return to being addressed as 'Alfred'. Secret service agents were starting to ask questions...

For now, though, the real Captain America (as Alfred liked to call himself) was quite content flipping through his comic book and eating. He certainly wouldn't mind if anyone came up and started a conversation (talking was another favorite past time of his), but he was quite pleased with his current conditions as well.

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TEMPLATE CREDIT: eliza @ shadowplay
SONG: Cheeseburger in Paradise by Jimmy Buffett
WORD COUNT: 423
TAG: Tessa/Shannon
NOTES: Yes...I wrote a heavily detailed paragraph about Alfred eating a hamburger. SHADDAP. XD [/color][/font]
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I'M JUST A CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE

[/center][/blockquote]

[Tessa Raven O'Conner]

Hey, hey, you, you! I don't like your girlfriend,



No way, no way I think you need a new one,

[/b]
Hey, hey, you, you! I could be your girlfriend[/center]


Tessa walked in to the cafeteria starving, she had forgotten to eat breakfast and after three classes she just needed something amazing in her stomach. Smelling all the foods her stomach grumbled. Rushing over she grabbed a tray and began to pile salad on her plate. But with her stomach telling her salad was a joke she grabbed a hamburger too. Finally done shuffling around the food to make sure there was nothing else she wanted she grabbed a drink. Looking around the cafeteria Tessa eyes scanned the place, and she was almost going to sit by herself but she spotted Alfred at the last second. Feeling a flutter in her stomach, her nerves kicked in but she slowly began walking over to him.

She was about to ask if she could sit down but noticed the comic book he was reading he didn’t want to interrupt. But on the other hand she didn’t want to leave either. Tessa wasn’t sure what was going on lately, she had met Alfred a couple weeks back it seemed since there meeting she couldn’t stop thinking about him. And to be quite honest she couldn’t figure it out as to why she was attracted to him. Alfred wasn’t even her type; Tessa figured it was his confidence that really struck her. Because what gal doesn’t love a man who’s confident in himself. Even though Alfred did like to take it farther than that, his ego was bigger than a hot air balloon. Tessa grasped on to her tray trying to figure out if she was going to sit or just walk away. It must have looked strange to people that she was hovering behind him. Tessa was also slightly surprised that he hadn’t noticed her either. Then again he was very engrossed with the comic book he was reading. Finally making up her damn mind she sat down and smiled at Alfred.

“I hope you don’t mind me sitting here, if you’d rather read I can always go to another table. You just looked like you needed some company. I know I can’t take my eyes away from any sort of reading material till I’m done with it. I think it’s a curse, but others wished they had reading dedication like that.”

Laughing nervously she had just spewed out a bunch of things that probably didn’t even matter. That’s what happened to Tessa though when she started getting jittery, she just began rambling on about useless things. Hoping she didn’t sound like a complete idiot she began picking at her salad. She felt the butter flies take another lap around her stomach then die back down as she calmed her self down.

Word Count: 449
Tag: Alfred/Mandee
Notes: Haha I love it!

[Alfred Franklin Jones]

CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE

HEAVEN ON EARTH WITH AN ONION SLICE
NOT TOO PARTICULAR, NOT TOO PRECISE

[/color][/font]
----------------------------------

Finishing up with one hamburger, Alfred unraveled the next and took a bite. He flipped to the next page in the comic book, still fully absorbed in the material. As such, he didn't notice the shadow hovering over him, nor did he realize that anyone was standing near him until he heard a tray hit the table, followed by a female voice.

He looked up to see who it was, his eyes landing on a girl who he recalled seeing around the school a few times before. Ah, what was her name...something that started with a T. Tina? Tara? Ah well, it wasn't information that he needed right this second. He could carry on a conversation perfectly well without remembering her name. She was rambling a lot, but Alfred caught most of what she was saying.

"Nah, sit down! There's plenty of room for another person here!"

[/color] Alfred laughed heartily. He almost always enjoyed company. In fact, he didn't much like being alone, hence why he'd needed that magazine to give him something to do. Otherwise he'd start getting antsy.

Now, what else was she talking about? Oh yes, reading material! That was something Alfred could talk about in great detail! Having finished up his second burger, Alfred started in on his third one straight away. 'S Captain America."[/color] Alfred said, mouth still somewhat full from the bite he'd just taken. He turned the comic book toward her with his free hand (i.e. the one not holding the hamburger). He swallowed the contents of his mouth with a loud gulp before continuing. "Been a while since I've read this one, but I've read it before, so no big. I can finish it later. I've read all of them, of course. This is one of my favorites!"[/color] Alfred stated with his usual goofy grin, before adding onto it. "D'you read comics? What's your favorite superhero?"[/color]

If Alfred knew why Tessa was truly so interested in sitting with him, he likely wouldn't be indulging her in this sort of conversation. He'd likely be doing everything in his power to dissuade her from feeling that way. Humans were cool and all, but he liked to keep them on a friendship only basis. Too many complications otherwise. He would outlive her, for one thing, and then there was the fact that he wouldn't feel right being in a relationship with a human unless he was level with them about being a nation. Finally? He was involved with Israel. Unfortunately, Alfred had a very hard time reading the atmosphere unless he knew the situation called for it, and this was just an easygoing conversation, right?

[/blockquote][/blockquote][/SIZE][/font]
----------------------------------

TEMPLATE CREDIT: eliza @ shadowplay
SONG: Cheeseburger in Paradise by Jimmy Buffett
WORD COUNT: 464
TAG: Tessa/Shannon
NOTES: I'm Lovin' It. XD [/color][/font]
----------------------------------
I'M JUST A CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE

[/center][/blockquote]

[Tessa Raven O'Conner]

Hey, hey, you, you! I don't like your girlfriend,



No way, no way I think you need a new one,

[/b]
Hey, hey, you, you! I could be your girlfriend[/center]

Tessa smiled as he invited her to sit, she didn’t want to just invade where he was sitting. Not that he claimed anything at the school but still she didn’t want to seem weird just sitting down. As she sat there Tessa watched Alfred polish off hamburgers like they were going out of style. She looked Alfred over with out him noticing and wondered where everything went. He was skinny as a rail; there wasn’t even an ounce of fat on him. But she figured that he must work out or do some sort of exercise.

Looking down at her tray she wondered if she should hurry up and eat her own hamburger afraid it would be stolen or eyed to death. Instead she just scooted it a bit closer but acting like it was in her way so she had to move it. Digging her fork back in the salad for more she listened as he was telling her what he was reading. She had seen the movie Captain America and it was marvelous! Not to mention the actor was cute too, which didn’t hurt movie sales.

“No, I don’t read comics I know getting them they can be super expensive. But if I had the opportunity I would definitely read one. Just to see if it’d like the experience or not, it couldn’t hurt to expand my reading material. And as for favorite super hero? Well I’d have to say wonder women, she’s sexy yet sophisticated and can kick someone’s ass on top of it.”

Tessa’s thoughts wandered away from the conversation, if she was super women she could do anything. Although with time traveling she could go anywhere in time, she couldn’t and wouldn’t give that up for any other power. Tessa loved that she could be in 2012 one second and be in 1859 the next. History and the world they weren’t even a question for her, she could see every major event in time first hand if she wanted to. Even reports she did, you better believe it came from her observing the day if it had a date stamped on it.

Tessa did love and live by books, but they could only recount so much and only one side of the story. Being there it was almost looking at an event with a fresh set of eyes. As in the wars, you can tell children about how the men suffered with gangrene stacking there feet. But to actually see the men suffering, but pushing on for there country. That was her witnessing a miracle happening, even though she didn’t believe in miracles.

“So who would be your other favorite besides Captain America if you had to choose one?”

Word count: 454
Tag: Alfred/Mandee
Notes: Ba da ba ba ba! haha. That clown scares me... stupid Ronald McDonald.

[Alfred Franklin Jones]

CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE

HEAVEN ON EARTH WITH AN ONION SLICE
NOT TOO PARTICULAR, NOT TOO PRECISE

[/color][/font]
----------------------------------

Even Alfred wasn't entirely sure where all of the food he ate went. He was just happy that he could eat as much as he wanted to without gaining too much weight, even if gaining weight was one of his worst fears. He'd already had more than a few nightmares where he found he'd gained a significant amount of weight. Every time he woke up from one of these nightmares, he had to race for the bathroom and look in the mirror to make sure that he hadn't gained 100 pounds overnight. One would think that of all things would stop him from eating so much, but he liked food too damn much.

Alfred's smile dropped a tad when Tessa admitted that she didn't read comic books. Then he heard her reasoning and supposed that it made sense. "Yeah, they are pretty expensive, though they didn't used to be so bad. Inflation makes everything worse."

[/color] And he'd lived through a lot of inflation. "Lot of the older ones are REALLY expensive now, but I have most of them if you want to borrow any."[/color] He didn't have his entire collection with him - No, that was a bit too much to pack up with him, but he'd brought along some of his favorites. If he could introduce someone else to the wonderful world of comic book superheroes, he'd definitely take the opportunity!

The blond was finishing up his third cheeseburger when Tessa replied who her favorite superhero was, and so he shot her a thumbs up before he actually provided her with a verbal answer after swallowing once more. "Good choice. She's pretty kickass."[/color] And Tessa was right - She looked damn good doing it.

Tessa wasn't the only one who had a heavy advantage when it came to history. Tessa could travel back whenever she wanted to, but Alfred had actually been there the first time around, at least with any events in American history. As for British history, he'd heard plenty of those tales as bedtime stories when he was physically a child. He wasn't as knowledgeable about world history, especially anything before him, but at least he had some advantage.

Alfred, like Tessa, had also seen the suffering through his own eyes, and it wasn't something that he liked to think about unless he had to. Usually Alfred acted his physical age, but whenever the subject of an old war came up, especially when it came down to specific battles that he was there for, his eyes betrayed that there was something more to it than just a teenager's recollection of stories he'd heard - He looked like someone who'd been there, who lived through it. He suffered too. He'd become deathly ill at Valley Forge as the Continental Army struggled to make it through the winter. His Civil War was something Alfred tried to avoid discussing at all costs, even when people asked him why he had a large jagged scar down his midsection (and people had definitely asked). The Great Depression manifested as a decade's worth of flu-like symptoms.

Hell, even though he was barely touching upon these thoughts at the surface of his mind, his eyes betrayed the slightest hint of weariness.

Therefore, Tessa's next question was a welcome distraction, and one that Alfred welcomed with open arms, even if it was hard to pick a favorite other than Captain America... "Hmm, maybe Superman? Captain America is my favorite, though."[/color] Of course it was.



[/blockquote][/blockquote][/SIZE][/font]
----------------------------------

TEMPLATE CREDIT: eliza @ shadowplay
SONG: Cheeseburger in Paradise by Jimmy Buffett
WORD COUNT: 608
TAG: Tessa/Shannon
NOTES: Got a little rambly with this one. ^^ [/color][/font]
----------------------------------
I'M JUST A CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE

[/center][/blockquote]

[Tessa Raven O'Conner]

Hey, hey, you, you! I don't like your girlfriend,



No way, no way I think you need a new one,

[/b]
Hey, hey, you, you! I could be your girlfriend[/center]

Tessa’s eyes widened as Alfred offered for her to borrow one of his books. Even though she had a very intellectual mind and knew this could be just a friendly gesture, she still couldn’t help but freak out mentally. Acting cool on the out side she took another mouthful of salad and just nodded her head as he asked if she wanted to borrow a book. She wondered if it was just a strange little attraction since he was nineteen after all. There was just something about him she couldn’t place; he seemed older like he knew a lot more then he was letting on. Tessa just chalked it up to be her imagination running away from her though. Finally clearing her food from her mouth she was able to answer, also calming her self down so she couldn’t get a high-pitched voice.

“Yes that would be amazing, I’m always looking for something new to read. And comics couldn’t hurt; we could discuss them after I read them. If you have the time, I don’t know your school schedule so you could get back to me at any time. I could even give you my number if you would like.”

She was a bit nervous when she threw out if he’d like to have her number. But knowing men he would be oblivious to the fact that she liked him at this point. Tessa was positive once he got to know her there attraction to each other was just a matter of time. Little did Tessa know she wasn’t talking about humans, and even so not all humans but in her case she knew she wasn’t ugly and fairly attractive. And that as a human he was more or less on her level of attractiveness and men usually didn’t shoot higher than what they thought they were. Then again she didn’t know him all that well either so trying to categorize him was pointless. Shaking her head she brought herself back in to the conversation.

“Thank you, I believe that she is pretty kickass as well. Although how people don’t recognize her is beyond me or take superman for example. I would recognize you if you took off you glasses off and put a cape on. It’s funny how he is seen as some other guy, in the movies, it just shows you how unrealistic they are.”

Opening up her burger she takes a bite, this is what her stomach had been waiting for all along. Savoring the flavor she begin to dig in, she needed to be alert her next to classes they were a challenge and would be a bigger problem on her if she had no real food to satisfy her hunger. Tessa looked around the cafeteria she didn’t eat here very often; usually taking her food and leaving somewhere quiet she could read or just sit in her thoughts. Sometimes for lunch she’d go to different era’s and dine there just to spice things up.

Word Count: 499
Tag: Alfred/Mandee
Notes: haha it's all good.

[Alfred Franklin Jones]

CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE

HEAVEN ON EARTH WITH AN ONION SLICE
NOT TOO PARTICULAR, NOT TOO PRECISE

[/color][/font]
----------------------------------

Of course, Alfred did mean the offer as a friendly gesture, and remained oblivious to the idea that it might be construed as anything else by Tessa. He grinned at her receptivity to the idea of reading a few comics - He'd converted another one!

Even the offer to exchange numbers didn't phase Alfred. People exchanged numbers all of the time. It didn't necessarily mean that they were going to start dating each other. As a result, Alfred grabbed a napkin and jotted his phone number onto it before handing it over to Tessa. "There's mine if ya want it."

[/color] Oh Alfred, you have no idea what you're playing into...

It wasn't that Alfred didn't see anything attractive about Tessa either. He did see her as an attractive girl, but the fact remained that she was human. A mutant human, but still a human. She still had a short life span compared to him. He could live a thousand years or longer. He'd already been around for four hundred years, though he'd only started celebrating birthdays approximately 236 years before.

At the subject of secret identities, the corners of Alfred's mouth turned up a little. It was a strange little grin if one looked closely at it. "Wouldn't be so sure about that. Just cause they look alike doesn't mean that someone's going to make the jump and say 'hey, dudes, Superman and Clark Kent are the same person!'. You'd need proof, right? And Superman covers up his ass pretty well."[/color] He was, of course, speaking from experience. Really, if one put together all of the hints, they could definitely see that there was something different about Alfred. Making the leap as to what he actual was, though? Jair, Erika, and Kat might have figured it out, but that was less because of the evidence and entirely because Jair was an expert at reading body language and could tell when he meant what he was saying and when he did not. Even though it looked obvious on the outset, one had to remember that the reader already knew that Clark Kent and Superman were the same person. Who was to say that, living in the comic book universe without that prior knowledge, they would be able to make the same connections?

Though while they were on the subject of superheroes...weren't they at a school for superheroes, of sorts?

"Say, what's your power?"[/color] Alfred asked curiously, not even realizing that he might be prying. Hey, it was a valid question! At a place like this, it had to be on a par with asking someone what their name was.

[/blockquote][/blockquote][/SIZE][/font]
----------------------------------

TEMPLATE CREDIT: eliza @ shadowplay
SONG: Cheeseburger in Paradise by Jimmy Buffett
WORD COUNT: 456
TAG: Tessa/Shannon
NOTES: Got a little rambly with this one. ^^ [/color][/font]
----------------------------------
I'M JUST A CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE

[/center][/blockquote]

[Tessa Raven O'Conner]

Hey, hey, you, you! I don't like your girlfriend,



No way, no way I think you need a new one,

[/b]
Hey, hey, you, you! I could be your girlfriend[/center]

Watching Alfred nod to the idea of switching numbers Tessa was ecstatic. She almost didn’t believe it was that easy to get a phone number from a guy. Then again she was usually to busy with her book and school to even be bother by the male species. As Alfred handed the napkin over she gently grabbed it looking at the number. This was almost a dream come true, glancing at the number again she couldn’t believe it was actually in her hands. Taking out her phone she typed the number in so she wouldn’t lose it. Not that she would though, Tessa was well organized and a neat freak but accidents do happen.

“Thanks, I’ll give you a text sometime.”

Putting her phone away she tucked the napkin in to her backpack. Zipping it back up she returned to her plate of food. Still jittery about getting the phone number her leg shook moderately fast, Tessa barely noticed since it was something she did when getting nervous. Looking Alfred over he was very handsome, even though he had a hint of nerd due to the glasses everything else about him screamed confident. She wondered what his power was but didn’t want to seem rude and ask. Tessa glanced at Alfred food but it’s seemed to have disappeared, she wondered how he wasn’t bigger. If he ate that many hamburgers per sitting he should be gaining some sort of weight. Her thoughts were lost when Alfred started to speak about superman.

“True you do need proof, but Clark Kent isn’t that sneaky. When he sees trouble he takes off and everyone stays to look at what going to dominate the city. I’m sorry I would be running off with Clark Kent to save my ass then hoping someone would come rescue me. That is how people get killed by not doing anything at all hoping someone will come rescue them.”

It was true people can be a great spy or assassin and still get taken down, Superman is an amateur compared to that. Tessa was supposed to believe that he was so slick that no one noticed when he was gone? Or perhaps the other conclusion is no one really likes Clark Kent so they don’t give a crap when he leaves nor care to think about his return. Tessa made her self laugh a bit, that cleared everything up for him though. Why not one person could peg him missing when he just disappeared, not even his crush Lois Lane. She could have cared less about Clark Kent, she was in love with a real hero Superman. Tessa figured Superman should have dumped her attention to let her see how it feels.

“My powers? Well they are time manipulation or in easier terms time travel. And yours?”

Funny how the right opportunity came up for Tessa to ask about his powers. She was just getting lucky today wasn’t she?

Word Count: 490
Tag: Alfred/Mandee
Notes: Just trying out a new style, might start sizing everything to one it looks better

[Alfred Franklin Jones]

CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE

HEAVEN ON EARTH WITH AN ONION SLICE
NOT TOO PARTICULAR, NOT TOO PRECISE

[/color][/font]
----------------------------------

"That'd be cool. You wanna stop by my dorm when we're done with lunch to check out what comics I have?"

[/color] Again, he was playing into Tessa's crush without even realizing it. Really, he just wanted to talk comic books, and was happy to find someone who was receptive to the conversation. He didn't view her as dating material. No strings attached sex, maybe, but not dating material.

Alfred laughed. "Maybe that's how he gets away with it?!Everyone's too busy looking at the bad guys to see what he's up to?"[/color] He finished up his fourth hamburger and started in on his fifth and final one. Honestly, he'd have no problem going up to get more, but then they might not have time to go up to his dorm to check out the comic books. Alfred didn't feel full, because he was incapable of feeling so. Hungry, yes. Full, no. It was an odd little quirk, but Alfred wasn't complaining. He liked the taste of food, and the fact that he could pack it away without getting full? He'd gotten lucky as far as he was concerned!

As Tessa shared her power with him, Alfred's eyes widened almost comically as his hamburger dangled out of his mouth. Time travel? Time travel? She could travel through time? How epic was that?! Alfred quickly shoved the rest of his fifth hamburger in his mouth, chewing it up fast and swallowing so that they could discuss Tessa's totally epic power in more detail. "How far can you travel? What all can you do? Where have ya been? Can you take me with you some time?"[/color] Alfred could think of plenty of times he'd like to revisit, though he hadn't yet considered any complications that might occur from traveling back into his own history. Even amongst the mutants at the school, he was not normal. He was something different. This was something that Tessa remained completely unaware of, but for how long would that last if they did time travel together? Ah well, what did Alfred care right now? He was too busy fanboying over her power. "You're like a human Delorean!"[/color]



[/blockquote][/blockquote][/SIZE][/font]
----------------------------------

TEMPLATE CREDIT: eliza @ shadowplay
SONG: Cheeseburger in Paradise by Jimmy Buffett
WORD COUNT: 378
TAG: Tessa/Shannon
NOTES: And now this one's short. XD [/color][/font]
----------------------------------
I'M JUST A CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE

[/center][/blockquote]

[Tessa Raven O'Conner]

Hey, hey, you, you! I don't like your girlfriend,



No way, no way I think you need a new one,

[/b]
Hey, hey, you, you! I could be your girlfriend[/center]

“T-to you dorm? Sure, but won’t I get in trouble if I’m not a boy? Even if we are just looking at comics.”

Tessa was excited but she did play by rules, even when she was time traveling she had a set of rules. Number one was don’t disturb the past, she couldn’t make contact with anyone and stayed mostly in the shadows or else she would blend in to a crowds. It was hard being a time traveler, because any little thing that you did could alter to future. She felt like she had done that once before but then again the future was always the same when she came back. Brushing the memories away she laughed as Alfred said that is how Superman snuck away.

“Very true but in real life I don’t think anyone would just stay and watch well maybe the not to smart people would. I for one would be the first to bolt and go find safety or at least time travel else where and make sure I wasn’t in any danger.”

It was true Tessa had a plan for every type of emergency and most of the end results were fleeing to the past. Well a safe past if worse came to worse. She had never tried going to the future before, she was scared it wouldn’t be how she envisioned so she had yet to try it out. But with the right amount of strength she would go just to see if there were any flying cars built although she doubted it. Watching Alfred eat more burgers her eyes widened it was like this kid didn’t have an off button. Continuing to eat she started to feel full her stomach had stopped growling. So she ate a couple more bites and finished off her food before pushing her tray away. Upon telling Alfred about her powers he seemed to have stopped eating.

“Uh well I’ve traveled back to see dinosaurs, and I’m not sure what all I can do I mostly concentrate on my school work don’t want to get stuck in the past. I’ve been a little bit of everywhere I suppose I mostly go for History assignments or major events that have happened. And I suppose I could take you if you abide by my rules. I have yet to travel to the future though.”

She grabbed her backpack and placed it on her lap, opening it up she looked through some notebooks and picked one out. Handing it over these were all the notes she had taken from her travels. Putting it on the table she didn’t know if he would want to browse. But figured it was out there if he wanted to look at it, on some pages she had drawings of what she’s seen. Not that she’s an artist but you got the idea of what was out there.

“I can assure you I’m not a car, and why would a mechanical object go back and forth through time? I mean it’s not like any one has built a time machine as far as I know.”

Word Count: 520
Tag:Alfred/Mandee
Notes: None

[Alfred Franklin Jones]

CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE

HEAVEN ON EARTH WITH AN ONION SLICE
NOT TOO PARTICULAR, NOT TOO PRECISE

[/color][/font]
----------------------------------

Alfred's eyebrow finally went up when he heard Tessa stuttering. What was her deal? "You won't get in trouble! Girls have stopped by before, and besides, you're in college, aren't ya?"

[/color] As far as Alfred knew, college was a time when young adults could get completely crazy. And it wasn't like he was inviting her over for sex (and even if he was, what was wrong with that?). He was inviting her to read comic books.

"I'd do everything I could to save the day! Because that's what heroes do!"[/color] And given that he considered himself the hero of the world? Well, it just made sense. But hey, Tessa was just a civilian. He couldn't say that he blamed her.

There were other things to discuss anyway. Like the fact that Tessa had actually been back to see dinosaurs. "Dinosaurs? Are they just as badass as Jurassic Park made them look?"[/color] Alfred looked excited at the very idea of actually seeing a dinosaur up close. "What major events, and what rules?"[/color] The more questions Tessa answered for him, the more questions Alfred had. At least she kept answering them.

Alfred eyed the notebook Tessa handed over to him with a puzzled expression, starting to laugh when she insisted that she wasn't a car. "You mean you've never seen Back to the Future? That's one of the best movies EVER."[/color] Mind, Alfred's list of 'best movies ever' was probably over one hundred movies long...but all three Back to the Future movies were pretty damn good, and Alfred would argue that point all day and night.

Anyway, Alfred turned his attention back to the notebook in front of him. Most of it he just skimmed through, only finding it mildly interesting. More recently he found a few notes jotted down about the Civil War and made a face. "You visited one of the medical camps? I feel sorry for you. Those were pretty damn bad."[/color] The weary look was back in his eyes, along with the first real hints that there was more to Alfred than met the eye. As he gazed down at the page, his expression was almost haunted, as though he'd seen the dreary conditions he was discussing for himself. "I swear, more people died because they got medical treatment than they would have if they'd just have been left alone."[/color] Perhaps the oddest part was that he wore a smile as he said this. It was a wry smile that did not reach his eyes, but a smile nonetheless, adding an almost eerie expression to a face that had been lit up with careless reverie just seconds before.

It was soon replaced with that same expression as Alfred suddenly slammed the book shut, handing it back to Tessa. "Wanna go see those comic books now?"[/color] He grinned at her as he stood, tossing his hamburger wrappers toward the garbage and letting out a whoop as he hit dead on. "Three points!"[/color]

[/blockquote][/blockquote][/SIZE][/font]
----------------------------------

TEMPLATE CREDIT: eliza @ shadowplay
SONG: Cheeseburger in Paradise by Jimmy Buffett
WORD COUNT: 531
TAG: Tessa/Shannon
NOTES: [/color][/font]
----------------------------------
I'M JUST A CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE

[/center][/blockquote]

[Tessa Raven O'Conner]

Hey, hey, you, you! I don't like your girlfriend,



No way, no way I think you need a new one,

[/b]
Hey, hey, you, you! I could be your girlfriend[/center]

Tessa thought for a moment it was college and she was sure no one would rat them out, besides it wasn’t like they were doing anything illegal. Nodding to herself she figured it would be ok.

“Yeah, I guess it would be ok, I mean it’s not like we are setting off fireworks or anything.”

Smiling she figured it couldn’t hurt, unless the comic books some how disintegrated then they might have to start worrying. She listened as he said he would do everything to save the day. Looking at Alfred he didn’t seem to the type, she supposed that’s why they say don’t judge a book by its cover. It was a true fact and now she saw the saying put in to action.

“Yes dinosaurs are more badass and WAY more violent. It’s awesome how they fight each other. Martin Luther Kings assassination, JFK, presidents being voted in to office… mostly American things. And as for rules number one is don’t mess with the past stay in the shadows, two would be make sure to pack some food just in case something goes wrong. Things along those lines you know.”

It was true she made rules and didn’t break them. Of course for different trips some rules had to be modified. She wondered what back to the future was; she honestly had never seen it. She wondered if it was a good movie or if she’d just criticize the whole thing. It was hard to watch regular movies she liked to pick apart everything. Drumming her fingers on the table she wish she wasn’t so logical about everything and how things happened and just could enjoy. Tessa thought about it and wanted to write that down to work on it.

“Yes I did it was part of the history assignment I had to do. I can’t lie it opened my eyes some of the procedures they did with out medicine sounded pretty horrific. How do you know more people died? I mean no history book say anything about medical camps really, which is why I had to go back in time to find out.”

Raising her brow she wondered how Alfred knew. Unless he some how got first hand experience which was impossible. Ok well not impossible he could have somehow found his way back in time, she was sure she wasn’t the only person who would time travel. But it still was a bit weird since she hadn’t met anyone else yet. Then again she was a turtle in a shell she didn’t meet a lot of people. Putting her notebook back in her bag her eyes focused back on Alfred waiting for an answer.

“And sure lets go I mean were done with our lunch and my class doesn’t start for another hour. Might as well pass a time I’m not doing anything. “

Laughing as Alfred made the basket she clapped. It was certainly impressive and Tessa could never do anything like that with out major practice.

Word Count: 502
Tag: Alfred/Mandee
Notes: None
Lyrics: Avril Lavigne- Boyfriend

[Alfred Franklin Jones]

CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE

HEAVEN ON EARTH WITH AN ONION SLICE
NOT TOO PARTICULAR, NOT TOO PRECISE

[/color][/font]
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Alfred laughed a little. Setting off fireworks in the dorms? That actually sounded kind of fun! "Even if we were, it's no big deal as long as we don't burn anything down."

[/color] He stated this with a wink.

Hearing what it was like to watch a dinosaur fight in person, Alfred's eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. Oh man, he'd definitely have to go back with Tessa to see that some time! He even briefly thought about bringing a camera so that he could show a few people, then realized that probably went against Tessa's mantra. And it wasn't like he didn't understand when things needed to be kept a secret.

His grin once again faded as Tessa explained other events she'd seen. All events he'd either seen or been there for as well. Some closer than others. The assassinations he'd heard about soon after they occurred. Martin Luther King Jr's assassination affected him deeply, but nowhere near as much as John's.

The key difference what that Alfred knew John. He'd met Martin Luther King a couple of times, yes, but Martin Luther King knew him as nothing more than his physical appearance. John, on the other hand? Alfred had a special relationship with all of his bosses, and John was no different. Alfred rarely cried, but he cried at the death of every single one of his bosses whose time had passed, though with some it was worse than others. The founding fathers had been particularly profound ones. The more recent ones who lived to a ripe old age, he'd only shed a few tears for. The assassinations, after the loss of the founding fathers, were among the worst.

Lyndon B. Johnson had walked in on a nearly hysterical Alfred, on the verge of tossing the presidential desk across the Oval Office. Johnson, only having recently taken up the mantle of president with Kennedy's passing, did not know exactly who Alfred was. Despite this, he was around enough to know that Alfred was someone important, and had the sense to try to talk to Alfred in an attempt to calm him down rather than wrestle a large desk out of the apparent teenager's hands. That would be akin to attempting a fight with The Incredible Hulk, something that most normal humans did not dare try to do. Even now, at the recollection, Alfred's eyes looked wearier than ever at the renewed thought of losing John. His hands dug into his pockets, bawling into fists. His entire body seemed to tense.

Presidential inaugurations were a happier thought for Alfred, and he thought of this last bit with a smile. The rest of his body relaxed. There was absolutely no doubt the mixture of emotions going through Alfred at the listing of these events in American history, and it rang once again, plain as day, that these events impacted Alfred deeply. And yet he didn't acknowledge it, at least verbally.

He had no choice but to say something about the Civil War, though. She'd addressed that one out loud. Why couldn't she just leave that be? Of course, it likely had to do with the fact that he said something about it in the first place, but after the things she'd just mentioned? It was getting harder for Alfred to keep his usual goofy smile plastered across his face. "Nevermind that."[/color] Alfred stated somewhat gruffly. It wasn't stated as a suggestion, but rather a demand. And despite his physical age, it was a demand spoken with an unmistakeable air of authority.

Then he heard her laughter, and the smile was back. He didn't bounce back as quickly - His eyes were not shining as much as they were before - but the difference was clear as the conversation took on a lighter tone. "I'll lead the way!"[/color] Alfred announced as he led Tessa out of the cafeteria and up to his dorm. Opening the door slowly, Tessa was greeted to a mess of clothing, fast food wrappers, and random electronics arranged in no particular pattern on the ground. Stepping in first, Alfred waved Tessa inside and gestured to Tessa to follow him into his bedroom. His bedsheets were Captain America themed, as were his pillowcases, and he even had a Captain America plushie placed next to his pillow. Alfred himself, in the mean time, was digging under his bed, where he pulled out a large tub filled to the brim with comic books. And not just new comic books either. Some of these comic books a collector would pay an arm and a leg to get.

Alfred set them on the bed and looked over at Tessa. "Go ahead and check 'em out. Hopefully you'll find something interesting!"[/color] One would certainly hope so. Alfred had to have at least two to three hundred titles crammed into that tub!

[/blockquote][/blockquote][/SIZE][/font]
----------------------------------

TEMPLATE CREDIT: eliza @ shadowplay
SONG: Cheeseburger in Paradise by Jimmy Buffett
WORD COUNT: 803
TAG: Tessa/Shannon
NOTES: I had fun with this one, lol. [/color][/font]
----------------------------------
I'M JUST A CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE

[/center][/blockquote]

[Tessa Raven O'Conner]

Hey, hey, you, you! I don't like your girlfriend,



No way, no way I think you need a new one,

[/b]
Hey, hey, you, you! I could be your girlfriend[/center]

Tessa wanted to press the issue of why Alfred knew so much about things that even history buffs wouldn’t know. Well no one in modern day would at least unless they had been there. She felt like there was something she was missing and couldn’t put her finger on. Alfred was a mystery man to her and made her start to question if she should even go up to his dorm. Opening her mouth she was about to protest but the way his voice sounded she figured maybe another time she should be better. So closing her mouth she sat there uncomfortably for a moment. Tessa’s thoughts roamed around the possibility Alfred time traveled before, the thoughts was lost when she remembered how excited he got over her abilities.

“Think of it as forgotten, and yes please lead the way.”

Even though she said what happened was forgotten she doubted it would be. Knowing her nothing was forgotten until she knew the truth and that was yet to be revealed. Getting up she trailed behind Alfred, looking him up and down he was a normal nineteen-year-old boy. There was nothing strange or awkward about him, but he did hold himself with authority. Tessa figured that any boy with a lot of confidence could hold himself that way also. She was confused and hated feeling this way. Not having much time to think about that since they were already at his dorm she pushed the thought away.

Walking in to Alfred’s dorm she noticed the clutter everywhere. Her first instinct was wanting to clean everything insight. She hated mess it drove her completely insane, not wanting to seem rude she stepped over everything making her way to his bed. Taking note of the sheets she couldn’t help but smile at the Captain America sheets. Watching Alfred take out all his comic books Tessa’s eyes widened at how many there were. Hearing Alfred give her the go a head she began digging through the books. All looked in pristine condition and pretty much brand new, but some she could tell were old.


“You’ve collected all of these?”

Word Count: 355
Tag:Alfred/Madee
Notes:
Lyrics:Avril Lavigne- Boyfriend

[Alfred Franklin Jones]

CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE

HEAVEN ON EARTH WITH AN ONION SLICE
NOT TOO PARTICULAR, NOT TOO PRECISE

[/color][/font]
----------------------------------

It was a good thing that Tessa decided not to act on her curiosity, as Alfred made it clear that he did not want to discuss the matter any further. He probably would, if Tessa went about it the right way, but if she just kept pressuring him he was likely to snap at her. Especially if it happened to be about the Civil War. His Civil War, though she didn't realize this. Of course. There was a lot she didn't realize.

His smile was genuine when she allowed the subject to drop. He did carry himself with authority, but he had years of experience. It just came natural to him, but he liked acting like a regular civilian sometimes as well. In some ways, this jaunt at New World Academy felt a bit like a vacation, even if he was conducting some work here.

After Alfred pulled out his comic books, he simply stood back lackadaisically against the wall as he watched Tessa begin to dig through them. He'd already read them all, so he didn't mind letting her take a look to see if there were any she was interested in borrowing. When she asked if he'd really collected all of them, he just laughed. "Course I have! You know, Captain America was really popular during World War II. Think it would have been awesome if Frankie had actually considered a super soldier program like in the comic, but I guess that would have been too much work."

[/color]

Alfred simply shrugged at this, his expression back to normal. Of course, his words weren't 100% normal - He'd referred to Franklin Delano Roosevelt as Frankie, for Pete's sake - but at least he didn't look perturbed any longer. Instead, he looked almost as though he were daydreaming.

His eyes darted back to Tessa, a smile playing from ear to ear. He hoped she would be interested in something out of the pile. "I have more but this is all I could take with me. Any you're interested in?"[/color]

[/blockquote][/blockquote][/SIZE][/font]
----------------------------------

TEMPLATE CREDIT: eliza @ shadowplay
SONG: Cheeseburger in Paradise by Jimmy Buffett
WORD COUNT: 803
TAG: Tessa/Shannon
NOTES: I had fun with this one, lol. [/color][/font]
----------------------------------
I'M JUST A CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE

[/center][/blockquote]