Deadline

[LAURZY!]

Loved it! that was brilliant

I love the way you write everyone

Poor Spike!

Angelo was hilarious

Cannot wait to read more

[Luc]

Thanks Taniya and Laura .

-Chapter Fifteen-

Holding On

Aden pushed the front door of his uncle’s house open meekly. He was dragging Belle behind him. He looked around and saw the door to the living room was shut. He knocked on it lightly.

“Zoe,” he said. There was no answer. “Zo!” Again, there was no answer, He pushed the door open and peered in. Zoe was lying on the couch and flipping through a trashy magazine. On her head was a pair of headphones. She was listening to her walkman. He and Belle walked in cautiously. “Zoe.” He said again.

“I can hear you, as a matter of fact,” she stated, pulling the cord out of the machine. “You took a long time getting back.” She pulled the headphones off, still not looking at her boyfriend. She threw the magazine down and began winding the cord around the headphones.

“Well, I was towing.” He pulled Belle back into the room. For the last minute she had been inching out of the room slowly. “Look, I've got something I need to explain to you here.”

“If it’s got anything to do with Belle Taylor, Spike, I’m going to kill you,” Zoe stated, still not looking at him. Aden looked at Belle in fright.

“Ah, I see,” he muttered. Zoe climbed off the couch and walked towards one of the windows, she still wasn’t facing the American male.

“Do you know why I’m not looking at you, Spike?” She asked, tightening her grip on the tape player. “Because when you’re lying, I can see it on your face, so if you don’t answer this next question truthfully, I’m going to throw this walkman at you.” She turned around and saw Aden sitting on the couch, one of his arms behind it. “Is there anything between you and Belle Taylor?”

“Of course not!” Aden said to her. Zoe raised her arm and threw the tape machine at him; it hit the wall before falling down behind the couch. Belle flinched as the bulky machine hit her on the back of the head. Aden looked down at her apologetically before looking back up at his jealous girlfriend.

“Hey, what was that for?” He shouted. “I’m telling you the truth; there is nothing between me and Belle Taylor!” Belle yanked at his arm violently. Zoe didn’t notice this.

“I’m sorry Spike!” She cried apologetically. She walked over and sat down next to him. “It’s just that I was talking to that Geoff guy earlier and I guess he got me a bit worked up.”

“Well that’s Geoff for you!” Aden replied, “Brutal with women!” Zoe moved in closer to her boyfriend.

“Your uncle said he wouldn’t be back until quite late,” she whispered suggestively.

“How late? “ Aden shot back as Belle pulled on his arm again.

“What’s wrong?” Zoe asked him. Aden looked at Belle and then at Zoe.

“Well, it’s getting dark out there, he might get attacked by, um, criminals, or Angelo Rosetta.”

“Aren’t they the same thing?”

“Very similar.” Zoe rolled her eyes.

“Shut up and put your arm around me.” Both Aden and Belle’s eyes widened when they realised what it would require.

“What? Now?” Aden asked his partner.

“Yes now,” Zoe replied, “Spike, we haven’t been together for weeks, why don’t you put your arm around me?”

“Well it’s such a big step!”

“Spike...”

“Okay, okay, I’ll put my arm around you. I will.” Aden pulled on Belle’s arm. She rolled her eyes. “I’m just about to.” Aden commanded. Slowly, a slender, more feminine hand rose from behind the sofa and landed on Zoe’s shoulder awkwardly. “There we are.” Aden stated in satisfaction.

“That’s better,” Zoe said with a grin. “She’s a real b!tch, that Belle Taylor, isn’t she?”

“Well, uh, that’s kind of a tricky question.” Aden said with a nervous laugh.

“Tricky?” Zoe scoffed in disbelief. “She stole your passport. She’s a cold-hearted, selfish b!tch!” The hand on her shoulder began gripping tightly. Belle grinned as she heard Zoe’s cries of pain.

“Spike! Stop it! You’re hurting me!” cried the American woman. Aden glanced down at Belle as she grinned in satisfaction before looking at Zoe.

“I am?”

“Yeah. Spike, stop it!” She shouted.

“Okay, I’ll stop!” He commanded the hand, “Right now.” Belle loosened her grip on the American woman’s shoulder. “And I’ll give it a rub.” Belle rolled her eyes as she robbed Zoe’s shoulder gently. Aden smiled at his girlfriend.

“You’re in a real crazy mood.” Zoe laughed. Aden forced a laugh as Zoe placed her arm on his shoulder. “I guess I’ll just have to kiss you better.” Zoe moved in to kiss him. She was inches from his face when the hand on her shoulder pulled her back. “SPIKE!” She shouted. Aden smiled nervously.

“Sorry, just a twitch.”

“You are in control of this hand, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, yeah,” He replied, nodding his head. “Complete control.” Suddenly the hand moved from Zoe’s shoulder and slapped her cheek.

“SPIKE!”

“Stop getting hysterical!”

“What?”

“You’re getting hysterical!” Aden shouted wildly. “I had to slap your face.” Belle suppressed a laugh.

“You are out of your mind!” Zoe stated. Aden shook his head.

“No, no. I’m not!” He replied. Behind the sofa, Belle grinned wickedly as she ran her hand along Zoe’s shoulder and up to her face. She pinched the American’s cheek roughly.

“SPIKE!” Zoe screamed again. She pushed away from him and ended up at the other end of the sofa with a hand still on her shoulder. She looked at it, and then at the American male. “What have I done to your arm?” She asked in a frightened tone. The hand was removed from her shoulder and a figure appeared from behind the sofa.

“I expect you’re surprised to see me.” Belle Taylor said as Zoe looked at her in confusion. Belle bent down and picked the tape recorder up from the floor. “By the way, I think this is yours.” She threw it down between Aden and his girlfriend. Zoe picked it up and stormed out of the room. Tears in her eyes.

“Zo...!” Aden called after her as Belle’s portable began to ring. Belle pulled it out of her pocket and flipped it open.

“Didn’t go that smoothly, did it?” She placed the phone in front of Aden and he pulled the antenna out. Belle pressed the answer button and put the phone to her ear.

“Hello, Belle Taylor,” she said, looking down smugly at Aden.

“Belle, I found out the truth about the hypnotist story.” Ruby Buckton replied from the other end. “Get back to the newsroom as fast as you can.”

***

Zoe sat in the break room, her eyes red from crying as Aden and Belle sat at either end of the small table. They had their hands on top if it. They were clasped together tightly.

“Zoe, I’m telling you the truth.” Aden was saying for the hundredth time.

“And here comes the proof.” Belle added, looking out the window. Walking towards them were Ruby, Mr. Marengo and Angelo, who had his finger off of his nose. “Looks like Angelo got his nose fixed.” She said to her ex-boyfriend and his current partner.

“Sorry we’re a bit late,” Ruby said as the three of them entered the break room. She closed the door behind herself. “I’ll let Mr. Marengo do the talking. His name’s Alfred Pressman by the way.”

“I’ll keep this brief, as it’s hardly in my interest to annoy you any further.” The man replied, looking at Angelo. “Alex Connell has never been a marriage guidance councillor. He’s also never been hypnotised. He’s pretending to because he was payed to, as was the man you saw outside the theatre talking to his shoe, as were all my other victims. Apart from Angelo. He’s the one that payed them.”

“You’re his manager, aren’t you?” Belle said threateningly to the Italian boy. “You set this whole thing up to get him publicity on our front page.”

“I’m afraid that’s correct,” Alfred said, “You’d be surprised at how good this kind of publicity can be.”

“AHH!” Angelo called out, placing his hand on his chest. He doubled over. “Sorry Belle, it’s just that, it’s just the bullet wound I took during the gun siege, while I was negotiating for your life. Maybe I better, um, go and lie down.” He continued his bad acting all the way to his office. Belle never took her eyes off of him. “Try not to worry!” He called out before walking into his office.

“Remind me to kill him later.” Belle said dully to Ruby. “Go on.” She told Alfred.

“You must understand that I never thought I’d succeed in hypnotising you two.”

“Why?” Aden asked.

“Because I’m a fake.” Aden and Belle both looked at Zoe and then at each other. They were all in various states of shock.

“Then... then how...” Belle attempted to say.

“I don’t know.” Alfred replied, “The nearest I can figure is that you two must have a great need to hold on to each other.” A look of jealousy appeared on Zoe’s face. Ruby noticed this and turned to the older man.

“Mr. Marengo, I think we should step outside for a moment.” She said hurriedly.

“Yes, of course,” He said. Ruby pulled the door open and the pair walked outside. Zoe, Belle and Aden were left alone. The American female stood up and wiped her eyes.

“Spike, we’re booked on the 6am flight tomorrow,” she said in a hoarse voice. “If you love me and not her, you’ll be able to let go.” Belle and Aden looked into each others eyes before also standing up.

“Well Spike, can you let me go?” the Australian female asked. Aden looked from Belle to Zoe as he attempted to free his hand from Belle’s grip. Zoe and Belle looked down at it. The American woman looked up at Aden hopefully. Slowly, Aden was able to loosen the grip. He slid his hand out in shock. A look of sadness crossed Belle’s face.

“Spike!” Zoe said as she threw her arms around him. Aden hugged her back loosely. He was still looking at Belle in shock. The Australian turned away from her ex-boyfriend and opened the door. She walked out of the little office and over to Aden’s desk. She pulled a drawer open and pulled out a Coastal Junior rule book. Belle threw it over to Aden as he and Zoe walked out of the room.

“My Coastal Junior rule book?” he asked her.

“There’s no such thing,” Belle informed him. Aden flipped it open and saw that it was his passport. Belle had covered it with white paper. Pulling it off, he laughed before giving belle a look of apology. Belle’s expression still hadn’t changed from that of hurt. Aden turned to Zoe.

“Come on.” He said softly. Zoe put her arm around Aden’s shoulders and shot Belle one last look of satisfaction as the pair began walking towards the front door. The entire newsroom had gone silent as they watched Aden and his girlfriend leave the Coastal Junior offices. Tears were now forming in Belle’s eyes. Slowly, the news team began working again and Belle walked back into the break room and pulled the curtains down. There she let the tears fall as she thought about the love of her life. Aden. Sobs escaped her as she remembered what had just happened. He had chosen the bimbo. He hadn’t chosen her, after all he had said.

***

Back outside, Ruby, Geoff and Annie were standing together, looking at the room.

“Do you think she’s...?” Geoff asked. Ruby looked confused.

“Maybe her eyes were just sweating.” Annie suggested.

“Well, she is human after all...” Ruby began, before turning to Geoff, “She is, isn’t she?”

“There have been rumours.” Was his reply.

***

“We’re now cruising at a height of 35,000 feet with a ground speed of 600 miles per hour. With good flying weather, we hope to be landing in California in about ten hours time. That will be around 8am local time. So settle back in your seats and enjoy the flight.”

Aden was reading through an edition of the Coastal Junior. Zoe was placing her headphones on. She turned to Aden.

“Regrets?” She asked him.

“No, not really,” he replied, folding up the newspaper. “It’s like a story that came to it’s natural end.”

“Good,” Zoe said, wrapping her arm around his shoulders. As Zoe turned away, Aden allowed a look of uncertainty to appear on his face.

***

“Morning Geoff!” Belle said cheerfully as she sat down at her desk.

“Morning boss,” Geoff replied as he threw his pen down. “You sound very cheery today.”

“Maybe it’s because I’m ending one chapter of my life and staring a whole new one,” she said, pulling a folder out of her top drawer. “Full of new excitements and new challenges.” Geoff grinned and leaned forward.

“Belle, you know that tape Rubes told me about. The one where Spike calls Zoe and bimbo and says you’re terrific. I’d love to hear it some time.”

“You know what Geoff?” Belle asked him, “I think I may have misplaced it somewhere.” The pair grinned.

“Belle, can I tell you something?” Geoff asked solemnly.

“Yeah...”

***

Back on the airplane, Aden had fallen asleep, his copy of the Coastal junior laying on his lap. Zoe pressed the play button on her walkman and closed her eyes. After a few moments, her eyes opened and she looked at the sleeping Aden in shock.

END OF PART ONE

***

I told you someone would be leaving at the end of part one. Hope you liked it. I'm still thinking about which direction to take with part two, but I know for certain that a certain character won't be back, as I've grown tired of writing for them, but another will be coming back.

[Adelle_fan1000]

that was funny

loved it.. cant wait for more

[Taniya_K]

I hope the character not coming back is Zoe, and the one that is is Spike!!

LOVED this chapter again. It was hilarious right up to the end. Esp that first scene with Zoe. I just couldn't stop laughing!

The bit at the end where SAden managaed to lose grip of Belle's hand was too sad. I was actually close to tears Poor Belle...

But, lmao at the ending. Yay that Aden's not 100% certain, and the bit with Zoe's tape that Belle's switched over was too good. Spike's going to be in trouble.

Cannot wait for more!!

[SAM27#]

“Maybe her eyes were just sweating.” Annie suggested.

That line made me giggle!!

Another great chapter!!! Belle is extremely sneaky, her putting the tape in Zoe's walkman, very funny!!!!

I agree with Taniya, I hope Zoe is the one to leave and Spike to come back!!!!

Can't wait for more!!

[LAURZY!]

Awwwwwwww Poor Belle

That first scene was brilliant! So funny

It was a fantastic update! Such a god mixture of humour and more serious stuff

Cannot wait to read more

[Symphony]

the sweating line made me chuckle too

don't get rid of aden!!

Geez, first I read one fic that kills Belle, and then this one gets rid of aden ; what's going on in the world :o

[adellejefferiesxox]

Hey!!!

Eventually Adelle fans have to accept one day Adelle will come to an end NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Great Update though.

Write soon!!

[Luc]

Thanks Adelle_fan1000, Taniya, Sam, Laura, Symph and Stephanie .

PART TWO – 1991

-Chapter Sixteen-

Bad News; Part One

A door pulled open and a tall man entered what appeared to be a dark flat. He walked into a kitchen and over to a fridge. On it was a yellow post-it note.

‘CRAZY STUFF. CHANNEL 31. 10AM. YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED.’

The man shrugged and placed the note into his denim jacket pocket and flicked the kettle on. As he waited for it to boil, he went into the living room and turned the television on and switched it to the local broadcast channel, 31. On screen was a red-headed man wearing roller-skates.

“...and at 11 o’clock we’ve got some more Cartoon Crazy Stuff with the Karate Pigs! Wa-Chu! They’re my favourite. I love those little pig guys. In just a moment we’ll also be looking at some of your Crrrrrazy Stuff drawings and letters you’ve sent in.” This man seemed to roll the letter ‘r’ a lot. “But first, we’ve got something special. Really, really special!” as he said this he pulled up a copy of the Coastal Junior. “The Coastal Junior. A voice for today’s youth! Now that’s what I call ‘good news’. This morning we’re going to be talking to the editor, Belle Taylorrrrr.” Again, he rolled the letter ‘r’. “Matter of fact, I thing she’s in Cool Cat’s Den right now. Cool Cat?” The host turned to a small area where Belle Taylor was sitting on a small, red sofa. Lying near her was a puppet shaped like a cat.

“That’s right Steve!” the cat said, “So get over here and say hello to Belle Taylor!” The cat turned its head to Belle. “Hi Belle!”

“Good morning,” Belle replied formally.

“Are you feeling cool?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“Okay Belle, tell us about the Coastal Junior!” the host, Steve said, rolling over to them. “How did it get started?”

“Well...”

“Hang on Steve!” The cat interrupted. “You said I could interview her!”

“Cool Cat, it’s my turn!” Steve said to the cat enthusiastically.

“You always take the pretty ones for yourself.” Cool Cat said sadly before turning away. Belle was looking from the cat to the presenter in confusion.

“Isn’t that cat terrible?” Steve shouted to the viewers. Belle rolled her eyes.

“Well it’s not very convincing.” She said sharply. Steve smiled weakly.

“Right.” He said nervously. “You just need to play with him a little bit. A quick scratch behind the ears is the only way to shut up a stupid animal.”

“Well if that’s what it takes,” Belle replied, standing from her seat, she walked over to Steve and scratched him behind the ears. A look of embarrassment crossed his face. Belle sat down and her trademark look returned. “Now, are we going to do this? They said it was going to be a serious interview and that’s the only reason I came along today.”

“Yeah, yeah, sure,” Steve rambled, “I’m kind of into serious stuff as well.” He laughed nervously, “So, it says here that you started the newspaper when in year twelve at Summer Bay High, and since then you’ve left and started running the paper commercially. It also says here that you’re expanding the distribution to many more nearby towns and cities. Is that right?”

“Yes, that is correct,” Belle replied seriously, “”We’re all very excited.”

“Can’t leave you much time for boyfriends.” Belle’s face went red with anger.

“Pardon?” she asked the man irritably.

“You know, boyfriends,” Cool Cat told her, “You can’t have much time for them.”

“Actually, I've managed to solve that problem.”

“How?”

“An escort agency. They’re very good. Just give them your favourite height and shoulder width and you’ve got some beefcake on your arm before you know it. Mind if I give the telephone number, I promised I’d give them a plug.” Belle rose from her seat again, her eyes wide with anger. “Don’t you think that was a ridiculously patronising question? I expected a serious interview. What I didn’t expect was to find myself talking to an improbable looking domestic pet that has somehow acquired the power of speech...”

“Are you talking about my cat?” Steve asked her, laughing nervously.

“No.”

“Listen, Belle,” said Cool Cat; I think you may be getting the wrong end of the stick.” Belle turned momentarily as she turned to face Cool Cat’s puppeteer. He was hiding behind the sofa.

“Funnily enough, I don’t particularly like taking advice from a man who spends his time behind a sofa with his hand up an artificial cat!” She snapped at him.

“Oh, right.” The puppeteer said, not moving the cat’s mouth. Belle turned back around to Steve.

“Can I tell you something about the Coastal Junior?” She asked him. Before he could answer, Belle had begun to speak again. “We always make the assumption that we’re dealing with people with a certain degree of intelligence. Maybe if this show didn’t think of its audience as a backward three year old with the attention span of a goldfish, I wouldn’t currently be attempting to have a conversation with an unconvincing puppet and a prat on wheels! Good morning!” And with that, the girl stormed off, leaving the hots of Crazy Stuff red faced. The camera lingered on him for a few moments.

“We’ll, um, take a break now, back in a moment.” He said meekly. The camera stayed on him for a moment before the Crazy Stuff logo appeared on a black screen. The man who had turned the television on flicked it off again. He picked up his nearly empty mug of coffee and pulled of a pair of dark black sunglasses and put them down on the coffee table in front of him.

***

“Belle!” A high pitched, female voice called out. Belle looked around her. All she could see was a lot of camera equipment and middle aged men. There was also a blonde woman holding a Crazy Stuff clipboard against her chest. She looked the same age as most of the Coastal Junior members. “Nicole Franklin. Remember me?” Nicole came to a stop right in front of the editor.

“Well, I’ll certainly keep you in mind,” replied Belle, looking the girl up and down twice.

“No,” Nicole said, “Do you remember me? I used to run your graphics department.”

“Oh yeah, we did used to have a blonde.” Belle said, still slightly confused, “Are you Melody?” Nicole’s face fell.

“Melody came after me.” She stated, “She was blonde too.”

“There were two of those?”

“Yeah,” Nicole rolled her eyes, “Right, got to go. It’s been great talking over old times.” She finished sarcastically. She began to walk away.

“Oh!” Belle called out. Nicole stopped and turned around. “So you’ve left the paper?”

“See you around, Belle,” The blonde girl said sadly before stalking away. Belle shrugged and turned around. In front of her now was Steve, at least two heads taller than her with his roller-skates on. Belle smiled.

“So how was I?”

“You should get your own series.” He told her before skating past her. Belle folded her arms across her chest and grinned.

[LAURZY!]

I thought that was brilliant!

You got Belle so right, i could totally imagine it

Please let the guy with the sunglasses be Aden! lol

Cannot wait for more......