Added part 6 and part 7 of Conquering theConqueror by Seana James.

June 28th, 2002

We are going to do something a little different with an already posted story. Since the Academy didn't start posting Jenah's Our Reunion until part 40...we are going to go back and start from the beginning. The difference is that we are going to post the now edited and combined chapter version. I'll be updating the story as Jenah sends me the new parts. And those who don't do unfinished stories, this one is already completed.

So, for those who missed it the first time around, or just want to read it again...

Our Reunion by Jenah
Added the first three part which include chapters 1 through 16. Samantha and Tina are old highschool friends who reunite at their class reunion. Will Samantha be able to help Tina overcome her haunted past?

Iron Rose Bleeding by Anne Azel [complete]
A spunky archivist is drawn into the activities of a mysterious organization that records and sells knowledge. Courtney is drawn into a web of deception by her attraction to the beautiful and powerful Tyler Alexander Punga -Tap- she soon finds herself caught up in exploding events that will change her life and that of the world forever. Partly futuristic, partly mystery, and all romance, this story takes you on an exciting and thought provoking ride.

Added part 20 of L. A. Tucker's The Inside Out

Added part 8 of Mezzo's Impulse:Book II - Beginnings

Added Part 5 of A Time to Love, A Time to Hate by Sue Hickerson

June 27th, 2002

Family Connections by MJ and Cephalgia [Alt/uber/unfinished]
In the sequel to "Connecting Hearts", Randa and Denise cope with new problems in their lives as well as unexpected problems from out of the past.

Redemption by Extra22  [General/classic/finished]
Two months into their adventures together, Xena and Gabrielle stumble into the tragedy of a war, and both come face to face with the warrior's dark past.

Kenya by Anne Azel [Alt/finished]
Two strong-minded and adventurous women struggle to rekindle a lost love against the majestic background of wild Africa. Can these two find the spark to set their hearts on fire or will the dangerous politics and social pressures of today's Africa tear them apart once again?

What They Don't See by Seana James  [Alt/classic/finished]
Contains spoilers for "The Convert."  The story is a "between the scenes" piece that has Xena walking the perimeter of camp, dealing with her reaction to something Joxer, in his infinite idiocy, has blurted out at the campfire. Gabrielle follows for a sensitive chat.

Added part 5 of Conquering theConqueror by Seana James.

June 26th, 2002

Welcome Katia N. Ruiz as a new addition to the Academy!

Noemi by Katia N. Ruiz [original fiction/unfinished]
When Noemi lost her pregnant lover in a horrific accident, she thought her life had ended completely. She turned to alcohol and lives her life in a dead existence.Terri Bledsoe, a poor runaway mistakenly placing her trust on Noemi's brother, Anthony, ends up pregnant with his child and angry. When he leaves her high and dry after he finds out about her pregnancy, Terri has no choice but to try different channels in order to make sure her baby has the proper care...Asking the Leone family for help is the last thing she wanted to do, but she has no choice. Initial misunderstandings frame the beginning of a friendship that soon turns to more...

Conquering theConqueror by Seana James. [Alt/Conqueror/Unfinished]
Xena the Conqueror encounters Gabrielle of Poteidaea, the leader of the Corinthian Resistance, in Xena's judgment agora. From the first moment, the Conqueror feels there is something different about this rebel, but soon the difference begin to manifest itself in the Conqueror as well. Added the first four parts.

Added part 10 (conclusion) to the fantastic story Again by Kim Pritekel

Added part three of Murder by Association by Tonya S. Coley

Added the next part of The Amazon Queen: Daughters of Ares, part h by L. M. Townsend

Added the rewritten and tweaked part 4 of A Time to Love, A Time to Hate by Sue Hickerson

Added Caution: Under Construction, Part 31 by Vertigo

eBooks

Some Carrie Carr ones ==

Destiny's Bridge
Faith's Crossing
Hope's Path

June 25th, 2002

Announcement

From LJ Maas--

LJ Maas's latest novel, PRAIRIE FIRE, the long-awaited sequel to TUMBLEWEED FEVER, has hit the bookstore shelves! The novel that started it all, by writer LJ Maas, made it to Number 1 on the Lambda Literary Foundation Book Report's Bestseller List for March 2001.

PRAIRIE FIRE, published by Renaissance Alliance Publishing, Inc. (http://www.rapbooks.biz), revisits the characters of Devlin Brown, a woman with a past as an outlaw and Sarah Tolliver, a widow with 2 children and a successful ranch. Amidst the beautiful and sometimes unforgiving land of the Oklahoma Territory, Sarah and Devlin begin a new life. Adventure and Mysticism abound as they revisit the Choctaw camp. Sarah must decide whether she will undergo the Clan rituals that will allow her to join with the former outlaw in a ceremony that will bind their hearts together forever. Each woman must undergo an incredible test of her individual skills and all the while, race against time to prevent a premonition from becoming a frightening reality.

Prairie Fire is available from the publisher's website, at Open Book Ltd. - Sacramento, CA., and various independent and online booksellers. Here are some links:Open Book: http://www.openbookltd.com/cgi/profile.cgi?index=193092836X&partner=LJMaas
RAP: http://rapbooks.biz/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=RAPOS&Product_Code=1-930928-36-X&Category_Code=YRB
Barnes & Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=19HES1H9SG&isbn=193092836XAlso...LJ Maas recently reached an agreement with Renaissance Alliance Publishing, Inc. to publish her fifth novel, Rebecca's Cove. It's slated for publication March 2003. RC is not online & will only be available in print (unless you are on my Discussion Mail List <g>).Thanks!LJ

Stories

Speaking of LJ, we have part 3 of her story, Time's Fell Hand

Added Part 6(conclusion) of Long Nights by Windstar

Heatwave Day 4 Part 2 by Midgit is now up and concluded!

 June 24th, 2002

Added Part 3 of A Time to Love, A Time to Hate by Sue Hickerson [über/alt/unfinished]

Added Part 4 of We Do What We Can by Girlbard [unfinished]

Added part 7 of Mezzo's Impulse:Book II - Beginnings

Added part 28 of Savay's Beneath the Brambles

June 23rd, 2002
Announcement
Cobb Island by Blayne Cooper (aka Advocate) is now available in paperback. The novel contains new scenes not found in the online version and a gorgeous new cover created by Calli.

For those interested, here are the some bookseller links:
The Open Book:
http://www.openbookltd.com/cgi/profile.cgi?index=1930928394&backmsg=to%20search%20results this book is currently in stock (not just pre-order)

Barnes and Noble:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=18KFAK0D90&isbn=1930928394

Booksamillion:
http://www.booksamillion.com/ncom/books?id=2247849659459&pid=1930928394

For more information: http://www.rapbooks.biz

Stories

A New Day by Phalkon
After Xena's death, Gabrielle aimlessly wanders the countryside until she faces a fearsome warlord who is not what she seems.

Added Part 5 of Long Nights by Windstar

Added a revised version of part 3 of Metamorphosis by angharad governal (xena the conqueror, alt, unfinished).

Added Part 2 of Murder by Association by Tonya S. Coley [Original Fiction/unfinished]

June 22nd, 2002

Hypatia's Shadow by AH-Ladis [original, alt]
In a former High Priestess's wake, dire doings abound in the Vestal Virgin's secluded cloister. A new, non-X&G, original fiction after a very long hiatus.

Added Part 2 of A Time to Love, A Time to Hate by Sue Hickerson [über/alt/unfinished]

Added part 13 of Bonnie's Tie Break

June 21st, 2002

Welcome Tonya S. Coley and Extra 22 to the Academy!

Murder by Association by Tonya S. Coley [Original Fiction/unfinished]
When young lesbian prostitutes start turning up dead on a Wilmington, NC beach, Detective Johnetta Green vows to find the killer. Things suddenly take a turn for the worst when the killer strikes to close to home. Will she be able to perform her duty and protect the woman she loves?

Opening Up With the Warrior Princess by Extra 22 [gen/finished]
An inebriated Xena relates her visit with a psychiatrist to a 'captive' audience.

Added part 19 of L. A. Tucker's The Inside Out

Added part 2 of Verrath's The Crazed Ramblings of a Madwoman

Added part 6 of Mezzo's Impulse:Book II - Beginnings

June 20th, 2002

Congratulations to zuke b for being our 2,000,000th visitor to this page. Thanks again to Missy Good for providing us with the space!

Stories

Welcome to the Academy, Sue Hickerson!

A Time to Love, A Time to Hate by Sue Hickerson [über/alt/unfinished]
The violence of bigotry strikes an innocent gay/lesbian subcommunity inÝaÝsmall collegeÝtown in Montana. Sam Adams is the heroine who fights toÝsave the day, and Annie O'Shea is the new lover who gives her the strength to do it.

All the Time in the World by Ri [finished]
Xena and Gabrielle try to figure out how the events of Between the Lines will affect the rest of their lives.

Added part 3 of Metamorphosis by angharad governal (xena the conqueror, alt, unfinished).

Added part 8 and part 9 of Kim Pritekel's Again

Added revised version ofMy West Coast Love by Heruda and moving it to the Original Fiction section.
 
 

June 19th, 2002

We should be probably hitting the 2 million mark for our What's New page sometime today. If you happen to be number 2,000,000 -- take a screen shot and send it to academyofbards@yahoogroups.com and we have a little treat for you.

Stories

Added part 22 of Tempting Trouble by Snap

Added part 20 section G to L.M. Townsend's The Amazon Queen

June 18th, 2002

The Last Train Home by Blayne Cooper (aka Advocate) [original/alt]
Starting out in the slums of the Lower Eastside of Manhattan, The Last Train Home follows the adventures of Virginia Chisholm, a young factory worker, and Lindsay Killian a drifter who fills her days riding the rails, as they journey to reclaim Ginny's family. Thrown together by fate and tragedy, Lindsay and Ginny build a solid friendship strong enough to endure the trials of an impoverished existence in 1890's America and a quest from which neither one will back down. It's those same bonds that form the basis of a tender, and very unexpected, romance. 

Added parts 33 and 34 of Download by Jules. These two parts conclude the story.

June 17th, 2002

The Aftermath of Betrayal by Wolfie
After being betrayed by those that were supposed to love them, can two women put aside their fears to find one another.

An announcement by Nance Gice:
My fan fiction is in the form of a screen play and it is found on the web site I built and maintain. This mini series takes you on an incredible journey with Janis Covington and Melinda Pappas in the months after they discovered the Xena Scrolls. You will learn about the hidden story within the scrolls. Find out why there was only a single chakram in the Xena Scrolls tomb. And what about Ares? How did he escape his 20th Century prison?
This mini series is produced for General Audiences.
Beyond the Xena Scrolls www.thexenascrolls.homestead.com

Added Part 3 of We Do What We Can by Girlbard [unfinished]

Added Parts 8-16 of Omega's Folly by Alexiares

Added part 30 of Vertigo's Caution: Under Construction

Added Installment Five of BOOK II:IT'S JUST THE BEGINNING by Mezzo

June 16th, 2002

The Burning Candle by AH-Ladis
Xena is on a mission in Syria when a sudden injury changes her into a woman with a mind of a child. Gabrielle finds her and soon afterward they are both captured to be sold as slaves in Baghdad. This is a total Gabfest as the spunky bard must find a way out of their predicament and help bring back the Xena she knows and loves. Contains violence. Read warning first as some scenes are disturbing.

Make a Wish by AH-Ladis
A terminally ill girl named Jenny is transported via her dreams to ancient Greece. It is here she finds a grieving Xena who blames herself for Gabrielle's death. Yet in Jenny's own timeline a grim nurse unwittingly becomes emotionally involved in the young woman's life. A three hanky story.

Added part 18 of L. A. Tucker's The Inside Out

New ebooks up:
Under the Kenyan Sky Portia Richardson
The Purest Love Seana James
A Half Moon Before and Two Summers After Portia Richardson
Dakota Ri
Deep, Black Water Lariel
Again Minerva
Desert Wind Rising Tragedy88

June 15th, 2002

We are getting close to reaching 2 million hits on the What's New page. The person who gets the elusive 2,000, 000 hit will get a special surprise if you take a screen shot of the counter at 2 million and send it to us at academyofbards@yahoogroups.com

Here are three more from Mavis Applewater's Wednesday Afternoon Series.

Stolen Moments is a follow up to Miss Larilia's Lesson. In A Woman in Uniform two naval officers find themselves locked up together in a very chilly enviroment. In The Drive-In A woman reflects upon a past love.

Meka's Desire by Ri
Meka was happy and successful but something was missing. Until she went on a mission were she had to step in between a Forman and Workman, looked into beautiful green eyes and felt things she didn't even know existed.

Dragon Princess by Ken Rogers
A soldier witnesses an amazing battle (Post FIN)

Added Day 4 Part 1 of Midgit's Heatwave

June 14th, 2002

Happy Birthday Cadryn!

Added part 7 of Kim Pritekel's Again

Added Installment Four of BOOK II:IT'S JUST THE BEGINNING by Mezzo

Added part 5, part 6 and part 7 of The Dragon Chain by charmdfate
 
 

June 13th, 2002

Announcement

Carole Giorgio's Laguna Nights is still on sale, if you haven't gotten it yet, run over to Open Book, LTD and get it! Oh and just because the Munchkins of Oz book is on the Open Book front page doesn't mean we get any proceeds from their sales <g>.

Stories

Added part 3 of Zoe's Summer of Love (sequel to Taught by Love)

Added part 20 section F to L.M. Townsend's The Amazon Queen

Another Boring Day by Ernie Whiting - 55 word story entry

June 12th, 2002

A Half Moon Before and Two Summers After by Portia Richardson
Xena and Gabrielle are with the Amazons for an Initiation ceremony when Gabrielle sees a woman who looks exactly like an old friend from Poteidaia. She is reminded of a time just prior to meeting Xena and how her life suddenly changed. This is a Xena and Gabrielle "first time" story and takes place between Seasons 2 and 3. NC-17.

Under the Kenyan Sky: A Romance by Portia Richardson
Two PBS personalities are thrown together to work on a project in Kenya. Kate, a no-nonsense animal activist and conservationist meets Serena, a warm and sensitive professional chef. Can these two women find common ground on the Park Reserve? NC-17

The Purest Love by Seana James
The story was prompted by some "gaps" in the story "Chakram" and other episodes and began as a PWP, but, as with life, it got complicated. It's my take on Xena's and Gabrielle's occasionally mystifying pushme/pullyou relationship. It does contain spoilers for several episodes, but it's complete in and of itself.

Added part 25, part 26, and part 27 of Minerva's White Nights

June 11th, 2002

Summer Love by S. Lee[über/finished]
This is an extended version of the story I posted in the Bard's Challenge. Quinn O'Brien goes to the beach for a summer job before going off to college. She finds more than just work when she runs into the woman she has been in love with for four years, her former high school swimming coach. The two women spend the summer in love, but it comes to an end with the arrival of Fall. Ten years later, they meet up again at Quinn's high school reunion ten years later. Can the two women rediscover the love they once shared?

Return to Nurrengaard by David J. Duncan [über/finished]
In this work, set some 8-10 years prior to the events in theCrystal Necklace, the wizard Lousain of the Dark Lands attacks Earth and kidnaps Angie, her best friend, and her boyfriend's niece. Now, Dave and Garth Singleton accompany the white wizard, Grimwilkin, back to the Dark Lands to stop the evil at work there. However, what's going on Dave and how will Angie be able to hold up under the stress? This story both answers questions to the current series and sets the scene for the next story, "The Harrowing Road Unwillingly Traveled", which wraps things up in the current story arc.

Added Installment Three of BOOK II:IT'S JUST THE BEGINNING by Mezzo

Added part 29 of Vertigo's Caution: Under Construction

Added part 6, part 7, part 8, part 9 and part 10 of Shadowriter's Blood Vengeance

June 10th, 2002

Stories

The Right Thing Part 2 by SX Meagher

Dakota by Ri
Dakota was a very successful gambler who was having a reccuring dream every night. Would the innocent Jackie make it come true?

Dakota 2 by Ri
Dakota takes Jackie home to meet her beloved Father and defend Jackie against a threat that could steal her love forever.

Dakota 3 by Ri
Happily settling in to life together Dakota and Jackie help Dakota's oldest friend find his happiness.

Dakota 4 by Ri
Several surprises are in store for the family when a group of Mauraders hit several towns and villages nearby.

Added Part 5 of So Close, So Far by Dimples

Added Part 4 of Long Nights by WindstarAdded Part 2 of We Do What We Can by Girlbard [unfinished]June 9th, 2002

Stories

Rise and Shine by Xenafan911 in the 55 word story category

Added part 12 of Bonnie's Tie Break

New ebooks up:
Daughter of Egypt shadowriter
Habaname Ana Ortiz
Extreme Measures Candy
Desperate Measures Candy

June 8th, 2002

Stories

Added part 3 and part 4 of The Dragon Chain by charmdfate

Added Installment Two of BOOK II:IT'S JUST THE BEGINNING by Mezzo

June 7th, 2002

Updated the amazing list kept by Eileen Marks, The Ultimate Über List

Added part 6 of S. Lee's Ms. O'Connor Goes to Washington

Added part 27 of Savay's Beneath the Brambles

Added part 17 of L. A. Tucker's The Inside Out

Immortality and Greek Wizardry 3 by Patricia Winterburn
In this third and continuing story, we find our wizard attempting to comfort Gabrielle. Explaining the reality behind her nightmares and how her life changed after.

Added LJ Maas' Journey's End [conqueror/complete]
This is the first in the Conqueror series (we already had Petal of the Rose #2 and the on-goingTime's Fell Hand). For those not familiar with this Conqueror, this Xena is not the dark ruler from many Conqueror stories, so some will not care for it. It is more the story of that same dark Warrior after she has ruled for twenty years or so. She has come to the point in her life where she is trying to change, for many reasons...enter slave, Gabrielle.

eBooks fixed (I hope)
Falling Stars - Web Bard
Falling - Web Bard
Pendragon Cove - Barbara Davies

New Ebooks:
A Fire Ignited Within - Nanook
Domesticity - Friend
King of the Beach - Cate Swannell
Choice Weapons - Julia Swan
Conspiracy of Swords - Shadowriter
Hunger in the Night by Allyson Heisey
Operation: Annihilate! - Nene Adams
Summer Heat - MJ
Bar Girls - Jules Kurre
 
 

June 6th, 2002

Hunger in the Night by Allyson Heisey
Bacchus is dead. Or is he? Having the last laugh, he throws Xena and Gabrielle into a future timeline, where they must use their intelligence and skills to survive. Once again, as the fates would have it, the two women meet and outwit Bacchus for good. A tribute to "The Hunger" 1983, Starring David Bowie, Catherine Deneuve, and Susan Sarandon A classic fiction that takes place after Season 6 (Post Finale).

Summer Heat by MJ
PWP... An intriguing stranger turns Cody's day of escaping from the toils of University life into more than she could have ever imagined.

Added part 2 of Time's Fell Hand by L. J. Maas

Added a summary for Fractured Tapestry by Kiera Dellacroix
Maddie Ledoux is a PI with issues and attitude. The man she called Dad, has just been murdered and she wants justice. Can she find it in a world where the gulf between the good guys and bad guys isn't as wide as we'd like to believe?

June 5th, 2002

Announcement

If you are a writer who has stories housed at the Academy, this message is for you! In Orlando, several of you asked me about having an "Original Fiction" section on the site. As I would have said at the time, we have been planning one for a while but the questions have motivated me to do the actual work <g>. If you classify your story as Original, rather than Über, please drop us a line at Academyofbards@yahoogroups.com so we can move your submission.

We will not be making the determination of whether a story is über or original. That's up to the author. If we get a submission without the distinction then we are going to list it in über.

Stories

Welcome Julia Swan to the Academy!

Choice Weapons by Julia Swan
This is a post-FIN tale. In debt to Aphrodite for a favor, the spirit Xena must find a way to get rid of Ares forever. She gets a little help from Gabrielle and an unwitting Aphrodite. The story fills in some holes in the XWP mythology.

Added part 13 and part 14 (the conclusion) of King of the Beach by Cate Swannell. This is another story I've heard is just great!

Added part 3 of Long Nights by Windstar

Added part 7 of Kim Pritekel's Again
 
 

June 4th, 2002

Announcement

As many of you already know, Icehole by Kiera Dellacroix is an excellent story. I heard the good news that Fortitude Press has signed Kiera again (they will be publishing Engravings of Wraith also) to publish Icehole. Congratulations Kiera!

Stories

Added part 2 of The Dragon Chain by charmdfate

Added Installment One of BOOK II:IT'S JUST THE BEGINNING of the Impulse Series. It's a continuation of Book I: AFTER ALL IS SAID by Mezzo

For those of you who only read completed stories, here is a good one for you to start now! Added part 10 (the conclusion) of Habaname by Ana Ortiz.

Added part 32 of Download by Jules Mathews.

The following eBooks are now up:
Break Out '99 - Barbara Davies
CyberEpic - Redhawk
Homecoming (The) - Janet Lynne
Wildflower by Leigh McEoghan
Homes Don't Really Exist - R.G. Heller
Second Chances - Lynne Norris
Sappho's Inspiration by MyOsage
Sins of the Mother by L. Crystal Michallet

The following ebooks are fixed (I hope)
Cobb Island - Advocate
Echoes From the Mist - Advocate
A Little Piece of Paradise - Midgit

June 3rd, 2002

Announcement

The Fortitude Press website is now up and running with some very anticipated books! Those at Bardcon Orlando had first opportunity to get these and now you, too, can buy the following wonderful stories:

Warlord Metal by Redhawk
The Bluest Eyes in Texas by Linda Crist
I Found My Heart in San Francisco by S. X. Meagher
The Life in Her Eyes by Deborah Barry
The Average of Deviance by K. Simpson

Congratulations to these fine authors and now....everyone, support the bards and buy the books!!!!

Stories

Welcome charmdfate to the Academy!

The Dragon Chain by charmdfate [unfinished/über]
A woman who doesn't know where she belongs; a city about to be destroyed; and a secret, hidden deep beneath the streets, that could save them both.

Metamorphosis by angharad governal [unfinished/conqueror/alt]
The Conqueror is getting ready to expand her empire outside the borders of Greece , but trouble, in the form of a small resistance group, aims to change her plans of conquest.

Note from the author: Okay. So, I'm posting Metamorphosis (my Xena the Conqueror story I started writing back in 1998). That is, I'm "officially" posting it, complete with disclaimers and stuff. It's *still* unfinished, I'm sorry to say, despite what the disclaimer says. I'm posting it, sending it out to fan fic archives, because I'm afraid that if I don't send it out, it will languish in my hard drive and the empty corners o' my mind forever. I figure that if I post it *out there*, it will force me to finally complete the darn thing.... See, there's a sense of logic to that, right? Logic that only makes sense to me, perhaps, but logic, nonetheless.

Added part 8(the final part) of the Lost Soul series 'Immortal Fear' by Ken Rogers
Xena discovers she is still on Mt. Fuji and goes in search of Gabrielle. Gabrielle is in turmoil because Xena excluded her from her decisions and flees her spirit.

eBooks

Body English - Cephalgia
I Know This Bar - Girl Bard
Houdini's Box - Girl Bard
Fractured Tapestry - Kiera Dellacroix
First Date - Seana James
Games of Life - Ri
At Your Word -  Phair
With Apologies to Bram Stoker by Ernie Whiting
Callisto's Challenge - MyOsage
M'lila's Destiny -  MyOsage

June 2nd, 2002

We Do What We Can by Girlbard [unfinished]
This story follows I Know This Bar and Houdini's Box. This is the third (but not final) story in the series.

Added part 2 of Long Nights by Windstar

June 1st, 2002

Time's Fell Hand by L. J. Maas [unfinished]
As always, the Conqueror is rather like having a Bengal tiger for a pet. She has come a long way since meeting Gabrielle, but Xena will never be considered tame, by any means. She has her ferocious moments just as she has the domesticated ones. Lying just beneath the surface of this complicated woman lies the Beast, Ares' curse upon the one-time Warrior Princess.

Added part 16 of L. A. Tucker's The Inside Out

Added part 27 and part 28 of Vertigo's Caution: Under Construction

Announcement from Shadowriter:
I was going to stay with the name Dragonspirit, which Tasting Desire was originally posted under, but nobody was paying any attention, and like most authors, I like attention. *g* So, even though these stories are completely different than you might expect from Shadowriter, I'm going to post them under that name anyway. Hope you like them.
Tasting Desire, by Shadowriter: It's about 4 friends, a vampire, and one night in New York City. (finished)
Blood Vengeance, by Shadowriter: After a vampire attack outside a lesbian bar, Jesse and Trey ask Nix for help in tracking the culprit. When Nix agrees, she opens the door to a past she thought she left behind. (unfinished, parts 1-5 posted)