Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Adam Newman, Megabyte Damon, Ami Jackson, or Jade Weston, nor the concept of the Tomorrow People. All of that belongs to Roger Damon Price. Likewise, the characters of Sadie, Martin, Tara, and Karyn Newman belong to Michelle Bumbarger. However, the characters of Tamara Jackson and Samantha Meyers are mine and will hopefully appear in other fan fiction. This is purely for entertainment purposes; I am not receiving money for this. Italics represent regular thoughts; {brackets} indicate telepathic thoughts.
Author's note: This takes place after the story "Once Upon A Dream". If you haven't read that, please do so. It'll give you a better understanding of who Tamara is.
Summary: Adam reveals to his friends more of his past after a shocking encounter with someone from his past. WARNING! Adam is more emotional than you've ever seen him before.
Feedback: Absolutely! Send it to Ibonek17@hotmail.com.
Adam Newman strode down the beach of Tapahini, his hands shoved in his pockets. His gaze was downcast, causing his unbound hair to fall in his eyes. He kicked at the sand. His brown eyes were dark with pain. It was June, the beginning of summer. Suddenly there was a bright flash of light behind him and Megabyte Damon gazed at his friend's back. He was a tall boy, with short red hair and blue eyes. Freckles were spread across his face.
"Hey, Adam. What's up?" he said. Adam turned and raised his head slightly.
"Hello, Megabyte." he said quietly. Megabyte's forehead creased as he heard a tinge of sadness in Adam's Australian lilt.
"What's wrong, Adam?" Adam raised his head to meet Megabyte's curious gaze. His handsome face was expressionless.
"Nothing." was the quiet reply. Megabyte tried to sense Adam's thoughts, but his friend's shields were too strong.
{Are you sure?} Megabyte 'pathed. The eldest of the Tomorrow People sighed.
{Yes, Megabyte, I'm sure. I'm just tired.} Megabyte became quiet, knowing better than to press his friend. Adam tended to be a private person, opening up only to Tamara, another TP. The other Tomorrow People respected that.
"The gang and I are going out to eat. You want to come?" Much to Megabyte's surprise, Adam shook his head.
"No thanks. I think I'll just hang out here." Megabyte raised his eyebrow in surprise.
"You sure?"
"Yeah. Go on. Ami, Tamara, and Jade are waiting."
"Okay. If you're sure. . ." Megabyte shrugged. He didn't understand what was wrong with Adam, but if he wanted to be alone, then Megabyte would respect his wishes. As Megabyte was teleporting out, a stray thought appeared in his mind. It was whispered, and he had to strain to catch it.
{I miss you, Tara.} Adam's voice echoed faintly through Megabyte's mind as he appeared in Jade Weston's living room. A young girl with blond hair turned to him.
"It's about time, Megabyte." Jade Weston said, her hands on her hips. She spoke with a British accent.
"Where's Adam?" Tamara Jackson asked. She had long sandy blond hair. Her blue eyes questioned him.
"What's wrong, Megabyte?" Ami Jackson asked at the same time. She was dark-skinned, with dark hair and eyes.
"I was talking to Adam. He said he didn't want to go eat with us. He seemed sad." Megabyte said.
"He always seems sad." Jade said.
"Yeah, but this time, it was more than usual. As I was teleporting out, I caught a thought that slipped past his shields. Something about someone named Tara. He said he missed her." Tamara put her hand to her mouth.
"What is it, Tamara?" Ami asked.
"I think I know what's wrong with Adam." she said.
"Who's Tara?" Jade asked.
"I don't know. Tamara, do you?" Megabyte said. They all turned to look at Tamara, who blushed.
"Guys, if Adam wants you to know what's wrong with him, he'll tell you. You guys are going to be late if you don't hurry." Tamara said.
"Aren't you going with us?" Megabyte asked.
"No. I'm going to Adam."
"Hey, we're worried about him, too." Megabyte said, grabbing Tamara's arm.
"Megabyte, Adam's a private guy. You know that. Give him time. He may tell us. But don't prod him or-" Ami began, only to be interrupted by Megabyte.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. He'll clam up. Come on." Jade hesitated.
"Maybe we should go cheer up Adam." she said. Tamara laid a hand on the younger girl's shoulder.
"That's where I come in. Don't worry. I'll see what I can do." With that, Tamara teleported away.
"Let's hope she can cheer him up." Ami said.
******
On Tapahini, Adam sighed. He considered going after Megabyte and telling him exactly what was wrong, yet he hesitated. He wasn't quite ready to cross the bridge that separated him from the rest of the Tomorrow People. He wasn't ready for them to know what his family was really like and exactly why he had left and refused to return. Only one other person knew about his family, and he had told Tamara because of their connection, which had grown in the last month.
{Adam, are you all right?} The telepathic voice of Tamara appeared in his mind. He turned to see her standing behind him.
"How long have you been there?" he asked, surprised he hadn't heard her teleport in.
"Not very long. Just long enough to know that something's bothering you. Does it have to do with Tara?" Adam nodded, still marveling at how she could read him when none of the others could get past his shields.
"Today is the anniversary of Tara's death. I still can't believe it's been four years." Adam sat down and began to trace figures in the sand.
"So, what are you doing?" Tamara sat down beside him.
"Nothing."
"Adam, it wasn't your fault. How could you have known?" Adam looked up at her. He quickly put shields up, blocking his thoughts. Tamara's expression darkened suddenly.
"I should have known. I saw her every day. I was close to her. I should have seen the signs. Hell, I thought about killing myself several times. I just never had the courage to do it."
"Courage? You call killing yourself courage?" Tamara shook her head. "That's not courage. Courage is being able to stand up to whatever is making you have those thoughts. Courage is being able to stand up for yourself. Suicide doesn't make things better. It makes them worse."
"I don't want to talk about this." Adam stood up and walked off. Tamara stood up as well and turned to him.
"Adam, don't push me out. I want to help you."
"There's nothing wrong with me." Adam said quietly. Tamara sighed and walked over to where he stood, his back to her. She placed a hand on his back.
"Adam, I love you. I don't want to see you hurting. You've got to talk about it. That's the only way you'll get past it."
"I'm past it. My sister's dead. I've come to terms with that. What's there to talk about?" Tamara drew her hand back, a little shocked at the cold tone of his voice.
"Adam, you're not hearing me."
"Tamara, just leave me alone!" With that, Adam teleported into the Ship. Tamara considered going after him, then sat down on the beach. She hugged her knees to her and placed her forehead against them. Hot tears fell down her cheeks.
Inside the Ship, Adam swiped his hand across his cheek, wiping away tears that had fallen. He knew that Tamara was still out on the beach. He reached out to her telepathically and realized that she was crying.
{I'm sorry.} he 'pathed. He teleported back onto the beach and knelt beside her.
{I just wanted to help you. You're so sad and I thought I could make you happy.} Tamara 'pathed. Adam placed a hand on her chin and tilted her head up. Their eyes met.
{Did you mean what you said?} He brushed his hand across her cheek, wiping away a tear.
{What, that I love you? Yes.}
{I. . .} Adam's mental voice trailed off.
{What, Adam?}
{It's been a long time since I've been in a relationship with someone. The last two didn't work out.}
{I promise to try my hardest to make this work.} Adam placed his arms around Tamara's body and pulled her close. He kissed her passionately. Suddenly hands grabbed him from behind and jerked him away from Tamara. Her eyes widened in surprise. Before Adam could say or do anything, he felt the sting of a needle at the back of his neck. His world burst in a flash of light then began to darken. Before he slid all the way down the chute of unconsciousness, he called out telepathically.
{Tamara! Megabyte!} Then he collapsed to the ground.
"Adam!" Tamara cried.
"Shut up, you brazen hussy." One gloved hand flew out and clipped Tamara on the side of the head. She collapsed to the sand and lay there, dazed and confused. The figure smiled and disappeared in a flash of crimson light, the unconscious Adam in her arms.
******
Megabyte, Ami, and Jade simultaneously pressed one hand to the back of their necks.
"Adam!" Ami cried out.
"Something's happened to him!" Jade cried.
"Come on." Megabyte led them to a secluded area, then they teleported to Tapahini.
"Adam? Tamara?" Ami called.
{Adam! Tamara!} Megabyte 'pathed.
"They're not here." Jade said. Tears were welling up in her eyes.
{Over here.} 'pathed an irritated voice. Megabyte turned to see Tamara sitting on the sand, massaging her temple. The three teens ran over to her.
"What happened?" Megabyte asked.
"Adam's been kidnapped." Tamara said quietly.
"What?!" Megabyte and Ami said in unison.
"What happened? No one but a Tomorrow Person could get onto Tapahini." Megabyte said.
"I don't know how she did it." Tamara said.
"She?" Ami asked.
"Yeah, it was a woman, about twenty-five, twenty-six." Tamara sighed.
"We've got to find him." Megabyte said. {Adam, can you hear me?} The words echoed through Megabyte's mind. {Adam, please! Let me know you're okay! Where are you, man?}
******
Half a world away, Adam Newman was sprawled out on a plush bed. He lay on his back with his hands crossed over his chest. His eyes were closed and a young woman perched on the edge of the bed, her fiery red curls spilling over her shoulders. Piercing emerald eyes gazed at the unconscious boy.
"Don't coddle him too much, Samantha. We need him to feel pain." said a voice behind her. Samantha Meyers turned to look at the man standing in the doorway. He was tall, with jet-black hair and eyes. He had a long, lean face and was very skinny. He resembled a skeleton.
"If we can get him to trust us, Justin, we can make him cooperate." She spoke in an Australian accent.
"Pain will make him cooperate. Pain, conditioning, and drugs. Do not let your lust overwhelm you, Sam. Stay focused on the plan."
"Don't tell me to stay focused on the plan, Justin! I'm its creator!" Samantha took a deep breath, calming herself. "Adam will cooperate. We shall do this my way."
"No. We do it my way, or the deal is off and you will never get revenge." Samantha narrowed her eyes until they became emerald slits.
"This is about far more than just revenge, Justin. It's about money. With this plan, I stand to make billions." Samantha sighed. "Show me your plan, Justin." Justin smiled.
"As you wish. Excuse me while I go ready the first stage of my plan." Samantha waved him away, then turned back to the unconscious Adam.
"I will have you, my darling." She caressed his cheek with a finger. "One way or another."
******
Megabyte's forehead creased with worry. He glanced at his three friends.
"Adam's not answering me. You guys had any better luck?"
"No." Ami shook her head. Jade was on the verge of tears. Tamara sat with a distracted look on her face.
"I've tried to call Adam, but I don't think he hears me. And what was with that sharp pain in my neck?" Jade asked.
"Tomorrow People feel each other's pains. Adam's been hurt." Megabyte explained to the younger girl.
"Adam's been kidnapped. That sharp pain was a needle being shoved in his neck." Tamara said.
"But how did it happen? Last I saw of Adam, he was here, on Tapahini. No one can find this island. You have to be a Tomorrow Person or a Power Ranger to get here." Megabyte protested.
"I don't know how the woman got here, Megabyte. I'm just telling you that she was here." Tamara said. "I don't even know who she is or what she looked like. Everything happened so fast. All I remember is flaming red hair."
"Maybe we can ask the Ship." Jade suggested. Megabyte and Ami exchanged glances.
"Good idea, kid." Megabyte said.
"The Ship?" Tamara asked.
"Yeah. Remember how Adam told you the Ship talked?"
"Yeah, but-"
"Well, you're about to have your first conversation." Together the four teens teleported into the main hold of the Ship. They looked at each other as they felt the presence of the Ship touch their mind.
{We'd like to know what happened to Adam and where he is.} Megabyte 'pathed to the Ship. The Ship made an "ah" sound and soft lights pulsated.
{What's happening?} Tamara 'pathed to Megabyte.
{It can't find Adam.} Ami 'pathed. Suddenly the Ship projected into their minds a picture of Adam and Tamara on the beach. They were kissing when suddenly a young woman appeared out of nowhere. She grabbed Adam from behind and inserted a needle in his neck. He collapsed into her arms and she lashed out at Tamara. Then she disappeared.
{Who's that?} Jade asked.
{I don't know.} Megabyte and Tamara answered.
{A new Tomorrow Person?} Jade asked.
{Uh-uh. She's different.} Ami 'pathed.
{Well, she's not a Power Ranger or a TP, so how'd she get on the island?} Megabyte 'pathed. The Ship made another "ah" sound.
{I have a bad feeling about this.} Ami 'pathed. She shivered.
{Okay, Luke.} Megabyte snickered. Ami wrinkled her brow.
{What?}
{Never mind. You would have to watch Star Wars to understand.} Megabyte 'pathed.
{Right. Back to the problem at hand. What do we do about Adam?} Tamara 'pathed.
{Maybe my dad might be able to find out who that chick is.} Megabyte 'pathed.
{Good idea, Megabyte.} Tamara 'pathed. {Let's go.}
******
Samantha narrowed her eyes as Justin led her into a small room. The lights were dimmed.
"Why did you call me here?" she asked.
"There's someone I want you to meet." Justin walked over to a control panel and pushed one of the brightly flashing buttons. A beep was emitted from the button.
"Who?"
"Someone vital to our plan. Samantha, allow me to introduce to you Tara Newman." Justin swept his hand in a grand theatrical gesture to the slowly opening door. Samantha turned her gaze in that direction and gasped. Standing in the doorway was a young woman with long honey-colored hair. Her blue eyes met Samantha's. Samantha gazed at the woman's face and narrowed her eyes.
"What the hell is this? This isn't Tara. She's dead."
"True, but with the right amount of cosmetic surgery and a bit of acting skill, she will become Tara."
"So this is your brilliant plan?"
"Yes. We use "Tara" to make Adam cooperate."
"One problem, Justin. Adam was the one who found Tara dead." Justin waved a hand dismissively.
"Easily taken care of.. After all, you were Tara's best friend. We simply tell Adam that you helped Tara fake her death so that she could escape the shadow of Martin Newman."
"Adam won't believe it. This is a stupid idea."
"This is the way we do it. You want that painting, don't you?"
"Yes, but-"
"This will work. I assure you." Samantha shook her head.
"No. I will not expose Adam to more pain and suffering. He still hasn't fully recovered from Tara's death in the first place. No. Adam has suffered too much."
"Then how do you propose making him cooperate?" Justin shook his head. "This plan is doomed to fail. He can't even kill. His Tomorrow People instinct prevents him from doing that."
"I know that. I don't want him to kill anyone. I just want to the steal the painting, for now."
"In that case, what do you need Adam for? Wouldn't your magic allow you to break into the British Museum unnoticed?"
"Yes, but I need Adam. He comes in later in the plan. He's going to help me with the setup."
"Ah, and I thought you just wanted Adam for sex." Samantha turned to glare at him. Justin shrank back.
"Understand this, Justin. You are expendable. I can rid myself of you any time I choose." Justin slid back a few paces, fear in his eyes as Samantha raised her hand menacingly.
"Go ahead, Sam. Do it." Justin said bravely. Samantha smiled cruelly and multi-colored sparks hovered on the tips of her fingers. Then she lowered her hand and shook her head.
"No. That would be a waste of perfectly good magic." Samantha turned her back to Justin and sauntered out of the room. She walked back to the room where Adam lay. She sat down on the edge of the bed. Adam's eyelids flickered and slowly opened.
"Hello, Adam. It's been a long time." Samantha whispered. Adam's eyes flickered with confusion.
"Sami?" he croaked, pushing himself into a sitting position.
"Yes, it's really me. Here, drink this." Samantha handed him a glass of water, which he drank greedily. When he had finished, she set the glass aside. She brushed a lock of hair away from his face and caressed his cheek. He reached up and caught her hand in his.
"What am I doing here?" he asked.
"You're here to help me."
"Help you do what?" Adam asked suspiciously. Samantha ran a hand through his hair and kissed him with a passion that sent him reeling.
"Don't worry about that, Adam. There'll be plenty of time for that later." she whispered. Samantha trailed her kisses down his neck.
"Sami, wait." Adam drew back from her. "You have to explain to me why I'm here. Why did you kidnap me? How did you get on the island?" Samantha sighed and backed away from him. She rose from the bed and walked over to the window, her hands clasped behind her back. Adam rose to his feet and walked over to her. He took her clasped hands in his.
"Sami, I trust you. I always have. I mean, you were Tara's best friend and you were the only one besides Karyn who really cared what happened to me. But I need to know the answers to my questions." Samantha sighed.
"You're here to help me make some money."
"How?"
"By stealing a priceless painting that hangs in the gallery of the British Museum." Adam's eyebrows rose.
"A painting?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Why does it matter?"
"It matters to me." Samantha spun to face him.
"I intend to steal the painting and implicate Steven with the crime."
"Steven, as in your twin brother Steven?"
"Yes." Samantha said viciously.
"Why? What did he ever do to you?" Samantha sighed and ran a hand through her hair.
"It's not what he did to me. It's what he did to someone else. Someone else who is willing to pay me five billion dollars to set my brother up." Adam's mouth dropped open.
"Five billion dollars?"
"Yes." Adam whistled.
"That's a lot of money. Where do I fit in? I mean, you're the master thief."
"Yes, I have ripped off my fair share of museums in the past, but this is different."
"How?"
"Because Steven is the one who'll take the blame. I can't sneak into his flat without him knowing it."
"Let me guess. That's where I come in."
"Yes. Adam, if you helped me, I'd give you half the money."
"Is that all this is about? Money?"
"Pretty much."
"You'd let your brother go to jail for something he didn't do, just for five billion dollars?" Adam shook his head, a disgusted look on his face.
"Adam, don't look at me like that. With that kind of money, I'd be set for life. I'd never have to steal ever again."
"You'd never have to steal if you'd get an honest job." Adam retorted.
"What would I do, Adam? You know I have no talent except for pick pocketing and thievery."
"I didn't realize those classified as talents." Adam said sarcastically.
"Damn you, Adam Newman! Who the hell are you to judge me and what I do? I don't have a rich daddy who'll give me what I want just by asking!" Samantha seethed.
"I don't ask my father for anything. The only reason I accepted his trust fund was because Mum and Karyn pushed me to take it. I'd gladly return every bit of it if it meant I could have Tara back alive." Adam hissed. "Besides, you do have a talent."
"Oh really? What?"
"Your magic. With that, you could have anything in the world you choose."
"That's why I steal, Adam. Because I can have anything I want."
"You don't have to steal to get what you want." Samantha ran a hand through her hair and took a deep breath.
"Adam, I ask of you one small favor. All you have to do is place a duffel bag in Steven's flat. That's it. How hard is that to do?"
"It's wrong, Sami. I won't take part in this." Adam shook his head. He turned away from her and walked away. Samantha narrowed her eyes.
"You will help me, Adam. Be it voluntarily or not." Samantha clasped her hands above her head and began chanting. A blue spark flew from her clasped hands and struck Adam in the middle of his back. He cried out and sank to his knees. Samantha hit him again with a bolt of magic and he fell to the ground, withering. Samantha walked over to where he lay and knelt beside him. "I'm sorry it has to be this way, Adam, but I need you. Justin!" Justin appeared in the doorway. He looked down at the unconscious Adam.
"What happened?"
"Never mind that. Carry him to my room. There's been a change in plans." Justin smiled evilly.
"As you wish, Sam."
******
The four teens stood in the office of General Bill Damon, watching him as he searched through his files. Suddenly Tamara cried out in pain and sank to her knees. Megabyte, Ami, and Jade each put a hand to their foreheads. General Damon looked up in concern.
"What happened?" he asked Megabyte.
"Adam, something's happened to him." Tamara said weakly. "We've got to find him."
"Are you okay, Tamara?" Damon asked. Tamara nodded. "I found someone who matches your description of the woman who took Adam." Damon placed a file folder in front of Megabyte. He took a photograph out of the folder and passed it to Tamara. The woman had curly fiery red hair and emerald eyes. Her complexion was one of ivory. Tamara gasped.
"That's her!" Damon nodded.
"Her name is Samantha Meyers. It seems she's a master thief. She's broken into several museums around the world and made off with priceless artifacts. However, the police has never been able to pin anything on her. Someone else always ends up taking the rap while the artifacts go into the private collections of unknown people. She's also supposedly a sorceress."
"What would she want with Adam?" Ami asked.
"Apparently, she used to be friends with Adam. What she wants with him, I have no idea." Tamara stared at the photo.
"She's a sorceress?" she asked.
"Supposedly." Damon answered.
"I really have a bad feeling about all this." Ami said.
"Yeah, me too." Jade said.
"We've got to find Adam, and fast." Tamara said.
"But how? We can't sense him. It's like he's being blocked by something." Megabyte protested.
"But by what?" Ami asked.
"Well, if this Samantha Meyers is really a sorceress, then she's the one blocking us. Somehow she knows about the Tomorrow People and that we're telepaths." Tamara said. She was silent for a few moments, then she smiled slyly. "But I bet she didn't count on one of the Tomorrow People being able to speak to animals." Megabyte smiled and snapped his fingers.
"Yeah! Think about it. She would want to be somewhere where no one would find her. She's probably in a secluded area in the middle of nowhere, like a forest or something." Megabyte explained to Ami and Jade.
"Oh." Jade said in understanding.
"Do whatever you kids feel is necessary, but be careful." Damon said.
"Thanks Dad for all your help. We'll be seeing you." Megabyte said.
"Where are we going, Megabyte?" Ami asked.
"Ruth's. What little bit I can sense of Adam tells me he's somewhere in England. I can talk to her animals and they can spread the word." Tamara said.
"Hey, Jesse can help!" Jade cried, referring to her dog.
"Go get him, then meet us at Ruth's." Tamara said.
"Okay." Jade disappeared in a flash of bright light. The rest of the Tomorrow People vanished as well, leaving Damon sitting in his office by himself.
******
Adam became aware of someone standing over his prone form. He struggled to move, only to feel leather bands dig into his wrists. Samantha ran a soothing hand through his hair.
"There's no use struggling, Adam." Adam looked at her. Justin stood beside her and he held a hypodermic needle out to her. Samantha accepted the needle, nodding her thanks. She lowered the needle toward Adam, who began to struggle against his bonds. Justin held him down while Samantha shoved the needle into his arm. His struggles ceased and he fell limp. Samantha smiled cruelly and held her hands above Adam's chest as she began to chant in a strange language. Sapphire bolts of lightning appeared at the tips of her splayed fingers, and she lowered her hands to touch Adam's chest. His breath froze in his chest as an electrical current ran through his body. His body arched upward involuntarily as he cried out telepathically. His vision swam and he groaned. Swirls of psychedelic colors floated before his eyes and he tried to blink them away. Time had no meaning as the world seemed to stand still. He collapsed back against the bed, breathing heavily. From out of the haze enshrouding him, he heard a voice.
"Adam, can you hear me?" Slowly he nodded. "Good. Now listen to me, Adam. I need you to do something for me. Will you do that?"
"Yes. Anything for you, Sami." he found himself saying. Justin watched, amazed.
"Good, Adam. What I want you to do is help me steal a priceless painting. After that, you are to take it to Steven's house and plant it." Samantha spoke in a soothing tone, all the while running her hand through Adam's hair. Adam closed his eyes for a moment, then reopened them. He focused on Samantha's face and nodded.
"Your wish is my command, Samantha." he said. Samantha smiled devilishly.
"Wonderful, Adam. Somehow I knew you'd see things my way. Now, rest. We have a busy night ahead of us." Adam nodded and closed his eyes. Samantha turned to Justin, whose mouth was open in surprise.
"If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't believe it. I've never seen anyone respond that quickly to drugs." he said.
"Yes, but you forget, I'm a sorceress. I have a knack for persuading people to do what I want them to. The drug was merely to put him in a stupor so he wouldn't teleport. Adam has a nasty habit of teleporting at the first sign of trouble."
"So everything is going as planned."
"Yes. I can almost smell that five billion dollars. Come, we have much to do."
******
Tamara sat in the middle of Ruth's backyard, surrounded by dogs of all sizes and shapes. Jesse was sitting in her lap.
{I need your help, all of you.} she said to the animals. Squirrels, birds, and cats came out from the woods to join the ever-growing circle around Tamara. A little robin alighted on her shoulder.
{We'll help you.} Jesse said.
{What do you want us to do?} the little robin questioned.
{I need you to spread the word through London and the countryside of England. Tell all of your friends, anyone you think will help to be on the lookout for Adam Newman.} Tamara flashed a picture of Adam into each of the animals' minds. The birds chirped, the squirrels chattered, the cats meowed, and the dogs barked. Then they scattered, going their separate ways.
"Wow!" Jade cried. "It's like 101 Dalmatians!" Tamara laughed.
"And you think this will work?" Ruth asked.
"I'm not sure, but I hope so." Tamara said.
******
Adam awoke for the third time slowly. He looked around him and saw he was back in the same room he had first woken up in. Samantha was there, dressing in a black jumpsuit. Adam let his eyes travel down her back as she pulled the jumpsuit on. She twisted her red hair up into a bun and pulled a black cap on over it. Then she turned to smile at Adam.
"Hello, sunshine."
"Hello."
"Get dressed. We're leaving in half an hour." Samantha tossed a pair of black jeans and a black turtleneck at him. He caught them and began dressing. Samantha watched him as he pulled the shirt over his head. He tied back his hair with a leather cord and suddenly Samantha kissed him passionately on the lips.
"There's more where that came from when we return." Samantha whispered seductively. Adam smiled. Outside the window, a little robin hovered.
"Now remember, after we grab the painting, we're going to meet Mister Jones. From there, we go to Steven's." Samantha said as she pulled a pair of black gloves on. She handed Adam a pair.
"What are these for?" he asked.
"So you don't leave behind fingerprints."
"Oh. Okay." Adam replied. He grabbed a black back pack from the bed and slung it onto his back. "I'm ready when you are."
"It's off to London." Samantha said. Neither of them noticed the little robin, who flew away.
******
Tamara was sitting outside in Ruth's backyard, her knees hugged to her chest. Unnoticed by her, Megabyte came up behind her and sat down.
"Hey." he said. She turned to him, surprised.
"Oh, Megabyte, hi."
"How's it going?"
"I'm worried. What if we don't find Adam? Strange things have been happening. I heard him call out not too long ago. Then all was quiet and I haven't heard anything else." Megabyte furrowed his brow in confusion.
"You heard Adam call out?"
"Yeah. Telepathically. Didn't you hear him? It wasn't words or anything, just a cry of terror and pain."
"I didn't hear a thing." Megabyte said, shaking his head. Tamara looked at him curiously.
"What does that mean?"
"It means you and Adam do have a connection. It's a lot stronger than anything the rest of us have." Megabyte paused. "It's a good thing, though." Tamara looked at him strangely.
"Why do you say that?" Megabyte shrugged.
"Well, it's been a long time since Adam's been in a decent relationship. I mean, his last two eventually broke up with him. He's been depressed and stuff for a while. I think that you're good for him. You two belong together." Tamara smiled.
"Thank you, Megabyte. I hope we find him."
"Me too." They sat in silence for a few minutes, then they became aware of the sound of a chirping bird. They looked at each other strangely. The little robin flew into the backyard and landed on Tamara's hand. Megabyte stared at the little bird in surprise as he chirped at Tamara.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Our little friend's found Adam!" Tamara said excitedly. The robin chirped loudly, turning Tamara's attention back to him. Her face suddenly paled.
"What? What is it?" Megabyte asked.
"Oh no." she whispered.
"Tamara! What is wrong?" Megabyte asked, exasperated.
"Adam's going to steal a painting from the British Museum!" Megabyte's mouth dropped open.
"What?"
"He and Samantha are going to steal the painting tonight! We've got to tell your dad!" Tamara jumped to her feet and teleported. Megabyte was still sitting on the ground, his mouth open in surprise. Tamara teleported back and grabbed his arm. "Come on, Megabyte!"
"Uh, right!" Megabyte stood up and together they teleported to his dad's office.
******
Night had fallen on London. The streets were crowded with traffic and the sidewalks bustled with people going to dinner or just out for a walk in the crisp air. The moon shone brightly over the river Thames. Two figures dressed completely in black were scaling the side of the British Museum. Down below them, the river lay waiting to catch them if they should fall.
"Why didn't you let me teleport us in? It would have been a helluva lot quicker." Adam grumbled. He was below Samantha on the rope.
"Yes, but the bright flashes of light would have attracted onlookers." Samantha said, grunting from the strain of pulling herself upwards.
"Like you couldn't use your magic and make them invisible."
"Just shut up and climb, Adam. We're almost there." Samantha reached the top of the Museum and swung her legs up onto the roof. In a few minutes, Adam joined her.
"What now?" Adam asked. Samantha turned to him.
"I keep forgetting you've never done this before." she said. "We've got to find a way in, and I think that skylight over there will do nicely." She walked over to the skylight in question and crouched down beside it. Reaching into her backpack, she pulled out a glass cutter and began to cut at it carefully.
"The hell with that." Adam said impatiently. He grabbed Samantha in his arms and teleported the two of them into the room where the painting was located.
"Adam, I told you-never mind." Samantha sighed. Adam stared mesmerized at a glass case where a diamond necklace lay spread out on a velvet sheet.
"That's not what we came here for." Samantha's irritated tone broke him out of his reverie.
"Just what did we come here for?." he said.
"That." Samantha pointed behind her to where a painting hung on the wall. It showed a lake surrounded by trees. Adam raised his eyebrow.
"What's so special about that?" he asked.
"It was painted by Monet. Mister Jones is an art collector. He wanted an original Monet landscape to add to his collection." As she said this, she dug into her backpack and pulled out a spray can.
"What are you going to do with that?" Adam scoffed.
"Watch and learn, young novice." Samantha sprayed some of the contents down toward the floor beneath the painting. Adam watched her, skepticism on his face. Suddenly crimson beams of light appeared about a foot off the floor.
"What are those?" he asked.
"Laser alarm system."
"Now what?"
"Now, I very carefully step over them." Samantha said softly. She slowly placed her foot over the first of three beams. Time seemed to slow down as she painstakingly crossed the barriers. Finally, she reached the other side. Adam breathed a sigh of relief.
"Took you long enough." he said.
"Very funny." Samantha surveyed the painting and saw it was surrounded by a glass case.
"How are you going to get it down?" Adam asked.
"Very carefully." Samantha reached into her backpack. She pulled out a glass cutter and affixed it to the case. Using the tool, she carved a wide circle out of the case. Smiling, she pulled the circle away from the rest of the glass and carefully set it down on the floor.
"Give me your backpack. Toss it to me." Samantha said. Adam tossed her the black bag, from which she pulled a velvet sack. Gingerly, she reached inside the case and pulled the painting down. She placed the sack around it and closed the drawstrings. Then she turned to Adam, a smile on her face.
"Congratulations, Sam."
"Thank you very much. Here, take this to Steven's house." Samantha handed him her backpack. "I'll meet you at Mister Jones's house."
"With pleasure." Adam smiled, then teleported away. Samantha removed her hat and shook out her hair.
"Another perfect heist." she said.
"Not quite, Sami." said a voice behind her. Startled, she turned to see Adam Newman grinning at her. Her emerald eyes widened.
"Adam, what are you doing here? You're supposed to be at-"
"My house. Right, dear sister?" said a voice to Samantha's left. She turned to see a tall man with red hair and emerald eyes. Her face paled a few shades. In his hand, Steven held the velvet sack containing Monet's picture.
"Steven! Wha-what's going on?" Suddenly the British Museum faded away to reveal a barren warehouse. General Damon, Megabyte, Tamara, Ami, and Jade were surrounding Samantha. She looked around at each of them, bewilderment on her face. Her gaze returned to Adam, who was smiling at her.
"You tricked me." she accused.
"You're right. And you fell for it, hook, line, and sinker." Adam said.
"But-but why?"
"Samantha Meyers, you're under arrest." General Damon said. He stepped forward and slapped handcuffs on her wrists. Samantha laughed sardonically.
"Just tell me one thing, Adam."
"What?"
"How did you do it? How did you manage to fool a sorceress?"
"He didn't. I did." Tamara said, stepping forward. "I created an illusion. I made you think that you were succeeding when you were really walking right into our trap."
"So everything has been a lie?" Samantha snickered. "Amazing. A master thief tricked by a bunch of snot-nosed teenagers. Who would have thought it possible?"
"Yeah, who would have thought?" Adam said. Damon led Samantha away.
"This isn't over, Adam. I will have you." she said, turning back.
"Yeah, whatever." Adam said. Steven turned to Adam when his sister had been escorted from the room.
"Thank you, Adam. I appreciate what you did." he said.
"You're welcome. I never thought Sami was capable of doing something like that." Adam said.
"It's amazing what some people will do for five billion dollars." Steven said.
"I'm just curious about one thing." Megabyte said. "How?"
"You know that Tamara can create illusions?" Adam said. Megabyte nodded. "Well, all that you experienced was a giant illusion."
"You mean, everything?" Megabyte asked. Adam nodded. "Even you on Tapahini, thinking about somebody named Tara?" Adam's expression darkened and his eyes registered surprise.
"What are you talking about?" he said, quickly slamming shields into place.
"This morning, you were sad. A thought leaked out of your shields. 'I miss you, Tara'." Megabyte met his friend's gaze. "I'm just asking who Tara is." Adam turned away from Megabyte before he could see the hurt on Adam's face.
"She's nobody." Adam said, his voice thick with emotion. Tamara looked at him.
{It's time to tell them, Adam.} she 'pathed where the other Tomorrow People couldn't hear.
{I can't} Adam 'pathed, turning to look at her. The pain in his eyes overwhelmed her.
{Adam, you've got to let it out sometime. Keeping the hurt and pain bottled up inside won't make it go away.} Tamara's eyes pleaded with him to tell their friends the truth.
{I can't remember anything about Tara but the day she died.}
{Try, Adam. Ami, Jade, and Megabyte want to help you, Adam. But they can only do it if you let them.} Adam sighed and licked his lips. Slowly he nodded.
"Come on. Let's go back to the Ship." he said finally.
"Okay. Just let me tell Dad we're going." Megabyte said.
{I hope I'm doing the right thing.} Adam 'pathed to Tamara.
{You are, Adam.} She smiled warmly at him. {You are.}
******
Adam leaned against a column as the other Tomorrow People watched him, waiting for him to say something. Tamara looked at him, encouragement in her eyes. He returned the smile she beamed at him and took a deep breath.
"Tara was my older sister." Adam said. Megabyte raised an eyebrow.
"Was?" he repeated. Adam licked his lips nervously.
"Yeah. She. . .she. . ." Adam's voice trailed off. {She died when she was eighteen.} he managed to telepath. He started to break off the telepathic link with his friends before his emotions leaked through but he looked over at Tamara. Slowly he eased his shields down, letting his emotions seep through bit by bit.
"What happened to her?" Ami asked softly.
"She. . .killed herself. I. . .I found her." Adam said. The other TP gasped. Adam took a deep breath and was amazed to discover he felt a lot better.
{See? Some of the weight of the world has been removed from your shoulders. Keep going.} Tamara's telepathic voice was strong and her telepathic touch gave Adam strength.
"It was a Saturday afternoon. I'd just gotten home from hanging out with my friend Brent. I was looking for Tara. I had found this necklace that I knew she'd like and I wanted to give it to her. I. . .the bathroom door was ajar, so I walked over to it and pushed it open. And there she was. Lying in the tub, which was filled to the brim with bubbles. Her head. . ." Adam swallowed the lump that was forming in his throat and fought back tears.
{Let them fall, Adam. Sometimes crying is good.} Tamara's mental voice was soothing. She sent him the mental equivalent of a hug and he smiled gratefully at her.
"Her head was back, leaning against the wall and her eyes were closed. I thought she was asleep. Then I saw her wrist, dangling over the side of the tub. A line of red was running down it from where she had slit it." Tears formed in Adam's eyes and this time he let them fall. "That's why I hate the month June and the smell of frescia."
"What was she like?" Jade asked. Adam laughed quietly.
"I don't remember. All I remember is the day she died."
"You're blocking the memories. So as to deaden the pain. Memories of Tara are too painful, so you push them to the back of your mind." Tamara said.
"You sound like a psychologist." Adam said dryly.
"Yeah, well, my aunt happens to be one."
"Maybe a mind merge would help you remember." Ami suggested. Adam and Tamara turned to her.
"That's a good idea, Ami." Megabyte said. "What do you say, gang?"
"Sure." Jade said.
"Okay." Ami shrugged.
"Tamara?" Megabyte asked.
"The decision should be Adam's. After all, it's his mind we'll be sifting through." The TP turned to look at their leader. Adam took a deep breath, then nodded.
"Let's do it." The five teens sat down on the floor in a circle and put their palms together. They each closed their eyes. Their minds merged into one and Adam suddenly found that he could remember. Memories of Tara before her death bubbled up to the surface of his mind and Adam relayed them to the other TP. Memories of playing cards with Tara and always losing, singing at the tops of their lungs at night, to the dismay of their parents. Pranks they'd played on their older sister Karyn. Tara's first recital, where she had sang in front of an audience. Adam felt a surge of pride as he experienced the recital again and listened to a voice he had thought silenced a long time ago. Unbeknownst to him, tears began to stream down his cheeks as forgotten memories of his beloved sister flooded his senses. Adam ended the merge as his body was wracked with emotion. Tamara hugged him tightly.
"It's okay, Adam. Go ahead and cry. Cry till you can't cry any more." Tamara spoke in a comforting tone while rubbing her hand up and down his back slowly. She stroked his hair, murmuring comforting words to him quietly.
"Wow." Megabyte said softly. "I had no idea."
"Why?" Ami asked. "Why did she kill herself? She seemed like such a happy girl."
"My father." Adam spat. The tone in his voice surprised the other TP. "He likes to control. Likes to play mind games too. He made her kill herself. He made her so unhappy that she thought she didn't have any other escape route. All he ever cared about was money. And my mother, she was a drunk. All she cared about was her next drink." Adam ran a hand through his hair. "Megabyte, Ami, Jade, Tamara, you guys should thank your lucky stars that you have families who care about you. All I've got are you guys. And Karyn and Tana."
"I never knew you had sisters." Jade said.
"There's a lot you never knew about me." Adam said, chuckling.
"I think we'd like to meet your sister." Ami said.
"Maybe someday. Right now, let's just deal with what I've just told you. Now that you know about Tara, I guess I can tell you that today is the four year anniversary of her death. I'm going to buy some roses and place them on her grave." Adam stood up and ran a hand over his face. "If. . .if any of you would like to come with me, I. . .I'd appreciate the company."
"We'll all go, Adam." Megabyte said.
"We'll all make a tribute to the memory of your sister." Tamara said. Adam smiled.
"Have I ever told you how lucky I am to have friends like you guys?" he said.
"We know." Ami said. Adam smiled at Tamara and kissed her.
{Hey, what about me?} Megabyte 'pathed. Adam laughed.
"Sorry Megabyte, but I'm not going to kiss you. But feel free to kiss Ami or Jade."
"Um, that's okay." Megabyte said.
"Come on, guys. Let's go." Tamara said. The five teens teleported from the Ship.
The End