DISCLAIMER:
They belong to USA Studios, Renaissance Pictures, etc.; No money made, just having a good time.

This story follows One Way Ticket: Book One.

Send feedback to HercsWench@aol.com

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Timeline (aka One Way Ticket: The Prequel)
By The Huntress

New York City, June, 1958

Jenny tended to her rooftop garden as she always did this time of year. Her daughter was getting married in two weeks and she liked the boy. First one her daughter brought home who was worth a damn. There was a sudden flash of light and Jenny saw a woman standing over her with blonde-hair, fixed just perfect, in a white toga-like dress.

"Well, what is it now?" Jenny asked. "I don't see you for 20 years and you pop in to say hello?"

The blonde smiled at her. She had watched ever Jenny since Jenny was a baby, as she had watched over Jenny's mother, her grandmother, and all the women in this family for almost 2000 years.

"I came to wish you congratulations on Linda's upcoming marriage," the blonde said.

Jenny looked at her with a smirk. "Yeah, I'll bet. Did you set her up with this guy?"

The blonde smiled even more. "Well you didn't like any of the others so I thought she needed some help."

"Well, I guess I should thank you," Jenny said, going back to her plants. She looked up and the woman was still there. "Well, I figure there's something else you want, so spit it out. I don't have all day."

The blonde laughed. "Never one to mince words, were you, Jen?"

"Not with you. You've always been a pain in the ass."

The blonde got serious.

Jenny noticed and stopped what she was doing.

After a few moments the blonde spoke. "Your daughter is going to have a little girl."

"Tell me something I don't know. My families first-born have always been girls."

"But this one will be special. You need to teach her the sword, and how to live off the land."

Jenny stood up, forgetting her plants and faced the blonde.

"She's the one, isn't she?" Jenny asked.

"Yes, she is. She's going to be a great warrior, and she will marry and have strong children."

Jenny knew what else was coming.

The story had been told for many generations. She had heard it from her mother, who heard it from hers, and so on.

"Linda's going to lose her, isn't she."

"Not for a long time Jenny. And you know she won't be lost, just "misplaced."

Jenny found tears in her eyes, tears for a little girl who wasn't even born yet. "Why her?"

"As I said, she is going to be special. A quick learner, a strong fighter, and a heart as big and as tough as yours. But you need to make sure she's prepared. Make sure she studies her history, and learns the basics of healing. Not to mention the broadsword, and the living off the land stuff."

Jenny looked up at her old friend. "Are you sure she's the one? Maybe you're mistaken."

The blonde shook her head. "No, I'm sure."

Jenny nodded. "That's what I was afraid of. But I can't tamper with history can I?"

"No, Jen, you can't. Whether or not she learns from you will not change what has already happened. It will only decide how long she survives."

Jenny nodded again. "Alright. It's been a while but I think I can still 'thrust & parry' with the best of 'em."

The blonde smiled at Jenny, a smile that showed happiness and sorrow, pain and good tidings. "And don't forget the living off the land stuff. It's important."

"Yeah, important. I'll make sure, old friend. I'll make sure. I won't let you or history down."

"I know you won't Jenny. I'll be around if you need me. And so will my sisters."

And with that last sentence, Aphrodite, goddess of love, vanished as quickly as she had appeared. She didn't stay to watch Jenny start crying, crying for a loss that would not come for 40 years.

Upstate New York, September 1979

"Gran, can't we stop? I'm tired. Can't I practice catching fish with my hands, or shoot bows and arrows? This sword is heavy."

"Alright, alright, fishing it is. But we get back to the sword later."

"Okay, Gran. I love you."

The teenager gave the old woman a peck on the cheek and ran to the lake. She dove in and quickly caught two fish, jumped up out of the water and showed her grandmother.

"Very good. Now throw them back and catch some more."

"Okay, Gran."

Jenny smiled as she watched Karen practicing 'living off the land' stuff, as Aphrodite had called it. Her daughter's death in childbirth, and her son-in-law's death 2 years later, had taken its toll on her.

She was starting to feel her age more and more, but she knew Karen needed her. There was too much more for the girl to learn.

Athens, Greece, December 1981

Karen stood at the grave, tears coming quietly. Her grandmother had wanted to be buried in Greece. Karen had thought that an odd request considering her 'gran' had never been out of the USA.

'I hope you were proud of me, Gran', she thought with a smile. 'I'll keep up with your lessons. I don't know why I had to learn all that strange stuff, but I'm sure you had your reasons.'

And with that last thought, she turned and walked away, leaving a sword by the side of the grave. She didn't see the blonde goddess watching her.

Continue on to One Way Ticket: Book Two