The Incline of Trees

Title: And Then Play On
Authors: kiltsandlollies and escribo
Characters: Orlando, Billy
Word Count: 4274
Summary: Great minds think alike; sometimes they just think, full stop.
Index
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction; the recognizable people in the story belong to themselves and have never performed the actions portrayed here. I do not know the actors nor am I associated with them in any way. If you are underage, please do not read this story. I am not making any profit from these stories, nor do I mean any harm.

( This is who he is. )

Title: Purchasing Power
Authors: kiltsandlollies and escribo
Characters: Billy, Cate
Word Count: 5649
Summary: Impulsive shopping, and some coffee, too.
Index
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction; the recognizable people in the story belong to themselves and have never performed the actions portrayed here. I do not know the actors nor am I associated with them in any way. If you are underage, please do not read this story. I am not making any profit from these stories, nor do I mean any harm.

( For years and in various cities Billy's used this time to finish his holiday shopping, marking things off the wrinkled list that's spent the last few weeks moving between his briefcase, desk, and coat and trouser pockets. )

Title: And Dream of Making Our Escape (3/4)
Authors: kiltsandlollies and escribo
Characters: Billy/Dominic
Word Count: 5695
Summary: Continues from here.
Index
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction; the recognizable people in the story belong to themselves and have never performed the actions portrayed here. I do not know the actors nor am I associated with them in any way. If you are underage, please do not read this story. I am not making any profit from these stories, nor do I mean any harm.

( Outside the club, Dominic summons his strength back. )

Title: And Dream of Making Our Escape (1/4)
Authors: kiltsandlollies and escribo
Characters: Billy/Dominic
Word Count: 5133
Summary: A night at the movies and more.
Index
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction; the recognizable people in the story belong to themselves and have never performed the actions portrayed here. I do not know the actors nor am I associated with them in any way. If you are underage, please do not read this story. I am not making any profit from these stories, nor do I mean any harm.

( You've hit the jackpot, then. )

Title: One Eye on What You Knew, One Eye on What You Do (3/3)
Authors: kiltsandlollies and escribo
Characters: Billy, Cate
Word Count: 3850
Summary: Continues from here. This chapter concludes Book 5; we'll resume with Book 6 in September.
Index
Note: Original text and characterization of Cate created by magickalmolly; in some chapters through this story, we’ve adapted both text and characterization, but Molly’s work happily remains the foundation for Professor Blanchett.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction; the recognizable people in the story belong to themselves and have never performed the actions portrayed here. I do not know the actors nor am I associated with them in any way. If you are underage, please do not read this story. I am not making any profit from these stories, nor do I mean any harm.

( Billy knows better than to have agreed to a dare—especially one that he seems doomed to lose, if Cate's enthusiasm is anything to go by—and he'd been surprised to feel himself nodding wordlessly, as if his silence would make up for this later, as if he could remind himself he never really wanted it in the first place. )

Title: One Eye on What You Knew, One Eye on What You Do (1/3)
Authors: kiltsandlollies and escribo
Characters: Billy, Cate
Word Count: 3,000
Summary: Out for a drink and maybe more.
Index
Note: Original text and characterization of Cate created by magickalmolly; in some chapters through this story, we’ve adapted both text and characterization, but Molly’s work happily remains the foundation for Professor Blanchett.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction; the recognizable people in the story belong to themselves and have never performed the actions portrayed here. I do not know the actors nor am I associated with them in any way. If you are underage, please do not read this story. I am not making any profit from these stories, nor do I mean any harm.

( The meeting this time has occupied one of the conference rooms in the science building, and so Billy stops to think before he takes a turn down the hallway that should lead him to Cate's office. He quickens his steps as he nears it, and knocks on the door politely, twice, before leaning against the wall to think some more. )

Title: Craft the Only Thing We Know Into Surprise
Authors: kiltsandlollies and escribo
Characters: Dominic/Billy
Word Count: 6797
Summary: The night of the presentations.
Index
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction; the recognizable people in the story belong to themselves and have never performed the actions portrayed here. I do not know the actors nor am I associated with them in any way. If you are underage, please do not read this story. I am not making any profit from these stories, nor do I mean any harm.

( Knowing the letter of congratulations and invitation was inside his suit jacket's pocket had made Dominic feel stronger, as if he could whip it out at the merest breath of a suggestion or surprise that of all people he should be among those participating in the presentations. He belonged among them, Billy had stressed; he'd earned his place in that room, at that podium in front of so many students and faculty and parents. )

Title: Walk It Back
Authors: kiltsandlollies and escribo
Characters: Dominic and Orlando
Word Count: 3354
Summary: News travels fast.
Index
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction; the recognizable people in the story belong to themselves and have never performed the actions portrayed here. I do not know the actors nor am I associated with them in any way. If you are underage, please do not read this story. I am not making any profit from these stories, nor do I mean any harm.

( They'd both been busy--in good ways, Orlando tells himself firmly--and then there had been tests upon tests, papers and shoots and general madness. Enough was enough, though, and they both seemed to have felt it, judging by the way Dominic had reached for him just as hard as Orlando had in return. )

Title: Our Causes Can't See Their Effects (2/2)
Authors: kiltsandlollies and escribo
Characters: Billy, Cate
Word Count: 4704
Summary: Continues from here
Index
Note: Original text and characterization of Cate created by magickalmolly; in some chapters through this story, we’ve adapted both text and characterization, but Molly’s work happily remains the foundation for Professor Blanchett.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction; the recognizable people in the story belong to themselves and have never performed the actions portrayed here. I do not know the actors nor am I associated with them in any way. If you are underage, please do not read this story. I am not making any profit from these stories, nor do I mean any harm.

( Hit the road, see if it hits back. )

Title: In the Air (and Still Breathing)
Authors: kiltsandlollies and escribo
Characters: Cate, Dominic
Word Count: 2937
Summary: Still struggling, but still willing to try.
Index
Note: Original text and characterization of Cate created by magickalmolly; in some chapters through this story, we’ve adapted both text and characterization, but Molly’s work happily remains the foundation for Professor Blanchett.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction; the recognizable people in the story belong to themselves and have never performed the actions portrayed here. I do not know the actors nor am I associated with them in any way. If you are underage, please do not read this story. I am not making any profit from these stories, nor do I mean any harm.

( There is one particular student who holds Cate's interest at the moment. She can't help but feel a bit of triumph to see Dominic actually engaging in something he clearly feels passionate about, even if that passion is only passing. )