Part 2 (1/2)

In front of the control panel, Annie Lynden was busily typing in her destination codes. She'd already

entered her ID, pa.s.sword, social security number, and an a.s.sortment of other coded information that told Merlin she was actually who she said she was.

Apparently he had believed her as he was now humming contentedly.

She turned, having caught a slight sound. Listening, she tried to hear it again, but there was nothing.

Focusing back on her project, she ran down the checklist again. There were several pages of detailed

instructions, and it took her quite a bit of time to make sure all was as it should be.

d.a.m.n it, there was that sound again. Almost like a moan.

Annie half turned in the chair, and didn't notice Merlin or the fact that he was looking a little more perky

than he had ten minutes ago. In fact, if she had bothered to look closely, she might have even noticed that he was glowing.

A definite moan came from the shadows at the back of the lab.”That's it,” muttered Annie. ”I'll be d.a.m.ned if I'm waiting any longer for this viewing time. I don't carewho's back there, I'm going ahead.”

She turned back to her keyboard and entered the final sequence of numbers destined to open a channel

to the year 1810.

Looking up at the screen anxiously, she completely missed the fact that Merlin was now looking like Tinkerbell on steroids.

The screen flickered and began to lighten.

Images appeared, but they didn't look much like London in the Regency. There seemed to be a verybright sky, desert sands perhaps, a palm tree or two...what the h.e.l.l was this?Annie frowned.Behind the rack of electronics equipment, Kimmy gave a final sob and came violently as Mark thrust into her one last time to achieve the most monumental climax he could remember having in his entire life.

Merlin screamed his joy and latched onto the nearest living thing.

Annie disappeared.

Chapter 2.

It had to be the worst hangover she'd ever had. Annie Lynden's head was throbbing to the point of agony, and her stomach was upside down and threatening to come out of her ears if she moved.

She was scared to moan, the sound might kill her.

Suddenly a gentle hand laid a cool soft cloth on her forehead. Thank G.o.d. She must be in a hospital. Her addled thoughts worked through the equation...MERLIN, the lab, some kind of explosion and- hospital.

Relaxing, she sighed with pleasure as the cloth stroked its way across her face and down her neck onto her naked b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

Whoa. Naked b.r.e.a.s.t.s?What the h.e.l.l kind of hospital was this? Very carefully, she raised one eyelid. She shut it again just ascarefully.

There was a half naked woman next to her bed.This was really weird.Annie thought for a few moments, and decided to risk both eyelids this time.Bad move.

There were other women near her bed and they were completely naked.

A moan seemed appropriate at this point.

”Relax, n.o.ble One, all will be well.” The cloth resumed its soothing trek over her body, and Annie

clenched her eyes shut against the absurdity of it all.

”I know you are awake and probably feeling quite dreadful, but if you could just sip some water, you'd do much better.”

An arm worked its way behind her and raised her slightly, and a cool cup pressed against her lips. In

spite of her reservations, Annie drank, hesitantly at first, and then thirstily as the cold water slipped down her parched throat.

She lay back and finally opened her eyes.

”I'm heavily medicated, aren't I?”It was the only option she could imagine as she gazed slowly around her. Her headache was receding,but it felt lousy enough to completely preclude the possibility that she was dead. Dead people didn't getthumping migraines.

Nor did they open their eyes onto a scene right out of a Hollywood epic.

Tall pillars soared to the ceiling of the room in which Annie lay. Mosaic tiles decorated just about everything, and a breeze was blowing gently across her bed. A warm breeze that smelled-different.

She turned her head and gasped.

There was no window next to her, just an opening in the wall framed by long panels of gauzy fabric. But