Thanks go out to the various fanfic authors and Maddy Bell, herself, for creating this ‘universe' and providing the inspiration. Whether you realize it or not, there's a part of each of you, in this work. I also wish to dedicate this work to Karen J, Jillian and Angharad – three lovely people without who's prodding, this or any other of my writings, would have never appeared.

… And to all who read this, I hope you enjoy it as much as it was for me to continue the Journey.

It would seem that I've been put on a literary path somewhat like George Lucas did with Star Wars. “Rough Waters” is the prequel to “Reconciliation”, which in turn was based upon “Notes of a Journey”. As such, like “Reconciliation”, it is highly recommended your read/re-read “Notes of a Journey”, at least up to the point the kids are preparing to leave Grottoes, Virginia. This is to avoid any confusion with references to events that occurred prior to the start of “Rough Waters”.

“Gail, would you please ask Mrs. Johnston to come in? Thank you,” Mr. Woods instructed an office secretary and then asked Carol and Sylvia to enter his office.

When Mrs. Johnston entered, Maddy and Rhod accompanied her . Miss Cowlishaw joined the group as Mr. Woods indicated the two students be seated in the vacant chairs beside their respective mums.

Mr. Woods began by calmly asking the two, “Well Madeline, Rhodri … I assume you know why you are here with your mothers, am I correct?”

“Yes sir,” they both replied in unison. Maddy looked very solemn and Rhod was trying very hard to maintain his composure.

“In all fairness I will inform you that we have heard from the other side and have taken notes. As well, Miss Cowlishaw is here to verify things, as she was with you … we were not. If any of us think it necessary, I will summon Jules and Ally to help your memories,” Mr. Woods paused then asked, ”Will that be necessary … Miss Peters? … Mr. Morgan?”

“The purpose of this meeting is to hear your side of things. We will make any decision on the matter at a later time.” Mr. Woods sternly but calmly cautioned before Maddy got started in her recounting of events.

“Suppose you tell us your side of things, in your own words Madeline? … I suggest you begin with the morning of your departure for America and the repacking of Drew's luggage, then work up to the birthday party; leaving nothing out,” Mr. Woods suggested. Maddy knew that his suggestion was not to be taken as just another option for discussion.

As Maddy recounted her story, Mr. Woods questioned her on several points. When she covered the weekend she and Gaby switched, her recollection of events and conversation differed from that given by Jules. Maddy insisted she was right and Jules was incorrect.

“Are you accusing Jules of intentionally misleading us?” Mrs. Johnston asked.

“Point taken. However, it's also my understanding that you were not at Miss Bell's house on the weekend in question either. Maybe I should call Gaby and have her drop by? We can resume when she gets here,” Mr. Woods proposed.

“Umm …I don't think that would be necessary, sir. Now that I think about it,” Maddy hastily replied. Carol gave Maddy a look that she knew meant things weren't going at all well for her as far as her mum was concerned.

The rest of Maddy's “testimony” went without incident or deviation from what Jules had conveyed, with Mr. Woods, Miss Cowlishaw and Mrs. Johnston all questioning her on various points.

Mr. Woods then turned his attention to Rhod, “Now Rhodri, your turn if you please.”

Rhod recounted the same period, with the same questioning from the three staff members present. At several times during his recounting of events, he was on the verge of tears.

“Sir? I'd like to say I'm awfully sorry for what I did and if I could … ( sniff ) … but Gaby won't talk to either of us,” Rhod's eyes were full of tears as he said this.

“Is there anything you Mrs. Peters or you Mrs. Morgan, like to add or ask, either of ourselves or of your children?” Mr. Woods asked.

That sparked another round of questions, this time from their mothers! Finally Sylvia asked what the next step would be.

“The three of us will meet to discuss all we've heard and let you know our decision either way, as soon as we've made it. If there's nothing else and as it's almost lunch time, I propose we adjourn,” Mr. Woods replied and with everyone agreeing, they all left the Headmaster's office.

Both Maddy and Rhod had a good idea how things went with Mr. Woods. They were certain they knew how things went with their mothers! As they left the main office and went back to join the rest of their classmates for lunch, both kids looked like they'd just been handed an immediate death sentence.

Rhod was the most shaken and remorseful. In his mind, his biggest priority was to mend broken fences with his mate and with Gaby. In his mind, Em's pranks had been of a nature that would've been laughed off by Drew – if Rhod had sprung them. That was the key – if Rhod had sprung them! It dawned in him that those same pranks played by two boys while pretending to be girls, had very serious consequences if things went wrong, as they ultimately did.

The more he thought about things, the more he saw Em's personality in a less than ideal light. It was plain to see Em was fast becoming what Rhod wasn't and that when Em was around, Rhod had increasingly less control. The more it ate at his mind, the more he hated himself for what he'd done or rather what Em had done, to his closest mate.

Maddy on the other hand, was harder to read. She seemed to understand what she had done but couldn't seem or didn't want to grasp the gravity of her actions. Her buried affection towards her Gaby told her a grievous wrong had been committed and like Rhod, fences had to quickly be mended because the longer they remained unhealed, the further apart she and Gaby would drift. Her more dominant current state of mind told her she couldn't accept Gaby's love for her. She would have to accept the consequences of her actions, but with little or no remorse towards Gaby.

Over lunch, Mr. Woods, Mrs. Johnston and Miss Cowlishaw discussed what they've heard over the last two days and they decided they would like to hear from Jenny and Gaby before they handed down any decision.

As Jenny was leaving the staff cafeteria, Mr. Woods inquired as to her teaching schedule for the afternoon.

“I have a double set with Mr. Pilling's third levels at 1:40. May I ask why?” Jenny replied.

Indicating the other two, Mr. Woods stated, “We'd like to hear Gaby's take on all of this and get your recommendations, before we make our decision known. How soon could she get here?”

“If she's waiting for me outside when I get there, I guess I could have her back here in about 15 minutes,” Jenny offered.

Jenny phoned Gaby and told her to be ready outside as she would pick her up. In about 20 minutes, Gaby was in the headmaster's office.

“No, Sir … We gave Drew's clothes to charity yesterday including both Drew and Gaby's school uniforms,” Gaby quietly replied. Her answer caught Mr. Woods and the others off guard and brought them back to the seriousness of the matter-at-hand.

“All we'd like from you is to understand how you feel about the trip, your birthday party … everything …Ok Gaby?” Miss C softly asked.

Shortly thereafter Jenny was on her way to prepare for her double set, Gaby was walking out of the school's property to catch the bus home and Mrs. Johnston was informing Maddy and Rhod to take the next set in the library until sent for. Maddy appeared to remain unemotional while Rhod likened it to being told to relax and read a good book while they replaced the firing pin in one of the rifles for the firing squad!

Mr. Woods phoned Carol and Sylvia to inform them a decision had been reached and would be handed down later that afternoon.

As Jenny's double set of Geography entered its second half, Mrs. Johnston entered the library and told Maddy and Rhod to follow her.

When they entered the Headmaster's office, they found their mothers seated in front of Mr. Woods' desk along with Miss Cowlishaw. Mr. Woods was turned in his seat, looking out the office window. When Mrs. Johnston closed the office door, he turned in his seat to face into the office.

“After careful consideration of everything we've heard, Miss Cowlishaw, Mrs. Johnston and myself have reached a decision. I have to say, if it wasn't for final statements by Mrs. Bond and Gaby, this decision would have been much harsher; but they felt the damage has already been done and their decision to move to Germany is final. In that respect, they felt nothing was to be gained if we imposed our original decision,” Mr. Woods began.

He continued by saying, “However, neither I nor this school will condone bullying of another student, on or off school property, in or out of school time. You, Madeline, have been the benefactor of that policy on at least one occasion as I recall”.

“I might add that trip to America was regarded as one long field trip so you were certainly on school time. Therefore your punishment although reduced from the original, will serve as a reminder of this policy to the rest of the student body. The following decision will be permanently placed on your academic records and will therefore follow you until you complete your upper-sixth. Any questions thus far?” The Headmaster encountered only silence so he took that as a sign to continue.

“Rhodri,” Rhod bolted upright in his chair at the sound of his name, “You are suspended from this school for a period of one week for callous disregard for a fellow student's well-being. Your intentional ‘pranks' although not malicious in intent, were completely unacceptable given Gaby's vulnerability to exposure. At the end of the week, we will meet to review your case. Any questions? … Mrs. Morgan?” Both indicated they had no questions.

“Madeline … your conduct was most reprehensible! We found that some of your malicious ‘pranks' were aided by Brittany Walters and to that end, a complete accounting of our findings will be sent to Miss Bell. However, as the instigator of these activities – activities that only served to amuse you at the expense of a fellow student, we have no choice but to suspend you from this school for three weeks. Originally we were prepared to suspend you until the next term, thereby losing your year … but due to the intervention of both Mrs. Bond and Gaby, this was drastically reduced,” Mr. Woods paused to gauge Maddy's response.

“Like Rhodri, at the end of your three weeks, we'll meet to review your case. Any questions? … Mrs. Peters?” Seeing that they had no questions as well, Mr. Woods went on.

“When each of you return to sets, you will be responsible for making up any lost lessons and tests. If you fail to measure up at year end, you will be required to repeat your year like any other student that fails to meet the standards for advancement … I should also warn you that if you should think that being excluded gives you free time to hang out in the retail areas and make a nuisance of yourselves, think again. You'll be granted no leeway by this administration with the authorities that deal with absent students just because you have been temporarily excluded.”

“Also … effective immediately, both of you are off the Sherwood Forester's cheer squad and you will remain so for as long as you continue at this school. Miss Cowlishaw has assured me that she will be able to continue just as effectively without your participation.” Mr. Woods paused to judge the ‘girls' reactions and if their expressions were any indication, that announcement was a very bitter pill for both of them.

He concluded the meeting with, “If there are no questions, you are free to return home with your mothers. If any questions do arise, Mrs. Johnston will be the person to talk to. For administrative purposes, your exclusions officially begin next Monday and when you return, you will report directly to Mrs. Johnston.”

As everyone, once again, departed the headmaster's office, Mrs. Johnston escorted the pair to gather their belongings, while their mother's waited at the main office. Once reunited with their mothers, Mrs. Johnston then escorted the four to the main doors and reminded them that she would always be available should any questions or concerns arise.

“Left early to pack for tonight … you forgotten I have to meet with George this weekend? By the way, I need a larger suitcase, so could I borrow yours? Promise I'll have my own next trip,” Dave explained.

The two went upstairs and Gaby ducked into her room to retrieve her suitcase. It had been decided that she and her sister would accompany Dave to Germany once his job with the team was defined and a schedule worked out.

After putting the suitcase on the bed, Dave walked back across the hall to Gaby's room and after knocking first, entered the room.

Gaby went over to the computer desk and took out her autographed number for her dad to measure up. Grabbing the ruler on the desk, Dave checked the size, all the time hummin' and hawin'. Finally seeing a quizzical look on his face, Gaby couldn't stand it any longer.

“DAAAD-DEE!” Gaby whined. If Dave had tried any harder to wind his daughter up, he couldn't have done a better job.

With a huge smile on his face Dave told Gaby they had an end piece of some rich-looking ‘cherry' wood at the mill that Frank would let him have as it was of no use to anyone.

“We could do this two ways … either make a frame just for the number, or combine the ‘Grottoes Express' photo and your number into a single frame. I think there's enough cherry for that,” Dave explained.

Gaby thought for a while then asked her dad to try making a large single frame for both the photo and the number but if there wasn't enough wood then make a small frame just for the number.

“Here you are!” Jenny commented after thinking she and Jules came home to an empty house.

Dave realized he was now falling behind schedule once he saw that it was late enough in the afternoon for Jenny to be home. After he gave his wife a kiss, he excused himself and rushed to finish his packing. Jenny sat on the bed and had Gabs join her. She informed her daughter of Mr. Woods' final decision.

“I'm sorry it had to happen like it did but now you just have to get on with your life. It'll be just fine … I love you, kiddo,” Jenny quietly told her daughter as they both held each other. “I better go help your dad … he may be a genius with bikes but when it comes to packing,” then Jenny got up and joined Dave in their room.

“Knock, knock, knock…” Somebody was at the front door and Gaby knew Jules was downstairs.

“I'll get it!” Jules hollered upstairs. She was surprised to see Em standing there.

“Ya know Em? Ya really got balls showing your face around here … Whattya want?” Jules asked, her voice dripping with displeasure.

“Ummm, Is Gaby here? … I really need to talk with her … please Jules?” Em was on the verge of tears as she pleaded with Jules.

Jules motioned for Em to enter and wait at the door. “GABY! … Someone's here for you!” Jules shouted up the stairs then walked away and left Em feeling very uneasy, standing at the door.

Gaby bounded down the stairs but when she saw it was Em, she stopped in her tracks. “Why're you here?” Gaby dryly greeted her guest.

“I want to apologize for the other night … I didn't think … at your party or in the States … it never occurred to me that I was hurting you, honest … they were just harmless pranks like friends do … I never meant to hurt you … if I'd thought I was I'd have never done any of that … please Gaby ... we've been friends too long … please?” Em's tearful voice trailed off as she searched Gaby's face for any sign of forgiveness. Instead, Em saw a face devoid of any emotion let alone any compassion.

“You're right Rhod, we were mates … maybe we still are but when you betrayed me you changed the rules of that friendship. If you want me to forgive you or say it's ok, I understand … but, I'm not … I can't ... not after what you and Maddy did to me … to my family. Maybe in time I might be able to forgive you, but not now …”

“Just enjoy your week's holiday and leave it at that.” Gaby noticed Em's face registered surprise that she knew Rhod's fate.

“Surprised I know what Timber said … RHOD? You should be bloody grateful to Mum and I for talking to him like we did. Was he ever PO'd at you two! He wanted to see you and Maddy excluded for the rest of the year if not permanently. Mum and I convinced him nothing was to be gained and things weren't going to be made right if you lost your year … even though you guys made bloody sure I lost any hope of getting mine!” Gaby lectured, her voice tinged with more than an ounce of venom.

“For what it's worth, I also got the feeling Em will never be allowed to attend Warsop College …Timber's seen what Em's like and he's not a bit pleased.” Gaby added in a much calmer voice.

I gotta go … we're taking Dad to the airport … he's leaving for Germany … go home Em.”

As Gabs closed the door, she noticed Sylvia was waiting for Em in their car. When Em turned to leave, she turned back to face Gaby and with tears running down her check she uttered a final, “Sorry”. Gaby shook her head in response and as Em left, Gaby closed her eyes and slowly shut the door.

“She gone?” Jules asked as she came down the stairs and saw her sister standing facing the door.

“Yeah … All she wanted to do was say she's sorry. She said she didn't know she was hurting me … an' you know what? … I believe her but I couldn't bring myself to say everything's ok or I forgive her … not yet,” Gaby's voice faded to a whisper.

Jules saw the tears in her eyes and embraced her sister. “Let it out Sis … I've a feeling everybody, even Maddy, is hurting after finally realising what they lost.”

After holding Gaby for a while, Jules finally broke the embrace, reminding Gaby to fix herself as her mum was almost ready leave for the airport.

The light had just started to fade when they all piled into the Saab Estate. Gaby relinquished her usual spot in the front passenger seat beside her dad, to her mum. During the trip, the ‘rents were talking about what Dave could expect in Bad Neuenahr. He had planned to stay the weekend in Jenny's two-bedroom apartment the team had assigned her. Besides finding out about his job, Dave was going to start investigating the housing market as well as talk to Maria about the schools.

“Don't worry, luv … I'll phone when I get there.” Dave poked his head into the car to say his good-byes. They hadn't planned on seeing Dave to the plane and passing the terminal's car park, they knew they made a good choice. Amid the flurry of well-wishes, Gaby made her dad promise to say ‘hi' to Kat.

“If things work out all around, you can say that yourself in a week or two,” Dave replied as he gave both Gaby and Jules a kiss on the cheek. “Don't let your mum get overtired an' don't be afraid to help out, ok? … See you guys Sunday night, ‘bye!” Dave added as Jenny pulled away from the curb.

“Jules …Gaby and I are going to Sheffield tomorrow, want to come along?” Jenny asked as they sped along back towards Warsop.

“I really think I should get out on the bike tomorrow morning and I'd like to get an early start, so it'll be after we get back ... you are coming, aren't you Gaby?” Jenny realised she asked a purely rhetorical question.

“My alarm's set for six, that ok … or you want me to set it earlier?” Gaby offered.

“No, six is fine …that means we should be back no later than nine-ish, that ok Jules?” Jenny asked.

Saturday morning found Jenny and Gaby, both in their Apollinaris kit, riding out to Cuckney and along the same route regularly used for the time trials. On the way back, Jenny pulled over to the roadside and sat down on a small rise. Gaby soon joined her.

“Give me a few minutes, kiddo … I guess I'm not ready for the racing season quite yet,” Jen implored.

“You're doing much better, Mum … we're almost home before you stopped and I can tell your speed is building back up … I find I hafta work harder every time we go out,' Gaby proudly told her mum.

“Think so?” Jen asked then she got serious and turned to Gaby, “Are you really ok with all of this? … I mean a lot has unexpectedly happened in the last few weeks and you've had to take things as they were thrown at you … a lot has changed in your life.”

“It's just that you've never really spoken about it … it's like you're keeping it all bottled up and we don't want a repeat of the Walters,” Jenny softly replied as she held Gaby close to her.

“Miss C once told me that it's all in the mind … either become depressed or look upon the whole thing as an adventure, a new chapter in my life … an' that's what I'm doing!” Gaby reassured her mother. Jenny hugged her daughter then the two of them got back on their bikes and resumed the ride home.

Upon their arrival at the house, Jules informed Jenny that Dr. Sanwari phoned and apologized for not calling Friday. She also mentioned her dad called, saying he arrived at the apartment ok and apologized that he didn't call when he arrived but he felt it was too late last night.

“Dr. Sanwari's at the clinic until noon, but he wanted you to know that Gaby's now ‘legal' … He said the RGO informed him of their decision yesterday morning … Congratulations Mum, Gaby's a girl!” Jules excitedly squealed. “Sorry, I had to say it,” she added with a smug grim on her face.

“He said to give him a call today or Monday and he'll fill you in on the details,” Jules continued. She was well aware of what a new birth certificate meant to Gaby.

“Looks like we'll be making another stop when we're out – so look pretty,” Jenny mused.

“You'll need new passport photos at some point, so we might as well get them when we're out,” Jen replied then added, “You shower and I'll give the good doctor a call.”

Later as Gaby came down the stairs her sister just stared at her and slowly shook her head.

“Drew's fashion sense you don't have! It's amazing how the same person can have two completely opposed views of fashion.” Jules was struck by Gaby's appearance.

“If there's any cute boys around … move away and give me a chance, huh?” Jules had a big smile on her face even as she tried to be stern with her sister.

“You can have all the boys you want,” Gaby shot back in her best sultry voice as she walked up to Jules and gave her a peck on the cheek.

“Don't tell your sister … tell the boys!” Jen playfully added as she came down the stairs. “Gaby, why don't you wear Jessica's presents?”

“Look at it this way, Sis … 10 years with a police mug shot or 10 years with something you can live with? … Besides, I've heard Mum going on about this feather and I want to see it,” Jules chimed in with her 2p worth.

Outnumbered, Gaby bounced back upstairs to her room and returned after a few minutes, selecting only the hair feather and a pair of earrings from her small aboriginal collection.

“Sis … IF there are any boys around … move FAR away so I have a decent chance, Ok?” Jules instructed.

Jenny ushered the girls out to the car and by the grace of light traffic, they arrived at the mall in Sheffield in good time. A few hours later they emerged back into the sunlight heavily laden with purchases. Each of the women did pretty well with at least one new outfit but as Jules pointed out, Gaby seemed to have come out on top with several skirts, tops and a dress or two, not to mention a couple of pairs of dress shoes. Gaby also felt she was one step closer to a new life with her new passport photos.

“Well, I think we all did pretty good … eh, ladies? Anyone for a cuppa before we go home?” Jenny asked the girls when they got into the car.

When they finally reached home, Jenny found a message for Gaby from Ally on the answering machine. Gabs returned the call and shortly thereafter Ally was at the front door.

“Sexy…,” Ally commented as she saw Gaby's feather and earrings for the first time. Gaby quickly changed the subject as she could feel herself colouring up.

“Sorry I missed your call but we just got back from Sheff. If I'd known you were home, I would've called but I assumed you went with Em to her dad's,” Gaby explained.

“That's ok, Gabs. I don't know if I could've handled Sheff any better than last time. Even though the sling's off, the memories are still there, if you know what I mean.” Gaby nodded.

“Yeah … but after what she pulled on you … I mean, I liked Rhod a lot and even liked Em … until … anyway I've decided to back off for awhile and think things out.”

Gaby chose to let it lie and not pursue the matter with Ally and signaled her feelings when she gave Ally a hug.

Up in her room, Gaby showed Ally the new clothes she'd bought earlier that day. Afterward they both sat on Gaby's bed, listening to CD's and generally tried to make sense of things that happened to them ever since they left for America.

“Gabs … can I ask you something personal? … it's been bothering me for awhile,” Ally quietly asked. Gaby nodded her consent.

“At your birthday party when you were getting ready to go back downstairs, Jules looked scared an' held your mum's hand when you said you were going to get freshened up and be right back. You even had to promise her you were … An' in the States when we left Grottoes, Jules always stayed close to you … why? Something bad happened, didn't it…” Ally's voice was quiet and concerned.

“Please tell me?” Ally pleaded as she reached out to take Gaby's hand. She noticed a tear trickle down Gaby's cheek as she lowered her gaze to the duvet that covered her bed.

“The night before we left Grottoes … I told Jules I … ( sniff ) …wanted … ( sniff ) … to kill myself … ( sniff ),” Gaby's voice was very quiet, almost a whisper as she continued to look at the duvet.

“Why? Because of the gang?” Ally's tearful voice expressed surprise as she tightened her grip on Gaby's hand. Gaby silently nodded.

“Without you guys … ( sniff ) … without Maddy … ( sniff ) … once everyone knew about me…”

With tears freely flowing down her face, Ally lunged forward pulling her friend into a tight embrace. As both girls held each other, Ally's body heaved with heavy sobs as she laid her head upon Gaby's shoulder. After several minutes, a red-eyed, tear-stained Alison managed to pull herself apart from Gaby.

As she looked at Gaby, Ally asked in a weak, pleading voice, “…But everything's ok now? … you're not…”

An equally red-eyed Gaby looked at Ally then closed her eyes and silently shook her head.

“No, I'm not, not now… besides I promised Jules I wouldn't. I knew the family would support me, but I admit I was surprised at the other kids at the party after I told them … an' then there's you … tellin' you in DC was the smartest thing I could've done … thank you!” Now it was Gaby's turn to pull Ally into a hug.

“But I won't be able to feel comfortable … to be me until we leave Warsop,” Gaby whispered.

“People will talk behind our backs when they realise Mom had a son but now has two daughters. It'll be too hard on Mum an' Dad … people will talk … all ‘cause of me,” then after a pause, Gaby softly added, “… Maddy hates me … an' I just can't stay around her feeling as I do ...”

“I'll miss you, Gabs … I really will…” Ally whispered. Gaby felt the wetness of Ally's tears as she rested her head on Gaby's shoulder.

“You'll still end up going!” Ally quietly shot back. She couldn't help but wonder how different things would've been if the gang had remained there for Gaby from the start.

Sunday was a quiet day with Bernie, Ally and Helen off with their respective families. During the morning, Jenny and Gaby took another 30 Km ride. Gaby took solace in her belief that her mum was steadily improving and one day, they'd be riding a stage race together. While Jules spent the afternoon with Anna and Jenny napped, Gaby spent the time in her room listening to music and sending emails to her American friends, bringing them up to speed on all that had happened.

Sunday evening was like Friday evening only in reverse. Jenny and the girls piled into the car to go get Dave at Manchester's airport. Everyone was waiting to hear what exactly Dave would be doing in his new job with the team.