Something Completely Different (Complete)

[niping]

Hey everyone!! Long time no...post(?). Been trawling through uni exams and what not as well as working again so haven't had much time to read all the new fics being posted here, let alone write any of my own. Plus I was kinda stuck for inspiration but it has returned and I'm already to start posting again! Yay

Here's the beginning of my new fic for you, something of a teaser to get you interested


Prologue


From: [e-mail]
Sent: 25 March 2008 16:54
To: [e-mail]
Subject: House Swapping via Geenee.com

Hi Sam,

I was really glad to hear about your interest in my apartment, I was beginning to despair of anyone ever contacting me! I’m glad you liked the place- I know it’s not much but it serves its purpose and is in a great location (even if I say so myself). I had a look at your apartment as you suggested and I loved everything I saw- it is just what I’m looking for! I have always wanted to go to New York and I really hope we can arrange everything without too much trouble. I suppose the next thing to do is find out when we actually want to swap. The summer months would be my preference but my job is very flexible so it really is more your decision.

Hope to hear from you again soon Sam (is it alright if I call you Sam?).

Jamie Toland


From: [e-mail]
Sent: 26 March 2008 8:05
To: [e-mail]
RE: House Swapping via Geenee.com

To Jamie,

Well, I’m impressed; I wasn’t expecting such a quick reply. But I was glad to hear from you and that you liked my apartment. I also hope that we can organise things between ourselves without too much trouble but we both seem pretty enthusiastic so I doubt they’ll be any problems. As to when I would like to swap, the summer would be ideal. I have just been given an extended leave of absence from my job so timing really isn’t an issue for me. But how does the end of May/beginning of June sound to you? If that’s too soon for you I’d understand but I figured that this way we won’t miss out on any of the summer.

Thank you again for getting back to me so quickly.

Samantha Spade

P.S. I normally ask people to call me Samantha, but considering you’re willing to give me your home for the summer I think I can make an exception



From: [e-mail]
Sent: 28 March 2008 18:10
To: [e-mail]
RE: House Swapping via Geenee.com

Sam,

If my reply was quick I don’t know what yours was! But I guess it’s like you said, we’re both rather enthusiastic! Anyway, I like the sound of your plan- the beginning of June would be ideal. And I’m assuming/hoping that, given you have the time off of work, you’ll want to stay the entire summer? As in the whole of June, July and August? Not that I’m trying in any way to persuade you to stay away so I can have your apartment for longer. Of course I’d understand if you didn’t want to stay that long- 3 months is quite a while I’ll admit- but if you wanted to...well, what can I say, I wouldn’t argue with you! Maybe you could look into Cambridge and the surrounding area, see whether it looks interesting enough for you. And if you’ve got any questions don’t hesitate to ask- I’ve lived here my whole life and so naturally know quite a bit about the place (I’m hoping you can return the favour for me).

Hope I haven’t put you off by being too enthusiastic!

Jamie

P.S. I know it’s none of my business, but I hope that your “holiday” from your job isn’t for a bad reason (ok, that’s a very poorly constructed sentence, but I’m sure you understand what I’m trying to say).


From: [e-mail]
Sent: 29 March 2008 20:47
To: [e-mail]
RE: House Swapping vie Geenee.com

Jamie,

You know what, as crazy as spending 3 months in a strange place where I don’t know a single person sounds, I actually really like the idea. I’d actually already started looking into Cambridge and the rest of East Anglia and I’ve already got a list of the things I want to do/places I want to see. I am in dire need of a change of scenery and pace, and from what I can tell, your home is the perfect solution. I would suggest that you also look into NY too but I’m guessing that since you’ve always wanted to come here you’ll already know something about the place! But I am more than willing to return the favour if you do want to ask me anything (I know the names of some amazing restaurants if you’re interested).

Well, I guess since we’ve basically agreed that we want to swap from June to August we should get down to some serious planning. I may have already started (I have a lot of time on my hands at the moment!) looking at flights- how close is Stansted to Cambridge and is it easy to get between the two? If it is that would be great- you can get flights direct from JFK to Stansted. Anyway, I should probably stop now before I get too carried away but I hope to hear from you soon.

Sam

P.S. You’re right, that was a very poorly constructed sentence, but I did understand it nonetheless. I injured myself at work and decided that that was the last straw and that I needed a holiday!


From: [e-mail]
Sent: 2 April 2008 10:17
To: [e-mail]
RE: House Swapping via Geenee.com

Sam,

Sorry about the delay Sam, one of my friends was having a “major crisis” which I had to help resolve! It’s all sorted now though so I can get back to planning our holiday. And don’t worry about getting ahead of yourself Sam; I’m way ahead of you! I’ve been looking at what flights are available around the time we want them and which are the cheapest and I think it would be easiest if we just booked via the actual airport websites (so Stansted for me and JFK for you). That way we get all the departure times and return flights sorted out in one go. How does the 1st of June and the 30th of August sound to you? Oh, and I also looked into buses between Stansted and here for you- the airport isn’t that far from Cambridge and I can get you a map and some directions to my place from the station. I’m hoping that I can get to your place using public transport too since I have no sense of direction whatsoever!

I’m glad that you like the look of Cambridge etc, it really is a nice place, and you won’t have to worry about being completely on your own. My cousin Martin has promised to check that you’ve arrived safely and point out all the little eccentricities of my apartment (don’t ask) so if all else fails you can talk to him! And I am definitely interested in hearing about those restaurants- in fact, I was thinking we could maybe make welcome packs for each other or would that just be too geeky?!

Anyway, I need to go, but I’ll speak to you again soon.

Jamie


From: [e-mail]
Sent: 3 April 2008 8:05
To: [e-mail]
RE: House Swapping via Geenee.com

Hey,

Getting to my place by public transport is easy and in a virtually straight line as well so no need to worry about that; I’ll write out very clear directions for you though just in case. Using the airport websites does seem like a good plan, I think it’s worth it paying that little bit extra to just get everything arranged with the least amount of fuss. And we are getting places to stay for free so I reckon we can afford it! The 1st and 30th are fine with me too, although I admit I had to laugh; you really want to get your three months, don’t you? Anyway, back to the point. I looked at flight times and realised that with the time difference we could actually cross over at JFK but still both fly in the afternoon. I don’t know about you, but it’d be nice to be able to put a face to the name; what do you say to a quick hello when you get in/before I fly out? I’d completely understand if you didn’t want to, but it’d be nice to meet you Jamie.

As for the welcome packs…I think it’s a brilliant idea, geeky or not! What sort of things do you want me to put in yours, besides restaurants etc? I know the city well but I could ask around if you wanted anything specific. If you could put in where I could find a swimming pool, that’d be great. Swimming is the only exercise I’ve ever really enjoyed and I need to rebuild the muscles in my leg. As for the “eccentricities” of your apartment as you put it, I’m sure they can’t be any worse than mine. I’ll get my friend Elena to give you the tour and you’ll have to thank your cousin for me; it’s very nice of him to look out for a total stranger.

Anyway, get back to me about the flights so we can book them (!) and about your welcome pack so I can start putting it together.

Sam.

P.S. Is it just me, or are you getting really excited about this now?


From: [e-mail]
Sent: 5 April 2008 15:16
To: [e-mail]
RE: House Swapping via Geenee.com

Hey Sam,

Of course I want to meet you! I have a feeling that this house swap is going to be the start of a beautiful cross Atlantic relationship and it’d be lovely to actually speak to you in person. I was thinking how we could arrange the timing of the flights when Martin suggested we use MSN Messenger. He’s such a genius some times, although don’t tell him I said that! We could add each other as friends (I can’t believe we didn’t think of this before you know) and have a live chat whilst we book our flights. Good idea, huh? I’ll add you tonight and we can arrange a time we can both talk. But to answer your questions, yes, I do really want my three months and yes, I am getting ridiculously excited about this; I’m counting down the hours, let alone the days!

I’m almost ashamed to admit that I didn’t know where to find a swimming pool but once again Martin saved the day and there’s a map with a big “X” on it for you mixed in with the rest of the stuff I’ve got for you. I hope it turns out ok, and that you didn’t hurt your leg too badly, the idea of rebuilding your muscles sounds painful. As for my welcome pack, I guess I’d like some stuff about art exhibits and galleries; not the touristy stuff but anything you or your friends have seen and liked. You know, a well kept secret that only New Yorkers know about. Anyway, I have to go but I’ll speak to you again soon.

Jamie.

P.S. Oh, I totally forgot! Martin offered to pick you up from the airport and drive you to my place if you wanted him to which would save you a bus ride.


From: [e-mail]
Sent: 7 April 2008 10:13
To: [e-mail]
RE: House Swapping via Geenee.com

Hey,

I can’t believe we didn’t think of MSN either, it’s so obviously now that I think about it. I got your friend request last night and added you and I’m free whenever to chat. The time difference is going to make things interesting but how about the day after tomorrow? There’s about eight hours between here and there so if I go online at about 12 that should be around 8 for you; is that ok?

I asked around some people I know and your welcome pack is steadily growing. You’re lucky though, one of my neighbours is a bit of an art buff and he gave me loads of stuff that hopefully you’ll enjoy. Thanks for the pool thing though, I promise your efforts won’t go to waste. As for your cousins offer…I guess it’ll depend on what time my flight gets in; I don’t want to drag him out of bed in the middle of the night to come get me.

Right, well, that’s it for today, hopefully when I talk to you again it’ll be “live” and we’ll have our flights booked!

Sam

P.S. My legs not too bad, no need to worry. It’s just weird having one thigh smaller than the other!



From: [e-mail]
Sent: 8 April 2008 14:54
To: [e-mail]
RE: House Swapping via Geenee.com

Hey,

Eight tomorrow is fine for me, guess I’ll speak to you then. Sorry about the brevity, insanely busy at the moment.

Jamie.



From: [e-mail]
Sent: 1 June 2008 7:08
To: [e-mail]
RE: House Swapping via Geenee.com

Morning Sam!

Well, this is it; months of planning all lead to this moment. I gave up trying to sleep and am now sat at my computer writing to you whilst trying to think whether I’ve forgotten to pack anything. I guess I’ll find out when I get to yours. I suppose there’s a few final things I should cover; your welcome pack will be on the side in the kitchen, next to the sink along with the your keys to the flat, the windows, my bike lock and the shed in the backyard. Martin will explain everything to you but I’ve left instructions for the heating and boiler etc just in case. There’s also a list of phone numbers in case of emergency (it’s 999 here by the way, not 911 ). I think that’s it, but if I think of anything else I can just tell you in person later on.

You know, I can’t actually believe we’re doing this. Not in a bad way but still, it seems like so long ago that you first emailed me. The expectations are high but I know that I’m not going to be disappointed; this summer is going to be unforgettable. Anyway, I should go do something productive but I will see you later.

Jamie.



From: [e-mail]
Sent: 1 June 2008 7:13
To: [e-mail]
RE: House Swapping via Geenee.com

Hey,

That is so strange; we’re eight hours apart and yet we still manage to email each other only five minutes apart (if you get what I mean). I don’t really know why I’m replying to your email, I know you’re not going to be there to read it but I guess I just need something to occupy me whilst I’m waiting for the hours to tick by before I have to leave for the airport. Actually, thinking about it, I should probably write you a letter to read when you get here to go over the final details like you did for me. I also should probably stock up my fridge; I think you’ll need more than half a pint of milk and some cheese for your first night here.

Anyway, I’m rambling but I know what you meant about not quite believing this is actually happening. When I first emailed you it was on a whim; I was fed up with the city and my life and wanted to do something completely different but as the months have passed and we’ve talked I realised that this is something I really want to do. And you’re right, it is going to be amazing.

Ok, I’m going to go buy food and do some last minute packing (I’m not quite as organised as you it seems) but I hope you have a good flight and I’ll see you at the airport.

Sam.

[niping]

Ok, so I just realised I may have overestimated the time difference ever so slightly lol but I can't be bothered to go back and fix it. Just pretend that New York and Cambridge are a hell of a lot further away from each other than they really are

[blu]

oh i love love love this idea! its like that film with cameron diaz and jude law! can't wait for the rest of this, really wicked idea hun! x

[PlainJaneIAm]

this looks really interesting!! i love it so far.. and if that was just a 'teaser' i cant wait for the first chapter!! im really looking forward to this, its gonna be great! update soon..

[Broni]

Ooh this is a really interesting idea for a fic. Samantha and Jamie meeting and planning on "swapping lives" almost for the summer. I wonder, does Samantha know that Jamie's cousin is her unit's Martin? Is Martin even on the team? Hm, so many questions that "teaser" (incredibly long one!) brought up. I hope you'll update soon hun!

[Shaniqua]

Jul 18, 2008 13:13:38 GMT -5 blu said:

its like that film with cameron diaz and jude law!

That's what I thought!
Very 'The Holiday', iffy on the movie but looking forward to this fic. It might just change my thoughts on the movie
Update soon (:

[ear906]

I really can't wait until Sam and Martin meet and what you have in store for Jamie.

[vivalina]

An interesting idea.

I'm sure that this fic will be very interesting

[sandid]

This is very different from any other fic I have read at this site, or, any other. Look forward to more, I really like what I have read so far.

In the meantime, if you will forgive my ignorance, where is Cambridge? I assume it is somewhere on the West Coast, as New York is on the East. I could get an atlas out I suppose, but....

[niping]

Cambridge is in the UK, near London.

[niping]

Well, thank you for all the replies guys, glad you like the story so far. And I know that I left a lot of things open but you'll just have to wait as the story unfolds to find out more. Anyway, here is the next part for you.


Part 1

Martin smiled hopelessly as he re-read the text Jamie had sent him last night as he sat on one of the generic bench units scattered around the airport. Though it would have been about 11 o’clock in the evening, UK time, and she’d been up since seven she sounded completely psyched;

Just got 2 aprtmnt, is amazing! Bit jetlagged now but can’t wait for 2moz 2 go explore!!! Sam is lovely, bit shy but nice. Quite tall, blonde hair.

Martin shook his head; so that was Jamie’s idea of describing Sam to him? A quite tall blonde woman who was a bit shy but nice? Knowing that it was pointless trying to get anything else out of Jamie now because she would no doubt be asleep or suffering from jetlag, he pushed himself off the bench and headed for the arrivals area. Checking the board on his way he noted with relief that her flight was on time and found himself a place to stand where he had a clear view of her gate. As he stood waiting he wondered what the mysterious Sam, or Samantha as Jamie had told him to call her, would really be like. He’d met a fair number of Americans in the past, some brash and rude, some friendly and delighted with their quaint surroundings, and he wondered which category Sam was going to fall into. He figured though that a woman willing to give up her home and move to a different country for three months would be confident and independent; either that or just crazy like his young cousin. From what he knew of her though, he thought it would be the former. He also hoped it would be the former; he really didn’t want to constantly have to check up on Jamie’s errant houseguest to make sure she hadn’t burnt the place down. God, he thought with a sudden sense of dread, what if she did turn out to be some wild twenty year old who… Martin jumped slightly as a voice asked from right beside him,

“Excuse me, but are you Martin Fitzgerald?”

Martin turned and all thoughts of wild twenty year olds instantly flew out of his head; standing in front of him was a woman who looked to be in her thirties with long blonde hair and a pair of stunning hazel eyes. For someone who had just sat on a plane for several hours on end she looked surprisingly good, although her expression was one of quiet puzzlement as he continued to look at her without replying. He cleared his throat and nodded before smiling,

“Yeah, that’s me. I’m guessing you must be Sam...antha” he added quickly as he offered his hand, noting her strong grip as they shook. She looked at him knowingly and realising she’d noticed his mistake he shot her a sheepish smile, relieved when she easily smiled back.

As Sam returned his smile she shifted her carry bag, the weight heavy on her tired shoulders as her eyes surruptiously took in Martin’s appearance. When she’d met Jamie at the airport Sam had insisted that Jamie give her a full description of her cousin so that she could find him when she landed. Looking at him now, Sam inwardly noted that Jamie hadn’t really done him justice. Somehow “tall, brown haired, blued and quite handsome I suppose” didn’t quite cut it; for a start there was no suppose about it, he was without a doubt very good looking and what was more, his eyes were an amazing shade of blue. He quietly asked her a question but Sam had to ask him to repeat it having not paid attention the first time, grateful she had the excuse of jetlag to cover herself.

“Sorry, what was that?”

“Don‘t worry, you must be tired,” he replied with understanding before asking again, “I was just wondering how you knew it was me? Did Jamie tell you what to look for?”

“Yeah, she did, although I think I would have spotted you anyway,” Sam added with a smile.

“Oh really? What would have given it away?” Martin asked playfully, wondering for a second why it seemed so natural to talk to her like this when in reality they had only just met.

“You’d have been one of the only people looking around blankly for some complete stranger whilst everyone else rushed to greet their loved ones,” Sam explained quietly, giving up trying to hold her bag and dropping it onto the floor next to her suitcases.

Martin looked impressed at her logic.

“Ever think of becoming a detective with those powers of deduction?” He joked with a smile which turned to a look of surprise as Sam laughed to herself. He looked at her in question and she explained with a smile,

“You’ve found me out I’m afraid.”

“You’re a police officer?” Martin asked with surprise, noting Sam’s smile at his wording. Police officer sounded so much more glamorous to her than “cop”.

“Something like that.” She replied with a smile that told him that that was all she was going to say on the subject. He accepted the silent communication with ease and indicated her bags.

“I guess it’s time we got going; I’m only parked for two hours and it may take us a while to get these loaded.”

“Why?” Sam asked as she picked up one of the bags and, before she could stop him, he grabbed the other two. She was about to protest but decided she was too tired to carry them anyway. She also reasoned that Martin seemed like the sort of guy who did things like carry a woman’s bags for her just because it was a nice thing to do and so relaxed her feminist principles.

“Because I wasn’t expecting you to have so much stuff,” he replied with a grin as he led her to the exit. “We’re going to have to put the back seats down.”

“Three months is a long time you know,” Sam noted in her defence as they weaved in and out of some parked cars with difficulty. She noted with a smile that several people around her had that bedraggled look about them that only air travel could give you.

“Yeah, I know, you‘re right,” Martin replied over his shoulder before adding, “I guess I just figured that you’d be more like Jamie. I think she only took one suitcase with her.”

“You’re joking,” Sam asked, shaking her head. Now that she thought about it, she thought she could only remember Jamie having one bag with her when they’d met at JFK but she wasn’t sure she could rely on her jetlagged recollections.

“Afraid not. But that’s Jamie for you; I’ve never known anyone quite so…free spirited.”

Though he was teasing his absent cousin, Sam could tell that underneath the playfulness Martin was fond of Jamie. Not that she could blame him; as they’d exchanged emails Sam had found more and more to like about her new friend and meeting her today had been a great experience. Jamie was a beautiful young woman with curly brown hair which she carelessly tossed about whenever she talked and her eyes were almost, but not quite, as blue as her cousins. Sam bit back a smile as she remembered the younger woman’s exuberance which was still in evidence despite the seven hour flight she’d just endured and wondered whether New York knew what had hit it. She looked up at Martin to find him looking at her so quietly noted,

“She seemed lovely. She’s the same in person as she is by email. I was lucky to find someone so great to swap with.” Sam added as they waited for a car to pass by so they could cross.

Martin was silent for a moment before replying quietly with a soft smile, “She said exactly the same thing about you.”

They looked at each other for a moment, stood in the soft early morning sunshine until Martin cleared his throat and nodded in the direction of one of the car parks.

“Come on, that’s my car over there.”

In the end it didn’t take them all that long to get her bags loaded; once they’d figured out how to get the seats down that is. It was six in the morning in New York and Sam could feel her energy reserves drying up as she clambered around the back seat looking for the lever to drop them down. Martin noticed her tiredness and, taking pity on her, turned to her with a smile and said,

“I’ve got this, why don’t you just go sit in the front and chill out.”

Sam opened her mouth to protest but he held up a hand,

“Honestly, it’s fine. Go.” He gave her a gentle push in the direction of the passenger seat and, too tired to fight, Sam acquiesced and slid into the car, the perfectly ordinary seat the most comfortable thing in the world to her right now. Leaning her head back, only half awake, she let her eyes roam around the inside of the car, noting the packet of POLOs and old parking tickets on the dashboard. She smiled at the air freshener hanging from the rear-view mirror; a yellow smiley face which spun around happily on its string. As Martin gave a shout of success from behind her and the sound of the seats finally folding down washed over her, her eyes fell a brightly coloured book lying in the space at her feet. Not wanting to tread on it and bend the pages she bent and picked it up, her puzzled gaze falling on the words emblazoned on the front;

Sarah’s Scribbles. Hands Off!

The words were surrounded by a number of doodles ranging from the whimsical to the more artistic and Sam smiled at the childish delight obviously taken by the artist. Sam wondered why Martin would have this in his car and turned to him with a question on her lips as he slid into the driver’s seat. He looked at her but then noticed the book and swore under his breath,

“Shit. She forgot it again. I told her not to leave it behind.” He reached out and took the book from her, “That girl is as forgetful as her mother” he added with a smile at Sam as he tucked the book in his driver’s side door.

Sam nodded as he started the ignition, her eyes drifting to his left hand where, there for all to see, his wedding ring shone in the sun. Leaning her head back against the rest she shut her eyes, trying to block out the sunshine as well as the irrational disappointment she felt.

[Broni]

Wow, okay, so I'll also admit that I had no idea where Cambridge was, but it's in a different country! This is certainly a bold move on both girls' parts, but a great experience all the same. They're both sane, honest women really looking for a few months of change. Looks like Jamie will have an awesome time in Samantha's apartment, whereas Samantha will get to know this lovely blue eyed man who also seems to be married (though I have a feeling that will change too, somehow, or already is changed).

Really enjoying this fic hun!

[MaFerLooCa]

YAY Niping is back and writing again! I'm glad inspiration is visiting you once more and you are already posting this new fic!

The idea is interesting and I think a have a small idea of where it comes from, but then again I could be wrong... to be honest though, I would like to be right and that you took another important thing from there too... I know it sounds like I'm speaking in code, however I hope you are getting my meaning and you know what else I would like to be similar to... I'll shut up now!

I'm enjoying this a lot already! I wish this swapping thing was actually that easy to do because I would do it without extensive thinking... I've thought about it a lot since I was first introduced to the idea!

Hope you keep it going soon and maybe it won't be too long before Samantha finds out there is no reason for disappointment... I mean, they just have three months to fall in love and decide who's gonna change lives completely!

I know, I know, I'm getting way ahead of myself and the fic itself, but you girls know that's me! I'm a sap and a hopeless corny person!

[Bright Eyes]

Yay Niping!! I'm so excited you've started another fic, cos I really loved 'Hard To Find'.

And if you'll pardon the pun, this really is 'Something Completely Different' It is a stroke of pure genius!

The E-mails between Sam and Jamie was perfect. You could really feel their excitement building at the thought of their trips. And you very cleverly put in just enough personal information so we could get a feel for the characters, and a clue as to why Sam wanted a change of scenery.
Loved the way Jamie talked about Martin so matter-of-fact, but you just knew they were close.

I couldn't wait for Sam and Martin to meet at the airport.
I thought Martin's rambling thoughts about Jamie's houseguest being a wild 20yr old was so funny, and priceless when he saw who it was and then mistakenly called her Sam.
Mind you, Sam was a little tongue-tied herself!

Liked their easy conversation and Martin's teasing over all her bags.
(Although Jamie went over to NY with one bag, I can guarantee you she'll come back with several!)

And as I got toward the end, a warm little smile on my face, you had to go and ruin it all by having Martin wearing a wedding ring!! And you just left it there!!!

You had better redeem yourself with another chapter and soon!!!!

[sandid]

I have to agree with what everyone else has said in thier posts, I too am enjoying this fic. I also was a little surprised to see that Martin is a Pom (oops, sorry, I mean English Gentleman). I didn't realise that you meant that Cambridge, silly me. I am also sure that you will staighten out this marriage thing very soon and have us on the path to a happy M/S union.