Just a little note to let you know a Valentine Challenge will be coming to you tonight. At the moment, the server the rules are on is down so I can't very well post them...

That challenge - unlike the others - is held by the Eye in FBI forums and opened to members of both The Eye and stfbeyefanfic.com. What this does mean is that all stories will be posted on the Eye in FBI forums and a link will be established here to the challenge.

So, stay tuned for more details as everything come back up (or I get home - whichever happens first.

Yea!!! I'm so excited! Oh, wait! That means I have to work on something really good.

Thanks for the info!
Okiefoster

The Eye in FBI is proud to host the Valentine Challenge 2005.

The challenge is simple:

This story begins with a Valentine Ball thrown by Myles' parents in his luxurious home on February 12, 2005. The opening scene - or scene setting if you prefer - will be set by me in the coming few posts, up until the time the guests arrive on the scene. And that's where you come in.

What happens next is completely up to you! It may seem like the initial posts are very long (I don't do short!!!!) but they are just setting the scene, giving you enough background info to start you off, nothing more. I think I've included plenty of different threads for you to pick from; so just pick one idea or combine a few, or even come up with completely new ones - that's the fun of it! So long as it follows on from the introductory posts, what you chose to write about is up to you and no one else.

The time frame of your story is up to you, too - you can either just write about the party, or go on to the following day, following week, whatever works for you. In fact, all I ask is that you follow on from where I've left of, and also include the challenge's title (Won't you be my Valentine?) in your story somewhere - who wants whom and why is your decision - and I'm looking forward to reading what you decide!!

******

Now that the creative is out of the way, let's move on to the practical. Your story needs to be completed before midnight on Valentine's day itself wherever you are! We ask that the posts available in the general section be PG-17 tops.

To submit your entry, simply start a new thread here on the Valentine challenge board, and then you can either post your story gradually, or wait until you've completed it.

Readers are invited to post comments too, just like they would do in a 'normal' story – all the writers like having some support and some feedback on their writing journey, so keep them company and enjoy the ride!

Feel free to post as many entries as you like - the more the merrier! With any luck, we'll have more participation than the Christmas Challenge. Once the closing date has passed, it'll be time to vote for your favorites from the submitted entries and - depending on the number of entries - there may be more than one category to vote in (further details to come in light of participation.)<p>
That should covers it all!! I hope you all have fun with this and post lots of entries to keep us all entertained and intrigued. I am looking forward to seeing what you all come up with!!!

So without further ado, let’s start the Valentine Challenge Competition! Enjoy yourselves ... and good luck!!!


TERMS AND CONDITIONS: All submissions are final. Entered material becomes the property of the Eye in FBI. The Eye in FBI reserves the right to publish submissions at any time. By opening a thread you are agreeing to these terms and conditions. Stories will be catalogued and stored in archives unless it is deemed otherwise by the Administration.


How to enter?

1) You will first need to register for a free account on our forums.
2) When that's done, you simply head to the Valentine Challenge 2005 thread and read the scene settings.
3) Head to the Valentine Challenge forum and start a new thread for your story with your story's title as subject line.

And most of all, remember to have fun!

Now, as I was saying before, we are experiencing connectivity issues to the server, so the scene settings may not be available. If I see too many issues with the server being unavailable, I will move the competition here.

Scene setting 1


********

Valentine Ball

Philip and Elizabeth Leland cordially invite you to join them in celebration of Valentine’s Day this Saturday February 12th, 2005 at 20:00. This great Washington bash will be held at their son’s estate in Columbia Heights.

In keeping with the spirit of this Holiday, you are required to sport a dash of red in your attire. We hope to see you there.

********

Myles looked at the invitation in his hand and wondered – not for the first time – what had possessed him to agree to Philip and Elizabeth’s latest great idea.

“Your father and I are coming to Washington to launch his new political career and we could really use your help,” Elizabeth said over the phone on one of her rare calls.

“Since when has Philip wanted to go into politics? I thought he was happier funding the liars than doing the lying himself,” Myles snickered.

As always, he shouldn’t have bothered with the sarcasm because it flew straight over Elizabeth’s head.

“Your father has always been very interested in what he can do for his country and this is just one more way to be influential and steer people in the right direction,” she went on obliviously.

Ask not what you can do for your country; but what your country can do for you, Myles thought cynically. He’d been around his parents long enough to figure out their best interest always came first – no matter what Elizabeth said to hint otherwise.

“Okay, so I gather the only reason you called is because you need something. What is it exactly you want, Mother. An audience with the President? For Philip to enter the Senate? Or perhaps you want a guided tour of the Hoover Building because you are so captivated by the fact your eldest is a Federal Agent?”

“Sarcasm ill suits you, Myles. To hear you speak, I am this mercenary woman who does not have a maternal bone in her body,” sniffed Elizabeth over the line.

“Well, aren’t you,” Myles couldn’t keep from asking.

“I won’t dignify this with a remark. No, what your father and I are asking for is the use of your house for a Washington bash so he can be introduced to the Greater Washington society and be seen. It will be the perfect podium for him – people will see him in his element.”

Myles laughed joylessly.

“You want people to see Philip in his element? How about having him bathe in a pool of money? Oh no, wait – this is too tacky. How about this instead: Have him sit on a throne, looking down on his subjects. That shouldn’t be much of a stretch for him at all.”

Nor for you.

“You didn’t use to be this emotional, Myles. I am not sure working with common people – even if they’re FBI – is that good for you.”

Myles rolled his eyes at the phone.

“When would that grandest of event be, Mother,” he cut her short, not waiting for her to launch in her usual diatribe on how much better off he would be heading the family empire.

“A Valentine Ball, Myles. But seeing as this falls on a Monday this year, I had the invitations printed for Saturday the twelfth.”

Myles ground his teeth and counted to twenty.

“You were so sure I would say yes, weren’t you Elizabeth,” he said in an icy cold tone.

“Well, you’ve never let us down before Myles – so why would it have been any different this time?”

Myles came back to the present and looked once more at the invitation in his hand. He shook his head bemusedly and put it away in his desk drawer, wishing he could push it from his mind as easily as he could push it from his sight. At least, he wouldn’t be miserable alone – he’d garnered an invitation for each of his colleagues.

“What’s that,” Bobby asked as he spotted the heavy white envelope sitting on his desk. He picked it up and noted the engraved gold letters on the back. “Leland Family – did you get married in secret? I’m hurt we were not invited, mate,” he quipped good-humoredly.

“Trust me, you’ll get over it soon enough,” Myles snickered.

What was I thinking to say yes?

Scene setting 2


Jack Hudson’s apartment.
Friday February 11, 2005

“Invitation standing for Jackson Hudson plus guest,” Jack read aloud, toying with the white velum card in his hand.

He couldn’t think of a place he least wanted to be than at a suit and tie party on a Saturday; but Myles had invited them and he figured out his fellow agent could use all the moral support he could get. From what he’d told them of his upbringing, his were not the warm and loving parents Jack had been blessed with. So, that meant he would be forfeiting one of his rare true nights off and go schmooze with the high society, all under the watchful eyes of the blue-blooded Leland bunch.

His only problem was figuring out who to take with him to the ball. He and Allie were seemingly headed towards another off period in their long series of on again and off again relationship. Maybe this party was just what they needed to reconnect; then again…

“I think I know exactly who I will ask…”

*/*

Bobby Manning’s apartment
Friday February 11, 2005

“Aw, c’mon Darcy – pick up,” Bobby muttered in the phone as it kept on ringing and ringing. He ran his fingers through his hair when the machine picked up.

“Hi, you’ve reached Darcy D’Angelo’s answering service. I am presently unavailable so please leave your message and I will get back to you as soon as I can. If your name is Special Agent Bobby Manning, don’t bother with the message because I’ll just erase it anyways. Have a nice day. *beep* ”

“You can’t stay mad at me forever Darce; I told you I was sorry for missing that dinner with your parents. I had forgotten this was the same night as Poker night. Please, pick the phone? Pretty please,” he asked charmingly, trying to placate her. “Okay, well maybe you’re really not there. Look, I have this invitation to a big bash given by Myles’ parents – everyone of importance will be there and I’d love if you would accompany me. Please call me back? I lo-…,” he stopped as the call disconnected. He’d overrun the set time for his message.

God, I hate those machines…

*/*

Sue Thomas and Lucy Dobson’s apartment
Friday February 11, 2005

Lucy dished out another scoop of ice cream and looked over at Sue, grinning mockingly.

“So, will you ask Jack to go with you to Myles’ party?”

Sue picked her bowl of ice cream and walked to the couch, soon followed by her best friend. She settled comfortably in front of the TV before answering.

“It’s a social event where high-ranking people from the FBI might very well be in attendance, what do you think? And it’s not as if Jack was even single to begin with.”

“Well, I don’t know about that; we haven’t heard of Allie in quite a while. Kinda reminds me of the last time she pulled her disappearing act on him,” Lucy mulled out loud, spooning some ice cream and bringing it to her lips.

“Yeah well, for all I know she is still very much a part of Jack’s life and I am not. We’re just friends, Luce and it’s not about to change. I don’t know… maybe I’ll just ask David – or I’ll go alone.”

“You can’t go alone – it’s a Valentine Ball!,” Lucy exclaimed, shocked.

“Then who are you going with,” asked Sue, deftly changing the subject.

“I invited Troy to come with me. I’m sure he is going to enjoy the evening and he is a lot of fun to be with. He’ll be taking his camera with him this time too,” Lucy said with a soft smile that surprised Sue.

Lucy and Troy?

“Well, I have until tomorrow to find someone,” Sue said hesitantly.

*/*

Tara Williams’ apartment
Friday February 11, 2005

Tara was busy putting together her outfit for Myles’ party – well, technically, his parents’ party. She’d gone a little overboard for the occasion and sported a new hair color that – thank goodness – would wash away after 8 shampoos. Some people carried off being a redhead; she was obviously not one of them.

“Black knit top, checked. Black stockings, checked. Black high heel pumps, checked. Red leather skirt, checked. Well, I think that this is everything I need. Oh wait, accessories!”

She went to her closet and pulled out a shoebox filled with hair clips, earrings, necklaces and bracelets. She went through its entire content and picked the pieces that would best complement her attire the next day: silver was definitely this year’s gold.

“Accessories, checked. Okay, now I have everything.”

She put everything in the bathroom where she would need it and climbed into bed, turning the lights off. She snuggled with her cat and was drifting off to sleep when a sudden chilling thought came to mind. She sat straight up in her bed, scaring Taffy away.

“Oh no, I forgot about a date!”

*/*

Dimitrius and Donna Gans’ house
Friday February 11, 2005

D wrapped his arms around his wife and released a weary sigh. He was never as aware of his age as when he came to bed at the end of the day. It was the moment all the aches and pains assaulted him and made him realize he no longer was a green 20-something jock; but rather a 42 year-old man trying to keep up with the demands of his very physical job.

“A part of me wishes you’d take a desk job and stop putting yourself through all that pain,” Donna said softly, snuggling into her husband’s embrace.

“It’s something I’ll have to consider soon enough if I want to stay with the Bureau. But at the moment I am still enjoying it; it makes me feel alive.”

“I bet. You’ve got to be alive in order to feel pain,” Donna teased him.

Dimitrius grinned and brushed a tender kiss on her shoulder. That woman was his entire life and he loved her as much today as the day he had married her – if not more. He had taken her and their family for granted for so long that it had come as a shock to suddenly realize how close he had come to losing it all.

“I still don’t think leaving Tanya and David alone tomorrow is such a great idea,” she ventured, trailing her fingers on his forearms.

“Tanya is old enough to stay on her own and she is at the age where she could babysit; and usually babysitting involves – well, babies. So she should be able to manage her brother just fine,” D reassured her.

“I guess you’re right… It’s just going to be so intimidating to be in the same room as the state Governor. What could I possibly talk about with their wives? I don’t think too many of them are stay-at-home moms.”

“You’re forgetting something, honey: Sue, Tara and Lucy will also be there and you know them. And those other women also have dreams and aspirations just like any other human being. You just have to reach out to them and past the high-gloss layer to their true heart.”

“When did you become so wise Mr. Gans,” Donna asked with a smile.

“Probably the day I turned forty,” he groaned.

*/*

Myles Leland III's residence
Saturday February 12, 2005

"But Myles, you can't be alone at your own party," Elizabeth said in a shocked whisper.

"Well mother, it's not my party – it's yours and Philip's. And even if it were my party, you bet I could and would be alone if it pleased me," Myles said haughtily as he finished doning his engraved cuff links.

"But what will people think?"

"They can think all that they want - though I am not sure how many bother to do that most days. Now, if you'll excuse me... unless you wish to hold my hand all the way to the bottom of the stairs," he arched his brow.

Elizabeth moved aside, studying her son. When had he stopped being so easy to manipulate? All they ever had to do was pit him against Anne and they'd see him rise to the occasion and shine.

"Oh, I almost forgot: I invited Anne since you hadn't bothered," Myles tossed carelessly as he left his room - smiling sardonically when he heard Elizabeth's shocked gasp.

Oh yeah mother, now you can worry about your precious image.

The floor is now opened to you! You can simply head on to the Eye in FBI's Valentine Challenge forums and get your story out there!

http://forums.suethomasfbeye.net/index.php?showforum=69

Happy writing!

Jacynthe --

I was excited to see you were moderating this. I'm assuming you can't enter but I hope that doesn't keep you from writing a story. I found myself going...and??? when I got to the end of the "opening scenes." Looking forward to following everyone's threads. You're right...you've left lots of room for everyone's tastes.

I am thinking of writing something out of the sphere of the contest yes. I just have to pick my brain and squeeze that in between the rest of the stories I am writing and life's hectic demands.

Writing those opening chapters was fun though. I am really disliking Elizabeth Leland with a passion. :laughs:

When is the deadline for this challenge?

I just started a story...

I believe the deadline is February 14th at midnight: wherever you are.

However, maybe we could have some clarification for jacynthe or a moderator???


LAura

February 14, midnight your time is the deadline for the challenge!

Seeing as we had so many entries to this contest (definitely beats the 3 we had on the previous one!), I added different categories people will be called to vote on.

They are:
Best Warm and Fuzzy moment
Best Funny moment
Best Cliff-hanger
Best Story

Good luck everyone!!!

I was just curious, since the site is down for right now, does that mean the deadline is extended?? Just wondering, since I've been writing up a storm, trying to write and finish a story in time for the challenge.

Yes, the deadline will be extended. I am waiting to see how long it takes for the server to get back before I set a new date.. I don't want to say the cutoff date is the 21 just to see the server come back on the 20.. you know?

As soon as I see the server coming online, I'll post a new limit date for the end of the challenge.

Thanks for extending it, Jacynthe, to whatever day it'll be. I stayed up all night the other day writing, totally wrapped up in what I was doing. I finally went to bed at about 5:30 in the morning. *smiles sheepishly* So, hopefully it'll all be worth it in the end.

The server is finally back - and so is the site! All the same, I have decided to extend the deadline for this challenge until the 19th, midnight wherever you are... this means saturday at midnight - the clock will be chiming the end of the challenge!

Good luck everyone and thank you for holding on while we had this sticky situation!