Hey guys!! I'm BACK! and better than ever. I know I gave up on my last story, but I won't on this one. Especially since my friend won't let me. So here we go! I am very proud of this peice, its based from one of my favorite books, Poison Study, not Poison, the thing is lying to you, don't believe it. Please Read, and REVIEW!!

ok, you guys may need some info before you read this.
Kiki Yelena's horse. they can speak to each other in their minds.
Leif Yelana's brother. loves teasing her about her relationship
Ghost is Kiki's name for Valek
Lavender Lady= Yelena
thats all you need to know for now. enjoy

Chapter One: Meeting

"What was I thinking?"

This was a very bad idea. It wasn't going to work; why? Because that's just how life for me. I was attempting the impossible, trying to get my parents to like the man that, until recently had been enemy # 1 in Sitia. Valek had bugged me endlessly for weeks to take him to meet my parents. He even threatened to go and see them himself. And, knowing Valek, he probably would.

So, I agreed, but I put it off as long as I could. Telling him that I wanted our hair to grow out again, since the fire practically made us bald. But, of course, my hair grew out very quickly, and was nearly as long as it was before after a couple of weeks. With nothing left to stop us, we headed to the Zaltana's stronghold.

To make things easier, we each took our own horses. Kiki was happy to be riding again, since living at Valek's safe house didn't give us much chance to go riding. At least I could 'talk' to her on the trip.

"Lavender Lady worried. Hurting."

"Sorry Kiki, just nervous about Valek and my parents." I loosened my grip on the reins, to a happy grunt from Kiki.

"Ghost like apples; need more, so good."

More food analogies, so typical of Kiki. What would come next?

"Kiki, are you suggesting I eat Valek?

"Apples make happy, good. Ghost make Lavender Lady happy. Not worried."

"I know I shouldn't be worried, but I can't help it."

"Ghost and Lavender Lady together are peppermints. He satisfy Lavender Lady."

I laughed out at that. Looking over at Valek riding Onyx, then laughed harder.

"Yes Kiki, He does satisfy me." Kiki humphed. I wasn't sure if she knew what I meant.

"Yelena, I don't want to interrupt what I'm sure is a very interesting conversation with Kiki, but, we're coming up on the market."

"Oh, sorry. We'll just leave the horses here, and then we can head out in the morning."

We set up our one blanket near Fern's fire. After sharing food with the group that was there, we lay down on the ground and got as close as possible for 'warmth'. Valek felt so good, I was complete in his arms. My body molded perfectly to his, and immediately everything was how it was supposed to be.

"One more day; after tomorrow I'll be able to breathe again." I said getting closer to him

He laughed "Yelena, we're seeing your parents, not fighting a war."

"Knowing my mother, we might be."

He laughed again and let it go at that. I fell asleep soon after, perfectly content.

We'll be back in a few days, just stay here and relax."

"Lavender Lady calm, not hurting, think of apples."

"Bye Kiki."

Valek and I headed into the forest, watching out for a Zaltana scout. Ten Zaltana guards dropped from the trees arrows pointed at us. Valek grabbed his sword prepared to fight.

"Valek, its ok they're from my clan." I put a hand on his sword arm. Reluctantly, Valek put his arm down, not talking his eyes off the guards.

"Who are you? What do you want in our forest?"

"I am Yelena Liana Zaltana, daughter of Pearl and Esau Zaltana; I've come to see them. This is my companion, Valek Ixia."

A small ripple of fear crossed over the men as I introduced Valek. I guess people still hadn't gotten used to him not being the enemy. Great, how would my parents react?

"How do we know you're who you say you are? It could be a trick." One man said, looking suspiciously from me to Valek.

I looked around the group of men for someone I recognized. No luck, how was I going to make them believe me? Looked like we wouldn't be seeing my parent after all, until…

"Chestnut!"

My snake charmer cousin came leaping through the trees to land at my side

"Hey Yelena! What's up?" We embraced, then he turned to look at the circle of guards around us. "What's up with the military? Guys, this really is Yelena, don't worry."

"Oh, sorry Yelena; we do have to be careful though." The captain said inclining his head at his men; they lowered their weapons.

Beside me, Valek humphed. Noticing him again, the captain was on guard once more. "What about him. Can he be trusted?"

Before I could answer, Valek spoke up.

"No," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Actually, I'm here to kill you all, that's why we have no army, and Yelena's trying to stop me from meeting her parents. Good job guys; well done." He grabbed my hand and pulled me past the guards, stopping where the rope ladder would be.

The captain yelled up to the men above to lower the ladder, then he and his men disappeared into the trees, followed closely by Chestnut, who smiled at me before going. Soon after, the butterflies returned to my stomach, the fear came back, and I was unsure if we could pull this off. I had counted on the guards to detain us long enough.

"Yelena, relax, everything will be fine." Valek put a comforting arm around my waist, no doubt making sure I didn't run away. Not that I wasn't trying.

"Try bringing the one you love, who happens to be a trained killer, to meet your parents."

"If it will make you feel better, I promise not to kill you parents."

Before I could say anything we reached the bottom of the rope ladder the guards had let down for us.

"You first." I said stepping aside to let Valek up.

"You really don't have to worry," He kissed me once before starting up the ladder. "Everything's going to be fine."

Grunting in response I followed up the ladder to the tree top village of my home. Before we could actually go into the village they moved us into a room and told us to get rid of all the weapons we had. Naturally I didn't give up the switch blade secretly strapped to my thigh. Valek on the other hand placed several knives, darts, and other weapons on the table. The eyes of the officers widened with every weapon he placed. Satisfied that he'd been completely disarmed (not that I believed it) they allowed us to continue. I smiled remembering the weapon check I'd done on Valek, which was much more thorough. We moved on into the large common room. Immediately after entering the warm room I was crushed in a hug.

"Nutty, I sort of need my ribs right now, try not to break too many of them."

Nutty laughed, letting go of me. Her gaze shifted from me to Valek. Her eyes widened, but her grin got even bigger. Great, how many people was Leif going to tell about Valek's and my 'relationship'?

Not seeming fazed by my cousin's strange expression, Valek extended his hand to her saying "I'm Valek, Yelena's told me a lot about you, and your clothes making."

Not taking her eyes of him she shook his hand. When they let go she giggles and turned to me. "Yelena, are all the guys in Ixia this cute?!"

I laughed, looking at Valek, who smiled back saying; "No Nutty, Yelena's just lucky I found her."

"You found me?"

"I do remember a long night in a cell in Ixia where we —"

I out my hand over his mouth to stop him from continuing. I didn't need Nutty to hear what we did in that cell.

"We're here to let you meet my parents, not talk about that!"

"But I though we'd be telling you parents all about things like that." He smiled evilly at me, Nutty giggles hysterically.

Blushing furiously I moved things along; "Lead the way Nutty." Taking Valek's hand, and with a still giggling Nutty in the lead we headed for my parents' apartment.

Nutty raced ahead to tell my parents that we had arrived. With every step my heart beat faster. What was I thinking?

I walked into the small living room in my parents' house first, giving them time to see me before the hard part came. Like telling someone the good news first, to have to bad news seem better.

"Yelena!" Pearl almost jumped up from the couch and came over to hug me. It was so good to see her again, I'd missed her. My father came next; and after a hug and kiss on the head did my parents notice the man standing behind me.

Pearl's hand flew to her throat, as it did whenever she was scared. Esau on the other hand, didn't seem to mind having an assassin in his house, and standing near inches from his daughter.

Obviously seeing he had been noticed, Valek stepped up next to me and smiled slightly at my parents

"I'm Valek" was all he said.

I held my breath getting ready to run for it; Kiki was still at the market, we could make it if we needed to. Esau shook Valek's and smiled back a little.

"I'm Esau, Yelena's father, this is her mother Pearl ," He gestured toward Pearl who was trying to force her hand away from her throat. "We're very glad to meet you. Please, have a seat I'll get the tea."

We sat on the couch, while Pearl took a seat on the chair across from us. Mumbling something about needing to get home Nutty left, smiling at me before leaving. Then it became awquard. I wanted to scream, run away; this was going to end badly.

Luckily, Esau came back with the tea and a tray of food, followed closely by Leif. He inclined his head at Valek, who nodded back, then smiled at me. Why was everyone smiling at me that way?

"So Yelena," He said calmly. "You pregnant yet?"

I spit out the mouthful of tea I had been drinking. Pearl 's mouth fell open and her eyes widened past what they should be able to. Leif was trying not to laugh, but next to me, Valek was laughing openly.

"Now Leif," Valek laughed. "What would possibly give you that idea?"

Ohhhh, a clif hanger. Don't you hate that, when people do that to you (laughes evily). Oh well, the only way you'll be able to find you what happens is if you review. No reviews, no story. I know, I'm evil (hense evil laugh). so REVIEW, in case I haven't said that enough.