SUMMARY: Fi returns to the tour just in time for the truth to come out. Plot subject to change. SUGGESTIONS WELCOME.

DISCLAIMER: I revoke all claims to So Weird, characters, and or the plot. Well … the plot is mine, but the rest isn't. Enjoy!

Fi's INTRODUCTION: Have you ever wondered why things happened? At the time they occur they do not seem like a big deal, but as you progress further you realize that everything and everyone was affected in that one instant. Some people believe in destiny and fate. They believe that everything we do was meant to happen - that for every moment that we live, we're living someone else's plans. But what if someone could take themselves out of the equation? What if someone did change that plan? Would a whole new destiny be created? And if so, would it conflict with the old plan? Could they fuse together to create a future so powerful, that the very balance of the universe could rest on its outcome?

…Or had that been a part of destiny all along?

CHAPTER ONE

For a summer night, it was quite chilly. The air currents carried such a fierce coldness, that any normal person would already be inside, cowering under the covers in hopes to keep warm. It was odd, to be certain, that there would be such a chill in the air when there was no wind. But it was there, however, and there wasn't much that could be done to explain the weather's turn of events. From a bright sunny summer day to a chilled evening night that resembled autumn so perfectly. No, there was nothing that could ever be done for such a situation.

She stood, surveying the area that she had called home for over a year now. Soon she would be returning home, and she couldn't wait. She missed her friends, and her family. She even missed those numbskull Bell brothers that had practically become her brothers. While everyone else was comfortable inside, she had decided to watch the stars. It may have been the coldest, but it was also the most beautiful night she had seen in a long time. It reminded her of home.

"Fi?"

She looked up to see her Aunt Melinda standing in the doorway, her arms over her chest.

"It's freezing out here, hon. Are you ready to come inside?" She asked, looking the girl over. Fiona Phillips nodded.

"Yeah, I was just taking everything in," She said quickly, running up the steps to her aunt. "I don't want to forget anything."

Melinda wrapped her arms around Fi, pulling her closer.

"We're going to miss you, you know. Who will the twins have to look to as their role model?"

"Or their dress-up girl," Fi countered with a laugh. "I'm going to miss them, too."

There was a moment's silence as the two stood studying the night sky, before Melinda turned, giving Fi's arm a little squeeze. "Why don't we head back inside? It's freezing out here, and I've got a steaming cup of hot chocolate with your name on it."

"Oh, I'll be there in a minute," Fi replied. "I just … need a second."

"Alright, but don't take too long. You could probably get hypothermia from this cold," Melinda replied, walking back inside and closing the door. Fi took a seat on the steps, staring out across the lawn.

Being away had helped her to come to terms with what she'd given up. Her gift. Her family. Her life? Not in the proper sense, no, but she'd given everything that had once been her life. And she had started a new life, with a new - temporary family, and some real friends. She was still the Fi she had been before, but now she felt as if, over this past year, she'd grown up. Could she go back to the people she loved the same? No. Would they be the same? Probably not. A year was a long time to be separated. Maybe not a long time in the grand scheme of things, but in retrospect, it was the longest time Fi could ever remember. Of course she wanted to go home. But she wanted to go back to when everything was simple.

But that wasn't possible. She'd made her choice and she'd lived with it, content in the knowledge that she had protected her family. At least, that was until she learned of Annie's gift. Oh, hearing of Annie's adventures had made her long for her own. Sometimes, when she couldn't sleep, she found herself wondering how she could have made such a hard decision.

Then she would simply try and forget. She wasn't depressed; she wasn't on the verge of breaking down. She just missed her family.

She sat there for several more minutes before standing, rubbing her arms to keep warm and heading towards the door. Just as she reached the handle, though, a wind blew up through the air. Fi spun around just as it met her, blowing so fierce that she was pushed back against the door. She closed her eyes and allowed the wind to knock into her.

Fiona. An leabhar.

The voice was haunting, and the air dropped to below zero. Her hair stuck up on ends, and she snapped her eyes open, expecting to come face to face with whatever had spoken.

But the wind vanished, the temperature became normal, and there was nothing there but the lawn.

Did I imagine it? Fi asked herself, double checking to be certain that there was nothing out of the ordinary. Everything was as it had been before she went to leave.

SO WEIRD

Frowning, she turned back and quickly went inside, slamming the door shut behind her.

"That's interesting."

Annie slammed the laptop closed, looking up to see Jack standing in the doorway on the bus. His eyes moved from the computer to her, frowning.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Annie said, giving a smile. "What's up?"

"Mom wanted you to come see the theatre. She says it's pretty 'wicked'."

"Is that all?" Annie asked, sitting up and walking towards Jack. "Let's see it, then."

"Hold up," Jack said, putting his arm out so she couldn't move. "Something's off. Do I want to know?"

"I just got this letter from Fi," Annie replied. "It's not a big deal. Just that the cold weather is driving her nuts out there. She can't wait to come home."

The two quickly left the room and exited the bus, peering at the giant theatre before them.

"Wow, you weren't kidding," Annie exclaimed. "This place is amazing."

"Well why don't you two love birds stop staring and help me out here?" Carey suggested, walking past them carrying some of the equipment.

"Here, let me help you," Jack said quickly, grabbing one of the cases and tugging it out. He winced. "Did these things get heavier, or is it just me?"

"Maybe there's a stowaway goblin in them," Annie suggested. She burst out laughing at the looks Jack and Carey gave her. "Just a joke, guys."

"With your luck, I wouldn't be surprised if there actually were a goblin in here," Carey grunted, pushing past and going towards the side door.

"None of that kind of talking," Jack said, following behind Carey. He gave Annie a pointed look. "You promised."

"And scout's honor. No way am I risking that again," Annie said quickly, holding her hands up in the traditional Girl Scout's promise.

"Annie," Jack said as the blond pulled out a guitar and scurried after him. "The whole 'forgetting about you' thing can be explained."

"Right. Like you guys had some really bad food earlier and it affected your brain," Annie said, rolling her eyes and holding the door open.

"It's entirely possible. With your cooking, anything's possible," Jack joked. Annie mockingly punched his arm, and he pretended to be injured.

"Oh, you've got me," He said.

Annie cocked her head to the side with annoyance, and then grinned, skipping past him. "You can get the door yourself, Oh Great One."

"Hey!" Jack called after her, trying to move quickly just as the door slammed shut in front of him. Struggling, he set the case down and reached for the door, only to find it locked. "Annie, this isn't funny!" He called. After several moments of silence he frowned. "Annie?! Come on, let me in."

He tried the knob again, but still nothing. Groaning, he turned and almost jumped out of his skin.

"Locked out?"

"Err, yeah," Jack said, staring at the young girl with surprise. "Where'd you come from?"

"My house," The girl replied, pointing upwards. Jack followed her gaze, his eyes coming on the apartment above the theatre.

"Oh."

"Are you one of the performers? There's supposed to be a big concert tonight," The girl said excitedly.

"No, I'm not a performer," Jack said quickly. "My Mom is. I just carry the luggage."

"Do you need any help?" She asked.

"Do you know another way in?" Jack asked hopefully. "Or have a key?"

"I do have a key, but it's not for this door," She said. "I'm Caroline, by the way."

"Jack," He replied holding his hand out. Caroline shook it, still grinning. "So there's not another way in?"

"Well there is the back way, but I'd suppose it would be locked, too."

"Looks like I'll just have to wait for someone to come back out and let me in," Jack replied, leaning against the wall.

"It must be cool to have a famous Mom," Caroline said, sitting down next to him.

"Cool isn't exactly the word," Jack replied.

"You don't seem very happy," Caroline observed, looking jack over. "You're not a happy person, are you?"

It was an innocent question, but it caught Jack off guard.

"I'm happy," He replied.

"Not as happy as you should be. Everyone should be happy."

"Now you're sounding like Annie," Jack replied.

"Is she your girlfriend?" Caroline asked.

"What!? No, no, Annie's just a friend of the family," Jack said quickly.

Caroline was silent for a couple of moments, and then she pulled something out of her pocket, handing it to Jack. "I think you need this," She said, handing him a tarnished key on a faded blue ribbon. She placed it around his neck and smiled. "If you're ever feeling unhappy, just use this."

"Use it for what?" Jack asked, giving her a confused look.

"Jack, I'm so sorry!" Annie exclaimed, pushing the door open and stepping out into the alley. Jack jumped up, looking at her. "I didn't realize the door locked behind you. Honest!"

"I'll get you for it later," Jack replied, picking up the case. "Oh, hey, why don't you come in with -."

Jack stopped short when he turned and saw Caroline nowhere in sight.

Annie frowned. "Who are you talking to, Jack?" She asked, peering over him, hoping to see someone.

"There was a girl here. Caroline," Jack said, slightly dazed. Annie looked at his face, her curiosity piqued.

"Where is she?" She asked.

Jack glanced down to see that the key was still there – he hadn't imagined the whole thing. After a moment he looked back up, and shook his head. "You must have scared her off," He joked, turning and giving Annie a lopsided grin. "Why don't we go inside, then?"

"But what about -."

"Let's just get inside," Jack replied, moving past her and into the theatre. Annie started to follow, but stopped at the door, giving a quick look over for the girl Jack had mentioned. Seeing nothing, she shrugged and moved inside, closing the door behind her.

AN: So, what do you guys think? Next update should be Monday or Tuesday. Please review, and thanks for reading!