"Bite on this," Rose instructed. "Try not to scream."

"Oh thanks," Pips replied, taking the piece of mushroom from her. She laid him flat and asked him not to jerk or move.

"I'll do my best, but I can't promise," he replied.

"You move and I screw up, you could die," she said. He felt a little more afraid after she said that. But what did he have to lose anyway?

"Okay, I'm starting," she said. The pain was something else. It was like he had Roman carving it into his arm all over again.

"Relax, just relax," she said to him. "I know it hurts. I'm burning skin here." He gave in and hollered in pain, which was muffled by her device.

"Almost there. Just hang on," she said, stopping just as it was approaching the final few layers of his skin. "Okay. Done."

"Bloody hell!" he yelped when she finished. He examined her work. She had been right. It was there still but only faintly.

"I can't do anymore than that, sorry," she told him.

"It doesn't even look like you did anything though," he said in awe.

"I know. I have a gift. What can I say?" she smirked.

"Thanks," he said, hugging her. She watched him leave. His aura was completely composed of sadness. She wished she could take it away from him and make him feel better.

In the forest...

Crysta had to leave her happy home. She had seen her nephew and then left. She couldn't handle all the happiness for some reason. Also, at home she couldn't be left alone, and being alone is what she desired so badly right now. So she went skylarking. Even that did not feel right to her-like something was missing. She finished racing herself and went at a slower pace. That's when she saw him. He waved at her, smiling, and she was all to eager to talk to him.

"Zak!" she cried after she had shrunk him. She embraced him tightly. "What are you doing here?!"

"Hey," he said, hugging her back. "I came to see all of you. It's been far too long."

"It has," she agreed. She finally felt something again. She wondered if this was what was missing in her life.

"So, how's everything?" Zak asked. He still loved her. He knew he would always love her. It still hurt that she had chosen Pips over him years ago.

"Um, okay I guess," she answered warily.

"You've got..." he faltered, gesturing to her scar on her cheek.

"Oh," she said, covering it with her palm. "Yea. I don't remember how I got that."

"Well I hope it was just an accident," he said. She shrugged.

"Come on, let's go," she said eagerly. She didn't notice the falter in Zak's step or the worry lines on his face.

Crysta's home...

Pips had told Crysta's parents what had happened earlier. Both looked worried.

"I don't understand," Mother said. "You think she wanted to die?"

"That's just what it looked like," he replied. "She made no effort to move at all. She just stood there. If I hadn't..." He couldn't finish that sentence.

"This is getting out of control," Father growled. "When is she going to get her memory back?"

"I don't know if she will," Mother admitted sadly. "I hate seeing her like this. So...so sad and empty." She turned to Pips. "And I hate seeing how it's affecting you."

"I think it's time I give up," Pips said softly. Both of them stared at him.

"Give up?" Father echoed.

"But why?" Mother asked.

"She clearly doesn't want to be around me. She has no memory of me. She looks at me like I'm evil or something. I just can't take it anymore. I'm sorry," Pips said sadly. "I tried." Father just shook his head. Mother wasn't going to give up just yet.

"But you have to keep trying," she implored. "What if you are the key to this whole thing? What if it's you that makes her finally remember?"

"I doubt it. Julian got the last laugh. He made sure I'd never be happy again. I very much doubt that I am the one who is going to bring her back. Please just let me go." He pushed by them. Mother reached for him, but he was gone.

"Oh Ash," she whispered. "What are we going to do?"

"I don't know, love," he answered. "I don't know."

Wil's home...

"You really gave up," Wil stated when Pips told him. He shook his head at his friend. "You're nuts."

"No, I'm getting my life back. I can't keep doing this. She's better off without me anyway."

"Oh don't start that crap again," Wil groaned. "The big murderer is dead remember? There's no harm coming her way anymore."

"No, Wil, I'm serious. I'm messed up. I have problems. She's better off happy with someone else who doesn't have all these memories or nightmares. I'm letting her go." Pips looked at Wil when he didn't answer.

"Did you hear me?" he prompted.

"Yea I heard you," Wil answered. "But I think you gave up at the wrong time."

"What do you mean?"

"Check it out," Wil said, pointing. Pips followed his finger.

"You've got to be kidding me," he growled.

"That is not good news for either of us. I think I have to go," Wil got up quickly and followed Crysta and Zak. Pips hung back. He knew if he got involved he would somehow end up landing a punch on Zak, and that was definitely not going to look good in her eyes. He had the feeling of deja vu. Except this time, Wil was caught in it too.

Crysta's home...

"Mother! Look who's here!" Crysta called excitedly. Zak came lumbering into their home. He didn't see her right away, but he knew she had to be there.

"Oh goodness!" Mother exclaimed. "You're back!" She felt a sense of dread.

"I am," he bowed his head. "How are you Mrs. Ash?"

"I'm well thank you. And you?"

"Oh, never better," Zak replied.

"Zak!" Lily came barreling down the stairs and threw herself into his arms. "I knew you'd come back!" Zak was caught off guard by her embrace, but he soon returned it.

"I told you I would," he smiled at her. She felt her face grow hot. Then she saw Wil. He had a look of anguish on his face. Zak noticed her gaze.

"Wil!" he said cheerfully. "It's been too long."

"Not long enough," Wil replied dryly. "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to see everyone," Zak answered. Wil narrowed his eyes. He could smell a lie.

"Well, you came, you saw, now you can go," Wil told him.

"Wil!" Mother scolded. Wil crossed his arms. Now he knew how Pips felt. This guy was a constant pain in the ass. Why couldn't he find girls in his own territory? Lily detached herself from Zak and stepped over to Wil.

"Please don't," she said to him, reaching for his hand.

"I can do better than that," he answered, pulling away. "I'll see you later."

"Wil," Lily started, but he had gone.

"What's with him?" Zak asked. Lily just shook her head.

"Fern had a baby," Crysta cut in, sensing the subject needed to change.

"Really?" Zak asked, surprised. "Is she here?"

"Yes. Come on!" Crysta led him upstairs.

"Hey, Fern," she called softly. "Guess who's here?"

"I heard," came her reply. "Come in I guess."

"Wow," Zak said, seeing her and the baby. "He's a beaut."

"This is Zeke," she replied, smiling.

"Kind of like Zak huh?" Zak grinned.

"Well you did save my life," Fern told him, "so I figured it made sense. I wouldn't be here with him if it hadn't been for you."

"Oh gosh," Zak said, rubbing his neck and blushing. "It was nothing."

"Not nothing," Fern disagreed.

"Who is...?" Zak faltered.

"Sandy. He's dead."

"I'm so sorry."

"It's okay. I've had six months to get used to the fact I'll never see him again. It gets less sharp every day," Fern said.

"I'm still sorry," Zak offered.

"I know," Fern smiled. "Hey, can you guys move along? He's hungry again." Crysta pulled Zak out of her room.

"So what do you want to do first?" she asked.

"Where's Pips?" Zak asked. "He didn't die too, did he?" He felt worried but curious at the same time. Her face darkened.

"Did I say something wrong?" he asked, feeling hopeful.

"No. It's just...I don't remember Pips. Everyone keeps saying we were so close, but I don't know who he is. I haven't for a while now," Crysta said quietly. Zak felt like shouting with glee.

"Oh," was all he said.

"Anyway," she went on, brushing the conversation away, "what do you want to do?"

"Everything," he replied.

Wil's home...

"You should have seen her, Pips," Wil said angrily. "Hanging off him like he's some kind of hero. Guy's probably never done half of what I've done in my life."

"Welcome to my world, Wil," Pips replied. He was leaning back with his feet up. "Guy's a leech. Can't get rid of him."

"He's hanging off your girl too, you know," Wil muttered.

"She's not my girl anymore remember?"

"So you're just gonna let him waltz back in our lives and take her away? You are crazy."

"I can't do anything about it, Wil! She. does. not. remember. me."

"Still!" Will argued, throwing a stone hard against the tree wall. "He's after both of them, and that's not right. He better watch himself around me."

"He's not worth it, Wil," Pips told him. "If Lily truly cares about you then you've got nothing to worry about."

"If she does, then you will," Wil pointed out.

"We'll just have to wait and see. No use in worrying about it right now," Pips replied. But he was worried. Very worried. If Zak took Crysta with him, he'd never see her again. It was bad enough she didn't remember him, but at least he could still see her every day.

In the forest...

"I really...want to...go...home," Sandy grunted.

"Soon. I promise," Rose told him. "Once you don't need me to help you move around then you can go. I can't in good conscience let you loose if you can't even look after yourself. Wouldn't make me a good healer would it?"

"I guess...not," Sandy agreed. "But...still...want..."

"I know, I know," she cut him off. "Just a little longer. I swear." Sandy gave up trying to argue with her. She did have a point. How could he fly home when he needed her to pull him out of bed still? He felt like Wil except he did have wings, they just didn't work well. He laid back down and pictured Fern in his head. He wondered if she thought he was dead. He wondered if she had moved on. Better for her if she had. He didn't want her to be sad. He fell asleep thinking about her soft skin and her beautiful eyes.

Crysta's home...

"He can't stay here," Mother argued with Father. "He is going to ruin everything."

"I'm not kicking him out. We're not like that remember? He'll give up eventually and leave. He always does."

"But this time she doesn't remember Pips at all. There's no chance of her picking him again," Mother said, wringing her hands.

"We can't help it. Just keep her busy...that's the best we can do right now," Father said. "Perhaps we can find a way to make her and Pips be together all day. That might help." Mother pondered on this for a bit.

"I think you're on to something," she said finally. "Let me figure it out."

"I trust you," Father smiled. He wanted the human out of his house as much as she did. There were tender hearts at stake.