Guys...don't judge me, but I just learned how to edit my stuff on FanFiction after I've already uploaded it, which means I now know how to use page breaks! Yay for me! Anyway, on with the story. Hobey-ho, let's go!

After the insane light and picture show was over, Dixie pulled away from Mike, and wouldn't even look at him. She was ashamed that she'd had to use him for support. She was even more frustrated with herself for letting slip what she thought was a weakness. Everyone else had mixed reactions to her out burst. Violet continued to stay close to her sister. Mike, Mrs. Teavee, Charlie, and Grandpa Joe were sympathetic, and were offering words of comfort that went largely ignored. Augustus and his mother tried to cheer her up by making her laugh, but it only barely worked. Henry stayed quiet, not letting on how deeply he really cared, but kept his distance out of respect.

Even Willy Wonka seemed to put aside all of his hostilities toward her and act concerned. He, like the others, had had no idea that Dixie wasn't a "normal child," but since he found out, he began to see her in a new light. She was flawed, just like him, and was trained to be ashamed to show it. However, he had chosen to reject that notion as a child, no matter how hard his father had tried to drill it into his head...literally. After years of torment, the young dreamer had finally struck out on his own, starting his own business and eventually becoming the world-renowned chocolatier he was today. With that independence, he had also developed emotional barriers, which had only gotten higher and stronger after spies had betrayed him to his rivals. But, when he looked at Dixie, the girl who had dared to defy him and risk her life for another, only to be reduced to a small, delicate, crying mess by too many flashing lights and disturbing pictures, all of his barriers came crashing down. Slowly and cautiously, he made his way over to kneel beside her.

"What do you want?" she asked quietly, fixing him with an icy glare.

"I just wanted to tell you that I am truly sorry for the way I have behaved toward you. You are an amazing girl, and braver than I could ever hope to be. I respect you for that." When she heard this, Dixie's face softened, and she gave him a half-smile. He smiled back.

"Wow," Veruca scoffed. "The lunatic even won Wonka over. How sweet." Henry quickly turned to glare at his little sister.

"Shut up, Veruca! She's lot a lunatic!"

"Don't tell me what to do, R! She is absolutely loony, and I can say so if I want!" The little brat smirked, obviously thinking she'd won. She was very, very wrong. Henry grabbed her by the collar and got in her face.

"You think because Dad treats you like a little princess that you're always right, and you can get away with anything, but you've no idea what it's like in the real world! Not everyone fits into a rich, pretty, little cookie-cutter mold; in fact, very few people do. Those that don't are still entitled to the same respect that you and I get, if not more! Apologize to Dixie!" the furious Brit let go of his sister.

"But she-"

"NOW!" Finally seeing that she had lost the argument, Veruca sheepishly went over to Dixie.

"Sorry..." she mumbled.

"Like you mean it, or we're leaving as soon as we get off this boat!"

The little brunette turned to glare at her brother, then looked back to Dixie. "I'm sorry I called you a lunatic. I really didn't mean it. Actually," she smirked mischievously, "I just proved a completely different point. R totally has a crush on you!" The smirk turned into a full-fledged grin when she saw both Dixie and Henry blush, though the latter tried to pass it off as fury at his sister.

"Veruca Eloise Salt, I most certainly do NOT have a crush!" he cried out, his red face giving away the truth. Wonka smirked slightly, his blue eyes twinkling playfully.

"Well done, Miss Veruca, though I really don't approve of your method for getting him to admit it. That was rather rude. Still, it's not good to bottle up your feelings, Henry. Your sister was just trying to help you out. I suggest you thank her!" Henry glared at the chocolatier fiercely.

"If looks could kill," Charlie murmured. Dixie, on the other hand, was still blushing, but trying not to laugh. Veruca, Violet, Mrs. Teavee, and Mrs. Gloop were laughing hysterically, while Augustus and Mike were only mildly entertained. Suddenly, the boat came to a halt outside a door labeled as the door to the Inventing Room.

"Oh, what do you know? We're already here! Everyone watch your step as you get out, please. I don't need anymore contamination in my chocolate. Right then, follow me." He led them through the door and into a long hallway. Dixie and Henry were the last two to get off, and hung back a bit.

"Henry," the fetching blonde said quietly. "Just let it go. It's already out in the open, so there's no point to being bitter about it, or trying to keep it under wraps. And thank you for defending me..." she trailed off as the older boy stopped in his tracks. Slowly, he turned to face her, and gazed down into her bright blue eyes.

"If I let this go, then you have to promise me never to be ashamed of your condition, because it's part of what makes you who you are." He gently caressed her face with one hand, and kissed her forehead. "Alright?"

"A-alright," she stuttered, blushing lightly. "I promise. We should probably catch up with the others, though. Don't wanna be left behind!" And just like that, Dixie was halfway down the hall, walking with her sister. Henry smiled and shook his head, and followed after her.

"Ooh, now you have two love interests, Dix," Violet cooed playfully.

"Oh, bite your tongue," the older blonde replied, her smile showing that she wasn't really being serious. Henry had made all of her sadness and shame fade away, when Mike couldn't. Somehow, the curly-haired, blue-eyed skeptic had managed to make Dixie feel like she was on top of the world, and she hardly knew him. Violet grinned and elbowed her sister lightly, alerting her that Mike, her other "love interest," was behind her.

"You okay, Angel Face?" he asked, his air of playfulness masking his concern.

"I'm actually doing great, thanks. You guys are all so supportive," she replied with a smile. They were joined by Mike's mother, who had a bit of a scowl on her face.

"Oh, that Veruca Salt...! She's positively infuriating! Why can't she just be a quiet cynic, like her brother?" The older woman's exasperation made Dixie giggle.

"She didn't mean any harm. Besides, they're both more than they appear to be. I can see it in their eyes."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes. Henry's already proved that he actually has feelings, and Veruca's smarter and more cunning than she looks. Kind of like someone else I know." Dixie flashed a knowing smirk at Violet, who glared back at her defensively.

"Hey! Don't go comparing me to that prissy little princess!"

"My sister is not a princess, no matter how much she tries to act like one," Henry interrupted. "And she actually is very smart. Top marks in all of her classes. I just wish she would use those brains in a more productive way than conning people into thinking she deserves to be pampered. I meant what I said on the boat; that girl has no idea how hard life really is."

"R! Come on! Mr. Wonka's going to show us all of his newest creations! And you know what that means..." A chill went down Dixie's spine at the smirk Veruca flashed at her brother.

"Veruca, I told you, you're not getting a gobstopper!" Henry whispered back fiercely.

"What was that, Mr. Salt?" Wonka asked, looking back at the group, slightly irritated.

"O-oh, n-nothing, Mr. Wonka."

"Good, then let's move. So much time, so little to see. Er, wait...scratch that."

"Reverse it," Mike added helpfully, earning a mild glare from the candyman.

"Whatever. Let's just go. Charlie's grandpa moves faster than all of you!" Sure enough, Charlie and Grandpa Joe were waiting at the door of the Inventing Room, along with Augustus and Mrs. Gloop. As nervous as she was, Dixie couldn't help but laugh, and led them all toward the rest of the tour group. Wonka rolled his eyes. "Finally!" With a flourish, he opened the door and let them all into the Inventing Room. "This, children, is the most important room in the entire factory! It's where all of my greatest, most whimsical ideas are brought to life. Here, if you can dream it, you can create it! Feel free to look around, but don't touch anything unless I tell you otherwise." And so they did. Veruca immediately set out to find the ever-so-valuable Everlasting Gobstopper, dragging her brother along with her. Charlie, Joe, Augustus, and Violet all stuck together and gazed at the various machines that were clanking and cranking out crazy candies. Dixie and Mike made their way around the room, as well, but they couldn't help watching the Salts more than the inventions.

"Man, I feel sorry for that guy," Mike said, chuckling as Henry was forced to look at yet another contraption by his sister. "I mean, that girl is only about half his size, and she's still giving him whiplash! What a little monster!" Dixie swatted his arm.

"She's not a monster! Besides, I have a feeling I know why she's looking so desperately for that Gobstopper thing," she whispered.

"What? Why?"

"Before I say anything, you have to promise me you won't tell a soul." Mike nodded, and she led him to a secluded corner of the room. "A few days before we came here, I was approached by a strange man, who said that Willy Wonka is totally twisted. That he treats the Oompa-Loompas like slaves, and that he has hundreds of torture devices in this factory. Mike, he told me that only one of us would leave here alive...!"

"Okay, that's terrible, but what does it have to do with Veruca running around like a chicken with her head cut off?"

"I'm not finished. The man told me that if I could bring him an Everlasting Gobstopper, he could use it to bring down Willy Wonka once and for all. What if Veruca was approached by the same man?"

"You think that little brat is vengeful enough to listen to a creep like him?"

"No, not vengeful. I think maybe she's trying to be a hero."

"Seriously? By trying to take down a candymaker, you think she's trying to save us all? Come on, Dixie..."

"But what if Wonka really is that twisted?"

"So you still doubt him? Wait...you told that guy you would help him, too, didn't you?" Mike gave her a look of horror that made her want to cry, but she didn't.

"No, of course not. I knew the guy was bogus, but Veruca's only eleven. She doesn't have my instincts, yet."

"True."

"Ah, I see you've found my newly completed masterpiece, the Everlasting Gobstopper!" Those two words made Dixie's blood run cold.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Wonka, I tried to tell her-" Henry was cut off by a good-natured laugh from the chocolatier.

"Nonsense! Everyone gather 'round." He waited until they were all crowded around him. "Each of you can have one. These are particularly amazing because no matter how long you leave them in your mouth, they will never get any smaller!"

"So, like gum?" Violet asked.

"No, gum is for chewing. If you tried to chew on one of these, you'd break all your little teeth off!" Wonka exclaimed rather jovially. Dixie cringed as he made his way through the crowd of children, handing them each a Gobstopper. "Here you are, ma'am," he said when he got to her.

"N-no, thank you, sir," she replied quietly. Surprisingly, he didn't scowl at her, but asked her why. "I-I'm not really a fan of hard candies...or betrayal," she added under her breath.

"What was that? You know I can't stand mumbling." His blue eyes gazed into her own, willing her to tell the truth.

"I said...'or betrayal.'" Dixie stared back at him defiantly. Again, to her surprise, he just laughed and pressed the candy into her hand.

"Not only is she a lifesaver, but loyal, as well. Though I have no idea who you're trying to be loyal to by refusing something so delicious."

"Mr. Wonka, surely you're aware that you have enemies, right?"

"Well, of course, but none of them are in here. Am I right, children?" he asked, turning to each of them, his gaze lingering a bit too long on Veruca before coming back to Dixie. "There. See? You have nothing to worry about. Take the Gobstopper and enjoy it." He smiled at her, and she realized that he knew someone had approached her and a least one of the others. Knowing him, it was probably some kind of test. She looked straight into his eyes, and gave him back the candy.

"I'm sorry, but I can't."

"Oh well. I guess she's afraid she'll end up like Eve. My dear child, do I strike you as a serpent?" he asked mockingly.

"I told you, I'm not a child, and quite frankly, yes you do. There is more to you than meets the eye, Mr. Wonka, just like there is more to me, and everyone else here. I won't be tempted."

"Suit yourself, then." He made his way to Henry, who also refused, and then Veruca. You would do well to learn from your future sister-in-law, Miss Salt." His sweet-sounding voice was dripping with acid, though he smiled like nothing was wrong. Henry's face flushed at the mention of his supposed romance with Dixie.

"You don't know that I'm going to marry her...! We're only teenagers!"

"Hey, no need to be that harsh! She's right there!" Then everyone, save for Dixie and Henry, was giggling hysterically. Furious and embarrassed, the blonde stormed off to the other end of the room. Henry followed her in a panic.

"Dixie, wait...! I-I didn't mean it as an insult, I-"

"I'm not mad at you, idiot, I'm mad at him!" She whirled around and got in the flustered Brit's face, then jabbed a finger in Wonka's direction. "He humiliated me! Again! And by the way, thank you for announcing to the whole factory that you wouldn't be caught dead in a chapel with the likes of me!"

"So, you are angry with me. Dixie, I didn't mean that I never want to marry you. I barely know you, and we're both so young..."

"You think I'm a child?!"

"I didn't say that!"

"I'm seventeen, for crying out loud!"

"And I'm nineteen, but believe me, it's too soon! I was just being realistic!"

"Aw, look, their first lovers' quarrel," Wonka cooed, still giggling.

"Shut up!" the two 'lovers' shouted in unison, only making him laugh harder. Henry and Dixie glared at each other for what seemed like ages before the older boy finally cracked a small smile. This caused Dixie to let out a slight giggle, which in turn made Henry laugh, and soon they were in their own fit of hysterics.

"I am agog, I am aghast; is Henry Salt in love, at last?" Veruca sang out, quoting the drunken French revolutionary that so resembled her brother.

"I've never heard him 'Ooh' and 'Aah'~" she was joined by Wonka, who seemed to light up whenever the two teens were even close to each other. Rolling his bright blue eyes, Henry smiled and gently took Dixie's hand in his.

"Will you have me?" he asked politely and hopefully.

"Of course I will," she replied, wrapping her arms around him. Shocked, and more than a little bit pleased, he hugged her back and kissed the top of her head. "What took you so long to ask?"

"I guess I was afraid you'd say no, but now...I have nothing to fear." His dazzling smile made her heart soar, but they were too soon interrupted by a very curious Violet.

"Hey, what's this?" the younger Beauregard asked. She had wandered over to a very strange machine. Wonka's eyes instantly lit up mischievously.

"Here, let me show you." Everyone gathered around as he pushed a big, red button. All at once, the machine started clanking, whirring, whizzing, and banging, creating huge clouds of steam with delicious aromas. When it was all over, the machine gave a loud whistle and spat out what looked like a stick of gum into Wonka's hand. Grinning, he held it up as if it were a trophy. They all stared at him blankly.

"That's it?" Mike asked with his southern drawl.

"This, children is my most recent work of confectionery art!"

"It's a piece of gum," Violet said with a smirk.

"Too true, but this is a very special piece of gum. When you chew it, it becomes a full three-course meal. It fills you up completely with no cooking necessary!"

"Right, like we're supposed to believe that," Henry scoffed. "Even if it were remotely possible, you would be putting so many farmers and businessmen out of work that the economy would be shot to hell! What's the point of making something that's sure to cause so much misery?"

Wonka was on the verge of biting out a snappy comeback when Violet interrupted. "I wanna try it!"

"Well, you see, it still has a bit of a bug that needs to be-"

"I'm the world-champion gum chewer! I'm not afraid of anything!" Violet went to reach for it, Dixie saw the gleam in Wonka's eyes and pulled her sister back.

"No, Violet. If he says there's something wrong with the gum, you're not going to chew it."

"But I-"

"I said no!" Reluctantly, Violet complied and stepped away from the tempting sweet.

"Fine."

"Good girl. We wouldn't want you to end up like the Oompa-Loompas that tried it before. They all ended up as giant blueberries!"

"Yeah, right!" Violet made to grab for the gum again, but this time it was Henry who stopped her.

"Listen to your sister, luv. Wonka's just testing you, like he tested her. Don't fail, please." Violet's eyes widened, and she nodded. The candymaker smiled slightly, and tossed the gum over his shoulder.

"Well, shall we move on to the nut room, then?" Everyone nodded, and he led them out of the room, chuckling to himself when he saw Dixie and Henry holding hands. No one noticed the disappointed, almost heartbroken look on Mike Teavee's face.