Chapter Three - Into The Fire

Jake had dropped Raven off at Claudia Peters' house on her way into work Friday morning. She had left earlier so she would have a chance to talk to Jason's mother. Mrs. Peters invited them in and Raven wasted no time starting to play with the toys she brought along. Jake and Claudia got to know each other over a cup of coffee before Jake had to leave to go to work. Since her appointment with Raven's teacher wasn't until 2:30 that afternoon, she went into work for at least a half day. She left a little after noon and returned home to take a shower and relax a bit before going to the school.

Once dressed, Jake checked her appearance in the mirror. She had decided on a pair of black jeans and a royal blue silk shirt. The shirt seemed to make her eyes a brighter shade of blue, if that were at all possible. Since she and Jason had agreed to meet after the parent / teacher conference, she decided to go ahead and dress for the evening. She had offered to help him and Steve set their equipment up after Jason got off from work.

Jake ran a brush through her hair once more before putting on her jacket and heading out the door.


As Jake sat outside room 142, she suddenly felt bad for the students if these were the chairs they had to sit in all day. She had been at the school for about twenty minutes and noticed that it seemed she was the last "parent" due to see this particular teacher. She was so lost in her thoughts that she almost missed her name being called from inside the room. She got up out of her seat and headed for the door.

As Jake walked in, she noticed the cheerful atmosphere of the classroom before looking towards the teacher's desk and setting her eyes on what she decided to be the most beautiful sight she'd ever seen.

Jake stood about six feet away from the teacher's desk and could not seem to take her eyes off the green-eyed beauty before her. She realized that this beautiful woman had spoken to her.

"Ms. Stevens? I'm Raven's teacher, Amanda Peters." Mandy held her hand out to the woman in front of her, which Jake accepted immediately.

"Uhhh,... Hi, I'm Raven's aunt. It's very nice to meet you."

Neither woman was really willing to let go but both did so after a respectable amount of time.

"Well, Jason... I have the distinct feeling that I just met Tall, Dark and Amazing" Mandy thought to herself. It seemed as if this woman now sitting across from her, had magically stepped out of her dreams.

"Yes, well it's very nice to meet you. Raven speaks very highly of you, Ms. Stevens. She is a very bright and delightful child." Mandy could not seem to break the gaze of the blue eyes looking back at her. If truth be known, she really had no desire to either.

"Well, then it would seem, that makes two of us." Jake noticed the almost instant look of confusion on the teacher's face. "I mean... she speaks highly of you, as well. She actually seems eager to come to school now and I don't seem to have to argue with her in the mornings about getting out of bed."

As Mandy laughed at her last comment, Jake decided it was one of the most melodic sounds she had ever heard.

"Well, I know where she's coming from. I'd probably be late every morning due to sleeping in but my daughter makes that idea next to impossible."

Hmmm... she has a daughter. She's probably married or has a boyfriend too. Hell, look at her! Why shouldn't she? She's gorgeous! Lucky Bastard..." Jake thought to herself as she listened to Mandy talk.

"So, you have a daughter?" Jake really wasn't good at trying to make small talk but, she was willing to try as long as the charming woman in front of her continued to speak.

"Yes I do. Gellar Nicole. She's two."

"Gellar? That's an original name. I don't believe I've ever heard it before."

Mandy allowed a genuine laugh to bubble up and out of her petite body. "Sure you have. Do you ever watch TV? My ex-husband was a HUGE Buffy: The Vampire Slayer fan. He absolutely adores Sarah Michelle Gellar. I finally had to give in and agree to name her Gellar. My ex actually begging is not a pretty sight, believe me. Now, let's discuss what we'll be covering in class this year"

Mandy had absolutely no idea why Jake now had the most wonderful smile on her face but, she wasn't complaining.

"EX-husband... Hmmm..."


Jake had gone back to the job site after leaving the school and then proceeded to follow Jason to his mother's house so he could shower and change. As Gellar had been asleep upon their arrival, Jake was able to spend some time with her niece to let her know how everything had gone with her teacher. Jake had also not made the connection between Jason and Mandy but could not take her mind off of the honey-haired woman with the emerald-green eyes.

Jake now sat down at a table near the stage after helping Steve and Jason set up their equipment for the night. Jason walked over with a beer for each of them as he sat down across from her and placed his booted foot on the table.

"Thanks, Jason. How much do I owe you?"

Jason waved her off. "Not a thing. The bar pays our tab. So how did things go at the school? I didn't get a chance to ask you earlier."

"Oh my God, Jason. Raven's teacher has got to be the most beautifulcreature I've ever had the pleasure of setting my eyes upon."

Jason smiled at the easy banter between them. He was actually pleased that Jake was comfortable enough around him to discuss her sexuality. "Oh really? That good, huh?"

Jake took a sip of her Corona. "God, yes! Makes me want to go back to school and get in trouble."

"Get in trouble? Why's that?"

"Simple. In the hopes that she'd make me stay after class for detention. Believe me, Jason. She was without a doubt the most gorgeous woman I've ever seen."

As Jason laughed at her explanation, Jake glanced around the bar. As her eyes scanned towards the door, she saw the teacher walk in.

Mandy was dressed in very tight black jeans with a very nice form-fitting black tank top. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail, small wisps hanging freely around her cheeks. Black boots and dark Ray Ban sunglasses completed her ensemble. She looked like she had stepped out of a fashion magazine. Jake couldn't help the small gasp that escaped her lips. "Oh my God! She's here! That's her!"

"What? Where?" Jason followed Jake's gaze towards the door and inadvertently spit his beer out as he saw whom she was referring to. Then all he could do was laugh.

Jake immediately became defensive when she thought he was laughing at her. "Why are you laughing at me, Jason? She's gorgeous!"

This only caused him to laugh harder. "Oh, Jake, I'm not laughing at you. She IS gorgeous. She's also my lead singer and ex-wife." As he signaled Mandy to join them at their table, he completely missed the look of total shock that crossed Jake's usually stoic features.

Mandy saw him and headed over towards the table, removing her sunglasses as she walked. She still had not noticed Jake sitting next to him. As she approached the table, Jason stood to greet his ex-wife, quickly followed by Jake.

Mandy leaned up and kissed him on his cheek. "Hi Jase. Eph just dropped me off and said she and Pony would be by later and..." Her words seemed to trail off when she realized who was standing next to him. "Well, hello Ms. Stevens! It's a pleasure to see you again!"

The slight blush that crept up Mandy's face did not go un-noticed by her ex. Jason watched the exchange between the two of them with a great deal of interest and a mischievous sparkle in his brown eyes. "Mandy, I believe you've already met Jake here today." He waited for the recognition of the name to set in.

"Why yes... of course! We met at the school toda... wait..." She briefly tore her eyes away from cerulean blue long enough to address her ex. "Jason... are you telling me THIS is Jake? THE 'Jake' you were referring to last week?"

Jason laughed, as she seemed to get a clue. "The one and only!" Jason replied.

Feeling a little uneasy that her boss had, for whatever reason, been discussing her with his ex wife, Jake allowed her chivalrous side to take over and pulled out a chair so Mandy could sit down. "I assure you, Ms. Peters, whatever this clown has said about me is completely false. I'm really not such a terrible person."

"Please, call me Mandy. And, actually, it seems so far that he was absolutely correct! Six feet tall, dark hair, blue eyes..." Absolutely GORGEOUS!

Mandy admired the way Jake looked now, hours after their first meeting. All though she was still wearing the same clothes as earlier at the school, Jake seemed… different somehow. Two more buttons were casually undone on her silk shirt, which by now, was a bit more wrinkled. Mandy thought she looked positively… Sexy? "Oh, God!"

"Well, you two lovely ladies have a nice chat. I'm gonna go talk to Annie and Steve and figure out the set list for the night. Have fun!" Jason waved at both women as he headed towards the backstage area.

Mandy proceeded to take in the features of this dark woman beside her while she could observe, unnoticed. Jake watched Jason leave to go and speak to his brother. She felt she was being watched as she turned to look into the eyes of the woman sitting next to her. It took a moment for Mandy to realize that she had been caught staring and she turned away, slightly, hoping to hide her blush.

Jake couldn't help but notice how adorable the flush, slowly creeping up Mandy's neck, made the younger woman look. "Uhm, can I get you a drink?" Jake decided to break the silence that now lingered between them.

"If you wouldn't mind. A Corona would be nice," Mandy answered shyly.

"Sure! I'll be right back." Jake smiled and then sauntered up to the bar. Mandy's eyes never left Jake's backside as she placed her order.

Jake returned shortly with two beers and placed one in front of Mandy. "Here you go. I wasn't sure if you preferred anything in it or not but, the bartender mentioned you liked limejuice. She wouldn't let me pay for it though"

Mandy couldn't help but laugh as she glanced toward the bar and spotted her friend, and immediately waved in thanks. "Thank you. That's KF. She owns half of the bar. She makes the best drinks in town. She owns the "corral" half of Hershe's Corral."

"KF?"

"Yep! Kung Fu Luey. She takes a martial arts class three nights a week. But, for the life of me, I can't remember exactly what she takes. We just call her KF. She'd probably chop-suey our butts if we actually called her b her real name, Heather."

Jake nodded as she took in the bar. There was an old, battered couch against the wall, down from the bar and across from the stage. She noticed several photos hanging near the bar. "What's with all the pictures?"

Mandy turned around and followed Jake's gaze to the framed photos on a column behind the bar that made it seem like a deranged totem pole. "Oh, those are photos of the regulars that come in here." Mandy noticed the mischievous look now pointed at her. She couldn't help but smile back. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Are you up there?" Jake asked as she took another long pull from her beer. She smiled, trying to look as innocent as possible as she waited on the teacher's answer.

Oh my God! Is she flirting with me? I think I'm starting to like this. No, I KNOW I'm starting to like this! Hmmm... TWO can play at this game. Mandy thought to herself as she answered the smile with one of her own. "Well of course I am. There's a band photo up there of all of us together" Gotcha!

Jake just looked into her eyes and smiled what Mandy considered the warmest smile imaginable. Jake knew that she had been out-smarted by the young woman."Well then, maybe I should go out more often."

"You might want to wait until after you've heard the band before you make up your mind on that. I need to go get ready but I will see you in a bit."

Jake nodded and Mandy smiled as she got up from the table with her beer and headed towards the backstage area to get ready. She glanced back towards the table one last time and smiled at the woman sitting there.

Oh my God... did she just wink at me? Jake thought to herself as she nearly choked on her beer.


"Good Evening. H.C.'s, how the hell are ya?" The nearly packed bar responded enthusiastically to Mandy as the band got ready to start their set.

"We're Corduroy and right now I only want one thing from you. I want... you... to want me!" The bar began screaming as the familiar guitar line of the Cheap Trick song began.

Jake sat at her table near the stage as she watched and listened to the band go easily from one song to the next. She was kind of surprised that everyone in the band sang. The band definitely had a large catalog of songs to play from just about every genre and everyone took turns singing them. They were sure to play something for everybody. Mandy was considered "The Woman Of A Thousand Voices" and knew just how to work a crowd. And the crowd loved every moment of it.

Mandy had seen Pony and Eph walk in near the beginning of the first set. They had sat down at the table next to Jake's. As soon as the first set was done, Mandy walked off stage and started towards the two tables. Pony and Eph were more than a little shocked when Mandy didn't quite make it to their table. They looked at each other and then to the woman at the next table who had obviously captured their friend's eye.

"You were incredible! You guys really did a great job" Jake said as she handed Mandy a cold Corona once she reached the table.

"Thanks. WHEW! Boy is it hot up there." Mandy reached down and grabbed Jake's hand and pulled her up from her seat. "Hey come here. I'd like for you to meet some friends of mine." Boy, I'm getting bold here. Maybe I better lay off the Corona. Mandy thought to herself as she watched Jake finish her beer as she got up from her chair.

"Really? We haven't even been on our first date and I'm meeting your friends? Are your parents next?" Jake asked with a twinkle in her eyes as she stood up. Ok, Jake... time to lay off the Corona."

Mandy turned around to look Jake in the eyes as she brought her other hand up and placed it on the taller woman's arm to respond with more than just a hint of a twinkle in her own eyes as well. "That depends. Are you asking me out for a first date? Because, you know, I could subject you to my parents just to spite you."

Neither woman seemed to notice that they were still holding hands as Jake answered. "Well then, maybe we'll just have to see about that."

"Well then, maybe I'd just like that." Jake and Mandy stared at each other in an unspoken challenge until the clearing of a throat brought them back to reality.

"You know, Mandy, I really hate to break up your little chat but, don't you think you could at least be polite and introduce Pony and I to your... friend?" The two seated women pretended not to notice the blush that came over their friend's features.

"Oh, I'm sorry, guys. Jake? These are my friends, Stephanie Carter and Pat Andrews. Or, Eph and Pony as we call them. Ladies, this is my friend, Jake Stevens. She's Raven's aunt."

Pony was the first to offer her hand. "Hi. Nice to meet you. I'm Raven's phys. ed. teacher."

Jake let go of Mandy's hand to shake the one offered to her. "Very nice to meet both of you. I was just gonna head to the bar for another beer. Would either of you like anything?"

"No thanks, Jake. We're fine." Eph answered.

Jake turned towards Mandy and asked the same as she pulled out a chair for her at the table. "Jake you just gave me a beer. You're not trying to get me drunk now are you?"

Jake gave her the best "who me?" expression she could manage as she waited for Mandy to sit. "Of course not"

"Yeah Jake, I'm sure `Ms. Thang' there would HATE to think that you might be trying to take advantage of her and her low tolerance for alcohol" Jake didn't notice Eph's arm firmly plant itself against Pony's stomach at her comment.

"Pony! I do NOT have a low tolerance for alcohol!"

"Oh yeah? I have two words for you then... Ride Me."

Eph lost all control of her laughter as Mandy tried to hide the blush on her face. Jake stood by and took all of this in with great interest. She arched an eyebrow at Pony who merely gave a smirk back at her.

Jake kneeled down next to Mandy. "So... does that mean you don't want another drink?"

Eph took one look at the expression on Mandy's face and laughed even harder as she slapped her hand against the table hard enough for Pony's beer to fall over. Pony rolled her eyes and Eph decided it would probably be better to remain quiet for a few.

Mandy looked back over at Jake. "Well, actually, could you bring me a Midori-Sour? And another beer for Pony. Just tell KF it's for me. And while you're at it, tell her yours is for me too." Mandy smiled innocently.

"Do you honestly believe that she's gonna buy that?"

"Of course she will! She'll just think I'm real thirsty and plan on getting hammered for the next set." Mandy grinned brightly at the taller woman and was pleased when she smiled back.

Hmmm,... Nice ass! Mandy watched appreciatively as Jake strolled towards the bar and did not notice her friends watching her.

"So tell me about Tall, Dark and Sexy, 'Ms. Straight Arrow'" Eph said as she moved over closer to her friend. As Mandy began to blush, her friend had the good graces not to mention it.

"There's nothing to tell. I met her today when she came in to discuss Raven. I... I had no idea she would be here tonight. And Jason, that little shit, apparently has it set in his mind that he's going to set me up with her."

"Smart man!" Pony chimed in as she finished what was left in her bottle after Eph knocked it over.

"Oh come on, Pony. There's nothing there." Mandy started picking at an abandoned cocktail napkin sitting on the table.

"Excuse me? Nothing but one very attractive woman whom you are obviously attracted to. You know, it's ok if you decide that you're attracted to another woman. Honestly, Eph and I won't mind a bit. I swear we won't run off screaming."

"Pony, I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry. I just meant that... well, I've only known her for a few hours and I mean...well it's not like I'm experienced in... well, you know, and..."

"...and you keep blushing profusely" Pony smiled at her.

"I keep blushing profu... Hey!"

Pony and Eph looked at her with a knowing smile on their faces. Pony moved over to the other side of her and placed her hand over her friend's.

"Look, Mandy, it's okay. Really, just calm down and go with it. It's okay for you to be attracted to her. Hell, it seems at least half the bar is attracted to her."

Mandy hid her face in her hands and peeked out at Eph and Pony between her fingers. "Oh my God! Is it that obvious? I mean, it feels so different to be attracted to a woman. She's just so... tall and... those eyes! I mean, is this normal?"

"Is it normal for you to be attracted to someone THAT gorgeous? Hell yeah! If you're human and have an ounce of blood running through your body!" Eph answered her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Look, just calm down. It's not like you're going to end up in bed with her tonight or anything"

Pony looked at the exchange between her friend and her lover. "Pity"

Eph and Mandy both balled up napkins from the table and tossed them her way.

"Hey! Watch it you two. Come on Mandy! As far as being "different", different how? Attraction is attraction, regardless of the sex. If someone gives you butterflies in your stomach, who the hell cares what's between their legs. Can you honestly give me the name of one MAN, just one... that you have ever been attracted to?"

Mandy looked straight into Pony's eyes. "Of course I can... Jason!"

Pony laughed at her. "Jason? Seriously? He doesn't count!"

"What do you mean he doesn't count? I was married to him for three years!"

"Yeah and you've been best friends for how long? Since you were four? Come on... this is Eph and me. Now I know that you two have known each other longer than I have but all of us around this table know that you two only got married just to please your familie. The two of you did what you felt was right at the time. I love Jason, but Mandy, he doesn't count."

Mandy sunk down into her chair and played with the condensation on the side of her beer. She started picking at the painted "La Cerveza" on the side the bottle. "I guess you're right." She laughed to herself. "I don't know why I'm acting a wreck anyway. She's probably not even interested. But, GOD is she fun to flirt with"

The three friends around the table laughed together as they noticed Jake walking back over. Eph immediately gave up her seat next to Mandy so Jake could sit down before moving across the table to sit next to her lover. Jake placed a beer a piece in front of Eph and Pony. She then handed Mandy her drink before sitting down next to her.

Eph was the first to break the silence. "Thanks for the beer, Jake."

"No problem," Jake replied as she glanced over at Mandy. "Your friend still wouldn't let me pay for anything. So I shoved the money in her tip jar when she wasn't looking."

"At least you HOPE she wasn't looking. Believe me, if she saw you, she'll throw a fit because she didn't get her way." Eph said as she took the first swallow of her beer. "I mean, don't get me wrong, she doesn't have to have her way all the time, she just told us a long time ago that she felt guilty taking money from her friends."

Jake crossed her left leg across her right knee as she leaned back in her chair and JUST stopped herself from placing an arm across Mandy's shoulders in the process. "Damn! What is WRONG with me tonight?" she thought to herself before speaking. "Well, then I guess I don't need to worry since I'm not a friend of hers."

"No, maybe not. But, you're sitting with us so, you're guilty by association." Pony replied as Eph toasted her.

"I'll drink to that!"

"Baby, you'll drink to ANYTHING!"

Everyone around the table started laughing as they heard a guitar being tuned from the stage.

Mandy started to get up from her seat. "Well guys, that's my cue. I better get back to the stage before they send out a search party. I'll see you two trouble makers after this set." She smiled at her two friends as Pony saluted her with her beer.

She glanced back over to Jake, with just a hint of nervousness in her voice. "Are you staying for the second set? It's our last one."

Jake smiled warmly at Mandy. "I wouldn't miss it!" Jake was pleased to see the grin on Mandy's face get brighter. She watched as Mandy walked back up to the stage and speak with her drummer. She was so engrossed watching Mandy that she never noticed her two tablemate's knowing glances in her direction.


Claudia Peters thought of the bright young girl sitting quietly at her dinner table. After finishing her dinner, Raven took her dinner dishes to the sink.

"Thank you Mrs. Peters. That was very good. What's that called?"

"THAT, my dear, is called Chicken Cacciatore. I'm glad you liked it. That's my son's favorite." Claudia smiled s she took the child's plate and washed it thoroughly before placing it in the dish drainer.

"You mean my aunt's boss, Mr. Peters? I met him once. He's funny."

Claudia laughed at the girl as she washed another plate. She was pleasantly surprised when Raven pulled a small step stool up to the sink. She picked a towel up off the counter and began to help the older woman dry the dishes.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Peters. You don't mind if I help do you? I guess I'm used to helping my aunt."

Claudia placed an arm around the girl's shoulders and squeezed, gently. "Of course not, Honey. Thank you for helping. And, Yes. I was referring to Jason. I kind of think it's funny. I don't think I've ever heard anyone refer to him as 'Mr. Peters' before. And you are right. He is quite a character. Especially when he gets around his brother."

They finished the dishes and put them away together as Claudia told the young girl of the trouble her oldest and youngest sons used to get into. After they were done, Claudia decided they would reward themselves with a bowl of ice cream. Just as they sat at the table, a pouting two-year-old, her hair tousled, toddled into the kitchen, obviously just waking up.

"Gam-ma?" The child ran into Claudia's leg and hugged her as best as her little arms would allow. Claudia leaned over and picked up her granddaughter, placing her on her lap. She watched as the child furiously tried to rub the sleep from her little green eyes.

"How's Granma's little angel? Hmmm? How's Granma's little Gellar?"

Gellar yawned until she noticed her grandmother's bowl. "I-keem?"

Claudia laughed out loud as she placed a small amount of the frozen treat on a spoon for her first grand child. "OK, Baby. But, just a little" She fed the small amount of vanilla to the child on her lap.

"Mmmm!"

"She's cute," Raven said as she watched Gellar begin to reach for Claudia's bowl.

"Yes she is. Except for her hair, she looks like her mother. Same bright green eyes."

"They're pretty. My teacher has green eyes. Ms. Peters is really nice." All of a sudden, a light bulb went off in Raven's head. Claudia watched with a knowing smirk and waited for realization to dawn on the dark-haired child sitting next to her.

"Ms. Peters is her mom, right?"

Claudia laughed at the, as Jason would call it, "Duh" expression on Raven's face. "Yes, honey. She is. Mandy and Jason used to be married. They grew up together." Claudia explained as she tried to straighten the hair on her granddaughter's head with her fingers.

"Cool! I like Ms. Peters. She's my favorite teacher I've ever had! She taught me how to do fractions!"

Just then, deciding she didn't like being ignored, Gellar made her greatest desire known. "Gam-ma? I-keem! More i-keem!"

"Ok, Gellar. Just a little more. Raven, do you like Disney and Pixar movies? We have a bunch in the other room for Gellar. You're more than welcome to watch them if you'd like."

Raven got excited just hearing the word "Disney" "Really? Do you have 'Finding Nemo'? That's my favorite!"

Claudia stood up from her chair and placed her bowl in the sink. "We sure do. Gellar likes that one too. You can watch it when you finish your ice cream."

Before she knew what happened, Raven had finished her bowl of ice cream, took it to the sink and rinsed the bowl out for good measure. After all, this woman had "Finding Nemo"! "OK. All done!"


"Mrs. Peters? Who are all these people in this picture?" Raven asked as she picked up a framed photo on the end table next to the couch in the den. Claudia placed the movie into the DVD player and walked over to the couch where Raven and Gellar were sitting.

She looked at the photo in the young girl's hands. "Well, that photo is a few years old." She began to point to each person in the photograph. "There's me and my husband, Frank." Claudia paused for a moment before continuing. She took a deep breath and smiled sadly at the bright-eyed child watching her. "He passed away a couple of years ago. Not long after Sweet Pea there was born."

Raven looked down at her hands, resting in her lap. She almost seemed... ashamed. She hoped she hadn't upset the older woman. She really liked Mrs. Peters. "I... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be nosey."

Claudia put an arm around the dark-haired child and hugged her around her shoulder. "Oh, Honey, it's all right. You weren't being nosey."

Raven looked up with hopeful blue eyes as Claudia continued.

"Really, sweetie, it's OK. Here, let me show you everyone else. There's my oldest son, Steve and his wife, Kristen. There's my middle son, Mitch, and there's Jason and Mandy."

"So, this was taken before Gellar was born?" At the mention of her name, Gellar pounced on Raven's lap causing the older girl to giggle.

Claudia smiled at the sight of her granddaughter and her new friend. "Oh, yes. We'll have to have a new picture taken soon. My son, Steve and his wife are expecting their first baby." She announced proudly as she replaced the photo back on the table.

"I met him once, too. I like him. He's the policeman, right?"

"That's right. He is."

Raven thought about this and looked at the small child sitting in her lap. "My Dad was a policeman, too. So was my Aunt Jake. It was when we lived in Chicago. I was only a baby. After he died, Aunt Jake quit. I have a picture of her and my Dad in their uniforms. They looked alike. Only he was a bit taller and had short hair and a... a... goatee? Is that what they're called?" She looked up at the older woman who was smiling warmly at her.

"Yes Honey, that's what they're called. Maybe one day you can show me that picture. But right now, are you ready? Here we go." She started the movie for the two girls. Gellar was so excited once she saw what was on, she was practically jumping up and down in Raven's lap.

"Basjun, Aven, Basjun!" Raven laughed at her as she quickly realized Sebastian was the small child's favorite character. This little kid was all right. She liked Sebastian and The Little Mermaid.

Claudia grabbed a book and sat down to read at a chair in the corner. The next time she looked up from her book, both girls were fast asleep to the music of "Under The Sea".