Disclaimer: Nuh-uh, still don't own the boys in blue.

A/N: A thousand apologies for the delay! I had writer's block pretty badly, so I decided to chill out for a while to ease my frustration.

I would like to thank again to all those who've read and reviewed my previous chapter. I'm so thrilled at your amazing feedback! You guys are seriously awesome!

Another special thank-you goes out to Teobi, who has yet again inspired me with more brilliant ideas. This goes out to you!
And for my beta, KatZen, who did another splendid job with the editing. Thank you sooooo much!

I hope you all enjoy!

WolfLeap xo

Chapter III:

Leaving the fairy themed shop was the greatest relief I could ever ask for. It was like the universe finally gave me mercy, setting me free from one of the more mortifying experiences I had had to date.

I can tell you that there have been many times I've felt overwhelmed after being a victim in humiliating situations. I've found that the best way to deal with them is to pretend that those incidents never occurred ... but if you ask me - dressing up to be a bloody unicorn in front of half a dozen of strangers? Hell, if my brothers found out about Genevieve's little dress-up game, they would never let me live this down ... Not even if I live to be 150 years old.

So it seemed that the fairy shop had become my daughter's favourite place in the world, as she had spent at least twenty minutes talking with the store operator, discussing how 'great' I looked as a sissy magical horse.

Splendid ...

I couldn't take unblinking, unwavering attention from all the females present, eyeing me up any longer, and with that, I slowly made my way out of the store, making an attempt to escape this hell. In doing so, I wobbled backwards, smiling to remain polite. It wasn't long until Genevieve noticed that I was making a run for it, letting out a huge theatrical sigh, coupled with a stomp of her foot, before she gave in and followed me.

As we passed the tag detectors (no doubt, my favourite part of the store), Genevieve bade a farewell back towards the store operator while she skipped around me in circles, emitting a strange rhythmic hum in her voice. Her suspicious tone had got me anxious, and I could only pray that she wasn't planning to embarrass me again.

"That was fun, wasn't it, Daddy?" She asked with enthusiasm as we turned and followed through the main strip of Sylvia Park mall.

I grunted, rolling my eyes. "The biggest thrill of my life."

Noticing that I was walking more briskly, Genevieve clung onto my arm like a baby koala, afraid that I would leave her behind. Not that it would ever happen. I suspected that she had grabbed onto my arm to slow me down, anchor me into the mall she had fallen in love with, much to my dissatisfaction.

To be honest, I didn't know where we were going, nor did I care where we would end up next; I was only determined to get further away from fairy-friggen-wonderland. As we advanced through the shopping arcade, I noticed there were more shoppers venturing from unit to unit; the mall was approaching its peak hour.

"Why didn't you buy the unicorn?" My daughter asked after a moment of silence.

A groan rumbled at the back of my throat. I couldn't be more displeased at the reminder of my previous ordeal. I heaved a sigh, replying with disinterest; I was too annoyed to answer my child's question.

"Because it wasn't what I was after." Duh! Unicorns aren't my style.

Genevieve giggled, skipping along the smooth flooring. "I think you looked funny!"

Clenching my teeth, flexing my fingers in and out of a fist, I struggled to keep a hold on my temper. The last thing I wanted to do would be upsetting her on her birthday.

"Thanks, sweetie." There'll be no ice-cream for you later!

My daughter fell silent, though I could tell she was still in the brightest mood, smiling widely as she observed the surroundings with great interest. On the contrary, however, I wouldn't give a rat's ass what this mall contained; my deepest concern was if we would ever reach the other side of this vast shopping centre. That would be heaven for me … as I craved so desperately for my freedom.

Passing a turn off which was an exit towards a parking lot, Genevieve tugged against my arm, yanking me to a halt. I looked down at her quizzically, frustrated at her sudden pull. She was looking away towards the exit ... oh my God, has she decided to call it quits? My irritation faded drastically with a jolt of excitement, wiggling my eyebrows, a wide grin bared across my face. Were we actually leaving this dump? This was too good to be true!

Genevieve looked up at me, her index finger pointing directly towards the new thoroughfare. "Can we go this way?"

I nodded continuously, nudging her forward to lead the way. I had to admit, while Genevieve hopped her way towards the outside world, I clapped my hands in exuberance, celebrating my early release of my jail sentence.

I could hear the call of freedom, could taste fresh, polluted air rather than being stuck in my worst nightmare, where the latest "elevator music" played over the loudspeaker and the recycled air suffocated me, clogging my throat, making it hard to breathe.

In my distraction, however, I did not see the upcoming child as he accidently elbowed me, almost making me lose my balance as he shot passed. His mother trailed slowly behind him, gripping tightly on a leash which was attatched around a lamb's neck.

What ... the ... hell?

I cocked an eyebrow ... livestock inside a mall? Well that's something you wouldn't see everyday.

A sudden surge of uneasiness overtook me as I watched the lamb trot alongside its owner, disappearing from view around a corner. I gulped nervously, something wasn't right here; Genevieve wouldn't suggest walking out of the mall ... unless something had caught her attention from outside where the lamb came from ...

As I lingered my way through the automatic sliding doors and into the open space of the parking lot, my perturbed manner worsened; I was more repulsed as I gazed in disbelief at the scene of which Genevieve had led me to. I felt my jaw drop as my whole body jolted in panic. I inhaled deeply in an attempt to calm myself, though I quickly learned that that was a mistake; the place was stinking horribly of animal droppings, making me gag and feeling nauseous.

Usually this parking lot would be filled with cars, today however, it was cordoned off for this so-called 'special' event. Scanning from one side to the other, I watched the enthusiastic crowd wander within the perimeter, stroking and observing the domesticated animals that were on display, some of which were for sale. Why yes, you guessed it ... Genevieve had led us to a Goddamn petting zoo!

Great, just ... great!

This day just got even more bloody interesting!

My insides screamed at me to turn back. Oh, the irony that I would rather be back inside the mall, where I would be able to breathe ... at least! On the other hand, however, my daughter was pleased at what she had discovered, regardless that there was an unbearable scent in the atmosphere. She squealed with delight, unsure of which animal to approach first. You name it; they had it all here in front of me, much to my dismay ...

As much as I would like to; I would scoop Genevieve in my arms and sprint back indoors, though this was her special day, and I wouldn't want her pouting in front of all these people.

"Daddy, what are those rabbits doing?" Genevieve tugged against my arm, waking me from my brief daydream.

My eyes followed lazily towards where Genevieve was pointing to. In a matter of nanoseconds, I jumped in astonishment, as if I were awakening from dormency, my cheeks shot bright red and my eyes widened to the point that they may pop out of my lids. I was dazed as to what my six-year-old daughter was witnessing; inside an enclosed cage near by were two rabbits ... one mounting on top of the other.

Mother of God ...

Of course, Genevieve wouldn't know any better as to what those 'cute' bunnies were really doing, and I was determined to keep it that way. And as quick as a flash, I seized Genevieve's arm, while covering her eyes with my free hand as I dragged her away from view. "Uh, they're just playing, sweetie."

I pulled her over towards the centre of the parking lot where the crowd was thicker; all were queing for a free pony ride. Genevieve fought against my grip, whining in protest for her release; she couldn't understand the reason I made a dash so suddenly.

We approached the edge of the car park where a large yellow inflatable castle was placed, swerving violently from side to side as hyperactive children crashed into its soft, interior walls, screaming from the top of their lungs. My ears ached from the piercing yells, making my head throb. I grimaced, releasing Genevieve's arm to cover my ears, hoping they wouldn't start bleeding. I was eager to continue on elsewhere, but Genevieve had already made a move, lashing her anger at me with a heavy stomp to my foot.

I hissed out in pain, feeling a bruise forming on my toe, trying my best not to slip a single swear word through my gritted teeth. Damn it, why was today torturing me?

"Daddy! You hurt my arm!" she yelled, tears shedding her blue eyes.

I was about to argue back when a shove from behind made me lose my balance, my knees giving way as I fell forward and hit the hard concrete floor. I landed with a thud, tearing my sleeves open as my arms broke the fall. Genevieve collapsed into laughter.

Disorientated from my trip, I rolled onto my back, gazing around to see what had pushed me; I was sprayed with a sloppy substance of saliva over my eyes and face; my vision of the culprit became a blurr. Genevieve's laughter roared even louder.

"Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry, he's never done that before!" A feminine voice exclaimed, yanking a large figure away from my intimate space.

I wiped the large proportion of spit off my face, seeing clearly of the creature for the first time. It was a llama, and a reasonably tall-sized one too. His handler held tightly onto his halter, which was tied securely around his muzzle. Although the llama had retreated a few feet back and his handler was restraining him with all her might, he still showed aggression towards me, glaring his bulgy eyes at me while attempting to spit at my now teared shirt.

I scanned the brown-coated camelid carefully; observing from his curved tail, to a sign strapped around his long neck. I read the four words labeled on the sign: I am for sale.

I arched an eyebrow, amused at the somewhat promotion.

My humorous moment faded completely when Genevieve had picked up on the llama's advertisement, squealing with delight; her high-pitched tone easily drowned out the screams that were echoing from the bouncy castle.

"Daddy, Daddy!" Genevieve pounced on the spot, tapping her hand on my shoulder. "Can we keep him? Can we?"

"No," Came my blunt reply.

My daughter pouted angrily. "But I like him!"

I groaned. Has he spat at you recently?

I pulled myself to my feet, flicking dirt off my ruined shirt. "I said no."

Genevieve pursed her lips, considering. She pulled a puppy eye look, swirling sideways in an attempt to make herself look innocent.

"But it's my birthday," she murmured.

Strike One! Why did she have to remind me of that? So cruel ... I may not have gotten her a birthday present just yet, but I was very determined not to buy her this psychotic llama.

I folded my arms across my chest, narrowing my eyes. The llama's handler watched our conflict continue.

"Our home wouldn't be suitable for him," I said.

"Then we'll make it suitable for him, duh!" Genevieve shot back.

Strike Two!

I blew a raspberry, my face redden with frustration. "Oh yeah? And who'll look after him?"

"Me!"

I scoffed. "Do you even know how to take care of a llama?"

Genevieve shrugged. "A book will help."

Strike Three ...You're out, Scott! Oh Genevieve just has an answer to everything, doesn't she?

I was tempted to deny Genevieve, once again. I knew that walking away and avoiding that llama for good would be perfect, but I could tell that Genevieve really wanted him ... and she was ready to pout at me again if I said no. There really wasn't a way out of this ...

I resigned in defeat, my leg muscles twinging. I raked my fingers through my frizzy hair. "Fine!"

Genevieve bubbled with joy, running over to stroke her new pet. To my surprise, he hadn't hissed as she approached; he merely hummed gently. "I'm going to name him Barney!" Genevieve appraised.

I rolled my eyes, lingering to join this misfortunate scene. Irritation got the best of me, and I mumbled stupid llama under my breath. As if Barney understood me, and feeling rather discomforted at my insult, he jerked his head towards my direction and spat at me, spraying his slobbery saliva on my chest. Great ... there goes my good taste of fashion and dignity.

Genevieve giggled. "He likes you, Daddy. He wants to clean your dirty clothes!"

I let out an unamused laugh.

Someone plan my funeral ... this day is surely going to kill me!