Here's another chapter for my loyal follower! Thank you for your continued support :) Hope you like the big twist I've got going on here!

"You found her?" Mother asked worriedly as he entered. He gave one last backward glance at Zak, feeling suspicious. He didn't like the smirk on Zak's face.

"I did," he confirmed. Mother looked around him as if he had stashed her somewhere.

"Where is she?"

"The falls. She didn't want to come home yet. She just wanted to be alone."

"And you left her there?! After what you saw earlier? Pips!" Mother exclaimed.

"I don't think she's going to do anything like that," he reassured her. "She just is struggling with a memory she can't remember."

"A memory?" Father interrupted, coming into the room.

"Yes," Pips said, turning to him. "She said she remembered something but it's gone. It's really bothering her."

"Hmm. I wonder what it was," Father mused. He wandered away pondering to himself. Mother watched after him until he was out of sight.

"Will you stay?" she asked Pips.

"Uh, I guess? Sure? What for?" he asked, confused.

"I need to discuss something with both you and Crysta when she comes back. I think it might help things."

"Oh, no. What are you planning?" Pips was suspicious.

"Let's just say you'll be spending more time together," Mother smiled.

"Have you seen the way she looks at me? Talks to me?" he asked her, incredulous. "It's not pleasant."

"Too bad. Work is work. She'll have to get over it. Now, scoot!" she gestured. He obliged, having a bad feeling about whatever it was Mother Ash had cooked up.

Upstairs...

Wil had tried to talk to Lily, but she refused to let him in. He gave up after a while, feeling angry at Zak all over again.

"Don't worry about it," Fern said as he passed her room. He stopped.

"What do you mean?"

"She'll pick you. I know her. I know she will. Maybe it'll take a while, and maybe it'll hurt for a bit, but she'll eventually discover what we all already know."

"You're very sure about that," Wil said.

"I know my sister," she smiled. "It's natural to feel excited and curious about the unknown, but in the end, the known is what makes the cut. What is known is comfortable and familiar. There's a different excitement about it."

"You've gotten a lot wiser, Fernie," Wil smirked at her. She scowled at the nickname. She still hated it.

"Let's just say I've had a lot of time to think," she replied. Wil looked at her sitting there with Sandy's child in her arms and felt very sad suddenly.

"Are you all right?" he asked her.

"I'm sad, Wil. I'm sad a lot, but I know eventually it won't hurt this bad. I've got all of you..." her voice broke a little. "I've got all of you guys, and I know it'll be all right one day."

"You're a brave one," he said, going over and hugging her. "But you're right. You've got us." She smiled at him. He left feeling somber. He hoped Pips had found Crysta and was able to make headway with her at least. He was trying not to worry about Lily and why she wouldn't talk to him. He hoped that didn't mean anything.

Later...

Crysta stood outside her home unsure of what to do. She didn't want to stay out there all night, but she didn't want to go inside either. She contemplated sneaking up into her window, but she got caught before she could do it. She missed entirely the scene in the background of Batty grabbing Zak, tussling with him, and then throwing him aside before he could approach her. Batty took his job seriously.

"There you are!" Mother scolded. "Get in here before the night swallows you whole." She dragged her inside.

"All right, all right," Crysta said, not bothering to put up a fight against her Mother's pulling and pushing. She saw Pips right away.

"On second thought..." she started, balking.

"Sit!" Mother commanded. She sat. Pips didn't look at her, but she saw the corners of his mouth twitch. She glared at him anyway. Mother turned to face both of them.

"Now," she said. "It has been brought to my attention that some children need a teacher, especially with forest duties and swimming." Crysta knew where this was going.

"No," she said quickly.

"Just hear me out," Mother said. "Since there's more than six, we need two adults there to supervise. Pips, I believe you're done with training and such with Ash for now, right?"

"Yup," he replied. He was struggling not to laugh at Crysta's astounded expression on her face.

"Okay, good. Then you're free. Now, you," she said, pointing to Crysta, "are the mage. As the mage, it's your job to teach the young how to look after the forest and grow things. You don't really get a say in this. I think I've let you take enough time off."

"I'll do it just with anyone but him," she said, looking at Pips finally. She saw a flash of hurt go across his face. She also saw the I-told-you-so look he gave her mother. She wondered what that was about.

"Well that's just too damn bad," Mother said gaily. "You start tomorrow. Pips, you are the..."

"Swimmer teacher. Got it," he finished for her. He wasn't the greatest at growing things, and everyone knew that. He didn't look at Crysta, but he knew she was fuming.

"I'll get out of your hair," he said, hugging Mother. "See you tomorrow." Crysta just glared at him until he left.

"Mother, how could you!" she cried after he was gone.

"Whatever do you mean?" she asked innocently.

"You knew I don't know him or even like him for that matter, and you go and set us up to work together anyway. This is intentional," she scowled.

"It just happened to work that way, love," Mother smiled. "I plan to get Wil to teach bow and arrow too. Our young ones need to be prepared for life in this forest. You'll just have to put aside your differences for now." Crysta sighed roughly and left her mother standing there grinning like an idiot. She was already dreading tomorrow.

Outside...

"Hey, Pips. Pips!"

"What?" Pips asked, turning around. Zak was standing there, arms folded.

"I know what you're doing. Batty can't run interference forever."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Pips replied, turning around so Zak couldn't see him snicker.

"Oh yes, you do. Be a man, Pips, and get her back on your own merit!" This made Pips swing around.

"Be a man? You're one to talk. You come in here and toy with the hearts of two people who are very important to me and think I won't notice? You're the one who needs to be the man and accept that Crysta doesn't love you. You never could accept that, could you?" Pips glared at him.

"She still does. I know she does. You just got in the way," Zak sneered.

"I don't need to take your shit," Pips said, turning to leave.

"She kissed me back just as eagerly," Zak called behind him. "She wanted it." Pips kept telling himself to just keep going. Just keep walking. Don't look back. Don't pound the shit out of him...

"I think that tells you right there who the real man is," Zak said. "I know I can show her how a real man does it. She'll finally get what she deserves in that department," he finished. That did it. Pips was on him quicker than lightning. Zak yelped and struggled under his fists. Pips couldn't believe how good it felt to finally do this.

"What's going on out here?" Father came out. He took in the scene of Pips sitting on Zak and punching the daylights out of him. "Hey!"

"Ash...?" Mother came out behind him, followed by Crysta. They both covered their mouths in horror.

"Lying little piece of shit!" Pips shouted, giving one final punch as Ash hauled him off. Zak spat blood out of his mouth. Crysta went over to him quickly.

"Are you all right?" she asked.

"Yea. Your pal over there doesn't know how to take a joke," Zak wheezed. Ash had to hang on hard as Pips tried to reach him again.

"Let it go, son," Ash told him. "Just let it go. Walk it off."

"He's playing with them," Pips said angrily. "He's messing with both your daughters and you don't care."

"Oh, I care all right," Ash said. "Let me deal with him. You're not scoring any points with Crysta by doing this." Ash kept a grip on Pips' elbow until he was sure he wouldn't fly at Zak again.

"His intentions are not good," Pips said again. "He just told me..."

"I don't want to hear it. Now, go," Ash pointed towards his home. Breathing hard and fuming, Pips reluctantly left. Not before seeing the look on her face. She was on Zak's side, and that hurt him more than her not remembering who he was.

"Come on, Zak," Crysta said quietly. "Let's clean you up." She helped him inside. She missed his grin of triumph. After he was looked after, Ash sent him outside.

"You need to stay out there, human," Ash said roughly. "I don't trust you in my house. I've got my eyes on you, boy." Zak grumbled after Ash had left. He made himself comfortable. It was going to be a long night.

Night...

She was dreaming. She didn't know who was with her, but whatever they were doing felt amazing. They were touching all the right places, like they'd done it in the past. Before it went too far, the person disappeared, and she was left feeling afraid. Then she felt a vice grip on her throat, making her choke. No amount of struggling could free her. She felt herself fading away.

Crysta opened her eyes. She stared into the darkness, touching her fingers to her neck. It had felt so real. She sat up and went over to her window, looking out.

"Can't sleep?" Zak's voice startled her. She looked up and saw him looking down at her. She was puzzled. "I heard you moaning in your sleep," he said sheepishly. "I didn't know whether or not to wake you. It sounded like you were being tortured."

"It was nothing," she said quickly, feeling her face go hot. It was torture all right, but not the bad kind. She still felt the fingers on her skin. She hopped up beside him.

"How come you're out here?" she asked.

"Your father made me stay out here. Everyone seems to be mad at me anyway, so it's probably a good thing."

"I see," she said. She wondered why Pips was mad at Zak. She couldn't get the anger in his eyes out of her mind.

"Are you still mad at me?" he asked, interrupting her thoughts.

"A little. I guess I'm also jealous that you remember a part of my life that I don't," Crysta confessed.

"What happened that made you forget?" he asked.

"I don't know," she replied. "I don't really get answers from anyone."

"I'm sorry," Zak said.

"Not your fault," she smiled grimly. "I did find out today that I had chosen Pips. You were right."

"I know I was. It was heartbreaking. I never got what you saw in him," Zak told her.

"Well, I'm not with him now," she started, looking at him. She wondered if it was him that was in her dream. "Where does that leave us?"

"I can't make that decision right now. I can't do that to Lily or you," he replied. "I care a lot for you both, but I need some time." He was secretly glad he had the power this time. Let her stew and worry about his decision for a while like she made him do. Crysta just nodded. He pulled her closer. She resisted slightly.

"I won't bite," he said softly. "I promise." She let him kiss her. She tried to forget everything, but even the things she couldn't remember wouldn't leave her alone. She knew it would greatly upset Lily if she found out about this, but a part of her didn't care. Life was short. She was going to live it.

In the dark...

It gutted him to see her with Zak. Pips watched them for a while before feeling like he was going to throw up. He didn't know what else to do. He wanted to interrupt so bad, but that would have been awkward for her, and he really didn't feel like an ass whooping by Ash for disturbing his sleep. He didn't want to keep watching, but something had him drawn to it. Maybe it was the glimpse of Crysta being like the old Crysta that he wanted to see, despite the fact that it wasn't with him. He turned away when Zak's hands began to wander, furious that the guy was getting away with it. It reminded him too much of how he used to do that and how her body felt beneath his fingers when she reacted. He finally left, trying to keep the image out of his brain of how her face looked when Zak touched her. He went to his spot. Before long, she was there with him.

"Can't sleep again, huh?"

"Hey, Treena," he replied wearily. He didn't feel up to her tonight. She had been hanging around ever since he and Crysta hadn't been together. According to Wil, Treena had always admired him.

"You look sad," she pointed out. She too had seen Crysta with Zak. It gave her hope.

"Just feeling lost is all," he explained. "Why are you out so late?"

"My sister and her partner are fighting again. He yells very loudly and there's nothing I can do to tell her to get away from him. It's like she's addicted!" Treena shook her head. "I don't know what to do anymore."

"Best just to stay out of it," he advised her. "If I learned anything, it's that you don't meddle no matter how hard you want to." Treena saw the cuts on his knuckles.

"Looks like you meddled," she laughed. He chuckled.

"Yea. It felt damn good too. He had it coming."

"So, is the rumor true? You giving up on her?" Treena didn't dare hope.

"I think so," he replied. "It just seems to be the right thing to do." They sat in silence.

"Well," she said, reaching out and touching his hand softly. "If you ever need company..." He turned to look at her, knowing what she was implying. He didn't say anything. Treena didn't want to push her luck, so she left. She smiled to herself thinking that finally she was getting somewhere with him. Pips sat there alone thinking all kinds of conflicting thoughts.

Crysta's home...

"Zak, stop," Crysta said suddenly, pushing his hands away. Something didn't feel right. She looked warily around them. She could have swore she saw a flash of green.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"I just...can't do this right now. I'm sorry," she said.

"Are you sure?" Zak asked, trying again. She removed his hands again more firmly.

"Good night," she said quickly, not waiting for his response and going back inside. She lay there for what felt like hours going over what had just happened. She felt like it had been all wrong somehow. She was mad at herself. Now she couldn't even enjoy that without this memory stuff getting in the way. And then morning came, and she recalled how she was to spend the whole day with the boy she didn't remember. Great.

Morning, in the forest...

Crysta noticed immediately that there was something different about Pips. His usual cheeriness and annoyingness was missing. Instead, he was withdrawn and almost sullen.

"What, no poking and prodding at my memory today?" she said scornfully.

"Not today," he replied. Treena's insinuated offer was still on his mind.

"You look rough."

"Thanks. You look pretty shitty yourself," he answered, not looking at her. She bristled a little.

"Well aren't we touchy today," she mocked, trying to get a rise out of him.

"You know what," he said, turning to her finally. "I know you don't like this situation, and neither do I, but we're stuck in it so just shut up and let's get on with this." Crysta was taken aback. She had finally gotten him to react. It had taken over six months. She didn't feel any sense of accomplishment by doing so like she had originally thought. He glared at her until she nodded. They had reached the place where the children were supposed to meet them. They made no effort to speak to each other. Then one by one they all arrived.

"All right settle down," Pips told them all, trying to stop the chattering. "Let's go."

"Um, shouldn't they do the dry land stuff first?" Crysta stopped him.

"Whatever," he said. "Go with her then," he directed the kids. "I'll join you later."

"You're supposed to stay, remember?" she called after him. She saw him stop and tilt his head back. She imagined the look of frustration that must be on his face. For some reason, she could actually recall what it looked like. This surprised her. He came back slowly.

"Do your thing then," he gestured. He sat down to observe. The children were not stupid. They could tell their teachers were angry with each other. They just didn't know why. Crysta spent hours showing them how to heal plants and grow new ones. She kept looking over at Pips, who always averted his eyes when she did. It was like he didn't want her to know he was watching her. She kept going until one of the boys complained he was bored.

"Well, this is life, so I'm sorry if it bores you," Crysta told him. The boy, Bobby, was indignant. He was done with this. She sighed.

"You're up," she told Pips.

"Finally," he said, hiding his grin. She narrowed her eyes at him.

"Let's do something fun eh guys?" he said, shooting her a look over their heads as they whooped and hollered in excitement. She just rolled her eyes. It was her turn to observe. He showed them how to tread water, drown proof, and float. He had to rescue the same girl a few times, which Crysta thought she did on purpose, but she didn't say anything. It was amusing enough watching him rush to her aid every time. She hid her smile behind her hand when he looked at her, soaking wet and shaking his head. The kids were ready to horse around, so he let them. He came up and sat beside her.

"Don't get me wet!" she said crossly.

"Wouldn't dream of it," he replied sarcastically. He rested his arms on his knees, watching them.

"I think Carrie likes you," Crysta teased.

"You don't say," he said, half laughing and shaking his head. "Kids." For a second Crysta felt kind towards him. Maybe it was from watching how he was with children all afternoon. She sensed a tenderness about him that was beneath the hardened exterior. She found herself examining his body for some reason. As a warrior, he was in very good shape. She had to admit, he did have a rugged handsomeness to him.

"Did you ever remember what it was you forgot?" he asked her suddenly, making her jump. She felt her guard go back up. She hoped he hadn't seen her staring.

"No, and I don't want to talk about it," she said.

"All right," he said with a sigh. "Come out of there now!" he called to the kids. "Time's up." His response was a bunch of "awws" and "five more minutes!" His stern look caused them to stop and come out. They dried themselves off and dispersed onto their way home. Pips was now alone with Crysta. She felt nervous for some reason.

"Do you hate me?" he asked her suddenly. She was taken aback.

"N-no. I don't hate you," she replied slowly.

"Then why do you act like it?" he asked. She opened her mouth to respond, but he was already leaving. She didn't even know what she was going to say to him anyway.

Afternoon...

Zak had been watching them work together. He could very clearly see the tension between them. This made him feel a little relaxed. He also felt guilty for thinking about her when he was supposed to be thinking about Lily. How can you truly just forget and let go of the one you loved the most?

"I wouldn't get in the middle of that if I were you." Zak spun around, seeing a red headed girl standing there, arms crossed.

"Who are you?"

"The big sister of who's brother you're trying to mess with. I don't take that lightly," Rose said, taking a step forward.

"Pips has a sister?" Zak was confused.

"Ya. You're lookin' at her," Rose said gruffly. She didn't think he was all that with it if he couldn't understand what she was saying.

"Well, you don't scare me," Zak replied.

"Really? I should," Rose said, taking another step forward.

"What are you gonna do, beat me up?" Zak asked with a laugh.

"There are way worse things I could do to you. Trust me," Rose said menacingly. "Besides, it looks like someone beat me to it, no pun intended." Zak was starting to feel a little fearful now.

"If she doesn't remember him, then it's fair game," he told her. "She clearly remembers me."

"Yea. I saw. That was quite the disgusting display of groping I've ever seen," Rose sneered. "I catch you doing that again, and you won't know what happened. Ever."

"Quite the tough girl, aren't you? What's wrong, don't have a man in your life to boss around?" Zak scoffed. He didn't see the punch coming.

"Argh! Oh, geez! Ahhhh!" he was holding his face as he recovered.

"Stay out of their business," Rose threatened. "You think that hurts. Just wait and see what else I can do." She waited until Zak loped off, still cursing under his breath. She turned to see her brother watching her. She gave him a small wave and turned to leave. She didn't feel like answering his questions at that moment.

Crysta's home...

"How'd it go?" Mother asked him right away. Pips sighed.

"Not great. Are you sure this is a good idea? It doesn't feel like it," he trailed off.

"It'll be fine. I know it will. If I know her at all, and as it so happens I do, she will eventually come around. She's not a meanspirited person."

"I know that. Remember?"

"Right. Well, have some faith in her," Mother suggested, leaving him there. This made Pips think. He wasn't sure if he could have faith in her after seeing what he saw last night. He didn't have the heart to tell Mother Ash this. It would only upset her more. The door opened and Crysta entered. She paused at seeing Pips.

"I'm just leaving," he told her, moving past her. She wasn't sure what possessed her, but she reached out and ever so lightly brushed her fingers against his arm when he passed. He stopped, puzzled, hand on the door, turning to look at her. She held his gaze briefly before turning and leaving him standing there. He wasn't exactly sure what had just happened. It almost felt like an apology. He went home and tried to think of something else other than her. Instead, he was going over in his mind how his sister had slugged Zak in the face that afternoon. It made him smile. The knock on his door made him pause, curious. Was it her?

"Hey," Treena said as he opened the door. "Can I come in?" He felt a little disappointed. He opened it wider.

"Come in."

"I don't know what to do," she said as soon as he shut the door.

"What do you mean?"

"My sister. She's...it's bad. I had to get out of there. Do you think you could...?"

"No," he said quickly. "I'm not getting involved. I'm sorry."

"I knew you'd say that," she sighed, sitting down. Pips wasn't sure what to do in this situation. He waited.

"Have you thought about it?" she asked finally.

"About what?"

"You. Me. Us. Be honest," she added. He felt himself squirming. He was not a liar. Everyone knew that.

"I have," he said hesitantly.

"And?" She stood up, coming around to face him.

"I just don't think now is the right timing," he replied truthfully. "I'm pretty...confused."

"I can help with that," she said, coming closer to him. He felt his heart racing suddenly, which was very odd to him. It only reacted like that to one person.

"Really," he said, not stepping back.

"Mmhmm," she said. She pressed herself against him, looking up at him expectantly. He didn't move a muscle. He didn't like how he was reacting. He didn't even like what he was thinking.

"I think you need to go," he said hoarsely. She gave him a pouty look.

"You sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure." He wanted her out. Out of his home. Out of his mind. Out of his life. But she was there, and he didn't know why he couldn't get her out.

"Well," she said, "until next time." She took a chance and pressed her lips against his softly. She didn't let it linger long. She just wanted him to know what he was missing. His brain was in overdrive. He watched her walk away and leave. He rested his back against the wall and slid to the ground, holding his head in his hands. His mouth practically burned where she had touched it with hers. He felt as though he had done some great betrayal even though he knew his partner didn't care about him that way anymore.

"What am I doing?" he muttered to himself. "What am I doing?"

Later...

Crysta wasn't sure at all why she touched Pips like that earlier. She was lying in bed thinking about it. Did she feel sorry for him? Was she trying to make amends? She wasn't sure. It felt...natural. Like it would have been something she would have done before. Before. That word frustrated her to no end. Who was she before this? She felt like she knew, but then this angry, bitter person emerged and made her believe that she's always been this way. She was also afraid to fall asleep. That seemed to be when images and things appeared that frightened her and made absolutely no sense. Despite her efforts at fighting it off, she fell asleep. With it came the dreams.

Whaddya think about that?!