Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, I was hoping that I'd get that for Christmas, but neither Richard O'Brien or 20th Century Fox would give them to me for free, oh well.

Author's Note: First off let me thank handyman's muse, PmagentariffraffP, Darth Soror, and my cousin Tina for the reviews. Thank you, they are much appreciated. Also, thank you handyman's muse and PmagentariffraffP for helping me figure out the document manager thing, simple things can be quite perplexing to me at times. :o) Without further ado, the next chapter, enjoy!


She went upstairs to the lab in search of her brother, but he wasn't there and she wondered if he really was doing her chores. She descended the stairs to the first floor and sure enough he was mopping the floor. She crept up behind him and pinched his butt. He yelped in fright and spun around to see his sister grinning mischievously.

"How did you escape?"

"Columbia made an appearance. Did she just get back?"

"About fifteen minutes ago and she would've barged in on you earlier, but she wouldn't stop asking me questions and then she wouldn't shut up long enough for me to answer until I yelled at her that her precious Frankie was sick."

"Did you find out if she's sick?"

"She told me she had a cold a week ago, but Eddie had just gotten over the flu two days ago."

"She could've still carried the germs."

"When was the last time the prince had contact with either of them?"

"I think the night before and if I remember correctly from Columbia's prattling that they coerced Eddie into a threesome."

"So, Eddie had just gotten over it and probably gave his germs to the prince? Do you think he'll ban him from the castle for getting him ill?"

"No, but he may punish him."

"I feel for him, Frank's harsh whips will leave him scarred."

"It sounds as if you like him."

"I tolerate him because he gets that annoying tap-dancing banshee out of my hair."

"She's not that bad."

He graced her with a glare.

"Women, you're all alike."

"It's true she's talkative which borders on annoyance, but it's nice to have someone to gossip with."

"I suppose."

"Besides, Master, is also one for good gossip."

"Really?"

She nodded and grinned, backing away.

"Wait, aren't you going to tell me?"

She shook her head.

"If you don't tell me I'm not going to help you with your chores!"

"I don't care because this little tidbit is worth it."

She turned around ready to race upstairs, but his reflexes had always been quicker than hers as he grabbed her by the arm and pinned her against the banister.

"Magenta, dear, what is it you don't want to tell me?"

Their hearts were racing as he pressed his body against hers and began kissing her neck.

"I won't...I won't give...in."

"Tell me."

His whispered demand in her ear sent shivers down her spine, but she shook her head and he pressed his lips roughly against hers. He pulled away a few moments later leaving her breathless and he grinned at how he could make his sister melt.

"What secret are you not willing to share?"

"You really want to know?"

He nodded.

"Are you sure?"

He nodded and she slapped him hard. He stumbled back, shocked and angry.

"What was that for?!"

"You lied to me!"

"I would never lie to you."

"Then why did you start today when I inquired about you and the prince?!"

He became quiet as she had now invaded his space, glaring up, awaiting an answer.

"I didn't mean to."

"What kind of answer is that?!"

"I didn't want you to think less of me because I wanted something you couldn't give me!"

"What would that be an extra appendage?!"

He shook his head trying to avert his gaze, but she gripped his chin forcing him to stare into her eyes.

"What can't I give you?!"

"Understanding, in a way male bonding, just like what you and Columbia share."

"But we don't do what you and Frank do. What is it really?"

"That's the truth, Magenta."

"You never needed any other friends or lovers before because you enjoyed being a recluse. What changed?"

"Nothing has changed, I love you."

"Maybe you're ill."

She felt his forehead, but he was cool to the touch.

"I'm fine."

"Maybe it's the air on this planet."

He took her hand and kissed it.

"You've changed or you're hiding the real reason you lied to me."

She wrenched her hand away and stomped up the stairs as he sighed in frustration. He didn't know how or if he could tell her the real reason of why he lied.

Magenta was halfway up the second floor when Columbia spotted her.

"Hey, Maggie, what's..."

She never finished her sentence as the domestic brushed past her in a fury. Columbia shrugged her shoulders, Magenta could be moody, but she was used to it as she made her way to the ballroom to practice a new dance.

Magenta found herself in the tower, gazing out over the woods and the lake that was a few miles away. She sat down in an old forgotten chair and cried. She had never felt so completely alone and there was no one to turn to. Whom could she trust? Her brother had broken their promise of never lying to each other, even if it meant hurting the feelings of the other. Why did he insist on lying about the third time he slept with their prince, but it wasn't that, it was what he said about not receiving something from her that was eating away at her. He had given her an excuse that he needed male bonding just like she sometimes needed female companionship with Columbia. Why would he continuously lie? What did he need? Did he no longer love her or was he tired of their intimate romps? Did he love Frank? Why couldn't he tell her? One thing was for sure, she could no longer take anything he said to her at face value, he'd have to prove what he meant by his actions. She curled up in the chair and watched the world outside crawl on with its pathetic creatures. She had closed her eyes, bored at the nothingness that wore on and drifted off to sleep.

~*~

She awoke with a jolt and wondered how long she had slept. She gazed out the window and could see that the sun was setting, so maybe three hours. She descended the stairs and went to check on her master, but he wasn't in his bed. She checked the bathroom, but he wasn't there, either. Where could he be? Maybe he was hungry and it was close to dinnertime, but he would've yelled for her. Something wasn't right as she took the lift to the first floor and for the first time she observed how silent it was, highly unusual not to hear the jukebox blaring or Columbia's tapping. Once the lift stopped, she rushed into the dining room, but no one was there and she checked the kitchen, nobody. Nobody at all and now she was frightened. Trying not to panic, she opened the doors to the ballroom, and at first glance it seemed empty until she glimpsed a sorrowful figure sitting atop the jukebox.

"Columbia, what's wrong?"

The young woman glanced Magenta's way and bowed her head.

"I cannot say."

"Is that so? You're not good at keeping secrets."

"A few I can keep."

"So, is this one of those special secrets?"

She nodded and glanced down at her feet which were aching to dance.

"Please, Columbia, tell me and I promise not to breathe a word."

"This is extra secret, but I'll give you a hint because I pity you."

"Pity me?"

"Oh, Maggie, if only you knew."

"Then give me a hint, please."

"Your brother holds the secret, so ask him."

"He told you over me?! Where the hell is he and what did he tell you?!"

She grabbed the groupie by her shoulders and shook her.

"What did he say?!"

The girl just laughed and suddenly vanished. Magenta backed away, confused, as the laughter reverberated and she covered her ears, dashing out of the room. What was going on? She decided to search the second floor, but her brother and master were not to be found. A thought struck as she went to the lift and headed up to the lab. When she threw the doors open she saw a most unpleasant sight, Frank pleasuring her brother.

"I see that you are well, Master."

They stopped with horrified looks at the sound of her voice.

"If you've finished with my brother, Master, I need to borrow him."

He pulled away from Riff Raff as they quickly pulled up their clothes and she waited for her brother patiently. She re-entered the lift with him following and in between floors she halted it. He was perplexed by her actions as she turned to him, glaring.

"What is it you refuse to tell me, but trust Columbia with?!"

"Magenta..."

He bowed his head.

"Do you not love me?"

He gazed up and stared into her emerald eyes.

"I love you, Magenta, there's no question."

"Then what are you hiding from me?"

"It is complicated."

"Life is complicated."

He smiled at her knowing she was using his words against him, words he used to tell her when they were children.

"I don't want to hurt you."

"You're hurting me by refusing to tell me."

"Please, Magenta, I cannot."

She grabbed him by the shoulders and weakly shook him.

"Why? Why are you being stubborn?"

He averted his gaze and she slapped him.

"If you cannot trust me then I cannot entrust my life or my love in you anymore!"

"I'm sorry."

She turned her back on him as tears fell and when she glimpsed behind her, he had vanished. What the hell?! She heard her name being called and it seemed to be coming from everywhere. She fell to her knees, crying, and covering her ears as the voices became louder and the world around her faded to black.

~*~

She awoke to a pair of concerned blue eyes and hands on her shoulders, had she been dreaming? She stared out the window as the sun began its descent from the sky and she jumped up almost knocking her brother over. She was rushing out the door when he grabbed her hand. She halted, but didn't look at him.

"Magenta."

She turned to gaze at him.

"Riff Raff, let go because if I am late with Master's dinner I will be punished."

"Please, sister."

"We can talk about this later, I promise."

She squeezed his hand and ran off to prepare the prince's dinner.