AN: Thanks for all the reviews, guys! I'm sorry if this all seems rushed, and doesn't sound as good as it may have before. I'm trying to finish it up while I still have the time, lol. Anyhoo, hope you enjoy!!!

CHAPTER SIX

Fi tried not to let her jaw fall open in surprise. "What?"

Jack gave her an annoyed look, before going back to organizing his CD's. "I just told you. Dad fired Irene after some argument they got into. Why are you even asking?"

"Well it just occurred to me that Carey's mom is never around," Fi countered. She shook he head. "So what happened to her?"

"What do you mean?" Jack asked.

"I mean if she got fired as manager, then she should still be with Ned and Carey, right?" Fi demanded.

Jack finally turned and faced Fi fully. "Huh?"

"Why aren't Irene and Clu with Ned and Carey?" Fi demanded.

"Clu?" Jack repeated, suddenly slumping down into his chair. He rubbed his eyes tiredly and laughed. "I can't remember the last time I heard anyone say that name."

A horrible feeling settled into Fi's stomach even as a soft smile spread across her brother's lips.

"We used to hang out all the time, didn't we?" Jack asked.

"Where is he?" Fi asked, sitting down across from her brother.

Jack shook his head. "With Irene, I'm sure. After the divorce Ned and Irene thought it would be best for Ned to take Carey, and Irene to take Clu. None of us have heard from them since." He frowned, looking at Fi. "Why?"

"Ned and Irene got divorced?" Fi asked; a chill settling down her spine. Her mind was in a daze.

"You don't remember?"

"No," Fi said quietly. "No, I guess I don't."

"It was brutal," Jack replied, shaking his head. "Nobody ever wants to talk about it. Can't say I blame them."

"Why?" Fi asked. "I mean, why did they get divorced?"

Jack shrugged. "I think they were arguing too much. After Irene got fired, things went downhill for the Bells. I think it was right after the divorce that Mom and Dad went back on tour, and had Ned be their driver. He's been doing it ever since."

Fi frowned. "You don't have any idea where Clu or Irene could be?"

Jack shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine," He said. "Why are you looking for them, anyways? I thought you hated Clu."

"I did?" Fi asked with surprise.

Jack laughed. "After he put that beetle in your hair? Yeah, you two loathed each other."

"It would figure," Fi muttered to herself. "The one person who could help me is the one person who is nowhere around."

SO WEIRD

"Stay there," Jack advised, giving Annie a pointed look before moving across the large room. The blond gave him a startled look, but stayed where she was, watching as Jack hastily made his way to an elderly man's side.

"I need your help," Jack whispered in Arthur's ear. The King gave him a surprised look, before dismissing the others around him.

"Jacob, whatever is wrong?" He asked.

Jack's gaze drifted to Annie, to see if she was still safe where she was, before turning back to Arthur.

"I think there's a traitor in your courts," Jack explained.

"No," Arthur breathed, grasping Jack's arm heavily. "But we've been so careful. Jacob, tell me this is a joke."

"I'm afraid not, sir," Jack said. "In fact, I think it's important that you know -."

"My lord!" Someone called loudly from across the room. Jack and Arthur looked up, surprised to see the man Jack had spoken with earlier dash into the room, eyes wide and full of haste. He nearly collapsed at Arthur's side, just managing to jerk the older man away from Arthur.

"My Lord," He panted. "There is tragic news about the castle."

"Tragic news?" Arthur repeated. Jack frowned. "Sir Henry, do indulge."

"Tis Morgan Le Fey, my lord," He declared. "She hath captured the heartland and is heading for the castle as we speak."

"Preposterous!" Arthur roared, his hand going to the sword attached at his side. He gave Jack a hurried look. "How can this be possible?"

"A spy, my lord," Sir Henry interrupted. He met Jack's eyes. "Someone who hath been deceiving you from the very start, I'm afraid. He opened the kingdom to Morgan while faking a leave."

"Who?" Arthur asked with surprise.

The court had fallen silent, watching the exchange with worry. Annie attempted to ease across the room, hoping to come to Jack's side but she was held back as Anne's mother arrived, putting a sharp hand down on her daughter's shoulder and keeping her stationary.

"What is going on?" She demanded.

"Something's wrong," Annie breathed, her eyes seeking out Jack's.

Her Mother frowned, turning to the maids beside her. "Take my daughter up to her room and ensure that she is safely kept inside."

"What?" Annie exclaimed, pulling away.

"Do not defy your orders," Her Mother growled.

Annie gave a defiant look, before darting away, praying no one would catch her as she pushed past to the front of the crowd. Jack shot her a warning glance, but she didn't remain where she was.

"What's going on?" Annie demanded.

"Nothing to concern yourself, Lady Anne," King Arthur growled, turning to Sir Henry. "Speak."

"It has been yer Jacob, milord," Sir Henry gasped. "Yer most trusted warrior. He has let Morgan through the boundaries and to our death!"

"What!?" King Arthur growled, spinning on Jack. Annie slunk to his side, trying to take his hand but was pulled back by one of the bystanders. It was best not to get in the way of the king's fury.

Jack seemed surprised as well, shooting 'Sir Henry' a dirty look.

"His visit to his family's farm, my lord," Sir Henry continued. "The farm was burned to the ground when my men arrived. He could not have visited it. He was with Morgan, plotting."

"It's a lie," Jack exclaimed, looking at Henry with surprise. "You're the traitor! You just asked me if -."

"Why would I lie?" Sir Henry countered, looking pointedly at Jack. For a moment he could make out the dangerous smirk across Henry's face. But then it vanished, and he threw himself at the King. "Please, my lord. I can prove to you your subject's betrayal."

Everyone seemed interested in this, even Jack.

"How?"

"The Lady Anne, my lord," Sir Henry replied.

Annie froze.

"Jacob has fallen for her. Yet he is not of noble birth, and they can never be together. He figured the only way to get what he wanted was to work for Morgan. Believe it, milord, for I have seen the two locked in embrace of the lips."

"It is true!" Someone called from the crowd. One of the maids stepped forward. "He comes calling almost every night."

The wheels in the King's head began to turn, and he shot Jack a startled look, recalling their conversation earlier their day. "So it would seem."

"No!" Jack snapped. "He's lying! It's all a lie."

"You are banished," The King said harshly, giving Jack a dirty look. "I trusted you."

"But I didn't -."

"Throw him out to the wolves for all I care. He can have his precious Morgan, and leave this kingdom in peace."

"My lord, but Morgan's troops -."

"Rally my knights," Arthur replied, looking to Sir Henry with a dangerous look as several guards grabbed onto Jack, pulling him back against his will. "See to it that the women and children are taken care of. We must prepare for battle!"

"No!" Annie exclaimed, trying to grab onto Jack only to be pulled back roughly by Henry. He gave her a dangerous look. "Maybe ye should be on yer way, lil' Annie. Afore yer own secret is discovered."

Annie froze, giving him a startled look and he smirked, turning to Jack.

"Ye should have gone along wit' it, Jack," He whispered. Jack's eyes widened, and then narrowed as he began to struggle further.

"See to it that he's taken from my sight. Make haste!" Sir Henry declared, before turning away from the fumbling crowd, a snake-like smile spreading across his face.

SO WEIRD

Clu followed close behind Fi, trying to come up with something to say that would make her explain. She hadn't spoken much since yelling at him. Anything the two had said was inconsequential, and seemed rather insignificant. It was clear she didn't want to talk about whatever had happened.

"How's the weather?"

Fi gave him a slightly annoyed look, before shaking her head. "I'm sorry I snapped."

"I'm sure you had your reasons," Clu replied. "I'm not sure I see what they are, but -."

"Some things can't be risked," Fi explained. "You and the others are going to go through something really big soon, and it cannot be altered, no matter what. It is of absolute importance that things follow through as they did that day."

"But everyone is so miserable," Clu countered. "And what's wrong with Carey? I heard Annie -."

Fi hesitated, almost as if she didn't want to reveal it, but then she shook her head. "A little over a year ago something happened to someone, and he had a hard time dealing with it. I can't tell if he's getting better or worse."

Clu let the words roll in his brain. Obviously it was something Fi wanted to change, or she wouldn't have given him the slight hint. In fact, she seemed quite troubled.

"Who? Is it anyone I know?" He didn't want to think harm had come to someone he'd been friends with.

Fi offered Clu a small glance from the driver's seat, before shaking her head. "I don't think so. Now we need to discuss something. A lot has changed from your time period, and I think it's important that -."

She cut off, slamming on the brakes and almost causing the two to smash through the window. They were both lucky, as their seatbelts pulled them back down. Fi looked up in shock through her dark bangs and caught the very end of something disappear into the woods on the side of the road.

Clu looked up, following Fi's haunted gaze. "What just happened?" He asked in a stupor.

"It couldn't – it's not possible," Fi whispered. Her fingers drifted to the ring on her finger and she subconsciously began to twist it. Her eyes were wide and fearful, such a terrified look across her face that Clu couldn't help the shiver that ran down his own spine.

"The shadow," Fi murmured.