Ah, sometimes bad weather can be a blessing. I would have had to work today, but we got a snow storm. I got the most wonderful call from work telling me I didn't have to come in today, so I decided to spend some time on my fanfic! I officially love snow.

Enjoy the fruits of my labor (or lack thereof, as the case may be)!

--

Chapter Seven

Mysti sat up, bleary eyed and exhausted, and yawned. She looked around her at her trashy surroundings and felt another wave of depression hit her. How stupid she had been, and now she was finally paying the price for it. She'd spent the last two days running around the city. She'd spoken to every homeless person in the area, and had tried asking around at every pawn shop she could find. There was no sign of her mirror anywhere. Whoever had taken it had either disappeared or was keeping quiet about it. Mysti certainly didn't blame them. The mirror was beautiful, and if she had any sense she would have hoarded the stupid thing like a dragon hoarded treasure.

Alas, her sense had abandoned her when she had most needed it. However, she could not give up. She would find that mirror if it took her the rest of her days. She had to get back to Astale and make everything right between her and Lei.

Mysti stood up, brushed the bits of newspaper from her soiled and torn clothing, and walked unsteadily out of the alley. She knew she was sick, because she was dizzy from a fever, but she had no money here and nowhere to go. It was either die or find her way back to Astale. Besides, it seemed she was unable to use her powers here. Whenever she tried to summon them up all she got was a headache. Perhaps her illness was what was preventing their use?

I just have to get back to Astale, she told herself as she made her way toward a homeless shelter she hadn't already gone through, if I can go home, then I can make everything right again.

--

Lei hovered above the city, a scowl on his face. The expression was going to become permanent if he didn't find Mysti soon. Two days ago, he'd been sure he would find her. He certainly had not been happy about where he'd appeared. A trash can was not a welcoming place to open a portal. He'd been a little angry that Mysti had so callously tossed her mirror into the garbage, but after he'd had time to think about it he could understand her feelings. She had been betrayed by almost everyone she knew in Astale, so it was no surprise that she would not want to return to that place.

But she has nothing to return to here either, he thought to himself, feeling slightly worried. It was taking him far too long to find her, and for all he knew she could be in even more trouble than she already was. She could be injured somewhere, and no one would find her until it was too late. The thought did not sit well with him.

Lei swept down low and began walking the city streets, just as he had done the previous day, and the day before that. He would walk the entire damn planet if that was what it took to find her. After all, he had something he needed to say to her and she was going to hear it whether she wanted to or not. He was also bringing her back to Astale, where he could keep an eye on her. The last two days had been hellish, and he wasn't about to go through that particular situation again. At least in Astale he knew she would be safe.

Lei moved silently through the mid-morning crowd, not paying attention to any of the people he passed. He was looking for only one person, and everyone else was irrelevant. He checked every alleyway, every shelter, but could find no sign of her. He'd tried going back to where the mirror had been dropped, just in case she changed her mind about Astale, but when he'd gone back all he'd found was the trash can tipped over with its contents strewn about the ground. It was likely that one of the homeless had seen him digging for the mirror in the trash earlier and had searched to see if he'd left anything else behind. He wanted to believe that Mysti had come back for the mirror, and had upended the trash bin in her search for the mirror, but he couldn't be sure.

He came to an abandoned part of the city and began searching every nook and cranny. There were numerous homeless in the area, and at least one of them had to have seen her. If he didn't find her today…well, he would go crazy.

An old woman rushed out of an abandoned building looking frantic. She ran up to an old man, waving her arms in the air in a panic. Lei walked over to the two of them, getting ready to question them.

"Excuse me, but I'm looking for-"

"Oh thank God!" the old woman looked suddenly relieved when she spotted Lei, "You look like a nice young man! Do you have a cell phone on you?"

Lei blinked at her, confused.

"There's a young woman in my home right now who is very sick," the woman said, looking worried, "I don't have the means to take care of her other than keeping her warm and dry. You have to call an ambulance for her or she won't survive!"

There was a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach, "Does this girl have dark brown hair and green eyes?"

The woman looked surprised, "Do you know her? She said she was looking for a mirror right before she collapsed, but never mentioned anyone looking for her."

Lei's eyes widened, "Take me to her."

The old woman nodded and motioned for him to follow her into the old building. Inside there were several cats that stared at him from among the ratty old furniture and piles of newspapers and cans. There was a fire going in the fireplace, but it did nothing to warm the chilly air. Lei spotted a bundled-up figure lying near the fireplace and immediately rushed over to it. He pulled back the numerous blankets and felt his heart skip a beat.

Mysti lay there unconscious, her cheeks flushed from a high fever. Lei was relieved to hear that her breathing was normal, and not raspy with pneumonia, but it still worried him that she was this ill. He picked her up, keeping her wrapped in the insulating blankets, and began to walk out of the building.

"Aren't you going to call an ambulance?" the old woman asked, looking concerned, "She's really sick."

Lei turned and looked at the old woman. After a moment he waved his hand and a bag of gold and jewels fell at her feet, startling her. She looked from the riches to Lei, looking absolutely confounded.

"You have my eternal gratitude for taking care of my friend," he said imperiously, "you need not worry for her health. I will ensure she has a full recovery. Don't spend it all in one place."

"Th-thank you?" the woman said, still confused. Had a bag of gold really just appeared out of thin air? She reached down and picked up a ruby the size of a golf ball. It refracted the light beautifully, scattering shards of red all over the room. She looked up after the man…and found that she was once again alone. She ran out her front door, intending to thank him for real this time, but he and the girl were nowhere to be seen. She looked back down at the ruby and smiled.

"You have a good heart, young man," she said softly, "keep that poor girl safe."

--

Mysti was hot. It was difficult to breathe with all that heat, but she managed to drag the stifling air into her lungs anyway. She had to find that mirror. I don't remember if I asked the old woman about it before I passed out or not. It didn't matter though. She would just ask the woman again.

Mysti sat up, her head spinning with the motion, and out of nowhere a hand appeared and pushed her back down gently.

"You have to rest," said a familiar voice, "I need you alive if I'm going to shout at you until you go deaf."

Mysti's bleary eyes shot open and focused on Lei. He was sitting next to her bed with a thick book in his hands and reading glasses perched on his perfect nose. He looked so handsome like that, with his hair all ruffled and his clothes wrinkled from having sat in the same spot for so long. She had to be dreaming. It was the fever making her hallucinate, that had to be it. Lei was not a nursing-back-to-health kind of guy. He was a let-her-learn-it-the-hard-way kind of guy.

"Am I…dead?" Mysti asked weakly.

Lei closed his book and set it aside. He helped her sit up and produced a glass of water, which he helped her drink from. After she was done he set it aside as well. They sat in silence for several minutes, and Mysti wasn't sure if he was wearing an expression of anger or…something else.

"You could have died," Lei finally answered, "but thanks to that old woman I was able to find you before that happened."

"Oh," Mysti smiled softly and looked down at her hands. She fingered the comforter she was under. She stiffened when she realized that she no longer smelled like sewage and that she was out of the rain. She looked back up at Lei in shock and asked, "Are we back in Astale?"

Lei nodded wordlessly. It looked like he wasn't going to say anything. He must be angry with me, not that I blame him. When all he did was stare at her she took a deep breath and prepared herself. I guess I understand his feelings.

"I'm sorry," she said softly, "I know that it will never be enough to excuse my actions, but I was…upset that my friends didn't trust me enough to tell me the truth."

Lei scowled, "It was never an issue of trust. If we had told you when you first arrived here it would have crushed you. We only wanted to protect you, Mysti."

Mysti smiled sadly and looked back down at her hands, "I know. Those two days I spent back in the other world…they made me realize what an idiot I was. After I thought about it I realized the truth. I guess I still have a lot more growing up to do."

Lei snorted, but he didn't look angry anymore. Mysti glanced up at him, and giggled when she remembered where she'd left her mirror. Lei looked up at her, frowning, "What's so funny?"

Mysti giggled even more, "I'm sorry I threw the mirror in the trash. I'll bet it wasn't much fun finding it there."

Lei grimaced, looking horrified by the very memory, "It was an experience I do not wish to repeat." He stared at her as she laughed softly.

"I was worried about you," he said, startling her. Mysti looked up at him in shock.

"Really?" Mysti gaped, "You were worried about me?"

Lei felt his cheeks heating, and realized with a start that he was about to blush. Him, blush? Dear lord what has happened to me? He fought desperately to maintain his control, but it was more difficult than he had expected. "Of course I was worried about you, you fool," he snapped, "you've been ill for the last three days. We tried to cure you, but nothing helped. Your magic prevented any of our healing spells from working. I thought you were going to…" He stopped himself before he could finish that sentence and cleared his throat, "Anyway," he said, "I'm…glad that you've recovered. We have things to discuss, you and I."

Mysti nodded, "Yes we do. First off, you need to tell me everything you know about my real family, including the man who killed them."

Lei stared at her, surprised by the steel in her voice. She looked determined, and suddenly he knew that she would be just fine. Gone was the sobbing child of before. Only Mysti, the Elemental sorceress and second head of the Deanoia, sat before him now. He resisted the urge to smile proudly.

"Very well," he said, "what do you wish to know first?"

"The name of the man who killed my family, and why he did it."

Lei sighed and sat back in his chair, "Bellator C' Ri. He is a former nobleman from a distant country. He was also a powerful sorcerer. He was an Elemental, like you. His core element was earth. As to why he killed your family…" Lei frowned, looking incredibly upset, "No one knows exactly why he did it. At one time he had been trying to court your mother…while she was married to your father. Both your parents had him arrested by the royal guard, but that did nothing to stop his efforts. Eventually, your family moved far away, telling only the king of Astale where their new home would be. Bellator was apparently very vehement in his efforts to get at your family. He never told anyone why."

Mysti thought that over for a moment, "The papers I read said that he accused my mother of insulting his family name."

Lei nodded, "That was the official report filed by the former head of the Astale prison where he's being held. The old warden was corrupt, and has since been replaced. Bellator refuses to answer anyone's questions about the murders."

"Why wasn't he put to death?" Mysti asked in a solemn voice.

"His sentence was for one-hundred years of torture," Lei answered, "then he would be put to death by the head of the Deanoia clan. Until you arrived there was only king Jeile, and he did not know of your family until you first arrived. Bellator has been rotting in his cell ever since."

Mysti scowled, clutching the blankets around her in a tight grip, "That's…good. I hope he stays locked away forever. I don't want him to hurt anyone else."

Lei looked completely sure of himself when he said, "I will personally see to it that he does not. You need not fear that man. He doesn't even seem to know you exist, and I intend to keep it that way."

She smiled sadly up at him, and Lei felt it strike a chord in his heart. "I wish I could have known my real parents, and my brother and sisters," she said sadly, "I wonder if they loved me. I asked my aunt and uncle if they knew they were going to die ahead of time, but they told me nothing that I could use. Just said that some man appeared on their doorstep and left me there. I would like to think that my parents loved me…"

Lei felt the overwhelming urge to reach for her. She looked so sad, and it pained him when that happened. He had no explanation as to why though. So instead of reaching for her, he masked the urge by standing up and taking his glasses off. "I'll let you rest now," Lei said, his voice somewhat unsteady. He paused, blinking in confusion. Perhaps he was the one getting sick now? His voice had never faltered before…

"Lei," Mysti stared up at him, a blush staining her cheeks. For a moment he thought the fever had come back, but when he placed his palm against her forehead her skin was only slightly warm. She blinked up at him, her blush deepening, "Um…I wanted to say thank you, for coming after me. I thought for sure you would just leave me…but I'm happy I was wrong."

He stared down at her in silence. His hand moved as if it had a mind of its own, gently stroking over her skin and cupping her cheek. Gravity seemed to have become heavier, as he found himself being drawn inexorably downward until his face was level with hers. Her lips parted slightly, as if she had been about to ask a question but had forgotten the words.

Mysti stared at him as his lips drew ever closer to her own. Her entire body was tingling with anticipation. Was he going to kiss her again? What would it be like this time? I love you, she thought as her eyes fluttered closed, so much. I wish this moment would never end. She felt his breath across her lips, and her grip on the blankets tightened as they brushed softly across hers. His kiss was light, almost hesitant, as if he were unsure of himself. His lips brushed hers a second time, then a third.

He could barely remember what she'd tasted like after their first angry kiss, but he would never forget this time. She was the sweetest thing he'd ever sampled, and he felt a need rising within him to have more. He knelt on the bed and brought his other hand up to hold her gently as he parted her lips with his tongue and tasted her fully in a long, languid stroke that had her shuddering in pleasure. Her delicate hands came up and grasped at his shoulders, and the fire in his blood grew stronger. He kissed her more fully, and she moaned softly into his mouth. He pushed her down gently, molding his body to hers.

My God, this is bliss. He wanted more. She felt so right like this. As if she was made just for him. There was nothing but softness to her, and it felt like heaven. And when she kissed him back it felt like he could forgive her just about anything. His hand left her face to trail down her side. His fingertips brushed softly down her neck and over her collarbone, skimming the side of her breast slightly before settling firmly on her hip. She was shaking, but it was not from fear. She clutched him to her, silently demanding more from him. Lei smiled as he kissed her again. It made him happy, knowing that he was the first man to ever kiss her like this, to hold her this way. He'd never been anybody's "first" before. It was a heady feeling indeed.

His fingertips brushed the underside of her shirt, and she gasped at the feeling of his fingertips on her bare flesh. She trembled beneath him, gasping as she surfaced from his kiss, "Lei…"

He was about to silence her with another kiss when there was a sound behind him. The door to the bedroom opened to reveal a shocked Airi, Aram, and Yuino. Airi was blushing scarlet. Yuino simply looked as if she were about to faint.

Lei glared at them angrily, "Haven't you ever heard of knocking?"

Aram was grinning as he stepped forward, "We did knock, but it looks like you didn't hear it."

Mysti's entire face was beet red, and she threw an arm over her eyes in an attempt to hide her face.

"I take it the two of you have made up then?" Airi asked, still looking shocked.

--

Yuino left the room at almost a dead run. Her heart was beating heavily in her throat and tears were threatening to spill over her cheeks.

Lei had been kissing Mysti, and from the looks of it he would have gone much further if not for the interruption.

She'd been horrified when she'd found out that Mysti had been located and was back in Astale. She'd prayed ever since then that she would succumb to her fever and die, but it looked like she was on her way to a speedy recovery. Especially if she was able to shove her slutty little tongue down Lei's throat, the harlot.

So far, all of Yuino's hopes had been crushed. It looked like Mysti was indeed going to be a permanent part of life in Astale. Especially if Lei fell in love with her. He held on to the things he cared for. His loyalty was legendary.

There was only one thing left for her to do now. She had hoped to avoid it, but the bitch left her with no choice.

If she won't give up, then I'll just have to make it so that she has no choice. Yuino grabbed a cloak and a pair of black silk gloves. She took off her glasses and set them on a nearby table. She didn't really need them. They were a part of her projected image of innocence. What she was about to do was as far from innocent as she could get, but she had to do it.

Yuino slipped out of the castle and into the darkness of the oncoming night.

--

After a few more days of rest, Mysti was back on her feet. She still wasn't at one-hundred percent, but she was quickly getting there. She saw Lei only a few times after that evening kiss…the one that still burned bright in her memory and brought a blush to her cheeks every time she saw him. She pressed her fingertips to her lips as once again the sensation of his lips across hers, his hands on her body, and his warmth enveloped her. That had felt so perfect, like they had been made just for each other.

"Mysti, are you okay?" Airi asked beside her, looking concerned, "You look a little flushed. Do you have a fever again?"

Mysti went scarlet and straightened up, looking everywhere but at Airi, "Um…I'm fine! Can we walk in the gardens today?"

Airi grinned knowingly, "Of course. I think that would be a lovely idea. I'm so glad that rain finally stopped. It's nice to see the sun again."

Indeed, after Mysti had woken up back in Astale the weather had cleared up. It was as if her happiness was reflected by the cloudless blue skies. The two of them sighed deeply in contentment as they stepped out under those skies. There were still a few puddles here and there, but everything was blossoming cheerily with life. Even the flowers seemed more brilliant with color.

"So," Airi smirked, "I've been wondering about what happened back in that bedchamber with you and Lei…"

Mysti stumbled and nearly tripped over her own feet. She righted herself and looked away, embarrassed, "Ah, that was um…"

"You don't have to hide it you know," Airi said understandingly, "after all, it's obvious that you love him. The real question is, has that thick-skulled idiot said so himself?"

Mysti stopped and stared at the ground, smiling sadly, "No, he hasn't…but I don't expect him to. I know that Lei doesn't talk about his feelings very much, and I don't want to force him. It wouldn't be right…"

"You wouldn't be forcing him to do anything," Airi declared, scowling, "because any man who kisses a girl like that has to be in love with her, especially if it's Lei. He never does anything by halves. He's probably just embarrassed by his own feelings." Airi grinned, "I thoroughly enjoy seeing him squirm every time he looks at you though. He's just itching to get you alone again, I can tell."

Mysti could feel a nosebleed coming on, "Um, what makes you say that?"

Airi smiled at her, "His fingers twitch, like he wants to reach out and grab you. He really should just give in, but he's too damn stubborn for that. He rarely gives into his baser urges. At least not in public. Things would be so much easier for the both of you if just came out and said he loves you. Even more so if he asks you to marry him."

"M-marriage?!" Mysti stuttered, "To me? That's crazy talk! He would never…I mean, I'm not his type."

Airi rolled her eyes heavenward, "Judging by the way he was about to completely ravish you, I'd say you are definitely his type, Mysti. Lei may be a jerk, but he's an incredibly loyal and protective one. When he finds something he cares for he seldom lets it get away from him."

Mysti hoped deep in her heart that he did think of her that way, but it was all a little too much to handle at the moment. "It would be wonderful…but to talk of marriage when he hasn't even told me he loves me. It's just too soon to get my hopes up."

"But if he asked, what would you say?" Airi held her gaze expectantly.

Mysti wrenched at her skirt nervously, "If Lei asked me to marry him…I would say yes."

Airi squealed with delight and gave Mysti a hug, "Oh that's wonderful! I knew it!"

Mysti laughed and disentangled herself from Airi, "But you can't tell anyone, Airi, not even Mariabel! This stays in the garden! I would die of embarrassment if Lei ever found out."

"Oh alright," Airi grinned, "party pooper. I won't tell a single soul. But I won't be surprised when he does ask you to marry him. Lei's not a fool. He won't let a wonderful girl like you get away."

Mysti blushed and looked away, "I'm really not that wonderful. There are other women far more suitable for him than me…"

Airi lightly pinched Mysti on the arm. Mysti yelped and stared at Airi in shock. Airi smiled broadly, "Don't sell yourself short, Mysti. You're one of the nicest girls I've ever known. Everyone, including Mariabel, Yuino, Nei-sama, and even Veedua-sama thinks so. Don't even get me started on the men-folk. They're all a bunch of besotted fools."

Mysti frowned, "Speaking of which, have you seen Yuino anywhere? I found her glasses a few days ago when I was walking around the castle. I haven't been able to find her anywhere, not even in Lei's office."

Airi looked concerned all of a sudden, "Hmm, I haven't seen her either. Normally she would be making her rounds, and she'd definitely need her glasses for that. Have you asked Lei if he's seen her?"

Mysti blushed, "Um…no."

Airi laughed as they continued their walk through the gardens, "I see."

--

It had taken her days to get here, but she had finally arrived. Yuino stepped down off her horse and allowed the stablehand to take it away. She kept her hood up. If anyone should recognize her as the prime minister's assistant she would be in a world of trouble.

She walked inside the prison to where the warden was stationed. She handed him a signed notice that she had expertly forged, and he asked no questions as he led her to the cell block she was looking for. Along the way some of the other prisoners whistled and reached for her through the bars. Yuino paid them no attention. They were the scum of the earth, and their lives had long ago lost their value. They were utterly beneath her notice.

Finally the warden stopped in front of the heavy iron doors that separated the solitary confinement wing from the rest of the prisoners. He whispered a spell and the doors opened silently. Yuino grimaced at the musty, stale air that rushed out from the corridor in front of her.

"The one at the very end is the one you're looking for," said the warden, "you have five minutes before we have to seal up this wing again. Any longer than that and things could get messy."

"Thank you for the warning, warden," Yuino smiled darkly, "I'll keep that in mind." She stepped forward and made her way silently down the hall. When she reached the door it swung open slowly. She walked inside and spotted what she'd come here for...or more precisely, who.

He was almost as beautiful as Lei, but his beauty was born of cruelty and evil. Evil was always wearing the guise of beauty. That was how he'd managed to slaughter Mysti's family so long ago. His beautiful face and even more sincere manner had lulled them into a false sense of security. He hated the Deanoia clan. Yuino didn't know exactly why, because that wasn't listed in his papers. But she did know he liked making deals.

She had a whopper of a deal for him.

The guard shut the door and locked it behind her, and she sat in the chair across from him. That was all that was in the cell. The prisoner, a cot, and two chairs.

"Bellator C' Ri," she said softly.

Bellator looked up slowly, his violet irises reminding her of ice. He pushed several tangled locks of his black hair from his eyes and examined her.

"What would such a lovely young woman want with the likes of me?" he asked, his deep voice sending chills down her spine.

Yuino ignored her fear of him and forced herself to smile, "I have a few things to tell you. Things you've been waiting to hear for a very long time."

Bellator eyed her suspiciously, leaning back casually in his chair, "What do I have to do to hear these things? And why should I care?" He stretched, the chains on his legs and feet jangling with the movement.

"Do you recall, perhaps, a family you tried to wipe off the planet nearly twenty years ago?" she asked.

Bellator scratched his chin and shrugged, "Perhaps, perhaps not. I've killed a lot of people, enjoyed every minute of it too, but I never make it a point to remember their names or faces."

Yuino's smile was evil, "You'd remember this one. Deanoia."

The instant she said the name his whole demeanor changed. He went from slightly menacing to the embodiment of terror. His eyes practically glowed with malice as he asked in an inhuman voice, "What about Deanoia?"

Yuino held out a photo she'd stolen from Mysti's house so that he could see, "You missed one."

Bellator actually growled as he stretched toward the picture, his chains creaking as he strained against them, "She's pretty. Just like that bitch mother of hers."

Yuino calmly put the picture away and smiled at him, his eyes assessing her, "Yes, but she's a little homewrecking slut. She's ruining my master's life, making him miserable. That's why I came to you."

Bellator raised an eyebrow at her, looking positively menacing, "Oh really?"

She nodded, "I thought I'd offer you freedom in exchange for your assurance that she'll be dead as soon as you can find her. Besides, who better to rid us of such a pest than someone who wrote the book on slaughtering unwanted whores?"

Bellator lowered his head so that his face was hidden. His shoulders began to shake, and soon his laughter began to echo throughout the cell, leeching out into the corridors of the prison where he was held.

"My little girl is all grown up now," Bellator said, licking his lips, "it's time I paid her a visit."

--

Lei and Jeile stared in shock at the message they had just received.

"How in God's name did this happen?" Jeile asked, his eyes wide.

Lei would have very much liked to have known the answer to that himself. "Bellator appears to have escaped using a ring off of someone who was paying him a visit. There are no witnesses…well, none that survived anyway. It seems he still enjoys slaughter as much as he used to."

"So there is no one who knows the identity of his supposed accomplice?" Jeile asked, looking angry, "This is terrible, Lei. This puts Mysti in immediate danger. There is only one thing that man wants, and that is the death of Mysti's entire family."

A jolt of fear shot through Lei, giving way to a surge of protectiveness that had him clenching the paper in his hands so hard that it nearly tore to pieces. He had sworn to keep Mysti safe, and there was a good chance that Bellator had no idea she was still alive. Still, he had to be sure she was safe. That meant he would have to keep her close.

"I will immediately alert the palace guard," Jeile said sternly, "it will be inconvenient for her, but until he is captured again Mysti will simply have to endure being guarded day and night. I will post my most trusted and powerful guards at her door. They will be with her wherever she goes."

Lei stared at the sculpture of a rose on his desk. It was the flower that Jeile had given him years ago when they'd first met. He'd had it encased in crystal to forever preserve it. Jeile, though an idiot at times, was Lei's good friend. It was at times like this that he was reminded of just how much that friendship meant to him.

"Thank you, your highness," Lei said quietly, "I will also guard Mysti. I made a promise to her that I intend to keep."

Jeile nodded, understanding, "Let's hope we can catch him before he finds her."

"Indeed," Lei set the paper down on his desk, resisting the urge to angrily tear it into pieces and throw it into the fire. He had a sinking suspicion that he knew exactly who had helped that monster escape. It was shocking to think that Yuino would go to such lengths to get rid of Mysti, but it was entirely possible. Adding to his suspicion was the fact that Yuino had been curiously missing ever since Mysti had woken up a few nights previous.

"Let us pray your guards find him and subdue him first, Jeile," Lei said in a dangerously low voice, "because if I find him and his accomplice there won't be much left of either of them."

--

Le-gasp! The suspense! The horror! OMG I am such a nerd. I'm actually really excited about writing this. It's the first time I've ever gone that heavy on the make-out session in any of my writing (blush) for one. And secondly, I'm almost finished with it too! If I keep working on this I may have it finished within the next few days (or even today if I'm a good girl and eat all my wheaties). It will officially be the first story I have ever finished! I'm all happy 'n junk. I truly adore those of you who have reviewed! I'm glad you guys stuck with the story this long. Keep on reading and reviewing! I look forward to your feedback!