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LazuliteRose- I'm glad you told me that- Right after I finish this chapter I'm going to go through the whole story and edit the chapters before this one- thanks for the advise and pick me up. And, I'm going to put some Julia/Skye moments in this chapter or next chapter, kay?

Trying To Breakaway- I'm glad you did, because I think I confused myself. Anyway, a bit more of that kicking Skye's ass this chapter, I think. I'm not sure. We'll just have to see, won't we?

10Join-Fei- Thanks, and, the M is for a chapter or two coming up- sorry, if I never said that anywhere.

Author's Note- Hello? Anybody out there? I hope that last chapter wasn't that bad...please tell me it wasn't. Seriously though, I know I've lost reviewers. Or, is everybody just magically busy? I was hoping to get more than 3 reviews for the last chapter...I made it longer...did I insult somebody? If I did, sorry...

. . .

"And you let him go!" I ranted, not noticing how Karen looked as if she wanted to bash my skull in until a second later she actually attempted it with her hand. Whimpering, I looked at her. "What was that for?" I asked.

"For scaring away customers, you idiot!" She answered, clicking her tongue. Sure enough, as soon as I came in, looking like I wanted to give hell, people started pouring out. I rubbed my head sheepishly.

"Sorry?" It sounded more like a question than statement, so I tried again. "Sorry Karen. But, still, why did you let Rick off like that?" She sighed and flicked her hand toward her room in the back of the store, and I nodded and started toward it, her behind me, more than likely contemplating on whether to lie to me or not. I scoffed at the idea. Nobody could lie to me, period. I had three eyes, whatever that had to do with it. My Grandma in the city used to say that to me when I lied about not doing my homework.

"Okay." She sighed again, more out of exhaustion than anything else, I noted silently, as she sat down on the bed, me already beside her near the headboard.

"Rick got the idea about a month after Lillia was diagnosed again, but this time her medicine wasn't strong enough to keep the sickness away- her immune system was weak as it was, having to fight the sickness away for all of those years. Anyway, when I asked him why he was doing it, since he hated his Father for doing the exact same thing so many years ago, he said it just seemed right. Whatever the hell that means..." Karen muttered the last part, but swelled up like a hen a few seconds later, her old flame back. "And he left me with the kids, all alone, and now I have to stay and take care of the supermarket alone, since Dad is sick and has to stay in bed more often with Mom taking care of him, not to mention on most days I have to take care of the Poultry Farm, too, because most of the time Popuri is a mess, crying whenever she walks into the house!" She screeched, now pacing the floor. I looked at her.

"Really? You would think this whole town fell apart after I left, and the Valley, too..." I murmured. Karen came back to her senses and sat down again.

"Oh, it did. With Lillia getting sick and Rick leaving, not to mention Won almost cheating Barley out of his farm in a poker game, too." Karen was about to continue, but I cut her off by saying something.

"What? Barley was almost cheated of of his farm? I swear, you would think May could keep a better leash on him." I stated, and Karen's eyes snapped.

"That's why he played poker! He was ranting about how May was always trying to keep him on a leash, and how he felt just like a young teenager, instead of an old man. Then, after one particular fight with May about him being an old man, he went to the bar at Doug's and Won found him there, and challanged him to a poker match. Won, of course, cheated, but Barley found out at the last minute. I guarentee you, had Barley been really drunk, he would have lost it. You'd be amazed at how much liquor that old man can hold." Karen concluded.

"I suppose I would be." I answered, completely forgetting about why I came there to rant about Rick.

"Anyway, how's it been with Skye? I hear the farm is in ruins." Karen's tone of her voice was apologetic. I nodded thoughtfully.

"It is. To tell the truth, I didn't realize how attached to it I was when I was leaving. I was just thinking, 'I'm never coming back.' And, whoopdidoo, here I am, after so many years. I don't remember how many." I answered her truthfully.

"Hm. I see..." She started, but I cut her off.

"No, you don't." I remarked. Karen smiled and got up, stretching her limbs.

"No, I don't guess I do. Well, come back anytime, Julia. Our doors are always open. If you have money." Karen added and I laughed.

After going around town for my rounds of the day, I walked into the Inn around 8. "Anybody here?" I called. Nothing. Huh. Must be in bed or something. This early, I wouldn't think so, but, hey it's not my problem. I sighed and slapped some money down on the table as I walked by it. Going up the stairs, I heard fighting. Being the nosy person I am, I made myself a shadow on the wall and strained my ears to hear better.

"We can't, Dad! I don't want my kids taking over this stupid Inn!" I heard Ann yell. Woah. I wonder where Cliff is...hmmm...nothing like a good mystery to keep you up at night...Or annoy the hell out of you during the day...

Ah so they were fighting over what was going to happen to the Inn after Doug kicked the can...no matter...wait. Yes, that is a matter. If they're fighting upstairs, how am I going to get into my room I just kinda maybe paid for?!

"I'm goin' in..." I muttered. Just sound the theme music of Mission Impossible and this moment would be perfect.

"Hello?" I said loudly as I walked into the hall upstairs. Man, I must look like an idiot. Or an eavesdropper. Or both. Whatever.

Ann whirled around, surprised, and Doug looked like he just had an epiphany. Opening her mouth and closing it several times, lie a fish, no doubt, Ann looked at me and finally said, "Hey Julia! So, how much did you hear?" She asked sheepishly. Doug snorted.

"It's obvious she was eavesdropping, Ann. Can't you see that? Any senseible preson would eavesdrop at a give chance." He answered, as if stating the obvious. Ann glared at him for a good 5 seconds before turning to me again.

"Room? Of course you need a room, you're in an Inn, upstairs, finding a room..." Ann babbled nervously and Doug slapped his forehead tiredly.

"Take the one on the left, Julia. We can talk in the morning." He said, and grabbed Ann by the arm to more than likely presume the conversation they were having before I so rudely interrupted them. As Doug was walking away, I noted carelessly he looked as if he were getting on in his years.

. . .

After being in town for two more days, I decided I needed to get home. I had dawdled a day, anyway, doing nothing so I wouldn't have to go back so early- Nicole and Lumina probably wanted to kill me. But, sheesh, I only gave them each one job that shouldn't have even taken one day! Well, they were pampered little girls, anyway, so it was probably harder for them than it was me, considering I had grown up in a family so dysfunctional I had to care for myself when I was a little girl. But, that was beside the point.

I sighed when I reached the little hill that led me to my impenetrable doom. I trudged up the little hill grudgingly and was surprised at what I saw.

The whole plot of land that I planted crops on and such was clear of any debris, period, and had a couple crops from Vesta's growing, not to mention the barn and chicken coops looked clean, and the animals I had ordered were outside grazing, and my few chickens I had ordered were clucking away- I think I even saw one chasing Hayden with Amy laughing behind a coop, but I wasn't sure because it was a little far away. I frowned again though, right after I had smiled. There was still the nasty house to clean up, that had taken up dirt and mud and gathered it up disgustingly for years without anybody cleaning it.

Frowning, I walked into the house, expecting hell for staying away so long, but, instead, all I found was Skye, wearing a pink frilly apron, cleaning the floor with a mop. I couldn't help it- I laughed. Who wouldn't? Surprised, he looked up, but, unfortunately, tripped and fell into the water bucket placed beside him.

Concerned, I walked over to him and helped him up. As he dusted himself off, I couldn't help but laugh again. Skye- deadly thief- in a pink frilly apron. He smiled slightly. "Yeah. It does look kinda silly, doesn't it?" He asked. I smiled a little too.

"Well, I would say it doesn't, but that would be lying." I admitted. He tilted his head cutely and I wanted to coo, but kept myself in place. This is the man that cheated on you with a whore! I kept reminding myself, but everytime I look into his eyes, I melt, but I also hurt at the same time, knowing those eyes betrayed me.

"You lie alot, you know. Like that time when you first came to the Valley- you lied when you said you weren't interested in me." He teased. I frowned.

"You stole my prize winning cow. Of course I wasn't interested in you." I answered mechanically. I loved that cow- and I can't even remember it's name. Sad.

"I needed milk!" He protested. I looked at him with disbelieving and amused eyes.

"Did you ever think of stealing milk instead of a live cow?" I scolded. He just looked at me, surprised.

"Wow...I never thought of that...heheh." He muttered, then started walking toward the bathroom. "I need to change." He said, stting the obvious. I rolled my eyes. Idiot.

I walked to the door, about to go out the look at my animals, before I stop myself. Did I just reminence on a friendly time with Skye? Oh damn. I think I'm falling for him again.

Not good.

. . .

Author's Note- I think this is shorter than last chapter, but I was trying to get some past in there. Well, the past we haven't already seen. Anyway, I need to say something...damn, I forgot what it is. Sorry. If I remember, I'll tell you next chapter. Oh yeah! If you go to my profile it says when the next chapter of this story will be out. Yeah, I think that's all I have to say.

R&R, Pretty Please?