Amy woke earlier than usual that day, she supposed that meant she was getting used to the late nights. She looked out the window to see gray skies. It matched her mood. For some reason she felt depressed, used up. She didn't even want to get up, just wanted to lay in bed and not talk to anyone.
Unfortunately, that wasn't possible for a farmer. With a sigh, she got up, and got ready before heading outside to tend to her crops. She ended up harvesting her pineapples, and took them inside to her fridge – saving one for Kai – before taking care of her animals.
Amy headed to the beach to give Kai his pineapple. She'd planned to stay a while and talk, but the instant she arrived, he began flirting with her, and she beat a hasty retreat. Sad that she no longer had Kai as a simple friend, she sank a bit lower into her depression, and the clouds overhead seemed to grow darker.
Afterwards she decided to go to see Celia, hoping that would raise her spirits. She arrived to a big smile from her friend.
"Amy! It's been a while. What's up?" Amy gave her friend a smile and a shrug for an answer, but Celia easily saw that it didn't reach her eyes. "Are you okay?"
"I…I don't know…" she said, shocked that tears were filling her eyes. I-I don't cry! What's going on?! Amy unintentionally began sobbing, and Celia held and comforted her as she told her all her troubles. How hard it was becoming to earn money on her own, her problems with Kai, how much she missed her family…she hadn't realized how much all of this had been bothering her. She had been subconsciously avoiding it, not thinking about it, so she could be happy and continue to work hard. Now she was letting it all out, telling her friend everything…
Even about Skye.
Celia seemed surprised, but not upset or angry much to Amy's relief.
"Please, please Celia, say you won't tell anyone!" Amy begged. Celia hugged her.
"I promise. Why would I do that to my best friend?" Amy's eyes began to tear up again as she realized that was the truth. Celia really was her best friend. She pulled away and dabbed at her eyes before thanking her friend and bidding her farewell.
Amy walked up to the excavation site in a slightly more cheerful mood , and when she arrived Carter and Flora were grimly studying a piece of paper. Instantly getting a bad feeling, Amy turned to leave, when Carter called out to her.
"Amy! Perfect timing!" she grimaced, then put on a fake smile and walked over to them.
"What's up?"
"We just got a note from Phantom Skye." Amy sighed. Of course she thought Did it have to be tonight Skye?! "Would you mind coming here around 11:30?" Amy fake smiled again.
"Sure." That way I can kill him…
They waited.
And waited…
But he did not arrive.
"Maybe he forgot?" Flora mused. Suddenly Carter gasped.
"Flora! He could be stealing from the dig site right now!" He ran out in a rage.
"You stay here just in case Amy!" Flora said as she followed. Moments later, Skye entered. Amy opened her mouth to yell at him, but all he had to do was smile and her thoughts froze…
"Hello, Amy."
And flew right out the window.
"Good evening Skye." Amy replied, her mood instantly brightening.
"I was wondering if you would like to take a walk with me." Amy leaned her head to one side, puzzled.
"Don't we do that every night?" Skye smiled.
"True, but this way it is more like a date." Amy blushed.
"So you left the note just so you could see me?" Skye nodded and held out his hand.
"Will you come with me?" Still red faced, Amy nodded and took his hand.
Not long afterwards, the two of them were at the beach, sitting on the shore, still holding hands.
"You know, I pride myself on making curry." Skye said at one point. "It is what I would like to do for a career. You know, open a café or restaurant." He added with a glance at Amy. "But as much as I make curry, I can never seem to get the taste I'm looking for. What do you think I'm doing wrong?" He looked a bit frustrated.
Amy considered, her brow furrowed, and she finally responded. "Maybe…you're not cooking with love."
Skye cast a surprised glance at her, then chuckled softly.
"Love huh? I never thought of that…" he squeezed her hand and said "Perhaps you're right. I'll definitely consider that." The two of them sat in silence for a while, just enjoying each others company, but both sighed when it was obvious she had to return. Skye stood, and held out a hand to Amy, which she took to stand, but he didn't let go.
"I would walk you home, but a nice girl like you shouldn't be caught out with a thief." He kissed her hand and left, fading into the darkness. Amy sighed happily, and went back to the excavation site, arriving just as Flora and Carter exited the tent. Flora gasped and ran over to her.
"Oh, Amy! You're all right!" she cried as she hugged her. Surprised, Amy stumbled and nearly fell over. "We thought the Phantom kidnapped you!" Amy awkwardly patted Flora on the back as Carter jogged over.
"Where were you?" he asked as Flora realesed her.
"Er…I thought I saw he thief so I went out to look for him." Amy lied. "Sorry if I worried you two. So…he never showed up?" Flora shook her head.
"I guess he changed his mind" she smiled. "Case closed. Thanks for your help Amy." Amy nodded and started on her way home.
The entire way back, Amy felt as though someone was watching her. She looked back multiple times, but never saw anything. (I'm reeeeeeaaaaally sorry about this part guys!) Finally she heard a loud crack and jumped, whirling around.
"S-Skye? Is that you? This isn't fun-"
"Yer sayin' mah name rohng." Came a slurred voice as a shape stepped out of the bushes. "Iz Kai."
"Kai?" Amy sighed "Have you been foll – Um, just how much have you been drinking?" She said when she noticed the bottle in his hand.
"Aw, onee a lil." He said with a wave of his hand. "Anyway, how bou' we go to the Sna' Sha"(Snack Shack)? I kno' yev been dyin' to have some fun wish meh." Kai's grin was lopsided, and a bit frightening as he took a step towards Amy.
"M-Maybe another time. I'm really tired Kai…" she hoped he wouldn't remember the 'another time' as she began backing away. Kai quickly caught up to her though, and grabbed her arm.
"Come on, don' be like tha'! You an' I both kno' ya wan' this." He said, taking both her arms.
"No…Let go!" Amy yelled and started furiously struggling as Kai attempted to push her down. "SKYE!"
"Thaz no' mah name bitch." Kai growled as he raised his hand.
"However it is mine." Kai grunted in pain as a fist knocked into his jaw and fell to the ground. Amy lifted her head and almost began to weep with relief when she saw Skye standing next to her, his silver hair covering most of his face. Kai sat up on the ground, rubbing his jaw.
"Who the fu-" he was knocked unconscious as Skye kicked him once in the head.
"You shouldn't use such language in front of a lady." He turned slightly to Amy "He is your friend, correct?"
"Er, well, y-yeah…" Amy stuttered. She wasn't sure the word friend was appropriate any longer. Nevertheless, Skye bent down to check him over.
Amy watched Skye as he moved around. Every now and then she would get a glimpse of his eyes. They were cold and dark, and absolutely furious. Is he angry with me…? She wondered For not being more careful maybe?
Skye stood up then and muttered "He's going to be fine. Although I will gladly fix that for you if you like." He said with a glare at Kai.
"N-No, no…um…do we just leave him here?" she asked. Skye watched him for a moment before bending down, picking him up, throwing him over his shoulder, and walking towards the Inner Inn.
Surprised by his sudden move and strength, Amy paused and blinked for a moment before jogging after him. Her knees were wobbly though, so she decided to stop and wait for him instead. After a few minutes, he returned, his eyes still furious.
"I left him by the door and knocked until I heard someone coming. I think – Amy?!" Amy's legs started to shake terribly, and then her knees had buckled, causing her to fall to the ground.
"I'm okay." She said nervously as Skye came over to her. What's going on? She wondered as tears came to her eyes. "I-I'm fine, r-really…Woah!"
Skye had lifted her up and was carrying her to the ranch. "I think you might be going into shock. I'll take you home."
"B-But, what i-if someone s-sees?"
Skye rolled his eyes "Oh, just-" he looked down at her face and was silent for a moment before his eyes softened. "Just don't say anything for now okay?" she nodded and put her head against his shoulder. Skye smiled gently as she leaned against him, and gave a small sigh of happiness.
Amy had opened the door for Skye, and he had layed her on the bed, telling her to sleep, and was now gently stroking her hair.
"Skye?"
"Shh."
"No, I need to ask you…Um, were you mad at me earlier?" Her eyes were closed, but she could fell Skye's hand still as she asked.
"Why would you think that?" he sounded shocked.
"Well, you looked so angry and…what?" Skye was laughing softly.
"I just can't believe you actually thought that." He shook his head "I was angry with Kai. Furious really." His eyes flashed even now at the name.
Amy smiled a little and asked "Don't you have to go home? It's getting pretty late…"Skye stroked her hair again.
"I'll stay with you until you fall asleep." Amy smiled again as she slowly drifted off.
A/N: Ah, finally! Finito! With this chapter anyway. I'm very sorry it took so long, and thank you so much for so many reviews!! I'm very happy! I won't take so long from now on I promise, I just needed a break I suppose. I had a lot of stuff going on, and it made me kind of depressed. But I'm happy again! Everything except the fact that Miyavi(The greatest singer on the planet Earth) is married! Other than that I'm great lol!! Thanks everyone!
