Long time without updates, but as my finals get closer my fanfiction occupies less of my time. I still plan to finish this fic though, and have at least five more chapters planned.

For some reason Camilla Fritton seems to have taken over this story. She loves the sound of her own narration, it would appear. Ah well.

KELLY

I wake up with a throbbing head, and that clinical sterilised smell connected with hospitals filling my nose. My arm is searing and stinging- those painkillers must have worn off. It's still dark- probably just before dawn, my vision's bleary and blotches of colour start to gyrate on the back of my eyelids when I shut my eyes.

I consider buzzing for a nurse but I can't find the energy- or the button.

I think my head's actually starting to spin. Either that or the room is. It's all mind-numbing- no, not numbing, that means the absence of pain, doesn't it? More like mind-burning, and as the room starts to rotate the other way images swirl in front of my face.

The security guards at the Black Jaguar coming towards me, the Boss leaning over me, that briefcase of evil-looking metal objects I'd quickly turned my face away from…

Something like a cross between a wail and a whimper forces itself out from between my lips. It scares me- what have I become? I'm not afraid of anything. I'm Kelly Jones.

And then, out of the darkness, arms are around me, hands rubbing my back, my shoulders.

'Hey, Kel, sweet'eart, 's okay, Kel, I got ya…'

Has Flash been sitting up all night watching me? My heart takes off amongst all the other things…the dizziness and the pain and everything- but it doesn't hurt. It's more a…warmth. Flash is here.

'You want some painkillers or summat?'

'Please,' I croak.

He feels his way around the room; I hear the rattle of the bottle and the click of the lid and he's back, pressing two of the little pills into one of my hands and a glass of water into the other.

'Thanks.' The pain immediately recedes, shrinking back into wherever the hell it came from, and I feel calmer, more in control of myself.

I sigh and allow myself to relax. Flash is here. The stuff in the tablets is swamping me in darkness again. I feel Flash's lips press against my forehead and then I'm gone again.

MISS FRITTON

The girlies get in well past eight in the morning, and my relief is tremendous. What on earth were they doing all that time? It had been my knowledge that the Raid was only supposed to take about an hour- two at most. I'd also assumed the girls would come in jubilant and ready to celebrate their success- but I'm met with sombre little faces. I;m instantly worried. What's happened?

Kelly will know. Kelly will fill me in.

But as I scan the crowd, there's no sign of my Head Girl, or of Harry.

'Annabelle, darling,' I catch my niece by the arm and escort her into my office. 'Where's Kelly? What happened?'

My lovely girl looks like she's had no sleep- which I know she hasn't, but anyway- and if I'm not mistaken (and I seldom am) there are marks where tears have dried on her face.

'Hospital,' she chokes out, a little sob at the end.

Oh, my poor lully girl!

'What on earth went wrong?'

'I don't know,' she whimpers, 'we waited forty minutes but she didn't come back, so we had to go in for her, and…' she needs a minute to gather herself, so I wait. 'Flash came out, and he was holding her, she was…' she can't go on again.

'Flash?' I'd guessed from the stat of the story they hadn't even gotten far enough to get Harry out.

'From the few words I had with Flash, I think…'

'Torture?' I have my hunches. She nods. My poor girl! My poor dear girl! I want to shed a little tear myself. 'Flash is with her, I suppose?'

'Hasn't left her side. '

Ah, good. At least she's got someone there with her. Oh, but what have we got ourselves- no, I know exactly what we've gotten ourselves into, thanks to Polly. I consider carefully. As Headmistress there are decisions that have to be made, and which can't be made lightly. And that most certainly includes letting on to my girlies what I know. This is important stuff, but perhaps it falls under the heading of too important to tell the girls. I have to have this taken care of, for all their sakes and mine. And Harry's, of course. And the sake of many other lives, but I digress.

The point is, a select few of the girls will have to know sooner or later, and my niece qualifies as one of those few. She's been shaken up, though- could she handle it?

I trust Annabelle. She's my own flesh and blood after all- and even if she wasn't, I've noticed something in my niece over the past few weeks. A spark, you might say. She's got the true St Trinian's spirit, and I'm already considering the possibility that she might make a damn good Head Girl next year.

She's going to have to get used to these sorts of things, and with that, I make up my mind. I'm going to tell her.

I open my mouth to speak, but for a strange reason unknown to me nothing comes out, and my mind ponders the fact that out there in the hall there was a strange young man.

What's he doing here at St Trinian's, we ask ourselves.

'Annabelle, who's that boy?'

My niece looks uncomfortable.

'Er, I think you'd best ask Chelsea what that's all about…'

'All right,' I concede, 'I'll do that. Wait here, though, darling, I want to have a serious talk with you in a moment.'

She shifts in her seat.

'Oh, no, dear!' I say, noting the worried look that crosses her face, 'don't think you're on the carpet, so to speak- I'm very proud of everything you've done over the last few weeks. You're a trooper- a true Fritton. Not that I didn't suspect as much, dear.'

I give her my best motherly smile before I leave the room, stepping into the foyer and getting a closer look at this mysterious boy.

He looks…lost, poor lamb, standing against the wall as if he wants to keep out of sight, and he's not sure he should be here. Ah, and there's Chelsea, just like Annabelle said, holding the young man's hand. Something tells me there's more to this than meets the eye- my usually cheery Totty looks very serious indeed. I beckon to her.

'Chelsea, would you step into my office for a moment?'

She starts towards me, shooting an apologetic look at the young man.

'No, no, bring your friend.' The poor boy looks so terrified, I try to calm his nerves with an 'it's all right, dear,' as they follow me in.

Annabelle glances up from the couch, but she seems more absorbed in her own thoughts than the matter at hand, so I leave her to it for now.

It seems dreadfully business-like, me sitting on one side of the desk while they stand on the other, and I don't want to appear intimidating, but there's very little else I can do. There isn't room on that little sofa for four, and I don't want Annabelle to go anywhere until we've had our talk.

'Now,' I begin, 'Chelsea, your friend, here, ah…'

'Basil,' she assists.

'Basil, jolly good- very nice to meet you, dear, I'm Miss Fritton.' I offer him my hand and he shakes it, looking somewhat more at ease. His shirt is odd, it has a little logo on the front pocket. I can't make it out clearly- my eyesight isn't what it was, but it doesn't take a Sherlock Holmes to take an accurate stab at what it is. It simply takes a clever Camilla Fritton with a pound of helpful hints and information in her pocket.

'I do so like a man in uniform. Black Jaguar, is it, dear?'

He's only rather taken aback- I suppose he must know we know about the company by now. Well, after the invasion, he'd be rather dim not to. But why has Chelsea brought one of them back here?

'Er…yes.' He has a timid little voice, too. I scrutinise him. Why, he's only a child, really! No older than my sixth formers, I'd hazard, and by the looks of him he seems harmless. I wonder what the poor boy did to finish up with a nasty group like the Black Jaguar.

'Miss, he couldn't stay there!' Chelsea suddenly bursts out.

'Couldn't he indeed?'

'No- you see, it wasn't his fault that he got mixed up- he needed money and by the time he found out who he'd borrowed it from…'

'Ah, I see.' My dear Chelsea, although not the brightest of sparks, is quite clever when she puts her mind to it, but she doesn't tend to act rationally. I begin to wonder whether she's considered that this could all be an elaborate hoax- that the boy could be a trained professional and have wormed his way in with some clever acting, to catch whoever rescued Harry and notified his boss.

Before I can voice this opinion, though, Annabelle speaks up from the sofa.

'I think it's true, Miss.' She seems to have read my mind! I think we two must have Fritton ESP. 'At the start, Chelsea was appealing to his, um, vulnerability to get us a way into the building, and got all that out of him to try and gain his trust…'

Ah, so this must be the security guard they targeted.

'But I do actually care about him!' Chelsea butts in before I can comment. 'I mean, at first it was just a game, you know, to get him to trust me enough to tell me things, but now I really do care and I couldn't just leave him, he has nowhere to go…'

'And you did the right thing, girlie,' I pat her arm reassuringly. 'Of course we can't have people being torn apart by the mafia- Basil, you are welcome to stay here as long as you like. I'll talk to Harry when he gets back and see if he can find you a job.'

Chelsea looks visibly pleased. Basil cracks out a shy, gratified smile- I think, in my capacity as a very good judge of character indeed, that although he's quiet now, he could prove to be a useful asset to us. Seems like a nice young lad, and he could have enough knowledge of these stuffed-shirt villains to tide us by.

'You two can run along now, I'd like to talk to my lully lolly niece for a moment. Oh, and Chelsea?'

She pauses at the door.

'Send Polly in for me, won't you, dearie?'

ANNABELLE

The conversation with Auntie and Polly leaves me shaking. No wonder Polly hasn't slept in weeks! I sit there after they've finished, trembling so much that Auntie presses a glass of water into my hand.

'We have to do something!' I say when I finally gather enough breath- even my voice quivers, but I know it's true. I wish fervently that Polly had been more successful in telling Kelly about all this.

'I know, girlie, but you know what the littlies would be like it they heard of this. I think it's best Kelly and Harry know before any of the others, especially as they're the sort of people who might go and start trying to sort things out without knowing all the facts. So not a word to anyone until Kelly's back, and she's strong enough to cope with this.'

'But by then-'

'Right now,' Auntie cuts me off, 'we can't even be sure they know it was us who took that USB- and as long as they don't have that, we're all right- that'll buy us some time. They can't do anything that amounts to anything without it. In the meantime, we can try to talk some sense into the police- I know they usually don't take notice of anything our school says- well, not since that police car incident in '98, but it's worth a try anyhow.'

Everything she says makes sense, but I'm still terrified. I know the secret of the Black Jaguar. I know what they want, and what they might do.

This could happen any time- all it would take would be to let our guard down- even just for five minutes, and one of them could get into the school, get the USB and it'd all be over.

Kelly's got to recover soon. We've got to get this fixed- and fast.

FLASH

It's late in the afternoon before the hospital finally releases Kelly, loaded to her fingertips with drugs for the pain what she might still have, and a heap of paperwork what I gotta fill in before we can go.

I've never been so relieved to get outta somewhere in all my life.

No, wait. The Headquarters. Scratch that. But at least this time, we're leaving together, both conscious and (mostly) physically okay.

'Kel!' the second we step out the front doors the twins've launched 'emselves at her- she winces a bit as they jump on her and I'm scared for a sec that they mighta hurt her, but that big genuine smile of hers what I love so much comes shining out at 'em. Aw.

After everything these last few weeks, it's so good to see her happy, even if it's only for a short time.

'Cause I just can't get rid o' this nagging thought that the Black Jaguar'll be on the hunt for us- they'll find St T's, and then we'll be done for.

I can't let that happen. I gotta do summat.

'Over here, Flash!' Tania calls and I hafta put my thoughts aside for the time being. I gotta get the girls back to the school for starters.

I dunno how they done it, but the twins've got us a nice ride back to St Trinian's- pretty fancy car, I wonder who or where they nabbed it from. Tania 'n' Tara chatter excitedly all the way back, but I can't think of nothing but what the Black Jaguar might do. I gotta make this right somehow- still can't shake off the thought that it were my fault everyone got in danger.

Kel seems a bit off too- she stares out the front window, eyes darting back and forth- she looks deep in her own thoughts. Every time the twins say summat she smiles and replies, but she's just as concerned as me- I can tell. And knowing Kel, whatever she's plotting can't be good.

When we reach the school a tidal wave of girls runs out at Kelly- I keep my arm around her to make sure no-one's too rough. My girl- their Head Girl- looks genuine pleased to see 'em, but I can see in her eyes that the gears of her brain are working hard.

Kelly, don't do this. Don't think of summat that'll get you all into more trouble.

Just don't.

KELLY

It doesn't seem like it was only two days ago we broke into the Black Jaguar; for some reason these last couple of days have felt like months. Every second has just dragged on. The entire time I was incarcerated in that bloody hospital I was thinking of how the Black Jaguar might strike, and trying to plan our next move. Problem was, I couldn't actually come up with anything- I think my brain's fried from the medication.

And I still can't. So many things have to be considered. What about the younger girls? If we wait at the school, having the home field advantage and then they attack us for the USB, we're trapped where we stand and there's no way to get the little ones out. The idea of Tania and Tara mixed up in a fight like that makes me want to be sick. They're ten. I have to come up with something else.

But if we evacuate, then what? The girls get scattered to the winds for the Jaguar to pick off one by one- or if they don't, it means we can't ever return to St Trinian's- can't ever come home.

That's out.

Once again, I don't know what to do. All I know is that I'm Head Girl, and it's my responsibility to see the girls safely through this- somehow.

The girls all but throw themselves at me- I'm nearly knocked down by a clump of first years. Flash clings onto me- I know he's worried too. He seems even more possessive of me than normal- it's so weird, but just a short while ago I was taking care of him, and now it's the other way round. I can't help thinking Flash's idea of taking care of us'll be some bloody stupid would-be gallant self-sacrifice. I'll have to keep my eye on him.

Miss Fritton is waiting for me in the foyer, relief flooding her face as both Flash and I enter.

'Oh, girlie! Harry! You're all right! I've been so worried!'

She rushes over to us and sweeps us both into a bone-crunching hug. I have the breath knocked out of me; I hear Flash almost squeak from the force. Miss is acting over-the-top, even for her, and my fist thought is that something's happened while I wasn't here.

'Are the girls-'

'Oh, dearie, they're quite all right. Missing you, of course, but we're certainly glad you're back.' She turns, pauses for a moment, and then turns back. 'If…I could just have a word- Kelly? Harry?' We follow her into her office and sit down on the couch, my hand in Flash's.

'First of all, we're all very pleased you're safe and sound, Harry.'

Flash smiles sheepishly.

'But we need to discuss this Black Jaguar thingy quite seriously for a minute.'

I feel Flash go rigid in panic. 'Er, Milla, I don't fink…'

'This USB drive,' Miss Fritton goes on as if he hasn't interrupted- she rarely interrupts any of us like that unless she feels it's important- 'where is it now?'

Flash looks at me.

'In the girls' dorm, last I checked,' I reply, my concern increasing at her raised eyebrow.

'I rather think we'll need a more permanent solution- Kelly, what you don't seem to realise…'

A crash and a bang bring us all to a halt. I can hear shouting and running. Not stopping to think I jump up and bolt for the door, tipping my chair over but not caring…

I'm running as fast as I can through the hall, but my legs feel like lead. What just happened? A parade of daunting possibilities flood thought my head.

The truth and the horror of the situation are revealed to me once I get to the common room.

It's ablaze- the curtains are billowing up in flames, which are running towards the furniture while an army of chavs and geeks with fire extinguishers try to drive it back. In the split second it takes for me to tale all this in, my attention is also drawn to the way the fire was started- the front window is smashed. Something was thrown in.

Instantly I leap into action, lining the girls up to take down the flames, organising them so they're extinguishing as broad an area as possible. Ignoring the pain in my arm I yank the remaining extinguisher off its wall socket and take aim, thanking God that at least, if we're still on the fire department's blacklist we had enough to prepare for this.

The last of the blaze goes out with a splutter, and we cough and hack and try to waft the smoke away from our faces.

My eyes are watering- I blink and try to open them. 'Is everyone okay?' My lungs fill with dust as I try to speak.

'No-one got hurt or nuffin',' I hear Taylor say and I sigh. For now, anyway.

I'm pretty sure I know who did this, and they're not likely to give up that easily.

'Kel! Kelly!' A pair of arms wrap round my waist and drag me- the last one- out of the still smoking room. I lean against Flash's chest, panting, gasping for air.

'What the hell happened? Kel, I fought I'd lost ya again! You okay?'

I consider. I can feel the fresher air going through my lungs again.

'Yeah, I'm fine- someone threw a Molotov cocktail through the front window,' I say. Three guesses who. My head's telling me to break away from Flash now and stand on my own two feet; my body's not sure it can manage after the shock. My fingers twist around his sleeves.

'Kelly?' Annabelle's hand on my shoulder snaps me out of it. 'You'd better come up to the roof. I think you should see this.'

FLASH

Bloody hell. For a minute there I nearly had an 'eart attack. I hold onto Kel for all I'm worth. I worry about Kel- this Head Girl thing's got her running into danger all the time to save other people. Not that she wouldn't do that anyway- that's just the kinda girl she is- and while that's one of the things I love about her, it means she's at risk all the time.

Bloody selfless, wonderful girl.

The second we hear the explosion- or whatever it is, she's off and running. By the time I get there she's already efficiently put the fire out and gotten all the girls away. Without thinking I haul her outta there. She looks out for everyone- but someone's gotta look out for her.

'Kelly?' Belle's standing behind us in the corridor. I smile at her, remembering our conversation last night, but she don't smile back. 'You'd better come up to the roof. I think you should see this.'

I let go of Kel and she starts for the stairs, throwing a glance over her shoulder at me- she wants me to come.

I trudge upstairs behind them, the sinking feeling what I've got in my stomach getting worse every step.

I remember the last time I were on the roof of St T's – remember Little Fritton trying to convince me to dress up as an art bloke. I hadn't been that impressed with her back then- didn't notice the guts she's got in her.

I remember her voice, ringing through my ears.

What's wrong? Not up to it, Flash? Told you, Annabelle.

And I'd known, even then, that I'd do it for her.

The atmosphere's so different this time. We're here- the three of us like last time, but filled with dread what weren't there before.

We step over to the edge and look out across the hockey pitch.

I feel like hurling my guts up over the side the second I see it.

Turns out the front room ain't the only thing what got burnt.

A large shape's been singed into the grass. A reminder. A reminder what's gotta be thirty feet wide.

The image has chased me for three years, run into my dreams and now it's here, too, threatening my girls.

St Trinian's ain't safe from 'em any more. Seems like no-one's safe from the Black Jaguar.

The Black Jaguar is getting closer. Annabelle's found out their plan, and you probably will too within the next chapter or so. What'd you think?