Vathek limped slowly from Prince Phobos's audience chamber relieved that Frost's little jealous plans never worked out. Of course Phobos was beyond infuriated and berated the two for working against each other when it was plain that they would have easily succeeded in gaining the Heart of Candracar if they just worked together. The only problem with that is there was no way Vathek would work with someone with as little honor as Frost. In fact if Phobos didn't save Aria's life Vathek wouldn't even be working with Phobos but that happened and now he was honor bound to fulfill his duty to his Prince.

What worried Vathek though was when his Prince had dismissed them but at the last moment told Frost to stay. He wasn't sure if Frost was in trouble with the Prince or if the two was plotting something but whatever it was it couldn't be good.

WITCH

Irma sighed as she stood before the mirror in her room Monday morning in just her socks, bra and panties staring at the deep black collar around her neck. It looked more like a choker than a collar as she fingered it, it's material was so different from anything she had ever felt before, it was so soft, almost like a silk or maybe velvet would describe it a little better. It was tougher than anything else she had ever felt before though as it refused to budge, it seemingly growing stronger with every attempt. It didn't have any clasp or any signs of where it closed at but the strangest part of it was the runes engraved in it that seemed to almost glow in an erie blue.

She couldn't wear that thing to school though and had attempted taking a pair of scissors to it but it had shocked her. The blasted thing actually zapped her with a bolt of electricity causing her to cry out in pain. Anna of course came rushing in to see what had happened and Irma had told her that she jus feel. Unfortunately, Anna had caught sight of the collar and of course had to gush over it which annoyed Irma. She couldn't snap at the woman though because she kept remembering what Anna had said when Irma overheard her dad and Anna talking.

Finally though Anna had left Irma to finish getting ready for school, Will's first day of school which excited Irma a little since she learned that Will had shared many classes with her except for a biology class which Will had taken instead of the Art class

Sighing Irma moved to her closet and started going through the many outfits within. She had finally found the perfect outfit though since it was pretty chilly out and it would hide the collar allowing her to keep a low profile. Sadly she didn't want to really keep a low profile, she wanted to track down that bastard Frost and pummel him fro not only suggesting the things he did but for destroying what Yan Lin had said was the key to removing the collar.

For now Irma's only choice was to just wait until Yan Lin could find someway to remove it. Irma hated having to wait though as she had no power while the collar was stuck around her neck. She was defenseless, helpless if any other Meridian creeps decided to attack and if the others needed the water guardian they were out of luck.

Still, the bright side as she thought earlier was Will. The redhead was going to her first day at Sheffield and Irma was kind of excited for the first time about school. It was going to be a good day despite the problems Irma was going through as she would be able to spend most of it with Will and that alone made getting out of bed and dragging herself to the stupid building whose name reminded her more of some kind of mental hospital which was were she was sure half the student body belonged.

Pulling down her ankle length denim skirt and aqua tanktop she pulled them on before pulling out a redish orange turtle neck sweater that she was starting to outgrow but it worked to her favor being a little tight clinging to her curves. Maybe Will would actually notice her today, really notice her.

"Wish me luck, Leafy." Irma said smiling a little at her pet turtle as she leaned down to look into the habitat. It was munching on the food she gave it when she first woke up making her smile a little more, not many people understood what she seen in the thing as a pet. Truthfully she didn't know either, it couldn't exactly play fetch or anything but she always found him really cute and since her father was allergic to fur this would probably be the only pet she would get for a long time.

Moving to sit on her bed next to where she had her shoes sitting she hurried and pulled them on before tying them tightly and grabbed her bookbag. She decided to skip breakfast this morning since she wasn't sure if she could keep anything down with how bad her stomach was fluttering.

"Wow, you look really pretty." Anna said giving Irma beaming smile.

"Thanks mom." Irma said hearing a small crashing noise as Anna dropped the plate she was holding causing the food on it to splatter all over the place. It took a few moments for Irma to realize what she had said as Anna kneeled down to pick up the dropped plate.

"Irma, what did you say?" Anna asked, her voice a little shaky as she looked up into Irma's eyes. The older woman's eyes were misting over which worried Irma at first until noticing the hope in those eyes and the small smile tugging at her lips.

"I said, thanks mom." Irma said waving it off as if she said it everyday though she knew she didn't. It didn't feel too bad saying it and if it made the woman so happy would it really be so bad? Irma really did like the woman and if it made her father happy being with the woman who was Irma to stand in the way?

"Irma!" Anna cried happily leaving the food and plate as she launched herself at Irma wrapping the girl in a strong hug. "Do you mean it?"

"I…I guess. I'm sorry that I've been such a bitch to you but if I have to have another mother I'd rather it be you. I…I really like you and I finally understand that you aren't trying to replace my real mom." Irma said returning the hug, "I…Welcome to the family, mom."

"I really have your blessing?" Anna asked pulling away, wiping the wetness from her eyes.

"On one condition." Irma said taking on a serious expression though she couldn't help letting a little bit of a smirk form on her lips as a worried expression came over the older woman's face.

"A-Anything." Anna said nervously.

"Make mea bride's maid at the wedding." Irma said as she grew a full blown smirk.

"How about maid of honor?" Anna asked hugging Irma again, kissing the top of the girl's head again.

"A normal bride's maid would be great, I'm sure you already have someone picked out as your maid of honor." Irma said though she really would have loved to just say yes.

"Of course I did, Irma." Anna said smirking herself, looking almost like an older version of Irma. It was just another reminder how much the woman looked like Irma. In fact Irma's birth mother never really looked like Irma at all. "I was thinking of this girl with a mischievous nature to her, always ready with a sarcastic reply but with a big heart. In fact, she's one of the most beautiful girls I've ever met and I am not being biased. I'm sure some redhead would be very lucky if the girl would just admit how she felt."

"Anna!" Irma sputtered blushing brightly as she tried to avoid the older woman's gaze.

"What, no more mom?" Anna asked in a playful tone.

"You just startled me." Irma said as Anna gently took a hold of Irma's chin and raised her head so their eyes met.

"Irma, I always did want you to be my maid of honor if could get your blessing." Anna said wit a small smile, "And I really think you should tell Will how you really feel for her instead of torturing yourself."

"Mom, she couldn't feel the same, and even if she did she deserves better." Irma sighed.

"Irma, listen to me, there is nothing wrong with you and I said it before and I'll say it again, Will would be lucky to have you." Anna said, "I'm very proud of you, Irma and so is your dad."

"I doubt he would be if he knew how I was." Irma sighed sadly.

"Your father will love you and be proud of you no mater what," Anna said kissing Irma's cheek.

"I-I have to get to school." Irma said hugging the woman, "I'll see you later mom."

WITCH

Will nervously waited outside for Irma to pick her up though she would have rather walked. It wasn't because Irma was picking her up though, no it was because Irma's dad was taking Chris, Will and Irma to school. She had promised her mother to at least to try to be civil to the man since he was Irma's father and one of the people who helped out the most with all of their new things. Susan had actually wanted Will to give the man a chance but if the redhead couldn't at least be nice to him.

The sight of the police car coming around the corner caused Will to groan, the least they could have done was come in a normal car. Clutching the backpack Anna had sent her Will started walking to the car as it pulled up next to Will.

"Hey Red!" Irma called from the back seat, its windows down. It didn't look like a normal cop car, there wasn't anything separating the back seat from the front and apparently the doors were openable from the inside as Irma leaned over and opened the door as Will climbed in.

"You!" Will snapped a she shut her door and for the first time got a good look at the man behind the wheel. There was a younger boy sitting shotgun next to him.

"Ah, so you're Irma's new friend." Tom asked holding a box of doughnuts toward Will with a friendly smile, raising an eyebrow in amusement. "Doughnut?"

"Y-Yeah, thanks." Will said shakily accepting a glazed doughnut from the box.

"Your very welcome, young lady." Tom said smiling as he set the box back down on the seat and pulled out.

"Will, its okay." Irma whispered scooting up against Will so the two girls could have a quiet conversation. "I think I figured out why you don't like cops."

"Y-You did?" Will asked, her heart starting to beat faster, thumping in her chest as it felt like her stomach was plummeting.

"Yeah, a cop was responsible for killing your dad. Will, my dad would never do that, he's a good man and a good cop." Irma whispered, "I understand if you don't like cops but please give my dad a chance."

Will looked up in relief t the other girl, happy that she didn't know the truth but Will couldn't lie to her so didn't say anything about it. She did notice her friend's blush which confused Will, why would the girl be blushing just because they were sitting close together.

"Are you girls okay?" Tom asked while looking at them through the mirror, a sad and worried look on his face as they stopped in front of the elementary school where Chris went to.

"Bye dad, bye Will, die Irma." Chris laughed before rushing out of the car after sticking his tongue out at Irma.

"Will, I'm sorry about your dad but I would never hurt anyone without good cause." Tom said.

"Sure, thanks Mister Lair." Will sighed moving to her door and leaning her head against it staring out the open window. She heard both Lairs sighed before the car started moving forward. She couldn't tell them that they were wrong, she was too scared too find out what they would think if she did. She just didn't want to deal with it so just retreated into herself which was something she was starting to get used to.

"Have a good day girls." Tom said breaking Will from her thoughts as she. Looking up she felt her heart drop at the crushed expression on the mans face. He really did seem to be trying to be nice but Will didn't think she could really trust him.

"You to, thanks for the lift Mister Lair." Will said giving the best smile she could muster.

"Thanks daddy." Irma said kissing his cheek before climbing out of the car. Will watched the car drive off before turning to Irma's nervous expression. "Will, he really is a good man."

"Irma…I want to believe it but from what I've seen cops are crooked and only care for themselves." Will sighed while running her fingers through her hair. "Irma, that's not exactly what happened but…I'm not ready to talk about it. Please just give me time, okay."

"I'm sorry Will." Irma said sadly.

"Don't worry about it." Will said hugging her friend who seemed to melt in her arms. Looking over Irma's shoulder Will saw a bulky boy making his way into the school's courtyard while giving the two a long look. For a moment Will's head started spinning but it quickly passed as she wondered why the boy looked so familiar.

"Thanks Will, I don't know what I'd do without you." Irma sighed, "I really love you."

Will smiled at the words, she could feel that Irma meant them completely. She knew that no matter what happened she really did have a friend in Irma and who knows maybe more. Irma almost seemed like the sister Will had always wanted though was glad she never had. If Will had a sister then she would have had o go through the same hells that Will herself did and that was something she didn't wish on anyone. That was he whole reason she couldn't talk to Irma about the truth, she couldn't burden the girl with her problems.

WITCH

"Are you sure, Blunk?" Caleb asked pinching his nose closed as the stench from the pastling was even worse than ever. If what the creature was saying was true then it would help a lot when Will started sealing the thirteen portals which was something that was gong to start happening very soon as Yan Lin had dug out the map of the portals which would aid the guardians in their quest but hinder Caleb's job.

"I heard it myself, there is a small patrol sent to retrieve the seal and bring it back to the castle." Blunk said.

"We don't have much time, we can't wait for the guardians and I'm not sure if it would even be a good idea to tell them." Caleb said rubbing his temples. He cared for Cornelia greatly as have been dreaming about her for years as she had him though he had yet to admit it to anyone despite Cornelia already doing so. He wanted nothing more than to hold the girl in his arms but was afraid of her safety and needed to free his world before he could allow himself that luxury. "I'm going to Meridian, where's the portal you used?"

"Blunk come with Caleb?" Blunk asked in hopes of Caleb not wanting him to.

"They'd smell you coming a mile away, Blunk." Caleb said cracking his knuckles, "No, this is something I have to take care of."

NOTES

Well, here's the first chapter for part three. So what does everyone think about this story and where its heading so far? I'm sure everyone can guess where the pairing is going which was a close to being a tie with Matt counting PM's, reviews and e-mails. This won out though just barely and hope everyone will like it.

Ideas? Suggestions? Comments? Please PM, e-mail or definitely leave a review please.

Xfilesoc: Thankies ,here's the newest chapter, hope you enjoyed.