DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE WINX CLUB! 4KIDSTV AND THE CREATORS OF THIS SHOW OWN IT!

Author's Nook

"The time has come," the Walrus said, "to speak of many things; of shoes, and ships and ceiling wax; of cabbages and kings."

Thank you to all my diligent reviewers and readers; I hope you enjoyed this fic as much as I enjoyed writing it!

On with the show, this is IT.

Chapter 11: The Tangled Web is Unwoven

That very same night, Musa was back in the tower, her pale face haggard and the dried remains of tears still clung to her heart shaped face as she gazed absently out at the once more full moon.

Silently, a red haired solider moved into the room and closed and locked the door behind him. Leaning against the wall opposite the large open window of the astronomy tower, his dark eyes gleamed with many emotions, primarily longing, anger, and a deep sadness.

"What the hell is going on here? Ever since winter break she's been…different, and you know what it is, don't you, Princey-boy! Well, I want in! I haven't said anything; I don't stick my nose into shit like that—but she's changed, and," Riven faltered, stormy eyes averted to the ground, "Why is she changing?"

"Riven, I can't tell you--"

"Like HELL you can't!" Riven pushed Sky up against the wall of the café.

"Tell me! Was that guy involved? Should I have gone for a death blow?" Riven hissed angrily as Sky watched him sadly. "It's not my place, if she wants to, she'll tell you, but--"

"No!" Shake. "Tell me!" Shake. "Tell me--!" With a jerk Riven was ripped off of Sky, and was suddenly slapped by his already irate girlfriend. "Riven," she said, her voice hard and edgy, "Sit down and Shut. Up."

A half hour later, Riven wasn't so sure he wanted to know any more; it could have been much, much worse, but he still felt so angry. Suddenly, the guilt of starting a fight went away. He didn't feel so bad about pummeling that guy into the ground as he had before; he had unwittingly defended his…his…he didn't know how to think of her anymore! All he knew was that he should have stayed that night…like he had dreamt of so long ago with the white hotel room, and their first time as lovers…

Like a light, it clicked. A slow, clapping sound emerged from the depths of his mind.

Bravo, you've figured it out now. What's your plan now, Romeo?

Standing silently, the street fighter walked away from his friends and left.

Now, on this very night, he stood watching her.

How brave my Musa is…he whispered mentally, smiling briefly at the thought of her being his. Just like I'm yours…an eye for an eye; a heart for a heart.

Not used to being the ice breaker, Riven absently acknowledged that if he ever wanted this as badly as he claimed he did, he would have to meet her halfway; he could not stand there and wait for her to start. Now, he would have to stand and reach out.

"Musa…" he whispered, disturbing the crisp night air.

Glancing over her shoulder, she beckoned him to sit beside her. Taking up her offer, he took the opportunity to lace the fingers of the hand closest to him with his own. After a few tense moments, she laid her head on his broad shoulder, her eyes shut calmly as she took in the moment she had always dreamt of, Just not because of this whole sordid affair…

Swinging his feet over the edge in mimicry of her own actions, he regarded the top of her navy hair solemnly, before lightly bestowing a kiss upon her crown. "Why didn't you tell me?" he whispered to her, an unknown emotion digging into his chest. Fear is but one of many emotions he has never wanted; but like all the others she evokes in him, he cannot help but secretly relish that she leans into him when he speaks just so, as if he mattered, as if he was her pillar of strength. How this action empowers him he cannot say, only that it does, and makes him feel stronger for it.

She is silent, then says softly, "How would you feel, if your many claims that you can defend yourself fell short because of one person?"

Smiling wryly into her hair, he kissed her head again, "Remember who you're talking to, Beautiful; of anyone, I would have understood--"

"No," she interrupted him, "No, this isn't the same as you and Darcy; she might have had you spelled three quarters of the time, but this was different; I wasn't brainwashed, wasn't being controlled. This…this…foolishness…was all of my own doing! Here I am, a kick ass fairy and I can't even defend myself against one measly mortal!" she seethed, clenching her portion of their intertwined fingers.

Stunned by her remark, he almost laughed; almost.

It would have been hard to explain to her if he had burst out laughing due to her remarks that she had to back her claims, when she was always acknowledged by her peers for her strengths, even after getting her ass handed to her on a silver platter.

"So what? You still should have told me…I wouldn't have thought any less of you; maybe tried to gut him, but…" turning her face toward him with his free hand, he brought his lips to her neck, and kissed her pulse lightly, making her jump and blush. Staring at him in wonder as he pulled back, she gazed at him in surprise as he leaned his forehead against her own. "You should know by now, Trouble, that I think more of you than most."

Laughing wryly, she stared at him skeptically, "You do realize how corny you sound, don't you?" Groaning in exasperation, he finally pulled her into his lap, scooting backwards so he could lay down with her firmly embraced in his arms above him. Gazing up at her, he smirked, eyes glittering with a hint of mischief, "You do realize how hard I'm trying here, don't you?" Poking his chest, she smiled and laughed as he poked her sides in retaliation.

Poking him again she was prepared for him to poke back, but not for when he yanked her against him and finally kissed her lightly on the lips.

Warmth passed through both of them, and Musa could swear the music was brighter and and more joyous than she had ever heard it as they deepened their kiss.

He accepted her for who she was, scruples and all, just as she had to him those remarkable years ago when they first met. That was all either could ask of each other; they were anything but perfect. That could interrupt the paradise between them, but these moments of paradise could easily be reclaimed, and even made more special with each twist and turn they took.

FIN