:) So time to thank the reviewers who are the best thing since sliced bread (and sliced bread is darn good, I mean think of all the carving up bread with knives that it saves! But I'm not here to endorse sliced bread...)

kelley28: Well if you can't decide then you must be okay with both, which is definitely a good thing, but I hope I made the right decision, you see I had to flip a coin (I'm joking... sorta).

YukiShinoya444: Aww yay, thank you, glad it made you feel all sorts of... erm... strange emotions ;) including the emotion of pudding... Is there any greater feeling than pudding?

Awesome Rapidash: Yeah, the first good thing to happen to Lumina so far I think, but it is a sad occurance for Rock.

Chicken Yuki: :) hehe, heaven-like, my new favourite adjective and thank you for all the "heaven-like" congratulations. Hmm Rock and Muffy would be an interesting couple, but Rock would first have to get over being in love with Lumina, and Rock feeling some genuinely sweet emotions happens once in a blue harvest moon. Haha, yeah the rich Mukumuku gag must be continued people! Someone's gonna have to write their own fanfiction about a rich yeti, because really the gag needs to be published!

Momo-chan12: Well I wouldn't want the elves to capture me again, last time they stole my kidney (no joke!), but I do have a date with one of them next Friday... what should I wear? Glad you liked the emotional descriptions!

11. Beauty and the Scientist

"Rock I'm going to the farm to help Jack, tell Ruby I've finished my chores." Lumina announced up the stairs to Rock, who was busy changing.

"What? But I thought we were going to ask more people about Romana?" Rock replied, emerging from his room and walking towards her.

Lumina shuffled her feet and looked guilty. "I kinda promised Jack I'd meet him today, I mean questioning people can wait."

"But I thought this was the most important thing to you..." Rock said, a hurt look on his face, he looked betrayed. "I thought you wanted to find out who murdered her? What if she can't rest until the murderer is caught?" He asked, filling her with anxiety. Honestly he was pretty sure that Romana would be resting just fine whether the murderer was found or not, but he wanted to keep Lumina away from Jack and with him.

Lumina sighed, he couldn't understand that this was more important for two reasons, one: she still hadn't told him about her kiss with Jack and two: he wasn't a teenage girl. She had wanted to tell him, but for some reason she couldn't, she felt somehow like he'd be disappointed in her, much like he was now.

"She can wait a day I'm sure, after all she'd want me to be happy..." She said. Rock caught the hint and sighed.

"Fine go ahead, but don't come crying to me when Romana blames you for leaving her in hell while you go help a stranger." He accused.

"He's not a stranger!" She protested with a pink blush on her cheeks.

"Whatever," Rock said dismissively, turning back up the stairs. She felt kind of guilty, but she really wanted to see Jack, so she ran off towards the farm.

She dashed up, grinning stupidly as she arrived at the green pastures, she couldn't wait to see him. She spotted him swinging his shining sickle and mercilessly slicing off the heads of the dry green grass.

"Jack," she greeted, her eyes shining brightly like a child would when looking upon a brand new toy, not that she saw him as a toy. He was so much more than that, he was her first love.

"Hey Lu," he smiled and she blushed, he was already using her nickname. She rushed into his arms and he held her tight brushing his lips lightly against hers. She beamed at him, happy just to be held.

Takakura watched from a distance, a look of indifference on his face, as always, which made him look unhappy. He could tell that this was first love for Lumina and that Jack was falling for the girl. He watched as Lumina ran to greet Pepper the dog, tripping in her haste and falling to the ground, Jack ran over to her looking worriedly over her fallen body and her laughing. He looked down at the ground darkly, it would almost certainly end in tears.

"I'm okay, honestly." Lumina giggled as Jack kissed her knee better for the hundredth time.

"Maybe I'm not just kissing it better any more..." Jack joked and she slapped him playfully. Lumina beamed at him, suddenly her eye caught the image of Daryl leaning by the waterfall, watching Flora closely.

"Look over there," she pointed and Jack's eyes followed to where she gestured. He spotted the scientist crouching, like a predator ready to pounce. A creature dressed in a dirty white overall, grubby green shirt and black trousers.

"What's with him?" Jack asked, holding Lumina's hand gently as he walked towards the scientist.

"I don't know, would it be wrong if we spied?" She asked, looking too innocent for the words she spoke.

Jack grinned and shook his head, "I think since Daryl's spying that it's okay to spy on a spy spying."

They walked over to the scientist and watched as he mumbled to himself, only just coherent and audible over the rush of the waterfall.

"How dare he steal my Flora, she's so beautiful, stupid Carter. Well I'll get him, I'll," Lumina's foot crunched on a twig and her eyes widened, looking like a sheep caught in the headlights. Daryl turned, surveying Lumina angrily as she looked apologetic.

"Hey Daryl," Jack greeted as though nothing had happened, his hold on her hand comforting Lumina.

"Were you spying?" He hissed, his face red, looking a mixture between angry and embarrassed. He had a slight lisp making him sound completely unthreatening.

"No," Lumina shook her head waving her hands frantically. "Of course not, we were just walking..."

"Good," Daryl said, standing up and brushing off his already filthy lab coat. "Goodbye." With that he turned on his heel and walked off. Lumina looked over the river and spotted Carter and Flora deep in conversation, Flora giggling at something he had said. Lumina gasped in realization and Jack looked at her with curiosity.

"I think Daryl has a crush on Flora! Oh poor him, you can see how close Flora and Carter are." Lumina shook her head sadly.

"Do you really feel sorry for him? I mean he's a creep!" Jack protested, looking over at Flora. She wasn't really his type but he'd admit the archaeologist was gorgeous with her flowing golden hair and intuitive purple eyes.

"Yeah, it doesn't matter who you are, it still hurts if the person you love is in love with someone else." She told him, thinking of herself and Marlin bitterly.

"He'll get over it," Jack said dismissively. "Now let's go inside and have tea."

"No," Lumina frowned, her hands on her hips in a way that said "don't mess with me."

"What?" Jack asked, cocking his head in confusion. Lumina found it hard to keep her stubborn pose, he looked so cute like that!

"I'm gonna go see if Daryl is okay." She turned away from him and then looked back with regret. "Maybe I'll see you around."

Jack bit his lip, maybe, did that mean she might not? He had never met anyone like Lumina, he couldn't imagine losing her already. But he couldn't understand why she'd walked away like that? What had he done wrong?

Lumina walked into the front "garden" of Daryl's lab cautiously, it looked rather unsafe, not to mention the buzzing of electricity that could be heard. She looked at the questionable building and inhaled a deep breath of air, "in I go," she thought grimly. She knocked on the door and Daryl answered almost immediately. His bloodshot eyes looked even redder than usual and his dishevelled black hair fell into his eyes. His thick eyebrows made a questioning frown as he watched her over his hooked nose.

"Uh... hey Daryl, are you okay? Do you want to talk?" She asked gently, trying to feel sorry for the scary person in front of her.

"No," he answered which she assumed was the answer to both questions.

"Uh, well can I come in?" She asked, shifting her feet unsurely. He sighed and stepped backwards to let her enter. She walked in and gasped, the place was a complete mess; Ruby would have a fit. She inspected the room and looked at the strange, possibly scientific writing on the blackboard. Beneath the strange symbols was engraved "Flora", Lumina smiled sadly, he was obsessed.

"Oh Daryl, you really like her, don't you?" She said, it was more of a statement than a question. She saw him nod out of the corner of her eye and knew that was the best response she would get.

"I know how you feel... see I had a thing for Marlin, but I saw him with Celia. It broke my heart, I know how much it hurts. But... I think Flora and Carter are really close, but I'm sure you'll get over it..." She said softly, really feeling for poor Daryl, it wasn't his fault he was a creepy scientist with no chance.

"You, you could help me..." Daryl said slowly, the cogs in his brain working quickly. Lumina's eyes widened and she shook her head quickly.

"No... no really I couldn't. I mean, you should move on, some things aren't meant to be." She could tell by the glazed look in Daryl's eyes that he hadn't listened to anything after the words he had said.

"Look I've gotta go, so, um... bye..." She said frowning as she walked out and he remained with the exact same look on his face.

"And he just stood there! It was so creepy!" Lumina finished telling the story to Rock who had been more than happy to listen, lately he had felt a little neglected. Still the story he had heard wasn't exactly to his liking, Lumina and Jack, the thought cut him deeply.

"So you and Jack..." He echoed and Lumina frowned. She had had to tell him about the night with her and Jack and he hadn't seemed to take it well.

"Rock," she sighed, taking his hands in her own and catching his earthy brown eyes. "This doesn't change anything between us, we're still best friends. Besides, I don't think there is a "Jack and me" anymore."

Rock's eyes brightened and his ears perked up. "No?" He barely even tried to conceal his interest.

"No, he didn't understand what Daryl had been through. He couldn't bring himself to feel for him, how could I like a guy like that? Someone who doesn't see the world past his own... perfectly shaped... nose." She said softly, a hint of regret in her voice.

"Poor Daryl," Rock said quickly, hoping for brownie points. "What are you going to do?"

"About Daryl?" Rock nodded the affirmative. "Oh I don't know, I told him to get over it and that he could talk to me, but I don't think I can do much else. He needs to do this himself. I'm just worried..."

"It'll be fine," he reassured her smiling. "You wanna go to the bar?"

She shook her head sadly. "No, I need some time in."

"Well I could stay with you," Rock offered. "We can make snacks."

"No, I really need some time alone if it's all the same to you." She said, standing up and walking up the stairs, to retire to her room.

"Sure..." Rock said softly, though really it wasn't the same, it wasn't the same at all.

Daryl sat outside the tent, a bunch of flowers in his hand, he was going to win Flora over no matter what. He could hear her giggling softly inside the tent and the light shone against her figure projecting a shadowy silhouette on the stony wall near the waterfall. Next to the feminine form of Flora was a masculine one, which he guessed belonged to Carter. His eyes filled with tears as he saw the faces of the silhouettes merge, Carter and Flora had realised their feelings.

"Oh Flora, I love you, I'm sorry I never told you."

"I love you too, I always wanted to tell you."

Daryl felt the tears trickle down his cheeks, this couldn't be, the only woman he'd ever loved. He'd never had much luck with women, but he thought Flora was different, she was intellectual. He thought she would see past his scientist looks and see the man inside, but she couldn't, she'd fallen for Carter. He couldn't let that happen, this was beyond love, this was obsession; he would win her no matter what. He had a plan. He'd get them and they'd both be sorry.

Rock sat at the bar, stirring his mockingly colourful mini-umbrella in his Stone oil. He took another sip, savouring the burn of the light brown liquid. Muffy wasn't at the bar that evening, apparently she had been too sick to work. Well that was fine with him, he'd rather drink alone. Griffin came in every so often, but just to refill drinks, he would then return to tending Muffy.

"Cheers," he muttered, gulping down the rest of his drink. He wanted to get intoxicated before the evening was over, he was drowning his sorrows. Suddenly the door swung open and his mortal enemy walked in and took a sit next to him.

"Hey," the farmer said bitterly, "quiet night?" Rock nodded and sat looking at his empty glass. On cue Griffin arrived to refill the drinks, he had heard the door open and ran down.

"Howdy y'all, what can I get you?" He asked, standing behind the bar.

"Another Stone oil," Rock ordered handing him his glass.

"Same," Jack nodded at Griffin who turned to make the drinks.

"You two alright? You both seem a little down in the dumps…" The friendly bar keeper asked with a concerned look on his face. Only Rock knew that they were both moping over the same woman.

"Women," Jack muttered, taking the thin brown liquid from Griffin.

"Ah well, I'm sure you'll sort it out. Speaking of women I'd better go tend to Muffy." He said, rushing out of the door. Rock took a sip of his drink, looking determinedly at the wall, he really didn't want a conversation with the rival for Lumina's affections.

"Hey Rock, you're really good friends with Lumina, right?" Jack asked looking at him desperately. Rock sighed and nodded, glancing bitterly at the farmer. "Has she told you anything about me?" The farmer looked so pathetically sad that Rock couldn't help take pity on him.

"Yeah, she said... she said she really liked you, but she can't have a relationship with someone who can't feel for someone else." Rock told him, wondering after he said it why he was helping this guy.

"What? It's Daryl, how am I supposed to feel for him? He's a total creep!" Jack complained, taking a sip of his stone oil. Rock had to agree with him there, he'd never liked the strange scientist.

"I guess, but she feels empathy for Daryl. His situation reminds her of one she once had." Rock mentally slapped himself, he needed gagging. Why was he helping this guy? "Because you could easily like him, if Lumina didn't."

"What?" Jack asked, leaning forward with curiosity.

"She used to have a big thing for Marlin, but she saw him kissing Celia when she was gonna tell him her feelings for him." He told Jack.

"Oh god, I must have sounded like such a jerk!" Jack slapped his forehead. "I really like her, I don't want to lose her. She's just... she's the most amazing girl I've ever met." Jack told Rock, looking down at his drink. Rock watched the farmer, he felt the same way. He suddenly felt less stupid about helping the farmer, if he felt the same way about Lumina that Rock did then he could accept him, as long as she was happy.

"She's great," Rock smiled to himself, proud that she was his best friend.

"She is, I'm gonna tell her that I understand. Thank you for everything." Jack shook his hand and ran out of the door, leaving his drink half full.

Rock sighed and picked up the cup that he saw as half empty, he downed it quickly, extra help to drown his misery.

Jack arrived and found Lumina standing by the door frowning, she watched him with curious eyes.

"Lu, I'm so sorry I was a jerk. I understand that you felt like Daryl did once and that no one should feel that way, I like you too much to lose you now. Please don't let this go... not until we see what it could be." He said quickly, not giving her a chance to say anything.

She smiled softly, tears shining in her eyes. "I was just about to say the same thing," she wiped the tears away. "Why am I crying? This is stupid."

Jack shook his head and took her into his arms, she was so small compared to him. She was so much shorter and just came up to his shoulders. "Nothing about you is stupid." He leant down and kissed her softly, suddenly they heard a bang from near the dig site.

They ran towards the sound and found the entire dig blown up, Daryl standing there watching. Lumina's eyes widened, grief could make people do stupid things; she just hoped Daryl hadn't done anything he would regret.

"Daryl?" She shouted desperately. "Were Flora and Carter down there?"

Still Daryl didn't answer, a mad glint in his eyes. Her heart began to beat quickly, her pulse rate rising quickly, Jack held her in a protective embrace.

"Daryl!" She screamed, her voice wavering. He turned to look at them, his eyes wide. He suddenly ran into the dig, which was now a big ruin. Lumina escaped from Jack's embrace and ran in after him.

It was dark, the torches that were usually in there had been blown up and the dust that had been disturbed by the explosion was still thick in the air.

"Daryl?" She shouted, she could hear the sound of rubble being moved as she walked in.

Jack stood at the surface, still shocked that Lumina had ran in, were Flora and Carter still in there? The two in question suddenly appeared from the tent, red faces, their clothes dishevelled.

"Where have you two...? Oh." Jack said with realization and they flushed. "So Daryl didn't try to blow you up?"

"No, we heard the bang and hurried to dress." Flora explained, looking at the ruined dig.

"All our dreams," Carter whispered sadly. Flora shook her head and gripped his hand comfortingly.

"Not all," she told him with a smile, which he returned.

Jack's eyes widened. "Lumina's in there," He took a step forward to follow her in but felt a firm hand on his shoulder. "Carter?"

"Have a little faith." He told him with a smile. Jack swallowed but nodded all the same, watching the entrance to the dig.

It was dark inside the dig and Lumina could barely see an inch in front of her face, still she shuffled through. At the end she could see a light which she continued to walk towards, all the time calling Daryl's name. Eventually she found her way to him, he was standing in front of a pile of relics.

"Daryl... what?" Lumina asked, completely confused. "Where are Flora and Carter?"

"Probably still in the tent... together." He muttered sadly. She opened her mouth to say something but then closed it in understanding.

"Oh, you saw them together?" She asked sympathetically.

"Heard them," he stated, looking down at the relics.

"So why did you do this?" She asked, looking at the pile of relics. He looked at his work, these were the relics that Flora had been searching for, these would boost her career.

"They'll make Flora happy, my research informed me that I should let her go. So I decided to do this." He informed her. She cocked her head, seeing him in a new light. He really wasn't the psycho he appeared to be... well he was... but there was a good man inside.

"You're a good man Daryl," she told him. "You'll find someone someday."

"I don't intend to, research is my love interest."

"Okie dokie then?" Lumina said with a frown. "Here let me help you." They both picked up the relics and took them outside.

Lumina appeared from the dig, her arms filled with relics. Flora and Carter simultaneously gasped, looking at the relics.

"These, these are the rare relics? We can now write our book about ancient civilisations in the Valley!" Carter exclaimed, grinning at Flora. Jack pulled Lumina into his arms, thankful for her safety. He kissed the top of her head proudly.

"Thank you." Flora told Daryl sincerely, kissing him lightly on the cheek, he turned beetroot red. So he hadn't exactly got the girl, but he had made her happy.

"Told you he was a good guy," Lumina told Jack with a smile. He grinned back at her.

"You did, I was wrong." He admitted and she giggled, she still loved being right.

"Damn, I though my explosion would blow up all the important relics!" Daryl cursed.

"What? I thought you got these to make Flora happy?" Lumina asked confused.

Daryl shook his head. "No, I thought these were the unimportant finds, I wanted to tell them that these were all that had survived! But this is just what they wanted!"

"But you said you wanted to make Flora happy and let her go!" Lumina protested, how could she be wrong?

"No, I said that my research said I should let her go and that the relics would make her happy. I never said I wanted those things. I wanted them to be miserable like me! Their life's work down the drain!" Daryl's high pitched laugh rang out through the evening sky.

Lumina slapped her forehead. "I really thought he was a good guy," she told Jack sadly.

"I think deep down he is, he's just a little upset." Jack offered. Lumina smiled, he was probably wrong, but she appreciated the effort. They watched as Daryl stormed off angrily and Flora and Carter exchanged confused glances.

"So... are we good?" Jack asked, changing the subject quickly.

Lumina nodded, "we're good."

Jack grinned and pulled her into his arms, kissing her softly, one of those fairytale kisses. She closed her eyes, her Prince Charming.