This was more of a filler chapter than anything. Not a lot happens per se, however, it will come in handy later on!

Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade. Just Jessy and Draiza.

Chapter 12

Tala had arranged for our flight back home to be in one week. It was just enough time to see Max and Ray again for a couple of days. They decided to come back so the Bladebreakers could figure out just what was going on with those mysterious bladers.

The day their planes were due to arrive, Tyson was running around the house in a frenzy! He was so thrilled that his friends were coming back. It was contagious. Even I couldn't help being excited to see them again.

Deciding against being crammed in the van with all of those people in it, Tala and I opted for staying at the dojo while Tyson, Kenny, Hilary, and Mr. Granger drove to the airport to pick them up. While they were gone, we decided to cook up a special meal.

I really enjoyed cooking. Since I've been here, Mr. Granger has let me cook any time I wanted, which rolled over pretty well with Tyson, since his grandfather couldn't really cook. It was very therapeutic. I was no master chef, by any means, but it was fun and I was actually pretty good at it!

By the time the Bladebreakers got back, the house smelled lovely and the food was almost done. They came thundering in like a herd of elephants, with Tyson leading the way. He smelled food. Hell, he could probably smell the food a mile away.

We ate and laughed and talked. It was wonderful, like Max and Ray had never even left. Conversation flowed like water and at one point I found myself talking to Ray about the Abbey, shocking enough. He was being very polite, and I found him rather easy to talk to.

"That must have been very rough," Ray responded delicately after I mentioned some of the sick, twisted stuff that Boris did with his "lab rats," A.K.A. us. I nodded and looked down at my food, suddenly unable to eat anymore.

I realized that the whole table had gone silent. They were all staring with rapt attention. I'm guessing they heard my story.

"Can I just say something?" Max asked. "You are such a strong person!"

Alright, I wasn't expecting that.

"You went through that and came out the other side, still intact!" he seemed awed. "I mean, I like to think that I've seen a lot since I've been traveling, but I've never come across someone quite like you!

Boy, he was really laying it on thick! My face felt like wildfire.

"You had to deal with this, too, Tala?" Ray asked. Tala nodded.

Hilary chimed in, "I didn't know you had been in that awful place! Now, I understand you guys a little more."

I glanced at her. She seemed impressed. By what, exactly, I wasn't sure. Us?

"That's what I've been telling you guys this whole time! They're friggin' amazing!" Tyson gloated, gesturing to me and Tala.

I looked around the table, at everyone's faces. I was awed by what I saw. No matter what I had been through in the past, these people cared about me. Ray patted my shoulder, startling me from my thoughts.

"You sure are one amazing person," he praised. Everyone nodded.

I glanced across the table at Tala. His icy eyes glinted with approval.

*I told you,* he said. *You're stronger than you think. More than just a strong blader, I mean. They see it. I see it. Why can't you see it?*

I was genuinely shocked. These people saw, if only a little bit, just how broken I was. And they were…supportive. They cared.

"I'll tell you one thing," Tyson was saying when I tuned back in. "If anybody tries to hurt my friends again, they'll have to answer to me!"

"Fr-friends?" I tested the word quietly.

"You're damn right!" Max cheered. "You guys are one of us!"

"And we'll always be here for you," Ray spoke assuredly.

~~~A few hours later~~~

I was sitting out by the pond again, letting the sounds of the night soothe me. What a day. I didn't know they thought of me as a friend. Sure, I got along with them alright, but I was...temporary. I could leave at any moment. I hadn't taken much time to get close with them, but they accepted me anyway.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Max asked, pulling me back to reality.

"Oh, hey," I replied. "What are you doing up? I'd have thought you'd be jet-lagged."

"Yeah, you'd think so," he said casually. "But plane rides have the opposite effect on me. I'm usually up for a while after I land. When I'm here, I like to come outside and sit by the pond for a while."

He gestured to where I was sitting. I scooted onto a smaller rock so he could have the bigger one.

"Thanks," he grinned, plopping down. "So, what's on your mind?"

I gave him a half smile.

"Oh, you know, life and all that," I answered vaguely.

He nudged me with his knee.

"Come on," he prodded. "You can tell me. I'm a very good listener."

I glanced at him. His eyes were so blue. Not like Tala's. Tala's were in a league of their own. His were like...the sky, on a bright, sunny day. They made me think of happier times.

"Well, okay," I finally replied. "You guys…you guys have been so great to me since I've been here. Despite the fact that I was kind of…thrown at you, you've really made me feel accepted."

He smiled his bright, megawatt smile.

"So what's the problem?"

"Well..." I began. "It's just...nobody's ever been so...nice to us. Me, Tala, and Kai. And you all have just...been really good to us."

"That's good! Everyone goes through tough times, but you three have had it rougher than most. I know I try to be nice to anyone I meet because I have no clue what they've been through. Sometimes, all it takes is a little kindness to change their outlook on life."

I stared intensely at the pond, mulling over his words in my head. Then I nodded, meeting his gaze once more. He was a very kind person. They all were, in their own ways. Yes, it's safe to say that Max was a true friend.

"Hey, thanks," I nudged him back with my knee, shocking myself at the human contact. So unlike me. "Sometimes, I get stuck inside my own head. You help me see things from a different perspective."

"No problem," he replied easily, leaning back on his elbows. "I'm always here for you."

We sat in silence for a while, words no longer necessary, until he finally yawned.

"Guess I'll go crash now," he said, rubbing his eyes. "I'm glad we got to see you before you leave in a couple days."

I smile at him. "Me, too. Night."

"G'night."