A/N: Super mega fast update powers activate! LOL.

I reaaaally love this chapter. I think it's one of my favourites so far. Mia is just too awesome.

Maya led Mia upstairs to her room and the two of them settled themselves comfortably on the floor. Maya couldn't stop grinning at her sister. It had been so long since the two of them had spent any time together at all. Mia was only ever around when it had something to do with a court case. This time, she was here to see her, and that made Maya unbelievably happy. While Mia's death had shocked and hurt Maya deeply, death really wasn't too large of a boundary for the Fey family. Provided the deceased still had a strong emotional link to the land of the living, it was like having a relative live a really long way away. Mia's link was Maya herself. And Diego, of course. She would never really be that far away.

Mia sat cross legged on the floor, a bag of popcorn sitting in her lap. She munched on a mouthful, closing her eyes and savouring the taste.

"Ohh... Maya." She mumbled, her mouth full. "I really miss eating."

Maya giggled, breaking off a piece of chocolate to nibble on.

"You find some of your old clothes at home?" Maya asked. Mia nodded, brushing her salty hands on her jeans. She had taken Pearl's hair down out of the signature pony tail and brushed it out straight. Nothing except for the colour of her hair and the much shorter length signified that it was, in fact, Pearl Fey sitting across from Maya, and not actually Mia herself.

"Does anyone know Pearl is gone?" Maya asked. Mia froze, mid mouthful. She shook her head to signify no.

"I didn't actually think that one through." Mia said, swallowing her popcorn. "Are they going to panic?"

"Probably." Maya said. "Just give me a sec."

She reached up to her bedside table, and retrieved her cell phone. Flicking through the numbers for a moment, she found the one she was looking for and put the phone to her ear.

"Hello? Lillian? It's Maya." She said. The voice on the other end of the phone began to speak frantically. Mia couldn't understand a word of what they were saying.

"No. Okay. No. Listen. No, she's here." Maya said, desperately trying to get the woman on the other end to listen. "She caught a train here. She said she missed me. I've put her to bed. Yes. Okay. We'll bring her back in the morning. Okay. Goodnight Lillian, sorry you were worried."

Maya threw the phone over to her bed, smiling smugly at Mia.

"Sorted." She said with a self satisfied smile.

"Nice work." Mia said, impressed. "I'd almost forgotten how good your bluff was."

Maya laughed. "You should know that Mia, you've never beaten me at poker. Not even once."

"Don't remind me." Mia said. "I regret teaching you how to play. Have you ever played poker with Phoenix? He's pretty good too; not as good as you, but I think it would be an interesting game."

"I didn't even know he played." Maya said, shaking her head.

"Where is Phoenix anyway?" Mia asked.

"Shower." Maya said through a mouthful of popcorn. Mia watched her sister's expression change. Her cheeks reddened slightly and her eyes began to dart around. She could have sworn Maya looked... well... embarrassed.

"Maya..." Mia said, angling her head to look at her sister in a no nonsense manner. "Is there something I should know about?"

"What? No! What do you mean?" Maya said, her blush getting worse.

"Maya." Mia repeated. "I'm your sister. I can sense these things."

Maya bit her lip, before grinning.

"I don't know what you're talking about Mia."

"I think you do..." Mia challenged. Maya laughed nervously. Mia let out a loud exaggerated gasp.

"You like Phoenix!!" she cried.

"No I don't Mia! I swear I don't!" Maya argued to no avail.

"You do! I can tell!" Mia continued to tease her young sister.

"Quit it Mia! I do not!" Maya pleaded. Mia chuckled. She was torturing Maya, but this was so much fun. She missed this kind of interaction with her sister.

"Does he know?" Mia asked, eyes wide.

"I don't know." Maya sighed automatically. Mia giggled and Maya quickly realised her mistake. She puffed her cheeks out and glared at her sister. "I mean, there's nothing to know! Miiiaaaa!"

A knock on Maya's bedroom door caused the pair to freeze, staring at each other. Maya panicked inwardly. How embarrassing! How much had Phoenix heard?

Phoenix stepped out of the shower, grabbing a towel and giving himself a quick dry. He fluffed the towel quickly through his hair before fastening it around his waist and heading for his bedroom. As he passed Maya's door, he heard her laugh coming from inside.

"She must be reading something funny." He thought.

He smiled to himself. She seemed so much happier since their trip to Hazakurain. The only worrying thing about the whole trip had been Iris's speculation about Andre being her brother. He frowned. It was definitely something to keep an eye on, but at least now that they knew that might be the case, they could do just that. He dressed quickly in a pair of flannel pyjama pants, pausing when he heard Maya laugh again. Then he heard her speak. Another female voice followed quickly after. Then more laughing.

Phoenix scratched his head. Was Maya listening to the radio? He headed out of his bedroom and towards hers. As he approached the muffled voices on the other side of the door began to take on the high pitched tone of two women gossiping. She had to be in there with someone, but it was eleven at night. Who could it possibly be?

It sounded just like when Mia used to ring Maya from the office. Phoenix remembered fondly how he would sit at his desk and shake his head at his boss's miraculous transformation from cool, casual business woman to giggling school girl whenever she phoned her sister. Then it clicked.

"Hang on a minute..." He thought to himself. "I do recognise that voice..."

Raising his hand, he knocked on the door. The noise from within ceased immediately.

"Maya?" he called. "You okay in there?"

"Come in, Phoenix." The other voice called. He smiled. There was only one person who said his name in that tone of voice. He'd heard it a million times.

He opened the bedroom door and his suspicions were confirmed. Mia, Maya and various bags of snacks were spread out on the bedroom floor.

"Mia." He said with a smile. "I had a feeling it was you." Mia smiled back warmly.

"You aren't surprised to see me?" she asked. Phoenix shrugged, chuckling lightly.

"Not particularly. Which I'll admit, is odd considering you are dead. I guess I'm getting used to seeing dead people." Phoenix shook his head. "I never thought I'd hear myself saying that."

Phoenix had a feeling that Mia would show up sooner or later. Maya had been going through a particularly tough time lately and even though, as far as he knew, those on the other side didn't always have a direct window to know what was happening in the land of the living, he knew Mia would figure out that Maya needed her one way or the other.

He glanced over at Maya, who was as red as a beet. She hadn't said a word since he had opened the door.

"She okay?" Phoenix asked Mia, motioning to Maya.

"She's fine." Mia said. "She's just embarrassed because I found out she l..."

Mia was silenced by a pillow to the face.

"I'm fine Nick." Maya said, smiling up at him. He smiled back. Mia removed the pillow her sister had hurled at her and watched the two of them, smiling awkwardly at each other. She smirked to herself. It seemed Maya's feelings were reciprocated after all. Phoenix was as easy to read as a children's book. But as the big sister here, it was her duty to shake things up a little.

"So Phoenix," Mia began. "You always parade around in front of my baby sister without a shirt on? Not that it isn't a nice view though, right Maya?" she finished with a wink.

"Mia!" Maya cried, blushing yet again. She willed the ground to open up and swallow her whole. It didn't. She was completely horrified.

Phoenix crossed his arms, smirking at Mia. She was trying to rattle him. Not going to work. Maya noticed how the action emphasised his biceps. She felt giddy.

"I just got out of the shower. I heard voices coming from her room so I came to check." Phoenix said casually. "It could have been some kidnapper or murderer. Would you prefer the shirt Mia, or your sister's safety?"

"Touché Phoenix." Mia said, nodding appreciatively. "I'm just kidding anyway. I'm sure Maya loves it when you run around sans shirt."

Maya covered her face with her hands. She was going to kill Mia!

"But I am afraid we are operating under traditional slumber party rules here, so you're going to have to leave." Mia said, making a dismissive motion with her hand.

"Is that so?" Phoenix said, leaning against the door frame.

"Yep." Mia confirmed. "No boys allowed. Not even cute ones," she finished, giving Maya a nudge.

"Oh God Mia, you're so embarrassing!" Maya said through her hands. Phoenix laughed.

"Okay, okay. I know when I'm not wanted." He said, backing out of the room. "Night girls. Have fun." He said as he closed the door behind him. The muffled sound of Maya's exasperated voice reached his ears as he headed back up the hallway. He couldn't help but laugh. Mia would be getting an earful right about now.

"Mia! How could you do that to me!?" Maya cried, feeling thoroughly betrayed. Mia laughed.

"Relax." Mia said, leaning back against Maya's bed. "It's obvious he has a thing for you too."

"You think?" Maya said, forgetting her embarrassment all of a sudden.

"Definitely." Mia said, handing Maya some chocolate. "Eat this. It will make you feel better."

Maya groaned but accepted the chocolate anyway.

"Nothing could make me feel better. I'm so embarrassed! How am I going to face him tomorrow?"

"You'll manage." Mia said, popping a piece of chocolate in her mouth. "I'll tell you what though," she added as an afterthought. "He sure is getting better looking as he gets older!"

Maya giggled as her sister fanned herself comically.

"Whoa!" she said shaking her head. "He could give Diego a run for his money. Who knew he was hiding a bod like that? Kudos to you sis!"

Maya laughed again. Mia felt genuinely happy. It made her feel so good to see her sister smile. She sighed inwardly. She hated to change the tone of the evening, but she wasn't just there to gossip about Phoenix. She had news to deliver. And she wasn't too sure how her sister was going to take it.

Andre picked up the phone and dialled the number of his mothers prison ward. It was late, but Morgan had somehow convinced the guard on duty at that time of night to allow her to take calls. Andre didn't ask how, nor did she elaborate. All he knew was that this was the time to phone.

"Hello." he said briskly."Morgan Fey please."

"One moment." The guard said, before a soft click indicated that he had put the phone down. Andre turned the small crystal bottle over in his hands as he waited for his mother's voice.

"Andre." Morgan said, picking up the phone.

"I have it." He said simply.

"Good." Morgan replied. "It was in the box with the shell on it?"

"Yes. It was exactly where you said it would be." Andre replied.

"Two teaspoons is enough for a lethal dose. There is probably just over that in the bottle. Put the whole lot in her tea to be sure." Morgan instructed.

"Are you sure it won't be traced?" Andre asked, concerned.

"No." Morgan said. "It's a special chemical compound which leaves no trace in the system. I had it ordered and stashed in the village through Mr. De Killer for a nominal fee. Dahlia told me of it when she was in here with me."

Andre rolled his eyes. Even though she was dead, he still felt like it was being rubbed in his face that Dahlia was her favourite. Dahlia this, Dahlia that. If Dahlia was so great, she wouldn't have got caught.

"It will appear as if she has had a heart attack. Lillian has a history of heart troubles anyway. Provided you stay with her and feign concern as she dies, she won't even be any the wiser that she was poisoned. This will work in your favour if someone tries to channel her." Morgan finished.

"I understand." Andre said.

"Have you been visiting Althea?" Morgan asked.

"Yes." Andre replied. "She is definitely growing weary of Maya's absence. I'm doing all that I can to help that along without being suspicious."

"Good boy." Morgan praised. "Everything appears to be going to plan. Once you get rid of Lillian Fey, there won't be anyone left that will oppose Althea's decision to remove Maya. Once Maya is removed, Kurain will be left in the hands of its rightful leader; my darling little Pearl. And with you as her advisor, Andre, Kurain will be the most prosperous that it has ever been."

Mia and Maya were both quiet for a moment as their laughter subsided. Maya took a deep breath. As much as she hated to do this, she had to ask.

"Mia," she said softly. "You didn't just come here to eat junk food and tease me about Phoenix did you?"

Mia looked over at her sister lovingly, sighing a little. She wished that was her only reason.

"No." She said, shaking her head. "Iris sent me."

Maya's mouth formed into a silent 'Oh'. "Andre?" she asked.

Mia nodded.

"I saw Lucas today." She started.

"And?" Maya said, willing her to continue.

"Iris was right. He is her brother. Andre is our cousin."

Maya nodded as she processed what her sister had said.

"You know, Phoenix suspected that was the case right from the beginning." Maya mused. "I didn't think much of it at the time, but I guess I should be worried."

Mia sighed and nodded.

"It's never going to end, Mia." Maya said quietly. "Being the Master was always going to be an uphill battle. You're lucky you got out of it."

Mia scoffed.

"I couldn't even channel someone who died ten minutes ago." She said wistfully. "I was never going to be the master anyway. It was always you."

"You weren't interested anyway." Maya said. "I never saw you train once."

"I knew by the time you were born that it wasn't going to happen for me. That's part of the reason why Mom had you. At that stage there was no one to continue the line. I tried so hard and I felt like I was letting Mom down by only having weak spiritual powers."

Mia paused, her voice becoming raspy.

"I hated myself." Mia said, a lone tear escaping and running down her cheek. Maya moved to wrap an arm around her sister, leaning her head against her shoulder.

"Then you started to get older and you were so talented. I was so proud, even if I was a little jealous. Mom left and I had to protect you at all costs. I only left to study law to try and bring Mom back, and to do something good for the world. I wanted to be able to help everyone."

"Just like Phoenix." Maya whispered.

"Just like Phoenix..." Mia agreed.

The girls sat together in silence for a while, before Mia spoke again.

"Maya, do you want to be Master?"

Maya shrugged.

"You know, no one's ever asked me that before." She said sadly.

Mia shook her head. The job was just thrust upon Maya from such a young age. She'd never known anything different.

"Do you?" Mia asked again.

"I guess I do. I want to make changes. Good changes." Maya began. "And I know that Pearl is next in line, and I couldn't live with myself if this kind of responsibility was heaped on to her. That wouldn't be fair."

"But at the same time..." she continued. "I don't want to leave Phoenix. And I'll have to. One day."

Mia felt her sister's tears through her shirt. She'd had her own taste of tragic love and she had hoped her sister would never have to know what a broken heart felt like. Before long, she was crying too. For lots of things. Maya, her mother, Diego, herself. Mia Fey had known a lot of heartache.

"You staying?" Maya croaked eventually.

"Uh huh." Mia answered. "You, me and a single bed. Just like old times."

Maya smiled gratefully.

"You used to stay with me all the time after Mom left." Maya remembered.

"I wanted you to know that you weren't alone. That I'd always be there." Mia said softly. For reasons beyond her control, Mia had to break that promise, and that hurt. Nonetheless, Maya smiled.

"Someone else said that to me recently." Maya said. Mia smiled. She knew straight away who that would have been.

"I meant it when I said he would save everyone in the end." Mia said gently.

Maya said nothing, just hugged her sister tighter. Mia rested her head against Maya's.

"Especially you." She whispered softly.

Maya was still asleep when Phoenix headed into the kitchen the morning after Mia's visit. A folded piece of paper on the table with his name on it caught his attention. It was Mia's handwriting. He picked up the note and read it to himself. It didn't say much at all, but what it did say was enough.

"I approve.

Take care of her, Phoenix.

I trust you."

Phoenix smiled and slipped the note into his pocket.

Mia always knew exactly what to say.

A/N: Awwwwwwwwwww XD. Hey is it just me, or did Morgan come off like a Bond villain right there at the end? If she had laughed heartily and been petting a cat, it would have been perfect! LULZ.