A/N: Chapter 14, wherein Tabitha is surpisingly witty (sometimes) and Jess has a surprise for them all

Chapter 14 – A Novel Romance

The next morning was uncharacteristically cold for summer. When I awoke to see the frost on my windows, it was more than a little startling. Partly because I was used to waking up overheated and with my blankets thrown to the floor during the night, and partly because it reminded me of winter and what it promised.

"What's on the agenda today?" Tabby asked, jumping up to the windowsill.

"I was going to talk to Tabitha at the Library. I've agreed to help her and Dean get together." I told her.

"…aren't they already together?"

"No. Apparently they're the type of people who are too shy to make the first move. So I'm supposed to push them along."

"You must like this whole matchmaking business then," Kelly added from the floor.

"I dunno. It's ok. And it's great to be able to help my friends. But I wouldn't say I'm a matchmaker. These people already know who they like. They just need some motivation to get going."

"Too bad you and Josh aren't that simple," Tabby yawned.

"Well obviously. And he doesn't even like me. So what am I supposed to do there?" I asked desperately, "Maybe I shouldn't have broken up with Luke…"

"Don't be stupid. I can't go out with someone who you don't have any feelings for what-so-ever. Even I know that much," Kelly chided.

"And besides, how do you know Josh doesn't like you? Have you asked him?" Tabby added,

"Of course I haven't asked him. But if he liked me, why would he go out with Bec in the first place?"

"I'm sure there's a good reason for it. You shouldn't be so quick to judge people." Tabby reminded me.

"Why the push to find someone, anyway? You've only been here for four months. You can't be that desperate yet," Kelly asked.

"I personally don't mind taking my time, but it's the Goddess who keeps saying how important it is that I get married and stuff. And she seems to be implying that I do it before the whole war thing." I shrugged.

"…so your supposed to get married before the end of the year? You're not even dating anyone!" Kelly pointed out.

"I know. And I don't want to rush into something like that. I'm hoping that I'll be able to deal with this evil thing quickly and marry someone later. I mean, how can I think about all that when I'm supposed to be working on my abilities?" I exclaimed.

"Has she even told you why you're supposed to settle down?" Tabby asked,

"You know what, She hasn't. I'm beginning to think the Goddess is just trying to make my job harder."

"So, what are you going to do then?" Tabby asked.

"I'm not going to worry about this whole 'settling down' thing. If something happens, it happens, but I'm not going to be looking for love, or anything. I have more important things to do," I decided.

"Like what?"

"Working out other people's love lives,"

Despite the early morning cold, by the time I had gotten around to tending my animals, it had warmed up immensely. So I had decided to bring them all outside into the fields today. I was quite happy with my farm. I was growing more than enough crops to cover all my expenses and leave me with a significant profit, my animals were all happy and healthy, and I had settled into the farming life quite nicely. My only complaint was that my house had no kitchen. I had been making do for the past few months with the small portable hotplate I had brought with me, and an esky full of ice. And I was eating at the Inn most nights. I definitely needed to upgrade soon.

And the barn could probably use with an extension too. Fluffy was beginning to look lonely as the only sheep there, and I was considering buying some more.

After completing my chores, I headed off to the library, as promised. When I arrived, I found Tabitha putting books away in the cooking section on the ground floor.

"Hey. Quite day?" I greeted her.

"Oh hi Simone. Yeah. You're the first person in here all morning." She replied happily.

"Cool. So no Dean then?" I asked, trying to bring up the topic subtly. Clearly, I was failing.

She blushed. "No, he doesn't usually come in until the afternoon."

"Speaking of Dean, what do you think of him?" I asked, the master of subtlety. Not.

Tabitha stumbled over her words. "Oh, he's…a nice guy. I mean, he's great. I mean…why?"

"Oh, I was just wondering if you two were together," I replied nonchalantly.

"To-together? What – what do you me-mean?" she asked, flustered,

"You know. As in, a couple."

Tabitha shook her head violently. "No. What ever gave you that idea?"

I smiled. "Oh, I dunno. Just from the way he looks at you. And how you look at him. And how you two are always just talking together, separate from the rest of us. Forgive me for jumping to conclusions. It just seems like rather couple-y behaviour,"

"I'm afraid you were mistaken. We're just friends."

"Close friends,"

"Yes. Even though he's still relatively new here, I guess you would say that we're rather close," she admitted.

"And you're…happy…for it to continue like that. Just as friends?"

"…well, yes. How else would we continue?"

I could tell she was rather reluctant to admit the blatantly obvious.

"And so, since you're just his friend, you wouldn't mind if he started seeing someone else,"

She looked up suddenly, "Huh? Is he seeing someone? Did you hear something?"

"No, not yet. But seeing as you two are just friends, you wouldn't mind if he did, would you?"

Tabitha looked away. "…I guess I wouldn't."

I frowned. I knew for a fact that she did actually have romantic feelings for Dean. Other than it being more obvious than the sun whenever they were together, I could see it from just skimming her thoughts. But there was a reason she was holding back from admitting it. I feared this may be more difficult than I first thought.

"Ok, enough dancing around. Tabitha, I came here for a reason."

"You did?" she seemed genuinely surprised at that.
"There's no point in denying it. I know that you have a thing for Dean. And I know he feels the same way. And he's expressed to me that he wants to take things further, but he's too shy do make the first move. And now this is getting ridiculous. Do have any legitimate reason for not wanting to start a relationship with him?"

"It's complicated." She replied in a small voice,

"That may be, but you can't get rid of me that easily. At least tell me if you have any interest in being romantically involved with him. Because otherwise, I'm just wasting your time, his time, and mine."

Tabitha took a few deep breaths. "I…I do…want…to…do that…but…"

"I don't mean to make this harder than it is, but for everyone's sake you need to say what you feel out loud."

"…but you know already," she protested.

"Think of it like insanity; admitting it is the first step. And really, Love is a form of insanity. So it shouldn't be that difficult,"

"Fine. I…I…I like…no, I love…Dean. I do. And I'm not going to say it again." She admitted quickly,

I smiled. "You'll have to tell him at some point, but well done. And love after only a month? That's impressive. You two must really be special,"

She seemed more relaxed now that it was out in the open. "So, are you going to help us?"

"Do you still want me to?"

"Yes please. I mean, if he's too shy to do anything, and god knows I could never make the first move…"

"Fine, I'll help. But you're going to have to explain to me the reason behind this reluctance."

"I will. Just not yet. Please. I do want things to progress, lord knows I do. But…I just can't…I want to be with him so much. It's tearing me in two!" she cried,

"Wow, it must be pretty bad,"

"It is. I haven't spoken of it to anyone. And it's a taboo topic with mother. You have to promise me that you won't tell a soul about anything. Not even this conversation. If mother knew about me and Dean…I don't know what she'd do."

"It's not your mother holding you back, is it?" I asked,

"No, not necessarily. But my reluctance now, well, mother has it ten-fold. And that's for including me. She's not too keen on letting men into our lives. And since I still live with her, I have no choice but to follow her rules. I'm just lucky she hasn't tried to scare Dean away already."

"That's harsh. Ah well. But just so you know, if you mother does ever kick you out of the house because of Dean, you're more than welcome to come stay with me. That is, if you don't want to stay with him at the Inn."

"Hopefully it won't get to that, but thank you for the offer." She smiled, "So, what's going to happen now?"

I was about to answer when, the front door opened and Jess's cheerful voice boomed into the building.

"I'll tell you later," I quickly mumbled to Tabitha. She nodded and greeted Jess.

"Tabitha, Simone, great you're both here. I've been looking for you guys." Jess said excitedly.

"Really? Why?" I asked.

"I've got a big surprise for you all tomorrow night." She announced,

"Surprise? What kind of surprise?" Tabitha asked wearily,

"A great surprise."

"Is it anything like your last surprise?"

"What was the last surprise?" I asked.
"Oh, last year Jess had the brilliant idea for us to all go on a picnic at the beach," Tabitha explained,

"That doesn't sound too bad," I shrugged,

"Perhaps. But it was the middle of winter. And jellyfish season," she continued.

"Oh,"

"James got stung so bad we had to carry him to the clinic. He was bedridden for a week,"

"Ok, so perhaps I don't have just a good track record for these things…" Jess dismissed, "But this time I swear you'll all love it. And there's nothing that can possibly go wrong,"

"I highly doubt that," Tabitha remarked.

"What's the plan?" I asked Jess,

"It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you…but basically we're going out," Jess replied,

"Out where?"

"Now that is the surprise. But I suggest you wear something...special."

"…special how?"

"Ah…shiny. Yeah, that'll work. Wear something that sparkles. And that little black mini skirt that I saw when we were choosing clothes for the fireworks festival,"

I still had no idea where we were going.

"Well, I'm out," Tabitha said.
"What? Why?" Jess demanded.

"You know me. I'm not really into the whole going out thing. And if you're going where I think you are, I'm definitely not going. I haven't seen Kai since last year, and I intend on keeping it that way,"

By this point, I was thoroughly confused. "What? Who's Kai?"

"Don't worry. Just some guy. You'll probably see him tomorrow." Jess dismissed quickly.

I turned back to Tabitha. "So you're not going,"

"Nope. But don't worry about me. I've got work to do anyway. You go and enjoy yourself. Maybe I'll go next time." She smiled.

"I guess it's alright then. Who else is coming, Jess?" I asked.

"Oh, most of us young 'uns. Me, Mel, Cass, Aggie, you…and Bec. Girls night,"

"Bec? Wait, I thought you hated her. Why would you invite her?"

"I didn't want to, but she happened to be there when I was telling Mel, and I couldn't exactly say 'Only you Mel. You're not invited, Bec'. I couldn't be that mean, even if it is Bec."

"Great." I replied. Considering I was the reason she split up with Josh, I hardly wanted to face her any time soon.

Jess sensed my disappointment. "Don't worry though. Knowing Bec she'll probably disappear quickly and we wont see her again until it's time to leave…if that. It'll be fine."

"Alright then, I'm in. Where do we meet?" I sighed.

"Great. In front of the Inn." Jess replied happily,

"…we are going somewhere, right? Not just to the Inn as usual."
"Of course. It's just that it's the best meeting place. And be there by Five o-clock sharp. It's going to be awesome,"

"Ok, Five tomorrow afternoon. I'm looking forward to it," I half-lied. The fact that she wouldn't tell me anything about the destination was kind of daunting.

"Fantastic. See you later guys," Jess called as she left.

Tabitha smiled wickedly. "This'll be good,"

Surprisingly, her creepy words didn't inspire me with much confidence.

Yes, what exactly does Jess have in store for them all? I guess we'll just have to find out next chapter. (well, you will. I already know what's going to happen...cos I'm the writer...XD)

Lame jokes aside, big thanks to my reviewers; mandapanda84 and kairi6253 :D you guys are awesome, as usual :D

Other than that, R&R and I'll see you next time...where it's going to get *very* interesting. Hint: Up for a wild night out, anyone?