I can't believe it. Chapter 14 already!

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RECAP:

He cleared his throat. "I have a confession to make..."

"Yes. Go on." Piper offered with a smile when Aerrow paused.

"Umm…well, first of all, you look beautiful tonight." He thought he saw Piper's smile waver for a second, but decided he was imagining it. "And, umm, I just want to say… I-I love you Piper."

Aerrow closed his eyes, and waited for a response. When none came, he cautiously opened one eye. To his amazement, Piper was glaring at him.

"W-what?" Aerrow could only stammer out. This was not what he expected.

"How dare you." Piper spat out.

"P-Piper?"

"I know what you guys did. Phoenix told you I liked you, and you thought it was you duty as Squadron Leader to be sympathetic towards my feelings. Well I've got news for you! I don't need any one of you feeling sorry for me! I don't need your sympathy, and I most certainly DON'T NEED YOU!" And with that, Piper ripped herself away from Aerrow's grasp, and marched away, leaving a very stunned Sky Knight in her midst.

Piper sighed as she leaned over the railing on one of the balconies. From here, she could hear the music coming from inside, but it wasn't so loud as to overwhelm her thoughts. And she definitely needed her thoughts right now.

I can't believe this. I told Phoenix not to get involved, and what does he do? He gets involved! Honestly, sometimes he's acts like he's five instead of nineteen!

And then there's Aerrow. I never thought he could be so inconsiderate. And to think I loved him. Oh well. There are other guys I guess. Other guys that are Sky Knights with awesome red hair and bright green eyes. Oh, who am I kidding?! There's no other Sky Knight that even comes close! Not like I care if he's a Sky Knight or not. But it's a plus.

Piper was interrupted from her thoughts by the sound of footsteps coming from behind her. She turned, half expecting it to be Aerrow, but found it to be her mother instead.

The queen gracefully walked up to her daughter and stood next to her, looking out into the night sky. Piper knew that she wouldn't speak until she was ready, so she waited patiently. A few minutes later, she heard her mother clear her throat.

"Piper, what is wrong? You left Aerrow standing on the dance floor looking awfully upset."

"He had better be upset. If he isn't upset enough to land himself in a hospital, then it isn't enough." Piper muttered. (A/N: I read that in a book once.)

Queen Paula laughed. It was a beautiful, soothing laugh that always made Piper smile.

Piper fought the urge to grin. "It's not funny Mother. Do you know what he did? Him and that dratted brother of mine. I warned Phoenix when he found out that I liked Aerrow that he had better not interfere. But did he listen? Of course not! Has he always been so thick-headed? Anyways, he must have told Aerrow about it, because now he feels sorry for me, and was like 'Oh, I love you Piper. You're so beautiful tonight'. I thought he was my friend! Friends don't do that to each other!" Piper finished her rampaging speech and sighed.

Her mother just stood there quietly during all of this. A small smile crossed her lips as she watched her daughter rant. It was obvious that she was infatuated with this young man. You can't get that mad over someone you didn't care about.

"Dear?"

"Yes Mother?"

"You love him, don't you?"

Piper felt herself blush. "Is that what that is? The overwhelming power to always want to stay with that person, even if you are putting yourself in eminent danger by doing it?" Her mother nodded. "Than yes. I-I love Aerrow."

Queen Paula looked her daughter straight in the eye. "What if Aerrow was telling the truth? What if he was really telling you how he felt? How do you think he's feeling now?"

Piper gave this some thought. After a few minutes, she shook her head, clearing her thoughts. "I'm sorry Mother. But it's just not possible. He hasn't even given any sign that he feels anything remotely close."

The queen walked to the glass door in which they had come in. Right before she went in, she turned to look at her daughter. "That may be so, but what about you? What signs have you given?"

Piper was walking in the yard surrounding the big building.

What if Mother was right? What if I have just made the biggest mistake in my life? If Aerrow liked me before, he'll definitely hate me now.

Piper was so deep in thought that she almost didn't hear the yelling coming from around the corner. Snapping back to reality, Piper leaned against the cold wall and listened.

"I can't believe you messed up! I had it all set up! Nothing could go wrong!" The voice was definitely male.

I wonder who's talking. The voice sounds familiar.

"So the whole thing was your plan?! I told you I didn't want to take the risk of ruining our friendship! Now look what happened!" The other voice was also male, but it was younger. With a jolt, Piper realized she was listening to Phoenix and Aerrow.

I wonder what they're talking about.

"I wouldn't have set you guys up if I wasn't so sure that nothing could go wrong! What exactly did you mess up?!" Phoenix yelled. Piper had rarely heard him yell. He was normally so upbeat.

"She said that she didn't need my pity. She said that you had set this all up." Aerrow sounded hurt, Piper noticed. Not like when you feel crushed when Junko squeezes you hurt, but an emotional hurt.

Did I cause that? Piper wondered.

"Hmm." Phoenix was no longer yelling. His tone was now that of sympathy. "So she thought you were lying? Well that changes things. Sorry for yelling. I just thought-"

"It's fine. I'm just frustrated at the moment. I don't know what to do to make her see how I feel. Not like she's ever going to let me talk to her ever again anyways."

So he really does love me? I can't believe this! This has to be a dream!! I'll just pinch myself, and…OW! Okay, so this isn't a dream. This is wonderful!

Piper was so busy being happy that she didn't notice Phoenix and Aerrow walk away. Nor did she hear somebody walking up behind her.

Piper felt someone grip her shoulder. Spinning around, she came face to face with a man with shiny black hair and blood red eyes.

"D-Dark Ace" Piper managed to get out.

"Yes little Princess. Isn't it amusing how a little runt like yourself could be royalty? But now Master Cyclonis wants you more than ever."

"I'll never work for her!" Piper tried to hit him, but she tripped on her dress, creating a tear in it as she fell.

Dark Ace laughed. "Even if you don't join us, (a) you'll never get away with those moves, and (b) I'm sure your family will be more than willing to pay a fine ransom for your safety."

He reached down, and gripped her wrists, pulling her to her feet. Piper tried to fight him, but he was too strong. So she settled for screaming.

When no one came after her first scream, she opened her mouth again, but felt Dark Ace's hand cover her mouth. She bit his hand, which caused him to withdraw his hand and he curse. Piper had the grim satisfaction of knowing she caused his pain. That is, until he hit her on the head with his good hand, knocking her unconscious.

Da Da Da Dan! So now Dark Ace has entered the story. What will happen to Piper? You'll just have to find out later!

Oh, and by the way, thank you CinderpoolANDMoonfire for the idea for Phoenix yelling at Aerrow! It helped shape my whole story!