AN: Hello fellow readers and writers, it is time for the next chapter. I brought in that Fabian wacky adventure thing that I promised a couple of chapters before, but I cut it down. This is basically an in between the action chapter with teacup pigs, arguments about lobster, half naked blonde boys, games of 'I never' and death! Just kidding… or am I? I had fun writing it so I hope you have fun reading it. Enjoy!

Chapter 14: Teacup Pigs and Escaping Neverland

Fabian didn't know how he had gotten himself into this mess. Only hours earlier he was sitting in his room reading a book without a care in the world… well, maybe one. But in Anubis house it only took a couple of seconds for things to go from completely normal to just downright strange. Maybe that's why he found himself running outside of Anubis house, while it was snowing, in nothing but his boxers holding a teacup pig, as Victor ran after him waving a cane that he probably intended to whack Fabian with. Yep, just another day at Anubis house.

Six hours earlier…

"Fabian!" A loud voice called outside his bedroom door and Fabian groaned as he sat up and set aside his book. He opened up the door only seconds later and was pushed aside as Joy and Patricia barged into the room.

"What's going on?" Fabian asked the two girls.

Joy and Patricia merely sighed as Joy closed the door and Patricia pulled Fabian towards his bed, away from the door. "We need your help."

"Why?" he asked.

Joy smiled at him before pulling something out from her jacket. Fabian's eyes widened and he immediately shook his head. "No, I'm not getting involved. There is nothing that you can say to make me change my mind."

Joy stepped closer to Fabian and crouched down so she was eye level with him. "Just look at the little guy."

Fabian sighed and glanced at the small teacup pig Joy had in her hands. He had to admit that the pink furry creature was quite adorable, but he was determined to not give in. "No. Don't you remember what happened last time?"

Patricia crossed her arms over her chest and moved closer to Fabian. "I didn't want to have to do this, but I will resort to blackmail. I have it on good authority that you and Nina had a bit too much fun a few days ago in Amber's bed. If you don't help I'll make sure Victor hears about the incident and you get put on house arrest. You know how he hates bodily fluids being spread in this house and I'm sure Trudy would get a kick out of finding out sweet Fabian isn't so innocent."

Fabian glared at the red head before snatching the pig from Joy's hands. "Fine, what do you want me to do?"

"We need you to watch little oinkers here while we go out and try and find some supplies and food for him. Do you think you can hide him from Victor while we're gone?" Joy asked.

Fabian looked at the pig and then back at Joy before nodding. "Go ahead. I'll watch him."

"Thanks so much," the two girls quickly exited the room and Fabian glanced down at the animal once more.

The pig merely stared back up at Fabian who picked it up and held it close to his face. "So… do you do anything?"

(***)

"Are you ready?" Daniel peered his head into the bathroom on the second floor and saw Amber standing in front of the mirror straight-ironing her hair.

"Almost," she replied.

Daniel nodded and remained quiet, not daring to make her rush. The past few days Daniel had noticed something different about Amber almost like she was holding the weight of the world on her shoulders. He never asked her if there was something on her mind simply because she always had this distant look in her eyes like she was five million light years away from the conversation. He himself was feeling anxious lately. He didn't know if it was because his mother seemed to be calling him constantly or if it was the package he was awaiting from home. Either way he was in no rush these days. Everything was running smoothly.

"I'm ready,"

Amber broke Daniel from his thoughts and he smiled at her before offering his arm. "Shall we?"

She smiled and laced her arms with his before the two began making their way downstairs.

"This is going to be fun. Nina is an amazing person and you'll love her as much as I do. This dinner has been postponed for too long, so be on your best behavior," Amber advised.

"Aren't I always?" Daniel teased.

Amber rolled her eyes and smoothed down her skirt with the front of her hands. "I'm serious."

"I know… Are you sure I can't bring Ariadne with us?" Daniel asked.

Amber nodded. "Nina only recently dumped Mick and I'm happy for you and Ariadne, but because you got back together you two are in your honeymoon phase once again and Nina doesn't need that shoved in her face."

"Okay," Daniel agreed, "but you said it was going to be dinner for four. Who else is going?"

"Umm… about that," Amber smiled timidly at him and turned to see Nina, and the last person Daniel wanted to see, walking towards them.

"Hey everyone," Jerome smirked at the two friends, "whose hungry?"

(***)

"Really? Jerome? As if I don't already have enough to worry about these days," Daniel ran a hand through his hair as the group of four waited to be seated at the restaurant.

"I'm sorry, but Nina invited him. Their friends and what was I to do; say no?" Amber asked. "Just pretend he isn't here. It's just you and me,"

"That'll be kind of impossible with him shoving his nose where it doesn't-," before Daniel could finish his sentence his phone rang and he pulled it out of his pocket. He stared down at the caller ID and sighed before declining the call and putting it back in his pocket.

"Who was that?" Amber asked.

"It was just my mum. She's been calling non-stop all week," Daniel told her.

"Why?" Amber asked.

Daniel sighed and he looked down at his feet and said, "My younger brother has leukemia and my mum is going absolutely ballistic since the doctors said he's expected to die in a week… maybe a couple of days."

"Wait, what?" Amber stared at Daniel in shock. "How could you-,"

"Your table is ready," a waitress walked up to the group and gestured for them to follow, "right this way."

The four were led to their table by the windows and they took their seats calmly as the waitress handed them menus and told them she had to check on another table.

"How could you not tell me?" Amber finished her earlier thought in a whisper as everyone looked through the menu.

"You never asked," he pointed out.

"Am I supposed to assume that your brother has cancer? I thought you trusted me and that I was your best friend, but apparently not since you couldn't tell me this vital piece of information. Did I do something to make you not trust me?" Amber spoke a little too loudly and Nina cleared her throat and gestured towards the menu.

"I'm thinking lobster," she smiled, "anyone else?"

Daniel took a deep breath and through clenched teeth said, "Excuse me if I don't want people to come to me and tell me there is hope and that I should be at his side when there isn't. Being at his side won't change anything and I'm sick of people telling me it'll be okay. Words don't do anything, not even his freakin' doctors can do anything, so why exactly does it hurt you that I didn't bother to tell you? When did this become about you Amber?"

Daniel paused as his phone began ringing. He ignored it and continued to talk. "You always worry about you and how everything is your fault or isn't or how everything affects you or how it doesn't. It's not you who has a brother who is going to die in a week. It's not you who has a girlfriend who is expected to be killed by a secret evil organization and it sure as hell isn't you who has to deal with it. For once can you stop trying to make things about you!"

He pulled his chair back with the last spat out word and quickly accepted his call before walking away. Amber could faintly hear him say, "hi mum," as he walked and she blinked back the tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

"Umm… lobster sounds amazing," Amber stated as she brought the menu up to her face and tried to hide her cracked demeanor.

(***)

Fabian smiled down at the pig as he strummed the last chord of his new song. "What do you think?"

The pig gave a simple "oink" and Fabian nodded in understanding. "You're right… I should add vocals."

He reached for the notebook by his bed and as he did the doorbell rang. Fabian groaned and he set down his guitar before rolling out of his bed and heading to the door. The pig seemed to follow Fabian as he left his room, trailing a foot behind him.

"Hey Fabian," Fabian opened the door to a happy smiling Alfie who was holding a yellow manila envelope in his hands. "I wanted to drop something off for Jerome."

"He went out to dinner, but I can leave it on his bed," Fabian suggested.

Alfie nodded and handed the envelope the Fabian." Cool; by the way, when did you get a pig?"

Fabian looked to where Alfie was pointing and saw the small teacup pig oinking beside him. "You weren't supposed to leave the room Oinkers."

"His name is Oinkers," Alfie nodded and laughed to himself, "Let me guess, Joy?"

Fabian nodded and bent down to scoop up the furry pink animal. "I'm on watch duty as they gather supplies."

Alfie laughed and shook his head. "Joy and Patricia are currently at a party at my house. They aren't getting supplies."

"Should've figure," Fabian sighed, "Guess I'm still with him all night."

"Umm… maybe not," Alfie pointed up at Victor who was currently walking down the stairs.

"What do I do?" Fabian asked.

Alfie merely shrugged and Fabian let out an exasperated sigh before pulling the neck of his shirt open and shoving Oinkers in.

"Who is at the door?" Victor asked as he approached the two boys, "What are you doing here Alfred?"

"I was delivering a package," Alfie answered.

Victor nodded and then turned towards Fabian. "Where are your pants? And what is that bulge in your shirt?"

"Nothing," Fabian said a bit too quickly, but he couldn't save himself for as soon as he talked a clear and loud "oink" was heard through his shirt.

"Remove your shirt boy," Victor demanded.

"That's sexual harras-,"

"Remove it!" Victor yelled more sternly.

Fabian sighed and pulled his shirt over his head causing the pig to fall and land on his feet. Victor clenched his jaw and stared at Fabian.

Alfie, sensing the tension, said a quick "bye" and ran as fast as he could.

"You better hope you can run as fast as Alfred," Victor seethed.

Fabian laughed nervously and picked up Oinkers. "Let's find out,"

Fabian bolted out the door with Victor hot on his trail. He could feel his upper body and lower legs become numb due to the falling snow, but he ignored it as his feet crunched on the pavement and he ran as fast as he could with Oinkers in his hand. Right, that's how this happened…

(***)

It had been two days since the dinner incident and Amber and Daniel still hadn't talked. He was spending every waking minute with Ariadne giving Amber no chance of talking to him since Ariadne was in all the classes they shared. Outside of school she also didn't have a chance considering the fact that if they weren't talking or studying, they were sucking face. She was getting desperate and lucky for her Victor, along with Fabian, was in the infirmary with a bad case of frostbite. Luckily none of their limbs needed to be amputated, but they still weren't allowed to get out of bed. She didn't exactly know why they were there. All she heard was that it was all because of a pig. Of course she thought Alfie was joking when he told everyone, but stranger things had happened at Anubis house.

Amber decided the best time to catch Daniel off guard was during lunch when Ariadne was at her house and Daniel was trapped in his room doing absolutely nothing. Amber marched down the stairs, straight into Daniel's room without pausing.

"What the-," Daniel turned towards the open door and Amber stopped in her tracks. Daniel stood in the middle of the room with a towel wrapped around his waist as droplets rolled down his toned body and messy blonde hair. He sighed and walked over to the door. Amber thought he was going to push her out, but he merely closed the door and walked back to his bed.

He took a seat on the mattress and didn't seem to care that he was wetting the covers as he looked up at her.

Almost in unison the two said, "I'm sorry."

A small smiled formed on Daniel's face and he gestured for her to go first.

"You're right. I was more concerned with the fact that you didn't tell me more than anything else. I was being selfish and inconsiderate like I always am. I forgot that you've been through a lot, I mean, we've both been through a lot. I need to realize that it isn't just me dealing with all this. You're right by my side."

Daniel stood up from the bed and made his way over to her. "I shouldn't have opened my mouth. I was just stressed and had a lot on my plate and I needed someone to take it all out on. It was uncalled for. I didn't mean what I said. I just couldn't take all the bad anymore and I'm sorry for that… I truly am."

"I would hug you right now, but you are wet and half naked," she pointed out.

Daniel laughed and nodded before taking a step back from her. "Sorry, I wasn't expecting company as I got dressed. Oh and I meant to tell you that the reason my mum was calling me non-stop was that my brother went into remission… the cancer is gone."

Amber smiled at the boy and she forgot the fact that he was wet and half naked as she pulled him into a hug. "That's amazing,"

"Yeah… I also meant to ask you if you were going to the before the holidays Christmas party in the school's nice heated swimming center."

"I was planning not to since I thought it would be awkward between us, but yeah, I see no reason why I can't," she replied.

Daniel nodded. "Good, it'll be fun… or at least better than the last pool party."

Amber laughed. "Yeah, I second that."

"Well I should get dressed and I'll see you later," Daniel responded.

Amber took the small hint and she left the room and returned to the dining area.

(***)

"I don't want to," Daniel groaned as he resisted Ariadne and Amber's strong grasps that were currently trying to pull him to the circle forming with all their friends.

"It'll be fun," Ariadne pointed out.

"Listen to your girlfriend, Baxter," Amber suggested.

He rolled his eyes at the use of his last name, but ultimately gave up as he sighed and followed the two girls to the circle where he took a seat between them. "I hate this game,"

"Why? It's an excuse to get drunk over things you've done," Amber pointed out.

Daniel nodded. "I guess that's the upside. Maybe I won't remember tomorrow."

"Alright, now that moopy Daniel is done," Joy clapped her hands together, "it's time for a fun game of 'I never'. Who wants to start?"

"I have never hated a game as much as I've hated this," Daniel joked.

Joy rolled her eyes and looked towards her friends. "Anyone?"

"I'll go. I've never gotten frostbite from being chased by Victor for having a teacup pig," Patricia stated.

"Ha ha," Fabian glared at the girl and took a quick shot, "when are you going to let that go?"

"Never," she laughed. "Next,"

"Umm… I've never… kissed a girl," Mara shrugged lamely.

"Amateur," Liz smirked as she downed a shot.

The game continued like this for ten more turns and it seemed like Liz had done a shot on every single one, with Ariadne right behind her, followed by Jerome.

Eventually it was Jerome's turn and he looked directly at Daniel as he said, "I've never made out with my roommate's ex-girlfriend."

The circle was quiet at the confession except for Ariadne who noticed the tension between Jerome and Daniel.

"Wait," Ariadne looked between the two before her eyes settled on Daniel. "You kissed Amber?"

"It was while we were broken up and it didn't-,"

"Save it," Ariadne cut him off and she stood up before exiting the pool.

Daniel narrowed his eyes at the blonde boy across from him as he picked up the glass and did a shot. "Anything else you want to get off your chest Jerome?"

"Oh, I've just begun. I've never slept with someone in a library named Morgan who actually had a girlfriend at the time."

"How did you know that?" Amber snapped.

Jerome shrugged and leaned back against the tile wall and watched as chaos began to ensue.

"Wait," Liz stood up from her seat and looked at Amber, "you're the one Morgan cheated on me with. You little-,"

"Liz, sit down," Michaela advised.

"No, she's the reason Morgan and I broke up after a year of a perfect relationship. She had to ruin it," Liz spat out.

"Morgan had a girlfriend?" Amber exclaimed.

"Yes and that 'girlfriend' currently wants to punch you in your facial region," Liz exclaimed,

"Stop embarrassing yourself… and me," Michaela shouted.

Liz glared at her cousin before looking at the whole group and saying, "Maybe I should add to this fun. I never slept with my crush's ex-girlfriend's ex-boyfriend repeatedly!"

"What?" Fabian jumped up from his seat and glanced at Mick, "I can't believe you would do that when you know how I feel about her,"

"Save it Fabian," Michaela rolled her eyes at the boy, "you have no right."

"I have no right?" Fabian exclaimed. "I thought the reason you broke up with Jerome was because you wanted us to be together."

"Oh don't even play innocent," Mick spat out. "At least I never slept with my friend's ex-girlfriend when I knew he still loved her!"

"Please Mick," Nina rolled her eyes and joined in on the drama, "I never cheated on my girlfriend while she was gone for a month with some random slut."

"I'm not a slut!" Mara shouted.

Nina's eyes grew wide and she looked between Mick and Mara. "I can't believe you. Did this ring mean nothing to you?"

"It meant everything; it still means everything, so why don't you calm down and check your facts because you weren't here!" Mick shouted.

"I couldn't do anything. I was gone!" she reminded him.

"Yes, but why didn't you try harder to stay and not leave me and make me go through the hell I did for four weeks!" Mick ran a hand through his hair and groaned. "Four weeks of doing everything I could to get you back including risking my own life and making sure that that ring didn't burn a hole in my pocket."

The whole group was quiet as they watched the pair's exchange, all their drama and issues suddenly melting away.

"I thought I had lost you, Nina, so excuse me if one night I had a bit too much to drink and the only bed I wanted to be in wasn't filled by the person I wanted to be with. People always blame the person that cheats, but for one second can I not be labeled the bad guy and get a fair trial? I fought for you… I fought so hard, so don't you dare stand up and yell up me like I am beneath you!"

Nina remained quiet as she walked up to Mick and slapped him across the face with the back of her hand. "What you aren't getting is that you are the bad guy and it doesn't matter what you say because you still cheated on me and nothing in the world could be a good enough excuse for me to ever forgive you. Nothing justifies your action especially you 'missing me'. When you miss the person you love the first reaction should not be to cheat; it should be to fight harder. Don't you dare try and pin this on me when you were the one that let the bomb blow up in your face."

With the final word Nina calmly walked out of the room and everyone looked around, their eyes settling on certain people in the circle. It was clear that the room they had only minutes ago assumed was full of friends was actually full of strangers.

(***)

It was quiet the next morning at Anubis house. Everyone sat at the breakfast table with their heads down as they ate their food in silence. In their heads they each had someone to blame for the drama and that's why when looks were exchanged to someone across the table that person would immediately look away.

"I don't remember it being this quiet since the day of the heatwave," Trudy told them as she added a pitcher of orange juice to the table.

"Things have changed since then," Nina told her. Her eyes briefly drifted to Mick before looking down at her plate.

Trudy sighed and stepped away from the table, "I don't know what has happened with all of you, but I know that when each and every one of you first arrived this year everything was okay. You were all happy with your friends and relationships. I'd hate to think that so much has fallen apart since then that you all barely talk to each other. I remember how it used to be with Patricia, Joy, and Mara closer than ever and Jerome and Alfie pulling pranks and Fabian, Nina, and Amber always huddled in a circle sharing secrets. Daniel was still in Ireland with his original group of friends and everyone was happy. What's changed since then?"

"We grew up," Mara replied, "We grew up and now we can't go back."

"That's not how people live," Trudy advised, "You don't just grow up in the course of a year; you stay young and you keep that fire in your eyes, that spirit that is incomparable to the one of someone who has seen too much… you keep living in Neverland."

The group stayed quiet for a moment before Daniel cleared his throat and set his fork down. He hesitated before saying, "So how did you get that pig Fabian?"

Fabian merely looked at him for a few seconds before his eyes wandered to everyone at the table and he began to speak, "Well actually it was Joy and Patricia…"

Soon the table was full of smiles and laughter and Trudy set the dish rag she had in her hands down. Her work was done.

(***)

The room was full of chatter in the afternoon. It appeared that all the Anubis kids needed was a bit of sense smacked into their heads before things returned as close to normal as they could.

"Left hand red and right foot green," Joy read aloud and watched as Daniel tried to find his way between Patricia and Fabian.

"I don't think that's possible," Daniel replied as he set his hand down on the mat, "Maybe if I-,"

Fabian suddenly sneezed and Patricia came crashing down on top of Daniel to avoid the germs causing her foot to slide and knock over Fabian who in turn collapsed on Mick. "God, your feet stink Fabian,"

The group laughed and watched as Daniel swatted Fabian's foot away and got up from the mat. "Who is next?"

"I think it's Amber, Nina, and Joy," Jerome answered as he picked the board up and prepared to spin the arrow.

"Daniel," Victor walked into the room and gestured for the boy to follow him, "Umm… it's your parents."

Daniel furrowed his eyebrows and walked over to the man. "Did they call the house phone? They usually dial my cell."

Victor gulped and briefly glanced at the teens who were now all watching Daniel and his' exchange.

"No," Victor lowered his voice and said, "They are waiting in your room."

Daniel stared at Victor who was looking at Daniel with a mixture of sadness and pity that scared him and made him think the worse.

"Umm," Daniel wiped his hands on his jeans, "okay."

He began to walk down the hall to his room as a whirlwind of thoughts flooded his mind. They were excuses; all positive and happy and promoting good things that helped his mind stray from the bad. It would have worked to if he hadn't had heard the sobbing coming from his room.

Daniel took a deep breath and he gripped the doorknob tightly before stepping into his room and having his mother run up to him and clutch his body like a parent would if they were to see there boy dead lying in the streets. And that's when he knew what had happened and the words leaving his father's mouth became mute. Daniel looked between both his parents before his arms fell limp at his sides and his eyes stared straight ahead. He could imagine what his parents sounded like to his friends and how worried they would be and at the moment he didn't want Amber barging in, so he kicked the door close and let silence fill the halls of Anubis house once again.

AN: This chapter was full of a lot and it wasn't exactly Christmas themed like I promised, but it was something. I don't know about you but I think Trudy won the contest for most inspirational speech in this chapter and it may now be one of my most favorite dialogues of the whole series, including House of Fire. The next chapter is a bit depressing and we don't really see much of the Anubis gang in it because I'm changing the scenery a bit. Stay tuned and expect an update soon. Happy 2014!

-Karina

P.S. If you actually read these things write the word penguin in a review. It'll be like a sort of wink towards me.