Rose was watching the sun rise when Crysta approached her. Rose noticed she was flustered and a bit angry looking.
"Well, well," Rose said. "Look who came to visit finally."
"What did you do to me?" Crysta demanded, skipping the formalities. Rose was shocked.
"I didn't do anything to you. How dare you accuse me of such a thing!" she replied angrily.
"At the ocean, what did you do to me?" Crysta asked again.
"Nothing!" Rose cried. "I swear it!"
"Don't lie," Crysta said, shaking now. Suddenly, Pips was there.
"What's going on?" he asked. "Crys, what are you saying?" Crysta whirled around to face him.
"I think your sister did something to me. I remembered...something. It's foggy, but it's there. She's lying to me, Pips. She knows she did something!" she cried.
"Rose?" Pips asked, facing his sister. He saw turmoil on her face. Damian had joined them now.
"What's with all the shouting?" he asked. He looked at Rose. "Rose?" She didn't answer. She was trying to win a staring contest with Crysta. She lost.
"All right," she said finally. "Fine. You're right." Pips felt like he was going to be sick.
"I called you a stupid bitch. Are you happy now?" Rose asked. Crysta was not prepared for that answer.
"W-what?" she stammered. "No. That's not it."
"Sorry, babe," Rose replied. "That's it. I was mad at you. It was uncalled for, but I thought you were unconscious and couldn't hear me." Pips had to cover his mouth and turn away. Damian just laughed outright. Crysta was furious.
"No," she said again. "That's not it. I can't remember it, but I will. I'll be back." She stormed off. Rose shrugged her shoulders apologetically to her brother. He shook his head at her.
"Always one for being blunt aren't you?" he asked. "That was a bit mean, Rose."
"That's who I am," she replied. "Take it or leave it. I don't think she's a stupid bitch anymore. I can promise you that." Pips just clapped her on the shoulder.
"I'll see you around, sis," he said. He went looking for Crysta.
"Does that change how you see me?" Rose asked Damian.
"Not at all. You always were brutally honest." He hugged her. "Breakfast?"
"Sure," she replied. That had been way to easy. Obviously Crysta hadn't remembered everything. Rose was worried that she would eventually. Perhaps it was soon time to leave Ferngully.
In the forest...
Rai was still looking for Carrie. He had already found a sniveling Treena hiding, but he left her alone. He would deal with her and her stupid sister later. For right now he needed his kid. No child of his was going to go cry about being abused. That was his priority. He figured she was with the human as no one would expect that. He had watched the human for a bit practising with his weapon. He was inclined to think it would assist him in his mission. Two birds, one stone. He smiled. Perfect.
Elsewhere...
"Crys, come on," Pips was saying to her. She had locked him out of his home. "I'm sorry."
"You should be! Laughing at me like that. It's not funny! And she's still lying!" Crysta shouted at him.
"Just let me in, please," he said. "Come on." She yanked the door open, glaring at him.
"You're so hot when you're pissed off," he told her, barely concealing his smirk. He grabbed the door before it slammed shut in his face. "I'm kidding!" he called to her receding back. "Come on, lighten up."
"Lighten up?" she asked, whipping around. "Lighten up?! How could you? You know how hard this has been for me!"
"I know, I know. I'm really sorry. Look, I just didn't expect her to say that. It caught me off guard. My response was very inappropriate. I'm admitting that. Come on, Crys, I'm sorry," he said again. He went a little closer to her, and she didn't move away.
"It was mean," she said. He moved closer again.
"I know it was. How can I make it up to you?" he asked. She stared at him, not answering. He was right in front of her now, cupping her face with one hand. She closed her eyes. She was still breathing hard from her anger. She tried really hard to forgive him. She knew he hadn't meant it in a hurtful way. It was just who he was.
"Crys?" he said again. She opened her eyes finally.
"Just give me some space," she replied. He dropped his hand.
"All right," he said. He stepped back from her and moved toward his bedroom. "I'll be in here." She ignored him and went to sit outside for a while. Could she have been wrong? Was Rose really just calling her a name? She had been so certain it was more than that. She shook her head with a small smile, thinking about Pips. Honestly. She knew, though, that she would have to put up with his sense of humor if she wanted to be with him. She could kind of see why he'd find it funny, but she wasn't excusing his behavior just yet. She went back inside. She found him leaned back on his bed with his arms behind his head, eyes closed. She went over to him and grabbed his wrists, holding them in place as she straddled his chest.
"Does this mean I'm forgiven?" he asked lightly, looking up at her. She didn't even answer. She just kissed him.
"I'll take that as a yes," he said after, breathless. She still had a hold of his wrists. She was propped above him.
"You asked how you could make it up to me," she finally said. "I've thought of a way."
"Ah," he said. "How so?"
"Let's try," she said, tilting her head. It took a moment for him to understand.
"Are you sure?" he asked. "I mean, really sure? I just..."
"I'm sure," she cut him off.
"I'm worried," he admitted.
"I am too, but we'll never know unless we try. Mother said she had the same problem and then had us three. Who's to say it won't be like that for us?" she asked. He looked up at her hopeful face. He hated being a pessimist.
"What if it doesn't?" he asked quietly. "Are you going to be able to handle it?"
"If I'm with you, yes," she said.
"And you'll tell me this time? Instead of making me find out the hard way?" he questioned, giving her a stern look.
"I promise," she said. He still felt worried and unsettled.
"Okay," he said after a minute.
"Okay," she echoed. He looked up at her, waiting. She nodded to herself. "Okay, let's do this." She lowered her face to his and kissed him softly. He freed himself easily from her grip and held her close. He could sense a new nervousness within her. Hell, he was freaking out just as much. He didn't want her to get hurt again. She stopped him after a moment.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"I don't know. I just...I'm having a hard time getting into it," she confessed.
"Are you changing your mind?"
"I don't know," she replied, "I really don't know."
"Is it me?" he asked cheekily.
"No! No," she laughed. "It's not you."
"Oh good," he said. "I was worried you finally broke me." She rolled her eyes. He smiled at her, relieved the tension was broken.
"We don't have to, Crys," he said softly. "If you're not ready..."
"I thought I was," she admitted. "I really did."
"What's changing your mind?"
"I...I don't want to lose another one," she replied, tearing up. "You're right. I'm just going to get hurt again."
"Maybe you won't," he encouraged. "You don't know that for sure. We're prepared this time. It's planned not unplanned. You are not alone in this for once." He held her face in his hands, trying to give her confidence. She looked at him gratefully.
"You're right," she agreed. "Thank you." He kissed her again. This time she responded the way she used to. The whole experience felt different still, but she didn't change her mind. Laying beside her afterwards, he touched her gently.
"Well?" he asked.
"I'm glad we did it," she replied, smiling.
"Good," he smiled back. "Me too." They were silent for a while. Then he remembered what happened earlier.
"I really am sorry," he said softly.
"I know," she replied, knowing what he was referring to. "You were right though. I took it a little too harshly."
"Well, it wasn't exactly a nice comment. It was just the way she said it that I found hilarious. Not what she said to you," he reassured her. "I wouldn't ever think..."
"You are forgiven!" she said, exasperated. "Now stop talking about it!" Laughing, she shoved him playfully. He was just glad she was back to her old self.
Crysta's home...
Lily waited outside rather impatiently. Wil seemed to be taking a long time talking to her father. She tried looking in the window, but they weren't in sight. She went back to pacing. She had to admit, it was rather unsettling to not have wings. She realized how easy it would be to fall from this height and die. She tried not to think about it. She also wondered how Wil did it all these years. She turned when the door opened behind her.
"Finally!" she exclaimed. Wil looked a little sheepish.
"Sorry it took so long. He was asking me about Rai and how I'd help. He said yes to us, by the way," he smiled. Lily leaped into his arms, kissing his face all over. Laughing, Wil tried to fend her off.
"All right, all right!" he cried. "Mercy! Have mercy!" She stopped finally, feeling shy suddenly.
"So this is it," she said.
"It is," he replied. "Ready to start your life with me?" She nodded vigorously. He kissed her sweetly. He didn't have the heart to tell her yet that he was to go hunting for Rai. He was waiting until he told Pips that he was to join him. Mother had been angry that Pips was being included in this, but Ash reminded her that he was one of the best, so he must go. Wil sensed they wouldn't be speaking to each other for a while.
"I have to go meet someone," he told her. "See you at home?"
"Yes," she replied, feeling a small sense of dread. She wondered what her father wanted him to do. She watched Wil leave feeling worried.
Pips' home...
Pips was feeling exhausted. He looked over at a sleeping Crysta beside him. She really did know how to wear him out. He grinned to himself. He wasn't complaining. He slipped out without disturbing her and went downstairs. He saw Wil coming and went to greet him.
"Where you been at?" Pips asked him.
"Hiding," he grinned. Pips knew what that meant.
"You two are official now?"
"Yea. Got Ash's approval today. By the way, you and I are to go on a mission," Wil informed him.
"It's about time, man," Pips told him. "I figured that's what you were here for. I've been waiting. What are we doing?"
"I think you can guess," Wil said. Pips nodded.
"Just give me a minute. I'll meet you down at the ground."
"Good luck," Wil joked. He knew how upset Crysta was going to be. Pips went back to his room, standing there for a moment taking in all of her before moving to wake her up. He leaned over her, propping his arms on either side of her and kissing her neck and face to waken her.
"That feels nice," she murmured without opening her eyes. Pips would give anything to stay here with her and not do what he had to do.
"Crys, I gotta go," he said to her. "You'll be all right here?" She opened her eyes.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"Out with Wil for a bit. I'll be back," he reassured her. He looked down at her for a moment. She really was breathtaking to him. She ran her hands up his arms and down his sides.
"Are you sure you can't stay?" she asked. "We could try again..." It was all he could do not to take her again right there.
"As much as I'd rather stay here all day with you," he said, touching her face. "I have to go."
"Okay," she whispered. He kissed her passionately and promised to return soon. He felt bad for not telling her what he was doing. He knew she'd force him to take her with him. He left her there wondering if he was indeed going to see her again. The thought terrified him.
Zak's burrow...
Carrie was very entertaining for a six year old. Zak hadn't smiled or laughed this much in a long time. He wondered if she somehow knew that. He was listening to her tell yet another joke that she had learned (or made up, he wasn't sure). He was beginning to feel safe here again and could feel his guard going down a little.
"And that's when..." Carrie trailed off. "Oh, hi daddy." Zak jumped to his feet, whirling around. Rai was standing there observing them.
"Carrie, go inside," Zak ordered.
"Carrie, stay put," Rai commanded. Carrie stayed put. Zak was furious.
"You can't just come here and beat her and not think I'll have something to do about it," Zak snarled.
"Watch me," Rai replied. He easily snatched Carrie up and, despite Zak's efforts, flew away with her. Zak was enraged and horribly devastated. He had one job to do, and he had failed to do that. He ran inside and grabbed his gun. It was hunting time.
In the forest...
Rose had to find her brother. She had to find him and tell him what happened. It was eating her alive. She couldn't take it anymore. Damian had been confused at her rambling about finding Pips and just gave up trying to figure it out. She was determined to make this right. After searching for a while, she found him and Wil.
"Hey!" she called, approaching them. "What are you doing?"
"Looking for Rai," Wil told her. He still felt awkward around her.
"You shouldn't be," she accused Pips. "You should be resting."
"Ash's orders," Pips shrugged. "I feel all right."
"I'd say Crysta has whipped you back into shape anyway," Wil sniggered. Pips gave him a punch in return.
"What's up?" he asked Rose while Wil was rubbing his arm and muttering to himself.
"I need to talk to you," she said. "Now."
"Oka..." He was cut off by Carrie's shrieking. They all jerked their heads up to see Rai with a struggling Carrie coming down to them. Wil immediately pulled his bow taut. Pips gripped his knife, and Rose felt utterly unprepared. She was very unarmed and very aware of this.
"Fancy meeting y'all here," he drawled.
"Let her go, Rai," Wil warned.
"Or what? You'll shoot me? Go ahead and try," Rai sneered, moving Carrie so she was in the direct line of fire.
"Don't," Pips said to Wil, holding his arm out. Wil was furious. He hated how cowardly this man was, hiding behind his own child.
"Let's just talk this out," Rose suggested.
"No! No talking," Rai snarled. "Enough is enough!" This is when Carrie bit him. "Aargh!" Rai shouted, dropping her. Carrie ran towards Wil, who sheltered her. Suddenly, Zak had joined the fray, leaping on Rai's back, bringing him down.
"You leave her alone!" he was yelling. He and Rai tussled on the ground. Rai managed to get Zak's gun, kicking Zak off of him and getting up. He pointed it at Pips.
"Zak, what is that?" Pips asked nervously.
"It's nothing good," Zak answered, panting. He took a few swings at Rai again, but Rai easily played keep away with him.
"I've seen you use it," Rai said. "I know how it works. Pretty powerful weapon if you ask me. It should never have been created."
"Zak..." Pips said again. What the hell kind of human contraption did he bring into their world this time? Rai's lips curled into a cruel smile.
"My father will be avenged," he said softly. He took aim and fired.
"No!" Crysta screamed, leaping in front of Pips. She felt her body get struck by something, felt everything become blurry and muffled. Pips caught her by the elbows before she fell. Rai managed to get shots off at Wil and Rose, who managed to escape. Wil was clipped in the leg, causing him to collapse. Zak was able to grab Carrie and take off. Rai moved toward Pips when an arrow went through his chest. Rai looked surprised before falling into a heap. Pips didn't even care, didn't see Damian come out from the shadows with Rose's bow.
"Crys!" he cried, holding her in his arms. She struggled to breathe. Then, she remembered everything. It all flooded into her memory. The times they were together before they fell in love, all the skylarking, all the tender moments, everything. Every single memory of him was hers again. She finally understood what she had been told to forget. She felt herself becoming dead weight, bringing Pips down to his knees, still holding her. She searched for Rose.
"Crys, don't leave me," he was crying. "Crys, come on!"
"Pips..." Her voice was barely a whisper.
"What, what?!" he said, holding her face in his hands.
"I remember you," she whispered.
"Oh," he cried. "Oh, Crys." She turned her head again, finally finding her among the shadows. Then she turned back to look at him. She reached up and wrapped her fingers around his.
"It'll be all right," she said, gasping now. "I promise."
"No, no it won't. Crys, don't go," Pips begged. "Don't go!" But she was gone. He screamed in agony. He screamed and screamed until Wil grabbed him and shook him.
"Pips! PIPS!" he shouted. "Stop it. Just stop it. She's gone."
"I know that!" Pips roared at him. "I know!" Rose had re-entered the scene. She was horrified. She had never seen her brother like this. He would not be separated from Crysta despite their efforts. Zak had returned alone, Batty having taken Carrie to Mother. He was anguished as well. He couldn't believe she was gone. Crysta was dead. Nothing would ever be the same again.
So hard to write. The big secret is revealed in the next chapter...promise!