A/N: I appreciate all of your support during this time of "away-from-the-computer." I had a seriously busy week and a half with all the training required for my job, and we're going into our first week here, so things will be just as busy for a little while longer. I look forward to giving you a longer chapter either some time this week during a break, or next weekend at the latest. Until then, please enjoy this little vignette!
As they approached Universal Studios roller-coasters rose up through the palm trees.
"Wicked," Andre pronounced.
Robbie, who had his face smashed against the window, agreed. "Sweet."
"You'd get so sick," Rex said. "Or pee yourself. Did you bring spare pants?"
"Oh, shut up," Robbie said to the puppet.
"Well, did you?"
"No."
Jade stood up and awkwardly made her way to the back of the bus, where Evie rocked back and forth with the motion of the vehicle, her eyes closed. "Evie," Jade whispered.
Evie didn't open her eyes, but she said, "Hmm?"
"I just wanted to say… thank you."
"For what?"
"For bringing all of us here."
"I think Dad might have had more to do with that," Evie replied, a small smile playing over her lips, eyes still closed.
"Well, then thank you for bringing us all together," Jade said.
Evie thought about this, then shifted herself in her wheelchair, sitting up straighter. She opened her eyes and looked at Jade. "I appreciate the sentiment, Jadey, but believe me when I say that you could have brought these people all together… you have it within you."
"I'm not that nice."
"You're not," Evie agreed, "but you could be. And maybe… maybe someday it'll be your turn."
"And where will you be?"
"I'm going to stay with Dumbledore," Evie answered promptly. "I'm just going to stay. And someday…"
She didn't finish her sentence, but her eyes left Jade's face and flicked over to the bus window.
"And someday what?" Jade prompted.
Evie stared out at the scenery for a moment, and then brought her eyes back to Jade's face. "Someday you'll understand," she said, and then she closed her eyes and said no more.