AN: This one's an AU where Jessica is able to grow wings while in human form. Enjoy!

Words (excluding author's note): 1563


Jessica rubbed her back, still wondering what the curious sensation she could feel was. It had started on the coach on the way back to school from the field trip Mrs Gulinder had taken her class on that day.

It was more irritating than anything, though it was slightly painful as well. She had no idea what could be causing it. Perhaps she was coming down with something but she didn't feel ill.

As soon as she, along with Toby and Nick, had arrived home, they had been greeted before being told to wait for tea. She always enjoyed Mrs Tripp's cooking and today was no exception as she tucked into some lasagna.

When she finished, she took her empty plate and cutlery into the kitchen and rinsed them before turning to Mrs Tripp and asking, "Would it be alright if I went and took a nap? I'm feeling a little tired." The truth was, the strange sensation on her back was getting worse. She wanted some privacy to investigate what was going on. What if it was something serious?

"Yes, of course," Mrs Tripp responded. "Are you sure you're alright, though?" After assuring her that she was only tired and not feeling unwell, Jessica made her way upstairs and into her room, closing the door behind her.


Toby wandered up the stairs when he heard a strange bang coming from Jessica's room followed by a muffled, "Ow, my head!"

Curious as to what was going on, he approached her door and knocked, hearing her muttering to herself and apparently tripping over. "Jess, it's me! Can I come in?" he asked.

"Toby!" she exclaimed. "N-no! I-I'm not...I'm not decent!" Toby rolled his eyes, knowing full well she was lying. The stuttering and the way her voice had risen a few octaves was a dead giveaway.

"Yeah, and I got the highest score on that last test!" he responded, turning the door handle. Just as he'd suspected, she had been lying but the sight of her sitting on her bed surrounded by a lot of white feathers? "You lose a fight with your pillow?"

She glanced down at her bed, noticing the mess. "No, I...wait, what are you even doing in here? I said I was..."

Toby sighed. "Jess, I don't know if you know this but I've known how to tell when you're lying for years. Now are you gonna tell me what's going on or am I gonna have to play detective?"


Jessica looked at the boy who had moved into the room from inside the doorway. His foot was tapping the floor impatiently as he waited for her response. She wished she could think of a way to stall for time but her mind was blank and she knew he wouldn't leave until he knew exactly what was going on.

"Okay, so you know how we seem to be able to use our powers on Earth now? Even when we're not transformed?" Toby nodded silently as she continued. "Well, think about it - I'm an Air Lord. What can I apparently do now?"

She watched him frowning as he thought about it. "Wait," he muttered to himself before he looked up at her. "You can really do that?" To her surprise, her friend nearly sprints across the room and sits down on the bed next to her, an eager smile on his face. "Can I see them?"

She honestly hadn't expected him to work it out that quickly and it caught her off guard. So she shook her head frantically, not trusting herself to speak.

"Awww, why not?" he almost whined.

"Because you'll laugh," she told him simply.

"No, I won't," was his immediate response.

"Toby, this is you we're talking about here. You laugh at everything!" she reminded him, folding her arms. She needed to keep finding reasons to say no. She couldn't let him win.

Her friend looked at her suddenly with a strange look on his face. With utter sincerity, he said, "I won't laugh, Jess. I promise."

She looked at him, unable to understand why he couldn't just give up. To her annoyance, her brain was running out of reasons for her to say no. "Fine," she relented. "I'll show you but if you tell anyone..."

"You'll make sure my life isn't worth living. I know!" Toby said cheerfully and she resisted the urge to throw the pillow on the bed at him. He could be so annoying at times and it annoyed her that she found it attractive. Yes, she just thought that and, as much as she'd like to take it back and pretend it never happened, she knows she can't. And, really, she doesn't want to pretend. Not anymore, at least.

She stood up and stood in front of him, taking a deep breath. Her heart was beating faster than ever. Was this really a good idea? She'd already agreed, though

She didn't feel right not keeping her promise. She felt she had to do it now, even if he did laugh. Toby watched in awe as a pair of angel wings slowly unfurled from her back. "See?" she said stubbornly, folding her arms and refusing to meet his gaze. "I look..."

"Beautiful," he murmured, as though he was in a trance. "So very beautiful."

Jessica felt her cheeks burn at this, cursing the crush she had on him. It was amusing seeing him like this, she mused. He almost looked lovestruck, the way he was staring at her. No, that couldn't be right.

She looked down and saw that he had grabbed her hand in his own, pulling her closer to him. His other hand reached round to her back, touching the wings gently.

"S-Sorry!" he exclaimed as she did a quivery little jump. He continued to stroke the feathers, being careful not to ruffle them. "So soft..."

"What do you mean?" she asked curiously, the sensation making her feel relaxed and calm for some reason.

"Well, when you're transformed, your feathers are really sharp like knives. But these...they're really soft and fluffy!" he explained as he finally looked up.

"Fluffy?" she giggled slightly. "Never thought I'd hear you say that, Toby!"

She turned around to face him and was taken aback once more by the look on his face. He looked genuinely happy and it made her feel happy, too. Why had she thought it would be embarrassing to reveal her new secret to him again?

"You know - you almost look like an angel," Toby said thoughtfully before nodding and looking her right in the eye. "Yeah...my little angel."

If her face had been red before, Jessica was positive she was as red as a tomato by now as she squeaked out, "Y-Your little angel?"

He reached out with one hand, cupping her face. She closed her eyes as she felt his lips brush against her own. It was brief and she felt herself whimper slightly, wishing it had lasted longer. "Yeah," he responded as he pulled away. She opened her eyes and realized that his face was as red as hers felt. So he was nervous or embarrassed, too? It didn't make any sense to her at first - Toby didn't get nervous or embarrassed. But then it clicked...oh. Now...now she understood.

With renewed confidence, she asked, "So does this make you my wet head, then? Or should I call you fish boy instead?"

"I-I guess so," he said, suddenly overcome with nerves. "I'll be whatever you want me to be - I just want you to know that I really like you, Jess."

Jessica smirked. "I think I worked that out when you kissed me," she told him. "But I like you too. If I didn't, you probably wouldn't be conscious right now, no offense!" She wouldn't let just any guy kiss her - if someone tried to force a kiss on her, she'd definitely defend herself.

"Wait," Toby said as he tried to process it all. "So are we..."

"I don't know," Jessica responded in a teasing tone. "Do you want to be?"

"Would I ask if I didn't want to be?" Toby replied, running a hand through his hair.

Instead of replying, she leaned in and kissed him. When they broke apart, she whispered, "Yes, you silly wet head."


"Hey, Jess," Toby called out as he absent-mindedly stroked his girlfriend's wings. "Do you think I can do this at other times? It's really relaxing and I like just being with you like this."

"As long as we're alone, I don't mind," Jessica responded, feeling so relaxed she felt she would fall asleep at any moment.

"Hey, what if I can spontaneously grow gills or fins? I'd be able to breathe underwater for as long as I liked! I'd never lose another swimming race again! Jess, hey, are you even listening?"

Toby looked down and saw that his girlfriend had fallen asleep. Her wings had folded themselves back in. Leaning down, he kissed her forehead, whispering:

"Sweet dreams, my little angel."