Disclaimer: All characters belong to Square.

Author's Note: Sorry this took so long, but I've had a rough holiday season. If you still have questions/concerns after reading, I always check my e-mail. Just put "Questions about The Contest" or something like that in the subject, so I'll know it's not junk mail.

Summary: Serge learns a secret about himself, and Kid makes an expected choice.

... are thoughts.

The Contest, Part 6: Rainy Daze


For the first time in his life, Serge wasn't running to escape the rain. Today was different, so he was different. There was no need to get in out of the rain. The cold drops splashing over his face actually felt...good. He was no longer sure why people always ran away from them.

There's so much to think about now. With Lynx gone, I can stop worrying about changing, but there are other things to worry about. I know Lynx was controlling me-all of us, really-somehow. He was making me desire Kid...but did he put all those feelings inside me...or did he just build upon what was already there? How can I tell if I really do love her?

Serge decided to stop thinking so hard, at least, for a moment or two. He walked deeper into the forest, trying to clear his head. If he was going to figure anything out this day, he needed to be totally relaxed.

* * * * *

Razzly was used to waking up to the smell of breakfast. This morning, she woke up to the smell of fur instead. Relatively clean fur that smelled like candy, mind you, but still fur all the same.

Using the little strength she did have, Razzly turned her head. Pip was curled up next to her, snoring quietly.

"Pip, wake up," she whispered.

Pip's eyes shot open. "Wazzly?!"

"I think your accent's getting worse. You used to get my name right."

Pip covered her mouth with a paw. "No! Don't tawk! You have to save yoa stwenth!"

Razzly weakly pushed the paw away. "Talking doesn't make me tired, moving does. Could you get me something to eat, please?"

"Nope. Hawwe told me to give you CuaWall befoa I did anything ewse."

Razzly frowned. "CureAll? But I can't drink that!"

Pip nodded. "I knoa. I'll bwing some tea, too." He scampered out of the room.

It suddenly occurred to Razzly that there was only one way to apply CureAll...physically. Of course, by that time, Pip had returned.

"Okay, Wazzly. I think I have to wub dis-"

"If you think I'm going to let you rub ANYTHING on me, Pip, you're dead wrong!" Razzly shouted.

Pip frowned and stopped in the doorway. "But Wazzly, yoa sick, and Hawwe told me to-"

"I don't care what Harle said! I'd rather stay sick! You just stay right there!"

Pip stared at her for a few seconds. Finally, he asked, "Would you let Suge do it?"

Razzly blushed bright red. "Of course not! Sergey is my friend, and...and..."

"I'm yoa fwend, too, Wazzly," Pip said quietly. "At least, I thought I was. Suge is gone, Kid won't leave hea woom, and Hawwe won't, either. I just wanted to help you get betta."

Razzly instantly felt ashamed. Pip had been trying to help her get well. Ever since last night, he'd been running back and forth between the kitchen and her bedroom, bringing her anything to keep her strength up.

Pip walked over to the bedside table and placed the CureAll and tea on it. "I'll just leave dese hea. Call me if you change yoa mind." He paused to look at her once more before hurrying out of the room.

* * * * *

Harle had never been more confused in her life. Lynx was dead, Serge hadn't said anything since then, and Kid...she hadn't said anything, either. How long was this eerie silence going to last?

Monsieur Lynx said that he would unite us with love...but we've never been more apart. What could he possibly have meant?

Harle sighed and stared out of her window. She could see Serge walking away from the inn, and thought about catching up with him.

No. I should not torture myself zat way, and Serge has enough worries right now. I would only confuse him.

Still, as she watched him walk into the forest, Harle was reminded of the moment she'd fallen in love with Serge. Ironically enough, it was Lynx that brought it to her attention.

* * * * *

Lynx was angry. That much was not news. But the fact that he was in Serge's body took some getting used to.

"Do you know, Harle?" he asked quietly. "Do you know how long I've waited for this day? Too long, that's how long." He paused and stared at his hands. He'd been doing that a lot lately.

"Monsieur, what troubles you?" she pleaded. Harle hated being around him when he got angry. Because then he had a tendency to get self-destructive, and now that he was in Serge's body... Was she concerned for Lynx, or Serge's body?

"It doesn't matter now. Nothing does." His voice rose suddenly. "Nothing! None of it matters anymore! NOTHING!" He was shrieking now, grabbing his dark blue hair and tugging, harder and harder.

"Monsieur! Control yourself!" Harle found herself grabbing his shoulders and shaking him, trying her best to calm him down. "You must relax!"

He fell silent and shuddered before falling to his knees. "This body...it's still resisting me. I can control it. I MUST control it!"

Harle kneeled beside him and wrapped her arms around his shaking shoulders. "You should rest, Monsieur. Zis day has taken a great toll on your mental and physical state."

Lynx slowly reached up and grasped her hand. "You are...right, of course, Harle." His breathing became normal again. "I should rest."

"Oui. I will leave you now, so that-"

"No," he said sharply, squeezing her hand. "Stay here." He glanced into her eyes, but only for a second. "Please."

Harle somehow managed to hide the surprise that almost washed over her features. "As you command, Monsieur."

"It wasn't a command, Harle. It was a request." He released her hand and sighed. "I want to thank you...for your loyalty to me."

"There is no need for-"

"There is EVERY need," he interrupted. "My goals...have left me little time for lasting relationships, and my experiences with women are...somewhat unpleasant to remember. But you, my Harle...you are different."

Harle's eyes widened a bit. He'd never called her "his" before. True, he'd said things like "you belong to me" when he was on one of his many mad rants, but that was in a master-to-slave tone, and ultimately meaningless when he'd had a chance to regain his composure. They both had a silent agreement about that. But this...this was new...and almost scary.

"What are you saying?" she whispered.

"I have a confession to make. I've always thought of you as a child, Harle. From the moment we met, you were a helpless little girl that needed guidance. I intended to control and use you, and then throw you away, like I had the others. But over time, I began to think of you as my child. I was your father in every way that mattered, and you were my daughter, so eager to please me." He turned to look at her. "I've watched you grow, and I must say that you've surpassed anything I thought you would become, my dear."

"Monsieur..." For the first time in years, Harle felt tears coming to her eyes.

"Don't cry, Harle." He gently brushed a tear from one of her eyes. "My beautiful child, I am very proud of you. But we can..." He shook his head and growled in frustration.

"What is it?" Harle asked. "Tell me!"

"I feel...strange." Lynx raised his head, staring at her with blues eyes that weren't meant to be his. "Harle," he whispered softly, reaching up to cup her chin in his hands.

For some reason, she made no attempt to resist him. There was something about those eyes that held her attention. Harle felt herself leaning forward, closer and closer, and her eyes closed.

"No...NO!" Lynx suddenly shoved her away, his eyes wide and full of horror.

Harle stared at him in surprise.

"No...this is wrong!" He pounded the ground with a tightly clenched fist. "It's...the body! It has to be! It's making me weak...making me give in..." He growled again and dragged his fingers through the dirt.

"Monsieur...what are you...?"

Lynx lowered his head. "No...I'm not the Chrono Trigger...I could never be." He sighed. "Go to him, Harle. Guide him. He will need your help. Go now, while I still have some control in this form."

"But...what about you?"

"I...will be fine, with rest. Go."

Harle hesitated, then started to walk away. She paused, then doubled back to give him a peck on the forehead. "Au revoir, Monsieur," she said quietly before fading from sight.

* * * * *

Harle had tried to deny her feelings at first. She'd told herself that Lynx was controlling her mind and body. But when she encountered Serge in Lynx's body, Harle just knew. She hadn't been attracted to Lynx, but to Serge's image.

Her feelings for Lynx weren't the same. She loved him, but as a daughter would her father. But after he'd been in Serge's body, Lynx had changed. He wasn't as commanding, and he could hardly be called evil anymore.

She had to wonder, though. Just what had pushed her to try and kiss him that night? Was it her feelings for Serge, or was it Lynx's need for affection being exercised through his telepathy?

It wouldn't have been the first time. Every now and then, when he was at his lowest points, Lynx would plant a suggestion in her head. A warm embrace here, a kiss on the cheek there, but never anything more. Soon, he didn't need to suggest anymore. Harle began to respond to him, always being able to tell when he needed her touch, and she was happy to do so. He was her father in every way that still mattered.

But in his death, Lynx had revealed the truth: he was Serge's father. So what did that mean for her? For both of them? Harle didn't know, and she had a feeling no one was going to tell her. It was something she'd have to figure out on herown.

* * * * *

"He didn't say anything?"

Kid, who was sprawled across the bed, closed her eyes. "Nothin', Pip."

"Dat doesn't sound wike Suge."

"Actually, it does."

"No, I mean he isn't qwiet at times wike dis. He's da one dat goes awound checking on evewybody, making sure dea okay."

"He can't do that this time, mate." Kid slowly opened her eyes. "Serge has to make sure that he's okay first. That's gonna take some time."

"So you don't know if he wuvs you?"

She swallowed hard. "Can't really say. Lynx was controlling us both, but those things he said to me...they sounded...nice. Really nice."

"Suge is nice."

"I know that, Pip, but...I dunno if it was really him. I have to be sure. We both do."

Pip climbed onto the bed and burrowed beneath her arm. "Kid, what's it feel like to be in wuv?"

She absently squeezed the purple tuft of fur on his head. "Ever eat the blue mushrooms, mate?"

"Yea?"

"Like that, but better."

"Oh." He was silent for a moment. "I think I'm in wuv with Wazzly."

"What does she think?"

Pip sighed. "She's mad at me."

"For liking her?"

"I think it's cuz she's sick and can't move. She didn't want me to touch her."

Kid thought for a moment. "Does she know how you feel?"

"No. I got afwaid and wan away."

"Tell her, mate, and be bloody quick about it."

"But why?" Pip asked.

"Cuz if ya don't, I'll skin ya with this knife."

He stared at the large knife in her hand. "I'd betta go see Wazzly now."

"Good choice, furball."

* * * * *

A much younger Serge walked up the beach, enjoying the way the wet sand felt between his toes. The task of finding seashells was a simple but entertaining one for him, but today was different. He'd find the perfect one this time...for her.

Serge glanced behind him. Several yards away, he could see his friend, Leena, dropping another seashell into her small basket. He quickened his pace, studying the ground intently. His eyes searched for any small gleam of light that might reveal the hiding place of a larger shell. Leena really liked the bigger ones.

Suddenly, his gaze fell upon a pale shell with red stripes on it. Serge poked it carefully with his toe. There was a bit of movement, and a hermit crab's head appeared, its antennae waving furiously at being disturbed. Serge drew a larger shell from his pocket and placed it on the sand.

The hermit crab studied it for a bit, then scurried into the larger shell, seemingly satisfied with the trade.

Serge picked up the pale shell and tucked it in his pocket. He nodded his thanks to the crab before hurrying back up the beach, where Leena was counting the shells they'd collected. Serge stopped in front of her and patiently waited to be acknowledged.

Leena finally looked up. "Hi, Serge. Find any good ones?"

He nodded eagerly and held out the pale shell. "There was a crab in it."

"That means it's lucky." She took the shell and rolled it around in her hand. "It is kinda small, though..."

"It reminded me of you," he said quietly.

Leena paused and looked up at him. A slow smile made its way across her face, and she carefully placed the shell in her basket. "It's beautiful. Thank you, Serge." She stepped closer to him and quickly kissed his cheek.

Serge's eyes widened a bit, but he found that his voice was gone.

"I'm gonna look for some down by the rocks," Leena mumbled, blushing bright red. She turned and ran in the other direction.

Serge watched her go, then went back to his search. He hadn't been at it long when something furry brushed against his leg. A chill went through his body as he looked down.

It was a small cat. A kitten, really. It had probably followed them from the village, and was pretty much harmless.

All the same, Serge gasped and backed away, trying to put some distance between them.

The kitten purred and came closer, looking at him with obvious curiosity. It was probably wondering if he'd make a good playmate.

Serge swallowed noisily and finally found his voice. "Go away," he whispered. "Leave me alone."

The kitten tilted its head slightly and batted at his big toe with a paw.

A scream escaped his lips, and before he knew it, Serge was running like mad. But as he neared the forest, his foot caught on something, and he went sprawling in the dirt.

Naturally, the kitten arrived a few seconds later.

Serge's eyes widened in fear, and he tugged desperately at the vine wrapped around his ankle.

The kitten crawled towards him, waving its tail playfully.

Another chill went through his body, and Serge began to shake uncontrollably. "No! Get away from me! Leave me alone!" he shouted.

The kitten ran forward and leaped at him.

Serge screamed and threw up his hands in a final attempt to push the kitten away. He felt a sharp pain in his palms, and knew that the kitten's claws were slicing him to ribbons. But the pain passed too quickly, and he didn't feel the weight of the animal land on him. He slowly opened his eyes.

The kitten was lying a few feet away in a puddle of water. A puddle that hadn't been there before, Serge soon realized. Standing just beyond it was Leena, a startled expression on her face.

"Serge," she whispered, "what did you...how did you...?"

Serge stared at the kitten. When it didn't move after a few moments, he knew it was dead. He happened to glance down at his hands. They were damp, as if he'd been sweating...only he hadn't been.

Leena took a step closer, still staring at him. "The water...it came from your hands. How'd you do that, Serge?"

"I-I don't know. I didn't mean to...to..." Tears spilled from his eyes, and Serge buried his face in his hands.

Suddenly, Leena was at his side, gently cradling his head in her arms. "It's okay, Serge," she whispered. "I won't tell anyone, I promise. It'll be our secret."

Serge threw his arms around her waist and hugged his friend tightly. "What's wrong with me, Leena? What am I?"

Leena shushed him and stroked his blue hair. "You're my best friend and more, that's what. C'mon, we'd better get back to the village."

Serge felt a little better with Leena's arms wrapped round him as they walked, but he couldn't get over the feeling inside him. He'd killed a living creature. What if he hurt someone he cared about next? What if he hurt Leena?

The thought was too much to bear. Serge pulled away from her and ran, his legs pumping like pistons. He could hear her calling his name, but he wouldn't stop until his lungs were almost ready to explode. Only then did he collapse to the ground, entirely spent.

* * * * *

Serge sighed and lowered his head. I miss you, Leena. On a whim, he looked at his hands again. Perfectly normal hands, for the most part.

A rather large drop of water hit his forehead, and Serge realized that he was standing in the middle of a river. The water only came up to his knees for now, but he had a feeling that the heavy rain would soon change that.

"Let me guess. You're wondering why you feel so comfortable in the water."

Serge looked up to see a blurry shape in the water. "What?"

"In short, you hate cats, and cats hate water. Simple, yes? But there's much more to it than that."

"Who are you?" Serge asked.

The blurry shape rose up, taking on a more humanoid form. And even though it was entirely made of water, Serge knew the figure right away. "Father?" he whispered hoarsely.

"Yes, my son. Now listen carefully. We have much to discuss."

* * * * *

Razzly's eyes snapped open as something furry brushed her face. She looked up to see Pip leaning over her, his paw gently stroking her forehead.

"Pip, what-"

He pressed the paw to her lips. "Wazzly, I need to tell you something." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I wuv you." He opened his eyes.

"...what?" Razzly asked, a blank look on her face.

"I know you probabwy didn't wanna hea dat, but I-"

"No," she interrupted. "I didn't understand what you said."

"Oh." He blushed, then cleared his throat. "I said...I wuv you."

"Huh?"

Pip scrunched up his face, obviously frustrated. "I said I wuv you!"

"What's that mean?"

"IT MEANS I WUV YOU!" Pip shouted, his voice rising to a shriek.

"What?" Razzly asked, a strange look coming over her face.

Pip took a deep breath and started to scream it, but she stopped him.

"No, I heard you that time. It's just...I never knew."

"Oh." He sighed. "I didn't eider, until now."

"So..." she said quietly. "Why'd you tell me?"

"Kid said she'd skin me if I didn't, and I wike my skin. It's all soft and puffy and-"

"Pip, try to focus on the situation."

"Sowwy."

Razzly stared up at him expectantly.

"Uh...I've neva been in wuv befoa..." he muttered.

"I could tell," she said with a smile.

"So...what do I do?"

She nodded towards the CureAll on the table. "You could start with that."

"But I thought you didn't want me to-"

"Pip. I'm sick, irritable, and weak. This is not the time to question me."

"Oh. Wight. Sowwy." He started to reach for the CureAll.

"Could you open the window first?"

"Sua, Wazzly." Pip turned away and walked over to the curtains. He pushed them aside and opened the window with a little strain. Groaning from the effort, he turned around just in time to see Razzly's outfit hit the floor.

"Well, are you going to stand there all day, or are you going to help me get better?"

"I...I...I..." The color drained out of Pip's face.

"What?" she asked innocently. "How else are you going to put the CureAll on?"

"But...but...but..."

"Well, I don't think you need to see THAT," she replied. Then, with a seductive smile and a wink, she added, "Yet."

Pip's eyes rolled up into his head, and he passed out, hitting the floor with a loud thump.

Razzly smiled and curled up under the covers. She'd get her clothes later. Whenever Pip woke up, anyway. Of course, she'd have to keep him conscious long enough to flash him up close, but somehow, she didn't think tricking him into getting that close would be a problem now. Her thoughts soon turned to the other female members of the party, who were dealing with their own feelings in much the same way...by seeking out the boy who was at the root of them all.

* * * * *

Kid had expected to find Serge in the forest, even if it was still raining. He was one of those closet nature lovers. He'd never admit it, but he could sit for hours in nothing more than the shade of a tree, watching life pass him by.

She hadn't expected to find him standing in the middle of a river, but Serge was weird like that sometimes. Most of the time, really. But that was one of things she liked about him. He was unpredictable, much like she was.

Then she noticed something a little too strange. Serge was talking, but not to himself. He was talking to the water...at least, whatever the thing was, it was composed of water. It almost looked human, but...

Kid crept closer, being as quiet as possible. She could hear them clearly now.

"What do you mean?" Serge was asking.

The water man sighed. "Don't you feel any different now?"

"Yes, but...what's that got to do with anything?"

The man smiled. "It's not a feeling. It's a fact. Look down."

Serge did, and gasped. When Kid looked, she did the same thing, and with good reason.

Serge was standing in the water, that much was certain. From his head to his shorts, everything was visible and plain. But the water was pretty clear, so his legs and shoes should have been visible. But they weren't. It took Kid a few minutes to realize that they were still there, but she couldn't see them. And when she looked up again, she knew why.

Much like the person he was talking to, Serge was now completely composed of water. He was staring at his new form, with some shock, but with an overall gaze of...acceptance?

* * * * *

"I knew you'd find out one day. I just didn't think it would take my death to bring it out."

Serge stared at his father's form. "But...I don't understand."

"Of course you don't. That's why I'm here. Or rather, why I'm here," he said, touching his son's forehead. "This form is a product of your subconscious mind, Serge. You created this illusion to help yourself understand the changes you're obviously going through, mentally and physically."

"So what are you saying?" Serge asked. "That I knew this would happen?"

"On some levels, you've always known. Now you know on all levels. This is your true form, son. You're not human. As far as I know, you never have been."

Serge stared at him with a look of pure disbelief.

"I know it's difficult to accept, but look at the evidence. That accident with the kitten that you thought only Leena knew about. It happened because you panicked. You lost your control for a moment, and you paid the price."

"How did you know about that?"

"I told you, I'm a product of your mind. I know what you know."

Serge looked at his new body again. "So...I'm a demi-human."

"It's more complicated than that, son. There are three types of demi-humans. Some only look misshapen compared to humans. Some have special powers. Then, there's you."

"Me? What's that mean?"

"I didn't want to have to tell you this, but there's no other way." He paused. "Serge...when you were born...your body was just like it is now. Pure water. We hid it as best we could, because the villagers wouldn't understand. Then, you just...changed. You didn't learn, you just...knew how to change your appearance. You took on a human form, and we tried to help by pretending you were normal."

"So you lied to me."

His father smiled. "No, Serge. You acted like a human, so we treated you like one. The love was never an act."

Serge shook his head. "I still don't get it. You told me I wasn't like other demi-humans."

"You're beyond them, son. I guess a good word for it would be demi-god. There's a reason why you feel so comfortable in the water, Serge. I'm trying to tell you that no demi-human could ever hope to possess the kind of power over nature that you have."

"What power?!" Serge shouted. "Just tell me what you mean!"

"That's not my job, son. I'm only here to show you path. You're the one that has to walk it."

There was a bright flash of light, and Serge was suddenly alone again.

"Freaky stuff, ain't it, mate?"

He gasped and spun around. Strangely enough, the river seemed to react to his movements, sending a large wall of water rushing straight at the shore.

Kid's eyes widened a bit and she covered her head, waiting for the oncoming tidal wave. When it didn't come, she finally looked up.

Serge was standing in front of her, the wall of water seemingly frozen behind him. "Sorry. You startled me. I'm new at this, I guess." The water gradually sank back into the river.

"You did that?" Kid asked, obviously confused.

"Yes. I can control water, but it's more than that. At least, I think it is."

"Well, don't take this the wrong way, but you're startin' to make me uncomfortable with the water skin."

"Oh. Sorry." Serge closed his eyes, and his human form returned. "Better?" he asked.

Kid nodded. "Much. Don't supposed you could do anything about the rain?"

"I don't wanna mess with the natural balance of things. But I can do this." Serge waved his hand, and a blue bubble appeared around Kid. "I know it looks weird, but it'll keep you dry."

"Well, you wanna share it, or you gonna make one for yourself?"

"Don't want one. I like the rain," he said simply. "C'mon, the others are probably looking for us."

* * * * *

Harle didn't normally pace, but she found it was best to use variety when doing it. So she paced on the floor, up and down the walls, and across the ceiling. She was even considering pacing the corners when Pip stumbled into the kitchen, looking very pale but somewhat happy. "Monsieur Pip?" she asked. "Is everything okay?"

His eyes had a glazed look in them. "Flowas," he giggled giddily.

"Are you feeling well, mon ami? You act as if you are...drugged?"

Pip shook his head. "They smell...like flowas," he explained, an almost drunken smile forming on his lips. "Flowas...with nectar!"

Harle came closer, noticing a strand of violet hair stuck in his fur. "What's zis?" she asked, plucking it out.

Pip chuckled. "Da magic! Da pua, powaful pweasure!"

Harle stared at him, and realization came to her. "Mon dieu. What did she do to you, mon ami?"

"She gave me da tremblies!" Pip squealed, dancing around in circles.

"She gave you ze WHAT?" Harle asked.

"Tremblies! Dey started in my tummy and then went stwaight to my head!"

"Pip...tell me you didn't...with her?"

"Nope! We're waiting until the full moon."

Harle was almost afraid to ask. "Why?"

"Dat's when her magic's da most powaful!"

"You mean...her feminine...clock?"

"Fairies don't have dose," he replied matter-of-factly. "Dey have magic!"

"Pip, have you ever done zis type of thing before?" Harle asked.

"Well...no. How does it work?"

Harle stared at him with some amusement. "You don't...know?"

"Nope." He rubbed against her leg. "Dat's why I have my bestest fwiend Hawwe to teach me!"

Harle smiled weakly. "Very well. What happened?"

"Oh. She got naked." He tilted his head curiously. "Are you gonna do dat, too? Cuz if so, let me know so I don't fall down again."

Harle frowned. "I suppose I could draw ze pictures."

Pip nodded eagerly. "I can deal with dose! Show me!"

Harle held in a sigh. What have I just gotten myself into?

* * * * *

"I leave for one hour, and you go around shocking the locals?"

Razzly slowly opened her eyes and smiled. "Hi, Sergey."

Serge placed a hand on her forehead. "Feeling any better?"

"Much. You seem...different to me."

"Oh?" he asked, a smile tugging at his lips.

"Yes. You're...more like me, instead of a human."

"What makes you say that?"

Razzly paused. "For one thing, you have an element aura. You can't have that unless you're a...a..."

"A what?" he pressed.

"A...nature...type...thing," she replied slowly. "Sergey, did something happen while I was asleep?"

"Lots. I'll tell you later. Right now, I want to know what you're going to do about Pip. When I came up here, Harle was drawing some very...interesting diagrams for him."

Razzly giggled. "I like him. He's cute and sweet and...he makes me smile. Like you do."

"All that means what?"

She shrugged. "That I like him. That's all I know for sure."

"And the full moon?"

Razzly blushed. "He told you?"

"No. I just...recalled that the moon has certain effects on the tide, and that around certain times, fairies start to-"

"Start to what?" Razzly interrupted, giving him a warning glance.

"Um...get a little...wild?"

"Sergey. When have I EVER done that?"

"Well, there was that one time at Starky's birthday party when you had too much space rum."

"HE called it space rum. I think it was motor oil for his ship."

"They why'd you drink three gallons of it?"

Razzly frowned. "You were ignoring me around then."

"That's because Starky's birthday is close to the day I met Lynx."

"So why didn't you tell me?! We're supposed to be best friends, Sergey!"

Serge cleared his throat. "When were you going to tell me about Pip?"

Razzly blushed. "Soon?"

"Some things we have to keep personal, Razz. Which reminds me, I need to take care of something. You gonna be okay by yourself?"

"Sure, if I can have a goodbye kiss first."

Serge leaned over and tenderly kissed her forehead. "Get some rest, Razz. And give Pip some, too."

She smiled slightly. "Seeya, Sergey...or is it Poseidon now?"

"You are NOT funny, Razz."

* * * * *

"I don't get it. Why does it go dea? Doesn't it hurt?"

Harle blushed. "Ze first time, yes."

"After that?"

"It gets better," she said stiffly.

"Really?"

"YES!" Harle cleared her throat. "Mon ami, we should do zis later. Much later. I do not have ze patience now."

Pip nodded and left the room. Almost instantly, Serge walked in. "Let me guess. He doesn't know a thing about sex."

"Forget sex. He can't even say her name without giggling."

Serge grinned. "So."

Harle stared at him. "What?"

"Are you going to say it, or do I have to?"

"What?" she repeated.

"You're still in love with me."

"Not true," she replied with a smirk.

"Okay, you still love me."

"Oui."

"So why are you so upset right now?"

"Because I know zat you don't feel ze same way, and now you never will. I know you chose...her."

"Do you?"

"Oui. I can tell." Harle frowned. "Are you teasing me?"

"Never. But just because I'm not in love with you doesn't mean I don't need you, Harle."

"Zen...what are you saying, mon ami?"

Serge gently squeezed her hands. "I'm a demi-human, Harle. I don't know how or why, but I am. It's confusing, wonderful, and scary all at once. I need someone who's been there. Someone who knows what it's like to be more than human. Someone I can trust. I need you."

Harle stared at him. "But...what about Kid?"

"She'll get used to it. And if she can't, then it wasn't meant to be. You guided me once before, when I didn't ask for your help. Will you guide me now, now that I need it?"

Harle sighed. "I never could say no to you."

Serge smiled and hugged her. "Thanks, Harle. I promise you won't regret this. By the way, we leave at dawn."

"Leave?" Harle asked. "Where are we going?"

"Wherever the water takes us," Serge replied with a grin.

* * * * *

Kid took a deep breath, and then another. You CAN do this. You WILL do this. You HAVE to. Just walk right up to him and say it.

Serge was a few feet above her, standing on the low branch of an old tree. Harle was sitting on a nearby boulder, staring off into the distance.

Kid climbed unto the branch and stared at Serge's back for a long moment. "Do me a favor, mate?"

"Sure," Serge replied automatically, never moving an inch.

"Don't be upset when I tell you this."

There was an uneasy silence.

Kid lowered her head. "I have to go. I'm sorry."

"Why?" he asked quietly.

"Seein' Lynx again...it brought back some old memories, and some questions that never got answered. I hate livin' with all these doubts. I need to do this for me."

"I understand." Serge turned his head slightly. "Will you come back?"

"Eventually. But don't go and do anything stupid while I'm gone, mate. I want you in one piece when I get back."

"I was about to say the same to you. Good luck, Kid. I hope you find what you're looking for."

"Thanks for understandin' me, mate." Kid hesitantly reached out to touch his shoulder, then drew her hand back. "Good luck to you, too."

Serge closed his eyes. He felt her weight leave the branch, and seconds later, he knew she was gone. He sighed and tightened his grip on the swallow. I'll miss you, Kid. Come back to me soon.

"Mon ami?" Harle called from her rock.

"I know, Harle. She needs to find her own answers, just like I need to find mine. She'll be fine on her own." I hope.

"I was going to ask if you regretted leaving Pip and Razzly behind."

Serge shook his head. "They deserve to be happy. There's no need to involve them in this. I'm the one that needs the lesson, and for that, you only need a student and a teacher."

"So are you ready, Serge?" she asked.

"Yes," he said quietly, staring at the rising sun. "I guess I am."


The End.


Don't even bother to ask, there will be a follow-up story, but not a full-blown sequel.