Jacobi cleared his throat, gaining Isabella and Layton's attention.

"Layton, could I speak with you? Alone?" he asked in a loud whisper, motioning to a less crowded area of the village.

The two teenage boys headed in that direction as everyone else's attention focused on Isabella. She blushed and laughed nervously.

"Um, I'm going to go make sure they don't hurt each other," she announced, dashing off after them.

Finn snickered and everyone's attention turned back to Gabrielle.

"Lord Roxton?" one of the Zanga warriors holding her prompted.

"I want to ask her a few questions. Bring her here. Jane, could you take Nathan somewhere else?"

"'Course, Uncle John. C'mon Nathan-boy. I bet Riptide and Abby need to be fed."

The younger children disappeared into the people. Disgruntled, Gabrielle eyed John angrily and warily.

"First, Miss Woods, I must ask you to remove that ring from your finger. Our engagement was over the moment I found out what you did to my daughter."

Gabrielle complied reluctantly, egged on by the warriors' tight grip on her arms. She threw the diamond ring at his feet. His Marguerite would be appalled at such ill treatment of a precious jewel.

"Second, you will answer this question," he continued, folding his arms in front of him and walking slowly towards her.

"Shoot."

"I'm tempted," he chuckled. "But in all seriousness, who really is Nathan's father?"

"The son of an Amazon," Gabrielle admitted, biting her lip.

"Why did you say he was John's?" Ned Malone queried.

"So Nathaniel would have a decent, well-to-do home."

"Where you could beat an innocent girl?" Veronica asked, loathing in her voice.

Gabrielle turned away.

"Get out of here," Roxton growled.

The warriors released her and she started to walk away.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" John asked her when she was few paces out.

"Keep him. He loves you and Isabella more, anyway."

Everyone's mouth fell open in shock.

"Bitch!" Finn swore under breath.

With that, Gabrielle was out of everyone's lives.

~*~*~

"What was that?" Cobi growled, spinning around to face Layton when they came to an empty section of the village.

"I had to stop her from pulling the sword on Gabrielle," Layton defended, telling part of the truth but trying to withhold the second half. He, however, wilted under Cobi's hard gaze and continued, "And she's a great kisser."

"I don't want to hear that!" Cobi cried, raising his hand to rub his temples. "Not that I disagree, but still! Come on!"

"I'm sorry! It's not my fault I'm attracted to her, too!" Layton replied. "I care for her just as deeply as you do."

"I doubt it," Jacobi frowned. "Nevertheless, it is obvious me both love her."

"She's not even your age."

"Nor is she yours," Jacobi countered.

"Closer to mine."

"She's thirteen months older than you."

"Two years younger than you."

"Then I guess it boils down to whether she likes older or younger men."

"She's way too delicate right now to do this to her. We can't make her chose," Layton reasoned.

"But can all of our friendships survive her not deciding?"

"Could they handle the decision?" Layton countered sadly.

In their musings and arguing, the two friends failed to notice Isabella listening to them barely out of sight. How had it come this far? She knew better than to let her friendships with both of them escalate to this level. She loved them both! How could she chose? Even if she could, what would become of her friendship with the other? Or the chosen one if things went sour? One thing she promised she wouldn't do was run away from the situation. She didn't have that much of her mother in her.

"I love you both," she spoke up to them as she rounded the corner.

"Isabella," the boys said in unison, turning to face her, visibly straightening up.

"How long have you been listening?" Layton continued.

"The whole time. I followed you to make sure you didn't hurt each other," she admitted.

"Well, I hope we've made you proud, not a bunch was thrown," Cobi grinned to her as she crossed to them.

"Very proud," she nodded, reaching up to give each a kiss on the cheek. "I'm sorry. I just can't choose right now."

"We know," Layton assured her. "I just don't know how this will work though. Things are different now."

"We'll share you," Cobi smiled, looking over her head to Layton. Layton shrugged in return. "After all, we live in different villages. We'll just have to curb our jealous male tendencies."

"At least until you can decide. We'll have some healthy, friendly competition. That is if you are okay with that," Layton expounded.

Isabella laughed through the screen of remaining tears that still clouded her eyes, hugging both at the same time.

"If it works for you."

"We'll try not to kill each other," Jacobi assured her.

"Isabella!" Nathan's cry interrupted the discussion. "Bella!"

"Nathan-boy," Bella smiled, wiping the rest of her tears off and waiting for the impact of Nathaniel's running hug. "Hey, buddy."

"Hi," Nathan grinned up from hugging her leg. "Can we finish eating now? Jane and me finished feeding the horses. I'm hungry!"

"Okay," Isabella sighed, grabbing his hand and glancing back over her shoulder at her boys. "Let's go finish. C'mon, Jane dear."

Isabella left with the two younger ones, leaving Layton and Cobi to themselves.

"Let the wooing begin," Cobi said, offering his hand to Layton.

"May the best suitor win," Layton replied.

~~**~~

Author's Note: Okay, girls, raise your hand if you would absolutely adore being shared by Layton and Cobi *raises hand and looks around* I'm dead serious! Dang that'd be awesome. ( On another note, I'm curious as to whom the public is rooting for in this

friendly competition. It won't affect my over all decision, 'cause I already know who she ends up with, but I'm still curious. Leave your comments if your review, por favor. Gracias! Thanks for wonderful reviews!