Well, we have another chapter and I would like to add that it is not the last!

Alex: when is the lemon?

Actually, I don't think there'll be one.

Alex: why not?

The mudshippers are out to get me! I'm telling you, they are! Did you read that review that I got?

Alex: yes! That was awful!

It was! They can't report my fic right now because there's nothing wrong with it! I'm NOT going to give them a reason!

Malik: I feel alone.

I'll hug you!

Malik: ^_^ .hey! Wait a second!

Anyway, for those of you who would appreciate a lemon, please let me know. If I get at least 10 reviews asking for a lemon, I'll post this same fic on adultfanfiction.net WITH a lemon!

Alex: YES! You people better review!

~@~@~@~

Isaac walked down the road slowly. He was confused yet again. how long would this emotional rollercoaster continue to torture him? First he loved Mia, and then he loved Jenna. He knew that Mia was taken, but he still cared for her. It was agonizing. He looked up the street to see Felix standing outside his house with Jenna. They seemed to be discussing something and looked up as Isaac approached.

"Hello, Isaac." Jenna smiled.

"Hello." He said and Jenna noticed his tone.

"What's wrong?" she asked and gave a glare to Felix as a signal to leave them alone. This he did grudgingly.

"I want to explain something to you." He said. "I don't want you to take it the wrong way. For once in my life, I'm genuinely scared."

"What are you afraid of?" asked Jenna in a soft tone.

"Losing you." Was Isaac's answer.

"I'm not going anywhere." Said Jenna.

"Not like that." Said Isaac. "I'm afraid that I'll lose your friendship.your love."

Jenna stiffened. "You know that I.I'll never leave you." she wanted to say that she would always love him, but felt unable to do so.

"We need to talk about this in a private place." Said Isaac as he looked around at the empty streets.

"We can take a walk." Suggested Jenna. "I haven't been out walking yet today." Jenna loved the outdoors and it was one of the many admirations that Isaac had for her.

"Alright." Isaac agreed to the idea with a mutter and began walking down the street with Jenna.

"So what is it?" asked Jenna as soon as they were out of town.

Isaac looked at her. "I just had a conversation with Mia." He began. "She loves Alex."

"Yeah, she.kind of told me." Was Jenna's reply.

"I loved her." Said Isaac and it felt as though he was laying a great burden down.

Jenna looked down with sad eyes. "I know, Isaac."

"She taught me something in that conversation. Now I finally realize why she loves Alex. It's because he's always been there for her." Isaac stopped and looked at Jenna. He leaned on a tree as they entered a wooded region. "You've always been there for me. There was a time when I really loved you, when I let my emotions show. Even if they don't show, it doesn't mean that they're not there."

Jenna looked at him hopefully.

"I've never been able to quell those emotions toward you. From my heart, I can say that I love you. Please.help me through this. I need you." Isaac's words brought joy to Jenna's heart. Her spirit had been lifted.

"I love you too." She answered as she reached for Isaac, who hugged her in a tight embrace. "I will help you."

~@~@~@~@~@~

Mia walked into the inn, feeling as if she had accomplished something. She walked down the hall and knocked on Alex's door. There was no answer. She opened it to find the room empty. Mia sighed. She slowly began to think of the places that he might be. He could be training; he could be at Felix's house. He could be just about anywhere.

Mia walked out of the inn and headed to Felix's house. Even if Alex wasn't there, Sheba was and she was always fun to talk with. She knocked on the door and Felix answered.

"Is Alex there?" she asked.

"No." answered Felix. "I haven't seen him all day."

Mia sighed. "Neither have I, except for this morning."

"He's probably training." Suggested Felix.

"It's not like him to just leave with out telling me." Mia trialed off.

"He's never been able to back down from a challenge." Suggested Felix. Sheba chose this moment to pop up and add a comment, "Maybe Ivan's doing something stupid."

Mia looked at Sheba with a sarcastic expression on her face. Sheba let out a laugh at the sight. She'd never seen Mia act sarcastic before. To her, it was funny. "Yeah, blame everything on Ivan." Said Mia.

"I didn't mean it like that." Added Sheba.

"I know." Answered Mia. "Then again, I haven't seen Ivan either."

"Ivan's never really liked Alex." Said Sheba. "We were talking about him-Alex I mean-the other day and Ivan called him a jerk. He said that he saw him in the inn and threw a few comments at him."

"I really don't know why Ivan dose that." Said Mia. "He'd never liked Alex when I first told the group about him while we were on our journey."

Sheba rolled her eyes. "Alex is a nice person. He's just misunderstood."

"Exactly." Said Mia. "You've summed it up better than I could have."

"I know." Sang Sheba in her 'I'm Cute' voice.

Mia rolled her eyes. "And before you say it, No, you're not cute."

Sheba giggled. "I'll help you look for those two. Chances are, they're probably in a fight.

~@~@~

Sheba had been right. Alex and Ivan were in a fight. sort of. They were staring each other down as if they were in a duel, hands ready to blast psyenergy at the opponent at a moment's notice. It was Sheba that called out to them, "What the heck are you doing?"

"Stay out of this!" yelled Alex.

"Alex! I demand to know what is going on!" yelled Mia. Sheba looked at the older woman. She had never seen her act this way. She could understand hyper, but enraged?

Alex gave a death glare at the girls. "Shorty here has insulted the Mercury Clan!"

"Ivan!" Mia glared at him. "What on Weyard did you say?"

Ivan only glared at her. It was Alex that spoke up. "He's called me unworthy to live. He claims that I'm using you, that I'll be the clan's downfall!"

Mia was dumbfounded. "Why would you say that, Ivan? Alex has done nothing but help me."

"Help you?!" he exclaimed. "He betray you!"

Mia gritted her teeth. "I don't want to hear anyone else say that! I've explained it to Isaac and I'm not going to repeat it! Alex has never betrayed me! He has never betrayed you! He opened our eyes! Can you see? Without him along with the Clan of Mars, Weyard would rot away until there is nothing!"

Alex's glare softened and he walked toward Mia. "Do you really feel that way?" his voice had become softer.

"Yes, Alex. You've always been there for me. That's why I love you. That's why I need you." Ivan scowled as he heard Mia's words.

Sheba gave a glare in his direction and walked over to slap him. "How could you?. you. you. insolent fool!"

Ivan's expression hardened even more so, "It's not my fault if he left her."

Sheba let out something that sounded like 'ghugh' and grabbed the blonde's wrist. "Come on! I'll explain it to you." with that, she dragged him off to Felix's house.

~@~

Mia looked into Alex's eyes and felt the urge to fall into his arms. "What was that all about?"

"It's my duty to protect our dignity." Alex defended.

"True." Said Mia. "But next time, just try to be more tolerant. Y'know, one by one, people are beginning to accept you. as a person.

"That they are." Mia smiled at Alex as he spoke softly. Then he leaned forward and planted a heated kiss on her lips. Mia fell into his arms and kissed back with all of her strength as Alex held her waist close to him. This kiss was like no other they had ever shared. For once, they felt a strong bond between them that would never be broken, not by their enemies and not by their friends.

~@~@~@~@~

There'll be only a few chapters left, but I need Ideas for an ending. Should Alex and Mia get married? Vote yes or no. I really don't want to make this too cheesy.

Malik: too late!

Ignore him!

Alex: REVIEW!