Disclaimer – I do no own any of the characters except for those that aren't recognised in the nightworld books written by the goddess L.J.Smith. But then if you wanted to read a work of fiction you wouldn't have come to this site.

Authors note: I know, I know, this isn't the best of chapters and the characters weren't exactly in character. Just think of it as means to get from one place to the next, and hold onto the fact that the oh so lovely Ash will reappear and maybe sweep our heroine Mary-Lynnette once again off her feet.

Thanks to all who have reviewed, incarnated-soul, Jocelyn Angel and Jersey Princess especially; your reviews mean a lot, it's really great to know what you think and your reviews make me want to post the next chapter as soon as possible.

Sparkling Cherries and incarnated-soul I know it's kinda rushed. I think it's because I'm not yet used to writing with someone else's characters, it's harder than I thought it was. As soon as I get into stride though I'm sure my writing will improve.

"It's beautiful, Mary-Lynnette," said Maggie as they stood staring at the reflection in the mirror, "Ash'll love it."

"If he's not still mad at me that is."

"Of course he won't be, he's your soulmate isn't he. Besides soulmates have bust-ups all the time."

"This was different," Mary-Lynnette whispered, tears forming in her eyes. She brushed them away angrily not wishing to cry over spilt milk. Ash could be so pig-headed at times.

"Whatever it is I'm sure you'll be fine," said Maggie, "Ash loves you too much to let you go, and even if he wanted to the link wouldn't let him."

Mary-Lynnette smiled slightly, Maggie was right, Ash was just doing his oh-so-annoying protective act and he didn't like it when he didn't get what he wanted.

"Rashel, you ready," she shouted to the cubicle next to her.

"It's horrible," came the reply, "I won't wear it. Remind me why we wanted to go dress shopping and thought that it would be even slightly a good idea. I swear I'll never try on a dress again."

"Come out, let's see it," called Maggie laughing as Rashel entered. She was dressed in a black dress which fell just above her knees. The sleeves were long and floaty and the back of the dress was low, revealing her back.

Mary-Lynnette laughed and whistled, "you look gorgeous."

"Yeah, Quinn'll freak."

"Urggh, it may look good or at least okay," she said as her eyes danced from Mary-Lynnette to Maggie, "but it's so damn uncomtable and it itches like hell. I can barely breathe let alone fight. And remind me how and where I'm supposed to keep my boken."

"You're not," laughed Maggie, "it's a dance not an attack on Night World headquarters."

Mary-Lynnette looked at Rashel and they laughed, "are you thinking what I'm thinking."

"Sure am Mary-Lynnette,"

"The only reason Maggie's so happy is cos she hasn't yet had to put on -"

"- a damn dress yet."

"You got it in one." Laughed Maggie. As she ran to the corner and cowered away from the two girls attacking her with arms full of dresses and hangers.

Mary-Lynnette laughed as she sorted through the pile and found the frilliest, pinkest dress from the pile, the night before and the horrible morning completely gone from her mind.

It was dark when the white limo pulled up outside the mansion and Mary-Lynnette was tired. Her head hurt and her body aced from the so-called retail therapy.

She wanted to sleep, and to sleep dreamlessly. The horrors of the night before, the night she had told Ash was just a thoughtless prank, was on her mind and she shoke as she thought about it.

She couldn't believe she had forgotten about it so easily, had put it away from her mind and thoughts, then replaced them with happy ones and laughter.

She thought of Ash and wondered what kind of day he had. She knew he had been wrong to demand she stay at the mansion, but he had only been doing it because he cared.

The limo stopped and Mary-Lynnette got out her thoughts in a daze and her head covered in fog.

She barely listened as the girls laughing retrieved their stuff and didn't even take in as Rashel hastily introduced her to a mission partner, Marcus, and his girlfriend.

She just warily headed to the apartment and on finding it was locked, headed instead to the observatory, which had become a second home.

It was a steep climb, but she didn't care. She wanted the solitude it brought and the comfort she felt when looking up at the stars.

When she looked out at the night, she thought of nothing, and nothing meant that the poem which had been playing through her head all day would finally leave.