Hey, again, the routine apologies about taking so long. I hope you like this chapter. I'm sorry for her lack of hardship, but I really felt the need to send her home....Anyway, Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah and all that jazz

Disclaimer: Not mine, move on (though everything in this chapter is :))

Alex was still upset when it came time for lunch. Every time she had finally forgotten about her loss, something new would come up to remind her. Finally she decided that the whole world was against her and there was just nothing she could do about it. Defeat sucks, she thought sourly, sitting down next to Lily.

Alex was surprised when Jon slid into the seat next to her. She had assumed that since he had to sit with everyone, he wouldn't be there for another three or four meals.

"This is informal, so not everyone's here," He explained in response to her questioning glance. "That means that I can sit wherever I want. Besides, I wanted to talk to you."

"I'm honored Your Highness," Alex said with a grin.

"Jon," he corrected automatically, hating the title, especially if it stood in the way of him getting to know this intriguing new girl.

"I was being sarcastic," She explained, grinning wider as he muttered "Oh," and blushed. He recovered quickly though, appraising her face and getting straight to the point.

"What's wrong?" It was Alex's turn to blush. How did he read her so easily? No one else noticed. Granted, she had been with a half asleep Lily all morning and then utter strangers, but she still didn't expect any inquiries after her health or state of well being. Especially since she'd only met him last night.

"Nothing," She muttered, following it with a dazzling smile, which she clearly thought proved her point. Apparently not, since Jon raised a mocking eyebrow. Darn, she wished she could do that.

There was a brief moment of silence, as Alex fought not to spill her whole story. Jon was just sitting there, waiting, like he knew she would give in. Finally, she couldn't help but answer the question in those eyes. "I just miss my family, that's all."

"Then why don't you go home and visit?" Asked Jon, practically. He frowned when she shook her head in sad resignation.

"I can't," she replied. "Your grandfather himself told me they don't know how to send me back. And I tried to forget about all of it and adjust, but everything that happens ends up reminding me of my brother or my best friend or something like that. I just don't know what to do."

"What about that book?" Jon asked, thinking rapidly in his head. Something in him responded to the hurt in her eyes. It had only been a day and already they were good friends, she looked past his title and he didn't think he'd ever get that feeling that she was friends with him just because he was the Prince or some other nonsense. Not that any of his friends now were like that, but it was still reassuring to have one more.

"That book?" Alex repeated startled. She hadn't even thought of that. Then her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "How'd you know about my GBBOE?"

"I can only assume you're still talking about the book, which my grandfather told me about, when I questioned him to the point of a breakdown. I mean c'mon, admit that this is a once in a lifetime thing. You're from somewhere completely new and different so I obviously wanted to learn all I could. What does GBBOE stand for?"

"The Great Big Book of Everything! Obviously." Alex said grinning. "That's a good idea though, come on…"

She grabbed his hand and dragged him out of the mess hall and into the palace proper, taking turns where she thought they ought to be to get back to her room. After several minutes she paused, and turned towards Jon.

"You have no idea where we are, do you?" He asked, smiling at her dazed look. She scowled at him but grudgingly nodded and he started off down a hall opposite the one she thought was right. Oops, she thought to herself before following him down the hall. Finally, thanks to the fact that Jon had lived in the palace his whole life and certainly knew his way around, the made it back to Alex's room.

"Excuse the mess," she muttered opening it, "we just got back from the tailors and I was too lazy to put everything away."

Jon just nodded in acceptance and went over to the desk to where the large tome currently rested. Alex watched his every move, trying to squash the hope that kept bubbling up inside her. She couldn't bare the thought of never seeing her family again and this was her chance.

As if sensing her feelings, Jon glanced at her from across the room before opening the book. The first few pages were pretty black, except for the ironically worded title, which was in fact "The Great Big Book of Everything"

Then, on the fifth page it read:

"Thanks for your help, your highness, but it would be much appreciated if you could leave while I have a private conversation with my pupil. We'll probably end up speaking more later, but right now you've served your purpose."

Jon raised an eyebrow at the impertinent book. Fine then, he handed the book over Alex, who read the offending message and sighed. "Sorry," she muttered. Jon nodded his acceptance and turned to leave the room. As he walked out the door, he saw Alex engrossed in the book, but she couldn't be reading the same message over and over again could she?

Alex was almost crying tears of relief. The book had a whole process to go home. It read.

"Could you take any longer to figure things out? I mean, the boy caught on right away. Goddess, I hope your not excessively thick—"

Any earlier shroud of mysticism was gone as the book rambled. Alex bit her lip and skimmed down to where the rant ended and the lesson began.

"Hey, what are you doing? That could have contained some important information! Anyway, getting home is a simple process of getting to understand your magic—yes you do have magic, it's just different than the normal Gift, and you'll understand why in a second.

"You can do this though, because it's similar to what the King, Master Numair and Lady Alanna did unwittingly in the calling spell. It won't happen right away however. Once a night, we'll work on moving various objects across the room, across the castle, then finally across the dimension barrier. Then we'll start on you personally. The harder you work, the faster this will all go and the sooner you can see your family. Simple really.

"Eventually you're going to need help with the objects and whatnot. I suggest his young Highness, since he is a smart lad and has helped you so far.

"But that's for another day. Today, we'll start with moving things at a short distance. Take that shirt over there and put it at the end of the bed…"

Alex did as she was told, intrigued by what was going on, excited to be going home and awestruck that SHE had MAGIC. It was all too exciting.

"Good, now sit near the head of the bed and close your eyes. I want you to focus on the shirt. Remember what it looks like, ever fold, every stain…ok so its new, but that's not the point…Do you have a clear picture? When you do, impose that picture into your hands, concentrate and really want it, and maybe you'll get it."

Alex concentrated. Her brow furrowed in concentration, she thought of the shirt. She summoned the shirt. Nothing happened. Not to be discouraged she tried again. And again. And again.

Finally, after what seemed like ages, the shirt appeared in her hands. She glanced over at the end of the bed and saw that it wasn't there anymore. She grinned to herself, pleased at her small victory before she noticed the pounding in her head and everything went black.

That's all for today folks, I'd like to thank all my reviewers, but its christmas morning and i've got to go. I should be updating very soon (keeping my fingers crossed) so ill give my shoutouts and whatnot then

o, except for alana, who i promise i will call, please don't hurt me....

THANK YOU