Disclaimer: Fairly Oddparents is not mine. Oh, and I'd like to dedicate this chapter to Spiritual Magic, because today's her b-day. Yay, b-days!

Chapter Twelve: All's Well That Ends Well

Trixie wished she'd done something, anything else than this to win back Veronica. After all, a card could probably do wonders (at least, she assumed as much), but instead, she'd thrown a lavish date. All the scented candles were lit, an aroma of peace and tranquility enveloped the small, cozy reserved room in Il Maestro, and her nerves were shot. The next person that walked in there without express orders would most likely be shot, if not by conventional means, then by the cold, cruel way she spoke to them. Until Veronica caused Timmy to fall head over heels for her, Trixie didn't stand a chance at bringing her back. Therefore, there were high stakes no matter where they'd stacked them and the deck could either bring her vast fortune or lose her the lot.

She'd dressed the part of a wealthy patron (which, in actuality, she'd needed to do anything because they weren't apt to rent her such an extravagant room on such short notice otherwise). High red stiletto heels covered from her feet up to her ankles, followed by a cut-off, sparkling red dress that revealed her shoulders and very little else (lest her father prevent her from leaving the house). Ruby earrings, dangling from her one pierced ears, shone when the light caught their glint. These were the last items from her mother; she cherished them and prayed they gave her the power to coerce her friend to return. Last but not least, however, was the red jeweled tiara, deeming her the princess she oft behaved like.

Years of training lent her confidence she did not truly feel. Were anyone to witness the shaking of her ankles, the way her hands trembled, they'd see her true anxiety. It was only a few hours until Veronica and Timmy showed up, if they did at all. After all, she had all the reason in the world not to, he too. Neither of them had her high on their priorities list. For all she knew, they could discard of her invitations, snort derisively in her face, and then move on with their lives.

All she had was faith and, in the end, she couldn't possibly consider it enough. Faith had lost far more battles than it'd won and Trixie wasn't the fondest believer in it. Still, at the moment, it was all she had to cling to and her hands were sliding. Never place your hope in blind faith alone…

In his hands was an invitation to a sordid affair at the classiest, yet somehow most casual, place in town. From experience, he knew Trixie's handwriting and besides, a private room booked for him and another guest? Only one person, other than A.J., had the resources to pay for that. However, despite all that, it didn't sway his decision one way or another. For all he knew, Trixie could have sinister plans in mind when she set out the invitations- if she'd sunk to the level of reading Veronica's dairy aloud to the school, who knew what else she'd do?

Then there was Veronica, the girl he found himself increasingly attracted to. Before, he'd thought her a complete psycho and, even now, he wasn't entirely certain he trusted her, but he pitied her for having Trixie as a friend. Besides, he hadn't really gotten a proper first impression of her, considering he'd magically obtained access to her room. Not to mention that two years had passed- had she changed? Was he willing to find out by chancing that invitation and spending a night with her on a date?

Cosmo and Wanda were no help, of course. With the recent increase in arguments and the sinking sensation he received whenever he looked at them, he didn't really want to burden them with his problems. Sure, they were there for him whenever he needed them, but they needed to sort out their marriage dilemmas before he asked them who the better girl for him to date was. In retrospect, interrupting whatever was going on with them was rather petty, anyway. So he'd leave them out of his decision.

A.J. had eyes for Tootie, so he couldn't ask either of them. Not that he'd normally ask Tootie anything regarding romance and him, but he sensed new hostility. Interrogating her might be akin to tickling a sleeping tiger with its claws already out. By blood, she was Vicky's sister and, by experience, she'd undergone her torturous treatment. There was the slimmest chance that it wasn't coincidental or accidental but genetic. In that case, he'd rather avoid her while he had all his remaining limbs.

Chester had become rather stand-off since he'd found out that Veronica liked Timmy. When he approached him, as the sun set and they exited detention, he wouldn't answer any of his questions and sped up, preventing him from carrying on a conversation. Sure, he'd thrown out some excuse, but, when he thought about it, that probably wasn't the reason. Maybe Chester had entertained notions of making Veronica his girlfriend before today, but now that he knew (and the whole school knew), it was impossible. If so, he pitied him, but his pity only extended to the point where he'd lost a possibility of a person to talk to.

She'd looked especially pretty today he recalled. A blush spread across his face at the recollection, but he shoved the vision aside. If she was going to pursue him at the loss of her best friend, then he wanted no part in her games. Since his crushing realization that Trixie would never like him, he'd decided he wasn't a trophy to be won. No matter how attractive she was, he wasn't going to be shallow if he could help it. Forget girls if that were all they were about.

He didn't understand why having a girlfriend or having a girl like you meant alienating your friends, either. Since Tootie had given up on him, A.J. had talked about her, talked to her, or otherwise obsessed over her. Okay, so maybe obsession wasn't the best word for it, but he couldn't get her out of his head. What was it about girls that dug a guy out of his normal way of life and put him into a state of anxiety? Vaguely, he remembered wishing away all the girls and the trouble that had caused. Perhaps girls were useful, in some way or another, but it wasn't he who had gone insane without them. Maybe they were more trouble than they were worth.

After all, not only had A.J. started acting strangely, but now Chester wouldn't talk to him. A.J. had a penchant for fixation at times, but Chester? Even when he couldn't talk to the brainiac because of studies, Chester was usually available. How could they both bail on him? Why did girls have to screw everything up? If it weren't for the fact Cosmo had gone crazy without Wanda, he might be tempted to wish for a world with girls and boys divided again (and there was the small matter of Cupid, but he'd get over it).

In his fist, occasionally pounding his thigh within his pink parka, was the invitation. At the moment, he was undecided. Why should he waste his time on someone that would change his entire outlook on things to the point where he'd start snapping at or ignoring his friends? Was any girl worth it?

Veronica's angry eyes swept the empty courtyard as if accusing it of sending her the piece of paper now crumpled up in her palm. Couldn't Trixie figure out that she wanted nothing to do with her? Why did she have to send her this damn invite? Couldn't she take a hint?

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Timmy and his agitated stance. She'd seen the way Chester rejected him and overheard A.J. discussing Tootie. Her actions had cost him, if only temporarily, his friends. Then again, since she'd only one friend in the first place, she wasn't quite certain she empathized.

The wind toyed lightly with her strawberry blonde hair and she tucked a stray stand behind her ear. Given the fact that she wasn't prone to desperate attempts at anything, much less a plea for this, Veronica bit her lip, considering. There was no doubt in her mind that she was serious about this, but why should she consider her anyway? What had she done for her?

A little voice whispered in her ear that it was not what she'd done for her but what they could do for each other; doing good deeds or befriending someone for your own benefit was not the proper response to things. Instead, she ought to be thinking altruistically, not the way Trixie had trained her. Therefore, according to this way of thinking, she ought to at least give her the benefit of the doubt. If she forced herself to swallow her pride, maybe a compromise could be met. After all, she hadn't become friends with Trixie to help herself, but because she'd initially liked the girl she'd met, however lost that particular small child was.

Before she acknowledged it, her feet had carried her to Timmy, barely moving along the sidewalk. Instead, his eyes were distant and unfocused, clearly concentrating on a matter far removed from the occasional breeze or a car passing by. Thinking for him had to be such a strange experience, considering he rarely engaged in it. Despite his looks, charm, and everything else she found compelling, she could hardly say she'd fallen for his mind.

For a second, his brilliant blue eyes locked upon hers and she smiled serenely at him. There was no one around again, just like before, but she could tell now was not the time to consider asking him if he wanted to kiss her or anything like that. Besides, their minds were both firmly entrenched upon the pieces of paper they ensconced in their fists. Trixie Tang had a wonderful way of pulling people into a quagmire; until they got her out of their systems, their minds would return to her. At the moment, she couldn't tell if that was an asset or a deficiency.

"Are you going," was the first question out of his mouth, eyes sweeping the area as hers had not a few moments ago. Apparently, both felt as though Trixie dictated their every move, but she'd broken free of her reign, hadn't she? Didn't she have the right to decide for herself if she wanted to serve under her again or not? And if she didn't, then Trixie could shove those papers where the sun didn't shine.

Without even thinking, she responded, "Yes."

"Then I guess I'll see you there." Meeting her eyes once more, he gave her inscrutable look and then passed in the opposite direction.

Veronica appeared first, donning a silver, strapless dress that swept down to her silver high heels. Her long hair was down, pinned back with silver barrettes, and a single diamond choker adorned her neck. From what she knew of Il Maestro, there was no such thing as overdressed and besides, she wanted to put Trixie in her place, even if she had more money than her. Timmy's eyes were to be on her and her alone.

Her eyes flicked to her friend briefly, waiting anxiously by the table. Every once in a while, she'd tuck another strand of hair behind her ear, despite the fact none of them had budged an inch. For once, she didn't feel as though she had everything under control and Veronica found she rather liked this aspect. Fidgety, panicky Trixie Tang had none of her normal cool, detached mannerisms. In fact, she was downright jumpy.

Timmy arrived nearly five minutes before the assigned time but to Trixie, who was fearful he wouldn't come at all, she'd had to bite back her tongue to refrain from calling him late. Everything would be okay, she just had to relax and not think for a while. Yes, that was it, she had to sit back and see how the fireworks flew. But if they didn't, then she'd have a hell of a problem. Still, that was preposterous- they'd fly. Right?

"I…I hope you two have a nice evening and I'll just come back later," Trixie stammered, ducking out before her behavior betrayed herself. Of course, if she'd known that it already had, she might not have darted out so quickly, a waiter spilled his trays upon a patron's expensive gown. Veronica was too busy chuckling with mirth at her misfortune to warn her.

Scowling at her, Timmy placed the menu down and said abruptly, "I thought you were going to give her another chance. If you're laughing at her, then you're just as bad as her."

Stunned, she turned back in his direction and glanced at him, eyes narrowed. For the moment, he held her spellbound. Rude and abrasive though he was, she knew him to be correct. She'd gotten preoccupied with harming Trixie and hadn't opened her mind to her again.

"Sorry," She said, shrugging slightly and, without any other occurrences, dinner went on without another noteworthy event. Despite his previous stance on girls, she could feel him growing more and more comfortable around her. When their hands brushed on the table, she'd sensed something behind the blush spreading across his face. Maybe she read too many teen magazines, but there had to be something there. There just had to be.

Dinner passed and they proceeded to walk under the moonlit stars. Reluctantly, he'd taken her hand, but only to profess that maybe they should start slow. If it meant being with him, though, she was willing to go as slowly as he wanted. Holding hands was enough for an eternity right now.

For once, she felt like she, not Trixie, was the head of the cheerleading squad and the most popular girl in the school. She was finally the one Timmy saw, not Trixie, not Tootie. She'd gone from overlooked to his girlfriend (in time). He wanted her, not a prettier candidate. She'd done it all by herself- or perhaps not just by herself. She had to give credit where credit was due, after all.

A shooting star shot across the sky and, shutting her eyes briefly, she made a wish. Timmy asked her what she wished for, but Trixie would find out soon enough. Wishing for the gift of renewed friendship…and an abundance of patience should speed along any relationship.

Tootie watched the shooting star with something bordering on apathy. Beside her, risking the terror of her house, A.J. stood, hesitant to touch her. Personally, she wasn't sure whether or not she liked that. By nature, she was a very affectionate person, but this thing with Timmy made her want to think that. After all, what was the point of being affectionate if no one wanted her? Why should she waste her love on someone else?

"I'd tell you what I wished, but then it wouldn't come true," A.J. quipped beside her and she offered a weak smile in response. She wasn't sure she believed in magic either. There was no one out there to protect her or care about her when she fell.

"Do you-" He started but she interrupted with a sigh.

"It's nice of you to weather Vicky, but right now, I'd just like a friend, not a boyfriend. There's no point in arguing, either, because I won't change my mind. If you can wait and see what develops, then we'll see. Otherwise…"

She shrugged apologetically and he sighed, folding his arms across his chest. Time would tell for them too, apparently. Perhaps in time, all things were possible. Perhaps, in time, the people that were overlooked would shine and the people that shone would become overlooked.

As I finished this piece, the parallels between it and Undercurrants seemed stronger and stronger. So, although not officially the prelude to Undercurrants, you may think of it as that if you'd like.

Instead of replying to reviews, which seems rather pointless to me right now, I thought I'd thank everyone that reviewed, whether it was only once (to my annoyance) or every chapter (and I love you if you did).

That's ahhelga, "El Judio" (who I am no longer friends with), BratChild2 (who stopped reading my stories), Aeryn (who never reviewed a chapter beyond one), Yeah Loi, Deacon1 (who mysteriously vanished offline some time between chapter one and the last chapter of this story), Cutie5 (who will only review if I bug her now), warprince2002 (who said the same damn thing no matter how I replied), DarthNi (who stopped reviewing before the end too), Patrick (who will also only read if I insist upon it), Yamato's Tiger Lily (another person who follows the above rule), MisterBlue (BLUE!), Antonia (one review from her), possom2009 (who didn't review that often either), Kidevil1 (same thing for her), L.C. Techno (who rarely reviews my stories now), LgacyDX (at least he reviewed every chapter of everything), forgotmyself (one of those review little people), Spiritual Magic (what's up, girl?), Evilevergreen (who stopped reviewing after a while too), JA93 (who didn't review that often either), Totally Trixie (no comment for her), Moonjava (who reviews practically everything, including things that I didn't know she knew about), Jentastic, can't think, Stargirl, (one review from both of them), Princess Sakura (same deal), Heart & All, and last but not least, Eternal Silence.

Thank you all for your dedication to my story and I really do appreciate it. Until we meet again…