Greetings (without the season's) I am not pleased to inform you that the we have reached the half way mark. (almost) If you want a sequel, you shall not only have to ask for it, but give me ideas. Challenge me to something or other. On the other hands, if you don't, I might actually get the novel I'm supposed to be working on finished. (you know I'm writing this when I should be working on it, don't you? Be thankful I like wasting my valuable time!;))

AgiVega: Two reviews... Yes, I liked it when she bit his arm too. It seemed like something Juliet would do. By the way, why do you download chapters again? (if you emailed me back, and answered there, don't bother telling me twice :)) And about Butler being nervous, I don't know. What exactly was he nervous about? I don't remember, I wrote it too long ago, and to me, it seemed like he was more angry than nervous, though I guess the thought of Chance being able to blackmail you into something, when you were close to mortal enemies is not a happy one.

Ahava: First to review, as always, seeing you're homeschooled. And yes, I removed the block, because David suggested it. I don't know why I had them blocked before...

notdapunkprincess: Updates occure everyday, Monday through Friday when I'm at school. I was surprised to see you were excited about that. Most other people, it annoys, because they can't keep up. Sometimes, I get to the library on weekends, but I only respond to emails there. When this is done (on my last day of school) I shan't update until August. I will hate having to be gone. It means I shan't know what's going on here at all. And that's very annoying. I get lost just being off for two days! I'm glad you're reading this by the way.

The Blazing Blade: Despite my distrust of persons who have obsessions with chocolate cake, fudge, and picnics, I have to thank you for putting me on your alert list and whatnot, even though you know I update everyday. (except Saturdays and Sundays, which you forgot)

Trouble Kelp: I pity the doctor too. I think he would have been happier doctoring more timid people.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything except the things I own. The things I own are the things not owned by Colfer. Colfer owns everything except the things I own. The things Colfer own are the things I do not own. :) Try that one, all you people who think you're the next Artemis Fowl.

Justin stepped into the room, glancing at Chance questioningly. "Yes sir?"

Chance thought a moment, piecing his sentence together carefully. Then: "How would you like her?"

"What?"

"For a wife."

"A what?" Justin's head shot up, eyes widening. "You want me to…"

"Preferably. I did tell her brother that she was married to one of us. Which of course complicates things for him. I was hoping you might agree." Chance rubbed his eyes.

"You thought I would agree?" Justin took a step forward, glaring at him. "You think I would— would not only force a woman to marry me, but be so stupid as to put myself in that kind of situation?"

"Listen, I didn't—"

"Do you know what her brother would do to me, if he found out? Do you know what she would do to me?"

"Justin—"

"I am not that kind of person, Chance. You know that, or at least I thought you did! Find someone else!" He set his hand on the door, turning back around to go out.

"Stop. Turn around and look at me Justin! Better yet, come and sit down." Chance half rose, and then thought better of it, sinking back in his seat with a sigh. "Please."

For a long time, Justin looked at him. Then he came and sat down. "I won't. I can't. I'm not that kind of person… I don't want to get married, and I wouldn't force someone into a marriage. Besides, we do not get along at all. And no matter what you say, there will be consequences for it. She's an important person. Butler won't be pleased."

"I know that."

"I can't do it, Chance. You know I can't. Ask someone else."

"No one else would be able to handle her. The pressure of having her, the pressure that you will obviously get from the Butlers, the pressure of dealing with her, and living with her."

Justin shook his head. "I can't."

"Someone has to take her, Justin. I can't ask anyone else."

"Let me ask you this." Justin leaned back, staring at him. "You wouldn't take her yourself. Why?"

Chance looked a little put out. "Several reasons. I'm obviously old enough to be her father. The whole idea is just nasty. Second, I don't have time for her. I work, and I travel, and I network. I can't keep an eye on her. Third, we just… if I were younger— we wouldn't work."

"And you think I would work well with her?"

"Yes. I do."

Justin didn't answer.

"It would work. Despite what you think, it would."

Justin knew he didn't really have that much of an option. If he couldn't come up with an unbeatable reason, eventually he'd end up with her. "Can I have some time to think?"

"No. Sorry. It has to be now."

"Why now?" He glanced up, startled.

"People will be swarming all over us in an hour or so. It'll get out fast. I have a friend down in city hall that can make up a couple of documents. We don't even have to leave, he'll forge your signature off of something else that's been filed, and make up something for her."

"Can't we just be mysterious about it?"

Chance stood, shaking his head. "No. There's another reason too. It's her. I know she'll be hard to control. It would be better for you both if you got… acquainted now, while she's still recovering. While she's still weak. It will give you more control."

"I doubt it," snapped Justin. "Her?"

"It's better than later."

Justin rose, and strode to the door, where he stopped, staring into the hall. Chance knew he was angry about it. He was being as forced into it as she was. And it was with reason that he objected. A reward was in line to make up for it. It was a lot to ask, even from the most devoted.

"Justin?"

"Damn you! Fine!"

"Thanks. You might want to go talk to her. She won't like you pulling any surprises."

"Especially not this one," growled, Justin, and slammed the door.

Juliet rolled over with a groan, blinking her eyes open. It was Justin. "What? I'm trying to sleep, and you people keep waking me up. I don't want any more pain killer!"

"I need to talk to you…"

For a moment, she was silent, studying him intently. He looked very worried. Stressed, and more than a little strained. If she hadn't been so tired, and known she was making it up, she could have sworn there was a slightly embarrassed flush in his cheeks.

"Go on. What about?"

"Your brother called earlier." Justin glanced at the wall. "He talked with Chance. Chance told him some things that he assumed would be true in the future, and that he hadn't talked to anyone about yet."

"Like what?" asked Juliet suspiciously.

"About… your… He told them you were family."

Juliet groaned. "Meaning I have to marry one of you, don't I? Tell me that was all!"

"That was all." He stared at her in surprise. For some reason, he had expected more of a reaction than that. Perhaps a solid punch in the head, or something.

"My brother told me," said Juliet simply.

"Oh."

"So who's the jerk?"

Justin swallowed. Neither the tone, not the words gave him the best of feelings. "Me."

This got the reaction he'd been expecting before. Several scorching words of shock, and a good kick in the stomach.

"I didn't ask for it!" He dogged her foot, and moved out of reach above her head, taking hold of her shoulders.

Juliet jerked away. "Get off of me!"

"Oh." He pulled back slightly. "Just don't kick me. Okay?"

"Whatever." She lay still, eyes closed, and he could almost hear her counting to one hundred.

"It wasn't my idea. I tried my best to get out of it, but Chance wouldn't let me. It wasn't really my decision, even though they pretend it was. Don't blame me. Okay?"

"There are several rules you are going to obey," said Juliet gritting her teeth very loudly. "The biggest one, is that you will leave me alone. Physically, mentally, all that whatnot. You dare even look at me sideways, and I will hurt you. There is no way—"

"I get the point! It's disgusting anyways. You're a Butler. I'm an Anthony. It doesn't happen."

Juliet opened her eyes. "Stop interrupting!"

"Sorry."

"I do not want to have anything to do with you. I want to see you as little as possible, talk to you as little as possible, think about you as little as possible. Try to help me there."

"Yeah." Justin studied his thumbs, wondering how to go about the twiddling part.

"You're not paying attention!" Juliet glared at him.

"I am!"

She grunted something, and continued: "If you have a problem with the things I do, live with it. There is nothing you can do to stop it. Don't try. I will hurt you. I do not like to be interrupted, and told what to do. I will live how I want to live."

"How do you want to live?" Justin finally got the twiddling thing, and started spinning his thumbs around and around in little circles. It was fun, despite it's low intellectual engagement.

"I'll dress how I want to, eat how I want to, keep the hours I want to, and exercise how I want to."

"Fine."

"Fine. I assume I'm not going to be here for the rest of my life, am I?" Juliet sat up, wincing as she dragged her arms across the pillows. Even with the new casts on, it hurt.

"Probably not. I have a room— half a wing," he added hastily. "You won't have to share a room with me. I'd better check with Chance though. He's pretty strict, and if I decide to do whatever without his say-so, then I'll get in trouble. So wait, okay?"

"Fine. I'm waiting."

Justin stood, moving to the door.

"One more thing."

"Yeah?"

"I absolutely will not tolerate being locked up in a room all day. I want to wander and do what I like."

"You'll have to convince Chance. If he gives you the okay, I'll keep my mouth shut. Personally, I'd like to keep you in here. I feel a lot safer. And a lot more comfortable."

"I'll convince him."

"Great then. You do that. Right now, you might want more sleep. You don't look so good."

"Is that a problem?" She sat up a little straighter, giving him a dirty look.

"No…"

"Then get out. And send him down when you're done talking. I want a word with him." Juliet nodded slightly, and lay back down, stretching out, and shutting her eyes.

Whatever it is, they're not paying me enough. Ah well. The typical unappreciated genius, you know. I feel delightfully naughty in writing this. It's so much fun.

Of course there's nothing to say here, at this point, but you know what to do. Do it. If you don't, you will get what's coming to you. And I must say it's quite a bit. Really and truthfully.

Especially avovisto. What's the point of being on your favorites list, if you don't review?