Rachel

"You know what I think?" Marco asked.

"No and thank god I don't," I said dully.

"Well, Rachel," he said to me. "You're going to find out. I think Jake blames himself."

"You just figured that out now?" I asked as Marco, Tobias who was flying up ahead, and I walked down a street in town. "I figured that out last night when he was tearing the heads off every controller in the town hall."

"Yes, well Xena, we're not all professionals on emotions like you."

"Why does he blame himself, though?" I asked, suddenly.

((Because he's Jake,)) Tobias suggested from overhead.

Marco looked up at him.

"You know Birdman has a point," he said. "Jake thinks everything that goes wrong is his fault."

"I feel sorry for his parents, though," I said, feeling as though I was about to break down. I was never the one to cry, but Tom was my cousin and I cared about him. I hated to think what it must mean for Jake.

"Of course, did you see them last night," Marco commented. "That was awkward."

"Oh, very mature Marco," I growled. "They have just lost a son and what was worse was Jake didn't even show up. I would be upset too."

((Guys, isn't it time to get to Cassie's barn?)) Tobias thought spoke.

I looked down at my watch. It was thirteen minutes past three.

"Yeah," I said. "We better get going if we want to be on time."

We started heading to Cassie's barn which was on the outskirts of town so by the time we reached it, everyone was there. Except Jake.

"Hey, where's our fearless leader?" asked Marco, trying to lighten up the mood, which was hard seeing as someone just died.

Cassie was sitting on a bale of hay, looking as depressed as I felt. Ax in human form looked just like it. He would know what it would have felt like to lose a brother, seeing as Elfangor had died.

Tobias flew into the rafters, Marco settled himself on a bale of hay near to Cassie's but I decided to stand.

"He's not here yet," Cassie said, answering Marco's question. "This is a good thing, because we need to talk."

"I think we should demote him from leader," Marco said hurriedly.

"What?" I demanded. "We can't demote him."

"You saw how he acted yesterday," Marco reasoned. "It's not a personal thing and it's not a permanent thing. All he'll think about is getting revenge and that could jeopardise everything."

"It does make sense," Cassie said thoughtfully.

"You can't be supporting him!" I said angrily to Cassie.

"He could kill us all," Marco said. "I mean I feel sorry for the guy, I wish this never happened, but it has and we have to deal with it."

"We shouldn't have told him there was a meeting today," I said. "He should have time by himself, not worrying about this."

There was an awkward silence. Ax shifted nervously, obviously not sure whether to back his "prince" or go against him for the good of everyone. I knew where I stood. And I knew where Marco stood. It was the others I had to convince.

((Did anyone say anything at school today?)) Tobias asked Cassie, trying to break the tension.

"It's the talk of the school," Cassie said solemnly. "Everywhere I go everyone's talking about it."

"Great," I said, disgustedly. "Just what Jake needs."

"Where is he anyway?" Marco asked, looking down at his watch.

"Maybe he heard you were demoting him," I sneered, unpleasantly.

"I'm just doing what I think is best for this small army," he snapped back.

"How long do you think we'll last without Jake?" I asked.

"It'll just be until this blows over," Marco said, standing up.

"When is it going to blow over?" I raged. "Tom's not going to resurrect and Jake's always going to be angry over this."

"It doesn't mean that he has to get back into this right away," Cassie said softly.

I turned on her angrily. "You're siding with him?" I demanded. "I thought you liked Jake!"

"That's why I think he should step down," she replied calmly.

"This is ridiculous! Do you agree with them?" I asked, turning towards Tobias.

((I think he needs a break, but I don't think we should demote him.))

"It's settled then," I said triumphantly.

"Not so fast, Xena," Marco said snidely. "It's a draw. Two votes each way."

We all turned our heads towards Ax.

"I refuse to vote," he said calmly. "It is of not my concern."

"How is it not your concern?" I asked. "Jake is the leader of the only resistance on Earth. You must vote."

"I refuse to vote," he repeated.

"That's it then," Marco said.

"No it's not, you have to change your vote," I said angrily.

"I will not."

We all started talking at the same time. Each saying their own point, no one listening to the other.

"BE QUIET!"

A loud, angry voice echoed around the barn. Silence fell instantly as everyone stared at the newcomer standing in the entrance of the barn. Jake.

"What the hell is going on?"

We just stared at each other, unsure what to say. Jake was obviously very angry.

"Oh, I see," Jake strode into the middle of the barn and looked at us. He looked like a military officer surveying new officers with disproval.

"Let me see if I get this straight," he said, evenly. "Half of you want to kick me out of the group, which I am certain; the leader of that group would be Marco."

Marco blushed furiously. He opened his mouth to say something, but Jake silenced him as he continued.

"The other half, still have faith in me. That group lead by Rachel. Am I correct in thinking that Ax won't vote which makes a tie?"

I looked down at my shoes and when I looked back at Jake I was shocked to see that the anger in his eyes hadn't vanished.