Note: After this chapter, only three more to go! We're almost there!

Pale, silvery eyes… they stared at her from a darkness so thick she couldn't see fingers pressed against her face. They never blinked, never… but they shifted to and fro, as if searching… she could never put a face to them—never would she. But she heard cold laughter, the rustle of a cloak, and a bright light shone. Nothing could be seen in the strands of light—nothing. Then a high pitched scream sounded…

She awoke, finding that it was she who had screamed from out of the dream. Her breathing was harsh, and she was sweating cold trickling ice. There was no one but her there, not even her companions in the next room awoke and pounded on the wall or the door. Were they there?

Turning and turning, she tried to sleep once more, but failed miserably. Sun rays crept through the blinds on her windows, telling her it was morning now. "I must get up, and not think about it," she told herself. "I will relax today. A bubble bath sounds nice and cozy… maybe read a book. I hope the boys won't mind."

Getting up, she slipped on her robe and unlocked her door and slid over to the boy's door. Knocking twice, the door creaked open. "Uh, boys?" she called in the room, opening the door.

There they were, sleeping still, one on the others bed, the other on the floor—both sprawled and drunk.

"Idiots," she shook her head. Starting to rummage through their things, just to make sure they weren't robbed, she discovered they were low on cash and there was a bottle of pills spilling into a suitcase. She turned around, hearing a groan.

"Wake up you two! I swear to Merlin you two are the biggest disappointments I've ever seen."

"Oi," the red-head cried. "We were just havin' a bit of fun."

"Clubbing and prostitute fun! I can't believe you two! I was supposed to come to relax and you two just screw it up! BOYS!" she yelled, enraged.

The raven-haired boy squinted and held his head. "No, it's not like that. We were just clubbing, getting a bit tipsy actually."

"Three nights have we been here, and two of those you both got drunk."

"The second night we were here, we were bored from sightseeing and went to have some fun. Last night, it was your fault. You were gone all day. It doesn't take that long to shop!"

"No, it doesn't take that long to shop."

"Then why in Merlin's name were you out all day?"

"I met up with someone, and we spent the day together."

"Who?"

"His name is Darian—and oh, tomorrow night I will be attending a dinner and ball with him. That is why I was out late last night, we were picking out a gown for me, and then we went out for dinner afterwards. Today, my plan is too relax and do nothing major. Neither of you are too go clubbing or I will send you both home. This is my vacation, and it'll stay that way!" she huffed, leaving their room and the door wide open. Slipping back into her room, she turned warm water on in the bath. Adding bubbles, she let it fill to a reasonable height, shut the water off, pulled her hair back into a bun, and stripped of her clothing, settling down into the warm water.

She tilted her head back against the edge of the tub and wall, sighing. After soaking for a few minutes, the water was quite welcoming and comfortable. But she noticed, after thinking for a while—she didn't have a headache! Oh thank you Darian for that suggestion! She was so content, so fine… she told herself that she wouldn't need that silly potion any longer.

Laughter came from her lips by the time she let the water drain from the tub, and, wrapping a towel around her saturated body, stepped from the tub.

-&-

The rest of that day she laid around, reading from her newest book she had bought not to long ago. It was a surprise to her that she hadn't finished it already. Occasionally, she would leave her room, evading the boy's room, and head down to the lobby of the hotel to get something light to eat from their brunch room. After finishing up a chapter of the book, she glanced at the clock; it was about four-thirty now. Sighing, she put her book away and spread out on her bed.

"What to do, what to do…" but there was a knock on her door. She sat up, and blinked, "Come in."

"Hey, we're sorry," it was the boys.

"No big deal, just no more clubbing on this trip."

"But…"

"No stinking 'buts.'"

"Fine," they grumbled, coming into her room and sitting on her bed with her.

Yawning, she laid back on her pillows.

"Have you been sleeping well?"

"Well…" they didn't know she hadn't taken her potion last night, and planning on not taking it tonight. "Yes I have, you have no need to worry," she glanced at the two boys. But she sat up, taking each a hand from either boy, and holding them in hers. "It's too late in the day now, to do much. Let's just rest, shall we?"

"What's gotten into you?"

"Nothing, can't a girl chat with her friends?"

"Yeah, she can," but both of them unclasped their hands from her.

"You two are my friends, right?"

"Of course we are, why do you ask?"

"I'm just wondering… wondering about something, but don't ask about it, I won't tell you. I swear I won't."

The nodded, not asking. The three sat there for a good long time before one of them glanced at the clock; six p.m. it shown. What could they do for so long before bed? And why did she have to demand they not go clubbing? It was her vacation, but couldn't they have a little fun? Too much fun; that is what she would call it.

And who was this Darian guy? By the sounds of it, he was spoiling their friend with the dress, dinner, and ball. Spending the whole day with him and not them! It was her fault they had been clubbing—how could she punish them!

The night wore on, as each grew sleepier and sleepier. Yawning increased, uncomfortable movement began, aching bodies yearned for soft beds…

"Hey, we're going to get to bed. You too, don't forget your potion."

"'Kay, good-night," she waved them off as they shut her door, and she quickly did her nightly routine—skipping the potion part. Instead, she slipped right into bed after brushing her teeth, feeling drowsy already.

"Ooh, tomorrow. I can not wait to wear that dress!" she sighed, smiling over at her closet, where she knew the silk outfit hung neatly—wrinkleless and beautiful as ever.

"Tomorrow… tomorrow I will be on top of the world."