Disclaimer: Fairly Oddparents has never belonged to me, but Lorenzo does. (As does Sophie, for that matter). Steal either of these and I will hunt you down online, no joke.

Chapter Six: This Place is So Empty

Vicky fought and scratched Mark, seeking to keep her from further harming Tootie. Although she found herself queasy often and fatigued, that didn't stop her from wanting her blood. Just the thought of what she might do to her made him nauseous. Therefore, it was best to just grab hold and hope she didn't try to murder him.

They sat, or, rather, attempted to sit, on the living room couch. The rest of the house was eerily silent, the last yells of Timmy and Tootie dying away. Apparently, Vicky enjoyed this immensely for a cat like smile perched upon her face.

Now is the summer of our discontent, Mark thought scowling, realizing if he did in fact pin his wife down, he'd risk hurting her. There had to be some way to get her to stop blindly causing mayhem and ruckus. Something had to give here.

Moreover, he'd heard Tootie's speech about her missions and discovered, much to his surprise, thatwhile he had great pity, Vicky didn't feel the same. From her telepathic empathy, he caught malicious glee. She hadn't said anything, but hewas certain that she'd use this against her. This pained him, but what else could he do?

In his arms, she panted, eyes darting around like wildfire. In conjunction with her thoughts, a nasty grin split her face and she rose, no longer fighting him. He had a bad feeling about this.

Placing his hands on her shoulders, he too rose. Despite being frightened to attempt sexual intercourse with her (which was probably where all this pent up energy was coming from, at least, he hoped), there had to be something to detain her from ruining the rest of Tootie's life. He'd heard the argument with Timmy and Tootie as well as she and they both knew her actions before had destroyed any chance they had of reconciling. What else could she want?

Not only that, but why did she persist in being so cruel lately? Yes, mood swings he understood, but he felt she was using them as an excuse (as well as the pregnancy) to permit her the upper hand. Rarely if ever had he seen her this violent, this abusive, and this malevolent. If he were still a Yugopotamian, he'd have been turned on, but now, in the light of her family and housemates' plight, matters were unpleasant to say the least. Surely there had to be a factor he hadn't satisfied causing this to occur. All he need do was find it, whatever it was.

>>Dearest Vicky>>, He began, but she shoved him back into the couch. Yet again her eyes were glued to the stairs and what led beyond them, into a place she hadn't been since before Mark had arrived on Earth. She was certain Tootie was waiting, probably crying her eyes out. This was all too perfect.

>>Sit, stay, don't come over>>, Vicky barked in telepathy and then laughed maniacally. It rang through the air and, against his will, Mark shuddered deeply. When she wanted to, she could really scare people.

Pounding her fist into her palm, she held it up over his head and then his groin before, snickering, she departed. He stared after her and wondered if he should have chased her. The answer, of course, was yes.

Holding the guardrail for dear life, Vicky wobbled unsteadily up the stairs. Every time she faltered, she reminded herself that (a), Tootie still had a beating coming and (b), she wasn't that pregnant. Both became a chant, repeated as often as required. They gave her strength, that was until she reached the landing and a soft chuckle halted her.

"You don't change a bit," A melodious voice chimed from beyond a curtain. She turned around but could not locate the source. Silk met her eyes, nothing more.

Eyes narrowed, she shoved as hard as she could at the smooth surface beyond the curtain. Nothing should happen when she did this, unless, of course, there was someone behind it. And oh, did that voice sound terribly familiar.

Again, she shoved at it, only, this time, it shoved back. Or, rather, she felt fingers pressed up against her own and she drew back with a gasp. What on earth was there?

No, correction, fingers and glass. Curiosity soon overcame her rage at Tootie and, peering at the curtain, she sought an ending to see beneath the surface. Something or someone had to be there and she was going to find out what if it killed her.

Repeatedly, she shoved, hoping against hope she wouldn't have to bend down and retrieve that loose bit of cloth. Unfortunately, shoving proved useless other than receiving mocking, derisive laughter at the other end. God, how that voice taunted her with its familiarity. Still, she hadn't heard it in months.

"My, my, Vicky, you never see the easy answer, do you?" Again, the soft, almost baleful laughter and, as her fingers touched the surface of the mirror with the curtain acting as a buffer, she felt airy, magical fingers brush her own. Good Lord, this was so creepy. Who the hell was behind that damned thing?

"I can wait all day. Can you?" A shadow flitted behind the curtain and then, she saw the fingers that had brushed against her own as they lightly played with the bottom. Since the figure appeared trapped, he could only shove it away, not pick it up.

Trepidation, but more anger, filled her and, ignoring the fact it was difficult to bend down, she yanked up the curtain. Stumbling back, she gasped for breath until, leaning against the wall and panting, she peered at the contents within. So far, she saw utterly nothing. There was no man behind the mirror; she was imagining things.

"Dearest Vicky," The voice mocked again. "Come into the darkness."

"Go to hell!" She barked, hugging herself for warmth. "You aren't real!"

How often had he heard that one? Okay, so it was fairly new to him, but, nonetheless, he found this game quite amusing. Wanda hadn't specifically told him he couldn't play with Vicky's or anyone else's heads and, besides, it seemed to him that this bitch needed to be taught a lesson.

"Aren't I?" Lorenzo answered, smirking in the darkness beyond the scope of the mirror. Now, she caught the vague outline of a man, but nothing more. Piece by piece, he'd show himself.

What harm was there, anyway? Mark was too petrified to do anything, Wanda was somewhere with Cosmo,and Timmy and Tootiewere upstairs probably mourning the continuation of their virginity. No one was going to stop him or come to her rescue. She was all his for the taking…a thought that hadn't occurred to him in some time.

Apparently, the sight of an outline frightened her not and she scoffed, no longer finding him terrifying in the slightest. Deigning that her fatigued mind was playing tricks on her, she turned towards the stairs once more. However, the man behind the mirror was not inclined to permit her to leave so quickly. After all, he had yet to have his fun.

Damn this infernal mirror for preventing him from touching her, though. Wouldn't that make his threat that much more palpable, if he could just reach out and grab her? Besides, it'd give him that greatly needed adrenaline rush he'd missed oh-so much.

"Oh, Vicky," The Other said in a sing-song voice. "Didn't you miss me? It's me, Lorenzo DeMedici, your first time."

In an instant, the color drained from her face and she slid to the floor. Words failed; all she could do was gawk at him as he fully emerged. Tremors shook her body and she squeaked like a mouse, eyes as wide as a deer caught in the headlights.

As if on cue, her hands massaged her belly, reassuring herself that she had gotten over him. Still, since Mark had fended him off, that was the last time she'd seen him. Rumor had it that Timmy had killed him, yet here he was, the man in the mirror.

Or was he only in the mirror? If that were so, then he couldn't possibly hurt her. That didn't explain him pushing back at her, though. How far could he reach beyond his glassy tomb?

"You're dead," Vicky said, the whole moment surreal. Again, her fingers grasped her belly, sliding over its contours. He was dead, she was pregnant with Mark's child, and everything was as it should be. He couldn't haunt her anymore.

"Au contraire, Icky Vicky, I'm very much alive." Although I can't step much further than my enclosure. Wanda must have put up a magical block. I'll speak to her about that as soon as she returns- she must be in a better mood after having sex with Cosmo.

Hmph, Cosmo, that moron. He doesn't deserve her. Then again, she went crazy without him…but that was Juandissimo's doing, for once, not mine. I wonder what she'd be like if he ever left her again, for whatever reason.

Hmm…

"Timmy killed you!" She gasped, eyes now darting to Mark, who, receiving her anxiety, rose to his feet. It was that and a combination of raw hatred against the one who had hurt her so badly. He didn't understand the concept of the mirror, but what did it matter? If it was glass, it could shatter and so could Lorenzo's face when he got his fists on it.

"He did and yet…" A quirky smile crossed his face. "I implore you to move closer to me, Vicky."

"No!" She screamed, catching the attention of Tootie and Timmy, the former of whom shut her door empathetically and the latter flipped her the finger before slamming his door. Well, no help was forthcoming from those two, that was for damn sure. However, this didn't factor in Mark, climbing up the steps with a look to kill.

No, this wouldn't be any fun with Mark here to sneer at him. As soon as he arrived, he'd fade back into the shadows. Perhaps Mark would deem his new wife crazy, giving Lorenzo a great deal of mirth. This popping in and popping out business could provide decent entertainment for once.

"The man in the mirror bids you adieu, Vicky. He'll be back soon…" With that, he faded back into the shadows, leaving Mark to glower at an empty frame. Although this was a mirror, he couldn't see his reflection. Something seemed off, nearly magical about this wall adornment. Whatever it was, it'd caused Vicky to draw back in terror.

Trembling in anger himself, he grasped the edges and shook them heartily. The surface of the mirror quaked, yet there was no reaction from within. From Lorenzo's viewpoint, he was merely altering the boundaries of his mirror, nothing more. However, he didn't laugh. It was best to make Mark think it was all in his wife's mind. The only being that actually knew of his existence wouldn't tell them the truth, anyway.

"Come out!" Mark roared, punching the glass at random. Nothing happened- the glass didn't break, it was like punching a solid wall. This was no ordinary mirror.

Again he lunged, only, this time, Lorenzo stuck his arm out and squeezed his fist painfully. A satisfying sound of bones running together rang through the air and, while Mark retreated, favoring his other hand, The Other returned to the shadows again to play another day. Beware the man in the mirror, Vicky.

The next few minutes passed like hours. Without that entertainment, he had precious little to do. What on earth was there but sleep and observation? Not to mention no one walked past his mirror, so he couldn't see anything.

After that predicament, Vicky and Mark abruptly changed their minds about going upstairs and headed into the basement. Sadly, he had to admit he might have helped Tootie by diverting her sister. Ugh, just the thought of helping that whore made his skin crawl. Then again, by helping Tootie, he might have helped Timmy. It was a double sided coin and he didn't much like either end.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a pink poof and tensed, knowing it to be Wanda immediately. Lines filled her face, her hands trembled as they held her wand, and her face had the same amount of color as Vicky's. What on earth had happened? Surely, the sex couldn't have been that bad.

"Wanda?" The Other called out and, temporarily driven out of her rambling, nonsensical thoughts, she turned in his direction. Good Lord, she looked worse from the front than she did from the side.

Words failed her and, for a few moments, she lay down by his mirror and sobbed. He, reaching out to her, sank to his knees. Even if he could just barely reach her; he just wanted to hold her.

Her fingers trembled for her wand and she waved it once, granting him the ability to step outside, but only for a certain distance. Right now, she didn't want him running rampant around the house, but releasing him couldn't possibly do that much harm, could it? Besides, the mirror was an awfully lonely place.

He gulped down fresh, real air greedily. Everything looked so much more vivid and lifelike here. Then, it struck him- she hadn't just released him from the mirror, she'd released him from his death sentence. She'd given him life again.

Before he had time to ponder it, his arms enclosed her and she found herself bawling uncontrollably into his chest. Tentatively, he stroked her hair (this seemed to be the right thing to do) and sat, Indian style, on the floor with her pressed against him. Despite the wetness of her tears, she possessed warmth he hadn't felt in such a long time.

Tenderly, getting used to this, he pat her back. All ideas were new to him; he was just playing it by ear. The only way he had any concept of what to do was he remembered Wanda doing the same with Timmy when he was upset. Wanda…the only benevolent woman he could remember from Timmy's past.

Then, unsure, he stroked her wing and she froze. There were different ways- other fairies sometimes did it in a circular motion for therapeutic results. However, in his way, he'd accidentally pressed against an aphrodisiac sac. Wings could calm a fairy, but, if touched in the right manner, turn them on as well. Unwittingly, he'd done so.

Wanda shuddered deeply, but she pulled herself away from him. Her eyes narrowed, and then she recalled that he couldn't possibly have known what effect that would have. Timmy never touched her wings, no human had, so his memories regarding that must be incomplete.

"Don't do that," She murmured softly, taking his hands and placing them, somewhat nervously, on her lower back again. Anyone touching her wings made her uneasy. Only Cosmo had the right to do so…Cosmo…

"I didn't hurt you, did I?" The Other frowned, discovering his hand seemingly had a mind of its own, tracing the roots of her wings. Deep down, unconsciously, he realized this had to have a rather, well, pleasant effect. Then again, it was also that the unconscious desire to please her took full root. Besides, her wings felt so pleasant, so smooth against his finger.

"It…" She blushed scarlet, finding her mind at least momentarily fleeing from what had just happened with Remy and trying to find an adequate but civil way to tell Lorenzo what he'd done. She didn't dare be rude enough to use the colloquialisms, but another blush spread at the realization that he might enjoy the knowledge. Perhaps she'd better lie and tell him otherwise.

In an incredibly small voice, which he had to strain to hear, she uttered, "It…does things to me…"

"Like…?" Lorenzo pressed, enjoying her unease. Not that he had anything against her for the moment, but forcing her to come and say what she wouldn't normally amused him greatly. Surely she wouldn't go as far as to utter what he thought. Even after whatever upset happened, she wouldn't fall that far.

"It's an aphrodisiac," She murmured, glancing anywhere but at him. Again, the heat rose and she decided perhaps it was better if she spoke to Timmy about what happened. Then again, if she did she'd have to face telling him about her own state of affairs, which she might avoid around Lorenzo, happy enough to be free from the mirror. She could always threaten him if he didn't comply, anyway.

"In other words," Lorenzo said, grinning from ear to ear, "it turns you on."

"Y-yes…" She stammered, sliding out of his arms. This was becoming increasingly awkward. Perhaps she'd best make a quick exit before things got out of hand (provided they hadn't already, which she wasn't terribly sure about).

Once again, his fingers brushed her wing, this time more forceful than before. On the outside, the outlines of her wing were rough, but the surface was smooth and now fairly heated. He could see the translucent veins pumping magical blood madly. Hmm, this had to be a precursor to something else…

"Stop," She protested, unpleasantly surprised to discover her plea came out not as a strong, sturdy statement but as a moan. She was upset and, when fairies were upset, the wings became highly sensitive. Just the slightest touch, in the right way, could set them off.

Hmm, he had the upper hand now. There were a great many things he could ask of her. For one thing, he'd always wondered what it'd be like to kiss her. In that condition, she couldn't refuse him, could she?

Leaning in and grinning like the Cheshire cat at mealtime, he found himself face to face with her wand. Apparently, being turned on against her will was not exactly one of Wanda's favorite things to do. Guessing by the fury in her eyes, he'd best rethink that kiss, at least for the moment.

"First time, I understand you don't realize rubbing my wings will…" Here she faltered, unwilling to saywhat he'd uttered so freely- 'turn me on'. Still, she knew that he knew what she was talking about,despite feigning ignorance. For the moment, she drew a blank why she'd resuscitated him in the first place, pain in the rear.

"Make you moan?" He supplemented, grinning devilishly. However, he kept his hands to himself this time, his eyes glued to the wand presented before her. As long as she had that and he couldn't do magic, he'd better listen to what she said or else.

Continuing on as though as she hadn't heard him, she added, "But the second time and you're just doing it for 'kicks'. I don't appreciate your using women in this fashion and I thought you might think higher of me than as a plaything in your little games. Give me one good reason not to turn you back into the mirror right now, The Other."

Using their dehumanizing name for him was like a slap in the face and, biting back an angry growl, he instead retreated another inch, closer to the mirror. How he loathed that place, so much like a tomb. She wouldn't dare send him back, would she? What if she did? What then? Would he ruin his only shot of life?

"I'm sorry," Lorenzo murmured, partly because he was and partly because her anger meant no trips to the outside world. Actually, it was much more of the latter than the former. She was awfully cute when she was enraged.

Before she had time to question that, the door opened and Timmy, now curious, peered down at them. Unconsciously, Lorenzo retreated for the safety of the mirror. For now, it was best not to be discovered. Glancing at Wanda told him, for her face had become terse and her body trembled slightly.

Wanda smirked, pleased for once that he was actually doing what was desired. Although she hadn't said as much, she didn't want to shock the hell out of her godson by letting him know that the being he'd killed recently conveniently came back to life (just like magic).

"Who are you talking to?" Timmy demanded, folding his arms across his chest. He took her, wand still poised (oops) to strike, her wings fluttering slightly (what was that about?) and the mysterious mirror, for the first timeevident. (She'd forgotten to cover that as well, oh crap…)

"No one!" Wanda said quickly, realizing immediately that he wasn't going to buy it. Perhaps she could just put a spell on him. Yes, magic would fix anything.

You're panicking, She reminded herself steely. This is just your godson, not Jorgen Von Strangle.

Still, it's not like he'll be pleasantly surprised to realize Lorenzo's still alive. I know he still wants to hurt him and The Other can't defend himself sufficiently when he can only move within a foot of the mirror. Even though the fights Lorenzo started were hardly considered fair, I'd like to believe he's trying to change. If I can't force The Other to act just, how can I hope for my godson to do the same?

Jeez, I'm actually taking Lorenzo's side over my godson's. A few months ago, I never would have considered the possibility. How on earth could so many things have changed within a few months?

It's just that I can't take him asking me all those questions. That's all he seems to do, pry in my secret life. However, I can't think of another way to divert his attention than by telling him what Remy did. At least then he'll be 'let in'.

"You're talking to someone," He accused, traversing the steps two at a time. Even though she found herself on Lorenzo's side, she nonetheless didn't want him to hurt himself. After all, he was her godson. Maybe she could play this off (hopefully).

Behind the mirror, Lorenzo paced nervously. Even though he'd enjoyed playing mind games with Vicky, when Timmy had killed him, he'd shown utterly no mercy. As much as he loved him, he doubted that love factored in when it came to his feelings regarding him.

Sidestepping carefully, she poofed up to him before he could closely examine the mirror. The only thing she could think of as a diversion would require telling him what had just happened, but what choice did she have? Leaving Lorenzo out would mean he'd start attacking him…plus he'd be bound to figure out somehow, that he'd been revived by magic. She wasn't ready to tell him that.

"Timmy…" She said, taking a deep breath. Floating in midair took more out of her than she realized and she plummeted, caught by a befuddled Timmy. What on earth could have turned her into that?

"We have to talk." The four most dangerous words when strung together in the English language.

Lamentably, Lorenzo stared up at the stairs again, but, this time, discovered he could move within a foot of the mirror. So she'd left the spell in place- accidentally or on purpose? Whatever the case, it was an improvement.

Touching her wings turned her on, he could definitely use that to his advantage later on. He didn't know exactly why, but exciting hergave him excitement as well. Whenever he got the chance, he'd do that again. Maybe things would be different then.

What on earth had she been so worked up about, though? She'd come to him in tears, pressing her face into his chest. He'd never seen her so miserable in his life, nor, as far as he could tell, short of when they'd nearly taken Timmy away from them, in Timmy's either. What could she be worried about?

Sighing heavily, he glanced up again at the door leading to Timmy's room. If she couldn't trust him, at least she could trust his sire. He'd missed his opportunity to comfort her, but Timmy would have his. On the bright side, he could now move in and out of his mirror a bit.

If only that were enough to appease him…

"Timmy…Wanda…" Lorenzo called softly to himself. There was no answer, but, in his room, Timmy shuddered deeply.

Tenderly, he placed his godmother on his lap. In his mind chorused the words, the stupid things he'd done while he was with Tootie. Part of him hated himself for coming onto her and the rest hated himself for letting her leave. God, how he wanted her.

Maybe it wasn't too late. Maybe she was waiting in her room and, after apologizing profusely and acting like the dog she believed him to be, she'd forgive him. She'd fling her arms around him and they'd start making out again. Just the thought of it caused pleasant shivers to course down his back.

However, he had worse problems to contend with right now. Who had Wanda been speaking to before? Why were her wings fluttering, as if excited? Moreover, why did he suddenly feel as he had when Lorenzo had been present? What on earth was she hiding from him?

In his typical brusque fashion, Timmy snapped, abandoning all pretenses, "What the hell is going on?"

Sighing heavily, she gazed up at the ceiling as if imploring heaven itself to help her. No answers came, so she supposed she ought to tell him as much of the truth as he could handle. This was going to take a while.

"Remy stole Cosmo's soul," Wanda spoke, stunned that she could speak of it in such a normal tone of voice. Perhaps when she'd broken down in front of Lorenzo, that was all she required. Maybe she could keep her cool around Timmy.

"What?" Timmy choked. Wide eyed, he took in her calm demeanor, pierced only by the uncontrollably quivers of her hands. Once again, she was feigning a great apathy than she felt. He could see it now in her eyes, putting up the front she always carried.

Tightly, he wrapped his arms around her; she'd never felt so slight before in his life. Everything in the world just kept piling down on her, smothering her inits weight. For the first time, he realized how selfish and painful his suicide attempts were. They'd only brought her down.

Although his feelings toward Cosmo were ambivalent at best, he loved Wanda deeply. She was the only mother he had left and, therefore, the closest thing he had. Even when he screwed up, bossed her around, treated her badly, shoved her away, or, more recently, tried to kill her, she still cared just as deeply about him as a real mother would. Seeing him like that must have broken her heart.

After all, she had to contend with what Juandissimo had done to her, her failing relationship with Cosmo, Vicky's pregnancy, Cosmo and his prying, but him trying to commit suicide had to be the straw that broke the camel's back. However, realizing it didn't help him that much. The truth was he was depressed and no amount of coercion or self convincing would tell him otherwise. It wasn't that he was a coward, but that everything that happened weighed so heavily upon him. He'd felt so alone…and now he realized Wanda probably felt the same.

As she told him what happened, omitting the details of her and Cosmo's sex life, he stroked her hair softly. When she finished, he had a confession to make. Sure, he was fairly certain she already knew, but he had to get off his chest. It wasn't fair to burden her with him.

Finishing with a tremendous sigh, she glanced up at him. He could tell how hard it was to let him in that far, but she'd no choice. He was probably the only person she could really talk to, other than Tootie.

Just thinking aboutTootie reminded him…he had to talk to her. They both knew he was being an idiot, but, more than that, he wanted her badly. Right now, he didn't care if she had marks on her stomach, so long as he was atop her again and tasting those cherry lips.

Trembling slightly, the little pink fairy glanced up at him and he smiled weakly at her. Now it was time for him to finally admit something he'd just discovered himself. After all, if it was confession time, he might as well.

"Wanda, I'm really sorry what I've put you through…" Timmy murmured, hanging his head.

"I know you have enough to deal with and it isn't fair to add to it…"

Tenderly, she hugged him tightly. From somewhere about his midriff, she murmured that she knew he was depressed. This was why she'd fought Cosmo so much before Juandissimo abducted her. Even then, she could see the telltale signs.

Sighing heavily, he lay back, cradling Wanda to his chest. Neither of them said a word for a good half hour, just enjoying each other's company. There was no need to speak, anyway. They both knew what each other thought.

Tootie shoved Gary away as hard as she could into her bed. He struck it about mid-back; his sunglasses tumbled off. Before he could grab them, she smashed them brutally, stomping repeatedly.

"How dare you!" She screamed, shoving him repeatedly. However, if she thought he was going to take this abuse, she was sadly mistaken. No sooner had she tried it a second time before he seized her about the wrists.

"I don't know who you think you are, but no one touches me like that, capeesh? It isn't cool."

Spitting with anger herself, she found all the pent up aggression and frustration from her encounter with Timmy spilling over. In about five minutes, he'd heard everything in their relationship up until this point, give or take a few days. Now he could see why she was so upset, but not why she was clinging to that loser. After all, if he insisted on treating her that badly, then he didn't deserve her.

However, telling her this did no good. The only person in the world that she wanted was Timmy Turner, not the better looking, nicer Gary. Despite his many attempts to remind her of this, she wouldn't hear of it. Instead, she tried to shove him away again.

"Get out," She growled. Gary didn't budge an inch. He wouldn't until she admitted he was better.

"Make me." Although trepidation filled him, he caressed her cheek. She shut her eyes, imagining Timmy doing it. Timmy…

Ere either of them realized it, their heads grew closer and closer before his lips seized hers again. This time, she didn't protest, but submitted to the kiss. In her mind, she had Timmy finally.

Gary grinned triumphantly, thinking this meant that she'd finally abandoned her pursuit of Timmy. He couldn't be more wrong if he tried.

Speaking of the bucktoothed boy blunder, he'd decided to give Tootie an impromptu talking to. Being his usual, rude self, he didn't bother to knock. Besides, she should be waiting for him, right? Wrong.

"Tootie!" Timmy screamed, interrupting the kiss and Gary's private happiness. He'd darted into the room to apologize only to find this. Immediately, her heart sank to the bottom of her stomach.

>>He kissed me! I swear it!>> She cried in thoughtspeak, however, he turned his head away. So much for Tootie's innocence in his eyes- she'd just become guilty of a thousand more crimes, each more horrid than the last.

Abandoning all reason, she tackled him as hard as she could to the floor. At least with him pinned beneath her, he couldn't escape. Maybe now she could force some sense into him.

Their eyes met, hers desperately imploring him to realize the truth. His reflected stubbornly back- 'but you kissed him'. Like a tug of war, their eyes reflected their warring states, Tootie losing badly.

Finding no other recourse, she kissed him passionately. Maybe if he saw that she still loved him, still wanted him, he'd stop this charade. Nonetheless, it proved futile as he didn't kiss her back. Instead, his eyes glowed with anger and, as hard as he could, he shoved her off.

"Whore," Timmy spat, glowering at and then Gary. "I never should have trusted you in the first place."

With that, he shoved her again before leaving the room.

Sophie bit her lip, finding herself drawn out of her book and into the world of the housemates she only knew by name. If only she could help them, but their problems seemed too great for even a normal talk show host to handle. Besides, she hardly knew them.

Jumping at her feet was the book Timmy had stolen out of Lorenzo's library oh-so long ago. It clamored to be read and, smiling serenely at it, she scooped it up lovingly. Slowly, she was learning magic. So far, the spells were minor, but she was confident she could learn more. After all, she had all the time in the world.

Perusing the pages, she found one spell, but it turned out to be a dud. Surely there was a way to reverse the harmful effects of Juandissimo's potion. There just had to be- she wanted to go home!

Sophie might have sounded like a scared little girl, but that's all she was, basically. She only knew one creature somewhat well in this house, everyone else was an enigma. The redhead frightened her terribly, the bucktooth boy was unsympathetic, and everyone else was either apathetic or unsavory. More than ever, she wished she'd never been miserable enough to qualify for a godparent. She hadn't known true misery then.

Still, there had to be a way to reverse the effects, call back time. If only she could just find it, then she'd be out of here. She wouldn't miss anyone, except maybe Wanda a little. Other than that, they could all go stuff it.

Please, someone…let me out of this nightmare…Sophie pleaded silently, eyes on the wall next to her, where she could hear Timmy and Tootie screaming at each other again.

Please…

…

Yeah, this was a shorter chapter. I looked at the older TOS chapters and most of them weren't nearly as long as I've turned them into. I decided that they don't need to be a certain length. As long as I've covered every base (and this particular saga is the ending one, anyway, so the events aren't as huge as before), it's all right.

Cutie5- Thanks for your compliments. (smiles)

Yeah Loi- Thank you and Vicky's just a bitch. Besides, haven't you noticed that Timmy finds unique ways to twist things, anyway?

Northgalus2002- I think seeing Lorenzo might have shocked Vicky temporarily into niceness. We'll see how that progresses.

She will, but she also has Timmy-kun with her.

I won't say anything about the Timmy/Gary/Tootie love triangle because that would ruin the plot.

Thank you and we'll see about that story title as well. (winks)

SoulPoet:

I'm not saying that suicide is all right or that it's justified, but I do not believe that you should go so far as to condemn Timmy for it. He has his own problems and, after all he's been through, it's hardly fair to say that he's being a coward. There was no one for him to turn to and he thought that everything he touched turned to shit, literally.

As a matter of fact, if I were you, I'd watch who you called a coward. There are many here who have suffered suicidal thoughts, including the author.

MisterBlue- Yes, it is a cycle. But you would know, huh, Blue? (winks) Seeing as you know more about TOS than most of my fans.

Who? Lor or Cos? And yes, he enjoys his absence immensely.

Vicky, as I said before, is a bitch. Plain and simple.

LgacyDX- But the point is that they still don't trust each other…(stares at you)

ahhelga- Heh, you get a new chapter the day you review.

Cosmo isn't dead and Timmy isn't a bitch, he's a pussy. (smirks) Vicky's always scary, though.

Yes, your poor (not) Lory-kins.

Thank you and there was a part with Sophie in here just for you, seriously.