Sorry that it seems like it's taking me forever to update. I hope no one is too upset about the wait. Anyway, here's the next chapter for everyone, I hope that everyone enjoys it.

Chapter 8: Joan

Storm and Zelos decided to take up the offer to stay at Altamira for about a week before they would leave to tell Colette the news. Raine and Genis also decided to stay when Regal offered them a couple of free rooms. Storm and Zelos both thought that it would be good for them to just stay there and relax for the week. They both felt that they didn't relax enough.

Storm was going to talk to Regal about what she and Zelos could do for the day. She was also prepared to engage in another battle with the receptionist at the front desk. The woman at the desk was a good way to vent her anger and Storm was ready for some payback. Storm entered the office building and walked up to the front desk and was surprised to see a new woman sitting at the desk. Storm stood there with a disappointed look on her face. She was really ready to confront the woman and let out her mood swings on her, but there stood a younger, taller woman with a large grin on her face.

"How can I help you?" the woman chimed, her voice slightly reminded Storm of Colette.

"Uh...," Storm began, still trying to figure out what happened to the other woman. "Can I speak with Regal?" she finally asked.

"Name," the woman simply stated.

"Storm Wilder," she stated.

"Oh, Ms. Wilder you're on the list to see Mr. Bryant. You may go ahead," the woman said happily.

"Wait, there's a list of people to see Regal?" she asked her mouth dropping slightly.

"Yes, after he came back from his journey he put up this list of all of his companions so they wouldn't have to make an appointment to see him," the woman explained.

"THERE WAS A LIST!" Storm yelled as she slammed her fists on the desk. The woman jumped backwards, startled by Storm's sudden outburst.

"I'm sorry ma'am is there something that I did wrong?" the woman asked.

"No. I'm going to see Regal now," Storm said calmly as she made her way to the elevator leading to Regal's office.

Once she was at his office she knocked on the door, entering as soon as soon as Regal bid her to come in. Storm calmly walked over to his desk and sat on the opposite side. She sat there and stared at Regal for a few moments, trying to contain the hatred she was feeling towards the older receptionist at the moment.

"So, where's your old receptionist?" Storm finally inquired.

"Oh, Joan? I let her go, she was a little too hard to work with and the customers didn't care for her much," Regal said. "I think that Darla is a lot friendlier towards our clientele, wouldn't you agree?" Regal asked her.

"Oh, yes she's wonderful," Storm answered without really thinking about it, her mind was still focused on Joan and seeking revenge on her somehow.

"What was it you needed to see me about Storm?" Regal asked.

"Oh, Zelos and I were wondering what we should check out around here, we wanted to see what was worth seeing before we had to leave," Storm told him.

After a few moments of thought, Regal finally got an idea. "Actually, this is great timing. We're holding a ball here tomorrow night, you two should come. There will be quite a few businessmen and aristocrats attending so you should probably find a nice gown to wear. You could go shopping around here to find something for that. In fact, why don't you invite Raine and Genis as well, I'm sure Presea would want Genis to attend," he said, smiling at the last part.

"Wow, that's a great idea. We'll go out shopping today," Storm answered cheerfully as she promptly left for the hotel. "See you then," she called as she went out the door.

Storm arrived at the hotel and ran over to where Zelos was at the time taking a nap. She decided that he had slept enough and that it was time to wake him up. She ran over to the bed that he was sleeping on and jumped on top of him. Zelos woke with a start as he tried to figure out who, or what, was on top of him. He looked and saw Storm smiling at him. He rolled his eyes at her behavior as he grabbed her by the waist and pushed on the other side of the bed.

"You know, I think you're starting to get a little heavier," he told her with a big cheesy smile slapped on his face. This remark resulted in Storm's hand contacting with the back of his head.

"So, what did you find out from Regal?" Zelos asked as he rubbed the back of his head.

"There's going to be a ball tomorrow night and we're invited. We need to go shopping and find a suit and tie for you and a gown for me," she explained to him.

"Hmm...a ball. I've been to enough of those to be tired of them," Zelos sighed.

"Well I haven't," Storm declared as she took Zelos by the arm and began to drag him out of the room to go shopping. Before they left though they went to Raine and Genis' rooms and told them about the ball. Raine and Genis both decided to come along with the two so they could all pick out their outfits together.

Genis and Zelos were off to find their suits as they left Raine and Storm to pick out their dresses. Storm wanted to keep her dress a surprise for Zelos and wanted to really impress him. As Storm and Raine walked into the store, Storm immediately went to the front desk to find someone to help them find their dresses.

"Excuse me, could we have some help please?" Storm asked the woman at the front counter.

"Sure," the woman replied. "Joan, come out here and help these two young ladies."

Storm's eyes grew huge at the mention of the name. At first, she thought that was just a coincidence, but when the short, older woman came out to help Raine and her she couldn't deny that it was in fact Regal's old receptionist. Joan and Storm locked stares for a few moments, hatred running between the two of them. Each of them wanted to seek revenge on the other due to their last encounter.

Storm walked over to Joan and stared her in the face, almost asking for a confrontation. Joan was the first to speak between the two of them.

"So, did your husband leave you? Is that why you're here, to get fancied up for another man?" Joan asked her.

Storm grew enraged, but was able to keep her cool. "No, Zelos and I are still together, but I see that you were incapable of holding on to something as simple as a job," Storm countered.

"Poor man," Joan replied, ignoring Storm's comment. "Well, I suppose you want a dress," she said flatly as she eyed Storm.

Storm watched her as she circled around both her and Raine a few times, looking them over. Finally, she looked over at Raine happily. "What a lovely figure! I know the perfect dress for you," she exclaimed as she began to lead Raine away, leaving Storm behind her.

"Hey, what about me?" Storm asked angrily.

"Oh, I don't think we have anything for someone with that kind of figure," she retorted as she pointed at Storm's stomach which had gotten a little bigger. With this remark, Joan walked off leaving Storm enraged behind her.

Storm went back to the front desk and called for the woman at the counter.

"Yes, can I help you?" she chirped.

"Yes, do you have any dresses in my size?" Storm asked her.

The woman looked her over for a second and smiled at her. "Of course we do, but weren't you with Joan?" she asked.

"Yes, it's funny that you mention that. She told me that you didn't have any dresses that would suit my figure," Storm replied.

"Well, that doesn't sound right. Don't worry, I'll help you pick out a dress and I'll speak to her later," the woman replied.

After Storm finished picking out her dress she caught Raine who had just finished purchasing hers. On their way out of the store, Storm saw Joan standing by the door and she decided to get the last word in.

"Hey, look I found a dress that fit my figure, but I bet you can't find one to fit yours," she called as she closed the door behind her.

Well, that's it for this chapter and the next chapter will be all about the ball. I know that Storm and Zelos are technically in with the aristocrats in Meltokio but they never had the time to go to any of the balls. Anyway, I hope that you like Joan. She is actually inspired by an older woman I know that despises me, but I don't really know. I hate her too, but she doesn't want me to be around whenever she comes to where I work. I think that it's hilarious because my personality is really like Colette almost all the time except when I get upset then I turn into Raine or Storm. Hmm...I guess she just hates teenagers. Anyway, I hope you liked it and please review to tell me what you thought.