A/N: Disclaimer: Refer back to Chapter 1.

WARNING: OOC, LANGUAGE, LEMON

Chapter 3: A Rubber Duckie

xxxxx

She had gotten back to Muladhara dead tired. The journey was long and hard. But thankfully, the weather had cooperated; well, somewhat cooperated. There was a storm but it didn't last long.

She trudged back to her room, feeling relieved, somewhat. Ever since Cielo had accused Heat of liking her, he hadn't bothered her. But still, she didn't want to think about it but her dream a few days ago still bothered her.

It was all surreal to her. But all the same, disturbing.

'Bah…who cares? As long as it's just a dream, it can't hurt me.'

She lay there on her bed, closing her eyes shut only to have them opened again after remembering the book that she had gotten from Serph. She made for her duffel back and dug within its contents.

"Here it is!"

She flipped through the pages impatiently. The book was thick and in almost every page, it contained illustrations of people and animals, many of which she had never seen before. She was getting impatient when she found the page she was looking for. There. Her eyebrows knitted themselves together and she stared at it; hard.

In the picture was a boy, obviously naked, halfway submerged in water. There seemed to be some sort of foamy substance forming all around the boy. And there, in the middle of the picture, afloat on the water, was her mysterious object. The mysterious object that granted one's desires. Argilla's eyes widened in realization. She sat there deep in thought; what did this book have to do with her mysterious object? 'Wait a minute…Come to think of it…' she speculated. She had heard of such books from the tales of old.

This was what the people of old called as book of magic, or so they say. The book, like her object, was believed to possess incredible power.

"But it's a book…What can it possibly do?" she asked aloud, to no one in particular.

"Maybe it's that spell book or whatnot." a voice replied.

She gave a startled yelp as the voice spoke in her ear. Damn. She didn't even notice someone in the room.

"Heat."

He smirked, "What? Missed me?"

She rolled her eyes, "Hardly."

She sprang to her feet and got into a defensive stance, "What do you want?"

He held up his hands, "Don't worry. I'm not here to fight. I'm here to help you."

"Help me?" she asked, skeptical. Heat would never voluntarily help someone out…not until there was something in it for him.

He looked seriously at her, "I'm here to tell you of what I think of that thing." He produced the object in question from his cloak, "And to prove that I'm not lying, I'm returning the object. Here."

Argilla gave a cry of glee as she dove for the yellow object. Heat could only watch her with annoyance, "Anyway, now that it's out of the way, we need to come up with a compromise."

Argilla, hugging the object, stared at him, "What do you have in mind?"

"I'll tell you my findings if you tell me yours."

"Fine."

"Alright. I'll go first. You want Serph. Don't you?" he asked frankly, his eyes betraying none of his emotions. All the color from her face drained, "That's none of your business."

He cocked his head back, snorting, "Yes it is. It's relevant. Now, tell me the truth. You want him don't you?"

She remained silent, unmoving, staring at the floor. She stayed this way until she looked up at him, her eyes steady, "Yes I do."

He nodded, "Good. That was the answer I was looking for."

Argilla raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean? And what does this have to do with this thing?" she asked, pointing to the golden animal that she held in her arms.

Heat nodded and sat himself on her chair, "I think that it's that thing…that grants people their desires."

Argilla almost barfed; so he suspected it too. "How do you know this?"

"I watched you." he said truthfully, "I've been watching you. Ever since you had that thing, you had everything going your way. I want that too."

Argilla blinked, "And? Well, if that's the case…then, what the hell is this thing?" she said pointing to the book, "What does this have to do with the animal?"

"Like I said, maybe it's some spell book or something…" he said offhandedly.

Argilla inspected the book and flipped it over to the page where the animal floated on the water with the boy, holding it up for Heat to see, "What is this then? I'm guessing that…this book is some sort of an instruction guide for rituals…concerning this item. Look, it's over here."

Heat got off the chair and walked over to the floor, where she sat and looked at the illustration with dead seriousness. "Hm…maybe you're right. But the instructions or the captions have been erased. Hmm…" he squinted his eyes and drew the book closer to his face. Argilla looked at him expectantly, focusing on his face.

'My, doesn't he look cute?'

She didn't disagree with her inner voice. She had to admit, in some angle, Heat did look cute. Kinda. Sorta. Maybe…

"The only thing I can make out are the words…bath…and godliness."

He suddenly stood up, "That's it!"

"What's it?" she asked, taken aback by his sudden burst of enthusiasm.

He sat back down, "Well…from what I can deduce I'd say that if the wielder of this object were to…erm…have himself immersed in some kind of sacred water…or water in general…he'd reach the path of godliness! Maybe that's the instruction!"

Argilla took the book from him, "Hmm…it does seem probable. There's no one there except the boy and the animal. That's gotta be it."

Heat grinned, "Right. Then…who wants to go first?"

Argilla blinked, "Excuse me?"

Heat snorted, "Who wants to give it a go? Me or you?"

The skeptic side of Argilla resurfaced, "Hold it right there. It's not that I don't appreciate the help and all but…why are you doing this? Why are you helping me? Why help me when you can just take it and go?"

Heat stood up, "I'm not completely without morals Argilla. Besides, you found it; you deserve it. But…since I did some digging myself, I need to use it too."

She rolled her eyes, "Fine. Whatever. I'll go first."

He nodded, "Fine. Let me know what happens."

"Right."

He walked out of her bedroom without so much as a wave or a nod. She shook her head, "What a creep."

xxxxx

Argilla got into the steamy bath, taking the object with her. Her heart wrung with worry but at the same time, it was filled with hope. On one side of the spectrum she was worried; she was overly anxious that this was all a waste of time. She was worried that they were mistaken and that it would never work.

'I'm worried that Serph will never get to like me…'

And on the other side of the spectrum, there lay her hopes and dreams; she being in his arms. She allowed her lips to curve upwards for a dreamy smile before frowning. What about Heat?

'What about Heat?' she asked herself, growling with irritation. Why was he always an issue? He was being that annoying rash again!

'He likes you…'

'So?'

'What about the dream?'

'It means nothing! Now shut up and leave me alone.'

She snapped back to reality and sat comfortably in the tub, relishing in the warmth of the water as it engulfed her entire body. She moaned as she felt all the tension leave her body. She opened her eyes a minute later and saw the golden object afloat on the water. Right; this was what she came for.

She reached for the book on the floor outside the tub and looked at the picture again. She frowned; displeasure clearly visible. She had done whatever it was the book had said…well, whatever was depicted in the book. But…so far, nothing was happening.

xxxxx

She had been in the water for almost two hours now and still nothing happened. The golden animal was still afloat, not making a sound. Giving up, Argilla threw her hands up in defeat and stood up. She stepped out of the tub and grabbed her towel. She was very disappointed indeed. What did this mean? Did this mean that she wasn't worthy enough to have her wishes granted? 'Oh Serph…' she thought sadly. Did she do something wrong? Was she lacking something? As all these negative thoughts swarmed her mind, her heart felt as if it were going to break. Her mind began to panic.

"There has to be some sort of mistake." she stated. "I must be missing something."

Forcing herself to calm down by thinking optimistically, she wrapped her towel around her wet body and dismissed anymore thoughts of being unworthy. Heat was supposed to try it next.

'I just hope that he'll have more luck than I did.' she thought sadly.

xxxxx

She had met up with Heat that day outside their Strategy Room. She crossed her arms, waiting for him. She closed her eyes and attempted to clear her mind of annoyance; she hated to wait.

"Are you asleep here woman?" a rude voice penetrated her thoughts, rousing her from her trance-like state.

"No." she said rolling her eyes.

"Well, I just came to give you this." She handed him the object.

He grasped her arm after taking the object and led her out of the building and into the barracks, "Why didn't you just ask me to meet you at your room or something?"

"I didn't want people getting ideas about us Heat!"

Her comment, no matter how innocent, had hurt him but he let it slide.

"Whatever; we're here now. So, how'd it go?"

She shook her head, looking at him with disappointed eyes, "It didn't work."

Heat raised an eyebrow, "It didn't?"

"No."

"I'm not even going to ask if you've done it like the book because I know you did. So, I suppose…"

"That it's your turn right?" she said, finishing for him.

He nodded, "Right. I'll keep you posted."

xxxxx

'She'll like you when you've have your wishes granted…'

Heat grunted in response.

'She will.'

'Will you shut up?! It didn't work for her, so why would it work for me?'

'Then why are you trying it in the first place if you know it aint gonna work?' the voice scoffed, snickering within his subconscious. Heat was getting irritated. These were the times in which he wished that that voice had a physical manifestation, then, he'd beat the crap outta it, kill it and stuff its body in some filthy dumpster.

But sadly, the only physical manifestation that it could have was his own body, and Heat wasn't a masochist.

"I'm trying it because…I just have to try it…if it doesn't work, then, at least I could say that I tried. The mistakes would be learnt and the second attempt would yield more success than its predecessor. There, got it scumbag?"

The voice didn't reply. Heat blinked; maybe he was too stressed.

xxxxx

It had been another two days since Argilla had spoken to Heat. She had an urge to put her fingers in her mouth and bite her nails off in anticipation. Did it work for him? A part of her wanted it to work for him while another part didn't want it to. She knew she was being selfish, but she couldn't help but feel that way. If it worked for him, perhaps he would help her to make it work for her as well. But on the hand, if it didn't work for him either, she'd find solace in their mutual failures.

It was like the old saying, 'misery breeds company'.

She sat there in the mess hall, having her cup of coffee when a person sat himself in front of her.

"It didn't work."

The statement was flat and expressionless. Argilla looked at his piercing red eyes; it would seem that he felt neither disdain nor distress at the findings that it his wishes and desires still remained unfulfilled.

"What? Why not?" she asked.

Heat let out a breath, "We're missing something. And I think I know what it is."

Argilla quirked an eyebrow in complete curiosity; Heat knew more about it than her?

"Well?"

"Argilla, how many people know about this thing?"

Argilla still could not piece it together and so she thought back, "Well…there's you, me, and Serph."

Heat was taken aback, "Serph? He saw this thing?"

"What? No! He knows I had it. He hasn't even seen it."

Heat felt relieved, "Good."

Now Argilla was getting even more suspicious, "Heat? What are you not telling me? What's going on?"

Heat leaned in closer to her and Argilla felt a lump in her throat. The way he was leaning made his face shadowed, making his eyes almost seemed to glow. Blood was rushing to her head, 'Oh God…not here…not now!' she scolded herself. She couldn't let Heat see her blush! That would be…mortifying.

"I think that all of its wielders must undergo the ritual." he said; his tone low.

Argilla shook her head and leaned in as well, their faces a mere inch apart, "But we already tried that and it didn't work."

"Yes but this time it-"

"Ey! Would you look at dis ja?" a voice interrupted Heat and Argilla's discussion. Argilla felt her world crumble; she knew that voice. Heat on the other hand, slowly raised his face, a look of bloody murder etched onto his facial features. Argilla sweat-dropped as she leaned back as well. Whoever that person was should just go away. They turned to see the grinning face of Cielo.

"What do you want you freak?" Heat asked, terribly annoyed.

Cielo pranced around them, circling them like a nymph with an itch on her rear that she couldn't quite reach, before taking a seat beside Argilla, "Nothing! I was just walking around when I saw you two! And here I thought nothing was going on ja? You two are naughty!"

Argilla rolled her eyes, not noticing that faint blush on Heat's face, "We're not being naughty. We were just discussing something very important when you came barging in."

Heat snapped out of his boyish actuation and glared at Cielo, "She's right. Now, if you have nothing important to say, like always, just beat it."

Cielo pouted, "Okay, okay! I know where I'm not wanted! Hmph!" he puffed, standing up.

Argilla couldn't help but laugh at that and Heat smirked, "If that's the case then you would've already left Muladhara a long time ago."

Cielo let his jaw drop, "H-how could you?" he asked, slapping the back of his hand on his forehead, leaning back with his eyes closed as if he were a woman who was about to faint.

Argilla chuckled, "That's mean Heat."

"Whatever." he grunted.

Cielo turned his back on them sharply, "I will tell leader about dis!"

Argilla's heart skipped a beat as she heard Cielo mention Serph. She had almost forgotten about him. Heat looked at her from the corner of his eyes; he didn't miss her faraway look; no doubt she was thinking of Serph. Heat cast his head down, the unpleasant feeling eating away at his gut.

Cielo walked away and they were once again left alone. Argilla looked at him with a determined look on her face, "Heat. I would do anything to make this work. So, what were you saying?"

He didn't look at her. He sensed the determination and the resolution her voice. She really would do anything to get the object to grant her desires, that way, she would get Serph. Heat pushed his jealous feelings at the back of his head and forced his head to turn in her direction, "Right. I was thinking that all the wielders must simultaneously undergo the ritual."

Argilla's mind didn't quite register what he said, and so, she looked at him dumbfounded, "What?"

Heat leaned in again, he didn't want to be heard, "We need to do this together."

"Oh." was all that she said.

Heat nodded, "You do understand that don't you?"

Argilla tilted her head sideways, "I think so."

"Good." he said standing up, "Well, my place or yours?"

"Excuse me?" she asked, blushing. If she didn't know any better, she'd think that he was offering her sex.

He rolled his eyes, she could be dense sometimes, "The ritual. Where do you want to perform it?"

"Oh! Erm…your place."

He cocked an eyebrow, "Whatever. Do you remember the illustration?"

Argilla nodded, "It's right here."

They flipped the pages and looked for the picture that they sought. "There." Pointed Heat. Argilla squinted, why hadn't she noticed it before? That was probably the reason why it didn't work!

"You're right…Why didn't we notice it sooner?"

He shrugged, "Me too. I forgot I guess. I didn't pay attention to the details."

The two looked at the picture, "Right. So, we need to perform it together, during a full moon." She stated calmly.

He nodded, "Right. I'll ask the meteorologists when the full moon will occur."

"Right."

The two stood up, said their formal goodbyes and went their separate ways.

xxxxx

Heat stood in front of her door that afternoon. He had to tell her. She gave him a surprised look as she opened her door to him, "Heat. What's up?"

Clearly, she wasn't expecting him.

Heat brushed past her and entered her room. Argilla gave a "why do I even bother" expression as the door shut behind him.

"There's a full moon tonight."

"There is?"

Tension began to build up within her again. Tonight would be the night when her desires would finally be granted. Up to this point, Serph had only begun to notice her…but that was whenever she was with the object. She wanted a permanent effect, not a conditioned one. She wanted him to like and want her even without the object.

She looked at Heat again, his expression still unreadable. Why was he doing this in the first place? What did he desire? Well, in any case, it really was none of her business. She left it at that.

"Yes."

"Then…I'll meet you at your place…at?"

"At 2200 hours."

She nodded, "Right."

Without another word, Heat left her room.

"Did something crawl up his ass and died?" she asked out loud, wondering as to the overly serious countenance of her teammate.

xxxxx

She took a deep breath. This was it. She stood in front of Heat's door and knocked softly. No reply. She tried again and she heard his muffled voice from within, "Come on in. It's open."

She walked in his room. It was something that she didn't expect. Here, she expected Heat to be a total pig. But his room had proven her wrong. Everything was as it should be; there was no dirty laundry on the floor; his bed was made and his shelves upright.

"Not what you expected?" a voice said from behind her.

She turned around quickly, startled, "Heat! Stop that! That's really getting annoying."

He snorted, "Yeah well, this is my room so it's my rules. Besides, the enemy won't be as forgiving. If I were from the Maribel or the Vanguards, you'd be a dead sniper. You really should focus on honing your stealth skills and your detection skills; you are obviously lackluster in those departments."

She rolled her eyes, "Whatever. So, what now?"

Heat nodded, "Did you bring everything?"

"Yeah. Just what I'll need. After all, I'm in your room."

He snorted, "Yeah, yeah. Well, the bath's in there. Who'll go in first?"

Her mouth was suddenly dry, but she spoke nonetheless, "Me. I don't want you to peep."

"Grow up."

Argilla was taken aback; since when did Heat grow up? Wow; he really was serious. She nodded and proceeded to his lavatory. She quickly closed the door and looked around. The tub was ready with the object already afloat. She looked out the window and saw the full moon shining. She took a deep breath; well, this was it. There was no turning back. Without further ado, she stripped off her uniform, wrapping herself with only her pink fluffy towel that she brought.

She walked over to the tub and immersed herself in the water, removing the towel before she did.

"Heat! I'm done! Your turn!" she called out.

He walked in a moment later, clad only in his towel. Argilla felt her cheeks redden at the sight of his washboard abs. She looked at him with half-lidded eyes as she fantasized how it would feel to run her fingers through his muscle-filled chest. Heat raised an eyebrow, "What? Never seen a half-naked man before?"

Her face burned, "No! I mean, yes! I mean, I've never seen you naked."

She closed her eyes as she saw Heat clutch the knot of his towel. She bit her lip as she felt him enter the tub with her. "Can I look now?" she asked.

He chuckled, "Yeah. You can. I'm decent; well, as decent as the situation would permit."

She slowly opened her eyes and looked at him, his lower half submerged. She blushed as she remembered her own state of undress and wrapped her arms around herself, "Right. So, now what? How will we know it worked anyway?"

Heat thought for a moment, "What about that foam? Maybe it's the sign that it would work."

"Right."

"So, now, we wait." he said with a tone of finality.

xxxxx

She stared at the golden animal in between herself and Heat. They had been in the tub for almost half an hour now, but nothing was happening. It didn't talk nor did it produce this foam that they saw in the book of rituals. Needless to say, she was getting bored as she was getting impatient.

She growled. She didn't notice Heat staring at her all the while. Actually, he had been staring at her for the last half an hour but she was so self-absorbed that she didn't notice. She was really adamant on making this work. Heat was too…but it was just hard to concentrate with her being there in the tub with him. He hadn't forgotten their moment at the sunken city. No; actually, it had been plaguing his mind. And now, she was here…with him. And he can't do a damn thing about it. Her desires had rested with someone else.

Argilla furrowed her eyebrows in concentration. Suddenly her mind began to drift away. She saw a flash of Heat's smiling face in her mind and it startled her. The water stirred unevenly and Heat spoke, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." she replied quickly.

He knew that she was lying but didn't pursue it.

She gritted her teeth as she found it harder and harder to concentrate. She began to have flashes of images from her dream of Heat. She blushed; she remembered his kisses…his touches.

She was burning up. She turned her eyes from the golden animal and looked up to see Heat looking into her eyes. She blushed harder; there was something in his eyes that she had seen before; it was in her dream! She had seen Heat looking at her in this way. His face was hardened but his eyes were filled of emotions.

She felt herself mesmerized by his ruby eyes that she no longer thought of the golden object or Serph. It was just her and Heat. Her lips parted as she wanted to speak…but no words came out. Heat continued to gaze at her and she was caught in it like a deer in headlights.

'Say something damn it!' she thought to herself.

But still…no words came.

She took a deep breath. What was he thinking?

"Heat?" she asked slowly.

"…"

He didn't reply.

Suddenly, she found her self stepping closer to him. He remained where he was. When she was a step away from him, she asked again, completely forgetting about the floating object in the tub, "Heat?"

"Don't…" he warned.

"Don't what?"

"Don't do that…" he trailed off cryptically.

She reached out to touch his arm when he grabbed it. He closed his eyes as he put her hand on his face. He let out a strangled breath as their skin made contact. Argilla's blood pumped through her veins like a runaway freight train. The touch was innocent, the contact almost nil, but all the same it was a touch. And that touch was like the ones in her dreams; it was electrifying. She had never felt like this before; not with any person she had ever met. Not even Serph had been able to make her feel this way. Then…

'Then…' she speculated.

Her thoughts were cut short as Heat took the last step that separated them and pressed her against his body. Argilla, caught in the moment, didn't protest. She continued to look into his eyes and from their close proximity she could get a glimpse of his hidden emotions. It was of need…and…pain? Was he in pain?

She could feel heat in between her legs as their naked bodies pressed themselves tighter against each other. She let her eyes travel from his eyes to his lips. She didn't know what had happened but she suddenly had the overwhelming urge to kiss him. And so, taking a bold step, she cupped his face in her hands and guided his face to her lips. She didn't feel him resist and followed the tug of her hands.

Their lips met. She moaned as he suckled her lower lip, his hands wandering around her back and thighs. She held him to her and parted her lips. He took her invitation and ventured within her wet cavern. His tongue lashed out and invaded her mouth. She didn't protest and kissed him back with much ardor.

Heat felt a jolt down his manhood as her nipples perked up, pressing them harder against his chest, from the cool air as her torso rose from above the water to give herself a better position as she straddled him. After their grueling battle, she pulled back, gasping for air while he let his lips trail wet kisses down her chin, neck and collarbone.

"Heat…" she moaned.

He held her tighter against him and let his hand travel up to her chest where he massaged her breast. He stopped his kisses and looked at her and saw her blushing. She didn't say anything and he let his eyes meander to her chest. Her breasts greeted him as they stood, her pink nipples perked. He looked at her eyes again while his hand massaged her breasts again. He wanted to know what she looked like while he touched her. She threw her head back and moaned loudly, "Oh…Heat…"

He licked his lips and dove to suckle her breasts. She gasped as she felt his teeth lightly nipping at her nipple. The hairs on the back of her head began to stand as Heat suckled her faster; his lips and tongue devouring her as if he were a starving man. She held him tighter against her and wrapped her legs around his torso. It was then that she felt something touch her at her skin. It was the mysterious object; but before she could ponder over it, she felt another wave of pleasure as she felt Heat insert a finger within her inner lips. She grunted, forgetting all about the object.

She leaned in on his shoulder and kissed his neck. He groaned. She bit him hard on his neck as his fingers thrust within her. She whimpered and in that instant, she let out a cry. She came. Her fluids flowed out and mixed with the water of the tub.

"Argilla…" she heard him breathe out.

She grabbed his face and kissed him again. Soon the two pulled back, panting for air. Before Argilla could recover, she felt him grab her thighs again and positioned her by his manhood. She knew what was to come but she didn't care. She looked him and saw a pleading look in his face. She smiled weakly and nodded. Heat positioned himself in her entrance and slowly pushed in. She tensed up and he soothed her by sliding his hand up and down her back. He moved in slowly and there he met with her resistance. He was surprised for a moment but then the more he thought of it, he shouldn't be surprised. Argilla wasn't the type to sleep around.

She always set herself with a goal that she would achieve; and that included men.

She had always had her eyes set on their quiet leader. But then, what was she doing in here, with him now? He didn't really want to ponder over it anymore. Her touch was driving him crazy.

He settled himself within her as he lay buried within her tight cavern. She pressed her face to his shoulder, her hands clawing him at his back. She moaned in pain. Heat cursed; he knew that it would hurt her and so, he took his time. He'd let her get used to the warm, wet and weird feeling.

This was the first time Argilla had ever felt like this. She felt her body become wet and stretch to accommodate the intruder wedged in between her legs. She felt like she was being torn in two.

Heat pushed her towards the tub and there he began to thrust within her. The water around them moved with accordance to Heat's thrusts. She cried out. Her head rose from his shoulder and took a bold look at him. His eyes were as focused as if he were in a battlefield while hers were half-closed from the pleasure. She wrapped herself closer to him and continued to moan.

Heat grunted as he continued to pummel within her. He was slamming within her so wildly that the water within the tub rocked back and forth violently; so violently that it was spilled from the tub and onto the floor. He was close; he could feel it. He gripped her flesh tighter, causing bruises to form and thrust faster and deeper. Soon, the two came. They cried out. Argilla fell limp on him and he held her in his arms. After a few minutes of silence, he spoke, "Come on. Let's go…"

She looked up at him, "Okay…"

He rose first and grabbed his towel, drying himself. He looked at her and took her by the waist out of the tub. She held on to him, too exhausted to resist.

xxxxx

As they sat on his bed, fully clothed, neither spoke. What just happened in there? They were confused. Heat knew that he had wanted her but he didn't intend for any of the past events to occur. What about Argilla? Why did she do that? Did she want him?

He was afraid to ask, but he knew that they going to have to talk about it.

She spoke first, "Heat…did it work?"

Heat didn't speak; he didn't even look at her.

"I don't know…"

"…" She stood up and headed for the bathroom. They had really made a mess in there. She unplugged the tub and let the water drain out. She took the object and washed it. When she was through, she went out and sat beside Heat again.

"But…what if…it worked?" she asked.

He growled; "It didn't work Argilla."

"What? Why? What do you mean?"

He sighed and looked at her, "It couldn't have worked. If it did…then…we…wouldn't have…done that. If it worked, then you would be in Serph's arms, not mine. But…at the same time, if it worked for me…then…you'd want me the way you wanted Serph."

Argilla's heart stopped; so Heat really loved her?

"Heat…so that's why…"

"Yeah. That's why…you know…that's why I wanted the object. To have you. But…like I said, it didn't work; but…maybe it worked for you."

She nodded, "Yes. It did work for me."

He slumped his shoulders in defeat. She smiled, "Yes. It did grant me my wish."

He rose and wanted to get out but she stopped him, "It gave me my desires. It made me realize whom I really wanted. It wasn't Serph. I hadn't even thought of him. I thought of you…"

He turned to face her, "What?"

She snorted, "I won't repeat myself."

"Argilla…then…"

She smiled and stood as well, putting her hands on his waist, "Yeah…it worked…for the both of us…"

He smiled and kissed her, the object sat facing them on the bed. It still had that pasted smile. Well, it was magical after all.

xxxxx

Cielo walked in late during the briefing. Gale and Serph raised their eyebrows, while Heat snorted. Argilla looked at him expectantly, "What's up Cielo? Why are you late?"

Cielo pranced around the room, holding a small book within his hands. "I'm sorry ja? But, I stayed up all night reading dis!"

Gale walked over to him and grabbed the book from him, "What is this? This isn't like any training manual I've ever seen. Where did you find this?"

Serph stepped forward and took the book from Gale, interested in seeing it. Heat and Argilla couldn't care any less. They remained in their seats, looking longingly at each other. They couldn't care any less even if hell froze over.

It had been a week now since their golden object had granted their wish; it was because of it that they had finally found each other.

"See? It's cool ja? Look at all these pictures!" Cielo said convivially.

"Hmm…it looks like the book I gave Argilla…" said Serph thoughtfully.

Argilla snapped out of her love daze as she heard her name. She looked at Serph, "Serph?"

Heat stood up as well, "What's up?" he asked, confused at her abrupt standing.

Argilla shook her head, "Wait here."

He looked on after her, stunned, "What the hell just happened?"

Argilla made her way to the three men and grabbed the book, before having it grabbed again by Cielo, "Hey man! It's my book!"

Argilla rolled her eyes, "Okay, can you please give it to me? Please?"

Cielo thought for a moment, amused, "Hmm…should I or should I not?"

Gale smirked, "My…I didn't take Cielo to be the sadistic type. Come on, show it to Argilla."

Serph smiled, "Argilla, this book would be of more use to you than the one I gave you. This one is legible."

Argilla felt her heart get stuck at her throat. She looked back at Heat who only stood behind her, the color from his face draining, "Really now. Then, give it here freak." Heat said to Cielo.

Cielo was about to protest to Heat's name-calling when Argilla grabbed it, "Yoink! Okay…let us just borrow this and…"

Cielo interjected, "Wait…! I want you all to look at dis! Dis is de cutest picture ever!"

He grabbed the book again; Heat and Argilla were frozen on the spot; their curiosity reaching a new high. They finally had the chance to perform the ritual correctly.

Cielo flipped through the pages, "Ah! Here it is! Look!"

Four heads leaned in and looked at the picture Cielo was looking at. Gale raised an eyebrow, "What's so special about this?"

Serph crossed his arms, "Well…I've seen this before so…"

The three looked at Heat and Argilla; Serph spoke, "What's wrong?"

Heat and Argilla's eyes were wide open with shock as they gazed from the picture to its caption. They remained silent for a few more moments before muttering, "Nothing. Nothing's wrong."

Cielo, seeing that the two were stunned, made for the book and started to read aloud, "Little Timmy was afraid to bathe! So, he always took his cute little rubber duckie called Mr. Squeaky, wid him in de tub! Little Timmy would always squeeze Mr. Squeaky so dat he will squeak!"

Cielo hugged the book to himself, smiling dreamily. Gale backed away a step, "I think you…need professional help."

Serph chuckled, "That was harsh Gale. Cielo is just…just being like little Timmy."

Gale and Serph laughed. Heat and Argilla were as quiet as a grave. Cielo pouted, "Hey! It's educational! Look at dis…dis final caption."

Gale snickered, "Why don't you just read it out for us Little Timmy?"

Cielo glared at him, "Heh! Fine! It says, 'Remember boys and girls, cleanliness is next to godliness! Don't forget to wash behind de ears! And you can even take baths in the evening! And if you're lonely, you may take your trusty Rubber Duckie wid you!"

Heat tightened his hold on Argilla and whispered to her ear, "I feel really stupid right now…"

Argilla nodded, "Me too…"

Cielo looked at them, "Hey you two? You guys okay? Wat happened ja?"

Serph looked at Argilla, "What's wrong? Oh! This! You want it right? I didn't know you were into these things Argilla."

Gale blinked, "Heat, are you alright?"

"Fine…" he whispered.

Cielo flaunted the page again to Argilla, showing her Mr. Squeaky's picture. No doubt about it; it was their mysterious object that granted wishes. It was a shiny golden duck with a pasted smile on its orange beak. Yup; Mr. Squeaky was definitely their mysterious object with God-like powers.

Heat finally found his voice, "What is this book anyway?"

Serph spoke, "Well, it a child's book."

"A child's book?" Heat croaked.

"Yes. Apparently, the civilizations of old are a lot more complacent. They probably read these books to their children." Serph explained.

"Where did you get this Cielo?" Argilla asked.

Cielo gave her a sheepish smile, "I got dis from a friend who dug it out from an excavation of a city a thousand miles from here!"

Gale looked at Heat and then at Argilla with a bewildered expression, "Is there a problem?"

Both shook their heads, "No!" they said in unison.

"Um…Serph…can I be excused now? There isn't anything that requires my attention right?" Argilla asked; her pink eyes hopeful. Serph sighed, "No there isn't. Well, you are all dismissed."

Gale nodded, "Right. I am needed at the lab anyway."

Cielo jumped about, "Yipee! I want to see if dey recovered more of dese books ja?" He, like Gale disappeared through the doorway, leaving only Serph, Argilla and Heat.

Serph looked at Argilla, "Hey. Come to think of it, you never got to show me what you found at the sunken city."

She felt lightheaded as she remembered; right; he wanted to see it. She smiled weakly, "Erm…I'll lend it to you one of these days…"

"Alright. I'm counting on that. I'm really curious as to what you found." he replied.

Heat snorted, "Yeah. You'll probably need it more than she."

Argilla grabbed his hand, suppressing a laugh, "Now Heat; be nice."

Serph looked at them, confused, "I do?"

They laughed; Serph could only stare at them. Argilla took a step back, "Well, we'll see ya!"

Argilla hurriedly ran from the room and Heat followed suit. Serph scratched his head, "What's up with those two?"

xxxxx

Argilla sat on her bed, her mouth agape, "I…I can't believe it…"

Heat lay on Argilla's bed, staring at the ceiling, "Yeah…damn…So that thing was…was a…"

"A rubber duckie." she finished for him.

Heat sat up and pulled her to him, "Well…I don't care…"

She giggled as he nuzzled her neck, "Heat…"

"What?"

"Wanna take a bath?" she asked, winking suggestively.

"Sure…" he grinned, "Wait…do we still need Mr. Squeaky?"

xxxxx

FIN