Here's the next instalment for you all. I hope you've been enjoying it so far and hung on to everything that has been going on. With this chapter, maybe a few a more things will be revealed ;) hope it settles a few ideas for you. Enjoy!

Tossing and turning in bed Finral sighed. He couldn't sleep no matter how hard he tried. Turning over he found Vanessa peacefully asleep beside him. Smiling to himself, he lent over and kissed her gently on the forehead causing her to stir and open her eyes.

"Hey" she smiled back at him, "Are you ok?"

"Yeah, sorry I didn't mean to wake you" he apologised.

"It's fine" she propped herself up on her elbow and looked at him sternly, "You've been throwing yourself around in bed all night. Something is bothering you. What is it?"

Finral sighed, it was waste time arguing with her. She knew him better than he knew himself sometimes.

"Honestly" he began, "I'm just confused about how I could judge a person so wrong"

"What do you mean?"

"When I first met Rachel, I thought she was a good person. She was kind, quirky but professional when needed, Sincere and polite to everyone. I just don't know how I got it so wrong..." he trailed with another loud sigh.

Vanessa shuffled closer to him so her face was above his. Looking down on him with a reassuring smile, she spoke.

"People will only show you what they want to. She must have had her eyes on you from day one for her to be the way she was and how she is now. Either that, or love really can drive a person mad. All I can say is, don't worry about it. She is not going to win. We know what she is up to now"

"That might be, but what if something like this happens again and you don't believe me again?"

"I admit, I did fall for her act. But in my defence, the evidence was really incriminating with no clear excuse. Besides, we have this little one to think about now"

She took Finral's hand and placed it on her stomach.

"I may have been an idiot before to believe that you could ever cheat on me. But I know now that that, would never happen. And I know you definitely wouldn't do anything that would upset us as a family" she smiled happily, "I know you will do everything in your power to be a great dad"

"There's a word I never thought I'd hear someone call me" he chuckled, "But I bet you'll be a great mother"

"I hope so, and I know I'll have you by my side all the way through"

"I'm not going anywhere" he smiled back, "I just can't wait for this all to be over so we can finally stop sneaking around"

"Not long now, we just have to see if Rachel is hiding anything else before we reveal we know the truth"

"I feel bad for deceiving everyone. I mean, can you imagine how their going to feel when they find out I'm innocent and they've treated me the way they have? Well I hope they'll feel bad at least" he joked with a laugh, "And then there will be the fact that we've left them out of the scoop this whole time. I'm not looking forward to telling them"

"They'll understand why we couldn't tell them. Their a good bunch after all" Vanessa reassured him, then more seductively added, "Now, what can I do to help you get to sleep?"

"I can think of one thing" Finral grinned back suggestively.

Vanessa mirrored his grin before leaning in and kissing him.

The next morning, Finral was sat by himself having breakfast. He heard a familiar greeting that had become far to frequent to surprise him anymore. Without turning around he sighed.

"Hello Rachel. Looks like you found me again"

"Of course, though you don't have to sound to upset about it" she laughed.

She sat down opposite him and rested her elbow on the table whilst resting her chin on her hand. She gazed at him waiting for him to look at her. Once he did, he almost choked on the eggs he was eating.

"Wh...what have you done to your hair?" he coughed.

"Do you like it?" she asked him excitedly, "I thought you might like me better this way"

Finral stared at her aghast and lost for words. She had dyed her hair the same pink as Vanessa's natural look.

"Why would you do that?" he asked in horror.

"I just told you" Rachel answered frustrated, "I thought it would make you like me better. Do you not think it suits me?"

"There was nothing wrong with your old hair. You shouldn't change what you look like for a guy. Especially one that you know is not in the slightest bit interested in you" Finral shot at her angrily, "Trying to make yourself look like Vanessa is not going to work!"

Finral got up and left the room leaving a hurt looking Rachel behind. She gathered herself and followed him.

"We spent quite a bit of time together in the hospital and these past few days have been fun as well. Why can't you see that I'm the right woman for you? We always have fun together no matter the situation, Vanessa thinks your a cheat! I would never think that of you!" Rachel argued upset.

"I'm happy to be your friend. But we will never be a couple. I'm sorry, but that's just the way it is"

"What if I had your child?" she asked angrily.

"That isn't going to happen" Finral answered confused.

"We'll see!" Rachel spat before storming off in the opposite direction.

"What do you mean?" he shouted after her.

She didn't answer and was soon lost in the crowds of the street. He stood in thought for a moment. That was a little out of the blue and strange at that, he couldn't come up with a clear answer as to why she would say something like that. He shook his head to clear it and headed for the nearby forest.

Luck entered the hideout and Rachel followed him in after. This time though, it wasn't a surprise that she was coming as Luck had mentioned it that morning. It was more of a surprise to them all that he had told them they were back together and she wanted to come over to clear the air with Vanessa. Vanessa had agreed on the grounds that she also apologise to the rest of the Black Bulls. As Rachel sheepishly entered the hideout holding Luck's hand and hiding her pink hair with a hooded cloak, everyone stared at her from where they had gathered on the couch.

"Bit rude to be wearing a hood in doors don't you think?" Noelle pointed out with a glare.

"Oh sorry, I had a hair malfunction and I don't particularly want to show it off" Rachel smiled nervously.

"Just take the hood down" Zora added exasperated, "Your not here for us to judge you on your hair"

Rachel slowly obliged and Zora had to immediately eat his own words as everyone gasped.

"Are you trying to make yourself look like Vanessa?" Charmy asked suspiciously.

"I know how it looks, but honestly it was an accident" Rachel tried to defend herself.

"So a happy coincidence on your part?" Zora asked with a raised eyebrow.

"If I could please take your attention off of my hair" Rachel added politely before clearing her throat, "I would like to apologise for walking out before. I would have liked to of stayed to stick it out until you accepted me, but Luck saw I was upset and so he removed me from the situation"

"Hard to believe you have those kind of feelings" Noelle scoffed.

"Hey Rachel, you wanted to talk to me?" Vanessa entered the room at this point and as soon as her eyes laid upon Rachel's hair, she stared at it in surprise.

"Erm... is that part of what you wanted to talk about?" she asked a little creeped out.

"No it was an accident" Rachel answered a little fed up with the attention it was getting. She should have known better than to dye it before meeting them.

"Well... it looks good" Vanessa smiled to Rachel's surprise, "But I pull it off better"

There was the insult.

"What do you want to talk to me about?" Vanessa added.

"Erm... can we do it in private please?" Rachel asked timidly.

"Why not in front of us?" Zora asked with a grin, "We promise to be quiet"

"You just want to be nosey" Asta added loudly earning a smack round the back of the head from Zora.

"Shut up idiot, you don't state the obvious"

"Sure let's go outside" Vanessa agreed to the request, "Away from open ears"

"See, now you've ruined it" Zora directed at Asta.

Outside the hideout, Rachel and Vanessa stood in silence for a moment. Eventually Vanessa lost patience and sighed in frustration.

"Are you going to speak? Or should I just go back inside?" she asked.

"Sorry I was just thinking of a way I could start the conversation that's all" Rachel smiled nervously, "Erm...I know I've said it before, but I am sorry for all that I have done. On that note, I need to admit to something"

"What's that?"

"Well when Luck broke up with me, I happened to bump into Finral back in town"

"And?"

"And, well, we started having a thing" Rachel looked up at Vanessa to see what her reaction would be.

"What?" Vanessa feigned upset as she let tears brim her eyes.

Taking this reaction as Vanessa buying what she was saying, Rachel continued.

"It just happened. At first I wasn't interested but he was being really sweet. Kind of how he was back when he was in the hospital. Anyways I caved because I guess I still had feelings for him. It was going fine but then he started being shifty. I went to meet him the day before last and he was cosied up with Grace" Rachel cried.

"So he cheated on you as well?" Vanessa asked with a crack in her voice, "So he really is just a scumbag?"

"Yes" Rachel let the tears fall down her cheeks to try and convince Vanessa further.

"How do you know this other woman's name?" Vanessa asked dabbing at her pretend tears.

"I...er...well... I heard him call her by it so I'm assuming that it is her name" Rachel stuttered.

"And you and Luck broke up, you got with Finral and then broke up with him and now your back with Luck?" Vanessa asked as she dried her face, "All with in the space of a week?"

"I know how it looks" Rachel awkwardly answered, " But after what happened with Finral, I knew Luck was the one for me so I begged him to give me a chance to win you all over so we could be together"

"I see" Vanessa sniffed, "So why tell me about Finral? You could have kept it secret and I would have been none the wiser"

"Well he told me, and I really hope you don't mind me knowing, that your pregnant" Rachel dried her eyes as she stared at Vanessa.

"So what if I am? What has that got to do with you?" She asked through narrowed eyes.

"Well I know your travelling around and well... I am a nurse"

"So?"

"So you'll need someone that knows what their doing when it comes to pregnancy care and labour"

"And you want that to be you?" Vanessa asked sceptically.

"I know you've got your doubts. But that's why I decided to tell you about me and Finral. I want us to be friends and well, that means no secrets between us" Rachel smiled.

"I see" Vanessa answered thoughtfully, "I guess I can always think about it, but I wouldn't hold your breath"

Vanessa went to walk away but Rachel caught hold of her hand before she could. Vanessa turned to face Rachel annoyed.

"What?"

"How about you come into town later and meet up with me? We can talk and get to know each other a little bit better. Maybe that will help you make your decision" Rachel suggested.

"I don't know..." Vanessa trailed.

"Come on. If anything, we can show Finral that we are over him. It will be fun to see his reaction to us getting along. If we see him that is..." Rachel smiled, "Please?"

"Ok fine" Vanessa caved with a sigh, "It won't be for long though. I'll see you at about six"

"Yeah that's fine. I'll see you then. I'm going to go find Luck now and say bye. I've got to get ready!" Rachel finished enthusiastically.

"Its a couple of drinks not a night out. Besides, I'll be drinking juice" Vanessa shouted after her as she vanished in the search of Luck.

Back in town, Finral had been walking around passing time. He was bored out of his mind these days with nothing to do. Other than his meetings with Rachel, he had nothing else to do and he had no idea just how much he would miss the noise and mayhem of the hideout until now. He would happily be Yami's toilet door if it meant he had some kind of work to do at least. Sighing he looked up and instantly caught sight of a blonde haired woman walking a few metres away from him. Knowing exactly who she was, he ran to catch her up. Stopping dead in front of her, she bumped into his chest.

"Hey watch where your going..." she began to argue before seeing who it was that was staring back at her unimpressed, "Err...Finny right?"

"Funny how you don't remember my name considering we were supposed to be having an affair" Finral commented with a tinge of anger, "I know who you are though, Grace"

"How do you know my name?" she asked in horror.

"That's on a need to know basis" he shot back at her, "Maybe try telling me why you've been lying the way you have?"

"I do what I'm told to" she answered before trying to move past him.

Stopping her, he asked her what she meant by what she had just said.

"I can't tell you. I'll get into trouble" she answered nervously, "All I can say is, I'm sorry"

"What are you, five? Is someone going to ground you?" Finral scoffed, then a little bit more compassionately added, "Just tell me, maybe I can help you"

"Rachel said she would make my life a living hell if I told anyone what we were doing. Or were doing, she doesn't need me anymore. At least for now" Grace sighed.

"So it is to do with Rachel?" Finral asked with a little triumph, "I promise if you tell me what you know, I'll make sure it doesn't come back on you"

Grace stood and thought for a little while before speaking again.

"You use spatial magic right? You can make portal's to places?"

"Yeah"

"If I tell you what I know, will you promise to send me back to my home town? I'm only here because Rachel made me come" she asked hopefully.

"That depends, where do you live? I can only make portal's to places I've already been"

"It's call Seaton Cove. It's that town where we first met"

"Oh, then I guess I can send you back home then" Finral agreed, "As long as you speak up first"

"Ok" she smiled relieved, "I'll tell you what I know but not here. Come to my room at the Inn. Rachel won't be able to spot us there"

"Erm... ok" Finral agreed and reluctantly began to follow her.

They arrived at the Inn that Finral had seen Rachel and Grace meet outside of the night prior. Grace rushed Finral through the door and up to her room. She slammed the door after checking the hall way was clear then rushed to the window to check they hadn't been seen. Seeing everywhere was clear she turned to the bewildered Finral.

"Sorry about shoving you up here but we needed to be quick just in case" she explained, "So where do you want me to begin?"

"How about the beginning?" Finral suggested.

"Well the first day I met you, I hadn't met Rachel yet. It was a blonde haired boy, blue eyes, always smiling"

"Luck?" Finral asked.

"That was his name!" Grace clicked her fingers in remembrance, "Well he came up to me and told me a woman called Rachel had been told I was going through hard times and that if I wanted to make some extra money, I could do some things for her. He told me that all I had to do was help to break up a couple by pretending I was having an affair with the guy. He pointed at a couple splashing about in the sea, it happened to be you. I never would have agreed to it, but I was desperate. I felt really bad I swear I did! But as soon as he handed me an envelope full of money and I saw how much it was, I agreed. After that every time I bumped into you, I had to pretend we were an item. And every time it was that Luck boy that gave me the money. I only met Rachel that day she threw a drink over me at the Tavern, she had come up to me earlier that day and handed me money before telling me what to do and what to expect. Then Last night, she came to me and told me to send a message to Luck at the hideout"

"Do you know what was in the letter?" Finral asked.

"Something about them getting back together so that she could get back into the hideout to speak with a Vanessa..."

"Do you know why?"

"I'm sorry I don't" she answered truthfully.

"I see" Finral spoke biting his thumb nail in thought.

"I really am sorry" Grace began again, "I saw how happy you both were on the beach. I had no idea why she wanted to split you guys up but I really needed the money. Now I know it's because she wanted you for herself. I would have told you sooner but Luck told me that Rachel would ruin me and I'd have nothing left by the time she finished. Then I was made to travel here away from home so that I had nothing to fall back on if things went south. That, and so she could carry on with her plans"

Finral looked at Grace for a moment. He saw just how upset and ashamed she was and instantly believed that what she was saying, was the truth. He truly felt bad for her.

"Do you still have any money left from what she gave you?" he asked.

"Yes" she answered, "Quite a bit of it, I've only spent it on necessities and this Inn. Why? I mean I can give you it as compensation if you want? Anything so long as I can just go home"

"That's not what I want" Finral refused, " It's so I know that when I send you back, you will be ok. Will you be?"

"Yes, it should help tide me over for a good while to come until I can get a job" she answered a little relieved.

"Ok" Finral smiled before opening a portal, "Promise me one thing before you go?"

"What's that?" Grace asked confused.

"Don't ever accept jobs like this again. You seem to be to good of a person to be doing things like this" he smiled.

"I won't" she promised as she dabbed at tears threatening to spill from her eyes, "Do you not want me to talk to your girlfriend first, before I go?"

"No, it's fine" he smiled reassuringly at her, "I've got it all in hand. Rachel isn't as clever as she thinks she is. Now go on, this portal will take you straight home"

"Thank you" Grace accepted gratefully, "You have absolutely no reason to be kind to me the way you have. You really are a good person"

She flung her arms around him and hugged him tightly.

"I hope you can work things out with your girlfriend and friends. And I hope Rachel gets what is coming to her" Grace finished before pulling away.

Straightening herself up, she thanked him and apologised to him one last time before stepping into the portal and vanishing from view. Once she was gone, Finral sighed deeply. Just how far was Rachel prepared to go to get her own way? Sighing again, a realisation hit him. If he'd just sent Grace home, had she paid for the room for the night or not? Groaning, Finral went to find the reception to find out and if necessary, settle the bill. After he had done that, he made portal for himself to go into the forest.

"Hey does anyone know what time it is?" Noelle asked as she entered the hideout behind Asta.

"Mumble, mumble mumble" Gordon answered.

"What?"

"He said it's ten o clock" Asta told her.

"You understood that?"

"Why?" Yami asked from where he lounged on his chair.

"Because Vanessa isn't home yet and neither is Luck" Noelle mentioned a little worried.

"There grown arse people, I'm sure their fine" Yami shrugged her off, "Besides it's not that late"

"I thought Vanessa had gone into town to meet Rachel?" Asta asked as he sat down, "Maybe Luck went with them"

"Maybe, but I'm sure it was just supposed to be the two of them. Plus, Vanessa said she wouldn't be to long" Noelle fussed, "Magna, do you know if Luck went with them?"

"Why would I? And does it matter if he had?" Magna answered uninterested.

"No, but it would make me feel better knowing she had someone else with her"

"The way Luck's been acting lately, she's probably best of on her own" Magna spoke quietly to himself.

"Why are you so worried? She's a grown woman after all, she is capable of looking after herself" Yami commented.

"Yeah but she's pregnant and meeting with a crazy lady" Noelle spoke under her breath, then out loud turned to Charmy, "Hey Charmy, do you want to come help look for her?"

Charmy who was happily stuffing her face, agreed with a nod and stood up to leave grabbing food to take along with her.

"Your coming to Asta" Noelle stated as she grabbed his arm and dragged him unwillingly out the door.

"Why do I have to go?" he wailed.

"Because more eyes are better"

"Guess we'll just wait here and see if she comes back" Yami shouted after them as they left.

"Mumble, mumble, mumble" Gordon grumbled as he stood up to leave to.

"Erm... yeah" Yami agreed then quietly lent over to Gauche, "What did he say?"

"I don't know, something about searching the forest I think" he answered before continuing to gaze at a picture of Marie.

"Oh, I'll go with him" Grey shot up from her spot and chased after Gordon.

Once the whole hideout was quiet again and Yami had settled back down with his newspaper. A sudden thought struck.

"Come to think of it" he said out loud, "Zora isn't around either"

In town, Noelle and Charmy were searching every bar, Tavern, Inn and shop. They were stopping random people on the street asking if they had seen either Rachel or Vanessa, after giving descriptions they were getting no joy. Asta however was looking for Finral. In Asta's frame of mind, Finral and Vanessa may not be together, but he still might know where she was. He looked in every Inn to no avail. When he was on the brink of giving up and suspecting Finral had moved on to somewhere after all, he spotted him returning through portal not far from where he was stood.

"Finral!" he shouted loudly as he ran towards him, "Finral!"

Finral caught sound of his name and looked around for it's source. Spotting Asta running towards him, he stared confused.

"Asta? What's wrong? Why are you here so late?" he asked when a panting Asta was finally in front of him.

"Have you seen Vanessa?" Asta huffed.

"No, why?"

"Because..."

Just as Asta was about to explain what he was doing there, Noelle and Charmy showed up and joined them.

"Any luck?" they asked.

"I found Finral, does that count?" Asta asked.

"No" Noelle burst his bubble, "Have you seen Vanessa?" she asked Finral coldly.

"No, why? What is going on?" Finral asked a little concerned.

"Well..." Charmy began, "We think she's missing"

"What?!"

Another Chapter down. Well I'm getting to the end of this fic and I don't know how many more chapters I will be doing. It will either be one more or two, but I can't see it being anymore than that. Thank you for sticking with me this far and I hope you will stick around till the end. As always feel free to review and forgive any mistakes.