Okay, so recent episodes have changed how the story's going to go a little bit, which will make things more interesting, I think. I'm doing my own thing though, so don't bash it 'till you try it, K? K. All right, with that said, please enjoy chapter 15.

Chapter 15: The Plan

Winter passed and Adam hadn't threatened any of them since the Christmas party. Spring was upon them, and it was bittersweet. While it meant that the snow was gone, it also meant that the park was re-opening for the year. There was a lot of work to be done.

Michelle was on her break. She sat on the couch in the park house, watching one of her favorite shows. She heard the front door open and close and Skips came in and sat beside her.

"Did you come all this way just to see me?" asked Michelle. Skips moved in closer to her and placed a hand on her leg to get her attention.

She turned to face him and he replied, "Maybe I did." He kissed her lovingly and she kissed back. When he pulled away, his eyes were shining with that same loving gaze Michelle had seen on their wedding night, and many times since. He looked down and put his hand against the small bump on Michelle's stomach. She exhaled in a pleased way at the contact. The baby let out a kick and Skips smiled.

Michelle put a hand over his and said, "It never gets old for you, does it?"

"It's just so unreal. This little life that we made together. It's amazing," he said.

"After a few children, it became almost routine, but even though the general process is the same, it's always different in some way."

"What's different about this pregnancy?"

"I haven't seen anything too significant yet. I have been craving lamb meat lately though." She paused. "It's not that important, but I've also been feeling like I've been going back to my roots during this pregnancy. I mean, I went to the garden and ate some worms." Michelle shuddered. "Pregnancy is always weird on me."

Skips shrugged, then he brought up something that had been a repeat subject ever since they found out she had become pregnant. "Are you sure you don't want to get an ultrasound, just to see what he looks like?" he asked.

"Or she," Michelle added. "Besides, I've never had an ultrasound before and I'm not going to start now. The mystery of just what I'm carrying makes it all the more fun. Although..." She spaced out.

"Although what?"

"It's probably my mind playing tricks on me, but I could swear I was never this big during pregnancy. Of course, I might just be bigger because my husband happens to be a yeti and this might be a yeti baby. I've grown too accustomed to having human or bird babies, I suppose."

"Are you sure that's all?"

"I don't want to say something and be wrong, so we'll just wait and see." Michelle smiled and rose roughly from her spot. Skips hurriedly stood with her and put an arm around her, supporting her. "I'm all right, Skips. This baby just takes a lot out of me."

"Why don't we go into the kitchen for some lunch?"

"Sounds great." The two smiled and headed to the kitchen.

When they left the room, Thomas poked his head around the corner. He let out a sigh of relief. "That was close," he said. "If I learned nothing else, I learned that if sheep can't be found, goats are the next best thing." He wasn't that worried about being eaten, but there was no reason why he couldn't be cautious... at least until Michelle had her baby and went back to normal.

Meanwhile, Renae had just finished half of her chores and was going onto her break. She bundled up in her jacket (since she had a very hard time getting and staying warm during the nine months of the year that were chilly). She heard that someone had returned to town. She heard that Michelle and this someone were on each other's lists. It would be the perfect ruse for the plan. The perfect plan. Someday you'll see things the way I do, Michelle... someday, thought Renae to herself as she made her way to the news studio to find the person on her mind.

Renae walked into the channel six studio. "I'm here to see Miss Smith," said Renae quietly to the receptionist.

"Which Smith? A. Smith? F. Smith? H. Smith? J. Smith? M. Smith?" asked the receptionist.

"Bring me the robin," said Renae, her voice full of a conniving attitude.

The receptionist pressed a button. "Paging M. Smith. M. Smith, please report to the front desk," he said.

"Oh, Renae! Hi!" came a delightful voice. The robin approached Renae in a formal suit.

"Hey, Margaret, long time no see," replied Renae as the two hugged. A sound reel of the sound dun dun dun went off somewhere in the background.

They both looked at the receptionist, whose finger was still on the button. He removed it slowly and looked just like someone who's gotten their hand stuck in the cookie jar. "I'm sorry, I couldn't resist. Most meetings need more effect than that," he said.

"Yeah... Renae, why don't we go into my dressing room so that we can talk?" asked Margaret.

"Sure," replied Renae. The two got into he dressing room and immediately started making out. "Oh, how I've missed you, red," Renae's voice already spoke of breathlessness and longing.

Margaret slapped Renae in the face. "Where've you been?! You know how hard it was to find somebody to replace you?!" asked Margaret.

"Hey, baby, we both know that our relationship was just a fling to get over our respective losses in life, or do you forget what you sacrificed to get where you are now?"

Margaret felt the blood leave her face. "What do you want?" she asked.

"I want the same thing I've wanted for five long years: Michelle."

"Well, what's stopping you?"

"She's... she's married and... pregnant with his child."

"Oh." They both paused. Renae looked sad and Margaret looked regretful that she had pushed so far. "So what do you want me to do about it?"

"That's the thing. I only have half the plan. I was thinking about humiliating her on television somehow, and I knew you'd be the way. I just don't know what the report should be."

Margaret put her fingers to her chin in thought. "Well, she's completely hetero, right?"

"Sickeningly hetero."

"Right, so there probably would be no way she could be caught with you because that's not believable. On the other hand..."

"If she's caught with a guy, she's done! There's a problem with that though: she's wanted Skips her whole life. There's no way her cheating on him would be believable either."

"Wait, she's married to Skips?" Margaret asked in disbelief.

"Yeah. She won't shut up about it either. She's always gushing about how in love she is with Skips and how their baby is gonna be the greatest wonder she's ever seen next to- well, I think we're both smart enough to fill in that blank," said Renae.

"Right, but I like where you're going with this. Something to humiliate her enough for them to split..." The two went "Hmm..." in thought.

Renae snapped her fingers. "I got it."

"What?"

"Well, Michelle is entirely afraid of her magical ex, but there's another type of person she fears."

"Clowns?"

"No, that one's me. I think Michelle would sooner punch a clown than cower. No, Michelle's afraid of fortune tellers."

"Fortune tellers? Like at fairs and carnivals?"

"Exactly! Every time we'd go out to a fair, she'd steer clear of the fortune teller's tent. When we'd pass it, her face would get all pale and her breathing would pick up as she walked away. She never likes sticking around long, so I have to run to keep up with her."

"Right, but how are we gonna use that to help you?"

"Simple, I just get in touch with an old friend of mine. He knows a fortune teller by the name of Madame Mystaire. She is said to be the best fortune-teller there is and, after all, who wouldn't want to pay to have their fortune read by one of the greatest fortune tellers?"

"Not Michelle."

"No, but if we find a way to fool her into seeing Madame Mystaire, then you can get it on tape and humiliate her. Then, I can be the comfort she needs. I'll be keeping Skips too busy to do it himself."

"Great, but how are you gonna convince Madame Mystaire to come to the park?"

"A little fundraising action oughta convince Benson to let this happen."

"And what are you gonna tell Michelle?"

"That's for me to know and you to see, Margaret. When the time is right, I'll tell you where to be. If Michelle going crazy from superstition won't cause a rift, then it's gonna be much harder to get a plan B."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, Michelle's just so incorruptible, unfazed by the ways of the world. I guess it's because of the bajillions of miles she's walked in her life or something."

"Huh, well, it sounds like fun. Call me and I'll get there as fast as I can."

"I may not need to. If this goes well enough, you'll already be there."

It seemed like things were looking up for Renae. She had a plan in mind and she was sure of success... for the most part. As for Michelle, she had just gotten back to work when Renae returned to the park.

"Hey, where were you?" asked Michelle.

"Oh, around," replied Renae with a shrug. Michelle knew Renae had a plan in mind, she just didn't know what it was or whether it was dangerous or not.

"Right... well, just make sure not to be gone too long, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, sure."

The day went by as usual days at any other park would go. When it was time for everyone to go home, Michelle and Skips went to their house and sat together on their bed, watching a movie. Mordecai and Rigby were in the park house playing video games. Pops was upstairs in the same house practicing his harpsichord, his fingers flying effortlessly across the tiny keys. Muscle Man and High-Five Ghost were watching monster trucks on TV, the two just being dudes. Benson had gone back to his apartment and was laying his head down to go to sleep since he always got to the park at early hours and needed all the sleep he could get. Thomas had left the park under mysterious terms near sunset. Renae was curling up in her room to go to sleep, a smile on her face and a wish on her mind. Everything was quiet, peaceful bliss. It was the type of night they had been wanting for a long time... but all good things must come to an end sometime in a world tainted in shadows.

A darkness spread over the city, but it touched nothing. Once it reached the park, however, it sunk low and began darkening everything nearby. Lights fizzed off as the darkness moved on like a fog, making a whooshing sound as it consumed the light. Everyone was blissfully ignorant until the darkness reached them. When it had covered the park, there was a general panic at the sudden blackout. Everyone in the park decided to get flashlights and candles and see if Skips or Michelle knew anything about it... but they were as ignorant as the rest.

"Look, it's just a little darkness. The darkness never did anything to anyone. We'll be fine," assured Michelle. Then a bang came at the window as something collided with it. They all screamed. The thing that hit the window ducked out of sight before entering the room through the wall like a ghost.

"Uncle Vanish?" asked Renae incredulously. The glowing blue thing bowed. No one really knew for sure what it was. It was the same size as Renae, but it had no defined shape to it. "What- what are you doing here?"

"I am here upon your will, common mortal," replied "Uncle Vanish."

"I- oh," said Renae in realization. "Does that mean-?"

"Yes, she is waiting outside."

"Who? Who's waiting outside, Renae?" asked Michelle. Something about this whole exchange was very off-putting and made her nervous.

"Evangeline, do come with me, sweetheart," said Uncle Vanish. Michelle's face went pale.

"You. I know you," said Michelle. It was unclear whether fear or disdain were stronger in her voice. The figure waved a hand to the door and it opened of its own accord. "I- I'd rather not, thank you."

"I'd rather you did, so come."

"Walks," Michelle whispered.

"Alone," said Uncle Vanish.

"Very well, sir." The darkness was pooling at the threshold of the door like a fog and Michelle couldn't see anything beyond the door's threshold. Michelle began humming to herself as she went outside. Uncle Vanish gave a sweeping bow to the remaining park staff and vanished into the air.

"Renae? What exactly did you do?" asked Mordecai.

Renae laughed sheepishly and replied, "Oh, you know, what any person in my position would do." Suddenly being in the presence of all these people who would oppose of such a plan made her feel guilty. Yet... there was a big enough part of her that still wanted it to work that she didn't yield an answer.

Michelle, meanwhile, was stumbling about the darkness. Her eyes were vainly trying to adjust to the impenetrable gloom. She might have given up entirely if she could see her way back. As it was, she had to continue. Eventually, she came to see a blue light in the distance and she instinctively went toward it. She knew blue lights were spirit lights, but she also felt as if she had no other choice in the matter. Someone wanted to speak to her and perhaps such a meeting might bring an end to the darkness.

"Welcome, dearie," said a woman's voice with a creaking tone.

"Madame Mystaire, I presume?" asked Michelle, coming close. She saw nothing save the blue light coming from what she now realized was a crystal ball.

"You remind me of your mother. She was such a beautiful woman."

"Uh... thanks?"

"Would you like to hear your fortune?"

"No thank you."

"Are you sure? It might be important."

"I have come to have little trust in anything relating to magic. It has only caused me pain and heartache."

"Nonetheless, I think you will want to hear this."

"I will hear you, but I am not entitled to anything beyond that."

"I would suppose not." The woman gave a deep breath that sounded like air rushing into a house long vacated. Her exhale was rasping and Michelle was surprised not to hear a cough on the end of it. The woman cleared her throat and continued, "It is about your child."

The woman paused for so long that Michelle had to say "And?"

"I cannot see how many children you shall bear nor their genders nor what they look like, but what I do see is your due date."

"And?"

"You shall bear on the evening of the moss." Michelle felt nearly faint.

"That's not possible. According to the timeline between my conception and nine months from then, I will bear and be mostly recovered before that evening."

"That's not what I see, dearie. You know what this means if you are unable to do what you must on that evening."

"I am well aware of it, you old hag," Michelle spat. She glared in the direction where she thought the voice was coming from, but she could see nothing.

"Well? What are you prepared to do?"

"I'm not bearing on that night if I can help it. I don't care if I have to delay it further or bear a few days early, I can't have that on that night."

"And to think you only had one night left and it would have been all over."

"I am well aware of that, Madame Mystaire. Do you have anything useful to tell me?"

"Maybe try crossing your legs." The woman let out a witch's cackle that set a fire of anger through Michelle. She lunged in the direction she thought the voice came from but didn't catch anything. The darkness faded, leaving Michelle in a clearing surrounded by trees. The crystal ball that had been floating waist-high was now on the ground and was as clear as glass. She picked it up and began making her way back to the house just as the lights were coming back on.

When she returned to the house, everyone was still there. "If you will all excuse us, Renae and I need a moment alone," said Michelle. Mordecai, Rigby, Muscle Man, High-Five Ghost, and Pops went back to their homes while Skips told Michelle he'd wait outside the door if she needed him. As soon as the door closed, Michelle let loose. "What were you thinking, Renae?!"

"What? What did I do?!" asked Renae, surprised.

"Don't play like that. I know full well it was you who summoned 'Uncle Vanish' in order to bring Madame Mystaire here. You're sick!"

"What's the big deal anyway?!"

"The big deal is that I don't trust magic! All magic has ever done for me is hurt me! Besides that, every fortune-teller I've ever spoken with spoke of something bad that was supposed to happen in my future. Now it's happened again. I would have been better off being ignorant than worrying away the remaining months of pregnancy I have left!"

"Why? Wha- What did Madame Mystaire tell you?"

"It doesn't matter what she told me. What matters is this: I once thought you were my friend. We had good times together. Then you had to go and fall in love with me and make things complicated. I don't love you like that, Renae! And now... I'm not even sure I love you at all. I cannot change your heart and I wouldn't expect you to change it, but we cannot continue in this way. So, in my last act of friendship for you, I'm asking you to leave."

"How is that an act of friendship?"

"You can leave of your own will or I can make you leave, which would make you my enemy. I don't want that."

"Well it sure sounds like it."

"You see this?" Michelle presented the crystal ball she had picked up. "This is a window into other places and, if one knows the spell for it, it can become a portal. If you don't leave now, I'm going to send you to a less than merciful place."

"You're- you're a monster."

"I was always a monster. I'm a walking, talking blue jay. I can summon things with my singing voice like a siren, hence the title. Every person I get close to winds up dying at the hand of Fear. I think we are alike, you and I. You will do anything you can to get the one you love and I wanted likewise for myself. Renae, I want you to find someone else, because that one for you is just not me. I will always remember our friendship, but I cannot continue having a friendship with someone who wants to bring hostility upon my happiness for the sake of their own."

"So, you're really happy with that yeti?"

"I'm happier than I've been in a long time. I have reached something I've been striving for ever since I first became immortal. I love him and he loves me and you know what? He can give me children and he can rock my world. That's why I am so adamant about being straight. I want to continue my lineage. I love children and I love the sensation a man gives me. Why would I want anything else?"

"I suppose so."

"Look, Renae, I know you've been through a lot in your childhood and you haven't found acceptance or love in your life and you desperately want it, but you have to understand that I'm not it."

"I know, Michelle. I guess I wanted the unreachable too. I think you're perfect, Michelle. I haven't changed my mind in five years and I hardly think I'll change it now."

"Love can be renewed. It takes a while to get over the loss of a loved one, but I think you can find someone. I really do."

"All right."

"Come here." Michelle knelt down and embraced her friend. "You've been a great friend, despite how ostentatious you could be sometimes."

"I love you too, Michelle." Renae's voice was choked with tears and her arms felt weak around Michelle's neck. Michelle felt sad at this parting, but she knew it had to be done. Michelle sighed as they parted. She was on her knees and looked sad.

"I- I want to give you something before you go." Michelle got up and went over to her chest. She dug around until she found what she was looking for. She pulled out a daisy chain made of artificial flowers and a dark blue book as thick as a dictionary. She knelt in front of Renae. "Choose: this daisy chain can be a remembrance of the friendship we have. Until you find someone else, you can keep it to remember me. The other choice is I can perform an amnesia spell that can make you forget me so that you can start fresh. I know that you probably wouldn't want to forget me, but it might be easier just to forget."

"I..." Renae wiped her nose with the back of her wrist. Tears were brimming in her eyes. "Both presents sound so great, it's hard to choose." She smiled and tried to find happiness in the sad moment. She looked to the floor, not wanting to have her choice influenced by her emotions. "Would I- would I forget you forever? I mean, would I still not remember you if I saw you later?"

"Yes, the spell remains unless undone by a counter-spell and only by the counter-spell."

"What will happen to those years of my life?"

"Your mind would be filled with good memories, but without me in them."

"I- I hope you don't mind, but... I think it'd just be better on my heart if I forgot you."

"I understand." Michelle got her cane from the corner and wove it around as if conducting music. A few indistinct words later, Renae was happily asleep on the floor. Michelle decided she would do what she could to help Renae out... she just wouldn't be center stage anymore.

The last two episodes blew my mind a little bit. If you haven't seen them, then spoiler alert ho: (First, Margaret returned and then we found out that Thomas was a Russian spy. Obviously, this changes my plans for the story a little. So, what do you guys think of Margaret's return? What will that do for the show? Also, this last episode was supposedly Thomas's last. I thought he was boring and the second he got cool, he left and supposedly for good. Let me know what you guys think of the most recent episodes and how you think they'll affect future events.) Also, as for this chapter, what will become of Renae's plan? What happens now? Please keep reading and reviewing to find out, thanks, guys :)