Author's Note: I do adore the way you are... do you adore me? Dear, don't say that you don't.

Chapter Eleven: Phone Calls From Another Dimension

Claire picked up her cell, used magic to light a few lavender-scented candles, and dialed Rei's number. He picked up at the first ring. "Claire?" he asked.

"Yeah, it's me. What's up?"

"Nothing so important I can't hold it to talk to you," he answered immediately. Claire smiled to herself, remembering why she fell for him. Maybe she, a light and sunshiney sort of girl, wasn't right for Rei. They both knew it. But Rei knew that if you could get past the witch's eternal optimism and smiles, she was perfect. Claire, likewise, knew that when she ignored Rei's insistence that she change who she was, that he was the most perfect boyfriend ever- sensitive, caring, sweet, attentive.

"Awww, you're sweet." She said exactly what she was thinking. "But really, what's going on with you?"

Claire could almost imagining Rei shifting his papers. He hadn't gone to Red Fountain, he was more of an academic man than a hero. Instead, he had enrolled at Zenith Institute of Technology- a school with an unfortunate nickname, and an excellent Modern Wizardry program. It had been Claire's second choice, after Alfea College and about twenty-two before Cloud Tower School. "I'm just finishing up some homework for my creative programming class," Rei said. "We each have to use a combination of magic and electric energy to rewire the entire school's wizard wide web reception. Bonus points if we design an effective firewall."

"Which of course you're trying to do."

"Of course," Rei agreed easily. "All the better to get the jobs, my dear."

"Is that why you want me to be a witch?" The question slipped out almost before Claire realized what she was asking.

The phone was silent for a second. "Well?" Claire prompted.

"That's one reason," Rei admitted. "A fairy never goes anywhere in life, with a few exceptions. The Winx, for example. But most fairies end up babysitting LITTLE fairies, or teaching princesses which fork to use, or guarding kingdoms that will never actually be attacked. Fairies go nowhere, Claire. Witches have their whole lives to be incredible. And I know you can be incredible, I've seen you be."

Claire took a breath. "Rei, what if I could be the exception to the rule... and it would make me happier?"

"Honey, I've got no doubt in your abilities, but you have to realize that I make better choices than you do and that this is the best possible thing for you in the long run," Rei said gently. "When we have our apartment in Magix and good jobs that will change the world, you'll thank me. Now, I've got to go finish my assignment. I love you, Clairey. Bye bye."

Claire looked at the phone after Rei hung up. "Bye," she said a bit bitterly, and a bit late.

"How's school, sweetie?" her dad asked her.

She shrugged, though she knew he couldn't see over the phone. "I refuse to commit either way.

Helia laughed. "That's my girl, always trying to be pessimistic. Lara Lynn, being a downer is not in your blood. Your mother was as cheerful as the daisies she grew, don't try to be depressing because it isn't going to work. Tell me how it's been, really. Have you made any new friends?"

Lara shrugged again. It really was a bit of a bad habit. "Yeah, I guess. There's these three girls, Morgan, Grace, and Story. You'll never believe who Grace's mom is."

"Hmmm... some big movie star you know I've never heard of?"

"Nope, bigger."

"One of your Vampires of Isis idols."

The reluctant fairy rolled her eyes. "Dad, it's WEREWOLVES of Isis, and noooo. Her mom is Tecna. As in, Winx Club Tecna."

Her father grew quiet on the other end of the line, though Lara could still hear his breathing. "Dad?" she asked. "Is something up?"

He drew in a breath. "Lara, honey, I need to tell you something about your mother. She was in the Winx Club too."

Lara snorted. "Before or after she was a botanist, artist, and philanthropist?"

"Before."

"Oh hell," the black haired girl said. "You're being serious, aren't you?"

"We'll be there in about five minutes, Doctor Ortensia," the queen of Domino and Eraklyon said to her BloomBerry. "Thanks. Buhbye." And she hung up.

Dafne sulked in the passenger's seat. "Why do we have to go and see Doctor Ortensia again? Mommy, I'm in college now. If the Dragon Flame was ever going to pass on to me, it would have done it by now. This is just wasting your money, Doctor Ortensia's time, and my... entire... life."

Bloom glanced at her daughter for a second before putting her eyes right back on the road. The two looked almost exactly the same age- the Dragon Flame that still flowed inside of the queen kept her looking young and healthy, while Dafne was in the prime of youth. It was slightly disconcerting to anybody who didn't know the two well.

"We're going to see her because we both need to work this out mentally, even if we can't physically. You need to come to grips with your future as a fire guardian for Eraklyon and..."

"Earth to Mommy," Dafne said, "I already have."

Bloom ignored her daughter. "And I need to come to grips with always being the fairy of the Dragon Flame. Therapy is here to help both of us."

The blonde haired teenager turned her head, looked out her window. "Assuming it doesn't just drive us both insane."

"So!" Roxy asked cheerfully, "Have your friends shown up yet?"

"Yeah, on the first day," Morgan said. She had the phone between her ear and her shoulder, as her hands were occupied with a bottle of grape scented nail polish and Grace's toenails.

"And did they get there alright? I bet you were so happy to see them!"

"Yeah, they're fine. And of course, I was totally psyched to see them here."

"So, have you gone on any adventures yet? Explored Magix? Dealt with any witches?"

Morgan laughed half-heartedly. "I guess you could say that. We went into town to do a little shopping, then we ran into a witch... oh gosh, you'll never believe who has a long lost, extremely evil sister?"

Roxy paused for a second. "Wait, who are you talking about?"

"Grace. And my new friends Lara and Story. Why?"

"Well... I thought you were talking about your wolves. I paid to have them transported to you, like you knew, but I didn't know if they had arrived or not."

Morgan suppressed a fit of laughter, in the process streaking a line of dark purple polish on Grace's slender foot. "No. Not quite yet, Mama."