A/N: I am so so so so SO sorry it took me so long to update. I actually had this planned out, but I just didn't write it. LOL. I doubt so many care, but I WILL update a lot quicker now!

"Another ABC Jo?" Muffy called out to me as I chatted with Nami.

"Nah. I've still got, ask me in a little while, okay?" I called back.

"Nami?" Muffy asked.

"Another stone oil. Keep 'em coming." Nami grunted. Muffy raised an eyebrow but walked into the back room without a word.

"You okay Nams?" Griffin asked. Nami rolled her eyes and spoke to me.

"I come here to relax because I was tired of Rock and Ruby pestering me." Nami said sighing.

"You know they care about you Nami." I chided.

"I know. Ruby is like a mother to me." She said stirring her dark looking beverage with a straw. Nami can handle her liquor, but she acts much more open and a little less hostile while drinking. I pity Rock and Ruby when she gets hung over. Scary thought.

"Earth to Jo!" Nami smirked at my short attention span.

"Whaaat?" I pretended to pout.

"She's right though, Nami." A voice called out. We spun around stimutamiously and stared at the voice's owner. Gustafa.

'Holy jumping crawfish where did he just come from! GAHH! Leprechaun stalker!!!' I thought.

"Hey Gus." I said calmly.

"Gustafa…"

"You need to relax Nami. You of all people deserve that. Drinking is nice once in a while, but sleep is a requirement for life." She nodded slightly as he gave her a grin. "Keep the change Griffin. Night everyone." He picked up his guitar and adjusted his hat as he gave Nami one last glance and left the bar without another word.

"You know, I barely notice him in here, yet when he leaves I miss him. It sounds so… bland without him. Ya know?" Muffy asked Nami and I.

I nodded thinking the same thing moments before. Nami looked at her full glass that Muffy had just left on the counter. No thanks. It's all yours. Put my bill on my tab, mkay? See ya." With that, the slightly flushed redhead made her way to the door.

"Where you going?" Griffin asked.

"Home-The Inn. I-I need some sleep." She gave a weak smile then left the bar.

"Ha. Looks like Miss. Nami has a thing for 'ol Gus there." Griffin said chuckling slightly.

"Gustafa has always been infatuated by her. Who knows?" Muffy shrugged then gave Griffin a worried glance.

"Um… Joy… We really hate to kick you out… I mean, you only had one drink and all but…." Muffy trailed off.

"We got a letter from The Phantom." Griffin rolled his eyes as Muffy looked genuinely frightened. "He's gonna 'grace us with his presence.' Blegh. What an ego!" Griffin said slightly amused.

"Griffin! We need to do something to stop him… Maybe you can help, Joy!" Muffy said suddenly less scared.

"Huh?" 'Wait, Skye is coming? Well… We are on good terms… I guess, but-'

Griffin interrupted my thoughts. Muffy… We cannot let Joy get hurt by this-this-made man." He said gently.

"I can handle some crazy flirt Griffin." I said feeling a little more confident; Skye told me that I had nothing to fear… And it was supposed to rain tomorrow so I had no plants to water… And somewhere deep inside of me, I wanted to see him again. I found his presence exhilarating. Like a rollercoaster; scary but indescribably enjoyable.

"You sure Jo?" Griffin asked.

"You heard that she even got him to say his name! Without even doing much! Joy's a special girl!" Muffy said giving me a pat on the back.

"Okay. Did he give a time?" I asked.

"Yeah. At ten… do you smell that?" Muffy asked.

"No what?" I was getting over a slight cold so I had a little trouble with that anyways.

"Yes. Like… Curry? Huh." Griffin said amused.

"I bet he's outside! I heard from around that people always smelt some kind of spice before he struck! Let's go outside!" Muffy said excited and started to run off.

"Muffy!" Griffin ran off after his wife leaving me alone.

"Yeah. That's okay! Leave me here with the phantom thief. That's okay!" I yelled back into the silence.

"Lady Joy?" A smooth voice called out confused. I turned around and felt my face flush. "It's okay. I find it cute that you talk to yourself sometimes." He said with half lidded eyes.

"Wh-what? Thank you, but I can't let you steal from my friends!" I said firmly after recollecting myself. I was flushing for another reason now. Cute? He called one of my quirks, cute?

"Now now. I'm afraid you have no say in this fair maiden." He said clucking his tongue. "I truly am sorry for this Joy." He said giving me a strange look.

"What are you going to do to me?" I asked in a brave voice. "I won't let you steal from-"

"CHICKBEAM FIRE!" He let out a yell as the room turned black.

"AH!" I screamed suddenly more afraid than I had been in my entire life. Every ounce of energy was taken from my body in a split second. The lights appeared and Skye was looming over me smirking with trademark smirk.

"What's wrong?" He chuckled. I went to move (I.E: Beat him up) but found myself frozen in place. Try as I might, I couldn't move a single muscle. My breathing was fine if not easier, I could see and blink fine, and I could hear normally as well. My face had full movement but my head was stuck into place.

"What have you done!" I screamed. He just laughed. Sick bastard!

"You'll get full movement back in an hour. Just relax." He said leaning on the counter next to me.

"You're sick! You find this funny, don't you! You tricked me! You said I didn't need to fear you! Damn it! You're a thief! What else could I expect!" My eyes were wide and scared but his narrowed, then softened.

"Joy. You really do not have to be scared of me. And I did not break my word. Tell me, are you in any pain?" He asked. I shook my head. "It's a device I use in my… profession. It freezes people. Maidens especially. I take what I please, and they are fine the very next hour." He said softly. He then stared at me.

"Okay. But you know this is twisted and wrong right?" I said stiffly, trying to hold in the sob that was still in my thought. What did he want with me?

"It is who I am. Of course keeping you like that isn't 'right,' but I assure you you'll be fine. Now if you excuse me…" He jumped over the counter and searched for the liquor he required.

"How did you get by Griffin and Muffy?" I asked trying to get my mind off of things. Like being frozen!

"They went the opposite way muttering something about curry." I decided not the push him further on that. He swung himself over the counter and carried a tall bottle of liquor.

"Nice." He said inspecting the bottle for a date. "Aged a little bit less than I wanted but…" He mumbled to himself slightly.

"Ha! You talk to yourself too." I noticed.

"So I do, huh? I told you I found it cute." He winked at me and I sighed.

"So you ONLY want the drinks?" I asked feeling relieved.

"Money ain't my thing. O-oh." He got quiet (for once) as he realized my fear.

"You- You thought I was going to hurt you?" He asked surprised. I shrugged, or at least tried to.

"I give you my word that I never did or ever shall hurt a woman. Or man, but woman sounds more like you." He said out of character. He gave me a heart-melting smile.

"O-ohkay." I said still shaken up.

"Some react differently the chickbeam, but most is rage. I can take it though. A strong girl like you, I wasn't surprised you took it so well. I rarely use it, but I only do to make a quick escape." He gave me a grin then went behind the counter again.

"Why take the rage at all?" I asked him suddenly. As soon as the words escaped my mouth I got feeling in my hand. It tingled as I made a fist.

"Hm? Interesting question. Elaborate please." He said rummaging through the cabinets.

"Why steal and make others be so angry? You're taking belongs… I just want to know why?" I asked shyly.

"Ah. My angle wants to know more about me? Well I'm afraid I'm pressed for time yet again. Fate keeps bringing us together, so I'm sure we shall meet again soon. He looked unsure then. He shook his head as he stared at me.

"I know. Weird hair, but you shouldn't be one to stare." I said used to the attention of my strange colored hair.

"No… That's not it, but you have to admit that it is different." He was right. I knew no one else with medium length brown hair with red at the ends. Or at least naturally, like mine was. I think it suits me very well, but it looks a little strange. "But I like different." He smirked at my eye roll and slight blush.

"There he is!" Muffy said filled with rage.

"Jo!" Griffin ran over to me as he realized I was unable to move.

"Oh no. You- You!" Muffy rambled incoherently as Skye smirked.

"Such anger. Don't let it spoil your rare beauty." Muffy blinked and Skye smirked. I watched amused as her anger grew.

"Watch it." Griffin said approaching the younger man. Skye looked to me for some sort of help. I mouthed 'ring' and watched his confusion.

"Ring?" Muffy held up her hand and showed him her wedding ring and band on her slender finger.

"And I'm guessing you're the husband?" Skye asked smoothly.

"Damn right pretty boy." Griffin said restraining himself.

"Well, it's been swell. See you all around." He smirked than ran off into the night carrying a few bottles with him.

"Get back here you scum!" Griffin ran after him as Muffy sat with me as I explained what happened. Even the things about him never hurting anyone, but leaving out my trip to the spring.

"He's a creep all right. But he's got nicer hair than me! I mean really, he's too pretty!" She said rolling her eyes.

"He's a flirt. I'll give him that, but you've got some nice hair there too Muff." We talked until Griffin came back empty handed.

"Sorry Muffy. I couldn't find the guy anywhere." Griffin said annoyed as he looked through the cabinets. "At least nothing that expensive was taken. I'll pay a visit to the next town over an replace it all." Griffin said sighing.

"I'm sorry I wasn't much help…" I sighed.

"No! We're sorry we left you all alone." Muffy said sadly.

"We? I remember you running off and I following so you don't get hurt." Griffin said being ignored by his wife.

"Like I said we're sorry Jo. Now get some sleep… It's very late." Muffy yawned on cue.

"Okay. Good night guys!" I called walking out of the bar half asleep and very confused about Skye.

"He's a no good thief, he steals, freezes people, and shamelessly flirts. Yet he seems so innocent, sincere, and almost caring…" I sighed as I opened my door and flopped on my bed for a much need sleep.

A/N: Yea I never really understood the whole bar cut-scene. They smell curry and leave the poor farm girl alone? Some friends. ): LOL. Hope you enjoyed! I plan on updating soon, so if you care: REVIEW!
:D

~AN~