Chapter Three

That evening, the four remaining members of the Winx Club and Layla, who still wasn't sure she was part of it, sat in Bloom and Flora's room, clustered close together on Bloom's bed. They had been crying for hours, missing Flora, worrying about her, and wondering what had happened to her, and what would happen.

Except Tecna, of course. She sat with them, held hands and gave hugs when needed, and pulled them over to cry on her shoulder, but her eyes remained dry.

"Tecna, doesn't this bother you?" asked Layla, "I don't know any of you very well yet, but it's affected me strongly. Flora's really sweet, and I like her a lot."

The Fairy of Technology nodded in response. "Yes, I'm affected too. But my friends need me to be calm and rational right now, rather than an emotional wreck."

"Oh, thanks a lot," said Stella, sarcastically, "Nice to know what you really think about us."

"Leave her alone, Stella," said Musa, "She'll let it out when she's ready."

At Tecna's startled look, Musa smirked and wiped her face with a tissue. "Oh, come on. Sound is my thing. You don't really think I didn't hear you during the night between attacks from the Army of Darkness, do you?"

Tecna turned red. "I thought I was being quiet. I suppose I'll have to cast a privacy spell next time."

"No, you shouldn't," said Bloom, forcefully, "We're your friends, and we'll never think less of you just because you show your human side."

"And it isn't right for you to be alone when you do," added Musa, "Come to any of us when you need comforting."

Tecna looked at the Musical Fairy. "If you heard me, why didn't you offer comfort then?"

"I mind my own business," was the reply, "And it wasn't up to me."

'That was logical,' Tecna thought, but aloud she said "Thank you." She looked around at the others. "If you are all finished with your initial round of emotional displays, we need to discuss our further course of action."

Stella grimaced and got ready to make a retort when Layla gripped her on the upper arm and squeezed gently. Stella took the hint and subsided.

"Since you're the most clear-headed of any of us right now, what do you think we should do?" asked Bloom.

"First, we need to review the data, make sure it's all in order, and see if there is anything missing or a reason to doubt it," said the teal-eyed girl. She pulled out her laptop and opened it. Tapping keys a screen appeared above the device. On it was a timeline of events as best as could be pieced together.

They all studied it, seeing minute by minute everything that had happened since Tecna noticed Flora and Mirta going into the woods. After a line break was a list of later events; from Bloom and Tecna hearing Flora scream until the police left with the Flower Fairy in custody.

"Wait a second," said Layla, "That's an awfully detailed report from someone who wasn't there."

"There's a logical explanation for that," said Tecna, "You might recall I was the last to arrive here. I was delayed by Ms. Faragonda, who gave me a copy of the data from a memory spell she cast on Flora."

"Well why didn't you say something then?" asked Stella with a huff.

"It was logical to wait until emotions subsided to mention it. I guarantee no data was lost," she answered. "I also used the time during your emotional outburst to analyze it. I used the position of the sun and shadows in the images to determine the time of each event."

"You mean... while sitting here with us, you were... analyzing DATA?" Stella was incredulous.

Tecna nodded. "My multitasking ability is quite efficient."

"HOW COULD YOU DO THAT!!??" shouted Stella, "We're sitting here pouring our hearts out, worrying about Flora, thinking of nothing else, and you're sitting there... ANALYZING DATA!"

Tecna blinked. "I don't understand. It was an efficient use of the time consumed by all of your emotional behavior, and time is of the essence."

Stella opened her mouth to respond, only to have Layla put her hand over it. "What do you mean?"

"The police think this is an open-and-shut case, and are not going out of their way to investigate," said Tecna.

"How do you know that?" asked Musa.

"I recorded everything at the site of the murder, including every action and word the police made," was the reply. "I've got it all in the record."

"So it's left to us to dig deep," said Bloom.

"That is so, assuming there is any additional information to be had," agreed Tecna. "Do any of you wish to see the events from the memory spell?"

Bloom turned slightly green. "No, I don't, but I think we need to. Show us, please."

They held hands tightly as events from Flora's memory unfolded on the screen. When Mirta was pierced by the bamboo Stella turned away and closed her eyes. Bloom's stomach was still empty, so she didn't feel the need to throw up again. Fresh tears appeared among them all, even Tecna.

Annoyed that her control had slipped, the Technology Fairy dried her face and clamped down on her emotions even harder. She realized Musa was right. She would have to let it out, and soon.

"What other versions of... of what happened do we have?" asked Layla.

Musa looked at her. "Huh?"

"Eyewitness reports, security cameras, satellite images, what?" she explained.

"I have what Flora said after she remembered the deed," answered Tecna.

At Layla's nod, she tapped a button and they heard Flora speaking to the teachers and her friends. When it finished, the Princess of Andros frowned, her brow wrinkled in thought.

"Now we've heard it from Flora herself," said Stella. "I still can't believe it. Not Flora. It's impossible."

"The evidence is clear," responded Tecna.

"STOP BEING SO... SO... LOGICAL!!" shouted Stella. she crossed her arms and turned her back on her friend.

"My programming dictates I act this way," said Tecna. She bowed her head. "I am sorry if I upset you. I'm doing my best."

Layla came around and put her hands on Tecna's shoulders. "She knows. Don't worry about what she said." She massaged the tight muscles and gradually felt them relax.

"What will happen to her?" asked Bloom, "Will they execute her?"

"Doubtful," said Tecna, shaking her head, "While this was a violent crime, it was also a crime of passion, and Flora is truly remorseful. I would say the odds favor her spending a long period of time in the Magix Prison."

"I can't imagine that either..." said Stella, "Flora in prison, without any flowers around her. She won't live long if that happens."

"I'm sure the court will take that into account," said Tecna.

Stella looked over her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Tec. You are showing you care in your own way. It's just not the way I show it."

"Flora is my friend too," said Tecna. "Is there any other data anyone wants to review?"

"It's getting late. I think we should sleep on it," said Layla.

"Yes, you should," said a new voice.

They looked to find Ms. Griselda standing in the door.

"Sorry for coming in at a bad moment, but I did knock first," said the severe teacher. "Ms. Faragonda wants all of you to get a good night's sleep, and wait until tomorrow to continue the investigation."

"We will," said Bloom, "I can't speak for anybody else, but I'm exhausted."

There was general agreement at that, and they went to bed.

All of them thought they would have trouble sleeping, but tiredness played its part and, one after another, they all dropped off into deep slumber.

Tecna lay in bed, listening to Musa's soft, even breathing telling her the other Fairy was asleep. She did a truncated self-diagnostic and decided she could hold off dealing with her emotions for a while yet. With that course set she did a meditation routine that helped her "switch off" for the night.