A/N: This will provide some more clues into Ashley's past. Also, MORE Jake and Rose fluff.

Ashley flew back to the shop and landed on the roof with a sigh. While it had been a peaceful night, it had allowed her time to bring back memories that she really wished she could forget. She dragged her tired body inside and alerted her father and grandfather that she had come home.

" Gramps, Dad, I'm home. Nothing came up. I'm gonna go to bed. Good night." She called down the stairs and then she turned and wandered to her small bedroom. She pulled off her soiled school clothes and then pulled on her nightshirt and sweatpants and crawled into the small bed. She looked out at the street and sighed before shutting her eyes. Then the nightmares began.

A small black and gold dragon was trying to braid the hair of a young brown and blonde haired girl. Frustrated and upset the little dragon squeaked in anger at her inability to braid the girl's hair. The girl turned around and smiled.

" Don't worry Ashy mommy can braid it for me, but thank you for trying." The girl said. The little dragon snorted and then sniffed.

" I can't do nuffing cause of my claws. How does daddy do it? I can't even tie my shoes. It's not fair." Ashley said, crossing her scaly arms. The little girl frowned and then hugged the upset dragon.

" Don't worry, mommy said that you just hafta practice like cousin Jakey does with Grandpa. And I'll help too." She said. Ashley sniffed and smiled.

" Really? You'd do that for me?" she asked. The girl smiled and nodded vigorously.

" Uh huh, cause that's what sister's are supposed to do. Mommy said so. And Auntie Susan said that you'll get to turn into a human like mommy and me when we're big girls." The little girl said. Ashley smiled and returned the hug.

" You're the greatest sister ever Sammy….You're my best friend in the whole world." She said.

" You're my best friend in the whole world too, and we'll always be together." Sammy said.

"yeah forever."

Ashley bolted up out of her bed, breathing hard, tears streaming down her face. She shook her head and then after regaining her breath placed her face in her hands and cried.

" I'm so sorry Sammy. I wasn't strong enough."

A few weeks later….

Jake flew around in happy circles in the late afternoon sun. His first date with Rose had been a complete success. He had gotten a kiss from the girl of his dreams and he was taking her to the schools winter dance. He wasn't even fully aware he was being watched.

Hidden in the shadow, a small figure hid. Hunts girl was on the prowl.

Thorn, watched with confusion as the American dragon flew around. She could see the goofy smile on his muzzle. He was distracted and completely unaware of her presence. She grinned , she would finally slay the dragon and be free of the clan. Which meant more time for her crush.

Just as she was about to charge up her staff her eyes caught a glimpse of black and gold shoot towards the red dragon. What happened next was a shock.

Ashley snarled as she saw Jake flying around like some love-struck puppy. She flew up towards him and roared.

"ROOOOOOAAAAAAARRRRR….." she bellowed. Jake yelped and fell and landed with a loud and painful sounding thump. Ashley landed next to him and then grabbed him by his tail and hoisted him up.

" Damn it Jake, what the hell do you think your doing? The Hunts clan could be anywhere and here you are flying around like some lovesick yearling unicorn. Do you want to wind up a pair of boots? Damn it Jake wake the hell up and pay some freaking attention to your goddamn surroundings. Losing Sammy was bad enough, but I will NOT lose you to. Get you head in the game." She growled. Jake shrank back and shifted into his human form.

" Well sorry, but I just got my first kiss from the girl of my dreams. Excuse me for being a little excited. Yeesh." He snapped. Ashley growled and smacked him in the back of his head.

" Jake , forget the damn girl and FOCUS! No girl is more important than your duty. You have to stop the Hunts man once and for all, or do you what the same thing that happened to me an dad happen to your sister and mom? Well?" She growled. Jake visibly flinched and mumbled.

"no….." he muttered. Ashley snorted.

" Good. Now get your lazy draconic ass in the air and stay focused. I'll see you at dinner." With that said she whipped around and took off leaving a now depressed Jake behind.

He sighed and shifted back into his dragon form speaking sadly, and softly to himself.

" Great, I FINALLY get Rose , the girl I fall head over claws for, to go out with me, and now I get my ass chewed out cause of it. Being the American Dragon royally sucks." With that he took back off into the air.

Rose sat there stunned by what she had just seen. Her boyfriend was the American Dragon? How could she have not seen this? As she thought of this a second thought came to mind.

Jake was crazy about her. Which meant he had no idea of who she really was. If he was to ever find out, he would most likely turn her over to the dragon council. Her only option at the moment was to break it off with him. The thought mad her slightly sick. She would break his heart if she did that, but how could she risk her identity by staying with him. She felt so conflicted.

On one hand, she was head over heels for the boy, but she also was destined to slay him. She just couldn't quit the clan. They were the only family she had. But, Jake really and truly cared for her. She had to think this through. She had to tell someone, but whom?

Aunt Sally…..

Rose smacked her self for not think of that sooner. Aunt Sally was different. She really cared for her and did anything to protect her. How would this be any different?

She got onto her feet and ran back to the Huntsman's house.

Sally was busy changing the sheets on Roses bed when she heard a distressed panting sound from behind her. She whipped around and saw Rose standing there, her eyes red and her breath ragged.

" Rosie what's wrong honey?" She asked. Rose took a deep breath and spoke.

" Aunt Sally, could we go somewhere Uncle can't hear us? It's kind of for your ears only." Rose said.

" Course honey. Come with me." Sally said as she took her very upset adoptive niece to her soundproof meditation room. Grabbing two chairs and then locking the door, she and Rose both sat down.

" Alright honey, what's wrong. Did Jake break up with you?" She asked. Rose took a ragged breath.

" No, but…he…..He's the American Dragon." Rose said slowly, trying hard not to cry. Sally was shocked.

" Honey are you sure?" Rose nodded.

" I saw him shift into his human form. I don't know what to do." She sobbed. Sally frowned and embraced her currently emotional charge. Suddenly a small smile came over her face.

" Honey, do you really care about him?" Rose nodded.

" Your sure? You honestly love him?" Rose blushed , shrugged and looked away. Sally smiled as an idea formed in her head.

" Well, then the only thing we need to do is get you to know the real Jake. Both his human and Dragon half. Then we'll come up with a plan." Rose looked at her skeptically.

" How do I do that. I highly doubt he'd trust me when he's a dragon." Sally smirked and rolled up the sleeve of her baggy sweater. Dangling on her wrist was a very rare and very valuable dream charm bracelet.

" Use this. Take a peek into his dreams and memories and find out what you can about him. If you don't like what you see, we slay him. If you do like what you see, we'll find a way to get you out of the clan and into his arms. Take this, then just go to sleep. You'll figure it out." Sally said, as she took off the bracelet. She handed it to Rose and then went to the door.

" And don't worry. As far as you and I are concerned, this conversation never happened." Sally said with a wink. Rose smiled, and clutched the charm.

" Well, Jake, I guess I'll see you in your dreams. This could be fun." She thought.

A/N: TBC: Next Chapter: Baby Dragons and broken hearts. I'll update soon. R+R.