Mo gave his daughter a meaningful look as he and Resa went off to bathe. Meggie just nodded, wrapping her arms tighter around herself. She felt Dustfinger's presence, and she casted her eyes down as he sat beside her.

"What's wrong darling? You've been pretty quiet ever since this morning. Did something happen?" Dustfinger was immediately suspicious. Meggie looked up at him.

"No." she said bitterly. He stared down at her lips, and Meggie put a hand over them.

"Why are your lips swollen?" he questioned her. Meggie turned away. How did he know?

"It doesn't matter. What's done is done." Meggie went to stand up, but he took her hands and pulled her back down.

"Meggie…it does matter. It always matters." He whispered, reading into her eyes.

"Orpheus kissed me, that is all." Meggie jumped as fire sprouted out of Dustfinger's hands, and he cursed before whispering it out. Fire obeyed him much quicker here.

"Sorry, fire obeys emotions here, too. What do you mean, that is all?" Dustfinger almost yelled. Meggie winced.

"Because…he's a delusional fool…it really doesn't matter."

Dustfinger let out a growl.

"Why do you care? Your love is for my mum anyway." Dustfinger turned to her sharply, his face incredulous.

"What? What are you talking about?"

"I saw your little moment this morning." Dustfinger shook his head.

"Oh, that? Meggie you have to understand that Resa and I are good friends, and that is it. We spent a lot of time together in those wasted nine years." Meggie just looked at him.

"We were actually talking about you."

"Great…you guys all act like I'm a baby! Well I have news for you, I'm most definitely not! I have been through just as much as you guys have! Well…maybe not as much but still! I have been through more than most fifteen year olds have! I'm closer to an adult than a child!" Dustfinger was torn between laughing and explaining it to her. He chose the latter-laughing would have gotten him into trouble.

"No. We were talking about how I love you." Meggie's anger slipped away, warmed by his words, and shocked. She had suspected it, hoped for it, but him admitting it was a whole new level.

"You…what?" she whispered. Dustfinger smirked.

"I love you." He whispered, inching towards her. Meggie's breath hitched in her throat, and her eyes swam across his face, trying to find a trace of insincerity, but could only find truth.

"Really?" she squeaked. He let out a chuckle.

"Yes. I love you, Meggie."

A smile broke over her face, lightening her entire face.

"I love you too Dustfinger." She threw himself at him, and he kissed her lips very softly.

"I will kill Orpheus for kissing you, for looking at you with those lustful eyes, for hurting you…Meggie, did he hit you again?" Dustfinger sounded weary, as he touched her face. She flushed-she'd forgotten about that.

"Um…yes but I already got him for that. I punched him." Dustfinger laughed.

"Well I'm sorry it had to be under those circumstances. I would have paid money to see that." Meggie laughed. Dustfinger wrapped an arm around her.

"Seriously, Meggie. Are you alright, pretty girl?" he asked, stroking her hair. She rested her head on his shoulder.

"I am now."

"Dustfinger? Meggie?" Meggie tensed as she heard that familiar voice. She glanced up at Dustfinger, who was staring down at her, her expression mirrored on his own face.

"Farid?"

A/N: I had an urge to leave it here but oh well. Bigger cliffhanger at the end. Well I think so anyway!

Meggie had two reactions-to run the hell away, and to go up to slap him across the face. She could almost feel the raw stinging sensation on her hand-she craved it that much. Dustfinger took her hand in his and pulled them both up, as they turned to face the boy. Or should they say man. He'd grown-his hair was slightly longer, his face had grown into that of a young man, and shirtless, Meggie could see that his muscles had grown. She looked up at Dustfinger, who was watching her carefully, and smiled reassuringly at him.

"You're mine." He mouthed, smirking, and she nodded.

"Definitely." He grinned before turning to the boy he used to call son.

"Where's my daughter?" he asked gruffly.

"Dustfinger, you…you look younger." Farid only managed to say, in awe.

"That's because I am. I'm twenty five." Dustfinger said simply. Farid blinked and then shook his head before resting his eyes onto his once beloved Meggie. She squeezed Dustfinger's hand.

"Meggie. You look beautiful," he said softly. His words used to make her heart race, but now? They did nothing.

"Thank you." She said, not complimenting him back.

"Where's Brianna?" Dustfinger inquired again.

"At our house…what are you doing back?" Farid frowned before realization hit him.

"Orpheus."

"Yes."

"That's behind what has been killing, isn't it?" Farid's face was now grim from pure excitement at seeming them.

"Obviously," Dustfinger replied.

"And you're going to fix it?" He turned to Meggie hopefully. She narrowed her eyes at him.

"Yes. Hopefully."

"You two are not happy to see me?" Farid guessed. Meggie turned to Dustfinger.

"Huh. Perhaps he is not as dumb as I thought." Dustfinger snorted. Farid's face fell.

"Farid what did you expect? You broke my heart."

Farid remained silent.

"But you're captors of Orpheus?"

Meggie blinked, confused.

"Yes…what does-"

"I can get you out of here…my fire skills have grown. With Dustfinger and I, and some of my men…we can. Would that maybe make up for some of it?" he asked hopefully. Dustfinger looked at Meggie. She seemed deep in thought.

"Perhaps…if you can get us safely away with no one getting hurt and when this whole ordeal is over, than we can maybe talk."

"Agreed." Farid said.

"Give me ten minutes and I'll meet you back here." He promised before dashing off. As soon as he was gone, Meggie slumped in relief.

"Oh wow." She said. Dustfinger bent down slightly.

"Are you alright, darling?"

"Yes. I'm fine. It was just…"

"I know." He said softly, for he did. He placed a tender kiss on her forehead, and Meggie hugged herself into him. She breathed in his scent, relishing in his warmth and smell, closing her eyes and wishing she could stay here forever.

"Meggie we're going to get married one day. I can picture this, this is where I want to be. Forever." Stunned, Meggie looked into his dancing eyes.

"What, in these situations?" she teased. He chuckled.

"No. With you in my arms." He said softly. Her heart warmed, and she leaned up on her tiptoes to kiss him.

"I love you Dustfinger," she whispered, kissing him once more.

"I love you too, my Meggie," he whispered back.

"Ugh something every father wants to see." Meggie jumped back from Dustfinger, and they all laughed at her. She blushed.

"Shut up." Dustfinger then explained in brief detail about Farid. Meggie felt her father's eyes on her, but she just looked away. Mo knew her best. Mo knew how she'd be feeling. She hated it.

"Meggie?" he walked over to her, putting his arm around her and leading her off.

"What is it, Mo?" she asked.

"How are you feeling from this morning?"

She looked down.

"I'm fine; it's really no big deal." She promised. He sighed shaking his head.

"I swear Meggie, he will pay for that. And for slapping you. Twice…Dustfinger and I will surely see to that." Meggie rolled her eyes.

"Thanks." She said, half sarcastically. He just ruffled her hair.

"How are you with Farid?"

Ah, there it was!

"Really, Mo, I'm okay. And as you could already see, Dustfinger has claimed his love for me, so I'm great actually." Meggie felt great from that, but inside, what was happening was poisoning her. And she knew it. She just didn't want anyone else to. Mo gave her a stern look.

"Meggie."

"Dad, really!"

"Dad?" Mo raised an eyebrow and she laughed.

"Fine, sorry. Mo. It's really okay. I promise." She blinked up at him innocently.

"I love you, sweetheart."

"I love you too, Mo." She promised.

"I'm back! And I have a plan." Mo and Meggie spun around to see Farid's mischief, smiling face. It was contagious-Meggie had to smile back.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Playing the part of a girl who could do nothing was quite boring. But nonetheless, none of them wanted her hurt; she seemed to be the main target, since Orpheus was attacking Dustfinger's heart. She sat beside her mother, who was playing with her fingers. They were both alone, hidden, while the men set out to light everything and everyone on fire that they could. Orpheus had also captured most of their men, making them do the deeds he wanted, so they were also trying to give them their freedom back.

"So...Dustfinger, aye?" Her mother smiled at her, and Meggie blushed. She hadn't had a chance to talk to her mother for awhile. Resa placed a hand on her face, where the offensive mark was bruising. She rubbed it tenderly.

"He is a cruel, foolish kid." She said, looking into her daughter's eyes. Meggie shrugged.

"Yes, I know that. He kissed me, mother." Meggie's eyes filled with tears. Resa wrapped her arms around her as carefully as she could.

"I know, Mo told me. He wasn't very pleased, and neither am I. If I could, I'd hurt Orpheus, but it seems as if Dustfinger and your father already have their names down for that." Meggie chuckled. Resa traced the mark on her face, sighing.

"I'm so very angry at him. He will pay, my sweet one." She promised. Meggie just nodded, and Resa kissed her forehead.

"I'm very happy for you and Dustfinger. But if he hurts you don't be scared to come to your father and I."

Meggie raised an eyebrow.

"Do you really think he will?"

She smiled.

"No, I've seen the way he looks at you and how much he cherishes you."

"I actually thought he loved you." She whispered, ashamed. Resa cocked an eyebrow before she started to laugh.

"No. Never. And even if so, I love your father very much. As I love you."

"I love you too, mum."

They sat in quiet, all that needed to be said, said.

It must have been ten minutes later when Resa suddenly let out a cry. Meggie, alarmed, looked up.

"Mum? What is it?" she asked. Resa placed a hand on her stomach.

"Stress or…oh no…my water broke!" she moaned. Meggie's eyes widened. Why did everything have to go wrong in the moment of things going wrong?! It was insane! This could not be happening!

"Mum are you sure?"

"Yes, I've had you once I know what it bloody feels like!" Meggie flinched back.

"I'm sorry darling, this is just really painful!" Meggie helped her mother up, looking around.

"Hey!" She cried. The fires were already starting, she could hear their whispers. Already men were starting to fight, and Meggie was in the middle of it with her mother who was ready to give birth to her sibling!