Author's note: Still not done with the party, but then again, you never really want a good party to stop. I know I said I wanted them to have some fun, but we needed a little bit of drama. I hope you don't mind the temporary angst in this chapter, but I'm leading to something pretty big, and hopefully, fun with lots of feels.
Please enjoy...
The evening had moved on and soon the tempo changed from everyone moving around, getting to see each other again after some time apart, to finally stopping and catching up to those that they saw as most important. Ben and Mal were seated on a couch, with Evie and Doug on a couch of their own on one side of them and Jay and Audrey on the third couch. To the rest of the party goers it looked the king and queen, even if Mal wasn't official yet, and their court. Ben was braced against one of the couch while Mal leaned her back against him, his arm wrapped around her. Audrey was sitting on Jay's lap, her arm draped over his shoulders, one of his arms holding her at the waist. Doug was sitting on the edge of couch he and Evie were on, with Evie laying across the couch, her head in Doug's lap while he stroked her hair.
"So how've you guys been doing at your new homes?" Ben asked.
"Not too bad," Jay answered.
"It was a little touch and go there for a second, but things have gotten better," Mal said.
"It's been awesome," Evie answered happily, garnering some surprised looks from Mal and Jay. "What? Snow's been pretty cool. We talk about Mom, mostly of how Snow remembers her being before the whole fairest of them all stuff, and she's given me access to way better material than I've ever had before, so my sewing's gotten way better. She's even started teaching me to drive."
"How many cars have you wrecked?" Audrey asked, her tone bordering between being sarcastic and mockingly.
"Babe," Jay chided her. "What? It's a normal question."
"Plus Audrey's right."
"Doug," Evie whispered to him.
"Oh no, I want to hear this now," Mal laughed.
"Okay, so maybe driving isn't as easy to learn as I thought it would be," she started. "I broke the taillights of two cars because I hit the gas instead of the brake when backing up."
The entire group started laughing hysterically, causing Evie to pout. "It's not funny guys."
"Yeah it is," Jay told her.
"Dougie make them stop," she whined, though everyone could tell that she was just playfully exaggerating. Doug laughed and continued to stroke her hair, knowing it would calm her down.
"Well at least you and Snow are getting along," Audrey said genuinely happy for her. "How's Snow White's son been handling you being around?"
"Raymond loves her," Doug answered with a smile.
"I love being an aunt," Evie added, her face beaming with happiness at the thought of how much she and Ray had become friends.
"Speaking of bonding with kids, Jay has become quite the big brother," Audrey mentioned proudly. "Well you have," she told him when he looked at her like he didn't really want it announced.
"I just show them a few tourney moves and they settle down because of it," he told them in an effort to downplay his experiences this summer. When Carlos got hurt he started to spend more time with them to keep them away from Carlos so he could rest like he needed to. Once he did, he could tell why Carlos liked hanging out with them. They smart, curious, and not afraid to get into a little bit of trouble. He'd never admit it, but they reminded him of himself.
"Please," Audrey started, "You were the one taking them to play tourney, and to the zoo, not to mention helping them play pranks on me whenever I'd visit," she bragged, though the last part was met with a playful swat to his shoulder.
"When it comes to those two, you either help, or you become a target. Better you than me, Foxy," he smiled. Audrey looked like she was going to say something before Jay reached in and gave her a quick kiss to stop her.
"Alright, I forgive you, this time," she giggled.
"Mal, you need to spill now," Evie told her.
"Nothing much to tell, I've been pretty good about keeping you guys informed about me and Jane."
"Are you two getting along again?" Audrey asked, everyone seemingly surprised at how much she actually seemed to want to know how they were all doing; none more shocked than Mal herself.
"Yeah, we made up after the whole wand thing and we've gotten really close. It's almost like having another little sister," she smiled.
"Hey," Evie said in a fake hurt tone.
"Don't give me that look, it's not my fault that you two are younger than me."
"I'm younger by two weeks, and she never lets me forget it," Evie said as she looked up at Doug for help.
"Don't forget, I'm older than you too," he said to her with a stroke of her cheek.
"Me too," said Jay.
"And me," Audrey added.
All four of them began to laugh, hard, but just enough to annoy the almost royal bluenettte. "Well at least Ben's younger than me."
"True, but I'm okay with it," he smiled. "And besides, we're not the youngest ones here, remember."
"Yeah, where are Carlos and Jane," Doug asked.
"They should be here," Jay answered checking his phone. "I texted him that we were all meeting here."
"And I texted Jane," Mal added. Suddenly she had an idea and her eyes widened. "You know what, does anyone have some water?"
They all shook their heads. "Seriously? I need it for a spell."
Evie's eyes widened in glee and she leaped off of Doug and ran off toward the food tables. She came back with a bottle of water just a few seconds later. "Is this enough, M?"
"Perfect, thanks," she answered clearing the table. "Okay guys, help me clear this table," she instructed as she began removing her and Ben's cups. Soon the rest did as they'd been told and the table was void of any obstructions. In all honesty, everyone was actually pretty excited to see Mal put to use the lessons she'd been given.
"Alright, now this is the first time I've done this without Fairy Godmother's help, but…" she trailed off as she began to pour the water onto the center of the table and began reciting the proper spell. "Not here to be seen, lost from my sight, show me who I desire, where are they this night."
Everyone watched as the water on the table began to swirl around and then spread until it covered the entire table. The water then began to glow and eventually it started to become an image of Jane and Carlos still under their tree, this time with Carlos laying under it, and Jane on top of him, the two of them making out.
"Woah," Doug let out, not knowing which surprised him more, Mal's successful spell, or what he was seeing from Jane and Carlos.
"Oh my God, yes," Evie squealed.
"Awww," Audrey said at the same time.
Jay just smiled and nodded his head while Ben just smiled and hugged Mal to him. "Good job, babe," he whispered into her ear. She smiled back and turned to kiss him quickly.
"I knew those two would get together," Evie said happily.
"It's about time too," Mal said. "I was getting tired of her constantly asking for advice on how to get a boy to like her. I don't do relationship advice; I mean do I look like Evie?" she asked the group. "Well, now that we know where they are, we should leave them alone," he said as she waved her hand over the table and the image disappeared.
Jane and Carlos were under the tree, happily kissing each other, not caring about anything else. They'd each spent so much time dreaming about a moment like this and they were taking full advantage of it. They didn't know how long they'd been out there, and truthfully, they didn't care. That was why they didn't hear the footsteps approaching.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Little Plane Jane," came a condescending voice.
Jane and Carlos stopped what they were doing and looked up.
"Oh great," Jane said in disappointment.
"What's going on?" Carlos asked as he sat up after Jane got off him and sat next to him. When he looked up he saw three girls; one dressed in red who was slightly taller than the other two, another in green who was almost as tall as the one in red, but much thinner making her look lankier, and the last in blue who was shorter, but still taller than Jane, and slightly chubbier than the other two. All looked to be their age or maybe a year older, and all three were wearing somewhat evil smirks.
"Hi, Carlos," all three said at the same time.
"Hi," he said nervously. He looked at Jane for some help on who they were.
"Don't just sit there, Janey, introduce us to your…boyfriend," said the one in red, a patronizing look on her face to match her tone. Carlos also noticed the way she snickered just before saying boyfriend. The other two laughed at what their leader said.
Carlos looked back at Jane and noticed that she looked almost afraid. For her part, Jane was just wishing that the ground would open up and swallow her whole since she really didn't want to go through what she knew was going to happen.
"Janey, don't be rude," said the one in green.
"Yeah Jane, start talking," the one in blue finished, her tone going mean at the end.
"Jane?" Carlos asked, concerned over how Jane looked like she was fidgeting now.
"C-Carlos, meet, Arborary, Animalia, and Mistywind," she introduced the girls wearing red, green, and blue respectively. "The daughters of the Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather," she said sheepishly.
"You're the daughter of the three good fairies?" They nodded. "How do you know my name?" he asked, knowing that he'd never actually met them.
"We're big fans of the tourney team," Arborary answered almost sweetly.
"Though obviously not as big a fan as Jane here," Mistywind said as she looked at Jane. "Nice to see you showing some team spirit."
Arborary and Animalia laughed. "She's definitely working on keeping Carlos' morale up," Animalia added causing all three girls to start laughing.
"Carlos, can we go somewhere else?" Jane whispered to him, hoping that the others hadn't heard her.
She wasn't that lucky. "Aw, she wants to leave," Arborary said, mock hurt in her voice, to her other two friends. "I think you should stay Plain Jane."
Carlos picked himself off the ground and then pulled Jane up with him. "If Jane wants to leave, we're going to –"
Carlos didn't finish since Animalia caused her wand to appear in her hand and waved it at him. he opened his mouth to continue speaking, but nothing came out. He looked to Jane for help and saw her frozen in place.
"That's better, no need to have him interrupting us," Arborary said as Animalia twirled her wand in her hand.
"L-leave him alone," Jane said, her voice louder than when she pleaded to Carlos, but still sounding small.
"Look, Jane the Whiner's sticking up for her boyfriend," Animalia said.
"Don't call me that," Jane said, stepping closer to the group of girls. She received a shove from Mistywind that was hard enough to knock her to the ground for her trouble. Carlos immediately reached down to pick Jane up, only have Arborary pull her wand and wave it at the ground. Jane watched as vines sprouted from the ground and wrapped themselves around Carlos' arms and legs, holding him in place.
"This is between us, and the powerless Halfling," she said. "After all, unlike some mothers, ours taught us how to use our powers."
"So…so did mine," Jane stammered.
'Oh really? Show us something," Arborary dared.
Oh crap, why did I say that, she thought.
"Yeah, Jane, dazzle us," Animalia added.
"Personally, I think you're all talk," Mistywind taunted.
Jane closed her eyes and begged for help in her mind. She just hoped that Mal was close enough to hear her. "What, are you gonna cry now, Plain Jane?" Arborary teased. "Then again, what do you expect from the daughter of a traitor to her own kind.
"Screw you," Jane shouted as she leapt off the ground and pushed her hand towards the three trouble causing fairies. Now Carlos watched as the three of them went flying back about five feet, landing hard on the ground.
I did it, she thought with a smile. Her smile faded as she saw the three of them get up and look at her with pure anger in their eyes. Oh crap, I did it. She closed her eyes again and thought…
Mal help.
The rest of Jane and Carlos' friends were back at their couches, laughing at one of the stories they'd told about their summer so far. As Mal was taking a quick drink she felt a rush of fear come over her and she shivered where she sat. Everyone noticed and began looking at her with concern.
"Mal are you alright?" Ben ask as she moved closer to her.
"Um, yeah, I just had this weird feeling come over me. Almost like…"
Mal help.
Mal shivered again, this time almost knocking Ben away from her with how hard she shook. "Jane," she gasped as she grabbed the bottle of water from earlier and poured what was left onto the table while reciting the spell. As the water spread and they waited for the image, everyone crowded around to see what would appear.
Eventually the image cleared and the group watched in shock as they saw Carlos being held by vines while Jane had been backed up against a tree, three girls in blue, red, and green cornering her, wands in their hands, all pointed at Jane.
"Who are they?" Mal asked, her voice even, but still showing her growing anger.
"The daughters of the Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather," Ben answered. "Three of the worst people you could ever hope to meet."
"Yeah," Doug said, his voice growing concerned. "Not as strong as their mothers, but pretty powerful, and their not afraid to use their powers to bully people."
"And they love to bully Jane most of all," Audrey added, actually feeling sorry for Jane.
"Not if I have anything to say about it," Mal said angrily, her eyes glowing green for a second. She got up from the couch and started walking toward the palace grounds. "E," she commanded, knowing that Evie wouldn't need to hear anything else.
"Right behind you," Evie said, the same angered determination in her voice as she got up and followed behind Mal.
"Oh, I am not missing this," Audrey said as she got off Jay's lap and went after the other VK girls. After a few steps, she turned back toward the group, "Aren't you coming?"
