Chapter 18

Departure


North County: Sion's House September 9th 11:23 PM


The party had finished and everyone left with the frightening knowledge of exactly what the Virgo held. Gathered in the living room was the core group of Nall, Ruby, Kaname, Caitlin, Jamie, Kyle, Jeff, Christy, Karen, Sion, and talking on her phone Amy Brinkstone.

"I think it went well." Nall looked around the room for agreement but found everyone was deep in thought. "Bunch of social people aren't we."

"Huh?" Sion caught the last of Nall's statement not having paid attention.

"I said you're all so damn quiet."

Ruby gently laid her hand on Nall's shoulder. "It can't be helped hun, their all about to do something really dangerous. You'd be thinking about it too if you weren't so used to it."

Nall sighed and laid back. Resting his head in Ruby's lap as he stared up into her eyes, "I guess you're right."

Amy ran back into the room her ear still glued to her phone. "You've got to check this out." Quickly she turned on the TV and the local news broadcast was on.

"Today a private military organization has successfully kicked out the socialist regime out of North Korea's capitol. In a surprise attack that actually involved a number of the DPRK's own military men in addition to members of the private organization known as Horizon, successfully took the palace in North Korea's capitol and swept through the homes of high ranking officials. The leader of Horizon met with President Stevenson a few hours ago and its rumored the President has agreed to send over US forces to help Horizon wipe out the remains of North Korea's old government out of the country. The US has already sent more troops over to guard South Korea during the assault on the North. More as this story develops."

Sion turned to Nall. "This is really fishy, especially since the Virgo were just there."

Nall stood. "We can't be entirely sure. Besides if we try and go against this Horizon group when they just 'saved' North Korea no one will listen to us."

"I guess you're right. So what do we do?"

Nall turned to the group. "For now? We go to sleep. Tomorrow we wrap all the loose ends and head out to the water temple."

Caitlin got concerned. "What about our families? Won't the Virgo target them to get to us?"

Nall smiled. "Already taken care of Caitlin. They'll be coming over later on. We've been assured they'll be guarded by US marshals."

"Why can't they just come with us?"
Ruby placed her hand on the teen shoulder. "We don't want them to disturb you when we need you to concentrate on this mission. Besides how would we fit them all in the plane?"

Caitlin sighed. "I guess you're right, but everyone in here will be going right?"

Sion stared daggers at Kyle when Caitlin asked that question. Nall detected Sion's reaction but relented. "Yes Caitlin everyone, even Kyle."

Sion saw Caitlin smile and it made him boil, but he remembered the talk they had. He didn't have to get along with Kyle, but he better be nice to him.


North County Sion's HouseSeptember 9th 10:45 PM


The next morning came quickly enough for the group. Although it was cramped everyone managed to find a place to sleep. Since Caitlin and Kyle slept separately Sion and Jamie decided to do the same thing. Sion woke up groggily stretching as the cold air hit him as soon as he came out from the blanket. The playroom he woke up in was the designated boys sleeping area, while Sion's room was occupied by the girls.

"Morning man, slept well?" Jeff had always been a better morning person than Sion.

"With all your snoring…" Sion yawned between his sentence. "How on earth could I."

"Yea, yea. Don't make me go get a bucket of cold water."

"You'd dump cold water on the Dragonmaster?"

Jeff sat thinking for awhile "yea."

Sion laughed. "Yea I guess you would."

Over on the couch Kyle grumbled and turned over pulling the covers tightly around him. Jeff pointed over towards him and whispered in Sion's ear. "Wanna get back at him?"

"How?"

"Like this." Jeff stood up and walked over near Kyle. He bent over and whispered in his ear. "Kyle time to wake up." Kyle once again grumbled and turned away from Jeff burying his face into his pillow.

Jeff shrugged and went into the bathroom. Sion heard water running and a few seconds Jeff emerged with a wet wash cloth. A smile spread across both boys faces as they approached the sleeping Kyle Ross.

"Ahh holy shit!"

The scream had quickly woken up Jamie as well as the rest of the girls in Sion's room. Jamie quickly grabbed her pistol from her bag and ran towards the play room. Jeff froze like a deer in headlights when he saw Jamie had the gun leveled at him. It didn't take her a second to lower the weapon when she realized the situation.

"I can't believe you two."

By now the other girls had gathered near the doorway to the playroom. Amy, Kaname, Christy, and Karen all had a smile on their face and were giggling at Kyle's expense. Caitlin rolled her eyes but it was apparent she was holding back a laugh as well. She walked up to Kyle and grabbed his hand.

"You were sleeping in huh?"

Kyle looked shocked. "You're taking their side?"

Caitlin sighed. "No, come on get up. We're going change and meet you all down stairs, hurry up we're hungry."

Sion smiled. "Yea sure we'll be down in a second."

The girls left the room. Sion and Jeff laughed. "Better hurry Kyle, wouldn't want you to miss breakfast."

Sion and Jeff quickly changed and ran downstairs where Nall and Ruby were already waiting for them. Kyle got out of the couch and changed, a very pissed expression plastered onto his face. "Just wait Sion, you'll get yours." A phone rang from Kyle's bag. Checking the caller ID he looked around to make sure no one could hear him. "Yea"

Sure enough the entire group minus Kyle was waiting in the kitchen. Nall had them all gathered around the table and started to go over the plans for the day. Most of the girls would be going on a supply run headed by Jamie as she knew what they needed best. Nall, Sion, and Karen would be going to deal with the DoD and finalizing their report with the government. Kyle would accompany the girls on their shopping trip. Ruby and Jeff would be going over to the jet to secure it and look it over.

As they were finishing up the planning for the day Kyle came down the stairs. Most of the group scattered to get their individual task finished as they were all to meet up for dinner with their families before jumping on the jet for Japan. Kyle walked over to Caitlin not knowing what had been planned.

"You sure took your sweet time." Caitlin was a little annoyed by her boyfriends laziness.

"Sorry I had to clean up from my wakeup call. What's the deal?"

"We're assigned to gather supplies with Jamie, Amy, and Kaname. You're the driver."

Kyle sighed. "Great the demon girl and her friends."

Jamie quickly turned around. "I heard that moron. I've gotten men much larger than you to obey orders, I'm sure I won't have trouble with a boy like you."

Caitlin smiled, "Better be careful Kyle."

"Yea, yea."


North County: ATF Field OfficeSeptember 9th 11:13AM


"Why exactly did I have to come here?" Karen looked up at the larger building.

"I figured it would be better to keep you with me since you didn't know the girls too well. Besides, with your dad so well known around here it'll keep these guys on their toes" Sion kept walking towards the entry door. Nall and Karen close behind him.

A man taking a smoke break outside spotted Sion and visibly paled. He ran inside quickly. "Sion what exactly did you do the last time you were here?"

"Well they were going to try and arrest me so I had to give a little demonstration. Let's just say they had to buy a new lie detector afterwards."

Nall smiled. "That explains it."

Entering the building the receptionist instantly spotted Sion's party and buzzed someone on the intercom. "Sir Mr. Nickson and his friends are here to see you."

"Send them right up."

Sion recognized the man's voice as Mr. McDaniel. The same DoD officer he had encountered the last time he had come here. The receptionist handed them their visitor ID badges with a slightly shaky hand. Sion calmly accepted them and smiled. "Don't worry, you're the last person I'd want to hurt."

The receptionist calmed some and showed them to a meeting room. Mr. McDaniel was already sitting down at the table, some files in hand. Nall sat in the center of the table with Sion flanking his right, and Karen at his left.

"Nall it's good to finally meet face to face." Mr. McDaniel extended his hand. Nall shook it but held back any compliments.

"So Sion tells me yesterday's tests didn't go so well?"

McDaniel stiffened. "Well we had some difficulties, but I assure you there'll be no more problems from here on out."

Sion sighed in disgust. "Hope not."

McDaniel got a little worried but calmed himself placing some files on the table. "We already got samples of your blood and such from your local hospital. I also have your testimony and read over it carefully last night."

Sion got interested. "…and?"

"There are many things in it to consider, however I believe the President would like to hear your story in person. However their might be some problems."

Nall grew annoyed. "Such as?"

"Well the boy can't be disarmed. If we let him meet face to face with the President it would be like letting a man with an automatic rifle in there with him."

Sion sighed. "I see your point."

"I can restrict his powers."

McDaniel sighed. "And what proof do I have you can do this? Just your word? I don't think so Nall. We have agreed to a televised live broadcast he's waiting for you in a neighboring conference room."

Nall stood with Sion and Karen as they were ushered into another room. Sion was swept by cameras and TV screens, Nall and Karen seated near him. Soon the President's office came into view. Sion was amazed to see President Stevenson on the screen.

"Mr. President."

"At ease Sion. I'd like to hear your story of the past several months."

"Yes sir."

Sion started to go over the events from Lucia's first contact to his arrival in North County days before.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­---

"I can't believe we need this much stuff." Kyle dredged behind the group of girls lugging tons of food and other supplies.

"It's necessary Kyle. Just shut it and keep up." Jamie walked ahead of the group marching onward. Kaname wasn't far behind her she quickly caught up and whispered in Jamie's ear.

"I know it's hard, but can't you be a little nicer to him?"

Jamie shook her head and spoke softly so only Kaname could hear her, "If I was it'd just make it that much harder on Sion. That moron can handle me shouting at him."

"If you say so."

Kaname dropped back. Amy was caught between her two groups of friends wishing everyone would put aside the differences between them. Kaname saw Amy's worried expression. "It'll be fine, stop worrying."

Amy smiled. "I know. Honestly it's refreshing to think about this rather than what we're getting into."

"I know what you mean."

Amy didn't know much about the blue haired girl, but she started to feel closer to her. It was nice making new friends. "You seem to have held up great since your capture."

"It wasn't honestly the worst in the world. They kept me prisoner in a palace and I ate like royalty. Dressed in clothes only stars could afford and they kept me in a pretty lavish room."

Amy was surprised. "So nothing bad happened to you?"

"Well they had this deal where they'd put me to sleep once a week and get all this information from me in my sleep, but I was never awake for it."

"You weren't scared?"

"Of course I was, sometimes. I missed my mom, they made me think the Japanese government had kidnapped her and were going to convict her of treason. When I found out what they were doing to me in my sleep it freaked me out. I even heard one of them say they wanted to kill me, that terrified me."

"But you got out alright."

"Yea Jamie and Sion helped me out big time. Those two have it the worst of all. Sion's got all that responsibility, and Jamie's lived her whole life basically like an orphan."

Amy looked down at the ground a worried expression grew on her face. "I wonder what it's going to be like?"

"Perk up. You've got a ton of people going with you. It'll be more like an adventure."

Amy smiled. "Yeah I guess so."

Caitlin grabbed a few of the things Kyle was carrying to ease his load. "Sorry she's being so tough on you."

Kyle wanted to agree and curse Jamie as much as possible, but starting an argument would only cast a spotlight on him and he'd rather keep a low profile. "Naw it's alright, 'sides I'm the only guy. That makes me the honorary pack mule."

Caitlin laughed. "I guess you're right. Thanks for coming with me."

Kyle smiled. "'Course, wouldn't miss it."

Caitlin locked her arm with Kyle's. "No, I mean for coming with me on this whole adventure."

"Can't let you go without me, now can I?"

Caitlin smiled at Kyle's friendliness, little did she know what was going on in his mind. "Besides this trip is earning me another cool million."

---

"I know absolutely nothing about planes, why am I here?" Jeff aimlessly wandered around the planes exterior waiting for Ruby to emerge.

"Relax, everything we need to do is in this manual." Ruby threw the book in question to Jeff as he walked into the cabin.

"Are you kidding? This things bigger than North County's phone book!"

"Nall just said to do a few things. I'll let you handle page one hundred forty five."

Jeff flipped to the page and paled. "Oh hell no, there's no way I'm emptying the septic tank."

A horn honk got both of their attention. Ruby smirked. "That'll be the ground crew, better go help them with that septic tank while I take care of things here."

"Why me?"

"Do you know how to run the diagnostics on the planes computer and plot our course?"

"No."

"Well then you have potty duty."

Jeff sighed defeated and walked outside. "Alright guys lets suck out some shit!" Jeff yelled out to the ground crew.

---

"That's quite a story Sion."

"Its all true Mr. President."

President Stevenson pushed back in his chair and seemed deep in thought for a second.

"I'm sure you heard the news on North Korea today didn't you Sion?"

"Yes sir."

Another pause before the President continued. "You see Sion, confidently we had some of our own men over there as well during the assault. I'm afraid we never found anything like what you mentioned in the palace or any group called 'The Virgo'."

Nall could sense something wasn't right. Sion didn't know what to say.

"I don't understand sir. The video of my capture was broadcast here in the states. Didn't the Virgo claim responsibility."

"Yes they did. However we don't have any hard evidence to prove the Virgo even exist. Congress would just argue the video was fabricated if I tried to use it as proof."

"I understand sir."

"Sion, if you can bring me hard evidence that Virgo exists and where they're operating I can get you support, but until then my hands are tied. I'm already facing opposition about the situation in North Korea. I can't run off on a wild goose chase now."

"Yes sir, I'll make it a priority to get you the evidence you need."

"Thank you Sion. Good luck to you, and your friends."

"Thank you sir."

The video conference ended. McDaniel had quietly been talking on his cell phone in the hall. After the conference ended he rejoined the party. "The President has requested I don't perform any further tests on you Sion. You and your friends are free to go."

Sion nodded and his party stood to leave. At the door way Mr. McDaniel's gently grabbed Sion's shoulder. "I know we got off on the wrong foot, but I hope you get that evidence."

"Thanks."

Walking out of the DoD office Sion could tell Nall was worried about something. Karen quickly walked to the car and jumped in the front seat. Sion hung back to talk to Nall. "Something bothering you?"

"It's too convenient. The Virgo disappear, and a huge uprising happens in a few days. By a private military organization no less."

"You think they're connected to the Virgo?"

"I don't think their connected I think they are the Virgo. I just don't know how we're going to go about this."

Both jumped when Karen honked the car's horn trying to get the two to hurry up. Sion continued the conversation as they got in the car.

"It'll be a sticky situation since the US military's already in bed with them over this North Korea deal."

"That's just the tip of the iceberg. Even if we do prove Horizon is Virgo the US won't be able to just turn their guns on them. It's like the Virgo have got them hostage, and they don't even know it."

"Don't they have a numerical advantage?"

Nall sighed. "No, they don't. The US will only send a small force since defending South Korea is a bigger priority. That and the fact Horizon has got a large percentage of the DPRK's old military on their side."

"What the heck are you two talking about?"

Sion calmly pulled the car onto the beltline. "We think that private military group that took over North Korea today is actually the Virgo."

"You've got to be shitting me."

Nall poked his head up from the back. "I wish we were, this is going to make the situation much more difficult."


North County: Sion's HomeSeptember 9th 2:15 PM


Everyone had gathered back at the Nickson's after accomplishing their tasks. Jamie and her crew had procured some equipment and food stuffs to stock the plane for their journey. Nall and party had finished their dealings with the DoD, and Ruby and Jeff had checked on the plane and readied it for take off.

Sion looked among the group for his best friend, yet to be found. "Ruby, did Jeff come back with you?"

"Of course, he's in the shower."

Ruby noticed Sion's confused look. "I made him empty the planes septic tank, he didn't do it right and some spilled on him."

The mental image made everyone cringe and Sion instantly felt bad Jeff had to deal with his shit, literally.

Jamie was a little anxious to get the ball rolling. "Nall what's the plan for the rest of the day."

"We'll I figured we'd just relax, eat dinner, and pack up the plane. We're not in any rush since Lucia will just warp us over to the base."

"Fine, I'm going to go check over the supplies." Jamie left the group and went outside.

Sion easily detected the stress in Jamie's voice. "Something happen on the shopping trip?"

Kaname shook her head. "No, nothing. She mainly just kept to herself."

"Humm, ya'll go relax. I'm going to go check on her." Sion excused himself and went off to look for his girlfriend.

Outside the temperature was pretty cold even though it was later in the afternoon. Sion quickly spotted Jamie sitting at a picnic table staring out into the woods. She turned around when she heard Sion walking up on her.

"Checking the supplies huh?"

Jamie sighed. "Oh hush, it's not like everyone else is working."

Sion took a seat next to his girlfriend and wrapped his arms around her waist. "What's wrong?"

Jamie leaned back into Sion's grasp. "I just got to thinking, being around all these people. It made me wonder what it'd be like to have a normal life."

"Normal?"

"Yeah, like having a mother and dad who raised me. Growing up in a decent neighborhood and going to a normal school. College, a job…" Jamie paused "…and maybe later on a family."

Sion smiled. "There's plenty of time to do things like that after were done with all this."

"I know, it's just…I don't think I'll ever be normal. Not after all I've been through."

Sion turned Jamie around to face him and cupped her chin gently with his hand. "Who you are now is the girl I care about most. Don't ever doubt who you are." He gently kissed her and noticed she was smiling afterwards.

"Thanks."

"Any time. Now what do you say we go join everyone else."

"Sounds like fun."

The young couple ran inside to meet up with the others. One member of the group however was missing. Out back of the house Kyle had his cell phone pressed to his ear. He constantly glanced around him making sure no one was around. Speaking in a low voice to conceal his conversation he plotted with the man on the other end.

"Yeah tonight, we're supposed to be leaving on the private jet to go back to Japan."

"How long should the flight take."

"Not long, they said something about us warping over to the base."

"Have they voiced any large concerns?"

"Something about the invasion of North Korea this morning, Sion and Nall were pretty concerned about it when they got back from the DoD."

"Anything else?"

"Not that I know of, I can't be calling this frequently though. Once I'm in Japan my phone isn't going to work and there going to be able to watch me twenty four seven."

"We'll leave an international blackberry on the plane for you. Don't use it unless you have something to report and use SMS. Until you leave the base in Japan for a Dragon's cave don't contact us unless it's important."

"That's fine, about my money."

"It will be taken care of Mr. Ross. Just do your job."

"Got it."

The call ended and Kyle walked back into the house. He got scared when he ran into Nall on the way in.

"What are you doing out here?"

"Just called my 'rents to say goodbye."

Nall looked at Kyle suspiciously but stepped aside to let him in.

"There's something about him I don't like."

("I know, but there's nothing we can do. None of us can read thoughts.")

"It'd still be a good idea to keep an eye on him."

("If Caitlin finds out she'd be inclined to back out.")

"Don't worry Lucia, we'll keep it discreet."

---

Later that night the group stood outside hanger 17, solemn expressions on their faces. The dinner had been quiet. The parents had come over and ate with their kids for what would be their last meal for awhile. They knew they'd be joining them soon, but everyone knew it wouldn't be soon enough.

Sion didn't have much of an appetite. It wasn't the fact he was leaving home, again, even though he'd miss his family. It was actually more bearable this time as his friends would be traveling with him. It just hit him, while he was sitting at that table, that he was responsible for protecting everyone on this planet. His parents, his friends, people he had never met, even his own enemies, he was going to fight to protect them all.

The thought stayed with Sion the entire trip to the plane. The families had agreed not to come to the airport for safety concerns, not to mention the emotional toil it would take seeing them fly off. The press had been kept strictly in the dark, and the DoD had arranged guards to escort Sion and his friends to the plane and make sure the flight was uninterrupted.

By now Sion was known internationally. The world over had broadcast the amazing story of the young boy who was thought dead and almost a year later turns up popping out of a magical portal. It was something out of a movie script.

"Sion, you still with us bud?" Jeff was waiting for Sion at the base of the plane's stairs. The others had gone inside the cabin.

"Yea sorry." Lugging his duffle bag Sion boarded the plane behind Jeff and pulled the ramp up.

After securing the door and getting everyone situated Sion and Nall went to the cockpit to get things rolling.

"North County ground November ninner eight ninner Charlie x-ray is ready for push back at hanger 17."

"Roger Charlie x-ray we'll send a crew your way."

"Thanks, Charlie x-ray out."

Sion started going through the planes computer checking over the weather information above the airport and around the base in Japan. Since they weren't going to be flying exactly from point A to B they didn't need to look over much.

"Hey Sion how do we start the movie?"

Sion felt his temper rise when he heard Kyle's question, but he didn't want to disappoint Caitlin. "You can't till we're started up."

"Well start it already man we're all getting... ow!"

"Shut up already he's trying to get the plane ready!"

Sion smiled when he heard Jamie's voice. He felt even more at ease when he heard Caitlin laughing along with the others at Kyle's expense.

"Don't worry about it Kyle, you won't have time to watch a movie anyways."

Headlights pulled into view as the ground crew hooked the tractor to the planes front wheel and pulled it out of the hanger and onto the tarmac.

Sion tuned the radio to the frequency the DoD had given him. "This is Alpha One ready to taxi to the runway."

"Roger Alpha One all air traffic in the area will be halted for ten minutes. Ground traffic will be held for the next five. Get to runway 23 left and take off immediately."

"Roger Alpha One."

Sion tapped the auto start button and the planes computer started to bring the plane to life. The engines roared to life and Sion gently pushed the throttle forward as the huge jet slowly traveled to the runway.

"You going to miss it?" Nall looked at Sion, slightly concerned.

Sion looked out the cockpit windows at the airport of his home town, then smiled. "I'm not leaving, I'm just going on a trip."

Nall looked slightly confused, then understanding he smiled as well. "Yea…I guess you're right."


Water Temple: RunwaySeptember 10th 10:34PM


Sion flipped the planes main power supply as the jets slowly churned themselves down, the plane now sitting on the Water Temple's main tarmac. Looking through the door Sion recognized several faces including Kaname's mother Dr. Ami Konishi.

Walking back to the cabin he smiled at his friends. The ones from North County were staring out the window excited. The complex looked pretty old from the outside. Completely carved out of stone, however Sion was anxious to show them the modern inside of the complex.

Nall lowered the ramp, and once again the members of the Water Temple rushed to the plane to greet their returning friends.

News had spread amongst the people that a special ceremony would be performed once Nall's party returned, and the Temple of Trials would be reopened to everyone. The rumor of course had been blown up as it had been passed down the chain. Some expected Sion to emerge from the plane donned in the ancient armor of the Dragonmaster, other's whispered the Dragonmaster had already done battle with some of Virgo's minions. Of course they were all somewhat disappointed when Sion, Nall, Kaname, Ruby, and Jamie came out of the plane as normal looking as they had boarded it. However there was some excitement when several newcomers stepped off the plane.

Kaname of course ran off to spend time with her mother. Nall was caught up with many of the children that had rushed him with questions. The North County gang also was bombarded with questions from the Temple's inhabitants, but backed down when Ruby told them she was taking them to their rooms.

Sion and Jamie managed to doge everyone running down a hidden path near the planes parking place that led them down into the underground hanger.

"Man that brings back memories." Sion smiled as they ran down the path. He held onto Jamie's hand tightly as he led her down the dark passage.

"Yep just like when you showed up here the first time. How'd you find this path?"

"Nall showed it to me one day. When we came down it, it was covered in cobwebs I've been trying to keep it cleaned out."

"Well it sure came in handy."

"Tell me about it."

After a few minutes the familiar sight of the illuminated ocean dancing across the stone cavern's ceilings greeted their eyes.

"This place never gets old." Sion stepped closer to the dock and let his feet dangle above the water, Jamie did the same.

"Nope, it's really comfortable here too. Lets me relax and think." Jamie folded her hands behind her head and laid back on the dock, watching the light show above her.

"So, did Nall tell you what's going to happen?"

"Ruby's going to get everyone we brought over settled. I think we freaked enough of them out by teleporting all the way over here. Tomorrow we'll have an early lunch, give them a tour, relax, and at Dinner we'll be addressing everyone."

Jamie sat up and looked down at the water. "Then the ceremony."

"Yeah." Sion looked over at Jamie and was confused she looked so distraught. "Something wrong?"

"It's just…well." Jamie looked embarrassed to continue. "It's stupid, but what if I'm not the girl you're supposed to kiss?"

"It wouldn't mean anything to me, you know that."

"But it would mean something to me!" Jamie surprised herself how loudly she had yelled. "I'm sorry."

Sion didn't know what to say. He had never really seen Jamie so unconfident, especially over something like a forced kiss.

Not knowing what else to do Sion gently let his arm fall around her neck and drew her close to him. She leaned over and laid her head in her lap. "I'm sorry, I'm not supposed to be like this."

Sion still didn't follow. "Like what?"

"Weak."

Now Sion really was surprised. Even if he rarely saw Jamie unsure of herself he never knew her to admit it, especially admitting she was weak.

"You're not weak hun, you're just worried. I'd wish you'd tell me everything that's bothering you so I could make you feel better."

"Well…it's just that I used up so much energy to keep myself going normally when we broke up before North County. I had to face your parents with them never knowing what we were. I had to face your ex-girlfriend while she thought you had been thinking about her the entire time you were here. I had to sit there and watch her hang all over you and not do anything about it, and what was worst is when I was hurting or wanted to scream I couldn't lean on you. Now it's like I have to go through it all over again. I'll stand where I'm told to, and just have to watch while you kiss someone else."

Sion lifted Jamie up and hugged her as tightly as he could; when he backed off he kissed her. Still holding her he pushed back slightly and looked at her. "Jamie, I love you, and I always will. Trust me I know how stupid my decision was to break it off with you to see how Caitlin felt. I'll always be sorry I did that. Remember though I choose you, not her, or anyone else, and if I had to make that choice a thousand times over I'd still choose you"

Jamie smiled. "Thanks."

"Not a problem."

Jamie grabbed at Sion's shirt and drew him close whispering in his ear. "You know Aunt Ruby offered to let Caitlin and Kyle sleep in the same room."

Sion didn't follow. "And?"

"Well that means we can too. Besides if you don't I heard her mention you, Jeff, and Kyle are bunking together."

Sion didn't like the idea of rooming with Kyle at all. "Where does that leave me?"

"My room, silly." Jamie pulled Sion up and started to tug him towards the dorm area.

"Wait, why are we heading back, isn't it a little early to go to sleep?"

Jamie smiled and placed her lips near Sion's ear, her voice barley a whisper. "Who said we'd be sleeping?"

Jamie then pulled a stuttering Sion Nickson along into the dormitory.

Meanwhile in the dormitory Kyle and Caitlin we're settling down into their room. Caitlin was unpacking her things, still a little uneasy about her decision to room with Kyle. Kyle on the other hand had his things already put away. He was sitting on the edge of the bed staring at Caitlin.

"You need help unpacking?"

"No I'm fine, thanks." The sentence came out a lot quicker than Caitlin had intended.

Kyle moved off the bed and began to make his way toward her. "Is something wrong?"

"No, it's just…" Caitlin didn't have the time to finish before Kyle wrapped his arms around her from behind. She froze and Kyle spun her around to meet his gaze.

He brushed her hair back and she seemed to relax some. "Tell me what's wrong?"

"It's stupid, it's just I've never roomed with a guy before."

Kyle smiled. "Well there's a first for everything." Kyle gently cupped Caitlin's chin and brought her lips to his.

A soft moan escaped Caitlin as Kyle started to rub her cheek bone, hitting a pressure point that sent pleasure throughout her body.

Slowly Kyle started to guide Caitlin towards the bed as their make out session started to get heavier. Once Kyle had Caitlin against the bed he pushed forward and she gently glided on top of the bed.

Feeling daring Kyle inserted his hand underneath the bottom of her shirt. He was happy when Caitlin didn't fight back and played with her belly button. When he got another moan he quickly moved his hand north towards her bra. However when Caitlin felt Kyle's fingers trying to push the undergarment aside she quickly pushed him back away from her.

"What the heck, what's wrong Caitlin?"

"I knew something was wrong with this. We haven't even been together a week Kyle and you're already trying to get in my pants?"

"Babe what's wrong? You were going along with it too?"

Caitlin's face got red. "You know what? I'm fixing this mistake pronto." Caitlin reached in a drawer and grabbed Kyle's duffle bag, throwing it at him. "Go and bunk with Jeff now."

Kyle was baffled, no girl had treated him like this before. "Come on Caitlin, I'm sorry I won't go any further."

"You're right you won't, and if you don't get out not ever!"

Next thing Kyle knew he was out in the hallway muttering to himself. "If it wasn't for the money, there'd be no way I'd put up with this shit."

Defeated Kyle walked down the hall to find his new room.

---

"Oh nooo way, not yet!" Jeff screamed from the room.

"Oh yeaaaa right there Jeffy!" Christy was roaring almost in anticipation.

"Oh hell yeah he's almost hit my spot, there he goes hit it hit it!" Amy was excited.

"Damnit, how'd you get both blue spaces and build a hotel on Boardwalk that quick?"

Amy and Christy's laughter echoed down the hall. "Aww Jeffy, it's alright if you lost quick. Most guys don't last that long right Amy?"

Amy grabbed all of Jeff's money and started to count it. "Heck not half that long. Me and Christy are the champs at Monopoly."

Jeff got up off the floor and helped the girls put the game away. "It figures, I mean who actually packs a Monopoly board in their luggage."

Amy smiled and went to answer a knock at the door. She was surprised when she saw Kyle standing with his bag.

"I'm afraid I've been thrown out for the night. Can I stay here?"

Neither girl had a big problem with Kyle so in a 2 to 1 vote the girls decided Kyle could bunk with Jeff. Jeff grumbled and went over to his bed to make it up.

Kaname entered the room surprised everyone was ready for bed. "What are you all doing its only ten thirty?"

Jeff looked confused.

"Figures they didn't tell you. We're having the tour of the complex tonight instead of tomorrow. All you hurry up and get dressed."

Amy remembered Caitlin would be by herself and wouldn't know so she ran down the hall to find her room, she stopped though when she heard some moaning sounds. Thinking nothing of it Amy ran off down the hall to get Caitlin. She found her friend sitting in her room a few tears in her eyes from a fight she must have had with Kyle.

"Caitlin, we've got to go on the tour now, they moved it up to tonight."

"I'll be right out, I've just got to clean up."

"Are you alright?" Amy sat next to her friend and put an arm around her.

"I'm fine, I just had a fight with Kyle."

"You want to talk about it. We've got a little while before we have to leave."

"Sure."

Meanwhile in Jamie's room down the hall two people weren't exactly dressed for the tour. Covered by the bed sheets both Sion and Jamie laid in bed, their energy spent.

"Now you believe I've only got eyes for you?"

Jamie smiled. "After that you could kiss Caitlin and I wouldn't care." Moving closer to Sion she kissed him. "After all, they say you can never forget your first time."

Sion smiled. He was about to return the kiss when a knock at the door startled them both.

"Dude we've gotta go on some tour now, they moved it to tonight."

Sion was very thankful Jeff hadn't opened the door. Climbing out of Jamie's bed Sion quickly threw on his underwear, pants, shirt, and some shoes. He blushed when he turned and saw Jamie climb out of the bed naked. She stopped and stood near the bed smirking at Sion.

"Like what you see Dragonmaster."

"More than you'll ever know."

Laughing Jamie got dressed and sprayed some perfume on herself. Walking towards Sion she instantly picked up a smell and pointed him towards the bathroom.

"I'll be fine, but I think you better grab a quick shower. We don't want to broadcast what we did to the group do you?"

Sion felt a shiver move up his spine when he thought about the other girls reactions. "You're right, we've got a few minutes anyways."

("She's right, any bad feelings right now would mess up the entire ceremony.")

"Fuck, Lucia!?"

Jamie's face had dread written all over it. "She knows?"

("Of course I do, I can see everything you can Sion.")

"Shit I forgot. She can see what I see and all that mumbo jumbo. Lucia you can keep a secret from Nall right?"

("Are you kidding? I'd never tell him. He'd go blabbing it around and it'd only be a matter of time before Caitlin heard.")

Sion relaxed. "She said she'd keep it a secret. It's a good thing Jeff warned me or otherwise…." Sion tensed up as soon as he realized what he said. "Wait, how did Jeff know I was in your room?"

"Relax, he probably just thought you'd be here with me to sleep, or get away from Kyle. We were finished by the time he knocked."

Sion sighed and walked into the bathroom. "We'll know for sure when I see him. If he knows he won't be able to stop smiling."

After a quick shower and getting changed Sion made sure to dry his hair erasing any evidence he and Jamie had been physical. Running down the hall with Jamie the two quickly arrived at the meeting place in the garden. They were late however as everyone looked at them when they ran up.

"What took you two so long?" Sion quickly looked at Jeff's face and saw no trace of a smile. "Good he doesn't know what's up."

"I was grabbing a shower while Jamie unpacked. You knocked while I was in the middle of it."

"Oh."

Nall cleared his throat getting everyone's attention. "If I can start. I'm sorry we had to do this so late in the evening, but Ruby has a lot of work to do with the girls tomorrow, and we figured it be best you knew your way around before you got up tomorrow. So if you'll follow me."

The group filed in behind Nall. Sion and Jamie fell to the back of the line. Ruby fell back to walking between Sion and Jamie.

"So Lucia mentioned the real reason you two were late to me." Ruby used telepathy to keep the conversation private. Jamie froze and Sion kept walking, he tugged Jamie along.

"Lucia I thought we'd keep this between us?"

("No I said I'd keep it from Nall. We never said anything about Ruby.")

"Aunt Ruby you can't tell Uncle Nall." Jamie whispered to Ruby.

Even Ruby's laughter came across telepathically. "Hun I'd never tell him otherwise it'd be all over the temple, not to mention Sion's friends, some who might not be too thrilled at the news."

"Ruby I can explain it was…"

"Hush Sion its fine. Just be safe about it ok?"

Jamie and Sion smiled and held hands together. Both of them agreed with Ruby. "We promise."

Ruby nodded and walked back to the front of the line to join her husband who was now into a lengthy discussion of the Temple of Trials they were walking past. Jamie and Sion both breathed a sigh of relief at Ruby's reaction. Luckily Lucia telling her gave them an ally instead of something to worry about.


Water Temple Dorm: Jamie's RoomSeptember 11th 7:35 AM


Jamie stretched her arms when the sunlight hit her eyes. Not used to sleeping in at the Water Temple she smiled when she realized how rested she felt. Looking to the other side of the bed she saw Sion still resting peacefully.

"If the Dragonmaster sleeps past 7 how are we supposed to count on him defending the world."

Sion turned over letting the pillow block his hearing. He grumbled. "I'm not even starting the quest 'till after we leave here."

"Better to get used to it now."

"You're not waking me up."

Jamie smiled and leaned down to kiss Sion. When he didn't respond she licked his lips with her tongue. Sion jolted awake. "Ok so I was wrong, I'm wide awake."

Jamie giggled. "I thought so, hurry up and get dressed. I heard Uncle Nall mention some training for your guy friends while Ruby deals with the girls."

"Jeff isn't going to like that."

Jamie wrapped her arms around Sion. "But just think how much you can torture Kyle."

Sion smiled. Grabbing one of Jamie's arms he rotated around to meet her face her arms now wrapped around his neck and within nose distance of each other's face. "You always know how to put a silver lining around things."

"Do I?"

Sion gently kissed Jamie and started to rise out of the bed. "It's one of the many things I love about you."

Sion quickly washed up while Jamie changed into her day clothes. Sion kept the bathroom door opened so they could talk while getting ready.

"I wonder how everyone's doing. Karen was kind of sucked out of her environment without a friend to tag along."

"What do you mean?"

"Well think about it. You've got plenty of people here, plus me. Jeff has Christy and everyone else. Caitlin has Amy and Kyle. Karen doesn't really know anyone here."

Jamie finished getting ready. Standing in the bathroom door way wearing a pair of blue jeans, t-shirt, and tennis shoes she glanced towards her boyfriend who was also changing into his attire for the day.

"Would you like me to try and open up to her?"

"It would mean a lot, if you can get Kaname to help out too I'm sure Karen would appreciate it."

"Sure."

A hard knock at the door startled them for a second. "You two hurry up. I'm not waking up all these slackers by myself."

"Alright Uncle Nall!"

"We better go, this is going to be a long morning."

"Tell me about it."


Water Temple: Dining Room Private Wing September 11th 8:07AM


After running around for a few minutes Jamie, Nall, and Sion had managed to get everyone up and ready. Grabbing a quick breakfast Nall started to address the group of the day's work.

"Since you got the tour last night it opened up some time for us to get the ball rolling. The girls will go with Ruby and get fitted for their robes for tonight's ceremony. After that they'll be joining us men who will already be hard at work training up for the journey ahead. That includes a three mile run this morning, shooting practice, and some basic instruction in military tactics. Got me?"

A resounding yes sir filled the dining room. Kyle looked uninterested and attracted Nall's attention.

"Something wrong Kyle?"

"I don't see why I have to do this."

Nall smiled. "Ah lack of motivation. We can fix that. Let me assign you someone I know will put some motivation in you, Sion?"

"Yes sir?"

"I want you to personally assist Kyle in his lack of motivation during today's training, think you can do that?"

A grin stretched across Sion's face as he turned to look at his new pupil. "Oh yes sir, I'll make sure he gives 110 percent"


End Chapter 18

Well if it didn't take over half a year to finally get this update out…sorry for such a long wait. School's been crazy and this semester is looking to be one of the harder ones. I am still working on chapter 19 but it's only a little over two pages long at this point. You can check its progress through the message boards. Thanks to both my BETA's for working on this Calistar Heir and Faust Ragnarok. I would like to promise a release time for chapter 19, but at this point it's impossible, all I can promise is that IT WILL COME. Get a free user ID at me message board (follow the 'My Website' link in my profile) and check that site for story progress and tons of other stuff. And as always PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!