Disclaimer: I don't own Criss Angel or Mindfreak. Only my characters.

To DarkInuyashaAngel101: Thanks for the review. XD And yeah, I know right. Don't be surprised if she acts somewhat like you too.

To: SigGirl: Thanks a lot. I'm really glad you liked it!

Vittoria and Ali arrived downstairs and wasn't exactly surprised at what was going on. Criss Angel plus Las Vegas equals crowd.

And in Ali's mind. Criss plus crowd, always equal something spectacular.

Ali's Pov

I was so excited. Soon as we got downstairs and I saw the crowd, I shoved Vittoria towards it in a rush. I seriously didn't want to miss anything. Vittoria, although she did promise to liven up, didn't look to happy about it, but hey, like she said, this is a once in a lifetime thing!

So, we….well….I, shifted through a large group of people so I could get up front to see what was going on. Vittoria volunteered to stay close to the back.

"I don't really care", she said.

I flashed her a sad face and to cover up herself, she added, "We'll see more when there isn't a lot of people are around. Remember?"

So I let her have that and went on.

But I seriously don't get it. His tricks may not be real, but they do give you one thing. Hope. That if you work hard, you can do anything you want to. I wanted to be big in the drama area, but I'm still just a novice getting nowhere fast. I believe that if I don't give up hope, then maybe my hard work just might pay off.

Vittoria was the same. An aspiring musician, majoring in four different instruments, and the best band teacher our hometown had ever seen, and no recognition at all. Vittoria was losing confidence fast. She didn't think that she was going to get anywhere and her confidence in herself was wavering. She no longer wrote music like she used to, in her spare time.

And I thought, when I did enter that contest, that maybe, not only would it be fun, but if we did win, then just maybe, Criss could teach her something, get her back on track.

Who knows?

Pushing those thoughts from my mind, I gave Criss my full attention. There was nothing but adults around and he…just…swallowed a quarter….

"What the…" I murmured to myself. And sure enough, after some deep breathing and wiggling on Criss's part, he asked if anyone wanted to volunteer.

My had must have been the first up cause he pointed me out quickly.

Or it could've been that he just realized Vittoria and me…well…me for now, were finally down.

"I want you to watch. Watch carefully. Are you watching?", he questioned.

I nodded quietly and before my very eyes, he began to move his fingers from his shoulder to his arm in a repetitive movement and I could see the outline of the quarter, moving in his skin.

"Holy Crap", I squeaked. The crowed around me laughed a little at my reaction but I couldn't help it.

"Alright, now don't look away. Whatever you do, don't look away"

And he pulled a pocket knife out of his pants and proceeded to cut at his arm. I watched in horror as he made to pull the quarter out of his skin and I cover my mouth.

He looked up to me and nodded. "Was that authentic. Did you see that with your very eyes?"

I nodded. "But I have on question"

"Yes?"

"How did that feel?", I asked him, now trying to hide my smile, "Because you just had a lot of iron in your blood"

And immediately the crowd burst into laughter, even Criss started laughing. Oh yeah, go me. Wait….were quarters even made out of Iron?

After Criss cleaned and bandaged his wrist, pocketing the quarter, he asked for the crowds attention.

"Everyone, I want you to meet Ali Smith. One of the winners of the Sweepstakes that just happened. I think she deserves a around of applause."

I made a flashy bow, to which I got more laughter.

"Now, where is your grumpy realistic friend?", he mused out loud.

"I heard that." , I heard a voice say. Vittoria stepped out from the crowd and the people started to clap again. She made no move to acknowledge it and just walked up to me. I flashed her a warning smile and she rolled her eyes.

She slapped on a huge grin, quite scary if you ask me, and pretended to be excited.

After Criss signed photographs, posters, and books, we finally escaped.

Vittoria's POV

I just wanted to have some dinner. Not be introduced to a bunch of people. Yet there I was acting all happy just to make Ali happy.

She owes me.

So after Criss finished with his fans, we made to leave. While we were walking around, he finally spoke up.

"So ladies, where shall we eat?"

"Some where fancy!", Ali piped up immediately, "There!", and she pointed off into the distance to a mighty grand looking place.

I shrugged. I didn't really care. Hell, if there was pizza, I'd take that back to the room. But alas, my wishes went unanswered. About five minutes later we arrived at a restaurant called, Grand Paris.

We walked in and immediately someone asked if we had a reservation. I almost thanked God right then and there when he said he did, and he booked half the room for the night.

The man scrolled down the list, nodded and lead us the way.

"How did you know we'd be eating here?", I questioned. I mean seriously, one of us could be allergic to this food and he wouldn't know. Then he'd seriously be talked about all over the internet for screwing up.

He just turned to me, gave me that "Criss Angel" stare and replied, "A prediction"

Ali squealed in awe and practically swayed on the spot and he laughed a little. I rolled my eyes and was glad when we were seated.

I ordered some pasta. Ali ordered some type of chicken and rice thing, and Criss ordered something that looked extremely like fancy pizza.

"So ladies.", Criss said, giving us his attention. At first I was the only one to seemed to noticed he spoke because Ali's eyes were focused on the chain around his neck.

"Ms. Smith?", he asked tentatively.

"Oh, huh, what? Got distracted by the shiny thing…necklace!", she covered up, "oh, and call me Ali."

Criss raised an eyebrow in her direction and turned to me. "Alright, she's got A.D.D., what's your problem?"

I scowled. "I have no problem"

And distinctively I heard Ali cough the word, "low self-esteem" and I shot her a dirty look. Criss shook his head and sighed before getting down to business.

"So, seeing as we're going to be with each other for a mighty long time, I think we should get to know each other"

Ali nodded, paying really close attention. Quite frankly my mind was on what would be on T.V. tonight. I was so deep in thought that I didn't hear what his question.

"Duck Vittoria! BOMB!"

I jerked so violently, I fell out my chair. No kidding.

When I hit the ground, I heard it instantly. Snickering. Then full blown out laughter. Ok, Now I'm mad. When I finally was able to pull myself off the floor and into my seat with as much dignity I could maintain, I shot Ali a purely evil look that clearly stated I was going back on my word.

"Aww come on V. I'm sorry! I didn't mean it. You know I didn't. But you weren't paying attention. I tried everything."

"You didn't try just touching her or something," Criss pointed out.

"You're right…", Ali realized.

"But that was down right funny"

They laughed again once more and I scowled.

"Ok ok ok", Criss panted slightly, "Now about my question"

"Finally", I grumbled.

"Ok. And be totally serious with me on this. Both of you", he added, "Who are you?"

Me and Ali shot him a weird stare.

"You know who we are, already.", Ali said.

"No I don't," he stated seriously.

For a second, I thought he had laughed so much, something in him broke, but then it dawned on me, what he was thinking.

"You mean. Who we are really. The things we do. Jobs and such, am I right?"

He nodded at him, simply waiting for answers. I decided to stay quiet and let Ali go first, to which she explained EVERYTHING to him. I yawned. This is going to be one long dinner.

Possibly ten, twenty minutes later I got a nudge in my side.

"huh?" I said, waking up from my daze.

"You're next", Ali said, beaming.

I yawned widely and shrugged. "What's there to know about me?"

Criss laced his fingers together, sat his elbows on the table, and rested his head on his fingers.

"I'm pretty sure there's something,", he said.

"Nope", I replied. Really, there wasn't anything. I noticed he was staring at me intently as if trying to get into my mind or something. Ha! Not working. Although I am pretty distracted by his hair. That's amazing. It does make him look pretty sexy. WHAT AM I SAYING! That's a no no. A BIG no no.

Ali snorted, incredibly loud and took over.

"She's a band director. One of the best our towns ever seen. She's a great composer. Majors in four different instruments that dips into the woodwind and brass. She's got self confidence issues and she's not very optimistic.", she blurted out in one breath.

I turned my head slowly to meet Ali and she gave me a nervous smile.

"Sorry….."

I grunted in response and went back to poking at my meal. Self confidence issues. Ha! I just know what I can't do something. And I'm a realist. I live in the real life!

Criss POV

I was utterly baffled. I swear. What the hell am I supposed to do with these girls?!

I'm digging my own grave here.

The dinner was quite entertaining, with Vittoria falling out her chair and all. And from what I've been told, she needs a little push in a good direction.

Just like me, back when I was kid though.

After the short conversation things got incredibly quiet so I figured that they should be wiped out from their earlier little party with my guards, and it was time for bed.

"Alright ladies, I guess its time we head up. We've got a big day ahead of us. You two lovely girls will be staying in my room, along with me."

Insert rather dramatic gasp from Ali.

"There are two other bedrooms that aren't in use. There is a full wardrobe in each one. Night clothes and all.", I stood up and they followed. We headed up stairs quite quickly and once inside, we all parted our different ways for bed. Both of them looked pretty eager for sleep.

If only I felt the same way. I really didn't want to sleep. But I knew I needed it. I slipped into my room quietly and changed into nothing but a pair of black pair of sweats I designed and went and sat on the couch.

I'd rather wear my brain out so that its so tired, it wouldn't need to dream.

I pulled up a blanket, put the T.V. on low, and hoped for the best.

Vittoria POV

I had opened the wardrobe in the closet and immediately knew I did not want this room. Too many bright colors. I opened my door quietly to sneak over into Ali's room right when she was doing the same.

"Too many dark colors", she whispered.

"Too many bright colors" I whispered back.

Smiling at each other we bolted across the hall and into the opposite room, whispering goodnight to each other.

But something caught my eye before I slipped inside. The flickering of the T.V.

What would he be doing up? He did say we had a big day tomorrow…..

Quietly, I sneaked into the room and peeked over the couch to see him asleep. His blanket on the floor beside him. At first he seemed really peaceful.

Ok, now if we could just keep him like that. All would be good.

And as if he heard my words, his face scrunched up. At first I wondered was he having a dream.

Then I knew it had to be some type of nightmare due to his violent thrashing and screams. Before long I was having trouble keeping hold of him.

"Get off me!! Let me go!! Leave me alone!!", he screamed.

I could hear Ali coming down the hall and immediately told her to grab some pain killers, a glass of water, and a cold damp wash cloth.

She had what I needed within a matter of seconds, but in those seconds, things got worse. Criss's thrashing slowed to violent jerks and his breathing was becoming labored.

"We've got to wake him up", Ali whimpered, looking terrified.

I grabbed both of Criss's shoulders and began to shake him softly and call his name. As I continued, his jerking seemed to intensify and finally, when I thought we'd have to call for help, his hand reached out and wrapped around my throat, clenching hard and his eyes popped open, furious.

I was scared. I had not wanted to be here, in this position, yet I was anyways, and I was scared.

It seemed to me like he was trying to kill me because his grip started to get tighter and tighter and finally, after hearing Ali's distressed cry for him to stop, he let me go.

His eyes rolled back into his head and he fell back into a heap on the couch.

"Vittoria…are…are you …ok?"

"Yeah," I whispered. "Put the wash cloth on his head. Sit him a glass of water on the side table with some pills. Leave him a note to let him know it was us"

I stood up in shock, my hands wrapped around my own throat. I knew there would be a nice hand printed bruise there in the morning, but I didn't care. Right then and there, I was just a little to scared to care.

I left Ali to deal with everything. I just hopped into the bed after stripping and putting on some night clothes I found.

I heard Ali finish up and she walked past my room, going into her own room and shutting the door.

I wanted to sleep and forget it all. Who knows. Maybe this is a bad dream.