Author's Note - Really sorry about the hold up - I'm not going to lie, I was hooked on Portal 2 so basically neglected everything else in my life. Anyway, better late than never I suppose! Enjoy!

"Nick! Nick! Nick!"

Phoenix turned around and saw a very over-excited Maya running towards him.

Oh man!

"MAYA! Stop running or you'll…waugh!" Phoenix tried to shout as Maya slipped and collided with him.

"Oww…Maya! How many times do I have to tell you - your shoes are not made for running in!" Phoenix said heatedly as he forced himself up off the floor.

I can understand once or twice in a month, but three times this week…

"But, but, but, you were so cool in that match, I had to run! I almost forgot you were Nick!" Maya said excitedly, as Phoenix pulled her up off the ground.

"I wasn't that…wait, what did you mean by that?" Phoenix asked.

"Ah! Well…you know…you're all...and there you were all…you know?" Maya mumbled gesturing randomly as she spoke.

"Not really. Feel like enlightening me?" Phoenix said in a mock tone of annoyance.

"Hey it's Pearl – Hey Pearly!" Maya said suddenly, looking past Phoenix.

Subtle…

"Mystic Maya! Mr. Nick!" Pearl responded as she skipped towards the two. "Mr Nick, you were amazing! I had no idea you were so good at ten-nis!"

I told her it was all one word...

"I know, right Pearly?" Maya said enthusiastically, "You really were amazing Nick! I mean, that guy missed half your serves!"

"I think that had more to do with him than me…" Nick replied.

He really was awful…

"…and you were so fast at returning his shots…" Maya continued.

...again, nothing to do with my skill so much as his…or his lack thereof…

"…Not to mention…" Maya still continued, clearly on a roll.

I reckon this could go on for a while…

Phoenix began to zone out as Maya kept listing his 'achievements' of the day, with Pearl occasionally piping up in agreement.

Hmm but that guy…what was his name…Paul? Perry? Well it began with a P…he was so bad I don't think he really entered the tournament with playing tennis in mind. Of course, that's not the only thing that's tipped me off, there's also what he said to me after the match…

Date - 2nd August

Time - 4.30pm

Location - Global Tennis Courts – Court 1

*thud*

The ball hit the edge of the line with a thud. Just in; as per the Judge's decision.

I still can't believe Maya made the Judge take part in this ridiculous 'tournament' as well…

The end of the first match had come pretty quickly. I won by a landslide: Winning the first two sets, both perfect matches, we didn't even need to consider a third set. Payne and I walked toward each other to shake hands, post-match.

As I stretched my hand out and it met his though, he pulled me closer.

"Listen, Wright, I think you know by now that I was never intending to win our match." Payne said quietly, almost hurriedly.

What the-

"Anyway, I came to warn you. You need to be careful. You're talented, and talent in our line of work isn't a good thing." Payne said in a hushed voice.

What is this guy on?

"Hey, what're you-" I began, but he broke away before I could finish.

"Thank you for a great match. You really trounced me. I guess I've still got a lot to learn in tennis." Payne said in a complete subject change.

"Hey, you can't just-" I tried to say.

"I hope we'll face each other again someday." Payne said as he turned and left the court, leaving me standing in stunned silence.

"HEY NICK!" Maya shouted, jolting Phoenix back into reality.

"Huh?" Phoenix replied, still preoccupied with the cryptic message from earlier.

"You weren't even listening, were you!" Maya said, angrily.

"…I guess I wasn't. Sorry Maya, I guess I'm just tired. I completely zoned out there." Phoenix responded in an attempt to gain sympathy, rather than bruises.

"Hmph…well I guess I can let you off the hook then." Maya muttered.

"Are you going to be okay ? Do you want me to get you something?" Pearl said worriedly.

"I'll be fine, Pearls. All I really need is sleep." Phoenix said, smiling.

Well that and the ability to read minds.