He he he, things are getting hot, ah-hem. I enjoyed writing this chapter and I worked hard on it. Hope you enjoy it too. R&R

The next few moments were a blur. Crysta had forgotten how to think and all she could register were the dizzying sensations of Zack's hot lips against hers. The action was familiar and Crysta vaguely remembered doing something like this before, she also remembered that she had pulled away.

That first time had been strange and new, and at the time she didn't even know what it was. She knew now, that it was called a kiss and it was something that a male and female fairy would share in private. There was also more but her father's face had become so red after just explaining about kissing that she let it drop and decided to ask him another time.

However her leadership responsibilities had thrown her curiosity from her mind and now it was coming back as she felt a warm broad hand stroking hesitantly, but firmly along her side. The emotion that was fast sweeping over her was alien and the speed of which the feeling was hitting her was frightening.

Crysta turned her head to break the kiss and put a little distance between them by placing a hand on Zack's chest. She hadn't realised just how long they had remained lip locked as both of them were equally out of breath and were panting heavily.

'I…' Crysta began, pausing a moment to find the right words, 'I feel…strange.'

Zack gazed at her with hazy eyes and blinked when he realised she had spoken. Crysta, as beautiful as she was lying beneath him, looked slightly uncertain and scared. She really was an innocent virgin, Zack's brain screamed delightedly. Restraining his thoughts from going wild, Zack forced himself to sit up and remorsefully left the warmth that Crysta emitted.

'Sorry, I guess I lost myself for a moment.'

Zack stood up and brushed off his clothes and then extended a hand to Crysta, who gave it a cautious stare before grasping it. Zack guided her out from under the flower and noticed that the day was coming to an end. Still holding hands, they wandered around aimlessly, savouring the time they had left and making it last as long as possible.

Eventually the light dimmed to a vibrant pink and Zack had to return. He gave Crysta one last embrace and stole a quick peck on the lips.

'So, when shall we meet up again?' he asked.

Crysta blushed and replied nervously.

'Well, Pips is going to kill me, so I can't imagine it will be any time soon…'

Her words were stolen as Zack kissed her feverishly. Whatever she was going to say went completely out of her mind. Zack pulled back and watched Crysta, glassy eyed, trying to regain composure but he didn't let her. He brushed his cheek against hers and whispered huskily in her ear.

'When shall we meet up again?'

'I-I d-don't know,' she stuttered.

Wrong answer. Crysta gasped as Zack pulled her closer and began trailing hot wet kisses down her neck.

'Ah! I-I'll send Batty to tell you when I'm free,' she managed to get out, a little embarrassed at how high pitched her voice went.

Zack seemed satisfied with that answer and released her neck from his attentions. However he did not dare let her go yet, because during some point her legs had lost the capability of standing and she was using him for support. Zack chuckled and helped her find her feet.

Once recovered, Crysta reversed the magic and Zack became a wingless human once again. He flashed her a smile and slowly walked away, throwing the occasional glace over his shoulder.

Crysta stayed where she was and watched Zack leave. Touching her neck gingerly, she found her skin was hot from where Zack last touched her and unexplainably wished he'd come back and do it again. Blood rushed to her cheeks at the thought and she hugged herself self-consciously. She was going to have to have a very adult conversation with her father when she got back.

She took off towards home, unaware that she was being watched.

Pips slowly relaxed his jaw; his teeth ached from being clenched together for so long. Pain finally registered from his hands and Pips jerked them open. On his palms were deep red welts where his nails dug in but luckily he hadn't drawn blood. Besides the physical pain, there was an agonising ache in his chest, like someone had tied a noose around his heart and was squeezing it for all its worth. He was jealous, angry, heart broken and he could do nothing against the tide of his emotional shock as he saw the two share an intimate moment which he had only dreamed of.

He had been angry at first. When Zack had forcefully kissed her, Pips was furious that he had dared to do such a thing and was prepared to fly down there and tear him apart when he saw something that tore his own heart in two. Crysta was kissing him back. At that point Pips could only stop and stare.

Now that Crysta was out sight Pips could no longer keep it in. He screamed.

Crysta stopped in mid-flight. The heart wrenching cry that pierced the tranquil atmosphere echoed in her ears and she felt a chill crawl up her spine.

She took off again, flying as fast as her wings could take her back to the point where she and Zack had parted. The cry had unmistakably belonged to her childhood friend and she feared for his safety as she couldn't imagine what had caused him to cry out like that.

Once there, she called out for him and searched for him desperately. She let out a relieved sigh when she found him sitting curled up on a tree branch and came in to land.

'Pips, thank goodness you're alright. I thought something awful had happened to you.'

Pips said nothing as he stood from his perch, he didn't even look at her when he took off, heading in the direction of Ferngully.

Crysta worriedly flew after him; she understood that he was angry at her and he needed some space, nevertheless he did slow down occasionally for her to catch up, indicating that he wasn't abandoning her completely.

Pips hovered by her tree and waited for her to enter it first. He was being strangely well mannered and that had Crysta on edge. She flew inside and waited for him to let himself in, turning to face him, she was surprised to find he wasn't there. She quickly flew to the entrance and saw Pips's green trail heading for his own tree.

'Pips!'

Crysta chased after him, she couldn't stand this distance that had suddenly erupted between them. What was wrong?

Pips made no notion that he had heard her and continued unhurriedly to his home. He habitually situated himself on the blooming fungi that grew inside his tree and laid on it like a hammock. Crysta soon appeared at the entrance.

'Pips, what is wrong?'

'Nothing's wrong,' he said impassively, closing his eyes.

Crysta flew up and knelt next to him. Sensing her presence, Pips reopened his eyes.

'I know that's not true.'

Suddenly Pips sat up, startling her. His beautiful green eyes that were usually sparkling with mischief were dark and cold. Crysta's own eyes widened at the difference and ignoring the unease she felt, she brought her hands up to cup Pips face.

'Pips w-'

'Why are you here?' he interrupted, again using an impassive tone.

Crysta's heart sank and she let her hands drop. She stared at him unbelievably and warm tears sprung to her eyes.

'Because I'm worried about you. Why won't you talk to me?'

'Why are you talking to me? Why don't you go find you're lover boy to talk to?' Pips spat.

Then she understood. Heat rushed to her face and she wrung her hands together nervously. He had seen.

'But I don't want to talk to him right now; I want to talk to you.'

'I don't want to talk,' Pips ground out angrily.

He laid back down and turned on his side, facing away from her. Tears began rolling down Crysta's cheeks.

'Why?' she breathed, choking on her sobs, 'What does Zack have to do with us? You're my best friend…why won't you talk to me!'

Pips didn't reply and remained unmoved.

'I thought our friendship was stronger than this,' Crysta whimpered.

Pips snapped and whirled around to come an inch from Crysta's face.

'Friendship,' he hissed. 'You're going on at me about friendship when you're the one who keeps abandoning me to sort out your problems and save your skin from the Fairy council. If it wasn't for me you'd be demoralised, deemed untrustworthy and have no leadership title at all.'

Crysta had backed away from Pips's verbal assault but he pursued her until her back was against the tree. He caged her with his arms and made sure she couldn't escape him. His expression softened when he realised how much he had frightened her and wiped away a solitary tear.

'Do you know why I fight for you?' he asked softly, 'Do you know why I've put up with it for so long?'

Tears cascaded down her cheeks and she couldn't find her voice. She bowed her head, neither as a positive or negative reply.

Pips tucked a finger under her chin and lifted her tear streaked face to him.

'I love you, Crysta.'

KYAAA! What will Crysta do?! Go for the hot dashing blonde or the fiery jealous redhead, choices choices, well you know what to do, REVIEW!!!