Seriously really sorry for this seriously late update, things are just not going right this month. I've been ill twice, I'm tired, stressed and had deadlines, but now I have a 3 week break so I can now focus on writing :)

Pips gently pushed his magic into his panpipes and let it flow into the notes he played. The 3 week old sapling he was playing to began to weave through the air like a charmed snake, its budding leaves grew larger as its stem lengthened and reached to the sky.

High above, its larger brethren stretched their branches in an intricate web. Their green leaves formed a thick mesh that hid their wooden appendages from sight and filtered the sunshine into a green earthy glow.

Despite the warm and rather glorious weather, Pips did not take the time to enjoy it. He kept himself busy, trying not to dwell on the conversation that he and Crysta had that morning.

'We need to talk'

Pips steeled himself for whatever came out of her mouth. Rejection or acceptance, either way he was going to force himself to stay put, stay calm and most of all, be mature about it.

'I…'

Crysta was wringing her hands nervously and was constantly moistening her lips. Pips could almost hear the gears turning in her head as her eyes darted to the interesting patterns engraved in the bark floor, thinking of what to say.

'I do love you Pips…'

Pips suddenly felt lighter than air.

'…But I also love Zack.'

Pips heart sank to his stomach.

'I-It's hard to describe…both of you stir such feelings within me and I get so confused and I can't tell if I like one of you more than the other and both of you are such wonderful people…Pips?'

Pips was fighting furiously with himself to keep composed. His deep, rapid breathes were the only sign of anger that he allowed to show. He kept his arms firmly crossed to trap the pent up energy he could feel gathering in his limbs that were urging him to fly, urging him to find the one who shares a piece of Crysta's heart and tear him into a million pieces.

'So what do you want me to do?' he asked.

Pips looked up as he heard the flutter of wings. Crysta face was right before him and for a hopeful moment he thought she was going to kiss him. She remained transfixed in the air with her eyes freely roaming his face.

'I don't want you to do anything.'

She lent forward, resting her forehead against his and Pips instantly felt his heart beat quicken.

'You guys are the most important people in my life and I don't want to hurt either of you…that's also why I need to find out which one of you my heart belongs to, so we can all move on.'

Pips came back to reality as a bad note screeched from his pipes. He then realised that he had played for too long and too harshly. The tip of the now young tree had gone past the new height regulations and its branches had twisted and tangled themselves into stringy limbs. The trunk had also grown at a crooked angle so now it curved like a crescent moon.

Pips swore and immediately brought his pipes to his lips, completely focusing on straightening its trunk and untangling its premature branches. The tree became even taller as it was brought out of its hunched position but leaving it like that would give it extreme growing pains.

Pips sighed and searched for the next sapling.

Back in his own tent, Zack lay on top of his sleeping bag and covered his face with his hands. The chill of that tall man's eyes still lingered down his spine and a worrying fear was developing in his gut as well as some rather disturbing thoughts.

There was no way those company dogs were going to give up without a fight and he saw why they sent such an intimidating man to accompany the negotiator. Zack just wondered how much that man had to do with the negotiating; he was freely carrying a machete for goodness sake and with such a gleeful cold stare, he seemed to be hoping that Zack would refuse.

Question was what would he do if…no…when Zack refused to come to their terms. He was not going to give up on this rainforest, but would he risk his life for it?

An image of Mac towering over him with his machete in hand came to mind. His yellow grin standing out from his darkly shadowed face and glowing red eyes gazed down at him, hungry and blood thirsty.

Zack shook his head dismissively. That was a crazy idea.

Outside the tent, he heard his name being called by one of his men.

Boss paced to and fro in their large borrowed tent. He was dirty, sweaty, still fuming at Zack's insolence and over all rather agitated. This could be his big break; he could get a huge bonus for this, or even promoted and finally get the respect he deserves.

Technically he wasn't supposed to be here. The real negotiator wasn't supposed to arrive until next week and that's also when Boss's contract expires. He wasn't having his contract renewed; he was going to be replaced by 'young blood' as his employer puts it. Someone who would last longer than him, Boss thought angrily. Yes he wasn't the healthiest of people but he was damn good at his job even if there have been complaints about his aggressive methods. If it's not broke, don't fix it.

'What do you want to do about the boy?'

Boss stopped pacing and glanced at the source of his success. He found Mac around ten years ago in a small isolated town in the red desert, trying to negotiate with the mayor for land that the company could build on. Mac at the time was with the police force but was reserved for serious cases only. He had a knack with weapons and a bad habit of using them when he shouldn't. He hadn't killed anyone, but he liked to give people a little scare. The police force kept him not only because he was good at his job but also to keep an eye on him.

Shortly after bumping into him, Boss instantly had grown a liking to him and offered a position that paid much better than his policing job. He'd been with him ever since and has been a huge asset to not only his job but the company too.

'Lets not jump ahead of the game yet Mac, there's still a chance he may change his mind. However if he's still unwilling to go with our terms within four days, then I'll let you deal with him.'

Boss turned to continue his pacing. He didn't have to look to know Mac was grinning and caressing the hilt of his knife with his thumb.

Super cheese! I cringed writing that, but to be honest I really didn't know what else to write. Romantic stuff is really not my forte yet why am I writing a romance story? Cuz I just had to! This fic is starting to turn dark...oooo_0 Review plz