Hello again, I'd just like to say thank you to everyone who's reviewed, they are really appreciated. This story is in the 90 region for reviews so if you'd like to make it 100, that would make me really happy! R&R enjoy.

'I don't like him.'

Mac spoke up from his shadowed corner. His intimidating gaze was still locked on the flap of the tent where Roberts just exited moments ago.

'Oh come now Mac, it's a brilliant idea! The forest will be burned to the ground within days, Mr Young will have no forest to protect and we don't even have to lift a finger. Consider this a well earned break. I know you were looking forward to having your own way with him but come on don't be so sour about it. They'll be plenty of opportunities for you to have fun in the future.'

Boss began humming happily and rummaged in his borrowed back pack for an equally borrowed snack.

'What makes you think he'll actually do it?'

Boss paused in rummaging and turned to face Mac.

'Now see here Mac, you're acting like a spoilt child. Just because you didn't get the dirty work which I know you love, there is no need for that jealous attitude. I've said it before, there will be other opportunities.'

'This has nothing to do with the fact that he stole my fun. That man smells traitorous. There was an air about him I just don't like; it was like he didn't really feel comfortable with what he was doing. I sensed fear,' Mac glowered.

'Who wouldn't be afraid when you're around? You're over thinking things,' Boss dismissed, finally unwrapping a chocolate bar.

'You wish I was,' Mac muttered angrily.

Zack had nodded off, unable to stay awake any more.

Crysta stared at his handsome face and sighed. The fate of the forest was no longer in her hands and it all rested on her tired friend's shoulders. Crysta let the helpless tears run down her face. She was afraid. She feared for the well being of one of her dearest friends and love and also for the future of her home.

There was nothing she could do.

She silently flew to the tent door and grabbed the thing called a zip with both hands. She pulled with all her strength and the zip slowly slid upwards. She slipped through the small gap she created and gradually made her way out of the camp unseen.

She flew dazedly through the forest, her thoughts lingering on Zack. Ferngully came into her sights without her really remembering how she got there. This beautiful scenery filled her heart with joy and for a moment she just stared at it, engraving it into her memory. Uncontrolled tears ran freely down her face and she barely acknowledged the soft sweet music that weaved through the air from the glade.

She floated over impulsively and gently sat herself down on the rocks. She stared numbly into the water, watching the rippling current distort the light and create waving patterns on her skin.

At her arrival, the music stopped. She heard the distinctive flutter of wings and then a shadow hovered over her. Crysta couldn't bring herself to look at him.

Pips worriedly took in Crysta's depressed posture and sat down beside her. He took her chin in his hand and turned her head towards him. Her cheeks were stained with tears and her eyes were still producing more. She held the most miserable expression he had ever seen and he hadn't seen her quite like that since she was a child.

He didn't say anything, he didn't ask, he just wrapped his arms around her and pulled her onto his lap. Crysta accepted his embrace gratefully and wrapped her arms around his waist. She hid her face in his chest and began to weep profoundly.

Pips let her stay there as long as she needed, comfortingly rocking her and stroking her back. Soon her cries became silent and the flow of tears dried up.

Crysta felt so comfortable in Pips' arms. The warm hands that slid up and down her back were assuring and protective and Crysta didn't find it hard to completely relax into his embrace.

'Thank you, Pips.'

'Take your time,' he whispered into her hair.

Crysta smiled at Pips' patience. No one understood her quite like him.

Eventually she explained what had happened and expressed her worry for Zack and the forest. Pips remained silent as he listened and surprisingly did not tense or become angry when she mentioned his love rival.

'We'll need to inform the council about this,' Pips eventually said.

Crysta looked at him in surprise.

'We need to let everyone else know what's going on and if worse comes to worse where Zack is unable to protect the forest, we need to think of a plan of action. We should have thought of doing this a year ago,' he said with a frown.

'What do you mean?'

'We should have started thinking of how we can fight the humans.'

Crysta stared at him wide eyed.

'You can't be serious.'

'I'm not saying we fight those who have been helping us,' Pips added quickly, 'I admit, whatever those humans with Zack have been doing has helped the forest a lot but we don't have any idea of what to do if other humans want to destroy it.'

Crysta bowed her head, knowing Pips was right.

'I really don't like the fact that all we can do is have faith in that human of yours, since it's a human problem, only humans can deal with it.'

Crysta again nodded in agreement…and then gasped as she had the craziest idea.

'Pips! That's it!'

She shot up from his lap and hovered excitedly in the air.

'We could talk to the human's ourselves!'

Pips remained sitting on the rock and stared at her in disbelief.

'Are you crazy?!'

'But it makes so much sense! Zack is not the only protector of the forest, we are too! If we make the humans aware that there are protectors that inhabit the forest then they'll have no choice but the leave it alone!'

'How does that make any sense?!' Pips blurted out hysterically, 'Besides why would those humans listen to us? We're the size of bugs; they'll either ignore us or squish us.'

Crysta spun in the air giggling and Pips was beginning to think she really had lost it. She then set her eyes on him and Pips did not like the mischievous twinkle they were emitting.

'Bless you heart with magic light, I give the gift of human size!'

Ha ha! Crysta's at it again! A human sized Pips? It just came to me that if Crysta can shrink and un-shrink Zack, why not do the opposite? Gonna be so funny! Review