Oh yeah, I do not own W.I.T.C.H. or any of the characters, the plot is totally a work of my twisted little mind...

Busted #13:

Will's POV, The Lair home

"Ugh," I said coming out of the bath room. The smell of Irma's puke was making me sick with that nasty green taste in my mouth. I rinsed my mouth and gargled then washed my hands. My mom came up the stairs as I headed into Irma and Caleb's room and closed the door, beginning to look for fresh clothes.

My mom opened the door and walked in just as I found Irma's cutest pair of jeans, the ones with the boot cut and studded cuffs.

I think its only fitting that she loan me these for the day...don't you?

As I continued to search her closet for a top that fit my mood, my mom just stood there silently watching me. It was sort of eerie.

When I located a flower printed tank that would go nicely with the jeans, I had no choice but to turn and face her, but I really dread having to listen to anything she might say at the moment. How embarrassing would it be for her to start a rant here and now in someone's home? I mean after all Irma is one of my best friends, and we're within earshot of Mr. Lair, Irma and Caleb.

I took a deep breath, turned around glanced at my mom, but said nothing. If there are any fireworks, I won't be the one to start them. I focused on getting out of my reeking clothes and started undressing, acting like she wasn't even there.

To my complete surprise, I was able to finish changing in peace. Once I was done, my mom said, "Okay you can go to the wedding, but I still want you to stop seeing that boy."

Sooooooo close, but not quite there. I stared at my mom, not quite able to separate the two parts of her statement in my mind. The part about 'that boy' totally eclipsed the good news about the wedding. And maybe I'm greedy, maybe I'm just unreasonable, but it wasn't enough.

Finally, I pulled myself together enough to respond, "Um, thanks mom." I decided placating her was best...pick your battles and all that stuff. I conveniently avoided the second half of her statement.

But my mom knew me too well.

"Will, don't think I missed you not saying anything about what I just said about Matt. I'm totally serious and if you can't obey me on this...well I'll be forced to send you to live with your father for your own good."

Man, how things have changed. When we first moved here, she threatened to have us both move away when she thought I was unhappy here. Now she'll just ship me away and keep her happy life here.

But I suddenly remembered the words Mr. Lair had spoken in the car. My mom had no real power over me.

"No Mom," I said calmly, "I can't...I won't leave Matt for you. I also refuse to let you break up the Guardians. We're important...We do important things like save the world. So, if you don't want me under your roof, that's cool. I'll finish school tomorrow, then I'll go – you can tell people whatever you want about where I moved and why. But that way no one will look for me. Then I'll just go to Meridian and you can be free of me for good."

My mom's jaw dropped.

The last thing I told her was, "I don't care what you do."

I could chose to leave. If it comes down to choosing between my mom or Matt – I choose Matt.

Taranee's POV, In Front of School

Peter pulled up in front of the school, but instead of pulling into the parking lot he stopped at the curb.

"Nee, I've got some stuff to take care off. Okay?"

I could tell by his tone, Peter was really saying, 'Don't tell Mom or Dad alright.' so I nodded and climbed out the car. Then watched him pull off again.

I headed to my locker, hoping my bruised jaw wouldn't get me too many stares and comments. As soon as I turned the corner I saw Cornelia and Hay.

I walked up like any other day and opened my locker. Hay and Cornelia walked over and I heard them both gasp. My stomach tightened in a knot – it must look worse than it did before I left home.

"Oh my God Taranee, did she really do this to you?" Hay asked her voice trembled as she gently touched my face, disbelief thick in her expression.

I couldn't blame her, I almost couldn't believe it was real either.

"Oh, No! She is not getting away with this!" Cornelia fumed, then grabbed my hand and started dragging me towards the nurse's office. She didn't even bother waiting for Will and Irma to show up because she was so pissed off.

"Hey wait for me!" Hay Lin trailed behind us.

I missed first and second periods because I was in the nurses office. It turns out they have to file a report whenever something like this happens. I hated being poked and prodded then photographed from a million different angles. The only bright spot was that Cornelia and Hay Lin were allowed to stay with me.

Since we had less than a full day of school left in the year, Nurse Tanaka didn't really make a fuss about them staying. I think she really respected their commitment to supporting and comforting me through all of this.

I know I did. Hay and Corny helped me keep my mind off of things at home and wondering how Nigel would take it when he saw my face.

Oh my gosh! My face, I'll look horrible for the wedding! I thought frantically, then I realized my mom was doing everything she could to make sure I never made it to Irma's wedding... I felt my shoulders slump as that somber thought sunk in.

Just when I thought things were over, and we would be able to go to class, two policemen walked in. I was surprised that I recognized the two officers. It was Manly and Dane, they had handled Martin's arrest after he attacked Irma.

At least I had two familiar faces to give my statement to. Also, Dane and Manly are good friends with Irma's dad so I think they'll be fair and not just gloss things over because my mom is a judge.

They took my statement and collected the photos from Nurse Tanaka. Then Officer Dane, placed a hand on my shoulder and said in a reassuring tone, "Don't worry everything will be okay. We'll be stopping by your house tonight to speak with your parents – their standing in the community doesn't mean they can do this to you. Hopefully this can be handled quickly and effectively."

Then they both handed me their cards and headed out the door. I couldn't help it, all the emotions I'd kept pent up inside came rushing out and I started bawling like a baby. Corny and Hay Lin sat on each side of me to offer comfort as the tears flowed.

Through blurry eyes, I saw the nurse hand Cornelia a box of tissues, then she pulled the curtain blocking us from view of any passerbys that came into the office.

"Why don't you three just stay here and I'll have you lunch brought here. I think you'll all be okay if you miss classes today."

Her kindness just made me cry harder, because its exactly what I wasn't getting from my mom and I really missed it.

Will's POV, Back at the Lair Home

For a moment my mom just stared at me. Then she switched tactics, going from speaking calmly with an even tone to the shrill tone that always told me she was highly pissed off.

"Just who do you think you're talking to young lady? I am your mother and you'll do what I say!"

"No, mom I won't," I replied, realizing my true power and strength kept me calm in the face of this rant.

I crossed my arms as I continued, "And you know what mom, you can't make me." I paused for a second to let that sink in, then explained, "Mom, did you know I can turn invisible? I can disappear right now and walk away from you and never look back. I can open dimensional portals at will! I can leave this world and find a new home. But I don't even have to work that hard, because I have friends and a life in Meridian. All I really need to do is decide to go. And don't doubt for a minute that Matt won't go with me."

"You..You..You wouldn't..." my mom's voice dropped to a scared whisper. "You wouldn't just leave me...abandon me after all I've done and sacrificed for you."

I leveled my gaze at her, hearing these words for the first time I was stunned – was this what this was about all this time? Did she feel like Matt and my relationship was some sort of betrayal? Like I was abandoning her.

But I couldn't let her distract me, because no matter what her reasons, I would not keep living like this.

"Mom that makes no sense. But regardless of what you think or what you've done for me...life is about change. My life is changing, I'm changing. I can't stay stagnate just to indulge your comfort zone. Plus once I'm gone, you'll finally be free to fully experience your relationship with Mr. Collins – I won't be in the way anymore."

Pure unadulterated fear flashed in my mother's eyes when I mentioned Mr. Collins – maybe I wasn't holding them back all this time. Had I just been a convenient excuse? I know how bad my dad hurt my mom...could she still be hiding, protecting herself from pain?

Tears began to well up in her eyes. I needed to end this...to cut the ties so that we both could begin to heal. I pulled out the Heart and said "Guardian and transformed into my Guardian self, "Mom I'm going back to the apartment and take my clothes and a few of my things. Then I'll be out of your hair."

I turned invisible then opened the window and flew out headed to my 'old' apartment without looking back.

Cheers!