Midsummer Nights

By Trish.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything except Callie, Flory, Lu, Poppy, Poptart and the storyline. The song that the chapter title comes from is 'Sacrifice' by Elton John. The two quintessential Aussie songs are 'Down Under' by Men At Work and 'Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport,' by Rolf Harris. Any resemblance to real life is purely confined to the real life authors who appear.

A/N: This chapter is not to be taken seriously. This is dedicated to Vanesa De Chavez, the little three-year-old girl that I sponsor through World Vision in the Philippines. May she grow up to rise above the poverty she was born into and to become everything she dreams of being. This is also dedicated to my best friend Jenn – for all the encouragement and support she has given me with my writing. I really appreciate it. ^_^

Chapter Ten: When Jealousy Burns

Mutual misunderstanding

After the fact

Sensitivity builds a prison

In the final act

We lose direction

No stone unturned

No tears to damn you

When jealousy burns

Sacrifice – Elton John

~*~

Jenn looked up from her book to see Trish place the phone back down with a puzzled frown. "Who was that?"

"It was Misty, but all she said was "Beware of Jenn..." Trish sounded as puzzled as she looked.

"Beware of Jenn?" Mia echoed, as she drew her artwork at a nearby desk. "What for? Jenn isn't scary at all!"

"I am too!" the blonde pouted. "I'm very scary!"

"Suuuuuuure," her younger friend laughed.

"Why would she say such a thing about you?" Trish wondered as she sank down on the couch opposite Jenn.

"Could it be something to do with what happened last night?" Mia piped up as she padded over to sit next to the dark-haired girl.

"Yeah but that had nothing to do with me," Trish frowned. "Unless she thinks that Jenn was trying to get Ash..."

"Honestly it was a total coincidence that Ash was there!" Jenn protested. "I had no idea that he liked walking along cliff tops at night."

Her best friend grinned. "Also, falling off a cliff to get a guy is too extreme, even for you!"

"Her eyes may rove," Mia teased. "But her hands never stray!"

"Yah, because certain men are off-limits," Jenn affirmed. "Like Ash, unfortunately."

"And Drake?" Trish asked with a twinkle in her dark eyes.

"And Drake..." the blonde sighed.

"But you still have pinching rights."

"Awww yeah..."

~*~

Danny browsed around the shop, intent on buying a little gift before he went to check up on Trish. This illness seemed to be dragging on interminably, and the dark-haired girl was finding it a huge struggle to stay positive; having both good days and bad.

Maybe something to remind her of home would be good, the lanky Navel Island Gym Leader mused as he walked along the aisles. His eyes fell on a particular object and he picked up it. Trish had often mentioned this thing to him, it was perfect.

Drake was walking down the crowded boulevard when he spied a familiar figure stepping out of a florist shop, laden with a large bouquet of exotic flowers and a box gift wrapped in ribbon and paper. Danny. Where was his best friend going with these gifts? The Orange Crew Leader decided to follow from a discreet distance. His suspicions were confirmed when his colleague knocked on the door of the girls' villa and was promptly shown in by Jenn.

Walking quietly around to where the living room was located, the dark-haired man stood with his back against the wall; hoping to overhear the ensuing conversation between his girlfriend and his best friend.

~*~

Jenn showed the Navel Island Gym Leader into where her best friend was sitting in the living room.

"Hey Danny," Trish greeted with a smile as she rose to her feet.

"I come bearing gifts," he announced grandly as he handed them over.

"Awww, you shouldn't have!" the dark-haired girl exclaimed as she admired the beautiful flowers before handing them over to Jenn.

"Sure I should have!" Danny grinned. "Open the box, I think you'll like it."

Drake frowned slightly. What was Danny doing giving all these large gifts to Trish?

"It's a black teddy!" He heard his girlfriend exclaim. "It's so small and cute! And I really like the lace..."

Teddy? Black and lacy? Drake's eyebrows shot up in shock. What the hell was Danny trying to pull? What was he doing giving his girlfriend a piece of lingerie??

"It's so cute," Trish held up the little black teddy bear for examination. "I love it!"

"That's not all it came with," Danny smiled.

She peered into the box and withdrew a small packet. "Ooooh these are the best! Jenn, could you go make some coffee please? I have to teach Danny Boy here how to do the Suck."

Outside the house, the Orange Crew Leader blanched. The Suck?

"Okay, you watching me carefully?" Trish asked.

"Yeah," Danny replied.

"I'm going to dip it in, take a bit off, then place my mouth around it. Not the whole lot just near the end."

"Right."

"Then I suck until the cream comes out into my mouth. Suck it until its dry."

Danny groaned. "Oh that's good."

Drake didn't think he could listen to any more. He quickly and quietly fled from the villa.

Back inside the villa, Trish sat back on the sofa and grinned at Danny and Jenn. She held up another packet of biscuits. "Anyone want another Finger?

~*~

A day later Drake had just collected his Pokémon from Nurse Joy when he heard a familiar voice call out.

"Hey Drake!" The tall Gym Leader turned to see Trish and Jenn making their way through the crowds towards him.

"Hey girls," he greeted each with a hug and a little kiss before wrapping one arm around Trish's waist. "Nice to see you up and about."

"Well this is one of my good days,"the dark-haired girl grinned wryly. "So Jenn let me out of the house for a bit."

"Uh-huh," Jenn smirked. "Trishy is like one of those rare exotic species. Every once in a while you need to take her out for some fresh air and exercise.

"Oy," her best friend glowered at her with a mock scowl before turning to her boyfriend. "Say where were you yesterday?"

Drake thought quickly. "I was busy with League paperwork all day."

"I had rather hoped you would stop by for a bit..."

"You should have seen her," Jenn piped up. "She kept looking towards the front door and looked like a forlorn little puppy dog until Danny made her eat a few chocolate biscuits he had brought over.

"Oh?"

"Yeah, he brought a packet that I can find back home," Trish explained. "Which was really sweet of him. So we made him some coffee and he had some with Jenn and I before Mia stole the rest of them for herself."

"Its a very nice thing for him to do." Drake began to feel rather silly. So that was what he had overheard at their villa, and the truth was nothing like what he had originally thought. But there was still the matter of that teddy..."How would you like it if I spend tomorrow night with you?"

Trish gave him a warm smile. "I'd love it."

The girls then took their leave of him and the Orange Crew Leader pondered what had just happened. He found it rather disturbing that he was so quick to assume the worst when it came to his girlfriend and his best friend when he knew very well that they weren't like that. Or maybe it's just that I'm jealous that Danny's spending more time with her than I am...

~*~


The next night, armed with a large bouquet of red and white roses and a large flat box with a gold ribbon wrapped around it, Drake knocked on the girls' door. Trish opened the door, and after accepting the flowers, ushered him into the living room.

"So what do you propose we do for the rest of the night?" Trish asked as she settled down beside her boyfriend on the couch.

"Mmm I thought we'd just take things as they happen," the dark-haired Gym Leader murmured as he wrapped his arms around her. It was then that he noticed the soft toy that was sitting on the coffee table. "Where did the bear come from?"

"Oh that was the teddy Danny gave me the other day," Trish grinned. "Isn't it cute with the black lace bow?"

"Uh yeah," Drake smiled back rather feebly. So he had got all worked up over a soft toy??? And it was no secret that the dark-haired girl collected teddy bears. One room was filled with her furry menagerie. Maaaaaaaan did he feel like an idiot...

"What's in the box?" Trish reached for the package that he had placed down on the coffee table. She untied the ribbon and let it puddle onto the lounge beside her before lifting the lid and peering inside. A faint blush stole over her face and she hugged him tightly. "I guess I know what your plans for tonight are now...

~*~

The next day…

Jenn walked into the living room where Trish, Shannon and Mia were waiting, with Callie and Puck trailing behind her.

Mia scooted over on the lounge and patted the space beside her. Puck hesitated, only to receive a shove in that direction from big sister. He sat down next to the young brunette and blushed slightly when Mia took his hand in hers.

"Aww isn't that sweet," Shannon cooed, making the couple in question go beet red.

Jenn was about to comment when the doorbell rang. "I'll get it," she waved her best friend back down and trotted to the door. Opening it, she was surprised to see both Ash and Danny standing there. Pikachu was perched on Ash's shoulder as usual with her baby Poptart clinging to the fur on her back.

"Hey guys," she greeted them with a smile. "What brings you here?"

"Trish told us there was a meeting with Callie and Puck to find out what's going on," Danny answered.

"Come in then." They walked in and the blonde closed the door behind them. The Navel Island Gym Leader went to greet the rest, but Ash hung behind a bit.

"So how are you doing?" he asked softly, concern in his dark eyes.

"I'm okay," Jenn nodded

"Good," Ash flashed her a warm smile and squeezed her hand gently. "Don't want any more bad things happen to you." He walked inside, failing to see the faint blush that stole across Jenn's face.

"Nice to see you Ash," Mia waved cheerily as the Grand Master entered the living room. "So is that everyone then?"

Danny settled himself next to Trish. "Where's Drake?"

"He couldn't make it," she explained." He had a television interview to record and then he had a meeting with the local council."

"That's a pity, because I know he would like to get to the bottom of these mysteries."

"He's not the only one."

The Navel Island Gym Leader patted her arm." He's mostly worried about you, you know."

Trish smiled. "Yeah I know. I'm very lucky to have him."

Seeing that all the chairs were taken, Ash settled himself on the floor in front of Jenn who was on the lounge with her legs curled under her. He lifted Poptart gently onto his lap, thus freeing Pikachu who leapt up into the blonde's lap and curled up in a small ball with a contented "Chaaa…"

Callie then cleared her throat. "Okay the reason for this meeting is because there have been many strange and incomprehensible things happening on this island. Now in order for Puck and I to be of any assistance, we need to know everything that has been going on."

"Well first thing is Mia," Trish spoke up." She goes through this massive three hundred and sixty degree turn from missing Puck like crazy to not caring at all. Plus she acted completely unlike her normal self – wearing skirts and pink tops and high heels. Then all of a sudden she's back to normal and can't remember a single thing that happened."

"I can't either," Mia confessed. "First thing I remember is seeing Puck on stage at the restaurant."

"Can you remember anything strange or unusual?" Callie gently prodded.

The teenager frowned, deep in thought. "I remember my ring glowing white and a slight burning sensation."

Both Faes were suddenly interested. "This is the ring I gave you?" Puck asked his girlfriend.

Mia nodded and showed him her left hand.

"How many times did this happen?"

"Twice."

"That is very interesting…and important,"Callie mused.

"Then there was the incident where Dana and I were turned into Pikachus,"the Grand Master spoke up. "While this has happened to me once before, this time was different. Last time involved a Pokémon magician called Lily, lots of potions and I still looked more or less like myself."

"This time it was like wham bam, I'm a Pikachu, ma'am; nor did I look any different from Pik here…" he trailed off to look up at Jenn with a smile. "You having fun there?" For the blonde was running slender fingers gently through his short dark locks.

"Mhmm," Jenn murmured dreamily. Pikachu just giggled.

"Anyway," Ash continued (and as Trish noticed with a smile, he didn't make any attempt to stop Jenn) "the next time I find myself human, I'm naked and in bed with Jenn here…Not like that!!"

Jenn blushed as did Ash at the snickers coming from Danny, whereupon Trish gently punched the man on his arm.

"Then there's Chris or should we say Christine," Mia smirked.

"Who's Chris?" Callie wanted to know.

"He's a friend of ours, and he took a shower one night and was turned into a girl," Trish explained.

"Oh the poor guy," the female Fae was sympathetic.

"Jenn got knocked off a cliff by some creature, Dana can't stop singing like she's on Broadway, and that's about it…" Trish surmised only to be glared at by Jenn. "What??"

"She always does this," the blonde sighed. "She's decided to downplay the fact that she's been seriously ill these past few weeks and none of the doctors can pinpoint the illness."

"Is this true?" Callie addressed the question to the dark-haired Australian.

Trish sighed. "It is. At first I thought it was only a stomach bug...but I've been to a number of doctors and specialist and no clear cut diagnosis. I've been prescribed almost every single medication under the sun and nothing seems to be working."

"She's been constantly vomiting, sometimes she can't seem to stomach anything," Jenn took over. "She's recently been coughing up some blood, high fevers and temperatures, cold sweats, extreme fatigue, dizzy spells. Some days are so bad she can't even raise her head off her pillow."

Mia leapt up from her seat and ran over to hug Trish tightly. "I'm soo sorry for not noticing, Trish! I swear if I had known I would have helped to take real good care of you!"

The elder girl just smiled and returned the embrace. "It's quite okay Mi. We know you weren't acting like yourself..."

When Mia returned to her seat, Trish continued. "I actually don't know how much more of this illness I can take. I have hardly enough strength to get through the day and I get exhausted so easily. If things don't improve soon, Jenn's going to take me back home to Sydney." She smiled sheepishly. "I kinda feel guilty about all this because I'm ruining Jenn's vacation here. Instead of having fun in the sun, she has to play nurse."

"Aww don't worry about it, Tah," Jenn waved it away. "You're my best friend and 'sister.' Of course we look after each other, anyway I know you would do the same."

Callie was silent for a moment, before turning to Mia. "Could I have a look at your ring for a moment?"

"Sure," the brunette slipped the ring off her finger and handed it to the Fae.

The group watched in silence as Callie held the ring between her fingertips, studying it intently. "There's the faint trace of a spell lingering on this," she announced.

Puck sat forward eagerly. "You know who cast it?"

"I do. And so do you. As does Flory. Unfortunately we know this spellcaster all too well. Lucius..."

Her brother turned pale. "It couldn't be..."

"It is, the spell bears all his hallmarks," Callie handed the ring to him. "See for yourself."

Puck held the ring in the same manner as his sister, and after a minute he nodded. "You're right Sis."

"Who's this Lucius?" Shannon enquired.

"He's bad news with a capital B," Callie said grimly. "He's an Evil Fae who almost overthrew King Oberon, had it not been for Puck stopping him..." Her hazel eyes lit up and she turned to her brother. "That's IT!!! Lu is trying to get revenge on you for getting him thrown into exile! He cast a spell on Mia because she's your lady love and what better way to ruin your life by having the one you love most forsake you!"

"He almost succeeded too," Puck muttered as Mia hung onto his arm tightly.

"Well that explains that one," Jenn exclaimed in relief. "But what about the others?"

Callie held up one hand for silence as she concentrated her thoughts on Trish. Finally she spoke. "This is one of Lu's spells as well...only..."

"Only what?" Trish prompted softly as Danny gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

"Only that this spell was designed to kill you."

"What??" Trish gasped, turning pale. Jenn looked just as shocked as her best friend. "But what for?? I mean I don't like Puck in the same way as Mia does. He's my friend but I'm better friends with Mia."

"Somehow I think Lu's responsible for all that's happened,"Callie stated quietly.

"But why?" Jenn blinked. "I'm the same as Trish, I know Mia better than Puck, and same goes for Dana."

"What about me?" Ash piped up.

"You, my dear Ashy Boy, are involved only because you have a bad habit of finding trouble. It's all part of being the Chosen One," the blonde smiled fondly down at the man, ruffling his dark locks. Pikachu, comfortably nestled on Jenn's lap cooed at the scene.

"There's got to be some common thread," Trish spoke up, tapping a finger against her chin. The dark-haired girl frowned then sat up. "I've got it!"

"You have?"Jenn asked.

"Six Degrees of Mia-ness!" Trish exclaimed in triumph. When all she received were blank stares, the dark-haired girl sighed. "There was a movie called Six Degrees of Separation where the surmise is that everyone is linked in some way to each other."

"Okay," Jenn said slowly.

"Lu is using Mia to get revenge on Puck. By hurting Mia he hurts Puck, right?"

"Right."

"So to hurt Mia, he hurts the people that she's close to. Mia thinks of me as the big sister she never had. So by hurting me, he hurts Mia, thus hurting Puck. Jenn knows me but she also knows Mia. So by hurting Jenn, Lucius scores against both Mia and myself. And so on…the common link is Mia."

"I see what you mean,"Callie nodded.

"I'm confuzzled,"Shannon confessed.

"Me too,"Jenn admitted.

"Me three," Ash echoed.

"To put it bluntly, if you know Mia – you're doomed."

"You don't have to put it that bluntly, Trish," the teenager in question pouted.

"Sorry Mi," her eldest friend grinned. "It's a Sagittarius trait. We Sags can be blunt, tactless and about as subtle as a ton of bricks."

Jenn was looking thoughtful as she stroked the soft fur on a purring Pikachu. "So because I'm friends with Mia, I'm in danger from this Lu?"

"You got it."

"But…I haven't had anything bad happen to me yet!"

The Grand Master twisted around to stare at the blonde in shock. "Heeelllllooooo Jenn??? Does being knocked off cliffs recently ring a bell with you – or is it a regular habit of yours that I don't know about?"

Jenn grinned sheepishly as Trish rolled her eyes."Uh yeah, there was that," the blonde admitted. "Although I didn't mind what happened immediately afterwards…"

Ash gave a wry smile. "You wouldn't."

"Plus because you're my best friend, you are also a target," Trish continued.

"So I'm completely doomed?"Jenn quipped.

"Doomed to writhe in eternal damnation in the fiery depths of hell," her best friend confirmed with a solemn nod.

"I should be so lucky,"Jenn leaned over and poked the girl on the arm. "I thought I told you to lay off reading all those Buffy books."

"Well there isn't much else for me to do while I've been sick."

"True."

"Apart from staring at the blow-up print of the jewellery advertisement you so thoughtfully got for me to hang on my wall."

"Awwwyeah, I like staring at that too. Glad I asked for two prints!" the blonde said dreamily.

Danny raised an eyebrow. "You have a jewellery ad hanging on your wall?"

"It's not just any jewellery ad,"Jenn waved a finger at the Navel Island Gym Leader.

"It isn't?"

"Of course not!" Trish spoke up. "And it's not the jewellery we're interested in; rather the very hot looking naked guy in the ad!"

"How naked?"Mia wanted to know.

"Very naked. Makes waking up in the morning so much nicer…"Jenn sighed.

"Mhmm. When he was on that billboard, it made walking to work so much nicer too!" her best friend added.

"Women," Danny rolled his eyes before being whacked in the arm. "Ouch."

Callie laughed then sobered. "Getting back to business, now that we know who's behind all this mischief, we can start to rectify things." She turned towards Trish. "First of all, we need to take that spell off you."

As Jenn and the others watched, the Fae closed her eyes and concentrated, a soft lilac light slowly encircling the Australian. The blonde felt slightly apprehensive – for none of the numerous doctors and specialists had been able to help Trish. Callie was now the only one who could help the girl. But what if this doesn't work, a small voice nagged at her. Shut up you, she thought to herself. Of course it's going to work, it just has to.

A frown creased Callie's forehead after a few minutes, then the group gasped as Trish suddenly slumped against Danny, unconscious. Before they could say anything, Callie raised a hand. "It's okay, she's just sleeping. The counter spell has the tendency to sap one's strength."

"Is the spell gone completely now?" Mia asked hopefully.

But the Fae shook her head. "No, unfortunately the spell is much more complicated than I first thought. Some parts are interconnected with each other, and the wrong spell could make it even worse. Plus I didn't want to subject her to too much magic since her health is so fragile at the moment. She needs to build up her strength more. But at least she will free of that debilitating fever and not vomiting so much."

As Danny helped Jenn put Trish into her bed, Callie cast a few more counter spells. Puck looked over at Mia who was visibly trembling beside him. He drew her into a tight embrace and the brunette buried her head into his shoulder.

They stayed like that in silence for a few moments, when Mia raised her head. "Puck, I'm really scared."

"I know." Puck tightened his hold around her, trying not to show how worried he was. For Mia was not one to admit fear very easily, her Puerto Rican pride forbade it. But he could see the terror in her emerald green eyes and the tremors that shook her slim figure. "I promise that I won't let Lu harm you."

"Even though I said that I didn't love you before?" she squeaked.

Puck gave her a quick kiss. "You weren't yourself when you said that, so it doesn't matter now."

Mia smiled and hugged him tightly. "Good, because I do love you so."

The chestnut-haired Fae returned the embrace. "I love you, Mi. I promise that Lu will never harm you. Ever."

~*~

In a cave on the outskirts of the city limits, vivid green eyes snapped open suddenly to the sound of tiny alarm bells. "NO!"

Lu shot up out of his reclining chair where he had been slumbering peacefully. Another spell of his had been broken, a tiny warning mechanism hidden within the spell had been triggered when the counter spell was launched.

The red-haired Fae paced restlessly as he 'read' the information that the alarm was giving to him. These alarm spells were designed to give the name of the being that had broken it. His eyes widened first then narrowed. "Noooo…"he breathed. "It couldn't be…"

A Fae even more powerful than his ultimate nemesis Puck; a Fae that was far more powerful than he. The one being that could ruin all…

"Calliope." The name was hissed with pure venom as a glass was thrown to the cave floor with full force, splintering into thousands of tiny glass fragments.

He had to get away and fast. She was probably finding out his location through his spells even now. Lucius feverishly summoned a spell that teleported him to another cave; this time on a small island to the north of Pummelo.

The tall Fae resumed his pacing like that of a caged tiger.  How could his flawless spells be coming undone? First Mia, then Jenn and now Trish. He found small comfort in that Trish was not completely free of his evil spell…."Which is a good thing," he muttered. "Because I haven't yet succeeded in ridding the world of one pesky mortal. That tall blonde was saved from a messy end by that damn meddling Chosen One!"

But he would succeed with this one. After all there were many ways to achieve his ends.

The Fae nodded to himself before casting a summoning spell. Rudy and Jaime appeared in a puff of smoke; Jaime holding a small doll's dress in her hands.

The girl blinked then scowled at Lu. "Do you mind?! I was just about to dress up my Pichus in these adorable outfits. How about a little warning next time!"

She shrank back at the cold glare. "Silence Mortal!!! Need I remind you just who is the Master here?"

"You..you are, Sir," the red head quavered.

Lu smiled benignly. "Good, because we have much work to do, if my evil plan is to succeed."

"What happened?" Rudy ran a hand through his hair.

"Puck's sister has managed to break a few of my spells and she also knows that I am behind all the mischief that's been going on," Lu explained as he began pacing.

"What's that got to do with it?"

Lu spun around and glared at the Trovita Island Gym Leader. "EVERYTHING!" he hissed. "Calliope is a far more powerful Fae than I, and what is more it is her younger brother that I am trying to destroy. Do you think she'd just stand by and watch?"

Rudy shrugged. "I dunno. Years ago when my little sister and her Seel were stuck in a dangerous whirlpool, I watched on with a pair of binoculars while someone else rescued her."

"Unfortunately for us, Callie is not like that at all. She would do anything for her family, even if it means she has to kill to defend them."

"So do you still have control over anyone?" Jaime enquired.

"Trish, Drake and naturally you two," Lu examined his nails in a bored fashion. "The most important is Trish; by hurting her, I hurt Mia and therefore Puck. Since I can't kill her by illness now, I can always destroy her another way -by turning Drake against her."

"That shouldn't be too hard," Rudy grinned. "It appears that Drake's best friend and my fellow colleague Danny, has been spending a LOT of time with Trish. Not only that, he's been buying her flowers and gifts. I saw Drake the other day and he didn't look happy at all."

"Good," the Fae sat down on his chair and steepled his fingers. "We are going to help things along a bit." A thin manila envelope appeared in the air in front of Jaime. "Take it."

She did so. "What is it?"

"These are the results of an official pregnancy test you would get from a doctor. You are to give this to the Orange Crew Leader saying that you found this around the house. Upon opening it - he will learn that his girlfriend is pregnant…and not to him either."

"Ooooh," Rudy rubbed his hands with glee. "Once they have broken up, I can offer to comfort my poor darling…"

Jaime looked puzzled. "Wouldn't she turn to Jenn instead?"

"Of course not!" the Trovita Island Gym Leader flicked his hair. "I'm the only one Trish would turn to!"

"Dream on," Jaime muttered under her breath.

~*~

Christine hummed as she dropped her sarong to the bathroom floor. The "girl" had just come back from a tanning and swimming session at the beach and she was pleased to see that it had not been in vain. The areas of her body not covered by the tiny black bikini were now a pleasant golden brown.

She turned on the taps and closed her eyes as the warm water ran over her head and down her body. A slight tingle accompanied it but she ignored it. Chris was now more or less resigned to the fact that for some inexplicable reason, he was now a she. He had no idea of how or why he changed…and therefore had no idea when, if ever, he would turn back. He still didn't like it, but he had to live with it.

She had managed to keep Paul from furthering their relationship beyond a kiss or two. Sleeping with a guy was just not something that Chris was prepared to deal with yet as a woman. She shuddered at the very thought. I mean that would just be soo wrong, and that would make me a homosexual. Then again…what exactly am I?


To all outer appearances, he was fully female. Inside however he was still fully male, or so he hoped. After a month of living like a woman, he found it rather disturbing that he often thought like a woman. So really I'm both male and female at the moment. So what does that make me?


His 'sisters' were no help. Jenn had smirked and called him 'Hermie". When he asked Trish what that meant, the dark-haired girl had burst out laughing before she told him that it was short for hermaphrodite.

Christine sighed and ran the soap over her chest, then stopped dead in her tracks. Where there were supposed to be generous breasts, there was…nothing. Cracking open one eye, she looked down to see the pectorals of a young male. His eyes opened wider and he looked down further and smiled broadly when he saw that his 'vital male equipment' had been restored to him. Gone was the long black hair, as was every other feminine feature.

Christine had disappeared. Christopher was back.

The dark-haired male pumped his fists in triumph. "YES!!!!"he shouted. Filled with a wonderful exuberance, he quickly flipped off the taps and dashed out of the bathroom into his hotel room. Flinging open the door, he stepped out into the hallway in a dramatic pose. "I AM DA MAAAAAAAAAAN!"

There was a shocked gasp and a few giggles in reply. Chris opened his eyes to see a few guests staring at him with their mouths open; among them was none other than Kaz and Tracey. "Hey Chris good to see you back!" the girl greeted with a smirk. "Love your outfit…"

Chris looked down and flushed beet red in embarrassment as he realised that he was still attired in the black bikini. He rushed back inside the room and slammed the door shut; and slid down into a heap on the floor. How humiliating. Would his friends ever let him live this one down? He didn't think so.

~*~

The next day...

I just cannot believe that I would wear a hot pink crop top, a mini skirt and heels," Mia sighed as she stirred her iced chocolate. The seventeen-year-old was sitting at a local cafe with Trish and Jenn. Since Trish had woken that morning feeling a lot more chipper than she had been for weeks, Jenn had decided that it was as fine a time as any to "take the Trishy Tiger for a walk out in the fresh air."

"You did," Jenn smirked.

"And Ash and Dana were really Pikachus?"

"Uh-huh."

"And you really woke up in bed with him?"

The blonde felt a faint blush start to steal over her cheeks so she stared intently at her Pepsi.

"Wow,"Mia's eyes sparkled. "So does that mean you two did it?? Did it??"

"Of course not!!!" Jenn said rather sharply. "He's a married man with a child on the way. Completely off-limits!" But if the truth be told, that morning's kiss could have turned into so much more, had it not been for the fact that Jenn promptly freaked out about her little Satochu. Of course, she thought rather ruefully, I had NO idea that Ash was Satochu. Sometimes I wonder if my own mind conspires against me.

Mia waved her hands in surrender. "Okay, Okay I'm sorry." She took a sip of her drink. "So what else have I missed while being enchanted?"

"Well," Trish sipped her coffee. "Riny and Flory should be due back soon from their secluded beachside villa in Tahiti."

"Tahiti?" Mia frowned. "You mean that Riny went with Flory to a secluded villa by themselves?"

"Well, yeah. As you do."

"But that's just wrong!" the brunette gasped. "What will Rina's parents say when they find out their daughter's getting it on with her boyfriend?"

"Her parents are fine with it," Jenn said, puzzled at Mia's reaction.

"Wha??? I mean wasn't Rina the one who was always lecturing everyone in our group to wait until..." Mia was interrupted mid-flight by Trish putting a hand on her arm.

"Hold it Mini Mi. It's okay for Riny to go away with Flory. After all he is her husband now. It's all perfectly legal if they want to make like rabbits."

"So...Rina's married now?"

"That's right," Trish confirmed.

"Awww that's not fair," Mia pouted. "I can't remember the wedding at all!!!!"

"Don't worry, there's always the wedding video," Jenn comforted.

"So Rina's a Mrs now...Poor Rina...and she had soo much potential too."

Trish chuckled. "Marriage is not a death sentence Mi and it's what both of them wanted."

A gleam came into the younger girl's eyes. "Say...did either of you two get married as well without me knowing??"

"Nope," Jenn shook her head. "We're both still single." The last part came out with a forlorn sigh.

Mia gave her older friend a comforting hug. "Poor Jenn. It isn't fair is it? I've got Puck and Trish has Drake...Speaking of the man, I haven't seen him come around to the villa lately." She turned to her other friend. "There isn't anything wrong is there? He's just been busy right?"

Trish shifted slightly in her seat as she stirred her coffee, before looking at Mia with a bright smile. "You're absolutely right there Mi. Drake's been swamped with work as a result of these League celebrations, and he doesn't have much free time to visit."

"That's a shame," Mia sympathised.

"I know."

"So there's nothing wrong?"

The dark-haired girl smiled and shook her head. "Nothing wrong at all..."

"Okay."

Jenn raised an eyebrow and studied her best friend closely. She was positive that Trish had just told Mia what she wanted to hear; and was hiding something from both of them. Unlike Mia, Jenn could tell when Trish was putting on an act. Those smiles had been just a bit too bright and too forced, and she had just managed to overhear what Trish had muttered under her breath. "Only that Drake's being completely paranoid..."

Jenn wondered what was going on. She debated on whether or not to try and pry the information out of her friend later or to leave well alone.

"Hey girls!" a male voice shouted from amongst the crowds. The three looked up to see Chris jogging towards them.

Trish broke into a big smile. "Heeeey, you're back to normal!"

"I am!" Chris hugged each of them in turn. "Just when I was getting used to living as a woman too…"

"I say this call for a celebration," Mia piped up. "Chris is back to normal, I'm back to normal and Trish is semi-normal."

"After all she is an Australian and they live upside down,"Jenn nodded solemnly before getting a light thwack on the arm from said Australian.

"I agree," Chris grinned, jamming his hands in his jeans pocket. "How about we go for a drink at the Billabong Bar?"

"I dunno…"Jenn was hesitant.

"Oh come on Jenn," the Scot dragged her to her feet. "One little drink isn't going to hurt…"

~*~

"So…," Mia drawled as she stared at the scene before her. "One drink isn't going to hurt right?"

"I know, I know," Chris groaned into his beer. "I forgot about that…"

What Chris and the rest had forgotten was that Trish had not eaten much food for quite some time. And so one little drink had gone straight into her system and tipped her over the edge. While she wasn't completely inebriated, she was slightly tipsy. She was currently surrounded by several Australian tourists and expatriates and the whole bunch were singing songs from their homeland with gusto. "We come from the land down under. Where women glow and men plunder…"

"Is it just me, or did her Australian accent just get broader?" Mia wondered when the group moved into some nonsensical song called "Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport."

Take me platypus duck, Bill

Take me platypus duck.

Don't go let him running amok, Bill

So take me platypus duck.

All together now,

Tie me kangaroo down Sport

Tie me kangaroo down

Tie me kangaroo down Sport

So tie me kangaroo down.


"What are they singing about?" Chris asked with a raised eyebrow.

Jenn shrugged. "Beats me. Bet you they don't really know themselves."

"Think we should go?"Mia offered.

"Yeah," Jenn stood up and fixed Chris with a glare. "Okay since you got us into this mess – you can go and get Trish down off that bar stool."

"Yes Mum."

~*~

The heat of the midday sun beat down on the beach goers; and turned the ocean into a blanket of shimmering silver. Jenn brushed back a stray tendril of hair from her face and thanked her lucky stars that she was waiting under shelter at the Atrium.

The blonde was seated at a table for two in a secluded part of the restaurant veranda overlooking the main beach. She reached down and checked that the bag containing the present was still by her feet. James had promised her that he would take care of all the arrangements and that Ash would be there at the time stated.

The PA had also assured her that Misty would be none the wiser about this luncheon. James had arranged for the pregnant one to spend two whole days at a ritzy day spa resort; being pampered and indulged. He had told her that she deserved it because being pregnant wasn't that easy and that Ash didn't want his wife to be stressed in any way.

Jenn bit at her lower lip as she gazed at the view. A million thoughts were going through her mind. What if I'm overdressed? What if I'm underdressed? What if he doesn't turn up? What if he hates the gift? What if he tells me to go jump into the Ocean? What if he... But her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of the man himself.

Taking off his sunglasses, Ash flashed her a warm smile. "Hi Jenn, good to see you."

"Hi," Jenn squeaked out. Darn why did that man always have to look SO good? The Grand Master was dressed in a dark blue Armani shirt, open at the neck and black pants. The faint scent of a very nice cologne drifted across from him.

Jenn shifted a bit in her seat. Maybe this wasn't such a great idea after all...Here was a guy she wanted but couldn't have, looking all so very sexy and grrr...and what's more she was alone with him. Maybe she should have dragged Trish, Mia or Shannon along.

"So," Ash said as he sat down opposite her. "James said that you wanted to take me out to lunch, though he didn't say why..."

"Uh, yeah," Jenn said, still feeling the warm tingle that shot through her when his knees brushed against hers. "This is a thank you lunch.."

"That's nice of you...but what for?"

"For saving my life the other night," Jenn blushed and glanced down at the glass of water the waiter had placed there.

Ash chuckled as he leant back in his chair. "You didn't have to thank me at all. I was just glad that I was there when it happened."

"But I wanted to!" Jenn insisted." And I also bought you something." She reached down and fished the gift wrapped present out of the bag and handed it over. "I hope you like it..."

The dark-haired man unwrapped the paper to reveal a glimpse of black leather. He unfolded it to reveal a snazzy bomber jacket in the softest black leather. He gave a low whistle of appreciation. "Very very nice," then he looked at the label and glanced up at her in surprise. "You bought me a designer label? You shouldn't have spent so much!"

"Yeah well, when I saw it I thought of you and well...you're worth it," Jenn smiled, happy that he liked it. Then she blushed as she realised just how that sounded.

"I'm really touched Jenn, but..." and he slid the jacket back towards her. "But I couldn't possibly accept something that could have been better spent on yourself."

The blonde shoved it back across. "No, I want you to have it. Its my way of saying thank you"

"I shouldn't..."

"You should! Pwease accept it?" Jenn gave him a pleading puppy look.

The Grand Master looked into those blue grey depths and sighed. "Okay, I accept."

"Yay!!!" Jenn cheered then bit her lower lip. "I just hope it fits..."

"May as well see," Ash rose from his chair and put on the jacket. It was a perfect fit and made him look even more grrr to Jenn. "How did you know my size?"

"Uh, I asked James to go through your closet," Jenn confessed.

Ash raised one eyebrow. "James went through my closet? I don't know whether I should be disturbed or not..."

Jenn was then surprised to see the dark-haired man hold out his hand. "Huh?"

"Come here for a moment..."

The puzzled girl took his hand and rose from her chair; only to be engulfed in a tight hug.

"Thanks for the jacket, Jenn. I'm really touched," Ash murmured in her ear. Jenn hugged him back and closed her eyes, enjoying the smell of brand new leather and being so close to the man.

Alas for the pair, their embrace had not gone unnoticed...

Rudy had just come out of the men's room at the back of the restaurant when he caught a glimpse of two people out of the corner of his eye.

He stopped behind a potted fern and his eyes widened. For there was the Grand Master and a girl who he recognised to be Jenn in a tight embrace!

Ash had his back to him, but Jenn's eyes were closed and there was a blissful smile on her features as she held onto the man.

This is interesting, very interesting, the Trovita Island Gym Leader thought to himself. I think I might keep a close eye on those two...

~*~

Back at the villa...


Trish grimaced at the loud announcement that Dana was going to cook lunch for anyone who was interested.

While she was not throwing up anymore, thank god, she wasn't sure if she could stomach Dana's 'cooking' this early into her recovery. The doorbell rang, and Trish rose to answer it, wondering who on earth would want to come by when Dana was cooking...

Opening the door, revealed Danny standing on the doorstep, dressed casually in a khaki shirt and light coloured pants."Hey..."

"If you know what's good for you Dan," Trish interrupted him. "You would get away from here before Dana starts to cook lunch."

"That bad huh?"

"You don't wanna know."

"Well then, what say that you and I go out for lunch? My shout - because this is your first step on the road to recovery.."

Trish hesitated, but then she heard Dana's voice holler from the kitchen. "Does lasagne have any pasta in it?"

"Let's go," the dark-haired girl said before rushing in to grab her purse.

The two went to a nearby café and sat down.

"So where's Jenn?"Danny asked as they placed their orders. "I didn't see her around…"

"Oh she said she was going out to lunch with Ash to thank him for saving her life recently," Trish answered.

"That's nice of her…"

"She did need some prodding at first."

"So how's things with you and Mr Dragonite Master…"

The dark-haired girl sighed and looked down at her hands for a minute. "Not that good…"

"What? How come?" Danny was shocked.

"I think…that you will have to stop coming around so much. Not that I don't enjoy your company but Drake seems to think you've been spending too much time."

The Navel Island Gym Leader sat back heavily in his chair. "So what you're saying is that Drake thinks that you and I…"

"Are having some wild passionate affair," Trish finished for him.

"But we're not having an affair!"

"I know it, you know it. I don't know why he's so paranoid. It's not as if I've been able to go out with him these last few weeks. I've been mostly confined to my bed!"

"Have you tried telling him that we're just good friends?"

"I have," Trish threw her hands up in frustration. "He either doesn't want to discuss it or else he doesn't have the time with all the League work due to the celebrations." Danny detected a slight undercurrent of resentment and bitterness in her voice. "Of course League work has to take the first priority over everything else."

"Got a bone to pick?"

The dark-haired girl nodded and when she looked up, he could see that she was rather upset. "I've hardly seen Drake these past two months – and the last time we spent together was a year ago. I know that his job as head of the Orange League and Pummelo Island Gym Leader is very important. I appreciate how much hard work he does and how important it is that these celebrations go smoothly. But I'm beginning to wonder if he values his work more than he does me…"

"I'm sure that's not true," Danny tried to reassure her.

"I know it's probably not true, but I'm just not so sure anymore. While I do love you, its only as a brother. No offence, Danny," Trish smiled.

"None taken, Sis," he grinned. "I'm sure he'll come to his senses soon. It could be due to all the stress…"

"I hope so…"

An hour later, their lunch finished and paid for, the pair made their way back along the esplanade.

"That was excellent," Trish said with a contented sigh. "You have no idea how nice it is to be able to enjoy your food again!"

"Bout time huh?" Danny grinned.

"Oh yeah. But I can't start eating like a Snorlax, since my body isn't used to having much in the way of solid foods for the past month or so..."

"So what has Jenn been giving you?"

"I've been subsisting on noodles, soup and crackers...of course that was only when my stomach could handle food." Trish wrinkled her nose. "I swear I never want to see chicken noodle soup for a very long time."

"Don't blame you at all."

They walked along in silence when Trish stopped dead in her tracks, her face drained of colour. The girl swayed violently on her feet for an instant before she pitched forward.

Luckily Danny was quick enough to catch her. The Navel Island Gym Leader wrapped one strong arm around her waist and drew her against him for support. "Whoa...are you okay?"

She shook her head once before leaning heavily against his chest; her eyes closed. "That was one really bad dizzy spell," she mumbled. "I...I thought I was going to black out."

Danny hugged his friend tightly. "Well don't you try to move until you're one hundred percent sure you can, okay?"

"Okay."

A few metres down the street, his errand quite forgotten, Drake stood with his mouth open in shock.

The Orange Crew Leader had to go into the city at the last minute to see his financial advisor at the bank. He had run into Rudy there who casually mentioned that he'd seen Danny nearby having lunch with Trish.

Drake was only a few metres away from the café when he saw Danny holding Trish close to him...and Trish wasn't making any attempt to move away.

The dark-haired man felt rather dizzy and angry. What the hell was going on here?! Well maybe that was not the appropriate question because he thought he knew. The photos, the flowers, the presents, the constant visits...they all added up to one conclusion - Trish was having an affair with his best friend.

He thought about rushing up and confronting them...but he needed some solid evidence first. The other things could be explained away...couldn't they?

Drake shook his head once and then walked quickly back the way he came. He needed to think...

The one question that was plaguing his mind amongst other unpleasant thoughts was "Why?"

To be continued…

Author's Note: The Suck. Any Australian would know what that is. If you want to know what it is – you will have to leave a review with your email address first. Only then will you find out what it is, I may decide to be nice and tell you. ^_^

A plug to my best friend Pikajenn's stories. Go and read them – they are fantastic. I might add that she doesn't believe me on this point, no matter how many times I tell her. Family Portrait is one stand out.

I will be taking two weeks annual leave in early December, so I shall try to do some writing.