Midsummer Nights

by Trish

The third instalment to the Midsummer Series. Chapter Thirty Nine now up.

34. 33: Leavin My Life in Your Hands

Midsummer Nights

By Trish.

Disclaimer: Pokémon does not belong to me, it belongs to Nintendo. Puck does not belong to me but to William Shakespeare. The storyline does belong to me. The lyrics in the chapter title come from the Backstreet Boys 'As Long As You Love Me'.

ooo

Chapter Thirty-Three: Leavin' My Life in Your Hands

Twenty minutes later, Trish arrived with Drake, Shannon and Jaime in tow; the Canadian holding the Pikachu.

Trish, with Ash's help, had filled the others in on the situation before they went to look for Puck. Problem was, the chestnut-haired Fae was nowhere to be found.

"He probably went to the dance earlier with Mia," Shannon said. "I think I overheard her saying that he was going to introduce her to some of his closest friends beforehand."

"Why is it that you can never find someone when you really need them," Trish sighed and had gently hugged a drooping Pikachu.

The small group stood in the doorway to the Grand Ballroom and looked around in admiration. The venue was truly a magnificent sight, with tall arched windows reaching almost to the high vaulted ceiling. Huge crystal chandeliers hung at intervals down the length of the room and cast a brilliant glow over the glittering crowds below.

"How on earth are we supposed to find one Fae in a sea of hundreds?" Shannon whispered as she self consciously adjusted the sleeves of her gown.

"Telepathy?" Drake suggested as he led them into the room. "There's no way we're just going to be able to find him just by looking, there are too many people! My guess is that we have to focus our thoughts on him and contact him that way."

"We have to look for Jenn too," Trish reminded them. "I don't like the thought of her being alone with that impostor at all."

There was an answering growl from the Pikachu and his cheeks sparked dangerously.

"Calm down, Ash," Jaime berated the small Pokémon. "I don't want or deserve to be shocked, so save that electricity for when you find this jerk."

Ash grinned sheepishly and patted her hand with his paw as a way of apology.

As they made their way through the crowds, a small murmur ran through the Faes that these must be the mortals who were special and honoured guests of the King and Queen.

A brunette Fae who was so scantily clad that Jaime and Shannon had to look away, smiled flirtatiously at Drake as he passed.

But the Orange Crew Leader merely smiled politely and slipped his arm around Trish's waist, holding her close as he raised her left hand to his lips and kissed it, the diamond ring sparkling in the light.

The Fae looked disappointed, and Trish reminded herself to keep acting classy and dignified. What she really wanted to do was give the Fae girl the finger and say "Sucked in!" But she wouldn't because that would be lowering herself.

The Australian looked around the crowded room in the hopes she could spot a certain blonde.

Jenn, where are you?

ooo

Jenn was feeling the happiest she had ever been in a very long while, slow dancing in the arms of the Grand Master to some very romantic Fae music.

If this is a dream, I don't ever want to wake up, she thought to herself as she snuggled against Ash.

The blonde not only felt beautiful, she knew she was beautiful. Ash had not taken his eyes off her since they had met up at the dance. It felt as if they were the only two in the whole room.

Ash drew her closer until they were pressed against each other, his hand that had been at the small of her back, slowly sliding down until it was much lower.

Jenn flushed as she felt something begin to bulge between them in Ash's lower regions. Ohmigawd, can this really be happening?

The Grand Master looked at her with a heated gaze, "How about we take a break from all this dancing and sit outside for a while?"

"Sure," she replied with nervous anticipation.

ooo

"Where is Puck?" Trish hissed to her friends as they continued to try to contact the Fae. "And while we're at it, where is Jenn?"

The blonde was nowhere to be seen, nor was the impostor Ash.

"This is not good. Not good at all," the Australian fretted. "We've got to find her."

"Now hang on, Trish," Jaime tried to soothe the girl. "Aren't you overreacting a little? Jenn's an adult, a big girl. I'm sure she can take care of herself against this guy."

"Ordinarily I would agree with you," Trish said. "But not this time, because this guy is not just pretending to be anyone, he's pretending to be Ash. And Ash is Jenn's weak spot."

"Huh?"

"What I mean is that Jenn is capable of defending herself against any guy, even Gary, but not against Ash," the Australian explained patiently. "She would do anything for him and any guy pretending to be him could use that to take advantage of her. Remember that incident when Lu put a glamour on Rudy to make him look like Ash? Jenn got a tattoo that was really a spying device, even though Jenn loathes needles and hates a lot of pain but she got it because Ash had one."

"And this guy is not only pretending to be Ash but he's got magic as well," Drake realised with a frown. "That makes him all the more dangerous."

"I don't know, guys," Shannon said nervously. "I mean, shouldn't we not be jumping to conclusions just yet? The guy could have just pretended to be Ash for some harmless fun, that's all."

Trish and the Pikachu just gave her a Look.

"Shannon, stealing a person's identity is never harmless fun," Trish said firmly. "He turned the real Ash into a Pikachu so that he couldn't stop him. No, this guy sounds like bad news."

"But how do we even hope to track them down in this crowd?" Jaime gestured.

Trish looked down at the Pikachu who cocked his head to the side. "How about we track her down using a Pikachu's sense of smell?"

Ash blinked.

"You can't tell me that you were in there the whole time with Jenn and didn't catch the scent of her favourite perfume?" Trish grinned. "The girl practically swims in Chanel Chance and I doubt if any Fae wears perfume like that."

He thought about it then nodded. Now that Trish mentioned it, he did remember smelling the floral scent of Jenn's perfume as she dabbed it on. It was one that he had always liked.

Jaime put the small creature down on the floor. "Now just be careful that no one accidentally steps on you," she reminded him.

The Pikachu lifted his nose in the air and sniffed intently. Catching the faint trace of Jenn's perfume, he ran off into the crowds, with the group following close behind.

ooo

Cormac was grinning to himself as he led the unsuspecting blonde to one of the many alcoves off the wide marble veranda that surrounded the Grand Ballroom. Each alcove had bench seating and wooden trellises covered with ivy to give privacy.

He was going to score with the blonde mortal tonight. He could tell she would do anything and everything that he told her to, because she thought he was the Grand Master. She was but putty in his arms.

Cormac had tried to ignore the growing bulge in his pants all evening but could not contain his lust any longer. Crude it may be, but he was going to take the blonde in the alcove while everyone else was dancing inside. This love struck blonde will probably find my love moves romantic, he thought snidely.

He pulled her into one of the alcoves and ignored her surprised little eep.

"We're making out here?"

"Isn't it romantic enough?" Cormac was surprised.

"Oh it's lovely!" Jenn said quickly. "I'm just a little surprised since it's not that far from everyone else."

"That little bit of danger makes it fun."

"And I laugh in the face of danger!"

Cormac shrugged. "If you feel like it."

Jenn frowned. "You know, I laugh in the face of danger."

"Yeah, you said that already." Cormac frowned. "Don't you want to make out?"

"Well, yeah," Jenn said. "It's just that…"

"What?"

"Nothing, I'm probably just imagining things."

"You are blonde," Cormac said. "It's bound to happen."

Jenn stood up angrily. "What the hell do you mean by that?!"

"Everyone knows that blondes aren't that smart."

"That's it, I am so out of here."

Cormac narrowed his eyes. "No, you're not."

"Watch me, dork!" She walked by him, but he grabbed her wrist. "Hey! Let me go, Ash!"

Cormac was thrilled by the fear that suddenly laced her voice. "I don't think so. We came in here to make out."

"Well I don't want to anymore," Jenn jerked her arm, but Cormac wasn't letting go. "Let go!"

"No, and right about now, I think I deserve more than making out," Cormac stood and pulled her against his body. "Let's take things up a notch."

Jenn's eyes got wide, "I so don't think so."

"You're blonde, that's natural that you don't think," Cormac shoved her back onto one of the benches.

"This isn't like you, Ash," Jenn's voice quivered. "You're not acting like yourself."

"Oh to the void with this," Cormac said. "I don't really care about pretending anymore. I'm getting you and no one can stop me. Especially not that stupid Chosen One."

"What's going on?!" Jenn cried out. "What're you talking about?!"

ooo

Nimbly weaving in and out between all the legs, Ash finally made it out onto the wide veranda. Sitting on his haunches, he sniffed the air again. Jenn's perfume was much stronger and his sharp Pikachu ears caught the sounds of two voices nearby, one masculine, low and menacing, one feminine and slightly raised with fear.

It was Jenn and she was about to be in huge trouble.

Waves of fury welled up inside him and Ash's cheeks sparked dangerously as he put on a burst of speed with Agility.

Pokémon form or not, he would be damned in Hell if he let that creep who stole his identity, hurt the girl that he really liked. Even more so when that jerk was posing as him.

Some distance behind him, he heard the voices of his friends as they followed his jagged tail.

Just as he neared the alcove, a high-pitched scream rang through the air.

ooo

Jenn was absolutely terrified as she lay against the cold marble of the bench, slightly dazed from the brutal shove 'Ash' had given her when she had tried to get up. He was now standing over her with some rope he had got from Lugia knows where and tying her wrists above her head.

The blonde silently cursed her stupidity in running off from Trish and the little Pikachu earlier. She cursed her stupid pride that wouldn't let her go back to them. If she had, then she wouldn't be in this mess. Hindsight is such a bitch.

With a sinking heart, Jenn realised that she had been duped again. She knew now that this man wasn't Ash at all. There was no way in the world that Ash would ever treat her like this man was treating her. Even worse, that meant that the Pikachu with the note had been right all along. That Pikachu was the real Ash Ketchum, and this Ash was an impostor.

An impostor who was about to rape her.

Jenn struggled furiously to get upright as the man was fumbling with his pants. If only she could get to her feet, then she could run towards the ballroom and towards help.

But she couldn't manage it and tears prickled the back of her eyes. Where was Trish? Where was Ash? Heck, she would have even loved to see Drake appear just about now. Jenn knew that the Orange Crew Leader would have had no trouble punching this jerk into unconsciousness.

Suddenly a yellow blur skittered around the corner and launched itself at high speed right at her attacker. The impact right in the middle of his stomach region sent the man flying to the other side of the alcove.

The blur landed upright on all fours and Jenn's heart leapt when she saw it was a Pikachu with red cheeks sparking dangerously.

Before the man could move, the Pikachu clenched its tiny paws into fists and sent a huge bolt of lightning into the impostor. 'PIKA!!!"

The man screamed and his form jerked and spasmed with the huge amount of electricity coursing through him before it died down as suddenly as it had appeared.

As he lay there smoking, something strange happened to the man, and his body glowed and wavered until finally a blond-haired Fae lay unconscious. Then he glowed again and reverted back to a dark-haired Ash.

Jenn's eyes widened at the sight and at the little Pikachu who dusted its paws together with a satisfied 'Kachu.' But she had no time to ponder this latest development as her friends came barrelling around the corner.

"Jenn!!" Trish gasped and rushed over to her friend, as did Drake. The two managed to gently raise her to an upright position and loosened her bonds. Jenn sagged against the Orange Crew Leader and he put his arm around her, supporting her with his strength.

"I don't suppose this is the perfect time to say I told…"

"Drake, your continued existence depends so much on you not finishing that sentence."

"Cha," the Pikachu jumped up onto the bench next to the two.

"I can't deal with all of this right now." Jenn looked down at him. "I need to just go to sleep and wake up and forget all this happened."

She stood up, a little shaky, and walked out. Trish followed close behind.

Drake snorted, "Now she wants to forget."

Ash nodded and went to follow, but Drake shook his head. "I really wouldn't, Ash. She needs some time."

Ash sighed but sat back. He looked back at Cormac, who still looked like him, and shocked him again, just because.

Drake turned a blind eye to it, but grinned anyway. What could he say? The impostor had obviously been trying to get away.

"What's going on?" A new voice came onto the scene. It was Puck, Mia and Callie with Savin not far behind.

The Orange Crew Leader pointed to the unconscious man lying on the ground. "This Fae here has been impersonating Ash, who the Fae turned into this Pikachu here."

Ash waved his paw at them.

"And Ash just saved Jenn from being raped by this guy by using a nice Thunder attack."

"By the gods," Puck breathed, absolutely horrified, as were the two other Faes. "Is Jenn okay?"

"She's a bit shaken but otherwise unharmed," Drake reassured them. "Trish has gone back to the room with her."

"I'm sure she'll be fine after a good night's sleep," Shannon added, though she looked worried.

"So who's this?" Callie asked, pointing at the Fae on the ground, whose form was softly glowing.

"Someone called Cormac," Drake said.

Savin's eyes widened. "Cormac?" As he said the words, the Fae glowed once before reverting to the blond-haired male he had always been.

"So that's why we couldn't find him," Savin breathed as he knelt down beside his brother and helped him up to a sitting position. "Mother and Father will be pleased that he has been found." He looked at the gathered mortals, "I am sorry for all this, but Cormac has always been my parents' favourite and he's always got what he wanted. I guess he decided he wanted Jenn and that Ash was in the way."

The Pikachu frowned and began to chatter angrily to the Orange Crew Leader next to him.

Though he had no idea what Ash was saying, Drake frowned as well, "I don't think a simple sorry is gonna cut it with Ash or Jenn. Identity theft and attempted rape are serious crimes and Cormac can't go unpunished for it, even if he has managed to get away with it before. Maybe if someone had put their foot down before when he was younger, it would have never come to this."

"Don't worry, he won't go unpunished," Callie assured him as a group of Fae sentries came running out in response to her signal.

Two burly guards hauled Cormac to his feet and handcuffed his wrists behind his back. Cormac groaned at the sensation of the iron that had been clapped around his wrists.

"Tell the King and Queen that this Fae stole the identity of the Chosen One and attempted to force himself on one of the mortal females," the female Fae gave the instructions.

The guards nodded and hauled their prisoner off.

Puck watched them disappear around the corner before turning back to the small electric mouse that was sitting patiently on the marble bench. "So, I guess we turn you back to normal now, huh, Ash?"

The Pikachu glared daggers at the chestnut-haired Fae and he grinned sheepishly. "Oh right, I forgot what happens when you turn back. Let's go back to your room first then perform the spell."

ooo

Jenn was never so glad to reach the safety of her room as she was that night. The blonde walked in and sat down on the edge of her bed and buried her face in her hands.

Soft footsteps came across the carpet and she knew without looking that Trish had followed her. Without a word, her best friend sat down beside her and placed a gentle hand on her back.

Now that the adrenalin had died down, a bad case of the shakes now set in, along with tears. For once, Jenn didn't care if anyone saw her crying. She was that far past caring. She had never been that frightened in her life. Not even the incident on the Titanic had shaken her this much, because she had at least known what to expect on the ship and could take steps to save herself.

Here she had been bound up and rendered totally helpless, and her attacker had been a lot stronger than she had been and had magic in his arsenal as well. "You know," she said, her words muffled as she didn't lift her head from her hands, "This coulda all been spared if Puck had given me my fire power back."

Trish's concern instantly bordered on exasperation. Trust the girl to a) not give up on getting magic back in her life and b) to joke during a serious time.

"I don't think it would've worked here, Jenn."

"Ash's did," Jenn sat up, mindless of her tear streaked face. "Ash…I can't even believe he was a Pikachu again."

"Strange things happen around him all the time." Trish shrugged. "He's the Chosen One."

There was silence for a moment, broken by a yawn from Jenn. A yawn that was chopped up by a hiccup left over from crying.

"You'd better get some sleep, missy," Trish said sternly. "Things will be brighter in the morning."

"Of course they will," Jenn said sagely. "It'll be morning. That sun thing will be in the sky."

Trish slapped her friend lightly on the shoulder. "Get changed and get to sleep."

"Yes, mom," Jenn said, slightly mockingly. She gave her friend a hug and then watched as the door closed behind Trish. The blonde sighed and looked down at her dress. It was torn along the side and streaked with dirt.

She stalked to the bathroom, closed the door, and then tore the dress off. She balled it up and tossed it into the trash can, then turned the water on hot and steamy. She'd need a bath before getting to bed or else she would be unable to sleep. Jenn had always found bathing to be relaxing.

ooo

Trish managed to locate her friends easily enough when she returned to the Grand Ballroom, they were standing off to the side, evidently deciding that it was safer for mere mortals to stick together when faced with mischievous magical beings.

Jaime was the first to notice her approach and told the rest, who then all perked up with expectant gazes.

"How's Jenn?" Drake asked his fiancée as she slipped her hand in his.

"She's a bit unstrung and upset, but she'll be okay after she has a good sleep. I sent her off to bed," Trish informed them.

"You sure she'll be okay?" Mia asked, doubt tingeing her voice. "I mean this is Jenn after all. She says she's fine when she isn't and all that."

"I'm sure," the Australian grinned. "The reason being that Jenn kept making wisecracks the whole time I was there. If Jenn doesn't make light of a serious situation with at least one wisecrack, then there is something seriously wrong."

"If you say so," the brunette was still a little doubtful.

"If Trish says not to worry about Jenn, then I wouldn't worry," Drake told Mia. "After all she's her best friend and knows her best. Who else would have continued to put up with Jenn all this time?"

Trish smacked the Orange Crew Leader on his arm. "Hush, Drake and be nice for once! Jenn's just had a very traumatic event."

"I am being nice," Drake protested. "I can't help it if Jenn's always getting herself into trouble."

"That's true," the Australian sighed. "Sometimes I wish she had a tracking device on her so I could find her before she gets into trouble."

"That would take all the fun out if it," Drake said, "Don't you think?"

"I'm thinking that you're not thinking," Trish grumped. "Why don't you go and be a sweetie and get me a little something to drink?"

"Uh…okay," Drake scurried off, glad for the respite.

"Trish, did you send him off just to get him out of here?" Mia grinned.

The Australian smirked, "You know me far too well!"

ooo

Half an hour later, Ash returned with Puck to the festivities, now back in his proper human form. The Grand Master adjusted his bow-tie a little before entering the room.

He chuckled a little at the thought that the last time he had entered this very room, he had been a foot tall Pikachu.

"They're over there," Puck indicated the far side of the room and led him towards their friends.

"Hey Ash, glad to see chu back to normal," Trish quipped with a wicked grin.

Groans all around.

"Trish, that was really bad," Shannon shook her head good-naturedly.

"Thank you," the Australian beamed. "I try."

Ash grinned at the light-hearted banter before sobering and asking the question that been plaguing his mind for the past hour. "How's Jenn doing?"

In reply, Trish took his hand. "How about we talk about this while we take a turn around the dance floor?"

"Uh…okay," Ash blinked with confusion but let her lead him into the crowds.

Taking her into his arms, they began to dance and Trish fixed him with calm gaze. "Jenn is going to be fine, Ash. She was rather shaken so I sent her to bed, but I think that things will be better in the morning."

"That's good," the Grand Master sighed in relief. "I don't think I could bear it if she'd been hurt by that creep, especially while he was pretending to be me."

"Thanks for saving her, Ash," Trish said gratefully. "If it hadn't been for you racing ahead…well I don't think I really want to consider what would have happened to Jenn."

"You've known me long enough by now to know that I live to help," the dark-haired man smiled. "It's part of my nature."

"Mind if I start calling you Jenn's Guardian Angel?" Trish grinned. "Every single time she's been in trouble, you've been the one to rescue her. It's almost like you have her on radar."

"Nothing like that, I can assure you," he said. "I just have a knack for turning up at the right time."

"And thank Lugia that you do."

Ash then asked a question that had been bugging him ever since they had arrived in the Fae realms, and who better to answer than the girl who knew best?

"Trish, have you noticed that Jenn's been a little jittery around me lately?"

"She's not just a little jittery, she's more like jumpy," the Australian rolled her eyes.

"Is…it something I've said or done?"

"Not at all," Trish shook her head. "It's more like the fact that Jenn has really got it bad for you. I know that's nothing new but the situation between you is now different. You're now available, so things could possibly happen between you two."

Ash started to protest but Trish put a hand up to stop him.

"I know that it's too soon for you to think about dating again, everyone knows that," she continued. "But I do think perhaps there's a chance later on for happiness."

"I know," the Grand Master said. "And I do like Jenn, a lot."

"Perhaps a little more than friends?" Trish asked knowingly.

Ash almost went to deny it, but then changed his mind. Who was he trying to kid? There were no paparazzi snooping around and Trish would never run to the press and blab. "Yeah, I do."

"I knew it!" Trish grinned then sobered. "Jenn's just very afraid of being hurt again, that's why she's a little jittery around you. Gary was her first real relationship and he treated her like trash. Just treat her gently and treat her nice, or Grand Master or not, it'll be your funeral."

"Do you think she's afraid of me?"

"What? That's absurd!"

"It's just that…these new powers are a little hard to control at times." He sighed. "I'm a little confused at times by them."

Trish shook her head. "You are so talking to the wrong person about this."

Ash laughed, "Yeah, I know. I should probably be talking to Sabrina about it."

"She's creepy, Ash," Trish said. "Really creepy."

"Aww, she's not so bad once you get to know her," the Grand Master defended his colleague and friend. "She hasn't reverted back to that scary version since Haunter joined her."

"She's still kinda creepy."

ooo

Jenn woke up, refreshed, to brilliant sunlight streaming in through the gap in the long silk curtains. Rubbing her eyes as she slowly raised herself to a sitting position, the events of last night came flooding back.

The Pikachu handing her the note to say he was really Ash, Jenn running out of the room on Trish and Ash. Ash…no…Cormac trying to rape her and the real Ash in the shape of a Pikachu coming to her rescue.

The blonde sighed and ran a hand through her messy bed hair. Why did things around her always have to be so messed up?

Why didn't she listen to Trish when her friend first raised the possibility that the strange little Pikachu was Ash, when her friend was usually right about her hunches? Why didn't she believe Ash when he waved that note at her?

Hang on, make that why did she refuse to believe that Ash could have been a Pikachu again. Deep deep down inside she had known that the Pikachu was telling the truth; otherwise she never would have yelled at it using Ash's name when it kept trying to talk to Trish. Jenn had known, which is why she had run.

But running from the truth had turned out to be the worst mistake she had made.

Now not only would she have to hear an "I told you so!" from Trish, but she would also have to thank Ash for saving her life yet again and apologize to him for not believing him.

This day has the potential to be extremely sucky.

ooo

Breakfast was quieter compared to the previous day because all were tired from the dance. It was also awkward for two in particular.

Jenn looked a little nervous to be around Ash, and froze with 'deer caught in the headlights' look on her face whenever he so much as glanced her way.

Ash sighed inwardly, making a note to try to talk to her later.

Trish was another who was a little exasperated by the blonde's behaviour, but knew from past experience that there was not much she could do about it. She decided to take a stroll through the palace gardens to muse over Jenn and Ash and to come to terms with the fact that she would have to relive her ordeal at the hands of Lu in a few days time.

ooo

Trish wandered through the tall hedges of the rear garden. The gardens themselves were amazing. There were five of them, one for each element that the Faes worked with in their magic. She was in the earth garden and was surrounded by many hues of brown and green.

Birds chirped softly and a warm breeze gently teased her hair. Trish was walking by a large evergreen when she heard a voice nearby.

"...and if you were to, again in theory, jump from the top turret, I dare say that you won't die."

Trish blinked. What was the subject of this conversation?!? Intrigued, she walked closer until she came upon a small clearing. Sitting beneath a large oak tree was a brown haired guy who looked to be around her own age.

Though she didn't make any motion, he looked up, right at her, and looked back down. Trish was very put off by that. How rude! He looked right at her, took no notice of her, and continued talking with...nothing. It struck Trish as odd that he looked somewhat like Danny.

Her curiosity was beyond piqued. She walked closer until she could more clearly hear him. She could also see that he looked very much like Danny. So much that they could almost be twins. If it weren't for his brilliant purple eyes, they could be twins.

"Of course she cannot see me! She's mortal and I am Fae." The Fae paused and scowled down at the boulder who had apparently offended him. "What do you mean she's right behind me? What do you mean, turn around?"

"The boulder said to turn around," Trish said with false sweetness. "I think you should listen to it."

"It's not a boulder that I am talking to," The Fae was irritated. "It's the cricket on top of it!"

"What cricket?"

Then the Fae turned back and got a good look at her. "You!" His eyes widened and he leaped to his feet. "What are you doing here?"

"Puck invited me." Trish tilted her head to the side. "Who are you talking to if it's not the boulder?"

The Fae went to answer then paused, "What do you mean she can see me but not you?"

"I can't hear him either." Trish added on.

The Fae sighed. "Yes, yes, of course you're right."

"Okay," Trish said, puzzled.

"Not you," he gestured to the boulder. "Him."

"Who?"

"He won't show himself to you," the Fae said. "Air spirit, you know. Flighty things. Annoying things, as well." He sighed. "Fine, I'm sorry for saying the truth about you."

A stiff breeze gusted by, aimed directly at the Fae, and he sighed patiently. "Let's just go back to the palace and find Puck. And if you won't show yourself, then at least leave and take your wind with you."

The wind ceased and the Fae gestured to Trish. "Come along. Let's go find Puck." Then he muttered, "Damned annoying trickster."

Trish paused, then followed the Fae. As she passed the boulder, she caught sight of something small and blue sitting on the boulder. She turned her head to look, and caught a fleeting glimpse of a tiny winged figure dressed in blue. It...he...was barely taller than her cell phone. It waved at her, then vanished from sight.

That was as tiny as Tinkerbell! Trish thought excitedly, but followed the Danny looking Fae. Hope Jenn doesn't see this guy. She'll fall all over him!

She was also curious to know more about this Fae and why the curious reaction to her presence here. How did he know her when she had never set foot in the Fae realms before? Nor did she remember ever seeing this particular Fae in the past.

The only Faes she knew were Puck, Callie, Flory and Lu. Not that she really knew Lu at all but had the unfortunate luck to be one of his victims.

ooo

They found Puck in one of the sitting rooms, leafing through a book. The chestnut-haired Fae glanced up at their approach and his eyes widened.

Placing the book down quickly on the table, he gave a graceful bow. "Your Highness, Prince Fiore, what may I do for you?"

Trish raised an eyebrow. The Fae that looked like Danny was a prince? He certainly didn't act like one.

Fiore gestured to Trish. "This mortal lady says that you invited her. Is that so?"

Puck's eyes widened. "Trish? Why yes, your parents and I invited her along with the other mortals. They are needed to testify against Lucius." He looked a little worried. "Has she been bothering you, your highness?"

"I haven't been bothering anyone," the Australian scowled at Puck. "And that's the truth." Trish simmered inside. Maybe she was wrong. This guy was certainly acting as arrogant as she thought a prince might act.

"They're here for the Courts?" Fiore frowned. "So that would mean that they're going to testify."

Trish sighed. "He already said that!"

"Trish," Puck said warningly. "Prince Fiore is one of the sons of the King and Queen."

"Puck, I got that," Trish said. "I know what Prince means."

"No, don't worry about it, Puck," Fiore said. "Listen, I have some things to do, so I'd appreciate it if you could watch over Trish."

"Excuse you!" Trish said, very Jenn like. "I am not a helpless creature that needs to be looked after!"

Fiore gave her a blank look, then shrugged. "I'll be seeing you around, Puck."

With that, Fiore walked out of the room. The door closed on its own behind the Prince.

"That guy is so arrogant!" Trish seethed.

"That guy is a Prince," Puck said patiently. "And you're lucky you didn't get him mad."

"How many times do I have to tell you that I didn't do anything wrong," the Australian said with some exasperation. "All I was doing was walking in the palace gardens when I came across this prince talking to what appeared to be himself about jumping off the top turret and not dying. Naturally I walked over to him to introduce myself and ask if everything is alright. Now if that is a crime in this realm, then you should have big signs up wherever the royal family is, saying "Do not enter, do not speak to royal family."

"Okay, okay," the chestnut-haired Fae held his hands up in submission. "I thought you had done something else for the prince to come and ask me how you came to be here."

"Well I didn't," Trish crossed her arms. "And Prince or not, I am going to talk to him and get some answers."

"Whoa there," Puck looked a little nervous. "I don't think that's a very good idea, Trish. What if he gets mad?"

"So? I think I deserve an explanation of why he leapt to his feet and said "You!!" and asked me what I was doing here, when I have never seen him before in my life. Then being taken to see you and then him walking off without so much as an explanation as to his behaviour towards me. It's like I'm being accused of some crime without being told what the crime is."

"Oh, no, it's nothing like that," Puck said. He hesitated. "I doubt he was trying to accuse you of something."

"Then what do you call that attitude?"

"Royalty," Puck shrugged. "He's born to it and it's all he knows, but he's actually a lot more personable than his brothers."

Trish made a face, "He's not as bad as his brothers? I so do not want to meet them."

"I don't know if that will be possible," Puck gave a wry grin. "You are staying in their palace."

"We've been here, what, two or three days and he's the first one I've seen," Trish declared. " This place is huge. I think it's possible."

ooo

Jenn was slouched in a large leather chair in the library, completely engrossed in a novel, when she noticed that there were a pair of legs peeking from under the book. Feeling apprehensive, she slowly and reluctantly looked up and saw the Grand Master staring at her.

Still, she gave a little shriek and dropped the book at the sight of the one man she had been trying to avoid all day. Her luck had finally run out. "Ash!! What are you doing here?!" She scowled at the book. She'd lost her place.

Ash raised a dark eyebrow. "Wanting to ask you how you are feeling after last night. Unless I'm not allowed to ask such a question of the Goddess."

Jenn flushed slightly under the dark gaze. "Uh…sorry, I didn't mean for it to come out like that. I'm much better this morning, thanks for asking."

Relief washed over the Grand Master's features. "That's good to hear." He looked down at her book and then at her. "Listen, can we talk?"

Jenn fidgeted with the pages of her book. It didn't really matter what page she'd been on. It wasn't all that interesting, though it beat trying to come up with an excuse to say to Ash. She wasn't too sure about being alone with him, even with a little voice inside her conscience telling her otherwise.

C'mon girl, think about it. That wasn't Ash last night and you know it. That was just another Fae pretending to be him. This is the real deal in front of you and you know he would never hurt you. In fact he rescued you again, so why would he hurt you? Besides you can't run away from him forever.

"Uh, sure," the blonde shut the book and put it down on the table next to the chair. "Take a seat.

Ash sat down beside her and seemed to be debating with himself over something. Finally he took a deep breath and turned to her. "Jenn….why are you so afraid of me? You've never been afraid before. Why now?"

Jenn blinked. "Me? Afraid of you? Of course not!"

"Then why have you been trying to avoid me all this time?"

"Wow, you know, I bet the mixed signals from me are just frustrating." She finally said. At his nod, she continued. "It's just that, I mean, I like you, but you just got divorced. Then we came here and it was like, wow I'm finally free to talk to you, and then BAM!" She smacked her hands together and grinned when Ash jumped a little. "You get turned into a Pikachu, and he turns into you."

"But still…"

"Ah, ye of little memory," Jenn said. "I know it wasn't much of a big deal for you, but that guy looked and sounded just like you."

"Yeah, I remember that much," Ash rolled his eyes. "I'm a guy, but I'm not stupid."

"You said it, not me," Jenn said, then continued. "See, it wouldn't sound the same if I said, imagine if some female Fae turned me into an Absol, then turned into me, just so she could have her wicked way with you."

Ash grinned and had to duck to avoid getting smacked by Jenn. "Okay, okay, I get it!"

"You're gonna get it. Besides, it wasn't the fact that he wanted to have his wicked way with me," Jenn scowled and thought it over. "I mean, it was, because even if he looked and sounded like you, he wasn't you. But the point was that I was powerless to do anything. I don't like that."

Ash wisely said nothing. If he wasn't in the Fae dimension, he'd have all his Chosen One powers at the ready. Since he was here, the magics in this dimension had effectively neutralized his powers. That may not make much sense to anyone not used to dealing with magic, but Ash had been told by Puck that the King and Queen were extremely powerful and that they'd set wards in place. Anyone that ventured in from any other dimension would be without their powers while in the Fae dimension.

Jenn sighed. "I just can't wait to get back home. It sucks when idiots around you are insanely powerful. I just want to get this stupid trial done and over with."

"Yeah, you must miss your family."

"And my Pokémon," Jenn shrugged. "I haven't even gotten a chance to ride my Rapidash or to get Meowth to ask that Mightyena what it's doing here." She looked thoughtful. "Or to cuddle with my Absol and test out my Dratini's strength. Plus my Growlithe are totally ready to evolve."

"Got any Fire Stones handy?" Ash asked with a smile.

"Pfft. I wish. Those stones are hella expensive for one, let alone two," Jenn snorted.

"Though there was a time that Drake offered to buy them for me as well as for Trish, but I forgot about it until it was too late."

"I've got plenty of them back home," the Grand Master said. "I think I could spare two."

The blonde's eyes widened. "Really? You'd just give them to me? That would be awesome."

"No problem," Ash smiled. "Just remind me about them when we get back."

The two sat in companionable silence for a few moments and Jenn lost more and more of her awkwardness around Ash with every passing minute. There was just something about him that made Jenn feel totally at ease and comfortable. No other man had been able do that. Not even Gary.

"So…" Ash broke the silence and fixed her with a steady gaze. "You really like me, don't you."

"Of course I do!" Jenn grinned. "I've always liked you, Ash."

Ash shook his head good-naturedly. "No, no, I mean really like me, as in romantic like."

Jenn felt her face turn pink and felt herself go suddenly shy. "Yeah, I really do."

"I feel the same way about you too," Ash smiled. "I know that it's too soon after my divorce for either of us to be together….but it doesn't mean that we can't make it happen, eventually." He took her hand in his and squeezed it gently. "We still can hang around together as friends and let it happen at its own pace."

"My pace isn't as slow as the gossip mongers."

"I know," Ash said, "But with some things, it's best to be patient."

"Says the man who was so impatient when he was rookie Pokémon trainer," Jenn said teasingly. "Don't try to deny it, because Brock's told us a ton of stories about your journeys together."

"He can't talk," the Grand Master grumbled good-naturedly. "The minute he saw any pretty girl he would propose marriage instantly. Can't tell you how many times that scared them off." He tilted his head to the side. "Still does, actually."

ooo

After dinner, Shannon and Jenn decided to pay their eldest friend a visit, so wandered into where Trish and Drake were staying. They found the couple in the suite's sitting room, Drake was reading a book while Trish was staring off into space, looking a little pensive.

The Orange Crew Leader glanced up and noted the marked change in Jenn's mood since the morning. "Hey Jenn, you look like the cat that just got the cream. What's happened?"

Jenn grinned as she flopped down next to the Australian. "Ashy and I talked."

"Oh?" Shannon was instantly interested. Jenn hadn't shared that on their walk over.

"And I did say that I really liked him," Jenn grinned. "And then he told me that he feels the same about me and that a relationship could happen."

"Will happen," Trish corrected with a grin. "You know it will, because you two are perfect for each other."

"Imagine that," the blonde sighed dreamily. "A hot guy like that being interested in me…"

Drake would have said something, but for the fact that Trish pinched his arm hard . He yelped in pain instead.

"I told you things could work out if you really want them to," her best friend said triumphantly. "And I was right."

"Yes, Master Yoda," Jenn rolled her eyes. "Always right you are."

"And what are you up to?" Shannon asked the eldest girl. "You were looking like you were plotting something when we came in."

"I am," Trish confirmed. "I am determined to confront a certain Fae and get some answers."

Shannon looked a little nervous. "After what happened to Jenn, is that wise?"

"You sound just like Puck."

"Yeah, so what Fae are you gonna talk to?" Jenn asked. "And why would you want to talk to one?"

Trish shrugged. "Just this one that seems to be a complete arrogant jerk."

"And again, why would you want to talk to one of them?"

"Because he acts as if he knows me, or knows something about me, and I want to know what it is," the Australian declared. "I've never seen him before in my life!"

"Do you know his name?" Drake asked.

"Prince Fiore, and he's one of the sons of the King and Queen."

"You know a prince?" Jenn blinked. "I thought you said that you didn't know any royalty."

"I don't know him!" Trish protested. "But he knows me, and that's what I want to find out about!"

ooo

The Fae in question was engrossed in a large book in his private chambers. Well…he was trying to read, as was his usual want, but he just couldn't concentrate.

Fiore was a little unsettled by the appearance of Trish in the Fae Realms. He had never expected to see her again after his good deed and that was the way that he preferred it.

But now she was here to testify against Lucius, and Fiore was afraid that Trish just might find out his secret.

Just might…more like, she will, and sooner rather than later, he thought. Puck did say that she was the most clued in of all the mortals. I wonder how she will react…or how will I react…once she finds out? Females make me so nervous.

ooo

Meanwhile, Mia and Puck were taking a moonlight stroll in the gardens, walking arm in arm.

It was very romantic, or would be, if Mia's mind had not been so preoccupied.

After debating with herself, she finally mustered the courage to speak up. "Puck…have your parents said anything to you about…us?"

The chestnut-haired Fae stopped short and blinked. "Us? Why do you ask?"

"Puck, I'm not sure that your parents, especially your mother, like me very much," Mia blurted out. "I think that they'd like me more if I was a Fae, but I'm not."

"Mia, I think they'd like me more if I wasn't such a trickster," Puck gave her a level look. "But I can't change who I am. I could make you just as Fae as I am, but it wouldn't stop you from still doubting yourself. You might worry that you weren't Fae enough for them. Besides, how could they not grow to love you? They just haven't had enough time to get to know you."

"You really think so?" Mia's voice was a little hopeful.

"I know so," Puck smiled as he kissed her gently. "Just give them some time and they will come to love you. I'm sure it won't take them long at all, I mean, I fell in love with you the moment I saw you."

Mia blushed furiously and she slapped his arm playfully. "That was such a suck up line."

Secretly she was thrilled by it but she wasn't gonna let him know that.

"But it's true!" the chestnut-haired Fae protested. "The moment I saw you at the convention, I fell head over heels for you."

"The head over heels part sounds about right," she teased.

"Miiiiia! That's not fair," Puck pouted, a wounded look on his face. "You can't talk, you are just as klutzy as I am."

Mia giggled and kissed him on the cheek. "I know, that's why Jenn always says that we're the perfect pair."

"You shouldn't worry too much, Mi," Puck reassured his girlfriend. "Mum and Dad can hardly say no to us being together, not after Flory married Riny."

ooo

After breakfast the next day, Trish decided that now was as good a time as any to track down Prince Fiore. The trial was fast coming up and she didn't need any other mysteries hanging around her when she was the first to testify.

She decided not to ask any of the servants or other Faes about where he was. They would just tell him that she was looking for him, and the way he reacted to her the first time, she would bet that he would do a runner.

Patience was the key. Sooner or later she would find him, though it would help if she could find that air spirit he was talking to. Fiore had said that the sprite wouldn't show himself to her, but the sprite did exactly that.

If the sprite was willing to help her, perhaps he could convince the prince that Trish had no intention of hurting him or even jumping him. She was just curious as to how he knew her when she had never seen him before in her life.

So she went to the earth garden where she had first seen it. To her dismay, it was empty. She turned, dejected, and went to go back to the palace. Just when she had turned, she heard a squeak.

Curious, she turned back and saw the cutest creature sitting on the ground and looking up at her. It looked a lot like a tiny cream powder puff, all fluffy and with big brown eyes and two little floppy ears.

Trish knelt down slowly as to not scare it. "Aren't you a little cutie," she cooed and the critter squeaked happily and hopped up and down in delight. "I don't know what you are, but you're cute."

She rose to her feet and turned to go, but she had not gone very far when she heard another squeak. The Australian turned to see the same creature sitting behind her and looking up with big brown eyes.

"I know I said you were cute, but that didn't mean you had to follow me," she grinned and knelt down again. Slowly she reached out her hand, very slowly, just in case it grew fangs and turned out to be not so cute after all.

The tiny creature squeaked and hopped closer until finally she could put her hand on it and gently rub it behind its ears. The little creature purred contentedly.

"You know I can't take you home," Trish sighed. "Whatever you are. I don't think Fae creatures can travel outside their realms."

"Normally, they can't," An amused voice said from behind her. "However, I don't know how you'll break the news to Puck."

Trish sprang to her feet and spun around in a heartbeat. "What is wrong with you people! You can't just scare someone like that!"

Fiore looked confused. "I didn't scare you. He was telling you I was behind you."

"Forgive me," Trish said scathingly. "But I don't speak creampuff."

"Creampuff?"

"Forget about it," Trish pinned the royal Fae with a glare. "Tell me who you are and how you know me."

"Direct, isn't she?" Fiore asked the creampuff. The creature squeaked.

"I'm over here," Trish said. "Tell me the truth now."

"Hey, you can't just order me around," Fiore said. "No one orders me around."

"Oh, okay," Trish nodded and shrugged. "I guess I'll have to go ask your mum or dad why you know me before you even knew I was here." She walked by him. "See you around."

Fiore's confusion was snapped into clarity. "You can't ask them!"

"Why not? You don't seem to know how to answer a simple question."

"It's not that simple!"

"Why?!"

"Because…because I wasn't supposed to do what I did." Fiore sighed dejectedly. "I wasn't supposed to interfere. Observance without interference."

"That's a scientific impossibility. The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle. Whatever you study, you also change."

"You know the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle?" Fiore looked surprised. "That's fascinating."

"No, what's fascinating is that the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle crossed dimensions." Trish sighed. "Listen, why were you watching and what were you watching to do something that you're too scared to tell me?"

"We watch you. Royalty can watch mortals of their choosing." Fiore looked uncomfortable, then muttered something.

"What was that?"

"A quick spell," Fiore explained. "It allows us to speak and not be heard."

"By anyone?" Trish was doubtful.

"By anyone," Fiore said, "I'm royal. I naturally have more powerful magic."

"Yeah, well continue talking."

"We, the royal family that is, chose to watch over you mortals just to make sure that Puck wasn't messing up your lives again. We all know what a prankster he is."

"And?"

"We focused on you especially when we saw what Lucius was doing."

"You…knew?"

"We knew," Fiore said, missing the disbelief in Trish's voice. "And while no one else thought that what he was doing was intrinsically wrong…"

"He tried to kill us several times! What could be more intrinsically wrong than that?!"

"He never succeeded."

"He almost did!" Trish seethed. "I almost died! I was in a coma!"

"I know, and when that happened I knew I couldn't sit back and do nothing," Fiore took a deep breath. "I helped you back from your coma."

Trish blinked. "That's it? That's your big secret?"

"I lied to you," Fiore looked ashamed. "I told you things that weren't true."

"You said you were my Guide."

"I know." Fiore sounded miserable. "I wish I could make it up to you but…"

"Why would you want to make it up to me? You were my Guide." Trish shook her head. "You guided me from death. You brought me back."

"You…you're happy about my lies?"

Unexpectedly, she threw her arms around him and hugged him, "I always wanted to thank you! I never thought I would be able to express how much that meant to me." She stepped back and a happy gleam was in her eyes. "I never would have guessed this!"

"Oh, please don't tell," Fiore begged, still bright red from the hug. "If my siblings ever found out, they'd have a field day. I get teased enough for being such a bookworm."

"I promise," Trish swore, "I'll never tell anyone."

Fiore looked into her heart and saw that she told the truth, and smiled. "Thank you."

The Australian shook her head. "No, don't thank me. I'm the one who should be thanking you. You saved my life. I can never thank or repay you enough for that."

"Oh no need for that," the Fae looked down at his feet. "I just couldn't stand by and watch you die. Anyone would have done the same thing."

"But they didn't," Trish said. "You were the only one who cared enough to do something. That should prove to you that you're a better person than any of the others." She grinned and impulsively hugged him again. "Thank you so much, Fiore. Because of you, I have a future."

She stepped back and showed the Fae her left hand with the engagement ring. "See? I would not be getting married to the man of my dreams if not for you. I would be six feet under and pushing up daisies in some cemetery back home."

"So you're not mad?" Fiore ventured timidly.

"Not at all!" Trish shook her head. "I'm ecstatic!" She looked at him quizzically. "Just one question…why did you take the form of Mushuu instead of your own form? You look exactly like my fiancé's best friend, Danny."

"I thought that Mushuu would be more like a spirit guide might look like," the prince explained. "And that you might trust me more."

"Did you help Jenn as well?" Trish then asked. "Because she told me that she was helped by a Danny look-alike on the Titanic."

"Yeah that was me too," the Fae admitted. "After Lucius targeted you, I made it my mission to save as many of his victims as I could."

"Thank you for that," Trish smiled. "I don't know what I would have done if my best friend had died." She looked at the prince. "Look, I know you don't want anyone to know about this, and that I promised a few minutes ago that I wouldn't tell anyone…but can I at least tell Drake? I know that he'd like to thank you too, and he would never tell anyone else."

Fiore pondered it over before nodding. "I guess so. But no one else."

"Promise." Trish held out her hand. "Friends?"

Fiore took her hand and shook it, smiling. "Friends."

"So you're a bookworm?"

"Yeah, love reading, and my siblings tease me for it," Fiore ran a hand through his hair. "They think I'm going to marry a book instead of a girl, because I don't know to act around them."

"You have been looking a little uncomfortable around me," Trish grinned.

"I just get so nervous around girls," the prince confessed. "I don't know what to say to them."

"Your siblings tease you lots?"

"They do. They keep on saying that no girl would want to dance with me at all because I'm so awkward."

Trish tilted her head slightly. "I bet you can dance though, being a royal you would have had dance lessons or something."

"We all had to have them growing up," Fiore blushed.

"So all you need is a willing partner," Trish said. "I can fix that."

An indignant squeaking by their feet interrupted them and they looked down to see the creampuff looking most indignant.

"He thinks you're paying too much attention to me," Fiore translated.

"Not to be rude or anything…but what is it?"

"It's a Fluffy."

Trish gave him a dry look. "Very original."

"That's what it is, fluffy," the Fae defended himself. "I didn't name the creatures, someone else did."

"And were they eight when they did?" Trish giggled. "It's such a childish name for a species!"

Fiore shook his head, "I would have suggested creampuff."

Trish gave him a dubious look. "You did not!"

The Fluffy squeaked demandingly.

"Yes, I know," Fiore said to it. "But she has more pressing issues."

Another squeak.

"She must prepare for the trials," Fiore said solemnly. "They begin tomorrow."

Trish, who had been laughing at the two, suddenly quieted. "Tomorrow? I didn't know that."

"Yes," Fiore said to the Australian. "And the Courts will want to talk to as many of you as they can tomorrow and the next day. It will be extremely intense."

"Wow," Trish sighed. "Yes, it will be."

"You should inform your friends," Fiore prompted.

"That's right," Trish gasped, "I have to warn them! Now if you will excuse me, I have to go." She walked off quickly. "I'll talk to you later!" Her voice floated back.

The Fluffy squeaked in dismay but then vanished.

Fiore blinked then shook his head.

ooo

Trish found her friends gathered in the girls' suite and they all looked up when she entered, looking a little breathless.

"Is everything okay?" Jenn asked, a little concerned.

"Not really," Trish sat down next to her fiancé. "I just found out that Lu's trial has been moved forward to tomorrow. They're starting earlier because they want to get as much done as possible."

"What?" the blonde blanched. "But…I'm not ready for that! I'm not ready to stand in front of another audience!" Ash quietly reached over and took her hand, which seemed to calm her a bit.

Shannon bit back a little awww at the sight. It seemed that things might be finally going right for her older friend. Though the blonde obviously tried to pretend that Ash wasn't there, it was more than noticeable that she accepted and needed his support.

"Neither am I," Trish grimaced. She leaned into Drake for support. "I don't want to face having another asthma attack like that."

"There are safety precautions," Callie said. "While you will go through every thing that happened as if reliving it, you won't suffer the same ailments."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Jenn looked confused. "If we go through it, the only thing that can happen is for us to have the same results from those memories."

"Chaos theory," Trish offered with a grin.

Jenn rolled her eyes.

"What's that?" Callie asked.

"Chaos theory, brought up by the very sexy Ian Malcolm," Jenn said knowingly. "If a butterfly flaps its wings in Peking, it rains in New York."

"What?!" Shannon shook her head. "That doesn't apply to this sort of a situation."

"It could too," Jenn said. "If you run a drop of water down the back of someone's hand, and then try the same thing again, there's a different result. If you have us relive our memories, as Callie says, then theoretically we won't have the same exact end result."

There were blank looks all around and Jenn sighed with defeat.

"So, Callie, it's sort of a safety net?" The blonde offered.

"Um…no," Callie still looked confused, but shrugged elegantly. "Actually, you'll just be remembering the events of the trials Lu put you through, but without any physical harm befalling you. It's more of a simulation, than a reliving of what happened."

"Well that's good," Trish said somewhat relieved. "But even a simulation could trigger off my asthma, you know."

"Will you have doctors or whatever equivalent you have in this world, standing by?" Drake asked, concerned for his fiancée's health.

"I'll make sure that there will be medical support there," Callie reassured him.

Trish was about to ask something when a familiar bit of fluff appeared in her lap. The Fluffy looked up at her with a happy squeak. The Australian sighed.

"Oooh isn't it just the cutest thing you've ever seen!" Jaime squealed and clasped her hands.

"No, that is the weirdest thing I've ever seen," Jenn peered closer at the tiny creature who was purring contentedly like a small motor. "What is it?"

"It's a Fluffy," Trish said as she scratched it behind its floppy ears. "I saw it out in the gardens when I was trying to find the prince and it's followed me ever since."

"Fluffy?" the blonde raised an eyebrow. "Did some demon spawn of a kid name it?"

"I don't know," Trish shrugged. "But that's what it's called."

"Appropriate name for it," Drake grinned. He gently tickled the critter on the head and it squeaked joyfully. "Hope you're not the possessive type."

In response, the creature purred louder and rubbed against Drake's hand.

"Aww, it likes older men!" Jenn beamed.

"I really need to blackmail her with something," Drake muttered.

"For now, despite Fluffy's distracting ways, I think we need to concentrate on the trials," Trish said. "I'm first, then Mia, Ash, and Jenn."

"What?!" Jenn blurted out, "I'm last?!"

Trish shrugged, "Saving the best for last?"

"Trish, this isn't that kind of last!" Jenn whined.

Ash went to pat her hand reassuringly, but Jenn shook her head.

"I don't need to be distracted, Fluffy. I'm in the middle of a dramatic crisis." The blonde sighed loudly. "Man, I should have gone to the Caribbean."

"Don't you mean 'mon'?" Drake wisecracked.

Jenn glared at him, "You watch yourself, mon, or I'll shove some rum where the sun don't shine."

"Cool it, you two," Trish warned with frown. "I don't need you two bickering like children when I'm gonna have to testify tomorrow." The Fluffy growled at them from her lap.

"I'll behave if Jenn does," Drake said.

The blonde tossed her head. "Puh-lease, I am always well-behaved."

"Yeah, right," Jaime rolled her eyes. "And just who is the one in our group who is always getting into trouble?"

"I don't go looking for trouble," Jenn sniffed. "It just seems to always finds me."

"That's what I've been saying for years," Ash mused. "But no one seems to believe me."

"Oh, now look who's being dramatic," Jenn snorted. "You have not been saying that for years."

"You two are a perfect match then," Shannon grinned slyly. "Both trouble magnets."

"While I think it's perfectly adorable that the two of you are bickering," Trish grinned. "I think we need to get down to basics. We need to bug Callie for defensive guards against any trouble brought up by the trials."

"I'll make sure that there are safeguards in place," the female Fae reassured them. "If you start experiencing physical distress during the reliving, then you can detach yourself from the process. The Court will still experience and see what happened to you, but you will no longer be a part of it."

"That's a relief," Jenn sighed. "I don't want to swim in an ice cold ocean ever again."

ooo

Later that night

After tossing and turning for what seemed the thousandth time, Jenn rolled over and opened one bleary eye at the digital clock on the bedside table. The fluorescent figures glowed 1.15AM.

The blonde groaned to herself before flinging off the covers and slowly getting out of bed. There was just no way she was able to sleep tonight, not with her mind buzzing about the upcoming trials and reliving her nightmare ordeal at the hands of Lu.

Pulling on her silk robe, the blonde stepped into a pair of slippers, and made her way quietly to the double doors which opened onto the wide common balcony that went around the entire floor.

A soft breeze ruffled her hair as she stepped outside, and she inhaled the fresh air deeply. It was then that she noticed that she was not the only one who couldn't sleep.

A little further up from her, she could make out the familiar figure of her best friend, sitting down on one of the stone benches and gazing out into the distance.

Jenn padded up to her and Trish glanced at her in surprise as she sat down next to her.

"What, you couldn't sleep as well?" the Australian asked.

"Yeah," the blonde sighed. "Mind's just buzzing. Bet you're awake for the same reason. Thinking about the trial?"

"To quote a certain Goddess, duh," Trish grinned. "Not looking forward to it at all."

"Me neither," Jenn agreed. "It was hard enough getting rid of those nightmares in the first place and now we have to go through it all over again!"

Trish nodded as she gazed out into the night sky. "I must confess that I'm more than a little nervous about it. As you know I had the hardest time recovering from it, both physically and mentally." She looked down at her hands then up again. "I want to see Lu convicted and pay for what he's done to me…but I'm not sure if I could go through all that again."

"Sure you can," Jenn reassured her. "Didn't you survive everything Lu put you through? You're a much stronger person for that and he can't ever hurt you again. Just remember what Callie Allie said; you can get out of it any time you want."

"I'm guess I'm over-anxious about it," the Australian grinned sheepishly. "You're not worried."

"Oh I am worried, I just don't show it," Jenn patted her on the back. "Besides, your case is a bit different. I nearly died but you were, technically, dead for a while. That would freak me out too."

"But Ash has died for a while and he coped better than me."

"Don't compare yourself with Ash," Jenn grinned. "Ash has nearly died or died so many times that it seems to be a part of his life now. He's used to it, and he's got the Freaky Chosen One thing that gets him brought back to life. You and me, we don't have that luxury."

"You're right," Trish grinned back.

"Duh!" Jenn smirked. "The Goddess is always right."

Her friend rolled her eyes.

"You'll be fine, T," the blonde said confidently. "You've got me and you've got that old dude of yours for support."

Trish sighed. "I wish you would stop calling Drake old."

"So does he, but I'm not," Jenn grinned. "He's older than you and that ain't nuthin but the truth."

"Yeah, but that whole old joke is getting a bit…"

"Old?" Jenn wisecracked.

"If I had something to throw at you, I would," Trish groaned. "You're insufferable."

"Yeah, but you love me for it," the blonde smirked then sobered. "And I'll be fine too, when my turn comes, because I've got you and Ashy-boy for support."

"Oh, how I wish I had a mini tape recorder or something like that handy," Trish sighed. "Your public admittance of needing Ash is so rare."

"Whatev," Jenn shrugged, "I'm considering myself lucky Ash didn't appear at the mention of his name. Dude's like a dog sometimes."

"Guess you'd know that firsthand," Trish grinned slyly.

"And again with the jokes getting old," Jenn rolled her eyes.

"Now you know what it feels like," Trish kept on grinning.

What neither of the girls noticed was slight movement at the darkness to the left of them. From the shadows, Ash grinned before teleporting back to his room. He had so heard the whole admission. While it was cute, the dog thing was something that could, in his humble opinion, not be mentioned. Though, the Grand Master thought, I bet Drake would love having something to talk back to Jenn about.

ooo

The Court was full to capacity for the first morning of Lu's trial. Many Faes wanted to have a closer look at the mortals as well as hear about what Lucius did to them. Rumours were flying about that there had been kidnappings, torture and a hurricane. A rippling murmur ran through the room as the prisoner was marched in, handcuffed and bound between two guards, and made to sit in the dock.

Lu glared through his bangs at the mortals who were all seated together in the front row, just behind the Crown Prosecutor. His anger burned in his green eyes and the tension levels in the room were palpable.

Jenn shivered slightly at the sight of those hate-filled eyes and clenched her hands into fists. She jumped when something touched one hand and it took her a second to remember that Ash was sitting next to her.

The Grand Master smiled reassuringly at her and rested one hand over one of hers. Before she realized what she was doing, she unclenched her hand and turned it over, taking Ash's hand into hers. Then she knew that Lu couldn't do anything to her, even though those piercing emerald eyes were full of unspoken threats.

At the focal point of the room, the King and Queen were sitting on the judges bench along with two High Court Judges. It would be this quartet who would decide the final judgement.

The Crown Prosecutor rose and bowed to the bench. "Your Majesties, Your Honours, and lords and ladies of the Court. I would like to call my first mortal witness to give her account of the injustices she suffered at the defendant's hands."

Trish swallowed once then rose and walked to the witness box. She was dressed neatly in a navy blue tailored skirt and blazer. She sat down facing the prosecutor.

"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?"

"I do," she said firmly.

"Prior to your ordeals, did you have any knowledge of the Fae, Lucius?"

"No," Trish shook her head. "The only Faes I knew were Callie and Puck. I had never seen Lucius before in my life."

"And what did he do to you?"

"He made me fall ill with an incurable sickness, and at the same time brainwashed my boyfriend into thinking that I was having an affair with his best friend. When that didn't work, he magicked me away into a scene from a book I was reading, The Hound of the Baskervilles. I was chased and hunted down by the Hound until I was rescued by Puck and Callie."

Trish paused and glared at the prisoner. "As a result, I suffered a near fatal asthma attack and lay in a coma for a few weeks. Not to mention the fact that my recovery took a long time, not only from the physical trauma but the psychological trauma of the ordeal. All because he told me that he was hell-bent on getting revenge on Puck for stopping his plans to overthrow the King. I was just a means to his diabolical ends."

"He told you this?"

"Yes," she stated firmly. "He told me this before he sent me out to face my doom on the moors. I think he believed that no one would be able to save me in time, so his secret would go with me to my grave."

"Thank you, Trish. You may resume your seat."

Gratefully she went back to her seat between Drake and Jenn, and Mia was called next.

"And what did Lucius do to you, Mia?"

"He targeted all of my friends to get at me," she told the Courts. "Because I was the girlfriend of his number one enemy, he thought to harm Puck by harming me by hurting all of my friends one by one."

"So was the harm entirely psychological or physical as well?"

"Physical as well, sir," Mia answered. "After Puck, Callie, Ash and Drake and all the Pokémon had defeated him after the hurricane, he tried to shoot Puck." She paused. "I couldn't bear to see Puck hurt so I took the bullet for him. I nearly died."

King Oberon and Queen Titania shared a look at that statement but said nothing.

Before Jenn knew it, Ash was in front of the Courts telling them about the hurricane, the kidnapping of the girls and the ransom note.

Then it was her turn and the blonde gulped once and rose from her seat. As she passed her best friend, Trish gave her a reassuring smile, and she walked to the dock. Thankfully she didn't stumble or trip over her own two feet in front of all those Faes. Bad enough being ridiculed in her own world, but in another world as well? That would really be humiliating.

"Please, Miss, if you would give your account of your ordeals," the Prosecutor said.

"Well, where do I begin," Jenn said, a little nervous laugh escaping her lips. "That bad ass has done so many things to me. First of all, he goes and kidnaps me and tries to get me to go all evil on my friends to get at Puck. When I refuse, he threatens to kill me but luckily I was rescued by Puck and the Pokémon."

"Next, because I escaped and ruined his plans, he goes and turns me into an Absol, the one Pokémon out of hundreds that my best friend happened to have a phobia of. Now how sucky was that?"

The Prosecutor and all the Faes blinked with confusion. "…Sucky?" the legal Fae ventured.

"Bad, it means very bad," Jenn clarified. "Anyway that wasn't all Lulu did. Cuz the next thing he did was trick me into thinking his mortal crony was my ex and it got me so mad that I wanted to confront him. After magicking up a double and making it look like I committed suicide, he sent me off to drown in the icy Atlantic on the Titanic. And trust me, you never ever want to experience icy cold water like that."

"I believe you," the Fae smiled. "Thank you, you may resume your seat."

Jenn hurried back to her seat and heaved a great sigh of relief that the first part was over.

"Now we come to the second and most important part of the trial," the Fae said. "The reliving of the ordeals. This will allow us to see, hear, and feel what it was really like during each of the ordeals. The Court Mage will place over their neck the special Talisman which will tap into their memories and project it out to the Court."

The Fae turned to the Court, "If your Majesties would allow an intermission for the mortals to recuperate from retelling their stories?"

"That won't be necessary," Trish spoke up, then looked around at her friends. There were nods of agreement. "We're ready now."

"Very well, if you're ready to begin, would you please come forward to give your account?"

The Australian took a deep breath to calm herself and walked out to where the prosecutor was standing with the Court Mage.

The mage was holding a small pewter talisman by its silver chain. "Now all I want you to do is to focus on what happened to you. The talisman will lock onto the memory and take over from there. No need to stay focused, the talisman will do all the work. It will project the memory as an all surrounding hologram. You will be surrounded by all the sights, sounds and feelings exactly as they were on the night, but you will not be harmed as you were."

Trish breathed a silent sigh of relief at that comment. This was the part that worried her the most, more than the retelling of her story. It wasn't so traumatic just telling what happened her, because she wasn't confronted with the images. But with this, she would be surrounded by the sights and sounds of her ordeal, and it might trigger a reaction she never wanted to experience again.

You can do this, she thought to herself. You survived the real thing, you can survive this. You have to let them see what happened to you so that Lu pays.

"If you start experiencing any physical distress, then you can ask to be released from the memories by just telling us that you want to get out," the mage told her. "This will not affect the trial in any way as the Talisman need only to tap into a part of your subconscious to project the whole ordeal."

He placed the talisman around the neck and she noted that it was shaped like a dragon head. The metal felt cool against her skin as it settled around her neck.

"Now I want you to think on the main ordeal, the Hound," the Prosecutor prompted gently. "Rather than put you through everything, we shall just focus on the main incident."

The Australian concentrated and thought back to when she woke up and discovered she was in another realm altogether. The talisman at her neck began to glow brightly before a stream of light beamed out of the dragon's mouth and spread across the entire room, changing the appearance entirely. Gone was the bright and airy chamber of the Fae Court, replaced by the dark rich woods of a mansion in Dartmoor.

Trish almost jumped out of her skin at the sight of herself across the room, garbed in Victorian attire and Lu, also dressed in clothes from that era; but then realised that the talisman was projecting things as it happened.

Her role was not to relive every single detail of what had happened, rather to act as a conduit for the talisman.

She grinned to herself as she saw Lu cringing when it showed him telling her about why he was committing these crimes. Nothing like being incriminated by your own words, she thought smugly. It would have to be the most damning evidence of all.

Then the scene changed to the scenery of Dartmoor, and Trish shivered involuntarily as she once again beheld that foggy, barren and sinister landscape. She told herself that this was only a memory not the real thing, but that did not quell the rising apprehension that was starting inside. This may be harder than I thought…

ooo

Trish's discomfort did not go unnoticed by some in the room. Jenn was watching her friend with some concern and noticed that Trish started to clench her hands tightly by her side.

Stay cool, T, she begged her friend silently. Remember this is ain't no thang but a memory, and memories can't hurt you. Jenn was afraid that if Trish didn't stay calm and collected, that it could trigger off another asthma attack. Not something that she wanted to deal with, when so far away from home and human medical facilities. She wasn't sure if the Fae realm had hospitals or even if Faes got sick.

The blonde glanced over at Drake and saw that the Orange Crew Leader was similarly concerned. Like Jenn, he had been constantly by Trish's side in the hospital after the last attack and he didn't want to repeat that harrowing time ever again.

Jenn only hoped that Trish would have the sense to pull out of the recollection if it became too much for her. Otherwise the blonde was prepared to butt in and drag her back to her seat.

ooo

Trish had managed to fight down the butterflies in her stomach, and was just congratulating herself for overcoming it, when the unearthly howl of the Hound reverberated around the room, and she froze in horror. Her heart was pounding loudly in her ears and the blood in her veins felt as if they had turned to ice as the memories of that horrific night returned.

ooo

Drake frowned as he saw Trish turn pale as a sheet at the baying of the Hound. He knew that she had thought she was strong enough and over the whole thing, but the doctors and psychologists had warned him that it could take months or even years before she was completely over such a major trauma. A person didn't nearly die from a horrific event and just get over it like that, with repercussions being felt over the ensuing months or years.

An exception to that rule was Ash, but Drake knew that unlike most people, the Grand Master seemed to have a small claim on immortality by being the Chosen One. Brock had told him about what happened on New Island with Mew and Mewtwo and how Ash had been brought back to life by the Pokémon's' tears.

Drake wondered if it had been anyone else, would they have been brought back?

Point was, Ash was not the best person to compare with when talking about death and coming back to life. Trish, Jenn, or anyone else in that group didn't have the luxury of divine intervention.

ooo

Trish fought to retain control of her spiralling terror by telling herself that this was not real, this was just a hologram with mixed success. Every time she managed to calm herself down, the bloodcurdling cry of the Hound would sound and she was frozen with terror again.

She could feel her anxiety levels rise with each passing minute, which was not good. This could start to be a bit of a problem..…

ooo

Prince Fiore watched with a slight frown from his position in the royal box with the rest of his siblings. It was clear that Trish was greatly distressed by the reliving of her memories, and he hoped for her sake that it would be over soon.

Unfortunately, it was the only way that they could convince the Fae Court of the seriousness of Lucius's crimes.

"Can you believe the silly human is scared by a little canine?"

Fiore looked to his left, where one of his sisters was whispering to another sister. She was one of the vainest of his siblings and got everything she ever asked for. She was the youngest and, being the baby of the family, she usually got away with anything she ever did.

"I know!" The other girl whispered back. "She's such a baby!"

Fiore had had enough. Using a quiet tone only the two girls would hear, he hissed out, "If you two don't stop with the catty comments I'll tell mom and dad about the many times you've snuck out to go to mortal rock concerts."

The two girls paled faster than Trish had. They exchanged looks but settled down.

Satisfied, Fiore turned back to the hologram. The Hound of the Baskervilles exploded from the fog, leaping straight for them. Tongues of glowing flames seemed to lick and surround its entire body and its eyes were glowing blood red.

Fiore felt a smug satisfaction when two terrified shrieks came from his left, causing the judges to frown. He glanced over to his two sisters, white as parchment, clinging to each other for comfort.

"Still wanting to play with the little doggy?" he asked with a wicked smile. Their eyes widened and they shook their heads rapidly.

ooo

Those two shrieks were a godsend for Trish, serving to snap her out of her paralysing terror and back to reality. She looked over in the direction the sound came from and saw the two terrified princesses, and smug looking Fiore.

Despite herself, Trish grinned. Thank Lugia that she wasn't the one to make an ass of herself by shrieking out loud. That would have been absolutely humiliating in front of those pompous royal Faes (not including Fiore and his parents. They were nice.). Out of everyone here, I would have every right to scream. I was the one who got chased by the damn demon dog!

The Australian took a deep calming breath. She knew she could do this now. She knew that she could stick it through to the end. She had to, pride demanded it. While she was nowhere near as proud as Jenn, she still had some. And that pride said that to show some Aussie fortitude and guts and show up those royals who thought they were better than anyone else.

Like any bloody Pom back home, these people needed to be shown up.

She squared her shoulders and thought back to the time when Puck helped her get over her phobia of the Hound. This is not real, and the Hound cannot hurt me. To take her mind off the ordeal even more, Trish thought about all the different dogs she had come across over the years and how most of the large dogs were wimps compared to the small ones.

Her neighbour's German Shepherd, Satchmo, may have looked fierce but he let the house be burgled. The only thing Satchmo guarded ferociously was the car.

Or her friend's dog, Saab, also a ferocious looking German Shepherd with nerves of marshmallow. He used to get so nervous when strangers were around that he'd drop noxious bombs around the place. The female Husky, Tish was the boss.

Trish smiled at the memories and imagined the Hound a la Saab, which made her grin even more.

ooo

Her friends noticed her change in mood and Mia leaned over to whisper to Jenn.

"What's her secret? She was as nervous as hell before and now she's all calm and happy?"

"I dunno," the blonde shrugged. "Maybe she's doing that thing where she's imagining everyone naked."

Mia wrinkled her nose. "You mean the Hound? But that would be like a skinned animal. Ewww."

ooo

Before Trish knew it, the hologram had ended, and the imagery faded to reveal once again, the Court chambers. The Mage stepped forward and removed the talisman from around her neck.

"Thank you for that," the Prosecutor said. "Now to finish off, please remind us what the outcome of that ordeal was."

"I suffered a near fatal asthma attack," Trish said. "And was in a coma for about two weeks. Lu even tried to kill me while I was in a coma."

There were gasps of horror from her audience and Lu turned to glare at the Australian. Trish glared right back.

"I spent weeks recovering from not only the physical trauma from what Lu put me through, but also the psychological trauma," she continued. "It took me the longest time to overcome the terror I experienced that night."

"That will be all then, Trish," the Prosecutor smiled. "You may resume your seat."

As the Australian walked back to her seat, Jenn gave her a thumbs up for a job well done. She sat down next to Drake and leant her head on his shoulder as he took her hand in his.

Mia was next up and the Mage put the talisman around her neck. As he did so, Callie leant over and whispered to her brother. "Now remember this is only a hologram. Mia is still alive and well, and we don't want a repeat of what happened afterwards."

Puck reddened and nodded. "Yes, Sis," he said meekly. He didn't want the whole realm to know that he had completely flipped out over his girlfriend's death and destroyed most of Pummelo Island in the process. That would make him look just as bad as Lu.

From his seat, Ash also tapped down nervous feelings. Despite being the Chosen One, he wasn't the Chosen One of this realm. It was only in his own world that he was so special. Here in the Fae realm, magic and powers were a daily part of their lives. More than likely, they wouldn't think highly of him if they knew that he was the one who helped to reverse what had happened. A mortal helping a Fae to set right what had gone wrong? Inconceivable.

From beside him, Jenn drummed uneasily on the side of her denim clad leg. Trish was strong about her ordeal. She knew that Mia was strong about hers. The blonde stifled a snort. Hells bells, Goddess J, she died for her Ordeal. What, you got turned into a dog for a few weeks. She nipped at her lower lip. Oh, that's gonna be embarrassing as all get out.

:Don't worry about it:. The mirth filled tone was easily identified as Ash's.

Jenn glanced at him from the corner of her eye:Yeah, face the peanut gallery over there with my doggie past. I heard them making fun of Trish's evil puppy time. They'll have a field day with mine, plus they'll tease her about having a second evil puppy.:

:You worried that they'll laugh at you, too?:

:Heck no. I'm more worried that I'll try to kick their asses and get myself tossed out of here before the hearing's done with!:

Ash sighed patiently. :You're crazy.:

:Yeah, I know. Hush, okay? They're starting with Mia.:

ooo

The scenery the hologram filled the room with, was a familiar one to all the mortals – the great room in Drake's villa and all the girls (sans Jenn) doing their various hobbies with the hurricane howling outside.

Jenn blinked in confusion at her non appearance until she remembered that was when she was sleeping off the effects of the Fae Prozac. I still don't know what the heck those happy fae pills did to me, she thought. Then again, maybe I really don't wanna know.

The shattering of the floor to ceiling glass windows caused the two Fae princesses to scream in terror again before both shrank back under the stern glare of Fiore.

Jenn, Drake and Ash finally got to see what happened to the girls that night. Lu froze them in place before gathering them all with a magical net before vanishing into the night with them.

So that's what happened, Jenn thought and suppressed a shiver. Being frozen in place was second worst to being in a confined space, and with her claustrophobia, she was glad she'd been sleeping off the Fae Prozac. Trish had so done her a favour.

She made a mental note to herself to thank her best friend for that favour after the trial. While whatever she had done while under the influence would be embarrassing to say the least, at least it wasn't stifling as being frozen by magic.

The scene changed again to the arena floor of Pummelo Stadium. Jenn had to admit that the Roman Colosseum like structure really did look impressive from the floor, with its endless row of seats rising into the air.

The hologram was so life-like and with the sound of the hurricane howling around them, many Faes involuntarily braced themselves, fully prepared to be buffeted like the many palm trees in the Stadium.

Jenn snickered to herself at the surprised looks on their faces when they realised that it was just a hologram and it wasn't real. It gave her satisfaction to see these magical people, who thought themselves superior, being fooled by a simple illusion.

It made her feel a little bit better about having been duped by Lu. Just a very little, because she had been duped more than a few times. She dreaded to think what they would say about that. Probably that humans were stupid as well as weak and magicless.

Murmurs of admiration ran through the room at the appearance of the wild dragon and psychic Pokémon, and Jenn grinned to herself before focussing her attention back to the hologram.

She noted how well Ash and Drake worked together, with no personality or ego clashes, both men working as a team with one thing in mind. Victory. The blonde realised that she had been fortunate to witness two of the biggest names in the Pokémon world working together rather than being on opposite sides of the battlefield. 'Man,' she thought. 'If those two aren't some of the hottest pieces of yum, I don't know what is.'

:Why thank you,: Ash said back with a smug mental tone.

Jenn rolled her eyes and continued watching. Her uneasiness grew as she watched Mia running out of the safety of the Stadium and into the literal line of fire.

The sound of the gunshot rang out loudly in the Court and a few screams rang out among the audience.

Puck breathed a sigh of relief when the hologram ended there. He had been sitting there with his stomach tied in knots, dreading the reaction if the Court saw what happened after Mia got shot. He was so ashamed over what he had done and some would snicker over the fact that he lost it over a mortal girl. Unthinkable that a Fae could care so much over a human.

The hologram faded out of sight and the Mage took the talisman off Mia and the Prosecutor was back in command.

"Thanks for that, Mia," he said. "Now if you could please tell the Court of the extent of your injuries."

"The bullet just missed my heart," she said softly. "I nearly died from the blood loss and spent a few weeks in hospital."

"Thank you Mia, that will be all."

Jenn's anxiety increased. This meant Ash was up, and then she would be next, and she was not looking forward at all to that. As Ash rose to take his turn, he gave Jenn's hand a quick squeeze.

"You'll be fine, " he smiled, as he left. "Don't worry about it so much."

Easy for you to say, Jenn thought sourly. You're used to public speaking because you're the Grand Master. I'm not! Then again, if I was the Grand Master it would be really disturbing.

She couldn't wait for today to be over.

ooo

It was a relieved group of mortals that gathered back in Trish and Drake's suite after the trial was adjourned for the night. The judges would deliberate through the night and give their verdict in the morning.

Jenn collapsed in a chair, rubbing her temples with both hands. "Trish, don't ever let me go through something like that again."

"Uh…sure," Trish said as she sat down next to Drake, clearly befuddled as to how she was to accomplish that.

"Yeah, right, and maybe you'll learn to listen to people around you," Drake sighed. "I don't really think that'll happen."

"Blah blah blah," Jenn blew raspberries at him. "Thanks for the support."

"Don't think anything of it."

Jenn rolled her eyes. "Don't worry, I won't." She yawned. "I'm totally exhausted."

Drake rubbed at his ears. "I never thought I'd hear it! She's tired out!"

The blonde gave him a sour look. "I'm not ten, Drake."

"The way you act," Drake said sweetly. "One could never tell."

Jenn frowned and tilted her head to the side. "Huh?"

Drake sat back. "Exactly."

The blonde looked quizzically at her best friend. "Translation please?"

"Oh, Drake just meant that you're young at heart," Trish said quickly, wanting them to end their bickering right there and then. She was in no mood to put up with them, also being totally exhausted and drained from her testimony.

"Kay," Jenn looked satisfied. "For a moment there I wasn't sure if Drake was insulting me or not."

The Orange Crew Leader would have responded had Trish not dug her nails into his arm as a warning to not say anything he might regret.

He regretted sharp nails dug into his flesh that was for sure.

"I think we should all get to bed and have a good sleep," the Australian decided for the group. "And in the morning, we'll find out whether the Courts believe us or Lu."

ooo

To be continued….

Author's note: Once again, apologies to any readers who have been waiting for close onto 1 year for updates. But as any adult will tell you, sometimes real life gets in the way. Sometimes in a big way.

An extremely intensive job, which I will be finishing up at the end of this week, and family problems and general procrastination. I never actually gave up on writing, as I have a few chapters up my sleeve.