Disclaimer: I don't own the Winx Club.

'Come on Muse, wake up.'

The tapping at her cheek was irritating her and she couldn't seem to dislodge it. Every time she twisted her head, the tapping moved to the other side. She tried to murmur a protest but her mouth was dry and her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth.

'Just wake up and stop being so annoying.'

Her head felt like lead, her neck ached with the strain of holding it up and she really wanted to punch Riven. She pried her eyes open – that was harder than it should have been – and glowered at the boy leaning over her. At least she thought it was Riven. It was very gloomy in her… hovel?

'Where are we?' she managed to shove the words past her lips. She wasn't sure if they were fully formed but they were expressed.

'We haven't moved,' Riven grunted, jostling his knee against her leg as he tapped out a beat, a really bland beat. Ba-da-da Da Ba-da-da.

Her eyes began to adjust and her brow furrowed. Were they in a cave? No, they were in a hollowed out tree trunk, tucked in behind its excuse for roots and Riven's shield because they'd been attacked by Bats. Her hands instinctively reached for the Specialist, checking him for wounds as she wondered if the shield still held off the bats.

'Are you okay?' She kept her words soft, not wanting to disturb or attract the bats. He was completely blocking her from the opening, protecting her in a way that touched her deeply. It didn't shock her, too much. He was a Specialist after all, protecting people was part of his duty but this was Riven, and he was putting himself in danger to keep her from being harmed. Her heart softened to mush.

He batted her hands away with a disgruntled sound. 'The bats seem to be resting.'

'How's your shield?'

'Powered down, you were unconscious for some time so I guess that muted your magic.'

'Do we make a run for it?'

The look Riven sent her told her that he thought the idea was stupid. He tilted his head to look out, his jaw catching the faint light by the lone luminaire plant at the edge of the clearing. Even in profile he was strikingly handsome. Maybe life would be fair and his face would grow ugly as he matured. It happened to some people.

'We can't make a run for it; if they wake up, you're history. We can't outrun them, and you can't fly.'

'But you said they're resting, aren't they sated? They're not very big and we-'

He covered her lips with his fingers. 'We're fine here. I put a bush in front of us so we're as shielded as we can be. Someone will find us.'

That had to be killing him, waiting for someone to save them and it was all because of her. If he were on his own – 'You could go find someone and bring them back.'

'Considered that, but there's no guarantee that you'll stay here.'

Oh.

He had considered leaving her. 'I promise I'll stay here.'

Not that she could leave on her own feet anyway because she couldn't feel them. She couldn't even see them to reassure herself that they were there. No, they were there. They had to be.

He didn't respond, just turned his attention to the clearing once more.

Musa shifted and a sigh escaped her lips. It was too confined to move and her stomach was beginning to cramp from being bent so long. She glanced at Riven, wondering how he was feeling. His foot still tapped out that rhythm and she half thought he was nervous, except for how disciplined it was, like a code. 'You're signalling for help.'

'Hm,' he glanced at her and shrugged.

The world shook and Musa grabbed hold of Riven's shoulder for balance as something rumbled past them. The earth exploded in a shower of clay and dirt, and vines slithered up the thick, dead tree. Musa's breath shivered out as she leaned over Riven's shoulder to watch the vines snake their path up the trunk, entwining around the branches.

"What is that?'

Riven surged to his feet, phantoblade blazing. Musa fell out of the hole just in time to see the vines close around the bats, knitting small individual cages. She flashed a grin, her hands braced on the ground, as she saw the two girls at the edge of the clearing. Flora rose unsteadily to her feet and wiped her brow.

'Thanks, Flora.'

'You okay, sweetie? Riven, how are you?'

'Fine,' Riven muttered, swinging his sword.

'Of course he's fine, he's just spent oodles of time with Musa in a bush,' Stella said.

Musa flushed and crawled out of the hole, brushing down her dirt caked knees and smudged arms. Yeah, Riven had to love spending time with a girl who looked like a golem. She pointedly looked away from him as she stood up and staggered away, glancing up at the small cages. 'Will that work?'

'It'll contain them, but they're distressed.' Flora stepped forward, and touching the vines, she closed her eyes and pushed her power into them. 'Enchantix Orchidacea Somniferum.'

They glowed with green energy that shivered up them and then buds began to appear, blooming and unfurling, revealing pale white petals and long stamens. A pale purple miasma began to seep from them, hovering like a cloud that lingered over the captured bats.

'Sleeping powder?' Riven asked.

Flora nodded absently. 'It packs a punch but it doesn't have any side affects, well none that Kiko's shown.'

Stella stopped playing with her hair and blinked. 'You use Bloom's pet for experimentation?'

Realising what she'd said, Flora flinched and bit her lip. 'Well Kiko spends a lot of time with me and Bloom doesn't seem to mind.'

'She might if she knew you were acting like a crazy plant lady around him.'

'Stella,' Musa admonished, but she suppressed a grin at Flora's sheepish expression. Well, Musa allowed, Bloom didn't pay too much attention to Kiko. Even being attacked by plants and their pollen would give the rabbit more affection than Bloom could spare most of the time.

Riven just shook his head. 'I don't want to know.'

'Riven probably does the same thing with his own squad mates.'

Musa shook her head with a faint smile. 'Stella.'

'Ooh, I noticed that emphasis on the last part of my name, but honestly, Riven, admit it. You like to go crazy scientist on your –'

'I'll go crazy Specialist on you if you don't - what's wrong with her?'

Musa snapped her gaze to Flora who was braced against her ivy vines, panting gently. 'Are they sleeping Flora?'

'I don't…' She paused to swallow, lifting a hand to her brow, 'I think so. I can't be sure.'

Riven summoned his sword, glaring up at the bats. 'We don't have time for this. Are you going to be okay to walk?'

Musa grabbed for Flora's hand and drew her from the plants, sliding her arm around the girl's waist. 'We'll hold each other up, right?' she coaxed with a grin.

Pale, and exhausted, Flora nodded. 'I'm really fine.'

Stella flicked a hand at them. 'Yes, that's how I like to look when I'm fine too. Zombie couture, it's so in right now.'

'Kill me,' Riven muttered as he stalked ahead of them. 'Kill me now.'

Flora slipped her arm around Musa and the two girls carefully followed Riven and his blade, and Stella's faintly shining aura.

'You okay?' Musa asked, huddling closer to Flora.

'I think I'm a bit better than you are. How did you survive the bats?'

'Riven, he used his shield to protect me.'

Flora smiled softly, 'I guess his bark is worse than his bite? Is that how Bloom says it?'

'I don't know but if it means that he's all show; yes, it does seem apt.'

Riven glowered back at them but slowed his pace, eyes constantly surveying the area for bats or any other kind of danger. He was probably keeping an eye out for Darcy – he definitely wouldn't be happy with that witch getting her psychic claws into him again. Musa didn't know what Darcy had done to his mind, but she was hoping he was thinking clearer now. Not that his personality had changed much. Had she expected it to? Maybe a little but she was glad that he hadn't turned into someone like Brandon or Helia. They were lovely guys, but far too nice for her liking.

She shook her head at her musings. She wished for a magic powder to help her think clearly, to wipe Riven from her brain; problem was, he wasn't just in her mind and that was something no magic powder could change.

'We're being followed,' Flora muttered, falling into step with Musa. Since emerging from the dark heart of the swamp, the Fairy of Nature had recovered dramatically. Her skin was flushed, her eyes bright and she stood straighter. Obviously, the blatant presence of life had invigorated her. Unfortunately, the swamp had a tendency to absorb sound so Musa wasn't faring as well. Still, she had to admit that it was nice to be out of the darkness and under the sky speckled with starlight.

'Did you tell Riven?'

Flora nodded and plucked a flower from a vine, twirling it with a wistful smile. 'Yes, he says act natural. From what my senses are telling me, our follower is alone so if they move to attack us, we'll be able to capture her – I'm guessing it's a witch.'

'Be at the ready, and tell Stella not to get cocky,' Musa added.

'Riven says not to tell her, says she'll only give the game away.'

Musa considered that for a moment then shook her head. 'Tell Stella it's a game, she loves acting.' Stella would probably act completely over the top but Musa wasn't in the mood to play Riven's games. Her body ached, her spirit ached and she just wanted to go home. Screw covert tactics, she wanted a bed to lie in and judging by how weakened she felt, that bed would be in the infirmary with Ophelia hovering over her.

Flora fluttered to Stella's position and casually slid an arm around her, resting her head on the blonde's shoulder as she asked the Princess of light about what colours would suit her for a date. Musa's brow winged up impressed.

'Well Flora, for your date with Helia, I'd suggest –' With a flick of the hand, golden light surrounded the nature fairy and suddenly she was wearing civilian clothing – worse, a ball gown. Musa face-palmed. Act natural equalled a change of clothes. Only in Stella's mind.

'Stella! You can see…' Trailing off, Flora motioned to her breasts.

'I know, it's kind of daring and risqué, but you want a guy to notice you have great breasts. Right Riven?'

A squealed sounded behind them followed by a rustling of leaves. Turning on his heel, Riven launched himself past Musa and into the shrubbery. Musa sighed and turned to chase after him.

There goes stealth mode, she thought angrily as she flashed into her Enchantix and kicked off the ground, following the muted rustling of bushes and the snap of twigs under fleet footsteps. There! She could hear a second pair of feet, rushing ahead of Riven and a squeak. She could smell the electricity on the air and burnt earth. Then Musa burst onto the scene just as Stormy made a grab for her. Her hands went wide and Musa ducked under them, bringing her fists up into the witch's stomach.

'Stormy! Give it up!'

Musa wasn't scared now; she was annoyed. Today was an utter catastrophe of a day. Nothing had gone right since she'd started this mission. Of course it would be Riven and her who would find the Trix's hiding place and get ambushed. Naturally they found their lair and they just had to walk into Darcy's trap and it wouldn't be right if the bats didn't feed on them. Now to be attacked, again by Stormy, was just the absolute cherry on the pile of shit that was today.

Lightning struck at Riven but he sliced through it with his blade while Musa used her Sonic Shield to block a Cyclone Whirlwind. She skidded back a few feet before throwing off the spell and her palms glowed.

'Enchantix Amplifier!'

Her voice echoed as the purple sound waves swept out. Stormy dodged and tripped as Riven jumped in to slash with his sword. With a growl the witch launched more lightning at them but Musa and Riven blocked again, before switching back to the offensive, circling the witch so they could attack from both sides.

'Enchantix Sunbeam!'

The spear of light blasted into Stormy's back, sending her stumbling forward. She whirled round with a hiss, hand to the spot where she'd been struck. Seeing that she was outnumbered, she panicked. She boosted off the ground, intending to fly away but Riven's bolo's whistled through the air and slapped around her ankles. Stormy shot up, faltered, and then dropped. Another attempt at getting airborne was stopped when roots burst from the ground and entangled her legs and arms, holding her tight.

'Woot, go team!' Stella cheered as she landed and held up her hand for a high-five. 'Anyone?'

Riven made a disgusted sound and dispersed his sword shoving the handle into its holster. 'You keep an eye on her, I'm going to find the others.'

'Don't you want to question her?'

Musa didn't bother telling Stella not to waste her breath. Riven was in attitude mode and he probably wasn't impressed with the Jinx Club saving his backside. No way he could have fought Stormy on his own without being injured.

'It's your fault in the first place, Stella. I told you to act natural,' Flora said gently. She leapt from her tree, after patting it gratefully for lending its roots.

'I did.'

'Next time act natural and keep aware of your surroundings,' Musa ordered as she turned to look around them. There was a vine tied to a branch overhead and judging by the frayed and burnt fragments it had tripped up the witch who had fried it to escape. Had Riven done that during one of his frequent disappearing acts? She'd blamed his absence on an overactive bladder. Oops.

'Oh pooh,' Stella muttered. 'I'm going to call Faragonda and let her know our location and that we've captured Stormy.' Her attention turned to the witch as she winked and wagged a finger. 'You're not going to escape this time and maybe while we're waiting I could give you a make over. Do you know how much better you'd feel without all that muck on your face? Have you ever thought of going blonde? We do have more fun, you know.'

'Musa, maybe you should check on Riven,' Flora suggested, keeping her eyes on the witch who was beginning to struggle in earnest, belying her earlier cool, unfazed demeanour.

Musa blew out a breath. She didn't want to check on Riven. She didn't want another telling off or have more insults slung at her and yet… They had been making progress. She didn't want that to disappear once they left the Black Mud Swamp, and since her friends had shown up, he'd been slowly pulling away. Maybe if they were alone, he'd open up, tell her what was bothering him so much. Well, it couldn't hurt too much to try.

To Be Continued

A.N. Well a good bit happened in that chapter. I just want to remind folks that this story has been and always will be an exploration of Musa and Riven's relationship. It's not a big action story, there's no big evil and if that's what you're looking for, there are plenty of other fanfictions on the site for that. If I'm still inclined to write in the Winx genre after this story then the next story will probably be more plot focused with everything expected off cartoon series.

As always reviews are appreciated, they let me know my writing is appreciated. I like to know what people think and what they liked or disliked about the chapter and reasons why. Things that happened in this episode will be dealt with sooner or later as the character gets around to processing them, don't think that I am glossing over emotions or actions.

Review please!