Disclaimer: I do not own W.I.T.C.H. This is a work of fan fiction.

Season Three Episode Two: "Rules of Engagement" Chapter Four

Heatherfield. Susan and Dean sat together in the center of the couch. He held her close as she talked about Will. "We were always so close before we moved here. I suppose a lot of it was because of how her father treated me."

A note of anger crept into Dean's voice. "Susan, did he ever-"

"Abuse us? Physically no. Psychologically? Will no, but me? Not exactly, though during his worst moments it was right on the line. Mostly he was just negligent. Anyway, even though Will still loved him, I mean he is her father after all, she knew how he acted was wrong. It made us closer."

"Was she angry when you divorced?"

"Less angry than disappointed. Disappointed in him for the obvious reasons, and also in me. I think that even then she knew it wasn't fair to feel that way towards me, she just couldn't help it because of her age."

"Is this why you're not willing to punish her for hiding these things from you?"

Susan looked down. "No. I won't punish her because she's already been punished. Scolded and grounded for so many times I thought she was being irresponsible when she was actually carrying all this weight."

As Dean thought about that he realized she was right. Heck, he needed to apologize for accusing Will of cheating in class. How could he have known her calculator wouldn't shut up? "You are truly remarkable." he said, leaning over to kiss her.

Meridian. Elyon worked to convince her parents that the decision she had made was the right one. "It's not like I'll really be away from my duties here." she said. "One fold will get me to the throne room from anywhere on earth in less time than I could walk there from my room!"

Aldarn pulled Miriabelle aside. "What do you think?"

"Can we really refuse her? She is the Queen."

"True. But I'm not shirking my parental responsibilities just because of that."

Miriabelle laughed. "Me either. But you know she's right about folding. And her tutored grades haven't been what they were at Sheffield. I think she misses her old life. I think she needs it."

Together they turned back to Elyon and her friends. "Elyon, we won't fight this so long as Caleb stays close for your protection."

"You know I'm there sir." Caleb said. He looked at the girls. "Of course you're lucky the Guardians are also there. If they weren't I would insist on an entire platoon of bodyguards."

"Oh, Nickelbocker would love that." Irma said, and everyone laughed.

Aljax had double, triple, and even quadruple checked everything he could think of. Nothing had been forgotten or misplaced. It was time. He sent a signal to the secondary team: "Phase Three: Initiate." then turned to his own team and repeated the words. As one, the primary team led by Aljax turned and walked with purpose toward the main entrance of the apartment building in which they would find Susan Vandom.

Across town, the secondary team received the command and began to move towards the Lair home in an englobement pattern. Their progress was slow, to avoid neighbors taking notice, but steady and soon they were up against the outside walls. Half moved to the front door, half to the back.

"So what'd you thing of that Corny?" Irma asked. "You'll get to see your boyfriend every day now. Wow. I look that much more pathetic now don't I?"

"Where's Caleb going to live anyway? He can't keep cotting down in the Dragon's basement." Cornelia said.

Elyon replied, "There's a spare bedroom in our house he can use. Good thing no one bought it while we've been gone." She turned to Irma. "Why'd you say you look pathetic?"

"Because she's still the only one of us without a boyfriend." Cornelia answered, getting a small revenge for the 'corny' line.

"It'll be two of us now. Whatever happened to that Horneby guy?" Elyon asked.

Will said, "They got one date in before his family moved out of town."

"Yeah." Taranee said, putting an arm around Irma's shoulders. "That was rough."

Irma said, "It's okay you guys. Once I got to know him in that date, I don't think it would've worked out anyway."

Using thick cardboard scavenged from the city dump, Blunk began to divide his new home into separate rooms. A bedroom for himself, and one for Mama. A kitchen and living room. A place for his scavenged treasures. Seeing how the dripping water was already damaging the new walls, he went looking for something waterproof to make a roof. He had heard of an earth tradition called a housewarming party. Maybe he would ask the girls over once he was finished building…

Tom held his gun at the ready. He knew something was wrong. Then he saw the odd man standing in the front doorway. He took aim. "Get down on the ground NOW!" he shouted. Another man joined the first, and then a third. They reached under their coats and withdrew strange glowing objects Tom felt certain were weapons. He took a step back and repeated the order. They moved towards him grinning. Suddenly, he was grabbed from behind. He moved in a half spin that broke him free. The quiet neighborhood was shattered by the sound of gunfire…

Susan and Dean were still arm in arm on the couch, about to drift off to sleep, when the loud crashing sound of the door blowing in shocked them awake. They jumped to their feet as five men entered and withdrew strange objects from their coats. They moved closer. One of them raised his hand and fired a beam of energy from the object he held. Before they could react both Susan and Dean were unconscious.

Aljax contacted the secondary team. "Primary objective secure. What is your progress?"

The reply came, "Secondary objective secure. However, objective was armed. Two men down, for good. Another wounded."

Three losses. A minor issue the queen wouldn't even notice. "Phase Three complete. Rendezvous with objective for fold back to Varthan."

"Understood. Hail Neera, Queen of Darkness!"

Aljax repeated the salute.