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

Season Three Episode Four: "Status Quo" Chapter Five.

Sheffield Institute. Early morning. Irma had arrived early, intending to prepare the radio show for broadcast. She was met in the hall by Martin. 'Irma, why didn't you tell me? That movie you're making is awesome!"

Confused, Irma asked, "Movie? Martin what are you talking about?"

"Play dumb all you want sugar bell." Martin said. "But someone slipped me a copy of some of the special effects scenes! It's incredible! Irma, I want to be a part of helping out with this film! C'mon!"

"Special effects scenes?" Irma felt a terrible suspicion growing. "What scenes would those be Martin?" she asked.

"Oh, you know! That cool winged pixie stuff. The ones where you look older and fly around shooting water at stuff. By the way, how did you make yourself look so much older?"

"Martin, I honestly don't know what you're talking about. Now will you please go down and check on the transmitters?"

"I'll go," he replied, "But don't think this conversation is over. I want in on that movie."

Once Martin was out of the room, Irma opened his bag. Inside, she found the tape and the note, which she confiscated. "Guys?" she thought to the others, "We've got a problem. I'll tell you at lunch, he's still safe for now. But I know who Neera's next target is: Martin."

At noon the girls matt and Caleb met for lunch. They had to eat outside to avoid Martin who was still coming after Irma to be "A part of the movie."

"I don't get this." Irma said sitting down. "Why Martin? Shouldn't Neera be going after people we like?"

There was a long silence as everyone, even Caleb, just looked at Irma. "What?" she finally asked.

Elyon said, "Irma, look… You might not be aware of it but it's obvious to the rest of us."

"Painfully obvious." Taranee said.

"Has been for a long time." Matt added.

"What are you talking about?" Irma demanded.

Will said, "Irma, YOU like Martin. Think about it. Remember how upset you were when he was under Nerissia's little beauty spell? Or the fake exchange student he swooned over?"

"Or," Hay Lin added, "The fact that the only date you've even been on, that you didn't complain afterwards, was the one with Martin?"

"We can all tell hon." Cornelia said. "You're the only one in the dark here, aside from maybe Martin himself."

"No, you're wrong." Irma said, but deep down she began to wonder. After all, she couldn't deny that the things Will and Hay Lin had pointed out were true. Could they be right? Did she actually feel this way? How could it be if she didn't even realize it? She was worried about Martin now that she knew Neera was after him. But wasn't that the common decency of being worried about anyone in such danger?

"Irma are you okay?" Elyon asked.

"I don't know."

That night, Will and Susan were at home preparing dinner. Will had agreed to tell Susan the whole story in her own voice, face to face. As they were finishing up the preparations, there was a knock on the door. "I'll get it!" Susan said. She opened the door. "Dean! I wasn't expecting you."

"I wanted to stop by, see how you were doing." he said hugging her.

"Thanks Dean, but Will and I had plans tonight. We were going to-"

"Who is it Mom?" Will interrupted. "Oh, Professor Collins!"

"Will I was just telling him we had plans."

"What? No mom don't chase him off." Will walked over to them. "Look, Professor, I know we didn't get off to a good start. But, you two love each other right? I'm not gonna make trouble. Besides, the way things are going I suspect I might be talking to my future stepfather here, am I right?"

"I think you might be Will." Dean said. "Though it's your mother's choice."

"Anyway, you might as well be a part of this. I'll set another plate." Will said. She hurried into the kitchen.

"Wow." Dean said.

"Yeah. Never thought I'd see that." Susan agreed.

Over dinner, Will led Susan and Dean through the entire story. They already knew the basics from her diary, but she told them the details as well. Susan was disturbed to learn that Matt had been Shagon, but accepted that he was himself again. Both adults almost choked when she got to the talking cat. But in the end, the tale was told.

"You know Professor, we really are all sorry about the whole incident we had with you. We were kind of new at this thing back then."

He looked at her. "I'll let bygones be bygones. Listen, Will, I was thinking, don't you think it'd be easier to call me Dean?"

"Dean?"

"As opposed to 'professor' all the time." Susan whispered.

"Oh, right." Will blushed. "That'll take some getting used to. But I guess I can try it out."

"To a new status quo then." Dean said.

Meridian. The Passling village. Vathic and Julian stood in the center of Mama's home. "Blunky-boo forced to open fold!" she cried. "Criminal said would let Blunky-boo go when fold was opened. Took him through instead! Where is Mama's Blunky-boo?"

"Earth" Vathic thought. "Escaped through a fold to a place we can't follow." Enraged, he slammed his fist down, breaking a chair. "MIRANDA!" he shouted…