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

Author's Note: The primary events in this episode and the next may seem like an unnecessary departure from the main storyline. However, it is crucial to a number of future events that I develop Miranda's character along these lines. I want to thank Lexvan, whose Miranda story "Nice" helped to inspire my vision for these episodes.

Season Three Episode Five: "Damascus Road, Part One" Chapter One.

Meridian. Ten years ago. The remains of the small village still smoldered as the two men walked through its ruins surveying the damage. Shattered homes, burning rubble, and dead bodies stretched in all directions. One of the men turned to the other. "Cedric, was this your doing?" Phobos asked.

"No my prince." Cedric replied. "This was most likely the work of one of the Hillborne tribes. They harbor a deep, deep hatred for the people who lived in this place. I would guess they decided to act on those feelings."

"I wonder if we could enlist these Hillborne into my armies. The fighting prowess exhibited here is most impressive."

"Doubtful, my prince. They have never sworn allegiance to any of Meridian's rulers."

Before Phobos could answer, they both heard a distinct sound. Following it to its source, they discovered a survivor, a small child of about three or four. "Perhaps this wasn't a wasted trip after all Cedric." Phobos said. He turned to the child. Put on his best fake smile. "Hello little one. My name is Phobos. I'll make certain no one harms you. Can you tell me your name?"

"M… Miranda…" the child answered.

Earth. Present day. Blunk had passed out in terror. When he awoke, the first thing he saw was Miranda standing over him in the form of a giant spider. "Liar!" he said, "You promise to not hurt Blunk in exchange for fold!"

Miranda resumed her normal human form. "I didn't lie passling. Here's the deal: All I want is to be left alone. I know you'll go to the Guardians, so I need a head start. I've made the webbing binding you a little weaker than normal. You should be able to get free in, oh, half an hour of struggling with it. That lets you go unharmed, and gives me the head start I need." She turned and walked away.

The Vandom residence. Will tossed a burnt out light bulb into the trash. "G'bye Mr. Hoffa." she quipped.

"Will, what was that?" Susan asked.

"Just a burned out bulb."

"I'm shocked you're so flippant about it. Isn't it like a death in the family to you?"

"What? Oh, heck no. Light bulbs are arrogant jerks."

"Will… …what?"

"Oh yeah, Light bulbs are all like, 'Ooh, look at me! I'm bright and shiny and if you touch me I'll burn your hand off.'" Will slipped on her jacket. "I'm going out, meeting Matt for lunch."

"Okay. Will, you'll call me if you have to… go anywhere?"

"Count on it."

The Lair home. Having been given the all-clear, Tom was working on fixing up the damaged living room. He was spackling the bullet holes in the wall when Irma entered the room. "Need a hand.?" she asked.

"Nah. I got this. And I'm about to take a break anyway."

"Good timing then. Do you mind if I ask you a question?"

Tom looked around, confirmed no one else was in earshot. Sat down in his favorite chair. "Is this 'work related'?" he asked.

"Not directly." Irma replied, sitting across from him. "I'm just wondering, is it possible to like a person and not realize you like them? Even to like a person and think you actually hate them?"

Tom grinned. "Is this about the Tubbs boy?"

"That answers that question. Seriously, am I the only one in the dark about my own feelings here?"

"Pretty much."

Miranda walked down a street in an impoverished part of Heatherfield. Her previous visit here had sent her to specific locations. As a result, she hadn't had the chance to appreciate just how huge earth cities were compared to their Meridian equivalents. She was losing time. The passling was surely free and going for help by now.

As she was pondering what to do, she caught a scent. The smell of the Guardians, but diluted with another she didn't recognize. "Someone they know." she thought. "I can buy time if I stick close to them until I think of a plan. They won't dare try to grab me in full sight of friends." Looking toward the scent, she saw a thin boy and a short girl, overloaded with heavy bags.

Martin and Alchemy were on their way to the Lighthouse Shelter with donated supplies of food. As they rounded the street corner, they nearly stumbled into a dark haired girl they didn't know. Startled, Martin dropped one of the bags, spilling it's contents. "Oh, excuse me! I didn't see you there." he said.

"No trouble." Miranda replied. She knelt down and started helping to pick up the cans. "My name's Miranda, I'm new in town."

"I'm Alchemy, and this is Martin. We're taking this food to the shelter, and then we're staying to help out for a few hours. Wanna come?"

"Sure, why not." They finished refilling the bag. "You better let me carry this one. Don't want anymore accidents." As they walked on together, Miranda thought to herself, "This is too perfect. I've got plenty of time to come up with a plan now, assuming the Guardians even find me. It's not like they'd look for me in a place like this anyway."