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

Season Three Episode Eight: "Cassidy Revealed" Chapter Three

Varthan. Garix was watching the image of the two hoods together with his mother and Aljax. "I am confused." he said. "How can we attack Theresa Cook with these men? It is a physical attack, does it not violate the rules?"

"We are exploiting a loophole my son." Neera explained, "They do not technically work for me. They are not even aware of my existence. True, we pointed them in the right direction, but that is all we did. Their actions are their own, and they are free to take those actions, or not."

"I believe I comprehend now. Shall I prepare a strike team?"

"Yes. As soon as the fire Guardian has to protect her mother, you will go…"

Earth. Elyon and Alchemy were enjoying a shopping trip together. It was the first thing they had done together since Elyon's return, and Alchemy was happy to get some time alone with her friend. Then again, it wasn't quite 'alone'. She had noticed him almost immediately, but didn't say anything for nearly an hour. Finally, when she caught sight of him for the tenth time, she could stay silent no more. "Elyon?" she asked.

"Yeah? What's up?"

"Look over there, by the food court entrance. Isn't that Cornelia's boyfriend?"

Elyon looked, just in time to see Caleb disappear behind a large potted palm. "Yeah, that's him." she said innocently. "What about it?"

"He's been following us, watching you, all afternoon. Everywhere we go, there he is. It's getting creepy."

"Don't worry Alchemy. I'll talk to Cornelia about it, she'll take care of things."

Elyon opened her mind to Taranee's link. "Hey Cornelia?" she thought.

"Yeah El, what's up?"

"Listen, I love Caleb's commitment to his bodyguard role. It's very noble and honorable. But his subtlety leaves a lot to be desired. He's freaking Alchemy out."

"Whoops. I'll talk to him on our date tomorrow."

"Thanks."

Dusk. Theresa Cook was waiting when Cassidy came out of her apartment and walked down the street towards the city center. "I know Peter doesn't have a date with her tonight." Theresa thought, "So maybe she'll do other things I need to see." Following at a discreet distance, she failed to notice that she, too, was being followed.

"When does we do it Johnny?" Frankie asked.

"Soons as she's alone off da main roads." Johnny answered.

Cassidy, of course, was much older and wiser than Theresa realized. She knew all along she was being followed, though she too had failed to notice the hoodlums further back. She pulled out her phone, and confident that Theresa was too far away to hear, dialed Taranee. "It's Cass." she said when Taranee answered. "Your mom is following me just like we thought."

Taranee was worried. "Now what do we do?"

"Whatever we do, you DO NOT come here. The last thing we need is further confirmation in her mind of a link between us. I'll lead her to some isolated dead end and confront her. I'll deal with how to proceed from there, but she can't know about you for her own safety."

"I don't like this, but alright." They hung up.

Varthan. Aljax smiled at the image. "There we go. That call must've been to the Fire Guardian. Soon she'll arrive, and just in time to save her mother, and make mother a target at the same time."

Garix bowed before the Queen. "I go to earth Mother. Glory shall be yours!"

Cassidy turned down a narrow alley way between two old buildings. Theresa followed. Soon she lost sight of Cassidy, but continued on. When she caught up, the girl was standing at a dead-end, facing her. "Mrs. Cook, why are you following me?"

"So that's it huh?" Theresa thought. "Alright, let's have it out." She said, "I know you and Taranee are hiding something from me. I just want to know what it is. Please, tell me if my daughter is in any trouble."

"She's not in trouble." Cassidy said. "And why do you think we're hiding things? Do you think that poorly of her? Of me?"

"Of course not." Theresa said. "But I know when I'm being lied to, and-" Before she could finish, two men came out of the shadows behind her.

"Well well, looky what's we gots here." said Johnny.

"Hullo Judge." Frankie said, "Didn't tink you'd be seein' us agains, didja?" They pulled guns from under their jackets.

"I know you. You're the two nuts that think fairies are after you. Please, let me get you some help."

"Nuts? NUTS? Youse fool! Dem fairies' is real! And now we's gots 'ta off youse so dat they stays away froms us!"

Cassidy moved between Theresa and the two men. "Wait. You think you have to kill a Judge to keep fairies away, and you don't think you're nuts? Cause I gotta tell you guys, I've seem Planters cans with less nuts than that."

"Shut it tart!" Frankie yelled. "We's don't wants 'ta kill da judge! Heck, shes gaves us a real fair bond 'n everyting. But's dat man tolds us law fairies cans only be gotten rid off by hurtin' da law!"

"Tart?" Cassidy exclaimed, indignant at the insult. She knew what she was going to have to do, and began reaching deep down inside herself for the power, all the while hoping this didn't play into Neera's plans.

Prince Garix and his men watched from a nearby rooftop. "Where is the Fire Guardian? This is all for nothing if she doesn't show soon!" he growled. He then thought to himself, "So help me, if these two bungle the plan, I will kill them myself when we invade this world."

Theresa stood just behind Cassidy. "Run!" she whispered. "It's me they want."

"Not a chance. I don't back down from slime like this. Never have. I, uh, don't suppose I could convince you to close your eyes for a few seconds could I?"

"Close my eyes? For what?"

"Didn't think so. Oh well, it's do or die, and I'm not letting my boyfriend's mother die…" As Johnny and Frankie realized something was up and took aim, Cassidy reached into her own life-force and tapped the residual power left there. She held out an open hand towards Johnny and Frankie. "Water!"

As soon as Cassidy spoke the word, huge fountains burst from the ground, as well as from the walls of the surrounding buildings. Johnny and Frankie were swept into the flow, loosing their guns as they were carried down and out of the alley. Exhausted from the exertion of using her own energy, Cassidy collapsed to her knees, but didn't pass out.

Theresa stared, wide-eyed, at the young girl before her. "What was THAT?" she demanded.