Tink released her nth sigh in under ten minutes, it was just day one and she was bored out of her mind. It seemed as though everyone except for herself and Mary Margaret had their own thing to do. Ruby was helping her grandmother out with delivering lunches around town, Emma was off playing police officer, and Mulan was doing her work study at the athletic center. That left Tink alone all day with the upbeat school teacher.

By the time that she woke up around 10:30 Monday morning her two roommates were already gone, ready to start their day. Mary Margaret greeted her with a smile and gave her a small plate of diagonally cut toast with a side of two strips of turkey bacon to try to cheer her up. There wasn't much to do that day except to watch the short hair woman work around the apartment, unpacking the few things that were still in boxes, sorting out laundry, and doing some needle point work at the desk near her bed. By then Tink wanted to bash her head against the brick wall. At dinner when everyone came home she bugged them for some form of companionship. She knew she was teetering on the edge of being a friend to a nuisance but she could help it, being trapped with Mary Margaret all day made her desperate.

Mary Margaret took pity of the dirty blonde teen and called Ms. Lucas to see if there was something that Tink could help with. Ms. Lucas happily lend a hand to the teacher knowing first hand the dangers of teenage boredom. Finding something for the teen to do wasn't hard she just had Tink accompany her. While the red streak brunet made deliveries to the main parts of town, Ms. Lucas would set up a small booth at the local university. No one minded that the elder Lucas does this every summer and winter break, she doesn't bother anyone and her offered snacks and lunches were more healthier than the snacks that were offered in the vending machines sprinkled around campus. Her wrapped and ready to go lunches also helped the professors and students who were on the run.

Much like the delivers that Ruby makes, some of the professors would call ahead and asked for something specific, mostly it was them asking her to make her normal items without a certain ingredient, or with something that she normally wouldn't make it with. She used those orders as a 'special task' for the dirty blonde teen. Tink shrugged her shoulders and took the basket that the elder woman held out to her with no complaints. The job wasn't that hard for Ms. Lucas was a very organized person and made it easy to follow so that she was going around in a large circle. Each individually wrapped sandwich, salad, and wrap had a small slip of paper taped to the front with a name, room number, building name, and with a few had a red 'P' to indicate that it was already paid. Tink just followed what the papers said and she did just fine.

The last batch of lunch's were to be delivered in the creative arts building, much like the one back at the academy. The arts department was held on the lower level, most of the windows were leveled with the hedges that surrounded the buildings. The woman that Tink delivered her last sandwich to shared an eerily similarity to Ms. D with red instead of blonde hair but just as frizzy. She wore a pair of overalls that had seen better days, the blue material splattered in different color paint, among other things. There were distinct brush strokes on her things to show that she wiped the excess paint off her brush before cleaning it with water and a rag.

"Ms. Myrna?"

"Who want's to know?" the woman's eyes didn't leave the canvas that she was currently working on.

"My name is Tink and I'm making a delivery for Ms. Lucas you ordered a corned beef sandwich with spicy mustard and kale instead of lettuce."

"Ah yes that's right just set it on the desk would ya. There should be a five dollar bill somewhere that's yours," Tink did what was asked of her, brown eyes scanning the cluttered surface for the green bill.

"I'm sorry Ms. Myrna but I don't see it."

"Oh bugger!" the frizzy redhead sighed and slammed the pain brush that was in her hand onto the metal cart that was next to her. She stomped over to the desk scanning the surface with frustration. "I know that I placed a five dollar bill on here," she yanked opened one of the metal drawers to reveal a mud brown handbag that was littered in beads. "Dammit I cannot find it! Here!" she held out a ten dollar bill for the girl to take. "Tell Ms. Lucas I want credit on my next sandwich."

"Done," taking the bill Tink tucked it into the white envelope that she placed the money in and all but ran out of the room, wanting to place as much distance between her and the fuming redhead. On her way out she accidentally bumped into someone, the basket falling out of her grip with a slight rattle due to the small amount of change that she had. "I'm so sorry," she went for the basket but a hand was already on it.

"It's quite alright I-" the other person's sentence stopped mid way when they locked eyes. "Tink?"

"Neráida?" the older woman smiled at the teen and let go of her hold of the woven handle.

"What a surprise seeing you here. May I ask what are you doing?"

"I'm helping out Ms. Lucas. What about you? Nova said you were taking a course over break."

"Nova told you that?" it was the first time that Tink had seen the reddish brunet's body any less than relaxed, her shoulder's were pushed back and back went ridged.

"Yeah I'm sorry that I mentioned it it's none of my business really. So I will just go Ms. Lucas is probably waiting for me," with her head bowed Tink brushed passed the tense older woman, the wood of the basket digging into her bare skin. Neráida opened her mouth to say something but nothing came out and she watch the girl go with sad eyes.

Tink was silent the rest of the day, only speaking to transfer the message from Ms. Myrna about the credit on her next sandwich. Either than that she didn't say a word and after dinner she went up stairs and curled into a ball on her bed. She was grateful for Emma's cat misfortune because it took the attention off of her, not that she was unsympathetic for the curly blonde's injuries. She didn't have to look to know that Mulan was watching her, the Chines girls stare rather it be mournful or forceful carried a certain weight that you could always feel. Tink turned from where she was looking at the wall to her roommate, big brown eyes filled with concern.

"Is the reason as to why you are sad now the same reason you were sad the day I found you in the practice room that Thursday?" not trusting herself to speak she just nodded, her hair scrapping against the material of her pillow. Mulan nodded once and started to climb up the built in wooden ladder.

"It hurts," Mulan looked at the dirty blonde, a sad smile graced the teen's face. "My heart and I don't know why."

"Love is of all passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously, the head, the heart, and the senses, Lao Tzu. Great words to live by and to fear."

"Tell me what to do? Please."

"Strike a fatal blow, if it is not vanquished immediately it will grow again, stronger and more resilient, much like a hydra," Emma came in with Mary Margaret at her heels, calling light outs. Tink laid awake, watching the soft pulsing of the lanterns near her bed. The combination of the warm light and the light breathing coming from her roommates soothed her enough that she could rest and think with some ration. Her emotions were getting more out of hand and she knew that it was a matter of time until she burst, it was just the matter of if she wanted to be in control when it does or do or say something that she would regret for the rest of her life. She was going to do it, strike her fatal blow, by coming clean with Neráida. Hopefully it would bring her some form of calm, if not then she didn't know what to do after that.

Wednesday was just like Tuesday, she made her rounds to almost the same people, going around the same way she did the day before. When it came to deliver Ms. Myrna's lunch she just set the sandwich down on the desk and left, making sure not to disturb the frizzy redhead woman splattering paint at the easel. On her way out she saw Neráida round a corner that went further down stairs. In the reddish brunet's grip was a white pail, the top was covered in clear plastic wrap. The lower level was a dark grey color for it was made out of larger concrete slabs. Metal shelves that had small openings at the bottom, some where left bare but others were lined with ceramic figures of varying sizes. Tink watched as the student teacher set the pail at the far end of the room, taking whatever was in there out before resetting the plastic white. She then went to the pottery wheel in the center of the room and sat down, wetting the surface before hand.

From where she stood Tink could not fully see what Neráida was doing at the wheel and she wanted to watch what the older woman was doing, watching her fingers mold and shape the clay all while imagining them gently stroking and kneading her own skin. The thought alone rose goosebumps on her skin. There was to much open area to hide herself, the last thing that she wanted to do was disturb Neráida's creative process, so she had to get creative. There was another opening on the other end, at least that's what it looked like. There was a built in map to show where the furnace was and an emergence exit. Tink rounded the corner and the heavy door opened with some friction but she only needed enough space to squeeze into. Since most of the shelves were left bare she could see the student teacher through the bars but she was no longer at her place at the wheel.

The reddish brunet was now standing next to the wheel, her hand was being dabbed with a handkerchief by another woman with light brunet hair. The moment Tink saw the other woman she knew she didn't like her. Dressed in a white button down tucked into leather pencil skirt with black heels. At the center was a white scarf tied in a bow tie like manner, the knot was held by a large square cut emerald. She smiled at Neráida as she placed the now stained handkerchief into one of the side pockets of the leather hand bag that hung at the crock of her left elbow. The light brunet said something which caused a blush to form on the student teachers cheeks. Tink's blood boiled, ears pounding as the blood rushed to them. The blood to her eras made it more hard for her to hear, on top of the sound of the furnace next to her, so she started to hug the metal in front of her.

"I was wondering," the light hair brunet stepped closer to Neráida, white cotton almost touching stained blue denim. "If there was a possibility of me taking a very stunning woman such as yourself out to dinner say… Saturday night?"

"I don't know I-" she didn't know what caused it but it was like gravity or some divine force pushed her into the metal case, knocking over the bottles that were on the two lower shelves. With a shaky hand she reached for one of the fallen bottles.

"I-I-I'm s-s-so s-sorry, I… I d-didn't…" she took a quick glance at both women, the light brunet's face was neutral but a light of some sort flickered behind blue eyes. Neráida's was twisted with several things; embarrassment maybe, fear, and most evident sadness. That sadness shook Tink violently and she left for she did not trust her next words or actions. Her head felt like light and she swore the world was spinning faster, her lungs felt heavy and her throat burned at her rapid breathing. She didn't know she was running, or where she was going, all she knew was that she had to get away. The only thing that stopped her was a full on collision with a metal door. The edge hit eyebrow and under her eye, she could feel the blood flow over her eye. As she staggered into the building she recognize where she was by the smell, heavy ingrained sweat and bleach could only mean one thing the athletic center.

It wasn't that hard to find Mulan, it was Wednesday and she always mentioned that this day she was a trainer and supervisor in the weight room. The Chinese girl was talking to another girl with soft strawberry blonde hair. It was the strawberry blonde that spotted Tink, she gasped and jumped, her back hitting the rack of free weights when her eyes met Tink's battered face. Mulan reached out a hand to the strawberry blonde which was when she noticed Tink.

"What happened to you?" Mulan took her roommates chin between her thumb and pointer.

"I ran into the door," her tone was low, almost a whisper, and flat.

"Aurora could you please get me the first aid kit?" the strawberry blonde nodded and went over to where a fire extinguisher rested on one of the walls, along with the first aid kit.

"Here," Mulan took the kit from the girl where she, along with the early silent blonde, sat at one of the bench presses. "I will give you two some privacy," Mulan gave her something that was the closes thing to a smile that Tink has ever seen come from her Chinese roommate. It wasn't like Mulan never laughed or smiled, it was just that she rarely did it in front of strangers, it was part of her reserved nature.

"Tilt your head," Mulan gently guided the dirty blonde's head to the angle that she wanted. "Brace yourself, this will sting," she opened one of the packs of alcohol wipes and started to treat the bleeding cut. Tink winced but staid stilled as she let the girl across from her teat and dress her wounds. "You know that Mary Margaret is going to kill you when she sees you right?" she didn't get a response from the other girl, Tink just sat there slightly slumped over. "Okay tell me what's wrong."

"I lost."

"You what?"

"I lost. My chance to lift whatever weight is on my heart."

"My father told me something when I was little and that is no real opportunity is ever really lost you just have to find a way it again," Tink gave her a sad smile and she started to cry.

"God have I mention how much I hate your spouts of wisdom," Mulan let the dirty blonde cry and carried her home, just like she did that Thursday.

Just like she predicted Mary Margaret made a huge fuss when she saw Tink but let it go for she saw that the teen was going threw something private. She fixed a small mug of warm milk, which she watch the teen drink slowly. Tink automatically went to bed after that, not speaking to anyone.

The depression that Tink came home in stayed with her all day Thursday. Mary Margaret called Ms. Lucas to say that Tink wouldn't be in. Said teen had officially closed herself off from everyone, her back turned and green sheet over her head. The English teacher let the girl be, brings the teen some food and water in closed containers.

Friday was better, Tink was moving around but still not talking to people. It was a problem for Mary Margaret since she had scheduled herself to volunteer at the hospital but she couldn't leave Tink on her own. So with no choice she dragged the doused teen with her. The head supervisor didn't seem to mind, so long as she stayed in the break room. That was how Mary Margaret left her with a book, a light lunch, a snack, and a small bottle of water. People didn't give her no mind, they just let their jobs unfolded for that day. It wasn't until something caught her ear did she perk up.

Around three two females entered the break room, both dressed in stark white uniforms. They weren't nurses for they wore scrubs in a variety of colors and some had prints on them. These were thick white button down dresses with a large pocket on each hip and a small breast pocket. The dress was accompanied with white tights, running shoes, and a small cap with a red stripe. All in all it wasn't a practically flattering outfit but it was functional, which would win in the medical field. Normally Tink wouldn't give them a second thought if one didn't sound so familiar.

"You know I don't understand these persistent shift changes, most doctors and nurses work more than a few hours a day," the voice was light and carried a slight accent, probable English. It was the same woman that was with Neráida, light brown wavy hair tied back in a pony tail. When her eyes met Tink's she smiled at the other woman, whispering something in her ear that Tink couldn't hear. Once she left the smile quickly change to a predatory smirk.

"Well if it isn't my little eavesdropper from orchestra what brings you here?" Tink glared at her the light brunet's eyes widen in some form of surprise. "Oh dear what have I done to earn such a distasteful look? Could it be that you do not like me hitting on your precious little conductor? Or is it you don't like me hitting on Neráida because you have a crush on her?" it was an involuntary motion, Tink's hand moving in a swipe like manor at the plastic water bottle which rolled back and forth on the empty chair seat, but it provided an answer to the question. "I will take that as a yes. Teenagers, you let your heart rule more than your head," she chuckled a little and started to leave.

"Leave her alone," the other woman stopped mid step and looked at the blonde with a raised eyebrow.

"I beg your pardon but whom is to I stay away from?"

"Leave Neráida alone," the light brunet smiled and approached the teen, bending at the waist so that blue locked with brown.

"My dear child I will leave Neráida alone when she wants me to leave her alone, so I suggest you make you move before she's taken because a girl like that does not stay free long," she left without making a sound, leaving the teen with her thoughts. Damn her she was right, with her beauty and talents Neráida was not going to stay free for long and if Tink wanted a sliver of a chance with her her time to act was now. But this time she was going to do it for she would have plan that would work not matter what. At least she hopped it would.

A/N: ah tension you got to love it. Enjoy!