Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Author's Note: This episode sent Claudia and Myka off to investigate a series of strange deaths. They found a girl named Megan who thought she was killing people, but in reality it was an artifact in the hands of a boy who was dangerously obsessed with her. Pete's mom also featured in the episode. She and her son dove into her memories for some clues about the mysterious person who was coming after the Warehouse. This chapter picks up a few minutes after the end of the episode when Claudia told Myka she was going to go call Steve. It's not one of my better chapters, but I had no idea what to write for this episode. Enjoy!

Crazy Is as Crazy Does

Myka was still waiting by the steps when Claudia came back a few minutes later.

"How'd it go?" she asked.

"He didn't answer," Claudia admitted. "Again."

"Give him time," Myka told her. "He'll call when he's ready."

"He better," Claudia muttered. "Otherwise I'm gonna hunt him down and drag his lie-detecting butt back here."

Myka chuckled at the image.

"I don't know about you," she said, "but I am starving. You wanna grab some lunch?"

"Absolutely," Claudia said enthusiastically. The two of them began walking down the path toward where Myka had parked the car.

"So what was that thing about you being cursed?" Myka asked.

"Oh, it was just something I told Megan," Claudia said, waving it off. "She was upset and I was trying to get her to trust me, so I told her I had the make-people-disappear curse too."

"Well, you don't," Myka told her. "I'm still here, aren't I?"

"Score one for the Republic," Claudia said dramatically. Myka shook her head.

"But really," she said. "You're not cursed, Claude."

"I know," Claudia admitted. "I've got you and the rest of the Scooby gang."

"Who does that make me?" Myka asked.

"Velma," Claudia said immediately. "Definitely Velma."

"Jinkies," Myka said. Claudia grinned. "Speaking of solving mysteries. How did you know where to find Megan?"

"It wasn't that hard," Claudia admitted. "If you're in a big city and want to get away from people, you go where there aren't any."

"Well, nice job," Myka told her. "You did really well with her today."

"She was scared and alone and she was experiencing something that shouldn't have been possible," Claudia explained. "I know what that's like. I just treated her like I wish someone else would've treated me."

"Well, it worked," Myka said proudly. "Nicely done, Agent Donovan."

"Why, thank-you, Agent Bering," Claudia said in her best posh voice.

"Come on, Scooby," Myka said, slinging an arm around Claudia's shoulders. "Let's go find some food."

"Rokay, Raggy," Claudia said. Myka laughed.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Claudia was sitting in her room strumming on her guitar. Pete was with his mom, Myka had gone to the Warehouse to talk to Artie about security issues and Leena was off running errands. For the time being, Claudia had the place to herself. She paused briefly to readjust her fingering before continuing on with the song she was playing. The sound of clapping caused her to look up. Pete was standing in her doorway.

"Nice," he said, sounding impressed. "You gearing up for open mic?"

"Kinda," Claudia said. "I didn't know you were back."

"We just got here," Pete explained.

"We?" Claudia asked in slight confusion. Pete moved aside and his mother appeared in the doorway beside him.

"We," Jane said. "And I must say, you do indeed have some musical talent."

"Thanks," Claudia said. She ducked her head briefly to hide her embarrassment. "If I'd known I had an audience, I would've played quieter."

"You play at open mic," Pete reminded her.

"Yeah, for people I don't know," Claudia pointed out. Pete shrugged.

"You're good," he told her. "Get over it."

"Fine," Claudia said. She tried to sound irritated, but the smile on her face gave it away.

"We're going out for some ice-cream," Pete said, motioning at the door with his thumb. "You wanna come?"

"I don't want to intrude," Claudia said.

"Nonsense," Jane said firmly. "A friend of Peter's is a friend of mine. Besides, I've read a great deal about you and I would greatly enjoy the chance to get to know you in person."

"If you're sure you don't mind," Claudia said, caving in.

"Not at all," Jane assured her.

"Okay," Claudia said with a nod. "Just let me put this up."

"I'll meet you two downstairs," Jane said, heading out of the room.

"We'll be right there," Pete said. He turned and watched Claudia pack up the guitar in its case, which she then leaned against the wall. "So. Did you hear back from Steve-o yet?"

"Not yet," Claudia admitted. She turned to Pete and shrugged.

"Well, you will," Pete assured her. "But right now, you're all mine. And I needs me some Claudia time."

He walked over to Claudia and pulled her into a massive bear hug. Claudia wriggled a little, but she wasn't really trying that hard.

"Okay, okay," she protested, patting Pete on the back. "Down, boy."

Pete squeezed her tightly before loosening his grip a bit to the level of a normal hug.

"You're not crazy, Claude," he said seriously. He pulled away and smiled at her. "Well, no crazier than the rest of us."

"Wow, I feel so much better now," Claudia said drily. But there was a smile on her face.

"Come along, Robin," Pete said. "Ice-cream awaits."

"So does your mom," Claudia joked.

"Don't you be talking 'bout my mama," Pete threatened.

"Ooh!" Claudia said as an idea suddenly occurred to her. "I can tell her all sorts of things about you. Like how an artifact got you and Myka so drunk you bronzed Steve."

"Wait a minute," Pete interrupted, his eyes wide. "How do you know about that?"

"Or about when Abe Lincoln's hat made you try to free Mrs. Frederic."

"I am seriously starting to regret this idea," Pete muttered as they headed for the stairs.

"Or that time you dyed all your underwear pink because you washed it with a red sock."

"That was not my fault," Pete said defensively. "Someone put that sock in there."

"Sure," Claudia said skeptically.

"They did!"

"Why would anyone in their right mind go anywhere near your laundry?"

"I don't know, but it was not my fault."

"It totally was."

"Was not."

"Was too."

"Was not!"

"Was too!"

"Was not!"

They were still arguing when they reached the bottom of the stairs. Neither one of them even noticed Jane standing there watching them as their made their way out the front door. She shook her head in amazement.

"Children," she muttered. "They never grow up, do they?"

She sighed and followed them out to the car.

The song Claudia is playing is "Unwell" by Matchbox Twenty. It seemed to fit her character. Thoughts?