"Well, it looks like Crocker was right. Or I assume he was right, about you having fairies I mean. Those two are fairies, right?" Vicky now had the towel draped over her shoulder, her expression relaxed to a casual smile, evidently she was no longer surprised by what she saw. "You, Mr. Turner, have a lot of explaining to do, I'd wager."
"Wha- But you-! And them-!" Timmy's brain was traveling a mile a minute, he took a few deep breaths to calm himself. "Okay, what exactly is going on?" he spoke to Wanda now.
"I uh... don't really know sport... No booming sound, no Jorgen appearing to take us away, no memory loss-"
"I can't remember anything!" Cosmo chimed in.
"That's not new dear... Everything seems fine, which is odd, every other time this has happened the fairies are taken away from their child and all parties' memories are erased, but..."
"But nothing's. Happening. Yeah, I know...Vicky you can see them right?"
"Oh yeah, I can definitely see them."
A look of relief washed over Timmy's features, his face returning to it's normal color. Vicky, meanwhile, stepped closer to Cosmo and Wanda, wanting to get a better look at them. She studied the both of them carefully, taking note of the wings, crowns, and magic wands.
"So you two... are Timmy's what? Fairy godparents or something?" there was a hint of amusement as she spoke, likely laughing at the ridiculousness of her statement.
"Yes, they are." Timmy spoke plainly.
"Oh... wow..." Vicky thought what she said was a joke, but was surprised to find out she hit the nail on the head. "So they... what? Grant any wish you ask them to?"
Timmy looked to Wanda, his eyes asking her if it was okay to reveal more information, Wanda simply nodded, Vicky already found out this much information about fairies and nothing had happened, so she figured they might as well keep going.
"Well... not quite any wish, there's a rulebook that tells them what types of wishes they can't grant, generally anything related to bending reality in irreversible ways, particularly selfish wishes, wishes that may affect... true... love... things like that."
"Why can't you just make any wish happen? Why does magic need rules?"
Wanda chimed in now. "If children could make any wish, it would be utter chaos! Da Rules was created to avoid things like that. You also can't make any wish that would alter Da Rules, unless you found a loophole of course."
Vicky stood in contemplation of what Wanda had said for a few moments before nodding her head. "I suppose I can see the reason behind that..." A look of realization came over Vicky's face. "Wait! We- We've met before!"
"Uh... what?" Timmy asked, confused.
"I can't remember how or where but we did! I know it!" Vicky tried her hardest to remember but couldn't, it was all too blurry, but she recognized the two fairies. "You're Cosmo and you're Wanda!" she pointed to Cosmo then Wanda.
"That's too good for a guess. Might as well just get this over with, Vicky we should all probably sit down for this, it's gonna be a long story..."
And so Timmy explained what happened, the whole story, how she was the reason he got fairies in the first place, how strange things would happen whenever they were around each other, (at least what Vicky could remember, there were times when Timmy had to fill in the blanks for her, like when he wished for her memories of the days activities to be forgotten), the times she was transformed into animals or inanimate objects, the time he wished that he was the babysitter and Vicky had been made so miserable that she was granted Timmy's fairies, all of it. A few times Cosmo and Wanda even filled in some information, though the whole time he told her, he would occasionally look over his shoulder, expecting to see Jorgen tear away everything he held dear, but it never came. It was nearly one in the morning when he figured he told her enough, she was looking very tired and drained from the outpouring of information.
"So all those times it was you? The reason those things happened? The reason I remember Cosmo and Wanda is because they were my fairies for a time?"
"Uh... yeah, I was pretty mean myself I suppose in doing all those things to you in revenge..."
"Suddenly it seems like we're not so different..."
"Vicky you gotta understand, I wanted to tell you, I did, but if I did I thought I would lose them forever, that's why I didn't..."
"Timmy you do love me right?"
"I do, you know that, that's what this is, between us, you said it yourself."
"And I love you. So all that has happened, the things you did to me, the things I did to you, it's in the past. Let's let it stay there." she pulled him over to her and into a warm embrace. "But I would suggest against doing anything else like that to me, because now I'll know..." she whispered into his ear.
"I wouldn't dream of it."
"Good."
Timmy wanted to tell Vicky about Ricky as well, but he didn't want to stress her out anymore than he already had, there were several things he felt could wait until later to tell her, chief among them being the time she took over the world under a dictatorship, and when Crocker had done the same and kidnapped his fairies.
They were both beginning to drift off to sleep when Wanda spoke again.
"Well if there's nothing else, I think we should all try and get some rest..."
Cosmo and Wanda poofed back into their fishbowl and Vicky yawned loudly before speaking.
"C'mon let's go to bed Timmy." Vicky stood and shuffled over to the bed, carefully ducking under the top bunk before collapsing onto the mattress. Timmy stood a few seconds later, intending to follow her when he heard sirens from outside, he walked over to the window and looked out to see fire trucks and an ambulance speed by his house, several streets away he could see an orange glow peeking over some distant houses.
"Whoever they are, I hope they're okay..."
"Timmy, come to bed..." her voice was somewhat muffled by the pillow she had buried her face in.
"I'm coming, I'm coming, keep your shirt on... unless?" apparently his fatigue was dulling his senses, usually Vicky was the flirty one.
"Mmph... sleep..."
He climbed into bed and laid down next to her, once he got comfortable she pulled herself over to him and wrapped her arms around him from behind, it was cold in the room, was she hugging him for warmth as well as affection? he wondered.
"Hey Vicky, this remind you of anything...?" he received no response, she had already drifted off to sleep and, after a few minutes, so did he.
Meanwhile in the fishbowl...
Wanda wondered what exactly was going on, first they had been discovered and nothing happened, and then Vicky's memory was beginning to return, memories that Timmy had wished away. Since when could people remember things that were forgotten with magic?
"Pudding!" shouted Cosmo suddenly, apparently his sparks of brilliance were very few and far between.
"Not helping dear..."
Still, she wasn't displeased with how things were going, Timmy seemed happier than he had ever been, not an exuberant kind of happy, a quiet kind that was always much harder to achieve. It amazed her that two people who not long ago would have called each other enemies, were now in love, but, stranger things had happened, she supposed. Watching them now, they were somewhat cute, certainly an odd couple, but as she had said before, love was blind.
Timmy awoke the next morning, aware of a numb feeling in his right arm, he realized before he even opened his eyes that it was likely because Vicky was lying on his arm, when he did open his eyes he saw the green of Vicky's shirt in front of him and glancing up slightly, he saw the creamy color of her skin, and realized that he must have turned over in his sleep, and was now eye-level with her chest.
"Well, I could certainly get used to waking up like this..."
"You're a perv..." Vicky spoke, sleep still addling her speech.
Timmy hadn't noticed it until now, but Vicky looked quite attractive now, he supposed he hadn't noticed because they saw each other everyday, but she had certainly developed some curves to her figure, maybe he hadn't noticed because up until recently, he didn't see her in that light. He noticed now though, and realized Vicky was somewhat right, he was kind of a perv... oh well.
"You can't blame me for looking at a pretty girl, well I suppose you could if it was anyone but you, but you're mine and I'm yours. I'm not looking at anyone else."
"A wise decision. What time is it anyway?"
Timmy looked over at his alarm clock, which had fallen into disuse, nobody bothered to get up early anymore around the house. "It's... agh... only seven..."
In response Vicky pulled him closer to her so his face was practically buried in her chest. "Well I'm cold and it's too early, we're sleeping in." She then pulled the blankets up closer.
"No complaints from me." his voice was muffled due to his position.
Outside the house sat Crocker's familiar definitely-not-suspicious white van. It hadn't left the general neighborhood since summer started, and had no reason to Crocker didn't work as a summer school teacher, it interfered with his magical creature hunting. Unfortunately Crocker hadn't taken a shower lately either, that is, in about a week, he felt he was on the verge of a breakthrough in finding out about Timmy's fairies, he couldn't give up now!
"Hmm... interesting, I haven't seen his parents car in a few days now... perhaps they went away... perfect! He is defenseless!" It then dawned on him however that Timmy was now in the company of Vicky. "That demonic girl, she likely won't let me get near him because his parents want him to be kept safe... Perhaps I could pay her off... Yes! Of course! Everyone knows that girl likes money, I'll pay her to let me get near him and then I can prove the existence of his fairies!" saying fairies caused him to break out in an epileptic fit and smash his head into one of the monitors in his van.
"Urgh... need medication..." Crocker grabbed a bottle of anti seizure medication and swallowed a couple. Unfortunately Crocker's doctor didn't like him much and the anti seizure meds were actually placebos, which didn't activate the placebo effect, unfortunately for Crocker.
He fumbled around for his phone and upon finding it, called the number he had written down for Vicky's babysitting service, he had written it down in case he ever needed to use her, but had never attempted calling it. The phone rang a few times before an annoyed and tired sounding Vicky answered.
"I don't recognize your number so I assume you're calling about my babysitting service... Unfortunately I'm retired, so I'm afraid you'll have to call someone else to watch your kids..." she was about to hang up when he spoke up.
"I have an interesting business opportunity for you..."
"Is this Crocker?"
"What?! No! Just someone not suspicious with a business opportunity! Really."
"Cause it sounds like Crocker..."
"Just come outside please. There is money in it for you. I'm parked outside the house..."
"How do you know whose house I'm at? This doesn't sound suspicious at all..."
"Just come outside!" she heard a slamming sound from the other end of the line and then the line went dead.
"Oh I'll come out all right..."
"Vicky who was that?" Timmy had fallen back asleep but was awoken by Vicky's phone conversation.
"No one, I have to go out real quick. Stay here, I'll be right back." as she said this she pulled on her black jeans and grabbed a hatchet from her suitcase.
"Vicky..."
"What? I said I'll be right back."
"You also grabbed your hatchet... Just don't kill anyone, please?"
"After waking me up from a wonderful nap? It would be wrong not to kill them!"
Timmy just looked at her.
"Fine. I won't kill him, but no promises about seriously injuring."
"That's the best I'm gonna get isn't it?"
"'Fraid so." with that Vicky left the room and headed downstairs.
"Glad I'm not on her bad side anymore..."
Vicky opened the front door and headed straight for the white van, not even bothering to shut the door behind her, she was mad that someone had woken her up, but the fact that it was Crocker and she had time to think had only intensified her rage. The driver side door opened and Crocker stepped out, looking like he hadn't showered in weeks, his hair was sticking up in several directions, he looked like he was covered in flop sweat, and his neck ear was sagging slightly, a disgusting buildup of earwax in it.
"Ah you're here, good... I have an interesting opportunity for you, you'll be well paid of course..." Crocker failed to notice the anger emanating from Vicky, though he should have been tipped off by the hatchet resting on Vicky's shoulder.
"I'm listening, but you better talk fast, I'm very impatient and you just woke me up."
"Well I believe that the resident, Timmy Turner has fairy godparents." he did his best to contain the seizure and only slammed the back of his head into the van. "And I need you to allow me access to him so I can prove the existence of them."
"And I would get what in return for your access to my charge?"
"Well I told you, I would pay you very well..." he produced a large sweaty wad of money and extended his hand to Vicky.
Vicky contemplated his offer, in her own way, she wasn't going to allow Crocker anywhere near Timmy, but she did still like money... Vicky stepped forward and, when she was right in front of Crocker, suddenly swung the hatchet, missing him by millimeters as he jumped back and hopped into his van, starting it up. Vicky swung the hatchet at the front tire, shredding it with the hatchet's sharpened end, and then swung it at the driver's side window, shattering it instantly. By this point Crocker had started the vans engine and slammed on the accelerator, speeding away. Vicky looked down to see the wad of money and pocketed it, then took out her phone and called Crocker back.
"Hello?! Who is this?!"
"Why it's Vicky, from Vicky's babysitting service? I was just calling to say it's been a pleasure doing business with you. Have a nice day!" her voice was sickeningly sweet like when she spoke to kids' parents before she lowered it into a deadly serious tone. "I suggest you stay away from me and Timmy or else I promise you, I won't miss next time." she then hung up.
Crocker sat in his van, a warm feeling pooling in his seat and lap, it seemed he had wet himself out of sheer terror. "Grr... that damn girl... she must be a demon... I will prove the existence of his fairies!...After I go home and change... but first, I need to get her out of the way..."
An idea then occurred to Crocker, and he grabbed his phone and called 911.
Vicky returned to the house, shutting the door and locking it, and returned upstairs to Timmy's (and hers) room. Timmy groggily looked over to her when she entered.
"Who was it?"
"Someone with a business proposal, I had to turn them down though." she returned the hatchet to her suitcase.
"And by turn them down, did you happen to kill them?"
"What? No, of course not! You asked me not to so I didn't! I didn't even get to harm him he drove away!"
"Who is he?" Timmy was afraid he might be Ricky, but she was awfully calm if it was...
"It was... well... It was Crocker."
"Are you serious? He needs to take a hint... let me guess he is still looking for my fairies right?"
"Yeah he is, but I gave him more than a hint."
"Does he suspect anything?"
"I presume he suspects that I'm crazy after what I did to his van."
"Nothing else...? You may be safe to tell about my fairies, for some reason, but no one else can know okay? No one."
"I'm not telling anyone anything, far as I'm concerned, people can keep thinking that we're sworn enemies." as she said this, she took her black jeans back off, leaving her in her black shorts again, and climbed back into bed with Timmy. They were both on the verge of sleep again when there was a loud knock on the front door, though it was less knocking and more banging.
"God. Dammit."
"Who could it be now?" Timmy asked.
"I don't know but whoever they are they're dying very soon..." Vicky again got out of bed and put on her jeans, and then grabbed her hatchet again. "Stay."
"Vicky, I'm not a dog..."
"Stay." she then left the room and made her way downstairs, stomping all the way.
Upon reaching the door, she raised the ax in a position not unlike how a baseball player readies his bat, and opened the door, before waiting for confirmation on who was on the other side she swung the ax. She stopped her swing just before hitting the police officer standing on the front steps, he didn't even flinch.
"Oh! Hey Officer Wolfe! How've you been?"
"You know Vicky, you're real lucky it was me the department sent instead of well... anyone else."
"Wolfe, you know as well as I do that everyone else in the force is quite afraid of me. And if they sent anyone else, they'd have an ax buried four inches into their skull."
"*sigh* Some things never change, I'm glad to see you haven't kid, this world's becoming a dangerous place."
Arlen Wolfe was the only officer in the force who wasn't afraid of Vicky, more than he could say for even the chief of police, and his lack of fear towards her caused her to regard him with a certain degree of respect. In truth he had vouched for her on more than one occasion after he read the police report filed by her mother many years ago, her father was abusive and her mother barely did anything to stop him. The report was filed after a particularly violent altercation and, even after that Vicky's mother still went back to Vick. It was a sad case, but what else could he do? He was only one officer, and not a vigilante, he couldn't go taking the law into his own hands. So instead he watched out for Vicky whenever he could, though it was rare that she needed his help, she may have had a habit for finding trouble, but she was even better at finding her way out of it, though few knew how she managed it.
"So officer, what can I do for you on this fine... I don't know what day it is." Vicky lowered her weapon and returned it to resting on her shoulder.
"Word is you've been attacking people, well person, with your ax there."
"Officer, this is a hatchet, and I haven't been attacking anyone!" Vicky put on her sweet persona, despite knowing it didn't work on Wolfe.
"Vicky, don't bullshit me. I know your temper and I saw Crocker's van on the way here."
"That could have been done by any ax wielding red head."
"Yet here you are, in the house Crocker was parked in front of, holding a hatchet... That doesn't seem suspicious."
"Do you even listen to yourself? What about the fact that Crocker has been stalking Timmy Turner by parking outside his house, kidnapping him, and generally making his life miserable? How come you don't go after him for being a kidnapper, or stalker, or pedophile?"
"Vicky, there's no evidence to suggest he is any of those things, and why do you even care? You used to tell me that you tortured Timmy yourself, made him miserable, you enjoyed it, why the sudden change?"
"I..." Vicky looked down at the ground.
"Look at me Vicky."
She looked him directly in the eyes, but said nothing.
He seemed to study her face for a few moments before his eyes widened ever so slightly, then returned to normal.
"Ah, so that's how it is. Well good for you! I'm happy for you kid, I really am."
"Yeah well shut it, I don't want people knowing..."
"You love him then?"
"...I do."
"And he loves you? He told you he loves you?"
"He did... I know he does."
"Well that's good then. I was worried you were too abrasive for love, this kid must be as crazy as you are..." there was a grin on his face now.
Vicky punched his shoulder- hard.
"Ah! All right, all right! No jokes!" he rubbed his shoulder slightly.
"So what now?"
"Well, nothing really, no one's going to file a report about this, certainly not me. And I'll ask someone to look into Crocker, see what's really going on, maybe he's behind the disappearances..."
"Have you looked at Francis? The gray kid?"
"Well..."
"What is it?"
"I really shouldn't tell you... confidentiality and all that..."
Vicky continued staring at him.
"Alright fine. We were looking at Francis, we thought he might be the one who was doing it, but... his house burned down last night. We don't know if it was an accident or arson but by the time the fire trucks got there, there was nothing left but charred remains."
"Wha- Seriously?! He's dead?!"
"Keep your voice down!" Wolfe looked around quickly before his eyes settled on Vicky again. "We don't know if he is or not, but there were a lot of bones in the basement, all were heavily charred, mostly animal bones, presumably the missing pets, but there were two larger skeletons, likely human, there as well."
"Do you know anything else?"
"Not yet... we have to check them against dental records... but judging by the size of the skeletons and the fact that only one boy is missing and Francis is unaccounted for... it seems likely."
"Shit... not too sound mean-" Wolfe just stared at Vicky. "Well alright I am mean, but good riddance if it was him."
"I can't disagree with ya there, girl. Just be careful, we don't know all the facts yet, but I have a feeling that this isn't over yet."
"Yeah, me too. Take care of yourself Wolfie..."
They hugged for just a moment, then separated and Wolfe was on his way.
She watched him leave, he was better than her father had ever been, and she supposed, that was the relationship they had, she knew he watched out for her when the department looked her way. Maybe that's why she wasn't worried about him knowing about her and Timmy.
Vicky looked around, surveying the neighborhood before returning inside, she really wanted her nap, but it was nine now, there wouldn't be much time to sleep in...
Timmy was in the kitchen sitting at the table, a bowl of cereal before him.
"Who was that?"
"Eh, just an old friend, not important. But there is some interesting information that he told me... It seems that our good friend Francis has met with an unfortunate accident, well his whole house has, and likely Francis too... Though he doesn't have anything concrete."
"Well that's unfortunate... Well not really."
"Yeah I felt about the same..."
"So this friend of yours... Does he know anything else?"
"No, just that the basement was full of skeletons, mostly animal, two presumably human..."
There was a deadly silence that filled the room before Timmy spoke.
"Did you do it?"
"Of course not! How could you even-"
Timmy glared at Vicky.
"Fine, so it wouldn't be all that surprising if I did it, but I swear I didn't! You told me not to, so I didn't. Besides I couldn't have done it, I've been with you the entire time, and even when we weren't together, I wouldn't have had time to do it." Vicky was nearly frantic now.
"Calm down... I believe you... but who do you think could have done it?"
"I dunno, maybe he killed himself, maybe there was just a random fire in the house, maybe someone just didn't like Francis, who knows? But he is gone now, he won't be able to harm you, me, or anyone else..."
"Well I suppose it is for the best then... You still want to head out to the mall today?"
"Sure, I need to actually go get dressed though, I'm technically still in my sleeping clothes, and so are you."
"Go ahead then, I'll be up when I finish eating."
Vicky returned to their room and again placed her hatchet in her suitcase, and began taking out her clothes, her usual attire, she wasn't quite ready to change up her wardrobe yet, though she had different clothes for when she did. Timmy meanwhile was still downstairs and had requested Cosmo and Wanda to come out.
"Whatcha need sport?" I have a feeling I already know the answer but... I wish I knew when Vicky's birthday was." he had been paying attention these past few years and had learned what day he thought it was but wasn't entirely sure.
The wands sparked briefly and the knowledge was suddenly in his head.
"Tomorrow, June thirtieth, I thought so." it was why he wanted to go to the mall in reality, he wanted to pick something up for her birthday, but thankfully she didn't seem to suspect.
"Good thing you're heading to the mall, huh sport?"
"Yeah, I'd say so."
"Do you have enough money to get something?"
"I've been saving, no worries." he had been saving, though not for any particular reason, anything he wanted could be wished up.
He suddenly heard Vicky running down the steps, and almost told Cosmo and Wanda to hide before remembering she already knew about them. Vicky suddenly burst into the kitchen and lifted her shirt, Wanda covered Cosmo's eyes, though there was no need, she only lifted it enough to show her hip.
"Timmy! The bruise! It's gone!"
"Yeah, that's good right?"
"Well yeah, but what happened?"
"I wished your hip was healed..."
"Oh... thanks..."
"No problem, you can probably expect a lot of benefits like that now, considering we're together..." It kind of felt like an abuse of power, but technically wasn't selfish, he was healing someone elses wounds.
"So what can they do? How encompassing is this magic of theirs?"
"Well, I could explain it to you, or..." He hoped he wouldn't regret his next wish, and wondered if they could even grant it. "Cosmo, Wanda, I wish you could grant any wish that Vicky makes, just like me."
They hesitated for a moment, knowing what happened last time he made a wish like this, and then raised their wands. The wands glowed just like before, and there was a poofing sound.
"So it worked?" Vicky looked to Timmy, and he nodded in confirmation.
"Uh... alright, I... wish we were at the mall."
There was a poofing sound and they were suddenly in the parking lot of the Dimmsdale mall. Cosmo and Wanda had turned into pigeons but were still nearby.
"Where'd they go?"
"They need to keep hidden in public, so they usually become animals or inanimate objects. They're the pink and green pigeons right there." he pointed over to them.
"So those pink and green... things that I've seen you with... it was always them?"
"Yep."
"Couldn't they be more... inconspicuous?"
"What do you mean?"
"How many pink and green pigeons do you know of?"
"I see your point, but no one has ever noticed, so I don't think it matters. Also next time let me change my clothes before you do something like that..."
"Oh! Right. Sorry. I wish Timmy was changed into fresh clothes."
Timmy's clothes suddenly became neat and clean, his hair no longer disheveled from sleep.
"Yeah, uh, generally making wishes in public is a no-go. They're pretty good at being stealthy when making wishes in public, but it's just better not to take any unnecessary risks, y'know?"
"Right, sorry, wasn't thinking..."
"When we decide to leave, make sure that you wish in private, away from people."
"Okay, I'll remember."
They then separated, Vicky heading out to wander the mall, Timmy heading to whatever stores he thought might hold something Vicky liked. Cosmo and Wanda were following close behind.
"Wanda, go with Vicky."
"You sure Timmy?"
"Yeah, we kinda share you guys now, so you may as well go with her in case she needs anything, it'll be a... bonding experience for you two."
Wanda wasn't particularly worried at this point, Timmy trusted Vicky, and they seemed to genuinely cared for each other. She flew off in the direction Vicky had gone.
Vicky walked through the mall, a smile on her face and a skip in her step, she tried to suppress it, but failed, things were really looking up this summer, she had a boyfriend, her boyfriend had fairies, he had given her the right to use them, and she was turning twenty tomorrow, she hadn't told Timmy because she didn't want him to worry about getting her a present, they had only been together a few days, and she didn't want to spring it on him and have him feel bad for not getting her anything on such short notice. She was surprised when a pink pigeon suddenly landed on her shoulder.
"Wanda? What's up?"
"Timmy asked me to go with you, since Cosmo and I are both your godparents, he felt that one of us should be with the both of you."
"Okay... I'll have to thank him later, that's pretty thoughtful of him..."
"It's sweet how much he cares about you, he was getting somewhat introverted over the past few years, he was beginning to care less and less about helping others, but he made the wish for you to be healed without a second thought, and this wish now, he was hesitant because of what happened last time, but he still did it."
"I know, I've been doing my best to keep the problem people away from him myself..."
"Just don't rush into things, I know you two share a bed and haven't done anything like that but..."
"Don't worry about it, I have no intentions of rushing into anything like that, I'm not gonna screw this up and I've screwed up a lot in my life."
"Thank you, Vicky."
Vicky continued walking, but the skip in her step was gone, her face distant.
"Vicky? You okay?"
"Timmy wished for Ricky, didn't he?"
"Ah yeah, he was hoping that you finding love would make you lighten up on him, he didn't expect the wish to backfire... though in hindsight that seems to happen a lot."
"Well he couldn't have seen it coming, we delighted in torturing him, and karma eventually paid its dues, to both of us."
"Well to be fair, you inflicted karmic retribution on Ricky..."
"I'm not a patient person... He's still out there isn't he?"
"Why do you ask?"
"I can feel it. Maybe because he is so similar to me, but I can... I don't know, sense it."
"Timmy's worried too Vicky, he asked about Ricky as well... yes he's still out there. Neither of us know where, or even how close, but he is around."
"So we could both be in danger, and not know when, or from where?"
"No guarantees, but it's possible, I won't lie."
"Great."
"But you shouldn't let it get you down, he could just as easily still be stuck in the boat."
"So conventional means of killing him don't work then?"
"Evidently not."
"So what do we do?"
"Well, we can hope he doesn't come back..."
"And if he does? Let's be honest, when he does?"
"Well you both have access to magic now, the possibilities aren't endless but... If he does show up... Well Cosmo and I are here for you and Timmy."
"Thanks."
"Are you... afraid of him?"
Vicky hesitated to answer, there were few things she truly feared, most people and things feared her, but there were some things that made her feel... uneasy. She had been afraid of Francis realizing he was stronger than her, but that problem seemed so far away now. Francis was likely gone, she didn't have anything to worry about in that regard. What really bothered her was that this new relationship with Timmy had garnered a new fear, she was afraid of losing Timmy, afraid that he would abandon her, like her parents had, in their own way, or worse of him getting hurt because of her, who's to say Ricky wouldn't go after Timmy to get to her? Then there was Crocker, he was getting desperate, and people do dangerous things in desperation.
Vicky shook the thoughts out of her head, her mood shifts were bothering her, happy, then worried, then sad, she was beginning to seem manic-depressive.
"No. I'm not afraid of him." she was lying to herself and to Wanda. She was afraid, but the prideful part of her being wouldn't allow weakness to be shown. "He's just me, a male me, but me, I know my weaknesses so I know his..."
"Then do you fear you?"
It was a valid question, if Vicky could look back at her life, from a view that was outside herself, she would likely fear the person she became, most people would.
"That's a strange question, do you know anyone who fears themselves?"
"Most people don't bother to look back on what they've done if it's bad or evil, when people have power, they use it, they misuse it. Power corrupts everyone who doesn't use it responsibly, that's why Timmy hesitated on the wish, you have been corrupted by power in the past."
"Is this going to be a lecture?"
"No, neither of us have time for that. I'm just giving you some friendly advice."
"Hmph."
Vicky stumbled across a furniture store and made her way inside, not intending to buy anything, just to look around. Eventually she came across a section dedicated to massage chairs and sat down to test one out, and turned it on.
"Ooh...this is nice... maybe I'll buy one of these after all..."
"Vicky, I thought you wanted to browse around the mall..."
"I will, I just want to relax for a few..." there was already drowsiness in her voice. "Keep- keep an eye on things... I'm just... gonna rest my..." Vicky drifted to sleep before she could finish.
Wanda sighed in annoyance, a clerk was coming over to tell Vicky she couldn't sleep in the store before his co-worker caught him.
"Dude! You see that pigeon on her shoulder? That's a Crimson Death Pigeon! They're seriously protective of their masters!"
"It's pink..."
"It must be a juvenile! They're still dangerous though, just keep your distance!"
"Fine, whatever, it's a slow day anyway."
Wanda had been hoping they would tell Vicky to leave but it seemed that they were going to chicken out, so she merely settled herself on Vicky's shoulder and kept watch.