A/N: This idea has been in my folder for years. Truthfully, I have about three stories in in the future works. Well, technically just two more and one of them being a sequel. Just a heads up The Forbidden Game IV: A Roll of the Dice has been updated for a Chapter Thirteen Preview. Yes, I have returned to that story as well for those wondering. I again apologize for long delays.

Ahem NOW the speech:

With this story patience is key. Do I think the wait will be worth it? If I nod and say yes, I mean it. I try to make these scenes intense but, in a stay, -in-character sort of way. I am warning those with little-not literally-ears that this is a sensual fanfic. Is it going to be a porno? NO. Hence sensual.

Sorry if that is what you came for you won't find it here.

Enough of my rambling to continue, ahem *coughs* Jenny is an adult in this version, so she has less of a naïve seventeen-year-old mindset. Do you really think enduring all those games wouldn't leave her just a tad more mature, realistically? I absolutely hate when she is painted as a Mary Sue-salivating-air-for-a-brain over Julian because her personality was flushed. Her character should always retain some justice. L.J Smith is after all a brilliant writer and if she ever finds this, well, I might just die a little inside with happiness.

As an adult you will see how Jenny fares with Julian as opposed to how her younger self would've handled and so and so forth yadda yadda...

I don't appreciate crickets. Don't be afraid to review and expand my horizons. Lend me your thoughts and let me know what you think. I particularly liked this piece. And while I do know there's a crap ton of information and less narrative, as any story goes, it's needed. All in all, I've done by best to downsize any run-ons with just enough info to the best of my ability.

Cheers x

1

A Douse of Reality

Jenny slammed the dark stall door of the bathroom, her palm pressed up against the steel lock until it snapped shut with a click.

Tears pricked the corner of her eyes. Her body bent into a slump bunching the long, summer dress she wore up at the thighs. The dress had been worn for the celebration that was taking place outside the restroom door of the ice cream parlor. The news her, Dee, and Summer had been suspicious about had been confirmed:

Audrey was pregnant.

Jenny sniffled. The florescent lighting above reflected off her pearl polished manicure she'd gotten just an hour before. Each nail had been filed and shaped into perfection. Her hands were baby soft and smooth, compliments of the spa. Now creased into the pad of her thumb was a small, black smudge of mascara.

The remnants of her break down just minutes before.

The familiar prick of tears swelled again as Jenny's lip trembled. The anger rose and swelled like a giant tidal wave the second his face surfaced in her mind. It wasn't fair. This day was supposed to be about her redheaded friend.

Michael had just landed his editorial job at a publishing company and Audrey had just been promoted to manager. After years of working as a hairdresser/cosmetologist she'd earned it. Even as she'd revealed this sharp detail, it paled in comparison to the little life now growing inside her.

Which was what they were celebrating today: a new, special life.

For a friend that used to panic at even a pound gained- she'd always been strict on her food intake-Jenny found Audrey, surprisingly, prepped for the changes to be taken on. This included the cravings which, her newfound love of strawberry milkshakes, now centered on.

Jenny recalled her friends' tender smile when Audrey had relayed her and Michael's discussion already on names. The mere mention of Michael being a new daddy formed stars in the fashionista's eyes.

Audrey appeared different to Jenny, softer somehow.

Jenny had barely recognized her friend when she'd first entered the parlor. As a woman in her profession, her face usually showcased the latest of makeup and hair trends. Instead, they'd been greeted with a nearly au' natural freckled appearance. Her copper hair had been sheared off to frame her pretty, heart-shaped face.

Most likely for the simplicity of the tumultuous months ahead.

There was a glow that had radiated from her. She'd relayed excitedly that it had barely been a year into their marriage when her and Michael's discovered her pregnancy. With the love so clear in her eyes, Jenny had never found her friend more beautiful.

Despite how grateful Jenny appeared for the two newlyweds it been almost too much for her to handle. Only three months had passed since her own happiness had been snatched from her. At the beginning it had been a hard, bruised ache inside the pit of her stomach. Barely had the feeling allowed Jenny to breathe through each day.

However, as the days continued to level off, the bruise in recent weeks had begun to mend from the black and blue cusp of depression. Instead, it had peeled away to a new layer:

Heartache.

In times such as these Jenny was once again- painfully-reminded of a day she wouldn't soon forget. It would come years after a grand proposal had been strategically staged in front of the class of 1997 at Vista Grande High School. Now, it seemed so long ago. But Jenny could still hear the cheers; a ghost of memories filled of families and friends celebrating.

As he'd slip the most beautiful diamond ring on her finger.

There had been lots of tears and congratulations. Bittersweet promises to remain touch had come from the group as Audrey, Michael, Zach, Dee, and Summer parted to begin their own journeys. With he holding her as Jenny tearfully waved goodbye to her friends, the suns light would refract off the diamond now placed on her finger. Over the turbulence of their next college years at San Francisco University it would reside there.

When freshmen year arrived, Jenny had started out with generals. But her further interest in the human psyche had later veered her on to the path of psychology. In the upcoming years Jenny would strive to achieve her master's in psychology. Like his father, her fiancé, would work towards obtaining a business degree to solidify a position in the family auto business.

However, the choices of their careers would later prove to be challenging.

Along the same time-frame Jenny would meet her first college friend Jennifer Copenhagen. She would take Jenny to her first college party. There they would hit it off almost instantaneously. Later Jenny would see this as a potential match to pair him with Jennifer. She'd been majoring in accounting. He hadn't been particularly good at Math. So, with Jennifer's willingness to later oblige, the three would become near inseparable.

For their rather, peculiar resemblance, both Jenny and Jennifer would be pinned with the nickname The Twins. It would last over the next set of years. Jennifer's sass and edgier style would balance out with Jenny's modesty and down to earth persona. Their friendship would take on the depth of almost sisterly. Introductions to families and friends would be made over the course of time between spring breaks and family vacations. It would leave the walls of their dorm room congested with memorabilia.

Later Jenny would extend her invitation to Jennifer as a bridesmaid.

Jenny would still try to sneak in the sweeter moments of privacy with her then, fiancé. In the midst of their tight knit relationship, Jennifer would politely abstain from interfering. It never seemed to bother her friend, who, always had a new flavor on her arm.

With each week.

Some of those 'flavors' Jenny would see spoiled before the weeks end. She should've known why none of these eligible bachelors became anything beyond a 'fling'. Yes, if only she had figured it out sooner. Maybe then her senior year would've turned out quite differently. That last year of college would turn out to be particularly grueling.

For all three.

Throughout those months, would Jenny notice a significant decrease of interest in Jennifer's chosen males. Then they'd ceased altogether. Again, Jenny would abstain from her inquiries of curiosity. Once finals had approached the interest had leveled off. She'd become hyper focused on the upcoming onslaught of tests.

After, Jenny would spend most days and nights studying for exams, sleeping off the sleepless nights, or planning her wedding. Both she and him had set the date for the month of August that summer.

If only she had known...

She couldn't wait another second to see him. Gosh, she really did miss him. It had seemed like days since the last time she could remember those green-and-gold flecked eyes and devil may care smile. She missed those big arms wrapped around her.

And sweet evening kisses.

Earlier that morning, before Jenny's last English final, Jennifer had said he had
been doing weights at the gym. He always kept himself in great shape especially for sports. Jenny had no complaints when it came to their toned body. It was always a sight whenever they discarded their shirt. At the thought Jenny blushed as the bare image surfaced in her mind. It was of no secret that the two had pushed their boundaries the last time they'd been alone. She could still remember trailing her fingers across the new muscles she'd daringly touched. Thinking back, it seemed so long ago. Had it already been three weeks since then?

Too long.

All this waiting had nearly pushed them over the edge last time. But now that they were college graduates Jenny wanted to surprise him with a reward. For all his patience and goodness to her he truly deserved it.

For years they had held back from each other. Jenny had been the good girl. But as she saw herself stepping into adulthood her urges were becoming somewhat of a struggle. She'd been with him half of her life. She loved him. As such she felt she was ready to overcome that last boundary holding them back.

With finals were over he was sure to be thrilled.

Four tiresome years of studying, cramming, sleepless nights, and caffeinated mornings were over. Jenny was free to move on to the next stage in their lives and on to their promising future together.

Tonight.

Jenny couldn't repress the smile that tugged at the corner of her lips as she ran across the manicured lawns on campus. Her ponytail waved like a gold banner beneath the blazing sun as her trainers brushed through the stalks of grass.

Almost there.

Just a couple more feet and she would reach the men's side of campus. The door smacked against the wall with a loud BANG. Jenny burst through the building, the excitement making her giddy and all too anxious to see her fiancé. The smell of stale beer and sweat was pungent in the air. Jenny raced up the winding stairs and passed a few observant college guys she'd seen at past parties. They gave a wave or smile as she bounded down the hall.

Everyone knew her as his fiancé.

Fiancé. The name simply reflected the smile that lit up her face as Jenny reached the dorm room, the worn numbers 103 was worn with age. It reminded her that it was this very room where she'd spent many nights cuddling and going over wedding plans with him. And, if Jenny be honest, it was where she wanted to explore further intimacy with, now. She didn't need some movies set setting with roses and candles nor a fancy hotel room.

Just him.

Last night she'd carefully laid out the garments specifically chosen for today as celebration. The compliments of Victoria Secret. The lingerie now beneath her sundress hugged her every curve. She felt sexy and confident in such daring attire. She'd thought through this carefully. She and him were already engaged and they loved each other. So why not celebrate with something so special? After all these years, they had waited. With everything they had endured together, it was the one present she knew he wouldn't soon forget.

Eager, Jenny reached for the knob and burst in. "Hey," she began breathless, "I—"

And just like that her happiness instantly deflated. All the air rushed out of her body in one, sharp gasp.

There he stood: Thomas Jay Locke.

His broad and bare muscled chest was beaded with sweat, his arms secured around an all too familiar blonde. Her long, pale curls were tossed over one shoulder and exposed one bronze arm. The lacy strap of her bra was left hanging. Long elegant legs, two inches more from her height, were wrapped around his waist whilst positioned on the arm of the couch.

Their couch.

Her friend.

Her roommate.

Her bridesmaid: Jennifer Copenhagen.

Her bright-cougar-green heavily mascara eyes were wide. Her glossy lips shaped into a large O Jenny wanted to instinctively smack. Those orbs widened in what could only be unplanned surprise. "Jenny," she'd started to say, her voice absent of its usual confidence as it shook. "I—"

"Don't." Jenny managed to cut in, her voice abruptly sharp but her eyes fixated on Tom.

Tom's face had drained of all color.

"J-Jenny." Shock. Surprise. The very prominent emotion of betrayal was written across his face. As if he'd just noticed his position Tom threw up his hands.

He took a step back.

Those flecked orbs never once moved from Jenny's face. Tom swallowed, hard. It was right there that Tom saw Jenny's heart break before his very eyes. She didn't know whether she wanted to laugh, cry, or attack Jennifer. Every emotion she had ever felt slammed into her like a cement wall.

Until she found herself stumbling backwards.

"Jenny... I..." Tom's voice trailed off, his eyes suddenly pleading as Jenny's lip started to tremble. He closed his lips, his Adam's apple bobbing down with another hard swallow.

They had grown up together.

They had been inseparable.

Thomas Jay Locke had been in nearly every aspect of Jenny's life. He'd been her first kiss. Dance. Date. Boyfriend. Fiancé. Love. The two never once broached the subject, but they'd literally gone through hell and back triple times. Was it five years ago now? It had all been for him! Her. Each other. Life.

This didn't seem real.

Jenny had to have been dreaming because Tom would NEVER cheat on her. He loved her. She loved him. He'd risked his life. Jenny had risked hers countless times. He'd proposed! She had accepted! They had a future. Honeymoon. Babies. Growing old together.

This isn't... this wasn't...

All that lay before her suddenly disappeared like a wisp of wind. Jenny felt tears blur her vision. For a moment the ground swayed beneath her feet. She felt dizzy. Sick. Angered.

Furious.

I have been through so much. I will not let him win. I am my only master. Jenny gritted her teeth and righted herself as the world re-focused. A moment later she raised her head back up. Surprised by her strength she looked at Tom and Jennifer dead in the eyes with unequaled emotion.

Then, she took a step back, then another, before she was running.

"Jenny, wait!"

"Jenny, please. Oh God!"

But Jenny never turned around. Through blinding, angry tears she felt herself stumble down the last few steps before she threw the brick building door open. Instantly she was engulfed in the hot sun. It seemed to burn her salt-stained cheeks.

Alien hands grabbed at her.

Someone asked what was wrong. But Jenny simply shook them off as both Toms and Jennifer's cries grew fainter and fainter. Broken sobs burst from her chest before Jenny neared the campus busy intersection. She stumbled and scraped her knee across the pavement. With the sting of pain welcome, Jenny pushed herself back on her feet.

She ran straight into the busy streets.

Lights flashed. Green. Yellow. Red. Rants of profanities could just barely be heard in her state of despair. She forced herself into the glass pay phone booth across the street and threw the door closed within the confined space. Luck was on her side as her shaking hands pulled out two quarters leftover from laundry. She fumbled once, twice, before she was able to jab them into the slot and punch in the correct numbers. It was the only thing that would lead to her reprieve.

Or so, she hoped.

The phone started to ring.

And ring.

And-

"Hello?"

Jenny had just been about to give up when she heard the most beautiful sound. "D-Dee?"

There was a shuffle, Dee clearly adjusting the phone before she said, "Jenny?"

"Y-Yeah i-it's me."

"You okay, Sunshine? You sound..."

"Upset?" Jenny swallowed and cleared her throat as her voice cracked.

"What is it." Dee's voice was instantly defensive with a slight hint of held composure. The new karate classes were teaching her how to hone in her anger.

"Did someone hurt you?"

Jenny could just imagine Dee on the other line tense but doing her best to remain calm. "U-Umm I n-need t-to ask a f-favor." Jenny struggled to get the words through her gasps of breaths.

She needed to calm down or surely, she would lose it again.

"Slow down, sunshine. Breathe." Dee coaxed seemingly taking a page out of her own lessons. "Take a deep breath. Pao always says to breathe in... breathe out. Now... focus."

Jenny listened and closed her eyes taking a long, shaky breath until her muscles uncoiled.

"Okay. Now, shoot."

Jenny gave herself another moment from the onslaught of spasms that racketed through her chest. Her friend seemed to sense this and waited patiently. Jenny took another breath before she managed, "D-Do you think I could stay with you in LA f-for a while I know I'll have to break this to my parents bu..."

It only took that last word before the images once more flooded her mind and Jenny crumbled to the ground. Oh my god her parents. Tom was like a son to them! And now he... he...

All composure became lost to the winds. Holding on the phone as if for her dear life, she poured over the story of Tom's infidelity, barely surpassing the details as the spasms increased. It left her physically and emotionally wrecked by the end.

Dee anger could be felt through the phone line. Jenny could practically feel it vibrating in her voice as she said, "That treacherous SON OF A B—"

Jenny's eyes fluttered open as Dee's voice faded into the recesses of the memory. She didn't care to relive anymore of that day. Not again. For tireless months and weeks, she'd sifted through every detail, motive, every action down to her worth of it. All it had done in the end was leave her emotionally, mentally, and physically spent.

Instead, she focused on the chipped paint of the stall door before her.

A painted ice-cream face called "Coney" represented the parlors mascot of their brand of ice cream. The cartoonish smile looked fake with its black, buggy eyes. Their weird, squiggly-lined arms were propped on their cone-shaped body. A bright red cherry rested on its head like a beret.

Jenny looked away, irked, and sighed.

For so many months, weeks, even days leading up to now, she'd blamed herself for the cause of division between herself and... Tom.

She winced.

The name still pained her. Ugh. Everyone had said of course it wasn't her fault. It happened in college and to childhood sweethearts. College in itself had indeed added a lot of stress for them. From the sleepless nights due to late studious hours, it had led to fights. Stupid fights. Fights about minuscule things. There had been a few days of non-speaking terms. In those hours Jenny would spend her time in the library pouring over books to study on the metaphysics of Psych, statistics, counseling courses to ace, all so she could maintain her perfect 4.0 GPA.

Jenny admittedly became a little overzealous.

Tom hadn't helped when he'd teased her for it.

Still, they'd tried to stay in communication and makeup after one of their tiffs. So that left a fairly small gap for any over friendly interaction to take place between Tom and Jennifer. Even in tutoring sessions. All Jenny could figure was the affair had started in the fruition of finals. Or maybe around the time the males around Jennifer had begun its decline. Regardless, Jenny knew her preoccupation for finals had put strain on their relationship.

Still, after everything, she'd thought Tom would never stray.

The day of their betrayal had led Jenny to the Golden Gate Bridge. With sentimental trinkets she'd received from them both and once valued, they'd been tossed over. One had been Tom's engagement ring. The other had been Jennifer's friendship bracelet she'd made in the start of their freshman year.

Now they laid somewhere in depths of the Pacific.

Just as Jenny's had left, them, since.

That was what Jenny had believed, anyways. After breaking the news to her parents she'd moved out to LA to live in Dee's small studio apartment. Post-college graduation Jenny had made her swift departure from San Francisco to L.A.

Regardless if Tom had once been family, her own respected these wishes. They'd kept her whereabouts hidden. Which had left Tom to his own devices to find her, himself. Unfortunately, with technology developing as it had, it hadn't taken Tom long to track down her whereabouts.

For the first month Toms phone calls had been a constant.

Numerous voicemails had taken up all memory space in Dees answering machine. Such messages came with claims like, "Jennifer had been coming onto me." And "I love you; it can't end like this." Or "I still want to marry you..."

Blah, blah, blah.

Dee had, since, bought cell phones that enlisted both she and Jenny under a plan. Their home phone was disconnected for a time which Jenny hadn't argued. Every following month she dedicated herself to footing the half of her cell bill from leftover tuition money.

It had only been recently that Jenny was coming to terms with her forgiveness. But her trust was forever broken with him. The experience alone made Jenny see she was no longer a teenager who trailed after the former star quarterback. History aside, it was too much to keep him in her life. Having gone to school to be a psychologist this area would be considered a healthy step.

She'd finally overcome the heavy stage of grief.

"Sunshine, you in here?"

Jenny's head snapped up as footsteps echoed with a clip clap outside her door. Lemon yellow contrasted against smooth, ebony skin in the form of flip flops.

Oh.

How long had she been in here? Having forgotten the time Jenny swallowed, stood, and smoothed down the flowery lavender dress. Clearing her throat, she crooked back the latch and stepped out. "H-Hey, Dee."

The Nefertiti look alike had only gotten more beautiful with age. Her skin glowed against the luminous sundress accenting her toned, athletic body. She'd changed so much in the last few years. She'd grown up. Dees once sporty locks now dangled above her shoulders in soft curls. Her brows which she now had waxed were knit together. But it was the spark in those chocolate brown eyes, now pronounced in soft charcoal, Jenny was able to distinguish.

Between the woman now and childhood friend.

"He found another way." Dee's tone held a slight edge. It spoke of the knowledge garnered from Jenny's appearance. Once he'd cheated, Dee had lost all respect for the former friend in spite of their childhood history.

Last she knew they were barely on speaking terms.

It had made Jenny see just how solid Dee's loyalty was to her. She'd never appreciated her oldest friend, more. With slight reluctance she nodded, "He wrote a letter he asked my parents to pass on. Mom read it to me."

Dee wrapped a comforting arm around her. "Let me guess, the wannabe Romeo left a cheesy one liner like, 'My heart will forever be yours?'."

Jenny winced. "More like, 'I promise I'll never let go'."

"You've got to be kidding' me!" Dee's voice rose an octave as she pulled away just enough to meet Jenny's gaze. "That player ripped off my favorite movie to score some brownie points?!"

Jenny couldn't help it. A giggle burst from her lips. Three weeks ago, on Dee's 23rd birthday she'd received a gift from her mother, Jasmine. To Dees dismay, it had been the complete cassette set of, "Titanic" parts 1 & 2.

Back when the movie had first debuted in 1997, Jenny and Audrey had done their best to convince the tigress to go see it with them. But she'd stuck to her guns with the mantra, "Romance is not my thing."

Dee, who had always been a skeptic on romance, eventually popped it in after hearing about its rave reviews from karate peers and the like. From the moment the screen had gone black, and the credits started to roll, Dee's heart had fallen hook, line, and sinker.

All for the infamous Leonardo DiCaprio.

For a while it had amused Jenny. This had been until she'd been left to memorize almost every scene. "Dee," she sighed, brushing back a few strands that had come undone from her long honey-gold braid. "Calm down, it's not like he showed up on our doorstep."

Dee sniffed haughtily, "Pfft. Such a prize what a typical Don Juan. Eck!"

Jenny shook her head and broke away. She had a feeling she'd been in here a long time. It was best to wash up in case Audrey decided to check in. Jenny was sure her makeup had run. The last stress she needed to add on the mother to be was her issues. Audrey and Michael were already on the fence with Tom.

Michael was the only one Jenny knew still in communication.

The fluorescent lighting above illuminated the dark streaks of mascara that had run down her face. "Oh my god I'm such a mess." Her forest-green eyes were blood-shot and puffy. "I cannot go out like this." She reached over and snatched up a few paper towels. She practically scrubbed the skin off as she attempted the smudged prints in haste.

"Sunshine you're going to take your damn eye out. Here." Dee had grabbed a piece of the paper towel from her, running it under the faucet. She pressed her fingers gently under Jenny's chin to tilt it up.

Clearing the eyeliner creased beneath Jenny's eye.

Jenny waited patiently before her friend was finished, looking back with satisfaction. "Thanks, Dee."

Dee winked, having recovered from her bout of anger. "No problem, Sunshine. Know, you will get through this."

Jenny smiled wane and leaned her head against Dee's shoulder.

For as long as she could remember Dee had always been Jenny's rock. They had known each other since kindergarten. All they'd been through after, had only strengthened their relationship.

Jenny would come to find their friendship was like steel.

From the moment they'd become friends, Jenny vowed to never take the friendship for granted. Through every struggle faced in her life, Dee had always been someone she could count on. There was never any judgement from her either, just comfort.

Dee stroked Jenny's hair in a moment of solace before she pulled back, hands firm on Jenny's shoulders as she said, "You are strong, Jenny. You're like Rose was when she left that cretin, Cal. Your Jack Dawson will come."

Jenny couldn't help but roll her eyes with a small laugh. Only Dee would compare her to Titanic's strong female character.

Dee's face spoke of the joke before her eyes darkened for a fraction of a second. "Don't make me remind you just how strong you really are, Jenny."

There was a knowing look in Dee's eye now that twinkled.

Jenny caught it and nodded; she knew. "It is one of the reasons why I am now a psychologist."

Dee's smile was suddenly fierce. The pride she had for Jenny was evident. "And we all couldn't be prouder. Now, time to show the world out there what you're made of. I'll meet you back at the booth or our Lil' momma to be is going to start to wonder."

Jenny nodded with small smile. It was hard to believe Audrey, who once vowed she'd never be a "barefoot wife with kids", was now a married soon-to-be mother. Times were definitely changing for them all. "I'll meet you there in two."

Dee nodded.

With one more arm squeeze she stepped past her. She paused for just a fraction of a second. Her eyes softened to a degree that spoke of the compassion that had taken root in her friend over the years. "Audrey and Summer are worried about you, Jen. Don't forget whose fault this is."

Then she left Jenny standing there facing the mirror.

That's right Summer had driven down from Nor Cal to see Audrey. She must be here. And here I am, gloating.

After her high school graduation Summer had assisted over at a small floral shop. Her hippy Aunt Jessie, whom Jenny had only met on occasion, would later pass onto her before she'd died of old age. Jenny and her friends had accompanied Summer to the funeral. They'd helped in mourning over her loss. After, Audrey had hired on Summer as her florist when planning her wedding.

It had been nearly a year since and business was flourishing. "Okay, Jenny, pull yourself together." she whispered into the mirror. That's when Jenny truly looked at herself for what seemed the first time.

In months.

Nearing twenty-three she'd retained her youthful beauty well into adulthood. Her skin had a sun kissed glow from the promises of summer. The silky golden threads of her hair were plaited just a few inches above her waist. Her body had gotten a little shapelier, a spitting image of the woman she was becoming. In that distilled moment it was her eyes that held Jenny there. There before her was a drying up sadness. But just beyond, she could see a spark coming to life again in those deep cypress eyes.

A healing.

Even though Jenny hadn't believed she could ever move on, the proof shone before her. Tom was gone and he wasn't coming back. Not if she had anything to say about it. With this Jenny could feel things shifting, evolving, and she, becoming stronger.

She'd proven this to herself countless times.

Subconsciously her fingers grasped the small gold ring strung around her neck on a chain worn on seldom occasions in high school. Just recently she'd started wearing it again. For comfort? Solace? Jenny wasn't quite sure. It seemed to be an anchored strength she drew from in times like these.

I am my only Master, remained the branded words on the inside.

For a moment she closed her eyes as she traced the inscription. It left her to reflect on the secret, buried chambers of her heart. There, Jenny wondered about a certain Shadow Mans existence

And how he was faring. Deep breath... Julian.

"Julian..." Jenny's faint voice echoed. She licked her lips. The word somehow felt ancient as it rolled off her had been so long since she'd dared the name. In her loyalty to Tom, she'd disallowed herself to dream of a certain Shadow Man.

She'd wished him well and knew all the light she'd given after would keep him dreaming on to better things. However, Jenny hadn't come back to his world to see him. At this, her eyes slowly drifted open, faced with the mirror. Fingering the trinket, she finally turned and headed out of the restroom. She raised her head high, a newfound vigor to her posture. There was a lightness in her steps for the first time in months. There was yet so much to life to look forward to. She refused to waste any more of it mourning.

I am my only Master...

But there was no denying the pair of unfathomable eyes, eyes as blue as a December gemstone that abruptly reflected back at her. But it was missed while Jenny rejoined her friends in the parlor.

While Jenny celebrated with a contentedness in her heart, a pale hand reached up from beyond. Slowly, they extended their slender fingers along the pane of glass that separated them from the human realm. As a sculpted work of beauty, with a celestial voice like water running over rocks, was a faint whisper that responded,

"Jenny ... I've come back..."