A big thank you to everyone who's been keeping up with the story and those that have only recently found out.

A review would mean a lot, I appreciate all feedback.

Don't be afraid to ask any questions, I always try to reply.

Enjoy!

Chapter 3: Reuniting Part II

Evie gave CJ an inscrutable look, which she was unable to decipher as being either anger or indifference. Carlos on the other hand just looked a bit abashed, as if he too had absolutely no idea how to go about this.

Jordan, Jane and Doug kept on looking between the three, obviously expecting something of note to happen, while Freddie just stared down at her shoes.

"I've been wanting to talk to you all…" CJ eventually mumbled, not looking anyone in the eye. "I already talked to Mal, I don't know if you know…"

"We know." Evie replied curtly, crossing her arms.

"We heard." Carlos added.

"Well, I felt like we needed some time as well… Just to sort some stuff out… With you guys and Jay…" CJ continued.

"He's right there on the field." Carlos said, nudging his head.

"I'll go get him." Freddie quickly jumped in before running onto the field towards the people still throwing a ball around.

CJ was thus left with the other people, none of whom were speaking a word to one another. It took barely a minute for Freddie to return with a somewhat disheveled looking Jay, his skin shining with perspiration.

The second he took note of CJ, Jay notably slowed down his pace and kept looking at her intently. His eyes then quickly flashed towards Evie and Carlos, who still kept their emotions under wraps.

"You're here…" Jay eventually spoke up once he stood right in front of CJ.

"I am." CJ replied in a somewhat rebellious tone.

"Right…" Jay mumbled, clenching his jaw.

"Could you guys maybe give us a minute?" Evie suddenly asked the people present. "Just the VK's please…"

Jordan, Jane and Doug quickly looked between CJ and the others before nodding and retreating back a little further on the bleachers, out of earshot.

Evie turned back to CJ, her blue hair whipping over her shoulder. "You look well." She said, looking CJ up and down.

"Oh, ehm, thanks…" CJ stammered, feeling a blush creep up on her cheeks. "You do too… All of you…"

"The effects of Auradon." Carlos shrugged, still not showing any positive emotions towards her.

"We would like to keep Auradon this way, you understand that, right?" Jay snapped in a somewhat accusing tone.

CJ sighed deeply and felt her heart sink in her stomach. They were angry at her, of course they were. Still, CJ was not just gonna roll over. No, that wasn't her anymore. "I don't want anything to do with Solomon anymore." She said, trying to sound as convincing as possible. "I don't care about the cauldron, I don't care about the war, I don't care about destroying Auradon! All I want is to maybe make a little something of my life… I-is that too much to ask…"

All of the VK's, including Freddie, appeared a little speechless. Carlos was the first to show a bit of compassion as CJ saw his expression change. Evie bit her lip, seemingly thinking over CJ's words, while Jay stared at his feet.

"I know that there's a lot of bad blood here, b-but I have apologized a lot in the past couple of days and I can do some more if you want." CJ began, wanting to have her say before the others would interrupt her. "I'm so, so sorry… F-for everything… Everything that happened on the isle and everything that happened here… I'm sorry for ever hurting any of you and all the times I was a jerk… I'm sorry…"

There was a moment of silence after CJ finished her talk where all the VK's exchanged some looks. CJ looked on nervously, hoping that her apology was enough for them to trust her.

"I guess we need to apologize too." Jay suddenly spoke up, raising his head. "We've all done terrible things… To each other… To others… We were all forgiven…"

"Auradon forgave us." Carlos jumped in. "And we forgave Auradon… I think, I really do, that things are simply better that way…"

CJ gave a soft laugh and cast her eyes downward as a happier feeling crept up in her chest.

"Mal forgave you, didn't she?" Evie asked, keeping her arms crossed.

"That's right." CJ nodded.

"And you forgave her?" Evie added.

"I did, totally out of my own free will." CJ quickly answered.

"So, ehm, you're good? Really?" Evie questioned, squinting a little.

"It's sort of hard to believe." Carlos said.

"Yeah, no, it is! Totally!" CJ exhaled. "I can hardly believe it myself… I mean, we're not, like, buddies or whatever… But we're working on things…"

"Strange world we live in." Jay mumbled.

"Right…" Evie practically whispered.

"CJ…" Carlos began, making her look at him. "I-I see no reason why we shouldn't be able to act normal towards each other. The past is past… A-and I'm honestly happy to see you on our side."

CJ was momentarily thrown off by Carlos' kind words, but inside she basically felt like a well of happiness.

"Well said." Jay added. "I-I feel that way too. CJ, you're a part of the team now!"

"I, ehm… W-wow, thank you…" CJ smiled broadly.

"It's true that I'd much rather have you as an ally than as an enemy." Evie concluded. "If there's an opportunity for us to work together, then I'll gladly take it."

"This is… Wow… Thank you…" CJ exclaimed, barely believing that this could all be happening.

"It's good to know that people on the other side can still come to their senses." Carlos addressed. "Solomon is a tyrant and a lost cause, but others might not be as hellbent on destroying Auradon as he is."

"As if our cause wasn't difficult enough…" Jay lamented. "Now we have to keep the feelings of our enemies into account?"

"You'll never know." Freddie spoke up. "People might actually start to think differently if you offer them a chance at something different."

"I really hope you don't mean that we need to try to dissuade Solomon from his evil plans." Carlos said a little apprehensively.

"A lost cause if I've ever seen one." CJ nodded, making the others snicker.

"Does he know?" Evie asked. "Does he know that you're here?"

"I-I don't know…" CJ shrugged. "I haven't seen them since the fight. They should know that I'm gone… He might alter his plans because of that…"

"That could be dangerous…" Carlos pondered. "I mean, you joining our side is huge! We have some sort of wild card! But… What if that just pressures that lunatic into some desperate deeds?"

"He's certainly crazy enough for it, but he has a plan and I'm willing to bet that he'd hate to divulge from it." CJ stated.

"He didn't succeed in capturing Mal, that counts for something, right?" Jay offered.

"Yeah, but Solomon did make it clear that capturing Mal would simply be a luxury, an added bonus. It was never essential." CJ recounted.

"So, he burned down an orphanage for something that wasn't even essential?" Evie asked in a dark tone.

"That's how he is, you know that…" CJ mumbled.

"And it also means that we should waste as little time as possible in capturing him." Carlos hissed.

"A-Archer said he had some meeting right now about trying to capture Solomon, surely they'll come up with something, right?" CJ proposed.

"Mal and Ben are there as well. They'll tell us if they've got something concrete." Jay nodded.

"How are things between you and Archer?" Evie suddenly asked with a mischievous smile, cocking her eyebrows a little.

"I, ehm… What?" CJ blushed, trying to play innocent.

"Evie was there as well when he told us." Freddie said somewhat sheepishly.

"Great!" CJ exclaimed. "Is there anyone who doesn't know!?"

"I mean, it's kind of obvious looking back. The way he stares at you longingly…" Evie gushed.

"Oh, come on…" CJ groaned, blushing even more.

"Hey, we think it's great!" Carlos grinned, obviously enjoying the situation.

"Yeah, you can join the rest of us in dating an Auradon kid!" Jay added, putting his arms around Carlos and Evie.

"Come on, it's… Wait? All of you?" CJ inquired.

"All of us." Evie nodded. "You met Doug…" She added, waving to him as he sat on the bleachers.

"And Jane…" Carlos continued, looking back as well.

"You and Jane?" CJ questioned, looking over at the short, peppy girl.

"We were all surprised." Jay grinned, ruffling Carlos' hair.

"And… You?" CJ asked, nodding towards Jay.

"She's, ehm, coming right for us actually." Jay answered, staring at something behind CJ.

When she looked back, CJ saw an Asian-looking girl with her dark hair in a pony tail strutting in their direction. She wore a uniform in the colors of Auradon and carried a bag of what looked like swords on her back.

"There you are!" She called out, walking straight towards Jay. "I guess I should have known…"

"Hey girl…" Jay grinned, but his smile was immediately wiped off his face when the girl threw the bag of swords straight into his gut.

"I told you that I needed you for a practice session. Archer came to me and asked if I could show the new girl some moves. I need the arena prepped and ready before we can do anything of the sort." The girl scolded him.

"Lonnie…" Jay hissed, pointing at CJ.

Lonnie turned around and saw CJ, who smiled somewhat sheepishly. "Oh! You're her!" She exclaimed, blushing a little.

"Yep." CJ nodded a little uncomfortably.

"It's so good to meet you!" Lonnie smiled, astonishing CJ a bit. "I saw your trial obviously! It's so great that you decided to join our side! Archer told me that you wanted to try out Swords and Shields! Well, I'm the captain of the team and I'd be happy to show you around. I'm Lonnie by the way!" She beamed, extending a hand for CJ to shake.

"Hi." CJ greeted somewhat curtly as she shook Lonnie's hand.

"Do you have a lot of experience with swords?" Lonnie asked, still smiling brightly.

"Pff." Evie scoffed, making Lonnie look at her. "CJ was the best sword fighter on the isle, it's what she was known for."

"Really!?" Lonnie excitedly exclaimed before turning to Jay. "You told me that you were the best!"

"Technically CJ and I were mostly tied for that position." Jay shrugged, cowering a little under Lonnie's glare.

"Well, it doesn't matter. All that matters is that I have a new opponent I'd love to introduce to the sport." Lonnie smirked. "You want to come along?"

"Ehm, I guess." CJ answered after an encouraging push from Freddie.

"Jay, come on!" Lonnie ordered as she put an arm around CJ's shoulder and escorted her back to the school. "So, you're the best of the isle?"

"I don't like to brag." CJ grinned, nudging her head a little.

"Archer brought you along, right? Have you fought him yet? He's supposedly the best fighter in all of Auradon!" Lonnie added, still sounding perpetually excited.

"I, ehm… We did face off, well sort of at least… Twice…" CJ replied.

"How was it? Could you keep up?" Lonnie eagerly inquired.

"I could keep up, but he has that magic sword of his. He beat me the first time, but I'd call our second fight a stalemate." CJ recalled.

"I know, Excalibur is amazing!" Lonnie gushed. "Still, if you were actually able to keep up with him while he was using Excalibur, then you're much better than I'd thought."

"Thanks, ehm, I guess…" CJ murmured as they entered the school, followed at a distance by Jay.

"Still, I guess that they don't really do official sports on the isle. There are some rules here that you have to follow." Lonnie said, suddenly sounding more strict.

"What? Like, no scratching?" CJ grinned.

"That's one." Lonnie acknowledged. "Basically, no foul play of any kind. If you are anything like the other VK's, especially this bozo…" Lonnie said, nodding towards Jay. "Then you might need some time to adapt."

"I don't really do, ehm, 'rules' very well… Especially when fighting… I was raised to believe that you should use any means necessary to win." CJ contemplated.

"Normally I'd agree with you, especially when fighting your real enemies, but this is just a sport. You aren't in any real danger and you should try to not hurt your opponent. Well, not too much anyway." Lonnie explained.

"I can try, but no promises." CJ smirked as they entered the arena.

"Oh, I don't want you to hold back. Besides Jay and Archer, I've been lacking for real opponents, especially women, so I want you to throw everything you've got at me." Lonnie challenged.

"That can be arranged." CJ replied with a cocked eyebrow.

"Oh boy…" Jay mumbled as he threw down the bag of swords and leaned against the door opening.

"You can change back there." Lonnie said, pointing towards a set of doors to CJ's left. "There should be a uniform in your size. We can start afterwards."

CJ just nodded before heading to the changing rooms, where there were numerous lockers with the names of the team members. She saw Lonnie's, which also held the title of captain, but also Archer's and Jay's. In a closet, she found uniforms in every size available. After changing into the comfortable new clothes, she once again joined Lonnie and Jay in the arena, where they'd set up some obstacles in the meantime.

"You ready?" Lonnie inquired, looking at CJ's outfit approvingly.

"I guess." CJ shrugged. "How do we begin?"

"Grab a sword." Jay said as he threw her one.

CJ caught it and performed a few practice swings. The sword wasn't sharp, but still well-balanced and would probably serve well in a fight where the objective wasn't to kill your opponent.

"So, now we start?" CJ asked, strutting towards Lonnie, who had also picked up a sword.

"First we bow to each other." Lonnie said, performing a simple curtsy.

"Really?" CJ groaned.

"It's tradition, you'll get used to it." Jay grinned from the sidelines.

"Fine." CJ sighed before bowing herself, though a little more stiffly.

"Then we raise our swords. Assemble!" Lonnie called out, raising her sword over her head. CJ followed a little uncertainly. "Then we lower them again. Salute!" She followed up. "Then we're supposed to lower our masks, but we'll leave that for now. Finally, we can take our fighting stance. En Garde!" She concluded, standing steady and pointing her sword at CJ.

"Right…" CJ complied, standing at the ready as well. "Now we fight?"

"Now we fight." Lonnie smirked before lunging at her.

"Hey! How did- Woah!" Archer exclaimed as he entered CJ's room, only to get jumped by her the second he walked over the doorstep.

"It was amazing!" CJ squealed, hugging Archer tightly.

"Alright, alright… Could I maybe breathe again now?" Archer asked with a dumb grin.

It was hours after he had initially left for the meeting, which had dragged on and on as he and some of Auradon's other military leaders came up with a strategy now that they had CJ's information to implement. After careful deliberation, they had decided to explore the location of the villain's hideout in two days. Besides Archer, Ben, Mal and CJ herself, a group of Auradonian soldiers would also accompany them for protection.

If the villains would still be at their hideout, the plan was to capture them with the least amount of bloodshed possible. The other possibility, that the villains had already left, meant that a further search party would have to be organized to find any clues of the current location of Solomon, Uma and their allies.

Archer wasn't sure what to think. Thus far, the villains had not acted erratically or impulsively. They had managed to evade captivity for months and in that time had performed some daring and successful raids on Auradon soil. Archer tried to stay positive, but found it incredibly difficult to imagine the mindset of someone as despicable as Solomon. He didn't know how the mind of a villain worked. Even Mal and the VK's saw Solomon as someone too unpredictable to determine his next move. The fact that CJ had changed sides thus only made him happier. Her intel and knowledge of the villains' plan gave them an advantage the likes they had not yet had thus far in the fight.

"How was the meeting?" CJ asked with a broad and nearly infectious smile.

"Wow, you seem happy." Archer acknowledged, looking CJ up and down. He looked at her face, and suddenly saw something that made him frown. "What's this?" He asked, pointing at a clear bruise on CJ's jaw.

"What? Oh, that's nothing." CJ waved it off. "The result of the sparring session with Lonnie."

"Dammit, I told her to ease you into it." Archer groaned. "Didn't you wear helmets?"

"No, I for one think helmets in a sword fight are just an added handicap. Why would you actively decide to wear something that limits your vision that much!?" CJ complained.

"It's a rule of the sport. Most parents wouldn't want their child to accidentally get stabbed in they eye." Archer retorted.

"Okay, fine. But I had a lot more fun without one." CJ smirked.

"How was it? Did Lonnie take it easy on you?" Archer asked.

"No need. She told me that I was a natural." CJ beamed. "She's amazing by the way! God, her sword fighting is, just, wow! I mean, she said that you're better than her, I can hardly believe that!"

"I mean, I'm pretty good." Archer shrugged.

"Hmm, yeah…" CJ joked. "We need to have a sparring session soon. I want to see if you're actually any good without your fancy sword."

"All in due time." Archer agreed. "But for now, I want to hear a little more. It sounds like you had fun."

"I did, really!" CJ went on. "I reconciled with Freddie, and with Evie, Jay and Carlos. I met some of your friends, well, besides Lonnie. I met, ehm, Jordan, she's nice, and Jane, a little too perky for my taste… Doug, did you know that he's Evie's boyfriend!?"

"I do." Archer nodded with a grin. "You didn't act too surprised, did you?"

"Maybe a little." CJ pondered, still with a broad smile. "He just didn't seem like the type that Evie would go for."

"I already eagerly await the complaints of your manners." Archer smirked as he went further into the room and plopped down in one of CJ's chairs. "But I'm glad that you made friends, and even more so that you reconciled with everyone."

"Not everyone." CJ suddenly sneered, sitting down on the chair next to Archer.

"What?" Archer questioned.

"You know Audrey, don't you?" CJ asked with an undertone of clear annoyance.

"Ohh…" Archer groaned. "You met her, didn't you?"

"Yep, she certainly made it clear that she does not appreciate my presence here." CJ moped.

"Give her some time. She'll come around." Archer encouraged.

"She called me a thief." CJ said matter-of-factly.

"What? Why?" Archer exclaimed.

"Dunno, I think that she believes that all villain kids are thieves or something. Freddie explained that she was the king's girlfriend before Mal and that she's still not over it." CJ recounted.

"Yeah, she can hold grudges that one." Archer confirmed. "But, ehm, why then did she call you a thief?" He then asked, though a little hesitantly.

"Well, probably because she also had a crush on you and you apparently blabbered on to the whole school about how you and I are a 'thing'." CJ scoffed.

Archer blushed a little. "I didn't tell the 'entire' school… I mean, maybe word just spread through the grapevine… I don't know…"

"Still, Freddie said that you told her yourself. You told her and Mal and Evie… What about your friends? Do they know that we kissed? Beyond that, did you actually tell people that we were a 'thing'?" CJ ranted.

"Ehm…" Archer carefully thought about his next words. "I mean, I told Ben and Mal that I like you… Freddie, Evie and Lance all were all there when I said that I had kissed you…"

"Lance?" CJ questioned.

"My best friend. He's basically my half-brother. You'll meet him." Archer said.

"It's, ehm… That doesn't matter! Did you tell people that we were a 'thing'?" CJ asked.

"Ehm, well, aren't we?" Archer inquired, blushing even more. "Aren't we a 'thing'?"

"I-I don't know…" CJ mumbled, making Archer feel a little crestfallen. "I mean, I've never even had a 'thing' with anyone before… And now you… Everyone keeps telling me that I'm 'special' because you chose me… I-I don't know how to deal with that…"

"You are special…" Archer practically whispered. "To me you are special…"

"I don't feel special." CJ moped, looking up at Archer. "A-and I don't want everyone here to see me as just 'the girl that Archer likes'."

"I don't want that either. You have plenty to offer by just being yourself." Archer supported her.

"Right, I'm not even so sure about that anymore." CJ moped. "Everyone I talked to, they kept telling me what a great guy you are, and how lucky I am that you actually want something to do with me."

"I'm the lucky one." Archer persisted, placing a hand on CJ's knee. "Really, just give everyone some time. Soon they will all see that you are a great person and a great ally for us. I want to help you however I can, preferably at your side. If you want me there, that is…"

CJ sighed deeply, looking at Archer with a watery smile. "I like you, I do. B-but… But this is all new for me…"

"Hey, for me as well!" Archer pointed out.

"Yeah, but at least you're still in Auradon, not somewhere out of your comfort zone." CJ protested.

"I guess so…" Archer lamented. "So, what did you have in mind?"

"We take it slow, is that alright? I need to explore Auradon a little more, as well as my feelings… Sorry, but I don't want to be tied down…" CJ spoke a little hesitantly.

"I understand." Archer nodded. "You can call what we have whatever you want to others. But, ehm… Can I also have a say?"

"Of course." CJ quickly replied, sitting up straight in her chair.

"I want 'this' to work out…" Archer said, gesturing between him and CJ. "I like you, I really do, so please excuse me for publicly showing my affection…"

"Fine." CJ grinned. "And you should excuse me for not putting any labels on anything just yet…"

"Will we get there though?" Archer asked with the slightest hint of a smirk.

"I don't know, that'll depend on how likeable you prove to be in the long run." CJ answered.

"Oh, very. I was voted most approachable prince twice on Auradon polls." Archer fake-bragged.

"Your humor annoys me." CJ replied with a dead-pan expression.

"I'll work on it." Archer shrugged. "For now, we have some time to kill before dinner. How about that sparring session?"

"Hell yeah!" CJ eagerly exclaimed as she jumped up. "Race you there?" She added as she ran for the door.

"Oh, you freaking cheater!" Archer yelled as he started running after her.

Archer hated to admit it, but CJ was faster than him and managed to beat him quite comfortably to the S.A.S. arena, even though she barely knew her way around the school yet.

"You're getting slower." She bragged as she headed for the changing rooms where the supply of swords was also stashed.

"You're still a cheater." Archer retorted as he joined her.

"Still? Whatever do you mean?" CJ mocked.

"Well, ehm, back on the isle! Back when we fought on the roof, I released you and you stabbed me in the leg!" Archer pointed out.

CJ's smile faded, but only slightly. "Right, I am sorry for that." She began. "But let that be a lesson about not letting your guard down around villain kids."

"It was dirty. That's not how we do things here." Archer berated her.

"Jay and Lonnie already explained the finer details of the sport to me." CJ said as she took off her sweater and jeans and again dressed herself in the Auradon prep uniform she'd been given.

"What? You're already on the team?" Archer questioned as he grabbed his own uniform from his locker.

"Well, the uniform is a spare, but Lonnie does think that I'm good enough to join." CJ smiled.

"Wait, wasn't there that rule about a team consisting of a captain and eight men? Lonnie already had trouble joining because of that." Archer pondered.

"Ah, who cares about the rules anymore. You guys are in a war, surely you can put that misogynistic tradition behind you as well." CJ teased.

"Okay, first of all, I agree that the rule is somewhat outdated. Second, when did you start using words with more than two syllables?" Archer asked with a smile.

"Since I actually have books to read now. You wouldn't believe how many words you have over here that we've never even heard of on the isle!" CJ shrugged.

"Good to know." Archer nodded as he grabbed two swords out of a bin and tossed one to CJ. "Ready?"

"You should ask yourself that, now that you don't have your magical sword." CJ sneered.

"A good sword is worth nothing if a weak arm is swinging it." Archer retorted. "You won't find an easy opponent in me."

"Blah, blah. Put your money where your mouth is already." CJ challenged as she moved to the middle of the arena and took the first stance.

"You know the stances, alright." Archer acknowledged as he went to stand opposite of CJ and bowed before her.

"You Auradonians even try to act civilized in a fight, it's weird." CJ said, bowing to Archer as well.

"I guess it's our way to introduce some respect and tradition into the sport." Archer guessed.

"You better not bow to Solomon when he shows up." CJ snickered.

"Nah, I'd much rather just lunge at him." Archer replied, raising his sword. "Assemble!"

"You're quite full of yourself." CJ joked, lowering hers. "Salute!"

"Very nice." Archer commented. "But we will save this discussion for later. En Garde!"

"Bring it on, Auradon Boy!" CJ challenged.

And so they began, both CJ and Archer lunging for the other. Their swords clashed and immediately both fighters started performing increasingly complicated moves to get the edge on the other. CJ had quickly adapted to the confines of the S.A.S. arena and the limitations of the sport. She didn't even try to perform any fouls, something she had done during the previous times they had fought.

Archer was not fighting with Excalibur, but that didn't mean he was any sort of lesser opponent. CJ had her speed and agility, but Archer had precision and well-conditioned reflexes. CJ had learned to fight on the street, which had its merits, but Archer had been trained in combat by some of the biggest experts in sword-fighting in Auradon. Out of everyone he'd ever faced, Archer had to count CJ as his toughest opponent yet. Not even Jay or Lonnie had been able to keep up with him for as long as CJ managed. There was no question that Archer had the better technique, but he suspected that CJ's years on the isle had done well in teaching her how to escape some narrow situations. In any case, she was incredibly tough to pin down, was well-balanced and was also an expert in using her major advantage against Archer.

After all, despite their sparring session, Archer still really liked CJ. It could have been his imagination, but he could swear that he saw CJ wink at him from time to time, obviously trying to put him off his game. Also, whenever they locked up, she'd make a big deal about rubbing her body up against his, making Archer feel more flustered than he'd be with any other opponent.

"That almost counts as cheating." Archer grunted, as he moved towards CJ with some fast and precise strikes following yet another clinch where CJ had moved her leg up against his.

"Whatever do you mean?" CJ grinned, stepping back as she blocked Archer's strikes.

"The flirting, it's quite obvious." Archer said, hitting from his right.

"I don't know what you're talking about." CJ shrugged as she ducked, but her mischievous smile gave her away.

"I sure hope that you're not getting tired yet." Archer teased, clinching up with CJ again.

"Please, I'm just warming up." CJ replied, trying to push back against Archer's blade.

Archer moved his sword to force CJ back even more, eventually pinning her against the nearest wall. "Think you can get out?"

"Why would I want to?" CJ asked, panting slightly as she looked up at him.

Archer blushed a little. "Yeah, I guess it's not that bad…"

Now CJ blushed as well. "Is this allowed in the sport?"

"Screw the sport." Archer replied as he leaned in to kiss CJ gently on the lips.

"Very unprofessional." CJ grinned, slackening her grip a little.

"It's worth it…" Archer shrugged, also relieving the pressure on CJ's sword a little.

"Well… Get back here then…" CJ smirked, dropping her sword completely.

Archer just smiled as he too dropped his sword before moving one of his hands to the back of CJ's head to pull her into a stronger kiss.

CJ yelped a little, but quickly gave in and soon the two were basically making out against the wall of the arena, their tossed aside swords completely forgotten.

"So, who won?" Archer asked as he leaned back for a second.

"Shut up!" CJ grunted as she grabbed the collar of Archer's shirt and pulled him back against her before eagerly pressing her lips onto his again. Archer didn't complain, letting his hands roam CJ's hips and her lower back while hers either gripped his shoulders or moved through his hair.

Despite feeling a complete sense of satisfaction, Archer did lean back again after a few minutes. "CJ, ehm… What is this exactly?" He asked, gesturing between them.

"Ehm, fun, right?" CJ replied.

"I mean, yes, obviously… But, ehm, where do you stand? Like, with us?" Archer went on.

"Right now I don't want to think about that." CJ answered. "It's just you and me here, no one else…"

"So, you don't care what we do behind closed doors?" Archer inquired.

"Yeah… I mean, it's like we're back in the cave, or the woods… Back when we were still 'free'… Back when I didn't have to watch my every move and you weren't called away for meetings every half hour…" CJ moped.

"It's not every half hour…" Archer mumbled. "But I see where you're coming from. Mal had the same… It's an adjustment… True, we have some strict rules here, but I like to believe that it's worth it…"

"Again, I may need some time with that." CJ pondered.

"And I won't pressure you." Archer told her, placing a small kiss on the top of her head.

"I think our duties can wait for now." CJ smiled. "Get back here!" She added as she pulled on Archer's collar again to resume their make out session.

Archer felt truly happy in this moment, euphoric as well. Really, his plan of building up a relationship with CJ was going just about as smoothly as he could have hoped. Archer could barely wait to officially announce their relationship to the public, but for now these make out sessions didn't hurt either.

"Ehm, oh, excuse me…" A voice suddenly mumbled from behind Archer, followed by a small cough.

Archer immediately broke away from CJ and looked back to see Lancelot standing in the door opening, seemingly looking a little flustered.

"Oh, ehm, hey…" Archer muttered, a red blush immediately creeping up on his cheeks.

"Hey…" Lance replied, eyeing CJ a little suspiciously but not getting closer.

"This, ehm… CJ, this is Lance, my best friend." Archer introduced the two, trying to sound polite.

"Hi." CJ greeted with a small wave.

Lancelot didn't reply, instead opting to simply remain standing where he stood.

"So, ehm, what's up?" Archer asked, trying to sound casual.

"They're serving dinner. And, ehm, no one knew where you guys went." Lancelot explained stiffly.

"We were having a sparring session." Archer shrugged, gesturing at the forgotten swords on the ground.

"Right…" Lance mumbled. "So, are you coming?"

"Yeah, yeah… Sure…" Archer rambled, immediately kneeling down to pick up the swords. "CJ, you should shower and get changed, alright? We'll meet you in the hall."

"Sure." CJ replied, still looking a little awkwardly in Lance's direction. She smiled briefly at Archer before scurrying off past Lance through the entrance.

"What do you think you're doing?" Lance asked, stepping further into the arena.

"What? A sparring session… I told you…" Archer answered, fully aware of his blush.

"I wouldn't call what you were doing sparring." Lance sneered.

"Right, we were having a, ehm, 'moment'. There, you happy?" Archer spat.

"I really expected better from you." Lance went on, following Archer as he went to put away the swords.

"Excuse me? Better? What's that supposed to mean?" Archer retorted, a little annoyed.

"We are at war, Archer! What the hell are you thinking, sneaking away with that girl!" Lance fell out at him.

"Her name is CJ!" Archer stated, throwing the swords in the bin where they belonged a little harder than he meant to do.

"She has been in Auradon for less than a week! She has only legally been allowed in for just over a day! You're out here with her, still not knowing if she… If she, ehm…" Lance went on.

"If she what?" Archer questioned, squinting his eyes. "Come on, finish that sentence."

"We still don't know if she can be trusted." Lance concluded.

"What!?" Archer practically yelled. "Lance, you were at that trial! You know what has happened to her! W-what… Where does this come from!?"

"Archer, all that we knew about her a week ago was that she stabbed you in the leg. Trying to persuade her to join our side is one thing, letting her walk around here freely is another. B-but you… But you being around her like this…" Lance ranted.

"What does that have to do with anything!?" Archer reacted, growing sufficiently angry. "The court cleared her, I gave her my support and you even backed me on that matter."

"I agreed to give her shelter and time to adapt, but that's the thing. She needs time. Time to show us that she is a true ally. Now that process has already been compromised due to your interference." Lance spat.

"Interference!? Lance, I like CJ! I trust her! I already gave myself and her some time to explore our feelings… Who knows, maybe I can help her adjust faster." Archer offered.

"That's also a thing…" Lance began. "The process is compromised, but you are as well."

"I am compromised!?" Archer sneered, taking another step in Lance's direction. "Please explain how!"

"Your feelings cloud your judgement." Lancelot explained calmly.

"Oh, piss off, will you!?" Archer scoffed. "Lance, what trouble is it if I like CJ and want to help her become a better person!?"

"Well, what if she doesn't?" Lance suggested.

"What?" Archer asked.

"What if that girl doesn't want to change? What if she is actually planning on rejoining the villains at the earliest opportunity and she is simply using your feelings against you?" Lance went on.

"Bollocks!" Archer exclaimed.

"I need to know for sure. Archer, the risks are too great for me to ignore!" Lance pleaded.

"There are no risks! Do you truly not trust me enough when I say that CJ is genuine!?" Archer yelled.

"I trust you, of course I do… But again, you could be compromised…" Lance hesitantly added.

"C-compromised…" Archer stammered. "L-lance… Come on… You don't truly believe I could have somehow been spelled…"

"I need to know…" Lancelot said as he reached for something in his back pocket.

"Lance, no!" Archer warned as he quickly raised his own arm and conjured up Excalibur.

Before he could fully raise the sword, Lancelot had already grabbed a small bottle from his back pocket and had quickly thrown its contents at Archer.

Archer was doused by a cold liquid, drenching his head and torso. He turned away and rubbed his eyes, expecting the liquid to begin burning him or something at any point. But nothing of the sort happened. Actually, the liquid felt, tasted and looked just like water.

Archer raised up, wiping the water off his face, and looked at a clearly distressed Lancelot. "What the hell!?"

"That was water from the enchanted lake…" Lancelot softly explained. "You should be completely cured of any effects of spells or potions… D-do you feel different?"

"I do not!" Archer spat. "But really!? You've been dragging a bottle of that with you!? For how long?"

"Right after you came back and insisted you were trying to get that girl into Auradon." Lancelot explained.

"Because you do not trust her, is that it?" Archer asked, feeling the rage slowly build up inside him. "Right from the start, before you even got a chance to get to know her and even after I gave her my full support! What is wrong with you!?"

"I am looking after the kingdom! My kingdom!" Lancelot yelled.

"No! That's not it! You know, Ben and Mal had the exact same idea! True, I could have been spelled, it wouldn't have been the first time a villain kid would have tried that, but they decided to trust me! Lance, if you were truly so afraid that I was spelled, if you were honestly so distrustful of CJ that you would go to these lengths, then you would have sprayed me with water the second I returned!" Archer raged. "But you didn't! You waited, you even supported me in court! Why?"

"I told you why! T-the risks…" Lance began, before Archer interrupted him.

"You already ignored the risks before! CJ has been here for over a week! Why now!? Why act so irrationally!? S-so immorally!? So stupidly!?" Archer spat.

"To protect you!" Lancelot blurted out, silencing Archer. "This girl was our enemy not a month ago! We fought against her! Now, you say she wants to change sides and that's fine with me, but the moment she got too close to you I got worried…"

"Worried? About me?" Archer questioned.

"Yes! Worried about how you would react if that girl does turn out to be the enemy!" Lance added.

"She is not our enemy!" Archer now screamed.

"How do you know!?" Lance retorted.

"Because I know her! I know what she's been through and I know what she wants! What she wants has absolutely nothing to do with conquering Auradon or hurting other people! She is good! Now, if you would have taken the time to get to know her, you would have realized that yourself!" Archer answered.

Lancelot was seemingly silenced, uncomfortably rubbing his arm and opening his mouth without any sound coming out.

"You disappointed me…" Archer began, looking at his feet as he made Excalibur vanish into thin air. "Not only did you not trust my judgement, you could have endangered CJ's position here if you'd have talked…"

"I never doubted your judgement." Lancelot replied.

"And yet you refuse to believe my word? You need to douse me in enchanted water before you believe what I say? You can't for a moment imagine that what I feel for CJ is genuine?" Archer responded.

Lancelot looked down again. "Only when I heard you two were involved, did I interfere…"

"So, it was never even about the kingdom!?" Archer sneered.

"No, it was about you! A-and you are just as important to me as the kingdom is!" Lance spoke.

Archer felt the blush rush to his head. "If that is the truth, you would have greeted CJ as a friend and not try to make things even more difficult for her than they already are! Those are my desires!"

"Is it too late for me to apologize then?" Lancelot asked, bowing his head.

"Yes." Archer grunted, feeling more anger as he headed to the door. "But it is not me you should apologize to anyway. I will tell CJ of this, and I shall respect her choice of whether she wants to forgive you or not."

"Archer…" Lancelot pleaded.

"No more!" Archer spat, his eyes glowing a bright blue for a moment as he glared at Lancelot. "I'm done here…" He concluded as he headed out into the arena and towards the exit.

"Really? T-this is it? Y-you just want to throw away our friendship for this girl!?" Lancelot yelled after him.

Archer didn't answer as he simply kept on walking for the door. He regretted these developments severely, but as Lance's final words rang through his head, he knew that that was exactly what he wanted to do.