Golden Crystal Future Shocked

"Excellent idea," Lisa agreed. "I sure could use a getaway from Neville! I'll tack up Lady Louise."

After being settled in inside, Lisa watched on as Carmen rehearsed her ribbon dancing routine.

At one point during his sister's rehearsal, Rafael noticed his golden crystal beginning to glow brightly.

"What's going on with you?" Rafael asked his crystal impatiently.

The golden crystal began to show a vision of the future to Lisa.

Within the crystal's vision, it was a Saturday, while Desi, Simon, Carole, Liam, Stevie, Phil, Jess, and Melanie were at the musical instrument store, Lisa was busy with making her gift for Rafael.

While Lisa was busy in the lounge, Veronica and Neville were busy making something to soothe Rafael when he drank his tea with his birthday cake.

A few minutes later, the rest of the group came back from the instrument store with the new acoustic guitar and case, they went to their assigned stations.

Carole let Liam borrow Starlight so that he could distract the Romani boy with a good long horseback ride.

Back at Pine Hollow's lounge, Veronica went into the lounge's kitchen.

"Get lost, Veronica!" Carole snapped.

"Agreed," Jess added. "we're starting on Rafael's birthday cake!"

"Hey," Veronica said to Carole and Jess. "all I want to do is to make some hot honey lemon ginseng green tea for our birthday boy!"

"You really want to make hot tea for Rafael for his birthday?" Jess asked Veronica, eying her suspiciously.

"Yes, Jess," Veronica answered. "I do."

Veronica quickly got set to work making Rafael's hot tea as Neville entered with the cube shaped finishing touch that he and Veronica were certain would put an end to Rafael and Lisa's special bond.

"Here's the final touch for that vagabond's tea." Neville said to Veronica, handing her the cube.

"Thank you, Neville." Veronica said, taking the cube from his right hand.

Stevie, Phil, Simon, and Desi saw Veronica put the cube into Rafael's tea cup which immediately dissolved in the liquid of the tea.

"What did you put in Rafael's tea just now, Veronica?" Stevie asked.

"Wouldn't you like to know, Stevie?" Veronica answered coolly.

"I might not want to know, Veronica, but Lisa might," Stevie answered. "after all, Rafael is her boyfriend!"

Lisa put Rafael's wrapped pendant next to the unwrapped guitar which was in the case, then, she began to wrap the guitar in its case in the same shiny blue wrapping paper that she had used to wrap the ring box she'd used to hold Rafael's amethyst crystal pendant.

"You had better tell me what you put in Rafael's tea, Veronica!" Lisa ordered.

"All in good time, Little Lisa." Neville said.

"Neville's right," Veronica taunted. "all in good time, Little Lisa."

From out of the kitchen window, Jess could see Liam returning to Pine Hollow on the back of Starlight and not too far behind him was Rafael returning to Pine Hollow on the back of Diablo.

Jess knew the code phrase for "Rafael's returning", so she had to use it.

"The Lone Rider's coming this way!" Jess shouted.

"We've got to set up the party! Lisa! The lights," Max called. "Stevie, set up the party treats and gifts! Carole, close the curtains!"

The Saddle Club girls did as instructed.

"Now, we have got to hide!" Desi observed.

"You're right, Desi," Simon agreed. "I can hear footsteps!"

They all hid until they heard the sound of the lounge door opening.

"I'm turning a light on, Rafael." Liam whispered.

"All right, Liam." Rafael whispered back.

Liam flipped the light switch and everyone else jumped out of hiding.

"Surprise," everyone shouted. "happy birthday, Rafael!"

Rafael just rubbed his eyes in surprise, "This is the happiest day of my life! I have such wonderful friends!" he exclaimed.

"You can thank Lisa." Carole said to Rafael.

"Yeah," Stevie said to Rafael. "it was all her idea after all."

Rafael kissed Lisa.

"Thank you, Lisa, my gypsy soul." Rafael said gently.

"You're welcome, Rafael." Lisa said shyly, covering her scarlet red face.

"Excellent! Lisa's blushing!" Stevie teased.

Lisa went out to be alone, she needed to think, so as she watched Diablo jumping trees, Lisa began to sing.

Lisa: I' ve always thought that men were slime;

And every guy I' ve met has proved me right;

Until tonight;

Just when I thought I had it figured;

That life' s a game you cannot win;

He comes in and changes all the rules;

What I' ve been taught, I learned the hard way;

That life and love are never just;

And if you trust, you' re just one of the fools;

And now I can' t believe my heart;

Is saying don' t resist him;

That I' ve been on my guard too long;

I can't believe my heart;

Surrendered when I kissed him;

And told me all I thought I knew;

As sad but true, is wrong;

If life is worth the disappointment;

I hadn' t seen one reason yet;

Until I met the boy who smiles for free;

Upon this Earth, there' s no one like him;

He sees the girl I long to be;

Making even me believe in me;

And now I can' t believe my heart;

Has overcome my senses;

To help me see that he' s the prize;

I can' t believe my heart;

Says tear down all your fences;

That everything you want and more is right before your eyes;

I can' t believe my heart;

Could be so;

Wise.

About an hour later, Lisa returned to Pine Hollow upon Diablo's bare back.

After releasing Diablo to roam free, Lisa went back into the lounge to find Rafael coughing due to a dry throat and shivering because he was cold.

"Rafael, are you cold?" Veronica asked.

"Yes I am, Veronica," Rafael answered. "and I'm thirsty too."

"Here, drink this," Neville said to Rafael, feigning kindness, handing Rafael his teacup which had tainted tea within it. "Veronica and I both know that you and your lovely Lisa are quite fond of honey lemon ginsang green tea."

"It's our favorite tea," Rafael said to Neville, taking the teacup unaware that the tea inside had been tainted. "thank you."

Stevie and Carole saw Rafael raise the cup to his lips.

"No!" Stevie warned Rafael.

"Do not drink that tea, Rafael, it's been tainted!" Carole warned.

Rafael suddenly staggered, he stumbled, his vision blurred.

"What's... going... on... why... do... I... feel... so... exhausted... all... of... a... sudden?" Rafael asked in a dizzy manner.

Lisa rushed to Rafael and barely got him onto the couch.

"Rafael, Rafael!" Lisa cried, tearing up.

Carmina covered Rafael with the saddle blanket that Colonel Hanson sent to Carole from Afghanistan as her helpless looking son lay on the sofa.

Carole checked Rafael's pulse, it was strong and he was breathing.

That was where the vision ended and the crystal stopped glowing.

Oh no, Lisa thought, alarm rushing through her mind. now I know how Neville plans on getting back at me for spurning him! He is planning on drugging Rafael's tea with the aid of Veronica!

Lisa stood and prepared to race from the big top tent.

"Lisa!" Stevie exclaimed.

"Whoa! What's your hurry?" Carole asked Lisa.

Lisa turned to face Stevie and Carole, "I feel dizzy, I just need some fresh air." she said urgently.