"Naw...too early," he responded. Gabby nodded, falling silent again. Jeff looked down to say something to Lily and noticed her asleep. He sighed and fell asleep with her. "Did you have sweet dreams?" Gabby shrugged.

"I had a dream I was playing the cello. It was odd. What about you? Anything interesting happen in your twisted little mind during sleep?"

"Absolutely nothing. The previous day rewound in my mind."

"Oh. What was the best part?"

"When I was pouting at the carnival..."

"You pouted at the carnival? I thought that was the club," she mused.

"Maybe it was. Oh yeah...you pouted at the carnival, and I pouted at the club.

"Gee, great memory Matt."

"Hey...give me a break." Gabby turned around, leaning back against the window.

"Why?" she asked.
"Why what?"

"Why should I give you a break?"

"Because I'm special," he cracked with a smile.

"Everyone’s special. Not everyone deserves a break."
"I'm extra special...and very lucky."

"I am too. But that doesn't mean I deserve any breaks." Matt wracked his brain for a reason.

"I deserve an excuse because I'm me," he replied.

"I was just being an ass again. Ignore me," she commanded.

"Oh...okay."

"Just...don't ignore me too much."

"I won't. It's hard to ignore you." Gabby smiled proudly.

"Isn't it though?"

"Yes...very difficult actually," he admitted.

"I try."

"You don't have to try very hard."

"You'd be surprised. Sometimes I do have to."

"It doesn't seem like it."

"Well, things aren't always what they seem. In fact, things are rarely what they seem."

"I agree."

"Well then...say something smart and witty," she commanded.

"What for? What would be the purpose of depleting my entire vocabulary in one sentence?"

"Umm...cause I said so."

"Oh. Good enough reason, oh goddess."

"Goddess is right."

"Maybe demi-goddess is more suiting," Matt mused. "Naw...goddess works better."

"You're damn right. You better not call me anything less than I am."

"Then goddess is too low of a term to use as well," Matt quipped. Gabby rolled her eyes.

"Now you're just groveling."

"You damn right," he agreed. Gabby laughed.

"And why are you groveling?"

"Because..." he began.

"Because why?" Matt kissed her softly.

"Because I felt like it."

"That’s not an answer."

"Yes it is."

"It is not!"

"Is so."

"I know why you were groveling," Gabby admitted.

"Really?" Gabby nodded. "Why then? Enlighten me oh goddess."

"Because...you wanna get laid."

"You’ve figured me out," he replied, dripping with sarcasm. "I must hide my plans better from now on."

‘Oh come on! I did figure you out! You're just being sarcastic to hide it. I said I had you all figured out yesterday. I meant it."

"You did not. I wasn't even thinking like that yesterday. I dragged my mind out of the gutter like you told me to."

"I didn't mean it, or I didn't say it yesterday? But...no one’s that nice JUST to be nice."

"I am too!"

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sooo nice to little one all the time. You think I wanna get laid by her? Think again"

‘Yeah, but you wouldn't get laid by her anytime soon anyway."

"That isn't the point. Point is, I'm nice to her all the time. And even if she offered, I would decline."

"Really? But...why?"

"Because...she's little one....my "little sister""

"Oh...well, that makes sense then..."

"Of course it does."

"You make too much sense."

"I know I do. And it makes me all the more confusing."

"You're tellin me..." Matt smiled.

"But I thought you had me all figured out?" Gabby shrugged.

"Sometimes, I elaborate on the truth. I'm an author, remember?"

"Yeah...how could I forget?"

"I would never let you forget."

"Don't I know it."

"I don't know, do you know it?"

"Do I know what?" he asked. Gabby looked confused.

"I dunno."

"Me neither."

"See how confusing we are together?" she asked him.

"Very perplexing."

"We make no sense." Matt kissed her softly again.

"So, Gabby, tell me. Have you got me 'all figured out' yet?" She shook her head.

"Not in the least. And you got me figured out?"

"Haven’t even bothered trying. I feel it is pointless to do so, because it would take all the mysticism out of you."

"Well, ain't that sweet. I have mysticism." Matt nodded. "Do I have lots and lots and lots of it?"

"Yes....much mysticism. It's absolutely mind-boggling. I'd go insane if I tried to figure you out."

‘Aren't you already insane? Anyone who spends this much time with me goes insane."

"Nope...I'm perfectly sane."

"I find that hard to believe."

"You think I'm a nut-job?" Matt pouted.

"I think anyone who’s willing to get this close to me is."

"I don't know who should be more offended...me or you," Matt pouted.

"I'm not kissing you. I know that’s the only reason you're pouting."

"No it's not....you're picking on me again. I didn't do anything this time." He walked off and plopped in the hay, sulking.

"I'm not picking on you. If I was picking on you, you'd be crying."

"I don't cry," he called back.

"Do so! Lily told me!" Matt sulked. Gabby walked over to him and sat down in front of him. "You're being a child Matt."

"The only time I ever cried was when you were being bitchy...and when Lily almost died...the only two times."

"See! You do cry."

"Only in extreme cases, and I'm not being a baby."

"You are! I'm being honest and you're being a baby."

"You're being mean."

"Matt, I'm not being mean..."

"I am not insane....I couldn't be insane. If I was insane, I would be so totally not in love with you right now...being alone now that I know who you actually are would be insanity."

"Well...way to shut a girl up."

"So there," he said, sticking his tongue out. He stopped pouting.
"Look...you stopped pouting. Wow."

"Yes...wow indeed. It was hurting my face."

"Heh. It looked cute though." Matt nodded.

"Unlike you, I have to pout to be cute." Gabby shook her head.

"Really, you don't have to flatter me all the time."
"I don't realize when I do. I don't think before I speak usually."

"That could get you into all kinds of trouble."

"Yeah I know," he said, placing his hands behind his head and reclining in the hay. Gabby sighed.

"Don't go to sleep on me."

"I won't...I just got up darlin. I'm just gettin comfy." Gabby smiled.

"Darling, eh? How southern."

"Hey, I am from North Carolina after all," he reminded her.

"I know, I know. It was just so....soooo...southern."

"Yeah so?"

"Umm...Nothing..." Gabby sighed. "Sure you don't want breakfast?"

"I'm not all that hungry. Contrary to popular belief...I am not a growing boy, and I don't eat everything in sight."

"Who said that?"

"You did. Lily tells me all kinds of things."

"Ooh...Well...umm...I'm sure I didn't mean it...maybe.."

"Evil child."

"Nuh-uuuuuh."

"Yes ma'am."

"Nope."

"All right then. Go cook breakfast. I'll go see if Jeff's awake. I'm sure he'll be hungry."

"Uh...that argument was over fast..."

"Lily should be up by now too," he wondered.

"I thought you didn't want breakfast..."

"I'm in no mood to argue."

‘Aw, yer no fun."

"All right, all right. You are an evil, evil child."

"No, I am a sweet, innocent little child." Matt laughed. "That was the biggest load of bullshit I’ve ever said in my life.."
"It wasn't all BS."

"It was too. I'm not innocent."

"But you are sweet. So it was 50% non-BS."

"And I said little child, and I don't think the things I've done can make me fit into that category."

"If you say so."

"Oh come on...you know me. You had to have heard the stuff that went on down here before two people were poofed away," she started.

"I heard some of it."

"That’s what I thought. See? Far from little, child, or innocent."

"So you're a sweet, non-innocent big girl then...is that what you're trying to tell me?"

"There are other words for non innocent."

"Troublesome?" he suggested.

"Umm...well, that works...Never been called troublesome before though."

"Well...I just called you that. Speaking of troublesome....heard from Lily or Jeff yet this morning?"

"They're both in the loft. Wonder if they used a silencing spell?"

"I dunno. I don't think so though. They woulda said do not disturb if they were gonna do something like that. So that one of us didn't go looking for them."

"True. And something tells me poor Jeffie is never gonna get laid."

"I don't agree," Matt argued.

"Oh you don't? Lily's all paranoid that its gonna hurt or something...but I mean...isn’t that half the fun?"

"I suppose."

"Or maybe that’s just me...that’s probably just me."

"I think she's just worried about waking up after she falls asleep blissfully and discovers that she's in a bit of pain...even though eventually it stops hurting...yes?"

"Well, yeah. Eventually."

"Jeff'll have no reason to complain soon enough, I have a feeling."

"Maybe he'll get less hyperactive."

"For maybe the rest of that first day. Then he'll be his usual self."

"Oh great."

"Oh yeah, there's no way around that one."

"Unless she tires him out so bad, there’s no way he can function."

"Or he tires her out so bad that he'd feel bad about leaving her for even a moment...and therefore would not be able to function."

"Either way, we wouldn't get bothered."

"Basically."

"Hmm...I do rather like that idea."

"As do I."

"I hope Jeff gets laid soon."

"Me too. I hope he does."

"Maybe I can have a talk with her or something. So what ya gonna cook me for breakfast?"

"Whatever you want."

"Umm...I want...Nothing."

"So then? Nevermind. You confuse me sometime."

"Awwww....I'm sorry."

"It's all right."

"Ya know, I confuse myself too."

"Oh. I think I'm just permanently confused."

"Naah, just around me."

"Maybe."

"No, for sure. See? I do make people insane."
"Insane and confused are different girlie."

"Not in my twisted little world," she argued.

"Well then come on over to my world...it's not as twisted."

"Nah, I think you're gonna like it in my little world. We use whip cream and duct tape a lot here."

"Scary thought." Gabby shook her head.

"Oohhh no."

"Ooh no what?"

"It’s not a scary thought. Its a rather good thought."

"But I thought you didn't wanna.....never mind."

"Noo, didn't wanna what?"

"Wait a sec....you never did that dare that you were dared to do."

"That’s because it did kind of involve things that...umm...shouldn't reaaaaally be done with normal people. And I reaally don't think you like handcuffs, do you?"
"Never used ‘em." Gabby grinned.

"Oooohhhh."

"why am I suddenly very afraid?"

"Because you're chicken."

"I am not."

"We'll see in due time."

"Agreed." It was about 8:15. Jeff yawned, opening one eye, then the other. Lily yawned and shifted in his arms, her eyes closed. She was smiling in her sleep. Jeff looked down at her, noticing her smile, and smiled to himself. The sun filtered in through the window, falling on the two. Lily yawned again and opened her eyes slowly, blinking against the sun. Jeff tightened his arms around her. Lily smiled.

"Good morning love."

"You finally went to sleep," Lily whispered.

"So I did. Aren't you proud of me?"

"Of course. I was so happy you finally fell asleep."

"Me too...that nawing headache finally went bye-bye."

"You never said you had a headache."

"You never asked."

"Well, I'm not gonna go asking people if they have headaches."

"I know, but if I had told you, you wouldn't have gone to sleep. I know you too well by now."

"No, I would have stayed up because you had a headache. Wouldn't that have been better?"

"No...because you'd be grumpy."
"I would not."
"I'll tell you next time, promise"

"Good." He grinned. "And you know what cures a headache, right?"

"Well...Matt once told me a shot of Jack Daniels would put me out for the night. But for some reason I don't think you were thinking that at the moment."

"Nope."

"I get to color your hair today...that's not what you were thinking either though," she realized.

"That wouldn't cure a headache. The smell of the Manic Panic alone would give you one. And then it would need to be cured."
"So maybe you want me to dye your hair....."

"Of course I do."

"So...what cures a headache Jeffie?" Jeff grinned evilly.

"Guess."

"I'm thinking it involves a white magic spell...and a do not disturb sign.......but that's just a guess."

"Hmm...what spell?"

"Silence...level two silence."

"You got it."

"I'm so smart."

"And I'm so predictable."

"Yes....very." Jeff shrugged.

"Does it matter?"

"No...not really," she admitted, snuggling with him.

"Good. Now...do you need to start on that spell soon?"

"Yeah....before I get the headache. Otherwise I'll have a killer headache...and get dizzy. And then it would be of no use. The spell takes whatever your current condition is and multiplies it...and I'm perfectly normal. So I'm all right."

"Oohh. All right. Do I need to help at all?" Lily muttered a word in an ancient tongue.

"Done. Nope...I put one on the loft..."

"So they can't hear us at all?"
"Yeah, basically." Jeff nodded slowly.

"Sounds like fun."

"Yes it does. Now...where's the bottle of Manic Panic?" Jeff looked around.

"Ohhhh gee, I don't think I bought it."

"Didn't Gabby say she had some extra laying around?"

"Umm...No."

"Wait a sec...."

"What?"

"I'll poof some up."

"If you want...its really okay though."

"But I wanted to do your hair...."

"Oh. Then go for it."

"Later can I do it then?"

"You can do it now if you want..."

"It's your hair...it's up to you."

"No, its up to you." Lily poofed up a bottle of spring green Manic Panic and held it in her hands.

"Make up your mind Jeffery."

"As long as you promise you get a headache that needs to be cured...."

"I promise."
"You sure?"

"Yup. If I don't get one from the Manic Panic, I'll poof myself a headache...okay?"

"All right. Lets get this hair done." Lily sat up and kneeled behind Jeff, poofing his hair clean and damp. She poured some of the cream on his head and blended it over his whole head. She sped up the drying process slightly with her mage magic and poofed it rinsed out.

"Ain't magic cool?"

"Only yours." Lily smiled proudly. She poofed his hair nice and dry. "I wanna see!" She handed him a mirror. He looked in the mirror and smiled. "Your magic so rules." Lily bowed slightly.

"Why thank you." Lily fell backwards in the hay, clutching her head. "I didn't think Manic Panic was so potent." Jeff fell down in the hay beside her.

"I use it all the time. I'm used to it."

"I'm not....I leave my hair 'au natural'."

"That’s because yours looks the best that way."

"I suppose it does...I don't think blue eyes and purple hair would work very well."

"Well, we could try it sometime."

"We could."

"But only if you want to."

"I'll think about it." Jeff put his arms around her waist, pulling her closer.

"You do that."

"I will, don't you worry about it."

"I'm not worried."

"Good."

"Yuuuup..."

"So...I dyed your hair...do you like it?"

"Of course! I couldn't love it any more if I tried." Lily blinked and gripped her forehead.

"My head hurts Jeffie..."

"Uh-oh...My poor Lily."

"It hurts Jeffie, it hurts," she whined. He ran his hand over her hair.

"Its okay...is it really bad?"

"No...I’m not dizzy...so I'll survive."

"Why don't you just poof yourself better?"
"Because....that would be too easy"

"And not any fun?" Lily nodded. Lily smiled. "Well you know what the antidote is." Lily smiled and nodded.

"And you promise it won't hurt?" she asked.

"Not if I can help it," he whispered.
"Good..." she whispered back.

"You sure?"

"Yeah." Jeff nodded, leaning in closer.

"I love you Lily."

"I love you too Jeffie," she whispered.

***

"Hey look...they put a magickal do not disturb sign up at the ladder." Matt looked up at the ladder.

"So they did."

"Finally."

"Yeah...I'm kinda proud of the both of em."

"I'm more proud of Lily...why are you proud of Jeff? You should just be happy for him."

"He finally convinced her she'd survive. Of course I'm happy for him. And I am more proud of Lily...I just said I was proud of Jeff too."
"She better give me details too."

"That's gotta be a girl thing"

"Never thought I'd live to see the day when she was getting laid and I wasn't. Its a mad mad world." Matt nodded. Gabby sighed, leaning back in a pile of hay.

"What's wrong?"

"You think everytime I sigh, something’s wrong."

"It's a guy thing" Gabby rolled her eyes.

"I noticed. I was just sighing, that’s all."

"Grump," he remarked.

"Baby."

"Yeah I know. So what are you cooking me for breakfast Gabby?" She shrugged and closed her eyes.

"Nothing. I don't cook."

"Grump."
"Baby."

"I know...you've already called me that. So...what do you feel like doing?"

"Don't ever ask me that and expect a wholesome answer."

"Maybe I didn't expect a wholesome answer. I wanted the truth." Gabby opened one eye to look at him.

"Truth hurts."

"Not always. You’re being bitchy again." Gabby stretched her arms behind her head.

"Its what I do best." Matt sighed and rolled over, looking the opposite way. Gabby groaned loudly.

"What did I do now?"

"Nothing."

"Then why did you sigh and roll over?"

"Why do you keep pushing me away? Why do you insist on locking yourself inside of a shell? I don't know if you realized it yet, but I'm not going to give up on you. Give up is not in my vocabulary." Gabby sat up, staring at him.

"I'm not pushing you away...I'm not...I don't want to do that...I'm trying...I really am..." Matt sat up as well, staring back.

"Then stop giving up on me. If you want anything to work, you have to want it to work. Do you want any of this to work Gabby? Well? Do you?"

"I'm not giving up on you! Why would I ever do that? That would be the stupidest thing ever...and of course I want this to work. Why would you even begin to think otherwise?"

"Because it doesn't seem like you care anymore." Gabby sniffled quietly.

"I've never cared more about anything, or anyone, in my life." Matt took her face in both of his hands softly.

"Then promise me you won't give up on it. Promise me that you'll never turn away, and never walk away, no matter what it looks like up ahead. Because I will promise you all of that and everything else under the sun if you can just promise me those few things I ask of you."

"Of course I promise...I'll never ever give up...never. I could never."