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"What do you have there Kim?", her mother asked affectionately, suddenly walking in.

Kimberly raised her head from the pillow and sat up on the side of the bed. "One of our photo albums", she replied happily to her mother's curious inquery.

Gina sat down beside her to have a look at the page, and chuckled with a smile when she did. "I remember all of these...", she told her daughter, with her memories coming back to her.

"You're so cute!", the young Gina told her infant daughter with all the love of her heart. She would wiggle a finger infront of her, and her little Kimberly would laugh, smile, and try to catch it. Gina stopped and moved her head closer, giving a happy sigh. "I thought everything was screwed when your daddy left me. Well you're just proof it isn't, is it?", she said, finishing her last sentence with a giggle, tickling her daughter, and making them both laugh.

Gina smiled warmly, and found another memory.

"Momma!", a six year old Julia called to her mother, walking up to her. Gina turned around from her work in the kitchen and Julia continued before she could say anything. "Kimberly said a bad word!"

Gina applied a very confused look to her face. "But honey, Kimberly hasn't learned how to talk yet....", she told her, then trailing into the possibility. "Well, let's see", Gina said curiously, but not all too optimisticly, putting down her dish rag and walking to the playroom, which was Kimberly's room. They walked in to find Kimberly sitting on the floor playing nicely, and Gina sat down infront of her, getting her immidiate attention.

"Kimberly, can you say mom?", she asked very curiously at the pair of attentive little eyes looking back at her. There was no reply. "Kimberly, come on, say mom", she tried again, but still recieved no reply. "Can you say anything?", she said with a pointless tone, emphisizing the word anything.

"Momma!", Kimberly said aloud to the sudden surprise of her mother.

Gina gasped and cheered. "She can talk! She can talk!!", she shouted, giving her daughter a clap. When her enthusiastics subsided, she turned her head to Julia with a big smile. "There's nothing bad about that", she teased.

"Shit!", Kimberly said normally, throwing a block lightly into the air and catching it. Julia pointed an accusing finger, not even bothering to change her facial expression.

Gina exploded into laughter, falling over and rolling onto her back. "My daughter's first word was shit!", she shouted, laughing hystericly. Julia eyed her mother strangely, and used her other free hand to point a finger at her as well.

"I really do love photos. They're the good memories", her mother said after a short pause of smiling at them. Gina got back to why she came and said, "I need to talk to everyone, could you come out to the livingroom? I'll be out in a minute". Kimberly nodded and left the album on the bed, simply replying, "Sure thing". Gina wished to stay for a moment or two to flip through the photo album. They all made her happy, giving her the chance to see the past and her little babies.

"Robbert! Could you give me a hand?", Gina called out to her husband while she was trying to get Julia and her one year old Craig dried and dressed from their bath.

"I'm here", he said happily, walking into the bathroom. While his wife worked on their little Craig, he did Julia, giving her a little poke on the nose when he was done.

"Aren't we lucky?", Gina asked Robbert when the two little ones walked or crawled off.

"We sure are", he replied passionately, giving her a hug. "I forgot to mention, I'll be working late tonight", he informed her.

Gina frowned. "Well you gotta do what you gotta do", she answered him depressedly. When he walked out of the bathroom, Gina let out a sad sigh.

Gina quickly flipped through the pages and returned the album to the bed, not wanting the group out in the livingroom to have to wait for her to finish her reminicing. When she walked out, everyone stopped their chattering and waited to see what she wanted to say. She walked infront of the couch, where Julia, Craig, and Kimberly were sitting, with Ron standing behind it, to begin. "The person on the phone before was my little brother, your uncle Ray", she admitted. All of her kids were weary of their uncle Ray, being that he was odd, loud, and occationally very rude, and even Gina had poor feelings about him sometimes. "He has been seeing someone for a while now apparently, and he's getting married this Sunday. Friday morning, we're going to have to drive all the way there and stay for a few days, probbably till Tuesday", she explained, with her three children giving a disapproving groan.

"Even more school to miss....I guess it's not all that bad....well, yeah it is, but....yeah", Craig tried to say positively, but couldn't do it.

"Ron, I need to know, do you want to come with us?", Gina asked him.

"I would go nuts being all alone. Besides, an excuse to get out of this place is what I need", he replied with a chuckle, giving his approval.

"I know you guys don't want to go, but we have to. I'm going to have to put in my vacation days early to do this, so it's not going to be a picnic for me either. Your other relatives, including your grandparents will be there, so it might not be so bad", Gina ended on a lighter note, since her kids liked her mom and dad. "I guess that's all", she added, figuring there was no more to say.

"Yeah, I guess it won't be all that bad", Julia agreed.

Kimberly heard her bus outside and hopped up off the couch. "I'm gonna see Sheila for a bit", she informed her mother while walking out the door. Sheila was walking towards her house, and took her a few seconds to notice Kimberly.

"Hiya Kimberly", Sheila greeted when they came together.

"Heya. Did you see any of the trial today?", Kimberly greeted back.

"I caught the end of it in Mr. Manus' class, but you had already gone up", Sheila said regretfully.

"You didn't miss much", Kimberly laughed.

"I see you're in something of a better mood huh?", Sheila smiled, seeing her friend not nervous about anything.

"Yeah. Sorry for being snippy yesterday....", Kimberly replied.

"Think nothing of it! I'm just happy you're not scared anymore", Sheila happily told her.

"Thanks Sheila. I'll let you go now, see ya` later", Kimberly said, turning with a little wave.

"Bye Kim", Sheila replied, doing the same.

Gina found herself going to bed early, around nine o`clock, trying to get into a normal sleeping schedule. Having several days off, she wanted to wake and sleep like a normal person, and not go to bed at five and wake up around noon. She clicked off her light and pulled up the covers. The reminicing she did earlier was making some other memories come back to her.

The much younger Gina grabbed her two year old Julia by the tail. Lifting it, she gave her two swats beneath her tail, onto her diaper with her palm, then let go. Not too hard, but it was enough to make the little dragon begin to cry, standing there holding her paws to her eyes.

"I told you a hundred times not to do that!", Gina said forcefully, looking straight at her. She then picked Julia up, with her head resting on her shoulder and brought her down to her room. Gina placed the little Julia into her crib to let her stay there for a little while.

"Momma! Momma!!", Julia cried out in a plea for her to not leave her there, when Gina made it to the door. Julia layed her head down to saddily cry when her mother left the room.

Gina didn't go far. She leaned her side against the wall beside Julia's door, noticing her eyes were watering. She had never before layed her hand upon her daughter, without intentions to caress. She felt so bad for having to do that.

Gina took a deep breath in the dark, and releaced it slowly. Making her children cry was the farmost last thing she ever wanted to do. Julia's cry for her mother that one time, tore her spirit in two. She wished her children came with as much knowledge of right from wrong as they did love and curiosity, so she would never have to do that. With all three of her children, she would damn her parental responcibilities, and wanted so much to never punish them. Being a single mother when Kimberly was growing up, make her the most difficult it seemed. She had regretifully used a ruler before on the other two, but only once or twice when they did something REALLY bad and she felt completely out of options. Kimberly not only did a few bad things, but she also lied, cheated, stole, and a mess of other things while she grew up. She never learned, and it made Gina crazy having to be mean. It wasn't too often it happened, but it was far too much for Gina to bear. Kimberly meant well, even when she was like that, so it wasn't like she was out to hurt people intentionally. Gina had cried a few times after punishing her, knowing her daughter was doing the same. She wanted to appologize every time she diciplined them, but knew she couldn't. She had learned the hard way about the ruler herself, from her own mother, and thats how it carried over. Like Kimberly, she did outrageous things too, always driving her mother nuts. She herself never condoned spanking, but got forced into using it when words or actions had no effect. Why couldn't they get the clue the first time! Why did they make me do those things, she thought. After Kimberly's assistance to Sheila, she threw the ruler away, and never baught a new one. Kimberly had changed, and it so seemed it wouldn't be needed again. Even if she didn't, she still would have gotten rid of it. Never again, she said. Rolling over, she found another, but even less fond memory.

"Japan?! How could you tell them we were going to move to Japan without asking me first?!", Gina shouted in a confused anger at Robbert, who was hastily packing a suitcase.

"It wouldn't have mattered", he replied with irritation in his voice.

"Of course it matters! I don't want to leave here!", Gina shouted in retaliation.

"You aren't", her husband replied the same way.

"What the hell are you talking about?! You just said we're leaving!", Gina yelled in anger, not liking being jerked around.

Robbert slammed his fist on the dresser, making Gina wince. "You're not coming!", he shouted with rage. Gina felt like a bullet just went through her soul.

"W....what do you mean?..", she said lightly, with a small frightened sense. Robbert raised his hand, revealing that his wedding ring was missing, and a new one replaced it. Gina make a big, but silent gasp. "No! You didn't!!", she screamed in disbelief.

"It's over Gina!", he said forcefully, turning back to his packing with even more haste then before.

Gina begun crying. "Robbert why! How could you?!!", she bawled.

"I have found someone else. And you know what? She's not nine years younger then me!", he shouted spitefully.

"What about your son and your daughter! I'm going to be giving birth any day now, how could you do this to them?!!!", Gina screamed, crying uncontrolably at what she hoped to be false.

"I love my kids and it sucks to leave them, but I have found a better life. They will get child support, and a lot of it, I promise", Robbert informed her, lowering the tone of his voice slightly.

"A...better life? Whats wrong with this one!? Dammit Robbert, I love you!", Gina said, with her voice dropping with all the crying.

"I love you too Gina, but it's over. I have found someone I love more, and we can be together all the time in luxury", he continued.

"I have given birth to two wonderful children and done so much....I can't believe you would do this to me, your wife! Your fucking wife!!! Mrs. Gina Sorrel, your wife...", she screamed as hard as she could, with her last sentence drowning out in her bawling.

Robbert grabbed his suitcase, and added it to the pile of boxes already in the livingroom, with Gina following. He placed them on a cart to wheel them into his U-haul, and set off for the door.

"Robbert wait! We don't have to be over! Please! Please for the love of everything, dont go!!", Gina cried, dropping to her knees, begging him not to go.

Robbert stopped at the door and turned his head towards her. "We've had good times, but we must move on......I'm sorry it turned out this way Gina....goodbye...", Robbert replied with sudden saddness in his voice. He turned his head back around, looking outside, into the clear sky. Then he walked out the door, forever. Gina stayed on her knees, slouched over crying over what she never thought would happen.

"Mommy, whats the matter?", Julia asked when she came out of her room, putting her little paw on her shoulder. Gina continued her sobbing, looking over her shoulder to see her daughter's concerned face.

"Your daddy is going away, and he won't be coming back", Gina told her truthfully, choking back her tears to speak. Julia's sweet little eyes began to well, and her lower lip was shakey.

"Daddy....", Julia said before she started to softly cry on her mother's shoulder. Gina turned a bit and hugged her oldest daughter tight.

"It's gonna be ok.......shh, shhh, don't cry. It's just going to be you me and Craig from now on....and don't forget this one", she reassured her lovingly, ending with a look to her belly. Gina moved one of her hands from Julia and placed it on her tummy, giving it a little rub. "I'm sorry Kimberly....you're not going to have a daddy...", she told her tummy with saddness and regret, giving another sob.

Gina shivered at that memory, being it was the biggest turning point of her life. She rolled over again and shifted her tail, trying to get more comfortable. It had been such a long time since she used the last name Sorrel. She had been so sad for those two weeks till Kimberly was born. She was all alone when she started getting contractions, and had to painfully get to her phone and call her parents, who lived only six minutes away. Her father stayed to watch over Julia and Craig through the night, and her mother took her to the hospital, staying to be her supporter, since Robbert was no longer there. Kimberly was Gina's ray of sunshine, making the middle of the night seem so bright. Even as a tiny little thing, she was cute and happy. Finding a happy thought to leave off on, Gina fell into a peaceful slumber.

When it started getting late, Kimberly went to her new joint owned room. Finding it a little unnerving at first to think about sleeping in here, versus her own comfortable room, she tidied up the things she brought over to waste some time. She walked to her closet and changed into one of her t-shirts that was longer then normal and took of her pants, putting them neatly next to the closet to be washed. Getting to the right side of the bed, she sat down to slip into the bed, which is when Julia showed up. It was ten o`clock, so they needed to get to bed for their verdict in Carser in the morning.

"What do you think that Derek guy is going to get?", Julia asked Kimberly while she looked at herself in her mirror.

Kimberly slid into the bed so she could look Julia's direction to reply. "Dunno, but it better be good"

Julia walked across the room and closed the door, then walked to her side of the bed, taking off and tossing her jeans over to where Kimberly neatly put hers. Kimberly rolled her eyes, sort of wondering which one was older, and got under the covers. Julia followed suit, clicking off the light.

"Kim, move your tail", Julia ordered.

"Mine? What about yours", Kimberly retaliated.

"Hey! Watch where that tails going!", Julia commanded.

"Well you asked me to move it", Kimberly replied with a hint of embarassment.

Julia made an irritated sigh and rolled over.

"Your foot is a little too close to mine". Kimberly informed her.

"Just give me a damn second will you?", Julia snapped, fidgeting to get comfortable.

"It's not like this is my fault", Kimberly thought she should remind her.

"But you're still here aren't you?", Julia replied with annoyance.

"Don't be such a bitch, at least you still have your room", Kimberly snapped back, also reminding that her end of the deal sucked more.

"Don't you call me a bitch!", Julia yelled, rocking the bed in her hostility.

"Whatever. Goodnight", Kimberly finished, just wanting to goto sleep. Julia growled and opted to do the same.

Ron closed the door to his new room and sat on the bed to get comfortable, tossing his shirt and jeans by the door. He slipped quickly into bed and shut off the light. He came to think what might become of him. His family didn't want him and neither did a lot of people at school. Ron had never been subject to such rejection in his life, and it was very confusing to be suddenly going through it now.

Craig was already in bed, looking around his room in the glow of the moon. He got out of bed and closed his blinds, finding the moon to be disturbing his ability to sleep. It had been a fine day, and all of his fears were gone. Stupid rapper dragon, what a laugh, he thought.

The family was sitting in the courtroom as they did the previous day, and when the Judge took his seat, everyone waited for him to call upon the jury.

"The darkness comes", Judge Payton said in an alkward manner.

Everyone looked at him strangely, and within a few seconds, all the lights turn off and everyone disappears, exept for Kimberly. The room is lit with only an eerie glow, and a mist wafted across the floor. Kimberly looked around confusedly, noticing a shadow floating across the walls and even in the air. It was so slow, and Kimberly found herself paralized by darkess eminated by the aparition. There was a low sound, similiar to a grumble or a growl, and the large shadow began compressing itself, becoming even darker. Kimberly's heart was racing in fear while she watched the darkness take form. The dragon, Derek, had formed from the black shadow in his chair, sitting and staring at the table infront of him. He took on some color and strange looking attire, and looked up. Without warning, he roared unnaturally, exploding with such speed, literally flying towards Kimberly with sharp teeth and claws bared. When he reached Kimberly, her mind spared her, disconnecting her from her subconcious.

Kimberly's eyes flew open with a small gasp. She exhaled slowly, taking a look around the room. Julia was fast asleap, and it was still pitch black. Kimberly closed her eyes and snugled her head into her pillow. "Please leave me alone...", she whispered to her unseen tormenter.

Kimberly slept for another three hours till 6:56, when she just couldn't sleep any longer. There was barely any light in the room yet, and the house was still dead silent. She slipped put of bed as quietly as she could, heading for the closet to throw on a pair of shorts till she got ready to leave later. When she made it there, the light suddenly flicked on.

"Argh, could you stop waking me up!?", Julia shouted, sitting up in the bed, showing how annoyed she was.

"Sorry, I tried to be quiet...", Kimberly turned, appologizing.

"All night long, I've slept like crap!", she grumbled, getting out of bed.

"Well I'm sorry, it's not my fault. I have told you this already", Kimberly appologized again, reminding Julia of last night's conversation.

"I swear, you just waltzed in here like this was your own little place! You already took one of my things and left it on my bed, like I wasn't going to notice you were going through my things!", she argued, walking over to the closet as well.

"That was a family photo album, and just that. It's not your's, mom and I were looking through it", Kimberly defended herself, being that she did nothing wrong.

"You could have at least put it back!", she yelled back. Kimberly turned around from trying to find a decent pair of shorts in the closet and sneered at Julia.

"What the hell is your problem! Why are you acting like this? Is all that crap you said to me about getting to know me better just another one of your damn lies?!", Kimberly snapped, being completely tired of being mistreated.

Julia growled at her remark clenching her fists, turning her head away slightly and sneering towards the door, away from Kimberly. Within a second, she made an angry shout, swinging her right fist around, slamming her knuckles into and across Kimberly's muzzle. She made a piercing yelp, falling sideways onto the back of her tail. It took her a moment, but Julia quickly realized what she just did, when Kimberly started to cry, holding her right paw to her muzzle, and gripping the other, shaking, into the shag carpet. Julia couldn't believe what she did, and looked around in a confused haste, frightened because she didn't know what to do. Blood began to trickle from Kimberly's right nostril, and Julia realized she hit her a lot harder then she thought. Scared and miserable for what she did, she quickly went and got a tissue from the bookcase and walked over to Kimberly. Kimberly winced and moved back, apparently in fear when she sat closely down next to her. Julia shushed her, holding her close with her left arm, and softly wiping the blood off her nose with the other.

"I didn't mean to hit you, please believe me", Julia said quietly.

Kimberly growled softly over her tears. "Of course you did!", she yelled with a big sniff at the end. "Why else would you wail on me?!", she added afterwards, mocking her sister's defense.

"It was an act of anger, I really didn't want to hurt you! I'm sorry!", Julia pleaded.

"Get off me!", Kimberly demanded, tearing herself from her sister's arm and getting up, looking away from her. She rubbed her muzzle some more, sniffed, and wiped a drip of blood.

Julia sat there looking at the floor, trying to think of what to say. "I had no reason to be angry. I just didn't sleep well, and i'm a little upset over recent things.....I didn't lie to you.....", Julia said saddily to Kimberly's feet.

"If you're looking for forgiveness again, you're not getting it!", Kimberly sobbed lightly, turning to the closet and grabbing the first pair of shorts she saw.

"Please Kim....I don't mean to be nasty, just don't hate me...", Julia said as she watched Kimberly walk to the bed and put her shorts on. Kimberly did not reply. Insead, she just wiped her eyes and walked out of the room. Julia felt horrible, as she sat there, not even bothering to move. Last time, the problem caused was passive on her part, but now, she really was the one who directly harmed her. Even in all her frustration of scanning her mind, she couldn't figure out why she had done that. She really wasn't happy about having her little sister literally sleeping with her, and all the things from school must have warped something. Kimberly wasn't going to go easy on her this time, and if she was in her position, neither would she. Maybe it was that time of the month, she thought. Even so, she didn't even try to look for excuses.

Kimberly grabbed the remote and lied down on the couch, giving her muzzle another rub, knowing she was going to have a bruise. That wasn't exactly how she wanted to wake up, and was one of the things she didn't expect. She flicked on the TV and dove into her thoughts. How could she have done that to me? Even if it was an action out of anger, she still had no right to even be angry. Hitting her with a foot or tail and waking her up wasn't something I did while even awake. Just as I thought Julia and I were going to be ok, she back- fists be. Man that really hurt. High and mighty bitch is what she is, and she isn't going to get on my good side again that easily! I'm going to have to get my message across before that.

Julia had stayed in her room till her mother and Ron woke up. She was afraid Kimberly would rat her out to their mother, but to her surprise, she didn't. She stayed quiet all morning, and that was kind of upsetting, adding to the rest of the guilt Julia was carrying. They all soon left after getting dressed, on their way to find out what happens to their little Derek Ramos. Ron noticed something was wrong with Julia and held her close for the trip, talking to her. Kimberly sat on the other side with her head against the window, keeping a paw or something on her muzzle so no one else would know about what happened earlier. They stopped and walked in the courthouse as they did yesterday.

"I'll be in the bathroom", Kimberly announced when they went inside, walking off. She found the big bathroom empty and quiet, which seemed all too fortunate. She walked up the the mirror that went across the whole wall above the sinks and looked at her muzzle. There was a noticible welt, and she sighed upon seeing it. The door opened to her bottom left, and she looked in the mirror to see who it was. It was her mother, so she acted like she was washing her hands.

"Kim,", she began, "Where did that mark on your muzzle come from?", she continued concernedly.

Kimberly stopped for a moment, realizing her mother must have already noticed it. "It's nothing", she replied, still keeping her head faced away from her mother.

Gina frowned a bit. "I thought you were done hiding things from me?", she said a little saddily, letting Kimberly know it was ok to talk to her.

Kimberly placed her hands flat on the counter beside the sink and looked down in contemplation. "Julia hit me", she admitted with a low voice.

"What?!", her mother yelled.

"She back-handed me with her fist....my nose bled a bit and....well, I cried...", Kimberly continued admitting.

Gina growled a bit and walked over to Kimberly, turning her head with her fingers to have a closer look at what her older daughter did. "Why did she do this?", Gina asked very angrily.

"I honestly don't understand why", Kimberly said, now looking into her mother's eyes that were inspecting the mark.

"I can't fucking believe she did this", Gina growled heavily.

The door opened again, and unfortunately for that person, it was Julia. She stopped short when she saw her mother looking over Kimberly. Gina stopped and turned around, with the obvious look of rage.

"Julia, you have no idea how much restraint I'm using right now to stop me from slapping you clear across your face!", Gina shouted at the paralized Julia, who winced a bit.

"So Kimberly told you?", Julia asked with a hint of curious irritation at the thought of Kimberly telling on her.

"No, she didn't have to. Do you know how noticible that mark you gave her is?!", Gina yelled, defending Kimberly and getting her anger across at the same time. Kimberly put her paw to her welt with a slightly saddened look, listening to the yelling.

"I didn't mean to hit her!", Julia shouted back, trying to defend herself somehow.

Gina sneered and turned her head towards Kimberly, who was sort of hiding behind her. "Kim, go join up with Ron and your brother", she asked of her, lowering the tone of her voice so she wouldn't upset her further. Kimberly nodded and walked out quietly.

"Julia, if you were a few years younger, and if I still had a ruler, you would sure as hell be getting it!", Gina shouted, full of anger.

"I just got mad and swung my fist, I really didn't want to hurt her like that...", Julia said with her heart full of guilt.

"This has got to be one of the cruelist things you have ever done. Do you even have a good reason for being angry?", Gina continued her assault, changing the tone of her voice to disappointed.

"It could be about that time of the month....otherwise, no, I have no excuse at all...", Julia quietly replied.

Gina stayed quiet for a few moments, cooling off. "I don't ever want to see a mark on her that you gave her, is that clear?", she told her sternly with a sigh.

Julia's head was hung low. "I'm sorry, I made a big mistake. I myself never wanted to hurt her.....but please, don't you be angry with me too....", Julia said with a plea.

"Anger is only temporary, I'll be smiling again in a few minutes, and believe me, I didn't want to make you upset either. Just be careful, and be as nice as possible to Kimberly, ok?", Gina finished.

"No problem. I gotta pee, so I'll rejoin you all in a minute alright?", Julia said, walking off to a stall as her mother went back to everyone else.

Kimberly as leaning against a nearby pillar, away from the rest of the group when Gina came out of the bathroom. Getting the notion that she wanted to talk to her she walked over to her.

"How'd it go?...", Kimberly asked.

"She's sorry for what she did. She really does have a few big things on her mind, so she probbably didn't want to strike you conciously. I was kinda harsh on her too", she answered.

"I'm gonna talk to her. I don't want to be mad at her, so I'm going to settle this if I can", Kimberly said, getting off her pillar.

"Thats a real good idea. We still have another several minutes before we need to be up there", her mother agreed.

Kimberly walked into the bathroom to find Julia starting to wash her hands. She walked down to her, and Julia seemed a tad frightened by her.

"Can we talk Jul?", Kimberly asked lightly and nicely, as to relieve her sister's anxiety.

"Of course. I'm truely sorry for hitting you, and so hard to go with it. Does it hurt still?", Julia again appologized, asking how she was doing.

"Not really. I'm sorry for getting you yelled at too", Kimberly answered.

"It wasn't caused by anything you did. I promice to be extra nice to you from now on. Are we going to be ok now?", Julia reassured her, looking for her reply.

"I was going to let you squirm till I got my message across, but mom did that for me", Kimberly said with a smile. "I'm not all that angry anymore, so yeah, I forgive you. Just don't hit me anymore", she added, putting her paw to her muzzle.

Julia laughed for a moment. "Thank you so much Kim. Come on, we need to see what happens to that asshole rapper", she said happily, giving her sister a big hug.

The two walked out together, and anyone could have been completely oblivious to the fact they were all quite upset just a little bit ago. Repeating the processes from yesterday, they went up the elevator and had the skunk guard pass them through. When they went through the two big doors, they were a lot more happier and comfortable then they were yesterday, since they wouldn't be questioned. When Derek was brought in, Craig, Kimberly, and even Ron shot him a smile to mess with his head. When the court nonsense was said and Judge Payton took the stand and prepared to begin.

"Members of the jury, have you come to a verdict?", he asked, looking towards the jury box.

Craig noticed something squeeze his hand, and found it to be Kimberly. He smiled and squeezed back, awaiting the jury's responce.

"We have your honor", the member representing them said standing up.

"Proceed", the judge bade them.

The courtroom's stomachs began getting knots as the jury's verdict started. Kimberly and Craig held eachother for support, Ron kept his nervous hands in his pockets, and Gina and Julia kept their hands to their chests, barely able to wait.

"We the jury,", the woman began, "find that the defendant, Derek Ramos...."

The Trensetters found the weight of the whole courthouse on their souls, clenching every muscle in their body, unable to bear another second of not knowing.

"...was of sound mind when the acts were commited, and is guilty of all charges", the woman said.

Kimberly threw her arms around her brother in utter happiness and Craig just smiled. Ron turned his head to watch Gina and Julia quietly celebrating behind them, and had to hold back his laughter.

"Derek Ramos, you are sentenced to fourty-five years in prison with a chance for paroll in fourty", Judge Payton announced giving his gavel a crack.

Derek Ramos burst into tears, just like every tough guy that gets convicted. Ron laughed and joined a group hug with the other two. The rapper was taken from the courtroom for the last time.

There came a standing ovation in the middle school cafeteria with cheering and celebration. Kimberly's friends and aquaintances alike, all cheered that their legendary assailent got what he deserved.

"Good job Kimberly!", Sheila said aloud, sitting with her and Kimberly's group of friends. They all clapped and joined in the happiness of Kimberly's victory and the well known kidnapper's fall, with all of them laughing when they saw the guy crying.

"Score one for the rockers, yeahhhh", Justin said with a smile, being that he had lunch in the high school cafeteria since Ron wasn't around to drive him someplace. The cafeteria only had two TV's, so most people had to spread around the verdict. Frank and Amber were probbably somewhere in the crowd, a little unhappy, so that made Justin and his group just a little more delighted.

Gina and Julia had come up front to be with the three happy victims. Julia and Ron gave eachother a passionate kiss, not even caring there were still people present, and Gina gave her two brave children a hug.

"Let's go home, and not come back here. We all agreed?", Gina said happily with a big smile at the end.

The group agreed but got interrupted suddenly before they could do that.

"Hello there", said a voice from behind, who quickly made his way infront of the table. Surprisingly, it was Judge Payton. "What you went through was very tough, and I'm particularly sorry it happened to ones so young and bright", he said, looking at Craig and Kimberly. "You were very brave in a time of crisis and your efforts allowed everyone to keep their lives. You should be very proud", he said warmly.

"Thank you sir", Kimberly said lightly and appreciatively.

"We are", Craig added with a smile.

"And then there's you", Judge Payton said, turning to Ron. "You have an incredible lack of self preservation, but who says that's such a bad thing? You saved their lives, and that is the greatest heroics of them all", he said with a smile as well.

"Thanks your honor", Ron replied happily.

"Ramos got what he deserved, and I wish you all good luck. It was an honor to meet people such as yourselves", Judge Payton complimented.

The group left slowly, full of spirit, knowing one crazy bastard was off the streets for good. They all had a happy conversation in the car, with everyone getting involved for once.

"It's good to finally know", Craig said.

"Now we got the wedding to worry about", Gina chuckled.

"It's the closest thing to a vacation out of town we're gonna get for a while, so why not make the best of it", Julia said, resting her her on Ron.

"I haven't seen grandma and grandpa in a while either, and especially our other aunts, uncles, and cousins", Kimberly jumped in.

"I wouldn't mind meeting all your relatives. A big bucket of Trensetters and more!", Ron laughed.

"The wedding is going to be on his soon-to-be wife's property. Apparently it's a huge farm. They have no animals, but it's still a damn huge property, and their house is supposed to be this elongated plantation-like houses. They actually expect to house most of us. I can't even discribe how big a house like that is. He also said the grass is wonderful, and their having the wedding in a field behind the house. He's flooding a lot of money into this", Gina went into explaining what her brother said.

"Is our old house close by?", Kimberly asked.

"Old house?", Ron asked curiously.

"Before we came here, we lived in a fancy house not too far from my parent's place. Shortly after Kimberly was born, I moved here, since I couldn't afford it anymore after my ex- husband left me. This farm is about fifteen minutes away from my parent's house I guess", she explained for Ron and Kimberly.

When they made it home, they piled out of the car and went inside to get settled for a day of relaxation before they had to leave tomorrow.

Gina went to her room and quickly started tossing off the fancy clothes like a little kid would toss her backpack at the end of the school year. She was all too pleased her kids' tormenter could never come back. Removing her bra, she pulled it like a slingshot and shot it across the room, getting a laugh out of it. She grabbed your everyday comphy tshirt and pants to get ready to do absolutely nothing.

Kimberly kicked off her shoes and flopped on the bed. Julia did the same and popped off her bra from underneath her shirt and tossed it into the closet. She flopped on the other side of the bed, lying on her back next to her little sister.

"You're quite happy, aren't you?", Julia more noted then asked, seeing her sister beaming a smile into her ceiling.

"Absolutely. That dragon and the whole trial left me really uneasy, but now that it's all over, and in our favor. I feel that I've gotten my revenge", Kimberly ended with a smirk, making Julia chuckle a bit.

"Sheila'll be home in an hour, you going to meet her outside again?", Julia asked out of curiosity.

"Yep", she answered quite happily.

Julia got up off the bed and walked over to the table next to her desk that she kept her big mirror on and a few other things. "Take this with you", she said, picking up a box out of it's drawer. Kimberly sat up in the bed, wondering what it was. Julia sat back on the bed and handed her the box. "Have a look", she encouraged with a smile.

Kimberly popped the box open, revealing a shiny silver bracelet. It had intricate little designs on it and a few realistic looking foxes. She sat it awe at it, especially since she had never seen her sister wear this beautiful thing.

"I think Sheila might get a kick out of it", Julia answered Kimberly's look of awe.

"It's really pretty! How expensive is this thing?", Kimberly exclaimed, wondering exactly how much a designed bracelet like this cost, especially when it was real silver.

"I saved up for it years ago, it cost quite a bit. I was your age when I saw it in the jewelry store. I saved all my holiday cash and anything mom gave me for months till I had the two hundred needed to get it", Julia explained, happy to tell it's tale.

"Two hundred?!", Kimberly turned to her in shock, then looked back at the bracelet in more awe then before.

"Yep. I only wore it on special occation, afraid I would do something to it. I'm not big on jewelry anymore, my necklace will do. I want you to have it", she said very warmly, especially when she finished.

Kimberly looked at her in surprise. "You're giving it to me?! But you put so much work into getting it!", she expressed her shock.

"And I'm doing something good with it. You'll take good care of it", Julia replied, trying to let her sister's mind calm.

"I don't believe it...", Kimberly muttered, staring at the silver band. "Thank you so much!", she shouted, even more happy then before, suddenly giving Julia a big hug.

Julia laughed. "I'm going to go hang out with Ron for a while. You can take a look at everything in that drawer if you want. There's nothing more expensive then that right there, but if you ever want to borrow something, lemme know", Julia said very upbeat while walking out.

"Ok", Kimberly said when she walked out the door.

Julia was very happy to have done that. She liked that bracelet a lot, but it's better this way. Kimberly was even more happy then she thought giving it to her would make her, and it was a fine start to making things up to her. She walked into the livingroom to find Ron loafing on the couch.

"Think there's enough room for me?", Julia asked playfully.

Ron sat up with a smile, giving her room to sit. "This has got to be the best day I have had in a while", he said, putting his arm around her.

"Why don't we head over to the cafe in a while?", Julia asked, snuggling a little closer.

"Are you sure about that?", Ron said timidly, knowing the current situation they were in with the other rockers.

"Can't hide forever. Let's make the best of things", she persuaded.

"Hrmmm...", Ron mumbled in thought. "Sure thing", he said, giving in.

Kimberly clicked the bracelet open, putting it around her wrist. It took her a few moments to click it closed, but thats a good sign it won't snap open unwantedly. The silver was quite shiny, with a darker, more rustic look on the intricate designs and foxes. It fit loosely around her wrist, but it would fit nicely in another year or so. She stared at it, turning it to see all of the designs. This was another thing she didn't expect from Julia. She's a barrel of surprises, ain't she, Kimberly laughed in her mind. Julia's kindness made it even more special then it already was, and Kimberly already cherished the intricate band. She got up from the side of the bed and went to have a look in that drawer Julia mentioned. The drawer was where Julia kept her cosmetics and trinkets of jewelry. She had quite a few rings and necklaces, and thought she might actually borrow some on a special occation. What meant more was the simple fact Julia offered. Kimberly looked down at her wrist and smiled.

Craig lied in his bed relaxing, trying to regain all the energy expelled from being so damn happy. His painful wait came with a happy ending. He rubbed his muzzle against his pillow, knowing it got retrobution for what that dragon did to it. Craig's spirit was a light as a feather, completely throwing all of cares away, at the thought of no longer having to be afraid.

Ron walked into his room to get ready to go out, shortly after he gave in to Julia. He found his door open and a little visitor inside.

"Oh sorry Ron, I just came in to get something", Kimberly appologized, explaining her intrusion.

"No prob", he said, walking to his closet.

Kimberly was reaching under the bed for something, and exclaimed "Ah!" when she felt it. Ron turned from picking out his normal clothes to see what she was looking for.

"Charlie!", Kimberly said in a childish happy way, holding up a cute plush doggie. "I forgot him when I was moving my stuff, and then forgot where I put him!", Kimberly explained.

Ron chuckled. "It's cute I'll admit", Ron replied with a smirk.

"I had him since I was really little, and I've taken good care of him. He doen't look a decade old does he?", Kimberly said, looking over her little dog.

"Believe it or not, I did the same thing with a plush dragon my parents gave me as a present on my third birthday. I would show him to you, but he's still at my house......now that I think of it, I need to contact my parents and find out what's going on", he explained happily, till he was reminded of the dilema with his parents.

"I hope I get to see him soon", Kimberly said with a little laugh, getting up and starting for the door.

Ron got sudden butterflies from thinking about having to call his house. His parents would be getting ready for work within the hour, so now was the only time he could try. He walked into the livingroom to consult Julia.

"Jul, I think I oughta call my house...", he said rather timidly, leaning over the couch.

Julia looked a little concerned, not replying for a few seconds. "I guess so. Just take it easy", Julia encouraged.

Ron picked up the reciever and walked out the front door, not wanting anyone to hear. He walked till he was in the driveway, pacing back and forth, dialing the number nervously. It rang a few times, then someone picked up.

"Hello?", said the voice of his mother.

Ron swallowed hard, but didn't want a lapse in his reply. "Hi mom...", he said softly. He heard his mom sigh and didn't immidiately reply. "I just wanna know what's going on", he explained saddily.

"You need to come pack up the rest of your things...", she said solomly.

"Why would you guys kick me out? I love you both so much...", Ron replied to that hurtful command.

"You know this isn't my idea. Your father is still very pissed", his mother answered.

"I have been living with the Trensetters, and I don't want them to have to keep me here", Ron said, explaining where he was and how he doesn't wish to burdon his friends.

"I'm sorry Ron", she said saddily.

Ron gritted his teeth and leaned against the garage door. "I didn't do anything all that wrong! I have done so much to make you proud...", Ron shouted, still somewhat softly, in his defense.

"Spending money that wasn't supposed to be spent, and on your girlfriend to boot. Not to mention you're never really home to see us anymore, always running around with her or your friends. And sex in our house even?", his mother went through.

"I never had sex in the house ma`!", Ron really did shout, hoping none of the neighbors were around to hear.

"Then where did that used condom come from huh?", she said spitefully.

"I had to throw it away somewhere! Why would it even matter, I'm an adult!", Ron shouted in his clear defense.

"How bout because your girlfriend isn't an adult?", she reminded him.

"For the love of god mom, we're in a serious relationship! I'm not some kind of player, and she isn't a hussy! That money was just supposed to be saved for emergencies, and I do realize it was wrong of me to spend it, but thats not the reason you're all mad. What's wrong with Julia?!", he shouted, demanding for an answer.

His mother sighed a lot deeper this time. "A fine boy like you could have any girl in the world. A doctor, a scientist, an ambassador. We're just a little.....disheartened by your choice....especially your father", she quietly explained.

"You said it yourself. My choice! Mine!! I don't care about being rich like you and dad, or working together at a research lab. Julia is a beautiful, bright, loving girl, and that's all that matters. The Trensetters are far from poor, and her mother has made it that way with the same amount of hard work you and dad have put in!", Ron forcefully explained on behalf of himself and the Trensetters.

"Your black jacket, jeans, and even chains sometimes, you could be so much more! You're a genious like us Ronald Surret! Why do you fall into this crowd?", his mother continued.

"I'm not going to change who I am! If I was anything else, I wouldn't be the kind Ronald you know. I can be as smart as I want, with the people I want. Just because people dress in dark colors and listen to rock music doesn't make them poor, stupid, or bad people. You two put people down when they aren't like you and it's not right! Everyone is who they are, and I am very fortunate to have a wonderful girl, friends, and even a good upbringing, and I'm sorry if I was a waste of your time", Ron explained with saddness and disgust.

He didn't recieve a reply for a few moments. "You weren't a waste of time Ron, and I appologize for saying what I did. We just want what's best for you", she replied with regret.

"Let me speak to dad...", Ron suddenly asked, looking to end this now.

"I wouldn't recommend that....please, let me talk to him for you. It may take time till I find the right moment, or a few tries, but I can probbably get you back in the house. But untill then, I'll pack up most of your things and you can pick them up ok?...I'm sorry baby...", his mother persuaded very saddily, knowing she has been wrong.

Ron bit his lip at the overwhelming saddness. "...Alright. I'll stop by in two hours, just pack everything you can find", he said with a sigh.

"I'll leave them in the front of the garage so you can pick them up after we have left then. I promice I'll do the best I can on your father. I miss you", she said, a little happier.

"I miss you too ma`....love you...", Ron replied to her sentiments.

"Love you too honey. Bye", his mother ended as lovingly as she could in their sad state, and the two hung up. Ron leaned his entire back against the garage, trying to calm himself. He felt his eyes a little watery, and Julia and the others didn't need to seem him like this. He didn't want to ruin their own happiness. His would return shortly, but untill then, he'd think about his home, parents, and the little Ronald he once was.

Kimberly went outside as soon as she heard her bus, walking briskly to meet Sheila.

"Kim!", she shouted whe she saw her. She ran to Kimberly and hugged her, to Kimberly's surprise.

"Well hello to you too Sheila", Kimberly replied with a laugh.

"You did it! That bastard is...hey, what's this?", Sheila cheered, then noticing the bracelet. Kimberly smiled, holding out her hand so she could have a look. "Wow! That's really nice! And foxes too!", Sheila exclaimed.

"Thought you'd like it. My sister gave it to me", Kimberly said, looking at the band.

"You're lucky! Very! Are you going to show it off in school tomorrow?", Sheila added.

"I'm going to a wedding across state. I found out yesterday after I talked to you. I won't be back till Tuesday even!", she remembered, finding the whole thing to be very poorly timed.

"That sucks! Now I have to deal with a weekend without you", Sheila ended with a chuckle.

Ron and Julia had left shortly before Kimberly went outside, to goto the cafe for a while. Ron hadn't mentioned his call or his needing to pick up his things at his house, and thought the parking lot was a good place to tell her quietly and alone.

"Before we go in Jul, I need to fill you in about my parents", Ron said kind of painfully.

"I was wondering when you'd bring that up", Julia said, admitting she had been curious.

"It's all very complicated and...you don't need to worry about it. My mother is going to try and get me back in the house, but it's going to take a while. I need to go to my house after this and get my things....", he explained.

"Sorry to hear", she said solomly, giving her mate a light hug. Ron smiled, knowing he had the finest support he could ask for.

"Come on, let's see if we're still welcome around these parts", Ron said playfully, like a western cowboy, making Julia giggle.

They walked in, finding Justin wasn't there yet. Some others were, and they gave a friendly wave at their arrival, which pretty much answered Ron's question. They took a seat at the center of the bar, and James popped up from the kitchen.

"Well hey! There's been talk about you two", James greeted.

"What kind of talk might that have been?", Julia asked with a smirk.

"Word is you two helped cause a little disagreement with everyone about Eric", James chuckled, remembering the stoned dragon.

"It'll blow over. No big deal", Ron shrugged.

"Optimistics are good, but the stuff I've been hearing hasn't. I'm refering to Amber and Frank particularly", James said, leaning on the counter to rest his feet a bit.

"So word has already gotten to you about what happened between us all", Ron sighed.

"That bitch Amber and that two faced Frank are just stirring the damn pot", Julia quirped.

James laughed a bit. "You'll work it all out", he added. "So what will it be today?", he then asked.

"It's early, but hey, I'll have a glass of Dire Dragon", Ron said, deciding he should have a lil` beer before he left.

"I'm glad Julia did something nice like that", Gina told Kimberly, having a look at the bracelet. When Kimberly came inside, the two sat down on the couch together and just ended up talking.

"I just love it. It's already very special to me", Kimberly added, holding the band to her heart.

"It'll be very nice to show off over the weekend. I really don't want to deal with this whole thing but there's nothing I can do...", she recommended, being reminded by herself of what a hectic weekend it will be.

"Hey mom, do you have a suitcase I could use?", Craig asked from the hallway.

Gina looked over to him with a smile. "You're packing early, good. There's one in my bathroom closet", he told him. "Kim, why don't you pack too?", she recommended Kimberly, turning her head back to her.

"Well, ok", she said positively, hopping off the couch.

She pulled a carrying bag from her old closet and brought it back to Julia's room. She stood at the closet, grabbing a few shirts and pants, then grabbed some socks and underwear from the dresser. For good measure, she put her necklace in the bracelet box so she wouldn't forget it, placing the box next to the bed so she could put the bracelet away later.

The house was quiet and restful throughout the day, with anyone stopping to really think at bedtime.

"You all set?", Kimberly asked Julia after she got comfortable, put the bracelet in it's box, and slipped into bed.

"Yep", she replied, turning off the light and getting into bed herself. "Ron's going to be here for a while, so I hope you like my room", she said with a smile, even in the dark.

"That would explain the mess of boxes he brought in", Kimberly sighed. "I feel bad for him"

"He'll be fine. Goodnight Kim", Julia assured her, snuggling into her pillow.

"G`night", Kimberly replied, doing the same.

Gina flicked off her light, getting under her covers for the night. It had been a long time since she had seen her parents, even though they were only a little more then an hour away. Gina had always felt like the black sheep of the family, being so far and different from the others. She knew she was better, but had other reasons for not seeing her parents. She loved them, but something repelled her from actually seeing them.

Different from usual, Gina was the first to wake up in the morning, finding herself a little restless about the day to come. She started a pot of coffee to start off with and discovered how unnerved she was. She disliked her brother and her parents being there as well was very worrying.

"Good morning", Craig greeted, emerging from the hallway.

"Now this really is different. I'm up first, and you're second?", Gina joked.

Everyone was up within a half hour, getting ready to leave. They needed to be out of the house a little earlier then they needed for the courthouse, so they could get to Ray's fionce's place.

Kimberly took her bracelet from it's box and placed it on her wrist, along with the necklace, stuffing the empty box into her bag.

"Think the school is going to mind us missing five days?", Kimberly asked he sister, who was getting the last of her things ready on the other side of the bed.

"Who cares, it's school", Julia laughed, making Kimberly chuckle.

Kimberly stood up and looked herself over, finding everything to be in order. "Hey Jul, how do I look?", Kimberly asked Julia, turning around and holding her arms out.

"Let's see....arms, legs, tail....yeah, you look fine", Julia joked with a smirk.

"Funny", Kimberly said, laughing again.

"Everyone ready?!", Gina called from down the hallway, causing all four to emerge from their rooms. "Guess so", Gina said with a smile.

Everyone went outside, putting their things into the trunk.

"I almost forgot. Hey Kim, have a look at this", Ron said, opening his bag. Kimberly looked over to see a big green plush dragon, smiling when she did.

"He's cute, and you took great care of him", Kimberly remarked, touching it's fabric. "His color is still perfect!" , she complimented, comparing the back of her hand to the dragon.

"Thanks Kim. Don't ask me why I decided to bring him....I guess it's just a reminder of my home I", Ron thanked, explaining himself.

Kimberly smiled and opened her bag, removing Charlie from the top. "I thought this old little plushie could use some air", she laughed, returning him to the bag.

Ron closed the trunk and he and Kimberly got in the car, joining the other three.

"And off we go!", Gina said while she pulled out of the driveway. They took a last look at their own house, since it would be a few days till they saw it again, and set off for the unknown.

Craig was the first to get bored, staring out the window at the never changing cenery of the highway. Two words could basicly sum up a long car trip, crammed in with eachother. This sucks.

"Any of you back there have a good way to pass time?", Craig asked the three with the tone of restlessness.

"Play with your tail", Kimberly suggested playfully.

Craig lifted his tail that was resting beside his left leg till the tip was at the height of his nose. "Well, what do I do now?", he asked, looking for instruction into Kimberly's little idea.

"Wag it, poke it, whatever suits your folly", Kimberly laughed. Craig flicked the tip of his tail a few times, giving it a poke as well. Julia giggled at this act and came up with a better idea.

"Why don't we have an 'intelligent' conversation?", Julia suggested, thinking a debate would be a lot less boring then the trees that all look alike.

"What about?", Craig inqueried, still wagging his tail in the air.

Julia thought for a moment. "I have no idea", she ended up saying, finding nothing.

"If playing with my tail is the funnest thing anyone can think of, we're screwed", Craig joked, even though his statement was correct.

"I have an idea", Gina suddenly said, drawing the eyes in the car to her. "Someone starts a story, and you all take turns going in a circle adding new sentences. I'll start it for you. Let me see......there was a young dragon girl that left her house. Craig, you'll start", she explained, giving Craig a place to start from.

"Not a bad idea", Craig complimented. "She went to see a friend", he added to the story, thus passing it to Ron.

"Her friend was a fat and ugly dragon", Ron chuckled, with the story going to Julia.

"She was at work, and it took a while to walk to the dildo factory", Julia said with a smile, trying not to laugh. Everyone looked to her strangely, passing the turn to Kimberly.

"I don't like where this is going....", Kimberly said with a sigh.

"Yeah really", Gina laughed. "I'll just put on the radio", she then decided, flicking the device on.

Kimberly looked out the window, looking over a bridge with another highway beneath it. It had been a long time since any of them had seen any of their relatives. Most of them lived in the area her mother left, shortly after she was born, so she never got to know them. They had met their mother's parents a few times, and didn't mind them. Kimberly glanced at her bracelet and thought of the love of her family, hoping this wedding would be pleasant.

"We're almost there!", Gina announced while they neared their destination. The senery was now businesses and fancy little places. She turned into an estate community, resembling her old one. Driving through specific roads she had written down, she got farther and farther from the commerce and into the residential high class. She found herself driving up a small road, with grass and tress on each side. Then they all saw it.

"Holy crap, that house is huge!", Craig exclaimed when the elongated plantation house came into view. It had an older design, but it looked so new with it's sky blue paint job and bright white frames.

"And he wasn't exaggerating the grass either...", Gina said in surprise. The edges of the property couldn't even be seen from where they were. It was just a house in a giant field of green.

A mess of other cars were parked next to the road and in a clearing area by an archway that lead into the property. Gina found a nice spot and parked the car not far from the arch. A stone walkway extended from the wooden, fancy vine covered arch to the front porch of the house and the double white doors upon it.

"I'll try and carrying everything for you all", Ron declared, grabbing everything he could from the trunk. Gina grabbed the two he didn't have room for and they set off towards the house. It was quite a distance, and there was already plenty of other relatives around.

"Sis! You're here!", called Ray from the porch, hopping down the steps to greet them.

"Hiya Ray. We've got a lot of things, could you show us where we could put them?", Gina asked her brother.

"Sure, follow me", he said happily, showing them inside. Craig, Kimberly, and Julia, who weren't carrying anything, just looked around at the congrigation of dragons as they walked through the fancy house. The enterance was very old- style, with two staircases on each side. Ahead of them was a livingroom and to their sides were doors, which they didn't know what was on the other side. They followed their mother and uncle up a flight of stairs to the second floor, and he took them to their left. The second floor looked exactly like a hotel, with room after room, where a servant or something of the sort would sleep.

"I only have two rooms to spare you all, will you be able to manage?", Ray asked, stopping infront of a door.

"Of course", Gina replied, thinking the question was a little dumb.

"I'll see you downstairs when you're all ready", he said with a smile, walking back down the hallway.

They had the last two rooms in the front left wing, and Gina thought she should direct the bunch a bit on where to go.

"Us girls will take this room, you two can have the other", Gina said, looking towards Craig and Ron. Ron set down their bags and they went off to see their room, carrying their own. Gina popped open the door of their room to find it suitable enough. It had two beds and it's own bathroom, and really did look like a hotel room.

Kimberly frowned a bit. "I guess I'll make a bed on the floor", she sighed.

"Guess so", Julia said sympetheticly, putting her bag next to one of the beds.

Gina was busy looking about the room and checking out the bathroom. The door lead into a simple bedroom, with beds as soon as you walk in. There was a throw rug in en empty space in the middle of the room, with a dresser and mirror on the right side. The bathroom and closet were on the enterance side of the room, making a small enterance hall when you walk in because of the bathroom's walls.

"Not too shabby", Gina commented, finding all the needed furnature and things were readily supplied. "His fionce must be a real cash tosser", she added, having a look at the rug.

"What an odd little place", Craig commented at the sight of their room, that was identical to the girl's.

"Good enough. We won't really be in here, so why worry", Ron replied, putting in the intelligent insight.

Craig put his things on the dresser top and set off downstairs, and Ron went to get Julia first, being that he was a little shy.

"Julia, you ready to go down?", Ron asked from the girl's doorway.

"Sure thing, I'm all set", she replied, leaving with Ron.

Kimberly was rummaging through the closet, looking for beddings to make herself a makeshift bed on top of the throw rug, while her mother finished unpacking her things.

"Your brother was kind of weird", Kimberly commented, looking to make conversation.

"I know, but you get used to it", her mother replied with a soft chuckle.

The two heard someone come in and looked to see who would appear from the short entryway.

"Hello there!", said the voice of Kimberly's grandmother, Gina's mom.

"Hi ma`", Gina greeted while Kimberly gave her a hug.

"I came to see you when I heard you came. Your father is busy downstairs, so you'll get to see him in a little bit then", she ended with a tiny laugh.

Kimberly continued her rummaging while her mother and grandmother talked, standing next to her makeshift bed.

"I haven't seen you or your kids in a long time. Can you believe your brother is finally getting married?", she started.

"It wasn't something I was expecting", her mother replied, seemigly different then she would usualy talk.

Kimberly climbed onto a shelf to grab what looked like a pillow off the top shelf. Before she grabbed it, she lost her foothold, sending a pile of bedsheets and linens falling to the floor and some ontop of herself.

"Aww, shit...", Kimberly said annoyedly at the mess she caused.

Gina's mother gave Gina an awkward, but stern look. "Kimberly, come here", her mother ordered, getting a small wooden stool from beside the bathroom door and placing it inside, infront of the sink. Kimberly knew she was in trouble from the sound of her mother's voice, and slipped out from underneath the sheets that had falled on her. Slowly walking towards the bathroom, she silently complied with her mother's gesture for her to sit on the stool, looking at her with puppy dog eyes. Her mother picked up a fresh bar of soap and Kimberly guessed what she wanted to do with it, opening her mouth wide. Her mother placed the bar in her mouth, pushing it back till it went no further, and Kimberly clamped it between her teeth, holding her head low, with a sad, apologetic look on her face. The bar was large, keeping her mouth open quite a bit, and making her look even more helpless. Gina turned and returned to her mother who was standing only a few meters from the bathroom door. She positioned herself facing towards the door, so she could keep an eye on her.

"Sorry about that ma`", Gina apologized, different from her usual self.

"I don't think you're strict enough with her", her mother mumbled rather sternly.

Gina lowered her head a bit, turning away only slightly, with a saddened look on her face. She looked back up, changing the subject, "Well, as you were saying before"

"I'm just happy Raymond has found himself a girl, and quite ritzy too! He's made me so proud", she continued rambling. Gina stopped paying attention, already being disheartened by her 'he has made me proud' remark. She looked over at the corner of her eye to see her daughter, quietly sulking. She would occationally cringe when some soap disolved on a more sensitive tastebud, and fidget once in a while on the hard wooden stool. She looked down, sometimes looking towards her mother saddily, and would turn away when Gina looked towards her. Kimberly just sat without a sound, dealing with the burning and the bad taste in her mouth without objection, and sulking with her disheartened face.

Gina and her mother talked for another ten minutes before her mom wrapped things up. "I'll see you later then", she said, walking out. Gina walked into the bathroom with a heavy heart. Kimberly looked up upon her arival, snuggling her hands into her lap. Her mother placed her fingers on the two sides of the bar, signaling for Kimberly to let go. She releaced it from her jaw's grip, allowing her mother to slip it out as easily as it went in. Kimberly immidiately leaned over the side of the sink, quickly giving a spit to remove the foul taste, while clenching the side of the counter.

"I'm sorry ma`....", Kimberly apologized with sad regret in her voice, looking completely down at the bathroom counter. "I didn't mean to cuss infront of grandma...", she said patheticly.

"I'm more sorry then you, I can assure you", her mother said lightly with a sigh. Kimberly looked up from the counter a little confused by this reply. "You know I don't mind your cussing, and I would never, ever, punish you for it. It's just because your grandmother was here I had to do that, and I am very, very, sorry", her mother said, as sad as her daughter replied.

"Why's that?", Kimberly asked, wondering why that is.

Gina paused for a moment, looking at the sink. "I was raised differently from you", she said in a low tone. Kimberly quickly noticed her mother trembling, and got off the stool.

"Mom?", she said with worryful fright, putting her arms around her mother, looking straight up into her eyes.

Gina made a deep, painful sigh, patting her daughter's back, unable to say anything. Kimberly noticed her mother's glistening eyes. "Mom, I don't know why you're so sad, but I'm not angry at you for what you did. By the looks of things you did what you had to, and I'm sorry for causing you this", she said to make her mom feel better. Gina took a deep breath and smiled, returning an affectionate squeeze from her daughter.

"Just watch your language while you're here, and be as well behaved as you can infront of your grandma, ok?", Gina asked of her.

"I'll do my best", Kimberly smiled back. Using a cup from the sink, she rinced out her mouth of anything still remaining and set off downstairs to find her brother and sister. She walked slowly, observing the walls and everything she passed by. The only thing she didn't quite get was about her mother. Kimberly wanted to know what was wrong, but wasn't going to force the answer out of her. She didn't like it when people interrogated her when she was sad and flustered, so she wasn't about to do it to someone else.

Gina sat on the end of her bed, wiping the little moisture that was bothering her eyes. Her mother had treated her so harshly when she was young, and practicly up till she left with Robbert. "Bad things happen to bad girls Gina!", she heard in her head, making all of her nerves tingle in the rememberance of it. What Kimberly showed today was a page out of history, and it was racking Gina's mind. The little Gina, completely submissive and quiet, always complying, with the apologetic and saddened looks....because of the fear. Why do I still let her control me?! Gina slammed her fist against the matress, trying to forget all of this. She had much to do while she was here, and couldn't be side tracked with these repressed memories, she thought, giving a sigh.

"So many dragons, and not one other species", Craig commented, standing near the enterance of the livingroom with Ron and Julia, staring at the bunch of his relatives around the big room, dining room, and kitchen, which were partially visible. The walls were a very light blue, and had many intricate corners in the room. There was a slightly lower portion in the floor to the right with couches and a coffee table, reminding him of a little japanese livingroom.

"This house is just right for this sort of thing", Ron commented next. Someone bumped into him from behind, making him turn his head to see what happened.

"Oh sorry about that. Hi there, I'm Eliza, Ray's fionce. Are you his sister's kids?", said the tacky, higher pitched voice of the thirty year old woman. Her clothes were fancier then the rest, wearing pearls around her neck.

"Yes", Julia answered to her question, finding her a little strange. Then again, so was her fionce.

"This is strange. I thought there were two girls and one boy", the ditzy woman said.

"I'm, umm, not related. Kimberly is still upstairs", Ron answered, seeing how quickly confused this lady gets.

"Not anymore", said Kimberly, walking in from the enterance behind Eliza.

Eliza turned around. "Oh hi! So you're Gina's little girl!", she said with a hint of surprise in her voice.

"Well, yeah. I'm Kimberly", she greeted, not seeing what her uppy additude was about.

"I wasn't expecting someone so young here, other then my sister's infant. Oh well, a pup will fit in too", Eliza said with a cheesy smile.

"Pup?...", Kimberly mumbled, confused and insulted by being called that.

"That's a cute bracelet you have there too. Where did you get it from?", the particularly annoying woman added.

"It was a gift from my sister, and it's very special to me", Kimberly replied happily, giving her sister a smile.

"Oh, I was thinking you might have taken it from somewhere. I didn't think it was something you could afford", she said pompusly, running her fingers down her pearl necklace.

Kimberly shot her an irritated look, trying not to growl at that insult. The other three didn't look so pleased either, especially Julia, but they were behind Eliza, so she didn't notice.

Eliza turned to finish addressing the other three. "Julia, right? Could you keep an eye on your siblings and keep them out of trouble? I've got work to do, ta-ta!", she ended, walking off briskly to the kitchen. The four sneered at her behind her back, and waited till she was out of the room to speak.

"Goddamn, what a stuck up bitch!", Kimberly forcefully whispered to the three, joining their circle.

"I hate that rich aditude, and she takes it way to far", Ron growled, thinking of his father.

"So you need to keep me and Kimberly out of trouble Jul?", Craig said sarcasticly, conveying his disgust about her remark.

"I guess so", Julia replied with even more sarcasm, making herself chuckle.

Ron and Julia took at seat on one of the couches nearby, and Craig found a seat on another, talking amoungst themselves or saying a few things to one of their cousins. Kimberly walked towards the back of the livingroom, to a table behind the couches, seeing something of intrest. A little baby dragon, which she guessed was the one that Eliza mentioned.

"Hi little guy. You look lonely back here", Kimberly said affectionately to him, while he stared at her from his baby seat. Remembering the pictures she looked at the other day, she wiggled one of her fingers infront of him playfully. He grabbed her finger, putting it in his mouth.

"Eww, do you really have to suck on my finger?", Kimberly giggled with a smile. "You must be hungry", she decided. She looked around a bit and asked the little one, "Now where would your mommy be?"

"Right here", said a younger, nicely dressed, dragon carrying a bottle, appearing from the close by kitchen enterance.

Kimberly felt a little embarassed, though she knew she shouldn't be. Maybe it was just shyness. "Your son is cute", she complimented, getting the tiny dragon to releace her finger by playing with him for a moment.

"Thank you", she laughed, picking up her son into her arms, putting the bottle in his mouth. "Who might you be?", she asked, looking to make conversation with the person who kept her baby company.

"I'm Kimberly, Ray's sister's daugher", she announced proudly. "And yourself?", she asked out of kindness, and a bit of curiosity.

"I guess I'd be your aunt Christi. It was nice meeting you. Maybe you could play with my little Michael sometime. I have a lot of work to do with my sister, and it's not fair to drag him around with nothing to do", Christi said, introducing herself and getting a quaint little idea.

"Sure!", Kimberly replied happily, being honored by her trust. She liked little dragons, and it was very uncommon for her to have the chance to interact with one.

"Great, thank you! If I need you, I'll give ya a call", she thanked with a smile, giving her a wink to say 'see you later' since her arms were full and she couldn't wave.

Apparently not all of Eliza's rich family were pricks. Her new auntie Christi was actually quite friendly, and far from pompus. Finding herself restless, she ventured through the first floor, just looking around the kitchen and diningroom. She was able to see that one of the unknown doors lead to a study, and it wasn't anything interesting.

Gina walked down the stairs after she had pulled all herself back together, to her normal, happy little self. The front doors were left open and a wonderful face to see walked in as she reached the bottom of the stairs.

"Dad!", Gina yelled excitedly in greeting, running to him and practicly jumping on him to give him a hug.

"Gina!", he exclaimed, with a big smile, laughing at her affectionate greeting. "How are you doing? It's been so long since I've seen my girl!", he asked, more then happy to see her, returning a squeeze.

"I'm doing ok I guess", she replied happily.

"How's your little ones? Where are they?", he asked curiously, not seeing his grandchildren yet.

"I'm not sure, I just came down", Gina admitted, not knowing.

"Ah, we'll find them", he said with a small chuckle, walking in towards the livingroom, beckoning for his daughter to follow. Her father was one of the people she loved in the world that wasn't one of her own children. Her father was always so kind and loving, comforting her in her times of need. Her mother however, made direct communication with him difficult, since she couldn't bear to deal with her mother. Both her parents were fifty-five, making them sort of young grandparents.

"Here's two of them, plus a bonus one", Gina joked with a smile, sitting down on the couch across from Ron and Julia, sitting next to Craig.

"Hey grandpa!", Craig greeted when he sat down beside Ron, across from his daughter.

"Hello Craig, Julia", he greeted back, tipping his head to the both. "Who's this fellow?", he asked with a smile, looking over Ron, pretty much already knowing who he was.

"I'm Ron, nice to meet you", he said with a handshake, looking to be polite to their relatives.

Gina's father laughed. "You're all looking great. Where is your little Kimberly though?", he complimented, then asking about the missing girl.

"She was here a little bit ago, wandering around. You'll see her eventually", Julia answered for him, taking a look around the room to see if she was nearby.

"Let's go talk for a bit Gina, outside in the fresh air", her father asked of her, getting in a compliment about the property at the same time.

"Alright", she agreed, giving a small wave to her kids before she walked off for the front door with dad.

Kimberly found herself watching the bustling back patio, full of relatives from her side, as well as Eliza's. The backyard was quite pretty, with a small meadow and a few innocent trees. The back patio was a classy stone one, extending a little ways, covered with poolside tables and umbrellas. Don't forget the big pool with a stone waterfall, emphisising the tranquil meadow behind it. She took a seat at an empty table near the water, getting a cool breeze from it's surface, just to watch the out of the ordinary comotion around her. The thoughts of her mother had yet to escape her, and she was puzzled by her mother's actions and words even more then before. She cared not what happened to her, but what may have happened to her mother. What seemed like a simple worry for her mother's well being, felt like so much more, even though she didn't want to worry at all.

"Hiya Kim!", Craig greeted happily, taking a seat on the round bench, circling the table.

Kimberly looked up from her thought, slightly startled by this sudden greeting. "Oh heya Craig", she said in a casual manner.

"You've been wandering around for quite a while now, none of us knew where you were", Craig explained.

"I'm just checking the place out. This property really is pretty", she replied, gazing over the pool into the meadow.

"Mom and Grandpa were looking for you a while ago too", Craig added.

"Hmm...I didn't think I would be needed so I just kinda wandered around till I got tired", Kimberly replied, crossing her arms on the table and resting her head on them.

"So what do you think about all these people?", Craig asked, wondering what her personal reply would be.

"The place is nice, but some of the people aren't. There are a few really nice ones though. Even Eliza's sister is actually friendly", she said, giving her insight.

"Good to know. I've been with Julia and Ron for most of the time so far, so I haven't talked to all that many people. I don't like these kinds of social gatherings", he ended with a small laugh, thinking about his own shyness around certain people.

"Nah, it's fine. I just don't like aunt Eliza, but fortunately you can hear her irritating voice from a room away", Kimberly informed him, giving a smirk in her mid last sentence.

"She sure as hell pissed me off earlier with what she said to you. If someone ever said something like that to me, ohhh damn would I go off", he said, expressing his anger in his voice.

Kimberly picked her head up off the table, moving her tail to get more comfortable. "Yeah, that hurt my feelings a bit. I just didn't want to cause any problems", she said in a calm, tired tone, remembering what her mother asked of her.

"I guess", Craig sighed, finding her actions to be more feasible. "Just be sure to see grandpa later", he reminded her, sliding off the bench.

"Ok", she aknowledged before he walked off. She again looked to her right, gazing out into the open. They sky was a clear, sunny blue, with only a few clouds, making the grass seem so lively with every slight breeze. She tapped the tip of her tail against the cool, stone ground, finding a part of tranquility that she had never before experienced in the suburbs. Without a care, she sat, letting her mind wander. Colorful daydreams about the future and her imagination filled the world around her. Upon hearing a welcome voice, not too long after Craig left, she turned back towards the house to see her mother had found her as well. It also seemed someone else had found her mother, who came out of practicaly nowhere, stopping her mother before she reached her.

"Hello again Gina", said the voice of her mother. Kimberly was only several meters away, and it didn't look like her grandma had noticed her from the direction she came from. She decided to evesdrop as best she could.

"Hi ma`", Gina replied, again using her timid voice.

"Your brother is starting to prepare an early dinner for everyone. That's going to be quite a bit of food", she informed her.

"He's just going to do things buffet style?", Gina asked.

"It's the only way it will work with all these people. What did you do with your Kimberly?", she added, then asked about the young dragon.

Kimberly leaned over the table a little more, tapping her fingers on the table at the mentioning of her name. "I sent her on her way after you left", her mother said truthfully.

"Alrighty then. I'm going to help your brother, could you do the same when you get the chance?", her mother nicely asked.

"Sure, I'll only be a bit", Gina replied, with her mother setting off for the house with a smile. Kimberly made an disappointed "hrmph", not getting anything juicy from anything they spoke of. She wanted a few clues about her mother, and even what she said about her herself didn't point to anything. Gina continued on her original path and took a seat on Kimberly's bench.

"Hi mom", Kimberly greeted first.

"Hi Kim", her mother replied, back into her normal voice yet again. "It's going to get crazy around her getting dinner served, do you want me to just bring you something so you don't get trampled? I'm already doing the same for the others, I just haven't been able to ask you yet", she asked.

"Sure. Sorry if you lost me for a while, I've just been wandering", Kimberly replied with a chuckle.

"I also heard you met Eliza's sister. She thought you were a very nice girl", Gina filled her daughter in on what Christi had complimented her with.

"Most of the people I have spoken to so far have been pretty nice. Only Eliza wasn't all that nice...", Kimberly said with a smile, which disappeard when she thought of Ray's fionce.

Her mother frowned a bit. "Sorry to hear that. She is very strange, and from what I have seen, self centered", her mother commented. "I'm going to go help with dinner, are you just going to be sitting around?", she stated, wondering what her daughter might be doing.

"I'm done being by myself, I'm gonna find Craig, Ron, and Julia", she quickly decided, getting off the bench along with her mother.

"They're setting up a game of monopoly on a coffee table in the livingroom. If you hurry, maybe you could play too", Gina suggested.

"Sounds good", Kimberly replied happily, walking towards the house along side her mother. They parted once they got inside and Kimberly made her way to the livingroom. The three were sitting where she had last seen them, along with two other relatives.

"Hiya guys", she greeted them all, taking a seat next to Ron. She was with Ron and Julia on that couch, and Craig was sitting with the two others. The three said their hello and Julia took it upon herself to introduce the other two.

"Kim, this is your cousin Ricky from our side of the family", she said, pointing to the one in his mid twenties, "And this is your uncle Nick, aunt Eliza and Christi's dad", pointing to the much older dragon, who happened to be a little bit more casual then Kimberly would have thought. He wore black slacks and an everyday button collar shirt, with a pair of reading glasses hung on his chest pocket. He looked about sixty, but not all that old really.

"Nice to meet you", she greeted to them personally, looking for that good first impression, and to just be her friendly self.

Ricky smiled and replied with a simple, "You too".

"Well it's nice to meet you too", Nick replied as a happy gesture.

Julia leaned over again to talk to Kimberly without Ron being in the way. "You wanna join in?", she asked conciderately.

"Room for one more", Ron added with a happy smile.

"Sure", she replied enthusiasticly. "I call the puppy", she said with a laugh, picking up the little metal puppy piece.

The group ended up having a long game with so many playing, and had their dinner while still zipping around the board. To his surprise, Craig was the first to go bankrupt after landing on his uncle's three house park place. Julia was the second most powerful entrepenuer, holding all the utilities and railroads. She caused the eventual loss of her cousin and even Ron, which left only Nick, her, and Kimberly. Kimberly held two different sets of properties, building house after house, with the properties being the green set and red set. She had gotten lucky early, and had suckered Craig into a deal, which ended up being one of his downfalls. Everyone got a big laugh when her little puppy landed on boardwalk, which now had a hotel. Losing most of her cash, she declared bankruptsy, knowing she no longer stood a chance, and getting a chuckle herself. The others sat watching with their soda, beer, or whiskey, wondering which 'side of the family' might win. Since the "wise and old" Nick had park place and boardwalk, he had the ticking time bomb in his possession. Julia quickly aimed for the property forfitted by Kimberly, looking to squander his money every time he moved. She even baught medditerranian and baltic just to increace her net worth. Nick got slapped with a repair fee on his houses and hotels, which ended up being a pretty penny. Ron gave Julia a hug when she "won the beauty contest", getting another laugh out of this game. Craig said she looked like the guy on the card, and she threw the battleship at him playfully. Julia managed to avoid his big properties, and wore him down to the point that he had to morgage park place. After a few more turns, he declared bankruptsy when he landed on water works and got too discouraged to continue. They all had their laughs and fun, and a few claps from people who had watched most of the game. Craig went outside to have a cigarette and Ron tagged along with him, while the two girls headed up to their room a little tired from their day.

Craig found a nice spot beside the house that nobody could see and took a seat, taking a lone cigarette from his pocket, wanting to have a smoke before he went upstairs. The sun was setting, and it was begining to get dark. He felt far away from the comforts of home, looking at the orange horizon. Ron took a seat on the grass beside him and looked off to the sunset, trying to take in whatever Craig might be thinking. Craig whipped out his lighter and lit his cigarette, giving it to Ron since he gestured for him to do so.

Craig took a puff and sighed. "I hate being away from home", he said quietly, still staring above the far trees.

"I miss my own home as well...", Ron quietly replied back, removing a joint from his pocket. Craig's attention quickly shifted from the sunset to Ron lighting the rolled up green.

"I don't know where the hell you got that, but lemme have some!", Craig said, looking to get him to share.

Ron thought for a moment and ended up giving a relentful sigh, taking the extra one from his pocket. Craig took it along with his lighter, trying to hold his cigarette and light the thing at the same time. The two sat there, just staring off, enjoying a little silence for a while.

"It's been a while...", Craig said after they had smoked for a bit. They were both reclining against the house, enjoying the sunset's end and the appearance of the first star.

"For me too. I picked these up on Thursday while I was out. Julia doesn't know about them, so, shhh", Ron replied in a carefree voice, letting the marajuana do it's thing.

Craig made a funny laugh. "I feel ill whenever I think of my best friend and my sister together....", he admitted, continuing his chuckling.

"Ahhh, don't be. We don't do anything often. It's all in good fun anyway", Ron answered, giving a giddy chuckle himself. Craig shifted to his cigarette for a moment, trying not to waste it, and went back to his joint. When the two had finished their smoking and pointless conversation, they set off for the front of the house, feeling a little happy. Their tails were limp and dragging against the ground.

"I'm hungry", Craig declared when they reached the front porch, finding no one on it.

Ron quickly spun around and spooked Craig, making a fake lunge. Craig screamed and sent himself backwards, falling on his back laughing. "Yeah, I think you would be hungry", Ron chuckled, watching Craig get off the ground. They both went in the front door and took the left staircase up, with their tails thumping against the steps. They walked down the hallway to their room, that is, untill a voice startled them right before they reached it.

"Could you two come in here", Gina asked alkwardly from her doorway. Ron and Craig complied, walking into the girl's room, finding not one other present, but they did hear the shower running. They stopped in the open space next to Kimberly's makeshift bed after coming in from the little entry hallway. Gina closed the door and did the same.

"Do you two realize someone saw what you were doing on the side of the house?!", she yelled, making the two happy dragons quickly wince into a more frightened state. "What's wrong with the both of you?! And Craig, what are you doing with that stuff?! You never said anything about that to me!", she shouted, very angrily.

"I didn't think you'd mind", Craig said, full of nervousness.

"I do if you're going to hide it from me!", she retorted.

"I've only done it like four times....well, five now. I didn't think it was important!", Craig said as best as he could to defend himself.

His mother made something of a sigh and a growl, shifting her angry eyes to Ron's red ones. "Craig had a cigarette in his pocket, not marajuana. You gave it to him, didn't you?!", Gina asked accusingly.

Ron felt his muscles tighten as he found his situation getting worse. Craig spoke up before he did however, defending him with a plea, "I pestered him for it, please don't blame all of it on him!"

"You two just don't get it! Eliza knows about what you did, so now my brother is going to find out, then my parents!!", she screamed, slapping her hand against the outter bathroom wall. "She'll keep it all quiet, but it's all going to come back to me anyway!.......Craig, I would have allowed you to do it once in a while like Ron, you should have just told me. Most of all, there is a time and place for things, and this was not one of them. You can go back to your room now, I want to talk with Ron alone", she growled loudly before calming her voice to a lower tone to speak to Craig.

Craig did as asked but stopped beside her mother, holding his head low. He turned his head and looked into her eyes. "I'm sorry...", he whispered before continuing on his way. Gina watched him leave, with a simpethetic look on her face. Once he closed the door, she turned her attention back to Ron.

"I know you have better judgement then this", she said disappointedly.

"I just didn't think anything would come of it...", Ron replied sadly.

"You're smarter then to play with chance Ron! I'm not your mother, but I think you just need to know this. It was wrong for you to bring that stuff into my house, it was wrong for you to being it here with you, it was wrong of you to use it here, and it was wrong of you to get Craig involved in this little mess. Like i said to Craig, there's a time and place for this. You are to do that while you're out with friends, and it is to stay away from my house, is that understood?", she said sternly, looking him straight in the eyes.

"Yes and I'm sorry", Ron answered her with sadness and regret.

"Did Julia help you get this?", she asked curiously.

"No, not at all. She....didn't know I baught it while we were at the cafe on Thursday...", he admitted truthfully.

Gina made another deep sigh. "Julia knows about this too. She was shocked and couldn't believe what you and Craig did, but she won't be angry. Neither will I. Just please...", she said solumnly before Ron interrupeted her.

"No need to say anymore. I promise to stop smoking, from the bottom of my heart, and I'm very sorry I caused you this undue stress", he said very sadly. "Craig will quit too. Without Eric or me to share, he no longer has a source. I think he would have quit after this too anyways. Craig is a really good kid Gina", Ron added on his friend's behalf.

"And so are you. Everyone makes mistakes, they just have to be fixed. You're quick about fixing things, you'd make a fine husband", she told him reassuringly, getting a laugh.

Ron smiled a tiny bit, still feeling a little guilty though. "Thanks", was all he found to say.

"Julia is in your room. She went and got you both a snack, knowing you'd want one. Just relax for the rest of the night, anything that comes our way, we'll deal with it", Gina said with a smile, changing her mood and finding comfort in her own words.

"Goodnight", he said with a appreciative voice before he set off down the hallway.

Only a minute after he left, Kimberly came out of the bathroom after drying and getting dressed for the night. "You're not all that mad at them are you?", she asked with concern after hearing the shouting in the shower.

Her mother sat on her bed and thought about the question. "Probbably not.....", she said lightly.

"Probbably?", Kimberly said confusedly, wondering how that can be.

"I feel angry, but I also know they're just doing what they do. Mistakes are a part of life", her mother sighed, seemingly making an intelligent insight.

Kimberly lied down on her little bed and pulled her sheet over her to her chest, grabbing her Species book she left nearby, and placed Charlie by her pillow, settling in. Gina got up off the bed and went to her suitcase to settle in herself.

Ron arrived at his door, feeling a little bit more sober after having that chat with Gina. As much as he might miss his little friend the "Canniby-Goodness", Ron knew it was time to put it beside him. His promises were golden, and none shall ever be broken. He opened the door and walked in, seeing Craig sitting on his bed and Julia was across from him, on his own bed. They stopped talking and looked at their new arrival.

"Welcome to the rehibilitation center. Here's your complimentary 'Munchies Stopper'", Julia said jokingly, handing him a paper plate of goodies left over from dinner when he sat down next to her.

"Thanks Julia. I'm sorry for what I did", he thanked her, appologizing all the while.

"It's ok. You know how much I hate this stuff, so you did it quietly so you wouldn't hurt me. You tried at least", she said lovingly, knowing she wouldn't make herself mad over this.

"I'm quitting. Craig, I just wanna know if you're with me or not", Ron announced, looking for Craig's stance.

Craig sighed. "Fine, I'm game. This is the last time I'll be high.....", he agreed, leaning back and thinking about the good times the wonderful smelling herb has brought, as well as this bad one. He felt very, very bad for upsetting his mother, and knew it was time to stop as well.

"Jul, why is it so dark in here?", Ron asked, seeing that none of the lights were on, and the only light was coming from the rising moon.

"I thought it would make you two feel better if you didn't have to deal with lights", she explained to his curious question.

Ron make a quick chuckle. "Being high isn't an illness. I do appreciate the thought though, maybe you're right", he said with a smile, noticing he was getting rather drowsy.

Craig apparently found himself the same way ofter his little snack and lied down on the bed, still awake for the most part. "I think i'm ready for bed already now", he said, speaking half into his pillow.

"I'll let you two get ready for bed", Julia said with a smile, giving Ron an affectionate kiss on the muzzle. "Goodnight", she added when she got off the bed and headed for the door. Craig and Ron both replied with their own goodnight and she left, closing the door quietly. Ron lied down on his back, getting that floaty, lack of energy feeling. The two buzzed dragons didn't speak for about a minute, while each of them thought about the recent events.

"I feel like shit for getting everyone riled up. When will people see that the herb isn't a dangerous, big ass thing?", Craig said depressedly, talking towards Ron.

"I do too, but it doesn't matter what people will think of weed. We won't be doing it anymore. I think we should just take your mom's advice and just relax untill something comes up", Ron replied quietly, looking to put his friend's concerns to ease. He got up off his bed and closed the blinds, making the room even darker. Sitting on the side of his bed, he took off his jeans and placed them beside the bed and slipped under the covers. Craig did the same, and the two just went into a peaceful sleep.

Julia arrived back to the room to find Kimberly lying on her back, under her covers reading, and her mother doing likewise with a magazine. "I put the children to bed", she said as a happy joke.

"Good to hear. I just hope they're not getting me into trouble", she said relieved, finding a thought that messed it all up.

Julia went through her suitcase and pulled out a shirt, going into the bathroom so she could ditch the bra and her pants. She lied down in her bed, even though she wasn't all that sleepy yet. Getting under the covers and pulling them up to her muzzle, she thought she would just lie on her side and daydream. Within ten minutes, she was already asleap.

"I'm going to sleep now ma. Gnight", Kimberly told her mother in a whisper, placing her book next to her and removing her bracelet.

"I'm going to sleep too. Goodnight Kim", she replied, putting her magazine on the floor beside the bed and flicking off the light. The two snuggled into their beds, with Kimberly's being harder then the other, and shortly found an early sleep, being exhausted from their long day.

So dark....so lonely. Gina found herself watching something from her past, as a free entity, seemingly viewing different camera angles of something she had long repressed. The room she knew was her basement, beneath the simple two story house she had once called home. The walls were of stone, cold and damp from the winter's weather. Solitary struts were placed about the room, showing specks of wear and age. Though the basement was poorly lit, casting a dreary glow over it's contents, she could easily make out the child that she once was. No older then Kimberly, she stood sadly, unclothed and shivering in the moist, unwelcoming air. Her younger mother slowly went through a box on a nearby table, making her daughter nervously wait for whatever she had in store. The little Gina shifted her feet and stared appologeticly, hoping everything would be ok, and that her mother would suddenly stop and tell her she just made a mistake and she could go play. All the wishes in the world would not stop the stern ambition of her mother, and the poor Gina knew this. Living under the merciless hand of her mother, she was fearful of her. Love was a luxury she could not afford.

"Ma`ma, please....", the frightened dragon said quietly in a plea.

Her plea fell on deaf ears and her mother continued rummaging through the box. Gina's heart stopped when her mother did. She removed a cane from the box, giving the rod a test swing, just to scare her daughter some more. Without any word, her mother grabbed her arm, taking her forcefully a few steps, bending her over a stand. Gina gripped the stand without being told and looked over her shoulder towards her mother.

"I'm sorry...", she said quietly close to a sob, knowing of what is to come.

Her mother gripped the device firmly and positioned herself behind her daughter, making Gina hold up her tail on her own. "Bad things happen to bad girls Gina!", she finally replied, with her voice bellowing sternly, raising the implement. The entity watching felt helpless and even in pain, witnessing one of her own ordeals. The little Gina gripped the stand as hard as she could, crying hard at every stinging strike. Even the unseen witness couldn't wait for it to end. Her mother continued relentlessly for practicly four and a half minutes untill she finally stopped. Taking the crying Gina's arm hard, she pulled her across the basement to the wall where the stairs were. Dragging her to the corner opposite of the door, she nearly threw her to the floor. She quickly grabbed some hard twine left on the ground and pulled Gina's arm towards a steel pipe next to the corner. She tied her by her wrist to the pipe, securing her as tightly as possible. Gina looked up while sobbing and watched her mother leave her there, flicking the light off on the way out. The poor dragon rested her forehead against the cold pipe and continued her painful, lonely, frightened crying, finding no comfort in the damp darkness.

Gina quickly awoke to to a loud gasp that wasn't her own. In her own fright, she sat up on the bed, clenching her bedsheets.

Kimberly was sitting up in her bed as well, holding the palms of her fists to the sides of her head. "He won't leave me alone!", she growled with her head down and her eyes closed.

Julia had woke up as well and creaked her body into an upright sitting position. "You're still having those nightmares?", she asked, sort of confused.

Gina was listening, but it didn't look like it. She held up her head with the palm of her hand and stared towards the window.

"Yeah....", Kimberly answered with an irritated sigh.

"But he's locked up now", Julia stated, unsure of why she would have another.

"It will subside. Give it time", her mother said, trying to be supportive.

Kimberly sighed and lied back down. "Goodnight again", she wished them.

The other two replied with the same and settled back into their beds. Gina lied there with her eyes open for a while, afraid to go back to sleep. Her mother had left her tied to that pipe for hours, and her father didn't know where she was. He was never in on all the stories, and was always her supporter. Her mother had punished her much more cruely and unusualy then the one she had witnessed, and was almost overjoyed Kimberly woke her up, so that the dream could not continue to more horrible things. All the times she was left down there in the cold, with her skin moist from the ground and her own tears. Gina shivered, finding that her memories were resurfacing, even after all the work to hide them.

The girls woke up at mostly the same time to the rising sun. The window was just a pale glow, and they had woken up pretty early. Gina needed to assist her family with the preperations for tomorrows wedding, so she got dressed and ready, even though she was afraid to leave. They had agreed to get up early to start the last minute planning, so that they may get all the phonecalls and shopping done. Julia and Kimberly got dressed as well, since they couldn't sleep any longer. The boys were still fast asleap, recovering from their stuper, so Julia and Kimberly went downstairs with their mother to help start breakfast. Gina was relieved to see that her mother had went out with Ray already to get a suit and a chaplain. This wedding of theirs was very sudden, so everything still needed to be done. Eliza and her parents were sitting in the dining room discussing things, so Gina decided to stick with her own dad, who was already making coffee in the kitchen while the other two made eggs and toast.

"Mornin` dad", she greeted her father, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"Good morning", he said with a happy, but groggy smile, having not had his coffee yet.

The group had their breakfast and coffee at a little table in the kitchen, while mostly everyone else slept. Gina and her father left the two girls before they finished theirs, heading out to the back porch. They took a seat, enjoying the cool morning and the quickly rising sun.

"I heard about your boy last night", he suddenly brought up, making her daughter's mind jump. She looked to him, but couldn't find anything to say. "Eliza and your mother aren't happy", he said somewhat quietly.

"I'm sorry for what he did", Gina appologized, finding no other words to be appropreate.

Her father made a little smile. "You'll get through it", he said supportively.

Ron groggily woke up when the sun was bright enough to pierce his eyelids. He gave himself a scratch, before suddenly remembering another male was present in the room. He looked over to find Craig snug under the covers, fast asleap. He quietly got out of his bed and grabbed a change of clothes from his bag, looking to take a shower before he went downstairs. Grabbing a towel from the closet, he softly closed the bathroom door, sucessfully keeping Craig asleap. While showering, he thought about his own home, and how Eliza reminds himself of his father. Pompous and rich. Eliza was obviously worse, but Ron was going to compare them for the sake of doing so. The memories of last night came back to him and he still felt bad for putting Gina in a rut. What was I thinking, he said to himself silently. After getting dressed and leaving, he checked the girl's room to find it empty, so he continued downstairs to hopefully find Julia.

"Good morning aunt Christi", Kimberly greeted her when she appeared in the livingroom, where she and her sister had been talking since breakfast. Julia just smiled, letting Kimberly's greeting work for her too.

"Hello Kimberly, I was looking for you", she replied. "My sister, mother, and I are heading out to get a wedding dress. Could you watch Michael while I'm out?", she asked, hoping she would say yes.

"Of course!", she answered happily, finally getting her chance.

"Good!", she exclaimed, having gotten a babysitter. "Come on upstairs and I'll show you to my room", she asked of her, gesturing for her to follow.

Kimberly followed her upstairs into the right wing, taking a hallway into the back corridor. She opened the door to her room and showed Kimberly inside. The room was a darker color then theirs, and had a bigger open space with only one bed. Michael was sitting in his little seat, so he couldn't wander when Christi went to get his babysitter. She knelt down and unbuckled him from the seat, carefully putting the tiny dragon onto the soft throw rug.

"I've changed his diaper and fed him already. Just in case, I made an extra bottle and put it on the holder on his diaper bag, which is right over there. His toys are here too. All you really need to do is keep him occupied and keep an eye on him", her aunt explained, showing her all the things she needs. "I'll be back in about two hours. I trust you'll be a- ok till then", she added, getting her jacket.

"No problem. See ya` later", Kimberly told her when she went for the door. She waved back and set off, leaving Kimberly to her job. She took a seat next to Michael, who was just stretching from sitting in that seat. He was wearing cute little light blue with dark patches PJs, and Kimberly just found him to be adorable.

"Hiya Michael", she greeted the curious little thing that was staring at her. He made a baby dragon noise and sat down, getting off his paws. Kimberly got up and grabbed a few of his toys and sat down infront of him. Taking two blocks, she placed them infront of him, curious to what he'd do with them. He picked one up and tried chewing on it. She laughed and got it out of his hand, placing the block on top of the other. Michael hit the small tower, finding it to be funny to knock it over.

"You're gonna grow up to be demolitions expert and blow things up", Kimberly giggled, moving the blocks out of the way. She moved back a bit and lied on her side, giving him a little truck, just to watch him play. Baby dragons were so adorable with their tiny little tails. This was the first time she had been able to care for one, and she begun thinking of what her future children might be like. Michael made a few funny sounding noises and drove the truck into one of the blocks, making her reaffirm her 'demolitions expert' theory. Would she have a boy or a girl first? What would they grow up to be? The thought of her own little pup seemed wonderful, even though it was so far off. She reached over to Michael and tickled his tummy, watching the tiny dragon squirm and giggle. Kimberly smiled and let him continue playing happily. She could realize now, exactly how happy a little pup could make someone, and Kimberly was glad she was there for her mother when she needed her. The door of the room opened and Kimberly got up to see who it was, while Michael payed no attention.

"Sis, where are....hey!!", Eliza started saying while coming in the short entryway, before she noticed Kimberly. She quickly went to Kimberly and grabbed her arm before she even said anything. "What are you doing in here?! I knew you were a thief!", she shouted angrily, scaring not only Michael but Kimberly too.

"Stop it! You're upsetting him!", Kimberly demanded, thinking of the little one before herself. She looked Eliza in the face, giving her a sneer and a little growl. "I'm here to watch Michael, as your sister asked", she informed her, growling all the while at her persistantly hurtful words. Eliza let go of Kimberly's arm, not as easily as she should have.

"If I find anything missing, I'll have your ass!", she shouted sternly, pointing her finger too close to Kimberly's face for comfort.

Kimberly smacked away her aunt's hand. "You shouldn't cuss infront of your sister's little pup", she sneered spitefully.

"He isn't the only pup in the room either...", she retorted, quickly being interrupted by an angry Kimberly.

"Yeah, I agree!", she growled back, tired of this crap.

"Watch your tongue! Don't you ever tell me what to do or say!", Eliza shouted with a sneer, making the little Michael cry.

"I'll say and do as I please!", Kimberly affirmed, getting worried about the upset pup.

Eliza turned and went for the hallway, turning back around once she got there. "I'll be keeping my eye on you dirtbag! Same goes for that pothead brother of yours!", she yelled, trying to be threatening, before she stormed out. Kimberly made a big growl at the whole thing and quickly sat down infront of the crying pup. She picked him up, cradling him in her arms as she watched her aunt Christi do, with her left arm supporting his head and back and the other supporting his legs and tail.

"Shh, shhh. Come on little guy, you're ok", she told Michael affectionately, looking to calm the frightened child. She cradled him close, giving him a little rock. He stopped his crying slowly, and ended up nuzzling his head into Kimberly's chest, finding her to be comfortable. Kimberly smiled and shifted Michael's weight to her left arm, allowing her to wipe the little tears from his muzzle. He closed his eyes and looked so tranquil. Kimberly slowly stood up and walked to the side of the bed. She sat back down on the floor, letting the soft bed support her back, since the little guy didn't want to go anywhere. She snuggled Michael into his living bed and she rested her head against the side of the matress. The room was so quiet and peaceful, and her mood was quickly turned around by Michael. He was such a cute kid, she thought, closing her eyes, and taking a short nap.

"Kimberly.....Kimberly, wake up", she heard when she awoke. She opened her eyes to find a rather happy aunt Christi.

"Oh hi. Forget something?", Kimberly said, still waking up a bit.

"Nope. We went out and got the dress already. Have you two been sleeping that long?", her aunt asked, impressed by Kimberly's abilities.

"I guess so", Kimberly replied, surprised she had slept that long, especially with all the sleep she got last night. She looked down and noticed Michael was waking up too. He stretched his legs and shifted his tail, grabbing Kimberly's shirt, already looking to play.

"He likes you a lot. You're a fine babysitter, thanks for the good work", Christi complimented, standing up to watch the two.

"Thanks, it means a lot. I just wanted to spend a little time with your pup. He's quite the joy", she replied appreciatively, tickling Michael.

Christi took a seat on the bed beside Kimberly. "You're not anything like my sister says....", she said confusedly, with maybe a hint of sadness too. Kimberly looked up.

"So she's been talking about me huh?", Kimberly quietly asked, with a deffinate hint of sadness herself.

"Yeah. I don't believe a word of it, so don't you worry. I know how my sis` can be", she said reassuringly.

"She's so mean to me, I can't take it.....she made Michael cry...", Kimberly said softly, finding Eliza's words to be more sad and hurtful now then they were before.

"I'm sorry", Christi appologized on her behalf.

"Don't be. You're nice", Kimberly said with a smile, placing Michael back on the floor since he finally wanted down.

Her aunt smiled. "I'll probbably need you again, so this won't be the last time you see Michael", she said warmly, getting off the bed. Michael made a hand gesture and repeated a sound a few times towards his mother. She picked him up and grabbed his bottle, sitting back down onto the bed to feed him.

"Ok. Bye aunt Christi, bye Michael", Kimberly said with a happy wave while going for the door. She headed back towards her side of the house, looking to use the bathroom in their room and fix her makeshift bed. She walked in their room, seeing no one at all on the way there, since they were all awake and downstairs now.

Craig groggily woke up from his long slumber, being surprised by the time on the clock. It was 10:30 already, and Ron was already gone. Craig slowly slipped out of bed and grabbed a new pair of clothes, looking to freshen up before he did anything. His shirt smelled like weed, so he put that one beside his bag so it wouldn't transfer to any clean clothes. Having a complete change of clothes ready, he grabbed his toothbrush and a towel, and went into the bathroom to shower.

Once Gina had wrapped up a good portion of her duties, she set off upstairs, looking to rest for a while. Helping to take care of all these people, newly arriving guests, and their last minute wedding was a bitch. She had thought quietly to herself while walking down the hallway to her room, untill a voice shattered every thought and made her stop.

"Gina, come here", her mother ordered sternly, having arrived back from her long outing, standing at the top of the staircase. She complied, knowing her mother wasn't happy, and that meant trouble. After all this time, the fear never dicipated. Her mother grabbed her wrist and pulled her down the hallway towards her room, with the same force and anger that she had witnessed and endured for so long. Her mother closed the door to her room and they stood in the open space of the room, with her mother glaring at her.

"I can't believe your son and that Ron! Are you trying to wreck your brother's wedding?!", she shouted, using that angry tone of voice of hers that made Gina easily frightened. She stood there like a young girl, wringing her hands.

"They meant no harm", she said quietly, not looking into her mother's eyes.

"I will not, WILL NOT, allow your children to misbehave! First it was your girl, and now THIS!", she continued shouting, imposing more fear upon her subject. Gina stood without a word. Everything was coming back to her. Her mother got agitated by the silence and quickly went to her suitcase, removing something that made Gina wince and nearly gasp in terror. It was her mother's cane. She had brought it here, and her daughter was still minipulated to it's control. Her mother swung the rod untill it almost touched Gina's nose, leaving it within easy visual distance. "Do you remember this?!", her mother yelled with her controling anger, paralizing Gina with the painful memories. She shoved the rod against her daughter's chest, and Gina took it into her own hands, looking at it with a bleak, distant look on her face. "You go down that hall and do what you should have done last night!", she commanded. Gina looked up from the rod and to her mother.

"I...", Gina muttered, not even able to fathom what was happening with her mind flooded with her own memories.

Her mother took a step forward, giving her an irate sneer. "Are you arguing with me?!!", she screamed.

Gina shuttered, gripping the old implement in her hands. "No mother...", she whispered, overcome by her mother's fear tactics.

"I will follow and listen to make sure you do the job right. Ray and Eliza will get their retrobution and you're going to do it for them", her mother said in her vendictive voice. Gina turned slowly and walked out with purpose, walking in almost a haste down the hallway with her mother following. She silently hoped Craig had already woken up and disappeared, but she knew this was unlikely. She stopped at Craig's door staring at it for a moment. Her mother leaned her back beside the door, closing her eyes and pointing her muzzle directly ahead. Gina pulled together what nerves she had left, being that most of them were destroyed, and opened the door, holding the cane to her side. Craig had just got out of the shower and was dressed and ready for a new day. He was neatly piling his old clothes next to his suitcase between the two beds and at the end of his, looking up with a smile to greet his vistor. This smile very quickly diappeared when he noticed his mother's stern look and additude, noticing some object at her side. Gina stopped once she had fully cleared the entryway, lifting the rod and lightly slapping it down into the palm of her left hand. Craig winced and took two steps back with a loud, frightened gasp.

"Jesus Christ mom, no!!", he yelled at the sudden, piercing fear, staring at the rod. He had recieved the ruler once when he was little, and this thing looked hella more painful. Craig was struck with literal terror as his mother began approaching him. "Please!! Don't do it!!", he screamed, stumbling backwards against the wall. "I promise I'll stop smoking all together!! PLEASE!!", he begged with his voice full of panic and horror, as he slouched against the wall with his arms spread apart, finding no more means to move away. He clenched his eyelids tight, almost sobbing with the pleas he had shouted. His mother stopped direcly infront of him and waited for him to open his eyes and look at her. She mouthed something in complete silence. Craig made it out to be, "Don't make this harder then it already is". If that was supposed to calm him, it did the opposite. "No!!", he screamed, trying to jump away from the wall. His mother had grabbed him by his shirt, stopping his horrified escape. She quickly grabbed his upper arm and begun strugling with her panicstruck son. "Let me go!!", he pleaded, trying to escape her grasp. Though as much as he tried, he couldn't escape his mother. He had done enough to upset her, and it looked like the end of the line. Craig stopped fighting back. Her force subsided at the surrender of her son, bending him over the end of his bed. She grasped the button of his jeans above his tail and undid it, quickly pulling the jeans down. Taking his tail, just below the tip, she held it up, raising the cane along with it. Craig gripped his bedsheets and grit his teeth, almost sobbing at what he knew was impending. He screamed and cried in pain while his mother lashed him, over and over. All the muscles in his tail had tensed and the pain only got worse. Craig wanted so much to beg and plea, but couldn't say a word over the constant cracking of the rod. Gina knew how long this was supposed to be and hoped her innocent son could handle it. He wailed and bawled at the merciless sting, begging fate to end it. Gina eventually stopped and quickly left, knowing Craig would want his privacy to cry. She closed the door behind her and handed the rod back to her mother, who set off down the hallway without a word. Gina quietly went back downstairs with a blank expression and watery eyes.

Unbeknownst to them, a certain evesdropper had listened in. Kimberly heard the whole thing from their room, sitting by the wall, cringing and not believing what she was hearing. When it all stopped, she crawled in a stumble to the door and opened it a crack to see who walked by. Sure enough, it was her grandmother, carrying the rod, and her mother behind. She had finally got a big piece of the puzzle, but she wasn't sure what to do with it. Being so sad and nearly scared didn't help anything either. She crawled back to the wall.

"Craig....", she wimpered, before she put her head down and cried lightly, in sympathy for her brother. "How could you...", she whispered, thinking of her mother and shedding a few more tears. When she had stopped, she got up and lied down on Julia's bed to think. Her mother had acted so strangely around her grandma. "Why do you let her control you...", she growled quietly. "That wasn't my mommy...", she said sadly after another pause, with a notion of fright. It was far more then obvious that her mother was more then just strange around her grandmother. There was something bigger, and it was screwing with her. Kimberly didn't know what to do now. Her stomach was in a knot, and she felt sick. She didn't know if she should confront her mother or bring up Craig at all for that matter. Being the only one who knew about this, she was all too confused by the torrent of thoughts. After calming herself a little more, she decided that she would keep quiet, feeling that she had no power to stop any of this. Her mother's mental state could only be fixed by herself.

Ron and Julia had been sitting on the back porch by the pool for a while. Afternoon was approaching and the weather was becoming more delightful, as the few scattered clouds floated by.

"It's great to get a vacation like this. Just getting away from school for a while is something.....well needed", Ron said with a smile, staring at the little stone waterfall with Julia at his side.

"Totaly. No Frank, no Amber, no anybody. Getting away from your hastles and daily routines helps the nerves a bit", she replied with a calming voice, getting comfortable just staring off.

"You know, I haven't seen anybody this morning other then you. Your mom, Kim, Craig", Ron mentioned, realizing it had just been the two of them all morning.

"Kimberly was babysitting for our aunt Christi, I'm not sure if she still is. Moms inside helping Ray, and I don't think Craig ever got up", Julia answered for him.

"Oh well. You wanna play another game of Monopoly? Just me and you?", Ron asked, getting a little bored.

"Hmmmm, ok I guess. I feel like going inside anyway. But couldn't we get just like one more person? Go wake Craig's sleepy ass up", she ended with a chuckle, setting off for the house with Ron.

"Sure, but you have to set up the board while I'm upstairs", he replied with a smirk.

"Fine", she smirked back.

Once they reached the livingroom, Julia branched off to the coffee table where they left the Monopoly box. Nobody was using the couches at the moment, but Julia quickly swiped them up. Ron continued through to the entryway and up the stairs, going down the hallway to their room. He opened the door and walked inside to see Craig lying on his bed on his side, facing away from the door.

"If you're gonna sleep without any pants on, at least sleep under the covers", Ron chuckled, looking to wake him up. Craig made a sad sniff and Ron realized he was already awake.

"Please leave me be....", he asked of Ron with a teary voice and another sniff and sob.

Ron took a step foreward, standing next to his own bed. "Craig?", he said confusedly, seeing something was wrong.

"Not now", he sobbed back, sinking his fingers deeper into the matress.

Craig was keeping his tail in an awkward position, pointing it straight out instead of keeping it close to his body. He curved most of it exept the base of his tail. Upon noticing this, something else caught Ron's eye. Numerous thick, red welts protruding from the visible leg hole of his underwear. The lines were a dark red and purple, swelling high. Ron quickly walked in between the beds and looked over Craig's back, seeing his tear drenched muzzle. "Craig, you're crying!

What happened?", he asked with a concerned panic.