Skye Prower

"I know, I know... Just please don't look around," said Anna heading to one of the doors. It creaked nosily on it's hinges as she opened the door and went into the room. The room was mostly spartan, except for a stack of books in one corner, a chest of drawers against one wall, and a small bed, that Anna knelt down next two, feeling underneath. She gave a cry of surprise and drew back her arm swiftly, before giving a nervous laugh as a small spider scuttled out from the other side of the bed.

The two of them arrived in the middle of a little hideaway bunker, disturbing a layer of dust as they arrived, causing Anna to sneeze a little. She looked around and shivered, rubbing her hands together. "Maybe I shouldn't have come here... walking right back into my past..."

"Sure thing," said Anna as she gave the co-ordinates. "If you want to go about 5 meters down as well, that would save us even more time."

"Before he goes please," said Ziona. "I want him to have some hope before being thrown in jail. It might make all the difference."

"Where are they?" asked Skye. ----------- "Unless he's moved it I know exactly where he stashed it. And I suspect the existence of the book was one of the memories that got taken by the spell," explained Anna. ----------- "I'd agreed with that Glen, don't worry," said Ziona.

"I hope so," said Skye, holding onto Locke as he tried to leave his room ------------ "Yeah, but her plan doesn't sound sinister at all," said Ziona.

"Just a quick trip to find something. You see, Miles and I had a few hideouts and in one, before we did the giving me speed ritual thing, well, I was, uh... kinda looking through his stuff... And he had this children's book of fairy stories, and inside, he'd also hidden a photograph. It was him at like 5 or 6, and there were to adult foxes as well, his parents I think. I wanted to see if I could find that book and photo, and give them back. Help him remember his parents," Anna explained.

Skye reached out and grabbed Locke's hand. "Thank's Dad!" -------------- "We'll need to wait until she wakes up before we can ask her," said Ziona, keeping half and ear open with what Anna was saying.

Skye tried to stand, but seemed to lack the straight to do so. "Can you help me Dad?" he asked. -------------- "Nothing's wrong. Just the opposite maybe. I remember something that might help Miles. But, uh, I'd need to make a quick trip to Moebius," said Anna. -------------- "Trinket.... Trinket...?" mused Ziona. "Wait, she showed Miles something like that back at the fairground."

"Can you be sure? I suppose only if I go and talk to them," said Skye. -------------- Anna was reading through the story, while Melody was listening with a smile. But as the story went on something began worming its way into Anna's head. Something about this book was slightly familiar. And there was something else... "Anna? What's wrong? You've stopped," said Melody. "I've just remembered... something that might be important... at least, important to someone. I'll be right back ok? I need to talk to Zamy and Ziona again." Anna ran out of the infirmary leaving a confused Melody behind. ----------- "As long as you tell her nothing is certain yet. And just how dangerous this boy can be," said Ziona. She glanced up the corridor to see Anna running back.

"I know they won't leave me. But I must be such a... disappointment to them. To lose that much control... I don't want to see that look" -------------- Melody waved after Hope as she left, then lay down and shut her eyes as Anna began reading. -------------- "And in some ways Miles himself. If he can actually be trusted in this program," commented Ziona. "If he genuinely wants to change."

"I'm not afraid. But I don't want to see their faces. I don't want to see what they must think of me now," said Skye. ------------- Anna nodded and picked up the book. "Okay Hope. Drop by when you can, please," said Melody. ------------- Ziona looked thoughtful. "What do you think Zamy?" she asked.

"I don't think I can bring myself to face them," said Skye. ------------- "Really? Are you sure?" asked Melody. Anna paused, and shook her head. "No. But maybe this time he understood. He seemed to." Anna looked around for a change of subject and spotted the book. "Do you want me to read a story now?" she asked. "I guess that's kinda up to Hope," said Melody, looking at he friend questioningly. ----------- "If he doesn't magically warp her mind into becoming his personal servant."

Skye nodded slowly. "I'm so so sorry Dad. Can you tell Mom and Melody that?" -------- "He still has his magic tricks Glen. And even without Hope I suspect he'd have been able to escape."

Skye made some noise of acknowledgment, but it was lost in a sob at the same moment. ------------ "I'm not doubting her ability, and a kind but firm hand is probably what Miles needs. But, that doesn't mean that she could stand up to some of the magic tricks we've seen Miles pull. Especially the more subtle ones. He broke out of Zone Jail without anyone noticing for starters," clarified Ziona.

"I... don't know... yes..." said Skye hesitantly. ------------- Anna nodded. "I think I finally got Miles to understand," she explained. ------------- "It might work, but she would need to go before the board. I'm I'm still not sure she'll be able to cope with some capable of throwing magic around," said Ziona.

"But... But it was..." -------------- "I'm not sure your Zone is a good place at all. Moreso as to what just happened there," said Ziona

"I... I.. I don't want to say Tikal. I've done something terrible," said Skye. ------------- "You are thinking ahead there," said Ziona. "So who did you have in mind," she added, changing the subject.

"Tikal?" asked Skye again quietly. ----------- "You're not gonna suggest us again are you?" asked Ziona somewhat worried.

Skye gulped, nodded, and re-opened the link. ------------ "I hope so too," said Anna as she walked into the infirmary. "Anna, there you are," said Melody happily, then her face took a look of worry. "Have you been crying?" ------------ "Apparently there was but he forgot," said Ziona. "Maybe he does deserve a second chance. If he is given one, he better make the most of it."

"I can't face her after what I've done," said Skye shaking his head. ---------- "As long as she remains under lock and key," said Melody. ---------- "A shame he didn't stop when he had the chance. That's what led him here," said Ziona.

"T-Tikal, I-I-I..." Skye began. "I can't do it," he sobbed, breaking the link. ---------- "If she get's a chance, yes. And what about him?" she asked, looking at Miles cell.

Skye nodded and carefully pulled out the leaf. "Ti-t-Tikal?" he asked, barely able to speak her name. ---------- "I guess none of us would be around speaking for starters," said melody. ---------- "What do you mean 'interesting?" asked Ziona quietly.

"Just as well she was caught again. Imagine if she'd been given free reign." ------------------ "I just hope that one day he'll thank you for this too. And not in some horrible gloating way," said Anna. She took a step back. "I'm not sure if I should wait here with him or go back to Melody. Both need comfort."

"She doesn't know? What kinda evil person is she?" asked Melody. --------- "I know, I know. Just doing your duty and all that, But it would be easy for you not to in this case," said Anna, breaking off the hug.