Brenyg0135's Journals

Oh. My. God. I. Fail.

IT'S BEEN A MONTH?!

A MONTH!

Someone PLEASE remind me via message/note next time I EVER LET IT GET SO LONG BETWEEN CHAPTERS!

Things have been excrutiatingly busy, and mom is on Facebook more than I'm on the computer...

BUT NO EXCUSES

I write now...

XOXO

Father May I? (Chapter 36)

Someone Who Understands is Better than a Lover's Arms

"What?" Mr. Dawes said. The fingers clicked away at the keyboard.

"Don't bother," Zachary muttered, "Mandy is wiL's ex wife and the godmother of Elizabeth Gregory. Mandy did not kill the Gregory parents, but like another former psychopath, she guided the hands that did."

"Do you have proof?"

Zachary smiled. "I started recording our conversations after she blackmailed me."

"We will need these..." Mr. Evans trailed.

"And you will find them at my house under the TV," Zachary nodded and found it time to continue his story. wiL could only cross his arms as he tried not to explode. The doubt had been erased and as maniacal and impossible as it seemed, he knew it was true. Something about Elizabeth's unfailing loyalty towards this man gave it away, as did the sick memories of Mandy's weird words around the times he had mentioned.

"Mandy was a friend of the family. She had grown up next to the Gregory's. When they moved, Mandy tried to stay in touch. Lives continued, and Mandy grew incredibly greedy. It was a result of the lavish lifestyle she'd now grown accustomed to. With the threat of losing her rich boyfriend, she turned desperate. When she heard of the 'sixth-in-line' fortune her friend's daughter Elizabeth was inheriting, she snapped.

"She didn't go unassisted. On a drunken stupor, she ran into Barnaby. He talked sweet, but she wasn't going to put out. So instead they talked. After many hours, Mandy discussed her 'niece's' fortune. Barnaby used his forked tongue to convince her that the money would be worth anything lost. And he got her to want to commit the murder. However, she wouldn't do it herself. He told her to look for me.

"First, she began calling them more, and eventually asked if she could be the godmother to Elizabeth, since she was sort of like a distant aunt. At first they were opposed, but a falling out with her grandparents made it happen. She played the part nicely.

"Second, she found me. Going off Barnaby's tip, she first tried to get my shoots all the time, though totally by accident. I noticed it and finally decided to talk to her," Zachary lowered his head, just as he had when Elizabeth had heard this earlier, "and she played me like a piano. She charmed me and even though I knew about her boyfriend, we began a relationship that lasted several months.

"One day she asked me if I would do anything for her. Thinking I loved her, I said of course. She asked me to kill for her.

"I laughed at first until she told me how she'd found me and practically admitted that I was just a pawn in her scheme to get money. Then I refused. However, she had predicted this and since sleeping with your photography subjects is cause to be permanently fired, she blackmailed me. So I started recording our conversations. I got every detail of how it was to go down. But I refused nonetheless, forgetting my career to save lives.

"Somewhere during this time, Barnaby spoke up and said if he got a percentage, he'd do it. And since she's a spiteful bitch, she asked him to frame me. He used old blood from when I'd gotten the fake ID, as well as my fingers prints.

"By then, I'd known all the plans. The day before it was supposed to go down, I went to the house. However, I came there just in time to see a woman crying at the beach. She told a young girl, who looked about seventeen, that her parents were dead. I knew it was done, so I left.

"When I was arrested, I knew exactly why. And I also knew that until I got to let that poor girl at the beach know she wasn't alone, I wouldn't say anything more than I'm innocent. Now she knows I've felt her pain. So I've given you everything."

Stillness was defining. wiL's head reeled again, the shock and disbelief studded into his head.

Mandy had hired a man to kill her parents to get the money. And it had almost worked.

wiL felt everything leave him, but it was like a promise of the calm after the storm, and it reassured him enough to grab her hand. She squeezed back with undoubtedly the only strength left in her body.

"We're getting proof of this," Mr. Dawes said, but as he continued to check the computer, it was clear the stories started to check out.

"We will know for sure later," Mr. Evans said.

Zachary looked up as they started to cart him away.

"Let me see her again, please."

Without question, they led him to the civilian hallway.

She didn't hesitate as she raced to the door. wiL held tightly but as she stepped into the hall, he released. Zachary stood there, tears in his eyes. No one spoke, the cops even sensing the surreal moment.

"You didn't deserve all this," he whispered.

"Neither of us did." She whispered back.

Something clicked and his hands fell loose. Sheriff Dalton looked him straight in the eye.

"Try anything funny, and I kill you."

A strange look crossed Zachary's face as he realized that he was being allowed a solitary moment of freedom. It was relief. It was peace.

His gaze then turned to Elizabeth and she made a whimpering noise. She started running towards him. Almost knocking him over, she wrapped her arms around his neck. He embraced her back.

At first, wiL was jealous. In a single second it went away.

What wiL could never do was understand the pain Elizabeth felt every day. Zachary did. Instead of seeing it as a curse, wiL saw it as a blessing. He smiled, knowing she could finally feel understood. He smiled even more knowing now he could too.

Though it was only intended to last a minute, Elizabeth and Zachary were eventually led to the couch in the sheriff's office. They broke off, only to hold hands until reaching the ugly orange couch and embrace again. He wrapped his arms around her protectively and she lay on his chest. At first, wiL felt wrong, but Zachary noticed.

"Come here," he said, She looked up, red eyed and nodded.

"I don't know your pain," he mumbled.

"You feel her pain," Zachary insisted, "and your ex wife is Charles Manson. Besides, Elizabeth would be more comfortable in the nook of your shoulder than mine."

Obediently, he sat next to her and she instantly lay her head on his shoulder, her hand staying connected to Zachary. He took his other hand and wrapped it behind her back. wiL threw his arm over her shoulder to rub her farther shoulder. Both of them took the same hand Elizabeth left on the center of her lap.

All three of them wept for hours, their pain each unique, yet the same.

**long time no post. My fail. But I've had carpal tunnel and school and work... you know. So wiL's a daddy! Yeah, holy shit. I am writing more right after this so...YAY!

Oh and go read "A Beautiful Stranger" by xsaccrintoxicityx. It was the reason I came to buzznet and it's still awesome. After a LONG time she's back and writing more. BEst fanfiction of all time.**

XOXO

Father May I? (Chapter 35)

**Here it is, children. The chapters written before the chapters. The one that started it all. The revealing of the Gregory murderer. Enjoy**

Silent Eyes

"He's ready to talk, Sheriff," Elizabeth said as she came through the door. wiL shot up and walked to her. Oddly, she turned back to nod at the man before the metal door completely closed. wiL glanced up at Zachary. His eyes smoldered with a certain passion.

"He what?" Sheriff Dalton asked, "He's ready to talk? About what?"

"There are things he's been leaving out," she admitted, "but after our conversation, he revealed a few more details that you have to know."

That's when wiL noticed her. Elizabeth looked dead. Her eyes were drained of any joy, color, or life in general. She was ashen faced and looked as if Casper had glided through the jail walls. Her mouth was attempting to hide a frown, yet it looked as if a frown would not express the emotion his beautiful love was feeling.

Pain was evident. Yet her eyes said nothing. They were completely silent.

"Elizabeth," he whispered to her and grabbed her shoulders. She titled her head to look at him and her eyes finally showed signs of life: tears.

"I am so sorry," she choked, "for the both of us."

Gently, she took his hand and led him back to the interrogation room. The light was already on, Sheriff Dalton waiting in anticipation as Zachary was placed at the table.

"This is rather soon," the prosecutor said, a cup of coffee now resting on the metal table, "why the change of heart?"

The defending lawyer looked warily at Zach. He nodded, and Zach looked back up at the prosecutor, "I need to prove my innocence."

"Save it, we have your blood."

"Yes you do," he nodded, "because it was placed there."

"Oh and I assume the fingerprints were as well?"

Once again, Zachary nodded, "Yes." He paused as the prosecutor scoffed and spoke up, a hint of anger in his voice, "Please understand my confession is a risk to my life. If the people find out I've told them they killed Ms. Elizabeth's parents, they may not be too happy with me."

"You mean when they hear that you've helped us they're going to kill you?"

"Are you threatening my client?" The defending lawyer asked, but a raise of the hand silenced him.

"Of course not; I was merely going along with this idea that others are responsible."

"It's not an idea, Mr. Dawes," Zachary said, giving the prosecutor a name, "It is fact. The same person who placed my DNA at the scene of the Gregory murder, and the same person who killed them, is the same person who murdered my parents."

"Your parents?" Mr. Dawes asked, "Your mother died in an accident, and your father in the war."

"According the files by Barnaby Williams, yes," Zachary agreed, "however, my name is not Zachary Gray."

The defending lawyer immediately tried to stop the talking, but Mr. Dawes had already ordered a computer to be brought into the room. wiL cocked his head to the side.

"What are they doing?" he asked.

"Checking his statements," the sheriff answered, "we don't have time for guessing games anymore, so we check it out on the internet as they say it, just to skip all the formalities."

"Then what is your name?" Mr. Dawes asked.

"Gabriel Smudge," Zachary...or not Zachary...said, a smile crossing his face, "I do prefer my new name."

The tech nerd at the computer clicked away instantly, "Gabriel Smudge was murdered years ago, along with his-"

"Sister and parents," Zachary finished, "the bodies of the two children were never recovered."

Mr. Dawes let curiosity get the best of him as he snuck a glance at the computer. wiL could see the picture of the teenage Zachary, then known as Gabriel. There was no denying it was him.

"So you're alive," Mr. Dawes confirmed.

"As is my sister," Zachary continued.

"Claire Smudge," Mr. Dawes said.

Zachary's lawyer looked at the picture and his eyes went wide. The bewilderment made the lawyer next to Zachary look at him.

"No...Hayden Gray isn't your daughter, is she?"

"You've seen my daughter's pictures, but this newspaper only has her as a baby," Zachary confirmed, "but no, Mr. Evans, Hayden is not my daughter, but my sister."

"Why didn't you come to the cops?"

"Because I knew who killed my parents and why, but with that information I knew going to the cops was pointless."

"Who killed your parents?" Mr. Dawes asked.

wiL realized immediately that the answer to this next question was the person who killed Elizabeth's parents. As she had believed Zachary to be telling the truth, he listened intently.

"Barnaby Williams."

Unfortunately, no sudden sense of relief was present.

More clicking ensued and the nerd spoke again, "Barnaby Williams, famous in Seattle for creating new identities a decade or so ago. Mr. Smudge was the sheriff. He hunted Williams for years."

"Why would this man kill your parents?"

"Because first they were friends. And when my father named a godfather, he named Barnaby. Except that he forgot about that and when he wrote his will and let it be known, Barnaby discovered the amount of money I would receive at eighteen."

Zachary's story suddenly merged with the one next to wiL, and nausea hit him.

"He was always a greedy man," Zachary kept going, "Card games never went well when he was over. He knew that my father had forgotten that if he died, Barnaby was guardian. So without a second glance, he killed my father and mother. I knew it was him, but he simply told me it was for the better and left, the bloody knife lying around. So I cut myself and my sister to leave blood. Somehow, I knew if I told, I wouldn't be believed. They had been such good buddies. Plus I knew then Barnaby would get all the money. So instead, I bit him back. I went to him a day later and told him I wanted to start over. Williams was furious, but I bluffed and said I had proof, so he had no choice but to give me a new life and never get his money.

"My parents died in vain of even the worst of reasons to be killed.

"Barnaby Williams, I thought, was dead. Then I found out otherwise after a few photography sessions made me find out otherwise."

"How so?" Mr. Dawes asked.

"The person I was photographing told me. We kept seeing each other at these sessions and finally one day we decided to talk. And after a few incidents, I found out by accident that Barnaby was alive."

"Who told you this? How did you find out?"

"I found out because she stalked me," Zachary began, and his voice increased volume and intensity with every sentence, "I found out because she tricked me and seduced me. I found out because we started sleeping together and she stupidly fell in love with me, though she had mentioned a fiance and told me her plans. I found out because she had heard my story and wanted me to cause the same pain to another innocent girl. I found out because when I refused, she told me an old friend wouldn't mind killing a seventeen year old child's parents again."

"Who was she?" Mr. Dawes yelled, matching the tone.

"The devil!" Zachary screamed.

"THE NAME! GIVE ME THE WRETCHED NAME!"

wiL's stomach sank in, like he already knew the answer. Yet there was no way.

Then he remembered Elizabeth's stone gray face as she exited. He thought of the treachery of another. He recalled many memories, including one slip of the tongue his ex had made, calling him Zach. And somehow, impossible as it seemed, he mouthed the name right along with Gabriel Smudge/ Zachary Gray.

"Mandy Vaughn."

He turned his head as Elizabeth's silent eyes screamed.

**and now comes the ending... the ending that was written before it ever began...**

(so a few references above. One is fairly obvious for any devoted fan. The other is much harder to spot. Both are movies. One is a series. The other has only two movies so far, but since the AMAZING costar died, they're bringing in Johnny Depp I hear)

XOXO

Father May I? (Chapter 34)

Those Who Cause Death Are Human Too

The sudden cold wind that passed over her made her body shake. Having just darted away from wiL's arms, the change from comfortable warmth to foreign chill was unsettling.

"He's in a minimum security cell because of his fancy lawyer, so you'll get the clear bullet proof door," Sheriff Dalton was informing her as they walked deeper and deeper into the confines of the prison, "there is a small slot in it that is meant for food or mail. Watch his hands in case he decides to reach through there."

"I'll be sure to," she promised.

"Are you sure Mr. Francis is ok with this?"

"wiL loves me and he knows I need this," she answered simply, trying to sound mundane. Nonetheless, the officer made a noise.

"Oh yes, I can tell," he replied, almost mockingly.

She secluded back to her mind instantly, except unlike she'd ever done before, she spoke out.

"You judge us."

Sheriff Dalton coughed a bit and stopped in front of a heavy metal door, "What do you mean by that?"

"You see it, and yet you consider it wrong in your head," Elizabeth stated, a sick feeling in her gut. She didn't like speaking to adults like she knew more than they did. Now it only seemed appropriate to make him feel the gravity of perception she held in her mind.

"I see what?"

"You see us! You notice how he hovers over me and you have come to the conclusion that there is something more."

"I have a daughter, Ms. Gregory," he said sternly, "I have seen her habits too. Her boyfriends are touchy feely as well, but I don't call that love."

"Does it look like that?" She challenged, "Does it really look as if he is just wanting that?"

The man stopped and his face contorted. Elizabeth knew she was right. She'd won.

"His door is directly in front of you," Sheriff Dalton surrendered, "we will have cameras monitoring him in case he does something rash."

"The sound-"

"There are no microphones on the cameras or anywhere in that room," he said firmly.

"Thank you, Sheriff," she responded politely. A buzzer sounded and he immediately pushed the door open.

"Mr. Gray: visitor," he said behind her. The door shut, and she was alone.

The room was small, his clear door leaving only a foot of space left on the far wall. Of course, far wasn't a proper word to use as it was only three feet away. It was the normal egg-shell white with concrete walls. The only thing that kept her optimistic now was that light shined in through barred windows placed as close to the ceiling as possible, at least a good ten feet up. Still, it was a bright room, and it continued her hopefulness.

She looked into the large bullet proof glass door, but did not see him. His bed was against the farthest wall in the cell, a chair, and the toilet was visible, but he was nowhere to be seen. However, that could have been because she hadn't moved any closer to the door. Watching her feet she stepped up a square and looked back to the door.

His brown eyes greeted her and she jumped.

"I didn't see you," she said instantly, a reflex response. Suddenly she realized her nerves and all the determination drained. This man staring at her was responsible for the death of her parents, and yet she couldn't feel any of the anger she had before. All that was left was fear.

"You're her, aren't you?" he asked, his voice rough. Yet in Elizabeth's mind, she imagined hearing it elsewhere and thought it would have been a most pleasant sound.

My subconscious is making him human. She fretted over this reflection, and directly went into her former mode of purpose.

"If by her you mean the daughter of those wonderful people you brutally slaughtered, than yes," Elizabeth replied smoothly. His eyes went to the floor.

"It wasn't me," he said quietly.

"Let's not talk about that now," she said at once, "I didn't come in here to argue about you persistence in lying. I wanted to know who you were before all this happened."

He squinted his eyes, "Why?"

She sighed and moved to lean against the wall to her left, "I have no idea." Out of the corner of her eye, she watched him smile.

"You say your parents were wonderful?" he questioned. A flame rose on her neck. He couldn't be mocking her.

"Yes," she answered out of curiosity, "they were more than magnificent."

"Maybe they wanted you to meet me," he pondered, leaning against the door, bravely looking at her, "so that you could know the truth."

"We'll get to that later," she said, "for now, tell me about you yourself."

He titled his head back for a moment, eying her with a smirk on his face. "Ok then, I will humor you," he replied, and turned to lean against his glass door. "I was born-"

"Face me, if you would," she said immediately. His head turned, no doubt wanting to ask why again so she beat him to it, "I want to memorize your face."

"As you wish, my lady," he said and turned onto his side. Her anger at being patronized was boiling, but she tried to simmer within herself.

"I was born," he began again, "not far from Seattle. I grew up in a very normal family. There isn't much about my home life in the beginning that will benefit you to know, except this one thing..." he paused and completely faced her, "My parents were murdered when I was seventeen years old."

Cold air rushed into her lungs as she breathed in quickly through her nose. She'd meant to hold in a gasp, but it hadn't worked as well as she may have liked. His smirk faded as he continued.

"I will go further into that afterwards, as you said we'd discuss my innocence later," he teased, "Anyways, after that I became the father of my younger sister. I knew we'd get separated by the system, so I ran away. I'd been cut so on my way out of the house I was bleeding quite a bit. I remembered something I'd read a while back: if there's blood on the floor and no body, the cops will assume there's a body to be found. So I stopped and cut my sister's arm as little as I could, but enough to get blood on the floor. Sure enough, when the house was discovered it was two days later and the cops started looking for us. By the end on the first month, without our parents to fight for us, they deemed us both dead and ended the search parties and Amber Alerts."

"Where did you go?" She asked, unintentionally deep into his story, "Why haven't the cops realized you are who you are?"

"The questions you ask have the same answer," Zachary smiled lightly, looking at Elizabeth. His eyes swirled with the control he had over her at that moment, a pool of deep brown ready to engulf her, "Barnaby Williams was his name, or at least that's what everyone called him. He had been a friend of my father's when I was still in elementary. He was an older gentleman. I recalled, that day I ran away and was sitting out by an old boxcar near the train station, that he and my dad had fallen out. My dad's job clashed consistently with Mr. Williams' profession."

"What was that?"

"My father had been a local detective. Mr. Williams changed who you were."

"He was a criminal," she nodded, "He changed identities."

"He called himself Witness Protection, of course," Zachary nodded with her, "but when my dad found out, you can imagine how annoyed he was with his best friend. He cast him out, not really wanting to turn him in. Then things started changing. People were disappearing. Not disappearing, but just being wiped off the face of the earth. My dad knew Barnaby was allowing people to start over, and he wanted to find him. They spent ten years playing cat and mouse with each other, but more Tom and Jerry style: they played each other, not one side dominating."

He paused, leaving Elizabeth gripping her own arm in anticipation. If Zachary was telling the truth, he knew her pain. And though he claimed it would prove his innocence, somewhere she wondered if it had warped his mind to want to make others share the pain she was.

"When my parents were murdered, I went to Barnaby and my sister and I officially disappeared. He knew who I was when I came up the stairs. He said I needed a boy's name or else I would never get anywhere. He called me Zachary Gray and my sister Hayden Gray. The story was that I had messed up and gotten a girl pregnant. The mother died and now Hayden was legally by all means my daughter."

"That must have been hard," Elizabeth found herself commenting.

"No more challenging than your friend wiL's dispute of calling you his daughter except our reasons were different."

He stared at her intently and turned back around. "He loves you more than a father is allowed. I loved my sister in the appropriate ways. She grew up thinking I was her father, and I took the position as best I could. I made a humble living for a long time. I became a photographer a few years ago, and when Hayden turned 18 she left for college. She's still there, even though she's asked to come see me. I haven't told her about her past. I wish I could.

"Our paths cross during a particular photography session, and this is where I defend my innocence."

Elizabeth nodded and began her words. "You killed my parents after this happened to you," she said, "how could you?"

"I did mention it wasn't me. I have proof that everything I've said has happened."

"So by proving your parents were actually killed, that will prove your innocence,"

"No but a few photographs will tie me into this case and provide an alibi at the same time."

He stopped again and pressed both hands against the glass, his face inches away from it, "If you knew who killed your parents, what would you do?"

"I thought I did know," she breathed, stepping a bit closer to the door.

"You have proof," he expanded, "you know it was him. Would you want them to pay for what they've done?"

She stepped closer, "Yes, I would."

"You feel the pain I have felt all these years," his eyes softened into dark warm chocolate and she felt entranced. He hadn't done it and she knew it then as he continued, "it is so wonderful to have someone who understands, but I could never be the cause of such suffering."

Calculatedly, she looked down and slipped her hand through his food slot. He looked into her wet eyes and gently took her hand.

"I want the true cause to pay for what they've done," she said, "I want you to get out of here."

"Well then you must know who killed my parents and who killed your parents."

"Who killed yours?" She asked, "Who killed mine?"

"The questions you ask," Zachary said, pressing his forehead against the glass, "have the same answer."

**AND THE BIGGEST TWIST EVER IS NEXT! OFF TO WORK NOW!**

Father May I? (Chapter 33)

Haunting Connections

"How do you know him?" Sheriff Dalton asked instantly.

"I wish I could tell you," wiL answered, "I can't remember where I've seen him, but I know him. Zachary Gray, right?"

"Yes, that's him," Officer Sherman nodded. Elizabeth's head whipped in his direction.

"Damn it, I wish I could remember..." wiL trailed off, trying to recall what made the man so familiar; his eyebrows, definitely. They were rather large and created the hint of Neanderthal look to the man. His nose was a bit bigger than normal too. wiL knew what made him familiar, but he didn't know how he knew him or why.

The yelling in the interviewing room was growing louder, and when wiL looked back, Zachary was being slammed against the metallic table by two guards and getting warned of how he was acting by his lawyer and the prosecution. Suddenly the lights flicked off and the room was silent. wiL turned to see the Sheriff had shut the connection it off.

"I think that's enough for today,"

"Enough?" Elizabeth asked, her voice cracking, yet so hostile and unnecessarily angry, "What? You think because I cried that I can't handle myself?"

"Relax Lizzie," wiL said, placing his hand on the small of her back.

"No, I won't relax, I want to see him! I want to see him!"

"Not now, hun, he's going back to the cell," Sheriff Dalton informed her.

"I want to talk to him then!" she persisted. wiL, almost scared by the intensity of her mood, wrapped her into a side embrace.

"Liz, I don't know if you yelling will make him any better," wiL tried.

"I'm not going to yell," she answered, suddenly hushed but still intense.

"Then why do you want to see him?" wiL asked.

"I just want to talk to him," she insisted.

Sheriff Dalton exchanged a worried stare with wiL. Would this be a good thing, or would it be as disastrous as both men were visualizing?

"All right, but be careful of what you say," Sheriff Dalton warned, despite wiL's look of worry, "don't get him worked up."

"I will, when I speak to him alone."

Both men froze on their way to the door.

"No," wiL said instantly.

"Now Ms. Gregory-"

"Don't start," she interrupted promptly, "I have my reasons. He's not going to kill me from his cell and he can't even touch me."

Stubbornness; wiL had never seen this before. Nor disrespect for authority, but it was still there. Maybe it only came out when she was angry.

"If it's all right with Mr. Francis," Sheriff Dalton complied. Elizabeth instantly turned to wiL.

"Can we have a minute," he answered. The Sheriff nodded and walked out. The minute the door shut her arms were wrapped around his waist and her lips were on his. It was deprived and passionate, knowing it was an explosion of the tiny kisses and embraces they'd wanted to lay on each other the multiple times during interrogation.

"How is this possible?" she whispered. He heard the tears in her voice.

"What, beautiful?" he asked, trying to layer his voice over her like a defensive blanket.

She broke off from him and went over to the wall, immediately sliding down to lean against it.

"You know the man who killed my parents. You, of all people, have met the murderer," she said, her voice wispy.

"Granted, it is bizarre, but it's not something to be concerned about," wiL tried to comfort.

"That's your opinion," Elizabeth replied, rising to her feet and turning away from him. She leaned against the blank windowsill. For a moment he just stood there, staring at her, before instinct walked him over to embrace the small quivering body.

"Why are you so troubled about this?" he asked, trying to understand.

"Don't you understand?" She turned to face him, "I knew you as a music star. I knew you were with Mandy. I had no idea Mandy was my aunt, or anything close to. All of the sudden my parents are dead. For some odd reason, you know the killer. You, who would have no connection to me otherwise. Then, my parents are dead and Mandy's my aunt and you're my stepfather and you know the man that started it all."

wiL cocked his head and looked back at her. "Yes that is weird," he agreed, "but it doesn't mean you should talk to him."

"I've made up my mind," Elizabeth argued. wiL opened his mouth to try and stop her again, but she raised her hand to silence him.

"This is for me," she said calmly, placing the raised hand on his cheek. "My parents were taken from me and I have to know why from the horse's mouth."

The protective bones were shrieking to hold her close and keep her safe, but he knew it would be nothing but a fool's errand. Elizabeth, he realized, wasn't as young as he'd thought. She had been going through a rough time, and now she had grown from it.

Grown; exactly. She was a grown woman now. A woman on a mission.

And before he could realize it, the door was closing and Elizabeth was no longer in his arms.

**a shorter chapter, but I wanted to include that reflection before she met Zachary. and yes...if you haven't realized it yet, zachary Gray...like Zachary Quinto/Gabriel Gray? Sorry, but when I first started writing this, I didn't have an image for my murderer and now I do...so :P. Hopefully you can stick with me. These chapters are amazing to finally write. Watch as it all ties in... shockers await!**

XOXO

Father May I? (Chapter 32)

Twists and Turns Unfold; Not Always For the Better

"Ms. Gregory, it's nice to meet you," Sheriff Dalton extended his hand as a greeting, and all the protective bones in wiL's skinny body went off. No other man was allowed to touch her. Every last one had the potential to hurt her. These feelings emanated off of him to the point where the sheriff looked up and nodded.

"I see you've taken the role of stepfather on with stride, Mr. Francis."

"Not really, sir," Elizabeth said quietly.

"What she means," wiL interrupted, trying to prevent the statutory rape charge while he was ahead, "is that I am more of a protective best friend than a father figure."

"Unless you're George Michael's type of father figure," Nick laughed, "then you'd be right on!" Instantly Elizabeth turned a deep shade of red and Angel jabbed Nick in the ribs.

"Well, I'm not sure what that means, Mr. Wiggins, but I'll let it slide under my nose for my own safety. Of course, you should know that Woody Allen would also work." The blush crept back onto Elizabeth's neck and wiL had the urge to cup her ears in his hands to feel the heat he knew she was producing. He wondered who Woody Allen was.

"How'd you know my name?" Nick asked as he realized he had been addressed as Mr. Wiggins.

Jake and Jade arrived on cue, letting Jake be a cocky jerk, "Don't you think that they'd have information on all of us for this?"

"Actually no," Sheriff Dalton corrected, "I have a teenage daughter who just went to your concert," his eyes shined with pride, "she was so happy when she came home I did a little research. It's how I found you, Ms. Gregory."

It stopped the room cold. The sheriff let it be silent for one moment before laughing.

"I saw that wiL had some apologizing to do, hence my comment about taking it in stride," he chuckled again, "being a dad isn't easy to accept when it's a surprise huh?"

wiL let out a smile of relief "Sure isn't."

*****

"All right, enough with the crowd, let's talk Ms. Gregory." The sheriff began to walk away, only to turn back around when he realized all six people were following him, "I can only have Elizabeth and Mr. Francis in here; sorry guys."

Grumbles followed, but wiL, Elizabeth, and Sheriff Dalton finally got into one of the interviewing rooms. It was relatively small, but there was a desk with two chairs. One of the typical mirrors donned the wall across from the chairs, and though Elizabeth wasn't under suspicion, nervousness crept across her stomach.

"There's nobody back there," Sheriff Dalton assured, as if reading her mind, "it's just you and me." He held out the chair for her and moved quickly to do the same for wiL.

"I want you both to comfortable, but I doubt this is helping, huh?" the kindly mannered man smiled and sat down diagonal to Elizabeth. wiL tensed on the other side of her.

"Not very, but it will serve its purpose," Elizabeth said matter-of-factly.

"Ah yes, I was curious as to why you wanted to hold council before you saw the perp," the sheriff rubbed his gray mustache, "and wondering how you knew about the right to hold council in the first place."

"What can I say?" Elizabeth shrugged, "Politics fascinate me, as do Jodi Picoult's writings, which are most often correct in the practice of the law."

"That they are," Sheriff Dalton laughed, "you got yourself a smart one." He nodded to wiL.

"More than aware of that," wiL smiled, though there was still a protective edge to his facial expressions.

"All right, then what is it you were wanting, little lady?"

"I was wondering how you know it's him?" Elizabeth began, "I was informed by one of my social services' lawyers that there wasn't any substantial or credible evidence to point to any sort of suspect." wiL almost fell back in his chair. This didn't exactly sound normal coming from her. Perhaps that had been what she'd been whispering under her breath the whole time, making sure everything was perfect. That seemed like something she would do.

"That proved to be incorrect. The state turned out to be holding crucial evidence, which opened the case back up and led to the easy discovery of the murderer."

"Why?" wiL asked.

"Why were they holding the evidence? Most likely due to the circumstances. When social services got a hold of the case they argued that funding for a lawyer would take away from money Ms. Gregory didn't have, and since this could very well lead to a trial, they were not willing to take that risk."

"Take what risk?" wiL asked again.

"The state itself would have to pay for her lawyer. Basically the reason this man was not behind bars earlier was greed, Mr. Francis. Therefore the state, or rather a now very unemployed judge, withheld important evidence."

"What kind of evidence?" Elizabeth questioned.

"First of all, there were a few fingerprints on the toilet handle that were recent and did not match you or your parents. Your mother didn't go without a fight, Ms. Gregory; there was blood on the wall of your bedroom that took the shape of three blurred lines. In English, that means she had scratched him and he'd fallen against the wall. When it didn't match your parents or you, we sent it to the lab. The test results were not received until the case was 'closed' so they were not enough."

"Not enough?"

"To start the case back up; it could be blood from anyone if the defendant's lawyer is trained well. He could make it look like we were getting desperate."

"I didn't know that was possible," wiL commented.

"It only takes a seed of doubt to sway a jury or a judge," Elizabeth responded. With every ounce of strength she had, she looked meaningfully into the sheriff's eyes, "How did it happen?"

*****

The weight of her words was sudden and forceful, yet still it was sinking over the room like molasses. Sheriff Dalton coughed lightly before leaning forward a bit. "I'm not sure you need to hear that sort-"

"Don't you DARE tell me what I don't need to hear!" Elizabeth said strongly, pointing an accusing finger, "I'm not grown up, but I'm getting there and if I keep getting babied I'll never learn. I want to know. I've wanted to know since the first time I heard it. I wanted to know what Mrs. Carlin meant when she said they'd been shot. How did it happen?"

Silence followed and it only frustrated her more, but she kept her outer cool. Right now, it felt lame and stupid, yet she couldn't deny that she wanted wiL's arms around her then. It wasn't strong, like the tough front she was fighting to put up, so she tried to relax.

"It wasn't bad. It was quick and painless, especially for your father. He didn't see it coming. Your mother wasn't as lucky-she saw the man come for her and ran to your bedroom. She put up a fight but he got her before she could leave the room. She didn't see your father's body. Both died relatively happy. They had made pancakes for themselves and there was a delivery..."

In the middle of his description, Sheriff Dalton stopped. He had finally noticed the tears Elizabeth had been fighting to hide.

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to upset you," he instantly started apologizing.

wiL was at her side in that very instant, crouching next to her chair. His ever concerned eyes looked at her and it broke her barrier, and she began to cry on into her hands. wiL's arms wrapped protectively around her to say nothing will hurt you when I'm here. She wished so much that it could be true. His shoulder became the perfect pillow and his shirt began to darken and soak with teardrops.

"It's ok wiL," she said after a minute or so.

"Are you sure?" he double checked.

"Yeah," she reassured him, "I just needed to let it out." The door opened and Officer Sherman poked his head in.

"We're going to need you to identify him now, Ms. Gregory," he said, almost apologetically. She nodded and looked up at wiL, who helped her up. Sheriff Dalton led them to a room on the far end. They stood in a small dark room and he knew they were behind one of the glass mirrors.

"Are you ready?" Sheriff Dalton asked, his finger on a switch.

Carefully and unnoticeably, wiL weaved his fingers with hers, giving her every bit of his warmth he could.

"Yes, I'm ready."

*****

The sound came on and they saw through the mirror. Yelling shattered into the tiny area.

"I never been to that house, not in my life!" a man was yelling, his hands handcuffed, an orange jumpsuit already donning his body. wiL glanced at Elizabeth. Her face was unreadable. He couldn't imagine the conflict going on in her head. This man had killed her parents. How could she not get angry? wiL looked back up at him, studying the lines over his forehead and the odd dent in his cheek.

"We've got your prints and blood at the scene," the prosecutor, a woman, was yelling, "You have everything to lose here. All I'm asking is why you did it."

"I didn't do anything!" the man bucked, hitting the table. The lawyer next to him flinched.

"Relax, Zachary," he said, "I don't want my client to appear angry or distraught. You're instigation is going to make you lose this case."

"I didn't do it!" the man, Zachary, insisted, standing up to knock the table onto two legs for a moment.

"Do you know this man?" Sheriff Dalton asked, bringing Elizabeth out of the trance she was in.

Her head went down. "No, I'm sorry, I don't."

Disappointment crossed Sheriff Dalton and Officer Sherman's face.

"You don't" wiL breathed out, catching the attention of everyone in the room. He took another deep breath before exhaling his answer, strong and clear.

"But I do."

**So it's been a while again. I got a job so things are slowing down dramatically. However, I have two mroe chapters already written out and ready so I may post as soon as next week. Hopefully this all makes sense. I love these climactic chapters XD***

XOXO

Father May I? (Chapter 31)

Your Past: Stalking You Since You Know When

"Check it!" Nick said in Toledo two days later. Shortly after his outburst, his friends surrounded him, all starring at the computer screen.

"Aw, someone heard about it!" Angel observed.

"What does it say? I can't read it!" Jade said from behind wiL and Elizabeth.

"It's a featured blog on buzznet. It says 'On this particular evening, a lover's quarrel resulted in amazing rewards to the select fans backstage that night. wiL's new friend, a girl who's name that is still unknown, had been hanging out incognito until one of the girls there started saying particularly cruel insults. After a short back and forth argument between wiL's friend and the fan, wiL interjected himself in defense of his own fans, which in reality is what he has been doing for years. The trouble maker was thrown and to the pleasant surprise of the fans, wiL's friend requested they receive a little extra. Shortly after, the merch crew turned in, but not before giving every single fan a concert shirt of their choosing, signed by all members of Aiden. It's another reason to adore the rebel loving band and to start getting to know this new friend. Questions on her identity still remain. More on this later.'"

"Is this a good thing?" Elizabeth asked, concern in her voice. wiL smiled and kissed her cheek.

"This is a VERY good thing!" he assured her, "If the fans like you, then they may accept us a little better."

Elizabeth shrugged, "If I weren't me, I would think it was all a setup to do exactly that."

Nick laughed, "Most people don't think like you."

"That's where you're wrong," she nodded at him, "you've never read fan fictions. These girls will take things and make it work to prove that Angel is screwing Jake."

"Um, how about if I say I'm not!" Jake interjected. Elizabeth simply laughed.

"That will fuel their fire," she insisted.

"Is this actually a rumor?" Angel questioned nervously.

"No, it was an example," Elizabeth giggled, "but it is legitimate."

Angel subconsciously shuddered, "That is a new level of sick..." he muttered. wiL noticed an evil smile creep across Jake's face but instantly gave him the death glare. Angel would not appreciate even the joke of being gay. Well, he would, but not from Jake.

Another harbinger, or by definition, something that foreshadows or anticipates a future event (a fact he'd only just learned from Elizabeth) came from the door. It was a knock, which was odd by itself. Hugo had been allowed to burst in at any time, and any others wouldn't come directly to the band themselves... for anything; that was the reason for roadies and stage directors. It couldn't have been Mandy, and as the guys were thinking all these things the reason it couldn't be Mandy was presented again: Mandy would never risk her nails to pound on the door in that manner.

"I'll get it," Nick finally mumbled. He rose up from his seat and went to the door.

"Can I help you sirs?" he asked, his voice on the verge of cracking. Now wiL was nervous. Who would make Nick feel threatened?

"Yes, we're with the local police department. We need to speak with an Elizabeth Gregory. We're told she'd be on this bus?"

"I'm right here," Elizabeth spoke up. wiL could sense how worried she was. Though, it could have been him too.

Nick didn't say a word as two men invited themselves in. Both wore police uniforms, one in tan and one in blue. The front runner was suited in the brown and had a sheriff's badge pinned to his chest. They both solemnly entered, the man behind scanning the bus. wiL couldn't help but thank God for Elizabeth's OCD causing her to clean it the day before.

"How can I help you gentlemen?" she asked politely.

The front man cleared his throat, "Ms. Gregory, my name is Ethan Kissinger and this is my second William Sherman," he motioned to himself and the blue donned officer.

"How do you do," Elizabeth said, offering her hand to both men. Nick, Jake, and Jade took positions behind the two men, Angel and wiL hovering close behind Elizabeth. Instinctively (or perhaps possessively) wiL placed his hand on her shoulder.

"We're just fine ma'am," he replied. His eyes were sad, his whole face downcast. Something was wrong. What could it possibly be was the question.

"We didn't want to disturb you, but the FBI has been trying to catch you for a while and we didn't want to miss our chance," Mr. Sherman informed them.

"What's going on?" wiL asked, his alpha male side taking the best of him, "Does this have to do with Mandy? Is she fighting for guardianship?"

"As far the case is going, this has nothing to do with Mandy," Mr. Kissinger told him, using his hand to signal him to calm himself. wiL instantly felt relieved, but at the same time a new wave of worry crossed. He couldn't imagine what Elizabeth was feeling, her emotions and anxiety no doubt tripling his.

"We wanted to deliver the news to you personally," Mr. Sherman continued.

"What? What is it?" Elizabeth asked.

The two men shared a glance, before brightening up a bit. Mr. Kissinger gave her a soft smile.

"We caught him."

A moment of confused silence passed.

"We caught him," Mr. Sherman repeated, "We got the man who killed your parents."

wiL didn't know when exactly it happened, but next thing he knew, Elizabeth had fallen from his grasp on his shoulder and was lying on the floor.

*****

She didn't recall falling, nor did she have any idea how she'd gotten there-the bed at the police station. Yet there she was, starring above at the ceiling. Chatter was making its way into the room and she immediately tuned her ears.

"Let me in there! Come on, I'm a friend!"

"Not a chance, bub, only family allowed."

"This is her stepfather!"

"Yeah, why didn't you bring that little piece of information up earlier then?"

"It's not something I like broadcasting to the world, ok?"

"wiL?" she whispered.

"Look I don't have time for this. The victim needs to be well rested if she's going to have any shot at recognizing this guy."

"wiL?" she said a little louder.

"She has to meet this guy? Wait, how do you know this is him? The cops told her there wasn't any one..."

"This is really none of your business!"

"I'm married to her adoptive mother! Mandy Vaughn!"

"Mandy Vaughn? She recently filed for divorce at the...never mind. The point is, if you were married to her, she doesn't want it to be that way."

"wiL?" Elizabeth said much louder. She couldn't see it, but she knew all three of them-wiL, Nick, and the jackass officer-had turned their heads to face her.

"Hey you can't-"

"Save it, let him in." Nick defended, and then wiL was at her bedside.

"Hello darling," wiL whispered softly.

"wiL," she smiled and turned her head to face him. He looked different. His eyes were still done up in eyeliner. Had his hair always been that long? She could only remember that it had been shorter, that night in darkness lit by the single kitchen light. How long ago had that been? Three or four months?

"I'm so sorry! I didn't even know you'd passed out or else I would have grabbed you," he apologized.

"Stop it, silly, I'm fine," she giggled, making herself sit up. It was a blessing she didn't have any weight in her head.

"Ok good, because you have to take on a big project here," he warned.

"I know," she said.

"You do?"

"Yeah I heard you guys out in the hallway," she admitted.

A silence settled over the room like a slow moving liquid. It covered her in thought. She had to meet the man who killed her parents. How do you do that?

"Do what?"

"What?"

"You asked me how do I do that; what did you mean?"

"Oh, I hadn't realized I spoken out loud..." Elizabeth trailed and dismissed subtly, "I need to speak with the sheriff before I do anything. He might some answers."

"To what?"

Elizabeth looked up and tried her best to give him an unreadable stare. "My questions."

**aha loyal readers, there are so few of you left, though I have gained a few. I thank all of you. It really means a lot that you still read. Anyways, as I said this is where it gets interesting. This is where everything ties in, questions are answered, yada yada...I'vehad this ending in my head for ages now, and it is such a relief to write it. Keep reading! It only gets better from here!**

XOXO

Father May I? (Chapter 30)

Double Check as you Please

Elizabeth waited patiently in the back tonight, the hard rain discouraging her from joining the crowd. However, it wasn't challenging to mingle with the teen fan girls backstage.

"What's up ladies?" She asked harmlessly, clinging to her soda like a life ring.

"Oh my God, only the best thing ever!" a particularly annoying blonde girl yelped. It was a perfect picture of stereotypes; fan girl after fan girl, and the leader was blonde.

"Aiden?"

"YEAH!" the blonde said. Elizabeth nodded dismissively and headed towards a a few more odd looking girls. They wore the "scene" look with the cropped hair dyed black and blonde, bows and all, pink, yellow, and turquoise. The skinny jeans and band t-shirts were another part, with the added on Vans shoes. It was the only group she hadn't talked to yet.

"Ugh I just can't believe it," one of the girls said, almost apathetically.

"Yeah," said a lower pitched girl, "I thought for sure he was married."

"What's up now?" Elizabeth asked. Surprisingly, the group immediately brought her up to speed.

"wiL isn't wearing a ring," said one of the scene girls with a turquoise bow in her hair, "and I saw a video where he said he was married, but then brought up another chick."

"What if it was a Gerard Way thing?" The girl farthest away with the pink bow said, "like when he was engaged to that chick Eliza and then they were over?"

"That's probably what happened." Elizabeth nodded. "It's awful isn't it?"

"You think it had anything to do with the new chick?" the turquoise asked.

Instantly, Elizabeth felt sick. "No way, I mean she was like our age right?"

"Good point." The pink one said. The yellow bow spoke up.

"Yeah but today it's not too far fetched. I was there. I saw how he looked at her-it was something."

Trying to laugh it off, Elizabeth waved her hand. "Nah, and even if he does have a thing for the new chick, I doubt he would have married Mandy then just left her in the same week."

"Now that is true," the yellow bow agreed. "wiL's a good guy, as far as I can tell. I didn't know her name, but that Mandy chick didn't match him nearly as well as this girl did. Maybe he realized she was too different."

"You got all that from one stage appearance?" the pink bow said.

Yellow bow shrugged, "I read people sometimes."

Sighing with relief, Elizabeth nodded, clinging once again to her drink. "Then that's probably what it is."

"Rumor has it, the two women are related." Pink bow informed the group.

"How's that?"

"The girl apparently lives with them on the tour bus!" Pink bow continued. "She was adopted by Mandy."

"It has to be a rumor." Elizabeth said hurriedly. "There is just no way."

"They're coming ladies," a familiar voice said. A grimace crossed her face as she turned, seeing Mandy in the door way. The ring still donned her left hand.

"Oh yes!" the blonde girl from earlier squealed, her and her friends jumping up and down.

"Relax girls; he's a married man!" Mandy said confidently. Red clouded Elizabeth for a split second, and that was all it took.

"Not anymore, he's not."

She instantly wished she had just hidden in the corner. Obviously knowing Elizabeth was there before, Mandy merely smiled.

"Aww aren't you cute!" Mandy said, spite hidden so perfectly it was like a piece of cotton amongst a silk blanket; it was hardly noticeable unless you knew it was there.

"She's right you know," the yellow bow said. "He isn't wearing his ring."

"Perhaps he doesn't want to ruin it?" her aunt continued on.

"Like you would know if he actually hated you." the pink bow shot out.

"I would know actually," she said and shut the door, menace radiating from her skinny body and intimidating stare down. The security guards in the room visibly weren't sure what to make of Mandy. They knew who she was, probably because she was on a list allowing her access (that needed revision), but the red in Mandy's glare made them uneasy.

"Not if you were biased, wishing he cared about you anymore!" Elizabeth shot out again.

"Has he confirmed that he doesn't?" Mandy shouted at Elizabeth. The act was almost dropped, but her expression was sharp for only a moment, before it went back to the cocky glare.

"Yes he has. He doesn't want you."

Girls turned to look at her and then to Elizabeth, who was bravely stepping forward to her aunt.

"How would you know?" Turquoise bow said, obviously confused. "This is Mandy Murders! Don't you think she knows wiL better than you?"

"They don't know, do they?" Mandy said quietly, a smirk plastered onto her face. Automatically, Elizabeth knew her plan.

"Don't you dare breathe a word of it."

"You know I do love you," Mandy said softly, leaning back against the door, "but I love him more."

"Love her?" Yellow bow said in a thoughtful tone.

"I got that. It doesn't matter. You shouldn't be here, and when he gets here, he'll kick you out."

"I wish we weren't fighting, I really do."

"When this is over, we won't need to because you'll have to accept reality."

"Ladies," a security guard said suddenly. Elizabeth smiled. It was Hugo.

"Yes?" Mandy said through her teeth.

"Please take it to another room." He glared. A cocky grin went onto the young girl's face.

"Seriously, let it go! You're arguing with her?" Pink bow said, but Yellow bow touched her arm and shook her head. Confusion was settling into the room.

The door shut behind them.

"What else do you want?" Mandy asked.

"You have to let it go," Elizabeth insisted, "he already assured me I wasn't a replacement."

"Has he really assured you though?" she persisted, "It's quite possible his words alone are not enough. I want hard evidence."

"What else do you want?" Elizabeth threw her hands in the air.

"I want to talk to him," Mandy said. Elizabeth nodded.

"That's fine."

A pause happened. It wasn't a normal silence, because the tension whispered in their ears and made every movement louder than it was. Mandy finally broke it, releasing all the tension with one word.

"Alone."

"Not a chance!" Elizabeth fired back.

"Why not?"

"You'll hit on him!"

"Now is that a problem?"

Elizabeth just gave her a look.

"Think about it, Lizzie," Mandy continued, "if he really truly loves you, he would push me off him. I'll put my best moves on him, and if he refuses me, then we'll both know."

"Did you get impatient or something? I thought I would tell you if he wasn't replacing you with me."

"I just realized that flaw in the plan." Mandy said smugly, leaning back and crossing her arms.

"And that flaw is?"

"You can easily convince yourself that it's true love," Mandy argued. It was semi true, and even Elizabeth couldn't deny it, "I want it to be confirmed; a clear cut sign."

"Ok so you have a point," Elizabeth reluctantly admitted.

"It's not a point. It's the new plan." Mandy said confidently. "You'll get too curious yourself as to whether he'll accept me, so I will ignore any protests right now."

Of course, from that comment, Elizabeth went to speak up for herself, knowing full well that Mandy was one hundred percent correct. Being a girl was terrible; the crazy drama that seemed unavoidable. How had she gotten dragged into this?

From that, where was she to begin?

Just before she got a word out, someone banged on the door. "All right ladies, the boys are on their way." The door opened, Hugo's figure blocking a majority of the entry. "I'm sorry Mandy, but you have to leave."

"Naturally; I'm sure my husband wouldn't want to see me," Mandy sighed, and raised her hand before both Hugo and Elizabeth said what they were aching to yell:

"I know, I know, ex husband."

Screams came into the room: piercing, screeching, horrible sounds. Fan girls, as expected, were pouring themselves onto the shadows of the five no doubt exhausted men. Mandy made an annoyed snarl.

"Is there a back exit?" Hugo pointed behind her and it was that direction Mandy clicked away. Elizabeth walked with Hugo back into the room to see the boys signing the multitude of items being shoved in their faces. Nick and Angel were being swamped by a few giggling girls. Jade and Jake were hanging back with the three bows. And not shocking her at all was the original blonde falling over herself (she'd skipped tripping and gone to full out falling) to impress him. She twirled her hair nervously and laughed when he said anything and asked him to sign every last thing she was wearing.

"Hmm, I don't feel jealous," she mumbled.

"Lizzinator, jealous? I wouldn't even hear of it." Hugo laughed.

"As long as she doesn't try to get him to sign her boobs," she agreed. However, at that very moment she began reaching around her to grab the top of her shirt.

"AHEM!" Hugo shouted loudly and on purpose. Every head turned. wiL looked up and instantly his weariness vanished replaced by little sparkles. The blonde looked in wiL's direction, so Elziabeth took advantage of the situation and walked up next to her, whispering so only she could hear.

"They don't sign boobs,"

"Pch, they'll sign mine." She said, obviously dismissing her. It wasn't rude, but more of a comical tone.

"Well, let me rephrase, he isn't allowed to sign underage girl's boobs,"

"What are you, a security guard?" the girl said rudely, "Back off me!"

"Hey whatever she said is probably right," wiL said. "She's been to a lot of our shows before."

The blonde turned back to wiL, her glower bouncing into a giddy smile. "I was just curious as to if you'd sign one more thing."

"We don't like to sign skin, but especially not if it's anything you wouldn't expose next to your dad." wiL recited, almost making Elizabeth break out in giggles-she'd certainly exposed those kinds of things to her "dad". Instantly, the flighty girl fell downcast.

"Oh," she said, "That's all right!" she said, perking up, "You could make it up to me!"

Elizabeth and wiL exchanged a nervous glance. "Um, how?" he asked.

"Well, I don't think a kiss would kill you," she hinted, dragging her toe along the floor-her toe barely visible through the huge heels.

"Well, uh, it's not, uh, something I can exactly..." wiL stuttered. Surely he'd encountered this before. Why was he acting like it was new?

"What?" the girl asked.

"Well, see, I'd like to, but I'm not allowed. I'm sure you'd want it to mean something, something special, and it would, but then if I did it to you, I'd have to do it to all the other girls here."

Blondie looked around at the others. As her gaze turned to the three bows, she glared.

"Well, I'd rather deprive myself then let them have anything. They aren't worthy of you."

Elizabeth's earlier rage betrayed her, "Worthy? He's a normal guy, and they are pretty cool girls!"

"Yeah I saw you with them," Blondie said scornfully, "I'm going to fight for my man," she continued, winking at wiL. He tried not to laugh.

"Fight? Those girls wouldn't waste their time being fan girls!"

"No, they waste their time cutting their wrists to get attention! Seriously, why don't they just kill themselves already? And for that matter, why don't you?"

"Now that's enough!" wiL yelled, his voice commanding and strong. "No one should have death wished upon them! Especially not MY Elizabeth," wiL paused here to bring Elizabeth into him, "or anyone she believes is a good person. Hugo, get this trash out of here!"

"Gladly," he sighed, taking the girl by her arm and leading her out. The blonde continued to yell, threatening to sue and cursing everyone in the room.

"Thanks," Elizabeth mumbled, her head down as she moved away from him; the act still had to go on, "I was afraid I'd punch her."

wiL's hand found it's way on her chin. "No one talks to you like that."

Elizabeth's eyes darted to the bow girls. "Yeah well it's nice of you to do that for a fan."

wiL's eyes widened as he remembered. "Hey, you're a loyal fan. I can't just stand by and watch as that thing that I sing against goes on."

"Why would anyone like that like your music?"

"No idea. I also didn't know those types of girls actually existed. I was fairly certain those were just the made up bad chicks from fairytales."

"Yeah, me either," Elizabeth finished. She looked back up at wiL and for a moment tried to convey how much she wanted to kiss him right there through her eyes. However much she meant it, the expression she was met with said the exact same thing times ten.

"I knew it." Yellow bow said suddenly, triumph on her face. The silent couple turned to face her.

"What?" Turquoise asked.

"That's her," Yellow bow explained, "the girl he brought on stage."

"What?" Elizabeth said, trying to appear confused.

"Please," Yellow countered, "that's the exact same look he gave you on the stage. I'd recognize it anywhere."

"Oh my God, you're the girl?" Another teen said from the other room. It was one of the guys (the few guys) in the room.

"Dude, she is hot," said another one of the guys.

"No," wiL said, "she's beautiful, and she's all mine."

"Hey wiL?" Elizabeth said as wiL began to wrap his arms around her.

"Yes?"

"Before you do the romantic 'she's all mine, kiss, end scene' thing, can we, uh, do something nice for these guys?" she asked, referring to the fans in the room.

wiL smiled. "I think I know just the thing."

**told ya I'd be posting faster. It's all coming together now. I'm gonna go watch the Movie Awards now...maybe Zachary Quinto will be on it XD**

***ps I will not be eliminating any characters, despite current band lineup***

Father May I? (Chapter 29)

We All Need Confirmation; I Got Mine

wiL pushed the curtain back. "Can I come in?" he asked. Elizabeth looked up and smiled.

"Of course," she grinned.

Whether it was the morning's cuddles or the feeling of being tested or her still in her running shorts, it overcame him. He instantly rushed into her, pressing his body so hard on hers his intentions were clear, and kissed her passionately but roughly. It hadn't even meant to be that. He'd wanted to talk to her and find out what was going on. Yet suddenly, all he wanted was her again.

"wiL Angel's in the next room," she reminded him. He sighed, releasing her neck from his teeth.

"Why?" he asked desperately.

She giggled, "Because he lives here."

"Damn him," wiL muttered. Her mouth formed a grin that he erased with his lips.

"wiL, seriously," she said. He backed up a bit. The tone was annoyed. It didn't make any sense.

"Is there something wrong?" he asked warily.

"Yes, if you'll kindly look down I think you'll see it as well."

Crap.

"Sorry, it happens," he apologized and immediately began trying to think of old ladies, "what's really wrong?"

"I told you...before."

He sighed and moved away from her another step. "I don't want you to think that way. I am not going to forget you and be all about the physical. I've never been that way."

Elizabeth switched her stance, reminding him of just how young she was. It was vulnerable and fear was obvious. She bit her lip and grabbed onto her arm across her stomach, shifting her weight to her left foot.

"I don't want you to hurt me."

"What?" he said, feeling like she'd just punched him in the gut, "I'd never..."

"I know you wouldn't on purpose, and I don't think you would on accident," she assured him. Very gently she rested her arms on his chest, his hands immediately travelling to her back to embrace her.

"What I mean," she continued, "is that I just never want to be mad at you or not talk to you. I would feel like I was missing a part of me."

"Yeah," he mumbled. Meanwhile, his thoughts were taking him back. She was young. She had a future to build and it couldn't be backstage or in a mosh pit. She probably had big dreams too. With her soon to be inherited fortune, she could make it happen. Was he holding her back?

"You have to get ready for the show," she reminded him, bringing him out of his trance. He pulled back and looked in her eyes.

The crooked smile came back onto her face. "You see it too."

"See what?"

"Everything we didn't see before," she sighed, "blinded so much by rapidly- emerging, unexplainable emotions that we ignored facts and issues that should have been addressed before all of this. Like, for instance, the whole thing about you left you potential wife for a girl your not even sure you're going to marry, etc."

They both let out a small laugh. "You're close," he admitted. She reached up and kissed his cheek.

"Should we worry about this after the concert?"

"Yes!" he laughed and hugged her. She turned to go back to the living room, but heard himself stop her.

"You know, for a while I worried you would think you were a replacement."

She turned back to him. Instantly, he noted the poker face she was putting on. "Why would you think I'd worry?"

"That day when we sang Erase/Replace," he recalled, "you joked about it. But I know things, and that's normally a sign that the thought had crossed your mind."

"You read into me well," she confessed.

"I want you to know, it's not like that." He nodded towards her, "at first, I considered it myself, but even Mandy wasn't this amazing."

A smile came across her face, telling him he'd done well.

"You know that I'm testing you,"

Or so he'd thought.

"I had a feeling."

"Well...keep it up. You aren't doing too badly." She giggled and walked out.

Hopefully, he thought to himself, this is just an evil plan to satisfy Mandy. I will not be tested again.

**end of school, so rather busy. I feel awful. My fanfic is dying in popularity and it is getting so good! Everything is tying in! Next chapter is exciting..GAH! I'm actually going to tag this one...it needs to be read! anyways...please bear with me!**

XOXO

Father May I? (Chapter 28)

All Out Silent Brawl

"Where's Lizzie?"

It was a warm morning and wiL had slept in. As a very typical thing for him to do, no one really cared. It didn't bother them, and nothing bothered him. It was amazing how much he'd slept. After months of insomnia, he slept like a baby. This morning he hadn't heard a thing. It felt way too cliché that he woke up when someone said her name.

"Why?"

"I don't know...I'm bored and feel like hackling someone who gets all scrunchie faced and stuff."

"I don't know Nick."

"Well...let's face it; she might be in wiL's bed..."

The curtains flew back almost instantly. The sunlight burned and wiL instinctively hissed and rolled over. "She's not here!" he yelled.

"You're lucky..." Angel mumbled.

"Angel, chill. If she's in his bed, it doesn't mean anything anyways," wiL noted Jade's point. He secretly wondered if that would always be a valid statement.

"That's weird," he heard Nick say to himself, "where the heck can she be?"

"Did you check the roof?" wiL asked.

"Yeah I checked there too, but she-"

"Hey guys!"

Elizabeth's voice was so ringing and clear, but obviously winded. wiL finally raised his head off the pillow enough to see her and pushed his upper torso up to see her from his bunk.

"Hi guys! Sorry, I went out for a morning jog." She said, breathily. That much appeared to be true. She wore athletic shorts that came down far enough to be considered modest, but didn't go to her knees. Her tank top was a nice white color that just barely showed the pink bra underneath. wiL took mental notes again that he wished he didn't, such as he was curious to whether he'd ever take it off himself.

Being a guy sucks sometimes...he muttered to himself as he fell back onto his pillow. Footsteps warned him of upcoming disturbances.

"Angel I swear if you open this curtain again, I'll stab you."

"Thanks, unless you meant Angel- Angel. If you are saying angel as a cute name, I'm offended." Her voice soothed him. It wasn't high pitched like most seventeen year old girls. wiL decided that maybe it had to do with mental capacity. Tragedy might also take part. Nonetheless, it worked in his favor, as Elizabeth's voice sounded like soft rain with an added touch of thunder. It rolled off his bare back like shockwaves, and goose bumps rose on his skin.

"Morning, beautiful," he said rolling over to look at her.

"I was going to say the same thing," she joked. To his surprise, he felt her lay down beside him, her small arms wrapping around him. Adding to his shock, she nudged her body closer, so much it made him roll over and face her.

"You're very affectionate." He smiled.

"Negative ghost rider; you're just comfy." She giggled. He moved so that he was completely towards her and reached around, pulling Elizabeth closer to him. Her breathing was heavy from running and he could feel the heart in her chest beating so rapidly yet it felt like paper gently pushing him. wiL sighed into her as her head fit nicely under his chin, their legs entwining instinctively.

"I missed you," he whispered into her hair.

"You saw me before you went to bed last night silly," she laughed, her breath batting at his chest like sunshine.

"Yeah but I had a dream and you weren't in it and I got all weird," he said sleepily. Elizabeth must have recognized his fatigue.

"Do you want me to let you sleep?"

"No I want you to stay here and sleep with me,"

"There will be NONE of that you two!" Angel's voice shouted from the other room, followed by juvenile laughter.

"Come off it Angie!" Elizabeth shot back. The laughter increased in volume. Luckily, Angel rolled it off his shoulders and no noise was heard indicating his argument.

"What are we going to do about him?" wiL whispered as softly as he could.

"I don't know," she said in the same urgent hushed tone.

"I mean, I know he supports us, but I doubt he'd be so 'oh this is fine' if he knew..."

"We're not going to worry about that now," Elizabeth insisted. "We're going to enjoy this. Eventually, the media will find out about you and Mandy breaking up and, frankly, you and I haven't been very subtle. No doubt they will assume it's me and soon enough that will have to be revealed, and then your fans will have to decide whether it's ok and there will be a lot of controversy, but that might also be positive since it will get the band in the spot light, except that's a dark topic,"

"Liz," wiL whispered, letting out a sigh, "I'd rather worry about Angel."

She let out a small laugh and nodded. "Yes, but I doubt the media, fans, and angry mothers will be as forgiving as Angel."

wiL laughed a bit and kissed her forehead. Even though it seemed like a sweet sensitive moment, there was a feeling in the air that he'd never experienced before, like the story wasn't over. It was as if there was so much more to be said, and it wasn't from him.

"Elizabeth, what's going on?" He said, almost out of fear. The vibe of this brand new aura was unnerving.

"Nothing," she said, instantly. Her head never even moved.

"I don't need superpowers to know that's a lie," wiL persisted.

"It's not important," she mumbled and readjusted herself on his chest. He pushed his hand out to grab her chin so she looked in his eyes.

"Yes it is,"

Elizabeth fought for half a second then grabbed wiL's hand. "I went to see Mandy last night,"

wiL almost felt like a hole had been shot through his chest. It wasn't from hurt, but all from shock and surprise.

"How are you still here?" wiL joked, then something dawned on him. "Where is she?"

The young girl shrugged. "I had a hunch so I just started walking and I found Hugo's car in an apartment complex." She shifted. "When Hugo went out, I went in."

"So she's as close to me as she can get?" wiL guessed. Elizabeth nodded. Silence followed and it made him roll his eyes. "And what happened?"

"Well... we just talked I guess." she responded, lowering her head a bit. Only then did he notice the little bit of yellowing around her eye.

"What the fuck!" he shouted, sitting up. Elizabeth shushed him, but the boys had already heard and they were running into the room. wiL instantly sat up and away from Elizabeth, propping himself in the corner. Elizabeth sat up just as Angel threw the curtain back.

"What?" he asked, the other three right behind him.

"Nothing Angel, just go please," Elizabeth mumbled. That wasn't like her.

"Why is there a bruise on your face?" wiL asked, not wanting her to slink out of it.

Elizabeth suddenly glared at him, "Like I need to answer that stupid question? What are we, a fan-fiction? Are you going to get mad and hit Mandy and then get arrested and leave me to rot in my house, never getting over my music man?"

No one said a thing.

"She hit me all right? It was instinct, because she wanted to. I mean, we're all girls and I 'stole her man' so she wanted to. So for half a second when she opened the door, she lost her head and punched me. Big deal, I've had worse!"

No one spoke.

"She wants you back- duh- and she's promising to be a good girl and going back to her old self. It's my job to choose if she can or not."

It was that comment that made wiL speak up. "Wait...you're choice?"

"Yes sir, my choice," she repeated.

"On what grounds?" Angel questioned. She smiled.

"Mine, now let me be so I can change into clothes and you all can get ready for the show tonight." With a sarcastic evil grin, Elizabeth jumped off the bed and around the boys in a cartoon like fashion and went to the back.

"Right...the concert tonight." Jake said, grabbing Jade and Nick by their sleeves. Angel eyed wiL, who stared right back.

"I don't like this," wiL said plainly. Angel nodded.

"It's not Elizabeth's test, I don't think," he sat down on the bed next to wiL. "This seems like a Mandy thing."

"Then why would Liz agree to it?"

"Maybe Mandy said something and she figured it made sense," Angel speculated, "or perhaps it's an old school 'I'll prove he loves me' girl brawl."

wiL let out a breath, "I'd love to see that."

An uproar of laughter was heard, Elizabeth's giggle evident. "I think you are seeing it wiL."

**HOLY CRAP You're lucky I remembered (if any of you are still bearing with me). We're going on vacation so I thought I'd leave this here. TELL YOUR FRIENDS NUTTERS! Love to all**

XOXO