The sky was gray and forlorn over the next few days. February was slowly moving along with its usual cold and damp weather. So the students of Olympia High preferred to stay inside. Andie and Bane were by her locker, talking about a movie they'd watched together that weekend when Bane paused, eying the wall opposite him with an unreadable expression.

"And I thought... Bane?"

Andie looked at him and noticed he wasn't listening to her anymore. She frowned slightly, and saw the notice he was looking at.

Our fellow students,

For personal reasons, Chad Harrington will no longer be playing the lead in this year's end of year production. Fortunately, new student Eric Donovan has graciously agreed to step in for him. To all other cast members, please be reminded that the rehearsals will continue as planned. Thank you.

Drama club.

Andie clapped her hand to her mouth as she realized that she'd never told Bane about Eric being cast for the play.

"I... I'm sorry, I meant to tell you, Bane... I just never... I'm sorry..."

"It's fine," he said. "It's just a play."

Andie, not wanting there to be any misunderstandings, hesitated, then said:

"Bane... you do know he's playing my character's love interest... don't you?"

"Yeah, I do," he said. "But like I said, it's just a play."

Andie was certain he was more tense than was natural, but was carefully hiding it. Rather than pushing and risking them fighting, she forced a smile and said:

"I'm glad you see it that way."

She kissed the corner of his lips. Just then, a sharp clicking sound made them look around. When they did, Andie sighed.

"Oh, joy..." she groaned.

"Uh oh, she looks pretty mad about something..." Bane commented.

"When does she ever not look mad?" Andie asked.

"She" was actually Vicki Chase, marching angrily towards them. Or rather, towards Andie. When she'd reached them, she stopped and glared at Andie.

"Bet you're really proud of yourself, aren't you?" she demanded.

"Morning Vicki, nice to see you too," Andie said, forcing a smile.

"Oh, cut the crap." Vicki snapped.

Andie sighed and said:

"And what am I so proud of, exactly?"

"Getting Judy and the others to pick your buddy over Chad!"

"Chad left, Vicki," Andie retorted. "And I didn't ask for Eric to take his place. He was there, he can sing, they picked him because they didn't want to waste time holding new auditions."

"Yeah, right. Chad was doing fine!"

"He complained about everything!" Andie retorted. "It was impossible to work with him. You're just annoyed because your boyfriend isn't in the play anymore and my friend is, and that Eric's not as self-centered."

Vicki snorted, her arms folded indignantly.

"I bet Eric got into your pants and you planned it all-"

SLAP! Andie had flew through the air and struck Vicki's cheek.

"Don't you dare." she said quietly. "I'm with Bane, and we're staying that way. You will not get in between us. And if you insist upon trying, then bring it on."

She took Bane's hand and they walked away, but she couldn't help noticing the look of confusion in Bane's eyes. After they had put enough distance between them and Vicki, he caught her arm and stopped.

"Andie, hold on..."

"What?" Andie asked. "I'm sick of watching her slither her way between us! Implying I.... ugh! I can't even think about it."

She suddenly froze. She looked at Bane.

"Bane... you don't believe her? Please, tell me you don't..."

Bane touched her cheek.

"I don't," he assured her. "And I hope you don't think I have any interest in her?"

"Well," Andie said, grinning now, "I'd have to say I thought you had pretty poor taste if you did."

Bane laughed.

"True." he said. "Come on, it's time for class."

He slid an arm around Andie's shoulders and they walked down the hall, both glad that the incident hadn't caused a wedge between them.

"Jessica, your stance is too wide, bring your arms closer," Balon was saying. "Emily, your stance is good, but try and put more charisma into it. You need to show your opponent you're not afraid. Even if you really are."

They hadn't yet been caught in the park, but thought it was getting too dangerous now that the weather was getting warmer and more people would be walking through it. So they had chosen an abandoned building just outside town. No one ever went there. They were careful not to use their powers inside, though to avoid damaging the already fragile structure. But it was wide enough that they could practice their fighting skills. Each was sparring with what Jessica liked to call their "spirit partner", except for Balon who was watching them, and Bane, who was keeping an eye out for any unwanted witnesses. After a moment, Adena stopped and called:

"All right, let's take a few minutes."

Andie's saw Balon's eyes narrow at Adena.

"Adena, I would appreciate you letting me decide when they can stop." he said coolly.

"They've been at it for two hours, Balon," Bane interjected calmly.

"And needed every second of it!" Balon snapped, rounding on Bane. "Zorak is not going to stop until he and his son have your powers! They are nowhere near ready!"

"They're trying," Bane retorted shortly. "You're forgetting that they've been training for three months, you and me for years."

"Exactly!" Balon shot back. "So you see the problem! And this is thanks to your insistence on telling them the truth about Zorak and the Dermon Realm!"

"We had to, they would have been unable to defend themselves!" Bane replied hotly.

Balon pointed accusingly at Bane.

"Something they wouldn't have needed if you hadn't gotten the circle to form again!"

Suddenly, a bright light shot towards them. Balon only had time to move aside before it hit the wall. There was a stunned silence as all eyes turned to Andie, whose arm was still raised, her eyes glittering with fury.

"Did you just...?!" Balon demanded incredulously.

"I did." she retorted icily. "How dare you?"

She stepped forwards.

"How dare you try and make Bane think he put us in the position?" she asked. "He did everything all he could to keep us safe. And sacrificed his childhood to do it. On your advice, I might add. And you would let him think it's his fault we got our powers? His fault the demons attacked us?"

No one spoke. Even Balon seemed caught off guard by this outburst. She had yelled at him before, but this wasn't even yelling. It was calm rage. Which was, in some ways, worse. And more importantly, Andie had never, ever used her fire power on anyone else but the demons. She had had no real intention of hurting Balon, but still.

"If anyone is responsible, Balon, it is you." Andie said, placing herself between Bane and him. "You made the decision of giving up your powers. You chose us. You put us in this situation. Not Bane."

She could read the indignation in Balon's eyes, but she was fairly sure he couldn't disagree with her.

"You think you have the right to talk to me that way?" Balon eventually asked quietly. "I made you who you are!"

"No. You helped me get there, it's true. But Bane made me more who I am than you ever could. And you're right, I may not be the best person to tell you what to do. But when I make a mistake, I don't try and pin it on someone else."

She turned around and began to walk away. Just then, she heard a growl of anger and a scuffling sound that made her spin around.

********

Uh oh... trouble afoot? What is that sound? Any thoughts?

What do you think of their argument? Let us know in the comments!

Will Andie and her friends be ready for what's coming? Let's find out!