The crickets began chirping away, as night has finally come to the area. I was standing with Rain beside me, along with Wayne, Cody and Sebastian, who are behind us. All of us staring at the small town of Leon, from a distance in the woods. From where we're at, we can see the gas station has turned it's lights on for the night, and also the streetlights have been turned on too, until tomorrow morning.

My chance to meet with mom has finally come forth and I dug into my pocket, feeling the letter I've made for her in it. I let out a nervous sigh.

Rain looked down at me and asked with concern, "You alright?"

I nodded without looking at her, "Yeah." I shook my head and finally gazed up at her, "I know, I shouldn't feel nervous about this. But I can't help it. I'm kinda thinking and fear, that mom's not living on earth anymore. That Gerry probably killed her, while I was gone."

Sebastian looked down at me and said with confidence in his voice, "I doubt she's dead, kiddo." I twisted my head around to see him. Sebastian said with sincerity in his voice, "I think for a fact that your mother's strong, just like you. I don't think, she's dead."

Rain lowered her head down to my level and I was looking at her now, "And remember what I've told you before, Brandon. That if she's dead by Gerry, and I hope to the ancestors she's not, it wouldn't be your fault. It'd be Gerry's."

Wayne walked up and clasped his hand onto my shoulder, "She's right, pal." I turned my head to him, he was giving me a comforting smile, "I don't want your mom to die too, but it wouldn't be your fault that she'd die by him."

Cody nodded behind me, "Yeah, Brando. At least, just believe and hope that she's still alive. Don't give up on that hope." He gave me a big grin, flashing his teeth.

I looked at Rain and she gave me a soothing smile too. I grinned right back, "Yeah, you're right. It won't be my fault. It'd be that bastard's fault."

Rain got her head close to nuzzle my face, "Good." Rain raised her head and went back to gazing at my town.

I let out a confident breath and nodded as I was looking at Leon again, "Well...Time to put my plan into motion."

Before I could take a step, Wayne's voice stopped me, "Brandon, wait." I looked at him and he offered when he placed his hand to his chest, "I want to go with you. I want to meet your mother."

I was giving a curious frown at him, "You sure?"

Wayne nodded, "Sure. I want to meet your mom and plus, if Gerry's still with her, at least have some company to go with you. You might need my help subduing him."

Rain chimed in,  "Wayne's got a point. If Gerry sees you, you might as well have someone to look out for you."

Wayne replied after Rain said this, "Yep and it's like what people say, two heads are better than one."

I stared at him, then at Rain for a moment. Until, I trailed my eyes back to Wayne and nodded at him, "Alright, I guess it can't hurt that mom meets one of my friends." I gave his arm a friendly pat, with a smile, "Lets go."

Wayne nodded in agreement, "Right."

I turned all the way around to face Cody and Sebastian, saying this to my dragon friends, "Alright guys, me and Wayne will be back. So wait here, ok?"

All three of them nodded and Rain said this, "Be careful, and don't be gone forever. If there's any trouble, watch out."

I started to back away from Rain and them, while Wayne started his trek to Leon, "I will and don't worry, we'll be back." I gave her a wink and whirled around to catch up to Wayne, who's about a few feet ahead of me.

I managed to catch up to him and we're strolling to the highway, that's near town. We were at the edge of the woods, real close like to the long pavement road and both me and Wayne looked both sides, making sure that there are no cars coming. Wayne looked at me and instructed, "Lets go."

And with that, me and Wayne jogged across the highway, until we're in the town limits, real close to the gas station. We jogged near the gas pumps and we both jogged on the sidewalk near them, drifting ourselves further into town.

The streetlights lined up on both sides of the street, while both of us were on the sidewalk. Memories of me running away from here, came flooding back in my mind.

I can't believe it has been days ago, since I ran away from here and now I'm back to the town I grew up in. I looked back and forth at the houses that are lined up on both sides of the street. One house has it's lights still on, but several others are black. Most of the town is probably asleep. I could hear a baby crying in one of them.

Wayne leaned his head to whisper to me, just in case someone hears him, "So where's your house?"

I answered by whispering back, "About several blocks away. My mailbox should say 'Long' on it, that'll be the place."

Wayne nodded and we strode fast on the street, no sense in wasting time right now.

The cops could be looking for me still and we don't want them to see us, especially me.

Rain and the others are waiting for us and we don't want to waste any time. We came here to find mom and that's it. I know the cops are looking for me, but I don't really have time to talk to them. I need to find mom.

Hmmm, if mom's home, I wonder if she'll believe me about everything I'm planning to tell her. About Rain, about the dragons, about the dragon city.

I'm sure she'll believe me about Wayne being my friend and I've been hanging with him, but dragons, that she won't believe. I'd have to take her to the woods, just to show her Rain and the others. And boy, I can imagine her face!

I would know how she feels when she would first meet a dragon. I know that from experience.

I guess, I'll find out, if she's home.

I'm almost there, mom. I'm almost there.

Don't worry, I'm coming home.

Me and Wayne were heading deeper into town, past the park and then up ahead we could see Horace's bar. I smiled at the small building. I wonder how that guy's doing? I kinda do miss him.

He may not be a part of my family, but he's still a great guy.

Wayne tapped my shoulder twice real fast and I looked at him. He pointed at ahead, "Cop car." I followed his gaze and saw a deputy patrolling the streets, coming toward us.

Me and Wayne jumped over a small wooden picket fence into someone's yard and we ducked down near it to hide, huddling ourselves real close to it, before the deputy's car could come any closer to see us. We can both hear the deputy driving at a slow speed, but it didn't stop. It kept on driving.

As we both heard it drive past us, we both peered our heads over the wooden fence and saw it drive around a corner. Seeing the coast is clear. We both let out a whoosh of air and we stood straight up. Then we both climbed over the fence and onto the side of the street.

Wayne giggled a bit, still looking at the corner where the deputy turned to, "Well that was close. He didn't see us."

I giggled too, following his gaze, "Yep, too close." I let out a sigh, "But I wish I did talk to the cops and told them that I'm alive and well."

Wayne replied, "Your mom will tell the cops for you, we came to your town to find her."

I turned to him and nodded, "Lets find her, she should be home." Wayne turned to me also and nodded as well. Then we both went back to what we were doing, before we had to duck and hide. This time, we both jogged a bit.

After several more blocks, we finally saw my house nearby. I smiled at it. Home, sweet home.

I'm back mom. I'm back to you.

Me and Wayne jogged up to the mailbox, and it still had me and my mother's last name on it, with big white letters: LONG

Me and Wayne looked at the front of the house. Seeing that the lights are all off. Maybe mom's sleeping.

I took a deep breath and let it out. Then I turned to Wayne and asked, "Can you wait right here, until I call you over?"

Wayne smiled and nodded, "Sure, no problem."

I smiled back and I started to take real slow strides to the front door. Feeling a bit nervous for mom. That the other reason why the lights are out, could mean that she's dead and Gerry ran away.

Brandon, you don't know that. Just go up there, ring the doorbell and wake her up.

I was close to the front door and I pressed the button near it to ring the doorbell. I can hear it from outside. I placed my hands to my hips and waited for her for a minute. Since her bedroom's upstairs.

But for awhile, she never answered. So I rang the doorbell one more time and waited. But there was still no answer.

I let out a sigh. I hope she's not dead.

I decided to go to the walk to the garage, to look through the window, to see if her car's there. I looked through the window, pressing my forehead on it, squinting through the darkness and saw that no such car is in there at all.

I hummed in thought. Mom sometimes works on nightshift, so I think that's why she's not here.

I don't see Gerry's car outside the garage, and since he's usually home at this time of night, he's not. So I can only assume that mom finally kicked him out of her life.

Either that, or he's off drinking someplace else. But I guess, I can put myself at ease and think that she did what she had to do, to kick him out.

Mom, I hope you're REALLY ok.

I backed away from the garage window and strode back Wayne, who was just standing there waiting for me. He had a curious look on his face, as I was close to him, "Not home?"

I shook my head and stopped in front of him, "She's probably off working for nightshift. And as for Gerry, his car's usually parked in front of the garage, so I can only assume, he's either off drinking or mom kicked him out. I can bet that he's gone for good."

Wayne asked, "Want to go to where your mom works? Tell her, you're alright?"

I let out a sigh and shook my head, "No, we can't keep Rain and the others waiting for us forever. We need to go back."

Wayne stared at me for a moment, until he sighed and nodded, "Ok, whatever you say."

I pulled the letter that I made for mom, swiftly out of my pocket. I made sure it's folded tight and went to my mailbox. I opened it, placed the letter in there and closed it with a loud clang. I let out a breath. Well, at least I became prepared.

But I really wanted to see you, mom. I really did.

I backed away from the mailbox, brushing the thoughts aside. I'll come back here later.

In another time, I'll come back.

This won't be my first and last visit here. I'll ask Rain to take me back here later and try again.

When mom reads that letter, she'll know that I'm alive and well. I'll come back mother and I'll tell you everything.

I promise.

I turned to Wayne and instructed, "Lets get out of here." Wayne nodded and we both jogged away from my house. I looked back at it one last time, while I was jogging, my view taking me further away from the house with each jog. I looked ahead and continued to jog away from there with Wayne.

We both didn't stop for anything, didn't stop jogging at all. We both jogged past Horace's bar, the park, all the way to the gas station and we even jogged past the highway. Until finally, we made our destination back in the woods.

Me and Wayne slowed down our jogging, to walking in strides now. Both of us breathing deeply, a bit. We sweated a little bit too. We can see Rain, Cody and Sebastian laying on their stomachs, in the exact same spot as where we left them. Rain beamed at me and so did the drakes.

Me and Wayne beamed at them and I announced, "We're back."

Cody smiled, as all three of them got up on all fours. He drew back his head to yawn, "Took you guys long enough. I was afraid, I wouldn't be awake to see you guys come back."

Rain asked when she cocked her head, "So what happened?"

Sebastian cocked his head too, with a hopeful gleam in his eyes, "Yeah, Brandon. Did you find your mother? Was she there?"

I let out a disappointed breath, while my smile faded away and I hung my head, "No."

Wayne shook his head, "The house looked totally dark, but Brandon thinks she's off in her nightshift. Gerry doesn't appear to be there, so maybe she kicked him out."

I looked up at Rain, "I left the letter for her in the mailbox, so she'll know that I'm fine now."

Rain lowered her head to me and Wayne, gazing straight toward me, giving me a reassured smile, "You did everything you could to find her."

I nodded slowly, "I know. I'll try again, some other time. This won't be my last visit."

Rain nodded in agreement, "I'll keep taking you back here, until you see her again. I promise."

I smiled brightly at her, "Thanks."

Sebastian held his pity look for me, as he walked up to me, standing real close to Rain, "I'm sorry, you didn't find her, Brandon. I really am."

I looked at him and shook my head, "Don't worry about it. I'll try again."

Sebastian started to grin now, "Yeah, you're right."

Wayne let out a sigh, as he strolled right up to Cody. He motioned his hand down and said to Cody, "Alright, pal. Ready to head back to the others?"

Cody nodded while lowering his body to the ground, "Hop up, Wayne." Wayne walked up to Cody's body and grabbed his wing joint. He jumped off the grass and hurled his leg over Cody's back. Now mounting himself on his back. Cody raised his body off the ground, with Wayne hanging onto him a bit.

Rain lowered her body to the ground too and said, "Come on, there's nothing else we can do now. We need to get back to Neal and everyone else."

I muttered while heading to her back, "Yeah." I got close to her body, grabbing her wing joint and climbed on her back too. I'm now sitting on top of her, and Rain raised her body off the ground. I was standing tall with a dragon again.

Rain looked over her shoulder, and asked, "You gonna be alright?"

I gave her a reassured smile and answered, "I'll be fine." I gave her neck a rub, "Lets go."

Rain nodded and after that, she began to flap her wings, and so did Cody and Sebastian. I saw Wayne hold himself tight onto Cody and I was doing the same thing to Rain. We were all being lifted off the ground and about a few seconds later, we were now hovering over the woods, with each of them still flapping.

Cody hollered real loud as he flew forward for take off, "Here we go!" Wayne screamed happily on Cody's back and Sebastian followed up behind them. Rain was the last one to fly forward after them, I was wrapping my arms tightly around her neck, as the wind was rushing at me. Blowing my hair and clothes.

Rain, Cody and Sebastian were beating their wings against the wind and I sat straight up onto her back, ready to relax on another ride with Rain. I screamed in joy during the flight, "WOOO!!!"

Wayne screamed happily with me up ahead on Cody's back still, "YEAH!!!" Rain let out a laugh and then she, along with Cody and Sebastian let out a loud roar at the same time. A roar of amusement.

We were all now heading back to Neal and the others, while flying under the star filled sky.

*****

Jessie's sitting around on the grass in the meadow, the crickets were loud at where she's at, the fireflies were flying around over the meadow. For a while, she has been sitting in the same spot with the trees and woods behind her. She brought her legs to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. The night was a bit cool, but it just looked peaceful to her. Makes her wish that she and her family actually built a cabin and lived out here.

From a distance, she could see a deer with big antlers and a doe taking a few steps together with their hooves. Apparently, the doe leaned her head onto the deer and nuzzled it. The deer actually nuzzled right back. And she can even see a cute baby deer with spots on it's back, walking smoothly with it's parents. It's tail swishing up and down.

She smiled at the sight of this. Seeing that they actually in a way, remind her of...Her and Brandon. What could've been different between them, if they weren't friends. If they had a kid together, she's beginning to wonder now. But even she knows it won't happen, he wants to stay friends and she agreed to it. Course, a part of her thinks otherwise. She let out a breath. She's also thinking about her parents too.

She has forgiven them, in a big way, she has. She knows, she can't stay hate them forever. They may not have understood her and not listened to her real well, but they are still her parents.

Now after her conversation with Brandon last night, after hearing his words about them, she actually has finally forgiven them. Thinking that, maybe they wouldn't make her do what they have planned for her anymore. Because she finally had the guts to leave them and live on her own. Despite what she is and what her family really is, she left them.

Now she just feels sorry for them. Sorry for putting them through all that torture. Sorry for hating them. Sorry for leaving without saying goodbye. Sorry for everything.

Now she feels like she wants to talk to them for the last time and tell them everything. Tell them about....The dragons, including Frankie. She started to smile again, just thinking about him.

While she was thinking about him, she heard a voice behind her, "Hi Jess."

She cried out in surprise and shot up immediately off the ground. She whirled around and saw that the voice belonged to Frankie. He was grinning down at her. She gave him a growl of irritation and she said, "Jesus, big guy. You scared me!"

Frankie shrugged with his paw, still with that same grin, "Sorry, about that. I thought you heard me."

She rolled her eyes, "Actually, no I didn't. And you're lucky, I didn't kick your eggs after you scared me." Then she gave him a devious smile, "Or MAYBE, both me and Amanda will kick you in the eggs at the same time, just for scaring me."

His face actually went wide and he gulped. He curled his tail protectively around him, "I don't want my eggs to be kicked by two little bitches. I'll definitely be losing them!" She let out a laugh and they both can hear her laugh echo in the distance.

Frankie snorted, lowered his head all the way to her level and asked, "So you really didn't hear me? Really? You didn't hear a big black dork, who's right behind you?" He got his head close to her, until he was just barely nose to nose with her, "Were you pretty much in deep thought? I suppose you were just thinking about Brandon."

She laughed a bit and she gently pushed his face away with both hands, "I was just enjoying the night and you've kinda ruined it."

He raised his head and snorted, "I guess, I have a habit of ruining your alone times. First, I interrupted your tanning yesterday, and now I've interrupted your...Sitting alone in the dark with the fireflies."

Jessie laughed hard at that and she shook her head, "Still a bit apologetic, about seeing me naked while I was tanning, are you?" She shrugged her shoulders and gave him a sincere smile, "I'm really over it, big guy. So don't bug yourself about it."

He shook his head, "I wasn't. I just feel a bit bad for interrupting your, so called alone times." He shot up his head, "This is twice now!"

She replied, "Oh, you're fine. You just scared me."

Frankie let out a sigh and giggled, "Can I, sit by you? Looks like a peaceful night, and thought I'd share it with you."

She tilted her head a bit, and playfully asked, "Alright, what's going on? Did Amanda actually threaten to kick you in the eggs, while I was gone? Did you actually see her naked too?"

He reared back his head and exclaimed, "I most certainly did not!" He closed his eyes, placed a paw to his chest and smugly said, "I know that humans are more modest about their bodies, than dragons are."

She rolled up her eyes, "Don't give me that bull crap, Frankie. You don't care, if we're modest or not."

He gave her a look of sympathy, "I care about your modesty and I also care about Amanda's too." Then he added when he shot his head to his right, "Well, I didn't at first, but I do now."

Jessie gave him a smile, "I know you do now, and I commend you for it."

Frankie said with a mischievous grin, "I know, that I've seen your things on your chest for a few seconds and that was good enough to fill my own curiosity. But there's no guarantee, that I won't see them again." He gave her a wink.

She gave him a threatening finger, "If you do, just don't make me uncomfortable and don't judge my looks. Or I'll slap your nose, HARD."

He raised his paw and swore, "I swear, I won't make you uncomfortable."

Then she playfully added with her brows raised, "And don't show off your PRIDE in front of me. I don't want to see your junk."

He narrowed his eyes down at her, "What do you think I am? A big scaly pervert, like Neal? You really are no damn fun, like Amanda."

Jessie started laughing at that, "I'm just telling you, not to show off your parts and not make me turn red. Cause if you do, then I'll show how I'm no damn fun."

He grumbled under his breath and nodded, "Oh, alright."

She gave him a small nod, "Good boy." She laughed after that and so did he, a little.

Frankie uncurled his tail around him and he asked, "Well since that's done and over with and I gave you my word, that I won't show off my pride in front of you, can I join you? I think it's a beautiful night when two best friends, sit down together." Then he whispered to her, "Besides, I think Neal and Amanda are two other best friends, who want to be alone together and I didn't want to bother them." He shrugged his shoulders and talk in a normal tone of his voice, "Why do you think, I went looking for you again?"

Jessie answered, "Cause, you don't want to be alone without me. You actually, REALLY LOVE my company."

He gave her a smile, "I really do, even when you annoy me just a little bit, I really do."

She giggled and shook her head, "I don't annoy you and you know it."

Frankie shook his head too, "I sometimes, find it hard to believe." Then he took a few steps forward, until he was standing beside her, asking once more, "So, you in the mood for company? I think you love MY company, more than I like yours."

Jessie let out a pleasant sigh and she turned around to face to meadow. She sat down slowly on the grass, crossing her legs and she motioned her hand beside her, "Go ahead, you dork."

He laughed after she said that and he sat down on his haunches. He gave her a smile after he sat down and then both him and Jessie looked out at the meadow and saw the family of deer still strolling on the meadow. Apparently, they weren't even scared by the presence of a dragon yet, and they just minded their business.

Both of them just looked at the deer and Jessie broke the silence by asking Frankie this, without looking at him, "Don't you find this cute?" He looked at her and she asked again, "Don't you find this cute, that a family of deer are having a walk together on a beautiful night? Makes me wish, that I was living out here with my own family, instead of living the life of being wealthy."

Frankie looked at the deer from a distance and the doe actually looked right back. Right at Frankie. Frankie answered, "I'll admit, that even when dragons hunt their kind a lot, this is pretty cute." Then he raised his paw to rub his stomach, "And they're lucky, I'm not even hungry, right now. Or this can get ugly."

She let out a groan, "Thanks for ruining, a cute moment. You really are a dork."

He let out a snort, "You know, my kind hunts and eat deer a lot. So sometimes, they break these cute moments."

She replied, "Then they're dorks too."

He rolled his eyes, "What the hell ever."

They both giggled and Jessie said, "Just don't ruin this cute moment and don't hunt anything, while I'm nearby. I don't like seeing blood all that much. Makes me feel a bit squeamish."

Frankie shot up his head, "That'll be a done deal."

She turned her head to him and nodded, "Thank you."

Frankie turned to look down at her with a grin, "Hey, I don't want my stones to be kicked by you. I love you too much, to take that kind of pain from you." He added, "I can take having a slap on the nose by you, but getting kicked in the balls, that I can't take. If you kicked them hard enough and if they broke, I may never have a hatchling."

Jessie tossed back her head and laughed hard, she gave her own lap a slap, "Oh, you poor thing. Worried about your eggs and your pride."

Frankie shot up his head and exclaimed, "Those are the most beautiful things, a drake like me can have! Can you imagine, that I wouldn't have those things anymore?"

Her face turned red at the question, "I wouldn't know, I'm a girl."

He gestured a paw to her, "I think you can imagine, how you'd feel if you don't have your things on your chest anymore. Have you ever thought about that?"

Her whole face turned even more redder than before, as he gave her a slight tilt of his head and a teasing smile, "No, I have not." She let out an embarrassed sigh, "But as of right now, I'm picturing it. I think, I'd be ugly without them." She patted her own chest with her hand, "Breasts for human females, are the most precious things they have!"

He let out a laugh, "Now, you get what I feel, girl."

Jessie took a deep breath and let it out. Then she nodded twice, "I suppose, I do now." Frankie just giggled at that and she rolled her eyes, "I can't believe, we're talking about this."

He turned his head, to look ahead and remarked, "Neither, can I."

Both he and Jessie just sat down in silence again, for about a few minutes. Then Jessie asked him, "Hey Frankie, I have to ask, have you ever thought about living out here? You know, live out of the city?"

Frankie shook his head, "To be honest, not really." He let out an annoyed sigh, "I don't think, I can deal with the sound of crickets every night, in the season. I hate crickets and they're really loud out here"

Jessie turned to look up at him and suggested, "Then kill them all, if you hate them so much."

Frankie giggled and only moved his eyes to look at her, "I would have to burn down the whole forest to kill them all. And if you're going to suggest to me to yell at them to be quiet, forget it. They wouldn't listen to a drake."

She shrugged her arms, "Well lets put at it this way, at least we'll be leaving for the city in the morning." She brought her legs closer to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. Her whole body gave out a shiver, "It's kinda cool right now, than last night. Guess, I should've brought with me a jacket."

Frankie uncurled one of his wing and offered, "Can I wrap this around you, just to keep you warm?" She looked up at him and nodded. Then he slowly brought his wing upon her back and wrapped it. She felt warm in it now.

She let out a satisfied breath, "Wow, your wing does feel warm. Really made a big difference." She said with a smile, "Thank you."

Frankie returned his smile back to her, "You're welcome."

They both were in silence once more, as the family of deer went back in the woods at the other side of the meadow, disappearing from their sight. And after a few moments, Frankie looked down at her and asked, "Jessie?" She looked up at him and he asked, "What was on your mind, before I scared you? Anything, you want to talk about?"

Jessie stared back at the meadow and responded, "I was thinking about my family."

Frankie curled his neck in a shape of an s and asked, "Oh, you still hate them?"

Jessie slowly shook her head, "Actually, after what Brandon said to me, I don't think I could hate them forever. Actually, after all day of thinking, I think I have forgiven them. Fully."

"Really? After how they treated you, you've forgiven them?"

Jessie nodded, "Something like that. I mean, I think now, that the reason why mom and dad had plans for me in the future, is because they didn't think I could live a normal life. That they think, I wouldn't be normal like everyone else, you know...Be a normal girl."

Frankie shook his head, "Well, you know I wouldn't care about that. You still look like Jessie, to me."

Jessie looked up and smiled at him, "I really feel normal now, just like everyone else. When I'm with you and everyone else, I feel normal. I had never thought, I'd feel it. But I do now."

Frankie smiled brightly at her, "That's great. What's really important, is how you feel." He let out a sigh and added, "And I guess, I'm glad you've forgiven your mother and father now. They are your family, after all."

She shrugged her shoulders, she felt his wing when she did that, "Couldn't stay mad at them forever. Besides, I kinda believe that, some parents are like that with their children. So I guess, I can at least sympathize with them."

Frankie nodded, "Good." She still smiled at him and then it melted away. She looked ahead and sighed. Frankie held a concerned look and asked, "You alright?"

Jessie answered, "Just a little. My parents, weren't really the only ones on my mind. I was...Thinking about Brandon." He raised a curious brow and she went on, "I was thinking about, what it would've been like, if we weren't exactly friends. I was beginning to wonder, what it would've been like if...Me and him had a child."

His face went wide and when Jessie looked at his expression, she giggled, "Oh my god, your look is priceless."

Frankie giggled too when he softened his expression, "Never really thought, you'd think about having hatchlings."

Jessie motioned her hand toward the meadow, "Well, when I saw the cute little deer with it's mother and father, that thought just crossed my mind." Then she had that smile of wonder on her face, "I really wonder, what does it feel like, having a child or an egg inside you? I really wonder."

Frankie said, "If my mother was still alive right now, she'd give you the answer to that."

Jessie giggled, "Yeah, I guess. Then me and her would be best friends. I would meet a mother, who looks exactly like Rain."

Frankie put his paw to his chest, "I have black scales too, so I would look like her too."

Jessie replied, "Yeah, you do. But you're a guy, not a girl. So I would think, you're like your father."

Frankie gave the back of his neck a scratch, "I do have his stubborn personality, MOST OF THE TIME."

Jessie laughed and gestured to him, "I can tell. You were like an asshole, when we met."

Frankie shot his head to his right and shrugged his shoulders, "Not anymore. I'm like, Cody." Then he did an impression of the green drake, "I'm lovable and love to cuddle!"

She let out another laugh and remarked, "You kinda are. You let me sleep by you, more than once."

Frankie lowered his head down to her a bit, "Because I care about you, now." Then he waved a paw, "And besides, I think it would be rude, if I've declined the offer to let you sleep by me."

Jessie said with a bit of a glum look, "Well, at least one guy, lets me sleep by him." She let out a sad breath.

Frankie asked when his concerned look came back, "What's wrong? Is it about Brandon?" Then he gave a bit of a hiss, "Did he hurt you? Did he hurt your feelings?"

Her eyes went wide at his questions and she laughed, "WOW, you really are protective of me." He bore a serious look at her, seeing that he won't drop it and she shook her head, "No, he didn't hurt me. But...I just feel a little sad about...Us."

He softened his look for her, "What do you mean? What happened?"

Jessie changed the subject a bit and asked, "Frankie...Have you ever...Loved someone?" He cocked his head and she asked another question, "Have you ever loved someone, years before you met me? Despite your stubborn attitude, did you ever really love someone?" She gestured her hand to him, "Have you...Loved this dragoness, or drake before and you thought, this drake or dragoness, loved you back? And only, it turned out they just want to stay friends with you? Have you ever had that problem?"

Frankie hummed in thought, "I never really was into drakes, just to answer that part of the question. But...When I was fully grown and while I was taking care of my sister, I did like this one dragoness. The one I met in classes back then." Jessie started to smile as his tale began, "She looked pretty bluish, if you ask me. She actually has blue scales, all over her, but only with yellow stripes on her back." He shrugged his shoulders and was starting to have a smile thinking about her, "Not to mention, her eyes looked very astonishing. Those curves, that body...She just looked...Cute to me."

Jessie muttered one word to him, "Aw, the big, black, stubborn dork, actually loved someone."

Frankie narrowed his eyes at her and snorted, "Don't mock me, girl." She giggled and he went on, "Anyways, I kinda followed her around, trying to ask her out and all. Because I was so nervous, asking her out. But...When I actually did, she said that she wasn't interested in me. She said that she wanted to stay friends with me."

Jessie frowned, "What? Why?"

He sighed, "Because, she thinks I'm just too stubborn for her, but that's not true. I'm not stubborn, all the time. And the only reason, why I was KINDA stubborn back then, is because I was pissed off that mom was dead by humanity and father left and didn't come back. Plus, not to mention, I had to look after my baby sister, and that didn't help me out on my self esteem. I just...Didn't know how to control my feeling, sometimes. If mom and dad were still alive, then I would know how."

She held a pity look for him, "So do you know what happened to her? The female you like?"

He shook his head, "Not really. I don't see her as much, anymore. Last I heard, she actually had a drake of her own, one who has a better attitude than me."

Jessie looked down at her lap, "Oh."

Frankie took a deep breath, puffed out his chest and let it out, "I never really had a mate of my own. Not once. And I sometimes begin to wonder, what's the point in looking for someone, like that? I just...Never put too much thought into it for years. I was just....A stubborn, lonely drake, who didn't see the point in finding a mate anymore. Besides...No other female would talk to me anyways, except my sister. Because, I don't think any female would understand me, at all. So I gave all that up."

Jessie said with a nod, "I agree, you are stubborn, but not THAT stubborn. You're not like that all the time, so that girl was just wrong about you." Frankie gave her a small smile and she said, "You had every right to be angry, because your mother died and your father left you. You're right, it wasn't fair at all. None of that was supposed to happen. Not even to you. I'm another female and I understand you. I can really understand, your pain. A lot better, than you believe."

He shook his head at her, "I'm not angry all the time toward humanity, anymore. And I'm not angry that mom died and I'm not angry that father left me and Rain, alone." He lowered his head to her and said, "I'm not, and it's always thanks to you."

He got his head close to her and she leaned her head forward to plant a kiss on his nose. He returned the gesture by giving her a lick on her nose. He raised his head above her level and she said, "I'll always thank you for changing, Frankie. That you've changed, for me. I'll thank you for that, big guy. And...Can you promise me something?"

"What?"

"One day, when I die from whatever reason at all, promise me that you won't be angry at humanity, ever again. Can you promise me that?"

He stared at her, pretty shocked that she would ever mention the word 'die' coming out of her mouth. He can't even imagine a life, without the human girl.

She made him so happy. Made him feel more happier, since before his parents died. Made him not angry at humanity, anymore. Finally made him realize that not all humans are evil and murderous. That humans actually care about dragons. Especially him. She really made him happy and he can never repay her, for her kindness.

For not running away from him, because of his attitude. For standing by him, despite that. For understanding him. For staying with him, when he's asleep.

And out of all the things about her, he loves her.

He, despite what she is in front of him, he loves this human girl who makes him happy.

He doesn't know how he'd feel if the human girl he fallen in love for, died one day and never to be seen again.

He doesn't know if he can deal with the pain or not. He's not sure.

Jessie asked when he hasn't said anything for a long time, "Frankie?" She reached out to touch his leg, wanting desperately for an answer form him.

But he'll try, he will try to deal with the pain and never hate humanity again. He'll do it, for her. Frankie smiled and nodded, "I'll never imagine a life without you, but...Yes...I promise. If there is any other human girl, like you. I'll be nice to her. If any human sees me, I'll be nice to them. I won't judge any human." Then he had a glum look on his face, "But now I wonder, if humanity would ever be friends with my kind, ever again. All that happened, a long time ago. Before you were born."

Jessie pulled her hand off of him and gave him her comforting words, "Hey, something might change up ahead. Who knows? Maybe both our kinds can co exist again, one day."

Frankie nodded, "I hope so, because I really have missed out on that." He shook his head and said with determination, "And I won't next time, if it happens again."

Jessie nodded, "Good and I know you'll keep your promise."

Frankie replied, "For you, Jessie. I will." Then he changed the subject when he cocked his head, "Now, why did you ask me this question? Why did you ask me, if I ever loved someone and all the questions after that?"

Jessie had that glum look again and finally answered, "Well...I thought, Brandon felt that way about me. He even thought about me that way too, but now...He just wants us to stay friends."

His face widened, "Really? I thought that guy liked you that way and now you're telling me he doesn't?"

Jessie said this when she got up off the ground and brushed his wing off of her, "I really thought he wanted me, throughout all the time we've been together, from the vey beginning, I thought we'd be together. Even last night, we shared our first kiss together, when he cheered me up about my parents. But he just...Walked away after that. And now today, he says he doesn't feel it and he wants to be just friends with me. To stay that way, from now on."

Jessie crossed her arms and paced back and forth in front of him, "I did say that maybe we should stay friends too, after he said that. That we're just friend material. I thought it was a good idea too, but also...I..." She stopped pacing and trailed off.

Frankie held a pity look for the poor girl and asked, "You really loved him?"

Jessie looked up at her big black friend, "Frankie, I was with so many guys back then and I never loved any of them, when I kissed those guys, it didn't feel like love to me and I didn't feel the same way back. But Brandon...He's different. I..I really liked him. He was the first guy, I really liked. I thought he was this guy for this rich girl, but he doesn't want me. But...I still feel like I do love him. Despite saying that we're friends and we always will be, I still feel like, I love him."

Frankie muttered when he hung his head a bit, "I'm sorry, Jess. I thought you guys, would be together too."

Jessie sighed and said, "Frankie, Brandon thinks a knight in shining armor would come find me and sweep me off my feet, but there are no other humans living in the city. I just...Don't see how that'll be possible."

"...Jessie."

She asked, "Frankie...Is there something wrong with me?" His face went wide and she asked again, "Am I not good enough for anybody? Even for Brandon? When can I have someone for the very first time in my life, ever love me that way? I hate it when that knight doesn't find me. I just...Feel so stupid sometimes. Makes me think that there is no guy like that at all. That, it's just a fantasy. Not reality."

Jessie's voice trembled a bit and a few tears fell down her face, "Frankie, I feel like I'm like you. I feel like, I want to just give up, like you. There is no knight, who loves me that way."

Frankie lowered his head to her level, "No, you're wrong."

Her face frowned at his words and he said, "There is that knight, for you. And you just haven't found him, yet." He let out a breath, "Jessie, you're the most kindest female, I've known. I don't see how anyone, would not want you. Not even Brandon, but that's his decision. If he doesn't want you as his mate." He waved a paw, "Then so be it"

She said as she stared at his face, "But I loved him, Frankie."

"I know that. But you can't let one male stop you from looking. I gave up looking for that female for a long time, but thanks to you, I will look for her again. Because you've changed me."

Jessie continued to stare at him with a blank expression as he spoke, "There's nothing wrong with you, there never was. You're still Jessie. I see you, as YOU." He began to smile at her, "And for the record, I think Brandon's right. That knight will find you, in fact, maybe he already has and perhaps he's right in front of you, right now. When you least expect it."

Jessie asked, "Do you really think so? How will I know, who that knight is?"

Frankie got his head closer to hers, his gaze not taking off of her, "Only you can know that. My mother maybe a dragon, but she met her knight, years ago and it was my father. They found that love, when they first met each other. And if they can find that love, then we both can too. Even my sister, can find that love also." He shook his head, "I'm not giving it up now, and you shouldn't either. Just take your time, to find it. But remember, he may show up, when you least expect it. He could be right in front of you, too."

He waved a dismissive paw at her, "At least, try to forget about that love for Brandon. He wouldn't want you to do that to yourself. That isn't fair. If he wants to just be your friend, then so be it. You two will be friends. He'll find his maiden, then you'll find your knight. That's what he wants, that's what I want. We both want you to be happy, not beat yourself up over this. Understand, Jess? You'll find that knight and he'll find you. Why? Because you're a kind, beautiful maiden with a bit of a stubborn attitude. But nevertheless, really kind."

Jessie finally smiled at him after staring at him for such a long time. Then she slowly wrapped her arms around his head, pulled him close to her chest to embrace him and laid her forehead against his, "Thank you, Frankie."

That's when Frankie had this look of hesitation in his eyes and while she held his head against her, he tried to say this while his snout's near her stomach, "Jess...There's something I want to tell you."

She kissed his forehead, and rubbed the underside of his chin tenderly, "What is it, big guy?"

He still hesitated, but he knows what he wants to say to her right now. He wants to tell her that the knight he's referring to, she's actually hugging him. That this knight, is right in front of her right now.

That he wants to tell her how he feels, he felt like he didn't care. Since he realizes he loves her, not long ago, he wanted to tell her. He wanted to say, she's the first female in a long time that he fell in love with. He didn't care if she's human, he can also see her as a dragoness. And she would make a beautiful one, at that.

He would be her knight, he would be the knight she wanted. He didn't care if he was a dragon to her, he would be that knight to swoop her off her feet. That the knight would have his maiden.

And this knight, would carry his maiden to the skies, to take her wherever she wants to go. Away from the city and they'd be alone together. If she had a tail, he would curl it around hers, and they would be mates. And this knight, would never leave her side.

He would always be with her.

Frankie wanted to tell her all that, but he held himself back, seeing that he doesn't want to take that chance. She's a human and he doesn't want to frighten her.

He can't take the chance. He can't.

Frankie took a deep breath, as she still held Frankie in her arms, "Nothing...It's nothing."

She asked, "Are you sure?"

Frankie pulled himself off of her and she let him go. Frankie looked at her face, while she had his chin in her hands and gave her a smile, "Yes." Then he asked, "Are you okay, now?"

Jessie nodded, "I'm fine and...Thanks, for cheering me up."

Frankie rose his head to give her forehead a kiss and he said after that, "I don't want you to be sad and you'd do the same for me." He nuzzled her forehead with his nose and she let out a giggle. He pulled away from her face and asked, "Ready to go back to the others now? Brandon, Cody, Wayne, Sebastian and my sister, probably came back by now."

Jessie nodded again, "Lets go, you big dork." He giggled at her joke and he raised his head above her level. He let out a sigh and whirled around on her, walking back to Jessie's car which it's a bit far from here.

Jessie didn't exactly move after he trotted off, but she was just staring at him. She had that smile on her face still, still feeling better after Frankie cheered her up. Then she started to have this look of confusion and she placed her hand onto her stomach. Rubbing it tenderly.

She's having this feeling in the pit of her stomach. She never felt it before. And she's getting a feeling, she knows what that weird feeling is.

Her face went wide at the realization, as she watched her big black friend, stroll away from her. He's about several feet in front of her.

She now realizes what it is and she can't believe it. As she looked at her friend, she really can't believe it.

She thinks it's love and she's feeling it, after she watched him walk away.

She's beginning to think, she's having feelings for Frankie.

As crazy as she thinks she is, she's thinking she's starting to love him, in that way now. And Frankie doesn't know it.

She let out a sigh and shook her head to herself, "Now, you're going a bit crazy, girl." And with that, she ran after Frankie to catch up to him. To head back to her car, where everyone else is probably waiting.

*****

The lone dragon can hear the crickets, as it watched over Brandon and the others near Jessie's car, it wasn't very long ago after Brandon, Rain, Cody, Wayne and Sebastian came back from wherever they came from. All of them were sharing a laugh, along with Amanda and Neal.

Then not every long after that, it turned it's head on the path near them and it can see Jessie and Frankie walking side by side together. They came back, after those two left Amanda and Neal for a long time. Jessie waved at Brandon and the others who came back also, "Hey guys!"

Brandon and everyone else, looked at them as Jessie and Frankie strode up to them. Sebastian gave them a big grin and asked, "Well where have you been, you two? Having a nice walk in the night?"

Neal added with a big grin of his own, "Yeah, we were all getting ready to go to bed without you."

Frankie sat down on his haunches and Jessie stood beside him, near the fire pit. The flames popping and flickering in the fire wood that Neal made earlier. Frankie said, "Yeah, me and Jessie were having a long conversation. Nothing to it, than that."

Jessie's face lit up at them, saying this, "You guys should've seen the meadow tonight, it looked a bit fascinating. Not to mention, there were a few deer roaming around on it." Then she thumbed him, "Not to mention, Frankie here was joking that they're lucky, he's not hungry. Or he'd eat them."

Frankie groaned, "Will you just drop it, already? I'm not in the mood to eat them anyways." She slugged his body with her fist and she laughed. Everyone did as well, while Frankie was just grumbling.

Rain shot up her head and pointed her wing tip at Brandon, Cody, Wayne and Sebastian, "Well guess me and the boys missed all the fun here."

The lone dragon shifted it's body through the bushes as it watched Cody whine at a distance, "Yeah, you guys get to have all the damn fun, while me and my buddies here had to wait for hours for Brandon's plan to come through."

The lone dragon found another spot to spy at them and sat down on it's haunches. While it watched, Jessie asked with curiosity on her face, "So, did you find your mother, Brandon? Was she home?"

Brandon shook his head with a glum look, "No, she wasn't home."

Frankie asked, "Did you find Diana's asshole boyfriend there?"

Wayne shook his head, "Me and Brandon think that Gerry left his house for good, so now we think Diana's all alone."

Brandon added with a shrug of his hand, "I think the reason why she wasn't home, is because she has nightshift at her job."

Jessie gave him a comforting smile, "Don't worry, you'll try again later. And lets put at it this way, at least Gerry's not with her anymore."

Brandon started to smile at that and he nodded, "Yeah, you're right."

Rain drew back her head and let out a yawn, "Oh, ancestors." She shook her head and started to lay down on her stomach, "Well everyone, I think it's by time we get some sleep. I'm tired now."

The lone dragon growled at Brandon, as he got himself to sit down with his back pressed against Rain's chest, "Yeah and besides, we're leaving for the dragon city tomorrow morning, so better get some shut eye."

Amanda stretched up her arms and yawned too, "Sounds good to me." Then she and Neal started to lay down on the grass together. Then after that, Jessie and Frankie did as well.

Sebastian, Wayne and Cody all laid down on the grass too, ready to leave for tomorrow morning.

Jessie said this to everyone, as she laid close beside Frankie, "Goodnight, guys."

They all said in unison, "Goodnight."

The lone dragon looked one last time at Brandon and Rain. Mostly right at Brandon and it hissed quietly at him. It's tail made a thump on the ground. Knowing that everyone, including him, is leaving in the morning.

Then the lone dragon decided it had enough of watching them for tonight, so it got up off it's haunches and started to walk away from the area. Carefully not to try to make any loud noises. It looked down at the ground, to make sure it's paws don't step on any sticks that'll make a snap.

The lone dragon ducked it's head low, as it smoothly walked under a low tree branch. Both of it's horns grazing the wood from the tree branch. It raised it's head and kept moving after that.

The dragon was walking far away from where Brandon and his friends are at. It padded in the woods for a long time, until it emerged out into the meadow. Until, it stood right in the middle of the area, the fireflies flying around and past the large figure of a dragon.

The lone dragon let out a sigh, since it knows it didn't accomplish anything, since it watched them for a couple of days. Now it's going to leave them...For now.

The lone dragon looked up at the night sky and it started to make a running start. Not long after it started running, it jumped up off the ground with the flap of it's wings and took off to the skies. Taking off, during the night. The lone dragon flew with so many flaps of it's mighty wings and it was now flying high over the woods and into the sky.

The lone dragon flew for only an hour or two, flapping against the wind, the wind rushing against it's face, but since it's a dragon, it can still see where it's going. The lone dragon was close to it's destination and it shifted his wings and body to the left, turning over the trees.

The mysterious dragon flapped it's wings again, since it's not far from where it's going. Soon enough, it flew past over a cliff, a very high rocky cliff. High enough for any human or any creature who fell off of it, would die.

Not long after flying past the rocky cliff, down below the ground, it can see a cave. The dragon circled around over the area, getting ready to land. It flapped it's wings once more, then after circling around only four times, it started to glide down toward the land.

The lone dragon slowed down it's flight, flapped once to stop it from falling any further when it was close to the grass and then it landed hard on all fours. The lone dragon just stood there, trying to relax after a long flight to get here. It curled it's wings on it's back and let out a sigh.

The lone dragon turned it's whole body to the mouth of the cave and then before it could go in there, a voice came to the dragon, "I see you came back." The lone dragon looked over it's shoulder and saw the small figure in the purple robe coming up from behind it. The figure has the staff with the green stone on top of it as usual.

The small figure took each step in slow strides. Very slow strides. The figure in the robe was wearing a hood over his head to conceal his face, as he came up to the towering figure of the lone dragon.

The person in the robe stopped right in front of the dragon, as the lone dragon never took it's gaze off the figure at all. The small figure in the robe looked up at the dragon's face and asked, "Sorry that I probably scared you, I was out here for fresh air. Got to have fresh air sometime, right?"

The lone dragon never said anything, only staring at him. The figure nodded and asked, "Alright, now onto the questions, did anyone see you?" The lone dragon shook it's head and the figure nodded, "That's good, now what about the boy? Did you watch over him?"

That's when the lone dragon nodded and spoke for the first time since it came here, "Yes, I did. He never suspected I was watching him and neither did anyone else. I found him and his friends at the area in the woods, just like you said they'd be at."

Then the small figure pointed at the mysterious dragon, his voice sounding full of curiosity, "Did you get him? I can tell, you didn't get him."

The dragon shook it's head, "No, I couldn't get the boy, he was alone a couple of times, but I couldn't get to him, without his friends not far away from him. If he screamed while I'm trying to get him, then they'd know about me. Plus, they're heading back to the dragon city tomorrow in the morning."

The person in the robe snarled through his hood, as the staff's stone glowed brightly in it's greenish color, "YOU FOOL!!" The lone dragon never budged at all at his shout and then the figure shouted some more, "Don't you understand, what that boy has?! We both know what he's capable of! If you don't get him soon, then soon we'll be in trouble, because of him! Do you understand the severity of this?!"

The lone dragon bowed it's head and said softly, "I'm sorry, master." Then the dragon looked at it's master with a determined look, "When I see he's really alone, I'll get him."

He pointed up at the dragon, his hand shoving out to he sleeve of the purple robe, "You better, cause it's both our asses on this, understand? If you don't get him soon, he'll be a problem to us."

The lone dragon shook it's head, "Don't worry, I won't fail you."

The small figure let out a sigh, "Well since you're here, might as well have a break from your task." He beckoned the dragon with one hand and turned to the mouth of the cave, "Come apprentice, I'll make you some food since you're here.  And in the morning, you get back to your task and find some way to GET THAT BOY. That clear?"

The lone dragon nodded, "Crystal, master. You make it perfectly, crystal clear."

The small figure's voice changed, as he was happy with it's response, "Good, now come." The green stoneon the staff glowed again, as the small figure in the purple robe started walking to the mouth of the cave, "When everything in the world's asleep, even us two have to sleep sometime." He was taking slow strides to the cave and the lone dragon started following it's master. Taking slow strides with each step of it's paws.

Wanting to sleep from all day of stalking, especially stalking Brandon. It growled to itself as the dragon entered through the entrance of the cave. It's failure of it's task still on it's mind. Now it's mind was full of determination. Determined not to fail it's master.

Next time, it'll get the boy.

Next time, it'll get Brandon.