Hai shook her head. I'm not going to take over anyone's body ever again. It involves to much back story, and confusion for the writers.

Dimitri laughed and downed the mug again. "The way things are going, I'm not sure we're going to make it over this damn mountain at all. What do you think Greg?"he said taking the brandy and pouring a straight glass.

Amanda leaned into Frank's chest. "Are you hungry? You must be. I don't think you've eaten since yesterday." She didn't want to walk away so she stayed in Frank's arms.

"I am not sure i think I am but when i look at the food i feel sick, I am just happy you are okay" Frank held Amanda closer he winced when it hurt but he did not care.

Well the viewers like me so I think i may get more screen time with real diolog later said Bill with a grin

Amanda frowned when she felt him wince and put a hand on his face. "But you're not." she kissed him, hoping to ease some of the pain he felt. She gently moved out of his arms, took his hand and led him to the table. She eased him into a chair and walked around the table to pour a cup of tea for him. She stood next to his chair and handed him the cup. "This should help a bit." she shuffled her feet. All three chairs that Dimitri had were being used. She bit her lip then sat down lightly on Frank's lap, testing to see if it hurt him.

Dimitri looked at Greg and said "You know what else I could use right now?" he waved his hand and a wooden box appeared in his hand. "A good smoke." he looked at Amanda and nodded his head. "Outside." He stood and walked towards the hallway. "Would you care to join me?" he asked Greg.

Hai knew she wasn't going to get any scraps. Yeah. The viewers like you. But do the writers? After all it's the writers that control how many lines we get. Out of nowhere Hai let out a pained squeak as the strong hand of the writer silenced her. For some reason no one her.

Well I hope the writers listen to the viewers or we may get cancelled thought Bill getting more depressed

Greg nodded and stood up "Sure I will join you" he said and started to walk, "can we go outside, or are we in the collective mind still?" he asked turning

"Thanks" Frank muttered as he took the tea, he held open his arms as Amanda crawled in to them "Come here you" he said with a grin and he held her like she was a priceless piece of art, gently but firm.

Dimitri laughed. "That was only for sleeping. We're really in our bodies now." he said opening the door, and breathing in the crisp morning air. Walking out to stand on a porch, he pulled out a cigar and held it to Greg. "Not what one would expect a 21 year old to smoke, but they work." Dimitri pulled out a cigar for himself and lit it, then Greg's and took a long drag. Letting the smoke out of his mouth he said. "So what do you think about this situation? You've be quiet recently."

Amanda relaxed into the curve of Frank's body. "You're welcome. Are you sure I'm not hurting you? I can sit in a different chair if I am." She motioned to the chairs that had become available due to Dimitri and Greg's sudden retreat. She reached her hand out and grabbed a piece of wheat toast; she began to nibble on it and looked up at Frank. "Wanna bite?" she held up the toast to his lips.

Hai made a sad face. I don't wanna get cancelled. Bill you should sit and eat something. You do need to eat after all. And maybe, something could fall off the table in my general direction?

Greg took a drag, "Well I am just trying to figure everything out, the whole Frank thing and all that, You can get into his mind right?" greg asked

Frank shook his head, "Nope, you are here I am good" he took a sip of tea and hugged Amanda closer

Bill nodded and got up What do you want "dropped?" he asked Hai

Dimitri took a long drag and looked at Greg. "Is there something you think he's hiding?" he said. Dimitri had thought about digging around in Frank's mind ; it would have been easy enough. Dimitri laughed and took another drag.

Amanda nibbled the dry toast some more. She was quiet for a moment and looked at the floor. She could hear him breathe, and she could feel his heart beat steadily. "You could've died." she said in a whisper letting a tear slide down her cheek.

Hai smiled. I'm famished. Whatever you'll give me.

Bill walked over to the table and started to make himself some toast he bumped a bowl of grapes to the floor with his elbow "Opps" he said with a small smile bending down to pretend to pic them up, Happy, eat fast tho

Greg sighed "I just want to know if he blames me for his mothers death"

Frank looked at her "I know, but you needed to be alone for a little bit, well at least away from us. Even a normal human could see that and he was not going to let you." he hugged her again taking another sip of tea. He offered her the cup, "Wanna sip?"

Amanda set her lips on the mug as he tilted it. She let out an innocent moan as the liquid warmed her throat. "I've alway loved this tea. It helped a lot when I was younger." She looked at Hai eating grapes off the floor, then at Bill - the one that had made it obvious - and laughed. "Not as discrete as you thought. Caught you." she leaned her head on Frank's chest and listened to his heart beat; it calmed her and reminded her that he was, in fact, still alive.

Dimitri set his cigar down and looked at Greg. "I can't let you do it. Talk to him, that is. Or just hear what he says." Dimitri held out his hand and laughed at Greg's face. "You only face to make skin contact, you don't have to hold my hand." Dimitri closed his eyes and went deep into his mind. Then we he felt ready, he called to Frank's mind. Frank? he thought. Why haven't you spoken about you mother? I assumed that you would be thinking about her. Dimitri backed off just enough so Frank would be able to respond.

Hai licked up the grapes one by one then looked at Amanda. Busted. See Bill, main characters always win.

Greg took his and and pressed it to Dimitri's waiting for Frank responce.

Frank did a double take as Dimitri entered his mind ignoring the question, "Hey Amanda, How can I block people of of my mind?" he asked

DAMN, well at least you hey something to eat right? thought Bill standing up with the bowl leaving the grapes on the ground

Amanda laughed. "Dimwit's trying to read you're mind? I wonder what he wants. What is he asking about?" she avoided telling Frank what he had asked. Knowing that once he knew, she wouldn't be able to read his mind.

Dimitri laughed. "Did you feel what Frank said?" he asked Greg. "He doesn't trust me. I knew this would be hard, but I honestly didn't expect this."

Hai curled into a ball. At least there's that. Settle down Bill, some "main character only" thing is happening.

"My mother" said Frank, "I want to block him he is the only one the RUDLY intejects into my thoughts" he said colder then he ment to.

Greg sighed "Keep trying, I am sure he won't do that"

Bill sat beside Hai with his toast and pet her behind the ears There right?

Amanda closed her eyes and touched Dimitri's mind, then felt Greg's presence. Ah, I see. Greg wants to know about something. She opened her eyes and said "Frank, answer the question, it's more important than you think. If you'd rather tell me, I'll tell him."
Dimitri's mind laughed. I don't want to feel like I'm using you. But thank you. Amanda smiled and waited for Frank's response.

"Just wondering," said Frank "Why does he care so much what i think about my mother?" Frank looked at Amanda with a look that said tell me or I am not speaking

Amanda sighed and touched his cheek softly. "Don't be mad, love. Please." she pleaded, thought for a moment, then sighed again. "Your father is the one that is wondering about your mother, not Dimitri." As she said it she could feel Dimitri groan. Am, why did you have to say that? Now he'll will get angry. Amanda stiffened in Frank's arms, moving her hands to her lap - she knew how Frank was when he was angry.

Outside Dimitri snapped his cigar in two. "If he hurts her, I'll kill him." he said to Greg, anger rising in his veins.

Frank took a few deep breaths and closed his eyes, Dad if you want to know then get your ass in here and ask me yourself then he opened his eyes and wrapped his arms around Amanda.

Greg, sighed and set his cigar down and walked into the house he stopped at the door to the kitchen Should I? he thought to himself

Amanda sat very still. She knew Frank was trying to control himself, but she didn't want to take any chances. She stayed quiet and didn't look at him.

Dimitri swore and followed Greg inside. "Now or never Greg. Remember what I said." Dimitri spun on his heel and walked into the living room.

Hai jumped into Bill arms. We should get out of the kitchen, Billy.

Greg nodded and pushed open the door "Frank, do you blaim me for you mothers death?" he asked rather quickly

Frank did a double take at the question "NO why would I?"

Bill stood up and thought Or not

Amanda let out the breath she had been holding. She thought towards Greg. Thank god. I was - I was afraid he might- she couldn't finish the thought. She still didn't look at Frank, and remained quiet.

Dimitri let out a sigh of relief then stood and walked to the kitchen. He stopped when he saw the fear in Amanda's eyes. Hai quickly thought. Dimitri if you do anything, you could make it worse. Dimitri groaned inwardly. I know little mouse. I know.

Frank looked at Amanda "Apple, what is wrong?" he asked

Bill looked at Hai, well that was short.

Greg smiled "well, I was not sure, and I wanted to know before we took off again"

Amanda stood and walked to the sink, getting a glass of water. She still didn't say anything. She would rather lie to him than admit she was afraid. "Nothing, silly."she said with a grin. She walked back to him and tapped his nose. Then she turned to look at Greg. You didn't tell him. She thought. What I said. She smiled weakly and walked over and hugged him. "Thank you." she whispered in his ear. She backed away and asked. "When did you want to leave? Frank is still… hurt. I didn't want to push him." She ignored the throbbing in her head, and the pain didn't show on her face. She smiled.

Frank stood up, "I will be fine, what about you?" he ignored the fact that his father just hugged Amanda for no reason.

Greg nodded and said "I don't know when you are both ready to leave"

Why do I feel that I am missing something thought Bill

Amanda tensed when Frank stood. Why am I so afraid? She thought. Frank's a nice person, he'd never hurt me. Dimitri sighed and said to Greg. "I think we should plan out a route. You've never hiked Turnback Mountain before, have you Greg? It's torture." He smiled and waved his hand - the food on the table disappeared. Dimitri unrolled the map onto the table, and pointed to the base of the mountains. "We're here. As you can see, Ptolos - the next town - sits in a crater. The only way to get there is to take this ungroomed rocky path. I've tried hiking it before. It takes at least a full day, if not longer."

Amanda stood still in the doorway and looked at Frank. She bit her lip and turned to walk back to the empty living room without saying a word. Once there, she sat on the large black leather couch the took up most of the space. She let out a ragged breath and waited.

Frank left the kitchen and followed Amanda he sat beside her "Hey you can tell me what's wrong you know"

Greg looked at the map, "A full day, for you a healthy young man. We have two injured people in the other room so what a day and half, two tops?" asked Greg, He was young but not as fit as he could be.

Bill looked at Hai Is there every a place for minors like us?

Dimitri sighed. "We'll have to stop and rest a lot. I don't want to push them. It's a hard climb and it's only worse in the dark." He rolled up the map and sat down. "I've been meaning to ask you something. What do you think about Amanda? I mean, she did try to kill you." he laughed, trying to lighten the mood.

Amanda rubbed her hands together nervously, then look at Frank. "Nothing's wrong. I'm fine." she said flatly, hugging her arms. Her body betrayed her and she shivered. She closed her eyes and whispered. "I'm afraid."

Hai laughed. I don't know. It's kinda fun to be forgotten about. Keeps us out of the main character drama.