Here is my sequel to The Tangled Webs We Weave. I've always wondered about Pips' family and past as it's never really mentioned in the movie or the book. This is just something I've created in my mind over the years. Enjoy!

He could hear the screaming. It rang in his ears, deafening him. He kept looking and looking but couldn't find them to help them. Then over the screaming came the laughter. He tried to shout, tried to find help, but there was nothing and no one. Suddenly, they came into view. They were lying there with dead eyes and blood everywhere. He began to scream...

Pips sat bolt upright gasping for air. He was in darkness, but he could still see their eyes. He felt a stirring beside him.

"Pips? What's wrong?" Crysta reached up and touched his back gently. When he didn't answer, she sat up. "Pips?"

"It was nothing," he finally replied, not looking at her. She touched his cheek with her finger.

"I'm here," she said softly. She noticed his jaw was clenched and his fists were tight. This wasn't the first time he had woken up like this. She wished he would tell her, but he refused. It had started two years ago after Roman had tried to kill her. He would wake up on random nights in a sweat, shaking and visibly upset. Every time she tried to coax him to talk, he would shut down. Sometimes afterwards he would cling to her as if she was going to disappear; other times he sit for hours just staring. She sighed. Tonight was going to be a staring night she could tell. She laid back down again, watching him. Pips reached up and rubbed his face hard. Tonight's nightmare was worse than the others. He actually saw them this time. Normally he could never see them or find them. Now he couldn't get their eyes out of his mind. He touched his arm bands absently-a constant reminder of what he had lost. He could not escape the memory. Most days he could keep it at bay, but at night it all came back to him whether he wanted it to or not. 21 and afraid of his dreams. He shook his head. When Crysta fell back to sleep he stopped staring into space and instead watched her. Sometimes he wanted to tell her so much, but he didn't want to expose her to the horrors of his past. Let her remain innocent in that regard. Eventually he laid back down on his back, but he didn't sleep. It was a long night.

Morning...

Crysta let him sleep. She knew he probably stayed awake most of the night. She slipped out from beside him noiselessly and went out into the forest. Her usual cheeriness was missing today. She was too busy thinking about Pips and how she was going to get through to him.

"Good morning Crystabelle!" Batty called to her. She smiled and waved back. Batty noticed her smile wasn't as bright as usual.

"What's wrong?" he asked her.

"He nightmared again," she offered. "I don't know how to help him or make them stop. He won't talk to me about them."

"Hmmm that's a conundrum," Batty said.

"I could help him I think," she continued. "But it's like he doesn't want my help."

"Perhaps he thinks it will only worry you," Batty suggested, shrugging.

"Maybe," Crysta replied. She didn't want to talk about it anymore. Sensing this, Batty left her with an "au revoir" and continued on his way. She mindlessly wandered around the forest checking on things. Every so often she would turn and look around her. She kept feeling like she was being watched, but after seeing nothing, she would shake the feeling away and carry on. Crysta wondered if it was because Roman was still out there. No one could find him, but he hadn't returned either. Knowing he could come back at any time scared her, but for now she tried to dismiss those thoughts. Wilkea and Sandy spent enough time camping out in various spots of Ferngully (as did Pips), so there was nothing to be afraid of. But still... She turned around again-nothing. Shaking her head at herself, she turned back to her work.

Suddenly, a war whoop was cried in her ear. Crysta screamed. Whirling around she saw her sister there laughing.

"Fern!" Crysta shrieked at her. "Don't do that!"

"You should have seen your face!" Fern howled. Crysta glared at her.

"It's not funny, Fern. Don't you ever sneak up on me like that again. I won't be held responsible for what I do to you next time," Crysta threatened.

"Oh relax will you?" Fern scoffed. She saw Crysta's face. "Oh all right fine I won't do it again. Fun killer," she muttered.

"I'm not a fun killer. I just don't need to die of a heart attack from your stupid games," Crysta argued. She shot sparks in Fern's direction, making her jump out of the way.

"I'm just trying to lighten the mood. You seem upset that's all," Fern told her. "Pips again?"

"Yes. He just...I just... I don't really want to talk about it, sorry," Crysta sighed sadly.

"I'll just be on my way then. Hang out with my boys," Fern made a face. Crysta wondered when she would ever figure out that Sandy loved her. Maybe she knew and didn't want to let on. It was all Crysta could do sometimes to not kick Sandy in the ass and get him moving. Pips wouldn't let her.

"All in time," he would say.

"What if there's no time left? What then?" she had challenged him. He had just shrugged at her, making her even more infuriated. Sighing again, Crysta turned her focus back to what she was doing, but not before she checked to make sure her sister wasn't going to leap out at her again.

Pips' home...

Waking up late always bothered Pips. He felt like he was wasting the day away. Trying to forget his dream, he stood and stretched. He wondered what he should even do that day.

"Pipsay!" a voice called from outside. Within moments, Sandy burst through his door. Pips just looked at him.

"What are you doing?" Sandy asked. "You're burning daylight! Come on let's go!"

"Where?"

"I dunno. Somewhere. Anywhere. Let's just do something like we used to," Sandy suggested.

"We're a little old for pranks, Sand," Pips smiled wryly.

"Aww come on. Nobody is too old for pranks," Sandy laughed. Pips just shook his head at him.

"Man, having a woman has changed you," Sandy pointed out.

"Yea. She keeps me in line. You should get one," Pips replied.

"Nah. I like my freedom," Sandy winked. "Come on let's get outta here."

"You go ahead. I'll catch up," Pips said. He really wasn't in the mood, but he knew if he didn't go, Sandy would not rest until he did. The dream had left him feeling shattered inside, but he tried to shake the feeling. It wasn't working. Stepping outside, he grimaced at the sunlight, and Sandy picked up on his low mood finally.

"Hey, you all right?" he asked.

"Not really," Pips admitted. "I didn't sleep well."

"She keep you up all night again?" Sandy waggled his eyebrows suggestively. Pips just gave him a look.

"No," he replied flatly.

"Oh. I just thought...nevermind," Sandy said. "I was going for a laugh."

"Not today, Sandy," Pips sighed.

"You know what? I suddenly remember I have to be somewhere," Sandy said, feeling awkward. "I'll catch you later."

"See ya." Pips was thinking of what Sandy had suggested. It had been a while since he had loved Crysta in that way. He just couldn't bring himself to after having those vivid nightmares. They were consuming him, and now he was beginning to worry it was affecting his relationship. She was very understanding, but he knew she could only take so much neglect. However, he had noticed a few times throughout the past two years where she had acted strange and would be weepy for no apparent reason. During these times, she wouldn't let him even barely touch her. He really should talk to her. He made that his goal for the day, and set off to look for her.

In the forest...

"I don't know, Wil," Sandy said, "he was really bummed today." They were sitting by the water. Wil was fixing his arrows as they had split the last time he used them.

"He won't talk about it, though," Sandy continued. "We're his best friends. Why can't he trust us enough to tell us?" Wil had no response. He did know what was happening to Pips. He had been approached by him a few months ago, and Pips had told him everything. Wil felt guilty for not sharing with Sandy, but they both knew Sandy could have trouble keeping things to himself sometimes.

"Are you listening to me?" Sandy's voice cut into his thoughts.

"Yep, mmhmm, sure am," Wil said absently. "Pips doesn't trust us. I heard you." Sandy frowned at him.

"Where's your head at?" he asked. Wil looked up at him finally.

"Nowhere. Sorry, Sandy, I'm just trying to concentrate here, and your chatter isn't helping," he replied.

"Hrmph, fine," Sandy muttered. "I'll take my 'chatter' elsewhere." Wil was grateful he had left. He could finally get some work done.

By Thundering Falls...

"Took you long enough," Fern said as he entered the hidey hole.

"Sorry," Sandy grinned.

"Where were you?" she asked.

"Just around. People don't appreciate me," he mused.

"Well, I appreciate you," she smiled at him. She leaned in on her toes, kissing him.

"I needed that, thanks," Sandy said to her. Nobody knew about their relationship. They had decided to keep it secret for now. It had been almost a year and a half. Fern wasn't ready to ask for approval. She was content with things the way they were. Sandy was most of the time, but every so often he wished she would want to move forward or at least allow others to know.

"You're thinking again," Fern noted.

"I can't help it," he said.

"I can fix that," she whispered. She pulled him in and started kissing him again. Sandy let her, and he tried to empty his thoughts and focus only on her. Today, it was difficult.

Elsewhere...

She had watched Pips leave. She could tell he was troubled by something. She wondered again if she should make herself known. Too risky, she thought, shaking her head. She'd been in hiding for far too long to reveal herself now-just over 17 years. Her job was to make sure he was safe, and for now he was. She had returned to Ferngully a year ago after hearing what had taken place here. News had traveled quickly, and she kicked herself for not being here sooner. The attacker hadn't been who she thought it was though, so he was still safe. She made it her life's mission to keep it that way. She could not fail. She had made a promise, and she would keep that promise even if it killed her.