Disclaimer: We do not own Beyblade.

A/n: An very extra long chapter focusing mostly on Sinikka and Johnny. I hope you all enjoy :)

Sinikka's head craned back as she got out of the limo and paused with her hand on the door as she took in the splendor around her. The McGregor manor was like something out of a fairy tale. As they'd been driving down one of Scotland's many beautiful, rolling hills, the large castle-like home had begun rising out of the horizon as if it were rising out of the pages of some ancient book.

"Wow.." She couldn't help but utter breathlessly as she gazed upon it's splendor.

Johnny couldn't hide the grin, "So...impressed?"

He leaned against the limo, waiting on a response.

"Not even remotely." She said bluntly. But even if she wasn't joking, the look on her face screamed otherwise.

"Right." Johnny said with a grin.

The redhead led his companion towards the house and they weren't even up the first step when the front door opened. A woman with long, red hair stood in the doorway. Her lavender eyes twinkled the moment she spotted Johnny.

"Johnny!"

"Mum? Oomph!" It was a task to push away from the forced hug.

A tiny pang stabbed at Sinikka's heart but still she couldn't resist the smile that tugged at her lips upon watching the two.

"My first born son has returned!" Fiona grinned, hugging Johnny. "Oh, how I missed you!"

"Missed...you...too...Mum." Johnny wheezed between hugs and kisses. "I'd like to have my ribs back."

Fiona finally noticed Sinikka. "Oh dear me!"

She dropped Johnny like a rock. "Where are my manners? You must be Sinikka. It's so very nice to meet you, sweetheart."

Sinikka straightened and produced a polite smile for the redhead.

"I am." She said politely, holding out her hand. "It's nice to meet you Mrs. McGregor."

"It's nice to meet you too. And please, call me Fiona! I had no idea you were coming." Fiona took Sin's hand in hers. She turned, giving her son the hairy eyeball. "Needless to say, I'm surprised. "

"Uh...last minute...deal...Mum." Johnny tried his best to give a honest smile. Fiona raised an eyebrow, studying her son's face.

It was there she saw the truth.

She turned back to Sinikka. "Well, you are more than welcome to join us on this very festive-"

"And insane-"

"Holiday. Johnny, manners. You invite your girlfriend out here and you don't even have the manners to let us know, so if nothing else you'd better behave!" Fiona turned her head back towards Sin. "I always like having one extra girl around! Makes my husband think he's outnumbered."

"He is." Johnny muttered.

Ignoring him, Fiona spoke again.

"Let's get you two inside! It's freezing like the seventh level of hell out here! Don't worry about the bags, the boys will take care of that." Fiona led them inside the manor.

"Uh..mmm.. ahem... Thank you... Fiona..." Sinikka stumbled, feeling slightly overwhelmed as she tried to get a handle on everything.

When she was sure Johnny's mother wasn't looking she shot a horrified 'I-can't-believe-you-didn't-tell-your-parents-I-wa s-coming' look.

"Sorry." Johnny whispered, fighting an amused grin. "You came at the last minute and I-"

He actually stopped and grinned at her glare. "Don't worry about it. You'll have a good time. Trust me."

Sinikka sighed and pressed her lips together in a tight-lipped expression before looking forward again as they entered the house.

"Now then." Fiona said grandly, turning to face the teens with a smile. "This is the-"

Suddenly a group of loud yells rent the air like a mighty war cry.

Fiona was spun around in dizzying circles as three bright red and green blurs short past her and Sinikka and latched on to Johnny.

"U-J!" The three little newcomers yelled, grinning up at him.

Sinikka bit her cheek as she looked on in amusement. There was one little redhead attached to each of Johnny's legs, and one was hanging off his arm; all triplets. She had to admit; they looked absolutely adorable in matching Scottish tartan overalls, and rumpled white shirts.

"Oh no, it's the terrible C's!" Johnny wailed teasingly.

"Terrible seas?" Sinikka repeated in confusion.

"Johnny! Don't call them that!" Fiona scolded, though there was a grin fighting at the corners of her lips. "It's terrible! And they laugh like it's funny! You're terrible, lad, you know that!"

"What? If I wasn't…." He swung the one on his arm up into the air. Johnny caught him and the little one giggled like mad. "I wouldn't be such a great uncle, now would I?"

Fiona shook her head as the three boys embraced their uncle.

"Boys, now-" He tried to shake the other two off his legs. "You have to pay attention. You need to say hi to Sinikka. Sin, these terrible three are Charlie and Caine." He pointed to the two on his legs. "And this is Callum."

He gestured to the one in his arms.

"Boys, meet Sinikka."

Sinikka felt suddenly awkward, as she usually did around children. Forcing a smile she hoped didn't look too creepy she lifted a hand to wave at them.

She held her breath as the boys stared at her in silence for a moment.

The two on the ground, Charlie and Caine, stuck a thumb in their mouths and held on to Johnny's pants legs as they stared up at her. The third one, Callum, wiggled and squirmed until Johnny put him down. He then walked over to Sinikka and held up his short, chubby arms.

Sinikka blinked down at him, stunned. After a moment she crouched down and picked him up. As she stood up with the little boy in her arms, he reached up and tangled his fingers in her hair.

Fiona held her breath and cringed, waiting for the little booger to yank on their guest's hair. But to her surprise, the little redhead merely trailed his fingers through her hair a few times before grinning huge and leaning down to rest his head on her shoulder, the huge grin remaining as he looked back at Johnny with a devilish expression.

"You little flirt!" Fiona teased with a stern expression, fighting a grin of her own.

At that the other two boys giggled and grinned too, going over then to Sinikka and pulling her pants leg until she crouched down again. They then proceeded to climb all over her until they'd settled down in her arms somewhere and had their own chubby little hands tangled in her hair too.

Sinikka sweatdropped and smiled, completely at a loss of words.

Johnny couldn't hide the amused smile on his face, chuckling as he approached the small group.

"Hey you wee devils." He leaned down to the boys' level." What are doing, going and taking my 'Nikki from me?"

Callum giggled, poking Johnny in the nose.

He wiggled his nose.

"I think that was a 'no'." Fiona covered a hand over her grin.

Sinikka cringed at the nickname. The only other person who had ever called her that was her mother and a shiver went down her spine as the sound of her mother's voice saying it echoed in her head.

"Just look at them." Fiona said, crossing an arm over her chest and placing a hand on her face. In her amusement, she didn't notice Sinikka's change in expression.

"Boys...boys." Johnny sighed. "May I have Sin back please?"

All three blew raspberries at him.

"Okay, is that how it's goin' down?" Johnny pretended to sigh in defeat. "I guess I got no choice but to call Mummy."

He cupped his hands over his mouth. "HEY GEMMA!"

The three boys broke out into a mad fit of giggles and turned to cling to Sinikka for dear life.

Sinikka couldn't help but grin wildly and a small laugh escaped her as she enveloped her arms around the three.

"Oh, sure." She said teasingly. "Get the new girl in trouble.."

Everyone looked up as a tallish, pretty redhead entered the room. She had a bit of her mother in her but she obviously got her looks from somewhere else, likely her father.

"Hey dufas, you didn't need to yell, I could hear your big mouth half way across the castle." She teased, reaching up to tweak her ear playfully. "Glad you're back and all but-"

Suddenly the girl brought up solid and gawked openly at Sinikka.

"Oh my god! There's a babe in the house!" She said as if utterly shocked. "And she's here with Johnny!"

She gave the dark teen a questioning look.

"He must have paid you! Part of your homework? That must be it! You had to come home with him for school! There's no way you actually choose to come here with a loser like this dork?"

"Gemma!" Johnny turned red in the face.

"Gemma!" Her mother raised her voice. She took a second to compose herself. "Sinikka has decided to come on her own with Johnny for the holidays."

She turned her eyes to Sinikka. "Forgive my darling, oldest daughter-"

"Who has birthed you three grandsons." Johnny added.

"Yes, yes she has." Fiona pulled Gemma into a headlock. "Which is exactly why I'd rather not take her out of this world."

"Hey, I may be the minority in this house, but in the outside world, I'm the bomb!" Johnny boasted.

Sinikka bit her lip to fight back a grin as she looked up at the newcomer.

"Hello." She said politely. "It's nice to meet you. I'd shake your hand but..."

Gemma laughed and leaned down, plucking off two of the boys with practiced ease. She stood up and Sinikka, now finally able, followed suit. Resting Callum on her hip, she smiled at the mother.

"Thank you. And they're...adorable."

Gemma grinned wide.

"Yea. Just you wait." She said teasingly. "You're one of the lucky ones. They like pretty things."

Sinikka felt her cheeks flush slightly.

"Now then!" Gemma said firmly, placing her two bundles on the ground. "Bedtime you little monsters!

Sinikka mimicked her and put the child down.

"Give Sinikka a hug and say night." Gemma said, still being firm.

The three grinned and crowded the dark teen, throwing their hands around her neck when she crouched and grinning devilishly over her shoulder at Johnny as she hugged them back.

"Ni'h'!" They all chimed together cutely. Sinikka had to bite back an uncharacteristic gush. How cute were they?

"Yes, bedtime. You better be good." Johnny watched them as they followed after their mother.

Gemma took a second to pull Johnny to the side.

"Is she for real, brother dear?" She whispered.

"Yeah, so be nice." He whispered back sternly.

Gemma leaned back, patting his cheek.

"To her, of course." She whispered devilishly. Johnny groaned inwardly as his sister turned to put the triplets to bed.

Sinikka was smiling as she watched them go, but a thought occurred to her as the four left.

"How old are the boys?" She asked curiously, still staring at the arch the group had disappeared through.

After a slight hesitation, Fiona answered.

"Nearly three..." She said softly.

Sinikka frowned.

"And how old is their mother?"

Fiona silently took a deep breath and steeled herself.

"Eighteen." She answered again.

Sinikka's brows furrowed as she turned to mother and son.

"Eighteen?" She repeated in confusion, looking at Johnny. "But you're eighteen... So how old was she when-.."

She trailed off when she saw the expression on Johnny's face.

"Gemma is only a few months younger then Johnny." Fiona answered a third time. "And she was roughly sixteen when she... had the boys."

Sinikka swallowed hard, almost afraid to ask the next question.

"And... the father..?"

She looked back at Johnny as he stuck his hands in his pockets and looked down with a stormy expression.

"Is not around..." He said quietly, roughly. There was a cloud of emotion on his face but Sinikka couldn't quite place the origin. "We don't talk about him..."

"Oh..." Sinikka said softly. "I-...I-'m.."

She bit her lip, not knowing what to say. She knew most people would normally say 'I'm sorry' but for someone who had so much issue with those words, and knowing they really wouldn't help anyway, Sinikka couldn't bring herself to say them.

So instead she remained silent.

Johnny looked up to see how awkward Sinikka had become. He should have known she would ask questions. He sighed, walking over to her. He reached up and slipped an arm around her waist.

"It's okay." He whispered. "You didn't know..."

Fiona cleared her throat loudly.

"Well!" She announced, this time not hiding the huge grin on her face. "I'll leave you two to it then! Wonderful meeting you Sinikka, my darling!"

Sinikka smiled as Fiona stepped forward and wrapped her in a one-armed hug and placed a quick kiss to her cheek.

"Night you two, I'll see you later!" She gave Johnny a hug and kiss before turning and finally leaving the room.

No sooner had Fiona left then a short brunette bounded into the room.

"Johnny!" She yelled excitedly. "You're back! Awesome!"

"You behaving Ro?" Johnny smirked; He took a moment to grab his sister. They wrestled for a bit until he locked her into a headlock. He proceeded to mess up her hair. "Miss me, munchkin?"

"Geroff!" The little brunette complained, pushing uselessly at his side to try and free herself. "No I didn't miss ya, ya big dummy! Lemme go!"

Johnny refused to release her until finally she began tickling his sides.

"Hey! Hey! Don't!" Johnny tried his best to wrestle away from his sister.

"Uh uh!"

"No! Sin mustn't know that I'm-Haha. Haha." Johnny finally let go of his sister.

The little brunette grinned and tacked to redhead to the ground. There the two rolled around, rough housing until finally Johnny was on his back with the half-pint on top of him, mercilessly tickling him.

"Bah-hahahaha!" She yelled in triumph. "Who's the master? Who's the master? Say it! Say it!"

"Never!" Johnny yelled back, roaring with laughter as he tried to grab her hands and push her off.

The brunette cackled evilly as she continued the torture, until eventually she glanced up at Sinikka. She did a double-take as if seeing the dark teen there for the first time.

"Oh." She said with interest, forgetting all about her brother. "You're new."

She stood up in front of Sinikka, who was looking on at the whole scene with utter amusement, and stuck out her hand with a friendly smile.

"Hey! I'm Rowena!" She made a face. "Stupid name, I know. My parents were obviously smoking something when they named me. So what's your name?"

Sinikka smiled and shook her head before reaching out to shake Rowena's hand.

"Sinikka." Johnny voiced from the ground. "But I'm obviously answering for someone who is quite capable of answering for herself."

"I'm surprised you're able to answer anything." She teased, referring to Johnny's panting and wheezing. "Need a paper bag there, hotshot?"

"Awe shuddup!" The redhead gasped, laying his hands on his chest as he stayed on his back a minute to catch his breath.

"Well it's pretty obvious who won that round." Rowena stated matter-of-factly. "C'mon Johnny! You gotta see the new pieces I got for my collection! It's so cool!"

"Woah!" Johnny exclaimed as his sister yanked him to his feet and began to pull him out of the room.

"You can come too, Sinikka!' The brunette called over her shoulder.

"What kind of collection do you have?" Sinikka asked as she followed the siblings from the main hall.

"You'll see!" Johnny called out to her as Rowena dragged them up a set of stairs. He had long ago stopped trying to free himself from her iron grip. Turning his head to the side, he lowered his voice as he gave the dark girl a slightly sheepish smile.

"So... Watcha think of the family?"

A small smile graced Sinikka's features as she looked ahead to Rowena.

"I'll let you know..." She said playfully.

Rowena opened the door to a room. Johnny grinned at the wall to wall collection of weapons of different styles, years, etc. Johnny saw his old battle axe hung up neatly where he had left it.

Johnny let out a low whistle as he sized everything up.

"Lookin good, kiddo." He said appreciatively. "I see a few new ones since last I was home."

"Yea! Look at this! This is the newest one, mom let me order it off eBay!"

Sinikka smiled and shook her head as Rowena proceeded to excitedly point out various weapons and gush while Johnny grinned proudly and listened.

Turning away from the two, Sinikka began to wander around the large room, stopping in front of a wall of framed photos.

She walked along the wall, smiling fondly at the family photos of the McGregor family plastered all over the red, black and silver wall Sinikka had a feeling Rowena hand-picked herself. Most of the pictures were of Rowena and Johnny; playing sports, sparring with various weapons, doing something silly and reckless. There were also a few with her parents and sister.

Sinikka narrowed her eyes thoughtfully at a picture of Rowena and Gemma sandwiching Johnny with their arms slung over his shoulders, the trio were grinning wildly.

Three.

The dark teen turned towards the siblings, who were arguing tactics about some gilded sword in the redhead's hands.

"Hey." She said loudly, having to theatrically clear her throat loudly before they finally took notice and looked at her. "I thought there were four of you? Three sisters?... Where's the other one?"

"She's hiding in her room, as per usual."

Three heads turned to look and see that Gemma had joined them.

"Oh? You mean she didn't want come out?" Johnny said sarcastically as he rolled his eyes, seeming anything but surprised.

Rowena made a face.

"She's a bit of an antisocial freak." She stated bluntly. "And kinda a weirdo."

Sinikka was shocked by this, even more so when no one seemed ready to scold the girl.

"She... never really clicked with the rest of us." Gemma informed Sinikka. "She's kinda an awkward kid. Mom says it's just a phase. I guess she's probably right, she's still a kid after all."

She looked at Johnny then with a mischievous grin.

"Johnny was always the most horrible one though."

"I was not!" The redhead argued heatedly. "You two are just as bad! You tease her and call her names! And do mean... girl things. You guys are way worse than I am!"

Gemma laughed now.

"Yea but you were the one who used to make her cry! Tell Sinikka what you used to say to her!"

Sinikka, still stunned, looked over at Johnny questioningly. The redhead at least had the decency to blush a little as he reached up to sheepishly rub the back of his neck.

"What did you say to her..?" Sinikka prodded.

"I uh... I used to tell her she was adopted." He muttered sheepishly, avoiding Sinikka's gaze.

Sinikka's eyes widened as she gawked at the redhead in shock.

That sounded horrible!

Granted, she'd never had siblings so she had no idea if that sort of thing was normal behaviour or not, but so far she wasn't exactly impressed with either of the McGregor siblings just then.

"I..." He knew Sinikka was not proud of him for the moment. He could see the gears in her head processing the information that was just passed to her. Yep, he was going to have his ass handed to him once again!

"What's her name?"

"Kaelie."

Sinikka frowned, a whirl of thoughts and words running through her head. She opened her mouth a few times but closed it again, unable to decide what to say.

Eventually she shook her head.

"Where's the bathroom?" She asked bluntly.

"Just down the hall. Turn right at the end, then it's just down the next corridor, last door on the end. Want me to show you?"

"No." Sinikka answered quickly, needing a break from the bizarre Scottish clan for a while. "I just need- I'll think I'll find it just fine. Thank you."

She said nothing else as she made for the door.

"Great..." Johnny muttered.

"What? What's wrong now?" Gemma asked.

"I think I just blew it...again. Thanks a lot for that by the way…."

"Again?" Both sisters asked this time, ignoring the latter comment.

Johnny slapped a hand over his face and ran it down wearily as he groaned.

"It's a long story..." He muttered, plopping down on his sister's bed and dropping back to stare at the ceiling. There was no use bothering to deny them, he knew his sisters would weasel it out of him so he might as well tell them.

Sinikka released a heavy sigh of relief as she turned the corridor at the end of the hall. Turning to look, she spotted the door that must be the bathroom and made a mental note.

"Well there's that if I need to actually use it." She thought ruefully. "Damn what a strange bunch..."

She didn't want to be nosy but she wasn't really ready to go back to the strange siblings just yet either.

Debating where to turn, Sinikka took a step to the right when something on the air caught her attention.

Cocking her head to the side, Sinikka listened as beautiful music seemed hang on the air like birdsong at dawn. It was positively lovely.

Curiously Sinikka turned left and followed the sound.

Some ways down the opposite corridor, Sinikka stopped at a partly ajar door and peeked in. She blinked at the sight of a little girl back-on to her playing a violin. Her hair was long, and raven black trailing well down her back, and her skin was pale and fair, quite a contrast to the tawny skin of the McGregor's she'd seen so far. Her fingers were long and slim and her form was lithe and delicate looking.

Sinikka felt the sound pluck at her heartstrings, the song sounded so sad...

She leaned forward to listen better but her arm accidentally brushed the door, causing it to open partway and creak.

Instantly, the music stopped as the little ravenette's eyes shot open to stare at Sinikka through her mirror.

Sinikka held her breath as she took in the startling, and captivating silver eyes. The little girl's profile was absolutely breathtaking.

"I didn't mean to disturb you." Sinikka said softly, pushing the door open a little ways. "I'm a friend of Johnny's.."

When the girl made no move and spoke no word, simply stared, Sinikka swallowed and chewed her cheek.

"Your music is beautiful..." She said gently.

"Thank you…." The little girl said quietly, looking down. Her voice was melodic. She shifted her violin so that it lay gently across her lap. Her silver eyes took in the stranger that was invading her domain. The girl didn't look like anyone Johnny would befriend. Long white hair, deep jewel eyes, and dark skin. She looked enchanting.

Sinikka nodded and turned on the side to lean against the doorframe, her hands behind her.

"My name is Sinikka. What's yours?"

"Kaelie..." She continued to watch Sinikka with careful eyes. "You...said you were...a friend of Johnny's. How?"

Sinikka felt a slight flush come to her face and fought to keep it at bay.

"We... met at school." She said vaguely, quickly moving to change subjects. "I just left your other siblings in Rowena's room... they're kind of crazy aren't they?"

"Yeah." Kaelie didn't sound thrilled when Sinikka brought up her family. "They're...different."

Sinikka smiled good naturedly and straightened.

"That's an understatement!" She teased. "I'm actually not really ready to face them again yet... Mind if I stay here with you for a while?"

"What?" Kaelie seemed taken aback for a moment. "Really?... Uhm….. I guess so…"

The ravenette girl looked down. "Uhm… I'm not really that interesting…. I was just practicing before you came in…"

Sinikka smiled and moved to sit on the edge of the bed. She then gestured with her chin towards a notebook on a desk nearby.

"May I borrow your notebook and a pencil?"

"S-sure." Kaelie extend a hand, unsure why the girl wanted it. She watched as Sinikka picked up the notebook and grabbed a random pencil on her desk. Kaelie picked up the violin, checking her strings.

After eyeing the dark teen wearily for a while, she eventually picked up where she had left off

Sinikka's hand moved across the page as Kaelie closed her eyes again, relaxing slightly, and continued the song she was playing. The sound of her bow across the strings was the only sound in the room as she played and Sinikka made no move except that of her hand as she continued to draw.

When finally Kaelie stopped playing, she slowly opened her eyes and lowered her instrument, looking curiously at Sinikka again in the mirror.

"What are you doing...?" She asked timidly.

"You have a lovely talent, Kaelie." Sinikka said gently, finishing some last touches on her drawing. "I can tell you really enjoy it. Would you like to know what my talent is?"

Looking up for confirmation, Sinikka smiled as Kaelie nodded enthusiastically. She then lifted the book and turned it towards the girl to show her.

Kaelie's eyes lit up as she saw the picture Sinikka had drawn of her and her Siblings all standing together smiling with their arms around each other. A pained expression crossed her face but quickly disappeared as she looked up at Sinikka with awe.

"Oh wow..." She cooed dreamily. "I wish I could draw like that..."

Sinikka placed the book flat on her lap and shook her head.

"No." She said softly. "I wish I could do what you do, Kaelie."

The ravenette gave her a confused expression.

"Wish that you could make music?" Kaelie stared at her violin then looked back at Sin. "I don't understand...you're able to create art on paper...why would you want ... my skill?"

Sinikka's smile grew slightly.

"Well, let me show you... I want you to do something for me, okay? Close your eyes and think of something that makes you really happy. Then play."

"Okay…." Kaelie closed her eyes. She wasn't sure about taking the advice from the stranger. It took a few moments, but eventually she thought of something that did make her happy. The thought of her parents proud of her for her own achievements. The thought of her siblings not bullying her. The idea that she was her own person despite the family name attached to her.

Kaelie picked up the violin and began to play.

After turning the page, Sinikka's hand once again begun gliding over the paper, letting the images in her head appear onto the paper as Kaelie played.

The ravenette played for a long time this time, and Sinikka didn't even notice the smile fixed on her face as she listened and drew.

The sound was so sweet. It spoke of love and belonging and true happiness. It sounded so lovely that Sinikka felt like all the worries and tribulations in her life just melt away, unable to take root when something so beautiful and pure filled her body and soul so completely.

Finally, after a long time, Kaelie ended her song on a long, drawn out last note. After a slight pause, she opened her eyes with this time a small blush as she looked again at Sinikka in the mirror.

"All done?" Sinikka asked gently. When Kaelie nodded , she smiled again and once more lifted the page to show Kaelie. This time the ravenette gasped in astonishment.

"Wow!" She exclaimed, her eyes popping.

Sinikka had drawn a beautiful scene like something straight out of a fantasy. There was a waterfall with lush and beautiful shrubbery, strange and exotic flowers, butterflies, and even, Kaelie was delighted to see, a pair of enchantingly stunning faeries.

The picture was so detailed and lifelike, Kaelie kept expecting it to move at any second; the water to move, the faerie and butterfly wings to begin fluttering.

"...Th-that's...amazing!" Kaelie's mouth twitched into a surprised smile "Are... you a magician?"

Sinikka actually laughed at that.

"Hardly." She replied in amusement. "That came from you. I drew what I saw while you played. Your song made me think of this, something that makes me really happy."

Sinikka thought back to the scene that had inspired this one and smiled fondly, remembering the particular spot a certain redheaded Scot had shown her not so long ago.

Shaking herself out of her thoughts, Sinikka focused back on the ravenette.

"That's why I wish I could do what you do." Sinikka told the little girl. "You can change people's moods with your music, make them feel what you're feeling, see what you see, hear what you hear... That is a truly amazing and wonderful gift, Kaelie... Not every musician can say they can do that."

Kaelie just sat there, completely taken by surprise by Sinikka's words. Her eyes stared unblinkingly at the white haired girl. Slowly, her lips began to twitch, and slowly but surely a genuine smile graced her features.

"Really? You mean it?"

"Every word." Sinikka said solemnly, lifting a hand to her chest and the other in the air as a sort of 'scouts honor' gesture.

"You...you're the first person to ever say anything like that to me… Well, besides my mom and dad, and my teachers…" Kaelie smiled wide now. "Thank you!"

Sinikka chuckled and nodded, handing the girl back her notebook.

"You're very welcome. Thank you for sharing your time and talent with me."

"You're welcome and thank you for sharing your time with me." Kaelie grinned. "So... I have a question. Just curious. You can tell me if it's none of my business..."

Sinikka sweatdropped, dreading the question.

"Ask away..." She replied wearily, forcing a smile now.

"Did you want to spend Christmas here?" Kaelie asked. "I mean, Johnny can be a jerk sometimes. I don't see how someone like you could be around him. You must keep him in line a lot."

Sinikka relaxed slightly before giving the girl a strange look, not really sure how to respond to that and had a strange urge to laugh.

"Um..." She hesitated, considering the question carefully. "I... don't think I'll actually be spending Christmas here, but I will be here for a little while... I've actually got someone waiting for me back home and I'd like to spend Christmas with him."

"That's good! I mean, to have Christmas with someone. I guess your family. We're...crazy. We might be too much for ya." Kaelie rubbed the back of her neck.

Sinikka felt a warm wave of affection wash over her at that gesture as she was suddenly reminded of Johnny. She wondered if the tiny thing knew how often her brother did that. Probably not she guessed, if she did, she probably wouldn't do it.

"Yes." Sinikka said eventually. "To both!... But I think I can get used to it. You'll just have to save me if I get lost in their madness."

A quiet knock sounded at the door. Kaelie stiffened for a second when the door creak opened.

Johnny stood at the door as he quietly pushed it open the rest of the way.

He awkwardly waved.

"Uh...hi?"

Kaelie's face turned stony as she turned back around in her seat and frowned down at her violin.

Sinikka frowned as well as she looked at the girl's reflection. Unable to stop herself, she turned a small glare on the redhead in the doorway.

What the hell had they done to their poor little sister to make her so shy and weary of him?

"You found me." She said bluntly, all joy and playfulness gone from her now.

"Uh..." He could feel the tension in the room and it made him squirm. He gulped at the look on Sinikka's face and the way Kaelie was avoiding his gaze. "Just letting you know...uh we got a room for you. And...if you're hungry, Mum says the kitchen is free."

Sinikka looked at Kaelie's reflection.

"You hungry?" She asked softly. "I kinda am... wanna show me to the kitchen?"

Kaelie looked up in astonishment, obviously surprised she was still there instead of disappearing with Johnny.

"Uhm… Sure." Kaelie put away her violin first before she got out of her seat. Johnny quietly moved to the side as Kaelie got up to lead Sinikka out of the room.

Johnny rubbed the back of his neck as he watched the two girls depart. With a sigh he followed after them, stuffing his hands in his pockets as he fell into step with the girls.

"So... how's school, Kae?" He asked cheerily. Kaelie tensed as if she expected him to spontaneously insult her.

"Fine..." She mumbled. Sinikka stared at her before turning to frown at Johnny accusingly.

The trip to the kitchen was a long, awkward one. Johnny was really feeling like an asshole. There was nothing he could do to get back on Sin's good side and it ate him up. Kae was barely acknowledging that he was trying to be a good big brother. Yep, even Kaelie could see through his bullshit.

Kaelie showed Sinikka the huge kitchen in the castle. Everything was up to date and modern with the hints of antiquity to it. The girls settled on what was made from earlier while the cook happily prepared them each a plate. Johnny was left out. It felt cruel that the two women were ignoring him.

Just then, Fiona made her presence known once again.

"Hi Kaelie, baby! It's nice to see you've met our guest! Sin, sweetheart, I was wondering; do you have anything to wear to the party?"

Sin gawked openly at the redhead woman, a forkful of food halfway to her mouth.

"Uhm... party?" She questioned.

"You didn't tell her?" Fiona glared at Johnny.

Johnny felt himself shrink ten times smaller.

"It's a big party we have every year where everyone is dressed up and having fun and stuff." Kaelie filled her in. "Just mostly our family really, cause our family is HUGE and plus it's Christmas so... Mum just wants to know if you have something nice to wear. It's very formal."

Sinikka blinked at the two females for a full minute before finally shaking her head.

"I... wasn't aware I would need dressy clothes..." She replied awkwardly, replacing her fork on her plate. "I have a few dressy items but... nothing really... formal..."

Fiona smiled. "Would it be so bad if I helped you picked out something? I think I have some things that might fit you."

"Can I come?" Kaelie spoke up.

Fiona stared at her baby for a second before smiling again, a glint of pride and happiness shinning in her eyes. "Of course you can, baby."

"I uhm... well, no I suppose that's-..." Sinikka paused, slightly flustered. Finally she cleared her throat and started over. "If you really think I need something then... no that would be fine Mrs.- Fiona. Thank you."

"You're quite welcome, my dear. I'll let you finish eating and you can meet me upstairs. We'll find something." Fiona turned to stare at Johnny. "Jonathan, isn't there something you should be doing right now?"

"Like what?"

"Like leaving the girls alone for a chance? You're not harassing your little sister again, are you?" Fiona's lavender eyes seem to be sparking fire.

Johnny paled a shade.

"No, mum..." He muttered, squirming slightly.

Fiona eyed him suspiciously for a minute, her eyes narrowed on him and making him squirm even more, until finally she straightened.

"You'd better not be." She warned, giving her son a stern look. "We'll I'll go poke through my closet then and see what I can come up with. I'll see you girls in a bit."

Sinikka seemed to think of something at that and turned towards Kaelie with a frown.

"He didn't really used to tell you you were adopted did he?"

Johnny's face lost all color then and he froze ramrod stiff as his mother suddenly whirled back around with a furious and wild expression.

"Excuse me!?" She nearly shrieked.

"I...I...I..." Johnny tried to move his legs but they were frozen in place. His mother's eyes were now blazing as she inched closer and closer to him. Fiona paused for a second, turning to Kaelie. "Is this true sweetheart? Did your brother really tell you that?"

Kaelie shot Johnny a quick, devilish look and the redhead's eyes widened as he gave her a pleading look. She turned back to her mother with huge dewy eyes that threatened to spill tears any second, and a pout that would put the poutiest baby to shame.

"Yea..." The petite girl cooed, biting her lip as she gazed pathetically up at her mother. "He said it was why I looked and was so different..."

"Oh sweetheart." Fiona embraced her."It's genetics, not adoption. You poor thing. You get it from my side of the family. It's alright. Now, if your brother or your sisters have said something to you, you just let me know, okay? Mum will take care of it." Fiona pressed a kiss on Kaelie's forehead. She whirled around, grabbing Johnny by the shirt.

"What the hell is wrong with you?! Why would you say such a horrible thing to your own sister!? She's such a sweet girl! How dare you? How dare you! Of all the pathetic, disgraceful, dishonorable things you've done, Johnny, this takes the cake! I honestly can't understand how you actually came from my loins, you little-! Oh, you.. you… you ignorant, horrid boy!" Fiona grabbed him, shaking him as her eyes light up with fire.

"Mum...I-"

"Don't you dare!" Her voice shrieked now. "I demand you apologize to your sister! Not only that, I demand that you tell me anything else you have been saying to her! That includes any jokes and comments involving the rest of the group! You are in deep shyte, mister."

"Mum..."

Still Fiona railed on.

"Don't you mum me! You're so lucky you're my only son, otherwise I'd have done off with you long ago! I brought you into this world, Jonathan! Don't make me take you out!" Fiona finally stopped yelling. "Now do as I say, right now!"

Sinikka's jaw was hanging agape as she took in the whole scene. She was so completely and utterly stunned, yet among it all there was once again a strange urge to laugh. Afraid of bringing Fiona's wrath upon herself, Sinikka lifted a hand to her face to chew on a thumbnail as she suppressed a grin at Johnny's predicament.

Justice.

"Okay, okay." Johnny caved. "I call her 'Special K' too…. Ro thinks she's a social outcast and a weirdo. Gem doesn't believe she fits into the rest of the family. And… and... Oh God, I'm sorry, Mum, don't kill me!"

He was groveling at his mother's feet.

"I cannot believe I am seeing this." Sinikka thought with a smirk as she sat back in her seat with crossed arms and looked down at Johnny. "Damn, this was well worth a trip to Scotland."

Fiona, still seething, reached down to pluck at Johnny's ear and pull him to his feet, making the redhead crying out in pain.

"Brats! The three of you!" She huffed angrily and narrowed her eyes on her only son. "I ever hear anything like this again and I will make sure Rowena's collection gets some good TLC, you hear me?"

Kaelie hid her giggles behind her hand.

"Y-...yes ma'am." Johnny whined submissively.

"Good. You're still not off the hook. Now, you come with me. You and I need to find your sisters and we all need to have a little chat." Fiona instantly turns to perky and happy. "Sin, Kaelie, you two take your time to finish eating. I've got some business to take care of before we can play dress up."

Johnny could barely look at Sinikka at this moment. His pride was not just stomp out. It was crush, beaten, dragged through the mud and set on fire.

"Have fun, Johnathan." Sinikka sang after him as he turned to slink after his mother.

"Oh God..." He whispered, mortified as he was dragged out of the kitchen. "I changed my mind; please kill me…"

Sinikka stood in front of the mirror in Gemma's room, starring at her reflection a little unsure.

"Oh wow!" Gemma cooed. "That dress looks way better on you then it ever did on me! So glad mum let me help with this!"

The dress was a long mermaid ball gown, formfitting until about the knees where it flared to the ground. The top was a strapless corset-like sweetheart shape with intricate designs and patterns. A brilliant sapphire blue, it was also a shockingly close match for Sinikka's cold, bright eyes.

"You look amazing, Sinikka." Fiona couldn't help but feel some pride. The dress had been a beautiful concoction made by a dear friend of hers from Italy. Gemma had worn it, yes. But it didn't look as great on her as it did on Sinikka. The girl looked every inch a beautiful queen of winter.

Kaelie paused, studying Sinikka before giving her two thumbs up.

Sinikka stared for another moment before sighing heavily.

"Yes. It'll do." She said in an uncaring voice. "Thank you, Gemma. Would you mind unzipping me now?"

The redhead, beaming, stepped forward and unzipped the dress, holding it up as Sinikka stepped out of it in her underwear and moved to pull on her regular clothes again. She was amazed how at ease she'd quickly become with these almost complete strangers. Not that her dressing in front of them was a particularly big deal seeing as neither had anything the other didn't.

But still, that wasn't the point.

Kaelie studied Sinikka. She didn't look happy at all about the dress. Maybe it was something her Mum and sister had said.

"You sure?" Fiona studied the girl's face.

Sinikka looked up, pausing in buttoning up her jeans.

"Hm? What?... Oh, yes. It's fine, Fiona... thank you."

She turned away from the three as she buttoned her jeans and reached for her shirt. A small frown creased her face as she continued to dress herself.

These were things a girl was supposed to do with their mother, things she was supposed to be used to. But something as simple as deciding what to wear to a party was something she'd always done on her own. She'd be damned if she'd ever ask her mother for such advice.

What was it a friend of hers had once called the woman? A brand name whore?

Yes that about summed it up. Hisui would simply die before wearing something 'off the rack'.

Never mind that such experiences were far too normal for a family like hers. That and she couldn't stand to be in a room long enough with her mother to ask for clothing advice.

Pulling her shirt down over her head, Sinikka paused with her hand on the hem for a moment only as she took a deep breath and forced an expressionless look on her face before turning around.

Eying the girl for a moment, Fiona frowned in concern before forcing a smile.

"Well then, now that that's decided, what shall we do about your hair?"

Turning towards the mirror, Sinikka studied her reflection for a moment.

"Well... if it was up to me I'd just leave it down or something." She looked a little awkward as she looked back at the woman. "But somehow I don't think that would be appropriate for your party, considering the fancy dress."

She reached to gather her hair up in her hand and sized it up before releasing it and turning back to the other girls.

"It's your party. I don't want to be underdressed. You can do whatever you want with it if you like."

"Oooooo! Talk about a girl's dream!" Gemma cooed excitedly. "I think we should pile it all up in curls! Like an ancient queen! And put all kindsa sparklies and stuff in there!"

"You will not." Fiona approached them. "I think leaving it down would be best. You have such lovely hair, Sinikka….. But you are right, Gemma. Might be some fun if we could play it up with some curls and a few dainty baubles."

She held a strand of white hair in her hands and smiled at Sinikka again. "But it is completely up to you, sweetheart. You will be my guest and I will not have you uncomfortable under my roof."

Gemma rolled her eyes, then moved behind Sinikka and turned her back towards the mirror before reaching up to gather the white strands in her hands and lift them up. Sizing it up in the mirror a moment, she grinned huge. "There! Up and off her neck, like that! That's how we should do it. But I agree with you on one point, mum; curls and baubles are a definite!"

The oldest sister turned to Kaelie.

"What do you think, Kae?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Half up, half down...maybe." Kaelie titled her head. "Braids around the bun... she has to look like a Queen."

"A Queen?" Fiona blinked, staring at her youngest to Sinikka and back.

"Yeah. She's awesome and she has to look every inch of it awesome as she really is." Kaelie smiled. "Besides, I just want Sin make Johnny squirm at the party."

Fiona laughed out loud at that while Sinikka sweatdropped at the three.

"Well, well!" The tall redhead said in amusement. "I supposed I've been out ruled! I'll leave it up to you three then!"

"Yes." Kaelie fist pumped.

Gemma sighed.

"You do want to make him squirm, right Sin?" Kaelie asked, half curious and half truthfully asking the white haired girl.

Sinikka felt like a bug under a microscope as she looked around at the three starring at her expectantly.

"Uhmm..." She muttered, not really sure what to say.

Was that what she wanted...?

Fiona chuckled.

"Gemma! Kaelie! For goodness sake, leave Sinikka alone! Good lord, I've raised a bunch of imps!" She turned a sweet and motherly smile and a wink on Sinikka that warmed her heart. "Every woman is entitled to her secrets and devices."

Sinikka blushed slightly as Fiona gave her a playful, knowing wink.

Johnny paced back and forth. He was in the old 'hangout' room he liked to call his hideaway. Back in the day, it was there when all four friends would usually hang out. Certain things were gone now but the room was still there. Johnny found it be a comfortable place to relax, think, and overall forget the things that generally stressed him out.

"God, I'm the biggest dumbass in the world." He grumbled as he paced before the window. "She hates me, I know it. She really, actually hates me."

He thought back to the scene in the kitchen earlier with his mother and groaned loudly as his face heated anew.

"Damn it…. I can't believe she actually saw that. Forget her hating me, How the hell can I ever look at her again after that?! Thanks a lot mum, my life is officially over. God, just do it, just take me now! Hell am I ever glad ROB didn't see that! I'd never live it down…. Oh God, what if she tells him!"

It was an all-out melt-down.

He should be angry that he found himself horribly embarrassed in Sinikka's presence.

But no, he found that he'd been force fed a piece of humble pie.

Fist first down his throat.

And so it went, ever since Johnny's mother had ripped him a new one. Ever since that moment when Sin decided to take it upon herself to deliver up some justice and make sure he paid for his past wrongs. Thanks to that moment, he'd had to listen to his mother rail on that his baby sister was indeed a special person and should be respected as such. He'd even been given an earful by his father (via phone no less.) It had been downright horrifying.

He was almost tempted altogether to just hang up his pride and manliness, march out of the room and declare to the dark beauty that she'd finally won, finally succeeded where all others had failed; she'd finally totally broken and degraded the mighty Johnny McGregor.

Almost.

Maybe he was just overreacting some.

Johnny fell back onto the worn out lounge, staring up at the ceiling. He could hear the fire crackling from the fire place. No other sounds could be heard except the annoying voice in his head.

"I am an idiot." Johnny mumbled, throwing an arm over his eyes.

"Damn you're a slow learner."

The Scot's head whipped around to see the girl in question standing in the doorway, leaning with crossed arms and a smirk against the doorframe.

"What an interesting... family discussion."

"Oh you should see her on a bad day." Johnny grumbled. "Came to gloat about the witnessing of my ultimate humiliation did you?"

"Yes." Sinikka said bluntly, moving into the room and taking refuge in a huge, overstuffed chair by the window. There was a highly amused expression on her face as she watched the redhead indeed squirm.

Johnny narrowed his eyes at her. Maybe his sister had been right, maybe she did like to watch him squirm.

"Enjoying it?" He grumped with a scowl

Her blue eyes just danced in amusement, making him wriggle uncomfortably in his own body.

"Oh you have no idea." She said with a grin. "My Christmas is already complete."

Johnny grimaced and Sinikka actually laughed.

Leaning back and pulling her legs up to curl around her, Sinikka lifted her arms to the rests and looked around the room.

"So." She said simply. "Where are we?"

"The old hangout room. All four of us used to come here to hang out whenever we were bored or whatever, and to kinda escape… But it's been a while since that happened. Between school and 'growing-up' and whatever the hell else we rich brats get stuck doing. I still come here sometimes to remember and to think." He saw her smirk. "Yea, you heard right, it happens sometimes. Not a total dufas."

She grinned at the word she'd heard his sister use on him earlier.

"I never would have guessed." She teased. "So, what now you rich brat?"

"I don't know. You still want to stick around here? I mean with me?" Johnny cringed when he felt himself doing the worst kicked dog impression.

"Please don't leave..." He thought, ignoring the knot in his stomach.

Damn, he wasn't being pathetic.

If he were to be honest, he'd admit that he was secretly wishing for a cuddle.

And a kiss maybe.

Yeah, talk about asking for too much.

Sinikka lifted a brow and gave him a strange look.

"Where else would I go, dufas?" She teased again.

Johnny felt a rush of relief wash over him and couldn't help but smile. He got off the couch and crawled over to the chair, placing his arms on her legs with his chin on top of them.

Lavender eyes stared up, big and dewy.

Sinikka blinked down at the unmoving Scot, momentarily stunned.

"Hi?" She attempted playfully, trying her damndest to ignore the sudden increase in her heartbeat at his sudden closeness.

"Hi... so I know I suck, but can I ask you for a favor?"

How in the hell did Johnny go from bumbling idiot to cute idiot in a matter of seconds?

Sinikka swallowed, straining to remain cool and collected.

"Depends on what it is..." She attempted playfully, eyes not leaving him as if weary of what he might suddenly do.

"Can I have a kiss?"

Sinikka's eyes widened as a hot flush washed over her entire body.

"Did he really just ask me for a kiss?!" Her own voice squeaked in disbelief inside her head.

After a very long time and much struggle, the dark teen finally managed to regain her control and collective coolness - at least on the outside.

"I don't know..." She said carefully. "I'm not entirely sure I wanna kiss a bully who picks on his kid sister for being different..."

The redhead pouted.

"Can't blame me fer tryin…" He grumbled, burying his face into her knees.

And there goes Karma, kicking him in the ass again. Damn she really was a bitch.

Sinikka froze, completely at a loss for what to say or do. God, he actually looked like a beaten dog.

It was hard to swallow as she stared down at the fiery locks that had once so thoroughly captivated her. Unable to resist, she reached out and threaded her fingers through said strands, gently running her fingers through it.

Johnny opened his eyes. The feeling of Sinikka's hands in his hair had given him a kick to the heart. He only moved his head slightly so she could have all of his hair. The feeling of her hands was relaxing. Johnny closed his eyes again.

"Mmm..."

Sinikka couldn't resist a smile as it crept up her lips. The feel of the Scot's hair through her fingers was amazing; so soft and silky.

"Maybe you should have thought of kisses before you picked on your little sister..." She whispered teasingly.

Johnny lifted his head from her lap and placed his chin on her knee as he looked up at her.

"Maybe you shouldn't have tattled on me like a bratty school kid." He countered.

Sinikka bit her cheek to hold back a smile as she fought for a straight face.

"I didn't tattle on you." She said pointedly. "I simply asked your sister a question. I thought your badness was common knowledge among your family."

Johnny groaned, burying his face again into her legs.

"Not all of it." He mumbled. He lifted his head once again. "I try not to get on my mother's bad side. Scary as hell in case you hadn't noticed!"

Sinikka chuckled now as she stared down at him.

"Well..." She whispered, leaning down ever so slightly with a grin now. "There's a word for that... it's called; justice. Or Karma, whichever you prefer. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter."

She leaned down a little further, the grin wide and amused now.

"Maybe you'll think again before picking on someone, hm?" She whispered playfully. "I think it's pretty safe to say your sister got her revenge..."

"Yea, that's a pretty safe statement." Johnny sighed. "And yea, I'll think twice next time. So do I get my kiss now?"

He stuck his bottom lip out and looked up at her under his lashes, just for good measure.

Sinikka pretended at indecisive and feigned thinking.

"Hmmm..." She hummed thoughtfully. "Still not sure... still be kissing a bully... not entirely sure that's in my best interest.."

She looked at him and lifted a brow again.

"What's in it for me?"

"You get to see me in a penguin suit at the party and you can laugh all you want at how dumb I look?"

Johnny wasn't sure if that was the best thing to give her.

He was really feeling pathetic right now.

Sinikka snorted.

"I get to see that with or without a kiss." She teased. She leaned down again now until she was merely inches from his face. "I followed you here because you wanted me to. I'm going to this family party thing you've got going on and I've agreed to let your mother and sisters prod and preen me all in the name of looking spot-on for you."

She moved in a little more, her lips a breath away from his. Her eyelids dropped and she watched him through heavy lids as she spoke again.

"That's a whole lot of something's for you this Christmas, Mr. McGregor. You're very spoilt indeed." She said softly, dropping her voice now to a whisper again, this time against his lips. "I ask again... what's in it for me?"

Johnny felt his eyelids slowly drift, as his heart threatened to strangle him. "I can think of one thing... in it for you..."

They were so close! He could feel her breath tickle his cheeks, smell the sweet minty taste of her toothpaste, the intoxicating scent he couldn't quite place that stuck to her skin and was so uniquely hers. She was clearly offering him what he wanted most, all he had to do was move in and take it.

"I'm on the highway to hell!... Highway to hell!"

Johnny pulled back with a long, foul string of curses as he reached into his pocket for his cellphone.

"I swear, one of these days..." He growled furiously. He'd been this close!

Whoever was on the other end better be dead or dying, otherwise they were gonna be by the time he was through with them!

Johnny sat back on his knees and angrily flipped the cell open before slapping it up to his ear.

"What!?" He barked at the person on the other end.

Sinikka watched the scene in amusement as Johnny fumed while he listened.

The poor Scot.

She'd have to give him a really good smooch after he hung up, this was just too cruel even for him.

The grin stayed on Sinikka's face for a long time until she noticed Johnny's anger quickly evaporating to be replaced with a deeply concerned and concentrated expression. She frowned and reached out to place a hand on his free arm.

"Who is it?" She whispered in concern.

Johnny waved her off and turned away from her.

"Yea... yea of course, I'll be there as soon as humanly possible... Tell him to hang tight OK..?"

The Scot hung up, a deep frown on his face as he got to his feet.

Sinikka starred up at him expectantly with a mix of concern and confusion.

"Who-"

"I gotta go." Johnny interrupted. "Something... important came up."

Sinikka blinked, stunned, as he turned and headed for the door. When he reached it, she stood up.

"Wait!" She called after him, making him pause without looking back at her. "That's it? Who was that? Where are you going and what happened?... And how long will you be gone? The party is tomorrow night isn't it?... You're not going to leave me in your house all alone are you!"

"Sin." Johnny swallowed hard. "It's… really important…. Something I gotta do by myself. I'm sorry, I hate running out on you like this but..."

He trailed off, unsure what else to say. "Please... just trust me on this, okay?"

His lavender eyes waited, begging to be believed.

A whirl of emotions stormed across Sinikka's face and Johnny found himself holding his breath in anticipation.

Finally, she forced a small smile at him.

"You have no idea how much you're asking..." She said softly. "But... I guess you've earned it by now... I do trust you Johnny..."

"Thank you." He whispered, sighing in relief. There wasn't much time but all he needed was just a few seconds. Reaching up to gently touch her face, Johnny leaned in and quietly placed a whisper of a kiss on her lips.

Sinikka stared unblinkingly as the redhead pulled away from her and whirled around so quickly she had to debate with herself on whether or not he'd actually kissed her at all. It wasn't exactly the big smooch she'd planned on.

She felt like she should say something, do something. But she was completely at a loss so she simply stood there and stared as she watched the Scot turn a corner and disappear.

Sinikka nervously fidgeted as she scanned the many faces in the room. The party was in full swing and well underway, but still no sign of Johnny.

She'd already been coerced into a few dances with some handsome strangers, as well as a number of Johnny's family members. Yet still there was no sign of the only Scot she really wanted to see just then.

"Don't worry, darling." Fiona said sweetly, placing a hand on the girl's shoulder. "He'll be here."

Sinikka mentally cringed at Fiona's honorific. Her mother's favorite word.

Darling.

She simply forced a smile at the woman before returning to crowd watching.

Somewhere close by, a door swung forcefully open and banged against the wall; though over the loud music, no one heard it. Through it rushed a barely dressed handsome redhead as he bolted towards the dance.

"Awe man, I am so late!" Johnny grumbled as he carelessly tucked in his shirt and hastily buttoned his jacket. Now he fully appreciated how women seemed to be able to get ready in such a hurry and still look totally polished.

Catching a glimpse of himself in a mirror, the Scot frowned deeply at his reflection as he passed.

"Why can't I just look good for once?" He complained internally as he burst through the doors into the main hall. Thankfully, other than a few surprised glances, no one paid him much mind and soon enough even the curious people who'd turned went back about their business. Johnny ignored them all as he proceeded to attempt to tame is wild hair. "Just once! That's all I ask; can't I at least once look great for-"

Suddenly Johnny brought up solid as he caught sight of the person he'd just been thinking about. His lavender eyes must have grown accustomed to picking her out of any crowd because they immediately zeroed in on her.

"Oh, God…. Wow…."

Sinikka was dressed in one of his sister's deep sapphire gowns and he thought it looked a helluva lot better on her then it ever did on Gemma.

The dress was long enough to brush the floor and flowed fluidly. At the front the silky material was gathered together by a large diamond-shaped clip, leaving her sides bare, and draped up over her shoulders to circle her neck. The dress was low enough in the front to make his mouth water by not so low as to not be tasteful, and showed nearly her entire back behind.

Her hair was all pulled up and piled on top of her head with a few pieces framing her face. It was swept to the right with two braids circling the top front while the rest was a fluffy, billowy torrent of soft curls and whisps.

Her eyes were painted a smoky design and lined in white to make them pop. Her cheeks were brushed with the faintest tint of blush and her lips were a sheer, glossy nude. Sapphire nails matched her dress perfectly. The only jewelry she wore was a simple silver bangle and a pair of simple Celtic design earrings.

Frozen in place, Johnny just gaped as Sinikka spotted him across the room and began to approach him with a genuine smile.

"You're late, Mr. McGregor." She said pointedly as she stopped in front of him.

Tilting her head to one side in a way that made Johnny feel like melting, she gave him a once-over that made the redhead literally weak in the knees. When her gaze met his again, the smile turned to an amused grin.

"You're a mess." She said bluntly.

Johnny sweat-dropped and reached up to nervously tug at his poorly secured tie.

"Yea, yea." He grumbled, suddenly feeling immensely inferior. "What else is new…."

This time the dark teen offered him a sweet smile and took his hand.

"Talk about touchy." She teased. "C'mere, let me help."

Sinikka led Johnny off to the side of the room and away from everyone. There she turned to face him and shook her head with a smile as she proceeded to fix him up.

Johnny just watched his date, utterly transfixed by her sheer beauty as he let her do what she wanted.

Starting with his jacket, Sinikka unbuttoned it and pulled his shirt out from the band of his pants and gave it a little tug to straighten out the wrinkles. Johnny's eyes fluttered shut half-mast as she leaned in and reached around his back to tuck it in properly.

"God, she even smells amazing…" He thought, resisting the urge to just pull her into his arms and nuzzle his face into her neck.

Pulling back from him, Sinikka proceeded to re-button his jacket. Next she undid his tie and tied it properly. Johnny couldn't resist a happy sigh this time as she once more leaned in, looking over his shoulder to see that the collar of his shirt was folded properly over the tie before leaning back again. However, if she noticed the small sound that escaped him, she said nothing as she worked with a concentrated expression.

Quick fingers tied the fabric like a pro and now Sinikka looked up into the redhead's face as she gently slid the knot into place.

"Looking good, Mr. McGregor." She teased softly. "Almost done."

Johnny remained speechless, merely able to offer her a weak smile, as Sinikka reached down to give his jacket and sleeves a quick tug. When she looked back up into his face again, her eyes lifted to stare at the top of Johnny's head. Consciously, the Scot reached up and placed a hand flat on his head with a deep frown.

"Yea, I know." He said bluntly. "Like you said I'm a mess…."

"Yea. I know." Sinikka repeated teasingly.

Much to Johnny's surprise, she reached up and removed his hand before slipping her fingers into the locks and gently combing her fingers through.

Unconsciously, Johnny's eyelids fluttered close again in utter bliss, tiny shivers of pleasure tingling down his back as Sinikka proceeded to gently comb out the knots in his hair and tame it just so in a way he could never quite manage on his own. Or perhaps had never really cared or taken the time to try.

Once more a small sigh escaped the redhead, and he had to once more resist reaching out and pulling the girl into his arms. Standing there with his eyes closed and her fingers threading soothingly through his hair, it was easy to forget they weren't alone.

All too soon, Sinikka's fingers stopped, coming to rest at the base of Johnny's skull where they remained buried in the soft hair at the base of his neck.

Johnny opened his eyes to see Sinikka watching him with the warmest and most heart-melting smile he'd ever seen her wear.

"There." She whispered. "Just like a real, Scottish prince."

For effect, she pulled away from him and took a step back in order to give him a playful curtsey.

"My liege." She teased, bowing her head low to him.

Now normally, the redhead would have milked that for all it was worth. But right then, Johnny's body had a mind of its own.

Stepping forward, he reached down and placed a hand under Sinikka's chin, gently lifting until she was looking up at him.

"You bow to no one…" He whispered seriously, looking deeply into her eyes. "Especially in this house."

Sinikka blinked at the redhead, utterly speechless.

Finally, Johnny smiled and lifted her hand to his lips to press a tender kiss to the back of her knuckles, his eyes never leaving hers.

"If I'm the prince, then you must be the stunning foreign princess, come to make me fall desperately, madly in love with you and make me do something to risk my life for you and die a terribly tragic yet romantic death in order to save your life." After a playful grin, he reached up and tenderly brushed his knuckles across her cheek. "And you look every bit the part tonight, Sin…."

Sinikka swallowed hard and felt her entire body flush hotly as her heart threatened to strangle her. Before she could reply however, Johnny smiled again and pulled away from her, this time offering her his arm.

"Shall we?" He said playfully.

After a brief moment, Sinikka managed to pull herself together and slipped her arm through the Scot's.

"Lead the way, Highness." She replied playfully.

With a laugh, Johnny led his date onto the dance floor. The dark teen seemed mildly surprised when he immediately led her into a sweeping waltz.

"Ye gads!" She gasped in mock surprise as he reeled her in from a flawless twirl, only to pick right up where they left off. "The barbarian dances! Why, one might say you've done this before, good sir."

Johnny chuckled.

"Yea, yea. Laugh it up. You'll be amused to know that I've been force-learning this stuff since I could walk. Always thought it was kinda stupid until now."

Sinikka could easily imagine the redhead moodily twirling around this very room as it stood empty, while one of his sisters led the grumpy teen around the floor as his mother clapped in time to imaginary music and scolded him to take his lessons more seriously.

The thought made her laugh.

"Thanks, by the way." Johnny said suddenly. "For polishing me up. Can't have my date lookin' better than me after all."

He grinned then.

"Though… I think that fact is inevitable. I got a lot to work up to."

Sinikka's heart fluttered sickeningly in her chest as she stared up at him.

"I told you..." She said softly. "This is all for you, you spoiled rich brat... I'm still waiting to see what I get out of this..."

His grin widened as he leaned down to whisper in her ear.

"With the way you look tonight…. I don't think I'd be the only guy to admit that you could have whatever the hell you want… And I'd do damn-near anything to give it to you…"

Sinikka felt her heart flutter madly in her chest as she forced a hard swallow. Who knew Johnny could be so suave? Had he been taking lessons from Enrique?

Pulling back slightly, the redhead gave her a warm smile now before reaching up and cupping the side of her face, his thumb gently brushing her jaw.

"I know you hate to hear it…." He whispered softly. "But God you're beautiful…."

Sinikka's chest was heaving now and she was suddenly finding it near impossible to breathe. Her mouth was dry and she was suddenly glad Johnny was holding her so closely because she was sure that if he wasn't her suddenly weak legs would surely have given out on her.

Swallowing hard, Sinikka turned her face away from the Scot as he leaned down to her, making him kiss her cheek instead. She wasn't sure if it was the idea of sharing something so intimate in front of his family and so many people, or if it was her raging nervousness, but either way she didn't want to kiss him right then.

"Your... mother was looking for you." She voiced, attempting to keep her voice even and indifferent, despite the chaos going on inside her. "We should- Come on, we'll go find her."

Not giving him time to answer, Sinikka turned and led the Scot through the crowd.

Johnny couldn't resist a wide grin as he let his date lead him through the crowd.

"Johnny m'boy!" A loud voice suddenly boomed gleefully.

The redhead grinned wide as Sinikka released him to allow his father to pull him into a huge bear hug.

Which was putting it just right because the man looked like a bear!

Angus was a big, huge bulk of a man. Anyone who didn't know him normally assumed the man was rough and mean. The truth of the matter was that he was actually a big softie and a great family man. He had dark brown hair and stunning blue eyes. The man looked the complete opposite of his lovely red headed wife.

"Hi Dad." Johnny greeted. He then grinned cheekily. "Nice suit."

Angus laughed, a loud and gleeful booming laugh.

"Aye! I was just thinking the same thing yeh monkey!"

Clapping a large paw onto his son's shoulder her grinned wide at him.

"So tell me, lad; jus' where've yeh been oaf teh? Not like yeh to be late to a party!"

Johnny frowned and shifted uncomfortably, especially when Sinikka turned towards him curiously as well.

"Uh… well…." He mumbled uncomfortably, not really feeling like lying to his father and knowing the man could see through it anyway.

After a few awkward moments of silence, Fiona placed a hand on her husband's arm and spoke.

"Oh, Angus darling. What's it matter? He's here now, that's what counts isn't it?"

Angus looked back to his son and opened his mouth to argue but seeing the pleading look on his son's face, he cleared his throat and dropped it.

"Aye." He said finitely. "That's what matters."

The man then turned towards Sinikka then with a hundred watt grin.

"Now then!" He bellowed loudly in his ridiculously thick accent. "So this here's the lass ah bin havin' meh ear gabbed off aboot! Welcome to the madness, wee wan!"

Sinikka gasped in surprise as the big man stepped forward and pulled her into one of his bear hugs.

"Uhm.. th-thank you, Mr. McGregor." She said, stunned.

"Ah, none a' that yeh hear!" Angus boomed as he pulled away. "Mr. McGregor! Bah! Make me feel like a ol' bastirt! My ol' man's Mr. McGregor! Yeh can call me Angus!"

He released her and stood back to place his hands on his hips as he looked her over.

"My, but yeh are a pretty one aint yeh? Pretty as a flower!" He said, turning to his son then and beaming with pride.

"Asta lad!" He thundered, clapping a huge paw on his son's shoulder that actually made the teen stumble. "Taught 'em well! M'lad knows how to pick 'em!"

This caused both teens in question to flush scarlet, though thankfully, Sinikka at least had her makeup to hide most of hers. She was admittedly surprised that said makeup wasn't melting off her face.

"Dad... could you not." Johnny tried to clear his throat. "And to tell you the truth… She didn't exactly make it easy..."

"See?" Fiona smirked. "It's always the woman who drives the man insane."

She poked Angus in the side, to which the big man chuckled and wrapped an arm around his wife.

Sinikka turned an impressed look on her date.

"Will wonders never cease. And here I thought I'd have to go to my grave swearing I was the innocent bystander in all this. My, my, you certainly are a completely different soul in your parent's presence, Johnathan."

There was a devilish glint in her eye as she spoke to the redhead.

Angus broke into a loud, thunderous laugh.

"Ah, blees ya lass!" He chuckled heartily. "Ye've got spunk! That'll keep ya on yer toes, lad! Just the kinda burd yeh needs!"

That said, he gave his wife a squeeze as he looked down at her and grinned wide.

"Yes, a woman who can put up with his stubborn ways and keep him from being such a barbarian." Fiona rolled her eyes but the corners of her mouth twitched into a knowing smile. She blushed however the moment Angus leaned down to place a cheeky kiss on her cheek. Johnny tried to hide the awkward smile on his face at the moment that happened all too often for his liking.

Looking away, his gaze fell on Sinikka.

Sinikka had politely looked away from the scene but there was something undistinguishable shinning in her eyes when she looked back at the two parents with a smile.

"You two make a beautiful couple..." She said softly. "I would give anything to see my parents..."

That sentence trailed off. She quickly thought for something to replace it but nothing came to mind so instead she forced a wider smile.

"Oh darling…" Fiona cooed sympathetically, reaching out to take the teen's hand and give it a gentle squeeze. "I'm sure they both love you very much…"

Sinikka forced a kind smile at the woman but made no reply.

Johnny's stomach knotted sickeningly, especially as he thought back to where he'd been earlier.

Quietly pulling Sinikka to his side, he brushed a small, hidden kiss to her face before whispering in her ear.

"We can go whenever you want to…"

Sinikka turned towards him and nearly melted at the genuinely concerned expression on his face.

"Maybe just a little air..." She said softly, unable to look away from him.

"Okay." Johnny replied, turning then back to his parents. "We're gonna head out for some air."

The two gave the teens knowing smiles.

"Alright, darling. Have fun."

"And dina be goin'-" Angus stopped with a grunt as his wife elbowed him hard in the side, preventing his teasing remark. Instead he rubbed his ribs and chuckled. "Awite! Jest be careful yeh dafty wee wane! An' ah hope teh be seein' more ah yeh Sinikka!"

Sinikka smiled and nodded at the man.

"I hope so too." She replied. "Goodnight."

Johnny took her arm, leading her away from the bustle of the crowd. They ended up in a small room overlooking the snow covered hills and gave the impression that any guest could feel like they were outside in the snow, without actually freezing their tail off. The place smelled exotic and there were several brilliantly colored flowers blooming all around.

"Best I can do without letting you freeze." Johnny commented, studying one bloom hanging from a pot.

Sinikka smiled as she looked around.

"Well." She said in amusement. "This seems familiar. Should I ask you the same thing I did back then? Didn't drag me here to take advantage of me where no one else would hear me scream did you?"

"Damn, how'd ya guess?" Johnny shot back playfully, turning back to her with a grin and sticking his hands in his pockets.

Sinikka laughed and turned away from him, proceeding further into the room. As she walked she lowered her hand and let them trail along some of the exotic plants, feeling their cool smoothness.

"I like this place better." She said softly as she took a good look around. "It feels more..."

She paused as she thought of a word. When something came to mind she turned back to the Scot with a tender smile.

"Like home." She said gently. "I mean, not my home, obviously, but..."

"I understood what you meant." Johnny smiled, watching her.

He liked seeing her looking happy.

In his home.

He liked her being happy in general.

"So..." He shuffled a little nervously, suddenly thinking of their abrupt separation the day before.

That little kiss he had left her with wasn't much but he'd thought when he come back, he could give her a real one.

Too bad the moment he'd worked so hard for was gone.

"So." Sinikka repeated, turning around again. "Not really what I had in mind when I asked for air but, hey; beggars can't be choosers."

Looking back to him again, she gestured to their clothes.

"Hope I didn't let your family poke and prod me all afternoon just to hang out in your green house."

Johnny chuckled and pulled his hands out of his pockets to approach her.

"No, you were supposed to get all dolled up to dance." He said with a grin as he stopped in front of her. "So, let's dance."

Sinikka looked at him like he was crazy.

"There's no music." She pointed out bluntly.

"Sure there is." He replied. "Can't you hear it?"

Still she looked at him like he'd completely lost it, making the Scot resist a chuckle.

"Shhh..." He cooed, closing his eyes and placing a finger to his lips. "Just listen."

Sinikka did and still heard nothing.

"I still don't-"

Johnny placed a finger to her lips.

"Shhh..."

This time she paused and closed her eyes, listening hard. When she finally relaxed and concentrated, she began to hear... something.

There was the soft cooing gurgle of running water. The quiet hum of some insect's wings, the rustle of leaves as some slight breeze gently moved them. And were those crickets? A bit late in the year for those wasn't it?

Sinikka opened her eyes and looked around.

Then again...

She looked back at the Scot with a tender smile.

"I think I do hear it now..." She said softly.

"Told you." He whispered.

Johnny extended his hand. "May I have this dance, mi'lady?"

His eyes held amusement, happiness, and something else.

Shaking her head with a smile, Sinikka reached up and slipped her hand into his, allowing him to sweep her into another waltz to music only they could hear.

Johnny held her closer than he did in the room full of people. He wasn't shy about how he felt about Sinikka. Their 'relationship' right now was delicate, and very precious to him. He felt like he was trying so hard to keep the line straight, for fear of falling off and never getting back on track again.

"Sin...?"

"Hm?" She responded, completely caught up in the moment as the two gently swayed and circled around the beautiful room.

"I'm really happy that you're here with me." Johnny admitted timidly.

She looked up into his face at that, a little stunned. After a few moments, her expression softened and this time only a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

"Me too..." She whispered.

Johnny chuckled, leaning forward. Her heart skipped several beats but against all expectations, he kissed her forehead.

Sinikka couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed as Johnny pulled back, but she smiled up at him nonetheless.

"You know, you're not so terrible at this wooing thing, Johnny McGregor." She said playfully.

"Oh, is that so?" He teased. He twirled her around then dipped her in his arms. "Not so terrible, huh?"

Sinikka could hardly breathe as she hung onto the Scot and starred up at him. Her heart was nearly beating out of her chest and her entire body felt like a furnace.

"Not so terrible at all..." She whispered a little feverishly.

Unable to stop herself, Sinikka leaned up and timidly closed the distance between them. After a slight nervous hesitation, she let her lips brush his, causing a shiver to run down her back at the contact.

Johnny's eyes widen at the sweet gesture. He smiled through the kiss, pressing back at her lips.

He curled his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him as he straightened them up again.

Taking a sharp intake of breath, Sinikka's eyes fluttered closed as she slid her arms up his chest and slipped them around his neck, burying her fingers into his silky hair.

Johnny made a sound, chuckling through his lips as he just held onto Sinikka tightly.

After a long moment, he slowly pulled away, savoring the feel of her lips against his. "Now that I can get used to."

Sinikka blinked a minute as she regained her composure and a sly smirk came to her lips.

"Yea, well, don't. That's just an early Christmas gift, buddy."

"Oh really?" He nuzzled her cheek playfully, waiting to see her response.

Another hot wave rolled through her and Sinikka couldn't help but melt.

"Mmmm..." She hummed softly, her gaze softening slightly.

Quickly shaking herself out of her trance, Sinikka hurried to recover.

"Why don't we go back to the party? I'm sure everyone is wondering where we went."

Johnny smirked now and released her, taking her hand instead.

"Sure, if you want. Let's just swing by my room so I can grab my cell. Left it there in my hurry to get to the party before it was over..."

"Ok." His date said simply.

Johnny took Sinikka out of the room and headed upstairs to the bedrooms. From experience, he knew not to make too much noise while the babies were sleeping, so he treaded carefully past their rooms. He was still amazed that it was kept clean while he was gone.

Soon enough, they reached Johnny's room and he picked up the cellphone on his dresser. Looking at the screen, he noted a missed call and frowned as he recognized the number.

"Hang on a sec." He said to his date. Sinikka nodded and waited patiently as he dialed the number back. After only a ring or two, a familiar voice came through the other end.

"Johnny?"

"Hey!" Johnny greeted the person on the other end with a grin. "You rang?.. Again! What is it this time? Calling to wish us a Happy Christmas or what?"

There was a long silence on the other end and Johnny had to check his cell to make sure the call wasn't disconnected.

"Hey, Oscar? You there?"

Sinikka's heart went up into her throat at the mention of the man's name. Why was he calling Johnny?

She forced herself not to immediately panic.

"Relax, Sinikka." She scolded herself. "Don't jump to conclusions... probably just wishing us Merry Christmas, like Johnny said."

Still that didn't stop her stomach twisting and churning to the point she was sure she was going to be sick on Johnny's expensive floor.

"Oscar? You-" Johnny felt his stomach drop. "What? Are you... Okay. I'll... yeah, she's right here. Hold on."

After a slight hesitation, he chewed his cheek and handed her phone. "He wants to speak to you."

Sinikka's throat tightened and burned and for a long time she stared at the cell like it was a venomous viper poised to strike her. It wasn't until Johnny frowned and jiggled the phone that she finally reached out with a shaky hand to grasp it.

"H-hello..." She croaked, her voice just as shaky as her hand.

"Sin..." Oscar's voice came from the other end. It sounded nearly as rough as hers and Sinikka couldn't help but think this didn't sound like the voice of someone about to wish her Merry Christmas.

"I-... I-... My God, this has to be the most horrible moment of my life...How do I say this...?" She heard Oscar swallow hard and it made her heart begin to thunder deafeningly in her ear.

"Just say it Oscar." She whispered breathlessly. "What happened..?"

Oscar was quiet for an agonizingly long time until finally he spoke again.

"I-.. yes, that's really best I guess... Ok, here goes... Oh God... Sinikka, I'm so sorry I-... He's gone..."

Sinikka felt a wave of nausea rock her as her entire world seemed to shift sickeningly.

Eyes wide and unblinking, she fought for breath that would not come.

She didn't even realize she was on the ground until she registered Johnny in front of her, clutching her shoulders tightly as he yelled something in her face with a panicked expression. But the words sounded like distant echoes, echoes in a foreign language.

Gone.

That one word bounced around her head and echoed like a rock rolling around an empty metal barrel.

"No..." She muttered, blank eyes starring ahead of her. "He can't be... he promised me... he promised me he wouldn't leave me alone..."

Johnny shifted uncomfortably at that.

"Sin..." He choked, his voice cracking. "I-... I-..."

He clenched his teeth, his own body undergoing havoc as he stared at the girl before him.

"There's... I should tell you where I went yesterday..."

…::: Twenty-four hours ago :::…

Johnny flew down the sickly white halls, his lungs searing and eyes darting from side to side as he searched for the right number. Before long he arrived at the right room and doubled over, placing one hand on his knee and one hand on the wall for support as he panted heavily to try and catch his breath.

After a few minutes, the redhead straightened, his stomach churning sickeningly and nervously as he stared at the door. Hid throat was dry, his heart was hammering against his chest.

He really didn't want to be here.

"Alright, McGregor, suck it up!" He thought, putting on his best straight face.

Mustering up all his courage, Johnny lifted his fist and knocked on the door.

"Come in." A familiar voice called from inside.

Taking a deep breath, the Scot steeled himself up and reached up to gently push the door open.

Inside the hospital room, Oscar was sitting by his patient, hand over his and whispering softly in Finnish. Johnny's breath caught in his throat and his chest tightened painfully as he looked the man in the bed over.

Jussi Virtanen was nothing more than skin stretched over a skeleton. His once vibrant navy locks were now snow white and his skin was a deathly, sickly pale pallor. Gnarled, twisted sticks replaced what was once his hands and all his features were sunken into his face as if his body was trying to swallow itself whole.

Johnny had seen the man before but he couldn't remember him looking quite so… awful.

But then again, he guiltily admitted to himself that his eyes hadn't really paid much attention to the man on his last visit, they had been watching Jussi's daughter.

Swallowing hard – and finding the feat very difficult – Johnny forced a smile.

"Hey…" He said softly, awkwardly.

Both men looked up at the redhead and Oscar offered him a sad smile. Jussi on the other hand lit up. A small smile graced his face, one that was magnified by the glow in his ever-brilliant eyes and indeed he looked like the happiest person in the room, which Johnny found tragically ironic.

Jussi lifted his hand ever-so-slightly off the bed and weakly beckoned the Scot with his fingers.

After a slight hesitation, Johnny approached the bed. The man flicked his eyes to the side and Johnny nodded in comprehension as he took a seat on the other side across from Oscar.

"So you are Johnny."

Johnny had to lean in very close to the man in the bed to hear his gravelly words, so close he could see the spider webs of blue in Jussi's eyes, eyes that reminded him so much of a certain dark beauty.

"Yes sir, I am." The redhead replied, forcing a smile.

"Thank you…. For coming."

Johnny felt a stab at his chest.

"Yea…. Yea, of course." He replied, a little awkwardly. "So…. You wanted to…. Talk to me?"

"Kyllä. And I wanted to meet you…" A devilish glint shone in Jussi's eyes then. "I wanted to meet the man that had my kaunis enkeli so thoroughly… what is the word…."

He seemed to search for a minute and Johnny felt himself squirm anxiously.

So what? What was he trying to say? Had the two been talking about him?

The thought made him giddy and yet filled him with dread at the same time.

"So ihastunut." Jussi said finally.

Oscar chuckled at the word and gave the confused Scot an amused smile.

"Enthralled." He translated, making the redhead blush. Jussi chuckled too.

"Kyllä. Enthralled." He repeated. "Forgive me, my mind is not as it used to be lately…. Now, tell me about yourself, Johnny."

Johnny blinked for a moment before reaching up to absently rub the back of his head.

"Uh…. Well….. There's… not much to tell really. I'm ah….. a pretty normal guy I guess…"

Jussi seemed disappointed and Oscar gave the teen a stern look. Catching it, the redhead blinked again before shifting uncomfortable and starting over.

"Uh…. Well, I've got three sisters and… a mum and dad…" He mentally cringed at that. Duh, of course he had a mom and dad!

Clearing his throat, Johnny started again.

"They're kinda crazy. I mean, I know I'm kinda crazy too but those guys! Oh man, they're like watching an episode of the Adam's family ya'know? Total screwballs!"

This made Jussi laugh.

"Please… tell me more."

Johnny grinned, feeling himself relax a little.

"OK. Well, yesterday when I brought Sin home – I have these three nephews, you see –"

Oscar smiled warmly as he watched Johnny rant on about his family while Jussi listened intently with a tender expression. Feeling a pang at his heart and a tear in his eye, he quietly cleared his throat before getting to his feet. Totally deep in conversation, Johnny didn't seem to notice the man silently excuse himself from the room.

"It seems you have a lovely family…" Jussi said kindly once the Scot had paused for a break. He then grinned at the young man. "Even if they are a little crazy."

Johnny laughed at that.

"Yea. They're pretty cool…. I'm kinda lucky I guess."

"It's alright. All the best people I know are crazy!"

Johnny grinned back at the man.

"Me too!" He agreed with a laugh.

Jussi turned his hand over and Johnny blinked at it for a minute before swallowing and placing his hand over it. The man closed his gnarled fingers around the Scot's and Johnny looked up into bright blue eyes, now feeling a little uneasy again.

"You seem like a good young man." Jussi said simply. Johnny gave him a lopsided smile.

"I try to be…." He said softly.

"You are." Jussi said bluntly. "I see it in your face. I hear it in your words….. I do not wish to keep you long. As I say to my daughter, there are many things young people would rather do then spend Christmas with a withering old man in a stuffy old hospital room."

Johnny felt another pang at that and frowned. He gave Jussi's hand a gentle squeeze.

"I don't mind…" He said softly. "I don't mind being here with you at all…. I'm glad you asked me to come…"

Jussi smiled, humoring the young man.

"You are a good boy." He said airily. "I have only one question for you."

Johnny blinked at the man.

"OK…" He said, feeling nervous and anxious again.

"Do you love my Sinikka?"

Johnny's heart stopped at that and he felt his face flush a thousand shades of red.

"I-I-I-….!"

Jussi laughed gleefully.

"Alright, alright. From the look on your face, I will think I have my answer! Your face is the same color as your hair!"

Johnny thought he was going to keel over. Jussi spoke again.

"If I am correct then I have a favor to ask you."

Johnny stared at the man for a few moments. After a long time, a serious expression crossed his face and he nodded.

"Anything." He replied seriously.

"Do not leave my Sinikka alone."

The Scot was taken aback.

"I-… what?"

Jussi sighed and a deeply saddened expression took hold of his face. Suddenly it all hit Johnny very hard as he saw for the first time, a truly ill man brought to deaths door far too early. The thought and sight was more than a little overwhelming and he had to clear his throat forcefully to push back the sudden assault of emotions.

"I'm afraid I made a promise to my daughter that I had no right to make." Jussi said sadly. "You see, the only way she would leave with you was if I promised her I would not leave her alone…. I am aware that this was not what she meant when she demanded this promise but if nothing else, I am and have always been a man of my word."

It was all Johnny could do to hold himself together as a block of ice dropped into his stomach, and indeed a single tear slipped from his now glossy eyes.

But if Jussi noticed said tear, he made no comment on it as he continued without missing a beat, ploughing on as if on a time limit.

"I know it is very selfish and wrong of me to ask… to place such a burden on you…. But I am hoping you can see the truth my daughter refuses to acknowledge…. That I cannot… that I will not be here for very much longer. You do understand that don't you Johnny?"

Johnny blinked rapidly to push back his emotions and cupped Jussi's hands between both of his.

"I promise you…" He said hoarsely, avoiding the question. "I promise, I will not leave her alone…. Your daughter will never be alone."

Jussi seemed to relax and it seemed like a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

"Good." He said tiredly, closing his eyes. "You are a good man, Johnny McGregor. Finally I can go in peace…. Knowing my daughter can be happy."

These words disturbed the redhead greatly and a look of panic crossed his face.

"Uh…. But…. But you're… you're not…. Uh…. Not yet right?"

Jussi chuckled and opened his eyes again.

"Ei. Not just yet." He turned his head slightly and gave the redhead a warm expression. "Tell me more… about you and your family."

Johnny took a deep breath, forcing himself to relax again before smiling at Jussi and proceeding to tell the man stories about the past, both distant and recent.

Over the course of hours, the Finnish man had the Scot talking about anything and everything as if they'd known each other for years and indeed by the end Johnny had begun to feel as if the man was one of his own. He really liked Jussi Virtanen. He could tell the man was a man after his own heart; funny, loving and down to earth if nothing else.

"Thank you." Jussi said eventually, looking and sounding exhausted now. "Thank you, Johnny. You have done my heart good. No matter what happens with you and my daughter, I would be proud to call you my son."

Johnny was surprised to find that he wasn't embarrassed or put off by the comment. Instead, it struck him somewhere down deep and brought another flood of emotions to his eyes.

"Thank you…." He choked, reaching up to make a swipe at his eyes. "Thank you, Jussi…. That… wow, that really….. means a lot."

He cleared his throat and sniffed once.

"I…. wish I could have met you sooner…" He said sadly, and forced a smile. "Maybe someday you can meet my parents….. you'd like them."

Somehow, deep down, Johnny knew better. Yet still, it seemed like the right thing to say.

"I would like that very much." Jussi said softly, closing his eyes. "Now….. I am so very tired."

Johnny swallowed hard.

"Uh… right… I'll just…"

The redhead made to pull away but the feel of Jussi gripping his hand made him pause.

"I am glad to have met you." He said, not opening his eyes. "You have truly put my heart and mind to rest, young Johnny…. And you will keep your promise?"

Johnny gave the hands in his a gentle squeeze.

"Always." He promised solemnly. "On my life…. I swear it."

Jussi sighed in content and Johnny felt his hand go slack.

"Then I am forever in your debt." The man whispered softly, tiredly. "Tuhat siunauksia teille, Johnny. Goodbye."

For a moment, Johnny felt his panic sky rocket and had the sudden urge to shake the man uncontrollably.

He couldn't die on his watch Sinikka would kill him!

But then the Scot made note of Jussi's still steady, although weak, heartbeat registering on the heart monitor. The man had simply fallen asleep.

Suddenly overcome with emotion again, Johnny held Jussi's hand tightly and lowered his head onto the bed, his body wracking with silent sobs as he quietly wept.

After some time, the tears slowly ebbed away and Johnny lifted his head, making a swipe across his face as a determined expression took hold of it.

"I'll keep my promise." He said firmly. "I swear to you, Jussi…. Thank you…. For the opportunity to have met you. I'll…. I'll never forget you….."

The Scot stood up, feeling like he should do something, offer a hug, a final parting note. But nothing came to mind. So instead he gave Jussi's hand one last squeeze before turning and walking to the door.

Johnny paused one last time with his hand on the handle. After a slight pause, he looked over his shoulder at the man in the bed through blurry eyes.

"Goodbye…" He whispered.

And with that, he turned back around and hastily left the room behind.

…::: Present :::…

Sinikka felt like a piece of meat being unthawed, her cold and numb body exploding with pins and needles as the reality of his words sunk in and devastating realization dawned on her.

"You..." She whispered accusingly, her gaze slowly lifting to his. It tore Johnny apart to see the tears suddenly start streaming silently and unchecked down her cheeks as she stared at him as if seeing the bogyman for the first time. "You killed him..."

"Sin… I- no..." Johnny held his ground. "Please… you have to-… God, please just listen."

His own heart was throbbing in agony. He reached for her but she recoiled away from him as if he were some vile creature she couldn't stand to look at.

"This is your fault..." She breathed. "You let him go..."

Suddenly her face contorted into a vicious rage.

"You bastard!" She wailed.

Before Johnny could respond, she brought up her fist and punched him so hard across the face it made him topple over. Spitting out a mouthful of blood, Johnny turned back to the girl as he wiped his mouth. The look on her face mixed with the steadily streaming tears brought the water to his eyes as well.

"You let him go!" She screamed in agony. "I knew he was waiting for something! I knew it! I thought it was for me to come back, but he... he was waiting for..."

A long, drawn out agonizing cry tore from her throat, one that rent through Johnny like a lashing from a ninetails whip. He cringed as the tears suddenly started streaming down his face as well.

"Sin...please..." His voice was strained and cracking as he pleaded with her. He got up, making to move towards her. "It's...Oh God, I thought he was waiting for you too! Sin... please..."

A part of himself hated himself for what happened, for ever going to see Jussi in the first place. However, the other part couldn't bring himself to think it was wrong, he was glad he'd got to meet her father before the end, no matter what happened. And then there was the promise. He'd promised Jussi he'd never leave his daughter alone. And it was a promise he damn well intended to keep.

"Sin..."

She screamed blue murder as he reached out to touch her.

"Don't touch me!" She snarled savagely. "Don't you ever touch me again! I hate you Johnny! I will never forgive you for this! Get away from me!"

Johnny felt his world come shattering down around him. This couldn't be happening.

"Don't say that..." He choked pleadingly. "Oh God, please don't say that..."

Sinikka moved to stand and scramble away from him, but Johnny had a feeling that if he let her leave he would never see her again.

Jumping forward to snag her waist, he pulled her tight to him and held on for dear life.

"LET ME GO!" She screamed in agony, and pounded with all her strength on his arms, his chest, anything she could come in contact with.

Johnny closed one eye, cringing against the pain, but still his arms only held her tighter as he kept her back tightly to his chest and leaned down to rest his face against hers.

"I'm sorry…." He sobbed in agony. "I'm so sorry…."

Just then the door to the room burst open and a very angry-looking Scot barged in followed by a curious other.

"Just what the hell is going on in here!" Fiona demanded. "You've woken the babies!"

Behind her through the open door, the screams of three little voices could be heard, obviously having been woken from sleep.

However, seeing the scene before her, Fiona's anger instantly evaporated.

"Dear God!" She exclaimed, making to move for the teens. "What-"

"Just get out!" Johnny barked.

Fiona stopped dead, debating for a moment, until finally a deep frown split her face and she carefully backed out of the room.

"I…. Alright…" She whispered in a mix of confusion and worry. "Just….. just call if you need me…"

She made to close the door but a little black and green blur shot past her.

"Kaelie!" Fiona yelled, reaching to snag her daughter, but the girl was too quick.

In an instant, the little girl's arms were around Sinikka, her face buried in her dress.

"Kaelie!" Johnny growled savagely. "Get out!"

"Shut up!" The little thing spat back, her voice muffled in Sinikka's stomach.

The redhead opened his mouth to yell at her again when Sinikka's arms wrapped tightly around the little girl, tugging her close as she continued to sob.

Stunned, Johnny looked over Sinikka's shoulder at his mother, who wore the same shocked expression. The two exchanged a look before Fiona nodded and frowned, backing then out of the room and closing the door behind her.

Sinikka's legs gave out and the two siblings sandwiching her followed her to the ground as she continued to sob.

After a long time, Kaelie pulled back just enough to look up into Sinikka's face, her own eyes streaming tears for the unknown pain of her new friend.

"Sinikka….?" She questioned weakly. "What's wrong….?"

Johnny growled at his sister.

"It's…. it's her dad! Now shush!"

Kaelie ignored him.

"Did he die?"

Johnny looked horrified.

He opened his mouth to yell at her once more but the sound of Sinikka sniffing back her tears made him pause.

"Yea…." She replied thickly, looking down at the little ravenette. "Yea he did, Kae…."

Kaelie's eyes flooded with tears and she threw her arms around the teen again.

"Oh Sinikka! I'm sorry!" She wailed. "You must be so sad!"

Johnny had the urge to smack his forehead – or her!

Well duh she was sad!

But to his surprise, Sinikka didn't retort angrily, instead she hugged the girl tightly again and leaned down to rest her head atop the ravenette locks.

"I am…" She sobbed in agony. "Very sad…."

Johnny watched for a minute in stunned silence as the two sobbed and cried together. Indeed Kaelie's presence seemed to be comforting Sinikka, if even a little, because she was no longer wailing and screaming.

Releasing a long, tired breath, Johnny felt himself relax ever-so-slightly. Looking down at his sister, the redhead felt a newfound love and respect for her and he couldn't resist a whisper of a proud smile for her, even though it was a sad one. Reaching out he wrapped his arms around them both this time and leaned down to rest his cheek atop Sinikka's snow white hair as both girls sobbed themselves out.

Hours into the night, Sinikka finally sobbed herself to sleep. Johnny lifted his head and tilted it to look down at her.

"She's asleep…." He said aloud to no one in particular. With a heavy sigh he pulled back and moved to pick her up, pulling her out of his sister's arms and standing with her cradled snugly against him.

"You can go now Kaelie." He said roughly. But the little girl merely gave him a defiant look.

"NO!" She said stubbornly. "I'm staying!"

Johnny felt a vein throb in his forehead and he opened his mouth to argue but soon closed it again. Why bother?

He sighed heavily again.

"Fine, whatever." He grumbled.

The Scot approached his massive bed and crawled on top of it, carefully depositing Sinikka in the middle. He proceeded to take off her shoes and let her hair down, running his fingers through it to make sure all the clips were out. He then took off his own shoes and jacket before moving to lay with her on the bed and pull her against him, enveloping her in his arms.

The redhead closed his eyes, ready to make an attempt at sleep himself, when he felt the bed sink. Opening his eyes again, he saw that Kaelie had crawled into bed with them and now lay in front of Sinikka. He watched as his sister took the dark hands in her own pale ones and held tightly, leaning forward to rest her forehead against the teen's. A pang of affection tugged at his heartstrings when he noted Sinikka unconsciously clutch at the hands in hers. This made a small smile tug at Johnny's lips.

"Kae…" He whispered softly.

The girl opened her eyes and gave him another defiant look. Johnny's smile widened.

"Thanks." He whispered. Kaelie was momentarily stunned, more so when her brother leaned over the girl between them to give his sister a tender kiss to her forehead. "You did good, kiddo…."

Kaelie watched Johnny settle back in and stared at him for a moment before removing one of her hands from Sinikka's and taking one of the ones Johnny had wrapped around her.

Johnny squeezed the tiny hand in his affectionately and both closed their eyes before drifting off into a restless sleep.