Hidden Past: Jay's Illness

By Harmony283

Disclaimer: I don't own ToL or any of it's characters. I do however own the OC's that appear and the plot line used in the making of this fanfic.

Authors Note: -inhale, exhale- okay yeah I know I said this'd be up about a week ago, but the most unfortunate thing happened. My disk that I had it saved on couldn't save it, and it shut down entirely, deleting it in the process. So here's the re-write. -cough- anyway, in the last chapter both Jay and Harriet collapse and everyone's worried. What happens when they figure out Jay's allergic to the poison he was poisoned with, and will they be able to find the cure?

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The elevator screeched to a halt as it reached its destination, on the surface of the Legacy. Moses and Giet stepped out first, an unconscious Jay slumped over on Giet's back. Next came Shirley, then Will, who had Harriet's unconscious form in his arm, then Norma, Grune, and finally Chloe and Senel. They all but ran out of the lighthouse and into the park-like area outside.

The first person to notice them was Csaba, who rushed over from his spot resting on a tree stump, "What's wrong?! What happened to them?" He asked as he saw both Jay and Harriet's slumped over forms.

Moses shook his head, "I ain't got a clue on Jay, but he's runnin' a fever."

"And Harriet just collapsed, but I think she's fine." Will said, shifting his weight.

Csaba shook his head, "Well then you'd better get them to the hospital."

"That's where we were headed." Shirley stated, walking up to stand next to Giet. She touched Jay's forehead, "Jay's fever isn't getting any better, and healing magic doesn't work so that's our only option."

Csaba nodded his head, "Okay but tell me if you find out anything. I'm sure the boy's an' I would help if it's something we can help you on."

"Thanks Csaba. Now let's get goin' Giet!" Giet howled and followed Moses as he ran down the stairs leading into town.

"Let's hurry." Will stated, looking briefly down at Harriet before rushing after Moses. Shirley mutely followed behind him, and everyone else followed after, a similar worried expression on each of their faces.

The last person to go down the stairs was Grune, but before she even stepped on the first step she turned back to Csaba, who gulped audibly. She smiled sweetly, walking over to him, "Thank you for your worry. I'm sure we might need your help, and that it would be appreciated, but I'm not exactly sure if it will help. The sentiment will be the most important thing."

"Uh, heh, th-thanks?"

Grune shook her head; "You're welcome." She turned back around and walked slowly back to the steps when suddenly something caught her eye.

It was a wooden toothpick like item, "What?" She whispered as she picked it up. It looked stained with both blood and some type of lavender liquid, and the tip was broken, "What is this?"

"What's what?" Csaba asked in spite of himself. He walked over to Grune and looked at the object in her hand, "It looks like a needle…maybe it was on Jay?"

Grune's eyes narrowed, "Yes…you may be right." She got up, "I should show this to the others, it may help." She turned around and gave Csaba another smile before hurrying down the steps and after the rest of the group.

Meanwhile the 'rest of the group' had already made their way to the Hospital. They ran into the lobby, gasping for breath, only to be greeted by Elsa.

"Everyone!" she cried out, rushing over to them with a worried expression on her face, "Are you--oh!" her eyes fell on Jay and then on Harriet, "Wh-what…? What happened to them?"

Senel shook his head, as did Chloe. And Elsa's face paled even more, "Don't tell me they were attacked by monsters! You were going to the quiet lands weren't you?"

"Ah, no, no that's not it, Elsa. Calm down." Chloe said, waving her hands.

"Then what is it? Should I get dad?"

"Well Arnold would be able to help." Will said, nodding his head, "Yes, could you go get your father."

"Ah, okay! I'll do tha--" Elsa turned around to run up the stairs to the second floor. But was stopped when she saw Arnold walking down the stairs, "Father! Father come quick!" She waved her arms, catching his attention.

His eyes fell on the limp forms of Jay and Harriet and he all but walked down the stairs.

"What happened?!" he asked.

"Well we aren't sure about what happened with JJ, but Hattie here just passed out." Norma said, shaking her head from side to side.

"I-I see. Can you tell me exactly what happened?"

"Um, can't we find some place to put Jay first?" Shirley asked, "I'm sure then we could at least get something to make his fever go down. You know, some type of medicine."

Alcott blinked, seeming surprised, "So healing techniques don't work?"

"No…"

"Yeah it's true." Norma agreed, shaking her head from side to side, shrugging her shoulders, "We tried but his fever didn't go down. It went up."

Arnold shook his head, "That doesn't sound normal."

Suddenly the door to the hospital swung open and in walked Grune.

"Grune!"

"Hey G-Girl, where've you been? We got here, like, 10 minutes ago!" Norma stated, waving her arms up and down.

"She's right Grune. This isn't a time to be running off either, no matter what the cause is." Chloe stated, shaking her head from side to side, still trying to catch her breath from earlier.

"I know that. I just found something that might help us with finding out what's wrong with Jay." Grune replied coolly, making everyone's eyes widen.

"What? What is it? What did you find, Grune?" Shirley asked, walking over to the older woman, hands clenched.

"Yes, anything would help." Alcott agreed.

Grune nodded her head and pulled out the needle, "Csaba told me that this was some type of needle. I believe the poison must have been stored inside somehow."

"But how'd you find it G-Girl? I mean, it's not like that ninja girl'd drop somethin' like that." Norma stated with a shake of her head.

"Csaba said he thinks it might have fallen from his sleeve. His arm is…wounded isn't it?"

Everyone turned to face Jay, and Moses gingerly lifted one of his arms. Sure enough, there, on the fabric that would normally be touching his shoulder, was a bloodstain.

"It seems you're right. May I see the needle?" Arnold asked, holding his hand out. Grune nodded her head and placed it in his outstretched hand. They waited in silence as the doctor-of-sorts studied the object. He then let out a sigh, "I think I understand how this works now," he took the needle and then promptly snapped it in half, "it's hollow."

"Okay so now we know how she got the poison inside of that thing…but how did it get inside of JJ? I mean, it doesn't look like it could force itself out…right?"

Will sat Harriet down on the lone bed in the lobby before walking over to stand next to Arnold, "It seems that the impact might've forced it into Jay's bloodstream."

As if on cue, Jay groaned.

"Speaking of which, he needs to be cured as quickly as possible. Moses take Jay upstairs and I need a healer--"

"I'll go!" Shirley nearly shouted, making everyone stare, "What…?"

Arnold shook his head, "No, you'll do. Okay then, follow me. I think there's a spare room at the end of the hall." With that both Moses and Shirley headed up the stairs after him, leaving everyone in the lobby to stare after them in silence.

After about five minutes of silence Norma let out a sigh, "Could this day get any worse? I mean, weren't we just going to go to the Quiet Lands to look for a monster sample?" she flung her arms in the air, "And then this weird ninja lady attacks JJ and possibly poisons him! And then Harriet collapses and now we're here!"

Chloe shook her head, sighing, "Well I have to admit today didn't go as planned. But we can't change anything now. And let's hope it doesn't get any worse. Hopefully Alcott can find a cure for Jay and then we can get out of here."

"I wonder if it'll be that easy." Will muttered to himself, causing everyone to turn to him.

"What d'ya mean 'that easy', Teach?" Norma asked, placing her hands on her hips, "It can't be too hard to find a cure," she paused when she saw the serious look on his face, "C-Can it…?"

"Yeah he'll find a cure, right?" Senel asked, looking over at Elsa.

The brunette shook her head, "I don't know, but he's never not found a cure before. Then again, who knows what kind of poison Ninjas carry? Since there normally aren't Ninja's on the Legacy, the poison might come from the mainland…and if it comes from the mainland then that might be where the cure is." Elsa let out a defeated sigh and Chloe placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm sure your father will find at least some way to make Jay better."

"Y-Yeah, but, remember when I first came here?"

"Yes…?"

"I had to come here because the only way to help my illness was a special plant that only grew on the Legacy." She looked down at her feet, "I just hope this doesn't turn out like that, where we have to go to the mainland to look for a cure."

Everyone fell silent after this, not wanting to admit it, but knowing that it was highly likely that, if Alcott couldn't find a cure, they'd have to go to the mainland.

Finally the silence was broken. But not by one of the speaking. Harriet waking up broke it.

"Wh-where…?" Harriet asked, her voice quiet, her eyes dazed. She tried sitting up, only to fall back onto the bedspread once more.

Will rushed over to her, "Harriet!"

"Hattie!" Everyone else said in unison, rushing over to the bedside of the young girl.

"Oh…hey dad, everyone…where are we? Are we," she tried sitting up again and, with Wills help, succeed. But then her eyes widened, "We're in the hospital?"

Will nodded his head, "Yes. We're here because of--"

"Jay, right? You figured out he was poisoned?"

Senel nodded his head, "Yeah; that was the only logical explanation for the sudden fever. And there was a ninja there too…"

Harriet's eyes widened even more, "Ninja…Kari…poison…the type of poison, ah!"

"What? What is it?"

Harriet shook her head, "The type of poison, do you know what it is?"

Will shook his head, "No. Arnold is trying to find a cure for it right now."

"Well I know what the poison's called! You should at least tell him that! It could make it easier--" she was cut off with the opening of a door on the second floor. A few seconds later and Moses ran down the stairs, skidding to a halt in the center of the lobby.

"Hey y'all! This ain't good!"

Everyone turned to face the red-haired bandit, concern on their faces.

"It's Jay! 'is fever ain't goin' down! An' Arnold said he don't know the antidote for the poison!"

"Does he even know what the name of the poison is?" Harriet snapped, crossing her arms over her chest, "Because if you want to know, I know what it is."

Everyone turned back to her and Moses shook his head, "Well if ya know, lil' miss, then tell us!"

"It's, from what I heard from the Ninja, Lilac Poison."

Will shook his head, "I've never heard of It."

"I haven't either," Chloe stated, "That can't be good."

"No it isn't." Arnold stated from the foot of the stairs, "But thank you for telling me Harriet."

Harriet, despite her father's protests, jumped off the bed and staggered towards Arnold, "How's Jay? Is he…any better…?"

"Shirley's healing him right now. But if I can't find a cure, then I won't be able to get the poison out of his system."

Moses bowed his head, "Ya can't do anythin' about it, can ya?"

Alcott shook his head, "No, I can do something about it. Remember when you were poisoned?" he asked, turning to face Norma, who nodded her head, "Well I can make the antidote for that poison. It should help ease the effects."

Moses grinned, "Then do that!"

Arnold sighed, "Yes but that's not going to cure him. Lilac Poison…I've heard of it, it's a particular poison. It has many side effects, one of which is a high fever, but we need a sample of it in order to make an antidote." He looked around the room, "And the worst part is, no one knows the source of this poison. It was recently discovered, which is why you haven't heard of it Will."

Will nodded his head, "That makes sense."

"B-But how are we gonna find it if no one knows its source?" Norma cried out, waving her arms frantically.

"Yes, that's…definitely a major problem." Chloe sighed, "I'm sure if it's recent then they're still doing research on it. But I have a question," She looked over at Alcott, "How do they know about it if they haven't found the source?"

"That's a good question, and I can tell you." Arnold close his eyes, "Right before I left for the Legacy they found some in Valcav's base on the mainland. But they said that nothing there that resembled that type of Poison."

"So he got it from someone else?" Senel questioned, to which Alcott nodded his head again.

Will let out a tired sigh, "So all we know is that Valcav had some."

"And that that ninja had some too." Chloe shook her head, sighing as well.

"But that Ninja, Kari, worked for Solon right?" Harriet turned to face everyone, "You heard her say that right?"

"Solon?"

Harriet turned back to face Alcott, "Yeah, Solon's…um…actually I don't know who Solon is really, I just know he has something to do with Jay." She turned back to face Will, "You know don't you?"

Will nodded his head, "You could say we know some. Solon--"

Alcott held up his hand, shaking his head, "No, don't worry yourself over who he is," his eyes narrowed, "I already know."

"Y-you do?!? Since when did ya know Arnie?" Norma asked in shock, backing up a bit.

Arnold shook his head, "When I was working under Valcav he would show up. He would always come and speak to him about things, though I never knew exactly what."

Senel's hand clenched into a fist, "So…so Valcav and Solon knew each other?"

Elsa's eyes widened, "Really father? Do you…do you think Valcav got that poison from Solon?"

Arnold nodded his head, "Possibly. But I think you'd be better off asking Jay."

Elsa blinked, "Why…?"

"Because Solon wouldn't send a Ninja out to get just anyone. Jay…isn't originally from the Legacy, is he?" Alcott asked, looking over at Will, who just nodded his head.

"No he isn't from the Legacy, we aren't exactly sure when he came to the Legacy, or exactly where he's from. We only know that he's been here a while, or at least however long it takes him to figure out nearly everything about this place." Will said with a wave of his hand.

"But d'ya think Jay'd be really willin' ta tell us anythin'? I mean, askin' him about Solon…seems a bit much." Moses said, shaking his head from side to side, "It's not like askin' ya about Valcav, since he's been dead a while."

"Yeah…but at least we can try." Senel stated with a firm nod. He turned to Arnold, "Do you know how long it will take to make the medicine, or whatever, for him?"

"It shouldn't take me long," he turned to walk into one of the back rooms, "If I start on it now, it'll be done in a few minutes. It's very easy to make."

Norma smiled, "Well then I'm glad it's easy to make. Cuz who knows if I'd still be here if it took a while."

Everyone nodded their heads at this.

"So when should we come back?"

"I'll send Elsa to get you. Meanwhile you should really decide on if you want to go to the mainland or not." With that Arnold beckoned to Elsa and the two went through the backdoor.

Will shook his head, "You know he's right. Does anyone here have any objections to going to the main land?" he turned to look at everyone.

"Well I ain't been back there since I left with Giet and Csaba. But I guess goin' back wouldn't hurt. I mean it's for family so it's fine with me." Moses stated with a grin.

"Shirley and I haven't been back since Valcav started looking for us. But since he's dead we have nothing to worry about." He nodded his head, "So yeah, we'll go."

"I haven't been back since I went there to honor my parents graves. I don't think anyone would be expecting me to come back, but I can leave here at any time. So going to the mainland isn't a problem for me." Chloe said, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I haven't been back since I ran away…and I'm not too thrilled about goin' back since my parents would figure out about it faster than you could believe…but," Norma turned and looked up the stairs, "JJ needs us, so yeah I'm cool with it."

"And I haven't been back there since Amelia's funeral." Will said with a shake of his head, "Of course I can't exactly go back unless I'm extremely careful…"

"And I haven't been back there since I came here." Harriet piped up.

"And you aren't going back. If we make any sort of decision on going to the mainland, you're staying here." Will stated, crossing his arms over his chest.

"But--"

"No buts. You could get hurt if we decided to go on the mainland." He looked around at everyone; "Any one of us could get hurt. The main land isn't as peaceful as the Legacy."

Norma shrugged her shoulders, "Most of us already know that, Teach. But it's for JJ!"

Everyone nodded their heads at this.

"Which is why I should go!"

"And which is why I'll say no, Harriet."

"B-but…I don't wanna just sit here!" Harriet huffed, shaking her head from side to side.

"Oh don't worry, Hattie, there is a job you can do while you're here."

Everyone turned to face Shirley, who stood at the top of the stairs with a tired smile on her face.

"Th-there's something I can do?" Harriet asked, tilting her head to the side with a confused look on her face.

Shirley nodded her head and walked down the steps. When she reached the bottom she walked over to Harriet, placing a hand on her head, "Yes there is. I'm assuming Arnold's making the medicine for Jay?"

Harriet nodded her head.

"Well then you have to make sure he takes it. Since it's not the actual antidote you already know it won't cure him. But it'll have to do until we find the real cure."

"O-oh…but…but what makes you so sure he'll listen to me?"

"Because," Senel walked up to stand next to her, "Remember when we had to go around town giving everyone medals?"

Harriet nodded her head.

"And you made Jay take his even though he didn't want it? I doubt any of us could do that. Well, except maybe Will, but he needs to come with us." He bent down and placed a hand on her shoulder, "You understand don't you?"

Harriet sighed and nodded her head; "I get it. And I guess I can do it." She looked over at Will, "How long do you think you'll be gone?"

Will shook his head, "It depends. It takes at least four days to get from the Legacy to the mainland. And then of course there's the matter of finding the antidote, or whatever the source of Lilac Poison is. And then there's learning how to make the antidote. Then there's waiting for a ship from the Legacy to the mainland to come and pick us up. It could be months before we get back."

Harriet looked down at her feet, "Um…okay…but," she let out a long sigh, "Remember when that ninja girl asked when my birthday was?"

Will nodded his head, looking away in shame, "I'm sorry I can't remember it."

Harriet smiled, "No it's fine. But my birthday…is two weeks away from tomorrow."

Will's eyes widened and he bent down to her, "I'm sorry, Harriet."

Harriet shook her head, "Don't apologize. You're going to help a friend and I'm not about to keep you from doing that. I…If anything there is something you can do." She paused and reached up, taking her headband and slipping it off, "You know this is moms favorite flower. I…I know you haven't been to her grave because you aren't allowed to go to her grave, but if you could go to her grave on my birthday, or at least close to my birthday," she smiled, "I'm sure she'd be happy. And it'd make me happy too."

Will nodded his head, "If it's the least I can do, then I'll do that." He straightened himself up and turned to look at everyone, "Now then, I think we should go off and think for a bit. To make sure we have everything we need. It's almost certain that we're going to the main land, so if you have anything you'd like to wrap up, or anyone you would like to tell you're leaving then I suggest you do so."

Everyone nodded their head and then one by one they left. Soon only Harriet was left. She turned and looked up the stairs, "Well it looks like I'll be taking care of Jay." She crossed her arms over her chest, letting out a long sigh, "I guess I'll need to get everything ready at home so…off I go!" She punched the air with her fist and ran out the door.

As for where everyone else went…

Shirley went to Fenimore's grave

Senel went to Stella's grave.

Norma went to the Crystal Forest where the Everlight used to be.

Will went to his special flower field.

Moses went to camp to tell everyone he was leaving.

Grune went to the Man-eating ruins.

Chloe went to a practice field so she could practice with her sword.

After a while they eventually made it back to Will's home. And there they found both Elsa and Harriet waiting.

"Ah you're here!" Elsa said with a smile.

"Yeah, it took you long enough now let's go!" Harriet turned and led the way back through the town towards the hospital.

Once there Elsa quickly led them up to Jay's room, there they saw Alcott with a flask full of some strange liquid they couldn't quite tell the color of, holding it to Jay's mouth, trying to get him to swallow. Finally once that was accomplished he turned to look at everyone, "Good you're here. It should be only a few minutes, this is…very fast acting."

And sure enough, a few minutes later and Jay was sitting up, with the help of many pillows, looking around at everyone. He looked tired but annoyed, "H-hello…"

"Hey lil' bro, how ya feelin'?" Moses asked, walking over to the left side of the bed and placing a hand on his forehead. Jay tried to swat his hand away, but gave up midway through.

"I'm doing fine. Whatever it is that you gave me seems to have worked well." his eyes narrowed as they fell on Alcott, "But it's not going to heal me."

Arnold nodded his head, "No it won't. Which is part of the reason we're here."

Jay let out a sigh; "You want to find an antidote? Are you sure you're willing to go to the mainland for it? Are you even sure where to begin?"

"Well no we aren't sure where to begin," Senel started.

"But we're going to try anyway. And we don't care that we have to go to the mainland to get it." Shirley finished, smiling.

Jay shook his head at this, "I have one thing to say to that, you can stop now." His voice was cold, and he didn't look happy at all.

"Wh-what? Why not? C'mon Jay we're your family! An' we're tryin' ta save ya!" Moses cried out, "Don't tell me ya wanna live with this poison in yer blood!"

"I've grown somewhat immune to it." Jay looked down at the bedcovers, "I-I already know I can't fully get over it. That's impossible, but you don't need to risk yourselves looking for the antidote. You aren't going to find it somewhere normal anyway."

"Somewhere normal? Where exactly is the source of this poison found?" Will prodded, stepping closer to the sixteen-year-old.

Jay just shook his head, "And you'd think I'd tell you after you're so dead set on going to the mainland? No I don't think so." He let out a long sigh; "Besides even if I did tell you and you did go, you probably, no, you would most likely not make it back alive."

"We won't know that till we try, JJ! Come on! Moses is right, you're like our little brother, and we're all one big happy family here, right?"

"Stop saying that, Norma. It's not going to make me change my mind."

"Then what is."

Jay sighed, "I said nothing is, and nothing is. I don't want you to look for me. It's too dangerous."

"We won't know it's dangerous until we try!" Senel said, moving closer to Jay, "You can't really be fine with that, staying poisoned forever."

Alcott nodded his head, "Yes the life expectancy of one who doesn't get the poison cured without any sort of medication is one month, with medication maybe two years--"

"For me it'd be less."

"What?"

Jay blinked, "You mean you didn't notice when you figured out what was wrong with me?" he sighed, "No, nevermind."

"Didn't notice what, Jay? What're you keepin' from us?" Moses stated, worry now apparent in his burnt brown eyes.

Arnold sighed loudly, making everyone turn to him; "Can I please finish speaking?"

Everyone nodded their head, shocked looks on their faces.

Arnold nodded his head, "Good. Now, like was saying. Not being cured would give you one month to live. Not being cured, but with medication, will let you live up to two years, roughly." He paused, staring straight at Jay, "Not being cured, but with medication…and being allergic to the poison…between a year and two years."

Silence filled the room for a short while, until Harriet spoke, her tone one of annoyance and surprise.

"Wh-what?" She moved to the front of the crowd of people until she reached Jay's bedside, "You're…allergic to the poison?"

Jay nodded his head, "Yes I am."

She balled her hands into fists, "And you don't want your friends to look for the cure?"

"That's right. It's too dangerous."

Harriet just stared at him, during this time everyone exchanged glances, their eyes filled with worry.

"Hattie," Shirley started, trying to touch the young girl on the shoulder, but her touch was just shrugged off.

"Are you…" her voice was calm, "Are you…a complete and utter IDIOT?!" She shouted the last word, stomping her foot on the ground, causing the room to shake.

Jay glared at her, "I am not--"

"You're even dumber than MOSES!"

"Hey!" Moses cried out, but she ignored him.

"How can you possibly want to die? Heck, you're weaker than I thought!" she folded her arms across her chest, looking away from the raven-haired boy.

"I am not weak. I just don't want them to get hurt. And they will if they try and get the antidote."

Harriet shook her head, "You don't just refuse your friends help! They're willing to risk getting hurt in order to save you. They already told you that! You don't just go denying something like that! Besides," she looked around at everyone, "You were planing on going regardless, right?"

Senel nodded his head, "Yeah. Especially now that we know how long you have to live."

Chloe stepped forward to stand by Senel, "He's right. Even if it's just a guess, we can't chance it. It's the right thing to do."

Moses nodded his head, "Yeah! You're my lil' bro, of course I'd do whatever it takes to save ya!"

"Yeah! Red's right! We're all one big happy family, right?"

Jay's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing.

But even though he said nothing, Harriet seemed to know what it was that he was thinking, "You know…this Solon guy doesn't sound like a good guy at all. And yeah the antidote, or whatever, may be with him." She uncrossed her arms and let out a sigh, "I don't know what happened or…or what relation you have to that creep, but apparently you've changed since you last saw him. Is it really that hard for you to ask for help? Don't you know that that's what friends are for? That they'll help you when you need it?"

Jay let out a similar sigh, "I'm not like I was when I last saw…him…but--"

"Then let them go." She smiled, "Besides it's not like you can stop 'em."

Jay looked around at the people in the room and was about to say something, but instead he shook his head, "You're all crazy. But I suppose you're right, Harriet." He rubbed his forehead, "I…guess you really will go."

"Yup! Anythin' for you lil' bro!"

"Stop calling me that."

"But it's true!"

Jay groaned and leaned back, "Okay, fine. I give up. Do what you want."

Everyone smiled when he said this. But this happiness was short lived when Will spoke up, "But you know, if we were to go to the mainland…we wouldn't know where to begin to look. We need you to--"

Jay rolled his eyes, cutting the Natural Historian off, "You need to know where Solon's base is?"

Will nodded his head, "If you could tell us where it is…that would be appreciated."

Jay smiled, but it was sour, "It depends on which one you're talking about."

Will raised an eyebrow, "And by that you mean?"

"He has two. One that most of his forces--most of the ninjas--train at. The second is like his home, and it's harder to get to." He paused and shook his head, "Unfortunately that's the one you'll have to go to."

"Y'mean you know exactly where the poison is?" Norma asked, her eyes widening.

Jay nodded his head, "Of course I do. Solon has been growing the flowers for it since before I could remember."

At everyone's confused looks he shook his head, "I mean he doesn't grow them inside the base, he grows them somewhere completely different."

"It…seems a bit odd that he would grow flowers, though." Elsa pointed out, looking rather nervous.

"Well they're poisonous flower," Jay's eyes narrowed, a look of disgust crossing his features. His grip tightened on the sheets covering his body, "He was the one to figure out I was allergic to them."

"You mean he used the poison on you?"

Jay nodded his head, "As hard as that is to believe, Chloe, it's true."

"B-but how?"

"I'd rather not answer that. But like I was saying, he grows them and he knows how to extract the poison."

Will moved closer, "So there's a special way to remove the poison?"

Jay nodded his head, "Yes, there is. It burns you if you don't do it right."

"Oh…that sounds difficult." Grune said with a shake of her head, "I hope we can at least find the flower."

"That won't be hard. But I'd think you'd want the actual poison, wouldn't you?" Jay asked, turning to face Grune who only nodded her head.

"But JJ, how do we get to Solon's second base?" Norma asked, crossing her arms over her chest, "You already said it wasn't gonna be easy. What, do we have to climb up a mountain to get to it?"

Jay grinned, "If you want to do that then yes."

"You mean his base--" Senel started

"Is on the side of a mountain?" Chloe finished.

Jay just nodded his head, "Yes it is. You can either climb up the mountain--which trust me you don't want to do--or you can take the underground pathway up."

"Wh-which way…is safer?" Shirley asked, looking over at Jay, "Because it sounds like the under ground passageway is the safest."

Jay shook his head, "Not necessarily. Yes you could fall off the mountain. But there are traps in the tunnel, though I think most of them can be avoided."

Norma let out a laugh, "Oh don't worry! I can disengage any traps we come across!"

"Kicking them will only set them off, Norma."

"O-oh…" the brunette backed away, a sad look on her face, "Darn…"

Will shook his head, "You should already know that that wouldn't work." He looked over at Jay, "Is that it?"

Jay opened his mouth, but then quickly closed it, nodding his head, "Yes, it is." He turned to face Harriet, "But don't tell me you're going…?"

Harriet glared at him, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"No she's not going." Will answered for her, "I wouldn't put her in danger like that. She wouldn't handle it."

Harriet turned to face her father, "Dad! That's mean!"

"Instead I gave her a job she can handle while she's waiting for our return."

Jay cocked his head to the side, "And that…would be?"

"I believe she can tell you that herself. Now I don't know about you all, but I'm going to go and get ready."

"Yeah." Everyone agreed.

"We'll see ya later JJ!" Norma said with a quick wave before everyone filed through the door and out the door, leaving Jay and Harriet in the room alone.

Harriet shook her head, "Yeesh, they make it seem like it's a bad thing…"

The ex-assassin turned to face Harriet, 'I have a bad feeling about this…' he took a deep breath before speaking aloud, "And what exactly is it that they want you to do while they're gone?"

Harriet shook her head, a small smile forming on her lips, "Well if you really must know, the oh-so-important job they gave me was this:" she paused, not to take a breath, but to enhance the effect.

Jay could only wonder what she was going to say, and barely nodded his head, asking her silently to continue.

'Why do I have a sneaking suspicion it has something to do with me?' he asked himself, 'But then again, why wouldn't it? I'm the one who's sick…'

Her smile widened as she finished "I'm going to take care of you and make sure you take your medicine!"

Jay's eyes widened, his normally pale complexion turning even paler, "Wh…What?!"

Harriet received the title of Nurse!

Whether you want her to or not, she's going to do her best to take care of you! Now whether or not you'll get better…

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And here's the ending to chapter one! But I can't help but wonder…how did I extend this by two pages? The original chapter was about thirteen so…ah, well, it doesn't really matter now, and hopefully the next chapter of this fanfic won't be deleted and has to be re-written like this one. And, as always, R&R, I love reviews and they make me wanna update! CC is welcome too, but Flames are put out.