riday morning dawned and passed, and at lunch-time Jade awoke to the sun-drenched guest-bedroom of her uncle's house. She looked around and noted with sadness that the kitten had left the room at some point while she slept. Then she spotted a note with her name on it in her uncle's bold handwriting.

"Jade -
I fed your kitten and put it out with the others to save it soiling your favourite bed sheets.
Marc called this morning, and I let him know you were ok. He asked me to remind you that you have people over tonight, and he's working until 6:00. Someone named Kat has offered you a hand if you need it.
I have gone out. There's bread in the container, and salad in the fridge, help yourself. Hope things sort themselves out, if you're gone by the time I get home, give my love to Marc and your parents, tell them I'll be over next weekend. Will bring your kitten with me then.
Love,
John."

Jade sighed. She'd wanted to take the kitten with her now, but reluctantly allowed that a new house with a party wasn't the best time to be introducing the kitten to its new environment. It would need peace and quiet, and time to settle without its mother. Jade moved about, dressing and collecting her things. She made herself a quick lunch, cleared away, then started on her way home, making a list in her head as she drove of all the things she'd need to buy at the supermarket for the party.

***

Kate, Darren, Darryl and Marc arrived at Marc and Jade's at 6:45, as the others had picked up Marc from work.
"Home!" called Marc, and closed the door behind them.
"Nice," Kate commented, and Marc paused to look around him. The family's usual ornaments had vanished, and a multitude of candles covered every available surface, interspersed with fresh flowers. Jade emerged from the kitchen, her hair swept up in a loose bun, held in place with chopsticks, wearing a Japanese silk kimono Marc had given her for her last birthday.
"Wow, you look nice," Darryl complimented, moving forward to kiss her.
Jade allowed him to put his arm around her, but turned her head slightly at the last minute so his kiss met her cheek rather than her lips. Darryl looked puzzled as she slipped out of his arm, and took KatE's coat, but didn't say anything as they followed her through to the lounge room.
Further surprises awaited them there, the curtains had already been closed, and the furniture pushed away, with more candles covering every surface, which emitted quite a bit of light and a fair bit of heat too. The centre of the room had many cushions for people to sit on. Marc shrugged out of his jacket and accepted Darren's, then moved over to Jade and took KatE's off her, hanging them all in the closet. In the lounge, Darren and KatE seated themselves on the cushions, and Jade offered drinks, then moved into the kitchen to make them. Marc joined her a few moments later.
"The house looks great, Jade."
"Thanks," she smiled at him. "The cushions and candles were Kat's idea, but the flowers and food were mine."
"Looks good," Marc repeated, pinching a pickled onion off a platter, and popping it into his mouth. "Tastes good too."
Jade slapped at his hand.
"Stop that!" she smiled, and Marc smiled in return, pleased to see that her visit to Uncle John's house had seemed to centre her again.
"Uncle John sends his love," Jade commented, seeming to read his mind as usual. "And Kat's gone home to get changed, she should be back soon, she left at half-past. The others will get here between 7 and 7:30. Why don't you shower and change before Kat gets back? But help me carry these in first."
Marc nodded, and collected the first platter of food, and Jade carried a tray of drinks as they joined the others in the lounge room. Jade handed out the drinks and Marc headed upstairs after putting the tray on the floor. Darryl had sat on one huge cushion, and had pulled a second one up beside it for Jade, but she chose to stay standing, and passed the food around.
"I love your outfit, Kate," Jade complimented, finally sitting down on a cushion so that the four people in the room formed a triangle.
Kate lifted Darren's arm from her waist to reveal that her outfit was a dress, which graduated in colour from red at the top to brown at the bottom, with faint gold patterning through it.
"Thanks! I got it on sale, it was only $30."
"Good buy then."
"Yes, it was. What time are the others arriving?"
"Well, Kat was here this afternoon, and she went home to change at about 6:20, so she should be back soon. I told the others 7:00 to 7:30, so shouldn't be too much longer, and then I can bring out more food."
"Oh, what are we having?"
Noticing that Darryl was looking at Jade with a hurt and bewildered look on his face, Darren struck up a conversation with him.
"Did you hear about that new digital camera?"

***

Kat checked her reflection in the window before walking towards Marc and Jade's house. She'd finally decided on a simple black skirt she'd made herself with a split up both sides, and a little black camisole with a black lace top with purple embroidery on top, and strappy silver sandals. She hoped she wasn't over-dressed, but figured she wouldn't be, by Jade's kimono. A light on upstairs caught her eye as she emerged from the trees, and Kat paused, looking up to spot Marc standing in the light. Kat smiled as she recognised the movement of him doing up shirt buttons. Kat lifted one hand in greeting, and a moment later, Marc responded in kind. She saw him run his fingers through his hair, then vanish from the window, so she walked up to the back door where he met her.
"Evening."
"Good evening."
Marc kissed her softly.
"You look very nice."
"So do you," Kat replied, lightly stroking his arm.
"Mm, stop that. Come on, Jade and the others are in the lounge, with the food."
Kat laughed, and entered the house.
"Can I get you a drink?"
"Lemon, Lime and bitters?"
"Sure."
Marc quickly made a couple of drinks, handed one to Kat, then guided her into the lounge room with one hand on the small of her back.A second later the doorbell rang and Marc moved to get it letting both Sarah and Maya inside taking their coats and placing them in the cupboard with the others before joining the room again. He took up a cushion between Kat and Jade. Jade seemed distant as she idly nibbled on a piece of carrot and Darryl was trying very hard not to show his feelings of hurt. He had thought earlier that her trip to uncle John's had helped but now he wasn't so sure. She dutifully got up to grab the rest of the food, which was met with many happy comments. It was silent for a while as people ate, the occasional comment breaking the silence. Sarah and Maya oblivious to Jade's lack of cheer and more interested in Marc and Kat. After they had eaten Jade had gotten up to clear the dishes away and refused to let anyone help her.

Standing in the kitchen she started to feel very odd. She knew the way she was treating Darryl was wrong. She was partly still upset with him for not being who she thought he was, Sarah being the true representation for the fire element. As she packed the dishwasher she wondered if she was only making things worse. It was clear that Darryl was her guardian but she didn't know whether she could trust him as much as she had. Suddenly she groaned feeling a pain in her head and was aware that something was tampering with her. She quickly went to her room to look in her book and picked it up flipping madly as the pain deepened.

Darryl was watching as everyone chatted, seemed to him nobody else had noticed that Jade had been gone a long time. Suddenly he felt a chill and knew something was wrong. He got up and bolted to the kitchen. His sudden actions got everyone's attention. Marc followed him to the kitchen and they both noticed Jade was gone. They headed upstairs both now feeling that something was awry and entered Jade's room to see Jade collapsed on the floor, the book of shadows not far from her. Marc moved the book out of the way and then kneeled beside Jade, Darryl watching without a word.

"Darryl quick, call an ambulance!" Marc ordered, checking her pulse, which was as weak as her breathing was.

***

Irene grinned madly and sang happily. Everything was going according to plan. Jade would soon be in intensive care with an unexplained coma. She loved it. The idea had come to her when she was watching TV and remembered that only family was allowed into intensive care. That meant that Kat couldn't go in and Marc would which would keep them apart. Putting Jade into a coma was a bonus. First of all though she put her dear old dad into a coma too, which meant she had a reason to be in intensive care. There she would support Marc when Kat couldn't. She smiled again at her cunning plan.

***

Marc waited with Kat and Darryl for his parents to arrive back. Kate and Darren had stayed behind to tidy up aware there was nothing else they could do. Sarah and Maya had gone home. Marc had gone in the ambulance; Kat had gone with Darryl in the car. Now she wasn't sure who was more worried, Marc or Darryl. Marc had wanted to go in to see Jade but they hadn't let him. He had showed them ID, which had only made things worse. They had said simply there was no way he could be her brother since there was less than nine months difference in their ages. They wouldn't believe him when he said she was his adopted sister. He fidgeted, partly in fear and partly in frustration. Darryl was pacing back and forth which didn't seem to be helping.

"Damnit Darryl stop pacing!" Marc yelled. Darryl burst into tears at that point. Kat moved over to hug him and looked at Marc pleadingly. Marc hung his head in shame and Kat reached out pulling him into her arms too, hugging them both.

Chris and Catie arrived just after 2am to see both Marc and Darryl asleep. Kat held them both. Catie was asking a thousand questions and Kat was trying to answer them all but not with much luck. Both Marc and Darryl stirred and soon a Dr comes out to see what all the noise was. Catie ran to him.

"Where's my baby girl? What happened to my daughter?" Catie asked in hysterics.
"Are you Jade's parents?" The Doctor asked.
"Yes." Chris answered.
"I'm Doctor Spencer, follow me please." Both parents and Marc followed the Doctor into a private room.

"Jade is in a deep coma with no explanation why but she is critical, we are keeping her in the intensive care ward."
"Will she be okay?"
"I don't know. You can see her if you want."

They nodded and followed the Doctor into the ward where one of the nurses tried to stop Marc from entering.

"I thought I told you before, family only." The nurse said rudely.
"And I told you before I am family!" Marc replied icily.
"What's this about?" Doctor Spencer asked.
"Well Doctor this lad wanted to see the young lady Jade that's in here and said he was her brother but when I looked at his ID it showed he was less than nine months younger than her."
"And as I told you she is my adopted sister."
"Nurse did you read Jade's file properly?" The Doctor opened the file and pointed to a section. "I believe you own Marc here and apology."
"I'm so sorry Marc."

Chris and Catie looked at the nurse in disgust and pulled Marc closer to them, holding him protectively waiting for the Doctor to show them the way to Jade.

***

Darryl had taken Marc and Kat home early Sunday morning. Marc had showered and changed before grabbing some stuff and heading back to the hospital. Kat had offered to go with him but since she wasn't allowed in the intensive care unit Marc had declined. When he arrived at the unit he saw Irene talking to the nurse.

"What are you doing here?" He demanded.
"What do you mean?"
"You know damn well what I mean."
"Visiting my father who's in a coma since you're so damn noisy." Irene stalked off. She moved to sit beside her father but could still see Marc. She saw him chat to the nurse and could just imagine what he was asking. When his face changed she knew that he had been told that yes Irene's father was in fact in a coma. She smiled to herself before looking at her father.

"I have never loved you so much daddy as I do now." She said to him.

Marc looked over to wear Irene was and could see her leaning over her father. She seemed really concerned and for a moment he wondered if he had gotten her all wrong. He decided later that he would buy her a coffee and apologise. Till then he headed to wear Jade was. Both his parents with rings under their eyes, showing neither had slept.

"You're not helping her by not looking after yourselves," Marc told them wearily. "There's a bed here if you don't want to go home."
"I know, darling, but... I couldn't sleep," Catie looked exhausted.
"I'll stay, Mum, you should go home and sleep."
Chris looked at his wife, and realised how tired she looked.
"He's right, love," Chris added, persuading his wife to rise from her chair. "Marc can stay with her for now, and we'll come back after a rest."
Catie protested, but allowed Chris to lead her away, leaving Marc alone with Jade.

Once they had gone, Marc took a seat and looked at Jade. Outwardly, there was nothing wrong with her, he mused. Her breathing had stabilised overnight, and just looked like she was sleeping. Like the body was fine, but the mind was missing. The doctors thought she may have contracted encephalitis or perhaps meningitis, or maybe she had diabetes - but Marc didn't think that was the case. It was just so sudden... Marc frowned, realising Jade must have known something was wrong - but why would she have gone to her Book of Shadows? Unless she thought it was something unnatural tampering with her. But who? Suddenly, Marc wished Jade had been a little more open with him about whatever she was always preparing for. He'd always accepted what she said on faith, but now when something was wrong, he couldn't help her because he just didn't *know*. Time passed. Jade didn't move. Marc sat in silence. Eventually, Marc got up, and left the room. He'd got home and look at whatever Jade had been searching for, he decided. And then go and see Kat. Maybe together they would work something out.

***

Kat stood in the back garden in a deep meditative state. She concentrated on her breathing and balance as she slowly performed the intricate movements of the kata. She became aware of someone to her left, and opened her eyes to look as she completed the sequence.
"Hi."
"Hi."
"That was beautiful to watch."
"I feel beautiful doing it. It's called Meikyo. Mirror of the Soul."
"No wonder it's beautiful when you're doing it."
Kat smiled.
"How's Jade?"
Marc sighed.
"Stable, but unresponsive. I bought her book over, thought maybe we'd find something in there which might help."
"I don't like the idea of looking through someone's private book."
"Then you can sit there and I'll read it to you, but I need your opinions."
Kat picked up her jacket, and smiled at him.
"Bring the book, amor, and we'll go inside."
Marc slipped his arm across Kat's shoulders and they walked inside.

A few hours later, Kat rolled over and looked up at Marc.
"What do you think?"
"It's worth a try. Anything has to be better than the nothingness that's there now."
"I don't know how we're going to get us into the hospital though."
"We'll think of something."
"Such faith," Kat smiled.
"In you," Marc replied, giving her a cheeky grin.
"It might not work," Kat cautioned.
"I know," he replied, closing the book and dropping it onto the floor. "But what else is there?"
Kat wrapped her arms around him, and he held her close, burying his face in her hair. Gently stroking his back, Kat reached within herself for some soothing, comforting energy. A few moments later, Marc felt his worry drain out of him, replaced with a strong, earthy calm. He had no doubt that Kat was the source. Marc breathed out, and held her tightly.
"I love you, tarrishagh."
"I love you too. Ready?"
"Let's go."

***

Kat asked the plants by the door and window to hide her and Darryl from the curious glances of any of the nurses or doctors, and proceeded to explain to Darryl exactly what he needed to do - namely, call to Jade so she knew which way to move when Kat attempted to heal her. Marc stood watch by the end of the bed. After a few minutes, Darryl spoke, sounding as though he was a long way away.
"She's trapped."
Kat moved her hands above Jade's body.
"This?"
Marc couldn't see a thing.
"That's part of it. Don't pull that. It will make it tighter."
"How then?"
He sounded frustrated. "I can't touch it. I can *see* it but my hands go right through it."
"Because you're intelligence and intuition. Tell me, I can't see, but I can move the ties."
Marc watched as Kat and Darryl worked together to help Jade.
"Wait!"
Kat stilled.
"The one in your left hand goes into her head."
"The right is clear?"
"Yes, all clear, except that one."
"Got hold of her?"
"Yes."
"Good. Hold tight."
And Kat yanked the cord out.

In the room down the hall, Irene felt her spell shatter and screamed as the pain ripped through her. Then she thankfully passed into unconsciousness.

"What are you doing?" Marc asked.
"Plugging the hole in her aura," Kat replied. "How's it look, Dazz?"
"Not weeping any more."
"It feels smooth, how do the edges look?"
"Looks fine. Can I pull her up more now?"
"Sure, go ahead."
A few moments later, Jade opened her eyes, and Marc breathed a sigh of relief.
"Hi."
Jade squeezed Darryl's hand. "Thank you."
Then she looked at Kat. "And you. And you too, Marc."
Kat and Marc smiled.
"What was it?"
"Felt like Voodo."
"Voodo?"
"Yeah. That's why it attached at the head, probably had some hair."
"And you snapped it?"
"Yes. Hard."
"I bet that hurt a lot."
"I bet it did too."
The two girls smirked at each other.
"I'd better tell Mum and Dad," said Marc after a pause.
"Tell us what?" Catie and Chris entered the room, and only took an instant to realise what Marc was going to tell them.
"Jade, darling!"
Kat and Marc slipped out of the room. Jade had hold of Darryl's hand, and he was quite happy not to go anywhere.
"It worked," said Marc with a smile.
"It did. I'm going to work on some protection charms though. You staying here?"
"I should. Mum and Dad will think it's odd if I don't."
"Okay. Come over later?"
"I will. I'll drive you home too."
Marc kissed Kat softly on the mouth for a few minutes, before she pulled away.
"Stop it."
Marc chuckled, and kissed her temple.
"Alright, tarrishagh. Ready?"
"Tell your parents?"
Marc smiled, and stuck his head into Jade's room to mention where he was going, then linked arms with Kat.
"I love you."
"I love you."
They left the hospital.