Amy woke and turned over to see if Ann was still asleep, but she got a shock when she found that Ann was already out of bed. Amy looked at the clock, she was worried she might have over slept, but the clock said it was still early.

    Worried that Ann might be ill. Amy slid out of bed and went to the bathroom, but just as she was about to knock on the door to see if Ann was okay. Ann opened the bathroom door, and jumped when she saw Amy stood there.

    "Jesus Amy, you scared the life out of me!" Ann shouted.

    "I'm sorry sis, but I was worried when I woke and found you already out of bed, and dressed." Amy said with a puzzled look, as she saw that Ann was dressed, but not as she would normally be dressed for work.

    Ann saw the puzzled look on Amy's face, as she looked at the way she was dressed.

    "I'm sorry for worrying you sis. I want to make sure that I have everything up to date before I break up for the long weekend." Ann lied.

    "Okay sis, but what's with the different look?" Amy asked, as she looked at the nice dress Ann was wearing instead of the normal business woman look.

    "Oh. I was hoping to find time to grab some lunch with Brad." Ann lied again.

    "I'm really going to hell for all this lying." Ann thought to herself, as she stood looking at Amy.

    Amy had a funny feeling that Ann wasn't telling her the whole truth, or she was just really nervous about meeting Brad for lunch.

    "I thought you were going to meet Brad for lunch yesterday?" Amy asked, as she realised that Ann never said how her lunch date went.

    "I got wrapped up in some stuff at the office, and had to cancel yesterday's lunch date. That's why I'm going in earlier today, so I can make sure I get there today." Ann smiled, as she lied again.

    "You should have told me sis; I could have got up and made you some breakfast before you left." Amy said with some concern in her voice over Ann leaving for work on an empty tummy.

    "That's the reason I didn't tell you sis. I didn't want you getting up really early, just to make me breakfast. I'll grab something once I get to the office." Ann smiled, as she stroked the side of Amy's face.

    "Promise me you will sis. I know what you're like for not eating right." Amy said in a firm voice.

    "I promise Amy. That's the plus side to being based at the hotel; I can call down to the restaurant and have something delivered to my office." Ann said with a smile.

    "Okay then Ann." Amy said with a very sceptical look on her face.

    "I can't believe you don't trust your own sister." Ann said when she saw the look Amy was giving her.

    Amy went to speak again but got cut off when Ann grabbed her and started to tickle her.

    "Okay, okay. I trust you!" Amy screamed as she tried to get away from Ann's attack.

    "Good, now let me finish getting ready, or I'll have wasted my time getting up early." Ann smiled, as she gave Amy a hug before she headed over to the dressing table to put her makeup on.

    "Would you at least have some time to have a cup of tea before you leave?" Amy asked with some hope in her voice.

    "I was just going to make some and put it in my travel mug, so I can drink it on the way to work." Ann said; as she sat down to do her makeup.

    "I'll go and sort it for you then sis, while you do your makeup." Amy smiled, as she ran out the bedroom before Ann could say another word.

    "I really hope she'll still speak to me later, when she finds out I've been lying." Ann thought to herself, as she did her makeup.

    Amy stopped running before she went past Mandy's bedroom door, as she'd nearly killed Chrissy the other morning. There was no sign of Chrissy or the others coming out, so she set off at a faster pace again.

    Once in the kitchen, Amy set to work making a pot of tea and cleaning out Ann's travel mug to make sure it'd be clean when she poured the tea in.

    Ann finished doing her makeup, and then checked to make sure she had all her bits, like mobile, wallet and she added the makeup she'd just used as well. Then she left the bedroom and headed off down the hallway.

    Mandy was just leaving her bedroom as Ann was walking past.

    "Morning Ann. You all set then?" Mandy asked with a grin, as she looked up and down the hallway to make sure Amy wasn't close by.

    "Yes I think so. Don't worry about Amy; she's down in the kitchen making me a mug of tea to take with me." Ann smiled.

    "How did you explain leaving the house early?" Mandy asked, as they started walking towards the top of the stairs.

    "I said I had a lot to get done before I broke away for the long weekend, and I wanted to try and get out for lunch with Brad." Ann said looking a little worried that she was lying to her sister.

    "That should work just fine Ann. I know you don't like to lie to Amy, but it's all for the best." Mandy said, as she pulled Ann in to a hug.

    "I know Mandy, but I just feel really scared that Amy will hate what I've done and never speak to me again." Ann hugged Mandy a little tighter as she said it, to show just how scared she really was.

    "She may have a go at you for lying, but I doubt she'd stop speaking to you." Mandy said with a giggle.

    "I hope so Mandy, I really hope so. Can you try and let Becky and Chrissy know what my cover story is. The last thing we need is Amy being told a couple of different story's about why I'm going to work early." Ann said with a weak smile, as she broke the hug with Mandy.

    "I'll let you head down now, and I'll go and tell Chrissy and Becky what you said." Mandy smiled. "If you've already gone when I get down stairs, I hope you have a safe trip, and I'm really looking forward to meeting Amber later." Mandy smiled, as she pulled Ann in for another hug.

    "Thanks Mandy. I know that Amber is really looking forward to meeting all of you." Ann said, as she hugged Mandy back.

    "Becky said she'd get the bed made in the spare room next to yours and Amy's while we're at work today." Mandy said.

    "That's really great of her. Tell her I said thanks." Ann said, as she took a deep breath and then headed off down stairs to see if Amy had her drink ready.

    Mandy smiled as she saw Ann compose herself ready to face Amy. She knew just how bad it was to keep secrets from the ones you love, even if it is for their own good. Mandy headed off back up the hallway to tell Chrissy and Becky about the reason for Ann leaving the house early.

    Chrissy and Becky had just got back into the bedroom from taking their shower when they heard a knock on the bedroom door.

    "Come in!" Becky shouted.

    "Hi sis. Is everything okay?" Chrissy asked, as she saw Mandy poke her head around the door.

    "Yes, everything is fine. I've just seen Ann out in the hallway, and she wanted me to let you know the reason she told Amy for her heading out the house so early." Mandy said, as she entered the bedroom fully, and closed the door behind her.

    "What reason did Ann give then, Mandy?" Becky asked, as she walked over and sat on the edge of the bed next to Chrissy.

    "Ann told Amy that she wanted to get some work finished off before she broke away for the long weekend, and she was hoping to meet Brad for lunch." Mandy said, as she also went and sat on the bed next to Chrissy on the other side to Becky.

    "Well it's only a simple lie, and she'll be meeting Amber tonight. So Brad won't have any time to give the game away." Becky said.

    "I think that's why Ann used that excuse in the first place." Mandy said with a smile.

    "Are you ready to head down for some breakfast then sis?" Chrissy asked with a smile, as she rested her head on Mandy's shoulder.

    "I'm ready if you're ready?" Mandy replied, as she wrapped an arm around Chrissy's waist and hugged her.

    "Yep, Becky and I are both ready to head down now." Chrissy smiled, as she looked up at Mandy.

    "Come on then, let's go and get a cup of tea down our necks," Mandy said with a grin, as she stood up and then helped Chrissy and Becky to stand also.

    Chrissy and Becky just giggled, as they both knew that Mandy couldn't really get her brain in gear until she'd had her first cup of tea. So they left the bedroom, and headed down to the kitchen.

    Ann got down to the kitchen and pushed the door open and walked in. She looked around, but couldn't see Amy anywhere. Ann got worried that Amy might have over heard her and Mandy talking upstairs and ran away. That was until she heard the toilet being flushed out in the hallway, then Ann saw Amy enter the kitchen again.

    "Hi sis, you okay? You look a little pale." Amy asked when she saw Ann's face.

    "Yes I'm fine sis; just got a little worried when you weren't in here." Ann said, as she let out a sigh.

    "I just needed to use the toilet sis. I forgot to go up in the bedroom before I came down to make the tea. Why would you be so worried about me not being in the kitchen when you got down here?" Amy asked with an odd look.

    "I'm sorry Amy, but I still have the odd panic attack when I don't find you where I think you're going to be." Ann said with a weak smile.

    "You really have been acting a little weird the last couple of days, sis." Amy said with a giggle.

    Ann realised that she needed to pull herself together, or Amy was going to find out what they were planning.

    "I'm sorry Amy, but I think Brad has my head all mixed up at the minute." Ann said with a giggle.

    "If that's what being in love does to you, I think I'll stay single." Amy said, as she giggled some more.

    Ann was happy to let Amy think it was being in love that was leaving her acting all scatter brained.

    "You'll find someone soon enough, sis, then I'll be giggling at you acting like an air head." Ann said, as she stuck her tongue out at her sister.

    Amy giggled some more then walked into Ann's arms when she held them out so Amy could get a hug.

    "I really need to see about making a move sis." Ann said, as she saw the time on the clock.

    "Okay sis, but please drive save and don't forget to grab some breakfast when you get to work." Amy said it as though she was talking to a child, as she pointed her finger at Ann.

    "Yes mum." Ann said in a whiney voice, as she took the travel mug off Amy and took a sip from it. "MMM that tastes really good sis." Ann added with a grin.

    "You're welcome sis, and don't mum me." Amy said as she playfully slapped Ann on the backside.

    "Hey! That's not fair, I can't defend myself." Ann shouted, as she had her mug in one hand, and her other hand was trying to get her car keys out her purse.

    "I know that sis, so there is very little chance of you trying to tickle me in retaliation." Amy said with a grin, as she slapped Ann again.

    "Ouch! I'll get you back later though." Ann said with a stern look.

    "With how air brained you've been acting this morning, I'd be amazed if you even remember what just happened." Amy said with a giggle, as she opened the front door for Ann.

    "You wait and see little lady. I'll have you giggling for a whole different reason." Ann said with an evil grin, as she finally found the car keys and then gave Amy a hug.

    "Goody, I have something to look forward to now." Amy said with a grin, as she hugged Ann back. "Now go and have a good day at work, and I hope that you get that lunch date with Brad." Amy added.

    "Thanks sis. I hope your day goes okay as well." Ann said, as she made her way over to the people carrier.

    Amy stood and watched Ann get in and then drive away, before she went back in the house and closed the door. Amy was just walking down the hallway when she heard Chrissy and the others giggling, as they came down the stairs.

    "Morning Chrissy, Mandy, Becky." Amy said with a warm smile.

    "Good morning baby sister." Mandy said, as she walked up to Amy and gave her a hug.

    Chrissy and Becky were walking just behind, so they waited for Mandy to finish hugging her, then they each gave her a hug and said good morning as well.

    "Was that Ann just leaving for work I heard?" Mandy asked, as she held the door open for the others to enter the kitchen.

    "Yes, she said that she wanted to get a head start on her day, so she can meet with Brad for lunch." Amy put her hands over her heart, and started batting her eyelids, as she said it.

    Mandy, Chrissy and Becky all started to giggle when Amy did it, as she looked really funny.

    "You'll find love one day Amy, then it won't seem so silly." Chrissy said.

    "I hope so Chrissy, but until I do I'll keep making fun of others." Amy said with another giggle, as she made a start on breakfast. Chrissy and Becky both helped, and they were soon sat eating.

    Once breakfast was finished, Amy went up to get ready for work, while Chrissy stopped down stairs to spend a little more time with Becky. Mandy just finished her second cup of tea before she headed up to finish getting ready herself.

    "Will you be okay sorting out the spare room next to Amy's today? Ready for when Ann gets back with Amber." Mandy asked Becky.

    "Sure, no problem. I just need to make up the bed, and open the windows for a little bit to air it out." Becky smiled, as she sat cuddling with Chrissy.

    "I feel really bad for leaving it with you to sort out, but if Amy saw us all making up the spare room she'd know for sure that we were up to something." Mandy added.

    "Don't worry about it Mandy. I know that you'd both be in there helping me if you could, but the last thing we need is Amy finding out before tonight." Becky said, as she let Chrissy get up so she could go and get ready with Mandy.

    Becky made a start on washing the dishes until the others all came back down, then she walked them to the door so she could say goodbye to Chrissy. Once they'd left, Becky went back into the kitchen to finish doing the dishes and then make a start on sorting out the spare room.

    Ann was crawling along in the normal rush hour traffic. She was glad that Amy had made her up a mug of tea to take with her, as it was really hitting the spot. Ann was looking at the time; she was worried about all the traffic she still had to face once she got to the hotel and met up with Vic so they could head off to the airport.

    Once at the hotel, Ann parked her car in its normal spot. She was really glad that Carl had given her a private parking spot now. She finished her tea and got out her car before locking it and heading inside to find Vic.

    Vic was stood at reception waiting for her.

    "Hi Vic, I'm really sorry for keeping you waiting. Traffic is really bad this morning." Ann said with a sorry sound to her voice.

    "Morning Ann. You've not kept me waiting at all, so don't worry about it." Vic said with a warm smile, as he walked over to Ann and gave her a hug.

    "I'm wondering if we would be quicker walking to the airport, than driving there." Ann said with a giggle, as she hugged Vic back.

    "Well it's a good job we won't be doing either then isn't it." Vic said with a grin, as he took Ann by the hand and led her over to the lifts.

    "What do you mean Vic, and where are we going?" Ann asked with a puzzled look on her face.

    Vic pulled out what looked like a credit card, and put it in a slot in the panel below all the buttons for floors in the lift, and then hit a button that said HP on it.

    "Trust me Ann, you will love this." Vic said with a grin.

    "I do trust you Vic, but I thought we were driving to the airport?" Ann asked, as she watched the numbers counting up in the lift.

    "Carl thought it best to keep some of the info from you about the trip to fetch Amber." Vic smiled.

    Ann was about to speak when the doors opened and Ann found herself looking at a Helicopter.

    "We're going in that!" Ann shouted.

    Vic just stood there grinning, and nodding his head up and down. Then he took Ann by the hand and walked her over to the helicopter and helped her to get in.

    Once they were both in, the pilot took off. Ann figured that the pilot must know where they were heading, as Vic never said a word to him.

    Ann was grinning as she looked at Vic, and then looked down at all the cars.

    "Is this your first time in a helicopter?" Vic asked with a grin.

    "No, I always take the helicopter. I just drive the car now and a gain, so I don't forget how to drive." Ann said with a sarcastic tone to her voice.

    "I'll take that as a yes then shall I?" Vic said with an even bigger grin.

    "Yes, this is my first time in a helicopter. I can't believe Carl has gone to all this trouble just to get my friend here." Ann said in a shocked voice, as she let it all sink in.

    "Carl knew how bad the traffic would be, so he thought it easier to sort out the helicopter for us." Vic said, as he watched Ann looking out the windows like a very excited child.

    "This is so amazing." Ann said with a squeal, as she clapped her hands together in excitement.

    "Did you have any time to eat before you left the house?" Vic asked.

    "No. I promised Amy that I'd grab something when I got to work." Ann said just before she turned to look out the window again.

    "I didn't think you would have, so I sorted for some food to be served on the jet once we take off." Vic said with a smile, as he also looked out the window.

    Vic was so used to flying in the jet and the helicopter that he never really gave any thought to what it must feel like for the first time, any more.

    "Thanks Vic. I'm not sure I'll be able to eat though, I'm just so excited right now." Ann said with a grin.

    "I'm sure you'll get hungry once we're on the jet." Vic said with a chuckle.

    Ann could see the airport coming up, and all the aeroplanes parked everywhere. The airport wasn't a big one that catered to the larger planes, but Ann could see lots of jets and smaller planes.

    Once the pilot landed the helicopter, Vic got out one side and walked around the front of the helicopter and helped Ann get out, as the pilot had already opened the door for her.

    "Thanks for the amazing ride!" Ann shouted over the sound of the helicopter.

    "You're most welcome miss. I hope it wasn't too bumpy a ride for you?" The pilot shouted back.

    "No, not at all. You're very good at your job." Ann smiled. "Not that I've been in very many helicopters, to judge you." Ann added with a giggle.

    "Any flight you can walk away from is classed as a good one." The pilot said with a little chuckle.

    Ann just got a scared look on her face, as she looked at the pilot.

    "Sorry miss. Just a little pilot humour." The pilot said with a grin.

    "I didn't think a pilot would talk about the C word." Ann said.

    "We don't mind talking about it. We just find doing it to be; rather less than desirable." He chuckled.

    Ann had to laugh at that, as he did have a point.

    "I hope I get the chance to fly with you again sir, and thank you once again." Ann said, as she raised her hand to shake the pilot's.

    The pilot reached out with his hand, but instead of shaking it. He lifted it to his lips, and kissed it.

    "You're most welcome miss, and I will be seeing you later when you get back from your trip." He said with a warm smile.

    "You mean that I'll be travelling back to the hotel with you later?" Ann asked with a shocked look, as she first looked at the pilot, and then Vic.

    "How else do you think we'd get back to the hotel? I came with you in the helicopter." Vic said with a puzzled look on his face.

    "I don't know; this is all a big shock to me. I'm not use to having friends with money." Ann said with a little giggle.

    "So I'll be seeing you later miss, when I fly you back to the hotel. Unless you want me to drop you some where else?" The pilot asked.

    Ann had to think for a second, as she wondered what Mandy would say if a helicopter tried to land in her back yard.

    "I think we better stick with the hotel. I'm not sure the neighbours would be happy if you landed in the garden." Ann giggled.

    "As you wish miss." The pilot said with a smile.

    "Please call me Ann." Ann smiled.

    "Okay then Ann. I'm Harry." The pilot said.

    "Thank you Harry for a really amazing ride." Ann said with a grin.

    "Once again, you are most welcome Ann." Harry smiled back at her.

    Vic reached out his arm so Ann could take hold of it, and he led her across to a private jet. She only knew it was a private jet, as she'd seen them being used in movies.

    Ann waved to the pilot of the helicopter just before she walked up the couple of steps, and disappeared inside.

    Ann was amazed at what she saw inside the plane, it was just like in the movies. She made her way slowly into the main part of it, and looked around at all the things in there.

    "What do you think?" Vic asked, as he leaned over her shoulder.

    "I never realised just how much money Carl really had until now." Ann said with some shock in her voice.

    "Carl's never been one to show off, but he does like to travel in comfort." Vic said with a chuckle, as he watched Ann looking around.

    Ann turned around when she heard a man speak.

    "Hello Vic and you must be Ann?" The man asked, as he walked up to them both. "I'm Paul, and I'll be your pilot today." He added.

    "Hi Paul. I'm pleased to meet you. Thanks for doing this for me and my friend." Ann added in a polite voice, as she shook his hand.

    "Think nothing of it Ann, I just normally fly where the big man tells me too." Paul said with a grin.

    "How're you getting on with the new bird?" Vic asked, as he looked around at the aeroplane.

    "She's taken some getting use too, but I'm happy with her now." Paul said with a nod.

    "Have you not had this plane very long then?" Ann asked.

    "No, we just replaced an older model. This one is much bigger, and has much bigger engines as well." Paul said.

    "We were hoping to have it ready for when you first moved down here, but they were late delivering it, that's why you ended up flying down first class, and not on the private jet." Vic said.

    "I didn't mind one bit. It was still a fun trip down, but this feels much more up market." Ann said with a grin.

    "Well Carl did tell me to treat you like royalty, so take a seat and relax. Once I have this bird in the air, I'll get Mark to sort out some drinks, and some breakfast." Paul said, as he led Ann over to a seat near the middle of the plane.

    "Who is Mark?" Ann asked, as she sat down, and let Paul help her with her seatbelt.

    "Oh sorry, Mark is my co-pilot; he's doing all the pre-flight checks at the minute." Paul said, as he finished with the seatbelt and stood back up. "Don't look so worried Ann, I do this every day of the week." Paul added with a smile.

    "I'm sorry for looking so worried Paul, but this is all really new and exciting to me." Ann said with a very nervous smile.

    "I can understand that Ann, but trust me when I say that I am very good at what I do." Paul said, as he smiled at Ann, and then nodded to Vic before heading up to the front of the plane and going through an open doorway and closing the door behind him.

    Ann knew that he'd gone up to the cockpit, as she'd seen them do that in the movies too.

    "Paul seems really nice Vic, has he been working for you and Carl very long?" Ann asked.

    "Paul's worked for Carl for nearly ten years now. He used to fly the big aeroplanes, but Carl tempted him away with better pay and hours." Vic said with a grin.

    "Does Paul know about Vicky and Carla?" Ann asked with a little nod at Vic.

    "Yes Paul knows all about Vicky and Carla. Paul, or more Paula, locked herself out her hotel room one night, and had to go down and ask the hotel staff to let her back in her room." Vic said with a giggle, as he thought about the scared look on Paula's face that night.

    "Oh the poor thing, he must have been really scared having to do that." Ann said sounding really sad.

    "He was at first, but when Carla and I turned up he relaxed a little." Vic smiled.

    "Had he been at the club then?" Ann asked.

    "No. We didn't have the club back then. It wasn't even this hotel. Carla and I would just hang out at the hotel bar back then." Vic said with a thoughtful look on his face, as he thought back to those days. "Paula had just been out for a walk, but forgot to take her key card for the room with her."

    "He, I mean she must have been really scared. I remember what Amy was like when we first went shopping." Ann said sounding sorry for Paul/Paula.

    "She was, but Carla sorted out a new key card, and even walked her up to the room with me. Carla then talked her into coming back down to the bar for a drink." Vic said with a smile.

    "So Carla gave him, or her, a job there and then?" Ann asked looking a little shocked.

    "No, but it wasn't long after that though. One of his co-workers found out about his cross-dressing, and started to make trouble for him. So Carl said that he was thinking of buying a private jet, and would she be interested in flying it for him." Vic said with a shrug of his shoulders.

    "Does every one that works for Carl cross-dress?" Ann asked in a whisper.

    Vic leaned forward in his seat and then whispered back. "Not as far as I know."

    Ann had to laugh at the funny look Vic gave her as he said it.

    "What about this Mark. Does he cross-dress?" Ann asked.

    "No he doesn't, but he is living with a transgender. So, he's very understanding about everything." Vic said with a smile.

     Ann felt the engines fire up, and the plane start to move. Paul's voice came over the speakers in the part of the plane where they were sat. He said that they would be taxing to the runway ready for take off.

    Ann took a couple of deep breaths and then gripped the armrests on the seat as the plane moved onto the runway, and then started to pick up speed as it moved. The next thing Ann felt was the front of the plane lift, then it was airborne.

    Ann looked out the window, and saw the ground getting smaller and smaller. She never realised just how quick these small jets were until now.

    It didn't seem to take long before she heard the cockpit door being opened, and a very attractive man walked through it.

    "Hi Vic. Hello Ann, I'm Mark." The man said, as he held out his hand for Ann to shake. "I'm sorry for not coming to greet you sooner, but I wanted to get the pre-flight check sorted, ready for take off." He added.

    "That's okay Mark. I guess you have a lot to get done before a flight." Ann said with a smile.

    "You don't know the half of it Ann." Mark said with a chuckle. "Would you both like a drink, and something to eat?" Mark asked.

    "That would be great Mark." Vic said.

    "Yes please mark. Would you like any help?" Ann asked, as she unclipped her seatbelt.

    "You really don't need to Ann, but I won't stop you." Mark said, as he helped Ann up out of her seat.

    "It helps me feel better if I can help out. I'm not use to being waited on." Ann smiled.

    "You'll fit in well with Carl and Vic then. They both normally take it in turns to make the coffee and bring it up to the cockpit for us." Mark said with a chuckle, as he led the way back to the kitchen area.

    Ann did what Mark asked her too, and she learned where to find all the stuff to make the drinks. Mark pulled out some fresh croissants and put them on a plate ready to take back to where Ann had been sat with Vic.

    "Carl had the hotel put together a selection of different salad's and dressing for lunch, so I hope you're hungry by then." Mark said, as he stepped to one side so Ann could see the full fridge.

    "The food is always really nice from the hotel. I hope that you and Paul will join us later? It looks like we could use the help." Ann said with a giggle.

    "I'm sure I can speak for Paul when I say, we'd like that a lot." Mark said with a smile, as he picked up the tray with the coffee cups on, while Ann took the plate of croissants.

    Mark walked over to a seating area that was set up like a lounge. There were a couple of sofa style seats, and a coffee table in front of them for Mark to place the tray on. Mark put the try down and took a cup off for Vic, and one for Ann.

    "Thanks Mark." Vic said, as he walked over from where he'd been sat while the plane took off.

    "You're welcome Vic." Mark said with a smile, as he stood up again with the tray in his hands. "I wish I had time to stop and chat some more, but I better get Paul's coffee to him." Mark added with a chuckle.

    "That's okay Mark. We don't want to keep Paul waiting for his coffee." Vic chuckled back.

    "Ann asked if we would join you for some lunch, as the hotel has sent a lot of food for just the three of you. Is that okay?" Mark asked.

    "I'd be disappointed if you didn't Mark, Carl had enough food sent over so you and Paul could eat with us." Vic said with a grin.

    "That sounds like Carl." Mark said with a smile, as he turned and made his way up to the cockpit with his and Paul's coffees.

    Ann took a seat on one of the sofas, while Vic sat on the other one. They both picked up their cups and took a sip from them.

    "MMM that tastes really good." Ann said, as she took another sip. "I don't normally like coffee that much, but this tastes amazing." Ann added, as she put her cup down so she could pick up a croissant.

    "I know what you mean Ann. Mark makes it using two different types of bean he buys, but he won't tell anyone which ones." Vic said with a chuckle. "I think he's scared of losing his job, and this helps him keep it." Vic added with another chuckle.

    "I guess he'd have to do something pretty bad to get sacked by Carl." Ann said, as she ripped off a peace of croissant and put it in her mouth.

    "Yes he would, and even then Carl wouldn't just sack someone without trying to help them first." Vic replied just before he also put a peace of croissant in his mouth.

    "Carl's a really great guy, and girl." Ann said with a puzzled look.

    "I know what you're trying to say Ann, so why don't you just say, person." Vic said with a chuckle, as he saw the puzzled look on Ann's face.

    "Yes that would be a better way of saying it." Ann smiled.

    "You're right though Ann, he is a really great person." Vic smiled.

    "How did you and Carl meet, Vic?" Ann asked.

    "We went to the same university, but we first met one Halloween." Vic said with a chuckle, as he thought about that night.

    "What do you mean; you both went to the same university, but never spoke until Halloween?" Ann asked with a puzzled look.

    "Carl wasn't as out going as he is now, you have to know. He mostly kept to him self back then, and just went to classes. He spent most his time with Sara when he wasn't in class, so everyone thought they were an item." Vic said.

    "I guess you weren't like that yourself then?" Ann asked.

    "I was cross-dressing back then, but I hid it behind an outgoing image. It wasn't until Halloween that we both realised it." Vic said with a smile.

    "So what happened? Did you both wear the same outfit?" Ann asked with a giggle.

    "No, nothing like that. Carl looked much better than I did back then, but we could both see the other one could walk on high heels a little better than we should have been able to." Vic said with a raised eyebrow.

    "Oh I see." Ann said with a knowing look. "So how did you start speaking to each other?" Ann asked.

    "Carl went all out this Halloween, and so did Sara. Sadly a group of guy's thought the same, and then followed them when they left the party at the university." Vic said with a sigh.

    "Is that when Sara had all that trouble?" Ann asked with some worry in her voice.

    Vic looked a little shocked that Ann knew about Sara's rape, and it showed on his face.

    "Don't worry Vic; it was Sara who told me all about it." Ann said when she saw Vic looking a little uneasy with her question.

    "I'm sorry Ann, but I wasn't aware that Sara had told you about it." Vic said with a look of relief on his face.

    "Amy asked if it would be okay to tell me about it when we went around for lunch just after I got down here." Ann said. "I was really sorry to hear what happened." Ann added.

    "I can't find the words even now to say just how evilly, Sara was treated over that. She was made to feel like she asked for it. If it hadn't been for Chrissy, she'd still be stuck indoors." Vic had a hint of anger in his voice as he said it.

    "Sara told me how great Chrissy was with helping her get over it." Ann said with a smile.

    "That's Chrissy for you." Vic smiled, as he let the anger fade away.

    "So how did you get talking to Carl?" Ann asked in a pleading voice.

    "Okay, okay. Where was I?" Vic said. "Oh yes. I saw these guys follow Carl and Sara away from the party. Carl was dressed as princess, and Sara was dressed as a prince. They both looked really good, it took me some time to realise that it was Carl dressed as the princess." Vic said with a chuckle.

    "What gave him away then, if he looked that good? Ann asked, as she hung on every word Vic had to say.

    "I realised it was Sara first, and then put two and two together. That's when I looked closer at the princess and realised it was Carl." Vic said with some shock in his voice.

    "Did anyone else see it was Carl then, or were you the only one?" Ann asked.

    "I think a couple of the others might have realised, but no one really cared about it. Not even the guys that followed them out the party realised that Carl wasn't a real girl, he looked that good." Vic said with a small chuckle.

    "So what happened when you got outside?" Ann asked.

    "I found Carl stood between Sara and the guys protecting her. It did look really funny at the time, but I could see how scared Carl and Sara were." Vic said, as he took the smirk off his face.

    "So did you jump in and save the day then?" Ann asked with a grin

    Vic just looked at Ann for a couple of seconds, and then bust out laughing.

    "What did I say?" Ann asked with a puzzled look, as she sat watching Vic laugh.

    "I'm sorry Ann, but you have no idea just how true that statement is." Vic said, as he got his breath back from laughing so hard. "I was dressed as Wonder Woman at the time. So I really did jump in and save the day." Vic giggled, as he sat forward and put his hands on his hips in a classic super hero pose.

    Ann found it hard trying to see Vic dressed as Wonder Woman, as she sat looking at him. Ann soon found herself laughing along with Vic.

    "I'm sorry for laughing Vic, but I just find it really hard to believe that you once dressed as Wonder Woman." Ann said, once she stopped laughing.

    "I thought I looked pretty good, to be honest with you." Vic said in a hurt way, but soon started to grin again. "I stood no chance of ever passing for a real woman back then. I've always been too tall really." Vic said with a sigh.

    "I think you look really good when you let Vicky come out to play." Ann said, trying to make Vic feel a little better.

    "Thanks Ann, but you can call it like it is. I can take it." Vic smiled.

    "I really do mean it Vic. I think you look really amazing, and very different to how you look now." Ann said with a smile, as she pointed at the way Vic looked in his business suit.

    "I do like wearing dresses, and all the other bits that go with it. All this men's clothing just feels so boring." Vic said, as he tugged on his trousers to make a point.

    "How did you make yourself look more like Wonder Woman then Vic, if you don't mind me asking? I'm sure it would have been hard to get the right look, as you don't have all the same bits she has." Ann asked with a grin, as she looked down at her own chest.

    "It wasn't easy, let me tell you." Vic said with a pained look on his face.

    Vic went on to explain how he tracked down a flesh-coloured body suit, and then brought a corset so he could get his waist down to the right size. He had brought a corset with cups for the breasts to fit into, so he put his breast forms in them, and then put the body stocking on. He then said how he spent a lot of time getting the wonder woman costume on, and adding the wig and headband.

    Ann just sat looking at Vic, and building an image in her mind of how he must have looked.

    "What was it like to be seen dressed like that?" Ann asked once Vic stopped talking.

    "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared, but it was Halloween. So I wasn't the only one to be in drag, but I did look a lot better than most." Vic smiled.

    "You thought you looked good until you saw Carl is that it?" Ann asked with a grin.

    "Carl really did look amazing that night. Sara had spent a long time making that dress for him to wear. She'd even helped him attach breast form, so he really did look like a real woman." Vic said. "When I found him trying to protect Sara outside the party, I don't know who was more shocked. Me, or them when Carl used is male voice to tell them all to back off." Vic added with a chuckle.

    "I really wish I'd seen that happen. Did you, Carl or Sara get hurt that night?" Ann asked with some worry in her voice.

    "No, just my poor boots," Vic said in a sad voice.

    "What happened to your boots?" Ann asked in a sad voice.

    "I used to wear much higher heels back then, and I broke one of the heels off when I was fighting with one of the guys." Vic said with a sigh. "I really use to love those boot as well." Vic added with a weak smile.

    "I'm sorry to hear that Vic, but I'm sure it was worth it. If only to stop Carl, or Sara getting hurt.

    "Carl more than made up for the boots." Vic smiled.

    "So is that how you two started talking to each other?" Ann asked.

    "Yes. I helped him and Sara get back to Sara's place, and we started chatting. That's when Carl asked how long I'd been dressing." Vic chuckled, as he looked to be thinking about something. "I tried to say it's my first time, but he knew I was lying right away." Vic added.

    "I guess that you'd already worked out that it wasn't Carl's first time either?" Ann asked with a grin.

    "He never even tried to hide it from me. He just said that he'd sort out a new pair of boots for me, and that Sara would be more than happy to help by making me some dresses, and teaching me how to do my makeup better." Vic smiled. "That's how I became friends with Carl and Sara." Vic added with an even bigger smile.

    "I'm surprised that Carl and Sara never hooked up, or you and Sara never did." Ann said with a thoughtful look on her face.

    "Carl and Sara were really good friends back then, and thought of each other as family. So I guess it would have been weird for them to take their relationship any other way, and I always saw them both as really good friends so I never wanted to risk spoiling our friendship." Vic said with a smile.

     "I've seen how you and Carl treat Sara like a little sister. Pretty much like I treat Amy." Ann smiled.

    "I kind of saw Sara as a little sister from the very beginning, just like Carl did." Vic said.

    "I understand what Carl meant when he welcomed Amy and me to the family at Amy's birthday party, now." Ann said as she thought back to Carl's speech that night.

    "Carl never had any family growing up; his parent's died in a plane crash when he was young. Carl was the last remaining member of the family line, which meant that he got the family fortune, and a chain of hotels. A board if trustees took over the running of the hotel and the well being of Carl until he reached his eighteenth birthday." Vic said with a sad look.

    "I'm so sorry to hear that Vic. I had no idea that Carl had such a sad childhood." Ann said as she put her hand to her mouth with a shocked look on her face.

    "I felt the same way when Carl first told me his story, but he seemed to survive it all okay." Vic said with a smile, as he looked around the plane they were sat in. "Carl was sent to some of the best schools around, and then we both ended up at the same university." Vic added with a grin.

    "Were you both studying the same subjects?" Ann asked.

    "We were both doing business management. Carl was being trained too take over the running of the hotels." Vic said.

    "That must have been a lot to put on someone so young?" Ann asked.

    "Carl seemed to cope with it all. He had the money and the time to practice becoming Carla." Vic said with a jealous tone to his voice.

    "I'm sure that you had the same amount of time as Carl had to practice." Ann said with a puzzled look.

    "I'm sorry Ann; I don't mean to sound so bitter. I wasn't lucky enough to have a trust fund like Carl had. I grew up as an orphan, and had to work any job I could get just to make ends meet." Vic said with a sigh, as he thought back to the days when he worked all those hours.

    "I'm sorry Vic, but I never knew that. It must have been tough not having any parents." Ann said with a sad look.

    "Don't look so sad Ann. From what I've learned about yours and Amy's, it sounds like I was better off not having any." Vic said with a chuckle.

    Ann had to giggle, as she thought that Vic could be right.

    "You could have a point there Vic." Ann said. "So you had to work your way through university?" Ann asked.

    "I did until I met Carl. He soon brought a house close to the university, and I moved in with Carl and Sara." Vic said as he shrugged his shoulders with a silly grin on his face.

    "That sounds like Carl." Ann said with a giggle.

    "Yes it does. I tried to say no, but he wouldn't hear any of it. Carl even paid up my student loan for me, and then gave me a job." Vic said.

    "He gave you a job? A job doing what?" Ann asked.

    "He saw how easy I took on the three guys, and knew that I had a lot of experience in martial arts. So he hired me to train him to defend himself." Vic smiled.

    "So you took the job, and trained him?" Ann asked.

    "Yes I took the job, if you could call it that." Vic chuckled.

    "What do you mean Vic?" Ann asked with a puzzled look.

    "Carl already knew a lot himself, and didn't really need the extra training. I knew that he really just wanted to help me out, but was afraid I'd turn him down." Vic said with a smile.

    "Would he have been wrong?" Ann asked with a raised eyebrow.

    Vic went to say something, but realised that Ann had a point. He would have turned Carl down back then. Vic didn't really have any trust in anyone back then. Carl and Sara were the first people he ever felt he could open up to.

    "I'll take that as a no then." Ann giggled, as she saw Vic sat across from her with his mouth open as though he was about to speak.

    Vic just let his shoulders slump down as he said. "Yes you're right. I would have turned down any form of help back then. It took Carl and Sara to talk me into moving in with them."

    "I can understand how you must have felt Vic. I've been finding it a little hard to deal with everything that you've all been doing for me and Amy." Ann giggled.

    "All I can tell you is what Carl and the others always say. That's what families are for." Vic smiled.

    "I guess you're right Vic, they would just say that." Ann giggled.

    Ann got up and then picked up the empty cups, and took them back to the kitchen area. She set about making some fresh coffee; while it was filtering through she went to see if Paul and Mark wanted another cup.

    "Do you need any help Ann?" Vic asked, as she walked past.

    "It's okay Vic. I have it all covered." Ann smiled, as she walked to the cockpit.

    Ann knocked on the cockpit door and then entered when she heard Mark say "Enter"

    "Hello Ann, is everything okay?" Mark asked with a smile.

    "Hello. Everything is fine. I was just making some more coffee, and wondered if you both wanted another cup?" Ann asked with a smile.

    "I can come back and do that for you Ann." Mark said, as she went to get up out his seat.

    "No! Please don't worry yourself Mark, I can sort it out. You just worry about flying the plane." Ann said with a giggle, as she left the cockpit.

    Ann went back and made the coffee, and then took a couple of cups up to the cockpit for Paul and Mark.

    "Thanks Ann. It's a little weird being waited on." Paul smiled.

    "You're both welcome. Please just call over the intercom if you need anything else." Ann said with a smile just before she left to go and sit with Vic again.

    Ann took the same seat she was sat in before she made the coffee, and started chatting with Vic again. They both chatted until they heard Mark say that they would be landing soon over the intercom.

    Vic stood up, and then helped Ann to stand up, so they could go and sit in the seats they first sat in. They both fastened their seatbelts and prepared for the plane to land.

    Ann looked out the window, and watched the ground getting closer and closer, until she felt the wheels touch down on the runway. Ann watched as the plane taxied up to a space near the main building.

    Mark came back and said, "I hope you both enjoyed the flight? The car is parked over near the waiting area. Paul and I will have everything set up for lunch by the time you get back." He said.

    "Thanks Mark, the flight was fine as always." Vic said with a smile. "I'll give you a call once we're on our way back, that way the food won't be out for to long." Vic added.

    "That's a great idea Vic; I'll wait for your call." Mark said, as he opened the plane door, and lowered the steps.

    Paul came in to the main part of the plane, as Mark was opening the door.

    "I hope you both enjoyed the flight, and drive carefully." Paul said with a smile.

    "Thank you for the safe flight up here Paul, Mark." Ann said with a smile. "Did Mark ask you about joining us for lunch?" Ann added.

    "Yes he did Ann, and I would be pleased to join you for lunch." Paul said, as he took Ann's hand in his and lifted it to his lips, so he could kiss it.

    Ann blushed a little as Paul kissed her hand.

    "That's great Paul. Thanks again for the flight up here." Ann said with a smile, as she let Mark guide her off the plane.

    Vic followed her off the plane, and then looked over to see where the car was parked. He smiled when he saw a woman with a folder in her hand stood next to a black Mercedes, and waving at him.

    "Do you know that woman Vic?" Ann asked when she saw the woman waving at them.

    "I've never met her, but we have spoken on the phone. Her name is Peggy, and she's from the company that I hired the car from." Vic said, as he took Ann by the arm. He led the way over to where she was stood.

    "Hello, I take it you're Vic?" The woman asked with a smile.

    "Yes I am, and I guess that means you're Peggy?" Vic asked, as he reached out with his hand to shake hers.

    "Yes I'm Peggy." The woman said with a smile, as she handed Vic some papers to sign.

    Vic put his hand into his inside jacket pocket, and pulled out his passport and drivers licence. So he could prove who he was.

    "Thank you Vic. I hope that the car will do for your needs today?" She asked, as she handed Vic the keys.

    "I trust you filled up the tank like I asked?" Vic asked with a smile.

    "Yes I did Vic. We always hire the cars out with a full tank of fuel. If you leave the keys with the staff at the information desk just inside the building over there. I'll pick the car back up later today." Peggy said with a smile, as she made her way over to a silver BMW with another woman behind the wheel. "Drive carefully!" Peggy shouted, as she got in the car.

    "I always do Peggy." Vic shouted back.

    Vic waved to Peggy, as he watched the silver BMW drive away.

    Ann let out a whistle as she looked around the car.

    "You do realise that Amber will think she's royalty when she sees us pull up in this." Ann said with a grin.

    "I thought that's what you wanted Ann? For us to treat her very special." Vic said with an even bigger grin. "Shall we go and find out?" Vic added.

    Ann went to get the front door, but Vic beat her to it.

    "Thanks Vic, You're making me feel special now." Ann smiled, as she sat down and then lifted her legs into the car.

    "Good, then I'm doing my job right." Vic smiled, as he shut the car door and walked around to the driver's side and got in.

    Vic waited for Ann to finish putting her seatbelt on before doing his own, then he started the car and set off. Vic had a rough idea of where he was going, and Ann pointed out which way to go once they got close to where Amber lived.

    Ann was getting really excited about seeing Amber again. Vic could tell by the way Ann was starting to fidget in the seat. Once they pulled onto the street Ann pointed out the house, after she looked at the piece of paper she had in her hand.

    Vic saw Ann look at the piece of paper to make sure she had the right address.

    "I thought you use to live with Amber? It's only been a couple of months. Don't tell me you've forget where you use to live already." Vic said with a chuckle.

    "I did use to live with Amber, but she had to move to a cheaper place after I moved down to be with Amy. I offered to keep paying some towards the rent on the other place, but Amber was too proud to let me do that." Ann said with a sigh, as she looked around the street.

    Ann could see that it wasn't one of the better places to live in the area. Vic was looking around, and thinking the same thing.

    "Well cheaper really does mean cheaper." Vic said, as he looked up at the building Ann had just pointed to.

    "If I'd known it was this bad, I'd have forced her to take the money." Ann said in a sad voice.

    "Well at least we can let her live like royalty for a couple of weeks." Vic smiled.

    "Yes we can." Ann smiled back, as she got out the car and made her way up the path to the front door.

    Ann looked down a list of buzzers until she found the one with Amber's flat number on it. Amber had told her about the house being split into smaller flats, but Ann really didn't like the look of the place. Ann pushed the button, and then waited for Amber to answer.

    "Hello, hello! Does this stupid thing ever work?" They heard Amber's voice say.

    "Hi Amber. Yes its working fine." Ann said, as she pushed the button again.

    "Annie, Annie! You're here! Please come in." Amber said.

    Ann and Vic heard the door buzz and then click, so Ann went to push it, but Vic was already pushing it open for her.

    "Thanks Vic." Ann said with a smile.

    "No problem Ann. What flat number does she live at?" Vic asked, as he looked at the first door they walked past.

    "Number five. She said it was on the top floor." Ann said, as she walked over to the stairs and made her way up.

    Vic was walking close behind. He really didn't think much of this place. He could tell that the flats must be really small from the overall size of the building.

    Ann had to walk up two flights of stairs before she found a door that had the number five on it. The door was open a little bit, so she knocked, and then poked her head round the door.

    "Hello Amber! Are you there?" Ann shouted.

    There was the patter of feet, and then Ann saw Amber come out another room screaming her name.

    "Annie! Annie!" Amber shouted, as she ran out the bathroom, and found Ann stood in the doorway grinning at her. "It feels like years, not months since I last saw you." Amber added, as she ran to her.

    "I know what you mean Amber. It's really great to see you again." Ann said with a grin, as she held out her arms, so she could hug Amber.

    Amber ran into Ann's arms, and would have knocked her back out the room if it weren't for Vic being stood behind her.

    "Hello. You must be Vic." Amber said, as she looked over Ann's shoulder at the tall man stood there.

    "Hello Amber. Yes I'm Vic; it's nice to finally get to meet you." Vic said, as he looked at the woman hugging Ann.

    Vic stood smiling, and taking in what Amber looked like. She was around the same height as Ann and Amy, but she had brown hair with a hint of red to it. She was dressed in denim shorts and fishnet tights, and a blue vest top with the superman S on the front over a long sleeved T-shirt. Vic thought the whole look made her look more Amy's age than Ann's, but Vic did like the look on her. He also thought she was very bubbly, and happy.

    Ann could see that Amber was really nervous from the way she was acting. Ann knew when Amber acted so bubbly, she was really nervous.

    "So are you ready to get going then Amber?" Ann asked when they broke the hug.

    "Nearly, I just have to pack a couple more things." Amber said with a raised hand, as she ran off into the bathroom again. She soon ran out again with some bottles of bubble bath, and shampoo.

    Vic and Ann were looking around the room while Amber finished packing.

    "I don't think much to the new place Amber." Ann said, as she pulled a funny face.

    "I know it's not as nice as the old place we shared, but I can afford this better. I'm not here that much anyway, with working the two jobs, and." Amber suddenly stopped speaking, and looked at Ann with a pained look as she realised what she just said.

    "You're doing what!" Ann shouted. "What do you mean you're working two jobs?" Ann added in a harsh tone, as she walked over to Amber.

    "I need the extra money to make ends meet." Amber said with a whine in her voice.

    "I said I'd help you out still. Why didn't you tell me?" Ann asked in a hurt tone of voice.

    "I didn't want to look like a charity case." Amber said with a pout.

    "You're not a charity case Amber. You're my best friend." Ann said, as she pulled Amber into a hug. "Please let me and Amy help you out?" Ann asked.

    "I'll think about it Ann, and let you know at the end of my stay." Amber said with a smile, as she broke the hug with Ann.

    Vic was looking around the flat, and had already decided to have a word with Carl about helping her out. Carl had sent Vic up there though with a mission of making sure that Amber was doing okay, and to let him know if she wasn't.

    "So are you ready to go now?" Ann asked, as she watched Amber close her final bag.

    "Yes, I'm all ready now." Amber said, as she went to pick up one of the bags.

    Vic stepped in and picked up all three of the bags and just left Amber to pick up her purse.

    "Thanks Vic, but I can help if you want." Amber said, as she watched him walking towards the front door.

    "I'm fine Amber. You make the most of being with Ann again." Vic said with a smile, as he started to make his way down stairs, and out to the car.

    "I really like him Ann. I can see that you really are in safe hands." Amber said, as she wrapped her arm around Ann's waist.

    "I told you they're all really nice, and they all treat Amy like a little sister. I've never seen Amy so happy before." Ann said, as she wrapped her arm around Amber's waist.

    "I hope she's still happy when she sees me turn up." Amber said with a nervous giggle.

    "Trust me Amber; Amy will be really happy to see that you still want to be her friend. I've seen the look in her eyes when I've got off the phone to you. She's wanted to ask me how you've been doing, but I think she feels guilty for coming between us." Ann said with a sigh.

    "I'd never blame Amy for any of this. I'm just happy you found her again, and that she pulled through it all." Amber said with a smile. "You seem to forget who had to help you deal with life every day, and not knowing if she was alive or dead." Amber added.

    "I never forgot any of it Amber, and that's why I'm not happy to see you living in this dump." Ann said, as she looked around at the peeling wallpaper on the staircase. "Please let me help you find a better place?" Ann asked.

    "I've already said I'd think about it Annie." Amber said with a grin.

    Ann just smiled. She was happy that Amber was the only one that ever called her Annie, and the other was that she knew Amber would let them help, but she didn't want to seem too eager.

    They had both reached the front door as they spoke, so Amber let Ann leave first, and she followed her out, closing the door behind her.

    Amber turned around to see where Vic's car was, and she saw him just opening the trunk on a large black Mercedes.

     "Nice car Vic." Amber said with a smile, as she looked in through the window.

    "Thanks Amber, but it's only a hire car." Vic said with a smile, as he put the last bag in the trunk and closed the lid.

    "Yes this is just a hire car Amber. The one he drives is a much higher spec." Ann said with a grin.

    "Oh, so you do drive a car like this then?" Amber asked with a raised eyebrow. "I'd be happy to just have a car that works." Amber added with a sigh.

    "I'm quite good with engines Amber. Maybe I could take a look at it when I bring you back home." Vic said.

    "Thanks Vic, but I think it's more than just engine trouble." Amber said, as she pointed at a car on the driveway of the house they just came out of.

    Vic looked at the car, if you could still call it a car that is. It was white at some point in its life, but now it was more a rusty red colour. One of the tyres was flat, and it had a crack in the windscreen.

    "It does look like its seen better days." Vic said with a sad look on his face, as he thought back to how hard he found it when he was in university.

    "What I'd give to have a car like this one." Amber said with a big grin on her face.

    Vic just smiled, as he opened the back door for Amber to get in, and then he walked around the other side, and opened the other back door for Ann to get in.

    "Are you sure about this Vic? I feel bad for making you feel like you're just the driver." Ann said with a sad look.

    "Don't look so sad Ann. I just want you to make Amber feel special, and I know the way back to the airfield. Now get in the car." Vic said with a grin.

    "Yes sir." Ann said, as she snapped a salute. "You don't need to tell me twice." Ann added. "Oh wait a minute, you just did." Ann said with a silly grin.

    "Just get in the car you goof ball." Vic said with a chuckle.

    Ann got in the car and then put her seatbelt on. She looked over to make sure Amber had hers on, and found her sat there with a silly grin on her face. Ann was happy to see Amber smiling.

    "I think this is going to be the best holiday ever." Amber said, as she put her hand on Ann's.

    "I plan to make it just that for you Amber. The best holiday you've ever had." Ann said with a grin.

    "Just remember that this all depends on how Amy feels about seeing me again." Amber said with a scared look.

    "I know that Amy will be shocked to see you Amber, but then she'll be happy that you wanted to be with her again." Ann smiled, as she took hold of Amber's hand and gave it a squeeze. "Now stop worrying so much, you're worse than Amy." Ann added with a giggle.

    "I'm sorry Ann, but I just don't want Amy to feel worse than she already has." Amber said with a sad look on her face.

    "I know you worry about Amy, but trust me when I say that she's got some of the best friends a girl could ask for." Ann smiled, as she patted the back of Amber's hand as she held it.

    "I hope she's got room for one more." Amber said with a week smile.

    "I swear I've never met anyone who worries as much as you and Amy." Ann said with a defeated look on her face.

    Amber went to speak, but stopped when she heard Vic laughing from the driver's seat.

    Ann's look of defeat turned to one of puzzlement when she heard Vic laughing.

    "What's got you laughing so hard Vic?" Ann asked, as she looked out the windows trying to see what Vic found so funny.

    Vic had to pull over, and get his breath back before he could answer Ann's question.

    "I'm sorry Ann, but I just find it really funny, what you just said." Vic said, as he wiped a tear away from his eye.

    "I'm not sure I know what you mean Vic." Ann asked with an even bigger puzzled look on her face.

    "You said that you didn't know any one that worried as much as Amy and Amber." Vic said with a chuckle.

    "Yes I did, but what's so funny about that?" Ann asked.

    "I'm sorry Ann, but they're not even in the same league as Chrissy, when it comes to worrying." Vic said it with a proud tone to his voice.

    "You do have a good point there Vic." Ann said, as she started to giggle.

    Ann had told Amber all about Chrissy and the others when they chatted on the phone, and from what Amber had heard about Chrissy, she could believe it.

    Vic pulled out into the flow of traffic again, once he felt safe enough to do so, and they continued the journey to the airport.

    Ann was really happy to be with Amber again. She was the only thing that kept Ann going for all those months while Amy was missing. Ann still remembered the night it all happened, and how Amber had gone out with her to look for Andy.

    Amber was really happy to be with Ann again as well. She was really looking forward to hugging Amy. Amber just wanted her to know that she had another friend.

    Ann would look at Amber as she looked out the window. She could tell that Amber had lost some weight since she moved away. Ann was worried that Amber wasn't eating properly.

    "Amber, can I ask you a question?" Ann asked, as she saw Amber turn to look at her with a big smile on her face.

    "Sure Annie. I'm not going to promise an answer, but feel free to ask." Amber said with a grin.

    "Have you been eating properly? It looks like you've lost some weight since I last saw you." Ann asked.

    "I thought I could do with losing a couple of pounds, so I've been trying a new diet." Amber said. "Do you really think it's working then?" Amber added with a smile, but Ann could see that she was lying.

    "Amber! I'm not joking with you. Have you been eating properly?" Ann asked in a much sharper tone.

    Amber stopped smiled, and got a more worried look on her face.

    "Between working the two jobs, and trying to keep up with my college work, I kind of skip a couple of meals here and there." Amber said, as she looked down at her lap. She was too afraid to look Ann in the eyes.

    "A couple of meals a week, or a couple of meals a day?" Ann asked, as she could see that Amber was still hiding something.

    "A day." Amber said in a whisper.

    "Why didn't you tell me Amber?" Ann asked with pleading in her voice.

    "I didn't want to worry you. I know that you had a lot on your plate as it was with Amy. I didn't want to add to it." Amber said, as she looked at Ann with a tear running down her face.

    Ann wiped away the tear from Amber's eye, and then pulled her into a hug.

    "You can be so stupid sometimes Amber. Amy didn't need any looking after. Chrissy and the others had already taken care of that before I ever moved down there." Ann said, as she hugged Amber.

    "I'm sorry Annie, but I just didn't want you to think I couldn't take care of my self." Amber said, as she let Ann hug her.

    "You can't take care of yourself." Ann said with a giggle.

    Amber knew that Ann had a good point, so she just ended up giggling along with her.

    Vic could hear everything that they said, and knew that Carl would want to help fix this problem. Vic just smiled to himself, as he thought about the sort of help Carl would be giving.

    They were soon pulling into the airfield, and Amber was shocked when Vic pulled up next to a private jet like the ones she'd seen in the movies.

    Amber got out the car when Vic opened the door for her, and then helped her out.

    "Are we going in this?" Amber asked, as she pointed at the plane.

    "Yes we are. Is there a problem with that?" Vic asked.

    "No, not at all. I'm just not use to all this posh treatment." Amber said in far away voice, as she looked at the plane.

    "You should wait till you see the inside Amber." Ann said sounding all excited, as she grabbed Amber by the arm and pulled her over to the entrance of the plane.

    Amber stepped back when she saw a man appear at the doorway. She was worried that Ann was just teasing her, and they shouldn't be anywhere near this plane at all.

    "Hi Mark. This is my friend Amber. Amber, this is Mark. He's one of the pilots." Ann said with a smile.

    "Hello Amber. Nice to meet you." Mark said with a warm smile, as he held out his hand to help Amber onto the plane.

    "Hello Mark. It's really kind of you to let me fly on your plane." Amber said in a very nervous voice.

    "The plane belongs to Carl, but I'm glad we can help out where we can." Mark smiled, as he led Amber into the main part of the plane.

    "Wow! This is amazing." Amber said, as she looked around the plane. She'd never seen anything like this, other than on the telly, or at the movies.

    Ann and Vic just smiled, as they both watched Amber looking around the plane. Mark and Paul had set out all the food once they got the call from Vic to say that they would be there soon.

    There was a conference table towards the back of the plane, so Mark and Paul set up the lunch on that.

    "You've done an amazing job setting up the lunch Mark" Ann said with a smile. Will Paul be joining us for lunch?" Ann asked.

    "Yes he will. He is just sorting out the return flight plan with the tower." Mark said, as he pulled out a seat for Ann to sit at the table.

    Vic pulled out the seat for Amber, and then he took a seat himself. They all waited for Paul to come join them before they started.

    Amber was looking at all the food on the table when she heard a man speak.

    "I'm sorry for keeping you all waiting." Paul said, as he made his way to the back of the plane where they were all sat.

    "No problem Paul. We haven't been waiting too long." Vic said.

    "Hi Paul. I'd like you to meet Amber. Amber, this is Paul the other pilot." Ann said.

    "Hello Paul. Pleased to meet you." Amber said with a nervous smile.

    "Hello Amber. I trust that they're all treating you well?" Paul asked with a grin.

    "Yes they are thank you. I've never seen so much food before." Amber said with a nervous giggle, as she looked at Paul, and then the table with all the food laid out on it.

    "This is just a little lunch that Carl had the hotel prepare for Vic, Ann and yourself. Ann was kind enough to ask Mark and myself to join you." Paul smiled, as he took his seat at the table.

    "They did all this food just for the three of us?" Amber looked shocked as she said it.

    "Carl wasn't sure what you liked, so he told them to prepare a little bit of everything." Vic said when he saw the look on Amber's face.

    "Looking at how skinny you've got, I have a good mind to make you eat most of it." Ann said with a bossy look on her face, as she pointed her finger at Amber.

    Amber went to argue with Ann, but the noise her belly made would have stopped any argument she could have made, so she just went a little red in the face.

    "I think you better make a start on eating something Amber. It sounds like you must be really hungry."   Vic said, as he looked down at the spot on Amber's belly that seemed to be making the noise.

    "I'm sorry, but I have been really nervous the past couple of days, and not really felt like eating." Amber said with a smile, as she started to take some salad and pasta from the dishes on the table.

    Amber only picked at the food to start with, as she was nervous about how it would all taste. Once she realised it all tasted really good she was soon filling her plate up.

    "I've never tasted anything so nice before." Amber said just before putting another mouth full in.

    "You eat as much as you want Amber. I'm just happy to see that you've still got an appetite." Ann smiled, happy that Amber was eating something.

    "Yes mum." Amber said in a whiney voice, just like a child would.

    "I feel like your mum some times." Ann said with a frown.

    Amber went to say something, but changed her mind when she saw the look Ann was giving her. Amber knew that Ann had a good point, so she just put another fork full of food in her mouth and smiled.

    Vic found it amusing, just how much like a mum Ann really was with Amber. Ann was the same way with Amy, Vic thought to himself as he watched them playing around.

    As they all sat eating the food, Vic could see Amber stealing the odd look when she thought he wasn't looking. She would always look away again when Vic looked at her.

    "Is everything okay Amber?" Vic asked with a smile.

    "Yes, thanks Vic. The food is really nice." Amber said with a nervous smile.

    Ann could tell that Amber was troubled by something, so she leaned over and whispered in Amber's ear.

    "What's wrong Amber? I can tell something has you worried." Ann whispered in her ear.

    Amber put her mouth up to Ann's ear and then whispered. "I was just trying to work out what Vic looks like when he's dressed as Vicky. I'm sorry for staring at him. I don't want to say anything in front of Mark, and Paul."

    Ann let out a little giggle, which made Vic, Mark, and Paul all look at her.

    "Do you care to share the joke with the rest of the class Ann?" Vic asked with a raised eyebrow.

    "I'm sorry Vic. Amber has been trying to work out what you look like when you dress as Vicky." Ann said with a smile.

    "Ann! What are you doing?" Amber asked in a shocked voice, as she looked at Paul and Mark. Worried that Ann might have just made things really bad for Vic.

    "Don't look so worried Amber. Paul is also a cross-dresser, and Mark is living with a woman that's like Amy and Chrissy." Ann said in a calm voice, as she took Amber's hand in hers and started to pat it.

    "So you're one of them as well?" Amber asked in a whisper.

    "Yes I'm a cross-dresser, if that is what you mean by, them?" Paul said in a cold tone of voice.

    Amber could tell that she had just said the wrong thing, and may have upset Paul with her comment.

    "I'm sorry Paul; I didn't mean it in a nasty way. I was just asking if you were. I mean I just find it really…" Amber let her head drop. "I don't know what I'm trying to say." She added with a sigh.

    "I'm sorry Amber. I didn't mean to sound so cold towards you, but we girls get a lot of hate thrown at us most the time." Paul said with a smile, as he reached across the table to hold Amber's free hand.

    Amber's head shot up so she could look Paul in the eyes. "Oh please don't think I'm one of them people Paul." Amber was fighting back the tears as she said it.

    "Please don't cry Amber. I wasn't saying you were. It's just a first reaction thing I tend to do." Paul said with a warm smile as he tried to help calm Amber down.

    Ann had wrapped an arm around Amber, and pulled her into a hug.

    "I'm sorry everyone, but this is all really new to me. I think it's all really great that you're all so in touch with your feminine sides." Amber said, as she let Ann hug her.

    "I'm really glad to hear that Amber, and I'm sure you will fit right in. I'm sorry for upsetting you." Paul said.

    "That's okay Paul. I'm a little worried about meeting Ann's sister." Amber said with a smile, as she wiped her eyes with a tissue Ann just gave her.

    "You mean Amy?" Paul Asked.

    "Yes, Amy. I'm really scared that she won't want anything to do with me." Amber said with worry in her voice.

    "I've only met Amy a couple of times at the club, but she seems like a really nice girl. Just treat her like a girl, and you will be fine." Paul smiled.

    "I will Paul, and thanks for the advice." Amber smiled.

    "You're most welcome Amber." Paul smiled back.

    "You'll get to meet Vicky tonight Amber, when I come to pick Becky up." Vic said with a grin.

    "Really!" Amber shouted.

    "Yes, really. I always come and pick Becky up for work, and I also pick the others up when they come to the club." Vic said, just before putting another fork full of food in his mouth.

    "I can't wait to see what you look like Vic. I did some research on cross-dressing once I found out about Amy, and was amazed at how different they can make themselves look." Amber said in an excited voice.

    "It takes a lot of time, makeup, and practice to do a good job." Vic smiled. "The one thing you need to remember though Amber is that Amy is transgender, not a cross-dresser." Vic added.

    "I don't understand what the difference is Vic?" Amber asked with a puzzled look.

    "A cross-dresser is normally happy being a man, but likes to show a softer side from time to time. Where as, a transgendered person feels that they were born in the wrong body." Vic said.

    "It can all get very complicated Amber. Just know that Amy is, and always has been a girl. Paul and I are both happy being male most the time." Vic added with a chuckle.

    "I think I understand it a little better now. Thanks Vic." Amber said with a smile.

    "Trust me Amber, you'll find it hard to see Amy as anything but a girl when you see her now. The hormones are working wonders, and she has a really impressive set of airbags as well." Ann said, as she stuck her chest out.

    "She has breasts already?" Amber asked.

    "Yep, but they're not real. You wouldn't know though, to look at them. Carl brought them for her, as a birthday gift." Ann said.

    "I remember you telling me about them, but I thought she had to take them off due to a rash the glue gave her?" Amber asked.

    "She did, but Prue, Mandy's mum. Sorted her out with a better glue, so she can wear them again now." Ann said with a smile. "I'm sorry for not keeping you up to date with all the gossip on Amy, but it's been hard finding time to talk too much on the phone. I didn't want Amy to find out any of the plans for your visit." Ann added with a pout.

    "I can understand that Annie. I can't wait to see her again, and finally get to speak to her." Amber said with a grin.

    "Speaking of meeting people, we better see about finishing up. I would hate to miss our flight window." Mark said with a smile, as he pointed at his watch.

    Paul looked down at his own watch, and saw what Mark was getting at.

    "I'd lost track of the time Mark." Paul said, as he stood up and started to clear the table.

    "Amber and I will clear the table Paul. You and Mark should go and make a start on getting the plane ready for take off." Ann said, as she stood up and pulled Amber to her feet.

    Amber was so full, she was having a little trouble wanting to move, but she did what Ann told her to. They soon had the table cleared, and Ann put all the tubs back in the fridge. The place had a dishwasher, so Ann rinsed all the dishes off and then put them all in the dishwasher.

    Once everything was put away, and strapped down Vic helped Amber and Ann get seated ready for take off. Then he got himself strapped in, he'd already loaded Amber's bags on the plane, and taken the car back to the parking area. He'd taken the keys to the information desk in the main building.

    Mark came back and made sure they were all ready for take off before he went to inform Paul that everyone was ready for take off.

    Ann let Amber have the seat near the window, and she sat next to her. Ann had to giggle at Amber, as she was acting just like a small child. Amber gripped Ann's hand a little tighter as they lifted off, but she soon loosened the grip again once they got to cruising altitude, and they could remove their seatbelts again.

    "Is this your first time in a plane Amber?" Vic asked, as he watched her looking out the window.

    "I went away with my mum and dad a couple of times, but it was nothing like this." Amber said with a grin, as she looked out the window again.

    "Do you still see anything of your mum and dad?" Vic asked.

    "Both her parents are dead Vic." Ann said in a sad voice before Amber had time to answer.

    "I'm sorry to hear that Amber. Did you grow up in foster care then?" Vic asked in a sad voice.

    "No, my dad died when I was twelve, but I still had my mum until I was seventeen. My mum found another man and remarried when I was fifteen, but I never really got on with him. So when my mum died, he kicked me out the house and I've never spoken to him since." Amber said with some hate in her voice.

    "He just kicked you out?" Vic asked in a shocked tone.

    "Yep, he just told me the day after we burried my mum, that he wanted me out the house by the end of the day." Amber said as she shrugged her shoulders.

    "How ever did you get over that happening?" Vic asked in an even more shocked tone.

    "I use to live down the road from Ann and Andy, I mean Amy. So I called Ann and told her what that bastard was doing to me, and she offered me a place to stay until I could get something sorted out." Amber smiled at Ann, as she said it.

    "I can't believe he would just kick you out like that. Did he not offer you any money to get you started?" Vic asked.

    "Not a penny. He knew that my mum was ill when they first met, and I think he planed the whole thing out, so that I wouldn't be able to get anything after my mum died. My mum never left a will, so he got everything." Amber was close to tears by the time she finished speaking.

    Vic didn't know what to say, so he got up and walked over to Amber. He pulled her to her feet and just gave her a hug.

    "I'm really sorry for you Amber. I hope you don't think all men are like that? Some of us do really care." Vic said, as he hugged her.

    Amber hadn't felt this safe and loved since her dad was still alive, so she just hugged Vic back for a long time.

    Ann had a tear in her eye as she watched Amber getting the hug off Vic. She knew that Amber had lost all trust in men when her step dad did that to her.

    "Thanks for that Vic. I don't think all men are like he was, but I do find it hard sometimes, when I think of what that bastard got out of my mum and dad." Amber said when she broke the hug with Vic.

    "So what was life like then, living with Ann and Amy?" Vic asked trying to lighten the mood a little.

    "Well it was Ann and Andy I lived with." Amber smiled. "It was really great, but I hated the way Andy's dad treated him. That's one of the reasons I didn't stop there too long. I wanted to speak out for Andy, but it would have just made his dad treat Andy even worse." Amber said with a sigh.

    "You did the best thing Amber. Just look at what happened when ever I tried to stick up for him." Ann said, as she wrapped an arm around Amber's waist.

    "Well they do say that what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. So I'd say that you're all a lot stronger for it." Vic smiled, as he pulled Ann and Amber in to a hug.

    "Do you want to help me make some coffee Amber?" Ann asked when they broke the hug.

    "Sure, it'll be nice to do something. I could get used to being treated like royalty." Amber said with a grin, as she followed Ann to the front of the plane, so she could asked Paul and Mark if they wanted a drink.

    Ann knocked on the door to the cockpit, and entered when she heard Paul say, "Enter"

    "Hi Paul, Mark. I'm just about to make some coffee, and wondered if you wanted any?" Ann asked with a smile.

    "That would be great Ann. Do you need any help?" Paul asked.

    "No, we can cope." Ann said, as she looked at Amber, who was stood beside her. "You two just worry about keeping this bird in the air." Ann added with a grin.

    "Okay then, but shout up if you need any help." Paul said with a grin.

    Ann and Amber walked to the back of the plane, where the galley was, and set to work making the coffee. Amber offered to take the drinks up to Paul and Mark, so Ann took the tray with their drinks on over to the table where Vic and she had been sat talking on the trip up to fetch Amber.

    Vic was already sat there, so Ann put the tray down and then handed Vic his drink.

    "Thanks Ann. I see that Amber is fitting right in with the new life style you have." Vic said with a smile, as he took a sip from the cup Ann just handed him.

    "Amber always has been quick to adapt to new situations. She's also very independent, which is why she won't ask for help." Ann said with a sigh.

    "I got the impression that it's been some time since she had a proper meal, judging by the way she got stuck into the lunch earlier." Vic said.

    "I don't think she has eaten properly for some time, and she's lost a bit of weight since I last saw her. I just wish she'd told me she was struggling to make ends meet." Ann said, as she sat down facing Vic.

    "Some people just find it hard to ask for help. Amber might have wanted you to spend as much time as you could, to help Amy to get better." Vic smiled. He didn't want to say anything about helping Amber until he'd spoken to Carl.

    Ann was about to say something else to Vic, but she was put off when Amber jumped on the seat right next to her and threw her arms around Ann's body hugging her.

    "Did you get Paul and Mark their drinks okay?" Ann asked, as she rested her head on Amber's.

    "Yep, and they even gave me a look at the cockpit while I was there." Amber said, as she looked up at Ann from where her head was rested on her shoulder.

    Vic just sat smiled, as he watched Ann treat Amber just like she does Amy. He knew that Ann was the mother hen type now.

    Amber asked Vic how he became Vicky, and how he got to know Carl. So Vic told the same story he told Ann earlier. He left out the bit about Carl giving him a job and a place to stay. Vic didn't want to give Amber any idea of what Carl could be like.

    Amber had a good laugh at the story, and found it hard to imagine what Vic looked like dressed as Wonder Woman.

    They were having so much fun chatting about how Vic met Carl and some of the things Ann had done since she got there, that they were soon being told to get ready for landing. Vic helped Ann and Amber, then sat down himself.

    Once the plane landed, and they heard Paul say that it was safe to undo their seat belts, they all got ready to leave the plane.

    Paul and Mark came out the cockpit just as they all got to the door. Paul walked over to Vic and the girls, while Mark went to open the door.

    "I hope the flight was okay for you all?" Paul asked with a smile.

    "Thank you Paul, it was amazing." Amber said with a grin, as she hugged Paul.

    "I'm glad I could help you and Ann get together again and I hope the meeting with Amy goes well." Paul said with a smile, as he hugged Amber back.

    "I really hope so too, Paul." Amber said with a nervous smile.

    Mark had opened the door and dropped the steps, ready for them to get off the plane. He then walked over to where Paul was stood talking to Amber, Ann and Vic.

    "It's always the pilot that gets the hugs, while the co-pilot does all the work." Mark said with a sad look.

    "I've got a hug for you as well, Mark." Amber said, as she walked over to Mark and gave him a hug. "Thanks for the lift." Amber added.

    "You were most welcome Amber, and I hope we get to see you again before you have to return home." Mark said, as he hugged Amber back.

    "Ann said she'd take me to the club. Do you and your partner ever go there?" Amber asked.

    "My partner works there, and I try to get out and watch her work when ever I can." Mark said with a smile.

    "You never told me that your partner worked at the club Mark. Do I know her?" Ann asked.

    "You never asked me." Mark said with a grin.

    "I didn't want to seem nosy, and ask too many questions about your relationship." Ann said.

    "My partners name is Beth. She took over the hostess job when Becky became the manager." Mark smiled.

    "I know Beth, she's really nice. I had no idea that she wasn't borne female." Ann looked shocked as she said it.

    "Why do you look so shocked Ann? You've seen how good Chrissy looks, and she wasn't borne female." Mark said with a raised eyebrow.

    "I know what you're saying Mark, but Beth just looks so beautiful and natural as a woman like Chrissy. I still find it hard to believe that Chrissy wasn't borne female." Ann said. "I'm still trying to get use to all this stuff." Ann added with a silly grin.

    "I think you're doing really well with it all Ann. I'm happy that Amy has you as a sister. Beth keeps telling me how much fun Amy and Chrissy have on the dance floor with you." Mark smiled, as he hugged Ann.

    "Thanks Mark, but I think its Amy and Chrissy that keep dragging me onto the dance floor. I just try to keep up with them." Ann said with a giggle, as she hugged Mark back.

    "Either way it's nice to see that you're understanding about everything that's going on. Amy needs that, and I know she'll be happy to see you as well Amber." Mark smiled.

    Ann gave Mark and Paul another hug, and Amber did the same. Then they both left the plane, with Paul and Mark helping them. Vic had Amber's bags, so he led Ann and Amber away from the plane. Amber looked a little puzzled when instead of heading for the building they headed towards a helicopter.

    "Where are we going now Ann?" Amber shouted over the noise of the helicopter.

    "We're going on this helicopter to get back to the hotel!" Ann shouted back with a grin on her face.

    Amber just stood looking at Ann with her mouth open and her eyes as wide as saucers.

    Vic got the bags put away on the helicopter with the help of the pilot, and then he helped a very shocked looking Amber to get on. Then he helped Ann to get on the helicopter as well.

    Once they were all strapped in the pilot lifted off, and made his way to the hotel.

    Amber sat with a grin on her face, as she looked out the window and watched what was going on below. Ann and Vic kept looking at each other and grinning, as they could see how much Amber was enjoying the trip.

    The helicopter was soon landing on the roof of the Hotel, where Amber could see a man stood waiting for them.

    Vic and the pilot both got out the helicopter and helped Ann and Amber to get out, then the pilot got Amber's bags out for her. Vic picked up the bags before Amber had time to, and he walked over to where the man was stood that Amber had see as they were landing.

    "Hi Vic. I trust everything went okay?" Amber heard the man say.

    "Yep, everything went fine Carl. Carl, I'd like you to meet Amber. Amber, this is Carl." Vic said, as he stepped to one side so Amber and Carl could get a better look at each other.

    "Hello Amber, it's nice to finally meet you. Ann's told me so much about you." Carl said with a smile.

    "Hello Carl. I want to thank you for going to so much trouble to get me here." Amber said in a nervous voice, as she went to shake Carl's hand.

    Carl took Amber's hand and lifted it to his lips, as he kissed the back of it.

    "It's the least I could do for Ann's best friend." Carl said with an even bigger smile.

    "Thanks Carl. It was really nice of you to do all this for us." Ann said, as she gave Carl a hug.

    "I knew all the trains and roads would be really busy, so I thought this would be the quickest way to get you up there and back again." Carl said with a grin.

    "It sure beat using the train." Amber said with a grin, as she looked over her shoulder at the helicopter.

    "So are you both ready for the meeting with Amy?" Carl asked.

    "I'd be lying if I said yes, but I need to get it over with. I just hope she doesn't hate me." Amber said sounding really nervous.

    "That doesn't sound like the Amy I've come to know." Carl said with a puzzled look.

    "I know, but I'm just really nervous about all this." Amber said with a little giggle.

    "Well we better see about getting you down to Ann's car so you can get home, and stop you looking so worried." Carl said, as he looked at the nervous looks on Amber's, and Ann's faces.

    Ann just smiled, as she knew that Carl could see how worried she was now about doing this whole surprise thing on Amy.

    Carl took one of the bags off Vic, then they made their way down to the parking area. They put the bags in the back of Ann's car and then helped the girls get in.

    "Right you're all set now Ann. I hope that everything goes okay, but if for any reason it doesn't, I've got a penthouse suite put to one side for you to use, Amber. So don't worry about not having any place to stay." Carl said with a smile, as she stood at the side of the car.

    "A penthouse! I'd be happy to just have a bed to sleep in." Amber said with some shock in her voice at what Carl just said.

    "Only the best for my friends and family." Carl said, as he smiled at Ann.

    Ann knew what Carl meant by that, and just smiled back.

    "I hope to see you both at the club tomorrow night." Carl said just before he let Ann reverse her car out and drive away.

    Both girls said that they would be there, and Vic said he'd see them later when he came to pick Becky up. Then they were on their way to Mandy and Chrissy's house.

    Ann could tell that Amber was really nervous about meeting Amy, as she wasn't saying anything. Ann tried to start a conversation with Amber a couple of times, but gave up when she realised it wasn't going to work.

    Amber was sat looking out the window, as Ann drove the car. She had no idea where she was, or where she was heading. She knew that Ann did, so trusted her.

    Ann was glad to get home, as she wanted to get this over with as soon as possible. She knew that Amy, Chrissy, and Mandy wouldn't be home for another hour, so she would have time to get Amber's bags in the house and up to the spare room.

    Amber sat looking up at the large house Ann just pulled into the driveway of. Amber had never seen a house this big before. She looked at the size of the drive way when she got out the car, and realised that you could park half a dozen cars on it, and still have room left over.

    "Wow Ann, this place looks amazing." Amber said, as she turned to look up at the house.

    "I know. You should wait till you see the inside. Can you give me a hand with your bags?" Ann asked, as she opened the back of the car.

    "Do you not think it best to leave them until we see how Amy feels about seeing me again?" Amber asked looking really nervous.

    "We could Amber, but I can tell you now that Amy isn't going to hate you, and ask you to leave." Ann said in a pleading voice, as she was getting a little sick of Amber thinking that Amy was going to hate her.

    "Okay Annie, if you say so." Amber smiled, as she helped Ann get the bags out the car, then make their way to the house.

    Ann opened the front door with her free hand, as it wasn't locked. Then she put the bags down at the foot of the stairs, so Amber did the same, and then followed Ann up the hallway to a door that led to the kitchen.

    Amber could see a woman stood at the sink washing some vegetables when she entered the kitchen.

    "Hi Becky, we made it back okay." Amber heard Ann say to the woman.

    "Hi Ann, did it all go okay?" Becky asked, as she dried her hands and walked over to where she was stood with her friend.

    "Yes it was really great. I'd like you to meet Amber. Amber, this is Becky." Ann said as she pointed at each girl.

    "Hi Amber, it's really nice to finally meet you. Ann's told us so much about you." Becky said, as she pulled Amber into a hug.

    "Hi Becky, it's really great to finally meet you too. I want to thank you for all you've done to help Amy." Amber said, as she let Becky hug her.

    "You don't need to thank me, Amber. Amy saved my Chrissy, so I was more than happy to do what I could to help her get back on her feet." Becky said, as she broke the hug.

    Amber took a good look at Becky, and thought she was really beautiful and friendly as well. Amber found herself instantly liking Becky, and she hoped that it was going to be the same with Chrissy and Mandy.

    Becky could see that Amber was really nervous about all this. She could also see that Amber was really thin, and pale. Apart from all that though, Becky loved the way she looked and dressed. Becky could see that Amber didn't like to dress normally, but she loved the look she had.

    "I really love your outfit Amber." Becky said with a smile.

    "Thanks Becky. I wasn't too sure what to wear for the trip down here. Annie's told me how beautiful you all dress, so I was worried I'd look like a tramp." Amber said in a very nervous voice.

    "We all dress up when we go to the club Amber, but most the time we just wear sweat pants and T-shirts." Becky said with a giggle. "Apart from Amy that is. She only wears skirts and feminine looking tops." Becky added with another giggle.

    "I guess she's trying to make up for lost time." Amber smiled.

    "I think she is. Chrissy use to be the same in the beginning, but now she will happily spend the day in a track suit or go out to the shop in a pair of jeans." Becky said with a smile.

    "I just hope that Amy is happy to see me. I'm still not sure it was the best idea to keep her in the dark about all this." Amber said, as she looked at Ann with some worry showing on her face.

    "I think Amy will be really happy to see you again Amber, and the fact that you don't hate her will really make her happy." Becky said, as she hugged Amber again.

    "Do you really think so Becky?" Amber asked, as she rested her head on Becky's shoulder.

    "I know so, Amber. Amy doesn't have a hateful bone in her body, just like Chrissy. She may be a little shocked at first, but I know she'll hug the stuffing out of you after that." Becky said with a giggle.

    "I can live with that, if that is the worse thing that will happen." Amber said with a giggle, as she let Becky hug her some more.

    Ann was happy to see Amber getting on so well with Becky and the fact that she had listened to what Becky just told her and giggled about it. Ann already knew that Amber was going to fit right in with the others.

    "So are you ready to go and see your room Amber?" Becky asked, as she broke the hug with her.

    "Yes please Becky." Amber smiled.

    Becky led the way, and helped Ann and Amber pick her bags up from the bottom of the stairs, then they made their way up to the room Becky had made up for Amber.

    Amber was amazed at the house Becky and the others had, she loved the way it looked and all the fine details.

    "This is a very beautiful house you have Becky." Amber said, as she walked behind her with Ann.

    "It's Mandy and Chrissy's house really. I just live here with them." Becky smiled.

    "You know that Mandy and Chrissy would both say it's as much your house, as it is theirs." Ann said.

    "I guess you're right Ann, they would say that." Becky giggled. "Just as they would say the same to you and Amy I bet." Becky added with another giggle.

    Ann just giggled, as she thought that Becky had a good point. They kept walking down the hallway as they talked, and then stopped when they got to the bedroom that Becky had picked for Amber to stop in.

    "Here you go Amber, I hope you like it. I picked the room next to Ann and Amy's room, so you won't have far to go if you have any trouble sleeping. I know how scary it can be sleeping in a strange bed." Becky said, as she opened the door and let Amber and Ann walk in first.

    Amber entered the room and was blown away by the size of it. She loved the look of the bed, and the fact it was a canopy bed made it look even nicer. Amber saw two doors at the far end of the room, and walked down to see what was on the other side. She found a large walk-in wardrobe behind the first door, and then she found a large bathroom with a bathtub and a shower stall as well.

    "Wow Becky. This place is bigger than my whole flat back home." Amber said, as she kept walking around the room.

    "Will it do then Amber?" Ann asked with a grin.

    "I guess I can make do." Amber said with a sad look, just before she started to grin again. "No I really love the room, Becky. Thank you so much for letting me stay here." Amber added, as she ran over and hugged Ann and Becky at the same time, as they were stood side by side.

    "I want you to think of this place as your home for the next couple of weeks, but I wouldn't go making any plans to cook too many meals. Chrissy, Amy and I do most of it." Becky said, as she hugged Amber back.

    "That's a good thing Becky. Trust me when I say that Amber really isn't the cooking type." Ann said with a grin on her face.

    "Ann has a good point there Becky. I really can't cook very well at all." Amber said with a sad look.

     "Hey, don't look so down about it Amber. There was a time when I couldn't cook anything, but Chrissy took the time to show me. I'm sure by the time you leave to head home; you'll be able to cook some really nice meals for yourself." Becky said, as she lifted Amber's head.

    Amber felt better when she saw the smile on Becky's face. She really did like Becky, and she could see why Ann loved being here.

    "Thanks Becky." Amber said with a smile.

    "Thanks for what Amber?" Becky asked with a puzzled look.

    "Thanks for making me feel so welcome and for giving me such a nice place to stay." Amber said, as she waved her hand around the room.

    "You're welcome Amber. Do you want some time to rest, or do you want to come down and have a drink while we wait for Amy and the others to get home?" Becky asked.

    "I could really use a drink, my mouth is really dry." Amber said, as she realised just how dry her mouth felt.

    "Come on then, let's go and get a drink. Do you feel like juice or a cup of tea?" Becky asked, as she led Amber and Ann back down to the kitchen.

    "A glass of juice sounds nice." Amber said.

    "That sound like a good idea." Ann added, as she wrapped an arm around Amber's waist, and followed Becky.

    They soon got back to the kitchen, and Ann set about sorting out some drinks, while Becky sorted out the rest of the bits for dinner. Once Becky had dinner cooking she joined Ann and Amber at the kitchen table, so they could wait for Amy, Chrissy and Mandy to turn up.

    Amy had been rushed off her feet nearly all day, and was glad to see the clock say it was time to close the shop and head home. She thought that she might have done something wrong, as Chrissy and Mandy had been in a weird mood all day. Amy just hoped that she could find out what she might have done wrong, once they got home.

    Chrissy and Mandy had tried to act normal all day, but knew they had done a really bad job of it. They both hoped that Ann had picked Amber up okay, and that Amy would be glad to see her. Chrissy and Mandy knew it was only a matter of time now before Amy would come face to face with Amber again. They got the shop closed up and then called in at the post office.

    Once that was done with, they headed home. Mandy pulled into the driveway, and saw Ann's car parked there, so they knew that she was home again with Amber. Mandy looked at Chrissy, and Chrissy looked at her. They both took a deep breath before they got out the car. Chrissy helped Amy out, and then they walked to the front door together.

    Amy could see that Ann was already home, which she thought was a little odd. She just hoped that the date with Brad went okay. She was happy when Chrissy helped her out the car; she knew that Chrissy couldn't be that upset with her now.

    Becky looked at Ann when she heard a car pull into the driveway. Ann looked at Becky, and then Amber, as she knew that it would be Amy and the others getting home from work.

    "I think you should wait in the living room Amber. I have a feeling that Amy may want to sit down once she sees you here." Ann said with a smile, as she helped Amber to stand up.

    Ann led the way to the living room and then led Amber over to one of the sofas. Amber didn't feel like sitting down, not now she was so close to seeing Amy again.

    "I'll bring Amy in to meet you shortly Amber." Ann said with a smile, as she hugged Amber.

    Amber took a deep breath and said. "Okay Annie." Amber than sat on the edge of the sofa and watched as Ann left the living room to return to the kitchen.

    Ann got back to the kitchen just as Chrissy and Amy entered the kitchen from the other doorway being followed by Mandy.

    Chrissy ran over and jumped on Becky's knee, just like she always did, while Mandy just walked into the kitchen and gave Ann a knowing look. Ann gave Mandy a nod and smiled back at her.

    "Hi sis. You're home early. Are you feeling okay?" Amy asked, as she walked over and gave Ann a hug.

    "I'm feeling fine sis. I just got done a little early today." Ann said, feeling it wasn't really a lie.

    "How did your lunch date go with Brad?" Amy asked all excited to hear about it.

    Ann took a deep breath as she realised that she couldn't lie, or bend the truth any longer.

    "Amy, I didn't have lunch with Brad today. I was busy doing something else." Ann said, with a very serious look on her face.

    "What were you doing then today Ann, and why do you look so serious?" Amy asked, as she started to panic. What could she have done to make Ann have to spend all day sorting it out.

    Amy turned to look at Chrissy and the others for some sort of support, but they were all just stood side by side looking at Ann and her. This really made Amy panic.

    "I think you better come to the living room, and it will all become clear to you at that point." Ann said, as she took Amy by the hand, and led her to the door that led to the living room.

    Ann entered the living room first with Amy being pulled behind her. Amy looked over her shoulder, and saw that Chrissy and the other two were walking close behind. Amy was really scared about all this now.

    Amy looked back towards Ann just as she stepped out the way. That's when Amy found herself face to face with Amber. Amy found that her breath got stuck in her throat as she found it hard to breathe.

    "Am. Amb. Amber."   Was all Amy said before her eyes rolled up into her head and she passed out.

To Be Continued

Edited By H.E.R --- Now, I haven't exactly received —permission- to put this little blurb here at the end of Sara's sequel to Chrissy's story, on the other hand, I did sort of hint that I might and received no flaming, screeching, denial either.

I must say that I don't like cliff-hangers. I mean here I am pleasantly reading a chapter of a story and —WHAMMO- I'm left trying to dig my fingernails into the granite face of a precipice waiting and waiting and waiting… until the author —deigns- to ‘put me out of my misery'. Oh, and just so all you faithful reader out there know, I see each of these chapters about 6 hours before they are posted here on BCTS. So there is NO point asking me what the scoop is. Ok, yes, I get to read them before you do but not by THAT much. I have absolutely NO clue what happens in the story before I get to read each chapter.

Yes, I will admit here that I have checked through the last five chapters for errors and made a few corrections. If I have missed any errors, I apologize to Sara and all of you. I do hope Sara will keep me on as editor so that I may continue to read this story before the rest of you. (Nya nya nya.) Oh, and try to present you all with the best copy I can, too. (With the improvements I've been seeing in the copy I have been getting, Sara's writing is improving to the point where she may not need my help soon.)

With love,

Hope Eternal Reigns