Sorry for not adding on for a while! But I have returned! IsnÂ’t that great? No, not really, I know, but humour me here please! (For you guys who read my other story, Lasses in the War, some chapters may be a little while coming, as I have to find out what on earth happens in the third film, EE-wise. So hang in there! Or not!)

An idea from the Count of Monte Cristo (One of the best films in the world!!! And I canÂ’t spell the name of it!!! IsnÂ’t that great!!!!!), cos I reckon itÂ’s pretty cool. And it has significance. Later on.

I have just realised my errors with ages. Let me explain. Cath is eleven, Pippin is thirteen, Merry is twenty-one, Estella is twenty, Sam is twenty-three, Rosie is twenty-two Frodo is thirty-five (oops, left out his coming of age party. Oh well), and I canÂ’t remember anyone elseÂ’s age. Oh well, no-one said I was perfect.

Cath, scrunched up under two bales of hay, was not happy. True, she hadnÂ’t been caught yet, but sheÂ’d seen Halfred three times now and it wasnÂ’t long before she suffocated.

She stretched her arms out and groaned. Two hours under an old cart outside the Green Dragon, then being chased from there back to Hobbiton through two markets and a field by Hamson. It had not been a good day.

Cath’s head flopped down on the floorboards again. The only thing that was actually keeping her sane was that Pippin was having a worse time than her, “And if I know Pippin,” She growled, “He will get away with it as easy as pie. He *always* gets away with things, and then *I* get the blame.”

The lass didn’t have a pocket-watch, but she could tell it was getting to mid-afternoon. She groaned and pocked her head from out the hay. No-one there. Good. Cath wriggled slowly out from her hiding place, wincing as her body scraped on the rough, uneven floor, “Hell, once I find Pippin he’s going to be one dead Took,” She grumbled as she stood up, shaking bits of straw from her hair. She fumbled in her pocket, trying to find a hankie. As she did, a small chess piece fell out of my pocket. She bent down to pick it up. It was a small, red, king,

Cath muttered something under her breath. It was something theyÂ’d done. Whenever either of them had achieved something particularly great, theyÂ’d give each other a king from a chess board, king of the moment.

“Bloody Tooks.” She grumbled.

****

Pippin groaned as he fell out of the tree for the third time running. Sure, trying to walk on the topmost branches wasnÂ’t the best of ideas, but if it kept him from being spotted, then it WAS a good idea, wasnÂ’t it? So why was some miserable power keeping him from succeeding?

He didnÂ’t know how much further he could go. Sure, that SOUNDED melodramatic, but he hadnÂ’t eaten for god knows how long, and there was only a limited number of hours a Took could go without food before collapsing.

He was also apprehensive about Cath. HeÂ’d been keeping away from her all day, and yet even now he seemed to be underneath a tree not a hundred yards from the barn she was hiding under! He dared not move, one false move and Cath would have him. Even though she was his friend, Pippin had always been a tiny bit nervous of Cath; her fiery temper was strong and it didnÂ’t take much to ignite it.

From the shade of the tree, Pippin saw the door of the barn open slowly, creaking ominously. And then Cath came out. PippinÂ’s heart almost stopped in his mouth.

CathÂ’s eyes darted around the area, obviously checking for her brothers. Pippin crouched in the shadow of the tree as her eyes rested on the tree. If she saw himÂ…..

But by some unnatural power she didnÂ’t. Blessing his good luck, Pippin raised himself onto his feet as Cath strolled along the path in the opposite direction. Thank Eru! Now if he could just make it to Brandy Hall, or even just down to Bag End, he could hide out there for a couple of weeks and he wouldnÂ’t die. Though going to Bag End might be a bit risky, with Cath living next doorÂ….

“Hey Took!” A loud, jovial voice yelled. Pippin tensed, hoping that Cath wouldn’t turn round, but when she didn’t he relaxed again, and he was able to turn round and see who was calling him.

Benjamin Applecox scaled the fence easily, sauntering over to the young Took, “How are you mate? Jolly told me about what happened in Bywater. Did you know your Da’s come all the way down to Hobbiton to look for you? You’re in big trouble kid.”

Pippin smiled weakly. Benjamin was the ostler from the Golden Perch’s son, and although he could be a little loud – okay, more than a little, if he was truthful, but he was a good sort and if he, Pippin, could beg him not to say anything he might just not be killed…..

“Fine. How nice. Yes. And I know.”

“Was that in the correct order?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh. Ah well, lemme tell you about what happened down by The Water…..”

As Benjamin started going on about some event Pippin started feeling drowsily happy. He had just succeeded in escaping from Cath, the sun was shining and what Benjamin was saying was actually interestingÂ….that was if he could actually concentrate on itÂ…..

“ And so Mister Barnett said, ‘You callin’ me a liar, man?’. And Mister Dayford said, ‘Yessir, I guess I am!’. And by the time we got to them they were scrapping ‘bout all over the place…. Took four grown lads to pry ‘em off each other…..” Benjamin trailed off and grimaced, “Look’s like Cath’s in a pretty bad mood today…” He muttered, “HOI! CATH!!!”

“Nonononononononono,” Said Pippin, who after all his hard work really *didn’t* want it all to be spoiled, “Benjamin, if you just keep your voice down…..”

It was too late. Cath had already strolled over to Benjamin, obviously in need of someone to chat to. And then she saw Pippin. Her green eyes narrowed, and flecks of angry amber flashed in them. Pippin didnÂ’t dare look down, but he knew if he did, heÂ’d see CathÂ’s fists clenching, hard.

“How are you then Cath?” Benjamin asked, totally oblivious to the fact that Pippin was going to die any second now.

Cath forced a smiled, “Well, until a couple of days ago I was fine, but now I am totally pissed off, thanks.”

“You generally are.”

Cath glared at him, but before she could say anything, Lily ran up, “Hey you guys!” She grinned, “Bess’ been looking all over for you and Oh Sweet Eru Not You.”

It was pretty well known that Benjamin and Lilly hated each other.

“Why are you here?” Benjamin wailed, “I thought you’d gone to the Water, and good riddance!”

“If I’d known you were here I’d have stayed there. Don’t fret yourself, I’ll be gone soon.”

“Thank the Valar!” Benjamin yelled, starting to walk down the hill, Lilly following and repeatedly prodding him.

“I don’t do it for the pleasing of *you*. If you find it so joyful, I shall stay here.”

“Nooooo…..”

As the two bickered as they walked, it occurred to Pippin that he was being left, on his own and with no visible protection, with Cath. He had just thought of where he could run to when, when he noticed Cath was walking steadily awayÂ…..

“Oi, Cath!!” Wait a second. What *was* he doing? Following Cath? Stop! Stop!!! Are you insane? Do you want to die?

Cath ignored him.

“Aren’t you going to answer me?” Or even turn round?

She did. Whipped round so suddenly that Pippin was sure sheÂ’d flown. CathÂ’s russet, copper-tinted hair whipped her face.

“You know, in light of what’s been happening, I’m not sure I want to do that Pippin.”

Pippin groaned. Ah, Iluvatar, he thought, preserve me.

“Alright, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for practically making you get on that horse and therefore almost getting yourself killed. And….I’m sorry for not apologising and leaving you in the lurch with your family, okay. I was a total prat and a jerk and I am very very sorry, alright?”

The amber flecks danced again, “No Pippin, it’s not alright. We could have killed someone on that horse, and for all we know we probably did. You…you acted completely stupidly and…you forgot about me….”

“Hoi!” Pippin snapped back, “I did try to get to you, but it’s not easy getting to Tookland to Hobbiton in the back of a cart!”

“And your way to apologise was to start a conversation to Bess, thus forgetting about me all over again?”

Pippin mouthed wordlessly at her.

“And as soon as that letter appeared you ran and…forgot about me AGAIN, and…you acted stupidly and childishly.”

Pippin finally lost it, “Well, SORRY, alright. I mean, I didn’t know what was going to happen, and I thought that everything was going to be alright, and oh guess what, I was WRONG. Ok, everyone makes mistakes sometimes! I don’t see why you have to be so condemning, you sound like my father!”

Cath shook her head, “Well….maybe your father does have a point.” She retorted, “I’m going.” She’d only got thirty yards away when she stopped and turned round,

“Oh…you’ll be wanting this.” With surprising quickness her hand darted into her pocket and the next second Pippin had caught something, “It’s quite fitting for you……” Cath’s voice trailed off as Pippin turned round the smooth, dark, wooden figure in his hand.

****

Cath stalked out into the road, whistling coolly. SheÂ’d handled that well. So well. Now all she had to do was find somewhere to hide for the next decade and sheÂ’d be alrightÂ…Â…

“Oh…..hello Miss Gamgee.”

She lifted her head in surprise to see Alicia, Ted SandymanÂ’s mother smiling down at her. Now there was something she hadnÂ’t seen in a while.

“Oh….hullo Mrs Sandyman.”

Alicia paused for a while, bouncing on the balls of her feet and looking at the sky. Alicia was a small timid woman with mousy brown hair and nut-brown skin. People said she was ‘skitty’ but then wouldn’t you be, Cath often thought, with Sandyman as your husband?!

“Um….nice day, isn’t it?”

“Hmm? Oh, yes, very nice.” Alicia snapped out of her reverie, “I’m just down here on business Cath, so I’ll have to go down in a minute. I’m sure you and Ted can amuse yourselves by talking though…..” She trailed off as Ted shuffled forward, “You’ll be alright won’t you?” She called as she trailed down the road.

Ted and Cath looked in disbelief at each other for five minutes, “TALK to each other?!?!” They snapped at the same time.

“Is your mother stupid, or just oblivious to anything?” Cath asked. She felt no remorse for insulting a member of Sandyman’s family.

Ted narrowed his eyes at her, “Don’t you insult my mother, Gamgee.”

“Why not? You’ve insulted my mother every day of your life.”

Ted dropped his gaze and Cath stared intently at him. Was thatÂ….remorse in his face? CouldnÂ’t be.

“What now? Don’t tell me the great Ted Sandyman is loosing grip.”

TedÂ’s eyes glared up at him. Cath had struck gold. Excellent.

“You’d better shut up quick, Gamgee, or I’m gonna do it for you.”

“Why? Cos your precious daddy runs the Hobbiton Mill? Look at me, I’m quaking.”

Ted grabbed her by the shoulders and easily picked her straight of the ground, oblivious to the kicks she drove into his kneecaps, “No. ‘Cos you’re spending too much time with those queer Brandybucks, and if you don’t figure out who your friends are pretty damn quick, I’m gonna drop you into this here ditch.”

“Let…me….go.” Cath snapped. Not much use, “If someone sees us it’s not gonna look too good for you. You’re fifteen and you’re beating up an eleven year old.”

Ted paused for a second, giving Cath the time she needed. She drove her feet straight into his knees. Ted dropped her to the ground and swore loudly, clenching his hands into fists.

Cath’s laughs stopped as quickly as they started, “Umm….maybe I should get going.” She said, and ran off.

“Boy, that was funny,” Cath grinned, “I should do that more often….Oooof!”

“Brandybuck lover.” Ted grinned as he shoved Cath into the dirt, “You’ve had this coming for a long time….” Out of the corner of her eye, Cath could see Lotho Sackville-Baggins and Otho coming out from behind the trees. Eon, a lad who tagged around with the gang, easily caught hold of her wrists.

“Does the accused have anything to say?” Otho asked. Before Cath could open her mouth (mostly to swear bloody murder) Lotho clapped his hand over her mouth.

“No? Let’s give her the justice then.”

And then they let her have it.

****

Cath bit her lip until it bled as she landed into the dust for the fifth time running. Why was no-one coming? True, this was an old lane that no-one ever used, but surely someone could here the laughs that were coming from the three boys.

Or maybe they couldnÂ’t. Maybe she was the only one who could hear it. Maybe she was going mad. Maybe this was a dream.

She fervently prayed it was. After all, she thought, it was no ruddy picnic having Ted Sandyman raining punches into your stomach while Otho held your arms behind your back and Lotho kicking you in the head for good measure.

Eon, who had been keeping watch, ran out into the lane, “Someone’s coming!” He yelped.

Before Cath had a chance to protest, the three boys (Eon was no good) had dragged her to her feet and pushed her against a tree, “She must have tripped, mustn’t she, boys?” Ted asked.

“Weren’t nothin’ to do with us.” Otho shrugged.

“We didn’t see anything.” Lotho said silkily.

“Poor little lass.”

“I…I can tell someone,” Cath protested, before Otho shoved her roughly, making her head bang.

Ted grabbed her by the head, forcing her to look at him, “No-one will believe you. And you know why? Because no-one’s gonna believe a Brandybuck lover that goes off and destroys markets, are they?”

Cath hung her head. He was right.

“Hey, guys.” Eon said shakily, “You know…it ain’t really right to leave her just like that, is it? You know…it’s wrong.”

“Aww, is little Eon feeling sorry for Cath?”

“No!” Eon protested loudly, “I was just thinking….”

Ted put an arm round his shoulders, “Don’t. That’s not what you’re here for.” He turned to face Cath, “Consider this punishment for beating up Maisetta.”

Before Cath could conjure up a smart comment, they were gone.

“Oh, eru dammit,” Cath moaned, “Who let those three out of their holes?” She struggled up, “Not good. REALLY not good.”

She couldnÂ’t remember the journey home. All she could think of was that she had to get home, before she blanked out. And thenÂ…..OW!

“Gotcha Cath!” Frodo laughed, as he and Sam pinned her to the ground, “Didn’t think you could hide for that long, did you?”

“This is not my day.” Cath moaned.

“Cath? Cath, what’s the matter? What on earth happened to you?” Sam’s voice floated through, and it didn’t sound very happy.

FrodoÂ’s own voice sounded hurried and urgent.

“Get her on the ground….oh, thanks.”

“CATH? What happened to her?”

Cath could only retch silently as someone pressed her head with a blue hankie. The last thought that went through her mind before she blacked out was “….That’s the colour of Estella’s favourite hankie….”

****

…..“She should be waking up any minute now…..” Ponto Goodbody’s voice floated, unwanted, into Cath’s brain. She muttered something about annoying healers and tossed her head into her pillow. Her pillow?

“Why is my head on a pillow when she last thing I can remember was Frodo and Sam doing an ambushing-goblin impression?” Cath thought. She cracked an eye open. “Oh sweet eru, I’m home.” She thought for a couple of seconds, “And my Da’s gonna kill me.”

“Cath? You awake?”

Cath groaned as the unwanted question came, “Yes, now get lost.” Unfortunately, Sam had no such wishes.

“Mister Goodbody! She’s awake!”

“Ah, that’s good.” Ponto Goodbody, a grey-haired middle-aged healer with a tendency to get drunk (and provide a lot of entertainment) “How are you Cath?”

“Okay. Hey, is something the matter with your voice?”

“Yeah, I’ve got a tooth with a hole in it that’s killing me.”

Cath nodded into her pillow, “You sound like a duck.”

“Cath!” May scolded, “Don’t be rude.”

“Sorry May.”

Ponto coughed, “Alright, she should stay in bed for a couple of days at the least. Don’t let her get up until that time is up, and no running and jumping for a week, a couple of your ribs are bruised.”

“Awww.”

“Now, all I need to do is find out how you got into this mess.”

“I….I fell down.”

“I see.” Ponto looked her up and down, “How many times?”

“Once!”

“Yeah right Cath, someone obviously gave you a beating.” Hamson chipped in.

“No-one did anything to me.”

“Come on Cath, tell me who it is. No-one beats my sister up and gets away with it.”

“Mari, drop it, okay?”

“Marigold. My name is Marigold. Not Mari and never will be Mari. Marigold!”

“Okay Mari.”

Marigold rolled her eyes and groaned.

“Hey, where’s Da?”

“Just coming, he’s been gardening all day.”

“D’you think he could stay that way?”

Marigold chuckled, “You’re in big trouble Cath.”

“Joy,” Cath muttered under my breath, just as Halfred jumped in.

“Hello!”

“Oh, great, the village idiot.”

“Hey, shut up. I am not the village idiot.”

“No, you’re just a hopeless dolt who can’t find a job without loosing it in three seconds flat.”

“Thanks.”

“CATHRINE GAMGEE!”

“Oh, god!” Cath stuck her head under her pillow, “Tell Da that I died and didn’t leave a forwarding address.”

Hamfast Gamgee bent over her, “What did you think you were doing Cath?”

“I’m not in!” A muffled voice came out.

“Oh really?”

Cath pulled her head out from underneath the pillow with a mournful expression on her face, “I’m gonna get killed for all eternity, right?”

Hamfast sighed, “I’m gonna keep you grounded for two months, but apart from that I think you’ve been punished enough.”

“Really? Gee, thanks Da!” Cath pulled her father into a hug, making her ribs groan. “Ow!”

“You wait.” Sam chuckled, “You haven’t heard who’s coming down to visit yet.”

“Who?”

“Aunt Cassie.”

“Oh cool! Will she bring the boys?”

“She’ll bring someone else too.”

“Who?”

“Aunt Marjorie.”

Cath’s grin slip off her face, “What?!?! Da, are you trying to kill me?”

“She’s the only one who can teach you some sense.”

“I’ll run away.”

“You did wrong, Cath, you have to pay for it.” Her Da said sternly, “Now get some rest, you’ve had a very tiring day.”

“And I will find out who beat you up,” Marigold told her firmly as she went out the door, “And then they’ll be in big trouble.”

Cath nodded, and slipped into a deep sleep.

*****

The little baby next to her was obviously trying to sleep, but every now and then it would let out a little mewing cry, and of course that woke her up.

“Hullo Alex,” Cath groaned as she cracked open one eye and looked at her little brother inches away from her.

“Morning Cath!” whispered someone who was definitely not Alex, “Are you feeling any better?”

Cath glared at Nibs, who was now balancing on her chair, “Nibs, I was sleeping. Go away.”

“You’ve been sleeping for ages now, so can’t you get up?”

“No, I’ve gotta stay in here for days yet, and then I’m grounded for two months.”

“Oh, that’s a shame. We’ve got a roopie tournament next week, and you could have come,” Nibs looked slyly at her, “It was going to be so much fun as well….”

“Nibs, shut up or I will throw my brother at you,” Cath looked at him, “Speaking of which, who put him on my bed? My sisters wouldn’t trust you.”

“Me!” squeaked a little voice which sounded like Bess.

“And what’s she doing here?”

“She’s with us.”

Cath turned her head to Nibs, “How many people are here?”

“Umm……ten.”

“HOW MANY??”

“Ten.”

Cath cracked open both eyes and peered round, “How did you all manage to fit into my room?”

“ Rosie’s been sitting on your window sill, Nick’s been giving Bess a piggy back for the last hour,”

“And getting a ruddy back-ache during the process!” Nick butted in.

“And Cock-Robin’s been sitting on your bed.”

“Oh. Hello everyone.”

“Hi Cath,” everyone chorused, with some differences (such as kid, and block-head).

“Did you know that you’ve been out of it for almost twenty-four hours straight?!” Robin, a messy haired little lad, squeaked.

“No.”

“Did you know that the horse actually *lived*?” Bess asked, “The Thain sent it to the Master of Buckland…”

“My DA, not the ruddy Master of wherever.” Merry interjected.

“…Cos he thought that he couldn’t trust Pippin with it anymore.”

“I can believe it.”

“Did you know that they’ve started building the market again?” Diamond told her, “You knocked over almost ten stalls.”

“I *know*, Di.”

“Master Peregrin actually got *caught*,” Nick said, nodding intently, “Ben Applecox told me that his Da caught him and dragged him back to Tuckborough.”

“ALRIGHT! What are you guys doing, running a gossip line? You know I can’t stand that stuff!”

“That’s why we’re doing it. It’s your punishment.” Frodo told her, wagging his finger.

“I already have punishment. My Aunt Marjorie’s coming down to discipline me.”

Lilly burst out laughing, “You poor sucker! She’s got more fire-power that a chimney.”

“Seriously though Cath, aren’t you a bit concerned for Pippin? His Da looked ready to burst when we saw him,” Sam told her.

“Yeah, I don’t wanna know what they do to naughty kids up there. Tuckborough’s a weird place.”

“Not that weird.” Merry insisted at Bess.

“You betcha! When by Da went down there to deliver that batch of dresses Ma had made, he said it was so quiet! I mean, yeah, there were kids running around and everything, but in the dining hall no-one was stealing food or anything! And there was a big chair, you know, that the Thain was sitting on, and when he got up no-one tried to go on it! When I went to Brandy Hall your Da had a chair like that, but he let little Aggy Tims sit on it half the time! And she’s only four!”

“She has a point Mer.” Diamond said, “Buckland may be branded more *queer*, but it’s actually more like the rest of the Shire than Tuckborough. I mean, Tookland can be so quiet!”

“And she’s lived there, you can’t say fairer than that.”

“And the Thain looks so stuffy!” Robin piped up, and then shrunk down when everyone looked at him, “I mean….um…..he don’t talk to anyone in the market. Your Da smiles at everyone!”

“Absolutely right,” Frodo told Merry, “Sorry for branding your Ma’s family like that and all, but the Brandybucks are more….relaxed about status and all that.”

Merry sighed, “You’ve got a point. But my Ma isn’t stuffy, not in the least!”

“Course she ain’t! She gave me a cookie that she’d just bought when she heard me talking about the roopie tournament!” Nick interjected.

“Okay, okay, we were talking about how Cath is going to die when her aunt comes down, remember?” Rosie told her brother.

“Oh yeah…..”

“I’m thirsty!” Nibs complained, “Why can’t Estella hurry up with those drinks?”

Caths head jerked up shakily, “ESTELLA?” She exclaimed.

“Oh, we didn’t tell you about that, did you?”

“About what?” Merry asked, his head jerking up.

“Nothing,” Rosie said sharply, “But could you go over to Bag End and get some pies or something, we’re hungry.”

“Oh, we have some stuff here -” Cath didn’t say anymore before Nibs clapped a hand over her mouth.

Merry looked at them suspiciously, “You guys are hiding something.”

“Just….go, Merry.”

Merry narrowed his eyes at Rosie, but walked out, whistling something that sounded painfully like one of FrodoÂ’s drinking songs.

“And don’t sing that song!” Frodo shouted after him.

“Okay, here it is. Estella saw you just as you collapsed and helped the boys bring you back from the road . Then there was…”

“Cake!” Nick exclaimed joyfully.

“A long talk, for those of us who didn’t raid the larder,” Rosie tutted, frowning at Nick, “Which resulted in Stella apologising most profusely.”

“We decided to sleep on it ‘till you came round.” Frodo shrugged, “Made more sense anyway.”

“Bess and Lilly wanted to forgive her, me and Rosie weren’t too sure, and the boys were no help,” Diamond sighed.

“I don’t care which way it goes, so long as there’s a cat-fight and I get to watch.” Nick said nonchalantly.

Before Cath could say anything, the door opened and Estella peered round, “Hi,” She said timidly, “I got the drinks.”

“Cath’s awake Estella,” Rosie said, a little tartly.

“Oh….hi Cath.” Cath waved from the bed.

“Are you gonna say what you think, Cath?” Nibs asked, now jogging Alex on his knee.

Cath snatched her brother from the lad (“Hey!”) and blinked up at Estella, “I *might* forgive you,” She said, and Frodo and Sam laughed, “If you give me a drink.”

“Of course!” Estella squealed like a little girl, and passed her a mug, kissing her on the forehead. “Hey, you guys, you do know that Merry is in Bag End, singing Frodo’s drinking song at the top of his voice? You know, the one about the pony and the cow…….”

“I think we all know which one.” Frodo interrupted quickly, “You haven’t told him then?” Estella shook her head sadly.

“What? Told him what? What’s been happening all the time?” Robin asked quickly.

“Estella’s still courting Olco.” Sam explained.

“STELLA!”

“You mean that horrible loud boy who runs for the miller?” Robin squeaked.

“He’s not horrid Robin.” Estella admonished.

“Yes he is,” Cath chipped in, “But Stell…. You remember the Party?”

Estella’s face turned a demure pink, “…Yes?”

“Well, me and Pippin couldn’t help listening to your little talk with Maisetta and Liana….”

“I think I need another drink,” Sam said quickly, slipping out the door, Rosie, Nibs and Nick following him. Bess squeaked something inaudible and jumped out the window.

“Cath,” Estella said firmly, “What are you talking about?”

“Well, I couldn’t help wanting to correct you on something…”

“I’m gonna tell Merry to hurry up with the food,” Frodo grinned and, with Lilly following him, practically sprinted out the door.

“About the person who actually was with you in the tent….”

“Come on Robin, let’s see what the other are up to..” Diamond grabbed a protesting Robin and dragged him out the door. She joined Frodo and Lilly behind the door.

“Mister Frodo?” Robin asked quietly, tugging on Frodo’s sleeve, “What’s going on…….”

Frodo opened his mouth.

“MERRY DID WHAT?!?!?!?!?!”

Frodo closed it again, “That. That’s whats going on.”

By the way, if anyone knows how to do italics here PLEASE tell me, ‘cos it would make my job a lot easier. Ok, bye!