Greetings all! I'm Shadowsanddreams and welcome to my Dresden world!

*lawyers stand up*

Shadowsanddreams-Quick! Roll disclaimer!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but Jane and Talin… and Fred the cat. The rest are the property of Jim Butcher the awesome author behind the Dresden Files. Oh! and Tinkerbell belongs to Disney. Other than that I am just a poor retch who has a love obsession with dark chocolate and Pepsi. Thanks for reading!

Now, on with the show!

Chap.1

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Deep in the tourist quadrant of Chicago, surrounded by impressive and overwhelming buildings, there was a house that was losing the test of time. The house was out of place in the new age meets gothic church area that it inhabited, but it was its position as an oddity that had drawn its new resident into staying in the deteriorating framework.

"Jane! Would you be a dear and get the door?" called a wrinkly old women. Her age could be anywhere from old to ancient with wispy white flyaway hair and the stubborn disposition to match the weathered house she lived in.

A woman paused while carrying a tower of boxes labeled JANE'S CLOTHS and JANES BOOKS. 'The door?' she thought. 'I didn't hear anyone-

A sharp rapping sounded from the front door. The old door was abused enough by Jane's less than docile disposition at times and this new assailant had the door shaking it in its frame.

"I got it!" she called back to the old women, wondering to herself 'How does she do that?!'

"You know, for a landlady you sure are a demanding little granny…" Jane called back, dusting herself off from cobwebs and God knows what that had died in her 'new' attic room.

"That's Granny Rose to you girl. For a young lady you sure seem to act more like a certain grandson of mine" she called back from what Jane called the Iron Kitchen, not for its sheen and expertise or state of the art gizmos, but because it wouldn't be out of place in the Iron Age…

Keeping clear of the piles of boxes Jane navigated her way to the rattling door.

"Merow!" growled the old women's cat catching one of Jane's legs in its attempt to get to the door first. The scruffy fur-ball probably wanted out again…

Stumbling toward the door, she checked though the warped glass that someone really was there. A tall dark figure was taking up most of the rickety porch and another shape moved just behind it, they had long coats that swept nearly to the ground obscuring any real gender cues and, was that a staff? Shaking her head, she removed her clauddagh and bell door ring, a charm from her mother and da, and opened the thick door. What she saw was not a welcome sight to say the least.

A quivering magical barrier was surrounding the house and all the average Joes just walked on by as a sword wielding, templar knight wannabe was winding up to slice her in half, and probably part of the door as well. You just gotta love the welcoming committee.

"Morgan! What the hell?!" came a man's voice from behind the hulking man. Hands grabbed for the sword and Jane dodged around its haphazard path, pulling off one of her earrings.

"Claíomh" she called focusing on the small dagger earring. Pulling up on her new sword, she slashed away the larger broad sword and threw in a kick her old Aikido master would have been proud of for good measure. What her master might not have appreciated was that in the process she sent the spinning blade right into her little moped.

Well that didn't work out very well… she thought turning back to the sprawled men that were now crushing the old women's tulips. The one with the staff recovered faster than the man called Morgan and she noticed that while standing on the porch she was just above eye level with him.

Well, I'll be… he's no shorty.

"Are you alright?" he asked, plain as any gentlemen would.

"Fine. No thanks to King Arthur over there. What the hell is wrong with you two?" she responded in kind.

"Morgan likes to jump the gun, I'm Harry Dresden and I'm the designated Warden of these parts" he said cracking a smile at her. His staff flared brightly, emphasizing his claim. Too bad Jane had authority issues.

"Well Sheriff, it's nice to meet y'all, right grand that you're here." Dropping her gaze to the sprawled man she continued, "Now get the hell out! I've had my exercise for the day and I don't want to come out and play," she said turning to Morgan as he stood.

"I'll take it from here Dresden. She reeks of Faerie magic, you can hear it in her voice. Look at her. She's one of their pets sent through by Winter no doubt. I won't have them sending their spies into our midst while there's a war with the Vampires," growled Morgan eying her.

Faerie? Maybe at one time but pixy dust washes out a lot easier then the stains she had from the Realm of Faerie…

"Look, I don't know what you're spouting but if you try that again you won't get a third chance at me."

"Morgan, you have no idea how to deal with women, do you?"

"Watch your mouth, Dresden I am your superior."

The Granny Rose's cat curled around her leg again and purred, but not at her. She followed the cats gaze to a vacant spot on the lawn. The crooked tree in the yard was looking healthier, particularly around the middle…

"Show yourself. You can't hide from me here" she said taking a defensive stance against the new intruder, calling up her barrier around the house behind her. If she didn't make it the old lady at least could.

"Sorry Padawan, you just failed your stealth test," called Dresden as a teenage girl appeared from behind her veil. The girl was just this side of punk but still a little shaken from the 'grown ups' exchange.

"Sorry, Harry."

"You can't win them all kid."

"Alright, this has been very educational," said Jane trying to keep all three in her line of vision. "I was better off with the Brits!" she muttered to herself deciding that the most hostile one deserved more of her attention. "Tell me what you want, so I can say no and you can leave," said Jane praying to the saints that they would just go so she could take a shower in peace. The cobwebs were making her want to sneeze and the grime was making her itch.

"We just came to meet the new spell caster that moved into our area. You Miss, seem to be a little behind the times," started Harry gently. "Wizards are at war with the Vampire Courts and the Fae courts have been underhandedly helping them by hindering our movements," he continued as though he were talking to a jumper instead of someone armed for a fight. He might have been trying to calm her down or stop her from pushing Morgan the sword swinger further than she had already. He kept an eye on the other man, as though she weren't a reasonable threat. It irked her to say the least.

Jane raised her sword to glide across his five o'clock shadow.

"Not to be blunt but get to the point."

"I'm a wizard; you're a new spell caster in the area… I was doing the neighborly thing by checking to see if you were being possessed by demons or in cahoots with the bad guys," he said as nonchalant as could be. A dark shadow seemed to pass over him as he continued "But if you are in league with them, I'll make sure to take care of you if it means keeping me and mine safe."

Be careful of this one Jane-girl. He's more than he seems…

"And I suppose the girl and this one are coming over, out of the kindness of their own hearts are they?" she countered slurring slightly back into her familiar sarcasm. Not a good idea when you're outnumbered on your own ground.

"The kid's with me and Morgan's just being his diplomatic self."

"Dresden!" warned Morgan clearly losing whatever composure he had.

"I told you Morgan, she's my responsibility. Remember, innocent until proven guilty?"

"Take your chances Dresden, some day it will catch up to you," he scoffed turning his back on them all. He was gone an instant after he stepped off her lawn and with him went the surrounding veil.

"Well, now that we got the attempt to murder each other out of the way, it's smooth sailing from here on out," said Harry leaning on his staff.

"Is he always this congenial?" Jane asked the girl.

"More or less," was the reply.

The door creaked and a wintry head poked out.

"Jane, don't be a rude girl, invite our guests in!"

"I believe proper introductions are in order, my name is Harry Dresden private Wizard for hire and this is my apprentice Molly Carpenter."

"Charmed."

"Molly?"

"No I mean she's charmed. She has charms on her," said Molly pointedly.

"Not a bad observation, Miss Carpenter," said Jane pulling down on her sleeve. No use giving away all her secrets… Turning away from them she shot a look from Granny Rose to the purring ball of fur in her arms. Looking back over her shoulder at them she sighed.

"I guess we had better take this inside then."

"You know, part of introducing yourself is you actually have to introduce yourself," said Harry as the old women stroked the cat and went to pull open the door. Harry held it open for her and she gave him a toothy grin as she went by.

"Such a nice boy" she chortled as she petted the cat. "You can wait in the den and I'll have pie for you all soon" she promised them with a wink.

"Yes, by all means, let's just invite the random strangers into the house!" said Jane rolling her eyes and followed the old women in.

"We're not strangers if we know each others names" called Harry after her. "Molly, keep your eyes open," he whispered as she hesitantly followed the older women.

Jane plopped herself down on a ragged sofa but she quickly got to her feet when she realized that Molly had no place to sit. It didn't seem so long ago that she had been an apprentice herself… That thought was quickly ended before it could go any further. The past was behind, the future lay ahead and what is happening now is all she should concentrate on. But by god if the girl didn't keep reminding her of how quickly a wizard, how she once had had to become acquainted with the world around her or suffer for any knowledge she lacked. Jane's eyes narrowed. If the past was to be learned from, she knew all too well that nothing is as it appears. A little test would tell her how careful the girl was and if she really was what she seemed, a green horn apprentice.

"Molly Carpenter, you may have my seat," she said pointedly. She flinched at the mention of her first name. The girl gave her an odd look and her gaze darted over to Harry for permission. Harry nodded slightly and she took her seat hesitantly. She had an old Irish name then, Jane thought warmly. Then I know I'll feel sorry for this she thought mentally bracing herself. With that Jane locked gazes with the nervous girl and with a jolt she was no longer in her home.

Soul gazing was not something she enjoyed but she had to know what manner of people she had under her roof. Especially considering how powerful her guardian was and the girls obvious potential.

A sharp intake of breath was all she was allotted once the gaze was broken but Jane had seen enough. An angel with wings of light and a sword had stopped her from prying too deep. The outline of a little girl had stood behind him, pigtails sticking out from behind his wing was all that she was allowed to see before she was back in the den staring at the girl's doe eyes.

"Was that necessary?" demanded Harry slamming his staff down as he stood to face them.

"The best way to tell what kind of people we have under our roof," was Jane's reply as she turned back to Molly's teacher. His anger surprised her, soul gazing however unpleasant made perfect sense. No one could hide behind glamour or pretend to be something they weren't.

"Sounds like flippant faerie bull to me," he shot back as Molly sat slowly as if still in a dream.

"I'm not a damn Faerie, Seelie or Unseelie!" flared Jane back.

Never was one to hold back in a fight…

"Then tell us exactly what you are, because you're no Plain Jane. Since we don't even know for sure what you name actually is!" he countered exasperated.

Jane's eyes flashed dangerously.

"You can shut your mouth Harry Potter, boy wizard. Do you hand out your name to just anyone?"

The sharp voice of her mother came to her and in her mind; she was yelling at her to be careful, even the glowing symbols on Harry's staff were agreeing that going any further was not wise. Then again, when had she ever listened to what she was told?

"Names have power in the Realm of Faerie. You were there so long, you won't even give us your first name" interjected Molly waking from her daze.

"Smart. I won't give my name from my own lips to just anyone. A lesson to you from one who wandered those fields for a time. Your name is your life, share it with those you trust most to keep it safe."

"Sounds like you're more fae in your tendencies than human" grumbled Harry.

"The clans of Ireland were always close to the Fair Folk, me especially. Then again, you would be too if you were raised with them," said Jane keeping her eyes from locking with his. She wasn't sure she wanted to know his soul just yet.

"Raised? You're a changeling?" guessed Molly.

"Wrong side of the story. Try again."

"Molly, what Disney and the Grimm Brothers don't tell us is what happens to the human kids who are taken from their cribs," said Harry taking a seat again. The couch creaked in protest, but that's all it ever did. "The trick with the fae is getting a straight answer kid. They don't lie but they are pros at twisting things" he continued twisting his staff in his hand. The implication was not lost on Jane.

"Fine, you still don't believe that I'm not at least part fae? Then I'll just have to prove it to you" said Jane tossing up her hands to heaven to save her from the fools in her den. "I am a faerie that can tell lies; I enjoy blueberry pies and steel toed boots."

"You told a half truth" said Molly carefully noticing the slight tightening of the skin around her jaw and around the eyes.

"Lying is not something I am used to doing. Old habits die hard but if I were fae I could not have said that."

"And about your parents… a strait, clearly human answer this time," said Harry.

"I am my mother's daughter, the daughter of a witch and my father the Summer Knight. Both were human, because they are both long dead now" she said focusing on not glaring directly into his eyes. By God it was hard to do without eye contact!

The effect was not what she had intended. Harry looked away for a moment and his hand went to clasp something under his duster. A medallion? she wondered.

"So you were used by Summer in the past?" he asked. Jane paused considering him for a moment.

"They say time passes differently in their Realm. I wandered the Realm until I found a way out. I have no intention of serving Summer or Winter. That alone cost me. The last time I was here this house was new and some still believed in magic" she replied firmly.

"Vague and cryptic Jane Fae" accused Harry. "You didn't tell us if you were serving them, only that you didn't intent to serve one of them."

"I am not, never was, never will be under the order, care or servitude of any Court and there is no way in hell I would serve any Queen of Summer! Satisfied Dresden?" she spat. Her pronunciation of his last name was different but he didn't react in the slightest. Not the right sequence then she thought. It wasn't likely that she would discover his full true name, especially with a name like Harry. No doubt an English name…

"Well you have one less evil queen to deal with. I killed Aurora Queen of the Summer and now I have Mab on my back" he told her suggesting "and you have problems?"

Shock registered in her, but years (or was it centuries?) of conditioned responses to powerful and merciless fae kept her reactions to a minimum. But only just.

"I guess I owe you thanks then. She killed my father I hear," said Jane swallowing hard on nothing.

"You must have been gone awhile because the Knight I saw was an old man" he said calmly.

"Time runs differently in their world, you ought to know that."

"What happened to your mother?" asked Molly innocently.

Of course, only natural to ask after the mother after knowing what happened to my da…

"Pies are ready my dearies!" called Granny Rose from the kitchen coming in with a tray that seemed impossible for her to lift, filled with three kinds of pies, plates and silverware.

'Thank you timely interruption!' thought Jane clearing a space on the coffee table beside her. Harry looked as though he wanted to get an answer out of her but decided that some things were better left as they were. Of that she was grateful.

On the table there was blueberry, raspberry rhubarb and meat pie laid out on the tray. Helping himself to the raspberry rhubarb Harry handed a piece to Molly then went for the blueberry himself.

"Thank you" said Molly politely, but she began to push around the fruit rather than eat it.

"She knows not to eat faerie food" commented Jane approvingly. "I wouldn't feed you cursed food. If I wanted you gone I'd curse you myself and get it over with. Making someone eat something to be cursed is a waste of time" continued Jane as she began to attack her own berry delight.

The room was silent except for the tea pot screeching for attention in the Iron Kitchen and Granny Rose's little bipolar cat who was making circuits in an attempt to be constantly petted .

"Good to know" commented Harry eying his pie.

"If you don't want it, I'll eat it" said Jane stealing some of the blueberries from the bottom on the pie tin.

"Actually, I-"

"Harry!" said Molly suddenly. Her eyes were on the large grandfather clock that crouched in the corner of the den.

"Hmmm?"

"We were supposed to meet Murphy an hour ago."

"Hells bells! She's probably got a search team out for the Blue Beetle by now" he said setting down his tray and standing quickly.

The cat chose that time to rub against Jane's leg and dash towards the door again.

"Not again" she said to herself.

"Jane, would you like to get the door or should I?" asked Granny Rose collecting the dishes.

"I'll get it" she muttered standing.

"We can show ourselves out"

"Not you."

A knock sounded at the door. This one was firm but polite.

"Them."

Slipping by Harry, avoiding the haphazard boxes and keeping clear of the cat she saw the clear outline of a small blonde on the door step. The blonde's hand was raised to knock again when Jane pulled open the door.

"Can I help you?" she asked the startled women.

"My name is Karen Murphy; I'm with the Chicago Police Department. I-" started Murphy flashing her badge.

"You've been expected" Jane said mysteriously. A little mystic goes a long way. Maybe it would reduce the amount of callers…

"I have?"

"Dresden, your ride's here" she called over her shoulder.

Harry came up behind her and spotted Murphy over her head.

"Murph, sorry about that. I lost track of time…"

"Sure you did. I had half the force looking for you because you call up and say you need to 'go check something out.' 'Official Council Business.' I saw your car keeping the curb company and there was a report of a man carrying a sword" she continued as though Jane wasn't there. "So I came to make sure you weren't neck high in trouble" she finished finally taking note of Jane.

Jane raised an eyebrow at the cop's size and apparent lack of any kind of ferociousness that had prompted Harry to jump at the mention of her name. Nothing is what it seems in the Faerie Realm, maybe their was more to the little Barbie that met the eye… This warranted a little investigation and some mischief.

"So, you're Murphy" she said being sure to eye the blonde up and down.

"And you are?" asked Murphy visibly bristling.

"No one to be concerned about. Do you work with Harry?" she asked testing their bond to see what kind it was.

"He works as a consultant for my department when we have an unusual case," was her crisp reply.

"Like the one you have now? Does the time seem off in this case?" asked Jane offhandedly guessing at what Morgan's reaction to her had implied.

Murphy's eyes widened. Points for mysticism.

"Harry, is she…"

"A Fortune Teller? Mind Reader? Crazy?" supplied Jane grinning impishly. Some habits just couldn't be broken.

"-like you?" she finished awkwardly.

"Something like that," said Harry glancing between the two of them.

"How did she-"

"Harry, could we move this to a more neutral place? Too many people are showing up at my door today wouldn't you say? Is Mac's still standing?" she interrupted noting the quiet air around them.

"That sounds like a good idea. She sounds like she could help us on your case. Come on Murph, I'll buy you a drink," said Harry looking around the yard.

"Is this really necessary?" asked Murphy turning to Jane.

"For any exchange conditions must be met. This is one of mine, we talk on neutral ground or we don't talk at all."

Murphy's gaze went from Jane to Dresden.

"Exchange?"

"Of information. It's a fae thing. We should listen to what she has to say. She's the expert on this kind of beastie," said Harry.

"You might want to get changed then. We can meet you there," said Murphy pulling out her car keys.

"It will only take a second," said Jane springing through the door. "Wait there!"

"But-"

"It's no use Murph, she makes the lost boys look tame and has Tinkerbell's attitude."

Dashing up past Molly she winked at the girl and flitted out of site.

"Harry, mom wants me back for dinner," she said pulling his attention away from Murphy for a moment.

"But we still have-"

"Done!" Jane called stepping back through the door she had left only moments ago. She had a dark and sliming red trench coat on with what would be considered fashionable boots, if they weren't a pair of black riding boots from times long past. No only were her cloths clean, but so was her hair and face. She had kept her dagger earrings and pulled her hair into a bun with a set of long metal chopsticks.

"Impressive," whistled Harry. Murphy frowned, but with her pretty face it was more of a pout.

So that's how it is, Jane thought glancing over at them.

"Let's go before someone else decides to welcome me to the neighborhood," said Jane linking arms with Murphy. The abrasive cop didn't know what to make of the women on her arm so she allowed herself to be pulled along to see what she would do next.

As they turned to go through the gate the sun fell behind the buildings turning the sky flame red.

"Well, looks like we'll have to make a detour. Charity may come after me with a mace if I keep her first born out too late," said Harry following the suns decent in the sky.

"We can wait here," said Jane looking over at his car on the sidewalk. The color scheme from here was blue, red and a green hood making it look more like an stolen artists car than a wizards.

"See you in a few," called Harry pulling away. With a wave out the window from Molly, Harry took off leaving some oil and exhaust in their wake. Jane stared doubtfully after them and quirked an eyebrow at Murphy.

"I hate it too," said Murphy as they drove off in the clunking metal beast.

"So, you know about the Fair Folk. You are spoken of on the other side as the Lady Knight of Chicago. You must have made an impression on that old goat from Summer."

"How did you hear about that?"

"The same way I found out about Mac's tavern," she replied picking up the cat from the steps and putting him inside.

"You don't give an inch do you?"

"Actually I'll give you all the room you want. Let's head over to your car, so I can remember what a real car is supposed to look like," said Jane striding down the steps and over to the gate.

"I see why you drive Harry crazy," said Murphy following the contrary women. "Do you always do that?"

"No, sometimes I sleep,"

Rolling her eyes Murphy leaned against her Mustang, a loaner while the mechanic worked on hers.

"So I don't get any answers at all until we're on neutral territory."

Jane grinned at her.

Now remember kids, this is my first story so flame if you must but know that Pepper, my fire breathing dragon will exact revenge if they aren't constructive.

Till next time!

Shadowsanddreams