I took a deep breath, and touched the scrying mirror. Immediately I felt the dark, swirling energy of the ever after, as though I had never been away. I could do this, and readied myself to speak, when my stomach lurched as I felt the connection to the collective and Al's grouchy voice came through, missing its trademark British accent

"What? What now? Can't you just leave me in peace?"

"Al? Al, its me, Rachel"

A low growl seemed to vibrate through me, and I felt a chill wash over me, as though Al was trying to curse me through the connection.

"Of course you are, did Newt put you up to this? I swear by Bartholomew's balls…..

There was a pause, and then

"Rachel? Holy mother of….you're alive? Don't move!"

And a pop, as the connection snapped and I felt a wind blow through the church and the smell of burnt amber assaulted my nostrils with its pungent aroma, reeking but underneath all that, a familiarity and almost….homely?!

Before I could even begin to assess my crazy brain, and believe me, a shrink would probably have a holiday on that one, Al popped into existence.

Standing there in my kitchen, he cut a magnificent figure and, even though I knew this conversation/argument was going to be challenging at best, I still had to pause and admire him.

"Rachel Marianna Morgan. I still can't decide whether to kill you or kiss you" Al smiled, a dark smile full of teeth, sort of how I imagine the big bad wolf looked at grandma that time, and before I registered Oh shit he isn't up to the kissing part- he had launched forward and grabbed me by the shoulder, gripping me hard and pulling me into him.

I tried to drop down and sweep his feet out but he kept a tight grip, so hard that his fingers dug painfully into the bone

"Al, you're hurting me" I said, struggling as he started to drag me across the kitchen floor. He stopped short, and turned to face me, looking very serious.

"You think this hurts? Just you wait my little itchy witch, you ain't seen nothing yet!"

And without another word, he jumped us both across the lines, something I had said I wasn't letting him do.

Way to go, Rach. Now you're trapped in the ever after with a very pissed off Al. I felt strangely disconnected, and more than a bit worried. "Al – what are you playing at? I called you, didn't I? There was no need for any of this!" I felt his annoyance, and behind all that, a surge of worry, and the tiniest bit of happiness. "No my eternally exasperating witch, there was no need for any of that. We will discuss this momentarily, so be quiet."

I was dumped unceremoniously on my ass in Al's apartments. As I sat up, I noticed what a mess the place was looking. I turned around, Al was sat in a chair, legs crossed and peering down the end of his nose at me. He looked sort of older, this must have been my imagination as Al could transform at will and would not bother to age, but none the less, perhaps I should try something nicer, so I pasted on a bright smile and said "Hi Al. Nice to see you". His expression turned to a small smile, and then hastily rearranged itself to become a frown. "Hi Al! Is that all you have to say! I thought you were dead! Were you anyone else, I would have turned you over to Ku'sox in part payment for your misdeeds. I hope you have something ever-shattering to explain yourself but I must warn you if not, then I will have no option but to fry your little brain and use you as a shining example if what happens when….STUDENT!"

I had, of course, wandered off by this time and was handling a bizarre looking ornate plaque, with black gems studded around the edges, and slots for more gems to fit in. I held it up "What's this for?"

He crossed the room with startling speed and snatched it out of my hand, before pinning my hands behind me with one of his

Great, twice in two minutes, Rach. What the hell is wrong with you? If Jenks could see me, he would laugh me right out of the church! But the truth was, I knew Al wasn't going to hurt me. He leaned over me, and while I could have kicked him or done something, I chose to use the moment to try and explain.

"Al, I was hurt. Trent offered me the bangle and I…" "The elf! I knew it! I'm getting straight down to his compound and I'll finish what I started" "no, listen, he helped me, and I chose to take it off and speak to you, its about…" "I don't care what its about, do you have any idea what I have had to deal with? Its been hell thinking you were dead, and I brought you straight here to sort out some of your mess! I am paying Ku'sox off because of your leaking line, I am broke! Newt has Pierce, and I had nothing! But now you are here and so help me, you will rectify these mistakes!"

As he went through this, I softened, then sat upright, Pierce was alive! Well, if Newt had him maybe that was questionable too but at least that's something. I looked at Al as he glared at me, waiting for me to speak but all I could feel was a gentle pulsation running through me, and I was searching myself to find the source. Suddenly, Al leaned further into me, so his face hovered right above mine and his goat-slitted eyes stared right through me. I realised, I could feel Al! His emotions were running that strong, I could seem to feel them, anger, worry, and overwhelming happiness, but mostly I felt heat. I peeked between us, and Al was very happy to be next to me! I looked into his eyes again, and he relaxed his hold a bit, but pulled me roughly into him, resting his head on top of mine. My voice caught, as I said "I missed you too, Al"