Dedicated to Thunderhoof.

Okay, so I said I wouldn't do it lol! but here is part Three in the Scarlett/Mouse series. This episode will cover the relationship between Father and Mouse in a more deep way. Also, Scarlett and Mouse deal with their inner demons together.

Soft candlelight flickered around the eclectic cave room. Odd pieces of machinery lay neatly around on shelves carved into the walls. A neatly made bed couch designed of tapestries, blankets and some furs made one end of the room inviting. The other side was a table covered in bolts, nuts, and tools. A young woman sat in a rocking chair at one end of the room, her bright hair shining in the candles, her blue eye and brown eye focused on the knitting in her hands. A tall slim young man sat at the desk, bent over his most recent invention.

"It- not -working, Scarlett." Mouse frowned at the pile of machinery in front of him. "Just stays-stuck." His curly hair fell into his eyes as he leaned down to pick up a wrench. "Just - not going -to come off." He tugged at a bolt on the small machine with all his strength.

Scarlett, his copper-haired new bride, laughed and came to stand beside him. "Hand it over Mouse and I shall help you." Mouse laughed and laid down the wrench. He looked up into her smiling face and snickered. "How much help - are you - to be? If Mouse - cant get - apart, how are -you?"

Scarlett stuck out her lower lip in a pout. "Mouse are you mocking me?" He laughed and tried to tickle her. She shrieked and ran away. He ran after her and in seconds, they were laughing and chasing each other around the room. Mouse, who was much quicker than Scarlett, managed to grab her and pin her to the wall. Mouse wasn't rough, but the feeling of being trapped snapped something inside her and she cowered against the wall. Mouse frowned. He pulled her away from the wall. "Scarlett - okay? Mouse not mean-to scare you?"

She shook her head and forced herself to wrap her arms around him. "I'm sorry, Mouse. I'm sorry."

"Mouse sorry." Mouse rested his chin on top of her head and rubbed her back.

He felt her shake her head. "No, Mouse. I know you wont hurt me. Just for a moment, all I could think of was him."

Mouse's jaw twitched as he thought of him. Paracealcus. The bane of the world Below. Scarlett had spent some time in his underground world and seemed to have never been quite the same. His brow furrowed in thought. Mouse loved Scarlett. The idea of such memories tormenting her bothered him. It had caused some tense moments in their new life together and he silently sorrowed that their marriage would always be haunted. But he knew in his heart that he had married her, aware of all the sorrows she carried. From their days on the streets together, to her time recuperating from her injuries in the lower Tunnels, to their dating days in the Main tunnels. He knew he was marrying a shattered bride. But wasnt that fitting? He was always going above to find pieces of this and that, and making something new. "Mouse fix it." He said firmly. "Scarlett?"

She looked up at him, resting her chin on his chest. "Yes, Mouse?"

"Scarlett, all will - be okay. Mouse know - you hurt- and Mouse want you- know he will - always love you - and never hurt Scarlett - ever."

Scarlett sighed and nodded. "I know Mouse. I just wish I could bury my past somewhere and never have it come flashing up before me. I know you wouldn't hurt me, Mouse. I really do. Its just, sometimes, I see him again and it knocks me for a whirl." She reached up and took his face in her hands. "Mouse, please help me. I love you, and I don't want our marriage ever to hurt because of my past."

Mouse smiled kindly. "Mouse never let that happen."

Scarlett smiled back. "Can I have that kiss now?"

ALITTLEWHILELATER

"And that, my dear Vincent, is how you win a chess game." Father set down his Knight and leaned back in his chair, a smug smile on his calm face. Scarlett laughed at Mouse's expression of confusion and brought more tea to fill his cup. "Mouse, I have yet to see anyone that can beat Father. Other than Vincent," she added as the gentle lion like man strode into the library. Catherine was at his side.

"Scarlett, that is clever deduction," Vincent laughed. "Mouse, I must predict many more losses if you wish to play against Father. He is very good."

Mouse shook his head. "Mouse good with wrench -screwdriver. Not good with Knight and - what called a - Rook?"

Scarlett put an arm around his shoulder. "Well, good then. I married a handyman, not a chess competitor."

Mouse pinched her nose and she playfully swatted him.

Father stood. "Hi Catherine. Welcome again." He gave her a fatherly hug. "Is everything okay?"

Catherine smiled. "Yes. I came down to spend some time here. We just finished a huge case and I got Nancy's- Scarlett's files squared away. Its only a few weeks till Christmas, and I wanted to see if Mary needed any supplies for the dinner."

Father smiled wisely. "I'm sure she would appreciate that, Catherine. Scarlett, would you mind seeing if any more wax is needed for the helper's candles?"

Scarlett nodded. "Yes, Father!" She hurried away, with Catherine, leaving the men alone. Father sighed and sat back down in his chair and began to stir sugar into his tea. "So, my boy. How is married life?"

Mouse thoughtfully rearranged the chess pieces. "Mouse - not sure. She is amazing." His eyes lit up and he smiled up at Vincent. "Shes beautiful - kind - loving." His face darkened and he frowned.
"Whats wrong then?" Father asked kindly.

Mouse twisted his hands. "Well, Scarlett - is haunted."

Vincent laid a hand on the young man's shoulder. "You mean about - the past?"

Mouse nodded quickly. He stood quickly and turned his back to the men. Father and Vincent looked at each other, unsure what to do. Mouse turned back toward them, anger plastered on his normally calm face, fists clenched. Fierce tears burned in his usually gentle eyes. "And when - Scarlett- is afraid- and crying - makes Mouse-want kill-those men!"

Father felt so sorry for Mouse. He knew from his many years of seeing life pass by that this was hard for Mouse. He remembered when Mouse himself had first come Below. He was jumpy, didn't talk much, and was such a nervous wreck, that Father was really hard on him. Mostly because he didn't know what to do with him, or how to help Mouse. He stood and embraced the younger man in a tight hug. "Love her through it Mouse. Time heals everything."

Mouse nodded. "Thank you Father."