Chapter Two

Adjusting

The next morning The Pie Maker woke before his darling Phoebe and decided to treat her to a nice breakfast, before the two of them talked about what Ned had revealed the night before. While Phoebe seemed to be taking the news, that The Pie Maker could bring things back to life with a single touch, well. It was hard to tell what she really thought, until after what The Pie Maker had said could really have a chance to sink in.

As Ned finishes up the simple breakfast of toast and eggs, he can hear Phoebe yawn behind him, as she steps into the kitchen. When he turns to her, smiling, she is still in her pajamas.

"Good morning, beautiful."

Phoebe smiles back as she rubs her eyes.

"Good morning. You know you didn't have to make breakfast."

Ned shrugs as he places the eggs and toast on to two plates.

"It's okay. I enjoy cooking. Plus you make breakfast every morning, so after the shock I gave you last night I felt like I owed you a nice breakfast."

"Honey, you don't owe me anything. I mean other than maybe an explanation of why you kept a secret from me since we started seeing each other."

Ned sighs softly as he sits the plates onto the table, along with two cups of coffee, before sitting across from Phoebe.

"You're absolutely right. I shouldn't have kept this from you. I just wanted to be normal."

Phoebe laughs softly.

"Ned you are not normal. You are better than that, and the fact you have a gift that allows you to bring closure to families of murder victims and give them justice is even better. Most people would avoid using that gift at all costs, but you've found something to do with it, that's truly good."

Ned nods as he looks up from his plate to Phoebe, sheepishly.

"So you aren't mad that I kept this from you."

"I didn't say that. I am a little aggravated that you waited this long to tell me. But I do understand why you did."

"And I do have to ask that you don't tell anyone else."

"Who else knows?"

"Only Emerson. But he found out because I caught a robber he was chasing. When the guy fell off the roof he bounced off the dumpster he landed on and basically flow into me."

Phoebe nods and looks down at the plate of food in front of her. While she isn't very hungry she does eat a bit of the food.

"Okay."

"I'm sorry to rush your thought process on this issue, but are you okay with all this?"

Phoebe nods, looking back to Ned.

"I will be. Eventually. I still need a little time to process it, but I don't think that it will be a problem. There is no reason for it to be."

Ned nods and finishes up his meal and starts cleaning up his things.

"I need to get to the shop to help Olive open. Are you still up for helping out today?"

"Of course, I always help you on Wednesdays. All the classes are covered this evening so we're all set."

Ned kisses Phoebe on the head as he exits the kitchen after putting the dishes in the sink, as he heads out to the shop.

"Good. I will see you later. I love you.

"I love you too."

Phoebe doesn't eat much more before cleaning up her things and starting on the dishes from that mornings breakfast, before heading down to The Pie Hole to help with the shop. Even though she just helps to make some pies that will be frozen before they are cooked and served in the following days or that weekend. Either way, Phoebe was always more than happy to help with the shop. Ned had tried to help with the studio, sadly that experience ended with Ned being covered in drywall dust, after the piece he was hanging fell on top of him.

When Phoebe got down to the shop there was only a few older people their enjoying their morning coffee and reading that morning's paper. She could see Ned in the back of the shop rolling out some dough. When Phoebe walks into the kitchen area Ned glances up momentarily, focused on the pie he is working on.

"Hey, You're down sooner than I thought you would be."

He stands up straight dusting his hands off.

"I figured the sooner we got started the more pies we could get done."

"Very true. I like your thinking."

Ned smiles and places his hands on Phoebe's hips, as she walks up to him. Giving her a quick kiss before the two get started on a what should be a long day of pie making.

As the morning goes on and the two continue to make and freeze a couple dozen pies, that will be used during the busy weekend hours, while Olive works the floor of The Pie Hole. However, what should be a peace afternoon is broken a few hours in, by Emerson rushing into the pie shop, looking for Ned. Ned takes notice to Emerson's clearly stressed behavior.

"Emerson, what is it?"

"We have a case and there is a time crunch on it if we want the reward."

Phoebe looks over at Emerson, from the fridge, as he is now in the doorway to the kitchen.

"If you two are working on a case I want to come with you two."

Emerson looks at Ned a little annoyed.

"Did you tell her?"

Ned smiles and cringes.

"Maybe."

"What maybe, you either told her or you didn't."

"Yes, I told her, but it was time for her to know. But no you cannot come on the case with us."

Ned shakes his head as he looks over at Phoebe, taking off his apron.

"And why not?"

"It's dangerous?"

Emerson rolls his eyes.

"Is that a statement or a question."

"It's dangerous."

"And I'll have you there to protect me if need be. But I don't think I will."

"First dead girl now her. You clearly have a type. A type that likes to get on my nerves."

Emerson turns and exits the shop as Ned and Phoebe follow. Ned sighs, clearly unhappy that Phoebe determination to go.

"Really Phoebe you can't go."

Phoebe looks around and sighs, before speaking in a hushed tone.

"Ned, I just learned that you can bring people back to life. Not only that, but that you brought an ex girlfriend back as well. The only way I am going to be able to understand this, is to see how it works. That, and from what I've heard in the past five minutes Chuck went on cases with you."

Ned sighs and nods.

"Okay, but if there is any sign of trouble or danger you leave right away. Okay?"

"Okay, fine, deal."

Ned knows that this agreement won't stick. Phoebe was too stubborn to leave Ned alone in a dangerous situation, but this at least made him feel a little better for the time being.