Hey, people, I am back! And I am late. Very late. I said I'd have it up in a week. That did not happen. I apologize, my bad. I am not going to go into the why and just leave it at some family stuff has gone on, school, laziness, and writer's block. This chapter is the Empress and I have decided to focus on Alma Dray in this one. This takes place right after the move. And on last note: I have not, nor will I, abandon this story. Life just gets in the way sometimes, I expect many of you can relate. I will try to have the next chapter, The Emperor, up in another week or two. Do not expect during the week as it is finals week, though it is a possibility, just not a strong one. And that is it for this AN. Please review. Enjoy.

The Empress

She should not trust him. He had lied to her, yelled at her, and threatened her. She should be keeping her distance, telling him to stay as far away as possible. But, no. She strolled right next to him, listening closely as he explained more on magic to her.

He was not the same person she had met in Las Vegas. The FBI detective she had met had been rude, oblivious, and dismissive at times, only excepting her help after she had pinned him down at a bar, and even then he didn't back her up when they were searching the apartment, and even saying she had been the fifth horsemen and was hindering the case. Though he did allow his true self to seep through at times. He admitted to having fun with her terrible attempts at a card trick on the plane, he listened intently to her explain her findings on the Eye to him, and believed him at 5 Pointz and followed her, opposite the way the squads were going.

She had learned the truth about him after the case was through. She sits on her usually spot, reading her usual newspaper, on a bench in her favorite spot in Paris, the Pont des Arts. She opens her paper to find a much older, not French newspaper article on Lionel Shrike, a magician that drowned during his act in a river in New York years ago. He appears next to her then. Dylan Rhodes, or, as he reveals himself to be, Dylan Shrike, explains how he had spent years setting up the entire case, he had planned everything done by the Four Horsemen out. He had done it to get revenge on those that wronged him and killed his father. Tressler, Credit Republican, Elk Horn, Bradly, all of it was his grandest act. His way, and the Eyes' way, of evening the scales of justice.

She should have left, should have reported him. She didn't. Instead she agreed to keep his secret. She doesn't know what she was thinking at the time, but she doesn't regret it. She doesn't know what made her trust him, but she does. He was trying to right the wrongs committed against people. He hated those who exploited others, he had told her that not long after meeting. He didn't hid that. He was trying to help people, he was stopping those that took advantage of those who couldn't protect themselves. He wasn't trying to hurt her, and he would not. She knew he wouldn't hurt her as they tossed the key into the river. Another secret to keep.

Now, here she was, leading him through the streets of her city. This Dylan was not the FBI Detective she had met. This Dylan's grip was gentle and tender, a soft smile graced his lips. This Dylan saw the world in a way she hadn't known. He saw potential, he saw possibilities. This Dylan had a sense of humor, this Dylan was intelligent, and wasn't a show off. He listened to her talk and showed really interest in her and what she thought. He never talked down to her, never insulted her, and never threatened her. This was a different person.

She led him a large park not far from the center of Paris, Parc Montsouris, and to the small lake in it. She sat down on a sloped hill, looking towards the lake. Dylan joined her after a moment. She leaned back and listened to the birds in the trees and watched the swans float by peacefully in the water. The sound of cars, trains, and people could heard in the distance. This was about as peaceful and secluded as you got in Paris, though it was still pleasant. She told him of how she had been coming there as long as she could remember. When she was a teen, she would sketch the trees, or the flowers, or the wildlife in her spare time. She had even spent afternoons studying in this park. She had always came there when she needed a break from the world. He didn't laugh or poke fun as she thought he might, instead he said it was a nice spot and gets why she'd come here. It was beautiful park and quiet place. You can't spend all of your days running around, sometimes you need to take a break and just enjoy the peace.

They stayed there for quite some time. She tell him about the park, about Paris, about her. He'd share more on him, what he could on the Eye, and even told her a bit on the Horsemen, who were currently hiding out somewhere in the American Midwest. Apparently the FBI isn't just going to let them go despite Bradly being locked in a cell and awaiting trial. She tried to teach him a little French, laughing when he was stumble on some of the basics on purpose. He showed her more card tricks, even trying to teach her how to do some. He had taught her the mechanics to doing the 'Is This Your Card?' trick she had tried to do on the plane ride that felt so long ago. She proved to be a rather capable student.

Soon the sun had fallen, and the street lamps were lighting up around them. They stood and Dylan offered her his arm. She smiled and linked hers with his and leaned on his shoulder as he lead her though the park. He led her through the brightly lit streets. They walked slow, enjoying the atmosphere of that the city seemed to naturally give off on nights such as that. It almost felt like nothing else mattered at that moment. As she leaned on his shoulder, she felt more at peace than she had in a long time.

She grinned, "La foi peut déplacer des montagnes."

And that is it for this chapter. I hope you liked it. Sorry for such a long delay. I will try to get The Emperor up as soon as I can. Expect a week or two. Please review. Later.