(A/N)- Sorry this has been so slow and short - honestly I'm afraid of ruining it. I realized I had this one pretty much done so I figured I should just post it. Thank you so much for the reviews! Enjoy! :)

-Choice-

"She thinks I'm going to be her tutor. Did you tell her to ask that of me?"

"No, of course not, I –"

"What did you tell her about me?"

Imogen shrugged, "Only that we worked together … and that you were a witch too."

"That's all?" Constance asked.

Imogen nodded firmly, "I don't expect you to come with us, Constance. I hope you know that. I've already spoken with Miss Nightingale about giving her private lessons …"

"Miss Nightingale?" Constance asked, feeling suddenly threatened.

"Yes, she's the new drama teacher at Cackle's."

"Drama …" Constance scoffed, "Hardly seems qualified to teach magick."

"Constance …"

"So you're sending her to Cackle's then?" Constance asked skeptically, "Would Amelia allow that, at her age?"

"We're living at Cackle's." Imogen clarified, "Miss Cackle's offered me a job; I take over next semester when Miss Swoop transfers schools."

"Have you lost your mind?" Constance hissed, "If Mistress Broomhead-"

"What choice have I got?" Imogen snapped, "Was I supposed to ask if Grace and I might join you as you live life on the run?"

Constance fell silent, her lips pursed as she looked away, wringing her fingers in agitation.

"You say that … as if I had a choice."

"You did have a choice." Imogen insisted, "You could've stayed with me, with us, and you fled. You had me questioning myself for years, that perhaps I was wrong, that Grace might've been Serge's, and I could've been with him and had the family I've always wanted but you …" she laughed humorlessly through her tears, "You, Constance, you don't think about anyone but yourself."

Constance stared back at her, tears in her eyes.

"And don't you dare pretend like you care about Grace's safety now," she seethed, "If you were really worried, you'd have been there for her years ago."

"I didn't want to lead her to you," Constance explained, "Broomhead is always one step behind me. It's only a matter of time now before she figures it out."

"I'll take my chances," Imogen replied bitterly as she turned to leave.

Constance grabbed her wrist suddenly, glancing over at Grace as she peered over at them. She'd been watching them the entire time, but Constance had made certain to cast a soundproof bubble around herself and Imogen.

"You can't let her out of your sight. Not for one second. Leaving her in the courtyard like that … you're lucky she wasn't taken."

Imogen looked over at Grace, suddenly feeling uneasy.

"She can't be left out of your sight, ever again. If Hecketty knows …"

"Come with us."

"What?"

"That's not a request, that's an order." Imogen stated firmly, looking up at her with steely eyes, "If you can't do it for me, do it for her. I can't keep her safe anymore. Not by myself."

Constance released Imogen's wrist, "I … I'll have to give at least two week's notice … and there's no place for me at Cackle's. Not anymore. Unless you want me to be the girl's tutor?"

Imogen sighed, "Grace suggested that, not me. Anyway, it just so happens, Miss Cackle needs a new potions teacher. She's been covering classes for the past semester."

"Who's been teaching charms?"

"She's been teaching both. Sometimes she and Miss Nightingale take turns."

Constance rolled her eyes, feeling slightly threatened by this teacher whom she hadn't met yet, but she quickly shook it off with a sigh. "Amelia could've called me."

"She didn't want to bother you."

Constance looked out across the yard at Grace, who was watching the two curiously.

"Mummy?" Grace called, and Constance's heart skipped a beat until she realized Grace was calling to Imogen.

"Coming, sweetie," Imogen answered back, "Think it over and let me know," she said under her breath to Constance, their gaze meeting in a quick glance before she strode out across the yard and took her daughter's hand … their daughter.

Constance willed herself to look away but Grace caught her gaze and she found herself caught in it. The girl offered the faintest of smiles before they walked out of sight.

(A/N)- REVIEWS! please? be nice. ;p