Deep Slumber

Teleportation: Seattle, USA/Florence, Italy

Pete's eyes widened at the mention of his lover's name:

"What was it?"

"He was fighting with our bad guy when he was pricked; I bagged the artifact, but it didn't work!"

Myka was, as always, pensive:

"But why call us instead of the Warehouse?"

"Because I have a theory. In the original fairytale, the effects of the curse are neutralized by a true love's kiss."

"So you want me to get down to Italy?"

"Yes."

"And what about your bad guy?" – The bookish agent inquired.

"Out for the count. For about four hours."

"Tesla?"

"Etta James' Microphone. Makes music come to life. So 'Dream a little Dream' has a tranquilizer-like effect."

"Okay, how am I going to get to Italy in less than four hours?"

"Do you trust me?"

"Yes."

"Then do exactly as I say. Myka, you know Italian, right?"

"Yes, but what that has to do with anything?"

"Pete, give the Farnsworth over to her." – The vibe-feeling agent did as told. – "Now think of Steve and whisper 'Are you ready?' to your ring."

As agent Lattimer said the three words a loud static noise was heard and he disappeared.

"Oliver, what are you not telling me? And where is Pete?"

"I gave Pete Guglielmo Marconi's Ring. It allows a person to travel through radio waves. The downside is that for a full hour after using it the person can only speak Italian."

"Did you give any artifacts to anyone else?"

"Do you want the truth or do you want me to lie?"

"Oliver." – She said in a serious tone.

"Yes. To everyone. Almost no downside. I just wanted to be sure that if something like this happened, you guys would be able to help each other."

"I understand your reasoning. But you should have told us."

"I know."

There was another static noise and Pete Lattimer appeared in The Emperor's Gauntlet.

"Che viaggio! Ehi, perché non sto parlando in inglese?"

"No time for explaining. Kiss him!"

Pete kneeled close to his sleeping lover. His body covered the other and he gently kissed Steve. At first Steve didn't respond but as time passed, he started to kiss back.

A bright flash brought them apart. They looked it came from and saw Oliver waving a Polaroid picture.

"Perfect. Claudia is going to pay big bucks for this."

"Oliver, que è questo?"

"And why is Pete talking in Italian?"

"To answer your question, Steve, he used Marconi's ring. And to answer your question, Pete, this is Edwin H. Land's Polaroid. Makes a moment lasts forever. Look."

He was showing the couple the moving picture when a sharp voice cut into his thoughts.

"Pete, you might want to get back to Myka. Do everything the same but think of her."

"Certo. Ciao, mi amore. Ciao, Oliver."

The Russian agent waved goodbye:

"Arrivederci."

Static and then gone.

"Oliver?"

"Let's get to the hospital and see if our victims are awake."


Awakening: Florence, Italy

"They seemed like they woke up from a hangover."

"Are they all okay, doc?"

"Yeah, other than a minor headache, no other lasting effects."

"Okay, thanks. Keep them for another day just to be sure."

"Aye, aye, Doctor Addams."


The Trip Back: Florence, Italy

The agents were sitting side by side in the airplane and Steve decided to get some of his questions answered:

"Do you know who's behind all of this?"

"No." – Before the human lie detector could open his mouth, Oliver continued: - "I mean I'm not entirely sure of it, but I have some idea."

"What did Samuel say about 'sinner' and 'sought'?"

"It's a quotation from Little Red Riding Hood. 'Do I find you here, you old sinner! I have long sought you!' is what the Huntsman first says when he sees the Wolf."

"What does it mean?"

"If it's who I'm thinking of, then it's a declaration of war."

"And what-"

Oliver interrupted his partner:

"Steve, leave it. I… I'm just not strong enough to tell this story right now."

"Okay. Thanks for saving my life by the way."

"No problem. And I'm not giving you the picture, stop trying!"